Nascom News­let­ter

within HINTON to allow existing files to be changed without feeding to create new ones.

I would again remind users that copying a file structure is better accomplished using FILCPY than the CReate command of HINTON, particularly since some users have experienced problems with the latter!

Rev 6 should be issued by mid-March to all existing users WHO HAVE REGISTERED – copies will not be issued to anyone who has not returned the registration form. This will, however, have to be the last free update issued to users of copies of MANOR sold before July 1982 we have already extended the free update service beyond that originally offered, and updates are largely improvements rather than corrections to errors.

EXTENDED BASIC

All the versions (tape, NAS-DOS and CP/M) of this are now available. Versions including the graphics commands for us with the AVC are provided on the same tape/​disc as the normal version as standard.

It should be noted that the existing version of XBASIC 3.1T has an error in the printer routine (device 1) – the AF register is not saved before checking the status of the handshake line, and a SCAL 6F is used to drive the printer instead of SCAL 6E. As you cannot easily patch this in the available space we suggest that you use your normal printer driver (or see the listing in AN-0006 in this issue) and insert the address of this routine at 3B32. Remember that you should not put the driver at 0C80 for XBASIC, as this is the keyboard input buffer, and that if you put it at the tap of memory you should use a CLEAR statement to protect it from BASIC.

NAS-NET – NETWORKING FOR NAS­COM COMPUTERS

Networking allows several computers to share the disc and printer resources of one of their number. Where several computers are used together – such as in education – this can result in significant savings. NAS-NET is a system for Nascom computers which achieves this objective. NAS-NET has been in use for over 6 months in several sites, and so can be regarded as a well proven system. More information is given in the advertisment elsewhere in the Newsletter.

3. TECHNICAL TIPS

USE OF PRINTERS WITH NAS­COM 2 AND 3

We probably receive more enquiries relating to the use of printers with the Nascom than on any other subject. The hardware and software implications of using various types of printer with the Nascom are described in Application. Note AN-0006, which is reproduced below.