On Tue, 3 Feb 2004 at 20:49:14, Witchy wrote: (ref: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>)
> > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >> Behalf Of Tony Firshman >> Sent: 03 February 2004 19:42 >> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Subject: Re: [ql-users] CST Thor >> >> windows to update without pausing the programs. >> The QL multitasking since then has been 'real'. >> Maybe he is confusing the QL with task swapping on a 386/486 PC (8-)# > >Pffft :-) Because I don't know the full ins and outs of any of the machines >I've got (other than as a user) I have to rely on what people tell me or >what I read on the web......somewhere out there is a QL document that says >the multi-tasking wasn't 'real'. What do you define as 'real'. I haven't seen such a document. It had pre-emptive multi tasking with processor support. The only thing it couldn't do was manage screen refresh. However it was unusable in practise as all the Psion programs ate all memory when they loaded. There were poor attempts at writing code to get around this, but the first real workable multitasking system came with QRAM (and the pointer environment) from Tony Tebby (Qjump). He didn't handle the issue of allowing buried jobs to continue to write to screen (PIE did that later), but he preserved all windows, and refreshed when they came to the top. When memory became short (often in the pre-Gold Card days) you could see him using the 32k screen area as a working space! The really clever part though was that he gave a restricted working environment for the Psion 4. He did this by the simple method of reserving all memory (temporarily using ALCHP I assume) except that defined for the Psion program. Once loaded, the memory was released. He also gave a good front end for everything, which was very much on a par with Windows 3.x This was the very first time the full power of the QL was able to be used. >I can always fire up the QL that's a couple >of feet away from me and try it for myself :) > Please do (8-)# -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@<surname>.co.uk http://www.firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG
