BLUE NOTES

> Editor's note:  This section will contain comments from you, the readers
> of BIG BLUE DISK.  Use the BLUELINE editor program to enter your comments
> for future publication.
>
> Since this is the first issue of BIG BLUE DISK, we don't have any
> comments that have come in by this route.  Thus, we are filling this
> column with messages taken from SOFT FIDO, our bulletin board system.
> See the article "Big Blue Disk Online" elsewhere in this issue for details.

--------------------

From: Chris Shively
To:   Sysop
Subject: Format?

Sysop and other Users,
  In Turbo Pascal is there a way to check and see if a disk is formatted
properly before writing data to it?  I've tried the $I compiler directive
to trap for I/O errors but I still get 'Sector not found'!
In the manual, I've been reading about interupts but I do not have the
needed experience in assembler to even attempt this option.  Please,
PLEASE, leave any info that you may have.

               Thanks,
                  Chris Shively.

> I can't think of any way to trap such an error, short of writing an
> assembly language routine to do the disk I/O.  Do any of the hackers
> out there know a better way?

--------------------

From: Jason Culverhouse
To:   Chris Shively
Subject: Format

Chris,
     You can run CHKDSK on the disk.  This will report any errors, bad
sectors, etc.  It is always good to run CHKDSK on every formatted disk.
                   Jason.


> That's a good idea.  But, I think what was asked for is a way to do
> such a check within a program, to prevent an ugly crash if the user
> failed to take the precaution of checking a disk before inserting it
> as a data disk.

--------------------

From: Jim Speiser
To:   All
Subject: ParaNEt

Unidentified Flying Objects. Astral Projection. Mysterious
burning deaths. Extrasensory Perception. Plesiosaurs in our
lakes. Reincarnation...
.
Man is surrounded by mysteries. His fascination with the
unknown is as old as knowledge itself. But until now, much of
our ignorance of these subjects could be ascribed to lack of
suitable mass communications. Many of the myths surrounding
these mysteries were propagated because there was no way to get
the right knowledge to the right people.
.
Now, in the 20th Century, on the edge of the 
Communications/Information Revolution, there is no excuse. Now 
we have the capability of putting Man's sum total of knowledge 
at everyone's fingertips.
.
Now, there is The Other Side.
.
The Other Side is a computer Bulletin Board System (BBS) 
operated by The National Fringe Sciences Information Service in
Fountain Hills, AZ. It is the flagship board of the ParaNet 
system, which is a planned network of such boards around the 
country, dedicated to the enlightenment of individuals seeking
the truth about the paranormal. To become enlightened, dial 
602-837-0062.
.
We await your call.
.
Past-life therapy. Magick & Witchcraft. Astrology. Unexplained
skyfalls. The Bermuda Triangle. Near Death Experiences.....
******************
We are continually looking for operators to expand the ParaNet
system to all areas of the country. If you are interested in
becoming a ParaNet Sysop, please call THE OTHER SIDE and leave
a message to the Sysop. There are no charges associated with
ParaNet.


--------------------

From: Nevin Nobles
To:   All
Subject: Wanted

I am looking for a "C" compiler for a reasonable price.
If you have one or know of one, please leave me a note.  I would like as
current version if at all possible.
thank you.
     Nevin

--------------------

From: Coty Rosenblath
To:   Nevin Nobles
Subject: C Compiler

Nevin,
     If you are looking for a reasonably priced C compiler, I think your
best bet would be Mark Williams Let's C Compiler.  It is listed in the PC
Brand ad on page 22 of the August 1986 edition of PC Magazine for $129.00
with a source level debugger and $69.00 without.
     I have not personally used this product; however, I have read several
favorable reviews.  A strong point of this product is that if one becomes
more serious about C, Mark Williams also sells a professional C development
system.
     Hope this information is helpful.
                                                         Sincerely,
                                                         Coty Rosenblath

--------------------

From: Mark Clevenger
To:   Nevin Nobles
Subject: C COMPILER

NEVIN
TRY THE C USERS GROUP, BOX 97, McPHERSON.KS. 67460 (316)241-1065
MARK