12-BIT WORLD (DECUS 12 BIT NEWS Number 48, Dec 1984)

This newsletter, DECUS 12 BIT NEWS Number 48 (December 1984), provides updates and information relevant to the 12-bit computing community. It outlines guidelines for submitting material, including contact information for the 12 Bit Coordinator, Robert Hassinger. A significant portion addresses the ongoing effort to make OS/278 available on RX01 floppies for DECmate I and earlier systems, encountering difficulties with DECUS staff follow-up and the need for specific hardware assistance.

The document also details issues with OS/278 and COS-310 booting on the DECmate III due to differences in bootstrap ROMs and "slushware" (loadable firmware). A workaround is provided using an undocumented PIP /X option to copy the correct firmware from a DECmate III bootable disk (like a WPS disk) to an OS/278 system disk. Additionally, it features an update on Wally Kalinowski's project to move popular commercial 12-bit software, such as MULTOS/8, VISTA, HIBOL, ACID, ICE, and PAGE/8, into the public domain.

Other sections include a reply on LQP02 printer escape sequences for pitch and lines per page control, a recommendation for Digital's "Perspective" PC Newsletter, and a list of new programs added to the DECUS Program Library (FODT for FORTRAN IV debugging and an ISAM/Screen Handler for DECmate II). Finally, a comprehensive list of software available from DEC for the DECmate II is provided, including various business, accounting, utility, and game applications.