.LM 8;RM 72;CE 5 FUNNELWEB Vn 4.40 Oct /30/ 91 Universal Utility Environment ----------------------------- .FI (1) General Notes ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FUNNELWEB Vn 4.40 is a powerful operating and utility system for the TI-99/4a computer. It will run on a minimal disk-based system with 32K expansion as an Extended Basic program (TI or Myarc XBII), as an assembly program file (E/A or TI-Wr), or with a Horizon style auto-booting RAMdisk with any or no cartridge at all. It supports in a single seamless system a complete and improved range of standard utilities (E/A, TI-Wr, Disk Manager) and menu/loading facilities for a wide range of other programs. Cartridge swapping from XB is now largely unnecessary. The basic TI-99/4a system was always and still is the easiest of computers to use, and FUNNELWEB makes it just as easy for the advanced facilities too. The more powerful the system the better it goes. A further set of files is available to exploit the extra power of V9938 based systems, the DIJIT AVPC card, the Mechatronics 80 column unit, and the Geneve 9640 in GPL mode. Recent versions give some support for hard disk systems using the Myarc HFDC so that the FUNNELWEB system can be run from its own directory on the hard disk, leaving the "DSK1 emulation" free for use as work-disk. The program has been written entirely at Funnelweb Farm and is distributed as "FAIRWARE". It is not to be sold nor distributed with excessive copy fees, nor ADVERTISED as part of ANY commercial sale, nor placed on copy-protected disks. Placing of these files on any electronic network or BBS without explicit permission (to be renewed for each new version) of the authors is expressly forbidden. The Vn 3.0 and later programs are NOT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, but "fairware", with all rights reserved by the authors. No responsibility is accepted for consequences of its use. Please refer to the Fairware Notes at the end of this file. The FUNNELWEB package is issued with no commercial copyrighted utility programs on it, and we request that the package be passed on in its original form only, complete with ALL document files. The equipment that you will need to run FUNNELWEB is the same as needed for TI-Writer or E/A except of course that the specific module is not necessary. Absolutely necessary .CE 4 (1) TI-99/4a console (2) 32K memory expansion (3) Disk drive + controller (4) Module/RAMdisk to load it Highly desirable .CE 5 (4) Two or more disk drives (5) RS232/PIO and printer (6) A RAMdisk or several (7) V9938 80 column system Other items that you will need to make full use of FUNNELWEB Vn 4.40 are .CE 4 (1) E/A, TI-Wr manuals (2) c99-REL4 package (3) Your utility files (2) Files and Documentation ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The FUNNELWEB package contains a number of files besides this one (50 files in all). These may be wholly or partially archived on the distribution disk(s), using Barry Boone's Archiver III program - also "fairware", .LM +3;.RM -3 LOAD, FW - the main program in XB and E/A program formats ED,EE - files for both Text Editor and Programmer's Editor FO,FP - Formatter program files AS,AT - Assembler program files CF,CG - Configuration program to set preferences in FW and LOAD and to set up User Lists SYSCON - Sample configuration file for use with CF/CG C1,C2 - character definition files QD and QF - Quick Disk Directory called up by from main program or by the Assembler and Formatter DR,DS (or perhaps on disk as DR40,DR41) - DiskReview program called from Central Menu Option #8 or as initial autoload EA,LL,SL - system auxiliary loader files for EA Program and Load/Run, LowLoader, and ScriptLoader UL,D1 - sample User List files ML - a sample Multi-List file SCRIPT - sample load script LH - LineHunter assembly programmers' search utility FSAVE - improved Save utility for generating E/A program files CP,C99PFIO;O - auxiliary files for use with Clint Pulley's c99 Rel 4 CT8K/O - installs FUNNELWEB as menu item in E/A + 8K RAM cartridges LDFW - Dis/Fix 80 loader for FW from Minimem, E/A and Myarc XBII XB4THLD - loader for TI-Forth from XB cartridge. .LM -3;RM +3 Detailed documentation of the various aspects of the program is to be found in the FWDOC files, .LM +3;RM -3 FWDOC/LOAD - general information on system and disk organisation, the XB user's list, and program-wide facilities FWDOC/TIWR - use of the package as a substitute for the TI-Writer module FWDOC/EASM - programmer's editor and assembler operation, and program loading functions FWDOC/UTIL - notes on utility programs in the package used with FUNNELWEB FWDOC/REPT - chronicle of bugs, fixes, updates, problems, and background information. Make sure you read this file FWDOC/SCLL - details of Low-Loader, Script-Loader, Assembly MAKE, and User and Multi-List files FWDOC/DR40 and FWDOC/DR41 - use of the DiskReview menu option in the 40 column version. .LM -3;RM +3 The supplementary file collection for 80 column use with the DIJIT AVPC and other V9938 based systems contains .LM +3;RM -3 ED,EE (may be found as ED80, ED81 on the distribution disk) - 80 column Editor files which also have a 40 column edit mode DR,DS (may be as DR80, DR81) - 80 column DiskReview program ML (may be as ML80) - the 80-column Multi List program FWDOC/EDAV - supplementary editor and general docs for the 40 and 80 column operation with AVPC, TIM, Geneve, Mechatronics systems FWDOC/DR80, /DR81, and /DR82 - docs for 80 col DiskReview FWDOC/PSRV - details of useful program services, pointers, and data available in the FW interface block. See also FWDOC/REPT. .LM -3;RM +3 In order to fit the files on a DSDD disk they have been partially archived. Enough files (-READ-ME, LOAD, FW, ED, EE, DR, DS, QD) are left unarchived to get started on any system. Barry Boone's FAIRWARE Archiver can be used to unpack the other files. The complete unarchived set of files will normally be supplied only on an 80-track DSQD disk. The DOC files in the 40-col group contain Formatter commands, while the DOC files in the 80-col group should be printed from the Editor. In particular FWDOC/PSRV contains assembly source code examples containing "at" signs. (3) Update Notes ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vn 4.40 is a further refinement and extension of the FUNNELWEB system, and retains full external compatibility with prior versions. Significant changes, apart from minor bug-fixes, from Vn 4.31 are .LM +3;RM -3 (i) A flashing cursor with auto accelerating repeat has replaced the static sprite underline cursor, with timing delays compensated for processor speed. GROM address setting now should support Module Library devices. More externally accessible program services and new documentation are provided. (ii) DM-1000 files MG/MH and Disk-Patch file DP were dropped after Vn 4.30. They still can be used with Vn 4.40. Use of the LOAD only reload path from DM-1000 is no longer advisable. (iii) Script-Load and the Assembler now support a multiple file MAKE function. (iv) Error indication for Duplicate DEFs and Unresolved REFs has been improved in the object loaders, and Script-Load now has a full error handler with extended Unresolved REF display. (v) The 80 column Editor now supports a 40 column Edit mode. Program file checking has been dropped for extra speed from the Editor SDs as superfluous now DR is here, and the original TI RE bug is fixed. This has made room for -- (vi) Double-View in the 80-col Editor which allows page scrolled access to parts of one or more files from SD without further disk activity. (vii) DiskReview now has some support for DSKU file comments, and file read in for View is faster, and some error reporting improved. (viii) In UL files the path has been modified to suit better the revised handling in the main program. It would be a good idea to transfer your existing lists on to the new template by Fetching the old file, Making Reserve of it, Fetching the new UL, eXchanging data, and then Saving back under the original filename. (ix) A new class of Multi User List files has been introduced. (x) Various other auxiliary system programs have been revised, in particular CF/CG, LDFW, CT8K/O, LL, SL, AS/AT, and ED/EE. Replace all files to be on the safe side. .LM -3;RM +3 (4) Fairware Notes ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Your letters and contributions in appreciation of this program will be welcome. Many suggestions from correspondents have found their way into the system already. If you wish to interface to FUNNELWEB at the assembly language level, consult the FWDOC/PSRV and FWDOC/REPT files and articles (Living with Spiders) that have been published (not much updating needed for this version) and contact us for further details if necessary. The fundamental design policy remains that all capabilities be accessible with the XB module in place, and to create a system which makes the most of the strengths of the TI-99 system, without straining to imitate any other OS. The FUNNELWEB system is naturally designed to enhance the hardware that we have here and developed on that hardware. Extensions to exploit fully new hardware really require hands-on development, but even so wherever possible system extensions are made for significant new or other hardware that comes to our notice, using whatever information is available on device capabilities and foibles, and just flying blind. The system in use has 2 Horizon 192K RAMdisks, Quest (HV99) 512K RAMdisk, TI RS232 card, Myarc FDC, 2 Chinon DSDD and 2 National 5" 80 track drives, various E/A + RAM cartridges, and the DIJIT AVPC card. The backup system has Myarc 512K RAMdisk and Mechatronics 80-col unit. Specific extra program capabilities or bug work-arounds have been made, in the flying blind category, for the Geneve 9640, and Corcomp FDC. Experience with the Myarc HFDC has been so bad that plans to support this device in DiskReview have been abandoned. No tangible assistance or direct cooperation for the FUNNELWEB development has come from ANY hardware maker, with the exception of DIJIT Systems, whose AVPC card (sadly, no longer produced) gave a major new direction to the programming effort and reason for staying with the TI-99/4q. Also Myarc Inc returned the XB-II files to us on our own disk with no other form of communication ever, following repeated queries on XB-II and advice to them of disk DSR bugs. Gary Bowser of OPA provided the Vn 8.14 HRD ROS. All support other than these items has come from individuals and User Groups. Any commercial software or hardware producer wishing to claim compatibility of a product with Funnelweb in advertising is advised to have us check this first. As for each "fairware" user's obligations, we can suggest only that you judge the program on its intrinsic merits, best measuring its worth by how much you use it as compared to other "fairware" or commercial programs that you have. Even individual components of the package are as substantial programs as many that are offered as commercial items at $10-20 or more apiece. If you use it, be honest enough to take the trouble to show your appreciation, but if you try it and decide not to use it, then please just extend the free trial by passing it on to someone else. Our normal practice is to send the very latest revision in response to substantial contributions, so please indicate the latest version you have, and your disk capabilities when you write to us. FUNNELWEB is NOT sold to order, and any $$ received are assumed to be in appreciation for use of past issues. If contributions are made by check (Postal IMOs are no longer accepted by Australia Post) they should be made payable to Tony or Will, or Will alone (rather than "and"). All letters needing an answer will be responded to sooner or later, but we just can't afford the time for, or cost of routine mailing of updates and don't volunteer to do so. If and when updates are issued they will be placed in distribution through our regular, and/or recent contacts, and we do not offer to provide distribution from Funnelweb Farm at near nominal cost or less. Any renumbered issue represents a great deal of work, not always immediately apparent and which gets more and more difficult as the limits of the 99/4a are stretched. Our norma practice is to release minor fixes and improvements as soon as they are made. If you write new utilities for FUNNELWEB please to let us know the details. Oct 30th / 1991 Tony and Will McGOVERN 215 Grinsell St., Kotara, NSW 2289 AUSTRALIA €†€­•ŸĠĠĠĠĠĠĠĠĠĠĠĠĠ€‹