Miss Chris: We'll give you the chance to Stump Our SysOps beginning at 9:30 p.m. EDT! Stay tuned…we have some GREAT prizes lined up! You're welcome to send those TOUGH questions in now folks… …we'll pose them to our team of System Operators! If you Stump 'em, you'll get a door prize! Prizes include FREE Plus hours, software, fastload cartridges and joysticks! Stay tuned! Paul..has your team been studying? 😀
Paul II: They sure have. I've been feeding them info during the past week and they've been training hard for this bout!
Miss Chris: Well, we're almost ready to begin folks…. ….work on those questions! Welcome Q-Linkers to STUMP THE SYSOPS! Tonight, Q-Link gives you to chance to ask ANY Commodore computer-related question to our team of System Operators! If they can't answer it, we'll give you a door prize. Prizes include FREE Plus hours, commercial software including ELITE, NEWSROOM and FLIGHT SIMULATOR II… PLUS EPYX Fast Load Cartridges and Joysticks!
RJScott: NICE prizes!
Paul II: GREAT Prizes!
Miss Chris: Before we invite our SysOps up on stage, we'd like to introduce our hosts for tonight… …and set a few simple rules. Introducing Q-Link's master of ceremonies and the impartial host/judge for tonight…RJScott! Welcome RJS!
RJScott: Thank you Miss Chris! I expect this is going to be a LOT of fun!
Miss Chris: RJScott will review all your questions, Q-Linkers. He will broadcast them to the SysOps straight from the Auditorium's question queue. He SWEARS that he will reveal no question before it is broadcast. Right RJ? 😀
RJScott: Yep…while I promised my Mother I'd not swear..I do! %%#$)(('(%
Miss Chris: Ahem…right. RJScott will also award tonight's prizes….so be nice to him! 😀 Also with us this evening is Paul Gernhardt, Producer of the Commodore Information Network and the leader of our GREAT team of SysOps. Welcome Paul!
Paul II: Thanks Chris, this is one event I just couldn't miss!
Miss Chris: You betcha!
RJScott: Gonna be a great one Paul! Now we'll see what your staff knows!
Miss Chris: Now, the rules for tonight's event are pretty simple…
Paul II: Oh, I'm sure you'll be surprized!
Miss Chris: …just send some of the toughest questions about Commodore hardware or software you can think of to us, via the Auditorium's ASK A QUESTION option. All the questions Q-Linkers send tonight will fall, in first-in, first-out order, …. …in our huge Question queue. RJScott will call them out of the queue, and display them to our team of SysOps, which we'll bring up on stage in a few seconds. If they can't answer your question, you win a prize! It'll be a GREAT way to learn, eh?
RJScott: Sure will! And we can all learn from our experts.
Miss Chris: Now…time to meet our SysOps! One thing folks…
SYSOP LER: y
Miss Chris: please refrain from sending OLMs to the folks onstage… …just slows us up. 😀 Welcome SysOp LER!
RJScott: Hello LER!
Paul II: SysOp LER is one of our newer SysOps hailing from the mid-west he specializes in CP/M and C128
SYSOP LER: Hello.
SYSOP RW: yes
RJScott: Hello RW!
Paul II: questions and more importantly, Answeres! 'ello Roy!
SYSOP RW: Hello
Miss Chris: Greetings RW!
Paul II: Roy here is our Amiga Specialist, handling just about anything the Amiga folks can throw at him!
SYSOP BK: y
RJScott: Hello Bob!
SYSOP JON: y
Paul II: Sysop BK, Welcome up! SysOp BK (aka Bob K7) specializes is programming and has uploaded scores
RJScott: Hiya Jon!
Paul II: of GREAT programs to help you do all the things you WANT to do!
SYSOP BK: Hello Miss Chris, Paul RJ
Miss Chris: Hiya SysOp BK!! Welcome!
SYSOP ERIC: y
SYSOP LER: Hi Ya Bob!
RJScott: Hello Eric!
SYSOP BK: Hi Larry, Roy You'll ready
SYSOP ERIC: Howdy!
Paul II: SysOp JON is one of our four SysOps from the Music Room He works with just about anything
SYSOP JON: Hi All!
SYSOP MIDI: yes
Paul II: muscial, and belieb me, plays (programs?) one heck of a keyboard!
SYSOP JON: Better Belieb him… 🙂
Paul II: SysOps Eric here is a well know People connection Person, and works in Programing as a living and here on Q-Link helping out people in the Programmer's workshop! Welcome in Eric!
SYSOP FM: y
SYSOP ERIC: Thank you, Paul! Glad to be here! 🙂
SYSOP BK: Hi Eric Got your Thinking cap on?
Paul II: Ahhh…
SYSOP MIDI: is one of the crew from the Musicians Network that just joined forces with the Music Room to bring you the entire world of MIDI music !
RJScott: Please remember..your questions are all piling up in a QUEUE for us to broadcast. THAT is why they don't appear on screen.
SYSOP JC: Y
Miss Chris: Welcome SysOp JC!
Paul II: And here's the great gamer SysOp FM. Frank wrote the popular game Q-Link in Peril and many other great adventure games located in the Publice domain Sections of Q-Link. he's right on top of the latest in Computer Gaming. Welcome here Jon! And Frank!
SYSOP FM: Hello Paul! Chris! Rj!!
RJScott: Hiya Frank!
Paul II: And last, but FAR from least is SysOp JC. He's tonight's group expert on Telecommunication, some -thing that I know is close to all ov our hearts!.
Miss Chris: Whew…we have our team onstage!!!
RJScott: WHAT a TEAM!
Paul II: Welcome one and all to the Stump the SysOps event!
SYSOP JC: Hello Folks!!!! Glad to be here!!!
Miss Chris: Welcome SysOps!! ::clapping::
SYSOP LER: Yeah Team!!
RJScott: :::Evil Grin::: and NO one can help our SYSOPS since they can't receive any OLMS while they're ONSTAGE. This should be SOME evening! {{Chuckling}}
Miss Chris: OK…let's get to business!
RJScott: While you can't 'talk' in the Auditorium you can comment or ask a question by pressing F7 and choosing ASK A QUESTION Press a return at the end of a line to continue, and TWO returns will SEND the question or comment.
SYSOP FM: I see a lot of Game World Members out there tonight…to cheer me on maybe?
SYSOP RW: Hello Everyone! I'm ready to take ON ALL and ANY of your questions. If it gets too tough, I'M LEAVING. 🙂
RJScott: Please do not send OLMS to the Speakers during the Forum. They tend to disrupt and delay the proceedings. Thanks!
SYSOP LER: Me too, as I am a Professional Computer person In real life!!! Fire em when ready, RJ!!
SYSOP JON: How do you see them FM.. the house lights are too low for me to see anyone I know. 🙁
Miss Chris: Quiet on the set…it's time for our first question! 😀
RJScott: All winners will hear from me via EMail if you leave the Auditorium before the evening is over.
QuestionWhat type of question r u allowed to ask
SYSOP BK: I know that one 🙂
RJScott: Ask any computer hardware or software questions.
QuestionWhat is the clock freq. of the C-64?
Miss Chris: RJ…shall we? ::evil grin::
RJScott: OK that was asked by Captain BW ~ Chris – YES!
SYSOP LER: I know that one!, Thats Easy!
RJScott: LER? Let's see HOW easy!
SYSOP LER: 1.0 MhZ!
Miss Chris: Yeah! Next question RJ!!
RJScott: James 81 wants to know:
QuestionWho thought of the name Hewlett-Packard?
SYSOP BK: Hmmmm I knew that….
Paul II: That's a Commodore Question? 😀
Miss Chris: Oooohhhh…tough one!
SYSOP FM: Mr. Hewlett and Mr. Packard!
SYSOP BK: Mrs Packard maybe???
Paul II: Now that sounds about right! 😀
SYSOP LER: 🙂
SYSOP RW: Named after an old car company.
Miss Chris: Welp…I believe James 81 is our first winner! Congrats James…you gets 2 Plus hours!
SYSOP BK: Stumped on the second question… Gotta do better than this..
SYSOP ERIC: Yay!
Paul II: Well, they're just warming up..
RJScott: S Nemerow asks:
QuestionCan you tell me the change in the code within a program, to substitute the 1351 Mouse, instead of cursor keys?
SYSOP BK: You're cheering for the wrong team, Eric
SYSOP LER: Yeah, really, But I think that one was a Ringer!!
RJScott: Ut uh!
Paul II: Now, hears a tricky one… hmmm…
SYSOP LER: That is out of my league, Good Question!
SYSOP ERIC: I'll do it! 🙂
Paul II: I couldn't answer it…
SYSOP BK: Go Eric
SYSOP ERIC: It requires quite a bit of program change on the Commodore 64… Less on the 128.
Paul II: Oh! we have someone willing to stick it out for the hard one..
RJScott: Who might THAT be?
SYSOP ERIC: You would have to read the registers that are linked to the potentiometers going through the joystick port.
Miss Chris: The potentoWHATS? 😀
SYSOP ERIC: Variable resistors. 🙂
Miss Chris: Good one,Eric…next question!
Paul II: Good old 'techie' Chris! ;D
SYSOP LER: LOL
RJScott: BasketBOL asks:
Questionthe SID chip has 3 amplitude modulators, what is their range is Db?(decibels)
Paul II: Thought we'd get a hit on that one Sounds like something for our Music People
SYSOP JON: 48 db 😀
Paul II: Jon? Midi?
Miss Chris: Yeah!
SYSOP JON: Whew…
SYSOP MIDI: couldn't have said it better!!
Miss Chris: What a team!
SYSOP LER: Amen!
Paul II: Hey! he's right!
SYSOP LER: three for the GOOD Guys!
Miss Chris: Next question!
Paul II: I had to look it up!
RJScott: Mmm1000 asks: (Hmmm, is he HUMMING?)
QuestionWhat does "ATS0=0" mean?
SYSOP LER: I know that one!!
Paul II: Ahhh… something for a 1670 fan! 😀
SYSOP JC: I know that one! I do I do!!!
SYSOP LER: it tells a Hayes compatible modem to not answer the phone! (S0 is the register for number of rings before it answers the fone!)
Miss Chris: Please refrain from sending OLMs to the folks on stage … thanks!
Paul II: JC, is Erici right? or even Eric? 😉
SYSOP JC: Yep!!! Sure is!!!
SYSOP LER: How about Larry???
Paul II: Another down!
Miss Chris: Aw right LARRY! 😀
SYSOP BK: Whoever 🙂
SYSOP LER: 🙂
SYSOP RW: That's IT! What a guy! Yeah TEAM!
Miss Chris: Next question!!
RJScott: Kory SY wants to know:
QuestionHow many bits are exactly in 10.543 megabytes
SYSOP LER: Doesn't even know his staffs names 🙂
Paul II: hmm, I wouldn't mind knowing that one myself! sounds like a math test question from College Who's quick on the Calculator guys?
SYSOP MIDI: Is it a 16 or 8 bit machine ??
SYSOP JC: DRAT!!! Can't find my calculator!!!
Paul II: 8 bit
SYSOP ERIC: 86368
RJScott: C'mon guys..time's running out! 😀
SYSOP LER: how about: 88441994 BITS!
SYSOP ERIC: Can't be. 🙂
SYSOP FM: Well it SOUNDS good…:)
Paul II: .. checking answer.
SYSOP ERIC: 88441088
SYSOP LER: 88441094 I meant!
SYSOP ERIC: That sounds good too. 😉
Paul II: ok… one answer folks.. anyone sure they have it?
SYSOP FM: Yeh..THAT sounds better… 🙂
SYSOP LER: I just missed a key! on the first one! 🙂
SYSOP JC: I think this guy knows calculators only go 8 digits! Most anyway… 🙂
Paul II: 86368256.. is the correct answer or.. 1024 * 1000* 10.546 * 8
RJScott: I vote we give the prize
SYSOP RW: Gee, doesn't Kory have a computer. Let it give him the answer.
Miss Chris: I vote we give the prize TOO!
SYSOP LER: What formula did you use?? 10.543*1024*1024*8 is what I used Mega bytes is 1024~2 !
Paul II: hmm seems I missed a decimal place. Lets.. 😀
SYSOP FM: .
SYSOP ERIC: You have to multiply 1024 * 1024, not *1000.
SYSOP FM: Paul ~ I found your decimal
SYSOP LER: 🙂
SYSOP FM: It was under my couch…
Paul II: I don't get no respect around here. ;D
SYSOP LER: He should get one, just on originality!!
SYSOP RW: (Throwing OUT the answers PAUL gave me)!
Miss Chris: OK…I think we should give BasketBOL a GOOD prize for this one! 😀
SYSOP LER: 🙂 Mee Too!!!
Paul II: I definatly think that's one that deserves a prize!
SYSOP ERIC: Me too!
Miss Chris: Awarding….ELITE to Basketbol. Congrats!
SYSOP JON: Yup!
Miss Chris: OK…next question RJ!
RJScott: RoyC9 asks:
QuestionWhat is the speed in MHz on the Vax PDP 11/7+ series from Digital Research?
SYSOP LER: Nice Prize!!
RJScott: Please – OLMS only slow down the proceedings. All questions that were asked are coming to us in that order.
Paul II: nice going Basketbol!
RJScott: (the order asked)
SYSOP LER: You do mean, Digital Equipment?? don't You? and I thought this was CBM related??? 🙂
Miss Chris: Sorry…not a Commodore question…NEXT! 😀
RJScott: Next question is non Commodore Master J2 asks:
Questionat what speed (Mhz) does the PET run at?
Paul II: hmm do we have any Pet people in the group? 😀
SYSOP JON: Dog or Cat? 🙂
SYSOP LER: Wheres PJ when we need him? 🙂 or even Fish?? 🙂
Paul II: ok, anyone going to take it?
Miss Chris: Sorry folks…that last prize goes to KORY SYS…my typo! Congrats KORY!
SYSOP LER: I assume its 1 MhZ like the 64, but I have been known to be wrong!
SYSOP RW: Large or Small Keyboard? 🙂 I thinks it is 1 MhZ too.
Miss Chris: Prize time!
RJScott: YAY!
SYSOP RW: It's a 6502 computer too.
Miss Chris: Congrats Master J2…you win 5 Plus hours for STUMPING OUR OPS! Next question RJ!
RJScott: OK Mca 0 wants to know:
Questionhow many graphics keys are on the 64?
RJScott: (Counting)
Paul II: I can see them counting now.. 😀
SYSOP ERIC: 31
SYSOP LER: Including the C= alternates??
SYSOP ERIC: It really depends on how you classify them.
Paul II: I would say keys, as in types to press.
SYSOP LER: I agree with eric!
SYSOP BK: 31 different KEYs
Paul II: as opposed to graphic symbols.
SYSOP JC: The question was keys… not characters!
Miss Chris: Aw right!! Next question RJ! 😀
SYSOP LER: 🙂
Paul II: yep, 31 was right.
SYSOP FM: Yeh!!
QuestionOn the Commodore 64, the processor is halted at certain times while the video chip fetches data from memory, which prevents any color or mode changes from being made at certain points on the screen. Where do these pauses occur, and how many microseconds long are they? How is this affected (if at all) by different display modes and the use of sprites?
RJScott: Origin Sys asks:
SYSOP LER: whew!
Miss Chris: Wow…that's SOME question!
SYSOP FM: double WHEW! 🙂
Paul II: I think they should be made to answer too. 😀
SYSOP JC: Was that asked in one breath?? 🙂
Paul II: a TOUGH hardware enginerring question.
SYSOP ERIC: Well.. it does not happen at exact intervals.. the video chip interrupts the processor… and the length of time it actually is interrupting is variable. This time will be longer if there are sprites on the screen.
RJScott: All winners will be notified. Please NO OLMS! DigiDan wants to know:
QuestionHey, how many bits in a BCD code???? ~ tough one not if you know machine language
Paul II: hmm.. BCD.. anyone up on display interfaces?
RJScott: I cannot accept questions via OLM.
SYSOP ERIC: 7 bits for the number.. 1 bit sign bit per byte. If there are 3 bytes in the number.. Then there are 23 number bits.. 1 sign.
Paul II: Actually the number of bits are 4 in a Binary Coded digit. as 4 bits is the minimum number that can represent ten numbers/
Miss Chris: Ut oh…prize time!
RJScott: UNCLE L1 asks:
QuestionWhen is Commodore releasing the new ROMs ?????
Miss Chris: You win a NEWSROOM Package!!! Congrats!!
RJScott: YEAY!
Paul II: Great!
Miss Chris: Folks…you've asked so many questions… …that we've MAXXed out our Question Queue!
RJScott: S Nemerow asks:
QuestionIn the architecture of the 128, can you tell me the address of the CIA interrupt Control register when in 64 mode?
Miss Chris: Hang on while we dump them so we can get our SysOps talking and get more of your questions! 😀
SYSOP ERIC: 56577 WAIT.. There are two.. $D020.. $D021.
Miss Chris: We'll give you that one Eric…next question RJ?
RJScott: Brian Pap asks:
QuestionWhat is the system address to give the Commodore 64 a 'cold start'?
SYSOP ERIC: You can NOT do a Cold Start with a SYS call.. It must be reset with the power switch. A Warm Start however is $FCE2 or 64738.
Miss Chris: Wow…good going Eric!!
SYSOP ERIC: Thanks, Chris!
Miss Chris: What calm under pressure! Next question RJ!
RJScott: BasketBOL asks:
QuestionWhat kind of protection is offered by the commdore against radio interference?
Miss Chris: (We'll have the queue fixed in a jiffy folks.) Anyone on the radio interference question? 😀
SYSOP ERIC: Well.. Most of the internal wires of the Commodore 64 are wrapped about an iron core that helps to reduce radio interference. Other than that, the hunk of aluminum foil
RJScott: Please – the OLMS only slow us down.
SYSOP ERIC: does a good job. 🙂
Miss Chris: Good one Eric!
Paul II: and a .047 cap from C64 ground to station groud helps! 😀
SYSOP ERIC: It sure does, Paul! 🙂
RJScott: DougF5 asks:
QuestionHow many coloumns does a commodore 64 have?
SYSOP ERIC: 40 in normal text mode. Through software it can be made to accomodate many more…
SYSOP MIDI: Could it be 40 ?
SYSOP ERIC: By manipulating the bit mapped screen. Common *Other* columns are 64, 80, and 106.
RJScott: FaithW asks:
QuestionHOW MANY BITES DOES GEOPAINT+GEOWRITE+ NOTEPAD EQUAL?
Miss Chris: Ohhh…good question Faith!
RJScott: Any takers?
Miss Chris: Faith W…looks like you've STUMPED OUR SYSOPS! 😀
RJScott: YAY!
Miss Chris: How about a FAST LOAD Cartridge from EPYX?! Congrats!
SYSOP ERIC: has something to say folks.
SYSOP ERIC: I have received several messages about my COLD start answer: A COLD start is one which wipes memory. The 64 Start at $FCE2 or 64738 does NOT wipe out memory.. it only resets basics internal pointers and variable pointers to their original state of "No program in memory." A Cold start can ONLY be achieved by turning OFF the computer, so that the contents of the computer's memory will be erased.
Miss Chris: Thanks ERIC!! Next question RJ?
RJScott: DavidN20 asks:
Questionwhat are the 3 major differences between a hayes smartmodem 1200 and the 1670 modem 1200??????
SYSOP ERIC: Three differences are:
Miss Chris: Eric..what a whiz!
SYSOP ERIC: (1) The 1670 is only Semi-Hayes comaptible, and in being so is limited on its register functions. Not all of the registers are supported; Mainly they are the timeout on originate and the number of rings before the phone is answered. (2) The 1670 hangs up with the "+++" command, while with the Hayes you are returned to command mode where you must send an "ATH0" to hang up the phone. (3) Hayes is better. 🙂 No.. but really.. Hayes is an RS232 modem, the 1670 can directly plug into a 64/128.
RJScott: Mike165 asks:
QuestionSYSOP-BK….what does this line do?? poke 2045,192
Miss Chris: Good answer, good answer! Next question? SysOp BK can't answer now…anyone else? Mike165…you got yourself a prize! YOU STUMPED OUR SYSOPS! (By the way…Cocoon says… sets sprite 5 date to be located at 49152.) hehehe At any rate, Mike…here's an EPYX Joystick for your question! Thanks! Next question RJ?
RJScott: GlennR3 asks:
QuestionWhat key is the American key that corresponds to the ASCII/DIN key on the C128
SYSOP FM: Hmm..that's a good question :)!
SYSOP ERIC: The ALT key.
SYSOP MIDI: Thinking Hummmmm
Miss Chris: The ALT Key it is! Next question RJ!
RJScott: RoyC9 asks: (Please remember, I must trash NON Commodore related questions.)
QuestionWhat is the amount of TPA free on the 128 in CP/M mode. (hint, this is the new version TPA that works with the modem, not the old one (off by 1k)
Miss Chris: Any takers, SysOps?
RJScott: Any takers? (Great minds, Miss Chris)
SYSOP JON: No Music in CPM.. I avoid it
Miss Chris: Going once… Going twice…
RJScott: Gong!
Miss Chris: Prize to RoyC9!!! ROY…you win FLIGHT SIMULATOR II! Congrats!
RJScott: Kevin P5 asks:
QuestionIn the 64 ML set what does CMD stand for
SYSOP ERIC: Unless you are talking about a Pseudo-Opcode that you named, there is NO CMD command in ML.
Miss Chris: SysOps…got an answer? 😀 Ohhhh…tricky!!
SYSOP FM: Was that a trick question? 😀
Miss Chris: OK folks..this will be our last question.
RJScott: Aaron G2 asks:
Questionmode writing to track 36, how many cycle s are are in between each 'byte ready' on port A – data to and from the read wr ite head? – (first part is in buffer already )
Miss Chris: It doesn't look like we'll be able to fix our question queue tonight. SysOps…any idea?
Paul II: I'm not sure what's being asked.
SYSOP ERIC: Well.. "Cycles" is a tricky thing… If we are talking about actual cycles of the processor, then it would vary from disk to disk.. drive to drive. Cycles go by very quickly. It takes several cycles to execute just one command, and it takes more cycles to process certain commands if they address across page boundries. There is no absolute answer to this question.
Miss Chris: Well folks…Auditorium problems are forcing us to end this early. We WILL do this again, and give you all a chance to get a question in. We apologize for the inconvenience of not being able to ask a question these last minutes! We will hold all the questions asked tonight… …look for responses in the message boards in the NEW… …Commodore Community SIGS, located in CIN. Congrats again to tonight's winners… James 81 Kory Sys Master J2 Roy C9 Faith W and Mike 165!! And of course, special thanks to the SysOps!!
RJScott: Yeah! Congrats to the winners!
Miss Chris: What a team!!
Paul II: Yeah team!
Miss Chris: Good night everyone…please come to our next version of STUMP THE SYSOPS! 'Night!
RJScott: Good Night all!
Paul II: Night All, thanks for stopping in!
SYSOP FM: Night!
SYSOP JON: Good Night Everyone!
SYSOP MIDI: Night! all, sorry if I didn't get to your question.. Drop by and visit us in the Music Room SIG
Paul II: And be sure to check out the GREAT new CIN and of course, the Byte Bar for light conversation!
SYSOP JON: Well… I'm off to the Music STUDIO.. Bye All!
RJScott: For those still here, the STUMP THE SYSOPS is over. The Auditorium is now closing for the night.
DR FM: YES
RJScott: The AUDITORIUM is now closed. The even is over. (Event)
DR FM: "HIYA" I got to use my "ask my question" Right
RJScott: The AUDITORIUM session is over folks, this is only a test.
DR FM: How will I see my answers just as I see your answers on the screen?
RJScott: Prich Pat, Jim 81, LesleyM, Rat9, State and THE WIND1, the event is over. This will simply cost you all 6 cents a minute and nothing further is scheduled for tonight. The AUDITORIUM session is over. To stay will cost 6 cents a minute and nothing is scheduled. You are welcome to stay, but you will be charged for it.
DR FM: They will answer me just as i see your answer (see) THATS (MY)
RJScott: Right!
DR FM: Well thhat seems easy enough,now what time do I sign on and should I come directly to the auditorium?
RJScott: I'll invite you onstage just as I did tonight. When you see the invite, just use ASK A QUESTION and respond with Y or YES.
DR FM: What is your time in the East at this present time,its 8:40 PM Here
RJScott: I have 23:34 now…11:34 3 hours diffrerence. So you'll log on at 6:15 Saturday..OK?
DR FM: OK Ill see you then Take it Easy and thanks for your time!
RJScott: OK! See you Saturday, and good luck! I'll eject you now. The Wind: I'm assuming you fell asleep so I'm going to bump you offline if you remain. Just protecting you from added