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************ Topic 6 Sat Oct 12, 1991 H.HERMAN1 (Forwarded) Sub: Unix on the C64 ASTERIX is a C64 Unix-like Operating System. It is in the library as file #9195, asterix.sfx, a self-dissolving arc. Here are some (hopefully) helpful suggestions for running this complex software. 2 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 6 Message 1 Sat Oct 12, 1991 H.HERMAN1 (Forwarded) I just uploaded a program called ASTERIX that effectively turns a C64 into a mini-like Unix Operating System. It comes from a student who is a computer sciences major in Australia. It is a complex set of programs that are memory resident, as well as called from disk. Not being all that familiar with Unix (in fact I know very little), it was difficult to get up and running. The author of ASTERIX assumes that those using his program have ready access to a Unix at school, and will use their C64 Unix environment as a complement. [Before I go any further, it probably will be a few days for ASTERIX to get fully reviewed, and released in the library.] Here's what I've discovered that may be helpful in getting started: ------------------------------------------------------------------- To read any of the doc files, enter at the prompt: ]disk ?anyname ; page anyname Where anyname is the name of the file you want to read. Some letters use capitals, so be careful to match. So, for example to read the file, Why: ]disk ?Why ; page Why Some long file names will wrap to line two. That's okey. BTW, as you read the files, you'll see that the author has a neat sense of humor. I think you'll enjoy what he has to say. When you get to a long file and see _[more]' at the end of the screen, press the SPACE bar to see more. After you've read a few files, you can get a directory list, with the command: ls. It should look familiar. It is as many of the files that you just looked at on screen, that have been stored into memory. So, ls, and a lot of other commands can then be used, and seem, by default, to go to this memory resident file directory. If you want to re-read any of these files again, just enter at the prompt: ]page Why This assumes that you proviously issued the longer command for Why. Why will again print to screen, this time from resident memory. The _.' commands seem to work differently. You don't have to issue that longer command line first. Simply entering: ]page .alias This will print the .alias file to screen. As you review the many doc files provided, you will come across one which lists out the commands which are resident, and those that get called from disk. This is similiar to CP/M's treatment of resident commands. Like, TYPE is resident, etc. There is a lot more to this package that I don't know enough about to recognize. But, the above should help any newcomer to Unix to get up and running quickly. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 6 Message 2 Sat Oct 12, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] (Forwarded) Interesting! This should put a new twist on the C64 as a learning tool! ------------ ************ 3 ?rea 11-12 nor ************ Topic 11 Wed Mar 13, 1991 T.HOBBS.II at 02:02 EST Sub: PROBLEMS WITH ARC/SDA AID V7.1 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH SDA MODULE OF THIS PROGRAM 16 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 1 Wed Mar 13, 1991 T.HOBBS.II at 02:20 EST HELP! I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SDA MODULE OF ARC/SDA AID V7.1 (FILE #4834 C- 64 LIBRARIES) GARBAGE FILLS SCREEN WHEN INTRO PROGRAM BEGINS. QUESTIONS? DOES ONE ALSO COMPRESS SDA.ML PROGRAM WITH INTENDED FILES OR NOT? DO YOU ADD THE SDA TAG TO THE FINAL OUTPUT PROMPT OR DOES THE PROGRAM DO THAT AUTOMATICALLY? I'M STUMPED! >>> T.HOBBS.II <<< ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 2 Wed Mar 13, 1991 VOYAGER-1 [Gary V] at 13:11 EST If you are getting garbage on the intro screen when you first run this program, then there is probably something wrong with your copy ( either a bad download or an error in the disolved files ). The instructions for creating a SDA with this program are somewhat poor and it took me a bit to figure it out. Before using the create a SDA feature, you must create a work disk. On this work disk, you will need to copy the SDA.ML file included as part of the archive and all files that you want to become part of your SDA. After this work disk is set up, then load and run ARC/SDA AID. Follow all the prompts to get to the Create a SDA module. At this point it will ask for a final Filename for your SDA. I usualy keep it simple as it can be renamed later. After that is entered the program will keep asking for filenames to be included in the SDA until a CR is entered by itself. You can use the wildcard feature * , but do not enter a * by itself ( always use at least the first letter of the filenames followed by the * symbol ) otherwise the the program will try to append the base file over itself and create a real mess. After all included filenames are entered it will put you into a simple editor to create an intro screen. After finishing this it will write a SEQ file to your work disk called INTRO. ( this Basic editor is slow and one of the few things that I realy don't like with this program ) At this point the program is ready to start creating your SDA. It first renames SDA.ML to BASE.ARC ( Note that any of the filenames you entered should not be able to include this filename - that is don't use something like BAS* as one of your input patterns. This will mess things up. ) After it has changed this filename, the program uses the Append feature of ARC to add all the other files selected to this Base. Once all the files are added to the archive, the program renames BASE.ARC to whatever you entered as the final Filename. Because I dislike the editor and am familiar enough with ARC, I usually don't bother using AID, but just the SDA.ML module. I create my own intro screen with a standard WP and save it as a SEQ file called INTRO. Then I create a work disk as above with a copy of the SDA.ML file ( I use BASE64.ARC for the 64 module's name and BASE128.ARC for the 128 version and have renamed the SDA.ML modules to these on my master disk ), the INTRO file and all others I want as part of my SDA. I just then run ARC230 and enter the Append Command in direct mode. It would look like this arc/a a:base64.arc intro noname filename1 filename2 filename3 I'm not sure why there in the filename of noname included in the string, but was there in the create SDA module program, so I include it just to be safe. I guess I should try it once without to see if it makes any difference. I hope that this helps more than it confuses :-) Gary ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 3 Thu Mar 14, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 04:25 EST I really think that SDA maker sounds like more effort than learning the basic ARC syntaxs. The benefit of learning ARC is that you can take that basic knowledge to ANY other machine and apply it there too. Though I am no ARC expert if you ever need help feel free to post a question, drop by on Tuesdays, etc. Besides being fast and very useful, learning how to use ARC from the prompt is a real benefit. If you are a C128 owner than CS-DOS is alsmot a must if you upload files and ifyou own a 1750 reu it is a must! :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 4 Thu Mar 14, 1991 DALE-RAY at 16:07 EST You can find help with using ARC on the New Member Survival Kit menu or you can download file 3557 from the library. This file is a quick reference card for ARC commands prepared by DEB. Once you get the hang of it creating SDA files from within the ARC utility is easier than using ARC-AID. I got frustrated with ARC-AID when I was using it because it woukd crash in the editor for the intro screen. Another alternative is ARC-SDA. This is a program that converts ARC files into SDA files. If you know how to create the ARC file you could use this utility to convert it to an SDA. It is available in our libraries here, but I am not sure of the file #. ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 5 Sat Aug 03, 1991 C.KALLAS at 03:58 EDT I need help on answering this question. After I dissolve a sfx file what do I do from there. How do i see the file? Charlie ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 6 Mon Aug 05, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 01:19 EDT After you dissolve a SFX file you are left with the original data or program file. What you do with the file depends on why the original SFX was uploaded. Is it a program to run? Is the file a graphic file to be viewed? Is it meant to be a data file to be used with another program? ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 7 Mon Aug 05, 1991 C.KALLAS at 22:13 EDT It is a graphic file, what do I do next? Thanks Charlie ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 8 Tue Aug 06, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 23:20 EDT There are all sorts of graphic files. what file number did you download? if the original data file starts with a "gg, jj, or dd" then I would use Autograph to view it. ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 9 Thu Aug 08, 1991 C.KALLAS at 23:33 EDT J.Bee I was talking to you about viewing a sfx file and can't or don't know how. You ask what file it was. It was yours #9051. Please help. Charlie ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 10 Fri Aug 09, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 10:43 EDT Hi :) There are two ways to view that file 1)under GEOS 2)under the Handyscanner program For viewing it under GEOS get file #8514 "hs2geo.sfx". This will dissolve to a program called "handy import". After converting the program with Convert 2.5 you can use it to convert file#9051 to a Geopaint. This is how I view and test all the Handyscan files I upload (because someone was borrowing my Pagefox;) For viewing outside of GEOS than donwload file #8847 and #8846 from Lib#22. This is the handyscanner program itself and it will load and view the file directly. Note though that you can only view screens 640x400 pixels. If you have the Pagefox or use GEOS you can view the whole 640x800 bitmap. The reason for mentioning this is because some of the handyscanned images are quite large and cover the whole Geopaint page. ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 11 Fri Aug 09, 1991 C.KALLAS at 22:11 EDT Thanks J.Bee for the help. Charlie ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 12 Fri Aug 09, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 23:39 EDT You're welcome :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 13 Tue Aug 20, 1991 C.CORDOVA1 at 00:41 PDT Im new to this and this topic helped me understand arc/sda programs,but can someone tell me of a program to use .txt files. I download them but cant use them on my c-64. Thanks ------------ Category 3, Topic 11 Message 14 Tue Aug 20, 1991 VOYAGER-1 [Gary] at 04:56 EDT The suffex of .txt usualy means that file is a Text file and is most likely in standard SEQ format. To read them, you will need a SEQ file viewer / printer program or a wordprocessor program that can read a standard SEQ file. There is a very fine SEQ file reader/printer in our library called ULTRA ( I think the latest version is 8.0 ). There are 2 types of standard SEQ files you may encounter. They are True ASCII which is what most computers have standardized on and PETSCII which is a modified vesion used by CBM in their 8 bit computers. Ultra will handle either type on your 64. Another suffex that you will encounter that also indicates a Text file is .DOC that indicates that it is a DOCumentation file that goes with a program. Hope this helps some. Gary ------------ 3 ?rea 14 nor ************ Topic 14 Thu Apr 04, 1991 H.HERMAN1 at 06:32 EST Sub: Unix UNIX and the 128 30 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 1 Thu Apr 04, 1991 H.HERMAN1 at 06:33 EST Has anyone had experience with Gregg Riedel's Unix Sys for the 128? How closely does it imitate? Any probs? [Before any wild rumors start. No! It is not a full implementation of Unix. But, it does have quite a few of its popular commands.] And.... I am desperate for this next one. I know it exists, but cannot seem to find it. What? A UUdecode that runs on the 128. Can anyone help? Thanks! Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 2 Thu Apr 04, 1991 D.BURR [Winterhawk] at 19:44 EST A Unix sub-set on a 128? Sounds like fun for the CLI freaks out there... Where does one obtain such a beast? ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 3 Fri Apr 05, 1991 H.HERMAN1 at 00:23 EST Gee... I'm sure glad you asked. :) I think it is at several sites. I found it at milton.u.washington.edu. CD /public/download/c128/unix Take a look at the first two 'readme' files for download instructions. It sure would be nice to have available here!! <hint> I have ftp, but no access to a UUdecode, so that pretty much limits me to the ascii instructions... BTW, the C128 UUdecode is at another site, and not part of the package. If you can get these files, let me know, and I'll get the other address too. Things are look'n up!! :) Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 4 Sat Apr 06, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 07:17 EST I have no access to these either. What is FTP? What is UUdecode? Unix 128 might be a beast and considering the demands UNIX usually takes from reading the magazines (never touched it myself) I can imagine it isnt complete. But, like CP/M it could open the doors for a lot of other neat stuff. Besides, wouldn't you just love to tell people you run UNIX on your C128 ;) ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 5 Sun Apr 07, 1991 H.HERMAN1 at 06:25 EDT JBEE, I've only dabbled with Unix, since at the best of times, I've had access to restricted shells. Right now, very, very limited usage... :( FTP is File Transfer Protocol, both the command, and the way Unix transfers its files from one Unix to another. Files can be either Binary, in stream Netdata format, or ebcdic/ascii translated for UUdecode receipt by net-mail, thru Internet, for example. The UUencode (UU= Unix to Unix) simply changes the file to all ascii characters for net-mail, and UUdecode changes the file back to its original form for use, once received. Anyone with access to a site offering Internet connectivity, for example, can e-mail throughout the world, to anyone on any machine on the net. As example, posting to NewsGroups on Usenet. This is done thru File/MailServers, that run background tasking. Thru this same facility, you can access any of these machines, and request that files be sent back to your home machine, which you can then download for personal use. All colleges and most larger corporations are accessible thru Internet. Most of the colleges have set up _public' file areas where anyone is welcome to peruse, and GET (another command) any files that look interesting. Usually similar/related items are contained within the same directory. So, for example, someone interested in 64 and 128 programs would search those directories for files. That's how I came across the Unix Oper Sys for the 128. (BTW, it is no small package, well over 300K, if I remember right.) Obviously it is not going to offer background and prioritized tasking, altho it might offer off-hour tasking --- I don't know --- since I've only read the two brief files listing what's there, and instructions in setting it up. My home site only offers Internet connection, so I can only receive all this stuff UUencoded. However, unlike most, it does not offer UUdecode, so I'd have to do this on the 128, but I don't have this, which I would have to also get UUencoded --- talk about your catch-22? Anyone attending a college today, and using their computers (and that is just about everyone), can easilly get these files (and any others from any site, worldwide), UUdecode on their home machines, and then download to their 128's. Because of my facility limitations, I've only taken looks into ascii files, not having a UUdecode (hint!!). The BITFTP log, returned with the file is sorta interesting. A 10K file gets transferred in less than one second, from the foreign host, and the entire log-in transfer and log-out takes about 3 seconds, and all this is just one of many tasks that are being done in the background with a low priority. In part, this may explain the many requests we see for 64 and 128 VT-100 emulators, and their correct termcaps. With any of these, the 64 or 128, at home, is just like any other terminal connected to a Unix sys. All of its editing, tasking, programming, and other facilities are easilly accessible. So, as just one example, a user can write a term papar, with cursor keys and all, while in the background, an earlier paper is being checked for spelling, grammer, etc., a spreadsheet is being analyzed for 'what ifs', a file is being grabbed from across the country, a program is being compiled, etc., etc. At first, Unix is not as friendly as DOS running Windows. However, for multi-tasking and networking, from what I've been able to learn it is far surerior. Unix has been in colleges for decades, and it is only now that there seem to be enough users familiar with it, that it is becoming popular among the smaller corporate user. The larger corporation has always used it, but in a transparant mode, as far as most of its employees are concerned. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 6 Sun Apr 07, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 20:35 EDT Well, I learned a couple of new things today :) Thank you for the information! Looks like something (even at 300K) to search out. I bet with LHA that 300K would be whittled down to 100K. ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 8 Fri May 24, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 05:19 EDT lol what a neat way to get a program. I will have to try this out. ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 10 Tue May 28, 1991 T.JUMP3 [Bababooey] at 02:52 EDT I think I saw some sort of decoder for this kind of stuff in CP/M over in the UNIX RT. If need be, you could transfer your program (or even re-download it, if necessary) to a CP/M disk, decode it there, and send it back to CBM mode. I'm basically just theorizing, but there shouldn't be any problem with it. Tim ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 11 Tue May 28, 1991 H.HERMAN1 at 22:43 EDT Tim, Now why didn't I think of that... I drove myself crazy looking for one, which I finally found, UUcoder.prg, I think it is called. Put a copy of it in the lib. I checked the CP/M RT, and found the one you mentioned, UUecpm.ark. This one has been sitting there all this time, and I never knew it. Could have saved me a lot of hunting time, and effort. Next time I need something, I'm just going to THINK CP/M FIRST! Thanks! :) Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 12 Thu Jun 20, 1991 K.PHELAN1 [Ken] at 23:23 EDT For anyone interested, Unix128 Version3 has been uploaded and will be available (pending Sysop's approval) for anyone who desires it. It is contained within '1unix128v3.lzh' file # 8973 and '2unix128v3.lzh' file # 8974. Undissolved it weighs in at about 146k and dissolved it is about 280k. Complete docs and author information is provided in the archives. Make sure you read the seq file 'intro' within the 2nd archive before attempting anything! I hope someone else finds some value in this monster...it's been a great education for me. Ken ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 13 Thu Jun 20, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 23:39 EDT Yes, I saw the hidden files! I can't wait to release it, testing will be a pleasure ;) Look for it in about 2 days, there are other hidden files before it. M E G A T H A N K S ! :))) ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 14 Fri Jun 21, 1991 H.HERMAN1 at 21:44 EDT Great!! Unix on the 128 at last!!! :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 15 Sun Jun 23, 1991 J.STAFF at 20:45 EDT Unix? Where? ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 16 Mon Jun 24, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 01:45 EDT Should be live in a few minutes :) It took some testing. ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 17 Mon Jun 24, 1991 J.STAFF at 06:09 EDT You mean there is Unix available for the 128/64? Good golly miss molly! It's about time! Where can I get it at? James ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 18 Mon Jun 24, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 17:05 EDT Lib#8 (i believe, i forget right now) uploaded by K.Phelan1. You will need CS-DOS, the LHA modules, and a 1571 or 1581 disk driver to use the program. You should read the docs and make a backup copy of the disk before trying to run the shell. Setting up the shell isn't the easiest setup you have ever encountered but it's pretty bullet-proof if you read the documentation. Just remember on the id/password to type "root/root". When typing the password what you are typing won't show up for security reasons. ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 19 Tue Jun 25, 1991 J.STAFF at 05:37 EDT What is CS-DOS and the LHA Modules? Are they in the Library too? James P.S. Sorry if this appears to be silly, I just don't know. ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 20 Tue Jun 25, 1991 H.HERMAN1 at 19:35 EDT The LHA modules are just a part of the CS/DOS package which is an operating system or shell for the 128. It is an especially nice environment when doing any programming tasks. LHARC128 which includes LHA, LHD, and LHX let you create and dissolve, and look into lhx compressed files. Also, to create the sfx, self dissolving arcs. The Unix files aren't self-dissolving because there is a file size limit, after which a regular lhx is the way to go. I am pretty sure, and hopefully someone will let me know, that all this stuff MUST run under CS/DOS, and cannot run independantly. CS/DOS does take a while to get used to. Its docs are not its strongest point. However, you should be able to get the unarcer up and running pretty quick, and if you do have any questions, well just ask here. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 21 Tue Jun 25, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 23:31 EDT yes, LHA, LHD, and LHX need to be run under CS-DOS. When running the Unix shell for the first time at the "%" prompt type "emacs". It is a screen editor and pretty decent. ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 22 Thu Jun 27, 1991 P.DOOLITTLE1 at 02:52 EDT Well, I d/led the 2 unix128 files, dissloved them with CS-DOS, and read the info docs. While I had no trouble getting UNIX128 itself to run, I am having trouble with MAIL, OD, TIP, ADDUSER, and 1 or 2 others. They break to the ML monitor, without any kind of sensible error message. I used the verify option with LHX (CS-DOS) and it said both .LZH archives were OK. Any help, suggestions, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated. By the way, I have a C=128 (not D), 1571 and 1581. - Paul - ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 23 Sat Jun 29, 1991 J.STAFF at 06:01 EDT Will download and see what happens! James ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 24 Tue Jul 02, 1991 J.STAFF at 05:00 EDT Help! I've downloaded all the files, got CS-Dos running but couldn't get #8223 LHAV12.ARC dissolved. I've tried ARC230, ARC220.40, even ARC-SDA 5.1 I've searched the directory for the proper dissolver but these are the latest ones. After using ARC-SDA 5.1, I had to re-download the file. Has anyone had the same problem? I am running a 128/ 2 1571 drives. The old ARC program I don't mind using, in fact ARC220.40 & ARC230 dissolve about three files before hanging up on the LHA file. James ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 25 Tue Jul 02, 1991 VOYAGER-1 [Gary V] at 07:27 EDT James, If you are running CS-DOS, the ARC program to use is ARC128. It should have been included in the CS-DOS package. If you only have one drive, you will have to make a copy of it on the disk that contains the file you wish to disolve. You may have had a glitch in your first download of #8223. If the second download also had the same problem ( it wasn't clear if the second download disolved from your previous message ) then let me know and I will check out the file. Gary - Flagship RT Assistant Sysop ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 26 Tue Jul 02, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 16:43 EDT Once you have CS-DOS 128 running type install arc128 then insert the disk that contains the file to dissolve and type arc128/x a:filename.arc or to check the archive to make sure it is good arc128/v a:filename.arc ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 27 Wed Jul 03, 1991 J.STAFF at 06:00 EDT Just checked, it's on the disk, will let you know! James ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 28 Sat Jul 06, 1991 J.STAFF at 14:03 EDT Well it works fine! Thanks! Smeets did a NICE job! For a nicer arrangement it is better to have a 1750? What would be a good price? James ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 29 Sat Jul 06, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] at 17:21 EDT A good used price is $90-$110 for a C1750 or 512K clone. If you already have a C1764 just have it upgraded or do it yourself. Besides taking less room and time to download making SFX (lha) files is really fun when you add your own text screens for the dissolve. If it's a C128 only SFX you can also add flashing characters and such! ------------ Category 3, Topic 14 Message 30 Thu Jul 11, 1991 J.STAFF at 06:26 EDT I will play around it some. Sure looks like FUN! James ------------