8-bit Software Disc Magazine Issue 13 - June 1991
(c) Duncan Webster 1991 (all rights reserved)
MESSAGES (inc. Replies to Help Wanted)
Message to: All Members
From: Duncan Webster
Many members weren't too disturbed about the new magazine format, but
many asked why pages cannot be printed out. Well they can if you
prefix the 3 digit code number with the letter P - See the Magazine
Help option on issue 12 disc for more info. For example if you wanted
to view page 100, and print it, you would enter P100 after making sure
your printer was on line and ready to print.
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Message to: All Members
From: Duncan Webster
Anyone who is stuck on what to do with the small C compiler (available
from the TBI pool) will be pleased to know that Mr. Needham has kindly
forwarded some comprehensive notes (by J Harsdon) on the compiler,
including the valuable information needed to get the thing started in
the first place. This information now comes with the compiler as
standard, so anyone wanting a copy should send in 2 discs.
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Message to: All Members
From: 6EE (M Needham)
Anyone who has obtained a copy of the TBI disc "The Animation Station
Animations" - or TAS Animations for short might like to note that the
Skeletons 2 program doesn't work too well with some micros. The way
to fix this is to Remove the REM from line 10 and substitute IF. The
GOTO line should also be changed to 900. The program will now load
and run.
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Message to: All Members
From: Duncan Webster
Although 99% of members could not get the Devils Island game to work
(issue 12), one member (8CT) has managed to sort out the error. In
order to get the program to run, you should return to command mode by
pressing CTRL + BREAK, make sure your issue 12 disc is in drive 0 and
enter the following ....
*DIR B <return>
*DEVILS <return>
The program should then LOAD and RUN correctly. You might like to
alter the appropriate area on the !Menu file on the issue 12 disc - it
reads *DIR A instead of *DIR B. If you DO USE this game now it can be
loaded correctly, then any comments will be welcome.
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Message to: YR2
From: 2J3 (C Richardson)
Thanks for the info about copyfiles on the Welcome disc for the
Master. However with a single drive which is what I have, a swap of
discs is required for each file - sometimes 2 or 3 swaps are needed
for just ONE file! This is especially tedious when you know you have
stacks more memory available. What I am after is a program that will
copy the entire contents of a DFS disc onto a specified directory of
an ADFS disc with the nimimum number of disc swaps.
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Message to: YJ2 (A Snodgrass)
From: 4RR Re: Watford Solderless SWR board
You have rightly identified the SWR socket as 14H and 14L (high and
low) which although two sockets, only replace one 16k ROM socket.
Thus only 8k RAM chips (6264's) should be fitted in each socket giving
a total of 16k.
Provided you DO have the correct RAM chips fitted there is not much
else to say. I have Yorkshire Boys Mixmania 1 and 2 running happily
with my Watford Solderless SWR board fitted. All apart from 2 tracks
on the first disc (as these need 4x16k SWR banks) and all on the
second disc work but you need 16k SWR fitted.
It is also possible that there is a clash with a ROM already mounted
onto the board. To prove this you would have to switch off each ROM
in turn and run the YB's disc. As it may even be your ROM manager
causing the problem you should try software switching. This is
acheived by typing directly:- ?(&2A1+&<n>)=0 where <n> (in HEX) is the
number of the ROM socket which you require to be switched off. Note
that this is only a software disable and will not survive a BREAK
action. After turning ROMs off therefore you will have to boot the
YB's disc MANUALLY by entering *EXEC !boot.
Finally, check that all the pins on the SWR board have been seated
correctly on the BBC's main board and that there aren't any bent pins.
Trusting this has helped. Good luck as the Mixmania discs are well
worth listening to.
EDITORS FOOTNOTE:
Mixmania 2 volume 2 (note - the next disc on from M. Mania 2) is
available from the TBI pool - see issue 12 magazine for a full list.
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Message to: A S Shakoor
From: Y80 (Alex Savvides)
I like A S Shakoors stuff, especially his use of Mode 7 and the way he
has turned the screen flicker off to give you a distorted character
set in his address book proggy. In response to his request for ideas
to program, I have the following ideas ...
- A Mode 7 Word Processor (I am sure he can sort out something)
- A Mode 7 Screen Editor. Maybe even extend it so that the screens
can be edited and then squeezed into one datafile enabling a CEEFAX
type environment where you select a page and then it is loaded up
etc.
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Message to: All Members
From: Duncan Webster
Here is a challenge to all members of 8BS who like a programming
challenge. Take a look at the ROT5 graphics program. Mr Nevin (0E7)
has remarked that it would be nice to see James Bond appear in the
middle after it has finished drawing? - And how about some music?
Well, there it is although I shall certainly NOT be doing it myself.
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Message to: A S Shakoor
From: 81R (S Bodman)
How about writing a nice program for 8BS which handels all our replies
to 8BS and then puts it all on a single file. This would hopefully
save time for both concerned. You would need to include the following
- Messages to 8BS, Messages to other users, Adverts, Details of
programs sent up, Reviews etc. This would be helpful to everyone,
especially those without Word Processors.
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Message to: All Members
From: 81R (S Bodman)
Would anyone like to polish my programs up and turn one or more of
them into a really professional version? I am sure there is the
ability to do this out there as long as the program sticks to the
rules on the issue 12 disc Re: variables etc.
EDITORS NOTE: The Motor Car Program is one such program submitted by
Mr Bodman - would anyone like to work on this program?
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Message to: 4E2 (Andy Nibbs)
From: 81R (S Bodman)
Could you please supply details and a circuit diagram for the sound
sampler? I have a BBC Model B issue 7 if this makes any difference.
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Message to: 7GE
From: 2J3 (C Richardson) RE: Games for Sale Enquiry
Including P+P. Lord of the Rings BBC Tape ONLY with book (quite a
large package really therefore a bit extra on postage unless you wish
to forego the novel which is the original LOTR novel in paperback) 4
pounds for both cassettes or 6 pounds for the lot.
GRAPHIC ADVENTURE CREATOR BBC tape ONLY, a bit on P and P again 3
pounds for the lot or 2 pounds without the large box it is in.
Spy Vs Spy BBC Only TAPE ..... 3.00
Alien 8 BBC Only TAPE ......... 2.00
All in first class nick - as good as new.
If you want all the tapes I will knock a pound off.
PS. Why not send off for TBI07?
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Message to: 81R (formerlly Y2J) - S Bodman
From: 2J3 (C Richardson) RE: CITADEL CHEAT
The cheat was written for the Play it Again Sam version. My apologies
if it does not work for you. Unfortunately some cheats that I have
sent to 8BS will not work under all circumstances. Some of them are
really only broad guidelines for people who know what they are doing
to fiddle around with.
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Message to: 74Q
From: 2J3 RE: Inca Treasure Enquiry
You want help? All the usual rules for text adventures are worth
bearing in mind. Type HELP, think if all the different ways you could
ask for something. If you read the JUNE Micro User you would see how
to use the Machete. You really do need a map - where are you stuck?