September 2002 - Oberon - mailman3.inf.ethz.ch

Native 24.08.2002: Compiler Bug
by Stefan Salewski 07 Oct '02

07 Oct '02

Hello, I think there is something wrong with the DIV statement. ========== MODULE StSTest; IMPORT Out; PROCEDURE Do*; VAR i,j,k:LONGINT; BEGIN Out.String("Output is:"); Out.Ln; i:=10; j:=3; k:=-(-i DIV j); Out.Int(k,8); Out.Ln; i:=-i; k:=-(i DIV j); Out.Int(k,8); Out.Ln; END Do; BEGIN END StSTest. StSTest.Do ~ Output is: 3 4 ========== Best regards Stefan Salewski

3 4

Multiple incompatibilities with ISPs
by eas-lab＠absamail.co.za 30 Sep '02

30 Sep '02

That few readers/contributers to this forum actually use Sys3 to access the internet is perhaps for good reason ? NetSystem.Def expects the syntax: ":" ["//"] [ user [ ":" password ] "@" ] host [ "/" ]. So "@" is the delimiter between the 'user-token' and the 'host-token'. When my ISP (apparently merged with another and) changed my 'user-token' to include the "@" char, this broke the expected syntax for NetSystem.Mod. Initially I suspected this to be another example of microsoft ignoring the RFCs, which helps 'push non M$ users over the edge'. A new/extra ISP now also has the "@" char in my computer derived allocated user-name/user-token. Also my new ISP is not compatible with TextMail.Mod's expectations re. dialog for the TextMail.Directory command. I have patched several of my modules to work-around these problems. So the existing S3 source code is incompatible with both of my ISPs. This could be related to south africa degenerating to 4th world standards, but could also be that our code doesn't comply with the appropriate RFCs ? I could investigate the RFCs, but am reluctant to do so, given my perception of ETH's 'management policy': individuals hacking away privately and submitting results without feedback/openness. I propose an OPEN project be initated to fix these problems: several persons looking into this matter. This could allow the less adventutous to also use Sysytem 3 for internet access. No system can be considered complete without internet access. The whole beauty of the GUI is lost if users have to change to another OS to do internet access. Related to this is a (seldom occuring) problem that when a modem connection is abnormally disconnected, the next time on-line needs to pre-boot (or several strategically timed Crtl/break). Apparently the abnormally disconnection doesn't allow a required reset/initialise. This symptom exists on Ver 2.3.2, 2.3.6, alpha 2001; and with different modems. -- Chris Glur.

2 1

problem in attempt to write a FAT file
by Peter Easthope 30 Sep '02

30 Sep '02

Oberoners, Can anyone explain this phenomenon in PC Native 23.06.2002 and 24.08.2002 running on an old 486 DX? If there is no explanation at hand, can anyone replicate it at least? The FAT file system is mounted with this statement in Oberon.Text. { FileSystem.Mount C FatFS IDE0#01 ~ } Successive attempts to write a DOS file alternately fail and work with the following trap. Regards, Peter E. TRAP -14 NIL reference ( 00000000H ) (PC Native 24.08.2002) OFSFATVolumes.AssignDirectoryEntry PC = 22430 c = 00000000H dc = 00000000H direntry = 00000010H dummy = 0 num = 0 p = 00396180H pos = 0 res = 0 vol = 001B0AE0H OFSFATVolumes.WriteDirectoryEntry PC = 24156 @dim = 2048 chksum = 00000000X cluster = 0 d = 0 dirCache = 00000000H direntry = 00000010H dummy = 0 idx = 0 k = 0 n = 0 pos = 0 res = 0 t = 0 unicode = 107, 101, 114, 109, 105, 116, 47, 109 ... vol = 001B0AE0H OFSFATFiles.Rename PC = 2703 d = 52542 f = 0033EE60H fn = "mailout.Bak" fs = 00302500H i = 18 new = "kermit/mailout.Bak" newf = 00000000H newpath = "kermit/" old = "kermit/mailout" oldpath = "kermit/" rep = 00000000H res = 0 t = 26142 OFS.Rename PC = 4610 fnew = "kermit/mailout.Bak" fold = "kermit/mailout" new = "C:kermit/mailout.Bak" nfs = 00302500H ofs = 00302500H old = "C:kermit/mailout" pnew = "C" pold = "C" res = 0 Files.Rename PC = 1946 new = "C:kermit/mailout.Bak" old = "C:kermit/mailout" res = 0 ET.RenameOld PC = 13951 bck = "C:kermit/mailout.Bak" i = 20 name = "C:kermit/mailout" res = 0 ET.store PC = 14607 R = 00000034H S = 00000030H V = 00000000H ch = 00000000X f = 00000000H len = 0 par = 001A6240H r = 00000028H tF = 0019D5E0H typ = a ET.StoreAscii PC = 15024 Oberon.Call PC = 4847 Mod = 00066880H P = ET.StoreAscii PC = 15014 i = 3 j = 13 name = "StoreAscii" new = FALSE par = 001A6240H res = 1 TextFrames.CallCmd PC = 12014 F = 003051E0H cmd = "ET.StoreAscii" new = FALSE par = 001A6240H pos = 80 res = 1 TextFrames.Call PC = 12902 F = 003051E0H S = 00000048H h = 0 hint = "ET.tem." i = -1 new = FALSE pos = 69 TextFrames.Edit PC = 20124 F = 003051E0H Keys = {1} M = 00000060H R = 0000004CH X = 387 Y = 595 beg = 0 buf = 00000000H ch = 00000000X end = 0 keysum = {1} pos = 69 text = 00000000H time = 0 TextFrames.Handle PC = 21209 F = 003051E0H F1 = 00000000H M = 00000020H ET.Handle PC = 10006 F = 003051E0H M = 0000000CH T = 0033B120H handled = FALSE ml = FALSE tF = 003051E0H MenuViewers.Handle PC = 4432 M = 00000014H Main = 0019D5E0H Menu = 003051E0H V = 0019D680H V1 = 00000000H Oberon.Loop PC = 8548 M = 00000010H N = 0000000CH V = 0019D680H X = 387 Y = 595 ch = 00000020X keys = {1} oldshift = {} shift = {} System.Init PC = 20160 F = 0030B5A0H S = 00000044H T = 0030B520H Wt = 00000050H ok = FALSE OFSBoot.Call PC = 413 c = System.Init PC = 19636 cmd = "Init" i = 11 j = 4 m = 00163440H protect = TRUE OFSBoot.BootSystem PC = 2754 s = "System.Init" OFSBoot.$$ PC = 13 @SELF = 0003F1C0H SELF = 0003F1C0H ** EndOfMessage **

1 0

Eamon.zip
by pat＠picoworks.com 29 Sep '02

29 Sep '02

Just out of curiosity, what is in the Eamon package? System.Text shows a PostScript Eamon Client presumably to talk to a particular server. Anything else? Thanks, Pat

2 1

Re: Strange morse code?
by eas-lab＠absamail.co.za 25 Sep '02

25 Sep '02

Johan Capraro wrote: > > I've downloaded the Oberon System 3 files from the FTP and made the > > installation disk as told in install.txt. > > > > I want to install in on my old Compaq Conture 4/25CX. That a old laptod > > based on a i486SX 25 with 4Mbytes RAM. > > The pc can boot with the disc, but when I press 'c' to install, the > > screen goes blank and my laptop starts making beeps that look like morse > > code. > > I don't know morse, so I can't tell you what it says, assuming it's > > morse. > > > > That beeping doesn't stop and there's no disk activity: not on the > > 1.44mb disk drive, nor on the 200Mb harddisk. > > Because it's the first time I ever hear of Oberon, I'm afraid to ruin my > > desktop pc by installing it. > > > > Do you've any idea of what's wrong with it? I suppose it's my hardware. Pieter wrote: > Older versions of Native Oberon generate the morse code when an > unrecoverable error occurs during booting. The morse can actually > provide useful information on the location of the error, but in later > versions I removed this again, since very few people can decypher > the code, and most people seem to be startled by it. > > The problem on the i486SX might be related to the lack of a coprocessor. > Some versions of Native do not include the floating point emulator in > the boot file. Please try with the latest Alpha version downloadable > at: ftp://ftp.inf.ethz.ch/pub/ETHOberon/Native/Update/Alpha/ > My Compaq Conture Aero 4/33C (4Mbytes RAM) with no diskette drive had no problem accepting native oberon DOSbased Ver 2.3.6. It has many strange, undocumented facility as perhaps laptops do. Also a 'compacted virtual disk'. For this reason I would not want to repartition. Also the post v236 versions' main benefit of multiple partition is applicable for a 'work horse computer' not a laptop. I loaded via the parallel port, via IOMEGA ZIP. I made to batch files, to use either one of 2 'parameter' files at start time: for either external mouse or internal 'thing', when the external serial port was needed for the modem. When I went on line, it crashed. I initially though this was due to 4Mb RAM, until I realised that the moden allocation is in Oberon.Text file, and when the modem is called, a contention with the mouse occurs. After patching this (apparently by making a separate 'virtual disk file' with a suitable Oberon.Text ?) internet access was possible, using the awkward built in mouse-thing. As I remember the laptop has its own 'morse code repetoire'. -- Chris Glur.

1 0

Re: [Oberon] partitions extension
by muller＠inf.ethz.ch 24 Sep '02

24 Sep '02

(Repeating a previous answer in private email). Holzapfel Carsten <c.holzapfel(a)cti-ag.com> wrote: > it is possible to extend a oberon partition? Yes, but it is not straightforward. > and how can I do that, with a exist Native Oberon, Aos (typ 76) > partition? Basically you have to enlarge the partition by modifying the partition table in the MBR (assuming it is a primary partition). This is not too difficult to do with a hex sector editor if you know the partition table format, and there is free space available after the AosFS partition. Free space can be created by moving or resizing other partitions using a commercial tool like PartionMagic. The AosFS will notice by itself if its partition becomes larger and will automatically use the additional space. For the partition table format, look at Disks.Mod (there are documentation pointers in the comments). Another way is to reinstall to a larger partition and copy the existing files. I think André is working on some case study for this. -- Pieter -- Pieter Muller, Computer Systems Institute, ETH Zurich / MCT Lab, Zurich Native Oberon OS: http://www.oberon.ethz.ch/native/

1 0

Re: Strange morse code?
by muller＠inf.ethz.ch 24 Sep '02

24 Sep '02

Johan Capraro wrote: > I've downloaded the Oberon System 3 files from the FTP and made the > installation disk as told in install.txt. > > I want to install in on my old Compaq Conture 4/25CX. That a old laptod > based on a i486SX 25 with 4Mbytes RAM. > The pc can boot with the disc, but when I press 'c' to install, the > screen goes blank and my laptop starts making beeps that look like morse > code. > I don't know morse, so I can't tell you what it says, assuming it's > morse. > > That beeping doesn't stop and there's no disk activity: not on the > 1.44mb disk drive, nor on the 200Mb harddisk. > Because it's the first time I ever hear of Oberon, I'm afraid to ruin my > desktop pc by installing it. > > Do you've any idea of what's wrong with it? I suppose it's my hardware. Older versions of Native Oberon generate the morse code when an unrecoverable error occurs during booting. The morse can actually provide useful information on the location of the error, but in later versions I removed this again, since very few people can decypher the code, and most people seem to be startled by it. The problem on the i486SX might be related to the lack of a coprocessor. Some versions of Native do not include the floating point emulator in the boot file. Please try with the latest Alpha version downloadable at: ftp://ftp.inf.ethz.ch/pub/ETHOberon/Native/Update/Alpha/ -- Pieter -- Pieter Muller, Computer Systems Institute, ETH Zurich / MCT Lab, Zurich Native Oberon OS: http://www.oberon.ethz.ch/native/

1 0

Re: Re.[Oberon] TextGadgets.Frame: Linespacing
by muller＠inf.ethz.ch 24 Sep '02

24 Sep '02

cglur(a)onwe.co.za wrote: > Can someone tell how to have the system see the new font/library > without rebooting ? Fonts are normal libraries, so you can use: System.ShowLibraries System.FreeLibraries ~ -- Pieter -- Pieter Muller, Computer Systems Institute, ETH Zurich / MCT Lab, Zurich Native Oberon OS: http://www.oberon.ethz.ch/native/

1 0

Rounding LONGREAL to LONGINT
by Stefan Salewski 23 Sep '02

23 Sep '02

Hello, when rounding Reals to Integers we have at least four ways: 1. rounding to -Infinite (floor() in C) 2. roundind to +Infinite (ceil() in C) 3. rounding to nearest 4. rounding to zero ENTIER(x) will provide rounding to -Infinite, ENTIER(x+0.5D0) should provide rounding to nearest, -ENTIER(-x) should provide rounding to +Infinite. IF x>0 THEN RETURN ENTIER(x) ELSE RETURN -ENTIER(-x) END; should provide rounding to zero. Is there a better (faster) solution. Sometimes I use x:=ENTIER(x+0.5D0). I guess this is not very fast. In http://www.oberon.ethz.ch/native/WebAlpha.html I read: > Reals.Mod - Default rounding mode is now towards negative > infinity (like ENTIER). This allows ENTIER to be compiled much > more efficiently, because it does not need to set the rounding > mode. If you set another rounding mode with Reals.SetFCR, be > aware that ENTIER will also use this rounding mode! I do not fully understand this. Which parameters does Reals.SetFCR() need, which other functions exect ENTIER() does Reals.SetFCR() modify. Best regards Stefan Salewski

1 0

Re. [Oberon] A special case in treating Display.ModifyMsg
by cglur＠onwe.co.za 23 Sep '02

23 Sep '02

Josef Sedlacek wrote: > This concerns the alpha version 01.10.11: > Let us consider for example a Desktops.DocGadget which is not on top in > a Panel (e.g. in Oberon.Desk). When using Desktops.ReplaceDoc (like in > Popups.Tool when hitting [ Popups | Applications | Documentation ]) or > tracking the gadget with middle mouse button but leaving it then on the > same place as before then the gadget is promoted to top (as you can see > in Finder) but is not redrawn there. The Display3.Mask is not ok. I didn't understand the above. I tried:- 1. MM/MR on Popups.Tool == it's not type Edit.Open 2. Desktops.OpenDoc Popups.Tool == looks OK 3. / Applications == looks OK 4. / Documentation == looks OK Please define "tracking the gadget with middle mouse button". -- Chris Glur.

2 1