Date:     Sun, 3 Dec 1995 15:27:46 -0500
From:     Jordan Adema  [jadema@grfn.org]
Subject:  Calc-TI - Calc-TI Mini-FAQ v2.3

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The Calc-TI Mini FAQ                                          by Jordan Adema
version 2.3                                                   jadema@grfn.org
=============================================================================

This Mini-FAQ attempts to answer some of the more nerve-grinding questions
that appear incessantly on the Calc-TI mailing list. Additional information
can be found in Shawn Jordan's 'UnFAQ'.
_____________________________________________________________________________

The Different FAQ's
===================

    The Official FAQ from TI: Contains instructions on how to post to the
      list and such. ftp://archive.ppp.ti.com/pub/graph-ti/

    The Unofficial Calc-TI FAQ by Shawn Jordan (jordan@ipfw.indiana.edu):
      Very comprehensive. http://metro.turnpike.net/~jordan/tiunfaq.html

    The ZShell FAQ by Henrik Edlund (piett@kuai.se): Info on the coolest
      thing ever for your TI-85. http://www.kuai.se/~piett/zshell/faq.html

    The TI Net Sites List by Amitai Schlair (sphinxsoft@aol.com): Dozens of
      ftp and web sites--a must. ftp://users.aol.com/sphinxsoft/ti-calc/

The 'ZShell FAQ' and 'TI Net Sites List' are posted periodically to the list.
_____________________________________________________________________________

1)  "How can I type in programs when they are all in 'UUE' format? I tried
    UUDecoding it, but they still look like garbage!"

    Use the freely available Graph-Link software to UUDecode and open TI-85
    or TI-82 files. The text version of program or group files can be
    displayed or exported, and PIC files can be copied or printed.

    (Macintosh note: .85p files should have type '85P ' and creator 'TI85',
    for other files, substitute the correct letter from question 5.)

    ftp://archive.ppp.ti.com/pub/graph-ti/sw-apps/link/
_____________________________________________________________________________

2)  "Why do people get mad when I post my programs in ASCII format? I don't
    have the link!"

    You should avoid posting programs in ASCII. Instead, type in or paste
    your programs in the free Graph-Link software. Then save and UUEncode
    your program. If you do post ASCII, make sure it is the correct format.

    ftp://archive.ppp.ti.com/pub/graph-ti/sw-apps/link/
_____________________________________________________________________________

3)  "How do I make the \->\ [or \#\, etc.] character? I can't find that slash
    anywhere!"

    See the [STORE] key? Press it.

    Anything between two \'s is not meant to be taken literally; instead, it
    represents a special non-ASCII character. There is a complete list of
    these in a file entitled "ASCII.txt".

    ftp://archive.ppp.ti.com/pub/graph-ti/sw-apps/link/dos/ascii.txt
_____________________________________________________________________________

4)  "What do the extensions to the files mean?"

    (Change each '85' to a '82' for applicable TI-82 files.)

    .85P    A single program.
    .85G    A group of programs and/or other things.
    .85B    A memory backup.
    .85I    A image file. (PIC)
    .85M    A matrix.
    .85V    A vector.
    .85S    A string.
            etc...

    Please read the complete UnFAQ for information on how to download these
    files to your calculator.
_____________________________________________________________________________

5)  "What is ZShell?"

    From the documentation:

    "ZShell is a program for the TI-85 graphing calculator that enables
    execution of Z80-compatible programs stored in string variables.

    ZShell is a shell and an operating system combined.  The shell part
    provides an organized way to list and execute the string programs stored
    on the calculator.  The operating system part provides functions
    necessary for the string programs to work properly with different ROM
    versions and in the quicksand environment of the TI-85's memory."

    The current version of ZShell is 4.0. This version support calculators
    with the following ROM versions: 3.0A, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0.
    (See the next question to find out what ROM you have.)

    You also NEED the Graph-Link (or someone who already has ZShell) to
    download it to your calculator. Read the ZShell FAQ for more info.

    There will be no future version of ZShell for TI-81 or 82 calculators.
    This is because these calculators lack a custom menu. There very well
    could be a ZShell for the TI-92 but that remains to be seen.

    ftp://ftp.rbk.sollentuna.se/pub/TI-Calc/ti-85/ZShell/zshell40.zip
    ftp://users.aol.com/sphinxsoft/ZShell/zshell40.sit.hqx
    http://www.kuai.se/~piett/zshell/
    http://www.kuai.se/~piett/zshell/faq.html
_____________________________________________________________________________

6)  "How do I know which ROM version I have?"

    On the 85 or 82, press [2nd] [MODE] [ALPHA] [S]. On the TI-81, press
    [2nd] [TEST] [ALPHA] [S]. The calculator will display the ROM version.
    Hit any key except [ENTER]. PRESSING [ENTER] WILL CAUSE YOUR MEMORY TO BE
    ERASED! (Pressing [ENTER] starts a self-test, which counts forever and
    erases your memory.)
_____________________________________________________________________________

7)  "Where's the cheapest place to get a Graph-Link?"

    The Bach Company in California sells them for $44.95 plus tax and  $4.95
    shipping. Their number is 1-800-248-2224.
_____________________________________________________________________________

8)  "I don't wanna buy the Graph-Link. Can I build one?"

    Yes. (Well, maybe.) Check out the following address (or the one second
    one in question 10) for information on a PC-to-85 link.

    http://www2.e.kth.se/~e95_mha/ti.html
_____________________________________________________________________________

9)  "Where can I download games and other files?"

    Get the "TI Net Sites" list by Amitai Schlair, (sphinxsoft@aol.com).

    ftp://users.aol.com/sphinxsoft/ti-calc/

    Here is an excerpt:

    Texas Instruments (ti-cares@ti.com)
    ftp://archive.ppp.ti.com/pub/graph-ti/
    The official program archive.

    Magnus Hagander (e95_mha@elixir.e.kth.se)
    ftp://ftp.rbk.sollentuna.se/pub/ti-calc
    Contains info and software for constructing a link cable.

    Henrik Edlund (piett@kuai.se)
    ftp://ftp.kuai.se/pub/user/piett/zshell
    The official ZShell FTP site.

    Emmanuel Cracker (gwxr31f@prodigy.com)
    "Unofficial TI-Calculator Home Page"
    http://dnclab.berkeley.edu/~smack/ti
    Praised by many as the most comprehensive TI site on the Internet.
    Updated almost daily. Contains the text version of Shawn Jordan's
    current UnFAQ.

    Shadow Software (shdwsft@grfn.org)
    http://www.grfn.org/~shdwsft
    Contains many well-documented TI-85 games and programs.

   +---------------------------------------------------------------------+
   Jordan Adema * jadema@grfn.org * http://www.grfn.org/~jadema/index.html
   +---------------------------------------------------------------------+
