DECUS 12 BIT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - NEWSLETTER, Number 25, November 1977

This newsletter for the DECUS 12 Bit Special Interest Group covers a wide range of topics pertinent to PDP-8 users in November 1977.

A major focus is the OS/8 Version 3D update, crucial for addressing an impending date bug (effective Jan 1, 1978). The coordinator details difficulties in obtaining these updates, provides part numbers and pricing for various OS/8 software kits (Binary, Source, Extensions, Fortran IV) across different media, and outlines an emergency workaround for the date issue. Ron Jansen from DEC confirms the new OS/8 V3D date algorithm supporting dates up to 1999 (using DAY-MONTH-YEAR) and notes the cessation of 1970 date support in 1978. He also clarifies MACREL/LINKER hardware restrictions and describes OS/78 V1 as a subset of OS/8 V3D for DECstation 78.

DECUS Library News reports on efforts to reduce catalog mailing costs, and statistics from a user survey on software interest and usage are presented. There's a discussion on "Longer DECtapes" for increased storage, with questions raised about their durability.

Lars Palmer contributes Software Problem Reports (SPR's) for OS/8 V3C, detailing issues with PIP file transfers and an error in the FRTS FPP emulator. The European DECUS Symposium report highlights successful training seminars and user/DEC presentations on topics like RTS/8 enhancements, DECstation 78, and Macrel assembler, noting improved engagement with the PDP-8 product line.

The DECUS Standards Report by Pat Caroom summarizes ANSI X3 meetings, revealing conflicts between DECUS and Digital on Fortran, I/O, and Power Control Interface standards, and discusses a proposed government role in standardization.

Several individual contributions address specific technical challenges and solutions:

• Lars Palmer offers advice on OS/8 CUSP distribution and saving FIV programs.
• Ian Templeton provides notes on CCL command modifications, BAT handler issues, an FPP bug in RALF 'ALN', and a hardware fix for disabling TD8E ROM.
• Bryan Fredrick introduces an OS/8 sort-merge package and suggests a "SET CONSOLE" command for terminal switching.
• Michael Denoncour seeks help for a new PDP-8A user needing assistance with file-structured programs after transitioning from PDP-8E BASIC.
• Greg A. Gardner from Purdue University presents PFILES (a system CUSP for managing file groups in structured "pfiles" to prevent directory overflow) and BATCHM (a tool for creating versatile batch files from macros).
• Bjørn Runge details an "Extended Overlay for OS/8 BASIC" to bypass limitations in BASIC's overlay feature, introducing solutions for space/function restrictions, generalized functions, and special routines.
• A contribution (likely from Bob Hassinger) introduces OPTF4, a program to optimize RALF code generated by the Fortran IV compiler.
• Dan Smith provides a FRTS patch for CPU lockout on PDP-12 with FPP and detailed "BATCHING PATCH" information to modify BATCH's internal device-dependent I/O and log output.
• Norman R. Dotti discusses BATCH's core usage, offers Tektronix TCS access routines, describes Tektronix graphics terminal issues with FRTS, and advocates for larger OS/8 directory blocks, contrasting PDP-8 limits with their new Harris system.
• Klaus Lickteig presents a "Program System to Analyze Analogue Signals with the LAB-8 System," outlining the calculation of dynamic functions (correlation, spectral density, transfer functions) using 12-bit PDP-8s.
• Michael E. Mazzon provides an in-depth analysis of the DEC Industrial 14 (I-14) programmable controller, its market trajectory, and its significant role in control networks integrated with PDP-8s and PDP-11s.
• Jonathan Lockwood from Harris Semiconductor clarifies Harris's active role in the PDP-8 compatible 6100 Microprocessor market and outlines future product development plans.