8-bit Software (c) Duncan Webster January 1992
Issue 18 Jan/Feb 1992
ISSUE 18 NEWS & INFORMATION
Welcome to issue 18, the first of 1992. I will start by announcing
that I have decided to lapse back to the old style magazine format for
a few more issues as I am still unable to get a completed magazine
sent to Andy and received back (plus corrections) in time for each
issue. I am afraid time is going to force me to keep to this standard
for the time being.
Issue 18 has been late this time for three main reasons:- Firstly I
have been ill with the dreaded flu which put me off all work and in
bed for 2 weeks. Secondly I have been working away for another week
which has left me one week to do issue 18. Finally, due to an
incompatibility with the 1770 DFS, the Archiver v3.0 failed to work
(after I had compacted files using an old 8271 DFS). I was therefore
forced to delay the rollout of issue 18 until I received a re-written
BASIC Arc3.0 program from Andrew Black. So as you can see it is all
his fault that I am late!
CORRECTIONS
As many of you have pointed out, Andy Nibbs' Masterdisc Magazine does
not contain 100% Public Domain software as indicated in the issue 17
magazine. However a section of Masterdisc does occassionally hold
various PD titles. The magazine itself is not PD and must therefore
not be re-distributed in any way, shape or form.
8BS INFORMATION
I have had quite a few members who joined 8BS within the last 8-12
months asking me various questions that have been discussed many times
beforehand and therefore their questions do not usually find
themselves put into the magazine. Consiquently, members are left
wondering what a lot of 8BS is actually about. A typical example here
is the TBI software pool which was explained last issue.
Hopefully, the new 8BS messaging program (when launched later this
year) will put a stop to this as I shall be able to send PRIVATE
messages to the individual members concerned. I will have to
apologise for the introductory text sent to new members as this is
hopelessly out of date and I have not had the time to write an updated
version.
The quick solution to this problem is to send off for some back issues
which are available free upon the receipt of the necessary media.
Once the 8BS messaging program is running reliably, I intend to
include some standard "new member" text each issue.
SYSTEMS Shares
Program has been delayed. The actual size and scope of SYSTEMS shares
has exceeded original expectations therfore the whole program and
associated data/text files is likely to occupy 200k. I would
therefore ask all members who wish to obtain a copy of SYSTEMS shares
to return an extra disc with their issue 18 returns. I will hold this
disc until the program is completed around Spring/Summer time.
Hugh Williams' SORTING ARTICLE part 3
I am delighted to be able to announce that the third and final part of
Hugh's excellent sorting article is on this issue disc. For those
members who have experienced interest in obtaining the whole 3-part
series on one disc, I am pleased to be able to announce that a
"shareware" version is to be launched soon. Full details of how to
obtain a copy of this will appear in a future issue. I would like to
take this opportunity to thank Hugh for the time and effort he has so
obviously put into such an interesting series. Comments on the whole
3 parts of this sorting series would be most welcome. All comments
will be passed onto Hugh.
Chris Richardson's MIX-EDITOR
Big response on this program - To aviod having to publish all the
comments which would take ages, I have made a quick summary ...
Lots of you would like a more detailed user guide plus better error
trapping. There seems to be a demand for pre-sampled software which
unfortunately I have lost. Chris has over 2 discs full of samples
which I shall add to the TBI pool as soon as I obtain them. If you
are reading this Chris can you please re-submit your discs full of
pre-sampled software. I have also been sent a new version of Mix-Ed
which is better error trapped. Unfortunately I cannot put this on
issue 18 due to space. Hopefully, it will be republished on the issue
19/20 disc by which time I would probably have received 6 more
"updated" versions from Chris.
Next issue due out 31st March 1992. Please send more software (even
of from other PD libraries - so long as they're PD). Please send more
magazine material. Thanks.