Date : Thu, 27 Jan 1989 10:50:06 EDT
From : <SAGE@LL.ARPA>
Subject: Amstrad Disks
A short while back someone asked about the capacity of diskettes on the
Amstrad computer. I have a PCW512 with one single-sided double-density
drive and one double-sided quad-density drive. Diskettes formatted for the
former hold 173K (and both sides can be used, giving a total of 346K on the
physical diskette). This morning, when I made these measurements, I could
not find an empty quad diskette. A quick estimate (formed by trying --
after only three hours' sleep last night and without a calculator -- to add
the space free to the space occupied in several user areas as shown by SDZ)
gave a value of just over 700K. One would expect roughly 2 x 346 = 692, but
there is some additional space as a result of fewer system tracks. If the
person asking this question needs an exact figure, I would be happy to make
a more careful measurement.
-- Jay Sage
Date: Fri Jan 27 09:13:59 1989
From: rr2g@watt.acc.virginia.edu
Subject: mex & downloading files
OK, thanks guys for all your help with the Profiles dilemma. Now I've
got another problem. It'll probably seem quite silly to all you cp/m
experts out there but I need to know how to download a file from a bbs.
I'm using a Kaypro 2X running cp/m 2.2g (no upgrades have been done
here :-) )with an Anchor Automation Signalman Mark XII
modem. I'm using MEX 112 as my communications software. Here's the
scenario: I logged onto the KUGROS (Kaypro BBS) and I moved around
to the area that I wanted (By the way I don't just have a problem
with this bbs it's that I DON'T KNOW what I'm doing!!) The prompt is
"To DOWNLOAD A FILE enter FILENAME.EXT or 1 to 11" The numbers
corresponding to a specific file. The xmodem protocol is set on my
version of mex and on the bbs so of course I enter the number
corresponding to the file I want to download and the bbs gives me a msg
that the file is ready to be downloaded and it's waiting for me to give
it something. My question is WHAT am I supposed to do here? The GENIE
system says something about starting a receive file. Is that the same
as turning on capture mode? If so how long does it take for something
to look like it's happing? I need step by step info here - you're
explaining it to someone who's about to
pull her hair out. I tried changing the protocol to xonxoff (which
according to the documentation on the bbs is for simple ASCII text
transfers) and boom I can download the file with no problem both ascii
and binary files, but when I get to trying to run the files, for example
unarc.com, it will not run. What's the problem? I am totally confused
and the documentation I have on MEX112 either isn't complete or it
wasn't written to be a step by step tutorial for the COMPLETE NOVICE. I
know I probably should have learned all this stuff a LONG time ago (when
cp/m was the in os) but I
never had the interest (bad term). If someone has some simple (and I
really mean simple) documentation they could send me I'd REALLY
appreciate it or if you could explain downloading to me so that I can
understand it I'd appeciate that also. As I said it's not the bbs it's
just my lack of knowledge on the subject. I had the same problem on
GENIE. Right now I'm using the university computer system - an AT&T
3b15 and it's so much easier to ftp from sites than to download from a
bbs. You just find the file you want and say "get fn.ft" and in a few
minutes you have it. Of course I'm using procomm, I guess it's kermit
protocol(?), and I'm connected to the LAN. Can life be that simple
using my kaypro2x? I really would like it to be. I too have considered
changing from cp/m to dos but I've found out that there's so much
software out there that it's not necessary for me to do so -- if I can
just get to it, DOWNLOAD it, and make it work. Hey I'm trying. I've
had the KAYPRO business pak since late '84 or early '85 and I'm just
starting to see what awaits me through the use of my modem. I just
learned how to connect to a bbs over the Christmas holiday. (OK quit
laughing)
Well I guess this just about covers it this go round. Thanks in advance
for all your help and advice. You really don't know how much I
appreciate it.
--
=============================================================================
# A day at work is not like a day in paradise !!! #
# # #
# Rhonda Ragland # University of Virginia #
# Internet: rr2g@virginia.edu # Applied Mechanics Program #
# Bitnet: rr2g@virginia.bitnet # Charlottesville, VA 22903 #
# UUCP: ...!uunet!virginia!watt!rr2g # (804) 924-6265 #
=============================================================================