Reviews Spectrum Plus, IBM PC/AT, The One International Computer of the Year awards Australia A$3, Canada C$4.50, Denmark DKr35, France Fr32.60, Germany DM10, Greece Dra290, Holland DFL 9, Italy L4200, New Zealand NZ$3.95, Singapore M$6.35, Spain Pts370, Switzerland SFr7.40, USA $3.95(D72162) 11E1111E1111B E

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PRACTICAL COMPUTING DECEMBER 1984 THE LEVY SERIES 104Connect Four - the >HOT 100 >NEWS approach to take when programming '2 HARDWARE NEWS for this game. Our special 21 -page NJ Micros from Sanyo, Sharp 109guide to 100 leading and several MSX suppliers are among micros provides a complete overview the new launches this month. >REUIEWS from pocketables to multi-user and 2.IBM NEWS specialised systems. We've divided I Compaq moves into desk- them into sections, as follows: tops, and Televideo launches a 111Starter systems "personal mini". 112Home/games micros 114Home/serious micros 2.SOFTWARE NEWS 118Pocketables la Innovative software for 119Lap portables Apple's Mac, a View spreadsheet for 120Portables the BBC and comms for the Apricot. 125Eight -bit transportables 126Eight -bit desk -top models .GAMES NEWS 27Flight Simulator II, 127Eight/16-bit micros adventure games based on books, 128Transportable IBMulators and more. IBM PC/AT 133Desk -top IBMulators 72Advanced Technology reaches 134 MS-DOS micros the IBM PC line-up with the new 13568000 -based micros :::FEATURES 80286 -based model. 136S-100 bus micros 141Multi-user systems 7cSPECTRUM PLUS 142Specialised systems NV The old Spectrum, plus a new keyboard. Better, yes - but good enough? ::.REGULARS IC EDITORIAL a The micro world gears up for the Christmas toy season. FEEDBACK 7Your letters about MSX, screen hazards and the good old days. 3.1ASK PC Queries answered by John and Timothy Lee. INTERNATIONAL 5.SOFTWARE WORKSHOP 88AWARDS I Mike Lewis presents ideas on Practical Computing joins with six recursion for writing neater code. other leading magazines to nominate THE ONE FROM CHIP -CHAT the Computer of the Year and best 78DATA GENERAL 57Ray Coles on the software. Full IBM functionality in a 9.51b. development of virtual memory. package. Jack Schofield tries it out. MODEMS AND NEW COLUMN: 9nV COMMUNICATIONS BBC SECOND 59COMMUNICATIONS Email and databases: Chris Bidmead 81PROCESSORS Ben Knox starts off with a guide to dips a toe in the electronic ocean. Roger Cullis reviews products that addsetting yourself up with a modem. processing power to the BBC Micro. 9AEIGHT CIRCLES OPEN FILE .11 Mark Callaway explores 8,COMMODORE 64 14714 pages of free software eight ways to draw circles, with UTILITIES for the Apple, Atari, BBC, listings for the BBC Micro. A low-cost disc to help programmers,Commodore, Research Machines and reviewed by Barry Miles. Sinclair micros. 100AMSTRADSCREEN SAVER UNIX and LOTUS LAST WORD An economical way to save CPC -464 176BOOK REVIEWS 911Not everyone wants displays to tape, explained by D J Peter van der Linden checks out Unixcomputing to be taught in schools, as Ellis. books and Lotus 1-2-3 helpers. Paul Caswell explains.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 3 Here it is at last. One disk that will And the beauty of Sycero is that it prove to be the solution for many takes no time at all to build a simple business problems. A disk which will program for yourself. When you've built allow you to develop your own one, expanding it, or building other, programs. Exactly the way you want. more complex programs, is easy. The disk contains one of the most Once you start developing your own revolutionary programs of the year. programs you'll wonder how you ever Sycero. No matter whether you are a got on before. And no longer will you computer novice or a seasoned have to bend over backwards to make programming professional, Sycero do because the program you bought off enables you to build any type of the shelf does things differently to the business program. way you wanted. No matter what your business. No matter what your business, From traditional business there's now one program for the job.

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EDITORIAL 01-661 3609 Christmas Editor Jack Schofield Assistant Editors Ian Stobie Glyn Moody CHRISTMAScomes but once arush year, though if than the best, simply because it was there. Art Editor micro manufacturers had their way it would Thousands of micros were sold by manu- Stephen Miller come every month, for the weeks leading up to facturers that went into receivership when the Production Editor Christmas are the home -computing world's Christmas rush abated, and this reinforced John Liebmann silly season. Machines, along with Cabbage some people's misconception that micros are a Sub -editor Patch dolls, or whatever this year's craze is, sell fashion that will pass. Carol Hammond like hot cakes. Many morethousandsoptedforthe Editorial Secretary Some of thisisdesperation buying by remaining big name of Commodore, whose Sue Jordan parents who have run out of ideas. Others market share took a huge leap last Christmas Consultants probably believe that they are buying their not through any inherent virtue of the Vic -20 or Chris Bidmead Peter Laurie children a passport to success in the techno- Commodore 64, but because the machines were world to come. The sad fact is that the nearest available when people wanted them. But once ADVERTISING 01-661 3612 many of them will get to realising their starry- that user base had been created, software Advertisement Manager eyed vision is blasting a few alien life forms off housesnaturallycateredforit.So pre - Nitin Joshi 01-661 3021 their TV screens. Christmas aberrations have resulted in long- Assistant Advertisement For whatever reason, hundreds of thousands term and dubious shifts in the state of the micro Manager of machines will be bought this Christmas by market. Dominic Forlizzi 01-661 8626 people who would not know a byte if it bit them To be fair to Commodore, it has largely Advertisement Executives in the leg. Even though the machines are the redeemed itself with its latest releases, the 16 Richard Milbourn 01-661 8100 same Spectrums, Commodores and BBC and Plus -4, which deserve any success they get Janet Thorpe 01-661 3468 Ian Walker 01-661 8425 model Bs that readers of Practical Computing this Christmas. The irony is that it could be the have bought and spent so much time on, the last chance they have to do so.Recently Advertisement Secretary Julie Hookway attitude of their users could not be more Sinclair, Acorn and Commodore declared their different. This is because the machines are belief that this Christmas's home -computer Midlands office David Harvett 021-356 4838 consumer goods, bought as a result of purely bonanza may well be the biggest, but also the seasonal variations in buying patterns. last. Sales of micros have shifted from the Northern office Geoff Aikin 061-872 8861 There is nothing inherently immoral with professionalclassestothelowersocio- micros being bought for such reasons. The economic groups and consequently over half Classified Lucy O'Sullivan 01-661 8163 money that will flow into the micro world - the market for cheap home micros has been one estimate puts it at £340 million for U.K. mined out. Group Advertisement Manager Shobhan Gajjar 01-661 8441 pre -Christmas hardware sales alone - will help After this year the manufacturers believe keep firms and products bubbling along in people will start buying computers because PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Chris Hipwell 1985. they want them for a purpose, not in response But, of course, things are not that simple. to a Christmas reflex. As a result, micros will Published by Electrical -Electronic Press, Quadrant House, The Quadrant. Last year, many people sensibly decided that have to become more practical: tools, not toys. Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS. Tel: 01-661 since they were going to spend money on a Practical Computing readers will have been 3500. Telex/grams 892084 BISPRS G. micro, they might as well lash out on a BBC largely immune to Santa insanity but the Distributed by Business Press Unfortunately, International Ltd, Quadrant House, The model B. so many people withering away of the spurious annual micro Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS. decided to do this that a lot came away from boom can only be for the long-term good of the Subscriptions: U.K. £14 per annum: Acorn empty handed. Even Sinclair was unable industry and end -users. Let us hope it happens. overseas £20.50 per annum; selling to meet. the unprecedented demand for its The coming of age of the microcomputer price in Eire subject to currency exchange fluctuations and VAT; machines. market would be the best Christmas presentwe airmail rates available on application The result was a lot of people buying less could have. to Subscriptions Manager, Business Press International Ltd, Oakfield House, Perrymount Road, Haywards 111111 Heath, Sussex RH16 3DH. Tel: (0444) 459188. I I I II 5 Yearsago,,, Printed in Great Britain for the proprietors Business Press oicouGaiiiinunonliouolo ,:9,l'9llOru'i',Ii'n''1009Cltne9CC900(1C0110000011/100 1 5 11 .1. 3 44.,a ,111'4 International Ltd by Eden Fisher 1.7z .110 (Southend) Ltd, Southend-on-Sea. So far, if anything, computers have been a nuisance. about social disruption. In some countries, if a factory Typeset by Centrepoint Typesetters, Now, the microchip revolution promises to make them a automates half its workers out of a job, they are invited London EC1. menace. The immunity the computing profession has to leave, and if they try to return with sabots in their ©Business Press International Ltd enjoyed for 20 years from serious public criticism may hands, intending to deal with the offending machinery in 1984 well be about to end. the time-honoured way, the army will stop them - dead, ISSN 0141-5433 Some industries are so mechanised already that they if necessary. Would-be authors are welcome to send articles to the Editor but PC cannot cannot be automated - for instance, farming. Yet there In Britain we are used to a much gentler level of undertake to return them. Payment is at is little doubt that the ASTMS predictions of 3.8 million industrial strife. We opt almost automatically for the soft £35 per published page. Submissions people unemployed in Britain by 1985 and 5.2 million by solution, for industrial inefficiency rather than para- should be typed or computer -printed 1991 are of the right sort of magnitude. military riot police and barbed wire in the streets. and should include a tape or disc of any program. What compounds our problem is that we are Every effort is made to check articles competing with societies which take a much tougher line PCVolume 2 Issue 12 and listings but PC cannot guarantee 999995o9199199,3991195-17.9919 99999/9999 393999,99q99999 999999999999999'1 that programs will run and can accept , I / 11 15.CJ3 1111.i 11..3`. i.1:1321 'Sa11.111 1..1.31.1111401L111,1,' 151 ',57J ..14 no responsibility for any errors. COL SOlil

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984

1 Circle No. 171 Afterwesellyou asystem westoreyou in our memory. At Oryx we offer the LIFETREE CP/M SOFTWARE VolksWriter Deluxe £235 most comprehensive and MICRORIM ABTEX SOFTWARE R :Base 4000 £325 competitively priced range Pertmaster* £625 LOTUS ASHTON TATE Lotus 123 £325 of micro computer DBase £295 Symphony £515 Friday' £165 PEACHTREE COMPSOFT Business Graphics £165 hardware, software and Compsoft DMS* £175 Decision Manager £590 DMS Delta* £450 PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE INC accessories to business and DIGITAL RESEARCH Word Plus -PC £375 Access Manager £195 SPI the businessman. Access Manager -86' £260 Open Access £400 Display Manager £260 SOFTWARE PUBLISHING Display Manager -86' £320 PFS:File £99 We also offer expert Pascal MT+ £235 PFS:Write £90 Pascal MT +86 £425 SOFTWORD SYSTEMS advice, which is both free DERWENT DATA Multimate £300 Retrieve 11* £465 SORCIM and plentiful. FOX & GELLER Supercalc 3 £255 dGraph" £165 dUtil* £60 BOARDS FOR IBM/PC And, perhaps most MICROPRO Calcstar £95 AST RESEARCH importantly, you can buy Infostar+ £338 Mega Plus 64K £295 Mailmerge* £120 Mega Pack 256K £355 Wordstar* from us with complete £215 Six Pack Plus 64K £305 Wordstar Professional* £450 Six Pack Plus 384K £645 MICROSOFT 64K Chip Kit £78 confidence. Any system or Basic Compiler* £250 Basic Interpreter' HERCULES £259 £375 package you purchase from Fortran Compiler £369 Graphic Card Macro Assembler £140 QUADRAM Quadboard II 64K £295 us, you've the assurance Multiplan* £150 PEACHTREE Quadlink £465 Basic Accounting System of our unrivalled, full after - per module £300 MONITORS Business Management Systems per module £550 sales support and our KAGA RGB Vision11112" £369 SORCIM KAGA 12" HRGreen/Amber £145 technical hot-line. Supercalc* £105 MICROVITEC CUB 65314" £375 Supercalc 2* £165 SANYO SCM 14" VHR £425 SAGESOFT SANYO 12"HR Green £105 Because even after we Sage Accounting* £325 Sage Executive' £645 sell you a system we won't Most machine formats available. PRINTERS forget to look after you. BROTHER HR15 £425 SOFTWARE FOR IBM/PC BROTHER HR25 £725 CANON 1080A £319 Please see CP/M listing. All product with DATA PRODUCTS 8020 £565 an *will also run on MS-DOS and PC - DATA PRODUCTS 8050 £1445 DOS and are priced the same EPSON FX-80 £379 ALPHA SOFTWARE EPSON FX-100 £529 Database Manager II £185 JUKI 6100 £359 ASHTON TATE MT 80 £200 dBase III £450 SMITH -CORONA D200 £420 Framework £450 TEC 1550 £525 DIGITAL RESEARCH Concurrent CP/M-86 £225 CP/M-86 +GSX £47 DR Draw £195 HOW TO ORDER DR Graph £125 Simply telephone 01-636 0476 to discuss Pascal MT+ £395 your purchasing requirements. Visitors at IMSI our London office -just off Oxford Street - 4 -Point Graphics £155 are very welcome. IUS Orders will be acknowledged and goods ORYX SYSTEMS Easy Writer II System £260 are normally despatched within 10 days. MICROSOFT All major credit cards accepted. Prices 1 1 Fortran Compiler £235 exclude VAT and are subject to change Flight Simulator £40 without notice. Word £280 TECHNICAL HOTLINE Macro Assembler £70 Or ring 01-631 4341 without obligation for It'sourbusiness Word + Mouse £349 advice. ORYX SYSTEMS (UK) LIMITED. Mappin House, 4 Winsley Street, London W1N 7AR. to help yours. Tel: 01-636 0476 Telex: 28290 ORYXUKG. Circle No. 125 Feedback

Fewer screen Code ASCII for 27 91 Escape and headaches 57 9 I AGREE with Mike Lewis's idea 59 MSX 49 57 1 and 9 of standardising the layout of I FIND the MSX standard restrictive and already outdated, as H do others I have spoken to. However, having used a lot of !configurationfiles - PC different MSX machines I can't help feeling that anyone October issue, page 51 - but who buys one will have a machine which will work perfectly feel that Mike Lewis has madereverse video, high- and low - the instant it is plugged in, will continue to work faultlessly, ', a fundamental errorinhisintensitytext,andflashing and will give years of pleasure. They are geared to giving 1proposed standard. text, which are available on buyers reliability and value for money, and treat them as Terminals which use a five -most modern terminals. consumers with rights. part code to directly positionPerhaps even one or more Some micro owners seem to think that part of the fun of the cursor tend to follow thealternative display founts and buying a machine is the waiting, the duff operating systems, new ISO standard forprotected display fields should the bugs which must have been there when the thing was terminals.They include thebe provided to cope with next stuck in its box at the factory, and so on. Yet they would not IBM PC,Wang,Hewlett-year's terminals. buy stereos if they had to keep touching them to make sure Packard HP150,etc.In It is difficult to amend the they were not getting too hot, or if the rewind button had to t additiontothelead-inprogram listing to deal with the be pressed 10 times or in just the right place to get it to work. characters, intermediate chara-ISO method of addressing the A number of companies are going to get a shock when Joe cters and final characters, thecursor and retain the command Public stops buying grotty little bits of unreliable black code requires that the row andas a function call. Although plastic and refuses to play Spot the Delivery Date. column numbers are sent as a STRS(c °A) + coff °A) Paul Hardy, series of ASCII decimal digitscan be used in place of Bingley, , and not, as indicated in the CH R$(c % + coff%) West Yorkshire. article, a single byte. the logic which places the row Itisdue tothisstrangeand column number inthe protection features - but atdecision by ISO to use ASCIIstring according to flag% will Compute! their own risk. strings instead of binary valuesno longer work. In view of the Thefirstruleof goodthat delimiting characters aremarket share enjoyed by the books computer practice is to retainneededatall:the terminalISO -standard machines, any IN YOUR October feature onone or more previous gener-cannotpredictwhethertheproposed standardwhich books for the Atari, you makeations of each file or program.number it is expecting will beignores them cannot really be mention of Mapping the AtariThis can only be done by givingsent as one byte or two. Thecalled a standard. by Ian Chadwick and pub-each a different name, in whichcode required by the IBM PC Colin Neville, to position the cursor at row 9 Welling, lishedby Compute!books.casethe @ isirrelevant. column 19 is in the form Kent. Holt Saunders has now been Icannotimagineanycir- appointedexclusivedist-cumstances,inwhichthe ESC[£;£H ributorsfor Compute!generationruleshouldbeand is as shown in the table. Screen publicationsintheUnitedignored when saving progams. Itis therefore necessary to Kingdom andthroughoutOn the other hand, the @ issend betweensix and eighthazards Europe, the Middle East andsafeforsavingsuccessivebytes to the IBM PC to position most of Africa, and from nowgenerationsofaconstant -the cursor anywhere on theIN HIS LETTER published in the screen, which is one of theOctoberissue on any difficulties in findinglengthdatafile - arisk of PC Paul Compute! books in the shopsjustified on occasion. reasons why this procedure isBackhouse has raised a number should disappear. The designersoftheso slow on this machine. Theof questions which seem to One further point: you quoteCommodore 64 made aother reason is the need for therequirepracticalsuggestions the price of Mapping the Ataripowerful budget -priced microapplication program to convertrather than theorising. as £14.95. The correct retailavailable to anyone willing torow and column numbers to a First:Whatcanhedo price is in fact £11.95. take the time to explore itsprintable form before trans-straightaway?Takingthe Robin J Dunn,depths. I regularly read adversemitting the command, and forEG-101monitor outof Holt Saunders,comments on the 64's versionthe system program to convertcommisionisthesafest,if Eastbourne,of Basic, but the experiencedthat printable form back toinconvenient,firststep.If East Sussex.programmer soon learns thatbinary before executing thethereisasignificantX- Basic is no more than a frame-command. rayemission,whichseems work on which tobuild a The proposed standardquestionable, glass plates will Commodore system. For instance, I prefertherefore needs an additionaloffer no practical shielding. my programs to branch toquestion as to whether the row Contractual obligations un- disc danger labels, which few Basics caterand column numbers are sentderU.K.consumersafety for. By placing labels in Dataas a single binary byte or as alegislation rest primarily with I AM SURPRISED that Mrstatements, a Read and a fewstring of decimal ASCII digits.the supplier, butit may be Morgan - Feedback Octoberjudicious Peeks and Pokes areIn addition, I feel that it wouldsimpler and quicker to write issue - should expectall that is needed to Goto abe worthwhile to go beyonddirectlytothemanufac- Commodore toprovidelabel. justhighlightingtextandtureraskingforthefullest protection against inadvertant It would be a pity if anyinclude the codes to display (continued on next page) overwrite of other files on discreaderswereputoffthe Our Feedback columns offer readers the opportunity of when the @ is used. To do soCommodore 64 by ill-foundedbringing their computing experience and problems to wouldbeacontradictioncriticism.Hereisone wellthe attention of others, as well as to seek our advice or interms:Commodore hassatisfied user. to make suggestions, which we are always happy to provided experienced program- J R Stillingfleet, receive. Make sure you use Feedback - it is your mers with a means of over- A mersham, chance to keep in touch. ridingthesystem'sfile - Buckinghamshire.

PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 Feedback

(continued from previous page) VDT radiationandbirth More recently the inductivelyforbuildinglargeexpert clarificationoftheX-raydefects,andadvisedthatdriven Rulemaster system hassystems". Structured induction warning notice. Consultationprotective clothing such as leadgenerated expert systems forwas one of the refinements I with the local -authority tradingaprons represented a greatersubstantially larger domains.had in mind. I think it is a great standards department shouldhealth hazard than the VDTsMichieet alhave described aidea and I am glad to see that help Mr Backhouse clarify histhemselves. weather -forecastingsystemsoftware support for structured situation. The fact that VDTs are, incalled Willard, which currentlyinductionisnow becoming Thesecondquestionisgeneral, safe does not meanoutperforms existing methodsavailable commercially. whetherthereisanyX-aparticularsampleofafor predicting severe storms. My "businessasusual" radiationemittedfromhisparticularmonitor isnec-The system currently covers acomment was not meant to EG-101 monitor and,if so,essarily safe, so the matter mayproblem spaceof overimply that all artificial intell- whether the emission rate is lessbe worth taking further. 9,000,000possibleweatherigencepeopleliveinivory than the permitted maximum There is a way the ordinaryconditions and so representstowers.Researcherslike exposureratefordomesticuser can try to record any X-oneofthelargestexpertProfessor Michie have been electronic equipment set out inrays emitted. Seal a piece ofsystems yet devised. seekingindustrialcollab- BS415:1979.Thisrequiresphotographicfilminsidea My second point in the sameorationforyears.The special measuring equipmentlight -tight bag and tape it to thearticle concerns the "businessfoundingoftheTuring operated by specialists,andsurface of the screen. Switch onas usual" remark about AlInstitute was made possible by expert interpretation. Possiblethe computer, print somethingresearch centres. If we are tothe warmer commercial climate sourcesofhelpincludeon the screen, and leave forlearn any lessons from recentthat now exists for AI. once again,thelocaltrad-aweek.Ifthereareanyhistory then the first should be ingstandardsdepartment;emissionsthefilmshouldthat what we lack in Britain is theNationalRadiologicalrecord them, and they shouldthe interface between research ProtectionBoard,Harwell,show up after processing. Weideas and applied practice. ForThe good old Didcot, Berkshire, telephonehave not tried this, but woulda country that in the early daysdays (023 583) 600; or consultantsbeinterestedtohear fromstoked so substantially the fires suchasHUSAT Researchanyone who does. of AI research, our position in I MUST AGREE With John Centre, The Elms, Elm Grove, termsoffifth -generationBillingsley that the old Pet was Loughborough, LeicestershireAl research realisation is feeble. in many ways easier to use than LE11 1RG, telephone (0509) The recent Butcher reportmostofthelatest16 -bit 2640833. Some of these organ-THE At andfifth -generationshowing a British trade deficitbusiness machines. However, isations may make a charge forfeature in the October issues ofofover£1 billioninITthe 16 -bit machines do offer a their services. PracticalComputingmadeexemplifies our problem. Thenumber of significant improve- A E Waring,topical and interesting reading.formationoftheTuringments over the Pet, and many Office Technology Unit,However, I would like to makeInstitute represents a step in anPetsinbusinessuseare Polytechnic of the South Bank,two points. attemptedreversalofthisreaching the end of their useful London SW4. First, Tony Durham, in hisdisastrous state of affairs. lives. overview, states that induction Onepartofourwork I have recently been involved The editor adds: We have notapproachestoexpert -systemconcerns the devleopment ofwith a company which wanted been able to find any evidencebuilding are only appropriateourindustrialaffiliatesto convert a large amount of that thereis any health riskto small problem domains. Butscheme, engineered precisely atdata from its old Pet system to fromradiationemittedbywith the method of structuredthe academic/industrial bottle-a replacement IBM PC sys- normallyconstructedvisualinduction the limitations can beneck of technology transfer.tem.Consequently, I have displayscreens.There haveconvincingly overcome. AlenThe Institute also runs a varietydeveloped hardware and been numerous investigations,Shapiro successfully used anof courses which include logicsoftwarewith which I can and a report was made to theinductiontoolsimilartoprogramming, inferencesys-convert data on Pet 4040 or U.S. Health and Safety sub-Expert -Ease to generate, usingtems, computer vision, robot8050 disc format to IBM PC committeethissummer.the structured style, a completeplanning and expert systems. disc formats 160K, 180K, 320K Experts from DEC and Bellexpertsystemforachess Peter Mowforth,or 360K and I would be pleased Labs said "VDTs don't pre-endgame. The problem The Turing Institute,to give further details to any sentaradiationhazardtoconsisted of 41 attributes, nine University of Strathclyde,interested readers who write to employeesatornearalevelsofsub -problemand Glasgow.me or phone me on Leicester terminal, as emissions are wellcovered a total decision space (0533) 704676. below anyexistingnationalof over 200,00 legal positions,Tony Durham replies: Laurie Faulkner, and international standards."which it was able to classifyOf induction, my actual words 136 Kingsway Road, These witnesses also said therecorrectly and justify at eachwere that "the technique must Stoneygate, was no correlationbetweenlevel of the game. be refined before it is suitable Leicester LE5 5TT. Ira

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Mini's tooexpensive 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.

.. is just right 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.

SuperStar is a trade mark of Bromley 417-421 Bromley Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 4PJ Computer Consultancy. CP/M is a trade mark of Digital Research. MS- (2.Tel: 01-697 8933Telex 896691 TLX1 RG DOS is a trade mark of MICROSOFT. SuperStar-16 has a 16 -bit Master Processor which runs IMPOS IBROMCOM designed true 16-blt controlling operating OEM. Dealer and Overseas enquiries are welcomed system). IMPOS supports CP/M. MS-DOS and shortly Xenis in slave processors M any combination and it M fully upward Circle No. 205 compatible with ACTION OPC/OS. Televideo MmmOST and TurboDOS. News: hardware ADVERTISEMENT 1-11 NEW GENERATION MULTI- MSXersemerge PROCESSING THE FIRST spate of MSX micros hashitthestreets.Sony, SYSTEM Mitsubishi, Spectravideo, JVC IMPOS (IntermixedMulti-and Sanyo have all announced processing Operating System) is their own look -alike versions upwards compatiblewithof the Microsoft -agreed stan- TurboDOS, Televideodard.KyoceraYashicais MmmOST, Action DPC/OScurrentlydistributingfrom and MP/M + CP/NETGermany only. software but with a difference. Sincepracticallyallthe Itiswritteninthehighlymachinesareidentical,the transportable language C which main criteria for choice have to runs in 16 -bit and 32 -bit masterbeprice and colour.MostThe Sony Hit bit comes with some software in ROM. processors with a much highermachines arekittedoutintheSpectravideoSV1-728memo pad,aswellasthe degreeofperformanceandSamurai blacks and greys; the£250. All machines have a Z-80option of a battery -powered 4K sophistication. Spectravideo opts for a creamprocessor, 64K RAM, commonCMOS RAM data cartridge. Further, while others offercolour. video and sound chips, plus More informationfrom only CP/M80 or CP/M86 com- Prices tend to be rather steepports and cassette slots. Sony on (81) 61688, Mitsubishi patibility, IMPOS® supports aat £299; the Sony HitBit, The honourable exception toon (0923) 770000, Spectravideo much wider choice of the mostMitsubishi ML -F80 and Sanyothis wall of uniformity is Sony. on 01-330 0101, JVC on 01-450 popular operating systems forMPC-100 are at this level. TheIts Hit Bit offers a 16K ROM 2621and Sanyo on (0923) theslaveprocessorsi.e. JVC HC-7GB costs £279, andwith asimple address book and 46363. CP/M 80 ,CP/M Plus, CP/M 86 ,Concurrent CP/M86, MS-DOS and XENIXallworkingsimul-WCW work taneouslysharing common resources. station GENUINE MULTI-THE MG -1 Personal USER Workstationfrom London - based Whitechapel Computer ENVIRONMENT uses a National Semiconductor Same genericoperating32016, and comes with 512K of system (i.e. Digital Research vsRAM an800Kfloppy,a MicroSoft)withinthe same10Mbyte Winchester and a system have full genuine multi- floating-point unit as standard. user facilities e.g. record / file Thesystemisdesigned locking. mainly for advanced graphics The factthatallprevious applications,andoffersaThe Hitachi MBE -16002 - on offer at Dixons. generationmulti -processing1,024 -by -800bit -mappedand bundled WordStar andnewsletters, meetings, access to softwarewrittenwiththedisplay, with a high -resolutionCalcmaster. There is a two yearconsultancyservicesand constraint of 8 -bit instructionscreen. A mouse and keyboardon -site warranty. sponsorshipofprojects. sets and, of course, a memoryare included in the entry-level The price is "while stocksFurther information from D G size of 64Kbyte of RAM makesprice of £5,495, as well as thelast" but Dixons offers otherPorter,Laboratoryofthe them rate very poorly againstoperating system Genix. cut-price deals on the ApricotGovernment Chemist on IMPOS® whichhasbeen Upgrades available includePC and the Sanyo 555, where01-928 7900 ext. 691. implemented with16 -bit and22Mbyte and 45Mbyte Win-£1,000ofsoftwareanda 32 -bitinstructionsetsandchester versions, a 512K RAMmonitor is bundled in the price. 1Mbyte of memory space. Ofexpansion board, IBM PC busDetails on 01-952 2345. course higher processing poweradaptor and Ethernet. More is an added bonus. Wide arainformationavailablefrom Quorum networking over Ethernet is also WCW Ltd,75 Whitechapel supported. Road, London El1DU.Robot club Multi -PC Telephone: 01-377 8680. SUPERSTAR16TM A LABORATORY ROBOTICS CLUBQUORUM COMPUTERS Of BROMCOM® SuperStar has been launched to foster theSouthampton has launched its 16TM is the first implementation use of small robots in labs. TheMulti -PC micro. Built around of IMPOS®. SuperstarTMis a main aim of the clubistoan 80186, and available with a desk top system with integral encourage the development ofvariety of operating systems, winchester of up to 80Mbyte Half-price robot -based automated labor-the machineisdesignedto andatapestreamerof atory systems. support up tofourvirtual 40Mbyte. Slave processors are Hitachi The club has been formedscreens per user on a four - Z80A with up to 128Kbytes or DIXONS is offering the Hitachiby representatives from theterminal network. The entry- iAPX186 with up to 1MbyteMBE -16002 for £1,295 insteadLaboratory of the Governmentlevel machine comes with 128K RAM. A totalof16 Slaveof the normal £2,595. ThisChemist,industriallabor-RAM, expandable to 512K, processorscanbeaccom-includes two 320K disc drives,atories,universities andand one or two 360K floppies. modated in any combinationcolourmonitor,keyboardpolytechnics.Itwill provide (continued on page 15) whilethecurrentMaster processor is an 8086 with up to 1Mbyte of RAM. PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 13 For more information ring 01-697 8933 and ask for Tony Software for the IBM PC/XT A Buyer's Guide SUPPORT We've been helping companies for over START HERE seven years now. We'll offer advice and First, ask yourself a few simple questions: help in choosing the right software for 1. Do you want one of the best selections of your application. We also provide training, software for the IBM at your disposal? installation and maintenance. 2. Do you wish to take advantage of some of the lowest prices available? Authorised IBM Dealer 3. Do you want to deal with friendly, down toTHE NEW IBM earth, sales people? 4. Do you need help, advice or technical support? PORTABLE PC If you answer YES to any of the above, then move on. oCHOICE_ 0 We stock one of the widest selections of 0 0software for the PC including the best of Q 0the latest releases, such as the exciting 0 Now you can take your PC with you! The Portable 0integrated systems from Lotus and Ashton gives you the same power, versatility and function ,Tate. 0 as an equivalent IBM PC. Standard features Look at a few of the many software 0 include: 0packages available for the IBM PC: 0 * 256K RAM C * Integral 9" amber screen Ashton Tate - Framework: Powerful integrated 0 * Slimline D/S drives 0system comprising outlining, spreadsheet, database0 (fully compatible with dBase), DOS access, word * Colour graphics adapter Oprocessing and graphics. 0 * Five extra expansion slots MicroPro - WordStar Professional: WordStar. the "DOS 2.1 0 0 * Lightweight 83 -key keyboard Ono. 1 word processing program for micros, packaged s"',..., complete with MailMerge, StarIndex and " Fitted bag for easy transport. 0CorrectStar (MicroPro's new, phonetic spelling Q The inclusion of the colour graphics card is a 0checker). really smart move on IBM's part. In the field Lotus - Smyphony: All -in -one integrated package 0 where you will likely just be entering data the 9" incorporating graphics, communications, 0 screen is fine. Then back in the office you can 0spreadsheet (1-2-3 compatible), word processing and0 plug in an IBM colour monitor for large easy to system. read characters with the added highlighting OdatabasePeachtree - PBMS Ledgers: Interactive suite of 0 0Business Management Systems. Comprising colour gives. Purchase, Sales and Costing ledgers, 0 All this power for only £2,195 (excludes colour LIQNominal,inventory management and payroll. 0 monitor) plus VAT. 0Sorcim -_ SuperCalc 2: Probably the most popular 0 OFFER Qspreadsheet package. Comprehensive, easy to use, 0 SPECIALexcellent new,software FRAMEWORKAshton Tate'sPortable PC or256K very well documented. We are including every Framework with 84. Just add aprinter OandIUS - EasyWriter: Easywriter I is IBM's choice for package, September 30th 0 PC/XT sold by one of themost powerful Qquick efficient word processing, for more and running 0 and your up combinationsavailable. sophisticated text processing choose Easywriter II. ,...., softwarehardware `--1OSPI - Open Access: A six -in -one package combiningL) 0spreadsheet, 3-D graphics, word processor, 0 Qscheduler,telecommunications and information 0THE NEXT MOVE manager. Dial 01-675 5325 and speak 0 0 to Interam Computer Systems Ltd. Contact us for further details or to 41.72.1rOgJei arrange for a free product demonstration. We'll also send you a PRICE free catalogue and price list. You may know exactly what your requirements are and simply wish to take advantage of some 11111115111 of the lowest prices around, making that mi I. mi. Nuwks - already over -stretched budget go just a little COMPUTER STORE further. INTERAM COMPUTER STORE 46 BALHAM HIGH ROAD LONDON SW12 9AQ TEL.01-675 5325 TELEX:8954072/ 14 Circle No. 161 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 News: hardware

(continued from page 13) Upgrades include 20Mbyte and 40Mbyte Winchesters. A Hardware number of multi-user software shorts packages are available. Further The Universal Card from details on (0702) 30721. P&P Micro Distributors allows an Epson printer to emulate an Apple Image Writer as well as operate More with a wide range of computers. The cost is modems £99.95 from (0902) 43913. THE MODEM FLOODcontinues Jarogate has launched an with two more systems 80286 -based micro which approved by British Telecom. can cope with up to 18 users. The Miracle Modem can cope Unix V and Concurrent withboththeEuropean DOS will be available for it CCITT and U.S. Bell stand- next year. The entry cost is ards, and can run at 75 baud, about £5,000. More on 300 baud, 600 baud and 1,200 01-671 6321. baud. It costs £150. More on HM Systems'S-100based Tandy's Color Computer (0473) 50304. Hotel Micro multi -processor Minstrel 2. 2 has been reduced in price The MS -21/23 from master for all its models. The 16K HOTEL MICRO SYSTEMShas version costs £99.95, a Systems Ltd operates at 300unveiled its Minstrel 2 multi baud full -duplex, 1,200 baud reduction of £20. Further processormicro.Likethe information on (0922) half -duplex and 1,200/75 baudprevious model, it is based on full -duplex. It costs £299. Ringthe S-100 bus, and uses theMobile 648181. (0734) 791619. same master andslave A national schools Sanyo computer competition is processor technique. A central being sponsored by Z-80 actsasthe main *licrovitec, the monitor processor, and additional users THE MBC-775is an 8088 -based'manufacturers. Children will are added by slotting in slavetransportable from Sanyo. The be required to complete a cards with Z -80s or 8086s. Astandard model comes withAeries of computational maximum of 12 users can be256K RAM, expandableto,tasks. The first prize is a trip accommodated. 512K, and two 5.25in. 360K to Florida. Details on (0274) floppies. Unusually, there is a Multistandard Miracle. There is a Winchester and [309930. floppy controller board, cap-9in. colour screen with 640 - A Winchester disc has ableof supporting twoby200 -pixelsmonochrome been produced for the M-24 5.25in.floppies,two8in.resolution, and an eight -colour by Alloy. The PC-Stor floppies and two 5.25in. hardresolution of 160 by 200. The comes in 20 Mbyte, 52Mbyte discs. The entry-level price is83 -key keyboard is detachable and 85Mbyte sizes. Prices about£6,265.Moreinfor-from the main unit. start at £3,540. More on For further information ring mation from HM Systems on ,(0285) 68709. 01-328 8737. Sanyo on (0923)46363. Image HI allows pictures `to be captured and displayed Master Systems: MS -21/23. from any 625 -line video source on a BBC Micro. The cost is under £2,000. More School price information on (0621) 59500 cuts More than a million APPLE AND RMLhave reduced Commodore 64s have rolled prices on equipment bought by off the production line at schools.Until December 31 Corby since it was opened 15 Apple will sell an Apple He months ago. The 16 and with two disc drives for £749 Plus- 4 machines are also instead of £1,102, an Apple Ile produced there. for £599 instead of £865, and a BBC Micros can use the 128K Macintoshfor£1,349 Mator Shark range of rather than £1,795. There are Winchesters via the Syscon 6 also price reductions on Lisas Win a Compaq interface from Intelligent and variousperipherals. Interface. Cost is about Details on (0442) 60244. at Compec! £180. Details on (0789) RML's offer is to primary 296879. schools, but has no time limit. WHEN YOUvisit the Practicalscreen, worth over £2,000. Sinclair profits were An RML 480Z can be bought Computing stand at the Compec will be held at practically stationary over for £499, which is £200 less Compec exhibition, bring Olympia 13-16 November. the last year: moving from than the old list price. A twin - your business card and you Opening times are 10 a.m. to £14.03 to £14.28 million. Sir drive quad -densitydiscunit could win a Compaq trans- 6 p.m. on the first three Clive noted that the QL costs £649. RML is on (0865) portable with two floppy - days, and 10 a.m. to 4.30 "added to costs in the year disc drives and built-in p.m. on the final day. 249866. but little to sales".

PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 15 Special Advertisement Feature

Xerox telecopier Send a document across the world in just two minutes with a Xerox facsimile terminal. It speeds up business and means important decisions can be made immediately. And there's a model to suit your exact need. The Xerox Telecopier 455 sits conveniently by your telephone. The 485 can handle up to 30 originals and receive up to 300 pages at a time. For bulk transmission the 495 can transmit an A4 letter in under a minute; its auto dial facility can make calls and transmit documents 24 hours a day. British Telecom Approved. I have full details. Just (IP Little Big Mouth circle this number. PAGE PLUS the print-out protector 378 on enquiry card Computers Specially designed for computers, printers and word processors, the Scimitar Data The Trend 930 printer COMPILED BY - 3801 from BABS isthe first desk -top datashredder with a full 15in wide mouth. means business It shreds six streams of full width print- The latest addition to Trend's successful 900 series of high- out at once, and will also double as a speed printers is the 930. This versatile machine now has general office shredder. Truly portable, even more flexibility with the addition of single or dual bin this marvellous little machine is as quiet as sheet feeders. When your letters need to create the best a whisper - less than 60 dB(A) - and impression select the Executive Quality 80 characters per features a flush fitting dust -free shred second, with the daisywheel look -alike finish. For office container which tells you audibly when it's memos, etc, choose the Draft Mode with its quick 200 cps Maple House, Heath Drive. full, an auto switch off, plus a full 4 -year speed. The 930 will handle cut sheets and multi -part guarantee. I have full details. fanfold forms with ease. Contact me now for more details Walton -on -the -Hill, Surrey. KT20 7QJ of this superior WP nrinter. Tadworth (073781) 4139 379 on enquiry card 384 on enquiry card

Now - worldwide Fax inNew customer consultancy service Microwriter now offers a unique free service to potential only 15 seconds users. A professional team is at hand to help you choose the The very latest Mufax facsimile transceiver best system to suit your individual needs - interfacing to can send A4 sized drawings, typed or your existing equipment, helping you choose suitable peri- handwritten sheets around the globe in just pherals, matching your budget requirements. The first step to 15 seconds - and all for a matter of pence. becoming master of the written word is to contact me now Advanced features on the Mufax 7850 such for your information pack and FREE MICROWRITING as fullreportfacilities,and A4/B4 COURSE. After you've discovered how simple it is, phone Zoom into new copying scanning and recording combine with Microwritertofindouthowtorevolutioniseyour outstanding reliability to give you the best professional life with this portable word processor. convenience in table -top Fax. The 7850 is BT approved The new Toshiba zoom copiers,the and is compatible, with Groups 2 and 3. 385 on enquiry card BD -8811 and BD -8812, give you a freeJust part of a complete range of trans- choice of reduction or enlargement ratios, ceivers that can be bought or leased from Updatable information system from 65% to 141%. You can make copiesMuirhead. Contact me now for full details. anything from half to double the size of The Microx System from Bell & Howell is a microfiche your original. But that can be hit or miss. information-processing machine. You can add, annotate, So the Toshiba zoom copiers will take 381 on enquiry card erase or replace information more easily than with a account of the size of copy paper you are paper -filing system. In fact, the Microx records, files, using, relate that to the copy size you select processes, retrieves - and prints, allin a matter of and show you - clearly on the platen - minutes and can be locked after use. The Microx records what selection of your original will be images on photo -plastic film masters - hard wearing and produced. A host of other features includ- easily handled in normal light. Each master holds up to 98 ing document feed make these copiers a documents and a grid reference allows easy identifica- pleasure to use. Just circle this number. tion. I have full details.

380 on enquiry card 386 on enquiry card Complete mobile trolley range from Twinlock Twinlock have introduced the first Mobile Trolley Range in the UK with an aesthetically pleasing, co-ordinated look. A multi- purpose range of 7 trolleys, fulfilling every mobile furniture need. These unique, 'look -alike office trolleys will be your mobile desk companion, post carrier or even an easily -movable piece of office furniture. Today's office is becoming more design and colour co-ordinated with desking and storage bought to The X factor Streamline your word match. The new Twinlock Media-Stor Trolley Range comple- Canon have brought to the market a new ments these surroundings perfectly. Illustrated is the Cabinet concept in electronic typewriters by work Trolley (for a photocopier or guillotine on top, with related introducing the AP200X. When you pur-The Canon VP2000 is an add-on screen lockable storage below). 387 on enquiry card chase the AP200X you also invest in the Xeditor that works with an electronic type Factor - Xpandability. The AP200X has all writer to give you powerful word processing the features of a modern electronic type- that's very easy to use. The system gives Dictation: let's talk writer including RS232 interface capability. versatile editing commands such as block However as your needs grow by adding amove, insert and delete. Word wrap, search One of Dictaphone's most advanced portables, the 324 package you can turn your AP200X into an and replace, special print enhancements and gives you a full two hours' recording on a cassette one- AP300X which gives you the benefit of a 15 more. It even makes short work of form let- third the size of the standard C -type. So it's a handy and character screen, decimal tabulation and ters by a powerful data and text merging tool convenient way tocatch up withthatbacklog of justified printout. A further package gives that lets you produce personalised letters. A correspondence when you're out of the office. You can you the AP350X which will give you the complete help menu ensures that even a first even use the 324 as a note -taker at meetings. Press the advantage of a 2K memory expandable to time operator can use the system right away conference button and you've got an instant record of the 16K and the link to the VP2000 W.P. without wasteful errors. I have full details on main speaker's voice. All this in a machine that measures both these Canon products. a mere 41/4 x 2'/ in.I have full details.

382 on enquiry card 383 on enquiry card 388 on enquiry card RELEASE THE TRUE

POWERF THE QL! Write programs to unlock the multi- LISP tasking power of your QL! > Full support of QL features including windows, graphics, and screen handling. Metacomco now offers you three IT I > Compatible with Acornsoft Lisp for the languages for the QL: BBC micro. > Use ASSEMBLER for its speed, and > Interpreter. for complete access to the QL's many > Structure editor allows alteration of data features. structures. > Prettyprinter displays programs in structured > Use BCPL for systems format. programming: writing games, > Tracer to aid in debugging. utilities, and applications packages. > Garbage collector automatically recovers spare memory space. > Use LISP for manipulating data > 28 -bit integers and 250 -character names. 1000.10- structures, and for exploring the THE SCREEN EDITOR Ons.

100. .:e world of artificial intelligence. 0.0= 0111 > Full screen editor within a user defined ,0011. 0000.t 11101 OM. I 0 1,140 1011, window. Each language comes as a II %Mr, > Edits any ASCII file including SuperBASIC complete development kit with a source. screen editor and documentation, > Comprehensive range of commands. for only f59.95. 0. PO 01 0. The Development Kits are available now

011,. SI3 from HMV, Menzies and other leading 1010, 6. . 0t, THE ASSEMBLER on: e retailers, or direct from Metacomco. e 3 > Standard Motorola 68000 mnemonics. wins,e:6 1 .. 6 Of ODOS. and SuperBASIC are the trade marks of Sinclair ResearchLimited. o n 1 .: > English error messages. 1 .: Is oa inntts :6 -to

> Produces code which can be EXECed, and 01,111 r 6.0 Is6" Pt ta 111 run as a concurrent job. 6.0 C : .0 :0 lb flETRC FPC 010r.01 at. .0 110 > External references allow linkage to high MID 110.0I0. 20 06 26 Portland Square, Bristol BS2 8RZ. NAM r A .1 :6 Its level languages and other assembler Tel: Bristol (0272) 428781 modules. Phone today, or post this couponii > Macro expansions. 1 to: Metacomco, 26, Portland Square, c` > Position independent, absolute or relo- mnr . S. 1 Bristol BS2 8RZ. Please send me: catable code can be produced. . 1 .1. 1 .4 O. 1 copies of the QL Assembler > Conditional assembly. 1 ; 4,4 0 iv Development Kit > Large range of directives. "4 : 1 : 1 I. OD copies of the QL BCPL > Fully formatted listings. : O. "6 0 10 Development Kit : > 30 character variable names and N I copies of the QL Lisp .14 32 -bit values. ::.1 1 : MI Development Kit at £59.95 each. . 1 : I BCPL : OA I enclose a cheque for f > True compiler. or please debit my ACCESS/VISA > Multiple BCPL programs can run Account No. concurrently. 100 101 IMP it nalltlano MO UM > Full runtime library includes interfaces MI APT 'ass11. 11111300 0. Card expiry date to QDOS graphics, window handling,

11310l t file operations, etc. Of.1.1000. OD SIGNATURE OSSI-.n P.I 01/1 t M > Exception handling provides 011/ Imo t,n NAME a WWI Mina Olt diagnostics for debugging. OM., in 41111a0.. IS ADDRESS

> Link loader allows linkage of 0.11. 161 t .I, 4.1. separately compiled segments. APIA OMB I RAO MOM. 611411111 t dMIM COMM MMUS n > Assembler and BCPL modules can be MIA MOSS POSTCODE PPM At linked together. 01111110I01111111. TEL NO > 32 -bit variables use the full QL Price includes VAT, postage and packing UK address space. mom-mainland only. Delivery allow 28 days. Circle No. 228

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 17 The ZX Spectrum Expansion System. Only f99.95 Sinclair's complete alternative to floppy discs...

The ZX Spectrum Expansion System contains: One ZX Microdrive One ZX Interface 1 One wallet containing four programs on Microdrive cartridge Microdrive demonstration cartridge One blank Microdrive cartridge Full documentation Connecting lead for Microdrive/ Interface 1 ZX Net Lead

The new ZX Spectrum + Fully compatible with all Spectrum software and peripherals, including this Expansion System Tasword Two word processor Games Designer s91F5 .51,11E .±'ECT51 Turns your ZX Spectrum into a high -quality word Now, all you need to create original games are ".4, ,!.44,i14 N t4.,, original ideas -and Games Designer! It has eight, processor! Ei'4,4:1:4,111.'="6« 1rEa Tasword Two has all the essential features of very different, pre-programmed games for you to TiP 5 professional word processing packages- move and play as they are -or modify out of all recognition! ,r rfl Dui copy, insert, margin settings, 'help' pages, find and There's never before been an easier, more enjoy- replace, and much more. able, way into games design. Written by Tasman Software Ltd. Written by Quicksilva Ltd. Usual price (RRP): £13.90. Usual price (RRP): f14.95.

Masterfile filing system Ant Attack Address lists...personal files...stock inventories The all-time classic 3D strategy game. Ant Attack stamp or album collections ...club records... recipes combines stunning Escher-like graphics with fast- ...if you can file it, you can Masterfile it! moving action and a real tactical challenge. Masterfile is a menu -driven filing and retrieval Your task is to enter the walled city, seek out system of immense power. Display formats are user - your captured partner, and escape. At all times you defined, so the range of applications is enormous. can choose from four angles of view. But beware: Written by Campbell Systems Ltd. the city is patrolled by giant ants... Usual price (RRP): f16.95. Written by Quicksilva Ltd. Usual price (RRP): f6.95.

All programs run on a 48K Spectrum or Spectrum + Recommended retail prices are for each program on cassette.

l'ocbjv )ris e Microdrive )ris Expansion System br...... includes this m Ant Attack ri/e Games Designer great setof , ,rma-s 1,401rc Microdrive programs!

The unique ZX Microdrive system sets Just 3.5 seconds to access a typical file.computers using RS 232 (the industry - the Spectrum apart from all other *Only 9 seconds to load a typical standard interface) and provide data home computers. 48K program. transmission over telephone lines, via It gives you all the advantages of modems. The ZX Microdrive cartridge -a floppy disc drives - at a fraction of the ZX Net - lets you set up a local area unique storage medium. cost. And tests show the Microdrives network of up to 64 Spectrums, for are faster than some disc drives. Smaller than a matchbox, the ZX high-speed data communications bet- Now, the complete Microdrive Microdrive cartridge packs in a mass- ween you and Spectrum -owning system comes in one package - ive amount of data and programs. friends. together with four of the Each Microdrive cartridge holds At your local Sinclair stockist-today! best -ever Spectrum at least 85K bytes of data or prog- programs, on Microdrive rams (that's 30 pages of A4 text). AndThe ZX Spectrum Expansion System cartridges. you can store up to 50 different data adds an exciting new dimension to This software alone would files per cartridge, identified by titles Spectrum and Spectrum + computing. normally cost you over f50. of your choice. At f99.95 it's superb value too. Yet the Sinclair price for Every cartridge comes in its own To find out more, call in at your the complete ZX Spectrum protective case. Simply remove the local Sinclair stockist now! Expansion Pack is just f99.95! cartridge, slot it into the Microdrive, You'll find full details of its contentsand it's ready to use. in the panel opposite. ZX Interface 1-adds powerful new ZX Microdrives-another Sinclair first! capabilities to your Spectrum. Sinclair Research Ltd, The ZX Microdrive is a revolutionary ZX Interface 1 connects to the back of Camberley (0276) 685311. fast access / mass storage device. And your Spectrum and controls up to 8 it's the only truly affordable alternative Microdrives. (Additional Microdrives ZX, ZX Spectrum, ZX Microdrive, ZX Net and ZX Interface are Trade Marks of Sinclair Research Ltd. to disc drives... are available for (49.95 each.) Loads or saves up to 85K of It also gives you: program or data from Microdrive An RS 232 interface - to link your cartridges. Spectrum with full-size printers, other Circle No. 163 IBM is the registered trademark of International Business Machines. two boards boost your PC or QUBIE' PAK SOFTWARE programme which allows you XT's capability with a selection SPEEDS THINGS UP to assign a portion of memory of essential features. Free with each board are to act as a print spooler SIXSHOOTER- IDEAL the custom-made Qubie' QUALITY BACKED FOR PC OR XT drive' and Qubie' spool' BY WARRANTY For most customers the programmes. Both boards are backed SixShooter offers all that you Qubie' drive' disk by our one year parts and require from a multifunction emulation software allows you labour warranty. board. 64K of Ram (socketed up to create up to three Visit your local dealer and MAKE YOUR COMPUTER "electronic disk drives" in WORK HARDER FOR YOU to 384K), a serial port, a parallel pick up a brochure with the full port, automatic clock/calendar memory which access your details. If he does not have the If you have purchased the with battery back up are all programmes at the speed of information contact us. IBM PC or XT then you are the standard. An IBM compatible RAM memory. It's the best way to owner of a very fine computer. games port adaptor is optional. Qubie 'spool' is a improve your PC. But like everything else it can be improved to work Q PLUS II- MORE OPTIONS harder for you. It took a Corporate customers and company like Qubie' to do it. those with special needs will Qubie' can supply either appreciate the ability of the Q the SixShooter or the Q Plus II to plus II. Ram is expandable from up -grade your IBM PC or XT. 64K all the wayto 512K. Add Both are engineered to match two serial ports, a parallel port the IBM quality stamp. clock/calendar and a games While only occupying port to give 41/0 connections one slot in your computer these from one slot. DisiniBuliNG Lill Qubie' Distributing Ltd. Qubie' Distributing Ltd. Tempo House, 15 Falcon Road, 4809 Calle Alto, Camarillo, London SW11. CA 93010, USA. QUBIE'- IMPROVING WHERE OTHERS STOP. (01)223-4569/7662. 805-987-9741. Telex: 8956035. G. Circle No. 110 News: IBM Compaq's desk -topsIBM shorts Accent computers has THE COMPANY formed to announced its own HD -10 launch an IBM PC compatible 10Mbyte hard disc for PCs, portable has followed up its XTs and compatibles. The success with a desk -top range. price is only £995 plus VAT. The Compaq Deskpro family Telephone: (0444) 451324. includes four models which use Vaser and Sipher can the 8086 chip rather than the turn your PC into a telex 8088 used in the portable. machine with Volkswriter de The Model 1 has 128K of Luxe and the Streamline RAM and a single 5.25in. disc interface. The cost is £1,900. drive, and costs £2,195. The Contact Vaser on (02404) Model 2 has 256K of RAM and 5434. two floppies, and costs £2,595. Wave Mate, from The Model 3has 256K of California, has launched an RAM, one floppy and one 80286 board for the IBM PC 10Mbyte hard disc,plus an and PC/XT. It is claimed to asynch communications/clock be more PC compatible than card; the price is £3,995. The the new IBM PC/AT. Prices Model 4 has 640K of RAM,market to run the 16 -bit 8086130, which is about equivalentstart at around $2,000. a half -height floppy disc,amicroprocessorwhilemain-to the Model 3, is £932 less atContact Wave Mate in 10Mbyte discdrive,plusataining true compatibility with£3,063. Anyone with £6,000 toBelgium at (03) 239 62 91. 10Mbyte backuptapeforthe IBM PC and PC/XT". Thespend will surely go for the Superdraft is a computer - £5,595. correctness of this claim is openIBM PC/AT instead. aided design package from a All the models come with anto dispute. The Advance 86B, Further, Compaq will findBritish company, Data - IBM -type83 -keykeyboard,Olivetti M-24 and Eagle arethat rises in the U.S. dollar tend Graphic. It includes a and 12in. dual -mode monitoramong the 8086 -basedtomakeitsmicrosmoregraphics processor with up which can display both text andIBMulatorsalreadyontheexpensive. The M-24, made into 832- by 630 -pixel graphics. The keyboard offersmarket. Italy, and the Xtra, which isresolution, digitising tablet a key combination that knocks More ofaproblemformade inKorea,face fewerand colour monitor for the 8086's clock speed backCompaq islikelyto be thecurrency problems. under £6,000. Telephone: from 8MHz tothemorediscovery that its prices are too Contact Compaq Computer(06333) 72741. leisurely 4.77MHz of the IBMhigh. The Olivetti M-24, whichLtdat Ambassador House, Cameron Communi- PC. isaboutequivalenttotheParadiseRoad,Richmond, cations has an interactive Compaq claims the DeskproModel 2 Deskpro, costs £517Surrey TW9 1SQ. Telephone: video -disc package with models are "the first on theless at £2,078. The ITT Xtra01-940 8860. Interact touch screen which combines a Philips player with an IBM PC. IBM is using it for dealer training. Unfortunately the PM costsby Softsel, P&P and Tamsys.Telephone: 041-633 0077. Televideo's £1,995 - and for less than thatForfurtherdetailscontact ADDS, Applied Digital Personal MiniyoucouldgetacompleteSoftware Arts International atData Systems Inc., has micro. 43Buttermarket,Ipswich,launched floppy- and hard - TELEVIDEO has launched what Contact Thorn EMISuffolk.Telephone:(0473) disc IBM compatibles the it calls a "personal mini", butComputeraid (Televideo), The221551. PC/I and PC/II. ADDS is a whichisreallyintendedasBusiness Centre, Molly Millars subsidiary of NCR and has an intelligent file -server. TheLane, Wokingham, Berkshire more than 50 distributors PM -16 is a processor box withRG11 2EY. Telephone: worldwide, including Data an 8MHz Intel 80186, 256K ofFreephone Televideo. R:Base gets Dynamics in the U.K. RAM, a 5.25in.floppy -disc Telephone: 01-848 9781. drive and a 46Mbyte hard disc. Clout Three American This is somewhat expensive at companies have set up U.K. £9,995. However, the PM -16Spotlight A FRIENDLY front end is nOW operations: Columbia Data also has eight RS -422 serial available for the mainframe -Products, whose Columbia derived R:Base database from ports, so the idea is to hangSOFTWARE ARTS, developer of MPCs were previously IBM PCs or terminals on theVisiCalc and TK!Solver,Microrim.Clout hasa vo-imported by Icarus, now has end.Underthe PM -16'shaslaunchedadesk -topcabularyof300enquiry phrases; you can add up to 500an office at Greenco House, operating system,Infoshare,management program called 36-40 High Street, Slough they can run PC -DOS appli-Spotlight. It offers a DOS filer,of your own andClout translates them into databaseSL1 IEL. Telephone: (0753) cations,sharefilesandappointments diary, telephone 821991/2/3. Palantir exchange electronic mail. directory, card index, note padcommands. ThispermitsSoftware Inc. has set up at What Televideo would likeand calculator. interrogation of the database Columbia House, Aldwych, using more natural English. users to attach to the ports is Spotlight runs concurrently London WC2. Telephone: Cloutcosts£136.50plus the PM disc -less work station.withapplicationprograms. 01-242 6248. Harvard VAT, andisdistributed by This looks like the standardYou call up the facilities as and Software is now at Fairfield TelevideoIBM-compatiblewhen needed. The programSoftselComputer Products, House, South Luffenham, micro with an Intel 8088 CPU,requires 128K of RAM andSoftsel House, Central Way, Feltham,Middlesex TW14 Leicestershire LEIS 8NT. 256K of RAM and a built-inDOS 2. Telephone: (0780) 721433. 14in.monochromescreen. Spotlight is being distributedOXD. Telephone: 01-844 2040.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 21 0, ois., ,0 4 Reductonsfor &c'e-r aregiven ot? warrant/ c3 I -I 0 periods OTO+ THE company for computer maintenance CHM can offer comprehensive maintenance contracts on systems at FIVE PER CENT of the cost of the system per year NATIONWIDE Very few can offer a service that is both nationwide and comprehensive-CHM can. This cost is for a comprehensive contract on your computer system, including parts, labour and travelling with a twenty-four hour response time. With service centres located throughout the mainland, CHM provide maintenance services to thousands of computer users. CHM can meet all your maintenance requirements including maintenance of large networked computer systems. CHM make quality maintenance services available to more and more computer users every day. We look after Apple, Commodore, IBM PC and XT, ACT Sirius, ACT Apricot, Kaypro, Osborne, ICL Micro, Superbrain, Compaq computers; Rodime, Corvus, Davong, Tall Grass, Nestar hard disks; Ricoh, Oki, Centronics, Qume, Epson, Diablo printers, and lots more. Service is on site. Manufacturers parts are used. The service offered is superior to the level of support that dealers can offer. CHM is recognised by many manufacturers. Be safe - go to CHM. CALL OUR HOTLINE NOW. IBM PC XT ACT Apricot Apple II with monitor and keyboard SPECIAL OFFER 0 EAC DundeeI 0 A team 0 Main REE Y of Service skilled 1-1 MENT Centres ...} engineers Manchester to XT protect i)iiii1111111 your ..... London investment

Formerly tcAec2' IMMEDIATE COVER AVAILABLE! PHONE NOW!"r".44,b Computer Hardware Maintenance Limited ""e`4\c'9, HOTLINE e:" Marty's Yard Hampstead London NW3 1QW 04 '(' 01431 0320 Throughout the country 0320 .s ,o 01-431 efp''\)0e Phone now on our central number 01 431 0320 for cover in co ss'k England, Scotland and Wales, or clip the coupon. Systems that are 4.co<,t; in manufacturers warranty can be covered at lower cost. The oc \() advantage is that you have a fast on -site service. Unusual \a"c,ss 23- makes are also covered, don't hesitate to call. \ 41° ( Dealers we support your clients. 4C ,,oce ,,a6.`e ve PCI *Special offer for limited period only. Circle No. 166 ACik News: software

Software View spreadsheetshorts THREE NEW PROGAMS fromindex generator, price £14.95.View, £59.80, which is a special Logo Software's version Acornsoft complementtheYou first mark the relevanthigh-performance version ofof Logo for the BBC Micro best-selling View word -wordsinthetext,thenView optimised for the use is now available, price £59 processor for the BBC Micro.Viewindexgoestoworkwiththe BBC 6502 second plus VAT. Brochure from Viewsheetis aspreadsheetautomaticallyamendingtheprocessor. Logo Software Ltd, package on ROM which is dataindex when youeditor These programs should all be Freepost, Twickenham TW1 compatible with View, so youreformat the document. available now from Acornsoft 1BR. Schools can contact E can produce word -processed PrinterDriverGenerator,dealers, or by mail order from J Arnold's School Computer documents with spreadsheet -price £9.95, extends the rangeVectorMarketing,London Service on (0532) 772112. derived figures in them. It costsof printers View will workRoad,DenningtonEstate, Wordtech System's dB £59.80 including VAT. with.Atthesame timeWellingborough,Northamp- Compiler, costing £675 plus Viewindex is an automaticAcornsoft has announced Hi -tonshire NN8 2RL. VAT, lets you produce compact compiled programs which run independently of dBase II and without Run ttFilerdtt Iconsit,spn)q Helix for ,. Time. The CP/M version Untitled requires a clear 54K to run, the Mac hii=1Icj3' the MS-DOS version 128K. [=111tontninsiph,,, [1=1!1(,_ ontamsphoto Details from Pete & Pam on HELIX is a innovative package * (0706) 217744. fortheMacintosh which ..6 A (°+ °) ..." N Games Creator comes on combines the functions of a 1,111i(01 a £12.95 cassette and lets database package like dBase II 111.T,pp you design and play with those of a spreadsheet, different arcade -style games (0 starts with 0 J'---St----r-MiJ report writer and programming on the Commodore 64. It is (0 contams 0 A IThenIR.- el [use' language. I I well documented and much One unusual feature is the (0 followed by 0 0=0) r e 4 simpler to use than similar extensiveuseoficonsto <----- packages. Contact represent the structure of the (D=D) IThen1 'Else' (0programming language. System Pascal environment by dragging field icons around for both the Macintosh and thescreen,putting thembuying its new CommuniqueService.Communiquealsothe expanded BBC Micro intotemplatesandreport -communicationspackage.offers Apricot users access towith 800K dual disc unit and generating forms, and so on. TheyincludeExtel,Data -the Telecom Gold electronic6502 second processor. The screen dump shows thestream,PergamonInfoline,mail and telex service, and toPrices are £495 on the Mac, Helix equivalent of a program-Prestel and Telecom Gold. Prestel. £299 on the BBC Micro. minglanguage,whichuses Communique costs £395 and For further details contactDetails fromTDIon (0272) graphic symbols called abacusincludes a BT -approved direct -ACT Computer Services Ltd. 742796, or from Acornsoft tiles.Eachtilespecifiesaconnect modem and menu -Telephone: (0272) 211733. on (0223) 316039 for relationship and contains onedriven software which handles information on the BBC or more blanks. You drag outthe details of logging into each version. tiles from the list in the windowservice.You havetopay Welsh XBasic is a new at the left and then drop fieldnormal access charges for the version of Xitan's semi - icons into the blanks, or otherservices you use, but by goingRare bird compiled Basic in which all abacus tiles to build up morethrough ACT you avoid sub- the keywords and error complicated nested operations.scriptionfees and alotofprotection messages are in Welsh - Helix should be available inpaperwork. Llwyth instead of Load, December from Softsel dealers The package gives access toTHE EDUCATIONAL simulation Rhedeg for Run, etc. It is for around £232 plus VAT.many ofthebest-knowngame called Osprey has beenavailable for most Z-80 ContactSoftselComputeron-line business informationproduced in conjunction withbased CP/M systems and ProductsLtd.Telephone:services.ExtelholdssharetheRoyalSocietyforthe costs £185. Details from 01-844 2040. prices, while Datastream alsoProtectionofBirds.You Xitan Ltd on (0703) 871211. provides financial informationprotect breeding pairs of the APES, which stands for and can do real-time portfoliorarebirdsfrom maraudingaugmented Prolog for expert valuation. Dun and Bradstreet,tourists and egg stealers. Thesystems, is a set of pre- Information Pergamon Infoline andprogram,availableforthe programmmed Prolog Jordan's Online provide com-Amstrad, BBC, Commodoremodules intended for expert - services for pany information,while64 and Electron, comes withsystem building. It is Eurolex is a legal database. a32 -pagebookletaboutavailable for popular MS- ACT Apricot Textline and Datastar indexOspreys. DOS machines and costs thousands of newspaper and Thepriceis£9.95on£495 plus VAT. Details from ACT is offering freemagazine articles, and Datastarcassette, £11.95 on disc. Details Logic Programming membership of11business -gives access to the Dow Jonesfrom BourneEducationalAssociates Ltd, on 01-874 orientated on-line informationNews Service and FinancialSoftwareLtd.Telephone: 0350. servicestoApricotownersTimes Company Information(0794) 523301.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 23 DISCOVER THE DYSAN DIFFERENCE It's inevitable. Somebody is always more determined. Works harder. And winds up on top. That's how it is with Dysan. We invented the 5'/4" flexible Somebody iskette.And while everybody else was trying has to be better than otouftigt.iore to make them, we were busy making everybody else.them better. With superior materials. A special lubricant and jacket liner that extend diskette life. Unique manufacturing techniques. Like our burnishing process that helps eliminate read/ write errors. And an almost fanatical commitment to quality. So much so that our diskettes are all guaranteed 100% error -free. Similarly the Dysan range of disc packs and cartridges are manufactured to the same exacting standards. What does all this mean to you? Simply this - every Dysan disc or diskette gives complete confidence of accurate data recording, safe storage and 100% reliable retrieval. Every time. That's what makes Dysan better.

Dysan CORPORATION

For more information on precision magnetic media that leads the world, call us now on FREEFONE DYSAN. Or write to Dysan (UK) Ltd., 169 Basingstoke Road, Reading, Berks. RG2 ODY.

JBP/784/B Circle No. 162 24 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 DISCOVER MEMDOS

It took an apple for Isaac Newton to discover gravity so why not use your Apple to discover MEMDOS the unique Application Development Tool. Why are there more than 10,000 Apple JUNIORwith its incredibleMULTI -KEY / users of MEMDOS in France today? INDEX FILING (ISAM),dynamic Screen / 04' When MEMSOFT won the Golden Apple Management and powerful Macro / 4\ Award, for best system software, Apple users instruction sets which reduce program / realised that at last they had discovered the way coding by up to 90%. UseMEMDOS to program their powerful application software JUNIORand we are sure that you /0-499 easily! will progress to full system /4,' For only £15 you can discover the amazing MEMDOS,as over 10,000 /Irt x power ofMEMDOSthroughMEMDOS others have done. Available for Apple II, lle, Ilc and

WIN A SUPER HOLIDAYTO /cc' s)z:\zt -'''Q' GREECE /Av l.:(>` SEND FOR DETAILS ZS /,4i ccs b,Z§ Ai.. The full MEMDOS system costs £99 (only £84 if you buy MEMDOS JUNIOR). Circle No. 123 Here's An Up -Front Saving On The Tandy® 16K Colour Computer2... Save '20 -7---z.efrogenn 16K Colour Computer

tia

Inc. VAT Reg. Price £119.95 26-3134

.And Look At The Options Behind It!

Rom Pak Socket

Total Simplyplugin an SupportinstantloadingPro- Fromgram Pak°1 for ready Tandyto run software.

Disk Drive Cassette Input/ Serial Input/ Joystick Television Interface Output Output Ports Socket

Total Accepts Disk 0 Kit Total Total Total - Total Choose a Tandy Allows hard -copy and Plug-inColour Com- Simply plug into your.'1 Support26-3029 £349.95 Support Support Support SupportT.V. set or take a look at FromAlso Colour Disk 1. 2 Computer Cassette graphics using a Tandy puter Joysticks From FromRecorder From £34.95 From Printer From £79.95 From £9.95 Pair Fromthe Tandy Colour T.V. Tandyor 3.26-3023 £249.95 Tandy Tandy Tandyrange. (Requires 16K and Extended BASIC) Colour Computer Software Starting Off Couldn't Be Simpler! 16K Software The easy way to start computing without the barriers to progress. Whatever Cuthbert In Space. your requirements the Colour Computer 2 is ready to accept it. Add 26-7308 £7.95 peripherals directly and easily without costly extra interface connections and Frogger. 26-7304 £7.95 open up a computer world of programming, learning, graphics and more. Phantom Slayer. 26-7318 £7.95 Whether you want to battle against the household accounts or an arcade Electron. 26-7327 £7.95 monster Tandy has the Colour Computer for you! Composer. 26-7317 £14.95 26-3134 E99.95 32K Software 16K Extended BASIC Colour Computer 2 Version... The King. 26-7350 £7.95 tat, Ice Castles. 26-7358 £7.95 99m Extended World of Flight. 26-7359 £7.95 P BASIC Version Pettigrew's Diary. 26-7354 £7.95 Save £20 £11 Normal Price £139.95 Operation Safras. 26-7355 £7.95 16K Extended BASIC Colour Computer. Includes advanced programming ROM Pak Software capabilities for spectacular graphics. Extra commands and features are fully Androne. 26-3046 £12.95 explained in the inclusive tutorial manual. 26-3136 £119.95 Slay The Nerius. 26-3086 £14.95 Bridge Tutor. 26-3158 ..£29:95 Save £15.00 £14.95 Dino Wars. 26-3057 £2495 Save £8.00 £16.95 ...And Also Available As A 64K Version Bingo Math. 26-3150 ..£310:95" Save £5.00 £14.95 9 64K Colour Computer 2 See These And More Colour Normal Price £199.95 Computer Software Save '30 '169 Programs At Your 64K Extended BASIC Colour Computer 2. All the benefits of Extended BASIC Local Tandy Store_iplus a 64K memory mean the ability to create sophisticated programs and graphics. 26-3127 £169.95 Take A Look At Tandy, Today Visit your local store or dealer and ask about our expanding range of microcomputers and software - we service what we sell! See Yellow Pages For Address Of Store Nearest You! Circle No.114 News: games Taking flight THE UNCHALLENGED leader among flight -simulationpro- Adventurers gramsformicros,Bruce Artwick's Flight Simulator II, brought to is now available to everyone withanApple,Atarior book Commodore 64. The program THE HOBBIT has been such a isalreadyfamiliarinits massive success that more and Microsoft incarnation for the more adventurewritersare IBM PC. The new versions turning to books for inspir- contain almost as much detail ation. A good book provides - which has to be seen to be more in the way of plot and believed - andsuperior characterisation than is usual sound. in adventure games. And if the The program is an accurate book is a worthy one, the result simulation of flight in a Piper can have educational value. 181 Cherokee Archer. Over 40Flight Simulator II - now widely available. Sherlockisthedirect controlsandindicatorsare descendant of The Hobbit, shown on screen, along with written by the same author, a colourful three-dimensional Philip Mitchell, for Melbourne view out of the cockpit in the House.Itusesthesame direction of your choice - language,Inglish, with over front, back, eitherside and 800 words. The graphics are by down. Russell Comte, who did the The instrument panelin- graphics for Mugsy. cludes two navigation radios, a In Sherlock you play Sher- clock,amagneto switch lock Holmes and try to solve a position indicator, gauges for murder mystery in the midst of the right and left fuel tanks, are-creationofVictorian mixtureandthrottle -control London. The game is available indicators,andaileron- on tape for the 48K Spectrum elevator-and rudder -control and Commodore 64, and costs indicators. These instruments £14.95. help you to fly day or night An evenoldermurder using both VOR and ADFCommodore 64 owners can take a fresh look at Macbeth. mystery is Macbeth. In Shake- navigation. speare's play the story starts The flying area covers all of with witches and ends with the North America, with detailed hero beheaded - whichis landscapes for four separate standardstuffforhard- areas:Chicago, New York, ened adventurers. But in the Seattle and Los Angeles. These versionbyOxfordDigital areas include about 80 airports, Enterprises youcan rewrite and some may be held on a Shakespeare and survive. separate disc. Other areas are Macbeth theComputer now being coded using maps,Activision's River Raid (left) and Enduro - see page 29. Adventure has four parts. In charts and aerial photographs. part 2 you play Lady Macbeth, Of course, as this is a real-Physics and Aircraft Control,and the 48K ones lack several.and in part 3 you collect the time simulator,flying fromwithanintroductiontoHowever, there is more thaningredientsforthewitches' New York to LA could takeaerobatics which ends with theenough to cope with in even thebrew. To survive you need to days. But the simulation pro-advice "please do not attemptsimplest. consultthefacsimile of the vides a 24 -hour clock, day andthese maneuvers in actual flight Bruce Artwick is obviously a1623 edition of the play - so night, choice of four seasons,with arealairplaneunlesskeen pilot; he used to work forthisgame must haveedu- cloud layers, surface wind andaccompanied by aqualifiedHughes Aircraft. After writingcationalvalue.Finallythere windatthreelevelswithflight instructor experienced inseveral versions of this flightarefourpsychoanalytical turbulence factor - as muchaerobatics".The warningis simulator he also wrote Nightprograms where Sigmund nasty weather as you couldappropriate: you really believeMissionPinball,whichre-questions you, Macbeth, to want, and more. Naturally youthat if you can fly this simulatorcreates a pinball table. analyseyourmotives,pro- can land to refuel or, if youyou can fly anything. The Sublogic Flight Simu-vidinganothereducational want to make a long flight, save If you get tired of aerobaticslator II is our Game of the Yearaspect to the game. and load your position fromthere is also a World War 1- see page 88. It is distributed Macbethisagraphics disc. Fighter Ace mode. And if youby Softsel and costs aroundadventure for the Commodore All of thisis explained inwant to fly without all the fuss£40, depending on the version.64, and costs £14.95. It is dis- greatdetailina90 -pagethere is an Easy mode as well asIt is available via most dealers,tributed by Creative Sparks/ manual. Thereisa secondReality mode. Some details arewho can contactSoftselatThorn EMI. 92 -pagemanualofFlightmissing from certain versions,01-844 2040. (continued on page 29)

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 27 JUKI 6300- Unbeatableatthe price How many times have you heard that? We thought so. Manufacturers' opinions are all too often, shall we say, a trifle optimistic? Not this time. The brand-new Juki 6300 is simply the most powerful and versatile daisywheel printer at the price. Take a look at the features. [6300 features] standard DIABLO* 96 -character daisywheel standard DIABLO* hytype II ribbon 40 characters per second 3k buffer memory (expandable to 15k) fully compatible escape sequence codes with DIABLO*630 API proportional spacing, 15, 12, 10 pitch operational noise level of less than 60 dB comprehensive, easy -to -read User's Manual Now look at the price. Just £ 799. It must be the best value on the market. (Except, perhaps, for our model 6100, which uses the standard IBM* Selectric II ribbon and costs precisely £ 399). We may be the latest name in information technology, but our philiosophy is as oldas the hills. Roughly translated, it means outstanding value for money. Or, to put it another way, Juki means business.

* DIABLO is a trade mark of Diablo Systems Inc. * IBM is a trade mark of IBM Corporation.

Technology true to type

JUKI (EUROPE) GMBH Eiffestr. 74 2000 Hamburg 26 F.R. Germany Tel.: (040) 25 20 76 Telex: 2163 061 (JKI D) Fax.: (040) 25 20 79 Sole distributor: Tril micro 69 The Street, Basing, Basingstoke Hampshire RG24 OBY LIAM Peripherals Ltd Tel.: Basingstoke (0256) 47-3232 (12 lines) Circle No. 120 Telex: 859669 MICROP G, Facsimilie: H(0256) 47-61570

JUKI 6300 (Daisywheel Printer) News: games

(continued from page 27) it is the 13th is significant. The Pilgrim's Progress, similar- adventure is called the Sorceror ly, is not only a book, it's also of Claymorgue Castle. The aim an adventure game for the 48K is to find the 13 Stars of Power Spectrum,with BBC and concealed in the castle. You Commodore 64 versions due have spells to help you. next year. In it you play Pilgrim The game isavailable with on your way through up to 100 graphics for the Apple II, Atari, locations to the Heavenly City. Commodore 64 and Sinclair It works like a normal text Spectrum. Text -onlyversions adventure, with hints given in areavailableforthe BBC, the form of Bible references. Dragon, Electron and Tandy The instructions warn that computers. Contact Adventure "justbecauseaparticular International (U.K.), 119 John course of action didn't work Bright Street, Birmingham B1 the first time doesn't necess- 1BE. arily mean it won't work if youActivision's disappointing conversions for the Spectrum. try it again. But if you do make a mistake it expects you to belifestyle, you can always be-Enduro, Hero, Pitfall II, RiverGame watch honest and truly sorry about itcome a bounty hunter, pirateRaid, Space Shuttle, Zenji andLook out for the new and . . . to repent". or asteroid miner yourself. The Designer's Pencil.Acti- Electronic Arts game Seven Pilgrim'sProgresscomes While doing all this you aimvisionsays "When we dev-Cities of Gold for the Atari withanextracassettefortograduallyincreaseyourelopsoftware for each new and Commodore 64. . . . saving games and costs £10.95rating, starting from Harmlesssystem ... the original concept Another Atari/Commodore from the Sound and Visionand progressingthroughis reprogrammed and enhancedgame, Beach Head, is out Unit of the Scripture Union,CompetentandDangerousto maximise on every nuancefor the Spectrum from U.S. 130 City Road, London EC1Vuntil you eventually becomeand advantage the hardware hasGold - but nothing like as 2NJ. Elite. to offer. Spectrum owners willgood. ... Can you stand yet Other book spin-offs include The action takes place in abe pleasantly surprised at theanother Track and Field - two £9.95 titles from Mosaicmixture of text and graphics. Insophistication. .." etc., etc. type game? Quicksilva has publishing. The Unorthodoxthe graphics screens you have a Compare the Atari versionslaunched Epyx's Summer Engineers: The Pen and Thespaceship control panel withof Pole Position for the AtariGames for the Commodore Dark is based on Colin Kapp'scolour, but the high -resolutionand Spectrum - both excellent64, Hesware has launched science -fictionnovel.Itis part of thescreenisblack- with Activision's Atari andHesgames for the available for the BBC model Band white,likeAcornsoft'sSpectrum versions of the similar Commodore 64, and and the 48K Spectrum. TheAviator. Enduro race game and thisMelbourne House has Sports Width of theWorldisa Theintergalacticempire/claim collapses. The SpectrumHero for the 48K graphics adventure sequel totradertypeof game canEnduro is rubbish. The Spec- Spectrum .. .. Quicksilva's Ian Watson's SF story of thegetprettyboring,butElitetrum River Raid is a travestynew version of Battlezone, same name, which is includedis sufficiently complex to be acompared to the Atari versionfor the Atari and Spectrum with the package. It is availablerealchallenge.Infact,it'sreviewed last month. What themicros, is not as good as for the 48K Spectrum. Bothamazing how much has beenothers are like we can't bear toNovagen's Encounter, for the adventures are marketed byfitted into a BBC B. find out. Atari and Commodore 64 - John Wiley & Sons. Eliteshouldbewidely see review last month .. .. available from dealers at a cost 3D specialist Micromega has of £14.95 on cassette or £17.65 three more games for the ondisc.AcornsoftisatScott's 13th 48K Spectrum: Braxx Bluff, Betjeman House,104HillsMANY YEARS AGO Scott Adams which is good; Kentilla, an Join the EliteRoad, Cambridge CB2 1LQ.practically invented adventureadventure; and Jasper, Telephone: (0223) 316039. games onmicros when hewhere you get killed by a AcoRNsoFT has just launched a embarked on his famous seriesrabbit ... .Still no sign of new game, Elite, which it says of witty and challenging ad-the most wonderful games will sell more than double the ventures. The first of the 12,ever written, Ballblazer and number of copies of any of its Adventureland,wasreleased Rescue on Fractalus, for the previous games. Spectrum for the Tandy micro in 1978, Atari micros. Both have Elite is a combination of theActivision and they were soon available for been produced by Lucas oldspace -trader game with the Apple and Atari machines.Films, the company that arcade elements. The tradingACTIVISION - like KoalaThey arecurrentlybeingbrought you Star Wars and takes place in a large universeTechnologies, Amiga andconvertedintheU.K.forIndiana Jones. . . . of eight galaxies, with over 250Mindset, a spin-off from Atarimachines such asthe BBC,Meanwhile Infocom, of recognisedplanetsineach- published a series of smash -which should give them the newZork fame, has a new game galaxy. The trickistoflyhit games for the Atari videogeneration of adherents theycalled Seastalker, available aroundshipping,say,foodgamesmachineand homerichly deserve. for most American micros, toindustrialplanetsandmicros. But the original authors Recent games from Adven-including Apple, Atari, technologytoagriculturalof great games like River Raidture International - such asCommodore and IBM . . . . ones. and Enduro will probably weepThe Incredible Hulk and C'estParker Brothers, covering On your travels you mayif they ever see the Spectrumla Vie - have been arcadethe same machines, has three meet bounty hunters, pirates,versions which have just beenadventuresorintheseries new games: Frogger II, generationshipsand spacereleased by Activision in theofScott Adams GraphicsThreedeep and Montezuma's dredgers, which may involveU.K. Adventures, Saga. Now a SagaRevenge . . . . No more you in missile and laser battles. Thefirsteightforthestory has been added to thecurried eggs for you! If you want analternativeSpectrumareBeamrider,original series, and the fact that

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 29 X10% 10% OFF OFF GOP 7 9 \,14' 0\\ )0\A- \c,0 \ P CP

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FRVIMMYMMIMWORMSTRAMMTRIMSRIMS7--.: t ob!1!,`,14)!I'ds!!!,,) ET 4STCTRAINING COURSES* MULTIPLAN, WORDSTAR OR LOTUS 123 COURSES: 2 DAY COURSES. USUAL PRICE: £200. * ANY TWO COURSES PER PURCHASE. I15% III* 1i* 1111* H11* Hu* II* Hut] OFF PRINTER ArAr AI/ 11 1 CABLE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE w CABLE FOR USE WITH QUME SPRINT 12/20 OFF RETAIL PRICE: £35 w POPULAR SPREADSHEET DOCUMENTED FOR w THE ITT XTRA. RETAIL PRICE: £192 w OITT MULTIPLAN

VE R M0N-1E ;Agv.,v y,,A ?E- OAIEY S SAVER ,,,,' , (:),\,Eys. AVER MO NE sAlvol) /tow d VER MON OAIEY SAVER VIO i ONEY SAVER AVER MONEY SA SA ("(11 II!. df. bAVER - MONEY SA 0 \lEY SAVER MONE MO ONEY SAVER MONEY EY R SA1h MO E EY R

M EAR 0 ER AVER MONE iA AVER MONE1 NEY SAVER v10 NEY SAVER ER MONE sA ER MONE) NEY SAVER NEY SAVER VER MONE VER MONE1 VER Y VER ONE ONE) VER VER ONE ONE) -VER Y VER 128K MEMORY 128K MEMORY El EXPANSION EXPANSION ER Es COMBO BOARD FOR COMBO BOARDE=R RETAIL PRICE: £216 RETAIL PRICE: £216 VE` W1, 11101SVSMMELVIMOISalitY/1 \An NPY SAVER NIC1NPY SAVP1 Having been developed by the world's leaders in IBM plug compatible workstations, STC BUSINESS SYSTEMS LTD the ITT XTRA already boasts the highest level of compatibility yet achieved. How could we improve on that? Well, the ITT XTRA comes from STC one of the world's largest corporations and a top ten UK communications company. 388off theextras. Which means we'll give you all the back-up you need: superb pre and ITT XTRA post -installation service, expert training, clear, Personal Computer. STC BUSINESS SYSTEMS LTD., BUSINESS MICROCOMPUTERS, MAIDSTONE ROAD, concise user manuals. FOOTS CRAY, SIDCUP, KENT DA14 SHT. FREEFONE XTRA. What more could we possibly offer? Well, several offers actually. Together, they add up to J388 off an impressive list of ITT XTRA extras. When you've decided that the ITT XTRA is the right choice, you choose which offers you want to take advantage of. You can cash -in on all of them if you like. Just call Freefone XTRA or write to us for full details of the ITT XTRA, together with a complete list of local dealers. Visit one of them for a demonstration and we're sure you'll soon be a proudowner of an ITT XTRA. H You are then entitled to these big discounts on this comprehensive range of additional hardware and training courses. Now, you can't discount a deal like that. H H H Circle No. 109 3t QI am considering an up- QMy daughter is 11 and grade from my present learningcomputingin eight -bit Z-80 machine to one school. If I buy a computer for of the 16 -bit machines. I am at- home use, which one should I tracted by the Sanyo 16 -bit get? computer, which appears to be Clare Saville an IBM at a fraction of the price. Are there some hidden 41( Aitistempting tofind snags, and is this a good buy? outwhich micro your daughter is using in school, and My work involves alotofspecification, is fairly slow andcessor bound: the Sanyo's low heavy arithmetic calculations. is overpriced, but it does haveclock speed means that it willbuy thesame one.Unfor- D Preuss tunately this is likely to be an reliability and the backing of anot run Basic very fast. expensive model such as the major firm going for it. Sales in If you really want to do AThe Sanyo 550 computer heavy calculations any 8086 -Acorn BBC Model B or the is an eight/16-bit com-the U.S. were claimed to be Research Machines 480Z. They 600,000 last year, and it is ex-based machine would do better puterwithanIntel8088 cost far more than is worth pected to sell three times thatthan an 8088, and one runningspending on a child unless he or processor.Itruns MS-DOSnumber this year. There are aat 8MHz or 10 MHz would be version 1.25, not the latest ver-number of IBM clones, IBMeven better. A compiler rathersheisreally keen on com- sion 2. It looks similar to the than an interpreter or an 8087puting.Anyway,thereally IBM PC, but is much cheaper,look-alikesand IBM pre- keen child will probably have a with co -processor might also help. starting at £749 plus VAT for atenders diminishing good idea which micro to buy. degrees of IBM compatibility. You are advised not to buy single -drivesystemwitha However, I recommend the The price of the Sanyo is ex-thisorany othermachine a Sinclair Spectrum, even though keyboardbutwithout tryingit. monitor. Look carefully at theceptionally low. Whether it is awithoutactually this may not be used in her good buy depends on whetherAdvice on the Sanyo can be specification before buying. obtained from Icarus Com-school, and even though it is no The clock speed of the 8088it does the jobs you bought it longer particularly good value. for reliably and at a reasonableputerSystemsLtd,39-51 The Spectrumisthebest CPU on the Sanyo is a pitiful Highgate Road, London NW5. 3.6MHz, compared withspeed.You mentionheavy choice because: 4.77MHz on the IBM PC andarithmetic, which will be pro- J&TL It works with a TV and or- most of the clones, and 8MHz dinary tape recorder and so on the NEC and Olivetti M-24. probably requires no extra The Sanyo will probably run spending. Basic more slowly than an old- Transferring It has the largest range of fashioned 4MHz Z-80 based really cheap cassette tape eight -bitmachinewillrun software available. MBasic. disc files Its small size makes it readi- The Sanyo has 128K RAM QI recently ordered a CP/M program from the U.S. ly portable. standard, compared with 64K for the Newbrain, and the supplier was unable to pro- Most other kids who have a standard on an IBM. The vide the disc in the Newbrain disc format. It was suggested micro already seem to have Sanyo canbe expanded that I should buy it in another machine format - say a Spectrum. internallyto256K onthe Osborne - and borrow such a machine, and then transfer Also, far from being a dis- motherboard but there are no the program to the Newbrain. advantage,itis probably an expansion slots, so you cannot Unfortunately the manuals supplied with the Newbrain advantage for a child to be plug in extra memory boards or are very uninformative about how this can be done, and exposed to two non-standard extra boards for any other most of the other manuals one can buy are just as unin- versions of Basic rather than function. The IBM PC has five formative. Would it be possible to simply connect the one. JS expansionslotsforextra Osborne RS -232 interface to that of the Newbrain, or does boards, while the hard -disc XT one need a couple of modems? In "Ask PC" our panelof version has eight, and both can S T W Hayes experts answer questions on be expandedto640Kof any area of microcomputing. memory. Aitisintheory possible todirectly connect the If you have a nagging The IBM issold witha RS -232 connectors on both machines together, but a problem, write to us, writing monochrome video board and non-standard cable is required. Connect pin 2 on one plug ASK PC clearly on the top colourisextra, whereas the left-hand corner of the to pin 3 on the other, pin 3 to pin 2, and pin 7 to pin 7. Pro- envelope. The most Sanyo has colour and mono- vided that the baud rates are the same, the number of start representative questions of chrome built in. Sanyo charges and stop bits match, and the Printer Busy line is not wired, general interest will be extra for a serial port if you then transfer of text files can usually be accomplished with answered and published need one for a printer. On the Pip. This will not work with machine code, and may not each month. machine I have seen so far the work with large text files. Modems are only required if you To be considered, letters discshold a meagre160K, cannot get the two machines close enough together to con- should contain one question though 320K and 700K disc nect them with wires. only, and must include your drives are advertised at an in- name and address, together Itispossibleto buy commercial communications with a stamped addressed creased price. programs such as BSTAM or Move -It for transferring Software compatibility with envelope. Because Practical files. The program must be mounted on both computers. Computing receives the IBM is not very good, so AlternativelytheBritish CP/M Users Group has a hundreds of letters each there could be problems there, public -domain program called Dump which is available month, we cannot guarantee and the user manual is poor. free to members. that personal replies will be On the other hand, Sanyo gives Unfortunately all such transfers are a messy business. given, but we will do our some very useful software free, Practical Computing will publish a detailed technical article best. This month the replies including Basic, WordStar and are provided by Jack on the subject in a future edition. Schofield and John and Calcstar. J&TL The IBM has an unexciting Timothy Lee.

32 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Symbiotic Computer Systems has been at the forefront in the SYMBIOTIC development of mass COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED storage and networking products over the past three ,,\\\\\\ years designing and manufacturing systems to I1 ' enable the full range of Apple microcomputers to form a business facility, powerful enough to rival many mini- computers on the market. Symbfile - Symbiotic's Winchester hard disk system can now be used with both the Macintosh and the Apple//c as well as the Apple II range. The Symbfile is available in capacities up to 42 megabytes - enough space to store about 25 thousand pages of data! which can be accessed at extremely high speeds and contained on much larger volumes than even the highest capacity floppy disks. Symbnet - the Symbiotic tree and branch local area network, allows up to 127 computers to access one Symbfile. Symbnet is one of the few commercially available network systems that uses fibre optic technology. Fibre optic cable is unaffected by electrical interference and can run up to 9 Km between stations with no degradation of signal and can now also be used with low cost twisted pair cables for distances up to 30 metres. This allows the user to mix both fibre optic and twisted pair cable to suit their exact requirements, providing one of the most cost effective and noise immune systems available. Symbstore- is the answer to secure back up; it utilizes inexpensive cassettes each capable of holding 10.5 Megabytes of data that can be used quickly and efficiently to stream a complete Symbfile image to tape. The full range of Symbiotic products are also available on the BBC Micro. The Symbiotic group of Companies distribute their products through a wide network of dealers covering virtually the whole of western Europe.

For more details contact one of the following Symbiotic group companies -

Symbiotic Computer Systems Ltd Duroma House, 32 Elmwood Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 2TX, England. Tel: 01-683 1137 (PBX) Telex: 928202 SYMPLC

Symbiotic Computer Systems (Benelux)Keizersgracht 26, 5611. GD. Eindhoven, Netherlands. Tel: 040 456055 Symbiotic Computer Systems France 2 Rue Henri Chevreau, 75020 Paris, France. Tel: 349 06 80 Symbiotic Computer Systems NS PO Box 354, 0. Tryggvassons 4, 7000 Trondheim, Norway. Tel: 07 53 20 27 Symbiotic Computer Systems Inc PO Box 1431, Fairfield CT 06430, USA. Tel: 203 374 5910 Circle No. 160 33 EVEN THE PRICE WILL KEEP YOU IN This sleek, black Microvitec CUB medium resolution combinedcolourTHEwith monitorthe withSinclair hasoutstanding Q.L.Anbeen BLACK designed ability graphic to to capabilitiesdisplay be totally 85 columncompatible - at a text is price that won't break the bank. (inc. VAT) Specification14" Q.L.RGBCUB Monitor 1451/DC23TTL input Model: Tube Resolution (pixels) AO ,iiV't Dot Pitch 653(H) x 585(V) 0.43mm 18 MHz -.. 4.e,EP ap I. OP OP ...... OD OP OP 0. Ow..... OP ...... OP 40 Also available in Standard Resolutionversion for only £225 inc. VAT Bandwidth P PO Pi 4. MD PP pPOI 404,4\ .11. P IP fle MP AP Ili/

41114.so wrA imp so ..... 104 s s 41104/0 -ft *oast, 410e" '04110 0isiss _.._ 400 CROVITEC 653 _000000000000_000000000000004 0 Of04. 0000'Of 1/ 00000004.0000000000000 ..) 00 1O11111100100.011P11OOOOO Microvitec PLC, Futures Way, Bolling Road, Bradford BD4 7TU, West Yorkshire. Tel: (0274)390011. Telex: 517717 P110411141110,OPPOO1114110011 111141101.111111000.00. 4 esipa1104,41411140 DON'T DEAL WITH THE REST, DEAL WITH IHE DE ST

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s. . sf33,413,n0 Circle No. 158 3S Areouont using To play only games on a Commodore And for these you need peripherals. computer is like asking Albert Einstein to work out Like a Commodore disk drive, a really fast the square root of four. storage and retrieval system with a vast memory. The computer's brain barely ticks over. Or a Commodore cassette unit, the To really stretch it, you need more interesting inexpensive way of loading and storing programs. software programs. For example, record keeping, For those who like the idea of text and graphics interactive education, stimulating adventure games being more alive and having greater clarity than or word processing. on a TV, there's the Commodore colour monitor. 3b COMMODORE MPS801 Dot matrix printer. £230.00. Tractor feed. Print speed: 50 characters per second.

COMMODORE MPSB02 Dot matrix printer. £345.00. Friction feed for standard paper. Print speed: 60 characters per second.

COMMODORE DPS1101 Daisy wheel printer £399.99. Letter quality print on all types of paper. Print speed: 18 characters per second.

COMMODORE 1520 Printer plotter. £169.99. For charts and graphs. Print speed: 14 characters per second.

',OMMODORE 1541 Disk drive. £229.00. I 170K memory. 51/4" diskette.

COMMODORE 1531 Cassette unit. £44.95. For Commodore 16 and Commodore plus/4.

COMMODORE 1530 Cl £44.95. For Commodore 64.

COMMODORE 1701 O Colour monitor. £230.00.

JOYSTICKS [prices from £7.501

PADDLES 1E13.501

Details correct at time of going to press. Vioth ofourbrain? And for hard copy, there are our three FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, TICK ONE (OR MORE) OF THE BOXES ABOVE AND SEND TO THE COMMODORE INFORMATION CENTRE, 1 HUNTERS ROAD, WELDON, CORBY, printers and a printer plotter. These will preserve NORTHAMPTON NN17 10X. TEL: CORBY 105361 205252 on paper -in colour, black and white, chart form, NAME PEPC01284 graphs or text, the fruits of all your labour. ADDRESS Finally, to make games playing more exciting, there are joysticks and paddles. So use your brain. And make sure you use all of your computer's brain. MILcommodore Circle No. 13737 IF IT ISN'T SANYO YOU COULD END UP FEELING LIKE THIN I sir Strange,some peopledon't know an awful lot about Sanyo computers. They don't know that Sanyo make a complete range of micros from single 160KB disk drives to twin double -sided, double density 640KB disk drives. They don't know that Sanyo, unlike some manufac- turers, have a vast factory dedicated solely to designing and producing computers, thus ensuring the highest quality. They don't know about the huge range of standard application and specialist software available, let alone the powerful business systems package provided withevery Sanyo micro They don'teven take the time to fill in the coupon to find out the facts. Some people apparentlyare going to end upmaking a bit of a monkey of themselves. ja SANYO Circle No. 135 SEE SANYQ THEN DECIDE RETURN TO: MARKETING DEPT, SANYO MARLIBE NI (UK) LIMITED, SANYO HOUSE, OTTERSPOOL WAY, WATFORD, HERTS.

NAME COMPANY

POSITION IN COMPANY

ADDRESS TEL. NO. PC12 COMPUTERS SHOWN: MBC550, AND MBC4050, BOTH WITH,128KB RAM (EXPANDABLE TO 256KB/384KB) NOMINAL LEDGER

TO SIMPL THIS If you're loaded down with ledgers, fed up with filing and tired of ploughing through paperwork, you need Sage. Sage produce the only fully integrated one diskette accounting/book-keeping program on the market at just £375 complete. It's the simple, efficient and inexpensive solution to small business accounting problems. Easy -to -learn and easy -to -use, Sage Accounts now offers even more functions than before. Sales and Purchase Ledgers Nominal Ledger Cash Book Journal Entries Trial Balance VAT Return Monthly and Annual Accounts Age Analyses Statements Budget Variance Reports Credit Control Features Audit Trail -all together in one compact and comprehensive package. In addition, Sage Plus provides invoice production linked to stock files and integrated with the sales and nominal ledgers. Sage is suitable for use on most business micros and is fully automatic- which means no shuffling through a pile of disks to find the program you need. It's also complete and self-contained- no expensive modules to buy every time you need a new function.

40 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 SIMPLY BR THIS You'll also be glad to know that while Sage is putting your accounting system in the pink, it won't put you into the red. Sage Accounts costs just 5375 complete- a fraction of the price of most of the alternatives. So don't risk making an expensive mistake. Get it right first time with Sage. Sage Accounts £3750 Sage Plus £695 Sage Payroll £195. SAGE F Please send me more details of Sage Accounting Programs and my nearest dealer. Name: Position: Company: Address: Tel: Sagesoft Limited, NEI House, Regent Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3DS. _ Tel: 091 284 7077, Telex: 53623 SAGESL G.

BETTER SAGE THAN SORRXLtj Circle No. 107

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 41 Mr 4 The precise management of any And its flexible 'what if' capacity project can be time-consuming and produces answers to a lot of difficult. unforeseen questions. Things don't turn up on time. By working compatibly with all People go walkies. the Microsoft family as well as And subcontractors fall behind. other leading products, it means It's a recipe for an organisational that Project is easy to learn and easy nightmare. to use. Unless you do something It uses a standard spreadsheet about it. format to feed in information, can With Project. be mouse -driven and has a colour display option. Project is a new time, cost and people management package from All standard Microsoft features are thrown in, like context, sensitive on-line help and standard screen layouts, menus Microsoft. and commands and it runs on the geitmoreeasily. IBM PC and PC compatibles. If you're in the tough job of project management, anything Microsoft, the originators of you can do to make it simpler BASIC and MS-DOS for personal and more effective is something computers. you need It's fast and efficient. to knowMICROSOFT And it helps you bring any about. Right. Rrst time. project to fruition on schedule and in budget. No matter how large, or how small. Even operations as precisely regulated as the production of price lists and catalogues are easily handled by project. Graphic schedules on resource, timing and costs are printed out instantly. Call Microsoft on (07535) 59951 for It will automatically pull out a any further information you require. 4.1 critical path from relevant data. Microsoft Ltd., Piper House, Hatch Lane, Windsor, Berks. SL4 3QJ. Circle No. 116 Make TABS Business Centres your One Stop. TABS Business Centres provide a complete range of computer products and services to help you run your business more efficiently. Whether you need a simple business computer to run your sales ledger and handle your correspondence or a multi-user system with an integrated accountancy package, you will find everything you need -

*IBM IBM PC64, Mono Monitor, ALTOS 586-20, 10MHz PROC 512 KB MANNESMANN TALLY MT 80, Keyboard, Mono Display/Printer RAM, 1 MB Floppy, 6 RS -232 Ports, MT 160, MT 180, MT 440L. Adaptor, PC -DOS 2.0, 2 x 360K Disk 1 Winchester 10Mb £8,390. EPSON RX 80, RX 80 F/T, FX 80, Drives £2,039. MULTI -COMPUTER, SM200 Series. RX 100. IBM XT, Mono Monitor, Keyboard, SM10-8A (8 User System), 10Mb Hard 10Mb Winchester, 360K Floppy Drive, OKI M 82A, M 83A, M 84P, M 84S, Disk, 8" Floppy, Network Operating M 92P, M 93P. PC -DOS 2.0, Mono Display/Printer System £4,750. Adaptor £3,502. BROTHER HR 15, HR 1, HR 25. ACT APRICOT PC, 2 x 720K Disk DIABLO 630 IBM. Drives, 9" High Resolution Mono SHEETFEEDERS Monitor, MS-DOS £1,995. MANNESMANN TALLY MT 180, APRICOT Xi 10, 1 x 720K Disk Drive, MT 440 LD/Tray Sheetfeeder, 10Mb Winchester, 9" High Resolution MT 440L Friction Platen, Mono Monitor, MS-DOS £2,995. MT 440L Stand & Stacker. SIRIUS 2.4, 2 Double Sided Disk Drives, BROTHER SSF HR 15. Keyboard, Monitor, MS-DOS £2,895. SIRIUS 10Mb, 1 x 1.2Mb Disk Drive, 10Mb Winchester, Keyboard, Monitor, MS-DOS £3,995. OLIVETTI M24 (Typical System), Mono Display, Keyboard + MSDOS, 2 Disk Drives 360/720Kb £1,939. M24 (Hard Disk System), Mono Display, Keyboard + MSDOS, 1 Disk Drive 360/720Kb, 1 Winchester 10Mb £3,899. TABS PDQ 1.2, Mono Display, Keyboard, 2 x 800K Disk Drives, CP/M + MSDOS £2,290. PDQ 10, Mono Display, Keyboard, 1 x 800K Disk Drive, 10Mb Winchester,CP/M + MSDOS £3,860. *IBM Systems are only available from those TABS Business Centres who are authorised IBM Dealers. all in one place. You will get free expert advice from people who understand the business world, and who have a thorough knowledge of accountancy and I microcomputers. /-(13 You will also get expert training on how to use your system, a professional installation service and full support for the hardware and the software. Business Centres

TABS INTEGRATED PLAIN LISTING PAPER 91/2 x 8"8, TABS Business Centres offer a Rental ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE 141/2 x 8", 141/2 x 11". Plan which is ideal for companies Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger, Payroll, DYSAN DISKETTES 51/4" 104/1D, preferring to keep their capital intact for Job Costing, Stock Control, Nominal 104/2D, 204/1D, 204/2D, 3740/1D, use within the business rather than tying Ledger, Fast Data Entry, Statutory Sick 3740/2D. it up in depreciating assets. The plan Pay, Invoice Compiler, Cash Book, Mail allows for the system to be upgraded at List, Word Processor, Modeller. SONY DISKETTES 31/2" Single Sided,regular intervals without high Double Sided. ACT OFFICE SYSTEMS cancellation penalties and includes PRINTER RIBBONS Pulsar Wordstar, Mailmerge, maintenance and insurance. MANNESMANN TALLY MT 80 Superwriter, Multiplan, dBase II, Typically, a £11,000 micro -compute[ dGraph, Open Access. (5/Box), MT 180 (5/Box), MT 160 configuration would be £489.31 per (5/Box), MT 440 (10/Box). month, compared with £510.50 to lease PLANNING + REPORTING purchase the same system from a major SYSTEMS Pulsar Micromodeller, EPSON MX 100, RX 80, FX 80, HX 20. Finance company, with maintenance Friday. and insurance provided by the REFLEX Lotus 1.2.3 same contractor. TOMORROW'S OFFICE Junior IBIS Incomplete Records

For your nearest one stop Business I Centre 'phone: FROM 110,000 CREDIT Simply fill in the coupon and return it to: TABS Ltd, Dolphin House, New Street, Salisbury,Wilts. Please allow 14 days for reply.I °PI The TABS RENTAL CARD is valid at all TABS Business Centres. I I WISH TO APPLY FOR RENTAL CREDIT FACILITY. Circle No. 136I Name Or22-338668 I Address Tel No I Company Business Name I Nature of Business Position I Bankers Branch I Account No. Signature

J THE AMERICANS AND JAPANESE KNOW THAT TULIP SYSTEMS® FROM COMPUDATA HAS TO BE RECKONED WITH. Their apprehension is understandable. For what gets the Japanese and Americans interested is a large commercial potential. This certainly applies to TULIP SYSTEMS° - one of the fastest 16 bit microcomputers in the world. What strikes them- is itsbeing an EUROPEAN product - having an excellent price/ performance ratio being highly reliable with all kinds of application software and optimal service. A direct threat to their own microcomputers in the Business World - Industry - Universities and Institutions. Conclusion: The answer to having optimal facilities is TULIP SYSTEMS®. You certainly don't need to be either a Japanese or an American to reach this Conclusion!

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Wanted: 0.E.IVUs and dealers.

Circle No.117 The best thingnext

1:3

The BBC Model B Microcomputer is widely recognised as an proven upgrade for the BBC Model B microcomputer. It provides 800K of disc impressive first computer for the home or the school, but its capabilities are storage plus a Z80 second processor with 64K RAM running TORCH's own restricted by its lack of data storage and the limitations of Basic for serious CP/M® compatible operating system based in ROM. programming. For the user who needs more from this computer the Torch This advanced design means that almost all of the 64K RAM provided Z80 Disc Pack is a gateway to the world of advanced computing. by the Z80 board is available for programming use - an advantage no other Model B's fitted with disc interface can be upgraded to full business BBC micro upgrade can offer. machines by the Torch Z80 Disc Pack thereby offering the use of more If your BBC micro has the Econeeoption, there is a further benefit powerful and flexible languages such as Fortran, Pascal, BCPL and Cobol the Torch Z80 Disc Pack can offer. TORCHNET can link together up to 254 while twin 400K disc drives provide a massive storehouse for information and upgraded Model B's on a local area network, so for enthusiasts, clubs, schools rapid data transfer from disc to processor. and businesses it is a simple and low-cost way to achieve networking ..011011Pr1 Torch Z80 Disc Pack facilities. The Torch Z80 Disc Pack is the The discs can be used for storage under the Acorn DFS system or for CP/M® programs and data. A comprehensive software package is provided which includes word and data processing and a spreadsheet program, along with utility programs and manuals. The Torch Z80 Disc Pack is recommended by the CCTA for government use. At £699 the Torch Z80 Disc Pack is exceptionally good value. Torch Z80 Extension Processor (ZEP100) When fitted to a BBC system which already has compatible high quality twin 400K disc drives, the ZEP100 provides a complete business or scientific computer. Alternatively, a ZEP100 may be fitted to a BBC system to enable it to be used as a Torchnet station. The ZEP100, priced at 1299, comes complete with full software support. There are already over10,000 users of Torch computer systems. Our customers include hospitals, universities, private businesses, the Government and schools. If you are ready to take a step into the world of serious computing contact your local dealer listed on the facing page. toaBBC micro.

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As for ZEP100 but Tel 0204 652100 COMPUTAID LTD Tel: 0246 207048 Rackhams, 35 Temple Row 22 Queens Road, Brighton includes 2 x 400K 5 1/4" floppy disc drives with DOUBLELINE LTD Birmingham Tel, 0273 204228 separate power supply unit. DEVON Unit 2, Forrest Way Tel, 021236 3333 A & D COMPUTERS Gateworth Industrial Estate, STARMER COMPUTERS LTD TYNE & WEAR Great Sankey, Wa rrington Richmond House, 69 School Street Unicorn. These products are part of the best 6 City Arcade, Fore Street, Exeter HCCS Tel, 0925 573212 Wolverhampton Tel 0392 77117 533 Durham Road, Low Fell tel 0902 713173, 090220251 selling range of add-ons to the BBC Micro by DEVON COMPUTERS LTD NORTHERN COMPUTERS Gateshead The White House, 39 Tatou Road Churchlield Road, Frodsham WALTERS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Tel 0632 821924 Torch Computers Ltd, Abberley House, Warrington 12 Hadley Road, Stourbridge Paignton OFFICE INTERNATIONAL Tel: 0928 35110 Tel 03843 70811 Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB2 5LQ. 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Prices quoted are ex -VAT. CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research Inc. Econet is a registered trademark of Acorn Computers Ltd. Perfect Softwareis a Lighting the way ahead. registered trademark of Perfect Software Inc. Text, graphics and keyboard provided by BBC Model B.

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Qume to give years of reliable service and available at an attractive price. Interface compatibility with most popular micro computers. Compact design - user friendly. Uses Qume standard Printwheels and Ribbons the most accessible range available in the U.K. Options include - Forms Tractor, Qume (UK) Limited, Bridgewater Close, Reading, Berkshire RG3 UT Letter Guide or Sheet Feeder Tel: Reading (0734)584646Telex 849706 A British Company of ITT Circle No. 141 Software workshop by Mike Lewis Divide andconquer Recursive algorithms can provide neater code than the iterative alternatives. A WELL-KNOWN computer academic was When writing recursive procedures it isof recursive techniques. The first step in once asked to suggest a dictionary entry foreasy to overlook the fact that there mustQuicksortistopickanarbitrary "recursion". After a moment's thought,always be some condition that terminates member of the list to be sorted and to place the story goes, he offered: "Recursion: seethe process. In the HCF example, it is the it in such a position that it has a higher Recursion". A more serious definitiontest for where v is equal to zero. Without itvalue than all elements to its left, and a might describe a recursive procedure as onethe procedure would keep calling itself until lower one than all those to its right. This whose execution involves a call to a smallerthe stack grows to the point at which it fills entry is called the pivot. version of itself. Recursion can be thoughtavailable memory and then the program To find and place the pivot, you start of as a divide and conquer approach tocrashes. with an element v. Hoare suggests selecting problem solving. The use of the stack means that recursivev at random, while Sedgewick uses the Inhisbook Algorithms Robertprogramswillnormallyrequiremoreright -most member of the list. You then Sedgewick demonstrates recursion with amemory than their non -recursive counter- scan from the left of the list until you reach procedure for finding the highest commonparts. While some recursive routines likean element that is greater than or equal to v, factor, or HCF, of two integers, u and v.the HCF program will run much faster, and scan from the right looking for one that The obvious way of doing this would be toothers will not. The main advantage ofis less than or equal to it. You swap these set a temporary value, t, equal to the lowerrecursion is not efficiency but rather thetwo elements and continue scanning from of u and v, then to continually decrement itmeans of writing highly compact and easy - the points where you left off. The position by 1until it divides without a remainderto -followprograms.Incertainappli-at which the pointers meet is the destination into both u and v. Listing1 shows thiscations,suchastheanalysisoftreeof the pivot, so you swap the element there straightforward routine in Microsoft Basic.structures,programming cangetvery with v. The Mod function computes a remainder,sticky without recursion. The original list may now be thought of so if u(modis zero, t divides exactly into u. as two sub -lists, one on either side of the Sedgewick's method of finding an HCFSaving space pivot.Although theyarenotyetin is less obvious but much faster. He uses an sequence, all members of each sub -list will algorithm put forward by Euclid, who In theory, you can reduce the stack spaceremain on their respective sides of the showed that the HCF of u and v is also theby using tail -end recursion. If the call to thepivot. Therefore the last step is to sort each HCF of v and U(mod v). You can apply thislower -level procedure is the last action ofof the sub -lists separately, which you do rule successively until u(mod,)reachesthe caller before exiting, the caller no longerwith a recursive call to Quicksort. zero, at which point the latest value of u isrequires its local variables and these do not Listing 3 shows Sedgewick'simple- the HCF of the original pair of integers. need to be pushed on to the stack. This ismentation of Quicksort for an integer array Listing 2 shows a Pascal implementation finein theory butIwonder just how of Euclid's algorithm. One of the state-many compilers are intelligent enough to a[I..r1 ments within the function is a call todetecttail -endrecursionandtoact The routine is slightly different from the the function itself,albeit with smalleraccordingly. earlier example in that it includes not one arguments. When one of the arguments Another example of recursion can bebut two calls to itself, one for each of eventuallyreacheszero,eachcalledfound in C A R Hoare's Quicksort algo- the two sub -lists. function will exit, ultimately returning therithm, first published in 1960. Not only is A final example of recursion is provided required value to the highest level. This isthis one of the most popular of the general- inKernighanandRitchie'sThe C recursion. purpose sorts, itis also a demonstration (continued on next page) Recursion is made possible by the use of stack -dwelling variables.In certain 100 'Routine to find the HCF of 2 positive integers, U% and V% languages when a function or procedure is 110 IF U%0) variables without conflict. When the called T%=T%-1: routine exits, its own local variables are WEND lost, and those of the caller are restored 130 RETURN' 'T% is now HCF of U% and V% from the stack. Of course, this will work Listing 1. Non -recursive method of finding HCF, in Basic. just as well if the called procedure happens to be the same as the caller. function hcf(u,v:integer): integer; begin Languages that support stack -dwelling if v=0 then hcf:=u variables and therefore recursion include else hcf:=hcf(v,u mod v) Pascal, C,Lisp, Logo and Modula-2. end; Recursion is not possible in standard Basic or Fortran, where all variables are global. Listing 2. Faster HCF routine, using recursion in Pascal.

PRACTICALCOMPUTING December 1984 51 Software workshop

(continued from previous page) Programming Langauge, where it is used in procedure quicksort (1, r: integer) a C routine printing a decimal repre- var v,t,i,J:integer; sentation of a binary integer. The problem with binary -to -decimal conversions is that begin they are based on successive divisions by if 01 then 10, and therefore produce the low -order begin v:=aEr3; i:=1-1; : =r; digits first, which is the opposite of the way in which decimal numbers are printed. repeat The recursive solution shown in listing 4 repeat i:=i+1 until aCil)=v; is for the routine to call itself to handle all repeat J:=J-1 until a[j](=v; higher -order digits - higher, that is, than t:=aCi]; a[i]:=aEj]; aCJ]:=t; the digits being converted in the current until j(=i; invocation - then to print the current a[j3:=aCiA; aCi]:=aEr]; aEr3:=t; digit. The printing takes place as the stack quicksort(1,i-1) of procedures is exiting, and so is in the quicksort (i+1, r) reverse sequence to the one in which the end digits were generated. end; This routinehighlightsthepotential inefficiency of recursion. The first action ofListing 3. Pascal implementation of Quicksort. thefunctionistotestfor a negative argument so that it can output a minus sign printd(n) /*print n in decimal*/ and convert the number to a postive one. int n; Unfortunately, this test has to be repeated { in every call to the function, despite the fact int i; that it can only ever succeed in the first call. if (n(0) { The oppositeof recursioniscalled putchar('-'); iteration, this being the familiar method of n= -n; repeating certain actions by using For -Next } and While -Wend loops. With iteration it is much easier to avoid inefficiencies like the if ((i=n/10)!=0) one illustratedinthe binary -to -decimal printd(i); conversion, but the overall coding is nearly always bulkier and more convoluted. Try putchar (n % 10+'0'); programmingQuicksortwithoutusing recursion and you will see what I mean. IDListing 4. Recursive binarytodecimal conversion, written in C.

New books in computing from Chapman and Hall Expert Introducing CAL Second Edition Systems A practical guide to writing Computer computer -assisted learning Principles and case studies Operating Systems programs For micros, minis and Edited by R Forsyth, formerly of Keith Hudson, formerly mainframes the Polytechnic of North London, manager of MICRO -T D W Barron, Professor of presently Managing Director of (Microcomputer training and Warm Boot Ltd Computation, University of consultancy) Southampton This book explains the conceptsIntroducing CAL is a comprehensive From reviews of the First Edition behind expert systems, incorpora- primer on the writing of educational thelatestdevelopmentsin "I can heartily recommend the book ting software for the microcomputer. It is artificialintelligence research. The to computer users and to students the only book yet published to com- contributors are all computer pro- bine apractical guide to writing who wish to gain some understand- fessionals active in the development ing of this interesting field." Computer -AssistedLearningpro- of expert systems. P Samet, The Computer Bulletin grams with atheory of human October 1984 144 pages learning. This book introduces the principles Hardback of operating system design and use, November1984c 200 pages £20.00 and provides numerous examples 0 412 26270 3 Hardback from those systems employedin Paperback 0 412 26230 4£20.00 0 412 26280 0 £9.95 today's mini and microcomputers. Paperback 0 412 26240 1 £9.95 2nd edn. November 1984 184 pages Hardback 0 412 15620 2 £12.00 Paperback Chapman and Hall, 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE 0 412 15630 X £6.95

Circle No. 122 52 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 .11111IP

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Enter the world of Verbatim, with the latest range of Datalife diskettes. Not only their performance, but their new superior packaging makes them stand out from the rest. Further proof of their commitment to excellence. The world's brand leader, of- DYSAN -FOR THE DISCERNING MAXELL - THE GOLD STANDARD fers perfect data retention time after time - for a lifetime. With new lower prices. Dysans impeccable reputation is now a Maxell's very high quality control ensures all standards are met genuine bargain. and surpassed DATALIFE-FIVE YEAR WARRANTY 51 INCH DISKETTES The world market leaders with perfect data retention time after 5( INCH DISKETTES Certified for Single OR Double Density. 48 tpi with hub ring time - for a lifetime Certified for Single OR Double Density. 48 tpi with Hub Ring reinforcement 51 INCH DISKETTES reinforcement PRICES EXC VAT 10-40 50.90 100 + Certified for single OR double density and with the hub ring MD1-D S/S 48 tpi 24.90 23.90 22.90 PRICES EXC VAT 10-40 50-90 100 reinforcement MD2-D D/S 48 tpi 32.90 31.90 30.90 PRICES EXC VAT 10-40 50.90 100 + 104/1D S/S 48 tpi 23.90 22.90 21.90 MD1-DD S/S 96 tpi 32.90 31.90 30.90 MD525 S/S 48 tpi 22.90 21.90 20.90 104/2D D/S 48 tpi 34.90 33.90 32.90 MD2-DD D/S 96 tpi 42.90 41.90 40.90 MD550 D/S 48 tpi 29.90 28.90 27.90 204/1D S/S 96 tpi 34.90 33.90 32.90 MD2-HD D/S 1.6MByte 59.00 56.00 53.00 MD577 S/S 96 tpi 28.90 27.90 26.90 20412D D/S 96 tpi 42.90 41.90 40.90 48 tpi suitable for 35 or 40 track operation MD557 D/S 96 tpi 36.90 35.90 34.90 48 tpi suitable for 35 or 40 track operation 96 tpi suitable for 77 or 80 track operation 48 tpi suitable for 35 or 40 track operation 96 tpi suitable for 77 or 80 track operation 8 INCH DISKETTES 96 tpi suitable for 77 or 80 track operation 10 & 16 Hard Sector available at same prices 10 and 16 Hard sector available at same prices. PRICES EXC VAT 10.40 50.90 100 + FD1-128 S/S S/Dens 29.90 28.90 27.90 8 INCH DISKETTES 8 INCH DISKETTES FD1-1XD S/S DIDens 34.90 33.90 32.90 PRICES EXC VAT 10.40 50-90 100 + PRICES EXC VAT 10.40 50-90 100+ FD2-XD D/S D/Dens 39.90 38.90 37.90 FD34.9000 S/S S/Dens 31.90 30.90 29 90 3740/1D S/S D/Dens 32.90 31.90 30.90 3 INCH DISKETTES FD34-8000 S/S D/Dens 31 90 30 90 29.90 3740/2D D/S D/Dens 40.90 39.90 38.90 PRICES EXC VAT 10-40 50-90 100+ DD34.4001 D/S D/Dens 36.90 35.90 34.90 32 Hard Sector available at same prices CF2 Compact Floppy Disk 39.90 38.90 37.90 32 Hard Sector available at same price

C. INS. BUT EXC VAT NEW Memorex Cleaning Kits Just arrived are the MEMOREX Computer Care range of LEANING KITS LOCKABLE STORAGE (all versions) cleaning kits. They represent fantastic value for money. and are available individually or with a discount if purchasing all e as 8" diskettes 1 off 2.00 each three. 2-7 off 1.30 each BRARY BOXES 8+ off POST FREE Part NoDescription Price ff at 60p each MKEY Case & Keyboard Cleaning Kit with one foam 4.90 ff at 45p each DISKING COLOUR CODERS clean aerosol. 20 safebuds & 5 safecloths. off at 30p each 25p each -5 + POST FREE MTV VDU/TV Screen Cleaning Kit with 20 Safeclean 4.90 screen wipes & 5 Safecloths. MOD Drive Head Cleaning Kit 5" with cleaning 8.90 .ING SUPERMAILERS DISKING DISKWRITERS fluid. 10 cleaning disks. jacket and glove. tacks at 3.00 50 -pack 1.00 Buy all three Kits together and we will reduce the total price from £18.70 to £14.90 - A Bargain if ever we saw one!

DISKING INTERNATIONAL How to Contact DISKING FREEPOST By Telephone (0428) 722563 LIPHOOK By Telex 858623 Telbur G HAMPSHIRE GU30 7BR UNITED KINGDOM

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT ORDERS WELCOME FIRST CLASS RATES EXC VAT 51" BARGAIN CORNER We supply all Government bodies including Schools, Univer- First Ten -Pack 2.00 2.50 sities,Colleges,Hospitals,theUtilities.Research 2nd and subsequent Ten -Pack 1.50 2.00 5,1" Diskettes supplied in a FREE SEE 10 library box Establishments, Armed forces, the Ministries and Local Prices Exc VAT 10-40 50.90 100+ Authorities world-wide. We will despatch within 4 (YES 4) UL/1D S/S 48 tpi Diskettes 13.90 12.90 11.90 working hours from recepit of your official order number UL/2D D/S 48 tpi Diskettes 20.90 19.90 18.90 received either by post or by telephone, and all orders are TRADE CORNER UL/1DD S/S 96 tpi Diskettes 20.90 19.90 18.90 handled in the strictest confidence and to the letter. All other UL/2DD D/S 96 tpi Diskettes 24.90 23.90 22.90 customers cheques with order please payable to DISKING. If FREE AEROPLANE you are a large establishment and cannot raise cheques Our latest aeroplanes now have sound! Ideal missiles for Don't be fooled - fully warranted, new and individually cer- without an invoice please post or telephone us your order and throwing across the office at sleeping software engineers. tified AND with a FREE SEE 10 library box and Disking Colour we will send a pro -forma invoice by return for your accounts Call and ask for your flier, and we'll send you our latest trade Coders!! They are unlabelled non -hub ring diskettes, and are department to pay against. pack with prices, speical offers and sample unlabelled manufactured by one of our tour major suppliers. At these diskette. We'll also enclose a DPC application form telling prices you can't lose. Don't forget you even get the superb CREDIT CARD ORDERS you how to buy at our 10,000 prices yet order in 50's. DISKING clock with every two ten -packs.

All orders left on the answering machine quality for a FREE F Disking Logobug to stock on your computer. To: DISKING FREEPOST, Liphook, Hants, GU30 76R. UK You may call 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and you may speak for as long as you like when you leave the following Qty Description Price exc VAT details - 1. Day -time telephone number 2. Cardholder Name & Address 3. Delivery/Invoice Address if different 4. Your credit card number 5.Part nos and quantity of your order 6. Normal or First Class post Total Goods Value exc VAT Total Delivery and insurance we welcome Access (Mastercharge). Barclaycard (VISA) and Diners Club International and there is NO credit card sur- Sub Total exc VAT charge Alternatively you may write your C/card No on your order VAT You may leave the rest to US!! Value of cheque payable to Disking

URGENT ORDERS NAME: If you're posting your order omit the word FREEPOST from our address, and use our normal post code GU30 7EJ and do ADDRESS: not forget to stamp it First Class if you are telephoning your order please make it clear that your wish to pay for your goods TEL NO: to be sent to you by First Class Post.

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Circle No. 177 I Access, VISA & Diners Cards welcome PC12/84 PHILIPS

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:, .1 .-Vrtc £1,6900 :1t for the P2012 - 8 bit, 96K RAM, 2x 640K floppies and CP/M 2.2., TTY, WordStar, CalcStar, MBASIC, Busi- '302!' ness Graphics and SAGE "Try -be- fore -you -buy" Accounts Packages. £1,560; for the P2009 - 8 bit, 96K RAM, lx 640K floppy, and CP/M 2.2., TTY, WordStar, CalcStar, MBASIC. Built- in 10 MB hard disk possible. E 995: for the P2010 - 8 bit, 96K RAM, 2x 160K floppies and CP/M 2.2., TTY, WordStar, CalcStar, MBASIC and SAGE "Try -before -you -buy"Ac- counts Packages. Vast range of 16 and 8 bit software. Dealers all over Great Britain. Service guaranteed. Portable Easy to use especially for beginners. IIIC Computer Philips - with you every step of the way.

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Sco Chip -chat by Ray Coles THERE WAS a time when the possession of 48K of RAM memory on your eight -bit personal computer was just about the ultimate social accolade, with only a new Roller or an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party capable of inflicting a total eclipse. Sadly, now that this humble irtually columnist has reach such dizzying heights, any such size comparison carried out in public brings forth only guffaws and sniggers from today's social elite, who now seem to be universally endowed with 256K IBM PCs or 512K Apple Lisas. infinite Pub chat However, being a hardware man does have some advantages, even on a tight budget. Right now, deep in the bowels of Microchip Mansion, I am hard at work memory designing the ultimate pub -chatexter- minator:apersonalcomputerwith virtually infinite memory. The ploy is simple, Ishall wait until the assembled company have all indicated the precise size of theirs,then look the person with 4Mbyte straight between the eyes and say: capacity "Er,wellmine'svirtuallyinfinite actually.. . ." My secret is based on the use of theIf you are thinking of installing everlarger banks of relatively simple virtual memory concept.RAM chips you should think again; virtual memory It does not require a second mortgage and the purchase of a tipper lorry full of reject management chips are on the way. 256K RAM chips. addresses used by the program code intoin a reduced form, on the microprocessor The virtual memory concept was firstthe physical address allocated to the user in version of the Vax already announced. introduced in the early seventies for use onthe store. Finally, special virtual memory Missing is a virtual memory successor to mainframe computers.Inthoseante-operating system software was needed soMS-DOS and 16 -bit CP/M, something diluvian days even mainframes could notthat when memory faults occurred, thewhich can be ported to all the popular store more than a few dozen Kbyte. In thenew sections of code could be loaded inmicroprocessor chips and sold at High multi-user time-sharing applications sofrom disc and the program restarted withStreet prices. Perhaps one of the many popular then this lack of memory spacethe minimum of fuss. Unix offspring will come to the rescue, but could really put a damper on things. So apart from the great following among the somebody thought that it would be a goodDon't despair inmates of university computing depart- idea to apparently magnify the store size ments - who areless than objective and make each user believe they had From this shopping list, you can nowjudges since it is usually made available to unlimited memory by usingfastdiscsee why your Spectrum and other eight -bitthem at very low cost - there seems to be storage as an overspill area. micros are not similarly endowed. But dolittle general enthusiasm for Unix. By itself, the concept was not so smartnot despair, because the chances are that Whenthepropercombinationof because people had been using overlaysyou will have a virtual memory machineingredients has been assembled in a few and other techniques which achieved abefore long, thanks to the giant stridesyears'time,theresultinglow-cost similar result in their programs for years.being made by the chip designers. machineswillrepresentaleapin What made the virtual memory concept At the moment the smallest machinescapability.The combinationofa specialwasthefactthatwiththiscommonly available which use the virtualMotorola 68020 32 -bit, CPU and one of system the user was blissfully unawarememory concept are in DEC's ubiquitousthe Signetics memory -management chips, that chunks of program were constant-Vax minicomputer family - at pricesknown as the Memory Access Controllers, lywhistling backwards and forwardswhich nothing less than a successful bank -will provide a performance capability between store and disc. It appeared thatjob could bring within reach. But the eraequal to, for example, one of the larger each user had a verylargestoretoof the 32 -bit microprocessor has dawnedVax machines. So offering the lucky user a themselves. and all the contenders announced supportvirtual address space of up to 4Gbyte. virtual memory. Winchester discs which canprovidethenecessaryhard -disc Graceful recoverybacking store are also here, and prices areMulti-user A number of ingredients were necessarystarting to fall as disc capacities soar. The problem of who gets to use the to make the virtual memory concept work. Memory -management chips are beingfamily computer first will undoubtedly A fast -access hard disc was necessary -made available withallthe new pro-disappear. Each member will be able to not a floppy. The CPU had to be designedcessors, and the only thing which seems toruntheir own terminalwithout ever so that it was able to recover gracefullybe missing is the necessary software in thehaving to worry about who else is logged when it attempted to fetch part of anformofacapablevirtualmemoryin. But don't throw your Spectrum or instruction or data and found that it wasoperating systems. Such operating sys-BBC away yet, because they may be just not currently resident in store. A hardwaretems are certainly available for earlierthe thing to use as dumb terminals to system called a memory -management unitmachines. DEC's excellent Vax/VMS setsthat virtual memory, multi-user, multi- wasneededtotranslatethelogicalthe standard here and will be used, albeittasking, super machine.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 57 G. W. COMPUTERS LTD1 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 111.7 (series III of the world's first 'task -robot -programs') G.W. COMPUTERS LTD - Tel: 01-631-4818 The Texas Instruments Professional Computer. Quite simply, the best. Here's why. "It is the Optimum personal computer."

Best graphics, with some of the sharpest displays For your best performance and productivity, rely available, 3 -plane graphics and 8 simultaneous col- on the TI Professional Computer. Popular Com- ors. Best new features for the future, including our putinghas called it "the optimum personal com- revolutionary new speech technology that lets you puter". It gives you the best internal design, so you operate the TIPC with simple voice commands. And can expand from PC to XT capability. Best software best support equipment like the OMNI 800* Model availability, with literally hundreds of packages, in- 850 and 855 printers. Backed by the TI worldwide cluding the best sellers. Best keyboard, with network of service and support. See the TI Profes- typewriter arrangement and separate TEXAS 4 sional Computer - with these and other numeric and cursor controls. INSTRUMENTS advantages that make it quite simply, the best. COMPUTING PRODUCTS AUTHORIZED Copyright ©1983 Texas Instruments SALES 'OMNI 800 is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated

Telephones Telex 01-636 8210 892031 TWC G. 01.631 4818 G.W.Computers incorporated in Boston. Mass. USA. Grama (Winter) Ltd. 55 Bedford Court Mans, Bedford Avenue, London WC1 *****A Perfect Pair *****

The well known "SYSTEM DEAL" given by G.W. Computers Ltd., for the past few years is now available on a new package deal in conjunction with Texas Instruments Professional Computers. Not only does the Texas Instruments Professional Computer range have the best three plane high resolution colour graphics capability, plus a revolutionary Speech Command System. It will shortly be capable of managing all your telephone calls (in- coming and outgoing).

For all purchasers of a Texas computer with 10 megabyte hard disk we are giving absolutely FREE, the well known "DBMS 111.7" database package; value 295.00 as well as the new "KEY" relational database value 575.00. Our best model TI is the new portable - high res - colour + 256-756k ram + 320k floppy + mbyte system with optional speech command.

Why not just request our latest 'infor-pack' anytime on our 24 hour answerphones; then COMPARE the deal for yourself. Any critical ability will confirm the superiority of this equipment and this 'deal' over the everyday PC's that we stock as well.

Circle No. 195

58 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Comms link by Ben Knox The quiet

revolutionfeature. Prestel systems use special con- OVER THE PAST YEAR there have been anoise, and acoustic couplers cannot be number of changes in the computing andused on special telephones such as Trim -trolcharactersintermingledwiththe telecommunications industries which havephones. However, they are often availabletransmitted data to control colour and brought about a revolution in computerwith rechargeable batteries, allowing themscreenlayout. Some software cannot communications. The most importantto be used from public telephone boxes,translate these characters into instructions changeisthe liberalisation of Britishwhich you may want to do if you have awhich your computer will understand, so Telecom's policies toward the connectionportable computer. you end up with a mess. If you intend to of electronic equipment to the telephone There are two factors to be taken intousebothPrestelandbulletinboard system. For example, transatlantic com-account before you choose a modem. Firstsystems, make sure that the program you munications have been made cheaperis the speed at which it sends and receiveschoose can handle both. since BT and other telecommunicationsdata. A common rating is 300 baud, equal You will also need an error -free file - companies have set up networks designedto 300 bits or roughly 30 alphanumerictransferfacility which allows you to specifically for computers to use. characters each second. receive programs with none of the errors The setting up of the independent The speed of modem you require willoften caused by crackles on the telephone BritishApprovalsBoardforTele-depend on which systems you intend tolines. The most common transfer system communications, BABT,hasshownuse. Bulletin boards usually run at 300is known variously as the Christiansen manufacturers that the communicationsbaud, while information systems such asprotocol, X -Modem, Modem 7 and CP/M marketisnot justfor the dedicatedPrestelrunatdifferentspeedsfortransfer. Software which uses this transfer hacker, and has encouraged them to pro-transmitting and receiving data. Prestelsystem is available for most of the popular duce cheaper equipment designed forsends to you at 1,200 baud and receivesmicros. general use. from you at 75 baud. Modems cannot communicate with each other unless theyWhat to look for are running at the same speed. A number Modems at homeof hard -wired modems can run ata Other features to look for are:the Since modems are now appearing innumber of different speeds, but acousticability to send and receive ASCII files to more homes, a number of databases andcouplers can only manage one speed. and from the host system which you are information systems have been set up. The second factor to consider is thecalling; the facility to print out what you They have features for business as wellmode of the modem. There are two modesare receiving as you receive it; and the as home users, including news and shareavailable: Answer and Originate. Twoability to change the baud rate at which prices, weather reports and teleshopping. modems of the same mode cannot com-your computer is running. On the amateur side, about 20 bulletin -municate with each other. All systems Finally, before starting to commun- board systems have been started up bywhich you call use Answer mode, becauseicate, you need to tell your system which computer enthusiasts. These free systemsthey are answering your call, so it makes word format to use. ASCII code is used enable people with the right equipment tosense to get an Originate modem. Many to transfer data passed between com- send messages to other users, play gameshard -wired modems and acoustic couplersputers.In ASCII eachalphanumeric and swap programs. can be switched between the two modes. character is made up of seven bits, but in Other than the computer itself, the most communications extra bits are added so importantpieceofequipment youConnection the pointat which thedata of one require when setting up your commun- character stops and another begins can be ications systemsisthe modem, which Before buying a modem you mustfound, and error checking can take place. enables you to connect your computer toensure that you can connect it to your You need to know three parameters to the telephone network.It converts thecomputer. Unless designed for use with aset the word format: whether the number digital signals from your computer toparticular machine, all modems use anof data bits is seven or eight; whether the analogue signals which it sends down theRS -232 serial interface. If your computernumber of stop bits for differentiation phone line as tones, and converts incom-does not have an RS -232 then you willbetween characters is one or two; and ing tones into digital signals which it feedsneed an expansion which provides thiswhether the parity bit is used. into your computer. In fact, its name isfacility. You may be able to get a modem There are two types of parity, odd and derived from its function: to modulate andwhich connects to your computer directlyeven. The computer checks how many is demodulate signals. through its expansion port, such as thethere are in each character before it is sent. Therearetwotypesof modemCommodore modem for the CommodoreIn odd parity it sets the parity bit to make available:hard -wired modems and64 or the VTX-5000 modem for thethe total number of Is an odd number. acoustic couplers. Hard -wired modemsSinclair Spectrum. With even parity, the parity bit is set to connect directly to the telephone system, With one exception, communicationsmake an even number of Is. whereas acoustic couplers connect to asoftwareisfairly standard. The main The standard word -format settings for telephone handset. Each type has its ad-differences between programs are thatbulletin boards are: seven data bits, one vantages and disadvantages: hard -wiredthe more expensive ones provide morestop bit and even parity. If you use error - modems are more reliable, as they do notconvenience features and/or gimmicks. free file transfer the settings are eight data suffer from the effects of backgroundThe exception to the rule is the Prestelbits, one stop bit and no parity.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 59 TOP SHOWROOM SERVICE ROCK BOTTOM

COM TE PRICES _ PERSONAL CALL RS WELCOME AT OUR EXTENSIVE SHOWROOMS MOST EOUIPMENT ON DEMONSTRATION

12" MONITORS - GREEN SCREEN The UK's Best Printer Prices Sanyo 2112 Med Res E65 00 + VAT= £74.75 Sanyo 8112 High Res E88 00 + VAT= C101 20 Only a sample of our massive range of printers 14" MONITORS - COLOUR Commodore 1701 Composite/Sound C173 00 + VAT= C198.95 shown here - phone for further details Fidelity CM14 RGB/Comp/Sound E179 00 + VAT= C205.85 Microvitec 1431 MS Norm Res ROB. E173 00 + VAT = C198.95 Microvitec 1431 MZ for ZX Spectrum C199 00 + VAT= C228.85 Microvitec 1451 MS Med Res RGB E229.00 + VAT= C263.35 DAISYWHEEL LETTER QUALITY Microvitec 1451 DO for Sinclair OL. [234.74 + VAT= C269.95 Smith Corona TP1 (P or 5) E189.00 + VAT= C217.35 Microvitec 1441 MS High Res RGB E379 00 + VAT= C435.85 Juki 6100 (P) [335.00 + VAT= C385.25 Sanyo 3125 Norm Res fgGB C173.00 + VAT= C198.95 Brother HR15 (P or Si E329.00 + VAT- £378.35 Sanyo 3117 Med Res RGB. C285 00 + VAT= C327.75 Daisystep 2000 (P) E239.95 + VAT= £275.94 Sanyo 3115 High Res RGB [399.00 + VAT= C458.85 Commodore PRINTER/TYPEWRITERS Plus 4 NEW 64K Computer [243.43 + VAT= C279.95 Brother EP22 Dot Matrix (Si [119.00 + VAT= £1 36.85 C16 Starter pack inc cassette deck E113 00 + VAT= £129.95 Brother EP44 IS) E189.00 + VAT= E217.35 C2N Cassette. [32.61 + VAT= C37.50 DPS1101 Daisywheel Printer (by Jukil C309 95 + VAT= C356.44 Modems available for Easylink and Telecom Gold 801 Tractor Printer C165 17 + VAT= C189.95 Juki 2200 Daisywheel (P or 5) [239.95+ VAT= £275.94 802 Friction Tractor Printer [260.83 + VAT = C299.95 DOT MATRIX PRINTERS 1520 Colour Printer Plotter E60 83 + VAT= C69.95 1701 Colour Monitor C173 00 + VAT= C199.00 Brother HR5 (P or 51 E125.00 + VAT=£143.75 Canon 1080A NLO (P) E289.00 + VAT=£322.35 Amstrad Amstrad CPC464 Green Monitor E192 00 + VAT= C220.80 Canon 1156A NLO (P) E349.00 + VAT=£401.35 Amstrad CPC464 Colour Monitor E289 00 + VAT= C332.35 EPSON RX80 (P) E195.00 + VAT=£224.25 EPSON RX80 F T PLUS (P) [225.00+ VAT=£258.75 SANYO MBC 555 Business Computer EPSON FX80 (P) E324.00 + VAT=£372.60 128K including VVordstar. Calcstar. lnfostar E795 00 + VAT= C914.25 EPSON RX100 F T (P) E339.96 + VAT=£390.95 BBC EPSON FX100 F T (P) E439.00 + VAT=£504.85 BBC Model B [339.09 + VAT= C389.95 Model B inc Disk IF E399 96 + VAT= C459.95 Seikosha GP100A (P1 [129.90 + VAT=C149.39 Cumana 1x100K DD CSX100 £126 DO + VAT = C144.95 Seikosha GP50A (P1 E79.90 + VAT £91.89 Cumana 1k200K DD CSX200 C191 26 + VAT= C219.95 Seikosha GP50S (Spectrum) E79.90 + VAT= £91.89 Cumana 2x100K OD inc PSU. E321 70 + VAT= C369.95 Seikosha GP500A (P1 [139.90+ VAT=£160.89 Cumana 2x200K DO inc PSU [347.78 + VAT= C399.95 Seikosha GP550A (P1 [179.90 + VAT=£206.89 Cumana 2x400K DD inc PSU [434.74 + VAT= C499.95 Seikosha GP700A Colour (P) [279.90 + VAT=£321.89 All above Cumana Disk Drives include Cable. Manual + form disk Shinwa CT80 (P1 [175.00 + VAT=£201.25 Sinclair (P)=Parallel-Centronics(S)=Serial RS232 NEW Spectrum 48K PLUS inc 6 Free Programs E147 78 + VAT= C169.95 Spectrum 48K + 6 Free Games (worth [56) [106.91 + VAT= C122.95 Smith Corona range of printers Now in Stock - Microdrive + Interface 1 + 4 Free Programs £82.60 + VAT= C95.00 Phone or write for details 16K -48K Upgrade £21 70 + VAT-, C24.95 BUSINESS SOFTWARE We have a wide range of business software at our normal discount prices INSTANT CREDIT Up to 36 months to pay All prices ex VAT Add 700 for P&P oer order Wordstar 0195 All items over Cl 50 available on our easy credit terms. Open Access £360 Written details available on request. Lotus123 C295 Symphony . C490 Multimate C240 Base II £280 DMS Delta £395 Friday C135 Framework C345 SUPERDISKS Please state computer format required when ordering. LONDON'S LOWEST PRICES ON FLOPPY DISKS Mail Order+ Export +Trade Prices per box of ten ex VAT Hot Line Phone 01-686 6362

SSDD COD SS96TP1 DS96TP1 groi_ Delivery by Securicor (3 day) please add [5.00 + VAT per item. gia Delivery by T.N.T. (overnight) please add [9.50 + VAT per item. 40TR 40TR 80TR 80TR Send off the coupon or order by 'phone quoting your Access. BASF 51l4 £10.95 £10.20 £19.00 £22.50 Barclaycard No. 'Phone 01-686 6362. Immediate despatch on receipt of order or cheque clearance. 3M 5114 £13.55 £19.50 £20.05 £24.00 Or you can Telex your order on: 946240 Attn 19001335 VERBATIM 5114 £15.50 £23.50 £22.50 £30.50

OYSAN 5114 £16.80 £24.90 £24.90 £32.00 We accept official orders from PLC's. Government Departments and Educational establishments. TDK 5114' £17.50 £25.50 - £33.00 These prices correct until superceeded by next advertisement. BASF 3112' £34.90 - - - I To Cash & Carry Computers, 53-59 High Street. Croydon, Surrey CRO 100 Add 70p for P&P per box of 10 disks Please supply

I enclose my cheque for E including delivery by Securicor/T NT" CASH & CARRY COMPUTERS or charge my Access/Barclaycard No 53-59 High Street, Name Signature Address Croydon, Surrey CHO 100. PC12 84 "Please Delete J Circle No. 176 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 [_mim_gg El IC'I-

VERSION 2.0 'k19.95)

NOW WE'VE ADDED EVERYTHING TO TURBO PASCAL

NOW WITH WINDOWING

'TURBO PASCAL IS AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT AT NEW FEATURES AN EXTRAORDINARY PRICE.' 'THE FASTEST COMPILATION SPEED I HAVE EVER WINDOWING! * SEEN.' 'AN EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAM -DEVELOPMENT AUTOMATIC OVERLAYS! SYSTEM.' David D. Clark Dr. Dobb's Journal, June 1984. GRAPHICS, SOUND AND COLOUR SUPPORT! * 'UNDER IBM PASCAL, THE AVERAGE PROGRAM TOOK TWO WEEKS TO WRITE, WITH TURBO FULL HEAP MANAGEMENT! PASCAL, THE AVERAGE IS NOW TWO DAYS.' George Blank. Creative Computing, July 1984. OPTIONAL 8087 SUPPORT!

'WHAT I THINK THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY IS HEADED FOR: WELL DOCUMENTED, STANDARD, PLENTY OF GOOD FEATURES, AND A Available for...CPM 80, CPM 86, REASONABLE PRICE.' MS DOS, PC DOS, CPN, CCPN, IBM Jerry Pournelle Byte, February 1984. PC/XT, DEC RAINBOW, APRICOT, SIRIUS, APPLE, BBC (Z80 second 'THE PERFECT PASCAL' 'A POWERFUL ALTERNATIVE FOR USERS' processor) and most others - Call Alan R. Miller Interface Age, January 1984. for availability.

* IBM PC AND COMPATIBLES 1 rCHOOSE ONE + E5 SHIPPING CPM 80 51/4in NAME + VAT ADDRESS !TURBO PASCAL £49.957 CPM 86 8in TELEPHONE I TURBO PASCAL CHEQUE £89.95 MS DOS___31/4in I8087 aR I8087 UPGRADE £49.957 PC DOS OalPuu±T=L\ir- IUpgrade must be accompanied System 801 GOVAN ROAD GLASGOW G51 I , by original master. 041-445 5130/1015 Circle No. 236 Beforeyou compare our newcomputer systemwithanyother, double the price. £249 Computer complete with green screen VDU (GT64) £359 Computer complete with colour monitor (CTM640)

CPC 464 complete with monitor datacorder

The first low-cost personal computer to be approved by the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board. Other computer systems that get anywhere near the new CPC464 on spe- cification cost around twice as much. Which other home computer, for in- stance, gives you 64K of RAM (42K available), 32K of ROM and a colour monitor or VDU? Which other home computer, gives you a built-in cassette data recorder, typewriter style keyboard, numeric keypad and a very fast extended BASIC? And which other home computer offers it all for £359 with colour monitor or £249 with green screen VDU? What's more, the CPC464 comes complete and ready -to -go. Just plug it in. CPC464 green screen VDU (GT64) 64K RAM. Green screen VDU. other Amstrad users. Whether you're interested in com- Pound for pound, other micros can't Text and numerical data are bright, mercial applications or you're a games match the CPC464's memory. Over sharp and easily read at a glance.Whichfanatic, you'll want to join the Club. 42K is available to users, thanks to the is invaluable for word processing, implementation of ROM overlay tech- accounting, budgeting and developing CPC464. niques. programs. And this purpose designed Unlimited scope for expansion. So there's plenty of room for soph- visual display system has an80 column At Amstrad, we try toanticipateyour isticated and complex programs. text display. future requirements. That's why Green screen versions of the CPC464 there's a built-in parallel printer inter- High resolution graphics. canbeusedwithacolourTVbyconnect- Stereo sound. face. A low cost optional disk drive ing the optional power supply and system including CP/M * and LOGO. The monitor drives each colour on the modulator MP -1. A joystick port. And the virtually screen directly from the computer. Amstrad. User Club. unlimited potential of the Z80 data bus There's no unnecessary circuitry to with sideways ROM support. distort your view. No tuning problems. The CPC464 User Club is run by And no arguments about who's using Amsoft, our software division, which the computer and who's watching TV. provides software, peripherals and Sounds good, doesn't it? publications for members. So does the CPC464 with its 3 -voice, As a member, you'llenjoy immediate 7 -octave stereo output fed throughbenefits like the privilege card, Club a hi-fi amplifier and speakers. binder, regular magazine, competitions Optional disk for valuable prizes and contact with drive DDI-1 Amsoft. High quality software. including interface A rapidly expanding range of pro- User CP/M* and LOGO £199.95 grams is already available. High quality AMSTRADclub software that takes full advantage of the CPC464's high specification and speed - CPC 464 loading capability. MEMBERSHIP NUMBER Which means even complex pro- REGISTERED NAME EXPIRE DATE grams can be loaded quickly. Optional 80 column dot matrix printer DMP-1. Arcade games, educational pro- VOTTRASSFERABLk SEE MEMRERSHIPCONDITIONS FOR TERMS OF USE Offers high performance computerised text processing grams and business applications are for only £199.95. all designed to utilise the CPC464's impressive graphics, sound and pro- cessing abilities. BOOTS COMS'T Dixons Menzies RUMBELOWSn=IN )F21 AMSTRAD Trade mark Digital Research ONE GREAT IDEA AFTER ANOTHER 1 I'd like to know more about the quite exceptional CPC464 complete computer system. Please send literature right away.

NAME ADDRESS

POSTCODE To: Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc, Brentwood House, 169 King's Road, Circle No. 111 LBrentwood, Essex CM14 4EF. Tel: Brentwood (0277) 228888. PC 4 Any colour you want...

anblack.

Anadex DP -9725B four-colour printers

Circle No. 108 64 >NEXT MONTH ANY colour you want-and black of course. That's the Anadex DP -9725B new full colour printer. Dreary diagrams are revitalised and words and figures >GAMES are highlighted to emphasise important points. These are what In our annual look at the world of computer games Richard most offices need today. And Bartle - who runs the original multi-user Dungeon at the Anadex designed the machine to University of Essex - explains why MUDs will replace give good print quality and high SUDs, Tony Harrington reports on developments in chess, speeds at low cost, using a John Dallman provides an overview of the whole games field, 4- colour ribbon and dual -pass capability. The advanced technical and you get the chance to argue over our list of the top 50 features offered are: -a brisk games of all time. 240 cps., operating modes that include data processing, draft and correspondence quality and high resolution graphics at 144 dots/in. >REVIEWS VDU colour displays from the IBM PC colour system are Among the hardware on the stocks for next month is the effortlessly transferred to hard Fujitsu 16 from Japan's biggest computer manufacturer, and copy by means of a free diskette theTDIPinnacle, a super -fast 68000 -based machine. Plus, supplied with the DP -9725B. Chris Bidmead reviews Sycero, an interesting new program And a printhead life of more generator, while Glyn Moody unwraps a package of Sinclair than 500 million characters - that QL books.

adds up to a lot of colour . and a touch of class. For further details of your nearest supplier, contact Anadex at the address below: >AND MUCH moRE. Next month, Ben Knox continues his series on Anadex Ltd., Weaver House, communications for beginners, while David Levy provides Station Road, Hook, Basingstoke, more insights for the games programmer. In Software Hants. RG279JY Tel: (025672) 3401 Tlx: 858762 Workshop, Mike Lewis explains binary trees and how to grow them. And there will be the usual news, regular columns, your letters, and lots of free software in Open File.

Order your copy of the January issue now.

Rnaciex On sale at W H Smith and all good newsagents after December 12.

Contents may vary due to circumstances beyond our control and are subject to change without notice.

65 PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS VISIT OUR NEW SHOW ROOM computersmicronix Ltd

MICRONIX ESB-1 OFFICIAL THE ERICSSON PC ERICSON 16/32 BIT SINGLE BOARD MICRO DEALER Fully compatible with IBM PC/XT From £1,934 + VAT * 8088 CPU * Optional 8087 processor * 128K RAM * Built in hi res graphics * Twin half height drives (360K each) * Amber monitor with tilt F1 swivel * MS DOS 2.11 and GW BASIC *1 Serial port * Parallel port (centronics) *12 Month on site warranty - SOFTWARE FOR IBM PC/COMPATIBLES

LOTUS 1-2-3 £375+ VAT =£431.25 * 68008 8 MHz CPU * 128 RAM (expandable to 256K) * Up to 64K EPROM SYMPHONY £550+ VAT =£632.50 1 Floppy disk controller for 51/4", 3", 31/2" drives *2 RS232 serial ports PFS: FILE £120+ VAT =£138.00 *Mounts directly on 53/4" drive * 2 x 8 bit parallel ports * Full debug monitor PFS: REPORT £120+ VAT =£138.00 with singleline assembler and disk loader * Expansion bus * Power PFS: WRITE £120+ VAT =£138.00 requirement: + 5V/1.5A, + 12V/100mA, -12V/100mA. dBASE II £365+ VAT =£419.75 Available as a Bareboard with Monitor ROM and IFL Chip Set £199 + VAT -- dBASE III £495+ VAT =£569.25 £228.85 or completely assembled £499 + VAT = £573.85 128K Expansion FRAMEWORK £495+ VAT =£569.25 Board (required for 0S9/68000( £199 + VAT = £228.85 - 0S9/68000 real time, WORDSTAR V.3.4 £295+ VAT =£339.25 multitasking, multiuser Operating System (similar to UNIX) £250 + VAT = MULTIPLAN £179+ VAT =£205.85 £287.50 C Compiler, BASIC 09, PASCAL and FORTRAN available.Single User OPEN ACCESS £450+ VAT =£517.50 CP/M68K £375 + VAT = £431.25. 256K MEMORY CARD FOR IBM PC PERIPHERALS FOR IBM PC/COMPATIBLES

64K RAM Upgrade £ 40+ VAT =£ 46 256K RAM Board £260+ VAT =£ 299 Six Pak Plus with 384K RAM £500+ VAT =£575 Hercules Graphic Card £380+ VAT =£437 108 key low profile UK Keyboard £160+ VAT =£184 NDR 5+ 5 5MB fixed + 5MB removable hard disk £2,700+ VAT =£3,105 PC -BACKUP 17.7MB Cartridge backup £1,760+ VAT =£2,024 I/ F for above £560+ VAT =£644 PC-STOR /20 16MB Hard disk and 17.7MB Cartridge backup £3,480 + VAT =£4,002 320/360K Disk Drive for IBM PC half height, bare drive £ 120 + VAT =£138

ONLY £260 + VAT = £299 102 KEY PROFESSIONAL LOW PROFILE * Full parity checking * Addressable on any 64K boundary * Quality 64K DRAMS * Full speed -no wait states ASCII KEYBOARD 64K RAM upgrade for IBM PC

Set of 9 x 64K RAM chips 15ONS Why pay IBM price? /1/1101113131111111111111111111111111111112421 COMM Our price only £40 + VAT = £46 eltCIIIMOURICIIMICaliillel6311111 ISIC/001111101113111C1111111111111111.11111111 fligMEMOCI67113161101121101111 108 KEY IBM PC KEYBOARD FOR UK IMMO =MIMS

ONLY £120 + VAT = £138 * Low profile and light weight * Full function keys * Parallel interface * Beautifully housed in beige enclosure * Ideal for Single Boards/Computers with parallel input MONITORS SINCLAIR Visicn QL RGB 640 (H) X 440 (V) f.260 + VAT = f299 LM Monitors 12" green or amber 80 x 25, tilt and swivel £120 + VAT = £ 138 PHILLIPS 12" green £ 80 + VAT = £ 92 KAGA (TAXAN) K12R2 12" RGB Hi Res £260 + VAT = £299 C,6 K12R3 12" RGB Super Hi Res £360 + VAT = £414 ONLY £160 + VAT = £184 KX1213PC 12" 20MHz Hi Res amber monitor * Separate and additional function key row * CLEAR SCREEN and PAUSE IBM PC compatible £160 + VAT = £184 keys * Separate cursor pad (no NUM -LOCK function necessary) K12R3 12" RGB Hi Resfor IBM PC £ 400 + VAT = £460 PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS micronix VISIT OUR NEW SHOW ROOM um"computers Ltd NEAR LETTER QUALITY (NLQ) PRINTER DISK DRIVES FOR BBC FOR IBM PC AND OTHER COMPUTERS Quality half height Japanese drives boxed and supplied with allcables, formatter disk and DFS manual MX150 - 100K Single Panasonic 40 track, single sided (while stocks last!) £ 80 + VAT = £ 92 P1091 MX152A - 400K Single 80 track, double sided, 40/80 track switch £140 + VAT = £161 MX252A - 800K Twin 80 track, double sided, switched mode PSU, 40/80 track switch £340 + VAT = £391

ONLY £260 + VAT = £299 * 80 column, pica, elite, italic characters * switch selectable 120 CPS draft * switch selectable22 CPS NLQ * switch selectable75 CPS proportional DISK DRIVE FOR APPLE II Et Ile * Switch selectable Standard mode (EPSON compatible) for any Computer ONLY £140 + VAT = £161 * Switch selectable IBM PC matrix printer mode * Not a modified but a dedicated APPLE drive * Switch selectable IBM PC graphic printer mode I * Half height, direct drive CHINON * Switch selectable IBM PC graphic printer mode II * 143K capacity * Supplied boxed with cable * Bidirectional logic seeking * Snap in long life cartridge * Hi Res, dot addressable graphics 51/4" DISKETTES (Box of 10) * Tractor and friction feed * 1K buffer 40 track, single sided £15 + VAT = £17.25 * Centronics interface * Downloadable characters 40 track, double sided £20 + VAT = £23.00 80 track, double sided £30 + VAT = £34.50 THE REAL LOW PROFILE KEYBOARD FOR SINCLAIR SPECTRUM 3" DISKETTES (Box of 10) 40 track, flippable sides £45 + VAT = £51.75 31/2" DISKETTES (Box of 10) Single Sided £50 + VAT = £57.50 Double Sided £60 + VAT = £69.00 1161 4 c BOOKS Irt Ilit Using 1-2-3 n 1-2-3 for Business £13 Runing MS-DOS P.O.A. ONLY £50 + VAT = £57.50 Mastering Symphony P.O.A. * Professional QWERTY Keyboard * 67 Keys C Programming Guide £16 * Easy fitting (no soldering) * Real low profile 68000 Assembly Language Programming £19 * High quality finish 68000 Microprocessor Handbook £12 Wordstar made easy £13 IBM PC Assembly Language - DOT MATRIX PRINTERS A Guide for Programmers £20 SMITH CRONA Fastext 80 80 column, IBM PC DOS Handbook £15 80 CPS £200+ VAT =£ 230 dBASE II Users Guide £18 EPSON RX80 F/T 80 column, 100 CPS £240+ VAT =£ 276 Inside the IBM PC £16 EPSON FX80 80 column, 160 CPS £380+ VAT =£437 Communications and Networking for the IBM £16 Handbook for your IBM PC £15 NEAR LETTER QUALITY (NLQ) PRINTERS UNIX The Book £10 Introducing the UNIX System £15 PANASONIC P1091 80 column, switch selectable 120 CPS We stock a large range of hard to get books! draft/22 CPS NLQ - switch selectable for IBM PC or other Computers £ 260 + VAT = £ 299 VISA,ACCESS WELCOME VISA KAGA 81080 column, 160 CPS OrderingInformation: £ 260 + VAT = £ 299 draft/27 CPS NLQ Prices areexclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise. Unlessotherwise stated, SMITH CORONA D200 80 column, 160 CPS draft Postage/Carriage free within UK for advertised prices only - special or 40 CPS NLQ, dual interface, discounted prices will attract postage/delivery charges at cost. All goods are IBM PC compatible £ 420 + VAT = £483 subject to availability and prior sale. Prices are subject to change without notice. SMITH CORONA D300 same as above but We accept VISA and ACCESS. 136 column £ 560 + VAT = £644 Visit our brand new Showroom - off-street parking, nearest tube Kilburn FUJITSU DPL24 24 wire head, 288 CPS (Jubilee Line) OPEN MON-FRI: 9.30am -5.30pm SAT 10.30am - 1.30pm draft/96 CPS NLQ £1,480 + VAT = £1,702 Lsig.ri..14)4W

micronix Kilburn DAISY WHEEL PRINTERS Tube computersLtd (Jubilee Line) SMITH CORONA L1000 12 CPS, Bidirectional, KILBURN HIGH ROAD 3 pitch, dual interface £ 260 + VAT = £299 1 Grangeway, JUKI 6100 20 CPS, 2K buffer £ 340 + VAT = E 391 Kilburn, FUJITSU SP320 48 CPS, Diablo, 4K buffer £ 980 + VAT = £1,127 London N.W.6 RICOH Flowriter RP1600 60 CPS, 46K buffer, universal interface, Qume and Diablo £1,720 + VAT = £1,978 Tel: 01-625 0295 (5 lines) Tractors and Sheet Feeders also available! Telex: 295173 MICROX G Circle No. 149 4 SAKATA PERIPHERALS fromrdatafax.

SCP800 4 colour printer/plotter A4 single sheet paper insertion or 210mm paper roll Prints on overhead projector film (special pen) Centronics parallel interface Simple BASIC graphics commands £179.00 (R.R.P, £199)

SP1200 120 cps high quality printing Logic seeking head Fixed and proportional Pica and Elite characters Graphics/double width characters Centronics parallel interface (RS232c serial option) £225.00

51/4", 31/2", and 3" disc drives complete for: BBC, SPECTRUM, APPLE TANDY TRS80, DRAGON and others

CALL NOW FOR FULL PRICE LIST

Trade DATAFAX possibly distribute the widest range of OEM disc drives in the country. Please call for details

U.K. Distributor Datafax Ltd. Datafax House, Bounty Road, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 3BZ Tel: (0256) 464187 Telex: 268048 Prices shown exclude VAT Trade enquiries welcome Sakata-Shokai Ltd - Worldwide Distributors of the DUET 16 microcomputer

Circle No. 124 68 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Circle No. 164 II. An Att weProposition for Business Users at only £14 95 +VAT

A complete ready to use business system from Akhter that includes a 16 Bit microcomputer, monitor, printer and a range of software including an integrated accounts package. Installed in your office with full training provided - at a really attractive price for any business user.

SYSTEM SPECIFICATION SOFTWARE HARDWARE WORDSTAR - Wordprocessing SANYO 16 Bit Micro processor CALCSTAR - Electronic Spreadsheet 128K RAM (expandable to 256K internally) INTEGRATED ACCOUNTS PACKAGE - 1.4 MByte Floppy Drives (2 x 720K drives) consisting of: Hi Res Green Monitor INVOICING - 3 types of invoicing N 160 CPS Dot Matrix Printer with NLQ mode including Point of Sale Box of (10) Disks Stock Control Nominal Ledger 2,000 Fanfold sheets paper Sales Ledger Payroll FikiHTER All necessary cables Purchase Ledger Mailing Lists Delivery free of charge (UK only) - Full One Year Warranty - Maintenance Contract Available N Opening Hours: Mon -Fri 9am-6 30pm Sat 10am-5pm (ample parking) We accept telephone orders on Barclay and Access Cards. Mail Order: Cheques or bankers draft payable to Akhter Instruments. 28129 BURNT MILL, HARLOW, ESSEX CM20 2HU UK. Dealer Enquiries COMPUTER OPICIlJP TEL. HARLOW (0279) 443521 TELEX 818894 AKHTER G Welcome 69 IF YOUR BASIC THE OPERATING SYSTEM FLEX-The Professional Operating System

Versatile, Flexible & Powerful, the ideal SYSTEM IS operating system for industrial control True portability between machines- FLEX format discs can be read on the BBC

RUNNING OUT OF Gives those on a tight budget the power, sophistication and ease of development that large companies have always enjoyed SPEED, IT'S TIME THE TOOLS PL9 -A fast efficient compiler specifically designed for control applications YOU LOOKED AT CMS FORTH Interpreter & Compiler Cross Assemblers, Simulators & Debug for most 8 bit & 16 bit micro's THE PROFESSIONAL "C", BCPL, PASCAL, COBOL THE HARDWARE 6809 2nd Processor MICROPROCESSOR Eprom Programmers Choice of industrial interfaces DEVELOPMENT THE SUPPORT

Top rate after sales technical support

Systems/Hardware Design

SYSTEM, A full set of eurocards for use in target applications

44a Hobson Street Cambridge THE FAST WAY Cambridge CBI IN!. Microprocessor 0223-324141 Systems FORWARD."E: - Circle No. 232 BACKUP your troubles inyourold CLIP bag CLIP Compressed Library Interchange Program CP/M CP/M-86 MS DOS MS DOS 2.0 £.95.00 Backs up a Winchester CLIP offers effortless backup. on to floppies. You can prepare new commands using a Compresses text or data to question and answer routine. Then name less than half size. each command for later use: to run it, the Large files can span multiple name is enough. discs. *NEW* CLIP has its own menu, with seven Selective backup or retrieval, on an prepared commands. Customise the inclusive or exclusive basis. commands if you wish, or edit the menu text CLIP has no equal in reputation, with a word processor. Or keep the standard convenience, power or economy. forms. All your housekeeping - save/restore/review - by pressing two keys. CLIP comes standard with Winchester systems supplied by CIFER SYSTEMS, Put a CLIP in your Winchester now! RESEARCH MACHINES and OLYMPIA. All prices excl. VAT, post free in U.K. Most popular disc formats from stock. COKEELE CODES LTD University of Keele, Keele, Staffordshire, U.K. Tel: (0782) 629221 Telex: 36113

Circle No. 144 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 IBM is the registered trademark of International Business Machines. Qubie's hard disk is now * All necessary connections QUALITY BACKED available with the following to have your hard disk up BY WARRANTY features:- and running within minutes. * Plated media half height 10 So, whether you want a All Qubie' products are megabyte disk fits neatly in new PC with XT features or backed by our one year parts the right hand side of your simply wish to upgrade yourand labour warranty. Visit PC. Our full height bezel existing machine, ask your your dealer and pick up a ensures visual compatibility dealer now how you can brochure with full details. If yet leaves room for future save money and time by he does not have the The PC is growing up developments. using the Qubie's hard disk information, contact us. and so are the people that * Advanced controller card system. use it. if you are tired of uses LSI circuitry which constantly shuffling disks enables the disk to run three back and forth you're times faster than the XT but probably considering buying needing no extra external an IBM -XT Now Qubie' is power supply. offering a package with all * "1 dir"software which the performance and extra provides a user-friendly front b11311:1 convenience of the XT (and end which overlays Dos 2.0 more!!). to ensure easy usage and After two years of help eliminate those DIS RIBU 'TING LTD. research and development exasperating syntax errors. Qubie' Distributing Ltd. Qubie' Distributing Ltd. Tempo House, 15 Falcon Road, 4809 Calle Alto, Camarillo, London SW11. CA 93010, USA. QUBIC- IMPROVING WHERE OTHERS STOP (01)223-4569/7662. 805-987-9741. Circle No. 157 Telex 8956035.-G. IBM PC/AT Jack Schofield reports on his first experiences with IBM's top -of -the-range micro - the one they will all be following a couple ofyears from now. Specification CPU: Intel 80286 running at 6MHz RAM: 256K, expandable to 3Mbyte ROM: 64K, including Basic Discs: 1.2Mbyte 5.25in. floppy -disc drive. Optional disc drives are 320/360K floppies and 20Mbyte hard discs Operating system: PC -DOS 3 Display: not included; choice of monochrome and colour displays plus adaptor cards as per IBM PC; resolution up to 640 by 200 pixels with up to 16 colours Keyboard: detached 84 -key QWERTY with 10ft. coiled extension and three LED indicators Sound: single programmable sound channel Expansion: eight slots on motherboard Prices: Basic model £2,951; enhanced model with 512K of RAM, 20Mbyte hard disc and serial/parallel adaptor £4,281; prices do not include the display, operating system or VAT Extras: 320K disc drive £299; 20Mbyte hard disc £1,179; 128K memory expansion £289; serial/parallel adaptor £112; PC -DOS 3 £58; PC Basic 3.0 manual £38 Contact: IBM United Kingdom Ltd, PO Box 41, North Harbour (Baltic House), Portsmouth P06 3AU

IT DOESN'Tseem too long long since aRAM. The PC/AT embodiesspeed, computing.Itestablishesthe IBM micro was something put together out of apower, memory and storage beyond thestandard for the next three to six years, polythene bag full of bits. The screen wasdreams of avarice. which many other companies are bound an LED display, and anything over 2K of Any minute now some fool is going to tofollow.Itprovides data-processing RAM was luxury. Three years ago, thesay that under PC -DOS it can only access departments with another neatly designed most basic IBM PC itself had 16K of640K of RAM. Well, the floppy -discpiece to fit into the jigsaw of corporate RAM, no disc drives and a cassette port;drives only store 1.2Mbyte, the dinky littlecomputing, between the existing PC and that was the entry-level system on the U.S. hard disc only offers 20Mbyte, and so on. the small minicomputers like the System market. The fact is that the PC/AT offers more 34.It provides software writers with a Now here we are with this monster: Intelpower to the single user than any single target:they must now transfertheir 80286 CPU with16 -bit data bus, 24 -user currently needs. The AT is today's existing packages to the new machine, and bit address bus and a virtual -memoryRolls-Royce of microcomputing. write new ones to fit. management system that lets it address a But the AT also has a quite separate The AT thumbnails the future for the gigabyte - 1,000Mbyte! - of virtualimportanceintheworldofmicro - rest of us. Remember, a couple of years

72 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Review ago a 64K CP/M micro cost £2,000 to £3,000 and only businesses could afford them. Now Amstrad is about to put £500 Keyboard systems of similar power into a large The AT keyboard is just about perfect. It has the same superb touch and number of homes. Machines witha positive action as the existing PC ones, but different key placings. The computing power similar to that of the AT two Shift keys and the Enter key are now enormous, which makes touch- will be widely available, and affordable, typing a lot easier. The spurious backslash key has been moved from within the next five years. And by then between the Z and left Shift, and now sits at the top left-hand corner there will be the software to exploit them. where the Esc key used to be. The Print Screen key has also been moved The IBM PC/AT is a full 16 -bit micro out of the way. which uses the Intel 80286 chip running at A new metal ridge now clearly separates the main keyboard from the 6MHz. It comes in two versions. The basic numeric pad and function keys on the right. This pad is also now clearly model has 256K of RAM and one or two laid out for entering numbers. Note how the + key has grown at the 5.25in. floppy -disc drives. The enhanced expense of Del. The AT keyboard has 84 keys - one more than the PC model has 512K of RAM, a 20Mbyte hard version. The extra key is marked Sys Req, for System Request. So far it disc and one or two floppies. doesn't do anything, but it will probably summon help or be used in Both versions of the AT comprise only mainframe terminal applications to switch from local processing to the two parts: a substantial system box and a host. superb keyboard. The screen display is IBM has added a panel above the keypad with three green LEDs which something you need to add, along with the light up to show when Caps Lock, Numb Lock and Scroll Lock have been appropriate expansioncard. The AT selected. The keyboard now has a 10ft. cable, which may be needed if the offers the same choice as the PC: a system box is stood on the floor. The AT has back legs like the PC monchrome card to drive the green screen, keyboard but is thicker and deeper. Like the rest of the AT it is beautifully and/or a colour- graphics adaptor to drive made. If IBM made a version compatible with the standard PC it would the colour screen. sell. In spite of rumours to the contrary, IBM (U.K.) has not launched an improved colour -graphics adaptor for the AT. The maximum resolution isstill 640 by 200 pixels instead of 640 by 400 or even 1,024 by 1,024. The colour monitor still flickers on scrolling. Up to date The system box is even bigger than the standard PC, so many people will take IBM's hint and buy the special enclosure to stand it on the floor. However, the AT looks a lot more up to date than the PC. Floppy discsare now half -height and positioned on the far right. There is a key on the front to lock the system on or off, and two indicator lights: green for power on and red to show hard -disc access. The system will not boot if the key is locked. When a program is being run -a long calculation, for example - locking the system disables the keyboard soit cannot be interrupted, except by turning off the power, though on the sample reviewed the key did not disable theDOS, however, the 80286 chip runs in aifyouareupgradingfromaPC. On/Off switch. mode thatsimulatesthe8086.The The standard disc drive isa 5.25in. The sound channel has been improvedmaximum real memory thatcanbe floppy which holds 1.2Mbyte of data. It enormously from the thin beeper on thedirectly addressed under PC -DOS is 640K. does this by spinning faster and writing 96 PC. The AT plays a very reasonable tune.Any extra RAM can, of course, be used astracks per inch, instead of 48, on both A further nice touch is that the fan nowa silicondisc or RAM disc; DOS 3 sides of the disc. Where the first 160/320K has a thermostat, so it does not blast awayprovides a new Device command, whichdrive wrote eight sectors per track under if your office is air-conditioned. allows up to 24 of these to be installed. DOS 1, and the 360K drives wrote nine A look inside the box reveals a huge The motherboard has eight expansionsectors under DOS 2, the 1.2Mbyte disc powersupplyandagenerallywellslots, of which two are eight -bit and sixwrites 15 sectors per track under DOS 3. engineered system. In current models all16 -bit. A disc controller is fitted in one, Obviously the 320/360K drives cannot the RAM chipsareinstalled on theand an input/output board in another. read or write to the new high -density discs. motherboard up to a maximum of 512K.This provides a serial and a parallel port.The new drive can read existing 320K and As 64Kbit chips have been used, thisA display driver card has to be added, so360K discs, and it can write to them. means two have had to be piggybackedthat leaves five slots free. Unfortunately it cannot write to them in into each socket. In the future, when the All the slots are available for 16 -bitsuch a way that a 320/360K drive can read price drops, it seems likely that 256Kbitcards, and have an extra connector for thethe result. In fact, if you do write to a chips will be used instead. extraaddress and datalines.Many360K disc using the high -capacity drive, The RAM can now be expanded toexisting expansion cards are said not to beyour 360K drive probably will not be able 3Mbyte, the physical limit attainable bycompatible with the new system, so doto read it afterwards either. adding five 512K RAM cards. Under PC -notcountonswappingcardsover (continued on next page)

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 73 Review

(continued from previous page) Anyone who wants to buy an AT and Benchmarks already has PCs should install a half - height 360K discdrivealongsidethe The standard Benchmarks were run underBasica version3.00, as updated with the 1.2Mbyte one to allow for program and AT. All times are in seconds. data transfer. The review machine was so specified, and this sidestepped the soft- BM1BM2 BM3BM4BM5BM6 BM7 BM8 Av. ware problems that might otherwise have IBM PC/AT - 80286 0.5 1.9 4.6 4.7 5.2 9.1 14.613.56.76 arisen. IBM PC - 8088 1.3 4.811.812.213.423.637.636.617.7 16.1 7.2 The hard disc is a very fast 20Mbyte Olivetti M-24 - 8086 0.5 2.0 4.6 4.7 5.2 9.4 14.8 model which can be partitioned and supplies a version of Microsoft's Xenix for divided up into Unix -like directories and the XT. Meanwhile, there seems to be very sub -directories under PC -DOS. A hard - little applications software about, except disc system will normally be set up to boot for Berkeley Unix 4.2 and similar, while from the hard disc; this was done with the AT&T isbusytryingtostandardise review machine, and left 21,237,760 bytes everyone on System V. of the original 21,309,440 free for use. Considering the confusion, the shortage Start-up is much quicker than with the PC of software and the high prices of what and PC/XT models. It helps, of course, Unix software there is, any end -user who that there is a clock/calendar built into the buys the PC/AT as a multi-user machine motherboard so that it already knows the is crazy. There are many simpler, cheaper date and time. and more reliable ways to the same result: There is room inside the system box for The power supply is huge, and there is a butch of Z-80 cards in an S-100 crate is a second hard disc, taking the total storage space for add-on cards running the full but one example. The IBM System 34 will capacity up to 41.2Mbyte. Since the AT depth of the system box. not find the AT denting its sales either. can only handle three physical drives this This is not to say that one day the would mean using only one floppy -discto16 stepsto follow toinstall,say, PC/AT will not be an extremely useful drive. It would have to be the 1.2MbyteVisiCalc in its own directory on the hardand economical way to buy a three -user drive; backing up 20Mbyte of hard disc ondisc, so the help is welcome. system to run applications software. But to 360K floppies would drive you batty. In other respects DOS 3 seems to be thethat dayisnot now, notthisyear, The new version 3.0 of PC -DOS issame as before. There is getting to be a lotprobably not next year, and maybe not the required for the AT. DOS 3 will run onof it, though - 34 user files and twoyear after. other PCs but is not intended to replacehidden files, taking up 253K if you keep it To that extent the real future of the AT DOS 2.1. It adds a number of new featuresall hanging around. It actually takes updepends on software writers starting to to the operating system: Attrib, Label,about 14K more RAM. Next year DOS 3.1exploit the chip and its facilities, such as Select,Share,Country,FCBS andwill arrive to support networking, thoughthevirtual -memory management. This Lastdrive. In addition, Format, Backup/ itseemsitwill be the same in otherwas also the case with the originalIBM Restore, Date and Graphics have beenrespects. IBM plans to offer a 3 to 3.1 PC, of course. Rapidly converted eight -bit enhanced. upgrade kit. CP/M software often ran slower on the Theoretically the new PC/AT has onePC than it did under CP/M-80. It is only Nationality of the largest software bases in the world,after three years work by thousands of but it will be some time before most of thesoftware writers that we have come to Attrib enables a file to be made read-packages have been thoroughly tested onwallow in the volume of PC packages now only. Select and Country are used whenthenewmachine.IBM hasalreadyavailable. The PC/AT starts off better configuring the system for the format ofpublished its own first list of what will runthanthat,thankstoitsexisting timeanddateandthekeyboardand what will not. Most packages will, compatibility with the IBM PC. It is such a nationality, etc. FCBS enables you to setthough quite a number cannot be onluscious machine that software writers will the number of file control blocks that can1.2Mbyte discs and several require smallprobably be only too keen to perform the be open at the same time. patches. Among the things that are saidsame miracle again. Country is pretty neat. It uses the three -not to run are CP/M-86 version 1, and the digit international telephone code, withUCSD p -system. No doubt most packages the default of 001 for the U.S. will be fixed quickly, though I hold outConclusions Country = 044 lesshopefortheMicrosoftFlight The PC/ATis a delight - it's sets the U.K. Simulator, which will not even taxi. wonderful, it's bliss. It's even cheap. The Country = 972 The power of the AT makesita extra speed it has over the PC and PC/XT selects Israel, and so on. It sets the datetempting candidate for multi-user oper- may make your time more productive, but and time format, the decimal separator .ation. However, the 80286is hobbled you'll probably spend the few seconds or , and the currency symbol. You get a £by having to run in its 8086 mode, by the saved drooling over the damn thing. sign on both the keyboard and the screen640K limit imposed by PC -DOS, and by The AT'sbest featuresarethe in the appropriate mode. PC -DOS'sfundamentallysingle -user keyboard and the super -fast hard disc. The documentation has been improved.nature. If the AT is to become a multi-user They should be made available for the full To the burgeoning dwarf -format manualmachine, itwill need another operating IBM range. and reference card, two separate bluesystem, such as Unix. The colour -graphics adaptor letsit books have been added. One, the Users' IBMhas two versions of Unix already,down. The colour is lovely but the text is Guide, provides a much -needed instantwhile Microsoft has a third, and they all not sharp enough and it should not flicker guide to DOS, with cartoons. The other,seem to be incompatible. IBM PC Xenix is when scrolling. the Application Setup Guide, explains amulti-usermulti -tasking SystemIII IBM may claim to have "advanced how toset up and use various IBMimplementation by Microsoft, and it runstechnology" but the AT is not really all applications programs. Of course, none ofonly on the AT. IBM PC/IX is a single - that advanced. It has an 80286, but at the theprogramsaresupplied on high -usermulti -taskingimplementationof moment it is effectively hobbled. The AT capacity discs and you may want to copySystem III which runs on the XT but not is, however, well thought out single -user them across, if possible. There can be upon the AT. In the U.K., Logica also technology beautifully applied.

74 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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The words might be different, but to Dataflex it makes no difference which type of system you use. Dataflex is simply a very good relational database development package, no matter what. For one thing it's portable. Develop on an 8 -bit CP/M machine, run on an IBM PC. Develop on a PC and run on a multi-user system. That's really portable. As for productivity, just check out the difference between DBMS application development using DATAFLEX and development using popular versions of BASIC and COBOL. The difference is startling ... up to a tenfold increase in productivity on same types of programs! And if you want to check out Dataflex against some other so-called relational databases, try these facts for a start: at least 10 open files' On-line interactive file 9 indices per file' maintenance, file update and 255 fields per file data entry 4K byte record length Global file operations 64K records per file F]Multi-user, multi -file applications Record locking '16 bit systems 7 Comprehensive report generator So whether it's PC, network or multi-user, start with Dataflex ... It's the relational database that moves with computers that move with the times. 1MMEK /MEW WM= IL AMINNIMI VMEMEMIUMW AMMO& AMEMMMINK IIMMIL IM==r ATM TRUE MULTI-USER, MULTI -FILE RELATIONAL CAPABILITY

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Telephone: :1-729 4460. Telex: 27341 trademarks' CP/M, CP/M-86... Digital Research MS DOS... Microsoft_ PC DOS... IBM Corporation. TURBOdos.. Software 2000 SEE US AT COMPEC '84. STAND V604/606 Circle No. 194 75 SPECTRUM PLUS The 48K Spectrum has been joined bya restyled model with solid, moving keys, but Jack Schofield wonders if the improvementsare worth £50 extra. DID THE ORIC ATMOSimpress Clivebothtransformedtheirkeyboards,rubber keys, the new Plus has an amazing Sinclair? Was he amazed by the rejuven-Sinclair seems to have spent most effort on58. Break and Space are now separate ation of the Atari 400 when it became theredesigning the casing. keys, with Break in the top right. The Plus 600XL? Whether there was any influence This represents a missed opportunity. Ithas a space bar fully 3.3in. long. There are or not, the Sinclair Spectrum's face-lift iswould have improved the machine a lot totwo Caps Shift keys, instead of one, and a of the same type. have the option of putting the sound outnew Caps Lock key. There are two Symbol With the Spectrum, the improvementsthrough a TV set. It would have been nice Shift keys instead of one. True video, are less pronounced. The most obviousto have a Basic smart enough to recogniseInverse video,Delete, Graph, Extend and most important one is the substitutiona typed keyword, to have an On/OffMode, Edit and the four cursor -control of a QL-type moving -key keyboard for theswitch, or a built-in joystick port. arrows all now have their own keys. rubber pads of the original. The new Finally,four punctuation marks have keyboard even includes a space bar. Is it worth it? been given keys: the full stop, comma, Another improvement isthat hinged semicolon and quotation marks. Keys may legs have been provided at the rear of the Sinclair will continue selling the old-have unmarked functions: for example, case to tilt the Spectrum Plus to a goodstyle 16K and 48K machines, so the arrivalyou can stilldelete using Caps Shift -0 typing angle. They are nicely made - andof the Spectrum Plus poses only twoinstead of the Delete key. even have pads on the bottom - andquestions. First, what is the new keyboard The placing of some of the keys is represent a vast improvement on theand casing like? Second, is the changebizarre to say the least. Typists will be useless feet supplied with the QL. enough to make the Spectrum Plus worthdriven crazy by the semicolon that appears There is one enhancement: a tiny Reset£180? near the bottom left-hand corner of the switch has been added just under the rim The new QL-like keys cover the entirekeyboard instead of under the little finger of the keyboard. It is just like the one onarea of the keyboard, so they cannot beof the right hand. The key that does fall the QL, except that it is on the other sidelabelled on the casing, as they are with the under that little finger is the huge Enter of thecasing. There are alsoa fewold Spectrum. This means each key cap key. improvements that only become evidenthas to carry up to five legends. They are all This key placing makes a complete when the Spectrum Plus is used. marked in white - the colour coding hasnonsense of the whole arrangement. It The sad fact is, however, that the newgone - so it is difficult to tell what's goingdestroys any pretence that the Spectrum machine is not a revamped Spectrum. It ison. It took me about five minutes to typePlus can seriously be considered as a basically the same Spectrum, the same oldin the one -line program useful micro like the Acorn BBC, Atari single -board Z-80 micro, in a new box. 10 Beep 1,1: GO TO 10 800XL and Commodore machines. Where Atari redesigned the board andI hope it gets quicker with practice. Ido not believethat anyone with Oric debugged the Basic ROM, and where Where the old 48K Spectrum had 40anything like a full set of marbles could

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76 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Review possiblyhave designedthiskeyboardreplaced. Worse, there was "bounce",Chess, Vu -3D and the word-processing layout deliberately. Perhaps the reviewespecially on the top row. Press a key onceprogram Tasword 2. The value of the sample's layout is intended to be a giganticandthedesiredcharactersometimessoftware is over £50, though you would be practical joke. Perhaps the physical designappeared twice. Press a number and theunlikely to buy it all if you had to pay for it of the keyboard was fixed, and they had tonumber would appear followed by a 4: forseparately. fittheletters on as best they could.example, if you typed 123 it came out The Spectrum Plus comes with an Perhaps the layout is designed for nine - 142434. introductory tape and a colourful new finger typists. The price of the Spectrum Plus includeshandbook. However, anyone interested in It must be stated clearly: the Spectrumsix programs. They are like the six that areprogramming would be better off with the Pluskeyboardrepresentsamassivecurrently being given away with the oldboringoldVickers/Bradbeermanual physical improvement on the original.48K Spectrum. The Plus programs arefrom the original Spectrum. Having said that, anyone who launched aScrabble, Make a Chip, Chequered Flag, new machine with this keyboard and its layout would be laughed off the streets. Conclusions The new casing is extremely rigid, well Specification made and well finished. The rubber pads CPU: Z-80 running at 3.5MHz The Spectrum Plus is not a new micro, it on the bottom are now securely anchored, RAM: 48K is a repackaged old faithful. not feebly glued. There are ventilation ROM: 16K, including Basic The new casing is very well done. It slots at the back and front to help dissipate Keyboard: non-standard QWERTY with makes the Spectrum look more like a 58 moving keys proper computer, and worth more. heat. On the bottom of the case, more Display: 32 characters by 24 lines text, plastic has been cut out around the built-in 256 by 176 pixels graphics; eight The keyboard is better, but the layout is speaker, and this provides a noticeably colours a disaster. It is totally unsuited to anything louder sound - though still not a really Sound: single tone via small internal except two -finger typing. loud one. speaker The real improvements in colour, sound When you power -on, improvements Interfaces: TV output port, cassette and speed are relatively slight, but are to the video display of the Spectrum Plus interface, edge connector used as attractive to anyone used to an older - areimmediatelyobvious.The screen printer port and expansion bus model Spectrum. background is white rather than creamy Power supply: 9V d.c. from separate The new documentation looks nice and yellow. The whole display is more stable, transformer introduces the machine well. However, it Other features: single -key keyword andthismakesthecharacterslook entry in Basic; hinged legs on bottom isnotasgoodanintroductionto sharper. And when you start using colour, of case programming as the old one. everything looks brighter, cleaner and Software included: introductory tape, The bundled software is good quality, better. The sameistrue when using Tasword 2 word processor and five but unless it is what you want it does not commercial software. other programs add £50 to the value of the machine. With general programming, and run- Dimensions: 317mm.(12.5in.) by In hardware terms the Spectrum Plus ning the standard Benchmarks, it emerged 150mm.(5.9in.) by 40mm.(1.6in.) remains inferior to the Commodore 64, thatthe SpectrumPlus,issue4,is Price: £179.95 including VAT which is around the same price, and the slightly faster than the 48K Spectrum, Manufacturer: Sinclair Research Ltd, Atari 800XL, which is £10 cheaper. Both Stanhope Road, Camberley, Surrey issue2.The Plus seems to have no GU15 3PS. Telephone: (0276) 685311 of these require special cassette recorders, problemsrunningstandardSpectrum but are otherwise much better value.al software.It was also attached without difficulty to add-ons such as the Prism VTX-5000 modem and Protek joystick Benchmarks interface. The Plus ran cooler than the standard 48K model. BM1BM2BM3BM4 BM5BM6 BM7BM8 Av. However, the keyboard again let the rest Spectrum Plus, issue 4 4.5 8.1 20.1 19.5 22.952.671.0 240 54.8 of the machine down. For a start, a couple 48K Spectrum, issue 2 4.8 8.7 21.1 20.424.055.380.7 253 58.5 of keys fell off, though they were easily

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 77 Specification CPU: 80088 CMOS Memory: 128K RAM, 64K ROM containing text editor, terminal emulator and diagnostics; 80K of Data General has packed IB computing powe RAM is used by system; RAM is expandable to 512K a 25 -line LCD screen and up to 512K of RAM into a Display: 10in. LCD with 80 -character by truly portable package. Jack Schofield speculates on 25 -line text or maximum 640- by 256 -pixel graphics whether all computers will be like this one day. Keyboard: 79 -key QWERTY with 10 function keys Discs: 720K 3.5in. disc built in; optional second drive built-in, or external 5.25in. disc Sound: single tone channel Interfaces: two RS -232 for modem and printer, expansion bus; optional built- in modem pending BABT approval Dimensions: 356mm.(14in.) by 305mm.(12in.) by 76mm.(3in.) Weight: 4.3kg.(9.51b.) Other features included in price: built-in clock/calendar, a.c. adaptor, MS-DOS operating system and blank microfloppy discs Price: £2,490 with single disc drive; £3,675 with two disc drives, 256K of RAM, battery pack and charger Other options: portable printer, £430; external IBM PC compatible 5.25in. disc drive, £685; 128K memory, £515; carrying case, £85 Origin: Data General, Japan U.K. supplier: Data General, Hounslow House, 724-734 London Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 1PD. Telephone: 01-572 7455

The LCDscreen requires careful positioning.

IN SOME RESPECTS, Data General's Thetransportable, which conjures up visionsthefirstof which concerns the LCD One is not only ahead of its time, it's alsoof the Osborne, Compaq or IBM Portablescreen. Though it is full size, measuring ahead of therealcapabilitiesof thePersonal. The One is portable in the sameabout 10in. across the diagonal, it is not as technology. It represents an attempt toway as the Tandy 100 and the Epson PX-8: bright or legible as a conventional moni- cram the power of a full-scaleIBMPCit runs on batteries and you can use ittor or flat electroluminescent display. into a portable micro of the size you cananywhere, although it is by no means as In truth, The One's screen is not legible carry in a briefcase. easy to carry around. even by the standards of the best LCDs, By"portable", I donot mean Some sacrificeshavetobe made,such as that on the Olivetti M-10. As with

78 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Review the Sharp PC -5000, you have to positionmodem, which was not tested because it is64K ROM for software and offers five the screen and adjust the contrast carefullynot approved for use in the U.K. alternatives: Notebook, Terminal, Setup, for it to be usable, and even then it is never Finally, because it runs from a largeDiagnostics and Boot DOS. comfortable. This is the worst thing aboutlithiumbattery,The One cannot be Notebook is a simple 80 -column word the machine, and the problem is com-operated for very long away from a mainsprocessor operated via a menu of function pounded by the absence of a port for anpower source. Data General suggests thatkeys. Terminal is a function -key driven external monitor. eight to 10 hours of power is provided byversatilecommunications program. The second sacrifice is relatively minor:the battery, which was borne out on test.Diagnostics does whatitsays.Setup the keyboard is narrower than on a desk- With these few limitations, The Oneenables you to set the date and time, the top machine. The keys are smaller and thesucceeds in offering desk -top power in anumber of drives in use from one to three, arrangement feels slightly cramped. But ittruly portable machine. Data General hasthe modem parameters,theprinter is a good keyboard for the fairly proficientforeseen the objections already outlinedparameters and the screen mode. typist, who will adapt easily. and offers accessories to compensate. The The final Setup option toggles between In fact, the keyboard of The One is onlyobvious ones are an a.c. mains adaptor, adifferent keyboard settings. The options four keys short of the full 83 -key IBMbattery charger, a carrying case and aare:U.S.,U.K.,French,German, layout. The major differences are thatportable printer. Swedish/Finn, Spanish, Danish/ thereis no numeric keypad, and the Norwe,Swiss/French,Swiss/German, function keys are across the top. The Canadian/Eng,Italian,Canadian/Fre, backslash key has been moved away fromAdd-ons Katakana and No keyboard. the Z to the far right of the same row. Also Two other add-ons are designed to be There does not seem to be a built-in there are two keys labelled Spc1 and Cmd. left behind in the office. The first is aBasic, and unfortunately GWBasic was The third sacrifice is that the disc drivesstandard 5.25in. disc drive in a very largenot supplied on the MS-DOS disc. Once are 3.5in. Sony -type 360K microfloppies,box. This enables standard IBM softwareyou boot a disc under MS-DOS, using The rather than conventional 5.25in. discs.packagestobe loaded andrun,orOne is just like using any other PC -DOS or The discs themselves are extremely goodtransferred to the 3.5in. format. The extraMS-DOS machine. The screen and disc but IBM PC software is usually supplieddrive is very expensive at £685, but it doesoperation seemed just as fast as with a only in the 5.25in. size. enable software houses to convert theirnormal IBM PC. The fourth sacrifice is that there are no software to microfloppy format easily. I tried dBase II, Volkswriter and the expansion slots into which you can push The second accessory is an expansionHarvard Project Manager. Apart from the the usual IBM PC cards. However, Thechassis.It provides five IBM PC com-high persistence of the screen making One already has just about everything youpatible expansion slots, as well as a 5.25in.texts illegible during scrolling, no prob- are likely to want built on to the maindisc drive. This enables the RAM to belems were encountered. Software house board. It can emulate the IBM PC forexpanded beyond 512K. It also has a portTamsys has been signed up to provide both monochrome and colour graphicstodriveanexternalcolour -graphicsother programs on the 3.5in. disc, and a purposes. It has a clock/calendar cardmonitor. A similar port would be a morewide rangeisclaimedalready.This with battery backup. It has two RS -232Cwelcome addition to the machine itself. includesWordStar,Multiplan,Lotus ports for driving a modem and printer, On powering -on, The One beeps, then 1-2-3,Knowledgeman,thePFS and and an expansion socket. The Americanplays dead for 12 seconds while it countsChang ranges,Digital Research lang- machine reviewed also featured a built-inits RAM. After that it goes to the built-inuages, the Sublogic Flight Simulator II and the range of Infocom games from Zork I to Seastalker. Data General also supplies DG Term to enable The One to act as a Data General terminal, and CED Connection to link up toData General's Comprehensive Electronic Office system. Conclusions The One packs the power of an IBM PC with up to 512K of RAM, full-size LCD screen, two discdrives,typewriter keyboard and built-in modem into a 9.51b. A rechargeable lithium battery provides The disc drives consist of 3.5in. Sony- eight to 10 hours of power. ype 360K microfloppies. package you can tuck under your arm. It is a smart, stylish andverydesirable portable micro - if you can afford it. The screen is not legible enough for The One to be used for serious work for longperiods.Latermodelscanbe expected to show improvements. The Oneisgenuinely IBM PC compatiblebutrequireseitherthat software is made readily available in the 3.5in. format or else the purchase of an accessory5.25in. disc at extra cost. The One might be a good buy if you have to have portable full -power personal computing. However, a desk -top IBM PC with anOlivetti M-10 and Disk10 program is likely to be both cheaper and a TheOne hastwo RS -232C ports for a modem and printer, plus an expansion socket. more serviceable option for most users. Erj

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 79 Ciacommodore COMMODORE BUSINESS MACHINES commodore 64 CBM 8296 80 Col 128k Ram Cr. CBM 8296-D 80 Col 128k Ram + 2Mb Disk COMMODORE 64 CBM '10 80 Col 128k Ram Commodore 64 64k Ram 40 Col CBM 715 80 Col 256k Ram SX-64 Portable 64k Ram + Disk & Monitor CBM 1541 Single Disk Drive 1 70k COMMODORE DISK DRIVES CBM 1701 Colour Monitor CBM 1001 Single Drive 1 Mb (8250 Disk) CBM 1520 Printer Plotter CBM 8050 Dual Drive 1Mb CBM MPS -801 50 CPS Matrix Printer CBM 8250 Dual Drive 2Mb CBM MPS -802 60 CPS Letter Qual Matrix COMMODORE PRINTERS 'INCLUDES FREE SOFTWARE! CBM 4023 Matrix 80 Co! 60 cps MPP 1361 Matrix 132/256 Co! 160 cps CBM 6400 Daisy Wheel 132 Col 45 cps ROMS & CHIPSWITCHES ICBM Basic 2-4) RAM/ROMS 14K/b Ram in Rom...!) Upgrade ROMs: Basic 2 & 3 to 4 ACT Basic 1 to 2 INTERFACES SIMS 1 Parallel Centronics (Non -addressable) Parallel Centronics (Addressable) CPU 128k + Dual Drive 12Mb + Monitor Serial (Uni-directional) CPU 1 28k + Dual Drive 2 4Mb + Monitor Analogue to digital CPU 256k + Dual Drive 2 4Mb + MonitOr Television for Fat 40111& 8032 CPU 256k + 10Mb Hard & 12Mb + Monitor OTHER PRINTERS CP80 Matrix 80 col 50 cps CP 7008 Matrix 80 col 35 cps 4 Colour SA hlf apricot Juki 6100 Daisy Wheel 132 Col 20 cps Cannon PW108A FX Compatible MBC 555 128k + Dual Disk Drive CPU + Single Disk Drive 315k CPU + Dual Double SidedPRINTER BUFFERS c/w Software IA CPU + Dual Disk Drive 630k 1260k Printer Buffers are available for most computers Standard Monitor CPU + Integral Winchester 5MB + 315k 9 Inch Monitor with either RS232, IEE, Centronics and can be Hi -Res Colour Monitor CPU + Integral Winchester 10Mb + 315k12 Inch Monitor supplied in any combination lie) IEEE - Centronics Trhee sizes are available - 16k, 32k, 48k. PX-8 Portable 64k Micro 136 col MISCELLANEOUS (cassette op) MX -100 Matrix printer 100 cps Dust Covers 164, 15411 FX-80 Matrix printer 160 cps 136 col Dust Covers (All CBM Machines) EPSON PX8 FX-100 Matrix printer 160 cps RX-80FT Matrix printer 160 cps Cable PET to IEEE 12 Metre) Cable IEEE to IEEE 12 Metre Stackable) Cable IEEE to IEEE 12 Metre Non Stack) _MU/NA' voDIRECT WF RI DOLL YO OWLJ CR ODSE Ts KTL E X We carry a wide range of SOFTWARE for all our machines, including WORDPROCESSING packages and SPREADSHEETS. Cassettes (C121 with Case (101 THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO BETTER BUSINESS Most SOFTWARE is available ex -stock. CENTRONIC IEEE, RS232 CONNECTORS COMMUNICATIONS. Allows you to connect to UK & Specialist applications and bespoke programs also catered for. COMPUTER STATIONERY INTERNATIONAL TELEX networks using your existing MICRO, with Call us for info on our Cash Book and Bar Stock Records programs! Hardware & Software ... Enables you to start from as little as F100! Paper (14 part all sizes) BoxI2000 Labels 1-3 across various sizes Forms (Standard and to order) ONE OF COMMODORE'S 12 TOP UK DEALERS RIBBONS & DISKS Ribbons ICBM Qume Diablo etc) LliEtziCOMPUTERS192 HONEYPOT LANE, Disks (Various Brands all types) Disk Cleaning Kits QUEENSBURY, STANMORE, MIDDX. HA7 1EE. 01-204 7525. Daisy Wheels (flume Diablo etc)

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Circle No. 188 80 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Review To the BBCby bus and Tube Roger Cullis explores some secondprocessor options for the BBC Micro. ALTHOUGH the BBC Micro is a very fastA short 40 -way ribbon cable from the Z-80they are in ROM and instantly ready. BBC machine with comprehensive facilities forprinted circuit board passes through a slot* commands are also available from driving peripheral devices, it was plannedin the BBC Micro's case and plugs into theROM. that it would ultimately be the basis of aTube connector on theunderside. A Torchnet, which will operate only if the much more powerful system. sideways ROM which contains the BBCBBC Econet hardware is present, is an The 6502 which lies at the heart of theMicro housekeeping routines completesenhanced version of Econet which does BBC Micro is an eight -bit microprocessor,the setup. not require dedicated stations for file and capableofaddressingonly 64K of Torch has done a neat job with theprinter servers. Bundled with the Torch memory. Of this, the powerful machinesideways ROM, which has evolved fromdisc pack is the Z-80 version of BBC Basic operating system and memory -mapped8K to 16K to provide system enhance-as well as Perfect Writer, Perfect Speller, I/O takes 16K of ROM and a further 2.5Kments. The current version, MCP 0.41,Perfect Filer and Perfect Calc. for zero page storage, processor stack andcontainstheroutinesnecessaryto I/O buffers. The Basic interpreter requiresinterface all the Torch second processors, 16K and the screen buffer needs up to 20K.other than the Graduate, as well as theAcorn Z-80 and As a consequence, there may be less thanfirmware to control the Torchnet local 10K available for user programs. Acorn'sarea network. The operating system for6502 answer to this limitation has been tothe Z-80 is CPN 0.71, which is configured dedicate the basic computer exclusively toin the same way as CP/M 2.2 and permits In fact, Z-80 and 6502 are misnomers, input/output andotherhousekeepingthe user to run CP/M software. since the processors are actually a Z -80B functionsandtoprovideasecond The advantages of having the operatingand a 65CO2. The Z -80B is simply a faster processor for data manipulation. system in ROM are that the cold boot isversion of the Z-80, but the 65CO2 also Ignoring the RS -432 port, which is tooinstantaneous, 63K of RAM is availableenhancestheinstructionsetofits slow forthispurpose, there are twofor user programs and system tracks arepredecessor. There are also some timing practical ways of connecting a parasitenot required on the disc. CP/M utilitieschanges and thefamous 6502 page - processor: via the 1MHz bus or via thesuch as Format, Copy, Input, etc. arespanning bug has been removed, together Tube interface. The latter provides fasternormally loaded in from disc. With CPN (continued on next page) communications, since it runs at 2MHz, but at the same time isless tolerant oftiminginaccuracies.Most second processors are Tube based, a notable exception being the Torch Graduate. Torch Z-80 The first commercially available second processor for the BBC Micro was the Torch Z-80, which was launched as a component of the Torch Z-80 disc pack in September 1982. Apart from a change to half -height drives, the current pack is mechanicallysimilartotheoriginal product and comprises a metal housing containing 28 -trackdisc drives and a heavy-duty power supply. A ribbon cable couples the floppies to the disc interface connector on the underside of the BBC Micro. The second processor electronics are on a double -sided printed circuit board which is mounted inside the main computer. The board contains a Z -80A running at 4MHz, 64K of dynamic RAM, a 2732 bootstrap EPROM and a 6522 versatile interface adaptor which handles communications with the base processor in the BBC Micro.The Torch Z80 pcb fits under the lid of the host micro.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 81 (continued from previous page) with the illegal instructions which some people have used as a means of program protection. Conceptually,the two second pro- cessors are very similar. Both are mounted in a narrow case styled to match that of the BBC Micro, both have a power supply with toroidal transformer and transistor regulator on the main circuitboard, both address 64K of RAM with a 2732 bootstrap EPROM and both commun- icate with the Tube through a Ferranti ULA chip. Apart from the differences which are the result of the different processors, the main distinguishing feature is the software which is supplied with the Z-80. To say thatthereisanabundanceis an understatement; a separate box is nec- essary to hold the 11 manuals and seven discs. Clearly Acorn was not certain of its target market, so it took a shotgun and aimed at everything in sight. Surprisingly, Acorn chose to makeAcorn's Z-80 (left) and 6502 are housed in separate matching boxes. CP/M 2.2 the operating system for the second processor even though the much Moving up through the packages, thedoes the Level -2 file server software for more user-friendly CP/M Plus has beennext level is a program generator, Nucleus,Econet. Acornsoft has prepared a special available for over a year. A possiblewhich can be used by those with noversion of the View word processor, and a explanation is that CP/M Plus requires anprevious programming experience since itcomprehensive macro assembler package, extra 64K bank of memory to exploit itis menu -driven. It can create databases,the 6502 Development System, is in the fully. With the current price of chips itsuch as records of club members, preparepipeline. This will produce code for the would not have added greatly to the cost,planning schedules, print reports from6502 or the 65CO2. and it would have been a real advantage. accounting programs or design reports to When the BBC Micro was introduced, A much more serious drawback is thatbe prepared from programs written byAcorn issued dire warnings about not the accompanying manual is no more thanNucleus itself. accessingtheoperatingsystemand the infamous Digital Research CP/M 2.2 Therearethreeofficesoftwareperipherals directly. All use of the MOS manual in a BBC Micro cover. My advicepackages:Fileplan,describedasaroutines should be via specified calls such to new users is to throw it away - havingdatabase management program or anas Osbyte or Osword. Those who wrote preserved Appendix J, which contains theautomated cardindex;Graphplan,adirectly to the I/O devices or made Pokes BBC -specific details - and buy one of thefinancialmodellingspreadsheet;andto the screen are now finding that their really good books on CP/M, such asMemoplan, a simple word processor.software is having to be rewritten to run CP/M and the Personal Computer byComplementingtheseisAccountant,on the 6502 second processor. This is true Dwyer and Critchfield or CP/M Primerwhichprovidessimplebook-keepingof a number of sideways ROMs as well as by Murtha and Waite. facilities. mostarcade games whichinclude One particularly interesting aspect of Acorn has already established a largeanimation techniques. this implementation, is that it includesuser base among small businesses, which Both Acorn second processors expect GSX graphics. GSX-80 is an attempt bywillfindthesepackagesusefulandOS 1.0 or higher and are provided with a Digital Research to establish standards foradequateformany oftheirneeds.voucherforfree exchange of earlier the software control of graphics devicesHowever, apart from CP/M and Basic,versions. They also come with a 16K such as printers and plotters, tracers andwhich are essential components of anyDNFS filing system ROM which replaces light -pens.Itisbased on a graphicssystem, the other packages will only be ofthe 8K disc filing system and 8K Econet operating system with a structure like thatvalue to a limited proportion of potentialfiling system ROMs, and also contains the of CP/M itself. Just as CP/M has a Basicusers. The others would almost certainlyinterface routines to initialise the Tube for disc operating system which interfaces thewelcome the opportunity to purchase thesecond processor communication. user program to the physical device driverssecond processor without paying the £200 of the basic I/O system, so GSX has apremium for the extra software. graphics device operating system which Compared with the Z-80, the 6502CMS 6809 links the user program to the real devicessecond processor is naked and is intended through the graphics I/O system. Physicalfor people who have run into limitations, The most exciting of the eight -bit add- device drivers are provided for the VDUeither of memory size or speed, whenons is the 6809 system from Cambridge screen, modes 0 and 1, and for the Epsonrunning software on the unexpanded BBCMicrocomputer Systems.Itisan en- and Microline printers. Micro. Apart from the DNFS sidewaysgineers'system based on the micro- As well as a Z-80 version of BBC BasicROM, the only software supplied with theprocessor that arrived too late. Compared written by M-Tec, Professional Basic is6502 processor is ROM -based HiBasic,with the 6502 and Z-80, the Motorola 6809 alsosuppliedforapplicationswhichwhich is BBC Basic assembled at a higherhas a whole orchestra ofbellsand require a Microsoft -style Basic. Coboladdress to give the user a larger amount ofwhistles. Had it been developed sooner it users will be pleased to see that Acorn hasfree program area when running BBCwould have been adopted for a wide range included the industry -standard Cis CobolBasic programs in the second processor. of computers rather than just the Dragon written by Microfocus, as well as the two At present there is not a lot of softwareand the Tandy Color Computer. major Microfocus Cobol tools, Animatorwhich has been specifically written for the The Motorola 6809 has two eight -bit and Forms -2. 6502 second processor. Bitstick needs it, asaccumulators, A and B, which can be

82 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Review

can mount inside the case of the BBCdevelopment of 6809 software and for Micro in the same way as the Torch Z-80work with other processors. Reflecting the card, but its full potential is only realisednature of the CMS system as a dev- asthe engine which drives the CMSelopment tool for control applications, version of microprocessor Meccano, amany of the software utilities produce rack -based development system connectedcode which can easily be put into ROM. to the BBC Micro by a trailing umbilicalOne of these is the editor/compiler/tracer, ribbon cable. PL/9. It is a structured language, having Unlike the other second processors inprocedures and statements such as If - this review, whose main purpose is dataThen -Else, which the user of BBC Basic processing, the CMS 6809 is mainly used willfindfamiliar.Lucidata Pascalis to develop systems which will be used inanotherhigh-levellanguagewhose control applications. The heart of theprograms can be saved to ROM. Among system is a neat 8in. rack containing athe low-level utilities is a range of cross - switched -mode power supply and a seven -assemblers, disassemblers and simulators way buffered backplane which can be usedfor the 6809, Z-80, 6502, 6800, 8080/8085 to connect a variety of Eurocard-basedand 68000. sub -systems. As well as the 6809, the processorcarditselfcarries64K of dynamic RAM, a 4K bootstrap EPROMCMS 6502 and a pair of back-to-back 6522 VIAs which communicate with the Tube by way A very recent introduction is the CMS of a 40 -way IDC connector. Situated at6502 second processor. Based on the CMS the other end of the card is a 64 -way DINuniversal controller card, it permits the CMS mini -rack development system. 41612 connector which plugs into theuser to select a variety of combinations of backplane. ROM and RAM up to a total of 160K. combined as a single 16 -bit accumulator, Among the other CMS cards which also Address decoding is by means of a bi- D. It has two 16 -bit index registers, X andplugintothebackplane are a high-polar ROM, giving the opportunity to Y; a 16 -bit user stack register, U, which isperformance colour graphics card, anredefine the memory map. Provision is a cross between a typical microcomputerIEEE talker/listener controller,a uni-made on the printed circuit board for a indexregisterandatypicalmicro-versal controller with either a 6809 or 6502 real-time clock and battery backup, which computer stack pointer; a 16 -bit hardwareprocessor, a memory carrier and a variety are available as an optional extra. stack pointer, S; a 16 -bit program counter,of analogue and digital interfaces. As with the 6809 card,it may be PC; an eight -bit direct page register, DP; The system is robust. Mechanically it ismounted as a stand-alone board inside the and an eight -bit condition code register,soundly made and the Tube connector iscase of the BBC Micro, or it may be CC. three or four times as long as those which plugged into the rack -based bus system for The direct page register holds the eightoperatetheothersecondprocessors further expansion. The card has a 4K mostsignificantbitsofanaddresswithout problems of noise or crosstalk. It monitor ROM which contains the routines and extends the concept of zero -pageis even possible to insert and unplug thenecessary for Tube communications and addressing to any page in memory. It thuscards with the system powered up and only will run all base processor software which allows the programmer to take advantageexperience the occasional crash which iscompatiblewitha6502second of short -paged addressing without beingrequires no more than a reboot to correct. processor. limited to the first 256 bytes of memory. The colour graphics card is based on the Different programs can have differentThompson EF-9366 graphics processor base pages,eliminatingthe need forchip and has a 64K graphics memory multiple use of page zero locations andcomparedwith 20Kinthehighest - reducing the possibility of conflict. resolution mode on the BBC Micro. It is CMS sells a 6809 Eurocard which youcapableof displaying mixedtextof differing sizes, orientations and colours as well as pictorial data. It requires only 32 bytes of system memory. The colour display has three primary colour planes and a luminance plane with a flashing option. Each colour plane is 512 pixels wide by 256 pixels high and is CMS 6502 card. capable of drawing 1.5 million dots per second. In monochrome there are 16 grey Xcalibur Xmem levels, and in colour eight colours per pixel with a separate intensity plane. The full Another companylookingtothe ASCII character set is held in ROM and aindustrial market isXcalibur withits high -densitytextmodesupports32 Xmem, whichseekstomarry BBC 85 -characterrowsinany colourtechnology to some of the vast range of combination. peripheral cards that have heen developed As thisprocessorisaimedatthe for the Apple II. Unlike the other products industralmarket,theonlysoftwareincluded in this review, the Xmem is not a supplied with itis a sideways ROM tosecond processor. It does not contain a initialise the BBC Micro and get the Flexprocessor chip at all; instead, it provides a operating system up and running on the64K bank of expansion memory coupled 6809.Therearealargenumber ofwith five standard Apple expansion slots software packages available which will beinto which Apple cards can be plugged. CMS colour -graphics card (left) and 6809 ofimmensevaluetothesoftware The Xmem is connected to the 1MHz card. developmentengineerbothforthe (continued on next page)

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 83 (continued from previous page) obtained,which can be extended to bus and is accessed by calls to Jim, page 80 -column mode by plugging in a standard FD extended memory, the pages being IBM-compatibleexpansioncard.An selected one at a time, using the Fred 80 -column monochrome displayis paging register. Power is obtained either achieved via the BBC display. fromtheauxiliarypower -connector The Graduate is an exception among socket on the BBC Micro or from an BBC Micro second processors as it does independent power supply. not use the Tube to connect its 8088 to the There are a number of limitations on the 6502 base processor. Instead, communi- connection of peripherals, mainly stem- cation is through the 1MHz bus. Another ming from the passive nature of the device feature is thatit does not require the anditsalienenvironment.Since the installation of a disc filing system in the Xmem has no 6502 processor and no host. Its floppy discs are completely self - Apple monitor, thereis no means of contained.Two expansionslotsare controlling Apple cards with routines inThe Torch graduate outside ... provided for addition of standard IBM ROM. Butthisdoesnotpresenta expander cards. limitation to Xcalibur, which produces a rangeapplications.Torchofaccessoriesforindustrial Unicorn Typical of theseis the Xad-1 four- . ffi channel 12 -bit analogue -to -digital con- By far the most powerful second pro- verter with a battery -backed real-time cessor currently available for the BBC calendar/clock.Italsocontrolsfour Micro is the Torch Unicorn HDP-68K, channels of isolated relay outputs. The which comes with a Motorola 68000 analogue input channels are set to a 'ry16/32-bitprocessor and a 20Mbyte hard nominal OV to 5V range and so can be used disc and a 400K floppy as backing store. to monitor TTL digital lines or contact As supplied, there is 256K of dynamic closures, as well as continuously variable RAM but by changing internal links and analogue levels. The relay contacts are ... and inside substituting256Kchips,thiscan be individually programmable and may be used to actuate external devices, so the card may be used as the basis of a process MC 0010 control system. Among other cards available are larg- erandsmalleranalogue -to -digital converters, thermocouple amplifier mod- ules,counters anddigital -to -analogue converters. The Xmem card itself will fit t.--- . intothestandardXcaliburportable ,.. computer case.Thiswill alsotake a BBC motherboardandtheXcalibur5in. monitor so that a transportable indus- ... trial control system can be assembled...... Alb" 4,2 Ott . . .. a , ; 4141111111401 , . t X= ...... r...,..11.. r*..41.li[ Isi . . -----30...- .... -----, ......

V.

. -

ozz.,- . .- Xcalibur Xmen with I/O converter and ...... - clock card. Torch Graduate "Add the capability of running IBM software for less than £1,000" was the offer made by Torch when it launched the Graduate.Therearefourversions, rangingfromasingle -floppy128K machine to a twin -floppy 256K RAM model whichoffersalmost complete IBMulation.Using BBC graphics,a 40 -columnfull -colourdisplaycan beThe Unicorn's motherboard is mounted vertically beside the drives.

84 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Review

increased to one megabyte. The main memory management unit allows multi- circuit board which carries the processor taskingwithoutinterferencebetween chip and RAM is mounted at one side, and tasks. auxiliary cards are provided for the hard - disc controller and SASI disc interface. A 100W switched -mode power supply and a Conclusions cooling fan are also squeezed into the case, With the second processors covered by which measures only 190mm. by 270mm. this review, BBC Micro owners have the by 330mm. opportunity to enhance their systems to The operating system for the 68000 virtually any degree within the current Unicornis Unix III with the Berkley state of the art. enhancements. It comes on 24 floppy discs The availability of the CP/M, Flex, which contain over 200 programs and UCSD p -system,XenixandUnix utilities. There is a full set of supporting operating systems together with languages documentationincludingthestandard such as Basic in many forms, Pascal, Unix manuals and a description of the Cobol, Forth, Lisp and Fortran mean that Torch enhancements. The complete Unix thereisthecapabilityofrunning pack contains a C compiler and editor, the practically all serious software available viscreen editor and the csh C shell. for microcomputers. Languages available include Fortran 77 It is time for manufacturers to review and Pascal. the practice of giving away software with To enable the user to run existing CP/M new machines. Most buyers either have a software as well as Unix, the parasite specificapplicationinmind or have processor card also carries a Z -80B. Due already invested a large amount of time to the faster memory chips required by the and effort in installing their programs on 68000, the Z -80B can be run at 6MHz, another machine. They would be far better rather than the 4MHz of a normal Z-80 served by a service which upgrades and second processor. This means that CP/M configures existing software for the new programs will run 50 percent faster. A The Torch Unicorn. machine.

Acorn 6502 Acorn Z-80 CMS 6809 CMS 6502 Torch Z.80 Torch Torch Xcalibur Xmem Graduate Unicorn

CPU 65CO2 Z -80B 6809 6502 or Z -80A 8088 68000, Z -80B None

Memory 64K 64K 64K Up to 160K 64K 128K 256K 64K in 32K banks expandable expandable of ROM or to 256K to 1Mbyte RAM

Connection Tube Tube Tube Tube Tube, disc 1MHZ bus Tube, 1MHz 1 MHz bus interface bus, disc interface

Operating Acorn DNFS CP/M 2.2 Flex DFS CPN MS-DOS Unix 111, Memory - systems CPN, UCSD mapped p -system read/write instructions

Expansion None None DIN 41612 DIN 41612 None Two IBM PC None Five Apple II connector, connector, compatible slots optional optional slots seven -slot seven -slot backplane backplane

Software HiBasic BBC Basic, BBC to Flex Linker to BBC Basic, None Full Unix None Professionallinker base Perfect suite with Basic, Cis processor Writer, over 200 Cobol, Perfect programs Animator Speller, and utilities, and Forms 2, Perfect Filer, including C Graphplan, Perfect Calc compiler and Fileplan, editor Memoplan, 1 Accountant Price £199 £399 £408 099 £699 £945 £2,895 £299

Suppliers: Acorn Customer Services, Cambridge Technopark, 645 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8PD. Telephone: (0223) 210111 Cambridge Microprocessor Systems Ltd, 44A Hobson Street, Cambridge CB1 1NL. Telephone: (0223) 324141 Torch Computers Ltd, Sales Department, Abberley House, Great Shelford, Cambridge CB2 5LQ. Telephone: (0223) 841000 Xcallbur Computers Ltd, Spencer House, 3 Spencer Parade, Northampton NN1 5AB. Telephone: (0604) 21051

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Ecir= = = = Micro General the Specialists for Printer Selection Contact us for our expert advice on all your Interfacing problems It's not just a question of plug in and lets go. There ore now over 200 different connector situations. How do you know that your computer will accept the printer of your choice? We of Micro General do not sell boxes off the shelf. As computer engineers we help you to choose and install the right printer for your computer. The advice is free and it could save you some embal tossing "mit-trt mistakes - Buy from us for peace of mind. - 2 YEAR WARRANTY NOW AVAILABLE ON SELECTED PRODUCTS APRICOT Fl- afull blown business micro BROTHER HR15 DAISY WHEEL For the first time business user a genuine Diablo code compatibility business machine with some amazing 'high LOW COST tech'features. - See the Apricots mouse 3K Buffer TRACTOR RED A110 execute previously complex tasks at a single 2 colour printing AUTO CUT SHEET FEED key stroke, and the new infra -red device means MORE there's no cable connection to the keyboard Super & Sub Script giving desk top planning a new meaning Auto underline 256K RAM 720 single disk MS-DOS arid Concurrent CP/M. Proportional spacing RapidDisplaymanipulation andspecial effects. PLUG-IN KEYBOARD OPTION -£1504111 Expansion and Outpod facilities. Colour/Mono Monitor or VHF for your T.V. Extremelylight(under13Ibs) - totally portable. Price includes SuperWriter. SuperCalc, & A BBC SuperPlanner software. Well over 1000 software packages nowLEASE F1 from f6 per week available. CALL FOR DETAILS DEMO NOW MN MICRO TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! Bring your micro to us and match with our range of printers - full workshop facilities available to iron out all technical hitches!CALL US FOR PRIN SAMPLES TRADE or PRIVATE CUSTOMERS take advantage of our INTERNAL INTERFACING CONSULTANCY Et STAND INTERFACES b CABLES AVAILABLE FOR: ALONE BUFFERS VIC 20 NEW BRAIN OSBORNE PRINTER SWITCHES PET ORIC SIRIUS from anstint. SPECTRUM DRAGON SAGE ATARI COMMODORE 64 SINCLAIR QL E65+VAT from £85 plus VAT. BBC TANDY and more! APPLE SHARP w, I EPSON MATRIX PRINTERS MICROLINE LOW COST PRI TERSHIGH SPEED UP to 25% taster thru-put than Ibri_" nearest rival. ftecf HIGH QUALITY Near letter quality (92/93/84) ucee Prices ... Ideal printer for business LOW PRICE!! systems. Reduced"-- High Res Graphics .N1;,... I (92/93/84)

Microfilm 80 80 CpS MA - nt ay , ONLy EPSON RX8OT 100 cps £210H -VAT Microline 82A 120 cps E275 + rat Microfilm 83A 120 cps 9450 4 nt C2,99 EPSON RX80F/T 100 cp s Microns! 93160 cps vat £240+VAT i M82A 8. M83A serial 8. parailel £550 + VAT interlaces are standard) The ideal alternative CANON PW-1080A EPSON FX80 160 cps £360+VAT to EPSON' FX10° - MiCf110111184 200 cps 9750 4 nt 160cps and quiettoo! EPSON RX1 00 Faster thru-put and High Resolution graphics 100 cps £390+VAT Sheet feeder for IBM version available near letter quality. Down loading for user -optional characters. EPSON FX100 160 CpS£4994 -VAT M84£299 Recommended for Near letter quality - italic, gothic and orator IBM, fonts optional. Microline 92 150 cps £415 vat Epson Code compatibility, EPSON LQ1500 200 cps £1100+VAT APRSIOIRIT.US,.

STOP MEVJUKI 6100DAISYWHEELPRINTER 18cps £355+VAT ALER/OEM ENQUIRIES WELCOME I\/DEIcro Alwayscall for the best possible priceEl e9"IAccess Visa eneral (PC 12)Unit 25, Horseshoe Park, PANGBOURNE, READING, RG8 7JW Tel: 07357 4466 Circle No. 127

86 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Software review COMMODORE UTILITIES Barry Miles suggests that the Commodore Programmers Utilities Package deserves greater recognition.

SOMETIMESa product does not achieve thedecimal. This is the number which mustoperation to character editor, and when sort of prominence which it deserves. Onefollow your Sys call in order to activate theyour sprites have been defined, you can such product if the Programmers Utilitiesmachine -code program. It is convenient tosave them to disc. It is possible to rotate Package which has been available fromfind out the load address of a program.the sprite through 90 degrees and move it Commodore for some time at £14.95. ItFor instance, sprite definitions are savedleft or right or up and down by one pixel represents remarkable value for money forin program format and have various loadwithin the overall pattern. the beginner programmer or anyone whoaddresses. Sprite display is possible so that you can has not stocked up on all the more usual Machine -code programmers need nosee the various sprites which you have types of utilities. You get programmingintroduction to SuperMon, which hasdesigned. Of course, you can expand utilities,graphics,soundandBasicbeen around for a number of years for allsprites vertically and horizontally. You programming aids all on the one disc withCommodore models.Itrepresentsa'can use high resolution or multi -colour a helpful, large and detailed manual. powerful monitor to carry out simplemode for these sprites. Control -V will assembly,disassembly,printingofdisplay the current sprite in motion, and disassembly, hunting for strings, trans-youcanalsochangethespeedof C64 Menu ferring sections of memory and so on. movement. The first utility is a Menu program. It The Pet Emulator program permits a creates a sequential file on the disc of thesurprisingly large number of programsSound directory in alphabetical order. Typing written for the Commodore Pet to run LOAD" *",8 on the Commodore 64. The 64 then Sound iscatered for on a program will load the first program on the disc, C64duplicates the Basic 2 Pet internally andcalled SidMon, which was written by a Menu. When it is run you have the choiceeven Pokes to the screen. Other direct -music expert called Higginbottom, who of loading programs by number ratheraccess operations also work properly. CB2has recently designed a system to turn the than by name. Directory entries with asound is emulated, though sometimes notCommodore 64 into a full -sound syn- space in front of them are not listed, whichquite correctly, but other sound effectsthesiser. It is not a music program as such, is a convenient way of avoiding the listingusually sound better on the emulator thanit enables you to monitor the sound as its of machine -code programs which have tothey do on the Pet. name suggests. That is to say, you change be embedded inBasic loaders or are The DOS Support or Wedge program isthe various characteristics Attack, Decay, otherwise not suitable for loading directly.familiartomostold-timersintheSustain, Release, Gate, Ring, Resonance, The Change Disk program changes theCommodore computing game. However,etc. until you obtain the sound you want. address which the disc replies to. The oldcertain additional commands have beenNote the Pokes which caused this sound to device number is replaced by the newprovided which do not exist in the earlieruse in your own program. device number, quite commonly 9. It isversion. In particular, U resets the disc, Q Basic programming aidsincludea now possible to run the next programterminates the Wedge program, and %screeneditorwhichpermitsyouto whichiscalledCopyAll,copyingfollowed by a file name loads the file at itsconstruct input arrangements which are programs from device 8 to device 9. own load address. The left arrow followedboth foolproof and efficient and which Copy All 64 enables you to copy one orby the file name saves the program to disc.operate at machine -code speed. The screen more files from one disc drive to another. A character editor is provided, whicheditor also gives additional commands like The 1541 Disk Back-up program allowsenables you to design your own characterdisplaying a program status line at the you to do a copy of the files on to a newset either directly or by modifying thebottom of the screen, changing colour disc. You can either copy those areas onexisting character set. This is very pleasantcombinations, editing a single field on the the new disc which contain data on the oldto use, with a large screen display. Youscreen, turning the Run/Stop key on and disc or you can have an exact duplicate ofedit by using the cursor keys and the full -off, and drawing a horizontal line on the thedisc performed. But because thisstop key to turn on the dot under thescreen. These commands can be used program only loads in 30K of data at acursor. The Del key will delete the dot towithin programs. time, a large number of shufflings of discsthe left of the cursor and Clr will erase all in and out of the machine takes place. the dots. Once you are satisfied that you The Dump program displays a disc onhave created what you wanted, you areConclusions the screen in hexadecimal with 10 bytes per able to save the new character set on to line. It is really a disc monitor which doesdisc. The disc contains a new character set This represents good value. There is for discs what a machine -code monitorwhich you can try. something for everybody in this package. does for the contents of the machine's The Sprite Editor program works on a However, one startling omission is any memory. The addresses shown on the leftsimilar basis giving you a grid of 21 by 24form of Basic programming aid giving the of the hexadecimal display are in decimal.on which you design your sprites, againconventional Toolkit commands such as The Load Address program displays thewith the use of the cursor keys, full stop,Renumber, Automatic Number, Search load address of any programfilein space bar and so on. It is very similar inand Replace, and Delete.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 87 EACH YEAR, seven leading computer magazinesfrom different countries join forces Commodore 64 to select the Computer of the Year.Moreaccurately,we Home Computer of the Year selectfourmodels,witha Eight differentmachines secured votes in this category, Computer of the Year beingbut the clear winner was - for the second year running selected in each of four major - the Commodore 64. This received three first -place categories. These are for the votes and one second. The Sinclair QL was second with home computer,personal one first -place and one second -place. The Alphatronic computer, portable computer PC was placed third, thanks to runner-up votes from and transportable computer. Germany and Italy. The Amstrad received one vote- This year, for the first time,from Practical Computing. we have added asoftware section.The categoriesare: games,businesssoftware, technical software, and tools/ systems utilities, etc. Apple Thesixmagazines which participate along with Practical Computingare:Chipin Macintosh Germany, Chip in Italy, Chip Micros in Spain, Micro 7 inPersonal Computer of the Year France, Micromixinthe In this section, the Apple Macintosh won by a landslide. Netherlands,andPersonal It received a first -place vote from all seven magazines, Computing in the U.S. Eachalthough one of these was actually in the transportable magazine nominated a winner category. In second place was the Hewlett-Packard andarunner-upineach touch screen HP -150, which received four second -place category. votes. The IBM PC/XT was placed third. Last year the awards went to the Commodore64, IBMPC, Epson HX-20 and Kaypro II. Only one of these was to keep itsplace.Softwareiseven Sharp PC -5000 harder to judge than hardware: there are more packages toPortable Computer of the Year choose from, and they are evenThis section was a close -run thing but the Sharp more varied. Also, in this first PC -5000 was the clear winner. It received three firsts year of software awards, noand one second. The Epson PX-8 was the runner-up with one wasevensureifthe two firsts and one second. The Olivetti M-10 was categories were correct. Nev-squeezed into third place with one first and two ertheless there was no doubtseconds. The Husky Hunter also received two second - atallaboutthewinning place votes. packages. Practical Computing would like to thank all the magazines thatparticipatedinmaking these awards, particularly Chip Compaq Plus in Germany for undertaking the organisation. We wouldTransportable Computer of the alsoliketothankallthe manufacturers and distributors Year who helped with the loan of As with home computers, there was little agreement equipment, and wishallofabout transportables, with nine different machines them well, even if they were sharing the votes. A narrow victory went to the Compaq neither winners nor runners- Plus, with two first -place votes and one second. The Oup. Apple Ilc was runner-up with one first and two seconds.

Home Computer of the Year, the Commodore 64. The Compaq Plus: Transportable Computer of the Year.

88 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Best micro Flight Simulator Game of the Year The Sublogic/Microsoft Flight Simulator was the clear winner in this category, with four first -place votes. Zaxxon was the runner-up with two second -place nominations. The Flight Simulator is available for the IBM PC from Microsoft, and from Sublogic for the Apple, Atari and Commodore 64. Datasoft's Zaxxon is available for the Apple, Atari and Commodore 64. Lotus 1-2-3 Business Program of the Year The clear winner was Lotus 1-2-3 with four first -place votes. No other program received more than one vote, but Symphony, also from Lotus, was placed first by the Dutch. Software winners DR Logo, Lotus 1-2-3 and Flight Simulator. Autocad Technical Software of the Year Here there were almost as many programs as votes, but the drawing/draughting program Autocad took the award with two first places.

CRITPAIS FUEL DR Logo \as IE iiIEft OMI!G HI OIL T OIL P Software Tool of the Year r C OM GEAR - ON n122.1.DI LIGHTS -OFF L' NAV PIRGS B The votes in this section represent something of a 113CI CARP H-OPF TRANSPONDER triumph for Digital Research. DR Logo took the award I er! ct TIME with three first places, while the same company's I'"19 1:4 I Concurrent CP/M also received two first -place votes. The other piece of software to do well was Borland's Turbo Pascal, with one first -place and three second - Flight Simulator: clear winner of Game of the Year. places. 11]

Portable Computer of the Year is the Sharp PC -5000. Apple's macmtosn. winner of versonai (-computer of tne Year.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 89 Herecomes COMIlls Chris Bidmead samples the delights of bulletin boards and electronic mail, and explains how you can join in too. IN 1985everyone will be doing it. I've been an intelligent correspondent in the public doing it for most of this year, and it has mail section of the board you can usually changed my whole attitude to computing. continue communications via a private The joy is that the only hardware you need mail section. is a computer, a telephone and a modem. One of the very best features of bulletin Most Practical Computing readers will boards isthe way you can download have access to the first two of these, and software free of charge. Not, of course, thanks to the development of dedicated proprietory software like Lotus 1-2-3, but modem chips the cost of the thirdis hand-craftedBasicprograms, C and plummeting. assembler source code, and general public- Until recently modems were usually Inmac's Dataphone acoustic coupler. domain utilities. acoustic couplers that took the clumsy CP/M users are particularly lucky in form of something which looked like a bed this respect. There is a deal of garbage for tired telephone receivers. The tele- among the CP/M User Group freebies, phone handset has to be pushed down into but I collected the following gems during a foam base to make good acoustic my investigationsof Chiltern,South connections.Alternativelythe modem West, London TBBS, Liverpool and other might be integrated with the computer. boards: The latter type is probably the easiest to use because it can be driven entirely by A terminal -emulationutilityfor software. However, it tends to tie you into communication with BBs and directly the manufacturer, sinceif you change with other computers. As well as text The Scicon V-21 Buzzbox. transmission,binaryfilescanbe your computer you lose your connections. transferred The modems Itried out were of the usingstandard CP/M Christiansenprotocolerror -checking direct -connect type, which are inherently techniques. morereliablethanacousticcouplers An alternative to Sterm by David Back because there is no danger of picking up with some rather friendlier features. local noise like the thump of a keyboard. An indispensable utility that lists the This kind of modem is a small box with names of files on the current disc and at three connections. One connection goes to the touch of a key allows you to read the mains, usually by way of a small them, delete them, rename them, copy power -supply unit, one connects to the them, or mark a selection of them for computer's serial I/O port, and the third mass transfer or deletion. NSWP also - BT willing - plugs into an ordinary Alpha Datasystems' AD -2426. has a built-intext compression/de- domestic telephone socket. help, perhaps with data about the system compression algorithm for archiving Probably the best place to start, if you files. do not mind burning the midnight oil, you are addressing, such as who it belongs would be one of the many free bulletinto, what the hardware is and so forth. A general-purpose disc utility by Ward There is usually a section called SIGs, or Christiansen, of the protocol fame, that boards dotted around the country. The list allows you to dump and edit the sectors fromSpecial Interest Groups, where you can inthetablewasdownloaded of the disc directly. It is a valuable bug London's Central BBS, and compiled by Jseekoutfellowusersof your own Wallbridge. It is not up to date, so beparticularhardware and/or operating fixer for the experienced CP/M user system. There will probably also be a and, for novices, a sure-fire way to prepared to find that particular boards destroy your software. have gone out of business or changed theirsection for games enthusiasts. Using the bulletin boards tends to be a An upgradeof CP/M's Console hours. Command Processor, the part of the Basically, a bulletin board works like its late,late occupation because between about 6.00p.m. and 2.00a.m. the boards operating system that deals directly with hardware equivalent in the community theuser.GaryKildalldesignedit centre corridor: dial your number, pressare kept busy by enthusiasts who leave each other messages so inane that you starkly,alwaysmeaningusersto the appropriate button on your modem remodel it on friendlier lines. ZCPR is a when you hear the carrier tone, and watchwonder whether their originators are old enough to use a keyboard. Some of the distinctimprovement.Itis highly the text come up on your screen. As you recommended, but you need to know a enter you are usually required to identifyBBs are available during daylight hours, and tend to be more accessible then. little about assembler and CP/M to put yourself with name and password, and are it on your system. then presented with a menu that leads you The Sysops, as the operators of the to the different sections. systems like to call themselves, are friendly With free bulletin boards, you might One part of the board will be generalanyknowlegeable, although often toowonder why anyone would need to pay public messages, which you can read orbusy to give swift answers to all your£100 down plus £10 a month minimum for add to. Another part will give copiousquestions. If you happen to come acrosstheprivilege of using electronic mail

90 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Communications commercially. But people do, as is made evident by the fact that Telecom Gold and its Cable and Wireless rival, Easylink, are British Bulletin Boards both expanding rapidly. As at 16.7.84 ACC, closed - (0908) 44262 London, TBBS - 01-348 9400 Basildon Itec - (0268) 22177 (1,200/75 Manchester, O'Donnell - 061.427 3711 Electronic mail baud) Maptel - (0702) 552941 Basug - (0742) 667 983 MG -Net - see London CBBS Bettesfield RCP, closed - (0948) Microland - see Southern BB The first big differenceisthat you Micronet/Prestel, Enterprise - 01-686 usuallyget on toGold or Easylink 875378 Birmingham North - (0827) 288810 0311 (1,200/75 baud) immediately. Whereas the typicalfree Micronet/Prestel, Kipling/Dryden - bulletin board runs on a dual -floppy micro Blandford Board, (Oz) - (0258) 54494 Central (PSS?) - 01-928 9111 (1,200/75 01-618 0311 (1,200/75 baud) with an autoanswer modem, the com- baud); (0753) 6141 (300 baud) Micro -User, Microweb - 061-456 4157 mercial systems are housed on heavy Chiltern - (07073) 28723 Milton Keynes, Forum 80 - (0908) super -minicomputers and mainframes - City Bulletin Board - closed (300 baud 631004 (off-line until further notice) timesharing so that everybody gets a look and 1,200/75 baud) North-East CBBS - closed in. Gold and Easylink are both on the Computer Answers Magazine - 01-631 Prestel - see Micronet 3076 (300 baud and 1,200/75 baud) Rewtel - (0227) 232628 (apparently off- Packet Switchstream system, so you can line) dial into them from anywhere in the world Cumbria CBBS. - closed (300 baud and 1,200/75 baud) Sheffield - (0742) 754492 at local rates. Southampton TBBS - (0703) 437200 Also, they are a serious alternative to Distel - 01-679 1888 Distel Test Port - 01-679 6183 (300 Southern BB*, Portsmouth - (0243) phoning or writing letters. Phoning has baud and 1,200/75 baud) 511077 the big disadvantage that two busy people Estelle, 300 baud - (0279) 443511 South-West - (0626) 890014 (300 baud can go for days on end leaving messages to Estelle V-23 Prestel type - (0279) and 1,200/75 baud) ring each other back. Letters on the other 441188 Stoke Itec remote CP/M - (0782) 265078 handare-slow,andoftenlendan Estelle V-22 1,200 Full Dup. - (0279) unnatural formality to transactions. 441222 Stourport - see West Midlands Hull, Forum 80 - (0482) 859169 Surrey CBBS - (04862) 25174 Electronic mailisthe best of both Wembley, Forum -80 - 01-902 2546 worlds. It has an interesting effect on Liverpool, Mailbox 80 - 051-428 8924 London CBBS, MG -Net - 01-399 2136 West Midlands, Mailbox 80 - (0384) communication style, encouraging a tone 635336 that is more jocular and spontaneous than London, Forum 80 - see Wembley, letter writing, but more thoughtful than Forum -80 *Ring Back System everyday speech. Provided your recipient to Easylink. For low -volume subscribers it can be found under News I and News2. checks the mailbox, a message sent atis probably cheaper, and there is no big The world of the summary and abstract breakfast time can be read before theinitial payment. With the right hardwaretakesalittlegettingusedto.Some coffee break. With electronic mail youyou can arrange for the system to notifysummaries are full enough to make sense check your incoming messages in youryou the moment mail arrives, somethingon their own, but most offer a glimpse own time, rather than allowing a phonethat, for all its software embellishments,only. For example. call to interrupt you. Telecom Gold does not provide. TheA pop croonertells the royal mom to Of the two, I spend far more time withclincher for many small businesses will be shake her fanny and she does, before Telecom Gold. Easylink is less verbose,the fact that Easylink allows you to send 11,500 people. (Princess Diana at Neal Diamond concert) probably because itis designed aroundand receive telexs. On Telecom Gold you Smith, Terry telexterminalsratherthanmicro-can send them, but at the time of writing People v22 p97(2) July 23 1984 computers - or so I guess from the shoalstelexreceptionisnotyetgenerally CODEN: PEWEDE of Linefeeds it sends at any excuse. Theyavailable. illustration; photograph NAMED PEOPLE: Diamond, Neal -music seem to be intended to help telex machines DESCRIPTORS: Diana, Princess of advance their hard copy into view, but thisDatabases Wales -conduct of life is unnecessary and slow on a micro. If you need to know more you can book a Unlike Telecom Gold, Easylink does Lately I have been spending my nights full copyof the article, which is then sent not tell you how long you have been on theconferring with a computer in California. to you by post. system when you quit, although the time isIt carries Dialog, a collection of databases KI has databases on everything from given with every system prompt. Becauseused by professional researches of allagriculture to psychology, inevitably with Easylink has no directory of users it waskinds. The thing they all have in commona heavy U.S. bias, although you will find not easy to find anybody to talk to.is that they are not paying for the servicePracticalComputingindexedinthe Although Telecom Gold has a directoryout of their own pockets when costs cancomputer section.Several other com- called Gold.Usersitisa half-heartedrun to $75 per hour, not counting thepanies in the U.K. are beginning to offer affair, listing people who do not mindphone bill. databasesonsimilarlines,typically being sent junk mail - and paying for the However,personal -microuserscancharging a nominal sum of around £25 to time it takes to read it. access a susbstantial subset of Dialog outregisterandcoverthecostofthe Telecom Gold seems to be distinctlyofpeakhoursunderthename ofinstruction manual, then invoicing you more lively. There are games to play,Knowledge Index. KI is priced for themonthly for time on the system. which are expensive if you are footing thehome user at $25 an hour, which goes a Although many of these databases are phone bill; stat packages to run; cross -long way when you know what your arenow officially open to the public, the firms compilers; a database management systemdoing and can dip in for a quick one -thatsupply them are notnecessarily which your nationwide team of reps canminute search, then disconnect to assessgeared to dealing with individuals. Often it use to log sales calls; and acres of help text.your findings before dipping back againis almost impossible to find the right Easylink is so taciturn it does not even tellfor a second look. person to talk to, as few of the staff seem you when you have mail waiting until you The data in Dialog consists mostly ofto understand these new departures. For enter the command /MBX. Telecom Goldabstracts from works published in hardexample, it was a nightmare trying to track signals the number of messages in yourcopy. Magazines form a substantial partdown therelevantdepartmentinside mailbox the moment you log on, so it isof the material, but there are summaries ofDatasolve. Yet among other databases, impossible to miss them. books and government papers in there asthe company handles World Reporter, a There are still some distinct advantageswell. Summaries of newspaper articles (continued on next page)

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 91 Communications

(continued from previous page) appreciate the value of an accurate carrier -the 21/23is auto answer, meaning it richly rewarding international news ar-detect light. You can hear the carrier in theresponds automatically to incoming calls chivewhichcurrentlycontainsThetelephone earpiece, but on a long-distanceby opening the line and switching on the Economist,the AP Newswire,Theline it may be too weak to be meaningful tocarrier signal. This is very useful if you are Guardian, the BBC summary of worldthe modem. The review Buzzbox sufferedrunning a bulletin board, but if the 21/23 news broadcasts and the BBC's externalfrom this shortcoming, and it was occas-is wired to a line normally used for voice services news. Itis aimed at the mediaionallyimpossibletocontactbulletinyou could lose a lot of calls. So you either and large companies but, theoretically,boards in the north of England fromhave to unplug the power supply when the individuals can register. London - although the carrier -detectmodem is not in use, or make sure your More readily accessible was Scicon, onelight blazed throughout the attempt. computer turns off the DTR lines. of the BP Group of companies. Scicon has The Answercall modem hadno The 21/23 is so called because it caters a number of databases on-line on publicdifficulty at all with long-distance lines,not only for the 300 -baud V-21 protocol affairs, and I was invited along to one ofand was exceptionally easy to operate. Abut also for the 1,200/75 -baud V-23, as the regular training seminars to get ansingle three -position switch - Answer,well as allowing you to use half -duplex introduction to Polis. This is the Parlia-Originate and Off - did all the work, and1,200 baud, a useful method of moving mentary On -Line Information Service,two lights with the same functions as thosedata fast between individual micros that which was set up for the use of MPs inof the Buzzbox faithfully reflected thehave the necessary special software. Of 1980 but is now also available to externalstate of the modem. The Answercallcourse, 1,200/75 baud is the protocol used users. The data is held on Scicon's Sperry-worked for several months but suddenlyfor Prestel, and allows data to flow Univac mainframe in Milton Keynes, andpacked up in mid -transmission. This wasrelatively quickly in one direction without comprises indexes on almost all forms ofprobably just a one-off fault, judging bythe complication and expense of using parliamentary proceedings. The indexestheruggedness of thedesign. Icanmulti-plexing techniques. I found it indis- can lead you into a second database, nocertainly recommend the Answercall as apensable for downloading large chunks of less than the full text of Hansard, which iswell -made300 -baud modem fromatext, as when accessing Knowledge Index. keyed in at the House of Commons andreliable company. The snag is that 75 baud out is painful for transferred byfloppydiscto Milton Its demise gave me a chance to put thea reasonably proficient typist because you Keynes on a daily basis. £200MasterSystems21/23on-line.have to type slowly.I much preferred Scicon also run three other databases.Immediately life became more compli-300/300 baud for most of my modem Acompline is the database of the GLCcated because setting up one of these moretransactions. researchlibrary,containingmaterialsophisticated modems requires thought The Master Systems 21/23 seems to be relating to urban affairs. This is primarilyand patience. The RS -232 port at the reardesigned on the assumption that changing an archive service; for news you go to aof the 21/23, for example, requires pin 20,between protocols is not something you parallel database called Urbaline, whichData Terminal Ready, to go high before itare going to be doing regularly. The mode - keeps an updated daily listing index towill work, which implies an extra linechange switchisa fiddly thumbwheel current articles, journals and papers onbetween your computer and the modem.buried around the back of the machine. It the same subject.Finally thereistheYou can bodge it by connecting pin 20 torequires you to memorise or have to hand DHSS library catalogue, indexing books,another high pin, and the 21/23 providesa table of modes, since all the thumbwheel papers and journals on health care, healthpin 24 for this purpose, but you need atoffers in way of guidance isa set of planning, social services legislation and soleast a soldering iron and preferably anumbers from 1 to 10, some of which are forth. breakout box like the Duplex Sussbox. non-functioning. Using a genuine handshake line from Modems the computer allows you to switch off the transmission remotely. This is not alwaysConclusions The modem conveys signals to and froman advantage: one corollary is that if you Computer users had betterreconcile your computer by turning the digital datahave to reboot the computer in mid -trans-themselves to heavier phone bills if they into analogue signals using a processmission, as when the Sterm program failswant tostayinthe game. Comms is known as modulation and demodulation.to download a data fail in CP/M mode,definitely going to be the flavour of 1985. Hence the name: a modem is modul-the modem will instantly disconnect you. Bulletin Boards are friendly and free, ator/demodulator. An audible tone called The front panel of the 21/23 has aand an excellent way to get speedy advice a carrier issent down the line by thehandsome row of five LEDs to keep you inabout your computing problems - and modem andcausedtofluctuatein touch with the state of the RS -232 line. Myothers, because at least one British BBS has frequency, or modulate, as a result of thefirst reaction was that these are pretty buta lonely hearts section. Although a lot of data it receives at one end. The modem atnot really essential - as long asit'sthe messages are mindless garbage you can the other end, working as a demodulator,working who cares if your DSR is high orget excellent software; unfortunately the readsthesefrequencychangesandnot. But the lights certainly do help inbest BBSs are often engaged. converts them back into digital data. setting up the system, and I found it Telecom Gold and Easylink are nearly I had a chance to try three differentreassuring when collecting a file from aalways on-line and are rapidly becoming modems duringthecourseof myremote bulletin board to see the RX andthecivilised way for busy peopleto experiments. The first was the Buzzbox, atTX lights switching in and out. communicate. Computer businesses like £75 a neat device not much larger than a The 21/23 will not allow itself to beAcorn, Ashton-Tate and System C offer cigarette packet. The Buzzbox is a basicswitched to data reception by pressing theconsultancy over the line, but so far have simple -to -operate 300 baud machine withData button until it detects the presence ofnot proved very consistent in the regularity no bell tones or 1,200/75 whistles. Twoa carrier at the other end. Conversely thereof checking for messages. LEDs tell you whether it is on or off andis an auto -disconnect feature: when you On-line databases are still a series of whether it is currently detecting a carrier.hang up or the remote carrier tone stops,ponds rather than one big pool of infor- The Buzzbox tends to interpret this lastfor some reason the modem waits formation. The scientific approach to data point rather broadly, and I found theabout 15 seconds and then disconnects ofretrieval needs to be supplemented by your carrier -detect light unhelpful for diag-its own accord. own intuition. Once you know what you nosing problems. You have to be careful with this featureare doing the price of retrieval compares It was only after I had run in my secondbecause as long as the DTR line is high thevery favourably with manual systems, but review modem, the Answercall MM -102 atmodem stayslive. Buried deep in theat anything from £25 to £50 an hour you about the same price, thatI began tomanual is the important information thatcannot afford to waste time.

92 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THEJOB?

I f you've been looking around for business software, you'll probably know all about the latest gadget. It's called "integrated software". A little bit of everything, crammed into one do -it -all package. But if you're really serious about running your business, you'll know how important it is to get the best possible tool for every job. That's why we developed Smart Software. The Smart Word Processor, the Smart Spreadsheet with Graphics and the Smart Data Manager are all state-of-the-art, fully- fledged packages in their own right. On their own, they match the best. Yet together, they integrate totally in every way to form a complete software system. If you think your business might need something a little more powerful than the latest all -in -one software gadgets, you're in good company. A group of America's top corporate decision makers recently voted Smart Software the overwhelming victor in an integrated software show- down that included Lotus Symphony® and Framework ® from Ashton Tate. Call one of our distributors now for more details about Smart Software. It could be one of the smartest moves you'll ever make.

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Smart Software from Innovative Software Inc. Circle No. 119 Smart Software is a registered trademark of Innovative Software Inc. 9.3 Eight circles Mark Callaway's graphics program for the BBC Microcompares the speed and accuracy of several circle drawing algorithms. THERE Is no one algorithm for drawing apoints on a circle, centre the origin, ascircumference of the circle, plot a pixel at circle guaranteed to be fastest under allshown in figure 1. each of the points specified. circumstances. Which is the best choice Bresenham's algorithm draws a circle in will depend on how round the circle must (K,Y) (-x,Y) (x,- Y) (- x,- Y) the following way. Imagine you are at be, how quickly it must be drawn, how (Y,x) (-Y,x) point (x,y) in the top right octant of the concise the code has to be, and whether (y, - x) ( -y, -x) circle, moving clockwise. If you want to you want to draw an open circle or a solidIf you want to draw a solid circle, joinmove to the next point on the circle, your one. each of the pairs of points by a straightchoices are point A(x + ox,y) and point B The Eight Circles program allows you toline.If you only want to draw the(x + Sx,y - Sy) see figure 2 - where Sx compare the various options. Five of the algorithms which are programmed A . . contain constants which determine their El- . accuracy and speed. By adjusting them you will be able to find the circle -drawing 2 1 program that is best suited to your needs. A J E Bresenham's circle algorithm uses B 5 B. A the definition of a circle x2 + y2 = r2 to find points on a 45° arc of a circle, 1 I centred at the origin. The other points on A: -B 8 7 B- A the circle can then be found using the circle's symmetry about the lines x = 0, 4 3 y = 0, y = x and y = - x. The algorithm was

first published in Communications of the . .

Association for Computing Machinery, 20 . . . (1977), p.100. You can thus generate a set of eight Figure1. Figure 2.

270IFDXY% 630PROCR(X%+XCV.,Y%+YC%) !OREM "8 Circles" 290PLOT69,XC7.+X%,YCX+Y%1PLOT69,XC 640NEXT 2OREM Copyright (c) Mark Callaw %-X%,YC7.+Y% 650D=TIME-A ay 1984 300PLOT69,XCY.+X7.,YC%-Y%1PLOT69,XC 660PRINTTAB(16);"TOOK "0/100;" S 30 %-X7.,YC%-Y% ECS" 40REM Contains code to compare t 3108=TIME-A 670PRINTTAB(16);"R VARIED BY+ / - he accuracy and the speed of each a 320PRINT"TOOK ";B/100" SECONDS" ";(pmin+pmax)/2;" X" lgorithm 330PRINT"R VARIED BY +/- ";(pmin+ 680PRINT'"Pross any key to contin 5OREM Note that the calls to PRO pmax)/2;" %" ue" CR (which assesses the accuracy) ta 340 690AS=GETS kes a 350 700CLS 60REM long time. If you want a 360 710 truer comparison of the speed of th 370XC%=640:YC%=22002%=200 720 e 380r=200emin-lE6smax=-min 730 7OREM algaritms, remove the PROC 390PRINT'TA8(8):"X=SOR(R*R-Y*Y)" 740r=200:min=1E6:max=-min R( ) commands 400A=TIME 750R%=200:XC%=220:YC%=220 8OREM and the PRINT"R VARIES.... 410R2%=R%*R% 760PRINT'"DX/D"CHR$240"=-Y" statements. 420FORYX=OTOR%STEP4 770PRINT"DY/D"CHR$240"=X" 90 430X%=SOR(R27.-rX*Y%) 780E=TIME 100MODE4 440MOVEXC7.+X%,YC%+Y%:DRAWXC%-X%,Y 790X=R%:Y=0:DTHETA=.1 1106/X=5,20204 CX+YX._ 800MOVEXC%+R%,YC% 120VDU23,240,60,66,66,126,66,66,6 450MOVEXC%+XX,YC%-Y%1DRAWXC%-X%,Y 810REPEAT 0,0 C% -Y% 820PROCR(XC7.+X,YC%+Y) 130PRINT'"Circle Comparer by Mark 460PROCR(XCX+X%,YC%-Y7.) 830DRAWXC%+X,YC%+Y Callaway." 470NEXT 840X=X-Y*DTHETA:Y=Y+X*DTHETA 140 4800=TIME-A 850UNTILPOINT(X+XM,Y+YC%)>0 150r=200smin=1E6;max=-min 490PRINTTAB(8)"TOOK ";C/100;" SEC 860DRAWX+XCX,Y+YC% 160R%=200:XC%=220:YC%=220 ONDS" 870E=TIME-E 170PRINT-"BRESENHAM" 500PRINTTAB(8)"R VARIED BY +/- "; 980PRINT"TOOK ";E/100;" SECS" 180A=TIME (pmin+pmax)/2;" %" 890PRINT"R VARIED BY +/- ";(pmin+ 190X%=01Y%=R%oD%=6-Y% 510 pmax)/2:" %" 200REPEAT 520 900 210PROCR(XC%+X%,YCY.+Y%) 530 910 230PLOT69,XC7.+XX,YC7.+Y%:PLOT69,XC 540PRINT'TAB(16);"(R Cos"CHR$240" 920 7.-X%,YC7.+Y% ,R Sin"CHR$240")" 930R%=2001XCX=640:YC%=220 240PLOT69,XC%+)(%,YC%-Y%sPLOT69,XC 550r=200:min=lE6tmax=-min 940E=TIME %-X%,YC%-Y% 560XC%=1060:YM=220:R%=200 950r=200:min=1E6:max=-min 250PLOT69,XCX+Y%,YC%+XY.:PLOT69,XC 570A=TIME 960X=R%:Y=0:N=16 %-Y%,YC%+X% 580MOVEXCX+R%,YC% 970PRINT'TAB(8)0" sided polygon. 260PLOT69,XCX+Y7.,YC7.-X7.:PLOT69,XC 590FORT=OT06.5STEP.4 %-Y7.,YC%-X% 600X%=R%*COST 980A=2*SIN(PI/N)*COS(PI/N):B=2*SI

94 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Programming and Sy describe a jump of one pixel in each BRESEHNAM direction. You decide which pixel you TOOK 0.92 SECONDS should move to by calculating which one R VARIED BY +/- 0.84% gives a value of x2 + y2 closest to r2. X=S(:R(R*R-Y*Y) Bresenham's algorithm can work very TOOK 1.53 SECONDS quicklyif you perform the following R VARIED BY +/- 0.99% algebraic manipulations. First define Da CR CoseLR Sine) TOOK 0.94 SECS andDbas follows: R VARIED BY +/- 1.80% Da= Xa2 Ya2- (1) Db = Xb2 Yb2 r2 (2) Da tells you how far point A (xa,ya) is from the circle. Similarly,Dbtells you how far point B (xb,yb) is from the circle. On your journey around thecircle, you would move to point A if ABS(Da) < ABS(Db) Otherwise, you would move to point B. In the context of the problem, you know DX/DG DY,,Dei1=X=-Y point A is always outside the circle and TOOK-1X R VARIED 6 point B is always inside the circle, so Da is CS always positive and Db negative. The BYS decisioninequalitycanthereforebe 16.09 TOOK sided rewritten to read: you would move to 6.44 plygon. point A if R VARIEDBYE2.08%SCS Da < -Db Inovemental or D. + Db< 0 (Rcose,Rsine) ROOKVARIED9.4SECS The decision variable D can then be BY defined as 2.88% D = Da+ Db. (3) Whenever youarrive at a pixel, you could calculate the values of Da andDb using formulae (1) and (2), and hence find D. However, it is faster to calculate the new value of D by adding something to the value of D at the previous pixel. If you know D at the first pixel on the circle, you can update D all the way round the circle. Sample output (continued on next page) from Eight Circles program.

N(PI/N)*SIN(PI/N) 1340 1670MOVEXC%+R7.,YCX 990MOVEXC7.+X,YC%+Y 1350 1680FORT%=1TON%+1 1000FORT%=0TON 1360 16900RAWXCit+R%*C(7%),YC%+R%*S(T%) 1010PROCR(XCX+X,YC%+Y) 1370r=200:min=1E6imax=-min 1700PROCR(XC7.+RX*C(T%),YC%+R%*S(T% 1020DRAWXCX+X,YC%+Y 1380R%=200:XC%=220:YC%=220 )) 1030DX=A*Y+B*X 1390PRINT-"SOLID BRESENHAM" 1710NEXT 1040DY=A*X-B*Y 1400A=TIME 1720C=TIME-A 1050X=X-DX:Y=Y+DY 1410X7.=01Y%=R%:D%=6-Y% 1730PRINTTAB(8)"TOOK ":C/100;" SEC 1060NEXT 1420XC%=4*XC% DIV4tYC%=4*YC% DIV4 ONDS" 1070E=TIME-E 1430REPEAT 1740PRINTTAB(B>"R VARIED BY +1- "; 1080PRINTTA8(8)"TOOK "IE/100;" SEC 1440PROCR(XC%+X%,YC%+Y%) (pmin+pmax)/2;" V. 1450MOVEXCX+Y%,YC%+X7.:DRAWXC%-Y%,Y 1750END 1090PRINTTAB(8)"R VARIED BY +/- "; C%+X%:MOVEXC7.+Y%,YC%-X%:DRAWXC%-Y%, 1760 (pmin+pmax)/2;" %" YC%-X% 1770 1100 1460IFD%Y7. 2020REM FROM THE CENTRE (XCX,YC%). 1150PRINT.TAB(15):"Incremental (Rc 1480MOVEXCX+X%,YC%+Y%1DRAWXC%-X%,Y 2030REM INITIALISE r, min, max, XC os"CHR$240",Rsin"CHR$240")" C%+Y%:MOVEXCX+X%,YC%-Y7.:DRAWXC%-XX, %, and YC% TO BE: 1160A=TIME YC%-Y% 2040REM CORRECT RADIUS, 1E6, -1E6, 1170N%=16:C=COS(2*PI/N):S=SIN(2*PI 14908=TIME-A CENTRE X AND CENTRE Y. /N) 1500PRINT"TOOK "18/100" SECONDS" 2050REM Gives results in pmin and 1180X=R%:Y=0 1510PRINT"R VARIED BY +/- ";(pmin+ pmax 1190MOVEXC%+X,YC%+Y pmax)/24" X" 2060REM - the worst percentages ab 1200FORT%=1TON% 1520 ove and below 1210PROCR(XC%+X,YC%+Y) 1530 2070REM the correct values. 1220XD=X*C-Y*S 1540 2080 1230YD=Y*C+X*S 1550r=200:min=1E6tmax=-min 2090LOCALR 1240X=XD:Y=YD 1560R%=200:XC%=640:YCZ=220 2100REM Map to integer screen cool- 1250DRAWXC7.+X,YCX+Y 1570PRINT'TAB(8)"STORED SIN & COS" ds 1260NEXT 1580N%=16:DIMC(N%+1),S(N%+1) 2110X=(X DIV4)*4 1270F=TIME-A 15901.%=0 2120Y -(Y DIV4)*4 1280PRINTTAB(15):"TOOK ":F/1001" S 1600FORTHETA=0702*PI STEP2*PI/N% 2130 ECS" 1610C(7%)=COS(THETA)19(7%)=SIN(THE 2140R=SQR((X-XCX)^2+(Y-YCIW'2) 1290PRINTTAB(15);"R VARIED BY +/- TA) 2150IFR>max THENmax=R ";(pmin+pmax)/21" %" 1620T%=T%+1 2160IFR

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 95 i.

(continuedfrompreviouspage) (x + Sx,y - Sy) ( -x - Sx,y - Sy) Suppose you are at the point (x,y) on the Mode Sx by (x + Sx, -y + Sy) ( -x - Sx, -y + Sy) circle where the value of D is D.. You 0 2 4 (y - Sy,x + Sx) (y - Sy, -x - Sx) would consider moving to the point A 1 4 4 (y - Sy, -x - Sx) ( -y + Sy, -x - Sx) (x+Sx,y) or B (x+Sx,y-by). Here 2 8 4 In the last four points some of the y co- 4 4 4 ordinates have changed by Sx and vice Do . Da Db 5 8 4 versa. This can either result in gaps in the = (x + bx)2 y2 - r2 + (x + Sx)2 + circles, or cause some pixels to be plotted (y - - r2 Table 1. = 2x2 + 4xSx + 2Sx2 + 2y2 twice. The latter result is the lesser of the - 2y4 + 42 - 2r2 (4) You therefore know how to update Dtwo evils, so you can use by = 2 in mode 0, If you decide to move to A, the new valueswhenever you move to another pixel. and Sx = 4 in mode 2 and mode 5, in place of A and B become Finally you need to know the value of Dof the values in table I. x + 2Sx,y at your starting point (0,r). Put 0,r into To use the algorithm in a Basic program and formula (4) to obtain operating in mode 4, the values Sx = 4 and x + 2bx,y - Sy D = 2Sx2 - 2r4 + 42 (7) Sy = 4 are substituted into formulae (4) (5) Now Formulae (5),(6) and (7) can be executed and (7). Lines 190 and 270 would then D = (x + 26x)2 + y2 - r2 + (x + 2Sx)2 + more quickly if you substitute numericalinclude the following terms:

(y - 61)2 - r2 190 . . . D% = 48 - 8 * Y % = 2x2 + 8xSx + 8Sx2 + 2y2 - 2y4 + values for Sx and Sy which are constant 42 - 2r2 throughout the program. The values to 270 . .. D % = D % + 16 * X % + 96 .. . D% = D% + 16 * ( X % - Y%) = Do + 4xSx + 6Sx2 (5) substitute are shown in table 1. However, This tells you how to update D when youthis does not work very well in those + 160 decide to move to point A. If you decide tographics modes in which the pixels are notwhich have a common factor of 8. Jack move to B, the new values of A and Bsquare. The problems arises when usingBresenham has pointed out that since only become the symmetry properties of the circle tothe sign of D% is of interest you can divide x + 2bx,y - Sy step from one point to another. Whenthroughout by 8 to give and moving fromthepoint(x,y)to 190 . . . D% = 6 - Y% 270 .. . D "/o = D °/o + 2 * X % + 12 ... x + 2Sx,y - 2Sy (x + bx,y - Sy) the computer generates the D % = D °/o + 2 * ( X "/o - Y) + 20 Now set of new points Multiplying numbers together is a slow D = (x + 2Sx)2 + (y - 4)2 - r2 + (x + 26x)2 + (y - 24)2 - r2 Listing 2. A J Price's Circle Circumference machinecode program. = 2x2 + 8xSx + 8Sx2 + 2y2 10 REM************************************************************ + 542 - 2r2 ****** = Do + 4xSx + 6Sx2 - 4y4 + 20 REM * CIRCLE CIRCUMFERENCE COPYRIGHT M.CALLAWAY AND A.J.PRICE 19 442 (6) 84 * 30 REM * WITH GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO JACK BRESENHAM * 40 REM************************************************************ ****** 50 A0=2:0SWRCH=&FFEE:MODE 1 60 *KEY 10 OLDIMMODE31MVDU19,0,4,0,0,0IMCLSIM 70 REM ***** SET UP MEMORY SPACE FOR VARIABLES IN ZERO PAGE 80 XC=&70:YC=XC+2:X=YC+2:Y=X+2:D7..=Y+2 90 REM ***** RESERVE MEMORY FOR THE M/C 100 DIM CIRCY. 400 110 REM ***** START OF ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE 120 FOR I. 0 TO AO STEP AO:P7..CIRMEOPT 130 \ ***** SET X TO 0 ***** 140 LDA#OISTA X:STA 1+1 150 \ ***** ALTER GRAPHICS ORIGIN TO (XC,YC) ***** 160 LDA#29:JSR OSWRCH:LDA XC:AND#252:JSR OSWRCH 170 LDA XC+1:JSR OSWRCH:LDA YC:AND#252:JSR OSWRCH:LDA YC+1:JSR OSWRC H 180 \ ***** INITIALISE DY. AS 6 - RADIUS ***** 190 JSR NEG2:LDA Y:CLC:ADC#6:STA 07.:LDA Y+1:ADC#0:STA XC+9:JSR NEG2 200 \ ***** START OF THE MAIN LOOP* * * * * = 90 -0 - 160 210 .STARTLOOP 220 \ ***** PLOT EIGHT POINTS ON CIRCUMFERENCE ***** k = 2rsin160 230 JSR P = pr 240 JSR NEG2:JSR P 250 JSR NEG:JSR P Sx = K.cos 260 JSR NEG2:JSR P k.sin(0 + ISO) 270 JSR SWAP:JSR P = k(sin0.cosiS0 280 JSR NEG2:JSR P + cos0.sinio0 290 JSR NEG:JSR P = p(y.cosiS0 300 JSR NEG2:JSR P 310 JSR NEG:JSR NEG2:JSR SWAP + x.sin 00) 320 \ ***** TEST IF D>.= 0 ***** = Ay + Bx 330 LDA D%+1:BPL OTHER Sy = k.sinf 340 \ ***** DY. = D% + 2*X + 12 ***** 350 LDA D%:CLC:ADC X:STA D%:LDA D%+1:ADC X+1:STA DV.+1 = k.cos(0 +160) 360 LDA D%:CLC:ADC X:STA D%:LDA D%+I:ADC X+1:STA D%+1 = k(cosSO.cosiS0 370 LDA DY.:CLC:ADC #12:STA D%:BCC NC3:INC XC+9:.NC3 - sin0.siniS0 380 JMP ENDLOOP = p(x.cosiS0 390 .OTHER - y.sinIS0 400 \ ***** DRAW FROM (X,Y) TO (-X,Y) ***** = Ax - By 410 \ ***** DY. D% + 2*X - 2*Y -4 ***** 420 LDA D%:CLC:ADC X:STA 07.2LDA DY.+1:ADC X+1:STA DX+1 A = p.cosiS0 430 LDA DY.:CLC:ADC X:STA D%:LDA D%+1:ADC X+1:STA D%+I = 2r.siniSO. cosiS0 440 LDA D%:CLC:ADC #20:STA 0%1BCC NC6IINC D7,+1:.NC6 450 LDA D%:SEC:SBC Y:STA D%:LDA D%+1:SBC Y+1:STA D%+1

= p.siniS0 460 LDA DY.:SEC:SBC Y:STA D%:LDA D%+1:SBC Y+1:STA D%+I = 2r.sinio0.sinSB 470 LDA Y:SEC:SBC#4:STA Y:LDA Y+1:SBC#OISTA Y+1 480 .ENDLOOP 490 \ ***** X= X+ 4 ***** Figure 3. N -sided polygon algorithm.

96 PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember1984 Programming

and complex process at processorlevel, so The (R.cosO,R.sinO) algorithm.One of the program runs fasterif line 270 isthe simplest algorithms to program uses Conversion written as the formulae 270 .. . D % =D % + X% +V/0 +1 2 . . . x = R.cos0 The Eight Circles program should work D °/0 = D % + - Y % +X% -y =R.sine on any micro with high -resolution Y% + 20 Itcan draw approximate circlesvery graphics, with suitable adaptation of as in the listing. quickly if only a few values of 0 are used. the BBC Basic commands used by the The x = SQR(r2 - y2) algorithm. The basicThe routine actually draws a .16 -sided program. equation for thecircle regular polygon, which looks quite like a MODE4 - requests black and white x2 + y2 = r2 circle. high -resolution graphics can be rewritten as Thedx/d0anddy/d0algorithm. @ = &2020A - ensures decimal numbers are printed to two decimal x = s/(r2 - y2) Differentiatingthepreviouspairof places anditisthis expression which formsformulaegives VDU23,240... - makes CHR$(240) into a the basis of the second circle -drawingdx/de = - R.sin0 =-Y user -defined algorithm. As you step through all thedy/c10 = R.cos8 = x PROCR(a,b) - sends the values of a possible Y values of pixels on the circle,Consequently the pair of relationships and b to the procedure at line 2000 x' = x + Sx = x - yS0 the equation generates the correspondingy'= y + Sy = y + xSO PLOY69,x,y - draws a single pixel at X co-ordinates. The loop to generate the the point (x,y) might be expected to describe a circle, but MOVE x1,y1:DRAW x2,y2 - draws a circle is thus unfortunately it doesn't. The distance of FOR y = 0 tor STEP Sy (x' ,y') from the centre of the circleis line between the points x1,y1 and x = SQR (r2 - y2) x2,y2 given by : (by symmetry, there are also pixels at x'2 y'2 = (x yo0)2 (y A$= GET$ - waits until a key is (- x,y), (x, - y) and (- x, - y) + X150)2 pressed = x2 - 2xyS0 + (00)2 + y2 + POINT(x,y) - finds out what colour NEXT y 2xyS0 + (x150)2 pixel (x,y) is; 0 for black, and 1 for Thisalgorithm generates one pixel on each = (x2 + y2) (1 + 002) white of the horizontal scan lines through the Since1 + S02 is always greater than 1, the X DIV4 - equivalent to Int(X/4). circle by joining (x,y) and ( - x,y) withradius of the new point is always greater horizontal lines. than the radius of the previous point, so the algorithm generates a spiral rather 500 LDA X:CLC:ADC#4:STA X:BCC NC7:INC X+1:.NC7 than a circle. 510 \ ***** IF X

Listing 3. AJ Price's Filled Circles machine -code program. = rsin(0 +SO) = r(sinO.cos0O 10 REM*************************************************** ***** **** + cos0.sinS0) ****** = y.cosSO + x.sin&O 20 REM * FILLED CIRCLE ROUTINE COPYRIGHT M.CALLAWAY AND A.J.PRICE 1 984 * Figure 4. Incremental 30 REM * WITH GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO JACK BRESENHAM * r.cos0, r.sin0algorithm. 40 REM******************* ***** ********** ***** ************ ***** **** ****** 50 A0=2:0SWRCH=&FFEE:MODE 60 *KEY 10 OLDMMODE3IMVDU19,0,4,0,0,01MCLSIM 321 70 REM ***** SET UP MEMORY SPACE FOR VARIABLES IN ZERO PAGE* * * * * 80 XC=&70:YC=XC+2:X=YC+2:Y=X+2:0%=Y+2 90 REM ***** RESERVE MEMORY FOR THE M/C ***** 100 DIM CIRC% 400 110 REM ***** START OF ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE

120 FOR I= 0 TO AO STEP AO:P%=CIRC%1COPT I (listing continued on next page) Figure 5.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 97 (continued from previous page) (listing continued from previous page) x' = x - y6t3 y' = y + x'SO 130 \ ***** SET X TO 0 140 LDA#0:STA X:STA X+I = y +x60 -yo02 160 \ ALTER GRAPHICS ORIGIN TO (XC,YC) ***** which forms the basis of a circle drawing 170 LDA#29:JSR OSWRCH:LDA XC:AND#252:JSR OSWRCH algorithm publishedinthe Acornsoft 180 LDA XC+I:JSR OSWRCH:LDA YC:AND#252:JSR OSWRCH:LDA YC+IAJSR OSWRC bookCreative Graphicsby John Cowie. H 190 \ ***** INITIALISE D% AS 6 - RADIUS The radius at (x' ,y') is now given by 200 JSR NEG2tLDA Y:CLCsADC#62STA D%:LDA Y+1:ADC#01STA XC+91JSR NEG2 x'2 + y'2 = (x - y60)2 + (y +xor3 - 002)2 210 \ START OF THE MAIN LOOP = x24_ y24_602 (x2 y2) 220 .STARTLOOP 2603xy + 604 y2 230 \ ***** THE NEXT LINES DRAW THE FIRST TWO LINES ON THE SCREEN In this case, the values of 240 \ ***** DRAW (Y,X) TO (-Y,X) ***** 602 (x2 -y2) 603xy 250 JSR SWAP:JSR SEND average out to zero around a whole circle, 260 JSR NEG:JSR SEND2 though if SO is large the circle turns into an 270 \ ***** DRAW (-Y,-X) TO (Y,-X) 280 JSR NEG2sJSR SEND ellipse. The consistent errors in the values 290 JSR NEG:JSR SEND2 of the radius of the circle are caused by the 300 \ ***** RESET VALUES TO X AND Y ***** terminb614,which will be extremely small 310 JSR NEG2tJSR SWAP 320 \ ***** IF D% s> 0 THEN GOTO OTHER ***** if SO is small. 330 LDA D%+1t8PL OTHER The N -sided polygon algorithm. An N - 340 \ D% * D% + 2*X + 12 sided regular polygon starts to look like a 350 LDA D%:CLC:ADC X:STA D%:LDA D%+11ADC X+11STA D7.+1 360 LDA D%tCLCIADC X:STA D%1LDA DX+1:ADC X+1:STA DY.+1 circle when M becomes large. Values of N 370 LDA DY.ICLC:ADC #12:STA DY.:BCC NC3:INC XC+9s.NC3 as low as 16 produce acceptable circles, 380 JMP ENDLOOP and you can easily experiment with the 390 .OTHER routine shown in the listingto find the 400 \ ***** DRAW FROM (X,Y) TO (-X,Y) ***** 410 JSR SEND value of N best suiting your needs. Figure 420 JSR NEG:JSR SEND2 3 shows howthe N -sidedpolygon 430 \ ***** DRAW FROM (-X,-Y) TO (X,-Y) alogrithmisdevised. 440 JSR NEG2sJSR SEND 450 JSR NEG1JSR SEND2 Incremental R.cosO, It.s.flin0 algorithm. 460 \ RESET TO (X,Y) A similar technique can be combined with 470 JSR NEG2 the formulae 480 \ D% - D% + 2*X - 2*Y -4 ***** x= R.cos0 490 LDA D%sCLC:ADC X:STA D%1LDA D%+1:ADC X+1:STA D%+1 500 LDA DY.:CLCsADC X:STA DX:LDA D%+1:ADC X+1:STA D%+1 y=R.sino 510 LDA D7.1CLC:ADC #201STA DYABCC NC6sINC D%+1t.NC6 The basic algorithm using these formulae 520 LDA D%:SEC:SBC Y:STA 07.a.DA DX+1:SBC Y+11STA D%+1 is slow because it involvescalculating 530 LDA D%1SEC:SBC Y:STA DY.:LDA D%+11SBC Y+1:STA D%+1 sines and cosines many times.These Programming

calculations can be avoided by applying some simple trigonometry, as shown in 540 LDA YsSECISBC114:STA YILDA Y+1:9801101STA Y+1 figure 4. 550 .ENDLOOP 560 \ X . X + 4 Solid circles. To draw a solid circle 570 LDA X:CLCIADC*4tSTA XtBCC NC7sINC X+1.t.NC7 using Bresenham's algorithm the two sets 580 \ IF XiY THEN LOOP of points 1,2,3,4 and 5,6,7,8 must be 590 LDA Y+11CMP X+1tBEQ NXTIBCS LOOP 600 \ OTHERWISE FINISH ***** treated differently. Horizontal lines are 610 JMP FINISH drawn between the pairs of points 1,2, 3,4 620 \ IF HIGH BYTES OF X AND Y ARE THE SAME ***** 5,6 7,8. In the cases of 5,6 and 7,8 you 630 \ ***** COMPARE THE LESS SIGNIFICANT ***** have to draw a new horizontal line with 640 .NXT LDA YtCMP X,BCS LOOP 650 .FINISH every move to a new pixel. But in the cases 670 JSR SEND of 1,2 and 3,4 you only move to a new 680 JSR NEG1JSR SEND2 horizontal line if you decided to move to 690 \ ***** DRAWS FROM (-X,-Y) TO (X, Y) 700 JSR NEG2tJSR SEND point B so a line between 1,2 and 3,4 is 710 JSR NEG:JMP SEND2 only drawn when moving to B. 720 \ ***** GOES BACK TO START OF LOOP ***** Figure 5 shows four points on a typical 730 .LOOP JMP STARTLOOP journey around a circle. A horizontal line 740 \ SUB-ROUTINE TO MOVE ABSOLUTE (X,Y) ***** 750 .SEND LDA#25tJSR OSWRCHtLDA#4aJSR OSWRCHtLDA XeJSR OSWRCH is required between points 3,3, rather than 760 LDA X+1:JSR OSWRCH:LDA Y:JSR OSWRCHtLDA Y+1:JMP OSWRCH joining 1,1 or, worse still, joining 1,1 2,2 770 \ ***** SUB-ROUTINE TO DRAW ABSOLUTE (X,Y) ***** and 3,3. A horizontal line is only drawn 780 .SEND2 LDA025:JSR OSWRCH:LDAIS51JSR OSWRCHtLDA X:JSR OSWRCH 790 LDA X+1:JSR OSWRCHtLDA YsJSR OSWRCHtLDA Y+1:JMP OSWRCH before a diagonal move. 810 ***** NEGATES VALUE IN X AND X+1 ***** The stored sin and cos algorithm. This 820 .NEG LDA X:EOR*255:CLC:ADC#1:STA X:LDA X+1:EOR#255:ADCMO:STA X+1 algorithm stores the sine and cosine values 1RTS 830 \ ***** NEGATES VALUE IN Y AND Y+1 in two arrays. Consequently, the slow 840 .NEG2 LDA YsEORM255:CLC:ADC#1:STA Y:LDA Y+1:EOR#2551ADC460:STA V+ trigonometrical calculations only have to /tRTS be performed once. This algorithm works 850 ***** SWAPS VALUES IN X AND Y ***** quicklyprovided 860 .SWAP LDA X:TAXsLDA Y:STA XiTXAsSTA Y youhaveenough 870 LDA X+1:TAXsLDA Y+11STA X+1:TXAsSTA Y+1sRTS memory to store the sines and cosines. 880 \ ***** HERE ENDETH THE MACHINE CODE ***** Machinecode.AndrewPricehas 890 ]:NEXT implemented Bresenham's algorithm for 891 895 PROCCIR(640,512,512) circle circumference and filled circles in 900 END BBC assembler. Each program sets up the 901 machine -code program and then defines a 910 REM ***** PROCEDURE TO DRAW CIRCLE ***** 920 DEFPROCCIR(X%,YZ,RMI,XC6X%:"(C.Y%0Y.R%:CALL CIRC%sENDPROC procedure whichletsyouaccessthe machine code from your program.

mall Systems Engineering are innovators in the field of microcomputer technology and k.)enhancement products. We now offer the first multi-user hard disk system for the Macintosh. Apple Mac users can now share resources and share costs. RKING TOGETHER The Sunol Winchester disk drive from Small Systems adds 8, 16, 25, 40, 65 or 92 Mbytes of usable storage capacity to the Mac. The system operates with existing programs, appearing to the Mac as a high speed, high capacity floppy drive. To achieve compatibility with the Mac, we have developed an interface inplementing Apple's APPLEBUS* networking protocol. This allows up to 31 Macs spread out over a building to share a drive at distances of up to 1000', with each user having separate secure work areas. Interfaces are available to allow not only Macs but also most other popularsmall systems engineering limited micros to share the same drive. Micros currently supported include Apple II andPUTTING WISDOM TO WORK

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For further information on the Sunol Address range of Winchester disk drives, contact Telephone Number your local Apple dealer or phone Jane If you are interested in distribution opportunities please tick box. Teather or Simon McCarthy on 328 7145, Small Systems Engineering Limited, L4 Canfield Place, London NW6 3BT Telephone: 01-328 7145, Telex: 264538. (p.ci 99 or just fill in the coupon . 'Registered Trademark Circle No. 151 Amstrad screenSaves D J Ellis explains a versatile and economical method of saving CPC -464 screen displays to tape. SAVINGa screen from the Amstrad CPC -shown in listing 1. Once the program has&9500/1 and then the routine is performed 464 can be a haphazard process for thebeen run by a Call to &9007. unwary. The problem lies in the fact that CALL &9000 Sideways scrolling is induced by lines 50 the Amstrad usesascreenoffsettowill store the current screen offset intoto 70. Location &9500 is Poked with the perform its scrolling via hardware. If thememory locations &9500/1. The offsetvalue of Scroll, which will set the screen offset on loading the information back isvalue is therefore offset. In this case a right -to -left scroll will different from when it was saved it will take place. A left -to -right scroll can be PEEK probably reappear in the wrong place. PEEK(&9501) * 256 + (&9500) implemented by changing line 50 to Some parts may even be missing. The corresponding program to set the 50 FOR scroll = 80 to 0 STEP - 1 It is possible to fetch the current screenscreen offset is shown in listing 2. TheBy experimenting with different values for offset by the short machine -code programscreen offset must be placed into locationsthe offset, scrolling can be performed in any direction - even diagonally if you wish. Similar but less flexible results can be obtained by Poking the output port 256 with a value between 0 and 255. This will cause an instant picture shift, but the cursor will not return to the left-hand side of the screen, as it does when the offset method is used. The screen offset should always be an even number. Not the same Unless the offset is the same for both saving and loading there is every chance that the original screen picture will not be reproduced in the same form. There are a number of other disadvantages too. It ispossibletoproduce some very sophisticated graphics of up to 640 by 200 resolution using the Amstrad's 256 ASCII characters alone. But even if you only want a screen dump of ASCII characters, the whole of the 16K of screen memory has tobesavedtotape.Theunusual configuration of the screen memory layout also means that it is not possible to copy, say, the top half of the screen by just saving the first 8K of screen memory even if the screen offset is set to 0 - which it 10 FOR location=&9000 TO &9006 always is on power -up or when a Mode 20 READ code$ : POKE location, VAL("&" + code$) command is used. 30 NEXT location Digging into the ROM reveals several 40 DATA CD,B,BC,22,0,95,C9 routineswhich makethefollowing possible: Listing 1. Save the whole of the screen to tape 10 FOR location=&9007 TO &900D using just 2,000 bytes of storage. Save any part of the screen, such as a 20 READ code$ : POKE location, VAL("&" + code$) window, to tape using an amount of 30 NEXT location space proportional to the window size. 40 DATA 2A,0,95,CD,5,BC,C9 Be completely independent of the screen 50 FOR scroll = 0 TO 80 offset:theoffsetsettingatSave 60 POKE &9500,scroll : POKE &9501,0 and Load becomes irrelevant. 70 CALL &9007 : NEXT scroll As a side effect, some useful types of screen formatting can be induced. Listing 2. The program will work for all modes.

100 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Programming

START

ROW-Row start coordinate COL -Column start coordinate NR -Number of rows NC -Number of columns

Valves within range

Yes

Beep

Set cursor to row, col Call &BB75

Read character at cursor Call & BB60

Yes Accumulator= 0 Put 32 in accumulator

Store accumulator to memory Memory-memory+1

COL-COL+1

NR-NR+1

Yes Reset COL

Flowchart to show the general algorithm for copying ASCII characters on screen to memory.

The limitationsarethatonly ASCIIcharacters stored in ROM - or in RAM ifscreen co-ordinates. H is set to the column characters or user -defined characters canthe Symbol After command has been usedand L to the row: the top left-hand corner be saved, and that in mode 1 and mode 0to define your own characters. If a matchof the screen is location 1,1 and the bottom the colours are ignored so that all textis found the accumulator will hold theright-hand corner is 80,25. appears with one foreground colour andvalue of the ASCII character on return Utilising these three routines it becomes

one background colour. from the routine. If no match is founda fairly simple matter to copy any part of The second restriction occurs becausethen the accumulator returns with a valuethe screen to an area of memory and the colours are encoded as part of theof 0. then transfer it as a binary file to tape or character matrix on the screen. The only The next routine needed is the exactdisc. The flowchart shows the general way to save all the colours, as well as theopposite andislocated at &BB5D. Italgorithm for copying the ASCII char- characters, is to take a full screen save.places the ASCII character whose value isactersonscreentomemory.The Obviously, the program will therefore bestored in the accumulator to the screen atcomplete program to perform this and also of most benefit in mode 2. the current cursor position. All that isto put the characters from memory to the The first ROM routine of use is locatedneeded now is a routine to position thescreen is shown in listing 3. Once the Basic via the jumpblock at &BB60. This willcursor at the required screen position, andprogram has been run it can be dispensed compare thecharacteratthe currentthisis accomplished by the routine atwith.Its only purposeisto load the cursorpositiontothe256 ASCII&BB75. TheHLregister pair hold the (continued on next page)

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 101 (continued from previous page) rows will depend on the column start andTo save the whole of the screen, for machine -code routines into memory. Takerow start co-ordinates. The co-ordinatesinstance, you need a copy before you New it though. are passed to the machine code routine as CALL &9921,&0150,&0119 Half the programistakenupin follows checkingthatthe valuesfortheco- CALL &9921,8, ( < start column > - since 50 hex is 80 decimal and 19 hex is 25 ordinates are within range. The values for < number of columns >), decimal, and a full screen is 80 columns by the number of columns, and the number of & ( < start row > -< number of rows>) 25 rows. The program isfussy about 10 location=&9900: MEMORY &8FF0 20 READ a$:IF a$="-1" THEN END 30 POKE location,VAL("&"+a$) 40 location=location+1:GOTO 20

100 ' set up sound at &9a00 110 DATA 21,07,9a,3e,0,77,2b,3e,Of,77,2b,77,2b,3e,0.77,2b,3e,1,77,2b,3e,0,6,3 120 DATA 77,2b,10,fc,3e,1,77,c9

130 ' put parameters to &9000/3 140 DATA fe,O,c8,8,0,6,8,2b,10,fd,6,2,3e,2c,be,c0,23,3e,lc,be,20,8,23,c,e5,23 150 DATA 23,23,10,f5,79,fe,O,c8,11,3,90,6,2,e1,7e,12,1b,23,7e,12,1b,23,10,f5

160 ' check parameter values 170 DATA 21,0,90,7e,fe,51,d0,f8,0,c8.46.23,7e.fe,O,c8,80,d8,fe,52,d0,23,3e,19 180 DATA be,d8,3e,0,be,c8,46,23,7e,fe,0,c8,80,d8,fe,lb,d0 190 OK if reach here...BEEP 200 DATA cd,0,99,cd,aa,bc 210 store screen values at &9004 onwards 220 DATAcd,b0,99,7c,65,69,48,47,22,0,90,ed,43,2.90,e5.cd,75,bb,cd,60,bb,fe,0 230 DATA20,2,3e,20,12,13,e1,24,10,ed,cd,bb,99,fe,0.20,e6,ed,53,fc,99,c9 240 'set up' subroutine 250 DATA11,4,90,ed,4b,2,90,2a,0,90.c9

260 ' common subroutine 270 DATA 2c,7d,21,3,90,46,2a,0,90,6f,d,79,c9 280' load characters from memory to screen 290 DATA cd,b0,99,d5,e5,c5,cd,75,bb,la,cd,5d,bb,c1,el.d1,13,24,10,ef,cd,bb,99 300 DATA fe,0,20,e8,c9,-1

Listing 3.

MASS STORAGE FOR COMMO Programming

getting the right values - no leading ormemory from &9000 onwards. To displaycolumn start, &9002 for number of rows, trailing spaces are allowed. the characters enter and &9003 for number of columns. No If the values and syntax are correct, a CALL &99C8 error checks are carried out now, so be reassuring beep will sound. The programand the original screen picture will becareful. thenstoresthe ASCII characterstodisplayed in a few seconds. ASCII characters could also be Poked memory location &9004 onwards. For a Any part of the screen can be saved -directly to locations &9004 onwards. For full screen dump this will take from 10 tofrom 1 to the full 2,000 characters. example listing 4 stores eight blocks of 256 20 seconds, depending upon what char- CALL &9921,&0150,&010C ASCII characters from location &9004 acters are on the screen. Any graphicssaves the top half of the screen; onwards.Line 70 Pokesintheco- characters that are not recognised, such as CALL &9921,&0150,&ODOD ordinates, in decimal, to display the whole a line created by Draw, are converted tosaves the bottom half of the screen; screen. Line 80 then calls the machine - represent a space. Once the characters CALL &9921,&0128,&0119 coderoutinewhichwilldisplaythe have been stored to memory, they can thensaves the left half of the screen; characters stored in memory. By using the be saved to tape by CALL &9921,&2928,&0119 necessary combination of characters, any SAVE "XXXX",B,&9000,PEEK(&99FD) * saves the right half of the screen; message or graphicpicture could be 256 + PEEK(&99FC) - 36864 CALL &9921,&1E144080A displayed easily to any part of the screen. XXXX is whatever name you give tosaves a 20 -by -10 window in the centre of Remember that in mode 1 the effective the binary file, B is for Binary file type,the screen. screen width is 40 columns, and for mode 0 &9000 is where the data starts, and the If you have a full screen of data held init is 20 columns. No harm is done if you try remainderofthelinecalculatesthelocations &9004 onwards, then by alteringto save, say, 80 columns in mode 1, and the number of bytes to save to tape. the co-ordinates in locations &9000 topicture will be redisplayed with no ill To load characters from tape enter&9003 different parts of the screen may beeffects. However, trying to dump 2,000 LOAD "XXXX" displayed. The values for the co-ordinatescharacters from a mode 2 screen to a mode andtheoriginalco-ordinatesandwill have to be Poked into their locations. 1 ormode0 screenmay produce characterswillthenbeloadedintoThey are &9000 for row start, &9001 forunexpected results. 10 location = &9004 20 FOR loop = 1 TO 8 30 FOR character = 0 TO 255

40 POKE location,character : location = location + 1 50 NEXT character 60 NEXT loop 70 POKE &900051:POKE &9001,1:POKE &9002,25:POKE &9003,80 80 CALL &99C8

Listing 4.

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CONNECT -4is a deceptively simple gameexample of this see figure 2 where White'sthat the probability of a particular line of marketed by the American games giantfirst disc was placed in dl, and Blackthree of one colour being converted into a Milton -Bradley. It is played on an arrayreplied in cl. To see who stands better,winning lineof fourina particular with seven columns, each column havingcount the number of ways in which Blackdirection is 0.5 if the adjacent space in that six spaces. The players move in turn, usingcould win the game utilising the discsdirection isstill vacant. Otherwise the discs of two different colours. A movealready in place. The answer is two: theprobability is zero. If the spaces at both consists of dropping a disc of your ownvertical cl -c4 and the diagonal cl-f4. Ifends of the three -line are still vacant, colour into any column in which at leastyou perform a similar count for White youremembering that some three -lines may one of the six spaces is still vacant. Yourfind four possibilities: the vertical dl -d4,have only one adjacent space within the disc then fills the lowest vacant space inthe horizontal d 1-g 1 , and the diagonalsseven -by -six array, then there are two that column. In order to win you need todl -a4 and d 1 -g4. It is clear that Whitedistinct ways in which the three -line can be be the first to create a row, column orstands better. converted into a win, which is accounted diagonal of four of your own discs. A primitive evaluation function mightfor in the following analysis. be simply the sum of the number of Winning line theoretically possible winning lines that utilise those discs which are already inProbabilities Figure 1 illustrates a situation which canplace. In this case, White's score would be What the program must doisto arise after three moves. Assume that the4, while Black's would be 2. But all linesexamine every one of the 69 four -lines in discs are white and black, and that Whiteare not of equal value; a line that alreadythe seven -by -six array - 21 verticals, 24 moves first. White's first move was tohas two discs in place is in general morehorizontals and 24 diagonals.Itthen location al. In order to create a winninglikely to be converted into a winning lineprovides a contribution towards the total horizontal line utilising this disc on al,than is one which has only one disc inscore for a player depending on the extent, White needs to occupy b 1 , cl and dl. Inplace.Thisshouldbetakenintoif any, to which that player has a useful order to create a winning diagonal lineconsideration when creating your eval-presence in that four -line. If the four -line utilising the disc on al, White needs touation function. is empty or has at least one disc of each occupy b2, c3 and d4. colour, the contribution towards the score Black's first move, to cl, immediatelyEqual chance iszero.Otherwise, you can usethe kills any prospects of a horizontal win for probability argument to arrive atthe White from al to dl. It also gives Black At any time it is reasonable to argue thatfollowing scores for the four possibilities the possibility of killingthe diagonalthe probability of a particular vacant space being eventually occupied by, say, a one space occupied scores 0.125 winning chance, al -d4, because Black - that is, 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5; now intends to avoid playing on c2 so thatwhite disc, is approximately 0.5. It may be bad for White to place a discina two spaces occupied scores 0.25; when White plays on c2, Black can play on three spaces occupied scores 0.5; c3. particular space, and if that is the case then White will try to avoid doing so but all four spaces occupied scores 25 White's second move, to dl, is a latent - the game is won. threat in more than one direction. Whitemay not succeed. may follow up with a disc on a2, and then You can extend this argument to sayTo make thearithmeticintegerthe a disc on c2. If White's c2 is met by a black disc on c3, White will play to bl . Then, if White can avoid playing a3, it is possible to meet Black's a3 with a white disc at a4. If White can avoid playing b2, he can meet Black's b2 with b3. This strategy is aimed at creating a winning diagonal line from dl to a4. Two things become clear from this. First, it is important to make moves which have more than one purpose or threat. Secondly, an important aspect of the game consists of what in chess is known as Zugzwang, which is the compulsion to move in a situation where making a move is a positive disadvantage. Each of these aspects of Connect -4 can be used as the basisforfeaturesin your program's evaluation function. The principle feature in the evaluation function should be based on the concept of degrees of freedom - that is, how many different ways it appears that a particular player might win the game, giventhecurrentsituation.ForanFigure 1.

104 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Strategy games- program can assign values of 1, 2, 4 andone after, and so on. In this case it will behave been described or referred to in my 200 respectively. you who places a disc on the high -valued earlier articles. The concept of Zugzwang ismoretarget square. Since there can never be more than difficult to quantify, but from the point of From the aspect of Zugzwang, a playerseven legal moves at any one moment, the view of a particular player, each space inshould score pointsfor having targetgame tree does not grow as quickly as it the array may be considered to have somespaces two, four or six spaces above thedoes in a game such as chess or go. In fact, value as a target. If a player has a three -current top disc in a column. The numbera game tree 10 -ply deep for Connect -4, line with a vacant space at the end of it,of points scored should be based on targetwill have roughly the same number of then the vacant space will have a very highvalues of 1, 2 or 4. Target spaces that areterminal positions, or fewer, than a five- target value because by placing a disc thereone, three or five spaces above the currentply tree in chess. If you plan to write your the player would win the game. top disc can be ignored for this feature ofprogram in assembler language then you If a player has a two-line with twothe evaluation function. For each columnshould cater for at least a 10 -ply search adjacent vacant spaces, each of the twothere will be two values; one for White andwhen your program is set to its strongest spaces has a certain value as a targetone for Black. If the program is trying toplaying level. because by occupying both of them thedetermine the score for a game situation The benefit, or otherwise, of having the player will be able to win. Since it is morefrom White's point of view, the Zugzwangnext move is often crucial in Connect -4. difficult to occupy two specified spacescoefficient for a column is measured bySo examine your game trees to an even than it is to occupy just one, the targetWhite's target value minus Black's targetdepth or to an odd depth. If some terminal value for each of the two spaces will bevalue. positions are at an odd number of ply and lower than the target value of the vacant It is not clear what weighting the degreesothers are at an even number of ply, space adjacent to the three -line. of freedom and the Zugzwang coefficientany comparison between them will be For the three adjacent vacant spacesshould have in the evaluation function.distorted. next to a one -line the target value will beBut since there are only two of them it is even less. Again, you can assign targeteasy to optimise this weighting by having values in the ratio 1:2:4 for target spaces,your program play againstitself, oneThreat depending on whether they are near to aversion using one weighting, the other The concept of a threat can be as one -line, a two-line or a three -line. Aversion using a different weighting. A few tactically important in Connect -4 as a vacant space whichissituatedat theexperimental games should be enough to checking move can be in chess. Therefore intersection of two or more such linesallow you to arrive at a sensible weighting, you might consider conducting a full - shouldhaveitstargetscoresaddedbut it is likely that Zugzwang will be ofwidth search by examining every single togethertoprovidea morerealisticrelatively little importance during the early move by each side to some specified depth, measure of the value of the space as apart of the game and become much moreand then extending the search by two more target. important during the later stages. If so, itply if the last move was a threat. A threat mightbeappropriatetohavean might be a move which created one or Zugzwang evaluation function of the form more three -lines, having a vacant space at When considering Zugzwang, you needSCORE =DEGREES OF FREEDOM + one end at least. If the search is extended to evaluate the undesirability of being the [W x log n x ZUGZWANG COEFF.] because of such a threat, it will often be next person to play in each of the sevenwhere W is the weighting at the start of the worth extending it again if the reply to the columns, or whichever of the columns aregame and n is the number of discs already reply to the threat is another threat. This not yet full.If you have a high -valuedplayed. can continue up to some pre -specified target space two, four or six spaces above The simplest strategy would utilise theupper limit, and will sometimes result in the highest currently occupied space in aevaluation function without any look - the program discoveringavery long column, then it is undesirable to place theahead. But if you want to write a program forcing sequence which results in victory. next disc in that column. You want yourthat will play a more challenging game, When there are only 10 vacant spaces opponent to place the next disc so that youyou need to build in look -ahead and to use remaining in the array, a program written can place the one after, your opponent theone of the tree -searching techniques which efficiently in assembler language ought to be able to search the whole of the tree that will ensure optimal play right to the end of the game. Using the Alpha -Beta algo- rithm, with some improvement due to a reasonable ordering of the positions at the root of the tree, the program will need to evaluate only some 8,000 positions from 10 -ply out. The evaluation will be very fast because the program need only test for a win, draw or loss. To search the tree when 12 -ply from the end of the game the number of terminal evaluations goes up to about 80,000, but this is still within the bounds of possibility when the program is allowed to think for a minute or two. A foolproof endgame search will add to the power of your program and make it very difficult for most mortals to beat. Iwould be interested to hear from anyone who writes a successful program to play Connect -4, or any of the games which I describe in later articles. Please write to me at Practical Computing.Icannot guarantee to reply to letters, but Iwill Figure 2. report on any interesting programs. al

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 105 FEATURES

4 "SOUND" VOICES

MAX 256 COLOURS ON SCREEN AT ONE TIME

DIAGNOSTIC "SELF TEST"

CASSETTE "SOUND TRACK" CAPABILITIES

64K RAM JL

PROGRAMMABLE JOY STICK PORTS

SPRITES

CARTRIDGE SLOT

MONITOR SOCKET

BUILT-IN "BASIC" _A_

COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES

REAL KEYBOARD JL _A -

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16 Bit Micro -Computer

For the home user start with Model A with its massive 144K RAM and outstanding typewriter style keyboard that fits within the base unit Under £350* / for portability and storage. Note the large return key and position of the numeric keyboard. Fast retrieval from storage and fast action on games is achieved by the use of the Intel 8086 True 16 -bit micro -processor running at 4.77 MHz. The Advance 86 runs IBM PC software. Specification

CPU Type True 16 -bit 8086 running at 4.77 MHz. RAM 128K or 256K with parity plus 16K video Languages Included Basic Type of Keyboard Full 84 keys tactile Keyboard Facilities 10 programmable keys Character Set 256 in ROM Method of Display TV, RGB, Comp/Sync colour or monochrome monitor Display Facilities Full screen handling, 4 screen paged Text 80 x 25 or 40 x 25 Graphics Resolution 320 x 200 or 640 x 200 Colours Available 16 Graphics Facilities Scroll, reverse image Cassette Recorder Audio Interfaces Included Cassette port, light pen, joystick, Centronics The business user can upgrade to Model B by adding Sound Built-in speaker the Advance Expansion box containing 2 x 5.25" disc Operating System Built-in ROM drives providing 720K storage at £740 + VAT. Printers Any using Centronics parallel interface The Advance 86 Model B offers the business micro- Hardware and software compatible with IBM PC Upgradeable Comments computer buyer an IBM compatible disk -based to Model B Provision for 8087 Arithmetic Processor Warranty 12 months system with twin drives, with Perfect Writer/Speller, Calc and Filer Software (MS/DOS) included for only £1086.95 + VAT. Benchmarks Advance 86 Models A & B are designed and marketed by Advanced Technology UK Ltd. Made by Ferranti in The standard Benchmarks were run using Advance Basic, which is the equivalent Oldham. Delivery within 30 days from receipt of of Microsoft GWBasic and Basica on the IBM PC. payment. 128K memory expansion £108.70 + VAT. Advance Technology UK Ltd. 8A Hornsey Street, London N7 8ZHB Machine BM1BM2BM3BM4BM5BM6BM7BM8 Av. Tel: 01-609 0061 for leaflet: Advance 86 - 8086 0.8 3.3 7.3 7.4 8.1 14.6 23.926.0 11.4 On site warranty for 12 months by National Advanced ACT Apricot - 8086 1.6 5.210.6 11.0 12.4 22.935.434.4 16.7 Systems (part of National Semiconductor) one of the IBM PC - 8088 1.2 4.811.7 12.2 13.4 23.337.430.0 16.8 largest companies in the U.S.A. for Model B. "Ex VAT.

MEI 1111 Ell =II MN NM MI MINMI MI To Advance Technology UK Ltd., 8A Hornsey Street, London N7 8HB

0 Please send Model 86A, Micro -Computer & Keyboard I enclose £399 including VAT E Please send Model 868 which includes Model 86A plus Expansion Box & Software. I enclose £1250 inc. VAT. 0 Please send 128K Memory Expansion £125 inc. VAT. Cheque/Barclaycard/Access No. Name Company Address Address

PC1 2/84 ...... =I =I EMI 11111 1111 OM MIN NMI Mil MI Circle No. 121 108 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Hot 100 Which micro? Glyn Moody introduces our 20 -page buyers' guide to some of the best micros around at the moment. MAKING LISTS is as natural as counting: both are attempts to impose some kind of order on an apparently chaotic world. Since the world of microcomputing is notoriously chaotic, making listsisa popular pastime within it. A list can tell you various things. The more complete it is, the more facts you have, and the less real information. On the other hand, a list of one - that is, a single recommendation - gives you no sense of the context in which the list was made. You either trust it or not. The Hot 100 aims to steer clear of both these problems. The only hope you have of making even vaguely sensible judgements about machines is by comparing like with like. For this reason we have divided the Hot 100 up into various categories, each of which contains five, 10 or 15 machines which are in some sense comparable Except for the first category, machines are given in purely alphabetical order. There is Starter systems Eight -bit desk -top micros no attempt to rank machines within each These are machines that would be The first generation of business class. However, sometimes one micro may suitable for a beginner either upgrading machines, some of which have gained stand out from the field and this is noted. from a video games machine or really new leases of life. The criteria for selection within each not sure whether to buy a computer anyway. These machines let you find Eight/16-bit micros class are fairly flexible. Cheap machines out. may be included because they represent An interesting class of dual -processor good value, even though they have ord- Homes/games micros machines that offer both eight- and inary specifications. On the other hand, Machines which form the bulk of the 16 -bit capabilities. micros that are innovative or important market. They are stable, usually have Transportable IBMulators may be included despite the fact that they very large software bases, and are well A range of machines combining catered for in terms of peripherals. The IBMulation with transportability. are expensive - and, of course, sudden scene of much fierce price -cutting. price changes in the micro business can Desk -top IBMulators change the desirability of a machine. Home/serious micros This is the class that is currently Theclassesthemselvesareloosely The area where most of the interesting sweeping the business market. It would developments are happening in the defined and sometimes overlapping. For be easy to list 20 to 30 nearly identical example, there is little difference between home field. Micros in this class are IBM PC compatibles. a good beginners' home micro and a more likely to be used for word processing, simple accounts or MS-DOS micros serious one: machines like the Amstrad advanced program development. straddle the divide quite easily. Similarly, These are 16 -bit micros that cannot many multi-user systems use an S-100 bus, Pocketables claim full IBM compatibility. so the separation of the two is often arbit- A new breed of micros that has yet to 68000 -based micros rary. So if you are after one particular type take off in a big way. One criterion for The other main class of 16 -bit inclusion is that they must have a machines, using the powerful and of machine it is worth looking at those in usable Basic. nearby classes as well as the one you are interesting Motorola 68000 chip. specifically interested in. Lap portables S-100 bus micros Cheaper machines are placed at the be- More and more of these battery - These black box machines offer a huge ginning of the guide, and more expensive powered A4 -size computers are coming range of options, including multi- ones at the end. So nearby groups tend to along. Some offer real computing powerprocessor operation, multi-user that can be carried in a briefcase and systems and multi -tasking. have similar prices. The price given is used on the lap. usually for the entry-level system. For Multi-user systems home machines it normally includes VAT; Portables Machines which are sold mainly on for business systems VAT must be added. This category includes some of the their ability to handle several users at Different manufacturers seem to have more innovative portable machines, once. May be S-100 or single -board varying ideas about what constitutes a which may be battery or mains designs. basic system: many prices do not include powered. Other standard portables can be found in the eight- and 16 -bit groups.Specialised systems handy items like screens, and some lack Covers a multitude of machines that keyboards or operating systems. Prices are Eight -bit transportables have one or more special or unusual also constantly changing, so check with These tend to be fairly bulkly CP/M feature, or are designed to tackle a the manufacturer or distributor for the computers equipped with a handle. particular kind of task. latest figures. m

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 109 """AAIVIrCI 16BIT BUSINESS MICRO FROM

.#'==111'' MBC 550 Single 51/4" floppy disc drive \ LI £749 (+VAT) ,,,,,t...atgggmr.aaxa.gaaI The new Sanyo 16 BIT small 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

INC.

MBC 550 MBC 555 MBC 555 MS-DOS WORDSTAR MS-DOS WORDSTAR CALCSTAR Twin BASIC CALCSTAR BASIC MAILMERGE INFOSTAR 51/4" floppy disc drives EXTRA FROM ICARUS £999 (+ VAT) * Integrated sales, purchase and nominal ledger * 10 MB external hard disc accounts package available. * The backing of the nationwide Icarus dealer network * Choice of 160K (standard), 320K for application advice and installation. or 640K discs SEE SANYO, THEN DECIDE...ICARUS Full details of the new Sanyo micros on request.

ICARUS COMPUTER SYSTEMS LTD, 39-51 Highgate Road, LondonUs NW5. Tel 01-267 6732. Telex: 264209 Circle No. 132 110 PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 Hot 100: starter systems

SINCLAIR ZX-81 For. Cheap, simple, £39.95 or less disposable. Has good Sinclair Research's classic ZX-81 brought microcomputing manuals. to the masses.It may have a horrible touch -insensitive keyboard, only 1K of on -board RAM, a primitive Basic, no colour and no sound, but it has always been affordable. Now Against. Awful it is down to £40 and you can haggle for a 16K RAM pack. keyboard. No colour Though there is a huge range of add-ons to expand the ZX-81, Or sound. at its simplest it provides an excellent introduction to real computing. It has a good manual, there are lots of books about it, and it is still well supported by the magazines. After six months with it you will know enough to make a sensible Sinclair Research Ltd, choice about your next machine, while your old ZX-81 can he Stanhope Road, Camberley, swapped, sold or used as a paperweight. Surrey GU15 3PS. Telephone: (0276) 685311. Irt.. CM at Mar..- , AQUARIUS £49.95 For. Cheap. Expandable. Has The Aquarius is made by Radofin, a British company with a colour and sound. factory in Hong Kong. It was launched on to the U.K. market in July 1983 by Mattel, but at £79.95 it was far too expensive and failed to catch on. Now back in the care of its maker it is Against. Limited RAM making some progress as the only micro under £50 with and Basic. Expensive MOWtemaatistaimarsoesome feell111110111111111111111110 colour and sound. Unfortunately it has only about 2K of RAM to expand. stanarlitareiremosmosimairessamesup free for Basic programming, and it costs far too much to expand - you might as well buy a proper micro in the first place. In its unexpanded form it has advantages over the ZX-81 - a better keyboard, for example - but it does not Radofin Electronics (U.K.) Ltd, have the ZX-81's large following, and therefore not the same Hyde House, The Hyde, support from software houses and magazines. London NW9 6LG. Telephone: 01-205 0044.

£99.99 For. Great for games. ATARI 600XL Great value. Thanks to its advanced sound and graphics chips, the 16K Atari 600XL is one of the most powerful home micros around, Against. Might be with 16 graphics modes, four sound channels and two discontinued. joystick ports,a cartridgeslot and a good keyboard. Accessories include RAM expansion to 64K, printers, touch tablets, etc. and some of the best -quality software on the market. The main drawbacks are that it requires its own special audio/digital tape recorder, and it has a limited 8K Basic. The real reason itis so cheap is that Atari, under aggressive new management, has just cut the price from Atari Corporation (U.K.) Ltd, £160 to clear out old stock and concentrate on the 800XL. Atari House, Railway Terrace, Slough. Telephone: (0753) 33344.

SPECTRUM £99.95-£129.95 For. Vast range of 53 cheap software. The Sinclair Spectrum, a Z-80 micro available in 16K and 48K Amazing games. versions, is today's dominant home computer, though it has - , .... ., now lost the price advantage partly responsible for its mg mi...... 7 L IMP Against. Fairly awful ... mu 011 ill , success.Itsmajor limitations are the clammy rubber III III Iiiatm166 keyboard, the barely audible beeper that passes for sound, hardware. Not for IIal as an up .._ in and the lack of things like joystick ports, a cartridge slot or serious use. Mr 1111 n ways to attach a disc drive or proper printer. They all cost III III III III III gil gli am... um... extra. On the other hand, the Spectrum is extremely well or Ifif it air aft. supported with books, magazines, add-ons and millions of ""11gm...III In game -crazed addicts writing thousands of cheap programs. Sinclair Research Ltd, The sheer volume of software makes it worth owning a Stanhope Road, Camberley, Spectrum. Six of the best programs are currently free to Surrey GU15 3PS. Telephone: buyers of the 48K model. (0276) 685311.

COLECO ADAM £499 For. Easy way to buy a usable system. Several video -game manufacturers promised to expand their consoles into computers. Coleco, after a long wait, has Against. Not cheap. delivered. The Adam, added to the Colecovision video games machine, provides a Z -80A system with 80K of RAM, Little third -party " Applesoft-type Basic, a built-in word processor, a proper support. IBM -type keyboard, two games controllers, a fast tape cassette drive plus, the piece de resistance, a daisywheel printer - all for around £500. The printer is huge, somewhat aw noisy and does not really produce a high -quality image. Nonetheless, for anyone who already has a Colecovision console and some of the excellent games available, the CBS Colecovision, Headley Adam provides not only a way into microcomputing but a Road East. Woodley, useful home system. Berkshire RG5 4SG.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 ACORN ELECTRON £199.95 For. BBC Basic. The Electron is a sort of cut -down BBC Model B. Sadly, it has Against. Limited been cut down too far, and most of the best features of the memory. Very BBC model B, except the Basic, are missing. It has one -part sound, no mode 7 graphics, no sideways ROM sockets, no expensive. Limited Tube for second processors, and so on. It has no joystick expansion. ports and no cartridge slot - it costs £60 to add these - and as it stands it cannot drive discs or a printer. Itis further crippled by its small memory: it has only 32K of RAM, and the graphics can take up to 20K of this, leaving very little for programming. Finally, at nearly £200 it is far too expensive Acorn Computers Ltd, for a 32K micro that appears to have only one use: learning Fulbourne Road, Cherry BBC Basic. Hinton, Cambridge CB1 4JN. Telephone: (0223) 245200.

ATARI 800XL £169.99 For. Cheap. Excellent software. The Atari 800XL is a 64K 6502 -based micro with custom-made dedicated graphics and sound chips which make it one of the most advanced machines on the market. It has four sound Against. Limited channels and 16 graphics modes offering a range of 256 colours. Basic. Dedicated It also has a good keyboard, a cartridge slot, joystick ports, a peripherals. wide range of peripherals and a great selection of high-quaility games. Its main drawbacks are itslimited 8K Basic and shortage of more serious software. High U.K. prices have made it less popular here than elsewhere, but now they have been slashed it should do better. Unlike the 600XL, the 800XL is expected to continue after the launch of Atari's new 16/32 -bit Atari Corporation (U.K.) Ltd, micros next year. Atari House, Railway Terrace, Slough. Telephone: (0753) 33344.

COMMODORE 16 £139.95 For. Excellent Basic. The Commodore 16, one of the newest micros on the market, Against. Limited is a replacement for the out of date Vic -20. It looks like a memory. Little 01..at1.40.1.0.000 Commodore 64 and has a 6502 -type processor but only 16K IMPS t WOO of RAM, most of which can be taken by the graphics. software available. 41,41Pet . 110 NOM? AP AMP APO' WWW MOON However, its 32K ROM contains a new version of Basic which WWWW 410.1111111 Ile 00 Allep 111111 Is vastly superior to the Commodore 64's. It also has two joystick ports and an expansion bus to which cartridges can be attached. The drawbacks are that has non-standard joystick ports and cassette interface and, being a new machine, almost no software. Though it seems expensive, it Commodore Information Centre, isquite reasonable value since the price includes the 1 Hunters Road, Weldon, Corby, Commodore 16's cassette recorder and four free programs. Northamptonshire NN17 1QX. Telephone: (0536) 205252.

COMMODORE 64 £199 For. Range of software and add-ons After two years on the market the Commodore 64 has become a available. worldwide best seller, challenging even the Spectrum in the U.K. It uses a 6502 -type chip and has 64K of RAM. It has good graphics and outstanding sound facilities, a very large software Against. Awful Basic base which stretches from novelty games to serious business and manuals. programs, and lots of add-ons available. The 64 does have flaws. It has an awful Basic with no sound and graphics commands, so it is hard to program. Its cassette and disc operating systems are incredibly slow. Nevertheless the Commodore 64 is worth buying because itis well supported, has some outstanding Commodore Information Centre, software and can do real work as well as play games. 1 Hunters Road, Weldon, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 10X. Telephone: (0536) 205252.

£249 For. Superb ENTERPRISE specification. The Enterprise was first announced a year ago but has yet to appear. However, it cannot be ignored because, on paper it Against. Not yet promises to become the best home micro on the market. It delivered. uses a Z-80 with 64K of RAM. It also has two custom - designed chips toprovide sound and graphics above Atari/Commodore/BBC levels, and RAM can be expanded up to 3.9Mbyte. The Enterprise promises the best structured 16K Basic of any micro since itis being based on ANSI standards, and in a further 32K ROM it has a built-in word It processor. all sounds very wonderful, but designing a Enterprise Computers, 31-37 machine on paper and delivering in quantity to the shops are Hoxton Street, London N1 two very different things. 6NJ. Telephone: 01-739 4282.

112 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 -Hot 100: home/games

For. Standardised MSX £275-£280 software. Excellent The MSX system represents the Japanese challenge to the Basic. dominant Western micro industry. The American software company Microsoft drew up the specification, which includes Against. Boring the Zilog Z-80 and its own excellent Basic language. Some 17 or more companiesareallmakingmicrostothissame hardware. Lack of specification, with the idea that software and peripherals will be software. Price. interchangeable between them. The aim is laudable. The result, however, has been a series of Identikit micros which subscribe to a standard that is already out of date. Though well made and apparently reliable, they are about £100 more expensive than MSX micros are made by established micros with more raw power and more software. Canon, Hitachi, JVC, Mitsubishi,: Sanyo, Sony. Teleton, Toshiba The prices may come down soon. and others.

£189.95 For. Ear -destroying ORIC ATMOS sound synthesiser The Atmos is a debugged and upgraded version of the Oric 1, and if the Oric 1 had been the Atmos it might have given the Against. Lacks large Sinclair micros a difficult time.It has a good keyboard, base of good excellent sound facilities and reasonable graphics. The software. screen display uses the unusual serial -attribute system, but this is economical in the use of memory. When it comes to memory, the Oric claims 48K but actually uses 64K chips, so thereislots of room for programming.Italso has a Centronics -type printer port, and can take the 3in. Oric disc drive and a modem. What it lacks are joystick ports, and the Oric Products International large software base that only comes through being popular. Ltd, Coworth Park, London Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7SE. Telephone: (0990) 27641

SHARP MZ-700 £250 For. Well made. Good keyboard. The MZ-700 is a beautifully made, quite fast Japanese home micro with a Z-80 CPU and 64K of RAM. The problem with the design is that it is old-fashioned. It does not have high -resolution Against. Limited graphics. It does not even have user -definable characters. Thus graphics. Expensive. itis not very attractive to games writers. As it has a very good keyboard and good range of I/O ports it appeals to the more serious user, but unfortunatelyitisnot really a business machine either - it falls between the two stools. One special feature of the MZ-700 is that you can fit a cassette recorder and printer inside the case, but they cost extra, and even then the Sharp Electronics (U.K.) Ltd, machine does not become a good portable micro. Sharp House, Thorp Road, Newton Heath, Manchester M10 98E. Telephone: 061-205 2333.

SPECTRUM PLUS £179.95 For. Rigid keys. Bundled software. The Spectrum Plus is really a 48K Spectrum; only the casing has been changed to make it more like a proper computer. It Against. Awful sports a keyboard with real moving keys styled like that of the QL. Unfortunately the keyboard layout is weird, and keyboard layout. unsuitable for anything except two -finger typing. The Plus is Price. very slightly faster, and has a more stable display than the previous models. The sound has not been improved by much, nor have more facilities such as a built-in Interface 1 been added. The Plus comes with six software packages included in the price, but this does not make it a better machine, let Sinclair Research Ltd, alone worth more, than a Commodore 64 or Atari 800XL. Stanhope Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3PS. Telephone: (0276) 685311.

£100-£200 For. Good Basic. OS -9 TANDY COLOR available. The Tandy Color Computer 2 is an American micro based on the powerful Motorola 6809 chip, and is available with 16K, 32K or Against. Limited 64K of RAM. The hardware design is very similar to the Dragon, except that it is much better made. Both can run many of the sound and graphics. same machine -code programs, and Basic programs can be Keyboard. converted if not loaded in directly from tape. The Extended Microsoft Basic is one of its best features, but it has a horrible line editor and you can only get the best out of the limited graphics and sound facilities via machine code. Where the Color Computer really becomes interesting is when used with a disc Tandy Corporation (U.K.) Ltd, drive and the low-cost Unix -like OS -9 operating system and Tameway Tower, Bridge Street, Basic 09, Pascal and C. Walsall, West Midlands WS1 1LA. Telephone: (0922) 648181.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 -Hot 100: home/serious

ACT APRICOT Fl £995 For. Full 16 -bit power. Large memory and With the launch of ACT's Fl and F1E machines, the Apricot disc. family is now accessible to the serious home user. The Fl offers an 8086 processor, 256K RAM as standard, a 720K microfloppy, Against. Price. serial and parallel ports plus infrared keyboard; a monitor is extra. Bundled in the price are a word processor, spreadsheet and a diary from the Supercalc suite. ACT also offers the Fl E, a cut -down version aimed at the higher -education market. Instead of the MS-DOS that comes with the Fl, DR Logo is provided. Both the RAM and the discs have half the capacity of the full- blown machine. One big advantage of the Fl and the whole Apricot range is the ease with which you can upgrade while ACT plc, Hagley Road, retaining full compatibility. Birmingham B16 8L8. Telephone: 021-454 8585.

£400 For. Price. IBM ADVANCE 86A compatibility. When theBritish -builtAdvance machine wasfirst announced its specification seemed pretty incredible. For Against. Bulky plastic £400 you get an IBM compatible with 128K RAM, IBM Selectric-type keyboard and Microsoft's GWBasic. For an construction. Limited extra £900 you can add two 360K IBM -format discs, MS-DOS, cassette software. application software and a serial port. Since its launch the machine has kept a lower profile, but there are no indications ._. ... to suggest that its initial promise has been unfulfilled. With a full 128K RAM as standard, of which 64K is available from Basic, the Advance is considerably more roomy than the Advance Technology (U.K.) BBC, which costs the same. Its IBM compatibility opens up Ltd, 8A Hornsey Street, the fastest growing software base. Initial tests indicate that London N7 8HR. Telephone: most IBM programs will run on the Advance. 01-609 0231.

ALPHATRON IC PC £347 For. Good keyboard. CP/M option. The Alphatronic PC is made by Triumph -Adler, a company better known for its office equipment. The Alphatronic PC offers a very Against. Not much high -quality keyboard and provision for expansion. Built around games software. the Z-80 processor,it comes with 64K of RAM, a cassette

interface and both colour TV and monitor expansion sockets. Serial and parallel ports together with an expansion bus are provided as standard. The £330, 320K add-on floppy -disc drive comes with CP/M, so the Alphatronic PC is capable of running all sorts of office software packages as well as games. Even the standard cassette -based machine comes with a very thorough Basic in 24K of ROM. Triumph -Adler (U.K.) Ltd, 27 Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AJ. Telephone: 01-250 1717.

AMSTRAD £239 For. Complete system. Upgrades. The CPC -464 computer represents the first foray into the computer world by the hi-fi firm Amstrad, and it would be an Against. Nothing. impressiveoneevenfrom a seasonedmanufacturer. a a aa Individually its specifications are pretty standard, but taken es r a ign Iv ,.. together they represent about the best serious home buy wool.ss .., .v around. There is 64K of RAM and a Z -80A running at 4MHz. The taiisialmi, a a iliiiir aaa Locomotive Basic included as standard outperforms even the a BBC variety. There are good sound facilities and full -colour 'e 411 e circuitry. For £349 you not only get the micro and a colour monitor but also a built-in cassette recorder. A 3in. disc -drive option is also promised, which will come with CP/M, allowing access to a vast range of business software. Amstrad, 169 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4EF.

APPLE Ile £600 For. Huge software Apart from virtually starting the whole micro boom, the Apple II base. Expandability. is now very much all things to everyone. In the U.S.itis predominantly a home machine, though it is also widely used in Against. Expensive. scientific applications because of its unrivalled software base. Elderly. But in the U.K. its price has meant that it has tended to surface ....7- ''',- ."'"--*.-7. ".°,-.. more as a business machine, so it offers the best of both worlds -...... ,l...... 40417ft., ' ..... "0. " for the serious user. However, its specification of eight -bit 6502 with up to 64K RAM is beginning to look old-fashioned, and it is hardly one of the fastest machines around. But its expansion Apple Computer (U.K.) Ltd, slots mean that your can add on almost anything, and the Eastman Way, Hemel versatility of the machine seems to know no bounds. Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 7QH. Telephone: (0442) 60244. (continued on page 117)

114 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 millE NEW ATARI AL ,wervexerwass 2 800 48K COMPUTER £69 64K 800XL

EVERYTHING YOU WANT FROM A HOME COMPUTER 1. ATARI 64K 800XL - £169: The Atari 800XL has many facilities and includes such advanced specifications that you will be amazed by its performance. At the new retail price of only £169 for a full specification 64K computer with a proper full stroke keyboard, we believe that the 800XL cannot be beaten. Just look at the following specifications: - COLOUR CAPABILITIES: 16 colours and t6 intensities giving 256 different colours (all of the 256 colours can be displayed at the same time). OPERATING SYSTEM: 24K ROM including Atari Basic programming language and a self diagnostic test program. KEYBOARD: Full stroke design with 62 keys including help key and 4 special function keys, international character set and 29 graphics keys. SOUND: 4 independent sound synthesisers each capable of producing music across a 3)4 octave range or a wide variety of special sound effects. (Additional programming can achieve an octave range of up to nine octaves!) DISPLAY: 11 graphic modes and 5 text modes. Up to 320.192 resolution. Maximum text display 24 lines by 40 columns. SPECIAL ATARI INTEGRATED CIRCUITS: GTIA for graphics display. Pokey for sound and controller ports. Antic for screen control and I/O (Input/Output), CPU: 6502C microprocessor - 0.50 microsecond cycle and a clock speed of 1.79 MHz. EXTENDED GRAPHICS FUNCTIONS: High resolution graphics. Multi -coloured character set. Software screen switching. Multiple redifined character sets. Player missile (sprite) graphics. Fine screen scrolling. Changeable colour registers. Smooth character movement. Simple colour animation facilities. PROGRAMMING FEATURES: Built in Atari Basic programming language supporting peek, poke and USR plus at least 8 other languages available. The help key will provide additional information and menu screens with certain software. Full on -screen editing is available as well as syntax checking on entry. INPUT/OUTPUT: External processor bus for expansion with memory and peripheral. Composite video monitor output. Peripheral port for direct connection to Atari standard peripherals. Software cartridge slot is included as well as 2 joystick controller ports, SOFTWARE: Over 1,500 items of software are available including self teaching programs with unique voice over. The range of programs includes Education, Home Management & Programming aids. There is also AR% (Atari Program Exchange) and of course Atari's famous entertainment software now at only £9,95 In addition there is a host of support and help available from specialist Atari magazines like Antic and Analog and from over 75 Ataribooks/manuals. 2. ATARI 800 48K COMPUTER - £69: We have a limited number of the Mk1 model 800 computer with 48K. The price is £69 (asa games machine) or £99 with the Basic Programmer Kit (Basic cartridge & 2 manuals). Both come with'a full 12 months guarantee. 3. ATARI 1010 PROGRAM RECORDER - £34: For low cost storage and retrieval capability. Data transmission 600 baud. Storage capability 100K bytes on a sixty minute cassette. Track configuration four track, two channels (digital and audio). Auto record/playback/pause control/unique soundthrough facility. Also included is built in accidental erasure prevention and automatic shutoff after each program as well as a 3 digit tape counter. 4.ATARI 1050 DUAL DENSITY DISK DRIVE - £199: 5i/" disks holding 127K randomly accessible bytes provide both expansion and flexibility for your 400/800 or XL system with new 'helpful' DOS 3. All customers who purchase a Disk Drive from Silica Shop will be automatically given a FREE set of 100 programs on 3 Disks recorded on both sides. 5. ATARI 1020 COLOUR PRINTER - £99: Printer and Plotter with four colour graphic print capability. 40 column width printing at 10 characters per second. Can print 5, 10 and 20 characters per inch. 64 character sizes. Prints text in 4 directions. Choice of line types. 6. ATARI 1027 LETTER QUALITY PRINTER - £249: For word processing letters in professional type. Print speed of 20 chars per second. 7. ATARI TOUCH TABLET - £49: Enables you to draw and paint pictures on your T.V. screen, with the touch of a stylus. 8. ATARI TRAK BALL CONTROLLER - £19.95: Enables cursor movement in any direction and adds arcade realism to your games. L9.ATAR I SUPER CONTROLLER -£9.95: The ultimate joystick with double f ire button to give you a greater competitive edge in your games. 'SILICA SHOP ARE THE Not ATARI SPECIALIST' Silica Shop are now firmly established as the No 1 Atari retail/mail order and wholesale specialist in the U.K. We already offer our service to over 120,000 customers, 10,000 of whom have purchased Atari Home Computers. Because we specialise (and with a turnover of £1.5 million), we are able to keep prices low by bulk purchases. Ring one of our 45 staff and we will be glad to be ofservice to you. Complete the coupon below and we will send you our Atari pack with price list and colour catalogue: EXTENDED TWO YEAR GUARANTEE: We are an Atari Service Centre, able to service and repair Atari equipment and have added a 12 month guarantee tothe year offered by Atari, giving you a full 2 year guarantee on your computer if you buy it from us. SPECIALIST SUPPORT: Our technical staff are always available on the telephone to help and advise you. We endeavour to hold stocks of every Atari compatible item available in the U.K. and we stock over 75 Atari books and manuals. AFTER SALES SERVICE: Your name will automatically be added to our mailing list and you will receive price lists, newsletters and details of new releasesand developments as well as special offers which are exclusive to Silica Atari Computer Owners. LOW PRICES: Our prices are extremely competitive and we will normally match any lower price offered by our competitors. FREE COMPUTER OWNERS CLUB: This is open to all Atari computer owners irrespective of where you purchased your equipment. Membership is FREE and entitles you to receive bulletins giving details of new releases and developments. Send now for your FREE information pack, price list & colour catalogue, PAYMENT: We accept cash, cheques, postal orders and all Credit Cards. We also offer credit facilities over 1.2 or 3 years, please write fora writtenquotation. NEXT DAY DELIVERY - FREE: All goods despatched from Silica Shop are normally sent by first class post or parcel post FREE OF CHARGE. Asaspecial introductory offer fora limited period only we will be sending all Computers and Disk Drives by a next day delivery service at our expense. .00 fill in the coupon below with a literature enquiry or order and begin to experience a specialist Atari service that is second to none SILICA SHOP LTD, 1-4 The Mews, Hatherley Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 4DX Tel: 01-309 1111 ORDER NOW -OR SEND FOR A FREE COLOUR BROCHURE imu mu mu mu um um am mu mu mu mmmm -op To: SILICA SHOP LTD, Dept PC 1284, 1-4 The Mews, Hatherley Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 4DX Telephone: 01-309 1111 LITERATURE REQUEST: O Please send me your FREE colour brochures and 16 page price list on Atari Computers.

OI own a Videogame I own a Computer

Mr/Mrs/Ms: Initials: Surname Address:

Postcode: ORDER REQUEST: Please send me: 01020 4 Colour Printer £99 0 800XL 64K Computer £169 0Letter Quality Printer £249 O 800 48K Computer £99 0 Touch Tablet +Cartridge £49 D 1010 Program Recorder £34 0 Trak Ball £19.95 0 1050 127K Disk Drive £199 0 Super Controller £9.95

O I enclose Cheque/P.O. payable to Silica Shop Limited for the following amount £ I O CREDIT CARD - Please debit my Access/Barclaycard/Visa/American Express/Diners Club Card Number I

4m EN mu no mum Noi mi IN um EN um NE so No EN im IN Circle No. 193 115 DATA DESIGN TECHNIQUES LTD Li Lijk.VOLUME DISTRIBUTION DIVISION Terminals and Printers f

Quen-Data DWP 11/20 20 cps (repeat) 18 cps (Shannon text), 180 characters per line, Parallel interface standard (RS232 optional), Uni-directional or Bi-directional printer Tatung VT4200 under software control, Uses standard Qume Ergonomic design, Swivel and Tilt, Choice of print wheels and ribbons, 12 months parts and market leader emulations, Detachable keyboard, Labour warranty Noise level 60 db A scale, Tractor Microprocessor controlled, Programmable -feeder + Sheet feeder etc. function key option available, Small footprint E.U. Price £349tDealer Price £279 allows more desk space E.U. Price £565Dealer Price £395* Aftiffr,

Quen-Data 100 100 cps dot matrix printer 80 characters per line, (40-132) enhanced/compressed), Matrix 9 x 11 Quen-Data Executive 80 (8 x 576 graphics, BI -Directional logic seeking K S R printer with typewriting facilities, Tractor + Friction feed standard, RS232/Centronics 40 character buffer and display, Programmable tab Switch Selectable function, 13.4" paper width platen, Easily changeable cassette with correctable carbon E.U. Price £299tDealer Price £199 ribbon E.U. Price £549tDealer Price £439

Olivetti 450 45 cps (Shannon) daisywheel printer, RS232/centronics interfaces, 7 print modes, TM Horizontal and vertical tabulations, DEC VT220 Compatible Terminal NEC/DIABLO/QUME/OLIVETTI compatible Screen Size -14", Lines x Columns - 25 x 80/132, software, Single or double bin sheet feeder/tractor Low Profile -Yes, PF Keys -15, Graphics - 220 feed options, Teletext firmware available chars, Smooth Scroll -Yes E.U. Price £999Dealer Price £799 Prices available on request Telephone 07073 34774 for the very best in value, service and support

All products illustrated are available on very favourable rental terms. Circle No. 142 Hot 100: home/serious

£399 For. Fast. Good BBC MODEL B software base. In many ways the BBC Model B represents the perfect serious home micro. Itis very fast and can cope with solid number - Against. Price. Limited crunching.Ithas a wide range of expansion possibilities, memory. including a Z-80 second processor for CP/M, and a second 6502 for high -resolution graphics and even greater computational power. The software base is geared very much towards the serious side of micros too, and the BBC is well supported in standard applications. However, it is overpriced and discs are scandalously expensive. Also the standard 32K RAM looks very measly. The new business machines from Acorn go some way Acorn Computers Ltd, Fulbourn to alleviating these problems. Road, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge CB1 4,.1N. Telephone. (0223) 245200.

COMMODORE PLUS -4 £299 For. Solid construction. Good 9 ILO ' In thepast Commodore has thrivedalmost despiteits Basic. Bundled 1.111.11111111tyl1111{1111111111111U14 machines; its flagship, the Commodore 64, was shoddy in software. construction and had a Basic that was high on everyone's hit list. The came the Plus -4, which is everything a micro should be. It is well built, with 64K RAM, and has a Basic that is almost Against. structured. In addition, there are four applications resident on Incompatibility. ROM, a tolerable word processor, a useful spreadsheet, a Limited sound. primitive graphing facility and a database which will only work with a disc drive attached. On the games front there are no sprites,soundfacilitiesarelimitedandtheBasicis Commodore Business incompatible with previous versions. Machines (U.K.) Ltd, 675 Ajax Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 458. Telephone: (0753) 74111.

£500 For. Disc drive. Good EINSTEIN sound. The Einstein is an odd beast. Apart from a Z -80A and 64K RAM, the machine also offers a 3in. Hitachi microfloppy with a Against. No cassette capacity of 200K. It features games options such as sprites, 16 colours and three music channels with a six -octave range. So it port. Large footprint. sits between the normal home market and the more expensive business machines. The operating system Xtal-DOS is claimed to have a high degree of CP/M compatibility, which would be useful for serious applications. For pure home use, the Einstein is hampered by the lack of a cassette port. Although discs are fine, for backup or loading games software a cassette option would have been sensible. Tatung (U.K.) Ltd, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV15 6BQ. Telephone: (07462) 15721.

For. Large RAM. Disc M EMOTECH RS -128 £399 option. Silicon disc. The Memotech RS -128 is an expanded version of the MTX-512. It comes with 128K RAM and 16K video RAM. The processor is a Against. Unusual Z -80A running at 4MHz. The 24K ROM holds MTX Basic, which Basic. has extended graphics, sprites and window commands, an assembler and the text -handling language Noddy. There are four channels of sound under software control. In the high -resolution graphics mode, there are 16 colours and 256 by 192 pixels. In text mode, 40 lines by 24 characters are available. As well as a cassette port, two joystick ports and a Centronics printer port there is a communications board with two RS -232s which can be Memotech Ltd, Station Lane, added internally. A disc drive costs an extra £399, and offers Industrial Estate, Witney, 500K capacity. There is also the unusual option of a silicon disc. Oxfordshire OX8 6BX. Telephone: (0993) 2977.

SINCLAIR QL £399 For. Bundled software. Large RAM. The QL saga has been one of the most involved and interesting micro stories this year, provided you have not been part of it. Against. Microdrives. When all the hype and disinformation had died down, what Slow Basic. emerged was a wobbly, 68008 -based machine with 128K RAM as standard and four bundled packages. There are many things still to be sorted out: the Basic is slow, and Microdrive cartridges are unreliable. But the four Psion programs offer a powerful, if slow, word processor; a full spreadsheet facility; a colourful graphics package; and a useful programmable database.Ifthe QL succeeds on the same scale as previous Sinclair products, then Sinclair Research, Computer its general incompatibility should be no handicap. Division, Freepost, Camberley, Surrey GU15 38R. Telephone: (0276) 686100.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 1 1 7 Hot 100: pocketables

CASIO PB-100 £50 For. Cheap. Basic makes it far better Althoughitlooks like a large pocket calculator, Casio's than calculator. Good PB-100 qualifies as a genuine computer: it comes with a manual. usefulifsimple Basic in ROM, and packs a miniature QWERTY keyboard with separate numeric keypad and a Against. Limited RAM CASio 12 -character LCD displayintoits6.5in.by2.75in. dimensions. Standard RAM is 1K, expandable to 2K by expansion. Limited adding a £14 module. Up to 10 programs can be held in string handling in L...1.....L. memory, which are retained even with the machine switched Basic. es SIC LI off. Numeric results are displayed to 10 significant digits but 1M Lit the Basic's string handling is limited. The user manual is Casio Electronics Co. Ltd, SIIICILIII3 particularly good. A cassette interface and printer are Unit 6, 1000 North Circular ®OICA available, costing around £26 each. Road, London NW2 7DJ. 4 Telephone: 01-450 9131.

CASIO PB-700 £139 For. Large display. Good printer option. Top of the small -key Casio range. Measuring 8in. by 3.5in., Good Basic. the PB-700 has a four -line by 20 -character LCD, which can also show 32- by 160 -dot graphics, and small QWERTY keyboard with numeric pad. Standard RAM is 4K, expandable Against. No RS -232 to 16K by adding 4K modules, which cost £30. The Basic has option. Less software good string -handling facilities, with Lefts$, Rights$, Mids$ than Sharp. and Inkey$ functions, and includes plotting commands. A 0 battery -powered four-colour printer/plotter unit printing on to a 4.5in. paper is available for £194. The printer unit also , contains a cassette interface, to which you can fit the Casio Casio Electronics Co. Ltd, microcassette deck to form a single neat battery -powered Unit 6, 1000 North Circular system. A parallel printer port is also available, but not an Road, London NW2 7DJ. RS -232. Telephone: 01-450 9131.

HP 75D £851 For. Superb Basic. Optional VisiCaic. Upgraded version of the 75C with a bar-code reader port. Wide range of add - Measuring 10in. by 5in., the HP 75D has calculator -style keys ons. in a QWERTY layout with almost typewriter spacing, and a single -line 32 -character LCD. Standard 16K of RAM is Against. Expensive. *-, expandable to 24K. A powerful Basic with 12 -digit numeric precision is contained in 48K of ROM, along with diary/alarm Peripherals and and address list programs. VisiCalc is available on a plug-in software expensive. 7, ...1.-. ROM for £160. A built-in magnetic card reader lets you store 1.3K per card, and a wide range of technical and financial Hewlett-Packard Ltd, PC ...,,,,,,..4 software is available on cards or ROM chips. The HP 75D is Group, King Street Lane, fitted with an HP -IL socket which lets you connect to a full- Winnersh, Wokingham, .3".4.4itizi. size display as well as to HP peripherals and other HP Berkshire RG11 5AR. computers. Telephone: (0734) 784774.

HUSKY HUNTER £997 For. Vast CP/M software base. Fast. The extremely robust Husky Hunter is the smallest machine running CP/M software.Ithas a cast aluminium case Very tough. measuring 8.5in. by 6in., and a compact QWERTY keyboard whichissealedandwaterproof.Theeight -line by Against. Not much. 40 -character LCD can also show 64- by 240 -dot graphics. Standard RAM is 80K, expandable to 208K, some ofit

p, s3. configurable as a silicon disc. A CP/M 2.2 compatible OS, icytiy>tA OP Microsoft Basic, text editor and communications software to drive the machine's RS -232 port are supplied in ROM. The Hunter's CMOS processor, the NSC-800, runs at 4MHz, so Husky Computers Ltd, PO Box this extremely portable battery -powered micro can run CP/M 135, 345 Foleshill Road, software as fast as a typical eight -bit desk -top system. Coventry CV6 5RW. Options include modems and a mains -powered disc drive. Telephone: (0203) 668181.

SHARP PC -1500A £189 For. Good Basic. RS -232 option and Newly upgraded version of the long-established PC -1500, printer/plotter option. withmore RAM andgreater expansionpossibilities. Measuring 8in. by 3.5in., the Sharp PC -1500A has a compact Well established.

QWERTY keyboard with separate numeric keypad and getacsiamevoncesimaaLA single -line 26 -character LCD. The standard RAM is now 9K, Against. Small 00011aastanon u;CETI, expandable to 24K. Some 16K of ROM contains a powerful display. aneaunelnin L -L -L -c -L' Basic,withfullstringhandling,arrays and scientific LOML.-11161111Wai L....__J LJC_A_EC, functions. A range of scientific, engineering and financial op programs are available as plug-in ROMs. A combined cassette interface and printer/plotter unit costs £150; it plots in four colours on narrow roll paper. A combined RS -232 and Sharp Electronics (U.K.) Ltd, Sharp House, Thorp Road,Manchester parallel interface unit is also available for connecting the M10 98E. PC -1500A to larger computers and full-size printers. Telephone: 061-205 2333.

118 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Hot 100: lap portables

For. Well established. EPSON HX-20 £411 Good software base. Well -established A4 -sized battery -powered portable with Microcassette option. good range of software and hardware add-ons. Weighing 41b., the Epson HX-20 has a four -line by 20 -character LCD, a Against. Screen is good -quality full-sized keyboard and a built-in 24 -column printer. Optional £75 microcassette drive fits next to display too small by current and is well worth getting for data and program storage. The standards. HX-20 is built around the eight -bit 6301 CMOS processor and comes with 16K of RAM expandable to 48K with clip -on expansion unit. Some 32K ROM holds Microsoft -written OS and Basic, but the software is different to that of the NEC/ Epson U.K. Ltd, Dorland Olivetti/Tandymachines. A matchingbattery -powered House, 388 High Road, acoustic coupling modem from Epson costs £160, and a full- Wembley, Middlesex HA9 5UH. Telephone: 01-902 8892. size display is available from an independent supplier.

£798 For. CP/M and EPSON PX-8 WordStar on battery Powerful A4 -sized battery -powered portable, with CP/M and machine. Big display. WordStar included in the price. Weighing just under 41b., the Good add-ons. PX-8 has a fold -away LCD which shows eight lines of text across a full 80 -columns or 64- by 480 -dot graphics. The QWERTY-layout keyboard isfull size and of good typing Against. Not much. quality. Inside is a CMOS Z-80 look -alike processor running at 2.5MHz, and 64K of RAM. CP/M 2.2 comes built-in, together with WordStar, Microsoft Basic, Cardbox Plus and Calc programs on plug-in ROMs. A built-in microcassette offers storage of 32K per side. A £270 clip -on expansion unit adds Epson U.K. Ltd, Dorland 128K of RAM, which is treated by CP/M as a silicon disc. House, 388 High Road, Other options include 5.25in. and 3.5in. disc drives, and a Wembley, Middlesex HA9 battery -powered modem to plug into the PX-8's RS -232. 5UH. Telephone: 01-902 8892.

£395 For. Good memory NEC PC -8201 expansion. Good A4 -sized battery -powered portable with software in ROM. Basic. Nice keyboard. Weighing under 41b., the NEC PC -8201 has an eight -line by 40 -character LCD and a full-size keyboard. Inside is an eight - Against. Less well - bit 80085 CMOS processor, 16K of RAM expandable to 96K, and 32K of ROM containing a Microsoft -written text -editing established than program and a full Basic. A cassette interface is built-in. The Tandy variant. PC -8201 is built by the Japanese firm Kyocera, which makes the Olivetti M-10 and Tandy 100. The NEC version starts with more RAM and can be expanded further, and its battery - backed RAM expansion cartridges are exchangeable with NEC Business Systems their contents intact. All the Kyocera variants have a full (Europe) Ltd, 35 Oval Road, RS -232 interface and, used with any suitable modem, are London NW1 7EA. Telephone: ideal for Telecom Gold. 01-267 7000.

OLIVETTI M-10 £430 For. Good Basic. Nice keyboard. A4 -sized battery -powered portable similar to the machines Olivetti name. from NEC and Tandy. Weighing under 41b., the Olivetti M-10 also has an eight -line by 40 -character LCD which pops up for clearer viewing and is probably the most readable. There is a Against. Newer than full-size QWERTY keyboard. It is built by Kyocera and uses Tandy. Less memory an eight -bit 80085 CMOS processor; the base model comes than NEC. with 8K of RAM, expandable to 32K. A 32K ROM contains Microsoft's text editor, Basic, and simple address list and appointments programs. The Basic is slightly inferior to the NEC's. An RS -232 serial port and cassette interface are British Olivetti Ltd, PO Box 89, standard. Multiplan on ROM costs £95, battery -powered four - 86-88 Upper Richmond Road, pen printer/plotter £140, battery -powered acoustic coupler London SW15 2UR. £250. Telephone: 01-785 6666.

TANDY MODEL 100 £390 For. Good Basic. Excellent keyboard. Well -established variant of the Kyocera A4 -sized battery - powered portable. Weighing under 41b., the Tandy 100 also Against. Less has an eight -line by 40 -character LCD and full-size keyboard with probably the nicest typing feel of the bunch. Eight -bit memory than NEC. 80085 processor and 8K of RAM, expandable up to 32K by Less scope for adding 8K modules costing £61. The Tandy's 32K of ROM has memory expansion similar Microsoft -written contents to the Olivetti's. Fitted than NEC. with RS -232 serialport and cassette interface; mains - powered four -pen printer/plotter and acoustic coupler are options. The Tandy was the firstof the three Kyocera Tandy Corporation, Tameway machines on the market, and has been very successful in Tower, Bridge Street, Walsall, U.S., probably giving it the most software, though this lead is West Midlands WS1 ILA. diminishing. Multiplan is promised for January, price £87. Telephone: (0922) 648181.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 119 Hot 100: portables

APRICOT PORTABLE For. Good looks. £1 5695 'Bundled software. Innovative mains -powered portable with flat -screen display ACT's large software and voice input. Weighing 131b., the Apricot Portable has a list. large LCD capable of showing 25 lines of 80 characters or

640- by 256 -dot graphics. Inside is an Intel 8086 processor and 256K of RAM, expandable to 768K. A full-size QWERTY Against. Voice input keyboard is connected to the main unit by a cordless infrared is a gimmick. Apricot link. A built-in double -sided Sony 3.5in. microfloppy provides Fl is better value. 720K of disc storage. The Portable comes with a voice - recognition system capable of recognising about 64 words at ACT (U.K.) Ltd, Shenstone a time. MS-DOS, Supercalc, Superwriter and Superplanner House, Dudley Road, are included in the price, along with two simple voice -driven Halesowen, West Midlands applications. Other options include a cordless infrared B63 3NT. Telephone: 021-501 mouse, an external 10Mbyte hard disc and a colour monitor. 2284.

DG THE ONE £2 490 For. Battery -powered i IBM compatibility. Extremely powerful battery -powered portable computer offering Large memory. Built-in genuine IBM PC compatibility, but at a price. Weighing 9.51b., disc. Data General's The One has a very large LCD panel measuring 10in. diagonally, which can show 80 by 25 lines of text or 640- by 256 -dot graphics. The QWERTY keyboard layout feels slightly Against. Vast but cramped but Data General claims it to be full size. Inside The barely readable One has a CMOS 80088 processor, 128K of RAM expandable to display. High price. 512K, and 64K of ROM containing text editor and comms I OH software. A Sony 3.5in. drive, capacity 720K, is built into the side of the machine, with a second optionally available. MS-DOS is Data General, Hounslow House, included in the price, and the system is IBM compatible to the 724-734 London Road, extent of being able to run the Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Hounslow, Middlesex TVV3 1PD. One is reviewed on page 78 of this issue. Telephone: 01-572 7455.

GRID COMPASS E3 995 For. Readable 7 display. Tough. Tough but expensive mains -powered micro with bubble memory and electroluminescent display. Weighs 10Ib. The 6in. display can show 25 lines by 80 characters of text or 240- Against. Price. by 320 -dot graphics. The Compass has a hard magnesium Expensive software alloy outer casing, and a full-size QWERTY keyboard. Inside and peripherals. is an Intel 8086 processor, an 8087 maths co -processor, 256K of RAM expandable to 512K, and 384K of bubble memory. To ., load bubble memory you need to connect to another Compass through the serial port, or use the separate 360K floppy -discunit,which costs £1,150. The new model Grid Computer Systems Ltd, Compass II,price £6,495, has sockets to take 512K of Unit House, 33 London Road, software on ROM, so it can be used without discs. MS-DOS Reigate, Surrey RH2 and applications software costs extra. 9HZ.Telephone: (07372) 41211.

- ....- HP 110 £2595 For. Lotus 1-2-3 in ) price. Good range of Powerful battery -powered portable with very good bundled add-ons. software. The HP 110, which is also sometimes called the HP Gypsy, weighs 6.51b. and has a full-size keyboard. A fold - down LCD shows 16 lines of 80 characters or 126- by 460 -dot Against. Keyboard graphics. Inside is an Intel 8086 processor and 272K of RAM, not perfect. some of it configured as a silicon disc. The HP 110 also comes with a massive 385K of ROM, containing MS-DOS, z. Lotus 1-2-3, HP's Memomaker word processor and comms software, as well as a user-friendly front end to MS-DOS Hewlett-Packard Ltd, PC similar to that offered on the HP 150 desk -top machine. Group, King Street Lane, Options include a battery -powered 3.5in. Sony disc unit and Winnersh, Wokingham, batter -powered acoustic coupling modem, which connect to Berkshire RG11 5AR. the HP -IL and RS -232 ports fitted as standard to the 110. Telephone: (0734) 784774...... £1 195 For. Keen price. MS- SHARP PC -5000 3 DOS. Bubble option. Competitively priced battery -powered portable with MS-DOS and optional bubble memory. The Sharp PC -5000 comes with Against. LCD panel eight -line by 80 -character liquid crystal display also capable of showing 80- by 640 -dot graphics, and a full-size QWERTY hard to read. keyboard. Inside is an Intel 8088 processor, 128K of RAM expandable to 256K, and 64K of ROM containing MS-DOS 2 and GWBasic. A plug-in 128K bubble memory module adds £169 to the price. An optional battery -powered A4 printer, price £275, clips on to the PC -5000 to form a single neat portable unit. An external floppy -disc unit housing two 320K Sharp Electronics (U.K.) Ltd, 5.25in. drivesis available for £675, and some software, Sharp House, Thorp Road, including Supercalc, Superwriter and Easywriter, is available Manchester M10 9BE. on bubble cartridge or ROM. Telephone: 061-205 2333.

120 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 C-J'E '40

Compass t ii2i V were first to bring you theflat tube. And now, for an encore, square disks.

IWO 111111011s

software you are likely to need on your travels. GRiD's integrated software provides word processing, databases, spreadsheets, graphics and communication tools. The shapes of things to come may seem unfamiliar at They won't take up space or use any of the GRiD's 512K first. But to us, they seem the only way around the familiar of RAM or 384K of non-volatile bubble memory storage. dilemma of portable computing. With a total of 1.4 megabytes on board, IBM compatibility, Either too much weight. Or too little power. and MS-DOS capability, you are all set to go with more First, our flat screen is a full, 80 characters x 24 lines power than any other briefcase computer. electro-luminescent screen, which emits a bright amber And carrying little more than 10 Ibs, you will even be in light. So, unlike an LCD display, ours can be read from any good shape when you arrive. angle. And it can still fold down into a case just 5 cm thick. Now the square disks. There are up to four user selectable GRiD 128K ROM chips available, all programmed ready with the High performance portable computer systems

GRiD Computer Systems Limited, Unit House, 33 London Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 9HZ. Tel: 07372 41211 UK Distributors: Thame Systems Limited, Thame Park Road, Thame, Oxon OX9 3XD. Tel: 084 421 5471 Orbital Computer Systems, 29 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7RN. Tel: 031 225 7594

IBM ,s a registered trademark of International Business Machides Corporation

Circle No. 169

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 121 Howtobecome beforecommitting

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It takes only two minutes and £59.80 to And of course, when you're ready, any transform your BBC Micro into the heart ofprinter that will operate with your BBC Micro a word processor with VIEW from Acornsoft.will operate with VIEW. But if you want to The VIEW word processing system is use the printer's special facilities, such as programmed into a single chip, a 16K plug-inbold printing or ROM. Once it's installed into your BBC underlining, Printer Driver Micro -a simple job for your local dealer -Acornsoft's Generator you just switch on and VIEW is operating.Printer Driver mime BBC Blert, omBtAer (You can switch to other programs, like Generator (D.95 Wonl P, ,o. the BASIC, with a single command.) on cassette, BBC Blerocomputer Model B VIEW is a professional system, yet it'sV1.50 on disc) surprisingly straightforward to use. enables you to And it's so outstanding it's won the 1984 do so. British Microcomputing Award for Home For the Software. more specialised

BBC Microcomputer All you do is type out your text on theuser who wants woh The 6502 Second Processor keyboard, and view it on the screen. to take advan- VIEW can search, change and replacetage of the extra particular words whenever they occur in yourpower offered text. It can swap paragraphs. Automaticallyby the 6502 Second Processor, Hi -VIEW alter page numbers. Even count words. (E59.80) provides 47K of text space in any of The possibilities are endless, because the BBC Micro's screen modes. you can check, edit and change as much or as So whether you're composing a 300 page little as you like until you're satisfied.- Then,business document, a letter to the gas board, with a single command, your final version or a bit of Victorian nonsense, you can will appear on the screen. polish it to your heart's content, wasting If you want to go even further, the simpleprecious little time. And even less paper. addition of Viewlndex, just £14.95, means You can get VIEW products from your you can select and index words, complete with Acorn dealer. Just phone 01-200 0200 for your page or section local stockist. numbers. Alternatively, you can send off for the View Family brochure and order through the post by contacting Acomsoft, do Vector Market- ing, Denington Industrial Estate, Welling- borough, Northants NN8 2RL. Tel: 0933 79300.

ACORNSIFT123 The text on the screen is in \lode 6. Circle No. 187 EPSON Don't blame the QX10 equipment-

it's most likely PHONE 01-337 4541 the mains! In a perfect world, with a perfect power supply you'd have a CONCORDIATHE EXPERTS right to expect perfect results from your computer, word processor, VDU or other electronically controlled COMPLETE BUSINESS COMPUTER equipment. Sadly, this is not always the case, due to mains INSTALLED FOR UNDER £2,000 borne interference. Even a dedicated line is only a partial solution because interference is generated by Yes a complete system.Printer, Computer and programsfor Accounting Spreadsheet and Wordprocessing. We supply spare other equipment being used around you, typewriters, disks, paper, dust covers, we even train your staff. Epson high quality copiers, fluorescent lights and even the office 'fridge. equipment, Peachtree high quality programs (Peachtext, Maillist, Peachcalc) and Concordia expert help, an unbeatable combination to Galatrek do have an answer - get you started. The simple to use OX 10. Ideal for the first time user, it also has the power and facilities to satisfy the most demanding expert. The price includes CP1M, MFBASIC twin double sided double density diskunits,highresolution VDU, 192K RAM, a music generator and interfaces for RS232, Centronic parallel, and a light pen. Of course the OX 10 has 16 Bit precision, High resolution graphics, keyboard graphics, and many function keys. It also gives you 16 type faces to choose from and they all print out on the Epson printer. This package is really complete, no extras to buy, we even supply the 13 amp plugs. All you have to do is write the cheque (The price £1999 plus vat). This could be the best investment you have ever made. RING 01-337 4541 NOW. Concordia (Est 1971), give after sales support 6CENTRAL ROAD WORCESTER PARK, SURREY KT48HZ

Apricot Sirius 1 Circle No. 206 Registered Products %WOO the Ferro -Resonant Line Conditioner. Simply plug it into the mains and your unit into the socket provided. Spikes, transients and other mains borne )g3&MI'MUltOr interference are now trapped in its circuits and voltage surges or dips are also catered for, as the output is highly stabilised. It also protects itself and the equipment against overload and gives system isolation. If you specify when ordering, it can be used as a step down or step up voltage supply. You've nearly arrived at your perfect world - for as little as £145 + VAT. The Galatrek Filter Plug, whilst only rated to carry 2 amperes of current, is designed to protect micros, minis and word processors from interference and surges. The transverse and common GALATREK mode attenuation circuits

are very effective for these 200/250V low powered units. Easily fitted, it simply replaces your existing 3 pin plug. Price £19.95+ VAT.

Send for details or cash with order.

Master Distributor and Dealer applications invited. Also OSBORNE, SANYO, SIRIUS and MULTI ALATREKi, USER SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESS. INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE, PERIPHERALS, TRAINING, Galatrek International Ltd. BACK-UP and PROGRAMMING ScotlandStreet, Llanrwst, Gwynedd, LL26 OAL, North Wales. TelephoneLlanrwst (0492) 640311 Telex: 617114 NB GALAN U

Circle No. 212 17 WEST BAR BANBURY OXON. (0295) 65023

124 Circle No. 180 Hot 100: eight -bit transportables

For. Good software. KAYPRO £1,150 Hard -disc model Very competitively priced eight -bit transportable with hard - particularly good disc option and good bundled software. Built around the value. Z -80A, the Kaypro comes with CPIM 2.2, Profit Plan, Basic and Perfect Writer, Speller, Filer and Calc. The machine weighs 261b. and has a 9in. green screen and 64K of RAM. Against. Bulky. The base model, the Kaypro 2, has two 200K 5.25in. floppy Unbeautiful. drives, while the £1,485 Kaypro 4 has two 400K drives and also includes dBase IIin the price. Top of the range is the Kaypro 10, £2,635, which has enhanced graphics, one 400K floppy drive and a built-in 10Mbyte hard disc. The Kaypro was Kaypro U.K. Ltd. Unit 4, 19 voted transportable computer of 1983 by seven European Elmshott Lane, Cippenham, magazines including Practical Computing, an honour now Slough, Berkshire. Telephone: accorded to the more expensive IBM-compatible Compaq. (06284)

£995 For. Good value OSBORNE bundled software. The Osborne 1is still available for as little as £695 in its 52 -column version. Built around the Z-80 processor, the Against. Quite heavy. Osborne 1has 64K of RAM and two 200K 5.25in. floppy drives. Modified to display 80 columns across its 5in. screen Osborne 1 has very it costs £870, and with twin 400K drives the price is £1,365. small screen. The Osborne Executive is Z-80 based, and for £1,295 has a 7in. amber screen, 128K of RAM and two 200K 5.25in. floppy drives. It weighs 281b. Both models come with CP/M 2.2, the UCSD p -system, WordStar, Mailmerge, Supercalc and two Future Management (Portabi Basics; the Executive additionally has CP/M Plus, Personal Computers) Ltd, 38 Tanners Pearl, Financial Director and the uprated WordStar 3.3. Drive, Blakelands, Milton Hardware options include an external 12in, green screen Keynes MK14 5LL. Telephone' monitor for £85. (0908) 615274.

PHILIPS P -2000C £995 For. Large display. Good bundled Range of eight -bit transportables with a variety of disc software. Not too configurations and good bundled CP/M software.All ugly. versions of the Philips P -2000C are built around the Z -80A processor and have 64K of RAM expandable to 320K. The entry-level system, the 2010, has two 160K 5.25in. floppy Against. Heavy. drives and comes with CP/M 2.2,WordStar, Calcstar, Dataman and M Basic. The £1,690 P-2012 has two 640K floppy drives and the same software plus Graphox business graphics. The hard -disc version is the P -2012W, and has one 10Mbyte disc and one 640K floppy, for £2,995. All the models KIngsway Data Systems Ltd, weigh over 321b., but they do have a large 9in. green screen 30 Guildford Street, Chertsey, which can display 512- by 252 -dot graphics. An optional 8088 Surrey. Telephone: (09328) second -processor board is promised for December. 68911.

TELEVIDEO TPC-1 £1,595 For. Good graphics. Large screen. Eight -bit transportable that easily links into a local area Network option. network as well as functioning as a stand-alone CP/M Televideo name. machine. Built around the Z -80A processor, the TPC-1 has 64K of RAM expandable to 128K and comes with CP/M 2.2, Telewrite, Telecalc and Telechart included in the price. The Against. Bulky entry-level system has a single 370K 5.25in. floppy -disc drive; transportable shape. a twin -drive version is available for £1,895. Both versions of the TPC-1 weigh about 251b. and have a 9in. yellow screen capable of displaying 640- by 240 -dot graphics. The screen's Thorn EMI Computeraid Ltd, graphics capacityissupportedby the GSX-80 CP/M The Business Centre, Molly extension, which also comes with the system. An optional Millar's Lane, Wokingham, interface allows the TPC-1 to be linked to Televideo's local Berkshire RG11 2EY. area network. Telephone: (0734) 794664.

WREN £1,000 For. Fast. Good bundled software, Competitively priced eight -bit transportable with built-in BT - including Prestel. BT - approved auto -dial modem. Built around the Z -80B, 6MHz approved modem. version of the eight -bit processor, the Wren has 64K of RAM expandable to 256K and comes with a good set of bundled software included in the price: CP/M Plus, BBC Z-80 Basic, Against. Keyboard Perfect Writer, Perfect Calc, Perfect Filer, an executive desk- does not detach. top diary/scheduler program and comms software. The price Looks. also includes three months' subscription to Prestel and Micronet 800. The machine weighs under 201b. and has a built-in 7in. amber screen offering 256- by 512 -dot graphics Prism Business Systems Ltd, as well as Prestel-type graphics. The standard system has Prism House, 18-29 Mora twin 200K 5.25in. floppy -disc drives; with 400K drives the Street, London EC1V 8BT. price is £299 extra. A 10Mbyte hard disc costs £1,350. Telephone: 01-253 2277.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Hot 100: eight -bit desk -top

APPLE Ilc £925 For. Semi - transportability. The Apple Ilc is a stylish semi -portable business computer Apple compatibility. using the low -power 65CO2 with a built-in 143K floppy. The launch version came with a matching monitor; an alternative Against. Eight -bit. model with a 24 -line by 80 -column LCD is promised. It would have been perverse of Apple to make the new machine incompatible with the older models, and happily itis not. Nearly all Apple -DOS -based software will run on the 11c: only a few older programs making obscure direct calls will be affected. Otherwise the Ilc is just like the Ile only better. If Apple Computer (U.K.) Ltd, you wish to keep using your old Apple software, but want to Eastman Way, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire update your image, this is the machine for you. HP2 7HQ. Telephone: (0442) 60244.

COMMODORE 8296 £795 For. Base of Commodore business The Commodore 8000 series has developed from one of the software. first business micros on the market. The large user base has meant that programs arestillavailable for them, and Against. Old Commodore is naturally keen to cater for this market. Thus its new machines, the 8296 and 8296D are compatible with technology. the whole range of 8000 software, but offer considerably more in terms of hardware. Based on the 6502, they come with 128K RAM and an integral 80 -column by 25 -row green phosphor screen. Additionally, the 8296D offers a built-in Commodore Business 2Mbyte floppy. Like the earlier machines in the series, the Machines (U.K.), 675 Ajax 8296 uses Commodore's Basic 4.0 and has a detachable Avenue, Slough, Berkshire St 1 4BG. Telephone: (0753) keyboard. 74111.

DASH 80 £1,650 For. Fast. Bundled software. The Dash 80 micro is one of the latest products from Aculab, a company formedin1978 and manufacturing printer Against. Not much. interfaces and controllers. The Dash 80 uses a Z -80B running at 6MHz under CP/M 2.2, and Benchmarks better than many ,,,, 16 -bit machines are claimed. Some 128K of RAM is provided, and it is possible to set up a silicon disc. The dual floppies each have a capacity of 800K. The detached keyboard has four function keys doubling up to eight, a numeric keypad and cursor keys. Bundled software includes WordStar, the ai WordStar -compatiblespreadsheet,Calcstar,andthe Aculab. Unit A, Station .74.4.0. database application generator, Personal Pearl. Approach, Leighton Buzzard, It11,. ';it UAiRa Bedfordshire LU7 7LY. Telephone: (0525) 371393.

For. Large RAM. EPSON QX-10 £1 7735 Powerful fount The Epson QX-10 is a CP/M machine. It offers 192K RAM capabilities. expandable to 256K, whichisaddressed using bank - switching techniques by the Z-80 look -alike. There are two 320K floppies, a 12in. monitor and a 103 -key detached Against. Price. keyboard. The main point of interest lies in the QX-10's extended Multifonts CP/M. As well as all the standard .., operating -system features, Epson has added a very powerful facility which allows you to select from among 16 founts. You can also generate your using a 14 -by -18 grid. Epson supplies a Multifonts Basic which lets you use some of these Epson (U.K.) Ltd, Dorland facilities from within programs. House, 388 High Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 6UH. Telephone' 01-902 8892.

For. Bank -switched TANDY MODEL 4 £749 memory. The Tandy range of computers includes one of almost everything. One of its more standard offerings is the Model 4 Against. Small which sports a Z -80A running at 4MHz. RAM starts at 64K and floppies. is expandable to 128K. The extra memory is accessed via bank switching. There is also a RAM disc option. Storage comes in the form of one or two 5.25in. 184K floppies, and cassette output is also available. A range of operating systems are supported, some more obscure than others, such as TRS-DOS 6.0, TRS-DOS 1.3, and CP/M Plus. Tandy Tandy Corporation (U.K.), also produces a transportable version, the 4P, which weighs Tameway Tower, Bridge in at 261b. Street, Walsall, West Midlands WS1 ILA. Telephone: (0922) 648181.

126 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Hot 100: eight/16-bit

£2,295 For. 12 -month DEC RAINBOW support. DEC name. The world's number one mini manufacturer, DEC, has had an embarrassingly rough ride in 'the micro world. Where Big Against. Old - Blue effortlessly steamed into a dominant market position, fashioned. Bulky. DEC has tried hard and failed rather signally. This is a pity, because there is nothing wrong with the micro products themselves. The Rainbow offers an 8088 and Z-80, so both MS-DOS and CP/M software can be run. Standard RAM is 64K expandable to 192K, and there are two 400K floppies. The IliZ7 systems box is large but can be placed beside the desk as well as onit. DEC puts considerable emphasis on the DEC Ltd, Imperial Way, 12 -month support bundled in the price. Reading, Berkshire. Telephone: (0256) 59200.

£2 800 For. RAM disc. Semi - HEADSTART 5 transportable. The design of Intertec's Headstart is unusual. Apart from the dual -processor architecture,itis also semi -transportable, Against. Inelegant weighing in at about 251b. It has only one 340K 3.5in. disc design. drive but goes some way to making up for this by offering a

thumping 512K of RAM. Part of this can be configured as a very fast RAM disc. As well as standard RS -232 and Centronics ports, there are provisions for linking up to a local area network. The internal network circuitry is included as standard. Up to 255 users with up to 200Mbyte of central disc - storage can be accommodated. Icarus Computer Systems, Linton House, 39-51 Highgate Road, London NW5 1RT. Telephone: 01-267 6732.

£2 090 For. Dual processor. LSI OCTOPUS / Expansion The Octopus is the latest of LSI's products, whose previous capabilities...... machines included the M-2 and M-4. The Octopus offers dual 8088 and Z-80 processing with 128K RAM expandable to Against. Not much. 768K. Disc options vary from one 400K floppy to a 40Mbyte Winchester. Two keyboards are available, a straight IBM look -alike and an LSI word-processing keyboard with 32 function keys. In addition to a Centronics port and two RS -232s, the Octopus has its own Multibus expansion slot allowing a local area network, communications, modems and graphics options to be plugged in. Colour is also LSI Computers Ltd, Copse available along with a wide range of operating systems and Road, St. John's, Woking, 1ST. Telephone: disc formats, set by the user if necessary. Surrey GU21 (04862) 23411.

For. Fast. Upgrades. VECTOR VSX £3 /800 Vector's latest micro uses an 8086 running at 8MHz and a Against. Old - Z -8013 working at 6MHz. There is also an optional 8087 maths fashionedstyling. co -processor for heavy-duty number -crunching applications. filill The standard 128K RAM can be upgraded to 896K. Various models are available with one or two 730K floppies and 10Mbyteor 36Mbyte Winchesters.Portsinclude two parallel, one serial printer and one RS -232 interface. There are three modified S-100 slots. Unusually, the 12in. green monitor is integral to the systems box, which lends an old- fashioned air to the setup. Vector also offers its Linc local Vector Graphic, Vector House, area network for use with the machine. William Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL34 -IBA. Telephone: (07535) 69375.

ZENITH Z-100 £1 795 For. Bundled _...._- _,_ software with The Zenith Z-100 is unusual in combining a standard 8088 Winchester. with the less common 8085, using MS-DOS and CP/M respectively. MP/M-86 is available as an option. Systems .. Against. Non- -- come in various configurations, with or without monitor, and standard 8085. 0.- s.,.... with two 320K floppies or a 10Mbyte Winchester. The RAM can be expanded from 192K to a maximum of 960K; 32K of ROM deals with monitor functions.Inaddition to two RS -232s and a Centronics port, there are four expansion ,,... - -. slots. The hard -disc version includes either Lotus 1-2-3 or Peachtext as standard bundled software. Colour options are Zenith Data Systems, Bristol 10-,,,,, standard, and networking is available. Road, Gloucester GL2 6EE. Telephone: (0452) 29451.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 127 Hot 100: transportable 113Mulators'

CHAMELEON £1 995 For. Tough. Good I value. The Seequa Chameleon is not your average portable IBM PC look -alike. Technically it is different in that it offers both an Against. Utilitarian ------eight -bit Z-80 and an Intel 8088 on a single board, to provide finish. No expansion \r PS access to both CP/M and IBM software. The physical con- struction is also different, being tough and workmanlike SlOtS. rather than fashionably smart. It appears to be constructed mainly of aircraft -type aluminium. It offers a high level of IBM PC software but not hardware compatibility. It also of- fers good value for money with 256K of RAM, two 320K flop- pies, colour -graphics adaptor, serial and parallel ports and Ferrari Software Ltd, Ferrari 9in. green screen. The price also includes some software: House, Station Road, Egham, Supercalc 3, C -Term, MS-DOS, GWBasic etc. Surrey TVV20 9LB. Telephone: (0784) 38811.

COMPAQ pi 705 For. Good screen .g.- II, , display. Expandable. When IBM did not offer its own portable version of the IBM PC, Compaq was formed to fill the breach - which it did Against. Bulky. Not with great success. The Compaq portable now sets the stan- dard for IBM compatibility, and may even be preferred toaggressively priced. IBM's own more recent portable. The Compaq is not much cheaper but has a more legible display, comes with a built-in printer port, and is more expandable than the IBM version. It also comes with 128K of RAM, one or two 5.25in. floppy -disc drives, a colour graphics/monochrome adaptor and a 9in. green screen. It has a port to drive a separate colour display, Compaq Computer Ltd, and the RAM can be expanded to 640K. The Compaq is rug- Ambassador House, Paradise gedly built around an aluminium frame. Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SQ. Telephone: 01-940 8860.

IBM PORTABLE £1 889 For. Well designed. I Dual U.S./U.K. power The IBM Portable PC is essentially a repackaging of the supply. standard PC/XT model without the hard disc.Allthe hardware is familiar, except for the new half -height drives. The repackaging has been done well. The Portable PC is Against. Screen stylish, easy to move and easy to use. The specification legibility. includes an 8088 CPU, 256K of RAM, a colour display adaptor, one or two 5.25in. disc drives and a built-in 9in. amber screen. It can drive a separate monitor, but the colour i1i i 11111i1tr display adaptor does not produce such legible text as the -- i iiiit1 i '.."'-1i1,' Ill1l t14,1,i monochrome one. Also the Portable PC offers no I/O ports as IBM (U.K.) Product Sales Ltd, -...., il Ili standard and has only one full-size expansion slot free. This Freepost, Greenford, limits the RAM expansion to 512K. Middlesex UB6 9BR. ._------Telephone: 01-578 4399.

For. Fast. Screen OLIVETTI M-21 £1 7545 legibility. Price. The M-21 is essentially a repackaging of Olivetti's M-24 desk- top micro, which has already established a reputation for Against. Cannot drive IBM compatibility. The M-21 shows the same technical advances on the IBM standard. It uses a full 16 -bit 8086-2 two monitors at once. CPU, so it runs programs more than twice as fast. It comes with 128K of RAM, expandable to 640K, one or two 5.25in. .,,, floppy -disc drives, monochrome/colour graphics adaptor, and built-in 9in. amber screen. This is more legible than the IBM or Compaq models and even higher resolutionis available. The M-21 also comes with a clock/calendar, printer British Olivetti Ltd, Olivetti driver and an asynch serial port as standard. In addition, it is House, 86-88 Upper Richmond also very aggressively priced. Road, London SW15 2UR. Telephone: 01-785 6666.

For. Smart. Compact. OTRONA 2001 £2 5155 Tilting screen. The Otrona is a transportable designed to double as a desk- top micro. In its transportable form it provides a 7in. amber Against. Price. screen which can be tilted to a comfortable viewing angle. The screen can be covered over, and a separate monitor placed on top for desk -top use. The Otrona has an 8088 CPU, 128K of RAM, and one or two 5.25in. floppy -disc drives or a hard disc. The RAM can be expanded to 640K. A Zilog Z -80B can be added to provide eight -bit CP/M as well as IBM PC _... compatibility, but standard IBM expansion cards cannot be fitted.The Otronaissmaller andlighterthan most Otrona Advanced Systems transportables: it measures 7in. by 15in. by 14in., weighs Corp., 3 Weedon Lane, about 191b., and can be run from a 3.51b. battery pack. Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Telephone: (02403) 5761.

128 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 If you are a standard size and all your clothes fit you perfectly, you'rethe rag trade's ideal customer. But, for most of us, buying a new outfit is far from simple: right size but wrong colour, right colour but wrong size, sleeves too short, legs too long... CUSTOM COMPU at off-the-peg prices

...With a Gemini all you have to do is decide what you want your micro based system to do for you. Each system can be tailored to individual needs. No wasted capacity ii so no wasted money. Add to that a choice of hundreds of CP/M software packages and your Gemini system really starts to show its versatility. It's even flexible enough to allow a DIY. system to be manufactured to your own specification. _,------____r=---_ And when your needs grow or diversify, so too can your -,, N,

Gemini's capabilities and memory. You can even integrate your system to link up to 31 terminals to give a full local area network. If you want to know more about the technical 'ins and outs' of our remarkable and easily expandible modular system, just write to us for our brochure. If you're not that interested in RAMs, ROMs, LANs and CPUs, then just pop into one of our customer -friendly, hand-picked dealers who will tailor a system to your needs.

Gemini produce a large range of compatible boards, ensuring the maximum n4,

,,s,<\ rp6

se- 4keyOe's e

Setting Fashion Trends 06° '\v>(e6 66'ss RcAc Gemini Microcomputers Ltd, 18 Woodside Road, Amersham, Bucks. POST TO. GEMINI MICROCOMPUTERS LIMITED England. HP6OBH. Tel: (02403) 28321. Telex: 837788 Circle No. 156 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 129 Can the computeryou ai divide bysevE

Sales are logging while Distribution while Production their orders, is counting the stock, checks on materials

while Finance while Marketing! is forecasting plans sales cash flow, target

Uniquely at the price or anything like Firstly, the price of another six it, the LSI Octopus can work for up to seven computers. (An extra keyboard and screen people at the same time. costs a lot less than the whole caboodle.) Which you may not think concerns a And secondly, no end of administrative small business like yours. headaches. But as your concern grows over the Because with one computer at the next few years, it could add up to two, very centre of your business, the right hand will significant savings. automatically know what the left is doing. 130 You can even arrange for everyone consideri else's computers to tell you what's going on while yours stays mum. Up to two hundred and fifty-five LSI Octopuses can be joined together in this way. And as each one can be used by up while Accounts to seven people at once, it's easy to see are preparing the why the LSI Octopus is called the 'Growing invoices, Business Computer: Of course, there would be little point in all this potential for growth if the basic computer's abilities couldn't grow too. Which is why every unit comes equipped with a generous quantity of empty space, to take a constantly expanding range of option boards. As well as both 8 -bit and 16 -bit processors to accept virtually anything from the constantly expanding catalogue of business software. Not that you need worry about that for the moment. Because if you buy a twin -disc - drive computer complete with a screen and keyboard, you'll get 'Axis', LSI's business management software package, thrown in. All for a fraction over £2000. A pretty good price for a business computer. An absolute bargain for seven. -1 while the Chairman Please send me details ofthe Octopus computer system. is totting up the profits. Name Position Company It's a facility known as 'multi-user' and it's more useful than you could possibly Address imagine until you've worked with it. Postcode Telephone PC12/84 As is another facility, called 'networking'. This is a way of linking up more than one computer, so that they can either talk 13( to each other or act quite independently, The growing business computer. To LSI Computers. Copse Rd., St. Johns. Woking, Sur -hey GU21 1FX Tel. 04862 23411 as you wish. Circle No. 170 PC -16

uses 8088 Microprocessor.

runs MS-DOS & CP/M 86' . runs IBM PC -labelled software. can read and write IBM PC disk format. accepts IBM periphal cards.

TAXAN

, / 0 I I I I I I I 1 / / I I /

_ . .1 1

L _1

* And unlike IBM's or any other look -alike THE PC -16 comes complete with as standard features: * Eight expansion slots. (With 3 of them occupied). * Double the standard memory (128K Vs. 64K) * Dual DD/DS disk drives each 320KB formatted. expandable to 256K (with 64K increment). * One RS232 port: 2nd optional. * Colour graphic display card. * One parallel printer port. * IBM PC layout keyboard with LED status indicators. * Real time calendar clock with back up * High resolution TAXAN monitor. (Amber or Green). rechargeable battery. * MS DOS operating system. WITH A FULL 12 MONTH ON -SITE GUARANTEE. Which means that NATIONAL ADVANCED SYSTEMS will service your computer within eight working hours of your reporting a fault, anywhere in mainland U.K. IT IS THIS SIMPLE: THE PC -16 COMPUTER IS THE ONLY SERIOUS AND AT ONLY f 1650.00 + VAT. GET SERIOUS ALTERNATIVE TO IBM PC NOW CONTACT: Computer Systems IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. 132_ MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Circle No. 191 Tashkl Computer Systems Limited CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research Inc. 24 -Logan Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 8PX Telephone: 01-904 4467 Telex 928724 Hot 100: desk -topIBMulators

For. Fairly £2 5200 CORONA competitive. Free - Corona was one ofthefirst companiesinthe IBM software. compatibles business. Now its desk -top and portable micros are also sold by others. Olivetti sells the desk -top model in Against. Lack of the U.S. as the M-18, while Sperry sells the portable. In the graphics adaptor as U.K. Wordplex and Philipsare among the companies marketing versions. By today's standards the Corona is not standard. Looks. pretty and a rather boring machine. It has serial and parallel ports, but not a built-in colour -graphics adaptor. However, it has good IBM PC compatibility, and itis cheaper than the VisteciMidlectron Ltd, 2 IBM PC itself. To sweeten the mix, distributor Midlectron Chequers Road, west also throwsinsome excellent software such as the Meadows Industrial Estate, Multimate word processor and POC Tutor. Derby. Telephone: (0332) 381550.

Fuality.IBMname and IBM PC and PC/XT from £2 236 q og, Three years ago the PC seta revolutionary new standard which over two dozen other companies have followed. The Against. Text clarity basic model uses an Intel 8088 running at 4.77MHz and up to with colour -graphics 640K of RAM. The PC has one or two 320/360K floppies and driver. the XT has a 10Mbyte hard disc. Although repetition has made the specification seem boring, the IBMis now unbeatable for its range of software and add-ons. In addition the quality of construction and finish - the touch of the keyboard and the clarity of the green screen display - make the PC a joy to use. The only real flaw is the separation of IBM (U.K.) Product Sales Ltd, monochrome- and colour -graphics drivers: the monochrome Freepost, Greenford, screen does not do graphics, while text on the colour screen Middlesex UB6 9BR. is not as legible as it should be. Telephone: 01-578 4399.

ITT XTRA £2,104 For: Good looks. Quality. ITT has twice failed to make an impact in microcomputing, with the 2020 Silver Apple and its overpriced Z-80 business Against: Lack of t. micro, the 3030. This timeit has followed the industry standard faithfully and given the job of selling to someone graphics adaptor as else, STC. The ITT Xtra is very well made, in Korea. It looks a standard. lot smarter than the IBM PC, has good documentation, and shows a high level of compatibility. Unfortunately, It does nothaveanOlivetti/Compaq-type combined mono- chrome/colour-graphics adaptor. Also itis not that much cheaper than a real IBM PC with the same specification, so British Olivetti Ltd, Olivetti House, 86-88 Upper Richmond 1..- there is only one real reason for buying it - you want an IBMulator that does not look just like all the others. Road. London SW15 2UR. Telephone: 01-785 6666.

OLIVETTI M-24 £1,939 For: Good looks. High specification. Price. The Italian -made M-24 is, like the ITT Xtra, stylish, but it also has several technical advantages over the IBM PC. It uses Against: Only one the full 16 -bit 8086 chip running at 8MHz, which makes it free slot without bus more than twice as fast. It combines monochrome text and colour graphics, offering a 640- by 400 -pixel higher -resolution expander. mode. The quality of the screen display is excellent. The M-24 has 128K of RAM, a much smaller footprint than the PC, and good documentation. Though you need to add a bus expander for hardware expansion, the M-24 has most features built in: serial and parallel ports, clock/calendar and STC Business Systems Ltd, Reset button. It is 20 percent cheaper than an IBM PC of the Maidstone Road, Sidcup. Kent same specification, which makes it a best buy. DA14 5HT. Telephone: 01-300 7788.

TASHKL PC -16 £1,650 For. Great value.

Service included. The Tashkl is one of the first of a dozen or so IBM PC compatibles being made in Taiwan to be imported into the 40 ,irt Si Against. Unknown _I, U.K. It uses the Intel 8088 chip, has 128K of RAM, two 360K floppy -discdrives,colour/graphics adaptor,serialand brand. parallel ports, clock/calendar, 12in. Taxan monitor and a good keyboard. It includes all you need, from a hardware point of view, for a very low price which also includes a year's on -siteservicefromNational Advanced Systems and softwaresupportfromSoftwareLtd.Itisstrongly constructed, though there is a slight budget feel to the finish. Tashkl Computer Systems, 24 It seems to run the major IBM packages without trouble, Logan Road. Wembley, including the Flight Simulator. Middlesex HA9 8PX. Telephone: 01-904 4467.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 133 Hot 100: MS-DOS

APRICOT £1 400 For. Price. ) Upgradable. The Apricot was the first micro designed and built by ACT, the distributor of the popular Sirius 16 -bit. It offers an 8086, Against. Small 256K RAM and two 315K microfloppies, together with a screen. detached keyboard and a neat 9in. monitor. The whole setup is semi -transportable. Upgrades available include a double - sided disc drive and 5Mbyte and 10Mbyte Winchester versions. ACT has also launched network systems that allow a number of Apricot machines to be linked together with IBM .,r PCs. Taken with the Apricot Fl, the whole range represents 4-, one of the most completely integrated and upgradable available.Businesssoftwareisalsobecoming more ACT plc, 111 Hagley Road, plentiful. Birmingham B16 8LB. Telephone: 021-454 8585.

HP 150 £2 900 For. Touch screen. I Fast. - The most remarkable feature of Hewlett-Packard's Model

150 is the touch screen. Various command options are . - displayed on the screen, and as you touch the one you want a Against. No parallel grid of infrared beams detects which command is to be port. Small screen.' initiated. Apart from this novelty, the machine offers an 8088 running at a fast 8MHz, 256K RAM, and one or two 265K microfloppies. Winchester options of 5Mbyte and 15Mbyte ------,7*-, are available. The HP 150 includes a user-friendly front-end called Pam, designed to make application software and MS- Hewlett-Packard Ltd, Personal 01.4744"4"'"64.61.6 , f DOS easier to use. There are two RS -232 ports and the Technical Computers, Eskdale ' Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus. There is no Centronics Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, parallel port. It is possible to add an internal thermal printer. Berkshire RG11 5DZ. Telephone: (0344) 773100.

LOG ICA KENNET £2,500 For. Speed. Large screen. Log ica's latest machine uses a standard 8086 processor, and comes with 256K RAM expandable to 1Mbyte, two serial ports and a parallel interface. Storage options include one or Against. two 600K floppies and one or two 10Mbyte Winchesters. The Unremarkable monitor is a large 15in. diagonal, and the keyboard is a specification. 114 -key detached unit. The Kennet has been designed very much with networking in mind. Apart from IBM compatibility, the new machine offers most of the leading operating diilliii systems such as Concurrent CP/M on the network. Although thespecificationsareconventional,theKennetis appreciably faster than most 8086 -based machines; the Logica, Drakes Way, Swindon, processor runs at a swift 8MHz. Wiltshire SN3 3JL. Telephone: (0793) 36291.

SANYO 555 £1 100 For. Bundled 1 software. The Sanyo 550 and 555 cater for the very bottom end of the business market. They are straight MS-DOS machines, Against. Small running a straight 8088. Standard RAM is 128K that can be upgraded to 256K. There is 8K of ROM. Disc options start at floppies. one 160K for the 550 and two 160K for the 555. There is also a 320K upgrade available. The 12in. monitor is monochrome,

but full colour circuitry is included as standard. The 81 -key detached keyboard has 10 programmable function keys. A Centronics parallel port is included, but serial ports are extra. The bundled softwareisgenerous, and geared Sanyo Marubeni (U.K.) Ltd, strongly towards the small business. It includes WordStar, Sanyo House, 8 Greycaine Calcstar, Planstar and Mailmerge, as well as an accounting Road, Watford, Hertfordshire. package. Telephone: (0923) 46363.

E1 595 For. Basic price. TI PROFESSIONAL 3 Voice recognition. - . - The TI Professional offers an 8088, 64K RAM expandable to 768K, 360K floppies and five expansion slots. The keyboard Against. Cost of , follows the IBM Selectric layout. Options available include ,,,,,. an 8087 maths co -processor, 10Mbyte Winchester, LAN and voice option. -._. various communicationsprotocols.Perhaps themost interesting expansion feature is the possibility of adding

,17 V' ' a speech -recognition facility. Texas Instruments has dev- eloped a compact speech -storage system that enables you to store up to four hours of voice input on a 10Mbyte hard Texas Instruments Ltd, :- --_ _- -.- -.7- -- ,..1--,- - disc. The recognition software allows vocabularies of about International Data System 50 words to be set up for specific voices. The speech unit Division, Manton Lane, costs about £1,200. Bedford MK41 7PA. Telephone: (0234) 67466.

134 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Hot 100: 68000

£2,625 For. Exciting mon APPLE LISA technology. Great The Lisa was Apple's first attempt to win back the micro graphics. ----..... supremacy it had gained with the Apple II and then lost to the IBM PC. It was a brilliantly innovative machine, with a whole Against. Little new way of using computers, which included the use of -____ *- icons, pull -down menus and the mouse. Unfortunately the software. ,_-- ...... machine was vastly overpriced and rather slow. Worst of all, there was little software. Since then the price has dropped dramatically, speed has been improved, and a few software packages have appeared. It is still an exciting machine, but Apple Computer (U.K.) LW, .____ not really the practical executive proposition Apple hoped it Eastman Way, Hemel would be. That had to wait until the Macintosh. Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 7H0. Telephone: (0442) 60244. --- ci 7015 For. Powerful APPLE MACINTOSH i-i ), s, systems software. The Macintosh draws veryheavily on theideas and Exciting product. technology of the ill-fated Lisa.Ituses the same 68000 processor and icons, and has the mouse facility. But instead of the elephantine footprint of the Lisa, the Macintosh takes Against. Limited up only the space of an A4 pad. Itis neat and stylish in storage capacity. . appearance, but more importantly it is far more realistically priced. Apple has also learnt from its experiences with the Lisa that a solid software base is crucial. There are signs that a steady stream of packages is beginning to come through. Apple Computer (U.K.) Ltd, 00),60,4,4 /earl?, The basic machine has a 400K microfloppy and 128K RAM. Eastman Way, Hemel ,,,-;.17,,e7,-e;r,r, ,r ....= Recently Apple has released the Big Mac: the same machine, Hempstead, Hertfordshire but with a far more usable 512K RAM. HP2 7HQ. Telephone: (0442) 60244.

DIMENSION £3,200 For. Fast. Emulation facilities. The basic Dimension system offers a 68000 running at 7.2MHz, 256K RAM, two 400K floppies, and a parallel and Against. No screen. ire serial port. The operating system is CP/M-68K, and other bundled software includes Basic, a C compiler and a 68000 assembler. The machine can be upgraded to include a full 16Mbyte of RAM, 20Mbyte or 40Mbyte Winchesters, and up to eight serial ports. Unusually, the Dimension offers the possibility of adding various emulation co -processor cards, which let you run Z-80, 8086 and Apple software directly. The price for the system does not include a monitor, but full Tahskl Computer Systems colour circuitryis standard. The keyboard has 83 keys, Ltd, 24 Logan Road, Wembley, including 10 programmable function keys and a numeric Middlesex HA9 9PX. keypad. The Dimension is made in America by Micro Craft. Telephone: 01-904 4487.

FORTUNE 32:16 £5,070 For. Winchester standard. Multi-user. The Fortune 32:16 was one of the first machines to use the now well -established Motorola 68000 running under Unix. Against. COSt. . The entry-level PS -20, part of the Professional Station family, offers a 20Mbyte Winchester and a 1Mbyte floppy as Limited graphics. standard. Apart from the 512K of RAM, there is 40K of boot and self -test diagnostics in ROM. In addition to RS -232 and IEEE ports there are facilities for IBM communications. The 12in. screen swivels on its own separate mounting, though only block graphics are available. The keyboard includes 20 program keys and a numeric keypad and cursor controls. The Fortune system is intended as a high-performance single- Fortune Systems, 2-14 user system with the option of expanding into a full two- or Shortlands, London W6 8DJ. three -user version. Fortune is a U.S. based company. Telephone: 01-741 5111. PINNACLE £4,995 For. Speed. Multi- user. The Pinnacle micro is a joint venture from TM and Pinnacle Systems Incorporated of Dallas. It is one of the first systems to push the 68000 to something like its limits. The processor Against. Not much. runs at 12MHz and has no wait states, which means really fast computing. Up to seven users can be run off the one

systems box. The basic machine has 256K RAM, seven :- RS -232 ports, parallel port, 14in. tilt and swivel VDU, and a . TN 101 -key detached keyboard. Operating systems available "*"..------...m:,,, oinecyleuldoepet)-satseyms,, aCnP/Mo-p6e8rKatinagndsysBtOemS. wIrDitItehnasin also the fashionable Module 2. Upgrades include RAM up to a TDI Ltd, 29 Alma Vale Road, f f.1Ma#, '1*"...... Bristol BS8 2HL. Telephone: , t't B # - i v maximum of 1.5Mbyte, and 10Mbyte, 21Mbyte and 32Mbyte t r (0272) 742796. 4 ,, Winchesters.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 135 Hot 100: 5-100 bus

For. Price. No multi- BROMCOM SUPERSTAR £2 500 user/ degradation. The Bromcom Superstar uses an S-100 bus based system to offer upgradability to 16 users. Each additional user's board includes its own processor so there is no degradation of Against. Not much, response as more are hooked up. Either 80186 or Z -80A chips can be used, depending on the intended application of the terminal. The memory per user can go up to 128K for an eight - bit user and 1Mbyte for the 16 -bit system. Options include 400K floppies, Winchesters from 10Mbyte up to 160Mbyte, and a 40Mbyte tape streamer. Operating systems available include CP/M, MS-DOS and Xenix. Bromcom has also Bromcom, Bromley Computer Consultancy Ltd, 417-421 produced a range of applications software. The entry-level Bromley Road, Bromley, Kent system comes with an eight -bit slave, one 400K floppy, BR1 4PJ. Telephone: 01-697

10Mbyte Winchester screen and keyboard. 8933.

COMART 1000 SERIES £2,295- For. Good comets facilities. Comart's Communicator range of single- and multi-user micros started life in 1980, and has since grown to include 10 Against. Elderly. basic systems. At the top of the range is the CP-1000 series which has been on sale since January 1982. Based on an

8086, with 256K RAM expandable up to 1Mbyte, it offers a 790K floppy or Winchesters. Both CP/M-86 and MS-DOS are includedintheprice.Multi-user upgrades areeasily accommodated. Digital Research's CP/Net isalso sup- ported,andforusers wantingto communicate with mainframes, Comart supplies IBM 2780/3780 and ICL Comart, Little End Road,

CO2/CO3 protocol emulators. Eaton Socon. St. Neots, Cambridgeshire 13E19 3JG. Telephone: (0480) 215005. -"-----,-, COMPUPRO £4 150 For. Storage y upgrades. The Compupro series is a range of American computers built around the S-100 bus by a Californian company of the same name. The basic configuration begins with an 8088 running Against. 8088 main processor. c...... , ..,. at 8MHz with an optional 8087 maths co -processor. There is

768K RAM of which 512K can be configured as a RAM disc. Storage consists of two 5.25in. 800K floppies with an option of a 40Mbyte Winchester. There are two RS -232s, and one parallel port. Four slave Z -80B processors can be attached. each with 64K RAM, and one RS -232 port. The operating system is MP/M 8-16, a version of Digital Research's MP/M-86 Comcen Technology Ltd, which allowseight- and16 -bitprograms torunsim- 45/46 Wychtree Street, ultaneously.Applicationsoftwareincludes a spread- Morriston, Swansea SAS SEX. sheet, database and word processor. Telephone: (0792) 796000.

MINSTREL £6,265 For. No multi-user RUMMEL degradation. The Minstrel 2 multi-user micro from HM Systems ensures no El degradation of response as more users are added. A basic --- S-100 card cage is fitted with an eight -bit Z -80B as master Against. Non- processor. The operating system is Turbo -DOS. The main standard operating card includes 64K or 128K of RAM, two RS -232s, one parallel system.

. port and a real-time clock with battery backup. Thereis a Winchester andfloppy controller board capableof nsTt supporting two 5.25in. floppies, two 8in. floppies and two 5.25in. hard discs. Extra users are added by slotting in a slave processor card with Z -80B or 8086 processors, and up to 256K of RAM. A maximum of 12 users can be accommodated. HM Systems, 69 Loudun Other options include 20Mbyte and 40Mbyte Winchesters, Road, London NW8 ODB.

:'.I 1 tape backup, telex and modem units. Telephone: 01-328 8737. £5,000 For. Eight- or 16 -bit ULTRAFRAME processors. Dataday's Ultraframe uses the S-100 bus and a standard card cage design to offer a complete upgrade path from one to 32 Against. Limited users, and storage up to 1,160Mbyte. The master CPU is a 4MHz Z -80A, with a 2K EPROM. Slave processors can be multi-user software. Arl, AnIf . either Z -80s, which come with 64K or 128K RAM, or 80186s with 256K RAM; both options have two RS -232 ports. The master I/O system has four serial ports and two parallel ports. Floppies start at 315K, and Winchesters at 10Mbyte. There is a video-tape backup system that allows about Dataday Computing, Bechers 100Mbyte to be stored in this form. The Turbo -DOS operating Building, Racecourse Estate, system gives access to UCSD-p and CP/M software. Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Merseyside L9 5AI. Telephone: 051-521 3966.

'36 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 TUTSIM an interactive and remarkably power- PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! ful continuous system language for PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! engineers and scientists. More from £300 than a substitute for a hybrid demo £30 analog computer.

JUST LAUNCHED! TUTSIM ONE SYSTEM WITH ALL THE OPTIONS: physical model GENUINE MULTI-USER MS-DOS

position Probablytheonlysystemavailablemeeting requirements of users or system developers looking to up -grade their system from 8 -bit Televideo MmmOST or DPC/OS to a 1 6 -bit system that can run MICROSOFT Inter.SIM: an interactive discrete event simulation M -BASIC with embedded file & record locking and language for operational researchers, spooling features. management scientists and engineers. from £235 Model activities and queues, suspend simulation and change descriptions or view statistics or reschedule events and then proceed. GENUINE MULTI-USER CP/M (8 -bit OR 1 6 -bit OR BOTH) Apple and IBM versions available. TUTSIM also available in FORTRAN and Commodore 64.

GENUINE MULTI-USER CP/M AND MS- _...-----..-7. DOS (2.11) SIDE -BY -SIDE .= = =:÷:-. _ OO -= .....--=- Engineering. Applications Software 50 Gosport Street, Lymington Hampshire SO4 9BE. RING 01-697 8933 SEE PAGE 12 FOR BASICS Telephone: (0590) 73503. Circle No. 233 Circle No. 223

'Yo -4 FORTUNE 32:16 `'`)*rk.es:i11/1/

The Complete 32 bit 0ir?ti? Multi -User Desktop System Featuring ADD + ON the fully integrated and multi-user financial accounting system. * Fortune Word advanced word processing (Wang compatible), Multiplan Financial Spreadsheet and Informix Relational Database * NEW Lex Word Processing Software System available on VAX/VMS, UNIX and MSDOS giving desktop mainframe compatibility. Information Systems Consultancy are able to offer the following hardware and software packages: - IBIS - the tried and tested system for practising accountants. SOLACE - the solicitor's accounting and time recording system. SYSTELL X - the automated telex system. PLANET - local area network by Racal Milgo enabling distributed systems and office to office lease provide details of the FORTUNE 32:16 communications. IName Position With training, support and maintenance by professionals. ICompany Please contact Andrew Steward Address INFORMATION SYSTEMS I I CONSULTANCY LIMITED Tel No 36 Thames Street, Kingston -on -Thames, Surrey KT1 1PE IInformation Systems Consultancy Limited Telephone No: 01-549 5523 L6 Thames Street, Kingston -on -Thames. Surrey KTi Pct 2/84j Circle No. 143

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 137 006 so001 0 -Rosco Screen Vilee12" VA tes ont.ot ol\I\ Sailyo Sao.'ortti025 Ltd 5501555 youboyCotoputet ,,N)neil thiscoupon) send PRINTERS Oease BROTHERS Our price FOR YOUR APPLE 0 EP 22 129 EP 44 219 HR 5 139 DISC DRIVES HR 15 399 Apple Compatible 00° HR 25 695 (Full Height) 149 SANYO COMPUTERS HR 35 895 Apple Compatible (Half Height, EM 101 849 Direct Drive) 159 Apple (Full Height) 209 CANON/KAGA PW1080A (NLQ,80 Col) 299 PERIPHERAL CARDS PQ1 1 56A INLQ,156 Col) 399 NB RoscoPrintercard CP/M Pascal + Applesoft compatable & full graphic dump EPSON printer Centronic 38 RX 80T 189 printer + 1 6K buffer 89 RX 80FT 239 printer + 64K buffer 129 RX100FT 399 Printer Cable 12 MX 100111 379 80 Column (Not Ile) 44 tR FX 80 359 80 Column Inc Inverse video FX 100FT 479 chip. (New Version. Not Ile) 54 ied DX 100 419 Expandable 80 column (Ile) 49 LQ 1500 999 Extended 80 Column) + 64K) 89 64K Upgrade Kit for 80 col. 49 Disc Controller 36 JUKI PAL ( + Modulator) 49 6100 359 16K RAM 42 RS232 (Serial Card) 42 BBC Model B 339 Parallel/Serial Interface 59 Serial/Communication 79 Our Price Z80 CP/M 44 SANYO 555 999 MONITORS SANYO 550 749 KAGA Our Price 12" Hi Res (Green) 109 1 2" Hi Res (Amber) 109 Plus 1 5% VAT on all prices 12" Nor Res (PAL/RGB) 199 P&P: Under £100 Add £3 + VAT 12" Med Res (RGB) 259 Over £100 Add £5 + VAT 12" Hi Res (RGB) 359 For PRINTERS/MONITORS/COMPU- SANYO TERS 1 2" Nor Res (Green) 69 £8 + VAT per item 12" Hi Res (Green) 109 14" Nor Res (RGB) 239 14" Med Res (RGB) 349 14" Hi Res (RGB) 499

NORMENDE Our Price Ring for prices on other 14" TV/RGB Monitor 219 Peripherals and Software

289 Birchfield Road, APPLE IS THE TRADE MARK OF Birmingham B20 3DD APPLE COMPUTER INC. Tel: 021-356 7402 00- Rosco lid Telex: 334303 TXAGWMG

Circle No. 145 138 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Circle No. 186 It started withaPC.

11111111111111111 MIMI 1 4 I 1 1 1

411ir

Now we are authorised dealers for. most of the top personal computers. including DEC's Rainbow the new Compaq, and of course IBM's new portable as well as the PC and XT. Our staff are experts at analysing your requirements. and recommending the best package to suit your needs. Arrange for an appointment at your nearest branch. for a demonstration and a chat with no obligat ion.

COMPAa IBMPORTABLE

I'M 637, Holloway Road '76, W'estow Street Upper Norwood

C,./ London N19 5SS 01-272 6398 London SE19 01-771 6373/6634 14, Charles St. Hanley 11111 tillioriwti I /cal, Stoke-on-'11-ent 269883 Not IBM Authorized

ICRO WARE ;:e PRICES THAT'LL KNOCK tuROFF 10% am

* Guarantees included * Wholesale prices! * Export facilities arranged * Superb stock of computers and peripherals * Express delivery * Open Mon to Fri 8 am -7 pm PERIPHERALS Commodore 1701 Colour Monitor £175.00 RING 01-947 8562 Sanyo 2112 Green Screen 15MHZ £65.00 Worldwide Computers Ltd., Sanyo 3125 Col. Med. Ress. 400PIS £175.00 Spa House, 11-17 Worple Road, Wimbledon Sanyo 3115 Col. V.Hi Ress. 800PI £399.00 Commodore 1541 Disk Drive £156.52 London SW19 4JS Telex: WOWICO 8955888 Sinclair Microdrives £50.00 Official suppliers to the U.K. government departments, British Telecom £130.00 and many multi national organisations. Keyboard Sinclair Interface '1' £50.00 Commodore C2N Cassette £35.00 COMPUTERS All leading software names available P. O.A. Apricot 256K 2x315 D/D + Monitor £1399.00 Tailormade software written by our inhouse Apricot 256K 2x720 D/D + Monitor 21549.00 software team P 0.A. Apricot 256K 10MB HD.D +Monitor £2275.00 Keyboards, cable, interfaces, tractor feeds, sheet feeds, disks, software, up grades, listing paper, ribbons, daisy wheels BBC Model B £320.00 available for most products. Commodore 64 £152.18 Commodore VIC20 Starter pack £108.69 Commodore SX 64 (Portable) £575.00 DOT MATRIX Commodore 8000 Series System £1200.00 Admate CP 80 (Shinwa Mech) £169.00 Epson QX10 + RX80 + cable £1599.00 Anadex DP 9000 £799.00 Epson Portable PX £649.00 Brother HR5 £130.00 Epson Portable PX + RAM £799.00 Canon PW 1080A (NLQ) £275.00 Sanyo MBC555 2x160K DID + Monitor .. £899.00 Commodore MTS 801 £155.00 Sinclair Spectrum 48K £100.00 Epson RX8OT £190.00 Sirius + Victor P.O.A. Epson RX80 F/T £215.00 Televideo P.O.A. Epson FX80 £320.00 Epson RX 100 F/T Printer £325.00 Epson FX100 F/T £425.00 DAISY WHEELS Mannesmann Tally MT80 £199.00 Brother HR15 £325.00 Mannesmann Tally MT160 £399.00 Brother HR25 £555.00 Mannesmann Tally MT180 £580.00 Brother HR35 £699.00 MP 165 (NLQ) £275.00 Daisy Step 2000 (20CPS) £225.00 Newbury Data P. O.A. Diablo 630 (API) £1310.00 OKI Microline 82A Printer £249.00 EP 44 Personal Elec. Printer (KSR) £195.00 OKI Microline 83A £389.00 Juki 6100 £315.00 OKI Microline 92 (P) £365.00 Quen-Data Daisy Wheel Printer £215.00 OKI Microline 84 (P) £629.00 Qume 11/40 (RD) £1175.00 Panasonic KP 1091 IBM (PC) £269.00 Qume 9/4S (RD) £1535.00 Radix 10 (NLQ) £445.00 Qume Letter Pro 20 £450.00 Seikosha GP100A £179.00 NEC P. O.A. Seikosha GP100VC £175.00 Richo RP 1300 £875.00 Star Gemini 10X £189.00 Richo RP1600 £1175.00 Star Delta 10 £319.00 Smith Corona TP1 Daisy Wheel Printer ... £175.00 TEC 1550 (P) £459.00 Tel F 10/40 £875.00 All prices excluding VAT READY TO USE IBM SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE You just need a printer! B & W Colwr IBM PC 64 256K £1.$50-,e_140.aDisplayWrite 2£199Flight Simulator . £88 IBM PC 64 10mb 256K 22-5.01:TIA10.2.0011.11Symphony £430Lotus £299 IBM PC X T 10mb 256K,...,g2-9WV;getrs0 Database II £240Database III ....£360 IBM PC Portable 2561frt1-90S'"' Wordstar £195MS Word £250 IBM Authot ised lha rs IBM PC Portable 10mb 2561 ;£;;a`? Multy-mate £275MS Mouse £125

Circle No. 229

140 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Hot 100: multi-user

ALPHA MICRO 1000 £6,000 For. Upgrades. The AM -1000 is the entry system for an extensive range of Against. Entry price.

multi-user micros all based on the 68000, costing from about Non-standard £6,000 to over £33,000. The compatibility between the operating system. machines and their software presents a useful upgrade path. , The AM -1000 offers 128K expandable to 768K, with up to two 800K floppies. Up to seven 20Mbyte Winchesters can be linked to the system, an indication of the general scale of the configurations envisaged. There is a QWERTY keyboard with numeric keypad and function keys, three RS -232 ports and a Centronics parallel printer port. Up to 11users can be Alpha Micro Great Britain, Berkshire House, 56 Herschel _ accommodated. Up to 100Mbyte backup is available via a ... ' Street, Slough, Berkshire SL1 standard video cassette recorder. 1 PY. Telephone: (0734) 821922.

For. Established BLEASDALE 680A £8,000 company. The Bleasdale 680A is a Unix system that can handle up to 16 users. The 68000 processor runs at 10MHz and comes with 512K Against. Not much. RAM as standard, expandable to 1.5Mbyte. There is one 5.25in. L ,, 11111111111110011111111111111 floppy and a choice of Winchesters with capacities from 20Mbyte to 140Mbyte. Ports include two RS -423s, eight RS -232s expandable to 16, and an optional two parallel printer ports. Languages available include Basic, Cobol, APL, C and Pascal. Therearevariousapplicationpackages suchas word ''I processing, spreadsheets and databases. Bleasdale, now eight years old, is a public company listed on The Stock Exchange. It Bleasdale Computer Systems has specialised in Unix -based systems. plc, Francis House, Francis Street, London SW1P 10E. Telephone: 01-630 9761.

For. Pick. Range of CRYSTAL 68000 £6,205 software. The Crystal 68000, assembled at the Aston Science Park, is one of the few 16 -bit machines that runs under the Pick Against. Non - operating system. The Crystal's main claim to fame is its standard system. --__---- software capabilities: it runs Basic, Cobol, Fortran, Pascal, _____ APL and builder, an applications generator which can also run on IBM machines and aims to give users the power tobuild their own applications programs. Four RS -232 ports are provided and a further eight can be added to give a total of 12 additional users. Crystal produces intelligent work stations with Z -80s, Aston Technology, Aston allowing them to run CP/M programs independently of the Science Park, Love Lane, main unit as well as accessing storage common to the whole Birmingham, B7 4BJ. system. Telephone: 021-359 4861.

IBM PC/AT £2,950 For. IBM. Multi-user. IBM's Advanced Technology PC/AT represents the second Against. IBM. wave of Big Blue's assault on the business micro market. After selling well over a million PCs, the company has launched a machine designed to keep the range viable well into the late 1980s. The chip is the 80286, the latest version of the 8088 family that lies at the heart of the PC itself. The new machine offers two to three times the performance of the PC while retaining upward compatibility.Itcan also sup - 110 portmulti-user andmulti -taskingoperation.Hardware - ' improvements include1.2Mbytefloppies and 20Mbyte IBM (U.K.) Ltd, PO Box 41, Winchesters. The cost is surprisingly competitive, and could North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hampshire. Telephone: (0705) 1 . tempt many people away from the standard XT version. 32121. '' RAIR SUPERMICRO £10 750 For. Large storage. / Second processor. Like the IBM, Rair has opted for the new generation of chips from Intel for its latest range of micros. Called rather grandly Against. Price the Rair Supermicro, the entry system uses both the 80286 CPU and the 80287 maths co -processor chip. RAM starts at 512K and external storage includes a 1Mbyte floppy, a 50Mbyte Winchester and a 45Mbyte tape streamer. There is a parallel bus socket and eight RS -232 ports, which allow up to eight users to be attached. Rair claims that there is no significant degradation of response up to this level. The Supermicro can run under either Multi -concurrent CP/M or Unix System V. Upgrades include a second Winchester and a Rair Ltd, 6-9 St. Martin's Lane, further eight RS -232 ports. London WC2H 9E/ Telephone: 01-836 6921.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 141 ABC 200 For. Brand-new tba processor. Operating The Acorn Business Computer range of micros is Acorn's systems. first concerted foray into the business market. Based on the perennial BBC model B micro with its trusty 6502, the various models cater for slightly different sectors of the market. The Against. Not here yet. ABC 200 and 210 use the state-of-the-art 32016 processor from National Semiconductor. Both machines are geared towards specialist and scientific applications, with the emphasis on number crunching. A number of languages are Customer Services, Acorn ti provided: Fortran 77, C, Lisp, Pascal, Forth and BBC Basic. Computers Limited, The ABC 200 comes with two 720K floppies, while the 210 Cambridge Technopark, 645 II has a 10Mbyte Winchester and colour screen, and can run Newmarket Road, Cambridge under Xenix. CB5 8PD. Telephone: (0223) 210111. r ' For. Compatibility DEC PROFESSIONAL 350 £5,000 with PDPs. The DEC Professional 350 is designed for scientific and Upgradability. engineeringuses, and aims toprovide desk -topmini- computer power. The processor is the same as that used in the PDP-11/23 minicomputer, and the operating system is Against. Non - P/OS, a version of the RSX-11/M-Plus used by DEC on its standard micro minis. There is full terminal emulation and file transfer to operating system. DEC Vax and PDP-11 hosts. DEC has also bowed to the inevitable and provided IBM protocols. The entry-level --E----i----..iit. machine comes with 512K RAM, two 5.25in. 400K floppies and an RS -232 port. Upgrades available include a Z-80 CP/M card, two more floppies and 5Mbyte or 10Mbyte Winchesters. DEC Ltd, Imperial Way, 1 ---.;.,,,,L,.. A wide range of languages are available, including more Reading, Berkshire. obscure ones like Dibol. Telephone: (0256) 59200.

FIELDWORK FIFTY £1,700 For. Very tough. CP/M. .../---. The Fieldwork Fifty is a tough, light portable that runs under an extended CP/M and uses bubble memory. Intended for use Against. Price. Small in harsh environments and designed to keep operating in temperatures from - 30°C to + 70°C; itis also waterproof display. and it floats. It is guaranteed to survive a drop of three feet on to concrete.It weighs under 41b. and has a two-line by 40 -character liquid crystal display. Full-size keyboard is availablein QWERTY, ABC or AZERTY layouts.The Fieldwork is designed around a CMOS variant of the Z-80, Immediate Business Systems and comes with 56K of RAM. The standard 64K of bubble plc. 3 Clarendon Drive, memory is expandable to 256K; it functions like a disc drive wymbush, Milton Keynes, but is tougher. Bundled software includes a comms package Buckinghamshire MK8 8DA. that allows you to download to CP/M systems. Telephone: (0908) 568192.

HP MODEL 16 For. Powerful. Good £3 1700 Basic. az 1,--1 r If_ Hewlett-Packard's Model 16 is a tightly designed machine 1 g occupying a mere one -foot square. It is geared very much to Against. Limited the scientific market, offering fast computing power in a storage. ' neat and functional desk -top micro. The 68000 system runs at 8MHz, and produced about the fastest Benchmarks this magazine has seen. The healthy 512K of RAM can be expanded to 768K, and there are two 270K microfloppies. There are also 5Mbyte and 10Mbyte Winchester versions available. The Basic that comes with the machine is powerful Hewlett-Packard Ltd, Personal and big: it takes up about 277K of RAM. A number of more Technical Computers, general business -type packages are also available for the HP Eskdale, Winnersh, Model 16. Wokingham, Berkshire RG11 5DZ. Telephone: (0344) 773100.

H P 85B £2,855 For. Good Basic. HP name. Wide range of Expensive eight -bittransportable of specialinterestto peripherals. scientists and engineers. Built around a custom -designed HP eight -bit processor, the HP 85B comes with an HP series Against. High price. 80 operating system and a very good Basic. The machine weighs 201b. and has a 5in. screen displaying text across 32 Small screen. Fixed columns, a built-in 32 -column thermal printer capable of keyboard. dumping screen graphics, and a 210K digital cassette drive with random-access capability. Standard RAM is32K; another 32K, optionally expandable to 512K, is configured as Hewlett-Packard Ltd, PC

a silicon disc, which allows very rapid data transfer in data- Group, King Street Lane, logging applications. the HP 85B is fitted with an IEEE -488 Winnersh, Wokingham, port; HP offers other interface options and a wide range of Berkshire RG11 5AR. disc drives, plotters and instruments. Telephone: (0734) 784774.

142 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Hot 100: Specialised systems

HUSKY M-208 £6,800 For. Very tough. Runs CP/M software. Military specification ultra -robust battery -powered portable that runs CP/M software. The Husky uses battery -backed Against. Price. CMOS RAM for storing data and programs rather than floppy discs or bubble memory. It weighs just over 61b. The Husky M-208 has a four -line by 32 -character liquid crystal display which can also show 64- by 240 -dot graphics, and an almost standard -size keyboard of flat, membrane -protected water- aPo construction. Built around a CMOS version of the eight - bit Z-80 processor, the Husky comes with 208K of RAM. A CP/M 2.2 compatible OS, Microsoft Basic, text editor and Husky Computers Ltd, PO Box comms software to drive the M -208's hardened RS -232 port 135. 345 Foleshill Road, all come in ROM. The Husky is designed to be safe in Coventry CV6 5RW. potentially explosive atmospheres. Telephone: (0203) 668181.

, IBM XT/370 £8 228 - For. Mainframe link. Powerful The IBM XT/370 is an upgrade and extension of the normal development tool. Winchester hard -disc version of the IBM PC. In addition to the 256K RAM, 360K floppy and 10Mbyte or 20Mbyte hard disc, three extra circuit boards add various terminal capa- Against. Price. bilities. There is a processor card that allows the XT/370 to work with a host System 370 mainframe and execute many host programs directly. A second card provides up to 4,000,000charactersofvirtualmemoryforinterac- MN tiveconversationalcomputingunder VM/CMS, thevirtualmachine/ monitor system.Thereis a coaxial IBM (U.K.) Ltd, PO Box 41, attachment which enables the processor to act as a 3277 North Harbour, Portsmouth, '''' model 2 terminal when connected to a suitably programmed Hampshire P06 3AU. . -..._ , host computer by an IBM 3274 display -control unit. Telephone: (0705) 32121.

MICRO -APL SPECTRUM £11,250 For. APL system. Bundled software. Unlike the other Spectrum, MicroAPL's machine is a very specialised 68000 -based system, designed specifically for Against. Limited Spectrum APL language developments. The micro is built around the S-100 bus and uses a 20 -slot backplane. Memory options general application. start at 256K RAM and go up to 16Mbyte. Storage devices includes 760K 5.25in. floppies, 2Mbyte 8in. floppies, or 10Mbyte and 36Mbyte Winchester. All systems are supplied with a wide range of software, mostly of a development nature. Includedis the APL/68000 re-entrant interpreter, project -development software and an interactive APL self- MicroAPL Ltd, Unit IF, Nine teaching program. The operating system is Mirage, which is Elms Industrial State, 87 multi-user. Ethernet is also available as an option. Kirtung Street, London, SW8 5BP. Telephone: 01-622 0395.

MICRO PROFESSOR £150 For. Educational. Compact. The Micro Professor is designed to provide a complete 0 introduction to micros, from chips to assembler. Function - Against. Limited ; o : ally, it offers a full Z -80A system, with 4K RAM, 8K ROM, QWERTY keyboard, and a 20 -digit,14 -segment, alpha- memory. Small numeric,green -tubedisplay. Itcomeswithitsown keyboard and screen. internal power supply. The ROM contains a line assembler, disassembler, text editor and two -pass assembler. The system also has an interface to Basic and Forth interpreters. Extrasinclude an EPROM memory board, aspeech- ,*,,* synthesis board, and a sound and music option. It is also Pelco Electronics, Spring possible to add an on -board printer, TV interface, I/O and Gardens, Romford, Essex memory expansion boards. Three user manuals provide an RM7 9LP. Telephone: (0708) introduction to micro architecture and programming. 61911.

MIDAS 2D/TE £2,500 For. Rugged design. The Midas 2D/TE is designed to cope with environments Against. Limited where there are high ambient temperatures, large quantities computing power. of dust and unreliable mains supplies. It is aimed mainly at '~-thirdNi -world users. The basic specification is a Z-80 running CP/M, 64K RAM and two 5.25in. floppies, which can have capacities from 140K to 800K. There are two high -volume fans, one of which blows directly on to the cage card carrying the computer boards. The other cools the power supply and (..------4 floppy discs. Two fine dust filters are used to clean the air. Mains supply problems are overcome by avoiding any Sirton Computer Systems, components that require a.c. voltages, using no voltage over Unit 14, 29 Willow Lane, 35V and providing a simple battery backup. Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4NA. Telephone: 01-640 6931.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Hot 100: Specialised systems

For. Robust RML 480Z £2 5100 construction. LAN Research Machines' 380Z has done sterling servicein port. schoolsfor many years.Unfortunately,itlooksold- fashioned, with its huge processor box and 8in. floppies. The Against. Large. .... more recent 480Z is more plausible as a machine of the Expensive. 0. eighties.Itoffers a Z -80A running at 4MHz, 64K RAM 4* expandable to 256K, two 328K floppies and one parallel and two serialports. There is also a network interface as standard which connects to RML's Chain local area network. The new machine is still very much aimed at the educational market, but the presence of CP/M in the bundled software Research Machines Ltd, PO means that large numbers of serious and business programs Box 75, Mill Street, Botley can be run. The 480Z also has a ROM cartridge slot. Road, Oxford OX2 OBW. Telephone: (0865) 249866.

SHARP MZ-5645 £3 890 For. Low cost for / graphic system. Runs General-purpose MS-DOS machine with large colour display general MS-DOS andoptionalmouse,wellsuitedtomany graphic software. applications. The MZ-5645 comes with a 15in. colour display, capable of showing 400- by 640 -dot graphics in eight colours and 25 -line by 80 -character text. With a 12in. monochrome Against. New. screen the price is £300 less. The system is built around an Intel 8086 running at 8MHz, with 256K of RAM expandable to 512K, and 96K of video RAM expandable to 192K. A 640K floppy drive and 10Mbyte hard disc are standard with this model; the mouse costs £95. MS-DOS and CP/M-86 are in the Sharp Electronics (U.K.) Ltd, Sharp house, Thorp Road. .. , price. Sharp's Electronic Technical Drawing System, written by Graphics Avant Garde, is available for £1,500. Manchester M10 9BE. Telephone: 061-205 2333.

TORCH £2,950 For. Dual processor. LAN. The Torch is a dual -processor machine from the company recently acquired by Acorn. The 68000 runs at 8MHz and the Against. No IBM Z -80B at 6MHz; they run under Unix and CP/M respectively. In addition to the 320K RAM expandable to 1Mbyte, there is a compatibility. sizeable 64K ROM, which includes Basic and Acorn Mos. Bus expandability is possible via a 1MHz bus. Standard options include eight colours and four music channels plus speech ---- synthesis. The keyboard has a total of 103 keys, including 17 function keys. Torchnet is provided as standard, along with an electronic mail package. Bundled software includes four Torch Computers, Abberley programs from the Perfect suite. The standard system has House, Great Shelford, twin 400K floppies; a 20Mbyte version is also available. Cambridgeshire CB2 5LQ. Telephone: (0223) 841000.

E5 495 For. Very high - WHITECHAPEL MG/1 9 resolution display. Graphics -orientated system built around National Semi- Takes IBM PC cards. conductor's powerful 32016 processor. The MG/1 has an 800 -by 1,024 -dot high -resolution bit -mapped display, 512K of Against. New. Not RAM expandable to 4Mbyte, QWERTY keyboard and a mouse. It comes with one 800K floppy drive and a 10Mbyte much general - hard disc as standard; a 22Mbyte version costs £6,495, and purpose software. with 45Mbyte hard disc, £7,495. The operating system _...------included in the price is Genix, 'National Semiconductor's version of Unix. A bus adaptor to take IBM PC expansion cards costs £195, and an Ethernet option is promised. The Whitechapel Computer Works MG/1 is the first product of a new London -based company. Ltd. 75 Whitechapel Road, Application packages have not yet been announced, but are London El 1DU Telephone: likely to be primarily in the CAD/CAM areas. 01-377 8680.

£534 For. High -quality YAMAHA CX-5 music synthesiser. An MSX home computer sold only with built-in FM sound Functions as general synthesiser and music keyboard. The picture shows the CX-5 home computer. together with a 31 octave keyboard with 3in. long keys; a keyboard with full-size keys costs £80 more. The synthesiser itself is built into the base of the CX-5. Itlets you play Against. Conservative monophonic notes and eight -note chords in any of 48 preset spec. Little software voices, or you can modify the voices. A Midi socket allows yet. connection to other Midi -equipped musickit.Inother respects the CX-5 is a typical MSX machine, with Z-80 Kemble Yamaha Ltd, Mount processor, 48K of RAM, a cartridge slot for loading MSX Avenue, Bletchley. Milton software and Microsoft's MSXBasic in ROM. It has a full-size Keynes, Buckinghamshire QWERTY keyboard and outputs 192- by 256 -dot graphics or MK1 1JE. Telephone: (0908) 24 -lines by 40 -characters to a TV. 640202.

144 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Circle No. 154 VISION QLMONITOR

Developed in conjunction Specifications: with Sinclair Research Ltd., Input form: RGB the Sinclair Vision QL monitor Amplifier type: Linear is based on proven Taxan monitor technology. VideoBandwidth:More than 18MHz Its black angular design and Dot (Slit): 0.38 mm 12" non -glare tube result in a 214 mm (H) remarkably compact unit that Display area: x158 mm (V) complements the QL in looks and performance - including Dot resolution: 640 (H) x 440 (V) 85 column text display. The Sinclair Vision QL is the ideal monitor for high Recommended by Sinclair Research Ltd. resolution colour graphics for use with the Sinclair QL computer. and professional business Manufactured for and sold, guaranteed applications. and serviced by MBS Data Efficiency Ltd. Comes complete with cable and full 12 months warranty. AVAILABLE FROM SELECTED BRANCHES OF MAJOR RETAILERS NATIONWIDE

MBS Data Efficiency Ltd Computer Peripherals Division, Maxted Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 7LE Tel: (0442) 60155 (20 lines) Telex: 825554 DA (3 0 CIV4' DE is a member Ct of the Micro Business Systems plc o ocp000t- group of companies. 'Sinclair' and 'GI' ore regis 00000oct Irl tTh el% Outstanding Modem WS2000 the only modem you'llever need to buy. WS2000 brings 1990's modem technology to you NOW! Link across the world - your computer to mainframes, to Prestel, Micronet, Easylink Telex, Telecom Gold, to other com here.

POWER 1200R x -75Tx CCITT VIEWTEXT 300 FULL Tx DATA J1lk ORIG DUPLEX ANS mor \ / 1200 R x DATA i300/300 1 EQU 1200 75R x - 1200Tx B 1200 600 E1200 - 1200 CARRIER EXTERNAL L EQU CONTROL L ON LINE 4, -----ON LINE ANS -600 300 FULL LOCAL TEST ORIG MIRACLE uchnology Modem WS 2000

Trade enquiries invited Software packages Satisfied Users Enthusiastic Press Off -the -shelf dedicated software "This modem is so simple to use." - "The best value for money in the packs for most major computers: Miss VAB of Bristol. modem field." Quentin Reidford, DataTalk for IBM PC/PCXT, VICOM "It's got every feature we need - APPLE USER. for colour Prestel plus bulletin even telex use." - Company director "Very versatile; good value." Peter boards on Apple, many packages for Mr JLK of Wigan. Tootill, PCW. BBC, Commodore and other computers. WS2000 covers the field. "What a wonderful machine! Its "Could turn out to be the peripheral operation is quite faultless." - you can't live without." Ralph Mr CJC of Beaconsfield. Bancroft, PCN.

Expansion Accessories Modern W52000 Made in England by WS2000 can grow to suit your needs! The Miracle GichnologyOlb modem's unique User Port lets a computer IPSWICH ENGLAND access all the modem's functions - full software control is possible. Auto answer and auto dial plug-in accessories let your computer accept and initiate telephone calls. TTL interfacing, acoustic coupling, battery back-up, process control interfacing - they're all possible for the WS2000 owner.

Miracle Technology (UK) Limited still only E,129.95exc. 10/12 St Peters Street Ipswich IP1 1BJ WS2000 complete with BT modular line plug Tel (0473) 50304 and socket and full instructions for use - Reg in Eng No 1756137 £152.50 inc VAT and P/P. Order by cheque/Barclaycard/Access/Official order to IRIKLE TECHNOLOGY (U.K.) LTD. Circle No. 112 14(0 >OPEtil FILE PRACTICAL COMPUTING DECEMBER 1984 MASTERMIND Open File >BBC 157Relive your youth playing this variation of the Post monitors REAL-TIME CLOCK Office game, with graphics elements, not numbers, to deduce. Amstrad Ian Stobie148Lee Payne's routine provides you with a real-time clock Apple John Harriswhich is accurate up to 10 seconds a Atari Jack Schofieldday. ...:7TFTAR I BBC Nicholas McCutcheon Commodore Mike Todd 411 PATTERNS IBM PC Jack Schofield 48This graphics 159Frank O'Dwyer has sent demonstration program sent in by in this useful utility which is a type - Newbrain David Watt M E Hughes allows you to make a ahead buffer that will sit in page6 Tandy John Wellsmanvariety of patterns. untilrequired. Research Machines Ian Stobie Sharp John Hooper ARCS IN BASIC FASTER CSAVING Sinclair QL Glyn Moody149Leon Goodfriend's 159AND CLOADING procedure can be used to draw You can save both time and tape with circles, arcs or ellipses, which can be Robert Breeds' machine -code routine, shaded. which allows you to set any baud rate you wish. Open File is the part of the magazine MEDIA MOVES written by the readers of Practical 149You can move files TRAPPED! Computing. All aspects of between media with this program 601While away your spare microcomputing are covered, from from Wouter Kolkman. It is capable time with David Klein's game for any games to serious business software of copying every file on a disc to tape 16K Atari. and utilities. Fully -debugged without changing the reload address. programs can be submitted for any 15nSINGING HEADS micro, and for standard CP/M gr, This program, supplied by >9 NCLA IR machines such as the Osborne and D Chalazonitis, is in the vein of the Superbrain. Programs can be in UNIVERSAL Simon game, where you try to copy a 163CALENDAR machine code or any language. tune as itis lengthened note by note. Submissions should include a brief A comprehensive calendar program description which explains what your from A M Tucker. program does, and how it does it.If >COMMODORE NUMBER FORMATTER possible it should be typed, with 164A short routineto format lines double-spaced. We need a MUSIC MAKER the input of a specified number of printed program listing. Hand-written 152Yet another program digits and return the value of the listings cannot be accepted. A tape for music enthusiasts. It helps you input. or disc of the program helps ifit is in program the Commodore 64's music a standard format. synthesiser to compose, edit and save CONVERSIONS When printing listings, please a three-part song. 164A handy program for the remember tousednew ribbon or 16K Spectrum which converts double -intensity printing - faint 15,POKES SELECTION imperial measurements to metric and listings reproduce badly. Use plain 4. Some Pokes to disable vice versa. paper only, and try to list the different features of the Commodore program across either a 35 -character 64. or a 70 -character width. Also, make >RESEARCH sure all special graphics or inverse - video characters are either listed >APPLE MAC:H I NES correctly or else include Rem BIG FACTORIALS CURVEFIT statements to explain them fully. 156A factorials generator for 166A program which offers Each program listing, tape or disc those of you into large numbers, must have your name and address on three different methods of plotting it, or we cannot promise its safe supplied by Georgios Gallios. data. return. A stamped addressed envelope is appreciated. Send your contribution to: If you write in with a comment, correction or enquiry please Open File, Practical Computing, remember to state the machine and the program title. Quadrant House, The Quadrant, We pay at least £10 for any programs used, or £35 per page and Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS pro rata for part pages.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 147 Real LEEtime PAYNEfrom the Isle of Bute has sent inclock &D but this can be altered by changing all a mode 7 real-time clock, which is accurate references to &D in both the setup and 10 REM *** REAL-TIME CLOCK *** up to about 10 seconds a day. It provides 20 REM ** Lee Payne 28/9/83 ** code to amore suitable spot for disc users. 30 REM you with a 24 -hour digital clock, leavingPage &D is taken by the DFS but &9 is 40 DIMTX 65,S% 35 normaloperationsofthemachinegenerally free. 50 *K.10?&D00=878:?&220=0:78221=8, unaffected. The routine will work with OS ODIMCALL&DOOIM*FX14,51M 1.0 or later and takes up about 130 bytes 60 MODE7 Patterns 70 LOC=&7C when assembled. 80 FORIX=OTO2STEP2:P%=T% The program works by using the BBC's This graphics demonstration program 90 COPTI% event timer to call up a section of machineprovided by M E Hughes was originally 100 LDA#14 code. This updates the screen display everywritten on an IBM PC. The program asks 110 LDX#5 60 seconds. The position of the display onfor a number between 0 and 500, and then 120 JSR&FFF4 130 LDA#&0 the screen is fixed by the user. It is affectedgoes on to draw some modulus functions 140 STA&220 by scrolling or clearing the screen but willof this number. The program has two 150 LDA#80D reappear at the same place at the nextdifferent modulus functions provided. 160 STA&221 60 -second update. When running the program, select which 170 LDA#47 180 STA LOC The object code is assembled into pageyou require by editing the program itself. 190 LDA#48 200 STA LOC-1 Patterns. 210 STA LOC-3 220 STA LOC-4 10 REM PATTERNS by M. E. Hughs 110y(I%) = y0 + r*SIN(theta*I%) 230 LDA#186 20 REM For input of number n,draws 120NEXT I% 240 STA LOC-2 n-1 circular patternas using a 130FOR J%= 1 TO n 250 LDA#&82 30 REM modulus function. Somepatt 140CLS:PRINTJ%;" ";n 260 STA LOC-5 erns are pleasing, others not. 150FORI% = 1 TO n-1 270 LDA#&FF 40 REM Suggest you try Nos. between 160 k =((I%*J% MOD n/2)+IX) MOD n 280 STA&74 10 and 30 or 80 and 200. 170REM k = I%*J% MOD n 290 STA&75 50 MODE1: r = 300:x0 = 540: y0 = 5 180IF k= 0 THEN k = 1 300 STA&76 12 190MOVE x0,y0: DRAW x(k),y(k):DRAW 310 LDA#&94 60 INPUT"Enter number of points x(I%),y(I%) 320 STA&72 70 theta = 2*PI/n 200 NEXT I% 330 LDA#&E8 80 DIM x(n),y(n) 210 g = GET 340 STA&73 90 FOR 220 NEXT J% 350 RTS 100 x(I%) = x0 + r*COS(theta*IX) 230 CND 360 ]:P%=S% 370 COPTI% 380 SEI 390 PHA 400 TXA 410 PHA 770 CMP#57 1130 .out LDA&71 420 TYA 780 BNE one 1140 CMP#&7C 430 PHA 790 LDA#48 1150 BNE end 440 LDX#&72 800 STA LOC 1160 LDY#6 450 LDY#800 810 JMP two 1170 .loop LDA &76,Y 460 LDA#4 820 .one INC LOC 1180 STA(&70),Y 470 JSR&FFF1 830 JMP out 1190 DEY 480 CLC 840 .two LDA LOC-1 1200 BNE loop 490 LDA8350 850 CMP#53 1210 .end PLA 500 ADC#73 860 BNE three 1220 TAY 510 STA&70 870 LDA#48 1230 PLA 520 LDA&351 880 STA LOC-1 1240 TAX 530 ADC#0 890 JMP four 1250 PLA 540 STA&71 900 .three INC LOC-1 1260 CLI 550 JMP&D6F 910 JMP out 1270 RTS 560 ] 920 .four LDA LOC-3 1280 ]NEXT 570 P%=000 930 CMP#57 1290 CALLT% 580 COPTI% 940 BNE five 1300 PRINT'' *** MODE 7 REAL -TIM 590 .timer SEI 950LDA#48 E CLOCK ***" 600 PHA 960STA LOC-3 1310 INPUT "'Enter time (e.g. 14:27 610 TXA 970JMP six ) >"T$ 620 PHA 980.five LDA LOC-3 1320 IFLEN(1-$)<>5THENCLS:PRINT'"Ple 630 TYA 990CMP#51 ase re-enter as shown.":GOT01310 640 PHA 1000BNE extra 1330 FORN=1T05:T28=MIDS(T$,N,1):IFT 650 LDX#&72 1010LDA LOC-4 2$=":"THENGOT01340:ELSE?(&77+N)=VAL( 660 LDY#0 1020CMP#50 T2$)+48 670 LDA#4 1030BEQ reset 1340NEXT 680 JSR&FFF1 1040.extra INC LOC-3 1350CALLS% 690 CLC 1050JMP out 1360PRINT'"Press R to reset time." 700 LDA&350 1060.six INC LOC-4 1370PRINT'"Any other key to exit." 710 ADC#73 1070JMP out 1380AS=INKEY$(1500):IFAS="R"THENGO 720 STA&70 1080.reset LDA#48 101310 730 LDA&351 1090STA LOC 1390CLS:PRINT'"Ready":CLEAR 740 ADC#0 1100STA LOC-1 1400END 750 STA871 1110STA LOC-3 760 LDA LOC 1120STA LOC-4

148 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 > B C by Nicholas McCutcheon

Arcs. Arcs in Basic 3000 IF F=0 THEN F=P2 THEN F=F+P2 3010 DEF PROCARC(XX,YX,RZ,SZ,A,S,F) 3090 MOVE XX+11%*COS(S),YX+RX*A*SIN( Leon Good friend of Cardiff has written 3020 S=ABS(S): F=ABS(F) S) a Basic arc plotter. The procedure can be 3030 LOCAL P2,T 3100 FOR T=S TO F STEP.1 used to draw circles, arcs or ellipses, which 3040 P2=2*PI: IF S%=0 THEN S%=5 ELS 3110 IF S%=85 THEN MOVE XX,Y% may be shaded as an option. 3120 PLOTS%,X%+R%*COS(T+.1),YX+R%*A E S%=85 The procedureisenteredwiththe 3050 S=S-P2*INT(S/P2) *SIN(T+.1) 3060 F=F-P2*INT(F/P2) 3130 NEXT following parameters 3070 IF F=0 THEN F=P2 3140 ENDPROC X%,17% - co-ordinates of centre of arc 3080 IF F=S THEN ENDPROC ELSEIF S>F Sci/o - shade flag A - aspect ratio S,F - start and finish Media moves. Tape to disc. X,Y):NEXT Theco-ordinatesareinstandard 350 FOR X=26 TO 29:load$=load$+FNR graphics units. When non -zero, the shade 5 REM Program by Wouter Kolkman EADCH(X,Y):NEXT flagcausesthe shapetobe shaded, 10 REM to make copies from tape t 360 FOR X=14 TO 17:length$=length$ otherwise the shape will be plotted as a o disc +FNREADCH(X,Y):NEXT single line. 11 REM copies all programs includ 370 FOR X=35 TO 38:exec$=exec$+FNR ing Wordwise, machine codes etc. wit EADCH(X,Y):NEXT The aspect ratio is the ratio of the height hout changing loadadress, startadres 380 ENDPROC of the arc to its width. This should be set to 390 DEFFNREADCH(X,Y) 1 to produce a circular arc. The start and 12 REM this program may be corrup 400 LOCAL A%,LASTX,LASTY,C finish of plotting are for specifying in ted if an attempt is made to copy a 410 LASTX=POS program of over 22k Byte 420 LASTY=VPOS radians the angle at which plotting should 14 REM Check if you are in doubt 430 VDU31,X,Y start and finish. To draw a complete circle (print &finaLnumber on *CAT of a pr 440 AZ=135 both values should be set to 0. ogram) 450 C=USR(&FFF4) For example, to draw a circle of radius 20 ON ERROR GOTO 210 460 C=C AND &FFFF 200 units with itscentre at the point 30 MODE7 470 C=C DIV &100 40 VDU15:name$="" 480 VDU31,LASTX,LASTY (500,380), the command would be 50 VDU26:CLS:PRINT'CHR$(141)"Copy 490 =CHRS(C) PROCARC(500,380,200,0,1,0,0) tape]disc" 500 REM Load program at page=&7000 and to shade the circle the 0 after the 200 60 PRINTCHR$(141)"Copy tape]disc" would be 1. :VDU28,0,24,39,5 Try experimenting with different values 65 REM Chain cassette programs? Backup disc to cassette. 70 PRINT"Do you want more than on and you should soon get the feeling of e program";:INPUT more$:IF LEFT$(mor what is going on. Here are a couple of e$,1)="y" OR LEFT$(more$,1)="Y" THEN 10 REM Backup disc > cassette examples to type in. Enter more%=1 ELSE more%=0 20 ON ERROR GOT0360 PROCARC(640,420,400,0,1,P1,0) 80 CLS:PRINTTAB(0,2)"*CAT":PRINTT 30 MODE7 AB(5,19)"":VDU28,0,22,39,5:P 40 CLS:PRINT'""Are you using a p followed by RINTTAB(3,2):0SCLI"T.":0SCLI"OPT1,2" rinter? ";:print$=GETS:PRINT;print$: PROCA RC(640,420,400,0,1.5, PI) :OSCLI"*." print%=1+INSTR("NnYy",print$):ON pri Or you could try 85 REM cassette name may be alter ntX GOT040,50,50,50,50 PROCARC(640,612,100,0,0.9,0,3 * PI/2) ed before saving:default first 7 cha 50 PRINTTAB(0,12)"Taperecorder re and racters ady?":WAIT=GET 90 IF more%=0 PRINT "'New name";:I 60 VDU26:CLS:PRINT'CHR$(141)"Back PROCARC(640,432,100,0,0.9,PI,P1/2) NPUT names up disc]cassette" 100 REPEAT 70 PRINTCHR$(141)"Backup disc]cas Media moves 110 VDU28,0,24,39,5:CLS sette":VDU28,0,24,39,5 120 OSCLI"LOAD "+""""""+"1900" 80 CLS:*. This program from Wouter Kolkman is 130 PROCread 90 PRINTTAB(0,16)"Copy or Backup capable of copying every file on a disc to 140 IF name$<>""THEN fn$=name$ (C/B) ";:VDU127;:copy$=GETS:PRINT;co tape without changing the reload address. 150 REMIF Load$="0E00" THEN Load$= py$:copy%=1+INSTR("BbCc",copy$):ON c "1900":REM conditions may be entered opy% GOT090,100,100,100,100 However, it will only work with files that for relocating the program on disc 100 PRINTTAB(0,18)"Entire director are less than 22K long. 160 OSCLI"D.":0SCLI"SAVE "+fn$+" 1 y? ";:VDU127;:dir$=GETS:PRINT;dir$: The backup facility renames filesto 900"+" +"+length$+" "+exec$+" "+load DIR%=1+INSTR("NnYy",dir$):ON DIR%GOT directory ' so you can see that the program $:OSCLI"ACCESS "+fn$+" L":0SCLI"T." 0100,120,120,110,110 has been backed up. When using the 170 IF more%=0 THEN fn$=" 105 REM dir$ causes copying in al 180 UNTIL fn$." fabetic order on the first character facility, you may use wild cards # and *. 190 PRINT""Do you want to repeat of a program name The program is currently written for OS the program ";:INPUT repeat$:IF repe 110 dir$="!0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLM 1.2 but this can be changed by altering the at$<>""AND(LEFT$Crepeat$,1)="Y" OR L NOPQRSTUVWXYZ":dir%=1:INPUT'"Directo Oscli on line160 andallsubsequent EFT$(repeat$,1)="y")THEN 70 ry name";n$:A$=n$+"."+MID$(dir$,dir% occurences to 200 END ,1)+"*":GOT0130 210 IF ERR=17 AND ERL=80 GOT090 120 dir$=" ":INPUT"WHICH FILES ",A PROCoscli(commandS) 220 IF ERR=17 THEN 190 $:REM same syntax as *INFO and coding a 230 PRINT ERR,ERL:REPORT 130 Y=0 DEF PROCoscli(text$) 240 END 140 REPEAT at the end of the program. See page 463 of 250 DEFPROCread 150 y%=Y 260 Y=0 160 CLS:OSCLI"INFO"+" "+A$ the User Guide. 270 REPEAT 170 PRINT:PROCread Mr Kolkman has also provided a means 280 search$="":FOR X=0 TO 3:search 180 IF EVAL("&"+length$)<22000 THE of reversing a backup on to cassette. The $=search$+FNREADCH(X,Y):NEXT N 190 ELSE VDU7:PRINT"Program ";fn$; program starts with a 290 Y=Y+1 " is to long":VDU7:wait%=INKEY(50):G * CAT 300 UNTIL search$="Load" OT0280 310 Y=Y+1 190 OSCLI"LOAD "+fn$+" 1900" on the tape to allow you to find the right 320 200 b%=INSTR(fn$,".") program. When it has been found, press 330 fn$="":load$="":length$="":exe 210 fnb$=RIGHT$(fn$,LEN(fn$)-b%) Escape and you will be asked whether you c$="" 220 PRINT" SAVING ";fnb$; wish to rename the program or use the first 340 FOR X=0 TO 6:fn$=fn$+FNREADCH( (listing continued on next page) seven characters of the file name. If you (continued on next page)

PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 149 BBc

(continued from previous page) enterthe "more than one program" (listing continued from previous page) 390 END option, the programs are loaded one after 230 *T. 400 DEFPROCread:REM reads characte the other and stored on to disc. 240 *OPT1,0 rs the screen (User Manual page 250 OSCLI"SAVE "+fnb$+" 1900"+" +" Again there are OS 1.2 commands, and +length$+" "+exec$+" "+load$ 410 fn$="":load$="":length$="":exe you get around this the same way as before. 260 IF print%<4 THEN270 ELSEVDU2:P c$="" Both programs read characters from screen RINTfnb$:VDU3:REM if printer on, the 420 FOR X=0 TO 8:fn$=fn$+FNREADCH( memory so make sure you do not scroll the n print program name X,Y):NEXT screen for any reason. Again the maximum 270 *D. 430 FOR X=16 TO 19:load$=load$+FNR length of a file is 22K. 280 IF copy%>3 THEN Y=Y+1:GOT0320 EADCH(X,Y):NEXT ELSEIF Y -y%>0 GOT0320 440 FOR X=28 TO 33:lengthS=length$ 290 OSCLI"ACCESS "+fn$:REM IF BACK +FNREADCH(X,Y):NEXT:IF length$=" UP then RENAME and LOCK " THEN length$="0001" Singing heads 300 OSCLI"RENAME "+fn$+" .."+fnb$ 450 FOR X=23 TO 26:exec$=exec$+FNR D Chalazonitis of Athens has sent in a 310 OSCLI"ACCESS .."+fnb$+" L" EADCH(X,Y):NEXT 320 UNTIL fn$=" 460 ENDPROC program in the vein of the Simon game. 330 IF dir$=" "THEN340 ELSEIF dir% 470 DEFFNREADCH(X,Y) When the program is run, you are asked for <37 THEN dir%=dir%+1:AS=n$+"."+MID$( 480 LOCAL A%,LASTX,LASTY,C the volume level, which is in the standard dir$,dir%,1)+"*":GOT0130 490 LASTX=POS format 0 to 15. At this point four heads 340 PRINT""NEXT SERIES?":get$=GET 500 LASTY=VPOS appear and start building up a tune one $:IF get$="Y" OR get$="y" THEN 80ELS 510 VDU31,X,Y E GOTO 350 520 A%=135 note at a time. 350 END 530 C=USR(8FFF4) The object of the game is to copy the tune 360 IF(ERR=17 AND ERL=250)0SCLI"D. 540 C=C AND &FFFF each time a new note is added. So you ":GOTO 330 550 C=C DIV &100 repeat what has gone on before and add the 370 IF(ERR=214 AND (ERL=190 OR ERL 560 VDU31,LASTX,LASTY new note on to the end of the sequence. To =160))THEN330 570 =CHR$(C) 380 PRINT ERR,ERL:REPORT 580 REM Load program at page=&7000 copy the heads you use the four keys above the Return key. If the wrong key is pressed, or you are indecisive, the game ends. The sequence gets faster as the game progresses. The main program is between lines 190

Singing heads. 340 UNTIL F OR C=50 and 340 with the top line of the screen 350 GOT0130 showing the score, high score, current note 0 REM (c) D.Chalazonitis Sept.'8 360 DEFPROCLINE(X) and total number of notes. 3 370 PRINTTAB(0,X);CHR$(150);STRING If you are very good you may be able to 10 MODE7:HIMEM=HIMEM-372 $(38,CHR$(255));:ENDPROC better Mr Chalazonitis'sscore of25. 20 *FX4,1 380 DEFPROCSCORE However, there is a game limit of 50 which 30 *FX11,0 390 PRINTTAB(7,1);S;TAB(24,1);H;TA 40 VDU23;8202;0;0;0; B(32,1);J;" ";TAB(37,1);C;" ":ENDPRO when reached will start the game again. 50 DIMA(50) C 60 PROCassemble 400 DEFPROCGR(K,N):LOCALL 70 PROCdata 410 FOR L=4 TO 22:PRINTTAB(N,L);CH 80 INPUTTAB(9,9)"INPUT VOLUME (0- R$(K);:NEXT:ENDPROC :ADC#O:STA&71:DEX:BNE L1:RTS:] 15)"V 420 DEFPROCMOVE(X,D) 710 NEXT:ENDPROC 90 IF V<0 OR V>15 THEN GOTO 80 EL 430 PROCUP(X):PROCSCORE:SOUND1,V,X 720 DEFPROCDEL(X):LOCALT:T=TIME SE V=-V:CLS *28+50,D:PROCDEL(D*5):PROCDOWN(X) 730 REPEAT UNTIL TIME-T>X:ENDPROC 100 PROCLINE(0):PROCLINE(2):PROCLI 440 ENDPROC 740 DEFPROCdata:LOCAL N NE(23):PROCLINE(24) 450 DEFPROCLOST 750 FOR N=0T0195:N?HIMEM=160:NEXT 110 PRINTTAB(0,1);CHR$(131);"SCORE 460 IF H0 N?H 120 H=0 TAB(9,9);CHR$(131);"PRESS SPACE TO P IMEM=A+160 130 PROCGR(147,1):PROCGR(146,10):P LAY" 775 UNTIL A<0 ROCGR(145,19):PROCGR(148,29) 480 REPEAT UNTIL GET=32 780 N=83 140 F=FALSE:S=0:J=0:C=0:PROCSCORE 490 PRINTTAB(9,9);STRING$(30," "); 790 REPEAT N=N+1:READ A:IF A>0 N?H 150 ?&74=3 TAB(7,1);" ":ENDPROC IMEM=A+160 160 PROCBODY(&22):PROCBODY(&2C):PR 500 DEFPROC8ODY(X) 795 UNTIL A<0 OCBODY(836):PROCBODY(840) 510 ?&70=8C0:?&71=878:2872=X:?&73= 800 ENDPROC 170 ?&74=16 &7F:CALL SHOW:ENDPROC 810 DATA0,88,94,95,93,84,0,72,95,8 180 FORN=1T04:PROCDOWN(N):NEXT 520 DEFPROCUP(X) 5,95,90,95,20 190 REPEAT 530 ?&71=878:?&73=87C 820 DATA10,95,3,0,3,95,5,0,11,79,9 200 PROCDEL(100):C=C+1 540 IF X=4 THEN ?&70=850:?&72=8A2 2,31,7,0 210 REPEAT A(C)=RND(4):UNTIL A(C)< 550 IF X=3 THEN ?&70=838:?&72=8AC 830 DATA0,0,0,95,0,0,0,0,0,0,95,0, >A (C-1) 560 IF X=2 THEN W0=826:7872=886 0,0 220 IF C>20 D=2 ELSE IF C>15 D=3 E 570 IF X=1 THEN ?&70=811:?&72=8C0 840 DATA0,0,0,95,0,0,0,0,0,0,95,0, LSE IF C>10 D=4 ELSE D=16 -C 580 CALL SHOW:ENDPROC 0,0 230 FOR J=1 TO C 590 DEFPROCDOWN(X) 850 DATA0,0,0,95,0,0,0,0,0,0,95,0, 240 PROCMOVE(A(J),D) 600 ?&71=87A:?&70=88C:?&73=87C:?87 0,0 250 NEXT 2=8A2+(4-X)*10:CALL SHOW:ENDPROC 860 DATA0,0,0,95,0,0,0,0,0,0,95,0, 260 *FX15,0 610 DEFPROCassemble:LOCALN 0,0 270 J=0 620 DIM G% 50 870 DATA0,0,0,95,0,0,0,0,0,0,95,0, 280 REPEAT J=J+1:T=TIME 630 FOR N=0702 STEP2 0,0 290 A=INKEY(400) 640 P%=G% 880 DATA0,0,0,95,0,0,0,0,0,0,95,0, 300 IF A=858 X=4 ELSE IF A=85F X=3 650 COPTN 0,0 ELSE IF A=88B X=2 ELSE IF A=88A X=1 660 .SHOW LDX&74 890 DATA68,84,88,95,84,88,24,1,72, ELSE X=0 670 .L1 LDY#0 95,92,95,20,2 310 IF X<>A(J) OR X=0 F=TRUE ELSE 680 .L2 LDA(&70),Y:STA(&72),Y:INY: 900 DATA0,80,91,3,87,80,0,-1 S=S+J*5:PROCMOVE(X,5) CPY#7:BNE L2 910 DATA0,88,94,95,93,84,0,72,95,8 320 690 CLC:LDA872:ADC#40:STA872:LDA87 5,95,90,95,20 330 UNTIL F OR J=C:IF F THEN PROCL 3:ADC#0:STA&73 920 DATA10,95,15,15,15,95,5,0,11,7 OST 700 CLC:LDA870:ADC#7:STWO:LDA871 9,95,31,7,0,-1

150 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 WITH MOST COMPUTER DEALERS,THIS IS GOODBYE

WITH COMMODORE BUSINESS CENTRES, IT'S HELLO It happens all too often. software packages, worth over £865. Absolutely free*. Businesses get pestered into buying their first computer Word Processing (including a spelling checker). Database system, then promptly forgotten once they've signed on the (filing). Spreadsheet (Financial Planning). dotted line. Talk to us soon. Because no-one should buy a computer At Commodore Business Centres, we decided that was - without first being sold on the people who supply it. no way to build up credibility-or our sales figures. So we set *Subject to purchase of a computer system plus integral or separate disk drive. up teams of specialists to make sure your investment in computers pays dividends -all along the line. First, they listen to what you need and expect from computers. Then, they advise on the right system for you (rather than just hard -selling what's in stock). Please send me details of Commodore Business Computers So far, so good. You haven't spent a penny. But you and my nearest Commodore Business Centre. have talked to people who've already Send to: Commodore Business Centre, FREEPOST, Knowle, helped over 130,000 first-time users Solihull, West Midlands B93 8BR SEND through the computer exercise. Name Position What's more, every local TODAY Commodore Business Centre abides by a Company/Address written Code of Practice-which is your guarantee of a better deal, all round. So, besides the system itself, your money buys instal- Postcode Tel lation, staff training, continued technical support, and rwCOMMOdOre guaranteed on -site maintenance. (All from around £20 a week 11' business centre on a 5 -year lease plan). PC7 On top of which, you get three comprehensive application Talking computers on your terms.

Circle No. 167 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 151 Music maker ONE OF THE features of the Commodore 64first contains details of the note's octave Several different songs can be loaded is its music synthesiser, but programming itand number, the second contains the note's into the 64 by the program and then played is no easy task. Although setting up theduration ready for playing back. as required. different sounds on each of the three voices Playing the song back requires that the is relatively straightforward, playing tunesSid voices are each operated together. It is Pokes selection in real time is tricky. not really practical in Basic owing to the C J Moore of Wallingford has adapted atimedelaybetweenconsecutiveBasic for the 64 program, originally written by C Mertenstatements.Thereforeamachine -code and S Meyer, which is only available in theroutine has been used, which is stored from I am often asked for Pokes to disable U.S. It will allow you to compose, edit andlocation 49630 ($C1DE) onwards. Thedifferent features of the Commodore 64, save a three-part song. Although written toroutine uses the song data in its encodedso a few of my favourites are shown in the work with discs, there is no reason why theform. table. program should not be modified to work with tape. Commodore 64 Pokes. There are two programs. The first is the POKE 788,52 - Stop Key disable, also PEEK(65533) List disable total reset Note Editor and the second is Play A Song, stops TI clock POKE 774,PEEK(790): POKE 775, which plays the songs created by the editor. POKE 788,49 - Stop Key enable PEEK(791) - List disable part reset The Note Editor inputs music using POKE 792,193 - Run/Stop-Restore POKE 650,64 - Key Repeat disable conventionalnotation.Avarietyof disable, also disables RS -232 POKE 650,128 - Repeat on all keys facilities are provided and they are listed in POKE 792,71 - Run/Stop-Restore POKE 650,0 -- Repeat on cursor keys enable POKE 788,70 - 64 disable!: the only the menu. Data is saved as straightforward PRINT CHR$(8) - CBM-Shift disable way out is to switch the 64 off and on sequential files by the Note Editor but when PRINT CHR$(9) - CBM-Shift enable again. the song data is loaded back by the second POKE 774,PEEK(65532): POKE 775, program, it is encoded as two bytes. The

Note editor. 17,n7PRINT"[RVS]...NOTE..VALUE.,,,.[RVOFF3" ORPRINT"AL AL.". Lahr, 20REM NOTE CODE EDITOR C. J. MOORE la..

I-, " 25 GOSUB 90' POKE 53280,4 POKE 53281,2 209 PRINT" .6 ala I... Lats. ala 1.41 40 DIM DR (500,3 ) F, " .ALal+ al. I... 45 C$="C.,.C#D...D#E.LF.,F#GA,G#AA#B.,R-" 210 PRINT"...... 50GnSUD 90:GOSUB 530 14r. F, GO ON tiGOSUB 110,101n,940,740,850,680, PRINT" IER'y'SJ RVOFF3 RVS7AIR'y'OFF3. IER'y'SJ 040

ICRVS]... 7n GOTO 50:END RVOFF P./S:1,ZRVITIFF 3 . IERVS2 R',/ OF F3 . IC RVOFF3 -7 C. REM ******* RESPONSE ***********

71'7, GET RS:IF R1:=""THEN 76 30 240PRINT " 123a.96...64 772=-1:IF R$="N"THEN Z=1 4. 78IF R$="Y"THEN 2=0 79IF 7<0 THEN 76 P RINT" RETURN PRINT"ERVS,CYRN]...00TAVEA.CODE,CRVOFF2" R2REM ******PRINT HERDER ********* PRINT" 9taPRINT"ECLERR,MAGENTR,RVS] ...... 1 .,.....ERVOFF,WHITE3":RETURN 2c4 PRINT " .. r

100 REM ********* LOAD ************* :7370PRINT "OCTRYE=.,..4 110 GOSLIP 90:PRINT"[DOWN37 LORD...MUSIC...FILE...CALLED" 31 0PRINT" 120 PRINT"[DOWN37...... " -EUPJ"; 312 PRINT"PREEY..,.*".NILL.E;';IT.T!l. 125 INPUT"ELEFT172"F$ MENU" 17:0 PRINT"EDOWN33IS.,THE.,FILE,.ERVS3"F$",.. 313 GET R:5: IF R5=""THEN 313 ERVOFF7A.,Y/N?" 314 IF R$="*"THEN RETURN 140 GOSUB 715:IF 2 THEN RETURN 315 PRINT"[UP,YELLOW,RVS1 150 OPEN 5,8,5,"90:"+F$4."S,R" ,JENTER.NOTE,CODES.,ERVOFFJ 1t:,n INPUT#5,L(1):INPUT#5,L(2) 162 INPUT#5,L(3):INPUT#5,TEMPO 32nPRINT"NOTE.,,(E.G....C,F#,REST)?-,R" 170 FOR V=1 TO 3: FOR I=1 TO L(V) :=r;Li PRINT"OCTRVE,,0-74...(8,9=END)?,2" 180 INPUT#5,DA(IJV) PRINT"DURRTION4,1-255 ?,32" 190 NEXT:NEXT:CLOSE 5:RETURN PRINT"[UP47" INPUT"NOTE.,(E.G....C,F#,REST)"MT$ 2On REM ********* EDIT ************* 70INPUT"OCTRVE...0-74,(8,9=END)")0C GOSUB INPUT"DURRTION.1-255,,";DU 400PRINT:PRINT"NOTE.ERVS3"NT$"...[RVOFF7

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 152 )1..7.:ntelMODORE oy mike Todd

...00TAVE.A[RVS]"0C"ERVOFFJ,,LENGTH4.[RVS] 820 NEXT:NEXT:CLOSE 5 :RETURN "DU"ERVOFFJ" 410 PRINT"ISATHISACORRECT?..Y/N":GOSUB 76 830 REM #0444## DISPLAY *********** :IF Z THEN 205 840 OPEN 4,4:CMD 4:KP=1 450 NT$:=LEFTS(NTWA,..6.",2):NT=0 850 T$="VOICEANO.ANOTEA8VEAVALUEAHEX-8YT 450 FOR 1=0 TO 11:IF MID$:(C$,I*2+1, ESATIME":IF KP=1 THEN PRINT T$ 2)=NT$THEN NT=I 855 FOR I=1 TO 34:IF KP=0 THEN GOSUB 90 470 NEXT :PRINT T$ 475 IF NTI:="R,."OR NT$="RE"THEN NT=12 860 FOR J=1 TO 22:M=J+224J-22:M=2*M-1:V=1 480 IF NT(0 OR NT)12 THEN STOP :K=M 490 DA(24EN-1,V)=15+0C+NT:DA(24N,V)=DU 861 IF M>L(1)THEN K=M-L(1):V=2 495 IF CO THEN RETURN 862 IF M>L(2)+L(1)THEN K=M-L(1)-L(2):V=3 500 L(V)=2*N:IF OC(8 THEN N=N+1:SU=SU+DU 863 IF M>L(3)+L(2)+L(1)THEN KL=1:GOTO 890 GOTO 205 865 N=INT(K/2)+1: IF N=1 THEN SU=0 510 P(V)=SU:N=1:V=V+1:SU=0 870 GOSUB 1200:NEXT J 520 IF V(4 THEN 205 890 IF KP=1 THEN 893 522GOSUB 90:PRINT%.,VOICEA...... LENGTHA.AAA 891 PRINT"ERVSJCONTINUEHRVOFF3"; TOTALOURATION" 892 GET A$:IF A$<>"Y"THEN 892 524 FOR V=1 TO 2:L$:=STR:t(L(V)) 893 IF KL=1 THEN KL=0:GOTO 896 :P$:=STR$(P(V)):K$=STR$(V) 894 NEXT I 526PRINT"..."+K$+" "+L$+" "+P$ 896 IF KP=1 THEN KP=0:PRINT#4:CLOSE 4 NEXT: PRINT"EDOWN21INPULLTEMP04.(N0.0 898 RETURN FABERTS/MINUTE)...?..,100" 900 REM *0404** ADD************* INPUT"[UP]INPUTA.TEMPOA(NO.OFAIEATS/M 940 GOSUB 90:PRINT"[DOWN3] INUTE)A"TEMPO: TEMPO=INT(920/TEMPO) START.,AT.,VOICEA?Al" 5%7'9 RETURN 950 INPUT"[UP]STFIRTARTAVOICE...";V 5:::0 REM *44444*** MENU ************* 9tC0 PRINT"IDOWN23 AANDANOTEA"Al" 540PRINT"[HOME,DOWN2,RVS] 970 INPUT"CUP] ..ANDANOTEA.";N ...... ASELECT..1,.0F,LTHEAFOLLOWINGA.OPTIONS 980 PRINT"[DIMN2,RVS]AADDAFROM.NOICE ERVOFFJ"V"[RVS],..NOTEERVOFFJ 550 PRINT"ERVSAA.BY,,PRESSING.,THE.INDIC ATEDAKEY "::PRINT:PRINT 990 GOSUB 76:IF Z THEN RETURN 560PRINT"A[RVS]LERVOFF3ORDAAAMUSIC,.FILE" 1000 GOSUB 205:RETURN :PRINT 1005 REM #44144#iiii# CORRECT 044444444* 570 PRINT".[RVSJAERVOFFJ 1010 GOSUB 90:PRINT"ERVS3 DDANEWACODE,JOAA,LFILE":PRINT LENGTH4,(40.0F,,,NOTES)ADF," 580 PRINT",..ERVSKERVOFFJ 1012 PRINT"EDOWNJVOICEA1.?")L(1)/2 HANGE/CORRECT,,THE,FILE":PRINT :INPUT"[UP]VOICE,Ia";L(1) 590 PRINT"AIRVS3D[RVOFF] :L(1)=2*L(1) ISPLAYACODELON,,THE.SCREEN":PRINT 1013 PRINT"[DOWN]VOICEA2..?";L(2)/2 595 PRINT"AERVSJP[RVOFF] :INPUT"[UP]VOICE,2A";L(2) RINT...CODE,..ONA.PAPER":PRINT :L(2)=2*L(2) 600 PRINT"AERVSJSCRVOFFJ 1014 PRINT"CDOWNJVOICE...3,..?";L(3)/2 AVEATHEAFILE*ON,IISC":PRINT :INPUT"[UP]VOICEA3...";L(3) 610 PRINT"AIRVSJFERVOFFJINISHAJOB":PRINT :1_(3)=2#L(3) :PRINT 1020 IF TEMPO=0 THEN TEMPO=9999999 620 PRINT" ...WHICH?"; 1830PRINT"[DOWN2] TEMPO...?"; 6:=10 GET A$:IF A$=""THEN 530 INT(920/TEMPO) 640 MX=0:FOR T=1 TO 7:IF MIDWLCASDFP", 1031 INPUT "CUPJATEMPO,..";TEMPO T,1)=A$THEN MX=T :IF

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 153 (continued from previous page) 400PRINT"SONG...NUMBER.LERVS1"I"ERVOFF3 NT#2+1,2) DU$=RIGHT$ ( " 4," +STR$ (DA (K ,L"F$(1.):NEXT 410 PRINT:INPUT"PLAY.,SONGANUMBER",NC 1220 B$=",,&":K$=RIGHT4:(El+STR$(N),3) 420 GOSUB 500:PRINT:PRINT :SW:=RIGHTS(E1+STR$(SU),5) 430 PRINT"PLAYAANOTHER,SONG?..,...Y/N" 440 GET A.$:IF A.$=""THEN 440 X=DA(K,V):GOSUP 1160:C1$=X$ 450 IF A$="N"THEN GOSUB 100:END :X=DA(K+1,V):GOSUP 1160:C2$=X$ 460 IF A$="Y"THEN GOTO 380 :V$=RIGHT$:(V47,1) 470 GOTO 440 1240 V$:=CHR$(159)+STR$(V)+B$+K$+CHR$(158 480 REM 44******* PLAY SONG 141440+ ) +B$+NT$+El+OC$+B$+DU$4-CHR$ ( 150) +B$ 500 S=D0+4:IF NC=1 THEN 540 1250 IF KP=0 THEN PRINT"ERVS7 510 FOR K=2 TO NC "+VI:+Cl $41::$4.52$+" ..,"4-CHR$(152)+" 520 S=S+7+PEEK(S)+256#PEEK(S+1) U$, 530 NEXT 1255 IF KP=1 THEN PRINT V$4 -C1$+11 -+C2$+".4. 540 WI)=21,+3:TEMPO=PEEK(S+2) "+".."+SO$ 550 Y(2.)=PEEK(S-4)+256+PEEK(S-3)+V(1) 1257 RETURN 560 Y(3)=PEEK(S-2)+2564EPEEK(S-1)+WI) Play A Song. 570 FOR J=1 TO 580 POKE AD+2*.j-1,FN LO(V(J)) PLAY A SONG 20 REM C. J. MOORE 590 POKE AD+24iJ ,FN HI(V(J)) 600 NEXT:POKE T,TEMPO 40 GOSUB 100: POKE 53280,4:POKE 53281,2 610 SYS R: RETURN :DIM DA(500,3),F$(20):GOSUB 4000 45 DEF FN HI(V)=INT(V/256) 620 REM *04 SET UP MACHINE CODE 444 :DEF FN LO(V)=INT(V-256*FN HI(V)) 4000 FOR 1=49630 TO 50000 5,171 R=49630:D0=50020:AD=49961:T=49825:NS=0 4010 READ j: F'OKE I,j :CK=CK+J:NM=NM+1 :W1=DO 4020 NEXT 70 GOSUB 120:1 OTO 380 4030 READ I,J 4040 IFI<>CKORJ<>14MTHEN PRINT"DATA,E 90 REM ******* PRINT HEADER ******* RROR":STOP 100 PRINT"ECLEAR,MAGENTA,RVS7 4050 RETURN APLAY..6.A.CnNG 5nrin 4.4.A.AIRVOFF,WHITE)",:RETURN REM OK*** MACHINE CODE DATA **** 5nrilDATA1201. 173, IC 220., 41, 254,141., 14 110 REM #004***** LOAD *********** 5002DATA220, 173, 20, 3, 141., 226., 194.,173 120 NS=NS+1 50ORDATA21, 3..141, 227, 194,1 69, 35, 141, 4 125 GOSUB 100:PRINT:PRINT:PRINT 5004DATA20 169 ., :3141,5 220173., 14:220 :PRINT"LOADASONG.,NUMBER"NS F4057,DATA9., 1., 141., 14,220.,169, 217., 141, 20, 130 PRINT:PRINT:PRINT" 5006DATA169., 194, 141.,21., 3.. 160., 0,162., 24 CUPP' 9007DATA189., 54., 195., 157,0,212,202.,16.247 140 INPUT"[UNFROMAMUSICAFILE";F$(NS) 50nPDATA 1 69., 0., 141.,95., 195., 16'2., 2,157.. :30 :PRINT:PRINT 5009DATA195,20'2., 16., 250., 162.,5., 189, 42., 195 150 PRINT"[DOWN3JISA.THEA.FILEAIRVSJ 5010DATA157., 83., 195.. 202, 1'- 247., 88., 162 "F$': NS) 5c111DATA ., 142.,9:4., 195,189., 80..195.. 240,16 160 GET A$:IF A$=""THEN 160 91112DATA201., :3.,208., 87., 189., 13, 195., 170., 189 170 IF Fa<>"Y"THEN 125 501RDATA58., 195., 157,4,212.,208.,72,138,10 180 OPEN 5,8,5,"130:"+F$(NS)+",S,R" 5014DATA170., 189, 8:3., 195,1'33,163., 189., 84 190 INPUT#5,L(1):INPUT#5,L(2) 5016DATA195,133,164,177., 163,48.. 76,32 210 INPUT#5,L(3):INPUT#5,TEMPO 5017DATA228., 194., 177,163., 141,90.. 195, 136 220 FOR V=1 TO :::FOR I=1 TO L(V) FW118DATA24., 165,163., 105,3,157,83, 195,144 11 INPUT#5,DA(I,V) 501RDATA3., 254.. 84., 195., 174,94., 195,172,90 240 NEXT:NEXT:CLOSE 5:00SUB 260 DATA195,157., 80., 195,189,13,195,170 245 PRINT"[DOWN37LOADARNOTHERASONG.,..Y/N?" F47121 DATA173., 91., 195., 157., 0., 212., 173.. 92., 195 246 GET A$:IF A$=""THEN 246 F022DATA157,1., 212,189,58,195., 9,1,157., 4

247 IF A$="N"THEN RETURN F023DATA212., 174., 94,195,222 .. 80., 195,202 248 IF R$="Y"THEN 120 5024DATA16,151., 169,4,141,95.. 195,173,95 249 GOTO 246 Fin25DATA195,208., 251., 240.. 137.. 169., 0., 141., 4 250 REM 0404*** POKE DATA 0404** 5n2 P;DATA212,141,11,212,141,18,212,169 260 V(1)=641+7:V(2)=V(1)+L(1) Fa27DATA8,141., 14,230,169., 149., 141., 4.. 220 502RDATA169.,66., 141.,5,220.,173,2'4:..)6.,194 270 POKE W1: FN LO(L(1)): POKE 141+1, 5029DATA141,20,3., 173,227,194,141,21,3 FN HI(L(1)) 50R0DATA169:1,141,14, 220., :38,96., 173., 95 50R1 280 POKE 611+2,FN LO(L(1)+L(2)) DATA195., 240., 3,20E, 95., 195,76., 49., 234 503-DATA141,93, 195,41., 15,10.. 168., 185., 16 : POKE W1+3,FN HI(L(1)+L(2)) 290 POKE 141+4, FN LO(L(1)+L(2)+L(3)) DATA195, 141,91.. 195., 200., 185., 16.. 195 Fdi..7;4DATA141,92., 195,173,93,195,74., 74.. 74 : F'OKE W1+5,FN HI(L(1)+L(2)+L(3)) 295 POKE 611+6,TEMPO 5a=15DATA74., 168., 241., '3,78., 92,195,110,91 fUin FOR J=1 TO 3 5mi;DATA195,136., 208.. 247., 200., 96., 0,7,14 :7:10 FOR I=1 TO L(J) 50:7DATA149,68., 1E9,73., 252., 76,161,81.,105 F'OKE Y(J)+I-1,DR(I,J) DATA:36,140., 91,254., 9:6., 194., 102.,22.3 330 NEXT:NEXT:W1=V(3)+L(3) 5m9DATA108.,88., 115., 52., 122.. 120,129., O.,0 50411 360 RETURN DATA169., 19:3,24:3.,19:347.. 194,0,0,0., CI 517141 DATA0, 0., 0., 0, 0,7., 64,9,0., la., 0., 0.,,648 :370 REM *0444** CHOOSE SONG 044444 F47142DATA149., 97.,O., O., 00., 32., 613,113., 0., 0,0 3Rn GOSUB 100:PRINT:PRINT DATA15., 0,255 :::qn FOR I=1 TO NS 5100DATA4415:3,371

154 PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 Will the microyoubuy Coda keep MA smilitig morrow. -- The Jarogate MP5 lets you expand, upgrade and interface with other micros, all from only £1,995. The highly flexible multi-user system uses a combination of network techniques, so that you can put the right level of computer power at key locations throughout your company. Expensive peripheral equipment such as disk storage, hard copy and communications equipment are shared between work stations. Expandability protects your investment You won't outgrow your MP5 because you can continue expanding from any point without making anything redundant. The end point will be a bona fide MP5 configuration, not a smaller machine with lots of expansion boxes hanging off the back. The MP5 can be upgraded, as new developments become available, thus protecting your investment from extinction. Nationwide maintenance support Jarogate has a team of staff dedicated to answering questions, ensuring maximum benefit for users. Included in the purchase price is 2 days free training and no less than 5 years free telephone support. On site maintenance is available throughout the UK on a contract or time and materials basis. Key features Up to 14 users, each with 64K 280B (6MHZ) & S100 Bus or over 40 users with the powerful 16 bit Intel 80286 processor

11111111111 From 5 to 600MB shared disk storage Perpetual real time clock/calendar Shared printers & plotters 8" and 5'/4" floppy disk Ethernet for multiple MP5 configurations Supports any CP/M MP/M, CCP/M86, MS- DOS or PC -DOS applications software Options ICUIBM & other communications Prestel Colour graphics Multi-user telex Cartridge & reel to reel tape Make sure the micro you invest in isn't programmed for obsolesence - send off for details of the MP5 today. Dealer enquiries welcomed.

rPleasesend me full details of the MP5 1 I I Name Title I Company

IAddress

I Tel I = = =/=1 81.1 = -I L .I Mi,. /MIINIIIM 44 II. AENNEN OM... SMI. u1011ErMY=MI11.1=1100=7IIMI1,1/,., 1=RtMi,, 1.Le

Return coupon to: Jarogate Ltd., 197-213 Lyham Road, Brixton, London SW2 SPY Tel: 01-671 6321 Telex: 8950094 JARO G Circle No. 138 Big factorials AN IMPRESSIVE demonstration Of the power of the Apple comes from Georgios 100 REM *********************** 1715 PRE 1:PRINT : GOSUB 6500: PRE Gallios of Thessaloniki in Greece. He has ****** 0 submitted a generator of factorials which 110 REM *** BIG FACTORIAL PROGR 1730 NEXT C AM *** 1735MN = NM differs from most such generators in that 115 REM *** BY G.GALIOS 1740 RETURN itis not meant purely as an example of *** 1750 REM ** recursive programming, but is intended to 120 REM *********************** 1755 PRINT ****** 1760 PRINT TAB( T1);"DO YOU WAN be useful. 130 REM T TO PRINT THE": PRINT Iffactorial300 being 3.06058243* 1000 REM ** 1770 PRINT TAB( TI);"INTERMEDIA 33being 1010 REM ** MAIN PROGRAM ** TE RESULTS (Y/N)": GOSUB 18 10* *614 orfactorial 1020 REM ** 00:IF LS < > "Y" THEN RETURN 8,683,317,618,811,886,495,518,194,401, 1025 IF INIT = 0 THEN GOSUB 900 280,000,000 is the kind of fact which does 0 1775 PRINT : PRINT something for you, this is the program to 1030 TEXT : HOME : VTAB 4:T1 = 5 1780 HTAB Ti: INPUT "PRINT RESUL

TS FROM ":FL: PRINT : HTAB T do it with. HTAB T1:INVERSE : " 1040 PRINT 1 +14: INPUT "TO ":LN FIND THE FACTORIAL OF ": NORMAL1790 RETURN : PRINT : PRINT 1800 REM ** (Y/N) 3200 RETURN 1050 PRINT TAB( T1);"1.SMALL NU 1810 GET LS:IF L$ < "Y" AND 3500 REM ** SMALL NUMBERS MBERS": PRINT L$ < > "N" THEN 1810 3510 GOSUB 2500: REM INPUT NUMB 1060 PRINT TAB( T1);"2.BIG NUMB 1820 RETURN ER ERS (THE ORDER)": PRINT 1900 REM ** DISPLAY OR PRINTER 3520 GOSUB 2600: REM RUNNING 1070 PRINT TAB( T1);"3.BIG NUMB 3530 N = 1 1910 HOME : VTAB 6:T1 = 9 3540 FOR I= 1 TO NN:N = N * I: NEXT ERS (ALL THE DIGITS)": PRINT 1920 HTAB T1 + 5: INVERSE : PRINT

" OPTIONS ": NORMAL : PRINT 1080 PRINT TAB( TI);"4.TERMINAT 3550 RETURN E": PRINT 1930 PRINT TAB( T1);"1.DISPLAY 3700 REM** BIG NUMBERS (THE OR 1085 PRINT RESULTS": PRINT DER) 1090 HTAB Ti: INVERSE : PRINT " 1940 PRINT TAB( T1);"2.PRINT RE 3710 GOSUB 2500: REM INPUT SELECT ONE (1-4)': NORMAL SULTS": PRINT 3720 GOSUB 2600 1100 GET L$:ME = VAL (L$):IF M 1950 PRINT TAB( T1);"3.RETURN T 3730 NZ = 0 1 I = 1 TO NN:NZ = NZ + LOG E < OR ME > 4 THEN 1100 0 MAIN MENU": PRINT : PRINT 3740 FOR (I): NEXT I 1110 IF ME = 4 THENEND : PRINT LOG (10):ND = NX - 1120 ON ME GOSUB 3500,3700,1500: 1960 HTAB Ti: INVERSE : PRINT " 3750 NX = NZ / REMCALCULATE FACTORIAL SELECT ONE (1-3) ': INT (NX) 1130 HOME : VTAB 5: HTAB Ti 1970 GET LS:SL =VAL (LS) - 1: IF 3790 RETURN 1140 ON ME GOSUB 6200,6400,6000: SL < 0 OR SL > 2 THEN 1970 4000 REM REM DISPLAY RESULTS 1980 IF SL = 2 THEN POP :SL = 0 4010 REM ** CHANGE A(1,I) AND A 1142 IF SL = 1 THEN T1 = TE (2,I) MATRIXES ** : GOTO 1000 1145 PRE 0: PRINT 1990Ti = 5: RETURN 4020 REM I 1 TO NM - 2 1150 PRINT : PRINT : HTAB T1: 2000 REM 4040 FOR = INVERSE: PRINT "PRESS A KEY 2010 REM ** MULTIPLICATION ROU 4060 IA = NM + 1 - I TO CONTINUE": NORMAL TINE ** 4080 A(1,IA) = A(1,IA 2) 1155 GET L$ 2020 REM 4100 A(2,IA) = A(2,IA 1) 1160 GOSUB 1900: REMSELECT DIS 2040Y = 0 4120 NEXT I 4140 A(1,2) = 0:4(1,1) = 0 PLAY OR PRINTER 2060 FOR I = 1 TO NM 1170 PRE SL 2080V = Y + F(I)* EN 4160 A(2,2) = A(2,1):A(2,1) = 0 RETURN 1175 IF SL = 1 THEN TE = T1:T1 = 2100Y1 = INT (Y /10) 4300

1 2120Y2 = Y - YI * 10 5000 REM 1180 GOTO 1130 2140A(J,I) = Y2 5010 REM ** NULL MATRIX ROUTINE 1500 REM** BIG NUMBERS (ALL DI 2160Y = Y1 ** 5020REM BITS) 2200 NEXT I 1510 GOSUB 2500 2300 RETURN 5040 FOR I= 1 TO MN 5060A(J.I) = 0 1520 PRINT : GOSUB 1750 2500 REM ** INPUT NUMBER 5080 NEXT I 1530 HOME : VTAB 3: HTAB 13 2510 HOME : VTAB 7:T1 = 5 5100 RETURN 1540GOSUB 2620: PRINT : PRINT 2520 HTAB Ti: PRINT "TYPE IN THE 1550NM = 3:CF = 0 NUMBER ": 6000 REM ** PRINT BIG NUMBERS 1560 IF INIT < > 0 THEN GOSUB 2530 INPUT "":LS:NN = VAL (LS): ALL DIGITS) 7000 IF NN < = 0 THEN PRINT CHRS 6060CF = 0:AS = NM - ( INT (NM / 3) * 3) 1570F(1) = 1 (7): GOTO 2510 1580 FOR C = 2 TO NN 2550 RETURN 6070 PRINT NN:"!="; 1590H = INT (C / 100) 2600 REM** RUNNING MESSAGE 6080 FOR I = NM TO1 STEP - 1 6100 IF(CF = 0 AND F(I) = 0) THEN 1600DH = C - H * 100 2610 HOME : VTAB 10: HTAB 12 6120 1610T = INT (DH /10) 2620 INVERSE : PRINT " WAIT IS R 1620U = DH - T * 10 UNNING ": NORMAL 6105ZX = NM + 1 + AS - I 1625 VTAB 5 2650 RETURN 6115CF = 2: PRINT F(I); 6116 IF I = 1 THEN 6120 1630 HTAB 18:INVERSE : PRINT " 3000 REM HTU ": NORMAL 3010 REM ** SUM ROUTINE ** 6117 IF (ZX - INT (ZX / 3) 0) THEN PRINT ","; 1640 HTAB 19: PRINT H;T:11: PRINT 3020 REM 3040SY = 0 6120 NEXT I 6125 PRINT 1650 PRINT TAB( T1):"YOU SEE TH 3060 FOR I = 1 TO NM E INTERMEDIATE RESULTS": PRINT 3080SY = SY + A(1,I) + A(2,I)+ 6130 RETURN REM ** PRINT SMALL NUMBERS TAB( Ti):'IN REVERSE ORDER" A(3,I) 6200 10) : PRINT 3100SI = INT (SY / 6210 PRINT NN;"!=":N 1660 INVERSE : PRINT " ":C - 1;" 3120S2 = SY - Si * 10 6220 RETURN NORMAL : PRINT 3140F(I) = S2 6400 REM ** PRINT BIG NUMBERS 1670J = 1:EN = H: GOSUB 2000 PRINT F(I):" ": 3150 THE ORDER) 1680J = 2:EN = T: GOSUB 2000 3160SY = Si 6410 PRINT NN;"!=";10 ND:"*10-' 1690J = 3:EN = U: GOSUB 2000 3180 NEXT I 1700 GOSUB 4000: GOSUB 3000 3190 IF (F(NM - 2) < > 0 OR F(N 1705 IF C < FL THEN 1730 M - 1) < > 0 OR F(NM) < 1710 IF C> LN THEN 1730 0) THEN NM = NM + 3 (continued on opposite page)

COM PUT I NG December 1984 156 PRACTICAL >APPLE by John Harris

(continued from previous page) 7080J= 3: GOSUB 5000 Mastermind 7100 FOR I = 1 TO MN INT (NX) 7120F(I) = 0 A variation on the Post Office game of 6420 RETURN 7140 NEXT I pen and paper days, this program from 6500 REM PRINT INTERMEDIATE RES 7200 RETURN ULTS 9000 REM Guy Dean of Edinburgh offers graphics ** 6505CF = O:AS = NM - ( INT (NM / 9010REM ** INITIALISATION elements to deduce, rather than numbers. 3)* 3) 9020 REM The six shapes varied across four columns 6510 PRINT C;"!="; 9030MES = " WAIT IS RUNNING make an interesting change. Only six tries 6520 GOTO 6080 9040 HOME VTAB 10: HTAB 13:INVERSE 7000 REM : PRINT " INITIALIZING ":NORMAL are allowed for each selection, which 7010 REM guarantees at least some lost games while 7020 REM 9050INIT = 11 still permitting logic to triumph most of 7040J = 1: GOSUB 5000 9060 DIM A(3,300): DIM F(300) 7060J = 2: GOSUB 5000 9090 RETURN the time.

Mastermind. 10 REM *** MASTERMIND :MF(C) = 1:FF = 8:S = S + 1: 20025 P2 = PO 20 REM *4)*BY GUY DEAN GOSUB 20000 20030 IF PO > 2 THEN Z = G * 20 . 30 REM *** 26/7/84 830 NEXT 20:P2 = PO - 2

100 REM 840 FOR C = 1 TO 4 20040 HCOLOR= 0: DRAW 7 AT P2 * 850 FOR X = 1 TO 4 10 115.Z

LOAD IN SHAPE TABLE 855 IF P(X)= 0 OR MF(C) = 1 THEN 20050 HCOLOR= 3: DRAW FF AT P2 * 870 860 IF P(X)= M(C) THEN P(X) = 110 GOSUB 10000 10 + 115,Z - 1 1:FF = 9: GOSUB 20000:MF(C) 120 POKE 232,16: POKE 233,64 20060RETURN 200 REM 1 30000 REM 870 NEXT 880 NEXT DISPLAY ANSWERS SET VARIABLES 1000 REM

CHECKIF WON 205 CLEAR 30010 HCOLOR= 0 210 DIM M(4),P(4) 30020 FOR C = 10 TO 25 250 GOSUB 40000: REM INSTRUCTIO 30030 HPLOT 51,C TO 115,C NS 30040 NEXT 1010 IF S < 300 REM > 4 THEN 1110 30045 HCOLOR= 3 1020 HOME : VTAB 22: PRINT "WELL 30050 FOR C = 1 TO 20 DRAW BOARD DONE YOU HAVE WON!!" 30055 HCOLOR= 0 1030 GOTO 30000 30060 FOR X= 1 TO 4 1100 REM 30070 DRAW M(X) AT X * 15 45,1 310 HOME : HGR 7 320 HCOLOR= 3 START AGAIN 30080 NEXT X 330 FOR C = 10 TO 25 30081 FOR XX = 1 TO 5:VV = PEEK 340 HPLOT 50,C TO 115,C ( - 16336): NEXT 350 NEXT 30085 HCOLOR= 3 360 FOR C = 1 TO 6 1110 IF G <6 THEN 610 30087 FOR X = 1 TO 4 370 Z = C * 20 +10: DRAW 7 AT 60 30090 DRAW M(X) AT X * 15 + 45,1 ,Z + 5: DRAW 7 AT 75,Z + 5: DRAW 1120 HOME : VTAB 22: PRINT BA D LUCK YOU LOST!" 7 7 AT 90,7 5: DRAW 7 AT 105 30100 NEXT X ,Z + 5 1130 PRINT " BUT HERE ARE THE A NSWERS" 30105 NEXT C 380 DRAW 7 AT 125,Z: DRAW 7 AT 1 30110 PRINT "PLAY AGAIN? (Y/N) 35,Z: DRAW 7 AT 125,Z + 10: DRAW 1140 GOTO 30000 9999 REM 1: GET A$ 7 AT 135,Z + 10 30120 IF AS = "Y" THEN RUN 390 HPLOT 50,Z + 15 TO 145,Z + 1 SHAPE TABLE DATA 30130 IF AS = "N" THEN END 5 30140 GOTO 30110 400 NEXT 40000 REM 410 HPLOT 50,0 TO 50,145: HPLOT 145,0 TO 145,145 INSTRUCTIONS 420 HPLOT 50,0 TO 145,0 10000 FOR C = 16400 TO 16624 430 FOR C = 1 TO 6: DRAW C AT C * 10010 READ D 14 + 181,150: NEXT 10020 POKE C,D 500 REM 10030 NEXT 400710 TEXT : HOME 10040 SCALE= 1: ROT= 0 40020 INPUT "INSTRUCTIONS (Y/N) GET SETUP 10050 RETURN 11000 DATA 9,0,20.0,46,0,72,0, 40030 IF AS < "Y" THEN RETURN 98,0,124,0,150,0,176,0 510 FOR C = 1 TO 4 11005 DATA 185,0,204,0,27,63,31 40035 HOME 520 M(C) = INT ( RND (1) * 6) + ,10,45,45,21,63,63,63,46,45, 40040 SPEED= 100 1 45,53,63,63,63,14,45,45 40045 PRINT " MASTERMIND - BY 530 NEXT DEANSOFT" 600REM 11010 DATA 21,27,63,31,2,0,63,6 3,63,46,45,45,53,63,63,63 40050 PRINT " GET PLAYER CHOICE 11020 DATA 46,45,45,53,63,63,63 ,46,45,45,53,63,63,63,6,0 40060 PRINT : PRINT PRINT "THE 11030 DATA 27,59,27,10,41,45,17 OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO TR ,27 AND","DISCOVER THE 4 SHAPE 610 VTAB 21: HTAB 28: PRINT "1 2 S WHICH THE" 3 4 5 6" 11040 DATA 63,31,10,45,45,21,59 ,63,63,42,45,45,53,63,63,63 40070 PRINT "COMPUTER HAS HIDDEN 615 G = G + 1 . TO DISCOVER THESE","4 SHAP 620 VTAB 22: PRINT "GUESS ";G 11050 DATA 6,0,27,59,27,10,41,4 5,17,59,63,63,42,45,45,53 ES YOU MAKE A GUESS AS TO WH 630 FOR C = 1 TO 4 11060 DATA 59,63,63,10,41,45,17 AT" 640VTAB 23: PRINT "ENTER SHAPE 40080 PRINT "THEY MIGHT BE THEN FOR POSITION ";C:"?"1: GET P ,27,59,27,2,0,27,27,59,46 11070 DATA 45,9,17,27,59,63,10, THE COMPUTER WILL","GIVE YOU 41,45,17,59,63,27,10,9,41 SOME CLUES ON THE RIGHT HAN 645 FCC) = VAL (PS) D" 650 PRINT 11080 DATA 53,63,27,27,2,0,27,2 7,27,10,9,9,17,63,63,63 4009C' PRINT "SIDE OF THE BOARD." 655 IF P(C) < 1 OR P(C)> 6 THEN 11090 DATA 46,45,45,53,63,63,63 : PRINT "A SMALL TICK MEANS GOTO 640 THAT ONE OF YOUR","FOUR SHAP 660 HCOLOR= 0: DRAW 7 AT C * 15 + 04,9,9,17,27,27,27,2,0 11100 DATA ES IS CORRECT BUT IN THE " 45,G * 20 15 59,23,45,53,63,55,41 ,21,0,27,27,19,9,9,49,63 40100 PRINT "WRONG PLACE.": PRINT 670 HCOLOR= 3: DRAW P(C) AT C * "A BIG TICK MEANS THAT ONE 0 15 + 45,G * 20 + 13 11110 DATA 27,51,45,41,21,27,63 ,23,9,13,17,0,27,27,19,9 F THE FOUR","SHAPES IS CORRE 680 NEXT CT AND IN THE RIGHT" BOO REM 11120 DATA 9,17,31,27,19,9,9,21 ,27,31,23,9,I3,17,0,0 40110 PRINT "PLACE." 40120 PRINT "YOU HAVE SIX GOES T CHECK ANSWERS 11130 DATA 0 20000 REM O GUESS THE FOUR","SHAPES." 805 5 = 0:P2 = 0:PO = 0:FF = 0: FOR 40130 PRINT PRINT " GOOD LUC K." C = 1 TO 4:MF(C) = 0: NEXT DISPLAY CLUES 40140 SPEED= 255: PRINT "PRESS A 1 TO 4 810 FOR C = 20010 PO = PO 1 IF P(C) = M(C) THEN P(C) = 0 NV KEY TO CONTINUE" 820 20020 Z = G * 20 + 10 40150 GET A$: RETURN

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MINIMUM ORDER DISKETTES 10 penouinoq MINIMUM ORDER & PRINTWHEELS 3 For further information please write to C CURZON SYSTEMS LTD 38 STANLEY AVE The Academic Marketing Department, ST. ALBANS 0727 50674 Penguin Books Ltd., 536 King's Road, HERTS AL2 3AZ London SW10 OUH PRICES EXCLUDE V.A.T. + CARRIAGE Circle No. 105 Circle No. 130

158 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 by Jack Schofield Type Ahead A UTILITYthat willsitin page 6 untilunless you Poke 9,0 first. Type AheadThis makes it jump the queue andit requiredisa type -ahead buffer fromturnsitselfoffduringtime -criticaldoes not go into the right place in the Frank O'Dwyer of Dublin.Itworksoperations such as saving and loading, andbuffer. whether you are running another programturns itself on afterwards. To see the routine inaction,press or not - except some machine -language The only limitation is a small one. If youCtrl -1,the standard Hold key on the programs - and the buffer holds abouthold a key down for a long time while theAtari. Type a couple of lines, and nothing three lines. system is busy doing something else, this isappears on the screen. Press Ctrl -1 again Type Ahead becomespartofthedealt with by the auto -repeatroutineand the characters will then be typed to the operating system and immune to Reset,instead of Type Ahead's interrupt routine.screen -a nice, ghostly effect.

Type Ahead. 1090DATA141,955.2,176,15,72,110,6,141 10 FORX = 1 5 3 6TO 15744-184:READ R.;PnKEX, R. 1100DATA942.2,169,7,141,241.2,169.0 NEXTX:X=HSR(157A) 1110DATA173,77,169.48.141.43,2,104,168 1000DATA 104,169,54.141,8, 2,1e,9,4, 141 1120DATA104,64,172,52,6,200,192.69,208 1010DATA 9,9,149,1,137,2,169,6,177 1170DATA9.160,0,204.53,6,240.13,140 1070DATA 3,169,2,133,9,169,0.141.52 1140DATA52,6,136,199,955,208,2,160.68 1070DATA 6,141,57.6,169.955,141,959,2 1150DATA153,187,4,96.72,159,72,173,252 1040DATA 149,139,141.40,2,169,6,141,41 11A0DATA2,201.955.208,29:172,57,4,204 1050DATA 2,149,1,141,94,2,94.0,0 1170DATA59,6,240,91,185,187.6041.252 1040DATA 157,79,177,9,210,905,942,2.208 1180DATA2, 27.8, 574.4; A, 201, A9 1070DATA 5,173,241,9,708,72,177,9,210 1190DATA208,5,169,0,141.57,6,169,1 1080DATA 901,159,208, 10, 177, 255,2, 77, 255 1200DATA141,24,2,104,168,104.94

Basic Data statements, as usual - which Print Fre(0) allows you to set any baud rate you wish. Faster CSaving The result should be 494 bytes less than Obviously with a higher speed you saveusual. You can now type inor load and CLoading both time and tape. The listing maks a boot tape which sitsprograms normally, but when you CSave The dedicated cassette recorder usedin page 6, where there is free memory notor List "C: to the cassette, output will be with the Atari certainly solves most of theused by the ROM cartridges. Enter theat 800 baud. problems users of other micros have withlisting and save a copy in case of typing You can set your own baud rate as savingandloadingprograms.Oneerrors. The first five lines check the datafollows drawback isthat the output is alwaysstatements and flag any mistakes, so just HI = 3495.7/BAUD around 600 baud, which was fine in 1979ensure the last number in each line of data LOW = (HI - I NT(H1) *256 but is a bit slow by today's standards. Inis correct. Then insert a blank tape in the POKE 2283,LO:POKE 2284,INT(H1) practice, however, the Atari can vary itscassette deck and run the program. If you press System Reset, the baud rate own baud rate to cope with different The boot tape can then be loaded in thereverts to 800. To disable the fast baud tapes, and in theory it can cope with inputusual way by holding down the Start keyroutine, Poke 9,0 and press Reset. To re - baud rates between 300 and 1,400. while turning on the machine. Once it hasenable it,'3oke 9,2 and press Reset. Mr Robert Breeds of Swindon has suppliedloaded and the Ready prompt appears,Breeds adds that the highest reliable baud a machine -code routine - Poked in usingtype rate is, in practice, about 880.

Faster CSavingand CLoading.

1 NO=0:N1=1:ADDR=(PEEI-(106)-8)*256:X=N0:TOC nn recorder, press RETURN":X=USR(1534):E TAI=Y:IINE=10:GRAPHICc NO:TRAP 6 ND 2 READ NUM:IF NUM,256 THEN TOTAL=TOTAL+NUM10 DATA 216,104,162,16,169,3,157,66,3,169, ADDR+Y.NUM:X=X+Nl:GOTn 2 8,157,74,3,169,128,157,75,3,1A9,68,157,,C8 IF NUM TOTAL THEN "ERROR. LINE:";LINE3,169,6,2479 :END 11 DATA 157,69,3,32,86,228,169,11,157,66,3 4 LINE=LINE+Nl:TOTAL=NO:IF LINE -14THEN X=065,203,157,68,3,165,204,157,69,3,169.0,1 NO 57,79,3,2576 5 GOTO 2 12 DATA 169.2,157,73,3,32,86,228,169,12,15 6 RESTORE :X=1536:C=NO:HI=ADDR/256:LO=ADDR7,66,3,76,86,228,67,58,155,1827 -INT(HI)*256:POKE 203.LO:POVE 204.HI 13 DATA 0,4,0,7,27,7,169,60,141,2,211,169, 7 READ A:IF A-:256 THEN POKE X.A:x=x+Nl:GOT238,133,14,141,231,2,169,8,1733 n 14 DATA 133,15,141,232,2,24,96,162,0,189,2 8r=C+Nl:IF C::_' THEN7 6,3,201,67.240,5,232,232,232,208,2440 9 "DATA CORRECT":? :? "Press PLAY and RE15 DATA 244,189,27,3,133,212,189,28,3,133, (continued on next page)

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 .1 -AR I

(continued from previous page)

217.,1A9,219,157.27,069,8,157,28.2311 41,8,7.,169,71.141,5,7169.1497 16 DATA 3.160,15,177,212,153,219,8.136,16, 27 DATA 253,141,4,3,169,96,141,0,3,169,0,1 248,169,141,141,221.8,169,7,141,222,2566 41,1,3,173,237,8,141,6,3,1692 17 DATA 8.169,117,141,225,8,169,7,141,226, 28 DATA 160,128,140..3165,62,141,11,3,16 R,169,4,141,236,8,169,94.141,25,241A 9,1,137A6,173,235,8,141,4,210,1956 18 DATA 8,173,128,235,162,23,201,3,208,2 29 DATA 173,236,8,141,6,210,32,104,228,160 40,2,162,35.142,27,8,96,166,61,2292 .13,173,11,3,48.2.160,150167,0,2020 19 DATA 157,0,4,230,61,160,1,224,127.240,1 30 DATA 1A9,213,141,7.8,2,1A9,8,141,7,9,2,1A .96,169,252,32,248,7,169.0.1,2311 9,1,120,32,92,72R,169,1,141,23,1R9R 20 DATA A1,96,173,137,2,48,R,160,1,1A9,60,31 DATA 3,88,169,52,141,2,211,173.23,77.,208 141,2,211,96,166,41,240,10,142,1984 ,251,24,173,417.7.,50,109.8.1828 21 DATA 127,4,169,250.32,248,7,48,236.162, 32 DATA 3,137,52,177,,5,3,151,109,93.13 127,169.0,157,0,4,202,16,250,169,2377 7.,53.7.2,143,8,74,190,8,169,1484 22 DATA 254,32,248,7.76,149.7.133.64,165,233 DATA 1,133,48,32,104,228,160,0,132,49,1 D.24,105,25,170,1A9,255,141,1,208,2283 32,59,132,58,177,50,141,13,210,133.1992 23 DATA 169.0,160,240.136,208,253,141,31,234 DATA 49,165,58,240,252,169,199,7.7.16.13 08,140,240,136,208,253,228.20,208,232,198, 3,16.141,14,210.142,4.169,0,157,1,2194 73429 35 DATA 210,207,202,16424994.1711,308, 24 DATA 64,240.11,138,24,105,8,170,228,20, 54149,40.14142,211,32,169,8,169,2176 208,252,240,211,32,27,9,7,152.94,173,2418 36 DATA 0,133,66,164,48.140,796,169 0 1 25 DATA 7.7,228,72,173.36,228,72,96,141,25541,73,3,96,75,239,141,7,2131740 .7:.ciA9,R,141,957.,3,141,254,3,1A9,2559 37 DATA 239,117,7,39,240,74,27.9,76,65,27. 26 DATA 87,141,2,3,169,0,141,9,3,169.131,10,94,4,23,0,1456

Trapped! Trapped! 10 DIM A$(40),B(49),N$(10),N1$(10),N2$(10) 170 POSITION 9,22:? "YOU MUST MOVE A CROSS ,A(4,4):OPEN 411,4,0,"K:":P=0:0=0 ";:GOSUB 900:? CHR$(156):GOTO 105 We have not had a game in Atari Open 12 GOSUB 700 175 REM St* TYPE YOU...CROSS IN INVERSE File for ages, but now David Klein of 15 ? "PLEASE ENTER YOUR NAMES ":? :? "WHO 180 IF A(K,L)=79 THEN 200 Henley-on-Thames has provided one. It WILL PLAY 0'S ";:INP)JT Nl$:? "WHO WILL PLA 190 POSITION 9,22:? "YOU MUST MOVE A NOUGH runs Y X'S ";:INPUT N2$ T";:GOSUB 900:? CHR$(156):GOTO 105 onany16KAtari,andthe 18 SETCOLOR 1,0,13:SETCOLOR 2.9,4:SETCOLOR 195 REM iii TYPE YOU...NOUGHT IN INVERSE instructions are in the listing - see lines 4,11,4:60=0:R=0:RESTORE :A$="WHICH CROSS 200 IF EX=K THEN 230 700 to 770. WILL YOU TAKE ":? 210 IF EY=L AND ABS(EX-K)=1 THEN 240 Lines 1 20 ? CHR$(125):FOR Z=0 TO 49:READ X:B(Z)=X 220 POSITION 6,22:? "YOU CAN'T MOVE THAT C to 100 initialise the game and :NEXT Z:POSITION 16,2:? "TRAPPED":POSITION OUNTER"::GOSUB 900:7 CHR$(156):GOTO 105 draw the board. Lines 100 to 230 check the 16,3:? "i**1[1:**" 225 REM *9* TYPE YOU...COUNTER IN INVERSE move is legal. Lines 240 to 330 make the 30 POSITION 14,7:FOR Z=0 TO 11:? CHR$(B(Z) 230 IF ABS(EY-L)<>1 THEN 220 );:NEXT Z 240 G0=G0+1:A(EX,EY)=A(K,L):A(K,L)=32:EX= move, and check for a win. Lines 335 to 40 FOR Y=8 TO 14 STEP 2:POSITION 14,Y:FOR :EY=L:POSITION 29.7:7 "MOVE ";60-1:6070 10 440 hold the winning routine. Lines 1000 Z=12 TO 38:? CHR$(B(Z));:NEXT Z:NEXT Y 0 to 1020 hold the data for the board. Uj 45 POSITION 14,16:FOR Z=12 TO 26:? CHRS(B( 290 IF GO/2=INT(G0/2) THEN J=88:GOTO 300 Z));:NEXT Z 295 J=79 50 FOR Z=39 TO 49:? CHWEI(Z));;NEXT Z 300 TRAP 310:IF A(EX+1,EY)=J THEN RETURN 60 FOR Z=0 TO 24 STEP 2:X=INT(Z/5):Y=Z-X25 310 TRAP 320:IF A(EX-1,EY)=J THEN RETURN :A(X,Y)=88:NEXT 320 TRAP 330:IF A(EX,EY+1)=J THEN RETURN TWO":? :? "PEOPLE AND IS PLAYED ON A 5 BY 70 FOR Z=1 TO 23 STEP 2:X=INT(Z/5):Y=1 X*5 330 TRAP 335:IF A(EX,EY-1)=J THEN RETURN 5 GRID." :A(X,Y)=79:NEXT Z 335 IF J=88 THEN P=P+1:GOTO 340 720 ? "ONE PERSON MOVES O'S THE OTHER X'S.

80 POSITION 15,5:7 "A B C D E" 338 0=0+1 :? :? "'0' SETS THE GAME BY REMOVING AN ' 90 FOR Z=1 TO 5:POSITION 12,6+Zi2:7 Z:NEXT 340 FOR Z=0 TO 11 STEP 1/12:POKE 755,6:SOU X'":? ND 1,ZSZt2.1,10,Z:POKE 755,2:SOUND 0,Zi15, 730 ? "FROM THE BOARD.":? :?" PLAY BEGINS 93 POSITION 3,8:? N1$:? :? " IS '0'":POSI 8,15-Z:NEXT Z BY '0' MOVING ONE OF HIS ":7 "IMMEDIATELY TION 3,14:? N2$;? :7 " IS 'X'" 350 SOUND 0,0,0,0:SOUND 1,0,0,0 ADJACENT PEGS INTO THE" 95 POSITION 27,11:? P;" WINS TO 0":POSITIO 360 POSITION 12,19:IF NI=N1$ THEN ? N2$;" 740 ? :? "SPACE. PLAYERS TAKE TURNS MOVING N 27,14:? 0;" WINS TO X" IS TRAPPED!!!":GOTO 390 ONE":? ;? "OF THEIR PEGS INTO THE NEW SPA 100 FOR X=0 TO 4:FOR Y=0 TO 4:POSITION 15+ 370 ? NIS:" IS TRAPPED!!!" CE.":? 2*X.8+2SY:SOUND 0,0,9,15:? CHRCA(X,Y)):SO 390 POSITION 8,21:7 CHR$(156);CHR$(127):N$ 745 ? "HIT ANY KEY TO CONTINUE ";:GET #1,Z UND 0.0,0,0:NEXT Y;NEXT ;" HAS WON THE GAME":POSITION 7,22:? "WOUL 748 REM *I* TYPE HIT...CONTINUE IN INVERSE 101 IF R=1 THEN GOSUB 290 D YOU LIKE ANOTHER "; 750 ? CHR$(125):? :? "PEGS MAY BE MOVED IN 102 R=1:IF G0,=0 THEN N$=N14:GOTO 105 395 POP :GET #1,J:IF J=89 THEN 18 ANY DIRECTION":? :? "EXCEPT DIAGONALLY.": 103 IF GO/2=INT(GO/2) THEN N$=N2$:T=2:GOTO 400 7 CHR$(125):? :? "BYE BYE":CLOSE #1:EN 105 760 ? "A PLAYER WINS WHEN HIS OPPONENT IS" 104 N$=N1$:T=1 500 IF A(K,L)=88 THEN 525 :? :? "UNABLE TO MOVE,TRAPPED!!":' 105 POSITION 13,19:? N$:"'S TURN 510 POSITION 9,22:? "YOU MUSE TAKE A CROSS 770 ?" WHEN ENTERING GRID REFERENCES ALWA 110 POSITION 6,21:? A$;:GET *1,X:IF X>64 A ";:GOSUB 900:? CHR$(156);:GOTO 110 YS":? :? "TYPE THE LETTER FIRST":? :? :RET ND X<70 THEN 130 520 REM *9* TYPE YOU...CROSS IN INVERSE URN 120 POSITION 13,22:7 "INVALID INPUT";:GOSU 525 FOR Z=1 TO 8:SOUND 0,13,10,13:NEXT Z:S 900 FOR Z=1 TO 4:7 CHR$(253)::NEXT Z:RETUR B 900:? CHR$(156):GOTO 110 OUND 0,0,0,0 N 125 REM tit TYPE INVALID INPUT IN INVERSE 530 EX=K:EY=L:A$="WHICH COUNTER WILL YOU M 1000 DATA 17.18,23,18.23,18.23,18,23.18.5. 130 GET #1,Y:IF Y<49 OR Y>53 THEN 120 OVE ":60=G0+1:A(K,L)=32:POSITION 15+K$2,8+ 155 135 K=X-65:L=Y-49 Li2:? "":GOTO 102 1010 DATA 124,32,124,32,124,32,124.32.124, 140 IF G0=0 THEN GOTO 500 700 ? CHR$(125):? CHR$(127):CHR$(127):"TRA32,124,155.127,127,30,1,18,19.18.19.18,19, 150 IF T=1 THEN 180 PPED":? CHR$(127);CHR$(127);"226222" 18,19,18.4,155

160 IF A(K,L)=88 THEN 200 710 ? :? " TRAPPED IS A GAME OF SKILL FOR 1020 DATA 26,18,24,18,24,18,24.18.24.18.3

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Circle No. 126 PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 161 artIRE THE SPECIALISTS IN ==ins5100 SYSTEMS Adaptability -Our key word. From single boards to complete systems -the choice is yours!

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162 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 INF:LA IR by John Welisman Universal calendar WE RECEIVEquite a number of calendar programs for this page but Universal ). GO TO Prog Calendar by A M Tucker of Dorchester is 299 REM PHASE of the MOON one of the best and most comprehensive. 300 PRINT "New moon" AND (v<2 R v>=2'9); -First quarter" AND v>1 It is the first I have seen which takes into AND v<14;"Full moon" AND (v=14 account the introduction of the Gregorian OR t:=15); "Last quarter" AND AND v<29 calendar into England into September 310 IF THEN GO TO Frog 1752, with the consequent loss of 11 days 320 GOSUB1000: LET q=d-v-1+29 *(d -v02): IF q<0 THEN LET q=0 from the calendar. 330 IF qi3 THEN PRINT AT 16,q+2 8; 1$(1) Universal calendar. 340 FOR n=1 TO 4: LET x(n)=q+7* (n-1)-28*(q+7*(n-1))a0) 1 Riem UNIvERSAL CALENDAR 350 BRIGHT 1: R,M.Tucker, Charminster. PINT AT 16,x(n)-28;IF x (n)INVERSE >27 THEN (n>2 P );($in) 10 DATA 6,13,205,50,14,201: Lr 360 PRINT AT 16,x(n): INVERSE T cL=uSR "a": FOR n=0 TO 5: n>2),ls(n) a: POKE cl+a,a: NEXT n REAL - 370 NEXT n: BRIGHT 0: 20 LET f=0: LET p=0: LET d=1: GO TO pro LET m=1 9399 REM EASTER ALGORITHMS 30 CLS : PRINT TAB 7;-UNIVERSA 430 LET h=(y/19-INT (y,19)) *209: L CALENDAR"- (1) Dews between. 410 LET c=INT ((INT (y/100)+1)* dates"," (2) Days of the weef,-." . 75) ," (3) Dates at stated interval 420 LET e=(h+INT ((INT (y/100)0 z- 8+13)/25)-c+38+6*j)/30 40 PRINT " (4) Phase of the m 430 LET e=(e-INT e)*30 oon"," (5) Biorhythms"," (6) E 440 LET n=45-e-(e=24+(h>110)) aster Day (from 325)"," (7) Cat 450 LET n=n+30*(n<23): LET b= (r: ender for month" +INT (y*1.25)-c)/7 50 PRINT #0;TAB 5; "Selectfrom 450 LET n=INT (n+5.5-(b-INT b)* 1 to 7" 7)+3*,) 60PAUSE IF CODE INKEY$<42 470 PRINT ""Easter Sunday:- "; OR CODE INKEY$>55 THEN GO TO 60 n-31*(n>31);" ";m$(3+(n>31));CHR 70 PRINT AT p+1,5;" ":LET q=0 $ 8,CHR$ 8;CHR$ 8;y: GO TO prog *LISP cl 494 REM CALENDAR for MONTH 80 LET p=VAL INKEY$: PRINT AT 500 LET v=v*2+14*NOT p+1,5;"*": PRINT AT 14-3*(p>2 AN 510 FOR n=2 TO 14 STEP 2: LET D p<6),0;: IF p<6 THEN GO TO 120 =13+n -v: LET t=14: PRINT AT n+2, 90 IF p=5 THEN INPUT "Enter ye 3;d$(n/2); ar:- ";y: GO SUB watid: GO TO 40 520 FOR i=b TO 70+b STEP 14: LE 0-310*f T a=i+22*g*(i>15): IF a>73-(w+x+ 100 CL5 INPUT "Enter month (r; z)*2 THEN GO TO 540 0):";m;": year:";y: GO SUB vat 530 PRINT TAB t;f$(a TO a+1); id: IF f THEN GO TO 100 540 LET t=t+3: NEXT i 110 PRINT AT 2,9;m$(m);" ";y: L 550 PLOT 24,148-8*n: DRAW INK 5 ET d=1: GO SUB 920: GO TO 150 ;231,0: NEXT n 120 INPUT "Enter ";"startino " 560 PRINT p0;" AND P=3;"date-;- (1)- AND P=1;" To see menu pr ess any key": PAUSE 0: CL5 : of birth" AND p=5;":- ""'day: ";d TO 30 GO ;"; month:";m;"; year:";y 599 REM MONTH FLRG5,vit4LIO DATE 130 GO SUB valid:IFf THEN GO 600 LET f=0: LET g=(y=1752 AND To 120 m=91: LET j=(y<1753): LET to(m=2 140 GO SUB 900: GO TO 150+20*(p )+(M=4)+(m=5)+(M=9)+(m=111: LET =1 OR p=5)+550*(p=3) x=(m=2) 150 LET c=7+22.530589*(p=4): LE 610 LET z=x*(y<>INT (y/4)*4 OP T a=a+8*(p=4) (y=INT (y/100)*100 AND y<>INT 160 LET v=INT ((a/c-INT (a/c))* /400)*400 AND NOT j)) c+.5) : GO TO 250+20*(F=4)+200*(F 620 LET dn=31-w->c-z:IF q THEN =7) RETURN 170 INPUT "Enter date(2):- "A 700 IF d<1 OR d>dn OR m<1 OR DI> ND p=1;"Date of reading:- - AND 12 OR NOT y OR (y<325. AND p=5) 0 P=5-day: ";d;"; month: -;m;";ye R(g AND d>2 AND d<14) THEN LET ar:-;Y f=1: PRINT #I?'; "Invalid date; pie 180 GO SUB valid: IFf THEN GO ase reenter": PAUSE 50 TO 170 710 RETURN 190 LET b=a: GO SUB 900: LET b= 799 REMDATES AT INTERVALS t-eS (e'01.0, IF P=1 THEN PRINT "7r 800 INPUT "No. of days between R6 3;"Days between dates.-,G: dates? - O TO prog 810 INPUT "How many times? - 199 REM BIORHYTHMS "; 200 PRINT ": FOR m=1 TO 3:LET C a=18+m*5: LET x=b/a-INT (bra) 620 LET q=1: FOR n=1 TO c:LET 210 LET v=INT (SIN (x*2*PI)*10+ d=d+b: LET k=(a<540162) .5): LET t(m)=a*8: LET k(m)=(INT 630 LET a=a+b*k: LET d=d+11*(a3- (x*a +.5) -d+1) /a =640162)*k " AN[' v>=0" 840 LET m=m+(d>dn): LET d=d-dn* 220 PRINT x$(m)," GO SUB (d>dn) " AND ABS v<10;v: NEXT e: 850 IF m-12 THEN LET M=M -12: LE 1000 T y=y+1+(y=-1) 230 FOR n=@ TO 240: FOR m=1 TO 660 GO SUB 600: IF d>cin THEN GO 3: LET h=k(m)+n01(m): LET h=(h-I NT h) *240+1 TO =43 24-0 PLOT n+4,a(h):IF a(h)=35 T 670 GO SUB 900: NEXT n:GO TO F HEN PRINT AT 17,n/8; PAPER 6;z$( rog m) 89.9. REM PRINT DATE/CALCULATE 250 NEXT m: NEXT n:GO TO prog 900 PRINT - "r`" AND d<10;d; 279 REM DRY of the WEEK ";m$(m, TO 3+(m>4 RND m<6));". 280 LET v=v+7*NOT v: PRINT d$0,./ (continued on next page)

PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 163 I 1-41_. I R

(continued from previous page) 1110 DATA "Sunday", -Monday", -Tut AND (m<5 OR m>7);" ";y, sday-,-Wednesday',-Thursday","Fr 910 IF s THEN RETURN iday",-Saturday': FOR n=1 TO 7: 920 LET y1=9: LET 9=94-(9<0): LE READ d$013: NEXT n T e=9*365:. LET 9=y -(m-:3) 1120 DATA "January -,-February"," 9;.?0 LET a=e+INT (u/4)-(INT (INT March",-April",-May","qupe","JuL (9/100+1)*.75)-13)*(NOT j)+31*m 9","Rugust","September','OCtOber -4$+d-INT (.4*m+23)*(m>2) ,"November',"December"_: FOR n=1 940 LET e=a+11*(a,:640162) TO 12: READ m$(n): NEXT n 950 LET y=91: RETURN 1130 LET x$(1)="Physical": LET x 1000 PLOT 4,19: DRAW 242,0: PRIN $(2)="Emotional": LET x$(3)="Int T AT 19,0N OVER 1;-++++++1+++++ etlectual" 1++++++1++++++1+++": RETURN 1140 LET f$.,-," 1 2 3 1099 REM INITIALISE 4 5 6 7 8 9101112131415161718192 1100 RESTORE 1110: DIM a(241): D 02122232425252726293031°' IM k(3): DIM l(3): DIM x(4): DIM 1150 FOR n=0 TO 240: LET a(n+1)= d$(7,11): DIM m$(12,9): DIM x$( SIN (n/120*PI)*16+19: NEXT n 3,12): LET z$="PEI": LET 1$=CHR$ 1150 LET prog=50: LET valid=6007 143+CHR$ 136+CHR$ 143+CHR$136 GO TO 20

Number formatter. Number 1 REM UNIVERSAL INPUT ROUTINE formatter 2 REM ® Barrie Fairest,Scilly A short routine by Barrie Fairest from 3 REM X & Y determine the the Isles of Scilly allows a formatted input print position. Length of C$ can of a be altered. Exit value is AA. specified number of digits, and 4 REM Delete & decimal point returns the value of the input. It could be are accepted. Entry ends when C$ very valuable in educational programs and is full or 'ENTER'is pressed. others when the end -user is not familiar with computers. 5 OLS : LET X=9: LET Y=15: LE T C$="******": LET CL=LEN C$: LE T A$="": PRINT AT X,Y;C$ 15 IF BC<>1O THEN BEEP .2,25 10 PRINT AT 19,0" ENTER 16 PRINT AT X,Y;A$: IF RL1.3 THEN GO TO 10 LET B$=INKEY$: LET BC=OODE 5$: L 17 BEEP .2,40: GO TO 30 ET R$=R$+B$: LET AL=LEN R$:IF B 18 PRINT AT 19,0; FLASH I;- $="" THEN GO TO 10 NORLID ENTRY. PLEASE REPEAT I 11 IF 50=12 THEN LET AL=AL-2: PAUSE 100: GO TO it IF AL>=0 THEN GO TO 19 19 LET R$=R3(TOAL): PRINt AT 12 IF AL<0 THEN LET RL=0: GO T X,Y;R$;"*": LET BS="-: BEEP .3, 0 19 -10: GO TO 10 13 IF AL>=1 AND 50=13 THEN LET 20 REM ******************* REM AL=AL-1: LET A$=A$L( TO AL) :GO

TO 16 30 OLS : IF AL<1 THEN LET R$=" 14 IF 60<46 OR 80>57 OR 60=47 0" THEN LET AL=AL-1: LET R$. ---A$( TO 31 LET RA=VAL R$: PRINT "Exit AL): GO TO le value (AR) is -,RA

Conversions. Conversions 10 RE'll CONVERSIONS Michael Coombes of Newport has sent in a program for the 16K Spectrum which byM.000Eibes (3.'64.) can convert a wide range of imperial 15 LET ev=0 measurements to their metric equivalent, 20 BORDER 0: PAPER 0:INK 7:C and vice -versa. LS 30 PRINT AT 2,10; INK 2; PAPER When the program isrun, alist of 5;"CONUERSIONS' possible conversions is displayed. The user 40 PRINT : FOR f=1 TO 9 then selects the required conversion by 50 READ a,b,a$,b$: PRINT INK 6 pressing the corresponding key. When the ;TAB 3;a4s;INK 5, to ; INK 5;b $'TAB 3;INK 6;b$; INK 5;" to "; metric or imperial measurment is entered, INK 5;a$ it is converted and the result displayed. 50 NEXT I 70 FOR 1=4 TO 21: PRINT AT 1,0 INK PAPER 6;CHR$ (1+93): NE XT f 200 LET ans=n*a 80 PRINT AT 21,0, INK 6,U0;"Pl 210 IF ev=9 THEN LET ans=n*b ease press key wilich"'"correspon 220 CLS ds to conversion -required..." 230 PRINT AT 7,2; INK 6;n," ";x 90 LET i$=INKEY$: LET i=OODE $;AT 9,0; INK 4; BRIGHT 1;"= -; 3-95 INK 6; BRIGHT Osans," ";9$ 100 IF i>0 AND 1<19 THEN BEEP 240 BEEP .1,10: SEEP .1,20 2,20: GO TO 120 250 PRINT AT 14,2;"PRESS ANY KE 110 GO TO 90 Y TO RUN AGAIN..." 120 LET 1=1:IF i/2=INT (1/2) T 260 IF INKEY$="" THEN GO TO 260 HEN LET z=1-1: LET ev=9. 270 BEEP .2,20: RUN 130 RESTORE : FOR f=1 TO iz/2)+ 1000 OATS 2.54,.3937,"Inches","C .5 entimetres",.3048,3.281,-Feet"," 140 READ a,b,a$,b$: NEXT Metres" .9144 1.094,-Yards","Met 150 CLS res-,1.609,,6614,"mites",-Kitome 160 LET x$=a$: LET 9$=b$ tres ,.0929,10.75,"Square feet", 170 IF ev=9 THEN LET x$=b$: LET -Square metres-,.4047,2.471,-Rcr y$=a$ es ,"Hectares' 180 PRINT AT 20,0;"Enter number s",'Litres",20.3503527,"Ounces of -;X$;". .- ",-Grams",.4536,2.205,"Pounds"," 190 INPUT ;1:SEEP .1,20 Kilograms'

164 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 WESTomE

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165 TRAINING 1 YEAR We also stock a wide range of Printers, Monitors, Disc WARRANTY & PROVIDED ON Drives and Software Packages, plus many other Com- ALL SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE puter Systems at bargain prices. Circle No. 181 CONTRACTS SUPPLIED AVAILABLE OPENING HOURS MON-SAT 9AM-6PM MAIL ORDERS TO: West One Galaxy Business Systems Ltd, 230 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1 Cheques payable to: West One Galaxy Business Systems Ltd. Curvefit GRAEME SOUTHWOOD and Robert Duncan capabilities but does not interpolate everyincluded. The dump routine is valid only both of Melksham, Wiltshire have sent in point.Polynomialfittinginterpolatesfor printers that are type 3 according to a program which offers three methods ofevery point butis impractical for largeRML classification.Userswithother representing data ina visual manner.amount of data and highly oscillatory.printertypesshouldconsulttheir Called Curvefit, it allows the user to fit a Cubic -splinesfittinginterpolateseverymanuals. curve to a set of data points found eitherpoint and gives a good indication of Using the dump line on disc or as input directly from thefunction shape, but due to its stepwise CALL-DUMP",0,0,319.191 keyboard. The three methods are: least - nature itis not easy to use the curve forcauses a correctly orientated dump but this squares fitting, polynomial fittings and prediction. does not fit on the printer in its normal cubic -spline fitting. The program was written on a Researchmode, so put SWB switches 5 and 6 into Eachmethodhasitsmeritsand Machines 380Z with Basic SG2 5.0L*the On position. This reduced printing size disadvantages.Least -squaresfitting is which ishigh resolution and enables aenable two dumps to be placed on one easy to calculate and has good predictiveprinter dump of the graphics screen to besheet of printer paper.

10 REM CUPVEFIT 480 IF NOT(A$="1" OR A$="2" OR A$=" 930 A$=GET$() 20 REM *************** 9") THEN GOTO 470 940 IF A$="1" THEN Walt: 1020 30 REM 490 IF A$="1" THEN GOTO 650 950 IF A$="2" THEN GOSUB 1130 40 REM (c) 1984 by Rob Duncan 500 IF A$="9" THEN GOTO 3430 960 IF A$="3" THEN GOSUB 1260 50 REM & Graeme Southwood 510 REM DATA ENTRY VIA KEYBOARD 970 IF A$="4" THEN 008UB 1330 60 REM 520 M$="Data:Keyboard" 980 IF A$="5" THEN GOTO 400 70 X$="x" 530 GOSUB 210 990 IF A$="6" THEN GOSUB 1430 80 NP=50:GP=INT(NP/2):DIM D(NR,2),M 540 PLOT 2,40,"The maximum number. 1000 IF A$="7" THEN GOTO 1560 (NP,NP+1),C(NP) F data points is 50" 1010 GOTO 11:20 90 DEF FNX(X)=300*(X-LX)/(GX-LX)+9. 550 PLOT 5,30,"Input data as reques ted."

100 DEF FNC(X)=X*X*X 560 PLOT'5,20,"Finish by entering ' 110 DEF FNH(A)=D(A+1,1)-D(A,1) ZZZ'." 1020 REM DISPLAY 120 DEF FNG(I)=2*(FNH(I)+FNH(I-1)) 570 T=1 1030 F=0 130 DEF FNF(A)=D(A+1,2)-D(A,2) 580 IF T>NP THEN PLOT 5,10,"NO MORE 1040 CALL"RESOLUTION",0,2:GRAPH 0:F' 140 DEF FNB(I)=6*(FNF(I)/FNH(I)-FNF ROOM FOR POINTS":N=NP:GOTO 82'0 UT12 (I-1)/FNH(I-1)) 590 INPUT"next X value ",D$ 1050 PRINT"Point","X Value", "Y Val'.i 150 DEF FNS(X)=FNT(X)+FNU(X) 600 IF D$="ZZZ" OR D$="=" THEN N= e" 160 DEF FNT(X)=C(A-1)/6/FNH(A)*FNC( T-1: GOTO 820 1060 FOR A=1 TO N (D(A+1,1)-X))+C(A)/6/FNH(A)*FNC((X- 610 D(T,1)=VAL(D$) 1070 PRINT A,D(A,1),D(A,2) 0CA,1))) 620 INPUT"next Y value ",D(T,2) 10:30 NEXT A 170 DEF FNU(X)=(D(A+1,2)/FNH(A)-C(A 630 T=T+I 1090 IF F=1 THEN RETURN )*FNH(A)/6)*(X-D(A,1))+(D(A,2)/FNH( 640 GOTO 580 1100 PRIF:PRINT"Press any key to c A)-C(A-1)*FNH(A)/6)*(D(A+1,1)-X) 650 M$="Data:Disc file" ontinue":PRINT 180 DEF FNY(Y)=140*(Y-LY)/(GY-LY)+5 660 GOSUB 210 1110 8$=GET$() 670 PLOT 6,40,"Please give FULL fil 1120 RETURN 190 GOTO 400 e specification" 200 DATA 318,0,318,190,0,190,0,0 680 PLOT 6.,32,"eg: A:NAME.DAT 210 CALL"RESOLUTION",0,2

220 GRAPH 1 690 PLOT6,25," 11:30 REM AMEND 230 PUT12 114(1 F=1

240 RESTORE 200 700 INPUT"The File Spec : ",A$ 1150 GOSUB 1040 250 FOR I=1 TO 4 710 IF A$=""THEN GOTO 400 1160 PRINT 260 READ X,Y 720 IF NOT LOOKUP (A$) THEN PLOT 6, 1170 INPUT"Amend which point (Numbe 270 CALL"LINE",X,Y,3 25,"FILE NOT FOUND...try again":DEL only):",W$:W=VAL(W$):IFW$=""THEN 280 NEXT I AY=GET(200):GOTO 690 RETURN 290 A$="CURVEFIT" 730 OPENflO,A$ 1180 IF W<>INT(W) OR WI OR W>N THE 300 CALL"CHARSIZE",2,2 740INPUTL10,N N GOTO 1170 310 CALL"STPLOT",25,160,VARADR(A$), 750FOR 1=1 TO N 1190 INPUT"Change X or Y value ",B$ 760INPUTL10,D(I,1) 1200 IF NOT(B$="X"OR B$="x"OR 8$="y 320 CALL"PLOT",0,150:CALL"LINE",318 770INPUTflO,D(I,2) "OR 8$="Y") THEN 1190 ,150 780NEXT I 1210 PRINT"The NEW value for. ";E$;W 330 CALL"PLOT",175,150:CALL"LINE",1 790CLOSEE10 1220 INPUT M. 75,190 800PLOT 6,15,"Data Input Complete" 1230 IF 8$="x"OR 8$="X" THEN D(W,1) 340 CALL"CHARSIZE",1,1 810DELAY=GET(200) =M ELSE D(W,2)=M 350 0$="No.of points: "+STR$(N) 1240 GOSUB 1020 360 CALL"STPLOT",190,178,VARADR(0$) 1250 RETURN 370 CALL"STPLOT",190,167,VARADR(N$) 820 REM OPTIONS ONE 830 GOSUB 210 380 CALL"STPLOT",190,156,VARADR(M$) 840 PLOT 12,40,"Data Manipulation M 1260 REM ADD A NEW DATA CPO enu." 1270 GOSUB 210 390 RETURN 850 PLOT 12,30,"1. Display data." 1280 IF N=NP THEN PRINT"No room for 400 GOSUB 210: REM MENU BORDER 860 PLOT 12,27,"2. Amend a single v another. point ":RETURN alue." 1290 N=N+1 410 REM DATA ENTRY MENU 870 PLOT 12,24,"3. Add a point." 1300 INPUT"The new X value ",0(N,1) 420 PLOT 10,40,"Data Entry Menu" 880 PLOT 12,21,"4. Delete a point." 1310 INPUT"The new Y value ",D(N,2) 430 PLOT 10,32,"1. Take data from a 890 PLOT 12,18,"5. Enter. ALL new da 1320 RETURN disc file." to or END." 440 PLOT 10,25,"2.Input data from 900 PLOT 12,15,"6. Dump data to a d keyboard." isc file." 450 PLOT 10,I8,"9. End program." 910 PLOT 12,9,"7. Go on to next men 1330 REM Delete a point 460 PLOT 10,10,"Choose your option. u." 1340 F=1 1,2 or 9" 920 PLOT 12,3,"Choose your option. 1350 GOSUB 1040 470 A$=GET$() 1 to 7" 1360 PRINT

166 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 :::-REEZAF.ICH MACH I HES by Ian Stobie

1370 INPUT"Delete which point (Numb 1980 N$="Polynomial" 2750 RETURN er only):",T$:T=VAL(T$):IF T$=""THE '1990 GOSUB 210 N RETURN 2000 FOR A=1 TO N -I 1380 IF T<>INT(T) OR ri<1 OR T>N THE 2010 IF D(A,1)<>D(A+1,1) THEN NEXT N GOTO 1370 A:GOTO 2050 2760 REM ECHELON******* 1390 D(T,1)=D(N,1) 2020 PLOT 21,40,"The data is not va 2770 C(R)=M(R,R+1)/M(R,R) 1400 D(7,2)=D(N,2) lid" 2780 FOR I=R-1 TO 1 STEP -1 1410 N=N -1 2030 PLOT 22,32,"for a polynomial f 2790 S=0 1420 RETURN it" 2800 FOR J=I+1 TO R 2040 DELAY=GET(500):GOTO 1620 2810 S=S+M(I,J)*C(J) 2050 R=N 2820 NEXT J 2060 GOSUB 3360 2830 C(I)=(M(I,R+1)-S)/M(I,I) 1430 REM Dump data to disc 2070 FOR A=1 TO N 2840 NEXT I 1440 GOSUB 210 2080 FOR B=1 TO N 2850 RETURN 1450 PLOT 3,40,"Please give FULLfi 2090 M(A,B)=D(A,1)(8-1) 2860 REM Graphics ONE le specification" 2100 NEXT B 2870 GOSUB 210 1460 PLOT 6,32,"eg: A:NAME.DA 2110 M(A,N+1)=D(A,2) 2880 GOSUB 3080 T" 2120 NEXT A

1470 INPUT"The File Spec : ",B$ 2130 GOSUB 2590 1480 CREATEE10,3$ 2140 GOSUB 2760 1490 PRINTE10,N 2150 GOT02860 2890 REM RANGE IN LX,LY,GX,GY 1500 FOR A=1 TO N 2160 REM CUBIC SPLINE 2900 CALL"PLOT",FNX(LX),FNY(0),1 1510 PRINTE10,D(A,1) 2170 N$="Cubic Splines" 2910 CALL"LINE",FNX(GX),FNY(0) 1520 PRINTf1O,D(A,2) 2180 GOSUB 210 2920 CALL"PLOT",FNX(0),FNY(LY) 1530 NEXT A 2190 FOR A=1 TO N -I 2930 CALL"LINE",FNX(0),FNY(GY) 1540 CLOSEE10 2200 IF D(A,1)<>D(A+1,1) THEN NEXT 2940 FOR A=1 TO N 1550 RETURN A:GOT02240 2950 CALL"STPLOT",FNX(D(A,1)) ,FNY 2210 PLOT 21,40,"The data is not va (D(A,2))-3,VARADR(X$),3

lid" ' 2960 NEXT A 2220 PLOT 18,30,"for a Cubic Spline 2970 FOR.X=LX TO OX -STEP (GX-LX)/30 1560 REM Lenjam Sort ROUTINE fit" 0 1570 0=INT(N/2)+1 2230 DELAY=GET(500):GOTO 1620 2980Y=0 1580 FOR A=1 TO N -G 2240 R=N -2 2990FOR A=1 TO R 1590 IF D(A,I)>D(A+13,1)THEN 8=D(A,1 2250 GOSUB 3260 3000Y=C(A)*X'(A-1)+Y ):D(A,I)=D(A+6,1):D(A+0,1)=8:8=D(A, 2260 FOR A=1 TOR -1 3010NEXT A 2):D(A,2)=D(A+0,2):D(A+G,2)=B 2270 M(A,A)=FNG(A+I) 3020CALL"PLOT",FNX(X),FNY(Y) 1600 NEXT A 2280 M(A+1,A)=FNH(A+1) 3030NEXT X 1610 IF 0;<>1 THEN G=INT( (G+I )/2) Go 2290 M(A,A+1)=FNH(A+1) 3040FOR A=I TO N TO 1580 2300 M(A,R+1)=FNE(A+1) 3050CALL"STPLOT",FNX(D(A,1))- ,FWf 2310 NEXTA 2))-3,VARADR(X$),3 2320 M(R,R)=FNG(R+1) 3060NEXT A 2330 M(R,R+1)=FNB(R+1) 3070GOTO 3260 2340 GOSUB 2590 3080 REM FIND RANGE 1620 REM THIS IS WHERE IT ALL ST 2350 GOSUE 2760 3090 LX=D(1,1):GX=D(N,1) ARTS 2360 OX=-1E30:GY=GX:LX=-GX:LY=LX 3100 LY=1E20:GY=-LY 1630 REM MENU 2370 FOR A=I TO N 1640 GOSUB 210 2380 IF D(A,I)>GX THEN GX=D(A,1) 1650 PLOT 24,40,"Fitting Options" 2390 IF D(A,2)>GY THEN GY=D(A,2) 1660 PLOT 16,33,"1. Least Squares 2400 IF D(A,I)GY THEN GY=E(I,2) 2430 CALL"PLOT",FNX(LX),FNY(0),1 3140 IF D(1,2)GY THEN GY=Y 1730 IF A$="2" THEN 1970 2510 FOR X=D(A,I)TOD(A+1,1)STEP(GX- 3230 IF YGY OR FNS(X)INT(P) OR P<1 OR P>OP TH (D(A,2))-3,VARADR(X$),3 EN ?"Power of x is too high. ":GOTO 2570 NEXT A 3280 IF Q$<>"y" AND Q$<>"Y"THEN GOT 1800 2580 GOTO 3260 0 1620 1820 N$=N$+"x?"+RIGHTS(STR$(P),LEN( 3290 CALL"PRINTER",2:PRINTER3 STR$(P))-1) 3300 CALL"PATSIZE",2,2 1830 CALL"STPLOT",190,167,VARADR(N$ 3310 S$="0100":CALL"SHADING",1,VARA ),3 DR(S$) 1840 PLOT 20,24,"Function of order 2590 REM ROW OPerations 3320 S$="1010":CALL"SHADING",2,VARA "+STR$(P) 2600 FOR I=1 TO R-1 DR(S$) 1850 R=P+1 2610 EIG=0 3330 S$="1111":CALL"SHADING",3,VARA 1860 GOSUB 3360 2620 FOR J=1 TO R+1 DR(S$) 1870 FOR A=1 TO N 2630 IF ABS(M(I,J))>1E3 THEN BIG=1 3340 CALL"DUMP",0,0,319,191,1 1880 FOR B=1 TO P+1 2640 NEXT I 1890 FOR C:=1 TO P+1 2650 IF NOT BIG THEN 270(1 1900 M(B,C)=D(A,1)(B+C-2)+M(B,C) 2660 FOR J=IT0 R+1 3350 GOTO 3260 1910 NEXT C 2670 M(I,J)/1E3 3360 REM This Clears MC) each time 1920 M(B,P+2)=D(A,2)*D(A,1)(B-1)+M 2680 NEXT J 3370 REM (B,P+2) 2690 GOTO 2610 3380 FOR A=1TOR 1930 NEXT 3,A 2700 FOR J=I+I TO R 3390 FOR B=1TOR+1 1940 GOSUB 2590 2710 K=M(J,I)/M(I,I) 3400 M(A,B)=0 1950 GOSUB 2760 2720 FOR L=1 TO R+1 3410 NEXT B,A 1960 GOT02860 2730 M(J,L)=M(J,L)-K*M(I,L) 3420 RETURN 1970 REM POLYNOMIAL FITTING 2740 NEXT L,J,I 3490 REM The End D

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 167 PRINTERS ) ACORN DOT MATRIX BBC MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM All printers have centronic parallel interface unless otherwise stated. All printers have hi-res dot addressable graphic mode. WE ARE AN OFFICIAL BBC Please send SAE for full details. COMPUTER DISTRIBUTOR DEALER ENQUIRIES ARE WELCOMED EPSON FX80 160CPS 10" wide friction & pin feed £324+ VAT £373 Free FX100 160 CPS 15" wide friction & tractor feed £499+ VAT £574 Acorn Cassette RX80 FIT 100 CPS 10" wide friction & tractor feed £239+ VAT £275 with Recorder RX80 100 CPS 10" wide tractor feed £199+ VAT £229 everyElectron RX100 F/T 100 CPS friction & tractor feed £385+ VAT £443 5 software plus 8143 RS 23 Interface for FX and RX printers £39+ VAT £45 Electron titles 8148 RS 232 Interface with 2K buffer x on x off £60+ VAT £69 Ribbon Cartridge for RX80 FX80 & MX80 £5+ VAT £6 £199VAT Ribbon Cartridge for FX100 & MX100 £7+ VAT £8 STAR APPROVED ECONET SERVICE CENTRE Gemini 10X120 CPS 10" wide friction & tractor feed£200+VAT £229 WE STOCK A LARGE RANGE OF SOFTWARE FOR Gemini 15X120 CPS 15" wide friction & tractor feed£295+VAT £339 BBC MICRO INCLUDING ACORNSOFT, BBC Gemini Ribbon £3+VAT £3 SOFTWARE, LONGMANS SOFTWARE, PLEASE SEIKOSHA SEND LARGE STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE BP 420 designed for the business world, 420CPS in FOR FULL DETAILS. draft mode, 110CPS in NLQ mode. £1095 + VAT £1259 SMITH CORONA Fastext 80: 80 col, 80CPS. Friction feed standard £149 + VAT £171 ENSIGN 1650 Standard, NLQ Mode Correspondance and Graphics Modes; friction and tractor feed; 165 CPS; bi-directional logic seeking £269 + VAT £310 RHHTEFJ TAXAN KAGA OR CANON 160CPS 10" wide 27CPS NLQ 24 x 16 matrix £269 + VAT £310 160CPS 15" wide COMPUTER 27CPS NLQ 24 x 16 matrix £349 + VAT £401 ETTILIP 28/29 BURNT MILL HARLOW, ESSEX CM20 2HU U.K. COLOUR PRINTERS Tel. HARLOW (0279) 443521 Telex: 818894 AKHTER G Seikosha GP700A 7 colour 50CPS printer £347 + VAT £399 Canon PJ 1080A 7 colour 40CPS ink jot printer £391 + VAT £449 I DAISYWHEEL DISC JUKI 610011 PRINT 20 CPS Bi-Directional Logic seeking 10 12 15 CP1 100% BBC COMPATIBLE MITSUBISHI AND + PS spacing 2K buffer best selling Daisywheel£324+VAT£373 TEAC SLIMLINE DISK DRIVES Singer sheet feeder unit £217+VAT£249 Tractor Unit £95+VAT£109 RS 232 Interface £52+VAT £59 Spare Daisywheel £14+VAT £16 BROTHER HR -15 13 CPS Bi-directional 10, 12, 15 CP1 + PS £344 + VAT £395 Keyboard Unit £139 + VAT £159 Single Sheet Feeder Unit £217 + VAT £249 Tractor Unit £95 + VAT £109 QUENDATA 20 CPS Unidirectional 10 12 15 CP1 £217 + VAT £250 All our printers have 1 year warranty

MONITORS These drives are supplied ready cased with all the necessary cables formatting program and User Guide PHILIPS MICROVITEC CUB There are some very useful utilities included on formating disc 7001 High Res Green Screen with sond input 1431 MS14" RGBNormal ResColour £65 + VAT £75 £173 + VAT £199 e.g. 1451MS14"RGBMedium Res Colour GM1211 + VAT * DISASSEMBLER: This is 6502 machine code disassembler GM1211 18 MHZ High Res Monochrome 1441 MS14"RGB High£269Rescolour * DUP: To copy and rename a file on disc Monitor with tilt and swivel stand available in £417 + VAT £479 greenor amber etched antiglare screen * FORMAT: Formating progam for 40 & 80 tracks (Please specify colour£86 + VAT £99 * FREE: This utility provides a disk usage analysis MICROVITEC FOR 01 MDUMP: Enables you to display and modify any part of 1451 14" Medium Res Colour.Specially BBC memory designed for Sinclair 01_ £239 + VAT £275 SANYO * MERGE: Merg? a number of text files into one file DM8112 12" Green screen RELOCATE: Downloads a basic program to &E00 18MHZ Hi- Res £86 + VAT£99 SAMWOO SDUMP: Screen dump for EPSON In all graphic modes DM211212"Green24MHZHighRes Monochromeetched * VERIFY: Verifies every sector on a disk screen15MHZantiglare green screen IBM/BBCCompatible * MENU: A flexible menu program Circle No. 134 £66 + VAT£75 £86 + VAT £99 PRODUCTS ) BUSINESS BBC Microcomputer Model B £348 + VAT £399 BBC Mod B - disk interface £409 + VAT £469 SYSTEMS BBC Mod B - Econet interface £389 + VAT £447 BBC Mod B - disk and Econet interfaces £450 + VAT £517 BBC Compatible 100K disk drive £86+ VAT £99 BBC Compatible dual 800K disk drive £312 + VAT £359 COMPLETE BUSINESS PACKAGE Acorn Z80 £347 + VAT £399 This system is based on 16 Bit 8088 Acorn 6502 Second Processor £173 + VAT £199 Processor 128K RAM, 2X730K Floppy Acorn Bit stick £327 + VAT £375 Disc Drives, High Res Monitor, fast Acorn IEE Interface £282 + VAT £325 (160cps) Dot Matrix Printer, Wordstar Acorn Electron plus 1 interface £52 + VAT £60 Wordprocessor, Calcstar Spreadsheet BBC Prestel Adaptor £115 + VAT £132 Program, complete integrated BBC Telext receiver (Aug) £196 + VAT £225 Accounts package consisting of Sales BBC cassette recorder and lead £30+ VAT £35 Ledger,PurchaseLedger,Nominal Disk interface kit (free fitting) £84+ VAT £96 Ledger,Invoicing,StockControl, Mod A to Mod B upgrade kit £70+ VAT £80 Payroll and Pro -mail. Fitting charge for A to B upgrade kit £20+ VAT £23 Complete turnkey systematan 16K memory upgrade kit £30+ VAT £34 unbelievable price. Games paddles £17+ VAT £19 Delivered Only £1495 + VAT £1719 User Guide £10 Delivered and Installed plus day training £1595 + VAT £1834 Advanced User Guide £12.95 Econet Guide £ 7.50 APRICOT PC Econet interface (free fitting) £60+ VAT £69 "Portable Executive Computer" 16 Bit Micro. 256K RAM up to 1.44 megabytes Speech interface (free fitting) £47+ VAT £54 flopy disk storage. 31" Sony disks. Portable brief case styling. Modem with auto BBC disk manual - formating disk £30+ VAT £34 dialler (optional) hard disk optional. Vast software library (compatible with Sirius Parallel printer cable £10+ VAT £11 1). BBC word processor (view) £52+ VAT £59 Apricot with Double Drive, Monitor and Free Printer £1790 + VAT £2059 APRICOT XI YOUR CONTACT AT AKHTER As above but with 10MB Winchester Drive and Single 315K Drive plus Superwriter, Supercalc and FREE JUK1 6100 Printer Tel: 0279 443521 (12 lines) £2995 + VAT £3444 EXT DEALER/BULK ENQUIRIES _ HAMAYUN MUGHAL 202 SANYO PROFESSIONAL COMPUTER TELEPHONE ORDERS - -. CARON ANDREWS 210 DEALER ORDERS .. -- JULIA ALLUM 209 SANYO 550 SANYO 555 EXPORT ENQUIRIES MOHAMAD EDIB 201 16 Bit Micro 128K RAM expandable toSanyo MBC555 128K double drive and TECHNICAL SUPPORT ALAN LAFFOLEY 207 256K. Single or Double Disk drive builtfreesoftwareincludingWordstar. ACCOUNTS JULIE AMBLER 211 in full colour graphics (640 x 200 pixelsCalcstar,I nf orstar,Datastaretc. LITERATURE REQUEST JOHN MAULE 201 in8 colours) IBM compatible. Free £999 + VAT £1149 software. Sanyo MBC 550 128K RAM single drive and free software includingSANYO 555-360 ORDERING INFORMATION Wordstar and Calcstar As 555 but with 2 x 360K Drives We accept official orders from UK Government and Education £749 + VAT £862 £1249 + VAT £1436 establishments. Carriage is £2.50 + VAT (UK only) for normal delivery. If express delivery is required please add £8.00 + VAT per SANYO 550-2 SANYO 555-730 parcel. We accept telephone orders on Barclay and Access card As 550 but with Dual Drive 2 x 160KAs 555 but with 2 x 730K Drives please ring (0279) 443521 (10 lines). all cheques made payable to £849 + VAT £976 "AKHTER INSTRUMENTS" £1299 + VAT £1494 SANYO 550-360 N.B. All prices are subject to change without notice As 550 but with 2 x 360K Drives and are rounded up to the nearest pound £999 + VAT £1149 SANYO SYSTEMS INCLUDE SANYO 550-730 FREE HIGH RES GREEN OPENING HOURS: MONFRI 9am-6.30om. SAT 10am-5om. As 550 but with 2 x 730K Drives MONITOR We welcome callers, no parking problems. £1049 + VAT £1206 WORD PROCESSING) DRIVES COMPLETE SYSTEMS FROM £650 + VAT BBC 1: BBC Micro Model B, View (orSAN 1: Sanyo MBC 550 Series 16 Bit Single drive -100K 40 trks single sided £86 + VAT£99 Wordwise) Wordprocessor, QuendataMicrocomputer, 128K Ram, Dual 160K 20 CPS Daisywheel Printer, High Resdrives (2 x 160K), High Res Graphics Dual drive 200K 40 trks single sided £164 + VAT £189 Green Monitor, Cassette Recorder plus(600 x 200 pixels in 8 colours), JUKI 10 cassettes and allthe necessary6100 DaisywheelPrinter,High Res Single drive 200K 40 trks double sided £138 + VAT £159 cables £650 + VAT = £747.50Green Monitor, 1 Box of 10 discs, Wordstar Wordprocessor,Calcstar Dual drive 400K 40 trks double sided £260 + VAT £299 BBC 2: BBC Micro Model B + Diskspreadsheet andallthe necessary cables £1175 + VAT = £1351.25 Single drive 400K 80 trks double sided £152 + VAT £175 Interface,View(or Wordwise) Wordprocessor, 100K Disk Drive, HighSAN 2: Same as SAN 1 but with Dual 360K Drives (2 x 360K) Single drive 400K 40 80 trks Res Green Monitor, Quendata 20 CPS Daisywheel Printer, 1 Box of Disks and £1345 + VAT = £1546.75 switchable DS £155 + VAT £179 all the necessary cables SAN 3: Same as SAN 1 but with Dual £799 + VAT = £918.85720K Drives Dual drive 800K 80 trks double sided £303 + VAT £349 £1395 + VAT = £1604.25 SAN 4: Sanyo MBC 555 Series 16 Bit Dual drive 800K 40 80 trks BBC 3: Same as System BBC2 but withMicrocomputer, 128K Ram, Dual 160K switchable DS £312 + VAT £359 400K Drive Drives (2 x 160K), High Res Graphics £875 + VAT = £1006.25(600 x 200 pixels in 8 colours) JUKI 6100 Dual Drive 800K 40 80 trks + PSU Daisywheel Printer, High Res Green + built in monitor stand £373 + VAT £429 BBC 4:Same as System BBC 2 but withMonitor, 1 Box of 10 discs, Wordstar. 400K Drive and JUKI 6100 DaisywheelWordprocessor, Calcstar spreadsheet, Printer Mailmerge,Spellstar(dictionary), £975 + VAT = £1121.25.Datastar (database), Reportstar plus all All above drives are low power slimline (0 3 A typ the necessary cables at + 12v and 0 4 at + 5v per drive) Normally extra BBC 5: BBC Model B + Disk Interface, £1295 + VAT = £1489.25. View (or Wordwise) Wordprocessor,SAN 5: Same as SAN 4 but with Dual power supply is not required. The BBC Computer 800K Dual Disk Drive (Mitsubishi), High360K Drives Res GreenMonitor,JUKI 6100 £1475 + VAT = £1696.25 SAN 6: Same as SAN 4 but with power supply is designed to drive to low power Daisywheel Printer, 1 Box (10) of 80 Track DS discs andallnecessaryDual 730K Drives drive (IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO DRIVE INTERNAL cables £1145 + VAT = £1316.75. £1525 + VAT = £175315 itr ROM BOARD) If you require High Res Colour Monitor instead of High Res Green Monitor in Sanyo Systems please add £320 + VAT = £368 to the above prices. SS DD disketts (10 Box) £18 + VAT £20 '128K RAM Upgrade for all above Sanyo systems (makes a total of 256K RAM) £150 + VAT DS DD disketts (10 Box) £23 + VAT £26 =£172.50 including fitting. ADDER DD ADDER for Advanced Computer Books and Software SPECTRUM ADVANCED USER GUIDE 1711/ 111E13 - by A C Dickens, M D Plumbley and L Whewell, this SPECTRUM bookisan essential supplement tothe manuals ADVANCED provided with the components of the ZX Spectrum USER GUIDE system. Both software and hardware aspects of the Spectrum system are covered including: a complete CIDAIIINITERS BASICreferencesection,detailedscreenmaps, microdrives, Interfaces 1 and 2, the network, ROM modules,joysticks,afullZ80 reference section, AT YOUR FINGERTIPS... detailed ROM routines with many practical examples of their usage - in short, every Spectrum owner's dream come true! ISBN 0 947929 02 9, 232 pages, £7.95

QL ADVANCED USER GUIDE - by A C Dickens, this book is the authoritative guide to the Sinclair DL System.Itprovides a complete introduction to ODOS, covering multi -tasking, tran- sientprograms,residentprocedures,heaps and stacks, traps and utilities, 68008 assembler program- ming plus much more.Allof these features are illustrated by practical examples, and the powerful COOS Experimentor program allows many facilities to be tried out from BASIC. All of the programs from the book are available on a microdrive cartridge which can be purchased with the book. ISBN 0 947929 00 2, 352 pages, £12.95 (book) £9.95 (+ VAT) microdrive cartridge)

BBC BASIC ROM USER GUIDE - by M D Plumbley, this book contains a detailed description of the BASIC ROM as used in the BBC Microcomputer and Acorn Electron. BBC BASIC 1, BBC BASIC 2 and Electron BASIC are all covered in considerable detail. Extensive reference sections cover the ROM routinesanderrorrecovery,allowing sophisticated features to be added to BASIC prog- rams. Many examples are provided(available on cassette) allowing 'Bad programs' to be salvaged, new commands to be added, procedures to be overlayed plus much more! ISBN 0 947929 04 5, 360 pages, £9.95 (book) * NETWORKING £5.95 (+ VAT) (cassette)

* LARGE RANGE ORIC ADVANCED USER GUIDE ORIC - by L Whewell, written for the ORIC 1 and ATMOS computers, this guide is an essential supplement to ADVANCED * HIGH SPEED the manual provided with the machine. The book USER GUIDE contains a COMPLETE COMMENTED ROM DIS- ASSEMBLY pluslotsofinformation on thedisc * HI RES-COLOUR system, sound chip,6502, ULA, BASIC variable storage, intercepting interrupts and a complete circuit diagram. * SUPERIOR GRAPHICS ISBN0 947929 01 0,approx 290pages,£8.95 available end Sept '84 * 2 YR WARRANTY ELECTRON ADVANCED USER GUIDE - by A C Dickens and M A Holmes, this guide describes the facilities of the Acorn Electron in the GROW WITH PLUG-IN detail required by the serious programmer, and acts as a supplement to the 'Acorn Electron User Guide'. Both the hardware and the software aspects of the SIMPLICITY Acorn Electron System are covered, including "FX/ OSBYTE calls, paged ROM software, using events and ETAFIELD LTD ARE AUTHORISED DEALERS interrupts, programming the ULA, interfacing to the expansion bus, a complete memory map and a full FOR FUTURE COMPUTERS circuit diagram. ISBN 0 907876 17 X, 256 pages, £9.95 im ism CUT HERE To: CHRIS PEARCE Order from: Adder Publishing, PO Box 148, Cambridge CB1 2E0 I ETAFIELD LTD Item Cost [I Spectrum Advanced User Guide (book) £7.95 (no VAT)

SUMMIT HOUSE [] CIL Advanced User Guide (book) £12.95 (no VAT) HORSECROFT ROAD [] DL Advanced User Guide (microdrive) £11.44 (inc. VAT) I [] £9.95 (no VAT) HARLOW BASIC ROM User Guide (book) [] BASIC ROM UserGuide (cassette) £6.84 (inc. VAT) ESSEX CM9 5BN I I [ ORICAdvance User Guide (book) £8.95 (no VAT) Tel: (0279) 26606 []Acorn Electron Advanced User Guide (book) £9.95 (no VAT) ISend me full details of the FUTURE range. I Please add £1.50 P8P/book I enclose my cheque/PO for £ I NAME. I NAME COMPANY. ADDRESS

I ADDRESS. I

IAPPLICATION. I Dealer enquiries welcome ADDER LEI. NO Pci2isema ALL PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS BUT SUBJECT TO CHANGE 11= IMIN NM INN MI MIN NMI Circle No. 208 Circle No. 213

170 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 LOWEST PRICES IN UK? MICROS BBC B 330.00 Star Radix 15 549.00 BBC B + DES 399.00 Shinwa CP 60 177.00 Electron 165.00 Rieman At 229.00 Apricc: 2xSS discs + monitor 1395.00 Canon PW1080A 287.00 Apricot 2xDS,discs + monitor 1599.00 Canon PJ1080A (Colour) 389.00 Apricot XI 5neg 2170.00 Canon PW1156A 359.00 Apricot XI 10 neg 2290.00 Ricoh 1200 545.00 TOP VALUE from Epson OXtO 1399.00 Ricoh 1300S 885.00 NEC... Epson PX8 POA Ricoh 1600S l8K) 1245.00 Epson HX20 + case + Cassel: 389.00 MCP40 110.00 Sanyo 550 699.00 Toshiba 2100H 1295.00 Sanyo 555 895.00 Toshiba 2100G 1499.00 Sanyo 555 double sided 1050.00 FOR YOUR BBC SYSTEM Kaypro 2 935.00 Torch disc pack Kaypro 4 1375.00 enc Pled' S ware) 689.00 Kaypro 10 1995.00 Drives CUMANA CS100 159.00 Hitachi PC (colour) 999.00 Drives CUMANA CS200 171.00 Hiperion 2099.00 Drives CUMANA CS400 224.00 Wren Ponable 965.00 Drives CUMANA CD200 291.00 PRINTERS Drives CUMANA CD400 616.00 Epson RX8OT POA Drives CUMANA CD800 415.00 Epson RX8OFf POA Drives CUMANA CD400S 391.00 Epson FX80 POA Drives CUMANA CD8005 460.00 Epson MX100 POA 6502 2nd processor 169.00 Epson RX100 POA Z80 2nd processor 255.00 Epson FX100 POA Bit Stick 299.00 Epson LO1500 POA Monitors M vitec 1431 Std 171.00 Epson DX100 POA Monitors M vitec 1451 Med 258.00 Juki 6100 325.00 Monitors M'viiec 1441 High 388.00 Brother HR5 (Serial or par) 129.00 Monitors Saba TV/Mon + lead199.00 Brother HR15 389.00 Monitors Sanyo 2112L 69.00 Brother HR25 650.00 Monitors Sanyo 811 2H (18MHz: 99.00 Brother HR35 799.00 Monitors Sanyo 3125N Med the ADVANCED Personal Computer (APC) Brother EP44 199.00 Colour 174.00 Seikosha GP100A 159.00 Monitors Zenith Amber/green 69.00 from only El ,735 + vat Seikosha GP500A 159.00 ROMS Disc Doctor 27.50 including free NEC dot printer + MSDOS or CPM Microline 82A 253.00 ROMS Termi 27.50 or free MSDOS + WORDSTAR + MULTIPLAN Microline 92P 389.00 ROMS Graphics 27.50 Microline 92S 449.00 ROMS Prinimaster 27.50 Microline 93S 545.00 ROMS Caretaker 27.50 STANDARD FEATURES Star Gemini 10 217.00 ROMS Gremlin 27.50 SPEED: full 5 MHz 8086 16 bit processor (true 16 bit data). Star Delta 10 329.00 ROMS Wordwise 32.00 CAPACITY: One or two ONE MEGABYTE 8" disks (1.2 Mb each under MSDOS) Star Radix 10 449.00 ROMS View 45.00 MEMORY: 129k user RAM + screen RAM + system ROM + battery -backed Sweetalker Speech chip 21.75 Star Gemini 15 305.00 CMOS non-voltatile RAM & clocklcalendar. Star Delta 15 444.00 Sidewise RAM Board 37.50 Carriage £10. add 15% VAT to a// orders OPERATING SYSTEMS: MSDOS or CPM-86 or CONCURRENT DOS (CPM). VISA -ACCESS accepted - cheque ctearance 7 days HIGH RESOLUTION: 8 x 19 dot character screen definition, (25 lines of 80 For best price on ANY Micro Product - 0865.63544 characters + 26th system status line), 12 inch green screen. Large SAE (22p) for massive HardiSotiware Catalogue * AWARD WINNING NEC 7220 graphic chip in character mode. 256 standard character set includes maths/greek & graphic symbols. ADDITIONAL 256 USER - CENTRAL MICRO DISTRIBUTORS PROGRAMMABLE shape character set(s). PO BOX 194 - OXFORD - OX3 9AN DETACHABLE KEYBOARD: Fast buffered 61 key + 25 key numeric/cursor pad + 22 dual mode fi irction keys with labelling facility (16 of which will each hold TEL OXFORD (0865) 63544 (MAIL ORDER ONLY) two 15 character user -defined strings). SERIAL RS -232: Up to 19,200 baud synch/asynch. PARALLEL printer. Circle No. 129 SUPERB MANUALS: operating level to full technical spec (US written). " COMPACTNESS: 19 inches wide, 24 inches deep, 14 inches high. MICRO TO MICRO .1 PRICE: unbelieveable for the quality of this product from the mini -computer division of NEC (world's 3rd largest micro manufacturer). FILE TRANSFER CA SWAPSYSTEM OPTIONAL EXTRA FEATURES EXPANDABLE USER MEMORY: IN 128k units to 2640k RAM. cn HARD DISKS: one/two (10-20 MB formatted), floppies ideal for backup. 8 COLOUR SCREEN: (standard software uses colour optionally). cn VERY HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS:640 x 475 x 8 colour screen from 1024 x 1024 x 3 bit mapped array (384k extra RAM!). Hardware draw, pan & zoom using 2nd NEC 7220 controller. Fast! Macro shape generation etc. 32 BIT HARDWARE ARITHMETIC PROCESSOR: 8087. CONCURRENT CPM NOW AVAILABLE 8 BIT Z80 CARD NOW AVAILABLE for dual standard 8 & 16 bit. SOFTWARE CUSTOMISED software packages to your requirements for less than the price of a typical inflexible standard package - details on request. ACCOUNTS: Own bespoke packages at two levels, SYSTEMATICS, PEACHTREE. WORD PROCESSING: NEC Benchmark, Spellbinder, Wordstar, etc. DATABASE: DBASE II, Rescue, Datastar, Friday! etc. LANGUAGES: C. CB -86, CBASIC-86, Microsoft BASIC, COBOL. FORTRAN, "Get your microcomputers PASCAL, PL PL/1 COMMUNICATIONS: Asynch, IBM: Bisync 3780, 3270, HASP. talking to each other!"ro 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 En Brighton Computer for your 2 chosen computers. 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Circle No. 189 Discovering Unix Peter van der Linden selects some of the literature available to help users of two powerful sets of software. THE UNIX operating systemisstill anapplications programmers, since it seekstools philosophy embodied in Unix as undiscovered treasure-trove to many into explain the "what" rather than theabout Unix per se. They definitely reach the computer world. Unix had an obscure"how" or "why". the parts that other Unix books cannot genesis as a hobby project deep within a Another introductory text is Unix: thereach. Nothing is swept under the carpet privateresearchlaboratory.This wasbook by Mike Banahan and Andy Rutter. as being too difficult to discuss, which followed by a 10 -year gestation periodIt starts with the very first principles ofhappens in most of the introductory -level before it became widely available. Thelogging on, and then progresses fluidly tobooks reviewed here. overwhelming majority of microcomputerbroader material. The light but know- Another book written by an acknow- software now has a half-life measured inledgeable style is easy to follow. The firstledged expert for other would-be experts is months, but Unix is plainly here to stay.chapter gives some unexpected thoughThe Unix System. The author, Steve This year its modest and brilliant authors,useful advice on distinguishing a true UnixBourne, wrote one of the two major shells Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie, wereexpert from a know-all terminal freak:available under Unix. Less wide-ranging giventheultimatecomputerscience"Pick your guru carefully, like a horse.than Kernighan and Pike's book, Bourne accolade of the Turing Award. Unix,Go for one with an alert expression, brighthas restricted the material to that usually alone among operating systems, runs oneyes and a quiet voice. Bags under thecovered in a standard introduction. There computer hardware from Amdahl, toeyes, a glazed expression and an unwashedare chapters on getting started, editing, the Zilog. It has become the standard againstappearance are signs to beware of." C language document preparation, the whichotheroperatingsystemsare shell and so on. As might be expected, the measured. One indication of its popularity chapter on the shell is particularly well is the abundance of Unix books which areAmbitious presented. There is also a small section on now available. Unix: the book is very much a guide tousing the system debuggers, something Starting with Unix by Peter Brown is atheparts of Unix most likelytobe which is so difficult that lesser authors good book aimed primarily at helpingencountered by novice users. As might beoften omit it altogether. It would have novices to make effective use of Unix. Theexpectedfromitsambitioustitleit been nice to see more included on UUCP book is in two parts: the first aims tooccasionally makes somewhat startlingand Unix networking ingeneral. The explain some of the underlying ideasclaims,suchasthestatementthatmajor achievement of this text is to prove behind Unix, while the second and muchprograms running under one version ofthat good computer scientistsare not longer part is more of a guide to using theUnix will run under all versions withoutnecessarily good authors. system. Both parts of the book succeedany changes. This is more likely to be true Introducing the Unix System by Henry well. Little or no computer backgroundfor Unix than elsewhere,butitfalls McGilton and Rachel Morgan is a fairly is assumed.Allthefacilitieswhichsomewhat short of being an absolutelengthyintroductionat556pages. cognoscenti take for granted such as filestruth. However, the book includes a good index directories and time-sharing are explained Rather more of an expert's book is Theand a useful bibliography of other Unix - clearlyby drawing comparisonswithUnix Programming Environment writtenrelated material. This book is the most non -technicalobjectsfromeverydaybyBrianKernighan and Rob Pike,comprehensive of all the works reviewed experience. Kernighan being the person who coined here,covering such diverse topicsas Unix for Users by Chris Miller andthe term Unix back in 1970. It is priced at asystem management, four popular edit- Roger Boyle covers the standard intro-rather hefty £17.95, but certainly deservesors, text formatting, the C shell and, of ductorymaterialwithfluency.Thea place in the library of any professional course,theelementaryutilities.The typefaceofthebookindicatesthatUnix programmer. Kernighan and Pikeauthors' enthusiasm isreflected in the camera-ready copy was produced directlyhave written as much about the softwarehelpful tutorial style of the book. It closes by a Unix system and output on something A PeeIkat team, like a Versatec printer. This has the major to theNIX System advantage of permitting examples to be incorporated directly and accurately into the text, as well as reducing production costs. Some might find the style rather dry since it does not purport to entertain, merely to inform. Others will welcome the omission of West Coast flimflam. Unix for Users is a reasonable book to have by your side for your first few weeks with Unix, although it would have benefitted from some better accompanying graphics. Itisaimed atend -usersrather than

176 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Book reviews with the immortal advice "Above all havewell thought-out, and it is good to see awhich is not easily available elsewhere. lots of fun with your Unix system (weseparate chapter devoted to each of the The Unix Operating System is highly do!)". This book will probably appealBourne and the C shells. There is anrecommended to people who are already most to people who are presently new toappendixonXenixbutitis dis-familiar with an existing operating system Unix, but think that they may eventuallyappointingly brief at two and a halfand and do not need an entire chapter dis- become the system administrator, andpages. Overall, there are better books oncussing the principles of logging on. It will want just one book to help them along thethe market. be of most interest to people who want to way. Most of the books mentioned areprobe some of the implementations of The title of Ann Lomuto and Nicointended as elementary introductions. OneUnix. Lomuto's book AUnix Primeris text which goes well beyond this is Kaare Finally, it is interesting to note that the somewhatmisleadingsincetheyareChristian's The Unix Operating System.cover illustration of The Unix Operating primarilyconcernedwithdocumentPriced at £15.50, this book represents theSystem is a landscape photograph taken preparation, to the exclusion of otherbest all-round value for programmers.from one of the Star Trek films. A note at material.The Lomutus havedividedThe author has a wealth of practicalthe back of the book explains that it was the book into three sections, coveringexperience which is evident in the richproduced by graphics software running on elementary, intermediate and advancedrange of examples given. The diagramsUnix. Now that'scertainly something editing.The hardbackeditionisand pictures are excellent. The chapter onyou will not see a CP/M system used reasonably priced at £13.55, and this bookthe system kernel contains much materialfor. will be of most interest to people whose useofUnixis restrictedtoword A Practical Guide to the Unix System by Mark G Sobell. Published by The processing. Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company Inc., 428 pages. ISBN 0 8053 A well -designed book with helpful and 8910 5 witty drawingsisUnix Primer Plus, A Unix Primer by Ann Lomuto and Nico Lomuto. Published by Prentice -Hall, written by Mitchell Waite, Donald Martin 239 pages, £13.55. ISBN 0 13 938886 9 and Stephen Prata. Fairly lengthy at over 400 pages, and priced at £16.95, the book Introducing the Unix System by Henry McGilton and Rachel Morgan. Published covers all the standard material in a gentle by McGraw-Hill, 556 pages, £15.25. ISBN 0 07 04 5001 3 and user-friendly manner. There are tear - off reference cards for Unix and two Starting with Unix by Peter Brown. Published by Addison-Wesley, 221 pages, of the system editors, plus an appendix £7.95. ISBN 0 201 13233 9 comparing CP/M and Unix. Experts will The Unix Operating System by Kaare Christian. Published by Wiley-Interscience probably prefer a book which proceeds at 318 pages, £15.50. ISBN 0 471 89052 9 a faster pace. A Practical Guide to the Unix System by The Unix Programming Environment by Brian W Kernighan and Rob Pike. Mark Sobell is apparently' intended for Published by Prentice -Hall Inc., 357 pages, £17.95. ISBN 0 13 937681 X people with some computer experience but The Unix System by S R Bourne. Published by Addison-Wesley, 351 pages, littleor no Unix expertise. The great £12.95. ISBN 0 201 13791 7 diversity of different founts used in the text is a confusing distraction rather than Unix for Users by C D F Miller and R D Boyle. Published by Blackwell Scientific an aid. About one-third of the book Publications Ltd, 210 pages, £6.95. ISBN 0 632 01182 3 consists of a summary description of the Unix Primer Plus by Mitchell Waite, Donald Martin and Stephen Prata. various utility programs on the system. Published by Howard W Sams 414 pages, £16.95. ISBN 0 672 22028 8 The manner in which thisis presented makes it an unnecessary duplication of Unix: the book by M Banahan and A Rutter. Published by Sigma Technical Press, easily found reference material. However, 266 pages. ISBN 0 905 104 21 8 the chapter on the NROff text processor is Lotus lifelines One of the newest and most successfulbecause Lotus says Symphony will selluserswhowillnotwriteofftheir micro spreadsheet packages, Lotus 1-2-3more discs than Bing ever did - though Iinvestment in time, money and education has already been made obsolete by itsdoubt that it will. quite so easily. Several recently publish- successor, Symphony, from the Lotus So named because of its integration ofedbooksareavailabletotheuser Development Corporation. Symphony isthree popular functions - spreadsheets,community. None of the books are the software you may have seen advertisedgraphs and data management - the Lotusbargains - the least expensive of them with a picture of Bing Crosby crying,1-2-3 package has a great many existingcosts £12.95. The foreword to Julie Bingham's book FINANCIAL CALCULATIONS 1-2-3 Go! claims boldly that "you will not ACCOUNTING WITH FOR LOTUS LOTUS 1-2-3 merely read this book, you will experience it".WhileI appreciateattemptsto introduce Californian humour into an otherwise dry subject,Iread the book through carefully and can report that it was in no sense an experience. However, it is a competent and well -presented book which explains the subject matter in an orderly progression. Although the price of £12.95is expensive considering itisa paperback, it represents the best value of (continued on next page)

PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 177 Book reviews

(continued from previous page) demonstratetheuseofLotus1-2-3useful only to someone in need of one or all the Lotus 1-2-3 books reviewed here.throughspecificapplication examples.more of the applications described. 1-2-3 At Work by Tom and Nancy CainThefirstbook presents10chapters, Finally,itisnotatallclear why neededfor is distinguished by its clear text layout andshowingthekeystrokes Accounting with Lotus 1-2-3 by Kaz Ochi excellent diagrams. Starting from firstmaintaining a stock portfolio, balancing aand Pat Hughes has been released to the principles, the authors proceed in easychequebook:productionscheduling,British market.It purports tolistthe stages from the elementary commands toinventory reporting and so on. Actually,keystrokes needed for some accounting the more sophisticated features of Lotusmost people have an automatic device forapplications.However, the book was 1-2-3. There are two chapters on keyboardbalancing a chequebook; a bank. written for the U.S. market and has not macros, plus an entire section at the back The financial calculations book has 22been revisedfor the differentBritish entitled "Introducing 1-2-3 applicationschapters showing templatesforcalcu-conventions. For instance, the suggested to the user". Because of its great depth oflatingloanneeds,simpleinterest,payrollpackage wouldbeuseless. coverage, this book will appeal partic-compound interest, net present values,Furthermore, anyone trying to handle ularly to non -specialists who have beenfuture values, bond yields, some statisticalaccounting functions with a spreadsheet is given the job of introducing micros withinformulae and one or two other models.applying the wrong tool for the job. There a company. The texts are essentially recipe books forare severe limitations on audittrails, 1-2-3 Revealed written by Dan Shaffer isthose who are unable or unwilling to writesecurity, backups, and so on. Not rec- a no-nonsense look at Lotus 1-2-3 packedtheir own applications. They would beommended, and overpriced at £19.95.Cg with a wealth of practical experience. The only minor quibble here is that Shaffer has 1-2-3 At Work by Tom and Nancy Cain. Published by Prentice -Hall, £14.50. tried to reproduce some diagrams from ISBN 0 835 952 27 4 photographs of VDU screens. While this 1-2-3 Go! by Julie E Bingham. Published by Addison-Wesley, 271 pages, £12.95. promotes accuracy, itis a pity that the ISBN 0 201 13047 5 picturesare sometimes alittlefuzzy. However, the other diagrams and line 1-2-3 Revealed by Dan Shaffer. Published by Prentice -Hall, £16.45. ISBN 0 835 drawings are clearer and very helpful. 952 36 3 1-2-3 Revealed willbe of interestto spreadsheet users who already have a Accounting with Lotus 1-2-3 by Kaz Ochi and Patrica J Hughes. Published by grasp of the basics and want a book which Wadsworth Electronic Publishing Co., 276 pages, £19.95. ISBN 0 534 03038 6 gets into more advanced material fairly The Power of Financial Calculations for Lotus 1-2-3 by Robert Williams. rapidly. Published by Prentice -Hall International, 166 pages, £13.45. ISBN 0 13 6876 90 0 Two very similar books are The Power of Lotus 1-2-3 and The Power of Financial The Power of Lotus 1-2-3 by Robert Williams. Published by Prentice -Hall Calculations for Lotus 1-2-3, both written International, 178 pages, £13.45. ISBN 0 13 687525 4 byRobertEWilliams.Bothtexts

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Circle No. 235

178 PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 SOME SEARCHING QUESTIONS TO ASK A DATABASE MANAGER

Now that microcomputers are capable of serious Superfile's underlying concepts are simple to data storage, the hot phrase in software is understand. Its screen Forms for data entry 'database manager! A good one, such as can be set up in minutes. Its paper Reports Superfile, turns a micro into a hyper - are equally straightforward. The manuals intelligent filing cabinet, combined are slim and concise. with an amazingly deft assistant. "ARE YOU MULTI-USER?" Any business that uses a card index or a filing cabinet would benefit from "A database is vastly more useful a database manager. It could do more if several people can consult it at for an enterprise than hiring a new once. Can you cope with many executive - but it is necessary to be hands on your keys without just as careful when interviewing hysterics?" candidates for the job. Vast sums Superfile is available in single of money are lost by companies and multi-user versions. Very investing in software that doesn't few others can make this claim. work hard enough. So it's vital to ask the right questions - and get "CAN YOU KEEP PACE WITH the right answers. TECHNOLOGY?" "Hardware is changing and "ARE YOU CAPABLE OF DOING improving so fast - can you keep A WORTHWHILE JOB?" up with improvements? Or will "You may do well with a small all my database work be wasted database, but how much can you when I buy a new computer?" store? How fast are you when full?" Superfile will run on anything Superfile's capacity is limited only from small 8 bit machines to by the hardware. The 8 bit version is main -frames. Users' databases will fast, but the 16 bit version is lightning. just move across without trouble. On a suitable machine it can find one Record out of a hundred thousand in 3 seconds. "WILL YOU BE FAITHFUL?" A lot of main-frame computers would like to do as well. "Willyou take my money and run? If I have problems will you help?" "DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS OF LIFE?" Superfile's publisher, Southdata, is a family business "In real life, everyone changes their minds about the committed to good customer relations. When users buy structure of their databases. Can you adapt? Can you hold Superfile, they can be sure of individual attention and full many different sorts of information at once? Can you find technical support. someone who says they're called 'Smith' when they're Superfile is an advanced, British made package. It runs actually 'ssmythe'?" on most modern micros and is widely used, among others, Superfile has a completely flexible structure. A user by the Ministry of Defence and British Telecom - can change the shape of Records after he has started to organisations that do not have to settle for second best. To enter data. He can store as many different kinds of Record find out more about Superfile and how it could become a as he wants. Superfile also has a unique 'sounds -like' powerful member of your company, just send the coupon. searching facility - very useful for anyone who deals face to face with the public. Please send me detaii,, supERFILE "ARE YOU ECONOMIC?" of Superfile. "Do you insist on storing everything in fixed length DATABASE MANAGEMENT spaces, so that 'Mr Ho' takes up as much room on the disk as 'Miss Featherstonehaugh-Willoughby-Fanshawe- Name Tupman'?" Address Superfile has variable length Records that can double or treble the useful space on your expensive disks. Phone "ARE YOU FRIENDLY?" Or. you are welcome to ring us to make an appointment to see Superfile in action at our offices "Do your users need a PhD in computer science? Are Southdata Ltd 166 Portobello Rd . London W11 2EB your manuals as thick as telephone books and as tedious 01-7277564 01-229 2724 PC 3 to read?"

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Circle No. 198 179 UNBELIEVABLE SAVINGS ** COMPUTERS ** ** MATRIX PRINTERS ** ** DAISYWHEEL ** EX VAT EX VAT * * APRICOT Fl - from £675.00 ANADEX DP -6500 500cps £2019.00 PRINTERS ** EX VAT APRICOT Point 7 from £2950.00 ANADEX WP -6000 £1808.00 BROTHER H R1 £265.00 APRICOT PORTABLE from £1445.00 BROTHER EP44 £189.00 APRICOT 256K 315Kx2 MONITOR £1395.00 BROTHER HR15 £329.00 BROTHER HR5 £125.00 BROTHER HR15 Keyboard £135.00 APRICOT 256K 720Kx2 MONITOR £1545.00 BROTHER M1009 50cps £149.00 APRICOT Xi 256k 10MB MONITOR BROTHER HR15 Sheetfeeder £185.00 £2195.00 CANON PW1080A 160cps (NLO) £274.00 BROTHER BBC B £320.00 H R25 £549.00 CANON PW1156A 160cps(NLQ) £339.00 DAISYSTEP 2000 20cps £219.00 CIFER 9000 Multi User 21MB £5095.00 EPSON RX 80T 100cps £195.00 COMMODORE 8250 DISK DRIVE DIABLO 630 API £1295.00 £785.00 EPSON RX 80F/T 100cps £220.00 DIABLO £490.00 COMMODORE 8296 £695.00 Sheet Feeder EPSON FX 80 160cps £324.00 FUJITSU SP320 48cps £795.00 COMMODORE SX-64 PORTABLE £675.00 EPSON FX 100F/T 160cps £430.00 COMMODORE JUKI 6100 18cps £325.00 64 £156.51 EPSON LQ 1500 200cps(NLQ) £895.00 NEC 2010 Serial 20cps £545.00 COMMODORE DISK 1541 £165.21 HONEYWELL From £375.00 COMMODORE NEC 2030 Parallel 20cps £545.00 PARALLEL INTERFACE £59.50 MANNESMANNMT80 80c ps £177.00 NEC 3510 Serial 35cps £1049.00 COMMODORE 1530 C2N CASSETTE £32.00 MANNESMANNMT180 160cps(NLQ) £579.00 NEC 3530 Parallel 35cps £1049.00 CO MPAQ2 2X360K £1795.00 NEC PINWRITER P2(P)(NLQ) £535.00 NEC 7710 Serial 55cps £1440.00 COMPAQ Plus(10MB) £3195.00 NEWBURY DRE 88503001pm £2095.00 NEC 7730 Parallel 55cps £1440.00 IBM PC List less 17.5% PHONE NEWBURY DRE 8925 240cps £1385.00 OLIVETTI DY450 45cps OLIVETTI £880.00 M20 160KB 2x320KB Drives £1295.00 OKI 84A 200cps £625.00 11/40 RO £1185.00 OLIVETTI QUME M24 128KB 2x360KB Drives £1658.00 OKI OKI 92P 160cps £360.00 QUME 9/45 RO £1550.00 OLIVETTI M24 128KB 10MB Hard Disk £3195.00 OKI OKI 2410P 350cps £1535.00 QUME LETTERPRO 12/20 £475.00 SAGE II&IV POA OLIVETTI DM4100E 120cps £520.00 RICOH RP1300S £895.00 SANYO MSC 555 128K 2x160K Drives £795.00 PANASONIC KP1091 120cps + NLQ £249.00 RICOH RP1600S SIRIUS £1190.00 256K 10MB £2850.00 SHINWA CP80 Model II FT £165.00 RICOH RP1600S FLOWRITER 8k SIRIUS £1249.00 256K 2.4MB £2095.00 STAR DELTA 10 160cps £299.00 RICOH RP1600S FLOWRITER 8k SIRIUS 128K 1.2MB £1645.00 STAR DELTA 15 160cps £399.00 IBM PC ACT/IBM £1299.00 Memory Expansions from £222.00 STAR GEMIN11OX 120cps £189.00 RICOH RP1600S Sheet Feeder £459.00 PLUS 5 External Hard Disk Drives POA STAR GEMINI 15X 120cps £269.00 RICOH RP1600S Tractor £138.00 ** STAR RADIX 10 200cps (NLQ) £419.00 SMITH ** SOFTWARE STAR RADIX 15 200cps (NLQ) £525.00 CORONA TP1 12cps £154.00 TOSHIBA TH2100H 192cps £1275.00 STARWRITER F1040 40cps ALL MAJOR SOFTWARE PROGRAMS SUPPLIED AT TEC £895.00 TREND 930 200cps NLQ 80cps £1350.00 TEC STARWRITER F5055 55cps £1235.00 LOW COST TEC Sheetfeeder £459.00 WORDSTAR £195.00 TEC Tractor £138.00 OPEN ACCESS £360.00 LOTUS 123 £295.00 MAYFAIR SYMPHONY £490.00 ** VDU's & TERMINALS ** MULTIMATE £240.00 T4 £780.00 D BASE II £280.00 MICROS CIFER HAZELTINE ESPRIT Fixed Keyboard £395.00 DMS DELTA £395.00 BLENHEIM HOUSE, PODMORE ROAD, FRIDAY QUME QVT 103 (VT100 VT131) £895.00 £135.00 LONDON SW18 1AJ £489.00 FRAMEWORK £345.00 TELEVIDEO 910 Not only do we offer top quality products at low TEL: 01-870 3255 / 871 2555 prices. We also support and develop Software with the *MEMORY EXPANSIONS* We accept official orders from UK Government and assistance of our long established software dept. Educational Establishments. Mail Order and Export AST, HERCULES, OUADRAM, SIMONS NEW RELEASE - UNIX MULTI USER ACCOUNTS Enquiries welcome. Callers by appointment. ALL AT BIG SAVINGS POA SOFTWARE. Circle No. 200

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PRICES INCLUDE 15% VAT AND ARE CORRECT ON GOING TO PRESS. ORDER BY POST OR PHONE, USING Tel: Windsor 58181 CHEQUE, ACCESS/BARCLAY CARD OR OFFICIAL ORDER. DESPATCH IS BY SAME -DAY 1ST CLASS POST, PRE- PAID ORDERS FREE. PRODUCT DATA LL,/,L`,}TIELL1- AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. REF A29 Information Systems Circle No. 217 LAKESIDE HOUSE, KINGSTON HILL, SURREY, KT2 70T. TEL 01-546-7256

180 Circle No. 131 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 miamigalawarit

Youmay think you only need one micro now. What happens whenyouneedadozen? If you're in business, you probably wonder how 8 users with 8 bit processors, or a combination of you ever managed without the Micro. both can be linked into the same unit. And Minstrel The trouble is, even the most sophisticated machines are easily networked to provide an models have one distinct drawback. almost unlimited number of interconnected work When it comes to multi-user operation, they're stations. decidedly not at their best. These can talk to each other, and access the Just adding more of the same, joined up by a central processor, disk storage areas, printers, telex "spaghetti junction" of cables is no real answer. and modem outlets via the "mother board" - using In fact, it's nothing more than a very expensive the internationally adopted S100 bus standard. compromise - involving as it does an unnecessary What's more, Minstrel 2 accepts software and undesirable duplication of hardware. written for CP/M 80, CP/M 86, MP/M II, MP/M 86 Happily, there now is a real answer. and incorporates a PC Dos emulator. Allowing you The Minstrel 2 "multi processor" system. to both draw from a vast library of standard In the Minstrel system, a central processor software and to run specialist "state of the art" drives the powerful operating system. While software not found on the mass market. additional processors (think of them as complete If you'd like to know more, ring John Kelly or 8 or 16 bit computers with their own memories) Stuart Herman on 01-328 8737 for full details and are allocated to each user. a list of Dealers. More processors can be slotted in, just when With all the help you'll get from Minstrel, you and where the need arises. could soon be going for your second dozen. Thus you can start with a small number of stations, confident that terminals can be added at any time - at a fraction of the cost of a stand-alone M I NSTREL micro. The evolutionary computer. In fact, up to 16 users with 16 bit processors, HM SYSTEMS, 69 LOUDOUN ROAD, LONDON NW8 ODB.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Circle No. 196 181 If you want it tomorrow . . THIS MONTHS call us today 01-455 9823 AURORA COMPUTERS/CALCULATORS/PLOTTERS HEWLETT PACKARD CE 158 RS232 and Cent IF £120.00 HP 4 1 CV (SCI Computer) £164.95CE 150 printer cassette IF £125.00 PACKAGE HP 4 1 CX (Computer) £205.00CE 159 8K Add on mem with BATE79.00 HP 4 1C (Card Reader) £129.95CE 152 Cassette £36.00 HP 4 1C Printer 82143A £230.00PC 1251 (Computer) £66.50 HP 4 1C Cassette drive £290.00CE 125 (I/F for above) £86.50 440.,,Nqfpnomansuggr.*,,, HP 1 6C (Hex Con) E84.00Casio PB 700 (h/held Computer exp to HP 1 5C (Adv Soil f 84.0016K) 127.00 HP 71 C (portable computer) £410.00Casio PB 750 New Computer £89.50 HP 71 Printer 82162A £295.00 PLOTTERS Epson QX-10 (desk top comp) £1599.00 HP 7470A (A4 2 Pen Plotter) £799.00EPSON HX20 Briefcase computer. 16K HP 7475 (A3 6 Pen Plotter) £1399.00expandable. Serial and RS232 interface. Pixy Plotter (A4 3 Pen 8 Colours) £399.00 £375 SHARP EPSON PX-8 (portable 64K PC 1500A (P/Computer with 8K ex toComputer/Word Processor) £775.00 24K E147.50Epson Modem CX21 (300 Baud)160.00 PL 5000 Portable Computer E1190.00 WORD PROCESSING PRINTERS/MONITORS 7710 RS232/7730 Cent £1726.00 BROTHER.Highly recommended" NEC 2000 (20 CPS) £615.00 HR1116CPS) £284.00 NEC 3530 (33 CPS) £1300Serial or Centronics - SILVER REED HR15 I3K Buffer 18CPS) £399.00 EXP 50011 2CPS) £299.00HR25 I3K Buffer 25CPS) £699.00 MICK EXP 770 I31.CPS-2K Buffer) £850.00HR 35 (35CPS) £825.00 Sheet feeder for above £199.00 DIABLO sittni MT EXP Soo (14 CPS) £329.00 620 )R0( £650.00 S/C L100 (12 CPS-cmulats Diablo 630630 (ECS/IBM) £1650.00 Protocols) £260.00 630 (API) (IBM COM) £1400.00 QUME 630 (KSR) . £1840.00

9/45 RO-FFP £1900.00Tractor ( £ £195.00 9/55 RO-FPP £2375.00 This package is readily FU 11/40 RO (Also IBM-PC) - E1185.00 HEEL TEC STARWRITER understood by a busy F10-55 CPS (serial/parallel)....£13 EPSON DX 100 (13CPS) Tractor 111-Dil Sheet Feeder £399.00 storeman, whilst Mechanical Sheet F eet Feeder OLYMPIA RUTISHAUSER £800.00Sheet Feeders and Tractors for providing management ESW 103 Qume, Diablo, NEC, Ricoh, TEC TOSHI8 Starwriter, Olivetti, etc. From £99.00 The all :- Word with comprehensive Processinraft Data Processing printer RICOH using a - 24 wire primhead to give Model RP 1300 IS) (4K Buffer) ..£895.00 exceptionally high letter quality output Flowriter (8K) PR 1600 £1244.00 reports to answer their IBM-PC Version £1500.00 COLOUR MONITORS from £220 Mechanical Sheet Feeder £459.00 most sophisticated Monochrome Monitors from £54.00RP1200 I20CPS) £555.00 DOT MATRIX PRINTERS requirements. May be OKI SMITH CORONA M82A 11 20 CPS) E240.00 Fastext 80 (80CPS) E195.00 used "Stand Alone" or M92P 1160 CPS) £379.00 D100 (120CPS) £249.00 Tractor £50.00 D300 (160CPS 2K Buffer IBM/Epson M83A (12 CPS) £420 Comp) £550.00 as part of an integrated 1120cps Friction, removeable Tractor and RS232 and Centre/Par standard) MANNESMAN TALLY M84P1200CPS) £750.00 MT80 (80CPS) £177.00 business control ANADEX' MT160 (FIT) (160CPS) £495.00 DP -9000 B/)180 CPS) £850.00MT180 (160CPS 132 Col) E699.00 system. Runs on any DP -95008/11180 CPS) £893.00 EPSON DP-9625B/)24O CPS) £1155.00Epson RX80T(100cps) £195.00 BROTHER Epson FX80 (160cps) £324.00 I CP/M or CP/M-86 EP22 Portable (Ideal for Atari/CommodoreEpson RX8OFT £220.00 64/Vic Nec PC8201 /sharp. PC1 500 Etc. L p sun FX 1 OOFT 160cps1 £430.00 I based computer and is Printer/Typewriter/Calculator .... £130.00Epson RX 100E7 (100cps) £399.00 EP44 (16 CPS) £189.00Epson LQ1 500 (200cps) £895.00 suitable for HR 5(30 CPS) £129.00Epson I/F and accessories from £29.50 organisations ranging TECHNICAL ADVICE 1 If you require help in selecting correct PRINTER/SHEETFEEDER/MONITOR/SOFTWARE from one man PROGRAMME or even I/F CABLE for your existing computer Tel our HOT LINE businesses to giants 01-455 9824 like British Telecom. DIGITEK ACCESSORIES FOR APPLE COMPUTERS I 6411 RAM 1149.00 RS232 High Speed Set LF card 685.00 I 128K RAM CARD 1299.00 Screen master 80 E129.00 I PAL Colour Encoder 179 00 I/F Cards for Epson/Nec/ LZ80 Expander card 189.00 Tec Microline E98.00 SOFTWARE FOR FURTHER DETAILS, COMPLETE Tiff COUPON This is only a selection of programmes available - telephone us for your specific AND SEND TO: requirements. APPLE ll/e IBM/COMPAQ GREAT NORTHERN COMPUTER SERVICIS ETD, Mailmerge V.3.3 £125.00 Wordstar V.3.35 £270.00 It) TOWN STREET, HORSFORTH, E)S I MS TRJ Wordstar V.3.31 £270.00 Mailmerge V.3.24 £125.00 Wordstar/Mailmerge/Spellstar. £406.00 Lotus 1-2-3 £325.00 TEL: (0532) 509980. ACT -APRICOT Symphoney £450.00 Pulsar-Wordstar £250.00 dBase II (CP/M86) £295.00 Mail Merge £75.00 NAME Superwriter £250.00 ADDRESS GOODS FULLY GUARANTEED PRICES EXCLUDING VAT AND P+ P. Company and Government orders accepted by phone. Barclaycard Access Visa accepted by phone. Tel.: 01-455 9823 PLEASE SEND ME DETAILS OF: MOUNTAINDENE STOCKFLOW OTHER AURORA PACKAGES. 22 Cowper Street London EC2 Circle No. 185 Circle No. 201

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Circle No. 234

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 183 Are you constantly searching through mounds of dog-eared, coffee -stained copies of Practical Computing to find a particular article or review? Only to be disappointed when you find you've mislaid that specific issue? Now you need look no further, Practical Computing has the answer - Binders!! With the purchase of our new, quality binders you can restore order and serenity to your chaotic lifestyle. These strong durable binders hold 12 complete issues and keep them looking as good as new. A handy source of reference, you'll be able to 170: Practical Computing,Binder Offer, Sundry Sales Dept, Room 1605, find any article you want, when you Quadrant House, The Quadrant, SUTTON, Surrey. SM2 5AS want it. Please send me binder(s) at £ each including post or packaging. UK: £4.80 OVERSEAS: £5.00. Month by month you'll be able to I enclose a cheque/PO for £ made payable to Business Press International build up an excellent library of Limited penetrating hardware reviews, in- Please debit my Barclaycard/Access/American Express/Diners Card* depth software surveys, informative *Delete as appropriate feature articles on everything from Account number word processing to networking and Card Expiry Date communications, not to mention Signature Date pages of free software listings. Name Take the bind out of accessing your Address store of information ... order a Practical Computing Binder today.

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18d PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 AUTHORISED DEALERS FOR TELEVIDEO EPSON FORTH = HEWLETT PACKARD ETC. DAYCOMPUTERS LTD TOTAL CONTROL ULTIMATE SERVICE FORTH programs are instantly Application Development Sys- portable across the most popular tems include FORTH with virtual D P Managers - One Shop SupplierlSeryicelAdvice microprocessors. memory, multi -tasking, assembler, Mail Order - Discount PricesNast Product Range full -screen editor, decompiler, New Users - Low Cost EntrylSystems Analysis utilities, and full documentation. FORTH is interactive and 20 Dealers - Monitor]Printer Distributor times faster than BASIC Z80 or 8080 FORTH - CPM OEM - Manf. 5100 8086 MS DOS Computer 2.2 £60 We Specialise in Service - ExamplePrices FORTH programs are structured, 8086 FORTH - CPM-86, modular, and easy to maintain. MSDOS £105 Memory Expansion - IBM 128K f183 PC/FORTH - PC/DOS. CPM- Sirius 128K £177 86 £105 FORTH gives control of all 8086 FORTH- 83 - CPM-86, Added Speed - PC Express 128K £590 interrupts, memory locations, and MSDOS £120 Mainframe Comms - Irma 3278 £900 PC/FORTH - 83 PC/DOS, i/o ports. - Chairman Colour £450 CCPM £120 Graphics 68000 FORTH - CPM-68K £190 Word processing - Sanyo MBC 555 £900 FORTH gives full access to DOS Brother HR15 Printer £380 files and functions. FORTH has 32 -bit stacks and directly accesses the whole Accounts - Sage Accounts £350 address space of the processor. FORTH appliation programs can Telex - IBM PC Braid System £1800 be converted to turnkey programsPC FORTH+ £190 Portable - Compaq Twin Drive £2125 8086 FORTH+ £190 - Zentec Terminal £475 68000 FORTH+ £290 DEC VT 52 FORTH Cross Compilers can ANSI 3.64 - Zentec Terminal £525 generate ROMmable code for: Extension Packages include Data Base - D. Base III £380 6502, 6809, 68000, 8080, Z80, floating point, cross compilers, 8086, 6800, 6801/3, 1802, Z8, 8087 support, colour graphics, Open Access £380 8070, Z8000, 99)oo<, LSI-11 databases Lotus 1.2.3 £320 Floppy Disk - Control Data DUD f24 We are the FORTH specialists, we also stock a large range of books, listings, and implementations for machines ranging from Daisy Printer - Director DY 40 £800 Spectrums to VAXes. DAYSTAR COMPUTERS LTD MicroProcessor Engineering Ltd 21 Hanley Road, Shirley UNITS 4 and 5 NEW ROAD Southampton SO1 5AP NEWHAVEN SUSSEX BN9 OEU Tel: 0703 780084 PLEASE TEL: 0273 514874 Circle No. 222

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TERMS OF OFFER UK Mainland Customers only. Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. HOW TO ORDER Send Cheque or Money Order for £84.95 to Access/Barclaycardaccepted MARCOL CABINETS LTD., Solent Business Centre, Millbrook Road West, Southampton. Tel: (0703) 774832 (24 hr. answering service). Showroom open Monday to Friday or send SAE for colour leaflet of full range Circle No. 214

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186 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Micro Discounts Ltd. offers the best prices around

< COMPUTERS> Apricot 256K 1 x316 DID + MONITOR £1200.00ADMATE FIT 280CPS £160.00 Apricot 256K 2 x 315 DID + MONITOR £1350.00ANADEX DP9000B 280 CPS f786.00 Apricot 256K 2 x 720 DID + MONITOR £1500.00ANADEX DP 96206 240 CPS f910.00 Apricot 256K 10Mb HDID + MONITOR 2225.00ANADEX DP 9725B COLOUR £1086.00 COMMODORE 64 £150.00ANADEX DP 65006 500CPS £1999.00 COMMODORE VIC 20 Starter pack £102.00ANADEX WP 6000 330CPS f1855.00 COMMODORE SX 64 £585.00NEWBURY DATA PRINTERS f POA EPSON QZ10 RX80 +Cables 1579.00EPSON P40 PX8 MODEL £70.00 EPSON PX 8 (PORTABLE+software) £625.00EPSON P80 £135.00 EPSON PX 8 + Ram disk £758.00EPSON JX 80 COLOUR £450.00 ORIC ATMOS 48k £138.00EPSON RX 80 T £185.00 SANYO MBC 555 2 x 160k DID + MONITOR £870.00EPSON RX 80 FIT £212.00 BBC MODEL B £310.00EPSON FX 80 £318.00 SANYO AS ABOVE BUT NO MONITOR £780.00EPSON FX 100 £420.00 APPLE LISA £POAEPSON LI] 1500 £867.00 APPLE MACINTOSH £1600.00Sheet feeder for EPSON's £179.00 APPLE IIC £800.00OKI MICROLINE 82A £229.00 APPLE Ile £450.00OKI MICROLINE 83A £369.00 APPLE PERIPHERALS £POAOKI MICROLINE 92 f610.00 AMSTRAD WITH COLOUR MONITOR £300.00SEIKOSHA GP100 £150.00 AMSTRAD WITH MONOCHROME MONITOR £22.00SEIKOSHA 700A COLOUR £250.00 SINCLAIR QL £380STAR GEMINI 10 X £185.00 ATARI 600 XL £117.00STAR DELTA 10 £310.00 FUTURE FX 20 + SPELLBINDER £1593.00BROTHER HR5 £125.00 BROTHER HR15 £320.00 BROTHER HR25 £550.00 COMMODORE 1701 Colour Monitor £170.00BROTHER EP44 £186.00 COMMODORE 1541 Disk Drive £154.00COMMODORE MPS 801 £165.00 COMMODORE C2N Cassette Recorder £33.50SMITH CORONA TPI £147.00 FIDELITY CM14 Colour Monitor £165.00UCHIDA £210.00 SINCLAIR INTERFACE 1 £47.00QUME 1140 £1139.00 SINCLAIR MICRODRIVES £47.00CANON PW1080A £270.00 ORIC DISC DRIVES £217.25JUKI 6100 £310.00 CUMANA DISC DRIVES £POA IBM EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE fP0A COMMODORE C16 f130.00 COMMODORE +4 £280.00 ENTERPRISE 64 (FLAN) 185.00 OLIVETTI EQUIPMENT AVAIL f POA

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PRINTERS - DOT MATRIX =1=1=11111 LOTUS 123... 128k RAM Card with manual P. disk...... 2 109.95 SYMPHONY 2449 SUPERCALC III E19111 Disk Drive Controller Card C 2985 OMS.DELTA.. £115 BROTHER ADMATE - (Shim. Mechanism) 166 RAM (language)Card...... ______E32.95 MULTIMATE £235 PEACHTREE ACCOUNTS POA HG1 Perm. Ificos 80 Column Card 0 32.95 £319 PFS FILE E 75 HR-15Paralle120max £ 319 ANADEX 10014 DUTY CYCLE 80 Column Card (soft control)...... £39.95 D BASE III £375 PFS REPORT 80 Column Card for Ile £ 44.95 HR -15 Keyboard 1,322 c000rLO) 80 Column Card for Ile with 646 RAM...... 2 84.95 HR -15 Sheet Feeder.. 179 DP85g0500cps ..02015 80/40 Column Switch [ 7.95 DRIVES - MEGABYTES FOR MICROPOUNDS! HR -15 Tractor Feed Unit 60 BROTHER 80 Column Inverse Video Switch ...... £ 4.95 DIABLO HR -5 Prortable thermal transfer (PorS)...... £109 630-API40cps rAtIoNhermal transfer (KSR) Height 5006840/80 630.APISheet Feeder CP/M 280-B Card with 646 RAM E 169.95 Height 1MB 40/48. Parallel Printer Card (Centronics)..i...... E 29.95 Height 1.6MB 40/80 315 rvW/17611rOct=21)) 364 Parallel Printer Card (Epson) £ 2905 Height 2MB 40180_. ....E199 5300 E EPSON SUPER Parallel Card with manual ...... £8495 Height 500KB £1192200...... Priner Butler Card (MK dump) 0 129.953' Aim NEC E 189 RX-80 T 100090 ..E 210 8 Full Sge 1.6MB Eggg NEC SPINWRITER RX-80F/T 100cps C 185 Grapple, Card 0 84.95 £282 3510 Serial 35cps -11045 RX-100 FR 100cps. ..E 339 81_Sive 1.6MB 21048 FX.80 100cps £ 315 HR 521 Height 12.75 MB Hard Disk unlorinated i i Communications Card E ..E 420 44.95 "92PIZTIAT...... 21429FX.100 FIT 160cps. 85-232 Serial Interlace Card...i...... £34.95 A I brand new, boxed, with built in controller standard power requirements. Full documenmtlon and yy,apar.n.,,,ops " ------21429 L0.1500 2C0cps(NLO) C 855 SUPER Serial Card with manual £ 89.95 technical details. 539 HONEYWELL 7710 Asynchronous Serial Inerface.....i.i....079.95 COMPUTERS 2030 Parallel 20Cps 2 539 L111 349 NTSC to PAL Converter + UHF Mod £ 32.95 VDU's & MONITORS OUME 6159 MANNESMANN TALLY RGEtCard(TTL output), .0 49.95 11 1401110 (without interlace).--...... MT-8080cm RGB Card (LINEARoutput) £ 4995 9145 1,10 fullfront panel A 1111,11,10C.OT "52,159 MT.160 16bcna IEEE.488 Controller, cab(. dsk 8 manual....0 149_95 miCROVITEC 12/20 Letter Pro IS or P) 2006....-- Eprom blower Card(27162732.2764) 1446-895-LI 18HI RES £ 395 £ 39.95 Point 1Irom 9/55 ROfull front panel 55cps "895 NEC NEW Eprom Blowr (2716.2132,2764,27128.E 59.95 02945 1456653-L1141 HI RES E 325 Portable 1 01439 11/5500 (without 8 BIT AD/DA Card (8.channel) £ 500 PINWRITER P2(P)80 col C 525 5895 2566 1 xrd lak + Monitor OUEN DATA 12 BIT AD/DA Card .0 119.95 01245 PHILLIPS Dts8, Wheel ...... £ 219 NEWBURY DATA - Heavy Duty 2586 + 2x 3156 + Monitor £1389 8 BIT 18 Channel ADCard E 59.95 DRE-8925 Parallel 2400p0 132 col. 2566 + 24 7206 + Monitor £1529 8 BIT 16 Channel ADIDACard...... E 109.95012566 + 10MB Monitor. 865 ORE-8850Paralle1300LPM [2g7Z CLOCK CARD (TIME 111Card £ 44.95 02189 SANYO RP -16000 Parallel 40 80cps 01165 OKI - MICROLINE ...0 63 Music Card .2 44.95 SIRIUS FLOW RP.1600 (P or S). £1235 OK1-82A PAS 120cps 80 ....0 239 DM.8112 80 Column Display 83 Wild Card £ 69.95 128K + 1MB 01645 FLOW RP.16001BM.PC 86 E1279 OKI-84A 200cps C 619 10MB E2845 DM -312514" NB Monitor ...2 169EleclMech Sheet Feeder RP -1600 2566 CD -3115 14" HO Monitor ROB 389 6809 Card 0 119.95 Tractor Unit 101 1600 Models 129 001-036 1200ps 385 Integer Basic Card .0 3295 BBC YANJEN SILVER -REED FDTDO Floppy Disk Drive(180KB) E 159.95 ....E 315 GM 1211 12' Tilt 8 Swivel.. 93EXP-550 Parallel 120p5 199 95 RAODIX FD -200 Floppy Disk Drive (320KB)...i...i.....2 22995 Sheet Feeder for EXP 550/770 H01 tOMB HARD DISK DRIVE 21049.95 ZENITH SMITH CORONA LOGO Card .E 59.95 COMPAQ -portable 01789 ...... E 145 SEIKOSHA Joystick (2 control buttons) £ 9.95 TEC STARWRITER GP -80 Fri. 2 162 159 AppleCompanble Power Supply E 44.95 SANYO F10/F10/55 Parallel 550S £1229GP -100 Parallel or Serial C 159 169 ASCII Encoded Keyboard with lic mod .i.E 34.50 MBC 5501285 + 1 x 1606 + software £ 595 HAZELTINE Esprit -1 (fixed keyboard)...... I 389Elec/Mech Single Sheet Feeder... E 445GP -500A 50090 A/C Cooling Fan (clip on) 0 19.95 MBC 5551281( + 2 x 1606 + software E 789 OUEM OVT.103 Green 14. E 689Tractor for F10 units r 199 Speech Card STAR - Om Year Guarantee, Replay Card £ 79.95 REMEMBER! Even if you don't see it advertised here we can probably supply It AND FOR LESS. Problems with limited space means thatGEMINI 10X FR 120090 80 col £ 185 Forth Card E 89.95 we are only able to advertise a limited range of products. Additional prices on application. Consumables, paper, ribbons etc., supplied atDELTA 100 FR leaps 80 col £ 315 6088 Card 0,15 64K (cap 12851 0 365.00 RADIX 10 F(Ti 200cps 80 col £ 439 exceptional prices. 24 -HOUR DELIVERY on items ex stock. GEMINI 15X FR120cps 132 col 2 279 Items which may be dispatched by post (eg. peripheral cards etc.) add £2.00 per order for any order under E50.00. ORDERS EXCEEDING DELTA 15 FR 160ms 132 col £ 425 1121:110=3111111111 £50.00 CARRIAGE FREE. RADIX 15 FR 200cps 132 col £ 539 Items which must move by carrier (such as printers, monitors etc.) will be delivered within 24 -hours fora charge of £10.00 TEC Ng-II-V[1,1AB OR ALTERNATIVELY within 48.hous at a charge of 07.50. 1550 Parallel E 450 D BASF II 2245 Add 15% VAT to all prices given. Remember, VAT Is also applicable on carriage at 1 5%. Terms CWO. DEAL ENQUIRIES WELCOME.1550 Serial 489 FRIDAY FOREIGN enquiries If possible by telex please. However, French & German speaking staff at your disposal. 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BUSINESS = - COMPUTER SUPPLIES - - Hardware, Software, -- = Consumables COMPUTERS COMPUTERS Sanyo MBC 550/555 incl. software £6491895 Hewlett Packard 150. Touch screen ARE BIG BUSINESS £2095 PRINTERS Shinwa CPA80 FIT, 100cpsNEW £189 Brother EP44 £195 Canon PW1080A, £289 Canon COLOUR PJ1080A £389 IN THE NORTH HP ThinkJet, 150cps, 50dBA £369 Kaga Taxan KP810, 140cps NLQ £269 Anadex DP9500b, 240cps £899 Epson RX100 £359 NEC Pinwriter P2 NLQ £599 NEC Spinwriter 3500 £1039 Panasonic KXP1091 NLQ £269 Juki 6300 40cps NEW £679 Smith Corona F80/L1000/D200 £15512191329 Sanyo DM2112 monochrome £65 Kaga Taxan K12R1X colour £189 Printer Buffers (Serial/Parallel - any combination inor out IEEE also available. 8K-£85 16K-£99 32K-£129 48K-£149 64K-£179 128K-£249 MONITORS This is only a small sample of our complete range. Please write for full list. FLOPPY DISKS - Now at even lower prices! Per box of 10 POST FREE APRIL 16 -18 BELLE VUE MANCHESTER DYSAN 5.25" 3M 5.25" INCORPORATING COMPEC Unsurpassed quality Lifetime guarantee Sony 31"

1 2-4 5+ 1 2-4 5+ 1 5 SS DD 40TK 18.5018.0017.50 15.0014.5014.00 DS DD 40TK 26.0025.5025.00 20.5020.0019.50 SS DD 80TK 26.0025.5025.00 21.7521.2520.75 35.5035.0034.50 DS DD 80TK 30.5030.0029.50 25.5025.0024.50 47.5047.0046.00 WILL HELP YOU REACH All 5.25" and 8" formats available FANFOLD PAPER - The most competitive prices available! e.g. 11"x91" £9.75 (2000 sheets). All sizes available. Quality THAT BUSINESS discounts. SOFTWARE All major business software supplied at discount Phone Harry Aitken 061-872 8861 or Fiona Howell on 01-661 prices P&P Disks and printer buffers POST FREE. Computers, printers and monitors £7. Paper £3 per box. Please add 150/0 VAT to all 3125 for the latest information on stand availability. Or write the above prices. Send cheque with order or write for list of our to her at The Exhibition Sales Department, The Northern complete range to Computer Show, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, A.M.A COMPUTER SUPPLIES, Surrey SM2 5AS. Telex 892084 BISPRS G. Dept. B, 8 Glebe St., Beeston NOTTINGHAM NG9 1BZ Tel. 0602 255415 Circle No. 202

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 188

VITAL INSURANCE 51MIF NEWS FROM ATTRACTIONS HALSEY & COMPANY £189.95 USERS are provided with a low cost + VAT = £218.44 120 cps Bi - Directional alternative to computer maintenance with Logic Seeking Friction free choice of repairer plus full "All Risks" Tractor and Roll Holder Standard cover and additional expenditure including Downloadable Characters data recovery costs. Ask for a Ultra High Resolution 80 cols IBM PC c01217(0000[Cf quotation. GEM/ill-10i version now available. For £3,000 worth of hardware the premium is only £131.

FIDELITY DEALERS consultants and software houses 12 MHZ Video Bandwidth at last have an insurance scheme specially RGB and Composite Video Medium Res designed for them combining wide cover (especially away from the premises) with f169.95"Ff19544 highly competitive premiums. Ask for Also available in TV/monitor version at £195.95 14 INCH COLOUR MONITOR aIDOOL120130000°quote. ( + VAT) = £225.34 MANUFACTURERS & MAINTAINERS LOOK! have computer breakdowns paid for by NEW LOWER PRICES ON 00406019012 ULOU 0' EPSON STAR & BROTHER DAISYWHEEL PRINTERS CONSULTANTS and all those givingany BROTHER HR 15 CALL FOR BEST PRICES JUKI 6100 £325+ VAT= £373.75 advice are protected against claims for DAISYSTEP 2000 £225 + VAT= £258.75 inadequate or faulty advice, errors and EPSON DX 100 £369.95 + VAT= £425.44 DOT MATRIX PRINTERS ommisions under ourL000666000 COSMOS JP80 £169.95+ VAT= £195.44 professional indemnity scheme. EPSON RX 80 £198.95 + VAT = £228.79 EPSON RX 80 F/T £228.95 + VAT = £263.29 EPSON RX 100 £384.95 + VAT = £442.69 SOFTWARE WRITERS and others obtain EPSON FX 80 £319.95 + VAT = £367.94 EPSON FX 100 £498.95 + VAT = £573.79 legal expenses cover including pursuit or STAR GEMINI -10X £189.95 + VAT= £218.44 defence of actions involving software STAR DELTA 10 £319.95 + VAT= £367.94 STAR RADIX 10 £498.95 + VAT = £573.79 copyright under our THERMAL MATRIX PRINTERS VUIDIMON1300W scheme. STAR STX 80 £129.95 + VAT = £149.44 BROTHER HR5 CALL FOR BEST PRICES BROTHER EP 44 CALL FOR BEST PRICES ALL COMPUTER PEOPLE qualify for Cables - Paper - Ribbons - Sheet Feeders specialist covers for death, loss of income, Tractor Feeds - Interfaces - Call for Best Prices pensions and our free financial planning CREDIT CARD services under our HOT LINE VISA `60bilL7040EM00"scheme. 01-482 1711 Available exclusively through:- PLEASE ADD £10 + VAT FOR DELIVERY POST YOUR CHEQUES/P.O.'s TO: DATASTAR SYSTEMS UK HALSEY & COMPANY UNICOM HOUSE, 182 ROYAL COLLEGE STREET 7 Passage Road LONDON NW1 9NN Westbury-on-Trym Telex 295931 UNICOMG Bristol BS9 3HN Avon TAX-FREE EXPORT & DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME Telephone (0272) 503716 Personal callers welcome. We are situated at the junction of Camden Road, near the railway bridge. Opening hours Mon -Fri 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat & Sun 10 a.m. to 1p.m. `The Insurance Brokers for Computer People' Approved Agencies given db Circle No. 184 Circle No. 209 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 189 tappie PRICES SLASHED!

Macintosh Lisa 2 APPLE Ile COMPARE IT WITH SYMPHONY Apple Ile 64K £450 Lisa 2 D/Drive W/Controller £240 with Macintosh operating sytem £2625 D/Drive without £190 80 Col. Card 70 Lisa 2/5 with 5Mb Hard Disk £3375 80 Col + 64K £180 Apple 12" Monitor £125 Lisa 2/10 WITH FREE MACWRITE with 10Mb Hard Disk £4135 Phoenix 1 2" Monitor £90 & MACPAINT Superb Graphics £1550 and Integrated Software

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128K RAM as standard 2 Serial Ports Built in 51" disk drive Takes Mouse, Joystick, Paddles 40 and 80 columns Library of 10000 programs Transportable - weighs 7lbs. 12" long 111" wide 21" high THE TOTAL SOLUTION IN ONE BOX ONLY £789 For computerised solutions to business problems contact SIMMONS MAGEE COMPUTERS LTD 13 YORK STREET, TWICKENHAM, MIDDLESEX TW1 3JZ 08914477 ALL PRICES EXCLUSIVE OF V.A.T. Circle No. 178 190 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Last word A practical solution Paul Caswell suggests ways of prevent computing in schools becoming a disappointing theoretical dirge.

STRANGE asitmight seem, many Perhaps we should get back to askingis absurd not because the object looks independent schools eschew computingjust what computing actually is: simply atrivial or something you do not really want examinations.I am notthinkingofmodern method for solving certain sortsto achieve in practice, but because given laggards who have not yet woken up to theof information problem. The key word isthe problem the program is supposed to modern world but rather of those you"problem". An analogy is the car, whichsolve, there is absolutely no advantage to would count among the leaders in schoolis right for solving certain sorts of journeyusing a computer in its solution. practicalmicroelectronics.Some ofproblem. Neither represents a universal To conclude, a brief list of some of the them have purpose-built centres stuffedanswer for every such problem. However, problems that might be considered: withequipment,yetfindthe GCEthe difficulty at school is that most pupils Use the word processor to write a short examinations atbest irrelevant and athave not encountered problems to which aessay on, say, school dinners. Appoint an worst a hindrance. Several, like Brightoncomputer is the most effective solution:editor and have a separate group working College, run no GCE courses as such, but friends' phone numbers, for example, areon a different story, compile the front simply permit pupils who wish to do so tobetter stored in a diary. page of a house magazine with,for take, say, the AO -level off their own bat in example, tabulated sports results shaped the Lower Sixth. to fit on A3 page. Critics of the examinations claim that Problem solving Compile atable of squares/square theyaretootheoretical,outsidethe But is not the same situation true ofroots/sines or the like to five decimal reasonable experience of their target agemuch secondary mathematics? Do we notplaces similar to the three- or four -figure group, and almost antediluvian. Exam-artificially create problems for the pupilstables you use in mathematics classes, or iners' reports appear to agree that theto solve and so learn the next process in aHaversinetablesuchasnautical result is a poor general standard yet anmathematics? This suggests an approach navigators might use. easy passage, with little or no formalto computing in schools: we should tackle Fibonaccinumbers;simulationsto tuition, for pupils who have soaked in thethepracticalsolution of aseriesofapproach 7r experimentally;statistical practical subject. The situation is rathercompleteproblems,usingtheoryto analysissuchaslinearregressionor like that of the foreign pupils who sit 0 -support the practical rather than thecontingency tables. levels in their own language and passpractical to demonstrate theory. Hero's iteration to find the square because they know the language, though Of course,itis the function of theroot: discuss when and how to end the notinthe manner intended bythe teacher to pose each problem so that it iteration. examiners. takes the pupil's understanding just that Sorting lists of numbers then strings. little bit further forward. But it is essentialDemonstrate a machine -code sort on an that each problem does require a computeridentical algorithm to see how much faster Unsuitable for its optimum solution. It may be that a itcan be. Follow with a shuffle and Perhaps the examination boards and thestandardpackage,suchasaworddemonstrate that a shuffled listis truly schoolsareinevitablyondifferentprocessor in ROM, is indicated and theserandom. wavebands, GCE beingsimplynotmust be available. Frequency table of the total scores designed for such a rapidly developing We should not set out like a languageobtained in theory, using nested loops, practically based subject. Or perhaps it isteacher to teach Basic or computer scienceand by experiment that the theoretical side of computing isstudiesper se.Almost the worst thing a R N D(6) + R N D(6) + ... not suitable for examination at schoolschool can do on gettingitsfirst few when several dice are thrown together. level. machines is to immediately start offering a A further difficulty, as we see it, is toGCE course. Instead, we should set out to Becomehouse DP managerfor target the pupil who we would advise tosolve complete problems and take oninvitations,circularletters,etc.,using take a GCE Computing course were we toboard whatever language and techniquesSilicon Office to file the necessary records run such a thing. It may appear trendy to are required to the purpose. and do the necessary word processing. Solve the puzzle offer a GCE course, but is it sensible toOne of the most absurd tasks I saw set counsel any GCE pupil to take it? Atrecently was to copy the program SEND + MORE = MONEY present, the answers seem mostly negative. 10 MILK= 24 in Basic, then in assembler. What then is the role of computing in20 PRINT"A PINT OF MILK COSTS"; Naturally,there are many more such secondary education? What will we do 30 PRINT MILK problems and it would be instructive for with the thousands of pounds worth ofand then to edit line 10 to a value 21. Thisreaders to send in ones they have found hardwareinourschool?Keyboard most help. But the criteria are that the familiarityandplayiscertainlynot problem should not only advance the relevant now that increasing numbers of Paul Caswell is Head of pupils'understandingbutthatuse pupils - 42 percent in our school census Computing at Brighton College of the computer is essential to the best last February - have computers at home. solution.

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 191 Sellyoursoftware facei mfr No software-however good- sells itself. To clinch sales you must be able to demonstrate your solutions convincingly. You must prove to users that you understand their problems and have the power to offer effective answers, and prove to DP professionals that you can help them in coping with exploding user demand. Exhibiting at SOFTWARE 85, Britain's only dedicated software show, will bring you face-to- face with the decision makers in your market. SOFTWARE 85 will be staged alongside the Business Computer Show at Earls Court, so massive extra publicity coverage and visitor traffic is an add-on bonus. Phone Bob Short on software85 01-661 8855 to learn how your EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE company can benefit from exhibiting at SOFTWARE 85, orJune 4-61985 Earls Court, London

. AND 11 I return the coupon below. SPONSORED BYComputer «,\Ipt (1\111 Weekly NCC

Please contact me with details of how SOFTWARE 85 can help sell my software

NAME POSITION To: Bob Short, SOFTWARE 85 Exhibition Sales, COMPANY Quadrant House, The Quadrant, ADDRESS Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS, England TEL NO TELEX Telex: 892084 BISPRS G. software 85 EXHIBITION ,AND CONFERENCE 16 Carl

192 PRACTICAL COMPUTINGDecember 1984 ANALOGUE MEASURING UNITS LIMicroSight111 FOR THE BBC MICRO AND EPSON PX8

EXCET EMU3 MONITORING UNIT (BBC ONLY) £86.00 Measures temperature, light, resistance, power, volts, current and time. (Leads and probes supplied)

E.C.G. HEART/PULSE MONITOR £86.00 Displays E.C.G. trace, both visual and audio pulse rate and personal details. (Leads, pads and gel supplied)

GAS DETECTOR INTERFACE (BBC ONLY) £65.00 Measures concentration in p.p.m. of 6 different gases. (Supplied with gas sensor in holder) MicroSight I on the BBC model B includes:- A CCTV camera with lens and tripod. PRESSURE TRANSDUCER INTERFACE £6.500

MicroEye vision interface 256 x 300 resolution 1-5000 p.s.i. with 8 bit video plus all cables. Displays in p.s.i., Nm2 or atmospheres. Specify range. (Transducers extra)

Fully documented hardware and software.

MicroSight software package with area perimeter routines as well as disk and printer dumps. PH PROBE INTERFACE 0-14ph

Hi Res software package with mode 0 display, Uses R.S. standard PH probe and powders. disk and printer dumps and thresholding. (PH probe and powers extra)

Package using mode 2 high quality display. All for £495 + VAT STRAIN GAUGE INTERFACE MicroScale Elasticity or compression up to 112% strain. An image processing package with editing area and (Strain gauge supplied) perimetercalculations,dimensioning,windowing, threshold and contrast setting. £295 + VAT FREQUENCY METER INTERFACE (BBC ONLY) £55.00 0-200Hz, 0-2kHz, 0-40kHz MicroEye Accuracy > 0.5% (Microphone supplied) Visioninterface256 x 300 resolution 256 grey levels with full documentation and software for BBC Sirius, IBM, Apple, RML, CBM etc. £295 + VAT TEMPERATURE MONITOR INTERFACE SINGLE (BBC ONLY) £40.00 Temperature range: - 10 ° C to 110°C One probe supplied

TEMPERATURE MONITOR INTERFACE 8 -WAY (BBC ONLY) £80.00 Temperature range: - 10 ° C to 110 °C One probe supplied

EXTRA PROBES for above each £15.00

111111111111111, BLOOD PRESSURE INTERFACE £86.00 Complete ready for connection to standard arm -band 6ik 1 (Cuff)

,:I.. BAROMETRIC PRESSURE INTERFACE £86.00 Range = 900 to 1100 millibars MicroScale II Displays in millibars, Lbs/in2, m/m of Hg or inches of Hg. Image analysis for the IBM PC with:- Complete ready for use.

Object area measurement (absolute and %) All prices inclusive of V.A.T. Perimeter measurement to user defined scaling POST & PACKING FREE User definable and standard windows.

Disk and printer dumps. All units are extremely accurate and have fully supporting software on 40 or 80 track disc or tape (please specify). All with a screen dump facility and Dimensioning and object counting. some with audio/visual variable alarm levels. Display is in graphical form, Fully documented C software. £1950 + VAT extra -height characters or tabular display with variable sample rate from Also available for Hewlett Packard and Sirius. 0-1 sect to 100 hours or longer with print out option. For further details contact:- Demonstration Video film showing the Excet EMU3 under working conditions is available for free hire. Video film of the other units to follow shortly. RSThe image analysis people BITS & BYTES CT 44 FORE STREET, ILFRACOMBE, NORTH DEVON Digithurst Ltd. Tel: (0271) 62801 Leaden Hill, Orwell, Royston, Herts. SG8 5QH Telephone (0223) 208926 Circle No. 361 Circle No. 227 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 193 (aculab data buffers FROM 16K TO 256K

cu labb NORMAL NORMAL DATA BUFFER 3 RESET CO HOLD

BYPASS REPEAT

POWER wpm' DATA BUFFER BUFFER DiP REPEAT ACTIVE PRISM KILL OffLOW HOLD ON

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: Parallel in-Parallel out DB3-1 from £186.00 (excl VAT) aculabLtd. Parallel in-Serial out DB3-2from £197.00 (excl VAT) Unit A, Station Approach, Serial in-Parallel out DB3-3from £197.00 (excl VAT) Leighton Buzzard, Serial in-Serial out DB3-4from £203.00 (excl VAT) Beds. LU7 7LY. Parallel/Serial in and out DB3-5from £221.00 (excl VAT) 0525-371393 AA Circle No. 230

MICROCOMPUTER DEALERS FOR: MICROTIME INTERNATIONAL LIMITED PEACHTREE 106A BEDFORD RD, WOOTTON, BEDS MK43 9JB EPSONNEC*SANYO Telephone (0234) 767758/766351

NEC PC -8201A, TANDY MODEL 100 & OLIVETTI M10 OWNERS! LOST FOR SOFTWARE?? NO LONGER!! CALL MICROTIME!!

Pasocalc - ROM based spreadsheet £80 From Traveling Software Inc. Traveling Writer - acclaimed word processor £50 Time Manager - time costing for professionals £50 Appointment Manager - calendars & appointments £50 Sales Manager - sales activity/customer notes £50 Expense Manager - full expense accounting £50 Project Manager - budgets/actuals/costs/activities £50 T -Base - the ultimate relational database system £80 At last a truly professional From Chattanooga Systems high capacity portable computer. Equally at home as a Autopen - full featured word processor £30 data capture terminal or a portable processor. The PX-8 Autopen N &A - as above with name/address options £40 has an A4 footprint and will fit in a briefcase. Autopad - the 5K spreadsheet with everyfeature £40 Trip - expense account details and trip log £25 All CMOS construction 64K RAM ChequeBook - personal cheque book record £25 CP/M Operating System Optional 120K RAM "disk" 80 x 8 LCD Display Supports existing TF20 Book - single entry accounts package £25 Full sized OWERTY 340 KB DISKS. Autobase - database package £40 keyboard From Dataccount, Inc. Data-Dex - automated desktop card index system £35 Data -Text - text formatting and word processor £40 Data -Code - bar code generation package £30 Data -Max - database, any record in 0.5 secs. £50 From Silicon Crafts/Micro Time GENERAL, ACCOUNTS, WP, MPLAN - the original portable spreadsheet £40 ELECTRONIC ORDER ENTRY, MSOLVE - multiple -equation solver £40 GRAPHICS, BAR CODES, MBRAIN - full RPN calculation with stacks/memories £25 MLABLE - general purpose labelling program £30 COMMUNICATIONS. MMAILER - outstanding letter writerw/mail list £30 Actel Computers Limited The Computer Centre, Bugbrooke Road, GAYTON, (all prices ex -VAT, incl. UK p&p, 2nd class post) NORTHAMPTON NN7 3EU. TEL (0604) 858011

SEND OR RING FOR DETAILS TODAY FROM MICROTIME

Circle No. 224 Circle No. 219 194 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 WREN EXECUTIVE SYSTEM

:;;I:11111

'An outstanding machine, I do not know of anything that can do as much as the Wren does, even at twice the price" Practical Computing, June '84 "Sets out to be all things to all men and astonishingly it seems to have succeeded" Personal Computer World, April '84 'A real bargain" "A wealth of facilities" Computer Answers, May '84 Transam designed the Wren Executive System, and we are justifiably proud of the reception it has received.

At 1,00OA:excludingVAT) The system includes a built in screen, twin drives and modem. CP/M3, BBC Basic, Prestel software. Perfect Writer, Filer and Calc software. Time Management Project planner. Executive desk top software. High resolution graphics. Serial, parallel, Winchester and Paddle ports. WE CAN DELIVER, TRAIN AND INSTALL.

For further information Transam MICROSYSTEMS LIMITED 59/61 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8SF Tel: 01-404 4554 Prestel: 600180

THE TECHNOLOGY YOU WANT I THE ADVICE YOU NEED

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 Circle No. 113 195 Just Arriving-the amazing value -for -money WIN! Goldstar A fabulous holiday for you and 3 friends in sunny Florida Including: Kennedy Space Centre, Disney World & Florida Keys with SPECTRUM*****PLUS & COMMODORE ***** £2,500 Spending Money *****PLUS ***** The 10 Runners -Up each get a Yes -the exciting new world of MSX computing is now here, and with the superb new Goldstar MSX micro, £100 Voucher from Spectrum It's at a sensational low price too! To spend in any Spectrum Group appointed dealer store anywhere in the UK! MSX micros are made to a standard specification -but some things do vary and that's where the Goldstar Pick up an entry form from your local Spectrum comes out on top. It's POWERFUL -a full 64K of user RAM, 32K of ROM AND a 16K video RAM. The sixteen vivid colours and eight octaves of sound make it a great games player's micro, and a powerful Z -80A pro- dealer now - No purchase required! cessor to take on a world of home office tasks. But it's the price tag that's really special -just £239.99, a lot less than most of the others. Take a look at the superb Goldstar MSX at your local New Spectrum dealer NOW! SENSATIONAL VALUE Products! General purpose MSX micro Powerful 64K user RAM 23999 32K ROM, 16K video RAM Hi -resolution colour graphics MSX Fulltypewriter keyboard and Goldstar £239.99 cursor controls Canon V20 £279.95 Sanyo MPC-100 £299.95 New! Canon V20 MSX A64K MSX micro with 32K ROM and 16K video RAM. All Rotronics Wafa DriveMICRO UPDATE the benifits of standardised MSX software, 8 -octave Spectrum's own computer guide, sound and super colour graphics. £129.95 published by the experts for YOU. SPECTRUM PRICE ZX Spectrum + It's packed with illustrations and descriptions of just about everything £179.95 you're likely to meet in home micro hardware, add-ons and accessories. Timex 2040 printer Plus there's information on current software, and hints and tips from £77.50 expertsabouthome computing. Callinto yourlocal Spectrum Microvetic Monitor dealer and get YOUR copy - It's great! for the QL.£275.00 Mot all carry every advertised item. please phone before making a journey - prices correct at time of going to press EGO

There's up to f1,000 worth of Instant Credit ctrum available on a Spectrum Chargecard. See your Latest News speRGE Up to 0000 local SPECTRUM dealer for written details (UK for up to date news, information & offers mainland only) Typical APR -29.8% from SPECTRUM - see PRESTEL page Instant Credit 600181 for details Sensational New Products Rotronics Wafadrive = Vaissidlnimit for the ZX Spectrum - r -11115- 41li4 4 4 it;41116 AV IF II 41111. 41c 41, 4"4 4 4-4- 41.- ITT i I 2 VII=

Just arriving the super new

At last - a versatile, flexible twin data drive for the ZX Spectrum! The Wafadrive features twin 128K drives ZX Spectrum+ that take the compact wafers (choose Here's the brand new Spectrum micro. The 'Plus' boasts a new, professional from 16K, 64K or 128K sizes) - The dual drive means professional -style ease of typewriter -action keyboard, plus all the Spectrum's top selling features like use, with easy copying of files or whole SPECTRUM PRICE powerful 48K RAM, 8 colours, wafers. There are no cables to connect - 10 -octave sound and full com- and there's RS232 PLUS Centronics patibility. AND you get a super ports to take a host of extra peripherals. 80 -page User Guide PLUS SIX For super reliability, the tape has been FREE SOFTWARE PACKAGES - designed for extra long life and top data unbeatable value -for -money! integrity. And it's incredible value -for - moo ey! Plus! FREE Softeks Special SPECTRUM Writer -an excellent word PRICE processor program. Super Value Shado Add-Ons Shado Commodore 64Shado Joysticks BBC Compatible Data Recorder Compatible Data Recorder for the BBC Also suitablefor most other Micros.

Thisneat, SPECTRUM PRICE stylish data cassette Directly compatible with the Com- Designed as direct recorder is a terrific modore 64 and VIC-20 mic- replacements for the value -for- money wayto save Acorn originals, these your program and data from your ros, thisexcellentdata superfast joysticks BBC Acorn or Electron micro. The Shado connects easily, offers recorder eliminates the problems of using ordinary cassette (connected to the recorders - at a top value price too! Analogueport)fea- reliable and consistent performance and features a Tape Position ture much improved indicator for easier data access. hand action with sprung response. L6 R are identified by the colour of the fire buttons. SPECTRUM SPECTRUM PRICE PRICE Blank Data Cassettes C12 Standard Data Cassette £0.50 C15 Standard Data Cassette £0.58 C15 Computatape Reel to Reel Cassette f0.75

Sp Computer Centres have no connection whatsoever with the ZX-Spectrum Computer manufactured by Sinclair Research Ltd.

or prospective dealers. If you would like to know more about becoming a SPECTRUM ComputerAPPOINTED DEALER on an exclusive area basis please writeto BobCleaver. Spectrum Group PLC. HuntingGate Dealers Hitchin, Herts SG4 OTI Tel(0462) 37171 More from Spectrum... Micro Dealers UK's Sensational value for money! Timex 2040 Top 50 Thermal Printer for the SPECTRUM 48K Britain's No.1 Software Chart SPECTRUM PRICE

This top -value thermal dot matrix printer is Includes designed especially for use with the Spectrum 48K computer. With a print rate of 80cps on no - ribbon thermal paper and a maintenance -free FREE! Roll of life, plus 80 dpi graphics capability, the 2040 really is a terrific buy at our low price! Thermal Paper

Elite Acornsoft BBC £14.95 Beachead Access Spectrum £7.95 Sherlock Melbourne House Spectrum £14.95 Daley Thompson's DecathlonOcean Spectrum £6.90 Super Value! NEW let Set Willy Software Projects CBM 64 £7.95 Summer Games Quicksilva CBM 64 £14.95 Quendata PitfallII Activision CBM 64 £9.99 Zaxxon Synsoft CBM 64 £9.95 Braxx Bluff Micromega Spectrum £6.95 Juki 6100 Havoc Dynavis ion CBM 64 £9.95 Zim Sala Bim Melbourne House CBM 64 £9.95 Kentilla Micromega Spectrum £6.95 Daisy wheel printer Kokotoni Wilf Elite Spectrum £5.95 Daley Thompson's DecathlonOcean CBM 64 £7.90 World Cup 64 Artic CBM 64 £6.95 NEW Deuce ex Machina Automata Spectrum £15.00 Hampstead Melbourne House Spectrum £9.95 3D Grand Prix Software Invasion BBC £9.95 NEW Combat Lynx Durell Spectrum £8.95 Battle for Midway PSS Spectrum £9.99 Mr Robot Beyond CBM 64 £8.95 High Noon Ocean CBM 64 £7.90 Decathlon Activision CBM 64 £9.99 lust look at this for value - a true daisy -wheel Aztec Beyond CBM 64 £8.95 printeroffering topqualityprintingata Ankh Beyond CBM 64 £8.95 The Edge Spectrum £9.95 Daisywheel printing 20cps (ay. 18cps remarkably low price. Print speed is 18/20cps, NEW Quo Vadis uni- Stunt Bike Ocean CBM 64 £6.90 Shannon Text) 10/12/15 or Proportional or bi-directional printing (depends on Psytron Beyond CBM 64 £8.95 character spacing Bi-directional friction - software), variable pitch. NEW Flak Funsoft CBM 64 £9.95 feed Tractor feed or cut paper Centronics lack & the Beanstalk Thor CBM 64 £6.95 asstandard; RS232C optional 2K byte Dark Star DeuksiisilvanDesign CBM 64 £7.50 print buffer Zombi Zombi Quicksilva Spectrum £6.95 NEW Sub Hunter Micromart Spectrum £6.95 SPECTRUM NEW Boulder Dash State Soft CBM 64 £8.95 Strangeloop Virgin Spectrum £6.95 SPECTRUM PRICE The perils of Willy Software Projects VIC 20 £6.95 NEW Nato Commander Microprose CBM 64 £9.95 PRICE Falcon Patrol 2 Virgin CBM 64 £7.95 NEW Snookie Funshot CBM 64 £9.95 Tractorfeed optional extra NEW Halls of the Things Design Design CBM 64 £8.50 NEW Pyjamarama Micro Gen Spectrum £6.95 NEW Pystraxx The Edge Spectrum £7.95 Toy Bazarre Activision CBM 64 £9.99 NEW Sorcerer of ClamorgueAdventrure International Spectrum £9.95 Other Printer Bargains Castle Spectrum £7.99 Enduro Activision SEIKOSHA GP100VC VIC 20/64 £199.95 BROTHER BBC/Electron £6.95 NEW Mine Shaft Durell GP50A £99.95 Friction Feed GP100/250X. £28.75 HR -5 £159.95 Strontium Dog Quicksilva CBM 64 £7.95 GP50S Spectrum £99.95 EPSON £458.85 Full Throttle Micromega Spectrum £6.95 GP500A £179.95 FX80 £503.70 EP -44 £249.95 Lords of Midnight Beyond Spectrum £9.95 GP550A £299.00 RXBOT £286.35 SMITH CORONA Twin Kingdom Valley Bug -Byte Spectrum £7.95 GP100A Mkll £199.95 RX8OFT £327.75 D100 f286.35

Met all carry every advertised Item, please phone before making a prices at time of going to press [SLOE

There's up to £1,000 worth of Instant Credit spectrumUp to f1000 available on a Spectrum Chargecard. See your Latest News CHARGE CARO locaainliSanPdECTonRly7TydpeicaaleirAfpoRr writtendetails (UK for up to date news, information & offers -29.8% from SPECTRUM - see PRESTEL page Instant Credi 600181 for details Superb value and Service in Business Computers from selected Spectrum Stores Nationwide Sanyo 550/555

Among the very best value inpersonal computersisthe excellent Sanyo 550/555 Series. They feature high performance, Sanyo 550 16 -bit CPU that runs on MS/DOS, with a RAM that's expandable Monitor Extra up to 256K bytes. The 550 has one 160K byte 51/4" floppy disk SPECTRUM drive while the 555 has dual drives for professional flexibility. PRICE There's a choice of superb hi -resolution Colour or B&W Mon- itors too (not included). Both come with a comprehensive pac- kage of business software, and a very special free maintenanceSanyo 555 offer. - Take a look at these superb micros at Spectrum Monitor Extra NOW! SPECTRUM PRICE

On -site service contract worth £175 Spectrum give you peace of mind with your new computer! There's a twelve month on -site service contract, worth f175, ABSOLUTELY FREE a when you buy either a Sanyo 550/555 computer or an Apricot F1E/Fl. 1 I,! Plus Free Business Software. Both the Sanyo and Apricot computers come complete with a superb pack of comprehensive business software worth hundreds of pounds. The packs contain virtually everything you're likely to need to get the very best from your computer -from Day one! SEE YOUR NEAREST SPECTRUM BUSINESS COMPUTER STOCKIST FOR DETAILS OF BOTH OFFERS. Your local Spectrum Business Apricot Computer Stockist Aberystwyth Aherdata Ltd Liverpool Hargreaves Fl/F1E System Accrington P.V.Tubes Luton Terry -More Photo Alfreton Gordon Harwood Morpeth Telerents (Northern) These stylish new personal computers are among the best of the Bexhill -On Sea Computerware Norwich Norwich Camera Centre new generation of business micros. Powerful and versatile, the F-1 Bognor Regis Bits & Bytes Norwich Fastview features a standard 256K OF RAM (expandable to 768K), with a 16 -bit 8086 CPU running MS-DOS and Concurrent CP/M. That's Bromley Computers Today Nuneaton Micro City backed up by a built-in 3'/s" floppy disk drive providing 720K on Canterbury Jones Computers Ltd Potters Bar Software Agents Ltd double -sided disks (you can add another floppy or Winchester Chelmsford Marton Hayman Rainham Microway Computer drive later). The economical F1E has a 128K RAM and a single. Crawley Gatwick Computer Services Seven Oaks Ernest Fielder sided 360K disk drive -with the same 92 -key professional infra -red keyboard on the Fl. And don't forget - when you buy from Spec- Darlington McKenna & Brown Shrewsbury Computerama trum you get the assurance of our trained, expert staff to help and Epsom The Micro Workshop Sitlingbourne Computers Plus Monitor as advise you! Exmouth Open Channel Southampton LT. C. Ltd illustrated extra Guernsey Grubs St Austell A B & C Computers Hull Computer Centre Stevenage D.J Computers Ipswich Brainwave Micros Ltd Thetford Thetford C.8 & Micro Kidderminster Central Computers Walsall New Horizon Computer London NW11Computers Inc. Watford SRS Microsystems Ltd London Devon West Bromwich Bell & Jones London SE1 Vic Odden Whilehaven P.D.Hendren Cil London SE9 Square Deal Wigan Wildings London N14 Logic Sales Woking Harpers Computers Lowestoft John Wells Limited York York Computer Centre Excluding VAT. Monitor extra. See our address page for full addresses and phone Numbers

Spectrum Computer Centres have no connection whats with the 7..X Spectrum Computer mane d by Sinclair Research Ltd.

or prospective dealers. If you would like to Computerknow more about becoming a SPECTRUM APPOINTED DEALER on an exclusive area basis pleasewriteto: Bob Cleaver. Spectrum Group PLC, HuntingGate. Dealers Hitchin, Herbs SG4 OTJ Tel: (0462) 37171 More from Spectrum... 1'9) Spectrum's New! Microvitec Monitor for the QL Microvitech's 'Cub'monitor is probablythe best monitor you can buyfor the new QL computer. This stylish new monitor is designed around a superior medium-resolution/high contrast tube that gives outstanding focus and'viewability. Top 20 Highly efficientelectronics give low -power consumption -and, of course, there's a full 12 month Warranty. And the 'Cub' is superbly finished in an attractive, QL-style black casing ... at a super Best Sellers value Spectrum price. SPECTRUM PRICE

The pick of the best in micro computing - every month Super value -for -money from Britain's No. 1 computer specialists.

C15 Standard Data Cassette £0.58 Commodore 64 Computer £229.00 Package Deals Commodore 1541 Single Disc Drive £229.00 (while stocks last!) Commodore 1701 Colour Monitor £230.00 Currah Micro Speech Synthesizer BBC Model B Commodore for Spectrum £29.95 with 5 Games & Data SX64 DK Tronics Dual Port Kempston Comp £13.00 Recorder with MPS801, DK Tronics Spectrum Light Pen £19.95 3 Business Programs DK Tronics Spectrum Keyboard £45.00 £399.99 Kempston Centronics I/face £799.00 (E Promtype) £55.00 Commodore 64 RAM Turbo £22.95 with joystick, C2N, Atari 800XL Rotronics Wafadrive (Floppy Tape) £129.95 4 Games program with 4 Atari Games Sanyo CTP 3132 14' CTV £199.95 Shado BBC Compatable Data Recorder £249.99 t199.99 with lead £32.50 Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K £129.95 Commodore Spectrum 48K Spectravideo Quickshot MKII £11.95 MPS801 Printer with 6 Program pack Stonechip Programmable Joystick with FREE 2000 sheets Interface £24.95 paper £129.99 Supersaver 20/64 Cassette Recorder £34.95 Timex 2040 Thermal Printer £230.00 Sinclair for ZX Spectrum £77.50 Interface 1 Vixen 16K switchable RAM pack Commodore 16 with Data Recorder, Intro to with Microdrive & (3,8,11,16K) £34.95 Basic & Games Software program cartridges ZX Microdrive (Floppy Tape Cartridge) £49.95 This list is alphabetical £139.99 £199.99 Not all stores carry every advertised item, please phone before making a journey - prices cc at time of going to press E&OE

There's up to f1,000 worth of Instant Credit spectrumUp to L1000 available on a Spectrum Chargecard. See your Latest News CHARGE CARD I lmocaamllSanPdECTonRlytrTydpeicaaleirAfpoRr writteng8w details (UK for up to date news, information & offers from SPECTRUM - see PRESTEL page 600181 for details Zoo There'saSpectrumnear you...

NEW! NEW MILLS New Mills Micro AVON Centre 38B Market Street, KENT MIDDLESEX SUFFOLK Tel: (0663) 47332 BATH Software Plus, 12 York St BECKENHAM Supa Computers Ltd., 425 HARROW Camera Arts, (Micro Computer BURY ST EDMUNDS Guildhall Cptr Ctr, 11 Tel: (0225) 61676 Croydon Rd., Tel: (01) 650 3569 Division) 42 St Ann's Rd Guildhall St Tel: (0284) 705772 WESTON-S-MARE K & K Computers, DEVON B ROADSTAIRS Video Vision 19/20 Willow Tel: (01) 427 5469 IPSWICH Brainwave, 24 Crown St 32 Alfred St TeL (0934)419324 Court St.Peters Park Road Tel: (0843) TEODINGTON Andrews, Broad St. TeL (0473) 50965 63284 (No Early Closing Day) TeL (01) 977 4716 LOWESTOFT John Wells, 44 London Rd EXETER Seven Counties (Computers) Ltd, BROMLEY Computers Today 31 Market UXBRIDGE J K L Computers, 7 Windsor St North Tel: (0502 3742 7 Paris Street Tel: (0392) 211211 Square Tel: (01) 290 5652 TeL (0895) 51815 BEDFORDSHIRE EXMOUTN Open Channel, 30 The Strand. CANTERBURY Ctbury Computer Centre 56/ Tel: (0395) 264408 57 Palace St. TeL (0227) 62101 SURREY D UNSTABLE Dormans 7-11 Broad Walk PLYMOUTH Syntax Ltd., 76 Cornwall Tel: (0582) 65515 DOVER Kent Photos & Computers, 4 King St St Tel: (0752) 28705 NORFOLK CAMBERLEY Camera Arts (Micro Computer LEIGHTON BUZZARD The Computer Ctr Tel: (0304) 202020 TIVERTON Actron Micro Computers, Division), 36 High St Tel: (0276) 65848 at Milton Keynes Music, 17 Bridge St GRAVESEND Marshalls Computers & 37 Bampton St Tel: (0884) 252854 FAKENHAM Fastview, 12 Norwich Rd. N EW! CATERNAM Telecom, 35-37 Tel: (0525)376622 Cameras, 3 Windmill St Tel: (0474) 65930 Tel: (0328) 51319 Croydon Rd, Tel: (0883) 46200 WTON Terry -More, 49 George St. RAINHAN Microway Computers Ltd, 39 KING'S LYNN Computer Plus, 40 Conduit St EPSOM The Micro Workshop, 12 Station Tel: (0582) 23391/2 High St Medway Towns. TeL (0553) 4550 DORSET Approach Tel: (03727) 21533 Tel: (0634) 376702 N ORWICH Norwich CameraCentre 20 HASLEMERE Haslemere Computers, 17 SEVENOAKS Ernest Fielder Computers, White Lion Str TeL (0603) 612537 BOURNEMOUTH Lansdowne Computer Ctr Lower Str. Tel (0428) 54428 Dorset St TeL (0732) 456800 NEW! NORWICH Brainwave 11A Cas- BERKSHIRE 1 Lansdowne Crescent Tel: (0202) 20165 RICHMOND Crest Computer Services, 8 Hill SITTINGBOURNE Computers Plus, 65 4igh tle Meadow Tel: (0603) 663796 N EW! DORCHESTER Seven Counties St Tel: (01) 940 8635 B RACKNELL ComputerCentre,44The StTel' 10795, 25677 THETFORD C B & Micros, 21 Guidhall St Cptrs. 20 High Street East WALLINGTON Surrey Micro Systems Ltd., Broadway. Tel: (0344) 427317 NEW! TUNBRIDGE WELLS Modata TeL (0842) 61645 Tel: (0305) 66022 53 Woodcote Rd. TeL (01) 647 5636 N EW! WINDSOR Gadgets 30 Peascod Computers Ltd. 28-30 St Johns Rd. NEW! POOLE Lansdowne Cptr Centre WOKING Harpers, 71-73 Commercial Way. Sir., Tel: (07535) 07211 Tel: (0892) 41555 14 Arndale Centre Tel: (0202) 670901 TeL (04862) 25657 SLOUGH MU Games and Computers 245 NORTHAMPTONSHIR High St Tel: (0753) 21594 DURHAM LANCASHIRE NORTHAMPTON Dormans, 22 Princes Walk SUSSEX Grosvenor Centre. Tel: (0604) 37031 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE DARLINGTON McKenna & Brown, ACCRINGTON PV Computers, B EXHILL -ON -SEA Computerware, 22 St 102 Bondgate. TeL (0325) 459744 104 Abbey St Tel: (0254) 36521/32611 Leonards Rd. TeL 10424) 223340 B LETCHLEY Rams Computer Centre, PRESTON Wilding's, 49 Fishergate. NEW! BOGNOR REGIS Bits & Bytes 117 Queensway. Tel: (0908) 647744 TeL (0772) 556260 High Str., Tel: (0243) 867143 CHESNAM Reed Photography & Comp- ESSEX NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NEW! BURGESS HILL Weald Cptrs, uters, 113 High St Tel' (0494) 783373 247-249 London Rd, Tel: (04446) 41381 BASILDON Godfrey's 28-32 East Walk. N OTTINGHAM Jacobs Computers, CRAWLEY Gatwick Computer Services, 62 Tel: (0268) 289379 LEICESTERSHIRE 13 Middlegate Newark TeL (0636) Boulevard, TeL (0293) 37842 CAMBRIDGESHIRE BASILDON Godfrey's Computer Centre, 72594 LITTLEHAMPTON Alan Chase Ltd., 39 High 5 Laindon Main Centre Laindon. MARKET HARBOR OUGH Harborough Home WORKSOP Computagrafix, 132 Bridge St. St Tel: (09064) 5674 CAMBRIDGE K P Computers Ltd. 19/20 Tel: (0268) 416747 Computers, 7 Church St. Tel: (0909) 472248 Market St Tel: (0223) 312240 NEW! CANVEY ISLAND Tower Radio Tel (0856) 63056 (Open 6 Days) Ltd. 43 High Str., Tel: (0288) 882211 WALES HUNTINGDON T.S.C.Electronics. 3 All CHELMSFORD Maxton Hayman Ltd., Saints Passage, High St 5 Broomfield Rd. Tel (0245) 354595 NORTHERN IRELAND Tel: (0480) 411579 COLCHESTER Brainwave 51 Head St. LONDON ABERYSTWYTH AberData at Galloways 23 PETERBOROUGH Ptrbrgh Communications, B ELFAST Arthur Hobson Ltd., 37 Great Vic- TeL (0206) 561513 Pier St Tel: (0970) 615522 91 Midland Rd. (0733) 41007 EB Percivals, 85 High St North, East Ham. toria St TeL (0232) 246336 GRAYS H Reynolds. 79 Orsett Rd. CARDIFF Randall Tel: (01) 472 8941 PORTSDOWN Pedlows, 16 Market St, Cox, 18-22HighSt Tel: (0375) 5948 Arcade. Tel: (0222) 31960 ILFORD Woolfmans, 76 Ilford Lane. E17 Erol Computers Ltd., 125 High Street CraigavonCountyArmagh.Tel:(0762) LLANDUDNO (Gwynedd) Cptr Plus Dis- CHANNEL ISLANDS Tel: (01) 478 1307 Walthamstow Tel (01) 520 7763 332265 count, 15 Clomnel St Tel: (0492) 79943 SOUTHEND Computer Centre 332 London EC1 Pedro Computer ServicesLtd.,47 LONDONDERRY Foyle Computer Systems, N EWPORT (Gwent) Randall Cox, 118 G UERNSEY Gruts, 3-5 The Pollett, Rd. Tel: (0702) 337161 Clerkenwell Road Tel: (01) 251 8635 3 Bishop St Tel: (0504) 268337 St Peter Port Tel (0481) 24682 EC2 Devron Computer Centre, 155 Moorgate N EWRY Newry Computer Centre. 34 Commercial St Tel: (0633) 67378 PEMBROKE Randall Cox, 19 Main St. JERSEY Audio & Computer Centre. Tel: (01) 638 3339/1830 Monaghan St Tel: (0693) 66545 Tel: (064) 682876 7 Peter St St Helier. Tel: (0534) 74000 HAMPSHIRE N 14 Logic Sales, 19 Broadway, The Bourne, Southgate. Tel: (01) 882 4942 WREXHAM T E Roberts 33 King St N 20 Castlehurst Ltd. 1291 High Rd. Tel: (0978) 364404/364527 B ASINGSTOKE Fisher's, 2-3 Market TeL (01) 446 2280 NORTHUMBERLAND CHESHIRE Place. Tel: (0256) 22079 NW4 Da Vinci Computer Store, 112 Brent PORTSMOUTH (Waterlooville)G B St, Hendon Tel: (01) 202 2272 MORPETH Telerents 31 Newgate St Tel: ALTRINCNAM Mr Micro 28 High St Microland, London Rd., (Opp. Co-op) N W11 Computers Inc., 86 Golders Green Rd. (0665) 513 537 Tel (061) 941 6213 Tel: (0705) 259911 WARWICKSHIRE NEW! CHESTER Computer Link 21 St SOUTHAMPTON LT.C. Ltd., 112 East St, Tel: (01) 209 0401/0279 SE1 Vic Odden's 6 London Bridge Walk Waltman St Tel: (0244) 310510 Tel: (0703) 333958/24703 N UNEATON Micro City 1A Queens Road TeL (01) 403 1988 CREWE Microman Unit 2, WINCHESTER Winchester Camera & OXFORDSHIRE Tel: (0203) 382049 128 Nantwich Rd. Tel: (0270) 216014 Computer Centre. 75 Parchment St SW Square -Deal, 373-375 Footscray Rd.. RUGBY The Rugby MicroCentre,9-11 New Eltham. TeL (01) 859 1516 ABINGDON Ivor Fields Computers, 21 Stert ELLESMERE PORT RFR Computers, 1 Tel (0962) 53982 Regent St Tel: (0788) 70522 Poo!town Rd. Whitby. Tel: 051 356 4150 SE15 Castlehurst Ltd., 152 Rye Lane, St TeL (0235) 21207 STOCKPORT Wilding Ltd. Peckham. Tel: (01) 639 2205 BANBURY Computer Plus, 2 Church Lane. SW18 Buffer Micro Shop, 310 Streatham Tel: (0295) 55890 WEST MIDLANDS 1 Little Underbank Tel: (061) 480 3435 HEREFORD WARRINGTON Wildings. 111 Bridge St High Rd. Tel: 101) 769 2887 OXFORD Ivor Fields, 7 St Ebbes St W1 Computers of Wigmore St. 104 Wigmore Tel: (0865) 247082 COVENTRY Greens, 22 Market Way. Tel: (0925) 38290 H EREFORD Melgray Hi -TechLtd., 53/54 St Tel (01) 935 2452 Tel. (0203) 28342 WIDNES Computer City, 78 Victoria Road. Commercial Str.. Tel (0432) 275737 Tel: (051) 420 3333 W1 Sonic Foto & Micro Centre, 256 DUDLEY Central Computers, 35 Church Hill WILMSLOW Swift of Wilmslow, 4-6 St Tottenham Court Rd. Tel (01) 580 5826 SCOTLAND Precinct. Tel: (0384) 238169 Annes Parade. Tel: (0625) 526213 HERTFORDSHIRE NEW! WI Ramsons 4 Edgware Rd., WALSALL New Horizon Computer Centres, 1 Tel: (01) 724 2373 ABERDEEN North East Computers, 1-3 Ellis Goodall St Tel: (0922) 24821 WEST BROMWICH Bell &Jones, 39 Queens HITCHIN GK Photographic & Computers, St, Peterhead. TeL (0779) 79900 Square. Tel: (021) 553 0820 CLEVELAND 68A Hermitage Rd., Tel: (0462) 59285 AYR Vennals, 6A New Bridge St. POTTERS BAR The Computer Shop, Tel: (0292) 264124 N EW! WOLVERHAMPTON Wolverhampton MIDDLESBOROUGH McKenna & Brown. GREATER OUMFRIES Vennals, 71 English St Computer Centre 17/19 Licht ield Street 197 High St Tel (0707) 44417 Tel: 109021 29907 206 Linthorpe Rd. TeL (0642) 222368 ST ALBANS (Harts) Clarks Computer MANCHESTER Tel: (0387) 54547 Centre 14-16 Hollywell Hill. EDINBURGH The Silicon Centre, Tel (0727) 52991 B OLTON Wilding Ltd, 23 Deansgate. 6-7 Antigua St. Tel: (031) 557 4546 WORCESTER CORNWALL STEVENAGE D J Computers. 11 Town Tel: (0204) 33512 HAMILTON Tom Dickson Computers, 8-12 Cadzow St. TeL (0698) 283193 Square. Tel (0438) 65501 MANCHESTER Lomax Ltd.,11 St Mary's KIDDERMINSTER Central Computers, 20- ST AUSTELL A B & C Computers, Duchy WATFORD SRS Microsystems Ltd.. 94 The Gate Tel: (061) 832 6167 21 Blackwell St. Tel: (0562) 746941 House, 6 Lower Aylmer Sq. Parade, High St Tel: (0923) 26602 OLDHAM Home & Business Computers Ltd., WORCESTER David Waring Ltd., 1 Marmion Tel: (0726) 67337 WELWYN GARDEN CITY D J Computers, 40 54 Yorkshire St Tel: (061) 6331608 SHROPSHIRE House High St Tel: (0905) 27551 TRURO Truro Micro Ltd, Unit 1, Bridge Ho, Fretherne Rd., Tel (07073) 28435/28444 ROCHDALE Home & Business Computers, New Bridge St Tel: (0872) 40043 75 Yorkshire St Tel: (0706) 344654 SHREWSBURY Computerama, SWINTON Mr MicroLtd., 69 Partington 13 Castlegate. Tel: (0743) 60528 YORKSHIRE HUMBERSIDE Lane. Tel: (061) 728 2282 TELFORD Computer Village, 4Hazeldine CUMBRIA Late Night Friday House Telford Town Centre. B RADFORD Erricks, Fotosonic House Raw- BEVERLEY Computing World, 10 Swaby's WIGAN Wilding Ltd. 11 Mesnes St. Tel: (0952) 506771 son Square Tel: (0274) 309266 B ARROWIN-FURNESS Barrow Computer Yard Dyer Lane. Tel (0482 881831 TeL (0942) 44382 DEWSBURY Home & Business Computers, Centre. 2/4 The Mall Tel (0229) 38353 GRIMSBY RC Johnson Ltd, 22 Friargate, 59 Daisy Hill. Tel (0924) 455300 CARUSLE The Computer Shop, 56-58 Riverhead Centre. Tel: (0472) 42031 SOMERSET DONCASTER The Soft Centre 8 Queens - Lowther St Tel (0228) 27710 HULL The Computer Centre, gate Waterdale Centre Tel: (0302) 20088 PENRITH Penrith Communications, 26 Anlaby Rd. Tel: (0482) 26297 MERSEYSIDE HUDDERSFIELD Richards (Formerly 14 Castlegate. Tel: (0768) 67146 TAUNTON Grays, 1St James St Tel: (0823) 72986 Lauries) 12 Queen St TeL (0484) 25334 Open Mon -Fri till 8pm BIRKENHEAD Fairs Cameras & Hi-Fi, Dacre HULL Computer Centre 26 Anlaby Rd. WHITEHAVEN P D Hendren 15 King St ISLE OF MAN Hill, Rock Ferry. Tel: (051) 645 5000 Tel: (0482) 26297 TeL (0946) 2063 N ESWALL Thornguard Computer Systems, LEEDS Bass & Bligh, 4 Lower Briggate. D OUGLAS T H Colebourn Ltd., 46 Pensby Rd. Tel: (051) 342 7516 STAFFORDSHIRE Tel (0532) 454451 57-61 Victoria St Tel: (0624) 3482 H UTTON Ian Houghton 5 Huyton Hey Rd. NEW! SKIPTON Skipton Cptr Systems DERBYSHIRE Tel: (051) 489 5785 STAFFORD Computerama. 59 Forgate St. Victoria House, Belmont Bridge UVERPOOL Beaver Radio, 20-22 White - Tel: (0785) 41899 Tel: 107581 88192 ALFRETON Gordon Harwood 69-71 High ISLE OF WIGHT chapel. TeL (051) 709 9898 STOKE-ON-TRENT Computerama 11 Mkt N EW! SHEFFIELD HVL Computers 812 St Tel: (0773) 832078 UVERPOOL (Aintree) Hargreaves, 31-37 Square Arcade Hanley. (0782) 268620 Ecclesall Rd., Tel: (0742) 661328 CHESTERFIELD The Computer Centre, COWES Beken & Son. 15 Bath Rd. Warbreck Moor. Tel: (051) 525 1782 STOKE-ON-TRENT The Microchip, 37 Sta- YORK York Computer Centre 7 Stonegate 14 Stephenson Place Tel: (0246) 208802 TeL (0983) 297181 tion Rd. Biddulph Tel (0782) 511559 Arcade. TeL (0904) 641862 Circle No. 226 2."0 NEW LOW PRICES Link two or more micros to one printer, plotter, modem, etc, or vice versa

CAMEL PRODUCTS * ROBUST CONSTRUCTION a. EPROM PROGRAMMER * SCREENED, METAL HOUSING I-AT LAST! for the Spectrum user. Put your programs, utilities, Assemblers into EPROMS for instant load from the unique ROM -SP * FULLY TESTED * BI-DIRECTIONAL * 24 -HOUR DESPATCH * CARRIAGE PAID * OFFICIAL ORDERS ACCEPTED co SERIAL DATA SWITCHES: RS232/V24, 25 way '0' connectors (Female) for Spectrum Lines1 to 8 & 20 All 25 lines ROM -SP -D OIngenious unit for Spectrum, with 2X28 pin sockets and a Reset button allows Model R2 2 way switch £49 Model V2 2 way switch £65 cc up to 16K of Basic or M/C program to RUN or LOAD instantly from Model R3 3 way switch £57 Model V33 way switch £77 EPROMS. Cabled connector and full extender card. NOTE: Does not disableCO Sinclair ROM. 129.95 Model R44 way switch £65 Model V4 4 way switch £89 PROMER-SP for Spectrum £73 A brand new Spectrum programmer for 2764/128. Zero insertion force socket & Model R5 5 way switch Model V5 5 way switch £101 software on tape. 129.95 Model RX 2 way crossover £65 Model VX 2 way crossover £89 PROMER 81-S for Spectrum The very popular PROMER-81 for the ZX81 has been adapted to the Spectrum PARALLEL DATA SWITCHES and the price kept low. NEW PRICE £24.95 "A" 36 way CENTRONICS sockets IBM PC Printer Switches ROM -81 m Provides two 24 pin sockets for up to 8K of EPROM memory in the 8-16K area. (25 way 'D' sockets) Can use 2516/32 or 2716/32 £14.95 Model C22 way switch £79 Model P22 way switch £65 PROMER-81 £99 Model P33 way switch £77 A low cost reliable programmer for 2516/32, 2716/32 EPROMS. Requires Model C33 way switch 4 X PP3 batteries NEWPRICE £24.95 Model C44 way switch £119 Model PX 4 way crossover £89 DHOBI 1 UV ERASERCO Model C55 way switch £139 (1x36 way and /18.95 Compact. Mains powered. Safe. Fully cased. Up to 3 EPROMS Model CX2 way crossover £119 2x35 way sockets) DHOBI 2 With automatic timer £22.95 Model M2 2 way switch £79 CRAMIC-SP NEW for Spectrum Ingenious software paged 16K non-volatile CMOS RAM to co -exist in the same PLEASE ADD VAT AT 15% ALL ITEMS CARRIAGE PAID area as Spectrum ROM. Easy storage and retrieval of BASIC, M/C or DATA £89.95 All items ex -stock guaranteed for 12 months on a 48K Spectrum O PRINT -SP NEW for Spectrum Trade -Educational and export enquires welcome Centronics Interface with standard centronics Cable. Plus free introductory of- fer SP WRTIE text processor. £3125'LP HOMESTEAD ELECTRONICS NIKE NEW for Spectrum/ZX81/ATMOS UNIT 7 Simple to use, rechargeable nickel -cadmium back-up power supply unit pro- IMKINICARO viding OVER 30 minutes extra life in the event of mains failure. 117.35 324 TRELWANEY AVENUE, BLOPROM-SP LANGLEY, SLOUGH, BERKS A uniquely Phone (0753) 44269 sophisticated 3 EPROM 5 Circle No. 203 PROGRAMMER Eprom programmer for the 2516,

2716/32/32A/64/64A/28/128A, STATUS NO. OF SYSTEM -HEX yes even the 64A/128A from EPROM TYPE -27128 MORE SHOCKING RAM START ADDS -MB Intel. Check, Read, Progam & EPROM ST. ADDR - BIM Verify all or part of Eprom. JOB LENGTH -4080 So immensely user friendly you'll TASK -CHECK NEWS! WHICH TASK DO YOU WISH TO DO hardly need the manual. V6 CHECK THAT EPROM IS CLEAN U, Designed for the beginner but X) READ THE CONTENTS OF EPROM INTO -a RAM (limited period clearances) includes a single key entry route YI BLOW AN EPROM WITH DATA FROM for the professional. Supplied as RAM firmware, the ink driver routine 0) VERIFY THAT EPROM DATA IS THE SAME AS IN RAM EPSON Printers from £185 alone is worth more than the -O TO UHT- - - - S- TO RESTART'- 33 priceof BLOPROM-SP. No FAST CODES AVAILABLE -0 Personality Cards, or 0 H POR WXYZ EPSON FX80 £299 other additions, just a Spectrum. Several inbuilt safety features. On-Cl, board Vpp generation. 28pin ZIF socket. Cabled connector and extender plug. ABS case. £89.95 SHINWA Printers £159 BLOPROM-81 As above but for ZX81. Programs 2516, 2716/32/32A/64 & 27128 £79.95 C, DREAM -81 DISCS (BASF) 51" 25" &8" 64K Rampack with link options to disable 0-8-16K. Plus a 28 pin EPROM socket for 2716, 2732/2764 and 27128. 159.95 £1.00 each MEMIC-81 4K CMOS RAM with lithium battery. Easy SAVEing, 10yr storage and instantF) retrieval of programs. 129.95Co DISC CASES (Holds 10) £1.50 each INTRODUCING MULTEPROM OThe most economical, sophisticated gang copier in the world. Based on BLOPROM £199.95 £10.00 each PRINTER/MONITOR ACCESSORIES BBC Printer Leads MSBMonitor Stand for BBC 17"X12"X3.75" DAISYWHEEL Printers £280 from P&P £3.50 £19.95 PSSStandard printer stands for OKI. Epson etc. 15"X12"X4.5". P+P £3.50 £16.95 Phone 0962 66191 for PSC-3 for Epson MX -100 etc. 21"X14"X3.75". MORE SHOCKING NEWS P&P£3.50 £22.95 -0 Nationwide delivery £8 per parcel. 33 POT Printer Output Tray 0 for 11" fanfold paper DISCS from £1.00 P&P £3.50 £16.95 m All prices ex VAT and subject to availability.

UK. VAT extra. No VAT on exports P+P UK Free Europe +5% - Overseas +10% TLX 81574 CML &Wedge Alcoelectroars lidOne Mdton Rd. Coin* (84 lel(0223) 314 814 micro miracles Circle No. 173 50A Stockbridge Road. Winchester, Hants Circle No. 204 S022 6RL England 202 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 238 48 MUSWELL HILL JUNCTION ROAD BROADWAY ARCHWAY MUSWELL HILL LONDON N19 5RD LONDON N10 3SH

IL-ESS 0460110 - TPLaZYNIIMB - AUEITMCDOEE £199.00 Test Drive a "MAC" MBC-55 BUSINESS SYSTEM RX80 Now's your chance to try the Computer, 12" monitor, RX80F/T.£239.00 LATEST technology for daisy wheel printer and all FX80 £329.00 yourself cables. FX100 £499.00 To Hire it's FREE JUKI Daisy Wheel To BUY come and see £345.00 Instant Credit up to Wordstar, Calcstar, Daisy Step 2000 1500.00 Reportstar, Infostar £286.00 Phone for details of and Spellstar (add VAT to prices) both HIRE and CREDIT and many others Terms £1213 + ve

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CcnIfLSIDICfflfa)7(..- MIZAH©Ot Business The Portable with 8296D Starter Pack 1 28K Computer, Power integral disk drive FREE SOFTWARE and monitor 64 Disk Drive XI 1 OMB inc Monitor Printer and Printer £2995.00 Wordprocessor, 10 Disks NEW Fl & Fle Database Spreadsheet Box Paper ask for details and DOT MATRIX PRINTER SOFTWARE:- W/processing, W/Processor spreadsheet Database, 6 games Database MEM, Intro to Basic PEGASUS (A L TOS Accounts, Payroll, [Stock - all integratel (41einoicu,o) COMPUTER SYSTEMS nvou.4z3nnoaunon'y acaanyumm'angamc, uaanvama,

Uanomo Mmoimago All products are guaranteed for 1 year unless otherwise stated. Payment may be made by Access, Barclaycard, Banker's draft or Building Society cheque. Sorry cheques need 5 days for clearance. We reserve the right to change prices without I 2.6 prior notice. All prices are exclusive of VAT. Circle No. 153 IS YOUR MICRO COMMUNICATING? You've got a micro, with all kinds of software, and you may even have a modem. You may be using it for games, hobbies, personal or business accounting, financial planning, filing, or word processing. fr e f ('Or But are you using your erfe micro for the most important use of all? COMMUNICATION! If not, you're wasting half its potential. Right now, your micro could be: AT THE Finding all information about business competitors Surveying the latest research on almost any subject 8th INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION Helping you with homework, shopping, or games Sending and receiving messages Taking part in electronic conferences TECHNOLOGY & ELECTRONIC Finding you a husband or wife Come and see: PUBLISHING EXHIBITION 1984 Business & financial information Scientific & technical at the Novotel London - databases New communications software The latest oP Tuesday 4 Dec 11 00-18 00 ke news online The world's largest 'supermarket' of Wednesday 5 Dec 10.30-18.00 databases Electronic mail Thursday 6 Dec 10.30-15.00 ac.):644:0%.2.1 '4°\ lotFor further details contact:Jean Mulligan, Learned Information Besselsleigh Road, Abingdon, Oxford OX13 6LG Tel:Oxford10865) 730275 Telex:837704 INFORM G eP(41e°) Circle No. 147 ChipCM 9

ChipChat modems are the most versatile and up to date available at the price. With autoanswer as standard and intelligent autodial with speed conversion as an option, ChipChats may be used to access computers anddatabases such as Prestel, Micronet, Homelink and BT Gold. ChipChats support the CCITT V21 protocol: 300/300 baud and the V23 protocol: 1200/75, 75/1200 and 1200/1200 (half duplex). Where local regulations permit, Bell standard operation may be used for dialling U5 databases. ChipChats use the latest technology and provide valuable extra features such as auto -disconnect to save your telephone bills, and speed conversion for operation with IBM PCs. A full complement of LEDs monitor data flow and the status of handshake lines on the Cannon D -type connector. ChipChat CC2123AAutoanswer f130.35 (f149.90 inc VAT) ChipChat CC2123Ali Autodial f165.13 (f189.90 inc VAT) P&Pf2.70 + VAT Applied For Send for our free comprehensive list of computer books. 74, High Street, Rickmansworth, Herts. Telephone (0923) 779129 (24 hours) Name Address

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Digisolve Limited, Aire &Calder Works Cinder Lane, Castleford, West Yorks WF10 1LU Tel: 0977 513141 Telex: 557661 AGA/AM G=n1 Circle No. 146 Circle No. 106

204 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 APPROVED for use with telecommunication systems run by British Telecommunications in accordance with the conditions in the instructions for use Openup a new world of communications toyour micro If, like so many people, you've You can access the massive rTleasesend me details on your become frustrated by the limitations Prestel database, including Micronet smart modems and micro packs. of your micro, then take a look at 800 and Viewfax. Shop by post and what Tandata have to offer. carry out home banking. Download A Tandata smart auto -dial software programmes - many of Name modem will add a new dimension tothem free of charge. Communicate your micro, opening up a whole hostwith other micros. Send and receive Address of possibilities. Add in the messages and much, much more. appropriate Tandata micro pack and And, with prices from ,just over you have the complete package - f100 to around f400, theres a matched software, user manual and Tandata smart modem package even all the right cables. that's right for you. For further details, complete the coupon or phone 06845 68421. Telephone

Tandata Marketing Limited, Send to Tandata Marketing Limited, Albert Road North, Malvern, Worcs. WR14 2TL Albert Road North, Malvern, Telephone: 06845 68421Telex: 337617 Tandat GL.Norcs WR14 2TL pc121 Tagdata Prestel *799# Telecom Gold TAN001 Circle No. 199

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 205 TelephoneLucyO'Sullivan 01-6618163 ADVERTISEMENT RATES Copy Date

Display Rates Micro Ads. £16.50 per single Shopwindow advertisements for the January Column Centimetre Linage 30p per edition will be accepted up to 26th Nov. Minimum 5cm x 1col word minimum of subject to space being available. 20 words. One Insertion : £16.50 per scc Prepayable. Three Insertions : £15.75 per scc Post to

Six Insertions : £15.50 per scc Practical Computing, Classified

Nine Insertions : £15.00 per scc Department, Room H211, Quadrant House,

Twelve Insertions : £14.50 per scc The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS.

REALISE YOUR FULL POTENTIAL OPEN HOUSE TUITION FOR NOVICES AND OTHERS CB Choose your time - day or evening andS LIFE -LINE Learn at your own pace. BASIC programming £60 If you read serious computing literature or are SELF ANALYSIS BUSINESS Packages £70 on the lookout for specialist software you should CAREER COUNSELLOR Word -Processing introduction £25 be using our book and software supply service. We catalogue new books and software products Lboylor,oBBC coming Brochure from: from leading publishers three times a year. Our Understand yourself and others using this brilliant new programme latest 28 -page list containsdetails and LIFE LINE win reveal abstracts on nearly 300 titles. To obtain a copy YOUP TRUE CHARACTER MICROCOMPUTER ADVISORY CENTRE, send £1-20 (refunded on first order) to: THE CHARACTER YOU TRY TO PROJECT Polytechnic of the South Bank, YOUR SELF,IMAGE Borough Road, Computer Books & Software LIFELINE can help you St Mary's Centre *CHOOSE THE RIGHT CAREER London SE1 OAA *ACHIEVE MORE Henderson Street *UNDERSTAND OTHERS or ring: Edinburgh EH6 6DD *IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS 01-928 8989 ext. 2468 Telephone: 031-553 5947 77 IFE LINE is simple to user amazingly accurate and comes ccmpiete 58 with on instruction manual written by St John A R Young B A (Psych ) LIFE LINE is designed for use in the home. school or college Circle No. 302 Circle No. 305 anywhere that people matter Price £14.95 inclusive of VAT and Postage. TURBO PASCAL All enquiries SAE please Extended Pascal for PC DOS, MS DOS, CP/M f 86 and Barclay Access orders accepted by telephone CP/M-80. Includes full screen editor, floating point WILLIAM Ouariey Down House crick:leo, arithmethic,fullstring handling features, random STUART Nr Salisbury Wiltsi,e SP4 RDZ access data files, compiles faster than IBM or MT + SYSTEMS Ltd re SurZbititis Pascal, requires less than 35K of disk space, 250 page manual and FREE spreadsheet program written Circle No. 300 in Turbo Pascal.

ONLY E 54.95** SCIENTIFIC SUBROUTINE LIBRARY TURBO TOOLBOX VOLUME 1 - STATISTICS AND FITTING FUNCTIONS Aspeciallycraftedsetoftoolsdesignedto Mena, SD, normal distribution, partial expectation, compliment the speed and power of TURBO PASCAL. Chauvenets criterion, least squares fit to polynomial and (ZPckat.L.t Whether you're writing a database, an address book arbitrary function, repetitive least squares fits, covariance or any application that requires a sort or search then matrix, chi -squared statistic, matrix inversion, solution of you'll appreciate TOOLBOX. Also whatever software you'recreating canincludeitsownterminal linear simultaneous equations. installation module. VOLUME 2 - LINEAR PROGRAMMING ONLY £54.95 Reduction of a simplex tableau, integer programming, partial All prices fully inclusive for prepaid orders integer programming, conversational linear programming MICROMODS LTD system, least cost mix problem. 53 ACTON RD LONGEATON NOTTINGHAM CONGUIN SOFTWARE 14 GOODWOOD CLOSE, MORDEN, VOLUME 3 - FURTHER STATISTICS 101 1FR Tel: 0602-724264 SURREY, SM4 5AW Ranking, quantiles, frequency, correlation coefficient, T, chi - squared and F distributions and their inverses, T test, chi - Circle No. 303 No callers please Phone 0524 381423 squared test, Wilcoxson test, linear and multiple regression, ANOVA 1 way and 2 -way. Circle No. 306 VOLUME 4 - TRANSFORMATIONS AND SORTING ALGORITHMS Fourier and Fast Fourier transforms, numerical integration and DISCOUNT DISCS (per box of 10) POST FREE differentiation, harmonic analysis, interpolation, coordinate GENIE OWNERS transformaations. Exchange sort, Duicksort, Shellsort, Tree e.g.5.25" CDC DYSAN 3M 10 2040504 10 204050 + 10 20-4050 + sort. Don't sell your Genie!! SSDD 45 I48TP1) 15.50 15.0014.50185018.0017.5016.5016.0015.50 All routines are written in BASIC for easy implementation on Upgrade it to latest spec. DSDD 40 (48TPI) 20.50 20.0019.5026.0025.5025.0022.0021.0020.50 any machine. SSDD 80 (96TPI) 22.00 21.5021.002E0025.5025.0024.0023.0022.50 Machine readable source code f75 = VAT per volume Hi -Speed CPU - 3.8MHz £34.95 DSDD 80 196TP0 27.00 26.502E00305030.0029.5028.5027.5027.00 (Most disk formats + CIL microdrive now available) All programs run up to 60% faster. SONY 3i" single sided £35.50, double sided £47.50 Manuals including full source listings with implementation Equally competitive prices on VERBATIM DATALIFE, notes and documentation f25 per volume Lowercase - £34.95 ZIDEX, FUJI. All 5.25" and 8" available. CPIM TO DEC FILE TRANSFER Full UPPER/lower case. Software to read and write RT-22 format RX01 diskettes DISCOUNT FANFOLD PAPER TAB/CLEAR keys £6.95 From £12.00 per box (2000 sheets) + P&P £3.00 under CPIM. Supplied on 8" SSSD diskette - f25 + VAT. all sizes available. SINCLAIR DL TERMINAL EMULATOR Plus many other hardware Allows the SINCLAIR DL to act as a terminal to connect to Please add 15°/s VAT to all the above prives. items ring for ANY hardware Send cheque with order or write for full list to other micros, bulletin boards and mainframes - f25 + VAT or repair quote. Write or phone for further information on any of ur products. A.M.A. COMPUTER SUPPLIES, DEPT. B, MICRO LOGIC CONSULTANTS LTD. ARC Electronics, Wakefield, Yorks. 8 Glebe St. Beeston. Nottingham NG9 2BZ 57 Station Rd., Southwater, Horsham, W. Tel 106021 255415 Sussex RH13 7HQ WF2 6SP. 10924) 253145 Telephone 0403 731818 66 67 Circle No. 301 Circle No. 304 Circle No. 307

206 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 REVOLUTION Tele Video KINGSLEY for Multiuser Equipment APPLE programmers Secondhand in excellent ENTERPRISES *Keyboard enhancement for Apple Ile condition or II + i. T.S. 816/40£5.600 Specialists in all kinds of floppy diskettes Pre -boot disk gives 20 user -definable ii.T.S. 806/20£2,100 Mail Order Discs keys + 37 single stroke functions iii.T.S. 806/10 £1,900 Prices are for boxes of 10 discs Soft Sec- ONLY £29.50 + VAT £1,200 tor Nashua Xidex Dysan CenTech p&p inclusive for pre -paid orders iv. Sirius Act 1 Cambridge Data Ltd 5.25" Diskettes Orion Microware Ltd. 60 Longmead 15 Margaret St., 8, Musters Rd. SS/SD 48 15.00 Avenue, Chelmsford, CM2 7E1). London W1N 7NE West Bridgeford, SS/DD 48 16.00 18.00 19.00 19.00 01 580 1654 Nottingham NG2 7PL DS/DD 48 18.00 23.00 26.00 24.00 Tel: 0245 71226 0602 811801 78 SS/DD 96 23.00 30.00 26.00 25.00 Circle No. 308 DS/DD 96 23.00 30.00 33.00 31.00 Circle No. 311 8" Diskettes SSISD 48 20.00 - 25.00 MICROCOMPUTER INSURANCE SS/DD 48 21.00 22.00 26.00 29.00 DS/DD 48 22.00 26.00 30.00 33.00 REPAIRS & SERVICE Comprehensive cover at a reasonable Sony 3.5" (Apricot) Diskettes £36.00 premium: Post Paid. Add VAT at 15% Prices correct at time of going to press All Risks Cover (incl. Transit) - up Please ask for details of hard sector discs. * COMPUTERS (Business & Personal) to £10,000 for £20 business/educational accounts

* DISC DRIVES (5;" & 8" ) IncreasedCost of Working - up discounts. formatting. * WINCHESTERS reinstate lost data * MONITORS KINGSLEY ENTERPRISES Breakdown & Derangement - 87 Whitefield Road * VDUs alternativetomaintenanceagree- Stockton Heath * PRINTERS ment Warrington " WORKSHOP REPAIR CONTRACTS Write with details to: WA4 6NB * Fixed repair charges 35 * 3 months warranty on repaired part Geoffrey Hoodless & Associates * 48 hour service for disk drive alignment Freepost (no stamp required) Circle No. 315 Woking A.N. ELECTRONIC & COMPUTER Surrey GU21 4BR SERVICES LTD Tel: Woking (04862) 61082 (24 hrsl 71 1308 North Lane, Aldershot. Hants Tel: Aldershot (02521 25608) Circle No. 312 60 isommi. SCOOP PURCHASE Many SHARP items inc. Floppy Circle No. 309 discDrivesandoperating systems. Ex. PC1500 Batt pocket Computer £110 CE1 50 Colour Bar-codes give a speedy and error dBASE II - by Ashton Tate is the top selling database freemeans ofdataentry and GraphicPrinter£85 CE 1 2 2 provide a foolproofmethodof package.Butitfrom AQUA ComputingLtd,the Printer£45. MZ 80B £450 identification for any item or dBASE specialists. document. Typical uses include stock control, libraries, Una systems, security and dBASE II £375.00 checkpoint verification, point of sale terminals, spare parts identification, etc. etc. OBPIus f 125.00 Also VDU STANDS AND TROLLEYS Already most grocery products are bar-coded at source and many other areas of DBFLIST £30.00 industry and commerce are following. Bar codes will soon be commonplace. DBAccel £50.00 Altek decoding algorithms have been developed over a period of years and are dBASE II User' Guide £22.00 recognised as being second to none. !Others use our software under licence, in Telephone for full details their own products.) All easily exceed the industry standard benchmarks. 190% Everyman's Database Primer f 12.00 first time read and one substitution error per million reads) Any one of the last 4 items is FREE if you buy your dSYSTEMS LTD 01 941 2225 or 3909 All Altek decoders are housjed in a smart instrument case with "ink -well" for the copy of dBASE II from AQUA by July 1. 79 scanning wand when not in use. In addition they all come with software to print DBPIus COMPRESEESIDECOMPRESSES dBASEII Circle No. 313 bar codes on a standard dot matrix printer. (Epson or compatible). A complete bar files to 30140% of original size; SORTS any dBASE II code identification system at minimal cost. RS232 Bar-code Reader file up to 15 times faster; MODIFIES structures easily This microprocessor based unit decodes the bar-code and converts it into ASCII for - complete with manual. Pays foritselfina few transmision to the host via a RS232 port. Complete with power supply and cables. weeks. compare Works with virtually any computer. Baud rate, data format and optional check digit

Are your files scattered over several disks? DBFLIST northern verification selectable with OIL switches. £305.00 + VAT

compiles a master catalogue of all your dBASE files. computers ... NEW system for BBC micro

Can save you hours of searching for that 'Lost file'. ROM based, interrupt driven software. Switch on and read bar codes! Nothing to

load, no commands needed to start. Reads alphanumeric codes at power up and considerate, DBAccel converts dBASE II. CM0 file(s) into a single automatically inserts the data into the keyboard buffer so it is possible to control competitive level format for much faster execution; Overlay control the computer entirely via barcodes! Decodes ALL these formats: EAN13, EAN8, and can beselective. Programsizeislimitedonlyby UPCiA, CODE -39 & INTERLEAVE 215. As supplied to Acorn. £249.00 + VAT. available memory. Reduces rinning times by up to committed! CBMIPET & APPLE 2

Lowest cost system. Disk based software decodes the bar code format of your 50%. choice and is easily interfaced to BASIC or Assembler. A full specification bar code

dBASE II User's Guide is one of the best manuals on identification system as used by many private & public sector laboratories, dBASE II; Has sold over 17,000 copies in the US; industrial & commercial organisations. 8199.00 + VAT. Not suitable for Apple ShowroomAirlAwa"hlt.-*.

Written byArthurGreen, aleading US expert on for all rai..-=TA running CPrM ... Use RS 23 2 system!!

the Phone or write for further details. Please state area dBASE courses. In stock now. leading of interest and what computer is to be used. We are

dBASE II Beginner's Guide, published by Ashton Tate, micros also franchised distributors of Systel bar-coide is essential for every serious dBASE II user. i ME products & wands in the UK. 4:P BBC 411. For software products (DBASE II,013Plus, DBFLIST, Electron*Sinclair*VIC64 and DBAccell add VAT to prices. Specify machine and *Dragon* Printers* Disk Drives diskette format ISOIDO, 5.25" or 8"). No extras for * Plenty of Software packing or postage in UK; add £5.00 for overseas. Fur- 0. BooksiGames*Help & Advice ther details available on all products. Pay by Cheque, * Secondhand Computers

PO, Access or VISA. Send to:

Chuzchfield northern Telephone: ALTER INSTRUMENTS AQUA COMPUTING LTD (Dept PC5(, 10 Barley Mow FRODSHAM Ches.computers FRODSHAM Enterprise House 4446 Terrace Road Passage, London W4 4PH (Phone: 01994 64771. WA66RD 092435110 Walton on Thames Surrey KT12 2SD

Phone (09321 244110 Telex 295800 CWA01. T computer centre of the NORTH MI Circle No. 310 Circle No. 314 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 207 Every computer needs BEST PRICE/PERFORMANCE BBC FORTH ROM, Fastest 8 bitForth VI IA II LI-I LI,I.et II COMPLETE BUSINESS known, FP arithmetic. Easy to use high -,..,_,,,_ 'Listen creep. I are the leader For ZX81 COMPUTER SYSTEM - ' ' speed sprites. £33. Tel. (021)3534054. 103M SPECTRUM sixii, FOR BBC E 1 1 95.00 APPLE II EUROPLUS 64K System with TRS 80SYNGKGS THE COMPLETE BUSINESS PACKAGE APPLE language card, disk drive and controller, NASCOM stow, NEC PC 8800 monitor, DOS 3.3,Pascal,Applewriter, VIC PET 64 G,STEttrts NEC 2 MEGABYTES DISK STORAGE Merlin -editor -assembler,Appleplot.All (Please state) NEC 14" HIGH RESOLUTION COLOUR MONITOR NEC 120 c.p.s. PRINTER incl. 2 K BUFFER manuals. As new. £725. Letchworth 3230. PITCH /303,44 NEW! NEC RAE CPIM COLOUR COMPUTER 110M CONTROL ) EXCLUSIVE! ft° ki ri./ NEC DETACHABLE KEYBOARD NEC ALL CONNECTING CABLES APPLE Ile with two Apple disk drives and CHATTERBOX II ("'can say anything! NEC N88 BASIC & N BASIC SOFTWARE ApplemonitorIII. Excellentcondition, Genuine phoneme synthesis - not just recorded ALL ABOVE FOR £1195.00 + VAT speech - hence unlimited vocabulary. virtually unused, £750. Tel. 06285 25895 Programmable pitch for more natural intonation SOFTWARE: ACCESS - RETAIL, WHOLESALE (Bucks). 91M (exclusive to Wm Stuart Systems)- solid tone POINT OF SALE. SAGE ACCOUNTS & PAYROLL SHARP MZ-700 and MZ-711 owners. Brand cabinet for quality sound - integral beep/music WORDPROCESSING. BUNDLED SOFTWARE:- amplifier. PLUS expansion socket for BIG EARS new and original programs for sale. S.a.e. voice recognition system. Full instructions WORDSTAR+ MAILMERGE + MULTIPLAN for complete listby returnto: Maysoft technical notes and software supplied with this £195.00 (DMB), 50 Thompson Avenue, Colchester, outstanding educational unit. ACCESS COMPUTERS Essex CO3 4HW. 90M DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME 2 ROSE YARD MAIDSTONE KENT. ME14 1HN

TEL 106221 58356 As seen on BBC TV "Computer Programme" Circle No. 319 *BIG EARS* %,,,,,Q9,,,t,<'.,, WORD PROCESSING SPEECH - INPUT EGHAM TO PHOTO FOR ANY COMPUTER STORE FOR COMPUTER \ 0 TYPESETTING BBC/NECISANYO/EPSO N Reply successful Speech Recognition System complete with microphone. software and tun SPECIAL OFFERS . f E x. VAT instructions. ONLY £49 SYSTEMS BBC Model B 339 We can save you money by using your BUILT TESTED A GUARANTEED PLEASE STATE COMPUTER: UK101. Lpahelds - NEC 8291A and data from your disks. SPECTRUM. ATOM, NASCOM2, Vic 20, Micron. Epson HX20 from 450 2X80181, PET, TRS811, MORSE. APPLE a ROC MICRO. CBM 64 Also disk conversion service. Over Full Micros - Sanyos MBC 550 from 749 Full System - NEC PC8800 * Printer 234 different formats. ZX81 /SPECTRUM NEW! from 995 051 355 4841 STORE 8K Chips for NEC PC 8200ITandy 100 MUSIC SYNTHESISER (Stereo) VIBRATO 49 DEESIDE GRAPHICS LTD CONTROL , 16 LINE CONTROL PORT PRINTERS NEC PC 8023 FOot Matrix, 120 cps 199 LyjonBuilding,MerseytonRd., Play 3 -part music. sound effects, drums etc. Full Juki 6100 Daisywheel 349 control of attack, decay and frequency. Ellesmere Port, S. Wirral. (Brochure Input Output lines provide control and monitor MONITORS PHILLIPS V7001 12" 18 MHz Mono 69 facility for Home Security. Robot Control. Model available) ;3 Railway etc etc. Works with or without 16K RAM. CUB Microvitec Strd. Res. 14" Colour 199 NEC 14" High Resolution Colour 399 Full instructions software included. AMAZING VALUE Circle No. 322 Add keyboard to make a live performance Fidelity MTV 100 MonitorITB 199 AT ONLY polyphonic synthesiser' DISCS Note. up to 3 units can be used simultaneously, £19.50 ism CUMANA CSX 100 Disc Drive 149 giving 9 music channels & 48' 0 lines £25.50 (BUILT) LARGE RANGE OF SOFTWARE, BOOKS AND MEDIA AT LOW EDUCATIONAL and HOME RPICES MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE THE COMPOSER TALKING HANGMAN MitCOMPUTER ELECTRONICS LTD, for 48K Spectrums (with and without microdrives) Synthesiser Music For Chatterbox' 1 /2 (PolyDos and DCS- Programme The bass, game 193 HIGH STREET, and disk based Nascom Enter 8, day 3 Pad harmony ,airt, rts (dctIrns DOS) Includes demonstragons ,Pth a dry soca, Oh( EGHAM SURREY TW20 9E0. [ Spectrum 7051,recornmended E7 accomoan,ment (Spectrum)E6 a go et, TEL: EGHAM (0784) 3883B 53 Multi- Choice Examination f 11 Exam data- tiles for above (many subjects) £3 ea. ZX ARP/DRUMSEC)l-=-. CHROMACODE,,,,,, Cheque book balancer £3 Fascmalng synthesper ,_(_, Can you defuse the bomb by HEX-Dec./Dec.-Hex converter £.3 demonsttatons Generates (-,( crectong the secret automatic sequences and L.7_ comdnalton Petore Idle run, Circle No. 320 Supply your own disk or microdrive cartridge, else add days from keyboard Some-- cols with Chatterbox voice £5 per order. Prices include P -P. wend effects (Spectrum, £6 OutOK ISPeCtrung MADE-TO-ORDER CABLE SERVICE COLOUR MODULATOR KIT £16 Printer cables (RS232, parallel), Video leads, RGB in. PAL UHF out (not for DO BUILT £22 -CP IR UFO DIG- Computer to Video leads, T- switches, Plug adapators Please add VAT at 15% to prices. All enquiries - you name it, we'll make it. Barclay/Access orders accepted by telephone S.A.E. please KINGSLEY S.A.E. for details to - WILLIAM 217Zw""ouse colszio 104 Heaton Road, D.G. R. Computer Products

N.r, .! Tx STUART yriltSS.:1:bdr4 OOZ Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE6 5HL 29 Martin Crescent, Tonyrefail, SYSTEMS Ltd Ter. 09e 064 235 6 Mid Glamorgan, South Wales. CF39 8NT Tel: (0632 650653) Telephone 10443) 676 676 Circle No. 317 rot Circle No. 323 ATTENTION OWNERS OF QL and other computers... 6809 CPU CARD Are you having INTERFACE PROBLEMS? Powerful add-on to your home computer. Quality SOLUTION 1: plated through PCB with full assembly instruc- SERIAL-CENTRONICS CONVERTER...E59.95 tions. Full RS232 Serial interface (up to 19,200 For owners of computers with RS232 output who wish to save money onprinters. No specialsoftware required...totally Baud). Data storage to cassette (via external transparent to computer; needs no external power. CUTS interface). Versatile Parallel interface for SOLUTION 2: Control applications or keyboard and printer. SERIAL -4 -WAY SERIAL ... £59.95 R.G.B. Operation at 1 MHz or 2 MHz. For owners of computers with RS232 outputs who wish to talk to 2k/8K Static RAM with 2K/8K EPROM or alter- four different devices without swopping leads. Needs NO POWER. Supplied with any mix of sockets and leads. MONITOR/TELEVISION natively 4K/ 1 6K EPROM 12 sockets). AS SUPPLIED TO EDUCATION AUTHORITIES SOLUTION 3: Communications via serial link to your home SPECIFICATION CENTRONICS - 2 -WAY CENTRONICS E59.95 computer. For computer owners who wish to drive more than one printer. Add R.G.B. Inputs (Analogue and Digital Levels) All Models. Software available: Monitor, Disassembler, E25 for additional ways. Reverse also possible at same price. I Volt P.P. Composite Video (Remote Model only) Editor/Assembler. Requires no power; includes both printer leads. Teletext Decoder available to olug Into Chassis. (Remote Model only) Sound input gives access to Audio Amp. Coming soon: FORTH Programming Language, SOLUTION 4: SERIAL - 2 -WAY CENTRONICS E84.95 All Models instantly switch back to Television Floppy Disk Interface, EPROM For owners of compOuters with RS232 outputs who wish to Programmer and others. connect two (or morel printers and save money on leads and effort 1 2" B.W. Monitor E 70-, VAT Prices + VAT: on swopping leads, as they are included. Add E25 for additional 14in. Colour Monitor Television E 2 2 7 - VAT PCB only £ 2 9.95;with Monitor £39.95; ways. 1 6in. Colour Monitor Television £255 - VAT Monitor + Disassembler £ 14.9 5; Upgrade Especially suitable for 1 Sin. Colour Monitor Remote Television. T 2 95 - VAT SINCLAIE DL, SPECTRUM with INTERFACE 1, EPSON HX20 20in. Colour Monitor Remote Television 1315 VAT £5.00; ONO PX8, NEWBRAIN, APPLE 2C etc... 221n. Colour Monitor Remote Television f 340 - VAT Mon. + Dis. + Editor/Assembler £34.95; Please enquire about our range of software for the NewBrain 26in. Colour Monitor Remote Television 1380 VAT Upgrade £20.00. All prices include VAT and postage and packing in UK & Europe. Plug in Teletext Module 75 - VAT SOLASCAN Micro -Systems Ltd., Connecting Lead 1.5 VAT - DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME - Carnage and Insurance E 9, 50 91 Bryanston Rd., Bitterne, For other solutions, watch this space, or contact us at 4 Year Guarantee Insurance T 29 60 Southampton SO2 7AL TYEPRO LIMITED, 30 Campkin Road, CAMBRIDGE CB4 2NG Tel: So'ton 107031 436224 72 Tel: Day 0255 422087Eve 0223 322394 R.G.B. Monitor/TV (Grundig Approved) 35 Circle No. 318 Circle No. 321 Circle No. 324 208 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 TRS-80. III, 48K, integral screen, dual disk CROSS ASSEMBLERS 6803/6303 65CO2 drives, with printer, disks, software. Ideal6809 processors. BBC or PET. Disc or tape. DISK COPYING SERVICE for small business £1100 o.n.o. Tel 051 418Sae details. Tape £15 each. M. J. Tyler, 2 3608 117M Parkview, Stroud, Glos. 04536-77257. 98M Moving data and program files from NEW APPLE 113 plus dual discdrive andCOPY YOUR COMPUTER PROGRAMMES one machine to another is often made green monitor £950. Ring Trowbridge 68970,high quality copies on cassette C-60 £2.00 difficult because different for details & reason for sale. 118M manufacturers have adopteddifferent includes p&p send SAE for price list. Ray disk format standards. 1 ITHACA Video Display, 8K Memory Board. Coates 170 Taplow East St., London SE17. 708 4159. 109M 1 Z -80a CPU Board, 1 SWTC ASU. Keyboard We can copy your files to and from £50. Tel. Michael Brown 01 885 1832. 118M DIABLO 630 Daisywheel printer plus tractor over 250 disk formats including TANDY MODEL III. 48K twin drive computer, feed ribbons and wheels. Ex light duty. CP/M, CP/M-86, MS -LOS, PC -DOS, ISIS, lots of software and disks. Over 30 games.Contract maintained from new. One owner. APPLE, SIRIUS, TORCH, APRICOT, HP150, Manualsetc.o.n.o.£750.00.PhoneBargain£700o.n.o.Telephone:(0342) DEC RT-11,andIBM BEN. Wolverhampton (0902)738325. 116M 810748. 108M CP/M USER group disk library 6000 + items Disks are normally despatched on the SX64 £600 including Simons basic Mon 64 day they are received. purchasesEasyscriptFfinanceseveral free most formats. S.A.E. Call R. Smith 138 books leads etc 0379 870633 115M Holtye Rd., W.Sussex RH19 3EA (0342) Our charge is £10.00 + disk + VAT. 313883. 104M SHARP MZ80A with printer interface, lots of Special prices for quantities. software incl., many basics, Pascal, Forth, IBM PC Compatable Corona PC 256K RAM, Zen. user notes books bargain £345 021704twin disks, RGB card, full software support, For more information call us. 9201 114M monitor £1300 Coventry 419769 after 6 p.m. 107M SPEEDEMON for APPLE II,II + and //e. Make your Apple run up to 3i- times faster. RML 380Z 56K RAM 40 column vdu high 4PriggMeadow.Ashbuaon. Devon I013 /OF resolution colour graphics one eight inch Limitedsupplies now availableatthe TEL. (0364) 53499 10 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE £265 + disk drive with software £800 phone 0533 VAT. DATACRAFT, 16 Brune Street, London 766439. 106M Circle No. 325 E1.01-377 8693. 113M TANDY MOD.12 complete system. 80K NUMERIC KEYPAD for BBC Speedup Data RAM twin 8" drives plus true letter quality When replying to Entry with 25 -key add-on SAE for details to DMP 2100 printer (160 cps in D.P. mode) Classified advertisements, Extron 16 Priory Park, Bradford on Avon,custom -writtenintegratedsoftware - Wilts. 112M invoicing,stockcontrolaccounts.Full readers are recommended scripsit W.P. system (with training course to take steps to protect EPSON HX20 including micro -cassette and on cassettes) package cost £4520 + VAT their interests before assembler, £299 call Keith on 021-444 0615accept £2700. Would split. Installed March 111M 1984 totally as new. Tel (0424) 435289 105M sending money.

Classified Rates Please insert the followingadvertisement in PracticalComputing LINAGE Lineage 30p per word Minimum 20 words prepayable. Cost per insertions Display Adverts. 1 Ins. 2 Ins. Rate per single column Centimetre: £16.50 £6.00 £5.50 Minimum 5 cm SERIES Discounts £7.50 £7.00 Available on request. Contact: Claire Notley on £9.00 £8.50 01-661 8163. £10.50 £10.00 Method of Payment Cheques etc should be made £12.00 £11.50 payable to BUSINESS PRESS £13.50 INTERNATIONAL LTD. and crossed. £13.00 I enclose herewith cheque/PO for £15.00. !£14.50

Post to: Box No. Required YES/NO ' tick number of Cut out the order form and return insertions required together with your remittance to: Classified Department, NAME (Please include initials) Practical Computing, Room H211, Quadrant House, ADDRESS 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 FORM SHOULD BE RETURNED BY26th NOV. FOR THE JANUARY ISSUE this order form. All Advertisements must be prepaid. Company Registered Number 151537 (ENGLAND). Registered 011ice: Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey 5M2 5AS.

NM IM NM Mil OM Mill Mil MI 11111 11.1

PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 209 UKE TO TURN YOUR BBC MICRO SYSTEM INTO AN EFFICIENT BUSINESS MACHINE FOR JUST 075?onusvAT)

This unique Sage accounts package, which includes our If you are not a BBC owner or do not have the Z80 second processor - an additional micro -chip - can peripherals, we can supply the complete package do just that. Producing a really easy to understand and (including the BBC Micro) for £1,897, or you can buy easy to operate system suitable for the small business individual units which are priced at: of between 1 and 10 people, the Sage system will do your VAT, debtors, creditors, cashflow, and much, much more (even at 3 o'clock in the morning if you like!); Sage will please you and your bank manager! VDU by BMC £110 (p&p £7.50) Dual Disc Drive £575 (p&p £8.00) Personal Computer World Printer CP80 £257.00 (p&p £8.50) "...undoubtedly the best value for money on the market BBC Micro £399 (p&p £8.50) today'. BBC Micro with DFS £490 (p&p £8.50) This unique package will turn your BBC Micro from a - all prices include VAT. games machine into a money saver. Postage and packing on Sage £3.50 extra.

GCC (Cambridge) Limited Access BARCLAYCARD 66 High Street Sawston, Cambridge CB2 4BG STOCK SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE Telephone: Cambridge (0223) 835330/834641 VISA Trade & Local authority enquiries welcome. Aft III Prices correct at time of going to press. C Telex: 81594 SAWCOM Circle No. 175 Advertisement Index

A 0 L Q ACT (Pulsar) Ltd 193 Data Design Technology 116 L&J Computers 80 Qubie Distributing 20,71 ACT (UK) Ltd 10/11 Data Efficiency 145 LSI Computers 130/131 Qume 50 ACTEL 194 Datafax Systems 68 Lan -Corn International 186 Aculab 194 Datastar Systems 185 Lantech Info Syst 180 R AMA Computer Supplies 188 Daystar Computers Ltd 183 Learned Information 204 Rosco Ltd 138 Delvex Ltd 183/185 Acorn Computers 122/123 M IFC S Adder Publishing 170 Dennison Mfg. Co. Ltd Marcol Cabinets 186 Advance Technology 108 Digisolve 204 SCI (UK) 172/173 188 Mayfair Micros 180 STC 30/31 Akhter Instruments 69,168/169 Digitask Memsoft 25 Albeta 35 Digithurst 193 Sage Soft 40/41 54/55 Mercator Manage Con 171 Sanyo 38/39 Altor 61 Disking International Metacomco 17 Amstrad 62/63 Disking International Silica Shop 115 24 Micro Discounts Ltd 187 Simmons Magee Comp 190 Anadex 64/65 Dysan Micro Fast 162 Asco Business 183 Sinclair Research 18/19 E Micro General 86 Sirton Comp. Systems 162 Associated Book Publishers 52 Micro Miracles 202 Atari 106/107 Equinox (Dataflex) 75 Smith Corona 9 Etafield Ltd 170 Micro Peripherals Ltd IBC Software 192 Micro Time International 194 Software Ltd OBC B G Microcomputer ProductsInterna- Banbury Computers 124 58 South Coast Cash Register 178 G W Computers tional 175 Southdata 179 Bits + Bytes 193 GCC Cambridge 210 Micronix 66/67 Brighton Computer Centre 171 Spectrum Galatrek Int Ltd 124 Micropacs 137 196/1 97/1 98/199/200/201 Bromcom 137 Gemini Micro Comp 129 Microprocessor Eng Ltd 185 Bromcom 1 2/1 3 161 Sullivans 22 Graffgom Microsoft 42/43 33 Butterworth Macgregor 98/99 Grid Computer Syst 121 Symbiotic Microvitec 34 System C Ltd 4 102/103 Gt. Northern Computers 182 Microware 139 C Halsey & Co. 189 Miracle Technology 146 T C.T. Maddison 171 Homestead Electronics 202 Mountaindene 182 Hotel Micro Systems 181 Tabs Ltd 44/45 CMS 70 N Calco Software 180 Tandata Marketing 205 Northern Comp Show 188 Tandy 26 Cambridge Micro Elec Ltd 202 Ibico Ltd 174 Cash & Carry Computers 60 Tashkl Computers 132 Icarus 110 0 Torch Computers 48/49 Chromasonic 203 Information Systems Consultants Oryx 6 Transam Coldharbour Development Ozwise Computers 162 195 137 Trisoft 158 Commodore 36/37 Interam Comp Systems 14 Commodore Business 151 J Compu Data 46/47 PC Binder Offer 184 V Jarogate 155 Page Plus 16 Vega Computers Ltd 174 Computer Books 204 28 Computer Equipment Centre 174 Juki (Eurogate) GmbH Penguin Books 158 West One Galaxy Concordia 124 K Philips Personnel Computers56 Business Systems 165 Curzon Systems 158 Keele Codes Pinner Word pro 183 World Wide Computers 140

210 PRACTICAL COMPUTING December 1984 available for around The Art of £399* Daisywheel Printing

The new Juki Model 6100 letter quality daisy wheel printer, has full features you'd expect to find on a more expensive printer. FEATURES: It can support word processing and graphic functions, print 20 CPS and use a simple drop -in daisy wheel. *20 CPS (max.) print speed The 6100 has 10112115 pitch, proportional spacing, utilizes IBM *Bold and shadow printing *Subscripts standard Selectric ribbons, has 2K buffer memory, parallel interface and superscripts * Wordstar compatible *Auto both tractor feed and serial interface are available as options. underlining *Diablo protocols *Standard 2K buffer That's only the beginning - Best of all, the low -noise Juki 6100 *1 year parts and labour warranty *Comprehensive user is extremely reliable. You can pay more, but you can't buy better than the Juki 6100. friendly manual * 10, 12 & 15 CPI + proportional spacing *RRP ex. VAT

Call your local dealer NOW for full information on the Juki 6100 Daisywheel Printer or clip this coupon and we'll send you brochures Micro and print samples. Peripherals lid Name 'THE POWER BEHIND THE PRINTED WORD' Address 69 The Street, Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 OBY Telephone: Basingstoke (0256) 3232 (12 lines) PC12 Telex: 859669 MICROP G Facsimile 0256 61570 Tel No Circle No. 102 99% of the products westock wewouldn't recommend

No two software customers have unbiased and carefully considered. an identical problem. The total Software service is That's why, ifyou come to Softwaregeared to making sure you get 100% Limited, we'll supplyyou with exactly from your software,your hardware the package your business needs. and your business. Not approximately. But exactly. So we suggest you get in touch. Some suppliers can't afford to be In fact, we recommend it. this scrupulous. But Software Limited More to choose from. has perhaps the most comprehensive The only choice to make. stocks in the U.K. Because we're direct Telephone 01 833 1173/6 distributors for nearlyevery major 01 833 2601/2 01 278 1371/2 I publisher in the world. No 2 Alice Owen Technology CentreSoftware So our advice can be honest, 251 Goswell Road, London EC1N 7JQ Limited Operating Systems: CP/M 80, CP/M 86, MS DOS & PC DOS Circle No. 103