Philadtlphia Arta Computtr Socitty

THE: DAT~ BUS Philadtlphia Arta Computtr Socitty

VOLUME 7 NUMBER 12 JUNE 1983

EDITOR I S SECTOR JUNE 18 MEETING SCHEDULE _ LOUISE SCHULTZ The DATA BUS is getting a new look beginning with the first issue of Volume 8 (July). The over- 9:15a IBM Main lEEiting a II size wi I I go from 8 1/2 by 11 to 7 by 8 1/2. 10:00a App Ie As~b I y Language. Mar i As~b I y The type size has stabilized at that used in this Language. Pascal. Tl , TRS-80 Color CoIR- and tt:le past two issues and the genera I sty Ie will pu1er. VIC-20 conti nue as in th i s issue. The impact will be on 11:OOa Apple Hard&SOf.•.• A"'ari. CBMIPET. DB Manage- new advertisers in terms of ad size and space menT, IBM SIGs. TRS-80 prices. (Any ads already contracted for in issues 12noon Apple Main .aeting. CP/M. OSI after this one continue at the previous rates.) l:00p CompuTers In EducaTion With the growth in number of members, the costs of 2:00p Main Meeting (see below) preparing the DATA BUS have risen, obviously. We assume that the membersh i p fee covers the news JUf£ 18. 1983 Main Meeting portion of the costs and that printing and mai ling Topic: Implementation of a Micro-based Low-Cost costs arising from space occupied by ads should be High-Res Graphics Controller borne by the adverti sera Thus, if a page costs $50 Speaker: Bob Kondner, Applied Data Systems, to print and send to 750 members, when the number of I nc.; Laure I, MD copies rises 25%, as it has since November, we must raise the price to advertisers accordingly. Bob wi II describe the design requirements, Therefore, with the July 1983 issue, ad rates problems involved and hardware/software implementa- go to $62.50 per page, each new page being 151/2 tion of A.D.S.' high-resolution (512 x 480 x 16 column inches, or $4. per column inch (minimum color) color graphics controller. The VectorScan charge). Discounts for multiple insertions continue 512 attaches to any computer's serial port, and uses at 10%. an 8085 uProc to draw circles, lines, points or text Also, PLEASE note, the copy deadline for the in 16 colors or intensities. It also has printer - -DATA-BllS ·s-lhe 25th day of the preceding month. screen dump software bui It-in, and can act as a Anything that invoves proauB'Ton-ot~lTafl-t~rng~R-i:er spooler with 128K RAM when not in graphics (that is, artwork, photos, e+c.) shou I d be subm i tted mode. ----=------~e I I i n ad~ance.of the dead ~i ne to ensure i nserti <;,n Bob w l l l a I so descr i be the prob Iems encountered I n the des I red I ssue, I wI II we leome and cred It when start i ng a sma II "h i gh-tech" company. contributioins from al I sources and of any kind. We wou Id all enjoy more photos, perhaps cartoons (not copied from something copyrighted, please), and COMPUTER OF THE YEAR think pieces as well as what we are proudly offering in terms of technical material. VANCOUVER--Aninternational competition run by If you are sending straight copy and want to seven personal computer magazines has recently voted transmit it directly, you can call me at 587-4931 the Commodore V IC-20 "Home Computer of the Year." during the day, as wel I as Ron Stoloff at 671-9037 Judging was held in London, England. after about 3 pm. The magaz i nes sponsori ng the competition were As has been mentioned in a couple of the user 'DaTabus' (Hol l and), 'M i crosystems' (France), 'B i t' group columns, we are thinking of setting up a (Italy), 'Practical Computing' (England), 'Chip' schedule of theme issues. Ed Richhezza has agreed (Spain), 'Personal Computing' (U.S.A.) and 'Chip' (Germany). to help with the reporting aspects, by interviewing the members of the var i ous groups to have feature Computers had to meet basic criterla--they had material about the use and users of micros. Just to be fully developed machines, not pre-production about everybody buys from some dea i'er and we need prototypes, and avai I ab Ie to the market p I ace with the names and addresses of these. Not the store software and service back-up. Second and third name--the owner or manager's name for a persona I places went to the Sinclair ZX81 and Spectrum, with contact to stimulate interest in PACS and in the At-ari 400 and Tandy Color Compu1"er coming in as advertising in the DATA BUS. runners-up. (From The Torpe+, Apr i I 83) And, finally, anyone who would like to help on the DATA BUS should contact me. We could use EDITOR'S NOTE: A DATA BUS is a Dat-abus. someone to coordinate advertising and just contribute some ideas. OS, 5 1/4-inch 320kb Tandon drives suitable for IBM pc. $275. each; 2 used but well- mainTained SS, 5 1/4-inch l60kb IBIMIITandon drives. REQUESTFOR COMPUTERDONATIONSTO PACS any reasonable offer. Fred Orkin, 215-667-7003 So you have a micro that works fine but doesn't evenings. have the I atest des i gn and you can't get anyth i ng for it on the market. Donate it for use by PACS! FOR SALE: 64kb Bas i s 108 mi crOCOIIpu-ter; runs IIIOS'" If you donate directly to PACS, therei s no tax Apple OOS 3.3. Pascal, and CP/M programs. Expandable deduction, but if you donate it to LaSalle College t-o 12Bkb on-board. Full detachable keyboard wi-th Phys i cs Department there is a tax deduct i on. We funCTion keys, numeric pad, and cursor con1"rol pad. could even have a story about your generosity in the $1~75. Corrtec+ Eric Hafler, 215-843-9784 between 11 DATA BUS. Contact STeve Longo now. am and 11 pm. OUT OF TIME AND SPACE )ft-IAT'S AN "ECONOMICALLY STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY-? ' Bi I Is introduced in both the U.S. House and the by ED RICCHEZZA Senate propose assistance for "economically strate- Dear Steve: gic technologies" that offer potential economic Last fa I I I suggested to you the terr if i c benefit but whose development is endangered by the impact upon the City of Phi ladelphia a truly active targeted R&D efforts of U.S. competitors, with the "Hand i capped User Group" wou I d have. The hand i cap- National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy ped would cover as many phases as possible: the of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine to blind, the epi leptics, the cerebral palsies, the responsible for identifying the economically strate- autistics, the dyslexics, etc. gic technologies. Technology development programs You were enthusiastic at the suggestion and would then identify the industry, university, and i nd i cated you wou I d discuss it at the subsequent Government resources to maxi mi ze the potenti a I for Board Meet i ng. Later you informed me that it had successful development of the technology. been discussed and pre Ii mi nary plans had been re- viewed. During the latter conversation I said to you that I would offer whatever assistance I could. i" •• ,. tP [~ l~ f'" !~ t•••• Whi Ie I have had no experience whatever in working .J\"" ., ., ~••• {-.. ~•• ., :.., •• with the handicapped there is always leg work invol- -, ved in endeavors of this kind. And I would assist POINT YOUR TOES AT in this leg work. Again you were enthusiastic. But it is regret- table that nothing of a concrete nature has been THE PHILADELPHIA AREA COMPUTER SOCIETY'S accomplished. I must admit to being remiss in not following up before this time. This was occasioned by the many interests and activities which normally HAM AND CHIPS FLEA MARKET occupy one's time. 1 am sure that a simi lar situation exists with you. Considering the demands on your time imposed by SATURDAY AUGUST 20, 1983 t ..... the nature of your academic duties plus being pres- 10 am to 4 pm •• sured by the Pres i dency of PACS, it is easy to LA SALLE COLLEGE PARKING LOT understand that other priorities would take prece- .,.Y dence. However, I must repeat my former statement - which I cannot emphasize to strongly -- that PACS is missing an excellent opportunity. ~l~ •• "'i~ ~, Best wishes Ed ..; •••••• "'i..a

Every so often I resort to my Source correspon- of the above wou I d be a cand i date for a Doctora I dents in search i ng for ass i stance or ans wers to a degree - or at I east a Master's. Right? Wrong. The spec i-f i c ques+ i on or--J3r=-09-I-e-m~l-n-t.A-i-s--l7aF-t-i-el:J+aF--alffhor is-fourteen year 0 I d Rachel Ka.;-ch 12-ECho - instance I w~nte~ to test a certa in theory a~d Ct., Wayne, NJ 07470. _:.... _ posted a notice In one of the Source Bulletin It could-be -f-ur+her- supposed that Rachel is a Boards. I received eight replies, most of which were veteran at short short story writing. Right? Wrong! significant. One was particularly noteworthy and I This is her FIRST attempt and came about as a result list it here. (I n th i s case to revea I the theory of her express i ng d i ssat i sf act i on over the ca I i ber would spoi I the "action" so at the conclusion of of writing in her school paper. She was told "if you the prem i se I wi I I pose the theory). Here is the can do better, then do it." So she did. And by co- reply (in story form). incidence her very first happened to fit the answer "Dedr i ck performed a I ast check on the cargo to my theory. hold doors, then turned back to the computer. ''Do (Source ID: TCN254. Code name ''Glinarien''). you think they'll like the gift?" he asked. "Of DID YOUKNOW: course they will", replied his companion Tyler. 1) That you are responsible for providing "Why wouldn't they? It was the best one at the appropriate power and installing protective devices? hatchery." That fai lure to condition power I ines can be con- The gift was a dragon from the famed hatcheries sidered negligence and cause for voiding warranties of Windhaven. Dragons were expensive these days but or canceling service contracts? That neither the they were worth the price. One dragon could easi Iy manufacturer nor the retai ler is responsible for generate enough power for a large office bui Iding. problems resutl ing from your fai lure to meet power ~~ost cities were no longer using nuclear power -- specifications? dragons were less ex pens i ve, So if someone gave you 2) I NTEL, Santa Clara CA is deve I op i ng a ch i p a dragon as a gift, you could be sure you had a good that holds 4 mi Ilion bits in memory? The technology: friend. This was the logic of the Council of Wind- magnetic bubbles, minute magnetized cylinders in a haven. It had been the Council's decision to send film of garnet. Unlike silicon memory chips, bubble a dragon to potent i a I a II i es, since in those days memory contents do not disappear when e I ectr i c power when the threats of war were more frequent you does). needed as few enemies as possible. 3) Apple is helping its dealers to reach out "Okay, let him go", said Tyler. Dedrick opened for customers. Apple is leasing Ford vans to dealers the outer ho I d doors and he and Ty ler watched as the to be used as travel i ng sa Ies centers. The vans are dragon went floating down, landing harmlessly in a set up to enable quick and smooth demos of compu- lake. As Tyler turned the ship to go home, he said ter equipment away from the store. (Why am I plug- "What was that lake? Our superiors wi II want to ging Apple? when -- I suppose to keep the cost down know." Dedr i ck checked with the computer. flUmrn., another ten bucks or so --' they fa i Ied to i nc I ude Loch Ness, whatever that means," he said, as the lower case as standard in the I, II and II+? Have I dragon ate the card tied to his neck that read got a bug about that? You betcha, I doll. ''Greetings, people of Earth, from the Counci I of Hal: Perhaps soon I can find something to pick Woodhaven." on with the TRS-80 because I do feel so gui Ity about Of course, the question posed was this: "What sl ighting you. You gotta promise, tho, to keep Sto- in your op in i-on is the 'Case of the Monster of Loch loff off my back. Ness?' CIAO! Gotta go now -- I'm out of time and It would be logical to suppose that the author space. 2 TRS-80 REPORT: GO(ing)TO it Faster need do is retrieve them•. Makes 8 little more work for the listing routine, .whlch must convert the by HAL BROWN numbers back to ASCII characters for display; but Within a month or two following introduction of that I s a good trade for more eff Ic Iency dur i ng a significant new product by one of the major micro- execution. computer companies, the computer publ ications are An interesting consequence of this way of stor- loaded with reviews of the new product. In particu- ing numbers in a program is that when an entered lar, magazines dedicated to the support of one line is subsequently listed, the lister routine may manufacturer are sure to review new products from not display the number the way it was entered. For that manufacturer. example, type in the line This year those supporting Radio Shack have. had 10 A = 00000123 a lot to cover. There is a plethora (ask Howard, he Whenlisted, it will be uses it too) of new computer products from RS this lOA = 123 year. Or, type in the line Most significant to computer hobbyists and 20 B = .000000000123 smaII busi ness users is the new Model 4. I ncI dent- and It will be listed as ally, have you noticed +ha+ following the lead of 20 B = 1.23E-1 0 the Models 16, 12 and 100, this one now uses the Another significant change is the way the Arabic digit 4 in the official name instead of the object line numbers in GOTOand GOSUBstatements are Roman numerals of Models I, II and III. No big found. I n ModeI III BASIC the obj ect line number is deal, just an observation. compared with the current line number and, depending No doubt by now you have at least seen the on whether it is higher or lower, search for the Model 4 demonstrated. You may even own one. If not I ine starts with the next I ine below or with the you have certai nIy read about the new features of first I ine in the program. Either way, each line this model. I would I ike to briefly mention the number is tested in turn unti I a match Is found. main ones, then discuss some you may not have read A consequence of this search-unti I-found about. approach is that some line numbers will be found In a nutshell, the Model 4 is two computers in much faster than others. We have all read articles one. One of them is a ModeI I I I. In fact, the non- on how to structure a program containing many sub- disk version is a Model I I I operationally. The disk routine calls for fastest execution (one of these version is also operationally a Model III if booted columns was devoted to the subject). The advice was with a Model I I I system. disk. The screen format is to locate most called subroutines at the top of the Model III (64x16 lines), clock speed is Model III program and provide a GOTOat the very top to branch (2.2 MHz) and the ModeI I I I ROMis in low memory as down to the main program I ines below. . always. This is no longer necessary with Modal 4 BASI~ But when booted with the new TRS-DOS6.0 or After the first time a subroutine is found, its CP/M+, which should be out by the time you read address is stored in memory and a pointer relates it this, the Model 4 becomes a completely different to its line number. Then for subsequent ca II s of machine. It has an 80x24 line screen, runs at 4 MHz the same routine the interpreter can retrieve that clock speed and has no ROM. The entire 64K of address and go immediately to the routine. memory is RAM, plus optionally an additional 64K I tested this feature by writing a dummyprog- available for bank switching. ram with many lines and In the middle a FOR-NEXT -----"ftn:t s-----the--+le-w--m.acb.L"sne-S. lJn uJia neously com- loop to produce 10000 calls to a subroutine consist- pletely compatible with Model III software-:Jn Model i ng simp Iy of the word RETURN. In ModeI I I I mode, III mode, and almost completely incompatible with when the called routine was at the top of the prog- Model III software when in Model 4 mode. It can ram, execution took 61 seconds. With the subroutine execute aII the substant i aI quant i ty of software located on the I ine just above the call ing I ine it avai lable for the Model III along with the many took 99 seconds. In Modal" BASIC the time was lB business programs that run under CP/M. Also we can seconds for either case. expect to see more substant i aIvers ions of PASCAL, Some of that time difference is accounted for COBOL, FORTRAN,FORTHand other languages either by the di fference in c lock speed, and the rest of already avai l able to run under CP/M or soon devel- the difference between 18 and 61 seconds is probably oped for th is sure to be popuIar machl ne- due to the more efficient storage of numbers and TRS-DOS6.0 is rea II y LDOS6.0, with aII the other improvements. But the fact both cases took features of the LDOS5.0 fami Iy plus a few new ones. the same time in Mode I .• mode, and the larger di f- Like earlier LDOSs it has the powerful JCL (Job ference between the 18 seconds and worst-case 99 Control Language) feature and a print spooler, which seconds I n ModeI I I I mode is the resu It of the I understand can make use of bank switched memory improved routine find technique. for buffer space. An interesting new feature is By next issue maybe I will have discovered a abi I i ty to create phantom in-memory dr i ves- Bank a few more tidbits about the Model 4. switched memory can also be used for this purpose. System, or other f i Ies can be saved on these i n- memory "drives", from which they can be reloaded to main memory almost instantaneously as needed. The BASIC prov i ded on the TRS-DOS6.0 diskette POILA,.CH SOFnrARE is a version of Microsoft 5.0 BASIC. It has a number of new and powerful instructions, recognizes SPECIALIZING IN PRODUCTS FOR all characters of variable names up to 40 characters ~ commodore long and much much more. 154- But most of those th i ngs you aIready know. I want to tell you about a couple of this BASIC's features you may not have read about. For one th i ng, BASIC programs are stored in memory dif ferent Iy than with. ear I i er BASICs- In ;:;;:A:•••• ModeI I I I BASIC, for exampIe, numbers entered as I\ (215) 225 -1233 part of the program are retained in memory as ASCII characters, whI ch must be read and converted to Softwarewitfl • binary form by the interpreter at run time. Not so Computer Purchase in Model" BASIC. Numbers are stored directly in FREE the program In binary form, so all the interpreter FROM THE PRESIDENT APPLE NEWS: Cleanliness is Next to? STEPHEN A LONGO by NEIL LIPSON Attendance at the '1ay meeting was over 400. A great turnout! Th i s obv i ous I y ref Iects the growth As I ment i oned in the Iast meet i ng, the PACS of the persona I computer fie I d. ~embers have sug- Apple Group wi I I be expanding the coverage of their gested that a number of our recent attendees are courses and serv ices (at no extra charge to our computer neophytes and that PACS cou I d best serve members). Many of these c I asses will not neces- these individuals by offering some introductory sari Iy meet at LaSalle, but hopefully allover the courses, such as computer literacy and 8ASIC. These city. We also hope to have multiple classes on the courses would be machine independent; the user same subject, but localized to your particular area. groups are the best source for machine specifics. I The only requirement is that you are a member. For would like to know what you think; would you like to example, Bud Haslett is starting an investment group (co-) Iead a course; wou I d you like to attend such a that deals with some of the Dow Jones software. Bud course? can be reached at 543-4515. The ~1ay 27 issue of Science had an interest i ng As I mentioned in the past, I feel that App le- report enti t led "Nanocomputers from Organ ic Mole- soft is THE I anquaqe- I t's not that Bas i cis super- cules". Previous articles that I have read dealing ior to the other languages but there are many more with th i s topic seemed like science fiction. Th i s ut i lit i es wr i tten for App Iesoft Bas i c than any other article reports on the "Second International Work- I anguage that I know of. All of these beauti fu I shop on '~~olecular Electronic Devices"'. The goal compi lers, and sorting routines, crunchers and the of this field is to replace transistors with organic like are available for basic and have been for some and inorganic functional groups. Solid state time. These utilities are increasing almost weekly devices are measured in micrometers; molecules are and they wi I I probably never stop. Granted, Pascal measured in nanometers. That is SMALL! Res ides is very powerful, but Basic is far easier to learn, discussing electronic devices constructed (grown?) and has the greatest number of articles and support. from molecules, the workshop offered an interesting This, of course, is my personal opinion. human implant technique. Electrodes coated with a Watch for some new exciting boards for the protein could be affixed to isolated nerve cells. Apple and Franklin. Some companies are coming out The nerve cel Is would then be placed on an organism with sprite graphic cards which will speed up and (brain) with the final connection being the GROWTH merge graphics for the Apple. The super large of the cell into the organism! Wi II soldering irons memory cards are also on the way with some having follow sl ide rules (to the land of great devices in bubb Ie memory that will not be erased when turned the sky>? off. Many other things are cooking so stay tuned. Speaking of growth, CP/M is really becoming a It appears that the Kraft joystick is about the giant. This popularity is spawning a number of best j oyst i ck for the money. It is about $5 more books and magazine articles deal ing with CP/M. than the T&G, but has a I arger lever, buttons that Computers and Electronics (former I y Popular Elect- are positioned for human engineering, and release ronics) is publishing a four part series (May s witches on the bottom. Th i s is' my j oyst i ck of through August) on CP/M. The first two articles choice. were ok, but --as noted by the editors-- you should Now that the thurderstorm season is approach- have had some exposure to CP/M (to follow them). in g, take the to I low i ng precaut ions. Never Ieave David E. Cortesi has written a good book titled the computer on a II the time. I f you hear thunder, "Inside CP/M" (Holt, Rinehart and Winston). This is UNPLUG the comp lete computer system, pr inter and the best book I have read about CP/M. Divided into a II. I f you do not want to go to the troub Ie of tutorial and a reference sections, it concentrates unplugging, use a two pole switch so both the hot on CP/M 2.0, with comments on CP/M 86, MP/M and MP/M leg and ground leg are disconnected. Sometime 2. The first four well-written and informative surges can go through the ground leg, into the chapters on concepts are for the nov ice. Res i dent computer and out the ground wire whi ch can burn CP/M commands are covered in chapter 4, PIP in things out even if nothing is on (this has happened chapter 6, and the EDitor in chapter 7. The few to a few of my fr i ends). minor typos do not interfere with an otherwise fine For those of you who missed it, I had two presentat i on. Chapter 8 discusses the turn-key articles in the last DATA BUS. I am open to all approach of fered by the SUBMI T command. The book suggestions for improving the PACS Apple group. earns it name ("Inside") because of an excellent This applies to better courses, expanded facilities treatment of BDOS in chapter 13. The second half of or whatever. If you have ANY suggestions, I wi II be the book is a standard but we I I-organ i zed and handy happy to add to these. Please call me at the phone CP/M reference. number listed in the DATA BUS at any time. It is If you would like to learn CP/M, this book is said that in most organizations 10% of the people do worth your time and money. 90% of the work. I see no reason why th i s shou I d app Iy to our club. Lets try to change th i ngs. If you are interested in music sythesis, I expect price drops from some of the manufacturers. At present, the systems are expensive, but this may change. It appears that diskettes are more rugged than prev i ous I Y thought. I heard of one instance where someone spi lied a mi Ikshake on the diskette. He removed it from the sleeve and hand washed it and dr i ed it with some b Iotters. He inserted it back into the washed sleeve and believe or not, it worked. I heard a s i mil ar story about someone having a 4116 RAM chip in the pocket of his shirt. When the shirt got washed and dried, so did the chip. He checked it and it was perfect, but he was hesitant to use it because of what it went through. Well. that's all for now folks!! PHILADELPHIA AREA IBM PC CLUB , by BENNETT LANDSMAN JULY MAIN MEETING POSSIBILITY NEW MEETING HALL We met in the Astronomy We understand that there Is a possibility that bui Iding next to Holyrod Hall in a basement lecture we might have as the featured discussion at the July hall. The size of the room is impressive. Eventually meeting two gentlemen who championed opposing sides we fi lied about 3/4 of it • The acoustics seemed to in the confrontation between Apple and Fnmklin. be pretty good as there were no complaints from the Detai Is were not set at press time but this could be back of the room. The seats are aduIts i ze- The onIy a fascinating opportunity to hear about the battle complaint was the sauna like environment. The open of the micros. Steve Longo shouId have deta I Is by door policy improved the situation somewhat but it the time you read this. wi II not be the complete answer during the summer months. ======a==_.=== __ a== ATTENDANCE I est i mated 120 peopIe atten ded with about 25 to 30 poteni al new members. Our new time format and change of location of the main text fi les created by Easywriter II in this imple- meeti ng evi dent Iy caught some peopIe by supr i se as mentation of Easyfi ler. A few pages of documentation people straggled in unti I 9:45 am. in front of the regu Iar manuaI expI aI n the dif fer- SOFTWAREEXCHANGELIBRARY Both Karin Helstrom ences in the I BM PC vers i on of the program. Thi s and Bill Bailey reported our library now has approx- kind of re Iease to get to the market before the imately 40 diskettes worth of programs. Based on our product or the documentation Is ready Is all too supply, the club has initiated a "disk of the month" common in the micro field. All It does is give some pol icy. The first disk of the month" (May) was the packages a bad name even when the package itself is freeware program ''PC-File 8.6". PC-Talk 3.0 , a fa i r Iy good. I eager Iyaw aIt the next vers i on of communications program that can handle up to 1200 Easyf i ler software and documentation. However I do baud modems is a possible candidate for a future not. recommend this version to anyone. IUS, the ven- disk of the month. Other normaI new member disk fu II dor, Charges for telephone support. For this version of programs and regular "you give our librarian a of Easyfi ler they should el low you to cal I collect. program and get several of your choice in return" HNIDWAREThe Starwriter F10 40cps daisywheel pol icies are sti II in effect. letter qual ity printer gets good reviews from its BUYERS& SELLERS Sing Ie sided disk dr i ves as users. The Okidata models 92 and 93 printers with well as one set of double sided Tandon drives are both high speed (160 cps) and correspondence quality for sale by club members.Contact either myself (609 (40cps) capabi I ities also have met with favor. The 786-1441) or Fred Orkin (215 667-7003) or Murray NEC and the Princeton Graphics RGB color monitors Gerstenhaber (215 898-8460) for single sided drives have been wel I received. The NEC amber monitor or Fred for double sided drives. «$200), which works off the composite output, gets Ron Lanz~i is looking for either full or part "easy on the eye and good resolution" marks. time trainers for a microprocessor training school. PRESENTATIONSThe 3M Corporation representa- Experience in training and/or software packages is tives led by Tris Fallon gave a very interesting necessary. Contact Ron at 101 N. Warwi ck Rd., Somer- presentation on floppy disks. There were many ques- dale, NJ 08083. tions and much interest in the single versus double COMDEXDick Klein gave us his impressions of sided 'cert'lfication process. The increase in bits the Comdex show. Major items appeared to be the per track density has been most impressive. The QuadramQuadlink card. It is an Apple with 64k on a bigges! increase in density will come with vertical card. It wi II run most Apple I I programs using the record I ng. Up to 30,000 bpi densi ty can be achi eved IBM PC disk drives, printer, and monitor. List price w.Jth this recording technique. The current single is current Iy $ 680. Sided IBM PC disk is recorded at 3200 bpi. The other i nnovat i ve product of note is the NOVICEGROUPPRESENTATIONJI. Kelly, author of Gavi Ian transportable computer. It's a IBM PC the IBM PC Guide, gave a talk to the Novice Sig on c lone, uses a 8088 cpu, 80kbytes RAM with a noveI his book. Jim is a very enterta in i ng speaker. His Icd touchpad that can be used by your finger imitat- talk was very wel I received. ing a mouse. The screen is 8 by 66. With a single OTHER SI GS The busi ness and data management sided disc drive, a printer, and a weight of 14 groups discussed DBase I I and PC-File. The assembler pounds it fits in a regular attache sized case. Cost group and the communications group al so met. The is approximately $ 4000. busi ness Si g hopes to get a speaker on Lotus 1-2-3 NEWHNIDWARANE DSOFTWARETomBow.an reported at the i r next meeti ng. on his strugg Ies with Inf'os+er- He appears to have JlJt£ MEETING The ConceptuaI Instruments Com- resolved his problems. The principal warning he pany wi I I make a presentation of their software gives is to avoid restructing, If possible. Plan package cal led The Desk Organizer at the June main ahead because restructing is a major undertaking in meeting. This package integrates calendar appoint- Intos+er, Tom wouId buy the package agai n. m?nts, notepad and keyword retr i evaI, telephone Home Accountant II gets mixed reviews. Some directory and dialing, time and date stamping, audio people love it, others hate it. alarm clock features, calculator, and provides hard- Autocode, a Qui ckcode type of ut i I i ty package copy output. for DBase I I, gets good reviews. It is a bit easier Reminder: Main meeting starts at 9:15 AM. SIG's for the novice programmer to use than Quickcode and at 11 and 12. about $100 cheaper. PC I ntercom, a communi cat ions program, gets good reviews. Karin Helstrom has used it to transmit TRI-STATE COMPUTER MAINTENANCE back and forth to mai nframes at high speed. The program can operate at up to 9600 baud. W ESE R V ICE Easyfi ler, from the people who brought us Easy- • ATARI HOME VIDEO -- MAX. CHARGE $29.95 writer II, the word processing program, is intended • PERSONAL COMPUTERS APPLE FRANKLIN to be a user friendly fi Ie handler, report generator and information retrieval package. It also provides ATARI PET a clever mai I merge function. It may, in its next • PRINTERS • DISKS implementation, I ive up to its potential. Currently From PA, call 874-9470 its documen+a+l on does not accur e+el v ref lect the menuson the screen and consequently makes learning From NJ, call 609-931-3547. its use harder than necessary. It, also cannot use 5 ----_.------_.- -_ -

USING THE EDUCATOR'S SIG ON COMPUSERVE CBM REPORT: Changing Times by RON STOLOFF by RON KUSHNIER I am a CompuServe junk i e. Like mOST hao I r ue J, deviant, degenerate behavior, this is an expensive, I n a past art I c Ie I referred to Commodore as though legal, habit. To prove this I have but to the "Computer a Month Company". It seemed I I ke they show you my bi II for the last 3 months: a total of were com I ng out with a new mach i ne or a rev I sed $95. This could buy an awful lot of diskettes. mode I at Ieast once a month. I got into the Educator's SIG on CompuServe This trend has not abated. The VIC-20 Is very pract i ca I I y at the incept i on. That I got i nvo I ved quickly evolving from that first model, which was in this is not surprising, considering my interest brought out a short tl me ago. Although the operat- in using computers in the classroom and as the ing system has remained Intact, the hardware has "leader" of the Computers in Education group at gone though some major revisions. Keyboards, power PACS. But it is the Iessons I Iearned contr i but i ng supp I I es and c I rcu I t cards have a" changed for to the SIG data base, the EXPENSIVE lessons, which I various reasons. Among these are; parts avallabl- would like to share with you in this article. These Ilty, heatl ng prob lems, and lower production cost exper i ences are not just app I icab Ie to the ED SIG, designs. but to most, if not all the SIGs on CompuServ~ Are the new VICs com I ng of f the I I ne better ~10st SIG's have data bases. The purpose of a than the old? A good question. I like the new SIG data base is to share the programs, exper i ence type, curved keyboard better. And the larger exter- and views of the contributers with the rest of the nal supply should provide more power to run al I the SIG members. I tried to do this. I followed the expander boards you might want to attach. Also" It instruct ions the SIG SYSOPS gave me, time and time should reduce any Internal heating problems that may again. I ordered the SIG manual ($3.50). Sti II, no have cropped up In the VIC. luck. What was happening was as I sent "up" the I have not heard of any drawbacks with the program, I would get "hung up". I had no idea of newer mode I s- They are, though, bu I It to se I I for the source of the trouble, or even at which end it less, and one wonders If anyth I ng was taken out to originated. The only thing I could do is cut the provide this cost reduction. Perhaps one of the line, redial in and go back into the FILGE editor, readers has a clue? on I y to su f fer "s i I ent death" aga in. Constant The newer VICs have different schrna+I c s, I bellyaching to the SYSOPs finally produced the fi Ie hope Commodore keep Its costomers Informed of all below. As you wi II note, FILGE (Fi Ie Generator and the changes. Editor) wil I only take a line of 127 character~ I The 64 Is now In Its third ROM revision. I was TRYING to send lines of 256. That was the guess they wI I I get It right sooner or I e+er- The problem but unti I I read the article below, I had no changes have all been minor so far. I think the big idea of the cause of the problem. one wI I I come when they go to a 4.0 type Bas i c. I give this to you, partly as encouragement to Commodore's $100 rebate sure has so I d a great try to send th i ngs up to the SIGs and part I y to many computers and has pul led a lot of old systems share my scars with you so you can avoid the injury out of circulation. This was a smar-t move and wi II ($$$$), yoursel f. assure them of cont I nued sa Ies of per I phera I sand Good luck! software. Have you noticed that none of these accessories has dropped In price? UPLOADING FROM COMPUSERVE The Club should be receiving a series of Public Adapted from the work of Frank Atkinson and Richard Domain software disks for the VIC and 64 from the Asher. Toronto group. Stay tuned.

Uploading fi les into the CIS byte of a 12K program. For safety's sake I +oides cr l be the fi Ie you are submitting. truncate all lines to 120 characters before attempt- Step 6. The NEXT DAY, enter the SIG, go into XAO,. I ng an up load (I'm the nervous +ype-) 6 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS: Short and Long Comings by THE ATARI COLUMN: A House Divided BARRY TRAVER by Last month's col umn surveyed some of the DENNIS HARKINS impressive strengths of the TI 99/4A home computer. At the June meeting, Mark Huss wi II begin Because of TI's new $50 rebate offer, this computer, teaching the assembly language course, so be sure to comp I ete with 16-b i t microprocessor, 16K RAM, 26K be there at 10 M~ sharp if you want to attend. I'm ROM, bui It-in BASIC, 16-color graphics, three-voice looking forward to taking the course myself. I music, typewriter-style keyboard, RF modulator, bought Mark's old assembler/editor cartridge now e+c-, will be ava i I ab Ie throughout the rest of 1983 that he's outgrown it, and it seems I ike a nice way for less than $100. For those who want more than a to ease into a difficult subject. Mark wi II have computer console to attach to their television set, the complete lowdown on all the avai lable assemblers there are many peripherals avai l ab l e (e.g., speech at the first c I ass, though. synthesizer, 32K RAM expanded memory, RS-232 inter- I've been enjoying the computer price war face, pri nter, telephone modem, up to three di sk raging for some time now, and all the announcements drives, e+c.) as well as a number of programming of new machines fascinate me, but some things just languages (Extended BASIC, Pascal, Forth, two ver- don't make sense. I couldn't believe A-tari's sions of LOGO, and assembly language). announcement of "My First Computer". It's a key- Like any of its competitors, the TI 99/4A also board that fits over the 2600 game machine and wi I I has some weaknesses (even if we are a II persuaded run a new type of computer cartr i dge, but it wi I I that the few disadvantages are outwe i ghed by the not be ab Ie to use any 400/800 software. I had many advantages!). This month's column will comment a I ways wondered why they introduced the 5200. game br i ef I y on some of those weaknesses and some of machine, when the A-tari 400 fit in nicely as a step Texas Instruments' attempts to correct them. up from game machi nes, and had some dynam i te game Although TI has done a commendable job in sup- cartr i dges a I ready there. But you figure that they porting the TI 99/4A (and before that the TI 99/4) must have had a reason and shrug your shoulders. with software made avai lable by Texas Instruments, This time I really don't know. This wi II make there has been a real shortage of significant third- four i ncompat i b Ie cartr i dges from Atar i ! I just party software. Why were third parties not writing can't see the genera I pub l I c go i ng for someth i ng software for the TI (apart from TI's earlier lack of I ike this, and I don't think they went for the 5200, aggress i veness in the marketp I ace, someth i ng that either. Someone exp I a i ned to me that the computer has radically changed)? Because earlier the only division and game division at Atari are separate, way to go so was to invest in a $50,000 minicomputer and there's some pretty strong competition between development system, and few were persuaded of the them. That explains it, all right, but it sti II wisdom of such a f i nanc i a I investment, to say the doesn't make good sense. You'd have to understand least. that I've heard from dealers everywhere the same The situation has changed for a number of th i ng: "The Atar i is ani ce mach i ne, but they can't reasons, including the introduction of TI's editor/ de liver the i r prod uc+s." assembler package. The May 1983 issue of Crea~ive It's just a shame that such ani ce machi ne as Compu~ing in its in-depth review of the TI 99/4A had the 400/800 wi II always be considered 3rd rate by so th is to say about that package: many people, only because it's from a house divided. "this module plus disk set is an extremely powerful software tool--in reality a minicomputer assemb ler in microcomputer form." "Some of the remarkable capabi I ities that the Editor/Assembler brings to the microcomputer field are these: * Writ- ing of relocatable, linkable code. The programmer does not need to worry about absolute addresses and can write his programs as independent subprograms to be linked together by the loader. * Extraord i nary editing capabi I l t l es- The Editor is very complete and of fers a wide var i ety of conven i ences for the programmer. The system looks rather like a word processor for assemb ler code. * Links to Ut i I i ty prov i de occas i on for comp I a i n+, Much of the soft- Routines. The uti I ities give the programmer the ware announced for release during the first quarter ease of programming exhibited by the Extended Basic of 1983 has not yet appeared, and other items seem whi Ie allowing the speed of machine-assembled code." "long coming" as well. TI's much-awaited version of No longer is a $50,000 minicomputer development PLATO courseware (the only version to make use of system necessary in order for third parties to write sprites) is sti lion the way, even though scrapping impressive programs for the TI 99/4A; the editor/ of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium assembler package is avai lable for less than $50! proj ect shou I d make more peop Ie ava i I ab Ie for the Although we should thus expect to see much more PLATO project. If TI cannot keep on schedule for cassette- and disk-based software for the TI 99/4A production of its own software projects, there is being produced by third parties, Texas Instruments a I I the more reason to wonder why T I wants to add has just made an announcement that--unfortunately-- product i on of th i rd-party software modu Ies to its may discourage third-party development of cartridge- already-impossible I ist of "things to do-" based software in the future. I n essence, as I To be fair to Texas Instruments, TI already has understand it, TI wants exclusive rights to produce its own software library of more than 300 programs and market software modules for the TI 99/4A (al- presently avai lable for the TI 99/4A. And to be though third-party authors of such would receive sure, there are other th i ngs to ta I k about than appropriate royalties). Whi Ie such an arrangement software avai labi I ity (watch future columns), but is not uncommon in the book or record industry, it that is a matter of l mpor+ance to TI 99/4A owners. is rather unusua I for computer software. AIthough a In summary, we are disappointed in TI's fai lure to change in the arch i tecture of the new T I 99/4As release its own new software on schedu Ie and to coming off the assembly line wi II give TI the tech- proper Iy encourage th i r d-par+v production of soft- nical control to eliminate third-party module pro- ware modules, but are encouraged that--because of duct i on, I be I i eve that th i s deve I opment will prove T I 's increased sh are of the marketp I ace and its to be a step backwards for TI. excellent editor/assembler--the situation is very In addition to these software "shortcomings" of promising concerning greater avai lablity of cas- T I, there are a I so some software "Iongcom i ngs" that sette- and disk-based software for this computer. 1

I This article and the one in the May issue of the DATA BUS, by Neil Lipson, have been reprinted through the courtesy of the APPLE ORCHARD magazine, International Apple Core, Inc., 908 George Street, Santa Clara CA 95050. Be sure to read the regular Apple Group news elsewhere in the DATA BUS. Burning EPROMs for the Apple II and the Franklin Ace by Neil D. Lipson; P.E.

ne of the most fascinating areas of notice that the last two digits indicate the Franklin when you turn it on. It probably is Ocomputers is the use of EPROMs. number of bits, or approximate number not very funny to Apple Computer, which First, though, let's cover a few basic of bits, of the EPROM. Thus a 2716 would has a law suit against Franklin. We could concepts and define a few terms relevant be a 16K·bit EPROM. Because there are even have some fun, like putting our to this. eight bits to a byte, the 2716 holds 2048 name where "Franklin Ace" appears. bytes, but it is commonly called a "16K A computer's memory chips can be What else could we do? Well, it turns EPROM". divided into two kinds: those in which the out that there are quite a few bugs in information stored there is changeable at Applesoft that we can now fix, and then Yes. But What Do They Do'? any time during the course of program re-burn the EPROM. The drawback to this execution, and those in which informa- You can use EPROMs to replace your is that some commercial software uses tion cannot be immediately changed existing ROMs in the Apple (with a small the 'bugged" memory sections, and will The changeable type is called RAM, for wiring change), or EPROMs in the Frank· be flummoxed by the corrections. That, Random Access Memory; these are the Iin Ace with no wiring change. If you want, by the way, is why Apple didn't correct the ones that "forget" when the power is shut you can put a 2732 (double-size) in there bugs in the / / e; they wanted to retain off. The non· changeable kind is called and "switch" the EPROM from one side compatibility, even if imperfect ROM, for Read·Only Memory; these are to another. This means you could put Let me say right now that any mod· the ones that "remember". BASIC on one side of the EPROM, and ification will void the warranties of the Pac·Man or something else (Integer, computer, so wait until the warranty is up Pascal, Custom routine) on the other Read·Only Memory chips, in tum, before altering your machine. side. Here's where it gets interesting. come with varying degrees of perma- There are many other uses. For exam- nence. There are ROMS imbedded with You could replace the ROMs in the ple, there are many fonts available for the memory patterns in manufacturing pro- Apple II with 2732' s, and put the new Videx Videoterm. You can burn tnem, cess, which· you'll change only with a Apple / / e software on one side and the and place them in the spare socket You hammer, converting them to junk Now, regular language on the other. This that's permanent! Then there are should allow you to run some of the / / e can even put in a third font, and by using PROMS, or Programmable Read-Only software on the old II Plus. Of course, the switching technique, pick the font you Memory chips, which can have a pattern where there are hardware differences, it want The method to switch an EPROM "burned" into them, once, after which will not act the same, but in many cases, it will be described later. It is even possible they are permanent will to use a 68764, which is a 64K EPROM, and put four sets on one chip. This could The same thing applies to the Franklin give us a total of five fonts on one The EPROM is next EPROM stands for Ace 1000. You could take the Apple Videoterm card . Eraseable Programmable Read Only monitor and Applesoft routines from Memory. It differs from a PROM in that it $DOoo to $FFFF and burn them and This approach can be used on any· can be erased, by exposure to ultraviolet place them in the Franklin Ace 1000. You thing that uses EPROMS. This applies to light A sub-type is the EEPROM, which is would gain a few features and lose a few, printers, computers, peripheral cards, or electrically erasable. That means you can though. For example, on many of the anything you like. Wherever there is an revise the memory pattern stored on Franklin Ace 1000 machines, there is the EPROM, you can change it, or add to it If such a chip, but the computer will think space on the circuit board for the cassette you wanted a dual character set for your it's permanent routines. However, the Franklin Ace computer, you could replace the 2716 in the computer with a 2732, and burn in EPROMs come in many sizes, but we'll monitor does not utilize them. With the the other character set, even Hebrew if consider here only the models numbered Apple routines, it will work However, you you like. 2708, 2716, 2516, 2532, 2732, 2815, will lose the lower case ability of the 2816 and the 68764. These numbers Franklin It is funny, but the machine will Most of the graphics ROMs in many of may seem strange to most of you, but come up and say "Apple II" on the the printers are EPROMs. When these ~ 8 "companies update the graphics, they (which 'is every time you remove the The EPROM is very sensitive to static simply are revising the EPROMs with the EPROM), you must set the slot and type. If electricity, so take precautions in hand- new material. If a friend has another type you forget to do this, you will read ling these chips, and keep them in static of computer and wants an EPROM for whatever is in Slot 7, whether good or foam when not in use. himself, you can burn it on the Apple or bad. The card will even try to "burn" an Franklin and give it to him with no EPROM in Slot 7, even though it is not Erasures problems. The uses and applications are there. This is one of the faults of the endless. software, so you must stay on your toes To erase the EPROM, you must use an when using this card. Be extra careful EPROM eraser. It is the only source of You Can Do it Yourself with EEPROMS, as if you press the wrong ultra violet strong enough to accomplish key, you will erase them, and then you'll the task I thought that if you put the chip The good news is that you can "burn" really be in trouble. I prefer the regular in the sun for a day, it would do the job. your own custom EPROM chips, using EPROMs, and they are less expensive. Well, some friends of mine tried that Not your Apple and a peripheral card. We will only did nothing get erased, but the discuss the use of the Apparat EPROM You can put the data on the disk in any EPROM even verified perfect So much burner for the Apple, the Mountain Com· fashion you want For example, if you for the sun. puter ROM PLUS card, and the Ultra- want to save the F8 ROM from the violet Products DE-4 EPROM Eraser. computer, you type The eraser I use is the Ultra-violet Products, Inc. Model DE-4 EPROM Most of this is made possible by the use BSAVE ROM,A$F800,L2048 Eraser. The cost is about $70. This model of the Apparat PROM Blaster. It is priced However, most of the time you have to has some nice features; it will handle at about $100. There are, of course, other read the EPROM first If you have a eight EPROMs at one time, and com- EPROM burners, but very few, if any are problem it is probably one of these four pletely eliminates UV contact with the as inexpensive as the Apparat (most cost items: eyes. When the unit is new, the lamp is over $200). It comes with personality 1. Card in wrong slot much stronger, and for example after modules for the following: 2708, 2716 -3 2. PROM in socket backwards 500 hours of use, the intensity drops to voltage, 2716 - single voltage, 2732, 3. Wrong personality module or 60% of new. The terminology for this is 2532, 2732a - 21 V, and MC 68764. inserted backwards lamp lumen depreciation, and this lamp Here is a list of operations which the 4. Try erasing for a longer period of has a steep curve. time Apparat can do: The manufacturer recommends certain 1. Erase EEPROM (electrically erased The program runs very smoothly, and exposure times to erase their EPROM. EPROMs) checks the EPROM before you burn it You take the required erase energy, such 2. Verify PROM is erased Once it burns it, it then checks it for as 10 W-Sec/ crrr', check the chart, and 3. Read PROMs verification. I will not detail the EPROM erase for 29 minutes. The less you use 4. Fully or partially copy PROMs editor, but it is very easy to use, similar to the unit, the longer the lamp will last, so 5. Fully or partially program PROMs GDU (General Disk Utility) in nature. don't be hoggish. Most 2716 EPROMs 6. Verify programming is correct will erase in about 15 minutes or less. 7. Load or save PROM data to disk Make sure, however, that you push the 8. Program directly from computer Documentation/ Problems drawer of the EPROM eraser all the way memory in, or the EPROMs will not reach the light The documentation is complete and 9. Examine and/ or edit working source. even has a parts list Because the product memory You could, if you wanted to, build your 10. Preset working memory with any is so cheaply priced, they include complete schematics, parts list, diagrams and own eraser. The GE germicidal lamp byte or sequence of bytes everything. It would not be any cheaper to G4T4/1 will work fine. The lamp socket is build it yourself, and they know it, so they an Amphenol 77Ml P4 (4 pin) and the Apparat recommends that you do not give you this information. You have to ballast is a GE 89G435. While building change the EPROM or the personality admire a company that prices their pro- the device usually takes more time than module with the power on, but some do, ducts this way! it's worth, some of you may want to take and get away with it To be safe, turn off this route. For goodness sakes, never the computer. You must first select the I had one very small complaint with the look into the UV source, or you could go slot and type of chip, and once this is software. If you don't remember to pick blind or crazy (I suspect this is how some done, the rest is easy. First, read the the correct slot, the program operates as of my friends ended up). EPROM you want to copy, and save to though everything is fine, but it isn't I disk, put in a blank EPROM and burn it would recommend to Apparat to put in The process of burning an EPROM takes some type of slot search and automa- The 2732 as two 2716's tically select the slot This will eliminate a few minutes, and verifies instantly. To Now let's look at the 2732 EPROM as a any problems. I have made this mistake make sure everything is correct do the replacement for two 2716' s. First burn following: read the EPROM, save it and many times, so it is worth mentioning. the 2732 (you must make sure it is a You will also just have to remember then load it back into the memory array, 2732 and not a 2532) with both programs and verify it against the EPROM. This to select the EPROM type. on one chip. The Apparat instructions tell guarantees the saved information is One mistake that I also made, which you how to do this. For example, suppose perfect The EPROM will get slightly warm borders on stupidity, is that I inserted the we want to put two character fonts on the during the burning stage, but this is EPROM into the socket with the lever spare socket in a Videx Videoterm card. normal. closed. Yes it can be done. Look into the Well, I would load the first font into RAM, The Apparat has an editor, so you can socket (they use zero insertion force load the second font immediately above even make changes to the data if you sockets with a lever to open and close) it, BSAVE the entire portion onto the disk, want Every time you reboot the software before you insert the EPROM. and then use the Apparat accordingly .••. 9 LAS T C ALL! LAS T C ALL! REVIEWOF'O>MPUTERFSm EVERYBODY- Co.puters for Everybody by Jerry .Wlllls and CALL FOR PAPERS Meryl Miller. Dllithium Press, 1982, 262p. to be presented at ffIe The backgrounds of the authors combine to 1983PHIlADElPHIA M£A COMPUTERSHOW create. a book with wit and humor, yet thorough Nove.bar 11-13. 1983 detail. The 12 chapters are readable and under- PhII adeIphIa Centre Hatel standable for even the novice. The first chapter, "Compu+er s Aren't Scary Anymore", gui des the reader P~3 Is sollcl-tlng original papers for through a sl mpIe BASIC program and introduces app11- presentat Ion durI ng ffIe 1983PhII adeIphIa Area cations and programs currently avai lable on the CoItputer Show. Five of ffIe papers sub.l-tted market. wIll be selected by ffIe Board of ffIe Philadel- A glossary of computer buzz words has been phia Area CaIputer Society to be awardedS200 i ncIuded at the end of the book. Thi s beginner's cash each and to be publIshed In ffIe 1983 Show glossary accumulates the trade language and defini- Progra.. Authors or their represen-tathes wIll t Ions used throughout the book in one conveni ent present ffIe awarded papers at a Plenary ses- section. The illustrations, cartoons and color sion durIng ffIe Show. section add Interesting visual entertainment as well Papers should be sub.lffed typewrltien and as explaining computer operations. All angles are doubIe spacedon 8 1n x 11 Inch paper. eo.- covered from how the computer can be used for teach- puter printout on 8 In x 11 Inch paper Is Ing, business, and home. Computer communications accep-table If prln-ted no s.aller -than 12 appl ications, such as electronic maiI, electronic characters per Inch. wl-th a well-Inked rIbbon- publishing and electronic information managementare No -ther.a I type pr Intout wIll be acceptedo IncIuded to widen the reader's awareness. "How to Provide a self-addressed envelope bearing Buy Your Own Computer" and a comparison of "The sufflclen"t postage If you want ffIe paper Current Crop" acquai nt the reader with what computer rehrnedo Mali ffIe paper to PACS-8J.7014 equipment is avai lable for the application desired. Ib rocks S1Teet. Philadelphia PA 19149. Final This book would be a valuable asset in any high date for su~lsslon Is June t , 1983. Winners school library, public library or training program wi II be not If 1ed by Augus-t31. 19830 Me.bars for beginning to intermediate level computer buffs. of ffIe Board of ffIe PhII adeIpili a Area Conputer - Patty Patrick (From Small Computers in Libraries) Society and fflelr fa.llles are not el iglble for cash awards. The decision of ffIe Judges will be final •

• You can then "switch" between one s.p.s.t from Mountain Computer, Inc. This card side and the other. To switch the EPROM, has been out for quite some time, but it do the following. Take a 2732, -erase it has tremendous potential. It has room on completely and verify that it is erased. the card for 6 EPROMs (2716). However, Burn it as described, and then take pin 21 we can still use our trick with the 2732 and bend it out about 90 degrees. and they all should work fine. This would 12 give 24K of EPROM on one card. You With proper grounds on yourself and would need a bank of 6 toggles to switch on the chip (or with a grounded soldering accordinly. The card also has 4 TTL iron), solder a pullout resister from the inputs. bent out pin (21) to pin 24 (which is normal, not bent out 90 degrees). The The ROMPlus card has 256 bytes of pullout resistor can really be of any value 2732 RAM on board 255 are available for use. above 3 K. but anything around 5K will do The RAM provides the ROM chips with fine (even 3 or 20 Kohms). their own private storage area. This helps minimize memory conflicts. The RAM Run another wire from pin 21 through used is from $CFOO·$CFFE I will not go an s.p.s.t toggle (on-off) switch to pin 12 into detailed instruction of how to use the which is also in the normal position (not ROMPlus card-as 'the documentation is bent out). Remember that the only pin quite good, and it uses simple commands. bent out is pin 21. See Figure 1. Mount ~I You could even put programs on two the toggle switch securely, probably in a EPROMs and use them in sequence. This small box outside the computer. Re· Figure 1 is also described in the manual. On my member that the switch is connected to card I have EPROMs that contain a copy the EPROM, not the printed circuit board; program, Program Line Editor, Renum· It is possible, of course, to do the same these are delicate connections. ber and Merge, Global Search and Re· thing with a 68764 (64K) which could put place, and a fancy catalog program. You four character fonts on one chip, but I do really could put in anything you want not know the wiring changes. If I get this You can then plug the EPROM into the information, and enough reader response Well, We've touched on a few of the correct position, and switch to either side from this article, we'll update with a future uses of EPROMs with the Apple and as you wish. If you have any uncertainty article to cover more of these tricks. Franklin The ROMPlus card may not about this procedure, have someone work with some of the older Franklins qualified do it for you. The Apple Orchard, The ROMPlus Card unless they have the "Control-Shift N" the lAC, or especially myself will not feature, but this is the only limitation. be responsible for any problems. (Amen. Another card which fits very nicely into Brother! -Pcw.) the scheme of things is the ROMPlus card May you burn them well! •• 10 SOFTWARE REVIEW: DOSASIDE by Philadelphia Consulting Group, P.O. Box 214, COCOGAZETTE: Assembly Language Used Here Wynnewood PA 19096 by CAROL KUEPPERS by RON STOl.OFF

This column has not really gone bi-monthly. For those of us who have been spoi led by the However, deadline day found my copy at PACS' old box MINIDOS capabilities of NEWDOS-80 and have cursed number, for, in an excess of zeal to spread the word when we've been forced into TRSDOS, wh i ch has none, to run those few programs which are as yet incompat- about our group, I'd given my April DATA BUS to a ible, is the answer. For those who haven't Radio Shack Computer store. In the fast moving OOSASIDE had the pleasure of using a uti lity such as this as wor Id of computers and computer clubs, you simp I y brief e~planation: When running any program, BASIC cannot rely on· the previous month's information! Those of you who cou I d not make it to the May or machine, when the 0 F G keys are pressed simul- meeting missed hearing interesting things. Ron taneously, the program is interrupted without dis- Schmidt is our gu i de into Assemb I y Language. Our turbing the pointers or variables in memory - even first session dealt with the uses of the registers, if called in the midst of a print run, the operation and some book recommendat ions. These i nc I ude the stops and upon returning from MINI DOS, the operation Motorola volume on the chip, Leventhal's 6809 continues as if it had been frozen in time. Asselllbly Language Programllling, Zaks' Programming the What good is it? How many times have you won- 6809, and I nman's Assembly Language Graphics. The dered if you had a fi Ie with THAT name on THIS disk? latter is the only book written expressly for the What WAS the name of the f i I e? Do I have enough Color Computer user and starts from the beginning. space to save this program or that amount of 'data? All of these books are avai lable at Phi ladelphia To have to hit break, then call the directory, would area B. Da Iton's. I f your nearest one doesn't have usually destroy all the variables, waste time and it, they can generally get it for you in two days, cause gnashing of teeth. MINIDOS eliminates that

they assure me. (I n fact I if you haven't looked at problem. Problem was, there was no such animal for a Dalton's computer section you are in for a p lea- TRSDOS unti I this program. In operation, the program must be loaded each time the disk is booted sant surpr i se. They have numerous books for our which can be done under the AUTO command, and take~ computer). It was decided that because it is up abou! 1K of memory. To call OOSASlDE, just press eas i est to discuss assemb I y language programm i ng BOTH shift keys at once and the 0 drive is activated w~en all participants use the same asssembler, we ~nd a new'prompt appears, letti ng you know OOSASIDE w I II use the assemb Ier, in BASI C, from Co lor Compu- I s up. Now you can ca II director i es, copy f i I es ter News for our 'class'. Arnie wi II make multiple format disks or any other DOS command. Whe~ copies which we can purchase. finished your interlude, type RET and the program is Jeff Elward discussed the command DSKCONand restored, as - and where - you left it. Unlike its use from BASIC. This included a detai led NEWDOS' MINIDOS, will return the screen descr i p+ i on of memory addresses Dec. 234 to 242j DOSASIDE E~ACTLY as it was before you so rudely interrupted - what each is for and how to use them in programm ing. The beauty of a club is its i nc I us i on of ex- nice feature, especially when using VISICALC. My per:t.s~i+l all areas. This was demonstrated when the only complaint is, like all TRSDOS activities call ing is rather slow. ' discussion turned to a simple and CHEAP method to OOSASIDE send pro~rams from one cassette recorder to another, . Any problems coming from calling a DOS operation and possibly soon from Color Computer to Color Com- which uses lots of memory or the desire to run another program, while preserving the so far uncom- puter without the expense of a modem. As the pleted running program, solves - by saving members who had been working on this project OOSASIDE the ENTIRE memory to disk (about 47K). This explained their experiments to date, we discovered a telphone company expert on data communications in includes all variables, instructions, pointers, whatever. Then you do your des i red act i v i ty, and our midst. Thus, the discussion really taught us a reload it by typing RET and you are just where you great dea I, not on Iy about th i s new proj ect, but I eft off. Nice. about telephone data transmission using modems. runs on TRSDOS, LDOS and DOSPLUS for Since in the future we would like to be so DOSAS IDE both Mode I s I and I I I. The times to run are approx- organized that we can cal I on your expertise as the i matel y these: need ar i ses, at the next meet i ng we will have a ACTIVITY TIME simple questionaire. This wi II cover .hardware and load software and major areas of interest, and should OOSASIDE 4 sec help by letting us know who has experience with what go into OOSASIDE from BASIC 7 sec pr inter, disk dr i ve or whatever. save program (create fi Ie) 50 sec The shopping tip for this month came after the return program to/from disk main meeting when Dave Cochran gave a rave review to if fi Ie exists 17 sec the Gemini 10 printer from Star Micronics. He says that this and a serial to paral lei cable are all you need to equal the Epson MX-80 with Graftrax and the price for the printer (mail order--check ads) is $300. If you've been wanting a printer, maybe this is the one for you. By now you have all started work on your great simulation for the Rainbow's contest which ends July 30th, ri ght? Well, if the dead line comes and goes, not to worry, that program may be finished in time to be the winner of the Color Computer Magazine's game (any game, not just s i muI at i ons--two cate- gories, machine language and BASIC) contest which ~ At the June meeting Ron wi II be continuing the has a dead line of September 5th. (They seem to assembly language class, this time with side-by-side expect hand delivery, since the post office won't be routl nes ; one in Bas i c and the other In assemb I y delivering mail that day!). Their prize list is I anquaqe- John will have a further update on the truly not to be believed. It seems to include commun I cati on system. And YOU wI II have your report practically everything you ever dreamt of owning for on your experiences with your computer and whatever your computer. ~ software you tryout. 11 ii. YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US The Phi htdelphla Area Co.puter Society was BOARDMEMBERS: formed for the purpose of education and intercommun- Pres i dent: S1'ep--' "- Longo 924- or 951- Ication among computer users in the Greater Phila- Vice President: Joseph Flynn 638- delphia area, and to inform the general public Secretary: Ron Stoloff 671- concerning computer technology and its implications Treasurer: John Takach 836- for the future. Membersh i pis open to a II persons Program: Eric Hafler 843- interested In any aspect of computer arts and PACS '83 Coordinator: Mike Tankle 245- sciences. . Dues are $10.00 per ca Iendar year for. regu I ar USERSGROlPS: membersh i p and $6.00 for students with ID. Both APPLE: Neil Lipson 356- memberships include a subscription to THE DATA BUS ATARI : Bill Richardson 609 877 (monthly newsletter), and participation in club I BM: Bennet-t Landsman 609 786- projects and subgroups, as well as borrowing privi- OH10- SCI ENTI F IC: leges I n the Soci ety's Li terature Library. David Cantera 609 663· or 609 778- PACS meet i ngs are he I d the th i rd Saturday of PET/CBM/V I C: Ron Kushn I er 364' or 441-, each month, in the LaSalle College Science Building, TI-99/4 and 4A: Barry A. Traver 483-' 20th and Olney Ave. Leaders of all groups and their TRS-80: Hal Brown 265- telephone numbers are listed in each issue. Each TRS-80 Color Computer: John Takach 836-. group encourages and we !comes new members. COMPUTERSfor KIDS: PACS sponsors the Annual Games Festival, held Your name could go here Volunteer at LaSalle College, the Phi ladelphia Area Computer COMPUTERSin EDUCATION: Ron S1'oloff 671- Show at the Centre Hotel and is one of the sponsors CP/M: Noel Berg.an 635- of the annual Trenton Computer Festival. PASCAL: David Moskowi1'z 828- UCSDLiaison: Jon Bondy 642- ADVERTISING: Ads up to 1 column-inch in size, PERSONALCOMPUTERSin the ARTS: for personal equipment or software, wanted or for Richard Moberg 923- sale, are free to members. Nonmember's and commer- ROBOTICS: Richard Moberg 923- c I a I rates for a sing lei nsert i on are $4.00 per COURSECOORDINATOR: David Moskowl1'z 828- column-inch (full page is 15.5 column-inches), with discount for multiple insertions. Ad copy contain- DATABUS EDnms: Louise Schulh 215 789· or i ng any graph i cs shou I d be camera-ready, pos i t i ve 215 587- ; and Ron S1'oloff 215 671- print. Consult editor about sizing. Send advertising copy to Box 9016, Edgemoor DE 19809, before the OONCRARYMEMBERS: Dr. J. Presper Eckert; S-tephen "- 25th of the preced i ng month. I nc I ude check, name, Longo; Dr. John W. Mauchly; Mrs. Kathleen -Mauchly; phone number, and nonmember mailing address. Will Mathys; and Richard Moberg

Prepared and distributed by thnhi-ili-dei,5IHit- -ASSOCIATED COMPUTERGRoUPS: _ Area Co.parter Society, Inc., LaSa lIe ColIege, Ph i I a- Delaware. Valley Computer Socle-tv (TRS-80l, P.O. delphia PA 19141. Twelve issue subscription is $10. Box 651, Le v l t+o w n , PA 19058. Contact Willard to U.S. addressees, and $15 outside U.S., included Whea1'on (215) 343- (evenings). with annual membership. Material may be reprinted Valley Forge valRparter Club (TRS-SO), King of freely without requesting permission if credit is Prussia, PA. Contact Kur1'Wesley(215) 783- given to the source and 2 copies of the result are (after 6). sent to THE DATA BUS.

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