In this issue I want to take a look at a couple of Unix languages that have recently been ported to the QL. In the ql-users mailing list, I’ve seen some comments that basically say “Why use these other languages on the QL? All development should be done in SuperBasic or C68 and use the Pointer Environment.” As much as I agree with this, I don’t see Perl or AWK being used to do serious development on the QL. I see them being used to accomplish short personal tasks. There are some tasks that can be done much easier with AWK or Perl than in SuperBasic or C68. Of course, there is the ability to use Perl/AWK programs from other environments on the QL and the ability to learn Perl/AWK even if you don’t have access to a Unix system. I’ve done some Perl stuff at work because it is the best Unix language to hack in, and now that I have Perl on the QL, I can run the same programs at home.
West Coast Sinclair Show
Since the last US QL Show in Bedford, PA, there has been some talk about having two shows in 1999, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast. The vendors support the idea, having one show right after another so they can hit both in one trip. I think they are just tired of the East Coast and want to visit sunny California.
So, Don Walterman (who has recently moved out West) and I are organizing the West Coast Sinclair Show. This show will encompass all Sinclair computers with most of the vendors covering the QL and Z88, but we hope to have something of interest to all Sinclair users. At the moment the show is only in the planning stages. We are worried about getting enough people to attend to make it work having a show. We would like to get about 20-30 people to show.
Here is what is being planned. The show will be in Union City, CA, on the east side of the San Francisco Bay, about half way between Oakland and San Jose. The show will be held in the Mehran Banquet Hall, a store front used by a Pakistani restaurant next door. The Banquet Hall is within walking distance of the Union City BART station (local commuter rail) and only about 2 miles off I-880. The show will be held on 5 June. For those coming from out of the Bay Area, the South Hayward Motel 6 is the motel of choice. It has a Denny’s and McDonalds on the premises and has a Taco Bell within walking distance. The motel has bus access to the Union City BART station (and then to the show site). The night before the show, I plan to have a Bar-B-Q at my house (about 1.25 miles from the motel). I’ll supply the hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and soda (Jochem, there will be 2 kinds of Root Beer).
For any Europeans coming to the show, I’m offering a limited tourist service. Let me know what you would like to see in the Bay Area, how you plan to get around, and I will look into maps, travel directions, and any transit costs. If you only know of a general category, say natural history or aviation, I can provide a list of places of interest. Since there will be a week between the two shows, this will allow plenty of time for sightseeing in the Bay Area.
If you are interested in coming to the show, please let me know. I am especially interested in hearing from those on the West Coast. I would hate to see most of the attendees be from Europe.