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- A M S T R A D
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- L I N K
-
-
- Archimedes Terminal program for the Amstrad NC100 Notebook
-
-
- Version 0.20 Beta -- © David Holden 1995
-
-
-
-
-
- _______
- ____|__ | (R)
- --| | |-------------------
- | ____|__ | Association of
- | | |_| Shareware
- |__| o | Professionals
- -----| | |---------------------
- |___|___| MEMBER
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Contents
-
- Section 1 - Introduction
- 1.1 Licence to Use
- 1.2 Licence to Copy
- 1.3 ASP message
- 1.4 Introduction
-
- Section 2 - Installing the !NC-100 program
-
- Section 3 - Setting up the NC100
-
- Section 4 - The Main menu
- 4.1 Info
- 4.2 Options
- 4.3 Save
- 4.4 Get File
- 4.5 Get Print
- 4.6 Repeat printing
- 4.7 Printing the pound character
-
- Section 5 - From Arc to NC100
-
- Section 6 - Converting Address Book files
- 6.1 CSV files
- 6.2 Tab files
- 6.3 Spaced text
- 6.4 Unspaced text
-
- Section 7 - Converting to Address Book format
-
- Section 8 - The Options window
- 8.1 Send and Receive speed
- 8.2 Convert Address
- 8.3 Print Pound
- 8.4 Saving the Options
-
- Section 9 - The NC Files application
-
- Section 10 - Appendix
- 10.1 Filetypes
- 10.2 Connecting lead
- 10.3 The sequential suffix
- 10.4 Problems
- 10.5 Still to do
-
-
-
- This program is not Public Domain, it is
-
- ssss h h aaa rrrr eeeee w w aaa rrrr eeeee
- s h h a a r r e w w a a r r e
- ssss hhhhh a a rrrr eeee w w w a a rrrr eeee
- s h h aaaaa r r e w w w aaaaa r r e
- ssss h h a a r r eeeee ww ww a a r r eeeee
-
- Shareware is NOT 'free software'. It is copyrighted, commercial
- software, just like any other normal programs that you buy. Shareware is
- simply a try before you buy distribution method. Using a Shareware
- program without paying is software piracy, and carries exactly the same
- penalties as using any other illegally copied program.
-
-
- 1.1 Licence to use
- ------------------
- You are licensed to evaluate this program for a period of Thirty Days.
- At the end of this time you must either stop using it or send a cheque
- for Eight Pounds to me at the address below. Use after this time is a
- breach of this licence and, as well as being morally reprehensible, is
- now a criminal offence. As well as a disc with the latest, fully
- registered, version of the program you will also receive a laser
- printed Manual.
-
- If you want a lead to connect your NC100 to an Archimedes please enclose
- an additional Seven Pounds. Leads are only supplied to registered users
- at this price.
-
- When you register I will send the latest version and your personal
- 'N_Reg' file which will disable the annoying start up message and put
- your name in the 'Info' box instead of the word 'Unregistered'. You will
- also get a laser printed Manual. The H_Reg file contains your encrypted
- name and will work with any future version of !NC-100. This means that,
- provided you remove the N_reg file first you can pass a copy of !HDspeed
- on to your friends, or obtain a later version from a PD library or BBS.
-
- To simplify registration I have made the last page of this Manual a
- registration form. Please use this when you register as it helps me to
- keep my records in order. I am always happy to answer queries or listen
- to suggestions even if you haven't yet registered.
-
-
-
-
- DISCLAIMER - While every effort has been made to ensure that this
- program operates properly and as described the Author accepts No
- Responsibility for loss or corruption of data.
-
-
- 1.2 Licence to copy
- --------------------
- Any private individual may distribute copies of !NC-100 provided this is
- done without charge for the program or documentation.
-
- If you charge any fee for copying this program, whether in money or in
- kind, or if you control any media, including bulletin boards, which
- distributes software you are not permitted to distribute this program
- without prior permission of the Author. This permission will normally be
- granted with only minor restrictions.
-
- If you wish to distribute this program please write to the address below
- enclosing a SAE and a disc so I can send you the latest version.
- Distribution by any organisation without this permission will be treated
- as Breach of Copyright. You must not make any charge for the program,
- although you may make a charge to cover media and distribution costs. No
- alterations may be made to the program, ancillary files, or
- documentation and you must include the text file version of the full
- Manual. You are not permitted to distribute any printed Manuals or to
- distribute any version of the Manual other than as an ASCII text file on
- disc.
-
- Use of this program for any Commercial purpose or for the Demonstration
- or Promotion of any product or service without prior written permission
- of the Author is Absolutely Forbidden. I reserve the right to charge a
- Fee for granting permission.
-
- It is strictly forbidden to distribute copies of an N_Reg file or any
- version of the program which does not display the 'Start Up' message.
-
-
- David Holden
- 39 Knighton Park Road
- Sydenham
- London SE26 5RN
- 0181 778 2659
-
-
- 1.3 A.S.P. Message
- -------------------
- This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
- Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the Shareware
- principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware
- related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly,
- ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a
- dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical
- support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545
- Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427, U.S.A. or send a CompuServe
- message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536 or FAX
- 616-788-2765.
-
-
- 1.4 Introduction
- -----------------
- So far the program only been tested on a RiscPC and A5000. With the
- standard serial lead as shown in the NC100 Manual it should work with
- all later types of Archimedes (those fitted with a 'PC' type serial
- chip, ie, all those with a hi density disc drive). So far I haven't had
- time to try it with older models (A310, A400, A3000). The program itself
- should operate perfectly but you will almost certainly need a different
- lead. If you want to use it with one of these machines and can't get a
- lead that will work please tell me and I'll try to sort it out. If you
- DO manage to get it working please let me know what connections you
- used.
-
- At present this program is regarded as 'beta test'. That is, it has been
- tested by myself and (briefly) by others but it has not yet had
- exhaustive public testing and so may still have bugs. It performs it's
- main functions 'as advertised' but I do not claim that it is yet 'idiot
- proof' or that it is guaranteed to operate properly under all
- circumstances. Please therefore be tolerant and inform me of any
- problems that you experience. It is only with the help of users that I
- can continue to improve it.
-
- As yet no attempt has been made to make the program RISC-OS 2
- compatible. There is no real reason why this can't be done, it will just
- need an alternative set of templates and a few minor changes, but as all
- RO2 machines have the old type serial chip there's not much point in
- doing anything until I have sorted out the required lead. (See the
- section 'Connecting Lead' in the Appendix). If you do have RO2 and are
- SERIOUSLY interested in this program please let me know and I'll try to
- do something about it, otherwise it is very low priority.
-
- The NC 100 link is based upon my previous Z88 program and has a lot of
- features in common. The main ones are -
-
- 1. Link to NC 100 via serial port so that files can be transferred to
- and from the Archimedes and saved to Archimedes discs
-
- 2. Print from the NC100 using the Archimedes printer.
-
- 3. Convert the NC100 Address Book files to CSV, TAB and plain text
- to enable the Address Book to be used in most Archimedes databases
-
- There are still many additions and improvements that I intend to make
- and I would welcome any suggestions and bug reports.
-
-
- Installing the NC100 program
- ============================
- You should find two applications, the actual program, !NC-100, and
- another called !NC Files. This is just a repositary for the files sent
- from the NC100. You don't have to put them there, it's just a convenient
- place to keep them all together. This application will be described more
- fully later.
-
- If you are using a Registered version of the program ensure that the
- !NC-100 application directory contains your personal registration file.
- Hold down the SHIFT key and double-click on the !NC-100 application to
- open the directory. You should see an untyped file called N_reg If this
- is not present then copy the program from your program Master Disc. If
- this file is not present in the application directory it will still
- function perfectly but you will have to put up with the Banner each time
- you run it.
-
- When you double-click on the !NC-100 application the program installs
- itself on the icon bar in the usual way
-
-
- Setting up the NC 100
- =====================
- At present all transmission uses 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, and
- with Xmodem Off. I may include options to vary this later but this seems
- to be 100% reliable so I haven't introduced the complications yet. My
- experience with the Z88 leads me to believe that Xmodem causes more
- problems than it solves over a short data cable, and so I doubt if I
- shall ever use it.
-
- You can choose between 1,200, 2,400, 4,800 or 9,600 baud, but so far I
- have not experienced a single error at the highest speed so I see no
- reason to suggest using anything else unless you have difficulties.
-
- This speed and data format is actually the default for the NC100, but
- Xmodem is normally set On, so you will need to alter this before you can
- use the program. You should also check the other settings to ensure that
- they have not been changed from the default, but normally they will not
- need to be altered.
-
- To ensure that the NC100 is set to these parameters from the main
- opening screen press FUNCTION (the big yellow key) and S. Now press
- MENU and you will see the Printer and Serial Port setup screen. If you
- want to print via your Archimedes then set the Printer Port to 'Serial',
- if you intend to plug a printer directly into the NC100 leave it at
- 'Parallel' Now ensure that the data format is set as above (this is the
- NC100 default so it should be OK) and set 'Handshake' to OFF.
-
- When you have done this press Stop to go back to the opening menu and
- then press Menu to get the main system setup screen. Move down to
- 'Document transfer port and format'. Ensure that this is set to 'Serial'
- but there are two options, Serail/Protext or Serial/ASCII. The first
- will send Protext documents in Protext format, the second will send tham
- as plain text files with no embedded commands. Use the former if you
- want to import them into Edit, Impression, etc on the Archimedes, use
- the latter if you want to just store them on the Archmedes and perhaps
- send them back to the NC100 later or import them into Archimedes
- Protext.
-
- You can, of course, switch between these two formats as often as you
- like and send a document in both if you wish.
-
- When you have done this press Stop to go back to the Main Menu again.
-
- If you want to print via the Archimedes you will also need to set the
- NC100 to print using the serial port. This is described in the section
- headed 'Get Print'.
-
- The instructions for setting up the NC100 are brief because all of these
- items are fully described in the NC100 Manual and you should read the
- appropriate sections in this for a fuller description
-
-
- The Main Menu
- =============
-
- The Main Menu contains the following items -
-
- Info ->
- Options
- Save ->
- Get File
- Get print
- Clear
- Quit
-
- The various options on this menu will now be described.
-
-
- 4.1 Info
- ---------
- This leads to the usual Info window giving the program version number
- and details. If you have registered it will also show the name of the
- Registered User. If the program is unregistered then it will display the
- word ***Unregistered***
-
-
- 4.2 Options
- ------------
- This leads to a window in which you can set various options. These can
- be Saved so that they can be automatically reset each time you Run the
- program. These will all be described in detail later.
-
-
- 4.3 Save
- ---------
- This will be shaded at this time amd will be described later.
-
-
- 4.4 Get File
- -------------
- This is the option which is used to receive files from the NC100. When
- you select it a window will open telling you that the program is ready
- to receive a file from the NC100 and it will also show the baud rate.
- Clicking SELECT on the icon bar performs the same function. To send a
- file from the NC100 first select this option. Now at the NC100 opening
- menu press YELLOW and RED followed by GREEN. This will list all the
- current documents. Select the one you want to send and press MENU then T
- for Transfer. Now press S for Send. As soon as you do this the
- Archimedes will 'beep' and you will see the characters counted as they
- are sent. When the transfer is complete the Archimedes will 'beep' again
- and a 'Save' window will open. A default filename will be shown but you
- can. of course, change this.
-
- Note that the 'Receive' window does not automatically close after the
- transfer so that you can see how many characters were sent and can check
- this against the amount shown on the NC100 and also see how much disc
- space your file will take.
-
- All default filenames have a two letter suffix which increases with each
- file received so that even if you choose to use the default filename
- your file should have a unique name and not overwrite another. The
- method used is described fully in the Appendix
-
- You can save a file in three ways. The simplest is to click on the 'OK'
- icon or press RETURN. The file will then be saved in a default directory
- inside the !NC Files appliction. To see these just double-click on !NC
- Files and a directory will open with three sub-directories, Amstrad,
- Print and Text. Protext and Address Book files will go to the Amstrad
- directory, Print files into Print (more about this later) and ASCII
- files into Text. If you want to put your file somewhere else just drag
- the icon to wherever you want it in the usual way.
-
- If you close the Save window without Saving the file you will find that
- the 'Save' item on the Main Menu is now unshaded. You can use this to
- re-open the Save window. You may want to do this if you need to clear
- the screen or do something else before Saving your file.
-
- Once a file has been Saved it is deleted from memory so that the program
- only takes the minimum possible RAM when it is not actually being used.
-
- If the file is in ASCII format then Pound characters are automatically
- converted between the character used by the NC100 and the Archimedes
- character as files are sent and received. At present this is the only
- alteration made but I may introduce other options later.
-
- You can also use this to transfer NC100 Address Book files.
-
-
- 4.5 Get Print
- --------------
- This operates in a similar manner to Get File except that it is intended
- for printing via the Archimedes. It enables you to use the Archimedes as
- a large printer buffer for the NC100 and saves the trouble of switching
- the printer lead between the two computers.
-
- First you must set the NC100 to print from its Serial Port. The NC100
- will then believe that the Archimedes is a printer and will send all the
- formatting codes just as if they were going to a printer. At the NC100
- opening screen press FUNCTION and S. This will take you to the 'Print'
- screen. Now press MENU and a screen will appear from which you can set
- up the various printing options. Press the Down Arrow key until you get
- to 'Printer Port'. By default this is set to 'Parallel'. Press the Right
- Arrow key until it shows 'Serial'. You can now press STOP to return to
- the Print screen.
-
- At the Archimedes select 'Get Print' from the Main Menu and the 'Ready
- to print' window will open. Carry out the usual procedure to Print from
- the NC100 which will normally mean simply selecting the file you wish to
- print from the Print screen and pressing RETURN. As usual the Archimedes
- will 'beep' and display the number of characters received. Once
- transmission is over a window will open offering you the option of
- Printing or Saving the file. If you choose Print then the file will be
- sent to the printer as a background task. If you choose Save then it can
- be saved as a file in the Print directory or anywhere else you choose.
- If you do choose to print straight away then you can still Save the file
- from the Main Menu if you wish afterwards.
-
- Because printing is a background task as soon as the file has been sent
- to the Archimedes the NC100 can be used for other purposes. Similarly,
- even while printing is underway, you can continue to use the Archimedes,
- provided you don't attempt to do anything else with the NC-100 program
- until printing is complete.
-
- Most files are cleared from memory once they have been dealt with but
- Print files are not automatically cleared in case you want to Save them
- after printing or print a second copy. You can therefore click on
- 'Clear' on the Main Menu to purge them.
-
- Printing is done by sending each character to the printer just as it was
- received from the NC100. You will get exactly the same results as you
- would if you were to plug the printer directly into the NC100. With the
- exception of printing the pound character (see later) you must therefore
- configure the NC100 printer options to suit the printer you are using
- with your Archimedes.
-
-
- 4.6 Repeat printing
- --------------------
- If you Save the printer file instead of or as well as printing it then
- you can print more copies at a later date by reloading the file in the
- NC100 link program. To do this either drag it to the NC100 icon on the
- icon bar or simply double-click on the file.
-
- If a printer file is loaded, either from disc or by transfer from the
- NC100, then clicking ADJUST on the icon bar will open a 'Ready to print'
- window so you can print more copies. This window contains two buttons
- 'Print' and 'Cancel'. Clicking on Print will, of course, send the file
- to the printer. Clicking on Cancel will purge the file from memory. This
- is not normally a problem as you can simply reload it from disc, but if
- you just wish to delay printing for a while then click on the windows
- Close icon and you can then re-open the Print window by clicking ADJUST
- on the icon bar.
-
-
- 4.7 Printing the pound character
- ---------------------------------
- This may well cause problems bacause the NC100 does not offer any easy
- means to do this. For this reason the !NC-100 program allows a
- substitute character or string of characters to be sent to your printer
- instead of the normal NC100 pound character. This is described fully in
- the section on the Options window.
-
-
- From Arc to NC 100
- ==================
-
- To send a file to the NC100 just double-click on the file and it will be
- loaded by the program and a 'Ready to send' window will open. If you
- want to send a Text file you will have to drag it to the icon because
- doub;e-clicking on it will load it into !Edit etc. When you do this a
- window will open informing you that the program is ready to send the
- file and displaying the baud rate set.
-
- Note that if you are sending a Text file that was not written on the
- NC100 but on another machine (eg. using an Archimedes text editor) it
- must conform to the style required by the NC100. Normally this facility
- will not be required, because it would be much better to store documents
- in 'Protext' format and only to export them from the NC100 as text if
- you wished to use them in another program on the Archimedes.
-
- On the NC100 proceed as for sending a file to the Arc but select 'R' for
- Receive at the final menu. You will now need to enter a filename. When
- you have done this you will see a 'Receiving' message and when this
- appears click on 'Send' on the Archimedes.
-
- For some reason the NC 100 always counts one character less than is
- actually sent but they all seem to arrive OK!
-
- You obviously can't send a Print file back to the NC100, these can only
- be used by the NC-100 program for repeat printing.
-
-
- Converting Address Book files
- =============================
-
- As well as just storing the Address Book files on an Archimedes disc for
- safekeeping it is possible to convert them to various other formats in
- order that you can make use of them in databases, spreadsheets, or
- simply examine them. The NC100 program can convert an Address Book file
- to any of the following four formats -
-
- 1. CSV (Comma Separated Value)
- 2. Tab
- 3. Spaced text
- 4. Unspaced text
-
- To do this double-click on an Address Book file while holding down
- either SHIFT key. The file will be loaded, converted to the chosen
- format, and a Save window will open so that you can save the modified
- file. As there is no standard directory for these files you cannot
- simply click on 'OK' but must drag the file icon to a suitable
- directory.
-
- The format to which the file will be converted is chosen from the
- Options window.
-
-
- 6.1 CSV
- --------
- This is a very common format and most databases can import and import
- data of this type. Each complete entry is placed on a single line, and
- each field is separated from the next by a comma. In order that a comma
- can be used within a field, the text of each field is enclosed in double
- quotation marks, and so these cannot be used in the text. However, this
- is not normally a problem.
-
- Many spreadsheets with database functions can also accept data in this
- form.
-
-
- 6.2 Tab
- --------
- This is rather similar to CSV except that the Tab character, ASCII 9, is
- used as a field separator. This format is not very often used by
- databases, but it is frequently used by spreadsheets. For example,
- Pipedream can import and export data in this form, and it has therefore
- been included to facilitate interchange of the Address Book contents
- with this popular program.
-
- As there is no Archimedes filtype for this type of file it will be saved
- as a Textfile.
-
-
- 6.3 Spaced Text
- ----------------
- This converts the file to plain text. Each field is placed on a line of
- its own with two blank lines between each entry. If a field is blank
- then it will appear as a blank line, so if you view the resulting file
- it can look rather ragged. This format can be read by some older
- databases, including some Public Domain types.
-
-
- 6.4 Unspaced Text
- ------------------
- As with Spaced Text this places each field on a line of its own.
- However, if a field is blank then the line is not passed over as with
- Spaced Text so each entry is 'closed up' with no internal blank lines.
- As the form is more compact only a single blank line is used between
- each entry.
-
- This results in a clearly legible text file which can be used to give
- hardcopy of your address book, to make a telephone directory, etc. You
- can also use it as a simple desktop database by loading it into !Edit
- (or, much better, !Zap) and simply using the search facilities to find
- the data you require. You can also use it to import a name and address
- into a document by selecting the required data in !Edit and then Saving
- the Selected section to an open document window in your wordprocessor
- which will normally simply insert the data into the text at the cursor
- position.
-
- It will not normally be possible to import data into databases in this
- format.
-
-
- Converting to Address Book format
- =================================
-
- It is easy to convert an Address Book file that has been converted to a
- CSV or Tab file back to the NC100 Address Book format. It may be
- possible to convert files which have been created on other databases and
- which conform to certain rules. Not all files can be converted because
- the NC100 Address Book is a fixed format database, and can only accept
- input files which are of the exact type required.
-
- To convert a CSV or Tab file drag it to the NC-100 icon with the SHIFT
- key held. It will be converted and a Save window will open from which
- you can save the new file.
-
- A plain text file in either of the formats to which an Address Book file
- can be converted cannot be converted back to an Address Book file.
-
- If you are trying to convert a file which was not created on the NC100
- then you should be aware of the limitations of the (rather simple)
- conversion routines used for these types of file. They were primarily
- intended for reversing the conversion of NC100 files and so they are not
- very discriminating. The NC100 Address Book uses seven text fields. The
- first is the name, the next four the address, the sixth the phone number
- and the seventh the fax number. Any CSV or Tab file converted will
- simply have the first seven fields in each entry inserted into the
- corresponding field of the Address Book file. If there are less than
- seven fields then any unused fields will be left blank. If there are
- more than seven field then only the first seven will be used, the
- remainder will be discarded. All the data for an entry must be on a
- single line. Each field should be separated by a Tab or comma, according
- to the type of file, and the data in a field in a CSV file may or may
- not be enclosed in double quotes. Each line must end with a linefeed
- (ASCII 10) and NOT a Carriage Return (ASCII 13) or a CR/LF combination.
-
- Provided your database file conforms to this format it should be
- possible to load it into the Address Book.
-
-
- The Options window
- ==================
-
- 8.1 Send and Receive speed
- ---------------------------
- This allows you to set the Send and Receive baud rates. Just choose the
- speed you wish to use. For most purposes there is no reason to alter the
- default setting of 9.600.
-
-
- 8.2 Convert Address
- --------------------
- This sets the format that an Address Book file will be converted to if
- it is loaded with the SHIFT key held down.
-
-
- 8.3 Print Pound
- ----------------
- This is rather complex. It allows a charcater or a string of characters
- to be substituted for the pound character used by the NC100. It only
- takes effect when a file is being printed. The NC100 uses ASCII 156 as
- its pound character. This is the standard in the UK version of the IBM
- character set, but it will probably only be recognised by a printer
- which uses this particular character set, and they are not very common.
-
- The simplest substitution is if you are use an Epson compattible printer
- set to the English character set. This uses ASCII 35 as a pound. This is
- the international standard for the 'hash' character, so if your printer
- always prints a hash character as a pound then it is of this type. If
- this is the case then just enter the number 35 in this icon. Every time
- the Print function encounters the NC100 pound character it will
- substitute ASCII 35 and the pound will be printed correctly.
-
- Normally things will not be quite this simple and you will need a string
- of characters. These should be entered into the window separated by
- commas. They can be entered as their ASCII number, or as the actual
- character, enclosed in double quotes. For example, the capital letter A
- could be shown as -
-
- 65 or "A"
-
- As an example, for an Epson compatible printer normally set to the US
- character set so it could print a hash correctly you would need to
- switch to the UK set, print the pound, and then switch back to the US
- set. This could be done by
-
- 27,"R",3,35,27,"R",0
-
- This may not work for all Epson compatible printers as the numbers of
- the character sets can vary. To use this function properly you will need
- to study your printer manual.
-
- If the icon is blank then no substitution will take place so the NC100
- standard character will be used.
-
-
- 8.4 Saving the Options
- -----------------------
- If you click on 'Save' the Options will be saved in the application
- directory. This will then be automatically reloaded the next time you
- start the program.
-
-
- The !NC Files application
- =========================
- This is not an actual application, it is just a repository for files
- sent to the Archimedes from the NC100. Provided the filer has 'seen'
- this application before the main NC-100 program is run it will then
- 'know' where to find it and so where to Save files if you just click on
- 'OK' in the Save window.
-
- To get to the directories containing the actual files simply
- double-click on the application. This will open a directory containing
- three sub-directories in which Print, Text and Amstrad format (Protext
- and Address Book) files are kept.
-
- !NC Files works by setting up an Operating System Variable when the !NC
- Files directory is first seen. This could cause a problem if you don't
- want the files to be Saved to the first copy of the application seen by
- the filer, as could happen when you first copy the application from the
- distribution disc to your working disc or hard disc. In this case just
- double-click on the !NC Files application to reset the pointer.
-
- The 'trailing digit' suffixes used when Saving files are also held in
- this application, so it should be available when you shut down the
- !NC-100 application, otherwise it will not be able to update this
- suffix. This will not matter if you are using a hard disc but if you are
- using floppies you should put the disc containing the !NC Files
- application in the drive before you Quit !NC-100 or Shutdown your
- computer.
-
-
- Appendix
- ========
- 10.1 Filetypes
- ---------------
- The filetypes I have assigned to the various files are -
-
- NC100 Protext file &28C
- NC100 Address Book &28A
- Print file &289 (same as Z88 Print file)
-
- ASCII files are, of course, saved as Acorn Text Files (&FFF).
-
- All of the new filetypes have their own sprites to identify them.
-
-
- 10.2 Connecting lead
- ---------------------
- This needs to have seven cores or possibly six and a screen to use as
- the ground, Unlike the Z88 not just any old cable will do. In fact, the
- best quality screened cable seems to give problems. I suspect this may
- be caused by capacitance effects and so it might be better to use
- unscreened cable. I have had some success with short (less than 1 metre)
- leads using ow cost audo quality cable with a grounded screen, but
- thicker, studio quality cable does not seem to work if the screen is
- grounded. It does seem to work OK if the screen is left 'floating'.
- Cheap eight core flex as sold for entryphones and burglar alarms appears
- successful (only use the stranded type, not solid drawn as used for
- telephones) but it isn't so robust.
-
- The connections should be as shown in the NC100 manual for 9 pin to 9
- pin connection, but you must also connect pins 1 and 6 together at the
- Archimedes end. This doesn't seem to be necessary at the NC100 end, but
- as the NC100 doesn't mind these two pins being connected it is best to
- do so on both plugs as the cable is then reversible.
-
- This system works perfectly with all later models of Archimedes
- computer, that is, all those equipped with a later type serial chip.
- This means all models fitted with with high density (1.6 Mb) disc drive
- as standard. The earlier models (A310, A400 and A3000) used a different
- serial chip and I have not yet tested this program with those models. It
- may be that it will work perfectly with the cable as described, but I
- suspect that this might not be the case. Until I have a chance to
- experiment if you do have problems with one of these models I suggest
- you try removing the wires from pins 1, 6 and 4 and linking all these
- tree together at the Archimedes end of the cable. It may be necessary to
- do the same at the NC100 end.
-
-
- 10.3 The sequential suffix
- ---------------------------
- This is a two digit suffix added to the end of the standard filenames.
- It begins with AA and increases to AB, AC, etc. until it reaches AZ. It
- then starts again at BA, BB, BC etc. In theory this should not repeat
- until 676 files have been sent.
-
- Each time the program is started it looks for the !NC Files application.
- In this is a data file which contains the last suffix used. This file is
- updated whenever the program is shut down by normal means. If you just
- switch off the computer without Quitting NC-100 first or going through
- the usual Shutdown routine (press SHIFT-CTRL-F12) then this file will
- not be updated and so some filenames could be duplicated.
-
- If this file does not exists, as should be the case when you first get
- your copy of the program, then the suffix will start with AA.
-
-
- 10.4 Problems
- --------------
- The most likely problems are to do with the connecting lead (see above).
- As with the Z88, a cable purchased with the NC100 may appear perfectly
- OK but it may not work properly with the Archimedes. If you do have a
- ready-made lead then check that pins 1 and 6 are joined.
-
- Double-check that you have correctly set the data format on the NC100.
- Unless you have previously altered it you should not need to make any
- changes, but you MUST disable XModem by switching Handshake OFF.
-
-
- 10.5 Still to do
- ----------------
- This program is still very new and so there are many improvements that I
- intend to make. Others will doubtless be added at the suggestion of
- users. These are listed in the approximate order in which I intend to
- include them. If you need any of these NOW or have further suggestions
- please let me know.
-
- 1. Proper checks for files not saved, ensure oe operation completed
- before another is initiated.
-
- 2. Better printing with character substitution so can print accented
- characters, etc.
-
- 3. More processing on Textfiles, eg. remove cr's, format text,
- character substitution, etc.
-
- 4. Basic program transfer
-
- 5. Better sprites
-
-
- Registration Form for NC100 Link
-
- Please send this form with a cheque for Eight Pounds for registration
- and Seven Pounds for a connecting lead or printer lead if required to
-
- David Holden
- 39 Knighton Park Road
- Sydenham
- London SE26 5RN
- ____________________________________________________________________
- Name and Address:
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________________________________________________
- Where did you obtain the program:
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________________________________________________
- Have you had any problems:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________________________________________________
- What additional features would you like:
-