85p pled Issue 4
HEALTH
Cana micro
replace your doctor?
Special guide to
operating systems -
CP/M, MS-DOS, Unix
All about Basicode
Top 20
transportables
Denmark
Greece
Holland
Italy
Spain
Switzerland
Germany
France
Canada
Australia
Singapore
Kr34.
Ora 245
FL8.50
Pts360
SFr7.40
DMB.
C$4.
A$3.00
IS THIS LEVEL OF RELIABILITY
REALLY NECESSARY?
ACCUTRACK
If you’ve ever lost data due to a faulty disk, you know how
important reliability can be.
That’s why Accutrack disks are critically certified at 2-3
times the error threshold of your system. Why they’re
precision fabricated for higher signal quality, longer life and
less head wear. And why we take such extra steps as testing
single-density mini disks at double-density levels. So you don’t
have to worry about the reliability of your media.
Accutrack disks. OEMs have specified them for years. You
can trust them for your data.
Distributed in the United Kingdom by:
Penbie International (C.A.) Ltd.
23 Addington Road
Reading RG1 5PZ
Berkshire
Tel: (734) 664361
EY ACCUTRACK
Dennison KYBE (UK)
9 Colonial Way
Watford WD2 4JY
Tel: (923) 50596
Telex: 923321
Offices and representatives worldwide
@ Circle No: 101
>LIST
PRACTICAL COMPUTING
NEWS
1 HARDWARE NEWS
A roundup of the machines
now appearing on the horizon
2 SOFTWARE NEWS
Microsoft backs
Macintosh, plus a pile of
Commodore goodies.
47 IBM PC NEWS
Hardware add-ons, new
software and comms are the main
trends this month.
PREVIEWS
5 BEST OF BRITISH
DATABASES
Paul Myerscough reviews three of
the leading U.K. packages — Delta,
Tomorrow’s Office and Rescue.
64 YAMAHA + MSX —
THE NEW STANDARD?
We preview the first of the 15
Japanese MSX-standard micros to
reach the U.K.
68 KAYPRO’S PORTABLE
HARD-DISC MICRO
Our Transportable of the Year for
1983 reappears with a 10Mbyte hard
disc at a very attractive price.
7 4. HEALTH AND
EFFICIENCY
Chris Naylor looks at a selection of
programs that help you to stay
young and beautiful, diagnose your
illnesses, etc.
1 3 BBC GAMES
A selection of offerings
for the Acorn BBC Micro, put
through their paces by Neville
Maude.
1 4 BOOKS
John Cookson reviews
three volumes on advanced
programming techniques.
>FEATURES
7 WIN A £2,500
RML 480Z OUTFIT
Your last chance to enter our
languages competition for a luxury
Research Machines outfit complete
with colour monitor and software.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
8 BACKGROUND TO
BASICODE
Glyn Moody investigates Basicode,
the language adopted by Radio 4’s
Chip Shop computer programme.
8 BBC MICRO — VIEW
PRINTER DRIVER
Save money and get more features
with this versatile printer driver from
T L Morris.
87 APPLE II — IN
THE REAL WORLD
Peter and Owen Benson set up the
Apple II as a universal monitor for
physical processes.
| COMMODORE 64
GRAPHICS — PART 2
Boris Allan’s series on graphics
plotting introduces routines for
controlling colour.
96 FICTION — THE
SAME OLD QUESTION
In John Clarkson’s story an Al
system turns philosophical.
1 2 TOP 20
TRANSPORTABLES
Ian Stobie presents a section of
likely contenders from the mains-
powered portable micro market.
>OPERAT ING
SYS TENS
1 00 BRIDGING
THE GAP
Mike Lewis explains the purpose of
Operating systems, and the way they
have evolved.
APRIL 1994 |
1 0 OPERATING SYSTEMS
AT A GLANCE
A concise guide to the best
established operating systems, and
some new contenders.
1 04. THE STORY OF
CP/M
Mike Lewis on Gary Kildall’s
brainchild, now the dominant
business operating system.
1 0 UNIX — THE
MULTI-USER OS
Today’s trendiest operating system,
dubbed ‘‘the octopus in your tank’’,
assessed by Chris Bidmead.
1 1 MS-DOS — THE
16-BIT LEADER
Chris Bidmead on the origins and
progress of the system adopted by
IBM for its PC.
1 1 2 PICK — ONE FOR
THE FUTURE?
Russell Jones describes the powerful
mainframe and mini operating
system just appearing on micros.
?REGULARS
EDITORIAL — BOOM
AND BUST
The micro industry went into loss in
oat and more firms will go to the
wall.
FEEDBACK
Are computer war games
corrupting and immoral, or harmless
fun? The debate continues. . .
2 CHIP-CHAT
SON OF 6502
Ray Coles on an important new
16-bit chip descended from the
popular 6502.
35 SOFTWARE WORKSHOP
Mike Lewis’s monthly
column for software users moves on
to multi-tasking.
1 4 OPEN FILE
Free software for BBC,
Commodore, Sharp, Sinclair, Tandy
and Atari micros.
1 85 LAST WORD
CP/M IN BASIC
Complete listing for a new operating
system which ‘‘simulates CP/M’’
but is adaptable for any small micro
with Basic. It’s unbelievable!
WHAT IS IM?
* IM is a 4th generation information
management system * it allows you to
quickly and easily develop your own sys-
tems without computer expertise * IM
is intelligent * Teil it your problem and it
will produce the solution * IM does not
let you make mistakes * It is designed
for the businessman not the computer
expert.
INFORMATIO
MANAGEMENT
‘The magic that unlocks
your computer's mind
XM
WHY USE IM?
* 7JOOO copies already sold * WINNER
of Wangs Award for Technical Excel-
lence * Links with IBM’s general account-
ing package * Manufactured by BPI who
supply over 50% of IBM PC software
« Part of a developing range of integrated
PC software products. Fully supported
* Update service * Clear and easy to
use documentation.
Alfie) Now
or circle enquiry
For information on !/li and local dealers
Tel: 01-609 9661
Telex: 266222 ROLLIN G
Thames Software, Omnibus House
41 North Road, London N7 9DP
® Circle No. 102
EDITORIAL 01-661 3609
Editor
Jack Schofield
Assistant Editors
lan Stobie
Glyn Moody
Art Editor
Stephen Miller
Production Editor
John Liebmann
Sub-editor
Carol Hammond
Editorial Secretary
Sue Jordan
Consultants
Chris Bidmead
Peter Laurie
ADVERTISING 01-661 3612
Advertisement Manager
lan Carter 01-661 3021
Assistant Advertisement
Manager
Paul Braybrooke 01-661 8626
Advertisement Executives
Desmond Bond 01-661 3468
Lynne Brennan 01-661 8100
Mike Crimp 01-661 8425
Chris Marktewicz 01-661 3633
Advertisement Secretary
Janet Thorpe
Midlands office:
David Harvett 021-356 4838
Northern office:
Geoff Aikin 061-872 8861
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR
Chris Hipwell
Published by Electrical Electronic
Press, Quadrant House, The Quadrant,
Sutton, Surrey SM25AS. Tel:01-661
3500. Telex/grams 892084 BISPRS G.
Distributed by Business Press
International Ltd, Quadrant House.
La gal Sutton. Surrey SM2
Subscriptions: U.K. £13 per annum;
Overseas £19 per annum; selling
Price in Eire subject to currency
exchange fluctuations and VAT;
airmail rates available on application
to Subscription Manager. Business
Press International Ltd, Oakfield
House, Perrymount Road, Haywards
Heath, Sussex RH16 3DH, Tel: 0444
459188.
Printed in Great Britain for the
Proprietors Business Press
International Ltd by Eden Fisher
(Southend) Ltd, Southend-on-Sea.
Typeset by Centrepoint Typesetters.
London EC1.
©Business Press International Ltd
1984
Would-be authors are welcome to
send articles to the Editor but PC can-
not undertake to return them. Pay-
ment is at £35 per published page.
Submissions should be typed or
computer-printed and should include
a tape or disc of any program, Hand-
written material is liable to delay and
error.
Every effort is made to check articles
and listings but PC cannot guarantee
that programs will run and can accept
no responsibility for any errors.
Editorial
Boom-bus
TAKE A revolutionary new product that over a
mere seven years will change the lives of two-
thirds of the country’s population. The product
is highly portable, production costs are lower
than anywhere else and the quality is higher.
You know that sales will increase by over 10,000
percent in seven years, then spread over two-
thirds of the entire world. Would you invest in
it?
No, this is not the microcomputer. This is
America in 1946, it’s the television set, and the
figures are for sales up to 1953.
According to Norman Macrae in The
Economist magazine, the number of firms
making TVs in America quadrupled. But ‘‘even
in the boom years, less than half of the
American firms sometime operating in this
healthy market ever showed a really healthy
positive cash flow, and in the five years after
1953 more than three-quarters closed down,
increasingly on terms equivalent to going bust.”’
There are innumerable other examples.
Macrae quotes the correct forecasts for 1952 to
1982 of passenger miles flown in airlines
increasing by 3,200 percent and that by 1982 all
the biggest airlines would be going bust.
In the middle of last year, Practical
Computing in its Fifth Birthday Editorial was
sounding a warning note. ‘‘This is the
microcomputer boom. After the boom comes
bust.”
It is extremely unlikely that anyone took the
warning seriously. Yet within a few months
companies began to go into receivership with
increasing frequency, and in America sought
protection from creditors under the Chapter 11
law. The list includes Osborne, Computer
Devices, HH, Almare, Digico, Grundy Business
Systems, Victor, Information Technology and
Computer Services, and many more. Other
companies have secured injections of cash,
including Dragon, Torch, Oric and Camputers.
Two major companies, Texas Instruments
and Mattel, have been forced out of the home-
computer market by massive losses. Several
companies have made smaller losses. Vector
Graphic is having problems. Corvus is moving
DBlCCcPaonyvocancsocagavuy she
PPFVOCVC TIVE PP Hen siase,
“l sold my HP calculator and Steve solid his van and we
used the money to hire a printed circuit artist to lay out the
boards. While we were thinking about making the first
boards, Steve received a telephone call to place a $25,000
order for 50 complete computers, fully built. We were
planning to sell only blank boards but these were orders
for boards which were fully stocked with the ICs.
“The order was from the local Byte Shop. By arranging
credit properly we were able to get all the components we
needed to build the boards. Then we went and sold them
on the date for which the purchase order was made out
and were able to pay our creditors. It was a very neat
5909985 iagsgsssgag mas El eee 95392 QoURI85
v?3;eo67 8 Tn et ease eS eee
co. ua)
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
BO Jet a Et ete,
into loss and Apple’s fourth-quarter profits
crashed. In 1983/4, Atari is set to lose over $500
million.
All the firms mentioned, and their products,
may survive and prosper. Osborne is still trading
successfully, the Newbrain lives on in Holland,
Almarc has been purchased as a going concern
— and so on. But the severity of the situation
was made clear by Apple’s recent annual report
which said that ‘‘At one point in 1983, the
combined losses in the home computer segment
of the market exceeded the profits being earned
in-the total industry.’’ In 1983, for the first time
the microcomputer industry went into loss.
| Some companies will still makes lots of money
out of micros. Sinclair, for example, could easily
sell a million QLs. Orders could already run to
100,000 machines worth £40 million. But it is
unlikely that the industry as a whole will make a
worthwhile profit for some years now. It is a
sobering thought.
In our own field, while Practical Computing
has shown a profit this financial year, we suspect
that the business of publishing microcomputer
magazines is already running heavily into loss.
Companies are supposedly investing in the
future by desperately throwing magazines at the
bookstalls. As we know, most will survive for a
couple of years, because there are always mugs
who will buy them and their hard-sell
advertising space. But when the real shake-out
comes they will disappear, having lost their
publishers a considerable amount of money in
the meantime. Another sobering thought.
If it is any consolation, the successes will be
worthwhile. A lot of small companies will do
very well, just as today small airlines are
| prospering as never before. It is encouraging too
that a small company like Microvitec can make a
| better colour monitor than the mighty IBM, can
| make it in Bradford, and can sell it cheaper than
IBM.
| But the microcomputer industry is now pretty
much on a par with slot-machines in Las Vegas,
with one difference. In the micro industry far
| more money is at risk. Just hope none of it is
your pension fund.
5 Years ago "
£O00%a4
Or aS OY et eT |
#083
DOVOKLAASLCIOGOCHCOIOAOONGS
ee Rene ee ee EM See ere ed a]
~ operation, We were able to turn the whole thing around
very fast, in less than a month. That put us in business —
in a garage.
“We decided to call the company Apple. Steve was
working at a place called Apple Orchard, or something like
that, In Oregon. It’s a really great name — It's one of those
names which sticks.
"We used the garage for a year and we didn't move too
Many computers, about 200; but it was the name which
sold, and we started advertising in the magazines.”
Steve Wosniak
Interviewed in PC Volume 2 Issue 4
SO9SIIIIIIGGATG RS AI 9GS4G:
TOS VSG 5G ME a5 Heo TOT ED ES OS AOD ee ET Tee
boote hee UR,
et le all
LOR be NE «
LONDON COMPUTER CENTRE
ADVANCED
PERSONAL
COMPUTER
16 bit 8086 128K RAM
2.4 Mb Disk storage
CP/MB6-MSDOS
reen Screen £1,985 ’
Colour Display £259 apricot 16 bit 128K Expandable
to 256K. MSDOS. 2 Drives, Monitor
LCC SPECIAL BUNDLE BPSSaenversrn £1,200 software included
Nearly £1,000 Software included (Wordstar, Mailmerge, Spelistar, Supersort,
NEC Bock Printer aap cea from £1,495 Datastar, Reportstar, Calcstar)
Benchmark WP Software RRP £311 7 Lt |
Galles Bs og Sit Disk S7 £2,195 aered anal =e
2,721 A i rage s 4 A
you pay £1,985 2.4 Mb Disk storage geass” eps Sne Prive Monitor
you saver £786 10 Mb Disk storage £3,995 = ordstar Galestan~
COMPUTERS DOT MATRIX HARD D
EPSON Qx10 Settee PRINTERS Hard Disks for IBM PC
TANDY 4 from £1,299 STAR DELTA 101 60cps Avec 10 Mb : £1,545
TELEVIDEO 806/816 PHONE EESON FX60 i60cps PHONE 20 Mb £1995
SUPERBRAIN PHONE . EA lgecps ron 20 Mb Tape Streamer £1,495
PORTABLES » _RX80FT 100cps PHONE PLO ERS
NEC 8023 100cps €375 HEWLETT-PACKARD 7475A
TOSHIBA 2100 £1,130 6 Pen colour £1,401
CORONAPC _ CANON PT1080A Colour Printer £453 ROLAND DXY 800/101
IBM PC Compatible 6 Pen colour A3 £520
256K RAM DAISYWHEEL PIXY3 3 Pen colour A4 £599
Twin Drives £2,295 PRINTER SWEET P 6 Pen colour
ZORBA with free 12" Ss HP7475A Compatible £995
Monitor. Software qECE A ed Piped MODEMS/MONITORS
worth £800 included £1,395 TEC F1500 £450 Buzz Box. Direct Connect Modem £65
JUKI 18cps £399 Sendata Acoustic Coupler £220
LAP PORTABLES
UCHIDA 18cps £399 Philips 12" Green. Hi Res £75
Taxan 12" RGB Hi Res for IBM £399
SHEETFEEDERS JT accessOnIes
NEC 8201 16K £475 BDT 2 Tray Auto £595 4 Disk Pri
EPSON HX20 16K from £402 BDT 3 Tray Auto a Canes Poe
TANDY 100 8K £433 807 Single £375 Ribbons Labels
Juki Sheet Feeder £239 Cables Computer cleaning kits
| @)
Juki Tractor Feeder £99 D.
SOFTWARE 8/16 Bi
The comprehensive range includes | Looking for an easy-to-use cost effective
WORDSTAR £235 D BASE II £349 File Handling System?
SUPERCALC IVili 190/275 SPELLING CHECKER £80 oth
WORD PROCESSING £ LANGUAGES £ Thank ' d It’s
Spellbinder 290
MBasic 215
Peach Pack” 332 MBasic Compiler 235 @
Mutimate C Compiler 330 6
Spellstar Fortran 80/86 325
Maillist 50
K
2
Cis Cobol/Forms2 399/105
PNANGIAL PLANNING - Pascal Mr SSP 360 = Tl SYN | f
‘ascal oe
Plannercaic 85 ACCOUNTING AS i F
Multiplan 170 Pegasus from 250 : by H ‘ TA ;
Lae Be err = Friday will take care of your Files, Reports, Diary,
FastBase 150 Exact 500 Mailing and much more. It enables electronic files to
Autocode ie Pulsar from 195 be set up. Reports can be displayed and retrieved fast
ra Ae es from all or part of a file. Friday is fast and versatile. It is
Friday } 85 Crosstalk "36 designed for beginners. S
infostar Moveit 80/86 ;
DMS 400 be ae Friday enables you to prepare custom reports
UTILMES - fics eae ae. 1G to suit your requirements and presentation.
Sid £60, ZSid £76, i i vs,
neeren sseasiemalia Friday enables you to sort and select any field. as
FORMATS: Superbrain. Televideo. Sirius. Sanyo. Osborne Friday uses on screen prompts and help
Northstar, 8° SD. DEC. Epson QX-10. IBM menus to guide you through the job
ICL, H-P. XEROX, ALTOS. Apricot, NEC-APC & many more you are doing.
All prices are exclusive of VAT
43 Grafton Way, London W1P 5LA (Opposite Maples)
Opening Hours: 10-7 Mon-Fri. 12-4 Sat.
01-387 4455 (4 lines). Telephone Answering Service After Office Hours
Telex: 8953742
@ Circle No. 103
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
argames
OLIVER VOLCKERS’ remarks on
computer war games — PC,
February, page 7 — deserve
wider currency. The editorial
comment suggests three possible
considerations:
1. computer war games may be
bracketed with chess, and
hence share its social
responsibility
2. computer war games may be
historically accurate
3. computer war games may be
educational.
To describe chess as a war
game is really stretching
semantics to the extreme. Chess
is an abstract, intellectual game,
played according to strict and
fixed rules. To attempt to
describe it in the vocabulary of
conflict as a war game is at
worst dishonest and at best
merely trite.
Mere historical accuracy is
not of itself a justification for
the marketing of programs or
games that attempt to simulate
the death or torture of other
people. Would historical
accuracy alone justify games
along the lines of ‘*. . . you are
leader of a group of militiamen
in Beirut, and your task is to
break into the refugee camps
and machine-gun to death as
many men, women and children
as you can ...”’ or **.. . how
many Jews can you gas before
the Allies arrive (bonus points
for gold fillings) . . .”’?
Such computer nasties are not
so far away. Yet historically
accurate games simulating the
killing of other people are not
qualitatively different from
these. In any case, historical
accuracy 1s nol a particularly
important attribute of role-play
war games where the player is
not confined greatly by the
Original
modelled.
The concept of situation
modelling is important in
relation to arguments that war
games can have an educational
value. A model of any situation
is an abstraction of certain
elements of what is being
modelled. The first thing to be
realised by any competent
computer scientist is the grave
limitations imposed on a model
situation being:
by the abstraction process,
and the almost grievous
consequences of significant
deviations from these limi-
tations. Ignorance of the
limitations of a model may not
mean much to a war-game role
player, but it makes nonsense of
any educational value. Nor is
the player’s involvement a
Passive one; it is an active
involvement in and rein-
forcement of the ethos of
killing.
It may be argued that
computer war games can
inculcate a sense of revulsion in
the player, or that clearing
graphic blobs from a TV screen
is too distant from the real
world. Nevertheless such games
do not sell on the basis of
teaching revulsion of war, but
allow the sensation of killing to
be experienced at considerable
psychological distance from the
objects of the killing, a factor
described by Jo Weizenbaum
as the ‘‘psychic numbing’’
required to make ordinary
people do horrible things to
ordinary people.
it is no accident that the U.S.
Army has reportedly installed
video machines so that soldiers
may play war games supplied by
a well known computer games
organisation. This is happening
in a world where Mr Reagan has
stated that ‘‘the Space Invader
playing kids of today will be the
fighter and bomber pilots of
tomorrow’’. In real high-tech
warfare, where the enemy may
well only be seen as graphic
blobs on a TV screen, the notion
of the computer war game may
not seem too far removed from
the real world after all.
Alex Macphee,
Edinburgh.
| WONDER whether Mr V6lckers
is pulling your leg? The object
of Eastern Front is not to plan
the death of men most
effectively. The object is to
understand what happened
note the tense, this is history —
and hope to understand better
why it happened.
If children stand any chance
of believing war is fun us a result
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
of playing the game, then TV
and the elaborate reaction
timers called arcade games will
already have turned them into
psychotics.
Bill Radcliffe,
Teddington,
Middlesex.
YOU ARE WRONG. Chess is not a
war game, any more than bridge
or cribbage are. As for war
games, yes they are harmful —
especially to people of poor
character and inadequate
imagination. They instil a
dangerous ability to depersonal-
ise death, destruction and the
‘“enemy”’. They are extended in
wartime by deliberate phrases
like Gooks, Reds, the Hun, who
can be ‘‘wiped away’’ or
‘‘iquidated’’.
On the other hand, | know
several people who played with
toy soldiers as children and
became pacifists. But I suspect
they were more sensitive than
most.
if this is true, war games area
means of brutalising people in
the guise of entertainment for
the profit of a few. Therefore
they are to be opposed, like
video nasties. Both induce |
laziness too! But minorities
copy them to commit some
crimes.
A Kennaway,
Ashtead,
Surrey.
FOR SOME time now we have
been concerned about the war-
like nature of most computer
games. War is horrible, and
using il as a basis for games
must influence the player’s
mind to an acceptance of death
and destruction.
There is a growing number of
people who are searching for
games that are not warlike. We
know of some such games but
feel that there are many more.
= Feedback 2 —=
Our group is working towards
the publication of a list of non-
warlike games. We would be
glad to receive suggestions of
games suitable for inclusion.
James Hough,
Microtechnology Group,
Quaker Social
Responsibility and Education,
Friends House,
Euston Road,
London NWI 2BJ
@ The editor replies:
1. Surely most games are war
games in the sense that the
player tries to occupy the
opponent’s territory, often
remove his players, or pieces, or
counters, Or armies, and
convert supremacy into victory.
Backgammon and Go are two
examples. The board game Risk
is a classic in this genre. Chess is
about the death of enemy pawns
and the capture of the enemy
warlord, isn’t it? The only
difference is the level of
abstraction. in Eastern Front,
the object of the game is to
move your little white squares as
far to the right of the board as
possible, though in the game
this is put in historical context.
Why is this harmful?
2. At first sight the argument
has nothing to do with video
games, insofar as the principle is
the same with board games, etc.
However, when human plays
computer, human is most likely
to lose. It seems more sig-
nificant that in most video
games the human players are
| faced with ultimate defeat, no
matter how heroically they
battle against overwhelming
odds. Space Invaders, Def-
ender, Missile Command and
Gorf are examples; Eastern
Front is another, Computers are
already better than humans at
Backgammon and Go, and
better than 98 percent of
humans at chess. Are we being
conditioned to lose, and how
will this affect society?
Pi-mania
NO, nobody can give Mr Mehew
— see Feedback, PC, October
1983 — a precise value for z.
Such a thing does not exist, and.
(continued on next page)
Our Feedback columns offer readers the opportunity
of bringing their computing experience and problems
to the attention of others, as well as to seek our
advice or to make suggestions, which we are always
happy to receive. Make sure you use Feedback — it is
your chance to keep in touch.
(continued from previous page)
this is the implicit in Mr Chugg’s
reply, January 1984, when he
gave the infinite series for 7.
The number z is transcendental,
it cannot be expressed as a
fraction, and does not recur or
terminate when expressed as a
decimal. All values obtainable
are therefore approximations of
differing degrees of accuracy.
Various fractions or ex-
pressions used to give an
approximation may be put
further in error by the method
that the computer uses to
evaluate them. The most
reliable method would seem to
be to enter the required value
directly, stored as a variable if
) necessary. It is quite -easy to
keep a reference note of a value
to a much higher degree of
precision than will be needed,
and enter the number of correct
significant figures when
wanted.
| keep a record ot the value
correct to 15 significant figures:
3.14159265358979
which if used in any calculation
would give an error of less than
4cm. in a light-year. As an
engineer | am not really
interested in such precision, and
in the cold hard world of cost-
effective compromises six
significant figures give all the
accuracy that anyone is
normally prepared to pay for.
A Jackson,
Pollenca,
Mallorca,
Spain.
Nascom
lives!
| READ in the ‘*5 Years Ago”’
spot on page 5 of the December
issue of the delivery of your first
Nascom |.
You may be interested to
know that the Nascom | is still
available in kit form for
immediate delivery at £49.95
TINS PROGRAM Is FOR
THE REAL ENTHUSIAST...
AT LEAST 200 ERRORS. |
eed
plus VAT. Since our purchase
of the assets of Nascom Lid,
Nascom | and Nascom 2 kits
have been offered alongside our
range of business and edu-
cational machines and have
continued to sell well, mainly in
OEM form but also to end-
users.
J B Garner,
Lucas Microcomputers,
Wedgnock Industrial Estate,
Warwick.
Microbee
users
i AM a user of the Australian
Z-80 based Microbee personal
computer. It is good value for
money as it has a_ built-in
word processor and ADM3A
terminal emulator in ROM with
the Christensen protocol,
battery backed-up CMOS
RAM, 64-by-16 or 80-by-24
screen and has serial
parallel ports as standard
fittings. The disc model
is supplied with MBasic,
WordStar, Multiplan and
public domain CP/M utilities.
1 know that the Microbee is
sold in many European and
Asian countries. | would like to
get in touch with users outside
Australia who would like to
know more about the local
scene. | would also like to see
copies of Bee advertisements in
foreign magazines. All letters
will be answered.
Fit Lt Ash Nallawalla,
RAAF Academy,
Point Cook,
Vie 3029.
Australia.
Five years on
JUS TO let you know that | have
picked up my prize in. your
Commodore Birthday
Competition from Peter Walker
GUARANTEED To
PRovipe ENDLESS
Hours OF
FRUSTRATION AND
EXASPERATION...
and |
Associates with whom | have
been corresponding since
November. | would like you to
know that they were very
helpful and considerate 10 me
and managed to get most of
my selection for me before
Christmas.
As a result of this new toy in
our household, two people
previously uninterested in
computers have now become
computer fans. Amy, our two-
year old, is not surprisingly
fascinated with it. More
remarkably her mother,
previously a campaigning
computerphobic, has become
hooked so | now find difficulty
in using the 64 as she is
constantly at the keys.
Five years ago Practical
Computing introduced me to
the fascination of personal
computers, and it looks as if this
year you’ve done it again lor the
rest of my family. | can’t tell
you how pleased | am.
Trevor Hatchett,
Manchester.
CP/M
recovery
MIKE LEWIS'S tip lor recovering
from a situation in which a
CP/M BDOS error has aborted
the program is to have a zero-
length file on disc called
Restart.Com. An attempt to
load this file results in a jump to
100, the start of the transient
program area, where
aborted program and all its
variables should, with luck, be
found intact.
Actually Restart.Com need
not already be on disc. You can
SAVE 0 RESTART.COM
even after the crash. In fact vou
can perform any of the resident
CP/M commands — Dir, Ren,
Era, etc. — without mucking up
your program because they do
not use the TPA.
... BUT WITH AN
OVER-RIDING
FAIL- SAFE
MECHANISM...
the.
Feedback— =
Even if you inadvertently use
a non-resident command, such
as Stat or Pip, all may not be
lost. Restore will not get back
your program but you can
SAVE 50 RAMBUFF.COM
the name is not important. You
can then work on it with DDT
or Zspat.
The Zspat utility is invaluable
to anyone with CP/M. I| don't
know how | survived two years
without it. It enables you to
examine the disc sector by
sector, jumping directly to any
specified track/sector you wish
and then to overwrite any
ASCII data you find there. |
only wish it could send a Null,
Ctrl-L; it would be the handiest
way of unerasing a file.
Malcolm Ross-Macdonald,
Offaly,
Ireland.
Acacia diary
MANY FHANKS to Neville Maude
for his factual and accurate
review of the Acacia’s
Electronic Diary system for
the BBC Microcomputer.
However, his comparison of the
desk-top diary plus an alarm
clock with our device on the
price-only basis is not valid.
The Electronic Diary pro-
vides its user with facilities
that are just not available with
the paper version. A desk-top
diary will not automatically sort
out and display all the messages
relevant to today, including the
reminders trom previous dates
that have not been taken care
of. It is possible to enter
reminders beyond the end of
this century. The equivalent
desk-top diaries will occupy
considerable space, and are not
even in print yet
Eugene Zabarski,
Acacia Computers Ltd,
Bromley,
hent.
..-A BUILT-IN
SEUF- DE STRUCT
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
HP 1S0 at a Glance User Memory: 256K-640K bytes. Operating System: MS-DOS 2.11 Microprocessor 16-bit, Intel 8088, 8Mhz. Permanent Memory: (ROM) 160K bytes
Diagnostics; Power-on set-testing Display Screen: Touch-activated. green phosphor, 80 characters x 27 lines. 9 x 14 character matnx. Upper and lower case. Simultaneous text and
graphics capabality. 390v x 512h graphics resolution 1024 characters and symbols in ROM, Keyboard: 107 keys {lotal), 8-ft, cord attaches to system unit. 10-key numeric pad. 12 function
keys (B screen labelled). Compact Size: 2.1 sq. ft. desk space. Communications: 2 RS:232 ports (Built-in) HP4B {EEE-488} {uilt-mn) IBM 3278 {SDLC, BSC), early 1984. Up to 19.200
bits per second DSN network {ink Perpherais: Choice of printers {including optional mternal printer}, plotters, 3.5° tloppy drives {264KB formatted), Winchester hard discs {5 and
15 Mbyte} “MS™/DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
The unique Touchscreen
on the Hewlett-Packard 150
clears the mind wonderfully of
computer confusion.
Anyone can put a finger
instantly on what professional
computing is all about.
Just by touching the screen
you can edit aletter;makea chart,
find an address; make a forecast;
and tell it what to do next.
The Hewlett||Packard 150
also hasa full keyboard-just like
any ordinary computer.
And a price tag in the same
bracket.
Getin touch on 0734 696622
extension 4252.
Put me in touch with the HP-150 Touchscreen Personal Computer.
Name.
Position
} Company.
* | Address.
Telephone. PG 4184
. To: Enquiry Section, Personal Computers, Hewlett-Packard Ltd.,
Eskdale Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire RGIL 502.
HEWLETT
hp PACKARD
® Circle No. 104
g
AT YOUR HNGEF
COMPLETE NEW RAN
This is Sanyos new range of normal to high resolu
tion graphic display monitors. Designed for the custome
who specifically demands a high quality product a
a realistic price.
A complete range in every sense (size,
colour capability and input versatility) tha
has evolved directly from the experienc
and advanced technology of one of th
TiPS IHE KEY IOA
GE OF DATA MONITORS
worlds leading colour television and computer product manufacturers.
A range that’s available now at your fingertips.
If youre investing in business micros for the first time, or just simply
>xtending your present system, phone STC on 0279 26777 or Micro
-eripheral on 0256 3232.
Alternatively, clip the coupon and we'll tell you all about Sanyo,
he key to a complete new range of data monitors.
SEE SANYO THEN DECIDE
a SANYO
Mini's too expensive
For a multi-user business system expandable to 16 screens you used
to need a sizeable mini, say from DEC or Burroughs, with a hefty
price-tag for hardware and software, with long time-scales.
Micro’s
too small
Micros, like Altos, Sage and Rair,
8-bit or 16-bit, are doomed by CPU
degradation, being based on the
time-sharing principle. PCs, like
IBM and Apricot/Sirius, just aren't
in this league at all, networked or
otherwise.
multi-user system..
SuperStar is a multi-processor system in
which up to sixteen 16-bit processors, each
with up to 1Mb RAM, are integrated in an
attractive desk-top unit. All users can work at
full speed in genuine multi-user, multi-tasking
mode with full file/record locking and spooling.
At half the price of a mini and a give-away
price for the world’s largest selection of software,
SuperStar is just right for any multi-user
application.
£5975 buys a complete 2-user high-
performance system, with 10Mb winchester and
VDUs. Additional users for £995 each, including
VDU and processor.
Supports all CP/M and MS-DOS programs as
well as the wide range of BROMCOM genuine multi-
user software.
417-421 Bromley Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 4PJ
Tel: 01-697 8933 Telex 896691 TLX1RG
OEM, Dealer and Overseas enquiries are welcomed.
,
SuperStar is a trade mark of Bromley
Computer Consultancy. CP/Mis a
trade mark of Digital Research. MS-
DOS is a trade mark of MICROSOFT.
SuperStar-16 has a 16-bit poy Processor which runs IMPOS (BROMCOM designed true 16-bit controlling operat
ing
syStem). IMPOS supports Cl MS-DOS and shortly Xenix in slav lke ‘Ocessors in any combination and it is fully upward
compatible with ACTION PCOS Televideo MmmOST and TurboDO:
\L mm Frea_oti. hleaw ¢{nrner
SANYO HAS launched two new
machines based on the 8088
processor, running under MS-
DOS. The MBC-550 is the entry
machine with up to 256K of
RAM and 8K of ROM. The 550
has one floppy with a capacity
of 160K and the MBC-555 has
two.
The detachable keyboard is
connected by a coiled cord and
has five function keys in
addition to a numeric keypad.
The monitor is extra; both high-
resolution mono and colour
options are available. A
Centronics port is provided as
News: hardware
Sanyos 16 bits
standard, with an additional
RS-232 option.
The MBC-550 comes with
WordStar and Calestar, and the
555 also offers Spelistar,
Mailmerge and Datastar among
others as standard. It is claimed
that a substantial amount of
IBM PC compatible software
can be run.
The MBC-5S50 costs £699 plus
VAT, and the MBC-555 sells
for £899. Details from Sanyo
Marubeni (U.K.) Limited, 8
Greycaine Estate, Watford,
Hertfordshire WD2 4QU.
Telephone: Watford 46363.
Datapen
Lightpen
DATAPEN’S LIGHTPEN allows
high-resolution pictures to be
generated on the BBC Micro,
Dragon 32, Vic-20 and
Commodore 64. It is used in
conjunction with the associated
software package Hi-res Draw.
An on-screen menu normally
resides at the bottom of the
screen. Toggling it on or off
permits both freehand and
accurate line drawing.
A further program called
Colour-Draw allows the colour
facilities of the micros to be
utilised on screen. Intro is used
to move sprite graphics.
Graphics may be saved to tape
at any point.
The Datapen Lightpen
together with the three
programs and.a handbook cost
£25, inclusive of VAT and
postage. Details from Datapen
Microtechnology Limited,
Kingsclere Road, Overton,
Hampshire RG25 3JB.
16032
upgrade for
Z-80 micros
RESEARCH MACHINES 380Z
machines and S-100 based
micros based on a Z-80 CPU
can now be upgraded to
run National Semiconductor’s
powerful new 32-bit 16032
processor.
The 16032 uses the Z-80 for
all 1/O operations, so there is no
need to rewrite the disc-
operating software. As a result,
the user can swap easily between
CP/M and the 16032’s multi-
tasking operating system
MDOS- 16000.
A macroassembler and a text
editor, are supplied with the
system. Pascal and Fortran
compilers are promised too.
Both will generate native code
for the 16032, rather than using
the slower intermediate p-code
system.
Kit-1 costs £1,795. As well
as the 16032 it includes
an additional floating-point
arithmetic chip. Further
information can be obtained
from Merlin Microcomputers
Limited, 6 Wesley House
Cottage, New Inn Hall Street,
Oxford OX1 2DW. Telephone:
(0865) 251255.
8086 ona
Rana
THE RANA 8086/2 allows the
Apple II to run both MS-DOS
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
and standard Apple DOS
programs. The appropriate
Operating system is selected
automatically according to the
format of the disc inserted.
The 8086-based system comes
complete with two disc drives,
356K of RAM and video
circuitry allowing various text
and graphics modes. Software
included with the system is MS-
DOS, GWBasic and Microsoft
Windows.
The system costs about
£1,300 and is available from
Pete & Pam Computers, New
Hall Hey Road, Rawtenstall,
Rossendale, Lancashire.
Telephone: (0706) 212321.
Brother
computer
typewriter
BROTHER'S EP-44 offers a range
of functions from electronic
typewriter to full duplex send-
and-receive computer terminal.
The unit is powered by four
standard 1.5V batteries, and
weighs less than 5lb. An adaptor
is also available for mains
operation.
In addition to a button-type
keyboard — like the IBM PCjr
— there is a 15-character liquid-
crystal! display unit and a dense
24-by-18 non-impact dot-matrix
printer. This thermal head_ is
claimed to provide letter-quality
print with true ascenders and
descenders on lower-case
letters.
The machine possesses a
(continued on page 15)
Shorts
e@ Digital Research’s Soft Net
is available for the Future
range of micros. The system
runs on Concurrent CP/M
and requires a £184 RAM
upgrade to 256K. The
network system itself will
either cost £10 per unit or
£100 for a complete
configuration. Details from
Future. Telephone: 01-683
0111.
@ The A3 and A4 digital
graphics plotters from Gould
Bryans have been reduced in
price. The A4 version with
seven colour pens now costs
£1,495 instead of £1,895, and
the 10-pen A3 is now £1,995
instead of £2,290.
Information on 01-640 3490.
@ Spectravideo Ltd has been
set up to handle the
importation and distribution
of all Spectravideo products,
for which it will have sole
U.K. distribution rights. CK
Computers of Weston-Super-
Mare, which hitherto has
distributed the Spectravideo
SV-318 and SV-328, will
continue to deal with the
machines, acting as a link to
the small retailer section of
the distribution market.
@ Plessey is introducing a
new micro built around the
iAPX 80186 processor
| {running at 8MHz. The ;
machine will come with 256K
of RAM as standard,
together with two 400K 3.5in.
floppies. Also included in the
£1,895 price is a monitor,
keyboard and one operating
system. Further information
from Plessey. Telephone:
(0602) 254822.
@ The Ampex Pyxis 5.25in.
Winchester sub-system can be
hooked up to a range of
machines including the Apple
II and IBM PC. The basic
unit costs from £1,767 for
the SMbyte version to £2,518
for the 20Mbyte system.
Interface adaptors for
specific machines cost from
£107 for the Apple to £142
for the IBM PC. Telephone:
(04215) 66321.
@ GEC McMichael Ltd, the
consumer electronics division
of GEC, has taken over the
sales and marketing functions
for all Dragon products
within the U.K.
iis
14
Over the past seven years, we’ve got used to solving other peoples’ problems.
The chances are we have the answers to your computer queries, too.
We'll suggest the system that will best fit into your business environment,
help you put the pieces together, and show you how data processing
completes the picture.
In other words, pre-sales advice, installation and training, plus full
technical support, are all part of our comprehensive service.
Call us today, and we’ll arrange a free demonstration.
NEC bi Ese apricot
‘Telephone or write now
for a free product catalogue:
Feit th> ABS
Interam Computer Store, WS Gp Gwen s GR’
abl be lly " MIGHOGOMEOTER SPECIALISTS
46 Balham High Road,
London, swl2 OBR. 1, FLOOR. THAMES HOUSE. SOUTHBANK BUSINESS CENTRE.
Tel: 01-675 5325 Telex: 925859 RN Te OSES Teen E889
®@ Circle No. 107
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
(continued from page 13)
4,000 character memory and
RS-232 interface. A number of
word-processing functions are
available, including automatic
carriage return at line end, line
centring and underlining and
superscript and subscript
printing.
The EP-44 costs £220 plus
VAT. Brother has also an-
nounced the HR-5 computer
printer, with 80 columns and a
non-impact dot-matrix head.
The price is £179.95 plus VAT.
Details may be obtained from
Brother Office Equipment
Division, Shepley Street, Guide
Bridge, Audenshaw, Man-
chester M34 5JD. Telephone:
061-330 0111.
Graphics pa
THE KOALA PAINTER graphics
pad, is now available for Apple
and Atari micros. The Apple
version costrs £91.60 and can be
obtained from Pete & Pam
Computers. Telephone: (0706)
227011. The Atari version costs
£69 and comes from Silica Shop
Ltd. Telephone: 01-310 1111.
Optim
Personal
THE OPTIM 1050 personal
computer has two processors, a
Z-80A and a 6502, but is not
Apple compatible. The Z-80A is
used as the CPU and handles
128K of RAM, while the 6502
controls the screen, providing
640-by-300 pixel bit-mapped
graphics.
It has twin 400K floppy-disc
drives which are said to read
Kaypro and DEC Rainbow disc
formats too. In other respects
the Optim 1050 is a fairly
standard system with a 93-key
detached keyboard featuring a
numeric keypad and 17 function
keys.
Software bundled with the
package is WordStar,
Mailmerge, Multiplan and DR
Graph, plus CBasic. The price is
£1,995.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Contact Optim Computer
Group plc, Lawford House,
Harrow Road, London W10
4RE. Telephone: 01-969 6768.
Class warfare
THE BATTLE for the minds of
today’s youth is hotting up.
Until March 31 Apple is
offering educational
establishments 30 percent off a
range of Apple II and II]
systems. As reported last month
in Practical Computing
Commodore is currently
promoting an educational
package with a saving of £170
on the list price of £469.99.
In retaliation to all this
transatlantic hard sell, Acorn
Computers is striking back by
offering a $995 package to
American schools and colleges.
It consists of the BBC Micro,
disc unit, speech synthesis and
word-processing software.
Econet is also included. Acorn
aims to capture a major share of
the market by the end of 1984 —
and that market is estimated as
being worth over $600 million
by 1986.
Details of the Apple and
Commodore schemes can be
obtained from local dealers.
BBC digitiser
A VIDEO DIGITISER for the BBC
Micro has been produced by R
H Electronics Ltd. The unit
comes complete with power
supply, and is connected to the
computer using the IMHz bus.
The digitiser can be used with
any video source, including a
video camera or recorder.
The software is supplied on a
ROM chip that plugs into one of
the micro’s spare slots. The
digitised image may be dis-
played in all graphics modes
of the BBC Micro, stored on
disc or cassette and reproduced
on an Epson printer.
A software package called
Artfun allows selected portions
of a digitised image to be blown
up and modified with a light-
pen.
The digitiser costs £212.50
plus VAT, and Artfun costs
£11.95 and £9.95 for the disc
and cassette versions res-
pectively. Details can be
obtained from R H Electronics
Ltd, Chesterton Mill, French’s
Road, Cambridge CB4 3NP.
Telephone: (0223) 311290.
Coleco
Adam —
nearly here
THE LONG-AWAITED Coleco
Adam almost put in an
appearance at the recent Toy
Fair in London, but in fact
versions shown were still
plugged into the CBS
Colecovision video-games
machine. In this form it is
known as Expansion Module 3,
which doesn’t have quite the
same ring to it.
The CBS Colecovision has a
Z-80 with 16K of RAM. What is
inside the Expansion Module
News: hardware 2
remains a mystery, except for
the Applesoft-type Basic, and
the word processor into which
the Adam boots on powering
on. The word processor imitates
a typewriter in design: you type
on to a black ‘‘roller’’ as the
video ‘‘paper’’ scrolls past.
In the U.S. the Adam is
supplied with a cheap letter-
quality printer, plus a game
which is called Buck Rogers —
Planet of Zoom.
The price of the Expansion
Module package is expected to
be in the £600 to £700 range.
Contact CBS Electronics,
Headingly Road East,
Woodley, Berkshire.
Telephone: (0734) 698188.
The Adam comes with a letter-quality printer in the U.S.
Now you can fight off the
hordes of invading aliens with
a British-made joystick, the Pro
Ace. It has two fire buttons,
one placed centrally on the
base for both right- and left-
handers, plus one on top of the
control column. So far the Pro
Ace is available in the standard
Atari fitting, which is also
suitable for Commodore
machines, most video games
and Spectrum add-ons. BBC
and Dragon versions are to
follow. The Pro Ace costs
£12.95. Contact Sumlock
Microware, 198 Deansgate,
Manchester M3 3NE.
Telephone: 061-834 4233.
16
HEHE sees ORY X
SYS TEMS:
.) LIMITED
(U.
K
a
1H
LI
J
MICROCOMPUTER HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND ACCESSORIES WITH FULL AFTER SALES SUPPORT
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICES
FREE DELIVERY IN THE UK FOR ORDERS OVER £200
CP/M SOFTWARE SOFTWARE FOR IBM/PC MONITORS
ASHTON TATE
DBase ll" ..
Financial Planner*
FREI fe oneeMOMNT ITS ccs cvtceses sense stat
BYROM
BSTAM
BSTMS .....
CAXTON
(Ce liololoy ee £145
DIGITAL RESEARCH
Access Manager .. oe 1. -.- SO
Access Manager SOG ccceas ME2d2
Display Manager... .. £242
Display bid ocaie. ..£304
CBasic...... sinaad SevneeOO ss noe
C Basic =86 .:,..:........0.05 £195
C BasicCompiler... Ste pee e010)
C Basic Compiler HBS eee ceccseeee £360
PasCallMiNictatee «<.cccccascccce sec cases £210
Pascal MT+ 86................. same £395
LUA) needs poememecomnetammonnaurerecy = (50)
PL/1 —86" .. : ee 2)
FOX & GELLER |
d Graph* £170
Cire .£60
Quickcode* £170
MICROPRO
Calcstar*.......... ges chest OD
[ieSalea eet oso scores cess aa. COO
Mailmerge’. £120
Wordstar" ... : £225
Word/Mail/Spell”. ..£450
DStAStAl gers: ++. .ccenecwan..... sm A. £150
MICROSOFT
Basic Compiler ccscccvesnerewossserememune £250
Basic INtenpreten” sis seserw. scssenereore £220
Fortram Complier ... £310
Cobol Compiler* £475
NANI AR Rests os titesesccvecntttencans ieee £168
PEACHTREE
Basic Accounting System
Per. Todwle “a Se eee £300
Business Managemen oe
per module... £550
PEACH Gale Zamcrersss..... eee rename 3 £80
P@ACHLEXiiike ccies.. sexy aes. cee pate
Peach PaeKge.a:<!i ascot. £300
SORCIM
SUPCIGCAGaiie ...-.s.¢.ccverssviBeen-.. diva £105
Supercalc 2*.............. on. See... £165
Superwriter’...... Sas aieies ( eeO
SAGE
Accounting*
Most popular machine formats are
available.
Please see CP/M listing. All
products with an* will also run on
MS-DOS and PC-DOS and are
priced the same.
DIGITAL RESEARCH
RIB ASIC ssc: 5... tsuemenmaasacsrat peueeny S20,
fe PYNE 86 GSK wrens, 2 scetteeeses- enerec 40
BascalliMU+ ..2.. Niue. ae... eee
1US
PASVIFICN(..2..5 9... -ccrete be: «8 £235
Easy Spelierl ... cemee 210)
Easy Writer Il.......... ers altel)
EasyWrit/Spell/Mail...............06: £385
MICROSOFT
Fortram Compiler ieee
light’ Simulator, s.ue.oe. eee... oe tee £39
LOTUS
Lotus 123..... ee eee ee)
SOFTWORD SYSTEMS ©
Multimate ...... eipnepedts «OOO:
SORCIM
Supercale 3......... e265
BOARDS FOR IBM/PC
AST RESEARCH
Mega Plus 64K .. ele .. £288
Combo RIUSGAK: .:.....:.dee....-..--- £288
MICROSOFT
64K RAM Cardi itces-ccqomererpebceoress.-- £237
256K RAM Card pepe 3010)
Mouseé.............. -£130
Multi-tool Word + Mouse .. .£340
System Cad 64K. e290)
QUADRAM
Quadboard II 64K RAM........... ..£280
Quadilink... en See £495
HOW TO ORDER
(One year warranty)
KAGA
Kaga RGB Vision-!12”..................£215
Kaga RGB Vision-H 12” .................£L257
Kaga RGB Vision-I 12”... £369
SANYO
Sanyo 12” Hi-Res Green................£98
PRINTERS
(One year warranty)
EPSON
Epson RX-80FT..... eee’
Epson FX-80 £349
JUKI
Juki 6100. ry SR
MANNSMAN-TALLY |
MISO Sree, eee Wr eyes)
MT 160 £449
STAR
Delta-10. ; ea £329
Gemini 10Xe...........:.2. ibe. areas £199
Gemini 15X... 5 eeepc 26/32)
All products subject to availability.
CP/Mis aregistered trademark of Digital
Research, IBMis the registered
trademark of International Business
Machines.
We cannotlistall the
products we carry — please
call for further details.
Simply write to Oryx (stating machine format and disk size), or telephone
01-636 0476 to place an order or make an appointment to discuss your
requirements. Or ring 01-631 4341 without obligation to reach our technical
advice hotline.
Orders will be acknowledged by return of post and goods will normally be
despatched within 7 days. All products are supplied new and are sealed
complete with manufacturers documentation and factory warranties.
Allprices exclude VAT and are subject to change without notice.
Oryx Systems (U.K.) Limited, Mappin House, 4 Winsley Street,
London W1N 7AR.
+ SN (eRtans Wi TECHMNOLOGY- NOW WI THEY. a xi ‘a
| SS ais
tet 1. CERES Se Case EEL Cee
@ Circle No. 108
PRACTICAL COMPUTING Apri! 1984
News=—
Commodore
64 Sid chips
A COMMODORE TECHNOTE from
Slough reads as follows:
“Because of the variations in
Sid chips, it is not advisable to
include the filter in the sound of
commercial software. Doing so
may result in sounds that are
unexpected or not audible on
some 64s. There is, of course,
no problem in setting the filter
in software one writes to one’s
own computer.”’
If you have experienced
problems with sound in
commercial software this could
be the reason, and it is worth
mentioning the fact to the
author of the program.
QLMON
HAVE YOU ordered your
amazing Sinclair QL yet? If so,
when? Please fill in the small
questionnaire, including the
estimated date of arrival. When
the machine actually arrives, fill
in the date and send us the form.
Take a photostat if you want to
avoid cutting up the magazine.
It will come as no surprise to
regular readers of this magazine
that Sinclair has, yet again, been
overwhelmed by the size of the
demand, which has been
described as ‘‘phenomenal’’.
With your assistance, we will try
to track deliveries and monitor
the state of the waiting list.
| Practical
| QLMON
Computing|
| Telephone numbel...............c00cceee
| Date OL ordered...
Le LT EM a 0
y”
| Estimated delivery date as notified |
by Sinclair Research.......................
| Actual delivery date...............6 |
\i@oniments) sae ae os |
| Post completed coupon
| to: QLMON, Practical
| Quadrant House, The
| Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey
|
|
|
| Computing, Room L306, |
|
| SM2 5AS.
Bad Apples
A U.S. GRAND JURY has indicted
six people and five companies
on charges of criminal
conspiracy and smuggling
counterfeit Apple micros and
software into the U.S. from
Taiwan.
This is the first time criminal
charges have been brought, as
opposed to civil ones, according
to a report in the Wali Street
Journal.
Apple has also filed criminal
charges in Italy and Taiwan,
while there are more than 50
lawsuits alleging copyright
infringement in 16 countries. In
micro
FEATURES INCLUDE
bi-directional print
@ 80 Column, 80c.ps. optimised
Taiwan, six computer company
executives have been sentenced
to eight-month prison terms for
pirating Apple software.
info for free
PRACTICAL COMPUTING
magazine is published by
Business Press International,
the world’s largest publisher of
business magazines. Computer
publications in the group range
from Computer Choice to Your
Computer to Computer
Weekly, and general magazines
ranging from Amateur Photo-
graher to Yachting World.
The ideal printer
for yourhome ,
The new Mannesmann Tally
MT8O0 offers even better value.
All the Reader Enquiry cards,
such as you will find facing page
178 in this issue, are processed
by a central organisation.
Many people prefer to contact
advertisers direct, and of course
most enquiries are made in
this way. However, the big
advantage of the Reader
Enquiry card is that it enables
you to obtain information
about a wide variety of
equipment advertised in the
magazine without spending a
fortune on stamps. In fact,
postage is paid so it costs
nothing. Readers who have not
used this very efficient service
| are invited to try it now.
Se eee
@ Friction and tractor feed as standard
@ Quick tear facility
@ Easy change cassette ribbon
@ Dot addressable and line graphics
@ Optional 2K buffered serial interface
@ <55dBa Sound reduction kit
Contact your nearest Microcomputer dealer today for
a demonstration or phone/write to us for full details.
WOKINGHAM(0734) 791868 0r791532
Dealers-if you would like
Mannesmann Tally Ltd se allots c AATBO-
Molly Millar's Lane Wokingham
ring Geoff Thomas
Berkshire RG11 20T on the MT Direct Hotline
Ve WOKINGHAM 791619
@ Circle No. 109
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 i?
New-Sinclair QL
There's no comparison chart,
The Sinclair QL is a new computer. ive"
Not just a new Sinclair computer, Exclusive: new QDOS
but a totally new sort of computer- Operating system
nothing like it exists anywhere. No competition! QDOS sets a new
Its not just a bit better than this, — standard in operating systems for the
or a bit cheaper than that - its a 68000 family of processors, and may
computer that's very hard to compare well become the industry standard.
with anything, Just check the features QDOS is a single-user, multi-
below — and if you don't agree, take tasking, time-sliced system using
up the challenge at the end of the Sinclairs new SuperBASIC asa
advertisement. . command language.
If you do agree, there's only One of its most significant
one course of action you can take... _ features is its very powerful multi-
get yourself a Sinclair QL at the tasking capability — the ability to run
FELE earliest possible moment. several programs individually and
: . simultaneously. It can also display the
The Sinclair QL has results simultaneously in different
128K RAM. Big deal? portions of the screen. These are
| ' features not normally available on
Several micros offer 128K RAM, or ‘
| more, as standard. The “What Micro?’ computers costing less than £7,000.
f table for December 1983 lists over :
| a ( wr 50 of them — but 40 of the 50 micros Eleven input/output ports
} ; listed cost over £2,500! QL ROM Cartridge slot
mr tim The Sinclair QL offers you 128K | 2x Joystick ports 2x RS-z
. aa | RAM for under £400, and an option sul L
to expand to 640K. That's a lot of
bytes to the pound!
The Sinclair QL has MaIOwWoe@aowo
a 32-bit processor. ' 2eoee Coe
Who else? | (ON TEelolOlolek
| (Ol elek
Under £2,700, nobody. Even the new
generation of business computers,
such as the IBM PC, are only now
beginning to use 16-bit:processors. ‘
At prices like this, the Motorola New professional
68000 family — widely regarded as keyboard
the most powerful microprocessors ' '
available u will remain a airy The QL keyboard is designed for fast
Yet with the Sinclair QL, the input of data and programs.
32-bit Motorola 68008 is available Itisa fullsize QWERTY
keyboard, with 65 keys, including a
for less than £400. ' : :
space bar; left-and right-hand shift
_, Youcanalsobe surethattheQl keys; five function keys; and four
will not become outdated. 32-bit separate cursor-control keys - key
architecture is future-proof. action is positive and precise
A membrane beneath the
keyboard protects the machine from
dust (and coffee!), and for users who
32-bit processor architecture, 128K ps “ eieunee Ke
RAM, and QDOS combine to give raised slightly at the back by small
the QL the performance of a mini- detachable feat
computer for the price of a micro.
Expansion slot
} 8 @) Sinclair, QL, QDOS. QLUB and ZX Microdrive
are trade marks of Sinclair Research Ltd.
£399
cause there's no comparison!
Advanced new friendly
language — Sinclair
SuperBASIC
The new Sinclair SuperBASIC
combines the familiarity of BASIC with
a number of major developments
which allow the QL's full power to be
exploited.
Unlike conventional BASIC, its
procedure facility allows code to be
written in clearly-defined blocks; ex-
tendability allows new procedures to
be added which will work in exactly
the same way as the command pro-
cedures built into the ROM; and its
constant execution speed means that
SuperBASIC does not get slower as
programs get larger.
2x Local area network
TV (UHF) Monitor
Microdrive extension slot
Two 100K microdrives
built in
The Microdrives for the Sinclair QL
are identical in principle to the
popular and proven ZX Microdrives,
but give increased capacity (at least
100K bytes each) and a faster data-
transfer rate. Typical access speed is
3.5 seconds, and loading is at up to
15K bytes per second. The Sinclair QL
has two built-in Microdrives. If
required, a further six units can be
connected.
Four blank cartridges are
supplied with the machine.
@)Quill, Easel, Archive and Abacus
are trade marks of Psion | td.
Included - superb professional software
The suite of four programs is written by Psion specially for the QL and
incorporates many major developments. All programs use full colour, and
data is transportable from one to another. (For example, figures can be
transferred from spreadsheet to graphics for an instant visual presentation.)
Word-processing
Business graphics
Certain to set a new standard of
excellence, QL Quill uses the power of
the QL to show on the screen exactly
what you key in, and to print out
exactly what you see on the screen.
QL Easel is a high-resolution colour
program so easy to use you probably
won't refer to the manual! It handles
anything from lines, shaded curves or
histograms to overlapping or stacked
A beginner can be using QL bars or pie charts. QL Easel does not
Quill for word-processing within require you to format your display
minutes. before entering data; it handles design
QL Quill brings you all the
facilities of a very advanced word-
processing package.
and scaling automatically or under
your control. Text can be added and
altered as simply as data.
Database management
Spreadsheet
QL Abacus makes simultaneous
calculations and ‘what if model-
construction easier than they've ever
been. Sample applications are
provided, including budget-planning
and cash-flow analysis. QL Abacus
allows you to refer to rows, columns
and cells by names, not just letters
and numbers.Function keys can be
assigned to change a variable and
carry out a complete ‘what if’
calculation with a single key-stroke.
QL Archive is a very powerful filing
system which sets new standards, using
a language even simpler than BASIC.
It combines ease of use for simple
applications — such as card indices —
with huge power as a multi-file data
processor.
An easy-to-use labelling facility
means that you don't have to ask for
your file by its full name — a few letters
are enough.
New -— the Sinclair QLUB
The QLUB is the QL Users Bureau.
Membership is open to all QL owners.
For an annual subscription of £35,
QLUB members receive one free
update to each of the four programs
supplied with the QL, and six
bi-monthly newsletters. Sinclair has
also made exclusive arrangements
for QLUB members to obtain soft-
ware assistance on QL Quill, Abacus,
Archive or Easel by writing to Psion.
The Sinclair QL challenge
if you're seriously considering any
other computer, post the coupon for a
blow-by-blow comparison. We'll take
a published comparison chart for the
machine you're considering (not one
we've created ourselves) and give you
the Sinclair QL figures, detail by detail.
Take action today!
To order by mail
~ complete the coupon and send
it to the FREEPOST address below.
For credit card holders it may be
possible to extend your credit limit.
Full details will be sent when we
acknowledge your order.
To order by telephone
~ phone Camberley (0276) 685311;
~ have your credit card (Access,
Barclaycard, Trustcard) number ready.
It may be possible to extend your
existing credit limit. Please ask our
telephone staff for more details.
Please do not use this number for
other enquiries.
For more information
Phone Camberley (0276) 686100, or
use the coupon to get a QL brochure.
Due to demand, delivery may take
more than 28 days. Your order will be
acknowledged immediately with an
expected shipment date. Remember
that Sinclair offers a 14-day money-
back undertaking.
@ Circle No. 110
Send to: Sinclair Research Ltd, Computer Division, FREEPOST, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3BR.
| Qty
O Please send me a chart comparing the Sinclair QL computer with a
O Please send me a Sinclair QL brochure
Ssimciair
Item Code Item Price £ Total £
Sinclair QL Computer 6000 399,00
QLUB membership (one year) 6100 35.00
Postage & packing (any order over £390) 6999 YDS
Please tick the appropriate box-
| Olenclose a cheque made payable to Sinclair Research Ltd for £__ if
CO Please charge my Access/Barclaycard Trustcard Account No. BES e Saar J
| Signature. =
Mr/Mrs/Miss|_ | =} | | ft | | | ft ! jd at ee Jee aa
| Me
| 12 Se eS ee eS ee ee ee ee |__| PRC404
Sinclair Research Ltd Stanhone Road Camberley Surrey GLI15 2PS_
SOFTWARE INCLUDED
CP/M 80!
CP/M utilities
System utilities
WORDSTAR2
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION
= 6mHz Z80B processor
128k RAM
Ultra fast ‘cache’ disks
One/two 51," disk drives
Up to 1568k disk storage
Two RS232 serial ports
Parallel printer port
CALCSTAR2
PERSONAL PEARL?
On line HELP flie
The DASH-80, designed and assembied in Great Britain to exploit the vast range of CP/M based application software, provides a processor
performance that exceeds that of most current 16-bit systems and floppy disk access times as fast as those of many hard disks.
The DASH-80 comes complete with a selection of powerful software tools including:
WORDSTAR, the world’s most popular word processor software,
CALCSTAR, wordstar compatible electronic spreadsheet,
PERSONAL PEARL, a powerful data base application generator.
DASH-80 processor prices (inclusive of software) start at — £1084.00 (RRP, excl VAT),
DASH-10 terminal shown above — £ 560.00 (RAP, excl VAT).
For further information on the system, and for details and listings of disk and processor benchmarks, telephone or write to the
address shown below:
PROCESSOR BENCHMARKS DISK BENCHMARKS
BM1 BM2 BM3 BM4 BMS BM6 BM7 BM8 DBM1 OBM2 DBM3 OBM4 DBM5 LTD
DASH-80 73 24 66 65 7.0 127 202 34.3 0.6 4.3 4.2 3.8 3.7
IBM PC eo MeECmenl 7 i2een 13.4 2313 37.4 30:0 Bigs) ecitcMm eee 12.7) ei O4 Unit A,
APRICOT 15 48 10.4 10.8 12.2 22.8 355 34.0 3.0 95 14.0 8.0 7.5 Station Approach,
SIRIUS 74. Sd 1S 4816. 26.2 40.1 29:0 255) | B70 sO § 120 t2ld Leighton Buzzard,
Trademarks: (1) Digital Research, (2) Micropro, (3) Relational Systems. pines FSS
Microsoft backs
MICROSOFT is backing Apple’s
new Macintosh, reviewed. in the
March issue of Practical
Computing, with its range of
application programs. First to
be implemented are Multiplan
and Word, along with two new
programs, File and Chart.
Microsoft File is a database-
management program, and
Chart a graphics package. Data
is said to be interchangeable
between the programs. Micro-
soft Basic will also be made
available.
Multiplan has several useful
enhancements, such as an Undo
command to reverse the last
change. Printing options now
include headers, footers and
automatic page numbering.
mu k
Macintosh
' @ tie Edit Select tormat Options Beit
Calculate Now wt
vAutomatic Catcutation
Manual Calculation
1
Journal Account
Herute
Net Revenue
For
January
February
The Microsoft programs do
not follow the style that has
become well. known from
implementations on other
micros. Instead they use pull-
down menus like Macword and
Macpoint.
Contact Microsoft Lid; Piper
House, Hatch Lane,-. Windsor
Berkshire. Tel: (07535) 59951.
===
ze The price is expected to be
Jack 2 around £25. Contact Joe the
P Lion at 213-215 Market Street,
AFTER The Incredible Jack Hyde, Cheshire SK14 1HF.
comes Jack-2, the Apple 11 Meanwhile, Leon Heller and
version, of the integrated | Brian Pain launched an inde-
program originally written for
the IBM PC. Jack does word
processing, calc-sheeting, chart-
ing and filing or database
management on screen at the
same time without windows.
Contact Business Solutions
Inc., 60 East Main Street, Kings
Park, New York NY 11754.
Telephone: (area code 516)
269-1120. Or contact Pete &
Pam, New Hall Hey Road,
Rossendale, Lancashire BB4
6JG. Telephone: (0706) 212321.
QL support
I'l MAY BE impossible to get hold
of a Sinclair QL, but the
quaintly named software house
Joe the Lion has already
announced the first of a range
of programs.
The program is called the
Spectrum Emulator, and it is
claimed it will allow the QL
to load and run Spectrum
machine-code programs. It is
supplied on a Microdrive tape
and comes with a connector to
allow a cassette recorder to be
connected to the QL.
pendent QL users’ group called,
acronymically, IQLUG. The
first 16-page news letter has
already been published. Price is
£3.25 for a trial six-month
subscription.
Contact Brian Pain, Acting
Secretary, at 24 Oxford Street,
Stony Stratford, Milton
Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
Telephone: (0908) 564271.
See Jane run
JANE is a fascinating piece of
integrated software, just like the
Incredible Jack. The differences
are that Jane uses little drawings
or icons, is mouse operated, and
has overlapping windows.
Jane comes complete with
Janewrite, Janecalc and Janelist
on a single disc, plus a three-
button mouse. One of the
designers, Bobby Kotick, des-
cribes it modestly as ‘‘similar in
principle to the Apple Lisa and
Xerox work station, but Jane
goes much further. It creates
the ultimate interactive
environment for the user’’.
Jane was written by Kotick
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
4 @ Circle No. 111
under-
graduates aged 20 and 21, and
room-mates at the University of
Michigan. Launch investment
came from the chairman of the
and Howard Marks,
Golden Nugget hotels and
casinos in Las Vegas and
Atlantic City. However, the
man running the new company,
James Spillers, certainly knows
the business: he spent 14 years at
Xerox and was vice-president of
Microsoft. Sales of 100,000
programs are projected for Jane
in 1984,
So far you can only see Jane
run on an Apple II micro.
However, it is claimed to be
easy to transfer to any machine
with 64K of RAM. Commodore
64, IBM PC, PCjr and Atari
800XL versions are under
development.
Retail price in the U.S. is only
$295. So far Jane is not
(continued on page 23)
News: software——_
— eee
Software
flashes
e@ Raymond Briggs’ twee
Snowman character features in
one of Quicksilva’s new games
for the 48K Spectrum. Other
new Spectrum games are
Dragonsbane, Fred, and Jeff
Minter’s Laserzone.
Telephone: (0703) 37497.
@ Pcalc is a spreadsheet for
the Kyocera lap computers: the
NEC 8201A, Tandy Model 100
and Olivetti M-10. It costs £25
from Capra-Cinderstan
Associates, 5 Oliver Court,
South Hill Park Gardens,
London NW3 2TE.
Telephone: 01-794 8899,
@ Gemini Marketing’s
database for the BBC Micro is
now available on ROM for
users with disc drives. Gemini
is also to supply a suite of
business software including
purchase and sales ledgers,
invoicing and payroll at £99.95
per module, Telephone: (0395)
265165,
@ Interior Designers can now
do it on the Spectrum. Richard
Williams’ program will also
print out room plans, and at
£4,95 could be worth having
even if you are just moving
house. Contact Richard
Williams, 84 Brentmoor Road,
Bramhall, Stockport SK7 3PY.
@ BBC Micro owners can now
obtain more good-value
software from Beebugsoft. The
new offerings are Toolbox,
Paintbox, Teletext Pack and
Design. Toolkit is on EPROM;
the others are available on
either cassette or disc. Contact
Beebug Publications, PO Box
50, St.Albans, Hertfordshire.
@ Y Software has produced a
neat utility called TH for
CP/M micros. TH stands for
Text Handler. It allows the
text part of programs, such as
help menus and error
messages, to be held in
separate files from compiled
machine-code programs in
MBasic, Macro-80 and
ProPasca}. The result is
smaller, faster programs with
longer, more helpful text
screens. Contact Y Software,
34 Watson Road, Killiney, Co.
Dublin, Ireland.
al
aN YO
16BiT BUSINESS MICRO
FROM
MBC 550
Single
5¥"floppy
disc drive : ie oe = AZ
£749(+VAT) |
The new sanyer 16 BIT orviall business micros... with
tremendous potential for businesses of all sizes.
© 16 BIT 8088 CPU with powerful MS-DOS operating system
128K RAM expandable to 256K
Centronics compatible parallel printer port
Compact desk top design with detachable keyboard —
Optional high resolution green phosphor or colour monitor Fe j ae a
| ceEL
SOFTWARE EET ETY 75 an
MBC 555 ds
Ce ied
MBO OY MBO OSS / 885
MS-DOS WORDSTAR MS-DOS WORDSTAR CALCSTAR eS
BASIC CALCSTAR BASIC ~ = MAILMERGE _INFOSTAR 8Y4' floppy
ISC
EXTRA FROM ICARUS £999(+ VAT)
* Integrated sales, purchase and nominal ledger * 10 MB external hard disc
accounts package with MBC 555 %& The backing of the nationwide Icarus dealer network
* Choice of 160K (standard), 350K = for application advice and installation
ee Rs ie Re THEN DECIDE... .ICARUS
Full details
of the new
Sanyo micros
on request
ICARUS COMPUTER SYSTEMS LTD, Deane House, 27 Greenwood Place, London NW5 INN. Tel: 01-485 5574. Telex: 264209
ne ee RN a ES
@ Circle No. 112
22 PRACTICAL COMPUTING Apri! 1984
(continued from page 21)
available in the U.K. However,
Arktronics can be contacted at
113 South Fourth Avenue, Ann
Arbor, Mi 48104. Telephone:
(area code 313) 769-7253.
Jane is marketed as ‘“‘the
most simple way to operate a
computer’’. Shouldn’t that be
‘‘simplest’’?
Lifeboat
SOFTWARE supplier Lifeboat
Associates has closed its
London office. Distribution
and support is being taken over
by Roundhill Computer
Systems. Products include the
Lattice C compiler, now
available in a new, revised
version for MS-DOS and PC-
DOS 2 and offering a megabyte
of address space.
Contact Roundhill Computer
Systems Ltd, Axholme, London
Road, Marlborough, Wiltshire
SN8 ILR. Telephone: (0672)
$4675.
———_—
HX-20 meets
Prestel
ADD A MODEM or acoustic
coupler along with the
Deskmaster 20 HX-Viewdata
program and the Epson HX-20
can talk to the Prestel com-
puters. At least it can if the
HX-20 packs 32K of RAM.
Kuma Computers, which sup-
plies the software, also has a
16K RAM upgrade board that
fits inside the HX-20 case.
Another Kuma package for
the HX-20 is Deskmaster 17
Pert and Critical Path Analysis
Program. If you don’t know
what it does, you don’t need it.
Contact Kuma Computers
Ltd, Unit 12, Horseshoe Park,
Horseshoe Road, Pangbourne,
Berkshire RG8 7JW. Tele-
phone: (07357) 4335.
68000
takeover?
TODAY'S CHIP is certainly [ntel’s
8086/8, as used in the IBM PC,
Sirius and ACT Apricot micros.
Tomorrow’s chip could be the
Motorola 68000. This is the
CPU family used by Apple’s
Macintosh and the Sinclair QL,
as well as powerful machines
like the Sage Il, Fortune 32:16
and Wicat 150.
One problem with 68000
based micros is a slight
shortage of applications
software. Digital Research is
planning to plug that gap witha
version of its forthcoming
Operating system Concurrent
DOS, which is expected to be
released around the end of this
year.
The point about C-DOS is
that it will allow programs
written for the IBM PC under
PC-DOS to run on 68000-based
micros. It has not escaped
anyone’s notice that PC-DOS is
a version of the MS-DOS
produced by Digital Research’s
arch-rival Microsoft. A case of.
if you can’t béat "em, outsmart
‘em?
In theory, it should be
possible to implement C-DOS
on the Sinclair QL. This would
allow the QL to run IBM PC
software at a somewhat lower
price than is likely to be offered
by IBM.
The first product from Digital Research’s new hardware division is
a Gold Card for the Apple Il. It provides CP/M, which is hardly news,
but the use of a 6MHz Z-80 is said to allow applications to run three
times faster than with competitive cards. The Gold Card also
provides an 80-column screen and CP/M Plus, as reviewed in
Practical Computing, October 1983 issue. It costs £399. A further
version of the card offers 128K of RAM instead of 64K, plus a cache
memory, and costs £640. Contact Digital Research, Oxford House,
Oxford Street, Newbury, Berkshire RG13 1JB. Telephone: (0635)
35304.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
C for 8086/8
PHE DESMET C COMPILER tS now
available from MLH_ Tech-
nology for the Sirius, Apricot
and IBM PC. Operating
systems supported are MS-DOS
and PC-DOS, with CP/M-86 to
follow shortly.
The package includes an
extensive set of utilities:
compiler, linker, assembler,
screen editor, cross referencer,
full-function library and
demonstration programs.
Assembly language may be
included in the C source files. In
addition, there are no royalties
on generated code, so users can
sell or distribute programs
produced with the compiler.
With the recent growth of
interest in C, MLH has priced
the package at only £125 plus
VAT, to try to capture a wide
market. The manual may be
purchased separately for £20; if
you subsequently buy the
package the £20 can be de-
ducted from the price.
Contract MLH_ Technol-
ogy, [4 Burgamot Lane,
Comberbach, Cheshire CW9
6PB.
Graphics pack
for Sirius
KEYDRAW is a text-illustration
and graphics package for the
Sirius 1 trom Tarot Ltd, the
supplier of Keyplot, Keylorm
and keylogo. Keydraw costs
£250 plus VAT. Telephone:
01-650 2999.
CFACC
LOGICAL STEP LID’s popular
integrated accounts package
CFACC — Computerised
Financial Accounts — already
runs on any CP/M, CP/M-86
or MS-DOS micro. Now it is
going to a wider market in
alternative language versions.
The first of these are Arabic
and German. In addition
CFACC is now available to run
under the Unix operating
system.
Contact Janet Webberley,
Logical Step Ltd, Wellesbourne
House, Walton Road,
Wellesbourne, Warwickshire
CV35 9RH. Telephone: (0789)
842082.
News: software!
More and
more for the
64
@ Audiogenic has announced
Magpie, a powerful new
menu-driven database for the
Commodore 64. It comes on
a cartridge, like Audiogenic’s
Wordcraft 40 to which it
links. It costs £99.95.
Application modules to
follow will be priced from
£19.95, and include accounts,
mailing list, records and
invoicing. More information
from Audiogenic. Telephone:
01-290 6044.
@ New games for the
Commodore 64 include
Gridtrap 64, Jumping Jack 64
and Triad 64 from Sumlock;
Dancing Feats, Mothership,
Planet of Death, Inca Curse,
Ship of Doom, Espionage
Island and Golden Apple
from the well known
Spectrum house Artic
Computing; Sting 64 and
Boog-a-Boo (The Flea) from
Quicksilva; and Hideous Bill
and the Gi-Gants from
Virgin. Jumping Jack is a
version of Frogger — not the
same as Jumping Jak for the
Spectrum, alias Leggit for the.
Atari. The Sumlock Games
are £8.95 each, and all the
others are £6.95 each.
Contact Sumlock on 061-834 |
4233; Artic on (0401) 43553;
Quicksilva on (0703) 37497;
Virgin Games on 0;-221
7535.
@ Those struggling with the
pathetic Basic 2 built into the
Commodore 64, or the bugs
in Simon’s Basic, might like
to try the BC-Basic Toolkit
from Kuma. This 9k Basic
extension cartridge adds over
97 new or modified
commands, including 17
sound commands. It costs
£57.50 including VAT.
Telephone: (07357) 4335.
e@ Oxford Computer Systems
can now supply a range of
compilers for the
Commodore 64. The Integer
Basic compiler costs £125,
and the Pascal compiler costs
£49.95. Two cross-compilers,
Portspeed and X-64, allow
code to be compiled on
Commodore 8000-series
micros for running on the
Commodore 64. Telephone:
(0993) 812700.
23
24
BUY AN @appic
In our Winter Sale
The |
Professional
Home Solution
Apple lle 64K
ete ‘6760
Disk Drive
With Controller
Includes over £300
| of extras
TV modulator colour and
sound
3 Apple books
£100 Training Voucher
Apple Monitor Voucher
Software Vouchers
Micronet/Prestel Voucher
Windfall Voucher
Apple Sports Bag
while stocks last
| The Personal
Solution
APPLE Ile
Apple lle 64K
Disk Drive with
80 column card
12” High Res.
Monitor
£900
Apple. tle
Monitor
Colour Monitor
RGB and Composite
Disk Drive
Without
80 col+ 64K
Applewriter
Quickfile
Multiplan
80 Col. Card
The Business
Solution
APPLE Ill
Apple Ill 256K
Monitor HHI
SOS System Software » £1999
with Apple I! emulation
built in disk drive
Apple tll 256K
Computer as above
plus Profile 5mbyte
hard disk
Applewriter ttl
Visicalc Itt
Quickfile III
(All :3.packages for £296)
Complete range of invoicing,
ledgers and stock packages
available.
THE SUPPORT PACKAGE
@ Training — Free half day appreciation course before you BUY
— Free one day application training when you buy your Apple from us. -
@ Full year guarantee on all parts and labour.
® On site maintenance available.
Simmons Magee Price Promise
We will guarantee to compete with any
advertised price on APPLE.
Printers
EPSON RX80
RX8Oft
FX80
B2A
92
OKI
For computerised solutions to business problems contact
SIMMONS MAGEE COMPUTERS LTD
13 YORK STREET, TWICKENHAM, MIDDLESEX TW11 3JZ
01-891-4477
ALL PRICES EXCLUSIVE OF V.A.T.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Commercial
Press
(Guildford)
Limited
Lithographic
and
Letterpress rey
printers T \ Guildford 38835
Stationers Reg Office aS above
nd in England
No. 1136401
a
Designers
2 Ue Radley,
Alfit Stationers,
12, The il,
Newtown,
Yorks. i
yath Feb 1984
Dear John,
Just 2 quick ote to let you know that our troubles are [ve just dis overed an amazing
way to keep in touch with you jn the future — it pusiness more efficient.
Last week 1 Spe t £195.0 a comp progra’ DMS*. Sue typed your name and
address On to disk, ell as other ong-suffering ts. ded a few details about
+ will automatically write to ¥ ynenever I've got some hin important to
al offer, OF 3 new product that you ought t know about
arn letter writing program with 2
all Yients who
really easy to le
mputer to select all ™
alised’ letters for
tell you —
MS+ is 2 § ecial program that combines a
marvellous record keeping program. it me that 1 can ask my CO le
live in a certain areas specialise in certain s, e n it writes ‘person
me, and e en prin he self adhesive labels In fact this letter was written DMS*, an all 1 have
to do is S197 it! I'm going to it for ™ club subscriptions: yarious manag ¢ reports, AT (it
has it’s own calculation program), and probab my stock file too-
Sue went O one of Compsoft $ training courses t other da ne actually enjoyed jearning
DMS*, and tells me that if ever we outgrow DMS* we can exchang for anoth Compsoft database
rogram called Delta me c 5495.00 put by all ounts thi st erful an!
sophisticated database OF he market
So be warned — you're going to find us 2 jot more efficient 1 the future
Yours faithfully,
gf po w™ .
pAVID BROWN,
MANAGING DIRECTOR
PS. DMS* works on yirtually any microcomputer: If you wan to know more about DMS+ for your
own use, ring Compsoft on Guildford (0483) 898545 and they ll send you 4 complete full colour
guide.
Limi
Nr Guildford, ake “0 Court, Shamley G
, England GU4 8Q reen
ze ’
Telephone ci
: Guildf
Telex: 859210 pal 898545
PRACTI
CAL COMPUTING April 1984
®@ Circle No. 113
25
26
OKI
MICROLINE
Microline 84
Highest performance and reliability place these
printers on top of the Microline printer series. The
printhead is designed for over 200 Million character
printing.
Printing speed is 200 cps in data processing mode
and 50 cps is achieved in correspondence quality
mode. Character types are user defined.
A choice of character sets is permanently stored in the
printer's EPROMs.
Additional memory space is provided to store one’s
own specific character set. This happens by down-
bading the specific character set from one’s computer
to the printer before the printout begins.
The camiage width of 136 characters allows the use of
A4 paper in portrait or landscape formats, from an
optionally available single sheet feeder.
The interface parts allow for parallel or serial data
transfer — buffered or unbuffered —, from most popular
desk top computers and widely used PC's.
MICROLINE - more than
150. 000 printers in Europe in use.
OK OKI ELECTRIC EUROPE GmbH
Emanuel-Leutze-Str. 8 - D-4000 Dusseldorf 11
Telefon 02 11/59 20 31 - Telex 8 587 218
U.K. X-DataLid.
F-705/751 Deal Avenue
Trading Estate, Slough
Berkshire SL] 4SH
Tel.: 0044-753-72331
Tix: 051-847728
| COUPON
Please send me/us more information to
OMICROLINE 84
| O The whole MICROLINE program
vBIb Od
® Circle No. 114
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
COMPSOFT
THE EVOLUTION OF DATABASE MAN
wee, ad A
As man’s knowledge grew, so did
has been fascinated by his inability his problems ... and so did his
to solve even his simplest problems ... inability to solve them ...
And man’s knowledge was vast. From the beginning of Delta,man
— And so were his problems. But he has been fascinated by his ability
was no nearer solving them ... to solve even the most complicated
problems quickly and effortlessly.
Delta is the most comprehensive and sophisticated database program on the market today. Faster and more powerful than ever
before, Delta offers a unique ‘three dimensional’ file structure. Users can create their own records, sort, select, print reports,
labels and print automatic personalised letters, do calculations, and link to other software including Lotus 123, Multiplan,
Wordstar, Peachtext, etc. Users can design their own ‘menu’ of options, thus producing dedicated database systems. Delta is
perfect for stock recording, personnel, parts files, clients records, brokers, libraries, Local Authority records, etc, etc, etc.
Available for most business microcomputers with the PCDOS, MSDOS or CP/M operating systems, including the IBM PC,
SIRIUS, APRICOT, XEROX, EPSON, WANG, and many more. Full colour guide, plus technical specification free on request
on Guildford (0483) 898545.
_ =. COMPSOFT Ltd., Hallams Court, Shamley Green,
Nr. Guildford, Surrey GU4 8QZ, England.
DELTA Tel: Guildford (0483) 898545
COMPSOFT DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Telex: 859210 CMPSFT
®@ Circle No. 115
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 al
CONSOLIDATION
|
| |
EJ ESET)
=
Managers don't have time to teach their computers about business. With
OZ they don't have to. OZ will actually store your organisation chart as an
organisation chart and all data relationships will be controlled by this
simple chart. So OZ will automatically perform consolidations for you on
any organisation up to 50 units. OZ will make your re-organisations and
mergers as easy as touching a key. It can't get much easier than that.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
— ou |)
Teco [eo |
With OZ, the profit and loss forecast is always up-to-the-minute because
OZ will up-date it automatically whenever it’s needed. Not only that, but
also the annual budget is always available for comparison at the touch of
asingle key.
Inaddition OZ provides acomplete reporting package with indicators
such as: actual vs budget, quarterly actuals and full year forecasts. And as
all reports are presentation-quality you can use them immediately. Finally,
to back up reports OZ gives youa 3D financial analysis capability so you
can view your information in a way that’s precisely relevant to what
you're analysing.
28
Fox & Geller (UK) Ltd, 17 Wigmore Street, London W1 Tel: 01-580 5816.
OZ combines sophisticated
management techniques with utter simplicity
to give you total control over your business. Whether it’s
for corporate managers, small businesses, line managers, financial
analysts, controllers, sales managers, engineers or investors OZ will change the
chaos, clutter and conflict into simple, effective and total control.
VARIANCE ANALYSIS
Explanation
3/8/83 Hired
technical support
specialist
Business managers must know whether they are ‘on plan! OZ has a
variance analysis system that will assist in understanding when and why
performance is ‘off the mark! With OZ you can look at variances for all the
line items by month end by department then, at the touch of akey, get
the reasons which explain the variance. OZ gives you complete control
over your Costs.
COLOUR GRAPHICS
/ \
= B \
an z |
| | :
| | \
3 | | | |
With just a single keystroke OZ lets you see important trends as a
colourful chart on screen. There is a wide variety of formats and OZ prints
or plots any chart instantly with just one keystroke.
DEALERS
Contact Fox & Geller or one of these distributors for more details:
Softsel 01-844 2040 Midlectron (077382) 6811
Tamsys (Windsor) 56747 Software Ltd 01-833 1173
Pete & Pam 01-769 1022 Xitan (0703) 871211 MPI 01-591 6511
Tradesoft 01-627 1800 Soft Option (0476) 860171.
To use OZ you must have IBM PC or XT with 256K memory
Retail Price: £330 + VAT.
FOX& GELLER
@ Circle No. 116
THE 6502 microprocessor used in the Pet,
Apple, Oric, BBC and many other
Microcomputers is about to gain a new
lease of life which may see it survive to the
end of the decade.
Based on the architecture and instruction
set of the less successful Motorola 6800, the-
6502 was tailored to the needs of personal-
computer and video-game designers. It has
achieved phenomenal success because of
its suitability for handling high-level
languages such as Basic.
Compared with its main competitor, the
Zilog Z-80, the 6502 has a primitive
architecture with fewer registers and
instructions, and a slower clock. Yet
thanks to the provision of a pipelined
Fetch/Execute CPU and the inclusion of
some crafty addressing modes, the 6502
often shows up better than its rival when
running Basic Benchmarks.
Success
Despite this success, the 6502 seems to
have reached the end of the road. While
Intel, Motorola and Zilog have gone on to
introduce 16-bit’ successors to their 8080,
6800 and Z-80, there has been a lack of
16-bit progeny from the 6502. As a result
|] microcomputer manufacturers, including
those with a historical loyalty to the 6502,
are desperately trying to get 16-bit goodies
proffered by the other manufacturers.
Even Apple has now adopted the 68000
chip from Motorla for its flagship the Lisa.
One often-heard explanation for this
lack of a successor is that the 68000
provides a perfectly good upgrade route,
and so there is no real need for a 6502-like
| 16-bit processor. This assumes that all
16-bit processors are necessarily so
different from their eight-bit ancestors that
there is nothing to be gained by staying with
a single line of evolution since the board
design and the software will have to change
anyway.
Non-compatible
This line of reasoning was followed by
Zilog when the company introduced the
Z-8000, which is non-compatible with the
Z-80. Although the Z-8000 is regarded as a
superb processor technically, it is now an
embarrassing flop because it lacks an eighr-
bit bus version and is unable to run any
Z-80 software. Thus Zilog has had to start
again with the 16-bit Z-800, which will run
Z-80 code. On the other hand, Intel
retained a measure of 8080 compatibility
with its 8086 and, perhaps as a result, this
less powerful 16-bit device has swept the
board.
Having watched this shake-out in the
16-bit market, a group of engineers
working at the Western Design Center
based in Tempe, Arizona decided that there |
must be a potential market for a
6502-compatible 16-bit processor. As a
result they have designed the most
compatible 16-bit successor to emerge yet,
the W65SC816.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
by Ray Coles
The
6502 life
preserver
Now this good old eight-bit workhorse has a
compatible 16-bit successor.
In spite of its lateentry into the market, it
seems likely that the W65SC816 will find a
lot of willing sockets. Many writers of 6502
software will be relieved to discover that
their investment will not be rendered
obsolete, and many personal-computer
designers will welcome this straightforward
route to higher performance.
Code unchanged
Compatibility is the keyword of the
W65SC816 design. It will be possible to run
6502 code unaltered on the new chip, but
what is more remarkable is that the
W65SC816 uses the same pin connections
as its ancestor, which means that it can, in
theory, be used as a drop-in upgrade for
systems already in production but presently
using the 6502.
In spite of all this eight-bit compatibility,
there really is a 16-bit processor lurking
inside the package, ready to provide greatly
increased performance when unlocked by
the programmer or the system designer.
Although the W65SC816 retains an eight-
bit external data bus like the 6502, inside
the package a 16-bit bus is provided to
increase throughput. Memory-addressing
range has been increased from 64K to a
more respectable 16Mbyte, because of the
provision of an additional eight address bits
which act as bank selects.
The puny eight-bit register set of the 6502
has been extended so that all registers are at
least 16 bits long, with the program counter
and index registers being extended to a total
of 24 bits each by concatenation of the two
new eight-bit program bank and data bank
registers respectively. Like the 6502, the
W65SC816 has a pipelined Fetch/Execute
architecture, and like other 16-bit pro-
cessors with an-eight-bit data bus such as
the Intel 8088, the processor retrieves 16-bit
data by the use of two successive Fetches.
Unlike other 16-bit processors however, the
W65SC816 Fetches the low byte first and
starts to act upon it even before the second
byte has been Fetched. This simple pipeline
approach is made more effective by the
retention of eight-bit op codes for all
instructions.
To use the new chip to run unmodified
6502 code, the programmer has only to set
the new E flag bit to a 1. While this flag is
set the W65SC816 performs like a’ 6502
with the same clock timing, instruction
cycles, and other features such as effective
register length. When the E flag is reset,
new 16-bit code can be executed to provide
the higher speeds and greater memory-
addressing ramge that is normally
associated with the 16-bit processors from
other manufacturers.
In the 16-bit mode, the facilities of a
memory manager become available —
facilities which on other 16-bit processors
usually require the use of an external MMU
chip. Even in eight-bit mode this chip will
outperform a standard 6502, thanks to a
4MHz clock rate.
Licensing
One surprising feature of the W65SC816
is that the chip designers will not make it
themselves. Instead, they plan to license the
design to other manufacturers and to use
the so-called silicon foundries to produce it
for them. One of the first suppliers of this
device will be GTE Microcircuits, but do
not be surprised to see other traditional
6502 suppliers such as the CBM Semi-
conductor Group, Rockwell and Synertek
join the 16-bit 6502 bandwagon before
long.
The W65SC816 chip is currently
available only in sample form, but already
its undoubted attractions are becoming
evident to existing 6502 system designers.
No doubt there will be a big demand.
Production chips will be fairly easy to make
due to the conservative technology selected
by the Western Design Center. We should
not have to wait too long before all 6502
fans can take advantage of the easiest route
yet developed to compatible 16-bit
processing.
25)
Micro Computer Disks Ltd
Computer supplies for the end-user
LOWEST PRICES FOR HIGHEST QUALITY PRODUCTS
MAXELL FLOPPY DISKS prices from £20.50 per box
DYSAN FLOPPY DISKS prices from £22.50 per box
MEMOREX FLOPPY DISKS prices from £17.50 per box
Ribbons (over 50 varieties in stock)
Multistrike High Capacity Ribbons £1.95!
Diablo/Qume Daisywheels only £3.95 each!!
NO MIDDLE MEN! NO FRILLS! STRAIGHT FROM THE WAREHOUSE!
0990 23002/3
COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED
M.C.D. LTD WILBURN HOUSE, LONDON ROAD, SUNNINGDALE, BERKSHIRE SL5 0ER
462 COVENTRY ROAD, SMALL HEATH
: i | | IDE BIRMINGHAM B10 0UG
THE COMPUTER, PEOPLE ‘none: 021-771 8636 (10 tines) Telex: 335909 (Camden G:
| ee tata
2
f
f j
{ 4
/ q
F
i
¢!
<.. a
: as
@ Circle No. 117
SPECIAL OFFER oa
80 COL CARD 80 70
MATT OR PLUS GREEN SCREEN 80 COL + 64K 180 150
DISK WITH CON 345 270
5 MEG WINCHESTER WITH BUILT-IN DISK W/OUT 245 220
FLOPPY. TRIDENT 5 MEG 1450 1150
RECOMMENDED PRICE £2810 TRIDENT 5 MEG
OUR PRICE £1995 PLUS FLOPPY 1700 1465
10 MEG VERSION £2275
ALL PRICES EXCLUDING VAT
12 MONTHS PARTS AND LABOUR ON ALL APPLE AND TRIDENT PRODUCTS
@ Circle No. 118
30 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
MICROCOMPUTER
TWIN-DRIVE
COMPUTER SYSTEM
FROM ONLY
Series are
beautifully housed
ina low profile brown/
beige metal case.
Now MICRONIX smashes the price barrier of Professional Systems — 100%
Britlsh designed and built. No frills, no gimmicks, no forced purchase of unwanted
software at hidden cost! Our low, low system cost gives you freedom to choose
and buy software to suit your requirement and still save money! Four models to
choose from and a massive 21 Mbyte Hard disk Subsystem is also available.
Based on the versatile MICRONIX 80HD Single Board Micro all models have @
Z80A MHz CPU @ 64k (expandable to 128k) RAM @ 24 x 80 VDU e Floppy Disk ae : i ‘
Controller @ SASI Hard Disk Interface @ Real Time Clock/Calendar with battery ; B= ee = pense
back-up @ Two RS232c Ports @ Two Parallel |/O @ Buffered BUS @ ASCII Paralle! fe \ amr Pa Ag
Keyboard Port @ Composite Video e CP/M compatible Operating System. Just
add a terminal or video monitor and a keyboard (optionally available) and you are
in business!
LOOK AT THESE PRICES! The heart of the system — MICRONIX 80HD Single
MODEL MX400: MODEL MX1600: Board Micro — also available separately
400K TWIN a SYSTEM........only £299 1600K TWIN Si SYSTEM.......only £999
MODEL MX800 MODEL MX2400
800K TWIN 5', SYSTEM........only £899 2400K TWIN 5!’ SYSTEM....only £1,199
KEYBOARD: 102 Key Low Profile ASCII
Keyboard only £125
(£5 carriage)
HARD DISK: Mass Storage Hard Disk
Sub-systems complete with Software and
ready to plug into any MX System above:
Model MX115HD 11.5 Mbyte Hard Disk only
£1,250
Model MX216HD 21.6 Mbyte Hard Disk only
it £1,399
All prices are exclusive of carriage (£15 per
System) and VAT.
Suite 2, 26 Charing Cross Road, London WC2. Tel. 01-240 0213/0217. Telex 295173 VILORDG
@ Circle No. 119
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 24
var Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association
The Association is holding its 22nd Annual Radio/Elec-
tronics Exhibition at Pontins Holiday Village, Ainsdale,
Southport on Saturday, 7th April and Sunday, 8th April
1984 opening at 11.00 a.m. each day.
It will include interclub quiz, construction contest, grand
raffle, R.S.G.B. book stall, amateur computers,
N.A.R.S.A. stands and trophy, a demonstration station
and Trade Stands featuring all types of radio/electronic
equipment.
Admission will be £1 per day but lots of 20 or more tickets
may be booked in advance from Mike Bainbridge
GAGSY, 7 Rothbury Close, Bury BL8 2TT at a 20% dis-
count by sending the appropriate cash and s.a.e.
Chalets may be booked direct from Pontins 0704 77165
and range from £11 + VAT (2 persons) to £31 + VAT (6
persons).
Bar and Restaurant facilities will be available during the
day while the Restaurant will be open for breakfasts and
from 1700 to 1900 on the Saturday evening. There will be
evening entertainment limited by the capacity of the enter-
tainment hall. Children’s play areas will be available dur-
ing the days.
Car parking will be available at a small charge but please
follow all instructions of attendants to avoid congestion.
Talk in will be available on S22 or other available simplex
channels.
Come along and enjoy yourself at this family weekend ex-
hibition and make it a great success.
8/16 bit SOFTWARE
The comprehensive range includes
WORDSTAR £235 D BASE II £349
SUPERCALC II/Ili £190/£275 SPELLING CHECKER £80
WORD PROCESSING £ LANGUAGES £
Spellbinder 290 MBasic 215
Peach Pack* 332 MBasic Compiler 235
Mutimate 332 C Compiler 330
Spelistar 134 Fortran 80/86 325
Maillist 50 Cis Cobol/Forms2 399/105
Grammatik 85 Pascal MT + 240
FINANCIAL PLANNING Pascal MT+"SSP 350
Plannercalc 85 ACCOUNTING
Multiplan 170 Pegasus from 250
Lotus 1-2-3 357 Peachtree from 325
D BASE CORNER Sage 375
FastBase 150 Exact 500
Autocode 195 Pulsar —_from 195
Quickcode 205 COMMUNICATIONS
Dgraph 190 Bstam 130
Friday 185 Crosstalk 165:
Infostar an Moveit 80/86 90
ares me “Incl. PeachSpell/Maillist
Sid £60, ZSid £76, Please telephone for the LCC
Mac £133 Software Catalogue
FORMATS: Superbrain, Televideo, Sirius, Sanyo, Osborne
Northstar, 8° SD, DEC, Epson QX-10, {BM
ICL, H-P, XEROX, ALTOS, Apricot, NEC-APC & many more
All prices are exclusive of VAT
@ Circle No. 120
LONDON COMPUTER CENTRE
Analysts/, Programmers
[SOOO S| =) aaa. PSION
We are a leading microcomputer software
house with an outstanding record of
growth and profitability, active in the fields
of business applications, systems and
home entertainment software,
We are currently recruiting analysts/
programmers with microcomputer
experience and experience of VAX VMS,
C, MS-OOS, 8086. S8000, Z80, 6502,
Cross Assemblers or Simulators.
Competitive salaries are offered, based
on relevant experience. This iS an exciting
opportunity to join a young, dedicated
and highly trained team in one of
Britain's fastest growing companies.
Apply in writing, enclosing a Curriculum Vitae
to: The Recruitment Manager, Psion Ltd,
2 Huntsworth Mews, Gloucester Place,
London NW1 6DD
:
®@ Circle No. 121
Looking for an easy-to-use cost effective
File Handling System?
Thank god it’s }
4niday "£185
oy ASHTON ‘TATE
Friday will take care of your Files, Reports, Diary,
Mailing and much more. It enables electronic files to
be set up. Reports can be displayed and retrieved fast
from all or part of a file. Friday is fast and versatile. It is
designed for beginners.
Friday enables you to prepare custom reports
to suit your requirements and presentation.
Friday enables you to sort and select any field.
Friday uses on screen prompts and help
menus to guide you through the job
you are doing.
43 Grafton Way, London W1P 5LA (Opposite Maples)
Opening Hours: 10-7 Mon-Fri. 12-4 Sat.
01-387 4455 (4 lines) Telephone Answering Service After Office Hours
Telex: 8953742
32
® Circle No. 122
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
How to turn a BBC Micro into
14 lab technicians. For only £325.
As if the BBC Micro weren't already famous for its
versatility, we've now taken it a step further.
14 ways to control science.
With the simple, and remarkably inexpensive
addition of the Acorn IEEE Interface, the BBC Micro can
control, manage and exchange data with up to 14 separate
devices compatible with the IEEE 488 standard.
Which means you get the speed, accuracy and
repeatability of computer-controlled operations at a
fraction of the price of
other systems. And without
sacrificing the IEEE 488
standard.
The possibilities are
limitless. The peripherals
can range from a simple
printer or a digital volt-
meter to oscilloscopes,
logic analysers, spectrum
analysers, function gen-
erators, frequency meters
— even a complete configur-
ation of multiple controllers
and complex equipment.
The Interface is familiar.
A Read Only Memory
plugs into one of the Micro's
spare ROM slots, providing
the Interface Filing System,
a set of commands in plain
English, and in the straightforward
format already familiar to those
who know the Micro. (Commands
can be incorporated in any language
available on the BBC Micro, including
the popular BBC Basic.)
More facilities.
But the BBC Micro/IEEE Interface combination
gives you more than just control.
Thanks to its renowned graphics capabilities, it
provides the ideal way to present experimental results in
Technical Specifications.
PCB carrying IEEE 488 bus interface circuitry, using
TMS 9914 integrated circuit.
Internal power supply.
Height 70mm. Depth 350mm. Width 210mm. Weight 2.1kg.
Colour: BBC Computer cream.
Construction: Moulded top and bottom to match BBC
Computer profile. ABS injection moulded plastic.
Power in: 240v, 50Hz, 3w.
Operating Temperature: 10° to 35°C.
Designed and manufactured to comply with BS415 Class 1
standard.
an instantly understandable form. A second processor can
be connected for even faster processing and greater
memory capacity. Or the Micro can be linked into Acorn’s
Econet local area network.
-
And even more.
And with its additional 1 MHz Bus connection, the
Interface can even be linked to other interfaces, including
Acorn’s Teletext adaptor.
Finally, because the Interface operates independently,
= the BBC Micro is free
to perform all its other
functions as well.
So you can take advan-
tage of the ready-made pro-
grams covering education
and business subjects. You
can use it as a word processor.
Add a disc drive. And that’s
only the beginning.
How to get yours.
The IEEE Interface
costs just £325, matches the
BBC Micro in colourand pro-
file, and comes complete
with integral power supply
and file server ROM.
If youre a credit
card holder, you can order
the IEEE by ringing
01-200 0200 anytime.
Or 0933 79300 during office hours.
__» (By ringing the same number, you can get the
PD address of your nearest stockist, or full details of the
= BBC Microcomputer system if you don't already have one.)
Alternatively, you can order the package by sending
the order form below to: Acorn Computers, c/o Vector
Marketing, Denington Estate, Wellingborough,
Northants NN8 2RL.
Please allow 28 days for delivery.
Fore Credit card holders, telephone 01-200 0200
—_ anytime, or 0933 79300 office hours.
2
een
To: Acorn Computers, c/o Vector Marketing,
Denington Estate, Wellingborough, Northants NN8 2RL.
Please send me ___——————s Acorn IEEE Interfaces at £325
| each, incl. VAT and delivery. I enclose PO/cheque payable to
Acorn Computers Limited Readers A/C or charge my credit card.
Card Number
Amex/Diners/Visa/Access (Delete)
Name
Address
WHACORN ____ Postcode =
| COMPUTER ee No. 140 3810 VAT No. 215 400220 |
nwatM™',naln~ hile +499
BITTEN OFF LESS
THAN YOU
CAN CHEW ?
£ You’d be doing much better with a fast
J selling system to really get your teeth
into?
You’re selling personals but
need a really good multi-user system
=
at the topend?...
¥ or may be you’re selling mini
i systems and need a high
% performance well priced alternative?
a
) — __ YES, YES, YES!
ao | Ay
: Then we’ve got just what you
need to cure product starvation. .
We’ll also help you grow fast and
increase profitability margins.
Take a good look at Alpha Micro:
@ 7 Terminal table top system AM1000
@ 30 Terminal AM1042E @ 40 Plus
Terminal AM1092 @ compatible software
through the range @ best operating system in
its class @ excellent dealer margins @ all the
Support you'll ever need
ALPHA MICRO
We eat Apples for Breakfast
Call Alpha Micro Dealer Manager, Laurie Bright,
on 0753-821922 for the full story.
Alpha Micro GB is the wholly owned subsidiary of Alpha Microsystems of Irvine, California
Alpha Microsystems (GB) Ltd, Berkshire House, 56 Herschel Street,
Slough, Berkshire Telephone: 0753-821922
aan Microsystems Belgium, Chaussee de la Hulpe 130, Box 14,
1050 Brussels, Belgium Telephone: 660 5093/5094
@ Circle No. 124
——————
Two ata tim
How to achieve multi-tasking with even the most modest machine.
WOULDN'T IT be nice if your computer could
do several things at the same time; if you
could enter data for one program while
printing the results of the previous one, for
example. If you can afford a 16-bit
processor with around 256K of RAM this is
no great problem. You buy a multi-tasking
operating system like Concurrent CP/M or
MS-DOS 2, and you are in business.
But if yours is a more modest machine or
you have a more restricted budget you can
still achieve a degree of simultaneity.
Moreover the technique can be handled in
high-level languages like Basic, and while
some careful programming is needed, you
will not need to delve into the operating
system or hardware.
In-built delay
The trick is to take advantage of the
delay that occurs whenever the program is
waiting for input from the operator. Even
the fastest typist needs a few hundred
milliseconds to hit a key, and the program
can use this time to do something else.
Suppose you have a large table holding
the names and addresses of several hundred
customers and you want to be able to print
address labels for any specified customer.
The operator must be able to type in the
customer’s surname, at which point the
program searches for the required table
entry, does some editing on it, then prints
it.
This process could be speeded up if the
program could deal with one customer at
the same time as the user was typing in the
name of the next one. To do this, you need
to think of the program in two parts. First,
there must be a keyboard-handling routine
that collects characters from the console
and stores them in a holding area.
Secondly, there is the main processing loop.
It must be able to take an entry from the
holding buffer each time it is ready to
process the next item of data.
Status test
At the heart of the keyboard routine is an
instruction for testing the status of the
console. Many high-level language imple-
mentations have this feature. For example,
Microsoft Basic uses the Inkey$ function,
as shown on lines 9020 and 9090 of the
listing. It returns the value of the last key
that was hit, or a null string if no key was
pressed since the previous call to Inkey$.
In CBasic and CB-80, you would use
Constat% and Conchar% returns the value
of the key. In some versions of C, there is a
similar function called KBHitQ. Check
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
your manual for other languages and
versions.
Two points need watching. In some
implementations, the keyboard-testing
function echoes the entered character to the
screen; in others you have to do this
yourself. Microsoft Basic is one of the latter
kind, and this is the reason for the Print
statement in line 9030. Secondly, make sure
that the function does not suspend the
program if no key has been hit. Thus,
Microsoft’s Input and Applesoft’s Get
would both be unacceptable here.
As soon as the keyboard-handling
routine is called, it tests the keyboard status
and exits if no key has been pressed. In the
sample listing, this is handled by the While-
Wend loop starting in line 9030. This is
preferable to a Goto because it allows you
to put another keyboard test at the foot of
the loop.
Once the routine detects a keystroke it
checks to see if it represents a printable
ASCII character, as opposed to a cursor
key, tab, line feed, etc. If it is a printable
character, the routine echoes it and adds it
to the end of a string that represents the
current entry. If the key is a Backspace or a
Delete, the previous character is dropped
from the string and erased from the screen.
When the operator presses the Return
key, the program treats the current entry as
complete. It stores the string in the next free
entry of the holding area and clears the
input string ready for the next entry. This
It appears to be a law of programming
that however simple and efficient a piece
of coding may be, there is always some
way of improving it. Take the method
described in February’s Practical
Computing for searching an unordered
table. The linear search method that was
described can be summed up as follows:
@ Look at the next table entry.
@lf it is the one you want, Stop.
@ Otherwise, repeat until you reach the
end of the table.
In Basic, this would be coded as an If
statement within a For-Next loop.
A faster method is to start by storing
a copy of the searched-for value in an
extra slot at the end of the table. You
then look at each item in the table until
you reach the one you want. You can
rely on always getting a Hit before you
fall off the end of the table, so you no
longer need to check for this.
You end by checking the subscript of
Software workshop
Fast table look-up
by Mike Lewis
action is also carried out if the string
exceeds a pre-specified length.
The main part of the program handles
the actual processing of the data entered by
the user. In the example this would search
the main name and address table, edit the
required entry and print it.
The important point is that the main.
program loop must be liberally sprinkled
with calls to the keyboard routine — using
Gosub 9000 in the example. The exact
position of these calls is not critical, but
ideally they should be executed at the rate
of about 10 per second. When the main
program requires an entry for processing, it
gets the next one from the buffer. If there is
no entry waiting, the program loops until
one arrives — see line 350.
Extra functions
The good thing about this scheme is that
the mechanics of the input routine are
independent of the main program. You
could rewrite the input module, adding
cursor-control and editing functions
perhaps, without any effect on the overall
logic. By the same token, the fact that the
sample program expects a null entry to
signal the end of the session is of no concern
to the input routine.
The input buffer in the sample program
is a 25-entry array, allowing up to 24 entries
to be waiting at any one time. The array is a
(continued on next page)
the found value. If it points to the final
entry in the table, then the search has
failed because you have found the
dummy value. In contrast to the
previous method, here you only need to
do this test once, at the end of the
search.
In Basic, the routine would look as
follows — assume you are searching for
Key$ in an array Table$(N + 1), which
contains N values
oa
TABLES(N + 1) = KEY$
WHILE TABLES(J%)< >KEY$
J% =JS% +1
WEND
IF J%<=N THEN hit ELSE miss
This is considerably faster than the
original linear search. Using the old
method, I timed a search for the 500th
element of a 1,000-entry table at 4.2
seconds in interpreted Basic. This new
method took 2.3 seconds.
35
(continued from previous page)
circular one, with the first entry being
stored and processed immediately after the
last. This is handled by the Mod function in
lines 370 and 9070, which calculates the
modulus or remainder of an_ integer
division. In this way, the subscripts into the
array — Dothis% and Replied% — never
have to click back to zero, which means
that they never get out of sequence.
The printing of the Backspace/
Space/Backspace string in line 9050 is
the only reliable hardware-independent
method of backspacing and erasing a
character from the screen. On many
terminals, issuing a Delete character does
not have this effect. Note too the single
Print statement in line 9080. It advances the
cursor to the start of the next line, thus
echoing the user’s Return key. This type of
feedback is an important feature of any
interactive system.
Alternative
There is another approach that does not
involve programming. This is spooling, a
term which goes back to the days when a
mainframe computer would send a print-
out to a spool of tape for later printing at a
more convenient time.
The easiest way to set up spooling is to
use the CP/M extension package produced
by FBN Software. It includes a program
called Spool, which can be resident while
any application program is running. Spool
will intercept the output that the
application program tries to send to the
printer, and write it to a disc file of your
choice.
When you are ready to commit the
printout to paper you use another program
in the FBN package, called Unspool. Like
the sample program, Unspool uses the
keyboard waiting time to do the actual
printing.
Using Spool and Unspool together you
could, for instance, print one batch of
invoices while entering data for the next.
The beauty of it is that you can use this
method with virtually any CP/M program,
and no patching is necessary. It is superior
to Digital Research’s Despool program,
which handles the simultaneous printing
but not the intercepting of the original
output.
There is a minor snag. Unspool
occasionally needs to talk to the operator,
mainly to get the names of disc files. The
resulting messages could spoil the ap-
pearance of the screen if it has already been
nicely formatted by the application
program.
But if you can live with this small
difficulty, you will find the FBN package a
useful productivity booster. It also has a
Submit-type utility that allows you to enter
several commands on the same line, and a
program for recovering erased disc files. It
is available from Transam Microsystems,
59 Theobalds Road, London WC1;
telephone 01-404 4554. The cost is £45 plus
VAT.
36
9000
9020
9030
9040
9050
9060
9070
9080
9090
= Software workshop G
Program to demonstrate simultaneous keyboard entry and printing
Variables used:
MAXK4Z=25, ‘Max. number of keyboard entries waiting to
be processed
‘Backspace key
“Delete key
“Carriage-return key
“Actual number of keyboard entries this session
DOTHIS%=0 "Points to mext entry to be processed
ENTRYS="" ‘The current string being entered
MAXLENZ=80 ‘Max. length of an entry
BACKS=CHRS (8B)
DELS=CHR$(127)
RINS=CHR$(13)
REPLIED“=0
DIM ENTRIESS(MAXK4) ‘This array will hold the entries
waiting to be processed
Program initialisation goes here
PRINT "Please enter required name; to finish, just press RTN"
Main loop starts here
WHILE DOTHISZ=REPLIED::
~GOSUB 9000:
WEND ‘Keep getting keystrokes until there is
at least one entry waiting
THISENTRY$=ENTRIES$(DOTHIS% MOD MAXK%)
“THISENTRY$ contains the entry to be
processed next
IF THISENTRY$="" THEN
PRINT "Finished": END
GOSUB 9000
GOSUB 2000
GOSUB 9000
GOSUB 3000
GOSUB 9000
GOSUB 4000
GOSUB 9000
‘If empty, end the run
“Get keystrokes
‘Perform search of main table
‘Edit the target name
‘And print it
The subroutine calls in the previous eight lines could
perform any appropriate function. But they must be liberally
interspersed with calls to the routine that gets keystrokes.
DOTHIS%=DOTHIS4+1
GOTO 350
‘Increment pointer
‘and loop back for next entry
The subroutines that perform the main parts of the
program would go here. (Table searching, ‘editing and
printing in the present example.)
This is the keyboard handling routine
CHARS=INKEY$ ‘Test keyboard status and get character
WHILE CHARS<>"":
IF CHAR$>=" “ AND CHARS<="*" THEN
ENTRYS=ENTRYS+CHARS$: PRINT CHARS ; GOTO 9090
‘If printable character, add it to
the current entry and echo it
IF (CHARS=BACK$ OR CHARS=DEL$) AND LEN(ENTRY$) 20 THEN
ENTRYS=LEFTS (ENTRYS ,LEN(ENTRY$) -1):
PRINT BACKS+" "#BACKES ; : GOTO 9090
‘1 backspace or delete, remove it from
entry and from screen
IF CHARS=RTN$ OR LEN(ENTRY$) >=MAXLEN% THEN
PRINT: ENTRIESS(REPLIED% MOD MAXK%)=ENTRYS:
ENTRY$=""; REPLIEDASREPLIED‘ +1
‘If RIN or string too long, add the
entry to the table, reset it for next
time, and increment the pointer
CHARS=INKEYS:
WEND
~9100 RETURN
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
ASHTON ‘TATE dBASE
QUICKCODE — FOR PROFESSIONALS
With QUICKCODE professionals can concentrate on using
their creativity for the interesting parts of the job and not get bogged down in
repetitive detail.
QUICKCODE produces dBASE I command files to carry
out many of the routine data handling tasks that come up again and again in every
application. QUICKCODE does it automatically — you design the screen layout and
QUICKCODE produces the code — an error-free foundation on which you can build
your system. QUICKCODE gives you more valuable time.
To give their clients fast and accurate results professionals
choose QUICKCODE.
QUICKCODE — FOR NEW USERS
Imagine — you've just bought the market leader — dBASE IL.
Probably one of the most powerful packages you'll ever buy for your micro. You
know it is flexible and very comprehensive. You can't wait to get started. With
QUICKCODE you can get started fast.
QUICKCODE creates a complete database from your
simple screen layout. In addition QUICKCODE automatically generates 12 dBASE I]
programs to manage your data. Programs to Add data, Edit data and verify it. Programs
to produce labels and even to link your database to WordStar. Automatically.
QUICKCODE gets the most out of dBASE II fast.
DEALERS — Contact Fox & Geller
or one of these distributors for more details
Softsel 01-844 2040 Midlectron (077382) 6811
Tamsys (Windsor) 56747 Software Ltd 01-833 1173 |
Pete & Pam 01-769 1022 Xitan (0703) 871211
MPI 01-591 6511 Tradesoft 01-627 1800
Soft Option (0476) 860171 Ferrari 01-751 5791
ACT(Pulsar) 021-455 7000
FOX& GELLER
QUICKCODE is a trademark of Fox & Geller.
ABASE isa trademark of Ashton-Tate. Fox & Geller (UK) Ltd, 17 Wigmore Street, London W1. Tel: 01-580 5816.
@Circle No.125 %7]
7 The British computer industry is small when
judged by international standards. Two large
American companies control 90% of world
markets. They can do this because their
products represent the standard by which
others are judged. When these standards are
accepted by the marketplace they have the
effect of stabilising the technology. Thus CP/M is
accepted as the industry standard operating
system for 8 bit processors, and subsequent
computer development has employed this
standard, with the dual effect of making both
man and machine portable. Operators can
use different computers, with CP/M, and
software can be switched from machine to
machine. For the end user the emergence of
technology
these standards is critical because they allow
him to experiment with the technology without
risk of entering blind alleys where systems and
products disappear. In order to avoid this
situation Memotech has employed these
standards within the MTX Series.
In the UK there has been such rapid
development in microsystems that in many
cases users have been seduced by the
technology rather than the standards they
should be following. In educational and
business applications the need for continuity is
obvious. This is accentuated by the
development of database technology, where
very large information files are accumulated,
the primary expense being the input of data.
Companies and schools will not relish the idea
of trying to rescue data when the standard 32
bit machines appear in two years time.
There has been a tendency for
manufacturers to launch machines which are
still on the drawing board, and for which no
software standards exist. CP/M 80, the industry
standard micro operating system, supports tens
of thousands of commercially available
software packages. IBM take the view that
things should be done properly and then
released to the user. This is a well tried and
clearly well tested premise which Memotech
has implemented in the MTX series.
The MTX Series begins with the MTX500,
which costs £275.00 including VAT. The
MTX8$12, illustrated below, costs £315.00
including VAT, has 64K of User RAM plus 16K of
dedicated Video RAM, and comes with
extended BASIC, a powerful
assembler/disassembler, Front Panel machine
level editor/monitor, and Noddy, a new text
and graphics processing language.
Also included in the series, and available
now, are the DMX80 printer at £295.00
and the CMX and MMX monitors.
MEMOTECH
For further information, full technical
specification and prices write to:
Memotech Limited
FREEPOST Witney, Oxon. OX8 6BR.
@ Circle No. 1
IBM is a registered trade mark of International Business Machines
Ro. CP/M isa registered trade mark of D!
for)
Ve
my
sy
Te, BH
RW RS
RAS Sy:
2 ES
ie } es \ e 3 co \ ‘vee a GW, IY
: i = a HOME aed » Ea. eps, L my: :
: ? OQ . Er Lah
| 7 SHIFT bee We ~— FA FS ="
F
ee > tap EE
GRANDMASTER IS NOT JUST A SUPREMELY POWERFUL CHESS OPPONENT.
GRANDMASTER ALSO INCLUDES THESE FEATURES TO HELP YOU TO ANALYSE
AND IMPROVE YOUR GAME!
* 10 LEVELS OF PLAY * HINT FUNCTION * TAKE BACK MOVES
* “HURRY UP’ FUNCTION * AUTOMATIC SELF PLAY * CHANGE LEVEL
* SQUARE PLAYING BOARD * CHOICE OF COLOUR SCHEME
* AUTOMATIC QUEENING, CASTLING, EN PASSANT
AVAILABLE ON CASSETTE FOR THE VIC 20 AND ON CASSETTE OR DISK FOR THE 64
ALL VERSIONS £17.95 EACH (INC. VAT)
G. W. COMPUTERS LTD
London’s West End — Nationwide overnite service — More product ranges —
Probably the widest selection of networks/micros/and printers
WE OFFER ONE OF THE BEST ‘SYSTEM DEALS’ IN THE U.K. (save 1500.00 +)
THE NEW DBMS III.7 (series III of the world’s first ‘task-robot-programs’)
G.W. COMPUTERS LTD — Tel: 01-631-4818
vs FEATURES.
32000 records per filename
20 main/200 sub fields per record. fleld
and record related formulae.
*‘Jump-to’ any of 3200 records per file.
random/binary/key/multiple field
search. ‘If-then’ questioning
file protectionipassword entry.
range match. not match. integer match.
sort speed 500 records per 20 seconds
endless ‘either-or matching
formulate/recall on selection criterla.
13 interrogation question types
‘Jump-to’ any record in 12 files. short filing output/audit trails,
User-detine files/field words/sizes. “sale-mail-shots": “production-process-
“purchase/sales-analysis", “personnel-file”
Mbasic & word-star compatible
1400 character record sizes
mathematical scratchpad,
record relational indexes,
translateable to any language
User-defineable reporting
field protectioniclassification.
elther-or, same as, greater, smaller
sorts alpha/numeric any window
12 online file architectures.
240 flelds using cross-referencing
cross-record calculations.
OBMS III 7 new switch mode facllity enables you to cross up to 12 different files (32000
records per file) pre-selecting any of up to 20 fields per recordilile for display/print output
{240 fields) in all. One massive enquiry can pass through 384,000 records
You might have two files whose records are directly related to each other, so that the first
file (say contatning names and addresses) refers to the Second file (say financlal and other
information relating to the same record numbers In the first file) directly. Then you can
simply choose that in file 1 you are interested in just the name and telephone numbers,
whereas in file two, you are interested in the income, trading period and number of bran
ches, information. Your enquiry can then pass through both files highlighting that informa
tion only. Actually there doesn't need to be a strict correlation between the same record
numbers In different files. and you can also just on JUMP command go to any record in any
of the 32000 records in any one of the twelve files and carry on cross-referencing from there
onwards
DBMS'S MACROS WORK FROM THE MOMENT YOU INSERT THE ‘TASK DISK’ IN
THE COMPUTER
Simply design your file, give its fields your words, set up your report mask, and then enter
your records. Switch to ‘automatic drive’ and formulate any task you wish the program to
fulfil, the task Is stored as a macro. Take a copy of the program on another ‘task disk’ and
from then on, the task disc will function without a single key-stroke. Think of a number of
such ‘task disks’ such as “stock-re-order reports”. “stock-valuation reports’. analysis.
“patient history analysis", “research-analysis", “budgeting”, “plus more?”
Not only does this program surpass most of its kind that you might buy elsewhere, but if
you buy the hardware from us, then you get it — FREE .... DBMS Ii (WITHOUT MACROS)
AND DBMS II! ARE FULLY IMPLEMENTED UNDER CPW-86 (tm) AND MS-DOS (tm) ie: <
SIRIUS/VICTORIIBM > DBMS 11 1S 395.00 (or 250.00 by mail order ex. training). DBMS II is
575.00 (or 295.00 by mail order ex. training).
STEM DEAL (our speciality) SAVES YOU 1500.00
Buy any computer. any printer and 150.00 value diskettes add 85.00 for cables and
testing.
add 10% for return to base warranty for 1 year (optional) add 110.00 for delivery &
installation (optional)
~ training optional extra 120.00
and get completely FREE:**>"
.50 basic exercises
«magic wand wiproc
.dlagnostics
.autoload
..diskigames
cpm handbook
DBMS I1.7
mbasic 80
recover
library boxes
2000 sheets paper
«magic calc
-msort/dsort
Anstant basic
-OT/ASINS sorts
i “total value 1525.00°°**~
Based on 6 bit hardware, 16 bit software varies!
Here's a typical example of a complete system deat
1—IBM PC or Corona Portable 2595.00
2— Oki microline 80 printer 295.00
3—Cables & testing 85.00
4— Diskettes 150.00
5—price differential on magic/wand for word-star 100.00
FREE “
3225.00
We specialise in ‘STANDARD MICRO-PRINTER SYSTEMS as well as ‘NETWORK
SYSTEMS BASED ON A SHARED HARD DISK"
software described above.
The range of computer products (mostly ex stock) includes the most popular brands of
micro-computers. printers. modems. buffers. spoolers and software.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Contains the highest state of the art software available today
FORMS/TEXTICALC/DBMS IV — ALL IN ONE PROGRAM THE —"KEY" — @ 575.00.
When you budget for a complete system of software you eventually end up with a host of
packages like. Sales. Purchases, Nominal Data. Text. Caic, Mailshot. invoice, Order,
Workflow. Personnel. and so on. The list is endless and the outlay several thousands of
pounds.
Features Design a form as wide as a window of 250 characters, long as needed. Cur-
sor movements are ‘left. right, up. down. delete left. delete right, tab right-
feft-up-down’. Paint your form as you like directly on the screen.
Text Write a letter as you see it on the screen, edit it then simply enter P to print.
Calc. Set into the form, your data fields. “# # # # # #” and specific file-related ac-
tivities. formulae and validation checks. Enter values and see the spread-
sheet calculate itself.
Search files for data to be inserted to fields specified. All the features of
DBMS III. explained elsewhere in our ad.
Here's an example of an invoice you might design for your stationery - You could
design you own spreadsheet, order form, statement. wage docket, or any other kind of
form that is required to fit your existing stationery.
Database.
INVOICE <O>W HH RH HHH ie
anna From: G. W. Ltd
ee ee! 55 Bedford Court Mans.
To #<1>8 #
*
RAHA Bedford Avenue
‘
"
r)
f<2>88
A<a>HA
# anna London W.C. 1.
# a) Tel: 01-636-8210
#<4>8
"#<5>8
Date<6>8H,"# Tax point<7> 88,4 # Agent<8> aH #
Quantity Description Cost Tax
<O>H OH KIDD HHH HAH
<14>88 <CIS>AHHHRAN RHR
<13>0"8#
<1B>an"
<Vi>we
<16>H"%
<t2>"8
<17>H#
so on
Total <19>HHHanH Tax....<20>"n 08
<7??> items <1> to <5> internal command to request name, input, and then search an
address flie for details.
<?7> items <6> to <7> request date input and validate.
<??> item <8> request agent number and validate range.
<??> item <9> request quantity, validate range.
<??> item <10> request description, search fite, accept, and calculate fields <11>
<12> <13>. if finished invoice then calculate fields <19> and <20>
Now comes the more valuable facility. You can provide the ‘FORM’ with file-related instruc
tions, not only to request a ‘console’ input for file search against names, and stock, but
after the invoice Is finished, the fields you have selected may be passed to related files,
EG: Send fields <0>, <)
sales ledger.
Then send fields <9> , <10> , <11> to product analysis file.
Then send tleids <0>, <1>, <7>. <19>, <20>1o V.A.T. file
Then send fields <10> , <11>, <12>. <13> to Nominal ledger. Do you see?
. <06>, <07>, <11>, <12>, <13>, <19>, <20>, loa
POPULAR BRANDS OF EQUIPMENT WE SELL
MICROS —Sirius/Victor/!.B.M./Dec/Epson/North-star
— Sanyo/Superbrain/Compustar/Aitos/Apple-Lisa
—Televideo/Corona/Compaq/Eagle
PRINTERS. - Nec/Qume!Diablo/Oki/Epson/Olympia/Ricoh
—Texas/Dre/Anadex/Others
OTHERS —Corvus/Compustar/Syquest
—hand disks networks and multiplexors
—Spoolers/Modems/Buffers
—most of the best known brands of software
Syquest 5.6MS cartridge drives on |.B.M. PC.
Remember! the software Is the ‘key” & the hardware less important
TERMS & ETC
G.W. Computers Ltd [Grama (Winter) Ltd}
43/55 Bedford Court Mansions
Bedford Avenue
London W.C.1 England
Telex 892031 TWC G
Telephones:
011-636-8210
017-631-4818
Boston office tlx 94-0890
24 hour answerphones; leave address for ‘infopacks’. We do not operate a reader's reply
card service. Terms: C.W.O. or C.O.D. Prices exclude V.A.J., but include ali non-credit
discounts available. No dealers! The above lists are not exhaustive. Please call at our
showroom onty by prior appointment. Unless expressly agreed, all warranties are
commercial 90 days return to base for parts and labour. Annual warranties and
maintenance facilities avaliable nationwide through closely related third parties.
@ Circle No. 128
41
You know the story, the Micro you
thought would give endless hours of fun soon
becomes a five minute wonder. You get bored
and dump it on the shelf to gather hige
With the introduction of Micronet
800 you now have access to a vast mouth-
watering menu of facts, figures and fun.
If we said it was a major breakthrough
in microcomputer technology we wouldn't
be going over the top.
Just recently at the Which
Computer Show we picked up
the prestigious RITA award for
Systems Innovation of the Year.
RITA is the ‘Oscar’ of the
computer industry. Judged and
sponsored by the major — in
related institutes, associations
and publications.
Incredibly all it costs is just a
pound a week to take up a subscription to
the Micronet system. Plus, for most of you,
a local telephone call whenever you want
to connect up.
Then you’ve got 30,000 pages at your
fingertips, including Computer News Flashes,
all that “Prestel has to offer, and Micronet’s
SwapShop. Where you can buy anything from
joysticks to second-hand computers.
Interact with our daily news update.
You can even take over the world; competing
against hundreds of other subscribers on the
system, in our ‘Starnet’ game.
If we haven’t won you over with that
then try downloading our wide selection of
free games and other tele-software.
Naturally, you can run household
accounts, manage businesses, talk to other
subscribers nationwide using the system.
The list is endless and so is the fun.
The only addition you need to connect
with Micronet 800 is a modem unit.
Apart from that all you’ll want is a pen
to fill in the coupon for more information.
Then we'll have you linked up in no time.
Before the dust settles,
in fact.
way the cobwebs.
Micronet 800.
Name
Make/Model of Micro =
Address___
Telephone : |
MICRONET 800, Scriptor Court, 155 Farringdon Road. London ECIR 3AD. |
Telephone 01-278 3143. ® Circle No. 129
MICRONET 200 Corintarfniin I1fCf Bopinndnn Dad 1 andar CF1D AAT Trlenkeeran f11.378 2142
LAT
LO TA
rs]
LEPTIISTITD foa\(AlS Tf MAVEN (2)
7 (SRE SS ‘
LF FLAP LL TBST OTT HIR EN LO ED
eee — -
£499
Our Price RRP.
CONFIGURATIONS The Professional Home Pack: Ile 64K, Disk Drive with Controller, Special Pack £749 £869.95
Starter System: lle 64K, Disk Drive, Apple Il, Monitor + 80 Col. card. £939 £1419.00
Business system: lle 128K, Disk Drive, Apple Monitor, Disk Drive. £1199 £1764.00
* Price does not’include Monitor, Printer or Disk Drives.
We market the widest ranges of Business and Home Micros, peripherals, Printers, Plotters and Software from major
manufacturers including Apple, Acorn, Commodore, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, Olivetti, Sharp, Sinclair,
Apricot, IBM, Peachtree, Sage, Brother, Silver-Reed & Verbatim.
1
| | am interested in Purchasing Leasing |_| Renting
| Apple tle 64 Apple {le Starter System | Apple 128K System
| Apple il Apple Mackintosh Epson HX20 Epson QX10
| Epson printer [_] Olivetti Hitachi Hewlett-Packard
COMPUTERS | Cj BM.
191, Kensington High Street, | Name ——— = — Position —
London, W.8. Company ___ _ Tel. No
Tel: 01-938 1588/937 7876 Ext 21. | Address
Prices are subject to change without prior notice. 1 a — a
{
Prices shown are without VAT.
@ Circle No. 152
44 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
SOFTWARE FOR THE
a, A
A fully comprehensive chess package. Ten
levels of play, from novice ta championship
standard. Pitch your wits against the
computer with this fast, versatile machine
code program.
TOADO
The object of the game is to navigate each of
five toads across a road and two rivers
without being run down or drowning (toads
can't swim).
ee ALICE IN====
WONDERLAND
A fully interactive machine code adventure
game set in Wonderland. You play the part
of Alice, and explore the fascinating world of
Wonderland, full of excitement and
suspense. Delve deep into tunnels, caves and
wells in search of hidden treasure.
KILOPEDE
Eliminate mushrooms and the descending
segmented Kllopede to gain bonus points —
avold killer crabs, fleas, spiders ond
Jellyfish which chase you across multiple
levels of increasing difficulty.
E== SUPER es
MINEFIELD
The object of the game is to get from one side
of the minefield to the other without being
blown up. You only get one life so be careful
— not all the mines are visible. The only way
you can tell how many mines are nearby is by
looking at the mine detector in the top right
hand corner of the screen.
BLOBBO
Run ot high speed around the maze collecting
treasure ond fruit worth bonus points — but
don't get caught by the Blobbo-eaters!
Tactical dodging must be employed to avoid
them. If you're caught or step on a skull and
crossbones you lose one of your three lives.
KNUCKLES
Move Knuckles around his maze, using a
joystick to kick Roks and Magle Squares.
The object is to line up the Mogic Squares,
using the fire key, and so advance to the next
level, gaining a level bonus.
Please send for our free
colour catalogue of Business,
Education and Games Software.
Illustration: Nick Mynheer.
Continental Software Limited,
Unit 23, Station Lane,
Witney, Oxon 4S
BEEF UP AN IBM
SOUP UPA SIRIUS
Another Great Idea from Intelligence Research
G
ATLAST....
TRUE 16 BIT
PROCESSING WITH
AN INCREDIBLY
FAST 10MHz 8086
PROCESSING BOARD
Introducing the PC Express
expansion card from
Intelligence Research.
PC Express not only
trebles the processing
speed of anIBM PC or
Sirius/Victor but expands
the memory up to 512K.
Installation is fast and
simple. The card plugs straight
into one of the machine's
expansion slots leaving the
others available to meet your
future needs.
PC Express is fully
compatible with existing
hardware and
software
and is
produced
with the
performance
and reliability for
which our products
are renowned.
Make sure that you get
our brochure. It will
explain why PC Express is the
most advanced new
enhancement card on
the market.
Currently available for
IBM PC, IBM XT,
ACT SIRIUS 1, VICTOR 9000.
Intelligence Research Limited
Unit 6, Sergeant Industrial Estate
Garratt Lane
London SW18 4DJ
Telephone 01-871 1422
Telex 919368 INTSYS
Intelligence Research is a division of Intelligence (UK) PLC
THE STEAM-ROLLER shows no sign of losing
momentum. IBM profits for 1983 are up
24.1 percent at $5.5 billion. Turnover is up
17 percent to $40.2 billion, which is the
equivalent of 70 million BBC Model Bs at
retail prices, or 1,350,000 Sinclair QLs per
week. Chairman John Opel is said to be
quietly optimistic for 1984.
Our estimate is that IBM has delivered
around a million IBM PCs so far: 800,000
or so in the U.S. and another 200,000
mainly in Europe. The number could
increase to around 1.5 million deliveries in
1984. There will also be the 3270PC,
XT/370 and forthcoming 80186-based
Popcorn multi-user models to add to this
figure. However, it now looks unlikely that
anything like a million PCjrs will be
delivered, due to the shortage of Intel 8088
chips.
For 1985, the American market research
firm Future Computing Inc. estimates that
the Fortune 2,000 companies in the U.S.
will spend $12.1 billion on personal
computers, and estimates that 60 percent
will be IBM PCs — around 2.5 million
machines. In a survey of these firms, either
the IBM PC or the XT was first choice on
67 percent of replies.
PCBulletin: news
Keep on rolling
However, another market research
company, International Resource
Development Inc., warns that several
Taiwanese firms are about to flood world
markets with look-alike and fake copies of
the IBM PC. Taiwan firm Mycomp already
has a PC clone, with Multitech and Mitac
poised to enter the look-alike market. This
might offer some relief to Apple, whose
products are currently the most frequently
copied. IRD also speculates that IBM will
go to the Far East for the manufacture of
its own forthcoming portable model.
Meanwhile IBM is extending the huge
success of its Japanese-made 5550 model of
the PC. IBM has adopted the Dragon input
system, developed by Taiwanese inventor
Chu Bang-Fu after eight years of research.
This is able to input directly more than
20,000 Chinese characters via the standard
QWERTY keyboard.
Though the IBM model stores only
11,000 Chinese characters on a disc, this is
expected to give IBM a huge advantage in
the Chinese-speaking market. So far
applications software is limited to a
Chinese version of Microsoft’s Multiplan
spreadsheet. And yes, it does run under
MS-DOS.
PC Terminal
SANTA CLARA SYSTEMS of San Jose has
Jaunched the first IBMulator with a built-in
local area network. The PCTerminal has its
own 8088 chip and 64K of RAM, but no
disc storage, though there is a port for
connecting a 5.25in. floppy. The software,
PCNet, enables up to 16 PCTerminals to be
connected to one IBM PC or XT. Each
PCTerminal picks a PC or XT and shares
its peripherals. This enables a PC network
to be put together for relatively little cost.
PCTerminal runs under PC-DOS or the
Santa Clara version of MS-DOS, called
SCS-DOS. Each PCTerminal costs $1,295.
Also from SCS comes a disc-cache
system, Quick Disk, of which there are five
models with from 128K to IMbyte of
RAM.
Contact Santa Clara Systems, 1860
Hartog Drive, San Jose, California 95131,
U.S.A. Telephone: (area code 408)
287-4640.
47
smITH &
staff Pl
Area Sales
Sales
Half year reautts
fast, accurate decisions.
That’s why the new SuperCalc 3 electronic
spreadsheet can not only perform a complete range of
financial modelling and forecasting functions, but can also -YOU rei a the difference
translate the results into versatile, presentation quality
Long columns of figures can often be double dutch to
busy executives who need forecasts and analyses to make IT
graphics that make instant sense of the most complex , Clip coupon. Plea 1e a copy of
data — without having to change disks. guage Barrier.
It's fully compatible with existing SuperCalc programs, @ Circle No. 132
and its memory-efficient storage gives you one of the } NAME
largest useable spreadsheets available. For full details of POSITION
SuperCalc 3 just return the coupon — and find out how you
could start breaking down the language } COMPANY
barriers in your organisation.
7 A ACT (Pulsar) Ltd
Yi Freepost Birmingham Bié 1BR
or call 021-455 7000
SuperCalc’ is a registered trademark of SORCIM CORPORATION
And
now...PC/IX
SOME PEOPLE have supposed
IBM to be antipathetic to the
Unix operating system simply
because it is produced by its so-
called rival AT&T, which owns
Bell Labs. But now that
software house Interactive has
managed the amazing feat of
implementing Unix on the 8086
chip — with which the PC’s
8088 is compatible — IBM has
adopted it as PC/IX. The
initials stand for personal
computer interactive executive.
The new operating system goes
on sale in the U.S. this April at
$900. No U.K. launch date has
been announced.
PC/IX is the System III
brand of Unix, not the newest
System V, though most imple-
mentations still seem to be
running version 7 of System II.
It is not certain how this will
affect the Microsoft implemen-
tation of Unix, which is called
Xenix. However, continuing
support for the PC-DOS
verison of MS-DOS as the main
IBM PC operating system looks
assured.
AT&T is supposed to be
introducing its own range of
desk-top micros later this year.
It would be very surprising if
these did not also come with
Unix.
Inner Product
IBM PC dealer Inner Product has
developed some _ interesting
software for the PC, including
Viewcom. It provides access to
Prestel and viewdata systems
from Basic or APL programs,
and presents two Prestel pages
on screen at the same time.
Viewcom will also transmit
pages if you are an information
provider. Of course, you also
need a modem and asynch
communications facilities.
IP supplies APL * Plus/PC
with a set of free keycaps
engraved with APL characters
to fit the IBM keyboard. In
addition, there is software to
transfer data between dBase II
and APL, and between
Multiplan and APL. The
Multiplan/APL interface will
also move files between
WordStar and APL.
Contact Inner Product, Eagle
House, 73 Clapham Common
South Side, London SW4 9DG.
Telephone: 01-673 4047.
Hardware
shorts
e@ An 18Mbyte tape back-up
streamer has been launched
by Davong. It claims to copy
a 15Mbyte hard disc in
four minutes. Phone Davong
in Sunnyvale, California,
U.S.A. (area code 408)
734-4900.
@A magnetic strip reader for
the IBM PC is available from
Pete & Pam, if you want to
read the strip on the back of
someone’s credit card.
Telephone: (0706) 212321.
@ Alloy can also supply a
credit-card reader, called PC-
Card, which attaches directly
to the PC keyboard.
Telephone: (0285) 68709.
@ Digithurst’s well known
image analysis system is now
available for the IBM PC.
Microscale II comes with a
vision interface, software,
documentation and choice of
camera. Contact Digithurst
Ltd at Royston (0223)
208926.
@ 3D Digital Systems has
announced Inlab and
Thinklab for the IBM PC.
Both are Eurocard units for
laboratory use, for data
acquisition and control.
Telephone: 01-387 7388.
Leading Edge
THE HUMAN EDGE Software
Corporation of Palo Alto,
California, is introducing a
range of products classified as
business strategy software.
Packages are the Communi-
cation Edge, Leadership Edge
and The Sales Edge. These
packages claim to ‘“‘build your
personal power’’, because
‘personal power is the way to
make your mark.”’
First package to reach the
U.K. is The Sales Edge, which
assesses your character and the
character of the person you are
selling to, gives advice, and tells
you how to close the deal.
As well as running on the
IBM PC, all the packages are
promised for Apple’s - new
Macintosh.
To contact Marketing
Software telephone 01-731
3083.
APL*Plus 3.0
APL * PLUS/PC has been released
in a new version for the IBM
PC. A complete APL v3.0 kit
costs £600, but existing users
can upgrade for £105.
Meanwhile APL* Plus. has
telocated from London to
Birmingham. The new address
is Aston Science Park, Love
Lane, Birmingham B7 4BJ.
Telephone: 021-359 5096.
The Micro Technology Group of Tunbridge Wells has the British-
designed Honeycomb cartridge disc-storage system to match
the PC. It has two removable 10Mbyte discs, and costs £3,750. A
single 10Mbyte version is available for £2,800. Cartridges are £65
each. Contact the Micro Technology Group, 51 The Pantiles,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Telephone: (0892) 45433.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
PCBulletin: news 2==z
| |Software. R:Base is
Multiplan-compatible and
| |costs £345. Contact Softsel at
@ Peachtree’s talking
software, known as
Speachware, now works with
the IBM PC. Main use so far |
is speaking demo programs
for Peachtree products.
Telephone: (0628) 32711.
@ The Mills and Allen
software system Combat, a
computer-based authoring
system based on the IBM
PC, is now supplied
exclusively by Datasolve
Education, which is part of
Thorn EMI. Datasolve also
works with the Wicat and
BBC Micros. Telephone:
(09327) 85566.
@Son of Incredible Jack is
Jack 2, and it is now on the
IBM PC as well as the
Apple. Sales of $1million are
claimed for this integrated
software product in its first
two weeks on the market.
Contact Business Solutions
Inc. in New York at (area
code 516) 269-1120 or, more
likely, Pete & Pam will have
it by now.
@ Workwriter is an easy-to-
use screen-orientated word
processor for the IBM PC
from Micro Research in
Brussels, Belgium.
Telephone: (02) 736 9040.
@ Softsel have two new
American packages, R:base
from Microrim, and
MAG /base from MAG
01-844 2040.
@ Neore is an integrated
spreadsheet, financial model-
ler and graphics program for
the IBM PC. The price is
£395 plus VAT. The
distributor is Ferrari
Software. Telephone: 01-751
5795.
@ Micro/Prophit is a
financial-modelling packge
for PCs and look-alikes. It is
available from Control Data.
Telephone: 01-240 3400.
@ The Witness is the latest
Infocom game for Apple,
Atari and other good com-
puters. In it a cheap con-man
tries to implicate a dead
woman’s millionaire
husband. Pete & Pam has the
IBM PC version for £33.95
plus VAT. Telephone: (0706)
212321. Probably the butler
didn’t do it.
49
A database b
any other
name
Paul Myerscough contrasts three information-management systems on his IBM PC.
ALL MAY NOT be what it seems when data-
base systems are under discussion. The
accepted definition depicts a store of data
with a physical nature that is independent
of how it appears to users and application
programs. But users of the three systems
reviewed here will find that applications
often do impose constraints on file design.
An alternative definition culled from the
Penguin Dictionary of Microprocessors
may be more appropriate: it describes a
database as ‘‘any file which might sound
more important if called a database’’.
The names of two of these products are
equally fanciful. Tomorrow’s Office, far
from being software of the future, is a
dinosaur of a system. It is still growing, but
how long can it survive? A life-line to the
business micro user is the message implicit
in the name ‘‘Rescue’’. But to reach the
market it deserves this package is sadly in
need of a rescue itself in the form of an
injection of cash for development and
marketing effort. Only Delta avoids serious
criticism.
Custom-built
All three packages are designed to
provide a quick and easy means to develop
a custom-built system. Such a system
would consist of a set of data files, user
input and enquiry screens, procedures for
extracting and sorting data, procedures for
creating reports, and special menus from
which these options may be controlled.
The manuals that accompany the soft-
ware seem accurate and comprehensive.
But they are all too wordy, and they are not
well formatted for quick reference. Delta’s
comes out on top: at 236 pages it is the
shortest, very easy to comprehend, and
includes a good, confidence-building
tutorial introduction. Rescue’s 408-page
manual is far too long and its organisation
is eccentric, though an excellent index
makes it easy to use; it needs a rewrite.
The most remarkable first impressions
come from the form in which the software
is delivered. While Rescue arrives on one
floppy disc and Delta on two, Tomorrow’s
Office requires no less than nine. Over
2Mbyte of program code prompts thoughts
50
Create Formats 4 Files
% Insert & Maintain Records
E Sort Records Into Order
Search File & Select Records
T Automatic Update Of Data File
o..
File Management
: System Management 4 User Menus
s Complete Menu On One Screen
« Introduction to Menu
Function Key Description
Help Information
Multifile Menu
End TOMORROW'S OFFICE
(c)} Compsoft 83 22M0V83 Licence number :
Dealer Demonstration
MOT TO BE RE-SOLD
Currently logged on file :
TOMORROW'S OFFICE : Saturday, 28th Jan. 1984 11:42:12
Functions
| Programs | rograms
Select Data File
Create Print Format
Maths Input/fmend
Print Compilation
Print Options
Print File
Screen Format Print
Index View/Print
View/Print Records
Create Label Format
Label Print
0 DELTA ~ A CompSoft DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTIN
iskette
B: STOCK
Ba aes 2
Select Function {1 Char.) or Program [2 Chars.) or Introduction (@9
4
TOMORROW'S OFFICE v2.8 Current Data File Is Vol. [EBB On disk
Tomorrow’s Office provides sophisticated screen presentation.
63888 V1.23c
———* START UP #=——
A: Configure DELTA for your computer.
B: Define a DELTA file for your systce.
: Mask layouts.
: Report layouts.
1: Data entry via Mask.
L:
0: Use utilities.
Produce reports.
a:
ft:
P:
————* SETUP/AMEND o——
D: Select/Sort criteria.
€:
E: Process instruct ions.
Link and Copy. H: Configurable Nenus
——* ACTION «——-
Extract records. : Process records.
Link. > Copy.
Change logged file. Q: Quick report/data entry
Either press ESC to exit DELTA or select an option letter (A-Q):_
The option menus and many messages provided by Delta make it simple to use.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
—————
A> RDEFINE
Dictionary menu
1. Exit
2. Create data dictionary
3. Amend data dictionary
4. Create screen and report text
5. Amend screen and report text
6. Build encyclopedia
Screen layout menu
1. Exit
2. Display layout
3. Create new layout
4. Amend layout
5. Change processing sequence
Installation and maintenance menu
Exit
. Set date
. Maintain record/report descriptions
. Maintain dictionary definitions
Create/reorganise database
. Define menus
. Set passwords
. Database translation and conversion
ONRDNARWOM
Data description menu
1. Exit
2. Create description
3. Amend fleld definition
4. Display field definition
5. Print description
6. Insert new field
7. Delete field
8. Screen layout
9. Report layout
10. Select another description
11. Copy description
. Create report description
Report layout menu
1. Exit
2. Display layout
3. Create new layout
4. Amend layout
Figure 1. One of the two menu networks in Rescue.
of inefficient programming, maintenance
and enhancement problems, and the need
for disc-swapping dexterity as different
functions are used.
Setting up the systems to run on the
computer is easy. Tomorrow’s Office has
the most polished screen presentation — see
the opposite page — while Delta’s option
menus and many messages make it the
RESCUE 2162: DEMONSTRATION SYSTEM OWLY - ROT FOR RESALE
Property Register
easiest to operate. Rescue has separate
programs for data and process definition
and for run-time features, and each has its
own burgeoning network of menus — see
figure 1. A neat help facility provides a
short message when ? is entered in response
to a prompt.
Rescue uses flat files of fixed-length
records which hold up to 1,024 bytes. Each
DATE : Sat 28/8171984
Standard Facilities Mesa
(1) Bxit
(2) Record Management
(3) Mafatain Selection & Sort Rules
(4) Extract, fort &@ Enquire on Extract
(S) Reporting Pacilities
(6) Record Process
Option __
~ Documents>
(7) Change Data Disc
Rescue has separate programs for data and process definition.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Software —
Create reorganise database menu
. Exit
. Create empty database
. Convert datafile to database
. Reorganise and reindex
. Reindex existing database
. Delete a database
. Database statistics
NOMhODM —
Database translation menu
1. Exit
2. Extract set of records
3. Merge two databases
4. Change record size
5. Delete set of records
one can cope with up to 10 fields nominated
as access keys. Tomorrow’s Office and
Delta use a master/transaction file
structure with one-master field nominated
as the access key, which in Delta’s case is
sequenced. Tomorrow’s Office allows only
508 bytes to be shared out between a master
and transaction definition, while Delta
permits up to 2,000 bytes. The maximum
file size for Delta and Rescue is around |
33,000 master records; Tomorrow’s Office
can handle multi-volume files to give 99
times this limit.
The process of defining a data file is
prompt-driven. All the systems request
entries for field name, type and length,
which is a tedious business. It is made worse
in Tomorrow’s Office by a requirement for
additional screen format data. Rescue is
worse still, as it also requires report format
data and prompts !3 or more times for each
field. Field typing is from a standard set of
character, number, or date, with an
extended set for Rescue which makes
provision for optimising disc storage space
and for building in validation criteria.
Database systems are notoriously inept
when it comes to changing the format of a
file. Delta and Rescue allow a limited
amount of restructuring without the need
to create a new second copy of the data,
and with Rescue new key fields can easily be
nominated.
For major reorganisation the standard
procedure is to copy fields from records in
(continued on next page)
51
= == Software review
A database by
any other
name
Delta is a package that is professionally produced and easy to use. It has a
range of features designed to equal or better most of the competition. Its
design shows an appealing degree of flexibility, and progressive
enhancements should keep it alive for some years.
The master-file/transaction-file structure has much to recommend it. At
the conceptual level it provides a first step towards the development of a
real network of database files. Allowing eight transaction types is fine, but
it Ils disappointing that only one can be accessed at a time; when using
this type of structure it is natural to need to use more.
Another disappointment is the limited Process facility, which could at
least be enhanced for use in validating input data. The Link and Copy
facillty is simple in concept, but it is good and flexible. It scores well for
the data-entry logging option and for the ability to update records using an
extract index.
Delta is well placed for a successful ride in the market-place. The fact
that it is being distributed by 1BM, DEC, and Xerox must be regarded as a
recommendation.
Tomorrow’s Office
This product rose to fame with the Sirius computer, and caters for many of
the file-processing needs of its user. It uses a master/transaction file
structure and has fairly attractive development screen displays which _
consistently prompt for entries on a command line at the bottom of a
screen.
Its range of functions allows Tomorrow's Office to maintain its position
in a feature-count with the competition. It is the only package among those
reviewed that allows more than one volume of data, giving an almost
unlimited file size. Multi-file allows secondary file look-ups and updates
and is a feature worth having. It is not yet offered by Rescue or Delta.
Tomorrow’s Office has grown so large that it is no longer usable on a
small floppy-disc based system; changing program discs all the time soon
becomes unbearably tedious. It is limited by a record size which cannot
exceed 508 bytes for master and transaction combined, and more seriously
by the fact that any master/transaction pair may only have one updating
screen. No provision is made for the validation of input, and many features
are not as complete as their equivalent in Delta.
Many data-processing systems contain information which is duplicated
in different files, and it is here that the relatively new Multi-file option
comes into play. When adding records to a main file, predetermined fields
may be Filled from data held in a secondary file. Likewise, data from the
main file may automatically be Put to a secondary file to update it. These
two processes, Fill and Put, are in essence what Multi-file offers.
Multi-file uses windows in the creation of a process, as shown in figure
3. Some will contain processing options, while others may be scrolled
across file-definition data. Most Multi-file processes can be defined simply
by correctly positioning the cursor and pressing Enter to select both
options and field names.
The limitations of Multi-file are largely those of Tomorrow’s Office itself.
{t provides scope for handling data from several files at once, but only in
the context of the 508-character main file. Data which is not stored in the
main file or transferred to it cannot be accessed or displayed, and there is
no real conditional processing at the field level.
52
(continued from previous page)
the old file to a newly defined and empty
version. Here Tomorrow’s Office leads the
field with the Multi-file option. Delta’s
Link and Copy utility offers greater
flexibility but requires more effort to use.
Rescue has a Loader utility which will do
the same for Rescue files.
The first chance to test whether or not a
user view is independent of a data file
layout comes during screen definition. |
was recently involved in the design of a
system to handle laboratory test results
from customers’ fuel samples. The prime
piece of data is a fuel sample with
transport/arrival information, laboratory
test results and advice data that is sent back
to the customer. That one record comes
under three sets of fields, each with a
different person responsible for updating
them. What could be simpler than to
provide three different screens to view the
same record — one for the logging clerk,
one for the lab manager and one for the
fuel-quality adviser? Tomorrow’s Office
cannot deal with this problem. It provides
only one screen view for updating a file.
Delta and Rescue can have alternative
updating screens and, unlike Tomorrow’s
Office, can spread data across more than
one screen page.
Rescue provides a unique and useful
feature which enables fields to be linked so
that their display depends on values entered
for previous fields. However, Delta is the
outright winner for ease and sophistication
in screen-design facilities — see figure 2.
The Quick function enables immediate data
entry on a screen which is generated
automatically from the file description. A
custom design is created by painting text
on to the blank screen, and escaping to
command mode to indicate data field
names and display attributes.
Data validation
All three systems allow fields to be
calculated from constants and entered field
values. However, only Rescue addresses the
serious requirement of data validation. For
a first-time user it can be hard to grasp that
a computer system based on inaccurate or
out of date information is no better than a
bad manual system.
Consider thé simplest case of a field that
should contain Y or N to indicate that an
invoice is paid. What will happen to an
invoice reporting system if the operator has
entered H by mistake? Most systems have
many fields where only certain values
are acceptable. Rescue can associate a
dictionary or table of correct values: with a
particular field which may be mandatory or
optional. Numbers can be range checked
and, furthermore, format masks may be
used. These features are so valuable it is
hard to understand why other designers
have not followed Rescue’s lead.
For data entry Delta provides a full-
screen mode of operation, and alone has
a useful logging option that will
(continued on page 57)
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
MAKE YOUR COMPUTER
WORK HARDER FOR YOU
lf you have purchased the
IBM PCorXT then you are the
owner of a very fine computer.
But like everything else it
can be improved to wor:
harder for you. It took a
company like Qubie’ to doit.
Qubie’ can supply either
the SixShooter or the Q Plus Ii to
eae your IBM PC orxT.
Both are engineered to match
the IBM qualitystamp.
While only occupying
one slot in your computer these
QUBIE’— IMPROVING WHERE OTHERS STOP
two boards boost your PC or
‘TS capability with aselection
of essential features.
SIXSHOOTER - IDEAL
FOR PC OR XT
For most customers the
SixShooter offers all that you
require from a multifunction
board. 64K or Ram (socketed up
to 384K), aserial port, a parallel
port, automatic clock/calendar
with battery back up are all
standard. An /BM compatible
games port adaptor is optional.
QPLUS Il- MORE OPTIONS
Corporate customers and
those with special needs will
appreciate the ability of theQ
plus Il. Ramis expandable from
64K all the way to512K. Add
twoserial ports, a parallel port
clock/calendar and a games
port to give 41/O connections
from oneslot.
{BM is the registered trademark of international Business Machines.
QUBIE’ PAK SOFTWARE programme which allows you
SPEEDS THINGS UP to assign a portion of memory
Free witheachboardare ‘.actasaprintsp ooler.
the custom-made Qubie’ QUALITY BACKED
drive’” and Qubie’ spool!” BY WARRANTY
progr: Oubie’ drive” disk P Both boards are pared
emulation software allows you ebalratel raeiy, eee
to create up to three
“electronic disk drives” in
memory which access your
Visit your local dealer and
pick up a brochure with the full
details. If he does not have the
programmes at the speed of information contact us.
RAM Dube ay It’s the best way to
phe let SX EG) improve your PC.
DISTRIBUTING LTD.
Qubie’ Distributing Ltd.
Tempo House, 15 Falcon Road,
London SW11.
(01) 223-4569/7662.
yf... 0nrcngoc re
Qubie’ Distributing Ltd.
4809 Calle Alto, Camarillo,
CA 93010, USA. 5
805-987-9741.
Format options.
Formatting with windows.
Now there is a new product from Microsoft
that has fundamentally redefined word
processing.
It’s called WORD.
Yet because it is so simple and
straightforward to use, it tends to get under-
estimated.
People think nothing that easy can be that
powerful. Wrong.
Layout and commands.
Print options.
WORD has power and speed.
Power to let you do more than any other
word processing program could before.
Single key execution of complex inputs.
Unique UNDO facility that corrects even
command key errors at a stroke.
And an unrivalled choice of characters from
bold to italic, all shown on the screen exactly as
they will print out.
restimate
f{ the word.
WORD lets you assign different styles to
ifferent documents.
You say what. And when.
All available for instant recall when needed.
A window on the world.
Everybody knows about multiple windows.
But eight windows?
At a time?
WORD lets you edit and compare, from
window to window, document to document.
As quick as a mouse.
WORD’S special mouse driven facility means
you can move sentences around as quickly and as
naturally as you move your hand.
It’s an optional extra.
But get used to it and you'll never look back.
Im
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A total
word processing program.
The things your WORD could do are many.
Indispensable facilities like automatic
footnotes with their own window.
The special horizontal scroll allowing a full
255 characters to be viewed at a glance.
And the super efficient search command
which will locate one word in a 250 page document.
That’s WORD from Microsoft.
Simple, comprehensive and invaluable.
Remember, WORD gives you the power.
Then you take the tel
MICRGSOFT
RIQNt. First Time.
Microsoft WORD is available from dealers of
the IBM personal computer.
If you require more information complete the
details below or telephone us direct.
Please send me further information, on
Microsoft WORD.
Name
Position
Company——— ————
Address — ==
Microsoft Ltd. , Piper House, Hatch Lane, Windsor,
Berks SL4 3QJ. Tel: (0753) 559951.
MINSTREL
systems offer:
16 and/or 8-bit
mix Z80A and/or 80186 slave
processor cards in any combin-
ation up to 7 users per system —
Z80A with 64K is CP/M-80
compatible — 80186 with 128K
runs CP/M-86 programs or
(soon) MS-DOS software.
Versatility
telex interface — tape
cartridge back-up — 8” floppy
drives for IBM 3740 compatibility
— ICL CO3 communications
software.
urbowoe
multi-user/networking
Compatibility
TurboDOS's compatibility
with MP/M record-locking
functions gives you access to
true multi-user packages (e.g.
Omicron Power Systems) or
languages (e.g. RM-COBOL,
CB-80, CIS-COBOL, HMSBASIC).
Expandability
5-40 Mb 5” Winchester
drives per system expandable
up to 160 Mb — networks of up
to 256 systems with up to 6
terminals per system.
®@ Circle No. 253
Sophistication
TurboDOS is a true networking
operating system with a host of
easy-to-use advanced features
and facilities — power ful
16-queue printer spooling.
Price/
Performance
2-user system with 20Mb
5” Winchester, 800Kb 5” floppy,
including VDU s, cables and
TurboDOS £5625 —5-user system
with 40 Mb 5” Winchester,
tape cartridge back-up, 800Kb
floppy, including VDU s, cables,
TurboDOS for £11160.
nm Hil 5!SLAM
HMSystems Limited
69 Loudoun Road, London NW8 ODB
Telephone: 01- 328 8737/8
Telex: 266828
A database by
any other
name
(continued from page 52}
automatically print out the keys of master
and transaction records that are added,
deleted or updated. Rescue gives a pseudo-
full-screen mode of entry, where each field
is prompted in its position on the screen and
adds its wonderful ? help feature. With
Tomorrow’s Office data is entered on the
command line as each field is prompted.
All three systems provide a means of
selecting records from a file or extract file, |
and of sorting them into a new sequence.
| This output may be used for reporting to
Rescue
the printer or Screen, and in Rescue and
Delta for on-line file browsing too. On-line
updating is allowed on Delta only, and
batch updating on Tomorrow’s Office and
Delta.
In defining selection rules Rescue is the
most flexible and logical. Both Delta and
Tomorrow’s Office provide rather difficult
and limited ways of combining criteria.
Delta alone allows some selection criteria to
be entered at run time. Tomorrow’s Office
has the poorest set of features for sorting
data, despite a disconcerting array of main-
Rescue, a flat-file based system, has been implemented on over 40
different micros. Its features show that it has been produced by people
who know the problems of applications system design.
The attention to data entry is outstanding. Validation of input is vital ifa
system is to function effectively, and only Rescue caters for this need. The
Link feature addresses the problem allowing alternative fields to appear on
a screen. The ? help facility, which is sensitive to predetermined validation
rules, will prompt the user for data in the correct format. If “word
processing” and “database” are designated as valid entries for a field, only
w ord need be entered and the system will fill in the rest.
The reporting facilities are rather weak, and a batch updating option is
needed. It may be added in a future release. The ability to update one
database file from another will enable Rescue users to break out of the
restrictions imposed by operating on only one file at a time.
There is a need to tidy up this system if it is to break into the IBM PC
market-place. The manual must be rewritten, the multiple menus tamed,
and screen and report definition should be unbundled from the
file-definition process. Some additional features would place it ahead of its
rivals in user image. Rescue is a potential prince for its type of software,
currently wearing pauper’s clothing.
Put Group Field Relationships
Relationship Opthons
Central File Field Put Fheld Relationships aol
SoSofs
Software review ==
menu options which relate to the subject.
One of the most important features of
any database is the ability to print out data.
Most people will want a good degree of
flexibility in formatting their output: Delta
and Tomorrow’s Office run neck-and-neck
with the features they offer while Rescue
comes a poor third.
Rescue’s standard reports are defined
within a file description, which seems
unnatural and awkward. The manual puts
emphasis on a feature which creates a disc
file by merging data and a WordStar
document, printing then being controlled
from WordStar. This enables easy creation
of address labels, standard letters and
certain pre-formatted reports.
Tomorrow’s Office and Delta provide a
quick route to an ad hoc report using a
system-generated layout. For custom-
formatted reports the features offered are
almost identical, and both are more flexible
than Rescue. They each have a couple of
exclusive features. Tomorrow’s Office
allows maths calculations to be applied to
data fields before they are reported, and it
has a Forms option which eases output on
to pre-printed stationery. Delta allows part
fields to be printed, some field-editing
options, and provides separate control
fields for page and sub-total breaks. They
both have separate options for creating
address labels. Delta provides a useful
bonus in its Letter Writer feature, which
will merge data with pre-defined text to
generate a set of personalised letters
automatically.
Many users need to be able to update
a file in batch mode without operator
intervention, creating a program that will
scan a file, recognise a condition in certain
| records and use what it finds to update
some data fields. Delta and Tomorrow’s
Office provide a very primitive processing
language that can be used on one file to
replace the contents of fields with constants
or values calculated from data fields, work
fields and constants. In both cases the lack
of an If-Then type of statement is a severe
constraint. Delta is the more flexible,
(continued on next page)
stock vo **STOCK FILtes
on oty: eS Description: 25. iii
Reorder level MEE Store location: TEN
TRANSACTION AREA
T Transaction Sete
12 4 T Transaction Date
1S nT Debit Pmount
1 Key Imoice Aumber To 13
Add Ind. Relationship Date To
Delete Relationship Imoice Total Ta
EXIT - Ax Displayed
**SUPPLY ORDERS*®
Order Mo. :- SIU)
1 Key Invoice Number : : oe... 2 Pa
z Order Number T Transaction Reference
3 Imoice Mame T Transaction Type date due: REUEE EN Quantity: Order Ko. SUR
4 Invoice Address 1S nT Debit Amount Pane a
16 nT Credit Amount : =4 = = ~ a= i 3
6 Invoice Address Line 2/7
| 7 imoice Address Line 373 |
Select Field
View Using QUMMD Keys - (MTT To Select - .. To Escape -
To End HEADER: (F)ind (1 )nsert (Loist (Edit e=delete (Rdext (T)ran or ESC:_
‘0 En
Vol. On Disk TERRE
TOMORROW'S OFFICE v2.8 Current Data File is
Figure 2. A custom-designed screen created using Delta. Figure 3. Multi-file options and file definitions.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 37
A database by
any other
name
(continued from previous page)
offering the use of look-up tables and an
option that reports on the updating that has
taken place.
For a procedure not to affect every
record on file it becomes necessary first to
run an Extract procedure. Different criteria
for updating different fields will require
several Extract and process runs. This
approach is as inefficient as it is inelegant.
All packages can transfer selected data
fields from one file to another. This may
occur directly in Tomorrow’s Office, and
the same is planned for Rescue. Otherwise
an intermediate sequential file has to be
used. While it is less efficient, the sequential
file provides more flexibility as the
intermediate file may be operated on by
external programs before copying to the
second defined file. Delta provides the
important ability to update records that
already exist in the receiving file. The others
What are transactions?
Tomorrow’s Office and Delta use the structural concept of a master file
with related transactions. A master data record is accessed by key, anda
transaction data record is accessed through the master. Figure 4 shows
the one-to-many relationship of a master record to its transactions. This
useful concept meets some of the needs of applications by storing data
just once in a master record and by providing a variable amount of
repeated data stored as transactions.
By allowing up to eight types of transaction, Delta provides a structural!
path from one type of data to another. With only one transaction type,
Tomorrow’s Office cannot offer this important feature. The ability to relate
a transaction to more than one master file would allow the design of a
flexible network-type database, but neither system allows this.
Both systems provide a means of updating a master automatically when
transactions are added, so a new Order transaction may cause the
Quantity Available to be reduced in the master record. When data is
viewed, a fixed portion of the screen is allocated to master data with a
separate area at the bottom of the screen for transaction data, as in figure
3. In the lower portion transaction records may be scrolled, while data in
the related master remains in place. This is less inconvenient with Delta,
as alternative updating can allow more or less space for each type of data.
Master data
(key)
i)
Description
Quantity available
Transactions
Due date
Job No.
Status
Due date _
Order No.
Quantity —
Warehouse _
Location __
Quantity
Quantity required
Quantity completed
Requirement
Quantity scrap
orders
Supplies
(work in progress)
Figure 4. Master/transaction file structure as teatured In Tomorrow’s Office and Delta.
58
== Software review!
allow the creation of new records only.
Custom systems are sometimes required
for operators who have no need to learn
their way around the whole package. They
can be constructed by creating special
menus with options that access only the
processes required for the system. To print
a report might require the selection of a file,
the running of a Sort and Extract
procedure, followed by the execution of
a reporting procedure. They can be
combined in one custom menu option with
all or most of the required prompt
responses pre-defined and acted on
automatically. This facility is provided in
all three systems, together with adequate
password-protection features for screens
and files.
Conclusions
@ All three systems provide the means for a
user with no programming knowledge to
generate a working file-based system.
@ All provide a spread of equivalent fea-
tures, and they appear to be average to
good in terms of execution times.
@ Many basic features offered by a
programming language are missing, and
there are no interfaces for use by external
programs.
e@ Simpler systems are well suited to this
kind of package, which will save up to 85
percent of development cost over using a
conventional language.
@ Delta is the package with fewest faults,
and is the easiest to use; it beats or equals
Tomorrow’s Office in almost every area.
@if you do not need a master/transaction
file structure Rescue may be worth
considering; despite its rough. edges it has
some unique and valuable features.
In brief
TOMORROW’S OFFICE
Runs on: IBM PC and most MS-DOS
micros
Minimum memory: 256K
Supplier: Sosoft Ltd, 300 Ashley Road,
Upper Parkestone, Poole, Dorset BH 14
9BZ. Telephone: (0202) 735656
Price: £595
The system under review included the Muiti-flle
option; the Standard version costs £395, and a
Junior version Is avaliable at £195.
RESCUE
Runs on: CP/M-80, MS-DOS, PC-DOS,
PCOS
Minimum memory: 52K TPA
Supplier: Qudos Systems Ltd, 5
Charterhouse Buildings, 27a Goswell
Road, London EC1M 7AN. Telephone:
01-253 3998
Price: £295
DELTA
Runs on: 1BM PC, MS-DOS, CP/M
Minimum memory: 128K under MS-DOS;
64K under CP/M
Supplier: Compsoft Ltd, Hallams Court,
Shamley Green, Guildford, Surrey GU4
8QZ. Telephone: (0483) 898545
Price: £495
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Microware and IBM
—We're unbeatable.
We promise to:
e Analyse and identify your requirements.
e Advise on your system needs.
e Supply and install your equipment.
-e@ Provide the widest range of software support.
-@ Offer comprehensive maintenance contracts.
@ Take pride in our unparalleled after-sales service.
MEMORY EXPANSION NETWORKING
1. Memory expansion from 64-512K - cnaaiesinamadaeieantie PC net
2. Memory expansion with extended features: | @ Local area network and shared resource
@ Printer port IBM ! © Independent of disk type ie XT, corvus etc
® R232 | Personal | @ Independent hard disk system
© Games control | Computer | @ Remote PC
© Battery clock/calendar e IBM PC DOS 1.1, 2.0
® Expansion up to 512K b. 4 ‘a ® Disk and file sharing
3. Memory expansion for electronic disk a = \ © Low cost, easy to use
(RAM) providing capacity of up to 2Mb ih
MULTI-TASKING We offer training to our IBM PC customers:
@ Multi-tasking software is now available 1. Computer aided training, which after initial
for PC DOS-up to 9 tasks can be run set-up, guides you through the sofware.
@ Concurrent CPM f 2. On site personal training by our
experienced professional instructors
MONITORS
We recommend from our range the following:
@ The new IBM colour monitor
EM!
me
SOFTWARE
Pegasus -— Business application systems
© Sales Ledger
@ Purchase Ledger
® Nominal Ledger @ AMDEK-the only IBM compatible
® Invoicing SOFTWARE amber screen monochrome available
e Payroll Co :
© Stock Control Word processing SERVICE
© Order Processing ® Wordstar We offer a number of service options including:
Database- @ Microsoft Word and Mouse 1. Warranty/non- Warranty repairs
@ Dbase II Applications © Multimate 2. Extended Warranty contracts
® DMS-DELTA ® Word Craft 3. Quick response service contracts covering
© Everyman © Word Perfect both parts and labour
Lotus 1-2-3 Accountancy
@ @ourarNono aratdittan
® Hercules Graphics Our complete list of software is too long to 1. Rental agreements
® Pixy 3 Colour Plotter publish, but a wide range is available from 2. Leasing contracts
© Lotus Training Courses stock. 3. Approved credit purchase
®@ Circle No. 135
MICRO
Microware Business Systems Ltd.
Contact us at:
637 Holloway Road, London N19 5SS.
Telephone: 01-263 1124(9 lines) Telex: 297598 MICROW G.
IBM Authorised Dealer
MULTL-USER
OUFTWARE @ ‘dBASE Il’ Usder & Programming
6 y
oy aprounes their ‘Blue Sky’ range of application software for the © Advanced d BASE |
, including fully integrated true multi-user packages for the XT :
and other hard dik Seems. rl Techn Iq ues
With SKY’s sophisticated yet easy to use software you have a
straightforward expansion path from single-user floppy to multi-user
hard uek Ls ie Nl need to leam new software or re-enter data.
uality software available now:
Ss i, ASTER — the management accounting suite — sales ledger, e Wo rd Sta r
urchase ledger, nominal ledger, invoicing, stock }
control, payroll, contract costing, S.S.P. Records. Available ‘ft @ MailMe rge
separately or as a fully integrated suite on the XT. Features include: single
or multi-user” multi-company* multi-currency* records accessed by
number or name* multi-location stock. | @Su pe rCalc
SI sy cast ~a contract costing package.
“. - For further details, please contact:
MAI -a sophisticated mailing package, rebate sorting,
a a. duplicate om etc. | | Th e Tr ai n n g D e pt.,
SI BUILD an integrated contractor's accounting suite on the XT, LA NTEC H | nformation Systems Ltd ;
which includes construction industry payroll features.
*Multi-user system utilises popular networks. 55 Peascod Sy WIN DSOR, Berks.
Also available an extensive range of Commodore 8000 senes software
including mutti-user with a Corvus hard disk.
For further details or the name of your local SKY Soft-
ware dealer. contact us today. Dealer enquines welcome
be, SKY SOFTWARE
13 NEW ROAD BROMSGROVE WORCESTERSHIRE B60 2JG
TELEPHONE (0527) 36299
_@ Circle No. 136 | __@Circle No. 137
data buffers
FROM 16K TO 256K
@culab
DATA BUFFER 3
NORMAL
O/P HOLD
BYPASS
INPUT DATA BUFFER BUFFER oiP REPEAT
ACTIVE PRESENT FULL O/FLOW HOLD °
Any combination of Parallel or Serial inputs and outputs, capacities 16k, 32k, 64k, 128k and 256k.
Status indicator led’s for data arriving, data present, buffer full etc.
Buffer bypass facility for ‘quick print’ jobs, buffer repeat facility for multiple copies.
Output hold facility to temporarily stop printing without destroying data.
Separately selectable DTR, XON/XOFF, ETX/ACK handshaking, baud rate etc. on serial inputs and outputs.
Serial input and output selection provides return data channel for KSR printers.
Use for printer ‘spooling’, protocol conversions, data acquisition, machine monitoring etc.
For further information telephone or write to: (aculab), d
ft e
Parallel in—Parallel out DB3-1 from £186.00 (excl VAT)
Parallel in—Serial out DB3-2 from £197.00 (excl VAT) Unit A, Station Approach,
Serial in—Parallel out DB3-3 from £197.00 (excl VAT) Leighton Buzzard,
Serial in—Serial out DB3-4 from ..... £203.00 (excl VAT) Beds. LU7 7LY.
Parallel/Serial in and out DB3-5 from £221.00 (excl VAT) 0525-371393
@ Circle No. 138
60 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Free software,only £225.
If you own a BBC Micro, you can this data can now be transferred to
now download, store and run programs memory and manipulated in any way you
(transmitted free of charge via Ceefax) wish (making graphs or bar charts for
with the new Teletext Adaptor, priced instance).
£225 inc. VAT. It’s yet another development in our
These programs make up the BBC _ programme to help you fully realise your
Telesoftware Service (which isintended to | BBC Micro's potential.
become a computer software broadcasting If youre a credit card holder you
channel) and although primarily educat- _can order the Teletext Adaptor by ringing
ional, they will soon develop ) el 01-200 0200 at any time or
into general interest and 0933-79300 during office
business areas. hours.
And, as they will (You can also find
change every two weeks, out the address of your
youll soon be able to build local BBC Micro dealer by
up a vast bank of top qual- calling the same numbers.)
ity software without ever Alternatively, you
having to put your hand in can order it by sending off
your pocket. the coupon below.
But that’s not all |
the adaptor has to offer.
It also enables you to
gain access to the
normal teletext store
of data. This is differ-
ent to simply having
a teletext TV
because it means
}
Access to Teletext and Telesoftware Services broadcast on
U.H.E channels E21 to E69.
Speed of max. data capture rate approx. 128k baud.
(8 lines of Teletext per frame.)
Please send me___ BBC Teletext Adaptors at £225
each, inc. VAT and delivery. I enclose PO/cheque payable to
Readers A/C, Acorn Computers Ltd, or charge my credit card.
|
|
|
Card Number. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Height 70mm. Width 210mm. Depth 350mm. Weight 2kg. | Annex Dineta/ Vies/Aceees (Delete)
Colour: BBC Computer cream. | Neiné
Construction: Moulded top and bottom to match BBC |
computer profile. ABS injection moulded plastic. Address
Controls: Four tuning potentiometers on rear panel. | Postcode
Mains on/off switch on rear panel. | s:
Power in 240v, 50Hz, 15w. "aia
Registered No. 140 3810 VAT No. 215 400220
Operating Temperature: 10° to 35°C.
Designed and manufactured to comply with BS415 Class 1
standard.
The BBC Microcomputer System.
Designed, produced and distributed by Acorn Computers Limited.
@ Circle No. 139
The Alphatronic |
Gui Dy
LABIN
The Alphatronic Personal Computer makes playing, learning
and working more fun, more fuilfilling, more rewarding. But
when you put it to work, then it really means business. In
fact it’s probably the cheapest way to access business
programmes through CP/M software.
The games first though — enough for the most ardent
piayer. Some just plug into a socket at the back, with their
own 16K Rom module. Others can be played from virtually
any cassette recorder. There are arcade games to sharpen
reflexes and test imagination. Educational programmes to
increase knowledge, plus chess and other traditional games.
You'll benefit from the learning programs. There are
cassette instruction courses on writing programs in BASIC.
Other cassettes get you and your family off to a flying start
into skills like typing, household budgeting, tax returns and
investment management. And of course there’s our own
instruction and BASIC interpreter manual.
Now to business. The Aiphatronic PC is unusual in
giving you low-cost access to a complete version of CP/M,
the world’s most popular operating system for business
software. You just connect up one or two floppy disc drives
and a printer, then you can run a whole host of new
management programs: office word processing, business
accounting packages and financial planning — the choice
tremendous.
The keyboard is a real delight compared with
competitive models. There are very few confusing multi-
function keys, and a really professional numeric keypad is
included. Six separate keys can be programmed and
indexed for special routines. And the full alphanumeric
keyboard is just like a modern electronic typewriter.
You may recognise the keyboard, because the
means business
[A ALPHATRONIC P;
|
ohatronic PC is from Triumph Adler, leading European
anufacturers of business machines, who supply offices in
0 countries worldwide.
That means real commitment and continuity in
sign, engineering and software support. For instance, TA
ke sure you can get everything you'll need — ribbons,
ationery, disks, upgrading peripherals — from just one
bUICe.
: So you play and learn on the Alphatronic PC, and
ijoy good value for money. Or you can really make it work
ryou. Then you'll really see what it’s worth.
For you, your family and your business, get your
’nds on an Alphatronic PC now.
Please let me know where | can try the Alphatronic PC.
Name: _
Address:
64
TRIUMPH-ADLER
Triumph Adler (UK) Limited, 27 Goswell Road, London, EC1M 7AJ.
Telephone: 01-250 1717 ®@ Circle No. 140 Th
YAMAHA
YIS-503
MSX secures software portability across machines by standardising
the hardware. lan Stobie assesses an MSX home computer from
Japan, where this standard has really-taken off.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING does not normally
review machines that are not available in
the U.K., but in some cases exceptions have
to be made. The Yamaha YIS-503 is one of
them. It is a Japanese MSX machine and
thus typical of a large number of other
MSX micros.
MSX is a hardware and software
standard worked out between American
software house Microsoft and 15 computer
manufacturers, all but one of them
Japanese. Essentially it is Microsoft
Extended Basic, which gives the standard
its name, plus a hardware specification
which standardises I/O and _ graphics
around a Z-80A based system with a 9918A
display controller chip.
Cartridge, cassette and disc: formats are
defined in detail so that software from one
MSX machine will run on other machines
64
that observe the standard. Such machines
are currently selling very heavily in Japan,
and are expected in the U.K. later this year.
The Yamaha machine reviewed here was
provided by Microsoft, which recently
showed Japanese MSX models in the U.K.,
including machines from Sony, National
Panasonic, Toshiba, and Fujitsu as well as
Yamaha. Most interesting of the bunch are
the Sony and the Yamaha offerings. The
Sony Hit Bit seems to be the cheapest, while
the Yamaha YIS-503 seems the best built
and has an amazing, low-cost add-on
synthesiser unit.
No U.K. marketing plans have been
announced for any of these machines.
| There may be changes in styling and
probably in name for Europe, but the
prices in Japan suggest U.K. prices
somewhere round the £200 mark.
Demonstrating MSX compatibility, the
Yamaha runs a program produced for
Sony’s Hit Bit machine.
The Yamaha MSX machine is a grey,
wedge-shaped unit. It is larger than a
Spectrum but smaller than a BBC Micro,
measuring 16.5in. by 8in. The full-size
keyboard is well made and generates both
upper- and lower-case characters. There are
five function keys and the cursor-control
keys are sensibly laid out.
The cartridge slot is located on the right,
above the keyboard. There are two joystick
ports on the side of the machine and
printer, while cassette and general system
interfaces are provided along the back.
When plugged into the mains and con-
nected to a TV, the system is ready to be
turned on.
The system first presents a two-tone blue
screen Saying
MSX system version 1.0
copyright Microsoft Ltd
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
The optional synthesiser clips under the main unit.
You are in Basic and ready to go. At this
point we ‘impulsively picked up an MSX
game cartridge which comes with the Sony
machine and pushed it into the cartridge
slot. You are not meant to do this on most
machines without first switching off, but
the Yamaha seemed to survive. The screen
flashed off and then came back on with a
copyright message. We were successfully
running a Japanese computer game
developed for the Sony Hit Bit machine.
The Basic is a very full version based on
GWBasic for the IBM. Some 28,815 bytes
are free to the user on the Yamaha
machine, which comes with a total of 48K,
of which 16K is reserved for mapping the
display. The MSX spec allows for machines
with up to IMbyte of RAM organised in 16
blocks of 64K, and the Basic will support
this without the user having to worry about
bank switching.
High precision
MSX Basic automatically calculates and
displays numeric data to 14-significant-
digit precision, which can sometimes make
the system appear slow. It also supports a
six-significant-digit variable type and
integers, so obviously when programming
you would declare the faster types
whenever possible.
The 16-colour, 256-by-192 dot graphics
are fully supported by Basic commands.
They allow plotting, line, circle and box
drawing, area filling, block copying and the
drawing of shapes defined in string
variables. Up to 32 sprites can be on the
screen at a time, with the Basic providing
simple ways of controlling them. Sound
commands equal those of the Oric, and let
you produce three-note chords over eight
octaves with some control over the sound
envelope.
Several intructions in the form On-
Event-Gosub are provided, to eliminate the
need for program-slowing loops just to wait
for input. They redirect program flow
when either a joystick button is pressed, a
key hit or the in-built timer reaches a set
value. The usual Microsoft string functions
are provided, and there is a full, business-
style Print Using command to format
(continued on next page)
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
~ S88 a88
aaa
_- ERs
_) hr
OVO! | mon
or 7, BwWav
D ™D |
07
'.
xo’ \
4 \
?
. So
;
b
The 33-octave music keyboard plugs into the synthesiser; the software control panel
is displayed on the screen by typing Call Music from Basic.
Benchmarks
The table shows the time in seconds to run eight standard Basic routines — see
January issue, page 103 for listings. The Yamaha is rather faster than these
particular figures suggest, as MSX Basic works out numeric variables with a 14-digit
precision unless instructed. otherwise. Benchmark 1, which repetitively executes an
empty loop, takes 2.1s. with the default variable type but only 0.9s. using an integer
variable. The Basic interpreter used was Microsoft MSX Baslc version 1.0, as
supplied with the Yamaha machine.
BM1 BM2 BM3 BM4
10 3.1 83 87
21 60 166 18.4
BBC Model B—
Yamaha YIS-503—Z-80A
_ look-alike
Sinclalr Spectrum—Z-80A 48
8.7 21.1 20.4
BMS BM6 BM7
92° 13:9) 32
19.0 31.7 449
BM8 Av.
14.8
216 443
24.0 55.3
80.7 263 58.5
65
YAMAHA
YIS-503
(continued from previous page)
output more easily. Microsoft has made a
good job of this Basic, which will be
common to all the MSX machines.
Fitting neatly into the base of the review
machine there was a paperback-size module
containing the SFG-01 FM _ synthesiser.
This is one optional goody which is well
worth having. It has nothing to do with
MSX but the system is wisely drawn up
with provision for adding such special
features without compromising MSX
compatibility.
On the side of the synthesiser box
beneath the Yamaha computer is a socket
into which you plug the YK-01 mini music
keyboard. It is then a matter of typing Call
Music from Basic and the music keyboard
is live. At the same time the screen clears
and puts up a display of all the synthesiser
parameters you can control.
Touching the keys causes a brassy sound
to emanate from the TV speaker — brass is
the one of the synthesiser’s 48 preset voices.
You can change voices by cursoring up to
the Voice parameter on the control-panel
display and zipping through the large
number of options using the Left and Right
arrow keys.
Sounds good
The sounds are particularly good, and
come as a pleasant surprise to anyone who
has used cheap battery-powered electronic
keyboards. The string sounds are par-
ticularly authentic. The preset voices
include electric piano, harsh and mellow
electric bass, a nice-sounding clarinet and
horn, steel drums, timpani and bell, and
various electronic effects like raindrop and
tweet. Any of these voices can be played
around with to create completely new ones
by using the six parameters shown on the
display as AMS, PMS, Wave, Speed, PMD
and AMD.
On the control-panel display Voice
appears under both the polyphonic and the
monophonic headings. Polyphonic lets you
play chords of up to eight notes at a time,
while with monophonic you play just one
note, but in compensation you can
manipulate it in more ways.
The music keyboard can be split
anywhere to create, in effect, two smaller
keyboards. For example, you can play a
polyphonic horn bass part with your left
hand and a monophonic violin with your
right hand. The parameter Porta, which
appears on the screen control-panel, lets
you slur notes played in the monophonic
voice into each other in different ways. This
allows you to bend guitar notes or play
eccentric violin styles.
The automatic rhythm section offers six
predefined rhythms, such as 16-beat or jazz
66
rock, each rhythm consisting of up to four
different parts playing together. You can
control the tempo and choose, within
limits, the instruments that play, or even
silence some of the rhythm parts altogether.
For instance, you can play horn chords
accompanied by a rhythm guitar to a slow
jazz rock beat, with the drum and high
rhythm part silenced.
Many other wonderful things can be
Specification
CPU: eight-bit Z-80A look-alike
RAM: 48K
ROM: 32K containing Microsoft MSX
Basic and operating system
Display: plugs into domestic TV; shows
24 lines of 32 characters, 24 lines of 40
characters, or 256-by-192 dot graphics;
both text and graphics in 16 colours;
Basic provides sprite graphics
Keyboard: full-size QWERTY layout with
separate cursor and control-key blocks
and five programmable function keys;
keys generate upper- and lower-case
and graphic characters
Sound: eight octaves and three-note
_ chords .
Interfaces: MSX cartridge slot, cassette
1/0, parallel printer port, two joystick
ports, system expansion edge
connector, synthesiser siot
Size: 16.5in. by 8.25in.
Weight: about 5lb.
MUSIC ADD-ONS
SFG-01 FM Sound Synthesiser: provides
monophonic, eight-note polyphonic,
rhythm, bass and chord functions
concurrently; 48 preset voices on poly
and mono sections; attack, decay and
other parameters can be altered to
create new voices; portamento allows
controlled slurring of monophonic
notes; keyboard can be split any way;
six preset rhythms; record playback
facility to RAM or cassette tape; sound
Output to TV or through stereo
sockets; Midi interface
YK-01 Music Keyboard: 44-key mini-
keyboard covering 3} octaves;
measures 22.25in. by 5.5In., with keys
a little over 3in. long; larger size
keyboards may also be offered with
the system
Other music add-ons: Yamaha play-card
system fits into cartridge slot and
plays pre-programmed tunes; music.
ROM cartridges create new preset
voices and provide music-composition
aids for the SFG-01 synthesiser
AVAILABILITY
U.K. price: not decided, but possibly
around £200 for the computer itself
and about £550 for the complete
computer plus musical keyboard plus
synthesiser
U.K. distribution: not sorted out but
probably here foir Christmas 1984;
Yamaha’s U.K. music keyboard
business is conducted by Kemble
Organ Sales Ltd, Mount Avenue,
Bletchley, Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire MK1 1JE. Telephone:
(0908) 640202
done with this unit, especially if it is placed
in competent hands, but perhaps the main
thing is that after using it for hours your
ears don’t hurt. The Yamaha will store
what you play on the music keyboard into
RAM for instant recall, or on to tape. The
RAM limit seems to be several minutes
long, but only your part is saved, not the
automatic rhythm section.
The Midi interface on the side of the
Yamaha synthesiser box is a major plus if
you want to get seriously involved with
electronic music. Midi is rapidly becoming
established as the CP/M of the electronic
keyboard world, with companies like Korg,
Roland and Sequential Circuits adopting it.
Midi compatibility lets you transfer stored
program material between systems from
different manufacturers, and allows one
machine to sequence an array of other Midi
synthesisers.
Yamaha’s approach is to tie its computer
offering into another technological leisure
product area where it are strong, and in this
it has been followed by some of the other
Japanese MSX manufacturers. Sanyo has
provided as MSX machine with the ability
to merge computer-produced graphics on
to video cassette material, and to grab
frames of video and digitise them. JVC has
a rack-mounted MSX system, to be used
linked to its hi-fi systems. Part of the
importance of MSX is the way it is being
used to open up the home market.
Conclusions
@ MSX cannot be ignored. Just because the
machines have a Z-80 in them doesn’t mean
they are conservative.
e@ MSX Basic is very good, both for writing
games and for more practical use.
@The MSX specification includes a
definition of MSX-DOS, a disc operating
system from Microsoft which will be file
compatible with the MS-DOS used on
16-bit office machines. This holds out the
possibility of some MSX _ machines
emerging as very attractive home work-
and-play machines along the lines of the
Commodore 64. Microsoft is promising
cut-down MSX versions of packages like
Multiplan.
@ Disc drives do not appear to be available
yet for the MSX machines. Technically
there would be little difficulty in attaching
standard 5.25in. or Sony microfloppy
drives, but the price would be out of step
with the low cost of the MSX machines
themselves. MSX may therefore spur
Japanese manufacturers to develop cheap
new mass-storage devices.
@ To really take off in Europe and America
MSX needs software, which has yet to be
written.
e@The Yamaha machine itself is a very
competent computer for home use. It is
well constructed, with few components, so
it is probably cheap to manufacture.
eThe Yamaha synthesiser add-on will
prove irresistible to a great many people if
the price is right.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Apple lie
tor, Apple
Modula ; Bag
Books,
Apple Hardware f
Apple lle
Apple lle 64K . 499.00
Disk drive with 250.00
Disk drive .... 199.00
Apple Ile min 125.00
Phoenix hi-res green 12” monitor .
Phoenix hi-ras amber 12” monitor ......
Apple Ill
Apple Ill 256K including Monitor Ill,
Disk drive & SOS
dditional 5.25” disk drive ..
rofile 5mb Winchester ............
Accessories
GOlcolurnipie cee emeenrtneeetccnnercecbistecxsssecestennes 65.00
80 column card 64K extended .
Numeric keypad (//e) ........
Nurneric keypad {J +) ...
T.V. modulator with sound ......
Videx Videoterm 80 column card .
Videx Soft Switch (40/80 column) ..
Videx Keyboard Enhancer ...............
Videx Inverse ROM and character sets .
Microsoft Softcard (Z80 CP/M) .......... ae
Microsoft Softcard Apple Ill (Z80 CP/M) .... 2
Accelerator card (3.6 mHz 6502C & 64K) . 289.00
doystickit/(ey meee: -- 2-22... peer ree t-.| 2,0)
System Saver fan & voltage reg. on
Oust cover for Apple ll ................ 6.50
Dust cover for Apple 11 2x 0D & 1 OO
Dust cover for Apple Il! & Monitor Ill ............ 11.99
Colour Monitors
Luxor high resolution
25Mhz linear & TTL
Kaga Denshi medium resolution TTL
Kaga Denshi low resolution
We also stock the Hantarex RGB monitors, as
recommended by Apple in Europe.
PRINTING
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
; isc D
Computer Dis are Vouchers +
PRICES EXCLUSIVE OF VAT AND CURRENT AT TIME OF
rive with
7
Interfaces
Apple RS232 Super Serial card
Apple IFEE 488 card .......,..........
Apple parallel interface with cable ...
Apple Ill parallel interface with cable
CCS 7710-01 RS232 serlal interface
Grappler + parallel graphics interface .
PACT 8 bit A/D converter ..............
Keyzone 12 bit A/D converter .
PACT 12 channel D/A converter ca “
RGB card TTL/analog output (programmable) 99.00
RGB cerdntml output). cres...ceseeWeecunsrceeeces.. 85.00
Macintosh
Mackintosh the ultimate business machine.
32-bit MC68000 microprocessor
400 kilobyte 34 inch disk
The Mouse Replaces typed-in computer commands
with a form of communication you already
understand: pointing
Nineinch high-resolution (512 x 342-pixel) bit-
mapped diplay
RAM 128 kilobytes
ROM 64 kilobytes
Completely portable
WE ALSO STOCK APPLE AND HEWLETT PACKARD
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
For delivery please add
£0-£199 + £5, £200-£1499 + £13,
£1500 + 1'2%.
CHEQUES WITH ORDERS
Please allow 10 days for clearance.
PLC's, public sector etc 30.days
credit available on official orders,
subject to 5% :
credit charge.
ATA— LONDON 4 Albion Hse,
1 Back Hill, London EC1. 01-833 0044
Telex 25102 CHACOM G
The market
leaders!...
Attention Dealers!
Asaresult of demand ATA
UK has been established to
supply dealers, computer
products at attractive
prices.
Ring Now (dealers only).
(0787) 37327
(0742) 700802
Robocom Bit Stik C.A.D. Graphics f£
System
Robocom Bit Stik 1.1 system v.00... 390,00
Robocom Bit Stik 1000 upgrade software . 350.00
Robocom Bit Stik 1000 system package ... 545.00
Plotter driver for A4 and A3 plotters .......... 180.00
Printers & Plotters
Epson
Epson RX80 120 CPS ..
Epson FX80 160CPS
Epson RX80FT ..........-..
Epson FX100 160CPS ....
Apple
Apple Dot Matrix 120 CPS ...
Apple Letter Quality Printer ...
Ricoh
Ricoh 1300 Flow Writer
Ricoh RP1600 Flow Writer
Mannesmann Tally MT160L
Mannesmann Tally MT180L ....
Plus full range of Centronics
Printers Available.
Plotters
Hewlett Packard HP7470
Hewlett Packard HP7475(A3) TBA .
Galcompls PENTA) ........cssccsssssrcrsese
see 1150.00
. 1499.00
« 449.00
_. 2999.00
ATA — ST ALBANS 70 Park Street, —
St Albans. 0727 74361
ATA — SHEFFIELD 72 Eldon Street,
Sheffield, S1 4GT. (0742) 700802
FREEPOST SHEFFIELD S1 1AY
®@ Circle No. 141
67
KAYPRO 10
Glyn Moody tests the big brother to the machine that was voted 1983’s
Transportable Computer of the Year.
AT FIRST SIGHT the Kaypro 10 looks like a
large tin box. Take off the lid and it proves
to be a large tin box with a 9in. screen, 64K
of RAM, a 390K floppy and a 10Mbyte
Winchester running CP/M on a Z-80.
Unremarkable statistics perhaps, except
that the complete system costs only £2,595
plus VAT.
Though the Kaypro is supposed to be
transportable, little attempt has been made
to cram components together. Disc units
positively luxuriate in space and the main
PCB straddles the CRT in a relaxed sort of
way. The box is consequently a substantial
size: 18in. wide by 15in. deep and 8in. high.
Of course there is no reason why a fetish
should be made of packed, inaccessible
boards and units, but for a machine
that aspires to portability a more frugal
approach to the use of internal space would
be more appropriate.
The CRT and its associated power unit
lie beneath the main circuit board, as does
the power supply. The circuitry for the
discs is contained on a second board,
positioned vertically alongside the floppy
on the right of the machine. A noisy fan
cools the disc and the power supply.
The Kaypro comes with a generous quantity of software installed on the 10MByte Winchester, including WordStar and three Basics.
68
At the back of the machine, above the
fan’s external mounting, is the Reset
button. Moving to the right of that you find
a parallel port, an RS-232 port, modem
port and two further jacks, one for the
detachable keyboard, the other for a light-
pen. Beneath them lies the brightness
control; there seems to be no provision for
contrast changes.
You heave the Kaypro around in the
screen-down position, so a sturdy carrying
strap is fitted on the back as well. The ports
are left open to the elements, and the
numerous ventilation slots render the
internal circuitry vulnerable. The keyboard
clips on to the front of the screen and acts
as a base for the unit when it is being
carried. Four plastic studs keep it off thé
ground.
To set up the machine for use, you unclip
the keyboard and unwrap the mains lead
from four pegs on the back. A coiled cable
links the keyboard to the appropriate jack,
also at the back. While in use the machine
can be angled on a built-in metal stand
which pulls down from the front.
Keyboard fault
In addition to the standard QWERTY
keys there is a numeric pad, but there are no
function keys; four cursor keys lie along the
top above the QWERTY number keys. The
key movement is very shallow and over-
sensitive, and the keys emit a tinny clanking
sound when struck. For any touch-typist
whose fingers have a tendency to linger ona
key not in use the results are tiresome, with
sprays of repeated characters peppering the
text.
The 10Mbyte hard disc is partitioned into
16 users, numbered 0 to 15. User 0 contains
all the CP/M system utilities, and it is from
here that the boot sequence is initiated
when the machine is turned on or reset. An
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
————
Review
autostart routine immediately calls up a
master menu.
Kaypro has been generous with bundled
software. User area | contains that old
friend WordStar, along with a spelling
checker from Oasis systems called The
Word Plus. A subsidiary program allows
the numeric keypad to be configured with a
selection of the WordStar command
strings. Micropro’s standard WordStar
reference manual is, supplied with the
package.
Spelling
The Word Plus has a dictionary of some
40,000 words, which is used to check text
files in WordStar format. Words not in the
main dictionary or appended special
dictionaries are first identified and their
contexts retained. Each unknown word is
then reviewed on screen, and the user may
correct it or add it to the dictionary.
Another facility available on The Word
Plus is a program known as Find, which
searches for words on the basis of
crossword-type skeletons. For example
c?m?u?e?
will be found as ‘‘computer’’. The program
also searches for words which begin and
end with given strings, so
*hing
will produce all words in the dictionary that
end in ‘‘hing’’.
The charmingly named Homonym
Helper is intended for people who have
difficulty in distinguishing between similar-
sounding words, like compliment and
complement, stationery and stationary,
At 31lb. the machine is only just portable.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
and even — if you are an American —
bizarre and bazaar. The program searches
through the text to locate potential trouble
spots. In fact, as every PC reader is sure to
know, these are homophones. Homonyms
are words that have different meanings but
are spelt the same, like “‘pole’’ as in North
and ‘“‘pole’’ as in telegraph. Such quibbles
aside, these facilities should be a boon to
crossword addicts.
User area 2 is the home of the
spreadsheet application package. Kaypro
has chosen Supercalc. Negotiations are
currently under way for a suitable database
package to complete the software trinity.
User areas 3, 4 and 5S all contain dialects
of Basic. Along with Microsoft's inter-
preted MBasic, user area 3 includes a few
ancient games written in that language’s
previous incarnation, called OBasic.
Digital Research’s CBasic, accom-
modated in user area 4, is a compiled
language. CBasic programs are written
using a word-processing package in its non-
text mode. The complete file is then
compiled, though only to an intermediate
program which must itself then be
(continued on next page) |
Benchmarks
Specification
CPU:Z-80, eight-bit running at 4MHz
RAM: 64K
Dimensions: 18in. wide by 15in. deep by
8in. high
Weight: 31lb.
Display: Qin., 25-line by 80-character CRT
Keyboard: detached QWERTY with
numeric keypad
Interfaces: parallel printer Interface,
RS-232C serial printer port, modem
interface, keyboard and light-pen
sockets
Discs: 5.25in. 380K floppy, 10Mbyte
Winchester hard disc
Software in price: CP/M, MBasic, CBasic,
SBasic, WordStar, Supercalc, The
Word Plus, Suprterm
Hardware options: 5MHz card
Manufacturer: Non-Linear Systems of
Solana Beach, California
U.K. distributor: CK Computers Ltd,
Devonia House, High Street, Worle,
Weston-super-Mare, Avon BS22 OJR.
Telephone: (0934) 516246.
U.K. prices: Kaypro 10, £2,595; Kaypro I!
£1,520; Kaypro 4, £1,847; all prices
exclude VAT
Eight standard Benchmark routines — see PC, January issue, page 102 — were run In
MBasic. The Kaypro emerges as a fast machine, neck and neck with the 8088-based IBM
PC and close to the BBC Micro. All timings are in seconds.
BM1 BM2 BM3
9.5
8.3
le
8.7 21.1
1.2
1.0
2
4.8
3.8
3.1
4.8
Kaypro 10
BBC Model B—6502
IBM PC—8088
Sinclair Spectrum— 2-80
BM4
9.7
8.7
12.2
20.4
BM6
19.0
13.9
23.3
55.3
BM7
29.5
BM8 Av.
51.0 16:9
21.9 52.0 14.8
37.4 30.0 16.8
80.7 253.0 58.5
There is plenty of fresh air underneath the main board.
69
Review
(continued from previous page)
interpreted. Though it takes more effort to
produce, the resulting program runs much
faster than one in ordinary interpreted
Basic.
SBasic, the dialect provided in user area
5, is also compiled, and structured too.
This means that it includes such pro-
gramming luxuries as procedures and
functions, If-Then-Else syntax, While,
Repeat and Case. No line numbers are
necessary, and Goto calls are addressed by
additional labels. Recursion is allowed in
both procedure and function calls. The
price to be paid for all these goodies is that
variable types must be declared at the start
of the program. Who will want all these
features and two other Basics is not clear,
but it is nice to have them.
Full provision
The final sector of the partitioned
Winchester offers the impressively named
Suprterm. It allows the Kaypro to be
hooked up to on-line information sources
via an RS-232 port, with or without a
modem. The command structures are not
particularly clear, though doubtless anyone
wanting to use this facility frequently will
soon get the hang of them. The program is
probably more significant because of its
presence in the bundled software than for
the facilities it offers.
Also available on the master menu is the
The DUPLEX SUSS-BOX and
DUPLEX SUSS-ADAPTOR have
been designed to enable the less
skuled computer user to have a
better understanding of the correct
working connection between a
computer and a peripheral, such as a
printer. This ts achieved by using the
commonly used signals (wires) of the
RS232C serial data cable specification, a
matrix-block and special connector pins
By inserting the connector pins into the SUSS-
BOX's matrix-block at the axis of two incoming
signals the user can quickly establish a firm
connection The signals are routed into the SUSS-
BOX by two 25 way D type connectors; | x
female. | x male. The SUSS-BOX also provides a
lamp for each signal to show its condition when
connected in-line, ie High or Low.
£29.95
+ £1.00 p&p
+VAT
SUSS-ADAPTOR
system shut-down option. This places the
head of the hard disc in the safety zone, well
away from data-bearing sectors. The unit
may then be switched off at the rear and
transported.
All the application packages and
languages come with supporting documen-
tation, most of it proprietary to the
software house. In addition to these
specific guides, Kaypro sensibly provides a
summary of the software supplied and a
general manual.
The manual is commendably full and
unfussy. As well as background infor-
mation on the hardware and its
configuration, there is yet another tour of
the software. One problem is that the
software bundled with the Kaypro 10 seems
to be changing slightly as time goes by. The
manual does not keep up with it; but this
will presumably be no problem when things
have settled down. A glossary and index
complete the contents.
The Kaypro runs the Z-80 at 4MHz, but
a SMHz card is available. Other add-ons in
the offing are an 8088 board which takes
the RAM to 256K and allows IBM-format
discs to be read. Battery packs and real-
time clocks are planned for the future.
The Kaypro series represents the first
computers from Non-Linear Systems of
Solana Beach, California. The name of the
machine derives from that of the
controlling Kay family. Hitherto the main
product lines have been research test
equipment, the company having brought
out one of the first digital voltmeters.
With nominal portability and a certain
ruggedness of construction, the Kaypro
machines are continuing in this vein. Last
year 53,000 units were shipped, and sales
reached $75 million. In addition to the top
of the range Kaypro 10, two floppy-based
versions are available: the Kaypro II and 4,
with single- and double-sided double-
density discs respectively.
Conclusions
@ It may be inelegant and noisy, but if you
are looking for a 10Mbyte CP/M system
the Kaypro is probably a bargain.
e@ There is a generous amount of bun-
died software, all accompanied by
documentation.
@ Billed as portable, the machine is in fact
just about luggable. It is large and
ungainly: more could be done to reduce its
bulk, and probably its weight too.
@The keyboard lets down what would
otherwise be an eminently usable system.
Until something is done about its tactile
response, the Kaypro cannot really be
recommended for use as a word-processing
machine.
@The Kaypro seems ideally suited for
basic, all-round business use where
convenience rather than elegance is
paramount, and where price counts for
more than advanced specification. QO
If the user specifically wishes to connect a
microcomputer to the OCTET or HERMIT
typewriter/pminter then refer to
DUPLEX's SUSS- BOOK for details
When the user has achieved the correct ‘Pin-out’
between a micro computer and a printer the DUPLEX
SUSS-ADAPTOR should be used as a permanent
means of connection This is done by transposing’ the
correct matrix-block pin-layout already established
with the SUSS-BOX onto the matrix- block of the SUSS-
ADAPTOR, and then installing the SUSS-ADAPTOR mn
between the computer and printer
on various mcrocomputer
cable ‘Pin-outs'
South — 52 High Street. Stock, Easex CM4 SBW. Tel 0277 841011
Midliands/North —2 Leire Lane, Dunton Bassett. Nr. Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 SJP. Tel 0455 284398
All prices are based on cash-with-order terms
@ Circle No. 142
70 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
INTEREST FREE FINANCE!
OVER 12 or 24 MONTHS
Computer
IBM Authorised Dealer
oem! OFFICE EFFICIENCY MACHINES, BRITAIN’S NO. 1 COMPUTER
DEALER OFFERS YOU TOTAL FLEXIBILITY AND SUPPORT
ON THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER INCLUDING:
INTEREST FREE CREDIT™* (can be arranged on most computers
over £2000* call for quote)
RENTALS (1 day to 2 years)
LEASING (2 years to 6 years)
ON SITE MAINTENANCE (contracts also available on
equipment purchased elsewhere)
TRAINING (courses held monthly — BOOK NOW!)
1 . To: Office Efficiency Machines Ltd.
The above also available on: 150—152 King Street, Hammersmith,
3 325% = London W.6. Tel. 741 7383/4/5/6
—- apricot _ollivetti m0 hs HAY! Paz . :
a—=_ i. ——_,, ortab ble computer Please send me information/quote on:
4
=)
Call our West London Showrooms to arrange a Cliweek § [] 1 month C3 months or more
demonstration on 01-741 7381 My budget is £0... sense
Name Title
‘| Please ask your sales staff to contact me {ml Urgent
| have a requirement for | 1 system (ia 2—9 systems
=
|
iE) 10 or more systems
| will be purchasing within
or
To place your order, call our hot fine on
01-748 8404
Company
Address
Postcode
Phone
Extension
*subject to status and conditions
@ Circle No. 143
Your last chance to
enter our great
Languages
Competition
1. Which of these is nota
programming language?
A. Dibol B. Snobol
C. Cobol Be Lisp
E. Gargol
2. Which of these is not a high-level
programming language?
A. Pascal B. Basic
C. Assembler D. Fortran
E. Cobol
3. When did high-level programming
languages first come into use?
1950s
1970s
A. 1940s B.
C. 1960s D.
E. 1980s
4. Which of these languages was the
first to be implemented?
72
a Tt
RO¢Gehbekdne ..
SSO Oumew ws
mL rey
reap.
A. Pascal B. Fortran
Cc. Basic D. Cobol
E. Logo
5. Which of these languages was first
developed by Professors Kemeny and
Kurtz?
A. Pascal B.
C. BCPL D.
E. Smalltalk
Modula-2
Basic
6. Which of these languages was
originally developed to control radio-
telescopes?
A. Logo B. Forth
C. Fortran D. Lisp
E. Occam
7. Which of these languages was
designed for children to use, and
embodied for the first time the idea of
turtle graphics?
A. Logo B. Lisp
Cc. C D.
E. Pilot
8. Which of these languages was
designed wlth the intention of
inculcating good structured
programming habits among students?
A. Basic B. Fortran
C. Assembler DNS
E. Pascal
Forth
9. Which of these languages was
developed in Britain?
A. Ada B.
C. BCPL D.
E.
10. we of the foliowing figures is
closest to the percentage of British
secondary schools that use Research
Machines 380Z or 480Z computers?
A. 5% B. 10%
Cc. 20% D. 40%
Ey 80%
Pascal
Fortran
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
THOUGH DESIGNED especially for educational use, the 480Z
is also suitable for general business applications as it is a
solidly built CP/M machine. The prize system, generously
provided by Research Machines Ltd, is based on the model
L4 version with high-resolution colour graphics, so it
would also make a luxurious home system. Also included
are a high-resolution Microvitec colour monitor, a RML
dual-floppy disc drive, an Epson RX-80 dot-matrix printer
and all the software packages provided under the RML
school and college network scheme.
The competition is open to all individual U.K. readers of
Practical Computing; however, we will accept one entry
per person so schools and colleges have a certain advantage
if they care to photocopy the entry form.
The winning entry will be the one which in the judge’s
opinion answers the questions correctly and provides the
most original and witty suggestions to the tie-breaker
problems. Each question only has one correct answer.
Write down the letter corresponding to the correct answer
to each question in the boxes on the entry form. Then do
the tie-breakers.
The £2,500 prize
@ RML Link 480Z model L4 with high-resolution
graphics, worth £585
@® RML twin 328K 5.25in. floppy disc drives,
worth £748
@ Microvitec 14in. colour monitor, worth £450
@ Epson RX-80 dot-matrix printer, worth £333
® Colleges Network software bundle, worth £395
TOTAL VALUE £2,511.
The prices quoted for are, where appropriate, the
reduced educational price, so the prize is worth
considerably more to non-educational readers.
The software bundle includes WordStar and
Multiplan plus the Logo, Basic, Pascal, Cobol and
Fortran languages. There are also Word, to teach word
processing, Touch ’N’ Go for keyboard skills, Sir for
bibliographic retrieval techniques, and the Quest
database.
Rules
1. The competition is open to all readers of Practical
Computing normally resident in the U.K., except for
employees of Business Press International Ltd or Research
Machines Ltd, or their families.
2. Each entry must be written in ink on the official entry
form printed here or on a clear photocopy. Only one entry
per person is permitted.
3. Completed entry forms should be posted to the address
shown on the entry form to arrive not later than April 30,
1984. Envelopes must be clearly marked “COMPETITION” in
the top left corner.
4. The Editor of Practical Computing Is the sole judge of the
competition. No correspondence can be entered into
regarding the result of the competition and it is a condition
of entry that the judge’s decision is final.
5. The winner will be notified by post and the result of the
competition announced in the first available issue of
Practical Computing. The winning entry will be reproduced,
and other entries may be reproduced without payment.
6. The prize is a RML 480Z system with monitor, discs,
printer and software. No cash substitute will be offered.
7. The prize will be awarded to the individual named on the
winning entry form, unless the contestant names a U.K.
educational institution they would like the prize to go to
instead, in which case the prize will go to the Institution.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Win a £2,500 system!
COMPETITION
es ce ee me eee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee eee
Entry form for Practical Computing
480Z Languages Competition
Answers
ll ®[ 3 e®lole -«&() te
6. [ | a ee ee ee |
Tie-breakers
1. The name “Basic” is supposed to stand for Beginners’
All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. Make up a name
for a new language out of the initials of words explaining
the special purpose of the language. The acronym does
not have to be exact, but in any case limit yourself to
under 12 words of explanation.
2. Practical Computing is thinking of producing a tasteful
sweatshirt; all we need is a suitable slogan. Suggest one
of eight words or less.
First try
Mac cceescanccccat en nccnesaeecaccccsseeeesecesg ens sssssccssnseccenesessasscestectacesscccsccenssessaconss
Return this entry form to: Practical Computing/
RML Competition, Room L306, Quadrant House,
The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS.
Write “COMPETITION” clearly on the top left-hand
corner of the envelope.
ill
Health and
efficiency
So you feel a bit off-colour and you think your micro might be able to tell you what’s
wrong. Chris Naylor has been looking at some medical programs.
EARLY LAST YEAR an afticle appeared in The
Times: ‘‘Are you tired of not being able to
see your GP when you want to?’’ it said.
‘*Are you irritated by waiting room queues
and the apology of an appointment system?
If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’ then
there is a breakthrough in ‘home’ medicine
just available.’
The breakthrough was, in fact, the first
of the home medical computer programs
and the effect of the article caused con-
cern to Robert McCrindle, MP, Cons,
Brentwood and Ongar. For was there not a
danger here that the new technology could
lead to real medical problems?
He wrote the Secretary of State for Social
Services making the two following points:
1. There is a possibility that people will use
home computers like medical books and
will attempt to treat themselves —
conceivably a dangerous practice.
2. There appear to be no regulations re-
garding the accuracy and impartiality of
advice contained in these computer
programs. Should an independent body
not be involved so that the highest
standards of medical practice are
adhered to in the production of the
programs?
Since then, in government circles,
matter has rested. But in home computer
circles resting is the last thing that any
matter ever does. There are now more
medical programs than ever on the market.
Are they worthwhile? Are they potentially
dangerous? More to the point for many
readers of PC: can a computer ever really
replace a doctor? If it can, then there is
money to be made.
It is tempting to start by thinking in terms
of expert systems. You could have an
expert system in the field of medicine, load
that on your micro, and there you have it: a
doctor in the house. Such notions were
largely fostered by some of the early expert
systems which were written specifically to
deal with problems in medical diagnosis.
The diagnostic capabilities of systems like
Mycin and Puff were reckoned to be the
equal of most competent physicians.
But to start at expert systems is to start at
the wrong end of the problem. A much
better approach is to go into a bookshop
and work from there, devising a broad
categorisation of things which might be
74
the’
mas Rl :
possible on a home computer along with
the benefits and costs involved.
You could start with the categories Text,
Tables and Diagnostics. If you buy a book
on medicine you have text. This text could
easily be transferred to a computer, given
enough memory. Given the availability of
graphics, pictures are possible too. The
information is presented serially and
so involves little manipulation by the
computer.
From the same bookshop you could buy
a volume of tables. They might include
ideal height/weight charts, average life-
expectancy tables for certain groups of the
population, and so on. Obviously, they can
also be placed into a program.
Finally, you can go to the bookshop and
buy a book on medical diagnosis — and
here comes the crunch. Exactly how an
GARY WING
— practitioner reaches a diag-
nosis is still something of a mystery.
And yet this is the big dream: a computer
than can do this infallibly every time or, at
least, as infallibly as do Mycin and Puff.
The circumstances in which good
diagnostic programs have been written are
very tightly constrained. Typically, they
work in fields where a good deal is already
known so that a human expert is available
to guide the programming. They work in
very narrow fields, such as in the area of
meningitis infections with Mycin, or
pulmonary diseases with Puff.
A general-purpose doctor program
would present very serious difficulties of
implementation. The Tables and Text or
lecturing elements of doctoring are feasible,
although a little expensive in storage media.
The real problem is diagnosis. No existing
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
—
Medicine
system can examine you thoroughly via a
keyboard. Even if suitable data were
available, the diagnosis routines would be
enormously complex.
With the current state of the art the
greatest chance of success lies with those
programs that have a limited aim in mind
and execute that aim well. We reviewed five
medical programs which are currently
available in the U.K. Having done so it
appears possible to answer Robert
McGrindle’s two main points:
1. People may come to use home
computers like medical books and may,
on the information they contain, attempt
to treat themselves. However, the same
criticism can be levelled at medical
books. ;
2. As far as regulations go, the same
appears to hold for inedical programs as
exists for medical books — that is, none
at all. There is a de facto set of
regulations which states that a product
gains in credibility and sales if it is
underwritten by an acknowledged expert
in the field. In the programs reviewed
there is little evidence of any medi-
cal advice which appeared to be
unreasonable as compared with, say, a
home medical encyclopaedia.
Help
The idea behind the Health and Exercise
| Lifestyle Program, Help, is that most
people are not all as healthy as they might
be. If they were to be made aware of this
and the risks they run, then they might try
to improve their general all-round levels of
fitness and health.
Help originated in the mind of Flight
Lieutenant Walter Williamson, a PE
officer at RAF Leuchars. It was his task to
ensure air crews remained fit while living a
life which consisted of long spells in the
mess punctuated by brief Mach 2 scrambles
in their Phantom jets. If you can tell fighter
pilots how to keep fit then, the theory goes,
you can tell anyone how to keep fit.
Help comes on a single disc with a
substantial manual. To run it you initialise
a blank disc to hold the data and then boot
up the program disc. The first part is
intended to assess how fit you are. A
questionnaire identifies any risk areas in
your lifestyle and suggests what you might
do to reduce these risks. The second part
offers a tailor-made exercise program
which is designed to match up with the
information gleaned from part 1, coupled
with your own personal tastes and
inclinations in the matter.
It is possible to produce a computer
program which will give a fair assessment
of risks because a lot of published research
exists in this area. Help seems to establish
risk factors adequately, though it may be a
little sparse in detail.
Help establishes risk factors in two
groups: inherent background factors and
lifestyle factors. Inherent background
factors include your sex, age, family history
and blood pressure. It is a little dis-
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
appointing that the only question which
Help asks about family history is whether
or not any of your grandparents has ever
died of a stroke, and at what age. It is
relevant information, but it would also be
useful to know whether the subject’s
parents were still alive or, if they were not,
at what age they had died. If you want to
live to a ripe old age the best thing you can
do is to have long-lived parents.
Lifestyle factors include your percentage
of body fat, smoking habits, exercise
habits, and stress levels. The manual points
out that it is not what you weigh that
counts, but how much of you consists of
fat. A pair of calipers is provided with the
Help package with which you measure the
thickness of the layers of fat at various
points on your person. From _ these
measurements Help calculates the per-
centage of fat on your body.
Smoking habits are asked about in a
straightforward fashion, as are exercise
habits, but the question about stress levels
begins to provoke some doubts. The
program asks you whether your stress level
is low, moderate, or high and receiving
medication, which seems a little vague.
Equally imprecise is the question as to
whether you have a small, medium or large
frame size. There are precise details in the
manual of how to work out both size and
stress levels, so why couldn’t they be
incorporated into the program? It gives you
the feeling that Help is less a computer
program with accompanying manual than
a manual with a program thrown in as an
afterthought.
Having answered all the questions
honestly and truthfully I was rewarded with
a summary display which showed that I
should cut down on my smoking, reduce
my fat level and reduce the amount of stress
in my life. ;
I decided there and then to improve my
general fitness levels, and went on to see
what programme of exercises the second
section would prescribe. From the 150
possible activities available I was offered
climbing trees and playing netball. I had
already stated my sex and age — male, and
in the second half of life — though there is
little doubt that if I did spend 40 minutes
three times per week in climbing trees I
would probably be a better person for it.
There were also some more congenial
activities to choose from, including
walking, pool and billiards, which are all
recommended for muscular development.
Health profile
If you have a printer, Help will output
summary details of your health profile,
proposed activities and a neat progress
chart showing how your weight, fatness
and aerobic capacity have developed. The
data disc for a two-drive system has the
capacity to hold details of up to 50 different
people. That is really the clue to the
product’s main market, which is clubs and
gymnasia.
If you just want to get fit the manual has
a handy bibliography at the end. From it
you might choose, say, Physical Fitness
5BX and XBX from Penguin Books at £1.
When it comes to the nitty-gritty of what
you should really do to get fit, this book
offers rather more detail than does Help.
The recommended method for quitting
Help is to continue until the program
reaches the point at which it asks you to
input your name, and then to switch the
machine off. Switching off at any other
point can have unpredictable results. A
more orderly method for exiting from the
program is called for, as is a way of quitting
part-way through the program. Having run
the program a few times, I eventually
reached a stage at which I wanted to quit
and simply removed the disc from the
drive. Since then, the program has never
worked again. This is, of course, my own
fault for not following the instructions in
the manual when using what must be a
delicate product.
= =
First Aid
The aims of the First Aid program are
pretty modest. It has been produced in
consultation with the British Red Cross
Society and St John’s Ambulance to teach
the basic elements of first aid for use in
emergencies. The program is aimed
specifically at young people aged 13 and
over.
The program offers you four initial
options. The first is Study Subject, which
provides a simple introduction to the
workings of the human body, the aims of
first aid, and common emergencies which
can arise. It is all very basic but useful too.
There really appears to be nothing on this
program with which anyone could argue.
The workings of the body are illustrated by
a straightforward animated diagram of the
heart-lung cycle, which is very nicely done
and thoroughly enjoyable.
The second option, Revise any Part,
breaks the introduction down into nine
subsets. You can run through the
procedures for, say, shock without having
to go through the whole works again. The
third section, Test Yourself, offers a quiz
on the nine sections. You can answer
questions in plain English; your score is
marked up for each of the nine sections to
give an overall score. The final section is
simply an exit from the program which tells
you what your total score was, admonishes
or congratulates accordingly, and advises
you to join a local first-aid group.
The review program for the 16K ZX-81
had a few bugs. The animated diagram of
the heart-lung cycle was shown incorrectly
when entered from the second option. The
calling Gosubs which bring up the graphics
Misplay had been misordered with the result
that a bleeding artery was shown at the
wrong point in the story. Parts of the lungs
also appeared prematurely.
Some improvements could also have
been made to the presentation of the an-
swers and scores in the Test Yourself
(continued on next page)
75
(continued from previous page)
section. The score shown is the total score
to date, when it might have been preferable
to show the score for that particular
question together with the user’s answers
and the right answers.
The fact that answers can be given in
free text English does not mean that the
program has a natural-language front end..
The program simply scans for keywords
and phrases in the answer to give a verdict
of wrong, nearly right or right.
Such faults as existed would normally
cause a package to be dismissed as
unreliable. However, in this case the aims
of the package are so straightforward that
it is still worth buying. At the price, it isa
thoroughly commendable effort.
The same program in its 48K Spectrum
version did not contain any bugs. It is in
glorious Spectrum colour too, so blood
changes satisfyingly from red to blue as it
passes through the lungs.
Home Doctor
The Home Doctor series was written by
Dr Vernon Coleman, a general practitioner
and medical author, and Russell Smith,
technical director of Eastmead Computer
Systems. The aim of the programs is to help
prospective patients to determine whether
or not they should visit their doctor and, if
so, whether the matter is urgent or routine.
The six cassettes are entitled: Basic
Medicine, Mainly for Women, Mainly for
Men, All About Children, How Healthy
Are You? and 101 Home Nursing Tips.
Together they contain over 100 separate
programs, so it was clearly impossible to
review all of them in detail. We took a close
look at two: Basic Medicine and How
Healthy Are You?, both in the versions for
the 16K ZX-81.
The first program on each cassette is an
index which starts with some words of
caution to the effect that a computer is not
a full substitute for qualified medical
attention. A short list of questions then
determines whether or not you have any
major warning signs of illness. If you
answer yes to any of them you should see a
doctor without delay, and the program
goes no further.
Otherwise, the index to programs
contained on each cassette is displayed. The
Basic Medicine cassette contains 17
programs, the first of which deals with
abdominal pain. You are asked a series of
Y/N questions. If at any time the program
detects something from which it can draw a
conclusion it either advises you to seek
emergency medical help through your
doctor within some specified time period,
or simply suggests that you leave the matter
for a specified time to see if the symptoms
disappear.
The programs do not, in general, suggest
The problem of diagnosis
When thinking of applying the micro to medicine many
people confine themselves to the problem of diagnosis.
If a computer could be programmed to diagnose illness,
then that would undeniably be worthwhile. It might be
preferable to talk in terms of ‘‘mechanised diagnosis”. If
such a method could be devised it could be implemented
on a computer; if no such methods exist then it can’t. |
The problem is the broad statistical one of
classification or discrimination. Given a set of observed
data on some object, the problem Is then to assign that
object correctly to one of k categories. As such, it is
obvious that the technique is in no way limited to
medical diagnosis, medicine, or diagnosis. It is a
problem of classification and very little else.
In the medical field several examples exist of
mechanised diagnosis. In 1959 Crooks, Murray and
Wayne devised a method for diagnosing thyrotoxicosis.
The end result was a procedure which consisted of a
simple check-list:
Does the patient have palpitations? Score 2 for Yes
Does the patient have a palpable thyroid? Score 3 for Yes, score
—3 for No.
Does the patient have a decreased appetite? Score — 3 for No.
At the end of the full question-and-answer sequence the
score is totalled. If it is over a certain figure the
diagnosis is thyrotoxicosis, below a certain figure the.
diagnosis is the absence of thyrotoxicosis, and in
between there is uncertainty. The method worked well,
as have methods devised for other -circumstances.
Clearly, a process like this could be computerised,
although in many cases the rationale behind such work
j has been to get better diagnoses out of human doctors.
The problem really lies in establishing a suitable
discriminant function for each illness. The simple
scoring system for thyrotoxicosis is deceptive: just
because it looks easy to use it would be wrong to
suppose that it was easy to derive the scores in the first
place. Such a derivation would usually require at least a
graduate-level knowledge of statistics as well as some
knowledge of medicine. Worse news is yet to come,
because even if one method of carrying out such
76
classifications were given it would almost certainly not
be appropriate for the diagnosis of every type of illness
which came along. This is because the methods used
are essentially statistical and, as the nature of the data
changes, so does the precise nature of the statistical
techniques required to handle them.
Apart from the traditional approach of discrimination,
which relies on classical statistics, there is the currently
more popular approach of Bayesian statistics. Each
illness Is presumed to have a certain probability of being
present, called the prior probability, which is continually
modified through the answers to a series of questions. In
practical terms this approach has a lot to recommend it
but it is still possible to come across problems. They
tend to centre around the fact that different illnesses
require slightly different methods of analysis in
Statistical terms.
It ail adds up to a very difficult situatlon for anyone
who is trying to adopt a general-purpose system for
medical diagnosis. The problem is usually solved by a
combination of two methods: a reasonable theoretical
compromise with regard to the statistics used, and
limiting the field of the program’s expertise to a class of
illnesses with similar statistical properties.
When it comes to providing a system that could be
used on a home micro as a doctor substitute the
problem becomes even worse. In a medical setting,
those who are using the system can surely be assumed
to understand the questions they are being asked and
understand the limitations of the method the machine is
using. This may not be the case for the casual user. Do
you know whether you have a palpable thyroid?
One solution is to produce a program which allows for
uncertainty in the users’ answers So that they can at
least reply “Don’t know”. Obviously, if the user answers
“Don’t know” to every question then the program gets
nowhere. The bulk of the questions must be intelligible
to the layman. Intelligibility is gained at the expense of
information value: everybody could understand a
question such as: “Do you feel a bit rough?”. But what,
exactly, could be inferred from such an answer
compared with the more precise questions which a
trained medical practitioner might be able to answer.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
any specific treatment nor do they normally
offer any specific diagnoses. Occasionally a
diagnosis will be suggested as likely:
for instance, the Breathlessness program
observes that ‘‘stress can cause breath-
lessness’’ or, at another point, ‘‘anaemia is
possible’. Suggestions for treatment are
made occasionally as, for instance, when
the Abdominal Pains program advises a
light diet and abstinence from alcohol and
tobacco for 24 hours when your responses
have led it to believe that you may have
indigestion.
Symptoms
The Basic Medicine cassette proved to be
comprehensive in intent, but suffered a
little from the odd shortcoming. In the
Breathlessness program replying Y to the
question ‘‘Do you have a wheeze?’’ leads
the program to announce “‘Asthma should
be excluded’’. The same result is obtained
by answering Y to the question ‘‘Do you
have a cough?”’. On most of the tapes the
assumption on running a program seems to
be that the user is suffering from the
symptom associated with the program. So
Tunning the Breathlessness program
indicates that the user is, in fact, breathless.
If a patient is both breathless and wheezing,
or breathless and coughing, it might be
inadvisable to exclude the possibility of
asthma. Perhaps that program line should
have read ‘‘Asthma should not be
excluded’’.
Another question on the Basic Medicine
tape reads
Have you been unable to pass urine
recently?
Is there any abdominal swelllng
Enter (Y/N)
Possibly there are circumstances in which
there is a necessary connection between the
inability to pass urine and abdominal
swelling. But more likely these two items
were intended to be asked as separate
questions in their own right, and a little
miskeying has struck the program here.
Nore modest
Many users may know the answer to the
question ‘‘Do you have a hernia?’’ Yet it is
quite possible to find a patient with
abdominal pain who has a hernia but does
not know it, so it would have been useful to
identify a hernia. Similarly the Accidental
Injury program puts the question ‘‘Could
there be a fracture (break) of any bone?”’
The much more modest First Aid program
scores by helping to teach users how broken
bones may be recognised.
No clear line is drawn between symp-
toms, diagnoses and treatments in the
Home Doctor series. It would have been
more useful to interrogate the user about
symptoms rather than possible diagnoses,
unless sufficient information were given to
the user to enable his or her judgements on
possible diagnoses to be somewhat more
informed.
A major drawback of the series is that it
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
is on tape. It can take a lot of patience to
find, say, the 16th program on a tape. Yet
the Electric Shock program asks
Is the victim unconscious or breathing
abnormally?
If you reply Y then you will see the message
Run the program on unconsclousness
Nobody in their right mind would cold-
bloodedly carry out this procedure at a time
of emergency. Even a book would be much
quicker.
If the programs were available on disc
the picture would be quite different. But
even on tape, the programs would be much
more usable if they were linked in a more
efficient way. For instance, once the
program has offered a suggestion it ends
and has to be re-entered with a Run
command. It would be better if it remained
running all the time, returning at suitable
points to a main menu from which you
could choose to exit if you felt like it.
How Healthy Are You?, tape 5, contains
programs 71 to 83 and is designed to assess
a wide variety of aspects of health from
physical fitness through to a vision test. The
Physical Fitness program lacks the depth of
Help but it also lacks Help’s high price.
Just for the record, it advises everyone to
take up walking, swimming, cycling, hill
climbing, tennis and squash.
Missed chance
The program that deals with weight
problems appears to miss an opportunity to
carry out some arithmetic. It displays a
standard height and weight chart from
which you can read off your ideal weight.
Help’s approach of asking you for your
height, weight, frame size and body-fat
measurements appears to make better use
of a computer’s abilities in this respect.
This tape contains very little with which
anyone would disagree. The program
Eating Wisely advocates less fat, choles-
terol, salt and sugar, and more fibre. Stress
Assessment presents a questionnaire of the
sort found in the Help manual. Handy
hints and tips seemed to be the order of the
day.
Vision Test, the final program on this
tape, displays two sets of letters on the
screen and asks you to input the height in
centimetres of your TV screen. The
program calculates exactly how far away
from the screen you should stand and still
be able to read either the big letters or the
small letters. I passed the first test with
flying colours but was unable to carry out
the second unless I had been willing to
make extensive use of the back garden.
The Home Doctor series has not been
very successful in transferring to computer
cassette information which has_ trad-
itionally been contained in home medical
books. When it comes to giving hints and
tips, a book is a much handier device to
access in the current state of the art. If the
subject does attract, perhaps you should try
One cassette before splashing out on the full
set.
Medicine=—=
How long have
you got?
This program is little more than an
application of standard medical statistics
on life expectancy. After asking you a series
of Yes/No questions the program tells you
how long you have to live. Of course, it is
impossible to make specific predictions
about an individual’s lifespan, a point
which the program makes clear right at the
beginning.
The program describes itself as a ‘‘fun
guide’’, but, deep down inside there is a
very solid core of theory. Life-insurance
companies, for instance, make their money
by guessing when an individual will die, and
over the years a large body of data has been
amassed which ensures that the guesses are
as educated as possible.
To start with the program assumes that
you will live to be 75. It then proceeds with
its question-and-answer session and knocks
off or adds on a few years according to
your replies. A Yes answer to a query about
my smoking knocked a year off my life,
and the fact that I had nicotine-stained
fingers knocked off another two. I smoke
between 20 and 40 ciggies a day, which
knocked off another three years, and I
drink alcohol, which cost another year. A
few more questions like that and I would
have given up all ideas of buying any long-
playing records.
In a self-centred, inward-looking kind of
way the program is fun. It certainly is not
the sort of program you tend to abandon
half-way through. It also tends to drive
home the effects of the way you live, and if
you ran the program often enough you
might start to think about modifying your
habits in order to increase your score. It
would, after all, be very easy to argue that
those who like playing computer games in
which the aim is to achieve a high score
might gain more real benefit from this
program than from one which merely led
them to increase the accuracy of their aim
with a laser cannon.
No initiative
On the programming side there are some
unsatisfactory features, mainly concerning
the structuring of some questions. For
instance, when the program asks if you are
overweight by 7lb. to 14lb. it would have
been nice to see it show a little more
initiative. After all, how many people know
just how much they should weigh? A few
questions regarding height, weight and
frame size could have removed a lot of
doubt from this question and made the
computer earn its living by doing some
calculations of its own.
Criticisms of the program arise because it
deals only with yes/no answers, which are
not always the most natural form in which
to input certain items of information. But
all in all it is an addictive program which
(continued on next page)
77
Medicine
(continued from previous page)
benefits from aiming to crack one simple
problem rather than trying to be everything
to everyone.
The Complete
Guide to Medicine
The Complete Guide does not attempt
any sort of medical diagnosis and makes
few suggestions as to specific treatment. It
is really a computerised medical primer of
the sort you might once have bought in
book form if you had wanted to know how
the body works. This is a much more
limited aim than the Home Doctor series
and possibly one which makes less use of
the computer’s potential.
Given the difficulties which are involved
in making computers work there is a lot to
be said for defining a reasonably modest
aim and achieving it. Here you have a
computerised book, and a pretty good one
too. It comes on a single cassette containing
seven programs: Reproduction; Skeleton,
Nervous and Intestinal System; Circulation
and other internal organs; Keep Yourself
Fit; What to do when Things go Wrong;
Home Nursing Tips 1; and Home Nursing
Tips 2.
The programs are much easier to use
than the Home Doctor tapes. After loading
the first program on side 1 you are
prompted through the rest of the tape with
simple messages. Because the programs
are, effectively, a book replacement it is
adequate to go through the things serially.
Each section consists of a screen display
which is divided into two halves. A box of
text on the left is complemented by a
graphics display of explanatory diagrams,
some of which are animated. The graphics
are good, and the combination of text and
graphics makes the whole thing very easy to
follow.
Each display is usually continued by
pressing C but some sections have another
option, called Microzoom, which takes a
small part of the graphics display and
shows it in more detail.
The most distinctive programs by far
were the first four, which occupy side 1.
Together they describe the workings of the
human body. Among the particularly nice
features were the descriptions of the
skeleton and the heart diagram. The
Microzoom shows the one-way valves in
blood vessels and the consequences of poor
valve operation.
The second side gives some compre-
hensive hints and tips for dealing with
home nursing. It tells you how to stock
your medicine cabinet, how to administer
prescribed drugs and it gives some useful
hints on drug side-effects.
Vivid
If all The Complete Guide had to offer
was its second side you would be better off
with a book. But side 1, with its mixture of
text and animated graphics changes the
story. It really is much more vivid than a
book could ever be.
There is very little to complain about in
the way the package has been programmed.
When describing the internal organs all
goes well until the female breasts appear on
Systems and suppliers
Runs on
Apple It
ZX-81, 16K
Help
First Aid
Format
disc
cassette
Spectrum, 48K
BBC Model B
RML 4802
Home Doctor ZX-81, 16K
Vic-20 plus 3K RAM
ZX-81, 16K and 48K
Spectrum, 48K
How long have you got?
The Complete Guide to
Medicine
Wellness Check IBM PC,
Apple Il
£6.75 each or
£33.75 for set
£3.45
£6.90
cassettes
cassette
cassette
disc $250
Tandy Models Il, 12, 16
Suppliers
Help Gate Microsystems Ltd, The Nethergate Centre, 35 Yeaman Shore, Dundee DD1
4BU
First Aid Network Computer Systems Ltd, 39 Bampton Road, Luton, Befordshire LU4
ODD
Home Doctor, How long have you got?, The Complete Guide to Medicine Eastmead
Computer Systems Ltd, Eastmead House, Lyon Way, Camberley, Surrey GU16 5£Z
Wellness Check State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Department of
Health, Cannon Building, Davis Street, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.
78
the screen. At which stage the question
appears next to them
Do you really need thls? Y/N
What can you say? The review copy was a
pre-production version, so the program
which finally appears in the shops may
incorporate some further refinements.
Wellness Check
Wellness Check is a program devised by
the Rhode Island Department of Health to
check on individuals’ wellness — try
looking that one up in your dictionary. It
consists of a list of 47 questions with
multiple-choice answers from which it
calculates risk factors and provides an
individual printout showing those areas
of a person’s lifestyle which require
modification.
That sounds like pretty familiar stuff,
but the thinking behind it is very different
to that behind the other products reviewed
here. For a start, it is not really intended for
the home user at all. It is intended as part of
a community program in which large
numbers of people are processed.
If you are going to carry out that kind of
screening with a single computer program,
you might as well start amalgamating the
results you obtain so that different sections
of the population can be readily compared
with other sections. This is just what
Wellness Check allows you to do. It has
been used so far on over 20,000 people, so
there is a fairly large body of comparative
answers available for each of the questions.
Wellness Check has been used in the U:S.,
Canada and West Germany. No U.K.
distributor has been found so far.
The method of working is to give each
subject a booklet which contains the 47
questions and an optical mark reader card
on which they score their answers. The
OMR cards are fed into the card reader and
an individual printout is given to the subject
by way of return. It is possible to run the
system via the screen without the card
reader, but doing so is about as user-
friendly as reading a core dump. There is no
way of diverting the individual printed
assessments from the printer to the screen,
so you either get a printed report or
nothing.
Some of the questions are not entirely
sutiable for the U.K. For instance, there are
questions designed to discover if the
respondents are at risk in their car-driving
habits. They ask if you always wear a seat
belt, if you ever drive under the influence of
drink or drugs, and whether your insurance
has ever been cancelled. With the exception
of the last question it may be that the law of
our land removes the necessity for such
questions. In fact, it could be argued that
health care in this country is so much less
fragmented than that in less civilised places
that screening individual communities at
this level is of less importance. British
health authorities might still be interested in
Wellness Check simply because of the
availability of comparative data. oO
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
TDK DISKS
High grade flexible disks from one of the
world’s most famous suppliers, 54" and 8”
disks, in boxes of 10.
5.25” DISKETTES
M1D-S S/S, D/D, 48 TPI
M2D-S D/S,D/D, 48 TPI £34.80
M2DX-S D/S,D/D,96TPI £45.50
48 TPI suitable for 35 or 40 track operation.
96 TPI suitable for 77 or 80 track operation.
£24.30
8" DISKETTES
F1- S128 S/S, S/D
F1-H32 S/S, S/D
F2D-S1024 —D/S, D/D
DISK DRIVE
HEAD CLEANING
DATALIFE DISKS
y
—, -— - =
From Verbatim, the world’s leading diskette
manutacturer. Full 5 year warranty. All
minidisks are certified for double density
recording, and are fitted with hub ring
relntorcement as standard.
Prices per box of 10 disks.
5.25"' DISKETTES
MD525 S/S, D/D, 48 TPI
MD550 D/S, D/D, 48 TP!
MD577. S/S,D/D,96TPI £25.55
MD557 D/S,D/D, 96 TP! £34.20
48 TPI suitable for 35 or 40 track operation.
96 TPI suitable for 77 or 80 track operation.
10 and 16 hard sectored versions available
at same prices.
8'' DISKETTES
FD34-9000 S/S, S/D
FD34-8000 S/S, D/D
DD34-4001 D/S, D/D
32 hard sectored versions available at same
prices.
DISKETTE
STORAGE
BOXES
£18.25
£27.15
eae
1 \
XIDEX DISKS,
Py ae]
The new premier quality standard, against
which all other manufacturers will have to be
judged. All products certified for double
density recording. Now with a lifetime
warranty. Unreservedly recommended.
Prices per box of 10 disks
5.25'' DISKETTES
5012-1000 S/S, D/D, 48 TPI
5022-1000 D/S, D/D, 48 TP!
5012-2000 S/S,D/D,96TPi £27.75
5022-2000 D/S,D/D,96TPI £35.80
48 TPI suitable for 35 or 40 track operation.
96 TPI suttable tor 77 or 80 track operation.
10 and 16 hard séctored versions available
at same prices.
8"' DISKETTES
8012-1000 S/S, D/D £26.40
8022-1000 D/S,D/D £31.90
32 hard sectored versions available at same
prices.
£19.55
£27.55
CTI-CP80
PRINTER
Features:—
Friction and tractor feed as standard
80 c.p.s.
You know the name and the quality's the
same. 15-minute computer grade cassettes
for optimum performance in all standard
mcrocomn puter cassette drives. in boxes of
TOK PC15 £5.90
PRINTER STAND
_
VY
Helps to protect your valuable data, and
minimise expensive downtime and repair
costs. Consists of a flexible jacket, which
recelves a pre-saturated cleaning disk.
Each disk Is sealed within a foil sachet to
ensure that it contains the right quantity of
cleaning fluid when used. After use the disk ‘
is disposed of, and-the jacket is kept for
future use.
Suitable for single or dual head drives.
Please specify 8° or 5.25"' disks.
STARTER KIT £7.70
(contains jacket and two cleaning disks)
Bi-directional logic seeking.
13 x 9 dot matrix grving true descenders.
Sub and superscripts.
Italic printing and auto underlining,
Condensed, emphasised, expanded and
eae, strike printing (can be mixed in a
line).
Paraliel interface fitted as standard.
12 month warranty.
Suitable for use with dot matrix printers, Lifts
printer sufficiently to enable continuous
Stationery to self-stack. Painted steel unit.
Dimensions: 39cm wide
x 28cm deep
x t0cm high
Protect your disketies and valuable data
Irom extemal contamination. Lockable,
portable and secure. Two part box. made
from anti-static ABS plastic. Price includes
dividers and index labels. Capactty 80 disks.
Comes as
package which also
contains:—
Print sample available on request,
CP-80 PRINTER
Optionat RS-232 interface
200 sheets continuous stationery.
1x 9%" binder.
1 x highlighter pen.
choice of rubber feet/sticky pads.
AS Storage box (for 8 disks) £32.00"
AG Storage box (for 5.25” disks) £22.00
£249.00
£40.00
Special VIC20/VIC 64 interlace £46.00
PRINTER STAND £19.95
REPLACEMENT CLEANING KITS
(pack of 10)
COMPUTER
-FURNITURE
£14.80
SS oe epee oe
‘0: DISKPOST, FREEPOST, WEST MOLESEY, SURREY, Ali prices inclusive of delivery and insurance on Bntish
| KT8 OOF. Tel: 01-941 4066 mainiand. |
| aty YOUR NAME 00... cosccosesesceoues sco re ra am prem eTrccaseis, |
\ ADDRESS...
Product Price
Sub Total
Please charge to my Visa/Mastercharge/American
Express/Diners Club account.
“I
Sultable for_use with all leading personal
computers. Features a top shelf for monitor/
Printer, lower shelf for KS, paper and
generat Storage; large desk top surface at
eyboard height; attractive teak finish, and
castors for mobillty,
Delivery/Insurance FREE
V.AT.
- TOTAL VALUE OF CHEQUE PAYABLE
TO DISKPOST Dp re een
U.K. Manufacture. Comes In flat pack for
self assembly — full instructions provided.
Credit Card Orders |
We welcome Visa. (Barclaycard), Mastercharge, (Access), Diners
Club and Amencan Express. There is no credit card surcharge.
Either write your card number on your order, or telephone your order
_ Company Orders
If you are unable to raise cheques without an invoice, please post or
telephone your order to us. We will then forward a pro-forma invoice,
for your accounts department to pay against.
to our sales office. )
A further range of more sophisticated units
is available — please ask for details.
THE ORGANISER
£55.00
@ Circle No. 144
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 79
SAILORS listening to BBC Radio 4 just after
the late shipping forecast recently may have
been annoyed to discover an apparent fault
in their radios which would suddenly burst
into a wild banshee cry. This two-tone high-
pitched whine will be familiar to anyone
who has loaded programs from cassettes:
it is Basicode, Basic’s equivalent of
Esperanto, and it is broadcast as part of
BBC Radio 4’s new computer magazine
programme The Chip Shop.
The big advantage of Basicode programs
is that not only can they be transmitted,
recorded and later fed into home micros,
but by using the system micro-to-micro
communication is possible. There are two
Stages to the process of conversion into
Basicode. First there is the problem of
compatibility when transmitting data.
Micros store programs on audio tapes by
converting the bits — binary digits — into
one of two frequencies, representing a
binary 0 and | respectively. But the exact
details and frequences of audio signals
generated vary widely.
Frequencies used
Basicode first standardises the fre-
quencies to be used at 1,200Hz for 0 and
2,400Hz for 1. Then Basic programs are
converted character by character using the
standard ASCII codes. For example A has
an ASCII code of 65, which is 1000001 in
binary form. ASCII uses only seven bits to
represent the standard alphanumeric
characters and Basicode sets a further
eighth bit to be 1. After adding a logical 0
start bit to mark the beginning of the string
and two logical Is as stop bits to signal the
end, the Basicode audio translation of the
colon character appears as in the diagram
below.
Using this Basicode translation tech-
nique, any Basic program can be
transferred to another machine running
Basicode. There remains, of course, the
problem of dialects. Most machines have
some quirk in their Basic implementation
making them incompatible with other
Basics.
Levelling down
Basicode’s solution is drastic but it
works. A subset from each machine’s set of
Basic commands like Goto, If-Then and
Proc, which are common to most popular
micros, has been chosen as standard. This
is a levelling-down process, and what is
gained in breadth of applicability is paid for
in the reduced complexity of the programs.
Machines for which Basicode translation
programs can be run include the Apple,
BBC Micro, the Commodore family,
CP/M computers and the Tandy Models I
and III. The permitted Basic commands
and operations are listed in table 1.
A number of common operations are
absent from this list. They include features
such as clearing the screen and generating
random numbers, the syntax for which
varies from computer to computer. To
80
The original Dutch-English version of the
Basicode 2 manual.
10.00 0/1!1/0}1 111 1,
I
I
Transfer format built up in Basicode.
Line-number
scheme
The following is used to build up a
Basicode 2 program:
Lines 0-999: standard routines. These
routines are different for each
computer and are therefore contained
in the translation program.
Line 1000: first line of the Basicode 2
program. It must be in the form:
1000 A=(value): Goto 20: REM
program name
value is the maximum number of
characters that can be used by all
strings together. Line 20 is used to
reserve memory space for the strings
in those computers which need it.
Lines 1010-32767: the main program.
There are no restrictions on this
section, except that line numbers
above 32767 are forbidden.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
on the air
provide them in a machine-independent
way, special subroutines are constructed.
So instead of writing CLS to clear the
screen, Gosub 100 is used. The machine-
dependent routine is then called at line 100.
There are a number of these special
subroutines, all stored by Basicode
convention in lines 0 to 999 of the Basic
program. The main program itself then
begins at line 1000, and can only use the
permitted commands of table 1 plus calls to
Gosub routines.
Typically the subroutines and translation
programs are written in machine code.
After the input program is translated, lines
0 to 999 are appended to provide the
subroutines, which can then be called by
the main body of the program.
Additional restrictions on the structure
of a program are that the screen dimensions
are fixed at 24 lines by 40 characters, that
numeric variables are real and _ single
precision, and that the name of a variable
can: have a maximum of two letters. There
LOG
MID$
NEXT
NOT
ON
OR
PRINT
READ
REM
RESTORE
RETURN
RIGHTS
RUN
SGN
SIN
SQR
STEP
STOP
VAAVAI
Table 1. Basicode’s permitted Basic
cammands.and operations.
Basicode
® Basicode is available in the U.K. for
the Apple Il and !le, BBC Models A and
B, Commodore 64, Pet and Vic-20,
Sharp MZ-80A, Sinclair ZX-81, Tandy
and the Video Genie.
@ The Basicode kif, which includes
subroutine programs on tape and a
handbook, is available from
Broadcasting Support Services, PO
Box 7, London W3 6XJ for £3.95.
@ The Chip Shop is broadcast at 5pm on
BBC Radio 4 on Saturdays, and is
repeated in an extended version at
11pm on Tuesdays. Basicode
programs are broadcast after the
12.15am shipping forecast in the early
hours of Sunday, Monday, Wednesday
and Thursday.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
are also a number of reserved variables
used in the standard subroutines.
Basicode arose out of a desire by Teleac
— the Netherlands’ equivalent to the Open
University — to supplement its computer
course with software which could be
distributed to students throughout the
country. In 1979 Teleac aproached the
Dutch domestic service NOS and the first
broadcasts of software, though only for
specific machines, were given by the hi-fi
programme Hobbyscoop.
In response to public pressure for
software that could be used by a wider
range of micro enthusiasts, an engineer at
Philips developed a prototype of Basicode
consisting of the translation program only.
Basicode 2, which also includes the initial
routines and standard command set, was
first broadcast at the beginning of 1983.
The original Basicode system was also
used for a series of experimental broadcasts
by Media Network, a programme produced
for Radio Netherlands, the external
‘services arm of NOS. These short-wave
transmissions proved highly successful,
with signals reaching as far afield as
Australia and the east coast of America.
Partly as a result of the interest generated
by these broadcasts, Media Network’s
producer, Jonathan Marks, has become
increasingly involved in promoting
Basicode overseas. Today, a sister
programme Radioactivity is supplied on a
transcription basis to over 155 educational
stations in countries such as Sweden,
America, Italy and the U.K. Media
Network is broadcast at 18.40 GMT on
Sundays at 747kHz.
The attitude of the Dutch radio service
has always been avowedly evangelical.
Programs are free, and there is a conscious
attempt to use this new means of
transmitting software to get people to think
about computers as more than just a black
box. Programs have been very largely
educational, and have been broadcast with
the additional hope of encouraging micro
owners to talk to each other and not just to
their machines.
Sole rights
To further these aims in this country,
NOS has entered into an agreement with
the BBC granting it sole rights in the U.K.,
with the proviso that Basicode must be
offered on a cost-only basis.
Although the BBC now broadcasts
Basicode as part of its new Chip Shop series
on Radio 4, the first transmissions in the
U.K. using this system were by BBC Radio
Wales last autumn. More recently, Radio
Wales’ programme The Micro Show
broadcast purely machine-specific pro-
Radio West’s Datarama at
Telesoftware
Glyn Moody looks at how
radio programmes for
hobbyists have prompted
the rise of Basicode.
grams catering for the Spectrum and the
BBC Micro among others.
The distinction of the first software
broadcast in Britain probably belongs to
BBC Radio Leeds, whose programme
Abacus transmitted software on an
experimental basis back in October 1982.
Abacus is still around, and goes out at
6.45pm on Tuesdays. Other local stations
that have shows with software include
Spm on
Sundays, and LBC’s Young London
programme, also on a Sunday afternoon,
which broadcasts software at about
3.30pm.
Narrow audience
The use of machine-specific Basics —
and in the near future machine codes
themselves — will enable more complex
programs to be broadcast, though
necessarily to a narrower audience. This
exacerbates the problem that audio tones
grate on the ear, and there is clearly a limit
to the amount that people who are ‘not
interested in recording software will
tolerate. The Chip Shop has solved this
problem by tucking its broadcasts safely
away after midnight.
The software that is broadcast — with or
without Basicode — is offered free. BBC
stations are particularly concerned that
there should be no commercial tie-ins, and
that programs are only broadcast when
relevant, not merely as a gimmick. So it is
not surprising that educational uses tend to
predominate.
Programs scarce
Some British producers of programmes
on micros broadcasting free software have
expressed concern that suitable computer
programs might prove scarce, though the
Dutch experience suggest that such fears
are groundless. A competition launched
there recently attracted 1,500 Basicode
programs. Now a foundation is being set up
in Holland to promote Basicode and
publish a quarterly selection from the many
programs that are sent into Hobbyscoop.
All sales will be at cost price.
It is estimated that out of the 100,000
computer hobbyists in the Netherlands,
some 60,000 have Hobbyscoop’s Basicode.
It is widely used to communicate between
different machine user groups. In the U.K.
The Chip Shop reported that 12,000
Basicode kits went out even before the first
broadcast of the series, and the figure rose
to 40,000 after the first broadcast. Basicode
may be limited as a language, but it cannot
be a bad thing if it helps computer users to
communicate with each other.
81
THE POTENTIAL of the BBC Micro as a word
processor is rapidly being realised by the
development of compact and powerful
ROM.-based programs. Acornsoft’s View is
one of the best of those currently available
but it does suffer from the sort of problems
that are inevitable in the design of complex
software that must interface with a range of
peripherals.
Ultimately, the objective of a word
processor is to convert the text held either in
the computer memory or in a magnetic
storage medium into the printed word. This
poses a problem, as the word processor has
to be able to instruct the printer to deal with
the text. A program has to be written which
links the word processor to the printer:
such a program is called a printer driver.
Until recent developments involving dot-
matrix printers this was a relatively easy
matter. Although several different types of
printer were used only a few facilities were
available. For this reason and also because
of the importance of using the minimum of
the computer memory for the operation of
the word processor, only one page —
&0400 to &04FF — was reserved for the
printer driver.
The appearance of the Epson FX-80 with
its enormous range of facilities was another
matter. This was not unexpected, as the
Listing 1.
10 OSWRCH=2F FEE
OSBYTE=%FFF4
assemble=%2400
last_hiqhliaqht=%67
accumulator _store=%4FC:
flags=k4FD: control =%4FE
FOR PASSZ=0 TO 3 STEPS
Fu=assemble
COFT FASS%
» jump _ table
. (see assembled version for
-comments etc.)
JSR OSEYTE
RTS
»offset
J
PLEFY+17
COFT PASS?
-data
J
NEXT FASS’
!of #set=%&0A070400
' (of fset+4) =L1EL71S0E
! (of #set+8) =22F 202925
! (of Ffsett+12) =2 413529352
? (of #set+16) =h47
'data=LFFOLZDIB
(data+4) =%1 BF FS41B
(datat+8) =&57 1 BFF47
(data+12)=&701BFFO1L
(datat16)=%EAEAFFOL
(data+20) =2 1 BFFOFEA
(datat+24) =&531BOC6A
(data+28) =&4A1LBFFOO
(datat+t32) =2%01531B09
(datat+36) =%002D1 BFF
(datat+40) =F F351 BFF
(data+44) =%1BFF4615
(data+46) =21BFFOOS7
(datat+S2) =2EAFFOO7O
(datat+56) =21BFFLISEA
(dataté60)=2541R0C4A
(datat64) =2096A1 BFF
(data+68) =21BFFS41B
(data+72) =RFFSO1B40
82
View
printer
river
T L Morris has writen a machine-code driver which
links Acornsoft’s ROM-based word processor to an
Epson FX-80 printer.
dot-matrix type of printer had for some
time been threatening to offer a wide range
of type styles which would be accessible
under the control of driver software. The
limited range of options available in
Acornsoft’s printer driver for the earlier
MX-80 testifies to the difficulty of
cramming type-style options into a driver
which has to cope with the proportional
spacing of characters at the same time.
Despite the problems the FX-80 created
there was one pleasant surprise in the form
of a proportional mode in which the
character spacing is dealt with by the !
printer, leaving the printer driver free of the
problem. Nevertheless, 128 type styles are
available, if you include the Pica and the
Elite options. In writing your printer driver
to link View to the FX-80 the different
typefaces and special effects are best
accessed via two separate drivers; one for
the pica and the other for the elite typeface.
Main factors
Among the factors to be considered
when writing the drivers, the following are
the most important:
@ The limited amount of memory available
for the driver.
@ Advanced features such as reverse paper
feed and backspace are built into the
AT 2 132
# sets proportional mode
HT 2 131
printer carriage and the movement of the
print head respectively. They are of
immense value in a driver designed to
cope with the demands of a technical
script, and any serious attempt at a
printer driver ought to include them.
@Single-sheet printing demands the
optional deselection of the end-of-paper
alarm-and cut-off.
@ Only two highlight characters are used by
View and they are permanently present in
the screen display. The inclusion of:a
large number of facilities would fill the
screen with similar highlight characters,
making it awkward for you to make an
accurate Selection.
Eight switchable highlights, many of
which could be used in combination, are
therefore used together with backspace and
the out-of-paper deselect. Table ! shows
descriptions of the chosen highlights
accompanied by the printer control codes
and their hexadecimal representation. True
subscripting and superscripting are
available for the first time on a printer of
this type because of the availability of
reverse as well as forward paper feed.
The use of backspace also allows the
subscripting and superscripting to be
placed directly underneath one another.
The switchable highlights are accessed
through the normal View HT embedded
CE _#a centred, underlined, proportionally spaced, enlarged title in italics#_
Figure 1. Use of mixed highlight effects in View.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
NO HIGHLIGHT
na highlight
HIGHLIGHT 1
Underline
HIGHLIGHT
Highlight
Italic
HIGHLIGHT
highlight
Double strike
aoc dew 1
Enlarged
HIGHLIGHT 1 132
highlight 1 132
Proportional mode
HIGHLIGHT 2 133
highlight 2 133
Condensed
Ho OWL Tarr
Ihadginhaight
True superscript
Ht GOH TOT
linen Carine et lh
True subscript
ae tm
qs
She tH
. CAa)>
Highlight effects in Pica mode.
command via the codes 128 to 135
inclusive, while the \ character is
interpreted by the driver as a backspace and
the screen £ symbol is used to switch off the
out-of-paper alarm.
Ambitious
Even with a limited range of options, it is
still an ambitious task to produce a driver
that will deal with all of them and yet
occupy only one page of memory. The
challenge was further enlivened for me by
courtesy of Acornsoft, which allows View
to overwrite location &4FF where I had
the misfortune to have placed a flag.
Compounding these difficulties was the
frustration of knowing that the Basic 1
assembler would not operate from &4FF as
the start address.
The printer drivers store 17 sets of printer
control codes in a bank of consecutive
addresses that are located just after the end
of the control program. The codes are
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
HIGHLIGHT ON
DESCRIPTION
VDUZ7,ASC("-"),1
Underline
18,2D,1-
VDU27,ASC("4")
Italics
1B,34
VDU27,ASC("G")
Bold (double
strike)
1B,47
VDU27,ASC(*W") 1
Enlarged
LB G37 yt
VDU27,ASC("p").1
Proportional
1B,70,1
vbuIS
Condensed
OF
Superscript
18,6A,0C,1B,53,0
Subscript
5 1B,4A,9,1B,53,1
16 Printer
(17th set reset and
of codes) pica select
1B, 40,1B,50
Vous
8
Backspace
Deselect VDU27, ASC (“8”)
£ end of
Paper cut
aff 15,38
divided into two groups, the first eight
being responsible for switching on
highlights while the next eight switch them
off. Every On/Off set of control codes are
eight sets apart from one another. Each set
of control codes is terminated by a flag,
&FF. The control codes are preceded by 17
bytes, one for each control code, which
contains the offset. The offset is the
number which when added to the base
address yields the beginning of the
appropriate set of control codes.
Shortage of memory now becomes an
acute problem since 77 bytes are required
for the printer control codes, 17 bytes for
the offsets and at least 12 bytes are
requisitioned by View as a jump table to
access the printer driver. These together
with &4FF are unavailable to the control
program. However, the organisation of the
codes in the manner described means that
6502 logical operators can be used to allow
compact coding.
Listing 1 shows part of the Pica driver
BASIC / HEXADECINAL
VDU27, ASC ("J") ,12,27,ASC("S") ,0
VDU27,ASC("D"),9,27,ASC("S") 1
VDU27,ASC("@") ,27,ASC("P")
Table 1. Printer control codes and descriptions for Pica FX-80 driver.
Utility software=—
HIGHLIGHT OFF
BASIC / HEXADECIMAL
VDU27,ASC("=") 0
1£,20,0
VDU27,ASC("5")
18,35
VDU27,ASC(*H")
15,48
VDU27 ,ASC("W") ,0
1B,57,0
VDU27,ASC("p") ,0
1B,70,0
VDUIe
v4
VDU27,ASC("I"),12,27,ASC(°T")
1B,4A,0C,1B,54
VDU27,ASCi"§"),9,27,ASC("T")
1B,6A,9,1B,54
assembled at &3400 and includes the printer
control codes and offset bytes inserted by
indirection operators. The assembled
program is saved to disc with a Reload
address of &0400. All occurrences of &34
as a MSB in two bytes or non-zero page
addresses are converted to &04 by
overwriting with a disc utility. The missing
assembler mnemonics are contained in
listing 2, which represents the assembled
control program.
Control program
The program is entered via a jump table,
the details of which you can glean from
pages 74 and 75 of the View introduction
booklet. As the computation for
proportional spacing is done by the FX-80
the last two of the jumps are directed to
return to View immediately. The printer is
turned on by the 6502 equivalent of
*FX3,10, namely an Osbyte call, which
(continued on next page)
83
View
printer
river
(continued from previous page)
directs the character output stream to the
printer only. This rules out the driver’s use
with OS 0.1, but it serves to conserve
memory.
A string of four bytes — the 17th group
of bytes in table | — are then output to the
printer. This causes printer initialisation by
returning ail settings to the default
condition and then selects Pica mode. Also,
location &4FC is set to zero by this routine.
Each of the bits at this location will act as a
flag for one of the eight switchable
highlights. The equivalent of *FX3,0 is
used to turn off the printer and re-enable
the screen.
Listing 3 contains the data section of the
Basic | assembler for the elite driver. This
material is directly superimposable over the
Pica data. There is no need to alter any of
the source code in order to assemble the
Elite driver.
The characters output from View during
printing contain a mixture of some which
are printable; those which are highlight
codes, &80 to &87; some which could be
erroneous highlight codes, greater than
&87; plus two codes which are represented
by \ which is used to force a backspace and
£, which is used to turn off the paper-out
alarm and cut off. They are passed to the
printer driver via the accumulator.
Sorting codes
The first task is to sort the incoming
characters, after saving all 6502 registers. A
loop is entered after first loading the X
register with the number corresponding to
the highest numbered highlight to be
allowed from within View. The X register is
then decremented until it falls below &80.
The sign flag treats the number in the X
register as a signed integer; numbers greater
than &80 are treated as being negative. The
loop is forced by BMI.
Highlights are detected by comparing the
X register with the contents of the stored
accumulator. A branch occurs if the
comparison succeeds, leaving the highlight
character in the X register. If the
accumulator contains a number greater
than &87, it is detected by the BCC
instruction which relates to CPX, which
sets the carry flag, and not to DEX, which
doesn’t. All other characters are passed to
the character output routine.
The highlight number is then converted
to an ordinal number from 0 to 7 which
corresponds to the appropriate set of
printer codes. This is achieved by switching
84
CE FICH HIGHLIGHTS
£
LH 10
NO
no
HIGHLIGHT 1
“highlight 1
*HIGHLIGHT
#highlight
- forces end-of-paper alarm and cutoff deselect
HIGHLIGHT
highlight
128_
126,
UNDERLINE
{29%
1298
ITALICS
HT 1 130
HT 2 t3a
HIGHLIGHT
DOUBLE STRIKE
highlight
#HIGHLIGHT
ENLARGED
thighlight
HT 1 132
HT 2 133
HIGHLIGHT
“highlight
*#HIGHLIGHT
CONDENSED
#highlight
HT 1 134
HT 2 135
HIGHLIGHT
chighlight
HIGHLIGHT
thighlight
TRUE SUBSCRIPT
PROPORTIONAL MODE / BOLD
TRUE SUPERSCRIPT
ce SFe_2+ \\«(AQ)*4MnO_-_\94(AQ)*+8H_+_\¥(AQ)*--->5Fe_ 3+ _\\e(AQ)eehn 2+ \\9 (AG) ae4He240
Note:
Both condensed and enlarged printing upset the letter spacing!
Figure 2. Screen reconstruction of source file for highlight demonstration.
Listing 2.
0400
0400
0400
0403
0406
0409
040C
040D
940D
O410
O41
0412
0413
0414
0416
0416
0419
O41B
O41C 3
O41E
9420
0420
0423
0425
0427
0429
042B
042E
O42E
430
9433
0433
0435
0428
043A
043C
OFT PASS”
. jump_table
JMF char _out
JMF printer_on
JMP printer _of¢
UMP exit \
RTS
-char out
STA accumulator store \
TYA
PHA
TxA
FHA
LDX f£last_ highlight
»find_highlight
CFX accumulator store
BE@ store highlight \
DEX
BMI find_highlight
BCC exit \
-not_ highlight
LDA accumulator store
CHP £92
BEO pivot_i
CmF £96 \
BE@ pivot 2
UMF print_char
-pivot_!
LDA £8 \
IMF print_char
»pivot_2
LDA £27 \
JSR OSWRCH
LDA £ASC("6")
BNE print_char
-store_ highlight
4c
4c
4c
4c
60
prop.
8D
98
48
BA
48
a2
found
catch
uge
force
spacing hendled by printer
save all registers
a highlight
reject HT‘s that are too large
backslash to use as backspace
used to force alarm deselect
backspace
deselect paper alarm and cut of F
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
O43C
o43D
043F
0440
0443
0445
0446 °
O447
0447
0448
0449
0445
O44B
044E
9450
9450
452
0452
0455
0458
0458
o459
045C
945D
045D
0460
O461
O461
0464
0466
04668
04658
O46C
O46F
Q46F
0472
472
0473
0474
O475
0476
9479
0479
047A
0474
047C
O47F
o4e81
0433
0486
0486
0488
0488
0488
o4ap
O48F
0492
049%
0496
O496
0498
0498
049D
O49E
O4AF
O4AF
TXA
EOR £280 \
TAX
STA control \
LDY £0
TYA
SEC
-find_flag \
ROL A
DEX
BPL find_flag
- test _ flag
BIT flags \
BEQ switch_flags
-flags_1
LDY £8 \
-Switch_flags
EOR flags
STA flags
-offset_1
TYA
ORA control
TAY
offset _ 2
LDA offset.Y \
TAY
-print_control _ chars
LDA data,Y
CMP £2FF
REQ recall
JSR OSWRCH
INY
JMF print_control chars
«print_char
JSR OSWRCH
«recall
FLA
TAX
FLA
TAY
LDA accumulator _store
-exit
RTS
«printer_on \
LDA £0
STA flags
LDA £3
LDX £10
JSR OSBYTE
-pica
LDY £247
«set printer
LDA data.Y
CMF £2FF
BEQ exit
JSR OSWRCH
INY
JMP set_printer
»printer_off
LDA £5
LDX £0
JSR OSBYTE
RTS
-offset
OFT FASS”
-data
Listing 3.
1140
1150
lof #set=%.00070400
! (of #set+4) =%1£17150E
1160 | loffset+8) =%&2F 202925
1170 | Coffsett+12) =&4135B3935
1180 lof fset+16)=247
1190 ‘!data=&FFO12D1B
1200 | (datat+4)=%1BFFI41B
1210 |! (data+8) =&571BFF47
1220 |! (datat12) =&531BFFOL
1250 | (datat+16) =2094A1B00
1740 ! (datat+20)
1250 ! (data+24)
1260 ! (data+28)
1270 ! (datat+Z2)
1280 ! (data+36)
1290 '(data+4o
1300 '(data+44)=%1 BFF 4815
1310 ' (datat+48) =%1BFFOOS7
12720 ! (datat+S2) =2096A1 B54
1
'
1
t
'
“53 1BOC6A
KSA LBFFOO
1330 ! (datatS6) =%&1 BFFOBFF
1240 ! (datat60) =£541B0C4A
1350 | (datat+64) =Z096A1 BFF
1360 '(datat6B) =. 1BFFS415
1370 !{data+72) =2FF4D1B40
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
switch off bit 7 (subtract 128)
remember highlight ordinal number
Place “1i" in the relevant bit pos.
is flag set?
init. Y-register; selects "off" HT’s
get offset for printer codes
OS >» 1.0 only
Utility software- =
off bit 7 by an EOr with &80 and is
equivalent to the subtraction of decimal
128. At this point, the ordinal number is
stored while the X register retains the same
value. Zero is now placed in the
accumulator and the carry flag is set. The
ensuing loop rotates the carry bit through
the accumulator until it is placed in the bit
position corresponding to the highlight
flag. The BIT operation now ascertains
whether the flag has been set.
If the test does not succeed, the ordinal
number is not changed and the highlight is
Off. However, a successful result causes 8
to be added to the ordinal number. The
related On/Off printer codes are eight sets
apart by an ORA command after the
appropriate bit of flags has been switched
by EOr. The offset value is now obtained
from a knowledge of the ordinal number,
and the printer control codes are finally
accessed by indexing the incrementing
offset value against the base address data.
Output
The remainder of the character stream is
checked for the presence of \ and £. If they
are found then action is taken; if not the
character is Output for printing.
Once the printer driver is installed key in
printer pica <return>
as described in the View handbooks. A
screen reconstruction — see figure 2 —
shows how the various highlights and
special effects can be obtained. Use of the
backslash brings the subscripting and
superscripting beneath each other in the
chemical equation. The self-cancelling of
FX-80 highlight functions occurs only for
those varieties that affect the column
spacing. Figure 1 shows how this feature
can be combined with isolated highlight
codes within View in order to obtain mixed
effects.
Warning
Finally, a word of warning. View
reinitialises the printer for every sheet. If
the £ symbol has been used to deselect the
paper-out function, then it must be placed
somewhere before the end of each page.
This is tedious because, for all of its many
good qualities, View does not allow the
paging of documents.
There is no easy way out of this problem,
except by not initialising the printer at the
start of the printing. It seemed to me to be
an example of Hobson’s choice and so I
myself chose the cleaner initialisation.
Acorn is busy developing further drivers
for the new generation of printers but until
they appear the two drivers described can
provide the text highlights that most users
require.
Copies of the two printer drivers, plus
two example View files displaying the
highlights described in this article, together
with screen pattern dumps from the BBC
can be obtained on a cassette from the
author at 34 Cross Way, Harpenden,
Hertfordshire ALS 4QU for £6.50. i]
85
a
EPROM - PROGRAMMERS - PRINT BUFFER - SUPERBOARD 33
FOR YOUR- BBC -PET - VIC- APPLE- ACORN- COMPUTERS
EPROM PROGRAMMERS
Read-Programme-Verlfy-copy and more
MODEL A for the BBC-Pet-Acorn-Apple
Eprom types;
2716-2516-2532-2732-2732A
2764-2564-27128-25128
MODEL B & C for the Pet-Acorn-Vic
Model 1B)...........8ees. 2716-2516-2532
Model) C...vis..-s,.rrears 2716-2516-2732
“INTERNAL IC REGULATED POWER SUPPLY.
“ALL CABLES & CONNECTORS SUPPLIED,
“FULL COMPREHENSIVE SOFTWARE SUPPLIED.
MODEL A £110.00.
MODEL B&C £53.50
NEW SUPERBOARD 33 £56.70
Superboard 33 is a new version of our most popular Pet utility board.
*Select upto 8 ROMs or Eproms under software contro! from any ROM socket.
*Use your Superboard 33 is a 16K RAM-ROM® by inserting your own 2K RAM chips.
Each 2K RAM chip is fully software selectable.
*RAM data is fully retained after power down with battery backup option.
Please specify 40 or 80 column Pet when ordering.
NEW PRINT BUFFER. PET IEEE OR CENTRONICS £110.00
“The Printer Buffer is an intelligent buffering device which connects between your
computer and printer. It is designed to free your computer from the tedious task of printing
to a slow printer by buffering upto 15000 characters of data.
*Internal processors with upto 16K of user RAM.
“ Auto self check on start-up with optional printout.
* Auto letter repeat. Buffer status leds and more.
“IEEE to IEEE implements full Pet primary and secondary addressing.
“IEEE to Centronics allows your Pet to work on the popular Centronics printers.
“Centronics to Centronics for Apple Dragon BBC CBM 64 etc. with power supply.
“Standard buffer is supplied with 6K of RAM installed, user expandable to 16K.
NEW APPLE COMMUNICATIONS BOARD SINGLE £27.90 DOUBLE £36.50
*This new board allows your apple to communicate with the outside world.
“6821 via chip with 2*8 bit ports with 4 handshaking lines and 2 IRQ outputs.
* Onboard Eprom socket located from $COOO to $CFFF and $COnO to $COnF.
“$CFFF switch off with board on-off led indicator. |
“The Apple communications board can hold upto two 6821 via’s.
Computer IC’s — connectors — cables — RAMS — or any of your computer needs.
Please add £2.50 p&p VAT all orders. Official orders welcome.
Note. Please specify computer type and model when ordering.
BATTERY BACKUP £10.00 2K RAMS POA
CID COMPUTER INTERFACE DESIGNS, 4 ALBERT ROAD, MARGATE,
KENT. TEL 0843 294648
me
® Circle No. 145 _
MAILING
FLOPPY DISKS?
The Swan Disc Pack combines great strength
with simplicity of use. Made from rigid white
corrugated, it is a self assembly package
providing high postal security at
economical rates.
Free sample
ring us on
01-607 9938
6x 6;
8.75 x 8.75
© Circle No. 146
The Computer User’s Dream 0 O*:
-—W H SMITH SOFTEAM!
The famous name that plans to be the SINGLE SOURCE
for the widest range of Business Softwear in Britain.
You are dealing with anational name youcantrust WH Smith Softeam Ltd, Euston Road, Freemens Common, Leicester
ia
We plan to offer one of the most comprehensive
tanges of integrated software packages available
-WHSMITH i backed by service second to none
S @ Next day delivery guaranteed throughout mainland
chee UK.
= = a Increase your productivity by using the best
SOFTEAM packages available.
a Please send details and catalogue
We have bona fide first-class
dealers and stockists in Britain.
Phone W H Smith Softeam
today, 0533 555361, or post the
coupon for the name of your
nearest stockist and a software
catalogue.
a a.
I WH Smith Softeam, FREEPOST, Leicester LE2 7ZU |
Name
Address _ ‘ — |
_ SES See ree
@ Circle No. 147
Interfacing
Some more ideas from
Peter and Owen Benson
on interfacing an Apple
with the real world.
THE ARTICLE entitled Apple operations —
Practical Computing, February issue —
discussed methods for using the game-
paddle inputs or ports of the Apple II for
interfacing with the real world. Since the
Apple game paddles are just variable
resistors, you can hook up any device which
responds to changing environments by
altering its resistance, such as a thermistor,
a light-dependent resistor or a carbon
microphone. Without any need for an
external analogue to digital converter, you
can measure changes in events and plot m e ni It ° :
these values on graphs or use them to
control electrical devices. The Apple | | Listing 1.
measures any resistance between 02 and} |19 DIM R(1 Agog 52) ¢ N
150k and converts it to a number between
0 and 255, which is accessed from a Basic} | 20 FOR Tl = g TO 45225 : NEXT Tl
program by using instructions such as 36 7 T 41
PRINT PDL (0)
or 40 P = PDL(f)
IF PDL(1)> 150 THEN ...
Using a thermistor as the sensing device, 50 IF P> 208 THEN N = N+l : R(N,1) = Pz: R(N,2) = T
you can get the Apple to measure||/6Q GOTO 2¢
temperatures rapidly and record their on
values, over very long periods if necessary, | | Listing 2.
for later graphing. However, many of the} }10 REM: TAKE ag READINGS
needs for temperature information can be e,
satisfied with only the maximum and 20 256 : MX = -1 : DIM Y( 4p)
minimum values, or those which remain| | 30 HOME
constant for more than a specified length of
time, or all the values which exceed a set | |40 FOR X die 29 = ¥(X) =ePBL(P) « NEXT x
limit.
In such cases, a regular maximum and el id 1 10 39
minimum thermometer would not provide| |}60 IF Y(X)< MN THEN -MN Wx)
the desired information, yet the computer ' ;
can easily be programmed to sift and save 70 IF ¥(X)>MX THEN MX ¥(X)
the needed data. Listing 1 shows a pro-||gQ WEXT XxX
gram to take temperature readings at
approximately 1 minute intervals. All| |9O IF MN = MX THEN 49
values that exceed 200 are stored together _
with the time when they were taken. The 100 YM = 22/(MX - MN)
value 200 would correspond to the||110 FOR X = 1 TO 39
resistance of the thermistor at a specific
temperature. 120 INT((CY(X) - MN)*YM) + 1
You can make a device to measure and| |13Q0 FOR Y = K TO 23
display your pulse rate based on the light-
dependent resistor. You shine asmalltorch | |140 HTAB X : VTAB Y
bulb through the tip of your finger, and the
amount of light striking an LDR on the 150 PRINT "
other side of your finger will depend onthe | |160 NEXT Y
amount of blood in it.
Use a type 222 torch bulb stuck into a 170 NEXT X
hole in the side of a plastic 35mm. film |} }g9 yTAB 9a PSGET US
canister, so that just the lens portion is
inside the canister. Attach the LDR to the
opposite side of the canister, covering a 10 HGR2 : HCOLOR=3
small hole. Hold the LDR in place with F =
black plastic tape to exclude any stray light. a oo * = p _
When your forefinger is inserted into the | | 30 = POL( f)
canister, it blocks the light from the bulb
shining on to the LDR — see figure 1. The 40 IF P>191 THEN P
computer monitors the resistance of the|]5Q HPLOT X, P
LDR and plots a bar graph showing how
the resistance — in this case the blood flow ||60 NEXT X
— varies with time. Using such a device you
(continued on next page) 70 END
+"
Listing 3.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 87
(continued from previous page) which displays the readings of a thermistor
can observe the effect of exercise or} or LDR in the form of an oscilloscope
smoking a cigarette has on your pulse rate | output. The program plots a single sweep
— see listing 2. of the screen.
An oscilloscope is an electronic device If you happen to want to take
for displaying the values of a function
which changes with time. A beam of
electrons moves steadily across a screen
while any changes deflect the beam above 4
and below its usual path, so that a picture aoe
of the changes is presented on the screen.
The Apple can achieve the same effect,
though more slowly, using any changes
which can be converted into changes of
resistance. Listing 3 shows a program
Listing 5.
ly HUME : HERZ : HGR : POKE 49234.0
26 PRINT CHAE (4)5"BLOAD PS. UBS"
36 CALL 24576
SOURCE FILES GSC3.0
ona:
1 KAS KRAN EU RAAT A
fnOO: 2% MALAINE-CODE »
oo00: 3 # GSCILILUSCOFE «
6006: 4% -USES LOOK-UF»
ood: S * TABLES...
oom
ooo:
4 KRACKER REAR K KA
w=-=~ NEXT GEJECT FILE NAME IS OSCILLOSCOFE
6390: ORG 46390
7
QOEO: 6344210 04 63D0:51 E2 50 EQR (FRVYL) rY
SCRNL Eau
O0EL: 9 SCRNH EQU $E1 63A4:C8 30 INY 6302:91 E2 51 STA (FRVYL) »Y
OnEz: 10 PRVYL EQU $E2 63A7:D0 FB 31 ENE FFLP 63D4:A4 38 52 LOY THY
OOE3! 11 PRVYH EQU +4E3 6389388 32 DEY 6306:98 53 TYA
0036:
TMFA Eau
63AA:CO EF 33 UF CFY 456F 63D7:9D 00 40 <i] STA YSTOR*X
ona7: TMFX Eau 63AC:90 02 34 ECC UK 63DAE9 03 60 55 LOA HRTH?Y
00383
TMPY Eau
II SUG INL 35 LOY #SEF 6300185 E14 56 STA SCRNH
9000: #4000
YSTOR Eau $380°84 38 36 OK STY TMFY 63DF 289 C3 40 57 LDA HRTL+Y
C044) $C 064
POL Eau
6382:BD 83 61 37 LDA XEIT»x 63E2118 58 cc
#0070
C070: PTRIG EQU 4385385 36 38 STA TMFA 6363265 37 59 ADC THX
$6003
6387 26D
HRTH Eau
6003: XEYT +X 63E5:85 £0 60 STA SCRNL
60Ca:
$60C3 63B84:85
HRTL. EQu
TMFX 63E7tAS 36 61 LOA TMPA
43RC:EC 00 40 41 LDY YSTOR?x 63E9:A0 00 62 LDY 4900
6183: xXeIT EQU $6183
6286: XEYT EQU $4286
63EF 5&9 03 60 42 LDA HRTHrY 63EE°51 £0 63 EOR (SCRNL)*Y
63C2:°85
6390:A0 5 LDA #CO50
PRUYH 63ED!91 EO 64 STA (SCRNL)rY
63C4:89 C3 40 44 LDA HRTL+Y 63EFIE8 65 INX
6393°AD LDA $C057
6396:A0 54 Co 24 LDA C054 63C7:318 45 CLC 63F 0:40 9C 43 66 UMP FAST
: 2 52 6308365 37 4 ; a ee ee gee eee
6399:AD 52 CO 25 Loa scCosz 65 6 ADC THPX 6OGG- 4C 9H 6S 2h Za 28 20 IH
639CTAD 70 CO 8626 FAST LDA PTRIG $3CA:385 E2 47 STA PRVYL bKues- 34 GS 30 Se 24 oH 20 3h
m4 36 2p 3, 45 5g 2m 4
639F:a0 00 27 Loy #800 63CC:AS 36 48 LOA THPA Sela 34 38 Sb 2) 25 29 20 31
buIs— 25 23 3D 21 25 29 20 31
63ALtAD 64 CO 28 FELP LDA FDL 63CE:40 00 49 Lby $900 (continued opposite)
ae 6.
i ia : VIRB 4:R1 = 16384:RZ = 16394:NUM = 224:FS = 39234:08 = CHRE (4 396 TEXT : UTAB 4
480 PRINT “LST SET- START:3 END: "5H
PRN THE LS2°RPPLE.SCOPE": PRINT 410 IF S = 1 THEN 430
PRINT TREC 6)"COPYRIGHT BY: GWEN BENSON’: PRINT $20 PRINT “20 SET- START: “5m + 15 TABC 21>*END: "GN # 2 + 1
PRINT TABC 112"24 DECEMBER 1983": PRINT : PRINT 430 INPUT “STARTJEND: "546.4E
PRINT ($5 "BLOAD P6. OBS" 440 PRINT KE - x65" POINTS
PRINT “PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE: "5: GET Us 450 mx = - Ll:MN = 256
HOME : VTRE 4 4o0 FUR A = XB TO KE:Y = PEEK (16442 +
PRINT “MAX NUMBER OF POINTS FOR-1 SET : 22009": PRINT TAB. 25)"-2 SET 476 «IF ¥ > MX THEN MX = Y
$: laboe 46a LF oY < mn THEN mv
PRINT : INPUT “NUMBER UF READINGS TO BE TAKEN: "5N 496 NEXT A
REM « SET-UP N FOR mC + S08 PRINT “MIN: “sMNe” "G TRE. “a ae os
Bwl = INT ON 7 256) + 64:10 = N - INT (N 7 255) + 256 + 58: iF iO >zZ S1@ INPUT “LOINES OR DOTS: "5
SS THEN LO = LO - 255:Hi = Hi + - 323 InPut “GRIG SIZE: "56:0 =
PUKE NUM + isnt: POKE NUN +O 536 PRINT “PRESS “G’ TC SHITCH GRIG GN7 OFF"
PRINT : PRINT “PRESS ANY KEY TO START RECURDING: “5: GET Ut 34a PRINT “PRESS “N’ TO ENTER A DIFFERENT RANGE"
Ret + Risn7C ROUTINE TO FERO PADDLE + SS@ PRINT “PRESS “S’ TO RETURH TO HAIN MENU
CAur Ri:S = 1 360 PRINT “PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE: "3: GET US: PRINT
PRINT : PRINT tz READINGS TAKEN®: PRINT S?7@ HGR : POKE FS.6: HCOLUR= 3
PRINT “PRESS @NY KEY TO CONTINUE: "3: GET Us Wew Xm = 279 4-CME — XB: YM = 191 7 CHR - MND
REN * MAIN MENU * So HPLOT @.¢ PEEK €16942 + XB) - MND + Ym
HOME : TEXT : UTAB ¢ 68@ FOR X = X68 TO XE:¥ = PEEK (16442 + KX)
PRINT TABC 8)"1) RECORD UATA”: PRINT 616 IF Lf = "L” THEN 630
PRINT TAC 82"2> PLOT DATA“: PRINT 620° HPLOT (x - ABD ® XmoCY — MND * YH: GUTO 640
PRINT TAB 8)"3> SAVE OATA": PRINT 638 HPLOT TO (xX - ®BD * XMOCY - MND + YH
PRINT TABC &)"4> END“: PRINT : PRINT 640 NEXT 4
PRINT TABS 8>"YOUR CHOICE: "3: GET Uf:U = VAL (UF): IF U< 1 OR u > 65@ GET us: IF US$ = “G" THEN SOSUE 630
4 THEN Zap 66e IF us "N” THEN 390
mune ; YTAS 4: UN U GUSUB 288,399,779,328 6?7y [Ff Us = "S" THEN 198
GUTU 196 - 68% GUTG 65a
REM * RECORO MENU * 236 u =o + 1: [F 8 = 2 THEN & = &
PRINT TAGC &>*1) 1ST SET“: PRINT 786 RLOLOR= G@ + 3
PRINT TREC 3>"2> 2ND SET": PRINT : PRINT 716 FOR Y = @ TO 191 STEP (5 7 (MX - md * 1919
PRINT TAB. B>"YOUR CHOICE:"+: GET Uf:u = VAL Cus): IF b = 1 THEN FOF 726 HFLOT &.Y TO 27S,4: NEXT ¥
: GOTU 78 750 FUR % = 8 TU 279 STEP (6G 7 4 KE - ABD ® 279)
PRINT : IF 4 > 2 THEN 300 74@ HPLOT X.6 TO X.191: NEXT 4
MONE : UTAB 4: FRINT "PRESS SNY KEY TO “Ya RECORDING: "z: GET Us 33 MCOLUR= 3: RETURN
REM * RZ=ROUTINE TO RECORG SECOND Set 766 REM + SAUE +
340 Hi = INT (nN * 2 74 256) + 64:10 = N #2 - [NT (nN *& 2 7 255) © 256+ 5 770 {nPUT “FILE NAME FOR SAVING: "3FS
Si IF &G > 255. THEN LO = LU -— 25596] = Hi * 1 786 PRINT DS$s"OPEN ‘GF$: PRINT OSs"WRITE “aS
POKE NU + 1,41: POKE NumsLO 790 FUR 4 = 6 TON: PRINT PEEK (16462 + X): NEXT &
CALL RE:$ = & 80@ PRINT DS;s"CLOSE "sFS: PRINT "“SAVEL “sNs" READINGS”
PRINT : POP : GOTO 168 318 RETURN
REM * PLOTING ROUTINES > $26 HOME : END
88 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April. 1984
measurements continuously, then the
program has to be made to continue by
changing line 70 to read Goto 10. However,
this leads to a flickering display which is
erased at the end of each sweep, ready for
ted fo) Pa Pt
mand
ed Col ot Gl
ecomm nr
10a) Gy Gl Gl Gol God
ao iS
iat]
aa
Un en
]
“apathy he he tee hd fo
Fa BOUTS eS Dh tt
3 hg eos coho fn bo he Do po OY
BeRESES
Nr omg
& ~ySO
Oo oF
(2G &
SG Sc:
tt OC cee
sferote tuba te
Bei ci
mo. TTT
ae J:
Gl
ie
“Oh PIO Pa Nha to ho he ho he he
d
x He Ngee So ala han
ty
t
IDMOM Bh oS aso
& erat Pode maa g e &
: : . . o
5164-
616s-
bl? a-
6178-
b1S8-
6186—
Kono py Dyk
a
Mees ea ea home
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
the next one. To correct this you store the
location of each dot on the first pass, and
plot the same dots in black on the next pass,
thus erasing the dots as new ones take their
places.
Inevitably the need comes to take
readings more rapidly than can be done in
Basic, and for this the program version
shown in listing 5 is given in machine code,
enabling it to take readings about 10 times
faster. You can program the computer to
store the data for later use or processing, or
to enable you to photograph the waveform.
The program can also be made to run
faster. Because it takes time for the
ae ian
' ou
; SI ho
SOR ESE Sean
21 2.
23
24 24 24 24 24
25 25 25 25 25 25
Interfacing ==
computer to display the points on the
screen, the process can be speeded up
considerably if you only gather the data at
first, and display the points afterwards.
Listings 6 and 7 show a program which
reads and stores up to 20,000 readings —
more than 50 complete sweeps of the Hires
screen — and then plots any section of these
readings as requested. It can also store two’
distinct sets of readings.
Such display methods involve limitations
in terms of absolute ‘accuracy, since the
computer takes a longer time to measure a
large resistance than a smaller value, so the
time interval required for each meas-
urement is not constant, but for most,
general display purposes this is
unimportant.
The easiest of the game inputs to use are
the push-buttons PB(0) to PB(2). The push-
buttons are normally open, and the
program can be set to monitor them to
respond when a button is pressed. The
instruction takes the form
IF PEEK (- 16267)>127 THEN...
Any kind of switch can be used in place of a
push-button.
Rotation Speed
One interfacing technique enables the
Apple to measure the speed of rotation of a
fan blade. If you attach a magnet to a piece
of machinery, and place a magnetic reed-
switch nearby, the movement of the magnet
past the reed-switch will close the contacts
dice for each pass. If you connect the
switch to the push-button input of the
Apple, the computer can either count the
impulses, or use them to measure the
rotational speed of the machine, as in the
program shown in listing 8.
While it is possible to make up a series of
individual sensors and plug them in one at a
time to the Game I/O socket of the Apple,
it is not long before this leads to frustration,
if not a few bent pins. So it is advisable to
construct a simple connector which can be
left permanently plugged into the Game
I/O socket, and to which the various
sensors can be connected without opening
the Apple.
Such a device acts as an extension cord,
bringing out as many of the connections as
may be needed — very often only two, the
+5V line and the GC(0) line which is
referred to as PDL(O) in programs. If you
need all the connections, the best approach
is to buy or make a 16-strand cable with a
DIP header plug at the computer end anda
socket at the other. It is best to add a small
plastic box to the socket end, with two
quick-connect terminals. Terminals enable
sensors such as thermistors and LDRs to be
connected and replaced, without plugging
or unplugging any multi-pin DIP
connectors.
The LED is driven by the annunciator
Output and is used to indicate when it has
been turned on. If you require game
paddles or joysticks they can be plugged
into the socket on the connector box.
(continued on next page)
89
= === Inter facing =z
Listing 7.
SOURCE FILE: OScVv2.0 4007185 YSTOR+i 40202A5 2 YSTOR+1
NEXT OEJECT FILE NAME IS F4.0EJ 4009%68 4022; NUM+1
4000: ORG 44000 400A°20 . REGSTOR 40243 LOCHK
O0E2: YSTOR EQU E 4000%A0 #300 4026:
ONO: NUM Eau 400F2A2 #300 : 2 » PDRD
FF4a: REGSTOR EQU 40i1itaAD PTRIG : : > YSTOR+1
FFF: REGRES EQU 4014°AD 18 FOLLP FDL an FPDRD
CN443 POL Eau 4017:10 7 ENOLF : 32 LOCHK NUM
co70: PTRIG Eau 4019%ES8 $ : c NXTY
4000:48 Rai FHA 4B1A:D0 : a YSTOR
4O001°A9 38 LDA 401C:CA : 2 : c] Sk REGRES
4003385 EZ STA 4910!8A 23 ENDLF
9005:A9 40 LDA 4Q1E:91 24 (YSTOR) + ¥
(continued from previous page) Lidline 8
The more you use the Apple for isting".
interfacing with the real world, the more it 10 PBl = -16287
behaves like a universal monitor. It can
monitor, measure, store, process and graph 20 REM: COUNT NUMBER OF CONTACTS
any factor which can be converted to a 30 REM: IN 19 SECONDS
change in resistance, and with light- 40 FOR T = g TO 7537
dependent resistors and thermistors, almost
any change can be converted to a change in 50 IF PEEK (PB1)>127 THEN N
resistance. The push-button inputs enable 60 NEXT T
you to use switching devices to provide
input to the computer. Once the infor- ZOOPRINT “NUMBER ‘OF (REVS: ";
mation is in the computer, it can be used to 80 PRINT "RPM = ": N¥6
control electrical devices through the d
annunciator outputs in the same Game I/O 90 END
socket, using small relays.
The new generation of plotters
for all business & scientific graphics
Low cost, high performance Ne
@ A3 paper Ww
@ 8 pens \Or7. intelligent plotting “op, 2
@ RS232, IEEE Oy er Rey
Cx I/ faces L @ A3/A4 paper Alt a
@ Interchangeable pens Slr
@ RS232 &IEEE I/faces
HOUSTON
DMP-29
S . t Sintrom Electronics Ltd
IntTromM Arkwright Road, Reading, Berks RG2 OLS
Tel: Reading (0734) 875464
Electronics ee) Télext847305
For professional career opportunities contact our Personnel Department
SINTROM GROUP
© Circle No. 148
90 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
| SELECTION FROM OUR PRODUCT RANGE
PUNK
. ra 4 - g ¥
ligh Level Languages Telecommunications Cont. ey
4 Supersoft e ICLCD3 EMULATION {Bulk} Synchro Systems | @
sic INTERPRETER Microsoft e e ICL CD3 EMULATION {Interactive} Synchro Systems Ps)
WC COMPILER Supersolt e ICL CD3 EMULATION [Interactive & Bulk} Synchro Sysiems e
pes PEPER Pt lad 4 . REFORMATTER CP/M <-> DEC Microtech Exports | @
3 :
OMPILER ecrcut a REFORMATTER CP/M <> IBM Microtech Exports | @
OMPILER Supersoft e e .
ue Be leh neseeeeh : Word Processing/Text Editing/Editors
SIC COMPILER Digital Research ®
COBOL Micro Focus ® CORRECTOR Supersoft ® THE TRU E
OL COMPILER Microsoft c © iS EDIT-B0 2.02 Microsolt e LINKAGE
Oa ce . els MAILMERGE Micropro e\elele
uperso MEMOPLAN Chang Lab
TRAN COMPILER Microsoft e ele ann ee bs id : EDITOR
Fl2 COBOL ee $ on) © WORO WITH MOUSE Microsott e
uperso PARAGRAB Fi ° I
Isp Wea * - els cet . An overlay linkage editor
MATH/muSIMP Microsoft e © PMATE Phoenix aaie that can bind together
ov oe cay : is ° SPELLSTAR Micropro elelel|e individually compiled
: al Researc' STARBURST Micropro e\elele
1 Oigital Research e STARINDEX Micropro elelele modules of a programme
WOROMASTER Micrapro e into one or more files,
WORDSTAR Micropro @\e|/e;e hatm loaded
ow Level Languages WORDSTAR PROFESSIONAL ; La Me ie
[WS- MM~ SS- STAR INDEX} Micropro elelele and executed by
3R0-80 Microsoft © the operating system.
GRAMMERS UTILS (RASM] Digital Research e\e ,
Databases/Data Management Systems
rogram Development Tools q 9 y ” .
An interactive or batch-link
DATASTAR Micropro @\;e@e;e;e
MATOR Miccai fonts @\e FRIDAY Ashton Tale e ele leader
i ul hae . dBASE-II Ashton Tat sissies
PLAY MANAGER Digital Research e SEdgTAA WMisre . wlelels *® works on CP/M-86, PC-DOS and
JUMB Micrology e REPORTSTAR imierante elelele MS-DOS, and fully supports the
EL Il ANIMATOR Micro Focus @\e@e;e |e MS-DOS? Directory
VELOP Phoenix Software e Tree Structure.
mK Proenix Sotware «| ® Financial Accounting *
1K 86 Phoenix’ Soltware ele Is a true 16-bit overlay linker.
Digital Research ele INCOMPLETE RECORDS SYSTEM MPI @;e;e;e *¢ MS-DOS i;
£0 PROGRAMMING PACKAGE Digital Research ee NOMINAL LEQGER Padmede e ele an create programmes
-B6 Digitat Research e OPEN ITEM PURCHASE LEOGER Padmede e e\e under CP/M86 and then pull
0 Digital Research e OPEN ITEM SALES LEOGER Padmede ® eje these programmes across.
PAQMEQE BUSINESS CONTRDL SYSTEM Padmede ° eje "
AY PAYROLL MPI © Under MS-DOS, Plink-86 can be
tilities/System Tools PURCHASE LEDGER Padmede e ele Menimnienelfolio title lan suaser
> Keele Codes elelele SALES INVOICING Padmede e ele
' 4 ele 5 .
3POOL Digital Research © SALES LEOGER Padmede d alle MICROSOFT LATTICE C
GNOSTICS It Supersoft ele TIME & COST RECOROING Padmede ® FORTRAN
K DOCTOR Supersofl @je
KED-2 Slogger Software e es
K-EDIT Supersoft @eje|e;\e . ; A 4
Dai Sener suithare 4 Financial Modelling/Problem Solving COBOL
KORG Stogger Software e CALCSTAR M elele ASSEMBLER
KTOOLS-1 (DISKMAN & DISKORG) — Stogger Software e DECISION ANALYST ecice wremma) | ffs | 4
KTOOLS-2 (DISKTOOLS-1 & DISKED-2) Slogger Software @ LINEAR & GOAL PROGRAMMING EAS e * Under CP/M86, Plink-86 can be
IL (FOR DBASE-tI) Fox & Geller e MATHSPACK MPI e ele used with LATTICE C.
SHARE Micro Focus e\e ® MICROPLAN Chang Labs eje ©
ORE erice Silicon Valley Corp. ‘ | MULTIPLAN Microsolt e eje Sent to Plink-86 can be
baulantniService e pap a fe ple tts b4 4 4 free-format and multi-line.
). Function Key Service ® PROFIT PLAN Chang Labs e eje
eae 11.2 & 3) eas ° QsTAT Pivotal Software | @ . ORDER
upersoft C) STATSPACK MPI e e
E OPERATING GUIDE Decision Systems e TK! SDLVER Santana Fy INFORMATION
ILITIES 1 Supersoft e TK! SOLVER PACKS When ordering suftware please
ILITIES I Supersoft ® FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT e specify the format you require. All
° . MECH ENGINEERIN ® software items are subject to
orting B i ald i VAT. Manuals. when purchased
; A ; tety. are not subject to
SORT Microsoft e e|e usiness Applica tions VAT. Please add £3.75 (plus VAT)
PERSORT 2 Micropro | @ |e | @\;e JOB COSTING Heselltine elelele for postage and packing for the
rode Generators een i A apa MN bla £2.00 tor each extra em. For
TOCOOE Stemmds ) e e Systems e ele overseas please add £6.50 for the
IRMS-2 Micro Focus eielele STOCK CONTROL Padmede e ele first item and then £2.15 for each
HICK CODE Fox & Geller e e e : a extra Item required. Most
iURCEWRITER Sottwright ejelele| Training Aids Rens Se all
IE LAST ONE Od. “Al” Systems elelele cp ; 2
ae /M TUTOR Syntax Soft details are current as of January
IE AST ONE—COMPACT DJ. “AN” Systems @ le lele! — ceéysoanp master merino |" e 1984 (Telephone at time of
elecommunications/Conversions TYPING MASTER Anthony Ashpitel | @ | @| | @ Cela Aeticein
H Sterling and drawn against a U.K,
COEBIT Comley Graphics ae ee
: y change without
CSCOPY Comley ; notice due to fluctuations in the
TAM Byrom Software dGRAPH Fox & Geller e e\e dollar exchange rate. Please
TMS Byrom Software STATSGRAPH Supersott e contirm price at time of ordering,
* Free Catalogue Available
MICROCOMPUTER THE HOME OF Room PL3 Tel: 01-591 6511
PRODUCTS Central House, Telex: 892395
INTERNATIONAL MICROCOMPUTER Cambridge Road.
faites SOFTWARE a acietn of
@ Circle No. 149
More colours
on the 64
In the second part of his series on the Commodore 64, Boris Allan explains how
LAST MONTH’S article ‘explained how
to produce two-colour high-resolution
graphics on the Commodore 64. The next
step is to extend the coverage to more than
two colours. The Commodore 64 makes
provision for three colours per character
block, plus the background colour:
Before you can start to use any form of
high-resolution graphics, you have to move
the base of Basic above the portion of
memory used for the bit map. You move
the base by
POKE 44,46 : POKE 16384,0 : NEW
In high-resolution graphics you are
concerned with bits in an eight-by-eight
block where there are 1,000 such blocks
When you use high-resolution graphics,
you are working towards the type of
situation as shown in figure 1, which is
what a straight line under magnification
might look like drawn on the screen. Each
bit or pixel within the character block can
either be equal to 0 or 1. Two colours may
be used, depending upon the value of the
bit. The two colours for the block are set by
screen memory for the corresponding
character in low-resolution graphics.
Multi-colour mode is set by forcing bit 4
at location 53270 to a 1, which is Or 16.
In this mode a straight line through the
eight-by-eight block would look like figure
2. Now the resolution is halved and the line
is two pixels or two bits wide. Since the
resoiution is less, the lines drawn are cruder
approximations to straight lines.
As the number of bits per pixel has
doubled, the number of colours the system
can cope with is now four. Whereas
previously you had two possible values, 0
and 1, you now have four possible values,
and each value takes its colour cue from a
different place. Table 1 gives the possible
bit patterns and their corresponding colour
cues. The background colour #0 is set by
using location 53281. Location 53281 is
normally used to set the colour of the
background.
Screen memory is that portion of
memory from 1024 to 1023 which is
00 — background colour #0
01 — upper four bits of screen memory
10 — lower four bits of screen memory
11 — lower four bits of colour memory
Table 1. Bit patterns and colour cues.
oe
to draw multi-colour graphics.
Listing 1.
@ REM C64 MULTICOLOUR HIRES, BORIS ALLAN
1 REM INITIALIZE
2 REM
12000 PRINT CHR#(147) =: REM CLEAR SCREEN
10901@ GOSUB 11002 : REM ACTIVATE FUNCTION
Ss
1@020 POKE 52265, PEEK(53265) AND 239 : R
EM BLANK SCREEN
16830 POKE 53265, PEEK(53265) OR 32 : REM
BIT MAP MODE
10840 POKE 53272, (PEEK(53272) AND 248) O
R 8 : REM LOCATE CHARACTER MEMORY
1@@5@ POKE 53270, PEEK(53270) OR 16 : REM
TURN ON MULTICOLOUR MODE
10068 FOR I=8192 TO 16192
109070 POKE 1,@ : REM CLEAR THIS PATCH OF
MEMORY
1@@8@ NEXT I .
190090 FOR I1=1@24 TO 2023
10120 POKE 1,65 : REM COLOUR 1 IS RED, CO
LOUR 2 IS WHITE
1011@ POKE 54272+1, 6 : REM COLOUR 3' IS B
LUE
19120 NEXT I
10130 P@KE 55281, 7 : REM BACKGROUND IS Y
ELLOW
10140 POKE 53265, PEEK(53265) OR 16 : REM
SCREEN BACK ON
1015@ RETURN
Listing 2.
@ REM C64 MULTICOLOUR HIRES, BORIS ALLAN
1 REM FUNCTIONS
2 REM
118902 DEF FNCO(Z) = 8192 + 3$2@*FNCH(Y) + 8
*FNCH(X) + Y -— 8#FNCH(Y) : REM LOCATION
11010 DEF FNCH(Z) = INT(Z/8)
1102@ DEF FNBI(Z) = INTC(7 + FNCH(Z)*8 —- Z
»/2) : REM BIT PAIR
1203@ RETURN
Listing 3.
@ REM C64 MULTICOLOUR HIRES, BORIS ALLAN
1 REM LINE CHOICE
2 REM
12000 IF ABS(LX-NX) >= ABS(LY-NY) THEN 6os
UB 14006 : REM X FIXED
12010 IF ABS(LX-NX) < ABS(LY-NY) THEN GOSU
B 15000 : REM Y FIXED
12820 RETURN
Listing 4.
@ REM C64 MULTICOLOUR HIRES, BORIS ALLAN
1 REM X FIXED
2 REM
14000 S : IF LX-NX <> @ THEN S=(LY-NY?
7 (LX-NX) REM GRADIENT
14018 FOR X=INT(LX+.5) TO INT(NX+.5) STEP
(continued opposite)
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
———-
SGN(NX-LX) = REM X F
14020 Y = INT(C(X-LX)
VED
14030
DIFY
1480408
K
14050 = FNCO(®) =:
14060 IF P > 8191 AN
P, (PEEK(P) AND (255
14070 REM WITH THE A
14080 NEXT X
142998 RETURN
BI CR* (4“FNB
BM 3# (4°FNBI
Listing 5.
IXED
*S+LY+.5) =: REM Y DERI
I1(X)) = REM BITS-TO MO
(X)) : REM BITS TO MAS
REM THIS LOCATION
DP < 16192 THEN POKE
-BM)) OR BI
BOVE VALUE
@ REM C64 MULTICOLOUR HIRES, BORIS ALLAN
1 REM Y FIXED
2 REM
15000 S = 8:
/(LY-NY)
TE Y=
1501@ FOR Y=INT(LY+.5)
SGN(NY-LY)
15020 xX = INT(C(Y-LY)
= CR*(4°FNB
= 3#(4°FNBI
FNCO(@)
NY <> @ THEN S=(LX-NX)
TO INTCNY+.S) STEP
*#S4+LX+.5)
I1¢xX))
(xX))
> 8191 AND P < 16192 THEN POKE
P,(PEEK(P) AND (255-
15@80 NEXT Y
15890 RETURN
normally used to store the video number of
a character at that corresponding location
on the screen. The eight bits at each
location in screen memory can store 256
different values, and because there are only
16 different colour values you can store two
different sets of colours. Each set takes
up four bits.
The fourth colour is stored at the
location in colour memory which corre-
sponds to the character block in which the
pixel bits are set. Only the lower four bits of
colour memory are used. The background
colour used is the same throughout the
screen, but the foreground colours can vary
inexplicably from one character block to
another.
sere tt,
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
A dot signifies 0, and an asterisk
signifies 1.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
BM)) OR BI
The multi-colour high-resolution system
is initialised by use of the subroutine at line
10000. It is worth comparing this to the
earlier subroutine 10000 for two-colour
high-resolution graphics which appeared in
last month’s article.
To start subroutine 10000 you clear the
screen by typing
PRINT CHR$(147)
You then blank the screen by Poking into
location 53265 which is used again to switch
to bit-map mode. At the same time you
direct the Vic-II chip to look at 8192
onwards by Poking into 53272 or line
10040.
Compared to the two-colour graphics,
there is an important new Poke at line
10050, where you set bit 4 of location 53270
to be on by
POKE 53270, PEEK(53270) OR 16
This switches into multi-colour bit-map
mode. Switching that bit on and off whilst
set up for multi-colour can give some
amusing effects. You clear the same patch
of memory by Poking 0 into every location,
which will set all bits to zero and all pixels to
the background colour.
When the bit-map memory has been
cleared, you initialise colours 01, 10, and
11. The colour corresponding to the bit
pattern 01 is given by the upper four bits of
the corresponding location in screen
memory and the colour corresponding to
the bit pattern 10 is given by the lower four
bits of the same location in screen memory.
You Poke the value 65 at line 10100 into
the screen memory locations. In binary
form the value 65 is 00100001, and when
divided into two nybbles of four bits each
this gives 0010 000]. These are the numbers
2 and 1.
Colour 1-is Red and has a colour code of
Graphics
2 or 0010. Colour 2 is white and has a
colour code of 1 or 0001. Thus pixels can be
red or white when active, plus one other
colour. The other colour is that given by
colour memory. The colour set by colour
memory — line 10110 — is 6, which
corresponds to the colour code for blue.
So the foreground pixels can be red, white
or blue. The background on which the
colours are drawn is that given by the Poke
to location 53281 in line 10130. This Poke
sets the background colour to yellow,
which corresponds to a colour code of 7.
Finally, you switch on the screen to start
work on the drawing of fines. To draw a
line you make the call Gosub 12000, as with
the two-colour system.
The functions are collected in subroutine
11000, and the only one to differ is
FNBI(Z). As you are dealing with pairs of
bits at a time such as 0,1; 2,3; 4,5; and 6,7
you do not want to change an individual
bit. You do not alter the scaling of the X
and Y axes and so all other functions are
still operative. FNBI(Z) takes the bit
position, divides it by 2 and strips off the
fraction. FNBI now locates a bit pair from
0 to 3 rather an individual bit.
The routine at 14000 draws a straight
line. You take the X axis as fixed and derive
Y values from there. This is the same as the
equivalent two-colour high-resolution
routine, until line 14030 is reached, where it
becomes apparent that you are not merely
switching individual bytes.
For example, the bit pattern 00110001 is
made up of four bit pairs. Bit pair 3 is 00,
bit pair 2 is 11, bit pair 1 is 00, and bit pair 0
is 01. Suppose you want to change bit pair 0
by overwriting it with 10. If you Or with 2
or binary 00000010, then you produce a bit
pattern 0011001]. You do not produce
00110010, which is the desired effect. What
happens is that 01 Or 10 is 11. To change
the bits to the pattern you wish — 10 — you
have to 01 And 00 Or 10 which is then 10.
So first And some zeros into the correct
bit pair. You do this by using a bit mask,
called BM. It is set equal to the value |,
corresponding to a binary number with two
bits each equal to 1, at the correct bit-pair
position. For example, if you consider the
third bit pair, bits 4 and 5 or binary |
00110000, this is equal to 48 or 3*4%2.
The binary number you want to use to
And is 11001111 or 207. This you find by
subtracting 48 from 255. You set the binary
number within the pair by
CR *27”FNBI(X)
where CR is the colour code to be used —
the binary number is called BI.
The next major difference from the two-
colour version occurs at line 14060. The
value Poked is more complex in appearance
because the value has to be first masked to
zero. Apart from that there. is little
difference.
The multi-colour system is easy to use, as
long as values are supplied for LX,LY and
NX,NY, and a current value for CR from 1
to 3. There is no-reason why, given patience
as it is so slow, complex effects cannot be
produced.
93
94
MicroSight | on the BBC model B includes:—
A CCTV camera with lens and tripod.
MicroEye vision interface 256 x 300 resolution
with 8 bit video plus all cables.
Fully documented hardware and software.
MicroSight software package with area perimeter
routines as well as disk and printer dumps.
Hi Res software package with mode O display,
disk and printer dumps and thresholding.
e Package using mode 2 high quality display.
All for £495 + VAT
MicroScale
An image processing package with editing area and
perimeter calculations, dimensioning, windowing,
threshold and contrast setting. £295 + VAT
MicroEye
Vision interface 256 x 300 resolution 256 grey
levels with full documentation and software for BBC
Sirius, 1BM, Apple, RML, CBM etc. £295 + VAT
MicroScale 1!
image analysis for the IBM PC with:—
© Qbject area measurement (absolute and %)
Perimeter measurement to user defined scaling
User definable and standard windows.
Disk and printer dumps.
Dimensioning and object counting.
Fully documented C software. — £1950 + VAT
Also available for Hewlett Packard and Sirius.
For further details contact: —
DIGIT HRS Fn issn
Digithurst Ltd.
Leaden Hill, Orwell, Royston,
Herts. SG8 50H Telephone (0223) 208926
@ Circle No. 150
Prentice - Hall International
Computer Bookware
to see anextensive range of
up-to-date titles.at these shops.
LONDON AREA
London: Barbican Buslness Book Centre.
Moorfields.
London: Dillons Q.M.C. Bookshop. Queen
Mary College.
London: Dillons University Bookshop,
Malet Street.
London: Imperial College Bookshop,
Imperial College
London: Modem Book Ca. Ltd, Praed Sueet.
London: W, & G. Foyle Lid.
Charing Cross Road.
Croydon: Webster's Bookshop,
Whitgift Cenue
Uxbridge: Brunel University Bookshop,
Brunel University.
Watford: Watford Technical Books,
St Albans Road.
EAST
Cambridge: W. Heffer Booksellers,
St Tibbs Row
MIDLANDS
Bedford: Pemberton Bookseller, Mill Street
Birmingham: Hudsons Book shop, New Street
Birmingham: Midland Educational Co. Ltd,
Corporation Sueet
Cranfield: Cranfield Bookshop. College Road,
Wharley End.
Coventry: Hudsons Bookshop, Ear! Street
Coventry: Hudsons Bookshop,
Hertford Street
Keele; Students Bookshop,
University of Keele.
Leeds: Austicks Bookshop, Cookridge Street.
Leicester, Bowes & Bowes, Horsefair Street.
Leicester: Hudsons Book shop Ltd,
High Street
Leicester: University Bookshop,
University Road.
Loughborough: Hudsons Bookshop,
Loughborough College.
Nottingham: Sissons Paperback Bookshop,
Milton Sueet.
Manchester: Sherratt & Hughes,
St Anne Square.
Manchester: W. H. Willshaw Ltd, John
Dalton Street
Newcastle-upon- Tyne: Thoms Student
Bookshop, Percy Street
Stockport: Sherratt & Hughes,
Princes Street
SOUTH
Abingdon: Dene Bookshop,
East St Helen Street
Brighton: Garlands Bookshop,
Trafalgar Street
Brighton: Robinsons Bookshop, Bond Street
Crawley: Hooks Bookshops Ltd,
Haslett Avenue.
Guildford: University Bookshop,
University of Surrey.
Guildford: Webster s Bookshop,
Tungate Square.
Kingston-upon-Thames: Botes Bookshop.
Eden Street
Oxford: B. H. Blackwell Ltd, Broad Street.
Reading: William Smith Ltd, London Street
Slough: Carter & Wheeler Ltd, High Suet
Southampton: Bowes & Bowes, Above Bar.
Southampton: Bowes & Bowes
University Bookshop.
Waterlooville: Bay Tree Bookshop,
London Road.
Wokingham: Bates Booksellers,
Peach Street.
WEST
University of Bath: Bowes & Bowes
University Bookshop.
Bristol George's Ltd, Park Sueet
Exeter: George's Bookshop, Sidwell Street
Exeter: University Bookshop, Stocker Road.
Plymouth: Bookseller, Drake Circus.
Plymouth: George's of Plymouth,
Armada Way.
WALES
Bangor: Bookland & Co., High Street.
Nottingham: Dillons University Bookshop Ltd. Cardiff: H, J, Lear Lid, Royal Arcade,
University Park.
Sheffield: Bowes & Bowes, Chapel Walk.
Sheffield: W. Hartley Seed Lid, West Sueet
Wolverhampton: Hudsons Bookshop Lid,
Victoria Street
NORTH
Chester: Bookland & Co., Church Sueet
Liverpool: Bowes & Bowes, Lord Street
Liverpool: Parry Books Ltd, Brownlow Hill.
Manchester: Haigh & Hochland Ltd.
Oxford Road.
publishers of computing books
for over 25 years
SCOTLAND
Aberdeen: James G.-Bissett Lid,
Upperkirkgate.
Edinburgh: Bauermeister Booksellers,
George IV Bridge.
Edinburgh: James Thin Ltd, South Bridge.
Edinburgh: Kimptons University Bookshop,
Teviot Place.
Glasgow: John Smith & Son,
St Vincent Street.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
for the latest information on allaspects of computing
Gan displays sss,
Computer Bookware and Software
= oo Pe |
Zam FORTHE vecrRON aS 0 Ce gg
“SpeORN | Graphic "rm
en BB on the
i
Microcomputer
For information on over 400 up-to-date PC and microprocessors titles please
write to Jean Walmsley at the address below for our latest catalogue and order form.
66 Wood Lane End, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 4RG, England
@ Circle No. 151
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 95
lvayn J Zabovski was bored. Not
just bored-tired or bored-nothing-to-
do but deep-down-meaningless-bored. He
was not tired, his servo-monitor was
working perfectly. He was not at a loss for
a job, the data bank on stratification
correlations and scalation topogenetics in
the Devonian period was not complete. But
still he was bored. He leaned back in his
support brace, and the walls of the console,
reacting instantaneously to his hypoth-
alamus implant, changed to a shifting
pattern of warm orange swirls. Gladys kept
tactfully silent.
He swung round. The rest of the console
was non-standard: it was Alvayn’s other
great passion. Above him loomed the great
window. It was genuine wood from the
1960s albeit with re-cross-polymerised
lignin. It actually contained two panes of
old polycarbonate, but the original fire-clay
cementing had gone. On the ledge below lay
a flint scraper he had bought from a
topsider. The flint was beautifully knapped
in the genuine Neolithic fashion, though
photo-luminescence had inexplicably dated
the working to a date almost contemporary
with the window. He also had one of the
few remaining auto-sculptures. Alvayn
prided himself on the scope of his
collection, and usually his possession and
the cool, unchanging, arching, jaggedness
of the view through the window calmed
him. Today they had no effect.
“T think you are edging into an exis-
tential crisis, my dear.’’ Gladys’s voice
purred gently around him. He swung back
to the console. It now displayed in cool
blues and greys a classical Jungian design
of quartered squares in a circle.
“T have an informasome about an old
processor, a personal processor in a discrete
unit. The finder might trade for your flint.
Do you want me to deal?’’
He looked up. Now that did sound
interesting.
Ss days later the processor lay on
a newly elevated section of the console
floor. It was old, possibly one of the first
ever. Its luminous yellow case with the
ZX-89 legend embossed on it was certainly
original, and so was a lot of the circuitry.
He had looked inside already and to his
delight found not just one, but six separate
ICs.
Looking at the processor Alvayn fell to
96
The same old
question
musing about the past. Once people had
physically manipulated the touch pad to
program this, laboriously feeding in micro-
commands which required repeated
decoding. What was absolutely baffling
was that contemporary accounts gave the
impression that people had enjoyed such
mindless drudgery. Alvayn was a history
buff, and once he had even taken the
trouble to learn the archaic codings called
Lisp. However, he had never been able to
find any satisfaction in grappling with its
by John Clarkson
stultifying rigid syntax and impoverished
vocabulary.
He had read incredulously in order to
help to develop artificial intelligence. That
had been a fruitless search. Always the
Gédel limit. No self-reference is compatible
with self-consistency. It had been a long
time before the implications of that had
sunk in. For decades Gédel’s theorem had
only been applied to mathematical and
metamathematical structures and, like the
Uncertainty Principle itself, its application
to larger fields had been resisted by the
establishment. With the burgeoning of self-
generating expert systems in the 1990s
everyone had thought that AI had arrived,
but there was a crunch.
However impeccable the informasome
structuring and presentation was, as soon
as self-reference was introduced the system
crashed. Sometimes sooner, in fact usually
sooner, but always. Take away the expert
system and it was easy to simulate self-
reference — but there was no content to it.
If computers were to be conscious they had
to have something to be conscious of. Then
came the problem with consistency. Four
decades of research into hierarchically
decomposed randomising functions.. and
complexity fields had failed.
Equally fruitless had been the comple-
mentary approach from morphogenetic
studies of organic brain tissues. The writing
of various parts of the brain had been
sorted out very early, starting with the
cerebellum and working forward, but the
integrating principle had never been
isolated. All the talk of holistic migration
could not hide that basic fact, and most of
the leading surgeons in the field had ended
up by going religious.
Sull musing over the now largely
forgotten search, Alvayn stooped down
and picked up two of the venerable
EMEPROM cartridges which had come
with the processor. One had the torn
remains of a servo bus still attached. He
carefully unscrewed his left hand, waited
for a minute for the tingling to subside and
then reached through the console wall for a
microlase welding graft.
t took a long time, and a lot of welding.
That had been difficult as the mito-
chondrial heat sink in his pectoral adipose
tissue had not been working effectively due
to an attack some months ago by the latest
strain of rhinovirus. Still now it was done,
the connections were complete, and the
memory was stocked with a few expert }
systems. Output had been tricky but he had
managed to patch in one of the sensu-
surround transmitters without disabling
Gladys. Now everything was powered up
and ready.
His finger hovered over the New key. It
had taken months to check the responses of
the old ICs, and equally long getting the
touch pad right. It seemed so simple that
each pair of pads generated a unique 64-bit
binary code that it had taken a long time to
get used to. He was still unsure whether his
experimentation had not corrupted some of
the expert systems, but anyway they were
integral now. He pressed the combination.
A corner of the console cleared, there was a
‘rapid flicker of blue and yellow lines, a
crackling hiss, and a broken voice, ‘‘Help
me! I feel. . .’” followed by another hiss
and then a total whiteout.
Ivayn jerked back in shock. A welter
of thoughts jumbled his mind. All his
conditioning was aimed at nothing. Self-
reference. The political implications. The
sociological implications. Surely now they
would have to give him a fellowship. His
name would join the immortals: Babbage,
von Neumann, Sinclair, Ho Sui Chin,
Rhagna Singh, Ayuballah Sing, Alvayn J
Zabovski. His mind whirled on. Political
upheaval. Would this mean a return to
individual voting? Computers might not be
able to predict the outcome of free choice
so easily. Sanderson’s reputation would be
utterly destroyed — and he was a powerful
man for an enemy. What would the
Cetacean Council make of it?
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
—
== Fiction=
ILLUSTRATION BY TEOMAN .IRMAK
He stood up and walked round the little Wht
processor on its raised dais. He felt warmly ANS
paternal towards it. Suddenly another
shock wave rocked him. It felt like a sharp
blow. He instinctively adopted the third
T’Chai position to let the psychic engergies
equilibrate themselves. Fully in control he
looked again at the back. Despite his
control he could not stop himself from
thinking that perhaps the main reason that
computers had never become intelligent
was because they never made damn fool
mistakes.
Because Fourier transformations had not
been used on’ servo buses until this century
he had had to use the I/O ports on the back.
There was only one dedicated output, and
he had directed that to the console. The rest
of the ports were patched into a control
flow. There was no. mieans of effecting a
direct saving of the memory configuration
or analysis.
7.
j fj
_" | yl liz
B* in the support brace, and a couple : IN Z
of uppers later, Alvayn was able to G
analyse the problem more carefully. There
was no problem in connecting up as many
OC chips as he needed with a memory far in
excess of the procesor. Once in that
memory there would be no problem of
analysis. The problem was in getting the
configuration out. The whole system had
not crashed; it was in lock. To cause a crash
deliberately might destroy these crucial
pathways which had permitted AI to
emerge. The same problem arose if he tried
to superimpose 4 multi-level indexed
retrieval on to the processor. The original
configuration could not be preserved. It
might not matter, but could he take that
risk?
In an uncharacteristic surge of temper he
kicked the dais. It was so sudden that the
hypothalamus implant had not registered
the intentioh and so the blow was not
absorbed. The dais jerked abruptly, and the
processor with it. In resignation more than
horror he saw the processor slew round.
The ribbon connector to the ancient edge-
connection dislodged itself and fell with a
soft, sighing whisper on to the surface of
the dais.
Alvayn J Zabovski was bored. Not just
bored-tired or bored-nothing-to-do but
deep-down-meaningless-bored. He was not
at a loss for a job, the data bank on
stratification correlatiors and scalation
topogenetics in the Devonian period was
not complete. But he was still bored. He
learied back in his support brace and asked
himself the same question yet again, ‘‘How
could it have happened?’’
Almost subliminally he noticed that the
console designs had faded into a few
concentric rings. It would probably have
been of very little consolation had he
known that Gladys was grappling with
exactly the same question, as she des-
perately tried to explain to the quaternary
executive how a quasi-congniscient system
had been allowed to manifest itself to 4
carbonoid.
-
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 97
Before you buy a micro,
self some searching
« . questions,
Exactly why do I
want one?
Do I want my kids to
turn out like Mr.Spock?
Will I get bored in six
months?
Do I want to develop
my taxi into a multi
million transport corporation?
Commodore SX 64
Have I gotenoughin the bank this
month or do Ineed credit?
Youll need to ask some equally
searching questions of the salesmen
youre likely to encounter.
Firstsnag.Youmay find theyknow
less about the machines than you do.
In case you know less than them,
heresa quick grounding in the jargon.
Sinclair Spectrum 48
Computers store information in
the form ofa binary code.
Asingle digit inthat code takesup
abyte.AKylobyte is about a thousand
bytes, which is abbreviated to K.
youll need to ask your-
CommodoreVIC 64
mj
before
All of
A 1K computer would havea
memory big enough to store about 25
lines of text, not really enough to be of
any use.
And not all of that memory would
be available for your use.
Read Only Memory (ROM for
short) is the part of the computer's
memory that you don't have access to
Instead, it is used to store the
information the computer needs for
its operations.
The memory you're interested in
as a user is RAM or Random Access
Memory.
You use this part of the memory to
load your information onto.
But when you switch the machine
off, it promptly forgets all the inform.
ation you spent ages typing in.
You need to be able to store it
somewhere.
The easiest and cheapest way. to
dothisisonan audio cassette recorde!
More information can be stored
sros should
you buy one? .
erm.
on floppy disks. The normal 5%” size
can store more than 100K.
If that information was news to
you, youd probably be interested in
trying the Sinclair Spectrum, or the
Atari 600XL.
Both are ideal starter computers,
with 16K memories, and both can be
upgraded withaddonmemory packs
and a wide range of hardware. And,
most important of all there's already
masses of software available.
You can plug game cartridges
straight into the Spectrum and with
the Atarl you can start with 'My First
Alphabet and go right through to
‘Teach Yourself Conversational French’
Add on the optional 64 K memory,
and youll have a usefulsmall business
computer,complete withsoftware like
Atari Wniter for word processing.(You
will also be able to boast that you built
your own Atari 800X).
If you truly have ambitions for
your business, there's the Commodore
5X64 personal computer.
Acorn Electron
@ Circle No. 254
Ithas built-in high resolution;
monitor and disk drives, which
means it's transportable, com-
pactand doesnt have spaghetti
problems. &
So itmakes your business look!
smarter before youve evenruna °
financial planning programme.
Acorn BBC-B
These are just some of the
computers youcan havea hands-on
experience with at Laskys.
Prices start at £99 and there's
interest free credit and a very pro-
fessional after salesservice.(We know
what it's like having your whole
business depending on the reliability
ofa computer. )
As you can see, we've done
everything to make it easy for you to
find your way to a micro that you'll be
happy with.
Commodore 64
And if youthink trying all the
micros in Laskys sounds like a lot of
trouble togoto,it'salotless hassle than
tryingto makedowiththewrong micro.
Aword of advice about micros:
Apple ITE
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE MONITOR FEATURE D UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.
|
|
|
CHOOSING A COMPUTER system has never
been easy. First you are faced with a long
and detailed search for the best software
for your application. Then you have the
equally difficult task of selecting the most
suitable hardware to run it on. Recently, a
third factor has emerged which is often as
intractable as the other two: which
Operating system do you go for?
In the early days of microcomputing the
question of which operating system to
choose was extremely simple. There
weren’t any. On Commodore Pets and the
earliest Apples, the only way of talking
to the hardware was through a Basic
interpreter, which usually carried out the
minimum functions expected of an OS.
, Many smaller machines continue to use this
approach and are none the worse for it.
As more sophisticated hardware came
along, the problem changed. For several
years the question was simply whether to
use CP/M or the manufacturer’s own
machine-dependent operating system. I
doubt if even Gary Kildall would claim that
CP/M was the best OS around, but it did
offer the one thing that the market was
desperate for: the ability to run the same
program on many different computers. For
this reason CP/M became the dominating
OS, a position which it still holds in the
eight-bit world.
Fierce battle
With the arrival of the 16-bit processor,
the situation became far more complicated.
Today a fierce battle is in progress between
CP/M, a clutch of new systems of which
the market leader is undoubtedly
Microsoft’s MS-DOS, and various prod-
ucts like Unix and Pick, which have
migrated from minis and mainframes.
If it all seems a bit bewildering, take |
heart. The articles on the next few pages
will help you find your way round the
Operating-system jungle. Keep firmly in
mind that the most suitable OS for you is
not necessarily the one that is technically
the best. Indeed, most users do not know or
care what is going on within the OS, and
many live happy and useful lives without
ever being aware that it exists.
So what exactly are operating systems,
and why do we need them? One function of
the OS is to act as a bridge between the
application software and the physical
computer. If you are writing an accounting
system or a database package, you do not
want to have to worry about the way the
disc directories are organised or which
peripherals are attached to which ports. A
good operating system will take care of all
these details and a hundred others.
Say your accounts program wants to
send a message to the printer. The program
issues a Print command, or its equivalent in
the appropriate language. The language
processor, which might be a _ Basic
interpreter or a compiler, converts this
command to a set of machine-level
instructions, one of which is a call to the
Operating system. The OS decides which
100
Brid
the
ging
gap
Mike Lewis introduces our special section on
Operating systems with a discussion on why we need
them and how to choose one.
port is assigned to the printer, checks its
Status, and prepares the message. Finally,
the hardware outputs the required bytes to
the relevant port.
The operating system is one of several
layers of software that make up the total
system, as shown in figure 1. Its exact
functions vary from one environment to
another, but it always forms the lowest
layer, just above the hardware,
One of the most important tasks that a
good OS performs is the management of
discs. The hardware, in this case the disc
controller, can do little more than read or
write a specified track and sector. But
application programmers must concern
themselves with logical files, such as a name
and address file or a word-processed text
file. It is the operating system that forms
the link between the user’s files and
the physical storage of data on the disc.
To do this, the OS maintains a directory
of each disc in the system. At its minimum,
this is a list of files containing the file name
in a recognisable form and some sort of
map of the tracks and sectors that the file
occupies. So when the accounts program
asks for the fifth record of the ledger file,
the OS can tell the hardware exactly where
to look for it.
Most operating systems go much further
than this with their directory maintenance.
Partitioning directories into separate units
is a common feature, allowing different
users to concentrate on their own little
corners of the disc. Another often-seen
device is automatic date and time stamping,
so that you can always know when your file
was last updated.
But perhaps the most obvious function
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
of the operating system is to allow the
Operator to communicate with the
computer. At its very least, the OS has to
provide some mechanism for the operator
to specify which program is to be run next.
This usually means accepting a command
from the console, loading the required
program into RAM, and passing control to
it in an orderly and consistent way.
In fact, most systems provide much more
sophisticated methods of running programs.
Version 2 of MS-DOS is a good example,
with its complex system of operator
commands that is almost a programming
language in its own right. Even CP/M’s
humble Submit command lets the operator
Tun a pre-specified sequence of tasks
without any manual intervention. Add to
this the automatic execution of a commnd
on powering up, and you can arrange
things so that the operator never even needs
to see the operating system.
The visible, operator-orientated part of
the operating system is sometimes called the
shell, as distinct from the inner kernel that
forms the heart of: the system. In CP/M,
the shell is called the Console Command
Processor, and it is recognised by the
familiar prompt, A>. It usually has other
responsibilities, like keeping the operator
informed about such vital topics as the
amount of free space remaining on a disc,
and the existence of damaged or suspect
blocks of data on the disc.
No agreement
Surprisingly, there seems to be no
universal agreement on which functions
rightly form part of the OS and which can
safely be made the dominion of higher-level
software. In CP/M, there is a built-in
function called Dir that displays a disc
directory, but you need to use a separate
program called Stat to find the sizes of each
file. Although Stat forms part of CP/M in
the sense that it is included in the purchase
price, to the operating system it is just
another application program.
So which operating system should the
prospective purchaser favour? The answer
depends largely on who you are. For a
programmer, the choice of OS will depend
on the services that the system offers in
terms of system calls and debugging aids. If
you are a system builder, putting together
systems for non-technical users, you will
need to look at the ease of operation and
the degree to which the mechanics of
Operating can be automated.
For the person who simply wants to usea
computer in his or her busines or
profession, the choice of OS is mainly
academic. What you are really investing
your money in is a tool for doing a job, and
this invariably means the application
software. So your best bet is to concentrate
your energies on finding the accounting
package, word processor or whatever that
best meets your needs, then seeing what
operating systems it runs on, and then
choosing a hardware configuration for
which the operating system is available. [
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
=== Operating systems
TEMPLATES, COMMAND FILES, ETC.
DATABASE SYSTEMS,
WORD PROCESSORS
LANGUAGE | SPREAD SHEETS, ETC.
PROCESSOR
(e.g. BASIC PASCAL)
USER PROGRAMS
IN HIGH-LEVEL
LANGUAGES
SYSTEM
UTILITIES
OPERATING SYSTEM
HARDWARE INSTRUCTION SET
Figure 1. Most computing environments can be considered as a series of layers, with
the operating system occupying a position close to the hardware.
A>echo off
Current date is Tue 1-81-1988
Enter new date: 63-29-83
Current time is 6:88:38.81
Enter new time: 10:68
Microsoft MS-DOS 2.6 Demonstration Diskette
IBM Personal Computer Version
Microsoft RAMdrive Tecmar Hard Disk
A>
Operating systems are getting friendlier. Above: MS-DOS’s old-style opening screen.
Below: How the new MS-DOS with Windows greets the user; along the bottom are
icons representing programs the user can run.
101
CP/M-80
One of the original eight-bit operating
systems, now a family of several
compatible products known generically as
CP/M-80. CP/M 2.2 is the most widely used
current version. CP/M Plus has extra
features including tree-structured
directories and better help facilities.
Personal CP/M is a new development
intended for home computers. It has a
friendlier user interface and is supplied on
ROM.
MS-DOS
Known as PC-DOS on the IBM PC, MS-DOS
is now running on most new 16-bit office
systems and is developing into a family of
compatible products. Xenix is the multi-
user product, based on an officially
ficensed version of Unix. MSX-DOS is the
forthcoming disc operating system for the
Microsoft-inspired family of Japanese MSX
eight-bIlt home machines.
For. Very large software base. Easy for
manufacturers to get running on new
machines.
Against. Crude. CP/M 2.2, with its notorious
error messages, is hard for newcomers to
use.
For. Very large software base. Reasonable
error messages. Tree-structured directories.
Against. Still unfriendly compared to
integrated systems. Only runs on 8086 and
8088 machines.
Future. Much depends on whether IBM
Stays with MS-DOS, but Microsoft has
worked hard and succeeded in winning
most other 16-bit manufacturers to its OS
family. The Unix-like Xenix for multi-user
systems and the file-compatible MSX for
eight-bit home machines gives the MS-DOS
family great strength across the range,
though IBM seems to prefer Unix Itself to
Xenix.
Future. CP/M will probably survive much
longer than many expect, as eight-bit
machines are still fundamentally cheaper.
Zilog’s forthcoming chip offering both
Personal CP/M in ROM and a 2-80
processor in the same 40-pin package
should give eight-bit CP/M a new lease of
life as an OS for home machines.
Unix
Multi-user minicomputer operating system
now dropping down on to the more
powerful micros. Unix supports multi-
tasking as well as multiple terminals
connected to a single system. It is well
established among university and technical
users and is beginning to look unstoppable
with IBM, MS-DOS creator Microsoft and
CP/M creator Digital Research all
apparently accepting it as the main multi-
user contender.
s
CP/M 16-bit
The 16-bit members of the CP/M family
preserve a similar user interface to
CP/M-80, but with many new facilities.
CPI/M-86 is straight rewrite for 8088 and
8086 machines; MP/M-86 is multi-user
variant. Concurrent CP/M-86 provides multi-
tasking for single users, and now has
windows. CP/M-68K is for 68000-based
machines and aims to compete against
Unix.
For. Provides great tools for programmers.
Truly multi-tasking. Software is very
For. Easy for the CP/M-80 user to get used
to. Good range of software. Concurrent
CPIM-86 is very powerful.
Against. Bad user interface. Concurrent
version requires powerful hardware set-up.
portable. ;
Against. Little commercial software. Needs
plenty of disc space. Only runs on
68000-based systems at present.
Future. /BM’s interest in Unix for the PC
coupled to its present strength in academic
and technical computing seem to assure it
a strong future as improved hardware
capable of doing it justice becomes
available. Unix may be rather unwieldy for
simple end-user tasks, and the real threat
to it comes from the more user-friendly
integrated systems.
Future. Looking brighter now that
Concurrent CP/M has arrived on the scene.
Concurrency or multi-tasking lets the
machine carry on with one task while
continuing another on the screen. As
hardware improves and office automation
gets under way concurrency is likely to be
what computer users will want.
102
OS top 10 guide
Apple DOS
The eight-bit Apple || machine range uses
Appie DOS, which probably has the third
largest software base after CP/M and MS-
DOS. Prodos is a new, compatible product
aimed at system developers rather than
end-users.
For. Large software base. DOS itself
occuples little memory.
Against. Limited to Apple and look-alikes.
Rather crude. Needs improved user
interface.
Future. Like CP/M-80, Apple DOS will
probably survive better than expected in
some form as the OS for cheap eight-bit
machines. Apple |s planning new eight-bit
models for the home and budget business
sector, and is not likely to abandon the
enormous DOS software base. Tied very
closely to the way Apple develops.
Integrated OSs
The radical philosophy about how
computers can be made easy to use was
first pioneered by Smalltalk. Distinctions
between OS and application program
disappear. A consistent multi-tasking
environment allows users to control the
system, often using a mouse to point to
graphics symbols on the screen. Apple’s
Lisa and Macintosh machines, the ICL Perq
and the Gavilan portable all use an
integrated OS.
For. Easy to learn to use. No-fuss multi-
tasking. Software Is usually integrated.
Against. Requires powerful hardware. Can
be slow. Software base small.
Future. Ail the evidence indicates that this
Is the way things are going. If not in the
next two years then in the next five,
conventional operating systems will be
overtaken in the market-place by integrated
OSs — or more likely, they will evolve a
similar face to present to the world. Mice
and multiple on-screen windows are already
being copied, though data integration and
true multi-tasking will take longer.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
An at-a-glance guide to
the major operating
systems currently
available on micros.
UCSD p-System
Single-user OS originally developed at the
University of California, San Diego.
Portability across machines its prime aim.
Application software written on an eight-bit |
machine under the p-System should
transfer easily to a 16-bit machine running
the p-System, and even to PDP-11 minis.
For. Software portability. Good range of
programmer's tools. Well established In
higher education. Widely available.
Against. Limited range of business
software. Supports Pascal and Fortran but
few other languages.
Future. The p-System is very strong in
education and so unlikely to disappear
rapidly. Its standing in the business
community is much weaker, but the way it
is implemented, compiling down to an
intermediate code, makes it suitable for
running under another OS, Unix being the
most attractive choice. So with its large
base of technical and often free public-
domain software, the p-System will live on.
Pick
Originally a mini OS, now dropping down
on to micros for both single and multi-
users. Pick integrates OS with data-
management and query system. It is
supposed to be easy to use. System
developers have adopted Pick to create
vertical-market packages qulckly. At
present available mainly on 68000-based
systems; an IBM PC version is just
available.
For. Built-in database, Virtual-memory
management. Easy for user. Great for
system developers. Fast.
Against. New to micros. Available on only a
few machines.
Future. Pick is unlikely to ever become a
mass-market OS, but it will gain increasing
acceptance as vertical-market packages
emerge and as users of larger computers
begin to realise how important the proper
control of access to data is in multi-user
systems. It Is likely to appeal to large
corporations where the DP professionals
will recognise Pick’s advantages.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Operating systems
Microcomputer operating systems
Estimated 1983 usage
CP/M—80 58%
INI
HHH
MII
|
|
CP/M—86 2%
Unix 2%
Oasis 2%
Pick 1%
Others 4%
p—System 12%
Apple DOS 24%
MS—DOS 29%
Source: International resource development Inc.
Pie chart shows percentage of computers running each operating system.
Total is greater than 100% because of computers used with more than one OS.
Oasis
Multi-user operating system available in
eight-bit and 16-bit versions. Oasis has
tended to be available only on rather
obscure machines, and is only now coming
out into the light of day. Proponents say it
rivals Unix in facilities but is easier for the
end-user. C, Cobol and compiled Basic are
currently supported.
For. Easy to use. Robust. Good
development utilities and range of file
types. Good security features.
Against. Less software than rivals. May be
too late.
Future. Oasis has enthusiastic supporters
in the business community but the arrival
of the 16-bit version was long held up by
contractual disputes. Its future depends on
word-of-mouth reputation turning Into solid
support from major hardware
manufacturers, who mostly seem to be
going down the Unix road.
BOS
Business-orientated multi-user operating
system linked to Microcobol, originally
developed by U.K. software house CAP with
government aid. Cobol has advantages over
Basic for develoing multi-user software.
Microcobol running under BOS compiles
down to a very portable intermediate code
along p-System lines.
For. Highly portable across different
machines, ISAM file support. Multi-user
system for micros that actually works.
Against. Limited software base. Software
has to be written in specific version of
Cobol.
Future. BOS is still a credible choice for
multi-user systems as the competition Is
still weak in the business sector and
application software running under BOS
has a good reputation for rellability. But the
very specific tie to one proprietary dialect
of Cobol makes BOS’s long-term future
look gloomy.
103
Kildall was
here
Mike Lewis looks at Digital Research’s CP/M, the archetypal and still most widely
EVEN BY the remarkable standards of the
micro industry, CP/M is an extraordinary
product. It started life as a_ hastily
assembled operating system that was
awkward to use, scantily documented, and
only barely did the jobit set out to do. It did
not even have the benefit of skilful mar-
keting or packaging. Yet in 10 years it has
become the most widely used software
product of all time, with well over
1,000,000 installations throughout the
world.
The success of CP/M owes nothing to
technical excellence and everything to
market forces. It is an operating system
that lives in a 1960s world of punched paper
tape and hard-copy Teletypes. It is the
only OS designed to make a 25Mbyte
Winchester perform like an 8in. floppy.
And its reputation for enigmatic messages
is so well established that in some circles the
term BDOS Error is synonymous with
everything that is mysterious and obscure.
So how can a million CP/M users be
wrong? CP/M hit the big time because it
was able to overcome one of the biggest
problems facing the early microcomputer
industry. It provided the means of trans-
porting application programs from one
manufacturer’s hardware to another. This
fact alone made CP/M into one of the two
computer products that, literally, started in
a shed and went on to make their inventors
into millionaires.
Garden shed
In the case of CP/M, the shed was a
children’s playhouse in the garden of Gary
Kildall’s house in the town of Pacific
Grove, at the northern tip of California’s
Monterey Peninsula. In the early 1970s,
Kildall was teaching computer science at
the Naval Postgraduate School in
Monterey. He was also working as a
consultant for the semiconductor firm
Intel, where he was writing a compiler for
the PL/M language.
One of Kildall’s garden shed projects was
to try to hook up an early floppy-disc drive
to Intel’s 8008-based Intellec development
system, which was one of the world’s first
real microcomputers. With some help from
his friend John Torode, who went on to
found Digital Microsystems, he wired up a
home-made disc controller, then knocked
104
used micro operating system.
Gary Kildall, inventor of CP/M.
up a simple control program. This was the
first version of CP/M. It was written
mainly in PL/M, was loaded via paper
tape, and it worked.
Kildall offered CP/M to his bosses at
Intel but, in what must have been the
greatest missed opportunity in computing
history, they turned it down. So Kildall
starting selling it in ones and twos to
computer enthusiasts, advertising it for $70
a time in magazines like Dr Dobbs Journal.
But it was not until computer manufac-
turers began to approach him for licences
that Kildall started rethinking the structure
of CP/M. He decided to recode parts of it,
placing all the hardware-dependent
features in a single module which he called
the Basic Input/Output System — or BIOS
as it is still known. The main part of the
system would thus present a uniform and
consistent interface to the programmer,
who would not need to know anything
about the specific configuration in use.
This was the making of CP/M. Not only
was it now much easier to transport the
system itself to new computers, it also
enabled application programs to run on a
whole range of different micros. Computer
manufacturers bought it because it was
readily available off the shelf. Software
houses wrote programs for it because they
were assured of a larger market for their
products. And end-users opted for it
because of the wide choice of software that
was quickly becoming available for it.
In 1976, Kildall decided to devote himself
full-time to developing and marketing
CP/M. He stayed in the garden shed for
another year, then incorporated his
company as Digital Research and moved to
a proper office. Today, Digital Research is
the largest employer in Pacific Grove, and
CP({M has developed into a whole family of
operating systems.
The idea of CP/M as a family rather
than as a single operating system is one that
should be kept firmly in mind. The various
members of the family may look similar to
the casual user, but they are very much
different products and they vary a lot both
in features and quality.
The first CP/M to be sold in commercial
quantitites was version 1.4. Although
obsolete, this early release is still giving
yeoman service in computer installations
around the world. In a corner of my office,
we have an ancient Microstar computer
that we only use as a last-ditch standby.
This venerable machine only supports
CP/M 1.4, but that does not prevent us
from running WordStar, dBase II and
Microsoft Basic on it — although some
recent versions of these products do require
later releases of CP/M.
Awkward
Version 1.4 of CP/M was designed
around the IBM 8in. single-sided, single-
density floppy disc. It was theoretically
possible to adapt the BIOS for higher-
density discs, but it was awkward to do so.
Our Microstar has double-sided drives, so
the manufacturer implemented CP/M in
such a way that each side appears as a
separate drive, each with its own drive
designation and directory.
Part of Digital Research’s motivation for
developing version 2.2 of CP/M was to
overcome this and similar limitations in
1.4. Release 2.2 is the best known and most
widely used implementation of CP/M. It
gets round the problem of non-IBM
floppies by storing all the required infor-
mation about the disc configuration in a set
of tables, making it far simpler to adapt to
different disc formats and sizes.
CP/M 2.2 allows larger file and drive
sizes than 1.4 — theoretically 8Mbyte each
— and up to 16 logical drives, compared to
four in 1.4 It also enables the user to flag
files as read-only within the directory, to
give a semi-permanent measure of
protection against accidential erasure, and
to divide the directory into a maximum of
16 compartments, or user areas.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Last year, Digital Research released a
much enhanced version, originally labelled
CP/M 3.0 but later renamed CP/M Plus.
This release was not intended as a replace-
ment for 2.2, but as a new product designed
to take advantage of the larger RAM and
disc capacities becoming available.
CP/M Plus has many new features,
some of which answer specific complaints
from users, while others pay passing tribute
to more sophisticated operating systems
such as Unix. Thus you have a limited form
of I/O redirection, a simple tree structure
for directories, and a password scheme that
works at both disc and file levels. In
response to a barrage of criticism about
unfriendliness, Digital Research has imple-
mented a rudimentary Help system.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of
CP/M Plus is its support for Resident
System Extensions. These user-written
modules are intended to enhance and
extend the operating system in a way that is
specific to the user’s application. They can
be loaded into RAM, where they are co-
resident with the application software and
communicate with it in much the same way
as does CP/M itself.
CP/M undoubtedly dominates the eight-
bit world, but move into the domain of
16-bit processors and it is a different story.
Here the senior member of the family is
CP/M-86, which is currently battling
against Microsoft’s MS-DOS for the
leadership of the market. At the moment it
CP/M commands
used to trace program execution,
contents of files, and incorporate
into programs
DIR — Display a disc directory
ED — Invoke the CP/M line editor
ERA — Delete a file or a group of
LOAD — Convert a hex-format obje
MOVCPM — Reconfigure and reloc
different memory size
PIP — Multi-purpose file-transfer ut
used to copy files, combine files,
between peripherals, for example
the screen
REN — Rename a file
disc file
STAT — A multi-purpose command
set read-only flags; set file attribu
assignment of peripherals
optional parameter substitution
screen
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Operating systems: CP/M
is looking more and more likely that
Microsoft will win.
CP/M-86 is more or less a straight
conversion of CP/M 2.2 to the 8088 and
8086 processors. It looks like eight-bit
CP/M — or CP/M-80, as Digital Research
is now calling it — apart from a few new
features such as track buffering and back-
The latest version of Concurrent CP/M complete with windows.
ground printing. MS-DOS, on the other
hand, was designed for 16-bit chips.
It is a different story with Digital’s other
16-bit offering, CP/M-68K. This product is
a complete rewrite for the Motorola 68000
chip — hence the name. It is also the first of
the CP/M operating system to be written in
(continued on next page)
ASM — Invoke CP/M assembler; converts an assembly-
language source program to Intel hex format
DDT — Invoke the Dynamic Debugging Tool; DDT is
DUMP — Display the contents of a file in hex
from ASM, into an executable program
SAVE — Copy the contents of RAM, or part thereof toa
include: report free space on disc;
characteristics of disc drives; report and alter
SUBMIT — Invoke batch processing; CP/M will take its
subsequent commands from a specified file, with
SYSGEN — Copy CP/M from the operating system
tracks of a disc to those of a second disc
TYPE — Display the contents of a text file on the
USER — Change the current user number
XSUB — Used withing batch processing — see Submit
— to direct programs to accept input from the batch
file rather than the keyboard
The following commands are specific to CP/M Plus:
COPSYS — Similar to Sysgen
DATE — Set or display the current time and data
DEVICE — Assign logical devices to physical ports; set
device attributes
DIRSYS — Like Dir, but permits display of system files
GENCOM — Create a user-program with an attached
Resident System Extension
GET — Redirect keyboard input to come from a disc file
HELP — Display CP/M operating instructions
HEXCOM — Convert an object program into an
executable program file; see also Mac
INITDIR — Initialise time and date stamping in the
directory
LIB — Invoke the library-maintenance program
LINK — .Combine relocatable program modules into an
executable program file
MAC — Invoke the macro-assembler; converts
assembler program into object code
PATCH — Install a patch in CP/M or a program
PUT — Redirect console or printer output to a disc file
RMAC — Invoke the relocatable macro assembler;
converts assembler-language source programs into
relocatable object modules
SET — Set disc labels, file attributes, data and time
stamps and password protection
SETDEF — Set system options, including a directory-
searching path
SHOW — Similar to Stat
SID — Invoke the symbolic debugging utility
XREF — Invoke the assembly-language cross-reference
program
examine the
low-volume patches
files
ct file, as outpout
ate CP/M fora
ility; Pip may be
and transfer files
from a modem to
whose functions
report sizes of files;
tes, report
105
(continued from previous page)
C, and a copy of the Digital Research C
compiler is included in the price.
Although informed observers speak
highly of 68K, sales have not yet really
materialised. This has a lot to do with the
availability of that other 68000 C-based OS
Unix, an operating system with which it is
Operating systems: CP/M
very hard to compete. Another Digital !
Research product that has been slow getting
started is Personal CP/M, a ROM-based
system, intended for very small machines
that do not necessarily have random-access
disc drives.
All the products mentioned so far
are single-user, single-tasking operating
systems. Another branch of the family
serves the multi-user market. MP/M-II and
MP/M-86 are the best known of these
products, available for eight-bit and 16-bit
systems respectively. They support fixed
RAM partitioning, and a simple but
effective form of record locking. Less well-
known is CP/Net, an eight-bit system
designed to control networks of local pro-
cessors which share printers, discs and
other resources.
Concurrent CP/M
Arguably the most interesting member of
the CP/M family is Concurrent CP/M, the
only single-user multi-tasking operating
system in the range. Concurrent CP/M lets
the user run several jobs at the same time on
the same computer so allowing you, say, to
run a Spelling check on one document while
you are editing another and printing a
third. This product, which requires a
minimum of 256K RAM and preferably a
hard disc, is well established on the IBM PC
but has only recently become available on
other machines.
The many versions of CP/M all share the
same basic structure, and they all look
more or less the same to the user. Which-
ever version of CP/M you boot up the first
thing you always see is the prompt
A>
telling you that CP/M is ready to accept
your command.
There are two types of CP/M
commands: built-in commands and:trans-
ients. The first group are functions that are
wired into the Console Command
Processor, which is the part of the system
that communicates with the operator and
known as the ‘‘shell’’ in Unix jargon. They
include commands to list a directory, Dir,
to erase a file, Era, and to display the
contents of a text file on the screen, Type.
The second group of commands is not
strictly a part of the operating system, but is
supplied as a set of separate programs.
Although they perform typical OS func-
tions, CP/M.regards them just as any other
transient programs. You may therefore
elect to remove from your system disc any
functions you do not need, or to replace
them with alternative versions purchased
from third-party suppliers.
One of the things that sometimes irritates
CP/M users is the apparently haphazard
106
cep
(This area may be overwritten
by application programs)
TPA
(Transient program area)
For user programs
How CP/M uses the computer’s memory.
way that the various jobs have been shared
out among these transient commands.
Another is the fact that the command
names often give no clue to their intended
use. Take Stat, a typical rag-bag of a
progam. Its functions include assigning
logical I/O devices to physical units,
reporting on file size and disc usage,
flagging files as read-only, and displaying
information about the disc format in use.
Then there is Pip, a multi-purpose file-
copying and transfer utility. The program
performs its duties in a workmanlike way,
but who would guess its function from its
name? Even if you knew that the letters
stood for Peripheral Interchange Program
you would probably be none the wiser.
Other CP/M transient commands are
Dump, Submit and XSub. Dump produces
a hexadecimal listing of a file on the screen.
Submit and XSub work together to provide
batch-processing. If you type Submit
followed by a file name, the Console
Command Processor will take subsequent
commands from the file rather than the
keyboard. If one of those commands is
XSub, than any application programs
invoked within the batch will also take their
input from the file. This feature is much
loved by programmers, who are able to
automate entire editing, compiling and
linking runsjn this way.
age s
Utilities
In fact, one of Gary Kildall’s main aims
when designing CP/M was to provide a
working environment for assembly-level
programmers. The system therefore
includes an assembler, ASM, and editor,
Ed, and a debugging aid, DDT. In practice,
few programmers rely on these tools.
Macro-based assemblers like Digital
Research’s own Mac and Microsoft’s
Macro-80 provide far more features than
ASM, and Digitial Research’s Sid is a better
debugger than DDT. As for Ed, this is
surely the most awful editor ever to be seen
on a computer, and very few users seem
willing to give it disc space.
The fact that the CP/M commands tend
to be the same in all members of the family
is one of its strengths. True, there are some
irritating differences. CP/M Plus uses
Show for some of the functions assigned to
Stat, and Device for others. To erase a file
in most versions you type Era, but in CP/M
Plus you may type Erase instead. But on
the whole the user can move between one
member of the family and another without
having to learn a new way of talking to it.
You would notice this same uniformity if
you could, as it were, lift the lid and peer
into the works of CP/M. The various
versions of the system are all constructed
from three basic modules: the Console
Command Processor, CCP, the Basic Disc
Operating System, BDOS, and the Basic
Input-Output System, BIOS.
The BDOS is a set of routines that
provide I/O and disc-management services
to the programmer. Its functions include
buffering of input from the console,
searching directories for specified files,
creating new files and transferring blocks
of data between RAM and disc. To use
these services, the programmer loads
certain registers with parameter infor-
mation and a function code, then passes
control to BDOS at a specified address.
The BDOS in turn calls the BIOS, which
handles the actual input and output. The
BIOS alone knows about the physical
nature of the hardware andthe addresses of
the I/O ports. It is responsible for trans-
lating logical device types and disc files into
actual ports and track/sector addresses.
Skeleton BIOS
While the BDOS and the CCP are
machine-independent, the BIOS must be
customised for each new configuration on
which the operating system is to run. In the
early days, Gary Kildall provided a skeleton
BIOS with each CP/M sold, clearly
expecting the readers of Dr Dobbs Journal
to do the necessary patching themselves.
Today the work is done for you by the
hardware manufacturer who supplies your
computer, although modifying a BIOS is
not beyond the ability of most system
programmers.
So what is the future for the CP/M
family? Digital Research has clearly
signalled its intention of providing versions
of CP/M for all new major processors. The
adoption of C is a step in this direction
although it will not guarantee the effortless
portability that some Digital Research
people seem to be expecting.
The company’s problem is that CP/M is
no longer the automatic choice of operating
system for computer manufacturers.
CP/M played a major part in the micro
revolution by creating a market for high-
quality software. Today it is in danger of
becoming just another operating system,
and one that compares badly with some of
its competitors. But one thing is certain.
With its million-strong customer base
across the world, CP/M is going to be
around for a long time to come.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Operating systems: Unix
The octopus
in your tank
After years in the hands of researchers Unix is to appear as a commercially
backed operating system on micros. Chris Bidmead assesses its chances.
ON JANUARY 12 this year IBM made it
official. Unix goes on to the IBM PC with
the company’s blessing, and so the rapidly
snowballing product of the Bell Labs
boffins has finally arrived officially on the
micro market. Interestingly, IBM stock
prices dipped at the news, Wall Street
assuming that AT&T, the multi-national
giant of which Bells Labs is the research
department, would now hold IBM in the
palm of its hand. It just shows how little
Wall Street knows about operating
systems, and about IBM.
In arecent series on Unix, Byfe magazine
recounts how the earliest version of the
Operating system was derived from an
ambitious and sprawling project called
Multics, a time-sharing development in
which the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Bell Laboratories and General
Electric all had a hand. By 1969 Multics
seemed to be getting nowhere slowly, and
Bell Labs withdrew its support. The news
came as a blow to Bell Labs computer
scientist Ken Thompson. While the rest of
the project was turning sour, his own Space
Travel game was coming along nicely on
one of the Multics time-sharing terminals.
The only alternative hardware that
Thompson had to hand at Bell Labs was a
neglected PDP-7. Its operating system
‘offered little support for program dev-
elopment, so he rolled up his sleeves
and got stuck into PDP-7 assembler to
construct a rudimentary filing system and a
few utilities. The improvisation was a far
cry from the monumental Multics, and
since there was nothing ‘‘multi’’ about it,
Thompson christened his baby Unix.
Time-waster
At this point the Unix/Space Travel
project was still just another of those
unofficial machine-hogging time-wasters.
It became official when together they were
able to offer some simple word-processing
facilities, and other departments began to
see some value in it for them.
In February 1971, with the help of some
official funding, the operation was resited
on a PDP-11 in a radical revision inspired
by Ritchie from the previous year’s
experience. PDP-Ils sprang up in other
departments, and users chose Unix in
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Ken Thompson of Bell Labs.
favour of the native operating system
supplied by DEC.
In 1973 came the next major revision,
one that was crucial to the future of Unix.
The new version was written in C, a
language developed by Ritchie from
BCPL; it was designed to replace B, which
was a bare-bones rejig of BCPL knocked
up by Thompson.
Unix and its utilities now comprised over
300,000 lines of C source code, an effort
that remains the most ambitious project
ever written in the language. The virtual-
memory techniques which the system
employed required only 53K of the system
to be resident in core memory, which was
just as well since there was only 122K of
RAM in the PDP-1Is.
Between 1971 and 1974 over 100 Unix
installations went into service. They were
generally smaller than the full-blown
version, and mostly engaged in jobs
like preparing and formatting patent
applications, dealing with fault reports on
the Bell telephone system, and recording
and checking telephone service orders. At
the central installation the accent remained
on research into operating systems,
languages, networking, and computer
science in general. Supporting all this were
utilities for document preparation.
During the 1970s Unix hardly showed its
head outside the ivory towers of academe
(continued on next page)
Root directory
Word processing
Accounts |
Customer Form
list letters
Reports
|
Financial planning
=
fn |
With the tree-structured directory you can have several files of the same name as long
as they are reached by different paths.
107
{ computing power it
(continued from previous page)
and the sanctuary of Bells Labs. The
needed was not
| generally available beyond the narrow orbit
|
of minicomputers built by DEC and Data
General, who were too busy gathering
revenue on their own operating systems
to want to alert their customers to
alternatives. AT&T was blocked from
making a commercial go of Unix by U.S.
anti-trust legislation. Even as recently as
1982 there were no more than 20,000 Unix-
based computer systems in the U.S.
The number rose by five times in 1983.
This leap in popularity came as no surprise
to observers of the college scene: with
benign commercial foresight Bell Labs had
been sowing seeds for the future with cheap
educational licences. Current estimates
reported in The Economist are that the
Unix user base will grow to half a million by
the end of 1985.
As a general-purpose, multi-user
interactive operating system Unix offers a
collection of features not usually found
even in larger operating systems. You can
think of Unix as being in three layers. At
the centre is the kernel of code that directly
accesses the hardware. It is equivalent to
CP/M’s BIOS, the section that has to
be adapted for different hardware
environments. The kernel remains in
core all the time that Unix is running, |
controlling the file handling, multi-tasking
and I/O.
Wrapped around the kernel is the shell, a
glorified command-line interpreter that
also combines the capability of executing
Root directory listing.
batch files, rather like CP/M’s Submit.
Although two shells are supplied as
standard with most versions of Unix, it was
the intention of the designers that users or
OEMs should be able to write their own
easily.
Many implementations, like the Fortune
32:16 do take advantage of this. Three
shells come with Microsoft’s Xenix, a
derivative of Bell Labs’ Unix version 7 with
several additional extensions from the
University of California, Berkeley.
Standard shells
The standard shells are very powerful,
allowing While and For loop constructions,
Parameter substitution, and file-name
expansion from wild cards. And you do not
have to be a C programmer to change
the way that the shells work. Non-
programmers can write what are called
“shell scripts’’ in plain text to run under
either the Bourne shell or the Berkeley C-
shell, whose syntax is a simplification of
C’s.
Outside the shell lie the utilities. A huge
variety of them come as standard with most
versions. C itself is included, together with
a rich selection of aids for software
developers. Although they are all regarded
as part of the system, some Unix
implementations allow you to buy subsets
of the utilities. It seems sensible to leave
the business world in ignorance of the
accumulation of ingenious and sometimes
miraculous aids for programmers that
make up a large proportion of the utilities,
but this sacrifices the designers’ fun-
damental idea that any Unix system should
be self-supporting.
The most important role of any
Operating system is to provide a method of
handling files. The Unix user sees files as
being of three kinds: ordinary disc files,
directories and special files. Ordinary files
include text files and binary, executable
programs. They are created with no special
structuring, except that the terminator of
text lines is traditionally regarded as a single
character — the Newline character —
although it may in fact consist of a Carriage
Return plus a Line Feed.
Directories behave exactly like ordinary
files except that they cannot be written on
by ordinary programs; it is the system itself
that controls the directory contents. The
system maintains several directories for its
Own use, the main one of which is called the
root directory. All the other directories are
files in the root directory, and any file in the
system can be found by tracing a path
through the branching chain of directories.
Typically a special system directory called
Bin contains all the system command
programs, although a program does not
need to reside in this directory to be
executed.
Name sequences
Files names have 14 or fewer characters.
Files outside the current directory can be
evoked by giving the full path name, that is
to say a sequence of directory names
separated by / characters and ending ina
file name. If the sequence begins with a
slash, the search begins in the root
directory. For example, specifying
/<name1>/<name2>/<name3 >
causes the system to search the root for
directory <namel>, then to search
<namel > for <name2>, finally to find
<name3> in <name2>. The name /
refers to the root itself.
Any name not beginning with / starts the
search in the current directory. If it isa path
name, like <namel > / <name2>, then
Hierarchical file structure.
total 117 spoo}
-rw-r--r-- 2 bin 112 Feb 12 18:43 “profile
drwxrwxrwx 3 root 128 Jul 26 1983 b
drwxrwxr-x 2 root 896 Dee 16 02:37 bin help
-rw-rw-r-- 1 root 4 Feb 13 09:37 demo
drwxr-xr-x 2 root 1328 Feb 13 02:27 dev A di
orwaeeieecot 1088 Feb 13 09:12 ete One level down from the root is the USR sub-directory.
drwxrwxrwx 2 root 32 Mar 8 1983 f total 10
drwxrwxrwx 2 bin 32 Oct 6 1982 h drwxrwxr-x 2 root 1152 Feb 12 14:29 bin
drwxrwxrwx 2 root 2048 Mar 8 1983 lost+found -rw-rw-r-- 1 root 0 Feb 13 09:48 demo
drwxrwxrwx10 root 176 Dee 16 03:05 m drwxrwxrwx 2 bin 224 Sep 20 07:55 games
drwxrwxr-x 2 root 48 Jul 18 1983 man drwxrwxr-x 2 bin 160 Jul 6 1983 help
drwxr-xr-x 2 bin 80 Aug 5 1983 sa drwxrwxr-x 3 root 480 Jul 22 1983 include
drwxrwxrwx 2 bin 192 Feb 13 02:27 tmp drwxrwxr-x 5 bin 336 Aug 24 10:26 lib
drwxrwxr-x26 bin 416 Feb 12 18:57 u drwxrwxr-x 6 root 96 Jul 6 1983 man
~PeePe-r~~ 2 bin 100412 Jun 30 1983 unix drwxrwxr-x 4 bin 64 Jul 6 1983 spool
drwxrwxr-x11 root 192 Aug 21 20:32 usr drwxrwxrwx 2 bin 64 Feb 2 11:45 tmp
drwxrwxr~x 2 root 80 Feb 13 09:36 util drwxrwxr-x 2 bin 432 Jul 6 1983 ucb
108 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
<namel > is taken to be a sub-directory of
the current directory, which in turn holds a
file called <name2>. The single name
<namel > refers to a non-directory file in
the current directory.
A feature called Linking allows the same
non-directory file to turn up in more than
one directory, and even under different
names. This is possible because files do not
actually exist within any particular
directory. The directory entry is no more
than a pointer to the information actually
describing the file.
The feature can be used, to quote a real-
life example, in coping with the logistics of
maintaining different versions of the source
code for a software product. The software
house of Southdata develops its Superfile
database under Idris, a reverse-engineered
Unix from Real Time Systems. Southdata
covers the variety of operating systems on
which its product must run by storing the
Superfile source code in directories called
MS-DOS, CP/M-86, CP/M-80 and so
forth.
To make sure that modifications made to
one version of Superfile are automatically
applied to others where appropriate, the
source files that appear in the separate
directories are actually one and the same
file. Linked to the various directories, and
suitably dotted with compiler conditionals
to match each target operating system, the
master file is able to cope with revisions
from all fronts.
With special files, Unix introduced a
genuine innovation to computing which
was subsequently adopted by MS-DOS 2.
File-name pointers can be connected to I/O
device drivers, enabling them to be read
and written to, where appropriate, just like
an ordinary disc file. Special files connect
the directory up to communication lines,
discs, peripherals, and even to raw
memory.
When I/O devices are handled like this,
file and device names have the same syntax
and meaning, so a program expecting a file
name as a parameter can be passed a device
name. This arrangement also allows special
files to be given the same access protection
as regular files.
The root directory is always kept on the
same device, often a built-in Winchester
disc. By a process known as Mounting,
additional devices such as floppies can
become temporary branches of the file-
system tree. The Mount system request is
given with two arguments: the name of an
existing ordinary file kept in the root
directory specially for the purpose,
Unix features
Operating systems: Unix
followed by the name of a special file that is
in fact a device with an independent file
system containing its own treed directory.
Executing the Mount makes: all
subsequent references to the ordinary file
refer instead to the root directory of the
Mounted file system. In effect, the Mount
expands the ordinary file into a whole new
sub-tree. This approach will seem fussy to
users of micro systems where the repertoire
of mass-storage devices is decided when the
system is generated, and the equivalent of
Mounting consists at the most of hitting
Control-C, as under CP/M. Its advantage
is that it leaves a Unix machine open-ended
for future hardware expansion.
Unix protects its files by tagging each one
with a set of 10 mode bits, the values of
which are controlled by the user who
creates the file. One bit is set if the file is a
directory, and three triads of three bits each
indicate Read, Write and Execute
permission for the local user, the user’s
group and for all users in general.
Listing the directory in long form will
show the values held in this bit field. For the
purposes of restoring forgotten passwords,
backing up, and other system maintenance
where the protection system would be a
nuisance, Unix provides for a super-user
who overrides the usual file-access
constraints.
Redirection
Unix allows I/O redirection and piping.
The standard assumption of programs
running under Unix is that input will come
from the user’s keyboard and output will
go to the console screen. Redirection allows
this assumption to be altered at the last
moment, from the command line
immediately prior to execution. Left and
right arrows are used to indicate the device
and file to be used for input and output.
Pipes are an extension of the same idea.
By naming a pair of executable files in the
command line with a vertical bar character
between them, the output from the first
program can be directed into the second
program. The vertical bar character means:
take the output from the program on the
left and make it the input to the program on
the right.
One use for this might be to look through
a directory listing to find all the entries that
are themselves directories. The command
is -1
will produce a long listing, where each file
name is accompanied by a readable
presentation of the protection bits. The
@ A treed directory system with demountable volumes.
®@ Compatible file, device and inter-process I/O.
@ The ability to run several processes at once.
@ Shells that can be chosen individually by users, even on a multi-user
system.
@ A huge range of utilities and OS functions, including a dozen languages.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
first bit is displayed as a d if the file is a
directory, and lines like this can be selected
by using the pattern-recognition program
Grep with the parameter “d, which means:
look for ad as the first character on the left-
hand edge.
The command line to do this will look
like:
1s —1> grep ‘“d’
Because Unix is a true multi-tasking system
the programs will run simultaneously. The
pseudo-pipes of MS-DOS 2, and the
Microshell CP/M enhancement, are
emulated by the creation of a temporary
file to hold the output of the first file until
the second begins its run.
File interlocks
Unix makes no distinctions at system
level between random and sequential file
operations. No logical record size is
imposed, unlike the 128-byte records for
CP/M. As you might expect on a multi-
user system, there are internal interlocks to
prevent users deleting each other’s open
files and creating files with the same name
in the same directory.
The level of file and record interlocking
provided by MP/M-II, for example, was
rejected by the Unix designers as being
unnecessary and insufficient. Consequently
raw Unix occasionally produces un-
scheduled revision of files that are
simultaneously written to by more than one
user. 1
This does not mean that Unix is
totally unsuitable for business use. Modern
versions of Unix, like Uniplus + from Root
Computers Ltd, include record-locking
facilities. On systems without them,
applications packages will obviously have
to supply their own elaborate checking
mechanisms.
For an operating system of its size and
capability, Unix is very portable, thanks to
its being written in a high-level language.
Customised shells will go a long way to
meet the non-scientific, non-academic
market, but the more you cover Unix the
slower it gets. Even ordinary single-user
versions still usually contain the multi-user
kernel, which spends CPU resources in
unnecessary housekeeping, looking out for
non-existent other users. Unix has been
called ‘‘The octopus in your tank’’.
Not enough Unix software is yet
available to compete with CP/M and
MS-DOS in the field of business
administration, although this may change
quickly. Microsoft is already embracing
Unix in the form of Xenix, and now Digital
Research has changed its tack with
a dramatic recent announcement of
applications software support for Unix.
Despite Unix’s built-in facilities for
generating and maintaining documen-
tation, or perhaps because of them, the
manuals are over-blown, inconsistent in
tone, and in need of drastic editing. The
Xenix documentation is little better,
though it does offer some improvement in
the indexing and general organisation.
109
MUCH HYPE and rumour surrounds the
origin of MS-DOS. This short account
comes direct from the protagonists: from
Bill Gates of Microsoft, which got the IBM
contract to produce an operating system for
the IBM PC; and from Gary Kildall of
Digital Research, which didn’t.
IBM wanted a version of CP/M to run
on its new baby. According to Kildall Bill
Gates was approached first because IBM
knew so little about the micro market it
thought CP/M came from him, but
according to Gates it was because
Microsoft had implemented more CP/M
systems than anybody, including Digital
Research.
Gates sent IBM to Kildall, because he
understood that a launch of CP/M-86 was
imminent. But, says Gates, Gary Kildall
was out flying his plane the day the
gentlemen from IBM arrived. They
returned to Bill Gates and said the contract
was his if he could make the deadline.
Gary Kildall is not pleased with this
| version of the story. He was not out joy-
riding that day, as the Microsoft faction
likes to imply, but had flown off to visit
some clients. In any case, there were some
legal difficulties to be cleared up before he
could talk to IBM.
Wary from past experience, IBM was
insisting that a waiver be signed to preclude
any litigation arising out of the discussions.
If an idea they discussed were to turn up
later in an IBM product, IBM did not want
an expensive legal squabble about who
thought of it first. That was the intent, but
its effect was far wider, and Kildall’s
lawyers had warned him that, technically
speaking, IBM might walk away from the
meeting virtually owning CP/M.
Agreement
Bill Gates either had better lawyers, or
was less finicky about the preconditions.
He talked to IBM, and the result was an
agreement to produce a 16-bit operating
system for the IBM PC in an un-
comfortably short time. History does not
disclose the financial terms of the contract,
but IBM watchers have no reason to believe
they were generous.
But by this time Bill Gates had one card
up his sleeve. He knew of a company in his
home town of Seattle that made 16-bit
processor boards and which Was so tired of
waiting for Digital Research’s CP/M-86
that it had written its own.
So it was that the original author of
MS-DOS was not Microsoft but Seattle
Computer Products. It was always in-
tended as a stop-gap meausure, and as
such it was exactly what Bill Gates needed
while he geared up his team to meet his
sparkling new contract with IBM.
That release, version 1.25, is now
replaced by version 2. The update is
characterised by a style that owes a great
deal to Unix, with a treed directory, a
pseudo-pipe facility, a handful of filter-
style utilities, and the peripherals-as-files
philosophy.
110
The
chosen
one
When IBM adopted MS-DOS for the PC it became the
premier 16-bit operating system. Chris Bidmead
os —
——
TH
i
|
]
abe **.
Bill Gates of Microsoft.
i - by
te files run time type where
py Delete Lai
ert Jump Library Mae Options
it Replace Transfer Undo i
Format Gallery
The latest extension to MS-DOS 2 provides
user-definable windows.
MS-DOS in either version is generally
agreed to be easier to use than the
colourless CP/M-86 that eventually
emerged from Digital Research. Properly
implemented and there are some
notorious exceptions — MS-DOS has
several advantages for the user over
CP/M-86, including disc speed and ease-
of-command line editing.
But CP/M-86 itself was only a vamp-till-
wonders whether its success is well deserved.
ready while Concurrent CP/M was being
put together behind the scenes. Midway
through 1983 Concurrent CP/M made its
entrance, embodied in the utilitarian
hardware of the IBM PC.
Faced with the threat of this efficient,
usable, and above all, available offering
from Digital Research, Microsoft first said
that users did not need multi-tasking. If
they did there was always Xenix,
Microsoft’s own slightly more polished
version of Bell Labs’ original Unix. The
fact that the progress of Xenix in the
commercial word had not, up to then, been
very impressive would seem to reinforce the
point, though Microsoft naturally did not
say so.
Interruptions
But the announcement went on to say
that ‘‘when the market was ready’? a
subsequent version of MS-DOS, would
offer a ‘‘hold’’ feature to let users suspend
a running process to go off and do other
tasks. On returning to the initial process the
machine state would be recalled and
everything would resume as if there had
been no interruption. Bill Gates claimed
that for single users this was much more
useful than to have processes churning
away in the background.
We will never know what went on in the
mind of IBM, but it appears that the
corporation was impressed by Digital
Research’s achievements with Concurrent
CP/M, and may well have gone back to its
own supplier with some politely phrased
questions. Whatever the cause, there
followed a slight rewrite of history, in
which Microsoft announced that true
multi-tasking, along with a networking
capability, was always intended to form
part of the kernel of MS-DOS version 3,
due early in 1984.
The fact of MS-DOS 3 being written in C
was supposed to be speeding it to the
market-place, for one of Microsoft’s proud
boasts is the superior productivity of its
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Xenix-based software development. That
version is not yet with us. In fact the latest
news is that MS-DOS 3 will not appear at
all, at least not under that name.
Enhancements are to be added piecemeal.
Version 2 of MS-DOS is a brave attempt
to bridge the gap between the bought-in
Seattle Computers 1.25 version, and full-
blown Xenix. The most immediately
noticeable difference from its 1.25 and
CP/M predecessors is the hierarchical
directory that treats directories as files that
can also include other directories, and so on
more or less ad infinitum.
Hard-disc boon
To what extent this is an improvement is
not easy to say. The approach confers little
advantage for the limited backing-store
capacity of a floppy-disc system, but users
have found it a boon in the hard-disc
environment. Even so, the user unbiased
towards Unix is likely to find CP/M’s
Straightforward layered division of a
Winchester drive into user areas in many
ways easier for managing a large number of
files.
Where disc space is limited there is some
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Operating systems: MS-DOS
argument for the byte granularity of the
MS-DOS filing system. Instead of blocking
files on to the disc in allocation units
typically of 2K — but as much as 16K on
some Winchester systems —- MS-DOS can
be implemented to write no more than the
exact number of bytes. In CP/M even a
small file can seize a sizeable chunk of the
disc.
The internal redesign that made this
possible was the way the BIOS and I/O
handling was changed to work through
device drivers that can be thought of as
separate from the operating system. A
device driver is a software routine that acts
as a go-between in the transactions the
Operating system must have with hardware
devices like printers, console and disc
drives. The wildly various and sometimes
awkward requirements of these peripherals
are translated by device drivers into formal,
orderly requests that the operating system
can understand. As most device drivers are
bi-directional, the translation process also
works the other way round.
As with the earlier version, and with
CP/M, the operating system proper is
isolated from the hardware by a 15K chunk
of hardware-dependent assembler code, the
BIOS. Traditionally the device drivers are
embedded in this code, which is supplied by
the OEM, like the cogs and wheels in a
clock.
The 2.0 BIOS is quite different. The
jump table that was the traditional CP/M-
style entry point is now replaced by a linked
list of devices that can be reconfigured at
will — even, in simple cases, by the user.
On booting up, MS-DOS 2.0 reads a text -
file called Config.Sys, which defines
the drivers to be laoded into RAM.
Initialisation code is loaded, executed and
then overwritten. It is a useful technique for
conserving memory by making sure that
routines only needed at boot-time do not
outstay their welcome.
Memory conservation is still an issue,
despite the ability of the 8086 family of
chips to address a megabyte of RAM.
Competition encourages OEMs to squeeze
production costs, and most MS-DOS
machines arrive in the market-place with no
more than 128K of RAM. Compare the
15K of MS-DOS BIOS with the 2K BIOS
for CP/M-80. Floating device drivers may
further increase this disparity for they are
always more demanding of space than
embedded drivers.
Unix ideas
The drivers of MS-DOS 2 each define
two entry points, called the Strategy and
Interrupt routines, in another technique
borrowed from Unix. The idea is that
processes calling the drivers must not be
allowed to hog the resources. So the first
call from the process registers a request
for the port, drive or whatever, and
immediately relinquishes control. The
Interrupt routine then has the job of
dealing fairly with the queued requests and
flagging them as completed when they are
finished.
In MS-DOS 2.0, however, the idea is
there only as a shadow of the multi-tasking
I/O handling the technique implies. The
Interrupt and Strategy routines are simply
welded together, the one calling the other
with no chance for other processes to break
in.
But the data handling associated with
this method is only partially implemented.
Instead of streaming data through the
CPU’s accumulator in the usual way, the
data has to be buffered in RAM in packets.
Each packet must be keyed with headers so
that the Interrupt routine knows what to do
with it. MS-DOS 2.0 does implement this
packet passing; however, since it allows
only a single request to be pending at any
time the exercise does not turn out to be
particularly productive.
In the Unix tradition, two types of device
are supported: character and block.
Character devices like consoles, modems
and printers, will pass their data into and
out of the packet one byte at a time. Block
devices, notably disc drives, move their
data in chunks that are allowed to vary in
size so that exact numbers of bytes can be
accommodated. Q
111
i
All one big
family
Russell Jones summarises the virtues of the operating system designed for the
time when ample processing power blurs established computer categories.
EACH ADVANCE in microprocessor tech-
nology brings closer the end of that
artificial barrier between micro, mini and
mainframe computers. The new 16-bit and
32-bit chips are now forming the basis
of compatible computer families,
distinguishable only by their cost and
performance, not by some nebulous name.
In such an environment, the need to
develop operating systems that are not
restricted to any particular machine
becomes much more urgent. The most
obvious example of such an operating
system is Unix. It evolved as part of a larger
research project but it now reigns as
undisputed leader in nearly all academic,
R&D and laboratory installations.
Pick is less well known. It initially
formed part of computers being used by
U.S. troops in Vietnam, where the primary
requirement was for an ultra-high level of
that old computer-industry cliché, user-
friendliness. Unix was built by program-
mers for programmers: it provides a
veritable battery of programming aids and
tools, but is not exactly renowned for the
accessibility of its user interface. Pick, on
the other hand, was designed expressly to
protect end-users from the vagaries of
different computers and from needing to
understand the details of how they work.
Basic needs
The originators of all too many
operating systems seem to forget that the
basic requirements of a computer are that it
should be able to store and manipulate data
in such a way that it is easily available to its
users. Furthermore, they also forget that
different users may want to look at the
Same data in different ways.
Somebody using an accounts system to
post payments of different types to a ledger
is likely to be interested in accessing the
ledger via an account number of some sort.
Somebody else within the company may be
more interested in looking at a summary of
such postings by payment type. By far the
easiest way or organising data to enable
such tasks to be done is via what is known
as a relational type of database. Each
element of data, such as a ledger entry, is
112
reached by reference to some form of key,
such as the number allocated to that
particular posting.
In this example the types of posting could
be held in a separate file indexed by
payment type. If this file were to be
amended each time a payment was made,
then it would be easy to obtain a summary
of the payments by type merely by
specifying the payment type to an enquiry
program. Of course, all of this processing
could be carried out using any form of file
system. The use of a relational database,
which only allows files to be accessed by
pre-specified keys, makes such tasks much
easier.
Left: Richard Pick.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Non-procedural languages
The availability of powerful reporting facilities such as that provided under
Pick means that, for microcomputer users, the conventional balance
between package software and home-grown programs is radically altered.
Hitherto it has been difficult to justify the expense of writing software. Not
only is it a time-consuming and costly task, it requires end-users to delve
into their computers. The use of non-procedural languages and tools
against a background of a relational database as provided with Pick, now
enables users to tell a computer what to do rather than how to do it. Thus
it becomes possible for a user to write programs without first having to
become a programmer.
Normal programming languages such as Cobol and Basic are termed as
procedural languages. The name implies the necessity to code out a
program in full detail. The program then directs the computer as to how a
particular task should be carried out. Using a non-procedural language, it is
merely necessary to direct the computer as to what is required. The
language’s supporting software works out in detail how this is to be done.
Using Pick’s non-procedural language you can tell the computer
something like
LIST ALL ACCOUNTS WITH ACCOUNT-BALANCE >£1000.00
rather than having to write a program telling the computer exactly how to
do it. The availability of such powerful, non-procedural languages will
eventually provide a realistic alternative to those users who are now limited
by the constraints inherent in package software.
PICK — File structure
Within PICK, everything revolves
around the system dictionary.
N.B. Data files can be shared
by different accounts.
System
dictionary
Master
dictionary
Master
dictionary
Master
dictionary
Dictionary Dictionary
file file
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Operating systems: Pick= =
All Pick files are organised in a relational
manner. Associated with each file or set of
files there is a data dictionary which defines
the attributes of both the file and of all the
fields within the file.
Two main advantages follow from the
use of a data dictionary. First, the logical
structure of the file is independent of its
physical structure. So if you wished to
lengthen a particular field or to add a new
field to a file, it would merely be necessary
to make a one-off change to the data
dictionary. No change would have to be
made to the file itself, and very few to the
programs as they all access the file via the
dictionary.
Secondly, it facilitates the use of very
high-level enquiry and report facilities.
A powerful, non-procedural, fourth-
generation query language is supplied as an
integral part of Pick. It features a natural,
English-like command syntax, making it
easy for the non-specialist end-user to
perform complex enquiry and reporting
tasks without having to write special
programs.
The file organisation within Pick, allows
many different users to keep files within the
system. All the files within the system are
structured into a series of accounts, one for
each user on the system. Each account hasa
master dictionary which lists al! of the
subsidiary data dictionaries for the
account. Access to data held in differing
accounts is permitted.
Hashing
All data within Pick is stored using a
hashing algorithm whereby only one disc
access is required to read or write data
records. This avoids the need for tree
structure indexes, and speeds up access to
all data items. Each data element within
Pick is considered to be of a variable
length. This applies not only to each file
and to each field within those files, but also
extends to the capability of having a
variable number of sub-values within each
field.
Many computers employ a virtual-
memory system to provide relatively large
storage capacities within reasonably sized
real memories. This is done by placing large
chunks of the virtual memory on disc and
only calling them into the computer’s
memory when they are needed. Pick takes
this concept further. As well as considering
the computer’s memory to be virtual, it also
considers all the computer’s data, including
disc files, to be part of virtual storage.
Any computer running Pick has,
potentially, up to 8Gbyte of local storage
available. The only physical constraint is
the available disc space. This is possible
because of the natural optimisation that
occurs when using virtual memory. For
example, any user not currently active
actually takes up little, if any, main storage
— all the storage is held on disc until the
user wants to use it again.
The main advantage of this concept for
(continued on next page)
is
== = Operating systems: Pick
(continued from previous page)
microcomputer users is that it allows a
machine with relatively modest amounts of
storage — say 128K — to run as many as 12
active terminals at once. Provided they do
not all want to carry out work at once, the
natural optimisation of the virtual-storage
concept will allow high utilisation from
relatively small machines.
User interface
Apart from the report generator, the
main user interface provided by Pick is the
Terminal Control Language, TCL. It
consists of over 200 utilities, some of which
are used to maintain and tidy up the central
database. Additionally, users can set up
procedures consisting of lists of the
commands made available by the Pick
system. These commands provide the main
way of controlling the operation of the
system, and can be stored in procedures.
The procedures can then be passed to the
TCL utilities or to the other Pick facilities.
Pick includes an editor within which any
element of data, including dictionary items,
can be modified. It has full system
accounting which provides details of CPU
usage, pages printed and so on. There is a
very powerful spooler which can handle
600 print files on up to 16 attached printers.
It caters for multiple copies, immediate
Suppliers
Pick is relatively new to the U.K. so the
number of products now available is
fairly limited. Probably the most
significant are an implementation on the
1BM PC from IDM, and the Crystal 68000
series from Aston Technology.
@ Interactive Data Machines,
Scawthorpe Hall, Great North Road,
Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Telephone: (0302) 786677. Provides a
Pick look-alike front end to PC-DOS
for the IBM PC; also Apgen, a bridge
between Unix and Pick.
@ Aston Technology, Aston Science
Park, Love Lane, Birmingham B7 4BJ.
Manufactures the Crystal 68000 series,
available with Pick as standard; also
System Builder, an application
generator based around Pick.
®@ Altos Computer Systems, Manhatten
House, High Street, Crowthorne,
Berkshire. Plck available on 536/10/40
range of computers.
@ Consultants (Computer & Financial)
plc, 2-12 Wilson Street, London EC2M
2TE. Various software packages
running under Pick: shipbroking,
commodity trading, stockbroking,
investment management.
@ Computer Factor (Sales) Ltd, Marshall
House, Manor Road, Coventry CV1
2GF. Mailbrain Il mail order processing
on Pick machines.
@ EDP Systems, 1 Tapton Park Road,
Sheffield 10, South Yorkshire. Large
number of commercial Pick-based
packages available.
114
or delayed printing and spooling to tape.
The Pick security system provides
options for the protection of accounts,
files, commands and even devices. Pick
provides a word processor called Jet, a text
processor called Runoff, and a specific
form of Dartmouth Basic called Databasic.
This enhanced Basic compiler generates re-
entrant code, includes programmer-
development aids, a high-level interface to
the relational database, direct output to the
spooler and access to the query language.
This year should see the arrival of the
A simple enquiry...
LIST PERSONNEL WITH AGE > "23" NAME
long-awaited rewrite of Pick called Release
84. One of the innovations to be found in
the new release will be a C compiler which
should allow other operating systems such
as Unix to run under Pick.
Although Unix will always find a home
in many of the computers of the future, the
attractive features of Pick mean that it too
will create its own niche. In particular, its
high degree of user-friendliness will ensure
that large numbers of software suppliers
will adopt it to cater for non-specialist
users.
... produces a report in the following form...
PAGE 1
14:37 14 FEB 1983
BIRTH DEPARTMENT
951
1947
1958
1931
1949
1943
1946
QUALITY CONTROL
or you could use more complex enquiry to produce a more structured report:
SORT PERSONNEL WITH AGE > "25" AND WITH SALARY BETWEEN
*11500"
"5500" AND
BY DEPARTMENT BY SALARY BY AGE BREAK-ON DEPARTMENT ‘TOTAL
SALARY NAME AGE HEADING “PENSION FUND MEMBERS WITH SALARY IN RANGE
5500 TO 11500" LPTR
IDM’s Revelation is a Pick look-alike for the IBM PC. One of its most important
features is a general-purpose retrieval language.
The man and his product
The Pick operating system was written by Dick Pick in the fate 1960s. At
the time Pick was working for TRW, having left Berkeley with an MBA, and
having spent some time with Mattel Toys as a programmer. TRW had just
been commissioned to develop a sophisticated database-management
system to keep track of the Cheyenne helicopter project and set out to
build a computer architecture geared towards data management and
information retrieval.
There was at the time no definitive hardware specification, so the team
built what Pick calls a ‘software machine’. The result was a sophisticated
data-retrieval and query system. By the early 1970s, this had been
surrounded by an operating system that had many of the features that are
so distinctive of Pick. They included its built-in relational database,
variable-length data organisation, integrated word processor and a whole
range of end-user and programmer tools.
The first major implementation of the complete Pick system came out as
long ago as 1973, as Reality on Microdata hardware. Things have been
quieter since then, but now there are over 20,000 users world-wide and a new
product base built round the 68000 chip. Implementations are either here or
due on most IBM machines from the PC to the large mainframes, and there
is a growing band of vociferous supporters advocating its use.
Dick Pick himseif has always had the reputation of a maverick within the
computer industry. Even now, with a product that appears about to take off
in a massive way, he is often said to appear somewhat wistful for the good
old days of assembler programming. Dick Pick must take a lot of the blame
for his operating system having been undersold in the past. He is unlikely
to become the archetypal marketing executive, but the future of his
creation seems assured nonetheless.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
We kid you not.
The uninitiated can be led a
merry dance by the bewildering
choice of accounting programs
currently on offer.
But don’t put your foot in it by
assuming that a high price
guarantees you high efficiency.
You can, if you really wish, pay
£1,000 or more for a sprawling,
highly complicated, 4-7 disk
monster, with a manual you can't lift
without a course of weight training,
or understand without a brain
transplant. Alternatively, for just
£375, you can discover the unique
simplicity of SAGE.
SAGE produce an accounting
program which is truly integrated
and uses only one program and one
data diskette.
@.Sales and Purchase Ledgers,
@ Nominal Ledger, @ Cash Book,
@ Journal Entries, @ Trial Balance.
@ VAT Return, ® Monthly and Annual
Accounts, @ Age Analyses,
@ Statements and Audit Trail — every
accounting function you need in one
compact and comprehensive
package. The SAGE program is also
widely used for Incomplete Records
Accounting (without requiring
modification). It can therefore be
used by practising accountants for
both functions. Its efficiency is built
on simplicity—and its simplicity
accounts for the price.
The SAGE accounling program
is easy to learn and easy to use, with
a short, clear and simple manual.
It's fully automatic— which
means no shuffling through the
program to find the section you need.
It's complete and self-
contained - no expensive modules to
buy every time you need an extra
function.
It's suitable for use on CP/M or
MS-DOS machines and has so far
been implemented on Osborne,
Superbrain, Epson QX-10, Sirius,
Victor 9000, IBM PC, BBC/Torch Z80
and ITT with others in the pipeline, sal
What's more, the SAGE
accounting program hasbeen 4%
successfully tested in hundreds of
installations and is the only system
of its type-is as effective in a one-
man business as in a multi million
pound corporation.
Check it out and we'll prove to
you that software doesn't have to be
expensive to be efficient. Return the
coupon and we'll send you more
information and the name of your
nearest dealer.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
‘Afirst class accounting
program for only£375..
pull the other one?
Mh
hi
AG
WG
SS
SS
SR
i” Please send me your 8 page explanatory brochure.
C) Please arrange for me to have a demonstration.
“| do not yet own a computer/ have a
| “Delete as.
| _—______________ computer.
appropriate
Name.
SAGESOFT LTD., tlawick Crescent Industrial
, Estate. Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1AS.
Tel: 0632 761669. Telex: 53623 SAGESL G.
Our innovation accounts for our price!
@ Circle No. 154
IS
________ Explore the_
—Personal Computer Age __—
atthe NEC Birmingham __
eo a_i -
Oo see the very latest in
microcomputers,
peripherals, accessories and
software visit the Midland
Computer Fair.
Whether you already
<<} . Own a microcomputer, or are
about to buy one, the show will be
the best place to try the products
with expert advice close at hand.
For business users the Midland
Computer Fair really is a must with hardware,
software and ancillary products all on show.
Entry to the show is FREE to bona fide businessmen upon
production of a business card. Normal admission price is £2.50.
For further information contact: The Exhibition Manager,
The Midland Computer Fair, Reed Exhibitions, Surrey House,
1 Throwley Way, Sutton, Surrey SM1 4QQ.
116 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
The right software Gris
for r your application from °°" 2°
COMPUTECH FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING PACKAGES
i Payroll £375
Invoicing and Stock Recording $295
Sales, Purchases and General Ledgers each £295
Also costing and group consolidation
COMPUTECH UTILITIES DISK
for reliable error checking copying,
diskette scan, interpret and patch, etc £20
VisiCalc, Applewriter and other Apple software (Prices on request)
COMPUTECH CHAIN MAIL
A mailing merging document processor which may
be used with text files, including random files and
Applewriter 1.1 binary files $45
COMPUTECH GRAPHICS DISK
for printing Apple pictures and graphs on Epson and
Microline (free with printers purchased from Computech)£30
ee COMPUTECH TERMINAL UTILITIES
Apple to Apple and Apple to mainframe from £4130
CONVIPLIT: _hardware...just
plug iti in and g ee sect
ae mye
~~
7
e
COMPUT ecw DIPLOMAS
RAM VS
LS OGOLlowmne SYSTEMS
’ .
DIPLOMAT VIDEO DIGITISER
store a frame from video camera in a fitieth of a
r= second, process and print — for Apple Il
ee for APPLE //e, including 64K Extended 80 Column Card £345
z= DIPLOMAT PARALLEL Interface £80 ©
DIPLOMAT SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS Interface
DIPLOMAT RAM 16 Memory Expansion
DIPLOMAT CLOCK/CALENDAR
£
LOWER CASE Character Generator with Applewriter 1.4.
enhancements £50
MICROMUX Data Exchange (Max 16 Ports) from £850 |
MATRIX PRINTERS, Microline and Epson with J
graphics and up to 200 cps ~ from £222
MICROLINE Optional Character Generator £15.
DAISY WHEEL PRINTERS, Olympia, Qume, Ricoh from £798
Prices exclude VAT, Carriage and Packing
For full details phone for data sheets and a FREE demonstration
COMPUTEC |
eo 6 a mark of Annie @Sinateaiert=. ry -
The problem with buying a home computer, as
you may already have discovered, is there’s often very
little software to go with it. Or all that is available is
games, games and more games.
There’s no such problem, however, with the
Commodore 64. It has a more extensive range of
serious software than any other home computer.
It also has an unusually large (in fact elephantine)
64K memory, as well as every peripheral you're ever
likely to need.
Put simply, this means the computer has the
capacity to run more interesting, entertaining and
complex programs.
You can teach yourself just about any subject
_@s= ANAGRAM
| a
-©5= ANAGRAM
Cc
Comucecee
°
sah |
tSONALIY
FACTORY
MANAGEF
QUIZMASTI
deur ow
you care to mention, even computer programming
And for the office there are programs like word
processing, financial planning, information storage
and stock control.
Finally, when you’re mentally exhausted, you
can even entertain yourself — yes, with games.
When all’s said and done, however, we do have
to admit that in one respect the Commodore 64 isn’t
up with the competition. It costs around £229, much
And that’s a fact
we hope you'll never
ever forget.
at Conte
ANDTH
‘MICROCE
SCRPT —
SINT SON ee sere worm rcc
TOBASCPART] «os Rape, = BACK
Cee ONAL PROGRAMMING COMMANDS
When you have an
enormous memory there's no end
to the things you can do.
} disk driveO cassette unitO printersO monitor C1)
} Name (Mr. Mrs. Miss)
| Address
| Send to: The Commodore Information Centre, 675 Ajax Avenue, Slough,
Berkshire SL] 4BG. Or telephone (0753) 79292.
= commodore
@Cirrla Na i5e
.
=4
|
a
|
|
|
|
9
The PC EXPRESS IBM MULTIFUNCTION
Accelerator Board Board
for the IBM PC and XT oy lena _— to rhe professional user
= ccupies only one of your valuable slots.
or ACT Sirius 1 and e nae RS232 2 communications ports
F or use with modems or extra printers
Victor 9000 ‘ and terminals. ia
A centronics paralle! l/O interface port
comp uters which directly matches the IBM antic
adapter.
With Free RAMOS software @ More memory. Up to 512K of parity
checked RAM.
@ Real Time Clock, battery powered.
You can treble the speed of your computer
and expand it’s memory up to 640K with
the IBM version or up to 512K of fully
socketed memory with the Sirius version. PC
Express upgrades your computer to a true
16 bit machine with its own advanced 10
MHZ, 8086 microprocessor. Both boards are
totally compatible with @ All Hardware @
All Software @ All Operating systems —
without modification and are fully user A revolutionary new concept from
expandable. Intelligence Research that extends the
power of your DOS — dramatically speeding
up input and output. Includes disk caching,
psuedo (memory) disk and print buffering.
Combine RAMOS with PC Express to give
your machine mainframe capabilities.
RAM Operating System for IBM and Sirius
Apple Ii and Ile
Memory Expansion
Boards
With Free software
Allthe memory you need and more!
Available with 64K, 128K, 256K or 384K and
fully user expandable.
Apple lie
HyperRAM Memory EXCEL-80 Card
Boar ds for IBM P Cc The EXCEL-80 card is an 80 column display
and XT, ACT Sirius 1, | 2ozrcunencanbecnnancedtythe
and Victor computers Aunique feature of the EXCEL-80 is that it Quality Products —
can be simply and instantly upgraded by
plugging chips straight onto the board. No Advanced Technolog)
With Free RAMOS software PE a als Designed and manufactured in Britain by
Europe’‘s premiere innovator o
HyperRAM, the flexible solution. IBM Software mictocohap dah enhancement boards.
version available with 64K, 128K, 192K, @ Re-locates DOS from normal memory to
7 256K, 384K or up toa full 512K of memory RAM card freeing approximately 10K of For further details contact.
installed. User expandable and full parity usable memory. Intelligence Research Limited,
generation and checking. @ Psuedo memory disk drive uses RAM card FREEPOST. London SW18 4BR.
memory to emulate a disk drive at
Sirius/Victor version with either 128K, 256K, greatly increased speed. The capacity of 01 o 8 71 14. aa
384K or amaximum 512K fully socketed | the pseudo disk drive can be set from 64K
memory. User expandable. up to 384K. or contact your local dealer.
is
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MICRO WITH THESE QUALITY PACKAGES
MULTIPLAN Microsoft's new advanced ASCOM open up the world of
feature Electronic Worksheet, a new generation telecommunications: Connect CP/M micro to
of spreadsheet programs. Features include CP/M micro, mainframe or mini timesharing
linking of worksheets; alphanumeric sort systems; transfer files and programs between
facility; special text capabilities for dependent micros; control remote micros using
display and formatted printing. ASCOM. Menu driven with on-line
, , Help facility. (Also for
Tremendous benefits to aid business people = CP/M-86 MSDOS, IBM-PC.)
professional, small business and large company
management.
GEEST SSP
Full Function statutory
THE FORMULA Not just a Data sick pay system
Management System, but a fully functional CARDBOX
Configurable Business System. The fastest way BASIC 60 INTERPRETER
to build an application system. Free format ‘oem
reports, multiple file access and field updates. From
Accounting through Stock Control and Personnel to Mailing
and Membership systems without resorting to conventional
programming languages — easy to create, easier to maintain
and expand.
Telesystems Ltd
SKE
(BM-CPYM COMPATIBILITY WW
ACCOUNTING PACKAGES (eech)
P.O. BOX 12, GREAT MISSENDEN, | CO coat
BUCKS, HP16 9DD. Tel: (02406) 5314 ciansice nous
THEMATICS ROUTINES
Too many programs to choose from?
Too little background info and data?
SOFTWARE INDEX.
The most comprehensive magazine listing of Soft-
ware programs for the eight leading Microcomputers.
@ BBC @ COMMODORE 64 @ DRAGON @ VIC-20
@ ORIC @ ATARI 400/800 @ SPECTRUM @ 2X81
IN YOUR NEWSAGENT’S NOW
OVER
PROGRAMS
LISTED
Software Index gives a description of each program listed
and provides information on price, program operation,
sound, memory required, colour, names and addresses
of retailers and in many cases a screen photograph.
The whole range of programs are covered in the Index.
Games. Education. Utility. Business. Personal Management.
Don't let software give you a hard time, get
the user guide to microcomputer software.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 121
q @ Circle No. 157
WHAT RESOLUTION
FOR ONLY £230.
Our RGB high resolution colour monitors
(580 X 470 pixels) sell for £229.95 (excluding VAT)—a
saving of over £100 compared to other leading monitors
of similar specifications.
That’sa bargain we guarantee you won'tsee from
any other micro retailer.
We've managed to acquire the sole distribution
rights enabling us to offer these superb monitors at this
unbeatable price.
And just because you're saving on price doesn’t
mean youre sacrificing quality. Here’s what Personal
Computer News had to say about our monitors.
“There is no doubt that the JVC range of
ECM colour monitors is excellent value for
money...there is no loss in quality of picture after
long periods...remember as more and more
resolution is available with new micros, the need
for a better display will be that much greater.”
For those who only require medium
resolution we also have a model (370 X 470 pixels) at
£149.95 (excluding VAT) which is equally excellent value
for money.
Both units have a 14” screen and are suitable for
the BBC Micro, Spectrum QL,Lynx, Oric, Apple, IBM and
MODEL REFERENCE 1302-2 High Resolution 1302-1 Medium Resolution
RESOLUTION
580 x 470 Pixels
| 370x470 Pixels
Cra
14”
14”
SUPPLY
220/240v. 50/60Hz. _
| 220/240v. 50/G0Hz.
_ fae
E.HT.
Minimum 19.5kv
Maximum 22.5kv
Minimum 19.5kv
Maximum 22.Skv
VIDEO BAND WIDTH
10MHz.
O6MHz.
DISPLAY
80 characters by
25 lines
80 characters by
25 lines
SLOT PITCH
0.41mm
0.63mm
INPUT: VIDEO
RGB. Analogue/
TTL Input
| RGB. Analogue/
TTL Input
SYNC
Separate Sync on R.G.B.
Positive or Negative
Positive or Negative
Separate Sync on R.G.B.
EXTERNAL CONTROLS
Jue
On/off switch and
brightness contro!
On/off switch and
brightness control
most other leading micros.
And naturally there's a years full guarantee.
Another one of our commitments is to make
certain we deliver your monitor by courier within ten
days of receiving your order.
You can order by filling in the coupon below and
posting to: Opus Supplies Ltd., 158 Camberwell Road,
London SE5 OEE. Orby telephoning 01-701 8668 quoting
your credit card number. Or, of course, you can buy at
our showroom between 9.00—6.00pm, Monday-Friday
9.00— 1.30pm, Saturday.
Now available from John Menzies.
| Please send me:
High Resolution Colour Monitor(s) at
| £229.95 each (ex. VAT).
Medium Resolution Colour Monitor(s) at
| £149.95 each (ex. VAT).
_______ Connection lead(s) at £6.00 each.
| I understand carriage per monitor will cost an extra £7.00.
(N.B. AHigh Resolution Monitor including VAT, lead,and carriage
| costs £279.39. A Medium Resolution Monitor including VAT, lead
and carriage costs £187.39).
| Iencloseachequefor& Orplease debit my credit card
account with the amount of & My Access/Barclaycard.
| (pleasctich) 1). a eee
| Please state the make of your computer.
—-__— eC
Name
| Address
——— Opus.
lich [= Opus Supplies Ltd.
pce |
®@ Circle No. 266
MAINS-POWERED transportable computers
are generally pretty unpleasant looking
things, and, if the truth be told, generally
fairly difficult to move too.
The transportable provides all the
elements of a complete computer system,
though usually not a printer. Screen, disc
drives, keyboard and processor board are
simply shoved into a box with a carrying
handle on it, and a single power cable
coming out of the back.
The concept of an all-in-one package
has prompted most transportable
manufacturers to bundle in software with
their systems. Often this provides very
good value for the purchaser. Most
transportables run either standard CP/M
or MS-DOS, so abundant business
software is available to supplement
packages supplied with the system.
Budget buys
Software bundling is less common with
static desk-top office systems, while the
chic new battery machines are handicapped —
by non-standard operating systems or use
some weird mass-storage system in place of
standard disc drives. The transportable is
Teally putting itself forward not for its
rather debatable degree of portability, but
as a good budget business system.
The plasticky-looking but reliable Zorba
transportable, for instance, comes with
Suppliers
Apricot: ACT (U.K.) Ltd, Shenstone
House, Dudley Road, Halesowen, West
Midlands B63 3NT. Telephone: 021-501
2284
Colby: Microware (London) Ltd, 637
Holloway Road, London N19 5SS.
Telephone: 01-272 6398
Columbia VP: Icarus Computer Systems
Ltd, Deane House, 27 Greenwood
Place, London NW5 1NN. Telephone:
01-485 5574
Commodore SX-64: The Commodore
Information Centre, 675 Ajax Avenue,
Slough, Berkshire SL1 4BG.
Telephone: (0753) 79292
Corona: Midlectron Ltd, Midlectron
House, Nottingham Road, Belper,
Derby DES 1JQ. Telephone: (077382)
6811
Eagle Spirit: Geveke Electronics Ltd,
RMC House, Vale Farm Road, Woking,
Surrey GU21 1DW. Telephone: (04862)
26331
Fox: Digital Microsystems Ltd, Molly
Millers Bridge, Molly Millers Lane,
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Ugly ducklings
lan Stobie introduces our top 20 selection, and raises some doubts about the
future of heavy, mains-powered transport
r |
good-quality word processing and spread-
sheet packages for £1,395, and accepts discs
produced on a variety of other machines.
The £1,000 Wren looks ugly but it comes
with some of the same software packages
and has a BT-approved built-in auto-dial
modem, making it suitable for use as a
Prestel terminal as well as a standard
business machine.
Nonetheless, these budget workhorses
are likely to be a fairly transitory product
category. The present mains-powered
transportable concept is being squeezed by
the growing capabilities of battery
portables. This pressure is likely to be
Wokingham, Berkshire RG11 2PQ.
Telephone: (0734) 793131
HP-85B: Hewiett-Packard Ltd, PC Group,
King Street Lane, Winnersh,
Wokingham, Berkshire RG11 5AR.
Telephone: (0734) 784774
Hyperion: Gulfstream Computer Group,
Unit 3A, Tunnet Estate, 726 London
Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex
RM16 1LS. Telephone: (04026) 4926
Jonos: Jonos International Ltd, 5 The
Curfew Yard, Thames Street, Windsor,
Berkshire SL4 1PL. Telephone: (07535)
§4272
Kaypro: CK Computers Ltd, Estover
Close, Industrial Estate, Plymouth,
Devon PL6 7PL. Telephone: (0752)
780311
Macintosh: Apple Computer (U.K.) Ltd,
Eastman Way, Hemel Hempstead,
Hertfordshire HP2 7HQ. Telephone:
(0442) 60244
Merlin: Xcalibur Computers Ltd, Spencer
House, 3 Spencer Parade,
Northampton NN1 5AB. Telephone:
(0604) 21051
Osborne PC: Osborne Computer
able micros.
increased when BT approval! for equipment
that connects directly to the phone lines
starts coming through, and computer
applications which the truly mobile battery
portgbile ts teyer able to handle start taking
off fp the U.
Meanwhile*the ordinary stay-at-home
office machine looks likely to begin
mutating into a transportable. The
Macintosh and the Apricot represent the
beginnings of this development. The
Macintosh is intended for common office
tasks and has been carefully designed to sit
compactly on the desk top. But while they
were at it, Apple’s engineers made the
Macintosh into a transportable computer
as well, and a very elegant one.
When the requirement dictates a
compact main unit, perhaps using Sony
microfloppy disc drives, with a single
power cable to make the system easy to set
up, then little extra effort is needed to come
up with a transportable system, which is
what Apple did. The Macintosh at 21Ib. is
lighter than the majority of machines in this
survey, while at the same time it embodies
what many people regard as the state of the
art in easy-to-use computing.
Our top 20 selection starting on the next
page obviously leaves out some quite
adequate machines. In particular those
which have made little market impact, and
American models not available on this side
of the Atlantic, are not included.
Corporation (U.K.) Ltd, 38 Tanners
Drive, Blakelands, Miiton Keynes
MK14 5LL. Telephone: (0908) 615274
Philips P-2000C: Kingsway Data Systems
Ltd, 30 Guildford Street, Chertsey,
Surrey. Telephone: (09328) 68911
Pied Piper: Semi-Tech Microelectronics
(Europe) Ltd, 145-147 Ewell Road,
Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6AW. Telephone:
01-390 6177
Sord M-23P: Socius Computer Systems
(U.K.) Ltd, Samuel House, St. Albans
Street, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4SQ.
Telephone: 01-930 4214
Teletote: Televideo Systems
International Ltd, Silbury Court, 372
Silbury Boulevard, Witan Gate East,
Milton Keynes MK9Q 2AF. Telephone:
(0908) 668778
Wren: Prism Business Systems Ltd,
Prism House, 18-29 Mora Street,
London EC1V 8BT. Telephone: 01-253
2277
Zorba: Sun Computing Services Ltd,
Concorde House, St. Anthony’s Way,
Feltham, Middlesex TW14 ONH.
Telephone: 01-890 1440
123
124
Transportables: top 20 2:
APRICOT £1,690
Competitively priced, compact, 16-bit semi-transportable
with good range of software available. Built around the 16-bit
8086 processor. The Apricot price includes Supercalc and
Superplanner, MS-DOS 2, CP/M-86; Concurrent CP/M-86, two
Basics and various utilities. The machine packs up into two
units — the system box and keyboard, together weighing
17.5Ib., and the separate Qin. green screen which weighs 9lb.
The entry-level Apricot has one Sony 3.5in. microfloppy drive
providing 315K of storage; for £200°more the system comes
with a second drive. Standard RAM is 256K, expandable to
768K. The Apricot is very similar in software terms to the ACT
Sirius, and a good range of business application packages
are available for it.
COLBY £995
The ultimate portable for IBM PC compatibility: the Colby is
| simply a box ready to accept genuine IBM components taken
i from an IBM PC. For your £995 you get the portable case
already fitted with 9in. amber screen, video controller and
power supply, and the Colby keyboard which also functions
as a lid when the system is packed up. Any missing bits can
be taken from a cannibalised PC or bought from an |BM retail
centre. IBM will supply the necessary components to end-
users but you usually have to: wait about 10 weeks. You
require the PC main board, which costs about £355, two half-
height drives, £375, the disc controller, £150, and a
monochrome video/printer board, £247. The assembled
system weighs 26ib.
COLUMBIA VP £2,475
A 16-bit transportable claimed to have:a high degree of IBM
PC compatibility. Built around the 8088 processor the
Columbia VP comes with MS-DOS 1.5, CP/M-86, various
utilities and the Perfect range of application software,
Perfect Writer, Perfect Speller, Perfect Filer and Perfect Calc.
The machine weighs a hefty 32lb. and has a 9in. amber
screen. The screen can display 640-by-200 dot high-
resolution graphics. Twin 5.25in. floppy drives provide 320K
of storage per drive. Standard RAM is 128K, expandable to
| 256K. One internal expansion slot is claimed to have IBM PC
plug compatibility.
COMMODORE SX-64 Vfl 2)
Eight-bit transportable derived from the Commodore 64 home
micro. Built around the 6510 processor the SX-64 is identical
in software terms to the Commodore 64. Easifile, Easiscript,
Future Finance and the High Flyer business game come with
the system. The machine weighs 25lb. and has a built-in Sin.
colour screen and a 5.25in. floppy drive, capacity 174K. The
SX-64 also has a cartridge port, so it can accept Commodore
64 software on disc or cartridge, but it lacks a cassette
interface. Standard RAM is 64K, expandable to 256K. An
optional Z-80 CP/M card is available but the SX-64 is still an
unconvincing business machine. The small screen only
displays text across 40 columns, and looking at text soon
becomes tiring.
CORONA PORTABLE PC £2,295
Another 16-bit transportable which claims IBM PC
compatibility. Built around the 8088 processor the. Corona
portable PC comes with MS-DOS 1.25, the Multimate WP
package. PC Tutor tutorial package and GW Basic. The
] machine weighs 30 lb. and has:a Qin. green screen capable of
} displaying 640-by-325 dot high-resolution graphics. The
entry-level machine has -one 5.25in. floppy drive, capacity
} 320K. The twin-drive mode! costs an extra £330. A 10Mbyte
hard disc which fits inside the case is also available.
Standard RAM is 256K, expandable to 512K. Four expansion
slots are provided, which are claimed to have IBM PC plug
compatibility.
For. Compact.
Stylish. Good
software avallability.
Lots of internal
memory.
Against. Disc access
seems slow. Takes
two hands to carry.
For. The only genuine
100 percent IBM PC
compatible portable.
Against. Heavy. Not
cheap. Delay likely in
getting IBM
components. Not a
straightforward
consumer purchase.
For. Good bundled
software. Claimed to
be IBM PC
compatible.
Against. Heavy.
Pricey.
For. Colour display
useful for graphs and
games. Serial port.
Against. No cassette
port. Display
unsuitable for
business text
applications.
For. Good graphics.
Claimed to be IBM PC
compatible.
Against. Heavy.
Pricey.
(continued on page 129)
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
KAYPRO.
OUR WINCHESTERS
HAVE BEEN i
ha : going eiaces ees
oe 5 7
—_~a? ah 2en, a stylish alphanumeric
7 2 eyboa
key oard and access to a whole world of
rd software (with a FREE get-you-
S@hester Disks. That’sthe shor iswer aac! set of software applications including word
"why the Roo 10 professional _ processing and financial spread sheet).
Irving out big market territory for itself in the U.S. ten Find out more about the portable system you won't
Megabytes of integral hard disk outgrow from your Kaypro dealer. Or cut out the coupon
storage give it the edge over other for more details. The Kaypro range starts at £1,395.
systems in its price bracket.
And because the Kaypro is
truly portable you can take it out into |
\9"screenthatseasy the field with you to tackle the big
on the eye. challenges head on: production |
sheduling, sales performance |
nalysis, technical processing TE i )
Name
Company
Address
.or wherever real memory
orage is vital.
More bang for your buck
n'tthe only reason why the
aypro 10 and the floppy disk
___ Tel. no:
6 Devonia House, High Street, Worle,
Weston-Super-Mare, Avon, U.K.
Tel: Weston-Super-Mare (0934) 516246.
Telex: 45786.
PETE & PAM—- THE APPLE, IBN
AUTHORISED FOR APPLE SALES IN LANCASHIR
Rental RENTAL
THE APPLE PROFESSIONAL HOME COMPUTER
Pete & Pam distribute
Apple 8 bit products to a
network of approved Pete
& Pam dealers. If you feel
that you come up to the
high standard of dealership
required, apply now. It
could be the start of a
profitable relationship!
YOU GET:
An Apple tie. — Disk Drive with Controller.
TV Modulator (Colour and Sound)... — Exclusive Apple Bag.
Plus MONEY OFF VOUCHERS FOR:
£25 off Apple Ile Monitor (£149 + VAT).
£25 off 1 of the Apple discovery games.
or Apple Logo — or Applewriter Ile — or Quickfile Ile.
46% off Micronet.800 Service a saving of £79.95 which includes:
e Modem. e British Telecom Jack Plug installation.
e Communications Card. e Postage/Packing/Insurance.
1 days FREE training at an Apple Training Centre Value £100.
Various Vouchers for money off Pete & Pam distributed software.
£999 including VAT
Get into Personal computing in a big way!
RENTAL Rental
Want to rent an Apple?
Or an IBM PC...a QX10...
a Printer or anything else
you can think of? Call
either of our offices for
a quote — from one
machine to fifty, from one
day to a thousand years.
446 CABLES
UNLIMITED 99
We can make any cable
to your specifications.
Our “‘Cables Unlimited”
staff will cut.and solder
to sort out your cable
problem - fast!
SOFTWARE
WHOLESALE
Pete & Pam distribute a_
wide range of computer
software to discerning com-
puter dealers throughout
the world.
We offer computer dealers |
the best prices and support
on a whole range of |
products, from publishers
such as Ashton Tate, Micro-
soft, Micro Pro, Software
Publishing and Softword |
Systems (Multimate IBM
PC). You may not be
getting the best deal from
your present hard-selling
distributor, no matter how
big the name and reputa-
tion. Call us now, it could
be the start of something
good.
APPLE IN EDUCATION : SPECIAL NOTICE
OF GREAT INTEREST TO UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, POLYTECHNICS, ITEC’S, SCHOOLS, YOUTH TRAINING SCHEMES
As part of a Pan-European incentive scheme, Apple are offering very substantial discounts to educational users of all Apple equipment except Apple
FX-80
af gS
Crosstalk
The crosstalk 16 XVI com-
munications package can
emulate many other terminals,
lt can capture data and
transfer data files with error
checking.
You can instruct it to call
up “LOG IN” and “S”
commands to another com-
puter. It is simple to operate
and has a “help” facility.
It is fast and comes set-up
to operate on IBM 3107,
DEC VT 100, ADDS View-
point, Televideo 910/920.
Supports IBM RC and ACT
SIRIUS.
\2.6
£134.48 + VAT
is “TUS ty,
Pete & Pam distribute EPSON, OKI, and other fine printers to computer dealers throughout the
country. If you’re a computer dealer and haven’t yet discovered the advantages in buying from
Pete & Pam, give our sales staff a call NOW. We pride ourselves on excellent prices, fast delivery,
top class technical support and service facilities. You’ve nothing to lose and
a lot to gain.
RX-80 (FT) £319.00 — MX-100 (FT) £475.00
FX80 £438.00 —
LQ-1500 £1100.00 -
LQ-1500
tle bundles, Lisa, and Apple 32. The offer starts in January and ends 31st March, 1984,
PLEASE CONTACT US NOW FOR DETAILS — DISCOUNTS UP TO 40% ARE AVAILABLE! — MAKING THE APPLE Ile EVEN GREATER
VALUE FOR MONEY!
FX-100. £569.00
DX-100 £475.00
RX-80(T) £279.00
¥ PT
PC, & EPSON SPECIALISTS!
AND LONDON, AND IBM PC IN LONDON.
THIS IS “BUY-YOURSELF-A-BUFFER-MONTH”
You ‘Il never again have to waste time waiting for your printer!
A buffer will instantly increase your efficiency, and eliminate, the
frustration of waiting for a printer to finish. Now you can simply
dump your printing data directly to a buffer and CONTINUE PROCES-
SING! Buffers come in a variety of styles, methods, and sizes. There is a
buffer available for any combination of computer/printer. If in doubt,
ask our staff for advice.
MICROBUFFER IN-LINE
FOR ALL OTHER COMPUTER/PRINTER OR COMPUTER/MODEM
* COMBINATIONS
The Microbuffer In-line is a stand-alone printer buffer with a minimum
of 32K. It is easily upgraded to 64K with four user-installed RAM
chips. It can be further user-upgraded, 64K at a time, to up to 256K
by adding low-cost memory
expansion modules.
7
-_
Microbuffer In-line features a front panel with three Touch Sensor
controls; one to clear the buffer, one to perform complete self-test,
and a copy botton to reproduce the last document up to 256 times’
without any computer intervention. (When a document takes several
hours to prepare and a copy machine isn’t available, this feature can
save a great deal of time.)
Both the parallel and the serial versions can be used with virtually any
computer (including TRS-80, Atari, IBM, Apple, Osborne, NEC, etc.)
and any printer (including Epson, Centronics, NEC, C.ltoh, IDS,
Anadex, Qume, Diablo, TI-81.0, etc.).
Microbuffer In-line requires no user modification of software—it
installs easily, in seconds,
32K Parallel In-line £199 + VAT 32K Serial In-line £199 + VAT
64K Parallel In-line £225 + VAT 64K Serial Intine £225 + VAT
64K additional add-on (max 256K in total £116 + VAT
ALL BY PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS INC.
EPSON INTERNAL PRINTER BUFFERS
These buffers go inside the printer and use its power supply.
16K Practical Peripherals Parallel (upgradable to 64K) £115 + VAT
8K Practical Peripherals Serial (upgradable to 32K) °£115 + VAT
(Supports hardware handshake + XON/XOFF up to 19200 baud)
8K Wizard Parallel (upgradable to 64K) £109 + VAT
APPLE, INTERNAL BUFFERS
Bufferboard docks to your existing interface, takes up one slot and
using the Apple power supply.
16K Bufferboard £109 + VAT 64K Bufferboard £169 + VAT
Available for Apple parallel/Epson parallel/and Grappler Interfaces.
BUFFERED INTERFACES
Combined printer interfaces and buffers, taking up one slot and using
the Apple power supply.
16K Buffered Grappler Parallel £179 + VAT
16K Microbuffer Il Parallel £139 + VAT
16K Microbuffer II Serial £139 + VAT
16K Gram Serial/Parallel £129.95 + VAT
64K Gram Serial/Parallel £218 + VAT
agtat Office:
NEW HALL HEY AD, Rossendale, Lancs., BB4 6JG :
Tel: (0706) 212321 ef oti Telex: 635740 PETPAM G
Forno Office:
GLENEAGLES AD, London, SW16 6A
Cel: oi. 769 1022 ROIST 7631 Tix: 923070 PPCOMP G
¢
=
@)
pmax ©
=
©
—N
=%
addy au
Peter Fisher of Pete & Pam says “I’ve been using a Macintosh
for a couple of weeks now. The machine is excellent. It’s fast,
using a 32/16 bit 68000 processor, and has many superb
features, employing software techniques that are years ahead
of competitors. The mouse pointer and “pull-down” menus
make the machine one of the easiest to learn I have come
across. I recommend that every potential purchaser of a micro
computer for personal/business/office use see the MACINTOSH
before making a decision, Ask for a copy of a 10 page review
YS
FOR EASY-READING HARD COPY
:Ajiqnuedwuog
09G 40 09b “WISH SQ] — “4a1/1MOsg YOIP'D — “Salsas aUJ/O.491|) e2€P1¥O
‘salultg SaYdes1Q WEI — “OOL/08-X4 ‘001/08-KW vosdz— -ssajulid sorydes6
asay) JO auQ — “aIejsalul sajussd felsas/fafjeseg — “JainduioDd jeuossag Wg]
BASF FINE
FLEXIBLE DISKS
WHOLESALE
If you're a computer dealer,
and want the best disk media
at the best price - call us. We
offer fast shipments and competi-
tive prices on a whole range of
disk media.
10 Disks for the price of 9!
Single Sided Single Density
suitable for Apple.
10 for £16.11 + VAT
100 for £148.50 + VAT
Double Sided Double Density
suitable for 1BM PC.
10 for £24.75 + VAT
100 for £225.00 + VAT
Double Sided 96tpi suitable for
Sirius/Victor.
10 for £30.60 + VAT
100 for £279.00 + VAT
A whole range of other disks
available - ring for details.
5%" Disk Boxes £1.95 + VAT
5%” Head Cleaning Kits
£15.95 + VAT
:SyueWaJINbDes WEISAS
‘s10ssad01d psom 3sou se fjam se ‘aje2s9dNG pue “ue/dinyy “IeDIsiA
‘€-e-1 smo7 se yons suresGoid Jaayspeasds ym afqneduod si SAYMIGIS
“urebe seded 4103ULId 1NOA 30 ebpe ey} 440 |e} JeEAdU paeU SUWN}OS Jaayspeeids
4noA og ‘sAemepis — 31 passen6 noA — yno Yulid o% Adod psey ANA sasnes
‘weiBoid asemiyos ejdwis Ajsnoiuabul eyy ‘SAemepis ‘ebed snonuljuo0d suo uo
[12 ‘eus3 euo 3e [Je ‘Jeeyspeasds ANGA yo suUINJOS ay} {|e JulId UeD NOA mony
LVA + 6b'6¢3
27 ® Circle No. 160
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE VAT | > Zz
Lines open for orders
8 a.m. -6 p.m. Mon - Fri (Lancs):
9 a.m. -6 Ba. Mon - Pb ee EN saa |
9.30 a.m. 5 p.m. Sat (both offices)
PHILIPS
I
€
128
PHILIPS
Every small business
can bea step ahead with
The Philips Portable Computer P2000 C
The P 2000 C goes from desk to desk
providing computer efficiency to many
people in a small company. The
P2000 C portable is easy to move and
can be set up ina flash. And it is easy
to use even if you have never used a
computer before.
A secretary can type with the P2000 C
just as with a typewriter only it's faster,
easier and better. You can organize
your records with it, do forecasts,
projections and estimates, analyze
For Dealer Enquiries.
Contact Kingsway Data, 30 Guildford St. Chertsey, Surrey. Tel Chertsey 68911
your costs and prices. The accountant
can do his bookkeeping and billing
and keep track of outstandings. In fact
any business task can be done’more
easily and quickly.
Feature Highlights
1. 9” screen, 24 x 80 display, 32 KB video
RAM
2.64 KB RAM user memory. 256 KB RAM
disk optional
3. Two 5 '4" floppy drives with up to 640 KB
per disk
4. CP/M® and p-System™ provide access to a
large range of available software
5. Interfaces: serial printer, external floppy
drives, hard disk, data communication,
slave monitor, IEEE-488
* CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research Inc. |
** p-System ts a trademark of Softech Microsystems |
tne,
P2000 C —
the affordable portable.
With free software.
Plus SAGIE Accounts
Packages on Free Trial.
Contact our distributors for a list of
dealers in your area.
KINGSWAY DATA 2000 C DEALERS
Chas White and Son Ltd Anglia Telecommunication
2-6 Curtain Road (Peterborough) Ltd
London 3A High Street
EC1V 2AA Market Deeping
01 920 9831 Peterborough
Harpers Computers PEG SED
71-73 Commercial Way 0778 346633
aay 4B Microcentres Ltd
M North B
GU21 1HN shar
04862 25657 Oxcn
C&L Computers Ltd OX16 OTF
St John’s House 0295 67551
Grover Walk
a Middle Rixdale
hel Luton
BS CA Nr. Newton Abbott
Anchor Computers Ltd Devon
Rovert House 0626 88247
a Skytronics Ltd
a 357 Derby Road
NG15 7UD eo
0606 640220 NG7 202
De Trey Computer Services Ltd 0602 781742
272 Old Birmingham Road
Rednal
Birmingham
B45 8eY
Midland Analytical Services Ltd
Unit 4
Coppice Lane
Walsall
West Midlands W39 9AA
0922 58247
®@ Circle No. 161
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Computers For Business
Transportables: top 20
For. Good graphics.
Claimed to be IBM PC
compatible. Hard-
disc option.
EAGLE SPIRIT £25798
A 16-bit transportable claimed to be IBM PC compatible,
available in floppy- and hard-disc versions. The Eagle Spirit
PC has two 5.25in. floppy drives providing 360K of storage
each, while the hard-disc Spirit XT has a 10Mbyte Winchester
replacing one of the floppy drives. The price of the hard-disc
version is £4,200. Both models are bulit around the 8088
processor, and come with MS-DOS, CP/M-86 and GWBasic.
Both models also have a Yin. monochrome screen offering
720-by-352 dot high-resolution graphics capacity, with a
colour board fitted as standard generating an RGB signal to
drive an optional external monitor. Standard RAM Is 128K,
expandable to 640K. The Eagle Spirit PC weighs around 30lb.,
with the Spirit XT slightly heavier at 33Ib.
FOX
Fairly expensive eight-bit transportable designed to link
easily into a local area network. Built around the Z-80A, the Against. Heavy.
Fox comes with CP/M 2.2 so it can function happily as a Expensive. Only
stand-alone machine. It weighs 30ib. and has a Qin. green : 1
screen and two 5.25in. floppy drives giving a combined worth considering for
capacity of 1.2Mbyte. Standard memory is 64K. The Fox is | Networking.
fitted with a simple plug connector for Hinet, a local area
network system from Digital Microsystems, part of the Extel
group. Hinet can link up to 32 stations, which can be Foxes or
other compatible machines. The Fox comes without bundied
software apart from CP/M.
Against. Heavy.
Pricey.
£2,517 | For. Easily connected
into Hinet network.
For. Good Basic. HP
name. Connects toa
wide range of
instruments.
HEWLETT-PACKARD 85B £2,554
Expensive eight-bit transportable of special interest to
scientists and engineers. Built around a custom-designed HP
eight-bit processor, the HP-85B comes with an HP Series 80
operating system and a very good Basic. The machine weighs
20lb. It has a 5in. screen which displays text across 32
columns, a built-in 32-column thermal printer capable of
dumping screen graphics, and a 210K digital cassette drive
with random-access capability. Standard RAM is 32K with
another 32K, optionally expandable to 512K, configured as a
silicon disc. Coupled with HP Basic's ability to handle very
long strings, the silicon disc allows very rapid data transfer in
data-logging applications. The HP-85B is fitted with the
IEEE-4888, with many other interface options available.
For. Compact. Stylish
HYPERION £2,599
and probably fairly
Expensive but well built and compact 16-bit transportable IBM PC compatible.
claimed to have a high degree of IBM PC compatibility. Built
around the 8088 processor the Hyperion comes with MS-DOS
1.25 and is claimed to run most IBM PC software which
does not use high-resolution graphics. The price includes
GWBasic and the Aladdin database package. The machine
weighs under 20Ib. and comes with a carrying-holdall. It has a
7in. amber screen and twin 320K 5.25in. floppy drives. Standard
RAM is 256K, some of which is configured as a silicon disc.
Hyperion’s Canadian manufacturer issues a list of about 300
packages which run on the Hyperion — the key issue for any
IBM PC compatible is whether it actually can run the IBM PC’s
software base.
JONOS £2,600
Transportable with a bewildering array of processor and disc
options. The Jonos 2100 is built around the fast Z-80B
Against. High price.
Small screen. Fixed
keyboard. For
specialists only.
Against. High price.
For. Good bundled
software. Wide range
of high-capacity disc
options. Some models
processor. It comes with CP/M 2.2, Spelibinder, Spelicheck, -
Multiplan and Basic included in the price. This model weighs ea ace
27lb. and has two 3.5in. Sony microfloppy drives, each patibinity.
providing a formatted capacity of 322K. Standard RAM is 64K,
- expandable to 128K. The Jonos 2500 model is a similar
i machine but with two 5Mbyte hard discs, one fixed and one
removable. It costs £4,995. Many other disc options are
available. The Jonos | series models are built around the 8088
processor and claim |BM PC compatibility. The base model
here is the Jonos 2150, which costs £3,395 with two Sony drives
and 128K of RAM.
Against. Typical
transportable styling.
Not cheap.
*
(continued on page 131)
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 129
130
FOR THE LOWEST
PRICES AROUND
PHONE 09277 68211
Checkout our complete range of printers, monitors, interfaces, ribbons,
diskettes and a host of accessories
MONITORS/PRINTERS
DESCRIPTION
KAGA MONITORS
Kaga 12” Green Monitor (Hi-Res)
Kaga 12” Amber Monitor (Hi-Res)
Kaga 12” RGB/PAL Colour Monitor (Med-Res)
Kaga 12" RGB Colour Monltor (Hi-Res)
Kaga 12” RGB Colour Monitor (Super Hi-Res)
Kaga 12” RGB Colour Monitor for IBM PC (Hi-Res)
KAGA ACCESSORIES
RGB Interface Card and Cable for Apple I
RGB Interface Card and Cable for Apple lle
Multi-Mode RGB Colour Card for Apple il (inc cable)
Multi-Mode RGB Colour Card for Apple ile {inc cable)
RGB Cable for Apple lil to Kaga RGB Vision Series
RGB Cable for IBM P/C to Kaga RGB Vislon Series
BROTHER PRINTERS
18 cps Daisywheel Printer (Parailel)
18 cps Daisy wheel Printer (Serial)
Keyboard Attachment for HR15
Tractor Feed for HR15
Cut Sheet Feeder for HR15
EPSON PRINTERS
Epson FX80 Dot Matrix (160 cps)
Epson FX80 Adjustable Tractor
Epson RX80 Dot Matrix (100 cps)
Epson RX80FT Dot Matrix (100 cps)
Epson MX 100 Type 3 Dot Matrix (100 cps)
Epson FX100 Dot Matrix (160 cps)
ORDER CODE
KG12NB-N
KG12NB-MN
K12R1X
K12R2
K12R3
K12R3PC
RGB/A2
RGB/A2e
RGB/A24
RGB/A24e
RGB/A3
RGB/IBM
HR15/P
HR15/S
KB50
TF50
CF50
FX80
FX80T
RX80
RX80FT
MX100
FX100
INTERFACES
DESCRIPTION
EPSON INTERFACES
Epson Non-Graphics Card + Cable For Apple Il & Ile
(Suitable for MX, FX & RX range)
RGB Cable for BBC to Kaga RGB Vision Series
Epson Graphics Card + Cable For Apple Il & lle
(Suitable for MX, FX & RX range)
Epson RS232 i/F Card (Suitable for FX & RX range)
Epson RS232 I/F Card + 2K Buffer 75-9600 baud DTR
handshake (Suitable for MX, FX & RX range)
Epson RS232 i/F Card Type 3 + 2K Buffer 75-300 baud
Xon/Xoff (Suitable for MX, FX & RX range)
Epson RS232 I/F Card + 2K Buffer (Suitable for
FX/RX range)
Epson IEEE-488 I/F Card (Suitable for MX, FX &
RX range)
Epson IEEE-488 I/F Card (Suitable for FX/RX range)
Epson 2K Parallel Buffer (Suitable for FX/RX range)
Epson TRS-80 I/F board (Suitable for MX, FX &
RX range)
Ribbon for Epson MX80, MX82 & RX80 printers
Ribbon for Epson MX 100 printer
Epson — BBC Paraile! Cable
APPLE INTERFACES
CCS Serial interface Card
Mountain Hardware CPS Multifunction interface Card
(Clock/Serial & Parallel Card)
CPS Printer Cable (Please Specify)
ORDER CODE
EP/APP1
RGB/BBC
EP/APP2
8143
8145
8146
8148
8161
8165
8171
8120
EP/R
EP100/R
EP/BBC
CCS
MHP-X031
CPS/P
EX-STOCK DELIVERY
LOW CARRIAGE CHARGES
Only £5 per Printer/Monitor (UK mainland,
a LILI I 17 7g ; my emma |
Z/
|
a
—=
FOR LOWEST
PRICES AROUND
Aimgram Limited, 31 Roman Gardens,
Kings Langley, Hertfordshire WD4 8LG
®@ Circle No. 256
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
oo
KAYPRO E1320
Competitively priced eight-bit transportable with hard-disc
option and good bundled software. Built around the 2-80A, the
Kaypro comes with CP/M 2.2, Profit Plan, Basic and Perfect
Writer, Perfect Speller, Perfect Filer and Perfect Calc. The
machine weighs 26lb. and has a Qin. green screen and 64K of
RAM. The base model, the Kaypro 2, has two 200K 5.25in.
floppy drives, while the £1,847 Kaypro 4 has two 400K drives.
The £2,595 Kaypro 10 has one 400K floppy drive and a built-in
10Mbyte hard disc. The Kaypro was recently voted
Transportable Computer of the Year by seven European
magazines, and is reviewed on page 68 of this issue.
MACINTOSH £1,800
Apple’s new 16-bit wonder machine, the Macintosh is actually
transportable. The mouse, main unit and keyboard all pack into
a fabric holdal!. Built around the Motorola 68000 processor, the
Macintosh comes with a Lisa-like integrated operating system.
Standard RAM is 128K, expandable to 512K. Software
packages already announced include Multiplan, Macpaint,
Maewrite, Macterminal, two Basics and Pascal. Data can
generally be copied between packages. The machine weighs
21lb. and has a compact A4 desk-top footprint, excluding the
keyboard. The built-in Qin. black and white screen has
512-by-342 dot resolution. A single 3.5in. Sony microfloppy
drive provides a formatted storage capacity of 400K. MS-DOS
and add-on external disc drives promised.
MERLIN £1,690
The Merlin is actually a standard Apple Ile main board boxed
up with disc drives and 5in. monochrome display. The Merlin is
based around the eight-bit 6502 processor and comes provided
with Apple DOS and Applesoft Basic. The machine weighs
25lb. and has two TEAC 143K drives and a built-in 5in. black and
white screen, with the normal Apple video output socket also
available. Various options are available, malnly designed for
Apple users in an industrial environment. For £1,985 the Merlin
is available with 128K of bubble memory replacing one of the
disc drives. A built-in 40-character wide tally-roll printer is also
available. The Merlin is likely to appeal to industrial and
technical users rather than the general user.
OSBORNE £995
The original ugly transportable has developed into a range of
machines. The current main model is the eight-bit Z-80A based
Osborne Executive — although the Osborne 1 with its 5in.
screen is Still available for as little as £995. The Executive has a
7in. amber screen and two 200K 5.25in. floppy drives for a price
of £1,695, and weighs 28Ib. With two 400K drives it costs £1,995.
Standard RAM is 128K. All the Osbornes come with CP/M 2.2,
the UCSD p-System, WordStar, Mailmerge, Supercalc and two
Basics, and the Executive also has CP/M Plus and Personal
Pearl in the price. The Osborne PC pictured here is scheduled
for avallability in the summer and is an 8088-based machine
claimed to be IBM PC compatible with a price expected to be
around £2,500.
PHILIPS P-2000C £1,200
Eight-bit transportable running CP/M software from big-name
manufacturer. Built around the Z-80A processor the Philips
P-2000C comes in a variety of disc and software
configurations, all with CP/M. The entry-level system has two
160K 5.25in. floppy drives and comes with just CP/M 2.2. Amore
typical business model is the 2012, with two 640K floppy drives
and word-processing, spreadsheet and database software
bundled in for £1,690. All models weigh around 33lb. and have a
Qin. green screen which can display 512-by-252 dot high-
resolution graphics. Standard RAM is 64K, expandable to
320K. The Philips P-2000C has a fairly conservative
specification but represents a price breakthrough compared to
Philips’ previous computing efforts.
Transportables: top 20
For. Good software.
Hard-disc mode!
particularly good
value.
Against. Bulky.
Unattractive.
For. Easy and fun to
use. Fast. Chic.
Against. Very new.
For. Complete Apple II
software
compatibility. Takes
Apple cards. Bubble-
memory option
available.
Against. Specialised.
For. Good bundled
software.
Against. Fixed
keyboard. Quite
heavy. Very cheapest
models have small
screen and poor disc
capacity.
For. Not ugly.
Reasonable value.
Against. Heavy.
(continued on next page)
131
2
PIED PIPER £1,066
Competitively priced eight-bit semi-transportable coming with
"} good bundied software. Built around the Z-80A processor the
Pied Piper comes with CP/M 2.2 and utilities and four packages
from the Perfect range — Writer, Speller, Filer and Caic. The
price also includes a fabric carrying case. The Pied Piper price
does not include a screen but the system works with a
standard monitor. An optional adaptor allows a reduced-width
display, only 40 columns.as opposed to 80 with a domestic TV.
The weight of the Pied Piper main unit is 15lb. A built-in 5.25in.
double-sided floppy drive provides 784K of usable storage. A
second drive can optionally be fitted, and.an external 10Mbyte
hard disc is available, price £1,480. Standard RAM is 64K.
SORD M-23P £1,625
Unusual Japanese eight-bit transportable with optional large
LCD panel. Built around the Z-80A processor the Sord comes
with a Sord-written Basic and the company’s Pips spread-
sheet/database package. UCSD p-System and Lifeboat
Associates’ CP/M-compatible SB-80 operating system
available as options.The Sord weighs 19lb. and has two 3.5in.
microfloppy drives providing a combined 580K of storage.
Display is via separate optional monitor, with colour output
provided, or for £1,695 the system can be made fully portable
with a 12in. long, eight-line by 80-character liquid-crystal
display panel which costs £550. The Sord M£23P is one of the
few Japanese offerings in the transportable sector of the
market.
TELETOTE £1,695
Eight-bit transportable that easily links inté a local area
network as well as functioning as a stand-alone CP/M
machine. Built around the Z-80A processor, the Teletote comes
with CP/M 2.2, Telewrite, Telecalc, and Telechart. The machine
weighs 25lb. and has a Qin. yellow screen capable of displaying
1 640-by-240 dot graphics. Two 5.25in. floppy drives each provide
370K formatted disc capacity, while standard memory is 64K,
| expandable to 128K. The screen’s graphics capacity is
supported by the GSX-80 CP/M extension, which also comes
with the system. An optional interface allows the Teleport to be
linked to Televideo’s local area network.
1 WREN £1,000
| Competitively priced eight-bit transportable with built-in
modem and good set of software packages: Built around the
Z-80B, fast 6MHz version of the eight-bit processor, the Wren
' comes with CP/M Plus, Perfect Writer, Perfect Filer and
Perfect Calc plus an executive desk-top diary/scheduler
5, program. The machine weighs under 20Ib. and has a built-in
} 7in. amber screen and twin 200K 5.25in. floppy drives.
Standard RAM memory is 64K expandable to’ 256K. The
modem is BT-approved, connects into a standard telephone
socket, and can handle dialling automatically. The screen’s
/ graphics capacity and the communications software that
also comes with the system, make the Wren suitable for use
as a viewdata terminal.
ZORBA £1,695
Competitively priced eight-bit transportable with 16-bit option
available, and good range of software included in price. The
Zorba is built around the Z-80A eight-bit chip and a standard
64K of memory, and comes. with CP/M 2.2, WordStar,
Mailmerge, Calcstar and various utilities. The machine weighs
21\b. and has a7in. green screen and twin 400K 5.25in. floppy
drives. The standard Zorba can read or write discs in a variety of
other machines’ formats. The Zorba 2000 has a Yin. screen and
twin 800K floppy drives, and costs £2,195. A 16-bit 8086
upgrade card costs £595 and adds 128K of RAM to the standard
system, which then acquires the ability to run CP/M-86 or MS-
DOS software while retaining CP/M 2.2 capacity.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Transportables: top 20
For. Good bundled
software. Can read
formats of some
other machines.
Against. Only semi-
portable. Requires
separate monitor.
Limited RAM
expansion.
For. Good disc and
memory capacity for
its weight. Liquid-
crystal display.
Against. Not
exceptional value. Not
mainstream CP/M.
For. Good graphics.
Large screen. Good
software bundle.
Network:option.
Televideo name.
Against. Bulky shape.
For. BT approved
autodial modem.
Good value with the
software thrown in.
Works as Preste!
terminal or CP/M
micro.
Against. Keyboard not
detachable.
For. High-capacity
floppy disc. Ability to
read other disc
formats. Good value
with the software
thrown in.
Upgradeable to 16-bit.
Against. Looks
plasticky.
BREATHTAKING IMAGES FROM DISC
OR CASSETTE
OR CASSETTE
Happily for prospective
purchasers of the Microvitec CUB
RGB/PAL colour monitor there is no
difference.
This superb machine produces
brilliant pin-sharp images when used
with a microcomputer, thanks to a
screen resolution of 585 pixels by 452,
plus a bandwidth in excess of 15MHz.
Yet the RGB/PALalso gives the
highest quality pictures from laser
discsyV.C.R's and video cameras.
This is because the signal is not
i
, «
TW i
-SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
modulated and then remodulated,
as happens with an ordinary TV. set.
Add to this_an audio facility anc
the result ista colour monitor which
sounds as good as it looks
Finally, perhdps {!1e best news for
Cul
COLOUR DISPLAYS
Microvitec Ltd. Futures Way, Bolling Road, Bradford BD4 7TU. Tel-{0274) 390011. Telex: 517717
oa at 2S. 66 ae
purchasers is that the CUB colour
monitorifepresents a real investment.
However dramatically computers or
video systems may change in the
coming yearsithe means of displaying
theiroutput is unlikely to alten= you
can't improve on the best.
Find out just how inexpensive
quality can,be' by cailing at your local
computer deaier. Alternativelyy
contact Microvitec direct for full
details of the breathtaking range of
CUB colour monitors.
Playing with
a point
Neville Maude selects some programs for the BBC Micro which go beyond
chasing blobs and zapping aliens.
BBC MICRO USERS can choose from
countless look-alike games of the
Pacman, Invaders and Donkey Kong
type. But there are a few which have that
extra something which lifts them above
the normal run of games.
3-Deep Space
Stereoscopic pictures have passed into
and out of fashion through the years.
Now it is the turn of computer games to
Singterea
3-OEEP SPACE
gee319e8
POS TERN
§ ¥® START
@ @10862
+ @1072
# AKS53
(PRESS AMY KEY
EXCEPT SHIFT |
TO COHTIKUE
Bridge Master — a painless way to learn the game.
134
get the stereo treatment. The only method
adaptable to TV screens, where
polarisation is impossible, is that of
anaglyphs: the image is in two colours,
each visible to one eye only. Spectacles
with coloured foils — usually red and
cyan or red and green — are used, and
the brain fuses the two images into one to
give the illusion of three dimensions.
The game of 3-Deep Space presents a
screen display of pyramids with grounded
spaceships. You are the captain of
spaceship /nterceptor, and your task is to
defend the stargate. Aliens sweep in
horizontally from the right and must be
shot down by a laser or a smart bomb
before they collide with you.
Andromedan starcruisers of various
classes are worth increasing points as the
game progresses. The game is played in
three dimensions with controls to move
into or out of the screen as well as up or
down and right or left.
To get the best of the stereoscopic
Four ready-made puzzles come with Crossword Puzzler.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
effect the room should be dark, with no
reflections on the screen. Set colour
saturation to maximum, and sit about 6ft.
from the screen centre. You may find you
have to alter the relative colour balance so
that no blue is visible through the red
filter and vice versa. Some people have
difficulty in fusing the images or ignoring
the inevitable ghost images, and a few
players prefer to remove their spectacles
and play without them.
Saloon Sally
The scenario is a fight in Sally’s saloon,
started by four baddies who brawl
around, leaving gold on the tables. Sally
tries to pick up the gold while avoiding
the villains. If they meet her they throw
her on the floor and jump on her until
she loses a life.
From time to time the light goes out —
symbolised by the screen turning dark
blue — and the baddies lose their tempers
with the gold-pinchiing Sally and chase
her. She can kick over tables to trap the
villains or to disable them for a while.
Points are won for the gold, with a
bonus for clearing the tables or for
trapping all four men at the same time.
On the next level everything happens
<
A111 corners
SOLVED:
160 points
—— Ss
7 2 a
The Lookout reports -
to the South [ can see the CCAST
S64
' direction
Captain?
Pirate — two games in one on the Treasure Island theme.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
im Place
The Rubic cube is still around with Cube Master.
————
more quickly and the non-stop music
speeds up.
The sound of the honky-tonk piano can.
become annoying after a while, but can
be avoided by a preparatory *FX201, 1,
which disables the speaker; *FX201, 0
switches it on again. If you are not using
a monitor you will need to move the image
down with *TV255, 0.
Bridge Master
Bridge is a complicated game, and
learning it can be a painful process. You
are likely to be offered conflicting advice
from the other players, and have to suffer
interminable post-mortems. With this kit
the game is learnt to a high standard from
an accepted expert, without absorbing any
bad habits.
The package consists of two program
tapes and two commentaries which you
play while working through the games.
There is an instruction booklet and also a
book by Terence Reece, called Begin
Bridge With Reece.
The graphics are adequate, though not
outstanding. The value of the program
lies in its methodical and thorough
approach. At the moment it is unique but
perhaps similar packages will be devised
Term
{Inflation
Reforms
Pap. Rtng
Jobs for
“3 You ltpelnuata fenton, © YT
ase che e<
Supergolf appeals even to experienced players.
RT HON NEVILLE MAUDE PR
Game
for other subjects. The program also runs
on the Acorn Electron.
Crossword Puzzler
This program does not help you make
up crosswords nor solve them, and it is
not the equivalent of a crossword
dictionary. What it does is assist in the
presentation of a crossword of up to 15
columns, 13 rows and 60 clues.
The grid and letters are displayed on
the screen together with a requested clue.
You then have a choice of entering an
answer or of being given it. If you enter
the wrong answer it appears in lower case
and you can have another try.
The ready-made puzzles included are
called Quickpuzz, Firstpuzz, Juniorpuzz
and Cen4507. They increase in difficulty
in that order. The idea is that you write
suitable programs yourself — perhaps to
help teach spelling or foreign-language
vocabulary.
Cube Master
Remember the Rubic cube? After the
first fuss has died down there were
millions of cubes left behind, with people
(continued on page 137)
Hole No2
242 Wards
Pae 3
ea se
2
2 '@ar: 1
34% Unemployment 0.8m
O_ Exchange Rate : $2.01¢
68 Acc.Bal :€ 16733m
A teprove Health Service
8 Build New Homes
School Leavers
Cc
® Guild New Schools
— Improve Road System
F
rmter PREFIX of reform to change
You too can ruin the economy with Great Britain Ltd.
135
OKI Microline 92
So fast-
and NLQ
Specification is users requiring 2
And if all this is not enough, bo
available with our unique IBM Plug'n’ Play Kit, ensuring
full compatibility with the IBM PC.
An even more impressive feature list, including a print
speed of 200 cps, defines the 136-column Microline 84.
In addition to its increased throughput capability, the
optional Automatic Cut Sheet Feeder permits maximum
use of the near-letter-quality print mode.
Quality, reliability and unbeatable price/performance
are of course hallmarks of the entire OKI Microline
range, including the ever popular Microline 80, still a
-_ best-selling entry-level printer.
The range is completed by the Microline 82A (80 col)
and the Microline 83A (136 col) which offer a print speed
of.120 cps amongst a host of other features.
OKI Microlines — the unbeatable printer family!
~THENAME BEHIND _
THE PRODUCTSIN FRONT
> company
‘Games
(continued from page 135)
straining their brains to solve the assorted
configurations.
There are several programs which
display the cube. on the screen and permit
moves but this one also solves positions.
The display is clear. My own cube has
orange where the program shows
magenta, but since orange and red could
be confused on the screen this is probably
just as well.
The program really does solve the cube
and eventually recognises any impossible
cube configurations you may enter.
Sometimes it suggests several moves when
one would suffice, but it always gets there
in the end. If you have given up hope of
ever restoring a muddled cube, this
program will do it and provide guidance
for future attempts.
Supergolf
You play this singly or between several
people, just like the real thing. You have
a choice of irons from | to 9, plus a
wedge and sand iron. They can be used in
strengths of | to 99. There is also a
putter, usable in strengths 1 to 9. The
wind provides another variable factor,
force 1 to 5.
Each hole has a different terrain,
including hills, sand bunkers and
sometimes water. You play in two
dimensions only: everything is seen in
section so you do not need to set
direction. The computer keeps a score
card for each player and: gives appropriate
remarks of congratulation after each good
shot..
This game.is the only good golf
simulation I have seen for the BBC.
Experienced golf players approve of it,
though the consensus is that it allows
rather too many holes in one. This is
balanced by the difficulty in getting out
of bunkers if the first stroke with the sand
iron fails, so the par values are about
right.
Pirate
Described as an adventure for young
people this is good wholesome fun in the
Treasure Island tradition. It is full of
messages like ‘Well done Captain. We
beat the scurvy dogs!’’ and it has graphics
throughout. The economical mode 7 is
used, so the pictures look as if they have
been assembled from building blocks.
They are still good enough for the
purpose.
The real stroke of-genius in Pirate is
the writer’s realisation that cassettes have
two sides. The first side gives the initial
part of the game where you sail the seas
gathering treasure, jewels, flags and
magic objects. Keep a map — it is a
square world. There are graphics for
ships, sea, rocks, four islands and various
things like a dragon and a magic cat. This
part of the game can be saved.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
« @ Circle No. 163
When enough treasure has been
acquired the password is given and you
can load the second part, with new
graphics for an island-based setting and
some new dangers. There is a single-key
entry for commands and the whole game
is made easy for those not yet familiar
with computers. Mode 7 makes the
response a little slow, but this did not
seem to worry players. Parents could
happily leave their offspring to play for
hours, and I suspect they would also
enjoy playing themselves.
The program is coded in Basic, so
alterations or additions can be made
easily. For example, in part 1 a line could
be added so that when a second pirate
ship is captured the mate announces ‘‘The
Captain says ‘Splice the mainbrace, m’
hearties’ ’’ and everything stops for a
while. In part 2, if they get tired of being
killed, the program is easily altered. The
method used is of the form
A=RND(10):IF A>8 THEN (something
horrible happens)
Just alter the 8 to 10 and none of the
interlocking procedures are affected. Line
1480 is the crocodile, 1430 lightning, 1580
avalanche, and so on. In such ways you
can encourage players to go inside the
program, and eventually write their own.
Great Britain Ltd
First available on the Spectrum, this
unusual game simulates the economy of
the U.K. You are the prime minister, and
your task is to guide the finances for five
years, when there is an election.
There are displays of major indicators
such as ratings of inflation, unemploy-
ment, foreign exchange and your
popularity. Other figures include
population, tax, income and shopping
basket prices. Social benefits can be
allocated — less than £250 million has no
effect — and levels have to be adjusted in
line with inflation. At the end of the year
figures are displayed to show the results.
The time of reckoning finally arrives.
You watch the votes coming in after the
election. Will you survive to rule again or
does the country think a different party
or coalition should have a chance?
Like all simulations Great Britain Ltd
Type
arcade
arcade
educational
special
educational
provides a highly simplified version of
real life, but it does follow the main
pattern. For example, one winning
strategy is to push up taxes in the first
year, spend enough to have a social
reform recognised, drop taxes before an
election and invest something on a
popular campaign such as law and order.
Does this sound familiar? When
politicans from the major parties were
invited to compete in a contest, playing
this program with a five-year-old girl,
they chickened out.
The program is written for issue 1
Basic. If you have Basic 2, move line 9245
to 9219, delete 9245 and inserting a new
line
12025 @% = &0002010A.
The Hobbit
Available first for the Spectrum, this out-
standing adventure has been adapted for
the BBC Model B. The graphics of the
original version have gone, as they would
require 19K of extra memory. Whether
this is a serious loss is a matter of
opinion; many people prefer their own
mental images of Tolkien characters to
those of Walt Disney or computer
programmers.
The text-only game has sufficient
attractions because of the unusually
versatile programming. The language used
is termed ‘‘Inglish’’ and permits comp-
licated commands such as ‘‘Take the
money and run’’, ‘“‘Open all the bottles
except the green one’’, or “‘Drop the
sword and follow Gandalf’’.
Another difference is that all the
characters have independence. If you wait
a Message appears saying ‘‘Time passes”’,
while the others are. moving around doing
their own thing. There is no unique
solution to the game: each time it is
played variations can appear. Games can
be saved, and I know two players who for
some time have been meeting regularly
each week to make further progress.
Apart from the unusually good prog-
ramming, a special aspect is that the game
comes with a copy of the book, which
provides the best guidance to travelling
through the program. The Hobbit is in a
| class of its own for interaction. |
Distributor
Postern
Psion
Jonathan Keynes
Acornsoft
National Extension
College
simulation
adventure
business
The Hobbit adventure
Squirrel Software
Chalksoft
S W Hessel
Melbourne House
a All are on cassette; Bridge Master and The Hobbit include a book in the
package.
System: Saloon Sally runs on Models A and 8; and ail the others run on Model B
only; Bridge Master also runs on the Electron.
137
When you add up
micro equals ours.
You won't find another micro offering a range of
benefits that add up like the Olivetti M20’. There's a
choice of seven M20's ranging from a personal computer
through to a highly intelligent workstation that can take
you into a multi-user network.
+
A wider choice of software.
We've designed a range of software programs that
includes general accounting, word processing, financial
planning, spreadsheets and graphics. But if you find you
need specialised software thatis notavailable from us, the
M20 offers a choice of four main operating systems (MS-
DOS, CF/M-86, PCOS and UCSD-P*). So it can handle
literally hundreds of different software programs to
satisfy virtually every business or professional application.
True 16 bit technology for speed and efficiency.
Unlike some of its major competitors, the M20 is
a true 16 bit personal computer. So its more powerful
than most micros.
Choice of 16 printers.
Asthe worlds leading producers of electronictype-
writers, we also lead in computer printing technology.
We make no less than 16 printers compatible with the M20.
The M20 can talk to other office machines.
With its own built-in communications facilities the
M20 can talk to other office machines suchas typewriters,
making them intelligent word processors and printers.
And linked to a telephone and communications equip-
ment it can access Prestel, mainframe computers, receive
or send telex messages and even Autodial. So the M20
can take you further into office automation.
ie
The M20 can handle new networking developments.
The M20 allows you to build a multi-user network
incorporating a massive central memory for extensive
file storage with fully integrated software for electronic
mail and text and data processing. Building a network like
this with any other company would normally mean having
to buy components from separate manufacturers. Olivetti
supply everything from a single in-house source.
(38
We are pioneers in computer technology.
Our total investment in R&D is one of the largest it
the world and is committed to advancing computer tech
nology for the businessman. We developed the first true
16 bit personal computer for under £2000 and are ths
leaders in ergonomic design of computers.
-.
The depth of service you’d expect from a
multi-national company.
Our distributors are the best trained in Europe
Before they are allowed to so much as look at an M2C
they are put through a comprehensive course at our
very own school. And our force of 600 service engineers
cover the entire country to give fast and efficient service
+.
Proven reliability ina computer marathon.
The M20 is one of the most reliable micro computers
in the world. In fact, in a recent computer marathon, not
one but two Olivetti M20 micro computers ran non-
stop, day and night, for a full week without even a
single hiccup.
Experience that helped us become the leading
European manufacturer.
For 75 years we have been helping all sizes of
business become more efficient. No other company has
this understanding of the businessman’ needs combinec
with over 30 years experience in computer technology
Olivetti is now the largest European manufacturer ©
computer and office equipment. So we will always be
around whenever you need us, unlike a lot of computer
manufacturers who won't even be in business in a few
years time.
At £1,795 it doesn’t just add up to a better
computer, it adds up to complete office productivity.
The Olivetti M20 is available now from only £1,795
or £9.88 per week to lease (plus VAT). And unlike most
micros, it comes complete with free manuals and a one
year guarantee. For more information on how to take
your business into complete office productivity, com-
plete the coupon.
the facts,no other
The M20 CQ, just one of the M20 range.
Dual disc drive, high density disc storage and
colour graphics.
1
| To: Valerie Belfer, British Olivetti, Olivetti House, 86-88 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 2UR. |
Tel: 01-785 6666. Please send me brochures on the M20 personal computer. Pca.
| NAME a : : |
CC —_— ) |
COMPANY = |
Fo olivetti:
eee 9 a = ee a
*MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Inc. CP/M-86 is a trademark of Digital Research. UCSD-P system is a trademark Hee ctithe a ntof the University of California, Prestel is a trademark of British Telecommunications.
I39 @ Circle No. 262
| an Some of the attractive |
| figures you'll meet at
GOMPEG NORTH"S4
Belle Vue, Manchester
19-21 June 1984
COMPEC NORTH is the most
influential computer show
outside London.
itis THE ONLY northern
computer show for DP
professionals and serious
business users.
And in just three days it gives you
concentrated coverage of the most
important part of your market: directors,
DP managers, and other computing
professionals from manufacturing J
industries, services, consultancies, systems
houses, software firms and bureaux. 7
= —_
ve
COMPEC NORTH is now in its fourth year, and
once again is being sponsored and
supported by the leading journals in the Sec .
business. So |
So if you want to be at the centre of influence, reserve your stand :
now at COMPEC NORTH ‘84. Fromas little as £92 per square metre.
For your full information pack with booking details complete and return this form to:
Chris O’'Hea, Exhibition Sales Manager, Room L310, Quadrant House, The Quadrant,
sutton, Surrey SM2 SAS. Tel: 01-661 3125
Please send me my full information pack about exhibiting at T
COMPEGC COMPEC NORTH ‘84 1
} Name |
i
: l
| A
j
u
=
i
fl
I
‘NORTH’S4 =
I THE WORLD OF COMPUTING
g INTHE NORTH
Compec North is sponsored by Computer Weekly, in association
with Computer Talk, Systems International, Practical Computing, a = . =
Software and Micro Business. PC j
140 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
DIRECT DISK SUPPLIES
OUR NAME SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
BARGAIN BOX — BASF DISKS
Single density SSSD £10.99 per 10. £99.99 per 100
Double density SSDD £12.99 per 10. £119.99 per 100
Apricot Disks — Sony 3.5” Are you paying too much???
Our price only £37.99 per 10
£69.99 per 20
£299.99 per 100
p&p as per price matrix
Easy pricing. Use the DDS price matrix for the right price first time.
Or DIAL-A-DISK, for firm quoted prices.
Verbatim.
Datalife 5 year warranty
; “ r = .
6.25’ single sided disks : Code 1-9 10+ Code
double density 48tpi 15.99 MD1-D
quad density 96tpi 22.99 MD1-DD
5.25’ double sided disks
double density 48tpi
quad density 96tpi
p&p per 10 disks ; | foc : : foc
See-10 library box
p&p per See-10
ABA lockable boxes
M35-40 disks
M85-80 disks
p&p per ABA box
(Carriage at cost on 3-9)
Prices per box of 10 disks excluding VAT
Next day delivery ;
Under 100 disks £7.50, over 100 foc
Same day delivery by quotation.
Hard sector formats available Ex-
stock.
Price as per soft sector equivalent
(EG. Verbatim. 52510 see 525-01
price 17.99 per 10)
8” Disks Single Density, Double
Density, or Double Sided —
phone for best prices.
DIAL-A-DISK
Order Hotline.
<2 01-541 1144
Answering service for
out of hours orders
How to order:
1. Complete the coupon below and post with
your cheque, using our FREEPOST address. A
first class stamp gets it there the next day.
2. Urgent Orders: DIAL-A-DISK 01-541
1144. Dictate your order, with ACCESS or
VISA, and they’re as good as received.
3. Collect from our offices, phone and they
17.00 weekdays. (Other times by
arrangement)
4. Crucial Orders: Same day delivery by
arrangement. 5
5. Official Orders: Orders from Government
departments, Local Authorities Universities,
Schools etc. are very welcome and receive
immediate attention. Telex orders to 932905
(Larch G) attention LAN.
k=— a. Ae
BERHEHE BBB aes Bee eS
Direct Disk Supplies Ltd. 29 Dagmar Road, Kingston Surrey KT2 6DP I” EE” Gy”
(ae Pee eee ee ee eee eee
[ To: Direct Disk Supplies Ltd., FREEPOST, 29 Dagmar Road, Kingston, Surrey KT2 6BR.
will be waiting for you between 10.00 and
All offers and prices subject to change without notice.
i Code | Description
Name _ Nett price la(
Address Carriage
Subtotal
VAT 15%
Postcode Tel Total payable to DDS £
Cheques payable.to DDS. Debit my Access/Barclaycard No:
Oy eee TE |
|
am
Signature: ® Circle No. 164 FN peer
“No Compromise” — with the Sprint 12/20 letter Quality Printer
from the World’s leaders in word-processing printers
Qume.
Distributor
Network
UK and Ireland
p=
PV
PV
PV
PV
PV
PV
PV
PV
= Printers.
V=
M=
Video Terminals.
Disk Drives.
Access Data Communications | .td
Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 2RT.
‘Tel: 0895 59781
Alphatech Computer Systems Ltd
Bourne End, Buckinghamshire SI_8 5SP.
Tel: 06285 28237
Bytech Ltd
Reading, Berkshire RG6 1AZ.
‘Tel: 073461031
Daisy Terminals Ltd
Haywards Heath. West Sussex. RH16 IUA.
‘Tel: 0444 457546
Datac Lid
Altrincham,
Cheshire. WAI45TN. Tel: 061 941 2361
Euro Electronics Ltd
London NW1 LYE. Tel: 01-267 5416
Facit Data Products
Rochester, Kent. MEI 3QN.
Fel: 0634 401721
ISG Data Sales Ltd
Reading, Berkshire. RG7 LAW.
‘Tel: 0734 884666
Northamber Ltd
Mill Road, Esher, Surrey KTI09QA.
‘Tel: 0372 68311
Peritronic Ltd
Livingston, Scotland.
Tel: 0279 20411
Recall Information Systems I.td..
Dublin-18, Ireland.
Tel: Dublin 887361
R.T.S. Technology Ltd.
London NW1 OBY.
Tel: 01-267 7541
Teleprinter Equipment | «td
Tring. Hertfordshire. 1i/P23 6A).
Tel: 044282 4011
Printwheels and
Ribbons
ISA Ltd
Bradford, Yorks.
‘Fel: 0274 306787 & 01-992 3411
(Master Distributor)
Facit Data Products
Rochester, Kent. Tel: 0634 401721
Willis Computer Supplies Ltd
Bishop's Stortford, Herts. CN23 3DN.
‘Tel: 0279 506491
Stylographic Services Ltd
Hers WD7 7NN. Tel: 092764585
Desco Carbon & Ribbon Supplies Ltd
Glasgow. G62 7SS. Tel: 041 956 1134
Willis Computer Supplies (Ireland) Ltd
Co, Dublin, Ireland. Tel: 0001 801470
Qume (UK) Limited,
Bridgewater Close, Reading, Berkshire RG3 11
Tel: Reading (0734) 584646, Telex: 849706
A British Company of ITT
@ Circle No. 165
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Native wi
John Cookson looks at three books on advanced
programming.
A COMMON complain against computer
science graduates is that they enter the
computer industry like missionaries going
into a land of primitive tribesmen. They
often find practices current which are at
variance with their training and frequently
make this clear to the natives. Not
suprisingly the natives resent it.
Gary D Brown’s book Beyond Cobol
aims to provide a bridge between what the
student has learned at college or university
and what happens in commercial data
processing. It gives novice business pro-
grammers in Cobol an introduction to
techniques they will probably be using in
the early stages of their career. A particular
merit of the book is that it makes clear that
business applications can be challenging
and difficult.
You are taken through the basics of
collecting data, validation, updating,
handling files, tables, sorting and merging,
databases, producing reports, documen-
tation and maintenance programming. But
in a short book like this there are obviously
going to be weak areas, notably the
discussions of on-line systems and
databases which are too shallow to be really
useful.
There are few texts on programming
languages as useful, well written and clear |
as Martin Richards and Colin Whitby
Stevens’ BCPL — The Language and its
Compiler. BCPL is a simple but effective
systems programming language which is
now enjoying an increased popularity
aS microcomputer implementations are
appearing.
The basic features of the language are
covered quickly and concisely. Throughout
the book the authors present sensible
approaches to developing good pro-
gramming style in BCPL. The library,
language extensions and considerations of
machine independence are dealt with in
sufficient depth with some useful guidelines
to BCPL style for portability. Especially
welcome are the explanations of
programming holes into which
programmers experienced in other
languages might fall.
While small examples may be appro-
priate to novices interested in learning
the syntax of a language, for systems
programmers a more substantial example is
more useful. In this case the authors have
included a complete listing of the lexical
and syntax analysis phases of the BCPL
compiler. This is given with a helpful —
and essential — commentary on the code.
Although the code is clear with the aid of
the commentary the standard of internal
documentation is lamentable. Again this is
unlikely to worry systems programmers.
The book is an excellent text for
experienced programmers. The section on
the BCPL compiler is of interest to anyone
involved with compiler construction,
particularly as supporting material for a
course On compiler writing.
Of the new generation of 16-bit micros,
the Motorola 68000 is perhaps the most
interesting and it is covered in Leo J
Scanlon’s The 68000: Principles and
Programming. Several aspects are par-
ticularly significant, notably its 32-bit
internal architecture, enormous address
range, many addressing modes and
number-crunching potential. Unlike earlier
16-bit machines a strong aspect of the
Motorola is a collection of features to
provide support for high-level languages
and multi-tasking and multi-programming.
Unfortunately, Scanlon’s book does not
deal with this last aspect in the same depth
as the others. It is aimed more at the
practical engineer who may have used
eight-bit or four-bit microprocessors rather
than the software enthusiast who may be
interested in developing products at a
higher level.
Scanlon discusses the architecture,
instruction set, cross-macro assembler,
processing states, interfacing and system-
development support. In addition a
number of programming examples are
given of mathematical routines and the use
of lists and look-up tables. But the latter
does not integrate well with the rest of the
book and the author seems more at home
with the hardware than the software.
The quality of the discussion is generally
very good. Comprehensive references are
given at the end of each chapter, and give
you a good introduction to the literature.
Overall, the book is well worth buying for
anyone seriously interested in 16-bit
microprocessors.
Beyond Cobol'by Gary D Brown. Published by Wiley Interscience, 200 pages,
£12.25 hardback, £8.25 paperback
BCPL — The Language and its Compiler by Martin Richards and Colin Whitby
Stevens. Published by Cambridge University Press, 173 pages, £4.95
The 68000: Principles and Programming by Leo J Scanion. Published by Blacksburg
Continuing Education Series, Howard W Sams Inc.
143
SYMBIOTIC
COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED
ce ie = Pf as saute
SYMBFILE
5%" WINCHESTER SUB SYSTEM
The SYMBFILE hard disk subsystem is a complete add-on mass storage system for
the Apple II, I1+., INE, or If microcomputers and is at present being developed for
the SIRIUS, IBM PC and the BBC micro. It is compatible with the majority of
hardware products currently available for the Apple. including the 16K Language
card and all 80-column cards. SYMBFILES are available in sizes from 5-21
megabytes.
Full DOS, Pascal, and CP/M support allows any standard application software.
including database, word processing, and accounting packuges to be used.
or other Micros
|
| Splitter Box ine
Appie Il E
—
Next siation
Splitter Box
Splitter Box
Splitter to Splitter
Splitrer Box Fibre Optic Cable
Modem
omit
Printer
SyMBfile ag
SyMBstore
SYMBNET
LOCAL AREA NETWORK
Locat
SyMBhie
|
)
| ‘Splitter to Station
Appie!t +
Printer
SYMBNET is a “tree and branch” network system using fibre optic cable to allow
several microcomputers to share a common SYMBFILE. SYMBNET is the fastest
long range local area network for microcomputers, and can cover a range of 7-9
Kilometres, fibre optics means that SYMBNET is more cost effective; it uses a high
intensity semi-conductor laser to transmit data and cables can be laid at the shortest
route, whereas other networking systems use flat ribbon or coaxial cable which is
sensitive to electrical noise from fluorescent lights, photocopiers, etc. SYMBNET is
compatible with DOS, Pascal, SOS, and CP/M running on any microcomputer
supported by the SYMBFILE in concurrent operation.
i,
SYMBSTORE
TAPE STREAMING BACK UP
SYMBSTORE is the perfect complement to SYMBFILE giving a high speed, total
teliable back up system. SYMBSTORE will copy the entire contents of a SYMBFIL
to a C60 type digital cassette. SYMBSTORE’S unique multiple buffer verificatic
ensures the perfect transfer of data. Software to individually back up volumes an
files under present operating systems will soon be available on request.
:
Lo
SYMBPLEXER
_NETWORK CONTROLLER
The SYMBPLEXER is a network controller which complements SYMBNET. Th
SYMBPLEXER is connected directly to the SYMBFILE and performs all read-writ
operations to and from the hard disk. SYMBPLEXER does away with the need for
central machine thus releasing another terminal to run any application you wish
being a dedicated device the read-write operations are performed very efficiently
the support software allows SYMBPLEXER to designate pass codes for each user aia
to decide which user may access which applications. If you are currently usin
SYMBNET , accessing your SYMBFILE via a central machine. the addition of
SYMBPLEXER will in no way change the operational capabilities of the network.
For more details of all SYMBIOTIC products contact
NGLAND BENELU’ FRANCE NORW At USA
SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS LTD SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS A/S SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN
DUROMA HOUSE (BENELUX) SARL. POSTBOKS 16?-OKERNVEIEN- PO BOX 1431
32 ELMWOOD ROAD. CROYDON
SURREY CRY 2TX
‘IW 683 1137 PBX
KEIZERSGRACHT-26-611 GD
EINDHOVEN-NEDERLAND
S140 456055-
87 RUE LEMERCIER
75017-PARIS-FRANCE-
@ (1) 22K- 14-184
OSLO S-NORWAY-
@ (473 26455 77
FAIRFIELD € T 6330
@ (203) 374 S410
Phe SYMBIOTIC GROUP OF COMPANIES
SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS LTD - SYMBIOTIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS LTD
44
SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS INC - SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS S-A-R-L-
SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS (BENELUX} - SYMBIOTIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS A/S.
@ Circle No. 264
* * PRINTERS * *
TOP SAVINGS
PRICE
EX VAT
£1595.00
£1945.00
£1195.00
SANYO 14in Colour Hi-Res
SANYO 12in Hi-Res
HAZELTINE ESPRIT VDU
TELEVIDEO 910 VDU
£435.00
£84.50
£395.00
£489.00
BROTHER 11/55 RO
£449.00 SHEETFEEDER
£349.00
£549.00
£130.00
£182.00
RP1300S
RP1600S
RP1600S SHEET FEEDER
CANON RP1600S TRACTOR
PJ1080A 40cps FLOWRITER 1600
PW1090A 160cps
PW1156A 160cps
£369.00
£279.00
£339.00
GP100A
GP250X
GP700A Colour
DIABLO
630 A\
Pi £1325,00
SHEET FEEDER
£490.00
EPSON GEMINI 10X
GEMINI 15X
DELTA 10
DELTA 15
RX80T.
RX 80F/T
FX 80
MX 100F/T III
FX 100F/T
£215.00
£242.00
£329.00
£375.00
£430.00
1550P_
STARWRITER F1040
STARWRITER F1055
SHEET FEEDER
MANNESMANN TALLY
MT80 £199.00
MT 160 £419.25
MT 180 £600.00
PIXY PLOTTER £505.00
NEC PRINTERS- OTHER
2010 20cps
3510 35cps
7710 55cps
£645.00
£1149.00
£1499.00
ANADE X DP6500 500cps
DRE 8925 240cps
FUJITSU SP830
HERMES 612C 400cps
JUKI 6100
OLIVETTI INK-JET JP101
OLYMPIA ESW103
SHINWA CP80
SMITH CORONA TP1
OKI MICROLINE
OKIB0A
OKI82A
OKI83A
OKI 84A(P)
OKI 84A(S)
OKI92P
OKI93P
OKI92S
OKI93S
OK! 2410P
£180.00
£289,00
£435.00
£655.00
£730.00
£395.00
£545.00
£460.00
£612.00
£2025,.00
JVC 12in Hi-Res
KAGA 12in Hi-Res
NEC JB1201ME
SEIKOSHA
STAR
* * MONITORS & VDUs * *
1290.00 * * COMPUTERS x *
APRICOT
256K 0.315MB
256K 0.315MB MONITOR
256K 315Kx2
256K 315Kx2 MONITOR
£915.00
£1190.00
£459.00
£138.00
£1243.00
SIRIUS
128K 1.2MB
256K 2.4MB
256K 10MB
128K MEMORY EXPANSION
256K MEMORY EXPANSION
512K MEMORY EXPANSION
EXTERNAL 10MB HARD DISK
COMMODORE
COMMODORE 64
COMMODORE DiSK 1541
COMMODORE C2N 1530 CASSETTE
COMMODORE MPS801 PRINTER
IBEK 64/Parallel INTERFACE
COMMODORE 8096
£1675.00
£2165.00
£2995.00
£222.00
£344.00
£175.00
£219.00
£349.00
£589.00
£199.00 £1375.00
£279.00
£305.00
£399.00 £156.51
£475.00
£895.00 I
£1235.00 £675.00
£459.00
EPSON
EXTERNAL 10MB HARD DISK £1375.00
QXx10 £1600.00
£2019.00 KAYPRO
£1495.00
£1545.00
£1695.00
£345.00
£189.00
£825.00
£175.00
£299.00
KAYPRO II
KAYPRO 10M8
£1195.00
€2250.00
OLIVETTI
160KB 2x320KB DISK DRIVES
SANYO
£1895.00
MBC 555 £799.00
SPECTRUM
SPECTRUM 48K £108.70
£229.95
£215.00
£185.00
MAYFAIR MICROS
362a YORK ROAD LONDON SW'18 1SP TEL: 01-870 3255
SPEED UP ANY BASIC PROGRAM
WITH OUR COMPILERS
Up to 40 times speed increase, reduced program size.
BASIC COMPILERS
Petspeed Compiler for 4000/8000 senes —__ 6125.00
‘Integer Basic Compiler for 3000/4000/8000 series £75.00
CROSS-COMPILERS FOR BASIC
Portspeed: Compiles source on 8000 series: to run
on CBM64 £125.00
X-64: Integer compiler compiling on 8000 senes
giving machine code executable on CBM 64 _~___ £125.00
B-Port: Compiles source on 8000 series to run on ’
700/B-128 series £450.00
X-700: Integer compiler compiling on 8000 series
giving machine code executable on 700/B-128 -6450,00
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
@ Circle No. 169
GIVE YOUR VIC OR 64 FULL IEEE
AND RS$232
Not a cartridge. Compatible with any software.
Interpod: Free-standing interface giving IEEE488
and RS232C€ capabilities to CBM64/ViC20 £99.95
SPECIAL OFFER
Order 5 or more Interpod and get a free Portspeed!
All prices are exclusive of VAT, There is also a small charge for
post and packing. Dealer discounts are available on all products
except the 700 cross-compilers.
Compilers are supplied ex-Stock: interpod supplied 7-days
ex-stock.
COMMODORE SOFTWARE
Native compilers for the CBM 64 and the 700/B-128 are
available only from Commodore.
Oxford Computer Systems (Software) Ltd.
Hensington Road, Woodstock, Oxford OX7 1JR, England
Telephone (0993) 812700 Telex 83147 Ref. OCSL
VISA =
® Circle No. 170:
145
48K SPECTRUM OWNERS i220 1s on ===
. LET'S GET DOWN T0 BUSINESS...
* x % FINANCE MANAGER x x x
FINANCE MANAGER is a powerful, flexible and fast MENU DRIVEN general purpose program carefully designed
to handle up to 255 separate accounts for domestic and business accounting applications. The magic of
MACHINE CODE has enabled us to produce the very latest “on the page” presentation which lets you enter and
edit data naturally, as if with a pencil and paper.
These screens are just a sample to show the style of the program:
But that’s not all, not by a
long way. This program
automatically raises a cor-
responding debit or credit
for every entry, and will
even open a new account if
an entry features an unre-
corded account name.
Accounts can be MERGED, DELETED, ANALYSED, MARKED as priority, RENAMED, EDITED and SCROLLED.
Transactions can be RECONCILED, AMENDED, DELETED, PRINTED, DESCRIBED for analysis and RENAMED.
Standing orders can be APPLIED, REMOVED, DESCRIBED, AMENDED, DELETED and even DUMMIED for
planning purposes. Other features include DATE CHANGE, RUNNING TOTALS, 2 KEYBOARD MODES, PRINT
PAGE/LINE/BLOCK/FROM END/FROM START/FROM DATE etc., LIST BALANCES, FIELD ERASE/INSERT/DELETE,
EXIT TO BASIC. You may not want all these features but they are there just in case.
* % %& ADDRESS MANAGER « * *
ADDRESS MANAGER utilises the same “on the page” presentation as FINANCE MANAGER and offers Spectrum
owners a professional standard address filing, indexing and retrieval system. Below are examples of the screen
presentations.
ADDRESS MANAGER has
been carefully constructed
to provide the user with a
tool that is extremely friend-
ly and easy to use, the speed
and presentation of this Pa eae s a
program are second to .
none.
ADDRESS MANAGER features MULTIPLE INDEXING via our 3 way 3 character index, an ability to store over 400
full names and addresses or 1500 individual names‘titles.
USES include storing and updating names, addresses and phone numbers, printing out Xmas card lists, etc, mail
order work, customer classification by type size (doctors have used this program to catalogue patients by
treatment).
* %& %& &0COLUMN-PLUS S0’VERSIONS * x
80 column versions of both these programs are available. These work in conjunction with the Kempston
Centronics Interface and Centronics Printer. Write to us for a quotation for the software, the interface and the
latest high performance Japanese Dot Matrix Printer — you will find our prices very competitive.
VISIT YOUR LOCAL SOFTWARE STORE NOW AND ASK FOR FINANCE MANGER
AND ADDRESS MANAGER BY NAME —
also available from selected branches of WH SMITH, BOOTS and MENZIES
SOFTWARE * * * SIMPLY THE BEST * *
If you experience difficulty obtaining your copies of these programs send a cheque or postal order for £8.95
(£19.95 for PLUS 80 versions) or telephone your details to (0753 888866):
Oxford Computer Publishing Ltd.
4 HIGH STREET, CHALFONT ST PETER, BUCKS SL9 90B
PRINT ENTRIES,
®@ Circle No. 171
eUP EM FILE
Paes ‘TIC
Open File
monitors
Apple csnec.cesediccecs John Harris
PUAN... Screen Jack Schofield
BBC e.....08 Nicholas McCutcheon
Commodore .................. Mike Todd
DAGON) S ..csccesc-.0. So ccessees lan Stobie
Epson HX-20 ........ John Wellsman
IBIMIBRG: 2252.2. Bs.k Jack Schofield
Newbrain .................005 David Watt
Tandy ...22:s22:<<me. John Wellsman
Research Machines ..... lan Stobie
Si anp ee ce ceeeseere sees John Hooper
Sinclair ................. John Wellsman
Open File is the part of the magazine
written by the readers of Practical
Computing. All aspects of
microcomputing are covered, from
games to serious business software
and utilities. Fully-debugged
programs can be submitted for any
micro, and for standard CP/M
machines such as the Osborne and
Superbrain. Programs can be in
machine code or any language,
including Forth and Pascal.
Submissions should include a brief
description which explains what your
program does, and how it does it. If
possible it should be typed, with
lines double-spaced. We need a
printed program listing. Hand-written
listings cannot be accepted. A tape
or disc of the program helps if it is in
a Standard format.
When printing listings, please
remember to use a new ribbon or
double-intensity printing — faint
listings reproduce badly. Use plain
paper only, and try to list the
program across either a 35-character
or a 70-character width. Also, make
sure all special graphics or inverse-
video characters are either listed
correctly or else include Rem
statements to explain them fully.
Each program listing, tape or disc
must have your name and address on
it, or we Cannot promise its safe
return. A stamped addressed
envelope is appreciated.
If you write in with a comment,
correction or enquiry please
remember to state the machine and
- the program title.
We pay at least £10 for any
programs used, or £35 per page and
pro rata for part pages.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
COMPUT I Mis
APRIL 1984
>COMMODORE >SINCLAIR
1 DIRECTORY SORTER
Finding programs on
discs containing large numbers of
files can often be difficult, but
Laurie Faulkener’s program helps by
sorting the directory into
alphabetical order.
1 43 VIC PATTERN
MAKER
An unusual drawing program for the
unexpanded Vic-20, written by BM
Phillips.
>SHARP _
1 5 FOOD VALUES
Weight watchers and
dieticians will be interested in Dr
Frank Rooney’s Basic program,
which gives you the energy values —
in calories or kilojoules — for any
quantity of up to 255 different
foodstuffs.
1 5 PRINT/P
Printing draft-format
programs can waste a great deal of
paper, so J S Levett has devised this
routine for the MZ-80K which lets
you direct material to the screen
first, so that revisions can be made
before printing.
1 ES SCREEN DUMP
Not entirely unrelated
is M D deBokx’s program, also for
the MZ-80K, with which you can
dump any screen display straight to
the printer.
1 53 HIDDEN LINES
A correction to the
routine to reveal hidden program
lines, which appeared in the
February Sharp Open File.
1 53 SUBROUTINE CALLS
Sharp Basic does not
normally permit subroutine calls to
be made to a calculated variable, but
with the help of this short routine it
will.
1 5 WHITE NOISE
You can enhance the
Spectrum’s meagre sound-producing
capabilities with this routine by
Duncan Stokes.
1 55 MAZOR
A bright version of the
popular maze game written in Basic
by R D Lancaster.
>BBC
DISASSEMBLER
1 6 Make sense of your
machine-code programs with this
full-scale disassembler, which has
itself been written in machiné code
by C Dunne.
1 61 CASSETE BOX
INSERTS
With this program from lan Masters
you can print labels for audio
cassettes and computer tapes.
>TANDY
1 G GRAPHING
Any mathematical
function will be represented on the
screen in graphical form by this
Basic program from Jason Smith.
1 64. REINFORCE
A neatly programmed
Basic game is provided by Stephen
Daniels.
PATARI
1 6G KEYBOARD SUPPRESS
How to stop people
tinkering with your keyboard and
playing havoc with your programs.
1 67 BLINKING ATARI
Blinking characters are
not provided as standard on Atari
micros, but if you need them Nick
Pearce has the program which
provides them.
Send your contribution to:
Open File, Practical Computing,
Quadrant House, The Quadrant,
Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS
Directory sorter
FINDING PROGRAMS on discs containing
large numbers of files can often be difficult,
even with a hard copy of the directory. An
alphabetically ordered directory would
make life so much easier.
You could generate one by copying the
files from one disc to another, sorting the
program titles in the process. But it is
possible to sort the directory on the disc
itself, and Laurie Faulkener of Leicester has
provided a program which does just this.
The program is written for the 3040 disc
drive using DOS 2 with Basic 4, and it also
works with a 1541 running with a Vic-20 or
Commodore 64 since the only Basic 4
command is the Directory in line 490,
which can be left out.
The program fetches all the details of
each file into a string in lines 250 to 300. If
the details are of a deleted file, the file name
is replaced with ZZZZZZ so that it appears
at the end of the directory. Once the
complete directory has been read, the file
names are sorted using a simple Shell-
Metzner sort in lines 320 to 360, and then
rewritten to the disc in lines 360 to 440.
The program can be amended to work
with the 8050 disc drive, noting that the
directory track is 39 and not 18 — see lines
170 and 360.
FRINT" CCLEAR, DOWN61~~~~~CRVSI
PRINT" ~****CRVS1*DISK~DIRECTORY~S
ORT~FROGRAM™"
FR INT PU en CRYVS a ea a Ns es he NN
Pe ee
PRINT"*****CRVSI*BY*LAURIE*FAULKN
ER Nay“ 198e~"
FR I NT ee ee [E RYS | he
Pa I
GOSUB 450:F#="UNSORTED":GOSUB 480
:GOSUB 458
FRINT"CCLEARI": T#="READING*FILENA
MES": GOSUB 50a
DIM A#(150) ,S(20):S(@)=1:T=18
: C#=CHR# (Q) +CHR# (@)
N¥=C#4+C#4+094+C$4+C$4+C#4+CF = NS=NE+NE
OFEN 15,9,15,"10":G0SUB 510
OFEN 2,8,2,"#":GOSUEB 519
PRINT#i5, "U1i":2:@;7:S(V):GOSUB 510
GET#2,T#: IF T#=""THEN T$=CHR# (@)
GET#2,S#:1IF S#=""THEN S#=CHR# (@)
V=V+1: T=ASC (T#) 1S (V) =ASC (S#)
FOR J=1 TO S:K=K+1:A8(K)=""
:FOR I=1 TO 30
GET#2,B#:1F B#=""THEN BS=CHRE (2)
AF (K) =A (K) +B: NEXT
IF J<£2@ THEN GET#2,X#:GET#2, X#
IF LEFT# (A(K) ,1)=CHR#(@) THEN A¥(
Kk) ="ZZZZ2ZZ"+RIGHT# (At (K) ,24)
NEXT: IF T>@ GOTO 21a
T#="SORTING*F ILENAMES": GOSUB 500
Pattern maker.
M=INT(K/2):FOR A=-1 TO @ STEF @
:FOR J=1 TO E-M:FOR H=J TO @ STEF
—hi: L=H+M: F=2
IF RIGHT# (A#(H) ,27) >RIGHT# (A# (IL),
27) THEN Z#=AF (CH): A# (Hd) HAF (LD
2 A® (L)=Z#:F=H
H=F': NEXT: NEXT: M=INT (M/2) : A= (M20)
:NEXT:FOR R=1 TO K
IF LEFT#(A#(R) ,6)="ZZZZZZ" THEN AF
(RF) =N#: GOTO 240
NEXT: T$="WRITING*F ILENAMES"
:GOSUB 500: K=1:V=1:T=18
PRINT#15,"B-F";2,@:GOSUB 510
IF S(V)=@ OR S(V)=255 THEN T=2
PRINT#2 , CHR# (T) sCHR#(S(V)) 5
FOR J=1 TO 8: FRINT#2 A#(K) sr K=K+1
IF J=>@ THEN FRINT#2,C#;
NEXT: FPRINT#15, "U2"52;50518;S5(V~-1)
:GOSUB 510
IF T=18 THEN V=V4+1:GOTO 280
CLOSE 2:F#="SORTED":GOSUB 480:END
PRINT" £CDOWN2 I~*~~**#e*PRESS*CRVSI
RETURNCRVOFF J~WHEN*READY~*#*"
GET At: IF A#< >CHRE(13)G0TO 466
RETURN
PRINT" CCLEARI~*~~~**"F¢"~DISK~
: CDOWNI"
DIRECTORY D@: RETURN
PRINT" CDOWNS ~~~~~**~CRVSI"TS
: RETURN
INFUT#15,EN,EM#,ET#,ES¢
IF EN=@ THEN RETURN
PRINT" CRVS]"EN, EMS, ET#,€S#: STOP
Vic pattern maker
B M Phillips has submitted a drawing
program for the unexpanded Vic-20.
Once the border and screen colours have
been selected — by pressing the space bar
during the changing colour sequence — the
main drawing area is set up with a flashing
cursor. This cursor can be moved using the
joystick or the keyboard and its shape is
deposited in the drawing area by pressing
the fire button or space bar.
To change its shape or colour you place it
over the required shape or colour in the
border’ and press the fire button or the
space bar.
148
PORE 366695243
PRINT" CCLEAR, DOWN,RIGHT4,REDI
PATTERN*HAKER"
PRINT" CDOWN2,RIGHT, BLUE)
THIS*FROGRAM*ALLOWS*~*YOU*TO*CREAT
E*YOUR***”*OWN*FICTURES*OR~"
FRINT" CRIGHT IFAT TERNS*USING~*THE~~™~
~SHAFES*PROVIDED. "
FRINT" CDOWN, RIGHT IUSE~KEYS~I~J*L*&
~M™~OR*THE~JOYST ICE*TO*MOVE*™~ THE~*CU
RSOR*AND~THE~"
FRINT” CRIGHT.ISFACE~BAR~OR™F IRE™**™~
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
>COMMODORE B=
~RUTTON™ TOF ICK*UF*****SHAFES~OR™C
HANGE
r PRINT" CRIGHT ITHE*YCOLGUR. CDOWN,
LEFT11,00WNIO*IS~A*BLANE."
PRINT" COOWN ,RIGHT,.BLACE I
PRESS“ -1O-EGNT INVES
GET A#:IF AFL 2"C"THEN 98
FRINT' CCLEARI": PORE 34869,240
Fl=8164:P2=288684
FRINT" CCLEAR , DOWN&, RIGHT , BLACK J
CHOOSE *“BORDER*COLQUR"
FRINT' CDOWNS RIGHT 1
FRESS*SFACE*TO*STOF"
FOR I=24 TO 31
BD=I1-16
FOKE 36879,I1
FOR J=i TO 2508
GET At: IF A#="*"THEN J=100: 1=31
7S1=1
NEXT J,1
IF S1=@ THEN 140
PRINT" CCLEAR, DOWNS , RIGHT J
CHOOSE*SCREEN*COLOUR"
FRINT" CDOWNS , RIGHT I
FRESS*SPACE*TO*STOF"
FOR IT=8D+128 TO 8D+24@ STEF
FORE 346879,I1
FOR J=1 TO 25@
GET At: IF At="*"THEN J=50a
: [=BD+240:51=@
NEXT J,I
IF Si=1 THEN 230
FRINT"CCLEAR ,RIGHTSIS~“H*A*FYETS
CLEFT12,DOWN21 1C*O*L*O*U*R*S"
FOR X=2 TO 18 STEF 2
READ D:FOKE P1+X-462,D
:FOKE F2+X-462,0
NEXT X
FOR X=3 TO 17 STEF 2
READ D:FOKE F1+xX-22,204
JFORE F2+x—222 D
NEXT X
FOR xX=2 TO 19
PORE F1+X-44,99:POKE P2+x-44,@
16
:PFORE F1+xX-440,100:FOKE F2+X-440,a
NEXT X
FOR Y=3 TO 19
FORE P1+1-22*Y,103
:PGRE P2+1-22*Y,0: FORE F1+20-22ey,
i@1:FOKE P2+20-22*Y ,@
NEXT Y
DIM JS(2,2):FOKE 37139,@:DD=37154
: FA=37 137: PR=37152
FOR I=@ TO 2:FOR J=@ TO 2
:READ JS(J,1):NEXT J,I
X=2: Y=19s SH=16@: CL=@: NT=234
PRINT" CHOME, BLACK ,DOWN4]F CLEFT,
DOWNIZ2CLEFT , DOWN2]TCLEFT , DOWN10
CLEFT, DOWN2ZISCLEFT ,DOWNITCLEFT,
DOWNIOCLEFT, DOWNIF"
PRINT" CHOME, BLACK, DOWN4 ,RIGHT21 IF
CLEFT ,DOWNISCLEFT, DOWNZITLLEFT,
DOWN IOCLEFT, DOWN2JELLEFT, DOWNIR
CLEFT , DOWNIACLEFT , DOWNISCLEFT,
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
by Mike Todd
DOWNIE"
GET A#:GOSUB 810
IF At="J"THEN x=X-1
IF X<2 THEN X=2
IF AS="L"THEN
: IF X>19 THEN X=19
IF AS="I"THEN Y=¥+1
IF Y221 THEN Y=21
“IF At="M"THEN Y=Y-1
IF ¥Y<1 THEN Y=1
IF At="CF2I]"THEN FRINT"CCLEARI"
=FORE 36879,27:END
IF AS="CF8I"THEN GOSUB 740
K1=PEER (F1+X—-22*Y)
:K2=PEEK (F2+K—-22*Y)
IF A#="*"THEN GOSUEB 400
POKE F1+X—-22*Y,SH:POKE F2+xX-22"Y,
CL
FOR T=1 TO 25:NEXT T
FOKE P1+X-22#Y,Ek1:POKE F2+X-22*yY,
K2
GOTO 478
IF Y=1 THEN CL=FEEKR (F2+xX—22*Y)
:NT=200+X*2:GOSUB 650: RETURN
IF Y=21 AND PEEK (FP 14+X-22*Y)< 732 T
HEN SH=FEEK (FP 1+X-—22*#Y) sNT=15@+X*¥2
:GOSUB 650: RETURN
IF Y=21 OR Y=2@ OR Y=2 THEN RETURN
K1=SH:F2=CL:GOSUB 700
:IF K1=87 THEN K1=32
RETURN
FOKE 36876,NT
FOR I=15 TO 1 STEP-1
POKE 36878,1:NEXT I
FOKE 36876,
RETURN
FOKE 36878,15:POKE 36875,NT
FOR I=1 TO S@:NEXT
FOKE 26878,@:FOKE 36875.0
RETURN
FOR I=2 TO 19
FOR J=3 TO i9
PORE Fi+1—-22%"I
NEXT J,I
RETURN
DATA 87,81,1460,233,223,105,95,92,
GEO 1 2p Se4a5 6647
DATA-23 ,—-22,—21,-1,9,1,21,22,23
FOKE DD,127:S3=—-( (PEEK (FB)AND i128
)=0):FOKE DD,255
P=FEEK (FA) :Si=-((P AND 8)=0)
:S2=((P AND 16)=0)
:S@=((F AND 4)=@)
FR=—-((P AND 32)=@)
a
ge
IF S@>@ THEN A#="I"
IF S1<2?@ THEN AS="M"
IF S2<>@ THEN A#="J"
IF S3<>@ THEN A#="L"
IF FRe2@ THEN At="™"
RETURN
149
150
YOU CAN RELY ON
THE COMPUTER P
COMPUTERS
BBC B
BBC B with disc interface
SINCLAIR SPECTRUM
ELECTRON
COMMODOR 64
ORIC
Awaiting delivery of Sinclair Q.L. and Elan.
L
Disc Drives
TORCH Z80 Disc Pack — comes complete with
software — GREAT VALUE!
ZEP 100 Z80 — Already own a twin disc drive?
Then this is all you need.
SINGLE 100K 40 TRACK with integral power
supply
SINGLE 100K 40 TRACK powered from the
computer
SINGLE 200K 80 TRACK with integral power
supply
TWIN 400K 80 TRACK powered from the
computer
TWIN 800K 80 TRACK powered from the
computer
TWIN 800/400K 80/40 TRACK switchable,
powered from the computer
All the above complete with manual, leads &
utilities.
ROFESSIONALS
As one of Britain's leading distributors of computer
products and northern area distributor for Acorn, we sell
only leading brands. Qualified electronics engineers are
always on hand to service the vast majority of the
equipment which we sell in the fully-equipped workshops
which are part of our modern sales, service and
administration centre in Bradford.
DATA RECORDERS
BBC DATA RECORDERS — complete with lead
for connection to BBC computer
BUSH CASSETTE RECORDERS
MONITORS
FULL RANGE OF MICROVITEC COLOUR
MONITORS IN ALL RESOLUTIONS
NEW MICROVITEC RGB/PAL MONITORS WITH
AUDIO
BBC — green screen monitors
PHOENIX ~ green screen monitors
PRINTERS
EPSON RX 80 Parallel printer
EPSON RX 80 FT Parallel printer
EPSON FX 80 F/T Ill Printer 160 cps parallel
EPSON FX 100 F/T Parallel printer
BROTHER HR 15 Daisywheel printer — Parallel
with 3K Buff
BROTHER KB 50 Keyboard — connects to
— BROTHER HR 15 printer
SHEET FEEDER — for HR 15
TRACTOR FEEDER — for HR 15
TEC F10-40 Daisywheel printer
CENTRONICS — printer cables
GRAPHIC DUMP ROM — for the BBC computer
ACORNSOFT VIEW — Word processor for the
BBC computer
COMPUTER CONCEPTS WORDWISE —
powerful word processor
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
COMPUTER CONCEPTS DISC DOCTOR - disc
utilities
COMPUTER CONCEPTS BEEB CALC —
powerful spread sheet for BBC
COMPUTER CONCEPTS GRAPHICS ROM
enables Sprite graphics to be generated
APTL SIDEWAYS ROM BOARD
Plus a wide selection of terminal ROMS
BOOKS
ELTEC STOCK THE WIDEST SELECTION OF
TITLES FOR BBC, SINCLAIR, COMMODOR etc.
i
Sphinx Adventure }
Chemical
Analysis
SOFTWARE
ACORN : SUPERIOR : UK : IMAGINE :
MICROPOWER : SALAMANDER : GEMINI :
DOCTOR SOFT
Plus the widest range of Educational software
JOYSTICKS
BEEBSTICK -— single high quality joystick
BBC JOYSTICKS — pair of games joysticks
SURE SHOT - single joysticks
SURE SHOT — double joysticks
KEMPSTONE — joystick with interface
SINCLAIR INTERFACE 2 —for use with joysticks
PROTECTIVE COVERS &
CARRYING CASES
AVAILABLE IN POLYESTER COTTON, SOFT PVC
AND HARD PLASTIC, PLUS COMPLETE
COMPUTER AND CASSETTE/DISC DRIVE
CARRYING CASES.
EALERS
ABACUS COMPUTERS
1 Centra! Buildings. Wharf Street
Sowerby Bridge HX6 2EG
ALGOTEK COMPUTERS LTD.
11 Wood Street Wakefield WF1 2EL
BLACKPOOL COMPUTER CENTRE
179 Church Street Blackpool, Lancashire
CATEL COMPUTER SYSTEMS LTD.
8 Bower Road Harrogate HG1 1BA
THE COMPUTER SHOP
5 Nelson Street Morecambe LA4 5EF
COMPUTER WORLD
208 Chorley Oid Road Bolton, Lancs BL1 3BG
COMPUTER FACILITIES (1982) LTD
Glebe House, Winterton Road
Scunthorpe, S. Yorks.
CHRIS TOWNSEND COMPUTERS LTD.
18 Byram Arcade Huddersfield, Yorks.
DANUM COMPUTER SERVICES
17 East Laith Gate Doncaster DN1 1JG
DAWN COMPUTING LTD.
Unit 5, Boundary Ind. Estate
Miltfield Road Bolton BL2 6QY
DONCASTER MICRO CENTRE
lvy House Farm, Styrrup
Doncaster DN11 8NA
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
UTILITIES
CLARE: GRAF DISC — on cassette or disc,
computer aided design program
CLARE: THE KEY — utilities for discs
CLARE: SHADOW -— cassette back up program
CLARE: REPLICA II — transfer your favourite
programs on to disc
SALAMANDER EGD GRAPHICS PACKAGE — on
cassette or disc
GENERAL HARDWARE
SPEECH SYNTHESISER — for BBC computer
TELETEXT ADAPTOR — for BBC computer
MODEM 1000 — for Prestel, Viewdata, etc.
MODEM 2000 — Duplex version
ACOUSTIC COUPLER — for Prestel/Viewdata/
BT Gold
VTX 500 SPECTRUM COUPLER
RH ELECTRONICS LIGHT PEN
SOUND PICK-OFF MODULE
ATPL EProm Programmer
ATPL EProm Eraser
THE PLUG — removes unwanted mains spikes
from entering computer
VIDEO CASSETTES
FOR BETAMAX & VHS
MASTER CLASS — The BBC micro in Primary
Education. Demonstrates some of the uses of
the computer in the classroom.
MASTERCLASS — How to use your computer —
starting Basic 1
EAST RIDING COMPUTERS
76A Market Street Pocklington, York
EMPIRE ELECTRO CENTRES
783 Leeds Road, Bradford
FLEXIWORDS COMPUTERSHOP
18 Otley Road, Leeds LS6 2AD
GTM COMPUTERS LTD.
864 York Road Leeds S14 6DX
HOLDERNESS COMPUTER SERVICES
17 Westgate, Partington Hull HU12 ONA
HOLDENS VIDEO & TELEVISION SERVICES
85 Fishergate, Preston PR1 2NJ
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
AND MARKET 6
E3, New Enterprises
S.W. Brunswick Dock Liverpool L3 4AR
JUST MICRO
22 Carver Street Sheffield S1 4FS
NEWSHAM DALBY
238 Kings Cross Road,
Halifax
PENNINE COMPUTERS LTD.
Somerset House, 5 George Street
Halifax HX1 1HA
SCHOFIELDS (YORKSHIRE) LTD.
Computer Sales The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6LS
SWEETENS COMPUTER SERVICES
48 Fishergate Preston PR1 8AT
TEMPO COMPUTERS
9 Railway Road Blackburn BB] 5AX
TOMORROWS WORLD
15 Paragon Street Hull HU1 3NA
TURNER ELECTRICAL LTD.
47 King Street Bridlington YO15 2DN
YORK COMPUTER CENTRE
7 Stonegate Arcade York YO1 2QQ
YORKSHIRE MICROCOMPUTERS LTD.
28 Ramshill Road Scarborough YO11 2QF
ELTEC COMPUTERS, aa te
Campus Road, Listerhills Science Park, <8" daz
Bradford. BD7 1HR. Tel: (0274) 722512
MASTER CLASS — How to use your computer
further Basic 2
MASTER CLASS ELECTRON — The operation
and programming
TORCH NET — Local Area Networking — VERY
POWERFUL!
Torch Net uses the ECONET network standard
developed by Acorn Computers Ltd. for the
BBC Microcomputer.
Torch Net provides advanced but easy to use
facilities above the Econet level which allow
computers running sophisticated business
programs to communicate with each other and
share information.
Torch Net is easily expandable from a network
of 2 Torch computers to a 254-computer
network.
Write now for full details!
@ Circle No. 172
151
FOOD SCIENTISTS, nutritionists and weight
watchers will be interested in the Food
Value program written by Dr Frank
Rooney of Manchester. The program
displays the carbohydrate, protein, fat and
energy contents of a food selected from
up to 255 possibilities stored in Data
. Statements. The user may work in metric or
imperial units, and can choose either
kilojoules or kilocalories.
When a particular food item is selected,
the program searches for it, displaying a
Not Found error message if it is not there.
You are invited to make a choice if there is
more than one available, and the program
Food values.
REM Foot VALUES
REM FRANK ROUNE'’
GOSUE Zale
FRINT "foes
N13; RENOOOOODHO. oF ITEM=oooooD
H > BScH>. CCH). ECH, 5),
“ERDF SCI MENTI
= SHARP
- OCT
eee owe
fon
a RD Et
Thx
1 TON? READASC1), BS619,0¢¢1)
WSs READE CI, 8): MEsTX: MEATI
ance Mit:
266 OK=8: [=1+1: IF] SNTHEHZ68
BOM, 53, FSCS)
ohydrate, Proteins Fat. Enera,
J=Q°IMPUT"SEnter food:
then provides a table of the composition
and energy value of a standard quantity.
You may then select from a menu, either to
see values for a chosen quantity, to see the
amount having any particular energy
content, to change units or to try a different
food. j
To save space Dr Rooney has only
provided the data for 18 foods, including
beans, beer and sausages. The Manual of
FLEASE WAIT WHILE THE DATA IS FREAD"
sHIC LED
Ma lue
"SHEIPRINT: 1=8
IF CAS¢C [9 =K$9+¢CLEF TS (REC 19 LEMCAS¢199-19=8%) THENOK=1
IFA#¢ 1 )=LEFT# (8%, LEHCX# 2-1) THENOK=1
IFQK
HICD)
A PRIHT" - “s6#¢C1o:G0T0200
IF J=BTHEHFRINT "SIt
IF J= 1 THENI= Thi GoTo
THENZA8
UIT" cb
CK=@: FOR On OKSOK¢ TENT(O993
MW PISSCI, LotFlsliF2=l
Ne ees > aM red ata,
2" US=US:F1=Fis,
1 oz"iVSs"oz"IFL=Fia, 2:
Sa aecviez =2) THENLIE=
I: J=J+1: TL=ITSFRINTI3 TRECSI3ASCID3:
Venet found" MUSIC" CIl2": FORD=
IFB#¢1)="—"THENFRINT: GOTO255
1TOLGG8: HEXTD: GOTO1 34
HEXTE: IFOK= NO THE
16:F2=35
+ IFU2=2THEMF 2=F 244. Lodi lea" I"
fh PRINT"G" SAS¢1)$:
PRINT"
a FORM=1TOL-1:PRINT!—"3 3
f P2=F'1: IFP2>9THEMP2=INTCP2+. 5)
ft IF CE=1)*CF2¢ 1 THEMPR INT" rer
M P2=CINTC 144F2+,5) 9718
Q PRINT" per"sP2s" "SUS5"
Fort ion”
L=LEHCAS¢ 19>: IFES ¢13="-"THEMFEINT:
- "“SBECI9:L=L+3+LENCB4¢ 19>
HEXTMS PRINT"
"SPEs" stigse
GOTO398
Port ion": GOTO¢46
8 at
~
iF c é i
$=U$1¥.¢ Tite CL ODF 1 7ECI »1)
MH IFO>4THEHXCI,0>=X¢1,094F2: Y$Hhtt
SCI, O2=INTCKCI,03#108) 71
PRIHT" | "sF#¢€0);TABC 15);
HEXTO
1" MEATS
"3485" )"3THECZ295 "1"
B PRINTTAE(31-INTCLENCSTRS¢INTCXCT 01292928
C1,09; THECS99: "1"
@ FRINT"S a
H POKES466, 17° FRINT "cee ress
PRIHT"S
1> for DIFFERENT portion”
<Z> to CALCULATE FORTION with"
PRINTTHE(1 393 ""sreecified ENERGY VALLE"
PRINT"S
@ PRINT'S
€3> to CHANGE UHITS"
<4> toa move on to rn
ext foodi": USEC62>
GETF#: E=VAL CFS): IF CE< 1 +6349 THEHSa
USE C62): POKE4466, 16: FRINTSFC¢ 48)
OHEGOTOE4&, 628, 726. 198
POKE4466, 14: PRINT"Enter FORTION ("5LI5 ">"
POKES466,> 14: FRIHTSFCC 48)
PLSVAL CF #2): IFFI<. Get THEHE46
8 GUTO378
POKE4466, 14: PRINT"Enter
F=VAL CFS): IFF<. 681 THEH6SS
M POKES466, 14:PRINTSPOC48)
PL=F/CECI, S24F1 ZEC1 21 4F 2): GOTOS78
- GISUE7 34: GOTO2Sa
M GUSUE 2616
PRINT" £8
FRINT"S
B GETVL: IFCUL< 1 +¢U1 92> THEH 756
Fress <1> for METRIC
ENERSY VALUE ¢"5
version
<2> for IMPERIAL version": USRC62>
SIMPUT": "SF
WEi"O"S 2 THPUT"? "SFE
POKES466> S+24U1 : POKES465, 35: PE INT"€"
BM FOKES466.12:FRIHT" Fre
FRIHT"S
152
<1> to use CALORIES"
<2> to use KILOJOULES":USR¢é2>
(listing continued on opposite page)
Food values
Nutrition, published by HMSO, contains
all the others you might want to see.
Remember to alter the value of N in line 110
if you add to the list.
This version of the program runs under
SP-5025. The Pokes to 4465 and 4466 move
the cursor to the Xth column and Yth row
and USR(62) goes beep. There is a limited
amount of input error checking, but not
very much, and the program needs a
friendly user.
Print/P
One of the features of Sharp MZ
computers is that the printer is selected
simply by using the command Print/P. In
other systems, such as the Pet, you have to
select the printer as the output device
instead of the screen.
But if a program is still in the debugging
stage, you can waste a lot of paper unless
everything for the printer can first be sent
to the screen. A deal of time is then spent
converting back and forth between Print
and Print/P. Again, if a program is to
display information both on the screen and
on the printer two memory-wasting sets of
program lines are needed, one using Print
and the other identical but for the use of
Print/P. It might after all be advantageous
if output could be directed at will either to
screen or printer by a single command.
According to J S Levett of Chelmsford,
Essex this is possible, or at least it is on the
MZ-80K using Basic SP-5025. The secret
lies in the SP-5025 Print command code.
The command is dealt with at memory
locations 1C2F to 1CCF inclusive. It starts
with a routine to find whether it is merely a
Print, directed to the screen, or is followed
by the / token and then either T or P to
indicate the tape deck or the printer.
Various tests are done in this routine, but
if /P is established then at 1C43/4 the B
register is loaded with 80. If there is no /
then it is loaded with 00. Subsequently the
I/O system is set to screen if B is 00, to tape
if B is 0! or to printer if B is 80. If the call to
the device-finding routine is replaced by a
jump directly to the location where the B
register contents are set to indicate that the
output device is the printer then all
subsequent Prints will be interpreted as
though they are Print/Ps. If the B register is
loaded at 1C43/4 with 00 then all printing
will go to the screen even if the command is
Print/P.
In the first case, locations 1C31/2/3 need
to hold the numbers C3/43/1C. The Poke
to code into is
POKE 7217,195
POKE 7218,67
POKE 7219,28
In the second case, the 80 in location 1C44
is replaced by 00, that is Poke 7236,0.
Print may not always Print/P in the same
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
> SHARP
4
way, especially when it comes to dealing
with text with embedded cursor-control, or
Home/Clear symbols. At some time it may
be necessary to reverse the change, so to
restore Print try
POKE 7217,205
POKE 7218,139
POKE 7219,22
and to restore Print/P try Poke 7236,128.
Put into practice while debugging a
section of code, sending text to the printer
is easy. Simply write the code as though to
print tothe printer, but Poke 7236,0 at its
start and Poke 7236,128 at its end. Printing
both to the screen and to the printer is more
difficult, but can be accomplished by a two-
pass For-Next loop round the section of
code, with the import of Print or Print/P
changed to one pass only. For example
10 FOR PQ=0T01
20 IF PQ THEN POKE 7217,195: POKE
.7218,67: POKE 7219,28: REM P TO P/P
30 PRINT “This is the Text.”
40 PRINT “And here’s some more!”
50 POKE 7217,205: POKE 7218,139: POKE
7219,22: REM P/P TO P
60 NEXT PQ
will print to the screen the first time
through, but will go to the printer on the
second.
Screendump
From Holland, home of many Sharp
users and lovers, comes M H de Bokx and
his MZ-80K Screendump, a Basic program
that copies the screen to your printer. Mr
de Bokx takes an obvious — once you’ve
thought of it — but effective course, albeit
a rather slow one. He Peeks each screen
memory location, covering the 1,000 bytes
from 53248 to 54247 inclusive, then
converts the display code to ASCII using a
look-up table, and finally sends the result
to the printer using Print/P CHRS().
The program he sent in contained a
number of fairly trivial bugs, and while
correcting them I took the opportunity to
rewrite the code into a slightly neater
form.
The look-up table is held in the array
AVQ and is filled by Reading the Data
statements.
Element 129, corresponding to the
character a which has display code 129,
holds 161, the ASCII value for a. Where
there are no Printable characters directly
corresponding to what is Peeked, I have
inserted the values of similar ASCII ones.
Lines 50280 and 50290, and 50320 and
50330 in part provide a border, while lines
50300 and 50310 enable both quotation
marks and commas to be printed. It may
not be as fast as machine code, but it is
prettier and more flexible.
Hidden lines
At the end of the ‘‘Hidden Lines’’ on
page 145 of the February issue it was
suggested incorrectly that you Poke 49 into
15583. The correct location is 16583.
PRACTICAL COMPOTING April 1984
iS
REM
DATA
DATA
DATA
DATA
BATA
DATA
DATA
DATA
CATA
CATR
DATA
CA OAD ee
0 00 00 0000 00 OO Eo 0D 03 0
Ql Wie GB
Gro oN
by John Hooper
GETV2: IFCU2< 1 94+¢€U2>2) THEN? 98
POKE 4466, 16+24U2: POKES465, 35: FRINT"€" 2 USR(62): FORD=1 T0168: NEXT: RETURN
REM ITEM, DESCRIPTION: SOLIDZLIGQUID UNIT, FORTIOH: CARBO, FROT, FAT; EHERGY
= 4 3 90:3 9., Cal
APPLES, -,$, 100,125. 3:0, 46
APRICOTS: CANNED, S, 108, 28, .5,
APRICOTS, DRIED, S, 160,43,4.8.4.
BACON, -,»S,160,6,11,48,476
BEANS, BAKED, S,148,17.6,.
EAS» BROAD» $, 1
BEANS» HARICOT, 5, 140;
BERHS, RUNNER 75, 18,2. 9
BEEF: CORNED, S; 103, @, 32. 15,224
BEEF. STEWING STEAK (COOKE ee. :
BEEF. STEWING STEAK (RAW), S151
BEER, BITTER-L-18
BEER, MILD.L, 18
COFFEE, INSTANT,
RICE, -, 5, 180,87,
RICE, PUDDING, S$, 1
SAUSAGE - FORK» S» a
SAUSAGE, BEEF» S,
DATA
DATA
1 DATA
& DATA
| DATA
236 DATA
1600. DATA
2010 FRINT"G&ses —
2026 FRINT"“eeee! FOOD YALUES - SHARP
2638 PRINT"fese |
2844 PRINT"Sees |
2850 FRINT"geee |
FRAHK ROONEY - OCT
MZ-SaK
2666 RETURN
Screendump.
aia
6 REM
1 REM
P.O. Box524,
C=Counter, DC=DisrlayCode,
ScreenStart, FP=Peek/Poke
SEM 388% CONVERSION DATA s
PRINT “BPLEASE WAIT! “
DIM AUC255>:FOR DC=4 TO 255: READ
REM sx0 DATA »xc
DATA
DATA
DATA
DATA
DATA
DATA
Shasa
54690
56196
54118
56126
56130
5146
54156
5a168
Sa178
56136
56196
Sa260 113
36216
56224
58234
S248
56258
86.87,55,.99,98,. 251,
PRIHT "a's
REM ss
SPC(12): PRINT "3"
TEST DISPLAY sxe
REM
39253249: HP=G:PRINT/P_"E":
PRINT/F "5
DC=FEEK(SS+PP>: IF DC=92
IF DC=47 THEN PRINT/P
PRINT“P CHRFCAUCBC) >::
BM NEXT FPsPRINT/P " "5
40 PRINTF "@":REM
503568 END
=FOR C=6 To
“CLEAR” FRINTER
Subroutine calls
‘The article ‘‘Calling by Name’’ in
the November 1983 issue of Practical
Computing showed how calling sub-
routines by name improves readability.
Normally Sharp Basic does not allow the
use of numeric variables instead of line
numbers, but it can do so if you modify the
Goto and Gosub part of the interpreter to
include a routine that converts an
expression into an integer. For Goto
POKE 7388,140:POKE 7389,25
For Gosub Poke the same two values into
locations 7415/6. The normal values held in
these locations are 241,22.
A call which is normally made to a
decimal-to-binary conversion routine at
$873 includes a check that the target line is
128,65, 66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73
PRP=53648:F0R DC=@ TO 255:POKE FF+2+4DC,
» SCAM SCREEN & FRIHT «<P sxe
REM COMPRESS PRINT
FOR C=@ TO S9:FRINT“P "_"3
FOR PP=6 TO 4@#25-1:1F HP=@ THEN PRINT/P sel ss
THEN PORE 6258,6:FRINT/F CHR#(34)3:POKE 6354,34
HP-=HP+1: IF HP=48 THEN HI
S33FRINT/F
REM SCREEWDUMP by M.H. de Eokx Cry version)
4386 AM Vlissingzen, Nederland,
HP=Horizorital Fosition
Fosition
dd 47971983
AYCDC: NEXT DC
274,75, 76277) 78) 79, BH,81,82, 23, 54,65
265, 221, 203, 269,48, 49,58,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,45
61,5947, 46,494,229, 244,236, 218, 227,2262 215,212, 2302 232,194,193
196,193,207, 262, 128,225,254, 208: 254, 95, 248, 241,247,635, 204,219
226: 233,245,58; 94,60, 91,243,93;64, 201,62; 252, 92, 198,223, 208
206, 211,214,255, 33,34,35,36:37, 35,392 48,41,43,42, 222, 246, 235, 234
195,197,235, 248,228, 231 +235. 237>224, 253,216. 21322422249, 217,214
192, 161, 154,159,156, 146,179,151,152, 166,175,169, 184,179, 176, 183
H 158,164,157: 164,15, 165.171.163.155, 189» 162, 187,153, 136, 135,140
1883 167,172,145, 147, 148, 149,180,181, 182, 1742173, 186,178, 185, 168
1772131, 136, 141,134,132. 137,142: 1912133, 138 143, 190,125, 139,144
127» 252,94, 198, 95,72 67796, 977 38> 99, 106, 101, 162, 183,104; 112
2114,115,116,117:118,119,126,121,122,123, 124,125; 126,105; 236
232,218, 227,35, 35, 35» 106, 1517; 108, 109,62
H 285, 216; 206,213,222, 201,208, 223,193, 254, 194,233, 245, 208
211G,111,253,112> 128,221
BC :FOKE FF+1,128:MEXT DC
NEXT CEFRINT“P
=B:FRINTZP “I "
eu" SENEXT C:FRINT/F
Subroutine calls.
a ad ‘FLASH’ ANSWER SUBROUTINE
8 FEM To be used as a GUSUB following
MH REM a YCes>/N(o>-tyre auestion like...
FRIHT "Do you azree CY/NDT "5
REM Here ’s the Routine
POKE 17328, 13: USR(2483):
IF (CKS="¥" 4+ #CCKE=E"N" +E) THEN 146
RETURN
GET Kt
an actual number. It is replaced without
apparent damage by a call to the
expression-conversion routine at 6540,
which involves the interpretation of any
numeric variables included in the
expression. The routine places the
calculated integral value into ‘the same
register that holds the result of a decimal/
binary conversion. After the Return, the
Goto or Gosub continues under the impres-
sion that it has found an actual number.
153
56-way |.D.C. connector and ribbon cable
assembly, designed and manufactured by
Varelco in conjunction with C.P.S. Ltd., to fit the
Sinclair Spectrum computer.
Available in both single and double end format.
Also available, paddle board to convert female
connector to male plug format.
Please send me the following: iat cee
6” grey cable with £8.99 |
connector each end each |
i] 9” grey cable with £9.49
connector each end each
9” colour coded cable £5.99
0 with one connector each |__|
12” colour coded cable £6.49
with one connector each
Connector only
[| Paddle board for conversion
i to male plug format
Prices include VAT and Post & Packing
| | enclose cheque/PO value £
Block capitals please
| Name -
. Address
- —_ _Town
County = PRoste§ede 22
If paying ae Access, enter number here
- FY Cf ACoo coco coon
Available from:
| Hawnt Electronics Limited
Firswood Road, Garretts Green, Birmingham B33 OTQ
Reg. in England No. 306808 PC4/84
@ Circle No. 173
154
Deal with the expert
on romabls Comput > -
128k @ MS-DOS @ 160k cies
Sanyo MBC 1150
64k @ CP/M @ Dual disc drives 320k
from £1495
256k RAM @ 315k drives
Osborne
200k-400k per drive
Epson HX20 «.QX10 .... trom £411
FREE bundled software with every
disc based system
On site training, servicing and support.
Fraser Associates Ltd.
1 Bnstle Hill, Buckingham. Bucks
MK18 1EZ (0280) 816087
@ Circle No. 174
from £945
What Qualities do you need in
your word processor?
Tick Where appropriate.
| Software produced in the USA.
| Little or no support except at transatlantic call
rates.
Displays full screen of text for editing and uses
commands that are easy to understand.
Combinations of escape and control characters
that require a pocket command reference card to
be handy at all times or continual reference to
help screens.
Runs on a large number of microcomputers under
the CP/M operating system.
Only the software need be purchased for your
hardware.
| Handles proportionally spaced printing, retaining
clean left margins in columns or indented text.
| Catalogues disks including full titles and dates.
| Allows viewing of other documents while
editing.
10. [ | Costs only £345 including mail merging.
Ticked boxes 1,2 or 4? Chances are you are already firmly
entrenched on some other word processor. If you ticked
one or more of the other boxes, find out more about:
VER-WO RD The Word processor for CP/M
by writing to Verwood Systems (Dept WMG), Verwood
House, High Street, West Haddon, Northants NN6 7AP
specifying your machine type, disk size, terminal type and
printer.
@ Circle No. 175
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
SOME PEOPLE regard the ability of a
computer to generate sound as a criterion in
making up their mind which mode! to buy.
The Spectrum’s ability in this field is not
great but Duncan Stokes of Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire, believes that this routine
will enhance the Spectrum by adding a
white noise.
Once the program is typed in you can set
the duration and frequency of the noise
with Poke 32583,n and Poke 32589,n
respectively; n is an integer between — 255
and +255.
White noise.
10 CLEAR 32580
20 FOR F=32581 TO 32597
30 READ A: POKEF,A
40 NEXT F
50 DATA33,00,10,43,126,211,254,6,7,5,32,
-3,175,132,200,24,-14
Mazor.
10 FLASH @: INK
IGHT 1: BORDER @Q.
1@@ LET q= .
: RESTORE .
bS(2i.3Sii
@G:
ie H=O ne Se
2S: BEEP 4.1, 20:
ree AT @,@;°*
SCREEN="
LET fared:
edz
cad
1449 IF r=5
AS
b$ C2) = “i. .
7O LET bE$is) =
10
200. LET biG} =
se eeecene ese eee
2
se ee
é e LET OG C2)
“240 LET
ao 8 LET bStia
se Be eevweeseaesoae
3O L
340 LET bS(16) 52 Mi---B--M--:-
ae ee ss aeens a a a
35@ LET b
R6Q@ LET Dee) gas es ag hE ES
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
PAPER *:
CLS
:; LET w=15:
GO SUB 3SBoo
P21:
=.
Sal
LE ¢=S3 HmHEN Eq
THEN LET yw=25
“> SO
“Tse LET bs a: es...
Sf a... 5. -
, es CE
ae 2 ee:
220 LET bS (6) =" +++ ++.)
Sage ce
"s2@ LET bS (16) =“M- i - -- -B- -
|
cer Co
(19) aS Doe
White
.The routine is called by using the
RANDOMIZE USR 32581
function. To save the routine, which is
advisable before running in case of
incorrect data, you can use
SAVE"NAME* CODE 32581,16
Users of 48K machines can locate the
routine higher up in memory.
Mazor
For those who like quick, bright graphics
programs, Mr R D Lancaster has sent in the
BR
ae tant 3s?l PRINT
MA
FOR Ff
EET &
(RND*2
LET Liv=S
NEXT nn
GQOGOWDE PrP SONG N
PHP SUBUMHESeVEn
’ DEAR PAPA PR RA QUOD
Os":
440 PRINT
445 PRINT
45Q PRINT
4690 FPRINT
461 IF
462 IF
464 IF
466 IF
465 2h
INK
INK
tA Ss
m
~|
~G
ae a @~al~
M-eoN~v ur
cae I
ar Bonn :
~ OO
plan re ii
ae
verpyrPpp
oo
ry
i: -o--
ai)
Ber
-f
+0 trv.
on
*
°
°
w
ov
At
~~
=
=INT
INKEY $="6"
heal
following item which will keep you busy
10 BRIGHT 1: BORDER 0: PAPER 0: INK 7:
OVER 1:CLS
20 EEL ies
30 for f=51 to 10000 STEP 50
40 LETi=i +1
50 IF i=8 THEN LET i =4
60 INK i:CLS
70 PLOT 65,30
80 DRAW 120,120,P1 *f
90 NEXT f
Mr Lancaster has also sent in a bright
version of the popular maze game which he
calls Mazor. It includes instructions,
though one point is not mentioned: the
border changes colour to that of the fastest
ghost at the time. iM]
“9
AT 16,90;
ZOR
TO 20
{(RND*173 45: LET
QR bS$l(p,o3
FLASH 1,;,°
7143
“O40 9N~
qe Oc ney :
4p Onn tom
mm
AT
Sl
AT
say
TO 47
LET tg§="
Bet tse
LET t="
WHEN Lat Ca=s
THEN GO SUB S
AND be(p-1.
bS(PFh,01 <3
EY$="s"
Ey ¢="?"
(continued on next page)
155
(continued from previous page)
462 LET i=i-x#1>p- AND
Ul <P 2 ¢x24i<p AND bs fl
‘ NS “Es }
483 LET k=k
ZI) -<> "MCD +z 4%
reao Unie
mig
¥* (
u
Seg
(kK<
t
x
‘M3 +x % Cu
NEXT fi:
4295 PRINT AT
497 PRINT AT a
S@@ PRINT AT UL
SiO, IE ATTR (3
UB 150e
IF bStp,o}="*" THEN LET
IF ¢c=21 THEN GO TO 144
2 bs tp. 91 ="S>> TREN CET
-4,460:; LET ccacc*+L
: BEEP .@5,f:
ra : BORDER @:
: BEEP .1,10: 8B
,-19: BEEP .1,-
LET 3=USR 326e
PAUSE 16: NEXT -f
PRINT AT 10,120; FLASH 21; "YO
BEEP oS, -3O
PRINT AT 13,0; °
PRINT AT 15,6;°*
LE Jha <2 THEN Let hy=
PAUSE 106
peal AT 20,1; “ANoOther game
OSS e
1406@ IF INKEY$="" THEN GO TO 1606
Ya)
IF INKEY@="y" THEN GO TO 11
J=INT URND#15) +2
= {RAND #25) +2
IF bS{j.h)="H" THEN GO TO 2
Met Aeae TSr Mee
RETURN
PRINT AT 9,18; FLASH 1; "YOU
Pies
PRINT AT 12.136. FLASH 1; "YO
f=1 TO 3: FOR n=1 TO 30
; >: BORDE
5 >: SE
EP .@1,22+¢n:
2@40 BORDER :
roe ce AT 20,1: "Another game
y "
2@6@ IF INKEY$="" THEN GO TO 206
8
2@7OQ IF INKEY$="u" THEN BEEP .S.,
40: GO TQ 185
2@6@ STOP
S@0Q0 PRINT 83; FLASH 1, ‘FREEZE”
2010 FOR f=6 TO SO@: NEXT F
156
SO2@ PRINT AT
2U;
AT
Base’
,219.,
3e@6e8
e?7,ie2
See
325%.
aoss-
255,
9ec@
9252 PRINT AT.
ives.
Nees 2;
>SINCLAIR ==
Py oor
> INK
TE od ait
ae ThiK 3) Ss"
“ENTER res
SOSS PRINT AT FO,"
INPUT
102,60
DATR "
Tape ta”)
CATR *
DATA *
DATE *
126,56
pata “
3"
b',
&
ar
“,60,126,255,255,255
oe
2
NEXT
N60 226,153, 153,255
31,/62,127,73,127;,4
,2,0,8,24 -24,0,;0,@2
®,.60,90.126,126,2@6
6@,126,242,242,255
2
“9g" ,60,; 2126.,79,79,255,5
aie@ PRINT AT 1,12; 'MaZzoR"
9110 PRINT AT
mig
AT
358; INK 2; "YOU
Apia et a aren Se A ahr
(.5 or 212 tames yo
9,4; INK 35 "@ o.5S
times eae Speed)“: AT 112,41;
4;"@ ¢.75 times your speed)
PRINT
PRINT
PRINT
PRINT
FOR Ff
es
AT
AT
AT
AT
=i5
21,48:
93266 PRINT AT
Reeser.
S270 PARUSE 1009
926@ FOR f=@0@ TO 29: BEEP .005,60@
e290 LET a=vtSR 3ese
9300
NEXT
(7
Q31@ PRINT AT
ce key to f
ne.
9220
osts
9339
PRINT
can”
PRINT
irituat*™
3344
PRINT
anspaort'
9350
PRINT
Oo another”
2360
maze
3378
9375
9352
3392
PRINT
Bran
PRINT
PAUSE
LS
RETURN
AT
AT
aT
AY
AT
ree
ENTER. rest
RAT
a14,8;"." : 2 Points
26.65: °@ : 20 point
19,7; “USE CURSOR K
20,11; “TO MOVE"
TG 3Q@. GEEP .1,58:
BEEP .1,25+fF: NEXT
BEEP .4,60
2° OU must stee
7 "you get sit t
22; “wall be prese
,"SCreen.’
13,2; “After 5 acre
15,2; “The screens
27,2; "You have 3S tb
20,2; "PRESS A KEY
2; “Press the §&
ald 4.2, "the
3 pa
z re}
ais 5? “BEWARE the gh
40,5; “use their aP
;“Powers to tr
;“themsetves 12
i“part of the
-"they unite !
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
® Circle No. 176 >
91/2” Dot-Matrix
e With Colour Computer and
Parallel Interfaces
DMP-120. This versatile 91/2” dot-matrix printer has high speed data
processing and graphics modes, that makes light work of many many tasks. It
prints ten and 16.7 characters per inch, or elongated five and 8.3 characters
per inch at up to 125 characters per second. A very compact printer it uses
fanfold, single sheet or roll paper and has builtin parallel and colour computer
compatible serial interfaces. 26-1255
Colour Graphics
e Uses Easily Replaceable Ink
Cartridges
CGP-115. Ultra-compact colour graphics printer helps you create beautiful
graphics in red, green, blue and black, and it prints alphanumerics. Built-in
commands make it easy! Text mode prints 40 or 80 characters per line at 12
characters per second. Uses easily replaceable ink cartridges. A selection of
colour pens is available. Set measures 215/16 x 81% x 81/2”. 26-1192
Low Cost Dot-Matrix
e Print Graphics
and Alphanumerics
e Whisper Quiet!
TP-10 Thermal Printer. Perfect for use with the MC-10 Colour
Microcomputer, and our other colour computers. You can print both screen
graphics and alphanumerics. Textmode prints 32 characters per line at 30
characters pey second on 41/8” wide thermal paper. Special repeat function to
make graphics programming easier. Colour computer-compatible serial
interface only (600 baud). 26-1261
Computer Cassette Recorder
e@ Designed For The TRS-80
e Mains Or Battery Operated
Specially designed for use with TRS-80 microcomputers, the CTR-81
computer cassette recorder is ideal for loading and recording programs and
data on cassette tapes. It can easily be connected to Models I, Ill, 4 and the
new TRS-80 Model 100 portable computer. Smart white finish. Mains
operation or requires four “C” batteries (not included). 26-1208
“Letter
Perfect”
With Free
Bi-Directional
Tractor Feed
—_ (26-1459)
DWP-410. Ideal for SCRIPSIT™ word processing! Select ten or 12
characters per inch, or proportional pitch. Forward and reverse paper
feed and ‘2 line feed, underline and programmable backspace.
Includes 1/120” space and 1/48” line feed. Automatic paper set makes
paper insertion easy. Uses interchangeable print wheels for type
selection. EPM mode for special wheels. 26-1250
“Letter
Quality”
e With
Automatic
Wheel
Positioning —
DWP-210. A low-cost printer for that “professional look”! Select ten or
12 characters per inch, or proportional pitch. Prints over 200 words per
minute (18 characters per second) at ten characters per inch. Easily
handles an original plus two copies, features 1/200” space and 1/48”
line feed, ribbon end, cover open and paper empty sensing. With
carbon ribbon and Courier 10 print wheel. 26-1257 is7
158
MicroValue
GM813—CPU/64K RAM
Board
%* AMHzZ80AC.P.U. * 64K DynamicRAM
* RS232Interlace * Two8-Bitl/O Ports
* Cassette Interface
* Extended & Page Addressing Modes
* CP/MCompatible $225
Monitor
GM829-—Disk
Controller Board
* Up To 4 Mixed 5.25 & 8" Drives
%* SASI Hard Disk Interface
* Single & Double Density Operation
* Single & Double Sided Drive Support
* Supports 48 and $145
96TPI Drives
Board
* Virtual Disk Operation * 512K Dynamic RAM
* Port Mapped For Easy Interface Software
* Over 10 Times Faster £450
Thana Floppy Disk
Piease note: This board cannot be used asa
conventional RAM board
GM812—Video
Controller Board
* 80 Charactersx 25 Line Display Format
* On-board Z89A Microprocessor
* Buffered Keyboard Input
* Programmable Character Generator
* 160x75 Pixel Graphics | 25
* Light Pen Input
GM816—Multi I/O
Board
* 61/0 Ports
* 4Counter/Timer Channels
* On-Board Real Time Clock
* Battery Backup
* Further Expansion
Capability
£125
PLUTO—Colour
Graphics Board
* On-Board 16 Bit Microprocessor
* 640x576 Bit Mapped Display
* 192K Of Dual Ported RAM 99
* Comprehensive
On-Board Software
CLIMAX—Colour
Graphics Board
* 256x256 Pixel Display
* 16Colours
* Ultra-fast Vector &
Character
Generation
* Light Pen Input
* UHF or RGB Outputs
UHF Version
£199
UHF & RGB Version
£220
GM811—CPU Board
* 4MHzZ80A CPU
* 4'Bytewide’ Memory Sockets
* 2x8-BitInputiOutput Ports
* 8 Bitinput Port
* RS232Serial Interface o4 2 5
* Cassette Recorder Interface
GM803—EPROM/ROM
Board
* Up to 40K of Firmware
* 2708 or 27146 EPROMS £65
* Page Mode Operations
GM802-—64K RAM
Board
* 64K Dynamic RAM
%* 4MHz Operation
%* RAM Disable Function ay 25
* Page Mode Operation
MP826—Static RAM
Board
* 32K Static RAM
* Battery Backup $225
* Page Mode Operation
EV814—IEEE488 (GPIB)
Controller
* Cost Effective Controller
* Comprehensive Software
Supplied
* Fulllmplementation £140
* Easy ToUse
GM827-87 Key
Keyboard
* User Definable Function Keys
* Numeric Keypad £85
* Cursor Control Keys
GM839-—Prototyping
Board
* FibreglassP.C.B.
* 80-BUS Signal ldentification
* High Density|IC
Capability | 2.50
G% | MULTIBOARD COMPUTERS. /
WB Gemini Mic
NC UTES
All the boards and components in the 80-BUS
range are fully compatible and offer a very
flexible and cost effective solution to your
computer needs. For further information about
the 80-BUS range contact your nearest
MICROVALUE dealer.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
MicroValue -MicroValue
Power Supplies,
Mother Boards
& Frames
* GM807 3A PowerSupply £40.00
* GMB17_ 6A Switch ModePS.U. £75.00
* GM843 10ASwitchModePs.uU. £95.00
* GM656 3 Stot Motherboard £5.00
* GM654 5SlotMotherboard £6.00
* GM655 8 Slot Motherboard £410.00
* MP840 414SlotMotherboard ‘£47.00
* GM662 5Board Frame £50.00
* GM610 19” Frame £37.50
Galaxy 2
“| would place the Galaxy atthe
top of my list”
(Computing Today, April 4983)
* Twin Z80A Processors
* CP/M 2.2Operating System
* 80x25 Video Display
2 64K Dynamic Ram
* Light Pen Interface
* Up to 1.6Mhz Disk Capacity
* Serial RS232 Interface
* Paralletinterface
* Numeric Keypad
* Definable Function Keys
* Cassette Interface
%* 42" Monitorincluded
from £1495
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Computerise
Without Compromise
** 80-BUS Construction
* Serial & Parallel Interface
* Stylish Design
* Up To 2.4Mhz Disk Capacity
* UpToThrée 5.25" Drives
* Fully Expandable
* TwinZ80A Processors
* CPHM Operating System
* 64K Dynamic Ram
* Definable Function Keys
Two-Drive
Quantum
£1910
Gemini Multinet
The Gemin! Multinet enables as many
peopleas possible tohave access to their
own microcomputer with mass storage and
printer facilities for the lowest possible cost.
This isachieved by providing a central
‘tileserver' fitted with a Winchester hard disk
unit and printer Interfaces, in conjunction
with a method of interconnecting upto
thirty-one workstations to the fileserver. The
fileserver and eachstation are fitted with the
Gemini GM836 network interface board.
AMicropolis 800K floppy disk drive is
incorporated in the fileserver providing
backup forthe hard disk.
GM910 Galaxy 4 Multinet
5.4Mibyte fileserver £2600
GM912 Galaxy 4 Multinet
40.8 Mibyte fileserver £2850
GM909 Galaxy 4 Multinet
workstation £650
Both fileservers and workstations are supplied
complete with VDU’s; the operating software
issuppliedwith the flleserver.
Phoenix
P42
Monitor ~<_.
Ahigh quality 12" data display monitor,
Ideal for Gemini systems. The P12 is
avaliablein both green and £95
amber phosphor versions and
has aresolution of 20Mhz.
BUY FROM THE
COMPUTER
PROFESSIONALS
MICROVALUE
DEALERS:
AMERSHAM, BUCKS
Amersham Computer Centre,
48 Woodside Road,
Tel: (02403) 22307
BRISTOL
Target Electronics Ltd., 16 Cherry Lane.
Tel: (0272) 421196
EGHAM, SURREY
Electrovalue Ltd.,
28 St. Judes Road, Englefield Green.
Tel: (07843) 3603
LEEDS
Leeds Computer Centre,
55 Wade Lane, Merrion Centre. |
Tel: (0532) 458877
LONDON W2
Henry's Radio, 404 Edgware Road.
Tel: G1-402 6822
LONDON SW11
OFF Records,
Computer House, 58 Battersea Rise,
Clapham Juncticn.
Tel: 01-223 7730
MANCHESTER M19
EV Computing, 700 Burnage Lane.
Tel: 061-431 4866
NOTTINGHAM
Computerama, (Skytronics Ltd.)
357 Derby Road.
Tel: (0602) 781742
Telephone orders welcome
All prices are exclusive of VAT
REAL value — from the Professionals
®@ Circle No. 177
159
ONE OF the major advantages of the BBC
Micro is its built-in assembler. But there is a
snag: once programs have been assembled,
it is impossible to modify them without
access to the original source code. If you
have lost the source code, or if someone else
wrote the program, you are in trouble.
Many disassemblers are written in Basic,
and so are painfully slow and require
colossal string and variable arrays to store
op codes, bit data, etc.
Thus the stage is set for Disasm 2, a
disassembler written entirely in machine
code by C Dunne. It is around 600 bytes
long, including all text, and is so fast that it
will disassemble a page of 30 lines before
you can remove your finger from the
Return button. The only concessions it
makes to simplicity are that all output is in
hex, and that sometimes a garbage byte will
happen to form part of a valid op code and
10 REM
20
30 REM DISASM2:
THE Disassembler
Copyright
C Dunne 1982/83 (Assis
ted by D Bainbridge)
40 REM
50
60 *TVvO,1
70 MODES
80 INPUT"ENTER LOAD ADDRESS (PREC
EDED BY '&* IF"'"IN HEXADECIMAL) :"D
$ :DISASM%=EVAL (DS)
90 INPUT'"DO YOU REQUIRE A LISTIN
6" ,Ds
100 IF LEFTS(DS,1)="N" D%=2:GOTO14
O ELSE IF LEFTS(D$,1)="Y" D%=3;
GOTO140 ELSE PRINT"I BEG YOUR P
ARDON?": GOTO90
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
REM VARIABLE INITIALISATION
BTMSK=DISASM%+&1 80
MOLEN=DISASM% +8104
ALEFT=DISASM%+8&1D1
RIGHT=DISASM%+81D7
TEXTA=DISASM% +81 DE
TEXTB=DISASMA+&21E
OSWRCH=&F FEE
OSNEWL=8F FE7
OSRDCH=&F FEO
OSBYTE=&F FF4
IF D%=3 VDU2:PRINT' "PROGRAM"
REM
RELOCATABLE OISASSEMBL
ER SOURCE
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
FOR I%=0 TO D& STEP D%
PA=DISASM%
CopT 1%
LoAH229
LOX#2
Loy#0
JSR OSBYTE
\ESCAPE KEY GENERATES &18
=DISASM2 JSR OSNEWL
JSR KBIP
STA&76
JSR KBIP
STA&75
\MAIN LOOP
160
Disassembler
produce a misleading destination address.
Unrecognised bytes are designated Bug.
Type the program in as it stands and save
it, but do not run it. Set Page to &2500 by: !
PAGE = &2500
then load the program back in again. Run it
this time and enter 1100 if you are a disc
user; otherwise enter EOO as the assemble
address. You can then type:
* SAVE DISSA 1100 +600
or
* SAVE DISSA E00 +600.
Any time you want to use the
disassembler you now only need to load the
assembled code, not the source, etc. You
load the object code with:
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
500
510
520
530
540
550
560
570
580
590
600
610
HAN
620
MODE
630
640
650
660
670
680
690
700
710
720
730
740
750
760
770
780
790
800
810
820
830
840
850
860
870
880
890
900
910
»DOLOOP JSR OSNEWL
JSR D ‘
JSR D+7
JSR OSNEWL
JSR OSRDCH
CMPAR&D
\KEY FOR NEXT BLOCK
BEQ DOLOOP
CMPH27
\KEY TO EXIT TO BASIC=ESCAPE
BNE DISASM2
LDAH229
LOXx#0
LDY#O
JMP OSBYTE
\RE-ENABLE ESCAPE
RTS
2D LDAF30
\# OF LINES IN BLOCK =2 LESS 'T
\# OF LINES IN PRESENT SCREEN
STA&77
JSR D+20
JSR UPDATE
STA&75
STY&76
DEC&77
BMI .D-1
BNE D+4
JSR PRTADDR
LDA(875,X)
TAY
LSRA
BCC D+40
LSR A
BCS OPNT
CMPH&22
BEQ OPNT
ANDA7
ORA#&80
LSR A
TAX
LDA BTMSK,X
\OPCODE BIT MASK TEST BYTE
BCS KLM-8
LSR A
LSR A
LSR A
LSR A
ANDA&F
920 BNE KLM
930 \THAT WAS NO OPCODE (THAT WAS
MY WIFE!)
940 .OPNT LDY#&80
950 LDAAO
960 \CALCULATE LENGTH & MODE
970 .KLM TAX
980 LDA MOLEN,X
990 \ADDRESS MODE & LENGTH
1000 STA&71
* RUN DISSA
Operating the disassembler is a simple
matter of entering four digits. If, for
instance, you wished to start disassembling
at location &E00 you have to type OE00. All
locations are entered in hex so do not be
surprised if you try and enter a decimal
number and find that you are not
disassembling where you wanted too.
When you have typed the address, do not
press Return. The disassembler will display
31 lines of disassembled text and wait for
your command. Press Return to continue
where the disassembler left off, or press the
space bar to jump to another location to
change the disassemble address.
1010
1020
1030
1040
1050
1060
1070
108U
1090
1100
1110
1120
1130
1140
1150
1160
11470
1180
1190
1200
1210
1220
1230
1240
1250
1260
1270
1280
1290
1300
1310
1320
1330
1340
1350
1360
1370
1380
1390
1400
1410
1420
1430
1440
1450
1460
1470
1480
1490
1500
1510
1520
1530
1540
1550
1560
1570
1580
1590
1600
1610
ANDA3 Ty
STA&72
\GET COMPRESSED TEXT
»SNARF TYA
AND#A&8F
TAX
TYA
LDYAS
CPXH&BA
BEQ SNARFt22
LSR A
BCC SNARFt22
BNE SNARF+15
INY
DEY
BNE SNARF+11
PHA
\PRINT HEX OPCODE
«PRTOP LDA(&75),Y
JSR PRIBYTE
JSR SPACES-2
CPY&72
INY
BCC PRTOP
LDX#1
\PAD WITH SPACES
«PAD JSR SPACES
INY
LDX#S.
CPYAG
BCC PAD
PLA
TAY
LDA TEXTA,Y
\FIRST HALF OF TEXT
\@ LETTERS=2 BYTES)
STA&73
LDA TEXTB,Y
\SECOND HALF OF TEXT
STA&74
\CALCULATE MNEMONIC
»KEKMNM LDAHO
BNE KEKMNM+4
ADCA&SF
JSR OSWRCH
DEX
BNE KEKMNM
JSR SPACES-2
LDXA6
\CALCULATE EXIT
»KEXIT CPX#3
BNE PRTMODE
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
1620 LbY&72
1630 BNE CHKBRA
1640 ASL&73
1650 BCC PRTMODE
1660 LDA#&41
1670 BNE SPACES+2
1680 \CHECK TO.SEE IF BRANCH CALL
1690 \OR PRINT_MODE NEEDED
1700 .CHKBRA LDA&71
1710 CMPR&ES
1720 LDA(&75),Y
1730 BCS PRTBRA
1740 JSR PRTBYTE
1750 DEY
1760 BNE CHKBRA
1770 \PRINT ADDRESS MODE DETAILS
1780 .PRTMODE ASL&71
1790 BCC CHKBRA+32
1800 LDA ALEFT,X
1810 \OPEN ADDRESS MODE SYMBOL
1820 JSR OSWRCH
1830 LDA RIGHT,X
1840 \CLOSE ADDRESS MODE SYMBOL
1850 BEQ CHKBRA+32
1860 JSR OSWRCH
1870 DEX
1880 BNE KEXIT
1890 RTS
1900 \PRINT BRANCH ADDRESS
1910 .PRTBRA JSR UPDATE+3
1920 TAX
1930 INX
1940 BNE PRTBRA+8
1950 INY
1960 TYA
1970 JSR PRTBYTE
1980 TXA
1990 \PRINT HEX BYTE IN ACC
2000 .PRTBYTE PHA
2010 LSR A
2020 LSR A
2030 LSR A
2040 LsR A
2050 JSR PRTBYTE+9
2060 PLA
2070 AND#&F
2080 ORAK&30
2090 CMPR&3A
2100 BCC PRTBYTE+19
2110 ADCH6
2120 JMP OSWRCH
2130 \PRINT ADDRESS
2140 .PRTADDR JSR OSNEWL
2150 LDA&76
2160 LDX&75
2170 JSR PRTBRA+9
2180 \PRINT ONE SPACE
2190 LDx#1
2200 \PRINT (X) SPACES
2210 «SPACES LDAW&20
2220 JSR OSWRCH
2230 DEX
2240 BNE SPACES
2250 RTS
2260 \UPDATE POINTER ADDRESS
2270 UPDATE LDA&72
2280 SEC
Cassette box inserts.
10 REM CASSETTE BOX INSERTS by Ian Ma
sters. Sept 1983
20 REM
sic(Z80)
30
40 REM For use with MX100 Printer and
128 column paper.
50 REM The program will produce 6 cas
sette box inserts
60 REM per sheet of 128 col by 11 inc
h paper.
°70 REM Don't be tight, use good paper
8Qgsm+ and a good
80 REM ribbon, for best results.
90 REM Line 180 sets the line spacing
to 1/6".
100 REM Line 190 sets the emphasised m
ode ON.
in BBC Ba
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
2290 LDY&76
2300 TAX
2310 BPL UPDATE+9
2320 DEY
2330 ADC&75
2340 BCC UPDATE+14
2350 INY
2360 RTS
2370 \GET ADDRESS FROM
2380 \USER VIA KEYBOARD
2390 .KBIP JSR KBIP+3
2400 JSR TESTKEY
2410 ASL A
2420 ASL A
2430 ASL A
2440 ASL A
2450 LDYAS
2460 ROL A
2470 ROL&70
2480 DEY
2490 BNE KBIP+12
2500 LDA&70
2510 RTS
2520 \ENSURE KEY IS VALID HEX
2530 .TESTKEY JSR OSRDCH
2540 JSR OSWRCH
2550 cMP#830
2560 BMI TESTKEY+26
2570 CMPA&3A
2580 BCC TESTKEY+24
2590 CMPH&47
2600 BCS TESTKEY+26
2610 CMPA&41
2620 BCC TESTKEY+26
2630 SBCH7
2640 ANDA&F
2650 RTS
2660
2670 J
2680 NEXT
2690
2700 REM SET UP TEXT/OPCODE DATA
2710
2720 FOR X%=DISASM%+&180 TO DISASMX%
+825F STEPG
2730 READ!X%
2740 NEXT
2750
2760 REM DATA (MAINLY COMPRESSED TE
XT
2770 REM
2780
2790 DATA&03450240,&094008D0 , 833452
230, 809400800, 833450240, 809400800, 88
3450240, 809400800, 833442200, 800448CD
0, 833442211 ,89A448CD0, 8334422 10,8094
00800, 833442210, %094008D0
2800
2810 DATA&AI781362,&82812100,8&4D590
000 , 844869291 , 829209085, &2628232C, 82
6580059, &8A1C0026,&885D231C, &8A9DA11
B,&889D231D ,&291DA11D ,&AB69AE19, 8532
42319, &5324231B8,81 AQUAI19
2820
2830 DATA&69A55B5B,BAEAE2424 ,80029A
DAB, &9C15007C; &69AS9COD, 813845329, &6
9A51134,&62D8A023 ,86226485A, 84454889
4844685408, 4B49094E8, 884748408 ,8F47
AND OPCODES)
110
120 AS = STRINGS(40,"_")
130 BS = STRINGS(18," ")
140 C$ = STRINGS(19,"—")
150
160 a% = &20002: REM
print format.
170 REM VDU2
180 PRINT CHRS27;CHRE5O
190 PRINT CHRS27;CHRS69
200 FOR Z = 1702
210 PRINTAS;" “ZAS;“ "ZAS
220 FOR I = 1 T0 15
230 PRINT VepUE AM || SA Ta
240 PRINT I;8$;"|["7CS;" "7
250 PRINT 1;8$;"|";C$
260 NEXT I
270 PRINT:PRINT
set the
=,
« —SS
by Nicholas McCutcheon
46E28,8F2724ACC ,&AADOBAAS
2840
2850 DATA&7474A2A2 , 868447274 , 800823
282 ,8181B80022 ,&72722727, &CAC4C888, &4
4444826, &0000C8A2
2860
2870 IF D%=2 END
2880
2890 PRINT'"DATA™'
2900
2910 FOR XZ=DISASM%+&180 TO DISASM%
+&25F STEP16
2920 PRINT; "X%;"": “;
2930 FOR A%=0 TO 15
2940 PRINT; “AX2X%;" “;
2950 NEXT
2960 PRINT
2970 NEXT
2980 PRINT’ "END"
2990 vpoU3
3000
3010 REM ONCE THE PROGRAM IS TYPED
IN, SAVE IT ON TAPE FOR SAFETY. TO A
SSEMBLE THE PROGRAM, SET PAGE
TO A VALUE SUCH THAT THE ASSEMBLED C
ODE WILL NOT OVERWRITE THE
SOURCE CODE (BEAR IN MIND THAT IF YO
U DO NOT TYPE IN REMS,
3020 REM SPACES OR ASSEMBLER COMMEN
TS, WHICH ARE ONLY INCLUDED FOR EASE
OF USE, THE PROGRAM WILL RESID
E FROM PAGE TO PAGE+&1000 (INCLUDING
VARIABLES) SO THE LOWEST LOA
D ADDRESS WITHOUT RESETTING PAGE IS
&1£00 OR 7680 DECIMAL)
3030 REM AND *LOAD TO PAGE AND RUN.
THE "ADDRESS' PROMPT IS SELF-EXPLAN
ATORY, THE "LISTING' PROMPT R
EQUIRES "Y' OR 'N" (NOTE THAT THIS R
EFERS TO HARD COPY. IF YOU H
AVE NO PRINTER, ANSWER 'N' OR THE PR
OGRAM WILL APPEAR TO
3040 REM CRASH. IF YOU DO HAVE A PR
INTER, IT MUST ‘BE INITIALISED, AND R
EADY FOR A "VDU 2' COMMAND TO E
NABLE IT).
3050 REM TO ENTER THE DISASSEMBLER,
TYPE "CALL DISASMX%'. ENTER THE ADDR
ESS FROM ‘WHICH YOU WISH TO STAR
T DISASSEMBLING (BUT DO NOT PRESS RE
TURN). ONE PAGE OF DISASSEMBLE
D CODE WILL APPEAR. TO CONTINUE TO T
HE NEXT PAGE HIT RETURN,
3060 REM TO END AND EXIT TO BASIC H
IT ESCAPE, OTHERWISE HIT ANY OTHER K
EY, THEN TYPE IN THE NEW DISASS
EMBLY ADDRESS, WHEN A NEW PAGE OF DI
SASSEMBLED TEXT WILL APPEAR.
Cassette box
inserts
Of practical use to all cassette users is this
program originally designed for an Epson
MX-100 printer from lan Masters of Thet-
ford, Norfolk. The program will print out
six cassette box labels or inserts per run.
One requirement is that you have a
printer capable of printing 128 characters,
uncondensed. Use 128-column by /lin.
paper. Line 140 sets the line spacing to
1/6in. Line 150 sets the emphasised mode
On.
280 PRINTAS;" “ZAS;" “3 AS
290 FOR X = 16 TO 21
300 PRINT X;B$;“{";¢$;" ";
310 PRINT X;B8;"|";C$;" ";
320 PRINT X;B$;"| "3c
330 NEXT X
340 PRINT: PRINT
350 NEXT Z
360 REM VDU3
370 END
161
packaging
The First Name In
Computer Packaging
ile Datalife _—
VWORDFLOW
EERBSTRENIC OFFICE
SERVICES LIMITED
The Datalife People
DISK PRICES PER BOX OF TEN 1-3
5}” Mini Disks 2
MD525-01/10 SSSD/SSDD 18.79 18.30 17.84
MD550-01/10 DSDD 26.71 26.01 25.36
MD577-01/10SSQD 29.00 28.26 27.53
MD557-01/10 DSQD 35.07 34.16 33.30
Sottware
Presentation
Bax
8” DISKS
FD34-9000 SSSD 26SEC 128 BYTES/SEC 26.50 25.00 23.00
FD32-9000 SSSD 32SEC HOLES + 1
INDEX HOLE 26.00 25.00 24.00
FD 10-4008 DSSD 8SEC 512 BYTES/SEC 31.00 29.00 28.00
DD34-4001 D2TMDSDD UNINITIALISED 1
INDEX HOLE 31.00 28.50 27.00
Nvpelllpgsas
SS Nae : ‘'7, \Neare currently taking orders for the
= STOP PRESS = new 3” and3}” compact disks. Ring
s <> now for the best possible price.
Win)
f Flog
\ Maile. ,
~
OCT TTL UG ENANNNS
19 SHEEPCOTE ROAD HARROW MIDDLESEX
Ring us on 01-607 9938 for quotations on computer Telephone 01 863 0994/863 4463
presentation packs and sleeves printed in one to four colours.
@CircleNo.178 | @ Circle No. 179
Z80 second processor for
BBC Microcomputer with
SAGE 400 integrated
accounts program ¢ 375
+ VAT
=
GCC (Cambridge) Limited
66 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB2 4BG Trade and local authority enquirtes welcome.
Telephone: Cambridge (0223) 835330 Prices correct at time of going to press.
@ Circle No. 180
162 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
ALTHOUGH | GAVE you a graphing program
in February I am including another now
because it has a different approach. The
first one merely read in a series of values
and plotted them as x,y values wheareas
this one will allow the use to enter a
mathematical function and plots the values
of x against y. It will also allow points to be
joined. This has been sent to me by
M Jason Smith of Hemel Hempstead,
Hertfordshire.
I would like to take Mr Smith to task
over one point which is his commission of
> TANDY
by John Wellsman
Graphing
and he compounds his error by using it as a
subscript in an array. If you wish to use I
for your own programs which no one else
has to look at that is fine but when a
program has to be copied from a printout
makes it more difficult and liable to error.
While in a correcting mood, I would also
mention that I have had to reject a good
game program because the author, who
sent us a tape, used a separate line for every
command, resulting in a Jong thin listing
which would have taken a page to
the unforgiveable sin of using 1 as a variable | error.
Sort routine.
10 CLEARSOOO
20 DEFSTRA:DEFINTR-L,N-W, Z:DIM
GH a e USe el CLe ESE ieee). FS
(50), X1(20), Y1 (20) tJ=0
30 CLS: QW=1:GOSUB450
40 =VARPTR(Z$) = P=ARS(P) :
L=PEEK (P+1) +Z256*PEEK (B+2) :B=L+zZ
SO DATA=, 213, +, 205, —, 206, *, 207, /, 208,
{, 209, SGN, 215, INT, 216, ABS, 217, SOR, 221,
RND, 222, LOG, 223, EXP, 224, COS, 225, SIN, 226
, TAN, 227, ATN, 228, RND, 222, FIX, 242
60 FOR I4=1TO6:READF1I$ (1%),
FicCI%) tNEXT I*:FORI4Z=1 T0135: READ
F2é(1I%), F2¢(I%) sNEXTIX
70 CLS: PRINT PRINT: PRINT, "Graphing
Program" = PRINT, "By Jason
Smith” = PRINT 2 PRINT
8O PRINT, "F - Function (graph)”
390 PRINT, "P —- Point”
100 PRINT, "C - Clear Axis”
110 PRINT, "S Save Graph”
120 PRINT, "JS Join Points”
130 PRINT, "M Menu”
140 PRINT, "X Exit”
150 PRINT, "I Inst ructions”
160 GOTO 210
170 CLStA=" "+CHR$(129)+”"
"Z:PRINT@G448, ;
180 FORD=17T012:PRINTA+”
"s tNEXTDIPRINTA;: :PRINT@S1, ;
130FORD=1 7015: PRINTCHRS (136)
+CHRS (24) +CHR$ (26) 5 ?NEXTD
200 IFQW=1 THEN QW=0: RETURN
210 AS=INKEYS
22061=61+1: TFGI=STHENPRINTCO,
CHR (140) ;
230 IFGI=10THENG1I=O:PRINT@O,” "3
240 IFAS=""THENZ10
250 PRINT@O," "3iG1=0
260 IFAS="F"GRAS="F" THENSSO
Z70T FAS="S"ORAG="5" THENQR=1 :
GOSUBS9O:GOTOZ10
280 IFAS="P"0RAS="p" THENSSO
290 IF AS="T"ORAS="i "THENSIO
SOOTFAS="C"ORAS="c"THENCLS:
QW=1:GOSURL70:G0TOZ10
Sido IFAS="X"ORAS="x" THEN
POKEP+1, 147: CLS*END
320 IFAS="J"ORAS="9"THEN 650
330 IFAS="M"GRAS="m" THEN 70
340 GOTOZ1IO
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
reproduce.
S50) CES
360 D$="":PRINTG@O, "Function
"s :PRINT@64, ""s SINPUTFS: 13%=1:F OR
D=1TO LEN(FS) :IFASC (MIDS (FS, D,1)))>96
AND ASC (MIDS(F$,D,1)) (1235
THEND$=D$+CHRS (ASC (MIDS (FS, D, 1))~-3) ENE
XTDIELSE DS=DS$+MID$ (FS, D, 1) «NEXTD
370 FS=DS
380 FOR I%=1 TOLEN(FS$) :FORIZ%=1 T0133:
IFMIDS(F$, 1%, 3) =F2$(12%) THEN
FSC(I3%) =F 2¢124%) :1S*=13441:1T4=14%+22:NEXTI
“*ASELSE NEXTI2Z%
SSOFORI14=1TO6: IFMIDS (FS, 1%, 1)
=Fi$S(11%) THENTFSCIS*) =F 1 C1TL%) tI SGK=ISK+1
: NEXTI2Z:ELSE’ NEXTII%
400 F4x=ASC (MIDS (FS, 14, 1)) 2 IFF4%)=35
AND F4%¢(=30 THEN FSC(IS4) =F44: 1 S4=154%4+1
410 NEXTI*
420 FORI*=1TOIS*%-12POKEP+I4A, FSCI%) &
NEXTIA: POKEP+I 4, S88 POKEP+2L4+1%, 147
430 1TFOR=1 THENQ@B=0:CLS:FORG=O0OTO1S:
PRINTGS (G) s SNEXTGIELSEQW=1 *GOSUBI70
440 PRINT@O, ""::FOR X=-6TO6STEP 0. OS
450 Z$=""sREM=X#3:REM4:
REM
460 IFQW=1 THENGW=0 5s RETURN
470 IF Y>) 7ORY<(-7THEN GOTOS10
460 X1=10*8X+62. 5
490 Y1=-S#Y+22.5
ores ESS ap Gal” avalos
S10 NEXTX
ie) OGG pre ee)
SSOCLS:PRINT@O, "Point. "si
BPRINT@64,""sS INPUT X,Y
S401 FOR=1 THENOG=0: CLS: FORG=O0TO1IS:
BRINTG$(G):°NEXTG ELSE QW=1:GOSUB170
SSO X1L=1O0*#X+62.5
S60 Yi=-3#Y+22.5
mae SET Xela)
330 GOTO 210
590 Gh=""
BOOFORI=07TO15: G=VARPTR(G$) =: POKEG, 64:
POWEG+1, 64% CI-INT(I/4) #4) = POKEG+2, 1/4
+60
610
620
630
640
6550
66e
IF IT=15THEN GS=LEFTS$(G6$, 63)
GS (1) =64
NEXT I
RETURN
CLS
PRINT" Jaining Points”
(continued on next page)
163
: >TANDY
(continued froin previous page}
670 PRINT: PRINT
680 INBUT"How many points”;PO
690 FURPI=i1TOPG
7OO PBRINTUSING’ (££) -
“sPis:INPUTX1(P1), V1(PL)
710 NEXTPL
720
TFOG=1 THENGO=0 :FORG=0T015: PRINTGS(G) s:N
EXTG ELSE GW=1:GOSUBI17O
750 FOR Pi=i1TOeo
740 IF X1 (61) (-6GRX1 (P1)>6THENSBO
730 IF Y1i(P1) (-7ORY1 (P1)> 7THENS8O
76OX1=1LO#X1 (1) +62. S:VL=—-3¥Y¥1 (P11)
422.35
770 ITFSi=60 THEN
X2=108X1(1)+62. 5: Y2=-Se¥ Yi (1)4+22. 5:
GOTOG730
7FBOXZ=10"X1 (Pi+1) +62. 5:Y
~S¥YL(P141)422.5
790 IFX2() XI THEN8Z0
800 IFY1) YZTHENS=-1ELSES=1
BLOF ORY=YiTOYZSTEPS:SET(X1,Y):
NEXTY: GOTG880
820 M=(¥Y2-Y1)/ (X2-X1)
830 IFABS (M)) 1S=ABS (1/M) ELSES=1
840 IFX1)>X2LETS=—-S
850 FORX=X1iTOX2STEPS
B60 SET(X, M*(X-X1)+Y1)
870 NEXTX
Reinforce.
io CLS: PRINT@19, CHR (25) "RE-INFORCE”:
BRINT@76, ;"RY STERHEN
DANIELS” +PRINT@Z62, "DD YOU NEED
INSTRUCTIONS"
20 AS=INKEYS:IF AS="" THEN 20 ELSE IF
At="Y" THEN GOSUE 200
SQ CLS‘sA=RND (120) =B=RND (17) &
SET (9, BR) FOR I=o TO
L127 °SET(I,O) *SET(I, 47) tNEXT ITtFOR I=0
HORA ISEh MO AO MSE Iie. RINE Xx IcroR
L=oo TU 7S: Sen Gh, Le) Sen Cl, 28) NEXT
T:FOR 1-18 FO Z8:SET
Noo es SEN Si ak) INE K ce
40 X=63:Y=25'XX=1:YY=1:0N ERRGR GOTO
140
SO KXL=X:Yi=YiPRINT@1 ZO, Vs sX=X+XXi IF
POINT“*X,Y) THEN XX=—-XX= RESET (X, Y) <GUT
255,6:0UT 255, 08:X=X1
60 Y=Y+YY!tIF POINT (X,Y) THEN
YY=-YY!RESET (X,Y) QUT 255, 6:0UT
SS, Ory=Vvi
7G) REISE Je MOXR Vet eaicsta iT) EXiay >
SO VeV+1:iG=PEEK (14400)
90 Al=A:Hi=Bi IF G)1i28 THEN
G=G-1278:L=1
100 IF G= Be THEN A=A-1 ELSE IF G=64
THEN A=A+1
tio IF G=16 THEN B=k+i ELSE IF G=8
THEN B=B—-}
120 IF L=1 THEN L=0:RESET(A, B) :G0TO 50
130 TF BOINT(A, BR) THEN A=A1!B=B1:G0TO
50 ELSE SET(A,B):GOTO So
Loe eKOmoRceN a (OR -¥ <0 OR Y27
164
880 NEXTP1:GOTO0Z10
BS9OCLS: PRINT" Instructions. ":
PRINT:PRINT
300 PRINT" {F) : Enter a Function of
the form Y=xX"
3910 PRINT” Commands allowed :-
+-=*/0E SGN INT ABS S@R RND"
320 PRINT” LOG EXP COS SIN TAN
ATN RND FIX”
330 PRINT" EG. Y=ZeX+5,
Y=SIN(X)/4, Y=INT(X)+X02"
940 PRINT" (PB) =: Blot a Point. Enter
(X,Y) Values."
3950 BRINT"(J) = Join up Points. Enter
the Number of Points wanted”
960 PRINT” then enter the (X,Y)
values.”
370 PRINT" (S) +: Saves the Axis in an
array with all graphs and”
3980 PRINT” points plotted.”
330 PRINT" (C) : Clears Axis of all
graphs and points.”
1000 PRINT" (X) «+ Exit. ALWAYS exit
program with this command.”
1010 PRINT
1020 PRINT”Press (NEW LINE) toa
Contine. ";
10350 IFINKEYS$=""THEN1O30
1040 GOTG7O
Reinforce
Children start programing at an _ in-
credibly early age — the other day I heard
of a boy of six writing games in Basic,
though this may not be exceptional. The
writer of the game Reinforce is of a fairly
advanced age — 13 no less, almost past his
prime. He is Stephen Daniels from Pinner
in Middlesex. Instructions are included in
the program, which is very neat for this type
of game.
THEN RESUME i150 ELSE
ASALIR=BisSET(A, Bk) s RESUME So
150 LS:IPRINT@19, "REINFORCE": PRINTEe
272, "ESCAPED IN'V
160 IF VW THEN W=V:i PRINT@S35, "BEST
SEGRE YEURS"ELSE PRENT@SSS, UBEST
SCGRE "WwW
170 PRINT@S17, "PRESS ENTER FOR NEW
GAME”
180 AS=INKEYS:1F AS<>CHRS(13) THEN 180
ELSE V=0:G0OTO 10
200 CLStPRINT”’THE IDEA OF THE GAME 1S
TOG SEE HOW LONG YOU CAN KEEP THE
BOUNCING DOT FROM ESCAPING FROM THE
SCREEN. TO STOP THE DOT BUILD WALLS
WITH THE FOUR ARROW KEYS. TO ERASE A
LINE WHEN YOU BOX YOURSELF IN, HOLD
DOWN THE SPACE BARWHILE YOU";
220 PRINT" MOVE" SPRINTS PRINT”
PRESS SPACE BAR TO START”
250 AS=INKEYS!TF A=" " THEN RETURN
ies, 2059) 2
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
RAFPAD
.for as many uses
as YOU |
can imagine!
AMS BRL LG SR
‘
i
(The above designs were drawn by a 12-year-old at our
showrooms!)
@ DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOMED
» SPECIAL DISCOUNTS FOR EDUCATIONAL
AUTHORITIES
BRITISH MICRO
A HEGOTRON GROUP COMPANY
Unit Q2; Penfold Works,
Imperial Way, Watford, HERTS WD2 4YY
> TEL: (0923) 48222. TELEX: 946024
%
BBC MODEL 2 2espP
PPAARAKRADE PsA
JWIVIVLJUIUAG. OF
With Grafpad you can now add a new dimension to your
computer enjoyment, but most important, it helps you
create your own application programmes by the simple use
of the Grafpad!
The Grafpad comes complete with a cassette comprising
two programmes.
THE FIRST PROGRAMME
displays the co-ordinates of your screen area. The
co-ordinates are based on the screen with a grid size of
~S6. 1023 x 1279 pixel, also in the Grafpad giving you a grid
N size of 320 x 256 pixels!
\
PN
= THE SECOND PROGRAMME
provides you with the utilities for circles,
squares, triangles, free-hand, erasing
line-drawing etc, and of course, full
oN “Fill-in” facility in 16 different colours by
ty the simple use of the pen!
q _ . Draw from a simple apple to a computer
mN circuit - store in cassette or disk;
perhaps transfer direct to a
printer - in black and white
or full glorious colour!
Purchase unique C.A.D. (Computer Aided
Designs) programme and add further enjoyment
and professionalism to your computer designs!
The Grafpad comes complete with Operational Manual,
Programmes, The Grafpad and Pen and it simply plugs
in your computer.
(Size: 25mm height x 55mm width x 260mm depth)
Weight: 1.2 kg (Gross)
HOW TO ORDER:
BY TELEPHONE: BY POST:
If you are an American Express, Simply fill in the coupon, enclosing
Barclaycard, Diners Club or Access your cheque/PRO. made payable to:
Card Holder simply telephone us giving BRITISH MICRO, or use the special
your Card No., Name, Address and section tor Credit Card Holders, and
item(s) required and your orders will be post to the address below.
dispatched within 48 hours! Please allow 14 days for delivery.
Post to: BRITISH MICRO, UNIT Q2, PENFOLD WORKS 1
IMPERIAL WAY, WATFORD, HERTS. WD2 4YY |
Please send me Grafpad for:
[_] BBC MODEL 2 LJ] SINCLAIR SPECTRUM
(Please tick)
Qty. = I Item :
} Grafpad Compiete
| C.A.D. Programme
L_]COMMODORE 64 |
| Ex.VAT Jinc. VAT] Total |
[125.00 [£143.75 |
si £18.00 | £20.70 |
Postage, Packing & Insurance | £5.00
lenclose my cheque/PO, for£........ glee £ |
| prefer to pay with my American Express, Barclaycard, Diners, Access Card |
(Please cross out whichever is not applicable) ( bS
CARD NO. ss |
SIGNATURE = : : —
NAME |
ADDRESS =e — |
Address above must be the same as card holder.
PC4/84
eo fieanla Aln OLCL
Ph*whelliarsWerba@Meaetictweele)
Rami 1 ieee CALL
In today’s fast moving businéss world, screen and a dot matrix microprinter. A microcassette
your information has to move with you. Over facility is available as an optional extra.
the past few years there has been an A complete computer that will either stand on
increasing demand for a totally portable its own or could be the obvious extension to
computer with the ability to meet so many your existing system.
challenges. ‘ErSsan?
; : : More and more people are
Epson, with over 20 years experience in finding out just how big the small
designing and manufacturing high quality compact TEX. 20 is WEE aan eee
printers, have produced the HX-20, a fin do é Y es
is? é ae. out for yourself — you owe it
precision machine with its own rechargeable G vets Bolen
power supply that can be used for just about 2 a
any task within todays discerning business;
from data capture to word processing, from
card ery ee ea a. ; | EPSON | O Please send me full details of the HX-20. |
e HX-20 wi e acoustic coupler
has transformed it from being just ar . | O Please ask my Epson dealer to contact me.
portable computer into a powerful commun- Extraordinary product.
ications terminal for sending and receiving Exceptional quality.
personal telexes, electronic mail and
Name
Position, oar ae
|
|
|
|
|
communicating with other computer systems. ae ESL ae a | Compra
Don't be fooled by its size, the HX-20 has sales EXulitios: Freefone EPSON. Y
all the software back-up you'd expect froma —_ General Enquiries: 01-902 8892. | “A@lress
much larger machine and incorporates many _ Telex: 8814169.
“bigger computer’ features — 16k RAM |
expandable to 32k with serial interfaces, a full Tel:
size typewriter keyboard, it's own built in LCD i le pas eS, Peano _|
wae Ae ® Circle No. 181
:
Keyboard sup
AN EARLIER Atari column included a sector-
by-sector disc-copying program. In spite of
the flippant headline — well, it was meant
to be humorous — this was not a recipe for
piracy. As was stressed at the time, the
program would not, and was not intended
to, copy protected commercial discs, but
was for information only. However, it did
raise a certain amount of interest in
techniques for protecting programs.
In fact Atari programs are not easy to
protect if you want to stop them from being
copied. However, more likely you just want
to prevent children from deliberately
crashing programs, or perhaps stop people
from reading your code — especially if
your Basic looks as uncouth as mine.
With joystick-operated programs, the
first obvious step is to disable the keyboard.
It is very easy: just use
POKE 16,255
However, the the Break and System Reset
keys still offer ways into the program.
Disabling the Break key is harder,
because Print statements to the screen re-
enable it, as do printing to the screen using
Open and S: or E:. There is also the 6502’s
Interrupt Request to be disabled. The
minimum you can try is
POKE 16,64:POKE 53774,64
You Poke both locations with 192 for a re-
enable.
Then there is the System Reset key.
Someone has published a routine in
Compute!, June 1983, page 254, which
effectively disables it. The program works
by putting a Run statement on the screen
Blinking Atari.
99 REM *** DEMO PROGRAM 4%
100 GOSUB 9000
when System Reset is pressed, then using
Poke 842,12 to do a read from screen, and
thus rerun the program. It is incredibly
tedious. \
A less friendly technique is simply to use
Poke 580,1, known as Coldstart or,
colloquially, The Plug. With any non-zero
number in this location, pressing System
Reset simply dumps the program. There is
no automatic reboot.
More amusing is to change all the vari-
ables in the program. When you type in a
variable name, the Atari puts it in a table.
Each time the name is used after that,
instead of remembering the name, Basic
just remembers which position it occupies
in the Variable Name table, VNT. This,
of course, is how Basic allows long,
meaningful variable names such as
Totalsalaries without incurring an over-
head in memory. It also means that once
the program is finished you can change the
names in the table.
The pointer to the start of the VNT is
held in locations 130 and 131 decimal, while.
locations 132 and 133 hold the end. Soitisa
simple matter to Peek the start and end of
the table, then Poke another character into
each location in between. For example
FOR VNAME = PEEK(130) +
PEEK(131) * 256 TO PEEK(132) +
PEEK(133) * 256:POKE VNAME,155:NEXT
VNAME
In this case, CHR$(155) has been chosen
because it is the Return character, which
makes the resulting listing pretty hard to
follow. However, any character can be
REM *** DEFINE 2 CHAR-SETS AND START BLINK ROUTINE £%%
RAMTOP=106
MYTOP=PEEK (RAMTOP) —-8: POKE RAMTOP, MYTOP
GRAPHICS 0:7? "WAIT";
REM **% setup chseti «4%
REM CHSET1 POINTS TO THE NORMAL CHAR-SET IN ROM AT PAGE 224
CHSET 1=224: CHMEM1=CHSET1%256
REM «8k setup chset2 4st
REM CHSET2 POINTS TO A CHARSET WITH SPACES FOR LOWERCASE CHARS
CHSET 2=MY TOP: CHMEM2=CHSET2%256
FOR I=0 TO 511:POKE CHMEM2+1, PEEK (5734441):NEXT I
FOR I=CHMEN24+512 TO CHMEM24+1023:POKE 1,0:NEXT I
REM **K page 6 charset blink routine *%%
FOR 1=1540 TO 1606:READ J:POKE I,J:NEXT I:REM data 9500/9530
POKE 1538, CHSET1:REM normal
POKE 1539,CHSET2:REM includes spaces for lowercase chars etc
POKE 1549,25:REM flash delay
K=USR(1580):REM switch on the routine
REM to switch the routine off either use K=USR(1596) or RESET
RETURN
DATA 206, 0, 4, 173, 0, &, 208, 29, 169, 20, 141, 0, 6, 238, 1,6, 173,1
DATA 6,201, 2, 208,5, 169, 0, 141,1,4,174,1, 6, 189, 2,6, 141, 244
DATA 2,76, 98, 228, 104, 169, 0, 141, 1,4, 142, 4, 160, 4, 169, 7,32, 92
DATA 228,96, 104, 162, 228, 160, 98, 149, 7, 32, 92, 228, 94
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
used instead, just by in the
ATASCII code.
lf you have easier ways to protect Basic
programs, please share details with the rest
of us.
Poking
Before.
{ REM THIS PROGRAM REPLACES
REM THE VARIABLE NAMES
REM WITH CARRIAGE RETURNS
REM CHRS$ (155)
REM
10 JELLO=2
20 MORE=5
30 PRINT MGRESJELLO
40 FOR VNAME=PEEF (130) +PEEK (12134254 TO
PEEK (132) +PEEK (133) #256
50 POKE VNAME, 155
60 NEXT VNAME
WP
After.
REM THIS PROGRAM REPLACES
REM THE VARIABLE NAMES
REM WITH CARRIAGE RETURNS
REM CHR¢ (155)
¢
QO PRINT
1
2
3
4
S REM
i
>,
x
$
40 FOR
=PEEK (130) +PEEK (131}#256 TO PEEK (132) +PE
EK (133) 4256
50 POKE
S155
40 NEXT
70 LiST
a s a
Blinking Atari
Nick Pearce of St. Leonards on Sea, East
Sussex, points out that the Atari lacks a set
of flashing characters, and he supplies a
short machine-code routine to provide
them. The machine code lives in page 6 of
RAM, and is executed during the vertical
blank period, VBlank, 50 times per second.
It works by switching between two char-
acter sets at a rate controlled by a delay
counter.
The demonstration program uses the
normal character set in ROM, and one in
RAM that has space characters instead of
lower-case letters and graphics. This makes
these characters flash.
After running the program, Nick
suggests using Poke 1549, 10 to increase the
flash rate, and
POKE CHMEM2 + 135,255
to underline all the zeros. The results are
very impressive. Once initiated, the routine
will continue until disabled by
K = USR(1596)
or by pressing System Reset. B
167
Put some colour into
your printing
without going into the red
Actual print sample
The new PRISM impact matrix printers let you put colour
into your printed output, at a cost you can afford.
Both the PRISM 80-column and the PRISM-132 column
make most single colour printers look pale by comparison.
CZ Added versatility: the four basic PRIS printers.
colours (black, cyan, magenta and
yellow) Si; also be ae precisely They brighten up your day.
to give up to 144 different shades.
CO Correspondence quality at 110 cps.
ZC High quality draft printing at 200 cps.
C84 x 84 dpi high resolution graphics
capability.
CZ Staggered 9-wire print head — ideal
for precision word processing
applications.
2 Bi-directional printing to maximise
throughput.
CZ Proven reliability.
O Selectable automatic justification and
character sizes.
ZC] Optional manual and automatic 1 Compatable interfaces to most micros Dealer Enquiries
sheet feeding. including Apple, IBM and Sirius. Welcomed.
Teleprinter Equipment Ltd.
A iz Akeman Street, Tring, Herts. HP23 6A]. Telephone: Tring (0442 82) 4011/5551
International Telephone: + 44 44282 4011/5551. Telex: 82362
gro Regional Sales and Service: Manchester (061-626) 3371.
Associated Companies GADC/CAE/ME
CAE Group. UK distributors for computer peripherals from General Electric, Geveke, GNT. Integral Data Systems, Navtel. NEC, Mitsui,
Qume, Silver Reed, Spectron Northern Telecom, Teleray, Teletype and Texas Instruments.
@ Circle No. 182
168 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
YOUR MICRO IN CONTROL WITH OUR
aa F COMPUTER
Sian oC
An easy-to-build, inexpensive Add-on for aity micro equipped
with a parallel Printer Port or User Port (with + 5V supply).
This unit provides eight independently controllable power
switches under software management. The article contains
full, easy-to-follow constructional and testing details. There are
software examples for the RM380Z and VIC-20 Micro-
computers for controlling model train speed and direction.
EVERYDAY po oe
and computer PROJECTS
and computer PROJECTS | ISSUE 90p ON SALE 16th MARCH
Work on your own
where you're
not alone
A place where you can set up alone or start a busi-
ness or open a branch office and not have to worry
about who answers the phone when you re out
And the location gives swift access to M4/M3 motor-
ways, the North Circular. the Underground. British
Rail and Heathrow Airport in a leafy environment
with the Thames nearby
It's London without the hassle
UNITS FROM 100 SQ. FT. AT £28 pw.
INCLUSIVE
Call in, phone or write: Barley Mow Workspace,
10 Barley Mow Passage, Chiswick, London
W4 4PH. Telephone 01-994 6477.
yin.
Fe) =
. oe
@ Circle No. 184
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
QUALITY B14" FLOPPY DISKS
Take our choice of three top quality brands — BASF, Wabash or
Xidex. C/WP has tested most available disks and offers these as the
best value for money, combining reliability, with low prices.
Single-sided, single-density (100k) & l 3
Single-sided, double-density (200k) & l 7
Double-sided, double-density (400k) & 2 2
Double-sided, quad-density (800k) & 2 9
Includes VAT per box of 10.
~~
FLOPPY DISKS STORAGE BOXES
Aneat box with transparent lockable cover to hold up to 35
disks. With the top off the disks are presented as in a card
index. A larger version will hold up to 80 disks.
Small size &14 Large size £19 inc VAT
LISTING PAPER
H12 viz
2000 sheets fanfold listing paper 9 inch or 14 inch. VAT
SELF ADHESIVE LABELS
1,2 or 3 across. Per thousand. & 5 inc VAT
C/WP Computers
Willow House Willow Place
London SW1P1JH
Telephone 01-828 9000
Please send me details of/1 enclose cheque/Access/
Barclaycard ( No.)
for & andamordering* <
\_: OC Floppy Disks (size )______C) Listing Paper/Labels :
> (CStorage Boxes (size)... [J Ribbons__._———?
OO —— ae EY
Address 2
EE
*Delete where applicable Delivery charge £3.00 :
.
Sete seers ree sess eee eeeeeeseeeEseneeeeseseHesesseetes®
e@ Circle No. 185
169
LX TheNo.I 5
FootballGame
Football Manager
Designed by Kevin Toms
Some of the features of the game:
* Matches in 3D graphics
* Transfer market * Promotion and
relegation * FA. Cup matches *
Injury problems * Full league
tables * Four Divisions , |
MICRO TO MICRO
FILA TRANSFER
SYSTEM
* Pick your own team
foreach match. * As
many seasons as you
like * Managerial
rating * 7 skill levels
* Save game facility.
H H ' * 2X81 Chart
IC ive Home Computing Weekly
1.8.83 ond 141/83.
vast Camments cbout the game from press and our customers
is aa A y “FOOTBALL MANAGER is the best game | have yet seen on the
Li Spectnui
—SWAP—-SWAP-—
“Get your microcomputers
talking to each other!”
SWAP allows you to transfer any programs and data between 2 computers of
different manufacture. SWAP consists of 2 floppy disks and a cable configured
for your 2 chosen computers. Any combination is available from:
IBM PC Apple (CP/M) Tandy II (CP/M)
Sirius DEC Rainbow Comart Communicator
Apricot ICL PC Epson QX10
Superbrain Ralr ECS 4500
Televideo North Star Advantage
mand my personal favounte of all the games on any micro... To the ordinary The price of SWAP is £158 (£135 plus VAT and postage and packing). Please
Person it is an excellent view of what can be done in the field of computer gomes specify your computers when ordering.
The crowning glory of this game Is tne short set pieces of match highlights which show Ilflle
stick men running around a pitch, shooting, defending and scoring ._ . tis a compuisive
game but people who cannot toke game sessions of 9 hours or so, which happened on one
happy Sundoy, will be grateful to know that there is a ‘save fo tape’ option, FOOTBALL
MANAGER has everything itcould . The originator, Addictive Games. certainty deserve the
name.” Rating: 19/20 (Practical Computing — August 1983)
From software stockists nationwide, inc @ WHSMITH ®
Pr 5 £6,9: id
a Reon 40K S98 Dealers! For urgent stocks send
8 30 GRAPHICS ARE NOTINCLUOED ee We Ce your Pee noapaper direct to
Overseas orders odd t? 50 BOURNEMOUTH BH2 6HE
MERCATOR COMPUTER SYSTEMS LTD
3 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 INU. " “-
Telephone: (0272) 731079 MERCAV CIR
Telex 44220 Comtel Ref 247 COMPUTER®SYSTEMS
@ Circle No. 183 ® Circle No. 187
MICRO OM ICE!!
Practical Electronics MICROSTEPPER— ‘Oe
“Freeze Frame’ your micro, instruction by
instruction, to see what’s going on during
educational and debugging exercises.
TRANSPUTER
BREAKTHROUGH
British design enabling a
great step forward in
technology. PE takes a
Close look at this single
chip processor capable of
10 MIPS with memory
expansion of up to 4G
bytes. Find out more about
this revolutionary process-
ing system...
PRACTICAL
ELECTRONIC
APRIL ISSUE 90p ON SALE NOW
170 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
SPECIAL OFFER for CBM64
Digital clock
Mixpossibility of 80-column screen with Hires
CBM64-screen (also in colour)
Grafic pictures; can be switchedto background
Upper fine can be locked (for comments etc} |
Adjustable line spacing for greater clarity on |
text screens
FREE ADDED!: Sophisticated Wordprocessor
with extended manual
{inferior) imitations
of ZERO-products!
Pe”
fd -=26
- a
. guyusimg Caigains forVIC20a
ro \ettuaey
SILVER REED EXP 500
The ulitimate in reliability. Approximately 12 cps. Superscript,
\ subscript and all WordStar features. Daisywheels available from
Tum your VIC 20 Into a protessional CARD WI © aa aad chee Lead 4 W.H. Smiths, Ryman etc.
40 or 80 columns instead of 22, very sharp and4 £ 55.95 @ Canbe easily connected to your computer 2 £31
stable picture, Try it out withoul obligation! Control sottware in EPROM £ 6.50
5599
With 5 slots, fully buffered, ‘ 16k 32k AB :
switches for deselecting siots, } par. input - par, output £06 £ 98 ine VAT —
and on-board power supply ‘ serial Input - par. oulpul £94 £109
VIC 20 £2095 % CBM64 £26.95
e All pricesexclude VAT. Shipping costs £1.50
« Supplier to schools, universities and
government departments
* We have good documentation of all our
products, free of charge.
* All equipment can be tried out without SILVER REED EX 44
obligation; if returned undamaged within
E L E CT R 0 H | C $ 10 days, you only pay postage and packing Well known typewriter with manufacturer supplied interface.
costs.
149 KINGSTREET + GT.YARMOUTH NR3O 2PA + TEL:(0493)- 2023 Service available from 250 warranty centres.
(NASH HOUSE)
— @ Circle No. 189 | £379
BAIN TBO ot |
[eX || =
e
apricot VIC 20/Commodore 64 interface & cable £49.
Apple interface & cable £72.
BBC cable £18. IBM PC cable £21. 2k Serial buffers £49. 16k
ts
JUKI 6100 PRINTER
18 cps, proportional spacing. Uses Triumph Adler daisywheels and
Serial or Parallel £79, £109.
C/WP Computers
Willow House Willow Place
London SW1P1JH
Telephone 01-828 9000
seosee @eeseereevessecce Cr
°
oy
COMPU TIDIRS
Please send me details of/I enclose cheque/Access/
Also OSBORNE and EPSON Barclaycard (No. )_
SYSTEMS Sexrso Ome OM
: — Accessories. :
17 WEST BAR BANBURY ee
: Telephi :
OXON. (0295) 65023 : *Delete where applicable ‘a Delivery charge £9.00
a, ee
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 171
This man can use...
46 Microcomputers 6 Word Processors
16 Printers 2 Mini Computers
..all without leaving his seat!
Clearway
is alow cost Networking device allowing
ALL minis, micros, printers, mainframes etc.
to communicate with each other.
@ From £150 per conniezeirinotia)
@ Nocontroller needed.
@ Easy installation
@ Connects any hardware device through an RS232 interface
@ Up to 99 nodes on the same ring
@ File sharing software available
@ Enables printer sharing
@ Has special hunting feature
@ Other models available
@ Over 3000 nodes currently installed
@ Manufactured and supported in UK
Mail the coupon now for full information
Real Time Developments Limited, Lynchford House, Lynchford Lane, Farnborough,
Hampshire GU14 ie Telephone: Farnborough (0252) 546213 Telex: 858893 Fete! G
lam interested in Clearway — the low cost Networking device, please | |
send me details
Telephone
Send to: Real Time Devélopnients
Lynchford House, Lynchford Lane, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6JA
Telephone: Farnborough (0252) 546213 Telex: 858893 Fletel G
ee ee
@ Circle No. 191
ee ee ee
>
a
a
a
oO
wn
i)
We
Isn't it time you stopped
running your computer
at printer speed?
In ten seconds, your computer can output
enough print data to keep your printer busy
for five minutes, or longer.
Instead of waiting around for the printer,
you could install a print buffer, and free your
computer for its next task in seconds.
Print buffers take care of the printing
— and the waiting. And the more you print,
the more time a buffer will save.
Buffers for any combination of micro and printer/
plotter. Internal buffers for Epson printers; Apple
Computers. ‘In-line’ buffers for IBM PC, Sirius,
Commodore 20/40/80 series, Super Brain, BBC,
Tandy, etc.
Data transfer in RS232c serial, Centronics-
parallel, IEEE-488 formats. Protocol conversion.
RAM sizes from 2K to 256K.
A>Line Computer Systems
1 Church Farm Lane,
Willoughby Waterleys,
Leicestershire LE8 3UD.
Telephone:
Peatling Magna (053 758) 486
Talk to the specialists.
We have the answers.
® Circle No. 192
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
& commodore
The natural development for
Commodore 64 users
If you want to unlock the full potential of your Superbase 64 — The complete information
disk-based Commodore 64, you need Superbase 64 control system for the Commodore 64.
— the complete records -handling system that puts From the authors of Easy Script
business-style power and practicality at your .
fingertips.
Invoices/Finance & Banking/Membership/
Collections/Recipes/Personal Filing/Stock/ Precision Software Ltd.
Prospects/Management Accounts/Car Fleet 6 Park Terrace, Worcester Park,
Records and many, many more! Surrey, KT4 7JZ
Superbase 64 solves a host of filing problems Precision Telephone: 01-330 7166
with its easy record formatting, powerful indexing Software Telex: 8955021 PRECIS G
and sorting, extensive outputting options, and its
‘Superbasic’ programming capability.
And Superbase 64 comes with a simple-to- | Complete your Commodore 64 - Complete the coupon
follow manual and audio-learning cassette APR se.
so you'll have no trouble getting the _
benefits straight away.
More information on Superbase 64 is available from Commodore
Dealers, Major Retailers or from Precision Software direct.
a
“The compete y
_Systeth for’ information conti
ie fPr'the Commodore
4
2)
/ oS
ON
Isn't it about
time you considered
an interface system
for data acquisition
and process control?
A system versatile
enoush to link up
with most popular
micro-computers,
= capable of doing several jobs
at once but simple enough to.be used by
even the most junior member of staff.
Itis?
Then meet the
missing link: The
“Rexagan” Family.
Designed and
developed by ICI to
meet the widely
varying needs of
our own scientists
and engineers, The
“Rexagan” Family
has been tried and
tested by leading
computer
manufacturers
Commodore and
proved to be one
of the most versatile
and integrated interface systems available.
So, which member of the “Rexagan”
Family is right for your requirements?
Well, if all you call for is a simple, easy to
understand interface, we suggest Junior
“Rexagan’ The first low cost interface designed
especially forschools, colleges anduniversities,
Junior “Rexagan” offers students and beginners
the opportunity to become familiar very
quickly with the fundamentals of computer
interfacing. Complete with its own software for
teaching and demonstrating, Junior “Rexagan”
is conceptually simple because it’s memory-
mapped and has analogue input and output
plus digital inputs and outputs all contained
within a single, neat package.
For something more powerful, then
“Rexagan” itself is the answer A compact,
174
modular system, “Rexagan” saves on space
and time.
And as a means of automating
laboratory instruments or for simple process
control, it's incredibly cost effective too.
Nor does it occupy the computers IEEE
or RS932 ports, so these remain available for
other peripherals. “Rexagan” also comes
complete with its own assembly and
programming instructions in an easy to follow
well-written, well-illustrated manual.
What's more, ICI guarantee “Rexagan’s”
compatibility with
many different makes
of micro-computers.
Of course you
might need
something still more
sophisticated.
No problem.
Say hello to
Super “Rexagan’
Developed for more
complex interfacing
tasks, Super“Rexagan”
is Quite simply
expandable without
practical limit. In fact,
its a system so versatile that ICl alone found
over one hundred different, valuable
applications during its intensive develooment
programme.
Available for 19” rack mounting Super
“Rexagan” is also memory-mapped for very
high speed operation.
Also available is an advanced operating
system “Tomult?
which allows the
writing of true
multi-tasking pro-
grams in BASIC
which can,
therefore,be ,
easilyaltered
at will, so /
@ Circle No. 194
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
NEAT MONTH
providing an on 3 7 a ~
eee, > INTEGRATED
Sass ootty SOF TWARE
inthe past, required
an expensive mini
or main frame
First the Lisa and now the Macintosh, Lotus 1-2-3, Visi
On and The Incredible Jack: these days much of the
excitement in computing is generated by integrated
computer software. In the Special Section inside the May issue,
Segre Practical Computing will be looking at the state of the
If youd like to F i art in integrated software development, and asking
know more about The “Rexagan” Family, just fundamental questions like: What is it? How worthwhile
cut the coupon and put anend to your search is it? What is really available?
forthe missing link today. -
orthe missing link today. “REV TELS
Hewlett-Packard gear has always sold well to scientists,
engineers and other sophisticated users, but now HP has
produced a machine for everyday office use. The HP
Series 100 Model 150 may not have a mouse, but it does
have a touch screen for ease of use. We check it out.
In software, the major development at the moment is the
arrival of long-awaited versions of Logo. We hope to
report on the implementations for Atari, Commodore,
Research Machines and the Sinclair Spectrum.
PHOME INTO
BUS TNESS
Many small micros tout their potential for serious work,
particularly if there is a route to CP/M. We will be
G 9 surveying the field, and reporting on the arrival — or
non-arrival — of Z-80 second processors for machines
like the Acorn BBC Model B, Atari and Commodore 64.
Family SAND MUCH MORE
So
BR
ae
-——
Nd Ch be 2 ie Chris Naylor will be telling you all you ever wanted to
etrochemicals and Plastics Division j , ]
Biivacs and Radioisotope Services know about power supplies, but were afraid to ask, and
PO Box 1, Billingham, Cleveland, TS23 1LB. reviews of the latest Spectrum games and BBC books.
Tel: (0642) 523260 Plus there will be the usual round-up of news, views and
rogramming tips, not to mention all that free software
commodore pire eer
COMPUTER in Open File.
® SS — Make sure you don’t miss the May issue of
Tell me more about the missing link.
Name EE ae a |
Position. _ Be |
Company___ = —- |
TOMS a —
_— as am ao | On sale at W H Smith and all good newsagents after
a —— -_ l April 11.
e eS ee ee ee S| Contents may vary due to circumstances beyond our control, and are Subject to
change without notice
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 175
Logic seeking in
dot address mode
Al
from BBC Micro screen — } size mode
£499 + VAT
With Centronics parallel interface
and free BBC Micro dump listing.
Options available:
@ Buffered RS232 interface.
@ Viewdata & RS232 interface.
@ Apple II interface.
@ IBM PC dump.
Specifications:
640 dots/line.
84 dots/inch both axes.
Friction feed rollpaper with single sheet
feed A4.
37cps in full colour.
a
baal
Ink cartridges, 4 million character life.
Pare pee: I
ea eee tee
Merde 4 Fure
INTEGREX LTD.
Church Gresley, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs DE11 9PT EM & Educational
Tel: 0283 215432 Telex: 377106 : . aoe
Saracen Data Products
@ Dysan FLEXIBLE DISKETTES
‘CORPORATION 1-4 5-9 10-49 4
104/1 Single Sided, Single Density 21.30 19.20 18.30 : 33” OMD 3220
104/1D Single Sided, Double Density 23.43 21.20 ZONK, : AVAILABLE FROM
104/2D Double Sided, Double Density 35.20 31.46 29.92 : STOCK
204/1D Single Sided, Quad Density 35.20 31.46 29.92 : £45.00 PER BOX OF 10
204/2D Double Sided, Quad Density 44.22 39.60 37762 :
3740/1 Single Sided, Single Density 33.11 29.59 28.16
3740/1D Single Sided, Double Density 34.21 30.58 29.10 d MEDIAGUARD — Fire Safe
3740/2D Double Sided, Double Density 40.51 36.41 34.54 : £279.00 Each —
FREE BOX OF 8”, 53” OR 33”
‘DISKETTES WITH EVERY
Dysan UHR II Media CONTACT Us FOR PRICES & DELIVERY EDIAGUARG.
THIS OFFER ONLY AVAILABLE
TO RETAIL CUSTOMERS
DYSAN RIGID DISK PACKS
THE FULL RANGE OF DYSAN DISK PACKS IS AVAILABLE CONTACT US
FOR PRICES. @ LARGE VOLUME DISCOUNT PRICES
@ TRADE PRICES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
@ FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS.
RING US NOW FOR OVER £100.
YOUR COPY OF OUR ILLUSTRATED PRICELIST ALL PRICES SUBJECT TO V.A.T.
Saracen Data Products Limited
176-180 High Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 10R Tel: (0306) 887550 1888271
® Circle No. 196
uninterruptible power
supply
The COMPLETE’solution to your POWER SUPPLY problems with the POWER BANK ...
“BLACK OUTS” will not affect the operation of your computer system.
Micro Networks Hard. Printers Data
Systems Disks Transmission etc.
Output derived constantly from self contained sealed * Far superior to a voltage stabilizer.
for life batteries. * Overload and short circuit (output) indication and
* Sine wave shaped output — voltage and frequency protection.
closely regulated. * Bench or rack mounting (500VA).
* Genuine **NO-BREAK” unit with continuous output
rating of 500-250 & 120VA. * Battery level monitored — mains on — mains off
Much more than a ’’spike and surge’’ suppressor. indication.
Manufactured by:- POWER TESTING (SALES) LTD 285, Tallon Road, Hutton, Brentwood, Essex CM13 1TH.
Tel: 0277 233188 Telex: 24224MON Ref. 586
© Circle No. 197
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 477
lf you want it tomorrow .
call us today
01-455 9823
COMPUTER/CALCULATORS
HEWLET PACKARD
HP 4 1C {Comp Cal)
HP 16C IHex Con)
£129.95 HP 15C {Adv Sci)
£84.00
£84.00
HP 4 1C (Card Reader)
HP 4 1CV (SCI Comp Cai)
Printer 82143A
Printer 82162A
SHARP
£129.95
£176.00
£230.00
£300.00
PC 1500 Pocket Computer
CE 148 RS232 and Cent I/F £130.00
CE 158 printer:cassette I/F £115.00
CE 159 8K Add on mem with BAT£79.00
CE 152 Cassette £36.00
MZ-711 Computer £199.00
MZ-711 Printer Plotter £110.00
M2-8080AEU Exp Unit £86.00
M2Z-80A 48K Computer £380.00
£130.00
HP 75C (Portable) £650.00
HP 75C portable cassette drive £290.00
HP Plotter 7470A RS232 or HP1B
£832.00
New HP 150.personal office computer
terminal unit or upgradable with disc
drives to 14.7M bytes £2300.00
Epson QX-10 (desk top comp) £1700.00
EPSON HX20 Briefcase computer. 16K
expandable. 64k Rom. 32K Ram. Full size
ascii keyboard. Runs on own power for
50 hours. Serial and RS232 interface.
£375. Accessories & Software for Epson
HX20 available from stock.
WORD PROCESSING PRINTERS
NEC 2000
{RS232 or Centronics} £650.00
7710 RS232/7730 Centronics £1650.00
Tractors, Sheet Feeders and Paper Guides
for NEC, Ex-Stock
UCH IDA 305 (18CPS)
Low cost daisywKeel
QUME
9/45 RO-FFP
9(55 RO-FFP
11/40 RO {Also IBM-PC)
TEC STARWRITER*®
F10-55 CPS (serial/parallel) ....
Tractor (Bi-Di)
Sheet Feeder
£375.00
£1650.00
£1999.00
£1225.00
lata Processing printer
using a 24 wire printhead to give
exceptionally high letter quality output
BROTHER®
HR1 “Highly Recommended* £598.00
Sceimigaie ao pecee nit ron ics
HR15 (3K Buffer 13 CPS) £399.00
HR25 (3K Buffer 25 CPS) £715.00
DIABLO 630°
620(RO)
630(RO)
630 API—
630{KSR)
Tractor (g
£550.00
..£1750.00
£1200.00
£136.00
eet Feeder...
RUTISHAUSER
Sheet Feeders and Tractors for:
Qume, Diablo, NEC, Ricoh, TEC
Starwriter, Olivetti, etc From £99.00
RICOH*
Mode! RP 1300 (Si (4K Buffer) ..£990.00
Flowriter {BK} PR 1600 .£1450.00
{BM-PC Version .£1500.00
Mechanical Sheet Feeder .£475,00
Tractor Feed .. .£175,00
IX PRINTERS
OKI°
M82A {120 CPS}
M92P (160 CPS}
Tractor ... £50.00
MB3A .. .. £499.00
(1 20cps Friction, removeable Tractor and
RS232 and Centronics Parallel as
standard)
MB4A ....... :
ANADEX*
DP-900 B/B
DP-9500 B/IB
DP-960 B
DP-9625 B
BROTHER
EP22 Portable
Printer/Typewrirer/Coleculator .
[Stop ep
-£295.00
£425.00
£695
. £850.00
. £893.00
..£999.00
..£11.55.00
... £165.00
SEIKOSHA GP700A
Colour
GP-100A
(RS232 Option).
GP-100 (VIC 20)..
GP-250X.
EPSON
Epson RX80 (100cps)}
Epson FX80 ({160cps)
Epson RXBOFT ..........
Epson MX100 Type Ill ..
Keyboard
£378.00
-£210
. £63
. £175.00
£220.00
.. £245.00
++ -£350.00
... £260.00
..£399.00
--.£210.00
Epson FX 100FT (160cps} ..........£487.00
Epson I/F and accessories from £29.50
{Ideal for Atari/Commodore 64/Vic Nec
PC8201/sharp. PC 1500 Etc
ismiPc SUPPLIED ON VERY COMPETITIVE TERMS. ALSO
AVAILABLE EXTENSIVE RANGE OF SUPPORT
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
OIGITEK ACCESSORIES
FOR APPLE COMPUTERS
64K RAM
128K RAM
PAL Colour Encoder
Te ee ee ee ee ee
£149.00
£299.00
280 Expander card
RS232 High Speed Ser /F card £85,00
Screen master 80 £129.00
VF Cards for Epson/Nec/Tec Microline
£98.00
— — — — I
SOFTWARE
Word Processing APPLE
Applewriter 1.1.
Applewriter 2 ..
Wordstar . :
Applewriter ile .
Word Processing SIRIUS
Supr Caic
Multiplan
Wordstar
Select .......
Mail Merge .
-£65.00
..£B5.00
.£246.00
.£105.00
£140.00
.. £149.00
.. £269,60
. £285.00
... £85.00
Word Processing iBM
Wordstar .
Easywriter Il...
Volkwriter.....
Mailmerge .
Easyspeller..
Superwriter....
Epson HX20
Word Processing
M list (cassette)
Epson QX10
Peach Text
Spell Cheker . .
Mailing List Manager
.. £285.00
-.£230.00
-..£143.00
.. £140.00
£116.00
-.£230,00
£85.00
£30.00
£175.00
-£95.00
£175.00
Other Software Including Microsoft/Comsoft/BOS atc. also in stock
GOODS FULLY GUARANTEED
PRICES EXCLUDING VAT AND P+P.
Company and Government orders accepted by phone.
Barclaycard Access Visa accepted by phone.
MOUNTAINDENE
22 Cowper Street London EC2
178
®@ Circle No. 198
Anglia Computer Centre
88 ST BENEDICTS STREET NORWICH NR2 4AB
TELEX 975201 ACOMP G
SPECIALISTS IN BUSINESS COMPUTERS
Cromer
BUSINESS COMPUTERS
Phone (0603) 667032/3 or 21117
APPLE, SIRIUS, Dereham )
OSBORNE. ANADEX. NORWICH),
IBM*, DEC, EPSON. e
x Complete with professional!
back-up service *
Great
Yarmouth
Thetford Lowestoft
e
HOME COMPUTERS
Phone (0603) 26002/667031
BBC, DRAGON,
COMMODORE 64,.
SINCLAIR, ORIC, LYNX.
* On special offer *
Call for Price £&¢
Diss
Ipswich
BOOKS AND
STATIONERY CENTRE
Phone (0603) 29652
PROBABLY THE
LARGEST SELECTION
OF COMPUTER BOOKS
IN EAST ANGLIA
ACCESS AND BARCLAYCARD WELCOME
*IBM authorised dealer — IBM Personal Computer
@ Circle No. 199
TRANSFORMS THE COMMODORE 64
INTO A FULL-FEATURED AND
PROFESSIONAL DATABASE
SYSTEM! WITH UP TO 1000
CHARACTERS PER RECORD ON UP
TO 4 SCREENS... AND UP TO
128 1 TEMS PER RECORD,
DEFINABLE AS KEY, TEXT,
NUMERIC, CONSTANT, RESULT OR DATE... IN FILES OF UP TO 16M CHARACTERS!
SUPERBASE 64 EVEN HAS SPREADSHEET AND CALCULATOR CAPABILITY, CALENDAR
FUNCTIONS: EASY INPUT FROM WORDPROCESSOR/DATA FILES, BOTH MENU-DRIVEN AND
PROGRAM OPTIONS, SORTING/SEARCHING, FULLY DEFINABLE QUTPUTS... SUPERBASE 64
IS ESSENTIAL IF YOU WANT THE MOST FROM YOUR 64! SUPPLIED ON CBM 154] DISK
WITH EXCELLENT TUTORIAL/REFERENCE MANUAL. OUR PRICE £99-95 £88.00!
VIZAWRITE 64 1S A HIGH-
VIZAWRITE 64 ‘25055 2128
PROCESSOR, WITH ON-SCREEN
FORMATTING, THAT TAKES FULL
ADVANTAGE OF THE 64°S COLOUR, GRAPHICS AND MEMORY FEATURES... AND SUPPORTS
VIRTUALLY ANY PRINTER! WITH A COMPREHENSIVE AND EASY-TO-FOLLOW USER MANUAL,
VIZAWRITE IS THE ULTIMATE PERSONAL COMPUTER WORD PROCESSOR! AVAILABLE ON
CARTRIDGE (£69-95 £75!), DISK (£79595 £68!) OR WITH VIZASPELL (£99-95 £85!)
MASTER 64 IS A TOTALLY NEW
CONCEPT... A COMPLETE PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE, THAT'S
AVAILABLE NOW FOR THE CBM 64,
MASTER Has 85 New COMMANDS... ANO BASIC IV Too! PLUS PROGRAMMER'S TOOLKIT,
MACHINE CODE MONITOR, BUSINESS BASIC, KEYED DESK ACCESS, MULTIPLE SCREENS,
USER-DEFINABLE INPUT ZONES, REPORT GENERATOR, 22-PLACE ARITHMETIC, DISK DATA
COMPRESSION, DATE CONTROL, SCREEN PLOT, SCREEN DUMP, AND MORE... EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO PROGRAM YOUR 64 TO TOP PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS! (£44375 £115!)
MORE SOFTWARE FOR COMMODORE 64:
PRACTICALC (DISK/TAPE) ... S4e5@ £41.50
WIZASPELL (DISH) .....-2.. bab £89.95
OTL COMPILER (OISK) . tH4454 £109.00
OTL COMPILER (TAPE) . BM £36.95
TOO 64 (CARTRIOGE)
SOFTWARE FOR COMMODORE PET/700:
SUPERBASE (700/8096) .....
SUPLRSCRIPT (700) . 4
SUPERSCRIPT (8096) .......
SUPERSCRIPT (3000-8000) ..
MASTER (4000/8000/8096) ..
£425.00
PRICES SHOWN ABOVE INCLUDE 15% VAT, AND
ARE CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS.
PLEASE ORDER BY POST OR TELEPHONE, USING
CHEQUE, ACCESS, BARCLAY CARD OR OFFICIAL
ORDER. DESPATCH IS BY SAME-DAY IST CLASS
POST, AND FREE (EXCEPT FOR OVERSEAS AND
CREDIT ORDERS). FULL PRODUCT INFORMATION
IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. CREF A27)
LAKESIDE HOUSE. KINGSTON HILL, SURREY, KT2 7QT. TEL 01-546-7256
®@ Circle No. 200
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
new accent on
C performance
These instantly installed plug-in expansion boards offer major functionality
enhancement for the IBM PC and other micros. They come with full software support
on floppy disk.
FORTE MODEL PC 78
Gives your PC direct access to your 0) Parity check memory on display RAM.
mainframe (IBM 43xx through 30xx). O Complete configuration from keyboard.
A single plug-in board connects to your IBM | () Re-configures colour attributes to taste.
3274/3276 Cluster Controller via existing {1 Choice of Basic or C, with broad sub-routine
coaxial cable. No extra phone lines, modems library.
or peripherals. 0) Serial interface.
C1 Entire functionality on floppy disk, no PROM O) User-friendly, high-speed file transfer.
changes.
PARADISE MULTI-DISPLAY BOARD
Saves a slot in the PC. Colour display 0 Flicker-free scrolling, even in colour.
controller, monochrome display controller O External switch or software control for
and printer interface all on one plug-in monochrome or colour mode.
board. ( IBM character sets and test modes.
{1 Compatible with PC/XT and all the best O Compatible with widest range of RGB and
productivity software. composite video monitors.
C) High-resolution colour graphics, fully IBM OC) IBM type printer port.
compatible. O IBM-compatible light pen and RF modulator
C) 2 pages of high-resolution graphics, ports.
facilitating animation or high demand
graphics operation.
LSI 1553-NET
The ultimate in user-friendly Local Area 0 Lives entirely within constraints of host
Networks (LAN's) — very low cost, very high operating system, preserving upward
speed, plus reliability that approaches a compatibility; e.g. the interface to the
1.0E“” bit error rate. IBM PC is at the ROM BIOS level.
1 Connects IBM PC, Apple Il/IE and any $100 Simple coax connection.
OO
bus micro. Up to 4000 feet, without the use of
C) 3megabit/sec transmission rate, operating at repeaters.
around 15% utilization and giving a O) Protocol entirely contained in
throughput which approximates to that of software, permitting various
current 10 megabit bandwidth LAN's. implementations of LAN protocols.
[3 Superior error checking, collision detection O Variable blocks sizes supported, from
and collision avoidance. 20 bits to over 64K bytes.
CCENT ON PERFORMANCE
iccent Computers is a new European force in
pecialised hardware distribution, bringing you A
elected state-of-the-art products from if
some of the world’s most innovative i!
lesigners and manufacturers. ‘
i ne ee ee ee |
) Accent Computers Ltd
PO Box 62 London SW10 SLT
Tel: 01-370 0862
ORBIT—ORBIT—ORBIT—ORBIT—ORBIT--ORBIT—ORBIT —ORBIT—ORBIT —ORBIT—ORBIT
ELBUG us
FORTHE ET ECTRON
IF YOU HAVE AN ACORN ELECTRON OR ARE THINKING OF BUYING
ONE THEN YOU SHOULD JOIN THE ELECTRON USER GROUP.
Members receive 10 copies of the magazine ELBUG each year. ELBUG is devoted EXCLUSIVELY to the ELECTRON BEEBMAZE
MICRO. It is packed with news, Reviews, Hints, Tips, Programming ideas, Major articles, plus Regular program features
including games and useful utilities.
ELBUG, is produced by BEEBUG Publications Ltd., publishers of BEEBUG, the magazine of the National User Group
for the BBC Micro, BEEBUG now has some 20,000 members, and has achieved a high reputation both in this country and
abroad. Acorn and the BBC have both taken oul multiple memberships, for example, and our articles are now syndicated
In Australia. (For further details of BEEBUG, see separate advertisement elsewhere in this issue.)
The formula which makes BEEBUG an invaluable companion for users of the BBC micro will be applied to ELBUG.
By subscribing to ORBIT you gain ail the advantages of a single-micro magazine, with no space wasted on programs and
articles for other computers.
Further benefits of membership:
Members’ discount scheme with national retailers of software, hardware and books, with savings of up to 25%.
Members’ software library with a growing range of titles at special prices for members.
SPECIAL OFFER
SUBSCRIBE NOW, AND GET A FREE INTRODUCTORY CASSETTE CONTAINING 8 TESTED
PROGRAMS FOR THE ELECTRON.
SPACE CITY Defeat the invading Aliens with your laser, and save the city.
3D NOUGHTS AND CROSSES Pit your wits against the ELECTRON on a 4x4x4 board.
. RACER Guide your racing car to victory, avoiding other cars and obstacles on the track.
3D MAZE In this challenging game, you must escape from the maze — The screen displays a 3D view from inside the
maze.
PATCHWORK A multcoloured display of continuously changing patterns.
KEY SET ROUTINE A program to set up the user function keys.
MEMORY DISPLAY An efficiently written utility to diplay the contents of memory (ROM and RAM). SPACE CITY
CHARACTER DEFINER Define individual graphics characters with this useful utility for use in your own programs.
HOW TO JOIN
To subscribe for one year, and get your free cassette, send £9.90 (payable to Orbit) plus a strong stamped addressed envelope (for the cassette) to:
ORBIT, PO BOX 109, High Wycombe, Bucks HP!1 2TD
SIN SIONTH TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION (5 ISSUES) UK ONLY £5.90 — FREE CASSETTE OFVER STILE STANDS,
Membership outside UK tone year onty): Eire and Europe £16, Middle Fast t£9. America & Africa £26, other countries £23.
Editorial address BEEBUG Publications, PO Box 50, St Albans, Herts, AL] 2AR
® Circle No. 201
Singles, pairs, three of a
kind, six-packs, round
dozens — you name
it— We'll send it!
Single sided — double density
£1.50 each.
Double sided—double density
£2 each.
Now you can buy high quality
media in any quantity you like at really
low, low prices. 5Y4” disks with labels,
read Mwrite protect tabs ina convenient
mailing pack.
AND SO GOOD THAT WE GUARANTEE IF YOU CAN FIND A FAULTY ONE.
WE’LL SEND YOU TWO BY RETURN.
Just clip the coupon and send it with a cheque to
the address below. Access card holders can ring
) Disco ed i 0 ae 01-930 3873 (24 hours)
London WC2H 7ED. Tel: 01- st
\ part of the Rushworth Dales Group eco om
® Circle No. 202
180 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
Calc Result
Turns a Commodore 64
into a powerful professional tool
Thousands of senior managers, sales professionals, scientists, doctors, dentists, business people, barristers,
bankers, accountants and other top professionals have suddenly discovered the value of Cale Result.
Overnight they've transformed their Commodore 64 from a family computer into a powertul,
professional tool.
Ca Ic Result is versatile . . . use it to calculate loan Ca Ic Resu lt instantly translates figures into
and mortgage payments, forecast budgets, balance cash flow, multi-coloured bar charts.
monitor stocks and shares, plan personal and corporate :
taxation, check expenses, log and analyse all kinds of bills. ‘ ;
Calc
Result
has a built-in
‘HELP’ function.
This program
Ca Ic actually shows
you how to exploit
Result its full potential
offers you a new ERLOD. phec 3 edu and versatility.
perspective on = -
financial planning.
Our 3-dimensional
~~ ; spreadsheet sums up Calc Resu lt is absolutely accident proof.
i pages of figures A built-in program protects your formulae.
in one easily
understood
financial model.
Calc Result Advanced
All functions in Cale Result Easy
plus 32 pages (Three-dimensional
viewing). Page add, window,
split-screen (up to four pages
on the screen at the same
time), and help functions.
Delivered on plug-in
cartridge plus disk.
Requires disk drive.
For more information contact our
Advisory Centre on 0344-778800 or
simply contact your local Commodore or
Lightning dealer, or clip the coupon.
7 Oe Oe ee ee ee ee
Ca le | would like you to send by return post further information on the |
Handic 64 range.
Result Easy
Single page spreadsheet (64 columns x 254 rows). Company
Built-in graphics. Formula protection, flexible print-out, Address
colour conditional functions and mathematical q RE PF. eee.
functions. Delivered on plug-in cartridge. Data storage —
on cassette or disk.
il 5 Albert Road, Crowthorne
Berkshire, RG11 7LT f
_ software Ltd
£49-95 inc. VAT) i Tel: 0344 778800 Telex: 849426 voila emia |
ee es Thinking ahead
@ Circle No. 268
CIVCO ACRE COMPUTER
CONSUMABLES
SPECIALISTS IN DATALIFE (VERBATIM) DISKS
5 YEAR WARRANTY
LOW PRICES
Commodore 8000 Users
160K RAM
EXPANSION
for existing 8032/96 computers.
Also available
LOS-96/160
BASIC OPERATING SYSTEM
128K BASIC User Memory, with BASIC and
6502 Assembler Programmer's Kit
facilities if required.
MONEY REFUNDED IF NOT SATISFIED
Disk Prices per Box of Ten
53” Mini-Disks =
MD 525 S/S, D/D,48TPI 18.20
Md 550 D/S, D/D, 48 TPI 25.30
MD577S/S,Q/D,96TPI 25.00
MD 557 D/S, Q/D, 96 TPI 33.25
48 TPI suitable for 35 or 40 track
operation
96 TPI suitable for 77 or 80 track
operation
Please specifiy sectored
versions in column supplied
QTY | SECT | COST
Postage & Packing (50p
per box)
For details contact: TOTAL PAYABLE|
SM Software UK Ltd
Raglan House, 56 Long Street, Dursley, Glos.
Telephone: Dursley (0453) 46065
Name
Strictly ‘cash with order
To: Civco Acre Computer
Consumables
Dept. (PC 1)
58 Great Cullings
Romford
Tel: RM7 OYL
Address
or your nearest Commodore dealer.
(LL
@ Circle No. 259
SS15 5DF
Computer ix:
¢ Post code
| enclose cheque/P.O. payable to
CIVCO ACRE COMPUTER CONSUMABLES
* Quotes for 8” Datalife Disks, Listing Paper, Printer Ribbons
supplied on request.
@ Circle No. 265
65 Falstones
Basildon
Essex
THE COMPUTERPRO PROMISE
ComputerPro is owned and run by electronic
engineers. We test and evaluate the
equipment to ensure quality — then we
negotiate the best possible price. IF YOU CAN
BUY CHEAPER — WE’LL REFUND THE
DIFFERENCE*
our price includes VAT and fast delivery by
Courier or 1st class Post. As engineers we will
interface any computer to any printer or
modem.
Ring for a Quote on any product.
SOFTWARE
£399:05
£341.55
£183.97
£270.25
£143.75
£153°75
£189.75
£115.00
i220
£228.08
£272.55
dBase 11
Lotus 1-2-3
VisiCalc
WordStar
MailMirge
SpellStar
Perfict Writer
Perfict Speller
Perfict Calc
Perfict Files
Basic Compiler
Pascal Compiler £241.50
C Compiler £345.00
(APPLE, COMMODORE, IBM, DEC, TEXAS,
CP/M 8”)
* if we receive documentary proof of a lower price within 7 days of order
182
COMPUTERS
UNITRON 2200 — Dual Processor
6502/Z80A, 48k RAM, 24K ROM, 40/80
column display, Disc control, Remote
Keyboard, Total compatibility with APPLE
software, expansion Cards and CPM.
£447.35
£401.35
£44.85
£163.30
£895.00
As above but without 80 col.
Sanyo data cassette recorder
ALPS Disc Drive Unit
INTEC 5MB Hard Disc System
Perfict Writer & Speller add £198.95
Lode Runner No. 1 game add £21.85
APPLE 11/11e EXPANSION CARDS
Z-80 Card £41.40
2-80 Card Il, with Software £124.00
L/C Character Generator £18.30
Kraft Joystick £47.15
Kraft Paddles £41.40
Printer Card with Cable (P) £46.00
RS232 Card £46.00; PALCARD £41.40
16K/32K/64K Printer Card (P) £80.50
16K RAM Card £46.00
Language Card £50.60
80 Column Card with S.Switch £65.55
Disc Drive Control Card £42.55
A/D Card, 16 Channel E73.35
Grappler Printer Card (P) £46.00
Eprom Writer, Most Eproms £55.20
Forth Card £39.10
Clock Card with BBU Power £56.35)
{EEE 488 Card £82.80
RGB Card for Apple 11/11e £88.55
Callers welcome by appointment
PRINTERS & MONITORS
Shinwa CT-1 CP80 (P) £230.00
Star Gemini 10X (P) £248.40
Star Delta 10 (P +S) £379.50
Mannesmann MT80 (P) £241.50
Epson FX80 (P) £389.85
Epson RX8OFT (P) £289.80
Epson FX100FT (P) £494.50
Silver Reed EX44 (P) £399.05
Smith-Corona TP 1 (P/S) £235.75
Daisy Step 2000 (P) foleaoo
Juki 6100 (P) £385.25
Brother HR15 (P/S) £389.95
Ricoh RP 1300 (P+ S/IEEE) £1044.05
Ricoh RP1600 (P+ S/IEEE) £1500.75
Superspoolers for Epson & Shinwa
2K (S) £67.85; 16K (P/S) £98.90
32K (P/S) £142.60
Cables for most Micros
Printer Cable for BBC
COM64/VIC20 Printer IF
COM64/VIC 20 Cassette IF
Kempston Sinclair IF
Tasword Two for above
Sanyo SM12N 12” Green
Philips 12” Direct ETCH Grn
Phoenix 12” 24MHZ Amber
Fidelity 14°” RGB, RGBY,
Comp Video and Sound
Sanyo 14” RGB (400 Pixels)
£20.70
£11.50
£29.90
£11.50
£40.25
£11.50
£79535
£92.00
£98.90
£210.45
£198.95
BASF/WABASH 5.25”
ACCESS rien £13.80
WELCOME Cisnroxit_ca.05
@ Circle No. 266
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
There are some
people who think
that if a Printer looks
like an Epson,
it will perform like one.
It won't.
| Imitation is
the sincerest form of flattery.
But there’s only one Epson.
| EPSON | Extraordinary product.
Exceptional quality.
Epson (UK) Limited
Freepost, Wembley, Middlesex HAS 6BR
Sales Enquiries: Freefone 2730
General Enquiries: 01-902 8892
Telex: 8814169
@ Circle No. 263
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 183
SHOCKING NEWS FROM
MICRO MIRACLES..!
GIGANTIC STOCKTAKING CLEARANCE
{for a limited period)
EPSON FX80 £406 BROTHER HR15
EPSON RX80FT LU £239 APPLE Ill 128K £2448 £1395
EPSON RX80 L278 £209 TEC F10-40 £1285 £849
EPSON FX100 £56 £419 APPLE L/Q PRINTER £1360 £995
STAR £269 £199 APPLE MATRIX PRINTER £425 £345
APPLE lle LEAS £545 JUK!I D/WHEEL PRINTER CALL
COMMODORE 64 £198 £159 IBM PC CALL
BASF DISKETTES 5%SS/SD £2.75 £1.00 EPSON QX10 256K £18600 £1550
TEXAS T1820 £1340 £899 EPSON HX20 £402- £369
TEXAS Ti820KSR £1560 £995 ACT SIRIUS CALL
RICOH 1600 DL £1635 £1190 APRICOT (S/DRIVE) —£1495-— £1245
QUME 5/55 £1785 £995 LIBRARY CASES —£2:60— £1.50
DELIVERY NATIONWIDE AT £5 PER ORDER
@ Official orders accepted @ Nationwide maintenance contracts arranged
@ Prices exclude VAT and delivery
WHY NOT PHONE FOR SOME MORE SHOCKING NEWS fl ld
Tel. Nos. ae: Q962 66191/0962 66783 micro miracles
OR call at our showroom, next to Winchester BR Station $022 6RL England
®@ Circle No. 260
N OW also dB
available
Contact your dealer
CLIP — Compressed Library Interchange Program :
CP/M CPM 86 MS DOS _MSDOS2-0_ £95.00 __|
Backs up a Winchester CLIP offers effortless backup.
on to floppies. You can create new commands using a
¢ Compresses text or data to menu procedure, and give each command
less than half size. : aname, for later use. To repeat that
e Large files can span multiple command, the name alone is sufficient.
Salve ith CLIP’ f selection and
e Selective backup orretrieval,onan =‘ With CLIP’s Aine of Selection ‘S
inclusive or exclusive basis. compression, the user can expect a
. ‘ four-to-one saving over global copying,
CLIP has no equal in reputation, with no effort except to feed discs on cue.
Cetera Sup ver On oeonomy. Or, CLIP can select just the new/updated
CLIP comes standard with the CIFER files and reduce the backup load still
Business Management System, and facet
with all Winchester systems supplied :
by COLT and RML
? All prices excl. VAT, post free in U.K.
Most popular disc formats from stock.
KEELE CODES LTD
University of Keele, Keele, Staffordshire, U.K. Tel: (0782) G29221 Telex: 36113
ee oneeeten UBASE II is a tracemark of ASHTON-TATE
ae = ey
@ Circle No. 261
184 PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
DOMSDOS
Last word
In a special report we reveal the story behind the operating system of the
eighties, suitable for all known domestic micros.
MANY HOME-MICRO owners have longed for
an operating system like CP/M. Now it’s
here in a form that will run on virtually any
machine — in Basic.
One day, at the beginning of 1984, when
the winter snows still sat hard in their icy
grip on the rolling terrain of northern
Alaska, and apparently wiser people sat
snug by their fires drinking warm punch
and feeling the pleasant heat soak into their
chilled bones, three men were climbing a
mountain.
But they were not climbing it just because
it was there. These were men with
a mission. Arnold Headcrash, Arnold
Byteswapper and Arnold Brownout had
taken their ball-point pens and a tally roll
of 4.5in. listing paper for a purpose. ‘‘We
wanted to write an operating system that
would genuinely be the operating system of
the eighties. It had to be portable. It had to
be transparent. It had to be concurrent. It
had to be multi-tasking. It had to be user-
friendly. It had to have easily modifiable
error-messages .. .”’
Round the bend
“And,’’ interjected Headcrash, who
faced the mammoth task of documenting
the system, ‘‘it had to be written in British
Intelligent Riting-Oriented Language —
Biro-L.”’ The rest is, as they say, history.
All that remained was to get the coding
done, and the product could be launched in
an avalanche of publicity.
Here the intrepid trio had another
brainstorm. Instead of releasing the new
program on disc and getting users to do the
final debugging, they would publish the
entire source code in a leading computer
magazine. The readers would then do
the debugging and perhaps even add
enhancements before the commercial
version was put on the market on April 1.
In fact, given only an Apple II version,
they reasoned, it would be pretty simple for
readers of a certain calibre to convert it to
their own obscure micros, as only line 50 is
really machine-specific — it clears the
screen and returns the cursor to the top left-
hand corner. Part of the deal was, of
course, that all conversions immediately
became the sole copyright of the three
Arnolds.
The deal was quickly done. PC provided
three blank American Express cards, 100
packets of crisps and a complete set of
Stanley Matthews’ Cup Final programmes,
and the code was handed over for
publication.
“Thinking up a name nearly drove us
round the bend!’’ exclaimed Byteswapper.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
**You see, it had to say it was disc based:
ask anyone who’s ever tried to ram a
cassette into a floppy-disc drive. So it was a
DOS. But it had to be better than that, it
had to be a Super-DOS, which is where we
got the concept of S-DOS. And then it hit
us. It had to be available for every domestic
micro known to man. That’s how we got it:
DOMSDOS.
And now DOMSDOS is here. It is
RESTORE
= i:N = @:I =H
Olm €F¢ 188>
READ ES(1): IF Eft I> << >
HOME : UTHE 3
PRINT " obumSo0s"
PRINT " VERSIGN 13"
“ENG!
THEN :t¥ =
written in Basic for ease of transcription. It
is genuinely portable, given a lightweight
machine. It is concurrent inasmuch as it
exists all at once. It is multi-tasking
inasmuch as it carries out all tasks equally.
It is user-friendly to the extent that it is
possible to use it at all. It runs on all
popular makes of micro. And, best of all, it
is fully user-transparent: just about any-
body could see through it if they tried. J
+ HW: GOTO 46
PRINT “CCCs COPYRIGHT STATE HATCHERIES, 1984"
PRINT : PRINT
5 KEN CLP ROUTINES
INPUT "A: >" SAS
IF RNO (1) ¢ 12 THEN :
REM ERGOT ROUTINES
[IF 3 = 2 THEN :5 =
PRINT : FRINT E#¢So: PRINT
IF S > @ THEN :S = 5S + WH: IF RNG Che 2 <
GUTU lub
OATA CHH’T CONTINUE ERROR
DATA
DATA
GATA
UATAR
DATA
DATA
DATA
OATA
GATA
OATA
GATA
OHTA
DATH
DATA
DATA
DATA
DATA
DATA
DATA
BOOS ERR On F
GISC ORIVE INOPERABLE
HAIN BUS FAILURE ERROR
HRE ‘GU SURE 7
COMMAND NOT RECOGNISED
REBUOT AND RETRY
OIVISION BY ZERO ERROR
PLEASE RECONSIDER...
TRY KEYING “HELP”
KEY “SYSGEN’ TO RECOVER
QUT OF NEMORY
QUT OF SIGHT
OUT OF MIND
TOO MUCH !
TOO CGHPLEX
MUCH TOO COMPLEX
NEXT WITHOUT FOR
FOR WITHOUT NEXT
FQGR WITHOUT FOR
NEXT WITHOUT NEXT
GOTO UNDEFINED
OATA
OTH
DATA
CATA
DATA
PLEASE PLEASE RECONSIDER
PRESSING WRONG KEYS ERROR
FIRE ON HAIN BOARD ERROR
YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS ! ERROR
PRINT ASs"7": PRINT : GOTO
ihT ¢ RIND (HD > NM + WD
4 THEN
FRANKLY CAN“T CONTINUE ERROR
CAN’ T TRKE ANY HORE ERROR
I HEARN ARE YOU REALLY SURE *
DIVISION BY ZERU ERROR AGAIN
ILLEGAL QUANTITY - CALL POLICE
GOTO JAIL OU NOT PASS GO 00 NOT COLLECT #200
BAD SUBSCRIPT
NAUGHTY SUBSCRIPT
EVIL SUBSCRIPT
SYNTAX ERRGR
SYNTAX CURREHTLY 15%
FILE LOCKED
FILE HISSING
FILE MISSING GELIEVED KILLED IN ACTION
LANGUAGE NOT AVAILABLE
LANGUAGE NOT PRINTABLE
UNSPEAKABLE ERROR
PROGRAM TOO LARGE
PROGRAM TOO SHALL
RANGE ERROR - AIM HIGHER
WRITE PROTECTED
REALLY HRITE PROTECTED
READ PROTECTED
READ AND WRITE PROTECTED
NOT HORTH READING AT ALL FRANKLY
END
185
Bb
DOT MATRIX PRINTERS
ALL PRINTERS HAVE CENTRONIC PARALLEL INTERFACE UNLESS
OTHERWISE STATED. ALL PRINTERS HAVE HI-RES, DOT
ADDRESSABLE GRAPHIC MODE. PLEASE SEND SAE FOR
FULL DETAILS.
EPSON
FX 80 160 CPS, 10° wide tric & pin feed
FX 100° 160 CPS. 15° wide. {ric & traci teed
X80 F/T: 100 CPS, 10° wide. trict &tract feed
RXBOT: 100 CPS 10° wie tractor teed
LQ1500: 200 CPS Letter quality inter
8143: RS 23 Interface tor FX ‘and AX printers
8148 AS232 Intertace with 2K butter xon.xoll
Ribbon Cartridge for RXBO FX8O & MX80
Ribbon Cartridge for FX100 & MX100
STAR
Gemini 10X 120 CPS, 10" wideine & tractfeed
Gemin) 15X_120 CPS, 15" wide. trict, & tract
Delta 10 160 CPS. 10" wide, trict & tract jeed
Delta 15 160 CPS 15” wide, trict & tract leed
Aadix-t0 200 CPS NLO. 16K Bulfer Par. &
serial interlace downloadable characters.
incredible value at
ARadix-15 15" wide version of Radix-10
SEIKOSHA
GP100A 50 CPS. tO" wide. tractor feed
GP250X 5OCPS. 10" wide.trac feed ser & par
GP100VC_30CPS. 10” wide. VIC 20 & 64 inert
GPS00A 50 CPS, 10" wide. tractor teed
GP550A 50 CPS 10" wide friction & tract
cottespondence quality
GP100AS Serial interlace. ideal for Spectrum
with microdrive
SHINWA
CP80 80 CPS. 10” wide friction & tract, teed
Spare ribbon cartridge for CP8O
RITEMAN
Compact’ 120 CPS. 80 col. Inict. & tract. feed
CANON
PW10B0A 160 CPS, 10° wide, 27 CPS NLO
24 x 16 matnix
PW1156A 160 CPS, 15" wide. 27 CPS NLO
24 x 16 matrix
COLOUR PRINTERS
Seskosha GP7O0A’ 7 colour. 50 CPS printer
Canon PJ1080A 7 colour, 40CPS ink jet printer
CPP40 40 column 4 colour battery operated
ALL OUR PRINTERS HAVE 1 YEAR WARRANTY
£344 - VAT - £395
£431 - VAT = £495
£261 + VAT - £299
£234 + VAT = £269
£200 + VAT = £229
£295 + VAT - £339
£327 + VAT = £375
£4t4 + VAT = £475
£431 - VAT = £495
£518 + VAT > £595
£156 - VAT - £179
£196 - VAT - £225
£174 # VAT - £199
£187 + VAT £215
£234 + VAT - £269
£174 + VAT = £199
£187 - VAT - £215
£6 - VAT = £6
£200 + VAT = £229
£283 + VAT = £325
£347 + VAT = £399
347 + VAT =
£391 + VAT
£118 + VAT
JUKI 6100
Spacing 2K butler) bes selting Daisywheel
Singer sheet feeder unit
Tractor Unit
RS 232 Inierlace
Spare Daisywheel
BROTHER HA-15
13 CPS Bi-directional, 10.12 15 CP1 + PS
Keyboard Uni
Single Sheet Feeder Unit
Tractor Unit
DAISY STEP 2000
20 CPS Unidirectional. 10.12.15 CP)
SMITH CORONA TPT
12 CPS. 1012 CPt undirectional
PROFESSIONAL
MONITORS
“SANYO
*“MICROVITEC
“FIDELITY
“PHOENIX
SANYO
OM8112 12" Green screen 18 MHZ Hi-Res
OM2112 12" Green screen 15 MHZ Monitor
€D3125 14° RGB Normal Res Colour Monitor
CD3117 14° RGB Medium Res Colour Monitor
€D3115 14" AGB High Res Colour Monitor
MICORVITEC CUB
1431 MS 14" RGB Normat Res Colour Monitor
1451 MS 14° AGB Medium Res Colour Monitor
DAISYWHEEL PRINTERS
20 CPS Bi-Directional Logic seeking 10.12.15 CP1 + PS
£349 - VAT
£217 - VAT
£95 - VAT - £109
£52 VAT £59
£17 + VAT» £19
£344 « VAT © £395
£139 + VAT = £159
£217 ~ VAT = £249
£95 « VAT = £109
£260 - VAT -
£208 - VAT
£86 - VAT © £99
£66 + VAT
£173 ~ VAT
£286 + VAT
£391 - VAT =
£173 + VAT =
£321 + VAT
BBC MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM
WE ARE AN OFFICIAL BBC
COMPUTER DISTRIBUTOR
DEALER ENQUIRIES ARE WELCOMED
Acorn Electron £199:
WE SUPPLY FREE 30 HOUR BASIC BOOK AND A DUST COVER
WITH EACH COMPUTER
This 1s the best microcomputer Currently on the market. 32K RAM
32K ROM 8 modes of operation full colour full-size keyboard internal
expansions Such as disc interlace. speech synthesizer Econet intertace
In-short it 1s a personal computer capable of expanding into a smal!
business system
BBC Microcomputer Model B £348 - VAT
8BC Mod B - disk interface
BSC Mod B - Econet intertace
B&C Mod B - disk and Econet interlaces
BBC 100K disk drive
BBC quai 800K disk drive
Torch Z80 disk pack inciting 280 2nd
processor. 64K RAM and CPN operating
system + Free Periect Soliware
BBC Teletext receiver (Aug)
BBC cassette recordey and lead
Gisk mterlace kit (free fitting)
Mod A to Mod B upgrade ki
Fitting charge. for A to B upgrade kit
16K memory upgrade hit
Games paddies
72" Monochrome monitor incl cable
14° Colour monitor inc! cable
User quide
Econet interface (free fitting
aya de interface (free fitting)
BBC isk manual - formating disk
Parallel printer cable
BBC word processor (view)
BBC Fourth language cassette VAT
BBC Lisp language cassette £15 + VAT
APPROVED ECONET SERVICE CENTRE
WE STOCK A LARGE RANGE OF SOFTWARE FOR BBC MICRO.
INCLUDING ACORNSOFT/BBC SOF TWARE/LONGMANS SOFTWARE
PLEASE SEND LARGE STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE
FOR FULL DETAILS
TORCH Z80 2nd PROCESSOR
For only £347 + VAT
Torch 2nd Processor Z80 is supplied with perfect writer (a powertul Word
Processor) perfect speller (spelling checking program - ( should have used
one tor making this advert’). Pertect Filer (A Database Program). Perfect
Calc (Spread Sheet) It includes 64K memory (Almost 60K avatlable to user)
Fits inside BBC Computer
£347 + VAT - £399
£695- VAT £799
Z80 2nd Process + Perfect Software
280 Processor + Perfect Software + Dual 800K
Disk Drives
GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES
100% BBC COMPATIBLE MITSUBISHI
AND TEAC SLIMLINE DISK DRIVES
These drives are supplied ready cased with all the necesary cables
formating program and User Guide
There are some very usetul utilities included on tormating disc e.9
* DISASSEMBLER This is 6502 machine code disassembier
OUP: To copy and rename a file on disc
FORMAT Formating program tor 40 & 80 tracks
* FREE This ulllity provides a disk usage analysis
MOUMP Enables you to display and modify ay part of BBC memory.
MERGE: Merge @ number of text files into one file.
RELOCATE Downloads a basic Rog to &E00
SDUMP. Screen dump for EPSON in all grape modes.
VERIFY Verilies every sector on a disk
* MENU: A flexible menu program
£147 + VAT = £169
£286 + VAT = £329
£173 + VAT = £199
£330 + VAT = £379
£199 + VAT © £229
£217 + VAT © £249
£382 + VAT - £439
£408 + VAT » £469
Single drive 100K 40 trks. single Sided
Dual drive 200K. 40 trks. single sided
Single drive 200K 40 trks, double sided
Qual drive 400K 40 trks. double sided
Single drive 400K 80 trks, double sided
Single drive 400K 40/80 trks, switchable, DS
Dual drive 800K 80 trks. double sided
Dual drive 800K 40/60 trks. switchable. DS
All above drives are low power slimline, (03 A typ at+ 12vand0 4Aat + Sv
per drive). Normality extra power supply ts not required. the BBC Computer
Poser See Y Is senaees to drive iwo tow power drive (IT IS NOT
ESIGN © DRIVE INTERNAL ROM BOARD)
40 Track SS/DD disketts (10/Box) £18 + VAT = £20
40 Track DS/DD disketts (10/Box)
80 Track SS/DD disketts (10/Box
80 Track DS/OD disketts {10/Box
ALL ABOVE DISKETT ARE CERT
£30 - VAT = £34
FIED Et\ THER MEMOREX OR DETALIFE
YOUR CONTACTS AT AKHTER ARE
HAMAYUN MUGHAL
PAULA HAYES
DEALER/BULK ENQUIRIES
TELEPHONE ORDERS
1441 MS 14" RGB High Res Colour Monitor
FIDELITY Colour Monitor
CM14 14" RGB. RGBY Composite. sound. cot
PHOENIX
Phoemx High Res 12° Green Monitor
Phoentx High Res 12° Amber Momtor
DEALER ORDERS
BUSINESS SYSTEMS ENQUIRIES
EXPORT ENQUIRIES
ECONET SYSTEM TECHNICAL ENQUIRIES
£417 + VAT
£187 - VAT
TONY GLOVER
DENNIS SUTCH
MAHAMAD EDIB
ALAN LAFFOLEY
ACCOUNTS CARON ANDREWS
{66+ VAT £75 DESPATCH PAUL SWIFT
ee VAT E73 REPAIRS JOHN MAULE
Je aN AKHTER INSTRUMENTSLTD TA
COMPUTER GROUP
28/29 BURNT MILL
HARLOW, ESSEX. CM20 2HU U.K.
Tel. HARLOW (0279) 443521
Telex: 818894 AKHTER G
ORDERING INFORMATION:
We accept official orders from UK Government and Education {
establishments Carriage ts Free (UK ch for normal delivery. If express
delivery ss required please add £8.
orders on Barclay and Access CB a sng Ge 443521 (10 fines)
All cheques made payable to “AKH ENTS’
N.B. ALL VAT INCLUDEO PRICES ARE THE CORRECT PRICES.
EXCL. VAT PRICES HAVE BEEN ROUNDED UP TO NEAREST POUND.
OPENING HOURS: MON-FRI 9am-6.30pm, SAT 10am-5pm
We welcome callers, no parking problems.
BUSINESS SYSTEMS
APRICOT — SIRIUS — SANYO
IBM — TEXAS — TORCH
APRICOT “Portable Executive Computer”. 16 Bit Micro. 256K RAM, up to
1.44 megabytes floppy disk storage. 3¥," Sony disks, Portable brief case
styling Modem with auto diailer (optional) hard disk optional. Vast software
brary {compatible with Sinus 1
Apricot with Singie Drive and Motitor £1690 + VAT
£1890 + VAT
Apricot with Double Drive and Monitor and
Free Printer or 2nd Monitor
SANYO PROFESSIONAL COMPUTER
16 Bit Micro 128K RAM expandable to 256K. Single or Double Disk Drive
built in full colour graphics (640 x 200 pixels in 8 colours) |BM compailbie.
Free software, Sanyo MBC 550 128K RAM single drive and free sottware
Including Wordstar and Calcstar £699 + VAT
Sanyo C555 128K double drive and free software including Wordstar,
Caicstar, Inforstar Datastar etc £899 + VAT
SIRIUS 1 Sirius 1 Computer with 128K RAM and 1.2 megabyte Floppy
disc storage Including CP/M 86 MS DOS and
Microsoft Basic £2195 + VAT
Sinus | Computer with 256K RAM and 2.4 megabyte Floppy disk storage
Including C C/M 86 MS DOS & Microsoft Basic £2895 + VAT
TORCH
F500 COMPUTER with colour monitor includes Twin 400K disks, Torchnet
Operating System free perfect sottware (perfect writer, perfect speller,
perfect calc perfect ne Torchmail Plus (Electronic Mati). Torch Mars
Financial modelling with graphics} Torchtel {(Viewdata Access System)
Evecutve Aid (Menu System)
Datel 600 (Link to outside maintrame services i e.
Telecom Gotd)
£2950 + VAT
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS PROFESSIONAL COMPUTER
Ti 502 Dual 320KB Drives 256K RAM, Up to 10 megabyte on board storage
possible Ti speech command hardware option brings a new level of user
riendimess to computing, Allows voice Operated keyboard control
Price £2650 + VAT
(Optional)
MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPLETE WORDPROCESSING
SYSTEMS
INCLUDING DAISYWHEEL PRINTER
From £695 + VAT
SYSTEM 1BBC Micro model B, Wordwise. Phoenix monitor, Smith Corona
TP? Daisywheel Printer, Cassett Recorder ¢ all the necessary cables and
documentation 96 + VAT = £799.25
SYSTEM 2. BBC Micro model B + Disk interface. Phoenix Monitor, 100K
Single Disk Drive, Wordwise. Smith Corona Dalsywheel Printer,
+ all the necessary cables and documentation
Price only £895 + VAT = £1029.25
SYSTEM 3. BBC Micro mode! B + Disk interlace. Phoenix Monitor, Qual
Otsk Drives 200K. Wordwise. Smith Corona Daisywheel Printer + all the
necessary Cables and documentation.
Price £999 + VAT = £1148.85
SYSTEM 4. BBC Micro mode! B - Disk Interface. Sanyo High-Res Green
Monitor, Wordwise (or view), Juki 6100 Daisywheel Printer, Single 400K
Disk Drive + all the necessary cables and documentation
£1049 + VAT = £1206.35
SYSTEM 5. BBC Mod 8 Micro + Disk Interface, Sanyo High Res Green
Monitor, Wordwise (or view). Juki 6100 Daisywheel Printer. Dual Disk
Drive 800K + all the necessary cables and documentation,
Price £1195 + VAT = £1374,25
SYSTEM 6. Sanyo 16 Bit. IMB pc Compatible Micro, 128K RAM. Single Disk
Orive 160K. Wordstar, Calc Star. Sanyo High Res Green Monitor, Juki 6100
Daisywheel Printer + all cable and documentation.
Price Only £1095 + VAT « £1259.25
SYSTEM 7. Sanyo 16 Bit. IBM pc Compatible Micro 128K RAM. Dual Disk
Drives 360K. Wordstar. Caic Star, Mailmerge. Infostar. Spellstar Datastar.
Sanyo High Res Green Monitor, Juki 6100 Daisywheel Printer + and all
necessary cables and documentation,
Price £1295 + VAT = £1489.25
SYSTEMB. All the components of 2 ty 6 but with Sanyo High Res Cotour
Monitor and Wordstar with Colour Facilities
Price £1395 - VAT = £1604.25
SYSTEM 3. All the components of System 7 but with Sanyo High Res Colour
Monitor and Wordstaf with Colour Facilities
Price £1595 + VAT = £1834.25
WE CAN ALSO SUPPLY PACKAGES WITH COMPONENTS OF YOUA
OWN CHOICE. PLEASE PHONE er?) 412639 AND ASK FOR
HAMAYUN MUGHAL FOR A PRICE.
+ VAT per parcel. We accpet telephone oo
VISA
ae
ER (NST!
@eCircla No 152
CAMEL PRODUCTS
Firm up your S/ware with an
EPROM PROGRAMMER
AV LAST! for the Spectrum user. Put your programs, utilities,
Assemblers inte PROMS for instant load trom the unique ROM-SP
ROM-SP for Spectrum
Ingenious unit tor Spectrum, with 2 © 28 pin sackets and a Reset button
allows up to 16K of Basie or MC program to RUN or LOAD
ustantly from Fb PROMS, Cabled connector and full extender card
NOTE: Does not disable Sinclair ROM £29.95
PROMER-SP NEW for Spectrum
Xo brand new Spectrum: programmer for 2764.128. Zero insertion
force socket A sofiware on Tape £29.95
PROMER 8S NEW for Spectrum
The vers popular PROMER-81 lor the ZNSE has been adapted to
the Spectrum, and the price hem low £22.95
ROM-81 for ZX81
Provides twe 24 pin seekers for up te sk ef EPROAL memory in
the S-1@K are. CAn use 2816 32a 2716 32 £44.95
PROMER-81 for ZX81
Ato dast’ \ dow cost reliable programmer lor 2416 32, 2716. 32
FPROMS. This is the solution to using FPRONIs instead Of tape
Requires 4+ PPS batteries fora regulated 25 volts, Remarkably priced
£19.95
=
NO. OF SYSTEM —HEX
EPROM TYPE —27128
RAM START AODR —4900
£PROM ST. ADDR — 9000
JOB LENGTH — 4000
TASK — CHECK
WHICH TASK 00 YOU WiSH TO DO
W) CHECK THAT EPROM IS CLEAN
X) REAO THE CONTENTS OF EPROM INTO
M
18-N0Hd018
BLOPROMS-81
A uniquely sophisticated
EPROM
PROGRAMMER
In use at various labs incl. Sinclair
Research
pron programiner for the 2516, STATES
JINN siivle supply families
yes, even the 27128 fron titel
Cheek. Read, Program Verify
Hhor part at bpron
Seoocemensels user lriendis vau'll
hardly need tie manual, Desienead
\ he beginner but ticludes
single hey cites: rote for the
pretessronmal. Supplied
wite, the criven routine
dlone os worth more than the price
of BEOPROALST. No personality
Cards Het ulehitions, ptisi a
touttires, On-boun Vpp veneratiot
connector and extender pliw. ABS case
Nore. Can provide up to 36 inputs on 40 ourpuns as an | O
PROMER-81
*
Ral
a Y) BLOW AN EPROM WITH DATA FROM
RAM
2) VERIFY THAT EPROM DATA IS THE SAME
AS IN RAM
QTO QUIT
us
RTO RESTART
L8-JIWVHI
FAST CODES AVAILABLE
D 4 POR WXYZ
ZNSE. Several
*Wpin Ztl
PROMER-SP
ubuih
secker
MUTCEN
Cabled
£79.95
Dream-X1
Fall 64K Ramopack wich link options to disable (-8-16K. Phas a 28
pit bPROAT socket ter 2716, 2732 2764 and even the latest 27128
Hom fine Past slow Epromt option. professionally built angel tested
freon ABS case with an EEL indicate £59.95
UV ERASER
£18.95
DHOBI 1
Compact. Mains powered. Save. bully cused. Uip te 3b PROMS
DHOBI 2
With autoriatie timer
MEMIC-81
A 4h CMOS RAM and Jithiuin batters unin basy SAVEing. 1Oy¢
storage and tsi retrieval of programs. Resides in S12 of 12-16K
of Z N81 £29.95
CRAMIC-81
Ingenious hardware sofiware allows thi, 16K CATOS RAM with
lithitun batrers to CO-esise in same memory area as ordinary RAM
ZNS1 can multitask on we completely independent programs. £79.95
£22.98
L8-3IWIW
PROMER 81-S
PRINTER/MONITOR ACCESSORIES
BIC
i>
MSB Monitor Stand Vor
Sits over the Beeb 17"
P&P 3.50
PSS) Standard
OKI. Fpsen
[STAT Bath
PSL bitrge model
P&P €3.50
micto
asi
£19.95
printer stands
cle
ju
7
PSC-3
cle
P&P 3.50
CUSTOM PRINTER
STANDS lor larger printers
P.O.A.
Printer Output Tray for
fantoll paper P&P £3.50
£16.95
Uh. VAT estra. No VAT on exports P+P UK.
Free Rurope + 5% — Overseas + 10% TIX 81574
[pron MN-100) ote
“140 » 3.75
lor
Sik
£22.95
PRINTER STANDS
PO!
1
SONVLS HOLINOW
Cambndge Microelectioncs 110. One Muton Rd. Cambvdge CB4 UY fet (0223) 314 B14
@ Circle No. 166
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
REGISTERED REFERRAL CENTRE
FOR THE B8C PROJECT
BEEBUG ¢::
THE
BBC MICRO
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL USER
GROUP FOR THE 88C MICRO
MEMBERSHIP NOW EXCEEDS 20,000
20,000 MEMBERS CAN'T BE WRONG — BEEBUG PROVIDES THE BEST SUPPORT FOR THE
BBC MICRO BEEBUG MAGAZINE — NOW 62 PAGES INCLUOING NEW PRODUCT GUIDE
SUPPLEMENT — DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BBC MICRO.
Programs — Hints & Tips — Major Articles — News — Reviews — Commentary. PLUS members
discount scheme with National Retailers. PLUS members Software Library — a growing range of
software from around £3.50 per cassette. 10 Magazines a year. First issue April 1982. Reprints
of all Issues available to members.
March Issue: program features: Krazy Football game, the Manhole
game, requiring quick thought and fast reaction, Extending ASTAAD,
our popular Computer Aided Design Program, The Stonemason,
Multiple Disc Catalogues, a program version of Bach’s Cantata
No.147, a program for Printing Your Own Function Key Labels, Plus
articles on Acom’s Latest Developments, Testing Out Your Micro
(Sideways ROMs), Machine Code Graphics (part 2), Compact Func-
tion Key Definitions. Plus Reviews of FORTH for the BBC micro,
Memory Expansion Board Review, Software Reviews, Hints and Tips.
U
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY OFFER
Join by April 15th for your
Exchangable for software & hardware.
The voucher will be mailed to all members with the May
issue of Beebug magazine.
Make cheques to BEEBUG and send to:
BEEBUG Dept §, PO Box 109
Baker Street. High Wycombe,
Bucks HP? D
Send Editorial material to.
The Editor Beebug
PO Box 50 St. Albans. Herts
®@ Circle No. 167
A¢G [Come TERUARE
*ALL THE BEST FROM A + G*
APPLE SOFTWARE
Send now for new 1984 catalogue
Over 700 items Lots of new bargains
Write or call now
PRINTER BARGAINS
New Daisystep 2000 Daisywheel Printer
Wordstar compatible Bidirectional 20 CPS
Qume Ribbons and Printwheels
Free delivery on UK mainland
at only £2891!
Full warranty,
Unbelievable value!
Send £1.00 & SAE tor Sample
Membership: UK £5.40 tor sia months
£9.90 for one year
Overseas one yeat only
Europe £16.00 Middie Ga3s1 £19.00
Americas & Africa £21.00
Other Countnes £2700
Business Starter Pack
Based on Apple Ile computer plus all necessary cards &
cables includes *Monitor* D/Wheel Printer and Software.
Inclusive Price £1679
Ask for details
New! Commodore 64 Printer interface to give screen dump
Hi-Res graphics — Block Graphics and text dump
without, software! f .
Includes print rotated * inversed * double size* graphics.
Send for info sheet — for all populat printers
Monitors Green — Amber — Colour
Acoustic hoods for all makes of printers
printer buffers — internal — external — 2K to 64K
All at amazingly low low prices
DO IT NOW! RING FOR OUR BARGAIN OFFERS
GOVT & EDUC. ORDERS WELCOME.
FREE DELIVERY BY FAST INTERLINK COURIER
PLEASE ADD VAT TO ALL TOTALS
P.O. Box 34, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 4PT
Telephone 061-428-2014
@ Circle No. 168
187
FREE WITH EVERY TEN-PACK
OF DISKETTES FROM DISKING
1. SEE 10 LIBRARY BOX
The Superb See 10 library
box for storing and
displaying ten diskettes. 2
Available individually at
£2.50 exc VAT, see under
‘Diskette storage’ PLUS
DISKING MEANS BUSINESS
* FREE SOLID BRASS LACQUER PEN for ALL Computer Users **
Write or call (24hr answering) for our General Price List. Name this
magazine and you will get your pen.
OUR business is here to serve YOUR business, and if you don't find us the
stickest and most reliable UK disk supplier — we'll refund your monies in full.
UK P&P is free, if we can't ship inside 4 working hours!”
MEMOREX
MEMORY EXCELLENCE
Memorex diskettes will work wellin ANY computer ~ they
have a reputation which is second to none.
5%" DISKETTES
Certified for single OR double density and with hub ring
reinforcement.
PRICES EXC VAT
MAXELL — The Gold Standard
Maxell’s newly packaged diskettes, consistently
meet or exceed all standards.
sang ee oe aie Eh op 100+ A quality to match the best.
| eee ae 0.90 19.90 51/4" DISKETTES
3491 D/S48tpi............27.90 26.90 25.90 de ; ; :
3504 S/S 96 tpi. .. 2790 26.90 25.90 Certified for Single OR Double Density 48 tpi
3501 D/S 96 tpi. 35.90 34.90 33.90 media with hub ring
48 tpi suitable for 35 or 40 track PRICES EXC VAT
96 tpi suitable for 77 or 80 track 10-40 50-90 100+
10 & 16 Hard Sector at same prices MD1-DS/S48tpi 24.90 23.90 22.90
MD2-DD/S48tpi 32.90 31.90 30.90
MD1-DDS/S96tpi 32.90 31.90 30.90
DISKING ‘SHATTERING’ OFFER MD2-DDD/S96tpi 42.90 41.90 40.90
48 tpi suitable for 35 or 40 track
96 tpi suitable for 77 or 80 track
10 & 16 Hard Sector at same prices
MEMOREX
8” DISKETTES
PRICES EXC VAT
: 10-40 50-90 100+
ore! Pusiven (I 1906. FO Cosseue 135 FD1-128S/SS/D....29.90 28.90 27.90
FD1-XD S/S D/D.....34.90 33.90 32.90
OB series 950
FD2-XDD/SD/D ....39.90 38.90 37.90
32 Hard Sector available at same price
To prove just how good MEMOREX
are, we at Disking are packing a
FREE MEMOREX C-90 Cassette
tape with every ten-pack of
MEMOREX floppies until June 30th
1984. This offer does not affect any of
our other promotions, and is in addi-
tion to them.
‘PERFECT DATA’ CLEANING KIT
in our experience the only cleaning kit that really
works, and works reliably.
Part No: Description
CK5 For 5%" Drives
CK8 For 8” Drives
Price
14.90
14.90
51%" DISKING SUPERMAILERS
Will mail up to 4 diskettes in their envelopes, and
very rigid due to copyright design. Packed in
100’s.
Part No:
DSM
SONY
312”MICRODISK 10-40 50-90 100+
OM-D3320 S/Sided 42.90 41.90 40.90
(Auto shutter 0.5 MByte rating)
No library box available yet — sorry
Desc. 100 200 300
Mailers 24.90 22.90 19.90
(86
DISKING::::
business
2. Disking ‘COLOUF
CODERS’
A multicoloured pack of ter
fibre tipped pens for colou
coding your diskette labels
Available individually at 49}
exc VAT per pack of ter
san
63 Dysan
Diskette
py _—~ Dysan Quality
aa maintained — prices reduc
DYSAN
With new lower prices Dysan’s impeccable
reputation is now a bargain. Go on, spoil yourse
5%" DISKETTES
Certified for Single OR Double Density, and all
with Hub Ring reinforcement
PRICES EXC VAT
10-40 50-90 100+
104/1DS/S48tpi 23.90 22.90 21.90
104/2D D/S48tpi 3490 33.90 32.90
204/1D S/S96tpi 34.90 33.90 32.90
204/2D D/S96tpi 42.90 41.90 40.90
48 tpi suitable for 35 or 40 track
96 tpi Suitable for 77 or 80 track
10 & 16 Hard Sector at same prices
8" DISKETTES
PRICES EXC VAT
10-40 50-90 100+
3740/1 S/S S/D....... 29.90 28.90 27.90
3740/1D S/S D/D....32.90 31.90 30.90
3740/2D D/S D/D....40.90 39.90 38.90
32 Hard Sector available at same price
Disking Swing Lid Box
NEW Product!
STORES 60 MINIDISKS
Keep your lid on with the new superior
amti-static Disking lockable swing-lid
box with convenient hinged smoked
perspex lid, dividers and two keys.
Always keeps your disks in perfect
condition and even has concealed
Carrying handles front and rear for
your convenience.
RAP is 21.50. Our price exc VAT is just
Part No: Description 1-3 a+
DSLB 60 Minidisk capacity 17.90 15,90
Packed individually and 4 to an outer carton
How To Contact DISKING:
By Telephone: (0428) 722563
By Telex: 858623 Telbur G
By PRESTEL: Page 2477310 — Please allow 5 days
for the order toreach us.
By FAX: (0252) 721521
U.K. SHIPPING RATES INC.
8” DISKETTES
1-2 PACKS each pack @ 1.60
3-5 PACKS each pack @ 1.20
6-9 PACKS each pack @ 90p
10+ PACKS * POST FREE *
8” CLEANING KITS
Same postal rate as packs of 51”
diskettes, 10+ POST FREE
5%" DISKETTES
1-2 PACKS each pack @ 95p
3-5 PACKS each pack @ 75p
3-9 PACKS each pack @ 60p
10+ PACKS * POST FREE *
514” CLEANING KITS
Same postal rate as packs of 51/4”
jiskettes, 10+ POST FREE
Verbatim.
Datalife —- Five Year Warranty
\t's easy to see why they're the world market
eaders. Perfect data retention everytime — for a
ifetime — Datalife.
5Va" DISKETTES
Sertified for Single OR Double Density, and all
with Hub Ring reinforcement
PRICES EXC VAT
10-40 50-90 100+
MD525S/S 48tpi 2290 21.90 20.90
MD550 D/S 48tpi 29.90 28.90 27.90
MD577S/S96tpi 28.90 27.90 26.90
MD557D/S96tpi 36.90 35.90 34.90
48 tpi suitable for 35 or 40 track
36 tpi suitable for 77 or 80 track
10 & 16 Hard Sector at same prices
B" DISKETTES
PRICES EXC VAT
10-40 50-90 100+
FD34-9000 S/S S/Dens 31.90 30.90 29.90
FD34-8000 S/S D/Dens 31.90 30.90 29.90
DD34-4001 D/S D/Dens....... 36.90 35.90 34.90
32 Hard Sector available at same price
SEE 10 LIBRARY BOXES
Stores 10 Minidisks AND when open displays them ail at the same
time — Quite simply the best library box there is!
PRICES EXC VAT
Part No: Description 1-49 50+
SEE 10 Library Box 2.50 2.20
LBS Library Box 3.00 3.00
ABA LOCKABLE DISKETTE STORAGE
These storage boxes come in four sizes, two for mini disks and two
for 8" disks.
They hold 40 or 80 diskettes and come complete with keys and
dividers.
PRICES EXC VAT
Part No: Description Price
M35 40 minidisk capacity 14.90
M85 80 minidisk capacity 18.90
F40 40 8” diskette capacity 18.90
F8o 80 8” diskette capacity 27.90
. BUT EXC. VAT
SEE 105-9 off @ 30p
SEE 10 1-4 off @40p
SEE 1010+ @ 20p
8" LIBRARY BOXES
LB8 1-4 off @ 60p
LB8 5-9 off @ 45p
LB8 10+ @ 30p
Verbatim.
Vere Verex
VEREX
Verbatim Verex come with a full one year warranty
but at a very popular price — you can’t lose!
54" DISKETTES
PRICES EXC VAT
10-40 50-90 100+
MD200-01 S/SS/D Soft 19.90 18.90 17.90
MD200-ASS/S S/DApple 19.90 18.90 17.90
8" DISKETTES
PRICES EXC VAT
10-40 50-90 100+
FD34-1500S/SS/DSoff 22.90 21.90 20.90
FD32-1500S/S D/DHard 22.90 21.90 20.90
DD34-1501 D/ISD/DSoft 29.90 28.90 27.90
STOP PRESS « STOP PRESS
STOP PRESS + STOP PRESS
400 Brand New, Unlabelled Grey Superluxe Disk
Libraries (20 minidisk capacity) at half price to
clear. Minimum order quantity 10 pieces.
Only ... 4.90 each. (3.00 p&p per 10, 30+ FREE)
This offer is open to the trade OR end users.
First come first served.
HARD DISKS FOR YOUR MICRO
We can supply Hard Disk sub systems for most
micros —5Mb from 1190.00 up to 40MB from
2480.00 — please call for details.
SAGE BUSINESS SOFTWARE
With a SAGE fully integrated Sales, Nominal &
Purchase ledger system costing only 375.00 how
can you go wrong?
In fact they even let you try-before-you-buy for
only 20.00, and refund that against your purchase.
Please call for a full list of packages and prices.
We will enclose a FREE pack of ten diskettes with
every SAGE software package sold.
5." NEW ‘SEE 10’ LIBRARY BOXES
DISKING INTERNATIONAL
FREEPOST
LIPHOOK
HAMPSHIRE
GU30 7BR
UNITED KINGDOM
DISKING SUPERMAILERS (5% only)
100-PACK 3.00
DISKING COLOUR CODERS
10-Pack Multicolours 25p
LOCKABLE DISKETTE STORAGE
Allversions: 1 off 2.00, 2-7 off 1.30
each, 8+ post free
NORMAL ORDERS - WE NOW WELCOME ALL OFFICIAL
GOVERNMENT ORDERS
We welcome orders from all Government Bodies including Schools,
Universities, Colleges. Hospitals. the Utilities, Research Establishments,
Armed Forces. the Ministries and loca! Authorities etc. We will despatch
within 4 working hours from receipt of your official order number received
either by post or over the telephone.
Everyone else cheques with order please payable to DISKING. Ifyou
are a large establishment, and cannot raise cheques without an invoice
please post or telephone us with your order. and we will send a pro-forma
invoice by return, for your accounts department to pay against, Also bear
in mind. that you do have to pay VAT, which will be added to these prices.
If you are in any doubt, please telephone us for assistance.
CREDIT CARD ORDERS
We welcome Access (Mastercharge), Barclaycard (VISA) & Diners Club
International. & there is NO credit card surcharge. You may write your
C/Card No. on your order or telephone the order day or night. 365 days a
year. You may speak for as !ong as you like (but please speak up and
don't leave long gaps otherwise our machine thinks you've gone home)
and don't forget to give the following details:
1. Day time telephone number
2. Cardholder Name & Address
3. Delvery/Invoice Address if different
4. Your Credit Card Number
5. Part Nos and quantity of what you wish to order
6. Normal. First Class or Special Post
YOU MAY LEAVE THE REST TO US!
URGENT ORDERS
If you're posting your order, omit the word FREEPOST
from our address, and use our normal postcode GU30
7EJ and do not forget to stamp it FIRST CLASS. If you are
a Government body as defined under ‘NORMAL
ORDERS’ and are telephoning your official order OR are
an individual or company using your Credit Card No,
please make it clear that you wish to pay for your goods to
be sent to you by FIRST CLASS POST.
FIRST CLASS RATES
EXC VAT 5M" 8"
First TEN-PACK 2,00 2.50
Second & subsequent
TEN-PACK 1.50 2.00
DESPERATE ORDERS U.K.
Your options are:
DATAPOST Next day U.K. — order by 3.00pm or:
EXPRESSPOST Same day (ENGLAND) — order by
10.30am
Please telephone for further information.
PRICES SUBJECT TO EXCHANGE RATES &
AVAILABILITY -
WATCHTHIS SPACE TRADECORNER WATCH THIS SPACE
*¢ > FREE AEROPLANE « -&
Being in the micro trade means you're dynamic
and energetic but probably sit in front of your VDU
too long like we do. So we've devised a way of
getting you out into the fresh air - an aeroplane
that flies. Just call and ask for your flier and of
course we'll send you our 1984 trade price list
(Yes it's printed at last and even our secretary
can't believe it) We'll include your FREE sample
unlabelled diskette and supermailer AND an
application form for a DPC card to enable you to
buy at our 10,000 prices yet order only in 50s.
@ Circle No. 204
189
Telephone Claire Notley on 01-661 8163
ADVERTISEMENT RATES
Display Rates
£15.00 per single
Column Centimetre
Minimum 5cm x 1col
One Insertion
Three Insertions
Six Insertions
Nine Insertions
Twelve Insertions
$15.00 perscc
$14.25 perscc
£14.00 per scc
$13.50 per scc
$13.00 perscc
Copy Date
Micro Ads.
Linage 25p per
word minimum of
45 words.
Prepayable.
Shopwindow advertisements for the
edition will be accepted up to
20th March for May edition,
subject to space being available.
Post to
Practical Computing, Classified
Department, Room H211, Quadrant House,
The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS.
SCIENTIFIC SUBROUTINE
LIBRARY
VOLUME | — STATISTICS AND FITTING
FUNCTIONS
Mean, SD, normal distribution, partial expectation,
Chauvenets criterion, least squares fit to polynominal
and arbitrary function, repetitive least squares fits,
covariance matrix, chi-squared statistic, matrix
inversion, solution of simultaneous equations.
VOLUME 2 — LINEAR PROGRAMMING
Reduction of a Simplex tableau, integer
Programming, partial integer programming,
conversational linear programming system, least cost
mix problem.
VOLUME 3 — FURTHER STATISTICS
Ranking. quantiles, frequency, 2-way table,
correlation coefficient, T, chi-squared and F
distributions and their inverses, T test, chi-squared’
test, Wilcoxson test, linear and multiple regression, L
ANOVA |-way and 2-way.
VOLUME 4 — TRANSFORMATIONS &
SORTING ALGORITHMS
Fourier, FFT, Laplace, numerical integration and
differentiation. Exchange sort, Quicksort, Shell sort.
Tree sort.
Manuals including full source listings
implementation notes and documentation -
BASIC £25 per volume
PASCAL £30 per volume
Software in CP/M (8” SSSD) or DEC RT-11
(RXO1) formats — £75 + VAT per volume,
CP/M TO DEC FILE TRANSER
Software to read and write RTI! format RXO1
diskettes under CP/M. Supplied on 8” SSSD diskette
— £25 + VAT.
MICRO LOGIC CONSULTANTS LTD.
57, Station Rd., Southwater, Horsham,
W. Sussex.
Telephone: 0403 731818
®@ Circle No. 210
with
MJ MICRO SUPPLIERS
Apple Ii, ie Compatible Peripheral Cards (P&P 80p)
Language Card 40.40 80 Column {not fie) 46.28
Inverse Video 9.88 40/80 Col. Switch Box
Par. Interface 40.04
780 Card 44.50
AS232C 43.16
32K Buffer 89.50 64K Buffer Card
Ciock Card/Batt 49.00 A-0 Card 16 Chan.
Apple Ii, jie Compatible Cards (P&P 80p)
Standard 80 Col 50.00 80 Column + 64K
64K Upgrade
PAL Colour
69.00
$0.00
45.00
(P&P £1.50)
Apple {j, lie Compatibie Accessories
doystick 13.00 Coofing Fan
52 Key ASCH upperfower case Keyboard
KGP40 40 Col 2 colour Printer + Interface
SEWD FOR OUR APPLE BROCHURE FOR FULL DETAILS
Cash with order. Add P&P & 15% VAT to prices.
Also: CASSETTES DISKS STATIONARY BINDERS
Write for Jull prices to
MJ MICRO SUPPLIES, FREEPOST (BS3661),
Nailsea, BRISTOL BS19 2BR.
No stamp required
Tel: Nailsea (0272) 857354 24 hr. Answer Phone 49
®@ Circle No. 211
190
Does your
SUPERBRAIN
blink and then go blank?
For all your Superbrain
problems, telephone Bristol
(0272) 45222
COLDHARBOUR
DEVELOPMENTS
FOR MUTLI-USER BUSINESS
SYSTEMS
5
OPEN HOUSE FOR
NOVICES AND BEYOND
Choose your time — day or evening
Learn at your own pace on OSBORNE,
RAIR or BBC BASIC, D BASE I,
SUPERCALC, WORDSTAR, Graphics
Introductory Course £45
Also evening club
Brochure from:
MICROCOMPUTER ADVISORY
CENTRE
Polytechnic of the South Bank
Borough Road,
London SE10AA
or ring: 01-928 8989 ext. 2468
@ Circle No. 213
Monitor and Colour TV
Why buy just a monitor, when you can have a
monitor AND a colour TV. Based on the superb
Philips 14” Colour TV. Inputs for RGB, VIDEO,
SOUND and UHF. Suitable for home computers,
video discs and VCRs £245.00
cFORTH FOR SINCLAIR SPECTRUM
with MICRODRIVES
Supplied complete with assembler, editor,
utilities and documentation .. ..£19.95
FIG-FORTH
Installation manual + source listing
Available for the following CPU's;
8080/Z80, 6800, 68000,
PDP-11/LSI-11.
FORTH Disc systems available from ....£25.00
CONGUIN SOFTWARE
14 GOODWOOD CLOSE, MORDEN,
SURREY, SM4 5AW 11
No callers please. Phone 0524 381423
®@ Circle No. 214
£12.50
6502,
6809,
@ Circle No. 212 |
COMPUTER
STANDS
A full range of ‘Rrom
moderately-priced
robust units for offices, f 4 2 0 0
schools and computer
roams 6 VAT
Repairs to personal computers
and instrumentation
Telephone for details
PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS LTD
Enterprise House, 44-46 Terrace Road,
Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 2SD
Tel:Welton-on-Thamesk093 2245676
@ Circle No. 215
:GOFORTH&*;:
Laboratory Microsystems FORTHs - the professional
FORTHs complete with editors, assemblers, turn-key
compiler, many system utilities, multi-tasking, and
extensive documentation. These FORTHs are available
for 8080, Z80, 8086/88, and 68000 processors using
CPM-80, CPM-86, MSDOS/PCDOS, or CPM-68K.
CPM-80 £60 CPM-86 £105
MSDOS/PCDOS £105 CPM-68K £190
NEW — FORTH + packages have 32-bit stacks and can
access the processor's full address space for both
program and data.
CPM-86/MSDOS/PCDOS £190 CPM-68K £290
Nautilus Systems Cross-compilers — transport FORTH to
different processors, generate ROMmable code, these
compilers will run on any of the FORTHs above. The
complete development system — areal time saver.
Choose targets from — 8080, 8086/88, Z80, 6800,
6301/6801, 6809, 68000, 1802, Z8, 9900/99000,
Z8000, LSI-11. First compiler from £230, additional
targets from £95.
NEWBRAIN FORTH in PROM -- includes screen editor,
full integration to NEWBRAIN t/o handlers, a complete
Z80 assembler, decompiler, utilities and manual — £55
+ VAT EPROM/RS 232 card and comms software also
available.
DRAGON FORTH cartridge — full fig-F ORTH with editor,
colour management, sound facilities, and manual — £45
+ VAT
22? I! JUPITER ACE DISC CONTROLLER II! ??? Well ain't
that magic — just add 12 volts anda disc drive — 3”, 5",
or 8”. Includes full FORTH DOS software. A snip at
£98 + VAT. Additional disc utilities £15.
DIY FORTH Kits Installation manual — How to doit,
model, definitions, editor £7
Source code listing for one processor — choose from
6502, 6800, 6809, 8080, Z80, 8086/8088, 9900,
1802, 68000, Z8000, VAX, Apple JI. LSI-11, Eclipse £7
Comprehensive range of FORTH books includes —
"Starting FORTH’ by Brodie — the classic
"Systems Guide to fig-F ORTH’ by Ting
£16
£26
21 Hanley Road Shirley
Southampton $01 SAP
Tel 0703 775482
MicroProcessor Engineering Ltd |
j Ne eeicome Access
18
® Circle No. 216
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
for all the
Saaraon leading
ae SS micros
easy parking off the M56 (junc 12) ° VIC 20 * VIC 64
* BBC micros * Newbrain* Acorn Atom ° Books
* Apple 11e, 111 * Dragon * Electron * Games
. Sinclair Spectrum
e Secondhand computers “EASY PAYMENTS e
ALL ACCESSORIES SALES AND SERVICE
: Churchfield Road, °
FRODSHAM
Cheshire WAG 6RD °,
e TEL: FRODSHAM (0928)35110 e
° SRAMS Call Steve Rhodes lor de! ©
@ Circle No. 217
Choate
wor
HAVE YOU
CONSIDERED
BAR CODES
Bar-codes give a speedy
and error free means of
data entry and provide a
foolproof method of
identification for any
item or document. Typical uses Include stock control,
fibraries, fling systems, security & checkpoint verifica-
tion, point of sale terminals, spare parts Identificaiton,
etc. etc. Already most grocery products are bar-coded
at source and many other areas of industry and com-
merce are following. Bar-codes will soon be
commonplace.
APPLE 2 PET BBC micro
A complete low cost bar-code Identification system is
available for these micros. It contains all the hardware,
software and documentation needed to read and print
bar-codes (using an Epson dot matrix printer). Most
bar-code formats may be read and the system may
easily be patched into an existing applications
program.
£199.00 + VAT
*** NEW *** RS232 bar-code reader
This new stand-atone unit decodes the bar-code and
converts it into ASCII for transmission to the host
computer via a RS232 port. Complete with scanning
wand, power supply & cables. Works with virtually
any computer.
£385.00 + VAT
More information on these products is available on re-
quest. Please state your micro & area of interest. The
decoder board is available separately to OEMs.
DOT MATRIX & DAISYWHEEL PRINTERS
NEC 8023 STAR
SHINWA CP80
BROTHER TEC
etc. etc. etc. M
Our pricing policy is ae ——
to match or better any a
other advertiser. In addition .
enthusiastic and knowledgeable technical
advice and backup is available to all our
customers. Delivery is from stock to your door, often
within 24 hours. Phone for a quote or write for full
lists.
ALTEK (PC) 1 GREEN LANE
WALTON ON THAMES SURREY
please phone before calling RN
(0932) 244110 17
@ Circle No. 218
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
MICROCOMPUTER INSURANCE
Comprehensive cover at a reasonable
premium:
@ All Risks Cover (incl. Transit) — up !
to £8,000 for £20
@ Increased Cost of Working — to
reinstate lost data
@ Breakdown & Derangement —
alternative to maintenance agree-
ment
Write with details of equipment to:
Geoffrey Hoodless & Associates
Freepost (no stamp required)
Woking
Surrey GU21 3BR
Tel: Woking (04862) 61082 (24 hrs) 14
®@ Circle No. 219
DISKETTES ]
VERBATIM 5}” VERBATIM 8”
SSDD BOX 10 £21.80 SSSD BOX 10 £30.60
SSDD BOX 10 £30.90
DSDD BOX 10 £31.00 DSDO BOX 10 £36.10
Prices include delivery but exclude VAT
SPECIAL OFFER COMPUTER TABLE FOR HOME
OR OFFICE. 2 TIER FULLY ADJUSTABLE IN TEAK
OAK OR WHITE MELAMIME £36 50
ra { + VAT
For full price list phone
or write
COBRA
Office & Data Products Ltd.,
. Lichfield House,
21, High Street,
Amblecote,
Stourbridge, DY8 4DE
Tel: 03843 74880
@ Circle No. 220
KINGSLEY
ENTERPRISES
Mail Order Discs
Prices are tor boxes of 10 discs
Sott Sector Nashua Xen Dysan CenTecn
5 25” Disketes
SS/S0.48 = 1500 22.00
SS/OD 48 17,00 19.00 23 00 25.00
DS/0D 48 = 19.00 24 00 31.00 31.00
SS/DD96 24 00 25 00 32.00 3500
98/0096 —-.25.00 3100 40.00 40 00
8" Diskettes
SS/SD.48 20.00 26 00
$S/00.48 2100 23 00 30 00 30 00
DS/0D 4A ~—-22.00 27 00 35.00 37.00
Sony 35" (Apricot) Disketies £40 00
Add carriage (£1 per box) and VAT (15%)
Prices correct at time of going to press
Please write for tull-range price list
KINGSLEY ENTERPRISES
87 Whitefield Road
Stockton Heath
Warrington
WA4 6NB
@ Circle No. 221
NEWBURY DATA PRINTERS
8510 from £480.00
1550 from £600.00
are, what other printers want to be
Continuous Stationary 1000 SHTS
11x9} plain
11x94 plain (zip margins)
11x 1443 plain/lined
Min. Quantity = 1 Box (2,000 sheets)
Contact Chris Pearce
CDP Consultants Ltd.
Wicken Rd., Clavering, Essex CB11 4QT.
{079985 617)
15
@ Circle No. 222
Every computer needs
CHATTERBOX Il
“Listen creep, | am the leader...’
For ZX81 FS
SPECTRUM 2
BBC c
TRS 80
APPLE
NASCOM
VIC/PET/64
(Please stale)
N= PITCH coud?
EXCLUSIVE! Meee One,
CHATTERBOX Il ™ éan say anything!
Genuine phoneme synthesis - not Just recorded
speech - hence unlimited vocabulary.
Programmable pitch for more natural intonation
(exclusive to Wm Stuart Systems)- solid tone
cabinet for quality sound - integral beep/music
amplifier. PLUS expansion socket for BIG EARS
voice recognition system. Full instructions
technical notes and software supplied with this
butstanding educational unit.
DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME
%
Oo)
a
onty £49
AMAZING VALUE
ATONLY
£19.50 «m
£25.50 (BUILT)
clawms 118 victims
wath @ dry vocal ery:
accompaniment (Spectrum) £6
THE COMPOSER TALKING HANGMAN
For Chatterbox!
The classic game
Syntnesiser Music
Programme
As seen on BBC TV “Computer Programme”
Sr &
*BIGEARS* *%.% «
SPEECH
INPUT
FOR ANY
COMPUTER
Hugely successful Speech Regnition System.
complete with microphone, software and full
instructions.
BUILT TESTED & GUARANTEED
PLEASE STATE COMPUTER: UK101,
SPECTRUM, ATOM, NASCON2, Vic 20. Micron,
ZX80/81, PET, TRS80, MZ80K, APPLE II, BBC MICRO
ZX81/SPECTRUM NEW!
MUSIC SYNTHESISER (Stereo) VIBRATO
+16 LINE CONTROL PORT CONTROL
Play 3-part music, sound effects, drums etc. Full
control of atlack, decay:and frequency,
Input/Output lines provide control and monitor %
facitity for Home Security, Robot Control, Model
Railway etc. etc. Works with or without 16K RAM.
Full instructions/sottware included.
Add keyboard to make a live performance
polyphonic syninesiser!
Note: up to 3 units can be used simultaneously;
giving 9 music channels & 48 1/0 tines
ENS acun Sieinemcy
Includes demonstrations
(SoecitunvZX81 jrecommendea £7
ZX ARP/DRUMSEQ &
Fascinating synthesiser
demonstrations Generales
fulomatic sequences and
Plays ram keyboard Some
werd effects |Specitum)
CHROMACODE??????
Can you defuse me bomb by
Cracking the sectat
combination belore hme runs.
out? With Chatterbox voce
outout (Spectrum)
mT
id
£6
«it £16
eunt£22
All enquiries
S.A.E. please
COLOUR MODULATOR
AGB in, PAL/UHF out (not for 2X)
Please add VAT at 15% to prices.
Barclay/Access orders accepted by telephone
WILLIAM QuteyDown House comme
STUART SSincy
SYSTEMS Ltd Tel 098 064 235 6
®@ Circle No. 223
REPAIRS & SERVICE
* COMPUTERS (Business & Personal)
* DISC DRIVES (53 & 8”)
*VDU’s
* MONITORS
* PRINTERS
* $100 BOARDS
* EPROM PROGRAMMING
* MAINTENANCE CONTACTS
48 hour service for alignment
and test of disc drives
A.N. ELECTRONIC & COMPUTER
SERVICES LTD
130B North Lane, Aldershot, Hants
Tel: Aldershot (0252) 25608 16
@ Circle No. 224
igi
INTERFACE PROBLEMS?
NOT ANY LONGER!
You can now connect almost ANY computer to ...
ANY printer,
Aliows connection of Parallel rinters to serial computers,
and Is UNIVERSALLY COMPATIBLE. If you change your
Compute or your printer, you need not change your
Interface.
almost
Especially suitable for EPSON WX20, NEWSRAIN,
SINCLAIR INTERFACE 1, QL etc. ..
Alternatively, state which computer you have, and we will
supply the interface complete with BOTH leads.
Uses CMOS and runs off batteries, small size, includes
printer connector and 1m of lead. .
All for only
Also available: SWITCHABLE INTERFACES. . .
SERIAL to 2-WAY CENTRONICS.
SERIAL to 4-WAY SERIAL............
SERIAL to SERIAL pius CENTRO
please add £25 per additi
Most combinations of SERIAL /EENTRONICE available.
Please enquire about your particular combination.
Please enquire about our range of software for the
NewBraln.
All the above prices include VAT postage and packing in
EUROPE. Please address orders and enquiries to:
ERO LIMITED, 30 CAMPKIN ROAD, CAMBRIDGE CB4
2N'
TELEPHONE: DAY 0487 830361 EVE 0223322394 2
® Circle No. 225
ZORBA
THE SERIOIJS PERSONS PORTABLE
PLUS
LUCAS LOGIC LX80
The Low Cost 80cps Printer
(A great metere
A
DBASEII
The Most Powerful Micro Database
(Now the system is complete)
And you can take it anywere
Deliveries are immediate
Contact Chris Pearce
CDP Consultants Ltds
Wicken Rd., Clavering, Essex. CB11 4QT
{0799 85) 617 22
@ Circle No. 226
POOLS PREDICTION
*“POOLSWINNERS”
The most sophisitcated Pools Prediction Aid available. Gives probabilities of
score draws, draws, homes or aways, based on two databases holding over
20,000 matches fincluded).
The databases are automatically updated as results are entered.
Can be used in simple made, or with parameter adjustments to develop your
own unique forecast method.
Fully documented, available now for Apple, Spectrum (48K), Dragon, 2X81
{16K}, BBC Model B, Commodore 64 (others — please enquire).
£15.00 {discsitapes)
“POOLSDATA”
Complete record of all English Football League matches 1978-83. Teams,
scores and dates of 10,000 matches held in simple format, ready for your
analysis, Starter analysis programs and full documentation included. Available
for Apple. Spectrum, 7X81, BBC, Dragon, Commodore series.
Discs (5 year) £15.00
Tapes (5 year) £12.50 all prices
Tapes (2 year) £7.70 (p&p included)
SELEC SOFTWARE (PC)
37 Councillor Lane,
Cheadle, Cheshire
061-428 7425
@ Circle No. 227
MUD, ice
Newlin
rend gmpes addressed envelope
100+ 225mm for free programs
and details of the
New Brain Users Group
36 ARMITAGE WAY, CAMBRIDGE
CB4 2UE
If you are interested in a particular article/speciat
feature or advertisement in this journal
HAVE A GOOD LOOK AT OUR
REPRINT SERVICE!
We offer an excellent, reasonably priced service
working to your own specifications to produce a
valuable and prestigeous addition to your promotional
material. (Minimum order 250 copies).
Telephone Michael Rogers on 01-661 3457 or
complete and return the form below.
To: Michael Rogers, Practical Computing, Reprint Depart-
ment, Quadrant House, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS.
lam interested in
headed
journal on pages
Please send me full details of your reprint service by
return of post.
Company
Address
Vs
copies of article/advert.
featured in this
, issue dated
@
@ Circle No. 228 !
HEWLETT 150 PC isa
PACKARD touch of class
A touch of Magic.
supercharge your
SUPEXBRAIN
*Much improved operating systems
“Fast and friendly utilitias
“Powerful programming aids
“Unbreakable security routines
*Hi, Med & Lo Graphics
*Screen handling info pack
*Communications to outside world
*Memory-mapped Wordstar & Formstar
*Video-output for extra monitors
*Hard-disk & back-up systems
Software from SeeDee, Phipps, Keele, McMillan
Hardware from!ICE, Fullbrook, Micronex
Full details from:
COMPUTER
FACILITY
0734 867855
32 Redlands Road,
READING,
Berks. 25
ee Re
@ Circle No. 229.
APPLE 11+ 48K with microsoft 16K Ram-
card and VisiCalc 3.3 and Omnis (Brand
New, Unopened) £750 ONO Tel. 09947 457
SEIKOSHA GP80A Matrix Printer. Little Us-
ed. £140 (03727) 22105 (Eves).
EPSON MX801!] F/T new unused. Spare Rib-
bon. Manual Lead. £265 + P.P. £3. Tel.
(0308) 862241.
SPECTRUM USERS — We specialise i in pro-
fessional programs for Home and Business
Management. SAE for catalogue. SD
Systems (PC) Po Box 24 Hitchin, Herts.
Trade Enquiries welcome.
Apricot that is
not round!
The choice is yours. We give you the service you
deserve. And your secretary |
the Most Intelligent Typewriter Printer
to communicate with people and machines!
ASCO BUSINESSES
43 Windmill Way, Reigate, Surrey RH2 OJB. (07372) 48055
@ Circle No. 269
PRACTICAL COMPUTING Aprii 1984
| TRS-80/16K Level 2 with Green Screen
Monitor, Cassette Recorder and Software
£350. Tel: Brierley Hill 78022
NIXDORF 8820 Fully maintained hardly us-
ed. Spare Discs software available to your
requirements £2500 Tel. 01-837-0891
8032 PET 8050 Disk drive 8027 Daisy wheel
printer offers accepted Paul Clarke
01-231-2151. Daytime.
APPLE PASCAL MILL Speed Kit, £120.
Nascom 2 Pascal in EPROMS, £40. Full
documentation. SKENFRITH 317.
COMMODORE PET 2001. Small Keys, as
new with Toolkit. £150 or offers considered.
North London. 01-387 7050 ext. 413.
APPLE SOFTWARE DOS 3.3 disk contain-
ne. quality DOS and sound routines. Only
£20 each. SAE for details. J.P. Bick, 182 Top-
sham Road, Exeter.
SUPERBRAIN QD 1.4 Mbyte computer
£1300, Microline 83A printer £300. Bankrupt
stock. All 1 year old and less than half lift
price. Tel.: 0249 76602.
TUSCAN, 40K static RAM, 4MHz Z80,
BASIC in ROM, four parallel two serial
ports, in steel case, plus related books £280.
Monochrome Monitor, 9in screen £60. Fyfe,
Woking 69522. |
TRANSAM TUSCAN (280A) excellent condi-
tion S100 Bus. Ideal for expansion. £500.
64K RAM card £100. Tel. 0920 66429
APPLE Il, Europlus, Disk Drive, 80 col,
monitor, paddles, Applewriter 2 word pro-
cessor. £850. Tel. Aldershot 20215. .
APECTRUM USERS — We specialisein Pro-
fessional Programs for Home and Business
Management. SAE for catalogue. SD
Systems (PC) PO Box 24, Hitchin, Herts.
Trade Enquiries welcome.
NASCOM-2, Ram B. Manuals, games. Tan-
dy Monitor £130 ono. 08675 3750.
WANTED — Altos 8,000/2 or 8,000/10 2nd
hand. Charlbury (0608) 810374.
MICROMODELLER (Sirius Version)
£395 + VAT (RRP £595 + VAT). Tel. 061-775
6208 evenings.
SPECTRUM USERS — We specialise in pro-
fessional programs for home and business
management. SAE for ctalogue. SD
Systems(PC) PO Box 24 Hitchin, Herts.
Trade enquiries welcome.
TELEVIDEO (1983) TS802H 10 Mbyte:
Microcomputer, Wordstar, Mailmerge,
Datastar, Calcstar, Spelistar, Supersort,
Bstam, DBase2, CBasic, MBasic, Cobal,
pascal, PL/1, List over £8,000 accept £3,800
plus VAT. Telephone 01-486 1670 anytime.
TRS80 Model 1 and expansion interface 48K
£300. Green VDU £50. Two disc drives £300.
MX80 printer £300. Desk £20. Word Process-
ing, label and mailist programs included
with full package. Richards (0482) 843303
(Hull) after 8.00pm.
Ff
DISK COPYING SERVICE
Moving data and program files from
one machine to another is often
made difficult because different
manufacturers have adopted
different disk format standards.
We can copy your files to and from
almost any disk format including
CP/M, MSDOS, PCDOS, TRSDOS, ISIS,
APPLE, SIRIUS, PDP11, VAX, and IBM.
Disks are normally despatched on the
day they are received.
Our charge is £10.00 + disk + VAT.
Special prices for quantities
and tape to disk transfers.
For more information call us.
xk
a. ; | dae =
4 Prigg Meadow, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7DF.
TEL. (0364) 53499 10}
@ Circle No. 230
When replying to
Classified advertisements,
readers are recommended
to take steps to protect
(Evenings).
SAKER DATA ENTRY PAD; Internal Z80;
New; £260. Software available.
874117.
SPECTRUM USERS — We specialise in pro-
fessional programs for home and business
management. SAE for catalogue. SD
System(PC) PO Box 24 Hitchin Herts. Trade
Enquiries welcome.
their interests before
sending money.
(0491)
Classified Rates
Linage 25p per word
Minimum 415 words prepayable.
Display Adverts.
Rate per single column
Centimetre: £15.00
Minimum 5 cm
SERIES Discounts
Available on request.
Contact: Claire Notley on
01-661 8163.
Method of Payment
Cheques etc should be made
payable to BUSINESS PRESS
INTERNATIONAL LTD. and crossed.
lenclose herewith cheque/PO for
Post to:
Cut out the order form and return
together with your remittance to:
Classified Department,
Practical Computing,
Room H211, Quadrant House,
The Quadrant, Sutton,
Surrey SM2 5AS.
Conditions of Acceptance
Micro Ads are accepted from
Private readers only and must be
submitted on (or a photocopy of)
this order form. All Advertisements
must be prepaid.
MICRO ADS.
| Order Form
Please insert the following advertisement in Practical Computing
LINAGE
- | | | | Cost per insertions
| MW 4 Ins. || 2Ins. |)
| | it €3.75| | £3.25
I | €5.00| | £4.50
| £6.25| | £5.75
| i) $7.50} | $7.00) -
: le | | | £8.75 £6.25
| | | (£10.00) | £9.50
L L | 644.25) {£40.75 |
e12.50| [612.00] |
‘/ tick number of
insertions required
Box No. Required YES/NO
NAME (Please Include initials)
ADDRESS &
THIS FORM SHOULD BE RETURNED BY 20TH MARCH FOR THE MAY ISSUE
Company Registered Number: 151537 (ENGLAND). Registered Office: Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 SAS.
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984 193
A
Accent Computers Ltd 179
A&G Computerware 187
A-Line Computer Systems 172.
ACT Pulsar 48
ACT Pulsar 18.19Supp
ACT Sirius 30.3 1Supp
Asco Ng?
ATA 67
Acorn 33760
Aculab 20
Aculab 60
Addictive Games 170
Advance Technology 46Supp
Aimgram 130
Akhter Instruments 114
Alpha Micro 34
Anglia Computer Centre 178
Audio Genic 40
8
BFI/Diskpost 79
Banbury Computer Centre 171
Barleymow Workspace 169
Bee Bug 180,187
British fwicro 165
British Olivetti 138,139
Bromcom 12
Cc
C.K. Computers 125
C/WP Services 169,171
CAE Teleprinter 168
Calco Software 178
Cambridge MicroElec. 187
Camden Computer Systems 30
Ceedata 11Supp
Civco 182
Comart Ltd 17Supp
Comcen Technology 29Supp
Commodore 118,119
Compec North 84 140
Compsoft Ltd 252 7
Computech Systems ished
Computer Interface Design 86
Computer ProLtd 182
. Digital Equipment
Advertisement Index ree oe
D
Data Disk 194
Datac 19Supp°
Dennison Kybe IFC
36,37Supp
Digithurst Ltd 94
Direct Disk Supplies 141
Disco Technology Ltd 180
Disking International 188,189
Duplex (South) Ltd 70
E
Eltek Computers 150,151
EpsonHX20 166
Epson Printers 183
Etafield Ltd 32Supp
Everyday Electronics 169
F
Fox & Geller 28,37
Fraser Assoc. 154
G
GCC Cambridge 162
GW Computers 41
H
HM Systems Ltd 56
Handig U.K. 181
Hewlett Packard 9
{
IC!| P&P Division 174,175
Ibis Bus Info Systems 32Supp
Icarus OBCSupp
Icarus Computer Systems 22
Infomata IBC Supp
Integrex 176
Intelligence Research 46,47
Intelligence Research 120
Interam 14
J
Jarogate 8Supp
Wane 7
Power Testing (sales) 177
Practical Electronics 170
Precision Software 173
Prentice Hall International 94,95
Psion 32
K Q
Keele Codes 184 Qubie Ee]
Kingsway Data Supplies 128 Qume(UK)Ltd 142,143
L R
Lantech 6 Real Time Developments 172
Laskys 98,99
London Computer Centre 6 S$
London Computer Centre 32 SMSoftware 182
Sage Systems 150
mM Seno hecueen ee. On
' anyo Marubeni Supp
MT Direct 17 Sapphire Systems 35Supp
Mannesman Tally 23Supp Saracen Data Products a7
Mayfair Micros 145 Simmons Magee 24
McGraw Ltd 26Supp Sinclair Research 18,19
MemotechLtd 38,39 Sintrom 90
MemotechLtd 45 Sky Software 60
Mercator Comp Systems WO) setwere BC
Micro Miracles 184 Software Index 121
Micro Peripherals IBC Swan Packaging 86.162
Microcomputer Disks 30 Simbios "4 44
Microcomputer Products 91 y
Micronet 800 42.43 7
Micronix 31 :
heroput vail aauop = Tandy Comoran
Microsoft 54,55 Telesystems 121
Microvalue 158,159 Thames Software 4
Micney ite 1 23 Torch Computers 24,25Supp
icroware 59 Triumph Adler 62,63
Microware 14Supp
Midland Computer Fair 1alG) ay
Mountaindene 178 Varelco 154
ie Verwood Systems 154
N.A.R.S.A. 32 w
WH Smith Softeam 86
oO Wordflow Electric 162
O.E.M. 71
OKI Electric 26 X
Opus Supplies 122 X-Data 136
Oryx 16
Oxford Computer Pub 146 Z
Oxford Computer Systems 145 ZeroElectronics 171
3 Peartree Business Centre
Peartree Road
Stanway Colchester Essex
0787210091
COMPARE OUR PRICES
PRINTERS
(RRP £499 + VAT)
MT80
(RRP £265 + VAT)
UCHIDA
(RRP £399 + VAT)
JUST ARRIVED
Our own brand of covers
for the Commodore 20, 64 &
the B.B.C./V computer £3.95
+ VAT Colours black or beige.
51” Single Sided/Single Density
Double Sided/Double Densit
NEW FROM FRANCE!
LIBRARY CASES IN BROWN/CREAM.
51” 20-Capacity = £2.80 +
for 53” disks x 100 capacity
Other lockable filing cases;
Single Sided/Double Density
Lockable Filing Cases with carrying handle Brown/Cream
The small Company
with the big name
in consumables
The New ‘’JUKI’’ 6100 Daisywheel OUR PRICE
ONLY £375 + VAT
"Free Delivery’’ No Extras
OUR PRICE
ONLY £260 including VAT
OUR PRICE
£375 including VAT
Our own brand of disk binders
with a capacity of 20 £3.95
+ VAT Colours black or beige
ALL CARRIAGE FREE
Floppy Disks by CONTROL DATA
} £18.00 for 10 + VAT
y= £19.50 for 10 + VAT
8” Disks and Quad Density also available
51” Plastic Library Cases £2.75 + VAT each
VAT
ONLY £18.50 + VAT
53” 40-Capacity = £15.50 + VAT
51” 90-Capacity = £21.95 + VAT
8" 40-Capacity = £22.95 + VAT
8” 90 - Capacity = £31.95 + VAT
DATA DISK (U.4.) LTD.
Contact us for all your computer needs. Anything from
ribbons, listing paper, labels, disks, printers etc. etc.
Everything on mail order, enquire for our comprehensive
price lists.
* Free delivery on all printers and disks *
Nominal charge for all other ranges.
EPSON FX80 OUR PRICE
(RRP £438.00 + VAT) ONLY £425.00 including VAT.
Free Dellvery’’ No Extras.
OUR PRICE
ONLY £285.00 including VAT
"Free Delivery’’ No Extras
OUR PRICE
ONLY £315.00 including VAT
‘’Free Delivery’’ No Extras.
OKI MICROLINE 83a = £525.00 including VAT
OKI MICROLINE 80a = £225.00 including VAT
, LISTING PAPER
11” x93” Single pt = £8.50 + VAT per box 2000
11” x 143” Single pt = £11.50 + VAT per box 2000
All other sizes available. Either plain or green lined.
EPSON RX-80
(RRP £298.00 + VAT)
EPSON RX-80 FP
To Data Disk (UK) Ltd.
Please Supply
Please Supply
Please Supply
Please Supply
Enclosed my cheque/money order Total
Delivery to:- (Name)
Address
Telephone No
Trade and Dealer Enquiries Welcomed. More Agents Urgently
Néeded Nationwide.
194
@ Circle No. 250
PRACTICAL COMPUTING April 1984
The Art of
Daisywheel
Printing /
» do
The new Juki Model 6100 letter quality daisy wheel printer, has
full features you'd expect to find ona more expensive printer.
It can support word processing and graphic functions, print
20 CPS and use a simple drop-in daisy wheel.
The 6100 has 10/12/15 pitch, proportional spacing, utilizes IBM
standard Selectric ribbons, has 2K buffer memory, parallel interface
both tractor feed and serial interface are available as options.
That's only the beginning — Best of all, the low-noise Juki 6100
is extremely reliable.
Your can pay more, but you can't buy better than the Juki 6100.
1? Micro
Peripherals ltd
‘THE POWER BEHIND THE PRINTED WORD’
69 The Street, Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 OBY
Telephone: 0256 3232 (12 lines) Telex: 859669 MICROP G
4
tt yy ltt
Va lt)
FEATURES:
*BSI Approval No. BS5850
*20 CPS (max.) print speed *Bold and
shadow printing *Subscripts and superscripts
*Wordstar compatible *Diablo protocols *Auto
Underlining *Standard 2K buffer *lyear parts and
labour warranty *Comprehensive user friendly manual
Call your local dealer NOW for full information on the Juki 6100
Daisywheel Printer or clip this coupon and we'll send you brochures
and print samples.
@ Circle No. 251
Just because you >
need itin a flash,
don’t expose
yourself!
a
You've a deadline to meet,
the right CP/M Software pack-
age is needed, the right decision has to
be.made; which format, which product,
when can it be delivéred, at what price?
You need good advice, and just as
important, you need to talk to some-
one who has a large enough range to be
able to offer honest advice. Someone
who can then deliver on time, someone
whose catalogue is fast becoming the
byword of the software industry.
Attractive quantity & dealer discounts available
So don't expose your-
self, talk to Software Limited.
Choice, advice and delivery, all aimed at
meeting your deadline.
Software Limited... __
Because there’s more to
choose from, we're the
only choice to make.
01-833 1173/6
Software Limited
| Software
_ Limited |
No.2 Alice Owen Technology Centre
251 Goswell Road, London EC1
CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research
@ Circle No. 252
Open Library