Re: [ql-users] Back to the QL
Very well done - you have spent some time on this. Just took a quick scan and nothing really bad stood out. If you get carried a way, a couple of small graphics at the top might help the initial look (to keep the casual browser's attention long enough to start reading it) but that is a very, very minor nit. Cheers, jim Well, I thought content first, flashy design later. Kept as simple text like this will make it easier to update as and when new ideas pop up. If no major changes needed after a few days, will pretty it up a bit. If anyone (Quanta, traders, friends of ex-QLers etc) wishes to make use of this page in any way feel free. There's a lot of links in it, so probably not very good as a text file, but anyone is welcome to use the page in any way they want. As far as changes go, I'd rather people sent me alterations/additions to get it updated in one place in the short term rather than posting copies on their sites and updating their copy, but once it's stable (after a couple of weeks maybe?) anyone can do what they like with it in the interests of helping ex-QLers and new QLers. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.298 / Virus Database: 265.6.5 - Release Date: 26/12/2004 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Back to the QL
Have a read and see what you think. I would welcome any other suggestions for material to help those returning to the QL scene and possibly those who are into retro-computing in general and perhaps approaching the QL for the first time. I don't know if Jochen has mentioned this but I am working on a series for QL Today with just this in mind I sent Jochen a list of topics I have found that people have trouble with when either returning to the QL after a long absence or upgrading from a QL with SGC to a Q60 / QPC2 etc. I should have the first one of these articles in the bag for the next issue. I am hoping that some other people will contribute articles too. This is a quote from the email I sent to Jochen the other day: 'This is a list of some of the issues I think we should cover : Use of Hard drives Use of P.E. Use of DOS disks Screen Resolution BOOT files Colour Drivers Printing Network ? SERnet, QL and TCP/IP Internet Programs ? File handling / utilities /word processing/graphics Yes, all problematic fields. text87 is one of the things to tackle as well.' He didn't mention it, but he's busy and knows I rarely get time to discuss anything in any great length. QL Today is a bit skin of the teeth some months. It really is something that should be done. It needs to be in print and on the web, as so much initial contact now is by people finding the QL websites via search engines etc. Quanta reprinted the first part of my Software Sources article because Roy felt it would be a useful source of information. Second part of that should be in a QL Today soon, assuming Jochen and I remember to include it! If there's any material on the page which might help with your article, just use it. I've kept the page simple apart from the links to other pages, so by copying and pasting the text from the html source or in your browser you should be able to grab the chunks you want pretty easily. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.298 / Virus Database: 265.6.5 - Release Date: 26/12/2004 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Back to the QL
On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 at 00:59:16, Roy wood wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) Have a read and see what you think. I would welcome any other suggestions for material to help those returning to the QL scene and possibly those who are into retro-computing in general and perhaps approaching the QL for the first time. I don't know if Jochen has mentioned this but I am working on a series for QL Today with just this in mind I sent Jochen a list of topics I have found that people have trouble with when either returning to the QL after a long absence or upgrading from a QL with SGC to a Q60 / QPC2 etc. I should have the first one of these articles in the bag for the next issue. I am hoping that some other people will contribute articles too. This is a quote from the email I sent to Jochen the other day: 'This is a list of some of the issues I think we should cover : Use of Hard drives Use of P.E. Use of DOS disks Screen Resolution BOOT files It should include some standard minefields, like how to make sure superHermes keyboard drivers are loaded on hard disk systems. I like to have a basic BOOT program to get a working system, and put everything else into a 'boot1'. I also try (on my romdisq) to ensure it will run under all ROM based operating systems. This is a very far from trivial task. I think I have now got a romdisq that I can use to boot any QL system using the on-board ROM - very useful for troubleshooting. Colour Drivers Printing Network ? SERnet, QL and TCP/IP Including serial - serial communication with other machines. The design of the lead is so simple, but people get in really deep water. It would be good to publish the working pinouts which QuaLsoft designed and sold way back in 1989. Somehow, even 15 years later, the question still pops up. I remember a sernet session at Byfleet where a group of people spent hours trying to get Roy Wood's sernet working. I made up the 'standard' lead, and it worked! I know there are software issues too and the QLs serial port needs to work, but the lead itself should never be the issue. Internet Programs ? File handling / utilities /word processing/graphics Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@surname.co.uk http://www.firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Back to the QL
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Tony Firshman [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes SNIP It should include some standard minefields, like how to make sure superHermes keyboard drivers are loaded on hard disk systems. Yes I agree. It is in my 'Write a BOOT' section I like to have a basic BOOT program to get a working system, and put everything else into a 'boot1'. I don't really see the point in that unless you are using the JM ROM I also try (on my romdisq) to ensure it will run under all ROM based operating systems. This is a very far from trivial task. I think I have now got a romdisq that I can use to boot any QL system using the on-board ROM - very useful for troubleshooting. As above but that is because you are using it to BOOT many different systems. Most users would only BOOT one at a time. Still this would make a good article for QL Today. Colour Drivers Printing Network ? SERnet, QL and TCP/IP Including serial - serial communication with other machines. The design of the lead is so simple, but people get in really deep water. It would be good to publish the working pinouts which QuaLsoft designed and sold way back in 1989. Somehow, even 15 years later, the question still pops up. I remember a sernet session at Byfleet where a group of people spent hours trying to get Roy Wood's sernet working. I made up the 'standard' lead, and it worked! I know there are software issues too and the QLs serial port needs to work, but the lead itself should never be the issue. Do I hear you volunteering to do that ? We will await the article then, Thanks! -- Roy Wood Q Branch. 20 Locks Hill, Portslade, Sussex.BN41 2LB Tel: +44 (0) 1273 386030fax: +44 (0) 1273 430501 web : www.qbranch.demon.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Back to the QL
Tony Firshman [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes SNIP I like to have a basic BOOT program to get a working system, and put everything else into a 'boot1'. I don't really see the point in that unless you are using the JM ROM This also is just makes it a pain if anyone wants to do an automatic installation program that needs to check some stuff in the boot file. Of course the 'advanced' user (in this case) would likely be able to do the extra install pieces with notes back from the installer (IE: advanced vs. easy modes). I think I have now got a romdisq that I can use to boot any QL system using the on-board ROM - very useful for troubleshooting. A simple alternative to this is to have a user key input required after just the basic install is done (abort if trouble shooting or continue as normal). jim ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Back to the QL
On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 at 12:10:02, Roy wood wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) I like to have a basic BOOT program to get a working system, and put everything else into a 'boot1'. I don't really see the point in that unless you are using the JM ROM ... so that one can boot up simply if there are problems. It is often difficult to work out where to put a STOP. As above but that is because you are using it to BOOT many different systems. Most users would only BOOT one at a time. Still this would make a good article for QL Today. Do I see a hint there (8-)# Colour Drivers Printing Network ? SERnet, QL and TCP/IP Including serial - serial communication with other machines. The design of the lead is so simple, but people get in really deep water. It would be good to publish the working pinouts which QuaLsoft designed and sold way back in 1989. Somehow, even 15 years later, the question still pops up. I remember a sernet session at Byfleet where a group of people spent hours trying to get Roy Wood's sernet working. I made up the 'standard' lead, and it worked! I know there are software issues too and the QLs serial port needs to work, but the lead itself should never be the issue. Do I hear you volunteering to do that ? We will await the article then, Thanks! OK. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@surname.co.uk http://www.firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Back to the QL
I've set up a trial page to help those former QL users who realise that the QL still exists and fancy trying out the QL again. The page is at http://homepages.tesco.net/dilwyn.jones/backtoql/backtoql.html and should be readable in most browsers as it's only text and links. Have a read and see what you think. I would welcome any other suggestions for material to help those returning to the QL scene and possibly those who are into retro-computing in general and perhaps approaching the QL for the first time. My hope is that as I have been getting quite a few emails from people who stumble across my website that this will be a positive resource they can try out to help and encourage them to return to the QL scene. Those who are familiar with website design, can you think of other keywords I should add to the meta tags and to the first sentence or two in the page to encourage search engines to find this page? -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.298 / Virus Database: 265.6.5 - Release Date: 26/12/2004 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
