QLuMSi/QL Using M’cr~S~ft. interface (yes, it’s pronounced clumsy) is a front-end program, an MS-DOS simulation, and a learning tool. QLuMSi is a TURBO-compiled program that can be EXEC(_W)’d on any QL which has TK2_EXTensions.
For individuals who move between QDOS and DOS, QLuMSi allows for a smoother transition when invoking command line input — QLuMSi will convert the delimiter for you. Either an underscore ‘_’ (the QDOS’s standard delimiter) or a period ‘.’ (the standard DOS delimiter) may be used within filenames.
For individuals whose spouse may not want to use their QL because they use a DOS system at work, this allows them the comfort of the ‘standard’ prompts and commands. For example, typing quill at an ‘A:>’ prompt will instruct your QL to ‘EXEC_W flp1_quill’ and load the Quill program if it is present on the disk in flp1_.
For individuals who are not familiar with ‘standard’ DOS commands, it gives them an opportunity to easily familiarize themselves while allowing them to continue to use the QL programs with which they are already familiar.
Where possible, QLuMSi input mimics the MS-DOS command line syntax. Because QLuMSi should also be thought of as a front-end program, some of its functions exceed what can be done from the DOS command line.
Every attempt has been made to ensure QLuMSi compatibility with the demands of the MINERVA ROM code as well as the variations found in the SMSQ’s SBasic code.
FLIST_imp <==> F(ile)LIST_imp(ort)
QLUSTer and QLAMBer users will recognize the FLIST_imp as the dynamic file which contains the names of the sub_DIRectories and files on the medium. The medium must not be write-protected.
The FLIST_imp file can be imported into Quill or any other word processor or text editor.
Although QLuMSi ‘hides’ the FLIST_imp file (on prior versions, the file was named ‘ ‘), it is present on the medium.
An ancillary program (deFILE_exe) is included to facilitate removal of the ‘ ‘ file by people who are upgrading from earlier versions of the program.
deFILE_exe
The deFILE_exe utility is a truncated version of the QLAMBer front end & utility program. It can be run as a stand-alone program.
SELECT_DEVICE: Use the up/down arrow keys to move the shaded, green bar up-or-down and the left/right arrow keys to change the drive number (1-4). Press ENTER to indicate your choice.
The program will then go directly to the deFILE “page.”
Again, use the arrow (cursor) keys to move the highlighting box over the appropriate filename; and then, press the ENTER key.
You will be given an opportunity to abort the process. Press the ‘(esc)ape’ key to exit the program.
COMMANDs
The following COMMANDs are supported (Typing HELP will display this list):
CD CLS COPY DATE DEL DIR FORMAT FREE MEM PRINT RENAME STAT TIME TYPE VER VIEW
‘RD ‘ & ‘MD ‘ are also supported.
Since ‘MD ‘ accesses the MAKE_DIR keyword {QXL, (Super)GOLD CARD, and FLP/RAM}, QLuMSi_COMn (i.e., COMn == common) is amongst the variations provided for systems lacking the MAKE_DIR keyword. The “_COMn” type is the only variation which supports mdv()_:
M: == mdv1_ N: == mdv2_
Typing “HELP …” (where ‘…’ is the name of a supported command) will reveal more detailed information.
The COMMAND_COM program is the same as the ‘full’ QLuMSi_COM program except that it lacks the additional HELP beyond the HELP screen which shows the COMMANDs and PATHs which are supported. COMMAND_COM has the advantage of being ‘smaller’ than the ‘full’ program.
QLuMSi_EXE is the QLuMSi_COM program which begins with a ‘C:>’ prompt (i.e., ‘win1_’).
Similarly, COMMAND_EXE is the COMMAND_COM program which begins with a ‘C:>’ prompt.
VIEW [filename]
COPY [filename] LPT1.
Both of these functions now recognize Quill files appended with a “_doc” suffix and generate a roughly formatted screen-or-paper output.
If you VIEW [filename] or COPY [filename] LPT1. the ‘UPDATES_doc’ you would see something like this:
vrm1qdf0
&
H
page nnn
QLuMSi 4.80 Updates
Where possible, QLuMSi input mimics the MS-DOS
command line syntax. Because QLuMSi should also be
thought of as a front-end program, some of its functions
exceed what can be done from the DOS command line. To
this end, VIEW and COPY now recognize Quill generated
"_doc" files and generate more usable output.
VIEW [filename] & COPY [filename] LPT1.
Both of these functions now recognize Quill files appended
with a "_doc" suffix and generate a roughly formatted
screen-or-paper output.
If you VIEW [filename] or COPY [filename] LPT1. this
Updates_doc you would see something like this:
and, so on…. .
Shortly after the end of the document is located, the VIEWing will halt, or a FORM FEED will be sent to the printer.
Although the output is not what you would get using Quill and a printer_dat, it will allow you to look at a screen or paper copy of a document within the QLuMSi program.
Of course, this might seem to be a bit of a kluge for salvaging a corrupted “_doc” file; but, you should be able to salvage all/part of the text of a ‘corrupt_doc’ file(s) whose formatting data has been corrupted:
COPY [corrupt_doc] lpt1.
As before, the non-ASCII characters are ‘red’ when VIEWed and empty spaces when a COPY is sent to the printer.
If the “_doc” suffix is not present, the program will display the file without the rough formatting.
DIR
DIR /W
An implicit ‘/p’ (for pause) is now presumed. In addition, the standard DIR display now more closely mimics the DOS display:
A:> dir Volume in drive A is @ PLATYPUS Directory of A: Quill 60614 04-02-95 19:33 Archive 52814 04-02-95 19:33 - - - - - misc -> turbo -> printer_dat 85 04-02-95 19:37 GPRINT_PRT 510 04-02-95 19:37 QLAMBer 32330 04-02-95 19:37 QLUSTer 32470 04-02-95 19:37 Press any key when ready ...
The number of files that are displayed on the screen is dependent on whether the ‘banner’ is displayed (‘CLS’ vs. ‘SHOW’).
If you want the DIRectory of another PATH, then type:
DIR [path_letter]:
To see a DIRectory data displayed in four columns, type:
DIR /W
or, DIR [path_letter]:/W
Extra spaces may return a ‘Bad command or file name’ message.
Some NETwork comments, etc.
First, if your system does not have a hard disk (interface), you may use the eight win()_ devices for NETworking.
Some of you may wonder what and why there are provisions for up to eight (8) ndk()_ devices [six with QLuMSi_COMn]
While ndk()_ may seem to be an arbitrary NFS_USE designation, it is an abbreviation which stands for n(etwork)d(is)k [after fdk/hdk].
The reason that there are eight ndk()_ allowances is because you can, in fact, assign that many designations. This is in keeping with what is apparently the standard QDOS device limit of eight.
This quantity may not have been obvious because the original TK2 manual was so tiny that it was difficult to read (of course, that was not the only reason that it was difficult to read!).
In fact, I ascertained the eight device NETwork capability as a what-if supposition, and then went back and re-read the manual to determine whether this had been documented. Of course, it was.
Peer-to-peer NETwork commuication, where the QDOS devices have equal access to one another, becomes viable when faster QDOS devices are attached to one another. I currently have a GOLDCARDed QL set up as a ‘peer’ with a QXL by implementing the following commands in the respective boot programs:
QXL: NET 1
FSERVE
NFS_USE NDK, N2_flp1, N2_flp2_, N2_ram1_, N2_ram2_, N2_ram3_, N2_ram4_, N3_ram1_, N3_mdv1_
GOLD CARD: NET 2
FSERVE
NFS_USE WIN, N1_win1, N1_win2_, N1_win3_, N1_win4_, N1_win5_, N1_ram1_, N1_ram2_, N3_ram1_The Bottom Line
QLuMSi is available either directly ($15), or as an UPDATE! issue disk ($20; PO BOX 17, MEXICO, IN 46958)
Previous users [direct(CATUG/ZQA!)/EMSoft/UPDATE!] may acquire an upgrade from me ($5/specify disk size).
Al Feng
914 Rio Vista Circle SW
Albuquerque, NM 87105-3324
HAPPY TRAILS,
AND COMPUTING, TO YOU …