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