RomWBW/Source/Images/d_nzcom/u0/RELEASE.NOT

                 RELEASE.NOT - UPDATE INFORMATION ON NZCOM


Please understand that unlike purely commercial enterprises, Z-System is 
mainly the work of enthusiasts.  As such, Z-System never truly reaches 
completion; each new development is more of a plateau upon which further 
innovation occurs.  Though we have done our best, the printed documentation 
inevitably lags behind the most recent enhancements.  Try to consult as 
much material as possible about a given command before proceeding; if there 
is a help or document file pertaining to the command, it supercedes printed
instructions, especially with regard to such matters as syntax or technical
specifications.


Notes of September 12, 1991
===========================

   Release 1.2H involves a significant updating of the support utilities that 
we distribute as a courtesy with NZCOM.  We suggest that any Z-System user who 
is not in regular contact with a Z-Node consider taking advantage of the Z-
System Software Update Service (ZSUS).  Here are some of the important changes 
with this release.

ZCNFG.COM, CONFIG.LBR:
        Al Hawley has introduced a powerful and convenient method for 
        configuring programs.  ZCNFG works either with individual CFG files or 
        with CFG files stored in the CONFIG.LBR library.  For example, try 
        running the command "ZCNFG ZLT".  ZCNFG will automatically extract 
        ZLT15.CFG from CONFIG.LBR.

NZBLITZ.COM, NZBLTZ14.HZP, NZBLTZ14.CFG:
        These programs can be used to coldboot an NZCOM system very rapidly 
        with the complete system, including error handlers, shells, and TCAPs 
        already in place.  Run "HELP NZBLTZ14" to learn more about it.  Some 
        of its features can be tailored by running "ZCNFG NZBLITZ" with the 
        CFG file in the same directory.

LBREXT.COM:
        This replaces LGET for extracting member files from LBR library files.

HELP.COM, LBRHELP.COM, HLPFILES.LBR:
        HELP (actually HELPC14) is an improved version of the help utility.  
        It can work with normal help files (HLP) and crunched help files 
        (HZP).  LBRHELP can work with normal or crunched help files that are 
        stored in a library (which is where we have put all the help files 
        distributed with NZCOM and Z3PLUS).

DOCFILES.LBR:
        Documentation and help files have been collected into an LBR file.

ZLT.COM:
        This is a full Z-System replacement for LT, and it handles the latest 
        LZH-compressed files.

COPY.COM:
        This is the version of COPY from the ZSDOS/ZDDOS release.  Enter "COPY 
        //" for syntax information.  It replaces a dangerously defective copy 
        program provided with earlier releases.

LSH.COM, LSH.WZ, LSH-HELP.COM, LSHINST.COM, ZERR.COM:
        These are the latest LSH command history shell and command-line editor 
        and the associated error handler (fixed-log versions).  These 
        completely replace EASE.

CLEDINST.COM, CLEDSAVE.COM:
        A transient history shell like LSH can be slow on floppy systems with 
        sluggish disk drives, even if the files have been placed in optimal 
        locations.  Some of the RCP modules supplied no include an RCP-
        resident command-line editor called CLED.  Its features can be 
        configured using CLEDINST.COM, and the history can be saved to a file 
        using CLEDSAVE.COM.

TCAP.LBR, XTCAP.COM:
        A number of programs now require a terminal capabilities descriptor 
        (TCAP) with extended functions.  The standard TCAPs loaded with 
        TCSELECT do not have these functions.  TCAP.LBR is a collection of 
        extended TCAPs for some terminals.  XTCAP.COM is a program that can 
        add the most important extensions to a standard TCAP (it is a quick-
        and-dirty fix until the full set of TCAPs is updated).

VIEW.COM:
        This is Bridger Mitchell's file viewing utility.  It is very powerful 
        (but it requires an extended TCAP).

NAME.COM:
        This program can quickly add or remove a name for a single directory.

TCJ.INF:
        TCJ has a new publisher (one of our own Z-Node sysops), and this file 
        tells how to take out a subscription (which all Z-System users 
        absolutely should do!).

ZFILEB38.LZT:
        This is the BRIEF listing of all the support programs currently 
        available for use with Z-System.  There is another file which includes 
        descriptions of all the programs, but it would fill up an entire 
        diskette!


Notes of November 5, 1989
=========================

               1.  NEW FILES: NZCPR.LBR, FCP.LBR, RCP.LBR.
               2.  TCSELECT PROBLEM.
               3.  ERA.COM, REN.COM, SAVE.COM, ETC.
               4.  LSH REPLACES EASE.
               5.  NZBLITZ IS HERE!
               6.  MINOR UPDATE NOTES.
               7.  TO NEW Z-SYSTEM USERS.
               8.  ALERT ABOUT NZCPM.COM AND NZCOM.CCP
               9.  CHANGE IN MKZCM DEFAULT AND STANDARD RCP
              10.  NZBIO+.ZRL

1.  NEW FILES: NZCPR.LBR, FCP.LBR, RCP.LBR.

The main NZCOM.LBR now contains only the standard configurations of the 
CPR, FCP, and RCP modules to minimize disk space requirements.  Alternative 
versions of these modules are now supplied in separate libraries.  Modules 
can be loaded directly from these libraries, or individual files can be 
extracted and put into NZCOM.LBR to replace the default files.  Each 
library has a brief DOC file describing the modules (one of which is the 
default version included in NZCOM.LBR).


2.  TCSELECT PROBLEM.

A problem has been discovered with the operation of TCSELECT as described 
in the manual.  TCSELECT is a Z-System program and does not function 
reliably under CP/M (on some systems it causes a crash).  Fortunately there 
is a simple fix: reverse the order of the instructions in the manual.  Boot 
up NZ-COM before attempting to create MYTERM.Z3T, and run TCSELECT only 
after NZ-COM is running.  Remember that you need both TCSELECT.COM and
Z3TCAP.TCP to generate your .Z3T file.  The entries in the Z3TCAP library
for the Xerox computers has been patched to correct a long-standing error.


3.  ERA.COM, REN.COM, SAVE.COM, ETC.

The standard configuration of Z-System does not include resident commands 
for REN, DIR, or SAVE.  These are provided instead as transient programs 
(COM files), and you should copy any that you need to your working disk.  
Several other functions that are often resident (but not always) are also 
provided as COM files.  Many of these are type-4 programs (see the manual). 
We recommend using SDZ.COM as your standard directory display utility.  It 
is far more functional than the resident DIR commands in either Z-System or 
CP/M, and it is designed to work properly under both.


4.  LSH REPLACES EASE.

EASE has been replaced by a newer, more versatile, and well-behaved program 
named LSH (Log SHell).  Like EASE, LSH allows you to edit command lines 
using WordStar-like control.  Consult LSH.WZ before use for general 
information and/or run HELPLSH while running LSH for a display of LSH's 
capabilities.  LSHINST installs and customizes LSH to taste.  Error 
handling is now taken care of by ZERR.COM, a separate program.  Our great
thanks to Rob Friefeld for writing these superb Z-System tools and for
allowing us to include them with NZ-COM.


5.  NZBLITZ IS HERE!

NZBLITZ is now included with NZ-COM.  True to its name, NZBLITZ loads NZCOM
(and ZSDOS/ZDDOS, if present) in a flash, making it extremely helpful in
saving and reloading a given system configuration.  Once you have configured
your system as wanted, log to drive A0: and type NZBLITZ NZLOAD.  From now
on, your startup to Z-System is MUCH faster; just type "NZLOAD".  Be
forewarned that NZBLITZ saves EVERYTHING as currently active, so be sure you
are at the directory (usually A0:) you wish the system to start in, and be
sure all active shells, flow states, terminal definitions, and so on are the
desired ones before proceeding.  See NZBLITZ.NZT for more information.


6.  MINOR UPDATE NOTES.

- The RCP WHLQ command no longer used.  "WHL" alone displays the current 
  wheel status.  As before, "WHL password" turns the wheel byte on.  "WHL 
  xxx" now turns the wheel byte OFF if xxx is something other than the 
  correct password.

- ARUNZ is now a type-4 program which loads at the highest possible 
  memory location so as to save lower memory for immediate re-execution 
  with GO.  See ARUNZ09R.DZC and TCJ31.MZG (as well as your NZ-COM or 
  Z3PLUS manual) for more on the amazing ARUNZ.

- VLU is no longer included, as it was not reliable.  Please use LDIR, 
  LGET, LPUT, and LT instead to manipulate library files.

- At this writing, we are sorry to note that both Z-Node Central and the
  Lillipute Z-Nodes mentioned in Chapter 7 of your manual are out of
  service.  Z-Nodes 2 and 3 are still going strong, however, as are the
  many others listed in ZNODES.LST.  Z-Node 2 is the new Z-Node Central. 
  We cannot recommend highly enough that you get a modem and investigate at
  least one Z-Node as a source of inspiration and support.

- Version 5.0 of the ZEX batch processor replaces earlier versions.  ZEX 
  now runs under both NZ-COM and Z3PLUS and is a very powerful means of 
  customizing programs and commands.  The ZEX.RSX file mentioned in the 
  manual is no longer required.  See ZEX50.DZC for help.


7.  TO NEW Z-SYSTEM USERS.

- All files whose middle filetype character is "Z" (e.g., SAMPLE.DZC) are 
  "crunched" files which must be uncompressed with LT.COM or UNCRUNCH.COM 
  before use.

- As outlined in section 4.3.2 of your manual, most Z-System programs 
  have built-in help; type the name of any program followed by "//" for a 
  short description if you are confused.

- Finally, it is not at all necessary to master every nuance of the system 
  before it becomes useful.  Please don't try to devour all of Z-System at 
  once.  Instead, we suggest that you decide what aspects of the system you 
  will find most helpful and try to master one or two of those before 
  exploring further.  We think you will find that if you choose wisely, 
  learning one aspect fully not only makes that aspect of your computing 
  world easier, it also equips you with the skills and confidence with 
  which to surmount other aspects of Z-System more confidently.


8.  ALERT ABOUT NZCPM.COM AND NZCOM.CCP

Some users have been tripped up by the way NZCOM handles the generation of
an NZCPM.COM file: it writes such a file only if one does not already exist. 
This speeds up loading of the system.  However, should you ever make any
change to your base CP/M system (such as installing ZSDOS/ZDDOS or a new
version of the BIOS), you should be sure to erase the NZCPM.COM file so that
NZCOM will create a new one the next time it is run.  You should also be
sure to use NZCOM and not NZBLITZ to load the system the first time after
such a change.

You should also be aware that warmboots of the NZ-COM Z-System are performed
by loading the NZCOM.CCP file containing the image of the current command
processor.  This means that you must not change the diskette in the A: drive
unless you have copied the **CURRENT** NZCOM.CCP file (if you only use one
system configuration, the current version will not change) to the diskette
you are going to place in the A: drive.


9.  CHANGE IN MKZCM DEFAULT AND STANDARD RCP

Carson Wilson and Rob Friefeld have made some major changes in the RCP code
(see the DOC file in RCP.LBR).  The standard RCP module is now 18 records
long instead of 16.  MKZCM.COM has been patched to provide this value as a
default.


10.   NZBIO+.ZRL

The BIOS in some computers uses the Z80 index and alternate registers
without
saving them on the stack and restoring them.  These computers include the
TeleVideo 80x machines, the Oneac On!, the Zorba, and a number of other
machines.  Some programs (JETLDR and EDITNDR, for example) will not function
properly under these conditions.  The file NZBIO+.ZRL in NZCOM.LBR is a
special version of the NZ-COM virtual BIOS that protects the Zilog registers
across all BIOS calls.  To use this BIOS, you much use MKZCM to allocate 4
records to the BIOS.  If you observe strange behavior on your system with
NZ-COM, you might want to try using this special BIOS.



                          - End of RELEASE.NOT -