[Ql-Users] Lear PCB Design
PCB DESIGN UPDATE NEWS Yet another update of this free PCB Design program from Malcolm Lear can now be downloaded from my website. Here's a brief list of changes in this latest version. I guess the main change is the new facility to exportPDF files. v7.16 Block elements are all increased in size by 1 mil to ensure overlap when creating export files. Export readme files now include the statement: 'All Files Viewed from Top' PDF export now supported. A3 size paper now supported for postscript and PDF export. Download it from: http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/graphics/index.html Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Roy Wood wrote: Well, I've lurked on the list for a while since I hung up the QBranch boots in the closet but recent posts deserve some comment I suppose. Welcome back (back from lurking, I mean). I will start with the floppy issue. Way back when I was doing lots of shows I decided that you could not format DD disks under QPC2 on any of my PCs. In fact I brought a QL / Aurora and monitor to many shows just to format disks. Firstly it was far too slow and secondly it failed too often. I was not typing it in at the command line because that was too slow at a show. Formatting was haphazard and took ages. I mentioned it on several occasions and got the usual 'does not happen here' response. Understandably hard to pin down. I did, however, find that formatting the disks using Disk Mate 5 usually worked fine - on all of the systems - so I hazard the guess that it is not a problem with Microsoft but something else. I have have not tried under Windows 7 on this sytem but then it is hardly surprising that the ability to format a 20+ year old disk has been removed from a new system. This is like complaining that your CD player won't play 78s.No one uses floppy disks any more. Sounds like the same experience I had. Totally unpredictable results on that particular USB floppy drive (well, might be predictable to someone like Marcel who knows the underlying code). Sounds like we'll have to keep a QL just to keep formatting DD disks for those who still use the dear old black boxes. Which brings me onto the 'future of the QL' debate. Nothing has a future if it does not move. All the while I was writing 'Byts of Wood' I was up against the fact that there was nothing to write about. Nothing new. No point in being a trader for a static community if all you are advertising is the same stuff that everyone already owns. Then, when you come up with a great system to make things better, no one buys it (QDT of course). There may well be 500+ users on Rich's database but what are they doing with the QL? What has he sold them? The odd keyboard membrane, disk expansion,? How many repeat sales? Data is only of use if it has a context. Fair point - sounds like the Roy Wood we knew and loved for telling it straight. QDT and my Launchpad were programs written in response to requests. When they came out, only a tiny percentage of QL users actually bought them. Actually, there has been a recent survey to update the last one Quanta did. Hopefully we'll all know the results very soon. Then we'll know hopefully how many use basic QLs, how many use emulators, how many don't use PE, how many have GD2 systems and whatever. We might even see a situation where to all intents and purposes no two users have the same system (well, ok, I doubt that but you know what I mean) In all the time I was a trader there were very few ground breakers and they gradually fell by the wayside through lack of support and sales. This has been the most active conversation on this list for ages and a while back there were people talking about how to print - a subject that has been round the track more times than a sprinter with Alzheimers. When the QL community was thriving it was moving forward with ideas flowing. These last years it has been inward looking and characterised by infighting and lack of inspiration. I have not seen QL Today since I stopped distributing it but I am still a member of Quanta and I see nothing new there. If you want it to continue then you have to stop complaining and waffling on this list and write programs, have ideas and innovate. No point in magazines and user groups if there is nothing new to say or do. (BTW the Sussex group stopped meeting years back because there was nothing new to do and the only reason it says that we no longer have a venue is that Quanta was too lazy to contact us and just printed the same message every time.) If you knew it was in Quanta and knew it was wrong, nothing to stop you telling Quanta to correct it either??? If people know the information is wrong, why let it go on being wrong??? Although I wasn't charged with that particular sub-groups issue, the virtually zero response I got when trying to sort out the list of international groups was pretty heartbreaking. I gave up in the end and just printed what info I had. Taking off my Quanta hat for a moment and speaking personally, it's easy to criticise organisations like Quanta. Geoff Wicks has said enough about the Quanta committee being dominated by NEMQLUG (Manchester group) members, but has been realistic enough to realise that had it not been for the likes of John and Sarah Gilpin the organisation might have been in danger of folding already due to apathy and lack of interest from anyone else. Many in the committee, myself included, have to double or triple up on duties. John has given so much time between the magazine, treasurer and membership duties. Indeed, had
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
On 15 Jun 2010, at 11:43, Dilwyn Jones wrote: the QL and Aurora are only brought out for the specific use fo testing programs or, sorry Rich, formatting DD disks for the very occasional Quanta library request. It seems as if I am the only person actually able to format blank DD disks using QPC2 and Windows XP. Perhaps its because I have a Packard Bell floppy reader. Perhaps those wanting DDs formatted should send them to me! George ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Vintage Computer Festival: Bletchley Park this weekend.
I was just wondering if there were any QL representatives at this weekend's Vintage Computer Festival taking place at Bletchley Park. Steve ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Vintage Computer Festival: Bletchley Park this weekend.
Stephen Usher wrote, on 15/Jun/10 15:54 | Jun15: I was just wondering if there were any QL representatives at this weekend's Vintage Computer Festival taking place at Bletchley Park. Rich Mellor - RWAP. He will also be selling Z88 items for Rakewell (Vic Gerhardi) Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Vintage Computer Festival: Bletchley Park this weekend.
On 15/06/2010 15:54, Stephen Usher wrote: I was just wondering if there were any QL representatives at this weekend's Vintage Computer Festival taking place at Bletchley Park. Steve ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Yes I will be there - I will have quanta and ql today subscription forms also. If anyone wants me to bring anything else in particular, please email me separately. -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk http://www.rwapservices.co.uk -- Try out our new site: http://sellmyretro.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
the QL and Aurora are only brought out for the specific use fo testing programs or, sorry Rich, formatting DD disks for the very occasional Quanta library request. It seems as if I am the only person actually able to format blank DD disks using QPC2 and Windows XP. Perhaps its because I have a Packard Bell floppy reader. Perhaps those wanting DDs formatted should send them to me! George I can format DD on Windows XP with the built in floppy drive, but the USB floppy drive doesn't usually want to know. Probably as someone suggested it doesn't have the sensor for disk type. In the case of these modern USB floppy drives, I think the issue is more likely to be the drives themselves on Windows XP systems. Of course, the issue is probably completely different with Rich's Windows 7 as DD floppy disk support has been removed from Windows by Windows 7. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
SNIP Sounds like the same experience I had. Totally unpredictable results on that particular USB floppy drive (well, might be predictable to someone like Marcel who knows the underlying code). Well it was the same with native, on board drives too.. SNIP nothing new to do and the only reason it says that we no longer have a venue is that Quanta was too lazy to contact us and just printed the same message every time.) (BTW the Sussex group stopped meeting years back because there was If you knew it was in Quanta and knew it was wrong, nothing to stop you telling Quanta to correct it either??? I did mention it a few times - but at shows. I must confess I was also lax in not notifying them formally. SNIP It would be great to hear from people explaining why they DON'T want to go on committee. Surely it can't all be down to lack of time? We don't have to travel much to committee meetings, modern technology means we can do most work by email or telephone or conferencing and just meet up once or twice a year as necessary to sort out the major issues. Oh I know why people don't want to go on a committee. Firstly they would have to do something and secondly they can no longer carp and criticise from the sidelines. Simple. I am Diving Officer for the Dive Club so that puts me just under teh Chairman on the committee. I know how that works. SNIP I'll continue pouring out mediocre programs and supporting the QL, but although I didn't always agree with Geoff's sometimes negative viewpoints in QL Today, it's hard to see the QL having a lifetime of more than 3 to 5 years the way it's going (in other words, I often agree with him more than I think). OK, it'll always be handy to be able to write quick s*basic programs for my own use while I still have a working QL emulator (and the PC is the only computer in regular use here at the moment - the QL and Aurora are only brought out for the specific use fo testing programs or, sorry Rich, formatting DD disks for the very occasional Quanta library request. I would never say you wrote mediocre programs. You and Geoff wrote some really innovative stuff. SNIP OK, that's my rant over! Keep prodding, Roy, the QL community could do with a good kick up the rear end sometimes. Dilwyn Jones I may not raise my head above th e parapet too much. I am in the throes for finishing my Album - those who are interested can get a taste at www.myspace.com/thatlegendarywoodenlion And running a series of training sessions for the Dive Club. BTW one other reason that Rich has a long mailing list is probably that he sells on EBAY. Maybe a Quanta shop there would generate some interest. You will also find a lot of people who just want to buy a part to go with the QL in teh glass case that they house their 'retro computers' in - along wit their collection of 'dust through the ages'. What you need is not people who look back but those who are willing to turn around and look in the other direction - and face what they see. Still I will continue to (sporadically) read the list. (feel free to print all/some/none of my comments in Quanta. I may even splutter into incoherance angain. -- Roy Wood ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Roy Wood wrote: SNIP Sounds like the same experience I had. Totally unpredictable results on that particular USB floppy drive (well, might be predictable to someone like Marcel who knows the underlying code). SNIP Doesen't work here on XP with an USB drive (which is recognized as flp1_) Writing and reading is ok, but formatting just makes the drive accessing and stoping on and on, whithout any results. Cheers...Ralf ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Roy/ I may not raise my head above th e parapet too much. I am in the throes for finishing my Album - those who are interested can get a taste at www.myspace.com/thatlegendarywoodenlion Seems a mite borken (whoops - but because that was a superb accidental mistype I will leave it). I am getting Sorry. messages and the CD link does nothing. Are you paying for that myspace site? I could offer free space on my server, and, if you have a wooden lion domain name, you could use that without advertising the host. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Tony Firshman wrote, on 15/Jun/10 19:25 | Jun15: Roy/ I may not raise my head above th e parapet too much. I am in the throes for finishing my Album - those who are interested can get a taste at www.myspace.com/thatlegendarywoodenlion Seems a mite borken (whoops - but because that was a superb accidental mistype I will leave it). I am getting Sorry. messages and the CD link does nothing. Are you paying for that myspace site? I could offer free space on my server, and, if you have a wooden lion domain name, you could use that without advertising the host. That was meant to be private but but I forgot to edit the address- so reply to me personally please, Roy. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Sounds like the same experience I had. Totally unpredictable results on that particular USB floppy drive (well, might be predictable to someone like Marcel who knows the underlying code). SNIP Doesen't work here on XP with an USB drive (which is recognized as flp1_) Writing and reading is ok, but formatting just makes the drive accessing and stoping on and on, whithout any results. Cheers...Ralf Time to summon Marcel and Jochen to see if they can shed any light on this, I guess! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Dilwyn Jones wrote: Time to summon Marcel and Jochen to see if they can shed any light on this, I guess! No idea. This is up to the hardware driver and I have no insight whatsoever into this. I just do the right calls in QPC and either it works after that, or it doesn't. Marcel ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
It would be great to hear from people explaining why they DON'T want to go on committee. Surely it can't all be down to lack of time? We don't have to travel much to committee meetings, modern technology means we can do most work by email or telephone or conferencing and just meet up once or twice a year as necessary to sort out the major issues. Oh I know why people don't want to go on a committee. Firstly they would have to do something and secondly they can no longer carp and criticise from the sidelines. Simple. I am Diving Officer for the Dive Club so that puts me just under teh Chairman on the committee. I know how that works. OK, I guess that explains that ;-) Actually, my partner Ann is on the committee of a craft association - I guess she'd probably say exactly the same thing. I would never say you wrote mediocre programs. You and Geoff wrote some really innovative stuff. Nice of you to say that - I feel better now! Actually, don't tell Geoff, but I use some of his programs quite a lot ;-) ...even if they have mis-spelled my name twice in two issues :o) I may not raise my head above th e parapet too much. I am in the throes for finishing my Album - those who are interested can get a taste at www.myspace.com/thatlegendarywoodenlion And running a series of training sessions for the Dive Club. OK, will take a look later on. Do QLers get a discount on the album? ;-) BTW one other reason that Rich has a long mailing list is probably that he sells on EBAY. Maybe a Quanta shop there would generate some interest. Actually, Rich has sold quite a lot of gear Quanta has acquired - John Gilpin will confirm that. You will also find a lot of people who just want to buy a part to go with the QL in teh glass case that they house their 'retro computers' in - along wit their collection of 'dust through the ages'. Nobody denies that - I get a lot of contact from retro users via my website. The other type of contact I get is ex-QL users dusting off their QLs once more and realising that emulators etc open up a new world of nostalgia for them. I do try to steer them in the direction of QL Today and Quanta, but never really know how successful I am about pointing people in various directions. My pages about returning to the QL, PC/QL file transfer, zip/unzip and serial links get respectable numbers of hits, so there's obviously people looking at all this info, but I just don't know where it all leads in the end. What you need is not people who look back but those who are willing to turn around and look in the other direction - and face what they see. Agreed. Still I will continue to (sporadically) read the list. (feel free to print all/some/none of my comments in Quanta. I may even splutter into incoherance angain. ;-) Good to hear from you again - keep spluttering into incoherence! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
I could offer free space on my server, and, if you have a wooden lion domain name, you could use that without advertising the host. That was meant to be private but but I forgot to edit the address- so reply to me personally please, Roy. Tony Since it accidentally got onto this list, I'll just comment that I do buy space for my website off Tony and NONE of the few glitches with my website have been down to him or his servers... highly recommended. /end of free advert for TF Services... Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
On 15/06/2010 19:25, Tony Firshman wrote: Roy/ I may not raise my head above th e parapet too much. I am in the throes for finishing my Album - those who are interested can get a taste at www.myspace.com/thatlegendarywoodenlion Seems a mite borken (whoops - but because that was a superb accidental mistype I will leave it). I am getting Sorry. messages and the CD link does nothing. Are you paying for that myspace site? I could offer free space on my server, and, if you have a wooden lion domain name, you could use that without advertising the host. Tony MySpace is a free social networking site - where have you been? I just clicked on it and it worked straight away. The bands actual website is hosted by a friend of mine. www.woodenlion.com Way too off topic. Roy -- Roy Wood ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Dilwyn Jones wrote, on 15/Jun/10 19:42 | Jun15: I could offer free space on my server, and, if you have a wooden lion domain name, you could use that without advertising the host. That was meant to be private but but I forgot to edit the address- so reply to me personally please, Roy. Tony Since it accidentally got onto this list, I'll just comment that I do buy space for my website off Tony and NONE of the few glitches with my website have been down to him or his servers... highly recommended. /end of free advert for TF Services... Thanks. It runs in a datacentre in Maidenhead, and has (touch wood) never crashed or had to be re-booted. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
On 15/06/2010 19:39, Dilwyn Jones wrote: SNIP BTW one other reason that Rich has a long mailing list is probably that he sells on EBAY. Maybe a Quanta shop there would generate some interest. Actually, Rich has sold quite a lot of gear Quanta has acquired - John Gilpin will confirm that. The point was that, if Quanta had their own shop people would the seeQUANTA. -- Roy Wood ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Roy Wood wrote, on 15/Jun/10 20:06 | Jun15: snip MySpace is a free social networking site - where have you been? Working. I just clicked on it and it worked straight away. Doesn't work for me (8-)# The bands actual website is hosted by a friend of mine. www.woodenlion.com Way too off topic. (8-)# -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] PDF files
Does anyone know if Ghostscript on the QL is able to read PDF files and if so, up to how recent? I've never used Ghostscript - the description on my own web page claims it can but I can't remember where I got the info from originally! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
I may not raise my head above th e parapet too much. I am in the throes for finishing my Album - those who are interested can get a taste at www.myspace.com/thatlegendarywoodenlion Seems a mite borken (whoops - but because that was a superb accidental mistype I will leave it). I am getting Sorry. messages and the CD link does nothing. I did manage to listen to it, or rather I did the second time when I realised my speakers weren't switched on the first time...doh, beware ex broadcast techie at work :o( Dilwyn ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks
Dilwyn Jones wrote, on 15/Jun/10 20:16 | Jun15: I may not raise my head above th e parapet too much. I am in the throes for finishing my Album - those who are interested can get a taste at www.myspace.com/thatlegendarywoodenlion Seems a mite borken (whoops - but because that was a superb accidental mistype I will leave it). I am getting Sorry. messages and the CD link does nothing. I did manage to listen to it, or rather I did the second time when I realised my speakers weren't switched on the first time...doh, beware ex broadcast techie at work :o( Temporary glitch evidentally. Working now. Mind you sound (and therefore CD) is not the best media. You have to *see* as well as hear. His outfits, makeup, acting and effects (as well as singing and playing) are superb. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks and The QL Future
In message 4c16cc82.9090...@genesis-midi.com, Phil Kett pk...@genesis-midi.com writes On 15/06/2010 00:15, Roy Wood wrote: Which brings me onto the 'future of the QL' debate. Nothing has a future if it does not move. All the while I was writing 'Byts of Wood' was up against the fact that there was nothing to write about. Nothing new. No point in being a trader for a static community if all you are advertising is the same stuff that everyone already owns. Then, when you come up with a great system to make things better, no one buys it (QDT of course). There may well be 500+ users on Rich's database but what are they doing with the QL? What has he sold them? The odd keyboard membrane, disk expansion,? How many repeat sales? Data is only of use if it has a context. In all the time I was a trader there were very few ground breakers and they gradually fell by the wayside through lack of support and sales. This has been the most active conversation on this list for ages and a while back there were people talking about how to print - a subject that has been round the track more times than a sprinter with Alzheimers. When the QL community was thriving it was moving forward flowing. These last years it has been inward looking and characterised by infighting and lack of inspiration. I have not seen QL Today since I stopped distributing it but I am still a member of Quanta and I see nothing new there. If you want it to continue then you have to stop complaining and waffling on this list and write programs, have ideas and innovate. No point in magazines and user groups if there is nothing new to say or do. (BTW the Sussex group stopped meeting years back because there was nothing new to do and the only reason it says that we no longer have a venue is that Quanta was too lazy to contact us and just printed the same message every time.) This may all seem a bit harsh but, like a jolt to the heart in teh case case of cardiac arrest, sometimes you need a defibrilator to restore a pulse. The paddles are in your hands - don't wait for the flat line. I wasn't going to contribute to the QL future debate but Roy's reply (good to hear from you by the way) has prompted me to. If you look at the communities surrounding the old computers, whether they be sinclair, commodore, atari or whatever - in nearly all cases it's the games that keep the computers alive. Yes, there are hardware innovations, but it's nearly always the ability to load games quicker that prompts the development - the div-ide interface for the spectrum springs to mind. People unfamiliar with the QL aren't going to want to try and use a word processor from the 80s when the one installed on their PC is 100 times better. The availability of software is also something that isn't there in the QL community. Search for just about any other 80s computer and you'll find a wealth of software available on the net. The legality of these downloads may be suspect but they're there - search for QL software and what do you find? One or two sites offering compilers and productivity software or asking you to purchase games. The QL is a fairly obscure platform and no one that is unfamiliar with it is going to pay money for something on the off chance that it might be good. There is another problem with QL software - it's fragmented. Some software will run on a basic QL for which you can download an emulator. Other software requires an enhanced system for which you need to either have the hardware to run it or purchase an emulator. For just about every other 80s or 90s computer you can download an emulator that will run all the software for that machine. I think we need to face the fact that the QL is almost a dead machine. People aren't willing to invest money in something if they have no compelling reason to use it and let's face it most people don't even know what the QL is! There are thriving homebrew communities for a lot of the old computers but the QL isn't one of them. Why is this? It's not a money thing, a lot of homebrew software is given away free. Basically there aren't that many people who are bothered about the QL - why write something for the QL when you could write something for the Spectrum and get a wider audience? The QL is a dwindling niche market and while people continue charging not inconsiderable sums for software it will remain that way (until it dwindles into oblivion). Sorry for the rant - I think I've had too many glasses of wine this evening! Regards, Phil The QL market will continue to be smaller than the Spectrum, Commodore or others; as the QL sold less well when it was first introduced. Therefore the customer base is smaller. Yet, potential users will be tempted back in, or new ones introduced by an easy way in. This would need to be through an Emulator - either completely free and workable - or an Emulator on a time period trial, say of 60 days.
Re: [Ql-Users] USB Floppy Disks and The QL Future
On 15/06/2010 21:58, Malcolm Cadman wrote: SNIP There is an audience for retro computers - of which the QL is one. A software package, or easy access to free or low cost software, would be essential to tempt users in. As they need to see something to be done with the system - and will not be interested in finding it all out for themselves. Once interest is kindled, then users will get interested in acquiring original hardware and original add-ons, as well as using the emulator(s) on PC hardware ( or others ). Most users, on this list, are not a part of this target market - as most already have several QL hardware items, and a lot of software; plus long experience. The latter need tempting in a different way, by some new hardware or software, for the 21st Century - as the QL was a 20th Century invention. I have QDT, which I use all of the time as the main desktop for a QL system. Yet it is not finished - the file manager side is not complete; and it lacks a lot of other functionality. I also use Launchpad to compensate for QDT's deficiencies in the file management area. Both Quanta and QL Today could be involved in this type of promotion of the QL. OK - head above the parapet again and , to quote Sir Henry, 'first chink of reality and youre dead' I spent a lot of time, enthusiasm and energy on the QL (not as much as Tony, Dilwyn and Jochen, but enough). The approach of saying 'here is a free emulator, now look at what we have' is fine except...what do we have? The QL was a business computer in concept. Very few games of any note. Right now, as was pointed out earlier, there is no decent word processor and no other, modern, usable, software. QPC2 runs just fine on my W7 machine, but why would I use it? If I was a new user what would make me want to buy it and run it? On my W7 and XP machines I run music software, word processing and spreadsheets, email, photo manipulation and website creation software. What is there on the QL side of things that matches this? The QL was fun to program in SuperBASIC ( I never got any further) and, back 18 years ago, would multitask when most PCs could not (nor can the iPAD), but it was rapidly overtaken by modern hardware and software. What I was saying before still applies. If you want to keep it alive you need to keep the scene alive. You need innovation and you need some sort of commercial operation. I know that there are a whole bumch of 'free software' guerillas out there but no free software has ever matched the commercial stuff - sad as that may be. I will never abandon it completely because it taught me a lot of the fundamental principles of computing. I have a lot of affection for it and for many of the people in the QL community because we did all those shows and we went through all that but you have to take off the rose tinted goggles and take a hard look at what you are promoting - and then decide what you do from here. -- Roy Wood ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
