Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm told I was wrong - DRVlink and DRVchk were never supplied as SBASIC progs, they were always executables like the current ones. Hmmm - not wishing to disagree at all, but I think I might ! I'm almost 100% certain I once had a disc with these two programs in executable and SuperBasic source because I read the source to find out what they did and how they did it. As ever with TT's code, it's written in some foreign language and I didn't understand a word of it :o( It might have been on the QXL disc(s) or something, but I have seen the source (many years ago.) Bear in mind that my memory isn't all that great (I need a RAM upgrade to my head, probably a CPU upgrade as well) but as I said above, I'm almost 100% certain. Cheers, Norman. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
Hi John, Wen I bought a Q40 many years ago, when it first came, I also had problems with DRVLINK losing data on a Q40 style hard disk partition. So I never used it again. I was going to delete it from the support disks with he Q60, but others around me said that this is a supplied program and should be used with care. My personal feeling were it should never be used, as the source is not available. Unless it is in the SMSQ/E source, maybe Wolfgang can correct me here. Derek John Hall wrote: Dilwyn Jones wrote: Tony Tebby did at one stage provide a couple of qxl.win checking and recovery programs written in SBASIC (drvlink and drvcheck or some such names) don't know if those are still supplied and indeed if they work on current systems. DRVLNK (the one that performs various consistency checks) works fine on QXL.WIN files but should NOT be used on Q40/Q60 partitions - in a moment of madness over Xmas I checked my WIN1 and lost the lot! (Of course the _really_ stupid bit was accepting its offer to fix the cluster map...) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
Tony Tebby did at one stage provide a couple of qxl.win checking and recovery programs written in SBASIC (drvlink and drvcheck or some such names) don't know if those are still supplied and indeed if they work on current systems. The programs are on the QPC2 disk in the folders that no one looks at. In the folder DHUTIL there are two versions of DRVCHK and two of DRVLNK. Does anyone actually use them? Another thought, now that QL programs are getting bigger do we need a QL defrag routine? Best wishes, Geoff These are executables. I'm sure these were SBASIC programs back in the days of the QXL. That's the kind of thing Stuart was looking for I think to see if he could write his own. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.17 - Release Date: 25/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
Tony Tebby did at one stage provide a couple of qxl.win checking and recovery programs written in SBASIC (drvlink and drvcheck or some such names) don't know if those are still supplied and indeed if they work on current systems. DRVLNK (the one that performs various consistency checks) works fine on QXL.WIN files but should NOT be used on Q40/Q60 partitions - in a moment of madness over Xmas I checked my WIN1 and lost the lot! (Of course the _really_ stupid bit was accepting its offer to fix the cluster map...) John I'm told I was wrong - DRVlink and DRVchk were never supplied as SBASIC progs, they were always executables like the current ones. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.17 - Release Date: 25/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
RE: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
Sounds good to me. I completely forgot about Abandonware in PC terms. I think we should make all these unknown status programs available in a site for download, labelled abandonware, and on the head of the downloader be it. God, we're talking about 10-15 year old QL programs here. Hardly a market for em, and nobody is going to get rich. There is a lot of decent software in this category, and it's a shame to see it sit idle when people could be getting some use from it. Cheers, Darren. -Original Message- From: Duncan Neithercut [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 22 May 2005 20:57 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software It bugs me also. See rest of world : Computer Active computer magazine 12th to 25th May feature on how to find and play vintage PC games. They mention ww.abandonia.com a site for freeware, shareware and so called abandonware == programs no longer sold or supported by its developer. They note that abandonware is technically illegal but that the copyright holders are not harmed financially by this distribution of discontinued software. It happens in PC land where the market money amd lawyers are so much bigger and agressive. Why then are the theoretical rights of absentee copright holders in the QL world where the market is zip according to all our traders such a mega issue? No one can be harmed when sources/modifications are released where there is no market. How about this - even in a PC 100% of zero is always zero. When will the upgrade of Perfection be release in DWJ web site. Duncan Neithercut -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of gwicks Sent: 17 May 2005 22:17 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software - Original Message - From: Darren Branagh To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 3:43 PM Subject: RE: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software This is one of the many things that bugs the hell out of me. I wish there was a statute of limitations or similar on software, whereby after x years the stuff became free. I'm sure freddy would agree to releasing it as freeware, or certainly for a giveaway price. I mean, what real use is a piece of 10 year old QL Software other than retro/curiosity value? You're hardly gonna run the world with it... There is so much good usable software out there and nobody knows its user status - is it freeware, charityware, commercial, or what? And if we had some certainty on a lot of this, a lot of users may be attracted back or stay with the QL to use them, purely as tinkerers. I can pick up a copy of PC World, Computer Shopper, PC Pro or any other PC Magazine and find a pile of software (often once costing hundreds of pounds) stuck to the front cover for the 4.99 cover price, and much of this is less than 2-3 years of age. You usually find v.3 or whatever on the cover disc with an offer to get the new v.4 inside at a reduced cost - yet here we are debating the status of software that hasn't been sold at all, never mind updated, for over a decade. Why are people so reluctant to give this stuff away? There is no money in it anymore. Just ask any trader :-) END RANT/ Don't forget Freddy V. may have sold the software, but that does not mean he is the copyright holder. I have said this many times before on this list. There are doubts about the copyright position of several of the ancilliary programs that formed part of the total Perfection package. When I enquired many years ago, no one was sure of the exact copyright status of Spellchecker, for example. If my memory serves me correctly when Turbo became PD permission had to be sought not just from Freddy V., but also the various authors, Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
- Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 7:22 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete Snip Tony Tebby did at one stage provide a couple of qxl.win checking and recovery programs written in SBASIC (drvlink and drvcheck or some such names) don't know if those are still supplied and indeed if they work on current systems. The programs are on the QPC2 disk in the folders that no one looks at. In the folder DHUTIL there are two versions of DRVCHK and two of DRVLNK. Does anyone actually use them? Another thought, now that QL programs are getting bigger do we need a QL defrag routine? Best wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
Dilwyn Jones wrote: Tony Tebby did at one stage provide a couple of qxl.win checking and recovery programs written in SBASIC (drvlink and drvcheck or some such names) don't know if those are still supplied and indeed if they work on current systems. DRVLNK (the one that performs various consistency checks) works fine on QXL.WIN files but should NOT be used on Q40/Q60 partitions - in a moment of madness over Xmas I checked my WIN1 and lost the lot! (Of course the _really_ stupid bit was accepting its offer to fix the cluster map...) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
RE: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
It bugs me also. See rest of world : Computer Active computer magazine 12th to 25th May feature on how to find and play vintage PC games. They mention ww.abandonia.com a site for freeware, shareware and so called abandonware == programs no longer sold or supported by its developer. They note that abandonware is technically illegal but that the copyright holders are not harmed financially by this distribution of discontinued software. It happens in PC land where the market money amd lawyers are so much bigger and agressive. Why then are the theoretical rights of absentee copright holders in the QL world where the market is zip according to all our traders such a mega issue? No one can be harmed when sources/modifications are released where there is no market. How about this - even in a PC 100% of zero is always zero. When will the upgrade of Perfection be release in DWJ web site. Duncan Neithercut -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of gwicks Sent: 17 May 2005 22:17 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software - Original Message - From: Darren Branagh To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 3:43 PM Subject: RE: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software This is one of the many things that bugs the hell out of me. I wish there was a statute of limitations or similar on software, whereby after x years the stuff became free. I'm sure freddy would agree to releasing it as freeware, or certainly for a giveaway price. I mean, what real use is a piece of 10 year old QL Software other than retro/curiosity value? You're hardly gonna run the world with it... There is so much good usable software out there and nobody knows its user status - is it freeware, charityware, commercial, or what? And if we had some certainty on a lot of this, a lot of users may be attracted back or stay with the QL to use them, purely as tinkerers. I can pick up a copy of PC World, Computer Shopper, PC Pro or any other PC Magazine and find a pile of software (often once costing hundreds of pounds) stuck to the front cover for the 4.99 cover price, and much of this is less than 2-3 years of age. You usually find v.3 or whatever on the cover disc with an offer to get the new v.4 inside at a reduced cost - yet here we are debating the status of software that hasn't been sold at all, never mind updated, for over a decade. Why are people so reluctant to give this stuff away? There is no money in it anymore. Just ask any trader :-) END RANT/ Don't forget Freddy V. may have sold the software, but that does not mean he is the copyright holder. I have said this many times before on this list. There are doubts about the copyright position of several of the ancilliary programs that formed part of the total Perfection package. When I enquired many years ago, no one was sure of the exact copyright status of Spellchecker, for example. If my memory serves me correctly when Turbo became PD permission had to be sought not just from Freddy V., but also the various authors, Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Digital Precision Software
Duncan, Putting aside the legalities (and it may well be the legalities which are the block), I agree with you. When the rights for sale are clearly known - i.e. the vendor and/or owner/writer stand to gain from the sale of software, I can understand such rights should not only be protected and honoured, but also pursued. When, however, the software is clearly in a position where no one stands to gain anything as the author no longer knows or cares, the publisher likewise, who gains by the QL community being PC about not allowing copies? I've been quite impressed that 21 years after the launch, programs such as QD and QDT are being developed. It is programs such as these that the protectiveness and angst, in my view, are best directed. Stuart ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Stuart Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Thanks for the nice welcome message, also thanks to all who contributed with the interesting chatter. I agree about the relative value of the DP suite - it was hard to justify the cost then, and harder now, as I said I'm after them for nostalgic reasons. Sadly, the PC/Offife suite is so good these days it's hard to find a real need for a QL - hoping that won't annoy the hell out of those who cling to the machine as if it was new today. I loved my QL, but the world moved on. Indeed, the world has moved on, and so has the QL world too ... check on my site - http://www.mcad.demon.co.uk/lquan.htm ... for the start of links to all sorts of developments that have or are currently taking place. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Fw: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
Oops, try again, to the right address this time. - Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 8:56 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete A solution has presented itself [I can get a further set of the missing originals], so I no longer need to recover the files from the win_ directory. In answer to your questions, Darren, I lost both a WIN_ file which I didn't recover, and also the contents (by WDEL) of another win_ file. This was due to the need for a Windows reinstall some months later than screwing up one of the win_ files, which lost the win_ file on the Windows partition. So I had the worst of both worlds. Darren, if you are keen to see what files can be salvaged from the remaining win_ file, I would be interested. However, this is no longer an essential exercise as before, rather it would be for the good of the QL community, as an experiment to see if files can be recovered. You should know I have tried the QL utility recover_x before, without success. OK, I grabbed some time tonight and put a few file disk Archive recovery programs onto the Files page on my website in case anyone's interested in them as downloads. Most are old and may only work on older systems, or on DD disks for example. Some have sources. RecoverX - recover/extract files from QXL.WIN. Sources included. RecoverQ - recover damaged files from QL floppy FDU - Ergon's Floppy DIsk Utilities Sec-Ed - Disk sector editor written in BASIC Rettunge - rescue deleted files on QL floppy disks ResQL - recover damaged files or floppy disks Media Manager SE - Sources for Chas Dillon's disk handler once sold by DP. Strange situation, permission only extends to the sources AFAIK, but might be useful for someone wanting to write a disk reader. Written to be compiled with Turbo. Recover - Archive database recovery program They've been in the PD library for some time, but few people bother with that now :-( Done in a bit of a rush tonight, so not much tested, hope it works OK. Might help people who have found themselves in Stuart's situation, although I think he'd tried some of them without success in his case. Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
On Sat, 21 May 2005 at 19:22:48, Dilwyn Jones wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) The tediousness of keeping backups (e.g. copy QXL.WIN to a CD-RW on a PC a couple of time a month) is so much easier than trying to undelete files on a QL. Exactly. I use a 6.4GB hard disk with (maybe) 24 partitions on my Aurora/qubide based BBS system. I then increment the partition number daily on my backup program. I could be more sophisticated, and keep 1 month backups too. This has been running mainly unattended since the late nineties. Mind you I have had no file problems at all since moving to Mplane. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@surname.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Digital Precision Software/Undelete
Hi, All. A solution has presented itself [I can get a further set of the missing originals], so I no longer need to recover the files from the win_ directory. In answer to your questions, Darren, I lost both a WIN_ file which I didn't recover, and also the contents (by WDEL) of another win_ file. This was due to the need for a Windows reinstall some months later than screwing up one of the win_ files, which lost the win_ file on the Windows partition. So I had the worst of both worlds. Darren, if you are keen to see what files can be salvaged from the remaining win_ file, I would be interested. However, this is no longer an essential exercise as before, rather it would be for the good of the QL community, as an experiment to see if files can be recovered. You should know I have tried the QL utility recover_x before, without success. Finally, Dilwyn, thanks for the offer, but I don't need the advert to be run in QL today anymore. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience on your part to date. Regards all, Stuart ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
Yep. But I think Jeremys thinking is right, although I hate to say it. We need to just bite the bullet on a lot of this software, or it'll remain unused and covered in cobwebs. I think a long email or phone call to freddy is required, getting the status of every program in the bundle - just asking can each program become freeware. This should generate three possible answers in each case. 1. yes. 2. no. 3. don't know. So I suggest we work from there. I think this is vastly important. I can only talk of my own experience. I got into QL's via a box load of QL stuff I bought at a car boot sale, about 1993 or 4. There were 2 QL's - one working, one not - an expanderam, a disk drive, and about 30 QL user mags among other stuff, but very little software other than a few games and the psion stuff. I bought it all (for 35 quid IIRC) because I knew the QL was a powerful machine, having played a bit with Hilary O'Kelly's brand new one a few years earlier, and having been a ZX Spectrum user since December 1983. So, Hilary and I started a sort of club betweem us, and then Hilary bought the DP bundle - for 99 pounds I recall. I was blown away by the value and quality of the programs. And later (when I could afford it) I got a copy too. And all that led to where I am now - still a QL user. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty confident I would have lost interest in the QL without the DP collection. So, for me, I think its important to preserve the use of them. You can't tell me programs like Conqueror, Media manager, and the Editor where not ahead of their time? Cheers, Darren. -Original Message- From: John Hall [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 19 May 2005 15:23 To: QL Users Subject: Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software Jeremy Taffel wrote: So, let's stir things up a little. I don't own the whole DP collection, but I have original 3.5 floppies plus documentation of: Perfection Plus + Dictionaries , Lightning SE, Qmaths, and Microbridge which I never use. I will sell them all at a nominal price to anyone who is interested. If you are interested, contact me off list. But since you didn't buy the DP bundle, any such transaction would not be subject to the licence condition(s) under discussion :-) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Robert Newson [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes I also bought them when it was offered (having never really bought any s/ware, it really expanded my collection). From the agreement: (10) Remember, by purchasing this collection you have agreed to its licence conditions. Note that it is for your personal use only (you can make a reasonable number of security backups of it or its contents - again, all for your own use only), and that you agree not to resell, or otherwise pass on, whether for reward or otherwise, any part (except and UNZIP) or all of it, or of any Digital Precision Ltd software already possessed by you, to _any_ third party, in any circumstances. Breaches of this will be dealt with severely. This means, among other things, that if you are disposing of part or all of your QL system you may NOT pass on this collection (or any part of it, except ZIP and UNZIP) with it. Umm ... interesting licence condition ...Breaches of this will be dealt with severely ... yet by whom exactly ? As DP has gone, the MD and software authors have all had their money ... -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Digital Precision Software
Hi, All. Thanks for the nice welcome message, also thanks to all who contributed with the interesting chatter. I agree about the relative value of the DP suite - it was hard to justify the cost then, and harder now, as I said I'm after them for nostalgic reasons. Sadly, the PC/Offife suite is so good these days it's hard to find a real need for a QL - hoping that won't annoy the hell out of those who cling to the machine as if it was new today. I loved my QL, but the world moved on. Dilwyn, notwithstanding the above, I'd be very grateful if you could ask Jochen to put an ad in QL Today. Jochen will remember me well from many years ago, having sent him an Atari ST three times to get an emulator fitted and then (no fault of his) being repaired many times. Rich Mellor has kindly sold (for £15) 6 out of the 10 disks (all he has). So I will still be after the remaining disks. The price seems very reasonable, and should act as a guide of the sort of sum I wish to pay. Sorry if anyone wants to make a fortune! Thanks again, all, and particularly Dilwyn. BTW, this is an excellent group - is it the best one (or even the only one). Stopped subscribing to Quanta about 4 years ago, no disrepect but the content got very tired. This group seems more lively! Stuart Jones ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Digital Precision Software
DP were certainly ahead of their time. . at the time! Largely, they are of nostalgic interest only, except of course, for Turbo. Now QDT is something else, and I may purchase that one day! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
John Hall wrote: Derek Stewart wrote: The DP package was not really worth the money... But I bought to support the QL scene. There are much better software around which is free. The point I was trying to make was a slightly different one - the licence conditions attached to the DP bundle prevent ME from selling or giving away MY copy! (From memory, they also forbid me from doing the same with any earlier versions of the software included in the bundle software that I might have previously acquired.) I also bought them when it was offered (having never really bought any s/ware, it really expanded my collection). From the agreement: (10) Remember, by purchasing this collection you have agreed to its licence conditions. Note that it is for your personal use only (you can make a reasonable number of security backups of it or its contents - again, all for your own use only), and that you agree not to resell, or otherwise pass on, whether for reward or otherwise, any part (except ZIP and UNZIP) or all of it, or of any Digital Precision Ltd software already possessed by you, to _any_ third party, in any circumstances. Breaches of this will be dealt with severely. This means, among other things, that if you are disposing of part or all of your QL system you may NOT pass on this collection (or any part of it, except ZIP and UNZIP) with it. Plus (13)...And of course, nothing in this document shall be construed as taking away or reducing any statutory or other enforceable rights that you may possess. The question I have (as I can't remember) is if attention was drawn to statement (10) BEFORE the purchase of the goods. This comes from a bit of paper (containing the document) that came included with the disks AFTER I had purchased them - there is no mention of what to do if I disagree with the terms of the document (like Windows says contact your supplier for details of how to return the unused product(s) for a refund if you disagree with its licence terms). Robert ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
Hi Stuart, First of all welcome to the group - I hope you choose to stay. You'll find we're a friendly bunch, eager to help, and the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Do you intend to use your QL more often now or are you just going to tinker for curiosity value? The DP QL Collection ceased being sold many years ago. There was a recent debate here regarding the status of many of the programs, and one, The Perfection Word processor, is (I think) due to be released as freeware. A namesake, Dilwyn Jones, recently made contact with the Owner of Digital Precision - Freddy Vaccha. Dilwyn - when you spoke to Freddy, did you mention any of the other programs in the collection, with a view to maybe making most or possibly all of them freeware? The DP collection was a wonderful collection of software, and it would be great to get all of these into the Public Domain. Or course, many of the programs have been superseded by something better, but for nostalgia purposes I feel it's important these programs are retained - they were such an important part of QL History. Any feedback? Darren. -Original Message- From: Stuart Jones [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 16 May 2005 21:30 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software Dear All, I have been out of the QL scene for many years but for nostalgic reasons would like to acquire the set of Digital Precision software disks (the collection), which I believe were on 10 disks. They were sold around 10 years ago, but at the time I couldn't afford them. If anyone would be willing to sell me a copy at a reasonable price, could the please contact me at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks, Stuart Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
First of all welcome to the group - I hope you choose to stay. You'll find we're a friendly bunch, eager to help, and the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Do you intend to use your QL more often now or are you just going to tinker for curiosity value? The DP QL Collection ceased being sold many years ago. There was a recent debate here regarding the status of many of the programs, and one, The Perfection Word processor, is (I think) due to be released as freeware. A namesake, Dilwyn Jones, recently made contact with the Owner of Digital Precision - Freddy Vaccha. Dilwyn - when you spoke to Freddy, did you mention any of the other programs in the collection, with a view to maybe making most or possibly all of them freeware? No, only Perfection word processor was mentioned. He indicated he'd be willing to allow that to be distributed as long as any changes made by the likes of David Gilham were to improve compatibility with emulators and modern QL hardware rather than adding any new commands etc to it, which I think is what David intended to do anyway. Other than that, no positive news. Phoebus did ask me to ask him about Conqueror, but not got a reply on that one yet. Stuart - I could probably get a free WANTED ad into QL Today magazine for you (if publisher Jochen Merz agrees and space permits) to see if anyone wishes to sell their copy of the DP bundle. Let me know if you'd like to try this. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
Dilwyn Jones wrote: Stuart - I could probably get a free WANTED ad into QL Today magazine for you (if publisher Jochen Merz agrees and space permits) to see if anyone wishes to sell their copy of the DP bundle. Let me know if you'd like to try this. Of course, anyone who did sell or otherwise pass on their DP bundle would be breaching the licence conditions but, 10 years on, I doubt if even Freddy V. would be too concerned :-) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
RE: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
This is one of the many things that bugs the hell out of me. I wish there was a statute of limitations or similar on software, whereby after x years the stuff became free. I'm sure freddy would agree to releasing it as freeware, or certainly for a giveaway price. I mean, what real use is a piece of 10 year old QL Software other than retro/curiosity value? You're hardly gonna run the world with it... There is so much good usable software out there and nobody knows its user status - is it freeware, charityware, commercial, or what? And if we had some certainty on a lot of this, a lot of users may be attracted back or stay with the QL to use them, purely as tinkerers. I can pick up a copy of PC World, Computer Shopper, PC Pro or any other PC Magazine and find a pile of software (often once costing hundreds of pounds) stuck to the front cover for the 4.99 cover price, and much of this is less than 2-3 years of age. You usually find v.3 or whatever on the cover disc with an offer to get the new v.4 inside at a reduced cost - yet here we are debating the status of software that hasn't been sold at all, never mind updated, for over a decade. Why are people so reluctant to give this stuff away? There is no money in it anymore. Just ask any trader :-) END RANT/ Darren. -Original Message- From: John Hall [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 17 May 2005 15:26 To: QL Users Subject: Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software Dilwyn Jones wrote: Stuart - I could probably get a free WANTED ad into QL Today magazine for you (if publisher Jochen Merz agrees and space permits) to see if anyone wishes to sell their copy of the DP bundle. Let me know if you'd like to try this. Of course, anyone who did sell or otherwise pass on their DP bundle would be breaching the licence conditions but, 10 years on, I doubt if even Freddy V. would be too concerned :-) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
The DP package was not really worth the money... But I bought to support the QL scene. There are much better software around which is free. In fact most of the QL software that I bought is now free, I wonder if I have wasted money. Derek Darren Branagh wrote: This is one of the many things that bugs the hell out of me. I wish there was a statute of limitations or similar on software, whereby after x years the stuff became free. I'm sure freddy would agree to releasing it as freeware, or certainly for a giveaway price. I mean, what real use is a piece of 10 year old QL Software other than retro/curiosity value? You're hardly gonna run the world with it... There is so much good usable software out there and nobody knows its user status - is it freeware, charityware, commercial, or what? And if we had some certainty on a lot of this, a lot of users may be attracted back or stay with the QL to use them, purely as tinkerers. I can pick up a copy of PC World, Computer Shopper, PC Pro or any other PC Magazine and find a pile of software (often once costing hundreds of pounds) stuck to the front cover for the 4.99 cover price, and much of this is less than 2-3 years of age. You usually find v.3 or whatever on the cover disc with an offer to get the new v.4 inside at a reduced cost - yet here we are debating the status of software that hasn't been sold at all, never mind updated, for over a decade. Why are people so reluctant to give this stuff away? There is no money in it anymore. Just ask any trader :-) END RANT/ Darren. -Original Message- From: John Hall [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 17 May 2005 15:26 To: QL Users Subject: Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software Dilwyn Jones wrote: Stuart - I could probably get a free WANTED ad into QL Today magazine for you (if publisher Jochen Merz agrees and space permits) to see if anyone wishes to sell their copy of the DP bundle. Let me know if you'd like to try this. Of course, anyone who did sell or otherwise pass on their DP bundle would be breaching the licence conditions but, 10 years on, I doubt if even Freddy V. would be too concerned :-) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
- Original Message - From: Darren Branagh To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 3:43 PM Subject: RE: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software This is one of the many things that bugs the hell out of me. I wish there was a statute of limitations or similar on software, whereby after x years the stuff became free. I'm sure freddy would agree to releasing it as freeware, or certainly for a giveaway price. I mean, what real use is a piece of 10 year old QL Software other than retro/curiosity value? You're hardly gonna run the world with it... There is so much good usable software out there and nobody knows its user status - is it freeware, charityware, commercial, or what? And if we had some certainty on a lot of this, a lot of users may be attracted back or stay with the QL to use them, purely as tinkerers. I can pick up a copy of PC World, Computer Shopper, PC Pro or any other PC Magazine and find a pile of software (often once costing hundreds of pounds) stuck to the front cover for the 4.99 cover price, and much of this is less than 2-3 years of age. You usually find v.3 or whatever on the cover disc with an offer to get the new v.4 inside at a reduced cost - yet here we are debating the status of software that hasn't been sold at all, never mind updated, for over a decade. Why are people so reluctant to give this stuff away? There is no money in it anymore. Just ask any trader :-) END RANT/ Don't forget Freddy V. may have sold the software, but that does not mean he is the copyright holder. I have said this many times before on this list. There are doubts about the copyright position of several of the ancilliary programs that formed part of the total Perfection package. When I enquired many years ago, no one was sure of the exact copyright status of Spellchecker, for example. If my memory serves me correctly when Turbo became PD permission had to be sought not just from Freddy V., but also the various authors, Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
On Tue, 17 May 2005 17:17:20 -0400, gwicks [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Don't forget Freddy V. may have sold the software, but that does not mean he is the copyright holder. I have said this many times before on this list. There are doubts about the copyright position of several of the ancilliary programs that formed part of the total Perfection package. When I enquired many years ago, no one was sure of the exact copyright status of Spellchecker, for example. If my memory serves me correctly when Turbo became PD permission had to be sought not just from Freddy V., but also the various authors, It all depends on the agreements. If an author was acting as an agent (legalese of course) of DP then DP *IS* the copyright holder, unless their contract stated otherwise. For example when it comes to Rich's software I do not hold any copyright over the pictures and sounds that I created nor the packaging of the software. Copyright for those was transfered to Rich when I agreed to the compensation scheme :-) Similarily, Microsoft retains copyright of its software regardles of who is writing it (unless of course they steal it like Spyglass' software ;-) ) Ffibys P.S. I am back ;-) ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: RE: [ql-users] Digital Precision Software
On Tue, 17 May 2005 10:43:50 -0400, Darren Branagh [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I can pick up a copy of PC World, Computer Shopper, PC Pro or any other PC Magazine and find a pile of software (often once costing hundreds of pounds) stuck to the front cover for the 4.99 cover price, and much of this is less than 2-3 years of age. You usually find v.3 or whatever on the cover disc with an offer to get the new v.4 inside at a reduced cost - yet here we are debating the status of software that hasn't been sold at all, never mind updated, for over a decade. Why are people so reluctant to give this stuff away? There is no money in it anymore. Just ask any trader :-) One of course would argue that QL Software (and indeed DP software would classify since it never had significant problems) is so good that it doesn't need to be updated ;-) As for the PC world, recapturing investment may not be that important... we are talking about economies of scale here Ffibys ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[ql-users] Digital Precision Software
Dear All, I have been out of the QL scene for many years but for nostalgic reasons would like to acquire the set of Digital Precision software disks (the collection), which I believe were on 10 disks. They were sold around 10 years ago, but at the time I couldn't afford them. If anyone would be willing to sell me a copy at a reasonable price, could the please contact me at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks, Stuart Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
