[GreenKeys] RE: GreenKeys digest, Vol 1 #33 - 3 msgs

[Craig Zeller]

Chuck Swiger <cswiger@widomaker.com> wrote:
>
> Gang -
>
> 	Is this normal ?  Every key on the M32 will punch the same
> character on tape whether the machine is in FIGS or LTRS, i.e.,
> hit LTRS, "A" and get oo.xxx  (o = hole, . = sprocket, x = no hole),
> then hit FIGS, "A" and still get oo.xxx.  The printer prints either A or
> - depending on whether it's in LTRS or FIGS as expected. Every
> letter prints the same code on tape whether in LTRS or FIGS EXCEPT
> FOR D.   In LTRS D punches ox.xox, but when in FIGS, D punches the
> FIGS character, oo.xoo. The printer produces D or + ok. What's so
> special about D?   On my keyboard  the shift-D symbol is a big fat plus
> sign, almost a square with little notches in the corners. It's a Western
> Union surplus M32.
>

Chuck;

  It's working exactly as it should. The letters and figures keys generate
punch codes of their own. With only 5 bits, there are only 32 possible
permutations; not enough for the alphabet, numbers, and punctuation. 5 bit
coding generates the same punch pattern or transmitted bits in either LTRS
or FIGS, but what is printed is determined by whether a LTRS or FIGS
character
was last received. ASCII is different inasmuch as 8 bits allows for a full
mapping of both upper and lower case characters and punctuation plus control
characters.

Craig - WA6EKP
<zeller@zdi.net>