Re: [M100] Tandy WP-2
Technically I never used it with Linux, but IRIX and Solaris, connected via the serial port, but I con’t recall if either of these systems used getty. (This was back in the early ‘00s.) I don’t have the termcap file any more, but it only took me a few hours to put it together, so it wasn’t a Herculean effort. It wasn’t 100% perfect, but it was good enough. When used as a terminal, the WP-2 keyboard still had the “ghost character” effect, but I tend to type more carefully when entering unix commands than when creating free text, so I was less likely to encounter it. For what it’s worth, if you're looking for a battery-powered electronic device for the purpose of generating text, I highly recommend considering at the Alphasmart Neo. I have a small stable of these for writing, and I can’t imagine returning to the M100/WP-2 for this kind of work. The AS Neo doesn’t have the retro cache that the M100/WP-2 have, and it has no programming abilities (it just has a text editor with some other basic tools (e.g., spell-checker and some other “applets” that were designed for the education market)), but it has a great keyboard, a good screen (better contrast and faster than the M100, and if you use a small font size slightly larger), a sufficient amount of memory (~512k for text storage across eight separate files), and heaps of battery life (something like 500+ hours on 3 AA batteries). CAM > On Mar 31, 2019, at 20:34, Abraham Moller wrote: > > Thanks for the feedback. Did the WP-2 still have issues as a dumb terminal? > Did you connect it to a Linux machine and pass a getty instance over serial? > That seems like a promising application. I'm curious to hear more about your > experiences. > > Jon > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 11:12 PM C. Magaret wrote: > I’ve had a number of WP-2s, originally for writing, but in my experience the > keyboard is very unreliable. The “jumping cursor” effect has already been > mentioned, so I’ll add to that the “ghost character” effect, where certain > key combinations (as in typing out a certain work fairly quickly) can > occasionally result in the generation of unwanted characters. I’ve seen > maybe four WP-2s (and still own one) and haven’t found one without this > problem, which killed my interest in using it for word processing. > > For me, the killer app of the WP-2 was being used as a terminal for headless > servers. This was facilitated by a termcap file that I created which was > mostly 100% compatible with the WP-2. > > CAM > > > > On Mar 31, 2019, at 12:53, David Szasz wrote: > > > > I have two WP-2's, but one is dead and I plan to transplant it's screen to > > a Amstrad MC100 (it's a pin compatible change and a contrast improvement > > for the NC100) > > > > The WP-2 is a good writing machine. I wish the flash memory cards for the > > slot on the side weren't scarcer than hen's teeth. But the cheap 128K > > upgrade chip (from Jameco) helps to alleviate that problem > > Other than the keyboard it is superior to a m100 for just plain writing. > > > > Regards all > > Dave Szasz > > > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 10:29 AM Abraham Moller wrote: > > Thanks for the tips. It sounds like I should stick with my x86 palmtops for > > now. Maybe when the price is right I should consider an M100/M200/T102 with > > the REX option (and flash MFORTH onto that). > > > > Jon > > > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 8:57 AM Anthony Coghlan wrote: > > I recently got one and like it as a dedicated word processor / note taker > > because of the nice screen and cool form factor, as you note. It’s also > > easy to transfer files to my Windows 10 machine (I think I use LaddieCon). > > But as Willard mentioned, the screen is slow. Sometimes the word processor > > does odd things, such as jumping to another nearby part of the text. Maybe > > I accidentally typed a command or arrow to jump, but it’s still silly to > > suddenly and somewhat frequently find myself typing in the middle of > > another place in the text. Nonetheless, as a dedicated word processor, > > it’s a nice idea. > > > > I was intrigued by the Zork idea also. A purely text based application > > like that, which also doesn’t require super fast screen refreshing, may > > work well. I share Willard’s concern that it may be a challenge to do much > > more from a programming perspective on the WP-2, though. > > > > Best wishes, > > Anthony > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Abraham Moller wrote: > > Oops - I meant the VCF SE 7.0. But Zork on a WP-2 was evidently > > demonstrated at the VCF MW 9.0 in 2014 (by Christopher at > > randomvariations.com). > > > > Jon > > > > On Sun, 31 Mar 2019, 02:07 Abraham Moller, wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the > > machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack > > of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display,
Re: [M100] Tandy WP-2
Thanks for the feedback. Did the WP-2 still have issues as a dumb terminal? Did you connect it to a Linux machine and pass a getty instance over serial? That seems like a promising application. I'm curious to hear more about your experiences. Jon On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 11:12 PM C. Magaret wrote: > I’ve had a number of WP-2s, originally for writing, but in my experience > the keyboard is very unreliable. The “jumping cursor” effect has already > been mentioned, so I’ll add to that the “ghost character” effect, where > certain key combinations (as in typing out a certain work fairly quickly) > can occasionally result in the generation of unwanted characters. I’ve > seen maybe four WP-2s (and still own one) and haven’t found one without > this problem, which killed my interest in using it for word processing. > > For me, the killer app of the WP-2 was being used as a terminal for > headless servers. This was facilitated by a termcap file that I created > which was mostly 100% compatible with the WP-2. > > CAM > > > > On Mar 31, 2019, at 12:53, David Szasz wrote: > > > > I have two WP-2's, but one is dead and I plan to transplant it's screen > to a Amstrad MC100 (it's a pin compatible change and a contrast improvement > for the NC100) > > > > The WP-2 is a good writing machine. I wish the flash memory cards for > the slot on the side weren't scarcer than hen's teeth. But the cheap 128K > upgrade chip (from Jameco) helps to alleviate that problem > > Other than the keyboard it is superior to a m100 for just plain writing. > > > > Regards all > > Dave Szasz > > > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 10:29 AM Abraham Moller > wrote: > > Thanks for the tips. It sounds like I should stick with my x86 palmtops > for now. Maybe when the price is right I should consider an M100/M200/T102 > with the REX option (and flash MFORTH onto that). > > > > Jon > > > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 8:57 AM Anthony Coghlan > wrote: > > I recently got one and like it as a dedicated word processor / note > taker because of the nice screen and cool form factor, as you note. It’s > also easy to transfer files to my Windows 10 machine (I think I use > LaddieCon). But as Willard mentioned, the screen is slow. Sometimes the > word processor does odd things, such as jumping to another nearby part of > the text. Maybe I accidentally typed a command or arrow to jump, but it’s > still silly to suddenly and somewhat frequently find myself typing in the > middle of another place in the text. Nonetheless, as a dedicated word > processor, it’s a nice idea. > > > > I was intrigued by the Zork idea also. A purely text based application > like that, which also doesn’t require super fast screen refreshing, may > work well. I share Willard’s concern that it may be a challenge to do much > more from a programming perspective on the WP-2, though. > > > > Best wishes, > > Anthony > > > > > > > > > > On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Abraham Moller wrote: > > Oops - I meant the VCF SE 7.0. But Zork on a WP-2 was evidently > demonstrated at the VCF MW 9.0 in 2014 (by Christopher at > randomvariations.com). > > > > Jon > > > > On Sun, 31 Mar 2019, 02:07 Abraham Moller, wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the > machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack > of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, and 128K > drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also looks like Forth > and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the machine. > > > > Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John > Hogerhuis, of course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline > assembler would make it really strong. Also, does anyone on the list have > the source for the WP-2 zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from > randomvariations.com ported it, but I can't find his email address > anywhere)? > > > > I have a QuickPad Pro (80186-powered) in a similar form factor that does > much more (DOS), but it is hampered by a weird serial port (no way to > receive data without frequent software interruption, at least through > testing with DSZ). Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed > other apps for the WP-2? A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter > would be really nice and a great addition to my planned portable computing > exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. > > > > Let me know if you have any suggestions or if I should just steer clear. > > > > Thanks, > > Jon > >
Re: [M100] Tandy WP-2
I’ve had a number of WP-2s, originally for writing, but in my experience the keyboard is very unreliable. The “jumping cursor” effect has already been mentioned, so I’ll add to that the “ghost character” effect, where certain key combinations (as in typing out a certain work fairly quickly) can occasionally result in the generation of unwanted characters. I’ve seen maybe four WP-2s (and still own one) and haven’t found one without this problem, which killed my interest in using it for word processing. For me, the killer app of the WP-2 was being used as a terminal for headless servers. This was facilitated by a termcap file that I created which was mostly 100% compatible with the WP-2. CAM > On Mar 31, 2019, at 12:53, David Szasz wrote: > > I have two WP-2's, but one is dead and I plan to transplant it's screen to a > Amstrad MC100 (it's a pin compatible change and a contrast improvement for > the NC100) > > The WP-2 is a good writing machine. I wish the flash memory cards for the > slot on the side weren't scarcer than hen's teeth. But the cheap 128K upgrade > chip (from Jameco) helps to alleviate that problem > Other than the keyboard it is superior to a m100 for just plain writing. > > Regards all > Dave Szasz > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 10:29 AM Abraham Moller wrote: > Thanks for the tips. It sounds like I should stick with my x86 palmtops for > now. Maybe when the price is right I should consider an M100/M200/T102 with > the REX option (and flash MFORTH onto that). > > Jon > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 8:57 AM Anthony Coghlan wrote: > I recently got one and like it as a dedicated word processor / note taker > because of the nice screen and cool form factor, as you note. It’s also easy > to transfer files to my Windows 10 machine (I think I use LaddieCon). But as > Willard mentioned, the screen is slow. Sometimes the word processor does odd > things, such as jumping to another nearby part of the text. Maybe I > accidentally typed a command or arrow to jump, but it’s still silly to > suddenly and somewhat frequently find myself typing in the middle of another > place in the text. Nonetheless, as a dedicated word processor, it’s a nice > idea. > > I was intrigued by the Zork idea also. A purely text based application like > that, which also doesn’t require super fast screen refreshing, may work well. > I share Willard’s concern that it may be a challenge to do much more from a > programming perspective on the WP-2, though. > > Best wishes, > Anthony > > > > > On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Abraham Moller wrote: > Oops - I meant the VCF SE 7.0. But Zork on a WP-2 was evidently demonstrated > at the VCF MW 9.0 in 2014 (by Christopher at randomvariations.com). > > Jon > > On Sun, 31 Mar 2019, 02:07 Abraham Moller, wrote: > Hi all, > > I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the > machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack > of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, and 128K > drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also looks like Forth > and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the machine. > > Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John Hogerhuis, of > course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline assembler would make it > really strong. Also, does anyone on the list have the source for the WP-2 > zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from randomvariations.com ported it, > but I can't find his email address anywhere)? > > I have a QuickPad Pro (80186-powered) in a similar form factor that does much > more (DOS), but it is hampered by a weird serial port (no way to receive data > without frequent software interruption, at least through testing with DSZ). > Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed other apps for the > WP-2? A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter would be really nice > and a great addition to my planned portable computing exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. > > Let me know if you have any suggestions or if I should just steer clear. > > Thanks, > Jon
Re: [M100] Can One Run CloudT Offline?
I saved it under https as a "page" in the bookmarks bar. Saving as straight html or mhtml or as webpage seems to have no effect. as H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock would say On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 7:41 PM John R. Hogerhuis wrote: > Does it make any difference if it is the http versus https scheme? > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019, 4:32 PM David Szasz wrote: > >> John: >> >> It seems with my Asus Chromebox not connected to any networks (Ethernet >> or wireless) one has to restart the computer disconnected to a network to >> force CloudT to run offline in the Chrome browser. But work it does. This >> is an older chromebox at this point so few things work offline anyway, but >> CloudT being in browser seems to, just gotta slap it on the side like 60's >> black and white TV (my parents used me as the "remote control") >> >> Saving CloudT to the home screen on my Moto G5 works in airplane mode too. >> >> Regards >> D. Szasz >> >> On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 7:16 PM David Szasz wrote: >> >>> Yep, just got back from grocery shopping at Kroger's >>> >>> I'll try the save to home screen for fix for a more aggressive cache. >>> That being said I'd like to build "Mr. T" a raspi or sbc laptop or tablet >>> with CloudT or VirtualT with GWBasic or PCBasic thrown in for good measure. >>> >>> I am such a 80's retro geek >>> Thanks >>> D. Szasz >>> >>> On Sun, Mar 31, 2019, 4:04 PM John R. Hogerhuis >>> wrote: >>> On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 1:10 PM David Szasz wrote: > This morning I was pondering if one could run CloudT Offline? Possibly > using something called "NodeJS", that is to run javascript offline, maybe > on a raspberry pi? > > Just a thought any other ways of running javascript and CloutT > offline? > > Hmm, well I just tried this in offline mode (network disconnected) on my laptop in Chrome and it didn't work. I thought it did. But on my Moto G6 Play phone, CloudT stored as an home screen app loads properly in Airplane mode. So saving as a home screen app caches more aggressively, I guess. I need to add a appcache manifest, or the newer standard, a service worker and it cache on Chrome desktop too. As to Node.JS, Node.JS is a combination Javascript runtime and package management system. None of the CloudT javascript code runs in the server, just in the browser, so it wouldn't benefit from the Node.JS javascript engine. That said, Node.JS can run some simple webservers. CloudT at this point is a static html + javascript site, which means it has no server side code. So it would run locally under any web server and maybe even from a local directory without trouble. But there are many webservers that will run on a Pi. The benefit of Node.JS would be if you want to access some hardware. Say a physical serial port. It could be exposed to CloudT from Node.js "SerialPort" library as a Websocket to the front end running as a web app. But if I get the browser caching set up (thought it was!), I think the browser would end up being the simplest offline solution. Just browse Cloudt once with your browser, and it's effectively "installed". -- John. >>>
Re: [M100] Can One Run CloudT Offline?
Does it make any difference if it is the http versus https scheme? On Sun, Mar 31, 2019, 4:32 PM David Szasz wrote: > John: > > It seems with my Asus Chromebox not connected to any networks (Ethernet or > wireless) one has to restart the computer disconnected to a network to > force CloudT to run offline in the Chrome browser. But work it does. This > is an older chromebox at this point so few things work offline anyway, but > CloudT being in browser seems to, just gotta slap it on the side like 60's > black and white TV (my parents used me as the "remote control") > > Saving CloudT to the home screen on my Moto G5 works in airplane mode too. > > Regards > D. Szasz > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 7:16 PM David Szasz wrote: > >> Yep, just got back from grocery shopping at Kroger's >> >> I'll try the save to home screen for fix for a more aggressive cache. >> That being said I'd like to build "Mr. T" a raspi or sbc laptop or tablet >> with CloudT or VirtualT with GWBasic or PCBasic thrown in for good measure. >> >> I am such a 80's retro geek >> Thanks >> D. Szasz >> >> On Sun, Mar 31, 2019, 4:04 PM John R. Hogerhuis wrote: >> >>> >>> >>> On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 1:10 PM David Szasz wrote: >>> This morning I was pondering if one could run CloudT Offline? Possibly using something called "NodeJS", that is to run javascript offline, maybe on a raspberry pi? Just a thought any other ways of running javascript and CloutT offline? >>> Hmm, well I just tried this in offline mode (network disconnected) on my >>> laptop in Chrome and it didn't work. I thought it did. >>> >>> But on my Moto G6 Play phone, CloudT stored as an home screen app loads >>> properly in Airplane mode. So saving as a home screen app caches more >>> aggressively, I guess. >>> >>> I need to add a appcache manifest, or the newer standard, a service >>> worker and it cache on Chrome desktop too. >>> >>> As to Node.JS, Node.JS is a combination Javascript runtime and package >>> management system. None of the CloudT javascript code runs in the server, >>> just in the browser, so it wouldn't benefit from the Node.JS javascript >>> engine. >>> >>> That said, Node.JS can run some simple webservers. CloudT at this point >>> is a static html + javascript site, which means it has no server side code. >>> So it would run locally under any web server and maybe even from a local >>> directory without trouble. But there are many webservers that will run on a >>> Pi. The benefit of Node.JS would be if you want to access some hardware. >>> Say a physical serial port. It could be exposed to CloudT from Node.js >>> "SerialPort" library as a Websocket to the front end running as a web app. >>> >>> But if I get the browser caching set up (thought it was!), I think the >>> browser would end up being the simplest offline solution. Just browse >>> Cloudt once with your browser, and it's effectively "installed". >>> >>> -- John. >>> >>
Re: [M100] Can One Run CloudT Offline?
> > "Mr T" > > I pity the browser that doesn't cache my emulator! >
Re: [M100] Can One Run CloudT Offline?
John: It seems with my Asus Chromebox not connected to any networks (Ethernet or wireless) one has to restart the computer disconnected to a network to force CloudT to run offline in the Chrome browser. But work it does. This is an older chromebox at this point so few things work offline anyway, but CloudT being in browser seems to, just gotta slap it on the side like 60's black and white TV (my parents used me as the "remote control") Saving CloudT to the home screen on my Moto G5 works in airplane mode too. Regards D. Szasz On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 7:16 PM David Szasz wrote: > Yep, just got back from grocery shopping at Kroger's > > I'll try the save to home screen for fix for a more aggressive cache. That > being said I'd like to build "Mr. T" a raspi or sbc laptop or tablet with > CloudT or VirtualT with GWBasic or PCBasic thrown in for good measure. > > I am such a 80's retro geek > Thanks > D. Szasz > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019, 4:04 PM John R. Hogerhuis wrote: > >> >> >> On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 1:10 PM David Szasz wrote: >> >>> This morning I was pondering if one could run CloudT Offline? Possibly >>> using something called "NodeJS", that is to run javascript offline, maybe >>> on a raspberry pi? >>> >>> Just a thought any other ways of running javascript and CloutT >>> offline? >>> >>> >> Hmm, well I just tried this in offline mode (network disconnected) on my >> laptop in Chrome and it didn't work. I thought it did. >> >> But on my Moto G6 Play phone, CloudT stored as an home screen app loads >> properly in Airplane mode. So saving as a home screen app caches more >> aggressively, I guess. >> >> I need to add a appcache manifest, or the newer standard, a service >> worker and it cache on Chrome desktop too. >> >> As to Node.JS, Node.JS is a combination Javascript runtime and package >> management system. None of the CloudT javascript code runs in the server, >> just in the browser, so it wouldn't benefit from the Node.JS javascript >> engine. >> >> That said, Node.JS can run some simple webservers. CloudT at this point >> is a static html + javascript site, which means it has no server side code. >> So it would run locally under any web server and maybe even from a local >> directory without trouble. But there are many webservers that will run on a >> Pi. The benefit of Node.JS would be if you want to access some hardware. >> Say a physical serial port. It could be exposed to CloudT from Node.js >> "SerialPort" library as a Websocket to the front end running as a web app. >> >> But if I get the browser caching set up (thought it was!), I think the >> browser would end up being the simplest offline solution. Just browse >> Cloudt once with your browser, and it's effectively "installed". >> >> -- John. >> >
Re: [M100] Can One Run CloudT Offline?
Yep, just got back from grocery shopping at Kroger's I'll try the save to home screen for fix for a more aggressive cache. That being said I'd like to build "Mr. T" a raspi or sbc laptop or tablet with CloudT or VirtualT with GWBasic or PCBasic thrown in for good measure. I am such a 80's retro geek Thanks D. Szasz On Sun, Mar 31, 2019, 4:04 PM John R. Hogerhuis wrote: > > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 1:10 PM David Szasz wrote: > >> This morning I was pondering if one could run CloudT Offline? Possibly >> using something called "NodeJS", that is to run javascript offline, maybe >> on a raspberry pi? >> >> Just a thought any other ways of running javascript and CloutT >> offline? >> >> > Hmm, well I just tried this in offline mode (network disconnected) on my > laptop in Chrome and it didn't work. I thought it did. > > But on my Moto G6 Play phone, CloudT stored as an home screen app loads > properly in Airplane mode. So saving as a home screen app caches more > aggressively, I guess. > > I need to add a appcache manifest, or the newer standard, a service worker > and it cache on Chrome desktop too. > > As to Node.JS, Node.JS is a combination Javascript runtime and package > management system. None of the CloudT javascript code runs in the server, > just in the browser, so it wouldn't benefit from the Node.JS javascript > engine. > > That said, Node.JS can run some simple webservers. CloudT at this point is > a static html + javascript site, which means it has no server side code. So > it would run locally under any web server and maybe even from a local > directory without trouble. But there are many webservers that will run on a > Pi. The benefit of Node.JS would be if you want to access some hardware. > Say a physical serial port. It could be exposed to CloudT from Node.js > "SerialPort" library as a Websocket to the front end running as a web app. > > But if I get the browser caching set up (thought it was!), I think the > browser would end up being the simplest offline solution. Just browse > Cloudt once with your browser, and it's effectively "installed". > > -- John. >
Re: [M100] Can One Run CloudT Offline?
On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 1:10 PM David Szasz wrote: > This morning I was pondering if one could run CloudT Offline? Possibly > using something called "NodeJS", that is to run javascript offline, maybe > on a raspberry pi? > > Just a thought any other ways of running javascript and CloutT offline? > > Hmm, well I just tried this in offline mode (network disconnected) on my laptop in Chrome and it didn't work. I thought it did. But on my Moto G6 Play phone, CloudT stored as an home screen app loads properly in Airplane mode. So saving as a home screen app caches more aggressively, I guess. I need to add a appcache manifest, or the newer standard, a service worker and it cache on Chrome desktop too. As to Node.JS, Node.JS is a combination Javascript runtime and package management system. None of the CloudT javascript code runs in the server, just in the browser, so it wouldn't benefit from the Node.JS javascript engine. That said, Node.JS can run some simple webservers. CloudT at this point is a static html + javascript site, which means it has no server side code. So it would run locally under any web server and maybe even from a local directory without trouble. But there are many webservers that will run on a Pi. The benefit of Node.JS would be if you want to access some hardware. Say a physical serial port. It could be exposed to CloudT from Node.js "SerialPort" library as a Websocket to the front end running as a web app. But if I get the browser caching set up (thought it was!), I think the browser would end up being the simplest offline solution. Just browse Cloudt once with your browser, and it's effectively "installed". -- John.
[M100] Can One Run CloudT Offline?
This morning I was pondering if one could run CloudT Offline? Possibly using something called "NodeJS", that is to run javascript offline, maybe on a raspberry pi? Just a thought any other ways of running javascript and CloutT offline? Thanks Dave S.
Re: [M100] Tandy WP-2
I have two WP-2's, but one is dead and I plan to transplant it's screen to a Amstrad MC100 (it's a pin compatible change and a contrast improvement for the NC100) The WP-2 is a good writing machine. I wish the flash memory cards for the slot on the side weren't scarcer than hen's teeth. But the cheap 128K upgrade chip (from Jameco) helps to alleviate that problem Other than the keyboard it is superior to a m100 for just plain writing. Regards all Dave Szasz On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 10:29 AM Abraham Moller wrote: > Thanks for the tips. It sounds like I should stick with my x86 palmtops > for now. Maybe when the price is right I should consider an M100/M200/T102 > with the REX option (and flash MFORTH onto that). > > Jon > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 8:57 AM Anthony Coghlan > wrote: > >> I recently got one and like it as a dedicated word processor / note taker >> because of the nice screen and cool form factor, as you note. It’s also >> easy to transfer files to my Windows 10 machine (I think I use LaddieCon). >> But as Willard mentioned, the screen is slow. Sometimes the word processor >> does odd things, such as jumping to another nearby part of the text. Maybe >> I accidentally typed a command or arrow to jump, but it’s still silly to >> suddenly and somewhat frequently find myself typing in the middle of >> another place in the text. Nonetheless, as a dedicated word processor, >> it’s a nice idea. >> >> I was intrigued by the Zork idea also. A purely text based application >> like that, which also doesn’t require super fast screen refreshing, may >> work well. I share Willard’s concern that it may be a challenge to do much >> more from a programming perspective on the WP-2, though. >> >> Best wishes, >> Anthony >> >> >> >> >> On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Abraham Moller wrote: >> >>> Oops - I meant the VCF SE 7.0. But Zork on a WP-2 was evidently >>> demonstrated at the VCF MW 9.0 in 2014 (by Christopher at >>> randomvariations.com). >>> >>> Jon >>> >>> On Sun, 31 Mar 2019, 02:07 Abraham Moller, wrote: >>> Hi all, I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, and 128K drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also looks like Forth and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the machine. Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John Hogerhuis, of course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline assembler would make it really strong. Also, does anyone on the list have the source for the WP-2 zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from randomvariations.com ported it, but I can't find his email address anywhere)? I have a QuickPad Pro (80186-powered) in a similar form factor that does much more (DOS), but it is hampered by a weird serial port (no way to receive data without frequent software interruption, at least through testing with DSZ). Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed other apps for the WP-2? A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter would be really nice and a great addition to my planned portable computing exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. Let me know if you have any suggestions or if I should just steer clear. Thanks, Jon >>>
Re: [M100] Tandy WP-2
Thanks for the tips. It sounds like I should stick with my x86 palmtops for now. Maybe when the price is right I should consider an M100/M200/T102 with the REX option (and flash MFORTH onto that). Jon On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 8:57 AM Anthony Coghlan wrote: > I recently got one and like it as a dedicated word processor / note taker > because of the nice screen and cool form factor, as you note. It’s also > easy to transfer files to my Windows 10 machine (I think I use LaddieCon). > But as Willard mentioned, the screen is slow. Sometimes the word processor > does odd things, such as jumping to another nearby part of the text. Maybe > I accidentally typed a command or arrow to jump, but it’s still silly to > suddenly and somewhat frequently find myself typing in the middle of > another place in the text. Nonetheless, as a dedicated word processor, > it’s a nice idea. > > I was intrigued by the Zork idea also. A purely text based application > like that, which also doesn’t require super fast screen refreshing, may > work well. I share Willard’s concern that it may be a challenge to do much > more from a programming perspective on the WP-2, though. > > Best wishes, > Anthony > > > > > On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Abraham Moller wrote: > >> Oops - I meant the VCF SE 7.0. But Zork on a WP-2 was evidently >> demonstrated at the VCF MW 9.0 in 2014 (by Christopher at >> randomvariations.com). >> >> Jon >> >> On Sun, 31 Mar 2019, 02:07 Abraham Moller, wrote: >> >>> Hi all, >>> >>> I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the >>> machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack >>> of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, and 128K >>> drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also looks like Forth >>> and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the machine. >>> >>> Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John >>> Hogerhuis, of course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline >>> assembler would make it really strong. Also, does anyone on the list have >>> the source for the WP-2 zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from >>> randomvariations.com ported it, but I can't find his email address >>> anywhere)? >>> >>> I have a QuickPad Pro (80186-powered) in a similar form factor that does >>> much more (DOS), but it is hampered by a weird serial port (no way to >>> receive data without frequent software interruption, at least through >>> testing with DSZ). Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed >>> other apps for the WP-2? A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter >>> would be really nice and a great addition to my planned portable computing >>> exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. >>> >>> Let me know if you have any suggestions or if I should just steer clear. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> Jon >>> >>
[M100] Tandy WP-2
I recently got one and like it as a dedicated word processor / note taker because of the nice screen and cool form factor, as you note. It’s also easy to transfer files to my Windows 10 machine (I think I use LaddieCon). But as Willard mentioned, the screen is slow. Sometimes the word processor does odd things, such as jumping to another nearby part of the text. Maybe I accidentally typed a command or arrow to jump, but it’s still silly to suddenly and somewhat frequently find myself typing in the middle of another place in the text. Nonetheless, as a dedicated word processor, it’s a nice idea. I was intrigued by the Zork idea also. A purely text based application like that, which also doesn’t require super fast screen refreshing, may work well. I share Willard’s concern that it may be a challenge to do much more from a programming perspective on the WP-2, though. Best wishes, Anthony On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Abraham Moller wrote: > Oops - I meant the VCF SE 7.0. But Zork on a WP-2 was evidently > demonstrated at the VCF MW 9.0 in 2014 (by Christopher at > randomvariations.com). > > Jon > > On Sun, 31 Mar 2019, 02:07 Abraham Moller, wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the >> machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack >> of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, and 128K >> drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also looks like Forth >> and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the machine. >> >> Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John Hogerhuis, >> of course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline assembler would >> make it really strong. Also, does anyone on the list have the source for >> the WP-2 zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from randomvariations.com >> ported it, but I can't find his email address anywhere)? >> >> I have a QuickPad Pro (80186-powered) in a similar form factor that does >> much more (DOS), but it is hampered by a weird serial port (no way to >> receive data without frequent software interruption, at least through >> testing with DSZ). Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed >> other apps for the WP-2? A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter >> would be really nice and a great addition to my planned portable computing >> exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. >> >> Let me know if you have any suggestions or if I should just steer clear. >> >> Thanks, >> Jon >> >
Re: [M100] Tandy WP-2
I recently got one and like it as a dedicated word processor / note taker because of the nice screen and cool form factor, as you note. It’s also easy to transfer files to my Windows 10 machine (I think I use LaddieCon). But as Willard mentioned, the screen is slow. Sometimes the word processor does odd things, such as jumping to another nearby part of the text. Maybe I accidentally typed a command or arrow to jump, but it’s still silly to suddenly and somewhat frequently find myself typing in the middle of another place in the text. Nonetheless, as a dedicated word processor, it’s a nice idea. I was intrigued by the Zork idea also. A purely text based application like that, which also doesn’t require super fast screen refreshing, may work well. I share Willard’s concern that it may be a challenge to do much more from a programming perspective on the WP-2, though. It would be fun to try, perhaps. Best wishes, Anthony On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Abraham Moller wrote: > Oops - I meant the VCF SE 7.0. But Zork on a WP-2 was evidently > demonstrated at the VCF MW 9.0 in 2014 (by Christopher at > randomvariations.com). > > Jon > > On Sun, 31 Mar 2019, 02:07 Abraham Moller, wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the >> machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack >> of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, and 128K >> drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also looks like Forth >> and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the machine. >> >> Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John Hogerhuis, >> of course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline assembler would >> make it really strong. Also, does anyone on the list have the source for >> the WP-2 zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from randomvariations.com >> ported it, but I can't find his email address anywhere)? >> >> I have a QuickPad Pro (80186-powered) in a similar form factor that does >> much more (DOS), but it is hampered by a weird serial port (no way to >> receive data without frequent software interruption, at least through >> testing with DSZ). Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed >> other apps for the WP-2? A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter >> would be really nice and a great addition to my planned portable computing >> exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. >> >> Let me know if you have any suggestions or if I should just steer clear. >> >> Thanks, >> Jon >> >
Re: [M100] Tandy WP-2
In article , Abraham Moller wrote: > Hi all, > I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the > machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the > lack of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, > and 128K drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also > looks like Forth and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the > machine. As a computer, the WP-2 isn't that great... The 80x8 screen is very slow, and XMODEM only works at 1200 bps. the 128K RAM can only be used as a RAM disk, not regular z80 memory. > Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John Hogerhuis, > of course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline assembler would > make it really strong. I've never been a forth guy, I'm afraid. :-( My WP-2 is an early one with the scroll bug described in the CamelForth docs. I got that far in CamelForth and that was about it. > Also, does anyone on the list have the source for > the WP-2 zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from randomvariations.com > ported it, but I can't find his email address anywhere)? AFAIK no one does. :-( > Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed other apps for > the WP-2? There are a few utilities in the M100 CIS archive (via club 100). I haven't gotten any further than "Hello World" for it myself. An assembly .def file for ASM80/ZMAC, TASM, and AS cross assemblers for WP-2 is part of my m100defs.zip archive. wp2.def has everything I know from the Tech Manual and the CIS archive in it. It's an OK word processor, assuming you either have a live parallel-port printer or a filter to go from wp2 .DO to (WP2 documents are not plain ASCII -- the wiki has the best description). > A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter would be > really nice and a great addition to my planned portable computing > exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. If you want a computer to do computery things, it's probably a skip. It's good for taking notes in class, or things of that nature. Good for keeping a journal (main thing mine gets used for), or for doing nanowritemo. Willard -- Willard Goosey goo...@sdc.org Socorro, New Mexico, USA I search my heart and find Cimmeria, land of Darkness and the Night. --Robert E. Howard
Re: [M100] Tandy WP-2
Oops - I meant the VCF SE 7.0. But Zork on a WP-2 was evidently demonstrated at the VCF MW 9.0 in 2014 (by Christopher at randomvariations.com). Jon On Sun, 31 Mar 2019, 02:07 Abraham Moller, wrote: > Hi all, > > I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the > machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack > of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, and 128K > drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also looks like Forth > and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the machine. > > Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John Hogerhuis, > of course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline assembler would > make it really strong. Also, does anyone on the list have the source for > the WP-2 zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from randomvariations.com > ported it, but I can't find his email address anywhere)? > > I have a QuickPad Pro (80186-powered) in a similar form factor that does > much more (DOS), but it is hampered by a weird serial port (no way to > receive data without frequent software interruption, at least through > testing with DSZ). Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed > other apps for the WP-2? A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter > would be really nice and a great addition to my planned portable computing > exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. > > Let me know if you have any suggestions or if I should just steer clear. > > Thanks, > Jon >
[M100] Tandy WP-2
Hi all, I had a few questions about the Tandy WP-2. How many here have used the machine? It seems like a nice upgrade from the Model 100, although the lack of BASIC is a disappointment. The 80x8 display, XMODEM capability, and 128K drop-in RAM upgrade seem like the main advantages. It also looks like Forth and an Infocom interpreter have been ported to the machine. Has anyone here used or upgraded WP-2 CamelForth (besides John Hogerhuis, of course)? It looks promising, and disk I/O plus inline assembler would make it really strong. Also, does anyone on the list have the source for the WP-2 zxzvm Infocom interpreter (Christopher from randomvariations.com ported it, but I can't find his email address anywhere)? I have a QuickPad Pro (80186-powered) in a similar form factor that does much more (DOS), but it is hampered by a weird serial port (no way to receive data without frequent software interruption, at least through testing with DSZ). Is the WP-2 worth it for tinkering? Has anyone developed other apps for the WP-2? A Z80 laptop running Forth and zcode interpreter would be really nice and a great addition to my planned portable computing exhibit at VCF SE 9.0. Let me know if you have any suggestions or if I should just steer clear. Thanks, Jon
