Re: [Ql-Users] MCALLT
A quick test with one of my own programs confirms this feature. (mouse in the one apl window with a pic in it and a scroll bar.) The manual page for MCALL states that a special operation code is delivered in num if there are bars set up with MAWBAR and refers to Important_txt, MAWBAR/MAWBARR chapter. This states that this operation code is masked with the pixel position, which is zero when the mouse is not hit. It doesn't say that it is the ascii code when a key is used. When I wait for the timeout the returned code is $FB00. The high word -1 probably signals that no key is pressed, but what to make of the $FB00? Bob Could this FB00 be the -1280 or -$500 which MCALLT returns in the event of a timeout or event? Time to call in the cavalry...*Marcel* -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] ql-mac Lucerne show
Will you require a copy of version 1 (for traditional QDOS systems) or version 2 (for Window Manager 2 systems)? Version 1 works with most older systems with expanded memory (about 512K RAM minimum). If everything goes well, I will own a GoldCard soon. So maybe I should go for version2? Some points for you to consider: 1) All versions of Launchpad need Pointer Environment. 2) To use Launchpad version 2 on a QL with Gold Card you will need Pointer Environment version 2 or later. Further details and downloads at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/pe/index.html (what this means is that Pointer Environment version 2 has Window Manager version 2 included. It still only gives the usual mode 4 and mode 8 on a Gold Card, but at least it allows programs designed for WMAN2 to be run on a QDOS system). Mote the small warning about version 2.02 on the page - I never got it to work reliably on my system, so I use v2.01 on my QDOS systems. If your QL has ROM version JS, MG or later, or a Minerva ROM, you can also use version 2.03 of pointer environment. This is all a little confusing when you haven't used QLs for a while, so good luck with it! If you are unsure I can bring both versions of Launchpad with me to Lucerne. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Chess
Could anyone tell me how many chess programs there have been for the QL. I know of Psion Chess, GNU chess Black Knight. Were there any other chess games? Thanks Duncan Neithercut There is also Wedgie, by R. D. Lorenz, on the Games page of my site. It's QLib compiled and includes source SuperBASIC. -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] MCALLT
Anyway how do you have an application window with no items but with scroll bars? Obviously I have misunderstood the problem! George The application window is used to display graphics, as a window onto a larger page size. The scroll bars are set up with the Easyptr MAWBAR command, which allows you to control the bar from the co-ordinates of the area specified - a manual bar rather than ones set up automatically by a menu, if you like. This particular issue is I'm pretty sure Easyptr-specific and ONLY occurs in application windows with NO menu.The upper word always returns the code of the key pressed (the key which caused MCALLT to return), even if that is not an action key, and is not just a cursor key, for example. As long as it's an official facility which isn't a feature of a particular Easyptr version, it can be useful in some circumstances, although it's probably only the same data as the MKEY% function returns (code of key causing last return from MCALL, RDPT or MINPUT for example). Now I know what's going on, it's easy to handle, although it might mean a little change to handle this in my older programs which don't expect a return value in the upper bytes. Anyone wanting to embarrass me can try any of my older programs which manipulate text or graphics in an application window without menu - move the pointer into the window with the mouse, then use the cursor keys to move the pointer within the window and tell me which programs fall over at that point! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Lear PCB Cad update
I've just added the latest update to Malcolm Lear's PCB Cad program to my website. Here are details of revisions made since the last version available (6.63): 6.64 Corrected minor errors in SMD1.lib library. Corrected operation of window resizing. OUTLN is just optional. 6.6516-09-09 Layer names can now be changed. Dark white which was displayed as mid grey now changed to light grey and dark black which displayed as black now changed to dark grey. File access tests using DEVICE_STATUS changed to be compatible with older QL systems. The program is a 1.22MB download from the Graphics page on my website: 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] Original Microdrives Needed for preservation
- Strip Poker by Talent (alas there are issues on the copy from Dilwyn, as well as my own set) - QL Farmer - Crazy Painter -- Rich Mellor Wasn't from me! Or if it was I missed that one completely (worse luck) ;-)) Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Miracle MIDI Interface
The Ql World Index says there were articles about Miracle's MIDI interface in Feb 89 (page 18) and Jun 90 (page 26) issues. Unfortunately my mags are buried in the attic after the house move and can't get at them. I seem to remember that Miracle did have many problems with the software. I'm not too sure, I think the software was called Tracker. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Rich Mellor r...@rwapservices.co.uk To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 3:57 PM Subject: [Ql-Users] Miracle MIDI Interface Does anyone have a copy of the software to control the midi interface by Miracle (if in fact there was any)? -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services URL:http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk URL:http://www.rwapservices.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.112/2394 - Release Date: 09/25/09 05:51:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Miracle MIDI Interface
Yes, Tracker, I remind! From where do you know about problems...? Cheers...Ralf - Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones I seem to remember that Miracle did have many problems with the software. I'm not too sure, I think the software was called Tracker. Dilwyn Jones I'm not sure. I think someone told me about it years ago, but until I find the magazines with information about the MIDI unit, I can't remember much about the unit. I bought a second hand one many years ago, never used it, and sold it to someone (can't even remember who!) a few years ago. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Rare Sinclair QL Items on ebay
- Original Message - From: Rich Mellor r...@rwapservices.co.uk To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2009 2:38 PM Subject: [Ql-Users] Rare Sinclair QL Items on ebay I am listing a few rare Sinclair QL items on ebay today - including: CST Q+4 Expansion Module CST Q-Pi Printer Module Boxed Sandy 256K Expanderam QL Hyperdrive by English Software He he, interesting that when I went to have a look at the CST units, what came up but an advert by...CST. Albeit, Central Systems Technology not Cambridge Systems Technology, but it did have me thinking for a second or two... Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Rare Sinclair QL Items on ebay
Rich Mellor wrote: I am listing a few rare Sinclair QL items on ebay today - including: CST Q+4 Expansion Module CST Q-Pi Printer Module Boxed Sandy 256K Expanderam QL Hyperdrive by English Software He he, interesting that when I went to have a look at the CST units, what came up but an advert by...CST. Albeit, Central Systems Technology not Cambridge Systems Technology, but it did have me thinking for a second or two... Dilwyn Jones Now that's a shame - CST produced some of the better hardware for the QL! Oddly enough the two disk interfaces I have, will not try to talk to the disk drives!! Strange that - of all the disk interfaces I ever had, the CST Q-Discs were the most reliable! There was one version of the CST QDisc, probably the first version, where the disk connector on the interface was the wrong way up. I remember having to shave off the lump on the disk drive connector (drives which I shared with the BBC micro at the time!) off. Had I stopped to think, I'd have been better off hacking a hole on the opposite side of the interface connector, because after that I kept plugging them into the BBC micro upside down, and that pesky computer didn't like that one little bit. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] The Tebby Files
Well, I brought ALL issues of ALL our readers (Bruces and mine) to the post last Tuesday in Austria, so they should arrive every day. Strange that they made it quicker half way through Germany to Ralf than to Marcel in the South. Used to get that effect here with Quanta mag. In times gone by, they used to try to time release of a magazine to the days just before a workshop if they concided. Mine was ALWAYS delivered on the monday AFTER the workshop. I have had already some inquiries: this issue is the start of volume 14, there's more from Tony to come (and it is VERY interesting, promised). I still have a few spare issues here with me, so everybody who would like to subscribe now can get the full volume, starting with the current issue, of course. All sounds very interesting, I can't wait for the issue to find its way west of Chester (as John Gilpin says) :-/ Might rewrite QL history after 25 years! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] [Fwd: Re: Help with BASIC/SBASIC WINDOWS]
I understand that there is no need to compile BASIC programs when using QPC2 (SMSQ) - the SBASIC code can be EXEC'd without TURBO or QLIBERATOR. Do I take this to mean that I just Ex win1_program_bas ? And if it's as easy as that, what are the benefits and drawbacks of doing this? In the meantime, thanks a million for your suggestions. Regards to all, John Gilpin. As a start point, make sure you are familiar with the Executing SBASIC Programs section of the SMSQ/E user guide (page 27 in the admittedly old version I have). But in many cases it's as simple as executing the SBASIC program: EX win1_PROGRAM_bas and once that program finishes typing in a QUIT command to close the SBASIC job and return to the original SBASIC (unless your program closes channel #0 as its last act in which case the SBASIC might decide to die cleanly and that's that IIRC) When you EX a basic program which goes into a new incarnation of SBASIC (i.e. a separate job to the original SBASIC) this is called a daughter job (understanding this helps you understand some of the explanations in the manual). However... Remember that the position of the windows will usually overlap the original windows unless your program changes it. There are various options to control size and position of the windows. Make sure your program has a filename ending with _bas. SBASIC prefers this. Or _sav if you saved it with QSAVE. Some programs use features or extensions which rely on the job details being 0,0 (the numbers listed by the JOBS command), i.e. will only work in the main SBASIC. The fix for some of these is trivial (don't use them), while others need some individual attention. You may get problems with the windows as you have already discussed. Probably best to seek help on these as you find them. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Tony Tebby article
John Gilpin wrote: It must be something to do with us editors being overworked, Dilwyn. I almost did the same thing or didn't you notice there were two address labels on your QUANTA Magazine this time (one on top of the other - piggybacked if they were rom chips?) - perhaps the extra weight caused the damage to the envelope that you reported!! :-) Well, now we know we have you in the address database with your NEW Address, it will go OK next month. Us editors must stick together Jochen!! :-) Err, OK. I was only teasing Jochen, but since you mention it, no I didn't notice 2 labels. You got the address right John but not my name! My full name is Dilwyn Lloyd Jones yet your label has Dilwyn L. L. Jones which is the only combination of L's that could be wrong. Dilwyn Ll. Jones could be right (use the Welsh LL letter) as could Dilwyn L. Jones or just Dilwyn Jones. I'll beat you up tomorrow when I see you... :o) -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Tony Tebby article
- Original Message - From: SMSQ - Jochen Merz s...@j-m-s.com To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 2:04 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Tony Tebby article Thanks John :-) Yes, you change addresses everywhat except for in your own database. This is not the first time it has happened to me, sorry, Dilwyn. Cheers Jochen He he, see my response to John Gilpin ;-) (Hope you understand I was only teasing you, not complaining) Actually, 12 months' worth of mail redirection is in use anyway, so it turned up with an extra label superimposed by the post office. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Tony Tebby article
QL Today has just arrived, today, in Edinburgh. In a week nor so copies will have reached Iceland I suppose. I hope they find Tony Tebby's fantastic article as amusing as I did. And yet we are all still using QL's in one form or another. George Still using QLs is one thing. The fact that a QL worked at all and even got launched is quite something, after reading Tony's article! Actually, it's a lesson in how project management worked (or not) in those days. I look forward to future installments of this series. -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Quanta News
I can't believe that two months have flown by already, but we are at the deadline for news and articles for Quanta magazine (usually the 5th of the even-numbered months). If anyone has any last minute news for inclusion in Quanta magazine, please send it to me over the next few days via news AT quanta DOT org DOT uk Thank you, Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] PCB Cad
Some users have reported difficulty with the latest zip file of Malcolm Lear's PCB Cad on the Graphics page on my website. In some cases it gave an error message amounting to last disk of the multidisk archive missing. This seems to have come about because it got corrupted being copied from one machine to another here on a pen drive. I've uploaded it again and it should be fine now. Apologies for the mistake. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QUIT (was something else)
Any other DNA (National Dyslexic Association) members here, BTW? (If you missed the joke, the answer is Yes ;o) Per I guess it's the same as dyslexia rules, KO? (Apologies to dyslexia sufferers, no offence intended). Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QXL drives
OK, thanks. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Marcel Kilgus ql-us...@mail.kilgus.net To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 9:15 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] QXL drives Dilwyn Jones wrote: It's so long since I last used a QXL, can anyone tell me if the QXL has DOS drives (like QPC2's DOS1_ etc)? No, that's a QPC exclusive. Until quite recently even the WIN devices were hard-linked (WIN1 - C:\QXL.WIN, WIN2 - D:\QXL.WIN etc.) Marcel ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.4/2417 - Release Date: 10/06/09 06:50:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] XTC68 Sources
While I am at it, is there any interest in one of the QL emulators running on the iPhone/iTouch? I have been thinking of looking at porting one of them for some time. Dave I've been asked a couple of times if any of the QL emulators can run on such a system. This would definitely open up a potential new niche for the QL! By chance, Urs Koenig also mentions that the iPhone will be part of his QL and Mac Are 25 event later this month. -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL Emulators
There is also a version of uQLx for Mac, by James Weatherley, which used to be on Phoebus's website. Not being a Mac user, I have no idea if this works on current Macs (like the OSX systems). Anyone know? I could then post the info on my website. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Rich Mellor r...@rwapservices.co.uk To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2009 11:38 AM Subject: [Ql-Users] QL Emulators Hi, Which emulators work on the latest OSX? A customer wants to play some QL games on such an emulator, but I can't for the life of me think which ones work - presume OSX is Mac operating system? Rich http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.32/2459 - Release Date: 10/25/09 19:57:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] ROMDisq woes
Adrian D. Ives wrote: thought was that if anyone is ever going to produce any new hardware project for the original QL hardware, the one thing that would be really worthwhile is a basic bare bones USB interface. I was astonished to find a place called RetroClinic that does just such an interface for the BBC Micro! Such an interface would only really need the basic drivers to handle removable drives (sounds simple when you say it quickly) there would be no intention of even trying to support other types of device except, maybe, a mouse :) While this is a very worthwhile idea, we have been here before I'm afraid. The problem will as ever be drivers - it's not just a question of USB drivers, you'd need drivers for whatever was plugged into it, which in turn knew how to work via the USB interface. In other words, different drivers for anything you plugged into it. I think that the last time this was discussed, someone mentioned the dreaded word drivers and that was the end of that. In principle, though, it is an excellent idea. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QPC2 screen size
Another way to crash QPC2/SMSQE seems to be to set BORDER to be too big. Ie so big it covers more than the window. try OPEN#3,con BORDER#3,2400,2 and see what happens. George Oops, I see what you mean. Windoze XP Pro had a slight fit and threatened to report QPC to Mr Gates Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] ROMDisq woes
USBWiz makes interfacing pretty easy, although its internal driver only support 8.3 FAT for the SD card. It also has built in drivers for some USB devices (like printers I think) using AT sytle serial commands. I would not have thought it is an impossible projects, and would work without drivers as such. It could be done from Basic. However it would be good to have driversto make it QDOS compatible. There would also have to be long filename conversion tables much like the Windows micro~nn.ext I think past discussion of the USB interface has focused on the traditional view of USB. Something like this might provide an alternative and possibly more practical approach. The AT-style serial commands might enable tinkerers to play around with it to a degree without having to rely on full blown native QL drivers which ahs been a past stumbling block for us. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] More BASIC Queries
John Gilpin wrote: And here's yet another one for you:- Having LRESPRed various extensions in my Boot program, what would cause some or all of the resulting EXTRAS to disappear from the EXTRAS list? Having run the boot, I have checked the EXTRAS list and been happy that what I wanted is there. Then, after allowing the boot program to call the next program in the sequence using ex 'win1_next program.exe' which subsequently returns on completion, I find that re running the same boot program fails since some of EXTRAS are no longer there. What sort of error should I be looking for? Is there a way of stepping through a BASIC program, line by line, for debugging purposes? If so how? Two possibilities, albeit remote ones, I can think of: 1. If other jobs were running (including hotkey job) and you used LRESPR to load the extensions, it would not be able to put the extensions into RESPR space, instead it uses the equivalent of ALCHP. When the job is finished, or a NEW issued (etc etc) the heap space might get cleared and extensions lost. Always best to LRESPR extensions before you start any other jobs, including SBASICs and Hotkey jobs (i.e. before a HOT_GO). 2. If you LRESPR an extension into a daughter SBASIC, they might be local to that job and vanished when that particular SBASIC is removed. There's a little info about this on the bottom of page 27 (in my version of the manual at least) of the SMSQ/E manual. Could you possibly send a few lines of your boot so we can see what's happening? Or send it to me privately off list? Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] PCB-Cad
Malcolm Lear has released a first pointer driven version of his PCB-Cad program. As it's a first release, I've left the previous version available on the site. Download 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
[Ql-Users] qxl.win
I've run into an unusual program with my WIN1_ (a QXL.WIN) which I have been unable to resolve. DIR WIN1_ gives 84847/1048560 sectors, it's a 512MB QXL.WIN, with 11,716 files on it. Despite reporting 84847 sectors free it says Drive Full. Deleting one file will let me save one file normally, then it runs into Drive Full next time I try to save anything. So it's not as if it's write protected, for example. Anyone any idea what's happening? Could I have run into the maximum number of files a QXL.WIN file might hold, for example (directory full)? It was running on a pen drive, so I tried copying it to C: drive and using it from there with QPC's win1_ pointing to C:\QXL.WIN. Same result. Next step will be create a new blank QXL.WIN and copy everything there to see if that gives the same result (i.e. checking for fragmented qxl.win?) Help! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] qxl.win
Did you try to run TT's drvchk or drvlink on that drive? No. I did a recursive copy of the entire qxl.win. The old qxl.win was perfectly readable and copied to a new qxl.win of the same size without problem. I actually used an old program of mine (The Copier) and dates weren't important, I don't think The Copier preserves dates (if it does, more by luck than judgement). I seem to be up and running again, anyhow. Regarding fragmentation, I was thinking more of the directory than fragmentation of the qxl.win itself. I don't know how adding and deleting files in the qxl.win works. Suppose X is a deleted file and you have files arranged like this: file1 X file2 X file3 If a new file is created, is it always placed at the end of the directory (i.e. after file3 int he example) or does the filing system locate the first free slot (in this case the X between file1 and file2)? Dilwyn Jones -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- Von: ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] Im Auftrag von Dilwyn Jones Gesendet: Sonntag, 8. November 2009 22:09 An: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Betreff: [Ql-Users] qxl.win I've run into an unusual program with my WIN1_ (a QXL.WIN) which I have been unable to resolve. DIR WIN1_ gives 84847/1048560 sectors, it's a 512MB QXL.WIN, with 11,716 files on it. Despite reporting 84847 sectors free it says Drive Full. Deleting one file will let me save one file normally, then it runs into Drive Full next time I try to save anything. So it's not as if it's write protected, for example. Anyone any idea what's happening? Could I have run into the maximum number of files a QXL.WIN file might hold, for example (directory full)? It was running on a pen drive, so I tried copying it to C: drive and using it from there with QPC's win1_ pointing to C:\QXL.WIN. Same result. Next step will be create a new blank QXL.WIN and copy everything there to see if that gives the same result (i.e. checking for fragmented qxl.win?) Help! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.698 / Virus Database: 270.14.57/2492 - Release Date: 11/09/09 12:11:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Fw: uQLx]
Dear Editor Would it be possible for Quanta to publish an idiot's guide on how to install uQLx on a Ubuntu based Linux PC. I recently converted an old Laptop to Linux/Ubuntu and downloaded the uQLx emulator but for the life of me I cannot work out how to compile/install the emulator correctly. Searching the net does not give any useful help as all the instructions seem to be for a pre Ubuntu era! Any help would be gratefully received. Yours sincerely The above is a helpline request we got for Quanta magazine (name deliberately omitted, email BCC'ed to him). Can anyone help with this, perhaps come up with a short article or list of steps to achieve what the writer wants? Our editor, John Gilpin, is also moving in the direction of using Linux systems, so I'm sure this would be a very useful little article. So many of the helpline requests I get at the moment seem to deal with emulator issues! Dilwyn Jones (_wearing Quanta Helpline hat_) ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] BSJR website
Bob -- The BSJR QL software site at: http://members.chello.nl/ql/ Hi Bob, The above URL seems not to work, the other I know of is http://members.upc.nl/b.spelten/ql/ and that does seem to work. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] SMSQ Reference Manual and QPTR manual online
I'm very grateful to Marcel for this. I have both books, but they are big and clumsy, so a PDF (I hope it's searchable, haven't looked yet) will be *very* useful for the odd occasion when I need to refer to the docs. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Marcel Kilgus ql-us...@mail.kilgus.net To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 2:52 AM Subject: [Ql-Users] SMSQ Reference Manual and QPTR manual online Here's one thing that came out of the Swiss QL meeting: I've updated my page at http://www.kilgus.net/smsqe/development.html to include PDFs of the QDOS SMSQ Reference Manual and QPTR. In the hope that there are still some developers left who have a use for them... Have fun, Marcel ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.707 / Virus Database: 270.14.62/2499 - Release Date: 11/12/09 14:33:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] More BASIC Queries
Contrary to Per's comments, I am most grateful to the many people who have posted helpful advice regarding my recent BASIC problems in transferring some programs which I wrote many years ago from an Aurora, SGC, QuBide machine to QPC2 on my PCs. I am still investigating the disappearance of EXTRAS loaded from my BOOT program - a situation which only occurs in QPC2 (not on the Aurora machines). The offered solutions to my query about being able to step through the program are, as has been noted on this list, very slow and time consuming but I have attempted them in the hopes of identifying the error(s). In hindsight, what I had in mind, was something more along the lines of the trace facility found in PSION Archive and Xchange (archive) which I use extensively. From advice offered by contributors on this list, I am currently checking the full list of EXTRAS at various points in the program to see if the missing ones all disappear together or a few at a time at various points. I may well have a few VERY BASIC questions regarding the use of EXTRAS to do this, later today. Having said all this, I have to accept that the programs concerned do work well (the first time round) and it is only on the occasion when having closed a program I need to use it again that I find that without a full power-down and reBOOT the programs will not run due to missing extensions. I thought that once loaded (LRESPRd), toolkits etc remained loaded until the machine was powered-down. Do I have this BASIC premise correct? Thank you all for your help and guidance. Regards, John Gilpin. I had a look at John's boot program but lack of time prevents me from taking a very detailed look. Basically, his program revolves around code like: Get_Value_Of_Loaded% IF NOT loaded% THEN LRESPR various extensions END IF He checks the value of loaded% by sending the output of EXTRAS to a file, then reading it in line by line until he finds the Q_Liberator extension Q_L, something like loaded%=0 rep loop input #chan%,extn$ IF extn$='Q_L' THEN loaded%=1 EXIT loop end rep loop (all this from memory, not from his code, but the gist of it is there) The idea behind IF NOT loaded% THEN of course is to allow the boot program to do its other work without attempting to install extensions twice. This isn't something I'd normally do in my programs, I'd split the boot into two, the first installing the extensions, then chaining a second one to do the other work, so the second program could run without having to deal with the extensions issue. A simple change to check for anything going wrong with a particular extension or set of extensions is to change which extension namke he looks for, or even check for an extension in each of the dozen or so toolkits he loads to see if one toolkit in particular is causing the problem, adding temporary test lines like: 3230 INPUT #chan%,extn$ 3231 IF extn$ = THEN PRINTThis extension loaded 3232 IF extn$ = THEN PRINT That extension loaded and so on. A bit clumsy, but should help to isolate which extensions exactly are going missing. With a fairly long and complex boot program like this it is probably better to revert to first principles and isolate the part causing the error, i.e. loaded% is expected to be 1 on the second run, if not, why not? With such a complex boot program, better to write a second version as a test rig and just include the bits of code which are going wrong. A snag while testing was that he installs a dozen or so files with LRESPR, and I only have about 7 of those, meaning I couldn't fully test it out to rule out all possibilities. The reason why John got the specific error message at line 210 of his program is simply that MENU_REXT checks if it is being installed twice. But that doesn't of course explain why the Q_L extension is not being found when he looks for it, unless it's something to do with the order of QLiberator files being installed or something like that. Anyone looking at his program, check line 3170 where he sends the EXTRAS to a file, then opens that file for reading without closing it, which runs the risk of the file not being fully flushed: 3170 EXTRAS #chan% 3180 OPEN_IN #chan%,ram1_load_extns (better to add a CLOSE #chan% to line 3170, or even wind the file position pointer back to 0 without the OPEN_IN. (Just trying to save someone a bit of work when they take a detailed look at the program) Dilwyn Jones P.S. Congratulations John, the new white Quanta mag envelopes got through the post without being damaged ... the first for months not to be damaged in post! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] More BASIC Queries
! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] virus report
Hmmm, just after sending that last email, I noticed that my AVG9 anti-virus had spotted a trojan in a junk email I got earlier today. It seems to have removed it OK, but just in case, check for attachments in my emails before opening them. Of course, I wouldn't knowingly send an attachment to the mailing list. The report I got was Viruses found in the attached files. The file utility.zip: Trojan horse Dropper.Generic.BFIV. The attachment was = moved to the Virus Vault. in an email with subject line your mail box has been deactivated. I didn't open it (AVG had dealt with it before I got a chance), so watch out for this just in case Apologies if a false alarm. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] The best date...
Summer 2010 an international QL-meeting will take place in Prottes (Austria - near to Vienna) Please help me, finding the best date for this performance (2-3 days) Interested people can tell me when they may have time to come (between end of june and end of august) Please use this link : http://www.doodle.com/cseb3py768aym9aq Please hurry up: the date may be defined at end of november. Gerhard ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Thank you for looking at organising this event, Gerhard. I've filled in my favourite dates (although I don't yet know for sure if I can come). I think past history of QL shows that August is NOT the best time. Good luck! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Web Emulator
Is there anyone willing and able to write such an emulator ? You mean something like this http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/ts1000/index.html but for the QL ? Yeah, would be cool :) Yes something like that would be ideal !! ... and loadable as an application on smart phones! Tony Yes - I wonder if Quanta would be willing to help fund the development of this and other emulators to help keep developing interest in the Sinclair QL? -- Rich Mellor I like the look of that - a TS1000 (ZX81) running its programs in a browser window. Certainly a way of attracting past users to try out retro programs. Quanta has looked at business cases for certain projects before. Some did get finance, some didn't. The best way is to submit a proper business case to the Chairman and the committee can then discuss it on its merits. I know that the previous Quanta Chairman did ask in a Chairman's Report column earlier this year the question arises as to whether there might be merit in porting JAVA to the QL, for example. But being able to run QL programs in a PC or Mac browser window like the ZX81/TS1000 example given would be great if it were to come about. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] More BASIC Queries
Is there a way of getting say EXTRAS loaded without loading all
the
other 400+ 'keywords' contained in TK2?
DJ_TOOLKIT has something in it to check if an extension is loaded -
it's
the CHECK() command (I think!!!)
Yes, I use it quite a lot in my programs!
Something like IF CHECK('File_Select$') THEN PRINT Menu_Rext present
Also, in one of my past articles, I wrote about the Name List in
SuperBasic (QL Today I mean) and gave a demo of how to list
everything
in the name list.
Might help?
Turbo Toolkit also has a function to help step through name table
entries, I think I used it in my Basic Reporter program. Could be used
to write your own EXTRAS perhaps.
Dilwyn Jones
___
QL-Users Mailing List
http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] More BASIC Queries
. EXEC or EX might create a new job.
Can anyone see why this sequence of programs {which I am
confident will run on both QDOS and SMSQ on the Auroras} should not
run exactly the same under QPC2 on my Vista PCs? (which is the
original point I raised with my existing programs).
Not really. All you can do is trial and error - remove one set of
extensions at a time to see if removing one cures the problem, and
test for individual extensions one at a time until you find the one
which causes the problem. Time consuming, but the only way you'll pin
it down.
After the discussion on EXTRAS, Marcel explained that although a
little problem with EXTRAS had been fixed for an older version of
SMSQ/E, it is working fine now as long as you remember that if you
LRESPR extensions in a separate daughter job (Job number not zero in a
JOBS list, e.g. Job number 2), only the daughter job will know about
those (in this case, as Job 2 loaded it, only Job 2 sees it - the
SBASIC manual calls them LOCAL to one particular job). But if you
LRESPR them into Job0, then ALL daughter jobs should be able to see
the extensions. There is one little proviso for this. LRESPR can't be
used to install system-wide extensions from any job other than job 0 -
the SBASIC manual cites menu_rext and QTYP as examples. But if
extensions are loaded from Job 0 there's no issues like this, all jobs
should eb able to see them in their EXTRAS list.
The only way I can see extensions disappearing like the problem you
are having is:
(1) a rogue extension (can only be established by the one step at a
time trial and error described above to isolate the particular one)
(2) LRESPR used on SOME systems where a job other than job 0 is
already running - where the particular version of LRESPR tries to use
the equivalent of ALCHP instead of the equivalent of RESPR. If so, a
subsequent LOAD or NEW or whatever might make the extension disappear
as it was in the common heap memory instead of in the RESPR area where
it belongs. Extremely unlikely on modern systems, LRESPR usually gives
a 'Not complete' error if another job is running.
(3) If you use RESPR/LBYTES/CALL instead of LRESPR, the number of
bytes given to RESPR has to be at least as long as the extension,
otherwise the next RESPR might overwrite part of the previous thing
you LBYTEd. Usually only happens when extensions get updated by the
author and change length and you forget to change the RESPR statement.
Did you try changing the extension checked for from Q_L to something
else to see if all extensions are affected or does it just happen to
be that particular QLiberator one?
Dilwyn Jones
___
QL-Users Mailing List
http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] More BASIC Queries
- Original Message - From: arnold.cla...@talk21.com To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 12:07 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] More BASIC Queries Hi, As I have not resolved my initialisation problem with Smsq as yet, I thought I would try the following boot listing. My first problem is wth Qascade not working in Qdos. Does it have to have a Minerva rom, if so, how do I install it? Arnold Qascade is not the simplest of programs to set up, and there's two versions, Jonathan Hudson's original version and Marcel's hack for high colour systems (Marcel's version probably needs WIndow Manager 2, as well as high colour, I can't really remember) 1. Put all the Qascade files into their own directory, I use WIN1_QASCADE_ for both versions, but I've altered filenames of the executable. qascade is Marcel's version, qascade113 is Jonathan's version, which I use on QDOS systems like my Aurora and QemuLator. In other words, both versions can live in the same directory. 2. Set up a suitable qascade_rc file with the list of programs to control etc. 3. In your boot program you'll need something like this: 1470 EX win1_qascade_qascade;START win1_qascade_QASCADE_rc (Note than the bit in quotes with the START is case sensitive, If your qascade_rc is qascade_RC, you have to type it out as qascade_RC here) My experience has been that (1) if you get the case wrong or (2) make a mistake with the qascade_rc text file it doesn't work and doesn't tell you much about what went wrong. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Fw: uQLx]
Thank you. I will forward this to the person who asked the original question. Dilwyn Jones. - Original Message - From: sinclairql.es sinclai...@badared.com To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 7:34 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Fw: uQLx] Download my compiled version: http://sinclairql.es/utilidades/uqlx-es-2008.01.tar.bz2 Use: tar -xjvf uqlx-es-2008.01.tar.bz2 Or any tool like File Roller in Gnome or KDE... Then move uqlx at your home and move the uqlxrc file to your home too. Rename uqlxrc to .uqlxrc go to ~/uqlx/bin and execute ./qm I use it in my Ubuntu 9.10 and OK See the léame.txt (readme.txt) file inside. (in spanish but you can translate it easy) Javier Guerra (badaman) http://sinclairql.es Dilwyn Jones escribió: Dear Editor Would it be possible for Quanta to publish an idiot's guide on how to install uQLx on a Ubuntu based Linux PC. I recently converted an old Laptop to Linux/Ubuntu and downloaded the uQLx emulator but for the life of me I cannot work out how to compile/install the emulator correctly. Searching the net does not give any useful help as all the instructions seem to be for a pre Ubuntu era! Any help would be gratefully received. Yours sincerely The above is a helpline request we got for Quanta magazine (name deliberately omitted, email BCC'ed to him). Can anyone help with this, perhaps come up with a short article or list of steps to achieve what the writer wants? Our editor, John Gilpin, is also moving in the direction of using Linux systems, so I'm sure this would be a very useful little article. So many of the helpline requests I get at the moment seem to deal with emulator issues! Dilwyn Jones (_wearing Quanta Helpline hat_) ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.78/2521 - Release Date: 11/23/09 07:52:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ql-Users Private Archives
There is a way to get a reminder of your password IIRC by going to the list owner's website (Bruce Nicholls - http://lists.q-v-d.com/listinfo.cgi/ql-users-q-v-d.com ). On that page, go down tot he bottom where there is an [Unsubscribe Or Edit Options] button, just follow that. Alternatively, just below that there is a mail to link which lets you contact the list owner for help/advice. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Anton Preinsack a.preins...@preinsackfilm.com To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 1:32 PM Subject: [Ql-Users] Ql-Users Private Archives Hi to all! I can´t read the Ql-Users Private Archives, because I haven´t got a password when I subscribed to this list. Is there another way to use the archive? Kind regards, Anton ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.83/2526 - Release Date: 11/25/09 19:43:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] New Q60s
In general I find it a little bit sad, that the Q60 wasn´t a greater success and that there is no new real hardware in the QL-land anymore. Don´t get me wrong: QPC is a great product and I bought it from Jochen a few months ago. But I think real hardware is important, too. So I hope, that there are at least nine other people, who are thinking like me;-) I've always thought that both systems had great merits. On the one hand, Q60 is probably the best hardware-based QL money can buy. It gives a choice of QDOS (with the QDOS Classic system), SMSQ/E and Linux (with the Q60 Linux CD you can get from Peter and Claus Graf www.q40.de). Marcel has mentioned the problem with finding a monitor because of the 1024x512 screen resolution, but apart from that it's a great system. Personally, I would love a Q60 but I simply don't have the room in the house! We both have PCs here and I also have an Aurora. I use the Windows software for browsing, email (at least until I finish my Q-Mail project which due to lack of time has been on the boil for about 2 years now!), scanner, MP3, etc which I can't do on QPC2. Windows is also handy on a home system for me because I use Windows at work. QPC2 is my favoured system for the simple reason it runs on a Windows system and lets me have the best of both worlds of Windows and SMSQ/E. Emulator and QL2K are installed on the PC for testing programs, but not used regularly. Actually, it's not quite that simple any more - using Windows QemuLator you can choose to use any QDOS ROM, including Minerva, or even choose to run the Gold Card version of SMSQ/E if you want. IIRC that would let you use 256-colour mode on QemuLator too, like an Aurora. It's always been my view that if you want the best dedicated QL system (with the option of Linux as an extra benefit) you go for a Q60. If you want the best of both worlds of a Windows and QL get QPC2 on a Windows PC (or using something like WINE on Linux). In other words, apart from individual preference and individual circumstances, there is no major reason why either system would be better. You just have to consider what's best for you. -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] A little linux joke...
Q: How does a Linux guru make love? A: unzip; strip; touch; finger; mount; fsck; more; yes; umount; sleep; Any offerings for a QDOS version of this little gem??? Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] M$ Haiku Poetry
Microsoft Haiku Poetry In Japan, they have replaced the impersonal and unhelpful Microsoft error messages with Haiku poetry messages. They are used to communicate a timeless message, often achieving a wistful, yearning and powerful insight through extreme brevity. Here are 15 actual error messages from Japan that are the essence of Zen: Your file was so big. It might be very useful. But now it is gone. The Web site you seek Cannot be located, but Countless more exist. Chaos reigns within. Reflect, repent, and reboot. Order shall return. Program aborting: Close all that you have worked on. You ask far too much. Windows NT crashed. I am the Blue Screen of Death. No one hears your screams. Yesterday it worked. Today it is not working. Windows is like that. First snow, then silence. This thousand-dollar screen dies So beautifully. With searching comes loss And the presence of absence: My Novel not found. The Tao that is seen Is not the true Tao- until You bring fresh toner. Stay the patient course. Of little worth is your ire. The network is down. A crash reduces Your expensive computer To a simple stone. Three things are certain: Death, taxes and lost data. Guess which has occurred. You step in the stream, But the water has moved on. This page is not here. Having been erased, The document you're seeking Must now be retyped. Serious error. All shortcuts have disappeared. Screen. Mind. Both are blank. Aren't these better than your computer has performed an illegal operation? Now all we need is the SMSQ?E versions.. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] QaLendar 2010
With the end of 2009 approaching, that most essential of QL accessories, the QaLendar 2010, is now available from my website at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/gen/calendar/calendar.html to download as a calendar for 2010 in Word .doc or PDF file formats (2.6MB and 1.2MB respectively). If you want to create your own calendars, several QL calendar-making programs are available to download from the Utilities page on my website at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/utils/index.html Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Budget QLiberator
Does anyone have information about the Budget QLiberator (or QLIB LITE) compiler? I have a query from someone who has a microdrive copy and wishes to use it from floppy disk or hard disk. So far the only information I have is from the QLiberator 3 manual which hints that the budget version could be configured during CLONE. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Budget QLiberator
Thanks Ralf, I have forwarfded a copy of your reply (along with the qlib_ext/bin correction). He referred to the compiler as QLIB LITE, which I hope is the same as Budget QLiberator. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Ralf Reköndt ralf.rekoe...@t-online.de To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 10:51 AM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Budget QLiberator As far as the 3.2 manual states (Page 4.4), it should be possible to execute the budget version from any kind of source, then type in the commandline. Page 14.10 discribes the use of QLIB_USE load_device, help_device, x_pos, ypos option_bits but it is not stated, if it is possible to use that with the budget version. I think, QLIB_USE is part of the QLIB_ext extension. A save way should be, to patch the budget program with e.g. CST's FILED, all mdv to flp. Cheers...Ralf - Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones Does anyone have information about the Budget QLiberator (or QLIB LITE) compiler? I have a query from someone who has a microdrive copy and wishes to use it from floppy disk or hard disk. So far the only information I have is from the QLiberator 3 manual which hints that the budget version could be configured during CLONE. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.722 / Virus Database: 270.14.122/2591 - Release Date: 12/28/09 19:32:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Budget QLiberator
I never met him, but he was a businessman who also made a lot of use of networked QLs in his business in the early days (1980s). TT credits him in the TK2 updates list for mods to the network code. I think Roy Wood was in contact with Ian Stewart for a while and did try to get the compiler updated, but it came to nothing IIRC. The last released version was v3.36. Dilwyn - Original Message - From: Ralf Reköndt ralf.rekoe...@t-online.de To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 12:50 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Budget QLiberator NNB: ;-) If there is a demand, I can OCR the complete 3.xx manual including the latest things about WHEN ERRor handling. I do not know, if this is still copyright material. Maybe one can lay his hand on Adrian Soundy (compiler module) or Ian Stewart (runtime module+manual). Would be good, if any kind of source still exist. BTW: Does anybody know, who Leon Jaeggi was? I have read this name a few times in the 80s, and he has done the bug reporting and testing for the authors of Qlib. Cheers...Ralf ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.722 / Virus Database: 270.14.122/2591 - Release Date: 12/28/09 19:32:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Reindeer quiz - ANSWERS
I never said it would be a proper quiz by the way! * How many reindeer are employed by Santa? Two. * What are their names (Spelling need not be correct)? Rudolf and Olive. * What sex is the red nosed reindeer? Female. * Why do you say that? Only female reindeer keep their antlers throughout winter. Ok, maybe a bit of clarification is required for the answers to the first two questions above: Everyone knows abouit Rudolf, so that's one reindeer. The song of the same name has the words Olive, the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names - so that's two. No others are mentioned! ;-) So, two reindeer are in Santa's employ, Rudolf and Olive. ducks runs again Hmm, obviously this is why QL Today has not yet made it to Dunbar-land... Posties afraid of insanity obviously. (I feel a .ice file flying in my direction...) Dilwyn Jones PS Rudolf wasn't one of the original set of reindeers either. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Happy New Year
PPS I hear the next parliament will probably be hung. Where can I get a ticket? :-) Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] SAV files
Does anyone have information on the format of _sav basic files (as used by Liberation Software's QSAVE utility and the equivalent command in SBASIC)? The reason I ask is that Barry Ansell's QCopy doesn't seem to work with recent _sav files (he's no longer on QL scene to update it) and I was hoping to add _sav files to those supported by my Procman utility if I can find information about the format. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] SAV files
Thanks, Norman. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Norman Dunbar nor...@dunbar-it.co.uk To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 7:33 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] SAV files Evening Dilwyn, On 03/01/10 19:20, Dilwyn Jones wrote: Does anyone have information on the format of _sav basic files (as used by Liberation Software's QSAVE utility and the equivalent command in SBASIC)? I'm thinking that I might have some information somewhere. However, I once wrote a SB program to decode a _SAV file and 'print' the output in SuperBasic - I was attempting to write a librarian program that could extract procs and FNs from a _SAV (plus dependencies) and write them out as normal SuperBasic code. (ASCII in other words!) If I can find the code I'll send it over. Failing that, Jan Jones or Tony Tebby's docs have all the details - a _SAV is simply a tokenised SUperBasic program in the format it is stored internally in the 'program file' area. George will probably know all the details from his work on the Turbo stuff. Cheers, Norman. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.124/2598 - Release Date: 01/03/10 09:41:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Message formatting
I put my reply at the end unless, as now, I am replying to specific points inside the original message. I have all set in OE, as Tony F. suggested, but sometimes the quote chars appears, sometimes not. As I have said, OE puts the chars in front of the original messages, then(!) format the text as set in OE but keeps the original LFs. 8-( Cheers...Ralf I agree, Ralf, I too have problems getting Outlook Express to quote as I would like it. My email program is set to do what Tony suggested, but it doesn't always work as you might expect. Sometimes someone sends a Rich Text email and this program is set to reply using plain text and all that happens is ... nothing. You get the original text (now plain text) but the leading quote characters fail to appear. While there will always be exceptions to rules, Tony is absolutely right to pursue this - for most messages on this list the format he suggests is best, coupled with sensible snipping to keep message lengths down. It is hugely annoying, though, when OE fails to get it right and I end up hand-editing to get a sensible quoting. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Message formatting
Clever, but better to use Thunderbird. Although I've never installed Thunderbird, I think it's the program my son's school suggested he install. He got so frustrated with it (can't remember why) he uninstalled it and started using Hotmail of all things instead. That sort of kludge reminds me of a What the customer wanted and What the customer got joke that circulated in Ford in the late 60s. What Was Ford itself a joke in the 60s? (Oops, is that their lawyer at my door?) they wanted was a swing on a branch in a tree. What they got was a swing with one rope on a branch one side of the tree and one rope on a branch on the other side. The tree was supported with scaffolding and the trunk was cut in the middle where the swing went through! Sounds about right :-) Best to get what the customer wants correct at the start of the process (8-)# Tony Absolutely. Though the QL story was not exactly a model of that suggestion, perhaps? Or was the customer not part of it all? (Read Tony Tebby's QL Today articles for the answer to that one!) Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Message formatting
Tony Firshman wrote: Dilwyn Jones wrote, On 5/01/10 17:00: Clever, but better to use Thunderbird. Although I've never installed Thunderbird, I think it's the program my son's school suggested he install. He got so frustrated with it (can't remember why) he uninstalled it and started using Hotmail of all things instead. What troubles I wonder? Mine worked perfectly from day one and continues to do so. Tony I don't really remember why, although I remember him saying it wasn't displaying some of his friends' emails correctly (don't ask me what kinds of emails they were sending him...). He'd also installed another browser which school suggested and found that didn't display some of the pages of his school website and the homework files he did via the school website didn't display properly. Likewise, he uninstalled that and went back to the M$ offerings for his sins. Probably not the course of action many would suggest, but he seemed happier going back to M$ programs. I wonder if he might have been trying to use out of date versions of the other programs, or not applying the right settings, perhaps. Just noticed, this OE QuoteFix things is adding an extra quote mark (or it might be OE adding one on top of what QuoteFix is doing) - something to keep me amused while surrounded by snow I suppose :-( I like the way it manages to extract the info for adding Tony Firshman wrote at the top of the reply, for example. Lots of little touches like that make it a promising add-on for OE. Now I'll just have to take the time to read up on all the facilities! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Procman 2 released
I have just released version 2 of Procman, a program for extracting procedures and functions from a BASIC program. This new version is pointer driven and uses Window Manager 2, allowing it to use whatever colour themes you use on your WMAN2 system - WMAN2 is available on SMSQ/E version 3.00 or later, or QDOS with Pointer Environment version 2.00 or later. This version does away with the need to have the Menu Extension present, although it can send the extracted routines to the Scrap system if present so that you can paste the extracted routines into an editor such as QD if you are in the habit of using an editor to write BASIC programs. Procman 2 can send extracted routines to a file, to screen, to printer, to Scrap, or even direct to BASIC if required. And thanks to helpful information and routines from Norman Dunbar and Per Witte, Procman 2 can now extract routines from _sav (QSAVEd) files too. The way in which the program now operates makes it even easier and faster to use! Procman 2 is freeware, available to download from the Programming Utilities page on my website at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/program/index.html Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QUANTA Survey
Not sure what the 4 questions are at the bottom of the second page - Qjump / Sandy / Datel ? -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services I think this was meant to imply 'any other hardware by these companies not covered elsewhere in this question' Pity really, the question ended up with some specifics (e.g. Expandaram, from Miracle and Silicon Express Insider disk interface) and some generalities. The Silicon Express one was my fault, I went through the survey in too much of a hurry when asked to take a look at it, and managed to miss the more general intention of the original question, I should have just asked to put Silicon Express there rather than the disk interface reference. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] flashing cursor
Unusual little help request... Does anyone know if it's possible to get a flashing text cursor less than 6x10 widexhigh on a QL? Been asked by someone following my fonts articles in QL Today, who's been trying to use smaller than usual character increments with a half height font, something like this: CHAR_INC #1,6,5 and finding that the cursor is twice the height of the printed characters. Personally I doubt it's possible unless there's a way to use a sprite as a cursor or some such trick. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Read Pixel Colour
Christopher Cave wrote: There has been a problem with reading pixels using this trap for ever or at least since display modes became richer. I asked about it in this group a year or two back but this attracted no interest at the time. I was trying to write a flood facility into my CAD program but ended up having to read pixels from the screen in my code - is this something that should be done in atomic mode so all is done and dusted before another program intervenes? IOW.XTOP is the way to go in this case. Anyway, I found out the hard way that the code has to allow for different display modes! As George said, I could see a need for a mode independent trap that's reading a pixel value back. The scanning... not so much. Marcel The scanning could be used for flood fills. That's how they used to be written in BBC basic many years ago, to find the extremities of a colour area, so where to stop flood filling. I'd use this in my graphics programs if it were implemented. I guess next question is does it return the 16-bit colour value as store din the video RAM, or if you are using pal modes (i.e. does it return 6 for yellow or the 16-bit value) and so on. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] unsubscribe
To unsubscribe, see Bruce's website at www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Nothing in SUBJECT line, nothing other than UNSUBSCRIBE in the body - no signature or nothing else apart from possibly a password you were issued with when joining. You can send joining/leaving instructions to the other address, Ql-users-q-v-d DOT com-request AT lists DOT q-v-d DOT com (replace the words DOT and AT of course with . and @) People always seem to put superfluous material in the unsubscribe emails, which prevents the system understandign what you mean. If you're a Quanta member, there was an article about this list in the Dec09/Jan10 issue. Dilwyn - Original Message - From: GO BOY GO-LT gobo...@tiscali.co.uk To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:17 AM Subject: [Ql-Users] unsubscribe unsubscribe - this (gobo...@tiscali.co.uk) ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2695 - Release Date: 02/18/10 07:34:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Qemulator
I was rung by Martin Biddle, a Professor of mediaeval archaeology at Oxford. He does work with the Winchester Research Unit. That rang a bell, and I found that I had repaired a QL in Nov 1988. It was great to see the QL after 21 years, and all it needed was a kbd membrane. He wants files transferred to PC format (8-(# The QL had been used for many many years and there are maybe 80 cartridges to transfer. Apparently the work is academically very important and there are no other computer based backups. The files seem to copy OK (format ram1_mdv1_ is the way) so far. I have though to convert Quill files and export Abacus. For .doc, last time I added a special character at the end of every paragraph. I then made a printer driver as follows and printed to a file: End of line - SPACE Special character - CR/LF/CR/LF £ - chr 156 Anything else recommended? I cannot find the driver I made. Thanks again Daniele. Qemulator has rescued some important work. If you have the time, Tony, try Geoff Wicks's QL2PC for transferring QL DOC files. Free to download from http://members.multimania.co.uk/geoffwicks/downloads.htm . It will convert DOC (and other QL formats) to RTF, preserving formatting. RTF will of course load to most Windows word processors at least (don't know anything about Macs). Second choice would be Textidy, which will convert to plain text and you can batch many files to convert in one go. Failing that, your method is as good as any, substituting space for a single end of line, preserving paragraph breaks. Although it won't preserve most other formatting of course unless you can enter suitable codes for bold etc in the driver. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Qemulator
Geoff Wicks wrote: If you have the time, Tony, try Geoff Wicks's QL2PC for transferring QL DOC files. Free to download from http://members.multimania.co.uk/geoffwicks/downloads.htm . It will convert DOC (and other QL formats) to RTF, preserving formatting. RTF will of course load to most Windows word processors at least (don't know anything about Macs). As a matter of principle I do not actively participate on this list these days, (nor do I do any work for Quanta), but I'll make an exception. Oops, Quanta committee member caught red-handed promoting a Geoff Wicks program ;-)) On the advice page of my website you will find the optimum settings for transferring abacus files. Remember you can only transfer the content and not the formulae, Ah, this might just come in useful for me, as that's a task I will need to do in the near future. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Qemulator
Thankyou Geoff - that is great - could you add a link to your website please as a reminder. It is a shame not to see you adding your valued input to this list -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services Oops, forgot that link in my first email. It is: http://members.multimania.co.uk/geoffwicks/advice.htm Choose option 1 from the menu for the Spreadsheet transfer. You are then invited to download a zipped plain text file of an article by Geoff. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Quill PAR
I'm sure this has come up before, but I can't for the life of me remember where or when. When using Quill, which has a driver for SER1, I know I can change this to _PAR (leading underscore intentional, doesn't seem to work without it) in the Quill Print dialogue, to send printed output to a paralle port printer. But it always asks me if I want to overwrite PAR. It works fine if I press Y for Yes, but why does it do that in the first place, as though it was overwriitng a file called PAR or something? Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] QPC home directory
Does anyone know if it's possible within QPC2 to find the dos directory that QPC itself was executed from i.e. C:\program files\QPC\ Got asked that in an email today, I thought it might make an interesting helpline type FAQ if anyone knows how! -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QPC home directory
On 23/02/10 17:10, Dilwyn Jones wrote: Does anyone know if it's possible within QPC2 to find the dos directory that QPC itself was executed from i.e. C:\program files\QPC\ Got asked that in an email today, I thought it might make an interesting helpline type FAQ if anyone knows how! What i do is define DOS8_ to be the setting ./ (dot slash) which seems to work. On Windows anyway which is what I expect you to be using Dilwyn! On Linux, under wine it needs to be changed from ./ and I use the directory selector button to navigate to the directory where I executed QPC from. IN my case it is /media/CRUCIAL/qpc3v33 which wine changes to something like c:\qpc3v33\. Regardless, dir dos8_ gives a listing of the qpc directory. ...and no doubt LET d$ = DOS_DRIVE$(8) would return the directory. Thanks Normal, I'll pass the info on. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QPC home directory
Thanks Normal, I'll pass the info on. Hmmm. I've been called a few things in my time, but normal was never one of them - for obvious reasons. ;-) Cheers, norman. Oh, oh, oops...sorry. It's been a long day. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Storing QL Floppy Disks
Does anyone know of any standard floppy disk imaging software for the QL - to make a single file on the PC for example, which would be the equivalent of a floppy disk which all emulators could read / write to ? Might be an interesting little project if anyone is interested Thinking about it - which emulators can use a qxl.win file maybe we just need a smaller subset of this which would be floppy disk size? QXL.WIN can go on a floppy disk - Roger Godley sent samples of his Quill etc hacks for GD2 to Quanta library in this format. AFAIK, the emulators which can read QXL.WIN are: QPC1 and 2 QemuLator for Windows (read+write but not MAKE_DIR), but not QemuLator for Mac systems uQLx for Linux, don't know about the Windows/Mac versions QXL Various systems like Qx0 can handle QXL.WIN via extra software like QCDEZE and Wolfgang's QXLWIN programs. QLay/QL2K can apparently extract files from QXL.WIN via their tools programs, but never tried it. Qubide I think can if you have Thierry's Atapi/IDE drivers and possibly QCDEZE. Not sure if Discover can read from QXL.WIN (maybe Dave Walker will answer that one) Unkown: Amiga QDOS, ST-QL, QDOS Classic (Amiga and Qx0) There are various programs around in addition to the ones mentioned above which can help with reading/writing QXL.WIN files, like QXLtool and WXQT2 (Jonathan Hudson) and QXLWINexplorer that I can remember off the top of myhead. Can someone please share the details of this format? QXL.WIN format - if that's what you were after, I can email you that privately, although it's on my website somewhere, probably at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/docs/formats/index.html (the file formats page) - I seem to remember it's notes I got from Gerhard Plavec in Austria at some point. Dave Walker mentioned Rawread/Rawrite - get this from http://www.pamarsystems.com/raw.html I guess a simple web search for 'rawtext sources' might find some, but Dave sounds confident it could be done pretty easily, sounds like he has the info available. There's an article about Rawread/Rawrite from a QL file transfer angle on my website at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/gen/pcqlxfer/raw.html Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Storing QL Floppy Disks
This discussion has brought to light to some useful tips ... well done to all of you who contributed ... :-) Can someone write it up for QL Today, and for the Quanta magazine ? Yes, if you want to - feel free. The information on my web site is freely available to all. I assume you were asking for permission to write it up? Hi Norman, Well, actually, I was referring to the general discussion on accessing files with the QL Emulators. Perhaps, Dilwyn is best placed to summarise the discussion held. I guess I've just been volunteered have I? :-) Actually, some of it would make a good candidate for the Helpline column in Quanta, and rather than reproduce the extensive material on Norman's website, I could publicise the link to it and a very short summary of the kind of information there. I'm doing a lot of work on content for Quanta's new CMS-based website at the moment, but will make sure I keep the discussions to summarise... Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Fastnet
Anyone got one of the Qubbesoft Fast-Net units? I'm after a picture of it for my library of pictures of old QL hardware. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Fastnet
OK, I'll collate them all during the week and get them to you. They are spread out over a desktop PC, laptop and an Eeepc at the moment. I think they might be a bit big to email or push directly onto the Wiki, so if need be I'll pop them on a CD to you soon. Some of them still have the camera auto-numbering, so I'll need to rename those to meaningful names. I had been meaning to make a library of pictures page which anyone could use on their websites, eBay, etc but never got round to putitng them all on (quite a number of pictures), so it will make sense to put them on the Wiki to help identify miscellaneous QL hardware which turns up from time to time! If you go to my old website at http://dilwynjones.topcities.com/pics/pics.html you'll find some pictures there, though some of those aren't good quality. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Rich Mellor r...@rwapservices.co.uk To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 12:18 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Fastnet Dilwyn Jones wrote: Anyone got one of the Qubbesoft Fast-Net units? I'm after a picture of it for my library of pictures of old QL hardware. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Dilwyn - how about sending me some of those pictures for the QL Wiki please? -- 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2713 - Release Date: 02/27/10 19:34:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL Today Volume 14 Issue 3 is on its way to allthe readers
(Actually, not a bad issue at all!) Actually, I thought your name was Dil wins ... ( as in the QL hard drive devices ) . :-) :-) Actually, the wyn part of my name means holy, noble or bright (or various synonyms of...) and I'm sure various comments will be passed on that too... Anyway, who is the @evans ... in the email address, then ? My partner Ann. An alternative explanation involves vocabulary to the effect of good Evans when something goes wrong on this PC :-( And did you know Windows was so-called because you ended up throwing the machine out of them. And before anyone asks, my old habit of throwing PCs out through the window ceased a while back, luckily! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] WIN
Hi Dilwin ... :-) Just think, Malcolm...if I had a twin brother (no, the world ain't that unlucky!) I could be Dil-WIN1_ and he could be Dil-WIN2_ Could start calling my son Dil-WIN2_ I suppose and not bother to explain to him why :-) With the QL, I think the win_ drive name came from winchester, which was a manufacturers name for hard drives ( not the rifles maker ? ). Ah, of course, I'd forgotten about that. I knew about the name in connection with early hard disk drives, but never appreciated it in connection with the QL WIN drives. -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] WIN
Well, to be honest, WIN and RAM are quite the fastest mediae ;-)). And I love sheeps very much. Cheers...Ralf Billy wrote: Dilwyn I am far too much of a gentleman to even suggest that you being Welsh and Wales being full of sheep that there should be any mention of Ram1_ Careful, Ralf, that statement could get you into serious trouble over here! -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL Today Volume 14 Issue 3 is on its way to all the readers
Otherwise, Jochen or Geoff (will the guilty one please stand up!) might have unintentionally started another 'random' generator with the spelling of my name ;-)) Oh dear! Well, there's me laying it out, Bruce and Geoff doing the proof-reading. I guess we're all guilty then. LET guilty_person = RND(1 TO 3) :o) Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Graphics Card
Hi everyone, Having bought a new monitor, I find that the onboard video chipset in my PeeCee isn't quite up to the job of driving it. The PC is rather old, but has an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot for a graphics card. According to the motherboard manual it's described as 1.5V_AGP1 (AGP 8X). The monitor is a 22 inch widescreen 1920x1080 (16:9 aspect ratio) AOC monitor, annoyingly with VGA connector only (I forgot to check if it had digital connections - DVI and HDMI - before buying it, ah well...). Although the monitor does scale other modes, it looks awful, especially with text in QPC, as you'd expect from an LCD monitor being run at anything other than its optimal resolution. If anyone has an AGP graphics card (must be 1.5V, the motherboard manual says it must not be a 3.3 volt type to avoid damage) they'd like to sell, please contact me off list. Sorry about being a little off topic with this, I'd prefer to offer first chance to buy from a fellow QLer if anyone has a card they'd like to sell me. (I guess it'd have to be a UK seller, postage from abroad might be more than the card is worth) TIA, Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Cakking Dilwyn
Rich Mellor wrote: Tony Firshman wrote: dilwyn DOT jones AT dj DOT softnet DOT co DOT uk is not working. A message that you sent has not yet been delivered to one or more of its recipients after more than 24 hours on the queue on mailbox.worldnews.com. The message identifier is: 1NwIcR-00066Z-Q5 The date of the message is:Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:22:33 +0100 The subject of the message is: Re: [Ql-Users] Graphics Card - What address can I use? Dilwyn did post his new email address some time ago dilwyn AT evans1511 DOT fsnet DOT co DOT uk Thanks. Didn't we have a long discussion here about top and bottom posting, and decide bottom posting was the preferred way? I edited this reply to bottom posting. Top posting makes it harder to read. I don't know any usenet group that uses anything but bottom posting, and this group looks very much like usenet in my mailer. ... and sorry for 'cakking' you, Dilwyn (8-)# He he, the Softnet ISP closed down many years ago, please update your records Tony ;-)) The preferred email address is as above (the one I use for this list). I'll send you the full list of email addresses for me in a private email Ironically, of all my email addresses over the years, the above Softnet one is the only one which no longer works! Dilwyn ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Cakking Dilwyn
... and sorry for 'cakking' you, Dilwyn (8-)# Tony It's only taken until today for me to realise that the 'cakking' was a TF mistype of 'calling'... :-) Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Quanta News
I'll soon be compiling the Quanta news columns for our next issue. Once again, I would appeal to anyone with QL-related news they'd like to see in print to send it to me as soon as possible, ideally to the email address news AT quanta DOT org DOT uk Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Missing Minerva Manual
Rich Mellor wrote, on 27/Apr/10 14:27 | Apr27: On 27/04/2010 14:19, Rich Mellor wrote: I am missing a couple of Minerva manuals and cannot find these online anywhere - does anyone have some spare manuals, or is there an electronic version hidden somewhere (I have emailed Tony to see if he has it electronically). I have found a scanned version online - http://www.speccy.org/sinclairql/archivo/docs/hard/Minerva_Technical_Guide.pdf Not a brilliant scan though! Dilwyn, if Tony can't find an electronic version, perhaps you could upload this to the Sinclair QL Homepage, with the other replacement manuals? I have a file I have been working on, and it is almost ready. I should have a pdf in a few weeks. It will need proof reading - any volunteers? Tony Happy to try to help in any way I can, including proof-reading and hosting the PDF - although my Minerva manual is an older QView one, like the one at speccy.org (Been away for a few days, hence slow reply.) Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Minerva Manual
With thanks to Tony Firshman, I have now placed a replacement manual for the Minerva mk I and mk II. It is available to download in PDF format from http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/docs/manuals/index.html (just follow the links at the top down to the TF Services section and find the entry for Minerva). Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Minerva Manual
Dilwyn Jones wrote, on 3/May/10 22:23 | May3: With thanks to Tony Firshman, I have now placed a replacement manual for the Minerva mk I and mk II. It is available to download in PDF format from http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/docs/manuals/index.html (just follow the links at the top down to the TF Services section and find the entry for Minerva). ... but most thanks really to Dilwyn for spending a great deal of time over this holiday weekend proofreading and getting into trouble for not mowing his lawn (8-)# Tony He he, you've grassed on me have you (grassed, mowing... geddit?) Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Minerva Manual
... but most thanks really to Dilwyn for spending a great deal of time over this holiday weekend proofreading and getting into trouble for not mowing his lawn (8-)# Tony He he, you've grassed on me have you (grassed, mowing... geddit?) That is a cutting comment. Tony ;-) Best to stop this now before the puns get *too* bad, though. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] PCB Design v7.15
Malcolm Lear has now released v7.15 of his PCB Design program. It is available to download from the Graphics program page on my website at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/graphics/index.html Here's a summary of the changes in this version: 7.1527-05-10 Logo improved and repositioned slightly in the vertical. Metric to imperial conversion calculator. Project loading selection no longer wraps. Art file format Version 0 (Pluto CAD) conversion improved. Area mirror and rotate no longer effect the zero offset. This has been a serious problem on ALL previous versions. Fixing this leaves only PDF export on the long term 'to do' list. Text trace width can now be resized. Broken since version 6.00!!! Default new label vertical spacing reduced from 40 to 35 mil. New label now positioned beneath the current label. Layer on/off status is now stored in the project file. -- Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] QL search engine
I've added a little Google Custom Search Engine to the home page on my website. It's set up to concentrate on searching for Sinclair QL related pages, although it's still being fine-tuned and tweaked for best results, and so on. It appears below the heading on my home page and when you enter a search term and click on Search, it expands the page with a list of results, like the usual search engine results. Those can be cleared when finished with by clicking on the X next to the SEARCH button. I'd be interested in receiving feedback on whether you find it useful or not and any suggestions you may have! It does take a little while longer for the home page to load, but it should be more than worth the small delay. http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/index.html Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL search engine
I forgot to mention that if your browser's security settings restrict the page from running scripts and ActiveX controls (e.g. the beige bar which appears above the page in Internet Exploder) you should click where it tells you to, and tell it to let the offending code run (if you trust me and my website...) This might be the case where the search box just says loading and nothing seems to happen. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones dil...@evans1511.fsnet.co.uk To: ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 12:49 PM Subject: [Ql-Users] QL search engine I've added a little Google Custom Search Engine to the home page on my website. It's set up to concentrate on searching for Sinclair QL related pages, although it's still being fine-tuned and tweaked for best results, and so on. It appears below the heading on my home page and when you enter a search term and click on Search, it expands the page with a list of results, like the usual search engine results. Those can be cleared when finished with by clicking on the X next to the SEARCH button. I'd be interested in receiving feedback on whether you find it useful or not and any suggestions you may have! It does take a little while longer for the home page to load, but it should be more than worth the small delay. http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/index.html Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.819 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2910 - Release Date: 06/01/10 07:25:00 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL search engine
Sorry to be a pain but is these another option to do it with Java or something else? I don't run Internet Explorer nor Active X (Mac and either Safari or Firefox - so active X is not an option). I can do searches in other ways so not a big deal - just would be nice though. Thanks, jim Yes - it could be done using Perl or PHP - free search engine scripts are out there. I'm not literate in either, so if anyone would like to do it for me, go ahead! This is actually a Goggle-supplied search engine code, tailored towards QL sites. I would have thought it'd run on anything that could run a website, certainly Google don't seem tot ell you it won't work on Macs etc. Did you actually try it? Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL search engine
Evening Dilwyn, Works perfectly on Firefox 3.6 running on Linux with not an ActiveX in sight. Looking at the code you have added to make it appear, there's no sign of any activeX anything. Cheers, Norman. Indeed. I think it's just my Internet Exploder exploding again. Anything referenced outside the page seems to send it into a panic with the security settings I use. For example, I can't access Jochen's software updates site with these settings at all. Actually, I'm in the process of a major overhaul of my site and this is just the start. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL search engine
James Hunkins wrote: Interesting - you said Active X so didn't try it. Just did now and it works fine. Looked at the source and it shows it as Javascript so it should work pretty much on any modern browser and system. Nice, jim Sorry, the point I was trying to make was just that the browser security settings might cause the message to appear. In the case of Internet Explorer, the message happens to mention 'Active X' even though that wasn't accurate in that respect. Glad to see it's worked by and large first time for most people, with the exception of suggesting Rich might be a millionaire :o) Dilwyn Jones P.S. Best wishes for a great time to Gerhard and everyone going to the Austrian meeting in Prottes, which runs from tomorrow to Sunday (the meeting, not Prottes!)! Can't be there myself unfortunately...hope someone can send me some pictures for Quanta mag to show what you all got up to! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL search engine
P.S. Best wishes for a great time to Gerhard and everyone going to the Austrian meeting in Prottes, which runs from tomorrow to Sunday (the meeting, not Prottes!)! Can't be there myself unfortunately...hope someone can send me some pictures for Quanta mag to show what you all got up to! I am taking my new Canon EOS1 so you can have as many of the 12mb images you can digest (8-)# Tony 12MB...eek! I remember the days when ALL the photos from a show would fit in 12MB, not just one 12MB photo. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL search engine
Dilwyn Jones wrote, on 2/Jun/10 10:12 | Jun2: P.S. Best wishes for a great time to Gerhard and everyone going to the Austrian meeting in Prottes, which runs from tomorrow to Sunday (the meeting, not Prottes!)! Can't be there myself unfortunately...hope someone can send me some pictures for Quanta mag to show what you all got up to! I am taking my new Canon EOS1 so you can have as many of the 12mb images you can digest (8-)# Tony 12MB...eek! I remember the days when ALL the photos from a show would fit in 12MB, not just one 12MB photo. That is small - I *could* send them as 50mb TIFFs from the 16mb RAW files (8-)# Please don't...:-(( I will make a selection and put them on my website for download. Emailing bloats binary attachments, of course. Thanks. Mind you this all assumes that the unspellable volcano stays quiet. Just call it Icelandic volcano.. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Message form
Please don't try to use the Message Form facility on my website at the moment. The email forwarding is broken and 123-reg are being less than helpful at the moment in trying to find out why it doesn't work. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Message form
Dilwyn Jones wrote, on 3/Jun/10 13:32 | Jun3: Please don't try to use the Message Form facility on my website at the moment. The email forwarding is broken and 123-reg are being less than helpful at the moment in trying to find out why it doesn't work. You could temporarily change the email address. I haven't used the form, but I assume the email address is hidden in the code on site. Tony Hmmm, it's all set to the list of settings you gave me originally. The email worked for months OK and stopped working without settings changes. Now they say that @ CNAME should be removed, which goes directly against what you told me in your early emails about this. Anyway, I'll try what they suggest and keep pestering them, but their web page for setting the DNS is so s-l-o-w the browser gives up half the time. Slightly better news: my Epson Stylus 880 gave up the ghost earlier this week. This has Epson code sets and both USB and parallel ports, plus I have a large stock of cartridges for it (worth more than the reapir cost). Happily, my son and I worked out it was the built in Epson obsolescence (i.e. it counts the number of times you can supposedly change ink cartridges before the sponge inside resembles a BP oil slick) and although the reset sequence we worked out from info on the web didn't work, a repair shop in Colwyn Bay did, so now it's working again! Handy hint for anyone with an Epson inkjet which does like this - id your printer packs up without warning and flashes its no good any more sequence of lights (varies from printer to printer) it's reached its useful life according to Seiko-Epson. What they don't tell you is that the printer hasn't, the sponge mechanism beneath the print head probably has. Find an Epson repair centre, they'll fix it for you, it cost me £23 although DIY fixes exist on the web for many Epson printers who go through this, to save you throwing away a printer which might yet have life in it. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Message form
Dilwyn Jones wrote, on 3/Jun/10 13:32 | Jun3: Please don't try to use the Message Form facility on my website at the moment. The email forwarding is broken and 123-reg are being less than helpful at the moment in trying to find out why it doesn't work. You could temporarily change the email address. I haven't used the form, but I assume the email address is hidden in the code on site. Tony Hmmm, it's all set to the list of settings you gave me originally. The email worked for months OK and stopped working without settings changes. Now they say that @ CNAME should be removed, which goes directly against what you told me in your early emails about this. Hmm, the email now works, now my website can no longer be accessed after following the 123-reg advice, Tony. Annoyingly, 123-reg give good help files on the simple matters you wouldn't need help on but NOTHING on setting DNS. Sorry about this everyone, this would go down when poor Tony is away! Dilwyn ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Message form
Dilwyn Jones wrote, on 3/Jun/10 13:32 | Jun3: Please don't try to use the Message Form facility on my website at the moment. The email forwarding is broken and 123-reg are being less than helpful at the moment in trying to find out why it doesn't work. Fingers crossed, it should work soon, after propagation delays. Thanks to everyone who sent suggestions off-list. 123-reg's instructions miss out one VITAL step in the setup procedure (something an experienced person would know, not an ignoramus like me). Please let me know if my website isn't accessible by tomorrow! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Message form
Handy hint for anyone with an Epson inkjet which does like this - id your printer packs up without warning and flashes its no good any more sequence of lights (varies from printer to printer) it's reached its useful life according to Seiko-Epson. What they don't tell you is that the printer hasn't, the sponge mechanism beneath the print head probably has. Find an Epson repair centre, they'll fix it for you, it cost me £23 although DIY fixes exist on the web for many Epson printers who go through this, to save you throwing away a printer which might yet have life in it. Normally all one needs for this is the SSC Service utility program which can reset the printers internal counters. It is a good idea to clean out the sponges but that is not always necessary. Well, we did download the SSC service utility, although I don't know if there are different versions for different Epson printers. The SSC utility we downloaded did not work for us, although the software seemed to run OK on my PC and claimed the job was done but the printer did not resume working (which reminds me, must remember to uninstall it now). There is, for some Epson printers like the Stylus Color 880, a control panel method too: 1. Hold down cleaning and paper feed buttons while switching on the printer 2. When the light flashes after switching on, quickly hold down paper feed for 10 seconds (timing critical) 3. This resets the counter. After this, if the sponges are up to it, you can extend the printer's life, though this isn't likely to last long unless you clean or replace the sponges, as Dave says. Although I called it built in obsolescence, it is more of an indicator or estimate of end of ink sponge life, with a small margin of underestimate which sometimes allows the reset alone to seem to work, but eventually the sponges will saturate and your printer may have thick ink sludge running inside. Looking at the various forums for info, we found people had mixed results with both methods. For some, they worked first time, for others several stabs at the control panel were necessary because of the critical timings. Apparently both methods should work with the Stylus Color 880 but neither method worked for me. There are both paid-for downloads and free downloads to do this out on the web. Don't pay - you can get the SSC utility free. The Epson shop rang me back within a couple of hours of leaving the printer with them, so something like this is most probably what they carried out. With Epson printers with control code sets suitable for use with QL now being fairly rare (I don't know if Rich Mellor has any of the ones he bought left), this might enable some of us to continue to use these printers beyond the expected end of our printer's life! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Website makeover
After a lot of prompting from my son, Iwan, I have finally got around to giving my website a bit of a makeover. I realise I'm risking a little after the problems I had with it in the last week (the message form works now!), but I do hope this will be worth it. I've tried to give the site a more modern and fresh look, without affecting the content too much. The search engine seems to work well, at the cost of a bit of advertising during the search results. Give the new website a go at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/index.html or http://dilwyn.me.uk/index.html and don't forget to tell me if you spot anything going wrong! Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Website makeover
Malcolm Cadman wrote: A nice, clean look - with the grey, white and black. Easy to navigate to a page, although a link back to the home page could be more prominent; as the main menu choice is only on the home page. OK, I'll look at that over the next few days. Thanks. Pity about the ads, on the web ring page - I guess that is the price of it being hosted by someone else ... ? At least it (almost) made R ich a millionaire... :-) The pages all seem to load very quickly now ... :-) I hadn't really noticed. I kept the HTML fairly simple and small graphics where possible. BTW Malcolm, I seem to get 2 copies of your emails to the list Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL search engine
Tony Firshman wrote: I am taking my new Canon EOS1 so you can have as many of the 12mb images you can digest (8-)# I have loads of photos, but Adobe Photoshop is crashing trying to make the web photo gallery. I will re-install Photoshop later today and see if I can get it to work. Tony He he, if your 12mb photos crash your Photoshop, imagine what they'll do to my PC ... ;-) Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Vienna show - first pictures online...
I've uploaded some 58 more photos. http://tinyurl.com/ql-vienna-2010-pics Enjoy watching! ;-) Many thanks go to Gerhard and his Austrian colleagues for making the meeting possible. Urs BTW: I thought that I'm having a huge collection of QL stuff, but Gerhards QL collection definitely much, much bigger. Not to mention his other retro computing and electronics stuff. ;-) Great set of pictures! Includes some pictures of rare QL hardware - hopefully Rich might add some of them to his QL Wiki (with your permission of course) Would anyone care to volunteer to write a short pi4ece about the show for Quanta? Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
