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Table of contents: |
| COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE Issue #42 | Home | Index | Magazine | ||||||
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| Articles in section: ABOUT COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE |
| "ABOUT
CFDM" ABOUT COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE |
| Back to top |
"ABOUT CFDM" COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE is dedicated to those who still enjoy running under RS DOS. It will deal with that format exclusively. A primary goal is to keep the COCO community strong. By providing a unique means of communication, maybe old fires will be rekindled as you and I share our knowledge and experiences! The success of this effort depends on each one who becomes a subscriber. Everyone must contribute his/ her two cents in the form of articles, programs, opinions, experiences, etc. If this happens we will all look forward to the next issue. (Check out the manual with your starter kit for details on how to submit material.) Now let's have some fun!!! =* |
ABOUT COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE is the creation and property of Rick Cooper. It is distributed solely by RICK'S COMPUTER ENTERPRISE. The material which makes up each issue remains the property of the author(s) or contributor(s) unless an agreement has been made otherwise. COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE is dedicated exclusively to those who enjoy the COCO3 operating under RS DOS. It is hoped that this publication will encourage the continued usage of our favorite computer. Neither CFDM nor RICK'S COMPUTER ENTERPRISE will be responsible for the submission or publication of any material that does not belong to the submitter. WE DO NOT ADVOCATE OR SUPPORT PIRACY! =* |
| Articles in section: ABOUT THIS ISSUE |
| BONUS
DISK DIRECTORY (#12) CONTENTS ... PART 1 <i42> CONTENTS ... PART 2 <i42> PROGRAM DIRECTORY (i42) THIS MONTH'S COVER |
| Back to top |
Here's a description of the files on the BONUS DISK.
File names preceded by an asterisk are data files or
program files used by other programs. Do not RUN or
EXEC files preceded by an asterisk.
*Note - The files on side 2 are not described below
because they will be added after Rick's
Picnic and are not know at this time. We
can say that a C.BAS program and submission
disk template format will be included to
provide information about the files on that
disk side.
---------------------- SIDE 1 --------------------
NAME.........COMMAND..SECTION OR DESCRIPTION......
* 1923 T .NIB........ART GALLERY
* 39PONTAC.NIB........ART GALLERY =>
____________________________________________________
* ALLEGRO .NIB........ART GALLERY
BOOT .BAS..RUN...PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH
* CLEMENT .NIB........ART GALLERY
* FIRESTRM.NIB........ART GALLERY
* FROND .NIB........ART GALLERY
* MG TD .NIB........ART GALLERY
NIB>NIB+.BAS..RUN...PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH
* NIBLOADR.BIN........Pix loader utility
NIBSAVE+.BAS..RUN...PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH
* NIBSAVER.BIN........Pix saver utility
NIBSHOW .BAS..RUN...ART GALLERY
* OVERLAY .NIB........Data file for BOOT.BAS
* PICKUP .NIB........ART GALLERY
* PONTI 39.NIB........ART GALLERY
* PORSCHE .NIB........ART GALLERY
* PUZDAT .DAT........Data for BOOT.BAS =>
____________________________________________________
* PUZZLE1 .NIB........Data file for BOOT.BAS
* PUZZLE2 .NIB........Data file for BOOT.BAS
* SEQ0 .DAT........Data file for BOOT.BAS
* SEQ1 .DAT........Data file for BOOT.BAS
SQS>NIB .BAS..RUN...PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH
* SQSREADR.BIN........Data file for SQS>NIB
* SWITCH .BIN........Data file for BOOT.BAS
* VINCENTE.BAS........Program used by BOOT.BAS
* VINCENTE.NIB........Pix for BOOT.BAS
* WASP .NIB........ART GALLERY
=*
|
ABOUT COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE (2) 1 "ABOUT CFDM" 2 ABOUT COCO FRIENDS DISK MAGAZINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE (5) 1 BONUS DISK DIRECTORY (#12) 2 CONTENTS ... PART 1 <i42> 3 CONTENTS ... PART 2 <i42> 4 PROGRAM DIRECTORY (i42) 5 THIS MONTH'S COVER ACTIVE COCO (4) 1 6TH ANNUAL ATLANTA COCOFEST 2 CFDM TRIVIA #2 ANSWERS 3 COCO TRADER NEWS 4 CoCo III Emulator => ____________________________________________________ ADVERTISEMENTS (7) 1 Bob van der Poel Software 2 CFDM SUBSCRIPTION 3 COCO GOODIES FOR SALE #2 4 COCO SYSTEM FOR SALE 5 DISCOUNTED COCO SALE 6 GREAT COCO COLLECTION SALE! 7 RICK'S NOW SELLS ZEBRA!! ARTICLES OF THE MONTH (4) 1 GrafExpress Tutorial 04 Part I 2 GrafExpress Tutorial 04 Part II 3 JITTERY JOYSTICKS BEWARE! 4 NIB - Improving a Standard COCO FRIENDS ART GALLERY (9) => ____________________________________________________ 1 ANTIQUE CAR SHOW (Part 1) 2 DESERT.NIB 3 FIRESTORM!!! 4 FRACTALS ** ENLARGEMENTS 5 FROND.NIB - Nature! 6 GOING TO RICK'S PICNIC 7 HAYSTACK ROCK 8 More CFDM "CCFFRONT.NIB" files 9 VACATION DREAM FAMILY TREE (1) 1 A CFDM FIRST FORUM (3) 1 CFDM 50 COVER PICTURE <g> 2 CFDM 51 COVER PICTURE <g> =* |
3 MY COCO3 EMULATOR
FROM THE EDITOR (3)
1 ABOUT THE BONUS DISK
2 KUDOS
3 PICNIC TIME DRAWS NIGH!
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (5)
1 EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS
2 KENTUCKY - 2 WORLD - 200+
3 PICNIC - Count ME In!
4 RE: FROM THE HEART
5 THOUGHTS AND THINGS
POTPOURRI (6)
1 BATTLESHIP =>
____________________________________________________
2 EL CONDOR PASA
3 FROM THE HEART REVISITED
4 Non-exercises
5 TAPS
6 Why leap year - cont.
PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH (11)
1 -- BOX 1-9 --
2 -- BOX 1-9 .part TWO.
3 CFDM Batch file
4 INVENTORY Database
5 NIB to NIB PLUS
6 NIBSAVE+ Saving a new standard
7 NIBSHOW version 2.0
8 SQS to NIB conversion
9 STRINGART14 -- FLOWER =>
____________________________________________________
10 TELECLND - a calender for TW128
11 VINCENTE PICTURE PUZZLE
REVIEWS (2)
1 COCO3 EMULATOR
2 COCO3 EMULATOR Part II
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (7)
1 -- Answers to some POKES --
2 Blue Streak Clone
3 DISK LIFE
4 HELP! NEED SPREADSHEET!
5 LOOKING FOR A BLUESTREAK
6 Q: to Fred Remin (COCO-LINK)
7 TO * EVERYONE * who uses NIB
=*
|
Here's a description of the files on the PROGRAM/
SIDE. File names preceded by an asterisk are data
files and not to be RUN or EXECed!
NAME.........COMMAND..SECTION OR DESCRIPTION......
* BATSHIP .CM3........POTPOURRI, CoCoMAX3 file
* BIG .FNT........Data file for GEO4.BAS
BOX 1-9 .BAS..RUN...PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH
* BOX 1-9 .DOC........Doc file, RUN PRINTBX.BAS
* BOX 1-9 .NIB........Pix for BOX 1-9.BAS
* CFDM .BAT........PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH, PC file
* DESERT .NIB........ART GALLERY
ELCONDOR.BAS..RUN...POTPOURRI (music)
* ELCONDOR.BIN........Data file for ELCONDOR.BAS
* FATSO .FNT........Data file for BOX 1-9.BAS
GEO4 .BAS..RUN...ARTICLES OF THE MONTH =>
____________________________________________________
* GE16 .BIN........Data file for GEO4.BAS
* HAYSTKRK.NIB........ART GALLERY
* ICON .PIC........Data file for GEO4.BAS
* INVDATAB.DAT........Data file for INVENTRY.BAS
INVENTRY.BAS..RUN...PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH
* JOYSTK .NIB........Illustration from ARTICLES..
* MM6P .NIB........ART GALLERY
* MT-RANGE.NIB........ART GALLERY
* NIBLOADR.BIN........Pix loader utility
NIBSHOW .BAS..RUN...ART GALLERY
PRINTBOX.BAS..RUN...Prints BOX 1-9.DOC
* SP3 .BIN........Data file for BOX 1-9.BAS
STRING14.BAS..RUN...PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH
TAPS .BAS..RUN...POTPOURRI (music)
* TAPS .BIN........Data file for TAPS.BAS
TELECLND.BAS..RUN...PROGRAMS OF THE MONTH =>
____________________________________________________
* TRUCK .NIB........ART GALLERY
=*
|
Fading Liberty This picture is a bit different than my
others in that you need to look hard to find
the picture against a blue sky. The picture
is titled "Are We Losing It" referring to
Liberty. We need to be active in today's
government or we will see "LIBERTY" fade away
right from in front of our eyes.
Let's keep "LIBERTY" alive in two ways:
1. Be active in how we vote and keep
informed about today's government.
2. Keep supporting Rick down there in
LIBERTY, Kentucky by putting in
articles, drawings, programs, etc.
....... Jim Gibbons =*
|
| Articles in section: ACTIVE COCO |
| 6TH
ANNUAL ATLANTA COCOFEST CFDM TRIVIA #2 ANSWERS COCO TRADER NEWS CoCo III Emulator |
| Back to top |
6TH ANNUAL ATLANTA COCOFEST Announcing
THE 6TH ANNUAL ATLANTA COCOFEST
Show Hours: Sat. Sept. 30 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sun. Oct. 1 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Vendor Setup: Fri. Sept. 29 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat. Sept. 30 8:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Admission: $10 (Whole Show)
Reservations: Holiday Inn, Northlake
(800) 465-4329 or (404) 938-1026
Sponsored by: Atlanta Computer Society =*
P.O. Box 80694 Atlanta, GA 30366 BBS: 404-636-2991
|
CFDM TRIVIA #2 ANSWERS I submitted a follow-up version of Rick's CFDM
TRIVA TEST (#36) which appeared as TRIVMOD.BAS in
issue 40. Well the reply time is up & here are the
answers:
1 GODFREY MOLL created the COLORING BOOK CONTEST
(issue 31).
2 PHONE FEST replaced the name CFDM CELEBRATION DAY
(issue 24).
3 The FIRST CFDM INDEX appeared in BONUS DISK #6.
4 DICK WILLIAMS wrote the FIRST review about 512K
UPGRADES (issue 24)
5 ROBT A TURNER may become our COCO HAND SCANNER
creator! I hope so! (issue 7).
6 HARDCOPY: the baby of ART HALLOCK! Thank you, Art!
7 JIM BENNETT produced "JUMPIN' JIM'S ART DISKS"
(6 great issues). =>
____________________________________________________
8 Issue 27 was named the DRAGON THAW ISSUE.
9 RICK COOPER'S pictures appeared in issues 18 & 25.
10 JIGSAW PUZZLE first appeared in issue 3.
11 The number of CFDM BONUS DISKS is 10 (through
issue 37).
12 RASCAN reviews were written by GODFREY MOLL iss
2, & JOHN SAYA iss 14B.
13 COLIN NORTH is our OPTICAL ILLUSIONIST iss 22,
How about another, Colin? I loved it!
14 A Q&A first appeared about FD-502 Disk Drives in
issue 3.
15 ORIGINAL HRIDDLES & LEONARDO'S PAINTBOX: Author
JIM BENNETT.
16 CFDM COUNTRIES: Canada, Australia, Holland, West
Indies, Great Britain, Argentina. (COCO REG #3).
17 CM3 TO NIB: R. Berney (12) & K. Kenny (14). =>
____________________________________________________
18 WHOA, DOROTHY TOPPING! That was quite a TAIL!
(iss 12).
19 RAY SMITH in issue 19 wrote CLIPART ON THE COCO.
20 Issue 22 was dedicated to the OUT-OF-COUNTRY
FRIENDS.
21 GODFREY MOLL is the DEMOGRAPHIC STUDIES person.
22 ALASKA & HAWAII are not represented in the 3rd
issue of the COCO REGISTRY.
AND THE WINNER IS: Norm Barson
(Selected using a random-picker program).
AND THE PRIZE IS: A 6 MONTH RENEWAL TO CFDM!
Thanks to all of you who entered the contest!!!!
(Rick says, "Thanks Herb for your fine contest!)
Herb Forger Sr 88 Dry Hill Rd Norwalk, CT 06851-3127
Tel: (203) 847-4282. =*
|
COCO TRADER NEWS Hello Rick,
..I have made great use of the Registry, I have been
sending literature to several of the people on the
list.... By the way I have gotten a fair response
from the COCO TRADER ad in the Registry.
As for the COCO TRADER, I just mailed out an issue
with a note that we need more ads..The subscriptions
are great, but if we don't have anything to put in
the TRADER, then we can't send anything to the
subscribers. I do love doing the TRADER, and I do
want to give everyone more than their moneys worth,
so I will keep trying for now.
Another idea that I want to work on is trying =>
____________________________________________________
to set up a library of manuals and docs. I will give
a copy of any of them to anyone for the cost of
copying and shipping. I don't look to make money off
of them. I will only copy to disk those that are
already on disk. Also I won't send copies of any
that are still being sold by dealers....or those
that are still copy-protected unless someone has
bought the original product and did not get any docs
or manuals. I hope this covers it OK. I don't want
to step on any toes and I don't want to take
anything away from anyone else. I do know from
experience about buying something and not getting
any info with it. A case in point, I bought a R.S.
Touch Pad and didn't get any program or docs with
it. So here it sits in a drawer until I can find
the rest of it. So I hope that this idea will =>
____________________________________________________
be looked upon as a needed service for the CoCo
World.
I am looking for any and all manuals and docs that I
can find. I will buy them or at least pay postage.
I do prefer to have originals as they do make better
copies.
- Your Friend,
Jim Sternett
2759 Easy St.
Sevierville, TN 37862
Tel: 615 428-1220
Home of the COCO TRADER =*
|
CoCo III Emulator I received my copy of the emulator just a few weeks
ago now, and have practically packed up the original
CoCo III into the closet! The directions for making
all the necessary files were pretty simple. No
trouble there! The first program I ran on the Em.
was my Fractal program, and it performed quite well.
No trouble at all!
I also tried my SQS system, NIBSHOW, and a few misc.
programs, and they all worked fine. Seems to run
everything pretty nicely, and quickly on my 486DX-40
with 8 megs RAM and a big harddrive. I must have
over a dozen "disks" stored on there right now.
I have tried running the Emulator under OS/2 Warp,
and Windows, and as long as you use a full-screen,
they work fine. I even tried running TWO Emulators
*simultaneously* under OS/2 Warp, and as long as ->
____________________________________________________
you don't try to run HSCREEN modes, you can have
TWO running CoCos in windows under OS/2 Warp! BUT..
They run on the slow side.
I am a little bothered by the SPEED when working
with graphics, and I'm not sure I understand the
problem with GIME chip emulation. The NIB program,
while working flawlessly, seems to run SLOWER than
a normal CoCo III, even when running my 486 at top
speed, HOWEVER, my SQS program runs over twice as
fast as usual! (I pat myself on the back). It must
have something to with swapping memory blocks around
because I am pretty sure that NIB swaps a lot while
SQS only one. (more pats on the back!).
I am composing this entire submission disk on the
Emulator. It is kind of fun to sit at my IBM, and->
____________________________________________________
type into a CoCo!
Other problems noted:
-the emulator seems to drop key presses if I don't
hold the key down long enough. Annoying.
-the emulator will NOT run MUSICA, perhaps due to
some weird semi-graphics mode.
-the manual states that programs that do clever
things with color palettes won't work. CoCoMax III
does clever things. I haven't tried it, but has
anyone?
=*
|
Bob van der Poel Software GREAT STUFF FOR OS9 LEVEL II
----------------------------
Ved Text Editor.........The Best OS9 Editor! $24.95
Vprint Text Formatter.......Dynamite Outputs $29.95
OS-9 Character Set Editor..Change the Screen $19.95
OS-9 Disk Mailing List (DML9)...............
Unlimited Capacity $24.95
Basic09 Subroutine Pack.....................
24 Useful ML Routines $24.95
Cribbage.The Classic Card Game with Graphics $19.95
Ultra Label Maker..........Make Nifty Labels $19.95
Magazine Index System.Complete Rainbow Dbase $19.95
RMA Assembler Library...Complete with Source $19.95
Stock Manager..Your Accountant will love you $24.95
OS-9 Public Domain Disk.Programs with source $ 9.95
=>
____________________________________________________
GREAT STUFF FOR DISK BASIC
--------------------------
*Disk Utility Pack...16 Programs/1 low price $14.95
+Disk Mailing List.....Keeps up to 200 names $16.45
-Ultra Telepatch........THE Telewriter64 Fix $19.95
+CoCo 3 Cribbage....In Fully Commented BASIC $13.95
*Disk Programming Package...................
4 Hard-to-Find Programs $14.95
*Ultra Label Maker...Create Beautiful Labels $14.95
*Magazine Index System..W/Lots of Data Files $14.95
*Basic Program Lister..Easy to Read Listings $14.95
*Mapper...Detailed BASIC Program x-reference $14.95
*Packer..............Compress BASIC Programs $14.95
*Stocks & Bonds Manager...Not Only For Taxes $19.95
(+ = CoCo 3 - = CoCo 1 or 2 * = CoCo 1,2,3) =>
____________________________________________________
For a free, descriptive catalogue please send a
postcard, call or send us email.
All programs are in stock for immediate shipping.
Please include check or money order with your order.
Sorry, no credit cards; but we will ship COD to US
and Canadian addresses (we add a small additional
charge to cover the post office COD fee). Mention
"CFDM" in your order and shipping is FREE! All
orders are shipped via first class mail, usually on
the same day they are received.
P.O. Box 355 P.O. Box 57
Porthill, ID or Wynndel, B.C.
USA 83853-0355 Canada V0B 2N0
Tel: 604-866-5772 EMAIL: Compuserve 76510,2203 =*
|
CFDM SUBSCRIPTION Is your subscription running out? Here's how to check: On your mailing label next to your name is a number. The number after the last dash (-) is the last issue on your present subscription. Please don't let your subscription expire. WHEN YOU RESUBSCRIBE PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ENTIRE SUBSCRIPTION NUMBER. THIS HELPS ME LOCATE YOU IN MY DATABASE! A single issue of CFDM is $6. Or get 3 issues for only $16. A 6 issue subscription is only $30 (a savings of 6$). Back issues are available at the same rates. COCOs FOREVER!! =* |
COCO GOODIES FOR SALE #2 ITEM DESCRIPTION AVAIL. PRICE
RGB MONITOR CM-8 LIKE NEW. 1 $55.00
128K COCO 3 LIKE NEW.ORIGINAL 1 65.00
DK DRIVE FD-502 SINGLE SIDE WITH 1 45.00
CONTROLLER & CASE
128K COCO 3 FOR REPAIR OR PARTS 1 15.00
SHOWS GREEN SCREEN
MODEM PAK 300 BAUDS W/MANUAL 2 3.00
STEREO MUSIC ORCHESTRA 90-CC W/ 1 5.00
SYNTHESIZER MANUAL.
=>
____________________________________________________
DOWNLAND GAME ROM-PAK W/MANUAL 1 2.00
ZONE RUNNER DISK W/MANUAL 1 2.50
GAME
COCO 3 MANUAL EXTENDED BASIC. 2 2.50
HOME PUBLISHER DISK W/MANUAL 1 2.50
DESKMATE 1 WORDPROCESSOR,DISK W/ 1 2.50
BOOK,CALENDAR,LEDGER.
COCO 3 DISK OWNERS MANUAL & PRO- 1 2.50
SYSTEM MANUAL GRAMMING GUIDE.
OS-9 LEVEL II 2 DISKS W/MANUALS 1 10.00
=>
____________________________________________________
VOCABULARY FOR TRS-80 COCO1 W/ 1 1.00
TUTOR 2 TAPE & INSTRUCTIONS
PYRAMIDE FOR TRS-80 MODEL I & 1 1.00
2000 GAME III,TAPE W/BOOK
PADDLE PIN- FOR TRS-80 MODEL I & 1 1.00
BALL III,TAPE W/BOOK
MONOPOLY GA- FOR TRS-80 MODEL III 1 1.00
ME DISK W/BOOK
***************************
All items will be sold "As Is" basis plus shipping
and handling call Rafael Ortiz (818)986-3008 or lea-
ve message before place your order.
*************************** =*
|
COCO SYSTEM FOR SALE I would like to market my entire system as a whole:
My system includes, but is not limited to:
COCO3 (w/ plastic cover)
RGB Color Monitor (w/ plastic cover)
Dual Disc Drive (w/ plastic cover)
Single Disc Drive
Modem
Cassette Recorder
Speech Synthesizer
Color Mouse
Joysticks ( enhanced & also regular)
All cables & documentation included.
Also much software. =>
____________________________________________________
I sure would appreciate if you could pass the word
on this opportunity. I am not giving this system
away but, someone will get a deal.
Thanks again Rick.
Sincerely,
Bob Stitt
230 Avilez Blvd
Titusville, FL 32780
Tel: 407 268-2834
=*
|
DISCOUNTED COCO SALE This is what I have left. All are guaranteed to be
in good working order. I'm disposing of all my
backup hardware because I need the space in our new
apartment. I have more that one of each item. If
you are interested in more than one, ask me if it is
available.
CoCo3-512K......................$60
CoCo2-64K.......................$20
CM8 RGB Monitor.................$40
Tandy Mouse.....................$ 5
FD-502 Dual 2 Sided Disk Drive..$40
Disto Mini Drive Controller
with switchable ADOS & RSDOS...$25
RS Joy Sticks...................$ 5
Hi-Res Interface for Joystick...$ 5 =>
____________________________________________________
Printer Interface
(Metric Industries #101)......$10
Zoom Modem-2400 Baud...........$25
RS-232 Power Pack..............$25
William Rosenfeld
300 Edwards St. 2EE
Roslyn Heights, NY 11577
Telephone: 516 621-2292
or 516 625-8556
=*
|
GREAT COCO COLLECTION SALE! Below you will find a partial list of CoCo hardware
and software items that I would like to sell. For
a complete list, offers on single items, or the
entire package please contact me at my listed phone
or address. Thanks. - Dale Brainerd
----------------------------------------------------
MAGNAVOX 8CM515 Monitor (includes docs, cables, etc)
512K CoCo-3 (includes docs, cables, 128K chips)
NEW 128K CoCo-3 (includes docs and cables)
Radio Shack 26-3022 Single-sided drive w/controller
TANDY FD-502 Double-Sided Dual drive w/controller
TANDY DMP-105 9 pin printer (cables & docs)
TANDY 26-3125 Deluxe Mouse with docs.
Radio Shack 26-3025 Color Mouse with docs.
2 (1 NEW) TANDY 26-3028 Hi-Res Joystick interface
TANDY 26-3012B Deluxe Joystick with docs =>
____________________________________________________
TANDY 26-3124 Multi-Pak Interface with docs
also Upgrade for Multi-Pak, locking plate,
and extender cable.
Dayton Associates powered Blue Streak Ultima
2 Disk Drive adapter harness
TANDY Disk Drive cleaning kit
TANDY 5 1/4 Disk Notcher
NEW: 3 boxes BASF 5 1/4 Reversible Disks
4 boxes Memorex 5 1/4 disks
BASIC Software:
Simply Better, Zebra's Label Designer, Zebra's
Graphics Designer Plus, VIP III Integrated Library,
MAX-10, M-10 Clipart 300 Pieces (documentation and
disks #1-5), COCOMAX3, QUICKPRO+2, COCO ACCOUNTANT3
Rick's Unbelievable Offers #1 and #3, CFDM 1-13, =>
____________________________________________________
RAINBOW ON DISK (assorted 8/88-10/92), MICROCOM's
CALENDAR MAKER, DISK MASTER APPRENTICE, BASIC
SCREEN EDITOR, COLORVENTURE's 512K BACKUP LIGHTNING
(plus Memory Test, RAM Disk, and Printer Lightning)
8 ROM Paks with docs.
OS9 Software:
TANDY's OS-9 Level 2 Operating System, MULTI-VUE,
HOME PUBLISHER, DESKMATE3, SIERRA's Learning Games,
SUBLOGIC's FLIGHT SIMULATOR II, RAINBOW COMPLETE
GUIDE TO OS-9 LEVEL 2 V.1.
-> (Most items are in clean, like new condition!) <-
Dale Brainerd
Telephone: 1814 27th Ave. South
701 232-3030 Fargo, ND 58103 =*
|
RICK'S NOW SELLS ZEBRA!! Rick's Computer Enterprize has recently entered an
agreement to sell the famous ZEBRA SYSTEMS software!
Below is a description of the three major packages
and the great add-ons!
The CoCo Graphics Designer Plus.........$20.00
(Also note the add-ons listed below to make
this a very complete system.)
The Label Designer......................$20.00
(Also note the add-ons listed below. They
work with both Label Designer & CoCo Graphics
Designer Plus.)
First Prize.............................$30.00
(Comes with 9 disk sides of clip art, borders, =>
____________________________________________________
and templates to make awards, certificates,
and licenses for business, education, family,
general purpose, humor, religion, and sports.)
subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for CoCo 3....$10.00
----------------------------------------------------
PLEASE ADD $2.00 TO COVER SHIPPING/HANDLING ON ANY
SIZE ORDER! OUT OF COUNTRY S/H IS ANOTHER $3.00.
----------------------------------------------------
ALL PRODUCTS REQUIRE 64K COCO II OR 3, MOUSE OR
JOYSTICK, DISK DRIVE, AND COMPATIBLE PRINTER.
----------------------------------------------------
GREAT ADD-ONS FOR LABEL DESIGNER
AND COCO GRAPHICS DESIGNER PLUS
Picture disks 1 to 6 each contain 132 pictures =>
____________________________________________________
for use with CGDP and LD and also export to
Colorware's CoCo Max and Max-10 programs.
- #1 Education, People, School, Science...$7.50
- #2 America, Sports, Party, Office.......$7.50
- #3 Animals, Religion, Nature, Travel....$7.50
- #4 Holiday Collection...................$7.50
- #5 Hobbies, Vehicles, Astrology.........$7.50
- #6 Maps of the 50 US States.............$7.50
- Font Disk A (10 fonts for CGDP & LD)....$7.50
- Font Disk B (10 fonts for CGDP & LD)....$7.50
- Border Disk #1 (176 Borders for CGDP)...$7.50
Rick's Computer Enterprise
P.O. Box 276 Liberty, KY 42539 =*
|
| Articles in section: ARTICLES OF THE MONTH |
| GrafExpress
Tutorial 04 Part I GrafExpress Tutorial 04 Part II JITTERY JOYSTICKS BEWARE! NIB - Improving a Standard |
| Back to top |
GrafExpress Tutorial 04 Part I Last month we described the different types of GE
pictures and showed an example of loading regular
pictures from disk. Defining a picture is closely
related to defining a sprite, so this months demo
will define three different types of pictures then
assign these pictures to sprites.
Start by copying GE04.BAS and ICON.PIC on the pro-
gram side of this issue to your GrafExpress (GE)
disk. You must have the files GE16.BIN and BIG.FNT
on this disk as well. Refer to the program listing
as you read this article.
The first picture is a graphic image loaded from
disk in line 180. Notice the command OFF1=-12,-12.
=>
____________________________________________________
The syntax for this command is: OFFpic# = xoffset,
yoffset. The range for x,y is -100 to 100. These
numbers are added to the coordinates whenever this
picture is drawn on the screen. So in this case -12
is added each time. The reason I did this is because
in the demo when the icon is moved the cursor point
will be in the middle of the image instead of the
top left corner.
Picture #2 is the cursor arrow drawn on the screen
in line 200. It is then defined with PIC2=0,0..6,10
;2. Notice the #2 at the end. This is the TRANS-
COLOR. Whenever the black arrow is drawn on the
screen all pixels defined with color #2 will not be
drawn, This color is transparent. REFER to last
months definitions. =>
____________________________________________________
Picture #3 & 4 are defined in line 220 as totally
transparent pictures. You can think of this type of
picture as being clear, yet solid. Just like a
pane of glass. The syntax is PICpic# = RECT width,
height. Its dimensions are width by height. Pic-
ture #3 is the hotspot for the cursor and is placed
on the tip of the black arrow to precisely check its
position. Picture #4 is a 24x8 pixel rectangle
placed over the word "Info." This method is a good
way to check for collisions on non-movable tiles in
your programs- simply draw the object or letters di-
rectly on the screen then place a transparent pic-
ture on top for collision purposes. In GE there are
many ways to accomplish the same thing but some
ways save memory and CPU time.
(continued in Part II) =*
|
GrafExpress Tutorial 04 Part II Line 280 assigns the sprites to the pictures. The
syntax is: SPRITEspritelow[..spritehigh] = pic#.
GE provides a shortcut to the SPRITE command with
the * symbol, the demo uses both. NOTE: the syntax
shows that you can define more than one sprite to
the same picture. You may also redefine a sprite to
a different picture anytime. HINT: To make the
syntax for collision checking simple make your main
sprite (the cursor for example) the lowest number
sprite. This also assures it won't disappear behind
another sprite (the lower number sprites are dis-
played in front of high number sprites).
Line 300, 450 & 530 are examples of moving sprites.
The syntax is SPRITEspritelow[..spritehigh] >
xworldcoord,yworldcoord. =>
____________________________________________________
The range for worldcoord is -32000 to 32000. This
lets you move objects off of the screen in a real
world 'sphere.'
Sprites can be turned on and off making them either
"exsist or not exsist." All sprites are turned on
in line 320. The syntax is: SPRITEspritelow[..
spritehigh] ON/OFF. A sprite which is turned off
does not take place in collision checking. Also to
display any sprites the window viewport into sprite
land must be turned on (more on windows later).
NOTE: After turning on a sprite or moving a sprite
the new location will not be displayed until the
SHOW or ! command is given (refer to screen commands
in GE01).
=>
____________________________________________________
Besides being able to move objects around on and off
the screen, sprites are also used for the purpose
of collision checking. The syntax is: varible =
sprite# HIT spritelow[..spritehigh]. This is done
in line 360, the varible is SP in the demo. NOTE:
You must use all varibles at least once before using
them in GE to avoid an error. This is because GE
does not assign varible space, only BASIC does. The
number returned in the varible is the lowest number
sprite that sprite# collided with. In this example
SP=2HIT3..4 (checking to see if the cursor hotspot
has hit the "Info" tile or the icon). You must bear
in mind the purpose of the sprite when you define
your pictures, different types of pictures are used
for different sprites. --Perry Friesen--
50 Eggleton ST Red Deer, AB T4R 2L2 =*
|
JITTERY JOYSTICKS BEWARE!
To Jittery Jim and others with the joystick jitters.
After listening to the wife and kids complain about
the slugishness of the joysticks, I spent the best
part of the morning performing service on them. The
process is fairly simple and can be done without
unsoldering any wires. Remove the two screws on the
bottom of the unit. Lift out one pot and assembly.
Loosen set screw holding plastic piece to pot shaft.
Unhook top of little spring. Lift plastic piece and
remove. Loosen locknut and remove nut and washer.
Remove last washer. Slide pot out and it will be
free to work on. !CAREFULLY! Bend up four tabs on
pot and remove case. Using WD40 or other solvent (I
am partial to CRC 5-56) spray down whisker and
contact surface. Use lots, let it soak for awhile.
Wipe clean and repeat until no dirt appears =>
____________________________________________________
after wiping. When assured it is clean, take a piece
of printer paper and pull it the full length between
the whisker and contact surface. Repeat. Reassemble
the pot. Reassemble the unit. !CAUTION! Do not
tighten set screw too tight!! Plastic breaks easily!
Repeat with other assembly. I have performed this
service to 4 Tandy Deluse Joysticks and the results
have been excellent! I don't know how many times
the tabs can be bent before breaking but time will
tell. I have broken only one unit from tightening
the set screw too tight (the first one), but it was
easily repaired. The problem seems to be the shafts
are greased at the factory and eventually works it's
way to the contacts. The buttons can also be cleaned
without unsoldering wires. Pry the fire button up
with a screwdriver. It will slide out easily. =>
____________________________________________________
On the side of switch is a slot. Push the tab in
and forward. The button will come out, but be very
careful! I haven't broken any yet but they are
delicate. The contact surface is a pin mounted in
the button. Remove and clean with some fine sand-
paper or matchbook. Scrape contacts in switch with
small screwdriver. Reassemble. If results are not
great, the button can be replaced with Radio Shack
part no. 275-1566. The button is twice as big and
sticks up about half an inch, but it works good. You
will probably have to scrounge a washer up from some
where. I've submitted a graphic illustration
"JOYSTK". Call or write anytime.
Barry T Miller
5321W 8000S RD
Phone(815) 697-2533 Chebanse IL 60922 =*
|
NIB - Improving a Standard NIB is a standard that many of us have used! It is
a quick and effecient way to save pictures to disk
in a compressed format, saving space on the disk.
I have just added some enhancements to NIB:
-effects like CoCoMax animation can be saved in the
NIB file, and automatically shown when viewed.
-effects from my SFRACTAL program, like cycling, or
Red/Green/Blue Color-sets, can be saved in the NIB
file, and automatically shown.
-comments - you can add up to 240 characters of text
to a NIB file, and your comments are saved in the
NIB file! They can be viewed by others later on!
Comments could be: your names, notes about the
picture, dates, sources of ideas, details, etc. ->
____________________________________________________
-AutoHscreen - my way of describing this feature.
If you have a hi-res picture on HSCREEN 4 (instead
of the usual HSCREEN 2), you can now use NIB to
save that picture, and when it is viewed, the
correct HSCREEN will automatically be selected!
Of course, HSCREEN 2 is still supported.
-Other options may be coming! Watch this space!
Rest assured that all older NIB files are still fine
and work great, and all new NIB files will still
work in all the old programs. As they say in the
industry, the formats are both backward and forward
compatible.
Keep reading to find out about my support programs:
->
____________________________________________________
NIBSAVE+.BAS, when used with NIBSAVER.BIN will save
pictures from memory to disk using new NIB.
NIB>NIB+.BAS, when used with NIBSAVE+.BAS, NIBSAVER
.BIN, NIBLOADR.BIN, will -convert- NIB files
from the older style, to the newer style. This
allows you to take your older NIB files, and
add comments, effects, etc.
NIBSHOW.BAS, version 2.0 now supports the new NIB
features of Max animation, Fractal cycling,
and comments. A new T option allows you to
view comments in a NIB file, and the program
will automatically set the correct HSCREEN.
(See Side 1 of the Bonus Disk.) -*
|
ANTIQUE CAR SHOW (Part 1)
I am finally getting around to offering a con-
tribution to CFDM. I have a large file of graphic
pix (autos, boats, flowers, buildings, etc) that I
have drawn over the years. Starting off using the
CIRCLE, LINE, DRAW, etc commands, and with the
advent of COCO MAX, I re-made some of them over to
"CM3".
So..at random I chose part of my files on
"Automobiles", thinking that they maay be of general
interest, and that you may find some that will
qualify for use. All pix are "CM3" and are
identified on screen. I am sending the in two parts,
with the contents listed below to make it easier for
you.
=>
____________________________________________________
-----
RICK: Thanks Clarence for contributing your really
great artwork! I have placed the first disk of your
collection on Side 1 of the Bonus Disk. The second
disk will be included at a future time. As the
Friends, one by one, begin sending in their artwork,
I'm beginning to think all of you are artist and I'm
the only one of the group who "is not"!
=*
|
DESERT.NIB
I am not much of an artist, my optometrist tells me
I have a color deficiancy, and I can not draw a
straight line even when using a straight edge.
DESERT.NIB is a freehand drawing I did using CM3.
And remember, I have a problem with colors. The
colors in the picture look right to me, but they
might not look right to you.
J R Waggoner
==*
|
FIRESTORM!!!
Firestorm (FIRESTRM.NIB) is a fractal. It was saved using the new NIB format, and should be viewed using NIBSHOW version 1.2 (HINT: The version you have is at the top of the screen when you run NIBSHOW.) This fractal is set for special effects, namely the automatic coloring of the fractal with REDS. This is set automatically! (New NIB format!) The fractal also has some comments attached to it. Use the "T" option (only found on version 1.2) to view the message I put into the NIB file. Users with NIBSHOW 1.0 or 1.1 can still view the fractal, but the coloring will be normal, and the comments will not be readable. (See Side 1 of the Bonus Disk.) =* |
FRACTALS ** ENLARGEMENTS
After working a few weeks with STUART T. WYSS-
GALLIFENT'S FRACTALS & SFRACTAL Programs, I just had
to try to make a MULTI-PICTURE as he provided us on
the BONUS DISK #5 that came with CFDM #21.
His MANDELBR/NIB included three enlargements of
different locations on the original fractal. I sel-
ected to make an 'ENLARGEMENT' and then another of a
portion of it. I had to be careful of the amount of
detail that the FRACTAL created as I didn't want to
exceed the 9 granule limit of the /NIB Program. My
value for the ITERATION on the first FRACTAL was 48
and only used 4 granules as /SQS. On the first en-
largement I used 48 again and it required 7 granules
as /SQS, so on the second enlargement I used 32 and
it only required 4 granules to SAVE.
The next step was to convert to CM3 and then =>
____________________________________________________
using CoCoMaxIII reduce the 'ENLARGEMENTS' down to
a small enough graphic to place in the corner of the
original FRACTAL. It was a real challenege to make
everything fit properly on the final screen.
I also have my own favorite color pattern for
the fractal rings. In LINE 125 I separated the tans
and the yellows and substituted a couple of blues --
not a truly RED picture!
RED: 0,04,32,36,37,44,33,38,35,52,53,54,55,60,35,34
MINE: 0,04,32,25,44,37,33,38,35,55,53,54,52,60,15,34
I hope that a few others will share their pic-
tures created with FRACTALS/BAS from CFDM #16.
ENJOY MY COCO!
GODFREY J. MOLL
-Use Nibshow to see 1571 EAST ERIE APT 103
Godfrey's MM6P.NIB. SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804 =*
|
FROND.NIB - Nature!
FROND.NIB was created using my LSYSTEM fractal program. If you remember, LSYSTEM uses repetitive LOGO-like commands to generate realistic looking natural plant life. FROND is representative of a frond of some kind of grassy bushy plant. FROND.NIB is an HSCREEN 4 (640 x 192) fractal, but under the new NIB format, the correct HSCREEN is saved with the NIB file, so that when you view FROND with NIBSHOW, the program will *automatically* use the correct HSCREEN! You must use the new version of NIBSHOW (1.2) other- wise the resolution will not be correct. (See Side 1 of the Bonus Disk.) =* |
GOING TO RICK'S PICNIC
Couple weeks ago I was driving Lindley Ave in Nor-
thridge area in the San Fernando Valley-Los Angeles
California when it came to my mind and I wondered
how are the CFDM Friends going to get to RICK'S PIC-
NIC ? by plane.?, by car.?, it's got to be someone
out there driving a long distance, maybe on the de-
sert or around the mountains, this truck on the road
symbolizes that no matter what,we take what it takes
Yea!!! Traveling long distances from North to South
or from West to East and keep the COCO spirit alive,
Congratulations folks!!!!!
(See "TRUCK.NIB" on the flipside of this disk.)
Rick, Darla says Cesar Rafael Ortiz
Hi! and Sancho 4900 Woodman Ave. Apt.# 4
says meow!!! Sherman Oaks,Ca 91423
(818)986-3008 =*
|
HAYSTACK ROCK
Haystack Rock is a rock along the Oregon coast that
has a hole worn through the lower left side. I
always enjoyed watching the waves splash through
this hole. This picture is my impression of the
scene at sunset.
(HayStkRk) =*
|
More CFDM
"CCFFRONT.NIB" files With apologies to James J. Gibbons, the artist who
draw almost all of the title screens for CFDM, here
are 3 more of my uncouth attempts to draw a title
screen for CFDM. I think I'm trying too hard to be
like J.J. Gibbons. Of all the people who has
submitted fine art, the best pictures that could
possibly replace Jim's in Norm Barson. I'm still
several steps behind Norm, and a whole lot less
talented that Jim. (#50 & #51 artwork by Harold
Moenich)
-----
RICK: I've included two of Ray's CFDM fronts inside
the magazine side as SQZ files.
=*
|
VACATION DREAM
In our travels around the country I have put
together, in my mind, I think would be an
ideal vacation home. In this picture I tried to
portray my dream vacation spot.
(See MT-RANGE.NIB.)
=*
|
| Articles in section: FAMILY TREE |
| A
CFDM FIRST |
| Back to top |
A CFDM FIRST For the first time in 42 issues the Family Tree is
empty! This is not a welcomed first but it is a
condition that can be reversed....but only thru your
assistance.
If you haven't sent in your Family Tree, PLEASE do
so! A Family Tree entry is simply a description
which introduces you to the group. We like to read
about you; how you started CoCoing; what your system
is like; what you enjoy doing with your CoCo; etc.
It's not hard to do! We've probably published close
to 200, but there are Friends we've yet to meet.
We also welcome Family Tree updates. What's the
latest in your CoCo experience? Who wants to know?
We do!! =*
|
| Articles in section: FORUM |
| CFDM
50 COVER PICTURE <g> CFDM 51 COVER PICTURE <g> MY COCO3 EMULATOR |
| Back to top |
MY COCO3 EMULATOR I'm sitting here writing this on my COCO3 while next
to me is the COCO3 Emulator running on my 386sx. I'm
tempted to write this entry on the emulator but just
got it running. I have an issue of CFDM running on
the emulator (it came with the package, thanks to
Rick). Now I have to get some COCO3 stuff working.
My first impression is that CFDM looks better on a
VGA monitor than it does on an RGB.
Had some problems getting this thing working and
thought I would share them with you. I started with
the COCO2 emulator VER 1.3 and had no problems. When
I received VER 1.4 from Rick I had a problem with
PORT and other programs. I called Rick (it's nice to
know he is there for support) and he explained how
the COCO3 Emulator worked. I decided to order =>>
____________________________________________________
the COCO3 Emulator from Jeff (he's the talented lad
who developed the emulator) and explain my problem.
One of the things I suspected was the 5-1/4 drive I
was using with my 386sx. It was a COCO DRIVE. I
replaced it with a 1.2M drive and when the package
arrived Jeff said COCO drives were a problem.
I installed the emulator on my 386sx, transfered the
COCO3 ROMs to the emulator, booted up and locked up.
"When all else fails, read the instructions Dummy."
I did. It turns out the emulator needs EMS memory. I
checked my system and found none was allocated. Ran
MEMMAKER (MS-DOS program to check S/W for memory
requirements and allocates it) and got it to boot.
I went back and checked my other applications =>>
____________________________________________________
and find I get a "MEMORY PARITY ERROR" with one of
the Window applications. Something to work on.
Thanks to Jeff for developing the emulator. Thanks
to Rick for finding it and promoting the COCO3
Emulator.
Roy
=*
|
| Articles in section: FROM THE EDITOR |
| ABOUT
THE BONUS DISK KUDOS PICNIC TIME DRAWS NIGH! |
| Back to top |
ABOUT THE BONUS DISK You'll notice that side 2 of the Bonus Disk is not
described in the contents or Bonus Disk Program
Directory. The reason is that we plan to put entries
collected at Rick's Picnic on that side of the disk.
This will give you a little of the atmosphere of the
event and maybe you'll feel you were here too!
(Note: Rick's Picnic is July 15th and this disk is
being prepared for duplication and HARDCOPY on June
25th.)
I hope you'll enjoy the comments and material on
side #2. We'll also include an update in issue #43.
=*
|
Thanks to all the following Friends who have made
their contribution to this issue!
Roy Atkins, Atlanta Computer Society, Ed Barr, Norm
Barson, Ray Berney, Pete Blackwell, Dale Brainerd,
Larry Bryant, Herb Forger Sr, Perry Friesen, Dorothy
Funk, Jim Gibbons, Roger Gingras, Michael Gross,
Clarence Harriman, Keiran Kenny, Mario Lecours, Mel
Machesney, Barry Miller, Godfrey Moll, Vic Neufeldt,
Rafael Ortiz, Roy Putlack, Charles Radatz, William
Rosenfeld, Garry Spencer, Jim Sternett, Bob Stitt,
Bob van der Poel, J. R. Waggoner, and Stuart Wyss-
Gallifent
----------------------
Thanks to one and all!
---------------------- =*
|
PICNIC TIME DRAWS NIGH! Three weeks from today we'll be hosting a number of
the Friends at Rick's Picnic! It should be a very
enjoyable event. At this time three weeks from now
we hope to be talking with folks like Norm Barson,
Jim Bennett, Stuart Wyss, George Quellhorst, Godfrey
and Muriel Moll, Larry Heiderscheidt, Jim Elbourne,
Alan Dages, Jim Sternett, Jeff Vavasour, Ben Walker,
Ray Berney, Arthur Hinman, Pete Blackwell, Lin and
Nan Padgett, Barry Miller, and R.C. Smith. And we
hope there'll be others. Ray will have arrived on
Thursday evening. I'm sure he'll be helpful in
getting our meeting place ready. I'll have picked
up Jeff late last night (10:45 pm) in Lexington. (It
may be that getting enough sleep will be a problem!)
A number of the attendees will have spent the night
at Liberty's Brown Motel. But today we'll have =>
____________________________________________________
met each other, many for the first time! I've made
plans to video tape the whole event. If enough
interest is shown, we'll make up a tape of clips
from the various tapes. (Let me know if you are
interested in this. There will be a cost of about
$20 for the tape.)
Then on Monday I'll get together the "fruits" from
the Picnic and place them on the 2nd side of the
enclosed Bonus Disk. Hopefully you'll enjoy this
and be able to feel you were here!
Thanks in advance to all who have made this event
possible. Many Friends who could not attend donated
to Jeff's Travel Fund and without your contributions
we'd be without this special guest! Thanks again! =>
____________________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------
This Month's Scripture
One of the first verses of the Bible that a child is
taught to memorize is John 3:16. This is not a long
verse, but when you really get to thinking about it,
it may be the most meaningful verse in the entire
book. Think about it!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
=*
|
| Articles in section: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |
| EXCERPTS
FROM LETTERS KENTUCKY - 2 WORLD - 200+ PICNIC - Count ME In! RE: FROM THE HEART THOUGHTS AND THINGS |
| Back to top |
EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS Have really missed getting CFDM. I simply kept
forgetting to take your renewal form with me to the
office. Please get me started where I left off and
send me a copy of the CoCo Registry. Please also
send me a copy of Issue #25 and reduce the length of
my subscription accordingly...
I'm sending along a verrrry late CoCo Registry form
in case there's a thir update. You're doing a great
service to the CoCo Community! Hang in there!
- Charles Radatz, NE
-----
RICK: Thank you Charles! I know some of our members
fall by the wayside for just the reason you describe
above. But most come back as soon as they remember!
Per the Registry, we're up to over 450....I need =>
____________________________________________________
about 50 more to do the "final" update. We'll work
on it...can anyone help by sending in your form?
----------------------------------------------------
My subscription to CFDM and the HARDCOPY will finish
with #41. Since I can't let such a good venture
expire, as it is getting better all the time and it
does keep us informed of what is going on in the
CoCo world, I am sending for 12 months of both CFDM
and HARDCOPY, so both should be running from #42 to
#53.
Congratulations to YOU and all the FRIENDS for
making this great idea work.
- Roger Gingras, Montreal, Canada
--RICK: Thanks for your continuance!! =>
____________________________________________________
Dear Rick and all,
Still getting lots of enjoyment out of all the
"Great" material in CFDM (slowly learning too).
But, the main reason for this note is to return your
note about the CoCo Registry, to extend my subscrip-
tion for HARDCOPY, and to order ZEBRA SYSTEM's FIRST
PRIZE. I already have most of the rest of their
programs, so would like to play with this one too.
Thanks so much for all your work and all these
"Great (Really Great)" contributors' work.
- Vic Neufeldt, Beaverton, OR
-----
RICK: Thanks for all Vic!! =*
|
KENTUCKY - 2 WORLD - 200+ Dear Rick,
Since I am now a settled(?) resident of Lexington, I
would like to renew my subscription to CFDM and thus
become the second (I think) "Friend" to reside in
the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. :-)
- Mel Machesney 0-48
375 Lancelot Ln.
Lexington, KY 40517-1452
-----
RICK: GREAT! GREAT! GREAT! GREAT! GREAT! GREAT! With
your move to Kentucky our Kentucky membership has
increased 100%. Now if we can get 2 more, we'll have
another 100% increase. Welcome to KY Mel!! =*
|
PICNIC - Count ME In! Rick, I have made reservations already at the motel
in Liberty. Thanks for the information. I am
planning on driving down on Wednesday, and going
back on Tuesday. That puts me in Kentucky for a
week. I didn't want to drive a million miles just
for one afternoon. Apart from probable meetings
with other CoCo friends, what sights are there to
see in Kentucky, or within, say, a days drive?
Can I drive out to see the Mississippi River in a
day, if I leave early enough? How about the
famous (?) mountain ranges? Thanks in advance!
Stuart
-----
RICK: Great Stuart! Looking forward to seeing you
there. Donna is forwarding some brochures. =*
|
RE: FROM THE HEART Here's an excerpt from Pete's letter concerning
Robert A Turner's "FROM THE HEART", issue #40. I
merely pass on this information, not having followed
up the issue. It is entered here for the information
of those who have taken an interest in Robert's
entry and wish to follow it up.
----------------------------------------------------
Dear RAT,
Per your article in CFDM #40, *** FROM THE HEART **,
concerning the terminally ill cancer patient who
desires to collect business cards and get in "The
Guiness Book of World Records".
I contacted the local newspaper to ask if they'd =>
____________________________________________________
like to run the ad as a human interest/public
service story. I was told, 1) this request has been
cropping up for more than a year, 2) upon investi-
gation by the newspaper (a) the child has been
cured! (b) there are bags and bags of mail being
held for him, both in Georgia and Arizona, for over
a year! 3) the home office for Wishes Granted... is
in Arizona.
If further information is desired contact Mr. Gene
McCutcheon c/o The Paris Post Intelligencer
208 Wood St. E
Paris, TN 38242
Tel: 901 642-1162
He asks that you contact him by mail, but PLEASE =>
____________________________________________________
DO NOT inundate him. Mr. McCutcheon said that he
will not give the information over the 'phone',
since it is lengthy.
If you write him, mention that he spoke with me, by
'phone, about 3:30 PM, Monday, May 15th.
Regards,
Pete
-----
RICK: Thanks for your report Pete!
=*
|
THOUGHTS AND THINGS Joan Rivers says, "We are becoming more civilized,
we use to burn witches at the stake - now we pay
them alimony."
I received a fine set of disks and letter from James
C. Mills, inviting me to join his "THAEDIAK Team". I
was very flattered....and will accept.
I've also received letters from J. R. Waggoner and
Harold J. Moenich. (A Great Group!)
I finally upgraded my 300 baud modem...got a 14.4K
baud Infotel (10 year warranty). Now all I have to
do is figure our how to use it. It came with two
disks of programs (which are too thick to jam into
my 360K drive) and a thick book which tells me =>
____________________________________________________
to set jumpers (is that like a grasshopper?) and do
something with a something-or-other .BAT.
(Anyone want some 300 baud modems? 2 Tandy and
1 Hayes SmartModem.)
P.S. How is the fourth Registry update coming..I'd
be interested.
- Garry Spencer
909 E. 26th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605-1749
-----
RICK: Congrats on your correspondence with the
Friends and for joining Jim's group! I believe =>
____________________________________________________
your modem docs are referring to use on a PC...I'm
sure you can probably use the modem with your CoCo,
but someone else will have to give you some hints.
As I mentioned elsewhere, we have about 450 names
for the "final" update to the Registry. I need about
50 more. I know they're out there..just getting the
response is the thing holding us back.
=*
|
| Articles in section: POTPOURRI |
| BATTLESHIP EL CONDOR PASA FROM THE HEART REVISITED Non-excerises TAPS Why leap year - cont. |
| Back to top |
BATTLESHIP I recently had the occasion to teach my wife the
old game, Battleship. Her childhood was sadly
lacking in that she had never been exposed to it.
Since we were not home at the time, I had to labor-
iously rule out the grids before we could start
playing. She managed to beat me the first game!
The next day, I decided to generate the blank
forms on my CoCo, so that we could play again with-
out the preliminary drawing. I used CoCoMax 3 and
was able to fit everything on a single page.
In case anyone else might find this useful, I de-
cided to submit it to Rick. On the program side is
a file BATSHIP/CM3. Load it into CoCoMax 3. Then,
under the FILE menu, select Double Size. Next, if
you have configured CoCoMax for your printer, just
=>
____________________________________________________
select Print, and you will get a full-page printout
of the game sheet.
I patterned the number of ships and the grid after
the Tom Mix game, Battle Stations. Should you prefer
a different arrangement, you can easily change
either the grid size or the number of ships when you
load the picture into CoCoMax 3. Then save your
modified picture.
Now, go out and sink your opponent's battleship!
Norm Barson
7 Ridge Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
=*
|
EL CONDOR PASA EL CONDOR PASA was recorded by Simon and Garfunkel.
The melody was based on a Peruvian folksong.
RUN"ELCONDOR"
=*
|
FROM THE HEART REVISITED (ThIS IS A MESSAGE TO ROBT ALLEN TURNER SINCE I CAN
NOT PHONE YOU) You wrote about a 7 yr old terminally
ill Craig Sherford who wants to be in the Guinness
Book of Records by collecting business cards.(see
issue 40). Well I (with much help) have collected
1200+ cards & sent them off to the MAKE-A-WISH
address that you provided. And I just pray that they
arrive to be included in the count before the
inevitable happens. The point of this article is the
fact that many of the folks that I have approached
said that they had heard of this boy (or a similar
request) a year or two ago. This leaves me to wonder
if in fact the request, although a fantastic idea
for help for a good cause may have been too late.
Robt Allen, since you live in Alabama, and the
foundation is there, could you find out for me =>
____________________________________________________
and others where this project stands & what Craig's
status is as of this date (6-15-95). And I pray
that your reply to the first question is very
positive & the second also miraculously positive.
I am writing this as of 6-15 having seen the article
on 5-15-95.
Robert Allen, if you want to call me, instead of a
CFDM approach, my phone number is (203) 847-4282.
I'll even take a collect call for something like
this.
Herb Forger Sr 88 Dry Hill Rd Norwalk, Ct 06851
Tel: (203) 847-4282
=*
|
Non-excerises Many people do not realize that thousands of
calories can be burned off with exercises that do
not require physical strength. Following is a list
of calorie-burning activities and the number of
calories they consume:
* Beating around the bush (75)
* Jumping to conclusions (100)
* Climbing the walls (150)
* Passing the buck (25)
* Throwing your weight around (300)
* Dragging your heels (100)
* Pushing your luck (250)
* Making mountains out of molehills (500)
* Wading through paperwork (300)
* Bending over backwards (75) =>
____________________________________________________
* Running around in circles (350)
* Eating crow (225)
* Tooting your own horn (25)
* Putting in your two cents worth (50)
(Submitted by Ray Berney.)
=*
|
TAPS As all you good armed forces personnel know,
"Taps" is sounded at sundown to encourage one to
"hit the hay". One can also hear it at military
and government funerals. But did you know the tune
has some beautiful words? I recently found them in
my Church of Christ song book and would like to
share them with you as you listen to the melody.
Rick, I am enclosing my check for another six
months of your fine endeavor to hold all us
"COCONUTS" together. As usual, I have thrown my
subscription number away but am proud to tell you
my registry number is 0284.
Following is the words to TAPS, or Day is
Gone as the title of the song goes.
=>
____________________________________________________
Day is Gone
Day is gone: gone the sun- from the lake, from the
hills, from the sky; all is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Fading light dims the sight, and a star gems the
sky, gleaming bright: from afar drawing nigh falls
the night.
Then good-night, peaceful night, till the light of
the dawn shineth bright: God is near, do not fear:
then good-night.
****************************************************
Thank you for allowing me to share this with all of
you and for permitting me into your lives. I hope to
copy more short hymns in the near future. =*
|
Why leap year - cont. I enjoyed Robert Allen Turner's article on leap year
in issue #36, but must add some trivia. The earth
takes something less than 365.25 days to circle the
sun. To adjust for this the Gregorian calendar skips
leap year every 100 years but doesn't skip every
1000 years. The year 1900 wasn't a leap year, the
year 2000 will be a leap year, but 2100 won't be.
It amazes me that Pope Gregory was able to figure
this out a few hundred years ago.
=*
|
-- BOX 1-9 --
Hi!. This is my first attempt at doing a game.
This is a game of Dice that I called BOX 1-9. I have
changed the name so it won't conflict with COPYRIGHT
laws. I hope you'll recognize it when you see the
Graphic screen. (RGB monitor is recommanded)
I have included a program that prints the instru-
ctions (courtesy of Arthur Hallock). If you don't
want to print it to the printer, just edit line 16
and put a REM before the semicolon.
# of players (1-10) # of rounds (1-10)
------------------- ------------------
The object is to close all the BOXES. To do this,
=>
____________________________________________________
you have to roll the Dice(s),(press F1 or F2 to roll
1 or 2 Dices), and close the Box that matches the
TOTAL of the Dice(s) or close Boxes that, when added
together, will get you to the ".. TOTAL ROLLED ..".
Points are counted this way ...
When you complete the TOTAL ROLLED for each
throw of the dice(s), TOTAL ROLLED is added to
your points. Plus if you close all 9 BOXES, you
get a 15 POINTS Bonus.
The object is to close the Maximum Boxes possible
without being at a DEAD-END. The computer checks all
the boxes available for every play, so you can't
cheat and can't make any mistakes. You can change
=>
____________________________________________________
your mind at particular time. Suppose you rolled
a 8, you could clear the TOTAL LEFT by taking box
(8)or (7+1) or (6+2) or (5+3) or (5+2+1) or (4+3+1).
If you chose to take box #5, you can change your
mind 'till the TOTAL LEFT is not cleared. Just press
the "CLEAR" key and restart with the value of "TOTAL
ROLLED".
P.S. TOTAL LEFT is the "TOTAL VALUE" minus what you
have decided to close.
In this example, TOTAL ROLLED = 8, if you chose
Box #5, you can still take Box(es) (#3) or (#2 + #1)
if they are not already closed, or half closed. The
computer will tell you when you won't be able to
(see BOX 1-9 .part TWO.=*
|
-- Box 1-9 .part TWO. clear a TOTAL ROLLED by telling you
"Next Player Key?".
After each round, the scoreboard prints how every
one is doing 'till the end of the Rounds. At the end
you will see the scoreboard and the computer will
tell you who won.
Miscellaneous...:
- the biggest badluck of doing the fewest points:
getting roll#1 a TOTAL of 2 and roll#2 a TOTAL of 2
- game after game you will learn a way to close the
right boxes at the right time
=>
____________________________________________________
- yo can see the MOTION of the hand shaking the
dices by holding down the F1 or F2 key.
- I poked in memory address 32762 - 32766 my name
so that the computer will read on disk the least
possible. It will still have to read the graphic
screen after each time you press BREAK or an error
had occured (if any ?).
P.S. If you want a FRENCH version of this game just
tell it in CFDM, I'll be glad to send just the
files you will need in a futur issue.
If you find any BUGS, any suggestions or addendum
like music or any other things, just do it and
=>
____________________________________________________
let us know of any modifications you made.
N.B.
- COCOMAX III was used to create the graphic.
THIS program will need those files on disk:
- BOX 1-9.BAS -* Main program
- BOX 1-9.NIB -* Main graphic screen
- FATSO.FNT -* Font used in HI-RES GRAPHIC
you can replace with your own FONT in
line 1010.(your FONT must be on DISK)
- NIBLOADR.BIN -* Routine to load .NIB graphic
- SP3.BIN -* Routine for fast HPUT
- PRINTBOX.BAS -* Main program for printing Doc.
- BOX 1-9.DOC -* Data file of documentation =*
|
CFDM Batch file The program CFDM.BAT is a MSDOS batch file and will
only work on a IBM compatible. A batch file is
simply a ASCII file which can be exec'ed under MSDOS
and performs a list of disk commands. You can view
this file with a COCO using any ASCII file reader,
such as READDOC2.BAS in CFDM issue #37.
CFDM.BAT will transfer a complete CFDM issue from a
flippy disk to your hard drive under a directory
called CFDM. When executed CFDM.BAT will transfer
side one, then pause to let you flip the disk and
then transfer side two.
The MSDOS command is as follows: CFDM issue#.
Example: CFDM 37
This would create the following files to be used =>
____________________________________________________
by the COCO3 EMULATOR: CFDM37S1.DSK
CFDM37S2.DSK
I found this batch file an easy way to transfer CFDM
issues to my hard drive.
To use this batch file you must have the RETRIEVE
program which comes with the CC3 emulator and it
must be in a directory called COCO3.
To use this program, use the PORT utility and
it as a COCO to MSDOS transfer.
=*
|
INVENTORY Database I have been using this program, INVENTRY, for se- veral years during which I have rewritten it and re- fined it to make it easier and more interesting in use. When you run INVENTRY you get the main menu and seven numbered options. The cursor is at option one. Tap or depress the up/down arrow to move the cur- sor up and down. To get you started, a short inven- tory data file containing 15 records, INVDATAB, is on the disk. Select option 1 and load INVDATAB. Loads/saves are to disk if a drive is plugged in, otherwise to tape. Line 180 sets the device (DV). Select 4 on the main menu to print your data file and press S to print on the screen. Tap or depress the right/left arrow to step through the records. At the main menu, select 4 again and do a hard copy. The hi-speed poke is in force and POKE150,40 => ____________________________________________________ in line 1010 produces 2400 baud. Line 190 sets the values SP and SL for a CoCo3 or an earlier CoCo. Select 3 on the main menu for the search/change routine. It may prove easiest if you choose option 1 (item name) on the search/change menu. The search- word can be any string, even part of a string, that you know to be in the search target (e.g. COM for COMPUTER). The chosen record will appear and you can then <C>hange any item in the record or <D>elete the rec- ord. In line 780, the number of records, IT, is red- uced by 1 and all subsequent records are moved back by one. You will see this happen to all but the last record in the file but I will still be deleted from memory. I have found this to be an easy way of de- leting records from memory. => ____________________________________________________ As you may now have changed and deleted records, it would be wise to return to the main menu and save your data with a different filename like INVDATAC. Now take option 2 on the main menu and experi- ment by establishing your own data file and run it through the menu options as before. Variable LN in lines 370-410 is the maximum length for each item. At any time you can select option 6 for a quick total. The string Z$ in line 50 establishes the for- mat of the total printout in lines 1130 and 1310. Your last option, 7, will end the program and re- store operating speed to normal. I use option 5 to save a data file but I profit by the offer in option 7 to do a backup save on the flipside before I cut the power. You just cannot have too many backups of important data files. =* |
NIB to NIB PLUS In order to facilitate the move to a new standard of NIB files, I have written the NIB to NIB PLUS program, called NIB>NIB+. When used WITH NIBSAVE+ NIBLOADR.BIN, and NIBSAVER.BIN, you can convert all your existing NIB files to the NEW standard! Just RUN"NIB>NIB+" and follow the directions! You don't have to convert your older NIB files, but if you read my article on NIB - Improving A Standard then you might want to, in order to take advantage of the NEW features!!!! ALL OLDER NIB FILES are FULLY compatible with this newer format, AND ALL NEW NIB FILES will work FINE on older NIB programs. Full compatibility is *assured*. (See Side 1 of the Bonus Disk.) =* |
NIBSAVE+ Saving a new standard Many of you have used Rick's NIBSAVER program. What
this is, is simply taking NIB another step further.
(with Rick's permission and support!)
NIBSAVE+.BAS and the file needed NIBSAVER.BIN, will
save HSCREEN 2 or HSCREEN 4 graphics to disk in a
compressed format, called NIB. NIB was written by
Rick Cooper, of CFDM. I have added some things to
NIB that make it more versatile. When you run
NIBSAVE+, you will be asked for a filename to save
the screen under. After entering that, you will be
asked if the screen is already in memory. If yes,
press Y, otherwise press N. (You must have the
screen in memory BEFORE running NIBSAVE+). You can
choose NO options, and save a typical NIB file, or
you can select Y for options! The first option is
what HSCREEN your picture should use. HSCREEN 2 ->
____________________________________________________
is the usual 320 by 192 screen with 16 colors. Press
2 if this is the one to use. HSCREEN 4 is 640 by
192, with 4 colors. Press 4 is this is the one to
use. Next comes effects. Press N for no effects.
Press C for CoCoMax-like animation. Press F for
Fractal animation. If you press C, you will be
asked for a cycling speed from 0 to 9. If you press
F, you will be asked for a speed, or a color set.
Remember, under my SFRACTAL program, there are four
color-sets: Red, Green, Blue, and Standard.
Finally comes comments. You can choose to either
put 3 lines of writing in the NIB file, or not.
If yes, type in the lines, then press ENTER.
A gauge will slide up to 100%. There will be a
brief pause, and the picture will compress and save.
->
____________________________________________________
Whether you choose options or not, the NIB file will
be useable with any program that can load NIB files.
To see the effects, or comments, you may need to use
NIBSHOW ver. 2.0.
Adding options to the NIB file can occasionally make
it bigger (no more than an extra granule), but this
is not usual. Most pictures I have saved under both
ways have been the same size on the disk. If you
add options, but the picture will not save, try
saving with no options. The size difference may be
just enough to save. Remember, NIB files usually
cannot be larger than 9 granules. If pictures are
too complex, NIB will crash, and not save your
picture.
(See Side 1 of the Bonus Disk.) =*
|
NIBSHOW version 2.0 At the request of several users of NIBSHOW, I have
made further enhancements and additions to the
program. Now NIBSHOW is up to version 2.0.
Removed: support for HSCREEN 1 and HSCREEN 3
Removed: support for 200 and 225 line pictures
Added: support for the new NIB format, including
Max III animation
Fractal Color-Cyling
Fractal Red/Green/Blue
Automatic use of correct HSCREEN (2 or 4)
A "T" option to read comments in the NIB file
NIBSHOW 2.0 runs just like previous NIBSHOW programs
and can be used on any NIB file. Often NIBSHOW ->
____________________________________________________
will be able to load those 10 granule NIB files
that sometimes crash your system. Press D for a
directory, use the arrows to highlight a NIB file,
and then press SPACE to load that file. After
loading, press ESC to return to the menu. If the
NIB file has written comments in it, use the new
"T" option to read those comments.
NIBSHOW will automatically set animation or color
sets, and use the correct HSCREEN to show the file.
Press B to change border colors, press C to change
to a different drive. Press X to exit. Press S
for a slide-show (continuous looping of all NIB
files on the disk).
NOTE: A few months ago, I wrote about NIBSHOW 1.2,
and talked about how to name pictures with *4 ->
____________________________________________________
or -R or -5 at the beginning of the filename. This
was used as a signal for animation. THIS IS NO
LONGER SUPPORTED under NIBSHOW 2.0. Please use
NIB>NIB+ and convert your animated NIB files to the
new NIB format. Under the new NIB format, filenames
are back to normal, but full support is there for
animation and color-cycling.
To convert your NIB files, you'll need:
NIB>NIB+.BAS - the converter program
NIBSAVE+.BAS - the new NIB saving program
NIBSAVER.BIN - machine-language file
NIBLOADR.BIN - machine-language file
(See Side 1 of the Bonus Disk.)
Just RUN"NIB>NIB+" and follow the directions. =*
|
SQS to NIB conversion To convert a fractal file (SQS) to a NIB file,
use the SQS>NIB.BAS program.
You'll also need (on the same disk):
SQS>NIB.BAS - the program
SQSREADR.BIN - the SQS loading code
NIBSAVE+.BS - the NIB saving program
NIBSAVER.BIN - the NIB saving code
Just RUN"SQS.NIB" and follow the directions.
* I highly recommend that you test the new NIB file
by trying to view it using NIBSHOW, or another such
program. Sometimes fractal files will not compress
to NIB files. * =>
____________________________________________________
(See Side 1 of the Bonus Disk.)
=*
|
STRINGART14 -- FLOWER This is a simple program which generates a
stylized flower in several colors. I have gotten to
the point where I can complete one of these in about
two days. All I need is the basic idea. Most of
these have come from two books I have on stringart.
Unfortunately, there are a few designs that are too
large to scale down to the monitor screen. I'll just
have to concentrate on those I can convert. Enjoy.
RUN"STRING14".
Norm Barson
7 Ridge Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
=*
|
TELECLND - a calender for TW128 Perhaps you have tried Michael Lewis' "Paste a Calendar" disk that enables you to load attractive little month calendars for 1994 into Telewriter 128 or other ASCII word processors like Simply Better. With TELECLND you can print to disk a /TXT file for a whole calendar for any year from 1583. You can then load or append the /TXT file into your word processor. The calendar requires an 80 column screen. =* |
VINCENTE PICTURE PUZZLE The moment that I saw the terrific FANTASY pic-
ture that JIM MILLS digitized from an untitled piece
of artwork by VINCENTE SEGELLES, I knew that I would
have to try to make a PUZZLE out of it!
Moving three of the colors from the animation
Palettes was made a little easier as two colors were
used in the little Title Signs at the top. The third
required the combining of a light blue with a very
light blue.
This will join my collection of PUZZLES and is
one of the BEST!!
A few more would be welcome JIM *HINT*HINT*
Godfrey
- RUN "BOOT.BAS" on side 1 of the Bonus Disk.
=*
|
| Articles in section: REVIEWS |
| COCO3
EMULATOR COCO3 EMULATOR Part II |
| Back to top |
COCO3 EMULATOR First of all this is not an in depth review of the CoCo3 Emulator, so I hope there will be many others who will share their experiences with this monument- al piece of software. I ordered my copy from Jeff Vavasour just before Christmas and recieved it in about two weeks. I installed the package on my IBM hard drive and then used the PORT program to transfer the GET3ROM.BAS to a COCO disk. I ran this program on my CoCo 3 and it created a copy of the ROM on disk. I then used the PORT program on the IBM to transfer the COCO3.ROM file to my hard drive and I was up and running with no problems at all. The detailed man- ual gives instructions to obtain a copy of the CoCo ROM by cassette or a serial cable as well. => ____________________________________________________ The COCO3 EMULATOR includes many updates from the COCO2 EMULATOR including the ability to read and write COCO compatible cassettes through a sound- blaster card (although I don't have one and haven't tried it). For those who wonder what the emulator looks like on the IBM VGA screen, well it comes up with the original 32 column green screen, startup message, OK prompt and cycling cursor. If you didn't know it, you'd say it was a real CoCo. All CoCo 3 commands worked perfectly for me. The PORT program alone is worth more than the cost of the entire package; be- ing able to transfer any type of COCO to IBM or visa versa by simply pointing and clicking. This program is also available without leaving the emulator. => ____________________________________________________ The only MSDOS programs you'll need to run from the command line is DSKINI which formats COCO disks on the IBM and RETRIEVE which will move an entire COCO disk from a floppy onto the hard drive for use with the emulator. Now for the big question. How compatable is the COCO3 EMULATOR? I found most everything to work, including CFDM! Even the famous NIB program worked perfectly (even faster). I compared my RGB Magnavox monitor to the VGA in displaying the HIRES pictures through NIBSHOW. The hues were identical and but the clarity was even better with a .28 dot pitch. Although COCOMAX III and MAX 10 loaded, they will not work because the emulator so far lacks support for the HIRES interface. (see part II) =* |
COCO3 EMULATOR Part II So far I am super elated with this software. As
soon as I can afford a NOTEBOOK computer I will
finally have a portable COCO!!!
The construction of this package is well thought out
and combines the use of the COCO emulator itself
with the support fuctions through the use of the
F KEYS. The emulator allows the use of four drives
(0-3). To load these drives simply press the F2 key
and chose which disks you want in which drive with
the menu. Press ESC to return to the emulated COCO3
and then use the DRIVE0 (etc) commands as usual.
The features in this package would take many pages
to describe. Suffice to say, "It must be seen to be
appreiciated."
=>
____________________________________________________
One thing which I tried and did not work was to get
a copy of the ADOS 3 ROM and use that to run the
emulator.
Even with the many positives of the emulator, my
REAL COCO 3 will always have a place on its own
computer desk and will always remain well used.
=*
|
-- Answers to some POKES -- I'd like to publish a few pokes that I sometime
use and some that are in my program BOX 1-9.
-------
N.B. Everywhere you see 'X', just replace it with
any value from 0-63 To suit your needs
In ISSUE #26 M. Putlak asked how to change the
BORDER color in 40/80 text screen.
- set BORDER color in HI-RES/text Grap. Screen...
POKE &HFF9A,X
- set BORDER color in 40 col. Text Screen...
POKE &HE03E,X >effective in direct mode
- set BORDER color in 80 col. Text Screen...
POKE &HE047,X >effective in direct mode =>
____________________________________________________
- to prevent WIDTH 32 from clearing screen
POKE &HF655,18 :POKE &HF656,18 :POKE &HF657,18
- to restore last command
POKE &HF655,189:POKE &HF656,169:POKE&HF657,40
- to prevent WIDTH 40/80 from clearing ...
POKE &HF670,18 :POKE &HF671,18
- to restore last ...
POKE &HF670,141:POKE &HF671,26
- to prevent HSCREEN from clearing ...
POKE &HE6C6,18 :POKE &HE6C7,18
- to restore last ...
POKE &HE6C6,141:POKE &HE6C7,16
=>
____________________________________________________
- to allow a large range of cls(1-255) in Hi-Res
POKE &HF68C,255
- to set up 64 col text screen
POKE &HE046,17:WIDTH 80:POKE &HFE04,64:
POKE &HF871,128:POKE &HF875,43:POKE &HF876,128:
POKE &HFE06,44
- to restore last command
POKE &HE046,21:WIDTH 80:POKE &HFE04,80:
POKE &HF871,160:POKE &HF875,46:POKE &HF876,96:
POKE &HFE06,47
Hope these POKES will ease your programming...
=*
|
Blue Streak Clone Some time back a friend was in need of a series to
parallel interface. Rick bought the rights to the
Blue Streak Ultima, but ran out, so that source has
dried up.
Before I bought my Blue Streak from Rick I had an
interface that had a fixed baud (think it was set
for 1200) but was told the baud could be changed by
modifying the circuit (never did). Ran across it the
other day and took it apart. Looks like the circuit
change is as simple as changing a jumper, and a rot-
ary switch could be added to allow switching extern-
ally. A spec sheet on the chip would help.
So there are alternatives to the Blue Streak. I
bought the clone at a Chicago Rainbowfest. =>
____________________________________________________
They still have them around here. Try there or try a
hamfest. A lot of CoCo hardware is out there.
If that fails, and you're a tinkerer, drop me a note
and I'll draw you a schematic of the clone.
If you're not a tinkerer, and you ask nice, I'll
consider building you a clone of the clone.
Roy L. Putlack
27W370 Geneva Rd. L57
West Chicago, IL 60185
708 / 231-5975
The End =*
|
DISK LIFE A long time ago I asked if CFDM friends knew what was the life of a floppy disk. I had heard that video tape had a life of 15 years. It was suggested that video tape be transfered every 10 years to fresh tape to preserve quality. Since floppy disk media is similar to video tape I wondered when I should consider backing up my older floppy disks to fresh disks. No one sent an answer but Kenny Trevino sent some phone numbers to check it out. Thanks Ken. This is who I called and what I found out. MEL-MICRO CENTER-GENERIC 800/634-3478 > 5yrs with average use, once a week. SCOTCH 800/364-3577 > indefinite (whatever that means). >>>> ____________________________________________________ KODAK(VERBATUM) 800/242-2424 - sold to MITSUBISHI 800/538-8589 > 30 million revolutions, 50 to 100 years. The Verbatum tech rep appeared to know more than the others. She said video tape has a shorter life because it flexes more and rubs against adjacent surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The cheaper the brand, the shorter the life. The more it's used, the shorter the life. Keep a backup to be safe. My disks will probably outlive my CoCo. =* |
HELP! NEED SPREADSHEET! HELP! I am looking for a good spreadsheet program.
My wife, like you, is a teacher, only she works in a
Christian school, so she has all those pesky grades
to figure up the averages on, etc. It is OK for her
to do this at home on my CoCo, which saves her a lot
of time, both at school and home. I have Desk Mate's
"LEDGER" program, however it likes a lot to be
desired. So, I would like to find a spreadsheet
program with a lot more and better features on it.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Larry Bryant
5905 McCarty Ave.
Farmington, NM 87402-2941
-----
RICK: I don't have a spreadsheet in my inventory =>
____________________________________________________
Larry. Maybe one of the Friends has one or can
recommend one to you. Best of luck! I know about
keeping up with grades...but thankfully I don't have
to do that anymore!
=*
|
LOOKING FOR A BLUESTREAK I spoke to you on the evening of May 18th, asking
you if you had any serial-to-parallel converters.
You replied, "Of course I don't."
With your "Network", maybe you could put me in touch
with someone who no longer needs theirs. I would
like to buy it. I have a serial printer and have
been using it successfully for years with my CoCo,
but got the chance for a great buy on a parallel
(printer)! I had built a converter years ago and
when I dug it out - lo and behold it worked! It has
a potentiomenter to adjust baud rate compatibility
and tweaking it got everything to work at 600 baud.
I would like to get one that can use the speed of
the CoCo3 and dump my writing at 9600 (if possible).
=>
____________________________________________________
Thank you for whatever effort you put into finding
one for me.
Ed Barr
3275 Lighthouse Way
Spring Hill, FL 34607
Tel: 904 686-7684
-----
RICK: Please mention CFDM when contacting Ed.
=*
|
Q: to Fred Remin (COCO-LINK) When you took over the COCO-LINK magazine from
Robbie Dalzell, you mentioned in your first issue
(JAN/FEB 1993) on page 16 about two products that
were coming for the CoCo: a 5 Meg RAM board and a
SCANNER interface. Did you ever see, use and review
them? Do such CoCo products exist or are they false
hopes? Can I get one or both?
Raymond =*
|
TO * EVERYONE * who uses NIB I am always looking for ways to update and improve
my NIBSHOW program. The newest version is 2.0.
What version do you have? When you run the program,
the version number is at the top of the screen.
As a user of NIB and NIBSHOW, maybe you have some
ideas on how I could improve the program. What
might make it run smoother? What options should I
add? Can I make the menus easier?
I really want to hear from you!
Stuart Wyss-Gallifent
2123 Longview Road
Warrington, PA 18976
=*
|
