SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      288                            0  replies
Reply to #      279

Left by:       PHILLIP CREWS                 On 26-May-89
At     :       AMEX HSG 704 333 1276
Subject:       SHUTDOWN FROM BATCH

You can always shutdown a system (from Batch, a network task, or an
interactive process) with:

$ MCR OPCCRASH

If you want to dismount disks first (to avoid quota and extent rebuilds
on boot), use

$ DISMOUNT/ABORT/NOUNLOAD <disk>

for each one before the above command.
If you want to cause an automatic reboot, add the following command:

$ DEFINE OPC$REBOOT Y

Beware: processes are not stopped normally, queues are not terminated
with grace, and file modification dates may not be updated for open files
if ACP_WRITEBACK is set to 1.

Using OPCCRASH also avoids messy warning messages letting those irritating
users know what is going on. ;-)


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      289                            0  replies
Reply to #      285

Left by:       PHILLIP CREWS                 On 26-May-89
At     :       AMEX HSG 704 333 1276
Subject:       PAGE READ ERROR

Page read errors are due to disk errors.  These may be in either
the pagefile or any image or section file.  Sounds like some bad blocks
are appearing on your disk.  Check error log for bad block replacements]
and disk errors and call field service.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      393                            0  replies
Reply to #      390

Left by:       PHILLIP CREWS                 On 26-May-89
At     :       AMEX HSG 704 333 1276
Subject:       BACKUP VIA DECNET

Re: BACKUP handling tape errors.

Almost all bad spots on tapes will be passed over by the magtape driver.
Backup may be somewhat more forgiving, but if tapes are that bad, you
really don't want to use them anyway.

BACKUP creates XOR redundancy records within a saveset regardless of
its destination (unless you specify /GROUP=0).  These redundancy records
will be written to the tape along with the rest of the data, and will
be used in a restore if any single record is unreadable.

VMS version 5.2 will include improvements to the BACKUP utility so that
it will avoid the CRC instruction, which is emulated on all MicroVAX and
6xxx processors.  This should speed up backups that use /CRC considerably.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      957                            0  replies
Reply to #      951

Left by:       PHILLIP CREWS                 On 26-May-89
At     :       AMEX HSG 704 333 1276
Subject:       DETACHED PROCESS PARAMETERS

Several possibilities:

1. Create a file with the parameters in it, and specify the file as input
to the detached image:

$ CREATE TEMP.TXT
parameter 1
parameter 2
$ RUN/DETACHED/INPUT=TEMP.TXT image-name

The program can read the records from SYS$INPUT as its parameters.

2. Use a mailbox.  It must be created by a program (no DCL command to do
it), but then DCL can write the parameters to the mailbox, and the
detached image can read them.

3. Define /SYSTEM or /GROUP logical names with parameter values.  The program
can translate the logicals and use the results as the parameters.

I hope this helps.


                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      258                            0  replies
Reply to #      256

Left by:       BERN FOX                      On 26-May-89
At     :       (313) 994-1200
Subject:       SPURIOUS MOUNT VERIFIES...

...sounds like Kitty has pointed you in the right direction on this
problem Gabriel.  Is DUB0: the only drive on this QD21?  Has the
error logger noted any problems, other than the usual init sequence
failures?  Seems to me that the Fugi might have some sort of a status/
fault LEDs on the logic board, try to monitor these for voltage fault
and/or seek error condidtions, either of which might render the drive
unavailable to the controller.  Try:  ANA/DISK/READ DUB0:, if any
glitches, repeat ANA/DISK/READ DUB0:/REPAIR.  If problems persist, a
waltz through the Emulex format & verify routine may in order.
Good luck!

- bern -


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      958                            0  replies

Left by:       DAVID MCCALLIE                On 26-May-89
At     :       (617) 735-8380
Subject:       PSEUDO-TERMINAL-DRVR

Hello. I need some advice on how I can have one process pass information to
another process where the second process is expecting input from a
terminal type device (and is in fact in 'passthru' mode.) I tried mailboxes
but the system complains that the MBAn: is not a terminal device. I need
something like the 'pty' pseudoterminals that Unix offers. I suspect that
I can take advantage of the 'virtual terminal' (VTA:) device, but I don't
know how to create a process that is expecting input from a VTA device (other
than to login), nor how to read/write to that processs if I got it running
with a VTA (I assume I can just QIO to it, but I haven't been able to try yet.

How does DCL implement the 'disconnect' and 'connect' commands ? Is there a
system service that I can use from within a program to do similar tricks?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help !


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      959                            0  replies

Left by:       DAVID MCCALLIE                On 26-May-89
At     :       (617) 735-8380
Subject:       LATS APP-TO-APP ?

I know that with the LATS protocol one can communicate from terminal server
to a dedicated application, and conversly from an application to a dedicated
port on a terminal server - but - can LATS communicate from one application to
another _application_ ? In other words, can LATS be used as a substitute for
DECNET task-to-task communication ?

Thanks.


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      382                            0  replies
Reply to #      369

Left by:       KELVIN SMITH                  On 27-May-89
At     :       (203) 357-0504
Subject:       COMING LIVE TO YOU FROM...

Dave, I live and work in Stamford, that silly city that can't decide
whether it wants to be a suburb of New York or a corporate center in
its own right.  As one might expect, we've got the worst of both worlds:
The streets are the right size for a small town, while the traffic is
in amounts for a large city, etc.

For future reference, my first name is Kelvin, not Kevin.  Don't feel
bad about misreading it; I think half the people I come in contact with
think the name is either Kevin or Calvin, depending on whether they see
it or hear it first.  Just think of Kelvinator refrigerators and the
Kelvin temperature scale (0 degrees Kelvin is absolute zero).  I can't
claim credit for either use of the name.


                                             RSX SIG
Message #      275                            1  replies
Reply to #      273

Left by:       KELVIN SMITH                  On 27-May-89
At     :       (203) 357-0504
Subject:       INFO FROM ATLANTA

Your best option to find out about a seminar at the Atlanta DECUS symposium
may be to get an audio tape.  There's a firm in Maryland somewhere that
handles it all for DECUS, I believe by the name of Chesapeake Communications.
I don't remember their address, and I'm not at my office, but I'm sure if
you contacted DECUS headquarters they could tell you (address and phone
number in the back of some operating systems manuals and the Software
Dispatch).  The tapes are $8, a cheap price if it's an important topic.
The problem is that sometimes the speakers make a lot of references to
handouts or session notes, which may be harder to find post-Symposium.
However, session notes are combined for an entire SIG, so you may be able
to find someone with session notes (if any) for your seminar who doesn't
even want them.


                                             RSX SIG
Message #      276                            0  replies
Reply to #      275

Left by:       KELVIN SMITH                  On 27-May-89
At     :       (203) 357-0504
Subject:       DECUS SPEAKER ACCESS

Just re-read the note I was responding to--you wanted to get in touch
with the actual speaker.  The best way would be to contact the honchos
of the sponsoring SIG.  If you get the DECUS SIGs Newsletter, their
names, addresses, and phone numbers are in the back of the Newsletter
each month.  If not, I'd suggest you call DECUS headquarters to get
the name of the SIG chair or someone else like that.  Since the SIGs
actually schedule the seminars, they'd be most likely to have all the
details on the speakers, although DECUS HQ may have it as well (if
they're allowed to give it out).


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      383                            0  replies
Reply to #      378

Left by:       KELVIN SMITH                  On 27-May-89
At     :       (203) 357-0504
Subject:       CLE IS SAFE (I THINK)

We've been using CLE for close to a year, and I've never noticed any
problems, except for building up a slew of 1K user libraries.  The
only memory problems that I remember that caused system crashes were
associated with making certain changes to the size (or existence,
perhaps) of a virtual disk; when you brought up the system and
initialized DV0:, the system crashed.  However, that's been quite
a while; I don't remember the precise circumstances, nor which version
of RSTS was affected, nor if it has since been fixed.  If it's bugging
you, call me during the day and I'll go through my SPR files.

I'm very impressed with RSTS's lack of crashing.  I don't think I've
had a system crash on me (aside from power failure) in the past 2 years.
Maybe this will get some juices flowing, but I haven't heard of a lot
of VAX shops with such uninterrupted service.  I tend to think that
no faults is better than "fault tolerant," although I recognize that
for some situations you have to assume the worst.

--- It's coming to me now:  If you move a RSTS SIL from one machine
to a second with a larger amount of memory, and INIT automatically
resizes the memory, then if your virtual disk is defined in the section
of memory that didn't exist on the original machine, the system crashes
when you initialize DV0:.  The workaround is to go through the memory
allocation subsection of DEFAULT in INIT.  I don't remember if you
actually had to make changes, or if just going through DEFAULT was
sufficient.  In any case, that's the only memory problem I remember
that crashed my system.  Whether others with different configurations
(e.g., on a DECnet) would have other problems, I don't know.


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      384                            0  replies
Reply to #      383

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 30-May-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       VIRTUAL DISKS AND CRASHES

Dave,  check out Messages 350,  352,  and 359 in the RSTS SIG for Brett  and
Kelvin's  war stories - information on system crashes after  messing  around
with the size of a virtual disk.

Kelvin,  I recall I owe you some information,  but I can't remember off  the
top of my head what it was.  I went searching for your letter,  and I'm sure
it's on the stack of papers that reliable sources tell me has a desk  under-
neath it,  but I can't put my hands on it right now.  Tickle my memory - was
it information on the Epsilon editor, which is available from (among others)
the Programmer's Shop,  5-D Pond Park Road,  Hingham,  Mass.  02043 -  (800)
421-8006?   (That's  where  I got my copy.)  A fairly recent  issue  of  Dr.
Dobb's Journal has their price at $149, but check it out before ordering.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      960                            1  replies

Left by:       BARRY YOUNG                   On 30-May-89
At     :       JEDDAH (02)-647-0773
Subject:       DECSERVERS/AUTOLOGIN

HAVING JUST RECEIVED 11 DECSERVER 200'S I AM VAINLY ATTEMPTING TO CONFIGURE
THEM INTO OUR TERMINAL NETWORK, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ENORMOUS GAP
BETWEEN THE VAX DOCUMENTATION SET AND THE DECSERVER MANUALS.

DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A METHOD OF MAINTAINING AUTOMATIC LOGIN FACILITIES
VIA DECSERVER PORTS. I'VE TRIED USING ALFMAINT, BUT THAT EXPECTS A FIXED
TERMINAL ID WHICH DOES NOT EXIST WHEN USING DECSERVERS. IS IT POSSIBLE TO
CREATE PERMANENT TERMINAL ID'S ON A DECSERVER.

IS THERE A WAY OF CONNECTING THE SERVICE NAMES OFFERED BY THE VAX HOST
SYSTEM TO A LOGIN USERNAME ACCOUNT, THEREFORE WHEN CONNECTING TO A SERVICE
THE USER IS AUTOMATICALLY LOGGED IN UNDER A PARTICULAR USERNAME.

ANY HELP ON THIS SUBJECT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED AS THE DEC SOFTWARE
SUPPORT IN THE MIDDLE EAST STINKS !!

REGARDS


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      961                            0  replies

Left by:       BOB ZISEK                     On 30-May-89
At     :       (203)798-5240
Subject:       CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES

Because of the lack of time to fool around with this, I am inquiring about the
way to include the enhanced character attributes (bold,reverse
video,underline, etc.) in a Mail message. I know all about the different
escape code definitions, however, I'm not sure how to get them into a mail
message. This comes in handy when making an important point in mail. Also, is
there a way to incorporate these attributes into help files? Thanks in
advance.

Bob Zisek
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.
90 East Ridge
Ridgefield, Ct. 06877


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      962                            0  replies
Reply to #      960

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 30-May-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       Autologins from a DECserver (Second Printing)

Sometime ago I had reported the method of doing autologins on a DECserver.
It is not documented anywhere and not currently supported due to the fact that
ALFMAINT.COM has not been modified to handle the naming format for DECserver
ports.

First, you MUST be on a V5.0 or above system.  Secondly, determine which
DECservers and ports you are going to have 'autologin'.  For example, I have a
DECserver called DS200R and I want ports 5 and 6 to have autologin capability.
The VMS specification for these ports would be 'DS200R/PORT_5' and
'DS200R/PORT_6' respectively.  This information can be obtained by logging in
on the port you want to have autologin and typing, in DCL, 'WRITE SYS$OUTPUT
F$GETDVI("TT","TT_ACCPORNAM")'.   This will return the information that VMS
will se when the port connects.  Next, you will have to make a modified copy
of ALFMAINT.COM.  In this modified .COM file (call it PORT_ALFMAINT), remove
all references to F$GETDVI and make sure that ALL symbols which use
information returned by F$GETDVI (other than EXISTS) are equated properly.
One location for example, says something like 'FDEVNAM =
F$GETDVI(DEVNAM,"FULLDEVNAM")'.  You must replace this with 'FDEVNAM =
DEVNAM'.  Once this is done, type @PORT_ALFMAINT and start answering the
questions.  When you are asked for a terminal, respond with 'DS200R/PORT_5'.
As you can see, this is not a device name and for that reason all F$GETDVI
checks must be removed or you will get errors.

Finally, on your DECservers, don't forget to DEDICATE the ports to the
appropriate service.  Otherwise your users will get a 'Local>' prompt.

Any questions or if you want a pre-modified ALFMAINT.COM, feel free to call
me.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625

P.S. Sorry folks for the long 'letter'!


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      290                            0  replies
Reply to #      284

Left by:       MARTY JOHNSON                 On 30-May-89
At     :       (203)666-1737
Subject:       IMAGE ACCOUNTING

Why don't you just turn on image accounting? (SET ACCOUNT/ENABLE=IMAGE)
This will log who, when and what image in the accounting log file.
Take care as this can chew up over 4000 blocks a day on a busy system!

Use the accounting utility, especially the /SUMMARY and /REPORT qualifiers,
to tailor a report to fit your needs.

Hope this helps,

Marty


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      510                            0  replies

Left by:       DAVID SOMMERS                 On 30-May-89
At     :       (206) 525-3130
Subject:       9-TRACK FOR VAX-3100

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS A 9-TRACK TAPE DRIVE FOR THE VAXSTATION 3100??
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A DRIVE MADE BY KENNEDY WHICH HAS A SCSSI INTERFACE
BUT I CAN'T FIND ANYONE WITH DEVICE DRIVERS FOR IT.   ANYONE??



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      394                            0  replies

Left by:       BRIAN HULSE                   On 31-May-89
At     :       313 468-3252
Subject:       SI'S CLUSTOR

I saw the note from Jared Hecker for SI's CLUSTOR product and found it very
interesting.  I've spoken to SI, but was hoping to find more comments from
current users.

If there are any others out there using this product, what are your
experiences? (Jared, are you still as enthusiastic as you were in Oct?)

Thanks.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      963                            0  replies
Reply to #      961

Left by:       MARTY JOHNSON                 On 31-May-89
At     :       (203)666-1737
Subject:       MAIL

As far as I know, you can't display escape sequences in mail. If you
embed them in your message (using EDT or whatever), MAIL displays
the escape sequence, displaying a "$" for the escape character.
For example, the escape sequence for bolding, "<ESC>[1m", is displayed
as "$[1m".

However, if you EXTRACT the document, even to the terminal (EXTRACT TT:),
the escape sequences are preserved.

Which means, as long as you are reading mail messages within the mail
utility, you only have UPPER CASE, and the **** imaginative use **** of
your keyboard, for emphasis. :-)


Marty


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      395                            0  replies

Left by:       DUANE SADOWSKI                On 31-May-89
At     :       (212)577-0543
Subject:       PC LAN - VAX LAN

I'm exploring ways of allowing users of a Novell PC LAN at one site
to use VAXs on an Ethernet DECnet at a different site.  One suggestion
I received was to put an X.25 switch on the PC LAN and to use TCP/IP
and X.25 protocols across a dedicated phone line.  My question is what
sort of hardware and software would be necessary at the VAX site under
such a scheme.  Would the VAXs themselves have to perform the conversion
between TCP/IP - X.25 and DECnet protocols, or could a personal computer
attached to the DECnet perform such conversion?  If a PC could do the job,
would it need to run LAT or DECnet?  Also, what sorts of management
problems, if any, would the X.25 scheme introduce that do not exist
with asynchronous terminals?



                                             FORUM - 3RD PARTY SUPPLIERS SIG
Message #      102                            0  replies
Reply to #      94

Left by:       RICH NARDIELLO                On 01-Jun-89
At     :       609-764-0100
Subject:       LANPAR TUBES

Dave,
Thanks for the reply. After begging and pleading with my superiors
regarding our poor performance with these tubes, they have done the illogical:
Ordered 24 more! I didn't think the 3210's were available, and for that matter
have heard that Lanpar Technologies went belly-up.
If you hear anything further, I'd appreciate the info.

Thanks,

Rich Nardiello





                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      333                            1  replies

Left by:       RICH NARDIELLO                On 01-Jun-89
At     :       609-764-0100
Subject:       USERBASE 3.3

Looking for some information regarding the usage of the database
package Userbase from Userware Int'l based in Escondido, Cal. Specifically,
I'd like to create a discussion of Userbase "users" on the East Coast. Most
applications appear to be installed west of the Miss. . We are running
this beauty on an 8250, 4.7 VMS.

No Vendor replies, please.








                                             VMS SIG
Message #      964                            1  replies

Left by:       NICHOLAS ABBOT                On 01-Jun-89
At     :       (914) 347 2700
Subject:       MODEMS, AND DTR DROPPING

VAX 8530, DECserver 200/MC, modem control is enabled on a port,
Telebit T1000 modem on port.  DTR drops every 30 seconds if CD is low
or 2 minutes if CD is high.  Now if an incoming call happens to connect
at the same time that VMS polls and drops DTR your disconnected and have to
redial and hope that you connect and initiate a login before VMS polls again.
So, depending on the interval there is a chance that a user will 'connect'
and be dropped, and have to redial and that's a pain in the baud.  Now that
I've set the stage let's talk about my problem.  There is some question as to
whether this is a 'bug' or a 'feature', I say it's a feature. So let's put it
to a vote. All of you  who think it's a BUG call the number above ask for
Hilmar and say "BUG", and if you think it's a feature, say "FEATURE",
However, if you believe it is a feature and it's suppose to be that way, you
must supply an explaination, if you happen to be at a loss for words a simple
"because" will do. All of you who are undecided can call me and I will sway
you to the "feature" side, and any of you who are on the "bug" side can call
me and try to sway me and/or tell me a way to make DTR aways high and still
have the modem the ability to hangup.  Incidently is there a way to regulate
the timing, and does TTY_SCANDELTA control that?

From the front line,
- NIK


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      965                            1  replies
Reply to #      964

Left by:       NICHOLAS ABBOT                On 01-Jun-89
At     :       (914) 347 2700
Subject:       ...MORE

1) How do I get out of ARIS
2) I can see that this port does not hangup during a logout... WHY?


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      966                            0  replies
Reply to #      965

Left by:                                     On 02-Jun-89
At     :
Subject:



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      550                            1  replies

Left by:       JOHN S. MIELE                 On 02-Jun-89
At     :       (203) 656-5149
Subject:       KERMIT - VT2XX EMULATION

I have installed MS/KERMIT ON MY IBM/AT COMPATIBLE.  I HAVE INSTALLED THE
PARADISE/VGA CARD ON THIS P.C.  I AM USING KERMIT TO DIAL UP OUR VAX 8200
AT WORK USING A DIGITAL SCHOLAR MODEM.  WHEN RUNNING IN TERMINAL EMULATION
MODE, I AM UNABLE TO GET 132 COLUMN SCREEN WIDTH.  I AM NOT SURE, BUT I RECALL
HEARING OR READING THAT KERMIT TERMINAL EMULATION CAN HANDLE 132 COLUMN SCREEN
WIDTHS.  I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE DOCUMENTATION.  I'D APPRECIATE ANY INSIGHT AS
TO KERMIT CAPABILITIES IN TERMINAL EMULATION.  ALSO, ANYONE USING ANY TYPE OF
EMULATION, IF THEY COULD LET ME KNOW OF PLUSSES AND MINUSES.

SINCERELY,

JOHN S. MIELE


                                             COMMUNICATIONS SIG
Message #      283                            0  replies
Reply to #      282

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 02-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       HP-1000 / HP TERMINALS

Stephen,

You neglected to say how you would like to connect your HP1000 and
your VAX.  You also neglected to say what you wanted to use the connection
for.  We might be able to help you a little bit more if we had a little
more information to work with.
There are a number of possibilities, among them: "sneaker net" (carry
physical media (tape or disk) between the two machines), a serial line and
Kermit, and Ethernet with a TCP/IP package on each end.

Unless your HP150 terminal does a DEC VT100 emulation, you will be much
better off buying DEC or DEC compatible terminals to use with your VAX.  HP
terminals use a protocol of their own which is not the same as anyone elses
and most emphaticly not the ANSI standard.  DEC terminals use a superset of
the ANSI standard.  If you want anything more than "glass teletype"
functionality from your terminal go with the DEC terminals.  They are
required to take full advantage of DEC's screen editors, the Phone utility,
the mail utility and probably a few other things as well.  DEC makes a token
effort to support foreign terminals, but that is all it is.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      967                            0  replies
Reply to #      958

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 02-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       PTY DRIVERS

Kevin Carroso has written a pseudo terminal driver known as PTYDRIVER.
The latest version can be built to run under either VMS V4 or VMS V5.  I
believe that you can get it off one of the recent DECUS VAXSIG Symposium
tapes.

I you can't find it, I will send you a copy if you will send me a tape
and return postage.


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      551                            0  replies
Reply to #      550

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 02-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       VT??? EMULATION ON PCS

John,  I've  never  heard  of  a version  of  MS-Kermit  that  would  handle
132-column VTxxx emulation.  In the past, at least, the authors of MS-Kermit
have  tried  to write as generically, with as few hardware  dependencies  as
possible.

In  fact,  there are darned few communications packages that will.   It's  a
very hardware-dependent function (only EGA, VGA,  and Herc boards can handle
132-column screens),  and each of those options does it rather  differently.
Implementing  132-column  mode would add quite a bit of code for  a  feature
that most people don't think is very important.

Now,  there may be a new version of MS-Kermit that I haven't seen.   But  so
far as I know, people who need 132-column VTxxx emulation on PCs have had to
turn  to specialized software (PolyCom comes to mind) designed  specifically
for  DEC users.   I know for a fact that the latest versions  of  CrossTalk,
Mirror,  ProComm Plus,  Telix, and SmartCom don't provide it;  nor is it in-
cluded in the Greenleaf Communications Library for people who want to  write
their own comm software on PCs.

What else would you like to know about emulations?



                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      259                            0  replies
Reply to #      256

Left by:       PHILLIP A CREWS               On 02-Jun-89
At     :       AMEX HSG 704 333 1276
Subject:       DISK DROPPING READY

___
It appears that your ESDI disk is dropping the RDY line to the controller
periodically.  Ive seen this happen on ESDI if the entire disk is not
formatted or if there is a seeking problem when accessing close to the
spindle (on the smallest tracks).  Or it could be the controller; I've
seen QD33s and QD34s do similar things when getting ready to "really"
fail.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      968                            0  replies
Reply to #      980

Left by:       PHILLIP A CREWS               On 02-Jun-89
At     :       AMEX HSG 704 333 1276
Subject:       AUTO-LOGIN DS PORTS

I think DEC finally did document the procedure for changing ALFMAINT to
handle DECserver ports.   I'm pretty sure I saw it on DSIN (the Digital
Software Information Network), which you get access to if you purchase
Basic service (BSS) or higher for VMS.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      969                            0  replies
Reply to #      962

Left by:       BARRY YOUNG                   On 04-Jun-89
At     :       JEDDAH (02)-647-0773
Subject:       DECSERVERS/AUTOLOGIN

Many thanks for this suggestion and a very prompt reply. Maybe I should
cancel our DEC software support contract & use ARIS instead.
I'll try this modified ALFMAINT and see how we get on.

Best regards,

Barry Young,
Systems Manager,
Marine Transport International,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      396                            0  replies
Reply to #      395

Left by:       DUANE SADOWSKI                On 04-Jun-89
At     :       (212)577-0543
Subject:

After I sent the original message, the user who suggested using
TCP/IP suggested the possibility of using a PC terminal emulator
package instead of TCP/IP.  I'm curious to know whether this alternative
would reduce the amount of equipment needed at the VAX site or change
the feasibility of the link between the two LANs.


                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      215                            2  replies

Left by:       LARRY GHERARDI                On 05-Jun-89
At     :       (516)957-2300
Subject:       VT220 EMULATOR FOR RAINBOW

Does anyone know of a VT220 Emulator for the rainbow.  The built in emulator
on the rainbow emulates a vt102 and we require vt220 to use with Oracle's SQL
FORMS Package on the VAX.

Larry


                                             FORUM - DEC SIG
Message #      65                             0  replies

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 05-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       CDA/DDIF APPLICATIONS/EXAMPLES

Does anyone know of who or where I can turn to for CDA/DDIF help.  I'm
on a quest for support and/or examples of how to utilize the CDA and the
DDIF formats provided by Digital.  I'm the lead programmer on a project
that requires the ability to display graphic images brought in by scanner
and from our existing CAD databases.  We are using DECwindows to build
the user's interface and needed a "generic" file format to store our
graphics images.  From looking at the CDA manual it seems as if this will
do the trick.  However, the documentation is hard to understand the
examples are poor (plus no example of a complete front & back end).  Plus
I sent one of my programmers to the DECwindows class which states in the
description of the class that CDA will be covered, when the programmer
returned he stated that the instructor did not have the faintes (sic) idea
of what the CDA was much less how to utilize it.  I need help pretty fast
as our prototype deadline is by summers end.


                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      216                            1  replies
Reply to #      215

Left by:       MARTY JOHNSON                 On 05-Jun-89
At     :       (203) 666-1737
Subject:       VT220 EMULATION

Poly-COM (the TRM program) provides VT220 emulation (from Polygon, Inc).
However, I don't know if they are still marketing the product. It was
supposed to be replaced by Poly-STAR, but I haven't heard of Poly-STAR
for the Rainbow.

The emulation is good. We have a customer who has been using Poly-COM
for the last three years to do LEX-11 word processing on a VAX 8200
using a Rainbow as a terminal.

Hope this helps.


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      385                            0  replies

Left by:       ARTHUR WALSH                  On 05-Jun-89
At     :       408 371-0575
Subject:       REMOTE DISCONNECT ABORTS JOB

We have a PDP-11/73 with Hayes 2400 and 1200 modems running

RSTS/E v9.5. Our application programs are written in DIBOL.

Many of the programs open the printer directly for reporting

purposes. When these type of jobs are started remotely and

we disconnect with "+ + + A T H " the process is interupted

and returned to DCL ^C state. Comparable jobs that write the

report file to disk and then spool are not interupted by the

same procedure. Aside from rewriting the direct printing

programs, are there any other solutions???



                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      217                            1  replies
Reply to #      215

Left by:       ANDREW DUGGAN                 On 05-Jun-89
At     :
Subject:       VT220 EMULATOR FOR RAINBOW

Larry,

I use a package from DECUS called Turbo-Comm and it works very well.
It does not do UDKs (Shift Fnn), or  selective erase.  It is written
in  Turbo Pascal from Borland  which has/had,  at  least at  V3.0, a
Rainbow  version.  It comes with  the source code and is easily mod-
ified.


                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      218                            0  replies
Reply to #      216

Left by:       LARRY GHERARDI                On 06-Jun-89
At     :       (516)957-2300
Subject:       VT220 EMULATION FOR RAINBOW

We have POLY-TRM here but when I looked through the manual it said nothing
about vt220.  Maybe we have an earlier version?

Thanks.  Larry


                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      219                            0  replies
Reply to #      217

Left by:       LARRY GHERARDI                On 06-Jun-89
At     :       (516)957-2300
Subject:       VT220 EMULATION FOR RAINBOW

That sounds good.  I'll ask our vax manager to check it out.

Thanks for your help.

Larry


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      511                            0  replies
Reply to #      510

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 06-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       9-TRACK FOR VAX-3100

From the lack of responses over the past week,  it's likely that nobody here
knows of such a driver off the top of their head.  Two possible sources come
to mind,  though.   First,  the DECUS tape library has an amazing amount  of
stuff  in it.   Check in with your local DECUS chapter,  if you haven't  al-
ready,  and ask around.   Second, have you talked to Kennedy?   They may not
supply such a driver,  but their sales reps may be able to track down a site
where  somebody is doing exactly what you want and is willing to  share  it.
Sales reps will go to amazing lengths sometimes to close a sale!



                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      220                            0  replies
Reply to #      218

Left by:       MARTY JOHNSON                 On 06-Jun-89
At     :       (203)666-1737
Subject:

Polygon never claims full VT220 emulation for Poly-TRM. When we tested
several products, Poly-TRM performed everything we wanted without any
problems. Poly-XFR and Poly-HST could transfer LEX documents
- the only product we tested to do so, which is why we chose Poly-COM
(which consists of Poly-TRM, Poly-XFR and Poly-HST).

The major problem we found was the lack of products for the Rainbow.
There may be more products available now (our tests were run 3 years ago),
but we've been satisfied with Poly-COM and have no need to look at
other packages.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      397                            0  replies
Reply to #      81

Left by:       BRAD MILLER                   On 06-Jun-89
At     :       703-824-0100
Subject:       LAT OVERHEAD

I have found that all 8 ports on a decserver 200 will slow down to 4800 baud
after 4 of the ports have connected to a host.  Emulex makes a LAT compatible
terminal server that does not step down to 4800 no matter how many connections
are made to a host.  This causes your session to seem incredibally slow and
may give the impression that there is a tremendous amount of overhead on the
net when there really isn't.



                                             UNIX/ULTRIX SIG
Message #      39                             0  replies
Reply to #      7

Left by:       BRAD MILLER                   On 06-Jun-89
At     :       703-824-0100
Subject:       ULTRIX MONITORING

I have used the accton and last commands along with du to track system usage
and disk storage.  There are some software packages available that track
system usage fairly well on UNIX based systems.  Call if you want phone
numbers or rep names.



                                             LASER PRINTERS SIG
Message #      70                             0  replies
Reply to #      59

Left by:       ROLAND BURGESS                On 06-Jun-89
At     :       302 886-4083
Subject:       MASS-11 SUPPORTS POSTSCRIPT

MASS-11 SUPPORTS POSTSCRIPT BEAUTIFULLY.  IT IS A GREAT WORD PROCESSOR THAT
RUNS ON VAX AND PC'S.  VERY GOOD SUPPORT FOR USING ALL POSTSCRIPT FONTS AND
POINT SIZES, AS WELL AS GRAPHICS IN POSTSCRIPT.  FOLLOWS COMPOUND DOC.
ARCHITECTURE STANDARDS TOO.  CAN'T BE BEAT.  BY THE WAY, WE ALSO HAVE A LN03
POSTSCRIPT PRINTER  CONNECTED TO OUR VAXSATION RUNNING INTERLEAF TPS.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      970                            0  replies

Left by:       HARVEY RARBACK                On 06-Jun-89
At     :       (516)282-3758
Subject:       LOGICAL NAME SYSGEN PARAMETER

I remember reading about improving the performance of logical name searches
in a recent DEC PRO or VAX PRO, but I can't seem to locate the issue.  When
I installed VWS on a MicroVAX II, the pagefile quotas had to be signficantly
increased to get processes (not using VWS) to run.  I believe this is because
of the large increase in the number of system logical names and the attendant
virtual memory required to resolve the names.  If I remember right, there is
a SYSGEN parameter which improves the efficiency of the hash table searches.
Can anyone help?

BTW, DEC (Atlanta) was no help.  They said the virtual memory required was
"normal", but I am suspicious...

Internet:  rarback@bnl.gov  BITNET:RARBACK@BNL   HEPnet:44166::RARBACK

                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      512                            0  replies

Left by:       JERRY KILGORE                 On 07-Jun-89
At     :       512-331-0508
Subject:       DECUS SESSION NOTES NEEDED

I urgently need to get a copy of the session notes for the RSX session RX-036,
"LOADABLE DIRECTIVES", given by Brian McCarthy (DEC RSX Engg) at the recent
DECUS meeting in Atlanta.  I have purchased the audio recording of the session
but the session notes are necessary to make sense of the tape.  If you have
a copy (or know of someone who has) please call me collect at 512-331-0508.
I will be happy to defray any costs of duplicating and shipping, etc.
Thanks,     Jerry Kilgore


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      971                            2  replies

Left by:       RUTH MERMELSTEIN              On 07-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       DCL .COM PROCEDURES

I wrote a really simple captive menu-type login procedure for some data entry
users who do not need access to a DCL prompt.  Among other things, it allows
them to send mail and reset their password.  The relevent code looks like
this:

$LOOP_:
$	WRITE SYS$OUTPUT " 1  Mail"
$	WRITE SYS$OUTPUT " 2  Set password"
.
.
.
$	INQUIRE CHOICE "Choice ?"
$	IF CHOICE .EQ. 1 THEN MAIL
$	IF CHOICE .EQ. 2 THEN SET PASSWORD
.
.
.
$	GOTO LOOP_

The problem is that they can only choose MAIL or SET PASSWORD once per login.
I know I could get around this by generating subprocesses to do the job, but
we're short on process slots these days, so that's not an option.

Any suggestions?



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      398                            1  replies

Left by:       RICK CURRY                    On 07-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 921-7683
Subject:       DYNAMIC ASYNC DECNET


HAS ANYONE EVER TRIED TO BRING UP A DYNAMIC ASYNC DECNET CONNECTION USING
MICROCOM AX/9624c MODEMS????  THEY ARE ERROR-CORRECTING MODEMS WITH SPEEDS
UP TO 9600 BPS.  ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      397                            0  replies

Left by:       DAVID ROBISON                 On 07-Jun-89
At     :       702-364-8633
Subject:       VAXC ATEXIT()

I am having problems using the VAX C RTL routine atexit().  This routine
should set up an exit handler, but when the program exit I get an access
violation.  Has any one used this function?  Are there any particular
tricks involved?

Thanks... Dave



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      398                            0  replies

Left by:       STEPHEN TATRAI                On 07-Jun-89
At     :       201 524-1325
Subject:       DATATRIEVE DOMAIN PROTECTION

I need to provide access to a subset of a larger data file.  I know I can do
a view domain but I still have to grant access to the main data file also i
have to give VMS read privileges to the main data set.  How can I only allow
acces to the subset?  Thank you.

S. Tatrai


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      386                            0  replies
Reply to #      385

Left by:       BRUCE A. GREMBOWSKI           On 07-Jun-89
At     :       408/291-3364
Subject:       INTERRUPTED PRINTING

Arthur,

It sounds like the job is seeing its terminal log off, so it just stops.  The
only thing I can think of is setting the modem port to /NODIALUP.  A call
would then have to be manually terminated, and RSTS may at that time still
cause your job to stop.  If not, then the next person calling on that line may
attach to the job that's printing.  Other than this, maybe starting the
program that prints directly from a batch job would work?  In any case,
good luck!

Regards,
Bruce


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      387                            1  replies

Left by:       BRUCE A. GREMBOWSKI           On 07-Jun-89
At     :       408/291-3364
Subject:       JOB NO. FROM KB NO.

I'm trying to find out what job, if any, a keyboard is running on in a
BASIC-Plus program using a SYS() call.  Following the RSTS/E Programming
Manual V9.1 (we're running V9.2), I make a SYS call with 6+16+0+kb#+
16 0's (bytes 5-20) + 128 (byte 21-return perm chars) + 7 0's.  According to
the manual, the job number can be determined from byte 3 by ANDing it with
126% and dividing by two.  I do this and I get the KB number divided by two!
Does anyone know where I can get the job number?  If not from this SYS() call,
maybe from a PEEK() combination?
Thanks in advance,
Bruce


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      291                            0  replies

Left by:       STEVE J. DYER                 On 07-Jun-89
At     :       812-853-1333
Subject:       ANYONE USING RSM?

I'd like to hear general comments from those using RSM (  Remote System
Manager ) on VMS systems. I'm particularly intersted in its backup
features and capability to do an inital system load. Can it do image
backups and restores ? Thanks for any help. I'm looking at using it on
13 microVAXes as clients and a 3500 or 3800 as the server.


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      292                            0  replies

Left by:       FODULYAN                      On 07-Jun-89
At     :       818-843-120


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      293                            0  replies

Left by:       FODULYAN                      On 07-Jun-89
At     :       818-843-1200
Subject:       IDLE PROCESS KILLER

Has anybody out there used a program like WATCHDOG to kill idle
processes under VMS 4.5: any prblems? What about VMS v4.6 and 4.7.
And what about vms v5.0? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      972                            0  replies
Reply to #      971(
Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 07-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       DCL .COM PROCEDURES

I don't seem to understand your problem.  Your examples code looks
good.  We are running a number of captured accounts with dcl menus
that allow the user access to a variety of programs and dcl products
(mail and set password).



                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      388                            0  replies
Reply to #      387

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 07-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       JOB NO. FROM KB NO.

Bruce, the following - from Mike Maysfield's "RSTS/E Monitor Internals"  for
V9.6 - ought to get you the information you want.  Needless to say,  you can
always combine the separate PEEKs into a single statement:


DIM MTAB1% (30%)

KB%       = <Number of the keyboard you're interested in>
CHANGE SYS (CHR$(6%) + CHR$ (-3%) + STRING$ (28%, 0%)) TO MTAB1%
.                                  ! Get monitor tables, Part I
DEVPTR%   = MTAB1% (7%) + SWAP% (MTAB1% (8%))
.                                  ! Address of device table for all
.                                  !   legal devices
DEVTBL%   = PEEK (DEVPTR% + 32%)   ! Address of table listing DDB
.                                  !   addresses for all configured KBs
DDB%      = PEEK (DEVTBL% + (KB% * 2%))
.                                  ! Address of DDB for keyboard you're
.                                  !   interested in
DDJBNO%   = PEEK (DDB% + 2%) AND 255%
.                                  ! Job number times 2 of keyboard you
.                                  !   want - maybe
IF (DDJBNO% AND 1%) THEN
.    <device is disabled or assigned to DECnet>
ELSE
.    JOBNO% = DDJBNO% / 2%
ENDIF


One warning on this.  If the keyboard is the console keyboard for a detached
job that has relinquished control, DDJBNO% will not reflect this fact.   Any
attempt to reattach by the detached job will run into trouble if you use the
keyboard for something else.

You might also want to check out DDCNT% = PEEK% (DDB% + 6%).   If DDCNT% AND
8192%,  it's the owner's console keyboard; if DDCNT% AND 16384%, it's tempo-
rarily assigned to FIP; if DDCNT% < 0%, Job JOBNO% explicitly assigned it.



                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      229                            0  replies
Reply to #      217

Left by:       Barton F. Bruce               On 07-Jun-89
At     :       (617) 868-1111
Subject:       your DHV is hearing itself

For whatever reason, it sounds as though that port is talking
to itself. The problem is common on long lines with a disconnected
terminal (i.e. now NOTHING) at the far end. Something transmitted
is coupled into the receive side eliciting some response which is
yet another transmission, and this goes on forever. Some call it
ear-in-mouth disease, or a what-who loop. 500' is pretty far, and
that gives you LOTS of wire with lots of capacitance to couple from
transmit to receive. If you are using twisted pair, be sure pins 2
and 3 are each paired with some steady state signal (a ground, or
DTR or whatever NON data signals you are passing end to end. I have seen
horrible problems when someone paired 2 and 3 together and wondered why
it was so prone to chattering to itself.

But, runing an LN03, you shouldn't be set up so anything from the printer
is going to elicit much of any response. What exactly are the port settings.
Also, since the DHV is a DMA device, do you have DMA on?

Do you have a scope?


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      973                            0  replies
Reply to #      970

Left by:       RICK SMITH                    On 08-Jun-89
At     :       (419)321-8331
Subject:       LOGICAL NAME HASH TABLE

Downline load the program in the VAXPRO lib called LMNFILL it will give you
the details which you want.


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      552                            0  replies
Reply to #      551

Left by:       JOHN S. MIELE                 On 08-Jun-89
At     :       (203) 656-5149
Subject:       TERMINAL EMULATORS

Thankyou for the information.  When talking about terminal emulators, it
seems we are getting closer and closer to the digital "PCSA" solution for
connecting PCs to the Vax.  I don't know if you are familiar with PCSA, but
Digital has just slashed the price from $500 per PC to $250 per PC.  Although
it seems that you must also purchase some software to reside on the Vax so
the PC software will be functional.  I don't know these underlying costs, but
if they're negligible, That would make "PCSA" about the same cost as the
terminal emulators out there.  I will do some more investigation.  If you
have any pointers, I would appreciate it.

Thankyou again



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      974                            0  replies
Reply to #      971

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 08-Jun-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       More information

Your code as listed looks fine.  You will have to provide some more detail
in order to find out what's wrong.  One note on security: you are using
an INQUIRE statement.  If you have any sensitive routines, a user can
simply activate verification mode by typing 'F$VERIFY(1)' in response to your
prompt.  For safety, follow all of your INQUIRE statements with SET NOVERIFY
or, better yet, replace your inquire statements with 'READ/PROMPT="Your
Choice? " SYS$COMMAND CHOICE'.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      399                            0  replies
Reply to #      398

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 08-Jun-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       DECnet over a Microcom AX/96xx

Sorry, I can't give you a specific response to the Microcom AX/9624c.
However, I have a Microcom AX/9600 PLUS which has worked DECnet successfully.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
GeneraL Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      975                            0  replies
Reply to #      972

Left by:       RUTH MERMELSTEIN              On 08-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       MORE INFORMATION

Rober Schaffrath - this is for you, too, since you both asked for more
information.

Thanks for replying.  It's nice to know there are people out there to help
when I'm absolutely up against a wall.  I got my answer from my boss. I had
described the problem to her exactly the way I described it to you, and when
she couldn't help me either, I left the message in ARIS.  When you said the
code looked ok, I got smart and showed my boss the entire procedure, and she
spotted the problem.  I had the line

$	DEFINE/USER SYS$INPUT SYS$COMMAND

before the loop instead of in it.  Thanks for the tip about READ/PROMPT.  I
hadn't heard that before, and although my boss had heard that INQUIRE is a
security risk, she didn't know why.



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      401                            0  replies
Reply to #      399

Left by:       RICK CURRY                    On 08-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 921-7683
Subject:       DECNET OVER A MICROCOM AX/96XX


Robert,

That's good to hear.  Is your modem an error correcting type, and if so are
you bypassing this feature.  Also, what speed is your link and are you using
data compression.  A few details about your modem configuration would be of
great interest to me.

Thanks......


                                             FORUM - DEC SIG
Message #      66                             0  replies

Left by:       PHILIP ATTNEAVE               On 08-Jun-89
At     :       (206)684-2074
Subject:       8500 VS 3XXX VMS VAX

I considering replacing a couple of VAX , one 8200 and one 8530 with three
MV3xxx , in a loose cluster.  I currently use RA81's, TU81, and a SCSI 8mm
Exabyte.  There are 4 working groups , 2 Database and 2 mathematical model
projects.  They do not average many users (3-5 per group), but everybody wants
tones of disk space for all the large data sets.  There is also a group of
about 7 PCSA Dos type machines using files disks.

My biggest motivation in going to the micro's is that it appears that ongoing
HW and SW support costs will make them cheaper the next 4 years, including
purchase.

Am I missing something?  Anybody got any do's or don'ts in selecting a
configuration of 3000 series machines?


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      372                            0  replies

Left by:       DAVID MOORE                   On 08-Jun-89
At     :       606-878-7900
Subject:       LOOKING FOR AWK ON VMS

I'm trying to find an implementation of AWK that runs under VMS.  AWK is
a utility language that is very useful for quick-and-dirty text processing.
It was originally developed at AT & T for Unix.  It has been ported to
MS-DOS, (I've got a version called POLYAWK from Polytron Software), but
I need to find it on VMS.  Any help would be appreciated.



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      399                            0  replies

Left by:       DAVID MOORE                   On 08-Jun-89
At     :       606-878-7900
Subject:       LOOKING FOR AWK ON VMS

I'm looking for AWK running on VMS.  AWK is a utility language that is
very useful for quick-and-dirty text processing.  It was originally
developed by AT & T for Unix, but has been ported to other environments.
Any assistance would be appreciated.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      976                            0  replies
Reply to #      971

Left by:       MARTY JOHNSON                 On 08-Jun-89
At     :       (203)666-1737
Subject:       SECURITY

Since you mentioned this procedure is to be run from a captive account,
I hope you are aware that you must take some extra precautions to
prevent users from accessing DCL.

The little culprit here is the mail utility. Remember that MAIL has
a spawn command. It is easy enough to set up the account to prevent
spawning.

What most people forget is that you can mail messages to yourself such
as "$ EXIT" and EXTRACT them as a file called LOGIN.COM. From there,
the user can log off and log back on -- to DCL.

The easiest solution to prevent this is to set LOGIN.COM to version
32767.


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      389                            0  replies
Reply to #      388

Left by:       KELVIN SMITH                  On 08-Jun-89
At     :       (203) 357-0504
Subject:       GETTING JOB # FOR KB

Bruce, I don't know why you couldn't get the SYS call to work.  I tried
it on my system and it worked with no problems, both with logged-in
terminals and with terminals opened by other jobs.  I would suggest
that you shouldn't need to set byte 21; just

A$ = SYS(CHR$(6%) + CHR$(16%) + CHR$(0%) + CHR$(x%))

where x% is the keyboard number, will return in byte 3 the job number
times two (as noted, you should AND the result with 126% to clear the
128 and 1 bits, which have other meanings as listed).
Are you trying in Basic-Plus, Basic-Plus-2, FORTRAN, or what?
It's possible that there's a bug in the language.  I tried it in B+.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      402                            0  replies

Left by:       FRANK INNES                   On 08-Jun-89
At     :       215-448-3461
Subject:       DECNET & TCP/IP SUN-VAX

I would like to hear about software for networking a VAX running DECnet on
Ethernet with a Sun file server running TCP/IP on the same Ethernet.  The
specifics of my situation are an Ethernet with three VAXes, one PDP,  numerous
LAT terminal servers, a Sun 4/280 file server and two Sun 3 systems.  The
traffic with be between a MicroVAX 3500 and the Sun 4/280 and connection to the
Sun via terminal servers is also desired.

It seems to me that a DECnet implementation for the Sun is probably what I need.

Is this so, or is TCP/IP for the MicroVAX preferable?  What are the pros & cons,
and what LAT software is there for the Sun?


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      977                            0  replies
Reply to #      976

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 09-Jun-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       LOGIN.COM security

Definitely a good point.  One additional enhancement would be to change the
file ownership to SYSTEM and grant EXECUTE access to the user through an ACL.
I have two particularly sensitive accounts where this was done.  That way if
the user does manage to get to DCL, they can't SET FILE/REMOVE, RENAME, or
DELETE the LOGIN.COM;32767.  However, the ultimate solution would be to store
the LOGIN.COM in a special secure directory and change the LGICMD parameter in
the UAF to point to that file specification.  The user may not even know where
the LOGIN.COM is in that case.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      403                            0  replies
Reply to #      401

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 09-Jun-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       AX/9600 modem settings

While the modem is basically the same as yours except: a) doesn't support 9600
baud synchronous and b) has an 11000 baud throughput instead of 19200 baud in
MNP class 6 service.  The modem connects at 2400 baud reliable (MNP Class 4)
mode because the other modem doesn't support 9600 baud asynchronous or MNP
Class 6.  Your modem should be able to run DECnet asynchronously at 9600 baud.
You may, however, have to tweek some NCP parameters to allow for possible
line delays due to line noise.  Sorry, I can't provide a 9600 baud
verification.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      978                            0  replies

Left by:                                     On 09-Jun-89
At     :
Subject:



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      553                            0  replies

Left by:       JOHN S. MIELE                 On 09-Jun-89
At     :       (203) 656-5149
Subject:       EXABYTE DRIVE



                                             FORUM - 3RD PARTY SUPPLIERS SIG
Message #      103                            0  replies

Left by:       JOHN S. MIELE                 On 09-Jun-89
At     :       (203) 656-5149
Subject:       EXABYTE DRIVE

I am looking for information on the EXABYTE Drive.  We decided to
go with this drive, as to perform unattended backups.  There are
many vendors out there.  Any comments on the drive itself, and
vendor information would be greatly appreciated.  We are currently
looking at System Industries, Micro Technoligies, and Northwest
Peripherals.


Thanks,

John S. Miele


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      294                            0  replies
Reply to #      293

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 10-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       HITMAN

We're using a product called hitman on 4.7 and 5.0.  Seems to be working since
the users are real p.o.d when they get bumped.


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      554                            0  replies
Reply to #      552

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 10-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       PCSA

I have PCSA up on 135 PC's - combination of TANDON, IBM XT AT and about 55
PS/2
It is worthwhile but as usual the DOC stinks.  There is a memory problem
It uses 202K approx.  There are ways to work around this.

The terminal emulator is nice but I still have a problem with 132 char mode.

Suggest you don't buy the DEC start - it was $4000 down the drain.
Send someone to school who can stay awake in class and who can follow
diretions.

If yoou have PC's with a lot of boards, - call me if you like...  EMM and
3270 boards can be real fun.

The 3COM microchannel board is nice.  Contrary to DEC propoganda, the
LK250 keyboard can be placed on the IBM PS/2.  You need an adapter DEC doesn't
Provide.

We bought 164 of the kits just before the price went down.  Watch the pricing,
There are a lot of quantity package discoounts.  64 copies were cheaper than
50.




                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      555                            0  replies

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 10-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       ETHERNIM

Does anyone know why ETHERNIM takes 4 minutes to backup the database -
It can be restored in 15 secs.

This has been a real pain


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      556                            0  replies

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 10-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       ETHERNIM

Has anyone tried to make reports from ethernim that are more useful than the
ones DEC provides.  They are either too terse to be useful or so verbose to
be workable.

This might be a good package if this were improved.



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      557                            0  replies

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 10-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       PCSA - LN03

Has anyone used PCSA to go to an LN03?
I am trying to get a LOTUS spreadsheet there in landscape mode.  It takes too
many control characters for the lotus setup string.

Any ideas?




                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      404                            0  replies

Left by:       DICK KRAMER                   On 10-Jun-89
At     :       (309) 765-6564
Subject:       VAX FILESERVER 6310

We are just getting into workstations, and considering a 63xx FileServer. The
network will probably consist of a mixture of VAX and SUN workstations.
Obviously, there shouldn't be any problem using a 63xx as a server for VAX, but
does anyone out there have any experience with using the FileServer 63xx
complete with (VMS/ULTRIX connection), as a server for SUN workstations?

We're primarily a VMS shop at this point, and from the stand point of internal
support and operations, we'd like to stay that way. However, for certain
applications, some of our engineers are convinced that the SUN and UNIX are
the only way they can do their job.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      405                            0  replies
Reply to #      402

Left by:       Philip Gravel                 On 10-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       DECNET & TCP/IP

I am aware of at least 3 implementations of TCP/IP that run on a VAX.  The
Wollonogong group has call WIN/TCP, Network Research has one called FUSION, and
CMC has one that includes its own Ethernet board which is claimed to provide
very high throughputs.

A company called KI Research (I think) has an implemention of DECnet that runs
on a Sun workstation.  (I believe they are located in Nashua, NH.)  I don't
know of a LAT implementation that runs on a Unix machine although both Emulex
and Datability have terminal servers that speak TCP/IP.

If I had my druthers, I'd go for the DECnet on a Sun rather than TCP/IP on a
VAX.  However, the utility of DECnet on a Sun is dependent on how well it is
implemented.  TCP/IP on a VAX will potentially give you access to any Unix
machine on your Ethernet.  Hope this helps.

Phil


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      979                            0  replies
Reply to #      977

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 11-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       CAPTIVE ACCOUNTS

One other unsolicited piece of advice.  Make sure you turn off control-y
capability for the account.  We got chewed out at least three different
times due to users issuing CTRL/Y's while executing some utility even though
NOCONTROL=Y was set in the dcl menu.  This especially happened when the
user was executing an in-house or third-party software package (they did not
handle a graceful exit for CTRL/Y's).  We finally settled on a solution that
guarantee the user could not perform any mischevious actions by tailoring a
a copy of the DCLTABLES for use with captive accounts.  This insures that if
the user does manage to make it to the DCL prompt, they don't have much to
play with!


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      390                            0  replies
Reply to #      385

Left by:       Brett Bump                    On 11-Jun-89
At     :       (308) 432-2828 or HEA-DUKE
Subject:       USING LOGICALS WISELY

Arthur.   If this were my system, I would simply detach my job with a ^D and
hang up (although this requires a nonstandard patch to the monitor).

I assume that your modem port is already set to /NODIALUP since you say that
the  program  drops  to  ^C  state.   Otherwise  the  job  should  terminate
completely  (the  recommended norm).  I also assume that the reason that you
are  disconnecting  from your system is so you aren't stuck in limbo waiting
on  a  printer  (I  don't blame you).  Obviously the trauma of disconnecting
from  your  system  is  causing a BREAK signal to be introduced on the line.
One way to bypass this problem and keep your program running would be to set
your terminal for /NOCONTROL=C.

I  would much rather see you change your terminal back to /DIALUP if you can
(yes, some of us are still stuck using DL lines).  Then as an alternative to
rewriting  anything you could have the output sent to a file, then spool the
file to the printer.

.example
.
Assign Sy: Lp                     ;This assumes that the printer that was
.                                 ;opened directly was opened as
Run Application                   ;"Lp:Prtfil.tmp"
.
$Print Prtfil.tmp

Of  course  there  are those who haven't learned the advantages to opening a
non-file-structured  device  with a trailing name.  If that is the case, you
need to have a NFS disk handy.  (Let's use the RAMdisk as an example).

.example             Nfscpy.bas > 10 On Error Goto 70
.                                 20 Open "Dv0:" as File 1%
Assign Dv0: Lp                    30 Open "Prtfil.tmp" as File 2%
.                                 40 Input Line #1%,Prtstf$
Run Application                   50 Print #2%,Prtstf$;
.                                 60 Goto 40
Run Nfscpy                        70 Close 1%,2%
.                                 80 End
$Print Prtfil.tmp

As  you  can see,  there are definite advantages to using local logicals and
creating programs with the intent of using these logicals wisely.  Give me a
call if you need any help.



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      406                            0  replies
Reply to #      405

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 11-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       DECNET & TCP/IP

Philip,

There are at least six TCP/IP implementations for the VAX.  In addition
to the three you mentioned there is a package from Excelan which requires
their board to run, one from SRI called Multinet and one from Carnegie-Mellon
University.  The Carnegie-Mellon package is "cheapware" (License media and doc
are less than $200) and is not supported by CMU.  The commercial packages all
cost "big bucks" but they are supported.

DECNET integrates seamlessly on the VAX end of things.  Except for having
to specify a remote nodename the user need not even know it's there.  TCP/IP
implementations require running FTP to transfer files while DECNET lets the
user use the familiar COPY, TYPE and DIRECTORY commands at DCL level.

TCP/IP is the "native mode" networking for Unix systems.  I suspect that
it might look better on a Unix system than DECnet would. (I've never used
DECNET under Unix).

It is possible to run both DECNET and TCP/IP simultaneously on the same
Ethernet controller.  I use DECNET to communicate between my VAXen and IBM
PCs and TCP/IP to talk to the rest of the world.



                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      216                            0  replies

Left by:       KEITH PINNEY                  On 12-Jun-89
At     :       (612) 778-5191
Subject:       CALLABLE WINDOW EDITOR

Does anyone know of a callable EDT-like editor for VMS that can accept
limits for maximum lines, maximum columns, displayed lines, displayed
columns and a starting row and column on the screen.

I would like to be able to call an editing routine like this and use it
for field entry much the same as FMS or TDMS, but for larger fields of
text.  These fields have a known, limited number of columns and lines.

I have investigated writing this with SMG calls, but I'd rather not re-
invent the wheel if it exists somewhere.

Thanks!



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      513                            2  replies

Left by:       JOHN V. J. FINKELL            On 12-Jun-89
At     :       (404) 980-1190
Subject:       VAX/PC NETWORKING PRO&CON

We have a VAXstation 2000 and 10 PC's.  We are using PCSA software to run the
PC's off the VAX.  Currently we have certain programs running as disk services
with their associated data on a file service.  I would like to keep this
scenario, but I have a hard time convincing the powers that be that this is
the way to go.  They think the data and programs should be on the individual
machine, IN CASE THE VAX GOES DOWN.  They also don't know why we need pc's if
the data and programs are on the VAX.  If any can supply me with convincing
arguments for or against this I would like to here from you.  Is this the
ultimate use of the VAX and PC?!


                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      260                            0  replies

Left by:       FINKELL                       On 12-Jun-89
At     :       404-980-1190
Subject:       TK-50'S ANOTHER PROBLEM

We have a VAXstation 2000 running VMS v4.7 and a TK-50 tape drive, as well as
a RD-54 hard drive.  When I want to back up the entire hard drive which takes
two tapes I must be present when the tapes switch.  The only help I got from
DEC is a patch which extends the timeout period to 30 minutes, but this still
does not allow me to run it at night as a batch process.  And do to the high
amount of I/O the whole system slows down considerably, so I am forced to give
up 3 hours on saturday to come in and do the backup, and with plans of getting
another disk drive I don't relish the idea of giving up 6 hours, due to DEC's
irresponsibilty with the TK-50 tapes.  Is there a way around this timeout
problem or a way to tweak the system so the backup does not slow down our
users, setting the priorty doesn't help since it is the I/O that's the killer?
DEC said VMS V5.0 solved the timeout problem, but there is still problems with
the TVDRIVER, is this true?  All these problems are only problems for the
TVDRIVER present in VAXSTATION 2000 & 3000 and the MICROVAX 2000.b Please Send
Help !!!!!!



                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      296                            0  replies
Reply to #      293

Left by:       MARTY KUHRT                   On 12-Jun-89
At     :       (818) 249-4707
Subject:       WATCHDOG



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      514                            0  replies
Reply to #      513

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 12-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       VAX & PC

John,

Well?  Why do you do it with a dozen or so PCs and a VAX?  You doubtless
have your reasons for doing it that way and some time spent setting down those
reasons for your bosses might pay dividends.

Off hand, I can think of a couple of issues that might be relevant:

1.   The data must be on a file server (the VAX) because it must be shared by
several users.

2.   The processing is done on PCs because the software is available for PCs.
Writing it for a mini (VAX) would cost $xxxxx.

Of course neither of these points may have anything to do with the facts.



                                             FORUM - DEC SIG
Message #      68                             0  replies
Reply to #      66



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      400                            1  replies
Reply to #      397

Left by:       PHILLIP A CREWS               On 12-Jun-89
At     :       AMEX HSG 704 333 1276
Subject:       ATEXIT ()

Here are some hints for using ATEXIT() as I understand it:

Be sure to point to the handler block;i.e.  atexit(&exit_handler_block);

Make sure the exit handler block is static, writable, and defined for the
entire length.

There is a longword in the exit handler block which must be initialized with
the address of the exit handler routine.

There may be some limitation to the compiliation of the exit handler itself;
C must not set up its own exit handler for the exit handler.  I believe
there is a CC qualifier that avoids normal run-time initialization.  (I know
that in BASIC it is /NOSETUP, but I can't remember about C.)

Try a very simple procedure to make sure that something in your code is
not causing an access violation; just do a printf() or something.


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      401                            0  replies
Reply to #      400

Left by:       PHILLIP A CREWS               On 12-Jun-89
At     :       AMEX HSG 704 333 1276
Subject:       ATEXIT ()

I hope I didn't confuse you too much with my reply in #400 - much of
the description I gave was for SYS$DCLEXH rather than ATEXIT.  ATEXIT
takes the address of the function to run at exit ( &exit_handler ).

Sorry for my mistake.  Still attempt to use a simple procedure (such
as simply containing a printf() ) to tell if it's a C problem or not.


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      515                            0  replies
Reply to #      513

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 12-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       VAX/PC NETWORKS

John,  I'd like to add a few more reasons for hooking PCs to a VAX  to  Richard
Gilbert's excellent summary:

1.  Storing information on the VAX ensures that backups of the data used by the
PCs  gets  done.   This  is a major hassle on standalone PCs,  as  well  as  on
networked PCs where the data are stored locally.

2.  If executable code for the PCs is stored on the VAX, it's a relatively easy
job  to upgrade to new releases - there's only one copy of the program  to  re-
place.   (This is not, of course, an invitation to evade licensing requirements
by  purchasing one copy of a standalone program and then using it  on  multiple
PCs.   In fact,  trying to run single-user software in a multiuser  environment
usually  ends  up costing more in aggravation and garbled data  than  buying  a
networked version to start with.)

3.  Since your work is being done by a PC's CPU instead of the VAX's, more work
gets accomplished in less time,  with less strain on the VAX's resources,  than
if  everybody  used terminals connected into the VAX.   This assumes  that  you
could find VAX software that would do the same job you're doing on the PCs.

4.  Related  to the last point is the fact that while a single PC with no  hard
disk costs quite a bit more than a terminal does,  adding 10 or 15 PC  worksta-
tions with no hard drives to your network costs less than adding the same  num-
ber  of workstations and then having to upgrade to a more powerful VAX  to  get
adequate response time.

What neither Richard's nor my replies speak to is the question why you have the
VAX to start with.  All the benefits we've outlined - plus full fault tolerance
in case the server has problems - could be obtained at lower cost by running  a
strictly PC network off a powerful system such as a Compaq 386/25.   (Two-Gbyte
tape  systems are available for PCs, too,  which would make  unattended  backup
possible.)   But  I'd  guess  that you have  other  programs  that  are  solely
VAX-based, where the PCs simply serve as dumb terminals.

Speaking philosophically,  yes,  I do think this is the ultimate use of  minis.
The trend first became apparent to me, at least, in high-CPU situations such as
engineering;  the mini server provides an excellent means of  supplying  shared
data without losing centralized control and security,  while the  workstations'
CPUs bring the load on the mini down to manageable proportions.

Commercial applications took quite a while to follow suit, but as users discov-
ered how much more sophisticated PC programs are than most mini programs -  and
systems specialists learned how resource-intensive it is to provide  equivalent
features  in mini software - commercial PC/mini networks started springing  up.
CPU-intensive graphics interfaces and use of color are becoming more  prevalent
in  commercial software,  and I expect to see more and more use of  intelligent
terminals - workstations - and fewer and fewer terminals of the VTxxx variety.

Eventually I think the software companies will embrace the trend fully and pro-
vide true distributed processing:   VAX (or other mini) programs that  communi-
cate directly with PC programs to make the best use of both types of  computer.
Oracle, I understand, is already doing this in the database arena.



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      516                            1  replies
Reply to #      16

Left by:       JOHN V. J. FINKELL            On 13-Jun-89
At     :       404-980-1190
Subject:       NEW AREA CODE FOR 617

PLEASE NOTE ANY REFERENCES TO AREA CODE (617) FOR MASS. THE AREA CODE HAS BEEN
CHANGED. THE NEW AREA CODE IS (508).



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      517                            0  replies

Left by:       JOHN V. J. FINKELL            On 13-Jun-89
At     :       (404) 980-1190
Subject:       NEW AREA CODE FOR 617

PLEASE BE ADVISED THERE IS A NEW AREA CODE FOR (617) MASS. IT IS NOW (508).



                                             FORUM - DEC SIG
Message #      69                             1  replies
Reply to #      65

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 13-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       CDA/DDIF

In  the absence of any specific information (Hey!   Any of you guys  in  the
Graphics SIG listening?), I'd suggest that you try DEC again.   Get in touch
with your local DEC people and tell them how disappointed you are that their
DECwindows class didn't live up to its advertising.   Ask them - nicely,  of
course  -  what DEC is going to do to honor its commitment.   If  the  local
people don't respond,  kick the question upstairs, all the way to Maynard if
necessary, till you get some satisfaction.



                                             FORUM - DEC SIG
Message #      70                             0  replies
Reply to #      66

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 13-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       8530 VS 3XXX

From what I've heard,  the 3000 series are the hottest items in the VAX mar-
ket  right  now,  for a lot of good reasons.   Three caveats come  to  mind,
though:

1.  You're  basing your cost analysis on DEC's current prices and  policies.
DEC has a history of "adjusting" their charge for hardware and software sup-
port according to their current marketing strategy;  would anybody here like
to venture a guess about where DEC will want to take the 3xxx's in the  next
five years?

2.  The  smaller machines,  whether they're VAX 3xxx's or  PDP-11/23s,  work
best with a lean, mean operating system - smaller percentage of the system's
resources taken up with O/S overhead,  as well as less O/S overhead per user
process.   Larger  systems  tend to be served  best  by  more  feature-rich,
resource-intensive operating systems;  the bigger guys can afford the  over-
head, and the added functionality provides more flexible user support.   The
trend  in VMS development has been toward ever larger operating systems,  to
the point that a couple of years back,  users with small VAXes (11/750s  and
11/780s)  had to trade up just to support new (V4.x) versions of VMS.   Will
DEC  continue in this direction,  and have you allowed enough slack in  your
new configuration to run  VMS V6.x and V7.x when they come out over the next
four years?

3.  My understanding is that the bus structure of the 8530 will continue  to
give you better throughput than the 3xxx's for your disk-intensive  database
application.   Check  out your current I/O utilization  statistics  (MONITOR
should give you sufficient information) and extrapolate from that using  the
published benchmarks to see if the new guys will do the job for you  without
degrading your performance.  (Any comments from the System Performance SIG?)

Depending on your answers to these questions, you might want to consider re-
placing  the 8200 with a single 3000 for the sake of upgrading while  saving
money.   Then you could expand your storage capacity, which seems to be your
main  resource  deficit at present,  over the new two-system  cluster.   You
might  want  to keep the database groups on the 8530 and migrate  the  math-
ematical model groups over to your 3000;  the DOS folks,  who probably don't
have  heavy resource requirements,  could be attached to whichever  VAX  can
provide them the storage capacity they need.



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      518                            0  replies
Reply to #      512

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 13-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       DECUS SESSION NOTES

If  nobody  here has gotten in touch with you in the past week,  Jerry,  the
notes  may  not  be available through the ARIS community (RSX  SIG,  do  you
copy?).   Your best bet may be to send out an SOS - the call, not the editor
- through your DECUS LUG.



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      407                            0  replies
Reply to #      397

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 13-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       LAT SERVERS

I have been reading the comments on LAT and the server 200.  They are
somewhat disturbing.  On the 9600/4800 baud issue.  Can soomeone tell me how
to determine if the servers I have are slowing to 4800?  This wuld be a real
problem in soome future appls where devices cannot autotbaud.
Also - what about the server 550?  I have 3 - two fully populated with DEC423
boards.  I do have user complaints but had written them off to too many
ALLIN1 users  (approx 100) on an 8530.


                                             LASER PRINTERS SIG
Message #      71                             0  replies

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 13-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       LN03 / SERVER 550

We tried to run a LN03 at 19200 on a DEC 423 port on a server 550.  Never got
it to run.  Went back to 9600.  Has anyone done this successfully or is
there a known DEC "feature" that prohibits this?




                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      519                            0  replies
Reply to #      516

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 13-Jun-89
At     :
Subject:       508 AREA CODE

That 508 area code only applies to those areas in Eastern Massachusetts
outside of Boston/Cambridge!  617 is still in effect for Boston and Cambridge.




                                             FORUM - 3RD PARTY SUPPLIERS SIG
Message #      104                            0  replies
Reply to #      103

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 13-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       EXABYTE 8-MM TAPE DRIVES

John, two people who left information in the 3rd-Party Suppliers SIG earlier
this year may be able to help you out.  They are Daniel Servranckx, at (514)
990-0805, who left Message #90 concerning bad reports he had heard about the
Exabyte on 06-Jan-89;  and Gerald Vezzosi,  at (201) 802-6249,  who gave his
experience with the GT88 in Message #91 on 01-Mar-89.



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      558                            0  replies
Reply to #      557

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 13-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       LOTUS AND LN03s

Ralph,  my best suggestion would be to use a different spreadsheet.   If you
can  find one that supports the LN03 directly,  you'd be best off;  I  think
Microsoft Excel does (via Microsoft Windows?), but I'm not sure.   You might
also check out Twin - see almost any PC magazine for their ads.  Lacking ex-
plicit LN03 support,  you might investigate AsEasyAs, from Trius,  Inc.,  15
Atkinson St.,  Lynn,  Mass. 01905.  It permits upward of 80 characters for a
printer initialization string.  It's shareware and costs $30 a copy.

I'd  say that Lotus printer support is archaic and antedeluvian  except  for
one thing - I can't find any Lotus printer support to say it about.  As near
as I can tell, the only reason anybody uses the overpriced and underfeatured
1-2-3  any more is the huge investment many firms have in Lotus add-ons  for
functionality  1-2-3 should've given them to start with.   The  question  of
templates  the  users have already created is largely a red  herring,  since
most  other spreadsheet packages today will read in 1-2-3  spreadsheets  and
translate the macros with no or minimal modification.



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      408                            0  replies
Reply to #      403

Left by:       MARTY KUHRT                   On 13-Jun-89
At     :       (818) 249-4707
Subject:       DECNET BY MODEM

This is in response to the first message about using a 9600 baud
modem for DECnet. I am currently running DECnet across 17,000 feet
of four wire DC metallic phone line (a Pac Bell lease line) with
two Virtual Cable Modems. The modems are rated at 9600 at 3-3.5 miles,
but unfortunately, do to assertion problems with the MicroVAX II's
DZ board, it will only run 4800 clearly (on this virtual modem it
needs a pin 20 assertion level of 8-15v and the board provides 6v).
For economy though you can't beat this set up, the lease line is
the cheapest thing Pac Bell provides, and the modems cost around $100.
-
Not really a direct response to the question, but proof that you don't
have to spend lotsa bucks on a high speed modem and 'special' lease line.
-
Some of the problems and caveats I ran into...
- DEC supports DDCMP upto 9600, but they say they have people running
it at 19200 without problems.
- DEC is pretty adamant about NOT having error correction or compression
on the modems when running DDCMP, they say it has something to do with
packet framing. Since the modems I have a just basically line drivers,
error correction is not a factor.        ^re (maybe I should invest
in an error correcting BBS typer)

Right now, I am only running at 4800, but if DECnet is used wisely,
it is not too much of a problem. I'm still playing around with it,
and will report back if I find any handy tips for performance enhancement.
Once in a while I lose line sync for 5 seconds, so I'll check into
Roberts suggestion about NCP fiddling.

p.s. any ncp/ddcmp tips would be appreciated.
Marty Kuhrt
VAX Mgr
Executive Software
(818) 249-4707


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      334                            0  replies

Left by:       PETER MYO KHIN                On 13-Jun-89
At     :       (202) 268-2411
Subject:       BARCODES



                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      335                            0  replies

Left by:       PETER MYO KHIN                On 13-Jun-89
At     :       (202) 268-2411
Subject:       BARCODE PRINTING CAPABILITY

I am in search of a VAX 8xxx application package that will permit me to print
address barcodes to USPS specifications.  This package must be accessible from
the All-In-1 platform and be printed on LN03s.  Any information on this is
welcome.  Thank you!


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      373                            0  replies

Left by:       TOM PALL                      On 13-Jun-89
At     :       (302)695-1938
Subject:       CMS FOR NON-SOURCE FILES


There are more and more "configurable" software packages out in
the process control/data acquisition arena, ala GENESIS, THE FIX,
LABVIEW that after "programming" in them, result not in source
code but binary files containing graphics, pointers, hooks being
produced.  The runtime packages "runs" thru these files during
"program" execution.

I am searching for a "code" management system for these files.
Polytron and DEC/VMS/VAXSET's CMS appear to only handle source
code (card image files of ASCII text).

I don't really care about running DIFFERENCES.  But I do like
having revisions, releases, generations, all the things that
DEC's CMS offers, plus annotations for any revision, extraction.
Try doing that with a READ.ME file or a label attached to the
floppy.

Transfer to/from MS-DOS, MPW and VMS no problem IF I can find
a product.

Any leads?

P.S. I'm with a large chemical company headquartered in Wilmington,
Delaware.




                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      391                            0  replies
Reply to #      389

Left by:       BRUCE A. GREMBOWSKI           On 13-Jun-89
At     :       408/291-3364
Subject:       JOB NO. FROM KB NO.

Phil and Kelvin,
Thank you for your (as always) prompt replies.  Phil, I tried the monitor
table stuff, and I'm not getting the right stuff.  I must've gotten some-
thing wrong somewhere, but I'm still looking.  Kelvin, I'm using RST V9.2
and Basic-Plus V7.1 (I think).  All other SYS() calls are working fine.
Is there any other way besides polling all the jobs?  Maybe I'll just do that
anyway.  I was using the 128 to return /PERM characteristics for a terminal,
as we have NEC spinwriters hooked up to ports with /NOBROADCAST normally set,
but sometimes set to /BROADCAST.  I was going to use the result of the
SYS(6+16+0) call to find out if the port was just a printer.  Anyway, I'll
keep trying!


                                             FORUM - DEC SIG
Message #      71                             0  replies
Reply to #      69

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 14-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       CDA/DDIF

Thanks for the suggestion.  We have already started a protest movement
starting with our sales rep and with Digital educational division.
However, this the date this project goes to pilot mode is only 2-1/2
months away and I don't have time to play letter and phone tag with
Digital for support.  Oh well, this is not the first time my back's
been up againist the wall.  Thanks for the help.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      409                            0  replies
Reply to #      405

Left by:       PATRICK                       On 14-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       DECNET & TCP/IP

I don't know how much you have been told but Sun provides its one DECnet
package.  It allows for the Sun to behave as a DECnet end node.  However,
as soon as Phase V DECnet is out with support for NFS (this is supposely
the connection link for the VMS/Ultrix connection) Sun has said that they
will drop support for their package.

We have decided to implement TCP/IP on our main VAX router.  We use a
package from EXLAN that is a combination of hardware and software support.
This gives us full TCP/IP functionality such as file transfers: FTP,
remote login: TELNET, and the ability to send VAX/VMS Mail over the
ethernet to our Unix machines.  We find this is much easier than support
dozens of third party DECnet products on all our Unix machines (Sun's,
Apollo's, HP's, SGI's, etc).


                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      217                            0  replies
Reply to #      216

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 14-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       CALLABLE EDT-EDITOR

I don't know if you know it but the EDT editor has a callable interface to
it.  However, I don't believe you can tailor it to your needs.  Have looked
at using TPU and building your own custom editor?  The TPU editor has
a callable interface that you can access from inside your program and TPU
is very tailorable.  For more information see the TPU programmers guide.


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      336                            0  replies
Reply to #      333

Left by:       BRIAN DESANTIS                On 15-Jun-89
At     :       (201)670-0286
Subject:       USERWARE

Rich Nardiello - I had to laugh when reading your message abour Userware
and Userbase. Not 5 minutes before, I was thinking of putting a message
on Aris about the very same thing - I just received my package two days
ago and installed it yesterday. I am running version 3.4-11 and would
love to talk to you about it and vice versa...  I am a little miffed
though - I was playing around with all the programs and then the license
was installed today, and now I learn I cant play with them anymore, because
we dont have a license for them. Oh well.... Look forward to hearing from you.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      980                            0  replies
Reply to #      976

Left by:       BRIAN DESANTIS                On 15-Jun-89
At     :       (201)670-0286
Subject:       SECURITY

I had a problem with some 'mischievous' users and one of the ways I kept
control was to modify their command language tables - it is very hard to
perform taks in DCL when all they get is:

%DCL-W-IVVERB, unrecognized command verb - check validity and spelling

As for using READ instead if INQUIRE - it is a much safer solution,
and provides some nice qualifiers that handle errors (/ERROR=branch),
control/z's (/END_OF_FILE=branch) and allow the program to branch if the
user doesnt input something within a certain amount of time
(/TIME_OUT=seconds).

Under VMS V4.7 and below, there was an equation that would return the
total number of interactive users, from DCL. It was:

users = f$cvsi(0,16,f$fao("!AD",4,%X80002BFC))

Does anyone have the V5.0 and abover 'version' of this statement??? I found
it very useful to have....


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      297                            0  replies

Left by:       KEVIN VERBLE                  On 15-Jun-89
At     :       1-714-998-5500
Subject:       NODE LICENSING

I'd like to know if a PCSA member license is tied to the PC or to the
node name. I have two PC's that could take advantage of the PCSA
facilities but I only have one license. I'd like to boot each of them
as needed onto the network using the same boot floppy, which would
mean the same node name. They don't have to be on the network at the
same time. If the licensing is by node name, this should abide by
the license. Thanks for any information.


                                             MICROVAX SIG
Message #      207                            0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 15-Jun-89
At     :       AT THE GOLF COURSE
Subject:       GNU MICROVAXES

Gentle Readers:

Yes, it's true.  Uncle Ken and his crew are planning to spring a
whole slew of new MicroVAXes on the DEC community!  First we'll
see the MicroVAX 3100, an upscale replacement for the obsolescent
MicroVAX 2000.  Later in the year (fall seems reasonable to me) we
can expect DEC to transmute the Firefox workstation into a family
of multiprocessor MicroVAXes!  Alas, we'll have to wait until next
year before DEC unleashes a 7VUPS Rigel-based system . . .

facts not rumours,

DR. R



                                             UNIX/ULTRIX SIG
Message #      40                             0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 15-Jun-89
At     :       RECOVERY ROOM
Subject:       OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD

Yes, the good doctor is off to see the wizard--the Wizard of OZIX,
of course.  According to sources close to the DECwest lab where this
alluring new O/S is being crafted even as we speak (or type), OZIX is
a next-generation VMS followon that will run on an as-yet unimplemented
64-bit version of the MIPS RISC architecture.  Can you say "Son of MICA?"
Sure you can!

facts not rumours,

Dr. R.



                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      303                            0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 15-Jun-89
At     :       INTENSIVE CARE
Subject:       NAME THAT TERMINAL
DEC has a problem and they need your help.  Seems that DEC is
all set to program-announce their much-vaunted (and even more
heavily rumoured) DECwindows terminal and they need a name for
this $2,500 gem.  "DT300" is the current internal name for the
product, but this sobriquet lacks zest appeal!  So c'mon and
give DEC a hand--why, maybe they'll send the winner of the
name-that-terminal contest to KAPRI!

facts not rumours,
Dr. R



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      410                            0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 15-Jun-89
At     :       EVERYWHERE
Subject:       VAXCLUSTER II: THE SEQUEL

Coming soon to a cluster near you--an active star coupler, an HSC100
and parallel CI-buses.  Also an increase in maximum number of nodes
(perhaps as many as 64) and other goodies too secret to broach in a
forum such as this.  Sorry, Charlie: no fibre optic CI just yet, so
you'll have to sit on that inventory of optical backplane polish for
a while longer . . .


facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      51                             0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 15-Jun-89
At     :       MR04
Subject:       THE AGE OF AQUARIUS

Admiral Olsen sez full speed ahead with the successor to Nautilus!
Ken's latest and greatest is the air-cooled Aquarius, a hot new VAX
CPU that will be available in uni through quadratic configurations
that will deliver 30 through 108VUPS scalar performance and 55 through
200 debit/credit transactions respectively!

Angling for vectors?  Great, 'cuz Aquarius' built-in vector accelerator
will belt out 18MFLOPS (100 x 100 Linpack) and 125MFLOPS (peak) on a
per-CPU basis!  That's substantially better than the performance of the
vector option that will be offered--at some point in the future--on the
VAX 6400 and Firefox workstation.

Don't expect to see Aquarius in the Electronic Store until early next
year.  One and two-CPU systems may ship in winter/spring 1900; you'll
have to wait a bit longer for three and four processor versions and
Ultrix support.

facts not rumours,

Dr. R





                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      392                            0  replies
Reply to #      391

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 15-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       BLUSH!

Whoops!   Bruce, I just looked over that code again, and I found the problem
immediately:   The  "32"  in Mike Maysfield's wonderful book is  octal,  not
decimal ... and BASIC+ doesn't speak octal.  (Darn!)  Try substituting

.    DEVTBL% = PEEK (DEVPTR% + 26%)

And if that doesn't work,  try 24% - the explanatory text doesn't match  the
numbers  given very well.   Mike writes about Offsets 0-16:   "These  twelve
words [in DEVNAM, the device name table, whose offsets correspond to the en-
tries in DEVTBL] contain the names of all the disks supported by RSTS/E,  in
the order:  DV, DF, DS, DK, DL, DM, DP, DR, DB, DZ, DW, DU.   All disk names
are included, even if the device is not configured in this system."

Now, my octal counting would put 12 word-size offsets at 0-26 octal, or 0-22
decimal,  so the "1" in "16" is probably a typo.  Then Mike says that Offset
32 (octal) in DEVNAM contains the device name "KB".  He doesn't say what, if
anything,  is at Offset 30 (octal) = 24 (decimal),  and I don't have a  V9.6
system handy to try it out on.  But he talks about Offset 32 (octal) in sev-
eral other tables as being the position of entries for KB-type devices, so I
suspect that 26% is correct.



                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      218                            0  replies
Reply to #      206

Left by:       CARL HOUSEMAN                 On 15-Jun-89
At     :       703-949-1323
Subject:       EDT WORKALIKE FOR MS-DOS

For the price of a phone call you can download SEDT from various bulletin
boards.  This is an editor written by a DEC employee on his own time, which
improves on EDT with two-windows, overstrike mode, block cut/paste, etc.  It
is also included in the PCSA client distribution, I believe.  Kevin Barkes (of
this magazine) should have it on his Opus bulletin board.  (412-854-0511)


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      374                            0  replies
Reply to #      373

Left by:       CARL HOUSEMAN                 On 16-Jun-89
At     :       703-949-1323
Subject:       CMS HANDLES NON-SOURCE FILES

Since version 3.0 CMS has had the capability to store binary files.
Unfortunately, each successive generation will take about as much storage as
keeping a separate version of the file, because a single-byte difference in a
binary file tends to make the rest of the records different (and CMS is still
record-oriented).


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      52                             0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 16-Jun-89
At     :       ON CALL
Subject:       I WANT A NEW SIG

Yes.  Methinks the time has come for a new ARIS SIG, one dedicated to
Digital's soon-to-be expanding RISC product family.

Soon-to-be expanding?  Read on . . .

Reliable sources have informed me that DEC will deploy a plethora of
pyrotechnics one week after our nation's natal day.  In addition to
the VAX 6400 that we've all been waiting for, DEC will roll out its
first DECsystem data center servers.  These mysterious machines are
likely to include R2000 and R3000 uniprocessors in MicroVAX cabinets
as well as R2000 and R3000 dual-processor ASMP systems packaged in
commodious Calypso cabinetry.

Prefer workstations?  No sweat, Chet--DEC will ring your chimes with
an entry-level Sparcstation-slayer called the DECstation 2100.  Also
on tap are R3000-based DECstations with 3D graphics and perhaps an
entry-level, bounded PVAX based on the KA640 CPU board.

facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      298                            0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 16-Jun-89
At     :       AT THE FREE CLINIC
Subject:       AT YOUR SERVICE

Yes.  DEC's Field Circus ringmasters soon will announce Integrated
Services Delivery System, a new service offering that includes Site
Service Processor hardware and gee-whiz AI-based predictive diagnostic
software.  But if an Aquarius mainframe VAX is on your shopping list,
you need not make a separate trip to buy your SSP--a MicroVAX-based SSP
will be concealed in the cabinet of each and every commercial Aquarius
system!

facts not rumours (accept no substitutes)

Dr. R


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      52                             0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 16-Jun-89
At     :       ON CALL
Subject:       I WANT A NEW SIG

Yes.  Methinks the time has come for a new ARIS SIG, one dedicated to
Digital's soon-to-be expanding RISC product family.

Soon-to-be expanding?  Read on . . .

Reliable sources have informed me that DEC will deploy a plethora of
pyrotechnics one week after our nation's natal day.  In addition to
the VAX 6400 that we've all been waiting for, DEC will roll out its
first DECsystem data center servers.  These mysterious machines are
likely to include R2000 and R3000 uniprocessors in MicroVAX cabinets
as well as R2000 and R3000 dual-processor ASMP systems packaged in
commodious Calypso cabinetry.

Prefer workstations?  No sweat, Chet--DEC will ring your chimes with
an entry-level Sparcstation-slayer called the DECstation 2100.  Also
on tap are R3000-based DECstations with 3D graphics and perhaps an
entry-level, bounded PVAX based on the KA640 CPU board.

facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      298                            0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 16-Jun-89
At     :       AT THE FREE CLINIC
Subject:       AT YOUR SERVICE

Yes.  DEC's Field Circus ringmasters soon will announce Integrated
Services Delivery System, a new service offering that includes Site
Service Processor hardware and gee-whiz AI-based predictive diagnostic
software.  But if an Aquarius mainframe VAX is on your shopping list,
you need not make a separate trip to buy your SSP--a MicroVAX-based SSP
will be concealed in the cabinet of each and every commercial Aquarius
system!

facts not rumours (accept no substitutes)

Dr. R


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      393                            1  replies

Left by:       JOHN HEINZ                    On 16-Jun-89
At     :       513 866-3300
Subject:       V8.0 ON PDP11/84

DOES ANYBODY OUT THERE USE A VERSION OF RSTS BELOW 9 ON A PDP 11/84??
WE ARE PLANNING ON UPGRADING OUR HARDWARE BUT WANT TO USE V8.0 . I KNOW
THIS ISN'T OFFICIALLY SUPPORTED BY DEC BUT WILL IT WORK OK??? I'D
APPRECIATE ANY INFO AT ALL....

THANKS!!!!





                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      394                            0  replies
Reply to #      393

Left by:       DON ROBERTS                   On 16-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       V8.0 ON 11/84

I don't use it, but some years ago, when I was invovled in RSTS, I encountered
a few 84's that were on 8.0, so I would presume it would still work.


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      299                            0  replies
Reply to #      277

Left by:       TOM CACHAT                    On 16-Jun-89
At     :       ARIS
Subject:       VAX SHUTDOWN IF POWER FAIL
We've come up with two plans to automatically shut down
our VAX if we have a power outage:

1.  Our electricians our installing some 110V outlets off of
the commercial feed to the UPS.  We will plug in our
VAX modems to these outlets, set the modems to always have
carrier detect on and have the VAX ports set /MODEM.  If
the modem is on, the VAX port will have the /REMOTE characteristic;
if the commercial power goes out, the port will have /NOREMOTE due
to the loss of the carrier detect signal from the modem.  A DCL
command procedure can then monitor these modem ports for the
the status of the /REMOTE characteristic.

2.  The UPS interface to the AS400 will be connected to the AS400.  If
there is a power problem, the AS400 will be informed via this inter-
face and can be programmed to tell the VAX, either directly or via
a PC.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      981                            0  replies

Left by:       TOM CACHAT                    On 16-Jun-89
At     :       ARIS
Subject:       BYPASSING DEVICE CONTROL LIBR
The following is how we print to our LN03 using
condensed print, wihtout using the device control
library.


SH SYM PRLE16
PRLE16 = "@DUA0:[SYS0.SYSMGR.UTILITIES]LN03_16"

USAGE:  PRLE16 <filename>

DUA0:[SYS0.SYSMGR.UTILITIES]LN03_16.COM
---------------------------------------
$define sys$output nl:
$print/que=letter/noflag/noburst/noheader utilities:ln03_16.
$deassign sys$output
$print/que=letter/noflag/noburst/noheader 'p1'
$define sys$output nl:
$print/que=letter/noflag/noburst/noheader utilities:ln03_default.
$deassign sys$output

SHQ LETTER/FULL
Terminal queue LETTER, on TTA6:
/BASE_PRIORITY=4 /NOENABLE_GENERIC /FORM=DEFAULT Lowercase /OWNER=[1,4]
/PROTECTION=(S:E,O:D,G:R,W:RW) /SCHEDULE=(NOSIZE)
(*** need this ***)

UTILITIES:LN03_16.
-----------------------
<CSI>90 C<CSI>4w

UTILITIES:LN03_DEFAULT.  (changes back to default pitch)
-----------------------
<ESC>c


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      982                            0  replies
Reply to #      980

Left by:       Robert G. Schaffrath          On 16-Jun-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       Interactive User Information

Brian,

The following DCL code will work for VMS V5.0 and V5.1-1:

users = f$cvsi(0,16,f$fao("!AD",4,%X800044c0))	! SYS$GW_IJOBCNT

Also, if you want to know the interactive limit:

limit = f$cvsi(0,16,f$fao("!AD",4,%X800082de))	! SYS$GW_IJOBLIM


The two memory locations you are looking at are known as SYS$GW_IJOBCNT and
SYS$GW_IJOBLIM respectively.  In the future, if you wish to determine there
locations in a new release of VMS, all you need do is type, in DCL:

$ SEARCH SYS$SYSTEM:SYS.MAP SYS$GW_IJOBCNT
$ SEARCH SYS$SYSTEM:SYS.MAP SYS$GW_IJOBLIM

The '8000nnnn' number returned is the memory address you reference.  Also note
that you can examine these locations with the DCL 'EXAMINE' command.  All you
need type is:

$ EXAMINE/WORD/DECIMAL %X800044C0	! Interactive count
$ EXAMINE/WORD/DECIMAL %X800082DE	! Interactive limit

The method you use, however, allows you to assign the value to a symbol for
later use.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      304                            0  replies
Reply to #      303

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 16-Jun-89
At     :       7177515210
Subject:       ANSWER

I'd suggest they call it a 3290 - That's what Ibm called a similar white
elephant.  (DEC not only has it now, DEC builds them too, white elephants, I
mean)

Dr R has arrested social and mental development - he can't give his correct
name and location.  (He probably has bad breath too)





                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      305                            0  replies

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 16-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       DEC BILLING

Does anyone have a good billing system they could sell to Ken Olsen.

I haven't seen a bill that is right for six months.

Being a blue box retread who was accustomed to getting bills that were
right month after month, this was a real shock.

Any ideas?


                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      306                            1  replies
Reply to #      304

Left by:       DR. R                         On 17-Jun-89
At     :       NETWORK-WIDE
Subject:       DECWINDOWS TERMINAL

A *white elephant*?  Surely you jest, Ralph.  A DECwindows terminal is
just what DEC needs to lower the entry price to the wonderful world of
DECwindows (try convincing management to purchase an $8K PVAX for everyone
on staff!).  Incidentally, as a fully distributed process I do not feature
attributes such as halitosis or spatial locality.

facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      307                            0  replies
Reply to #      306

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 17-Jun-89
At     :
Subject:       MANAGEMENT

Management will do what is recommended if you have the proper justification

When people say management doesn't listen, they arent talking the right
language to them...  That's the usual techie copout...

There's no substitute for having your ducks in a row, asking for what you
need and no more.

Most techies would rather spend their time arguing the merits of unibus, Bibus
and vanagons rather than talking improved productivity of personnel.

After all, the manager only wants a few things.

1) Keep his job
2) Look good to his boss.

Give him that and you get what you want.  Taking the system down in the middle
of the day to test a pet thoery isn't the way.

PS.  I'm not a manager...  Never got that desparate for a job.  Just found out
the hard way how to survive...  (In an IBM shop no less...)  This DEC
environment is a piece of cake.  You guys have had it easy all these years..


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      520                            1  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 18-Jun-89
At     :       MAKING HOUSE CALLS
Subject:       DECSALES SUMMER SCHOOL

Yes, it's true: Ken Olsen finally has responded to recurring
complaints about the quality and competence of his sales force!
DEC has rented a major college campus (a "colorful" one in
Rhode Island) and is gearing up to send 8,000 salesfolk to a
two-week-long cram course on the DEC product line and how to
sell it . . .

facts not rumours,
Dr. R


                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      308                            1  replies
Reply to #      307

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 19-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       MANAGEMENT REDUX

Ah,  Ralph,  if only that were true!  In the ideal operation,  with an ideal
manager,  it is;  but the world is hard on ideals.   A lot of managers  have
subscribed  to a theory of cost containment which says that if you can  keep
your budget under last year's budget, you'll get brownie points.  Forget the
question  whether you might get more productivity out of your  decisions  by
spending  some money,  especially if the productivity comes out  of  another
department's hide.

It might be more true to say that part of the techie's job is  salesmanship.
First, you have to identify what the manager's goals are.  Then, you justify
what you want to accomplish in terms of his or her goals.  Don't ask whether
your manager's goals are in the company's best interests, sensible,  or even
realistic;  chances are they're not,  and your justification will be eyewash
of the purest ray supreme.   But if you can persuade your manager that  what
you want to do falls in with how he or she wants to be perceived, you have a
reasonable chance of getting it.

Not always, of course.  A few years back I was involved in a situation where
the best justification I could make for expanding the company's VAX presence
fit the manager's goals reasonably well.  He was overruled, however,  at the
highest  executive levels,  where the feeling was that if a computer  system
wasn't  Blue,  it was an aberration within the company to be removed at  the
first possible opportunity.

My  recommendation  unfortunately involved spending money  (upgrade to a ma-
chine big enough to do the job they were requiring of it).   It gave the top
executives  *their*  justification to get rid of DEC completely and move the
job to a mainframe - costing initially four times as much as the VAX upgrade
would have.   That didn't count,  however,  since they officially made their
decision in two parts: first, junk the VAXes citing the additional cost, and
second, determine what it would take to migrate the application,  with a cou-
ple of months between the two.

At that point my only possible response was simple:  understand what  "Mene,
mene, tekel, upharsin" meant, tell them they'd made the correct choice, help
them as best I could to do the mainframe conversion,  shake hands,  and find
another client.  Unfortunately, other folks don't have the options I did.

I agree completely,  though,  that any techie or system manager who  doesn't
understand that production comes before play is just asking for trouble. And
speaking  personally,  I prefer the Vanagon.   (DEC's  decision to switch to
VAXBI,  necessitating total system replacement rather than just CPU upgrade,
played a prominent role in the executives' official decision.)



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      521                            0  replies
Reply to #      520

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 19-Jun-89
At     :
Subject:       DEC BILLING

Now he needs to get the people who write the bills trained to write one
right...

Those bozos could screw up a one car funeral..



                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      309                            0  replies
Reply to #      308

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 19-Jun-89
At     :
Subject:       PHIL

You missed part of my thesis, ie. that you have to know what the manager
wants,  then decide how you can best serve within that framework.

Sounds like you understand the situation.  For every one like you there are
a host that still blame the manager for their own inadequacies



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      402                            0  replies
Reply to #      399

Left by:       V. JAMES KRAMMES              On 19-Jun-89
At     :       (614) 228-2001 X 341
Subject:       FREE SOFTWARE

The Free Software Foundation has an AWK-like utility (called GAWK). Never
having used AWK, I cannot vouch for it's quality, but I've been using their C
compiler for several months now without a single problem.

A collection of their stuff was on the (I think) VAX88A1 tape from DECUS.

You can contact the FSF directly on the internet at:

gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu

I don't have a US-Snail address for them.

If you need more info (this is sketchy at best) please call me at the above
number [(614) 228-2001 x 341].




                                             RSX SIG
Message #      277                            0  replies
Reply to #      274

Left by:       Barton F. Bruce               On 20-Jun-89
At     :       (617) 868-1111 or HERE
Subject:       online BRU of LB: is OK

First off, you should be able to do what you are trying,
but you have a 3rd party controller, and BRU has a long history
of weird behavior...

Anyway, I regularly BRU from the system disk I'm booted on. No problem.
Try to have as little running as possible, and if you are verifying,
expect [1,6] errorlog related file differences between passes.

We are running M+ exclusively, now, but when we were in transition, we
always (against DEC's advice) used the LATEST M+ BRU on M.

Our disks and tapes are all non DEC. I only mentioned your 3rd party
controller because you didn't identify it. Newer controllers
tend to be MSCP emulations and so the disks are DUx:. Yours must be older.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      411                            0  replies
Reply to #      405

Left by:       Barton F. Bruce               On 20-Jun-89
At     :       bruce@ccavax.camb.com
Subject:       another source for VMS TCP/IP

In ATLANTA there was one vendor that really stuck out as being
worth looking at. They are: TGV (Two Guys and a Vax). They gave
a Sunday PSS, and in other sessions easily answered questions
that stumped other vendors.

I think they are the 'guys' that wrote what some others are now
selling, and they are the ones that at least one of the other
vendors was trying to hire (all rumors at Decus, but I bet true).

Anyway they are now developing/selling TCP/IP s/w on their own,
although I think one of the previously mentioned sources (SRI)
is also peddling their s/w.

Someone who was checking prices said that he was ordering from TGV
1) for price, and 2) to be dealing with the source.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      412                            0  replies
Reply to #      395

Left by:       Barton F. Bruce                On 20-Jun-89
At     :       Decuserve (EISNER::BRUCE)
Subject:       NOVELL supports VMS

Novell has s/w to let you run on Ethernet and (I think) even use a VAX as
a file server. I doubt they seriously expect anyone to buy their product
if the user already had PCs using DEC's PCSA, the VAX end of which is licensed
FREE to all VMS machines. But they do intend users to buy it if they are
already heavily into a NOVELL environment, but user are screaming for
better connectivity to their VMS world.

With DEC's new pricing that puts the PC end PCSA license at < $100
(at normal discounts) over the price of the PC's DEPCA Ethernet controller
card (when they are bought together as a package) I also doubt Novell
is seriously trying to catch even new PC users at a VMS site.

But for the company with well established Netware users, and equally
well established VMS users, their product lets them hookup to each other
using the connectivity of Ethernet.

And that may fit your situation. Your 2 seperate sites both have
Ethernet, now you only have to bridge them together. There are many many
Ethernet bridges that would work. You can spend from well under $5k per
end to well over $20k per end. You should have as much bandwidth as you can
afford between them. 56kb is a good minimun, but some folks do it at
9600 (ouch). If you have MANY users and will be file serving across it,
look at T1 type speeds.

The latest rage is 'fractional' T1. The 24 DS0
time slots (64kb each) of a T1 are sold at much more attractive prices
than the traditional 56kb DDS service. You must rent a T1 access line at each
end to the carrier's POP (Point Of Presence) but then you only buy the
DS0s you need. For example: Boston to NYC is $211./month POP to POP
for each 64kb from one of the carriers. Your T1 access line might
also carry additional circuits to other sites as well as
in or out WATTS traffic, all effectively lowering your portion of the cost
of the T1 'pipe' into the long haul carrier.

If you are INTRA-LATA, pray the local TELCO has filed similar tarrifs.
Long haul C&W has it, and recently even AT&T has it under some marketing
name.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      983                            1  replies

Left by:       BARRY YOUNG                   On 20-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       BROADCASTING TO SERVERS

Does anyone know of a method to broadcast messages to DECserver ports
that are not logged in??

We need to be able to send messages to disconnected terminals to inform
them of systems being available for use.

Any help would be appreciated.
Regards,


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      395                            1  replies
Reply to #      392

Left by:       BRUCE A. GREMBOWSKI           On 20-Jun-89
At     :       408/291-3364
Subject:       JOB NO. FROM KB NO.

Phil,
I reread that section you mention and tried looking at DEVPTR% + 2%/4% etc.
and found that DEVTBL% = PEEK(DEVPTR% + 20%), at least in RSTS V9.2 (which
is what we are running).  The routine works great now!  Thanks for pointing
me in the right direction initially.
Bruce


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      396                            1  replies
Reply to #      396

Left by:       BRUCE A. GREMBOWSKI           On 20-Jun-89
At     :       408/291-3364
Subject:       RSTS V8.0 ON 11/84

John,
At my former job we ran RSTS V8.0 on PDP-11/70s, a PDP-11/44, a PDP-11/24,
and PDP-11/23s.  The only problem we ran into was with the RA-80 and RA-81
disk drives.  For some reason, when they were genned on the system as the
main disk, an use of the RT11 run-time system would cause a system crash.
As PIP uses RT11, this was a major problem.  DEC finally had to send some
teen-aged guru from Colorado to fix our problem.  He came up with a bizarre
solution:  we re-genned the system, telling it that we had one of the
RP06/RP07 type devices on the system.  This solved the problem.  Other than
that, everything runs great.  This fix was necessary on the 11/70s, but not
on the 11/23s, so you may or may not need it.  In any case, good luck!
Bruce


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      403                            0  replies
Reply to #      397

Left by:       DAVID ROBISON                 On 20-Jun-89
At     :       702-364-8633
Subject:       ATEXIT()

I tryed a very short program but still got the access violation.
I will check for any appropreate compiler switches.


                                             LASER PRINTERS SIG
Message #      72                             1  replies

Left by:       RAGU RAO                      On 20-Jun-89
At     :       (703)264-1080
Subject:       LASER PRINTER SETUP

Is there a (simple !) way of changing the standard VMS print symbiont,
or the terminal port setup to get messages from the printer back on
the terminal screen of the user who initiated the print request.

Thanks.



                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      261                            1  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 20-Jun-89
At     :       AT THE GOLF COURSE
Subject:       A SCUZZY RUMOUR

Rumour? (Sorry, I must have confused myself with that phony rumourmonger
in the tabloid!)  No, the *FACT* for the day is that DEC will announce
a 3-1/2" SCSI floppy and a 632MB SCSI hard disk for the DECstation 3100
on July 11.  Possibly an 8mm tape, too . . .

FACTS not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      397                            0  replies
Reply to #      395

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 21-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       JOB NO. FROM KB NO.

Bruce, the official way to find the offset into the DEVPTR table is to first
get hold of DEVNAM.   The device name table contains a series of  two-letter
device names, starting with disks and then moving on to other devices.   One
reads the device name table until the letters "KB" appear.   The offset into
the  device  name table is the same offset you use into the  device  pointer
table to get the address of the DDB for KB0:.   Then you add keyboard number
times  2 to the value in the device pointer table to locate the  address  of
the DDB for the one you want.   If you do it this way,  you'll be reasonably
safe for any release of RSTS you come across.

I tried to shortcut the procedure since the good Mr. Mayfield seemed so sure
about  the hardwired Offset 26.   Probably he's a hundred per cent correct -
for V9.6 of RSTS only.



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      413                            1  replies
Reply to #      406

Left by:       FRANK INNES                   On 21-Jun-89
At     :       215-448-3461
Subject:       DECNET & TCP/IP FROM CMU

Having begun this discussion, I thank all of you for your very informative
replies.  Can you provide me with an address &/or phone number for the
Carnegie-Mellon "cheapware" TCP/IP implementation for the VAX?  Thanks again
for your help.


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      375                            1  replies

Left by:       ROGER BALDWIN                 On 21-Jun-89
At     :       312-766-2800X558
Subject:       LINK ERR PSECT/TRUNC

When linking a basic program and several macro routines the linker generates
a truncation error in one of the macro routines. I have tried tracing it based
on the error offset in the message but it doesn't seem to match up. I would
appreciate any suggestions on how to track this type of error since the
manuals tend to give it about 3 lines.


                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      262                            1  replies
Reply to #      261

Left by:       KIT NOLSEN                    On 21-Jun-89
At     :       DEC
Subject:       DR. R

Dr. R is a DEC employee who's sloe job is to make announcements of DEC products
without DEC seeming to be responsible for the announcement.

There's a switch, DEC being responsible.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      984                            0  replies
Reply to #      983

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 21-Jun-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       BROADCASTING TO SERVERS

It may be possible to broadcast to a server by creating an application
port through LATCP, mapping it to the desired DECserver port, and then
'writing' a message to it.  Afterwards, delete the port and move on to
the next one.  This would definitely be messy but should work.  The
process could be likened to making each port a line printer port temporarily
and print a one line message to the port.  Under VMS V5.0, there are $QIO
services which will let you map a port.  You could use LATCP to create
a port such as LTA123, and then run a program which changes the port
mapping and each time writes a one line message to the server.

Hope this helps.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY   10625


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      404                            0  replies

Left by:       STEPHANIE LYON                On 21-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 737-0425
Subject:       UNIX SYSV COMPATABILITY LIB FOR VMS

I am looking for a UNIX System V (or ULTRIX) compatability library
for VMS.  In particular, we are interested in IPC.  We are porting
some software from UNIX to VMS (and maybe ULTRIX) and would like to
get away easily.  It matters not from where it comes.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      985                            0  replies

Left by:       STEPHANIE LYON                On 21-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 737-0425
Subject:       UNIX SYSV COMPATABILITY LIB FOR VMS

We are looking for UNIX System V (or ULTRIX) Compatability library
for VMS.  In particular, we are interested in IPC.  We are porting
some software from UNIX to VMS and would like to get away easily.
It matters not from where it comes.


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      376                            0  replies
Reply to #      375

Left by:       ANDREW DUGGAN                 On 21-Jun-89
At     :
Subject:       LINK ERR PSEC/TRUNC

Roger,

You you need at most 2 things to track this error.

1) A linker map
2) A Macro Listing

The linker map will tell you about each .psect and each object module
and where they start.  Subtract the starting  offset from  the linker
map for each  object module  that contains that .psect.  The smallest
positive difference will tell you which  is the offending object mod-
ule.

The macro  listing will  give the offsets  from the .psect  directive
which will take you straight to the offending code.

To speed the process  along, you might try  putting different  .psect
directives  at  the  begining  of each macro routine, if  you haven't
already  done that, which  will make locating  the code from the map/
listing easier.   Hope this helps.


                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      263                            0  replies
Reply to #      262

Left by:       DR. R                         On 21-Jun-89
At     :       CERTAINLY *NOT* AT DEC!
Subject:       A MASS OF STORAGE TRIVIA

No, the good doctor is not the proud possessor of a Digital employee
badge.  But, the doc *does* (from time to time) possess high quality
information about unannounced DEC goodies.  Rather than ratholing
all the lurid details in the Dr. R Upcoming Products File (UPF), I
would prefer to share the wealth through Doctor Dave's Distributed
VAX Emporium!

What wealth?  Thought you'd never ask!  How's about removable RF30
disk drives?  Not unexpectedly, DEC refers to these as RSEs, or
Removable Storage Elements.  A 300MB two-pack will set you back
about $14K, which is equal to one month's malpractice insurance.

Want even more capacity?  Well, it just so happens that the Digital
Storage Architects are hard at work crafting a 4.48GB array of
removable RA70 drives.  This 16-spindle aggregation is slated for
availability sometime before the debut of an even more
commodious RA70 32-pack.

Also on tap in the near future will be DSSI versions of the
aforementioned RA70 as well as the capacious and capable RA90.  Does
this mean that dual-porting is coming to the DSSI family?  And is
this a portent of the fabled Local Area System?  Stay tuned for details!


facts not rumours,

Dr. R




                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      300                            0  replies
Reply to #      294

Left by:       HOWARD DIAMOND                On 22-Jun-89
At     :       301-427-7436
Subject:       HITMAN PROCESS KILLER


I AM VERY INTERESTED IN A PROCESS KILLER LIKE THE HITMAN PACKAGE WHICH YOU
MENTIONED.  CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH ANY INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO GET IT, AND
WHETHER IT MAY AVAILABLE ON A SHAREWARE BASIS.  ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE
APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      986                            1  replies

Left by:       JOHN P. FLYNN                 On 22-Jun-89
At     :       (615)269-2266
Subject:       SET TERMINAL/INTERACTIVE

Hi!

Can anyone give me some information about the /INTERACTIVE terminal
characteristic? All I know is that /NOINTERACTIVE is the same as /PASSALL, but
these characteristics don't seem to be documented anywhere. Also, is there a
reason why it's not documented?

Thanks in advance.
John.


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      559                            0  replies

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 22-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       ARIS MENUS

Well,  I suppose they had to do it (sigh) ... the old menus did make it dif-
ficult to locate some of the options (especially "Dear Sysop").   But  every
time the prompts and menus change,  it takes me one to two hours to  rewrite
my  automatic  message download scripts.   This time I also  had  to  regen,
recompile, and relink the program that gets rid of inter-message prompts and
stray  <CR>s as well.   Thank Heaven for Mirror's LEARN mode and lex  on  my
XENIX system!

Now that the work is done,  anybody else who uses Mirror on their PCs to get
hold of ARIS messages (Dave Kaplan, take note) would be welcome to a copy of
my scripts or the prompt stripper program.  Give me a call at (215) 884-9128
to arrange a download.   'Course,  there'll be yet another version next week
after the login sequence changes ....



                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      219                            1  replies
Reply to #      217

Left by:       KEITH PINNEY                  On 22-Jun-89
At     :       (612) 778-5191
Subject:       CALLING A CUSTOMIZED TPU


I have looked at calling TPU also, but it isn't tailorable enough.  I'm
looking for the ability to basically edit in a window on the screen and
TPU takes over too much.

I'm really looking for something that handle a screen definition like
FMS, but with a more powerful in-field editing capability.



                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      222                            0  replies
Reply to #      216

Left by:       JEFF CLEARY                   On 22-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       VT220 EMULATION

Another choice aside from Poly-comm is the Rainbow connection software
which can still be ordered from Digital.  I suggest however that you
download a program called LCTERM from Kevin Barkes bulletin board
412-854-0511 and use the terminal emulation contained with it.  Save
some money too.


                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      230                            0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 22-Jun-89
At     :       IN THE PSYCH WARD
Subject:       A FULL ACCOUNTING

Yes.  After years of providing an operating system which is bereft of
robust project-based accounting facilities, Digital is hard at work
hacking up just such an offering for VMS!  Could this be related to
a massive VMS system software development program that was sparked
by the forthcoming AQUARIUS system's need for mainframe-class "data
center management" software?  Could be; stay tuned for all the lurid
details as they become available.

facts not rumours,
T is more...<CR> to continue, or enter S to skip to end of message?
Dr. R


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      522                            3  replies
Reply to #      515

Left by:       FINKELL                       On 23-Jun-89
At     :       404-980-1190
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

PHIL,

DO YOU KNOW WHERE I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET SOME STAITISTICS ON VAX UPTIME,
ESPECIALLY ON THE VAXSTATION 2000.

JOHN F.


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      523                            0  replies
Reply to #      522

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 23-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

John,  the specifics I have about VAX CPUs are hopelessly outdated.   (In my
defense,  I'll simply mention the DEC field engineer who told me he couldn't
keep track of all the new VAXen himself and referred to them generically  as
the "VAX 8995 plus tax."  No, Mr. Olsen, the name is confidential.)  But DEC
should be willing to provide you that information;  or if Richard Gilbert or
Robert G. Schaffrath is listening in, one of them might be able to help.



                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      264                            1  replies

Left by:       JOHN HENLEY                   On 23-Jun-89
At     :       ARIS
Subject:       UVAX 2000 & 9-TRACKS

This probably sounds totally crazy, but does anyone out there have any
ideas for getting a uVAX 2000 to write 9-track tapes.  We have a TK50,
and short of using one of our clients machines (which is a hassle), we
have no way of sending a client a 9-track.  I realize we could change
machines, but we're only 1-2 users, and the expense doesn't seem justified.
We are willing to spend money to solve this, so any hints are
greatly appreciated.

John Henley


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      987                            0  replies
Reply to #      986

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 23-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       /INTERACTIVE

If you will look in the I/O Users guide, Part I under the chapter
on the Terminal driver you will find explanations on the characteristics
of the terminal port.


                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      220                            0  replies
Reply to #      219

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 23-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       CUSTOMIZED EDITORS

Keith,
You may write your own tpu editor.  The tpu editor is not just
what you get when you enter EDIT/TPU or use the callable TPU
interface.  You may write you own editor in tpu from the ground
up.  Digital's vast doc set supplies a manual on how to write
tpu code, but the name eludes me.  Good hunting.


                                             LASER PRINTERS SIG
Message #      73                             0  replies
Reply to #      72

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 23-Jun-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:

It depends on what kind of laser printer are you running?  If you
are using the Printserver 40 or Scriptprinter then you are utilizing
the LPS software (Laser Printer Software?).  The newest release v2.0
supports an accounting feature that allows you to track what user
started the job and how many pages did he print.  There is a article
in Digitial Review, June 19, 1989, page 39 on the Scriptprinter that
gives a good overview of the LPS software.


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      560                            0  replies
Reply to #      496

Left by:       CLAUDE BAUDOIN                On 23-Jun-89
At     :       (512) 356-3108
Subject:       VMSMAIL-PROFS GATEWAY

Sorry that this is so late, but...
There is a VMSmail-PROFS gateway made by Interlink.  I use it all the time,
it connects the half of National Semiconductor which uses VMSmail to the
half that uses PROFS.
It translates the addresses, the text of the message, and the format
correctly, as long as the VMSmail users don't have a username longer
than 8 characters (that's the PROFS limitation).
From the VAX side, you address to GATWAY::IBMNODE::USERID, as if it
was a non-routing DECnet intermediary node.  From the IBM side, you
send directly to VAXNODE(USERNAME), and all sysops on the IBM side have
to declare the VAXNODE in their RSCS tables, indicating that the route
to it passes through the gateway.
Replying to messages, forwarding, etc., is handled well in both directions.
PROFS acknowledgment requests (".ak" line) are lost, however, for the
obvious reason that there is no such concept in VMSmail.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      415                            0  replies
Reply to #      413

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 23-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       DECNET & TCP/IP FROM CMU

Frank,

CMU-TEK TCP/IP may be ordered from:

Carnegie Mellon University
CMU-TEK Software
4910 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890

Attn: Lynne Stonis

You may also send E-mail to Lynne Stonis;
Lynne.Stonis@VB.CC.CMU.EDU


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      524                            0  replies
Reply to #      522

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 23-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

John,

Here is a random sampling of VAX uptimes.
VAXStation 2000 has been up for 92 days 6 hours.  Last reboot was because the
owner tried to run some kernal mode code for VMS V4 under V5 and it crashed!

VAXStation 2000 has been up for 33 days.  Reason for last reboot unknown,
probably power failure.

VAX 8200 has been up for 10 days.  Last reboot was due to shutdown for PM.
This system has run for more than 60 days without a reboot.

VAX 11/750 runs for seven days unless there is a power failure.  It is
rebooted every Monday morning following disk backup and disk compression using
Mike Levine's JUICER package.  If I didn't need to compress the disk on a
regular basis, there is no reason why this machine couldn
't run 30 to sixty days between reboots.

In short, a VAX can be expected to run damn near forever if you can supply
uninterrupted electric power and cooling (for the bigger VAXen).  Most downtime
is schedule downtime for disk backups, PM, software installation, system tuning,
etc.



                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      265                            0  replies
Reply to #      264

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 23-Jun-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       UVAX 2000 & 9-TRACKS

John,

Attaching a nine track tape to a uVAX 2000 would be a custom job from
beginning to end.  Expensive would be an understatement.  There is nothing
on the uVAX 2000 to attach a tape drive to.

If you must have nine track tape, buying a VAX with a bus of some sort
would be by far the cheapest route.  It might be possible to attach a tape
drive to a VAXStation 3100 but don't believe it until you see it.  I would
suggest a used uVAX II as the cheapest solution.


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      525                            0  replies
Reply to #      522

Left by:       PHILIP GRAVEL                 On 24-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

Let me add my two cents worth.  I have several MicroVAX II's that are doing
real time data acquisition.  One system (the one that is most busy) has been
up for 143 days. (Watch, it be down when I go in on Monday!)  The last time
it was down was to add an additional disk drive.  I agree with everything Phil
Anthony and Richard Gilbert have said.  The only reason a VAX might to down
other than a hardware failure (machine check) or software failure (bugcheck)
would be if the pagefile were too small and it became so fragemented inter-
nally, that VMS could no longer work with it.

Phil


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      988                            0  replies

Left by:       PHILIP GRAVEL                 On 24-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       READING MEMORY LOCATIONS

Is there a way I can query the contents of specific memory location from
a higher level language such as Fortran?  For example, I'd like to be
able to find the value stored in %X8000443C (PSM$GL_USER).  I can get
this value using the DCL command EXAMINE, but I can't figure out how to
do it from Fortran.  Using SYS$GETSYI I can get the boot time, but not
the value of time in user mode.

Phil


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      398                            0  replies
Reply to #      387

Left by:       Brett Bump                    On 25-Jun-89
At     :       (308) 432-2828 or Hea-Duke
Subject:       Try It Again

Bruce.  I'm sorry that I didn't catch your message sooner but my Arismail is
usually a minimum of 7 days behind, and my Arisanswers another 7 days behind
that.   Either solution that Phil or Kelvin have given will provide you with
the job number (although uu.trm is recommended). You're obviously describing
byte  4  (or  FQSIZM),  which  as  you have discovered contains the keyboard
number.   Back  up  1  byte.   Grab the one on the right.  In the directives
manual it looks like this.  (3-477 V9) (3-322 V8)

. +-------------------------------------------+
3 |/////////////////////| current job no. * 2 | 2  (your bytes 2 and 1)
. +-------------------------------------------+
5 |255(current) or KB no|      KB status      | 4  (your bytes 4 and 3)
. +-------------------------------------------+

The  only  change  that  has been made over the years is the addition of the
status  bits 0&7 (in KB status) in V9.x.  Otherwise the information here has
not  changed.   I  take that back.  As I recall byte 2 (///) is undocumented
info for the total Kb's genned into your system (probably invalid for 9.6).



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      989                            0  replies
Reply to #      984

Left by:       BARRY YOUNG                   On 25-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:

Robert, Thanks for your help once again. I was hoping for an simple
undocumented method, but DEC have obviously not left any loopholes
here (better luck next time).

I'd better get back to our system and start knocking up a macro routine
to do this before our users complain that no-one tells them anything
(mind you, I have to work like that so why shouldn't they???)

Thanks again,
rega
>



                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      53                             0  replies
Reply to #      51




                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      526                            0  replies
Reply to #      523

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 26-Jun-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

VAX uptime, the final frontier?  It is an interesting topic.  I can't recall
a study being done on the subject.  I know DEC pushes VAXclusters so that
you can keep a system running 24 hours a day seven days a week but you
still have to shutdown the individual CPU's occasionally.  Just to add to
the pool of information already supplied, our 6330 has been up 60 days and
our MicroVAX II has been up 63 days.  This is the longest any of the systems
has ever been up (I am thinking of getting one of those 'plant safety' signs
which says 'xxx days without an accident, the previous record was yyy' and
changing it to read 'crash'!).  Most of our down time lately has been due
to either a bugcheck from some flakey third-party software (it uses $CMKRNL
naturally!), preventive maintenance work, SYSGEN parameter adjustments,
software upgrades, and disk drive repair.  Still, we have managed to stay
up for 2 months now.  In fact, the formation date of our cluster is
March 15, 1989.

I hope someone is making note of all these uptime statistics being presented
by various people.  Looks like a paper for DECUS.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      990                            0  replies
Reply to #      988

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 26-Jun-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       READING MEMORY LOCATIONS IN A HLL

It is quite easy to read memory locations in a High Level Language.  Even
easier if those locations are protected to allow user mode read.  One note,
on your message, the memory location is PMS$GL_USER not PSM$GL_USER.  To
read this location using BASIC, the following little code will do it:

1	external long PMS$GL_USER
print PMS$GL_USER
end


Compile the code and then link it using the following command (assuming the
program is called PMS):

$LINK PMS,SYS$SYSTEM:SYS.STB/SELECTIVE_SEARCH

This will then print the contents of the PMS$GL_USER memory location.  Also,
just for information if you change the line 'external long PMS$GL_USER' to
'external long constant PMS$GL_USER', the variable PMS$GL_USER will be the
memory location itself, not the contents of that memory location which is
what you want.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      416                            0  replies
Reply to #      386

Left by:       Barton F. Bruce               On 26-Jun-89
At     :       (617) 868-1111
Subject:       CRC speedup due soon

The emulated CRC inefficiency has become a very sore point.

The soon to be released (actually it will be a staged release
with succesive changes to allow for backwards compatibility issues)
new version of BACKUP will have a DRAMATICALLY faster CRC
calculation. It is done with a modestly larger in memory table
than whatever is currently used, but the performance is supposed
to be dramatic.

I believe that the CRC change is NOT at the BACKUP level, but at the VMS
level and so other users of the offending instruction will also
benefit. Of course all the other super benefits of the new
BACKUP are implemented in BACKUP.


                                             MIGRATION ISSUES SIG
Message #      50                             1  replies
Reply to #      48

Left by:       Barton F. Bruce               On 26-Jun-89
At     :       (617) 868-1111
Subject:
The easiest transitions from RSX to VMS (or the reverse!)
are often done over a period of time. If you have DECNET on Ethernet
this is trivial. Your files can exist on EITHER machine and
programs on EITHER machine can access them (within reason).

You can migrate applications one by one.

Another trick is to USE the dual ports on your disk drives.
A cable from each machine goes into each drive.
Note WELL that SIMULTANEOUS access is not possible, but any
disk can be mounted on either machine. RSX doesn't understand
ODS-2 disks, so you can't easily use your regular VMS disks
under RSX, but RSX's ODS-1 disks (or ones INIted for ODS-1 on
the vax - see INI /STRUcture=...) can be used on either system.

If you have an RA60 for various occasionally used stuff, both
systems can share the drive, and VMS can use it for ODS-2 packs.

Even if the A/B button isn't pushed in to allow access from
a port, the drive NUMBER is still visible to the controller
connected to that non enabled port. Any controller (e.g. UDA50)
NUST NOT SEE the same drive number twice on 2 different cables.

To coexist with a VAX, it is often desirable to NOT be limited
to unit numbers of simply 0-3.

M+ sysgen makes this a royal PAIN, as they LIMIT you to 4 UCBs
being generated per controller, and since there is NO functionality
such as: CON SET PORT DU3: /PHYS_UNIT_NUMB=7
you are effectively stuck with 4 numbers, generally 0-3.

If you need more, it is simple to fix! Extract module SGNMAS from
SYSGEN.CLB and there are two places you will have to edit.
One is an explicit limit of possible unit numbers of (4 x Controllers).
The second is a limit of 4 units for each controller.
These tests are not too near each other - this is a BIG command file.
Keep a copy of the original .CLB, and stuff the fixed module back into
a new copy of the .clb and do a component mode sysgen to just rebuild
DUDRV. I often build for 0-17, but remember that each UCG so generated
means that much less primary pool, so do what you need, but don't
get too piggy. If you are not too comfortable with command files,
I could mail you the CAMPARE listing of the modified vs original
SGNMAS, as this would only show a few lines of DEC's copyrighted
module and is 'legal' to do.

Please  please SPR this, as DEC needs to KEEP hearing this is
&(K{v%[
about this at DECUS symposia.


                                             MIGRATION ISSUES SIG
Message #      51                             0  replies
Reply to #      50

Left by:       Barton F. Bruce                On 26-Jun-89
At     :       (617) 868-1111
Subject:       ...more

line noise chopped that previous message off and before I
had entered a 'Subject', sorry. and
unlike with VAXNOTES , I don't know of a way to fix it...

Anyway BUG DEC about fixing SYSGEN to allow > 4 units per controller.

To answer the 'can VMS read BRU taoes' question, there have been
such tools on VMS SIG tapes. Try in [VAX000] or maybe in
[vax000.tools]. There used to be something called VAXBRURDR
there. I have NEVER needed it because DECNET over Ethernet is FAST,
and, if I needed to make a VMS readable tape for someone, I would
either use BACKUP from the files copied over or from an ODS-1
disk mounted on the VAX, or simply use PIP to get them to ANSI mag tape.

Some people swear BY (or AT) using RMS CONVERT and related
utilities to get stuff between RSX and other DEC op syses. I haven't tried it.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      991                            0  replies
Reply to #      987

Left by:       JOHN P. FLYNN                 On 26-Jun-89
At     :       (615)269-2266
Subject:       SET TERMINAL /INTERACTIVE

Sorry, the reason I asked about /INTERACTIVE (and /PASSALL) is because they do
not appear to be documented in the Terminal Driver section of the I/O manual
(V4 or V5) or anywhere else that I can find.

So, again, can anyone tell me what this terminal characteristic means?

Thanks.
John.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      992                            0  replies

Left by:       PHILIP GRAVEL                 On 26-Jun-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       DIRECTORY SIZE

I'm sure I have seen this question before, but I can't seem to locate the
conversation.  At any rate, what is the limitation on how large a directory
can be?  As I recall, it is limited by the size of the directory file and
the requirement that the file be contiguous.  I have one directory that was
causing a problem and after deleting some files the directory file had a size
of 997/1026.

Thanks,
Phil


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      993                            0  replies
Reply to #      947

Left by:       MATT QUIGLEY                  On 27-Jun-89
At     :       PACT (215)662-5500 UNTIL 7/15/89
Subject:       BACKUP SAVESET NAMES ON TAPE >17 CHARS

Hi folks! This msg should explain partly why BACKUP has problems finding
those long-named savesets on tape.

I ran into the same problem a while ago and, after re-reading my
VAX/VMS Guide to DISK & Mag. Tape operations, i found out why.

Altho BACKUP reads/writes a tape as a non-labelled ASCII tape, it does write
file header & trailer labels on the tape for each saveset. This lets you mount
the tape later as a file-structured (VMS Standard Label) tape and copy the
savesets to disk (as files). The ANSI specs for writing file header labels
specify that if the filename exceeds 17 chars (VMS allows up to a 39 char file
+ 39 char file type for a BIG filename), that the remaining chars be written
in the HDR3/HDR4 labels.

BACKUP deals with the tape as a NL (unlabelled) tape, and apparently only
looks at the HDR1/HDR2 set of file header labels (compatibility with earlier
versions of VMS?). It doesn't truncate the saveset name on the command line
because you might just be writing that saveset to disk (where the big-name
is OK).

Suggestions/Work-Arounds:

i)   Limit your saveset names to 17 chars or less. Seventeen chars
should be plenty to describe a saveset.

ii)  If you should need more than 17 chars, only specify the first 17 chars
when restoring the saveset.

iii) Or, use the "SET MAGTAPE/SKIP=FILE:n" command to position the tape at
the beginning of the saveset and use "BACKUP tape: disk: ..." without
specifying the saveset name. BACKUP will default to using the next
saveset it finds on the tape, without bothering to check the saveset name.

mq/VAX


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      527                            2  replies
Reply to #      522

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 27-Jun-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

Sorry.  I  should've added Philip Gravel to my list, and probably one or two
others as well.

Just to stir up a hornet's nest (gotta keep things hopping around here!),  I
was  a little surprised that the uptime was so short - 93 and 63  days,  for
instance,  being considered good.  Yes, I noted the 143-day record, but that
appeared to be the exception rather than the rule.   That's pretty well com-
parable  to my experience on the older VAXes about five years ago,  and  I'd
kind  of expected an improvement.  It's particularly disturbing because  the
PDPs I worked on ten years ago generally gave uptime approaching the sum  of
mean time to failure for the individual hardware components, or about six to
eight months.  Sorry, I don't have exact figures any more.

I  wonder if the quoted figures would change significantly if  the  question
were  modified  to  ask about uptime excluding  planned  shutdowns  for  PM,
BACKUP,  and power failure.   That might provide a more meaningful figure by
eliminating causes of downtime which aren't inherent in the VAX hardware  or
the  VMS  operating  system,  and which can be avoided by  foregoing  PM  (I
gather that's the case with the 143-day record), not doing system-wide back-
ups  (what's an operating  system among friends if the data are safe?),  and
installing an UPS.   All of these are reasonable if uninterrupted  uptime is
the primary concern.



                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      301                            0  replies
Reply to #      300

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 27-Jun-89
At     :       717-751-5120
Subject:       HITMAN

Phone # is wrong - 5210

HITMAN is only one of many process killers.  We chose it because we didn't
want to support one ourselves and the price was reasonable.
It went on 5.0 and 4.5 and 4.7 and is behaving nicely - unless you listen
to the users who get tagged!  Just make sure you exclude all processes
you don't want hit.  Suggest you give Manager's secretaries and Managers (if
they have accounts) more time.  They create too much hassle if they get
hit too often.

It is available from
SIAGA Systems
Suite 215
801 Sixth St
Cagery Alberta T2P3V8
403-263-1151

Prices vary by CPU - so I'll let you get it from them.



                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      310                            0  replies

Left by:       ABE SULEIMAN                  On 27-Jun-89
At     :       United Cerebral Palsy (212) 947-5770
Subject:       DOWNLOADING SOFT FONTS TO VT320

I have a DCL Command procedure that downloads some fonts to my VT220 and sets
the prompt to a cute graphics figure like snoopy, Mickey etc ...

When I tried to use it on my VT320, the terminal "froze" and the prompt was
set to a weird string; I tried to modify it to work on the VT320 but, alas,
unsuccessfully

Does anyone out there have any experience in downloading fonts to VT320. I
used the VT320 manual but it's very cryptic and I couldn't get anywhere.

In a following message I will include the DCL procedure.


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      54                             1  replies

Left by:       ABE SULEIMAN                  On 27-Jun-89
At     :       UCPA (212) 947-5770
Subject:       UPGRADING A VAX 8200

Does anyone out there know if the VAX 8200 computer is upgradable to 8350?
My thought is that it would be cheaper than getting a MicroVax 3xxx and
additional software licenses.

I read that the 8350 provides 2.3 VUP vs. 1.0 VUP on the 8200. How true
is this statement?


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      55                             0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 28-Jun-89
At     :       THE BULLDOG COFFEE SHOP
Subject:       THE VAUNTED VECTORIZED VAX

Yes.  On 11 July, those ever-so-clever Maynard Marketing Mavens will
program announce VECTOR SUPPORT for the VAX 6000 family of fine
processors!  No, this is not to be confused with the so-called Pegasus
nonsense that a certain tabloid has been babbling about, this is the
REAL THING.

But wait, there's more!  Well, actually, there's less.  You see, DEC
won't have VAX FORTRAN V6.0 and its automatic vectorizing and parallelizing
slicing-and-dicing capabilities on the street until well after the next
iteration of Ground Hog Day.  What's more, early versions of the compiler
are likely to contain more bugs than a roach motel--my fee-splitting pals
in neurosurgery tell me that it takes a year or so after FCS to provide a
really robust and solid vectorizing compiler.

I must be off--my flight to Amsterdam (and world-renowned Bulldog Coffee
Shop) await.  I'll be back on July 5 with a full report unless I get too
confused whilst perusing the menu at the Bulldog!


Facts not Rumours

Dr. R


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      528                            0  replies
Reply to #      512

Left by:       Barton F. Bruce                On 28-Jun-89
At     :       617.868.1111
or on DECUSERVE "BRUCE"
or BRUCE@CCAVAX.CAMB.COM
or on PAGESWAPPER  "US159353"

I just dug out the RSX SIG's Session Notes - a VERY thin thing indead.

I am pretty sure what you want isn't there. There are a couple of
things about CPRSX given by Spit Brook Road troops (Brian IS on
that project, but these seem to be by other people), but not what you want.

If all else fails, try mailing him a nice letter. Spit Brook Road is
in Nashua NH. If you call me I will give you his phone #, but won't
post it here. Actually you can get any DECies # by simply calling MAYNARD
and asking how to reach the person. The RSX groups phone #s seem to be
answered by a machine most of the day, so mail is simpler.

Brian used to be active on Decuserve, but gave up because of too much DEC
bashing. What you are looking for is the sort of thing that is reasonable
to ask someone to upload. Try to convince him to post it somewhere.
There is a much better chance he would post it on DECUSERVE, or PAGESWAPPER
than here.


                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      311                            0  replies
Reply to #      191

Left by:       DAVE JOHNSON                  On 28-Jun-89
At     :       (415) 620-3023
Subject:       VIDEO OUTPUT FROM VT340

We bought an adaptor for a VT340 from COVID (602-966-2221).  There are two
parts:  a COVID 700 analog interface ($505) and a COVID 70-340-00 cable ($85).
It's easy to install. and it works great


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      399                            1  replies

Left by:       BRUCE A. GREMBOWSKI           On 10-Jul-89
At     :       408/291-3364
Subject:       IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?

Is ARIS still working?  No new messages between 29 June and now?  Well,
welcome back from vacation, everyone!


                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      223                            0  replies

Left by:       GEORGE HERSON                 On 10-Jul-89
At     :       212 241-9363
Subject:       DIGITAL MODEM

My institution uses a digital PBX telephone system that makes it impossible
to use a regular modem without some sort of line change and adapter.
Is there a modem that makes this (and the associated month wait) unnecessary?



                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      400                            0  replies
Reply to #      399

Left by:       JOHN BRIGGS                   On 10-Jul-89
At     :       (301)231-3061
Subject:       IT'S BACK

Glad to see someone else couldn't get on.


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      339                            0  replies
Reply to #      336

Left by:       RICH NARDIELLO                On 10-Jul-89
At     :       (609)764-0100
Subject:       USERWARE


Brian,

Thanks for the reply. Good luck in using the Package. I'll think
you will find the report writer utilities very good. Do me as favor. Please
give me the name of the developer that you acquired Userbase from? We are
looking for a local developer.

Thanks,

Rich


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      994                            2  replies

Left by:       HOWARD HENNING                On 10-Jul-89
At     :       (702)364-8633
Subject:       SPAWN VS MONOLITH

We are a C shop, and have implemented an application using 30-50
images which spawn each other as subprocesses.
For example, the main menu level is simply a series of image path names
which are spawned upon the request of the user.
This type of structure is advantageous for maintenance, and allowing the
user access to any image from anywhere in the structure.
Normally, there are no more than three processes running per user.
Also such a structure is standard for UNIX or ULTRIX.

However, several of our clients who have programming staff have questioned
this method over monoliths where all the code is linked into one
giant program.
In our case the monolith would be some 6 Mb plus.

Has anyone benchmarked this? or done any kind of study on the resources
required?

Other than the 6-9 seconds that the user waits, when starting a process,
and having to reopen some files does this method waste system resources?
Or is this a unfounded concern?

Thanx in advance.



                                             WORD PROCESSING SIG
Message #      127                            0  replies

Left by:       SONJA STEIS                   On 11-Jul-89
At     :       313 651 5300 X324
Subject:       DOCUMENT SHARING QUESTION

I would appreciate any suggestions of software that will accomodate my
users needs of Document Sharing on a per document per individual basis. I am
already aware of the Advanced Ideas product and was wondering if there were
any others that I might be able to consider.


Best Regards



                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      231                            0  replies
Reply to #      203

Left by:       KEVIN DULANEY                 On 11-Jul-89
At     :       813-587-6746
Subject:       DE-FRAGMENTTATION

WE USE RABBIT-7 DISK OPTIMIZER WITH MUCH SUCCESS.  YES, IT HAS THE FLEXIBILITY
OF MANY OPTIONS, HOWEVER, ONCE YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED YOUR SITE SPECIFIC
PARAMETERS ... GO AT IT!  WE EXECUTE RABBIT-7 EVERY NIGHT ON A PARTICULAR DRIVE,
ALL SET UP AUTOMATICALLY TO EXECUTE THROUGH A COMMAND FILE IN THE BATCH QUEUE.
KEEP IN MIND THAT IF YOU EVER HAVE DRIVE PROBLEMS ... MAINTENANCE COMPANIES
LIKE TO POINT THE FINGER AT DISK OPTIMIZERS.  WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY FILES
CORRUPTED OR DESTROYED BY USING RABBIT-7.


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      340                            1  replies

Left by:       Rod Falanga                   On 11-Jul-89
At     :       505-892-7393
Subject:       help with DTC, PLEASE!!

We recently acquired the program DTC from one of the DECUS tapes
(VAXSP84 I think).  DTC stands for Desk Top Calendar.  It was written a while
ago and has had,apparently  some steady updates to it since.
One of the features that DTC supposedly offers is the ability to write
a appointment to another schedulke file in another account (or at least to
another schedule file.)  What I would like to know is how we can do this??
I have the documentation and the source code, but after having spent most of
yesterday morning looking into it, I just cannot figure out how it is done.  I
know that it involves declaring the year to be 99, it should the year be 1999,
9999 or just 99??  Also, what I don't understand is the format of the
rest of the record which will contain the pointer to the schedule file to be
written to.  Does it look like this:

filename=(filespec)

or

filespec=(filespec)

or

(filespec)=

which is it??
If anyone out there knowsthe format for that record, I would appreciate
it if you would give the format AND please also give an example!!
Thanks

Rod Falanga



                                             RSX SIG
Message #      278                            0  replies

Left by:       BRUCE PRENDERGAST             On 11-Jul-89
At     :       1-213-940-7177
Subject:       RSX11M 4.1 UPGRADE TO RSX11M 4.4

I HAVE SYSGENED 4.4 AND THE SYSTEM BOOTS (SOFT) HOWEVER WHEN WRITING THE BOOT
BLOCK TO DISK, THE HOME BLOCK IS DESTROYED. THE CONFIGURATION IS PDP 11/23+
WITH 512K AND EMULEX SC02 CONTROLLER USING FUJI DISK M2312 CONFIGURED AS
1-RK06 AND 2 RK07. THE LATEST ROMS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE CONTROLLER.
EMULEX HAS STATED THAT THEY DO NOT SUPPORT BEYOND RSX11M 4.2 WITH THE SC02.
EMULEX PROVIDED PATCHES TO DMDRV.MAC AND SYSCM.MAC FOR 4.1 THESE SAME PATCHES
WERE USED FOR 4.4 AND THE RESULTANT SOURCE CODE APPEARED TO BE IDENTICAL
EXCEPT FOR COMMENT LINES. THE GOAL IS TO UPGRADE TO 4.4 SO AN 11/73 MAY BE
INSTALLED. ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. ANOTHER APPROACH
WOULD BE GETTING AN 11/73 TO WORK UNDER RSX11M 4.1

THANK YOU


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      995                            2  replies

Left by:       ED BASS                       On 11-Jul-89
At     :       (713) 220-4534
Subject:       TELLING IF DCL .COM IS RUNNING

I need to implement something along the lines of the IBM System/36 "If
procedures is active (running)" test.  In other words, I need to know if a
certain DCL procedure is currently running in either ineractive or batch mode.

More than one users at a time will be accessing these procedures as well,
which complicates matters.  I need a way to just test if a DCL procedure
[line noise]
tly running anywhere on my cluster.  Testing if the file is open would
work but I don't really want to do it that way....


                                             WORD PROCESSING SIG
Message #      128                            0  replies
Reply to #      12

Left by:       SONJA STEIS                   On 11-Jul-89
At     :       ITT AUTOMOTIVE 313 651-5300 X324
Subject:       DOC SHARE PROGRAM


I am interested in your document sharing program.

Best Regards,

Sonja Steis





                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      221                            3  replies

Left by:       BOB ZISEK                     On 11-Jul-89
At     :       (203)798-5240
Subject:       SPECIAL CHAR ATTRIBUTES

I would like to know how to include imbedded escape codes to control character
attributes within EDT. We are running VMS 4.7. This is mainly in regard to
using bolding, underlining, flashing etc. in mail messages. I know about the
escape character definition for 7 or 8 bit codes, however, is there a way to
do this on the fly directly within EDT? Thanks in advance.


Bob Zisek
VAX system manager
Boehringer Ingelheim LTD
90 East Ridge
PO 368
Ridgefield, Ct. 06877


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      996                            0  replies
Reply to #      995

Left by:       PHIL GRAVEL                   On 11-Jul-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       IS A COMMAND PROCEDURE RUNNING?

One quick and dirty way to do this is to do a SHOW DEVICE/FILE on the device on
which the command procedure resides.  If the command procedure is in use, it
will be listed (SHOW DEVICE/FILE lists all files which are open on a device)
along with the process name(s) of the processes that are accessing it.

Phil


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      997                            0  replies
Reply to #      991

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 11-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       SET TERMINAL/INTERACTIVE

John,
PASSALL and INTERACTIVE are holdovers from VMS V3.  PASSALL has been
replaced by PASTHRU.  The difference is that PASSALL passed everything
through to the application program.  PASTHRU allows the driver to handle
XON/XOFF flow control and passes everything else through to the application.


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      532                            0  replies
Reply to #      527

Left by:       PHIL GRAVEL                   On 11-Jul-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

Well, it had to come to an end as ungraceful as it was.  My system went down
after 157 days on-line.  The janitorial service was cleaning the room where the
MicroVAX resides and were moving this around and apparently moved something
against the power plug enough to cause a momentary disruption in power.

Somewhat disconcerting was a MicroVAX that I had upgraded to VMS 5.1 that
appeared to deadlock after 60 days on-line.  Terminals could not get a response
from the system and attempting to set host to left a message about insufficient
resources at the remote node to make the connection.  After rebooting the
system, I could find no information in the error log or accounting files or
the system dumpfile that would indicate what caused the problem.  The operator
logfile was inadvertently purged during the rebooting process (there were
several reboots).  I am left to wonder if the deadlock which occurred was due
to the know problem (feature??) in the VMS V5 Modified Page Writer and pagefile
fragmentation.
*


Phil

PS. Yes I know an UPS would have kept my system on-line, but.....


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      998                            0  replies
Reply to #      994

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 11-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       SPAWN VS MONOLITH

Howard,

Process creation and image activation are both fairly expensive things to
do on VMS.  Since VMS is a virtual memory system you don't really care how
big the image is.  What counts is how much the user needs to have in memory
at one time.  I'd say that 6mb is not an unreasonable size for an image.

If the image is INSTALLed /SHARE, then multiple users can use the same
copy of the code in memory and require their own private copies of the data
only.

Unless you have some other reasons for having a system of 30-50 images,
I'd say go monolithic!


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      533                            0  replies
Reply to #      527

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 11-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

Phil,
I think that the numbers would go through the roof if you excluded power
failures and scheduled down time.   DEC hardware seems to be extremely
reliable.  If it makes it through the first 90 days, you can't kill it with
an axe!


                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      222                            0  replies
Reply to #      221

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 11-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       SPECIAL CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES

Bob,

I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed on this one.  MAIL transmits
special characters faithfully but it will not send them to your terminal.

There is a security problem.  Many terminals can be programmed with
escape sequences to load strings into function keys or store an auto-answerback
string.  People have been known to abuse this feature by programming an
answerback string like DELETE /NOCONFIRM *.*;*.

You can get the full text of a message, including escape sequences by
EXTRACTING it.  EXTRACT TT: will display it on the screen for you.

The escape sequence for getting special character attributes is of the
form <esc>[Pn;Pn;Pn;...m.  The  Pn designates a numeric parameter which is
1 for bold, 4 for underline, 5 for blink and 7 for reverse video.  0 calls
for all attributes off.  You would set bold, blinking, reverse video by
sending the string '<esc>[1;5;7m'.  <esc> must be replace by a real escape
character, decimal 27, hex 1B.


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      57                             0  replies
Reply to #      54

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 12-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       UPGRADING A VAX 8200

Yes you can upgrade a VAX 8200 to a VAX 8350.  However, DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!
The price for the upgrade is outrageous and the performance of the machine
(even under V5.0) is unimpressive when compared to a MicroVAX 3XXX series.
Another division here at GF did in fact spend $35000 to upgrade their
VAX 8200 to an 8350 and was VERY disappointed (in fact they expect their
new VAX 6310 shortly to give them the performance they were expecting).
However, if you are short on cash, you might want to do the upgrade yourself
by purchasing a used KA-820 cpu board.  They are selling for around $10K.
It simply plugs into the BI backplane and you are off.  One note though, if
you are running VMS prior to V5.0, ASMP was licensed separately and you will
not be able to start the CPU.  Under V5.0, it will start automatically.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             MICROVAX SIG
Message #      208                            1  replies

Left by:       FRED DUTCHER                  On 12-Jul-89
At     :       213-477-1421
Subject:       3800 VS 8350 PERFORMANCE

We are considering a VAX purchase and have looked at purchasing
a used 8350 or a new Microvax 3800. There is some concern over
I-O bottlenecks due to the Q-Bus bandwidth. We would like to use
RA90's or RA82's on the 8350 or RF71 drives on a 3800. I was
wondering what sort of performance levels people were getting
with these two machines. The limit of 64 meg of memory has some
of us worried too. We are a COBOL software development company.


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      377                            1  replies

Left by:       FRED DUTCHER                  On 12-Jul-89
At     :       213-477-1421
Subject:       CODE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

We are currently looking at code and module management systems.
I'd like the names of ones other than the DEC/CMS/MMS that might
be available on the market. A number of the companies would be
appreciated too...


                                             RSX SIG
Message #      279                            0  replies
Reply to #      273

Left by:       MICHAEL CHRISTIAN             On 12-Jul-89
At     :       317-267-6946
Subject:       LOADABLE RSX DIRECTIVES

I attended that session and have the session notes.  It was presented
by Brian McCarthy of DEC in Nashua, NH.  I beleive that he is one of
the RSX managers at DEC.


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      342                            2  replies
Reply to #      340

Left by:       MICHAEL CHRISTIAN             On 12-Jul-89
At     :       317-267-6946
Subject:       LATEST AND GREATEST DTC

I don't know the answer to your specific problem.  We are using
a version of DTC from the Fall '88 tape.  It has the features
that you are describing, but they are supported by some new
commands.  There is some reference to making an entry in the DTC
file of the form

"999999080[dir]filename.typ="

to point to another file.  No one here has ever tried that option.
My recommendation is to get a copy of the Fall '88 tape if possible.


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      343                            0  replies
Reply to #      342

Left by:       ROD FALANGA                   On 12-Jul-89
At     :       505-822-7393
Subject:       DTC HELP

Thanks for your help, I'll give it a try!!

Rod



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      406                            0  replies
Reply to #      404

Left by:       DAVID R ROBISON               On 12-Jul-89
At     :       702-364-8633
Subject:       UNIX SYSV COMPATABLE LIBRARY


I have just finished writing a C callable library which emulates IPC message
queues and shared memory under VMS.  The library is linked as a shared image.
All the routines run in user mode, therefore, if a message que is a system
wide message queue then all the processes using it must have WORLD privileges
and if it is a group message queue, they will need GROUP privileges.  This
allows message writers to wake process waiting to read.

My company is willing to release both the shared image and source code to the
public domain in order to encourage expantion and development of the library.

If you would send me a blank TK50 tape and a stamped, self-addressed return
envelope or box, I would be happy to send you a copy.

(p.s. I would guess that the library is about 90-95% compatible).

David.


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      407                            0  replies
Reply to #      404

Left by:       DAVID ROBISON                 On 12-Jul-89
At     :       703-364-8633
Subject:       UNIX SYSV COMPATIBLE LIBRARY


I just realized that I forgot to give you my address. The address is:

David R Robison
Health Care Computer Works
Suite 205
Las Vegas, NV 89102-8316
702-364-8633

David.


                                             MICROVAX SIG
Message #      209                            0  replies
Reply to #      208

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 12-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       3800 VS 8350 PERFORMANCE

Fred,

Unless you are getting a real deal on an 8350, I'd say don't bother.  The
82xx and 83xx series machines are obsolete.  AT best, the 8350 would give you
2.5 VAX Units of Processing (VUPS) which means 2.5 times the power of an
11/780.  The 8350 is a dual processor model which is fully supported only
under VMS V5.  VMS V4 supports it only in a master CPU/slave CPU mode in which
all I/O, indeed all kernel mode code, must be executed on the master CPU.
If what you are looking for is I/O bandwidth rather than CPU power, the
machine's BI bus has a 13Mbyte/second bandwidth which would allow you to
support mulitple disk contollers and a great deal of simultaneous disk I/O.
The level of I/O performance available would leave any QBUS machine far
behind.  Most applications, however, do are not limited by the maximum disk
transfer rate but rather by the disk access time.
I believe that a uVAX 3800 would give you 3+ VUPs.  Consult a salesman
for the exact figure.  The QBUS wins no prizes for I/O bandwidth but it
should be adequate unless you know that you will be making extremem demands
on it.


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      378                            0  replies
Reply to #      377

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 12-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       CODE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Fred,

PVCS from Polytron is available in a VMS version as well as an MS-DOS
version.  I have not used either version but I understand that the MS-DOS
version is well thought of.  The package includes PolyMake.  Polytron's
phone is 1-800-547-4000.

If you buy this product, let us know what you think of it.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      999                            0  replies
Reply to #      994

Left by:       MARTY JOHNSON                 On 13-Jul-89
At     :       (203)666-1737
Subject:       SPAWN VS MONOLITH

On a resource tight machine, we found that spawning can take 30 - 45
seconds - sometimes longer. Also with spawning, we had to limit the
number of users as spawned processes use up balance slots.

We were not able to make a Monolith as several of the programs used
are from Digital and third party vendors. Our solution was to consolidate
as many programs as possible and chain. "Chaining" back from third party
programs was no problem as everything is executed from the command
procedure:

$ FLOW:=LOOP
$LOOP:
$ RUN MAIN
$ GOTO 'FLOW'
$END:
$ EXIT

The program MAIN will chain to the appropriate program using the
LIB$DO_COMMAND. To exit the procedure, MAIN sets the symbol FLOW to END
and exits.

As far as using a Monolith program, INSTALLing the program shared will
reduce image activation and memory overhead. However, you should check
user's WSQUOTA and WSEXTENT to prevent excessive paging. In fact, you
should check your current programs for excessive paging. Excessive
paging programs should be redesigned to reduce paging as the Monolith
will be paging as the users move between menu options and you don't
really need any more paging than necessary. You might also want to
consider multiple pagefiles residing on different disks.

Bottom line: Chaining is better than spawning, paging is better than
chaining, and no paging is best of all! :-)

Marty


                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      223                            0  replies
Reply to #      221

Left by:       KITTY GEORGE                  On 13-Jul-89
At     :       HERE (ARIS)
Subject:       <ESC> IN EDT


Bob,
Mr. Schlaffrath (or RiffRaff or something like that) is right re: not using
escape sequences within MAIL for highlighting messages.  If you want to
degrade your VAX back to version 2.5 or thereabouts, you can get the fancy
highlights in your messages.

If you still want to crank out Escape sequences, Mr. Schlaffrath gives the
details, except for how to create the ESC character.
If you have a DEC terminal, hitting the ESC key twice does the trick.
On any terminal with a <CONTROL> key and the "[" character, hitting
<CONTROL>[
twice in succession gives you <ESC>.   Have fun.  Kitty :-)


                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      224                            0  replies
Reply to #      221

Left by:       BRUCE A. GREMBOWSKI           On 13-Jul-89
At     :       408/291-3364
Subject:       ESC IN EDT

Bob,
It is fairly simply to embed escape sequences in EDT; you simply
type <ESC><ESC>[0;1;4;5;7m, selecting which attributes you want.
0 is for normal, 1 for bold, 4 for underline, 5 for blink, and 7 for reverse
video.  The key is just to type <ESC> twice to get the <ESC> character in your
text.
Hope this helps,
Bruce


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      561                            1  replies

Left by:       CHARLES PRITT                 On 13-Jul-89
At     :       214-740-8701
Subject:       TAR ON THE VAX

I will very shortly have a need to be able to read TAR formatted
tapes on my VAX. I believe their is a tar utility available on
a DECUS tape. A.) I need to know which DECUS tape has the TAR
utility on it and B.) I need to know how to get access to this
TAPE. Thanks to any help which can be provided.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1001                           2  replies
Reply to #      995

Left by:       DAVID DESROCHES               On 14-Jul-89
At     :       (508) 875-7511
Subject:       TELLING IF DCL .COM IS RUNNING

Excuse the previous burp, I hit control-z and it exited.

I had a need to do the same thing and wrote a DCL procedure using the
technique mentioned by Phil Gravel.  I defined SYS$OUTPUT to be a temporary
file and then opened the file and scanned it for the information I was looking
for.  Alternately, you could use the DCL SEARCH command to see if the command
procedure was in the temporary file.



                                             CONTROLLERS/MEMORY SIG
Message #      113                            0  replies
Reply to #      111

Left by:       DOUGLAS TAYLOR                On 14-Jul-89
At     :       202-767-6893
Subject:       Q-BUS

Thanks for the info, I don't know why the third party RX02 drive
wouldn't work in the Micro PDP-11.  Maybe there was a conflict with
the RQdx1 controller.
Sorry for the late reply, I didn't get back to this BB for some time.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1002                           1  replies

Left by:       DAVE MARLIN                   On 14-Jul-89
At     :       Litel Telecommunications 614-785-6270
Subject:       CLUSTER WIDE SYSUAF.DAT LOCKUP

Two weeks ago I upgraded from VMS 4.7 to A5.1 then last weekend
to VMS 5.1-1 Cluster wide (8650, (3)8550, 6330,6320). Since then
there have been several instances of interactive & Batch logins hanging
between the USERNAME prompt and PASSWORD. SHOW DEVICE/FILES shows
many <login> processes cluster wide with the SYSUAF.DAT file open.
I repair this situation by using BACKUP/IGNORE=INTERLOCK SYSUAF.DAT []*.*;
to get an unlocked copy to enable logins and batch work again.
4 systems are on one system disk, with separate disks for the other 2.
5 of the systems access the common SYSUAF.DAT, RIGHTSLIST.DAT and
netproxy.dat . This Custer supports about 600 concurrent interactives
with some having multiple sessions.

I have spent several frustrating days in SDA (analyse/system) trying to
trace the problem. Today with DEC CSCs help I traced the process
with the Granted locks but found no resource wait states or cross
lock conditions.

Comments/fixes/birds-of-a-feather ???

I answer all calls. I'm tied to this chair untill this one is fixed.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1003                           0  replies

Left by:       PAUL LUCERO                   On 14-Jul-89
At     :       (805) 388-5700
Subject:       PRINTING FROM DETACHED PROCESS

his question must have been asked before.
8888





                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1004                           1  replies

Left by:       PAUL LUCERO                   On 14-Jul-89
At     :       (805) 388-5700
Subject:       PRINTING IN A DETACHED PROCESS

Is there a way to print within a detached process. This must
have been asked before. I have a program that I want to run as a detached
process with the function LIB$SPAWN issuing the DCL PRINT command, but
unfortunately, CLI is not present in a detached process.  Is there anyway
I can beat this limitation?  The program has to run as detached. Help!!!


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      345                            0  replies
Reply to #      335

Left by:       JIM MCGERIGLE                 On 14-Jul-89
At     :       408/439-1153
Subject:       BARCODE S/W

DEAR SIR;

I AM CURRENTLY EVALUATING A PRODUCT CALLED ON-TAP VMS FROM INTEGRATED SOFTWARE
DESIGN 508/339-4928 IN MASSACHUSETTS.  THIS PROD WILL DO MANY TYPES OF BARCODES
AND WILL INFACT PRINT ON AN LN03. ASK FOR MR. MARK R. LANIA.

GOOD LUCK;

JIM MCGERIGLE
PROGRAMMER ANALYST
BORLAND INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA. 95066


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      346                            0  replies

Left by:       JIM MCGERIGLE                 On 14-Jul-89
At     :       408/439-1153
Subject:       CONFERENCE ROOM SCHEDULING S/W


DEAR FELLOW VAX USERS;

DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANY FREE BULLETIN BOARD S/W THAT DOES CONFERENCE
ROOM SCHEDULING.  THIS IS A KIND OF OFFICE AUTOMATION TYPE OF APPLICATION.

MY MARKETING PEOPLE ARE IN PANIC MODE TO GET SOMETHING HERE TO PREPARE
THEMSELVES FOR THE NEXT COMDEX.

ANY ASSISTANCE IS APPRECIATED;
JIM MCGERIGLE
PROGRAMMER/ANALYST
1800 GREEN HILLS ROAD
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA. 95066
C/O BORLAND INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      266                            0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 15-Jul-89
At     :       AT THE FREE CLINIC
Subject:       GNU DEC DISKS

Yes.  Look for DEC to unveil a double-density version of the RZ55 in
the near future.  The Maynard Mass Storage Mavens already have cut a
deal with Micropolis, so the new SCSI disk should be debuting in very
short order.  Also, there's a reasonably good chance that DEC will take
an equity position in Micropolis.

As for the rumoured 8mm Exabyte cartridge tape backup system, it would
appear that a certain weekly tabloid is once again auffering from premature
speculation.  A DEC version of the Exabyte drive is coming, but it sure
didn't arrive on 11 July.  Sorry, Charlie--you blew it again!

facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      58                             0  replies
Reply to #      52

Left by:       DR. R                         On 15-Jul-89
At     :       BACK FROM THE BULLDOG
Subject:       RISCY VAX

Yes.  Once again Digital has seen fit to verify my prognostications
by formally announcing the products that I have preannounced in this
electronic forum.  Based on Digital's 11 July announcement, I'm
confident that the Maynard Microprocessor Mavens are crafting a next-
generation computer architecture that will be based on a 64-bit
implementation of the MIPS Rxxxx RISC platform.

You don't have to possess the clairvoyant skills of the Wizard of OZIX or
Merlin the Magician to conclude that DEC's Vax Architecture eXtended (or
VAX II) platform will incorporate vector processing, dynamic reconfiguration
of multiple processors, instruction-level failover, crossbar memory and
new communications registers that will support hardware-based parallelism.

No wonder Digital is claiming that the VAX architecture will undergo some
radical changes during the next decade.  And remember, you read it here
first, because Dr. R Has It Now!

facts not rumours,

Dr. R



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      418                            0  replies
Reply to #      408

Left by:       LEE K. GLEASON                On 16-Jul-89
At     :       713/528-1859
Subject:       COST EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE INCREASE

About $10 worth of transistors, resistors, and capacitors
would be enough to build a level shifter for that pin 20 signal...



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      419                            0  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 16-Jul-89
At     :       ON CALL
Subject:       SUPERCLUSTERS

Yes.  DEC this fall will unveil Superclusters, second-generation
VAXclusters that will support twice as many processor nodes, eight
times the I/O bandwidth and much greater node-to-node distances than
existing CI-clusters.  Also slated to debut are the much-vaunted
HSC100 controller and an active star coupler.  Superclusters are likely
to be announced in conjunction with the VAX 9000 series "Aquarius"
processors.

Don't get mugged by tabloid-resident rumourmongers--when it comes to
factual DEC futures, Dr. R has 'em now!

facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      420                            1  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 16-Jul-89
At     :       AT THE MILL
Subject:       AT YOUR SERVICE

Yes.  Tomorrow DEC will unveil the DECserver 300, a 16-line version of the
venerable DECserver 200 terminal server.


facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      534                            0  replies

Left by:       A FORMER COWORKER       	                 On 16-Jul-89
At     :       BOSTON
Subject:       FALSE PROPHETS

The original Charlie Matco of Rumor Roundup infamy resigned his position a
year and a half ago and is now employed as a DEC analyst at IDC.




                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1005                           1  replies
Reply to #      1004

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 16-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       PRINTING IN A DETACHED PROCESS

Paul,

You can print from a detached process by using the $SNDJBC system service
to queue a print job.  I've never needed to do it so I can't give you details
but you'll find the necessaries in the "System Services Reference Manual".


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1006                           0  replies
Reply to #      1005

Left by:       PAUL LUCERO                   On 17-Jul-89
At     :       (805) 388-5700
Subject:       DETACHED PROCESS AND PRINTING

Thank you for the info. It helps beat the task of searching
the answer from the manuals and don't know where to start.

- Paul


                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      225                            0  replies

Left by:       STEVEN G. BERMAN              On 17-Jul-89
At     :       (800) 832-4362
Subject:       PCSA 2.2

Has anyone gotten PCSA 2.2 installed and running yet?  I would be interested
to know if anyone has performed an upgrade from 2.1...especially with PCs
remote booting to the host.

Thanks.

Steve Berman
Datamedia Customer Support



                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      226                            0  replies

Left by:       CAM TAMBLYN                   On 17-Jul-89
At     :       (403)429-5834
Subject:       PRINTING FROM PC TO DS200

I am looking for a way to spool information from a PC connected to a DecServer
200 port out to one of my Vax printers connected to another DS200 on the same
ethernet.  I realize that there are several products available which will do
this via the host Vax, but you should theoretically be able to do it directly.

It would require a program running on the PC which would intercept printed
output, spool it onto the local PC hard disk, and connect to a printer on the
ethernet to print it.  This has the considerable advantage of not requiring
participation of the Vax host.

Dec makes a vague reference to this capability in section 1.8.6 of the
DecServer 200 Management Guide:

"With an appropriate applications program, a personal computer
can also use a printer offered as a service by the server"

What I need is this "appropriate applications program"!!!!

Can anyone help?


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      421                            0  replies
Reply to #      420

Left by:       Dr. Gonzo                     On 17-Jul-89
At     :
Subject:       DECserver 300

To my colleague Dr. R., the DECserver 300 was announced on July 13th along
with the LAT Protocol Technology Licensing program!  Pricing?  Well a DSRVF-BA
will cost you $4400 at a price-per-port of $275!  As for the Licensing
program, now that Digital has obtained its beloved patents for LAT it is
licensing the protocol for three different types of use:

LAT/HOST Technology - Writing drivers for alien operating systems to use LAT.
(ie. writing your own LTDRIVER for UNIX, AOS/VS, GCOS etc.) cost: $10,000

LAT/SERVER (SINGLE PORT) - Writing LAT implementations to allow PC's to act as
LAT terminals (ie. the VT240 program on VAXmates).  cost: $10,000

LAT/SERVER (MULTI PORT) - Building your own competitive terminal server. (ie.
a faster more cost effective DECserver) cost: $10,000 + $10,000 up t
royalty fee.  Subsequent royalties due based on the number of LAT ports sold
by the licensee!

Also, the DECserver 250 program was announced.  This little device will
provide 2 parallel and 4 serial ports exclusively for the purpose of driving
line printers via LAT.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1007                           0  replies
Reply to #      1002

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 17-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       MORE INFORMATION

Perhaps some more information on your configuration.  I gather you have:
6 systems

4 using a common system disk

2 using their own system disks

1 of the two with their own system disks (call it #5) is accessing the common\
system disk for the purpose of reading SYSUAF.DAT.

correct so far?  If so, is system #5 referencing SYSUAF.DAT through the
cluster of via DECnet?

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      302                            1  replies

Left by:       CAM TAMBLYN                   On 17-Jul-89
At     :       (403)429-5834
Subject:       ACCESS DS200 VIA DECNET

We centrally support a number of Vax 3600 sites.  They are interconnected via
DECNET using DecRouter 200's and 9600 baud lines.  In order to configure
terminal servers at the remote sites, we first set host to that site, then run
NCP and CONNECT to the appropriate DS200 node.

This routine frequently causes us 2 problems.  The main one is that we often
get a hung screen and eventually a "Target not responding" message when we try
to display a full screen of server info.  The second problem is that
connecting this way seems to generate a large volume of Decnet traffic, even
if you are not doing anything.

Does anyone have a better way of doing this?  I realize that Dec has a
Terminal Server Manager product, but I think that this is overkill.

A related capability that we would like is the ability to connect to a service
offered by a DS200 on a remote node.  We currently do this by getting the
Local> prompt via the above method.  This causes similiar problems.

Thanks,
Cam


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      563                            0  replies
Reply to #      561

Left by:       V. JAMES KRAMMES              On 17-Jul-89
At     :       (614) 228-2001X341
Subject:       DECUS TAR STUFF

I have a tape with a collection of decus stuff on it, and the TAR stuff is on
the VAX88A0 part of it; however, I don't think that means anything.

If you would send me a TK50 or "reel" (real?) tape at the address listed
below, I'll send you the DECUS TAR stuff that I have, though I'm not sure that
it the complete library (i.e., sources, etc.) it worked to unpack the Free
Software Foundation stuff in the VAX88A1 part of my tape.

The address is:

V. James Krammes
Systems Programmer
The Midland Mutual Insurance Company
250 E. Broad Street, Route 39
Columbus, OH, 43215

Jim


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      303                            0  replies
Reply to #      302

Left by:       V. JAMES KRAMMES              On 17-Jul-89
At     :       (614) 228-2001 X 341
Subject:       SET HOST / CONNECT NODE

I experienced similar problems managing multiple cpu's and their associated
terminal servers. The problem only appeared when doing a $ set host to a
remote node and then doing a connect node from within NCP. The displays
(longer than a few lines) would pause every so often. Hitting <enter> will
allow the display to continue.

Eventually, however, the connection would fail.

Sorry, I can't supply any "fix" information, unless you are willing to do what
we did: Get rid of all but one of your cpu's.

Jim


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      347                            0  replies
Reply to #      342

Left by:       Rod Falanga                   On 17-Jul-89
At     :       505-822-7393
Subject:       DTC revisited

Michael,

I tried using the 9999[dir]filname= for the record in the DTC.DAT file,
and it didn't seem to work.  Any other ideas??

Rod Falanga



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      422                            0  replies
Reply to #      385

Left by:       BILL WEISSBORN                On 17-Jul-89
At     :       (214) 980-7924
Subject:       FTSV WORKS GREAT!

Someone in our organization got a copy of FTSV and as I understand it,
licensed it for all our sites.  We have a very wide-area network and the
start/restart capabilities are great time-savers. I can highly recommend it.

As I understand it, the program is available thru the DEC Assets program,
whatever that is.  Check with your local sales-person.  Don't have any idea as
to cost, fees etc.



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      423                            0  replies
Reply to #      402

Left by:       BILL WEISSBORN                On 17-Jul-89
At     :       (214) 980-7924
Subject:       DECNET ON SUN

I can speak for the use/implimentation of DECNET on Suns.
We have two flavors currently running.  Sun 3/260's running SunOs 3.5 which
uses SunDNA V5.1 and Sun 4/110's and 386i/250's running SunOS 4.0.x which
requires SunDNI 6.0(note the name change!).

SunDNI 6.0 seems to be a bit more robust than the 5.1 version.  5.1 has a
habit of "losing" the permanent database.  6.0 has not developed this
problem-yet.  6.0 also loads in much easier than the earlier versions.

You can do almost anything on the Sun except send mail(although there is some
software out in the Unix world that will allow you to send mail to your VAXen,
I have not had the chance to try it for SunOs 4.x but it worked ok on 3.5).  I
have not found a way to get mail from the VAX to the Sun, however.

Bill Weissborn



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1008                           0  replies
Reply to #      1007

Left by:       DAVE MARLIN                   On 17-Jul-89
At     :       LITEL TELECOMMUNICATION
Subject:       REPLY TO MORE INFORMATION

Bob,
Correct to the last clarification question. The "Cluster"
systems access the same SYSUAF.DAT but the last one has
it's own SYSUAF.DAT. (development system with no interaction
except common queues (JBCSYSQUE.DAT).J*e

DEC has put an area guy on site to observe.

Oh well. Clusters are such a joy. Should we talk about LMF ?

Dave Marlin


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      403                            0  replies
Reply to #      399

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 17-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       NOBODY HERE BUT US CHICKENS

Bruce,  yours was the first message since ARIS switched to  Xyplex  terminal
servers - you're right,  it wasn't working.  In fact,  I didn't find out  it
was working again till today,  when I called Kevin and the Bonnie One up  to
find out if they had any news.  Seems that differences in the Xyplex changed
the timing involved in logging on completely ....

For  those (like me) who rely on PCs and script-driven communications  soft-
ware,  I'm now waiting six seconds after making a connection,  then  issuing
two carriage returns with a 0.1-second pause in between them.   If I haven't
gotten  the  "<LF>.<CR>"  prompt that means there's a VAX listening  on  the
other end,  I wait six more seconds and repeat.   If I do that 100 times and
there's still no response (i.e., after almost 11 minutes),  I assume the VAX
is out to lunch and quit.

The delays are probably over-generous,  and for people who are calling  long
distance,  I'd suggest experimenting with the initial delay cut back to  two
or three seconds and giving up after a minute or two.  The key step seems to
be sending a pair of <CR>s with a wee bit of delay in between after allowing
a little droppie of time to let VMS ask the Xyplex what speed it's  supposed
to set itself at:  A single return and no delay will fail every time.

P.S.   Dave, I have the new Mirror script for ARIS ready for you.   It'll be
up Thursday night.



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      537                            0  replies
Reply to #      533

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 17-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       VAX UPTIME

Richard,  that wasn't exactly what I said.  *All* computers I've ever worked
on require downtime for preventive maintenance,  and *all* computers will go
down if you pull the plug - at least if you pull it long enough (an UPS, be-
ing  battery-powered,  will only keep things running for a finite amount  of
time).

What  I was looking for was a figure that would show the difference  between
VAXes running VMS and other machines/operating systems.   Scheduled downtime
for  software  upgrades or tuning should definitely be included;  there  are
other systems where I've genned and installed all system software (excluding
the operating system) and performed all required system tuning on line, with
no interruption to production.   Even downtime for a new O/S varies a  great
deal  from one system to the next:   How often does a new release come  out,
and how necessary is it to have the latest version up?

Also, how much downtime is required when you do install new system software?
Many  operating  systems and other system software can be genned  while  the
system  is up and running,  and require only five or ten minutes to  install
them after genning, if they require downtime at all.  This would be in addi-
tion  to unscheduled downtime,  such as hardware failures or  software  bugs
(the  infamous  interrupt above ASTDEL,  or whatever it is,  or  the  recent
uVax/V5.1 lockup that Phil Gravel reported).



                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      59                             1  replies

Left by:       DR. R                         On 17-Jul-89
At     :       IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MR02
Subject:       THE AGE OF AQUARIUS

Yes.  One of the most intriguing features of the VAX 9000 Aquarius
processor is its incorporation of proprietary high density signal
carrier (HDSC) technology that Digital acquired from the abortive
Trilogy project.  With HDSC, ECL macrocell arrays are mounted on
"cold plates" whose thermal conductivity has helped eliminate the
need for liquid cooling.  ("Plumbing?  We don' need no stinking
plumbing!," say my pals in the High Performance Systems Group).

HDSC modules are being assembled at this very moment at Digital's
supersecret--well, *formerly* supersecret--Cupertino, CA facility.
Look for these clandestine components to play an important role in
both standard and "tall-cabinet" Aquarius configurations, as well
as in the 50VUPS Aquarius II and the 150VUPS gallium arsenide-based
Centaurus followon products that will debut in 1991 and 1993
respectively!

Facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      60                             0  replies
Reply to #      59

Left by:       DR. R                         On 17-Jul-89
At     :       IN QUARANTINE
Subject:       IT'S ALL COMING BACK NOW...

Yes.  The good doctor estimates Aquarius performance to be as follows:

SCALAR SPECS (Uniprocessor and Quad flavors)

VUPS		    30 - 108

TPS                 55 - 200


VECTOR VELOCITY (Per vector accelerator)

LINPACK MFLOPS      18

PEAK MFLOPS        125


Facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      424                            0  replies
Reply to #      421

Left by:       DR. R                         On 17-Jul-89
At     :       ON ARIS
Subject:       FAITH RESTORED!

Yes.  Digital has once again restored my faith by formally announcing
yet another product that has been the subject of one of my fearless
prognostications.  Now that the DECserver 300 is reality, I guess I can
begin wondering how many sheckels Digital will try to extract from
Emulex and Datability for each copy of a third-party LAT license!

Facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      538                            2  replies
Reply to #      523

Left by:       FINKELL                       On 18-Jul-89
At     :       (404) 980-1190
Subject:       VAX UPTIME CONT.

PHIL,

IS THERE ANY INFORMATION AVAILABLE AS TO WHEN THE VAXen DO GO DOWN,
APPROX., HOW LONG ARE THEY DOWN FOR? SPECIFICALLY FOR THE VAXSTATION 2000, AND
SPECIFIC AREA SUCH AS UPGRADING, DISK DRIVE REPAIRS, PM.  WE HAVE HAD OUR
VAXSTATION SINCE SEPT. '88 AND IT HAS COME DOWN ONLY DUE TO POWER FAILURE, AND
JUST RECENTLY TO INSTALL A NEW DISK DRIVE.  IS DEC RESPONSIVE ENOUGH THAT IT
WOULD BE SAFE TO SAY THAT FOR A SMALL OPERATION SUCH AS OUR'S THAT THE
ACTUALLY DOWN TIME WOULD BE LESS THAN 1 DAY?!!!



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1009                           0  replies
Reply to #      1008

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 18-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:

Well the DEC engineer on site would certainly be much more experienced in
cluster problems than myself so it looks like you are in good hands.  As for
LMF, there are many wonders yet to be seen...



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1010                           0  replies

Left by:       MITCHELL KATZ                 On 18-Jul-89
At     :       212-232-9878
Subject:       DISK TIMEOUTS

Hello one and all,
The problem I have is concerned with mount verification timeout.  With
36 disks in a homogeneous vaxcluster of 7 vaxs. What I have done is set the
sysgen parameter mv_timeout to 64000 (the max) so that I have an hour to
repair the disk before it times out (which means rebooting the world).
Obviously, an hour may not be long enough if I need parts.  So what I am
working on is a macro program to reset the timer associated with that device
so that I can get enough time to repair the disk without necesitating a
reboot.
Any comments would be appreciated.

mak


                                             GRAPHICS SIG
Message #      89                             0  replies

Left by:       FRAN SHIELDS                  On 18-Jul-89
At     :       215-293-0410
Subject:       OUR GRAPHIC NEEDS

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING GRAPHIC PACKAGES AVAILABLE ON THE VAX. IN
ADDITION, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A MAC OR AN IBM PC
CONNECTED TO THE VAX TO ACCOMPLISH OUR GRAPHIC NEEDS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO
FIND A 'SIMPLE' PACKAGE THAT RUNS ON THE VAX, BUT HAVE SEEN SEVERAL NICE
LITTLE PACKAGES ON THE PC'S.... OUR REQUIRMENTS ARE 'SIMPLE' BUSINESS
GRAPHICS...  I PREFER TO LOOK AT THE MAC TO VAX APPROACH BUT WOULD LIKE TO
HEAR SOME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM?


THANKS


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      304                            0  replies

Left by:       FRAN SHIELDS                  On 18-Jul-89
At     :       215-293-0410
Subject:       UPS SYSTEMS

I AM STARTING A REVIEW OF UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS AND WOULD LIKE
COMMENTS FROM ANYONE...

I HAVE INFO FROM 1 COMPANY (TO START) .... ISOGUARD. I KNOW THAT DEC PROVIDES
SYSTEMS AND I'M SURE THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OTHERS.

WE HAVE 2 MICRO VAX'S, 4 RA81'S AND ABOUT 15 MODEMS/MUX'S.

ANY HELP?


THANKS
FRAN


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1011                           0  replies

Left by:       MITCHELL KATZ                 On 18-Jul-89
At     :       212-232-9878\
Subject:       DISK TIMEOUTS

I FOUND THE ANSWER TO MY PREVIOUS MESSAGE!  It seems that although the minimum
value in sysgen for mv_timeout is 1, you can still totally disable mount
verification timeout bvy setting mv_timneout to 0 (you must disable checks to
do this).  Therefore, no program is necessary.

mak


                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      227                            0  replies
Reply to #      204

Left by:       SCOTT TAYLOR                  On 18-Jul-89
At     :       (303)930-7264
Subject:       MEMORY UTILITIES

Your problems with PCSA hogging memory have plagued us since we installed
PCSA 2.0.  Our original solution (R:Base was the program we had trouble with)
was to re-boot the PC using another disk every time the user needed to use
R:Base.  This other disk contained only enough drivers to start the file
server, as R:Base's directory must be writable.  This opened up about 445Kb on
the PC (we generally use Compaq 286 & 386 machines with DEPCA's), and allowed
the user to use R:Base.  However, since the users wanted to have an IS
lynching party, we sought some alternatives.

There are a number of good utilities available that work well on 286 and 386
machines.  These include 386max, Abovedisc, etc.  Contact any good software
store for more information on these products.  Generally, they are fairly
inexpensive, and easy to install.  386max, I know, moves any drivers, etc.
from conventional memory (the initial 640K) to higher memory (either expanded
or extended).  This leaves nearly all the base memory free for your programs,
without affecting PCSA performance.


                                             MASS STORAGE SIG
Message #      267                            0  replies
Reply to #      264

Left by:       TOM MYNAR                     On 18-Jul-89
At     :       714-956-9159
Subject:       I'VE GOT A SYSTEM U COULD USE

I've got a UV I I'm trying to sell, it includes VMS and a Cipher 1600 BPI tape
drive (includeing controller).  With a DZ, you could DECNET between them and
transfer the files.  Call me (I hope this is an acceptable message concerning
the non-advertising clause of using the system).
Tom


                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      228                            0  replies

Left by:       SCOTT TAYLOR                  On 18-Jul-89
At     :       (303) 930-7264
Subject:       SECURITY WITH PCSA V2.1

We have an interesting problem with PCSA file security that has plagued us
since we installed PCSA V2.0.  Much of this is due to the unusual nature of
our network, and the structure we need to have in place for directories.

We have a number of different groups (determined by UIC's), that don't use the
default [360,*] that PCSA likes.  We are able to set the UIC ourselves after
editing PCSA_ADMIN.COM a little bit.  This structure effectively keeps users
from different groups out of each other's files.  The problem occurs in users
personal directories, and our Word Processing directories.  PCSA sets default
file protection to (S:rwd,O:rwd,G:r,w:) on all newly created files within a
user's directory.  Unless we make a different group UIC for each user on the
network (we have over 150 currently), other users can
connect to their account using the command NET USE d: \\NODE\USER1%USER2
USER2PASSWORD.  This way, user2 can read user1's file (although he can't
delete them) using his own password to connect to user1's service.  I
originally tried setting access using the NET ATTRIB/DEFAULT command in
the user's AUTOUSER.BAT file, however this sets the file protection only for
that session, and involved so much maintenance that it wasn't worth it. It
would be ideal if the /DEFAULT on the ATTRIB command worked for more than the
current session, however, maybe I'm too close to the problem to see an easy
solution.  Additionally, I tried using ACL's, however, maintenance here is not
worth the trouble.

The second problem is similar, however, a bit more complex.  There are a
number of subdirectories underneath our WP directory that need to be accessed
by the Word Processing department.  The structure is as follows:
BUGS$DUA0:[PCCOMMON.WPC]
BUGS$DUA0:[PCCOMMON.WPC.INVEST]
BUGS$DUA0:[PCCOMMON.WPC.LEGAL]
ETC.
WPC (the group) needs full access to the INVEST  and LEGAL (as well as 10-15
others) directories, therefore, needs to be the owner of these directories.
However, LEGAL should not have ANY access to WPC or INVEST.  If the user is
good at DOS, or realizes that WPC is above them in directory structure,
they can have complete access to that directory, or any other underneath the
WPC directory.

One last problem - Through VMS we change access to user's AUTOUSER.BAT to
(S:RWD,O:,G:W:), to prevent users from changing the file or accidentally
deleting it.  However, one "power user" discovered that if he copied
AUTOUSER.BAT to another name he could edit it.  Then he was able to rename
AUTOUSER.BAT to another name, and replace it with the new (edited
AUTOUSER.BAT).  What a way around VMS security!

Please let me know if you have any solutions.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1012                           0  replies

Left by:       ED BASS                       On 18-Jul-89
At     :       713-220-4534
Subject:       SHARED FILE COPY/SORT

I need to be able to COPY and SORT files without locking the source
(input) file for exclusive access, thus locking out users of these files who may
want to update them with online maintenance programs.  I could use
CONVERT/SHARE for the COPY situation but it is SLOW...I could write a
program to take care of the COPY situation as well, but I'm just curious
if there's an easier way.

As for the SORT problem, I'm lost.  Any way to sort a file without
locking the input file?  I'd be interested in any third-party software or
tips on SORT features that I may be unaware of.


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      305                            0  replies
Reply to #      302

Left by:       Phil Gravel                   On 18-Jul-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       TERMINAL SERVER

Connecting to a terminal server via the NCP CONNECT NODE command causes
considerable network traffic even if nothing is being done.  Who knows why...

Apparently, the dropping of a connection to a terminal server in NCP from a
node that you have SET HOST to is a known feature.  DEC's CSC was helping me
set up printers connected to a terminal server.  When the connection to the
terminal server from NCP was lost on a node that was accessed via SET HOST,
the response from the support person was "Oh yeah, you can't do that.  That
happens..."  Cie la vie.

Phil


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      404                            1  replies
Reply to #      403

Left by:       Phil Gravel                   On 18-Jul-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       ARIS CONNECT TIME

Since the changes that were made to ARIS earlier this month, it routinely
takes me about 2 minutes to a response from the ARIS VAX once the modems have
completed their handshaking.  Awhile back, users were complaining about the
15-30 second response time before the recent changes.  I wonder how happy
they'll be with the longer time?!  I hope people don't get frustrated and quit
logging into ARIS because of this long time delay.

SYSOP:  Isn't their anything that can be done to improve the response time??
Two minutes for every long distance call begins to add up to big $$$.

Phil


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      405                            1  replies
Reply to #      404

Left by:       Phil Gravel                   On 19-Jul-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       ARIS CONNECT TIME

Phil Anthony revealed the secret to fast connect times -- a couple of quick
carriage returns causes the connection.  I guess the single carriage return
that I was issuing every 5-10 seconds wasn't doing the trick.

Phil


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      406                            0  replies
Reply to #      405

Left by:       BRIAN DESANTIS                On 19-Jul-89
At     :       ARIS
Subject:       CONNECTION TO ARIS

Forgive me, but I dont seem to find that long a wait when trying to connect
to Aris. During the day, frommy VAX I will use VAXNET on a 1200 baud line
and after getting the connection established msg, I will hit return three or
four times, will get the "." that was mentioned before, it will delay
about 4-5 seconds, then display the first screen, etc. Am I doing something
'wrong'???  It is 2:58a.m. and I am home and using 2400 so the word delay
is pretty much unknown at this time...

Sidenote- regarding ARIS' upcoming text retrieval section... Will those
articles be available for actual download,not just a 'text dump' intoa  log
file?? Since I assume these will be text files and with the cost of long
distance charges what they are, it would seem logical to be able to d/l
to host system and then read/print/etc.. Keep fingers crossed....


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      407                            1  replies
Reply to #      406

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 19-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       ARIS CONNECT TIME

How did this wind up under the RSTS SIG?

I haven't noticed an unusual response time for logging into ARIS.  I usually
sit here and pound on my carriage return key about 20 times before I get that
little "." prompt.  But that is just force-of-habit from doing a 'SET
TERMINAL/INQUIRE' on DECserver ports for sooooooo long!  If you don't hit
carriage return a couple of times, it takes about 10 seconds for the SET
TERMINAL/INQUIRE to function.


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      408                            0  replies
Reply to #      405

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       ARIS CONNECT TIME

Phil,  I only discovered the "secret" after a chat with Kevin at ARIS.   The
credit really belongs to him;  I just implemented my script after he gave me
the  technical details.   My thanks to him, and to all the staff at  Profes-
sional Press,  for their speedy response to questions and problems I've  had
with ARIS over the years.

By the way,  Kevin tells me that this machine is now dedicated to ARIS.   We
can  expect even better response times except during  ARIS  maintenance  and
backups.



                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      409                            0  replies
Reply to #      407

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       ARIS CONNECT TIME

Well, Robert, now you know who the *really* devoted ARIS users are!



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      539                            1  replies
Reply to #      538

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       MORE VAX UPTIME

That's  a big question!   I've never known a PM on any single DEC system  to
keep  it  down any longer than a couple of hours unless a  hardware  problem
turned  up  in  the course of  diagnostics.   System  software  installation
doesn't take very long either if you do your homework up front and determine
what  else may have to be changed after you install the new version  (custom
mods to SYSGEN parameters,  new features you may want to implement,  changes
to file structures,  for instance).   The worst I ever experienced under VMS
was  14 hours,  and that involved upgrading major versions of VMS  (V3.5  to
V4.1) plus several other software packages.  Usually upgrades only take 1 to
4 hours on a single system, depending on the complexity of the software.

When it comes to hardware glitches, the situation is more nebulous.   Once a
problem  determination is made,  it generally doesn't take very long to  re-
place a faulty part; typically a few minutes to a few hours, with an hour or
two  of  diagnostics afterward to make sure the new guy  is  working  right.
(You  may also have a few hours of work afterward,  such as  restoring  your
data after a disk replacement.   Make sure you have good backups!)  DEC does
a pretty good job of keeping parts handy,  and the turnaround time before  a
field  engineer shows up depends on what level of field service you've  paid
for.

But the debugging process for certain failures (e.g., intermittent problems,
especially  ones  involving two or more components) can take a long  time  -
weeks, even months.  That's true on any computer, with any operating system.

Anybody else have comments?



                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      229                            0  replies
Reply to #      228

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       PCSA SECURITY

Scott,  I've never used PCSA, but your problems are fairly common on PC net-
works in legal and accounting offices.   It seems to me you ought to be able
to  do  some  of  what  you  want,  such  as  keeping  users  from  changing
AUTOEXEC.BAT,  by implementing a common set of initialization files in a di-
rectory  with (S:RWED,O:,G:,W:R) protection.  Those scripts would  determine
who the user is,  and on that basis,  set his/her default to the appropriate
directory where she or he would have full (RWED) access.

Within VAX structure,  I can't think of any way to handle a word  processing
group  that can work in two or more directories while another group  (LEGAL,
INVEST, etc.) can only access one of them - only one group can own a VMS di-
rectory.   In a Novell network,  though,  the problem is trivial.   Multiple
groups  can have trustee rights to a single directory,  and you can  control
access  on  a directory-by-directory basis; different groups can  also  have
different rights in the same directory.

Under Novell, the right to read or search in a parent directory doesn't nec-
essarily  mean  you can do anything in a  subdirectory.   File  modification
(such as renaming or resetting the READ-ONLY flag) is a separate right  that
need  not be granted to those who don't have to have it.   By the  way,  the
Novell overhead is so small that workstations have no problems with large PC
programs such as R:Base.



                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      348                            0  replies
Reply to #      347

Left by:       MICHAEL CHRISTIAN             On 19-Jul-89
At     :       317-267-6946
Subject:       DTC WORKS FOR ME.

I did some experimenting, and had successful results.  Remember that
I am probably using a later revision of DTC off the Fall '88 tape.

1.) In the DTC.DAT file, I added the line:
99999999080USR$A:[CHRISTIAN.ARIS]SECDTC.DAT=

2.) Inside the DTC program, there are two commands:

DTC>S 072089 8:00 Time to be at work.

This command files the scheduled event into the
alternate file, but not the primary.

DTC>G 072089 5:00 Go home now.

This command files the scheduled event into both
the primary and alternate file.

I only tried one alternate file, but it claims that you can use more
than one.  If this doesn't work for you, feel free to call me.  If you
need the latest version of DTC, you can try to get the Fall '88 DECUS
tapes, or we could probably make arrangements for me to send you the
new DTC.

Michael Christian
Thomson Consumer Electronics
317-267-6946


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      408                            4  replies

Left by:       LEE GOSS                      On 19-Jul-89
At     :       913-573-7941
Subject:       VAXC


How can one use the getchar feature of c on the vax. I am trying to get
one character of screen input at a time with a limit of 16 characters.

The way it is working now is, the input is buffered until a CR is hit.


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      409                            0  replies
Reply to #      408

Left by:       V. JAMES KRAMMES              On 19-Jul-89
At     :       (614) 228-2001 X 341
Subject:       EMULATE C'S GETCH()

Lee,

I, too wondered how to do this though I wanted to do it from MACRO.

The answer I came up with is to call the SYS$QIO(W) system service.
You can tell RMS to that your buffer is only a single character, but it will
read until a carriage return or other terminator is hit. If you tell $QIO to
only read 1 character, that's all it will read.

First, open a channel (you can use a file name of "TT:") with the
SYS$ASSIGN system service as shown:

$iodef
$qiodef

ttchan:	.word	0
tty:	.ascid	/TT:/
buf:	.blkb	133
buflen:	.blkl	1

.
.

$assign_s	devnam=tty,chan=ttchan

.
.

$qiow_s		chan=ttchan,func=#io$_readlblk!io$m_noecho,-
p1=buf,p2=#1


If you want the character to echo as it is typed, remove the
"!io$m_noecho" part from <func>. Of course, you need to check error codes,
too.

To use such a routine from a high-level language, return the put the
character into register 0 and declare it (in the HLL) as integer or long.

If you would like a copy of the code, let me know.

Hope this helps!
--Jim


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      540                            0  replies
Reply to #      539

Left by:       BRIAN DESANTIS                On 19-Jul-89
At     :       (201)670-0286
Subject:       DOWNTIME

I too, have never experienced a long downtime for PM's, if the system
came down at all. And in the case of problematic hardware, my local DEC
field office is only 15-20 mintues away and parts can get here very quickly.
I have also never had a problem in getting a part - I have never been in
a situation (knock wood, or computer floor) where I have had to wait
for a part. If they didnt have one, they went and found one, even if it
was at their cost, and they had to go and fly it in.... On the whole, the
service that my VAX has provided and my field service as well has been
top-notch. I have heard many horror stories from people who have had problems
and my sympathies are with them...


                                             LASER PRINTERS SIG
Message #      74                             0  replies
Reply to #      33

Left by:       BRIAN DESANTIS                On 19-Jul-89
At     :       (201)670-0286
Subject:       CUSTOM APPLICATIONS, INC,

Regarding the software from Customs Applications that prints Postscript
on an HP LJII- has anyone used this? Is it for IBM, Mac, Vax???



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      425                            0  replies
Reply to #      375

Left by:       JESS GOODMAN                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       814 238-2811
Subject:       RECORD LOCKING OVERHEAD

We had the exact problem you described when we first brought
up our cluster.  I eventually found a work around.  If you
are still having performance problems please give me a calll
and I may be able to help you.


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      426                            0  replies
Reply to #      394

Left by:       JESS GOODMAN                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       814 237-0309
Subject:       SI CLUSTER

We have installed an SI cluster.  If you are still looking
for feedback on this, give me a call.


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      541                            1  replies
Reply to #      523

Left by:       JOHN FINKELL                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       404-980-1190
Subject:       CAN'T READ REPLIES


PHIL,
MESSAGE # 538 (VAX UPTIME CONT.) KSAYS THERE ARE 3 REPLIES BUT WHEN I TRY TO
READ THEM IT SAYS IT CAN'T.  I NOTICED THE SYSTEM WAS DOWN, IS IT POSSIBLE THE
RESPONSES WERE LOST?!
E


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      410                            0  replies
Reply to #      408

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       VAX C and getchar ()

Lee,  that's the way getchar () has always worked.  It's intended as a means
of retrieving one character at a time *from buffered I/O* (which could be  a
file - getchar () is nothing but a macro for getc (stdin)), not a way to get
hold of a character as soon as it's typed at the keyboard.  The previous re-
sponse about writing a getch () function in Macro-32 may be the best way for
you to go.

You might also look at the setbuf () function.  Normally this is used to as-
sociate  a user-declared buffer with a FILE stream (note that it has  to  be
called before any I/O is done on the stream).   However,  if you declare the
buffer address as NULL,  the file becomes unbuffered.  I don't know if VAX C
will hand you the character immediately when you declare stdin unbuffered  -
the  boys and girls in Maynard (or was it Nashua,  N.H.?) had to  play  some
pretty messy games to emulate ASCII stream file structure under VMS/RMS, and
the terminal driver does its own buffering as well unless a QIO tells it not
to  - but it wouldn't take more than 15 minutes to write  a  quick-and-dirty
test program to try it out.  Give it a shot both with stdin and with another
stream for the terminal - i.e.,

ttptr = fopen ("TT:", "r");        /* Open the terminal on a new stream */
setbuf (ttptr, NULL);              /* Make the new stream unbuffered */

Good luck!



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      542                            0  replies
Reply to #      541

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 19-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       BUGBUGBUGBUGBUG

John, the ARIS downtime had to do with a new Xyplex terminal server; this
problem seems to involve a bug in the ARIS code.  When I left my message,
your  message header already said there were two replies  -  but  somehow
they got  lost.  Another message I left correctly says it's a reply to  a
previous message,  but the previous message's header says there have been
no replies.  A third message shows up twice when you follow that particu-
lar thread.  Bonnie!  Oh, Bonnie ....



                                             TERMINALS/PLOTTERS/PRINTERS SIG
Message #      312                            0  replies
Reply to #      5

Left by:       MITCHELL KATZ                 On 19-Jul-89
At     :       212-232-9878
Subject:       LCP01


WE USE IT- the lcp01 that is.  We have an HP plotter as back up.  That is an
HP pen plotter.  Give a call.

mak


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      411                            0  replies
Reply to #      408

Left by:       DR. R                         On 19-Jul-89
At     :       SOMEWHERE IN TAXACHUSETTS
Subject:       C++

Yes.  Soon we'll have to deal with another C-related issue, 'cuz
Roger Heinen's DECwest OS/SB crew is hard at work hacking a Digital
C++ compiler.  When the compiler will be announced I can't reveal,
but it's almost certain to hit the streets before OZIX, the OS/SB's
new Unix implementation for OLTP applications.

facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             FORUM - 3RD PARTY SUPPLIERS SIG
Message #      105                            0  replies
Reply to #      95

Left by:       TOM MYNAR                     On 19-Jul-89
At     :       714-956-9159
Subject:       ANY SHOULD WORK

I got it from a DEC employee (so it's a reasonably good rumor) that any SCSI
tape drive will work.  Now, I've got a 60 megger coming in the mail that I
would love to try.  Maybe we could work something out ?
Tom


                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      225                            0  replies
Reply to #      204

Left by:       JOHN RICE                     On 19-Jul-89
At     :       312-940-9000
Subject:




                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      379                            0  replies

Left by:       MICHAEL M. FRAZIER            On 19-Jul-89
At     :       (714) 788-7490
Subject:       WHAT

I am looking for a utility known as WHAT.EXE.  This is a System Management
Utility that I ran into at the last place I worked.  Its banner stated it was an
unsuported VMS utility.  I am curious if anyone out there knows anymore about it

I have the EXE for 4.X, but when we upgraded to 5.1 it needed to be relinked.

If you have any info about this utility, please let me know.  I feel lost
without WHAT!

later...
Michael M. Frazier


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      380                            1  replies

Left by:       HARRY MOSKOWITZ               On 20-Jul-89
At     :       818-8884329
Subject:       VMS BACKUP WITH TU81-PLUS


I am currently using VMS Version 5.0-2 on a VAX 6210.  When I use BACKUP
to copy files from RA82 drives to my TU81-PLUS tape drive, I get increased
performance by specifying /NOCRC.   I would like to know if there are any
drawbacks to using /NOCRC, since the TU81 manual says you can gain perfor-
mance with the NOCRC option if operating in GCR mode.  (I am using 6250
density tapes and therefore should be operating in this mode.)  In my
telepone conversations with Digital, they still recommend CRC checking
(the default).  It is unclear to me why this is necessary if the hardware
is doing the parity checking, etc.   Any ideas or opinions would be
appreciated!



                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      381                            0  replies
Reply to #      380

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 20-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       VMS BACKUP AND CRC

Some time back there was extensive discussion on this SIG involving the need
for software CRC checking in VMS BACKUP.  Read the thread starting with Mes-
sage No. 144 - it covers your questions pretty thoroughly.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1013                           1  replies
Reply to #      1012

Left by:       JOHN P. FLYNN                 On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (615)269-2266
Subject:       SHARED FILE COPY

I use BACKUP/IGNORE=INTERLOCK for a lockout-free copy operation.
As for sorting, I am no help.

John.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1014                           0  replies
Reply to #      1013

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 20-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       SORT /IGNORE=INTERLOCK

Short of writing your own sort program, the kludgy workaround might be to
copy the file you want to sort (maybe using BACKUP /IGNORE=INTERLOCK) and
then  sort the copy of the file.   This wouldn't be too useful for  large
files  because of disk space requirements,  but it might work until some-
body submits an SPR on the subject and DEC gets around to doing something
about it "in a future release."  One of the third-party developers (EG&H,
maybe?)  might  get around to it more quickly if you were willing to  pay
for a custom version of their sorting software.



                                             PC'S SIG
Message #      230                            0  replies

Left by:       DAN DONOHUE                   On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (215)439-3276
Subject:       PC-PLOT IV TERM. EMUL.

Is there anyone out there who has experience running a Tektronics Terminal
Emulator called PC-Plot IV, from Microplot systems?  We have been having
trouble running it over PCSA.  Works like a charm via dial-up.  Now they have
added a network interface option, but the details are sketchy and their
support is sketchier...

If anyone has used this new feature of PC-Plot, over any network, please
contact me or leave details where you may be contacted for a few basic
questions.  Thanks so much.



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      564                            0  replies

Left by:       DAN DONOHUE                   On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (215)439-3276
Subject:       PC-PLOT TERM. EMUL.

If anyone is familiar with tektroniks terminal emulator PC-Plot IV, please see
message 230, 20-Jul-89, in PCs SIG.  Thanks!



                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      382                            1  replies
Reply to #      379

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 20-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       WHAT.EXE?



                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      383                            0  replies
Reply to #      382

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 20-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       CONTINUATION OF LAST MESSAGE

(something funny is going on with my terminal)

I have never heard of a utility from DEC (unsupported or supported) called
WHAT.EXE.  Are you sure it is a DEC creation?  More than likely it is a
piece of DECUS software that slipped into your system.  What does it (or
should I say DID) it do?

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      427                            0  replies
Reply to #      395

Left by:       VERNON L. PALANGO             On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (201) 679-0200
Subject:       NOVELL PC/LAN - DECNET

Novell has a product called Netware for VMS, it provides transparent file
sharing between a VAX host and a Netware LAN.  The set up for it is very
easy and it runs without hitches.  However, if you are looking for the
same file server performance as your LAN file server gives you on the VAX
you will be disipointed.  The product is intended to give transparent
communication between your VAX and your LAN, it does that well.  Netware
for VMS also tosses in a very good LAT type package, that allows any
PC on your network to access your VAX as a terminal.

Good Luck!!

Vernon L. Palango
Systems Manager
JWP - Information Systems


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1015                           0  replies
Reply to #      983

Left by:       VERNON L. PALANGO             On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (201) 679-0460
Subject:       BROADCASTING TO DECSERVERS

Have you tried assigning all the ports on your decservers predefined
logical terminal ID's using the LATCP program???   I don't know if
it will work, but it will make VMS recognize the terminals when they
are not logged in.

V. Palango
Systems Manager
JWP - Information Systems


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      384                            0  replies
Reply to #      377

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (714)720-7868
Subject:       CODE MANAGEMENT

We use a code management system called CCC developed by a company called
Softtool Corporation in Santa Barabra.  It works great!


                                             EDITORS SIG
Message #      226                            0  replies
Reply to #      221

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       EMBEDDING ESCAPE SEQUENCES IN EDT

Bob,
To embed escape sequences under EDT use the 7-bit mode (ie CSI = <ESC>[)
and insert the escape character (<ESC>) by striking the CTRL-[ key twice.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1016                           0  replies
Reply to #      1012

Left by:       PATRICK MAHAN                 On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (714) 720-7868
Subject:       SHARED FILE COPY/SORT

Ed,

For shared file copying use the BACKUP utility with the qualifier
/IGNORE=interlock.  I don't know if this will allow a user to open
the file while you are accessing it (it will work if the user already
has opened the file.)

For shared Sort, could you try using the callable SORT utility and perform
a record sort?  For information on the SORT utility see the VAX/VMS utilities
manual.



                                             LASER PRINTERS SIG
Message #      75                             0  replies
Reply to #      72

Left by:       VERNON L. PALANGO             On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (201) 679-0200
Subject:       PRINT REPLYS

I don't know exactly what you are looking for, but if your are trying to get
a message on your terminal when a print job is completed, try this:

$ PRINT/NOTIFY

You will get a message at your terminal when the job is completed.


                                             MICROVAX SIG
Message #      210                            0  replies

Left by:       RON SALAZAR                   On 20-Jul-89
At     :       818-967-9521X425
Subject:       VMSKITBLD
I have a need to distribute VMS 4.7 to a VAXStation 2000.  Our
configuration is an LAVC with a VSII/GPX as a boot node with an RA81 as our
common disk.  Digital's documentation gives a very description of VMSKITBLD at
best.  I have spoken to the CSC about it, they recommended using the BUILD
function with SYS$SYSDEVICE as the source disk & [SYS0.SYSCOMMON] for the top
directory.  The command file executes properly, but when I go to boot the
VS2000 standalone, I receive "UNABLE TO LOCATE SYS.EXE" which sends the
machine into the power-on test procedure.  I have done this once before on
another machine, but unfortunately MY documentation was lacking!! (Something
about working at 2:00 AM does that to me!!)
If anyone has done this and has managed to keep better notes than I
did, I'd appreciate the help.

Ron Salazar
EG&G Power Systems
Covina, Ca.


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      349                            1  replies

Left by:       SCOTT TAYLOR                  On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (303)930-7264
Subject:       SEARCH FOR A CORPORATE DATABASE!

Over the past nine months, we have been searching for a corporate database.
Of course, we've heard every claim in the world, and are very confused!

I think we've narrowed the choices down to two.  Either Rdb with Smartstar
(and maybe Focus's report writer), or Oracle.

I personally don't like Smartstar due to their Report writer, and the fact
that we're owned by a predominantly IBM company.  This means if we ever switch
to IBM (God forbid!) with Rdb we have to re-write all our applications.  In
addition, Smartstar's references were not as good as I would expect.

Oracle is my first choice due to their portability across multiple platforms,
and their wonderful reporting capabilities and user-friendliness.

Because of our inexperience with databases, we'd love some input from those
of you out there who are currently using either of these, or something else
you prefer.  Our considerations are:  1) primary use will be for user inquiry,
2) database will be installed on a 6320 also running PCSA with 200-250 total
users.  Concurrent use approx. 100-150 users.  3) Query must be quick.
4)  Must not overburden the 6320.  5)  Report writing capabilities must be
very flexible (for MIS), and user interface easily understood (for the end-
users).

We'd appreciate any input.  Thanks for your help.


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      543                            0  replies
Reply to #      539

Left by:       VERNON L. PALANGO             On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (201) 679=0460
Subject:       VAX DOWNTIME

I recently had a VERY bad experience with system down time at one of my
clients in New York.  They are slowly going through the process of upgrading
all of thier in house applications for use under V5.0 (they have completed
this task now by the way), but they had just installed a 6220 and were running
a mixed version cluster (VMS 4.7 & VMS A5.1) with an 8350 and 750.  They
started having problems keeping the 750 (which is their development system)
up, it kept crashing with a disturbing variety of bugchecks.  After an
eternity of calls to Collorado support, field service was put on the case.

A week long process involving 5 (count 'em five) engineers working on the
machine was needed to figure out that the system had a faulty power supply.
Oh, I didn't mention that in the process they:

Wiped out the system disk

Bent the ethernet cable under the floor bringing the whole network
down

It took a total of about 3 weeks to resolve this (simple) problem, and an
unknown amount of cost in terms of system down time.  I think it should be
noted that the quality of service engineers (board swappers) that DEC has
put out lately has gone down a great deal in recent years.  There are still
some very good engineers out there, but DEC should spend more time training
these people to DIAGNOSE problems before swapping parts.

Vernon L. Palango
Systems Manager
JWP - Information Systems


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      306                            0  replies
Reply to #      304

Left by:       CAM TAMBLYN                   On 20-Jul-89
At     :       (403)429-5834
Subject:       UPS'S

The May 29 issue of Digital Review has an article about UPS's and lists about
100 different models along with features and prices.


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      350                            0  replies
Reply to #      349

Left by:       DR. R                         On 20-Jul-89
At     :       EVERYWHERE
Subject:       ORACLE VS RDB

Oracle is a great marketing company.

facts not rumours,

Dr. R


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      544                            0  replies
Reply to #      534

Left by:       A FORMER SSC MEMBER On 20-Jul-89
At     :       ARIS
Subject:       ORIGIN OF PSEUDONYM

No Virginia, there is not--and never was--a "Charlie Matco."  The name
that launched a thousand rumors (and one editorial embargo) was in
actuality the name of the virtual system manager on the "DCS VAX," an
ALL-IN-1 system used by DECUS leaders to conduct Society business.

The DECUS Support Services Committee (SSC), a group tasked with oversight
responsibilities for the DCS system, decided to create a pseudonymous
account to which questions and complaints about DCS could be directed.
Just to make things more interesting (and to seed the DECUS membership
list just as magazines seed their mailing lists), the SSC decided to
assign a name to their new account.

But what name to choose?  After discovering that the Marlboro Public
Library lacked a copy of "What to Name Your Bogus Computer Account,"
the resourceful SSC members convened at DECUS US headquarters on
Boston Post Road for a good old fashioned brainstorming session.

During a lull in the cerebral storm, one of the meeting attendees glanced
out the window and spotted the sign of a nearby automobile dealership,
Charles Chevrolet.  A spirited discussion ensued:

"Charles?"

"Nah, too formal..."

"Charlie?"

"Charlie... yeah, Charlie!  That's the ticket!"

And with that, the SSC selected the first name of DECUS' virtual system
manager!

Choosing a last name, however, proved to be a far more difficult task.
The SSC "name-that-sysmunger" brainstorm mounted in intensity until it
reached 12 on the Beaufort scale, but no surname emerged from the
tempestuous session.

Until another committee member looked out the window and began to gaze
at the passing traffic on Boston Post Road.  Out of the corner of his
eye he spotted a large, gleaming white panel truck.  Emblazoned on the
side of the vehicle (in letters at least three feet tall) was the logo:



MATCO TOOLS.


And the rest is history!




                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      412                            0  replies

Left by:       MICHAEL JESSE CHONOLES        On 21-Jul-89
At     :       GENERAL ELECTRIC
Subject:       ADA UTILITY PACKAGES?

I'm interested in anyone who has experience with the available Ada utiltiy
packages, such as
Math Advantage
NAG
BOOCH
GRACE
ASR

We need to purchase one in the VERY near future and we are interested in any
evaluation you can share.

Thanks
Michael Jesse Chonoles
General Electic
Bldg 25, RM 13S25
P.O. Box 8048
Phila., PA 19101
215/354-3185


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      351                            0  replies
Reply to #      349

Left by:       V JAMES KRAMMES               On 21-Jul-89
At     :       (614) 228-2001 X 341
Subject:       ORACLE

We currently have three Oracle databases running, two large and one small.

Some hints:

Installation is (to put it mildly) non-trivial. Don't expect to find
VMSINSTAL.
I've had to re-link all of my Oracle images after upgrading VMS from
5.0 to 5.1. Hopefully I won't have to do it again when we go to 5.1-1. It is
a real pain.
Execution is fast for simple queries, with increasing time as the
queries become more complex (as you would expect).
With the various tools available, like SQL*CALC, SQL*PLUS, EasySQL,
SQL*ReportWriter, etc, the Oracle system is fairly complete - But extremely
expensive. Each tool mentioned above is a cost item.
Key mapping is a nightmare. The same key in different Oracle
applications or even in different parts of the same application can mean
different things. This is complicated by the fact that here we use PC's
running WRQ's Reflection 1 and 2, each of which has a different key map. Augh!

All my experience is from the systems side of the equation; I'm not an
applications programmer. If you'd like, I'll see if my applications people can
give you some info from their perspective. Call me.

Jim Krammes
The Midland Mutual Life Insurance Co.
(614) 228-2001 x 341




                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      352                            0  replies
Reply to #      351

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 21-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       DATABASES

Here at GF (at least my division), ORACLE is our database.  However, as
already noted, it is VERY VERY expensive.  We upgraded an 8350 to a 6330 and
paid $120,000 in tribute for the ORACLE upgrade (almost 1/3 the cost of the
hardware!).  ORACLE does however port well to other systems.  It is supported
on (to name a few) AOS/VS, MS-DOS, UNIX, and MVS (so it will run on IBM). In
fact we are about to receive a decision from our corporate parent that will
eliminate DEC equipment from GF altogether and move everything to a pure IBM
environment (3090's and AS/400's).  So it looks as though ORACLE was probably
the right choice.  If you are in danger of the same thing happening then you
probably should use ORACLE.  The portability should be your main concern.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      385                            0  replies
Reply to #      383

Left by:       MIKE MIKOWSKI                 On 21-Jul-89
At     :       (313)524-8678
Subject:       WHAT.EXE

WHAT.EXE is an unsupported utility from Digital that is typically brought in
by Digital employees who are writing custom software for customers.  That is
the way it was brought into our shop.  It is a useful monitoring utility for
processes, mailboxes, and other system parameters.  It will show current
process quotas, number of mailbox messages currently in a mailbox, all sort of
wonderful things.  You may be able to get it from your salesman although it
may cost some money.


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1017                           0  replies

Left by:       JEFF ALLISON                  On 21-Jul-89
At     :       BREA
Subject:       NOISY RS-232 LINES

Several of the terminal lines on our 750 always show up as login processes.
Allocating the terminals keeps them from trying to log in, but it also keeps
the owner from logging in at his/her terminal.  Could this be due to "noisy"
or "floating" RS-232 lines?  If so, does anyone have any suggestions as to
what can be done to quiet them?  Or perhaps this is solvable via VMS.  I would
appreciate any feedback, as I'm tired of LOGINOUT.EXE being the most
frequently invoked image on the system.

Thanks -- Jeff Allison


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      353                            0  replies
Reply to #      348

Left by:       ROD FALANGA                   On 21-Jul-89
At     :       505-822-7393
Subject:       DTC HELP

Michael,

Thanks again, I'll give your suggestions another try.  By the way, even
though the tape was named VAXS84P (or something like that), the date on the
files are all from 1987 or 1988.  So I think that they're more recent.

Rod Falanga



                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      354                            0  replies
Reply to #      349

Left by:       ROD FALANGA                   On 21-Jul-89
At     :       505-822-7393
Subject:       WHICH DB TO USE

Scott,

We have FOCUS here, and at least in my opinion, I don't care for it.
It is a BEAR to work with (from the programmers point of view.)  One of the
other programmers here calls it "HOCUS POCUS FOCUS", but that, again, is his
opinion.

It seems to me that you would be better off with Oracle.

Rod Falanga



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      413                            0  replies

Left by:       ROD FALANGA                   On 21-Jul-89
At     :       505-822-7393
Subject:       HELP W/ FORTRAN

We have got FORTRAN version 5.2-33.  Whenever I INCLUDE a system
module from a text library and then do a compile with the /LIST option, I get
page after page of listings of all of the parameters that are defined in
the text libraries that are included.  What I would like to know is, is there
any way that I can make the /LIST option NOT give the position in the listing
of parameters that are NOT used in my code??

Rod Falanga


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1018                           0  replies
Reply to #      1017

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 22-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       NOISY RS232 LINES

Jeff,  it seems to me the first thing is to determine why the lines  are  so
noisy.   Are you connected via RS232 null modem cables?   If so,  you  might
want to think about replacing them with twisted pair between short-haul  mo-
dems - maybe you have a distance problem,  or too great a voltage difference
between  your computer and terminal grounds.  This would also help  if  your
offices  are located near a source of RFE,  such as hospital equipment or  a
radio or TV antenna.

Where are your cables?   Be careful that they don't run next to power lines,
fluorescent lights,  copiers,  elevators,  or other machines with heavy-duty
motors - even vacuum cleaners can introduce noise.   Are your cables  making
good connections?   A loose connection,  or an intermittent short in a  DB25
connector, will really do a number on serial lines.  Is the problem the ter-
minals you're using?  Some inexpensive terminals, especially older ones that
aren't shielded too well, can become an excellent source of line noise.  Are
the power lines to the terminals properly grounded?

And  it sounds as if DEC still hasn't done anything about LOGINOUT's  hyper-
sensitivity.   I  sent them an SPR under VMS V3.x concerning the  fact  that
LOGINOUT  shouldn't respond to any stray control character coming  down  the
line,  only to a carriage return - this after a streaming VT102  managed  to
extend  ACCOUNTNG.DAT enough to fill up the system disk one  weekend.   They
promised  me  they'd  look into it "in a  future  release"  (their  favorite
phrase) and then forgot about it completely.   I wonder what would happen if
every  ARIS user running VMS sent them an SPR about it.   Maybe  they'd  get
around to cleaning up their act at long last?



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      414                            0  replies
Reply to #      413

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 22-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       PARAMETER LISTS

Rod,

Yes and no.  You can elimate all those PARAMETER definitions from your
cross reference with a qualifier on the Fortran command.  It's something like
/NOSINGLE as I recall.

The only way to eliminate the unused stuff from your listing is to not
list any of it by putting a NOLIST qualifier on the include statement.  What
some people do is simply copy the definition of SS$_WHATSIT and hope that DEC
won't change it anytime soon.


                                             SITE MANAGEMENT SIG
Message #      307                            0  replies
Reply to #      304

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 22-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       UPS SYSTEMS

Fran,

I have purchased UPS systems from Best Power Technology (2KVA) and from
RTE-DELTEC(7.5KVA).  Both systems have performed flawlessly for the last two
years or so.

As someone else noted, there are hundreds of manufacturers selling UPS
systems.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1019                           0  replies
Reply to #      1011

Left by:       LEE K. GLEASON                On 26-Jul-89
At     :       713/528-1859
Subject:       FYI...

64000 seconds (max value for mvtimeout) is approximately
17.78 hours...usually, my field circus types can get a disk
problem sorted out in this much time...


                                             CPU'S SIG
Message #      61                             0  replies
Reply to #      54

Left by:       Brett Bump                    On 26-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       NOT UPGRADING A VAX 8200

Abe.   I  would  have  to agree with Robert.  Don't upgrade to an 8350.  Our
college  decided to purchase "the more powerful 8350" after one of the other
colleges had received its 8200.  At the time, Vms 4.6 was in beta so we were
running  4.5.   I  was  quite disappointed that the machine couldn't beat my
desktop  PC in number-crunching ability.  If V5 will give the 8350 an honest
2.5Vups  (as  Richard  states),  at  least it's closer to my 4Vups PC, but I
wouldn't call that much of an improvement.  I'd opt to leave the wide-bussed
8200 as it is.  After all, my PC will only handle me!



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      546                            0  replies
Reply to #      539

Left by:       Brett Bump                    On 26-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       DEC UPTIME

Phil.   As  far as a hardware issue goes, I would have to agree with Richard
as  to some DEC hardware running forever.  The cheap (cheap,cheap,cheap) PDP
system  that  we had for students of programming classes ran forever.  Since
this system never had PM (no $) it ran one year from September to late April
before  a hardware failure (the air conditioner died) caused us to bring the
system  down.   Student file backups (Backups?  Well, once in a while!) were
done online and software updates came in June (maybe, after much begging).

As to the software, the only bug (maybe you could call it a bug) that was an
annoyance  to  live  with, was the RSTS system status telling you the system
had  been up since ???:??:?.  This happens after the system has been up over
1000 hours.

In  contrast,  the  administrative  VAXes  were brought down every night for
security  reasons (a holdover from a previous computer with no security), so
I  can't  give  you  any figures over 9 hours for Vms 4.5-4.7.  But I always
thought  that  the VAXes would run as long as the PDPs if they were given  a
chance.  Maybe DEC changed that with V5.



                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      410                            0  replies
Reply to #      409

Left by:       Brett Bump                    On 26-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       Shhh!

Careful, Phil, you'll give away our secret. Peter Dick already gave away the
real abilities of the P90 in his article "RSTS 80th Birthday Celebration" in
the July quarterly of Decuscope.



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      565                            1  replies

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 26-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       XMODEM FOR VMS

Help!  A new ARIS user (his management finally permitted him to hook a modem
to his VAX) needs a copy of XModem for VMS.   As I've mentioned in the past,
ARIS  could also use a working XModem,  though the good folk at ARIS  are  a
little  more particular - they'd also like source code.   Anybody who has  a
copy they'd be willing to share, please leave a message here, or for the new
ARISite you could call Andy Yett directly at (203) 677-1341, ext. 315.

Thanks in advance to whoever can help out.



                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      386                            0  replies
Reply to #      379

Left by:       BRIAN DESANTIS                On 26-Jul-89
At     :       (201)670-0286
Subject:       WHAT.EXE

Just in case nobody asks, what is what.exe? and what does it do??


                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      232                            0  replies

Left by:       MATT HALL                     On 26-Jul-89
At     :       GIANT INDUSTRIES (602) 274-3584
Subject:       DISK THROUGHPUT - BI BUS

We are upgrading from an 8600 to a 6320 with RA90's over this weekend and
would be curious as to the saturation point of a RA90 (and or RA81) on a BI bus
(as shown on MONITOR DISK).  Any comments would be appreciated.



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      547                            0  replies

Left by:       JOHN R. O'HARA                On 26-Jul-89
At     :       312-385-3468
Subject:       ONLINE JOBS DATABASE

I would like to announce to all users of this system the opening
of a new online system dedicated strictly to the listing of job
opportunities. Here's the info:

*************************************
The Online RECRUITER
*************************************
2400 baud ===>  (312) 385-4447
1200 baud ===>  (312) 385-4475

8 bit, no parity, one stop
VT100 emulation required

The system is available FREE of charge and is confidential. The
database is filling now, so please be a bit patient with us while
we get things going, but the application is running clean. We are
not a recruiting agency or placement firm and do not make money
off the users who log in. It's simply a place where jobs are
listed.  All we ask is that you use it and spread the word.

Thanks,  -JRO


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      566                            0  replies
Reply to #      565

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 26-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       XMODEM

Phil,

I'm taking care of Andy Yett.  He is going to send me a tape and return
postage if he can't get it from my system with Kermit.

Where should I upload a copy?  I have a .TLB file containing the Fortran
source, documentation, help files, etc, etc.  Its 132 blocks.  The same
program, though perhaps a more recent version, is available from the DECUS
library as V00095 (Double check the order number in the catalog).  It was
also on the Fall 1985 DECUS VAXSIG Symposium tape.  It is also available from
the VAX Forum on CompuServe.



                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      387                            0  replies
Reply to #      381

Left by:       Phil Gravel                   On 26-Jul-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       BACKUP & CRC

Rumor has it that Digital is working to improve the speed of the CRC function
which will, in turn, improve the performance of utilities such as BACKUP.

Phil


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      567                            0  replies
Reply to #      566

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 27-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       XMODEM FOR ARIS

Thanks a lot,  Richard,  for taking care of Mr.  Yett - I've often been  im-
pressed by how much help there is on ARIS for people who ask for it.  I also
left a message for Bonnie Auclair, suggesting that she get in touch with you
directly to arrange an upload/download/tape swap so that we can have a work-
ing XModem on ARIS; she should be calling you within a couple of days.



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      568                            0  replies
Reply to #      555

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 27-Jul-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       ETHERNIM

Sorry,  Ralph, but I don't think anybody here knows anything about ETHERNIM;
the people I asked about it had never even heard of it.   We'd be interested
in learning about it, though - is it a DEC package?  What does it do?  After
using it, what's your assessment of it?



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      571                            0  replies
Reply to #      568

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 28-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       ETHERnim

NMCC/VAX ETHERnim is DEC's Ethernet Network Integrity Monitor (which I believe
was developed by HP).  According to the Silver book, it is:

...a network management tool that aids in fault isolation and configuration
management of extended local area networks.  ETHERnim utilizes Phase IV DECnet
software on a system configured as either a full-function DECnet node or a
DECnet end node.  It runs as a layered product on the VMS operating system.
Full functionality of ETHERnim is achieved by having DECnet software and
remote test command files in target nodes.

ETHERnim is designed to test the communications path through Ethernet protocol
and DECnet.  It also has the ability to gather system information for its
database from remote VMS and RSX nodes by invoking test probes (remote
command files).

ETHERnim is a multivendor product that recognizes non-DECnet local area
network addresses, and gives the network manager the capability of maintaining
a large amount of information about each node via a database that can be
edited.  It can be operatied from local terminals using ReGIS graphics for
graphic representations of the netowrk under test....



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      415                            0  replies
Reply to #      406

Left by:       STEPHANIE LYON                On 28-Jul-89
At     :       (609) 737-0425
Subject:       UNIX COMPAT LIB

Dave,

I gave up hope!! I will be trying to reach you by phone for more
info.

Stephanie



                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      388                            0  replies

Left by:       ROBERTSON G. DAVENPORT        On 28-Jul-89
At     :       HERE (ARIS) OR 216-646-3602
Subject:       NEWMAIL COUNT IN VMS 5.1

I used to have a simple .com file that would check VMSMAIL.DAT for a
person's newmail count for VMS 4.x, but now that we've upgraded to
VMS 5.1-1 it doesn't work.

Can anyone tell me what's changed in the format of the VMS MAIL .DAT
file (I forget what it's called in 5.x)? (i.e. how do I get my mail
count in 5.1)

Much Thanks in Advance,

Rob Davenport
Allen-Bradley Company
747 Alpha Drive
Highland Heights, Ohio 44143
(216) 646-3602


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      389                            0  replies

Left by:       AL GOCHTOVTT                  On 28-Jul-89
At     :       SMS
Subject:       PF KEY DEFINITIONS

What is the correct syntax for layering function key definitions?

Currently, I have the following code in my login file:

DEFINE/KEY "" /SET_STATE=GOLD/NOLOG


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      390                            0  replies

Left by:       AL GOCHTOVTT                  On 28-Jul-89
At     :       SMS
Subject:       FUNCTION KEYS

Sorry about message 389, I had keyboard problems.
My question concerns the layering of function keys using the DEFINE/KEY
command.

I have the following commands in my login file:

DEFINE/KEY PF1 "" /SET_STATE=GOLD/NOLOG
.
.
DEFINE/KEY PF1 "" /SET_STATE=SILVER/IF_STATE=GOLD/NOLOG
DEFINE/KEY PF2 "MAIL" /IF_STATE=GOLD/TERMINATE/NOLOG
.
.
DEFINE/KEY PF1 "LO/FULL" /IF_STATE=SILVER/TERMINATE/NOECHO/NOLOG

The problem is that PF1 works in the silver state but PF2 doesn't get
defined in the GOLD state.  Am I missing something?

Sincerely,
Alex Gochtovtt


Message #      391                            1  replies
Reply to #      388

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 31-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       VMSMAIL_PROFILE.DATA

The new file is called VMSMAIL_PROFILE.DATA.  The format of the file is rather
involved to display here.  However, the new mail count is located as follows:

bytes		data
-----		----
1-31		username
32-33		0 (new mail count identification)
34-35		new mail count

If you want the complete layout of the file, drop me a line and I can FAX it
to you.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      392                            0  replies
Reply to #      391

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 31-Jul-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       CORRECTION

After I saved the message, I realized that I had made a mistake.  The format
should be:


+--------------------------------+
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | new mail count |
+--------------------------------+
31  32  33  34  35            37

the 1 in byte 32 identifies the information as new mail count.
the 2 in byte 34 indicates the information is 2 bytes long (one word).
The username occupies the space from 0 to 30.




                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1022                           0  replies
Reply to #      918

Left by:       STEVE LOOS                    On 31-Jul-89
At     :       (414) 447-4451
Subject:       VAXSTATION 3100 CONSOLE
There is a method of using an alternate console for the Vaxstation 3100.  On
the back of the 3100 you will notice a printer port that you can use to
plug a VT terminal into.  Right beside this port is a SMALL Dip switch
that toggles between the normal display terminal (VR290) and an alternate
console.  Flip the dip switch to use the VT console.  Make sure to set
the baud rate at 9600 on the VT console.  See the Vaxstation installation
guide for more info.


                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      416                            0  replies

Left by:       FRANSICO VILLAO               On 31-Jul-89
At     :       (718)330-5151
Subject:       EXPERT SYSTEM INTERVIEWS

Dear Whomever-

I'm in the market for text on Expert system interviewing
techniques. (IE picking someone's brain in a structured
maner. Anyone ever hear of such a anamal ?

Fransico Villao
System Analysist NCYTA
370 JAY ST. BROOKLYN NY 11201





                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      555                            0  replies
Reply to #      539

Left by:       BRUCE A. GREMBOWSKI           On 31-Jul-89
At     :       408/291-3364
Subject:       DEC SERVICE

Phil,
Apparently, the service DEC provides on the East coast is superior to that we
get here on the West coast.  The site I'm responsible for is in San Jose, in
the heart of silicon valley, yet very often DEC field service does not have a
replacement RA-80 disk drive, UDA-50 controller, or power supply for our
PDP-11/44s.  It is very frustrating to know the problem is with the controller
and have to wait for the DEC field service rep to call the office to have his
boss walk him through the diagnostics.  I try telling him that the ERRLOG
seems to indicate the controller, but he can't read it, and wants to try
everything else first, since they don't have a controller in stock.  Then,
finally admitting that it must be the controller, they have to have one
shipped in from SoCal, so I have to stay with these guys for over 24 hours,
when I knew immediately what the problem was.  The first DEC rep we had knew
what he was doing; I presume they made him head of the Santa Clara office, as
none of the other reps seems to know anything about PDPs (and I'm not so sure
they know too much about VAXes, either).


                                             COMMUNICATIONS SIG
Message #      284                            0  replies

Left by:       IRA SOLOMON                   On 01-Aug-89
At     :       (617) 736-4576
Subject:       HST MODEMS

Can anyone tell me the correct settings for an HST di


                                             COMMUNICATIONS SIG
Message #      285                            1  replies

Left by:       IRA SOLOMON                   On 01-Aug-89
At     :       (617) 736-4576
Subject:       HST MODEMS

Can anyone tell me the proper settings for HST dual standard modems on a
VAX Host (VMS 5)?  I connect OK, but get very poor results in EVE.  Lots of
invalid escape sequence errors.  Thanks


                                             UTILITIES SIG
Message #      393                            0  replies
Reply to #      390

Left by:       DAVID DESROCHES               On 01-Aug-89
At     :       (508) 875-7511
Subject:       DEFINE KEYS

I can not figure out where your problem is as I typed in the key definitions
that you indicated and it worked on my machine.

Are there other PF keys defined in your command procedure?  Could they be
changing the definition of the "Gold" PF2 key?

If there are no other keys defined, I would simply define PF2 without
indicating a "Gold" state.


                                             APPLICATIONS SIG
Message #      355                            0  replies
Reply to #      348

Left by:       ROD FALANGA                   On 01-Aug-89
At     :       505-822-7393
Subject:       DTC revisited again

Michael,

I tried what you suggested with the DTC.DAT file (to make it point to
another DTC.DAT file) and I too have now got better success.  Thank you very
much!!

One thing though, what I want to be able to do is write to another
User's DTC.DAT file (file protection is not an issue here, as that is what
my User's are requesting, i.e.: the ability to write to other Users'
DTC.DAT files.)  When I do do that, however, DTC writes to my own DTC.DAT
file twice?!  Why is that?!  For example, if I give it the command:

G 090189 08:00 Power breakfast at McDonalds ;-)

It will write the string "Power breakfast at McDonalds ;-)" for 8AM and
8:30 AM on Sept. 1st.  Why is that??

Rod



                                             PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/AI SIG
Message #      417                            0  replies
Reply to #      414

Left by:       ROD FALANGA                   On 01-Aug-89
At     :       505-822-7393
Subject:       UNUSED FORTRAN PARAMETER

Richard,

Thank you for the advice of /NOSINGLE.  I'll give it a shot.  And,
of course, as you've pointed out, if I REALLY am getting tired of this, then
I can just not get a listing of the file.

Rod Falanga



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      428                            0  replies

Left by:       ALAN ANESHANSLEY              On 01-Aug-89
At     :       405-323-2332
Subject:       DECNET REMOTE PRINTING

I HAVE A MICROVAX II RUNNING VMS V5.0 WITH A VAXMATE RUNNING OVER
DECNET.  THE MICROVAX HAS SEVERAL QUEUED TERMINAL PRINTERS. I AM
HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING THE REMOTE PRINTING FUNCTION OF PCSA TO
WORK OVER THE NETWORK.  SO FAR I HAVE RESEARCHED THE SOFTWARE
DOCUMENTATION AND CONFIGURED THE MICROVAX AND VAXMATE AS FOLLOWS,
WITHOUT SUCCESS:
IN SYS$MANAGER, WITH THE PCSA_ADMIN UTILITY I HAVE ADDED AND
REGISTERED A PRINTER SERVICE NAMED HPLJ (THIS IS ALSO THE QUEUE NAME
FOR THE TERMINAL PORT QUEUE ON THE MICROVAX FOR PORT TXA1).

ON THE VAXMATE BOOTED OVER THE NETWORK, TO REDIRECT THE LOGICAL TO THE
REMOTE QUEUE I HAVE ENTERED.......

F:\>NET USE LPT1 \\CDS\HPLJ
IN THE FORMAT "NET USE logical \\nodename\queue"
THE VAXMATE RESPONDS "COMMAND COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY"

WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PRINT A FILE OVER THE NETWORK EITHER USING SOFTWARE
CONTROL OR BY ISSUING THE "NET PRINT filename logical" COMMAND FROM THE
DOS PROMPT OF THE VAXMATE, I GET THE FOLLOWING ERROR...

NET817:NETWORK DEVICE TYPE INCORRECT
AND THE FILE DOES NOT PRINT ON THE REMOTE QUEUE ON THE MICROVAX.

ON THE MICROVAX THERE IS CREATED IN THE DEFAULT SPOOL DIRECTORY A FILE
NAMED SYS$SYSDEVICE:[PCFS_SPOOL.HPLJ]ECHOPCFSnnnnnn.prt.

IF I ISSUE THE DCL COMMAND PRINT/QUEUE=HPLJ FOR THESE FILES, THEY WILL
QUEUE TO THE PRINTER NORMALLY.

I HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING CHECKLISTS IN THE DEC
DOCUMENTATION, BUT TO NO AVAIL....

I HAVE THE FOLLOWING VERSION OF PCSA/MSDOS SERVICES FOR VMS:
LAD$KERNEL		V0.32
LADDRIVER		V0.68
PCFS_SERVER		T2.0-5E
PCSA_MANAGER		T2.0-5E

ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS OF PCSA SEEN TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY, I.E. NETWORK
FILE SERVICES, NETWORK FILE TRANSFERS (NFT), VIRTUAL DISKS, ETC.....

IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS, NEEDLESS TO SAY I'D BE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL!!!




                                             COMMUNICATIONS SIG
Message #      286                            0  replies
Reply to #      285

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 01-Aug-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       MODEM CONFIGURATION?

Ira,  the  information you've given doesn't suggest  a  modem  configuration
problem to me:   You don't say anything about text (straight ASCII printable
characters) being messed up - just escape sequences.   Might  your terminals
not be telling EVE correctly what kind of terminal they are,  so that EVE is
expecting  and sending one set of escape sequences while the terminal is us-
ing another set?   Do you have a $ SET TERM/DEV=<whatever> in LOGIN.COM,  or
in your system startup file, that doesn't match the terminals you're actual-
ly using?  Or do you have PCs coming in on the line, using software that may
do too good a job of emulating whatever terminal you want it to be?



                                             COMMUNICATIONS SIG
Message #      287                            0  replies
Reply to #      286

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 02-Aug-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       MODEM CONFIGURATION?

Sorry  - a word got left out of my previous message.   The last line  should
read:  " ... that may not do too good a job of emulating .... "



                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      233                            1  replies

Left by:       TIM MANVILLE                  On 02-Aug-89
At     :       (202)653-0164
Subject:       CPU EXHAUSTED/MEMORY AVAILABLE

I have a 750 with 14mb memory.  We dedicate the system to a POWERHOUSE
application.

When the application is running, the CPU is exhausted but very little
memory is being used.  Can I increase performance by taking advantage
of the memory which is not being used?




                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1023                           0  replies
Reply to #      992

Left by:       BILL GUTSCHOW                 On 02-Aug-89
At     :       716/862-4085
Subject:       DIRECTORY SIZE


1026 IS THE MAJIC NUMBER THAT THE DIRECTORY WILL SHUTDOWN..  WE HAD
SIMILAR PROBLEMS..  SINCE DIRECTORY FILES MUST BE CONTIGUOUS,  DISK
FRAGMENTATION WILL ADD TO THE PROBLEM.  EVEN THOUGH YOU SHOW 997/1026
BLOCKS,  IF THE DIRECTORY FILE CANNOT BE EXTENDED CONTIGUOUSLY,  NO
NEW FILES CAN BE CREATED..  SUCH LARGE DIRECTORIES TAKE A TERRIBLE
PERFORMANCE HIT ALSO.   VMS WILL CACHE DIRECTORIES,  BUT WITH THEM
SO LARGE,  THE CACHE IS ALWAYS GETTING FLUSHED ANYWAY...   INCREASING
SYSGEN PARAMETERS ACP_DIRCACHE, AND ACP_HDRCACHE MAY HELP A BIT,  BUT
IT CERTAINLY WON'T BE ANYTHING DRASTIC...

REGARDS...
BILL GUTSCHOW
ITT STANDARD
BUFFALO NY


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      556                            0  replies
Reply to #      508

Left by:       BONNIE                        On 02-Aug-89
At     :       HERE
Subject:       RAINBOWS

We aren't using them here anymore... in fact, last I heard we have a dead
rainbow collection.  I still use one at home, though.  So...

Does that answer your question?  What do you need.

bsa



                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      234                            0  replies
Reply to #      233

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 02-Aug-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       Poor Lil' 11/750

You are suffering from a classic case of being CPU bound!  All the memory in
the world will not make a slow CPU go faster (unless of course your processes
are swapping all over the place).  You might try a MONITOR MODES command and
see what percentage of time you are spending in user mode.  If it is way up,
and you have a lot of processes in the COM state, you are going to have to
get a faster CPU.  You may not be able to increase memory usage because your
processes probably don't want any more (they are having a tough time as is
with what they have!).  If your processes are page faulting excessively, you
may be able to correct the situation by increasing the working set sizes
(resulting in better memory usage).  Note also that excessive faulting will
slow your CPU down.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             UNIX/ULTRIX SIG
Message #      41                             0  replies
Reply to #      40

Left by:       KEN OLSON                     On 02-Aug-89
At     :
Subject:       RUMORS


RARELY HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE BEEN SO MISLED BY SO FEW...
THE COMBINED VMS/UNIX OPERATING SYSTEM IS A PIE-IN-THE-SKY



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      572                            0  replies
Reply to #      559

Left by:       DAVE KAPLAN                   On 02-Aug-89
At     :       919-878-0204
Subject:       MIRROR ARIS SCRIPT

Phil - Thanks for logging on to our system and uploading your latest Mirror
III ARISSIGS.* stuff.  After some minor twiddling for my needs, I used it
successfully (1st try!) last night to pickup all ARIS activity since 15-Jun.
That's the last time I recall being on ARIS.  Been very busy lately and I
haven't had time to come up for air!

I'm using Mirror III with the MNP addin.  We have Microcom and Multitech
MNP level 5 modems on our PDP-11/83 and our MicroVAX II.  Since I'm using
a NEC Multispeed laptop with an internal 2400 baud modem, software MNP is
my only option.  However, I can say I'm thoroughly pleased with the MNP
addin.  FYI (you probably know this already) the MNP addin was not written
by SoftKlone.  It's from a company called MagiSoft (I think that's their
name) - they market their own communications package called MTE.  I bought
a copy for $35 about 5 months ago - unfortunately it's quite crude; no script
capability, no assortment of terminal emulations, etc.

Another MNP tidbit - Some older MultiTech 2400 baud modems with MNP level 5
have a "bug" in their code which prevents the MNP addin of Mirror III (and
MTE for that matter) from establishing a "reliable" link. It seems that the
MultiTech starts negotiating at MNP level 2, which is not supported by the
software implementation of MNP.  You can call MultiTech and get upgraded
ROM's to fix this problem.

I'll try to get onto your BBS tomorrow night with further comments about
your RSTS SIG ideas.  Thanks again...


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      573                            1  replies

Left by:       DAVE KAPLAN                   On 02-Aug-89
At     :       919-878-0204
Subject:       ARC/DEARC FOR VMS OR RSTS?

Just fantasizing here...

Does anyone know if any programs exist which will do PC-ARC-compatible
file ARChiving and de-ARChiving under VMS or RSTS?

I'm assuming that if such software was out there, I would probably have
heard about it, but just thought I'd ask.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1024                           1  replies

Left by:       DAVE KAPLAN                   On 02-Aug-89
At     :       919-878-0204
Subject:       VAX BASIC MAGTAPE HANDLING

We use VAX Basic extensively on our MicroVAX II, and do alot of data inter-
change on 1/2" tape.  We've written "generic" utilities to read and write
tapes with just about any recordsize/blocksize/character-code specifications,
as well as several dedicated programs for particular tape applications. With
all this experience, there remains one thing which we can't seem to figure
out how to do:

When writing large amounts of data to tape (we're talking non-file-structured
mode here), we'd like to be able to detect the EOT marker, write EOF marks,
and proceed to an additional reel of tape.  However, we can't seem to figure
out how to trap for EOT?

We do this on our RSTS system, but the Basic+2 "trapable" error (I forget just
what it is at this moment) you get when the tape drive detects the EOT marker
doesn't exist in VAX Basic V3.0.  Can anyone help me out on this?

Dave Kaplan; Independent Data Processing; Raleigh, NC  919-878-0204 (or ARIS)


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      574                            0  replies

Left by:       DAVE KAPLAN                   On 02-Aug-89
At     :       919-878-0204
Subject:       KERMIT LONG PKT, SLIDING WINDOWS

We have "fairly recent" versions of VMS and PDP (for RSTS) Kermit.  Our
PDP Kermit supports long packets (up to 600 bytes I believe).  Our VMS
Kermit does not.

Can anyone tell me if there are more recent implementations for either
operating system which support long packets and/or sliding windows?

Dave Kaplan; Independent Data Processing; Raleigh, NC  919-878-0204 (or ARIS)


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1025                           0  replies
Reply to #      1024

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 02-Aug-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       "TRAPPING" EOV

Dave,

There is a status code returned in word one of the I/O Status block when
a QIO operation causes the tape to reach the EOT marker.  Check the I/O User's
Guide, chapter on the tape driver for details.  As usual I don't have a copy
handy but I think that the code is SS$_EOV or SS$_EOT or something like that.

If you can't find it, give me a call and I think I can turn it up for you.
If you are using BASIC's I/O statements to do the I/O you may have to
substitute QIO calls if BASIC does not return the I/O status code somehow.



                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      557                            0  replies
Reply to #      555

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 02-Aug-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       DEC SERVICE

Bruce,

I too have had problems (on the East Coast) with DEC not having the
repair parts they need to support my systems.  I have experienced things like
calling to report a smoked power supply on a Micro 11/23, waiting 24 hours for
somebody to show up only to have him tell me, "Yup.  It's a smoked power
supply, we'll have to order one!".  Another one of my favorites is the broken
cabinet latch (the hex key things) that took seven or eight months to get
replaced.

I finally did something about it when my CE showed up with a printer
specialist to work on an annoying glitch in my printer.  The part they wanted
to replace was not in the kit that they brought.  I blew a fuse and called the
field service manager.  She wasn't at her desk so I called her manager and
dumped two and a half years of frustration in his lap.

This caused a bit of a flap.  The field service manager visited my site and
apologized.  The parts situation seems to have improved a little.  I also
make it clear to all concerned that it's death to show up at my site without
parts.  I complain.  And I remember when the customer satisfactions surveys
come around in the spring.  Be sure to fill out those surveys (goodies are
handed out to your local office, or not, depending on the results of the
survey.)

It helps to keep your own little log of when each call was placed and with
whom.  Who showed up and when, what was done and noting if parts were on hand
or had to be ordered.  We pay DEC big bucks for our service contracts and as
far as I'm concerned, they'll stock the parts needed to support our systems
or else!


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      575                            0  replies
Reply to #      573

Left by:       RICHARD B. GILBERT            On 02-Aug-89
At     :       (609) 452-5130
Subject:       ARC FOR VMS

Dave,

There are at least three programs which provide some capability to
manipulate .ARC files under VMS.  None of them provides total compatiblity
but they do make a start.  There is one called something like VAXARC or VMSARC
and another called something like VMSSWEEP.  Both of these programs and, I
believe, one other are available on CompuServe's VAX Forum.  There is also a
text file comparing the facilities and compatibility of the three programs.

Some of these programs may be available through DECUS as well.



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      576                            0  replies
Reply to #      575

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 03-Aug-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       ARC FOR VMS

For the record, System Enhancement Associates does have a version of ARC for
VMS.   However, it's compatible only with old PC versions of ARC (V4.x - the
latest PC ARC release is V6.02).  If anybody wants this, it's available from
SEA's bulletin board at (201) 473-1991.   I may still have a copy of ARC  V4
kicking around on floppy somewhere, if I haven't reused the floppy, and will
try to track it down if anybody's interested.

So far as ARC for RSTS goes,  Brett Bump and I have talked about  porting it
but haven't actually done it yet.



                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      577                            0  replies
Reply to #      572

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 03-Aug-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       MIRROR AND MNP

Good seeing you here again,  Dave!   I'm glad the scripts worked out for you
without any trouble.

The MNP addin to Mirror is an interesting piece of software,  but apparently
it suffers from the same problem that MNP modems do:   With some remote  MNP
modems it works perfectly,  while with others it simply doesn't establish  a
reliable  connection.   For example,  the Mirror addin syncs with  the  ATIs
SoftKlone uses on their BBS and whatever System Enhancement Associates uses,
but  it  won't make the connection with a genuine Microcom 2400  on  another
board I call.   On the other hand, my Everex Evercom 24e (MNP Level 3) works
with the Microcom but not with SEA's modem ....   I haven't tried the  addin
with the Evercom yet.

Incidentally,  on my board MNP is disabled.   Too many non-MNP  modems  have
trouble handling the MNP handshake.



                                             UNIX/ULTRIX SIG
Message #      42                             0  replies
Reply to #      41

Left by:       SPELLING POLICE		On 03-Aug-89
At     :
Subject:

GEE KEN, WHEN DID YOU CHANGE THE SPELLING OF YOUR NAME?  LAST TIME I LOOKED IT
WAS STILL 'OLSEN'.


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      558                            0  replies
Reply to #      557

Left by:       Robert G. Schaffrath          On 03-Aug-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       Another tale of trouble

Rich, sounds like you've had similar experiences.  I figured I'd add a little
anecdote to the collection.  About three months ago our system disk, an RA82
(need I say more?), died.  A very strange problem.  The motor would try to
spin up but would disengage after about 3 seconds.  The drive would fail with
a tachometer error.  DEC came in with an RA82 spares kit and proceded to
replace the motor, all logic boards, belts, wiring harness, power supply, and
HDA (not necessarily in that order).  In fact they replace all the components
in the drive except for one.  The motor start capacitor.  Seems this part
never goes bad and for this reason is not included in the spares kit.  Well,
after two motors, a re-install of the old HDA, and 6 hours of down time, DEC
gave up.  We happened to have a brand new SA482 which was waiting to be
returned to DEC (we never opened it and traded it in on an SA600).  Well, we
opened it up, took out a new RA82 and installed it as our system disk.  We
never got the old RA82 to work and DEC came by two days later and took it away
still in pieces.  An inquiry two weeks later revealed that no further action
was taken on the drive and that it was returned to the central depot (where
ever that is) as-is.


                                             COMMUNICATIONS SIG
Message #      289                            0  replies
Reply to #      286

Left by:       IRA SOLOMON                   On 03-Aug-89
At     :
Subject:       HST MODEMS

I am using a terminal emulator which works fine when connected at 2400
and also worked fine with a different, quite obscure , psuedo-9600 baud
modem.w3
*Urq{{?<#E01G$A0ss?6}~R=v~[{


                                             COMMUNICATIONS SIG
Message #      290                            0  replies
Reply to #      287

Left by:       IRA SOLOMON                   On 03-Aug-89
At     :       (617)7364576
Subject:       HST

Sorry about garbled message.  Am using terminal emulator that works fine
at 2400 with this modem, fine direct connect at 9600, and worked fine with a
different "pseudo-9600" modem.  I did try a different emulator and the
results were the same.  I have wondered if the type ahead buffer in the VAX
is big enough, bu~rzVf*t{O}9$X?B~o8)]5Z612BY@
$ohOeHVzi&[|?R
$ohOeHVzi&[|?R5Gz(~#k{~r
I hate to get someone to screw around without some clue that that is
the right approach.  I hope to find someone who has done it already and
knows that that is the problem.


                                             COMMUNICATIONS SIG
Message #      291                            0  replies


Left by:       DANNY HO                      On 03-Aug-89
At     :       18005432379
Subject:       VAXSTATION 3520

I just received my first VS3520 and it comes with FireFox Q-bus Adapter Module.
But this Q-bus backplane can only support one Q-bus module which is TQK70. Any-
thing that I put in the Q-bus would prevent the system to boot. I was wondering
anybody knows how to get around that and make the Q-bus to function as standard
Q-bus. I only need the Q-bus to accept DRV11-J which is 64 line parallal inter-
face card. Please help.


                                             MICROVAX SIG
Message #      211                            0  replies
Reply to #      89

Left by:       MICKEY STEIN                  On 03-Aug-89
At     :       619-587-2272
Subject:       MVAX II CRASH

WELL YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE ON EARTH (OR WHEREEVER YOU ARE) TO HAVE SEEN
THIS. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING HERE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IN THIS CASE, IT SEEMS TO
BE A CASE OF A SECOND-SOURCE DISK CONTROLLER BOARD SET TO THE WRONG INTERRUPT
LEVEL. ALL THE DEC STUFF COMES SETUP AT BR 4, BUT OCCASIONALLY, SOMEONE SETS
ONE UP TO INTERRUPT AT A HIGHER PRIORITY (5,6 OR 7). IF THIS IS THE CASE, THEN
ACCORDING TO THE DEC DEVICE SUPPORT MANUAL, THE HIGHER PRIORITY BOARD MUST BE
PHYSICALLY PLACED IN THE CLOSEST AVAILABLE Q-BUS SLOT NEAR THE CPU BOARD. I'M
NOT SURE I REALLY UNDERSTAND ALL THIS BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH DECS INTERRUPT
PRIORITIES AND HARDWARE-INTERRUPT DAISY-CHAINING, ETC. IN ANY CASE, WE'RE NOT
OUT OF THE WOODS YET, BECAUSE THE SERVICE CALL HASN'T BEEN COMPLETED. IF I
FIND OUT MORE, I'LL LET YOU KNOW. GOOD LUCK.




                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1026                           0  replies

Left by:       NORA MILLER                   On 03-Aug-89
At     :       503-222-5161
Subject:       SECTBLFUL ERROR

I have two users of a very large FORTRAN model, still in development, who have
suddenly started getting SECTBFUL errors when they fire up the debugger to
run the model.  This almost never happens the first time they run the model,
and occasionally never happens, even after repeated runs.  But it almost
always happens after they have run the model, made changes, relinked and tried
to rerun.  The error message book tells them to inform the system manager
that not enough space was allocated to global symbol tables when the system
was generated.  Unfortunately, I am the system manager, and I don't know what
to change to help this problem.  I am guessing that maybe it is PROCSECTCNT,
but mine is set higher than that parameter on a networked 8650 running the same
model without these problems.  Any suggestions??  I hope this is one of those,
"oh yeah I should have thought of that!"  I am open to ridicule, even, if you
can make this go away!


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1027                           0  replies

Left by:                                     On 03-Aug-89
At     :
Subject:



                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      235                            0  replies

Left by:       NORA MILLER                   On 03-Aug-89
At     :       503-222-5161
Subject:       SECTBLFUL ERROR

Please take a look at the message I left under SIG 37 (VMS) concerning
my SECTBLFUL error.  I need all the help I can get!  Thanks!


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1028                           0  replies
Reply to #      924

Left by:       JOHN CHIVIAN                  On 03-Aug-89
At     :       214 690-3333
Subject:       MV 3300

We have been experiencing sporadic problems along these same lines on our
MicroVax 3300.  It occasionally locks itself (and unfortunatly the rest
of the cluster) up with the console message..

PAGE FILE BADLY FRAGMENTED - SYSTEM CONTINUING

If anyone knows if this is the same problem discussed in #924-926 I would be
very interested in hearing from you.

Our solution is of cource to shutdown the 3300 (which releases all the
cluster locks freeing up everyone else) and bring it right back up.

What I really want to know, though, is why DEC failed to mention this
'LOST PAGE PATCH' the last time I called them with the same problem.

It's always something...



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1029                           1  replies
Reply to #      1024

Left by:       ANDREW P DUGGAN               On 03-Aug-89
At     :       (215) 925-5400
Subject:       VAX BASIC MAGTAPE HANDLING

Dave:

You must use $QIO to get status about end_of_tape from VMS.  I have a
set of similar routines that were originally written in Basic+ under
RSTS.  RSTS is much friendlier about this than VMS.  I ran into the
same EXACT problem you described and solved it.  If you do $QIO


Sys_Status = Sys$QioW(,T1Lun(T1_Channel) By Value,	&
Integer(IO$_WriteVBlk,Word) By Value,	&
IO_Status::Blk     By Ref,,,	&
T1_M_Buf_Loc	  By Value,	&
T1_M_Buf_Len       By Value,,,,)
If (IO_Status::QIO_Status <> SS$_Normal)
then
If IO_Status::QIO_Status = SS$_ENDOFTAPE
then
Sys_Status = Sys$QioW(,T1Lun(T1_Channel)        By Value,	&
IO$_WritEOF               By Value,	&
IO_Status::Blk	      By Ref,,,,,,,,)

Sys_Status = Sys$QioW(,T1Lun(T1_Channel)        By Value,	&
IO$_WritEOF              By Value,	&
IO_Status::Blk	      By Ref,,,,,,,,)
Sys_Status = Sys$Dismou("PHRED__TAPE:"  By Desc,		&
Dism_Flags by Value)
End If
End If

$



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1030                           0  replies
Reply to #      1029

Left by:       ANDREW P DUGGAN               On 03-Aug-89
At     :       (215) 925-5400
Subject:       MAGTAPE

Sorry about that last message (Please do not publish either)...

Dave:

I did not mean  to upload that code. (I just wanted to look at IO
function codes and statuses).

What you need to do is use $QIO(W). In your IOSB you should check
for SS$_ENDOFTAPE. If  you get that status  then you may  do some
$QIO with a function of  IO$_WRTVBLK with a modifier IO$M_WRTEOF.
I do two  of them at end of  tape.  Then  you can call SYS$DISMOU
then SYS$MOUNT  for the next  tape.  If you would like  a copy of
my MAGTAPE code library  (VAX BASIC source code).  Give me a call
and I send you a tape.

APD


                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      236                            0  replies

Left by:       GRANT MACDONALD               On 03-Aug-89
At     :       PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA
Subject:       DECWINDO




                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      237                            0  replies

Left by:       GRANT MACDONALD               On 03-Aug-89
At     :       (902)873-4241
Subject:       DECWINDOWS

I have just installed DECwindows on a microvax II which serves diskless
VAXstation 2000's.  After following all the hype from DEC and the user
community, I told our users that this is going to be the greatest thing
since sliced bread.  What a PIG!  Creating windows usually takes over
30 seconds!  We only have 4 MB per station (DEC recommends 6), and it
does quite a bit of swapping at startup.  I did a little bit of tuning,
but it doesn't look good.The users are screaming for their Workstation
software to be installed again.  Have any of you other folks installed
DECwindows, and if so how do you feel about it?  Hows response?  Being
a fairly new product, I haven't heard too much yet from the user community.

Thanks.

Grant MacDonald
Pratt & Whitney Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1031                           1  replies
Reply to #      1026

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 04-Aug-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       Bloated Section Table

Your problem is that the GBLSECTIONS parameter in SYSGEN is set too low.
However, you mention that this problem does not occurr on the first run of the
program but on subsequent runs.  This would seem to indicate that you are
creating process private sections and not deleting them when you are through.
So, you basically have two choices, modify the program to cleanup after
itself or modify the GBLSECTIONS parameter.  If you are going to modify
GBLSECTIONS, do it through AUTOGEN.  Edit MODPARAMS.DAT and insert the
following line:

ADD_GBLSECTIONS = 50

and see if that helps.  You don't want to set GBLSECTIONS too high because
that will waste physical memory.  Still, if I had my choice, I would dig into
the application first and play with SYSGEN last.

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625


                                             SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SIG
Message #      238                            0  replies
Reply to #      237

Left by:       ROBERT G. SCHAFFRATH          On 04-Aug-89
At     :       914-335-9792
Subject:       DECwindows and it relation to a certain farm animal

The problem you are describing is not new and has been described in various
publications for some time now.  DECwindows is a pig.  DEC recommends a
minimum configuration of 6MB but you would probably be better off with 12MB.
Also, a major problem is the fact the CVAX chip is just too slow to handle the
amount of processing required for the windows environment.  Don't forget that
besides running DECwindows, you are running VMS.  That also take a fair amount
of processing power.  My personal opinion on DECwindows is that I will not
deal with it until DEC releases an equivalent to the VAXstation 3100,35xx
series based on the new Rigel CPU (the VAX 6400 series) chip.  You will need
all 7 of those VUPS to get any kind of decent response.

Finally, DECwindows is most likely the future direction VMS.  Even though it
is slow now, doing development in it is probably a smart move.  Going back to
the old workstation software will only leave you working with an obsolete
environment.  Become familiar with DECwindows now and avoid the Christmas
rush!

Robert G. Schaffrath
System Manager
General Foods Corporation
White Plains, NY  10625



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1032                           0  replies
Reply to #      1031

Left by:       NORA MILLER                   On 04-Aug-89
At     :       503-222-5161
Subject:       I THOUGHT I HAD ENOUGH?

I have looked at INSTALL LI/GL/SUM and there are 109 GBLSECTIONS used.
My sysgen setting is 190.  Is it possible for the difference to be used
up by private process sections?  I thought that number you get from install
is really how much is used--if it is not, is there somewhere else I can
get the actual info from--how many total sections are being used?  I will
try making the change tonight.  The other approach might be more reasonable
except that I don't have the time to spend on investigation!  Thanks for the
tip and I will let you know if it works.

N Miller


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      578                            0  replies

Left by:       DOUG TRAVIS                   On 04-Aug-89
At     :       615-453-6940
Subject:       XMODEM - NEEDED FOR RSTS

NEED XMODEM FOR RSTS 8.2 ... ONLY HAVE RL02 FOR REMOVABLE MEDIA ... NO TAPE
COULD ALSO USE KERMIT .. PLEASE HELP ... DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO START



                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      411                            0  replies

Left by:       DOUG TRAVIS                   On 04-Aug-89
At     :       615-453-6940
Subject:       XMODEM NEEDED FOR RSTS

XMODEM NEEDED FOR RSTS 8.2 ... NO TAPE ... ONLY RL02 USED FOR REMOVABLE MEDIA
... CAN GET TAPE CONVERTED, HOWEVER.  THANKS ... NEED HELP



                                             CLUSTERING/NETWORKING SIG
Message #      429                            0  replies
Reply to #      428

Left by:       ERIC S. DUNGAN                On 04-Aug-89
At     :       612-334-3633
Subject:       PCSA PRINTERS


Can you check the protection on the queue ? I do know that version 2.2 of
PCSA requires queues associated with print services to have W:W
world:write access.


                                             FORUM - 3RD PARTY SUPPLIERS SIG
Message #      106                            0  replies

Left by:       ANDI DURBIN                   On 04-Aug-89
At     :       (303)866-0406
Subject:       PARADYNE MUX/MODEMS

Does anyone using Paradyne equipment use someone other than Paradyne
for maintenance?  I'm real tired of the high prices and slow response
times.  Thanks.


                                             RSTS SIG
Message #      412                            0  replies
Reply to #      411

Left by:       Phil Anthony                  On 05-Aug-89
At     :       Here
Subject:       XMODEM (AND KERMIT) FOR RSTS

Doug  - got you covered.   I'll call you Monday with XModem source code  for
RSTS in BASIC+,  which we can PIP over (checksum only  -  I've never  gotten
around  to adding CRC), and we can use that to send you Kermit.



                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1033                           0  replies
Reply to #      823

Left by:       VICTOR F. PITTMAN             On 05-Aug-89
At     :       (404)296-7979
Subject:       SYSTEM DUMP FILE

n VinIn V5.0 it is possible to have you dump file ( or page and swap files )


                                             VMS SIG
Message #      1034                           0  replies
Reply to #      823

Left by:       VICTOR F. PITTMAN             On 05-Aug-89
At     :       (404) 296-7979
Subject:       SYSTEM DUMP FILES (AGAIN)

Sorry about that last reply , I'm using a PC and I,m not sure how the keys are
mapped. Anyway, in v5.0 it is possible to have your dump files (and page and
swap files for that matter) on a disk other than then boot disk. If your running
out of disk space and are 'n not on V5 you cacan use your page file to hold
the dump heres how :
rename the old dump file to SYSDUMP.old . Don't delete it yet !!!
Set the SYSGGEN parameter SAVEDUMP to 1
Reboot
Now you can delete the old dump file

To release a dump file from the page file :

$ ANALYZE/CRASH_DUMP SYS$SYSTEM:PAGEFILE.SYS
SDA> COPY disk:[directory]newdump.file
SDA> EXIT

you can put this in SYSTARTUP.COM

com>


                                             UNIX/ULTRIX SIG
Message #      43                             0  replies
Reply to #      41

Left by:       DR. R                         On 05-Aug-89
At     :       HERE AND THERE
Subject:       OZIX

Yes.  OZIX is a forthcoming operating system for OLTP servers, not
the successor to Mica.  OZIX is being developed at the much-vaunted
DECwest facility in Bellevue, Washington.


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      579                            0  replies

Left by:       Dick Kramer                   On 05-Aug-89
At     :       John Deere Harvester Works
1100 - 13th Ave.
East Moline, IL 61244
(309) 765-6564
Subject:       VMS/ULTRIX CONNECTION


Does anyone out there have any experience with DEC's VMS/Ultrix Connection on
a VAX serving non-DEC Unix workstations?

We have been using VAX/VMS for several years now and have been very happy with
both the hardware and software.  However, we are beginning to see some non-DEC
workstations running UNIX appear in our environment.  We'd like to use a VMS
based VAX as a file server for both VMS and UNIX workstations and DEC is
recommending a product called the VMS/Ultrix Connection.  I'd appreciate
hearing from anyone hving experience with it.


                                             DATA/FILE TRANSFER SIG
Message #      580                            0  replies
Reply to #      568

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 05-Aug-89
At     :       7177515210
Subject:       ETHERNIM

Our purchase of ethernim was the result of a network study design and install
done by a vendor, DEC.

They recommended we install certain networking software...

ETHERNIM is an EtTHERNET monitor and it's really helpful, however, keeping the
data base updated is a real job - we've gone from 7 nodes and 200M of cable to
165 nodes (including PC's) and over 4000M of thick cable, 11000 FT thin wire
and nearly 2km of fiber.  I've spent days keeping it up ot date and
cant produce the reports because of software errors.  They closed the problem
while I was on vacation - because they couldn't reach me... in spite of an
answering machine that told them when I would be back and gave an alternate
they never called...  (Oh how I long for the efficiency of IBM software
support.  At least they call back...)  Now, I have another abend problem and
no fix.

Ethernim could be a good product because it provides a base of information
about your network, alerts you when a new node comes on line and allows you
to test links and devices...  If it just worked...  PS - the tarriff is high.

We also installed Lan Traffic Monitor, (I wouldn't spend the money again).

Likewise Remote Bridge Management system.  (RBMS)  I've written DCL to
look at the bridges on the network since we have some redundancies.  If a
goes active that shouldn't the sys mgr and I get messages.  We have a problem
somewhere.  That is expensive - but works.  I still have gobs of questions
abut it.

Likewise Terminal Server Manager.  The sys mgr likes it, I don't have occasion
to use it.





                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      559                            0  replies
Reply to #      558

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 05-Aug-89
At     :
Subject:       ONE BETTER

I keep seeing stories about the board swappers....

A few years ago - I can give date and place and engineer's name - I know of
a full CPU swap being done to fix a problem.

The repair ticket on it when it went back was sh.. in the processor

The unit had set under a leaky sewer pipe!!!

Guess I should tell you the box was blue..  That happened while Ken O was
a college student..

IBM was 20 years ahead even then.


                                             MISCELLANEOUS SIG
Message #      560                            0  replies

Left by:       RALPH BRANDT                  On 05-Aug-89
At     :       717-751-5210
Subject:       MODEMS-OUTBOUND

I've read soewhere about attaching a modem to a terminal server and use it
for aoutbound traffic.

I can't find it and I was sure it was in DEC PRO...  Anyone know where?