I want to begin by saying that if I didn’t already own a QXL, I would contact MECHANICAL AFFINITY as-soon-as-possible to reserve one — of course, that supposes that they still have any in stock.
For those not familiar with the QXL, it is an 8/16 bit PC-expansion card which uses a 20 mHz 68EC040 microprocessor whose operating system [SMSQ] emulates the Sinclair’s QL computer’s QDOS operating system. The QL’s SuperBASIC has been superseded by the QXL’s SBASIC. A PClone is the host which shares its I/O devices with the QXL card.
IT ISN’T PERFECT
There are still some operating system quirks that need to be worked out, or at least noted for the user [caveat emptor].
Briefly, there appear to be three remaining problems:
1) small screen size
2) quirky WIN()_
3) TURBO compiler doesn't work
I have learned to “live” with these problems; but, you may feel that they are too significant to overlook.
On a standard 14″ VGA monitor, the viewable area measures 9.5″ diagonally; or, about 80% of the usable screen (12″ diagonally). This is a bit small, but it provided unexpected “practice” for reading the bottom line of the eye test chart the last time I had my eyes checked!
There may be a way to resolve this; but, I don’t know what it is.
The main problems with the WIN()_ partitions is due to the dearth of documentation. If you have only one DOS partition, then you can only have WIN1_. If you have eight DOS partitions, you can have up to eight SMSQ WIN()_ partitions.
At the present time, SMSQ seems to “grab” a huge chunk of each partition for its own housekeeping. STATing my WIN1_ drive which reads as “FULL” returns “6440/10240”:
10240 5.000 meg formatted size
6440 3.144 meg reserved for SMSQ?
3800 1.855 meg available to user?
In retrospect, this isn’t surprising; but, it means that you may have less FREE SPACE than you think. I haven’t confirmed that 3.144 meg is always the memory chunk reserved for WIN_housekeeping.
I have also found that if you decide to re-format to a different size that you need to exit to DOS and delete the “old” QXL.WIN file on the related partition otherwise you may end up with something like 51226/32768 as a returned STAT value of a WIN()_ drive.
If you wish to continue to use the PSION programs (and, presumably many others), then you need to have already accessed that WIN()_ drive on the hard disk. This can be expedited by STATing all your WIN()_ drives from within your BOOT.
That the TURBO compiler does NOT function under SMSQ is more of an inconvenience than a major problem — when I want to compile a program, I use my GOLD CARDed QL.
TURBO compiled programs that work under MINERVA/QDOS should work under SMSQ without any problems; so, if you don’t compile your SuperBASIC programs (or, are willing to compile on a “regular” QL) then this is obviously not a consideration.
NOTE: With the understanding (?) that SMSQ/E [for the SUPER GOLD CARD and (?) ATARI] is basically the same code, this would be a reason to avoid SMSQ/E until this quirk is worked out.
BUT, I AM GLAD THAT I HAVE ONE
The QXL isn’t perfect, but it is fast — the processor is fast, the display is fast, and access to the various devices is fast. In a business environment, it certainly would work well as a FILESERVER.
Whether you should buy a QXL depends on how you use your QL and whether or not you have the necessary cash flow.
Unfortunately, MIRACLES SYSTEMS has announced that production of the QXL has ceased due to rising production costs and pending EMI radiation standards (and, the expense of the requisite testing).
Having said that, I want to editorialize by saying that it is time for QUANTA to finally “step up to the plate” (an American phrase) and use some of its significant treasury {several thousand POUNDS STERLING as of a half dozen years ago} and pony up the fees for the EMI radiation test mandated by the European Union EMC Directive so minimally the QXL and/or the QUBIDE IDE hard disk interface can be tested and thus ensure availability of hardware which supports the QDOS operating system.
MIRACLE has announced a “QXL GOLD” card adapter (100 BPS) which allows a SUPER/GOLD CARD to function as a QXL within a PC. Very limited availability due to the same possible EMI restrictions. If interested, write MIRACLE SYSTEMS, 20 Mow Barton, Yate, Bristol, BS17 5NF, UK with your credit card number to order. Good luck!
HAPPY TRAILS, AND COMPUTING, TO YOU …