Re: Introducing Slammer!

["winston19842005@yahoo.com" <winston19842005@yahoo.com>]

On Jul 29, 12:29 am, mojoehand <mojoeh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jul 28, 7:36 pm, Ivan X <ivan...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On 7/27/10 1:42 PM, in article
> > 25a9b633-b714-437b-b8b8-d1fdea225...@b4g2000pra.googlegroups.com,
>
> > "mojoehand" <mojoeh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I haven't looked at Slammer yet, but this method sounds very similar
> > > to what was used in "Voyage of the Valkyrie!" by Leo Christopherson.
> > > This was a TRS-80 game from 1980. The method was written up in at
> > > least one computer magazine at the time. It was quite unique back
> > > then.
>
> > This had me curious, and I found this page which references what you're
> > talking about:http://www.dnull.com/demon/
>
> > Unfortunately, I couldn't find a listing or a more detailed description of
> > the method, though perhaps I could load the downloadable binary .BAS file
> > via some kind of emulator. But yes, it sounds similar, with the exception
> > that the program apparently becomes modified once executed, which is not the
> > case with Slammer. (Actually, Slammer does momentarily modify the program
> > with unlistable binary, but then it tidies itself up when done so the user
> > is none the wiser.) I'd certainly be interested in reading more about the
> > method if you come across any one of those writeups.
>
> > --- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: n...@netfront.net ---
>
> I can't seem to find any of the details via a Google search, but two
> similar methods were used. One was called string packing and the other
> line packing. I vaguely recall that if you listed the freshly loaded
> BASIC program, most of it looked like either graphics blocks or
> garbage. There was a writeup and source code in one of the TRS-80
> magazines at the time. I don't remember which, as I used to subscribe
> to many computer and electronics magazines. The memories start to
> blur. It may have been 80 Micro.
>
> For the time, and considering the primitive graphics and sound of the
> TRS-80 Models I and III, these programs were revolutionary. They were
> fun  and very fast. Not only was Leo's method unique, but he knew what
> it took to write entertaining software. BTW, if you Google, you will
> find that Leo is still teaching and he has a web site.
>
> Leo Christopherson is one of many who have earned a place in the
> history of personal computing. Another name that comes to mind while
> I'm reminiscing is Ward Christensen. How many here remember that name?
> No fair Googling :-)

TI users had a program called SYSTEX that would add assembly to a
BASIC program, and would have a CALL LINK at the beginning.

As for Ward, you talking about transfer protocols?