8-Bit Software Online Conversion

                             To: 999 (all members) From: K3H (ALBERT SCHOFIELD) Subject: TAPE TO DISC ON THE BBC B RUBBLE TROUBLE is a game which is in four parts. The first two parts are the instructions which need to be downloaded to &E00. Then in effect BREAK has to be 'pressed' to load in the game itself which needs to be downloaded to &A00. Load in the first part RUBBLE which is a Basic program. Add line 10 as follows:- 10*KEY10 CLS|M*DISC|MPAGE=&2F00|MCH."RUBBLE2"|M Alter line 4800 to:- 4800 PAGE=&1100:CHAIN"RUBBLE1" Save to disc as RUBBLE. Load in the second part RUBBLE1 using *LOAD""1900. Alter line 250 as follows:- 250 CALL!-4 Save to disc using:- *SAVE RUBBLE1 1900+1C15 8023 E00 This file will need to be downloaded to &E00. Load in RUBBLE2 which is a Basic program. Alter line 70 to:- 70*RUN RUBBLE3. Save to disc as RUBBLE2. Load in the last part RUBBLE3 using *LOAD""1900. Save to disc using:- *SAVE RUBBLE3 1900+2B78 3500 A00. This file will need to be downloaded to &A00. Chaining RUBBLE will now load and run the game.  To: 999 (all members) From: E2E (Richard Tinkel) Subject: VIEW files into VIEWSTORE In the last issue of 8BS, Gary Scott posed a question regarding the transfer of VIEW files into the ViewStore database. It is in fact, quite simple to integrate files either way, that is VIEW-to-ViewStore, or vice-versa. The procedures however, are very different: VIEW-to-ViewStore: First of all, the VIEW file, needs to be converted into ASCII format. The problem here of course, is that VIEW does not provide ASCII files. We therefore need another method to create a file that may be utilised by ViewStore. To do this, we can use the *SPOOL facility to send all screen output to a file. Now, on the ViewStore utilities disc, is a utility called IMPORT. It is a BASIC program, so simply CH."IMPORT" and follow the on-screen instructions. IMPORT will convert your SPOOLED file to one that can then be loaded into the ViewStore database. Note that you still have to create a format file for your new database. ViewStore-to-VIEW: Any ViewStore file may be passed to the VIEW wordprocessor in the following manner:- Enter VIEW and LOAD the ViewStore file using the command READ D.name (where name is your database filename). This can then be re-SAVED as a wordprocessor file from VIEW in the conventional manner. Full details may be found in the ViewStore User Guide.  To: 999 (all members) From: D6G (Sprow) Subject: Master CONFIG losses Last issue Gary Scott was bothered by some software that was altering the configuration settings. Well,assuming the Master is in use here there are 2 solutions. 1.Software Use my CMOS RAM restorer program available from my webpage (cunningly called CMOSRAM) at www.york.ac.uk/÷rps102/bbc/bbc.htm It's also included on this disk for convenience. 2.Hardware Pin 15 from the 146818 is R/nW so this can be hacked into.Putting a 4.7k pull up resistor in place,all write accesses will be disabled.This will also mean the clock can't be set though.I'd put an option link on a spare bit of board,or perhaps a switch. Here's how + pin 15 +======o o====> old track pin 14 + pin 13 + o ++++++++++++ | | R4K7 | ========> to 5v line Then the link occupies on of the two positions in the L shape. Sprow. 6 Bollinbrook road, MACCLESFIELD, Cheshire. SK10 3DJ. 8BSmail D6G Fax 01625 431067  To: 999 (all members) From: D6G (Sprow) Subject: Printing the half The other time Richard Tinkel asked why the ½¼¾ that appear in MODE 7 wont print properly. Well,that's because the BBC uses different numbered ASCII codes to the printer for these characters. Look in the back cover of the printer manual,there should be a code page with the character numbers on. I think 171 and 172 used to work on my printer. Then,just use those codes when typing in rather than the ½¼¾ keys. If you want it to appear correctly on both printer AND screen then you could write a program to do this based on the QUIDFIX program I sent a few months back. This did the same idea,but for a pound sign instead. It's available from backissues off Chris,or from my webpage www.york.ac.uk/÷rps102/bbc/bbc.htm Glad to be of help, Sprow. 6 Bollinbrook road, MACCLESFIELD, Cheshire. SK10 3DJ. 8BSmail D6G Fax 01625 431067  To: 999 and K6C (David Kent) From: D5B (Jon Ripley) Subject: Logo The ill-fated magazine Let's Compute ran a series of articles about LOGO suited to young people. It covered all aspects of LOGO for producing graphics and related everything to life outside the computer. If you could get hold of these articles I believe they would be ideal for you.  To: 999 and D7Y (Andrew Medworth) From: D5B (Jon Ripley) Subject: Acorn User Magazine W.H.Smiths and John Menzies both get regular copies of these magazines and most newsagents are able to get a copy in for you. It is published by IDG Media.  To: 999 and D2G (Neil Parry) From: D5B (Jon Ripley) Subject: Program Compacters In issue 56 Neil asked if any of us mortals had the all-singing-all-dancing Basic program compactor. I have two such programs which sadly are for the Archimedes only. If anyone wants a copy please send me an ADFS formatted 3.5" disc and return p+p. My address is: Jon Ripley, BBC User Group, 15 Wexford Court, 12-14 Biddenden Close, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 7HX. Or telephone: 01323 768421  To: 999 and D7Y (Andrew Medworth) From: D5B (Jon Ripley) Subject: Concept Keyboard A little while ago I wrote some software for the Concept keyboard. If you would like copies please send a 5.25" disc return p+p and 1 pound (not stamps) for photocopies of the overlays. Most of the programs are for people with severe learning difficulties who have find it hard to communicate. My address is elsewhere on this issue.  To: 999 and K6N (Brian Raw) From: D5B (Jon Ripley) Subject: Where is Basic 3 ? Brain Raw asked this question a few issues ago and since I haven't seen an answer to it, I thought I'd send this in... Basic I was the original Basic which came with the BBC Model A and some Model B's, I would strongly suggest that any members who still have Basic I send a few pounds to Chris Richardson or Robert Sprowson buy a EPROM with Basic 2 on it. I am sure they would both be willing to oblige. Basic 2 was much better than number 1 and wAs included on all UK BBCs up until the Master came out. On the BBC Master Acorn supplied Basic 4 that's where most users knowledge ends. On the Master Compact, Acorn supplied Basic 40 and later Basic 41 and Basic 42 were released. With the advent of the Archimedes Basic 5 came along (and later Basic 64). Basic 5 was eventually released for the BBC but it doesn't seem to be very widely used. But the question still remains, what happened to Basic 3? Aside from being slightly better than Basic 2, the following apply. There were two versions of Basic 3 released, one was included as HI-Basic with the 6502 second processor. The other Basic 3 is a rare version of BBC Basic that was produced for the American market. Aside from the spelling of COLOUR which is COLOR in American the new Basic had to cope with all screen modes only having 25 lines of text (and a reduced graphics size aswell). Though this is mainly the responsibilty of the operating system. I hope that answers the question! If anybody would like a full comparison between all the versions of Basic (not including basic 42 and Basic 64) then please let me know, if enough people are interested then I will put it into an article for you!                    