Letters
Something long in Newskah not printed
letters from readers. Of course, they come
but do not always have enough space to publish.
However, this does not mean that we do not read them or not
publish, if the author has asked to publish. Simply, we really
appreciate the "freshness" and the relevance of information
and, if it endures, and sometimes lays indefinitely ... :)
But, sooner or later, all the articles sent in to "ZxNews",
will be published. Already Now some of them edited and
formatted, and just waiting for his
hour (s). ;)
(C) Paul Smith
THAT NEED PEOPLE.
Hi all users Speccy!
In ZxNews No7 asked questions that need
people (that is, users) from the programmers. Or something like
that.
In addition, it is like another topic for
discussions on the hardware in particular, and o
problem of development of the Spectrum as a whole.
It's about the Spectrum keyboard.
Poser:
---------
The main drawback of the Spectrum keyboard - a small number
of keys - just forty. As a result, applications (especially
editors) arise Two such poser, imho:
Poser 1. Little control keys
Very little. Strictly speaking, there is a combination of
registry-key used as control (or which can sometimes be used as
a control). So-called "extended" keys only
mimic in some way to simultaneously use two. Therefore, further
to the Control keys will call any combination of keys is used
as a thereof.
In addition to controlling the cursor (arrow), DELETE, and
CAPS LOCK, no agreement as to use the remaining. Often the same
keys are used in different programs committed for different
purposes. That and say - in the same IS-DOS, where everything
seems to be standardized, the team and
in viewer and editor MISCELLANEOUS (CS-Q and
CS-A, SS-Q and SS-A)!!! : I
In such a situation _NORMALNO_ work
not possible. Do not save any
standard "extended" keyboard, no
homemade or XT / AT or any other - all
still awkward! And you have to remember dozens of variants,
which both use. : (
You can, however, crap jumpers - under
each program its ...
You can still "kovyrnut" the author's program ... : -7
The last point a little like the authors
Software. What to do? Do not solder the same keyboard at each
program ... : (However, Instead of throwing to put steep
protection from view, read some
MYSELKI on this occasion;)
Poser 2.
Not able to Russification.
How often do they write in intr'ah: layout as
on a typewriter - QWERTY ... It is on the left side of your
keyboard! And on the right? Where do you seen a typewriter,
whose letter (title) and (small) are located in
different parts of the keyboard, to the same introduced both
through the registry? There are other, less "convenient"
Russification ... : ( Those interested can read the pin help'y
in IS-DOS.
Myselki:
-------
That's what occurred to me, not exactly
I alone, or may not come ... :)
Thought 1. Destandartizatsionnaya.
Necessary to provide the user
opportunity to select which keys for which
use, not impose him their
"Standard" and not, incidentally.
The most convenient way for the solution -
program (option menu) the keyboard settings. Such a program,
the adjuster should able to:
- Find the disk for all custom
program (configuration files) under any
names they would not have been recorded (perhaps
user wants to have a few options for different moods programs);
- Given a choice of any combination
keys for each particular team,
function hot keys - under any so I understand that if the itch
to user To switch between insert / replace not use SS-I, and
SS-M (.) or, say, CS-1-N (EDIT-N) - his work:)
- Select a table with the possibility of
move (cursor), the abolition of the selected
as for a single key (DELETE), and
all at once (SPACE, BREAK);
- Verification of conflict, but only after
end of selection keys.
Next will be another little idea of the Customizer.
Those developers who, for whatever
reasons can not or will not consider it necessary
writing such a program (time-consuming
work, no time, laziness, can not, bad
weather - the right to delete, and no one show;)) provide the
user manually edit the layout, though
as is done in IS-DOS'e, in a special file (suggest a TR-DOS
files with the type "K").
If you are, of course, interest in
something to your program used (bought) is not on the principle
of "another something after all no ... ": (
Notes:
- The cursor keys, DELETE,
choose not, use them to navigate through the setup menu. The
same applies to the CAPS LOCK.
- Convenient to use is not an option in the menu
the program itself, as a separate program
settings, since hardly have often
to change key.
- This program can customize
not only the keyboard, but other rare
changeable parameters, such as color ...
Thought 2. By the way ...
The use of additional registers
greatly expand the set of control
keys. Additional role. registers can play
press EXT, EDIT, T. 'I. VID, GRAF, ie
those most advanced keys. We can restrict them, but you
can-limiting:). Such things are already being used, but as
always, in different ways, and not always effective.
The configure program should be able to select (or _NEvybora_)
reg keys!
Thought 3. Russian-speaking.
Say what you like keyboard shortcuts on it
not increase (yet, hopefully) and still
part of the Russian letters will be "superfluous."
Instead of trying to stick their
only-be somewhere (instead of digital, such as: () suggest the
following more or less than the original decision:
Chosen some special keys
obzovu its XRUS, for inclusion EXTENDED
RUSSIAN REGIME. The effect of this regime resembles CS-SS in
BASIC. In it you will be able to enter one of the "extra"
characters, then canceled. In this mode, you can use CapsShift
and CapsLock for change register. When neotpuskanii keys must
auto-repeat function correctly.
Estimated keyboard layout:
J U Y K E N T SHSCH SX ZH
Since F A P R O LV ED -
Barley MF M & T LE UD - - -
Left in the column core RUS, and the right -
advanced.
Please note:
- "Extra" letters - letters that are used
Least likely.
- Some letters are for convenience may
repeat.
- The table has a lot of space ...
When you set up, the user needs
provide an opportunity to edit
Two tables of 26 characters for both modes.
However, for the Conservatives can offer a choice of old
solutions. : \
Thought 4. Coolest.
Global problem of the keyboard can be solved by using all
bits of port (You can tell port) keyboard. I recall that there
is read from the standard only 5 significant bits (one bit of
this port used to receive data from
tape recorder or a modem, but more about that later),
which gives 5 * 8 = 40 of the most keys. Using the remaining
bits can be connected 8 * 8 = 64 + key to all this the
"enhanced"! And this, usually without alteration keyboard port!
Since in all models, imho, port 8-bit. This
Products KP11 (two), IR22 (IR23) and others
(Maybe I'm wrong - write).
Exceptions are some "heaped" models, such as the Scorpion, in
which the same two KP11 already holds four ports and use of all
discharges. In Scorpio, however, have to put another
KP11 (over D36-sharing signals
select from the D32 - untested, but verify).
Further included as standard in
tabular scheme of connection of additional keys. How is this
scheme better than others? Nothing! :) Just the other not, it
first. For the convenience of plugging in Russian letters are a
continuation of the series keys (so-called "poluryadov). Except
, note on the discharge data
D6. If you use a tape recorder or a modem, the function keys
you will less. But the keyboard will still get
easier than it was!
Unless of course vendors support it ... : I
Then someone swing and begin their
issue (released the same now for the Spectrum in excess of
"Extended" keyboard "on HRC, but not the PC - will only change
the wiring).
And Spectrum is not only hard
drive, modem, network, and Full keyboard! :):]: @: D =)
By the way (untested), we can not abandon the function keys,
and put a diode junction with the keyboard on circuit assembly
or to get rid of the habit of banging on the function keys
during the reception modem ... ;)
Table compound tires
address / data.
D5 D6 D7
A8 F1 F2 F10
A9 INS F3 DEL
A10 HOME F4 END
A11 PGUP F5 PGUP
A12 RUS F6 TAB
A13 X [{F7 b]}
A14 M;: F8 E '"
A15 B, <F9 Yu>
Reflections ...
... Read in the IS-DOS help'e of
noncommutative driver tt8.key which all 8 bits of data such as
uses. May Who saw him? If there is not just a duplication of
punctuation, share information - can be one standard is better
...
... Someone noticed that a controller
XT / AT-keyboard with a bunch of extra. Governors
keys. As far as I could find out from
Sellers, this device emulates ONLY
5 digit keypad, then there are all the same
40 keys ... : (That's why I did not
bought - wait until improve! Maybe I was misinformed? : (
... There was another such computer;), called
ZX-SPECTRUM-128-FIRM, y which was some kind of Remote
klaviaturka with a bunch of extra buttons! Interestingly,
what it was and looked like ...?
Thought 5. Not the topic.
At the same KP11 (and others) not implemented
only the keyboard, but the joystick. Naturally, you can also
use 3 Unused DISCHARGE NAVIGATION! ... for joystick, of course.
While all ...
Regards, Paul Smith.
18.11.96
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