1 July 1985 Z-NEWS 206 Z TIPS: Many have asked to have AC, archive copy program of Z-System, automatically erase file if already exists on destination directory. Well, Dennis Wright, author of ZRDOS, says to simply add "N" trailing parameter with "A" to have this feature: AC C:=B:*.* /AN automatically copies all changed files to C from B disk, without prompts. If troubles are experienced running a commercial application program with Z-System because of insufficient memory, write the publisher. Ask him to please upgrade his program to work in 48k-byte TPA (Transient Program Area) systems. Ask that he organize the program to use available TPA, using disk- to-RAM swap buffers, or modular overlays. When Digital Research (Pacific Grove, CA) produced MP/M, which allocated 48k-byte TPA, standard 8-bit software design practice became: design applications requiring only 48k. We think it was good idea then, still do, to promote efficient code writing for our computing machines; we use few appliances for work, learning! We are doing our best to convince Jim Whorton to make full-screen editor VDO a ZCPR3 utility, one that keys terminal video requirements to the system environment as other Z3 utilities do. Keep your fingers crossed. GOTO, Version 1.2, has been updated (operates from a ZEX line) to assure multiple commands are cancelled, if on same line. Update by ZCPR3 creator, Richard Conn, now on Z-Nodes. Also don't forget to get Rick's SAK, Version 2.1, that cancels ZEX processing with a ^C. Here's how he describes these two utilities: ; GOTO is a program designed to be run under ZEX which permits ; branching within a ZEX file. It accepts only one argument, a label, ; defined within the ZEX file as a special comment of the form: ; ;=label anytext ; The syntax of GOTO is: ; GOTO label ; ; GOTO always aborts the rest of a multiple command line when it ; executes; if it did not do this, commands following the GOTO would ; be executed before the GOTO is performed (control returned to ZEX). ; SAK (Strike Any Key) is used for the following purposes: ; 1) to wait for user interaction before continuing ; and to allow the user to abort a Multiple ; Command Line ; 2) to command the user's attention by ringing the ; bell at his console ; 3) cancel ZEX command file in execution (2.1 - rlc) ; ; The SAK command line is: ; SAK /o... or SAK /o... text or SAK text ; SAK is invoked with following options: ; A -- DO NOT Allow User to Cancel MCL ; B -- Ring Bell ; Pnnnn -- Pause nnnn seconds and continue if no ; response by that time ; Z -- Allow User to Cancel ZEX In original assemble/link M80.ZEX (or in ZAS.ZEX) file there's a line: ; Please Type $^C if Error(s) Exist - ^? possible by using ZEX's built-in prompt capability. Line now can be replaced with a SAK statement: SAK /P6Z Errors, cancel link (^C)? Advantage here, link automatically commences if a ^C is not entered by operator within 6 seconds. But any keypress starts link operation immediately, without waiting for default pause limit. Change to 20 second pause and add repeating bell alert if you aren't attentive to console screen/keyboard after starting ZEX process; /BP20Z provides difficult-to- ignore prompt if assembly errors occur. MORE Z TIPS: Setting up command lines for VFILER CMD and VMENU files is fun. Both programs have ability to point to a file, called Pointer File (PF), for further processing. Normally, the name Current File is reserved for files established by SETFILE or in SH.VAR, i.e., system files. (And don't confuse these with Current Disk or User.) A neat command line useful for editing files might be: ECHO Use Pointer File (Y, T, , or CR=yes)? IF INPUT VDO $pf ELSE VDO "Filename to Edit? " FI which automatically prompts for file name to edit if pointer file is not to be used. Responding to first prompt with Y (yes), T (true), space bar, or carriage return, causes pointer file ($pf, %f for VFILER CMD) to be used by (passed to) editor. Tip comes directly from Z-Node Central: was a message to Z user, Wally Ottersbach, from Sysop Dave McCord. Z-Node Corner: Nodes licensed to download Echelon proprietary software help support diverse computer disk formats. Contact them for Z-Tools, Z3-Dot-Com, Z-Com, DSD, Discat, ZRDOS, Z-Msg, etc. After you satisfy (pay) Sysop (by check, money order, credit card number, or other agreed-to payment method) and download, he sends your name, address, and what you received to EI; we mail printed documentation and place you on Z-News mailing list. It's simple, convenient, closed loop; everybody wins! The Z-Team downloaders: 2. Al Hawley - Los Angeles, CA - 213/670-9465 3. Jay Sage - Newton Centre, MA - 617/965-7259 7. Tim Linehan - Olympia, WA - 206/357-6757 10. Rea Williams - El Toro, CA - 714/855-0672 14. Rich Rodeheaver - Reynoldsburg, OH - 614/864-2673 15. Richard Jacobson - Chicago, IL - 312/649-1730 16. Jud Newell - Islington, Ontario, CANADA - 416/232-0442 17. Robert Tate - Altamonte Springs, FL - 305/831-6049 19. Fred Townsend - San Jose, CA - 408/262-5150 29. Ed Unrien - Orlando, FL - 305/295-0844 Announcements: 1) Norm Beeler, Z-Node 35 (Sunnyvale, CA, 408/245-1420), is an alternative if you're unsuccessful contacting Z-Node Central. Add Norm to others we recommended in Z-News 205. But please, upload as well as download; more "go-fors" provide more up-to-date files for more users. These alternates work only if we have sufficient volunteers timely moving software from Central to other nodes. 2) Wow! Another noder signs up. Welcome to: 38. Robert L. Paddock - Franklin, PA 16323 Z-System Going Public: ZRDOS is getting modified to be controlled by a Z utility to permit (optionally) public files to be created and recognized. Fully compatible with Andy Johnson-Laird (Control-C Software) and Bridger Mitchell (Plu*Perfect Systems) approach, Z soon permits any directory to access a command file that uses overlays in another directory. Without individual patching, programs that use overlays like WordStar, dBASE, T/Maker, MultiPlan, and The Word Plus, would be placed in, say, A15:ROOT directory, with text and data files in other directories, e.g., B0 to B15. More as features mature. But until Z has public file capability we make do using SETDRU (and WS- FIX or WSPAT-DM). Awhile ago Michael Rubenstein wrote this filter program permitting an application program to find its associated overlays in other than current/default directory. It gets the job done for WordStar, The Word Plus, Perfect Writer, and other applications. (We first mentioned SETDRU in Newsletter 008, there and then called USER.) SETDRU13.LBR is presently on Z- Nodes and other remote access systems. SB180 Song: The Micromint SBC continues as top-of-list, must-get item, for dyed-in-wool 8-bitters. SCSI hard-disk expansion interface, autostart aliases for RAM disk make it so flexible. File-load and auto-archive aliases individually generated for wordprocessing, database management, spreadsheet, communications activities make for unbelievably quick and convenient processing. Z-System custom menus tie it (what you want to do) together. Order yours now for early delivery (1st week of August) by calling Micromint toll-free 800/635-3355; phone number is good also for requesting literature and complete pricing information on SB180. Build one (buy fully assembled and tested SBC with ready to boot software for $418.00; add case with power supplies, about $220.00; three half-height floppies--both 5.25" and 8"--and one fast 8" or 5.25" hard disk, $1000.00 or so; connectors and cables, $100.00; and Wyse WY-350 color terminal) as your second computer, and it quickly becomes your prime because of bright, shining performance! WY-350 retails for $1195.00; ouch! multi-hue costs money. Some may feel it's not worth it and use WY-50 for $695.00. Of course, these are retail prices and few pay that these days. Also, lots of readily available used equipment (flea-market purchases) greatly reduce final costs of any such project. (We noticed WY-100 terminals for $195.00 from WW Components, 1771 Junction Avenue, San Jose, CA 95112, 408/295-7171.) Micromint plans to produce a stand-alone, ready-to-run, remote access system using SB180 and a modem board they presently finish designing. Modem board uses new Xecom (374 Turquoise St., Milpitas, CA 95035, 408/943-0313) MOSART module to handle telephone/computer interface functions. Z-System, Term3 and Z-Msg will be bundled with package. More in next newsletter. We trust Dave Thompson (Micro Cornucopia Magazine) and Art Carlson (The Computer Journal) publish articles that assist learning to build (and use) Hitachi HD64180-based computers--the future is now! California Proverb: If you tickle yourself you can laugh whenever you wish. Get your pleasure from other than yourself, sometimes you have to wait before laughter comes! We (you and I) work (and write) where palm trees meet pines, where water tastes like wine! Miracles every day. See you down the lines... Echelon, Inc. 101 First Street Los Altos, CA 94022 Telephone: 415/948-3820 Z-Node Central: 415/489-9005 Trademarks: SB180, Micromint; HD63484/64180, Hitachi; Z80/800, Zilog; WY- 50/350, Wyse Technology; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Tools, Z-Com, Zas, Zlink, ZDM, ITOZ, Z-Msg, DSD, Term3, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon and their respective owners and authors; 8088/86/186, Intel; 9580/81, Advanced Micro Devices; MOSART, Xecom. Z-News 206 is Copyright 1985 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is given to Echelon.