Newsgroups: comp.binaries.cbm Subject: comp.binaries.cbm FAQ v0.2 From: mmiller3@gac.edu (Michael J. Miller) Date: 2 Nov 1994 17:09:19 GMT Reply-To: cbm-request@gac.edu Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College Lines: 180 Comp.binaries.cbm Frequently Asked Questions Written by Mike Miller, moderator, comp.binaries.cbm The information in this FAQ was taken from many sources, including Chris McBride's previous FAQ, the comp.sys.cbm FAQ, and assorted postings to the three *.cbm groups. Any and all questions, advice, etc. can be sent to cbm-request@gac.edu. Submissions for the group can be sent to cbm@gac.edu. This version fixes a name error and a couple other errors I had in the previous FAQ, and adds information about nucode. 1. What's the purpose of comp.binaries.cbm? Comp.binaries.cbm is the Usenet newsgroup for the legal distribution of binary files for the 8 bit Commodore machines. This includes Pets, VIC-20s, Plus 4s, C16s, C64s, C128s, and C65s. If you're looking for other Commodore-produced machines, check the comp.binaries.amiga group for the Amiga line, and comp.binaries.ibm.pc.* for the Colt line. 2. What are all these other programs posted with the FAQ? Along with the FAQ, every month (usually the 2nd weekend of the month) the following files are posted in text or uuencoded form: The FAQ This file BASIC uudecode Craig Bruce's modifications to Randall Williams' BASIC program for changing the rest of the files to a Commie-usable form. ACE 128/64 version 8 A Unix-like environment for the 64/128 that includes full uuencoding/uudecoding software, documentation, and other utilities for using your computer. UUXfer A uuencoding/uudecoding program that doesn't require ACE for use. BCode and UnBCode Two Unix programs for creating and dissolving NUCoded archives. SEQ to BASIC A program to convert SEQ text files to BASIC program listings. To convert a BASIC listing to a SEQ file, do these commands: (assuming the program is in memory and DV is the drive's DeVice number.) OPEN 8,DV,8,"filename,S,W" CMD 8 LIST PRINT#8:CLOSE8 3. So how do I use these things? Well, (if you are using your home system for everything) you should capture or download the BASIC uudecoder, and either type it in or list it off the disk and press return on each line. Then capture another uuencoded program and use the BASIC uudecoder to uudecode it. (For example, you may choose to first get UUXFer or ACE for the better uuencode/uudecode programs therein. (If this sounds confusing, it is. Remember, all suggestions on changes to the FAQ can be sent to cbm-request@gac.edu ;-) If you can use a UNIX account to transfer files from, you can either use uuencode/uudecode or BCode's NUCode option. NUCode is backward compatible with uuencode, but includes better support for multiple file sections and CRC checking. Most UNIX systems support programs such as Kermit, sx, sb, and sz, which send files with Kermit, X-Modem, Y-Modem, and Z-Modem protocols, respectively. 4. What are all these file extensions? Compressed files, documentation and notes files, many different program document files, and others have file extensions. The comp.sys.cbm FAQ has an extended listing of extensions; here is a summary of what you might see on comp.binaries.cbm: .txt, .doc Text files. Usually documentation, but can be descriptions of hardware modifications or other such text. .sda, .sfx Self DeArcing/SelF eXtracting LHArchive files. These are compressed file(s) with a program attached to dissolve them. Usually LOAD and RUN to dissolve; some .sda files are 64 or 128 specific. .arc, .lzh, .lha, Assorted file archive types. You need a program .lbr, .lnx, .zip that handles that specific file type to dissolve. .uu, .uue, .uua UUEncoded files. x!, x!! ZipCode Archived 1541 disks. Use ZipCode to recreate the source disk. .cvt GEOS Converted file. 5. By the way, what are all these [comments-MJM]? I assume you added them? Yes, if I feel it's necessary to add a comment (perhaps answering a question posed in the text of a post, correcting or adding information to a description, or adding my personal comments from testing the software [not unless necessary-MJM], they will appear in brackets and have my initials added to the end. 6. OK, I can get files now. How do I submit a file for posting? Unless you're submitting a short BASIC program (which can be posted by changing it into a text file, then inserting it into a post/mail), the best way to submit a file or files is to: 1. Create an archive file containing the file(s) to post and the documentation for them. 2. UUencode the file. 3. Check your uuencoded file for length--please break all long files before the 1000 line point. (breaking at around 950 lines works well) 4. Mail the file(s) to cbm@gac.edu or (if your software allows) post to comp.binaries.cbm. Note that mail is guaranteed to get here while posting may not, depending on your software. ** When mailing/posting, please use a Subject: line with this style ** Subject: progname (part xx/xx) Machine.info filetype description Where progname The name of the program (not necessarily the filename. (part xx/xx) The uuencode file section part (and feel free to include a long description of your file in a (part 00/xx) post. If there is no included documentation, or you must have some peripheral (REU, 1581, 1571, etc.) PLEASE do a (00/XX) or tack the info on before the uuencoded part of (01/XX). Thank you for your cooperation. Machine.info The machine it runs on and the video standard (if it matters) C64, C128, Vic-20, Pet, Plus 4, C16, C65 NTSC, PAL (or the first letter) filetype What kind of program this is-- game, (disk/file) utility, demo, prod(uctivity), text, SID, digi(tized music/sfx), pict(ure), or something similar if it doesn't fit these. Also, tack in GEOS, ACE, or similar OS notes here. GEOS Note: please use either GeoPack or a PRG file Convert 2.5 format if possible. It'll make my life easier! description If you've got any room left on the line, fit in a short (5 words or less) description of what this is. 5. You should get a receipt notice when I check the mailbox (I'll be checking every day) I'll post the file after it's been checked and tested. I plan on doing this at least every weekend and (if school allows) whenever I get a post. **Note: Please don't try to post non-distributable copyrighted software. This newsgroup is only for legal software distribution. 6. What's with this testing? Don't you trust me? Well, I trust most of the people out there, but I want to make sure that the uuencoding process worked, the program does what the docs and your information says it does, and make sure it doesn't do things other than what it is supposed to (like sending "n0:ha ha" to all drives.) Plus I have to make sure you didn't post non-distributable copyrighted software. 7. What if I missed a cool demo the other week? If you have FTP access, I would recommend trucking on over to ccnga.uwaterloo.ca or ftp.funet.fi and looking for it there. Otherwise, I'm going to add every posted file to my personal program archive, so go ahead and request a repost/mailing at cbm-request@gac.edu. I can't guarantee either, but generally I'll be able to mail or repost it. 8. What's this about Mike's Archive? I'm currently in the process of sorting all my programs and organizing them into categories. As files are posted to comp.binaries.cbm, I'll add them to my collection. I plan on posting an archived disk (1571 format, but it will be broken up for 1541 use) every week. I must admit, however, that some of what I have is real crud. I'm going to sort the disk pile when I get done and put the better stuff together. Watch for the Mike's Archive postings! 9. So, where else can I get files on the Internet? Commodore FTP sites can be found numerous places on the Internet, and a list is posted in comp.sys.cbm frequently. Here are two sites to get you started: ftp.funet.fi Both have files in the /pub/cbm/* hierarchy ccnga.uwaterloo.ca 10. Great. What if I have another question for you? You can send all questions/comments/flame mail/etc. to cbm-request@gac.edu. I would appreciate comments on this FAQ (I know the style is looser than other FAQs out there, but I'm getting everything together, and want to get this group going again ASAP. Michael Miller Moderator, comp.binaries.cbm - cbm-request@gac.edu -