Msg: 380 *Conference*

08-21-91 18:36:32

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : ALL

Subj: WP2

I received a letter from a Dr. Charles Hudson, 44 Nelson Ave, Coopertown, NY
13326.  Dr. Hudson writes as follows: 

Dear Friends:

I have had a WP-2 for some months but the manual is woefully inadaquate in
terms of memory storage for RAM disk, memory card or diskette.  I bought an
addional manual from folks in New Hampshire, but it isn't much help.  I need to
know the commands that will permit me to use the above modalities. 

---

I responded to his letter with:

Dear Dr. Hudson:

     Received your letter regarding WP2 commands for using the RAM Disk,
Diskette and Memory Cards.  I can answer your questions only slightly.  I don't
own or use a WP2 but did play with one for awhile, so I might not be any more
help than the manuals.  Here's my best shot. 

     Conceptually, all three devices are used for storage not active
processing; like memory (32K max).  Use of these storage devices is strictly
limited to copying files to and from memory.  All files are processed in
memory.  Memory is not a storage device.  Memory is volatile.  If memory gets
corrupted files stored there are lost.  Furthermore, memory fills up.  And, as
memory fills up, the likelihood of data loss increases.  Unlike memory, storage
devices are designed for long-term, less-volatile file storage. 

     The WP2 keeps memory and storage separate, in that the WP2 programs do not
use storage as a data-swap area, like some computers--the main reason memory
fills up.  Thus, the user must "physically" copy files to storage for safe
keeping, or copy files from storage to memory for use.  The general command to
copy a file from device to device in a WP2 is as follows: 

 1) Select target file...
 2) <F1> C to select file...
 3) Select target device <enter>
 4) Rename file or <enter> to keep existing name...
 5) Respond to "Overwrite?" prompt if file exists.

     Once a file is copied (duplicated) from memory into a storage device, the
file may be deleted from memory, thus freing up memory for new file
development. 

     Well, that's my best shot.  I hope this helps. 

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If any of you "real" WP2 owners would like to jump in and add your two cents to
Dr. Hudson's letter, please simply write him at the above address.  -Rick-