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rea all nor bye ************ Topic 1 Fri Sep 21, 1990 C128-BILL at 16:40 EDT Sub: Welcome to the Software Category! This area is for your Questions, Answers, and Comments about our trusty C-64 and C-128 Computers. To enter a new Topic, please use the STA (for START A TOPIC) command. 1 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 1 Message 1 Fri Sep 21, 1990 C128-BILL at 16:42 EDT For general questions about most any software designed for our Commodore 8-bit machines. All old messages are archived into the FlagShip Libraries. Don't be afraid to start a topic with the 'STA' command. Your FlagShip SYSOPS can fix just about anything here! ------------ ************ Topic 2 Sat Aug 21, 1993 J.SCHWARTZ1 [DuneWalker] at 22:39 EDT Sub: 1581 <> Amiga Using the 1581 to read/write Amiga files 7 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 2 Message 1 Sat Aug 21, 1993 J.SCHWARTZ1 [DuneWalker] at 22:47 EDT Does anybody here know of any program for the C64/C128 that will allow the 1581 disk drive to read/write Amiga formatted disks? I'm sure it is possible, since the 1581 will read/write MS-DOS disks (via Big Blue Reader), and the Amiga can, too (via Cross- DOS). When I used to be on QuantumLink, there was somebody there who was working on it (his handle was "Ambassador"). Does anybody here know if he succeeded? Right now, in order to accomplish this, I have been using a null modem between my Commodore 64 (and 128) and my Amiga 500 (and 600). Having a way to just transfer the disks between the two sure would be easier! ------------ Category 3, Topic 2 Message 2 Sun Aug 22, 1993 HOWIE-CBM at 01:47 EDT DuneWalker, Since ms-dos disks are the "common denominator", why not use them for any transfers? It just makes perfect sense to me. And Big Blue Reader's latest version is faster and easier to use than ever before. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 2 Message 3 Sun Aug 22, 1993 R.KNOP1 [Rob Knop] at 03:22 EDT My understanding is that reading Amiga disks with a 1581 is more challenging to implement than reading MSDOS disks. I haven't tried, though, so this may be a false impression. However, what Howie says is absolutely correct. The newer (2.04 and above) versions of the Amiga sytem come with CrossDOS, which works quite well to read and write 3.5" MSDOS floppies. On the 128, you can use the Little Red Reader, or the Big Blue Reader, to read 3.5" MSDOS floppies. Also, the NULL modem connection isn't entirely a bad thing. In some cases, it may actually be just as easy as transferring things via a 720K MSDOS disk. You have to load up a special program on your 128 in either case (either a MSDOS disk reader or a terminal program), and the Amiga multitasks so it isn't too much of a burden to run a terminal program in the background. In my experience, this is sometimes more convenient than using the MSDOS disk pathway. What would be nicest, actually, would be a program that would allow the Amiga to read and write 1581 disks. I think this should be possible to implement, and would keep you from having to run any special program on your 128. -Rob ------------ Category 3, Topic 2 Message 4 Mon Aug 23, 1993 CMD-DOUG at 01:04 EDT There are a few Amiga utilities around for reading 1581 disks. All of the 64 emulators have had some way for doing this, I believe, though some may have simply been through using a cable to hook a 1581 up to an Amiga. The other direction MAY be possible, since the controller on the 1581 is a 'dumb' controller of sorts, but it would certainly take some substantial programming of the controller chip to do it, as the standard Amiga format is far from being standard in any way. In fact, modern controller chips such as those employed in the FD-2000 and FD-4000 cannot even attempt to read the obscure format used by the Amiga. (The Amiga itself does not employ a standard disk controller chip, as Commodore decided to implement parts of the disk controller hardware into their Amiga custom chip set). ------------ Category 3, Topic 2 Message 5 Sun Aug 29, 1993 J.SCHWARTZ1 [DuneWalker] at 10:55 EDT Yes, I have done both... using a null modem, and using Big Blue Reader and CrossDOS to transfer data back and forth. I'm just looking for what would be the easiest way. Just taking the 1581 disk, and having the Amiga read it; or taking the Amiga disk and having the 1581 read it. . s*S ------------ Category 3, Topic 2 Message 6 Sun Aug 29, 1993 C128.JBEE at 13:46 EDT It has been years since I owned an Amiga ... but I found the C-64 Emulator by Readysoft, that came with a C= serial cable that plugged into the Amiga's parallel port, the easiest one to use. I would just read the 1581 disk on the 1581 and transfer it to an Amiga 3.5 disk while I read something. Slow, but did not require any attention and was easy. ------------ Category 3, Topic 2 Message 7 Tue Aug 31, 1993 J.JONES36 [LOADSTAR] at 19:19 EDT The ReadySoft emulator was slow and quirky. The Amiga drive could read 1581 disks, but not write to them. You would THINK you were writing a file, the light would be on but... nothing. The new Questronix Emulator is better. Even the old shareware version was better. Someone really should have simply come up with a commodities driver for the 1581. Barring that, the best way to transfer data is to get a cable and hook up the 81 to the Amiga. ------------ ************ Topic 3 Thu Jul 09, 1992 HOWIE-CBM at 09:53 EDT Sub: Big Blue Reader (Version 4.0) Big Blue Reader (Version 4.0) is like a cornucopia taken from a wish-list of its most ardent users. For just a few of its new enhancements, see message 1. 29 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 1 Thu Jul 09, 1992 HOWIE-CBM at 09:54 EDT The list of new features doesn't begin to describe just how user friendly and easy this latest version of Big Blue Reader is. A few highlights: (1) Transfers "screen code" files directly to ms/dos. The list of screen code wordprocessors that it now handles is extensive, and includes most all of the popular ones. (2) Transfer ascii and binary files of any length, between any formats. The only limitation is available disk space. (3) Read files from ms/dos and CMD subdirectories. (4) Option to load selective Commodore directories (like *=s). (5) Multiple files transferred in original order. (6) Print option shows name of file (7) Use drive numbers 8-30. BBR installs and runs from CMD's HD and RL. (8) Joystick and keyboard use. (9) New ms/dos formatting programs for both 1571 and 1581. (10) New and improved 17xx support. REU use is user selectable. (11) Displays drive type and number when asked to insert disk. (12) Transfer ms/dos files to CBM disks with your choice of file type, SEQ, PRG, or USR. BBR-128 also has: ================= (1) Built in ms/dos formatting for 1571 and 1581. (2) Load in a different ascii translation table without re-booting. (3) Page thru directory file names, in addition to scrolling. (4) Set BBR clock and date from CMD drive. RL, too! (5) Diskcopy program for CBM (GCR) and ms/dos (MFM) disks (and most CP/M ones as well). Supports 1571, 1581, multiple drives, 17xx REU, and multi-copy feature. BBR-64 also has: ================ (1) new 1581 ms/dos routines for reliable reading. (2) Error retry, and directory bug fixes. (3) Page directory file names. (4) Exit to Basic for running Format program. Big Blue Reader128/64 (both versions) are available for $44.95. Current users can upgrade to Version 4.0, by sending their original disk and $18, to: SOGWOP Software 115 Bellmont Road Decatur, IN 46733 Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 2 Thu Jul 09, 1992 HOWIE-CBM at 09:55 EDT Having sung the praises of the new BRR, I have run into one prob, and wonder if anyone else has seen the same thing. After formatting an ms/dos disk, and writing to it, a directory listing has the time stamped, but no date. This doesn't seem to affect the disk, since two ms/dos laptops have used it quite nicely. Getting a 1581 to format a universally useable ms/dos disk is nice. :) I am not sure why the date doesn't get stamped tho. If it is a prob with the formatting routine, or perhaps because the 1581 has JiffyDos? BBR is the first application to read my new RL clock, and it *IS* terrific to see the time and date displayed on its opening screen. And, it keeps the display updated every second! Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 3 Thu Jul 09, 1992 M.MINNIG at 23:05 EDT Howie, we're kindred spirits i.e., hardware junkies! ;) The new RANCard is nice, no? Michael ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 4 Fri Jul 10, 1992 HOWIE-CBM at 06:44 EDT Michael, Having files stamped with the time/date is one of those features that once you have, you wonder how you ever got along without before... I use it now to track e-mails. As a prompt that I oughta respond, because perhaps it has been lingering around in the directory for too long... I've never been so well organized. :) Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 5 Sat Jul 11, 1992 R.KNOP1 [Rob Knop] at 15:06 EDT Hi- BBR 4.0 sounds good! Especially the CMD compatability. I've got version 3.x right now, and not having a RAMLink or a HD, it doesn't sound like the upgrade would do a whole lot for me... the version I had even came with a (separate) 1581 MS-DOS formatter program. But, it's good to know that SOGWAP is still upgrading its software, to keep it completely compatable with the lastest hardware for C=. -Rob ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 6 Sat Jul 11, 1992 PAUL-MB at 22:33 EDT I really owe it to myself to buy BBR. I'm putting it on Paul's Great Shopping (and Excellent Holiday Idea) List asap. :) --= Paul =-- ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 7 Sun Jul 12, 1992 P.CATCHPOLE [Mike] at 17:56 EDT Dates and / or times missing will not bother dos at all - older versions of dos did not stamp the time and date.. ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 8 Mon Jul 13, 1992 HOWIE-CBM at 00:49 EDT Mike, That seems to be the case, since those disks were read by clones very well. I still haven't had the chance to see why this happened tho. BBR offers two formatting options, one from within the program, and the other from a seperate module. Not sure if selecting another one of these might make a difference. Could be something else now that I think about it. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 9 Sun Nov 15, 1992 HOWIE-CBM at 02:20 EST SOGWOP has released Big Blue Reader, version 4.01, which makes some changes to the recently released version 4.0: [1] The *date* is written properly to IBM disks. [2] IBM format routines work reliably with any 1571/1581 drive. [3] When using the FD-2000/FD-4000 drives, BBR 128 Version 4.01 does not crash when trying to access a 1.44 meg disk. This version, however, will not read/write to the high density 1.44 megs. [4] Using the Set-Clock program between 12 Midnight and 1 AM with the CMD RAMLink and Hard Drive has been fixed. (This fix is for all those early to rise users.) [5] One or two typos [spelling errors] were fixed. --------------------------------------------------- I had written earlier about the IBM disk dating prob, which is now fixed, and works properly. I also wrote about the Set-Clock prob, along with *MY* fix for it. The present routine uses part of my suggestion. For those who are `particular', I'd suggest using the full implementation. So, I'd suggest changing the zero at the end of the following line to a 146, instead (so, use: t(4)=146 instead of t(4)=0): if t(4)=18 and t(7)=0 then t(4)=0 What's the difference? My suggestion makes 12 AM to 1 AM read: 12:34:00 AM, like on my VCR and other digital displays. The part implementaion will have that time read as: 00:34:00 AM. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 10 Sun Nov 15, 1992 YLR.ROSE [* Mistress *] at 09:37 EST Howie.. where can we write for an upgraded version?? I have the old one and of course, there are so many bugs it isnt worth it to use it. :< HUGs ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 11 Mon Nov 16, 1992 HOWIE-CBM at 04:11 EST YLR, The Big Blue Reader 128/64 upgrade is available from: SOGWAP Software 115 Bellmont Road Decatur, IN 46733 Tel: (219) 724-3900 For the upgrade, send your original BBR disk, and $18. For those ordering for the first time, the cost is $44.95, check or money order. No credit cards. Canada and Mexico add $4. Overseas, $5. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 12 Mon Nov 16, 1992 YLR.ROSE [* Mistress *] at 20:06 EST thanks fer the info, Howie! ;* ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 13 Sat Jun 12, 1993 RHHAYDEN [Robert H.] at 04:52 EDT Howie, Thanks for the clock fix. I captured your message. After I clean it up (remove the RETURN prompt, etc.), I'll print it and keep it with the BBR 4.1 docs. Robert ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 14 Sat Jun 12, 1993 HOWIE-CBM at 12:11 EDT Robert, You are welcome! :) Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 15 Sat Sep 25, 1993 R.KIRK7 [Dick] at 16:55 EDT I see Big Blue has a new Version 4.1. Does anyone know how it differs from 4.0? ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 16 Sat Sep 25, 1993 CMD-DOUG at 20:46 EDT The Main program and BBR Format program have been modified to support the CMD FD Series drives' capability to read and write IBM 1.44 MB disks. ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 17 Sun Nov 28, 1993 CAPT.CARL at 02:57 EST Just thought I'd drop in and briefly sing the praises of BBR 4.1. I've successfully transferred all permissible types of C= files to MS-DOS and have had no problems at all with the tranfers. This program is amazing! And it works fine with my RAMLink, and REU. For anyone needing to transfer C= to MS-DOS, get this program, you won't be sorry. ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 18 Sun Nov 28, 1993 C.EFTHIMIOU [brat] at 08:00 EST Where do u get it. I mean order it from thanks ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 19 Sun Nov 28, 1993 GEOS-TIM at 11:49 EST Check out message #1 in this message thread, and it gives you ordering info and features of the BBR. Message #9 gives you the added features of 4.01 and message 11 gives you more ordering info. So check out message 1,9,and 11. It should answer most of your questions. :) -Tim ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 20 Sun Nov 28, 1993 CMD-DOUG at 12:05 EST BBR is also available from CMD. See Category 12, Topic 10. ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 21 Sun Nov 28, 1993 RHHAYDEN [Robert H.] at 19:26 EST I've got one complaint about BBR 4.1 on the 64. When I print a large printer file, I have to press the [RETURN] key after every 32K segment. I don't have to do this with data going from one diskette to another. Robert ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 22 Sat Dec 11, 1993 LLOYD at 12:55 EST Afraid that I still have version 2.0 for the C64 & version 3.1 for the C128 . (I don't have a CMD Hard-drive or Ram-link, yet) But, I've run into a problem with transferring ibm files from a 1581 drive to a 1571 disk. I can go the other way without a problem. And I can transfer it from a 1571 to a 1571. But not from the 1581 to the 1571 using the C64. Any ideas? Or is the only sulution to upgrade, which isn't a bad idea? Lloyd ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 23 Sun Dec 12, 1993 S.GOLDSMITH2 [Iron.Man] at 23:53 EST Lloyd, I think there is a bug in 3.1 because it doesn't work on IBM to C= xfers greater that one buffer (52K I think). If your going from IBM to C= CP/M you can use a PC shareware program called 22DISK (in the GEnie CP/M RT?). 22DISK will format Epson QX-10 format disks which C= CP/M can read without xfering it first. It's a lot faster than BBR too... SG :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 24 Fri Dec 17, 1993 LLOYD at 21:09 EST It does work with any size file using two 1571 drives. The problem is a 1571 and a 1581 drive. I probably should upgrade, but I hate picking up IBM habits. Lloyd ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 25 Sun Dec 19, 1993 L.SCHONDER [Lou] at 23:19 EST Big Blue Reader works with large files (which seems the norm for Messy-DOS) very well with an REU. ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 26 Mon Jan 03, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] at 03:52 EST I had got into the habit of downloading LZH'ed Commodore files on a PC and then use a 3 1/2" disk on an FD-4000 to transfer the file to the Commodore. The problem is when I tried to extract it using CS-DOS on the 128, it would crash CS-DOS at the end, the file wouldn't completely undo. However, it would after I null-modemed it to the Commodore. Strange program... Doc. ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 27 Mon Jan 03, 1994 TOM.PATCH at 05:18 EST I have version 4.01 of BBR but have seen references to a program called Little Red Reader. Is this program for real? Is there such an animal? Or is it a joke? If, by some chance, it is real, freeware or shareware or commercial, where can I find it. Have seen references to it on other networks but have never seen the program. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 28 Mon Jan 03, 1994 C128.JBEE at 12:22 EST Yes, LRR (Little Red Reader) is alive and well :) Just search for the uploader R.KNOP1 :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 3 Message 29 Mon Jan 03, 1994 C128.JBEE at 12:37 EST String: lrr Uploader: R.KNOP1 Days Back: ALL ALL Libraries. No. File Name Type Address YYMMDD Bytes Access Lib ----- ------------------------ - ------------ ------ ------- ------ --- 10862 LRR.SFX X R.KNOP1 930117 38400 89 31 Desc: Read MS-DOS disks End of Directory. ------------ ************ Topic 4 Sat Oct 26, 1991 R.KNOP1 [Rob Knop] (Forwarded) Sub: Pocket Writer The excellent word processor from Digital Solutions. 31 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 1 Sat Oct 26, 1991 R.KNOP1 [Rob Knop] (Forwarded) Whatever are we going to do with that Pocket Writer 2 spell checker??? Probably one of two annoying things about an otherwise excellent word processor. (The other being the copy protection that prevents you from installing PW anywhere other than a 5.25" disk.) I seem to recall reading that the spell checker wasn't any different in PW3? Is the upgrade to PW3 worth it? I am a registered user (at least, I sent in my registration card way back when), but I never heard from Digital Solutions about any upgrade offer. I have another question about PW2: it is not only an excellent word processor, but also a good text editor. It has nearly all the features I would want in a text editor, including ability to read and write both ASCII and PETSCII files. The one feature I really want, though, that I haven't been able to find, is paragraph fill. Does anybody know how to do this with PW2? What that means is, if you have a paragraph in a text file, and you delete half of one line, you execute a paragraph fill to re-line up the paragraph such that all lines go more or less to the right margin. In word processing mode, PW2 does this automatically, of course. I'd like to be able to do this sort of thing when in SEQ mode. -Rob ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 2 Sun Oct 27, 1991 HOWIE-CBM [H.HERMAN1] (Forwarded) I *REALLY* like this topic header!!! :) Very nifty Rob! The dictionary PW3 uses is the same as earlier PW versions, which is just as well, since I must have added thousands of words to it by now. Many were done individually. But more came from other dictionaries. With PW3 it became an easy task to add words, automatically using its macro capability. One thing I had to be careful about tho, was to review things ahead of time, since a lot of public domain dictionaries seem to contain a lot of words that I don't want in mine. Especially contractions. Where the dictionary falls short is in not being able to delete once you've added something. This feature should have been included. I get around this by always using the dictionary from the REU. This way, if I've made a mistake, I just do not bother copying over the bigger dictionary to disk. Reformatting SEQ files (aka: ascii text files on other platforms) can be done, but not without a bit of trickery. This is because the SEQ file has a hard carriage return after each line. In its WP mode, with program files, a hard return appears only at the end of paragraphs, so text within a paragraph gets reformatted each time it is changed. I've always thought that this was universal with all WP's. If anyone knows of any WP's (even things like WordPerfect) that can reformat an ascii text (SEQ) file, I'd like to know. I think part of the prob is that the SEQ (ascii) file has no format to it. If hard carriage returns get deleted, the text spills out onto one long line. PW will allow its text to run for 9,999 characters per line. There is nothing to limit this, as opposed to WP or program mode, where margins can be defined. A CONTROL/SHIFT or a CONTROL/RETURN will toggle those invisible carriage returns on and off. There are two ways that I know of to reformat that SEQ text: While in SEQ mode, cursor to behind the CR to be deleted, and backspace over it. Then insert a SPACE. And, press CR where you want the line to end. The other way, which I use is to convert the text to WP (program) mode. Format margins to agree with the existing file's margins. Then delete the hard carriage returns as described above. Using the WP mode, once the CR is deleted, and a SPACE inserted, the text reformats itself. Later, it can then be converted back into the SEQ file. The nice thing with PW3 is that instead of doing all these minipulations manually, a lot of them can be delegated to a macro. I still have to be there to show the macro which lines to reformat, but then the macro will do all the other things. Because the reformatting is line sensitive, I've set up several different ones, for anywhere from one to 15 CR deletions, at a time, per macro. So it is still a manual task, but a lot easier. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 3 Sun Oct 27, 1991 AMFORD (Forwarded) The Write Stuff allows you to strip off extrac carriage returns when it reads in a sequential file. Not exactly a speed demon on large file, but it beats the HECK out of doing it by hand!!! ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 4 Mon Oct 28, 1991 D.DANIELS6 (Forwarded) Hey guys I really need spme help here I need a program for the c-64 to read and answer mega-mail the reason why is that I was just offered to become co- sysop of a local bbs but don't have anything to d/load meag-mail and answer to send back up.... the bbs program is executive host by telex....I can only assume it is a IBM terminal program. please let me know...... HURTING IN CONNECTICUT will call to anyone who has the answer to my delemia just send email to D.Daniels6 or post!!!!!! thanks! ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 5 Mon Oct 28, 1991 R.KNOP1 [Rob Knop] (Forwarded) Howdy- Where I've seen SEQ format files reformatted is in text editors on mainframe systems. In VMS, I used EVE, and on Unix, I use emacs. Both operate on text files the same way as PW2 does on SEQ files- there are CR's at the end of every line. However, they are able to fill paragraphs. Doing so in code isn't hard, and indeed every now and then I toy with the idea of writing a text editor that would have this feature, but since PW2 does everything else I would want a text editor to do, I have never done it. (Perhaps if JBEE manages to hack out the copy protection code, he could tell me what space he freed up in the system and I could try to patch in a fill paragraph routine ;) --- that would be a fairly major undertaking, I would expect, though.) As to the dictionary, I think what bugs me the most about the PW2 spelling checker is that, when it finds a misspelled word, it will skip over all future occurrences of the word. So, suppose I have "tha" in several places in my document where I want "that". It will find the first one and let me correct it, but it will skip all of the rest. This is rather annoying. Has it been fixed in PW3? Also, it is kind of sad that the spelling checker doesn't offer some guesses at correct spellings, like geoSpell does, or word processors I've seen on Macs and things. But this is secondary, in my opinion. The macro features of PW3 sound pretty nice... might make it worth the upgrade. (How would I go about doing this upgrade? I never heard from Digital Solutions.) -Rob ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 6 Tue Oct 29, 1991 M.MINNIG (Forwarded) *UP Here's the upgrade info I got from Digital when I sent in my registration cards for the Pocket series (you remembered to use extra postage to cover the trip to Canada, didn't you? ;D ): Pocket Writer 2 to Pocket Writer 3... US$29.95 Provide: 1) Serial# of program being upgraded 2) Selection of 64 OR 128 version 3) Payment by check, money order, VISA, MasterCard or Amex. Digital's address is: Digital Solutions Inc. P.O. Box 345, Station A Willowdale, Ontario Canada M2N 5S9 Michael ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 7 Tue Oct 29, 1991 C128-BILL [Bill] (Forwarded) Good information, Michael. Thanx! ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 8 Wed Oct 30, 1991 HOWIE-CBM [H.HERMAN1] (Forwarded) Rob, I tested 'tha' on the dictionary, and this is how it works in PW3. If I change it, more tha's later on will still get highlighted, and questioned. However, once a 'tha' is added, the dictionary accepts the tha's in the rest of the file, and they get skipped over. The added features you mention would be nice, even having word definitions and thesaurus. I suppose now with all the REU rams available this could be done. Considering that these things, would be modular, they might run pretty slow from a drive. I've never tried using the dictionary other than with the REU, since Filer2's disk access on any modest sized database was so slow. It certainly would be nice if Digital Solutions could be talked into upgrading PW even further, making an enhanced version for all the new hardware we now have. PW3 is already modular (it needs three overlay files to run). Wondering if anyone knows any of the folks at Digital and if they could be talked into something like this??? ??? :) Maneuvering SEQ files would be nice too. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 9 Wed Oct 30, 1991 M.MINNIG (Forwarded) I wrote to Digital about exactly that: rewriting the Pocket series to make use of my "super expanded" 128 (RAMLink & HD-40). Their reply was that "in order to make use of your hardware it would require a major rewrite of the program. Given the declining market, such a project would not be economically feasible." Or words to that effect. :( Too bad! Booting from a RAMLink would really be nice! At one time, SSI had a disk called "Elite V. 3.0" which would de-protect some of the Pocket 2 series and leave them as file-copyable programs. Unfortunately, this is no longer available, and SSI's MAVERICK will only give you another floppy copy. Michael ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 10 Thu Oct 31, 1991 HOWIE-CBM [H.HERMAN1] (Forwarded) Thanks Michael! Well, at least once they're running the Pocket programs do great with RL. I still cannot get over how easilly they access all the partitions, and jump in and out of all the subdirectories. My favorite is when files get batch transferred from RL to REU or vice versa. Those file names merely 'blink' on the status line as each gets written. :) Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 11 Tue Apr 28, 1992 W.JOHNSON5 at 03:43 EDT I have to say I was a very unhappy camper with this program. After we had been using it for about a month, we noticed that every third try or so it would lock up on us. Then when going back to the master disk for an overlay, it would announce that we had not insert a disk with an overlay file in it, even though these appeared in the disk directory. Finally the program just flat died on us. That was last week: I have been trying to figure out what it takes to get a replacement disk, but all the manual says is "See the file README for information on ordering a replacement disk" - which is fine, if you can read the file README off the master disk. All in all, I was disappointed with the performance of this product. My old WP, Better Working, was in many ways superior to this even though it only supports my 128 in C64 mode and with 40 columns. At least it still runs after 7 years. ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 12 Tue Apr 28, 1992 HOWIE-CBM at 05:04 EDT Sorry to hear about these problems. I'd suggest that you immediately return the bad disk to Digital Solutions, along with a note explaining that the disk went bad. They will send you a replacement. It is always a good idea to have at least one back-up (and preferably more) of a frequently used program, so if you do not have an extra one, I'd suggest including a check for $10 for two disks. An alternative for making copies might also be using the Maverick and RamBoard combo. BTW, those three overlay files are not copy protected, so can easilly be written over to other disks, for easy program access, or ideally for writing to the REU, where they load in, in nanoseconds. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 13 Thu Nov 19, 1992 J.PEEPLES [CPM Survivor] at 05:39 EST Just a thought: If the copy protection and slow, limited spell checker bother you (they do me), you just might want to consider checking out WordStar 4 for the CP/M mode of the 128. It has similar capabilities, can do full WYSIWYG with the proper overlays (available here on GEnie), and the speller is much larger, faster, and better, and includes word lookup, global search/replace, and other nifty stuff. Also the macros are more powerful, and the internal command language gives you a LOT more control over printout that PW's. However, WordStar can be hard to learn, and it's expensive. Still, if you do serious writing (i.e. stuff you sometimes get money for...) or if you are a power-hungry wordster (that's me), then it's worth looking at. BTW, I still use PW3...but I use WordStar a lot more often, and PaperClip III gets frequent bootups too... ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 14 Thu Nov 19, 1992 C128.JBEE at 08:21 EST What are the strengths of Wordstar vs. PCiii for you? Myself, I love PC3's column handling and easy of use (keyboard shortcuts) and the fact you can edit the character sets and values. It makes for some nice redesigned laser macros :) (not to mention game and board designs) PC3's spellchecker is lightening fast too from the REU. ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 15 Thu Nov 19, 1992 M.MINNIG at 22:25 EST I think the instant spellcheck-as-you-type feature in PCIII 128 is unique. Does anyone use it? ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 16 Thu Nov 19, 1992 CBM-ED [e.g.bell] at 23:18 EST I never heard anything about that Michael. Doesn't it slow things down? (Especially for someone like me who types like the wind and never makes 'misteaks'?) :^) ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 17 Fri Nov 20, 1992 C128.JBEE at 02:54 EST I don't use it because of all the wierd things I type all day that would slow me down, like e-mail addresses ;) The automatic speller checker works from the REU with DMA and is very fast. I doubt anyone but the fastest touch typist could ever be slowed down by it. It is an amazing piece of code :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 18 Fri Nov 20, 1992 M.MINNIG at 21:50 EST I'm no tupist, so I sure can't beat it! ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 19 Mon Nov 23, 1992 J.PEEPLES [CPM Survivor] at 21:03 EST Well... First of all, when I use PCIII, I use the real-time spell checker. If it slows it down at all, I can't tell it! It can be annoying, but it is good for eliminating typos... Some of the advantages of WordStar over PW3? Well, first, WordStar 4 has a much more powerful embedded formatting language. It has a calculator built-