Sorgan II, 4aTalk, and others

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Attached is a formatted hard disk image dump that contains some files I was able to copy from disks rescued from a TI user who is no longer with us.

 

Use TI Image Tool or TI99Dir to manipulate the image.

 

Included are what appear to be files associated with the following programs:

 

4A/Talk

Disk Master I

Disk Manager 99

Desktop Publisher

Mini Writer (partial)

Sorgan II

Test program

TI Planner spreadsheet cart

 

I am sharing for preservation purposes only as I do not intend to retain these files myself.

DataBiotics Source Image.zip

Edited February 18, 2019 by InsaneMultitasker

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Someone PM'd me with questions about the file content. While there may be a few executable program files in the folders, most are DV80 source code for the above listed programs. Contained within is some good information about the bank switched cartridges and as always, commented source code can be a great way to pick up good (and sometimes bad) programming tricks/methods.

 

I did not try to re-assemble or test any of the programs. I leave that as an exercise for others

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Interesting historical correspondence related to TM Direct module prices.

 

 

 

DataBioTics/Model Masters
William R. Moseid
4817 Claybrook Court.
Santa maria, CA 93455.
.
Don Waldron
Cecure Electronics
South 74 West 17000.
Janesville Road
Muskego, ILL 53150-0132


Dear Don,

Enclosed please fine the product list and the price that TM Direct paid. All
of the title are available. I still have some boards, and the artwork in the
event some more need to be made. After checking the list we can discuss how to
proceed..
.
The module prices TM Direct pays is:.
.
8K = 14.98
16K = 17.98
32K = 27.98.
64K = 37.98.
Paraprint = 41.98

Thank you in advance for the Hopper cartridge. As to the WD100 Disk Management
Software and Disk Manager II (also formats 80 trks), as we discussed run some
ads in your mailings and sell them for $15.00 each. We can split it 50/50..

At the moment I'm working on a 64K module for FORTH..
.
On this end I'm going to pursue modifyiny Disk Master II to accomodate the
WD100 and the HFDC. At some point I'll have to obtain an HFDC for development.
Plus, your suggestion of using an IDE drive with the WD100 is worth a try.

Also , enclosed find a $10.00 check for the TI source code package as we
discussed..
.
.
.
Thankyou, and be talking to you..
.

Bill M..

 

 

 

[atrax27407]

Great Stuff, Tim!

[+OLD CS1]

I assume @Ksarul has one, but has anyone seen the Sorgon II cartridge in the wild?  I was perusing the Triton Fall '89 catalog and was reminded of it.  It was on my long list of things to get when I was a wee sprout.

[+Ksarul]

26 minutes ago, OLD CS1 said:

I assume @Ksarul has one, but has anyone seen the Sorgon II cartridge in the wild?  I was perusing the Triton Fall '89 catalog and was reminded of it.  It was on my long list of things to get when I was a wee sprout.

Yes, I do have a copy of Sorgan II and the manual, LOL. The module has shown up for sale on eBay several times over the last five or six years.

[pixelpedant]

I don't think we've got a proper scan of the Sorgan II manual.  We've just got a scan of the cover, and then text for the contents: 

 

https://pixelpedant.com/items/show/185

 

Any chance you could scan your copy? 

[+Ksarul]

I'll look to see where I put it and I'll scan it once I find it.

[Flottmann1]

23 hours ago, pixelpedant said:

I don't think we've got a proper scan of the Sorgan II manual.  We've just got a scan of the cover, and then text for the contents: 

 

https://pixelpedant.com/items/show/185

 

Any chance you could scan your copy? 

see here

 

 

[+InsaneMultitasker]

I came across what looked like NDAs and contractual agreements for a few DBT work efforts (all in DV80 format) while working through my file library.

 

I recall shying away from copying the files when I preserved the source code, not knowing what if any legal ramifications exist.  Opinions on whether or not this type of information is OK to post and preserve?  

[+OLD CS1]

41 minutes ago, InsaneMultitasker said:

I came across what looked like NDAs and contractual agreements for a few DBT work efforts (all in DV80 format) while working through my file library.

 

I recall shying away from copying the files when I preserved the source code, not knowing what if any legal ramifications exist.  Opinions on whether or not this type of information is OK to post and preserve?  

IANAL, but I would figure that so long as the two entities entwined are no longer in the picture, and in the absence of a court order to the contrary, it would be fine to post them.  At least I would feel confident in doing so, and cry to my real attorney if I broke something.

[pixelpedant]

2 hours ago, Flottmann1 said:

see here

 

 

Nice.  I have PDFed the images you posted.

 

Sorgan II - new.pdf

 

And have updated it on my manuals site.

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Here is an example:  contract for E&B Software to "Modify the source code of the TI-RUNNER program to run in a
        16K module for the TI-99/4A computer".

------

 

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     112686.
  I. INTRODUCTION.
.
This is a work-for-hire agreement in which John Burt and Scott Emory - E&B
Software (Programmer) agrees to provide programming services to DataBioTics
Inc.  (Company).  Company shall pay Programmer according to the payment
schedule set forth in Appendix A of this contract, which is incorporated by
reference..
.
 II. DUTIES.
.
Programmer shall modify a computer source code and complete documentation for
Company as per the specification set forth in Appendix B to this contract
which is incorporated by reference herein..
.
III. OWNERSHIP.
.
In consideration for payment as set forth in Attachment A of this contract,
Programmer hereby assigns all marketing rights in the MODULE VERSION of the
Program to the Company, including the right to copyright the MODULE CONTENTS of
the program in Company's name.  Programmer understands that the MODULE VERSION
of the Program is a work made for hire which shall be the exclusive property of
the Company..
.
Consistant with programmer's recognition of Company's complete ownership
rights in the module version of the Program described in Attachment B,
Programmer agrees not to use the Program version created under this contract
for the benefit of any party other than Company..
 
 IV. COMPLETION DATE.
.
Programmer aggrees to complete all work as per the schedule set forth in
Attachment C of this contract, which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein..
.
  V. TRADE SECRETS.
.
All types of information relating to the program, including this contract and
its attachments, are to be considered the trade secrets of the Company.
Programer shall keep all trade secrets of Company confidential, and shall sign
nondisclosure aggreements when requested by the Company..
.
 VI. ARBITRATION.
.
Any dispute relating to the interpretation or performance of this contract
shall be resolved at the request of either party through binding arbitration.
Arbitration shall be conducted in Los Angeles, California, in according with
the then-existing rules of the American Arbitration Association.  Judgement
upon any award by the arbitrators may be entered by the state or or federal
couurt having juristiction.  The parties ented that this agggreement to
arbitrate be irrevocable..
.
VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
.
a. Programmer may neither subcontract nor hire persons to aid in the
programming work without the prior written consent of Company..
.
b. Any modifications to this contract must be in writing and signed by both
parties..
.                                                            DataBioTics Inc.
-----------------------------                -------------------------------.
Signed                                       Signed.
.

 

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     112686.
     ATTACHMENT A - PAYMENT SCHEDULE.
.
     Company shall pay Programmer as follows:.
.
     1. 15% royalty of net sales.  Net sales are defined as cost to
        produce product minus the selling price.  .
 
     2. Royalties shall be paid to Programmer within thirtyfive days
        after each calendar quarter during the term of this
        agreement..
.
     ATTACHMENT A1 - MAINTENANCE AND MODIFICATION.
.
     a. During the period of this agreement, if Company notifies
     Programmer of Program Error(s) or Programmer has reason to
     believe that error(s) exist(s) in Program, Programmer shall use
     his best efforts to verify and fix the error(s) within 15
     working days after modification.  Programmer shall promptly
     notify Company if an error cannot be corrected within a
     reasonable time.  Such corrections shall be in source code and
     machine readable such that Company can update Program
     immediately..
......................

 

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     112686.
     ATTACHMENT B - DUTIES.
.
     Programmer shall be responsible for:.
.
     1. Modify the source code of the TI-RUNNER program to run in a
        16K module for the TI-99/4A computer..
.
     2. Document the program listing, per Company direction..
.
     3. Write the preliminary User's Manual, per Company direction..
.
     4. Provide the fully commented source code, object code and any
        other pertinant code to Company..
.
     7. Ensure the product shall be configured to operate from a
        16K module..
                                              .
.
     8. Provide Company product status at least once every week..
.
     9. Enhance the product beyond the capabilities of the module..
.
.
     Company shall provide technical direction to Programmer..
......................

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     112686.
     ATTACHMENT C - WORK SCHDULE.
.
.
.
     Contract start date shall be effective on receipt of signed
     contract and non-disclosure agreement..
.
     First working version delivered by 15th day of January 1987.  .
.
     Final working version and all deliverables within 30 days after
     delivery of first working version..
 

 

 

[+FarmerPotato]

ROTFL. The contract defines Net Sales as net loss. 

 

This was really interesting to see. 
 

[+9640News]

16 minutes ago, FarmerPotato said:

ROTFL. The contract defines Net Sales as net loss. 

 

This was really interesting to see. 
 

And doesn't define how net cost to produce is derived.  I could pay myself $50/hr, billable in 1 hr increments, minimum 4 hrs, leaving no actual  profit on the actual sale.

 

Not saying that was how it was done as it may have very well been a profitable situation, just a lack of details can lead to opportunities for abuse.

 

Beery

[+InsaneMultitasker]

2 hours ago, 9640News said:

And doesn't define how net cost to produce is derived.  I could pay myself $50/hr, billable in 1 hr increments, minimum 4 hrs, leaving no actual  profit on the actual sale.

when I signed my "contracts" with Cecure to sell some of the software I had written, it was for a specific dollar amount versus some nebulous percentage.   I don't think there was anybody making a living writing TI software after the late 80s.

 

[+InsaneMultitasker]

This one is related to an editor and SuperSpace II.

 

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     120586.
  I. INTRODUCTION.
.
This is a work-for-hire agreement in which Ken Schmitt (Programmer) agrees to
provide programming services to DataBioTics Inc. (Company).  Companyy shall pay
Programmer according to the payment schedule set forth in Appendix A of this
contract, which is incorporated by reference..
.
 II. DUTIES.
.
Programmer shall create a computer source code and complete documentation for
Company as per the specification set forth in Appendix B to this contract
which is incorporated by reference herein..
.

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     120586.
ATTACHMENT B - DUTIES.
.
Programmer shall be responsible for:.
.
1. Design and construct a Editor/Assembler/Utility Program for the TI-99/4A
   computer..
.
2. Document the program listing, per Company direction..
.
3. Write the preliminary User's Manual, per Company direction..
.
4. Provide the fully commented source code, object code and any other pertinant
code to Company..
.
5. Utilize the MINIWRITER I source code model provided by Company as a basis
   for Editor design. Utilize the MINI MEMORY and 32K Memory Assemblers as a
   basis for assembler design.  .
.
6. Ensure the product shall be configured to operate from the Super Space II
   module.  Provide a Loader which will load the software from Cassette or
   diskette.  Provide a Menu driven approach to the User Interface..
.
7. Provide Company product status at least once every week..
.
8. Enhance the product beyond the capabilities of the models as possible..
.
.
Company shall provide the spreadsheet model and technical direction..
to Programmer..
.

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Last of the three I could salvage.  Notice the royalty and the work required.  I wonder what percentage of authors were students at the time. 

 

-------===========================================================

                                WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     121786.
  I. INTRODUCTION.
.
This is a work-for-hire agreement in which Todd Kaplan (Programmer) agrees to
provide programming services to DataBioTics Inc. (Company).  Company shall pay
Programmer according to the payment schedule set forth in Appendix A of this
contract, which is incorporated by reference..
.
 II. DUTIES.
.
Programmer shall create a computer source code and complete documentation for
Company as per the specification set forth in Appendix B to this contract
which is incorporated by reference herein..
.
III. OWNERSHIP.
.
In consideration for payment as set forth in Attachment A of this contract,
Programmer hereby assigns the module rights in the Program to the Company,
Including the right to to copyright the module version of the program in
Company's name.  Programmer understands that the module version of the Program
is a work made for hire which shall be the exclusive property of the Company..
.
Consistant with programmer's recognition of Company's complete ownership
rights in the module version of the Program described in Attachment B,
Programmer agrees not to use the module version of the Program created under
this contract for the benefit of any party other than Company..
 
 IV. COMPLETION DATE.
.
Programmer aggrees to complete all work as per the schedule set forth in
Attachment C of this contract, which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein..
.
  V. TRADE SECRETS.
.
All types of information relating to the program, including this contract annd
its attachments, are to be considered the trade secrets of the Company.
Programer shall keep all trade secrets of Company confidential, and shall sign
nondisclosure aggreements when requested by the Company..
.
 VI. ARBITRATION.
.
Any dispute relating to the interpretation or performance of this contract
shall be resolved at the request of either party through binding arbitration.
Arbitration shall be conducted in Los Angeles, California, in accordance with
the then-existing rules of the American Arbitration Association.  Judgement
upon any award by the arbitrators may be entered by the state or or federal
court having juristiction.  The parties ented that this agggreement to
arbitrate be irrevocable..
.
VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
.
a. This agreement shall have an effective date of July 15th, 1986..
 
b. Programmer may neither subcontract nor hire persons to aid in the
programming work without the prior written consent of Company..
.
c. Any modifications to this contract muust be in writing and signed by both
parties..
.
Signed:              Date:                   Signed:               Date:.
.
-----------------------------                -------------------------------.
......................

 

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     121786.
     ATTACHMENT A - PAYMENT SCHEDULE.
.
     Company shall pay Programmer as follows:.
.
     1. A royalty of $1.00 per unit sold..
 
     2. Royalties shall be paid to Programmer within thirtyfive days
        after each calendar quarter during the term of this
        agreement..
.
     ATTACHMENT A1 - MAINTENANCE AND MODIFICATION.
.
     a. During the period of this agreement, if Company notifies
     Programmer of Program Error(s) or Programmer has reason to
     believe that error(s) exist(s) in Program, Programmer shall use
     his best efforts to verify and fix the error(s) within 15
     working days after modification.  Programmer shall promptly
     notify Company if an error cannot be corrected within a
     reasonable time.  Such corrections shall be in source code and
     machine readable such that Company can update Program
     immediately..

 

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     121786.
ATTACHMENT B - DUTIES.
.
Programmer shall be responsible for:.
.
1. Design and construct a word processor which shall operate within a module
   for the TI-99/4A computer.  This module version of a word processor shall be
   titled MINIWRITER II + and III +..
.
2. Document the program listing, per Company direction..
.
3. Base the MINIWRITER functions on that of TI-WRITER and the MINIWRITER,.
   per Company direction..
.
4. Provide the fully commented source code, object code and any other pertinant
   code to Company..
.
5. Ensure the product shall be configured to operate from the module address
   space and utilize the parallel printer interface design of the MINIWRITER
   III +.  And, that one EPROM version will operate with the MINIWRITER II +
   and III+ module design, including the appropriate bank switching.  Also,
   ensure the program shall be capable of using the console memory or extended
   memory as a text buffer and cassette or disk as storage medium and printer
   as hard copy output..
 
7. Provide Company product status at least once every week..
.
8. Enhance the product beyond the capabilities stated as possible..
.
.
Company shall provide the technical direction to programmer.
.
.

                                 WORK FOR HIRE.
                                    CONTRACT.
                                     121776.
     ATTACHMENT C - WORK SCHEDULE.
.
.
.
     Contract start date shall be effective as of July 15th, 1986..
.
     Preliminary module version delivered by December 31,1986..
 
     Final working version delivered by 5th day of January 1987. .
.
......................

 

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Here is what appears to be a comprehensive list of DBT cartridges by name, cartridge size, number of players, and description. 

 

CARTLIST

 

Sample from the attached tifiles-formatted list:

 

                 # of
Module Name Size Players Description
----------- ---- ------- -~---------
SORGAN II    16K    1    Turns your 4A into a true organ with bit/map graphics

TI-RUNNER    16K    1    50 screens of action while you escape from the
                          below the Battle Cruiser decks

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Some interesting historical (1986)  messages from Compuserve terminal spool/saves related to software piracy and an 'incident' involving one or more DBT programs uploaded to a BBS.  These are all DV80 files in TIFILES format. 

COMP3 COMP4 COMPREPLIE COMPSTUFF CS-5¯4¯86 DBTREPLY COMP1 COMP2

[Tom Frerichs]

Seeing the DataBioTics name certainly brought back memories.  Mike Holmes and I (Tom Frerichs) wrote 4A/Talk back in the day.  I was the one that screwed up the file name field in the specification. When we first published the spec, I said RIGHT JUSTIFIED, space filled for the file name in the fixed length field instead of LEFT JUSTIFIED.  So, I caused problems for everyone that followed that spec, including myself. I ended up having to rewrite my code to match.

 

 

[+acadiel]

                 # of
Module Name Size Players Description
----------- ---- ------- -~---------
 
4AFLYER      8K     1    Flight Simulator
 
BARRAGE     16K    1/2   Aliens attack earth, you defend with twin laser cannon
                          by the authors of PARSEC!
 
BLACKHOLE    8K     1    Can you escape the dreaded Black Hole in space?
 
BURGER      16K     1    Build the burgers but avoid the nasties (Pickles, etc)
 
BEYOND       8K    1/2   Dodge asteroids, evade the other cruiser, etc
 PARSEC
 
Beyond      32K     1    Next version of Word Writer + Formatter, Disk or Cass
 WordWriter
 
BOXER         8K   1/2   Ouch!! how many rounds can you last?
 
BREAKTHRU!  16K     1    2 games, Breakthru! & Breakaway, bit map graphics
 
COMPUTER    16K     1    The GAME of the future
 WAR
 
CONSOLE CALC 8K     1    Same as TI PLANNER, disk or cass
 
D-STATION 1  8K     1    Protect your outpost against the attacking hordes
 
D-STATION 2  8K     1    More dynamic action in a new venue
 
Desk Top    32K     1    Publish your stuff! 1, 2 or 3 columns, + a Graphics
 Publisher                Editor can import TI Artist Instances, Disk or Cass
 
ESCAPE       8K     1    Two games in one,  but you have to be FAST!!!!
 
FACECHASE   16K     1    Chase the bouncing face & score those points
 
Great       16K     1    With the bouncing ball, collect the letters in the
 Word Race                right order and get a big score!
 
JUMPY       16K     1    Similar to QBERT,  by the authors of PARSEC!
 
JUNKMAN JR. 16K     1    A great game by the author of the CorComp Disk
                          Controller & Disk Manager.
 
MAGIC       64K     1    Memory Manager, Disk Manager, Editor, Assembler,
 MEMORY                   Program Loader/Saver (PGM & D/F 80) , Program Debugger
                           & Cross Reference
 
MIDNITE      16K    1    Build those walls in the old Refectory, but watch out
 MASON                    for thhose Ghosts!
..
 
 
                 # of
Module Name Size Players Description
----------- ---- ------- -~---------
 
 
PRO-TYPER     8K    1    Typing tutor + the game Ladderman
 
SORGAN II    16K    1    Turns your 4A into a true organ with bit/map graphics
 
SPOTSHOT     16K    1    As a giant Dragonfly your laser tongue defends against
                          beetles, crawlies, and you name it COLORFUL GRAPHICS
                           by the authors of PARSEC!
 
SPY'S DEMISE  8K    1    Penetrate the Bulgravian embassy & get the secret code
 
STARTRAP      8K    1    Shoot & defend against Darth Vader like fighters
 
TI-PLANNER    8K    1    Spreadsheet with 3 different sizes, disk or cass
 
TI-RUNNER    16K    1    50 screens of action while you escape from the
                          below the Battle Cruiser decks
MUNCHMAN II  16K    1    After Munchman,  Munch on.......
 
Miniwriter    8K    1    This word processor gives extra value, disk or cass
 
MICRAO       16K    1    Amazing bit map graphics provides a true pinball game
 PINBALL II
 
PARAPRINT     4K    1    Parallel printer interface plugs in the side of
                          the 4A, allows some formatting.
 
RED BARON    32K    1    Fly the skies of Europe in this WW I Filght Simulator
 
SPACE PATROL  8K    1    Aye, Aye Captain! to quadrant 7 of the Galaxy
 
STARGAZER    32K    1    Teaches ALL the constellations and stars, colorful bit
 I, II, III               map graphics
 
STRIKE 3!    16K    1    A great baseball game
 
TENNIS       16K   1/2   Tennis, anyone? a great tennis game in bit map
                          graphics
TI WORKSHOP  64K    1    Same as Magic Memory
 
TI TOAD       8K    1    Cross the highway and river of logs, but watchout
                          for that Croc!!!
 
WORDWRITER   16K    1    Better than TI Writer! disk or cass
 
WORDWRITER   16K    1    Better than TI Writer! allows underscore and bold print
 XTRA                      disk or cass
 
QMAZE        16K    1    Same as Jumpy

Out of the text file

[+acadiel]

I had a couple conversations with Bill Moseid around 1991 and again in 1999 or so (Model Masters is still his company.)

 

Interesting fellow.  The conversations I had didn't follow a normal back-forth conversation.  If I had to describe it, it was very abrupt, canned, "go away" type of conversation.  Maybe that was just his personality, but he didn't seem amenable to discussing anything.  Just very brash.  I can see that in his reply too as well as assume based on the replies how he wrote his original message.