Re: keycode program

["Robert Holmgren" holmgren@xxxxxxxx]

** Reply to message from cld@xxxxxxxx (Carl Distefano) on Sun, 12 Jan 2003
21:20:46 -0500


> The routine returns Scan Codes (VA$SC)... not Key Codes (VA$KC)...
> which is why, ahem, I call it SCANCODE.
...
> Without getting overly proprietary about it, may I ask that, in the
> future, you consult Robert and/or me before attempting to modify and
> redistribute his/my/our code?

Thank you! I didn't have the nerve to say it, but I sure thought it. It also
makes sense as a practical matter. I mean, Carl would surely be the first to
agree that if someone set out to perform this Scancode task, they would
inexorably end up with something more or less like Carl's code -- there just
aren't a lot of alternative approaches. It's straightforward and +|- simple,
in conception and execution. But frames like this are relatively few in U2
(and note well, even this was botched during modification, because it wasn't
completely understood). Most U2 frames are much more complex, and considerably
more delicate. Unauthorized mods will often land in deep technical trouble.

At the same time, I do want to emphasize that the *reason* we made U2 public in
the first place was to encourage programming and experimentation, and the
public discussion of it -- which, let's face it, occurs infrequently (a real
disappointment). It would be exciting if we discussed suggested tweaks and
ports (and fixes) to U2 programs, or to any programs, *publicly*.

The basic code of Myron's revision does adhere to the original and does work,
in both Xy4 and NB, even if it won't print to the screen anymore and the
SUbroutine mod makes no sense. Crippled it may be, but it's inconceivable that
it could bring NB down, much less necessitate a computer reboot.

-----------------------------
Robert Holmgren
holmgren@xxxxxxxx
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