To: 999 (all members)
From: 0E7 (Fred Nevin)
Subject: POINTS of VIEW
VIEW issue B3.0
In delving into some of the finer
'POINTS of VIEW' (I must suggest that
to the BBC as a title for one of their
programmes) I have discovered that the
Highlight Codes 1 and 2 obtained by
SHIFT-f4 to UNDELINE text and
SHIFT-f5 for BOLD when used in
conjunction with the Dabhand Printer
Drive Generator do not seem to work as
per the VIEW Dabhand Guide.
If VIEW is entered by typing *WORD and
PRINTER Edriver and text as follows
SHIFT-f4 TEXT SHIFT-f4 the word text
should be UNDERLINED
Similarly SHIFT-f5 TEXT SHIFT-f5 text
should be in BOLD.
With the Dabhand Printer Driver
Generator the highlighting
works but the commands are reversed
i.e The underline codes produce BOLD
and the bold codes UNDERLINE
LATER (in fact days later)
I have found in my archives a BEEBUG
Printer Driver by Claus Alsted dated
March 1987.
This Driver works correctly for HL 1 &
2 for my machine.
In the notes the author states that in
later issues of VIEW HL 1 & 2 codes
were INVERTED
If this is so it must be that my
issue of VIEW is a later one and
that the Dabhand PDG I have is
for the earlier version and will not
function correctly with my version.
I also find that the extended
HighLights do not seem to function
correctly even though HighLight 1 and
2 opperate correctly with my CANON
PW-1080A.I know that it could be that
the Printer and Printer Driver are not
compatible but without the Printer
Manual....!
HELP!!!!
Can anyone please confirm.
WEEKS LATER(It seems that long)
I have managed at great expense to the
company to modify the Dabhand PDG so
that the highlights selected are the
ones I get but still have not had 100%
success with the other drivers in
obtaing the extended highlights
required.
Does anyone have a good comprehensive
PDG for VIEW that will cover all the
parts that other PDGs cannot reach
please?.
To: 999 + (Robin Morom)
From: 0E7 (Fred Nevin)
Subject: VIEWSHEET
Thank you Robin for your help and the
program on disk 37
You ask why do I want to be able to
enter data into one slot and have it
shown in predetermined slots.
Now that is a very good question and I
will do my best to answer it.
I use VIEWSHEET for housekeeping
I use a master INPUT file to feed data
to a maximum of 5 seperate files via a
LINK FILE
***************************************
INPUT FILE. LINK FILE. FILES.
I --------- LF --------- A
--------- B
--------- C
--------- D
--------- E
**************************************
If I adopted your proposal I would run
out of memory as the amount of data to
be carried over the LINK FILE would be
too great if say ten lots of data had
to be sent to each file.
Access time and memory would suffer.
If I had only one input slot perfile I
could input infinitely in this slot to
a file which could then automatically
distribute the data to a predesignated
slot within the file.This would be as
per the above diagram.
If ten inputs were made in slot A1 of
the INPUT file and sent to slots B1-10
of files A-E via the LINK FILE this
would meet my parameters.
I hope you appreciate this is only a
very rough outline of the problem and
not a detailed explanation.
Thank You
To: 999 (all members)
From: K3H (ALBERT SCHOFIELD)
Subject: TAPE TO DISC ON THE BBC"B"
In a previous article I wrote about
the possibility of false execution
addresses. It is also possible to have
false load addresses. The file
information is usually obtained by the
use of *OPT1,2. The use of *OPT1,2
will obtain the information from the
last block of the file. In some cases
the last block of the file has been
altered to give a false load address.
In fact some files have a different
load address in every block but the
load address in the first block must
be the correct one. To obtain the file
information from the first block,
catalogue the file from cassette and
as soon as the first block appears on
th screen as "PROG 00" (PROG being the
file name) press ESCAPE. Then type:-
PRINT ÷!&3BE <RETURN>. The true load
address will then be shown.
Another way of finding the true load
address of any file would be to load
the file from cassette and then save
it using SNAPSHOT. Then *DUMP the
memory files so obtained to see where
the relevant file starts.
If you find that your transfer of any
files from tape to disc does not work
for no apparent reason it is always
worth while checking the load address
from the first block to see if it is
the same as the one obtained by using
*OPT1,2. More next month.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K5K (David Robinson)
Subject: ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE
12-Sept-94
Does anyone know what's happening with
Robin Burton (of BEEBUG "512 Forum" and
"Essential Software")?
I sent an order for some software for
my Master 512 in March. Despite 2
further enquiry/reminder letters, I
have heard nothing. (my cheque hasn't
been cashed)
To: 999 (all members)
From: 15A (Steven Flintham)
Subject: Help wanted
I have a problem with the disc
interface on my issue 4 BBC B (Watford
DFS 1.30, 8271 disc controller). When
the computer is switched on, it
sometimes works normally but sometimes
it gives errors like "Sector not found
at 00/02" on trying to access the
disc. I have swapped the disc drive
and lead with another one and the
fault still occurs, so it must be the
computer which is at fault.
What really confuses me is that (most
of the time at least) when the system
fails to work at power on it never
seems to start working again until it
is turned off and on (sometimes
several times). I have tried pressing
on various chips and various parts of
the circuit board but this doesn't
start it working. I presume there is
something special which happens when
the power is first turned on which
doesn't happen even on CTRL-BREAK.
When it does work, it seems to work
perfectly - if it works when first
turned on it seems to work fine until
it's turned off again, although I
think this might just be because I
haven't been using it that much
(although I left it verifying a disc
over and over again for four or five
hours and it didn't stop working). I
can only assume it is an intermittent
connection somewhere since it works
part of the time. The list of faults
in the last issue has a few similar
sounding faults but the problem seems
unaffected by my pressing down on
the chips mentioned and the
surrounding PCB.
I suppose I might be revealing an
incredible ignorance of electronic
affairs here. I am aware that not
every fault can be cured (even
temporarily) by pressing on the
circuit board but since it is an
intermittent fault I was hoping to
locate an area where applying pressure
produced a noticeable effect and so
locate the fault.
I could send the computer away for
repair, but the cost would probably be
more than it is worth. However, I
really would like to get it working
again so I would be very grateful for
any suggestions. Please contact me
either via the 8BS messaging system or
write to me at:
6 Laythorpe Avenue
Skegness
Lincolnshire
PE25 3BX
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2K (Peter Davy)
Subject: Formatting Disks
(K2T's query in iss.37)
I was at a loss to understand Jack's
difficulty in formatting both sides of
an 80-track disk. I presume we are
talking about DFS and not ADFS. He
doesn't say which computer he is
using. If it is a BBC-B+ or a
Master-128 all that needs to be done
is place the disk in the drive, type
*FORM80 02 and press RETURN. Answer
the Go(Y/N) question by pressing the Y
key after which both sides of the disk
will be formatted in turn. If a dual
double-sided drive is fitted then all
four sides of two disks can be
formatted by *FORM80 0123 and pressing
RETURN.
The progress of the formatting appears
on the screen:
*FORM80 0123
Go(Y/N)?Y
Formatting drive 0 track 4F
Formatting drive 1 track 4F
Formatting drive 2 track 4F
Formatting drive 3 track 4F
4F is hexadecimal for 79, i.e. 80
tracks numbered from 0 to 79.
On a BBC computer a formatting program
on a utilities disk is used. There are
many versions around but they all work
along the lines shown in this screen
display:
40 or 80 tracks? 80
Format which drive? 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ...
...........78 79
Disk formatted OK
Another disk (Y/N)?Y
40 or 80 tracks? 80
Format which drive? 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ...
...........78 79
Disk formatted OK
Another disk (Y/N)?N
Formatting of both sides now complete!
To: 999 (all members)
From: K3Y (Lorna Jenne)
Subject: I have just got an Epson
Stylus 800 injet printer which
produces very good results on text.
However on trying to print graphic!!
problems using the screen dumps for my
old 9 pin printer. I get a very faint
dump. I have improved on this by using
the EpsonHQ dump with my Watford DTP,
where I get two passes of the print
head(ie an 18 pin print out). What I
need is a screen dump for a 48 nozzle
inkjet or even a dump for a 24 pin
Epson conpatable. Anyone any ideas
where I might get such a screen dump?
EDITOR...... YES, PLEASE! I AM
INTERESTED IN A DUMP FOR AN INKJET TOO.
K2O tells me that I will have to write
my own. This is a little beyond me due
to the time factor more than anything.
To: 999 (all members)
From: 3WU (Fred Price)
Subject: MAGSCAN
Since I sent in about using Magscan
for your own filing system I did say
that I may have to use the latest
Magscan so that I could get more files
on,
Well it's happened I had three records
to file and each one said Disc Full so
I looked at the new one and found that
the section that you use to classify
is in a different program called
Strings and I CAN'T get into it to
change it as it will not load so how
do I do it ?
It may pay me to forget that part or
make two files of the old program so I
will see how things go
To: 999 (all members)
From: K5N (STAN DORAN)
Subject: DATA DUCK
A Viglen like Data Duck used to be
available from Watford Electronics I
bought one July 1993 from them as back
up for my original Viglen model. It is
not up to the same build quality but
seems to work OK. It is a ribbon cable
with two female connectors, the cable
has three lines turned round between
the first and second of these sockets.
As it was only a year ago that I
obtained mine I would think they are
still available its nearly a year
since I bought anything from WE but
assume they still stock Beeb items.
Hope this may help Trevor Crapper see
8 bit no 36.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2T (Jack Tourle)
Subject: TODAY'S DATE
My hardware is merely a simple Beeb
which does not have any facility for
remembering the date. I overcome this
disadvantage by the following means.
On switching on, I run a !boot file
which sets up my function keys and
also reminds me to set Q% to the date
(in the form YYMMDD). This variable
will hold that value until the Beeb is
switched off.
For my own documents I am quite
happy in having the date expressed
that way, so at the head or foot of an
output from the printer, PRINT Q% will
quickly print out the date.
If I want to spell out the month in
full, I use the following Procedure:-
5000 DEF PROCdate
5010 IF Q%=0 INPUT "Enter today's date
(YYMMDD) "Q%:GOTO 5020:ELSE
5020 YY%=Q% DIV 10000:MD%=Q% MOD
10000: MM%=MD% DIV 100: DD%=MD% MOD
100
5030 RESTORE 5070:FOR X%=1 TO MM%:READ
M$:NEXT
5040 IF DD% MOD 10=1 AND DD%<>11
S$="st" ELSE IF DD% MOD 10 =2 AND
DD%<>12 S$="nd" ELSE IF DD% MOD 10 =3
AND DD%<>13 S$="rd" ELSE S$="th"
5050 DA$= STR$DD%+S$+" "+M$+" "+"19"
+STR$YY%
5060 ENDPROC
5070 DATA January, February, .......
December
Line 5010 starts with a "safety net"
in case Q% has not been set up at the
outset.
In the body of the main program the
date can be printed by PROCdate:
PRINT DA$.
Line numbers start at 5000 so that
this Procedure can be held on disc and
merged with most main programs without
renumbering.
N B Beware that no program uses the
variable Q% for something else.
It is not possible to transfer to
Wordwise the six-digit number held by
Q%.
Good dating!
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Upgrading to two drives
In issue 37, Steven Flintham discussed
the problems of converting power and
data cables, when upgrading from one
to two disk drives. If any member is
about to consider such an upgrade, then
I am willing to do the necessary
conversion on their existing power and
data cables. The cables will be
returned promptly, ready to plug-in,
and with full details on how to set up
each drive correctly. This will be
done at cost, just `6 incl p & p. In
th first instance, ring me to check a
few details before sending anything.
My tel no is 0738-812186.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: An ode to getting old
Some time ago, a member submitted a
very clever and amusing piece on the
'joys of getting old'. Could the
author, or any other member tell me
which issue it was in, and the name of
the file? I've searched all my disks
but can't find it, and would like to
read it again. Many thanks.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: WORD-EX manual
Could any member help me with the loan
of the Word-Ex manual, or perhaps a
list of the commands and their
purpose? I'll pay any costs incurred.
Many thanks. Tel 0738-812186 or write
to 35 Muirmont Cresc, Bridge of Earn,
Perth, PH2 9RG.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Compactor/crunch routine
Has any member a program for
compacting/crunching a Basic program,
in order to reduce its demand on
memory, which they'd be willing to
sell me? It's for use on a Master.
Many thanks if you can help. See my
tel/address in other messages.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Hard drives for BBC Master
For those members who expressed an
interest in the hard drive project I
advertised earlier, I felt an update
would help. We are still developing
the interface which must be fully
tested before we it is sold to
members. We consider that it is better
if members buy their own drive to suit
their pocket and capacity required,
and this also removes the risk of
damage in transit. We can offer
sources for such 2nd hand SCSI
drives. We'd supply the software and
interface, ready to plug in. The only
other need, is a suitable psu for the
drive - easily and cheaply obtained,
and again we can advise sources.
If any other members are interested,
please get in touch with me asap.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2B (Colin Culpitt-Smith)
Subject: Wordwise Plus hint
If you regularly use WW+, then how
often have you wished for a simple and
quick way of deleting a whole line?
This simple routine will do it for you
at the press of a key! Enter the
following in a segment, and press
return after each line :-
SE.TE.
C.AT 39
DE.L.?&7E
DE.AT
DI.1
C.L.
A$=GCT$
B$=GCT$
IF A$=" " AND B$=" " THEN DE.AT
IF A$<>" " AND B$,." " THEN TY.""
DI.1
After checking each line, especially
the DI.1 (di.1 (one!)), then save to
disk. To use, place cursor on line to
be deleted, and press SHIFT+fx, where
fx is the function key number
corresponding to the segment where you
placed the routine. eg if routine is
loaded into segment 7 then press
SHIFT+f7.
PRESS BREAK