Re: [ql-users] Programming question
Hi Rich, Or another method would be to download the Minerva source code, which is GPL and see how the second screen is programmed correctly and implemented it on a QDOS QL. There maybe errors in older books like the QLAUG. Probably The QDOS Companion by Andrew Pennel, QL Technical Guide and Minerva Manual would be a better source of information. Derek Rich Mellor wrote: On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:18:05 -, omega [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thank you guys for suggestions. Especially George, Daniele, Dilwyn, Tony and others. I need to work on the routines with your hints and test the results. I am sorry for lack of response, simply out of time. Derek and Robert: I know the example code in advanced QL user guide. I just want to use plain standard QL. If it would appear to be impossible with JS,JM,MG roms, I'll switch to Minerva. Hi Jan, The code in the advanced QL user guide does allow you to use the dual screen mode on a standard QL. By entering supervisor mode, the system variables are no longer accessible and the space (32768 bytes?) at $28000 can be used as the second screen. However, you have no access to TRAP calls (if I recall correctly) - it has been a long long time since I looked at this. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings
Hi everyone! Anyone else getting duplicate/triplicate copies of some list mailings lately, please? John in Wales ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Need for Speed
Dilwyn Jones wrote: Why Sony - battery life, while most MP3 players were quoting 10 hours the Sony can give upto 70 although I find nearer 50/60. Also why does an old fart like me want a MP3 player, well with the use of a slightly illegal transmiter I can play my favourite music through the tractor radio during the long harvest days All the best - Bill In the days when my father was a farmer, tractors were far too noisy to be able to hear a radio, and the vibration would almost certainly have wrecked any such device. Not to mention dirt, dust etc etc getting in the works. Tractors most probably have luxury air conditioned cabs these days. Why, Bill will probably soon be QLing merrily as he ploughs and harvests! ;-) Yes Air Con,Silent cabs ( a relative term) GPS and /Autosteer ( steers itself using GPS accurate to 10cm) so apart from turning at the ends I could do a bit of QLing, there is of course the odd electric pole to consider, might be a bit difficult to convince the boss of the benefit of structured basic if the top half of Northumberland had no lights (;-) All the best - Bill ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings
hitchies wrote: Hi everyone! Anyone else getting duplicate/triplicate copies of some list mailings lately, please? John in Wales ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Nope all the best - Bill ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Abandonware + Retro computing
Although English law does not recognise the concept of abandonware, it would not be a good move for software authors to sue someone for distributing software which has long since ceased to be sold. English copyright law only allows compensation to be paid on the basis of lost revenue: if the income from your product is zero, you don't have much of a claim! The best they could do is seek an injunction to stop you distributing, which would be a waste of time and money on their part. The other day I ran into http://www.machine-room.org This is a virtual museum of old computers. The webmaster has some interesting comments (see the FAQ page) on how much you can do with an old machine and the sense in sticking with a system that works. It seems that an Apple II and some BBC Bs are still doing their stuff for Edingburgh University! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Abandonware + Retro computing
.searching to enter in contact with Alexandre GASSMANN. Is this one of the the authors of Nucleon from the former QL Software house Pyramide? Cheers...Ralf R. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings
Since this thread is about this list can someone tell me the current method for subscribing? I have a new user who wants to sign on but the list has changed many times since I subscribed and I have no idea what to tell him. In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Anyone else getting duplicate/triplicate copies of some list mailings lately, please? Afternoon John, Not here - I'm just getting one. Cheers, Norman, not in Wales, but not far away ! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Roy Wood Q Branch. 20 Locks Hill, Portslade, Sussex.BN41 2LB Tel: +44 (0) 1273 386030fax: +44 (0) 1273 430501 skype : royqbranch web : www.qbranch.demon.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings
On Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:21:17 -, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Anyone else getting duplicate/triplicate copies of some list mailings lately, please? Afternoon John, Not here - I'm just getting one. Cheers, Norman, not in Wales, but not far away ! Some yes, but it could be down to me - as some of my emails are not appearing for hours !! -- 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
Re: [ql-users] QL hardware and stuff
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], George Gwilt [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes On 26 Feb 2007, at 16:12, Malcolm Cadman wrote: Assembling the SMSQ/E source on GWASS as well as Qmac does give some future protection. The user would not experience any difference, I assume. Unless using a processor above a 60020 ? GWASS has a switch LOW_EA to prevent it producing 68020+ effective addresses and long branches so that it produces the correct code for SMSQE just as Qmac does. However, the possibility exists of having the better 68020+ code for Q40/60 say. An example is the conversion to floating point. This would be much more easily done using GWASS than using Qmac where you would have to use DC.W instructions to produce the code. George Thanks, that is clear. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] OT - Retro Issue of PC Pro magazine
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], COLIN F PARSONS [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Hi, Interestingly enough, I bought a MK 14 for c. £200 a couple of years ago on eBay and got an offer of £500 for it after the auction had ended claimed his machine had gone wrong and missed the auction end. They go for over a £1000 now, so glad I didn't accept his offer! Cheers Colin, Wow ! That is a mark up ... :-) Subject: [ql-users] OT - Retro Issue of PC Pro magazine Hi, An interesting issue of PC Pro magazine for April 2007 that has a large feature on retro computing from the 1980's and 1990's. Although the Sinclair QL is not mentioned by name, a lot of other Sinclair products are highlighted. A good condition Sinclair ZX80 with all the accessories has been valued as high as £400 ( so expect the one that you may still have stored in a loft somewhere to have a value of £200 to £300 ? ). A Sinclair ZX81 may be worth up to around £50, owing to more examples still being available. Other early computers changing hands are BBC Micros, ZX Spectrums, Vic 20's, Dragon 32's and Commodore 64's. Valued around £20 to £30, or more, depending on condition and features. Another article features installing WIN95 on an old PC, and compares the use of PC software with that in use now. Asking is there much of a difference ? -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Abandonware + Retro computing
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], David McCann [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Although English law does not recognise the concept of abandonware, it would not be a good move for software authors to sue someone for distributing software which has long since ceased to be sold. English copyright law only allows compensation to be paid on the basis of lost revenue: if the income from your product is zero, you don't have much of a claim! The best they could do is seek an injunction to stop you distributing, which would be a waste of time and money on their part. The other day I ran into http://www.machine-room.org This is a virtual museum of old computers. The webmaster has some interesting comments (see the FAQ page) on how much you can do with an old machine and the sense in sticking with a system that works. It seems that an Apple II and some BBC Bs are still doing their stuff for Edingburgh University! I know that the BBC B was always very popular in education. With a lot of development work done. Especially with its hardware expansion in to real time projects, like computer control. I have even used a BBC emulator on a PC network to achieve easy computer control projects too. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Roy wood [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Since this thread is about this list can someone tell me the current method for subscribing? I have a new user who wants to sign on but the list has changed many times since I subscribed and I have no idea what to tell him. I believe that it is : [EMAIL PROTECTED] With - Subscribe - in the body text. In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Anyone else getting duplicate/triplicate copies of some list mailings lately, please? Afternoon John, Not here - I'm just getting one. Cheers, Norman, not in Wales, but not far away ! __ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Abandonware + Retro computing
Yes it is. -Message d'origine- De : [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] De la part de Ralf Reköndt Envoyé : mardi 27 février 2007 18:34 À : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Objet : Re: [ql-users] Abandonware + Retro computing .searching to enter in contact with Alexandre GASSMANN. Is this one of the the authors of Nucleon from the former QL Software house Pyramide? Cheers...Ralf R. ___ 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
Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings
- Original Message - From: hitchies To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 4:16 PM Subject: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings Hi everyone! Anyone else getting duplicate/triplicate copies of some list mailings lately, please? John in Wales I had this problem some time ago, but that was because of problems at my server. Do the duplicates come in at the same time or at different times? Best wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] QL hardware and stuff
- Original Message - From: Rich Mellor To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 6:10 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] QL hardware and stuff On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 10:03:19 -, Jan Palenicek [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ah, but if Quanta made all this free, what reason would there be for Quanta to exist? It would offer no different benefits to its members than the general public (apart from the magazine). Some authors placed their programs in the Quanta library on the condition that they were only to be available to Quanta members, and so cannot be more widely distributed. Even Quanta can be naughty at times. Some authors, including myself, have put material in the library on the strict condition that only a nominal copying fee can be charged. I, tongue in cheek, threatened to sue Quanta for £15,000, their then capital for charging £10 for a CD that cost about 50p to produce. However, if someone wants to scan in the QDOS Reference Guide (with permission from Tony Tebby of course) and the Jan Jones handbook (with permission from Jan Jones), then feel free. Both Tony Tebby and Jan Jones are around and contactible, therefore feel free to ask for their permission. I doubt you will get it, but you never know. Just in case the Jan Jones debate starts again I understand that she is very reluctant to see further publication of her work. It was only with a great deal of diplomacy and patience that Quanta was able to get her permission for their two reprints. As to motivation - what greater motivation do you need - the QL has a very small user base and you would get the undying thanks of every one of them. The main problem is that even when software does come out, so few copies are actually sold (even at £5 a copy) that both traders and software authors lose interest and the feedback is nil - this is all due to the size of the market which is ever diminishing. Total sales (in order of publication - see how the market has got smaller): Solvit-Plus84 QL-Thesaurus97 Style-Check85 QL-2-PC Transfer53 QL-Rhymes10 Auto-Graph10 Vocabulary Database3 Pindown1 Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings
- Original Message - From: Roy wood To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 6:26 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings Since this thread is about this list can someone tell me the current method for subscribing? I have a new user who wants to sign on but the list has changed many times since I subscribed and I have no idea what to tell him. Tut, tut Roy. This was published in the last QL Today, page 4 QL NEWS LIST Closure. [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word 'subscribe' in the body of the text, Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Programming question
Rich Mellor wrote: On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:18:05 -, omega [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thank you guys for suggestions. Especially George, Daniele, Dilwyn, Tony and others. I need to work on the routines with your hints and test the results. I am sorry for lack of response, simply out of time. Derek and Robert: I know the example code in advanced QL user guide. I just want to use plain standard QL. That is for which the code was written - see extracts of QLAUG below. Note that the QLAUG code is actually written as BASIC extensions! I must say, I have not actually tested the code, but it seems fairly reasonable as to what it's doing. If it would appear to be impossible with JS,JM,MG roms, I'll switch to Minerva. Hi Jan, The code in the advanced QL user guide does allow you to use the dual screen mode on a standard QL. By entering supervisor mode, the system variables are no longer accessible and the space (32768 bytes?) at $28000 can be used as the second screen. However, you have no access to TRAP calls (if I recall correctly) - it has been a long long time since I looked at this. Quoting a bit from QLAUG: ``On the QL, there are two different areas of memory which can be used to generate the screen display...The second screen is located 32K bytes of RAM above the first. Unfortunately, the system variables...are actually inside of screen 1! ``However, all is not lost. There is still the possibility of using most of screen 1 (apart from the 5k allocated to system variables). To do this, screen 0 alone can be used to display the top fifth[1] of the screen. Screen 1 is then flipped into the display under interrupt control every frame... ``...Manager trap MT.ALCHP is then called to reserve memory in the common heap area. This is so no other allocations in the common heap area will overwrite screen 1... ``The Interrupt service routine...screen 1 can only be switched in after the system variables have passed...The timing for this period is done in software using DBRA D0,* which puts the 68008 into an internal timing loop...'' [1] sic Errm, 5k/32k = 1/7-1/6! 1/5 = 6.4k! A comment is made that the timing loop is affected by a high priority interrupt, so screen 1 switching is disabled if MDV or SER are being used. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Composite Video Connector
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have tried in the past building some cables 75ohms for this (composite and monochrome)on 3 different QLs and differnt monitors/TV. The result : it works but the quality is allways very bad (probably due to the embeded Motorola MC1377 PAL generator). Compared to the modulated UHF, the composite was much cleared - I use[d] a Phillips TX BW TV[1] into which I hacked a composite input (following directions in a computer mag) and the picture quality was much better (still missed edges of the screen tho'). [1] Originally purchased as a monitor for my ZX81. In MHO, displaying anything else than RGB signals from the original QL is rubish. RGB *IS* the best ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Roy wood wrote: Since this thread is about this list can someone tell me the current method for subscribing? I have a new user who wants to sign on but the list has changed many times since I subscribed and I have no idea what to tell him. Wouldn't it be a good idea to regularly publish a FAQ, which could include this info? Tony - -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFF5KotM3RzOs8+btoRAqXxAJ9FZdHduXyUUMQgjea6OyrfM3xwPACfW6bU RphwD1j7XtK/EAMKeAn0Cf4= =og7R -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Checking on Processor
I need to make some amendments to my QWord program to get the code working on Q-emulator. The problem is because I use both MOVE.W (a1)+,(a3)+ and MOVE.L (a1)+,(a3)+ on both odd and even addresses. Now this crashes on a 68008 chip but I am not concerned as QWord needs a Super Gold Card ideally to run. However, I wonder whether it works on a Gold Card (not tested) - has anyone experience running QWord on a Gold Card, as the 68000 does not appear to acccept these commands on an odd address also. Anyway, in order to retain maximum compatability, q-emulator also generates an address error on these commands - it emulates a 68008 chip. Is there an easy way under QDOS to check which chip is in use - if it is a 68000 or 68008 I would use 2 (or 4) MOVE.B commands instead? SMSQ does implement the processor in the system variables, but it is not present on QDOS alas. Food for thought -- 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
Re: [ql-users] Checking on Processor
Is there an easy way under QDOS to check which chip is in use - if it is a 68000 or 68008 I would use 2 (or 4) MOVE.B commands instead? SMSQ does implement the processor in the system variables, but it is not present on QDOS alas. Here is what smsqe does: move#$3700,sr ! move.w sr,d1 cmp.w #$2700,d1; 68000? beq.s copy ; ... yes move.w #$2700,sr; ... no, reset to normal There may be other ways, for example I think C68 has a CPU detection routine. However, another problem is that smsqe won't even check for the Aurora card on 68000 systems, i.e. 68000 + smsqe + aurora is not currently a possible combination. Easiest solution to your specific problem (QWord on Q-emuLator) would be to assume a 68000 CPU when running on Q-emuLator (as I believe you are already testing for this platform). The worst that could happen is that if in the future I start emulating a 68020 or 68040 in Q-emuLator, you would still use four MOVE.B instead of one MOVE.L and on the 10GHz CPU PCs that we'll have at that time your code will incur a penalty of perhaps a nanosecond ;) Daniele ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] This list: Subscribe
Veery hard to understand the question since the header of each mail contains :- To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] References: [EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:48:36 - X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3028 Subject: Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings X-BeenThere: ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.9 Precedence: list Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Id: QL/SMS mailing list ql-users-q-v-d.com List-Unsubscribe: http://lists.q-v-d.com/listinfo.cgi/ql-users-q-v-d.com, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Archive: http://lists.q-v-d.com/private.cgi/ql-users-q-v-d.com List-Post: mailto:ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com List-Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Subscribe: http://lists.q-v-d.com/listinfo.cgi/ql-users-q-v-d.com, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Errors-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-me-spamlevel: not-spam X-me-spamrating: 0.118662 X-Antivirus: AVG for E-mail 7.5.446 [268.18.4/703] Message Received: Feb 27 2007, 08:04 PM From: gwicks To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Subject: Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings - Original Message - From: Roy wood To: Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 6:26 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] This list: Rrepeat postings Since this thread is about this list can someone tell me the current method for subscribing? I have a new user who wants to sign on but the list has changed many times since I subscribed and I have no idea what to tell him. Tut, tut Roy. This was published in the last QL Today, page 4 QL NEWS LIST Closure. [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word 'subscribe' in the body of the text, Best Wishes, Geoff ___ 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
