The Sinclair QL Forum

RWAP wrote:If the software was dependent on the hardware, then that is its own form of copy protection!

If it works with F1 to F5 (as described) the mouse just seems to work a bit like a joystick.

Can the software be disassembled?

Derek_Stewart wrote:Can the software be disassembled?

I have no idea. I have enough trouble disassembling a cupboard.

If I privately send someone who knows about these things the mdv file, perhaps they could take a look? It doesn't work on Qemulator, possibly something to do with the address the code is loaded to? It only works on a 128k BBQL.

Chr$ wrote:I have enough trouble disassembling a cupboard.

Sledgehammers are good for that

Yes, sending a copy to a member who can preserve it and who can disassemble the code is a good idea.

Mark

Chr$ wrote:

Derek_Stewart wrote:Can the software be disassembled?

I have no idea. I have enough trouble disassembling a cupboard.

If I privately send someone who knows about these things the mdv file, perhaps they could take a look? It doesn't work on Qemulator, possibly something to do with the address the code is loaded to? It only works on a 128k BBQL.

Hi,

If you send it to me at derek@q40.de

I has DEA and DISA that can disassemble most things.

Is there a copyright on the software?

I can some of the Spanish QL magazines to see if there is anything relavent.

Derek_Stewart wrote:
Is there a copyright on the software?

I can some of the Spanish QL magazines to see if there is anything relavent.

I assume there probably is still a copyright on it and Investronica do seem to still be going as a company. There is very little in English, they seem to only operate in Spain. I have a Spanish friend and will ask him to write to them.

I'll 'lend' it to you though, sharing is caring!

Chr$ wrote:Aha, someone Spanish! Perhaps you can ask if Investronica are willing to make the software for their StarMouse public domain after all these years?

Regards to all.

Chr$ asked me this question in the welcome forum, and I thought it would be interesting to answer here for those who do not know about the existence of this mouse for QL.

In our web of sinclair QL we have long ago the Starmouse program in two versions, the original and a version modified by Salvador Merino. In all this time we have not had any claims of Investrónica in this regard. This company was renamed Inves at the time it was dedicated to the world of compatible PCs, so they have not shown much interest in its retro stage.

Original version
New version

You can find this and other utilities at: http://sinclairql.es -> Utilidades (utilities)

With whom we have had contact is with the author of the program, Abel Ruiz, who told us how was his experience in the development of this application, which was from the Puricorp company. Here you have the link:

link to Starmouse de Puricorp (in spanish)

For those interested in knowing what the experience of using StarMouse was like, here is a link:

link to "El ratón que era un escarabajo pelotero" ("The mouse that was a dung beetle" in spanish)

badaman wrote: ("The mouse that was a dung beetle" in spanish)

I don't think we need to ask anymore now

vanpeebles wrote:I don't think we need to ask anymore now

If it wasn't for dung beetles, we would be very very deep in you know what by now!

What's brown, good for the garden and sounds like a bell?
Dung!

I'll get my coat.


Cheers,
Norm.