DECUS OA SIG Newsletter, Vol.1, No. 2 - May 1983

This newsletter from May 1983 primarily addresses the declining status and challenges faced by the DECUS 12 Bit Special Interest Group (SIG) and provides a range of technical updates, user queries, and community discussions related to PDP-8, DECmate, and other 12-bit Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) systems.

Key themes include:

1. The Crisis of the 12 Bit SIG: The SIG is battling for its continued existence, with DECUS leadership formally "delicensing" it and shifting its responsibilities to the Office Automation (OA) SIG. Members are urged to actively participate in symposia and contributions to demonstrate the SIG's value, as DEC will only respond to user-initiated requests for 12-bit support, not initiate it. The newsletter transitions to a paid subscription model, with 12-bit material bundled with the OA SIG.
2. Technical Discussions and Software:
   • PASCAL-S: A detailed section covers PASCAL-S, a PASCAL subset for PDP-8/E running OS/8, including its running instructions, compiler/interpreter limits, differences from standard PASCAL, and modifications made for improved usability (e.g., English error messages). User feedback highlights issues with error messages being routed to the console terminal.
   • Hardware Compatibility: Users discuss challenges with PDP8-VAX floppy disk compatibility due to different recording formats, seeking solutions for file transfer. Inquiries are made about PDP8/a 12-bit parallel I/O and RS-232 interfacing.
   • LAB-FOCAL: A "final" version of FOCAL for 12-bit systems (16K-32K memory) is announced as a highly useful language, and users are encouraged to acquire it due to the increasing scarcity of 12-bit system components.
   • E-COM Implementation: Ace Printing & Mailing Service shares their experience using Decmates and WPS-8 for the US Postal Service's Electronic Computer Originated Mail (E-COM), noting format precision requirements and their in-house software solutions.
3. User Support, Pricing, and Resources:
   • DECUS Library Criticisms: Strong feedback criticizes the elimination of paper tape as a software distribution medium, arguing it disadvantages new PDP-8 users who might not have magnetic media. There's also discontent over the perceived high pricing of PDP-8 system software (e.g., OS/8 vs. CP/M). Suggestions are made for improving software accessibility, such as consolidating listings into volumes and grouping software.
   • PDP-8 Inventory Clearance: DEC is holding a "PDP-8 Inventory Clearance Sale" offering new and refurbished PDP-8As and PDP-8Ms at significant discounts, signaling possibly the last sale of new PDP-8 equipment.
   • User Queries: Members seek help with specific technical issues (e.g., OA system block-mode transmissions), software for educational systems, and general guidance for non-technical users overwhelmed by jargon and lack of beginner-friendly publications.
   • Memory Expansion: A German user reports "TS"-errors when running long OS/8-Basic programs and issues with the system not fully utilizing expanded memory (32K), seeking solutions.

Overall, the newsletter portrays a community grappling with the transition away from active DEC support for 12-bit systems, highlighting the ingenuity of users in maintaining and evolving their systems, and advocating for better support and more accessible resources from DECUS.