[ql-users] GPL or not GPL, that is the question
Peter Graf a écrit: Wolfgang Lenerz wrote: The software Peter is producing seems too important (...) Not if it isn't made available. Which is only true if my offer is rejected. I therefore conclude that keeping SMSQ/E from from the GPL has a much higher priority (for Wolfgang Co.) than the new technical features I'd contribute otherwise. No problem for me personally - it saves me a lot of work. I'll see if the Q60 will be blessed with Minerva, it could be a nice basis for QLwIP. I do not understand both subjects. 1) What is the advantage of GPL when the source code is available? As I see it the current licence is only a security for TT: if an unknown organisation did make money with SMSQ/E, there would be an argument to get something for him. IMHO he deserves it. Please Peter, is there a way to achieve the same result with this GPL stuff??? OTH apparently Linus does make a lot on money with his free stuff, so maybe I am wrong here? 2) If Peter does his developments under GPL, then there is no way to prevent someone else to use them further. So his work is obliged to be made available. Or this subject becomes even darker to me.
Re: [ql-users] Re: Changing the subject
Wolfgang Lenerz a écrit: Contray to Peter, I will always consider trying to sell my programs, or at least some of them (I hasten to add that this has nothing to do with SMSQ/E, which is not mine). For me, it is a question of commitment: if people buy my (or, indeed anybody else's software) for the QL, they still show commitment to the QL. They show that they care enough about the machine to put some of their money in it. If the software is totally free, this is no longer true. I agree with that opinion. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] £ 1000 to spend! (2nd attempt!)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] a écrit: I was thinking on the subject of what next for the QL. I think we really need something that acts like a web browser. This means the display of text and graphics in the same viewer. There was an attempt a few years back at writing a web browser for the QL (from Italy I think), but it really went no where. Anyhow, that's my choice. Tim Swenson Also my choice. A few years ago (some might remember) I had a short discussion with the author of that arachne browser http://browser.arachne.cz The program is written in C only. An idea of pricing was 8000 USD, but IIRC he wrote to me that this amount could be lowered to 2000 USD if there were some royalties foreseen. I may go and visit him in Prague next summer to speak with him. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Swiss QL meeting
I was in Switzerland on Saturday (Schaffhausen) and if you had announced this meeting before, I would have loved to come... Arnould Dent a écrit: Hi Folks On Saturday the Swiss QL club had a meeting in Sursee. My wife Elisabeth took some pictures which you can see at http://www.babyurl.com/fcQZ8y We tried to install the new soQL version with CHAP on Urs's computer but although we managed to connect we ran out of time before getting the mailers set-up. Still Urs is going to give them another go on his own so maybe we'll here from him soon. Jon.
[off topic] Re: _SPAM_ Re: [ql-users] Miracle's Hard Disk System
As you started I continue this off topic conversation: your message was filtered out by my little antispam utility because of sussex in the signature Damn, I was just going to ask you how to reanimate my life !!!
Re: [ql-users] QL2004 Eindhoven - PROVISIONAL DATE
I will come anyway. Arnould gwicks a écrit: I now have a provisional date for the QL2004 Eindhoven show: Saturday 16th October 2004. I'm feeling happy! Geoff Wicks
Re: [ql-users] CST Thor
I didn't think anyone would even try to squeeze the whole of QDOS/SuperBasic into 32kb... IIRC only the QDOS had to go into 32 kb. Superbasic was supposed to be loaeded from microdrives. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Athlon 1,8GHz + Pentium 3 GHz + XP + QPC
I suspect it is because he has not done any of this that it does not work. I forgot to tell you that it is a new installation. 3 weeks old today. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Athlon 1,8GHz + Pentium 3 GHz + XP + QPC
I suspect it is because he has not done any of this that it does not work. I forgot to tell you that it is a new installation. 3 weeks old today. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] small LCD screen
And what would Nasta say about this? I could buy a kit and send it to him to look at it. A remark for Bill: imho this 640x480 LCD does not have a lot in common with the super LCD/plasma etc.. screens sold as TV sets nowadays: The design is very old, there are different technologies, and the price... But in the QL world 640x480 + 16 shades of grey, it is still usable. Arnould Jeremy Taffel a écrit: I saved the image. On analysis, the image is only 287x197 pixels, including the white background, . The picture itself is therefore only about 200x140. The screen actually gives 640x480. So the spatial resolution as shown is about 3 times worse than the real thing. However, before you get too excited, the image was 8 bit, and all 256 shades of grey were used. The device seems to be specified as only having 16 shades - if I interpret the 15:1 contrast ratio correctly. Reducing the image to 16 shades of grey degrades it significantly. I tried it, and it does not look nearly as good. So, the answer seems to be that the nixon+presley picture shown is not what the device gives. It gives more pixels, but fewer grey levels. Jeremy This small LCD screen http://www.earthlcd.com/SK1001.HTM can be bought
[ql-users] Athlon 1,8GHz + Pentium 3 GHz + XP + QPC
My son, 16, used to use the family PC, Athlon 1,8 GHz + 256 MB of memory. It was not fast enough for his taste, and he wanted to have his own environment so he got a Pentium 3GHz PC + 1 GB of memory (not from me, from his mother, I wasn't aware of their plans...) We share the ADSL line. He can download at more than 100 kB/sec. Ok that is all well, even if very much bloated. But my PC, which is situated near the phone line has the modem. Then those 100 kB/sec are directly forwarded to his PC through an ethernet link. My PC is so much under load because of this very basic application that it reacts worse than my QL in 1984: it was a pain to type this text. Thanks to the QL I learned to type with 10 fingers without looking at the keyboard and I now, 20 years later, I still must be careful not to type too fast in order not to lose characters ! A machine capable several thousand MIPS is able to do it, from the electronics point that is. It this bloody XP that is is responsible of this behavior. OTOH it was easily installed. No need to fiddle with drivers etc.. that is why I won't install Linux on my PC. And I am not sure that it would be better anywhay. Thanks to Marcel QPC works great everywhere. Thank you Marcel. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] small LCD screen
I had a 640x400 Colour LCD screen bought for 20 USD a couple of months ago. t's a Sharp EL unit (6) which was then converted to a VGA for a friend's server using a nice diagram found on the net. I do not agree that 640 x 480 x 16 is usable on a QL anymore :-) We have the colours (even on Auroras thanks to Marcel), why not use them. IMHO not using things that are available to us is the major problem for lack of advances in the QL world. Far better. Where may I buy 20.000 of them at 20 USD unit price? Thank you to inform me as soon as possible. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Athlon 1,8GHz + Pentium 3 GHz + XP + QPC
What you DO need is a DSL router (that will also save you the trouble of using PPoE software installed at your machine) Later, yes, I want to install a wifi router. But until later an ethernet cable was cheaper. Arnould Phoebus
[Fwd: Re: [ql-users] Athlon 1,8GHz + Pentium 3 GHz + XP + QPC]
How have you this bad attitude to Linux? You have been listening to the worng people. It is Windows that gives troubles. About 5 years ago I bought a nice American distribution of Linux. About 50 Euros. It was a nighmare to install. But I did it within 2 weeks. I could'nt have done it without an internet connection (Windows...) because my son already had got the newest graphics card around, and there was no Linux driver for it in the distribution. But I did it. Fortunately someone somewhere in California had developped the needed driver. Even that complicated KDU GUI was running. My plan was to use Staroffice, at the time it was my main need. This I never got working. After 2 more weeks I reformatted the hard disk and never tried again. I know I should give it a try again one of these days. But Linux is not the success it was supposed to become, and my son doesn't want it. Thus in fact I have no real need any more. I stop my comments here, it is not the place to talk about Linux. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Athlon 1,8GHz + Pentium 3 GHz + XP + QPC
Roy wood a écrit: In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Arnould Nazarian [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes It this bloody XP that is is responsible of this behavior. I would say that it is more likely a bad installation, some application running full tilt in the background using all the resources or hardware problems. I have built many XP based systems and use one at work and one on the laptop. Neither of these have the problems you describe. The system at work is not very well installed because we change the hardware all the time and it is overloaded with extra drivers which are no longer used and software that is no longer used. I have no time to clean it out but the system itself chugs along quite fast and quite happily. I would look to the way the modem is routed and hit CTRL/ALT/DEL and check the system processes and CPU usage to see where the problems are. IMHO you used 9 lines of text to say the same as me in 1 line. Why the hell should I, user x, bother with installation of something like XP? When you use your car, your TV set or your washing machine, do you fine tune the settings every other day? As for the comments about Linux, I stop this here. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] small LCD screen
What do you think? Joachim The QL was developped for the mass market. Maybe there could be an opportunity there again. Not without investments of course. Arnould
[ql-users] small LCD screen
Hello, This small LCD screen http://www.earthlcd.com/SK1001.HTM can be bought in quantities of several thousand at 20 USD. AFAIU this is an interesting price. However I am amazed by the quality of the display of Nixon+Presley in the example given. Can anyone confirm that it is possible to display such crisp images with such a LCD? Arnould
Re: [ql-users] US QL Show 2004 - Web Site is on line!
For those who will attend from continental Europe, how, when, and at what cost do they intend to travel? James Hunkins a écrit: Happy New Year everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that the web site for the US QL Show 2004 is now on line at: http://www.jdh-stech.com/ql-usashow.htm
Re: [ql-users] US QL Show 2004 - Web Site is on line!
Is this including taxes? Eg on reisen.de there is a flight at 225 Euros between London and Orlando, but taxes at 122 Euros... Tony Firshman a écrit: On Fri, 2 Jan 2004 at 17:31:21, Arnould Nazarian wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) For those who will attend from continental Europe, how, when, and at what cost do they intend to travel? I got a return flight to LHR - JFK (New York) for £180. I then intend to either get a lift to Orlando by car, or fly/bus.
[ql-users] filters again
Sorry but I come back to filters with multiple input channels. If ex filter_bas,input_file1,input_file2,output_file does not work, but c1=fop_in(input_file1) c2=fop_in(input_file2) ex filter_bas,#c1,#c2,output_file close#c1:close#c2 does work, then I have the tendency to think that (please remark my precautions) there is a bug, not a feature. What do you think? And am I the only one having found this feature/bug after 20 years? Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Running Programs under GD2
[EMAIL PROTECTED] a écrit: Is it me, or was the GD2 standard supposed to allow each program to run at its own set colour depth and screen resolution, with the WMAN resetting these as you move between tasks.. IIRC this was the subject of a long thread about problems/solutions but long before the source of SMSQ/E was made public. The linked problem was the huge memory required to save screen areas when a deep colour depth was used. That is why you remember something. At this occasion Marcel even told us that in the Windows world it is up to the applications to redraw screens. I do'nt know anything about programming Windows, but I remember very correctly that I was surprised about the way Windows needs the programmer to add unproductive code to their programs. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] filters again
Marcel Kilgus a écrit: Arnould Nazarian wrote: If ex filter_bas,input_file1,input_file2,output_file does not work, but c1=fop_in(input_file1) c2=fop_in(input_file2) ex filter_bas,#c1,#c2,output_file close#c1:close#c2 does work, then I have the tendency to think that (please remark my precautions) there is a bug, not a feature. How should the EX know in case of a file name whether it's meant for input or for output? Marcel From the first procedure like PRINT/INPUT or BGET/BPUT encountered in the filter? OK I see the problem now. Impossible to implement because such procedure can be user defined. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Running Programs under GD2
Well, why should Windows save 2 Megabyte of screen memory for a simple editor if the few bytes of the text plus a few bytes of a routine that draws the text on screen can do just fine, too? Anyway, it's not unproductive code. You just write your code in a way that it can not only draw your stuff once (i.e. the initial drawing) but every time this is needed. Marcel OK, but it is preferrable that the programmer does not forget to call that code everytime it is needed. Isn't this wasted time during develpment I mean ? Arnould
[ql-users] Filters in SMSQ/E
Hello, I have questions about the possibilities of filters programmed in SBASIC under SMSQ/E. 1. Something I had forgotten but retrieved thus no need to ask here: the parameter string in a SBASIC filter is to be found in the cmd$ string. 2. Secondly: in a chain of filters I need to use a set of functions that are the same. They exist in Sbasic and today I merge them with each of these filters. Is there a possibility for a EXeced Sbasic filter to access those functions without the mess of compiling and LRESPRing them? In other words is there a possibility for jobs to access and use FuNctions or PROCedures loaded in the Sbasic interpreter of the launching Sbasic job? 3. Multiple output files. From a number of those filters I want output to multiple files. This works well, eg: 10 REPeat 20 BGET#0,a:BGET#0,b 30 BPUT#1,a:BPUT#2,b 40 END REPeat and then EX test_bas,input_file,output_file1,output_file2 works great. 4. Multiple input files (Tested with QPC 2.03 + SMSQ/E 2.99 and smsq_gold 2.98) HOWEVER the following test filter doesn't work _with files_: 10 REPeat 20 BGET#0,a:BGET#1,b 30 BPUT#2,a:BPUT#2,b 40 END REPeat and then EX test_bas,input_file1,input_file2,output_file doesn't do anything. If working _from files_: the length of input_file2 is set to 0 and output_file is created but also with a length of 0. However (again) if working _from channels_ then it seems OK (?!), eg: OPEN_IN#3,input_file1 OPEN_IN#4,input_file2 EX test_bas,#3,#4,output_file CLOSE#3 CLOSE#4 does work ! I wonder if this is a bug or even if it is not allowed. Indeed in the litterature (mainly Jochen at beginning of 1999) those filters only use one input channel and one output channel and that's it. OTOH the SMSQ/E manual states that the channels defined in the filter are linked in sequence to the files or channels list given as parameters when the filter is EXeced. Remarks With one of my filters I would like 2 input files and up to 11 output files. I can live with that behavior (bug?) but then my filters must have the file names hard coded (current solution) or I must OPEN (and then CLOSE) input channels or a file input routine must be added (not tested yet!). Arnould
[ql-users] SMSQDOS licence
Hello, I was there in Eindhoven when there was a small meeting about what to do now that Tony Tebby was ready to show the source code of SMSQ/E. I was the first to speak and I said that IMO 15 years of work of TT should be legally protected so that he could benefit from the development of a possible commercial product. This opinion materialised into this licence. I never thought that it would start such strange discussions between QLers and that some of them would even leave. Now 2 questions: Q1: If SMSQ/E was distributed under this GPL licence and someone would take it to develop a successfull product, TT would have no rights on it. True or false? Q2: If SMSQ/E was free, would the current situation be very different (ie would those who left still be with us/would there be new developers and application software) ? Arnould
Re: [ql-users] SMSQ/E v3.01 on Super GoldCard
Does anyone else encountered problems with SMSQ/E v2.98 or 3.01 on SGC ? (yes, v2.98 was crashing too on that system and I'm currently running SMSQ/E v2.91 on it). SMSQ/E 2.99 works on my Super Gold Card QL, but not the disk drivers. Thus if I want to use SMSQ/E instead of Minerva 1.98, I can read from floppy but I must save the files to romdisq (my only choice as I have no hard disk and the second networked QL needs a new keyboard membrane). Then I must copy the files from romdisq to floppy under Minerva. Not very convenient. But then there is QPC. Arnould
Re: RE : [ql-users] Sinclair in Futurama
To which Bill replies The British had some good computers too, the Sinclair ones for example - Pity they didn't run DOS though Laugh? I nearly collapsed, I always thought that was one of the best bits about the Sinclair machines... Bill did visit Sinclair during the early 80s to sell Microsoft's basic. TT was present at the meeting. Their visit was considered not serious by Clive because their marketing was about Microsoft having sold more basic interpreters than anyone else (ie a few thousands), when Sinclair had already sold millions of ZX80/81 and Spectrums I for one believe that they studied the QL and that Bill remembers it until today. After all they tried to do a multitasking version of DOS that never worked when the QL had already proved that it was possible. OTOH TT believes that the QL came too late for Microsoft to look at it, they beeing too busy with MS-DOS already. Maybe Andrew Pennel who now helps to develops the C++ development environment at Microsoft could tell us who is right? Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Membranes
Davide Santachiara a écrit: Are the QL keyboard membranes available? During my hollidays I visited the guy who invested in the manufacturing of new membranes (and I bought 3) in Filderstadt, Germany near the airport of Stuttgart. He ordered a batch of 500, already sold 300, and he still has 200 on stock, with about one order/week after the initial rush. He wanted to do 1000, but he reduced to 500 after talks with active QL traders. But he regrets that decision and now thinks that he should have gone for 1000 parts. He can be found at www.sintech-shop.de Arnould
Re: [ql-users] QL2004
Europe or UK? There have only been a few voices so far, so what are the rest of you thinking? Eindhoven is a good venue, of course, for those in Europe. It would definitely make it better for me and feasible to come. Wolfgang Same for me, even if QL2000 was relatively easy from Paris. I will definitely visit this show. If if was in around November 20, then my QL would be 20 at the same time. Arnould
[ql-users] Question on SOQL
What I didn't realize was that soQL was a complete IP stack, and not just a sockets library that relied on something else... I'll have to try to track soQL down now, since it sounds like I may be able to get ppp - ip working on it. Thanks for the update! Hello, I would like to know if SOQL is foreseen for emailing only in the beginning, and if further protocols like FTP, IRC, or even HTTP web browsing will need additional work on top of it ? And if this additions, if possible, will be not too complicated (ie we have a chance to see them made) Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Altera EP 1810 chipa, AKA GC/SGC INGOT, QXL Glue
It is very clear on the 2 last supersize pictures as they name them. You can see: EP1810LC-20 Y BGC070037A If this can help... Arnould (yes I am still reading everything) ZN a écrit: There is a small number of these, apparently blank, on eBay at the moment 26 I think... there are a few GCs, SGCs, QXLs that could use these... Date of manufacture is the critical thing, as I am _sure_ you know. My working SGC is date stamped C9602. I reckon any later date stamp will not work. Roy Wood will know more. Yes, I know - I can't discern the date code from the pictures provided, so I emailed the seller and am awaiting an answer. What I can see looks like BGC87... but that sounds FAR to early for the -20 speed grade. It could be a 91... difficult to tell. Auction number 3105900311 Nasta
Re: [ql-users] One box or two
Now... take a look at: http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,1958,1895_1555_23,00.html To see what V5 currently supports (First devices available in early 2003) Phoebus From this it is very difficult to understand if it would be capable to run existing 68000 code without modifications. Arnould
Re: [ql-users] Hardware platforms
Hello, My opinion is still that it could find a market as a toy computer. Especially if a CD with an emulator + QL software and some cables to connect to PCs were provided. And there should be some simple internet access (email, irc, crude www) as well. But the retail price should be around 150 Euros with display... Arnould ZN wrote: On 26/10/02 at 00:31 Stephen Meech wrote: C'mon you guys, who's going to buy this thing? Enthusiasts like you will use existing solutions. The rest of us, who are now using PCs for their day to day computing retain an occasional interest and are best served by cheap emulators that will run on the relatively cheap hardware that is already taking up space on our desks Well, then it seems you have everything you need - hence you can go back to using it, as this discussion doesn't seem to concern you. If the sales were the motivation behind designing QL hardware, it would have stopped somewhere around 1990 or so. Just my opinion. Nasta
Re: [ql-users] Keyboard membranes
Dear Voyager, I have 2 working QLs on my desk and I want to keep them in original state as long as possible. I have one or 2 spare membranes somewhere but if you or Dave produce an alternative to goes into the original black box then I would buy some. Arnould (France) I was planning on building a high quality alternative but 100% compatible membrane, in order to replace all the old and very fragile membranes, on several systems. I cannot evaluate the total volume yet, nor the future demand, but I expect it to be aprox 1K ~ 5K in the next 10 years. And I have the money and the resources to invest on that venture starting today. My estimate is that from the 100K systems sold, only 10K are around nowdays, most of them thrown in closets, attics etc, having a purelly collector's value, and only 0.1K ~ 0.5K systems are active, used by QL power users / fans like you guys. Am I totally wrong?
