N.A.O.G. Becomes NAOG/ZSIG -------------------------- Now that the membership of the North American One-Eighty Group is solidly into triple figures, an important fact has emerged: people who don't own SB180s (or any other HD64180-based system) are a big part ( a near-majority!) of NAOG. Furthermore, there is no independent national or international users group dedicated to advanced CP/M-compatible computing. The existing groups, SIG/M, CPMUG, FOG, KUG, CP-MIG, etc., have vast memberships and software libraries, but have failed to do what needs to be done to assure the survival and growth of 8-bit computing: get behind the new operating system standard, ZCPR3, and the many possible performance enhancements and user benefits it affords. Echelon, Inc. has done a thoroughly admirable job of promoting and supporting ZCPR3 (and the fine-but-optional ZRDOS), but it is apparent that no software company can provide the support on the individual user level that a united user community can give. Moreover, Echelon's major efforts, for economic reasons, must now focus on landing OEM agreements if they are to survive and prosper - we want them to do just that. Frank Gaude', Rick Conn, Dennis Wright and Dave McCord are exceptionally energetic, innovative people, but they are not supermen. It is not fair to expect the impossible from them. Yet, many do expect just exactly that, and complain that most of the fine (and not-so-fine) new programs coming out of the user community are not being reviewed for inclusion into the official Z tool set; they are either getting stale in the the `PENDING' area of Z-Node Central or, understandably, not being submitted at all. We propose an alternative place for ZCPR3 innovators to take their wares and for advanced users to share their discoveries. Effective immediately, N.A.O.G. is now NAOG/ZSIG - ZSIG for ZCPR Systems Interest Group. We have not forgotten the SB180 owner and the HD64180 enthusiast - THE ONE-EIGHTY FILE will provide the support and exchange of ideas that NAOGers have already come to expect. We believe that advanced software deserves the best available hardware - and, for now, that is the 64180. We have simply remembered everyone else. We believe a solid Z80 machine running ZCPR3 is better than an IBM clone for most purposes. We don't want to see all that sound hardware junked - and programming expertise wasted - in a rush toward IBM-compatible mediocrity. We support a viable alternate path to computer-aided human productivity and creativity. NAOG/ZSIG And Echelon Revisions to the original ZCPR3 and ZRDOS tool sets - anything that alters the work of Rick or Dennis - are not our bailiwick. We will build a Public Domain library of alternative tools and true ZCPR3 applications written by users. We do this in the same spirit as a previous era's CP/M users expanded on what Digital Research provided, creating - as Rick Conn acknowledges in source code comments - the basis for much of the ZCPR3 system. We receive the ZCPR3 system with gratitude. We propose to use its amazing flexibilty in new and innovative ways for the benefit of all. Who We Are The core group of NAOG/ZSIG consists of: Jay Sage - Software Librarian Richard Jacobson - Remote Access Systems (RAS) Coordinator Bruce Morgen - Director and ONE-EIGHTY FILE editor Jay Sage will take on the task (with whomever he recruits to help him) of reviewing new software and organizing it into ZSIG libraries. Richard Jacobson's beautifully maintained Lillipute Z-Nodes will be the official software collection and distribution points as well as the NAOG/ZSIG maildrop - he will also see that other sysops, Z-Noders or not, are kept up to date. Bruce Morgen will see to the membership, the editing and circulation of the soon-to-expand ONE-EIGHTY FILE and the distribution of the ZSIG libraries on disk. Joining Up Membership is open to all. Send $15 U.S. ($25 payable on a U.S. bank if you are beyond the reach of a 22 cent stamp) and the NAOG/ZSIG Membership Application form below (let us know if you want to be accessible to other NAOG/ZSIGers, please!) to: NAOG/ZSIG P.O. Box 2871 Phone: 215-443-9031 Warminster, PA 18974 (Voice - data by appt.) Library disk distribution will commence as soon as 180K or so (source and object) are accumulated. To accommodate the greatest number of users, the Ampro, Kaypro and Osborne SSDD 5.25 inch disk formats will be supported, with others to follow if demand warrants. Unlike NAOG userdisks(tm), the ZSIG libraries will be available to non-members for a small additional charge: NAOG/ZSIG members get them for $12 postpaid, non-members pay $18 ($18 and $25 are charged for overseas destinations). Members get 12 monthly ONE-EIGHTY FILEs and access to the NAOG/ZSIG directories of the Lillipute Z-Nodes. Full Lillipute Z-Node access is offered at $35/year, representing a $5 discount, to NAOG/ZSIGers. If you want to drop us E-Mail you can call Lillipute Z-Node at 312-649-1730 or 312-664-1730 (300/1200/2400 baud) and leave a message for SYSOP, Jay Sage, or Bruce Morgen (note spelling). Jay can be reached directly via his own Z-Node #3 at 617-765-7259 (300/1200/2400 baud) and Bruce Morgen's GEnie address is BRUCEMORGEN. [8-bit lives!] N A O G / Z S I G M E M B E R S H I P A P P L I C A T I O N 1. Name ____________________________________ Date ______________ Street __________________________________ Telephone _________ City ____________________________________ State __ Zip ______ 2. Items: A. Membership in NAOG/ZSIG for one year @ $15.00 ($25 if beyond 22 cent stamp) _________________ B. Membership - Lillipute Z-Node - one year @ $40.00 ($35.00 with Item A) _________________ TOTAL $ _________________ 3. Check if you consent to making the above information available to other members _________________ To order: Send U. S. dollar check or money order payable to "NAOG" and clearly printed membership application form to: NAOG/ZSIG P.O. Box #2781 Warminster, PA 18974 Voice: 215-443-9031 E-Mail: 312-649-1730 or 312-664-1730 (above preferred) GEnie E-Mail address: BRUCEMORGEN ZCPR3 and ZRDOS are trademarks of Echelon, Inc. and their authors, IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corp., CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc.