8bitfiles.net/archives/archives.tar/archives/genie-commodore-file-library/CompSysCBM/072096C.TXT/text0000.txt

Text File | 2019-04-13 | 41.2 KB | 1,022 lines

[e-mail] ([e-mail]) wrote:
: Just curious...

: Will the SwiftLink cartridge work with the Plus4?

No. The Plus/4 already has an ACIA (minus the external baud rate
generator) so you can theoretically do 19200 baud in BASIC ;-)

: Also, has anyone written a decent terminal program for the Plus 4?
: Where can I get one?

Depends on what you call "DECENT." There is a port of Higgyterm
for the +4 (supports 19.2 kbps). There is also a C/G term written by me
(maxes out at 300 baud :-( sorry). I'd write a real term if I can get
a hold of the programmer's reference guide (found it but the lady won't
sell it to me. I have to spend >$20 & manually copy all the pages on a
copy machine!! :-((((
Phil



--
Philip C. Tsao
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp:  ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!gt7357a
[e-mail]://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gt7357a
#! rnews 7830
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!newshub.sdsu.edu!newsfeeder.sdsu.=
edu!news.iag.net!news.math.psu.edu!news.cse.psu.edu!uwm.edu!news-res.gsl.=
net!news.gsl.net!news.mathworks.com!news.kei.com!nntp.coast.net!dispatch.=
news.demon.net!demon!mail2news.demon.co.uk!insosf1.netins.net
From: Alan Jones <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: CKIT - Dongle!
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 1996 08:40:00 GMT
Organization: Quad-cities Computer Society
Lines: 136
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
X-NNTP-Posting-Host: insosf1.netins.net
X-Mail2News-Path: insosf1.netins.net


CKIT 94 - What is this?

I'm not familiar with CKIT 94.  Can someone post some comparative
benchmarks for compression tightness, and compression/decompression
speed?  How does it compare to .arc, .lzh (or is it .lhz), and .zip
compresion?  I always thought that CKIT was only usefull for a single
user who wants to compress and decompress his/her own files, or perhaps
to exchange files with a friend known to have CKIT also.  Very few
C64/128 users have or even know about CKIT.  However, I just reread the
CKIT info in the CMD catalog and it says, "dissolver creates
self-disolving archives for non-CKIT equipped systems".  What are these
self desolving archives like?  Are they identical to the .sfx
archives that are quite common?

Archivers - general

My favorite archive for the C64/128 is .arc.  These can be easily
created, listed, and disolved in whole or part by ARC250-4.  It works
with 1541, 1581, and probably other CBM compatible drives, and it
works with most file types.  Compression is good but not the best.
Omega Q II will also dissolve .arc files including a destructive
disolve on a 1541 drive.  Thus, a "whole disk archive" can be created
and a user with only a single 1541 drive can disolve it.  Small .arc
files can also be converted to .sda files, and IBM .arc files can even
be disolved on a C128.

So far as I know the tightest archives that we can disolve on a C64/128
are PKzip V1.10 archives.  The tightest archives that we can create are
LH-2 archives using a C128 with REU.  Of course I plead ignorance of
CKIT.

The most discusting common archive format is .d64.  This is of course
the full 1541 disk immage file used by most of the emulators.  They are
typicaly 175006 bytes regardless of the actual content.  They can be
converted back to true 1541 disk using dfiler0.56 and two drives (or
something similar) on a C64.  ZIPCODE also creates 1541 full disk
archives, typicaly four n!filename files, and is more C64/128 user
friendly.  Some disks use direct access to information not stored as
formal files, including some copy protected disks, and full disk
archives are appropriate for some disks.  Most disks, especially the
ones that can be legaly distributed through the Internet and BBSs are
just a collection of ordinary files and don't need a full disk archive
format.  D64 and ZIPCODE files can also be compressed to .arc format
(or .zip, etc.) but then you can't list or selectively disolve
individual files from the original disk.  I have seen usefull software
that is very C128 hardware oriented and useless to emulator users
distributed in the .d64 full disk archive.  It did have a GEOS file
included but it had already been converted to an ordinary .cvt file.
It was an utterly senseless archive choice.

Recently, Peter Karlsson posted a disk full of C64 character sets to
comp.binaries.cbm in .d64 format.  This disk contained 109 character
set files and 3 music files, 175006 bytes after uudecoding.  (I
recieved this file via Jim Brain's mailserver subsription service, and
downloaded it from a BBS in PKzip V1.10 QWK packet...)  After about
half a day of effort I had a 72390 byte charsets.arc file that I can
upload to a local BBS for anyone that wants more C64 character sets.
D64 is such a senseless waste of time and bandwidth!

I do not mean to criticise Peter Karlsson or anyone else.  However, I
do hope that I can slow the use of the .d64 archive format, especialy
on comp.binaries.cbm and Internet C64/128 FTP sites. Emulator users can
always create thier own .d64 files as needed from other formats, and
they should also have thier own comp.binaries and FTP sites.

Ding Dang Dongle!

What exactly is a dongle?  How much does it cost a software producer?
Is each dongle keyed to a serial code in the software, or does a dongle
work with every original copy of a software product?

A dongle is the only form of "copy protection" that I would consider
putting up with.  I must have the capability of making back up copies
and running the software from a 1581 dirve (and perhaps CMD HD and RAM
Drive).  However, I have also read about people who had dongles fail or
get lost.

I bought Paperclip 64, many years ago, and I was expecting it come with
a dongle.  Happily, the version I recieved a did not use a dongle or
any other form of copy protection.  In my whole collection of Commodore
stuff, I don't have a single dongle. ( :) or :( ?)  I later bought
Paperclip III, but I found the text area too small with a C64.  I still
use it on a 128.  My one complaint with PC 64 and PC III is that I
can't move the user added words from the PC 64 spell check dictionary
to the PC III or any other dictionary.  (Hey, there's a good software
product idea!)  And I have never given out copies of these fine
unprotected software products.

The C64/128 software market is dismal today, and it has been for
several years.  There is no effective way to advertise and distribute
new software to such a small fragmented population.  Older well
established products can still be marketed with a small one inch ad in
selected magazines and catlogs.  Follow on software to owners of
registered equipment or software such as CMD products can also be
marketed to these small but reachable groups.  Novaterm 9.6 will
probably do well since it can be sold to registered Novaterm users (is
there a discount?) and news will eventually spread to most potential
users via comp.sys.cbm and BBSs.  The best way to market C64/128
software today is as shareware.  And in particular registration should
include a professionaly printed users manual and user support.  Of
course shareware releases need a complete text file based manual as
well.  I'm surprised that any recent C64/128 software releases such as
CKIT 94, come with an expensive dongle or any user hostile form of copy
protedtion.

I am also surprised that the CMD catalog description of CKIT 94 does
not mention that it uses a dongle.  Any product description must
disclose if the product uses a dongle or other copy protection!
Returning unwraped software is such a hastle.

So, how much revinue has the shareware Desterm 2.0 generated?  How much
revinue (and author profit) has the commercial Dialog 128 generated?
Dialog 128 is generaly regarded as the better product.  How are these
revinue numbers related to date of release and piracy?  Dialog 128 at
least was released when it was still possible to advertise effectivly
to the 128 user market.

If I was a C64/128 software author I would much rather have a product
that sold 1000 units and was pirated a million times rather than a
product that sold 50 units and was pirated zero times.  Piracy is not
the bottom line, and piracy is not as rampant as software authors
believe.  In the first case the author complains only that users stole
millions of dollars out of his pocket (rather than put tens of
thousands of dollars into it) and in the second he simply exclaims that
a software distributor screwwed him. I do not in any way advocate
piracy!  Cracking however, (which I don't do) is a value added service
that enables software to be installed on 1581 drives, fix bugs, etc.

I could go on, but I think I have already whipped a dead horse too
much.

[e-mail]

___ QWKRR128 V4.32 [R]
#! rnews 1028
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!newsf=
eed.internetmci.com!inXS.uu.net!newsflash.concordia.ca!newsfeed.pitt.edu!=
scramble.lm.com!news.ysu.edu!yfn.ysu.edu!aa363
From: [e-mail] (Jacob Huebert)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: 64C case
Date: 21 Jul 1996 00:30:48 GMT
Organization: St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH
Lines: 17
Message-ID: <4srtno$[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]> <tcpnntpd.16.7.20.0.22.52=
[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Jacob Huebert)
NNTP-Posting-Host: yfn.ysu.edu


In a previous article, [e-mail] (Matthias Kirchner) say=
s:

>Hi!
>[e-mail] wrote:
>>=20
>> Can someone tell me wether the innards of a C-64 will fit into a 64-C
>> case without modification?
>
> It won't fit into a 64-C case. The 'old' board is about 30% larger than
>the new one.=20

It certainly will fit!  I'm using a 64-C with original 64 innards even
as I type this.  =20
--=20
Jacob Huebert
[e-mail]
#! rnews 644
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!news.=
mathworks.com!zombie.ncsc.mil!newsgate.duke.edu!news.ysu.edu!yfn.ysu.edu!=
aa363
From: [e-mail] (Jacob Huebert)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: WTB: 2400 baud modem
Date: 21 Jul 1996 00:33:42 GMT
Organization: St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH
Lines: 8
Message-ID: <4srtt6$[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Jacob Huebert)
NNTP-Posting-Host: yfn.ysu.edu


I'm looking for a used 2400 baud modem for the c64.

I need it to help a person who is currently using a C=3D1660 modem
to do the internet...  ouch!  :) =20
--=20
Jacob Huebert
[e-mail]
#! rnews 816
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!newsf=
eed.internetmci.com!world1.bawave.com!news.clark.net!not-for-mail
From: [e-mail] (James Alex Brooks)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: C64 Satellite Program - VR85
Date: 21 Jul 1996 00:59:45 GMT
Organization: Clark Internet Services, Inc., Ellicott City, MD USA
Lines: 12
Message-ID: <4srve1$[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: 100-explorer2.clark.net
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=3DISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
X-Newsreader: TIN [UNIX 1.3 950726BETA PL0]

Hi all,
  I was just wondering if anyone out there have the program call
VR85?  It is a Satellite Tracking program for the C64.

It use to be on AmSOFT Disk #101 (HAM101).

Please Email me if you know where I can get it.

TIA

--=20
Alex
#! rnews 1288
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!newsf=
eed.internetmci.com!usenet.logical.net!news.wizvax.net!vger.vgernet.net!m=
python
From: [e-mail] (Monty Python)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: Commodore 128 Computer For Sale
Date: 21 Jul 1996 00:33:18 GMT
Organization: ftp.vgernet.net /pub/mpython
Lines: 20
Message-ID: <4srtse$[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: vger.vgernet.net
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

Fred Harris ([e-mail]) wrote:
> Hello everyone,

> A friend of mine asked me to post a Commodore 128 Computer for sale. =20
> Asking $750.00, like brand new.  Will throw in all games.
> Please e-mail with questions or interest.

Hmm..I hope that is a typo and that he wants $75 for it.
Either that, or you will have to include EVERY game ever made
for the 64/128.  Even then, $750 is too much.


--

 <<-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D=
-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D>> =20
  >>  Commodore 128 User /  [e-mail] \   Monty Python Fan  <<
 <<     CUGB President  /________________________\   Computer Addict   >>
  >>  The C=3D64/128 Digital Homepage http://www.vgernet.net/mpython    <=
< =20
 <<=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D=
-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D->>=20

#! rnews 6425
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!newsf=
eed.internetmci.com!news.ac.net!news.cais.net!nntp.uio.no!news.kth.se!new=
s
From: [e-mail] (Andreas Andersson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: C128 (PAL) <--> SCART - Video
Date: 21 Jul 1996 02:24:28 +0200
Organization: School of EE, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Lines: 167
Sender: [e-mail]
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <4srgec$[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: zafir.e.kth.se
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=3Diso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
In-reply-to: [e-mail]'s message of 20 Jul 1996 20:43:56 GMT
X-Newsreader: Gnus v5.1

Kurt Ziegenbein wrote:

>   Is it possible to connect the video output of a C128 to the
>   SCART input of a Television Set ?
>
>   1) the 40 char - output (luminance/chrominance)
>   2) the 80 char - output (RGBI)
>
>   Is it possible to make cables for the both cases ?
>
>   if you have any idea to help me, please contact me :)

Well, I guess you could use the text included below...
However, do as the text suggests and don't tie VSYNC to the "fast blank" =
pin.
I've tested it on my two 128D's and, well, even if it works, it doesn't
display any color...
You could try to low pass filter the VSYNC pin and then tie it to "fast b=
lank"
but I can't guarantee it will work (Though it probably should).

P.S. Sorry if my post seems strange, but after all it is Saturday night, =
I
just got home, and I am _terribly_ drunk at the moment :)

                                                   /Pitch

---Begin 128-videocable.txt---

I just hooked my C128 to my 15" television set. The same cable can be use=
d
for both 40 and 80 column screen, as I have a switch in it.

This cable is based on an article in C=3DLehti 2/89. It had some inaccura=
cies,
and it is in Finnish. So I'll describe the cable here.

The RGBI connector looks like following, when looking to the machine's re=
ar
side from outside:

5   4   3   2   1

  9   8   7   6

(The User's guide and the C=3DLehti article used the mirror image of this=
,
which confused at least me.)

The pins are as follows:

1 GNDground
2 GNDground
3 Rred
4 Ggreen
5 Bblue
6 Iintensity
7 VIDEOcomposite video
8 HSYNChorizontal sync
9 VSYNCvertical sync

My television has a 21-pin Scart connector, which is used in Europe. It i=
s
a special type of connector that has rectangular plates as pins. The pins
are surrounded by a pentagonal metal frame. It looks like the following:

_________________________________________
|                                       |
| 1   3   5   7   9  11  13  15  17  19 |
|                                       |
|                                        \
|   2   4   6   8  10  12  14  16  18  20 \
--------------------------------------------

The needed pins are:

4, 5, 9, 13, 17ground
2audio, right channel
6audio, left channel
7blue
11green
15red
20video
16fast blank

The Scart connector does not allow use of HSYNC and VSYNC signals, so it
uses a video signal to synchronize the RGB picture. As the video signal
can be used also without RGB, the "fast blank" signal is needed to enable
RGB signal, unless you have a switch in your television to enable RGB.

When the television or monitor gets a positive voltage to the "fast blank=
" pin,
RGB will be enabled. The C=3Dlehti article instructed to tie VSYNC to thi=
s
pin through a 220 ohm resistor to provide the voltage, but it was too wea=
k for
my TV. So I temporarily used a 9 V battery to get some color on the scree=
n.
Finally I hooked that pin to the cassette port's +5V output.

The television expects analog RGB, but the C128 outputs digital RGB. The
signals can be converted to analog using six resistors:

digital              analog
R ---- R1 ---- R ---- R4 ---+
                                    |
G ---- R2 ---- G ---- R5 ---+
                                    |
B ---- R3 ---- B ---- R6 ---+
                                    |
I --------------------------+

The article suggested R1, R2 and R3 to be 470 ohms and R4, R5 and R6 to b=
e
680 ohms. You can experiment with other values to get good-looking colors
on the screen.

On some C128's, the RGBI connector's VIDEO signal might be actually 40 co=
lumn
screen's video signal, or the C=3DLehti article is simply wrong when clai=
ming
that you can get the 40 column screen via the RGBI connector. In any case=
,
you get sound and 40 column screen from the 8-pin VIDEO connector. You ca=
n
plug a 180 degree 5-pin DIN connector to it. The pin 2 is ground, 4 is vi=
deo
signal and 3 is audio output.

Finally you have to add a 2*ON-ON switch to switch between 8563 and 8566
screen. Connect it as follows:

                       /
  RGBI Video (7)-----o/  80 column screen
                     /|
Scart Video (20)----/ |
                      |
   VIC Video (4)-----o|  40 column screen
                      |/
  voltage supply-----o/
                     /
 Fast blank (16)-R7-/    R7=3D220 ohms

                     o

As mentioned above, you might be able to use VSYNC as voltage supply. If
the cassette port's +5V pin is not enough for your TV or monitor, use a
9 V battery or take a +9V or +12V lead from your computer.

Be careful with the 80 column mode. If you reset the computer to 64 mode,
the VDC screen will be out of syncronization, and your monitor may start
to smoke if you leave the cable in 80 column mode for several seconds.


Part list:

QuantityQuality
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
   3470 ohm resistors
   3680 ohm resistors
   1220 ohm resistor
   1Scart connector
   1D9S connector
   15-pin 180-degree DIN plug
   12*ON-ON switch



To connect your C128's 80 column screen to a CGA monitor, simply connect =
all
wires. I have planned to connect it to my multisync SuperVGA monitor. I t=
hink
that this goes by converting the digital RGB to analog and by providing t=
he
monitor with VSYNC and HSYNC signals. So far I haven't done this, as I do=
n't
have the 15 pin connector, and I do not know its pinout.

Have fun connecting!
--=20
Marko M=E4kel=E4                 |    M  H
University of Helsinki       |   a  e
Finland                      |  r  l   .
                             | k  sinki.fi
Internet:                    | o     @ .
    [e-mail] | .     a .
Bitnet: MSMakela@FinUH       |  Makel  .

---End 128-videocable.txt---
#! rnews 961
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!newsf=
eed.internetmci.com!news.corpcomm.net!news.pe.net!news.pe.net!not-for-mai=
l
From: [e-mail] (bob masse)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: Commodore 128 Computer For Sale
Date: 20 Jul 1996 18:12:48 -0700
Organization: PE.net - Internet access from the Press-Enterprise Company
Lines: 18
Message-ID: <4ss06g$[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: magnolia.pe.net
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]


Are you sure you didn't throw in an extra zero on that price you quoted=20
down there?



Fred Harris ([e-mail]) wrote:
: Hello everyone,

: A friend of mine asked me to post a Commodore 128 Computer for sale. =20
: Asking $750.00, like brand new.  Will throw in all games.
: Please e-mail with questions or interest.

: Thank you,
: --=20
: Fred H.
: [e-mail]
: Penn State Football Card and Artifact Collector
#! rnews 2675
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!newsf=
eed.internetmci.com!peach!atl1!phred
From: phred <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: Wanted: Printer driver file
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 1996 20:05:30 -0500
Organization: America.Net, P.O. Box 1222, Alpharetta, GA 30239-1222
Lines: 40
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960720195121.2026B-100000@atl1>
References: <[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: atl1.america.net
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=3DUS-ASCII
X-Sender: phred@atl1
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>=20

On Sat, 20 Jul 1996, Gary Chiasson wrote:

> I NEED I NEED I NEED the MPS-802 (1526) printer driver file for use wit=
h
> PrintMaster / Print Shop.

I am still trying to figure out, after reading about your quest so many=20
times, why you seem to think there is a driver for this printer for use=20
with PrintMaster and Print Shop

I own a 1526, and also quested after these files, and if they exist, I=20
don't know where to find them.

The problem with the 1526/MPS802 is that they were designed primarily for=
=20
text applications (and do a fine job at it, too). They have ONLY ONE=20
character available for printing graphics, and this character has to be=20
reprogrammed after EVERY "card" printed. In other words, this character=20
has to be reprogrammed 80 times to print a full line of graphics. Not=20
only that, but the printer has to be programmed to not produce a line=20
feed every time this character changes. That's more or less what's=20
involved here.

My main question is this: Have you ever seen or heard of these driver=20
files? If you have, I'll help you look. If you haven't, then give it up.=20
The 1526 will not work with PrintMaster, PrintShop, or The Newsroom. It=20
won't work with Doodle! or Koala or Paint Magic, either. The only program=
=20
that has a graphics driver for the 1526 that I know of is GEOS, and it's=20
VERY slow.

I put up some files on my Web Page that might help you, though. Check=20
them out - http://www.america.net/~phred/freq.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
----
*          What, Me Clueless? I don't think so...I'm navigating          =
   *
*               the Internet on a Commodore 64, aren't I?                =
   *
*Look for me in the following spots:   _phred_ on #c-64 (in IRC)         =
   *
*Web Page - http://www.america.net/~phred                                =
   *
*(If I like you, I might even tell you where my secret links are...)  >B-=
>  *
*This signature is subject to change at my whim.  --  [e-mail]  =
   *
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-----

#! rnews 796
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!newsf=
eed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!news.idt.net!news
From: [e-mail] ([e-mail])
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: Commodore 128 Computer For Sale
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 01:36:05 GMT
Organization: IDT Corporation
Lines: 12
Message-ID: <4ss1r0$[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
NNTP-Posting-Host: ppp-64.ts-9.nyc.idt.net
X-Newsreader: Forte Free Agent 1.0.82

Fred Harris <[e-mail]> wrote:

>Hello everyone,

>A friend of mine asked me to post a Commodore 128 Computer for sale. =20
>Asking $750.00, like brand new.  Will throw in all games.

A little pricey, ain't it?  Try knocking about $720.00 off the price,
and you MIGHT find a buyer.



#! rnews 1948
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!nntp.primenet.com!news.mathworks.=
com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news-feed.iguide.com!news.delphi.com!usenet
From: J. E. Sears <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: C64 VideoTitling Software???
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 96 23:15:35 -0500
Organization: Delphi ([e-mail] email, 800-695-4005 voice)
Lines: 24
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]> <chrisg-2406961856120001@=
news.execpc.com> <4qqr2q$[e-mail]> <Pine.A32.3.92.960702020955.=
[e-mail].a <[e-mail]> <Pin=
[e-mail].a
NNTP-Posting-Host: bos1d.delphi.com
X-To: Phil Porth <[e-mail]>

Phil Porth <[e-mail]> writes:
=20
>On Thu, 11 Jul 1996, J. E. Sears wrote:
>Thanks for the quote, unfortunately notice the great number of arrows
>separating my name from the original question.
>
>> Phil Porth <[e-mail]> writes:
=20
Sorry Phil for the misquote!
There is a newer GEOS Program in the libary on Genie called geoBasic
minidemo by Dennis Ellis.  With a little patience it can be used to
make screens save them then load em to use in titling. Nothin fancy
but you can use ANY of the thousands of GEOS fonts and italics,
outline, bold ect and point sizes to 12 ? the limit puzzles me.
Any way it is a cool program. Hats off to Dennis out in Nampa, ID.
=20
>> >> >>Anyone aware of some video titling software still available for t=
he C64?
>> >> >>I still use mine occasionally with a sequencer program, but I wan=
ted to
>> >> >>use it to create simple titles for videos. I've seen some titling
>> >> >>programs years ago that were availble in catalogs, but they are h=
ard to
>> >> >>find today. I've also done a few Net searches with little luck. I=
 have a
>> >> >>version of GEOS from '86, but that's not what I had in mind.
=20
ex
#! rnews 1512
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!nntp.primenet.com!news.mathworks.=
com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news-feed.iguide.com!news.delphi.com!usenet
From: J. E. Sears <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: SuperCPU-64 status?
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 96 23:19:35 -0500
Organization: Delphi ([e-mail] email, 800-695-4005 voice)
Lines: 17
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]> <31CF00A7.64A5@softd=
isk.com> <4raam5$[e-mail]> <Pine.A32.3.92.960704005809.16488E-100000=
@srv1.freenet.calgary.a <[e-mail]> <Pine.A32.3.92.96=
[e-mail].a
NNTP-Posting-Host: bos1d.delphi.com
X-To: Phil Porth <[e-mail]>

Phil Porth <[e-mail]> writes:
=20
>> Phil Porth <[e-mail]> writes:
=20
OOPs, I talked to the good folks at CMD and the unknow person on the
phone said to look for the superCPU in the mail by Aug IF you ordered
it before Christmas;)  later orders may take longer.
=20
Sorry Phil, hate to keep misquotin ya. I just had a bad day hope you
can forgive a ignorant Texas folk. ;)
=20
>Gee, thanx for the second misquoted statement today. I do not, nor have =
I
>ever professed to work for CMD although I have purchased a lot from them
>over the years. For shipping information why don't you try accessing the=
ir
>homepage? No, I don't happen to have it handy right now, but it was post=
ed
>in a couple of messages in the last week.
=20
#! rnews 2127
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!news.=
mathworks.com!news-res.gsl.net!news.gsl.net!news.uoregon.edu!news-feed.ig=
uide.com!news.delphi.com!usenet
From: [e-mail]
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: SuperCPU-64 status?
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 96 23:51:48 -0500
Organization: Delphi ([e-mail] email, 800-695-4005 voice)
Lines: 25
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]> <31CF00A7.64A5@softd=
isk.com> <4raam5$[e-mail]> <Pine.A32.3.92.960704005809.16488E-100000=
@srv1.freenet.calgary.a <[e-mail]> <Pine.A32.3.92.96=
[e-mail] <[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: bos1b.delphi.com
X-To: J. E. Sears <[e-mail]>

J. E. Sears <[e-mail]> writes:
=20
>OOPs, I talked to the good folks at CMD and the unknow person on the
>phone said to look for the superCPU in the mail by Aug IF you ordered
>it before Christmas;)  later orders may take longer.
=20
=20
I just sent CMD the final version of the GEOS software for the SuperCPU
on Wednesday, July 17th. The manual is finished and printed. I know this
because CMD sent me one along with what might be the final chipset on the
19th which I have installed into my unit.
  I'm testing the SuperCPU as much as I can this weekend with GEOS and
CMD is doing final testing at their end. I personally would say that this
project is ready for shipping. Naturally, all the units that they have
already built up are just waiting for the DOS chipsets to be installed.
That must be done and they must be packaged up. Disks need to be copied.
I would bet that the folks at CMD will be working full-time this week
getting these things into the shipping channels.
  If you have ordered one, start watching for it. I can say that you will
be pleasantly happy with it, especially if you use graphics intensive
programs like GEOS or other programs that must do a lot of calculations
or heavy duty processing. Those programs will be greatly enhanced. GEOs
is unbelievably fast with this unit. It has really spoiled me.
=20
-Maurice
#! rnews 4067
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!news.=
mathworks.com!news-res.gsl.net!news.gsl.net!portc01.blue.aol.com!newstf01=
.news.aol.com!news-e2a.gnn.com!pop.gnn.com!Eyeth
From: [e-mail] (Todd Elliott)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: CKIT - Dongle!
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 00:06:23
Organization: GNN
Lines: 66
Message-ID: <4ssabc$[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: 37-86.client.gnn.com
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=3D"us-ascii"
X-GNN-NewsServer-Posting-Date: 21 Jul 1996 04:06:04 GMT
X-Mailer: GNNmessenger 1.3

Alan Jones commented:
>I'm not familiar with CKIT 94.  Can someone post some comparative
>benchmarks for compression tightness, and compression/decompression
>speed?  How does it compare to .arc, .lzh (or is it .lhz), and .zip
>compresion?  I always thought that CKIT was only usefull for a single
>user who wants to compress and decompress his/her own files, or perhaps
>to exchange files with a friend known to have CKIT also.  Very few
>C64/128 users have or even know about CKIT.  However, I just reread the
>CKIT info in the CMD catalog and it says, "dissolver creates
>self-disolving archives for non-CKIT equipped systems".  What are these
>self desolving archives like?  Are they identical to the .sfx
>archives that are quite common?
>
In a nutshell, Ckit 94 has a menu interface and can recognize most disk
drives on the market, especially the CMD devices. This is where Ckit 94 h=
as
an advantage. Its compression, I gather, would be RLE- Run Length Encoded.
This isn't exactly one of the greater compression methods out there. If y=
ou
own CMD devices and would like to have a hassle-free disk utility to do
some archiving and compressing jobs, then Ckit 94 is for you.

>What exactly is a dongle?  How much does it cost a software producer?
>Is each dongle keyed to a serial code in the software, or does a dongle
>work with every original copy of a software product?
>
It's basically a resistor that is encased in ceramic to prevent
identification, and as far as I know, the dongle will work with any Ckit =
94
software. I don't know how much it would cost, but I would gather that it
is cheaper than burning the software onto a ROM cartridge.

>users via comp.sys.cbm and BBSs.  The best way to market C64/128
>software today is as shareware.  And in particular registration should
>include a professionaly printed users manual and user support.  Of
>course shareware releases need a complete text file based manual as
>well.  I'm surprised that any recent C64/128 software releases such as
>CKIT 94, come with an expensive dongle or any user hostile form of copy
>protedtion.
>
I disagree. Shareware, even in the IBM world, has not been largely
successful. There are exceptions, of course, like DOOM. ;) It is either
releasing the program as a shareware, but not realistically expecting any
revenues, or distributing it through mail order outlets such as SSI or CM=
D,
or market the thing themselves.

>If I was a C64/128 software author I would much rather have a product
>that sold 1000 units and was pirated a million times rather than a
>product that sold 50 units and was pirated zero times.  Piracy is not
>the bottom line, and piracy is not as rampant as software authors
>believe.  In the first case the author complains only that users stole
>
I agree with you regarding C=3D piracy. Of course .d64 files are traded d=
aily.
But newer software have yet to be pirated seriously. GeoFax, for example,=
 is
not copy-protected, but I haven't seen it pirated, either.

On the IBM world, that's a different story. Also, IMHO, piracy killed off
the Amiga and Atari 16 bit software market. But the IBM software folks do=
n't
care- Too many legitimate businesses are buying their software, which off=
sets
the losses caused by individual hackers and friends. They just figure in =
the
losses and price their products accordingly.

Todd
{.sig starts here!}
Todd Elliott
C128D Nirvana Enthusiast!
[e-mail]
University of Baltimore School of Law

#! rnews 3299
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!news.kei.com!news.=
mathworks.com!uunet!inXS.uu.net!xenitec!uunet.ca!news.uunet.ca!news.glinx=
.com!usenet
From: [e-mail] (Christopher Hume)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Problems with old 64 and old 1541, and a newer 64C
Date: 20 Jul 1996 01:25:11 GMT
Organization: Global Linx Internet, Inc.
Lines: 47
Message-ID: <4spchn$[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: ttys27-s1.glinx.com
X-Newsreader: WinVN 0.99.5

I am currently having some problems with some of my Commodore equipment.=20
My 64C sometimes temporarily has it sound go disappear, even when a=20
program or game is playing sound. Shortly before moving, this problem=20
did not occur. However, the sound always comes back again at a later=20
time. What could be causing this and how does one fix it?

Also, our first 64 (now quite old as it contains the infamous lock-up=20
bug :-) which of course, was fixed in later models such as my 64C), has=20
a very stiff keyboard which almost needs to be hit as hard as the=20
RESTORE key in order for any key to register. What could be causing this=20
problem and how does one fix it?

Additionally, our 1541 (almost as old as our 64), now can rarely read=20
from/read to any disks, even ones it formatted when it was working=20
properly. I can sometimes coax it into cooperating with GEOS 2.0 when my=20
64C is hooked up to it and my other 1541-compatible drive (a 1541-II).=20
Funny thing is the 1541 cannot boot the GEOS system disk, but can boot=20
the backup GEOS system disk supplied with GEOS while the 1541-II has no=20
problem with either boot disk.

By the way, the reason we have two Commodore 64-compatible systems is we=20
tried to upgrade to a 128D, which claimed to be 100% compatible with the=20
64 around the time we tried upgrading. However, it was more like 10%=20
comptible with the 64. We even returned it for another one and=20
experienced the same problems. I tried everything I could think of to=20
get the 128D to run 64 programs. I tried holding down the Commodore key,=20
upon powering up the machine which is supposed to set the computer to 64=20
mode and its built-in 1571 drive to 1541 mode. I also tried the GO64=20
command and following the manual's instructions for forcing the 1571 to=20
1541 mode, even when the 128D was in 64 mode. For some reason, the=20
machine couldn't even run GEOS 64 1.3 (which was the only version we=20
had at the time as it came with our 64C). Although, we returned the=20
machine and got our money back, I am curious as to why it refused to run=20
properly, if it all with most of large 64 library of software (hundreds=20
of programs). Also, I am curious to know since there a couple of=20
upgrades later on to the machine by Commodore, if the company ever got=20
it to be completely compatible with the 64 as the flat 128 is and am=20
wondering the same for the 128D's built-in 1571 drive except with=20
regards to the flat 1571's drives complete compatibility with the 1541.=20
After all, for quite some time, there were many letters in several=20
issues of Compute!'s Gazette (when it was in publication and called=20
that at the time) bemoaning the many problems many users had with the=20
machine at the time.

The last bit is just curiousity, but I would really like to have help=20
with problems dexcribed with 64-based systems. Thanks.

#! rnews 1969
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!gatech!ennfs.eas.asu.edu!noa=
o!CS.Arizona.EDU!ruby.ucc.nau.edu!dana.ucc.nau.edu!pap
From: [e-mail] (Paul Allen Panks)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: ELITE: Wow
Date: 19 Jul 1996 20:37:12 GMT
Organization: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ, USA
Lines: 41
Message-ID: <4sorlo$[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: dana.ucc.nau.edu
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

I just had the opportunity to pick up ELITE yesterday (complete in box,=20
w/ all necesarry documentation, even a novella!)

All I can say is...Wow!

I am impressed with this game, even after playing it only 8 times! Of=20
course, right now I suck at this game, but at least I've learned how to=20
dock my ship to the Lave Space Station (candy, I know...piece o cake)

I have yet to figure out how to hyperspace to even one close by planetary=
=20
system without it gulping like half of my fuel. I've used the 'J' key to=20
find the nearest space station to dock with (ship skip, or whatever its=20
called), but how in the heck do I equip myself with better equipment if I=
=20
can only hyperspace to Diso? (which is the nearest star/planet)

I would like to get some ECMs, maybe a more efficient hyperspace capable=20
drive unit, and trade in some (ahem...) illegal stuff. Unfortunately,=20
whenever I get into combat situations I either kill one or two ships but=20
eventually get outflanked, out manuevered by Viper ships and get my beans=
=20
kicked...

Is there a trick to outmanuevering certain ships after making a=20
hyperspace jump (which,by the way, I've found not only gulps your fuel=20
but slows your maximum speed down quite a bit)?

This game is utterly fascinating, indeed...

Regards,

Paul Allen Panks


--
--
"Chickens may lay eggs, but roosters wake you up in the morning. Nobody=20
pays them to do that. I do less work than that and I get paid. And I=20
don't like eggs anyhow. Ooh! Bacon!"

Homer Simpson, on subsidizing small-town agriculture.


#! rnews 2037
Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!sgigate.sgi.com!news-res.gsl.net!=
news.gsl.net!news.mathworks.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!news.u.washington.edu!ca=
rson.u.washington.edu!rrcc
From: Raymond Carlsen <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: 1571 drive question
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 1996 21:37:52 -0700
Organization: University of Washington
Lines: 27
Message-ID: <[e-mail]=
n.edu>
References: <4sc456$[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: carson.u.washington.edu
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=3DUS-ASCII
To: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <4sc456$[e-mail]>

> I recently got a 1571 and I can't insert the head viberaton card
> into the drive.  I goes in untill it hits and then it sticks out
> about 1 inch out of the drive!  I did not get the card with it, but
> it is an orignal card I got from someware.  So I took it appart and
> found the card hitting some little palastic part (and not it is not
> a head) just off center and to the left.  It looks like a long
> toothpick, except on the back end it gets thicker and almost touches
> the top of the head rails.  And sugestions on what this is, and
> should it be in that possition or should it be adjusted?  And if it
> is supose to be there, it this a later model of 71 and this was
> added after the other 71 I have?  Thanks.
>
Dan,
     Sounds like you've got a transit card from a 1541. The tab on
the end is different for the 1571. For the 1541, the tab sticks out
about an inch, and is about an inch and a half wide. It protrudes from
the center of the card. Obviously it pushes the head back to track
zero when inserted (with the drive turned off), and so can be used as
a "reset" for a "lost" 1541 drive head.
     The card for the 1571 is similar, but the tab is smaller: 1 1/8"
wide and 7/8" long, and is shifted to the right about half an inch.
Wanna get technical? The part number is 251171-03. :)

Ray Carlsen
CARLSEN ELECTRONICS... A leader in trailing-edge technology.





=END=