This is an archive of CompuServe forum messages from 1985 to 1995, as saved in transcripts by John Foust.
Search Results (367 messages)
David, Not to discourage you, but I have to ask the obvious question. With all the *dozens* of MS-DOS menu programs that are over in the IBM forums, many/most of which (I'd guess) are generic enough to work on the Rainbow… why? Call me a cynic, or an old something-else…
Remind me again, please, of what this application is/does…?
#Menu Interface?
Message #21314
After many years of using the command interface, I finally crumbled and wanted a menu interface to my common office work functions like word processing and spreadsheets, and for my kids to access games. What with directories of documents, etc., there was just too much that I didn't want to…
BillM, Yup! I'm listening . Although a little behind schedule as per usual. Since we're not talking about a BIG file here, it makes good sense to post it in both Libraries. If it was a BIG file, then we could just post it in one LIB, with a "pointer"…
In this particular market, that's the price range of the software from several vendors. Our particular vendor has sold several hundre packages, but they expect users to pay that heavy support fee every year, too. They haven't many employees, but there are more than four people there. The alternative is…
Mike, No… in the market you mention ($5-10K product price with $2K support/year) an escrow agreement is not impractical at all. I'm not aware that there are many (any? well I guess there is at least one!) PC-class products in that price range. Heck, that's the same price range (higher,…
6/29 WP5.1 NO NO
Message #21310
Do not try to load the 6/29 update of WP5.1 on DEC Rainbow under Code Blue. Seems to be something about the screen driver that it doesn't like. At any rate, I got hung up. Now back to January release, which works just fine. Also discovered that I drive needs…
Fond as I am of Will's vision (always have been, really), I think you're right to question if this is association stuff. On the other hand, it *is* a significant bonus for the firm that is trying to break into the market. Bill, you mentioned (I believe) the impracticality of…
Will, First off… long time no see! Where the heck are you these days??! I agree, that's an interesting idea. The question is, do you think any industry association would be willing to go for it? Particularly if the responsibility extends to making the code available to all registered end…
#21270-
#WUTIL and MS-DOS 3.10
Message #21307
Bill: There is obviously no way that a software escrow mas any sense for a low cost mass market software product as an agreement between vendor and end users. But how about an industry association acting as escroand providing a safety net for the users as a class in the…
#21299-
#RB Windows 3.0 Ready Now
Message #21306
Len, Thanks for the upload and it's available now in lib 16. I need to discuss with Bill Leeman whether or not it should also … or, _instead_ … be in lib 3 (New Uploads) for now. I think the answer is "yes" so I'm going to post it there…
Good. Remember that with international air mail, even if he responds immediately it would be three weeks before I heard back. And he probably won't respond immediately. Willett
#21301-
WUTIL and MS-DOS 3.10
Message #21304
Actually, I did have to initialize the hard disk because since it came out of an IBM compatible machine, it was set up completely wrong for the Rainbow (17 sectors per track instead of 16). You do have to remember to use the /L option on the format command to…
#21297-
#WUTIL and MS-DOS 3.10
Message #21303
I'll look forward to hearing from you. Ed
Brian, Just for the record, and apropos of your note a few days ago inquiring about ANSI character-set switching… The "special character/line drawing set" *can* be set up to map to *either* the 0-to-127 range, OR the 128-to-255 range. Here's how it works. The machine (Rainbow, VT2xx, VT3xx, etc.) has…
Eventually, after scanning the manuals, I found that my problem was that I wasn't installing the "system" part of each application. To do so, you enter a special screen, then install, then install the app to the menu. After I figured out that, everything went well, and I got DECnet…
#21242-
#ANSI Graphics on Rainbow
Message #21248
Rainbow "Special and Line Drawing Characters" To activate: ESC ( 0 for G0, ESC ) 0 for G1 To deactivate: ESC ( B for G0, ESC ) B for G1 (activates U.S. Character Set) or : enter Set-Up, PARAM SET screen, and toggle col. 12 twice (DEFAULT CHAR SET) Octal…
#21242-
ANSI Graphics on Rainbow
Message #21247
Rick: My P.S. may have misled you. The WPS-PLUS manual, appendix A, is just another source for the "Multinational Characters" (things like "cent sign," "yen sign," "capital A with grave accent," etc.). There are no "Line Drawing Characters." Similarly, the "Technical Character Set" that neither of us has does not…
#21237-
#ANSI Graphics on Rainbow
Message #21239
P.S. : Another source for Rainbow characters 128-255 is WPS-PLUS/Rainbow Editor Functions, Appendix A (gives decimal codes and "compose sequences"). There is also apparently a "Technical Character Set" which may be installed in ROM in place of the "Multinational Characters" I've been telling you about. If you've got that, all…
#21237-
#ANSI Graphics on Rainbow
Message #21238
Rick: For characters 128-255 on the Rainbow, I have two sources: (1) Rainbow MS-DOS Version 2.11 Advanced User's Guide, page 4-37: in explaining the use of the SORT command, it lists characters 0 through 255 in SORT order; (2) Rainbow Owner's Manual, appendix F, p. 139: a chart of all…
#21206-
#ANSI Graphics on Rainbow
Message #21213
Rick, Actually, the Rainbow handles ANSI graphics fine, if they're true ANSI graphics, because the VT102 that the Rainbow emulates uses ANSI escape sequences. What the Rainbow doesn't display correctly are *IBM* character sets, which are not ANSI anything. However, my communications program, QC, available in LIB3, maps some of…
#21152-
File listing
Message #21165
In addition to this wonderful resource (CompuServe, I mean), you might like to know there's 30M of Rainbow software on the SF Fido available to you. Call 415 981-3325 during non-business hours PDT (6 pm to 8am M-F, all day weekends, holidays), and log on.
#21157-
#WUTIL and MS-DOS 3.10
Message #21164
There *is* some precedent for turning proprietary software into the public domain. DEC's done it, in fact, through DECUS. Where they are not the sole licensor (as in the case of Multiplan, where Microsoft holds some rights), they can't, of course. I've been meaning to say this for some time,…
#21156-
#Thanks!
Message #21161
There's a place in my neck of the woods (Boston area) that does RX50s for $79.00, but I don't have the number handy. "Previously owned" drives can be had for $50.00 plus postage. If you really need it repaired A.S.A.P., let me know & I'll dig out the number.
Let's say $5 UPS surface. I think I paid about $600 new for MT+. That's about a 99% discount. I much rather see someone using it than heave it out. But if you want the highest quality CP/M-86 Pascal compiler available today, I'd make other recommendations. Nevertheless, MT+ is definately…
Yes, the PDP-11 forum traffic is just slightly (ahem) slower than here 😉 … I have a suspicion that you may be installing the wrong version of DCL. I think the one that used LB000:[zzprodcl] was part of the V2.x P/OS stuff. I might easily be wrong. I know that…
#21150-
Cheap DECmates
Message #21153
Yes, the PDP-11 forum traffic is just slightly (ahem) slower than here 😉 … I have a suspicion that you may be installing the wrong version of DCL. I think the one that used LB000:[zzprodcl] was part of the V2.x P/OS stuff. I might easily be wrong. I know that…
#21147-
#PRO Questions
Message #21150
It turns out one of our DECnet beta testers does a lot with Pros, and he works for DEC, so he's working on finding an Ethernet card. Installation has been a mystery so far. I got as far as reformatting and installing v3.2, but the "install" command from the P/OS…
Yes, $50 for a Pro is indeed quite a deal! Yes, the ST412 is 10 megs. I knew I recognized your name from somewhere 😉 … The model number for the Ethernet adapter for the Pro is DECNA. You can get all the 3.2 software, including DECnet I think, from…
How much will tbe shipping be? 🙂
Name changed. I found a DEC Pro at the same sale, for $50, and bought it instead of the DECmates. Quite a deal! It included P/OS v3.2 and all docs. There's an ST412 hard drive in it – what's that, 10 megs? plus the two folppy drives. In the card…
Tim, Yes, I know. Don't go to a lot of trouble though because I don't think this is an open question. I was just responding to a comment that started, "If Digital still makes VT100s, then…" and the comment about character-set switching was, I think, a comment on the lack…
I'm with you all the way. I've thought for a long time that if a copyright holder doesn't provide in a reasonable period of time either copies of their material or permission/license to make copies, they should forfeit their copyright.
VT100's are obsolote but the VT200 and VT300 series terminals are supersets of VT100 functions. The character set switching is all according to appropriate ANSI standards – I will look it up at work. Tim
I have a copy of the Color/Graphics Option Programmer's Reference Guide #AA-AE36A-TV. If that is what you are looking for, we can arrange to get a copy for you if you are willing to pay for the photocopies. I am reluctant to let go of anything pertaining to the Rainbow.…
You mean the cards in the DECmate? There's only one, as far as I know, the mother board… it basically lies flat at the bottom of the cabinet, so it's definitely custom. Any options would be implemented on some option card, but those too would be custom and there's no…
XBOOK
Message #21138
A Stalwart Selection of Big Spenders is currently beta-testing version 1.2 of XBOOK. This version adds income categories and reporting (much like the expense categories currently available), grand totals for the category reports, sequential check cancellation in addition to cancellation by number, and a few other efficiencies. Look for it…
CHS has disappeared. The program is not in the public domain. One of my pet ideas is to make available all commercial products no longer supported by the manufacturer. After all, they no longer sell the things, provide help, or even admit to their existence, so why shouldn't we spread…
Hmm. I've got a Terak, based on the LSI-11 chipset. What about the cards in this, are they a standard configuration, or custom?
Also, could you please use the OPTIONS command or menu selection to change the name the Forum knows you by? This forum requires the use of your full first and last name. -Bill Read action !
The DECmate II is NOT based on an 8088… it is based on DEC's PDP-8 CPU architecture (a 12-bit machine … not a typo, by the way ;-}). The DECmate family members are primarily dedicated word processors, and WPS is the word processing software that runs on them. As noted,…
Cheap DECmates
Message #21133
I 've spotted three DECmate IIs at an auction that I'll attend tomorrow morning. They've got $100 suggested prices on each. Can someone give me a quick explanation of what's inside these PCs? From some files in the libraries, I'd guess they're based on an 8088, but run something called…
Thanks for the info. It helps me feel more secure that I've got a hard disk setup that won't suprise me later. The A B C D W T menu is in Rainbow firmware, but the partition boot menu says "WUTIL version" on it, so it's pretty clearly WUTIL's. Also,…
As I recall, Initialization just gets your hard disk controller talking to your hard disk. A hardware thing. So you use the initialization software provided with the hard disk controller you put in your machine. Whatever works, works. I don't think you are getting *WUTIL's* boot menu. That's built into…
1. No, you're not deviant; CIS is. 2. I doubt it, but do you really care? 3. No; more likely CIS will just drop support for the key altogether, on the basis that the only people who like its current behavior are those with hardcopy terminals (the \xxx\ echoing stuff)…
Does this mean that: 1. If I use the "delete" key to delete, I am a deviant? 2. My use of the "delete" key distracts the diligent CIS computers from the important task of serving those who use "backspace" to delete? 3. I am in danger of finding someday that…
Brian, Just thought I'd throw my two cents in here . The F12 key, labeled (BS) *DOES* send the ASCII "BS" character, so you can use that key instead of the Control-H if you wish. That's the one I use all the time when I'm using LCTERM, as I prefer…
Brian, You'll probably get the insert anyway. I always seem to, regardless of the fact that my keyboard won't allow me to type the letters I, B, and M in sequence… ;-} I suppose if the DECUNET forums here could boast the same multiple-100K membership as the IBMNET forums do,…
Brian, I haven't seen the August magazine yet. (It may be in the pile that's waiting for me.) But in the past, I've always gotten the IBM inserts. Come to think of it, I may even have gotten some Apple inserts. Oh, well…
Willett, Thanks. That does explain things. By the way, because I originally bought an A, I only have the 100A owners' manual, which is why I didn't see the "gotcha." — Carl
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