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 can be EXEC(_W)’d on any QL which has TK2_EXTensions and is MINERVA and QXL/SMSQ compatible.
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’/’dot’/’.’ (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 individuials who are not familiar with “standard” DOS commands, it gives them an opportunity to easily familiarize themselves while allowing them to continue to use standard QL programs.
CHANGES FOR v4.70
The most prominent change for version 4.70 is in the DIRectory displays.
An implicit ‘/p'( for “pause”) is now presumed. In addition, the standard DIR display now more closely matches 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.
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)GOLDCARD, and FLP/RAM}, QLuMSi_COMn (i.e., COMn == common) is amongst the versions provided for systems lacking the MAKE_DIR keyword. This is also the only version included which supports mdv()_:
Y: == mdv1_ Z: == 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. COMMAND_EXE is the COMMAND_COM program which begins with a ‘C:>’ prompt (i.e., ‘win1_’).
SBasic/MINERVA QUIRKs
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.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This remains as an UPDATE! issue disk (see back cover).
Previous users [*direct*(CATUG/ZQA!)/EMSoft/UPDATE!] may acquire an upgrade from me ($5/specify disk size).
HAPPY TRAILS,
AND COMPUTING, TO YOU …