Hi All!

I'm thinking about teaching a class (tutorial) at next summer's HP
World, something like: "HP3000 Script Programming: Creating MPE/iX UDCs
and Command Files", and I need to tap the collective talent and memory
of the list.

First question:  I had a paper in my files on just such a topic from
about 4 or 5 years ago, and cannot find my copy of it (I thought it
might be a good starting place) - does anyone remember it?  Is the
author on the list?

Second question:  What to include?  I'm thinking of things like:
Benefits of UDCs; Benefits of Command Files; System/Account/User UDCs;
How HPPATH works; Calling sequence of UDCs and Command Files; Which
manual to look in/Where to look on the CD Rom for more detail; Functions
available (especially FINFO); Recent enhancements to LISTFILE and FINFO;
CI variables (HP@, too); The RETURN and ESCAPE commands; Recursion and
other limits; and anything else that I may have missed (this might be a
lot!)

Third question:  Would anyone like to contribute a favorite/frequently
used UDC/Command File? (with full credit for creating it - documentation
is a must!)  I have a few that I have created and use on a daily basis
and I'd like to distribute at least a printed copy of some samples and
otherwise useful shortcuts.  I know that several have been posted to the
list, and I have done some searching in the archives already.  Again,
the author gets full credit, whether it works or not!

Fourth question:  Is there any third-party vendor (hey! - one of you
guys in the Northwest - we're even a customer!) that would supply about
200 3.5" floppies and donate their facilities to copy a whole bunch of
command files and associated documentation onto them for distribution at
this class? (and maybe at their booth too?)  I'll do the collecting and
organizing, and write the paper to go with them.

Last question:  Is this a valid idea?  I've had to train programmers in
my own office, and I can't be the only one that's had to.  I have also
been to a couple of Interex/HP World conferences, and probably would
have attended just such a class myself, just to see if I could learn
anything new, or get a snazzy command file that I didn't have.  With the
renaissance of the 3000, the timing may be right, too!

Thanks in advance!

  +------------------------------------------------------------------+
   My mind is my own, as are my ideas and opinions.
   My heart, body, and soul, however, all belong to others.      Tim.
  +------------------------------------------------------------------+
   Tim Ericson             tericson    DenKor Dental Management Corp.
   Sr. Programmer/Analyst   at denkor   (aka Willamette Dental Group)
     (& Systems Manager)     dot com     503-526-4440 (direct number)
   Programming HP3000s since 1983!    http://www.teleport.com/~dental
  +------------------------------------------------------------------+