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From: XBQ@PSUVM.BITNET (Ed Winograd)
Newsgroups: comp.os.cpm
Subject: Re: Wordstar 4 minimum memory usage.
Message-ID: <22115XBQ@PSUVM>
Date: Sun, 11-Oct-87 23:56:50 EDT
Article-I.D.: PSUVM.22115XBQ
Posted: Sun Oct 11 23:56:50 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 13-Oct-87 01:34:52 EDT
References: 1833@aramis.rutgers.edu
Organization: The Pennsylvania State University - Computation Center
Lines: 68

WS 4.0 may or may not work.  The important figure isn't how much memory
your computer has -- almost all CP/M computers have 64K total memory.
What's important is the size of the Transient Program Area (TPA), which
is the amount of memory available to application programs after the
amount taken up by the operating system (yes, CP/M 2.2 is the same as
CP/M-80 -- the newer version, CP/M 3.0, is usually called CP/M Plus).
     
Here's what the READ.ME file on Disk 4 of my CP/M WS 4.0 disks says:
     
  "WordStar requires a minimum TPA size of 50 kbytes to run
  using the factory defaults.  The TPA is the amount of memory
  available in your computer for use by programs that have a
  file type of COM.  To see how big the TPA is in your computer,
  press the question mark key (?) at the Opening Menu.
     
  The amount of memory required by WordStar can be reduced by
  approximately 3 kbytes if necessary.  Use the WSCHANGE program
  to select the minimum memory configuration option.  The menu
  will show you what capabilities are being reduced.
     
  WordStar uses a general-purpose buffer for a variety of
  tasks.  WordStar allocates memory to this buffer for editing,
  for merge printing, and at the Opening Menu (see BFSIZE in
  PATCH.LST).  The buffer used for editing is usually the most
  sensitive to a reduced TPA size.  (You may be able to use the
  Opening Menu and print, but there may be insufficient memory
  for editing.)
     
  The merge print buffer is used only to hold merge print
  variable names and data.  Increase it if you run out of memory
  while merge printing."
     
The file goes on to say that you can save 2.5K by not using merge-
print.  You can also patch WS to use less memory for the buffer
mentioned above, using the information in the file PATCH.LST.
     
I don't know whether your very unusual hardware configuration will
influence the size of your TPA or how CP/M works in any quirky way.
Either of those could keep WS from running properly.  Another problem
could arise if WS doesn't directly support either the terminal screen
codes or printer interface/protocol setup that your system has.  If
your system emulates one of the common terminals, such as the ADM-3A,
Hazeltine 1500, Televideo 950, Osborne 1, Soroc IQ 120, etc., you
could just install WS for that terminal.  Otherwise, you'll have to
enter the cursor positioning codes, codes for inserting/deleting a
line, etc., one by one when you run the install program.  The other
possibility is that you may have a hard time getting your printer
to work properly, especially if it is a serial, rather than parallel,
printer.
     
One other consideration is that Micropro may or may not be able to send
you WS on a disk that your computer can read.  If I were you, I'd find
out (if you don't know already) what disk format your machine uses.  If
it's something common, like Kaypro 2, Kaypro 10, Xerox 120, or Osborne,
you're O.K. Otherwise, you'll have to have the program sent in a
"foreign" disk format and then get it translated to a format that your
machine can read.  If you have any problems, I'd be glad to transfer it
for you if you send the disks to me.  So, if necessary, send me a note
telling me what format your machine uses.  If they send WS to you in
Kaypro 2 or Kaypro 10 format, I can probably transfer it to the format
that you need.
     
Please don't take the above to mean that I don't think WS will work for
you.  I just mean to say that you may have some technical issues to
resolve.  If any of the above is too technical, or if I've written it
murkily, please send me a note and I'll try to elaborate further.  Good
luck.