Date   : Tue, 31 Jul 2001 02:13:10 +0100
From   : jgh@... (Jonathan Graham Harston)
Subject: Re: BEEB Stuff

"Chris Thornley" <C.J.Thornley@...> wrote:
> > "It doesn't emulate BBC Basic, it runs BBC Basic, but it's such a
> > hacked about version to get it to work on the *spit*spit*.  It needs
> > that extra BBCBIOS file that's tagged onto the end of BBCBASIC.EXE to
> > extend the RM's BIOS to get it to do anything sensible."
> 
> If you run BBC basic on a system ie you are using bbc basic you are in all
> intent and purpose emualting it. It might not be a complete emulation but
 
No, if you are executing BBCBasic, you are executing it, not emulating it. 
You can't emulate SOFWARE, as as soon as you try to emulate software, you
are implementing it.  When you run Microsoft Word on an Apple Macintosh
are you emulating Microsoft Word?  No, you're EXECUTING Microsoft Word.
 
You emulate HARDWARE.  The emulated HARDWARE, may then EXECUTE software,
such as BBC Basic.  An EMULATED IBM-PC running on RISC-OS can EXECUTE
microsoft Word.  The Arc. isn't EMULATING Microsoft Word, the emulated
IBM-PC is EXCUTING Microsoft Word.  It's like saying DOSFS is an emulation
of MS-DOS.  It's not, it's an implementation of DOSFS.
 
Some implementations of BBC Basic include an "MOS interface emulation".  
That's not part of the Basic, but is an interface between the basic and
the underlying hardware.  If it provides similar facilites to those found
on Acorn systems, it is emulating the OS interface to the HARDWARE, so is
correctly termed an emulation.
 
(As an example, sending character 12 to the output stream usually clears
the screen, even if CHR$12 doesn't clear the screen on the underlying
system.)
 
There is the other case of "simulation".  A simulation is very different
to an emulation, the most common example is that the simulation displays
contents of registers and memory as actions happen, demonstrating what the
actions do.
 
> bbc basic programs can run on it and can accces io through the user port /
> printer card.
> 
> I don't understand what your hatered of IBM (based) PC's are they are the
 
One cat, two cats, one PC, two PCs
             ~~~~              ~~~
Where in my post can you discern any hatred of IBM (based) PCs?  I
expressed lack of enthuseasm for RM Nimbus products and an annoyance with
Microsoft Windows.
 
> defacto standard and if I am not mistaken most of the BBC emulators written
 
IBM PCs are not a standard, they are a FUD-based habit[1].
 
> are running on them.
> The Mac or iMac is another alternative.
> The OS and hardware you use depends on what purpose you wish to use the
> device for.
 
True.  If I was a DTP professional or I was doing video superimposition
work my choices would include Macs and Risc OS.  If I was a musician
requiring MIDI sequencing I would include Amigas in my choices.  For
breaking long bit-length encryption messages before the legitimate
recipient had responded to them, I would include a Cray in the choices.
 
> Sadly the Amiga and the Archimedes don't really count anymore due to there
> decling sales and lack of new hardware / software. plus most of the
> education establishments have dropped them in favour of PC and macs.
 
Unfortunately, true.  Many educational establishments have given into FUD
and replaced long-lived, reliable, hardwaring systems with systems
(hardware and software) that need to be replaced wholesale every year or
so and require a huge increase in on-hand technical staffing to keep them
going; without actually budgeting for anything other than the initial
hardware purchase.
 
> What computer are you using to read messages from this group?
 
I'm replying to this message on a Master Compact, as I can watch the TV
while using this one.  If I was in the other room I'd be using a Master
128.  If I was in my Bedroom, I'd be using a BBC. All the incoming and
outgoing mail is handled by permanantly powered-up BBC.
 
> -----Original Message-----
 
Please don't top-post, learn how to use you email client properly.
 
[1] FUD - Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt.  The easiest way to persuade
purchasing authorities with little technical knowledge to buy your
product.  Terrify them that purchasing anything else is the worst mistake
they can possibly make.
 
-- 
J.G.Harston (JGH BBC PD Library) 70 Camm Street, Walkley, SHEFFIELD S6 3TR
jgh@...                - Running on BBCs & Masters with SJ MDFS FileServer
Z80+6502/CoPro+Tubes/Econet+SJ - - - - - - - http://www.mdfs.net/User/JGH/
 Never, ever, EVER, *EVER*, *E*V*E*R* use an apostrophe to make a plural