In the last month I have recieved quite a bit of QL related news. Most of it is important to the QL programmer.
QL International
Bob Dyl of Rhode Island has started a new QL newsletter call QL International. It is designed to be a news source of QL related news gathered from around the world. Bob is in current contact with a number of QL users around the world. It look good and contains some good information. I hope that there will be enough new information about QL’s for Bob to publish issues. It costs $10 for a US subscription or $20 for a international subscription.
QL-Keyboard-90 Interface
Through one of the QHJ’s readers, I have recieved a QL-Keyboard-90 Inteface that allows the QL to use any IBM-type keyboard. The interface plugs into the same socket as the 8049 chip and has the plug end coming out of the QL. Once you have the dip switches set for your keyboard, the interface works great. If you plan to use your QL for years to come, you really need to get one of these. They cost 169 DM (Deutch Marks) and are available from Computer Technik.
C68 for the QL
I have heard that there is a version of the public domain C compiler called C68 available for the QL. Dick Taylor of Rhode Island has sent me a copy of the compiler. It is a ported version of the popular C68 compiler. It includes a compiler, preprocessor, assembler, linker, and SROFF file manager. It even has a Make capability. I have just printed out the documentation and am just getting an idea of what it all entails. At first glance, it is quite a system. It comes on a total of seven disks. Bod Dyl of the Seacoast has printed out all of the docs including a C tutorial and plans to make printed copies available for the cost of printing. I am looking into using a document composer at work to make the documents look as good as possible. I am printing up just the main docs and making them available. They will be in the same format as the QHJ (half size paper). If you would like a copy of the C compiler, and the documentation, send $5 to cover costs of the disks, printing, and postage.
QL Minix
Also through Dick Taylor, I am getting a hold of the “diff” source code for QL Minix. “Diff” source code is source code needed to make any version of Minix run on the QL. Basically these are the changes to the original source code. You MUST have the full source code for Minix to use these “diff” files. Legally, no one can distrubute the full source code to QL Minix, since Minix is copywrited by Prentice-Hall. This is also available through me.
QL Advancement Working Group
There is a new QL group who’s main idea in life is to create a “SuperQL.” They are working on making updating the QL and making it available to QL users. So far it looks like they are in the idea stage. For more info contact them at: QLAW, 4 Wasdale Ave, Blackburn, England, BB1 1XD.
QL Surviver’s Source Book
Also from Bob Dyl is the “QL Surviver’s Source Book.” It is a collection of QL suppliers, publications, and user groups.
MicroEmacs 3.9
I have heard that there someone has ported MicroEmacs 3.9 to the QL. I do not know what extra features it may have, but I am trying to get a copy. I’ll have more info when I get it. I do have and use MicroEmacs 3.8b. I also have postscript versions of the manual. The manual looks great and sure beats a dot matrix version. If you do not have access to a postscript printer, I can provide hard copy.
QL Journalist
From the Mile High T/S user group (Denver) comes a news item about an English journalist that is researching the state of the Sinclair computing in the US. He is interested in hearing about stories and anecdotes. Take a minute and send him a note and let him know that Sinclairs are still alive in the US.