To: 999 & K2Q (John Nicholson)
From: 15A (Steven Flintham)
Subject: 'Dangerous' * commands in
programs
This may not be the best way of doing
it, but if you want to *COMPACT a disc
from within a BASIC program, why not
try programming a function key to
perform the command and then load/run
the program again. For example:
10REM This program would normally be
corrupted on running
20*KEY0 *COMPACT|MLOAD "DEMO"|MGOTO
60|M
30*FX21
40*FX138,0,128
50END
60PRINT "This is the program again!"
I have not tested this actual program
but I've tried the basic method and it
should work. I know it uses a GOTO,
but it's this sort of 'fringe'
programming where I think it's
justifiable. *FX21 clears the keyboard
buffer, which is important because
otherwise any keys the user had
pressed would appear in front of the
command produced by the function key
and could stop it being executed.
*FX138,0,128 just inserts f0 in the
keyboard buffer.
If just loading the program and then
starting it from a particular line
isn't good enough (it could be
particularly annoying if the program
gets renumbered, because the *KEY
definition won't be changed), how
about setting a resident integer
variabe to indicate what to do on
re-running and CHAIN the program.
Something like this:
10REM This program would normally be
corrupted on running
20IF A%=1 THEN GOTO 80
30*KEY0 *COMPACT|MCHAIN "DEMO"|M
40A%=1
50*FX21
60*FX138,0,128
70END
80PRINT "This is the program again!"
However, you would have to set A% to
some other value outside the program
(in a !BOOT file, for instance)
because otherwise A% might just happen
to be 1 (or whatever) when the program
is first run and it would then behave
incorrectly.
Of course, you could have several such
routines and set A% to a different
value just before each of them, with
several IF-THEN lines at the start to
handle them all. A little
experimentation could work wonders
here.
Finally, judicious use of VDU 21 just
before the END statement and |F (the
control code to reactivate the VDU
drivers) should stop any of this being
visible to the user, if that matters.
Consult the user guide for further
information on the VDU drivers if
necesary.
I hope this helps!
To: 999 & K2Q (John Nicholson)
From: 15A (Steven Flintham)
Subject: Radio networking
I read the message on this with
interest - the idea sounds great, but
I don't suppose it stands a chance
with the heavy restrictions on radio
transmission and the high (?) cost of
radio equipment.
I may be wrong but I don't think you
can transmit anything other than
speech without a class A amateur's
license - something like that anyway,
and since I believe you have to pass a
test, including morse code, to get one
the idea would not really be practical
for most people.
However, I seem to recall reading an
article in Acorn User (1986-ish!)
about some people who were doing
something like this - I suppose if you
have the appropriate equipment and
license there's nothing to stop you.
I certainly look forward to hearing
comments from other members about this
idea - perhaps one day the DTI (or
whoever) will make special provision
for this sort of thing. For all I
know, they may do already - I await
information from more knowledgeable
people...
To: 999 (all members)
From: 15A (Steven Flintham)
Subject: InterNet/JANET
Can anyone tell me what the InterNet
actually is? - I've seen it mentioned
a couple of times in BBC Acorn User
but they just assume that everyone
knows about it. I presume it's
something along the lines of Telecom
Gold, but I don't know anything about
it. Is it a general service or is it
aimed at one particular group?
I'd also like to ask about JANET,
which is some sort of educational
network. What I really want to know is
can anyone access it or do only
universities and similar have access?
To: 999 & 483 (Daniel G Shimmin)
From: 15A (Steven Flintham)
Subject: A540
To the best of my knowledge, the A540
was fitted with an 800K floppy. This
seems logical anyway, since it was
made before the A5000 came out and I
think the reviews of that machine said
that a 'new feature' was the 1.6Mb
floppy. However, I am not 100% sure.
I think the A540 was actually
originally fitted with RISC OS 2.01,
although once again I'm not sure
because I think I saw this in an old
RISC User someone lent me. If I
remember rightly, the main changes are
modules to implement an SCSI filing
system and the ability to handle up to
16Mb of RAM, which was not possible
under RISC OS 2.00.
To: 999 (all members)
From: 15A (Steven Flintham)
Subject: Acorn User 5.25 inch discs
I saw somewhere in a recent Acorn User
that they have released all their 5.25
inch discs into the public domain
(including the 'special' discs such as
Calligraphy etc). I would advise
you to actually check first, but if
any members have any of this software
they might like to consider sending it
in for inclusion in the 8BS PD
library.
To: 999 (all members)
From: 15A (Steven Flintham)
Subject: Help!
My trusty BBC B seems to have
developed disc drive trouble recently
and so I turn to 8BS members for
advice. It was working perfectly for a
week or so before the trouble started,
having been out of use for some time
before then.
One day it started giving disc errors
all the time, but turning it on and
off a bit sorted it out. The fault
then recurred a day or so later - this
time it stopped working for around
half an hour, during which time I took
the lid off and firmed a few chips in
their sockets etc. It then worked for
another half hour or so before the
fault recurred again. This time it has
not started working again - despite my
pressing firmly on every chip in
sight!
I have swapped the disc drive (and
therfore the ribbon cable) with one
from another computer and that failed
to work, so I deduce that the fault
lies in the computer itself.
The errors vary - they are usually
either "Data CRC error at..." or
"Sector not found at..." and there
seem to be no pattern in the errors.
Can any 8BS members suggest what might
be wrong? I have an 8271 disc
controller with the Watford DFS 1.30.
I am a bit worried that the 8271
itself might be faulty - if this is
the case, would members advise me to
replace it or buy a 1770 disc
interface?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Printing without paper!
When developing programs that have
printed output, it can be very
wasteful on paper to keep doing trial
runs, as our Editor knows!! You can
make your BBC (B, B+ or Master) print
out it's contents as a 'dry run' by
typing *FX5,0 (zero!). This sends all
the output to a printer 'sink', but you
can see the results as you would with
paper. To revert back to normal hard
copy, type *FX5,1 for a parallel
printer, or *FX5,2 for serial.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Master's *SRLOAD commands
I've often found that when using
various software that *SRLOADs into
SWRam, it seems to prevent further use
of the *SRLOAD command by issuing "Bad
parameter" error messages. The only
way I've overcome this is to switch
the Master off, then back on - some
thing I don't like doing. Does anyone
else have this problem, or even the
answer.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Master ref manuals
Like so many others, I'm after these
two manuals. Can anyone help, please?
I can be contacted on 0738-812186.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Beebug magazines for sale
I have the following Beebug mags for
sale at `1 each, or `7 the lot + P&P.
Consecutive issues from Jan/Feb '87
vol 5 no 8, to Aug/Sep '87 vol 6
no 4. Also Apr '84 vol 2 no 10.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: BBC B keyboard links
Further to the query from 8J4 and
CJR's reply, the timings (in ms)
given relate to the 8271 FDC chip
only. If you have a 1770 or 1772, the
timings are different, as the table
below shows:-
Step times in milli-seconds:-
Link 3 Link 4 1770 1772 8271
closed closed 6ms 6ms 4ms
open closed 12ms 12ms 6ms*
closed open 20ms 2ms 6ms
open open 30ms 3ms 24ms
Note: the 6ms* has a longer settle and
head load time than the other 6ms
setting.
For Master users, the settings are for
the *CONFIG FDRIVE :-
FDRIVE no. 1770 1772
0 6ms 6ms
1 (ADSF compen) 6ms 6ms
2 30ms 3ms
3 (ADFS compen)30ms 3ms
General note:- for most modern drives,
6ms settings should be OK. I've found
that older drives need 12ms or more. I
set my B (1770) to 12ms, and the
Master (1772) to FDRIVE 1. 40 track
drives, or 40/80 switchable, should be
set to 6ms or higher, depending on
age.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Re K2Q's note on BBC support
It's always useful to members to hear
about good as well as bad suppliers of
BBC software and hardware. One firm
I've found to be excellent in terms of
service and price, is Bell Computers,
PO Box 418, Leighton Buzzard, Beds,
LU7 7YN. Tel 0908-370405. As an
example, I recently bought a pack of 5
Master key switches for `2.30 + `0.35
for P & P, and my order supplied
within 5 days. They have a wide range
of software as well as components.
Do members know of other sources for
components such as various chips that
the BBC computers use - 6522, D7002,
DFS etc., perspex function key
strips, power supplies etc etc. It
would be most useful to all of us, if
members were to supply info which
could form a 'SUPPLIERS INDEX'. What
about it Ed?
EDITOR... Good idea. Send me a list of
your favourite suppliers and I shall
compile them into an article for a
future issue.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Roms for sale
Edword (W/P) `3
ADFS (B or B+) `6
ViewSheet `6
ViewSpell `6
ViewStore `6
Teletext `6
2764 eproms `1.50 each
Games tapes `1 each
Replica 2 `2
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: A cautionary tale!!
A local friend with a Beeb phoned me
to say he had a problem with his disk
drive. A wire had come loose from the
white connector that fits into the
Beeb's power supply. He thought he'd
fix it by removing the connector and
replaced it with a 13A mains plug!! He
then plugged in hoping to restore use
of the drive! After the smoke settled,
he realised it wasn't such a good idea!
The moral is that drives don't like
240 volts direct connection! Another
moral is don't meddle if you don't
really know what you're doing!!
To: 999 (all members)
From: K3B (PAUL MATTHEWS)
Subject: NEW MEMBER
=====================================
It is two years since I sarted this
computer lark,and I'm really glad of
the existance of 8 BIT-SOFTWARE!
When I first got a BBC B (for the kids
of course!) I was told that it was a
dead machine as only the primary
schools used them any more.
HOW WRONG THEY WERE!!
I must admit that at first all I had
was a motely collection of games and I
was soon bored,so into the Welcome
Guide I delved to learn more.I didn't
find it easy at all at first (still
don't!),but I gradually got the hang
of it,'bit by bit'.I was soon able to
write a very basic W/P and a filing
system for my Brass Band music.
I only found out about 8BS when I saw
acopy of BYTE-BACK and saw an article
about it,so off I sent my pennies and
was amazed when I got my intro disc
and issue 31 of the magazine,it's
brilliant.It is very hard work on the
part of the 'Management', and I am
very grateful for their support.
I soon progressed to a `30.00 Master
128 and it's mine,all mine!.I also use
a MicroVitec 1441 monitor,dual 40/80
drives and an Epson LX400 printer.Now
I am starting to get some goodies for
it. PLEASE SEE THE ADS
I am looking forward to a long and
fruitful stay with 8BS,and even though
I am a 'simple' basic programmer I
might even submit something.
Thanks to Roy Dickens for putting me
onto FLOWCHART LTD because I have just
got two brand new 80track 5.25" half
height drives for a TENNER, it cost
them more to post them (first class!!)
======================================
======================================
======================================
To: 999 (all members)
From: K3B (PAUL MATTHEWS)
Subject: JVC 3.5" DISC DRIVES
=====================================
I recently bought a couple of JVC
drives from BULL ELECTRICAL in
Sussex,but I have a problem following
the instructions they sent for making
up the data cum power lead,I can't
fathom it out as it seems illogical to
me. DID ANYONE ELSE GET ONE AND GET
THE LEAD MADE UP OKAY?
107 QUEENS DRIVE,MOSSLEY HILL,
LIVERPOOL,MERSEYSIDE.L18 1JL.
======================================
======================================
======================================
To: 999 (all members)
From: K3B (PAUL MATTHEWS)
Subject: ITEMS WANTED
======================================
CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITH THE FOLLOWING
BITS AND BOBS:-
MORLEY AA or VINE MICROS ROM BOARD FOR
THE MASTER
A ROM IMAGE OF SCREENPRINT(COLOUR) AS
MY ROM CHIP OF IT HAS GONE FAULTY
EPROM ERASER
NON-VOLATILE 64K RAM CARTRIDGE
MASTER REFERENCE MANUALS 1 & 2(I KNOW
EVERYONE WANTS THEM!!)
VIEW USER GUIDE
A TAPE TO DISC TRANSFER UTILITY TO
ENABLE ME TO TRANSFER MY GRIFFEN
SOFTWARE
TELEPHONE:- 051-734-4023 amd ask for
me!!
======================================
======================================
======================================
To : 999 (All)
From : 2J3 (C.J.Richardson)
Subject: For Sale
ALL money from these sales go into the
8BS funds. A very noble cause.
Software on tape: All software on tape is yours for 30p
an item unless otherwise noted. This
price does not include post and
packing.
BBC Welcome Tape.
Software on disc:
All items are £1.00 each unless
otherwise noted. Prices do not include
postage and packing.
Gemini Database
Bulletin Board system. Two discs £2.00
(Requires twin drive and modem)
Dambusters. U.S.Gold BBC only
Blockbusters. Domark
Bruce Lee. U.S.Gold BBC only
Brian Clough's Football Fortunes.
Monopoly
Watford Disc Drive utilities.
Boxed, on disc with playing board and
plastic tanks etc, Tank Attack 5.00p
Hardware: Viewstore ROM with manual and disc
5.00p not including p+p.
Books: BBC User guide. 5.00p (large)
The Century Computer Programming Course
for the BBC Micro. 1.00p (large)
**Prestel System User Guide. Free
ACORN DFS User Guide. 1.00p
First Steps with your BBC Micro. 50p
Watford DFS and DDFS Manual. 1.00p
Programming tips from the BBC Micro.
Selected articles from the first year
of the Acorn User. 2.00p (Excellent!)
Cumana disc drive guide. 1.00p
Prices do not include postage. So for
larger books (Acorn User articles for
instance) postage will be about 2.00p.
For smaller books about 50p.
The book marked * is free because it is
a bit dog-eared, but there must be some
body out there that really needs it.
Kits:
For the John Ilsley electronics
articles
Project 1. Moisture detector £1.40
Made up £2.50
Project 2. Continuous alarm £2.20
Made up £3.00
Project 3. Light pen £3.00
Made up £3.74
Kit prices include p+p.
These items unlike everything else from
8BS are NOT dispatched by return of
post. There may be a wait of a couple
of weeks occasionally. Although there
are kits ready for dispatch as I write
this (26.11.93).
Also:
New 5.25" DS DD discs £3.40 for 10 this
price does include postage and packing.
Order any quantitiy at any time. I
always have a large number in stock.
Contact:
C.J.Richardson.
17 Lambert Park Road
Hedon
Hull
HU12 8HF