• Microsparc Inc.'s Macrosoft

    From Michael Pender@mpender@hotmail.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 04:50:55
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Can anyone point me to where I can find the manual for Microsparc Inc.'s Macrosoft?

    It was a version of BASIC that could be assembled (yes, I mean assembled,
    not compiled, not interpreted, etc.) using Microsparc Inc.'s assembler.

    I lost my manual and don't know where I can find another copy. :( I've
    tried several Apple II archive sites (e.g. Asimov) without success, so I'm asking for help.

    Thanks,

    Michael Pender
    michael.pender@nanochron.com


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  • From Michael Pender@mpender@hotmail.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Thursday, July 03, 2003 07:31:22
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    I might have been wrong; I'm not sure MacroSoft was a MicroSparc product.
    It might be a MindCraft product.

    Can anyone help me find the manual for the BASIC macros?

    Thanks again,

    Mike


    Michael Pender <mpender@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:PwtMa.9351$JY1.1060@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
    Can anyone point me to where I can find the manual for Microsparc Inc.'s Macrosoft?

    It was a version of BASIC that could be assembled (yes, I mean assembled,
    not compiled, not interpreted, etc.) using Microsparc Inc.'s assembler.

    I lost my manual and don't know where I can find another copy. :( I've
    tried several Apple II archive sites (e.g. Asimov) without success, so I'm asking for help.

    Thanks,

    Michael Pender
    michael.pender@nanochron.com




    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From salfter@salfter@salfter.dyndns.org (Scott Alfter) to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Thursday, July 03, 2003 19:28:23
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

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    In article <eZQMa.10627$n%5.2647@nwrddc02.gnilink.net>,
    Michael Pender <mpender@hotmail.com> wrote:
    I might have been wrong; I'm not sure MacroSoft was a MicroSparc product.
    It might be a MindCraft product.

    MicroSPARC == MindCraft. They sold their name to Sun in the late '80s or
    early '90s.

    I use their assembler, but never picked up Macrosoft.

    _/_ Scott Alfter
    / v \ salfter@salfter.dyndns.org
    (IIGS( http://alfter.us Top-posting!
    \_^_/ pkill -9 /bin/laden >What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

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    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Michael Pender@mpender@hotmail.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Thursday, July 03, 2003 23:57:45
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Scott Alfter <salfter@salfter.dyndns.org> wrote in message news:rt%Ma.968$7e.216@fed1read07...
    In article <eZQMa.10627$n%5.2647@nwrddc02.gnilink.net>,
    Michael Pender <mpender@hotmail.com> wrote:
    I might have been wrong; I'm not sure MacroSoft was a MicroSparc product. >It might be a MindCraft product.

    MicroSPARC == MindCraft. They sold their name to Sun in the late '80s or early '90s.

    I use their assembler, but never picked up Macrosoft.

    I eventually found the MacroSoft disk on the Asimov archive, but I'm still looking for the documentation. The assembler used a funky syntax for coding macros and I'm trying to remember how it worked (20 years is a long time ;)

    Thanks for the reply,

    - Mike


    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Michael Pender@mpender@hotmail.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Saturday, July 05, 2003 03:44:37
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Roger Johnstone <rojaws@es.co.nz> wrote in message news:20030705152412860+1200@news.inv.ihug.co.nz...
    In <Zp3Na.12044$C43.6958@nwrddc04.gnilink.net> Michael Pender wrote:

    I eventually found the MacroSoft disk on the Asimov archive, but I'm
    still looking for the documentation. The assembler used a funky
    syntax for coding macros and I'm trying to remember how it worked (20
    years is a long time ;)

    Thanks for the reply,

    - Mike

    I've scanned and uploaded to my website the four most useful pages. I
    don't have an OCR program so I've left them as PNG files. For the first
    time ever I wish I had an old sheet-fed scanner, since the manual isn't bound!

    http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/page ix.png http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/page D1.png http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/page D2.png http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/page D3.png

    As an alternative to purchasing a sheet fed scanner, business service
    companies like Kinkos usually offer scanning & OCR services at reasonable prices.

    It might cost less to have the document scanned than it would to
    photocopy it.

    Regards,

    - Mike



    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Michael Pender@mpender@hotmail.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Saturday, July 05, 2003 04:01:32
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Roger Johnstone <rojaws@es.co.nz> wrote in message news:20030705152412860+1200@news.inv.ihug.co.nz...
    In <Zp3Na.12044$C43.6958@nwrddc04.gnilink.net> Michael Pender wrote:

    I eventually found the MacroSoft disk on the Asimov archive, but I'm
    still looking for the documentation. The assembler used a funky
    syntax for coding macros and I'm trying to remember how it worked (20
    years is a long time ;)

    Thanks for the reply,

    - Mike

    I've scanned and uploaded to my website the four most useful pages. I
    don't have an OCR program so I've left them as PNG files. For the first
    time ever I wish I had an old sheet-fed scanner, since the manual isn't bound!

    http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/page ix.png http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/page D1.png http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/page D2.png http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/page D3.png

    For some reason IE6.0 burped when I tried to view/print the png graphics, so
    I converted the set of 4 pages into an Adobe PDF and uploaded it to Asimov under the name 'Macrosoft reference.pdf'

    It is in the 'incoming' area now
    (ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/incoming) and will presumably be
    relocated by the operator.

    Regards,

    - Mike


    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Bill Garber@willy46pa@comcast.net to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Saturday, July 05, 2003 00:42:46
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2


    For some reason IE6.0 burped when I tried to view/print the png graphics,
    so
    I converted the set of 4 pages into an Adobe PDF and uploaded it to Asimov under the name 'Macrosoft reference.pdf'

    It is in the 'incoming' area now
    (ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/incoming) and will presumably be
    relocated by the operator.

    Must have already moved it, I tried to check it out and it said
    it wasn't available from that location. Where would they have
    moved it to?

    Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprises };-)
    Web Site - http://garberstreet.netfirms.com
    Email - willy46pa@comcast.net



    ---
    This email ain't infected, dude!

    Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
    Version: 6.0.495 / Virus Database: 294 - Release Date: 6/30/03


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  • From Michael Pender@mpender@hotmail.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Saturday, July 05, 2003 05:55:50
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Bill Garber <willy46pa@comcast.net> wrote in message news:M8idnfN1DK4py5uiXTWJjw@comcast.com...

    For some reason IE6.0 burped when I tried to view/print the png
    graphics,
    so
    I converted the set of 4 pages into an Adobe PDF and uploaded it to
    Asimov
    under the name 'Macrosoft reference.pdf'

    It is in the 'incoming' area now (ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/incoming) and will presumably be relocated by the operator.

    Must have already moved it, I tried to check it out and it said
    it wasn't available from that location. Where would they have
    moved it to?

    I still see it in the 'incoming' folder. Would you like me to e-mail you a copy?

    - Mike


    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Bill Garber@willy46pa@comcast.net to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Saturday, July 05, 2003 02:37:49
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2


    It is in the 'incoming' area now (ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/incoming) and will presumably be relocated by the operator.

    Must have already moved it, I tried to check it out and it said
    it wasn't available from that location. Where would they have
    moved it to?

    I still see it in the 'incoming' folder. Would you like me to e-mail you
    a
    copy?

    - Mike

    Well, since you already did, I guess I have to say yes. ;-)
    I actually was only ssing if it was ok. I wasn't able to get
    the file, so I thought I'd let you know that.

    Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprises };-)
    Web Site - http://garberstreet.netfirms.com
    Email - willy46pa@comcast.net



    ---
    This email ain't infected, dude!

    Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
    Version: 6.0.495 / Virus Database: 294 - Release Date: 6/30/03


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  • From =?ISO-8859-15?Q?Michael_J=2E_Sch=FClke?=@news0307@mjschuelke.de to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Saturday, July 05, 2003 10:30:23
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Michael Pender wrote:
    Bill Garber <willy46pa@comcast.net> wrote in message

    Must have already moved it, I tried to check it out and it said
    it wasn't available from that location. Where would they have
    moved it to?

    I still see it in the 'incoming' folder. Would you like me to e-mail you a copy?

    The problem is a space in the file name. Some FTP clients like that,
    some don't.

    Regards,
    Michael
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Bill Garber@willy46pa@comcast.net to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Saturday, July 05, 2003 04:36:40
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Must have already moved it, I tried to check it out and it said
    it wasn't available from that location. Where would they have
    moved it to?

    I still see it in the 'incoming' folder. Would you like me to e-mail
    you a
    copy?

    The problem is a space in the file name. Some FTP clients like that,
    some don't.

    Thank you Michael, something I should have known, but
    something that dawns on me eventually. ;-)

    Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprises };-)
    Web Site - http://garberstreet.netfirms.com
    Email - willy46pa@comcast.net



    ---
    This email ain't infected, dude!

    Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
    Version: 6.0.495 / Virus Database: 294 - Release Date: 6/30/03


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  • From webmaster@webmaster@callapple.org (A.P.P.L.E. Webmaster) to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Saturday, July 05, 2003 15:53:03
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    "Michael Pender" <mpender@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<eZQMa.10627$n%5.2647@nwrddc02.gnilink.net>...
    I might have been wrong; I'm not sure MacroSoft was a MicroSparc product.
    It might be a MindCraft product.

    Can anyone help me find the manual for the BASIC macros?

    Actually, the copyright is still owned by the publisher
    (www.microsparc.com). The name microsparc was never sold to anyone.
    As to the manual for Macrosoft, it appears that Roger may have one of
    the few surviving copies of the manual. The copy of the manual owned
    by the publisher disappeared some years ago.
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Roger Johnstone@rojaws@es.co.nz to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Sunday, July 06, 2003 07:24:32
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    In <iCadnV2mJuZg_JqiU-KYvw@comcast.com> Bill Garber wrote:

    Actually, the copyright is still owned by the publisher
    (www.microsparc.com). The name microsparc was never sold to anyone.
    As to the manual for Macrosoft, it appears that Roger may have one of
    the few surviving copies of the manual. The copy of the manual owned
    by the publisher disappeared some years ago.

    Very interesting, and I hope Roger is the sharing type. ;-)

    Yes he is. I'm scanning right now!

    --
    Roger Johnstone, Invercargill, New Zealand

    Apple II - FutureCop:LAPD - iMac Game Wizard http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/ ________________________________________________________________________

    "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with
    the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that
    won't last out the year."

    The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Michael Pender@mpender@hotmail.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Sunday, July 06, 2003 07:57:35
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    A.P.P.L.E. Webmaster <webmaster@callapple.org> wrote in message news:cd9ac5a8.0307051508.4f21cf3c@posting.google.com...

    Actually, the webmaster of the FTP site has set the incoming folder to
    upload only due to abuse. Thus it doesnt matter whether the file is
    there or not. No one can D/L it.

    Should I have sent it elsewhere? I thought placing the file in the
    'incoming' area was the most polite approach.

    - Mike


    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Sheldon Simms@sheldonsimms@yahoo.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Sunday, July 06, 2003 14:36:45
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    On Sun, 06 Jul 2003 07:57:35 +0000, Michael Pender wrote:

    A.P.P.L.E. Webmaster <webmaster@callapple.org> wrote in message news:cd9ac5a8.0307051508.4f21cf3c@posting.google.com...

    Actually, the webmaster of the FTP site has set the incoming folder to
    upload only due to abuse. Thus it doesnt matter whether the file is
    there or not. No one can D/L it.

    Should I have sent it elsewhere? I thought placing the file in the 'incoming' area was the most polite approach.

    I believe it's the only approach. The question is just how long it
    takes for it to be moved somewhere else.

    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Don Bruder@dakidd@sonic.net to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.marketplace,comp.sys.apple2.programmer,comp.sys.apple2.usergroups on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 07:11:44
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    In article <pan.2003.07.06.18.36.44.626893@yahoo.com>,
    "Sheldon Simms" <sheldonsimms@yahoo.com> wrote:

    On Sun, 06 Jul 2003 07:57:35 +0000, Michael Pender wrote:

    A.P.P.L.E. Webmaster <webmaster@callapple.org> wrote in message news:cd9ac5a8.0307051508.4f21cf3c@posting.google.com...

    Actually, the webmaster of the FTP site has set the incoming folder to
    upload only due to abuse. Thus it doesnt matter whether the file is
    there or not. No one can D/L it.

    Should I have sent it elsewhere? I thought placing the file in the 'incoming' area was the most polite approach.

    I believe it's the only approach. The question is just how long it
    takes for it to be moved somewhere else.


    Maybe I missed this, coming in late and all, but...

    How big is it? I may have a place to park it, at least temporarily.

    --
    Don Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net <--- Preferred Email - unmunged, SpamAssassinated
    Hate SPAM? See <http://www.spamassassin.org> for some seriously great info.
    I will choose a path that's clear: I will choose Free Will! - N. Peart
    Fly trap info pages: <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/Horses/FlyTrap/index.html> --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Roger Johnstone@rojaws@es.co.nz to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.programmer on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 08:26:45
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    In <a6QNa.29077$JY1.19931@nwrddc01.gnilink.net> Michael Pender wrote:

    I assume some of the commands are matched pairs, e.g.:
    if...ifand...ifor...else

    if and else go together:
    if x=0,let y=1
    else let y=2

    ifand is equivalent of if...and...then:
    ifand x=0,y=0, goto bothzero (nb:space between comma and statement!)

    ifor is equivalent of if...or...then:
    ifor x=0,y=0, goto eitherzero

    for...next
    repeat...until
    while...whilen

    The purpose of most of the commands is clear from context, but there
    are a few I don't remember, including:

    bck, begin, button, cleanup, get, getvar, in, key, mpl, mul, numfiles, putvar, rot, set, sin, uen, and use.

    Can anyone tell me what these do?

    Thanks,

    - Mike

    USE=use (load) a macro library, UEN=use end, tells assembler there are
    no more macro libraries to load.

    Make sure to have a browse through the sample programs on the MacroSoft
    disk, all of the commands are used in at least one of the programs. Some
    of them like USE and UEN are used in _every_ program.

    Meanwhile I'm scanning in the complete manual for the guys at Call-A.P.P.
    L.E. to make available. What is a real shame is that the original manual
    was produced on a computer in the first place, using Microsoft Word,
    MacPaint and MacDraw. Everyone out there who's reading this: make
    backups of your disks now!

    --
    Roger Johnstone, Invercargill, New Zealand

    Apple II - FutureCop:LAPD - iMac Game Wizard http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/ ________________________________________________________________________

    "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with
    the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that
    won't last out the year."

    The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Shawn B.@leabre@html.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.programmer on Friday, July 25, 2003 05:40:44
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Is this still available?


    Thanks,
    Shawn

    "Roger Johnstone" <rojaws@es.co.nz> wrote in message news:20030708202638138+1200@news.inv.ihug.co.nz...
    In <a6QNa.29077$JY1.19931@nwrddc01.gnilink.net> Michael Pender wrote:

    I assume some of the commands are matched pairs, e.g.:
    if...ifand...ifor...else

    if and else go together:
    if x=0,let y=1
    else let y=2

    ifand is equivalent of if...and...then:
    ifand x=0,y=0, goto bothzero (nb:space between comma and statement!)

    ifor is equivalent of if...or...then:
    ifor x=0,y=0, goto eitherzero

    for...next
    repeat...until
    while...whilen

    The purpose of most of the commands is clear from context, but there
    are a few I don't remember, including:

    bck, begin, button, cleanup, get, getvar, in, key, mpl, mul, numfiles, putvar, rot, set, sin, uen, and use.

    Can anyone tell me what these do?

    Thanks,

    - Mike

    USE=use (load) a macro library, UEN=use end, tells assembler there are
    no more macro libraries to load.

    Make sure to have a browse through the sample programs on the MacroSoft
    disk, all of the commands are used in at least one of the programs. Some
    of them like USE and UEN are used in _every_ program.

    Meanwhile I'm scanning in the complete manual for the guys at Call-A.P.P. L.E. to make available. What is a real shame is that the original manual
    was produced on a computer in the first place, using Microsoft Word,
    MacPaint and MacDraw. Everyone out there who's reading this: make
    backups of your disks now!

    --
    Roger Johnstone, Invercargill, New Zealand

    Apple II - FutureCop:LAPD - iMac Game Wizard http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rojaws/ ________________________________________________________________________

    "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with
    the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year."

    The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957


    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From M. Pender@mpender@hotmail.com to comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.apple2.programmer on Friday, July 25, 2003 06:02:47
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Shawn B. <leabre@html.com> wrote in message news:wp3Ua.83$%a4.21006565@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com...
    Is this still available?


    Thanks,
    Shawn

    Macrosoft is still on the Asimov site, but AFAIK the full documentation
    hasn't been posted to the web yet.

    The Adobe PDF I made of the quick reference sheets that Roger scanned should
    be available by now, since I uploaded those a while ago. If not, send me an e-mail and I'll forward the PDF of the quick reference sheets to you.

    - Mike


    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113