Right, I'll start with correcting some
blobs.
Thanks to 20G who pointed out that I
made a blob with the messaging system
function key strip. Just shows you what
my vision is like I suppose. Magenta
and Cyan were the wrong way around as
were flash and steady. I had also
missed off the set background codes.
There is a corrected version on this
disc "MessStr".
I made an error in the menu of the DFS
version of issue 32 which stopped
viewing of the messaging system info.
The same error is also repeated in the
menu of issue 31.
To fix your copies of issue 31 and 32
do this:
Insert the disc.
*AC. Menu
LOAD"Menu"
Issue 31 LIST 2720
Issue 32 LIST 2650
Copy the line but do not recopy the :2
SAVE"Menu"
Or send me your discs for an update.
The Data in the ADFS version of issue
32s menu has an error in it that will
cause no problem to the running.
However, if you use the updated MenRead
program you will spot it in the Message
section. $.Mes.$.Mes. etc should read
$.Mes. etc.
While on the subject of problems. I
discovered that my copy of the magazine
on 8BS-08 fails on a BBC. I have cured
it. Anyone with a copy of 8BS-08
obtained from me should return it with
p+p for an update. There was also a bug
in a couple of the early 8BS issues
that made the menu screen on a Master
disappear after the magazine had been
run. This was due to the use of *FX114.
The problem can be circumvented by
using CONTROL+BREAK. I have fixed the
copies in the pool by adding:
A%=114:Y%=1:CALL&FFF4 to the boot file.
Pointed out to me by the ever vigilant
L1M (thanks again Janny) is a bug in
8BS-12. The menu tries to load the game
Devil's Island in DIR A. This is a
shame because the game is in DIR B.
Change the menu to DIR B. Or send your
copy to me for update.
The main menu on issue 26 confused one
person, the bottom line of the menu
referred to issue 24 software instead
of 26. This is now corrected.
The debate rages on about charges.
Could I just make a point about
postage.
A good many of you put FAR TOO MUCH in
postage onto your return envelopes.
This is money down the drain. Please
get your post office to check the
weight of your package before putting
the stamps on and posting. You will
only need to do this the once as
thereafter your packages are very
likely to be the same weight.
A small number of you are not putting
enough postage onto your return
envelopes. Please check the weight of
your package before posting. Remember,
you might only be sending one disc, but
if it is wrapped in a whole Cornflake
packet (this is only an example K2K!),
then it is going to weigh a bit more
than a 25p stamp will get through the
Royal Mail.
Extra postage for issue 32 breakdown:
Over all £3.67 extra.
5 freebies = .95p
Extra paid out because of not enough
return postage included. =£2.72p
12 out of 52 items were overweight for
postage sent.
Thank you for your attention. Lecture
over!
I have just (26.2.94) acquired some
decent scales. These will be very handy
for working out the optimum packaging
for orders. This should save 8BS quite
a lot of pennies. I was quite staggered
when I discovered how much could be
saved by splitting up large packages
into 2 or 3 smaller ones.
It is the 20th of January 1994. It is
2048. I have finally cracked the
joining two computers problem.
It was a mixture of hardware, software
and cerebral problems. All of which
added up to a lot of hair loss.
The RS423 lead required changing so
that the RTS went to CTS and DATA OUT
to DATA IN. A picture speaks 1000
words, so this is what I did to one end
of the RS423 lead:
TOP
Exchanged red for yellow and green for
blue. This isn't the colour of the
wires, but just illustrates the point.
Once I had the lead sorted, then the
rest fell into place. The software
required the receive rate and send rate
to be the same on both machines. I set
this like so:
*FX 7,8 Receive rate
*FX 8,8 Transmit rate
Now all I had to do was tell one
machine to send:
*FX 3,1 Output
and one to receive:
*FX 2,1 Input
Robert's your auntie, simple as that.
What was all the fuss about?
Now my BEEB and Master are married
permanently, what now?
Here is something that I thought ought
to be put into words.
When putting adverts into the messages
and ads section I expect all software
advertised for sale to be original
copies. I have no wish to infringe, or
help anyone else infringe copyright
laws.
I also expect that all requests for
software are requests for original
copies and that anyone responding to
any request supplies an original copy.
There, it had to be said. I know of
course that 8BS members would never
BYTE the hand that fed them and put at
RISC any future development of software
for the Beeb.
And another thing!
This month I received thousands of
calls from members responding to the
ads section asking for phone numbers of
other members.
I only hand these numbers out if the
questionnaire that members fill in
states that the member does not mind
their phone number being published.
Unfortunately, there were a couple of
occasions that I could not hand out
numbers because members had stated that
they did not want theirs publishing.
I have no intention of publishing phone
numbers unless the member actually puts
it into the messaging system. Please
review your questionnaire bearing this
in mind and if you have responded "N"
to "Publish phone number?", just
remember that if you have advertised
something for sale that you may not
flog it so easily.
On 26.2.94 8-Bit Software consists of:
1 Master Compact fitted with Wordwise.
1 BBC B with single 40/80 5.25" drive
fitted with Watford DDFS, Mega 3 Rom
and Fanfare Rom.
1 Master 128 with twin 40/80 5.25"
drives, twin 40/80 5.25"/3.5" drives.
Replay, ADFS utilities, Printmaster,
Pascal. Colour Monitor and plinth.
Citizen 120D+, Citizen 120D (now
botched and semi-working).
Nightingale modem (faulty)
Datacorder
2 Sound samplers.
2 Light pens.
Quantity of electronics kits and
various other spares and parts in a
big box.
A large box of various software and
books (see advert)
Approximately 3 feet of paperwork in
files.
3000 sheets fanfold paper.
Large quantity of re-used envelopes.
8000 Stickers.
850 3.5" blank discs
200 5.25" blank discs
450 3.5" discs of PD software (backup)
450 5.25" discs of PD software
13 Disc boxes of various sizes.
3 tables/desks. Cabinet on wheels
containing stationery and blank discs.
Computer chair.
4000 Staples.
Digital scales.
Balance: -£22.99
However, bear in mind that the discs in
stock are in theory worth some £600
I do NOT intend to make a profit. 8BS
will never show a profit.
As soon as the balance goes into the
black enough, I will be acquiring a
good printer followed by an Archi
(maybe). I hasten to add here that I
will support the 8 bit side until
your support goes completely.
Speaking of which:
8BS has 98 active members with 128 on
the books. Active means that I have
heard from that member within the last
6 months. On the books means that I
have an ID for that person, but have
not heard from them within 6 months.
Approximately 1700 discs sent out from
the pool since last July time.
Enquiries coming in by the ream as the
commercial mags drop the 8 bit side and
recommend coming to 8BS.
I am still trying to get permission to
distribute Disc Users, Fast Access and
CEEFAX notes and programs. A fair bit
being spent on postage and telephone
calls here I can tell you!
Try 316 Supplies your supplies. Phone
0446 421316 for cheap discs as long as
you buy in huge quantities.
I am impressed and sometimes
overwhelmed by the generosity of the
members.
Some members have sent donations for
the funds. These have been put towards
expenses for the coming BIG event at
Harrogate.
Expenses will be items such as the
banner advertising 8BS. I have sussed
out a useful fellow down the road that
knocks up decent signs for very little
expenditure on the groups part, so we
should be ok there.
Special thanks here to K2O who has
donated what can only be described as
stacks of stuff to the group. More on
that at a later date.
Thanks for the flood of advert forms.
I should be ok for a while now.
8BS now receives The Micro Mart once a
week. I have responded to various ads
and had a few favourable results.
Ah well, that's it for another issue.
Space is getting a bit tight again
although not as tight as issue 32. On
issue 32 the master discs are all 0
bytes free. Your disc probably doesn't
show this because there had to be
enough free space in each version for
the largest message file for that
version. Zero bytes free on side 2 of
the DFS version proved to be a bit of a
nuisance as it messed up the single
sided versions (no room for a menu). So
you will forgive me I hope if I leave a
bit of space on this issue. You could
fill it yourself if you want with *
characters. Just a thought.
Only one issue to go before the show,
yahoo!