Big Blue Disk 23/bbd23.zip/BLUENOTE.TXT

Text File | 1988-06-29 | 13KB | 223 lines

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^C^1Blue Notes

Dear Friends at Big Blue Disk:

   I just received my second issue of BBD from my trial subscription.  I have
also purchased one earlier issue from a local software store.  I am now
convinced that this is the best subscription-type software source on the market.
The programs are uniformly excellent!  Getting a wide range of programs without
the need to type and de-bug for hours (with 2 or 3 different program languages
required) is a real treat.  My renewal subscription is enclosed.

   I did have a slight problem with one program on #20.  When using the FORMKING
program on my Tandy 1000 (640K) with a Tandy DMP-130 printer set in Tandy mode,
I got only garbage on the printer when I configured the program for the Tandy
printer.  I was forced to set the printer to IBM mode (a nice feature!) and re-
configure the program for the IBM pro-writer.  Once that was done, the program
ran fine.  This one program alone is worth the cost of my entire subscription to
BBD.  Keep up the good work.

^REarl D. Orcutt
^RForty-Fort, PA

^1>   Sorry for the problems with FormKing.  We made a few mistakes in printer
^1>configuration settings in that program.  I'm glad your expedient of running in
^1>IBM Pro-Printer mode works for you, and I suggest that other Tandy printer
^1>users do the same.  You put your printer in IBM mode and clear the
^1>initialization code.  If you have any other printer problems with FormKing, let
^1>us know.  The "Custom Configuration" option lets you set up the codes for your
^1>own printer, so if you're adventurous, you might want to look up the sequence
^1>to enter graphics mode in your printer manual and enter it yourself. Or, drop
^1>us a line and we'll see if we can help you get FormKing working on your
^1>printer.  NOTE:  Some people have asked about getting FormKing to work on a
^1>laser printer.  We're sorry, but in general this doesn't work.  Laser printers
^1>use an entirely different graphics standard, incompatible with the dot-matrix
^1>printers supported by FormKing.  However, some laser printers will emulate dot-
^1>matrix printers like the Epson FX series, so you might try yours in such a
^1>setting.
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Dear Editor:

   Have really enjoyed BBD since we began an introductory 2 months ago. We have
subscribed to other Disk Publications (introductory) but find BBD the tops in
all categories.

   Enclosed is a cheque to extend our subscription an additional 12 months. Have
been passing comments about your product to all our friends and contacts with
suggestions they consider subscribing.

   Keep up the good work -- we look forward each month to receiving BIG BLUE
DISK.  Other comments, the wife has got hooked on "Canfield" and now my com-
puter time is limited. What can I do??  The program "The Compleat Filer" by
Alan Farmer is excellent and I hope he continues with these fine utilities for
future BBD issues.  We would like to also extend our deepest condolences to the
Danvers' for their loss of Donald. It would appear THE GOOD LORD needed the
assistance of a talented young man.

   We would like to latch onto some back issues of BBD. Could you please send us
information such as issues available, contents, costs etc.

   Once again, keep up the excellent work.

^RNelson & Carol Phillips
^RSudbury, Ontario, Canada

^1>  Your problem of spousal addiction to our solitaire card games is a very
^1>common one among our readers.  I have yet to hear of a successful treatment
^1>for this problematic disorder.  Perhaps there is a "Solitairiacs Anonymous"
^1>support group in your area that she can turn to for assistance.  Or else you
^1>can buy a second computer to get all other work done while she plays cards
^1>on the first one.
^1>  All back issues are available at the cover price of $9.95, or less if you
^1>buy several issues.  Call us at [phone] to place credit card orders,
^1>or to ask for our free catalog which lists the contents of all issues.
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Dear Sir:

   As a 51 year old, I find that I was either born 30 years too soon, or
computers were born 30 years too late.   I just recently purchased an IBM-
compatible from Tussey Computer in State College, Penna, and think they are the
greatest things since electric typewriters.

   I have Big Blue Disk Issues 16, 18, and now 19.  With 16 & 18, I found that
after reading them from cover to cover and trying out all the programs, there
were games on each one that I frequently returned to.  With #19 - BLAH!! I had
the subscription all filled out to mail in, but will now wait to see how I feel
about Issue 20.

   I returned to college a year and a half ago after a radical mastectomy, and
have taken two computer courses in college.  I just completed my 200th college
credit.  Maybe after Issues 16 & 18, I expected too much, or maybe I should not
expect a good game on each issue.  BUT ....  after completing my homework, I
enjoy relaxing with a good game.  "Canfield" and "Klondike" have provided many
hours of fun.

   Here's to computers, technology and Big Blue Disks -- I remember when I paid
$80 for a hand held computer in l977 for my son (now $5.00).  I can't wait to
see what is coming in the next 100 years.

^RBarbara L. Edwards
^RLittle Valley, NY

^1>   That's the spirit!  I hope, in 2088, that you're still subscribing to
^1>whatever BIG BLUE DISK has managed to evolve into by then.  I say you're never
^1>too old (or too young) to become a computer enthusiast!
^1>   Sorry you didn't enjoy #19; I thought it was a particularly good issue,
^1>myself, and many users have written or called to say how much they appreciated
^1>it, particularly Gospel Godspeed and The Compleat Filer.  But to each his (or
^1>her) own; we realize that not every feature will be of interest to every
^1>reader.  Hopefully you got a sufficient quantity of material that's up your
^1>alley over the course of your subscription to make it worthwhile.  At any
^1>rate, we're making a major effort at present to upgrade the quality of our
^1>issues, and it should begin showing right now.  How do you like this issue?
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Dear BIG BLUE DISK,

   My name is Adam Levin, and I am a subscriber in Hackensack, NJ.  I just
wanted to tell you that I LOVE BBD.  I have gotten others, either through the
mail as an introduction, or in the store as a single edition, and I found that I
loved yours the best.  You have interesting articles, fun games, and helpful
utilities.  I also have a suggestion: You put out the best of BBD, and I think
you should put out a disk (1 or 2) that has all of Alfredo's adventures in
one... either one right after the other, or as single programs that a person
could run individually, or even both choices.  My family and I all love Alfredo,
and so do all of my friends.

^RAdam Levin
^RHackensack, NJ

Ps: Are you going to continue writing Alfredo adventures?  I hope so!

^1>   All of these comments about how much you people love BIG BLUE DISK are
^1>getting tiresome.  Can't somebody write in and say how much they hate it, just
^1>for a change of pace?  (Only kidding.  Keep your rave reviews coming; our
^1>Marketing department loves them.)
^1>   We've got some more Alfredo adventures in the pipeline, and they may be
^1>turning up in upcoming issues.  As for an Alfredo collection, we already have
^1>such a thing for the Apple II, and may consider an IBM edition in the future.
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Dear BIG BLUE DISK,

   Help....Whenever I run BBD there appears, for a split second, a vertical
grid.  It's purple on my screen but disappears when the main menu appears.

   The problem is, this same grid appears on other programs like PC Life and
Smart Money.  The grid will disappear if I switch to monochrome but if you are
using a graphics/color program this is really a nightmare.

   Anyone got any ideas how to get rid of this grid?  It's almost as if it
somehow became ROM resident but that cannot be right can it?

   The "experts" at the computer store have no idea.  Also, how can binary files
be compiled using Microsoft QuickBasic?  The theory of loading and saving using
"______",A does NOT work.

^RBrent Kellogg
^RHonolulu, HI

^1>  The vertical bars you see come from clearing the screen in graphics mode
^1>with an text attribute of 7, the DOS default.  To get a really good look at
^1>this, change your screen mode to medium resolution graphics, run GWBasic,
^1>and type cls.
^1>  You can't "compile" binary files; they're already compiled.  Compilers take
^1>BASIC (or other language) code and turn them into binary files.  There's no
^1>easy way to get the BASIC code back from the binary file, and BASIC won't
^1>load binary files, whether you use the ",A" option or not.  They're simply not
^1>in BASIC; they're in machine language, the only language your PC really
^1>understands on a native level.  If you're wanting to load data files, try the
^1>BLOAD and BSAVE commands, which are useful for loading assembly language
^1>subroutines.
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Dear Readers:

   I am the author of the Structured Programming Language which was published on
BIG BLUE DISK issue number 16.  I hope that a good number of you enjoy using my
software, and if so please let me know.  I would like to hear from each and
every one of you who are satisfied with my software.  No doubt most of you are
employed in some kind of endeavor, whether it is in the computer field or in
some field which you enjoy and get paid for.  I would like to acquaint you with
my employment.  I am a developer of computer software.  I develop all kinds of
software.  I programmed my first computer in the summer of 1966 in high school
before the advent of microcomputers.  I have a degree in Mathematics and
computer science graduating from the State University of New York in 1971.

   My employer?  YOU!  That's right YOU!  BIG BLUE DISK is one of the many
reputable agents that distribute my programming language SPL.  Without BIG BLUE
DISK's help the many thousands of you would not get a chance to use the
Structured Programming Language on a trial basis.  You see, the Structured
Programming Language is commercial software, but I enlist agents like BIG BLUE
DISK, and other companies known as shareware houses to distribute my software on
a trial basis so users can try it and then if they are satisfied with the
software they then are requested to purchase the software.

   What does the user get by purchasing the software?  Well for one, the fact
that you have paid for a software package that is indeed commercial as if you
purchased it in a store or by mail order.  The only difference is that I let you
try it out first for a month which is certainly a reasonable amount of time.
Secondly, you get software support which is provided for those who have
purchased the software.  Thirdly, if you are a satisfied user of this software
and use it then you enable me as a professional in the computer field to earn a
living just as you expect to do when you do work and wish to be paid for it.
Note the key word is user satisfaction.  If you are not satisfied with the
software you need not pay for software you don't use, but I only ask you to take
a second look at SPL. I am also available to answer questions to help you get
started.  Now if you are satisfied with my software then I ask you to purchase
it, and I also ask you to give copies of the SPL software to other people in
your company, your computer club, your friends. Even if you don't use SPL give
it to someone else who might.  So you see YOU are my employer, each and every
one of you.  Thank you and good day.  I hope to hear from you.

^RDennis Baer
^R25 Miller Road
^RFarmingdale,NY 11735
^R(516) 694-5872