Date   : Sat, 18 Jan 1986 01:37:00-MST
From   : Ron Fowler <RFOWLER@SIMTEL20.ARPA>
Subject: 8 bits with MEX and MEX-PC

In response to the recent inquiries regarding 8th-bit display using MEX,
here is a patch and some supplementary information:

For CP/M MEX version 1.14, do "POKE $4822 $0 $0" ... this will delete the code
that zeroes the 8th bit.

For the commercial versions (both CP/M and MSDOS), a patch is impractical,
since there have been several major releases of the program, and an equal
number of minor releases.  As an alternative, we're adding a fixed-position
patch point in all versions, effective with release 1.61, to be released
18 January (we can't unconditionally pass the 8th bit, since many users de-
pend on the parity bit being removed for use with many timesharing
services).  Now that won't automatically fix all those copies out in the
field, so to make it easier to get your copy replaced, we'll waive
the customary $10 update charge, providing:
       1) You return your original distribution disk in a
          re-useable container
       2) You include return postage.
       3) Mark the package "
       3) Mark the package "Eighth-bit update"

This will also update your software to the recently released version 1.6
(which is a pretty good deal, since 1.6 includes the Kermit and YMODEM
protocols, as well as a bunch of other new features).

One final consideration: someone mentioned that MEX filters some con-
trol characters even when filter is off.  Actually, this is only partially
true: the characters in question are SO and SI (0EH and 0FH) ... these are
the Compuserve protocol start and end-protocol signal characters.  If you
disable Compuserve protocol ("STAT CIS OFF"), MEX will no longer "eat"
these characters.                      ---Ron Fowler, NightOwl Software, Inc.