Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!MTSG.UBC.CA!Les_Ferch From: Les_Ferch@MTSG.UBC.CA Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: A Note to Beagle Bros. Message-ID: <1937063@mtsg.ubc.ca> Date: 3 Dec 89 22:01:54 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 92 After logging onto Pro-Beagle and downloading some software I decided to write the following note and post it on Pro-Beagle. I have posted it here as well for anyone interested in the Beagle oldies. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for providing the old Beagle classics on-line. I downloaded three files, d.code.shk, pro.byter.shk, and beagle.bag.shk and noticed a few problems: 1. D.code.shk contained two Shrinkit files, the first was the D.Code disk which contained both ProDOS and DOS 3.3 files and the second was a copy of PRODOS DOUBLE-TAKE. If I wanted Double-Take, I would have downloaded the file double.take.shk. For the sake of others who do not wish to waste their time and long-distance money, please remove Double-Take fromm the D.Code file. 2. The Pro-Byter program is a dissapointment. It seems to only provide a 40 column display, but worse is that it has HARD CODED pathnames in many of the programs. I spent an hour or so going through the files to get rid of this example of bad programming practise. Hard-coded pathnames should be removed from all Beagle ware, so that people with 3.5" and hard drives can run these things easily. I know the software is unsupported, but this is a simple fix that should be done to preserve Beagle Bros. good reputation. 3. The programs D.Code and Double.Take are easily the best programs posted, but they are somewhat limited in usefulness without GPLE. Since you sell Program Writer, its pretty silly for someone to want to buy GPLE, so why not post it on Pro-Beagle as well? But, perhaps you're worried that a free GPLE will cut into Program Writer sales? 4. Your BBS should have stated that XMODEM is the protocol being used, so we don't have to guess at our ends. Better yet, would be to provide ZMODEM protocol, as one can only get about 60% efficiency with XMODEM, but ZMODEM provides 80-90% efficiency. 5. I own a number of Beagle products, and I would only want to download programs that I have if they are newer versions. However, the version number and/or date is not included in the file list. It would help a lot if it was. 6. A lot of Beagle programs are obvious to operate, but some of the best ones (such as D.Code and Double-Take) are not. Without manuals these programs are very difficult to figure out. All that is really needed, is a short text file included in the archive of each program that lists any non-obvious things like which keys to press to invoke a certain function. 7. Many people do not have 5.25" drives anymore. The archives of ProDOS stuff should be Shrinkit FILE archives instead of whole disk archives. I was forced to use a friend's Apple II to dearchive because my IIgs *only* has a 3.5" drive and a hard drive. 8. Most people use ProDOS these days and have no need or desire for the DOS 3.3 versions of Beagle programs. It would be very helpful if you separated the archives so that ProDOS files are separate from DOS 3.3 files. IN SUMMARY, I SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE PRO-BEAGLE POSTINGS: 1. Separate D.Code from Double.Take please. 2. Remove hard-coded pathnames from programs such as Pro-Byter. 3. Post GPLE please. 4. State that XMODEM is being used and support ZMODEM if possible. 5. Post the version number and/or revision date in the file list. 6. Include a text file of instructions for programs like D.Code. 7. Archive all ProDOS programs as FILE archives, NOT disk archives. 8. Separate DOS 3.3 stuff from ProDOS stuff. For example: d33.dub.take.shk d33.d.code.shk d33.extra.k.shk pro.dub.take.shk pro.d.code.shk pro.extra.k.shk If the above suggestions were made, it would have only taken me 5 minutes to download the ProDOS D.CODE instead of 20 minutes. I'm sure everybody would appreciate being able to save that much time and money. The above changes should only take someone a few hours to do. I'd be glad to do the work myself if I was in a local calling area, but alas, I'm calling from Canada. I know there is no direct profit in making the above changes, but for the sake of customers like myself who have supported you and for the sake of maintaining a good reputation (which *could* possibly help sales) it should be done. Les Ferch Internet: Les_Ferch@mtsg.ubc.ca UBC PC Support Centre Bitnet: USERLSF@UBCMTSG Vancouver, B.C.