Re: Sam compatible mode in Sprinter
Simon Owen wrote: [...] Do you own one Not yet :( Tried to buy it once, but had to use money on other things. I'm planning to write an OS for Sprinter, and going to buy the machine before end of summer. or know anyone who does? I know some Sprinter owners. Try contact Davide Bartlotti, master of speccy4ever site (http://www.zxspectrum.it/). I'd be interested to hear some direct feedback about it, on top of the details I've read on the Sprinter forum. I couldn't find many other comments on the the web or Usenet... There are link from main page of Peters' web site to site of a magazine where was published kind of Sprinter review. Si
Re: Sam compatible mode in Sprinter
Simon Owen wrote: [...] Anyone know if contention is fully supported too? ZS Scorpion 256k also has centetion and it is emulated well in Sprinter. So I think emulation of original Spectrums has contention support too. I suppose the CPU is compatible, There are Z84C (regular Z80CPU with some additional things inside: SIO, PIO, etc). and the display modes and paging shouldn't really be a problem, though it'd need an SAA 1099 in there for sound too. Yes, this will be most difficult thing to do. But they did AY emulation, and so they have some experience with PSGs :) so I hope it's more flexible than I imagine! It is! Design anything you want, program PLM and you'll have a ready to use device. No soldering, no PCB, no waste of time ;) Si
Sam compatible mode in Sprinter
Hello! What do you think about Sam Coupe compatible mode in Sprinter ? Is this worth doing ? Would you like to buy Sprinter with such mode ? :)
Re: Sam compatible mode in Sprinter
Matthew J Craven wrote: I think it was one of the original printers that would work with the SAM. I cannot remember what brand it is or anything (maybe Citizen?). But I'm probably wrong ;-) You're =) Sprinter is a computer with flexible architecture. Because of this Sprinter can emulate (at hardware level!) other computers. Check site - http://www.petersplus.com/ for more info.
Re: speccy bob
Andrew Gale wrote: Full Sam compatibilty isn't going to be trivial to add at all. Yes. It doesn't sound too difficult to put all SAM logic into a PLM using just technical manual and articles from magazines. I've got no idea about current PLM prices though. The most difficult thing I see there is to find these FDC and PSG chips. Andy
Re: SAM Games
Aley Keprt wrote: So I think being put to Polland isn't as bad as being put to the southern Russia. ;-) Some time ago I've been talking to americans using IRC and discovered that Czech, Slovakia, Romania, Poland and Germany (!) ARE part of Russia =) Yeah, Russia is big country, but it is not THAT big! Adam.
Re: Sam Copue - good or bad desing [Was: Re: Sam CPU timing]
Aley Keprt wrote: [...] To make things much simpler, I said that it would be nice to have just one thing: divided memory into fast ram and videoram. btw. This is used on Amiga as well, doesn't matter that it is 16bit, because memory is the same regardless of number of bits. Do not you think it will be much better to redesign circuit in the same manner as it done in russian clone of ZX Spectrum 128k called Pentagon 128k where videocontroller does not distrub CPU, and CPU operates with highest possible peformance (NO wait-states). [...] Of course today it not too hard to find disk controller specs on internet, but that time NOBODY in whole Czechoslovakia (our republic) knew anything about it. Anything! Wasn't it very well described in one of issues of Mikrobaze magazine back in 1990 or 1991 ? I can bet I saw it there. Aley
Re: Sam Copue - good or bad desing [Was: Re: Sam CPU timing]
Aley Keprt wrote: The question is what is Mikrobaze? Shall I know it? Hmmm... Amateur radio and home computers (both 8bit and 16bit) magazine from Czechoslovakia. ...as you can see, even if it was there, I can't knew it... That's strange because it was very nice magazine. Aley
CC01
Hello! May be someone knows that in next month (August) in St.Petersburg (Russia) will be a demo party called CC01. The party for Amiga, PC, Speccy and BK. I am going to visit the party and to show some SAM demos under emulator there (if possible). Can you tell me what is worth to be shown to party visitors ?
Argh!
Hello! Seems like I was unsubscribes from the list in the last week of April. So I know nothing what happened here since then =( Please remind me URL of the list messages archive (if it still exists).
Panic!
Am I unsubscribed from the SAM Users mailing list ?!??
Re: MESS Sam Coupe emulation
Simon Owen wrote: [...] 2. Updated Sam Coupe to use WD179x code (same as WD1772). WD179x far not the same as WD1772! Si
Re: Virtual party
Howard Price wrote: [...] Very nice! I especially like your recurring textures bit and flying over the hills. You just don't get this sort of thing on the SAM any more - time that changed again don't you think??! We're moved to Amiga some years and, but last year we did have not released something because of some reasons. If you have an Amiga with some fast memory and at least 030, I can tell you URL where we have all our releases. [...] What I mean is - SAM's got a fair few sound cards/hardware samplers for it: EdDAC, Blue Alpha, Quazar. Stefan Drissen's MOD player can translate PC MODs to SAM instantly, too. I'd be really worried if my poxy Protracker II chipmusic was up against these big boys!! (No offense meant to BZYK) Both digital and synth music has its advantages and disadvantages. So it is not possible to tell what is better always. Don't get me wrong - did you intend a multiplatform Speccy/SAM/other crossover party? I read it as SAM only. I think the party have to be SAM only party. At least first one. -howard
Re: Virtual party
Howard Price wrote: [...] First Association - 1.5Mb on the Speccy? Yep :) But the demo itself isn't as good as its size :| What does it come on, 2 C90s? You can use 2 C90s of course, but as far as I know usually it was spread on a single MB-02 disk (~1.8MB per disk). -howard
Re: Virtual party
Howard Price wrote: Hi all. Did we get any further with this idea? Not yet. I was very busy. It sounds like a goodie, seeing as real demo parties are pretty hard to whip up without lots of money/time/space/support. I need at least one or better two people who will help me with party rules. And of course we need at least three entries for each of main competitions: - demo (or 4k intro) - graphics - music Anyone know a good universal music player and picture viewer (as BestView on ZX-Spectrum) for SAM which can be used as V-party tools ? I'm definitely up for this, after getting loads of *fabulous* demo stuff from World of Spectrum. There are much more demos on Demotopia site :) -Tobermory
Re: Possibly New Keyboard membranes
Frans van Egmond wrote: [...] I don't think I can sell 100 membranes, I'll see if I can find a cheaper factory but don't get your hopes up... You may ask people send you messages with their names, amount of membranes they would like to have and a price they can pay per each membrane. After this you'll know how many membranes you many order and is this worth it. Frans van Egmond
Re: Music database [was: Re: Memory Lane]
Aley Keprt wrote: [...] There's absolutely no reason for strictly following AZX specs. The only think you definitely do is that users won't be able to simply distinguish between Sam and ZXS music files and many of them will be confused because their player will say: This file's unknown format. Is this what you really want? Read the specs first. [...] Special portable? A portable player especially for this format. Aley
Re: Music database [was: Re: Memory Lane]
Aley Keprt wrote: [...] I don't know AZX. How you can use it? For AY data, or SAA data. If you would like to use it for SAA data, there's no reason of using it. AZX is not for Sam. Really ? Why ? You've just told you do not know what is AZX, didn't you ? Sure, AZX files are LARGE compared against AY files, but what can stop you from developing your own custom blocks format especially for Sam ? Just do not forget to follow rules from basic AZX format specifications. [...] It is like asking whether it is better to have your MOD, S3M, IT, XM files as they are, or to convert them to MP3. Is this conversion needed? I don't think so. This is just one side of question. I've got slightly different opinion. But in ANY case we need a special portable player for SAM tunes for the format we choose.
Re: Memory Lane
Aley Keprt wrote: [...] And, PLEASE, don't use .TD0 teledisk files at all!!! Mail me off the list if you want to have sources of td0 to trd disk image converter. --
Re: IRC
Gavin Smith wrote: [those damn Russians!] Explain Gavin --
Re: IRC
Gavin Smith wrote: [...] I knew you'd pick up on this ;) I was only winding you up Mac Buster ;) And you did it very well. Basically, a few of the big IRC networks have been hit with Denial of Service attacks on the servers and the ISPs hosting those servers. Therefore, a lot of the servers have been dying because the ISPs no longer want to be attacked and because it's cost them a fortune. Therefore IRC (or at least Undernet) is shit slow at times and hard to get on. I know. I use it sometimes. Same was five years ago when I started use it. Last I heard, the people doing the attacks apparently came from Russia but I'm not sure that was confirmed. I bet they came THROUGH Russian hosts, instead of FROM Russia. Something like that happened around one year ago. One IRC Network from Sweden told that they are closing their service because they are tired of Russian Amiga owners attacks. Well, that IRCN did not knew that Russian Amiga Community is very strong and simply can't do this. We investigated this case and found some facts that attacks were made from another country. Then we found phone and address of that person who did it. He thought noone may find him. It wasn't as difficult as people think. No offence intended, honest :) Ghm... Be careful. Gavin
Re: [OT] Pass it on, spread it around
Aley Keprt wrote: btw. How can be ILOVEYOU activated? You must run (click) it manually, or not? Some browsers and mail readers 'click' it without your permission when you open the message. Some mail readers do not allow you disable this 'incledible useful' feature.
Re: [OT] Pass it on, spread it around
Frode Tenneboe wrote: [...] If you can't do that, you should not drive a car! Look at computer traders. The most often thing they say to someone who wants to buy a computer is everything is very easy, you don't have to know something special. Look at OS box'es there are the same note. Now check what an ISP says. -Frode --
Re: Errr (Or who would like a game of bobbings!!)
Robert van der Veeke wrote: [...] Well his Royal Fatness also mumbled something about writing software should be done in a organised manner and such, well organised and stuctured projects that people worked on. Ghm... Does it mean dynamic programming style does not exists at all ? :) What about evristic programming and machines to write programs ? They're probably out of his knowledges, despite to fact they are exist since 195x. Butt off course it would usefull software then, not something to satisfy the ego?s of democoders for five minutes. Just been watching some old Amiga demos made by Andromeda in 1992-93 and liked them very much. Long five minutes, isn't it ;) It has been a while ago since we saw Bossy, Billy and Bobby. The offer still stands to make me look like a fool for what i said about them.
Virtual party
Hello! There are organised a virtual party on the Speccy scene. Why we can't do something like that ? Lets make a party with four competitions: 4k intro, single disk demo, music, graphics. After a deadline all entries will be uploaded to the net and every visitor may watch/listen to them using real SAM or an emulator (this must be noted in the votesheet). So do you like this idea ?
Re: Errr (Or who would like a game of bobbings!!)
Luke Trevorrow wrote: I think the letter was in reply to something he said about Demo coders being a complete waste of space and that these people should be writing something useful for the SAM. What a strange point of view he had(s). I guess demo coders wrote a lot of different really useful things for SAM, just like data and screen crunchers, own assemblers and debuggers, music editors, graphics editors, etc. Something like that sometimes pops up on Speccy too. But it usually fast passes away, because someone ask that persona who told about waste of space: - Do you use HRIP archiver ? - Yes I do - Do not use it anymore, because it was made by demo coders for their own purposes. Same about LaserCompact screen compressor; Hrum data cruncher; Sound Tracker, Sound Tracker Pro, Pro Tracker, Fast Tracker, Professional Music Creator music editors; and so on. Luke
Re: SC 6 nearly ready - about ZXVGS
Frans van Egmond wrote: I'm in the process of ordering a Sprinter, Really ? Did they answered you ? I thought they do not have e-mail access now. Tell me your impression when you'll own Sprinter :) what is a KAY-1024k ? Another Speccy clone with external Beta 128 disk interface board, external HDD controller board (may work with Connor HDDs, not more than 540Mb), 1Mb of memory which may be used in two modes: Scorpion 256k compatible, and full 1024k access, non contendend memory areas, decent 7Mhz turbo mode. There are an external PC Keyboard (XT) and mouse controller board, but they are all sold already. Frans
Re: SC 6 nearly ready - about ZXVGS
PERFEKT wrote: [...] - someone constructs a multicompatible hardware combination (big and expensive) Ghm... I do not think it will be big and expensive. Lets take a Sprinter for example. Firstly it has small main board. And secondly you can change it's internal hardware to be compatible with everything you want, even with your very own things. Price of Sprinter main board = 90USD, price of KAY-1024k main board = 85USD. So this is not as expensive as you think.
Re: 1st International Sinclair and SAM day
Gavin Smith wrote: Wolfgang sent me a bit about the above event in Holland in May - it's up on the SC website with maps and details. Are you sure it is there ? Any of you lot thinking of going? Assuming the money situation improves, I'm thinking about it. --
Re:
Marcelo Ortega wrote: [...] I'm really considering to purchase one Ghm... As far as I know 100% of Sprinter's software and docs is in russian language only. Do you know russian language ? Greetz, Marcelo
New Year
Hello! The New Year is here already! And I wish you all the best :)
Re: TCP/IP now!
Gavin Smith wrote: Okay, we've got a hard drive and we've got oodles of RAM compared to some 8-bits, and yet we don't have a TCP/IP stack yet. Your challenge for the first quarter of 2001 is to get the SAM on the net. Come on Edwin! (Or are there any challengers to Edwin?) Can't some talented peeps port a TCP/IP stack from some other pathetically under powered computer? Why not just use Speccy's TCP/IP stack ?! Gavin (drinking too much Stella)
Re: 1 Meg users
Howard Price wrote: Thanks for the replies, people!: Fake Full Motion Video in 3D on the SAM? In which mode ? It may even be feasible. Hm, I see nothing what makes it imposible. 0.5 to 1K for each frame, 12 frames per second = minute long silent movies with extra memory. But let's not get overoptimistic, it doesn't work yet. If you wish you can take a look how we did this on Speccy. Sure there are no 50fps too. This techniqe called Direct disk animation. The idea is very simple - you're writting an amination is preprocessed format. Then eash fps you're reading one sector from disk (this takes ~29.000 t-states for 256 bytes sector). Each frame of amination may take different amount of sectors because it is depends on method of how animation was preprocessed (it may be packed, pixelised, etc). After reading all sectors of frame were readed you're doing what you need to convert it into normal picture and show it on the screen then. Most such animations on Speccy has 5...10 fps :) For example you can watch our demo called ReFresh (http://xtm.da.ru/) or PowerUP from same site (dowload disk versions only). For those interested I can say where to download and what to do with disk image which is actually video disk for Speccy. There are famous animation converted to Speccy. -tobermory
Re: Filesystem for HDD
Aley Keprt wrote: I would like to get something like Norton Commander. I have seen several similar programs, but they were simple. Could anybody make a real NC for Sam? Could you tell me a sectret why people always choose such a ugly file managers like NC ?!?!? Have you ever seen something like decent commander ? Take a look at Directory Opus 4 or 5 on Amiga for example.
Keyboard membranes
Hello! For a long time I see only questions about where to find Sam keyboard membranes, but I do not seen anything what may help in producing new ones. Why not take check now much membranes needed and not ask for help some small company which does such kind of layers for other devices (security systems, cell phones, handhelp computers, etc) ? I am sure if there will be something like hundred of membranes, such company may help us. In other case there are a lot of such companies in any country. You can also add order for different models of Speccy membranes (48k, 128k, +2 and +3 ones). Just post a request to c.s.s. and I am sure you'll have a lot of orders! For example I know a man who does not only absolutely new membranes but whole keyboards for local Spectrum clones. It includes membrane, plastic keys, spirals, and even external keyboard's case! Of course price may be a little bit more than we all want, but real Sam keyboard worth it, isn't it ? So, if someone have camera, scanner, working or non working Sam membrane and some spare time, please, make pictures of keyboard and membrane, split membrane into layers, take ruller and check all sizes between tracks, then, write something like diagram with all these sizes (in Mm and Cm). And upload that diagram and photos to the Net (on Nvg or on your own site). May be someone will find a company and then we'll have new working membranes. I can ask that man who does Speccy keyboards for help. I am sure membrannes will be cheap (~4UKP each), but shipping of such small and light weighted thing may cost 5 or even 10 UKP, because sort of protection required (seems like international post does not cares about final parcel's state, they only have to deliver).
Re: Big disk
Jarek Adamski wrote: Hello! [...] TR-DOS is also media-related filesystem (people who have harddisk under TR-DOS divide it into 640kB partitions, too). No! There are three modes in HDD controller. In one of these modes you really can split partially or whole HDD space onto set of 640k partitions. But this mode is for compatibility with old software only. There are two more mores with absolutely different layout (including whole HDD space as ONE large disk). So the diskimages are usually 640kB *.TRD files (there's also compressed form *.SCL). Theose .SCL fires aren't disk image. They are made to hold files of just one program, while .TRD will have a lot of unused space. That compressed form of .TRD images called Flexible size TRD. It is the same TRD with unused space removed. Sometimes *.$? files are used to every file separately (only for transportation). Do you mean Hobeta files ? I hope not much people use them now. This awful file format was invented in 1991! -- Yarek.
Re: Format
Edwin Blink wrote: [...] Yes it Loads and Saves SAM disks with Windows95/98. But as with SAMDISK.EXE you need a FORMATTED SAM disk (I didn't get my format code to work yet) I am using FFormat DOS utility to format disks before write disk images to real disks. Very nice thing, worth to use and to register your copy :) Tool can be found there: HP - http://www.aha.ru/~absh/ (russian only, but there are some pictures) FFormat2.98B - http://www.aha.ru/~absh/ff298p1.zip (latest official release) FFormat3.04A - http://www.aha.ru/~absh/fformat.exe (recommended for fast CPU) Edwin Blink [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.designing.myweb.nl/samcoupe/index.htm
Re: BASIC
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi its me again (the pane in the ass newbie) Where can i get a basic user guide, better yet a sam userguide ? There (LARGE!)- http://museum.ruhr.de/scans/sinclair/samusersguide.pdf i noticed the existence of a def proc in basic can anyone tellme how it works is it alА qbasic stile ? Read that PDF... thanks
Re: Format
Andrew Collier wrote: [...] There are suitable disk images at http://mnemotech.ucam.org/newbie.html and also quick instructions for the basics of using a Sam. You'll need samdsk.exe (a program running on a PC) to transfer that image file to a real floppy disk. If you don't manage to get that working, send me an email with your postal address and I'll get something to you. What about Sam Disk Image Manager, isn't it better now ? Andrew
Re: Wincoupe again...
Si Owen wrote: [...] It got archived away around New Year and was completely untouched until the middle of last month. A few people were interested in it, so I apologise to them, but it sounded like it was too much of a threat to the real SAM for people to be interested in it. The responses to the Millennium Poll asking how often is was used seemed to confirm the general lack of interest, so I lost all motivation to work on it and stopped. You're very wrong here. After my article in Speccy related magazine there are very high interests to Sam Coupe appeared here in Russia. Each month I got several requests on 'where to find decent Sam emulator and software'. Some people even asked me about coding details :) [...] btw, my personal e-mail address has changed from [EMAIL PROTECTED] to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ah :)
Re: Diskimage Manager
Edwin Blink wrote: For those who'll like to see what the diskimage manager will look like have a look at: [...] Very nice :) What about an action buttons (e.g. like in Amiga DOpus 4) ? ;) Edwin Blink [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.wanadoo.nl/blink/samcoupe/index.htm
Re: Diskimage Manager
Edwin Blink wrote: Very nice :) What about an action buttons (e.g. like in Amiga DOpus 4) ? ;) Thanx. Amiga DOpus 4 ? Don't know it DOpus 4 for Amiga is the best dual-panel file manager ever (DOpus 5 is the best multi-panel manager - http://www.gp.com/). Except of its other features, DOpus also allows to user to configure his own action buttons. You can find pictures of BeOS port of DOpus 4 there - http://www.microdatahbg.se/opusiv/
Re: SDF format files
Chris White wrote: wow what connection/isp do you have , even on my 33.6 i get 3.1kbs ? 16Mbit ISP (thru satellite), 57.6 connection. Cps depends on server load and channel route. Where is that server located ? C
Re: SDF format files
Chris White wrote: Fixed em , why is the internet case sensitive , surley this is would reduce duplicates if it wasn't ? Oh and added Martin's Tech manual as well :) C Argh! And I can not download all these things because this server is _too_ slow for me (less than 50cps) and server does not allows resuming =( Could someone re-upload it to server which can support resuming ?
Re: Real Sam Users list 17/05/2000
Doore, Dan wrote: [...] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well, of course Mac Buster isn't my real name, but I wold like to be known under this nick in Sam Users mailing list. So you can put it into 'name' field of Sam Users members list.
Re: SDF format files
womoteam wrote: [...] Income message: 12.5.2000 Now it╢s 17.5.2000 and no-one had answered Dan. I couldn╢t, but are also interested in what kind of file format SDF is. So this message is to remember for Dans questions. Bye, Wolfgang from WoMo-Team I think I've got a SDF description (C structure) somewhere. Mail me off the list.
Re: Looking for SCADS manual
Martin Fitzpatrick wrote: [...] Ive got the SCADS manual... and can scan it in for someone to pdf/ocr it. But I've just done scanning in the entire tech manual, Great! 8) so, well, I want a break :)... I'll get in done nexdt week sometime (Im moving house this weekend, so its a bit impossible to do it now anyway :) fitz -- Email:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ#11077801
Re: Another one bites the dust
Andrew Gale wrote: I have had an IBM-PC keyboard interface working on my SAM for a long time now (about 3 years) but I haven't made it available because 1) I didn't have access to a PCB designer (but I do now!) and 2) I didn't think there was enough interest to make it viable. One of the components needs to be bought in 25+ quantities in order to get it to a reasonable price, and I dount that there are 25 SAM owners wanting such a device. Why not post something like 'preorder form' to css ? You'll know exact amount of those who want it. The interface could be easily modified to work with the spectrum, so perhaps making a speccy variant would help make numbers up to 25. There are at least three different devices of such kind for Speccy already. One made in Germany, one in UK and one in Russia (this one can also use standard PC mouse to emulate Kempston mouse interface). Andy
Re: Sam Tech manual needed
Chris White wrote: Might scan it in over weekend , would that help ? Could you please upload it somewhere and make it publically downloadable ? There are not only Frans van Egmond need it :)
Re: SAM Coupe Screen Viewer
Edwin Blink wrote: A win 32 proggie to view and extrack SAM screens from a .dsk or .sad disk. Have a look at: http://home.wanadoo/blink/samcoupe/software/samscreenviewer.htm Nope, you better have a look at: http://home.wanadoo.nl/blink/samcoupe/software/samscreenviewer.htm :)
Re: SAM Coupe Screen Viewer
Edwin Blink wrote:
Incidentally, you're not planning on making a Win32 DSK management tool are
Well I'll will enhanche the Screen viewer in the near future so bitmaps
may be added to a image. So if you lot send your ideas and request to me.
Maybe I will.
Hmmm... Why not invent special format to store Sam files on other platforms ?
I mean this format must have header for all SamDOS values (e.g. BASIC ones).
That DSK management must allow to save several files into one file of such
format. There are similar thing in Speccy emulation range called .scl (used
to store several files of Beta 128 interface in one .scl) which allows to have
whole data of program sectors (some sectors may have texts located in unused
parts of sector). Here is my offer of how to organise format structure:
- such format may have extension .scf - SamCoupe File(s)
- all files must be stored as copy of all its sectors (independently is it
used completely or not)
- fields of .scf format (revision 0.01) are as follow:
88888888
Offset Size Purpose
--
0x00 0x0A The SamCoupe Files ASCII text
0x0A 0x01 End of File terminator - 0x1A byte
0x0B 0x01 Major version number (0x00 currently)
0x0C 0x01 Minor version number (0x01 currently)
0x0D 0x01 DOS identificator (0x01 == SamDos, 0x02 == MasterDOS, etc)
0x0E 0x01 Ammount of files stored in this .scf file (N)
0x0F 0x01 Write enabled/disabled flag (0x00 == enabled, 0x01...0xFF ==
disabled)
--
0x10 0x?? Header of 1-st file in .scf format (+2 bytes of CRC)
0x?? 0x?? Header of N-th file in .scl (+2 bytes of CRC)
--
0x?? 0x04 CRC overall
88888888
Edwin Blink
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://home.wanadoo.nl/blink/index.htm
Re: Doh!
Stephen McGreal wrote: Being the stupid muppet I am I deleted the intro message I was sent when I subscribed so I don't know how to unsubscribe. What do I need to do? If you ever want to remove yourself from this mailing list, send the following command in email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]: unsubscribe Or you can send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the following command in the body of your email message: unsubscribe sam-users Cheers Steve
Re: SamDOS file descriptor
Gasson wrote: [...] Certainly. Here is an extract from the SAM Coupe Technical Manual version 3.0 (pages 78-81): Thanks! Do you have other pages of Technical Manual typed too ? :) [...] I think that about covers it. Seems like it is :) Why do you ask, by the way? I am thinking to make small .dsk files manager for BeOS r5 (free release), if this will work on my hardware =) -- James Gasson
Re: SamDOS file descriptor
Andrew Collier wrote: [...] You might want to have a look at http://mnemotech.ucam.org/dskmanANSI.c Thanks! That source code can be useful. Andrew
SamDOS file descriptor
Hello! Could someone explain me what is where in SamDOS file descriptor ?
Re: Fred 78
Doore, Dan wrote: [...] Would anybody be interested in a Fred web page with screen shots of the issues, contents and links to NVG as now I have WinCoupe up and running at a half decent speed I can put a bit of time into it. I am very interested in such site :) And actually it would be nice to upload dsk images to some other site than NVG, because NVG is too slow for me :( Dan. Work: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Shirk: [EMAIL PROTECTED] VVeb: http://www.podboy.demon.co.uk/
Re: Win Coupe
Doore, Dan wrote: [...] Si/Dave if you have any issues with this then I'll happily remove it. As long this is not final release, this version should not be send to people who is not on this list, and may not be distributed in any way. Dan.
Re: What about WinCoupe?
Dave Hooper wrote: [...] Not only is it possible to compile WinCoupe without my sound support ... my sound support is a separate DLL. So compiling WinCoupe is an entirely different project to compiling my SAASound emulation. (Not that it /should/ be this way, necessarily. However, I know for a fact that my emulation support currently only builds as a WIN32 dll and, more than that, the sound emulation probably only compiles under VC++5. The majority of the source is probably portable, it should only be the DLL export stuff that needs rewriting for different OSes). Anyone tried to build board with SAA1099 chip, which can be used along with emulators when connected to LPT ? There are one similar board (but with AY sound chip on it) used with several Speccy emulators. Using of such board gives much better sound than any emulators, I think. Also this board can be used on any machine which has standard LPT port. d a v e
Re: What about WinCoupe?
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You obviously have not heard Dave's emulated sound support! You're wrong, I've heard it. But there was no digital sound. Stefan
Re: Spotted on c.s.s - Sam for sale [F2e3]
Andrew Collier wrote: [...] PS - MacBuster, any news after Forever2e3? Ghm... The man who bring Sam to party said that organizers weren't able to demonstrate Sam Coupe entries on party =( They even did not tried to attach Sam to check the entries. I still waiting for what organizers will say about this strange thing. But I know there were more than two entires (yours and mine), some people from Poland and Czech bring their demos too. I do not understand organizers why say about collecting entries for compo, asking man who lives for around 600km from party place to bring machine to the party and to do show it ? =(
Re: SimCoupe
Jarek Adamski wrote: Dnia 00-03-18 Mac Buster pisze: Its is possible to format track w/o any ID at all :) Right, is possible on 1793 type FDC, but not on 765A vel 8272 (the one used by IBM in its primitive computer). This is possible and I know several copy-protection system on PC which uses such scheme. The main idea is very simple. You're formatting a track and write there standard IDs, next, you can used combination of write track and force interrupt to do a trick called short format. But you can not read them back =) Only with #E0 command in 1973 type FDC. Then you have to check CRC, because the data can be inverted. Inverted ? Strange... I know sector data might be shifted on 1 or 2 bytes (called time slice), but inverted... But it is almost impossible to read disks with incorrect side marks, etc. Almost impossible means it is possible, but not via INT 13h. Almost impossible means that it is possible to read it only on some machines - other machine may not read it. I had recently the same problem with TOS A.2 disks. But finally I made it without such special tricks. It would be better to fix format code in Beta 128... This is dangerous. Almost all turbo-loaders use direct FDC programming and direct sub-routines addressing. If you change something in TRDOS rom then you may have disk format instead of load program. Also TRDOS v5.xx in Beta 128 does not use complete track format and there are no special sector in beginning of each track. [GCR] That is what I meant. Any idea where to find GCR decoding description ? If you're working with standard disks only readed into . I use 820kB disks with my SAM... ;) With 1kB sectors. :) -- Yarek.
Re: SimCoupe
Jarek Adamski wrote: Dnia 00-03-17 Mac Buster pisze: [...] Not exactly. You can't only read whole track and format a sector without ID or with bad ID. Its is possible to format track w/o any ID at all :) But you can not read them back =) But it is almost impossible to read disks with incorrect side marks, etc. E.g. standard Beta 128 disk can't be readed w/o special tricks (preliminaly formatting on PC and writting the data on Beta 128, and reading image on PC). And of course you can't read GCR, but 1793 type controllers can't too (I think, but must try...). May be GCR can be readed by read track and decoded manually then ? [...] Heh, not always better. ;) If you're working with standard disks only readed into . -- Yarek.
new site
Hello! I've just uploaded title picture of my site dedicated to Sam Coupe. Can't say how much time will take development of other parts, but the site will be oriented to demo coders and general programming on Sam. http://www.crosswinds.net/~samtt/
Re: SimCoupe
Gasson wrote: [...] I thought I read somewhere that the disk drives only work on the Linux version (is that right?) An emulator's not going to be much use to me unless the disk drives work. Well, FDC in PC is very bad and can't be used to read non-standard disks for most of 8-bit machinas. However it is much faster and better to work with disks images (.dsk files) readed from real disks with help of several utilities, e.g. SamDisk which does the work very well. -- James Gasson
Help!
Hello! Tell me please how to write .dsk images back to real disk with using of PC ? It is needed for Forever 2e3 organizers to show Sam entries on the party. Help please!
Re: Help!
Gavin Smith wrote: [...] Samdsk.exe is what you need mate. It's on NVG, it's no problem to use. Thanks! It's really working (at least on my PC, dunno about the one on the party place). Can you upload any demos or whatever? Hmmm... I can upload my entry (small intro), but shy do it. There are really nothing to see because it was done in less than one hour time, only to send it to party and show that there are something happening on the Sam Coupe demo scene. Apolgoies if I read your mail wrong, Its all fine. I appear to have consumed a large quantity of alcohol. Let me doubt that there was really large quantity. The large one it is when you don't see much differences between keyboard and mouse. Gavin
Re: Help!
Dave Hooper wrote: [...] Just be sure to tell yr friends that it was me who wrote it! (It's about the only SAM thing I ever did that actually made it onto nvg ... ). It works on almost all PCs so it should be ok at the party. Thanks for great utility. What about next versions ? E.g. with GUI :) dave
Forever 2e3
Hello! If someone got something to show on the Forever 2e3 demo party in Sam Coupe demo compo then please send it faster! Today was the last day to send entries but organizers will wait 'till 15:00 (Slovak time). I will check e-mail tomorrow (16 March) only once, about 14:00 or 15:00 (+03:00GMT) and will forward all sent entries to party organizers. Send your entries as .dsk images please. I probably will not check e-mail another time because 16 March is my birthday :)
Re: Copyrights Q
John wrote: Depends what you are using them for really... Bah, I didn't mentioned it... I am going to use them on my web site which dedicated to Sam Coupe. The Sam in my previous message is that Sam robot, not machine pictures (maybe picture of the keyboard will be used too). if its for a web page then I wouldnt worry about using them. dont think anyone will mind.. I want to use the picture of Sam looking to the cable connector (on title page of my site) and maybe some other pictures too (e.g. the one with Sam and big magnifying glass). Officially since MGT is now defunct the copyright will now be held by the original artist (Mel Croucher). Ghm... Mel Croucher wrote text of the manual, Robin Evans drawn all the Sam robot cartoons. The information about author name and copyright will be included into image commentary (inside of .gif or .png). hope that helps..
Forever2e3 deadline
Hello! 16th march is deadline for all Forever2e3 Sam Coupe entries. Please inform me faster if you're going to take a part in Sam demo competition. Please send at least simple demo intro to Forever 2e3, party organisers already found the Sam for party and will not be happy to see they've done useless searching. Contact me for details about sending disk images, etc.
Re: Out with the old...
The Mad Goose wrote: [...] And I've got an original SAM here 512k with original floppy drive, PSU leads a manuals. It's be a shame to see the blighter go, but I've moved on and I can't really see a time when he'll be coming out of his box. Any offers - good homes only please...! Hm, all I can offer is 10UKP for your Sam... Including p+p to Russia... There are really no chance to find any Sam here in Russia... Also I can add my thank you in my Sam demos which I am going to release with this machine :)
Re: Spectrum Micro drive commands
Trevor Ashby wrote: I have been clearing out the attic and found my Spectrum and Microdrive . Can anyone tell me the command line to save a programme to microdrive so that it starts up automatically when you hit the RUN key ? I can save and run programmes manually but Ive forgotten how to make it happen automatically. Try add the LINE NN after SAVE command, where NN is number of auto-start line. Should work.
Copyrights Q
Hello! I am going to use several Sam images scanned from Sam Coupe user's manual. Any ideas is it allowed ?
Forever 2e3
Hello! There are some rumours about party date changing :(
Sam Elite
Hello! Could someone tell me about Sam Elite ? All I know so far is name. Which are differences to base model of Sam Coupe ? Year of release, how much machines was released, its price, etc. Actually I've to write 2nd article for magazine ( first was about Sam Coupe itself ) =)
new member
Hello! I am new in this mailing list and would like to know is there any log file of this list ? I don't want ask same questions if there are qnswers already. Also I wold like to know about programming for Sam, is there any books, references available yet ?
Re: new member
Andrew Collier wrote: [...] There is an archive of past sam-users messages at http://users.comlab.ox.ac.uk/ian.collier/sam-users/ Thanks! I believe this may reduce ammount of annoying questions ;) [...] There was also Based On An Idea - a technical magazine with articles about various specific bits of Sam hardware and software. They only ever published two issues, but those were superb all the same. Very interesting. Is there anyone who can help find both issues ? Andrew
Re: new member
Gavin Smith wrote: Mac Buster wrote: [...] Hello and welcome Mac Buster (?? Does that mean you like Macs or hate them? :) Well, I don't remember ;) Back in Soviet Union times I was on biggest computer show where some man presented me booklet and small book about Macs. So I decided that I need no any PCs and wanted to buy Mac. Well, I WANTED to buy untill descovered that any available Mac has smallest price comparable to price of good heavy-armed helicopter :) Ian Collier keeps the archive of the list... http://users.comlab.ox.ac.uk/ian.collier/sam-users/ ...is the address you want. Thanks! As for books, poor old SAM has never had many books, but you can make use of many of the Z80 programming books that are aimed at the Speccy - you might be able to pick these up cheap from second hand sales or try www.loot.com and www.ebay.com. People on www.loot.com usually leave phones and not e-mails there. It is little expensive for me to phone to UK :) Those who leaves emails usually became TOO scared when they ask where I am from and refuse send things to me... Little strange reaction, especially when I agree to cover all packing and postage... However I do not need books about Z80 coding because I know Z80 assembler very well. Apart from that, we have the BASIC (literally basic) manual that came with the machine, and also a technical manual which, apparently, isn't all that great. But this is better than nothing, I guess. The SAM ain't quite dead yet - the next issue of Crashed should have one or two new SAM columns in it Well, I sent ordinary letter to Crashed but the magazine changed its editor and I never received an answer :( Perhapts my letter or their answer got lost somewhere. HTH Gavin
