The National CP/M RoundTable on GEnie

CP/M is very much alive on GEnie.  The CP/M RoundTable software 
libraries have over 240 million bytes online in over 4000 files 
of the latest public domain software. This includes over 200 
SIG/M user group "disks".

The purpose of the CP/M RoundTable is to share knowledge and 
experience, and to enhance the use of the CP/M operating systems 
from Digital Research and the other operating systems of similar 
design and function (such as ZRDOS and TurboDOS) for Intel 8080 
and 8085, Zilog Z80, and Hitachi HD64180 Microcomputers.  The 
CP/M RoundTable also supports callers using CP/M emulators, such 
as on the IBM-PC and on the Atari ST.

The Bulletin Board is the place to discuss CP/M issues, to get 
information about the latest versions of commercial, public 
domain, and user-supported CP/M software and CP/M maintenance 
utilities, to get info on the latest CP/M publications and 
commercial products, to receive help with the operating system 
and software and hardware associated with the operating system, 
and to meet other CP/M callers.

The Software Library is the place to download the latest versions 
of public domain and user-supported CP/M software and CP/M 
maintenance utilities.  Also information files, reviews, and 
articles are available here.  This is also the area to upload 
your favorite files to share with the other members.  Uploads to 
GEnie are free of charge during non-prime time hours.

Any modem program capable of XMODEM or YMODEM protocol (CheckSum 
or CRC validity checking) may be used to upload or download the 
files in the library.  There are several good Public Domain modem 
programs available.

The CP/M RoundTable has been online with GEnie for two years.  We 
have collected a large data base of Public Domain software and 
information files.  The Bulletin Board area has several user 
groups to answer machine-specific questions for the TRS-80 using 
CP/M, Heath/Zenith, Kaypro, Osborne, Visual-1050, Commodore C128 
using CP/M, Apple using CP/M, Atari using CP/M, and a category to 
discuss ZCPR3, ZRDOS, and the Z-SYSTEM.

The RoundTables on GEnie can be a valuable resource for you, they 
offer games, software, technical advice, information, and 
discussions.  You also get to interact with a group of people who 
share your interests.  RoundTables are formed for any special 
interest topics.  GEnie organizes its RoundTables be grouping 
these into three categories: GEnie PC RoundTables (these are 
Roundtables that deal specifically with computers, software and 
related topics), Product Support RoundTables (these cover topic 
areas such as MicroSoft Windows); and other RoundTables (these 
include groups of a non-computer nature such as the Electronic 
Hobbyist and the Non Profit Connection).

GEnie offers you a variety of choices in entertainment, 
information and software exchange, communications, shopping - all 
from your computer.  By using simple menus and/or a few easy 
commands, you can talk to a friend across the country one minute; 
go on an electronic shopping trip the next, try your hand at a 
few games, and finish up by attending an electronic meeting with 
software developers to discuss new programs for your computer.

In order to work with GEnie you will need a computer or terminal, 
an asynchronous modem (either 300 or 1200 baud), and you'll need 
a telephone access number and your GEnie user identification 
number (also called a user id) and password.  You will also need 
one of the many available communication software packages, many 
of which are available in the public domain.

GEnie is available 24 hours a day.  The least expensive time to 
use GEnie is from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. local time plus all day on 
Saturday and Sunday and national holidays (this is called Non-
Prime Time).  The cost is higher for Prime Time (8 a.m. to 6 
p.m.).

You can sign up for the GEnie service using your computer, by 
calling 1-800-638-8369 (toll free).  Set up your modem program 
for either 300 or 1200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no 
parity.  If you are using a terminal, you may also use 300 or 
1200 baud, 7 bits, 1 stop bit and even parity.

Dial the access number, and when communication is established 
(indicated by either a light on your modem, or the "CONNECT" 
prompt on your screen) enter "HHH" and press the Return key.  
Next you will see the "U#=" prompt.  Now enter a "^R" (control R) 
to signal GEnie that you want Host Echo mode (full duplex 
operation) (Most CP/M callers will prefer this to Local Echo mode 
(half duplex operation) which you can use be not entering the 
"^R").  At this point enter the special user id and password, 
separated by a comma and press the Return key, like this:

^RXJM11890,GENIE

Next you will have to answer a few questions (name, address...  
stuff like that) and electronically agree to the terms of the 
service agreement.

The next business day, a GE representative will call you with 
your new GEnie user id and password which will allow you to use 
the GEnie system.  Shortly thereafter, you will receive a copy of 
this user's guide and some other useful information.

See you on GEnie!

Keith Petersen, SysOp
National CP/M RoundTable on GEnie