HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: tooraj@daneel.rdt.monash.edu.au (Tooraj Enayati)
Subject: Re: DRAM refresh rates
Organization: Monash University, Melb., Australia.
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 01:19:58 GMT

chuckst@microsoft.com (Chuck Strouss) writes:

>In article <1gske7INNgje@coli-gate.coli.uni-sb.de> chbl@sbustd.rz.uni-sb.de (Christian Blum) writes:
>>
>>No way this will work. The refresh rate is set to 18.2 per second; since
>>there are 512 rows to refresh, this means every bit in your computer's
>>DRAM is refreshed every 20 seconds! There are DRAMS that survive 15ms
>>without being refreshed, but a 70ns DRAM can't take it. Try about 10ms
>>......

>It is surprising how long some DRAMs can go without refresh.  For
>production systems, you must believe the manufacturers worst-case
>specs, but DRAMs rarely need to be refreshed that often.

>A while back, I was working on the software for a computer system that
>did its DRAM refresh with a software interrupt -- it only took about
>5% of the CPU time.  At first, we had a bug in our refresh code, but
>the system was still working remarkably well.  Tracing down another bug
>revealed that we weren't refreshing at all, except for the natural
>refreshing that came from the execution of code.

>Once we got the refresh working, we decided to determine exactly
>how slow we could refresh and still have the system work.  We made
>sure that the CPU was executing in a tight loop the rest of the time,
>so that normal execution wasn't refreshing.

>Turns out the particular DRAMs we were using, at the temperatures
>we were running, held their contents just fine with a 1-2 second
>refresh rate.  They started failing a bit at 5 sec, and were
>still 80% correct after 15 sec.

>We expanded our experiments a bit, and tried DRAMs from different
>manufacturers, and also tried different temperatures.  There
>were remarkable differences with both parameters.  We ended up
>taking the full 5% CPU hit requirred to meet the manufacturers'
>specs, which I think is a good decision for anybody who is tempted
>to play around with refresh rates.

Ther are couple of files at simtel-20 (or its mirrors) under sysutl
called qram.zip and fastram.zip (or maybe .arc) that let you play
with the DRAM refresh rate and results in 5% to 10% CUP speed increase.

I managed to increse my CPU speed from 16.2Mhz to 17.33Mhz (checked it
out using Landmark SPEED200). Interesting enough the video speeds up to
and i can see inprovement when Windows is redrawing the screen.

-- 
==============================================================================
Tooraj Enayati     Melbourne     Australia     tooraj@daneel.rdt.monash.edu.au
Monash University       Robotic and Digital Technology       (Graduate/Alumni)
==============================================================================
Newsgroups: alt.lang.asm
From: johnm@cory.Berkeley.EDU (John D. Mitchell)
Subject: Re: Real-time DOS, is there a problem?
Organization: University of California, at Berkeley
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 23:08:16 GMT

In article <1992Dec20.151426.534@doc.bmd.trw.com> nickgill@doc.bmd.trw.com
writes:
>Does anyone know of any real time problems with embedded computers using DOS?
>If you have had them or know where I can find this information, please e-mail
>me.

Straight DOS is a very poor choice for any type of hard real-time use (for
a number of reasons).  You might like to try to scrounge back issues to the
Embedded Systems Programming magazine published by Miller-Freemen (I have
no relation to them other than as a subscriber).

If you want DOS compatiblity in a real-time capable implementation then you
might want to take a look at General Software's products Embedded DOS and
Embedded BIOS (again, no relation at all, I've just heard good things about
them from different people).

Hope this helps,
		John
Newsgroups: alt.lang.asm
From: tm@netcom.com (Toshiyasu Morita)
Subject: looking for fast min()/max()
Keywords: speed min max
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 15:28:08 GMT

I'm looking for a fast min() and max() algorithm, preferably without branching.

Anyone know of any?


Toshi Morita
tm@netcom.com
From: richard.vannoy@filebank.cts.com (Richard Vannoy) 
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Power BASIC
Date: 22 Dec 92 21:46:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The File Bank BBS - Fallbrook, CA  619-728-4318
Reply-To: richard.vannoy@filebank.cts.com (Richard Vannoy) 

JH> Any users of Power BASIC out there?

I had version 2.? and gave it up when I found out how much
more support and info was available for QB products.

JH> How does it compare to, say, Turbo Pascal?  How big are the generated
JH> EXE files (i.e. is there lots of overhead for the runtime library,
JH> etc.)?

No speakee Pascal, but I noticed PB to make a little tighter
and faster code for what I was doing.  Also with just a few
minutes per program, I was taking PB code, loading it into QB
and having it up and running.

JH> And for a more technical question:  Does PB always generate machine
JH> code when you run a program (from within the environment) or does it
JH> do some sort of interpretation like QB?

QB uses something called threaded p-code (whatever that is?).
I'm not sure about PB.

JH> Any comments would be appreciated.  PB 3.0 looks very nice indeed,
JH> especially the in-line assembler.

Drat!  Just when I've figured out how to do an interrupt call
in QB!

The way it looks like Microsoft is dumping DOS programmers, it
might be a good move to go with PB.  Around here, users are
predicting that DOS is dead meat and that Microsoft,
especially, is pushing it off the cliff.

I'm an old fashioned DOS programmer who HATES windows, so I
guess if we are going to windows only, I'll be dragged there
screaming and kicking my feet!

Does PB 3.0 do Windows?  <grin>
--- MegaMail 2.10 #0
   
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
From: philco@microsoft.com (Phillip Cooper)
Subject: Re: Microsoft BASIC & New Support Prices
Date: 18 Dec 92 16:24:16 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation

In article <1gor8rINN63l@flop.ENGR.ORST.EDU> villalj@xanth.CS.ORST.EDU (John Villalovos) writes:
>Any one else out there notice that since December 1st Microsoft does not offer
>free support anymore for their BASIC products (at least PDS).  Now you have to
>call either a 900 number, 800 number with credit card, CI$, or Genie.
>

That's not true.  Free support is still provided for setup/install problems,
usage questions, product inquiries and the like.  The only thing that is
charged for now is programming consulting services... i.e. how-to programming
issues.

>They don't seem to do this with programs like Excel.
>

We don't do that for any application product, only programming languages.

Phil Cooper
From: dermer@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Marshall Dermer)
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Graphics Programming in Quick Basic for 12 Year-Old
Date: 22 Dec 1992 02:02:46 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4
Originator: dermer@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

My twelve year-old son is interested in graphics programming using
MS QuickBasic.  Can you suggest a text for him?

Thanks,

Marshall


-- 
.......................................................................
|Marshall Lev Dermer  [Moshe ben Menasha] |  Better living through     |
|Department of Psychology                 |  community and positive    | 
|University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee       |  reinforcement.            |
From: villalj@xanth.CS.ORST.EDU (John Villalovos)
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Creation of comp.lang.basic?
Date: 1 Jan 1993 18:43:50 GMT
Organization: Oregon State University
NNTP-Posting-Host: xanth.cs.orst.edu

Does anyone know what happened to the creation of the comp.lang.basic newsgroup?
I have been waiting for when a vote would be called but I haven't seen anything.

Later,
-- 
John Villalovos
Certified Netware Engineer
villalj@xanth.cs.orst.edu
(503) 753-7883
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
From: roberts@cscns.com (Robert Schoolfield)
Subject: VB Databasing Libraries
Organization: Community_News_Service
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1993 07:59:21 GMT

 
I will be starting a programming project in VBWin 2.0, essencially a
port of a DOS app to Windows.  It is a Contact Manager database
application.
 
I have sent for, and received brochures for all the popular databasing
libraries, such as AJS dBLib, Apex Agility/VB, Sequiter's Code Basic,
and Andsor Database Engine.  I need multi-user lan support.
 
I have used the PDS 7.1 ISAM engine in my DOS app, and I don't think
that a compatible VB library exists, so I am willing to concede the
file format compatibility.  I am looking for a VB databasing library
that is power but easy to use - does anyone have any personal
experience with these or other databasing libraries?
 
I would like to initiate a thread on this topic...
 
Robert Schoolfield, Electronic Systems Design | Voice: 719.550.1724
PO Box 26431 Colorado Springs CO 80936        | Cellular: 719.661.6353
Internet Email: roberts@cscns.com             | BBS: 719.550.1696 8N1 14.4k
From: fenris@cibbs.UUCP
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Re: graphics libraries   
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 93 22:04:33 EST
X-Maildoor: WaflineMail 1.00r

 -=> Quoting "andrew Comello" <andrew to All <=-

 "C<> My friends and I have been working on a Role-Playing-Game (RPG)
 "C<> for the past month and a half... We've run into 4 problems:

 "C<> 1. We decied to use screen 12 for the high resolution but we
 "C<> NEED 256 colours! At first we tried to use the palette
 "C<> statement to obtain the colours we desired but evertime we
 "C<> change one of the colours, it changes the associated colour
 "C<> on the screen! eg: I made colour 5 become shade 64 with the
 "C<> palette staement... now if I change colour 5 to a different
 "C<> shade, anything that colour 5 was, changes!!!!! Is there
 "C<> anyway to get more colours in screen 12????

No, not with the BCOM45 library. However there are a lot of shareware
libraries available, many of which support 640x480x256 mode. Check the
download directories of CRS in this manner:

z lib ns a

with your terminal program set on capture. Then go get a soda, cause that
will take a while...

 "C<> 2. I need to heavily illustrate small sections of the screen. I
 "C<> first tried making small *.PCX files and loading them with
 "C<> the pcx file loader for QB that I got from CRS. We found it
 "C<> too slow and not worth it. I made in Windows 3.1 great *.ICO
 "C<> files that were just the right size and only 16 colours. I
 "C<> need to know if anyone out there has some code that would
 "C<> load and display *.ICO file in QB.


 "C<> 3. Is there anyway to fade the screen in ANY mode to/from black?


 "C<> 4. I have a Soundbalster Pro and I have some great *.MOD and
 "C<> *.VOC files that would go great with the game. Does anyone
 "C<> have a program that would play the types of files (even
 "C<> *.ROL, *.MID or *.WAV would do) in QB??????


For 2, 3, and 4 check the capture file you got the first time. You'd be
amazed at what there is available. Or alternatively if you don't want to
wade through all those files, call 538-7911, 14400V42 and logon as GUEST.

Fenris



... Random is King in Amber and chaos is loose in the realm
--- Blue Wave/QWK v2.10
From: rgarito@reef.cis.ufl.edu (Robert Garito)
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Basic 7 Bug???
Date: 21 Dec 92 18:43:17 GMT
Distribution: alt

After purchasing Basic PDS 7.1, I am re-compiling various software
packages that I wrote under it.  I also use the ProBAS 5.5 library and Btrieve.
After repairing all of the incompatibilities in one of my clients'
programs, I re-compiled and linked it.  All went well.  Upon
running it, I get an error message "Error during runtime initialization."
After careful experimentation (consisting of re-compiling parts of the
program piece by piece and testing), I confirmed that it has to do with
the size of the program.  Once I added a certain amount of code back it
started failing.  I tried different sections of code, and it still fails.
Keep in mind that it runs fine under QB4.5.  I'm just re-compiling
to be able to use far strings.  Also, I hav experimented with different
compile switches, and I have removed all TSRs from memory.  I also
played with various XMS/EMS setups with no luck and even re-compiled
using overlays, still with no luck.  I also re-compiled as a stand-
alone and it still failed.  The error message is not mentioned ANYWHERE
in the manuals.  Also, all of my paths are correct, as a scaled-down version
of the program runs fine!  Any ideas???

Robert Garito
President, MicroLAN Technologies
rgarito@reef.cis.ufl.edu
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
From: philco@microsoft.com (Phillip Cooper)
Subject: Re: Any Basic that links with Borland/Turbo C++?
Date: 18 Dec 92 16:18:00 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation

In article <kylep.724046411@teal> kylep@teal.csn.org (Douglas Kyle Pierce) writes:
>philco@microsoft.com (Phillip Cooper) writes:
>
>>In article <kylep.723342558@teal> kylep@teal.csn.org (Douglas Kyle Pierce) writes:
>>>I am trying to link existing QuickBasic code with C++ code. Unfortunately,
>>>it seems that only Microsoft C/C++ can be linked with any of QuickBasic
>>>or Visual Basic versions (I have access to several versions). This is
>>>according to the documentation, and my limited experiments.
>>>
>>>Has anyone succeeded in linking any Basic code with Borland or Turbo C++?
>>>I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.
>>>
>>>Kyle Pierce
>
>>Assuming that Borland C++ produces standard Windows DLL's, you should
>>certainly be able to to call routines in the DLL from Visual Basic.
>>Of course, why you would want to use Borland C++ escapes me :)
>
>>Phil
>
>Well, from Windows of course I can do that! And I pretty much agree, in
>that case VB is the best tool for front end work. But my main problem is
>in making DOS programs, not Windows. Another story entirely, when it comes
>to linking stuff together. 
>

I've spoken to people who say it works (with Borland C++), and I've also
spoken to people who say it doesn't work.  I do know that we have not
done any comprehensive testing on this and certainly do not guarantee
compatability with any other language vendor's products.

>Also, let us not forget that we need C/C++ to make DLL's and custom
>controls, and enhance VB's performance in many ways. Tell me it doesn't
>need it?!

Actually, you can create DLL's with a number of languages, including
FORTRAN, Pascal, Assembly, etc.  You certainly do NOT need C/C++ to 
create DLL's (Although it is required for custom controls).
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
From: roberts@cscns.com (Robert Schoolfield)
Subject: Re: Basic File handling
Organization: Community_News_Service
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 05:41:38 GMT

NG CHIK KANG (sci20194@nusunix1.nus.sg) wrote:
: I am interested in find a imple method to handle files under basic.
: My application requires me to keep tracks of customer's data as well as
: Invoices. How do I maintain a reasonably large database with Basic?
: Especially when the data such as address contains "commas -," and
: chr$(10) and chr$(13).
: Another problem is that the length of each invoice is not fixed. Some
: peopl buy for items than others. So obviously I couldnt use records.
: I figure that binary file access is the only way. Any suggestions would
: be greatly appreciated.

: Another consideration is whether it is network compatible.

: I am wondering if I could write the database into a DBASE compatible
: file format (.DBF). anyone with any information?

--

I have written several similar applications using PDS 7.1, which has a
good reliable ISAM database method internal to the language - but it is
not network compatible.  Used the database to hold client/inventory data.
One field points to a seperate disk file which is the invoice in ASCII text.

There is a replacement ISAM for PDS called E-Tree, from EllTech Technologies,
that can do networks, and has a variable length field option, which can hold
an invoice, along with the CRs and LFs.  There are many other libraries
available, a third party library is definately the way go, here.  
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Robert Schoolfield             |      Voice: 719.550.1724
    Electronic Systems Design      |      Cellular: 719.661.6353
    PO Box 26431                   |      BBS: 719.550.1696 8-N-1 2400
    Colorado Springs CO 80936      |      InterNet: roberts@cscns.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
From: philco@microsoft.com (Phillip Cooper)
Subject: Re: Microsoft BASIC & New Support Prices
Date: 21 Dec 92 21:17:29 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation

In article <1992Dec18.162416.14689@microsoft.com> philco@microsoft.com (Phillip Cooper) writes:
>In article <1gor8rINN63l@flop.ENGR.ORST.EDU> villalj@xanth.CS.ORST.EDU (John Villalovos) writes:
>>Any one else out there notice that since December 1st Microsoft does not offer
>>free support anymore for their BASIC products (at least PDS).  Now you have to
>>call either a 900 number, 800 number with credit card, CI$, or Genie.
>>
>
>That's not true.  Free support is still provided for setup/install problems,
>usage questions, product inquiries and the like.  The only thing that is
>charged for now is programming consulting services... i.e. how-to programming
>issues.
>

After doing some checking, I find that the statement I made above is not
entirely correct.  Free support is now provided only for setup questions and
product inquiries.  All other issues are covered on the Developer support
line (ie 900#), CIS, or GEnie.

>>They don't seem to do this with programs like Excel.
>>
>
>We don't do that for any application product, only programming languages.
>
>Phil Cooper
From: fenris@cibbs.UUCP
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Re: questions on qbx 7.1 
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 93 22:04:10 EST
X-Maildoor: WaflineMail 1.00r

 -=> Quoting St21519@vm.cc.latech.edu to All <=-

 >        Is there a discount on QBX 7.1 that Visual Basic owners can get?
 St> 
 St> The information I received last Spring said the offer was for a
 St> limited time (QuickBasic owners upgradedable to PDS 7.1).  More than
 St> anything I think it was a bone being thrown to QuickBasic owners to

Actually PDS7.1 is now no longer available. Visual Basic DOS Professional
Edition replaces it - and yes, I've got my order in ($300.00 Canadian
including taxes. OUCH!)

Fenris




... Walk softly and carry a megawatt laser
--- Blue Wave/QWK v2.10
From: tcscs!zeta@src.honeywell.com (Gregory Youngblood)
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Re: Advice on SUB and FUNCTIO
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 07:47:13 CST
Reply-To: zeta%tcscs@src.honeywell.com
Organization: TCS Consulting Services

richard.vannoy@filebank.cts.com (Richard Vannoy)  writes:

> GY>    1.   Compile a list of all FUNCTIONS and SUBROUTINES called in
> GY>         the programs.
> GY>    2.   Compile a list of all FUNCTIONS and SUBROUTINES declared in
> GY>         the programs.
> 
> I did something similar once.  This type of program would
> compile all files, one by one, into a master text or random
> access file which could then be sorted by function, program,
> etc.
> 
> Since there are so many ways to do this, like reading in all
> the .BAS file names automatically and such improvements, I'll
> use abbreviated or pseudo code.

[pseudo-source code deleted]
> 
> Once you get all the DECLARE, SUB and FUNCTION lines in one
> place, along with the original files they came from, you can
> check, manipulate and cross reference just about any way you
> want.

This works great except one of the things we need to cross reference for is
FUNCTIONS and SUBs that are not declared.  SUBs are an easy addition to your
pseudo code, simply look for CALL, the only problem is functions.  We need
to make sure that we don't have any functions called that no longer exist.

Any ideas?  I've been told about a program called QBX.??? from Van Beurg, but
calling the main BBS has yielded nothing. :(  Neither has ARCHIE

Greg


.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.
.   TCS Consulting Services   P.O. Box 600008   St. Paul, MN  55106-0008    .
.   ..!srcsip!tcscs!zeta                 ..!src.honeywell.com!tcscs!zeta    .
.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.
From: jarnold@tixel.mv.com (Jon Arnold)
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Qbasic, getting 132 columns
Distribution: world
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 13:47:41 GMT
Organization: 
Reply-To: jarnold@tixel.mv.com

You want 132 column mode on your screen or on printed output?  For printed
output, that would normally be a function of the specific printer you
are using, where you would send it a command string (ie, "ESC"+"[2z")
or something equally arcane to tell the printer to go into 132 column mode.
Check your printer reference manual.

Jon Arnold                        Phone: W: 603-883-1233
Nashua, New Hampshire             Fax:   W: 603-883-7350
                                         H: 603-883-6371

      "If you ain't the lead dog, the view never changes."
From: jarnold@tixel.mv.com (Jon Arnold)
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Power BASIC
Distribution: world
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 13:24:35 GMT
Organization: 
Reply-To: jarnold@tixel.mv.com

>In article <1992Dec22.042104.23875@qiclab.scn.rain.com> Leonard.Erickson@f51.n105.z1.fidonet.org writes:
 > Well last time I asked, there was a discount for owners of TB! That was
 > only a few months ago. In fact, as a registered user of Turbo BASIC, you
 > should have gotten a notice in the mail, offering an upgrade! (This was a
 > couple of years back)

I am a full bona fide registered owner of TB; I guess I'll have to call them
back about this discount for upgrading to PB if that's what I want to do.
I may have gotten an upgrade card for PB a few years ago, but I probably
just dismissed it without reading it fully, assuming that it was just more
advertising for yet another product, and my BASIC needs were already met.
(So I thought).

 > Actually there are a number of other enhancemants. One of the simplest,
 > yet most important (to me!) is that there's a command line compiler! So
 > I can call PBC from a make file.

Based on the PB review posted here, it appears that there are a great
number of things that fall into the "enhancement" category!

Jon
From: jarnold@tixel.mv.com (Jon Arnold)
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Power BASIC
Distribution: world
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 13:43:25 GMT
Organization: 
Reply-To: jarnold@tixel.mv.com

re "100 reasons to love PB"...

Wow!  But does it do Windows?  :-)

Based on the number of times that I've really *needed* tech support
for TB or QB, usually in the vein of "how can I...", the choice of
which Basic to use appears almost obvious.

Standard disclaimer: your mileage may vary.  (Although with PB, it
appears as if mine would improve!)

Jon Arnold                        Phone: W: 603-883-1233
Nashua, New Hampshire             Fax:   W: 603-883-7350
                                         H: 603-883-6371

      "If you ain't the lead dog, the view never changes."
From: fenris@cibbs.UUCP
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Library compatibility    
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 93 22:04:28 EST
X-Maildoor: WaflineMail 1.00r

 -=> Quoting Phillip Cooper to All <=-

 PC> There are even more (many, many, more) libraries available for the MS
 PC> Basic products.  If third party support is what you are concerned
 PC> about, there is no contest.  Microsoft Basic has more support than
 PC> probably all other Basic products combined.

You forgot to mention that most QB libraries work with the PDS, and from
what I've heard from registered owners of VBDOS-PDS, the old QB and PDS
libraries will work with VB as well.

Fenris



... Negotiate my ass - Let's KILL something!!
--- Blue Wave/QWK v2.10