Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Discussion and advice about emulating the QL on other machines.
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drdtyc
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Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by drdtyc »

My laptop is running Xubuntu 16.04.
I have managed to install and run uqlx2017 on it.
Also SuperBasic runs OK inside uqlx2017.

My next thing to try is to run the Psion Suite inside uqlx2017.

I have downloaded the zip files of Abacus, Quill, Archive and Easel from here:
http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/psions/index.html

I also noted that a specific unzip utility is needed to unzip these 4 zip files for QDOS.

Thus I have downloaded this specific unzip utility file known as "unzip541xQ.bin" for QDOS from here:
http://www.daria.co.uk/qdos/

Now I am stuck and need some QLers to guide me in these two issues I am facing:
(1) How do I unzip the "unzip541xQ.bin" file under Xubuntu?
(2) How to use the uuzipped utility "unzip541xQ.bin" file to unzip the 4 zip files of the Psion Suite?

Thanks in advance!


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NormanDunbar
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Re: Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by NormanDunbar »

Morning,

I don't know about the unzipper you have downloaded, but there's a similarly named version on Dilwyn's web site at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/arch/unzip541xq.bin. There are brief instructions:

Simply copy "unzip541xq.zip" to QDOS or SMSQ then LRESPR this file and follow the on screen prompts, alternatively, use your existing Unzip program to unzip the file.

Given that it's Jonathan Hudson, then both programs are probably the same.

LRESPR is part of Toolkit 2, which you may not have. So:

Copy the file onto your UQLX system.
Use some form of DIR/STAT/WSTAT (I think those are ROM based) to get the file size. There's FILE_LENGTH I think, in DJToolkit too - which I know you have loaded.
Then:

Code: Select all

ADDR = ALLOCATE_HEAP(size)
LBYTES file_name,ADDR
CALL ADDR
Should do the necessary.

Beware, it's early morning and I'm not fully awake! The above is off the top of my head. Good luck.


Cheers,
Norm.


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drdtyc
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Re: Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by drdtyc »

Hi Norm,

Good evening !

I unzipped the "unzip541xq.bin' file in my Windows 7 computer - this is the easiest option to me. Its output is a folder named as upzip541xq with various files.

I have transferred the whole folder back to my Xubuntu laptop. Inside the folder, there are these various files (see screenshot below) and one of these files is called unzip which is what I need.
Screenshot_2018-10-04_13-24-12.png
My next challenge is how to run the unzip command inside uxql2017 emulator.

I can map the upzip541xq folder to MDRV_1 or whatever.
I can also put the four zip files of Abacaus, Quill, Easel and Archive (Psion Suite) inside the same upzip541xq folder too.

What commands inside the uqlx2017 window do I need to run the unzip command to unpack the four zip files of the Psion Suite?

Something like the following ? - assuming the unzip command and the Psion suite zips are inside the same folder which is mapped to MDV1_

LRUN MDV1_unzip MDV1_aba235m.zip ! Abacus zip
LRUN MDV1_unzip MDV1_eas235m.zip ! Easel zip
LRUN MDV1_unzip MDV1_qui235m.zip ! Quill zip
LRUN MDV1_unzip MDV1_arc238m.zip ! Archive zip

Cheers!
Dan


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NormanDunbar
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Re: Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by NormanDunbar »

Evening drdtyc,

as the QL executable files need data from the file header, unzipping on Windows/Linux will lose said header. The files are effectively unusable.

You must copy the file, as is, to your uqlx and lrespr, or alchp, lbytes, call it to self-extract a working
QL executable plus all those support files.

Try that first.

Once working try exec unzip --help (or -h or -?) or with no parameters and it should tell you what it is looking for on the command line.



Cheers,
Norm.


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drdtyc
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Re: Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by drdtyc »

Hi Norm,

I downloaded unzip541xq.bin from here:
http://www.daria.co.uk/qdos/

It has the following description:
If you have an existing version of unzip (or pkunzip, WinZip), then you can extract the archive using that software. Otherwise, LRESPR the SFX.

LRESPR unzip541xQ.bin
I thus using WinZip on my Windows 7 computer to unzip the .bin file.

Was I misled by the above description?

Cheers!
Dan


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Re: Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by NormanDunbar »

Hi drdtyc,

I would say, slightly! You must almostbalways unzip QL executables on a QL to get the header details that say it is executable and how much data space is required. Think SEXEC. (See https://superbasic-manual.readthedocs.i ... html#sexec )

You can unzip non-executables on Windows or Linux, say text or SuperBASIC programs, but even that can lead to problems with the character sets.

You might get a clue from the readme file in the archive though...perhaps.

HTH

Cheers,
Norm.


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drdtyc
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Re: Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by drdtyc »

Thanks, Norm.

I will unzip the .bin file inside QDOS.

Dan


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Re: Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by QLvsJAGUAR »

There is a faster track to the goal and also there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

Just try the QL/E distribution - a modern and compact ready to run QL environment (applications, demos, desktops, games, tools, utilities). QL/E comes loaded and pre-configured with a good selection of programs including a nicely setup desktop built using QPAC, QTop, Qascade and QDT. QL/E includes the latest versions of the virtual QL machines (aka emulators) uQLx, QPC2 and SMSQmulator and the operating system SMSQ/E.
http://www.sinclairql.net/repository.html#QLE

Core of QL/E is the virtual disk drive containers QLE.WIN (a QLWA file system). The PSION Xchange business software suite is installed in its original QL version (separate programs QUILL, ABACUS, ARCHIVE, EASEL) and the extended Thor version (all applications in one program). Unzip is also there.

Once you have the qle folder on your Linux system, all you have to do is:
a) copy the relevant binary (e.g. cp qm_x86-64 qm)
b) set the Linux file attributes (chmod 755 qm* then chmod 755 uqlx*)
c) start uQLx (sh ./uqlx.sh)

There’s a larger README.txt file in the root of the qle folder.

Enjoy the smart way of QL exploration.

QL forever!
Urs


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drdtyc
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Re: Xubuntu 16.04 and uqlx2017

Post by drdtyc »

Hi Urs,

Thanks. I will give it a spin.

Cheers!
Dan


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