VOL47.NEWS

-----------------------------------------------------------------
9 June 1985             N E W S   L E T T E R           Volume 47
-----------------------------------------------------------------




Good Morning; 



VOL47: is crammed  full of utilities - 18 of them, plus 6 systems
related  contributions;  a  little  lopsided  this time.   My big
favorite is  the SUBLIB  system from Gary Bergman which  makes it
possible to  hold many related sequential files in a single named
library file that  takes up just one directory  entry.  This will
be a big  winner with anyone who has  been bumping up against the
1800-1900 file maximum  allowed in the Oasis disk  directory.  In
my case it  means I can now keep  all 2400 OUG library files on a
single 16 Mbyte hard disk for convenient online access.  

Gary also  sent  us several  versions of slot machine simulations
that thoroughly exercise the graphics capabilities of the Kimtron
KT7 and  Visual 200  terminals.  The graphics displays are  quite
elegant on  these terminals and still useable on others.  The new
FORMAT3 diskette initializer is based on his suggestions, too.  

For those of  you who have been playing around with moving things
back   and   forth   between  Oasis   and  CP/M,  Kevin  Hansen's
contributions   will   be   of  special   interest.   First,  his
CPMSYS.COPY will  be useful to those trying to make CP/M assembly
programs run  as commands under Oasis.  His library of frequently
used  functions, OASISLIB.MACLIB,  should speed assembly language
programming.   His  CONV.COMMAND converts  Oasis COMMAND files to
Ascii binary COM files for transmission to CP/M machines.  

Kevin Hansen also  sent us a whole bunch of utilities.  One fixes
corrupted ISAM/Keyed file record counts, another reports the data
format  in ISAM  files, another  checks for empty files, and  one
displays  file  specifications.  There  is a utility for shutting
down  a  system  after  warning  all  users  and  a  program  for
formatting tape cartridges.   He has a program for  listing files
containing  control characters  in the  keys and a handy EXEC  to
control the  editing, assembly, and linking of BASICUSR programs.
There  is  an auto-compiler  for all  of  a user's BASICOBJ files
residing  on  the  same disk,  and a  device  driver for IM2 type
hardware.  Finally, Kevin offers us a new benchmark program which
tests  a system's  speed in  processing math functions, and as  a
diversion  he  included SPOTS  that creates  a  random pattern of
several  hundred "spots"  on the  screen.  That's a lot of  stuff
from Kevin this time.  

Dave Klotzman  also sent  a couple  of  utilities: one for easily
setting the  baud  rate  of  the  COM port  and  another pair for
slowing down (and  speeding up) the CRT display  rate.  Not to be
out  done, Bill  Berne sent  his own elegant assembly version  to
control the display rate.  

Mike Scheidell  contributed  three  utilities:  one to  erase all
kinds of  working  files  for  all  users, one  to  control reset
conditions,  and  another  to  reinstate  a  backup  file as  the
original.  George  Willis sent in another wall calendar and I put
together  an EXEC  to make  BASIC versions of all BASICOBJ  files
that are on  the same disk.  I've also  included VOL46BFX.EXEC to
fix two annoying errors in the main EXEC on Bonus 46 last time.  

The FEEDBACK  file   on  volume  47  is  packed  with  especially
important messages and ideas this time.  Two EXECs on this volume
utilize  innovative  programming  techniques: UNDO  and OBJBASIC.
Check them out.  

TOO MUCH:  is  a complaint I often hear about our library.  There
is  now so  much  stuff  that  it  is almost  impossible  to find
anything.  

Take heart.  I  am now  using the prototype of a  great new, fast
finding tool created  by Joe Trimble that makes  finding anything
in our  library (or  any other database) easy.  So,  when someone
calls me  now and wants to know which volume "that doctors office
system" was  on,  it  is  as  easy as  typing:  LOCATE DOCTOR AND
OFFICE.  Quick as  a wink (really) back comes  the short contents
description of  STARDOC on  volume 26/27.  When we have  finished
developing it  and checking it out, it will be released on one of
the  regular   OUG  volumes.    The  data  bases  for  the   file
descriptions and  indexes take  more than a Mbyte of  storage, so
not  everyone  will  want to  keep them  online  all the time.  I
intend  to  make it  available on  CARAVAN,  however.  If you are
interested in assisting with the beta testing, let me know.  

CUSTOMIZING: things  now  in  the  OUG library  for some specific
application in your  shop may be trivial.  But,  it might also be
not so trivial.  Generally speaking, your best source for help in
understanding an  obscure aspect of an OUG library program is the
author.   Most are  happy to  answer  short questions about their
progeny.   If  you  want  to  make  major  modifications or  need
extensive  help  with installation,  even the authors might balk.
When you  find yourself needing more help than you can reasonably
expect to  get free,  give me a call and  I will help arrange for
some paid professional assistance.  

OASIS TECHNOLOGIES:  There is  something big related to promotion
in the offing.  No one will provide any details yet, but it looks
like we  can expect major changes in the ways Oasis products will
be marketed in the near future.  

What is  known at  this point  is that the new Phase  One Systems
under  the   direction  of  Don  Drew  and  his  fledgling  Oasis
Developers Association,  is pressing for royalties based on their
ownership of  the Oasis  trade name.  Tim Williams and  Forth Try
considered the 5% of gross  demanded  by  POS to  be unreasonable
(Buddy Auble pointed out to me that  5%  of gross could represent
as much as half of OT's profits!). On 5 June POS filed a petition
to have OT restrained from using the trade name Oasis.  The court
considered and denied the petition on 7 June, so Otech is free to
continue doing business as usual.  

I must say  that I am disappointed with this latest POS move.  My
understanding was  that the  "new" Phase One Systems intended  to
bend over backwards to establish a constructive relationship with
Otech, and would  do everything possible to heal  the old wounds.
It certainly  would seem  to be in their best  interests to do so
considering that  the  old  lawsuit  against  them is  yet  to be
resolved.  It's all very puzzling.  

In discussing the  possibility of name changes for one or more of
the operating system products, several people told me they didn't
think it would  make all that much difference.   After all, Oasis
is  marketed  mainly through  computer manufacturers and software
houses,  and they  know what  it is no matter what  it is called.
Don Drew  has been  unavailable for comment and Otech  reps would
not comment  on any  speculations other than to say  that a major
announcement related to marketing would be made very soon.  Watch
the CARAVAN sign-on bulletin for the latest.  

PHASE ONE SYSTEMS: has  moved to smaller offices and  cut back to
two  full  time  people according  to Ron  Gibbs,  the new VP and
General Manager.   Hildi Langewis has stayed on and is the second
member of  the staff.  The offices are now located at 2950 Merced
Street #101, San Leandro, CA 94577.  They can be reached at (415)
NXX-XXXX.  They  continue  to  sell  Control  and the  other  POS
software products, do Control training classes, and offer a blind
mailing service with  their 16,000 name Oasis mailing  list.  Ron
says  they   have  deferred  publication  of  the  next  Software
Directory,  but  still plan  to do  it  sometime.  They are again
selling the Oasis Reference manuals (cost is $75).  

PRESS: releases about  Oasis were published in the March issue of
Computer Product  News.  Computer System News ran a short feature
article on the  new 80286 version of Oasis,  said to be ready for
release in  June (In  fact Seikosha did show a  limited number of
people the new  Seiko 8700 running Oasis286 at  the Hannover Fair
in  April).  The  article was  very  complementary and quoted Tim
Williams extensively.  

Walt Stagner (author of  a forthcoming book on Oasis)  got one of
his letters praising Oasis printed in the April issue of Business
Computer  Systems.  Jim  Gall got  the full six column "Unix  vs.
Oasis: the  pros and  cons" article by Rhett Tindall  and Grayson
Evans reprinted  in the  21 March issue of Computing  Canada.  (I
sent them each a free OUG volume as promised).  CSN 8 April had a
short notice  about the  acquisition of Phase One Systems  by Don
Drew and his ODA.  

IBM/PC-AT: Tim  continues to  make progress on the implementation
of Oasis86  for the AT.  I am told that progress could be faster,
if he  had access to better IBM technical information for the AT.
If you can help, get in touch.  

IBM/PC-XT: The Oasis86 version for this machine has been reported
to also run  on the PC compatibles made  by Eagle and Wyse.  Know
of any others?  

IBC: is on  the move again with several major announcements since
our   last   newsletter.   They   continue  to  upgrade  the  IBC
implementation of  Oasis 6.1 with the recent release of a version
3 said to  offer a still smaller nucleus  size and to correct the
last remaining  known bugs.   IBC has unveiled the MegaStar,  the
big brother to the MultiStar series.  It supports up to 16 serial
ports, up to  1024 Kbytes of memory, up  to 86 Mbyte Fujitsu hard
disk,  and a  true Memory  Management Unit (MMU) for 8MHz  Z-80H.
They  have  also officially  kicked off  the  ITS REAL program to
assist with turnkey IBC systems promotion.  They already have had
a  first meeting  at  the  Atlanta  Comdex  and plan  another  in
conjunction with  the Chicago NCC.  Simultaneously, they launched
a  whole new  advertising campaign directed toward increased name
recognition amongst end-users of multiuser computer systems.  The
two full  page ad  in the May Business Computer  Systems magazine
hits the mark.  

ONYX: has apparently  embarked on a new major Oasis promotion for
their   5010  8-bit   system  which  includes  significant  price
reductions of up to 32 percent.  "Increased production efficiency
has allowed  us to  make these price cuts, thereby  enhancing our
position of providing a good price/performance ratio in the OASIS
marketplace," stated  Herb Martin, president of Onyx.  There have
been numerous  articles about the planned $50M merger of Onyx and
Corvus  Systems.   I suppose  this has  something  to do with the
recent flurry of activity there.  

Contacting two  other  Oasis  computer manufacturers,  I was told
they interpret the Onyx move to be a price war designed to corner
the Oasis market  and drive out competition.  One  thing is sure,
competition  for the  dwindling personal/business computer market
in general  is heating up and we are in the middle of a shakeout.
There is  no reason to expect that our little niche in the market
is going to be completely unaffected.  

Randy Weber is the  new OUG contact at Onyx  Systems and arranged
last month  to upgrade  our 8001 system with the  latest firm and
software.  Thanks Randy.  

ALTOS: is  now  being  supported by  Microcosm at 5367 Fieldgreen
Drive, Stone  Mountain,  GA  30088.   The  contact there  is  Jim
Simmons.  Phone  him at  (404)NXX-XXXX.  Copies of Oasis  may be
purchased from  him  or  directly  from  Otech for  the  the 580,
586,986, and 8000 lines.  

KAYPRO: Buddy  Auble  tells  me  that  Otech and  RealSoft (Brian
Goodheim)  have finally  reached an agreement on distribution and
support of Oasis8  on the Kaypro-10.  This is  very good news and
better late  than never!  I see in the 1 April issue of InfoWorld
that there  is a Kaypro Users Group referral service.  Call (619)
NXX-XXXX for info.  

CROMEMCO: will  also be  supported I  have  just learned from the
same  source.   Otech has  reached an  agreement  with Jon Rosser
(214-NXX-XXXX) to handle it.  

WEST COAST COMPUTER FAIRE:  We were there all four  days in April
and I  had  a  chance  to  meet some  of  our northern California
members.   Helping  out at  the booth  were  Jerry Weltner of MBP
Cobol, Buddy Auble  from Otech, Mikael Blaisdell and  our own Joe
Trimble  for   OUG  (also  the  Bay  Area  chapter  coordinator).
Activity at  the booth was slow most of the time, but over all it
probably was  worth the  effort anyway.  Special thanks to  Oasis
Technologies for loaning us an Altos 580 computer for our booth. 

HANNOVER FAIR: it would  be an understatement to say  that it was
merely big;  it was  huge!  It is the world's  largest industrial
trade   fair  -   actually  a   dozen   major  trade  fairs  held
simultaneously at  the same location in two dozen mammoth exhibit
halls plus extensive outdoor exhibit areas.  The computer related
exhibit, CeBIT,  alone is  bigger than the US fall  Comdex.  But,
bigness alone doesn't tell the whole story.  

While the Hannover Fair  is billed as an international  event, it
is hardly  representative of world computer technology.  Like the
US counterparts  there were indeed many "foreign" (ie non-German)
visitors and  exhibitors.  But,  this is primarily a West  German
sales event.  Of the 6000+  exhibitors, more than two thirds were
German.   A mere  three percent  were from the US; less  than two
percent from Japan.  

As planned,  the Oasis  Users Group  members  did meet during the
fair.   We have  a little  over forty European members total,  of
which a little less than a third are in Germany.  But, two thirds
of the 36 attendees at our first European fest were from Germany.
So like the fair itself, our meeting turned out to be primarily a
gathering for  the German  Oasis community.  And boy, was  such a
meeting needed!  

After I summarized  the current  status of the OUG in  Europe, we
had each  participant make  a statement to the group  about their
involvement   with   Oasis.    Many   had  attended   hoping  for
authoritative  North  American answers  to the many serious Oasis
related problems they have been facing during the year just past.
Several people  expressed regret that Susan Catalano of Otech had
needed to  cancel her  planned participation in our meeting.   At
least  one expressed  shock.  While Master Oasis Distributors had
been named for four other European territories, no one had as yet
been designated to  fill the German void left  when MBP announced
their decision  to leave the Oasis world earlier this year.  This
situation has left  quite a few systems dealers  and at least one
manufacturer unaware of any source which can sell licensed copies
of Oasis and provide technical support in Germany.  

Although there was  a bit of grumbling and talk about the need to
protect investments  by using alternate operating systems, it was
clear that a  majority genuinely hoped for an  improvement in the
availability and support  for Oasis in Europe.  One  thing we can
say about  Oasis users  everywhere is that they are  loyal.  Most
are  loath  to  abandon what  they consider  the  best multi-user
operating system in the world.  

Europe in general  and Germany  in particular are ripe for  a big
Oasis  push.  But,  it looks  to me like the next  move must come
from the United States.  

MEETINGS: There  is no  reason we  must  confine ourselves to any
predetermined number of  general meetings, nor why they  must all
be at the  Fall Comdex for the US.   One of the things we learned
from the mini-feedback requests to standing order members is that
a majority of  people regularly attend only those  computer shows
held  in  a  location close  to where  they  live.  Well, we have
members  everywhere.   If  you  live  in  a  city  where a  major
conference or exhibit  is going to be held,  why not volunteer to
coordinate an  OUG general meeting during the show.  There is not
that much  work involved  and you will meet a  lot of interesting
people.   I  notice the  next NCC  conference  will be in Chicago
during July 15-18.  Any volunteers?  I'll help with promotion.  

SIG-C: Scott Watson has agree to coordinate the activities of OUG
members  interested in  the "C"  language.  He can be reached  at
(213)NXX-XXXX.   Give him a call, if you have a special interest
in "C" or want to help with conversion of things for Oasis.  

SIG-DEV: Steve  Paulovich has  been very busy trying to determine
the  kinds of  activities software  developers  would like him to
coordinate.  To date,  he has been putting together  plans for an
online  commercial  software  directory and  information exchange
service,  studying the  current contents  of  the OUG library for
things  of  special  interest  to  developers, and  reviewing the
existing OUG  membership list  to identify those members who  are
developing   commercial  Oasis   software  applications.   He  is
planning  a  trip this  summer to  visit many of our members  and
tells me he is anxious to hear from many more software developers
who would  like to collaborate in any sort of cooperative effort.
He can  be reached at (617)NXX-XXXX-home or (617)NXX-XXXX-work.
This  is  a  potentially  important  project  and  deserves  your
attention.  

SIG-IBC: I have  thought for some time that members with the same
kinds of  computers might like to have their own special interest
groups.   Most of  the referrals  I do are to members  who have a
specific hardware configuration.  It seems to me that there could
well  be  a greater  degree of  coordination  of hardware related
activities among OUG members.  

There are some  de  facto  sig's  out  there already.   IBC,  for
example,  recently  announced  IT'S  REAL  (IBC  Turnkey  Systems
REsellers  ALliance)  for the  purpose of assisting resellers and
software houses market turnkey systems which use their computers.
In this case  the focus in on the  IBC hardware using either UNIX
or  OASIS.   Similarly,  The  Southern  California Digital  Group
Computer Society, managed  by OUG member Fred Sutton,  assists DG
owners with all  kinds of hardware (and software)  matters.  Fred
already talks to DG-Oasis users and does a lot of coordination on
his own.   If you are interested in coordinating contacts for any
of the computers which run Oasis, let me know.  

CP/MUG: The  various CP/M  users groups have assembled very large
libraries  of  public  domain software.   I would  like  to start
culling through their  volumes for quality things which  might be
of special  interest to Oasis users.  If you have a complete set,
please get in  touch with me to discuss  ways we might get such a
project started.  

IBM-CMS: The  IBM   Conversational  Monitor  System  (CMS)  is  a
mainframe  systems  environment well  known to Stu Rosenthal.  We
were  chatting  the other  day and  he pointed out that Oasis  is
almost identical  to CMS in file naming conventions, functions of
EXEC,  the  SCRIPT  capability,  etc.   "Obviously,  Tim  had CMS
features in  mind as  he designed Oasis." Stu observed.   I can't
help  but wonder  if all  those mainframers know that so  much of
their training and  experience could be transferred so  easily to
micros.   For that  matter, I  wonder if the right people  at IBM
know!  

EASYBASE: is a  comprehensive  database/spreadsheet  system  with
extensive  report  generator  capabilities.   The  OUG  has  just
acquired end user distribution rights and will be releasing it as
a  double  OUG  volume sometime  later this  year.   While we are
preparing a  more  compact  OUG  version  for release  I  will be
looking  for members  willing to  help with beta testing and  the
development of foolproof installation procedures.  If interested,
give me a call soon.  

WARDAY: is a  book by  Whitley Strieber and James Kunetka  that I
commend  to anyone  interested in  the effects of nuclear war  on
computers.  Many years  ago when I was more  closely aligned with
the establishment,  I felt  strongly that mixing peace talk  with
business  was unprofessional.   WAR talk  was  OK, at least those
"innocuous"  aspects  of  it which  related to  business.   Now I
realize  that lots  of us  have been very short sighted,  and our
collective  myopia  has  brought us  to the  brink  of accidental
nuclear war.   Peace in the nuclear age has everything to do with
our computer businesses.  

In that fateful  opening exchange on Warday, all of our computers
will be destroyed, a few from the blast effects and the rest from
the   intentional  enemy   EMP  effects  (ElectroMagnetic  Pulse)
associated with  nuclear detonations.  Only the most deliberately
protected   or  specially   designed  electronic  equipment  will
survive.  Now  that  sounds  like  a  valid reason  for  computer
professionals  to  join  the  ranks  of  other  professionals  in
searching for  ways to rid the Earth of nuclear weapons.  We must
not  leave  all  the  work  to  the  idealistic "peace  movement"
workers.  Business  suits must join the sweat shirts and clerical
collars.   Finding  a way  to help  the world step back from  the
brink is  just too important for computer professionals to ignore
any longer.  We must all help.  

Visualizing peace, Fred Bellomy 

(805)NXX-XXXX and (805)NXX-XXXX for CARAVAN our info system.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------
end of                  N E W S   L E T T E R           Volume 47
-----------------------------------------------------------------