Loadstar 128 #24/q24.d81/t.forum 24

Text File | 1991-01-01 | 5.6 KB | 137 lines

                   L O A D S T A R    1 2 8    F O R U M

                         Compiled by Fender Tucker


Dear LOADSTAR 128,

I don't like 40 columns so it's goodbye, LOADSTAR 64.  LS 128 is more
sophisticated and really well done.  I had high hopes for the Quarterly,
even ordered all of the back issues, but where is the GEOS 128?  Just for a
starter, how about a patch to allow printing multiple copies of a geoWrite
2.1 document?  As it is, I have to use Paint Pages to convert geoWrite to
geoPaint, then geoReplicator to print multiple copies.

It is acknowledged that GEOS is the best integrated software package for the
C-128.  Most serious users use it; so why does LS 128 ignore its existence?

     Bob Greimel
     Fairhope AL

LS 128: I'd like to have some GEOS stuff for LS 128 but that will happen
only when one of two things takes place: (a) we are sent GEOS stuff by
submitters, or (b) someone here gets interested enough in GEOS to do it
himself.  Since 100% of Jeff Jones' time is taken up by LS 64 that leaves me
to put together LS 128 and perhaps be the person mentioned in (b).  However,
GEOS personifies too many things I don't like about computers so I don't
think (b) is going to happen.  That leaves (a).  I'd love for someone to
send me a GEOS program with a good explanation of how it works.  So far, all
I've received are fonts and clip art.  Your idea about a batch printer
sounds good to me.  How about it, all of you great GEOS programmers out
there?

I think your last paragraph requires a little qualification.  Most serious
users who do not want to learn basic programming use GEOS.  I think most
serious users who dabble (or excel) in programming much prefer the normal
mode.  Admittedly I am biased.  I got into computers solely for the joys of
programming and if I couldn't program my computer, I doubt if I would have
one -- except for word processing.


Dear LOADSTAR 128,

    I'm afraid that FREE BASE, my program on LS 128 #23, has a small
problem.  If the user adds the 16th drawer name in the entry window, he will
need to delete the last name, then save back to disk.  If not, when he tries
to access the 16th drawer, the program will crash with a "no filename
error".

    The simplest solution is for the user to stop at 15 drawers.  You should
tell your readers about this.

        Dick Heckert
        Clearwater FL

LS 128:  Thanks for the information, Dick.  Ordinarily, I like to tell
readers how to change a problematic program themselves, but since FREE BASE
is compiled, it can't be modified.  And there's not enough room on this
issue for a fixed version.  I think your idea of limiting the number of
drawers to 15 is the best idea.  It also points out a principle that
probably applies to computing as well as anything else: If it hurts when you
do this, don't do this.  In other words, if a program crashes when you do
something, but it's not vital that you do that thing, then don't do it.

An example of a program that CAN be fixed is FLETCHO on LS 128 #22.  I'm
sorry I didn't tell you about this last issue but we didn't find out about
the bug until after LS 128 #23 went to press.  In FLETCHO, on some systems,
you get the cryptic message "ready.too long0" when you try to enter your
name.  It works on my computer because I have JiffyDOS.  Apparently, there's
a bug in the original ROM that prohibits inputting from the screen.  A
program SHOULD be able to input fron the screen and sure enough, with
JiffyDOS, it can.  But without JiffyDOS, it can't.

To fix FLETCHO do this:

(1) Run FLETCHO and at the Name? prompt, break out with STOP-RESTORE.

(2) Press CMDR and SHIFT simultaneously to switch to a readable font.

(3) Add line 4315

      4315 um$=""

(4) Change these two lines:

      4320 print"[HOME]";:close2:open2,3,2:fori=1toeq:get#2,a$:
              um$=um$+a$:next:close2

      4330 fori=1toeq:aa$=mid$(um$,i,1)

(5) Scratch and save the program with:

      goto10000


Dear LOADSTAR 128,

     With regard to the program FIDUCIARY on LS 128 #23, I need information
as to how to order the checks which are to be used on my printer.  From what
company do I order the checks?  What characteristics of the check are
required for ordering?  Approximately how much would 100 personal checks
cost?

     I've called one company, AMERICAN CHECK PRINTERS, who require knowledge
of the software to be used.  The software with which they are familiar is
only used on IBM compatible computers and they are not familiar with any
software for the Commodore 128.

     Please help me with this problem.

         Donald Cochenour
         Library PA

LS 128: The response from American Check Printers doesn't surprise me.  Too
bad for them, if they only had a subscription to LS 128 they wouldn't have
missed out on an order.

You can use almost any kind of form-fed check with FIDUCIARY.  The program
has a pretty sophisticated routine that allows the user to set the
parameters for the check.  So, you don't buy checks that fit the program --
you make the program fit whatever checks you have.  Check out Part Two of
the FIDUCIARY docs for detailed instructions.

Is it progress for companies to support only a few big boys in the software
industry?  I imagine if you had an IBM, but didn't use one of the top five
(richest) software titles, they wouldn't have been able to help you.  Is it
any wonder the big companies get bigger and the small companies go out of
business?

It may take you a hour and ten sheets of paper to find the proper parameters
for your size checks with FIDUCIARY, but just think, Donald, you won't have
to call American Check Printers any more.

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