🚀 go-pugleaf

Rainbow Echomail Digest                      OCT 24, 1989

In this issue:
   OPUS and MS-DOS v3.10
   PIBTERM 3.2.5 (RAINBOW VE
   RE: PIBTERM 3.2.5 (RAINBO       (2 messages)
   DBASE-III
   CHEAP RX50 FLOPPIES             (2 messages)
   RE: OPUS UNDER V3.10B
   RE: MS-DOS 3.1/MSGED            (2 messages)
   RAINBOW VIDEO-FOSSIL
   RE: A/B OR A/B/C? I GUES
   GRAPHICS BOARD FOR RAINBO
   RE: WANTED
   THANKS FOR INFO
   BUG EXPOSED!
   RE:DBASE III
   RAINBOW SOFTWARE AVAILABL
   DEC RAINBOW 100 DISK FORS


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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:      10-20-89 (10:09)
Subject:  OPUS and MS-DOS v3.10
From:      GEORGE THEALL

  Jerry Miller of Suitable Solutions writes the following about Gary's
problem with OPUS and MS-DOS v3.10:

JM> we
JM>haven't heard of this problem before so I would be interested to see if
JM>anyone else is having it.  With all the copies of 3.10 in the field it seem
JM>like we should have heard SOMETHING in the last year if there were indeed a
JM>problem with OPUS and MS-DOS!

  He also reports that he does have access to Fido - what he lacks is the
time to follow the important discussions. The best way to contact him or
Suitable Solutions is still by phone. I would imagine, though, that if
enough customers requested it, email support would be provided.

George
---
 ~ EZ-Reader 1.21 ~ Tagline - what's a tagline???
------------------------------
Date:      10-20-89 (10:09)
Subject:  PIBTERM 3.2.5 (RAINBOW VE
From:      GEORGE THEALL

  The docs for PibTerm v4.1.3 make no mention of either Rainbows or
generic MS-DOS machines. There is a lot of stuff about EGA/VGA graphics,
TEK 4010 terminal emulation, and the like which would undoubtedly *not*
work "as-is" on a Rainbow. Source is in TURBO Pascal v4.0 and consists
of:

                File            Bytes
                ------------    ------
                PIBT41S1.ARC    215741
                PIBT41S2.ARC    233677
                PIBT41S3.ARC    205056
                PIBT41S4.ARC    233089

If by chance you're interested, let me know and we'll work out a way to
get you the files.

George
---
 ~ EZ-Reader 1.21 ~ This space for rent - call (215) 662-0558
------------------------------
Date:      10-20-89 (15:55)
Subject:  RE: PIBTERM 3.2.5 (RAINBO
From:      FRANK MALLORY

I'm afraid the version I have won't be any help.  It's version 3.0; it shows
Burns as being at Northwestern Univ.


---
* Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Maryland - 301-622-2247 (Opus 1:109/1
------------------------------
Date:      10-21-89 (00:00)
Subject:  DBASE-III
From:      DAVID STRICKLER

In a message of <19 Oct 89 20:39:08>, Sarah Jones (1:101/1) writes:

SJ>Does anyone know how to avoid Dbase from going crazy when pressing the

SJ>escape-key in order to exit a command file?
SJ>Not all the time but often enough to be annoying this produce a
SJ>tremendous amount of beeping,congesting the keyboard buffer with all

SJ>the strangest characters one can think.
SJ>I am using version 1:00. Maybe there is an improved version out there.
SJ>Or maybe someone out there has found a solution already.
SJ>As usual any help will be appreciated here.
SJ>Regards.
SJ>Sarah Jones

1.00 had a few mites, although that one's a new one to me. Upgrade to 1.1
(or was that 1.01?)



David Strickler
Sysop of 101/45
Midnight DEC (Boston)

--- msged 1.99S ZTC
* Origin: Midnight DEC  (1:101/45)
------------------------------
Date:      10-21-89 (00:02)
Subject:  CHEAP RX50 FLOPPIES
From:      DAVID STRICKLER

In a message of <18 Oct 89 10:00:00>, GEORGE THEALL (1:273/203) writes:

GT>From: van-bc!ubc-cs!alberta!ccu!rflukes@uunet.uu.net  (Richard F.
GT>Lukes)
GT>Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
GT>Subject: Cheap source of RX50 floppy disks wanted.
GT>
GT>I am looking to purchase about 100 RX50-format floppy disks.
GT>Does anyone have a favourite supplier who has low prices,
GT>or does anyone out there want to sell some new or used floppies?
GT>The prices locally are about $30 (Canabucks) a box of 10.
GT>Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I sell floppies pre-formatted to work on Rainbow MSDOS (and garenteed to
work) for $2.00/each including sleeves.

David Strickler
617-739-0708

--- msged 1.99S ZTC
* Origin: Midnight DEC  (1:101/45)
------------------------------
Date:      10-19-89 (21:37)
Subject:  RE: OPUS UNDER V3.10B
From:      GARY STEBBINS


MB>I have been running V3.1 for, well at least a good 9 months and
MB>more like a year without ANY problems.  I recomend it highly.

I also have been running under V3.1 for over a year.  But the rumors of
problems are centered around the latest release - V3.10b - from Suitable
Solutions.  I believe that release is only a couple months old.

-gary-

---
* Origin: Glacier Peak Rainbow, Bellevue, WA - 206/644-8431 (Opus 1:343/3)
------------------------------
Date:      10-19-89
Subject:  RE: MS-DOS 3.1/MSGED
From:      GEOFF REED

FM>  > --- msged 1.96L MSC
FM>  >  * Origin: StarShip_Inconnu, Cruisin' the Stars  (1:343/3.1)
FM>
FM> If you are having trouble with your MSGED, suggest you try the latest

FM> version (1.99L).

I am usilg 1.99l, and it has bugs of it's own, it's just that Vfos_dec
V. 0.25 apparently doesn't want to work right with ANY version of msged...
I went back to 0.24 and it seems to be working ok....  with V. 1.99 I could
see the first 18 characters I typed, and then I couldn't see them after that..


--- msged 1.99L MSC
* Origin: StarShip_Inconnu, Cruisin' the Stars  (1:343/3.1)
------------------------------
Date:      10-19-89
Subject:  RAINBOW VIDEO-FOSSIL
From:      GEOFF REED

MB> I use MSGED with the version of Vfos_dec befreo 0.25 without any
MB> problems at all.  I know of other people who do the same.  I cannot

MB> wonder if something is not set up correctly.
MB>
MB>         - mark

I switched back to V 0.24, 0.25 was causing msged to crash, altho I really
would like the 132 column support, but oh, well...  it's all set up right,
it works fine with 0.24... there are some SERIOUS bugs with 0.25...



--- msged 1.99L MSC
* Origin: StarShip_Inconnu, Cruisin' the Stars  (1:343/3.1)
------------------------------
Date:      10-20-89 (10:36)
Subject:  RE: A/B OR A/B/C? I GUES
From:      AMER NELSON

Don't know -- I have to pass the word.  A friend of mine mentioned
his need for an A/B box.
About your inability to backspace, again I don't know.  I can by using
the rubout key -- right above the return, but I believe there are
two levels (if that's the right word) regarding message entry with
Opus.  I use the one for novices.
++ Amer ++


---
* Origin: Glacier Peak Rainbow, Bellevue, WA - 206/644-8431 (Opus 1:343/3)
------------------------------
Date:      10-20-89 (10:49)
Subject:  GRAPHICS BOARD FOR RAINBO
From:      AMER NELSON

Just received the latest RAINBOW NEWS.
There was an ad from Eustace Enterprises -- 10170 Calumet Lane --
Lake Worth, Floria 33467 -- 407-433-0846.
They are offering the board (used, I assume) for $59.
Have not dealt with them myself, but have not heard any negative
reports from those who have.
++ Amer ++


---
* Origin: Glacier Peak Rainbow, Bellevue, WA - 206/644-8431 (Opus 1:343/3)
------------------------------
Date:      10-20-89 (22:40)
Subject:  RE: WANTED
From:      ERIC SPEARS

THANKS FOR THE REPLY.  SORRY I MISSED YOU AT THE MEETING YESTERDAY EVENING.
HOW ABOUT $20 FOR A/B $25 FOR A/B/C?

--- TMail v1.12a
* Origin: Total Access Board 138/103 Tacoma, Wa (206)472-9884 (1:138/103)
------------------------------
Date:      10-20-89 (23:01)
Subject:  THANKS FOR INFO
From:      ERIC SPEARS

THANKS FOR THE INFO.  I BELIEVE THAT I OBTAINED A COPY OF AN OLDER RAINBOW
ORIENTED PUBLICATION FROM ANNETTE MISKIMENS, HERE IN TACOMA.  SHE WAS THE
FIRST RAINBOW USER THAT I MET AFTER MY PURCHASE.  I'VE ALREADY CALLED SUITABLE
SOLUTIONS AND THEY'VE MAILED ME A CATALOG.
QUESTION:  IS THE PRINTER PORT PIN OUT ASSIGNMENT ON THE RAINBOW THE SAME
AS AN IBM SERIAL PORT.  I TOOK APART THE RS-232 INTERFACE MODULE FOR MY QUME
SPRINT II AND FOUND THAT IT HAD BEEN MODIFIED TO HANDLE THE OUTPUT FROM MY
OLD (BUT STILL TRUSTY VICTOR 9000).  LOOKS LIKE THE VICTOR SWAPPED PIN 5 FOR
6.

--- TMail v1.12a
* Origin: Total Access Board 138/103 Tacoma, Wa (206)472-9884 (1:138/103)
------------------------------
Date:      10-21-89 (13:15)
Subject:  RE: CHEAP RX50 FLOPPIES
From:      GARY STEBBINS


GT>From: van-bc!ubc-cs!alberta!ccu!rflukes@uunet.uu.net  (Richard
GT>F. Lukes)
GT>Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
GT>Subject: Cheap source of RX50 floppy disks wanted.

I buy cheap bulk diskettes from non-DEC suppliers.  The current price in
the catalog in front of me says $0.25 in lots of 100.  I have ignored the
hub-ring wars of past history, and have never had a problem formatting or
using any of the cheap diskettes.

The company I've purchased from is MEI/Micro Center.  I've seen ads from
other companies with comparable prices, and am likely to try a different
source next time I purchase diskettes.  I have a complaint about MEI/Micro.
They include paper sleeves with the diskettes.  They will sell you paper
sleeves for $3.00/100 or tyvek sleeves for $5.00/100.  But they won't substitu
tyvek sleeves for the $2.00/100 difference in price.  They will only sell
you the paper sleeves with the diskettes, and then you can buy the tyvek
sleeves in addition and throw away the paper sleeves when you receive the
order.  There is no reason for them to do this other than greed.  The disks
and sleeves are bulk-packed, so there is no logistical reason for their policy


I'd like to get about 10,000 people to place 50 calls each asking them to
change the way they handle this to see if they could be persuaded...  Any
volunteers? :-)

BTW, they used to allow substitution - I know as the first order I placed
with them several years ago came with tyvek sleeves instead of paper sleeves
at my request, and I only paid the difference.  The current sales people
swear this has never been allowed and say I'm a liar...  (Like I said, I'm
looking for a company that wants to do business, not screw the customer.)


-gary-  (how did I get up on this soapbox?)

---
* Origin: Glacier Peak Rainbow, Bellevue, WA - 206/644-8431 (Opus 1:343/3)
------------------------------
Date:      10-21-89 (17:43)
Subject:  RE: PIBTERM 3.2.5 (RAINBO
From:      DOUG MURRAY

Thanks George,

I will way a few days and if no response come'round, I will probably act
on your offer for the sources.  As for the version that you have, it is most
probabaly PC based.  The one that I am currently running has a banner line
that has 1986 on it.

Thanks again,

Doug!


---
* Origin: R&D BBS 'The VAX Heaven' {819/778-3856} 9600 =HST= (Opus 1:163/226)
------------------------------
Date:      10-22-89
Subject:  RE: MS-DOS 3.1/MSGED
From:      FRANK MALLORY

GR>  FM>  > --- msged 1.96L MSC
GR>  FM>  >  * Origin: StarShip_Inconnu, Cruisin' the Stars  (1:343/3.1)
GR>  FM>
GR>  FM> If you are having trouble with your MSGED, suggest you try the

GR> latest
GR>  FM> version (1.99L).
GR>
GR>   I am usilg 1.99l, and it has bugs of it's own, it's just that
GR> Vfos_dec  V. 0.25 apparently doesn't want to work right with ANY
GR> version of msged... I went back to 0.24 and it seems to be working
GR> ok....  with V. 1.99 I could see the first 18 characters I typed, and

GR> then I couldn't see them after that..

I didn't update to Vfos 0.25, because I have no use for the 132-col. capabilit
which I understood was the main new feature.

MSGED works fine for me.  Just have to be careful not to hit cursor keys
too fast (or any at all while it is scanning).


--- msged 1.99L MSC
* Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Maryland - 301-622-2247 (1:109/123)
------------------------------
Date:      10-20-89
Subject:  BUG EXPOSED!
From:      ED RIDPATH

The msged/vfossil bug of invisible characters occurs when there is more than
the expected amount of memory available for ms-dos.  The fix right now is
to either run msged as a shell, use an EATMEM type of program, or rip out
your 896K to an *BM limit of 640K.

I'll continue to see if it can be fixed from within the vfossil.  I should
have a new version shortly, mostly bug fixes of this kind.

If you notice any other problems with the DEC vfossil, feel free to give
a shout.

Ed


--- msged 1.99S ZTC
* Origin: Keep It Simple: Ed's Point  (1:360/8.101)
------------------------------
Date:      10-22-89
Subject:  RE:DBASE III
From:      ART MCCLINTON

You have found a know bug in DBASE III version 1.00.
Anythime you filled the typeahead buffer (about 10 characters) it would lock
up.  It has been fixed in DBASE III version 1.10 dated 2/10/86.

I do not know how you can get the update at this time?  I paid a $50. update
fee.  I was not very happy about paying $50. to only fix a few bugs.  But
it is certainly easier on the nerves.  No longer do I have to recover damaged
files.  The update also included update pages to the documentation.

I would suggest you try DEC and Ashton-Tate.

--- ConfMail V3.31
* Origin: The Pot of Gold - (703-359-6549) (1:109/103)
------------------------------
Date:      10-22-89
Subject:  RAINBOW SOFTWARE AVAILABL
From:      ART MCCLINTON

I have the following software available for sale:
LOTUS 123 Release 1A - Unopened - list 495. paid 145 sell 50
ORACLE Ver 4.2         used           1000.      500     150
DR LOGO                used            295       195     100
Turtle Geometry Book MIT                35        27      20
ChangLabs Graph Plan (cpm)             180                25
Home Accountant Plus (ms-dos)           99                25
PFS-File              copy-protected   185                25
All of the above have original disks and full documentation
Call me at (703)883-6356(o) or (703)280-4657(h)
Art McClinton

--- ConfMail V3.31
* Origin: The Pot of Gold - (703-359-6549) (1:109/103)
------------------------------
Date:      10-22-89 (20:01)
Subject:  DEC RAINBOW 100 DISK FORS
From:      DON MARQUART


>>  Maynard, it is unnessacary to use the /8 parameter when formatting a
>>single-sided disk on an IBM for data transfer to a  rainbow...  I
>>regularly transfer data from my IBM-clone to the rainbow, and vice versa,
>>using 9-sector disks, without a  problem....
>>
>
>    Hmmm. Do you mean that it defaults to 8 sectors/track when you tell
it
> to format a single sided diskette? That would make sense. Thank you.
> I'll have to try it!

The IBM defaults to 9 sector for DOS 2 and above.  Don't have my RB manuals
handy but think that the RB can read the 9 sector format.



--- ConfMail V4.00
* Origin: Club Micro * CompuMatch (303)973-8578 (1:104/888)
------------------------------