test-drb May 2009

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

204 participants
322 discussions

by bqt＠softjar.se

schoedel at kw.igs.net wrote: >>>> > >> NOOO Actually .. The real holy war is >>>> > >> VI vs EMACS :-) >>> > > >>> > > Pfft. Both are for clueless newbies. The only editor is TECO. > > Of course vi is functionally similar to TECO, with the same "[count] command > [argument ESC]" syntax; merely a few of the command names are different (It's > those emacs guys that strayed far from the true path). Plus you get regular > expressions. So, how do you write programs in vi??? Besides. Who needs regular expressions? In TECO, you can do more... Need I say that I don't consider vi similar to TECO at all? Atleast proper Emacs (not GNU-Emacs) still have TECO in the bottom. Johnny -- Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus || on a psychedelic trip email: bqt at softjar.se || Reading murder books pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol

15 years, 1 month

Jones plugs, or similar sorts of plugs

by ian_primus＠yahoo.com

On the subject of Jones plugs, What about the smaller types? Some video equipment uses an 8 pin plug, but it's not very big, only about an inch wide and a half inch tall, two pins tall by four pins wide. This is used for RGB video on some stuff I have here, and it would be real handy to have the correct plug to fit it. Is this a jones plug? -Ian

15 years, 1 month

BA123's as furniture. . .

by tiggerlasv＠aim.com

On Thu May 21 11:52:08, Ethan Dicks wrote - > * In my experience, lots of people used to sit on BA-123s, especially > people who were large enough that they should have known better. While I do agree that they should not be used as seating, they do make nice occasional tables, nightstands, and end tables. ;-) T

15 years, 1 month

Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing

by bqt＠softjar.se

Warren Wolfe <lists at databasics.us> wrote: > Considering that many thousands if not millions of folks are happily > using Windows and Microsoft apps 24/7 without any real problems, > I think the fact that you and your clients are having such a different > experience probably says more about you than Microsoft. Maybe you > should try to find out what the problem actually is with your particular > installations and fix it, instead of just complaining about Microsoft and > rebooting twice a day; I don't think I or any of my clients would put up > with that for very long. This just begs for a short reply. (Sorry, I just can't resist...) Show me a *single* site that is running Windows 24/7 without rebooting several times a month, *minimum*. Considering that Microsoft regularly sends updates that *require* reboots, I doubt you can show me any. So those thousands, if not millions, are just a myth. They don't exist. But people have become too blind to the regular reboots to even notice. But Microsoft certainly would like to get you to think that Windows is that stable. And trying to surpress the voice of people who say that it is not, is the first, and most important step in the propaganda wars. And that is what is going on here. People are using all kind of arguments to try and prove that Windows is stable. And for the record, I don't see the bsod that often anymore. But I do experience that after running XP for a week or so, it gets very slow, and almost unusable. I *do* need to reboot it, to keep using it. But I can't send a crash dump, because I don't get one. If someone could do an analysis of what happens, and why, I'd be most happy. I've tried registry tools to optimize that, I've tried disk defragmenting, tried monitoring processes, memory usage, and what not. There are a (very) large number of processes active after a while that I don't know exactly what they do, but they sure look legitimate, and I've tried running any number of antivirus programs and scanners without finding anything. And I've also been in contact with Microsoft support in the past, who have recommended reinstalling the system to get it back in shape. The only good argument for surpression of this thread that I've seen is that it really is off topic. But on the other hand, I do consider it an important general service to the civilization to actually keep repeating that Windows is a bad product, or otherwise the domination will become total, and it's bad enough as it is. If people don't speak up against it, Windows will win by default. So, you Windows advocates drop it (after all, you started it), this thread will die the death it deserves. You'll survive even if you loose this battle, since you appear to be winning the war anyway. Johnny -- Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus || on a psychedelic trip email: bqt at softjar.se || Reading murder books pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol

15 years, 1 month

Washing machine drives

by bpettitx＠comcast.net

You wrote: CDC installations were not power sequenced? Or just Teks? All CDC drives were power sequenced. The DC would come up first but the AC for the spindle motors was sequenced via a special cable and later inside the logic cable and finally via the controller. But educating many of the field and installation folks was difficult. It took time to sequence up properly and there is always someone who wants to do it faster. By the way, Jay still hasn't approved my new ISP so I'm still not on the list. Billy

15 years, 1 month

Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing

by dm561＠torfree.net

-------------Original Message Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 12:04:30 -0400 From: Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> Subject: Re: Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing On May 25, 2009, at 2:42 AM, M H Stein wrote: > Considering that many thousands if not millions of folks are happily > using Windows and Microsoft apps 24/7 without any real problems, That's just the thing, though: They don't. Some 88% of all spam today comes from Windows machines being remotely controlled without the knowledge of their owners. I fight it every day (I run a few large mail servers for people) and see the OS fingerprints. Further, I've reloaded several Windows machines for people since my social contacts around home have begun to branch out to include nontechnical folk. At least a dozen machines over the past year. The half-dozen Linux people and the two guys with Suns don't have any problems at all. So, I say with respect, please know what you're talking about before making big sweeping statements like that. -Dave > -----------Reply: Really? You can't imagine that even as few as 1 in 1000 or so of the estimated billion-plus computers out there (including probably quite a few million not even connected to the Internet) could just quietly and reliably be using Windows and MS apps day after day to process documents, update spreadsheets, manage doctors' and dentists' appointments, issue invoices, print reports, exchange emails, etc., etc. etc. without ever seeing a BSOD, rebooting or reinstalling Windows? FWIW in my circle of friends and clients who look to me for advice and support it's actually more like 8 out of ten, and 1.5 out of the remaining two are user-caused; if any of my corporate clients' Windows servers and desktops were as unreliable as some folks suggest, then heads would roll pretty quickly. Sure, computers and software are not without problems, and Microsoft's no doubt more than any other; spambots etc. are a PITA reality and in keeping with today's mores of course it's Microsoft's fault for not making a foolproof lock, and not the burglar's or the homeowner who didn't bother to lock the door. Let's just say we see the world through different perspectives shaped by different experiences... m

15 years, 1 month

Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing

by christian_liendo＠yahoo.com

Personally, I see this as having nothing to do with vintage computing. So why is is here? Dont like the OS, dont use it. Keep your rants off here. > Is this "bashing" Microsoft?? Personally, I see it as > reporting. > > > Warren > > >

15 years, 1 month

Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing

by dm561＠torfree.net

-------------Original Message: Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 00:38:35 -1000 From: Warren Wolfe <lists at databasics.us> Subject: Re: Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing <serious snippage> ... but I still don't get the reason for turning it personal. Not that I'm very concerned -- I have a thick skin. But I am curious about WHY things turn personal. Since I was not even addressing you, and then you personally attack me, it's clear that THIS is the starting point for personalizing an impersonal discussion. So... why? Warren -----------------Reply: Sorry you took it personally and chose to reply the way you did, but hey, my skin's also thick enough to withstand your sarcasm... All I was saying is that I and perhaps even some others are not impressed by statements like, "I've been in this business 25 years!" and "I could have done a better job than Microsoft!" and perhaps that sort of breast-beating doesn't help the credibility of your arguments. And yeah, when I take my car to the dealership complaining about the flickering lights and he says, "that's a problem with that model; it's crap. Just pound on the dash every now and then," I'm inclined to go to another dealer, especially since I have two friends with the same model who don't have that problem. If you actually took the time to find out why your systems are having problems and posted that on a relevant forum that would be useful; as others said before me, just the tired old "Microsoft software is crap and/or oughta be better" really just wastes bandwidth (like this post of mine) and got old long ago. Keep on rebooting and bashing as much as you like, with my blessings! If you've got some more sarcasm to get rid of, see me off-list. m

15 years, 1 month

Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing

by dm561＠torfree.net

-----------------Original Message: Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 14:59:56 -1000 From: Warren Wolfe <lists at databasics.us> Subject: Re: Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing Josh Dersch wrote: <snip> .... if you have to reboot your XP machine 2x a day then I'd suggest checking the hardware for faults. Oh, dear. First, thanks for your attempt to assist. Well, at the risk of compounding any potential trouble I might be in.... I DID test the hardware... By running ... shall we say .... "other software" for many months without problem. Also, I would point out that the same behavior has been observed on other machines. And, finally, let me point out that I have adopted a "twice a day" boot plan as prophylaxis for O/S problems, not because I am HAVING problems twice a day. Stepping gingerly, Warren ----------------------------Reply: Considering that many thousands if not millions of folks are happily using Windows and Microsoft apps 24/7 without any real problems, I think the fact that you and your clients are having such a different experience probably says more about you than Microsoft. Maybe you should try to find out what the problem actually is with your particular installations and fix it, instead of just complaining about Microsoft and rebooting twice a day; I don't think I or any of my clients would put up with that for very long. Writing an email program in BASIC 27 years ago hardly makes you an expert in properly configuring a system today, any more than my wiring IBM plugboards 45 years ago, and I don't think many folks here will be inpressed by your "25 years PC experience" either. BTW, if you've been around that long then you should know that dBase's history is not at all your "every version better than the previous one" example of what MS products should be; I'd say that dBase 4.0 was even worse than Vista, relatively speaking... You're "confused" because you KNOW that you could have done a better job than Microsoft? Heh, I'm just amused... that's where you *really* lose credibility... m

15 years, 1 month

DEC VT05 with OS/8 -- basic system rebuild?

by bqt＠softjar.se

ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) wrote: >> In general, when talking about DEC equipment, the answer to that >> question is *always* no, for the simple fact that DEC didn't do hardware >> flow control. Hardware flow control is actually against the RS-232 spec, >> and DEC didn't abuse standards (unlike most other companies). > > This reminds me of a comment I made about the HP82164 (HPIL to RS232 > interface). That thing follows the RS232 standard to the letter (for > example, it correctly handles the cotnrol lines in half duplex mode). > It's just a pity that nobody else does :-). Getting it to work with some > RS232 devices is 'interesting'.. Yeah. HP was actually the other company that actually seemed to read the standard. I don't know of anyone else than DEC and HP that even tried to actually follow the specs. One could only wish companies had. Everything would have been soo much easier in that case. Now almost everyone is confused when it comes to serial communication, and it's not because it actually is difficult, but people have just become so confused because they think it works one way just because the equipment they have do it that way, and when coming to any other equipment, nothing works the same way they are used to. >> (And to make it clear: hardware flow control is definitely not possible >> towards a PDP8) > > 'Nothing is impossible except skiing through a revolving door' :-) > > More seriously,. I would have thought you could make hardware > modifications ot the serial interface PCB, possibly to gate ome of the > ready signals with the flow control input. Or (in this case), detect the > CR (or is it LF that's the problem?) and then hold the ready line > deasseted either for enough time for the VT05 to complete its operation > or until it gets some ecternal acknowledge signal. > > No, I am not suggesting this is a sensible solution to the problem,but it > is _possible_ You are right of course. If you modify the hardware, you can always solve the problem. But it is probably a bit more complex than your suggestion above. But yes, any can be done. Johnny -- Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus || on a psychedelic trip email: bqt at softjar.se || Reading murder books pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol

15 years, 1 month

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test-drb May 2009