Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
On Sat, 21 May 2005 at 19:22:48, Dilwyn Jones wrote: (ref: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>) >The tediousness of keeping backups (e.g. copy QXL.WIN to a CD-RW on a >PC a couple of time a month) is so much easier than trying to undelete >files on a QL. Exactly. I use a 6.4GB hard disk with (maybe) 24 partitions on my Aurora/qubide based BBS system. I then increment the partition number daily on my backup program. I could be more sophisticated, and keep 1 month backups too. This has been running mainly unattended since the late nineties. Mind you I have had no file problems at all since moving to Mplane. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Fw: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
Oops, try again, to the right address this time. - Original Message - From: "Dilwyn Jones" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 8:56 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete A solution has presented itself [I can get a further set of the missing originals], so I no longer need to recover the files from the win_ directory. In answer to your questions, Darren, I lost both a WIN_ file which I didn't recover, and also the contents (by WDEL) of another win_ file. This was due to the need for a Windows reinstall some months later than screwing up one of the win_ files, which lost the win_ file on the Windows partition. So I had the worst of both worlds. Darren, if you are keen to see what files can be salvaged from the remaining win_ file, I would be interested. However, this is no longer an essential exercise as before, rather it would be for the good of the QL community, as an experiment to see if files can be recovered. You should know I have tried the QL utility recover_x before, without success. OK, I grabbed some time tonight and put a few file & disk & Archive recovery programs onto the Files page on my website in case anyone's interested in them as downloads. Most are old and may only work on older systems, or on DD disks for example. Some have sources. RecoverX - recover/extract files from QXL.WIN. Sources included. RecoverQ - recover damaged files from QL floppy FDU - Ergon's Floppy DIsk Utilities Sec-Ed - Disk sector editor written in BASIC Rettunge - rescue deleted files on QL floppy disks ResQL - recover damaged files or floppy disks Media Manager SE - Sources for Chas Dillon's disk handler once sold by DP. Strange situation, permission only extends to the sources AFAIK, but might be useful for someone wanting to write a disk reader. Written to be compiled with Turbo. Recover - Archive database recovery program They've been in the PD library for some time, but few people bother with that now :-( Done in a bit of a rush tonight, so not much tested, hope it works OK. Might help people who have found themselves in Stuart's situation, although I think he'd tried some of them without success in his case. Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Undelete
OK, I've put some of the file/disk recovery programs up tonight - go to my site at http://www.dilwyn.uk6.net/index.html and go to the Files utilities section. Sources to a couple of them are there too, including a disk sector editor if you want to have a bash at writing something yourself. Sorry it took so long to respond to these, like many on this list, finding time to get anything done is the problem! Loads more programs there which you might be interested in, of course. I'm sure Darren will "pinch" some games from there for his QL Stick, for example. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: "Stuart Jones" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 8:53 PM Subject: [ql-users] Undelete Thanks, Dilwyn, that would be useful as now I am back QL'ing, I have found that I am having to get replacements for other programs which I had on floppy (and deleted, but still have the floppies, mostly). This includes, for example, Q-Liberator, which I have just had to pay 18 Euros for, from a Dutch retro site. So, it will be useful to me to get my originals back, to avoid continuing further expense! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] QL on Stick
Am I missing something here, or could Darren just get some transparent sticky labels (e.g. from Avery) and laser print a QL picture or something onto them and wrap it around the body of the QL Stick? Dilwyn Jones That would be lovely, a real 3D shaped USB Stick with the microdrives being the USB plug cover cap. I can probably get those purpose made, but at a 100 print run, expect to pay about 2,000 quid each at least!! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Undelete
Dilwyn, got the files you mentioned except for "Rettunge". Would be very interested in the SBASIC Tebby routines, as I may be able to use them as a basis for writing an improved file recovery tool. If you have them, I'd be very interested. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Undelete
Thanks, Dilwyn, that would be useful as now I am back QL'ing, I have found that I am having to get replacements for other programs which I had on floppy (and deleted, but still have the floppies, mostly). This includes, for example, Q-Liberator, which I have just had to pay 18 Euros for, from a Dutch retro site. So, it will be useful to me to get my originals back, to avoid continuing further expense! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Software behaving badly
Malcolm Cadman, A suggestion save below as a csv Software,Ver nnn,HARDWARE - OS,, ,,QL128,Cumana,CST,Medic,GoldCard,SupGoldCd,Qubide,Q40,Q60 ,Qlay,Qlay2k,QPC,QPC2,Qlem,uQLx Utilities TK2_ext PtrGen WMAN RAMPRT XTRAS etc Progs Quill Abacus Editor etc -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
RE: [ql-users] QL on Stick
At 11:49 20/05/2005 +0100, you wrote: That would be lovely, a real 3D shaped USB Stick with the microdrives being the USB plug cover cap. I can probably get those purpose made, but at a 100 print run, expect to pay about 2,000 quid each at least!! It really is not sensible to think along such commercial lines. I can envisage a much more economical solution. I would need to have an example of the stick and as I no longer posses a BlackBox , a pic of the top and dimensions for proportion. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] QPC2/Windows
1. Has anyone tried QDT? What do they think of it? Does it allow drag and drop or any other file handling functions like Windows Explorer does? 2. If QDT doesn't have a file handler, are there other graphic front-end file handlers that can be used in QPC2? 3. I vaguely remember QPTR - am I right that this just has functions/handlers rather than being a full windowing suite? 4. Is Easy Pointer 4 anything to do with the above? I'd like to have a snazzy interface rather than typing everything in. This will be important, I feel, if QPC/QXL/QL are to live for longer. I'll be interested in the reply, it may cause me to part with some money for newer QL programs! Regards, Stuart You could also have a look at Launchpad. Not as colourful or snazzy as QDT, but a lot easier than typing in all those EXEC commands in BASIC! Demo version on my website, high colour version in preparation. Dilwyn Jones http://homepages.tesco.net/dilwyn.jones/index.html -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
Finally, Dilwyn, thanks for the offer, but I don't need the advert to be run in QL today anymore. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience on your part to date. Regards all, Stuart I didn't manage to get time to do anything more than file it under 'QL Today Vol 10 Issue 1' so no problem at all! File delete recovery is so much harder on a QL system as the file header is totally lost, so you have to find the file sections on a disk. If anything has been written tot he disk since the file was trashed, chances are it's gone, as any space used by deleted files becomes immediately available to be used by the next file to be written (and there's no copy in a Recycle folder or anything like that), so it may well be gone quite quick and beyond any hope of recovery. The QXL.WIN container is a different matter, it's basically one (albeit large) Windows file, which can be undeleted pretty much like any other Windows file. Tony Tebby did at one stage provide a couple of qxl.win checking and recovery programs written in SBASIC (drvlink and drvcheck or some such names) don't know if those are still supplied and indeed if they work on current systems. The tediousness of keeping backups (e.g. copy QXL.WIN to a CD-RW on a PC a couple of time a month) is so much easier than trying to undelete files on a QL. When you restore a QXL.WIN from a CD on some versions of Windows you may need to untick its read-only attribute in Windows or QPC2 won't manage to write to it. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Undelete
Sorry I'm late responding, last couple of weeks have been impossible time-wise. There are programs for file recovery available, but file recovery on a QL is not like on a PC for example, where a file is flagged for delete effectively leaving the original or traces of it behind. On a QL, the directory entry is gone, so automated recovery is much more difficult. That said, there are programs, although I've never really used any of them: Floppy Disk Utility v1.22 from Davide Santachiare at Ergon Development. Rettunge RecoverQ (disks) and RecoverX (qxl.win) by Hans-Peter Recktenwald ResQL QXLtool (Jonathan Hudson) I do have copies of most of these programs. I'll see if I can get time next few days to pop them up on my website to download. Most are available on the web if you know where to search and who the authors are. Those from Hans-Peter, Davide and Jonathan named above should be locatable by following links from my QL web links page. Dilwyn Jones - Original Message - From: "Darren Branagh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 9:32 AM Subject: RE: [ql-users] Undelete If the did you delete the entire Win file itself or just its contents? If you deleted the Win file, you can use any one of umpteen PC file recovery programs to get that back.. If it was the contents, it's a little harder. There are a few file recovery programs for the QL, though I have never tried any - thankfully never had any need to - apart from Cartridge Doctor back in the days of microdrives. Dilwyn - are there any in your PD library? I recall some in the SJPD catalogue years ago, and possibly some in the Qubbesoft library too. Cheers, Darren. -Original Message- From: Stuart Jones [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 20 May 2005 01:13 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ql-users] Undelete Gulp! I'd forgotten that programs are harder to recover. I remember using the LRESPR/SEXEC pairs to save such recovered files, with the file length and data length being set by trial and error. I haven't written to the WIN_ files since deleting the contents, so they should be recoverable. Dependent on what happens to my grovel for replacement discs, I may try it. Regarding the floppy recovery, I'll have to digest what you've said first! Stuart ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] QPC2/Windows
In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Stuart Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes Now I have dusted off my QPC2 and discovered QDT's existence, four related questions: 1. Has anyone tried QDT? What do they think of it? Does it allow drag and drop or any other file handling functions like Windows Explorer does? It is brilliant ... just get it and enjoy .. :-) And there is a lot more to come, and the software is being actively developed, you will get free updates as they are completed. In addition the author is open to suggestions and comments on the way in which the software does develop. 2. If QDT doesn't have a file handler, are there other graphic front-end file handlers that can be used in QPC2? Not there yet, in the ay that you mean, yet the philosophy of QDT is to make the best of all the latest developments, so that it integrates with a lot of other existing elements. QDT introduces folders to the QL environment, so any user familiar with a GUI will feel at home with it. The windows in QDT are re-sizeable at will ( slider bars ) and you can pick and drag a window instantly. Just like you would expect with a good GUI. 3. I vaguely remember QPTR - am I right that this just has functions/handlers rather than being a full windowing suite? You won't need that with QDT. 4. Is Easy Pointer 4 anything to do with the above? No, Easy Pointer 4 is a software development tool. Of course, if you have the software then you can launch it easily from the GUI of QDT. I'd like to have a snazzy interface rather than typing everything in. This will be important, I feel, if QPC/QXL/QL are to live for longer. QDT is a snazzy interface, and it is going to get better as more development comes along. I'll be interested in the reply, it may cause me to part with some money for newer QL programs! I don't believe that you will regret purchasing QDT ... -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Software behaving badly
In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Darren Branagh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes Thanks Bill. It seems there is interest in this project. I'm stunned :-)) I really want to go with the logo idea, which means 100. Years from now, when the QL is probably no more, it will be a nice thing to have. Umm ... novelty ...souvenir, and now a future antique collectors item ... it just can't fail ... :-) Looking forward to it. However, just to discuss the logo image a little further. Obviously as Sinclair no longer has an interest in the QL, wouldn't it be better to do a new 2005 edition ? Reflecting more of the present and the future. That is make use of one of the new logos designed for the modern QL scene, some of which published in QL Today, and I believe are on a web site somewhere. Also if Quanta sponsor it then a 'Quanta Edition 2005' could also be included. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Stuart Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes Thanks for the nice welcome message, also thanks to all who contributed with the interesting chatter. I agree about the relative value of the DP suite - it was hard to justify the cost then, and harder now, as I said I'm after them for nostalgic reasons. Sadly, the PC/Offife suite is so good these days it's hard to find a real need for a QL - hoping that won't annoy the hell out of those who cling to the machine as if it was new today. I loved my QL, but the world moved on. Indeed, the world has moved on, and so has the QL world too ... check on my site - http://www.mcad.demon.co.uk/lquan.htm ... for the start of links to all sorts of developments that have or are currently taking place. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] New email address and address
In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, =?iso-8859-7?B?1u/f4u/yINEuIM30/Orv8iAoUGhvZWJ1cyBSLiBEb2tvcyk=?= <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes On Thu, 19 May 2005 16:15:35 -0400, Malcolm Cadman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Darren Branagh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes -Original Message- From: Dilwyn Jones [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] dbranaghATcmsperipheralsDOTcom I'm one of the ones who used the O2 address. I thought the other one was a work email address. And that's fine, but as I said I only check it very infrequently. For a speedy response use the the work email. Dilwyn, can you put this change in the next QL Today? OK. The other option is to actually ban Darren from ever changing his email address again ... :-) I am pretty sure that if Dilwyn would call Freddy he will be able to express it in a licence somewhere... (as in the excerpt below) Article III^2356632*128+6 I. The user shall be prohibited from reselling the software except when Mr. Branagh changes his email address. In such case the user shall be able to sell the software, provided he books a plane to Mayo Co., forces Mr. Branagh at gunpoint to revert to his old address and contractually binds him to refrain from EVER drinking Guinness again (or drink it icy cold in any case ;-) ) He ... he ... brilliant, Phoebus ... :-) -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, =?iso-8859-7?B?1u/f4u/yINEuIM30/Orv8iAoUGhvZWJ1cyBSLiBEb2tvcyk=?= <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes On Thu, 19 May 2005 15:57:48 -0400, Malcolm Cadman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Robert Newson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes I also bought them when it was offered (having never really bought any s/ware, it really expanded my collection). From the "agreement": (10) Remember, by purchasing this collection you have agreed to its licence conditions. Note that it is for your personal use only (you can make a reasonable number of security backups of it or its contents - again, all for your own use only), and that you agree not to resell, or otherwise pass on, whether for reward or otherwise, any part (except and UNZIP) or all of it, or of any Digital Precision Ltd software already possessed by you, to _any_ circumstances. Breaches of this will be dealt with severely. This means, among other things, that if you are disposing of part or all your QL system you may NOT pass on this collection (or any part of it, except ZIP and UNZIP) with it. Umm ... interesting licence condition ..."Breaches of this will be dealt with severely" ... yet by whom exactly ? As DP has gone, the MD and software authors have all had their money ... Actually I don't think that this clause is enforceable in the UK or elsewhere even for software (which is always in murky waters when it comes to licencing etc.) I believe the reason for it being there was to avoid people unbundling the collection and selling pieces at a profit. Even so the fact that you cannot resell the software I am pretty sure is illegal. It's essentially like buying a car under the condition that you will never sell it :-) (Even if you broke your legs and couldn't drive anymore) Yes ... more bluff than legally enforceable ... -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Software behaving badly
In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Darren Branagh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes This is the worry I had, would we sell 10 never mind 50 or 100. I would really like to commit to 100, which would make getting the logo a reality, which I think is the thing that will make the item a bit more personal, and also sellable to the QL community. It will set it apart from the ton of other USB sticks that are available everywhere. On the plus side, there has been a flurry of positive emails and commitments from quite a few people to buy one or even several. Thank you, this is the sort of thing that will encourage me. I will try and get something to John mason in the coming days - I want to contact a few more people (beta testers, and some programmers) to make sure I have a team on board before committing as I don't have the time to do this on my own anymore. Well, if the London Quanta group members agree, we may buy 5 to 10 just for the group. If the software content is an instant QL environment, then they are useful to pass on to others who may then be tempted to have an interest in the QL. Which is the marketing side of the promotion of a 'QL on a stick'. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Market research
- Original Message - From: "David Tubbs" To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 1:07 AM Subject: Re: [ql-users] Market research At 19:15 19/05/2005 +0100, you wrote: About 25% of Quanta members completed the survey. Does that mean about 75 ? 71 to be precise. Professional market research expects a maximum 5% response. hardly a parallel, victims of Mkt Rsch don't pay £15 pounds not to participate. On a similar point , how many members cast votes for the AGM ? About the same percentage, 25%, either by attendance or proxy. That is higher than most organisations achieve. At the time the survey was being tweaked I suggested traders should invite their customer base to participate, did you or any other do so ? Tony has the best list of QL users and that will include most clients of traders. We all pooled our lists some years ago and my client base has not changed much since then. The cost of mailing all clients would have been disproportionate to the benefits. It surprises me that there seems little desire to ascertain just how many and who are out there, less indeed than my own curiosity in the subject. My impression from what I hear about the membership of Quanta, QL Today readership, this list and Tony's mailing list is that there are probably now about 1,000 QL-ers worldwide. A surprising fact from the survey was that about 25% of Quanta members are simple black box users with some still using microdrives. I think you underestimate what was learnt from the survey. That is understandable because there has been little feedback of the results. John Southern did give a summary at the AGM, and I hope it can be repeated on this list and in the Quanta Magazine (hint! hint! John.) It did give quite a good picture of QL users and Quanta members and in that sense was a success. Where it was disappointing for Quanta was that it did not give a clear idea of the type of projects we could support. BTW, David, for someone who professes to have a pathological hatred for Quanta you seem to take an obsessive interest in our affairs. It's almost like having a stalker ;-). Yours subversively, (constructive of course) Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
