ACORN BBC MICRO- ELECTRON- ATOM DECEMBER 1984 £1

TOP SCORE We pick the 20 best games of '84 ORGAN PROJECT Build your own keyboard DATABASES File on six packages LIGHTPENS Which one shines?

Program entry at a stroke '

MUSIC MICRO PLEASE!!

Jj V L S I is a high quality 3 octave keyboard of 37 full sized keys operating electroni- cally through gold plated contacts. The keyboard which is directly connected to the user port of the does not require an independent power supply unit. The ECHOSOFT Programme "Organ Master" written for either the BBC Model B' or the supplied with the keyboard allows these to be used as real time synth- esizers with full control of the sound envelopes. The pitch and duration of the sound envelope can be changed whilst playing, and the programme allows the user to create and allocate his own sounds to four pre-defined keys. Additional programmes in the ECHOSOFT Series are in the course of preparation and will be released shortly. Other products in the range available from your LVL Dealer are our: ECHOKIT (£4.95)" External Speaker Adaptor Kit, allows your Commodore or BBC Micro- computer to have an external sound output socket allowing the ECHOSOUND Speaker amplifier to be connected.

(£49.95)' - ECHOSOUND A high quality speaker amplifier with a 6 dual cone speaker and a full 6 watt output will fill your room with sound. The sound frequency control allows the tone of the sound output to be changed. Both of the above have been specifically designed to operate with the ECHO Series keyboard. The ECHO PRODUCT FAMILY breaks both the SOUND and PRICE BARRIERS, representing outstanding quality and value for money.

* Inclusive of VAT

ECHO I KEYBOARD £99.95" ECHOSOUND AMPLIFIER £49.9S ECHOKIT £4.99-

Scientific House, Bridge Street, Sandiacre Nottingham NC10 5BA Telephone (0602) 394000

mm POINTS THE W Faster intera 7lCT< Enhanced Programs

ArtworX is a powerful graphics program allowing scope BC Micro joins a new league of powerful user- to produce amazingly vivid pictures and designs on iendly computers. Natural hand-eye co-ordination your screen and printer. Simply point to any of the Hows the MOUSE to position the cursor quickly and *OONS (small illustrations) and you select options of iccurately. Alternatively by moving the MOUSE you can atterns and implements. Other options are offered by input specially written new software such as ArtworX. ull-down menus. All features canin be activated using

The AmX Mousjfpackage includes ARTwoR^lind an EPROM with software to enable you to use the MOUSE with existing programs and also lets you use the MOUSE'S versatility in your own software. Just-plug the MOUSE into the user port on a BBC Micro (model B) and the EPROW into a spare sideways socket.

Now simply fill in the coupon and we will send you an AmX Mouse with ArtworX with our full no quibble money back guarantee. OR phone 0925 602690/62907 for instant Access or Visa orders.

ArtworX graphics program r \- , FILE TEXT L THE abc Please send No_ AmX Mouse packages CLERK w ^ (including ArtworX and EPROM) at £89.95 inc. VAT and P&P. debit credit card. I enclose a cheque/PO for £ or my | T d Visa ' I % 1 I I I 1 I I 1 I I 1 I I I I a KSE5SE a 1 1 Access *K> ^V/rV Name >EP10L r -•, a Address TRPE

CHNGEL 1 * Signature Date •iiiiiM fcrhiiij (Please tick choice of media for ArtworX) Cassette 3" Disc 5J" Disc To: Advanced Memory Systems Ltd., Woodslde Technology Centre.- Green Lane, Appleton, Warrington, WA4 5NG, England. T v THE ONE AND ONLY BBC, ELECTRON AND ATOM MAGAZINE

Joe's Jottings 74 New Users While away those long winter nights with jiving Joe's Christmas project to First Byte 41 organise your Beeb with a low-cost Tessie Revivis opens text and keyboard graphics windows for you in her follow up to last month's drawing program Bumper dumper 86

'I found dumping games' screens Hints & Tips 45 impossible' says a frustrated reader Full control codes for Epsons, . . . until he discovered George Hill's improving your micro's memory, programs using the Line Interpreter,

how to fit headphones and the use of Speeding up 119 STOP are the subjects up for Try Paul discussion by Martin Phillips Beverley's quick steps to a December 1984 No 29 faster micro Cover photograph by Simon Edwards Letters 58

Software piracy; is the quality of Business Editor Tony Quinn cassettes up to scratch?; the on/off Production editor Keith Parish DIY 143 debate is on again; and advice on database Sub-editor Julie Carman taping data are among the topics you Mike Fryer's comprehensive database Technical editor Bruce Smith put pen to paper about management program could Editorial assistant Kitty Milne revolutionise your business activities Art editor Nigel Wingrove Dear Kitty ... 63 Art assistant Tacye Davis Database comparison 151 Publishing director Michael Potter Kitty finds space to fill in a reader Vincent Fojut puts six commercial Editorial director Christopher Ward about the 'No room' message and packages through their paces to suggests how to order your priorities you decide which is the best for your Editorial when purchasing peripherals Redwood Publishing, needs 68 Long Acre, London Features WC2E9JH. Tel: 01-836 2441 Education Advertising Domesday 1986 28 Computer Marketplace Ltd, 20 News round-up 167 Orange St, London WC2H 7ED. To mark the 900th anniversary of the Videos, Quinkeys, computer 'junkies' Tel: 01-930 1612 Domesday Book the BBC is launching and 'authoring' software are under a massive project to produce a Subscriptions discussion this month modern day equivalent on video disc - Jan Potter, Subscriptions manager. with the help of BBC micros in Tel: Nuffield Ridge (073782) 2957. schools Science quiz 167 Correspondence: Redwood Pub- Fifteen Science Topics software packs lishing, 68 Long Acre, London to be won WC2E 9JH. Barcode Breakout 65 Annual You could be up for parole on the subscription rates: Exploratory programs 171 UK £15 sentence of typing in listings as Europe £25 barcodes escape from the confines of Nick Evans maps out his views on supermarkets Middle East £30 and libraries into home Dudley Program's suite of software on usage The Americas and Africa £30 the exploration theme Rest of the World £35 Prices include p&p for 12 issues Yellow listing pages welcomes submissions Irom readers. Articles should be typed, double-spaced text, with dia- grams on separate sheets. Please enclose programs on You'll find all the main listings of this disc or cassette, with a listing if possible Photos should be 35mm, or larger, transparencies, or 5in by 7in black issue in the yellow pages and white prints. Ensure your name is on everything. Please include a suitable stamped, addressed envelope tor return. Articles are acknowledged on receipt. Barcode listing 97 Listings from Hints and Tips Typeset and printed in Great Britain by Watmoughs Ltd, Bradford. Print production by First byte 99 Aquarius Print and Design, London. Distributed Picture designer program to the news trade by Comag, Tavistock Rd, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE. Tel: (0895) 44405. Hints & tips 101 Using the Command Line Interpreter © Redwood Publishing 1984 All rights reserved. No part of this publication Joe's Jottings 103 may be reproduced without prior written per- mission of the publisher. The publisher cannot Give your Beeb an organ option accept any responsibility for claims or errors in articles, programs or advertisements pub- Dumping secrets 105 lished. The opinions expressed on the pages of Machine-code dump for dot matrix this magazine are those of the authors and do printers not necessarily represent those of the pub- lisher. Ltd. or Ltd Database management Acorn, Acornsoft, and the Acorn symbol are the 109 registered trademarks of Acorn Computers Ltd Mike Fryer's DIY database program and Acornsoft Ltd.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 CONTENTS

Atom IN THIS Build a ROM pager 125 Alan Knowles shows you how to ISSUE... construct a ROM pager for your Atom Atom Forum 127 Bar codes 65 Hill gives you a More Atomic topics from Barry Pickles George step-by-step guide to Competition 129 what bar codes can do Atoms only! Write a winning graphics and how they can be demonstration and choose your prize used to replace program listings Reviews

Logo for the Beeb 175 74 Nick Evans reports on Acornsoft's Build an organ implementation of the language Joe Telford's musical keyboard to Acornsoft's Pascal 176 connect to your micro

The first major compiled language for general use is reviewed by Simon Williams Games of the year 188 '84 Jonathan Griffiths rates the 18 arcade Hit list 188 games that scored a hit in 1984 and The 20 best games and adventures Peter Killworth picks the best of this year picked by Jonathan adventures Griffiths and Peter Killworth Games 194 Game dumps 86 Abyss by Case Computer Simulations; lucky people with Birdie Barrage by Computersolve; For those printers, here's George Battle Planet from ISP Marketing; One Last Game and Mayday horn Clemoes Hill's routine to dump Software; 's Blockbuster screens from computer and Rubble Trouble; UBIK Software's games Paranoid Pete; and Brainstorm by Lightpens reviewed 201 Virgin Four offerings come under Chris Lightpens illuminated 201 Drage's scrutiny in a Chris Drage opens his two-part review comparative review. Next month by casting some light on four models he looks at the software New books 213 available for them

Regulars

The News 7 PLUS REVIEWS OF Micronet's 'almighty row', interactive Acornsoft's Logo -an exclusive 175 video, music synthesiser, 32016 ISO Pascal 176 second processor release all make the headlines - plus Chris Curry's Six databases 151 involvement in the Brighton bombing Noticeboard 18

Events which affect readers on TV, NEXT MONTH . . . GAME SPECIAL Quadline radio, film and paper. We tell you what 1961 superb game written in Basic and assembler not to miss A for the BBC micro and Electron Competition 89 Picture Slide Five barcode readers to be won Reconstruct the 3D perspective picture by Plus the lucky August winners moving blocks of the screen. Mode 2 graphics Beeb Forum 114 written on the Electron Interrupt-driven tunes Help for readers by readers How to imitate the music on games Top 20 Software 186 Advanced graphics Speedy colour fills to use in programs, with .•.«** i . . Elite- straight to the top . examples in business pie-charts and bar charts Acorn Abuser's Diary 248 Wordprocessor choice reviewer helps decide which to choose GOTO the Acornopoly board Our you

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 Is this newF no her First read th

The Fersuson TX MC01 has separate

Composite Video and Aerial ft HI] I inpul a choice of ||0 connections 1 for computers, video sanies gjgpb"" and video recorders. These provide the (and best) routes -for computer and video signals to reach the . The loop aerial shoNS that the HC01 is also a portable colour TV. find there's automatic electronic switching between functions.

h

'.SON TV

mmaam : iergusonjust r monitor? le small print. A glance at the screen of our ^™ new MC01 will tell you 14" how far it is from being just a monitor. Or just a portable colour TV

One advantage of our double act is worth repeating, if only

because its another Ferguson first

Electronic switching lets you change functions automatically from monitor to video recorder toTV You can plug in any combination; leave them permanently connected; and wave goodbye to spaghetti junction round the back.

Convenience is matched by performance. Computer graphics

and picture quality are far better through our RGB and Composite Video

inputs than through the aerial socket of an ordinary TV Computer audio output sounds better through the speaker of

the MC01.(And if the beeps are too loud you can turn down the volume)

The full potential of the MC01 will be revealed by your Ferguson

Dealer; as will the optional Battery Converter which makes it totally portable; and the matching computer-dedicated cassette recorder 3T31.

If total dedication is what you're after, hell tell you about our out-

standing new 12" monochrome monitor MM02, which is particularly

suited to text applications.

But if you need a monitor for a , it makes sense to

get one that's also a colourTV. Especially when it only costs around £229

And if you want a portable colourTV why not get one that's also a monitorPin the Ferguson Monitor FERGUSON TX ColourTV you get the state of two arts in one. Education's a scream down at Spooky Manor.

Acornsoft have a range of education programs that and computer literacy. Forages ten and over. encourage children to think logically and creatively. All lour programs are available lor the BBC. Micro And at the same time, they make learning hags of fun. computer on cither cassette (£9.95) or disc (£11.50). SPOOKY MANOR: An adventure game for up to Talkhack and Workshop are also available for the Electron four players. When- exploring the creep) old house and on cassette (£9.20). solving mysteries involves co-operation and planning. For your local Acornsoft stockist or to order by It is suitable lor children aged seven and upwards hut credit card simply ring 0033 70300 during office hours.

many adults will enjoy the challenge it provides. Alternative^ you can order the programs by writing to WORKSHOP: An eas) to use and completely Acornsoft. /o Vector Marketing, Condon Road, captivating program. Pull ol unusual machinery. Wellingborough. Psorthants. NN8 2RL, enclosing a By experiment children discover what each ol the mach- cheque or postal order. Please allow 21 days for delivery. ines can do with simple geometric shapes, lor ages three or over, Workshop encourages highly creative thinking and experimentation. ABC: A writing tool designed lor young writers

aged seven and upwards. It iseasil) operated and quickly

understood and before they realise it children will he creating and reshaping their words and ideas. TACKBACK: Both entertaining and demanding.

It allows children to create their own computer characters" capable of holding simple conversations on the screen and provides valuahle lessons in both English >IC0RNS£FT NEWS

Curry in Brighton bombing

CHRIS Curry, Acorn's manag- ing director and joint founder of the company, was in the Grand Hotel, Brighton when the bomb attack was made against the Thatcher Cabinet. Curry, a Conservative Party member and strong supporter of Mrs Thatcher, was staying in room 426 (marked in red on our picture) at the invitation of the Party. When the bomb went The devastated Grand Hotel after the bomb explosion. Chris Curry's room is outlined in red off at 2.54am on October 12, Curry was in the bar on the ground floor of the hotel. People in the bar were showered with dust and debris, but no-one was actually hurt. Curry dashed back upstairs to his room, and Acorn and BBC go was later evacuated to Brigh- ton police station. There he gave a statement, but was not taken to hospital. His luggage, a brown suit- case and fawn briefcase were taken from his room by the for interactive video emergency services and held by Brighton Police. They were ACORN and the BBC have graphics. What these systems a cheaper interactive video picked up two days later by joined forces with Philips to cannot do is access computer laser discs where the TV pic- Lesley de la Mare, Chris develop interactive video information on the disc. tures and computer data are Curry's secretary from discs to store computer data The big advantage of video stored on a gramophone-like Acorn's Henrietta St offices in and software - a breakthrough is not just replacing crude disc protected by a plastic sur- London. seen by many as revolutionis- computer graphics but the face. The information is read ing the use of computers in immense storage capacity of a by a laser which can move to schools and for training. video disc. One can hold a any part of the disc, although it Magazineaward Acorn and several other gigabyte of television pictures, is slower than the head in a companies already have soft- data and software per side- disc drive. Philips developed thousand times the capa- this technology and have since for 'Acorn User' ware and interfaces to control one video discs and combine the city of a floppy disc. licensed it to others. pictures with computer The companies are using Where the breakthrough for AS WE WENT to press, the computers will come is in the organisers of the 1984 way data is stored on a disc. Magazine Publishing compete Three systems The problem is that TV is an Awards informed us that called up and displayed on analogue system whereas Acorn User was one of the by Geoff Nairn has branched out into command from a Microtext computers are digital, so an top three in the best ACORN program stored on floppy disc. efficient way is needed to store launch' category. interactive video with a new the computer data in a semi- By the time you read this product and a new company, At Barn Hall School in Essex Video. Its Acorn Inter- analogue' form. the final results will have Acorn a cheaper interactive video active (AIS) uses a The hardware is at an early been announced, but the System system is being tried out. It micro a Pioneer design stage, but already the staff at Acorn User and BBC and uses a standard Beeb and a Laservision video disc player new type of disc is known as a everyone else at Redwood video cassette recorder. to merge video pictures with 'laser disc ROM'. The trio of Publishing (which is up for The Felix Link interface pages of text and graphics. companies are working to have a second award with Ex- costs £1250 and works with Aimed at the growing the new format out by 1986 and pression!) will have spent Laservision, VHD video disc, market in computer-based establish a world standard. three nail-biting weeks or U-Matic tape machines. A training, estimated to be worth The appearance of the hard- waiting for the award din- VHS version is in the pipeline. £3,500 system ware will coincide with the cul- ner on November 16. £50m a year, the comprises modified Beeb, Felix Learning Systems is mination of the BBC's Domes- The other two finalists colour monitor and on 01-404 5041. day Project, the discs for which are Just 17 and Fitness, so special Laservision player. For £250 A third system is Interact B, will be the first to make use of let's hope the first one is extra the Microtext authoring which controls a Thorn-EMI the new technology. over the hill and the second language is included. VHD video disc player simply runs out of puff! A video disc can store up to by touching the screen. The BBC's Domesday We'll let you know how 55,000 video frames, any one unit costs £1500 from Cameron we got on in the next issue - - see page 28 or sequence of which can be Communications, 041-6330077 if we've won, no doubt it'll be all over the front cover.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ACQUIRE THE RAVEN BOARD POWER

. . . at Twilktar or your local Acorn dealer *20K USABLE MEMORY CUSTOMED MADE The RAVEN-20 is a 20K RAM EXPANTION for the BBC MICRO. MODEL B, fitted with O.S. 1.2. This specially designed product plugs in to the C.P.U. socket ofyour micro (centre socket ofthe 3 available) with the miniumum of effort - the pins are specially custom made, thus avoiding any possible damage to the circuitry! The RAVEN BOARD provides the user with an extra 2OK ofusable RAM in screen modes to 3. This together with the aid of software makes the system completely transparent to both the user and the computer. The RAVEN-20 software ROM gives much more than just the

standard commands, it has been programmed to give commands like; "STAR S. SAVE", LOAD for saving and loading the screen, "R. TEST" for testing the board; "STAT" for checking whether Board

ON or OFF . . . and many more unique features - not available in any other product. The RAVEN-20 comes complete with; 1. RAVEN-20 Board. 2. RAVEN-20 software. 3. Fitting and operating instructions (see picture). Don't Forget SOFWARE UPDATE! - return your guarantee/Registration slip and you will automatically be entered onto our files for registration and notification of new software updates! Purchase with complete confidence on the "TWILLSTAR RELIABILIITY". EH TELEPHONE ORDERS (01)5745271 tJ^ HOW TO ORDER To purchase the • RAVEN BOARD' . simply write your name and address on a piece of paper, and post to the address below, enclosing your cheque/P.O. made payable t TWILLSTAR COMPUTERS LTD. TCL • Ifyou are a credit card holder, simply use the telephone to order. Twilktar Computers Limited

1 7 REGINA ROAD. SOUTHALL, MIDDLESEX UB2 5PL. TEL: (01 ) 574 5271 NEWS

For Atom software MP's fury follow the bear over BT ATOM users can now buy all their software and ROMs from Bearsoft. This Harmondsworth, Mid- 'censors' dlesex, company has acquired the rights to Atom software By Bill Penfold from Acornsoft and to all the looks like giving the Atom system ROMs. Software political parties a Christmas Classics has transferred the present by doing an about-turn rights on its Atom products to on the controversial ruling Bearsoft and will be redirect- prohibiting transmission of ing all orders received. politics and religion on its Bearsoft claims an ambi- open pages. tious programme of develop- The ban, actually imposed ments for the machine, includ- by British Telecom, sparked ing a new disc interface card. off an almighty row, and the A new catalogue is promised signs are that BT is rapidly and customer enquiries going into retreat. should be address to: Bear- The problem the politicians soft, 168 Harmondsworth face is that BT has declared Lane, Harmondsworth, Mid- politics and religion taboo on dlesex UB7 OAA, tel: 01-897

. . . lumping them with 3059. prostitution and crime. Dr Bray in happier mood before his blow-up with British Telecom As we head towards using computerised data, not just for facts, but for opinions, how those systems are controlled will become ever more politi- cally significant. Beeb's musical gift Proof of this came during the autumn with that almighty A MUSIC synthesiser add-on entered quickly from the com- script is set up it can be com- row' between Labour and BT's for the BBC micro from Acorn puter keyboard, incorporating piled by the language and chairman, Sir George Jeffer- looks like being available for details such as note names, played back on the syn- son. Christmas. Called Music 500, note lengths, accidentals, bar thesiser. Neil Kinnock, on the first day the synthesiser, designed by lines, time and key signatures Several pieces or parts can of Labour's Blackpool confer- Hybrid Technology, is ex- and so on. be entered separately and tested in isolation. Once per- ence, launched an ambitious pected to cost £199. It can play A musical keyboard is not Prestel service on Micronet to up to 16 sounds or eight musi- yet supported, but Acorn is ex- fected, they may then be linked with other to pro- provide a closed user group cal voices at a time. It pro- pected to announce a com- components for party activists to which the duces a stereo output that can plete microprocessor-con- duce the final performance. public would not have access. be plugged directly into the trolled keyboard in the new The real-time aspect of the However, the party then AUX socket of an ordinary hi-fi. year. language allows the syn- decided to include a number of The synthesiser is housed in The Ample language has a thesiser controls to be altered open pages available to every- a BBC-beige case and sits vocabulary of words which as the performance takes one, despite Prestel's rules. alongside the BBC micro con- allow control over the syn- place, opening up possibilities for stage use. Sir George discovered what nected to the 1MHz bus. It has thesiser in a number of ways. was happening - and pulled a self-contained mains power One set of words controls the Fourteen pre-defined wave- the plug. supply. timbre, pitch, position and forms (sounds), seven volume Reaction was fast and The sounds that the syn- modulation of a sound. A and eight pitch envelopes are furious. Labour's science and thesiser produces are under second set allows notes and supplied. An envelope editor technology spokesman, Dr the direct control of the user. chords to be entered along allows user-defined envel- Jeremy Bray, also chairman of Each channel has high-resol- with their duration (eg, opes to be created. Music 500 the party's computer advisory ution digital control for pitch, crotchets, semi-quavers, etc). uses a logarithmic volume group, fired off a broadside. volume, stereo position, fre- Further words control the play- control which gives extremely British Telecom, he quency modulation (FM), ring ing parameters, including time accurate control over volume claimed, was showing a dis- modulation and oscillator signature, key signature, levels. turbing presumption in favour synchronisation. In addition, speed, number of parts and so A waveform editor is ex- of censorship. Strong words. separate envelopes may be on. Once a complete playing pected in the near future. This raised a fundamental defined for both pitch and problem for BT as to whether amplitude as a series of line Prestel was like television and segments. This allows much radio broadcasting. more sophisticated effects Sir George asked for guid- than the standard BBC Basic ance, and a Whitehall working envelope. party decided there was no The synthesiser is driven by need for legislation. So BT a specially designed language seems to be going through called Ample, which gives the some fairly rapid 'consul- user complete real-time con- tations' with the Videotext trol over the hardware using a Industry Association. Bets are fast interactive compiler. It harmony on the Beeb with the Music 500 on BT dropping its ban. allows sheet music to be Eight-part

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 NEWS

TOP DOT-Microline has Music keyboard brought out a top-of-the-range dot-matrix printer, the 84XS, responds to costing nearly £1300. The printer uses plug-in modules the gentle touch to allow it to perform different THE Clef Computer Music tasks: barcodes. plotting, System is a music synthesiser scientific symbols, Arabic characters and daisywheel that is programmed through a emulation. At top speed the BBC micro. It uses digital 84XS can print 315 characters circuitry throughout and has a per second and offers a touch-sensitive keyboard - the graphics resolution of 288 dots harder you hit it the louder the per inch. Details from X-Data note. at 750-751 Deal Avenue, The CMS, priced at £475 Slough Trading Estate, (including VAT), lets the user Slough, Berks SL1 4SH. program in 32 waveforms and 32 envelopes from the Beeb's keyboard and these can then be stored on disc or tape. By combining waveforms together, a full polyphonic sound can be obtained and Add-ons out. .almost complete passages of music can also be saved. Clef Products is at 44a Bramhall Lane South, Bram- Acorn's 3201 6, Level 3 file-server and hall, Cheshire SK7 1AH. the Electron Plus-3 on show to the public Two-speed modem

THE long-awaited 32-bit Acorn's own, called Panos. much-improved file-server for for phones at £60 second processor from Acorn thus scotching rumours that the system. Based PROTEK Computing has finally arrived. Using the the 32016 would run Xenix (the around a 10Mb Winchester has brought out an acoustically National Semiconductor 32016 micro version of Unix). hard disc drive, the Level 3 coupled modem which lets processor chip -as used in the The 32-bit second processor file-server offers far greater two computer users communicate ABC200-and with 256k of was first announced in the storage capacity to users on via a telephone line. It extra RAM, the add-on gives January 1983 issue of AU. the network. can also access databases such as the Beeb real 'number crunch- Since that time it has been The Winchester drive is also Prestel and Telecom Gold. ing' power and it completes plagued by technical problems available separately for users The costing the family of Acorn second and has undergone several of single Beebs who need modem, £59.95, has two baud rates: 1200/75 processors: Z80, 6502 and now name changes, starting life 10Mb of disc space. baud for commercial services the 32016. with the nickname 'Gluon', Electron users needn't feel and 1200 baud for user-to-user The 32016 is aimed at pro- then becoming the 16032 and left out, for Acorn has released communication. Software is fessional scientists and finally being renamed the the Electron Plus-3. a 3\ in disc supplied that supports both engineers who require 32-bit 32016. The price is not yet fixed drive which plugs into the back operation modes at £14.95 for precision and it will also run and although it is being pre- of the Electron. Prices for both the BBC micro. Electron users a variety of high-level viewed at Compec 84 this Winchester and Plus-3 have will be able to buy software languages, including Lisp, C, month, the 32016 will not be yet to be decided and neither and an interface for £24.95. Pascal and 77. The available until next year. will be available until the new Protek is looking for large used is Acorn has also brought out a year. sales at Christmas and will be selling its modem through John Menzies shops - the first time a modem has been sold MEP software helps young readers this way. Contact Protek Com- puting direct at 1A Young Square, Brucefield Industrial EDUCATIONAL software for ture Book develops reading disc; private customers should Park, Livingston, West Loth- the BBC micro from the West skills (£11.95); the Language add £3 to each price. ian. Midlands Regional Centre of Development Pack is a suite of Acornsoft has released the Micro Electronics in Edu- three programs for 9 to 15- three educational programs cation Programme (MEP) year-olds (£9.50); Maths Talk developed by Applied EPR0M pro-blow caters for all age-ranges. teaches simple mathematical Systems Knowledge for pri- The Pre-Reading Pack costs statements (£7.95); Cloze mary school children. \s A NEW EPROM £9.30 (£11 on disc) and is helps the teacher identify about a character who will for the Beeb comes from CTL. aimed at 4-year-olds and reading problems in students obey commands that children The Model 423 sells for £109 above. The Early Reading (£7.95); and Problem Solver type in; Squeeze is a board and is aimed at professional Pack is for the five-to-nine age encourages decision-making game that teaches geometric users, say its makers. group and costs the same. in secondary level children relationships; and Juggle As well as being able to

Both packs are available from (£7.95). Puzzle is based on a puzzle 'blow' all modern EPROMs, it ESM, Duke St, Wisbech, These titles are available cube. can also detect mis-inserted or Cambs. from LTS, Haydon House, Each title costs £9.95 (£11 .50 damaged chips. CTL (Control Your Adventure allows Alcester Rd, Studley, Warks. on disc) and is available for Telemetry of London) is at Unit children to create their own Prices quoted are for schools both Beeb and Electron from 11, Burmarsh. Marsden St, adventure games (£7.95); Pic- and are the same for tape or Acornsoft dealers. London NW5 3JA.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 A FreeTraining Course with Every Plotter or Disc Drive

Our Sweet-P, high resolution graphics plotters come with free computer based demonstration and instruction programmes which not only show you what the plotter can do, but teaches you how it does that includes not only the usual file handling it. Our high quality floppy disc drives are supplied with a utilities disc and operating software, but a teaching programme for each utility as well. HAL makes it easy for you to upgrade and teaches you how to get the best from your system.

100 CPS Matrix Printers Nashua Monitors- HIGH QUALITY Floppy Monochrome Discs

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BBC MICRO Sweet-P Plotters plus support pack & software at £575.00 £96.00 £671.00 *200K double-sided disc drives at £216.00 £42.20 £258.20

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TECO Monochrome monitors at £69.00 inc- £69.00

s Nashua model...... diskettes at£ per box of 10 + 60p per box postage & VAT

Free details on HAL's BBC Micro compatible products plus a commemorative Schneider * Trophy winner's poster. Please Tick Other capacities also available

I enclose a cheque for £ or debit my Access Account No:

HAL Computers Limited, Name Address Invincible Road, Famborough, Hants. GU14 7QU Tel. Signature. Telephone: (0252) 517171 AU12 •

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i are the market leaders for disk drives, 'i'T-f t J A 7 i^t 1 1 iik j/-e. JJ all our drives are fully guaranteed for 12 months far theBBCmicrocomputt and are approved for electrical safety by the High quality 1 D.M.E.E. and are used extensively in G.L.C. • 5 A inch Japanese and I.L.E.A. establishments. dual disk drive • Cabinet finished in Cumana was the first independent disk drive hard wearing BBC beige supplier and now is Europe's market leader. Our products have • Independent power supply been proven • 12 months warranty in the schools, universities and Fully assembled homes throughout d tested Europe.

ALL 80 TRACK 5 1A DRIVES ARE SWITCHABLE TO 40 TRACK MODE

CS RANGE CSE RANGE The Single CS' range of disk drives all have an The Cumana 'CSE' range of disk drives all come with an independent power supply, with mains lead and moulded independent power supply and are supplied with all the plug. They are supplied with formatting diskette. 2-drive accessories and benefits of their counterparts. They can connecting cable and comprehensive user manual. be used to upgrade a system, with 2-drive connector Upgrading your system is simple, with Cumana's design cable - supplied with the 'CS' or 'CSX' range - enabling in enabling a second disk drive to be added without any them to be added as a second drive by simply plugging QfttfSSS&' modification to your BBC micro computer. All 80 track in and switching on. models are switchable to 40 track models. CS100E 40 Track single sided (100K) £149.95 CS100 40 Track single sided (100K) £159.95 CS200ED 40 Track double sided (200K) £192.95 CS200D 40 Track double sided (200K) £203^95 CS200E 80 Track single sided (200K) £180.95 CS200 80 Track single sided (200K) £192.95 CS400E 80 Track double sided (400K) £208.95 CS400 80 Track double sided (400K) £219^95 DUAL *CSX RANGE SWITCHABLE RANGE The ultimate in disk drives, the 'CD/S' range of disk .«*?> A Single disk drive range that excludes the power drives all have independent power supplies, with mains connector. The CSX' range takes power from the BBC lead and moulded plugs. All supplied with a formatting micro computer but, comes complete with all the extras disk, drive connecting cable and comprehensive user of the CS range. manual; the design enables either drive to be switched independently between CSX100 40 Track single sided (100K) £119.95 40/80 track modes. CSX200D 40 Track double sided (200K) £165.95 CD200 2 x 40 Track single sided (200K) £284.95 CSX200 80 Track single sided (200K) £159.95 CD400/S 2 x 80 Track single sided (400K) £359.95 CSX400 80 Track double sided (400K) £189.95 CD800/S 2 x 80 Track double sided (800K) £414.95 SHOULD LIKE THESE

Cumana's design includes an independent power YOUR LOCAL - supply supply* complete with mains power DISTRIBUTOR lead and insulated plug. Each disk drive comes guide and formatting with a comprehensive user Available from the following disk. retail outlets: W. H. Smith, John Lewis Send now for further details of the Cumana Partnership, Greens Leisure, range, or see them at our distributors and at Laskys, Spectrum UK. selected branches of W.H. Smith, Lasky's, Greens, Curry's and Spectrum UK. Addons Ltd. (Southampton) Cumana's range of disk drives is also compatible 0703 34775/6 with Spectrum, Dragon, Oric, Tandy models Audio & Computer Centre (Jersey) I, III and 4 and Video Genie: 0534-74000

Eltec (Bradford) 0274-722512 Gwent Computers (South Wales) 0633-841760 HCCS Associates (Gateshead) I 0632-821924 Hugh Symons (Bournemouth) 0202-26535

J. S. Simnett Computers (South London) 01-541 1495

Kingdom Design (Belfast) 0232-643720

Lightning (Harrow) 01-969 5255

Microage Distribution (North London) 01-205 7688

Micro Express (Leicestershire) 0533 375757

Microworld (Edinburgh) 031-228 1111

National Micro Centre (Stockpc CUNIAMA 061-429 8080

1 North Amber PLC. (Surrey) 3 /2 INCH DRIVES 01-391 2066 Cumana 3W drives offer the same quality and reliability as their 5 W counterparts with the added bonus of Thompson Cook (Birmingham) taking up less hardware space. Available in both single 021-328 3895 and dual formats they come complete with user guide and hard diskette.

CSX351 40 Track single sided (100K) £139.95 + National Dealer Network. CSX354 80 Track double sided (400K) £199.95 CDX351 2 x 40 Track single sided (200K) £256.95 CDX354 2 x 80 Double sided (800K) £383.95

[ctlllAAMA ALL PRICES INCLUSIVE OF VAT

Cumana Ltd., Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street, Guildford, Surrey. England GU3 3BH. Telephone: Guildford (0483) 503121. Telex: 859380. Fax No. 503326 This utility package has many special features for use with Available from all good BBC micro discs, plus other utilities that everyone will find useful: dealers or by 'phoning/writing to: Function key editing, powerful disassembler, recovery of data from corrupted discs, complete disc editor and compatible memory editor, string search in memory or on disc, built-in Computer Concepts help menu, verifying and formating of 35, 40 and 80 track discs, and also a special format which allows 60 files on each Gaddesden Place, side of a disc. Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 6EX. RRP 33.35 incl. Telephone: (0442) 63933 NEWS

BES saves Torch the osprey Typesetting on a

OSPREY! is the first in a series TORCHSET is a Torch-based of novel educational simu- system that will take raw lation programs being pro- from a wordprocessor and duced by Bourne Educational turn it into a finished page Software. Developed in con- ready for printing. By using a junction with the Royal Society Torch computer or an for the Protection of Birds, the enhanced BBC micro, an elec- game is concerned with pro- tronic typesetting system can tecting the Scottish Osprey be set up for half the cost of from hunters and tourists. other systems, according to The tape costs £9.95 for the the makers, Torchset BBC micro or Electron, and Systems. In addition, Torchset disc versions cost £11.95 offers extra features such as (£15.95 for 3in format). Torch Mail Plus electronic BES is at Bourne House, The mail and the Torchnet local Hundred, Romsey, Hamp- communications network. shire, S058BY. The cheapest Torchset Torch with modified keyboard and running Cora 5, a language system costs £5500 and con- devised for the Linotron typesetters sists of a single Torch CF500 computer with a customised off Mr T takes keyboard, Torchset software discs snatched his way and the interface to connect MR T continues on THE theft of discs and hard- configured TBBS discs were educational the computer to a phototype- with five more ware delayed the appear- taken and this delayed the Software's setting machine. So far, only programs in Ebury ance of BBC TV's bulletin bulletin board until Tuesday. series. Aimed the Linotron range of photo- Early Learning board after the first Micro But the weekend wasn't eight-year-olds, the typesetters are supported. at four to Live show. all bad news for Micro Live. titles are: Mr T Meets More expensive systems five Beeb A total of £1550- worth of Just after the show the Con- consist of several Torch his Match; Mr T in the Mystery equipment went missing troller of BBC2 phoned the T's Jungle Stories; machines networked via Maze; Mr over the weekend after the team to say it had gone so T Torchnet, an enhanced ver- Mr T's Simple Sums; and Mr Friday night show, said tech- well that the show would be last is also sion of the Beeb's Econet. Makes Music. The nical consultant Steve repeated on the Saturday. Using the network, one com- available for the Electron, and Lowry. Viewers can ring the bulletin is wordprocessing all cost £9.95 on tape. puter for Among the items were a board to make comments on and the files are sent to Floppy, disc drives and QL, 01-579 2288. another Torch machine for but luckily none of the BBC Telecom Gold users can typesetting. The Torchset soft- micros for the show. get the same material by Micro accounting ware permits various typeset- 'The bulletin board was typing INFO BBC. If you have SYSTEMATICS International ting commands to be 'imbed- set up on a Tandy running a adapter you has produced two accounting ded' in the text. the tried and tested TBBS can access the information for the small Further details from Torch- packages software,' said Lowry. The on . businessman to run on the set Systems on 061-834 8564. BBC micro. Sales and Purchase Ledger handles 400 different customers and suppliers, Stock Control and Invoicing 'Sardine' skills boost utilities holds 1000 stock lines and has port the dual screen facility; integrated invoicing. Both BEEBUGSOFT is releasing a when a variable attains a pre- than the have comprehensive manuals variety of firmware and soft- determined value. The oper- this is £2 cheaper version at £27. Also now and cost £89. ware products for the Beeb ational speed of a program Beeb Electron is Systematics International and Electron in time for the may be adjusted as it is available for the running, allowing freeze- Toolkit at £27. Microsystems is at Cleves' Christmas spending spree. interest Help is an information ROM House, Hamlet Rd, Haverhill, Top of the range comes frames of areas of the micro. Sardine Suffolk. Sleuth, a Basic debugging tool such as graphics displays. for BBC for the BBC micro. Costing Exmon II is an enhanced canning expertise has £29, Sleuth allows you to version of the original Exmon, crammed more than 13,000 single-step through your Basic extending its vocabulary to 60 text characters into a mere 8k, Epson conscripts program either statement by commands. Its main feature is on various aspects of the WORDWISE users can now get statement or block by block. its use of dual screens, which Beeb's operation. extension extra printing features with Dual screen operation allows allows you to switch between Murom is a sound Astrosoft's Printwise software, the user to toggle between the Exmon's control screen and ROM for the BBC micro that edit designed for the Epson range program screen and Sleuth your own screen. allows you to create and of printers. The £12.50 utility control screen, allowing the Owners of Exmon on your own sounds. program allows easy use of program to be accessed EPROM will be allowed a 50 Masterpieces may be saved with or subscripts and superscripts, directly while it's running to per cent discount on upgrad- or played back without fitted, and may be italics and different typefaces. display or alter program vari- ing to version II. Murom

I is available for interrupt-driven. Murom costs It can also print Greek charac- ables, for example. Exmon now £25. ters and scientific symbols. Breakpoints may be set to the Electron on cassette. The £29 and Help costs Details from Astrosoft at 39 pause the program's opera- ROM-based version of Exmon Seven new disc packages also an Latimer Way, North Picken- tion when a specific line- II is available for the Elk as from Beebug make ham,Swaffam,PE37 8JD. number is reached or even well, though this doesn't sup- entry.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 NEWS

BBC Computer AJRIES-B20 Mirrorsoft 52K Add 20K gets personal RMIEN20 toyour BBC micro Patent clash in five minutes MIRRORSOFT has foresaken the traditional arcade-style games market with its 'Home Discovery' series of programs for the Beeb and Electron, over boards which are intended to appeal to parents just as much as kids. ARIES Computers looks set for expect no mercy. We are competitive sales price.' Titles in the series include: a legal battle with Raven Micro determined to seek full com- Watford Electronics has also The Joffe Plan, a weight-loss Products and Watford Elec- pensation.' reacted to Aries' publication of program which tronics doesn't over what the company Mr Headland claimed that the patent by issuing a state- involve dieting; Know Your alleges to be infringement of he went incognito to the Raven ment saying: 'The initial reac- Own Psi-Q, which tests your the patent under which it pro- stand at the AU Show. 'They tion from a number of res- psychic powers; Know Your duces its B20 memory expan- freely admitted that it was a pected engineers is that the Own Personality, which does a sion board for the BBC micro. cheaper version of the Aries document describes no new personality evaluation; BBC The Aries-B20 board, pro- board and that it uses the techniques.' Mastermind, a computer ver- viding an extra 20k of RAM, same memory banking switch Watford's managing direc- sion of the television quiz; and was formerly sold at £115, but technique that is the subject of tor Mr Nazir Jessa said: 'If the Star Seeker, an astronomy the price was reduced to our patent.' Patent Office were to accept program which plots positions £69.52 during the Acorn User Chris Sykes, Raven's Aries' specifications we'd all of stars and comets. Show in August. That was managing director, dismissed have to stop producing any- All titles cost £9.95 from where Raven launched its the patent as irrelevant: 'It thing. They are re-inventing usual dealers and. apart from Raven 20, a 20k RAM expan- covers the use of paged RAM, the wheel. RAM expansion Star Seeker, will work on the sion board priced at £69.95. which has been around since and piggyback boards are Electron as well as the Beeb. Peter Headland, managing the late '50s on early valve used everywhere,' Disc versions cost £3 extra director of Aries, said: 'It's a computers.' and -other software houses cheap imitation of the Aries- In a specially-prepared please take note- if you buy a B20 and uses out-of-tolerance press statement his company Watford tape version and at a later date chips. They can expect a lot of said: 'The Raven 20 has a Watford's statement said want to upgrade to disc, for unhappy customers.' number of features which are that components of its 32k just £3 extra Mirrorsoft will ex- not found on the Aries B20: the expansion board (advertised change the cassette for a disc. No Mercy sophisticated design of the at £69) are 'sourced directly Aries filed a patent on the Raven 20 makes , . . use of from at least two major semi- design earlier in the year chips supplied by extremely conductor manufacturers and which has now been published reliable manufacturers. This, are full spec, devices.' (GB 2 137 382 A) and according coupled with a highly cost- The Watford system 'makes to Mr Headland: 'It's an exact effective design utilising the available an additional 32k of description of both the Raven latest technology with RAM, all of which can be used, and Watford Electronics dynamic RAM and modern and a printer buffer, a facility boards. Now that the specifi- flow-solder production, has not available in any other RAM cation is published they can enabled us to set up a highly cards'.

Elite on target for 100,000'

ACORNSOFT is looking Compatibility for for- than double that of any other Acornsoft has brought out ward to a prosperous New Acornsoftgame. three more games, initially Year and it's all due to Elite, its Commodore drives Elite, available for both just for the Beeb. In Boxer, the spaceflight simulation game. Beeb and Electron, mixes player has to catch balloons SCHOOLS and colleges with Two weeks after its launch arcade-style graphics into which a girl drops and so win discarded Commodore peri- in September, 13,000 copies of an adventure game. David the girl's attention. Black Box pherals can now use them the game had been sold and it Johnson-Davies, Acornsoft's and Gambit are two strategy with their BBC micros, thanks entered the top five in a weekly managing director, claims: games on one tape, and to a company called Intelligent software chart. The success of Elite proves Seventh Starls a 'witty adven- Interfaces. By the New Year, the that the games market is very ture game'. The company's Syscon 6 company is predicting sales much alive.' For those with a weight interface allows the complete exceeding 100,000 -more Which is just as well, for problem, Acornsoft's Watch range of Commodore disc Your Weight should let them drives, which many schools do just that. Costing £1 1 .90, the bought to use with the old PET program works out your ideal computers, to work with the Beeb gains a voice for weight. Beeb. It costs £179. £25 On a weightier note, P- Also available is an inter- FOR just £25 your Beeb can start talking with a speech syn- System is a program develop- face for the Motor Shark range thesiser board produced by Cheetah Marketing. The Sweet ment package for the Beeb's of Winchester hard discs Ta/Arerplugs into the micro's IC99 socket and uses the allophone 6502 second processor. At which has an Acorn-compat- method of speech synthesis. The various phonetic sounds are £299 it's the most expensive ible filing system. represented as numbers and are sent to the Sweet Talker by pair of discs you're likely to Further details on 0789- using DATA statements. own, offering compilers for 296879. Cheetah Marketing is at 24 Ray St, London EC1 R 3DJ. UCSD Pascal and Fortran 77.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 : ,

"On-board" microprocessor.

Nine track "byte-wide" head.

Tape drive spindle.

Precision ground rubber pressure roller.

Twelve tool long loop of PHLOOPY 100k lape freely packed into cartridge, shown not yet cartridge. pushed fully home. A 1 00k BBC-drive for £99 + VAT microprocessor - a second computer which does We've done it! We've built a storage system for your - little on the BBC Micro with the power and convenience of a most of the hard work it puts very load also floppy disk drive, at a fraction of the price. Interface BBC. The on-board computer checks and read errors. to the BBC costs £26 + VAT and runs up to 8 drives. automatically corrects any

PHLOOPY's special secret Your PHLOOPY Library

PHLOOPY does not record on a PHLOOPY cartridges disk, but on a loop of quarter-inch hold a full 100k of data. You tape contained in a rugged can buv blank cartridges for interchangeable cartridge. £3.75 each plus VAT. Many BBC TheheartofPHLOOPYisa programs will be available on PHLOOPY. unique "byte-wide" magnetic head, Phi Systems Ltd. PO Box 2 1 that gives it its speed by recording nine tracks Mag Tel: 76040 across the tape. Typically, you can access a file in Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 3TD (0326) only 3 or 4 seconds. Order Form If you're used to waiting for a cassette tape to • Please send me farther details about the PHI X )OPY 100k daia trundle programs into your BBC, you'll be amazed storage system for the BBC Model B.

.( >1'Y starter pack s for my BBC qtv I PI II X at PHLOOPY's performance - up to 100 times faster. •Please send me I Model B , including PI [LOOPY drive. BBC interlace, leads, connections, operating svstem in firmware, manual, Talking to your PHLOOPY and two PHLOOPY 100k cartridges, at £147.75 each including VAT, postage and packing. Amount t PHLOOPY's own software makes it packs 5 PHLOOPY cartridges at E19.75 qtv | of •Please send me I respond to standard BBC filing including VAT, postage and packing. Amount £. OR Please debit my system and Basic commands. I enclose a chequePO for £ Access card Number Programs written to run on Your order will be acknowledged within 10 days, giving a delivery date. disk or cassette should Name run on PHLOOPY Address without problem. Town .Post code- And because vour Send this coupon to: Phi Mag Systems Ltd, PO Box 21, Falmouth, . PHLOOPY'drive Cornwall TR 11 3TD. Telephone: Falmouth (0326) 76040. contains its own 14 day money -back option. Aim NOTICEBOARD I

Rose Deakin asks why women In general are not joining the computer IF the recent AU articles on revolution and suggests a few using your Beeb to receive remedies. The book is pro- weather satellite and RTTY duced by Papermac at £5.95. signals have sparked off some interest, then for £5 you can Addresses join the British Amateur Radio Acorn Customer Services, Teleprinter Group (BARTG). 0223-210111 The group covers all aspects ChipShop'sChipline of data broadcasting and it has London 01-790 3400 its own journal and a weekly Liverpool 051-2368474 radio news bulletin. Bristol (0272) 279494 Details from Stuart Dodson, Birmingham 021-355 6144 callsign G3PPD, 63 Malvern The Last Starfighter - a computer graphic showcase BBC Broadcast Support Avenue, South Harrow, Middx, Services, PO Box 7, London HA2 Computer graphic On television 9EV. W3 6XJ, 01-992 5522 THE International Adventure showcase of film Micro Live, BBC2, December Club exists to provide help for On show 7, 6pm. Christmas is just adventurers in distress. In IF YOU want to see what the com- around corner and this addition it produces a news- Compec, November 13-16, puter graphics are capable of, month's programme has a letter and does various special Olympia, London. go and see The Last Star- festive flavour. offers. The IAC is at 10 Ennis East Midland Computer Show, fighter which will in be the presents a potted history of Close, Harpenden, Herts AL5 November 16-18, East Midland cinemas before Christmas. computer games, which 1SS. Conference Centre, Nott- It features 230 scenes totally always sell well at Christmas, PRESTEL's message service, ingham. created by computer which and talks about a very hush- Mailbox, is now available Electron & Micro User Show, add up to a fifth of the film's 100 hush laser disc game. Mac nationwide at local call rates. December 6-9, Royal Horticul- minutes of running time. (Ian McNaught-Davis) will be Mailbox allows subscribers to tural Hall, London. Last Starfighter tells the tale using his Beeb to draw a leave short messages for of a video games whizz-kid Christmas card and the soft- other subscribers to read Blunderbox who, by reaching the high ware he uses will be available when they log on. The service score in a computer game, on the Ceefax telesoftware is free, excluding normal Pres- TWO errors crept into the Top of the List feature on page 99 last qualifies as a starfighter pilot. service. Also, there will be a tel charges. month. Line 260 should read: He then joins the fleet trying to few Christmas present ideas BOOTS is setting up centres beat off the marauding hordes for micro owners. inside 23 of its larger stores to 260LDA<-&40 of hostile aliens who are sell solely Acorn machines, though it will work on the Acorn threatening earth and its Computers in Control, BBC 2, along with software and per- DFS as it stands, the Watford DFS allies. Fridays 12.30pm. Repeat of ipherals. will issue a channel error if this is However, by devious programmes from the BBC's uncorrected treachery, enemy agents are Computer Literacy Project. In print To save the machine code use - the following line: able to destroy the earth fleet Introduction to robotics and HERE'S a shameless plug for leaving whizz-kid Alex as the control applications of micro- ISAVE our Acorn User authors. "SAVE 8D0 9B0 8D0 planet's only hope. computers. There's technical editor Bruce The graphics were all done IN Harry Sinclair's concluding Smith's new book, Electron in the US by Digital Pro- , sprite designer article we did not Assembly Language, pub- supply Electron users with the ductions of Los Angeles. BBC 2, Fridays 12.05pm. The lished by Shiva at £7.95, and changes they need to make to the series that started it all off way Assembly Language Program- original listing to allow it to func- Computer back in 1982, being repeated ming for the , tion correctly. Six lines need to be for daytime viewers. an update of Ian Birnbaum's changed as follows: nasties 1CTKEY10PA. = original BBC book from Mac- &1900!MOLDiM THE Bright Bill banning video Making the Most of the Micro, 290COLOUR6:PRINTTAB(2,0) millan. "; nasties notwithstanding, BBC 1, Sundays 12.35pm. This "Press DEL when'' TAB(2) Two complementary books "design finished Palace Software has released series and the above two will ":COLOUR3 on graphics: Graphics Pro- 430UNTILINKEY (-90) a game for the Beeb based on be repeated again in the gramming on your BBC Micro 520PRINTTAB(0,2)" Data goes the horror film The Evil Dead. spring. and Graphics Programming from &1300 to &"; "base Despite the film's getting a on your Electron, both by Jim % + 3*?&12EF:PRINT";char%;" British Board of Film Censors On radio McGregor and Alan Watt, characters defined (0 to ";char%- certificate, the video version 1;")." Corgi/Addison Wesley, £4.95. had to stand trial alongside Chip Shop, BBC Radio 4, 530PRINT"" Table of addresses By the same authors and pub- ";-& real nasties such as / Spit on Saturdays 4.15pm (repeated is@&12FOto& lishers is Better Basic for your 12FO + cha%*2-1 your Grave and Driller Killer, on VHF at 1 1pm Tuesdays). On Electron at £4.95. 1750PRINTTAB(7.3);"' SPRITE which Bright tried to stamp November 17 the programme In Women and Computing DESIGN" out. will be broadcast live from The software version of The Scotland's so-called Silicon Bruce's brainteaser Evil Dead is unlikely to find it- Glen, with Barry Norman self in court, though it still has showing us around some of THIS one nearly drove your friendly Technical Editor barmy! the film's evil spirits, grue- the area's new technology See if you can explain why the following 'program', supplied some monsters and deadly industries. Look out also for by Robert Wood of Birkenhead, does what it does! It's weapons. The game costs the Chip Shop Christmas actually a one-liner, so proceed as follows. First type in: £7.99 from the usual dealers. Special on December 15. 10G.10: Planned for next year are software versions of two more Take A Byte, BBC Radio Lan- Note the colon at the end, and make sure you don Yhit return. films, Halloween and cashire, Sunday, December 16 Now for the subtle touch. Move the cursor left five places so Company of Wolves, and at 11.05am (repeated at that it sits under the G. Hold down the copy key until the line there's even talk of a game 6.35pm on the following is full (six screen lines) and a bleeping is heard. The final act based on the stomach-turning Tuesday). Monthly pro- simply requires you to press the return key. We'll let you Texas Chainsaw Massacre. gramme. know the reason why next month.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 A complete Professional Word TE(CHNOMATICrProcessing System PLUS FOR THE KIDS AS BBC Computer & Econet Referral Centre AN XMAS BONUS 17litirnlc> Road, London \\\ 10 411) 01-208 1177 A FREE lightpen with

Plcaw add vantage: (a) CX: £2.50: (c) £1.50;

BBC Model B Special Offer £320 (a) BBC Model B + Starter Pack £348 (a) BBC Model B + DFS £409 (a) BBC Model B + Econet £389 (a) BBC Model B + Econet + DFS £450 (a) BBC Dust Cover £4 (d) Pair of Joysticks £14.50 (d)

UPGRADE KITS

A to B £65 (d) Installation. ACORN DFS KU.E95 (d) Installation. Econet Kit £55 (d) Installation.

Speech Kit £47 (d) Installation. ECONET ACCESSORIES Terminator (Two reqd per installation) ft BBC Family System £31(c) File Server Level II £216 (c)

Clock with psu £35 (c) 10 Station Lead Set.... £26 (c) Printer Server Rom £42 (c) Extra Econet cable..£1 .50/m (d) ACORN Z80 2nd Processor

File Server Level I £86 (c) Econet User Guide £10 (d)

This processor converts your BBC into a complete business ACORN BITSTICK micro with all the computing power a professional would need. The system is CP/M based and is supplied with a very renowned package, providing unprecedented The CAD extensive software package. The package includes three graphics facilities for the draftsman, engineer and graphics office productivity programs, (memoplan, fileplan and

student . a.'w»ord-processor' for graphics. Allows accurate — graphplan), Systems generator program, three programming |iges, circles, curves etc — colours can languages plus the ACCOUNTANT business program. be easily chosen from a pallette. Software is accompanied by extensive manuals that not only is a FX80 dump routine easily get you started but also answers your whys and hows. Som facility allows a part of a All for only £399 (a) (incl VAT) drawing to be magnified Con the edge £328 (a)

This processor is designed for the serious computer user who wants to get even more out of his computer. This processor provides increased memory — allowing up to 44K for Basic programs and up to 60K for assembly language programs, regardless of screen mode in use. (ideal for VIEW). An increase in speed means that programs run up to 50% faster. The second processor/BBC combination offer computing power comparable to systems costing twice as much. £175 (a) ****":;:>*** 5-£5*<|8000 cpl^^ffVflVf^^ UNIX TORCH GRADUATE SYSTEffl operating ^s^^i rTT, Tor set up a network of upto 254 machines. All The ultimate upgrade — converts your BBC into a powerful 16

these capabilities are available Bit business computer and makes it disc and hardware NOW. compatible with the IBM PC. (will run Lotus 123!). With 256K RAM and single/dual drives, it simply connects through the torch UNicomm 1Mhz bus. (The disc drives can be used in both BBC and IBM mode, without requiring a disc interface.) The top-of-the-range For the Torch Z80 card user, comes a superb communications Model G800/2 comes complete with the superb Xchange range package. A BT approved modem using 1200/75 and 1200/1200 of software, and includes a full-feature word processor, a baud is supplied complete with BBC RS232 cable. Three fuperb financial planner, a database and a business graphics package software packages in CP/M are supplied complete with BBC — all 'linkable'. RS232 cable. Three superb software packages in CP/M are G800/2: 2945(a) Full Spec. & prices on application. supplied — these clearly show that Torch are not new to the communications scene': UNIVIEW for PRESTEL type use, Z80 Card ZEP100 with PERFECT Software Packages allowing saving of frames, downloading of files etc. UNITERM + Z80 Basic £299 (a) is a sophisticated terminal emulator. UNIMAIL is an amazing Z80 Disc Pack ZDP240 with software as above £699 (a) specifically for users. Among other facilities, package TORCH 20Mb Hard Disc + 1 x 400K Floppy Drive £1,950 (a) it allows messages and files to be accessed from distant UNICOMM Communications Package + modem £161 (a) machines — access to files can be controlled by hierarchial Unicorn 68000, Unix OS/Z80B/256K, 20MB passwords. Hardware + software: £1 59(a) Hard Disc, 400K Floppy £2995 (a) PRINTERS Technomatic All prices exclude VAT ALL PRINTERS HAVE A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE

DOT mflTRIX PRINTER ACCESSORIES KAGA TAXAN: * Epson Compatible Control codes EPSON Paper * 80 or 156 Column Roll Holder£17(d)FX80TractorAttachment£37(c). * Interfaces: 8143 RS232£28(c); 8148 RS232 + 2K£57(c); NEAR LETTER QUALITY Print using 23 x 18 matrix 8132 Apple ll£60(c); 8165 IEEE + Cable£65(c). * Text Modes include Normal, Italic, Enlarged, Condensed, Serial & Parallel Interfaces with larger buffers available. Super/Sub Script, Proportional Ribbons: RX/FX/MX80£5.00(d); RX/FX/MX 100£10(d); * Dot Addressable graphics in various modes FX80 Dustcover£4.50(d) * 3K buffer which can also hold user defined characters KAGATAXAN: RS 232 Interface + 2Kbuffer£85(c); Ribbon KP810/910£6(d) * Extra socket for eprom with custom made font * JUKI: RS232 lnterface£65(c); Friction & Tractor feed with built in paper roll holder Spare Daisy Wheel£14(d); Ribbon£2.50

KP910(156column)£359(a) BBC Printer Lead: Parallel (42")£7(d);Serial£7(d) EPSON: Printer Leads can be supplied to any other length. The industry standard printer offering the quality, reliability and Plain Fanfold Paper with extra fine perforation (Clean Edge): versatility. 20009.5" x 11"£13(b) 2000 14.5" x 11"£18.50(b) Labels: 2-3/4" x 1-7/16" in quantitiesof 1000 RX80T £21 5 (a) RX80FT £225 (a) Single Row:£5.25/1000(d); Triple Row:£5.00.'1000(d) RX100 £345 (a) FX80 £318 (a) FX100 £435 (a) PRINTER SHARER/BUFFER DAISY WHEEL A unique printer sharer/buffer that provides a simple way to improve the utilisation of the installed equipment by reducing the BROTHER HR15: * 14 cps • 3K Buffer • Two colour printing waiting time for printing documents. All but the smallest * Porportion spacing * Underline * Bold & Shadow printing documents tie up the computer while being printed •super/Subscript + many other features. and the computer remains out of use until the printing is complete. This is BROTHER HR15 £349 (a) more so in a network which does not have a dedicated computer for printer operation. This buffer/sharer would free the computers JUKI 6100: * 15 cps • 2K Buffer • Switchable 10/12/15 cpi almost immediately for other uses and in many cases make the use * Proportional printing * Linear Motor for max reliability. of dedicated printer server machines unnecessary. JUKI 6100 £340 (a) "Standard Centronics interface with 3 inputs. VIEW PRINTER DRIVER FOR FX80/KP610~ " Each input port scanned every 5 sees to check for data. This driver allows the use of all FX80s fonts to be used in text Switching between ports written using the VIEW rom. If user defined characters are held in completely automatic. * Data input rate 4800 the printer buffer they can also be used within the text. Manual and bytes/sec Disc includes examples of document layout and user definable * LED Bargraph indicates characters. Supplied on 40 or 80 Track disc £7(d) percentage memory used. Printer * COPY key allows current Drivers for NEC PC8023, Brother HR15 and Juki 6100....£7(d) document to be reprinted. GRAPHICS PLOTTER/WORK * Internal check to prove the STRTION data integrity. Equally at home in the artists studio, hobbyists workshop, •PAUSE switch allows science lab or a classroom, this system has something to offer for printing to be stopped everyone. The 3 colour graphics plotter provides both precision temporarily to allow paper change, adjust form feed etc. and versatility. The carriage can be moved with an accuracy of or allows temporary storage 0.025cm over an A4 area — the plotter being able to accept paper for large number of small files and far thicker materials at sizes of up to A3. The basic plotter which can all be printed together. carries 3 colour pens each of which is software selectable. * RESET all Additional accessories greatly enhance the versatility of the unit allows buffer memory to be cleared without having to hard break on the computer. without loosing the accuracy. The servo controlled drill/router, * 64K buffer capacity. * Mainspowered * and scriber can be used on various materials. A unique Opto Compact 7cm x 17cm x 24cm Sensor (using a Hewlett Packard device) turns the plotter into a high-res scanning digitiser to read & store whole diagrams and TSB 64 Buffer/Sharer £245(a) photographs. Cable Set £30

PRINTER & COfTlPUTER SHARERS

Three Computers to one printer (parallel)£65(b) Six Computers to one printer (parallel)£129(b) Cable Set for three way sharer (ea. 1m long) £25(c) Cable Set for six way sharer (ea. 1 m long)£45(c) Above sharers can be powered from the BBC Exernal mains adaptor for Printer Sharer£7(d) Computer Sharer to connect 2 printers to one Computer (parallel)£19.50(c) Workstation Complete £490(a) Basic Plotter £270(a) GRftFPflD Drill/Router Attachment £79(c) A low cost graphic tablet offering the performance & durability required by industrial Opto Sensor £72(c) and educational users. It is compact, accurate & reliable; working area 240 x 192mm + menu area. Power Supply: PS12V £42(c) PS24V £78(c) Comes complete with a CAD package. £1 10(b). 01-208 1177 DISC DRIVES Please add carriage: (a) £H: £1.50: (d) €1 and VAT al 15" o In order. C"arria»e (a) si'iil l»> Dalaposl mONITORS

All monitors supplied with BBC lead | | MICROVITEC 14" RGB 1431 Standard Resolution £1 75(a) 1451 Medium Resolution £21 5(a) 1441 Hi Resolution £399(a) drives come fitted with high quality slimline 14" RGB with PAL & Audio TECHNOMATIC disc MICROVITEC Japanese mechanisms and represent the state of art in disc drive receive TV programs thru a Video Recorder These monitors can technology. They are built to highest standards and are all tested to 1431AP Standard Resolution £210(a) their full performance capability before packaging. Single drives are integral power supply whilst the dual drives Medium Resolution £310(a) offered with or without 1451AP are supplied with generously rated switch mode power supply. are painted in hard wearing BBC 20" Attractively designed steel casings MICROVITEC RGB matching paint. All drives can operate in single and double density 2031 Std Res £260(a) 2040CS Hi Res £570(a) modes. Drives are supplied with cables, manual and formatting disc and are ready to be fitted to the computer. KAGATAXAN 12" RGB Single Drives 1 x 100K40TSS:TS55A£1 00(a) CS55A with psu£1 25(a) VISION II Hi Res£245(a) 1 x 400 K40/80TDS:TS55F£1 60(a) CS55F with psu£1 79(a) III Super Hi Res £345(a) VISION 1 x 100K 3" Hitachi 40TSS£100(b)

MONOCHROME MONITORS: Dual Drives 12" SANYO DM81 12CX Hi Res Green Screen £99(a) 2 X 100K40TSS:TD55Awithpsu£260(a) KAGA KX1201G Hi Res 12" Etched Green Screen £106

£8: (l>> (e) £1.50; £1 Please add carriage: (a) £2.511 VIEW Word Processor Rom on special offer at £48(c). and VAT al 15"o lo order. Carriage (a) sen! l>> Dalaposl This is the new version V2.1. Advantages include being able to print straight from memory, as well as editing in any mode. Complete with comprehensive manuals to Acorns usual high standard. ACORN IEEE INTERFACE WORDWISE One of the most popular word processors for general use Wordwise SpellCheck Disc — A must for any serious word processor This interface enables a BBC computer to control any scientific £34(d). user. Normal price £1 6.50(d). If bought with Wordwise: No p&p and only £14. and technical equipment that conforms to the IEEE488 standard, sacrificing at a lower price than other systems, but without any ULTRRCflLC This new version of the successful spreadsheet standard. interface can link up to 14 separate aspect of the The program has several enhancements to increase its power and compatible devices. Typical applications are in experimental IEEE flexibility including: * Operation in any mode * Greater printer work in academic and industrial laboratories, with the advantage flexibility incl. control codes £ sign definition * runs as HICALC of speed, accuracy and repeatability. The interface is mains with 6502 second processor allowing 44K of space in any mode powered and comes with cables, IEEEFS ROM, and user guide. * Spooling as ASCII text files. These features are in addition to the £282(a) existing powerful features such as handling of labels as well as numbers as values, allowing search by a meaningful name rather ACORN TELETEXT INTERFACE than just a number. Facilities and commands include: variable column width, sum, replicate, insert, delete, justify and most This interface allows the retrieval and storage of data transmitted mathematical functions. You can create and manipulate pricelists, by both BBC and IBA. There are currently many educational and balance sheets, payroll, c/flow order entry, small databases and other programs being transmitted, and this unit will allow their scientific calculations. £69(c) retrieval absolutely free. In 'Terminal' mode, the system receives VIEWSHEET Ask for details £52(c) and decodes pages from both Ceefax and Oracle. (These pages can be stored). In Telesoftware' mode, the system can load, run and BCPL A full implementation of the BCPL compiler language from unit gives execute programs that are transmitted. This you a Acornsoft. It consists of the BCPL language ROM and a disc containing the professional teletext terminal at a cost effective price. £195(b) BCPL Compiler, a Screen Editor, a 6502 Assembler, other utilities and program development aids, and some examples of BCPL code. A comprehensive 450 page user guide is included. It can be used to develop games programs and commerical packages, to develop system software, to DflTRBRSE mRNRGEmENT SYSTEm write control systems, and to produce programs which otherwise would need to be written in assembler. £86(b). BCPL CALCULATIONS PACKAGE; supplied on disc, it supports floating GOTliniDATAGEM point, fixed point and fast integer calculations. It includes the BCPL calculation files, example files and a comprehensive user guide. £17. 30(b). UTILITY ROmS

DISC DOCTOR This general purpose ROM adds 20 commands to the DFS system. It includes a formatter, sector editor, tape-disc & disc-tape routines, a powerful disassembler, commands for listing function key definitions for editing etc. This ROM will obliviate the need to go for non The Definitive Random Access, 24K ROM Based DATABASE standard DFS systems (with their inherent disadvantages) as it overcomes MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. many of the Acorn DFS's shortcomings. £28(d). Datagem is the first truly flexible database for the BBC Micro that can make your system really useful and efficient, saving you money in the long run. Contains a full machine code monitor including features such The system includes a carrier board containing two Eproms, demonstration GREfTtLIN as a dissassembier, memory move and search routines. Also feature a full applications disc in both 40/80T, professional documentation with quick expression evaluator and an assembler. Can single step through ROM & reference card, and 'Trans' utility program. Features include: 'almost RAM as well as any sideways ROM. Works in any mode with full status unlimited file size (max 10MByte) "supports up to 4 drives 'Max of 5000 display. Up to 8 breakpoints can be used and it has a special mode for records per file "max 6K record size "max of 62 fields "9 level hierarchical graphic programs. £28(d). search system with facilities to store results of searches. Searches can be debugging any one of the following: Search, Include, Exclude, Combine, Common or Difference "user defined variables "generates form letters from records. EXITION This extended machine code editor provides 35 new commands. Please ask for leaflet. £1 12(c). Features include machine code relocator, single stepping, memory search and full assembler & dissassembier. £20(d).

fiCORNSOFT/miRLE TOOLKIT This ROM adds 27 new commands to the BBC BASIC. These include a full screen editor, merge, relocating data in memory, program variables and memory search. £23(d). Business Software compactor, listing of CARETAKER This adds 17 new commands to the BASIC which include: A well designed, cost effective business system, having the renumber, squash, exchange insert, single key entry of BASIC keywords etc. advantage of being able to purchase packages individually, with £28(d). the option of, possibly later, linking them with other packages. INVOICING, ORDER PROCESSING, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, GRAPHICS ROfn This ROM includes over 28 new graphics related ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, STOCK CONTROL, PURCHASING, commands which can be used in BASIC programs. Features include: MAILING SYSTEM. each. sprites. LOGO Turtle graphics, fill routines, shading, large characters, £22(d) * rotation, scaling and 3D plotting all using ' ' commands. £28(d). SPECIAL CLEARANCE OFFER PRINTffiASTER This ROM features the most versatile screen dump for EPSON MX/RX/FX80 and Kaga 810 printers. It supports three types of the screen to dumped. Colours Hell Driver; Swoop; Galactic dumps. The first allows any graphics on be of grey. part of the screen can be printed at any Felix in the Factory; Alien Swirl; Commander; appear as shades Any orientations. dump may Laser Command; Demon Decorator; Where?; position on the paper in any one of four The screen magnified any factor 2, x 3, x 4 etc. A special feature allows true Martian Attack; Android Attack; Labyrinth of La be by x 7 screen dumps with TELETEXT text & graphics. The second dump Cybertron Mission; Danger UXB; Coshe: MODE allows any text to be dumped whilst the third dump will print the contents of Alien Destroyers: Footer; Chemistry; a file on disc whilst the computer is doing other things. This is not all. All Chess; Moon Raider; Physics; printer functions can be called up using the * command. * DEFINE allows Escape from Moon ZARM; Constellation the user to define his own characters and store them. *GPRINT allows Alpha; Eldorado Gold; Croaker. Base printing of enlarged text in any position, orientation, size & shade. WINDOW allows windows to be defined in any size and position on the Only £2.50(d) each screen. In short this one ROM does it all. £28(d). ^AA-* ^VrW . .

SOFTWARE CP/m SOFTWARE FOR TORCH Z80 ACORN Z80 PROCESSOR

We can now supply almost any CP/M based software package in a BOOKS format suitable for the Torch Z80 and Acorn Z80 second processors. The following are generally available from stock. (NoVATp&p £1.50 per book) Let your BBC Teach U To Program £3.50 Disc Programming Techniques DBASE II £365 (a) WORDSTAR £295 (a) MAILMERGE £145 (a) 100 Programs for the BBC E6.95 BBC WORDSTAR/MAILMERGE COMBINED £395 (a) 30 Hour Basic. £6.95 Disc Systems £6.95 35 Educational Progs £6.95 Discovering DBASE II TUTORIAL (All Lessons on Disc) £32 (c) BBC M'Code ..£6.95 6502 Applications..: £10.95 Essential PROPASCAL E220(a) CP/M TUTOR £55(c) Maths BBC/Electron . £5,96 6502 Assembly Lang Programming £13.95 Foith ..£7.50 for your specific requirements. Phone 6502 M.'Code (or Beginners ££5.95 Friendly Computer Book ..£6.95 Please specify the type of format (TORCH or ACORN) required. 6522 VIA Book...... £4.50 Graphics on the BBC Micro £6.95

6809 Assembly Lang Programming. . £13.95 Graphs & Charts ..£7.50 Advanced Basic Rom UserGuide ....£7.95 H/Bk of progs/tuncts for BBC .6.95 Advanced Graphics with BBC £9.95 fTllCROTEXT Instant Arcade Games BBC ..£2.95 Advanced M/C for the BBC £7.95 This authoring Interfacing Projects BBC ..£6.95 system was developed by the National Physical Advanced Prog Tech for BBC £8.95 Interfacing the 6502 £10.95 Laboratories. It is a programming system designed to simplify the Advanced 6502.. £11.75 Intro BBC Micro . l.h.95 production of a wide range of man-computer dialogues. Using Advance User Guide £12.50 Intro to Pascal £12.95 Microlext's Assembly Lang Prog on the simple commands, the user can draw up any number of BBC £8.95 LISP . £7.50 •frames', each containing text and/or graphics. A series of frames build Assembly Lang for the BBC £8.95 Making. Music on the BBC Computer. .. £5.95 into Assembly Lang Prog for Electron £6.00 up a complete module. Each program can consist of more than one Mastering CP/M ..£7.95 Assembly Lang Programming module. Using Microtext, an expert in any field can construct their own Micro BBC Basic Sound Graphics . . £7.95 Bimbaum £8.95 complete courses of computer-based instructional material. MOS Memory Data Book £3.95 Basic Prog on the BBC Cryer £5.95 Applications include interviewing systems, teaching packages, training Prog. Micro with Pascal ..£8.50 Basic Rom UserGuide A. Dickens £9.95 courses and interactive demonstrations and simulations. Available on Prog the BBC Micro- £6.95 Basic II Rom User Guide £4.00 Cassette and Disc; Disc Cass Programming the 6502 £10.95 £53

Elite Cassette & Disc versions available from stock. (Disc version for 40TSS or 80TDS). EDUCATIONAL PROGRfimiTlES RepliCQ II 40 & 80 Track Versions available. £10.35(d) A selected range of cassette based software for all the family to enjoy and at the same time arouse curiosity and create an interest in Printer Drivers On disc 40 or Track 80 Disc computers. Apart from providing hours of fun they will also help teach RX/FX80/KAGA/NEC PC8023/JUKI 6100/BROTHER HR15 £7(d). the young ones fundamentals of English and Maths without them

realising it. Design Design is a second processor which allows information to be displayed in a format suitable for demonstrations, slide projections, fTlr T's Alphabet Games Watch how quickly the children learn to handouts or presentations. Graphs, Pie charts & Bar Charts are quickly identify, name & match the letters and also write them correctly. produced; automatically drawn & scaled. Versatile labelling facility, 24 Amusing sound effects and animated graphics make learning fun. £7(d). User defined, 4 large macro characters plus screen dump facilities included. £16.50(d) Disc (80 or 40 Track). Number Gulper A gripping fast moving game that helps develop arithmetic skills. 19 levels of skill to cater for all ability levels. Even Superplot Superplot is ideal for screen representations of parents might find upper levels embarassing. £7(d). mathematical functions. It will plot on automatically scaled axes, in Cartesian, Polar or Parametric co-ordinate systems and will allow Words Words Words A stimulating game to help young children overlapping of graphs. Cass £8. 50(d). with reading & spelling. Pictures are shown on the screen and Ihe child has to type in the name of the object shown. If correct, the object takes Spellcheck Menu driven spelling checker for Wordwise or VIEW. its place in a scene. When all objects have been correctly identified the Dictionary contains 6000 words and is expandable to 17000 on 100K scene comes to life. £7(d). disc. £1 6.50(d)Disc (80 or 40 Track) Specify whether Wordwise or VIEW.

Tree of Knowledge A interactive program that teaches Dlasterfile A general purpose data base that is extremely useful, categorisation. The computer is first educated about a group of objects allowing vast amounts of information to be stored. The disc version — e.g. plants or birds. The database, or tree created in this way is then allows up to 17 fields per record, and the only limitation as to the used in playing a guessing game. Two sample databases are supplied on number of records is the capacity of the disc. Typically, using 5 fields, the program. New databases are saved and loaded from within the about 2000 records may be stored on a disc. 216.50(d) Disc. WOK programs. £7(d).

Te/etext Pack An editor enabling colourful mode 7 screens to be Royal Quiz Pit your knowledge of Royalty against Anthony Holden. quickly ceated. Powerful facilities including a graphics character the Royal Biographer. Do you know who told the queen that she didn't definer, speed up screen creation and design. Screens can be loaded or recognise her "without her crown on"? The quiz will tease, teach and saved in the normal way or specially saved as a Basic routine for use in entertain. £7(d). other programs. On screen teletext tutor included in the package. Ideal for setting up prestel type displays £16.50(d) Disc (80 or 40T). EPROMS:8K 2764-25 £5.0(Xd);8K 2764-30 £4.90 16K27128-25 £18.00o..is Hill 2 m.n, walk, ample car parkin* S pace) ,, or |as , ^l^^^^r ,»««»* I: 305 EdRw.re Road. London W2. Tel: 01-723 0233 V|SA or Acmcard or offlcla , order „„„„„,, (Near Ed ware Road K ^ I (Minimum telephone order £5.

ORDERS FROM (.ON I KW1I vi I si \HI ISHMENTS, UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, STATE SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, M VIIONAI l\ RECOGNISED PLCs WELCOME. 8

I. i B.B.C.MICRi A two player game of dexterity set in Hazard County. Beat v-J V your opponent to the jewels, and gold with the help of your band of cronies. Includes police cars and one player practise option. (BBC version: joystick & keyboard control). Cassette: £6.95.

Disk: £9.£5. ;

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MICRO POWER LTD.. NORTHWOOD HOUSE. NORTH STREET. LEEDS LS7 2AA TEL: (0532) 458800 MICRO POWER SOFTWARE IS AVAILABLE FHOM SELECTED BRANCHES OF WH SMITH BOOTS. JOHN MENZIES. CO-OP WOOLWORTHS AND ALL GOOD DEALERS

AUTHORS 1 WE PAY 20% ROYALTIES 1 The best thing next

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 runningTORCH'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 to the of a gateway world 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 Econet® option, 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 __ _mmB disc to processor. and businesses it is a simple and low-cost to r ^t way achieve networking facilities. Torch Z80 Disc Pack The discs can be used for storage under the Acorn DFS system or for The Torch Z80 Disc Pack is the 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

' fVrt used as a Torchnet station. Writ*, The ZEP100, priced at £299, comes complete with full software support. There are already over 10,000 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.

26 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 :to a BBC micru

R H MURCOTT LTD JBCMICROSERVICESLTO WA1ERS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Where to find your Torch dealer Gieat Central Road. Loughborough 200 Earlsdon Avenue North, Rackhams. 76 The Parade Tel 0509 214444 Earlsdon, Coventry LeammqtonSpa * ... AVON DURHAM Tel 0203 73813 lei 092627900 ";">.. MICHOSTYLE DARLINGTON COMPUTER SHOP LINCOLNSHIRE MICRO BUSINESS CENTRE LTD Wolverhampton WILTSHIRE 29 Belvedere lansdowne Road 75 Bondgate, Darlington FELIX COMPUTERS Computer Centre 1719 Lichfield WILTSHIRE MICRO CENTRE Bath Tel 0325487478 63 Wide Burgate, Boston Street Unit 9, Central Trading Estate Tel 0255334659 Tel 020554321 Wolverhampton Signal Way. Town. ESSEX OAKLEAF COMPUTERS Tel 0902 29907/29021 Old Swindon Tel 0793612299 BEDFORDSHIRE AKHTER INSTRUMENTS LTD Bells Yard, Dysart Road Grantham NORFOLK 30 COMPUTERS 28 Burnt Hill, Harlow Tel 0476 60000 JARROLO OFFICE EOUIPMENI YORKSHIRE (SOUTH] I Manor Road. Caddinglon. Luton Tel 0279443521 Barrack Sheet. Norwich COM-TEC COMPUTER CENTRE Tel 0582 458575 CAPRICORN COMPUTER CENTRE L0NO0N Tel 0603660661 23 Sheffield Road. Barnsley ABC COMPUTING 37-38 Osbume. Colchesler 3D COMPUTERS SYNERGY LTD Tel 0226 46972.0226296100 Systems House, Houghton Paraeli Tel 020688471 114 Gunnersbury Avenue. Ealing. W5 Dunstable E Block, University Village Norwich WATERS COMPUTER SYSTEMS ESSEX COMPUTER CENTRE LTD Tel: 01-9925855 Tel 0603 503015 Tel 0582699640 Rackhams. 50 High Street Sheffield 216 Moulsham Street BRAINSTORM COMPUTER ELECTRONEQUIP Tel 074228121 BROADWAY ELECTRONICS On-The-Parkway, Chelmsford SOLUTIONS 17 Tenneyson Avenue, Kings lynn Aston Road, Bedford Tel 0245358702 103a Seven Sisters Road. N7 YORKSHIRE (WEST) Tel 05533782 Tel: 0234 58303 MICR0C0RE LTD Tel 01-2726619,01-2636926 ELTEC COMPUTERS LTD DATASINE 5BroomfieldRoad Chelmslord CHROMASONIC NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Lister Hills. Science Park 59 North Street leighton Buzzard Tel 0245264230 Campus Road, Bradford 48 Junction Road Archway. NI9 ATAN COMPUTERS LTO Tel; 0525374200 Tel 0274 722512 Tel: 01-263 9493 T/A COMPUTER MARKET SLOUCESTERSHIRE LION LTD 27 Goosegate, Nottingham G1M COMPUTERS LTO BERKSHIRE HOUSE (RETAIL) COMPUTER SHACK 227 Tottenham Court Road. W1 Tel 0602586454 864 York Road, Leeds 3D COMPUTERS 14 Pittville Street, Cheltenham Tel 0532647474 Tel 01-580 7383 G A COMPUTERS LID 2B Stanley Road, Newbury Tel 0242584343 ACORN COMPUTERS LTD 20/22 High Sheet. Ruddinglon MICROPOWER Tel 063530047 TELEMATICS Northwood House, North Sheet WEST 10 Henrietta Street, WC2 Nottingham DPCE (UK) LTD 31 Dyer Street. Cirencester Tel: 01-379 7358 Tel 0602 213492. 0602 211225 Leeds 26/28 Market Place, Wokingham Tel 028568349 Tel 0532 45B800 MICROAGE HN&L FISHER (HUTHWAITE) LTD Tel 0734 790703 Unit 72. Capitol Park Estate 264 Huthwaile Road HAMPSHIRE WALES, NORTH MICR0STYLE Capitol Way. Edgware Road, NW9 Sutton in Ashfield. Nottingham Newbury Computer Centre ADACS TECHNEG LTO Tel: 01-9063666, 01-957 7119 Tel 0623 553437 CLWYD TECHNICS 47 Street, Newbury Foresters House. Cheap 4 London Road MICROFAST Unit 4b. Antelope Ind. Estate Tel 07535 56211 Andover OXFORDSHIRE Rydymwyn. Mold, Clwyd 57 Hoxton Square, N1 Tel 026452187 VIDEO lei 035283766 MICR0WISE Tel: 01-729 1778 ABSOLUTE SOUND AND 21 Duke Street. Reading ELECTR0NE0UIP 19 Old High Street. Headington 1RYFAN COMPUTERS LTD WATERS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Tel 0734 591816 34/38 West Street, Fareham Oxford 57 Madoc Street. Llandudno Barkers. High Street, Kensington,W8 Tel 0329230670 Tel 086565961 Gwynedd Tel 01-9375432 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE C0MPUTERWAY LTD Tel 0492 70802 PILOT SOFTWARE CITY SHROPSHIRE MICRO MASTERS (RUISLIP) LTD Brook House, Mllbtook Road East WALES. SOUTH 32 Ralhbone Place. W1 6 Windsor Street, Uxbrirlge Southamptonoad East COMPUTER VILLAGE LTD Tel 01-6362666 Walker House, Tellord Town Centre BUCON LTD Tel 0895 707B6 Tel 070338868,048362626 35-36 Singleton Street. TECHNOMATICLTD Telford Swansea MICR0STYLE FERRAN1IAND CRAIG West Glamorgan 17 Burnley Road. NW10 Tel 0952506771 Friars Square. Aylesbury 52 5 New Market Square, Basingstoke Tel 0792467980 Tel: 01-452 1500, 01-450 6597 Tel 029625487 Tel 025664015,025669966 STAFFORDSHIRE TOMORROWS WORLD TODAY GWENT COMPUTERS CANNOCK ITEC 95 Chepslon Road, Newport. Gwent CAMBRIDGESHIRE HERTFORDSHIRE 27-29 Oxford Street, Wl Chaseloy House Tel 0633841760 Tel. 01-439 7799 CAMBRIDGE COMPUTER STORE (2) 30 COMPUTERS New Penkndge Road, Cannock HIGHLANDS COMPUTER SYSTEMS 4 Emmanuel Street. Cambridge Greystone Works. The Green TRIGON COMPUTER SYSTEMS LTD Tel 05435 77039 27 Murray Street. Llanelli Oyfed Tel 0223358264 Croxley Green. Rickmansworth 98 Victoria Road NW10 01-9611466 COMPUTERAMA lei 05542 70517 GCC (CAMBRIDGE) LTD Tel; 0923 779250 Tel 59 Foregate Street Stafford PRINTRONICLTO 66 High Street. Sawslon. Cambridge COMPUTER PLUS OFF RECORDS Tel 078541899 Hill House, Raglan, Gwent Tel 0223835330 47 Queens Road, Watford Computer House. 59 Battersea Rise PEN SPEED LID Tel 0291 690214 SW11 Tel 01-223 7730 HI-TEK DISTRIBUTION LTD Tel 092333927 Wharf House, Fradley Junction IralalgarWay, Bar Hill, Cambndge SYSGO LTO Alrewas, Burton on Trent SCOTLAND Tel 095481931 HUM8ERSIDE Hawkehouse. Green Street. Tel 0283 790338 ANDREWWHYTE&SONLIMITEO Sunbury on Thames THE COMPUTER CENTRE Microwoild 12 Leven Street CHESHIRE Tel 09327 B9571 (HUMBERSI0E) LTD SUFFOLK Tolcross, Edinburgh 3SL COMPUTERS LTD 26 Anlaby Road. Hull COMPUTER TWICKENHAM CENTRE BRAINWAVE MICROS LTD Tel 0312281111 Brook House, 513 Crewe Road 72 Heath Road, Twickenham Tel 0482 26297 24 Crown Street, Ipswich WESTCOASI Wheelock Tel 01-891 4991 HOLDERNESS COMPUTER Tel 047350965 PERSONAL COMPUTERS Tel 09367 61249,0936761798 SERVICES TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION S J EMERY & CO 20 Wellington Square, Ayr FAIRHURST INSTRUMENTS LTD Patnngton. Hull !7Westgate MANCHESTER. 6REATER 10 Market Place, Bungay Tel 0292285082 Oean Court, Woodlord Road Torch Z80 Extension Processor (ZEP100) Tel 0964 30225 BYTE SHOP Tel 0986 2141 Wilmslow C0MMSC0T1 LTD THE (MANCHESTER) LTD - 30 Gordon Street. Glasgow Processor 1 MHz Z80A Tel 0625525694 ISLE OF MAN SURREY 11/12 Gateway House. Strathclyde NATIONAL MICRO CENTRES LTD TYPESTYLE PicadillySlation Approach 3D COMPUTERS Memory - (i'lK RAM Accessible from theZ8() LTD Tel 0412264878 36-38 St Petersgate. Stockport lAvondaleCourt, Onchan Manchester 230 Tolwurth South Surbiton COMPUTER SERVICES (SCOTLAND) Tel 061 429 6080 Tel 0624 24650 Tel 061 236 4737 Tel 01-3374317 Firmware - SK CCCP R( )M on ZEP100 card 89/90 Westlaw Place STOCKPORT MICRO CENTRE GMCUS MICRO SERVICES 3D COMPUTERS - Whilehill Ind Estate, Glenrothes, Fife 16K MCP ROM for BBC board 4 Brown Street, Stockport KENT The St Thomas Centre 30 Station Road, Belmont, Sutton lei 0592 773710 Tel 0614800539 DATA STORE, Ardwick Green North. Manchester Tel 01-6422534 LORNE COMPUTER SERVICES LTD Software provided THE () Tel 061 273 6480 CROYDON COMPUTER CENTRE CLEVELAN0 12 High Street. Oban. Argyll 6 Chatterton Road, Bromley NSC COMPUTER SHOPS 29a Brigstock Road.Thointon Heath - TORCH CPN CP/M® compatible O/S Tel 063165635 AUTOCALL COMPUTERS LTD Tel 01-4608991 29 Hanging Ditch. Manchester Tel 01-6891280 SILICON 17 Middlesbrough CENTRE - Disc Utilities Road, Southbank WATERS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Tel 061832 2269 DATASOLVELTD Middlesbrough 7Anhgua Sheet. Edinburgh Army and Navy PLC, High Street 99 Staines Road West - Tel 031557 4546 Music System Tel 0642 468618, 0642 722064 Bromley MERSEVSIDE Sunbury on Thames - Misc. Utilites CUSTOMISED ELECTRONICS Tel 01-4609991 DATA EXCHANGE LTD Tel 0932785566 IRELAND (NORTHERN) 155 Morton Road, Middlesbrough Exchange House, KENT MICROCOMPUTERS LTD J S SIMNET COMPUTERS LTD CEM MICROCOMPUTER SERVICES - PERFECT* SOFTWARE comprising - Tel 0642247727 164 New Chester Road, Birkenhead 57 Union Street, Maidstone UnilM.SI Georges Ind Estate 117 University Street. Belfast Tel 062252784 Tel 05164791B5/6 380 Richmond Road Perfect Writer - Word Processor CORNWALL Tel 0232244111,0232243564 MEDWAY MICROMAN (SHAVE ELECTRONICS) Kingston Upon-Thames COMPUTERS LTD IRELAND (SOUTHERN) MICR0TEST LTD tel 01-5411495 Perfect Speller-Spelling Checker 141 New Road. Chatham Unit la, Rainlordlnd Estate, 18 Normandy Way, Bodmin LENDAC DATA SYSTEMS Tel: 0634 826080 Mill Lane, Rainlord, St Helens VULCAN COMPUTING UO Perfect Calc - Spreadsheet lei 020831717 Tel 074488 5242, B Dawson Streel. Dublin 2 M00ATA LTD 0744B8 5295 32 Guildford Road. Fainham lei 0001 710226, 0001 710796 Tel 0252 724182 Perfect Filer - Database DERBYSHIRE 30 St. Johns Road Tunbndge Wells Tel 089241555 MI01AN0S(WEST| FBC SYSTEMS LTD SUSSEX Other Operating Systems Available BYTE SHOP THE (BIRMINGHAM) 10 Main Centre, London Road Derby CASTLE ELECTRONICS LANCASHIRE 94-96 Hurst Street. Birmingham Tel 0332365280 - p-System 7 Castle Street, Hastings UCSD CABIN COMPUTERS LTD Tel 021-6223165 NASTAR COMPUTER SYSTEMS LTD lei 0424 426844 183 St Helens Road. Bolton WATERS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Torch Z80 Disc Pack. As forZEPlOO but 57 Saltergate Chesterfield Tel 0204652100 COMPUTAID LTD 0246207048 Rackhams, 35 Temple Row Tel 22 Queens Road. Brighton includes 2 x 400K 5 ! i" floppy disc drives with D0UBLELINE LTD Birmingham Tel 0273 204228 Tal 0212363333 separate power supply unit DEVON Unit 2. Forrest Way A&0 COMPUTERS Gateworth Industrial Estate. STARMER COMPUTERS LTD TYNE1WEAR Great Sankey. Warrington Street Unicorn. These products are part of the best 6 City Arcade. Fore Street Exeter Richmond House. 69 School HCCS Tel Tel 77117 0925573212 Wolverhampton 0392 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 Churchfield Road. Frodsham WALTERS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Torch Ltd, The White House 39TotnesRoad Tel 0632821924 Computers Abberley House, Warrington 12 Hagley Road. Stourbridge Paignton OFFICE INTERNATIONAL Tel 092835110 lei 03843 70811 Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB2 5LQ. Tel 0803526303 W Harold Spink Ltd CAMDEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS 112/114 Pilgrim Sheet Tel. 8-11000. LEICESTERSHIRE (0223) Telex 818841 TORCH G. DORSET 462 Coventry Road. Small Heath Newcaslle-Upon Tyne LANSDOWNE COMPUTER CENTRE D A COMPUTERS LTD Birmingham lei 0632 610285 5 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth 104 London Road, Leicester Tel 0217713636 Tel 020220165 Tel 0533 549407 COMPUTACCOUNT WARWICKSHIRE LANSDOWNE COMPUTER CENTRE PERCY LORO& SON 21 Spring Hill. Ladywood. CARVELLS0FRUG8* 14 ArndaleCenlie, Poole 63 Blaby Ruad Wigston Birmingham 9 Bank Street. Rugby TORCH Tel 020267091 Tel 0533 785033 Tel 02)2363455 lei 0/8865275 COMPUTERS "*W*

Prices quotedareex VAi.tr M liaregislered trademark of Digital Research I ni I I is a registered Iradcinarkol \cornComi irslld. Perfect Softwai Lighting the way ahead. registered trademark ol Perfect Software Inc. Text, graphics and keyboard provided by BBC Model R

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 27 ' 1i 1 i i # i r * ' 1 - NEWS FEATURE

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* I * m . # i # i •• i 1 I ® I J i i® i ®®i i®i®i® 11 1 ®# I 1 1 1 i i ®i i® i ®* i ®i 1 1®® 4 § ® ® i tit 1 »®# 1 1 i i i ® ®® i • i ®® i ## i i ® i ® mm i i m® i i ® i '••i..n.*i.**-l***t i®i®®i i®i®t L ' >• 1 1 ## 1 } ®® 1 ? ® 1 ®® 1 I ® 1 ! ® 1 1 % i ®® i ®® ! 1 ®® 1 ® i i ®® i ®®® i •® i ® i } mm i mi mi i ®® i ®® i ®® 1 ®® 1 1 i ®® i i ® i i i® i 1 ®®^ i 11 m ®- mm i i i#i ®®i ®i^ *% ^ ! #®,1 ® T DOMESDAY PLUS 900

William I's great survey, completed in 1086, inspires a

massive project nine centuries later. Tony Quinn reports

THE BBC is to give the British computers, aims to do more in just two. the geography, amenities and land use people the chance to write a To those schools which decide to in the area. As well as this, they will be modern, video disc version of participate the BBC will allocate a local asked to write about the area in their William the Conqueror's Domesday area 12 kilometres square based on own words. Armstrong stresses that Book to celebrate its 900th anniversary Ordnance Survey maps. With the maps they will be able to add anything and in 1986 - with the help of BBC micros in will come a set of discs containing a comment on the issues affecting them,

schools. The resources and expertise database questionnaire asking about as long as it is publishable! of several of the Corporation's depart- ments and the Open University are to be used, and schools will be offered the WHAT IS INTERACTIVE VIDEO? chance to collate the information. THE technology that Philips is developing with the BBC is based around the But Peter Armstrong, Editor of the video laster disc player. In this system, the video information, until recently just Domesday Project and the man who TV pictures, is recorded on a disc similar to a gramophone record. This is then thought of the idea, stresses that he coated in a very tough see-through plastic which means the disc can be marked wants to involve everyone. 'We hope to or scratched without affecting its ability to be played. The disc is read in the mobilise communities. Everyone will player by a laser beam and contains about 30 minutes' worth of TV pro- have the chance to contribute some- grammes. thing,' he says, 'with the schools acting As well as TV pictures, the disc can store still pictures, computer graphics, as a focus and providing the computer. text, maps and computer data. When the information is stored so that it can be Parents and local societies can help read by a computer, it can be manipulated by software on the video disc (or collect data and then there are 80,000 another program), and still or moving pictures can be overlaid with graphics pictures to taken for the be disc. hence the term 'interactive'. Information can only be read from the disc and not The BBC will be writing to all 30,000 written to it. It can act as a read-only floppy disc because it has random access schools in Britain to ask them whether capabilities - the laser head can read from any part of the video disc, just as a they want to participate in collecting hi-fi stylus can play any selected piece of music on a record. However, the facts during the summer term next access time is slower than that of a normal disc drive. year. It is estimated that 10,000 schools What makes the system different is the way the information is stored: it is not will be needed to make the scheme digital, but in a semi-analogue form. work, which would involve about a million children. A similar project was 'Interactive Video: Implications for Education and Training' is the title of a undertaken in the 1950s by Dudley working paper by John Duke which was published in 1983 by the Council for Stamp, and it is estimated that it took Educational Technology. him 16 years: the BBC, with the aid of

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 NEWS FEATURE

The school will be the centre of the project, as only by computerising the information will the idea be practical. Once the schools have sent in the discs the information will be stored on a mainframe computer. This 'people's database' will be put on one interactive video disc complete with pictures of the places and detailed Ordnance Survey maps. On another disc will be facts and figures from the census and other national databases held by the Govern- ment and the BBC. The sheer scale of the project takes some reckoning: two laser discs each holding two gigabytes - enough for half a million text pages and 80,000 pictures (including satellite shots), plus the soft- ware to manipulate the information and produce maps, bar charts and other graphics. All the maps and data will be indexed. There is no sound on the discs as this would require moving pictures; still frames make far better use of the space on the disc. But the project is not going to be merely a unique data-gathering exer- cise: the BBC and Philips, who will be producing the video disc hardware, aim to establish a world standard for laser discs. The hardware will run on other micros, although the actual Domesday (Doomsday) disc software will be written for the BBC micro. Acorn is writing the software and building the final stage interface for the video disc. Domesday should help the laser technology overcome the 'chicken and egg' situation whereby the hardware won't sell because there's no software, and no-one will write any software because there aren't enough people with the hardware to run it. The BBC's project, involving the Department of Trade and Industry, Philips and Acorn, Historian Michael Wood, who in 1986 will present a major TV documentary series on will not just create the technology; it Britain since the Conquest when the video disc Domesday is launched, leafs through the will demonstrate its potential and show original version. In preparation for the series the Domesday Book of 1086, in the National will how it can be used. Elsewhere within Archive, be withdrawn from public access to undergo cleaning and restoration the BBC, producers are talking about selling TV programmes on video disc. The Domesday disc truly is, as Arm- exactly what should go on the discs, fairly quickly,' says Armstrong, 'as we strong describes it, 'a portrait in data how the questions will be asked and realised the tremendous educational and pictures of Britain and the British, how the information should be pre- opportunity it presented.' It will also containing twice as much information sented. The variety of information to demonstrate the possibilities of a tech- as a complete set of the Encyclopaedia choose from is enormous - everything nology that many people in the BBC Britannica. from tree counts to folk music - and the believe will revolutionise education, he

Armstrong came up with the idea in board's members will have to narrow it adds.

May and presented it to the BBC in down. The data will be held on a form It is seen as an ideal follow-up to the

September - the go-ahead was given on the discs so that it can be accessed Computer Literacy Project. John Rad- only at the end of October. When the by other software and used in edu- cliffe, who started the project and has video discs and hardware are released cational and other programs. now moved on to the Open University, in 1986, they will be accompanied by a The project is the biggest the BBC is heavily committed to Domesday and major TV documentary series following has ever undertaken, costing some £2 will be co-ordinating the OU's involve- the development of Britain from the million and employing about 50 people ment.'

Domesday Book to its laser-disc suc- just to produce the discs. It is a bold After updating the Domesday Book cessor. The presenter will be historian idea which Peter Armstrong believes once, will the BBC do it again and up- Michael Wood, recently seen on the only Britain, with its network of BBC date the video in, say, 20 years? Arm- BBC's River Journey series. micros in schools, could do and that strong wants to get this one out of the A special editorial board of only the resources of the BBC itself way first. He says: 'There is a temp- academics has been set up to decide could support. The idea sold itself tation to update, but we don't know.'

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 MAILABLE ON ISLAND * LOGIC

"tfou're looking at a composer.

It's hard to believe, I know. But with the aid of The Music System program, he has just written a whole 'song completely by himself. Clever boy.

"Toxteth Dawn" is the name of

the 'song.'

It's a love song. Without any knowledge of music he bought the music system program, went home,

booted it up on his dad's I One fingerand halfa brain BBC B and started to are all you need to make music create. He used the synthe- on the new Music System. siser part ofthe program to make a few noises. Added a pinch of an old song from the Song and Sound Library. Laid down some percussion. And put a hint of bassoon and strings over the top. And hey presto.

The musical answer to zits. "Toxteth Dawn." Because his dad's computer had a printer as well, the program even printed out the composition

in full musical-manuscript form.

So he could show it to the rest

of the band. And they could say. 'WOSSAT?'

Isn't it time you becameacomposer too? The brand new Music System from Island Logic.

DISK PACK £24.95 INC VAT CASSETTE 1 (SYNTHESISER, KEYBOARD, SONG AND SOUND LIBRARY) £12,95 INC VAT. CASSETTE 2 (EDITOR, PRINTOUT, SONG AND SOUND LIBRARY) £12.95 INC VAT, PLEASE ADD £1.25 PS P PER ORDER AND SEND A CHEQUE/PO, ACCESS OR VISA CARD NO. WITH ORDER TO: SYSTEM, 12 COLLEGIATE CRES.. SHEFFIELD S10 2BA. (CREDIT CARD HOTLINE 0712 682321). THIS PROGRAM IS RECORDED ON THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE QUALITY DISKS, AS SUPPLIED BY MEMOREX 5

Watford Electronics

Dept, ACORN, 33 CARDIFF ROAD, WATFORD, ENGLAND. Tel: Watford (0923) 40588/37774 Telex: 8956095 WAELEC ACCESS ORDERS Tel: (0923) 50234

Type Ribbons Dust Covers NE\N 4 COLOUR MX80FT £4.75 MX 100 FX100 £10.00 £5.25 PLOTTER PRINTER FX80 £4.75 £4.95 How often have you wished you had a colour RX80 £4.75 £4.50 plotter for your computer, but have been put off GP80 £4.50 by their high cost' Well, Watford Electronics can Micro GP100 £4.95 £3.95 now supply you with a high quality low cost elB) GP250 £5.95 £3.95 plotter with Centronics interface. The SCP-800 GP700 £18.50 printer/plotter facilitates plotting and printing in KAGAKP810 £5.95 £4.75 four colours on paper up to A4 size, using easily Only: £31 CANON PW1080 £5.95 £4.75 replaced pens. It can operate in a text mode performing like an ordinary printer capabli (Securicor carriage £7) speeds up to 12 CPS with a maximum of 160 PRINTERSHARER characters per line on A4 paper In graphics mode il offers full plotting facilities including This handy UNIT is a solid state switch system 6502 2nd PROCESSOR £175 drawing moving scaling of text, rotation and designed to ease the problems of short printer drawing of axes. Z80 2nd PROCESSOR £339 leads continual plugging and unplugging of At an incredible low price of: Securicor carriage leads and costly extra printers by allowing up to I £7) 'three computers to be connected to one printer. Only£179(£5carr) It has four parallel Centronics connectors for TORCH Z80 DISC Pack £695 easy interfacing of the BBC micro to any punter TORCH Z80 2nd Processor ONLY £295 With a Centronics capability such as daisy wheel KAGA KP810 dot matrix or plotter type printers. PRINTSHARER is ideal for schools and colleges B.BC Micro with ECONET £375 aring theii printing resources. ECONET Upgrade Kit £55 Price: £65 (C2 Carr.) File Server Level 1 £85 File Server Level 2 £215 Printer Server EPROM £41

Clock Terminators ( 1 pair) £95 BROTHER HR 15 10 Station Lead Set £25 ECONET User Guide and Cable £10 DAISY-WHEEL PRINTER TELETEXT Adaptoi £195 This is a high-quality daisy wheel printer, for the

Acorn BitStil !• £328 price of a dot matrix. Daisy-wheel quality gives a professional look to your correspondence. Facilities include 18CPS, bi-directional print. 3K Buffer with clear facility, carriage skip movement, for Micro Dust Cover BBC text copy switch, proportional spacing, What do the press say:- Protects your expensive Micro from foreign underlining, bold, shadow, super and sub-script, At €269 this is an unbeatable product for what printing in two colours. Impact control allows use - bodies while not in use. £3.50 it has to offer.'' Educational Computing. of carbon paper, Connects directly to the BBC "Offers excellent value for money.' - Electronics micro with Centronics parallel interface. RS232 & Computing, interface is an optional extra. Other options are a This new Japanese printer has EPSON FX/RX single sheet feeder that automatically feeds up to compatible control codes and is functionally EPSON 1 50 single A4 sheets and a keyboard to equivalent to an FX80 with the added advantage the printer into sophisticated transform a of its Near Letter Quality' mode. It is solidly built electronic typewriter and features include: Normal, Italic Enlarged, super/subscript, proportional spacing and SPECIALOFFER user-defined character set. Extras ovet the FX80 included in the price are Near Letter Quality ONLY £339 (carr. £7) INLQ) print ideal for correspondence, properadjustible tractor feed half speed quiet Single Sheet Feeder £195 mode and 3K buffer The printer is bi-directional Electronics KEYBOARD £135 and logic seeking to give a speed of 140CPS for TRACTOR FEED Attachment £90 high throughput in conjunction with the Sta 3K buffer 8K RAM may be added to give more RIBBON CARTRIDGES: user-defined character sets. Centronics parallel • EPSON RX80 Prints £213 Fabric £3; Carbon £3; Multistrike £6 interface * Watford's 12 month NO QUIBBLE • EPSON RX80FTPtint.'r £225 WARRANTY. • EPSON FX80 Printer £316 DAISYWHEELS (various typefaces) £18 • EPSON FX100 Printo. £435 Special Offer: ONLY £239 (£7 carr.) • SEIKOSHAGP100A £122 RS232 interface * 2 K buffer to connect toother • Centronics PRINTER CABLE fur all the LISTING PAPER (Plain) micros above printers to interface with the BBC Micro £7 £89 1 000 Sheets 9 j" Fanfold Paper £7 (Securicot carriage charge on printers C7) KAGA KP910 PRINTER 2,000 Sheets 9 J" Fanfold Paper £13 Very similar to the KP8 10 but with 17" carriage 5" 1 0U0 Sheets 1 Fanfold Paper £9 for really wide print. Gives 156 columns of RX & FX PRINTER INTERFACES Teleprinter Roll (Econn paper) £4 normal print or 256 columns in condensed mode. This printer is ideal for printing out Epson interfaces fit inside the printer to alii iw Car/rageon 1 ,000 Sheets £ 1 50 spreadsheets and can also be used for connection using techniques other than Centronics. correspondence in NLQ mode.

RS232 £35 RS232 - 2K Buffer £59 IEEE 488 £65 2K Parallel £58 PRINTER LABELS ONLY £339 (£7 carr.) (On continuous fanfold backing sheet) 36" PRINTER INTERFACE BUFFER PRINTER LEAD Centronics lead to connect BBC micro to This neatly packaged self-contained unit is 1 000 90 x 36mm £5.50 EPSON KAGA, SEIKOSHA NEC STAR JUKI, supplied complete with all leads operating 1 000 90 x 49mm £7.75 BROTHER SHINWA etc printers manual and power supply. Computer output to 1 000 102 x36mm £6.25 the printer is stored in the buffer so that the STANDARD (3 foot long) :• F'i -> £7 computer can continue with other tasks while 1 1 mei Papei u Labe n 50 EXTRA LONG (5 foot long) £10 the printer works from the stored contents in the Carnage on 1 000 Labels f 1 00 buffer 16K holds approximately 10 pages o' A4 close to the full memory of Wo'dwise Price: 16K £115 Price: 48K £149 All prices exclude VAT

32 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 5£" DISKETTES DOUBLE DENSITY Top quality 3M and XIDEX diskettes with a DISC INTERFACE lifetime guarantee. These discs are quiet in Dgiyj operation and insert positively with their reinforced hub rings. Boxes of 10 supplied with disk labels and write protect tabs.

• 10 SCOTCH/3M + labels S/SS/D £14 • 10 SCOTCH /3M + labels S/SD/D £15

• 1 SCOTCH / 3M + labels D/SD/D £22 • 1 XI DEX + labels S/SD/D £15

• 1 XIDEX * labels D/SD/D £24 NEW SLIMLINE DRIVES] DISC ALBUMS

Atractively finished in beige leather-look vinyl, these conveniently store up to 20 discs. Each disc can easily be seen through the clear view SIMPLE but SOPHISTICATED pockets. £4.25 We are proud to announce the launch of the Watford Electronics Double Density Board for the BBC micro. The DDFS supplied is a new version of the popular Watford Electronics DFS LOCKABLEDISK capabilities of re written to make full use of the (DRIVES Cased with Cables; connects the new double density controller STORAGE UNITS directly to your BBC Micro) • reasei itorage capacity of your Disc Drives naxirnum physically possible. 60 • CLS 100 Single, TEC Single sided 40 track an track • Our system will use the whole of 80 100K, 51" Disc Drive £97 ItivH Inferior systems do not allow files longer than 8.3FFFF bytes but with our system files • CLS200 Single Drive, Double sided 40 track, disc side. can be as lonq as one 200K.5i" ' £129 • Discs may be created in either single or Mitsubishi Double sided 80 double density format with the built in formatter • CLS400 Single, track Disc Drive £135 and in single density mode are fully compatible 400K,5i" discs iormal Acorn format • CLS400S Single, Mitsubishi Double sided Disc Drive the disc you put in is 40/80 track Switchable, 400K, 5i" t The density of £152 automatically sensed by the system and you are informed of the density in the catalogue display. • CLD200 TEC Single sided 40 track 200K. • The double density system is of course faster twin 5J" Drives £199 Ihan single density • CLD800 Mitsubishi Double sided 80 track 5^" Drives £269 ironies DOFS implements an 800K, TWIN Strong plastic cases that afford real protection to

82 7 1 so that emulatoi • CLD800S Mitsubishi Double sided 40/80 your discs. The smoked top locks down. Dividers gh OSWORD & 7F are title are supplied for efficient track switchable, 800K, Drives £299 and adhesive strips Othot manufacturers filing of discs. and wnti: sector alone were i" every (CUMANA) DRIVES CASED ded implement M35 holds upto 40 discs £13 id nl the 82 71 th.it was physl use of all the the WITH PSU & CABLES M85 holds upto 95 discs £17 . allowed ', The emu i tly written KIT machine .(.ule We reckon it will run many of the FLOPPY HEAD CLEANER .ill the The heads in a floppy disc drive are precision • ih.' WL Dl Si with mui h made and very sensitive to dirt. Drive tibllity with many manufacturers recommend that you clean the The pin e is the same as heads approximately once a week. Unless your H thai we home or office is dust free one of these kits is a en the e • CS100 TEC Single sided 40 track 100K 5 J" very sensible precaution against losing valuable worries. pi n without financial Single Disc Drive £119 data. A dirty head can destroy many disks before you realise the trouble. Very simple to use. • CS200 TEC Single sided 80 track 200K 5£" Only £14 plete Unit incl DDFS ROM £85 Smyle Disc Drive £149 DDFS Manual £6.95 (no VATi • CS400 Mitsubishi Double sided 80 track li existing Single £169 400K 5i-" Single Drive ;ity Interface for our DDFS Unit for £55 BBC MICRO TEC Single sided 40 track 200K 5]" (Carriage f 1.50) • CD200 TWIN Disc. Drives £236 WORD-PROCESSING CD400 EPSON Double sided 40 track 400K * * • PACKAGE OFFER 5j PWIN Disc Drives £299 SPECIAL A complete word-processing package (which can Mitsubishi Double sided 80 track • CD800 be heavily modified to your requirements, EPROMs for BBC Micro (Hitachi) 800K 5; "TWIN Drives £349 2764-250nS £4.75 maintaining the large discount). We supply track everything need to get a BBC micro running 27128-250nS • CD800S Mitsubishi Double sided 40/80 you £16.00 Switchable 800K TWIN Drives £399 as a word-processor Please call in for a demonstration. Micro (Hitachi) RAMs for BBC • SPARE DRIVE CABLES, SINGLE £6; DUAL £8 EXAMPLE PACKAGE 61 16L (2K) £3.75 BBC Model B. Watford Electronics DFS upgrade. 6264L (8K) £24.00 • DFS Manual (comprehensive) £7.50 (No VAT) WORDWISE ROM Twin 200k Teac drives in beige Zenith 12" Hi-resolution monitor (Green or PS. Brother HR15 daisywheel printer NEW DESIGN You do not require a formatting disc nor the software: BEEBCALC spreadsheet, software disc 10 • expensive 40/80 track switchable drives if you analysis and DATABASE on PLASTIC LIBRARY CASES use Watford s sophisticated 3M discs 500 sheets fan fold paper. 4 way all and which has all these facilities in the ROM. mains trailing socket, manuals, leads BBC

(Carriage on Disc Drives £7 secuncor) ONLY3£1,125(£15carr.) DUST COVERS (For our Disc Drives) ACCESS Single (without PSU) £3.20 Twin (without PSU) £3.85 HOT LINE Single (with PSU) £3.25 (0923 50234). Twin (with PSU) £3.90 with PSU) £3.95 for Disc Storage 5 (holds 10)£1.80 Twin (side by side 24 Hours 4 n B2S22E

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 33 * AT enters a memory testing routine Best cost less This will write a test pattern into the memory and read it back out again If a at WATFORD fault is found it is reported to the user Tins test continues until Escape is pressed

• RDISC activates APEX as a filing system which then treats all free APEX WATFORD'S RAM in the system as a continuous We stock a range of monitors to suit all needs. LAUNCH RAM-DISC All commands have similar Choice of a monitor is a matter of personal taste OF THE YEAR format to the DFS and transfer is so we recommend that whenever possible, you possible between ask for a demonstration at our shop. APEX the two systems MICROVITEC The complete computet system bus is The ultimate expansion system for the BBC available to the user, so that other • 1431 - Medium resolution as used on the microcomputer. It enables you to increase cards devices could be added such as BBC television computer programme . . £165 memory capacity to 2+ MEGABYTES EPROM programmers, second processors. 1451 - • High resolution, suitable for word including BATTERY BACKED-UP RAM. Winchester disc drives clocks, etc. By processing in mode £255 The system consists of a mother board racking the cards you eliminate the tangled which fits inside • 1441 Super High res. exceeds the the BBC and further mass of cables thai usually accumulates capabilities of the BBC micro £385 daughter cards can be connected externally around the micro. The internal card following • Dust Cover for Mictovitecs £5.50 has the features: A comprehensive operating manual is supplied with every APEX Board. Please All Microvitec monitors are 14" RGB in their • 1 5 ROM/RAM sockets, 1 1 of which can distinctive right angled case They come with the write in for further details and prices. connecting lead to the BBC and a mains plug. be configured as 2716. 2732, 2764, 27128 EPROMS or ROM equivalent KAGA THE ULTIMATE devices or as 6264 RAMs. Any RAM is • Standard resolution with RGB and composite Automatically battery backed-up and it's video inputs £195 contents preserved when the power is DFS • High resolution colour £259 turned off.

KAGA III Super • High resolution .., £349 FOR BBC MICRO • The battery is recharged every time the Kaga Monitors are 12" RGB colour units housed machine is turned on and lasts several in an attractive beige plastic cabinet They all by have as standard, a genuine etched anti-glare months, depending on the number of RAMs screen. fitted. \A/afcford Electronics ZENITH • There is very little extra current drain, HI 12" Ultra high resolution monochrome monitor. even with a fully loaded board as only the Highly ai claimed ai The ACORN and Ideal for word processing as its green or amber BBC screen is very restful presently active ROM is powered up. In fact MICRO USER Shows What to read. do the independi i The high resolution I makes it good for too - games you can really the fully populated board uses only 300mA. S s;iy ? see the detail that has been put into the graphics Good value for money 83 ONLY £68 • The board reduces micro bus loading by BeehugAug A very Micro LEADS up to three ROM loads, which improves worthwhile pai kage The User

BNCLead for Zenith or Philips £3 reliability and performance. Vim ii be buying a very powerful package BNC for Zenith £3 Personal Computet Ne\ Installation is extremely RGB lead for KAGA £5 • simple. There is Superior DFS. Excellent disc sector ed no soldering required. The board is rigidly held Computet Answers N.B. Carriage on Monitors £7 (securicor) by two 40 pin sockets and five support posts. Without a doubt the most sophisticated DFS A ribbon cable can be brought outside the Software yet written for BBC Micro Computet computer and up to 8 external cards added. This powerful new DFS is fully compatible with Versatile BEEB SPEECH This enables the user to plug-in up to 142 ACORN DFS yet has much increased power due to additions carefully designed to make life SYNTHESISER Unit paged ROMs. The cards have following easier in normal use. It consists of over 14K of features: effii iently written machine code It is entirely self contained and so di epuire a utilitii • Each card can accommodate up to 16 to function devices each of which can be configured as

2716, 2732, 2764. 27128 ROMs or 6264 Please write in for full technical specification 8K RAMs. PRICES: • Battery backup is provided from the DFS (Disc Filing System) ROM £25 internal card. Complete Disc Interface Kit including • Only the active ROM is powered up permitting many external ROMs to be OFS ROM & added with very little current loading Fitting instructions P.O. A. per card). (100mA Disc Filing System Manual. Comprehensive and 1 - SIMPLY the best An unlimited speech clearly written C7.50 (no VATI synthesis system. Complete with The system comes with controlling software easy-to-follow manual. Controlling software PS will exchange your in ROM. The utilities supplied are as follows: We existing ACORN DFS is in ROM so no Cassette Loading or PACE (AMCOM) DFS for Watford s highly problems! sophisticated 16K DFS ROM for £19 PHONEMES for word synthesis - That means • APEX replies with the device number

1 unlimited vocabulary No extra speech currently being accessed. Watford's DFS is exclusively available from dictionary chips to buy! Watford Electronics. We do NOT retail through any BUILT-in Library of approximately 500 words to k APEX C - toggles between the colour dealers. Every ROM carries a label with our LOGO get you started. and standard black and white messages. and a serial number. ENGLISH accent - Utilises inflexion techniques produce highly to comprehensible speech, • AL - loads from any device regardless Mow available: EASY to use system - Just plug the software of the data type. ROM into a socket, the Speech unit into Acorn DFS Kit £99 the User Port, and away you go! No • AS - saves memory to any specified specialised dealer upgrade' required! RAM device. COMPACT unit - The whole system is built into a small case - easily tucked behind the AD - prints a directory of computer. Auxiliary output socket provided • the devices for direct connection to an external present in the system, i.e. ROMs present amplifier. and files stored. This also reports on the - HOURS of fun! - Suitable for any application amount of free storage space. MYSTRIES OF DISC DRIVES Games, Educational Programs. Specialised Packages. k AF - asks for the free RAM devices. & DFS REVEALED Price: £5.95 (Book - No VAT) We know this all seems to good to be true but • LA - repeats the last command to paged DONT BE LEFT SPEECHLESS" Order your ROMs. Versatile Speech Unit now 1 SPECIALOFFERC35 Continued

34 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 BEEB PRINTER ROM EPSON DUMP ROM ULTRACALC specifically designed This screen dump ROM is A very sophisticated ROM based spreadsheet RX/FX printers and the for use with the Epson (upgraded version) from BBC Publications. The extremely simple to use as Kaga KP810. It is new ROM has more power and flexibility remember, It will there is only one command to Features: any screen mode using multiple accurately dump • Operation in any screen mode. is fully supported tones as required. Mode 7 • Greater printer flexibility incl control codes & height etc. For giving teletext graphics, double £ sign definition. those who like to keep life simple this EPROM is • Runs as HICALC on a 6502 second only £20. processor to allow 44K of workspace in any screen mode. • Spooling of ASCII text files for subsequent use with any word processor 0± • Several additional layout options. Price £65 This utiliiv ROM is designed to simplify using al EPSON FX/RX the facilities of your printer. It has many QUALITY facilities: LETTER VIEW + Selection of printer modes such as underline. font and size is by Single Key operations. PRINT ROM VIEW WORDPROCESSOR number following • From Wordwise, a single Impress your friends and business colleagues We are supplying the new VIEW version 2.1 rather than long and OC will select a mode a with the quality of your letters and printed allowing printing of memory contents etc. £46 This incomprehensible string of control codes. material with Watford's very simple to use Wordwise makes using your printer with much EPSON NLQ 'Near Letter Quality) ROM Suitable more convenient. for FX80, PX80. RX80F/T, FX100. HIGHVIEW • When using Basic lor other languages) you with control over the formatting of the A special version of VI EW designed for use can have Look at the features: 6502 2nd Processor Available on disc, it offers output to the printer in the style of a • Simply type 'NLQ80/100 and a single VDU define top, bottom 47 K of text memory. wordprocessor You can page code to use NLQ print. and side etc. with intelligent page skip margins • NLQ is then available without any £49 printers will for binders an option. All supported modifications from BASIC, WORDWISE. VIEW respond to form-feed etc. commands. now (with NLQ DRIVER) or virtually any other £49 • User defined characters are printed as you program or language. VIEWSHEET(Acornsoft) non-standard see them on the screen so that • Single codes select PROPORTIONAL type (yes correctly. characters are automatically printed out even on the RX80): ENLARGED type the • Commands select the options for UNDERLINED type. These features can be used printers: following seperately or in any combination. MX/FX. KAGA, GP100. STAR, NEC. • Full UK character set. LP/VII/DMP100, DMP200. pica size' Operates with either parallel or serial interfaces. Standard Proportional spacing • Supplied with a 50 page manual that is very Enlarged comprehensive and easy to follow. Please specify VIEWDRIVERSFOR Underlined printer type when ordering so that we can send Normal type JUKI & BROTHER the correct function key strip. The NLQ ROM is incredibly easy to fit and use. PRINTERS Price: £24 Supplied complete with Manual. Only: £20 Watford Electronics are now able to sgpply a DUMPOUT 3 new View Driver package to complement any View wordprocessor system using the Brother A highly sophisticated screen dump ROM. This HR15 and Juki 6100 daisywheel printers, has to be the most flexible and powerful screen dump ROM yet produced for the BBC micro. The facilities offered by this driver are:

It will put on paper anything you see on the • Auto Underlining screen, including all Mode 7 facilities etc We THE EPSON FX/ KAGA • Bold have to admit that there is one facility that we • Shadow - flashing cannot replicate if anyone can supply PRINTER COMMANDS • Superscript ink we would like to know 1 • Subscript The ROM also provides window setting facilities REVEALED • Proportional spacing for the BBC Microcomputer and two new OSWORD calls that allow mode 7 character facility (The only Printer Book for the Epson FX-80 graphics pixels to be read and plotted using the compatible printers). standard graphic co-ordinate system. Two The program is supplied on a 40/80 track disc commands are used to operate the dump So you bought yourself a new printer, because with full instructions for its use. routines: the salesman in the shop showed you how clever 'GIMAGE - This provides a full graphics dump n is and impressed you with all sorts of printouts Only £9 - have of any Mode (including Mode 8). There are lo show its capabilities he may even various optional parameters but you need only offered you a special price specify the parameters you wish to change. However, now that you have got it home and

• it • V • scale H scale. - These 2 byte numers connected to your BBC microcomputer, you FX80PRINTER DRIVER give fine control over the size of the dump from are wondering how to make it perform these give to enormous. Unlike other dump ROMs il tasks. The manual seems to no Watford's own Sophisticated VIEW the scale does not change with mode. clues and when you type in the example • R 3 Print dump rotated by 90. 180. i.ims. the compuler throws the LPRINT Printer Driver for FX80 270 degrees statements back in your face.

• this piece • from left of paper Now whai do you do, when C400 • I indent. Set gap edge To simplify using the full facilities of the Epson move its • of high technology refuses even to • ix Y min .- max The FX80 or Kaga KP810 use this printer driver Full head, and you have stayed up until 2 in the whole of the screen graphics window area is facilities are provided for selecting between fonts morning with copious supplies of coffee, dumped except when these parameters are etc The disc includes examples of use and desperately trying to print something out Once given. instructions. Available on 40 or 80 track disc again. Watford Electronics comes to your help • P - Physical colour values are used for (please state which required). £6 plotting, otherwise a negative scale is used with our new book entitled The EPSON (white darkest). FX KAGA PRINTER COMMANDS REVEALED • T Two tone dump for maximum resolution. This book describes in plain easy to your • M .mask 8 bit colour mask. understand English how to use printei VIEW/VIEW SHEET PRINTER KP810, Canon PW1080A oi any other • E Contrast expansion to make mode 7 text (Kaga DRIVER for SILVER REED and separated graphics stand out from the Epson FX 80 compatible primer) with the BBC background micro, both from Basic and your Wordwise • C All mode 7 graphics are printed as wordprocessor (Officially approved by Silver Reed) contiguous to improve the shading in graphic It inscribes in detail how to obtain the your areas. maximum in graphics capability from printer A range of VIEW Printer drivers to complement •TIMAGE indent Does a fast, text only, dnd includes full indexes allowing you to cross the Silver Reed range of Pnnter.s and T vi > dump of the contents of the text window in any index the numerous commands. Every command The View driver allows access to all of the mode is explained in detail, with an accompanying BBC features supported by the range of daisy wheel of its use from •GWINDOW and 'TWINDOW These Basic program and an example printers (EXP 770/400/500/550). These include commands draw the graphics and text windows, Wordwise underlining, bold shadow, superscript, and respectively on the screen and allow them to be This book is superb value at only subscript printing Additionally, you can use changed with the cursor keys N B GIMAGE and £5.95 (Book -No VAT) proportional spacing on the EXP 770. Owners of GWINDOW work fully in mode 7. one of the typewriters in the range EX

Designed for use with the following printers 55/44/43, using it as a printer, can also access CP80. GP80, GP100 GP250 STAR FORTH ROM for BBC underlining with these drivers. KAGATAXAN NEC SHINWA, GEMINI EPSON The printer drivers also extend the facilities in This ROM provides a complete implementation MX.RX-FX LPVII DMP 1 00 1 20 200 400. View to allow the of characters of the FIG-FORTH standard (including editor). use pad CANON printer driver disk with user is Supplied with a large tutorial manual at only £33 The on a manual special introductory price of £7. Price including comprehensive manual at a Please specify printer type when ordering. £22 TINY PASCALfor BBC Micro £59 .H-I.lllil'lil

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 35 Operations supported * TWO DATABASE are -, +, /, +-999999 9999.9999 and facilities - compare , >,<.> < = ADE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ,<,&.. Many keywords are supported by the language: Complete program development package in a 16K ROM. Full assembling and debugging assign, compare, display, end, goto, iff, ift. print, read, search, spool and update. facilities provided. Supplied with a very detailed 70 page manual to explain all the facilities with many examples. SPECIAL OFFER ONLY £43 Only £43 ( Please specify 40 or 80 tracks for ROM MANAGER the utilities disc) BUFFER & BACKUP ROM

This ROM is unique in its capabilities. Hallows you. the user, full control over the BBC Micro's sideways ROM paging system with simple to use DISCDATA commands. This ROM is essential for those with several ROMs. At a simple level ROM Discdata is an entirely disc based database MANAGER can be used to remove the problem of clashing handling system. It is extremely easy to use command names and allow full use For those with sideways RAM fitted in their through its comprehensive menu system. The of all the facilities of your ROMs. This is coupled machines this utility ROM will make full use of with simplicity is such that we do not feel the need to facilities to completely enable or disable this facility. By using the sideways RAM area for provide explanation on use in the written various ROMs in the machine including ROM extra memory the following features are guidance supplied with manager itself. the program. The implemented: first-time database user will rapidly become ROM MANAGER can also be used to develop * 4K or 16K buffer for parallel printer. familiar with this package designed throughout sideways ROMs using the machine's standard * Dumps selection of Disc files to Tape. to be simple and obvious. memory. This is achieved by sending sideways * Makes backup copies of tapes on to tape and calls Despite the ease of use this system provides all ROM to your code in RAM. saving the disc. the facilities needed for complex data handling expense of fitting sideways RAM for ROM * Displays contents of paged ROMs on screen. problems. The length of database that can be development purposes. ROM status reports are * Menu display of ROM filing system contents handled is only limited by the total space on the also given by the ROM. including ROM lengths, on Shift-Break. disc. You can have up to 20 fields with page checksums, entry points supported and current * Comprehensive manual. filing length records up to 254 bytes in length. Adding system title. The ROM also provides and deleting records, amend titles, field names Only £22 facilities to examine and records. Sort on any field and search for any ROMs, list function keys for editing, modify RAM record or group of records in any field. The (using a HEX/ASCII editor) and list ROM titles database may be re-formatted after creation, the DATAGEM neatly and concisely. system will re-write all your files for you The commands given in the ROM: automatically. You may add extra fields and Gemini's 24K ROM based * CHECKSUM - Generates extend the length of existing fields freely. a CRC for a DATABASE Management System specified ROM (useful for testing suspected Output formatting is very powerful. You are faulty ROMs). allowed 40. 80 or 132 column output modes Special Introductory Offer: £99 •DIRECT - Passes a command directly going to printer or screen. Selected fields can be to a named ROM (overcomes command name put in any order on the screen or printer, either clashes), across the paper or down, Output can start or PENPAL-VERSATILE 'EXAMINE - Allows examination of a named stop anywhere in the file. Decimal fields are ROM automatically totalled and records output are LIGHT PEN •EXPLAIN - Gives detailed explanation of the counted. Version 2, now on sale has improved SOFTWARE first 22 *FX codes. input and amendments procedures giving full Do you have a light pen that never gets used? •FILE - Passes a command directly to the record edit as well as the 3 extra features . . . Then this piece of software is for you. This current filing system (which normally receives String searching. Calculations on numeric fields, package offers many useful facilities that commands after all the ROMs) and the ability to create sub files from your main make the light pen a useful device to Facilities - Lists the files. own. •FUNCTION contents of the included are: function keys in a form suitable for editing. On disc at Only £17 • Pixel. Line and Character definition •INCLUDE - Allows the main memory to be Free (Please specify 40 or 80 track when ordering) • hand drawing used for ROM development. • All Colours •MODIFY - Memory editing in HEX/ASCII • Fill, Refill and stripes format. • User defined "Brush strokes" plus character •NAMES - Lists the names and socket numbers FILE-PLUS definer of all resident ROMs. • Grid, Scale and perspective aids 2 to 200 •RAM - Sends command directly to the RAM The File-Plus package is even more powerful and points palletable in one design with Circles and based ROM routine. flexible than Disc-Data. It is also largely menu "rubber banding" •REMOVE - Removes RAM based ROM option driven but has its own command language for • Move design/character to any screen position •SPECIFY - Selects the default ROM. file searching. The 16K ROM contains all the • Save and Load screens, User defined •DEFAULT - Sends commands directly to the normally required routines, with lesser used characters and line drawings for video titles, own default ROM without having to give its name. options supplied on the utilities disc. All input programmes etc. •STOP and 'START - Disable and enable any and output formatting is controlled through This program has many uses in education and at named ROM to completely eliminate command screen forms. A full screen editing system is home. It is supplied with a comprehensive word clashes. used to define a form which allows tremendous instruction manual. •STATUS - Information about all the ROMs flexibility in the format in which your data is Works with Watford, RH, Acorn User, DIY and fitted in the machine including socket number. displayed. It is very easy to change from form to many other Light Pens. name, length, whether it is enabled, whether it form so that you can type in your data with one Prices has service or language entries etc. form, and examine it with others. You will TAPE £10 •VALUES - Gives ROM MANAGER status typically design several forms before starting to DISC(40or80) £11 information, such as its socket number, how access the database so that you can quickly and many ROMs have higher priority, number of easily see the fields of each record that you want default ROM and the identity of the current filing to appear in the layout you decide on. The form system. system is also used for output to your printer. DISC EXECUTOR •VECTOR - Same as 'DIRECT, just in case File Plus has a unique file linking system that •DIRECT clashes with another ROM. allows the entire on-line storage of your system Disc Executor is a sophisticated disc utility for All selection between particular ROMs is by the to be used for one database. This can give the transfer of your cassette programs to disc. If name of the ROM and this may be abbreviated around 1.5 Megabyte databases using dual you have difficulties transferring your cassette for convenience. ROM numbers can also be used drives and double density. software to your disc system then this is the if required. This ROM is very simple and obvious The built in FQL (File-Plus Query Language) can answer. It handles 'locked' files and full length to use. All the facilities are explained in the clear be used for searching the adventures (up to &&e blocks) and programs database. Presented in and detailed manual. the form of a powerful command language with that load below &E00. It is very simple to looping facilities etc. this allows the most flexible operate with instructions supplied. It saves you Price £22 access to your data possible. Full arithmetic time and money. operations are provided to allow the system to Price £10 be used for statistical analysis. Cont. (Please specify 40 or 80 track discs)

36 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ^VAT F O R D - Always a step ahead

Watford fills the gap COMPUTER CONCEPT'S ROMS with the 32K RAM CARETAKER Basic Utility £28 EXPANSION BOARD for Graphics £28 Micro ° • CMP e «*1 ROM the BBC Disc Doctor ROM £28

"i,., \ 48U. V

Watford s own Machine code Monitor ROM Wordwise written by Andrew Bray (Cambridge), co-author of the BBC Micro Advance User Guide. Without doubt a very sophisticated piece of The most powerful and versatile machine code software for the BBC Micro. It has all the monitor ROM yet written tor BBC Micro. It has features of a professional word processor yet is all the normal memory editing, moving and easy to use. relocating facilities, plus all editing is with a full screen editor allowing scrolling up and down SPECIAL OFFER THIS MONTH: £32 memory, entering in Hex, ASCII or standard assembler mnemonics. In use as a debugging tool, you run code under SPELLCHECKDISC a total emulation system. Everfelt a desperate for Wordwise urge to set a break point in ROM? No problem Only £16 - you can even have breakpoint on reading or Now Watford Electronics brings you the latest writing locations in memory and on register BOARD contents. The system fully supports debugging state-of-the-art MEMORY EXPANSION BEEBFONTROM microcomputer This compact of sideways ROMs e.g. BASIC can fully and for your BBC fits inside the computer doesn't just easily be run from within Beebmon and from board which is a remarkable and different concept BEEBFONT 16k or even 20k of extra RAM, but a there DFS and other sideways ROMs can be give you in BBC software supplied on a 16K ROM. It in emulation massive 32K !!! used total mode. allows you to display text on the screen in any of There are more useful facilities available Beebmon can even run itself. In so doing you many the following styles: board: can nest Beebmon up to a level limited only by with this the memory size. Beebmon uses 256 bytes of • The top 20K of the expansion RAM can be workspace, located in even anywhere memory, used as the screen display memory, leaving all on the 1MHz Bus. Beebmon effectively uses no wmmmum the standard BBC RAM free for programs or data tero page workspace, so your program (e.g. storage. This allows good graphics and long BASIC) or all can use any of the base page. programs to be combined. For instance you How it 7 does achieve this By providing a 6502 could have MODE 0/1/2 GRAPHICS AND 28K interpreter all programs running under it exist OF PROGRAM SPACE. The extra memory can be in a vertual BBC, so special memory locations used by virtually any language or utility such as like the ROM latch are not actually accessed BASIC, VIEW. WORDWISE, Etc, by your programs, instead they alter a location in Beebmons workspace. Emulation also • The FULL 32K or the bottom 1. allows immediate return to Beebmon command ABCDEFGHUKLMNOP expansion RAM can be used as a PRINTER level by ctrl-escape no matter what code is BUFFER for SERIAL or PARALLEL printers, being excuted ai the time All this exceptional abcdefjjhijklmnop sound channels, RS423. Keyboard or Speech power and flexibility is complemented by a Synthesiser This allows very long text files to be clear and detailed manual included in a value a:winmai!iii:

1 SIMULTANEOUSLY' 1 (an equivalent printer

buffer would cost you f 120 i i

• Unlike our competitors [he board is ABCDEFGHUKLMNOP compatible with a vast range of software and hardware available for the BBC microcomputer _a_b_c_d_e_f tfhi j k 1 n o y including our ROM expansion board double

. DFS Units and the ATPL ROM exti This is because our board is the computer by means of a ribbon cable without soldering ft can be either be left in the micro or stuck to the lid with the 4 self adl feet supplied. il'S if IFStfll uimm • The board comes with a comprehens It works in modes 0, 1, 2 and 4 using the full manual and ROM based software with a colour capabilities of each mode. Characters are Discover the hidden secrets of BASIC and the range of commands (or machine code and printed in the same way as normal. Selection OPERATING SYSTEM with this easy to use BASIC users, including many 'HELP messages. between the various fonts is very easily achieved nogrammers tool. with Ctrl-V - press this followed by a font i ROM based machine code Disassembler for number and the output will continue in the new htie BBC micro. It enables machine code font. Beebfont ROM is particularly useful in SPECIAL OFFER Kograms to be listed in BASIC/DUMP format display work with the characters produced at md thus is the perfect complement to the built twice the normal size. Only:£69(carr £1) In assembler, It allows Sideways ROMs, files on You can create your own character fonts with pk or tape to be listed, and also has a the editor supplied You can also print out comprehensive editor, allowing mnemonics to be pre-formatted text files using the special altered directly, as well as HEX DECIMAL, ASCII characters with Epson FX, RX and NEC printers. jnd BINARY memory editing. There is also a full GRAPH PAD The full range of character styles can be used, set of labelling facilities available (up to 3.200 controlled from within the text. The editor and this popular British Graph-p.n ibeis). with the maior locations and routines With Micro's spooler program are supplied with the package, Heady labelled. can add new dimension to your computer on cassette or disc. The spooler allows word Thus DIS enables any monitor program enjoyment. It helps you to create your own ASM output processor (Wordwise & View) to be application programs the simple ol the Such as BEEBMON to be used to much greater by use printed in the new characters. Graphpad Ideal for Educational use Supplied effect as it is not necessary to disassemble A twenty page manual is supplied. Please state with Cables. memory each time the display is altered complete Manual and a two printer type and media for the editor & spooler program cassette, when ordering (cassette. 40 or 80 track disc). ONLY £18 ONLY £39 SPECIALOFFER £99 iTiinnni'l

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 37 LIGHTPEN Mk-2 13 ROM SOCKET This totally machine code software: • is fully compatible with not only the Modem EXPANSION BOARD 84 but also with the PRISM 1000 and most other modems that require a data link via an RS423/RS232 port making it a worthwhile purchase for those who already have Modems. • supports full Prestel colour alpha and graphic characters including double height, flashing, conceal/reveal. • called by simple 'PRESTEL (*P.) command, Disc and tape configurations fully supported. • includes a comprehensive telesoftware downloader for BBC and other programs with continuous on screen status report (an essential facility). • has very powerful OFF LINE MAILBOX editor This Light Pen for the BBC micro is packaged in allowing colour flashing graphic mailboxes to be a neat pen shape with built in switch. Supplied prepared without having to be on line to Prestel. complete with our sophisticated Pen-Pal • auto logon sequence can be burnt into ROM software on cassette (see elsewhere in this ad). if desired. Only £20 • a vital TAG' facility allows tagging and recall of interesting (For software on disc please add £2) pages, avoids that common and annoying NOW WHERE WAS THAT PAGE' problem. • includes simple page and program loading and saving functions for both disc and tape, automatically assigning frame and program directories. SIDEWAYS • not one but TWO PRINTER DUMP ROUTINES are provided within the software allowing Now all lines fully buffered - On board either full graphics dump (mode 7 to ZIF battery back-up facility - will now accept EPSON compatible printers) or ASCII characters EPROMS 2716, 2732, 2764 & 27128 and only. SOCKET ROMs 6116 & 6264. • a user function built into the software allows interface with specialist routines, (yours as well Simply plugs into one of the four sockets ROM as ours). currently available in BBC Micro. There are only 5 solder connections to be made. Full WATFORD'S 1200 BAUD instructions are supplied. Unlike other ROM Boards, this board has been economically FULLY AUTOMATIC USER designed to enable the user, easy further TO USER SOFTWARE expansion inside the Micro, e.g. Double Density The addition oi the WATFORD user Board, Torch Board, RAM Card, etc., without any to user ROM based software enables you to clash. (At Watford, we think ahead). discover a whole new world of data Our Mk2 13 ROM Socket Board enables the communication. User to increase the sideways ROM capacity This software enables you to the from use MODEM the basic 4 sockets upto full 16 capable of 84 very powerfully. being supported by current operating systems. In • Send and receive error checked programs and addition the board is designed with the facility to files (even WORDWISE files) to and from other hold upto 16K RAM. which when switched into users at 1200 baud. operation is automatically selected by any WRITE • 8k file transfer in under 2.5 minutes (approx signal to the Sideways ROM area. This gives the four times faster than with 300 baud modems) User the ability to write a utility or language and • The transfer of data is totally AUTOMATIC upon pressing break have the utility or language which means that the modem is automatically up and running (new ROM software can be switched between transmit and receive under developed and tested in situ.) software control. The Board gives the User, plenty of freedom to • A chat mode is provided which also has this explore the possibilities of the new paged ROMs automatic switching for receive and transmit. due in the coming months and offers them the (This mode is essential just before and after data chance to develop their own transfer when both hand sets are replaced to reduce All lines are fully buffered and the Board meets noise). • A copy facility is provided allows or exceeds all timings for operation in the BBC which transmission of all screen Microcomputer. When fully populated, the ROM output. continuous Board consumes less than half the recommended • A on screen modem status report is maximum current limit. included • The software is totally function key driven Supplied ready-built and tested complete with enabling easy transmission, reception, saving and fitting instructions loading of programs and files (Basic. Machine code or Data). CHRISTMAS OFFER: £28 (carr. £1) Now Watford Electronics brings you a ROM • A help menu is available from within the board for small budgets or for those of you who software as an aid to use. do not wish to Full open up your Micro frequently It • instructions are supplied. allows you to change ROMs quickly and efficiently with Hie minimum of effort no APPBQJ EO for use PRICES screws 10 loosen or keyboard to remove. with leiecorfmL Hnnpn systems MODEM 84 The unit consists run by BnlifljgHfa mainly of a zero insertion force njnuracauona (with IZIFI m accorrJaUffl Lead & Manual) £68 socket on a small circuit board which is IMfe conditions located into the position of the ROM Cartridge mine in ^| WW's lor use MODEM 84 complete with PRESTEL and is connected to one of the internal ROM' SOFTWARE ROM, Lead and Manuals £82 sockets via a ribbon cable PRESTEL SOFTWARE ROM • Very simple to install NO SOLDERING + Manual £20 REQUIRED The ZIF eliminates the possibility of MODEM 84 USER to USER SOFTWARE ROM £15 damage to your ROM pins when insertiim extracting them. PRESTELTERMINAL (Carriage on Modem £2) For the BBC Microcomputer • The low profile of the socket allows unrestricted access to the keyboard unlike other cartridge systems. In addition there are no Costly SURGE PROTECTOR Plug extras, such as ROM cartridges for every new ROM Fitted in place of your normal mains plug, this device protects your equipment against • All data and address lines are correctly mains surges. Nearby lightning strikes, thermostats terminated to ensure correct operation of suitable switching ROMs with the and many other sources put high BBC micro We also supply ,h voltage transient spikes on to the mains This purpose designed see through store with | can lead to data corruption in memory and on anti-static lining allowing you to store up to disc and can result in spuriously crashing 1 2 ROMs, protecting them from mechanical and machines. Suitable static damage for computers. Hi-Fi. Fridge Freezers etc. Max. Surge current 2KAmp. max. Voltage • This versatile hardware solves the problem of 250. Essential for serious computer running out of socket space, simply unplug the users. The Watford Prestel consists ROM and plug in a different one It is a real package of the B.T approved Protection for only £8.50 must for Professionals and Hobbyists alike. Watford MODEM 84 (1200/75 baud full duplex 1200 baud half duplex direct 0NLY£16(£1 carr.) connect) and a very sophisticated Prestel Terminal ROM

38 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 BOOKS (No VAT on Books) EPROM PROGRAMMER tf&s. 30Hour BASIC (BBC Micro) £6.95 35 Education Programsfor BBC £6.95 MYSTRIES OF DISC 36 Challenging Games for BBC £5.95 40 Educational Programsfor BBC £5.95 DRIVES AND 100 Programs for BBC Micro £6.95 DFS REVEALED Cassette version of above £ 1 0.00 6502 Application Book £1 1.95 Are your tired of faulty cassettes and loading times' Do you want to 6502 Assembly Language Program .. £ 1 3.95 lengthy your BBC micro to take discs but 6502 Assembly Language upgrade you get tied up in the plethora of jargon Subroutines £14.25 surrounding the choice and use of these 6502 Machine Code for Beginners £5.95 systems. 6502 Machine code for Humans £7.95 For instance, what is the difference 6502 Software Design £10.50 between single and double density programmer for track disc The Watford Electronics EPROM A young persons guide to BBC Basic ... £4.50 formats, how can you use a 40 high quality self contained on an 80 track disc drive 7 What is the the BBC micro is a ABeginners guide to LISP £10.95 popular EPROMs from 2K difference between a DFS and disc oackaqe. Programs all Advanced Machine Code Technique 2516. 2532. 2564 2764 and interface kit 7 Should you acquire a single to 16K- 2716, £7.95 specifications have forBBC Disc drive or twin? What does 48 TPI anil 27128. All manufacturers' program EPROMs at the Advanced User Guide for 96 TPI discs mean? These are just a few ol been followed to - wrong timings could destroy BBCMicro HI 95 the questions you may have asked yourself correct speed The unit has its own power Advanced Graphics with BBC £9 95 and never found the answer or maybe you your EPROMs. not put heavy loads on the BBC Programming £12.45 have yet to encounter these questions. supply so does Advanced 6502 other units. Connects Now the mystery of buying a suitable power supply as do some Assembly Language Programming on following all Acorn interface and disc drive for your BBC directly to the 1MHz bus BBCMicro £795 addressing and bus micro is revealed in Watford Electromr.'s recommendations on Techniques Advanced Programming new book entitled MYSTERIES of DISC loadings. £7.95 in forthe BBC Micro REVEALED . It describes DRIVES & DFS PACKAGE BBC Basic £7.95 fine detail, yet remaining very readable to SOFTWARE supplied on an EPROM which £7.40 beginner, how disc drives operate, the The software is Assembly Lang. Prog, on BBC the available plugs into the Micro and is instantly £5-95 type of interfaces available, which type of BBC BASIC (no time wasting as on on disc drive and how data with a single command Magic £5.50 discs to use a purpose BBC Computer Cassette/disc loading). It is a fully is stored on the discs. BBC DIY Robotics 8. Sensors £6.95 and integrated package to simplify There is even a handy section designed BBC Forth £7.50 The system is menu driven describing the phrases you are likely to ROM development. prompts to avoid any accidents BBCLisp £7.50 encounter, and how to interpret them. This with many BBC Micro An Expert Guide £6.95 book must be an essential purchase at Software facilities include. BBC Micro Book BASIC Sound & C5.95. especially if you own or are thinking ____». - - File - Down Load EPROM of buying a disc system. Why not ask for a Load File Save Graphics £7.95 - Blank Check - 7 Program EPROM Verify BBC Micro Graphics and Sound £6.95 copy for Christmas Editing of memory contents prior to BBCMicro Programs in Basic £5.95 ( Book - No VAT) programming. Price £5.95 allow BBC Micro ROM PAGING System Also included is an automatic system to Explained £2.00 Basic programs to be put in EPROM and system More BBC Micro Revealed £6.95 accessed through the 'ROM filing THE INVESTIGATOR put in an EPROM All Lang. Prog £7.95 than one program may be BBCMicro Assembly the facilities and more are explained in BBCMicro Disc Companion £7.95 A utility program provided on disc to make these and clear 15 page manual, security of all your valuable discs, comprehensive BBC Micro in Education £6.50 backup copies full use of all 8271 facilities to discover Basic Programming on BBC Micro £5.95 Makes CHRISTMAS OFFER £69 the precise format of your protected disc so that CP/M The software BUS £8.95 an exact copy can be produced. Supplied with (£3 carr.) £13.95 CP/M Users Guide detailed instructions. Please specify 40 or 80 Creating Adventure Programs on track disc when ordering. Price £25 BBC Micros £6.95 TEX EPROM ERASERS Creative Graphics Cassette (Acornsoft). EPROMs need careful treatment if they are to Has 36 graphics programs £8.95 PLINTHS FOR BBC MICRO survive their expected lifetime. Over erasure of graphics on BBC Micro £7.50 Creative EPROMs very rapidly turns them into ROMs! The £5.95 AND PRINTERS Complete Programmer for BBC TEX erasers operate following the manufacturers DISC FILING SYSTEM (DFS) specifications to give the maximum possible Operating Manual for BBC £6.95 working life by not erasing too fast. We use work. Discover BBC Machine Code £6.95 these erasers for all our own erasing Discover FORTH £13.95 • ERASER EB - Standard version erases up to DIY Robotics & Sensors with BBC £6.95 16 chips £28 Exploring FORTH £6.95 • ERASER GT - Deluxe version erases up to switch Further Prog, for BBC Micro £5.95 28 chips. Has automatic safety cut-off to £30 FORTH Programming £14.40 off the UV lamp when opened. Functional Forth for the BBC Micro £5.95 • Spare UV tubes. £9 Gameson your BBC Micro £2.95 Protect your computer from the weight and heat Games Computer Can Play £6.95 BBC of your monitor. BBC micro plinths have slots for Getting more from your maximum ventilation. Single height version is BBC& Electron £6.95 suitable for BBC and monitor. Double height VOLTMACE DELTA 14 Graphs & Charts on BBCMicro £7.50 version allows the disc drives to be used in the JOYSTICK SYSTEM Graphic Art for BBC Computer £5.95 centre section or stationary, etc. The computer allowing easy access to Graphs and Charts (Cassette) £7.50 slides easily into place, The Voltmace system provides full facilities for remove the lid. Introducing the BBC Micro £5.95 connecting the Delta 14 handset. The printer plinth is equally sturdy but without £9.30 Delta 14 handset - On its own makes a high Introduction to FORTH slots. This allows the paper to be the cooling quality centre sprung analogue joystick with fire Interfacing projects for the under plinth with the printer on top stacked the buttons £12.50 £6-95 - it not BBCMicro a very convenient way to work as does Adaptor Module allows use of two joysticks and require the usual very deep table. Introducing LOGO £5.95 provides hardware to access all the keys on the (carr .£1 .50) PLINTH £1 1 joystick £12.55 Let your BBC teach u to program £6.45 SINGLE BBC keypad of the £20 Icarr. £2.00 £9.25 DOUBLE BBC PLINTH Transfer program allows use of the keypad keys LISP 10 (carr. £1 .50) PRINTER PLINTH and joystick to simulate any key on the keyboard. Logo Programming £8.95 This works by creating a machine code patch of DISC DRIVES and DFS Mystries that stays in memory while another program is €5.95 4 WAY MAINS to be used with REVEALED loaded in. Allows any game Mastering CP/M £13.65 DISTRIBUTION SOCKET joysticks. Supplied on disc or tape. Programming the .. £11.95 6502 Tape £5.10 Disc £7.95 Programming the Z80 £14.25 PASCAL £9.25 Structured Prog, with BBC BASIC £6.50 The Complete FORTH £6.95 STANDARD JOYSTICKS 4 way top quality mains trailing sockets. Epson FX/KATA PRINTER type with a fire The Supplied wired up with mains plug ready for use. These are standard analogue £5.95 button on each joystick. Twin joysticks go to a Commands REVEALED Can be screwed to floor or wall if required. Very moulded plug, long leads provided. Using Floppy Discs with BBC Micro .... £5.95 useful for tidying up all the mains leads from single UsingBBCBasic £6.95 your peripherals. Allows the whole system to be switched on from one plug. Single Player version £7.00 Using6502 Ass. Language £14.50 version £12.00 £6.95 £9.50 Two Players Wordstar & CP/M made easy E3EESI

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 39 ! )

This ANTI GLARE MONITOR , SPECIAL XMAS space reserved for the launch of SAFETY SCREEN yet another of our ROM based OFFER Firmware. For details, please read the forthcoming issue of this magazine. BEEBMON -The most sophisticated Machine Code monitor ROM for the BBC Micro. GEMINI Normally: £22 NOW: £18 BUSINESS SOFTWARE FILE-PLUS -A most versatile 16K ROM CASHBOOK £46.90 Based DATABASE for the HEADACHES'TIRED EYES' Don't take pills- BBC. DATABASE £15.50 Use a Watford Electronics anti-glare filter Normally: £42 Now: £36 EASY LEDGER £15.50 Considerable research into the possible health GRAPHPLOT £15.50 problems associated with monitor screens has *** STAR OFFER*** HOME ACCOUNT £15.50 shown that eye strain, blurred vision, watering, FINALACCOUNTS £46.90 For itching eyes and headaches can result after the serious machine code MAILING LIST £15.50 programmer, prolonged use. The problems are caused by Watford Electronics have put SPREADSHEET £15.50 together special offer extraneous reflections which force the eye to a package, STOCK CONTROL £15.50 consisting of the continuously re-focus to try to ignore them. BEEBMON and PAYROLL £31.00 The answer is our contrast enhancement, DISASSEMBLER ROMs. (PS. For disc based software please addC3) anti-glare filter which is similar to those which The package allows complete emulation of have been previously available on business any 6502 coding in the BBC micro. ACORNSOFT systems, but at the low cost that you would including being able to set breakpoints expect for your personal computer. You will soon and labels anywhere in memory, including BUSINESS SOFTWARE find the reduction in eye strain well worth your ROM' INVOICING ORDER PROCESSING investment. For further details of the advanced MAILING LIST PURCHASING Features: facilities in these ROMs, see the full STOCK CONTROL ACCOUNTS PAYABLE • Simple fitting with sticky Velcro pads. descriptions elsewhere in this advert. Price: £20 each • Easily removed for cleaning. • Tinting improves colour quality and contrast. Normally £40 NOW: £32 LISP(Acornsoft) £14.00 • Works on monochrome or colour monitors. • Curved instead of usual flat screen reduces ADVENTURE GAMES (level 9) edge distortion. sE bele* ENVELOPE ROM COLOSSALADVENTURE £8 50 • Made in Britain by a long established glass ADVENTURE maker. Now for the sound fanatic or those of you QUEST £8 50 DUNGEON ADVENTURE £8 Available in 9". 12" and 14" versions who want to drive the pet crazy. Watford 50 Electronics offers you this unique piece SNOWBALLADVENTURE £8 50 - please specify when ordering of LORDSOFTIME firmware called the Envelope ROM. It £8.50 Introductory offer price: £14.95(carr.£1 contains a wide range of sound effects, in Please add C2.50 for Discs fact enough to ZAP, BANG, SQUEAK and EXPLODE your way through a whole MISCELLANEOUS ATTACHE CARRYING galaxy of games. Some of the more unusual effects include ZIT, TRIMPHONE. 28pm DIL SOCKET Low Profile CASE for SNAPPER. TARDIS, and a whole host of £0.30 BBC Micro explosions, gun fire, winning and losing Wire Wrap £0.80 Turned Pin The Attache carrying case is attractively finished sounds and many other effects to aid the £1.00 in progress of a game. ZIF SOCKET (Textool) mottled antique brown leatherette. The case is £6.95 made of tough plywood, providing a very solid The sounds are accessed via single star 28pm DIL and safe way to carry your BBC micro. There is PLUG commands, the pitch and duration of any Solder room provided to fit all the type £2.90 leads necessary of the sounds can be altered Irom their IDC Crimp type behind the computer and manuals in £2.95 the front. default value at any time by adding extra Locks supplied with two keys. Price £12 (£2 carr parameters. These parameters can take the form of decimal values or the resident RIBBON CABLE DATA RECORDER interger variables. With a choice of OVER 28way £0.55/foot AND 65 sounds, you should have no more 34way £0.60/foot ACCESSORIES excuses for failing to include some form of sound effect in your latest piece of Top quality slimline portable cassette recorder software. 8way DIL SWITCH £0.85 designed specifically for use with home This ROM is a must for the amateur games computers. Mains/Battery operated with tape designer and all those who hate creating counter. envelopes. It is CHIPS(ICs) £20 supplied complete with instructions for DATA CABLE to connect recorder to BBC 7438 . £0.95 £2.50 ONLY£18 74LSOO £0.75 DATA CASSETTES 74LS04 £0.82 74LS10 £0.65 Topgiade tested C12 Data cassettes FLEXIBLE KEYBOARD 74LS123 £1.20 supplied in library cases 35p each; 74LS163 £0.85 10 tor £3.20. CONNECTOR 74LS244 £2.50 Frequent removal of the BBC Micro 74LS245 £2.50 keyboard can result in the ribbon cable 74LS393 £1.20 connector either breaking off or giving ASSORTED CONNECTING 4013 CMOS intermittent fault. We can now supply a £0.60 LEADS highly flexible replacement keyboard 4020 CMOS £0.90 (All ready made and tested) connector at 4816 16KDRAM £3.00 O N LY : £4.95 CASSETTE LEADS 7 UPD7002 £7.25 pin DIN Plug 6502ACPU to pin DIN . £5.45 5 Plug 1 Jack Plug £2.00 FIRMWARE ,..., to pin . 65C02CPU £9.50 3 DIN Plug 1 Jack Plug £2.00 ACORN 12 DNFSROM £15.00 6522 VIA £3.40 to 7 pin DIN Plug £2.50 ACORN 1.2 OS ROM £10.00 6845SVDC . . to 3 Jack Plugs £2.00 ADE £43.00 £7.50 SAA5050 Teletext 6 pin DIN to 6 pin DIN Plug (RGB) £2.50 ACORN BASIC 2 £8.75 £30.00 8271 FDC MONITOR LEADS VIEWSHEET £49.00 P.O. A. LM234 amplifier £0.75 Microvitec RGB leads pin ULTRACALC £55.00 6 DIN to 6 pin DIN foror SN76489 sound gen. £5.50 colour monitors £2.50 2764 8KEPROM £4.75 KAGA SANYO Colour Monitor Leads MODEM ROMs £5^00 TERMI £26.00 27128 16KEPROM £16.00 Monochrome monitor leads COMMUNICATOR £56.00 61 16L2KSRAM ... £4.50 BNC to Phono £3 00 COMMSTAR 6264L8KSRAM . £24.00 DISC DRIVE POWER LEADS £27.00 Supply from BBC power supply to standard Disc Prices subject to without notice available request Drive connector. change and on Single £3.00 Dual £3.75 MAIL ORDER AND RETAIL SHOP. TRADE AND EXPORT INQUIRIES WELCOME. GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS OFFICIAL ORDERS ACCEPTED. CARRIAGE: Unless stated otherwise, please add 75p to all cash orders. MISCELLANEOUS VAT: UK customer* please add 15% VAT to the total cost incl. Carriage SHOP HOURS: 9.00am to 6.00pm. Monday to Saturday. (Ample Free Car Parking Spaces) CONNECTORS ACCESS ORDERS: Simply phone: Watford (0923) 50234.(24 Hours) Plugs Sockets RGB (6 PIN DIN) 30p 45p RS423(5pinDominol 40p 50p Watford Electronics Cassette (7 pin DIN) 25p 65p EC0NET(5pinDIN) 20p 30p

11 i m Paddles 5 pin D 110p 21 5p BBC Power Plug 6 way 80p - Dept,ACORIM,33CARDIFFROAD, WATFORD, Disc Drive Plug 4 way 75p - ENGLAND Telephone: 0923 40588/37774. Telex: 8956095

40 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 FIRST BYTE

Redefining a window is quite a simple task, but as text and graphics windows are arranged differently each must be defined separately. Text is printed onto the screen as a series of PAINTING letters which each occupy a position both across and down the screen, in rows and columns. By giving each of these rows and columns a number, starting with row 0, column at the top left-hand corner of the screen, each text position can be defined. Thus the second text position across and down GfflAMS the screen would have the text co-ordi- PRO nates 1,1. The actual number of text columns and rows on a screen will depend on Tessie Revivis explains how to the screen mode selected. As the paint- box program utilises mode 2, we'll stick with that for our examples. Figure 1 create text and graphics windows shows the general layout - as you can see it's arranged as 32 rows of 20 characters. The character position of for the Electron and Beeb the bottom right hand corner would be 31,19 - remember we use values one less than might be expected as the co- start at 0,0. month we established how a ordinates LAST To define a new text window we use program could be written neatly the VDU 28 command followed by four and be made easy to fol low by con- values which correspond to the ducting it as a series of simple program co-ordinates of the four text window building blocks called procedures. co-ordinates. Figure 2 shows the These PROCs were used to allow us to organisation exactly. The entire VDU design a variety of shapes that could be command is: built up to form a picture. This month, using the structured programming VDU 28, A, B, CD approach, we shall see how simple where A, B, C, and D are the values procedures can be manipulated to pro- relating to the desired position. vide the basis for a creative graphics To define a text window that limits paintbox-type program. two lines of the can be - text to the bottom The entire program listing Figure 2. Defining a text window screen only we would need to type: found on the yellow page 99, and a sec- VDU28,A,B,C,D tional description of it is included. It VDU 28, 0,31,19, 29 Byte, so let's have a incorporates the use of several com- mands new to First change the depth of close look at these first - they include As we only want to graphics windows. the window, we only need to alter the 19 text windows and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 of it. To see the effect it When we think of a window, we value of the 'top' the following pro- imagine a hole in the wall filled with has, type and RUN sections of glass that allows us to see gram: beyond. In com- through to what lies 10 REM Text Window Demonstration of a window puter terms, we can think 20 MODE 2 the in much the same way, but unlike 19,29 - 30 VDU 28, 0,31, real thing our viewing position is fixed 40FORN% = 0TO1000 TV we sit on a seat and look at the 50 PRINT N% To screen, so we see only one view. 60 NEXT N% on the Elec- counteract this, windows 70 END tron and Beeb screen can be pos- should see that the itioned anywhere we wish at the start of Now list it and you is confined to the the program. program listing the screen! To Windows can be of two sorts - text bottom two lines of its normal windows and graphics windows. In the restore the text window to hit Break key and type former text may only be displayed in a value, simply the if wish to recover your pro- text window and nowhere else on the OLD you experimentation. screen. Similarly, any graphics dis- gram for further text-screen asso- plays produced by your micro are con- Remember that all will be confined to fined to the graphics windows. These ciated commands text and graphics windows are always for in use, and have default values which See yellow pages 99 and 100 are both exactly equal to the normal Tessie Revivis' picture designer text and screen size, so that all program and sectional description graphics appear on the screen. Figure 1 . Mode 2 text layout ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 PUT BBC BASIC IN CONTROL USE THE 6502 2ND PROCESSOR WITH BIG CONNECTIONS

BATTERY REAL TIME BACKUP CLOCK CALENDAR

EXPANSION BUS ADC-DAC INTERFACE DIGITAL I/O SERIAL COLOUR GRAPHIC IEEE RACKING SYSTEM

TUBE INTERFACE

BBC 8K MOS BASIC USER EXPANSION RAM

Single Eurocard - can stand alone and run BBC BASIC programs. Program your control applications in BBC BASIC ...... FORTH, PASCAL or any other language ROM. Adds I/O expansion to your BBC via the 6502 bus connector. Tube Interface for fast development. Battery backed up Real Time calendar clock. Runs BASIC programs in ROM or from battery backed up RAM. Complete set of software utility modules available in ROM. A full range of Eurocards for use in target applications. Ideal for industry, education, research and commerce.

44a Hobson Street Cambridge Cambridge CBl 1NL Microprocessor $m (0223) 324141 Systems Limited

42 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 I FIRST BYTE

graphics and the right hand side for f1: This draws a circle whose centre is Its radius should text. The picture designer program the position of the pen. uses dual windows to confine text to the be entered when asked for. position very bottom line of the screen. f2: Plots a line from the current of the pen to the X and Y co-ordinates enter. Using the picture designer that you are requested to graphics 13: Simply makes a single dot at the X with the picture window Creating pictures and Y co-ordinates you are prompted to designer program is simplicity itself. give. When you run the program the screen 14: Draws a dotted line from the current should clear to black with a white position of the pen to the X and Y co- border with a status line at the bottom V ordinates that you are asked for. of the screen printed in the text window. f5: This draws and fills a triangle using status line should look like this: The the PLOT 85 command. The pen pos- ition is used to mark the top, or apex, of Figure 3. Defining a graphics window - X, Y: 500,500 are then requested to VDU 24, A; B; C; D; the triangle. You values 500,500 refer to the current The give four values marking the left-hand co-ordinates of the imaginary pen the the text window - even CLS will only (LX.LY) and right-hand (RX, RY) co- program draws with. All shapes are clear the text window screen. ordinates of the shape. defined in drawn from this position. The C at the A graphics window can be f6: Draws a line to the left and right of of the line refers to the current a similar way using a VDU 24 com- end the pen's current position until a is drawing colour (or if you like, the colour mand. The co-ordinate system used change in the background colour is of the ink in the pen). Thus any shapes different though, as it starts from the encountered. Used in conjunction with will be in the same colour as the C, and bottom left-hand corner of the screen the cursor arrow keys this can be used sixteen to across it and 1023 as we're in mode 2 there are and runs 1027 points to fill solid and enclosed areas. - First Byte for chose from. up it see last month's f7: Compliments f6 and will erase a line four cursor arrow keys 1 -> further details. Figure 3 shows how a The t across the screen from the current pen «- move the position of the 'pen'. graphics window is defined using the and position until a different background Try pressing each of these - you should following command: colour is encountered. see the co-ordinates on the co-ordinate f8: Alters the current plotting colour (or VDU 24, A; B; C; D; line change. If you press the up arrow the colour of the ink in the pen) to one of the X axis co-ordinate will in- You will note that each of the four vari- key, the sixteen available and all sub- crease. Similarly, pressing the down ables are postfixed by a semi-colon sequent lines are drawn in it. As the key might be expected arrow key will decrease its value. The and not a comma as is pressed, the colour values are incre- right arrow keys work in the - an important difference between the left and mented and the colour of the C on the vein on the Y axis value. Thus, by two windows and vital if they're to work same status line indicates the new shade. short pro- using combinations of these keys, the correctly. Try the following f9: Allows the contents of the screen to pen can be moved around the screen. gram that demonstrates how the be saved to tape or disc, so that they Shapes and lines are drawn onto the graphics window works: can be reloaded for editing or display at screen using the function keys. Figure 4 Window a future date. A suitable program to do 10 REM Graphics Demo a suitable function key strip lays out would be: 2 this 20 MODE that can be placed above them to 200; 900; 900; 30 VDU 24, 200; remind you of their uses. 10 REM display picture 40 GCOL 0,129 20 MODE 2 50CLG 30 fO: Draws, from the bottom left-hand 'LOAD SCREEN 60 GCOL 0,3 corner, a square or rectangle onto the 70 MOVE 0,0 screen. When you press this key the Expanding the program 80 1279,0 picture designer MOVE status line clears and you are prompted Like all programs, the 90 PLOT 85, 640,100 it more ver- for 'X:', which is the length of the X axis can be expanded to make entering a suit- satile or to include extra features which Again, all commands that affect the side of the square. After desirable. For example, to get graphics screen are confined to the able numeric value and pressing you find not try adding a cross- graphics window. return, you are requested to enter the you started, why should hair that moves around, indicating the As you might have guessed, it's length of the Y axis side, which manner. current position of the pen on the possible to have graphics and text be performed in a similar might not be as easy as windows on the screen together and When this has been done, a square or screen? This you think, but that's the fun of comput- operational at the same time. As an rectangle is drawn to the side lengths of the ing - though you might not think so at exercise, try writing a program that specified and in the colour C on reappears. the time! uses the left hand side of the screen for status line, which now

ERASE FILL SAVE LINE TO SCREEN LINE RIGHT C _]

Figure 4. The picture designer keystrip ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 , mn

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ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 nnnn HINTS &TIPS

llllliiPi Control codes for Epsons, the . «•« -.-»^L»«»^.l !• • j**ei*s r ^___ . JLlliil£Hlj command line interpreter and *"*>,•.<* ! \<\ . JIKIBii I improving your micro's memory are among Martin Phillips' subjects

is fitted, as PAGE now becomes &1900 If one starts at the bottom of the worse still if Econet or Tele- Control codes memory map (figure 1) (ie, at memory (6400), or With all those fitted location 0), much of this is reserved for text are installed. the computer's own use, as a work- the user has lost about another 12k of for Epsons space to store variables, pointers and memory. memory the various buffers needed, followed by Starting at the top of the 32k grabs some column the start of the user's memory. This map, the computer MANY letters I receive for this depending on memory to store the screen display. In follow up items included in earlier Hints boundary is movable computer, and mode7thisis1k, 10k in mode4, and 20k and Tips. Some ask for further help with what's been fitted to the left for the This is in mode 1 ! By now the space topics covered, others offer alternative its position is given by PAGE. decimal), so user is far short of the 32k the machine methods or extend the information normally set to &E00 (3584 3.5k of the 32k. so invitingly offers at switch on. The given. The £5 prize this month is well- the user has already lost filing system position of the start of memory taken for deserved by Mr Tozer from Stoke-on- Matters get worse if a disc in Trent, who was prompted to send a EPSON FX8B CODES DETAIL full list of Epson FX80 control codes lackipace blCtipiCI OKI pIlCI included in the 3.6 after seeing the one ill soundi bell loon 3.49 111 ingi lit 191 27,i,n,o illicit varioue 8 bit gripnici 3.53 issue. It not only includes a full HI 27, «,.... selKts vinous 9 bit graphic* eodes August 3.61 nsi to I 27,61 lilt nb ol lollontng 8-bit data to I 3.62 Iolloaing 8-bit date to I listing ksb to i 27,62 lets isb ol printout, but also a Wordwise 3.43 RSI cincil 27,35 cincil t ibovi codn 3.75 nor Ml deneity 27,75 lollomng dill printed it bit nigit is available on this month's nigis 3.81 which dual dimity 27,76 Iolloaing diti printed ii bit adjacent dott 3.97 d,d. doubli ipted 27,89 is above but Inter and no 3,97 Acorn User tape. It's in alphabetical guadruple dentity 27,91,,... as above but darter print buller lor saae line 3.8 Ctncil 21 deletea previous data in 3.12 well set out and printed in con- Cirri |(| return U carriage return order, printed condensed 3.14 Condeneed iodi on 13 itorid ind tubtiguint diti 3.21 sheet on 27,15 n abovi densed mode so it will fit onto one 3.16 oil 18 cincelt ibovi 8-31 11 printable n'1'48 iilicts as unpri Ie 3.72 Control codi ulict 27,73,n n-l/49 ulecti codn paper. It also gives reference print buller 3.19 of printer Oil itt 127 deletes previous char, in 3.71 Doubli Itrlti lit 27,71 iiti doubli strlii tode 3.71 Epson handbook page number. cincil 27,72 cancels above to the 3.38 toantoed dtl'n. 27,38 dilinn doanload chinctin 3.36 directly from the MllCt 27,37,1,1 electa priviouily dilined lit To send these codes 3,36 cincil 27,37,1.1 iilictt RC* character set , M 3.54 ROB character set to doanload character set the ROII cocv 27,56,1,1,1 copies keyboard or a program using VDU in elite site 3.84 Elltl lOdl lit 27,77 tolloelng data printed print 3.88 cincil 27,81 cancels above i.e. returni to noraal to precede 3.71 commands, it is necessary Eapnallted lit 27,69 all lollomng diti printed In laphaemd lode Hdl 3.71 MAUI 27,71 cancel i above ind ol Piper detector 3.31 a 1 , eg, to switch on the End of piper on 27,57 illicit each number by 3.31 27,56 deselects end ol paper detector Ml 3.IJ Enlarged iodi lit 14 enlarged lor one line emphasised printing you type 3.21 27,11 cmcels 3.96 27 87,n n-1'49 all lollootng data printed enlarged n>l/48 t 3.18 Ul 21 cancils thit set by 14 printable, doanload 3.29 VDU1,27,1,69 Eipinnon 27,34 codet 128-159 V 255 ire let at ill 3.31 off 27,55 cancel t above 3.12 12 eiecutei lori lied Fori did 3.67 length as n lines printer with the lmjth I met 27,*7,n lata Ion after first initialising the 3.68 length inchei 27,67,1, sett Ion length aa a inchea print n»l.48 cancels 3.187 Hill speed 27, 115, n n"l,49tets hall spied or using CTRL-B. n-l/48 cancels 3.IM VDU2 command Increeental print 27, 183, n-l/49 lata print and vln 3.113 Indent 27, 118, Bits n character left aargin the Epson during buller 3.64 For those readers with Inltlillu 27,64 Inltlaliaet printir, including character aet 3.91 Intermtionil lit 27,82,n prmti iolloaing data Iroa n in Italica 3.25 III or Epson RX80 printers, I Itihci on 27,32 printe all Iolloaing data MX80 type 3.28 oil 27,53 cancels ibovi 3.11 on Line >ei£ faraird II eiecutei line leed a list of commands for them 3.111 include ruerie 27,ll6,n eiecutei n/214" reverse leed left aargin 3.113 Rargln lit 27,ll8,n its n character as the 3.32 page 47. Many are the same 27,33,n ulecti one ol 63 type lien 3.13 17 enablai printer 3.16 there are some omissions, as 19 disable* printer FX80, but OH 3.19 Pigi width 27,8l,n aits page width to n chidden paper lied ll<«n<«H5) 3.74 fewer features - for instance Piptr fled 27,74.n e.ecules in n/216" they have apacing n«l/48 cancel! 3.114 Proportion!! spicing 27,112, n«l/49 aete proportional buller 3.64 27,64 initialises printer, including clearing don't have definable characters or fll-llt 3,111 they Riviru 27,ll6,n mcjtii n/216' raverii feet *Md 3.85 over perforation 27,78,n sups n lines at page bottoe of advanced Skip 3.B7 reverse feed, or some the cincil 27,79 cancels ibovi print n'l,4B cmcils 3.117 Sloe spud 27, 115, n n"l,49titt hill spud specing 1/8' 3.21 horizontal and vertical TAB features. Spicing 1/8" 27,48 lets tubiiguint line to 7/72' 3.22 7/72- 27,49 sets eubseguent line spacing to 3.23 1/6" 27,51 ills lubiaquent line apacing to 1'6 spacing n/216 3.24 n/216' 27,51, sett subsigumt line to 3.63 27,65,n seti subseguent line ipaclng to n/72' i.e. dott aidth n/72" 3.93 27,83,n n«l/49ieli tubscript iodi Subscript sit 3.94 cincil 27,84 cincelt ibovi supirscript 3.92 Micro Superscript let 27,B3,n n>l/48 sett 3.94 cancel 27,84 unci: i ibove 3.9 horizontal 9 eiecutei horliontil tab Tib 3.69 horliontil 27,68,.... aits horliontil tibs 3.11 vertical II necutes verticil tab 3.98 verticil lit 27,98 sets 8 channel! ol vertical tab! eiecutei n th lonit vert, tabs e.g. one loraat lor each ol pages 3.54 virticil 27,47,n ' positions 3.46 amnesia vertical 27,64 delines virticil tab underline 3.55 Underline 27,13,11 n"l/49ielects underline, n-l/48 deselects line 3.61 Unidirectional print 27,61 print! Iroa lilt to right lor tingle 3.95 27,85, n«l/49 let! unidirectional print n-l/48 let! bidirectional p A PROBLEM soon encountered on the control codes, with page references to Epson handbook BBC micro is shortage of memory. This Epson FX80 causes endless difficulties when using hitch, or a programming problem let Martin Phillips give his leave the user IF YOU have a technical modes 0,1 or 2 as these point. Please give full details diagnosis. We'll pay £5 if you raise a really interesting with little memory. The programmer is appropriate, making your ques- ot the system you're using and include a listing where 32k of memory, as Publishing, seldom able to use tion as specific as possible. WRITE TO: Hints & Tips, Acorn User, Redwood the computer often claims some of that 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH. for itself. ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 .

Howelse wouldvouhandle jUlllf?iljMlRj

-— ; .„_

Save £90 on this Superb Quen Data • 20 CPS(Max)Print Speed • Bi-directional Logic DWP 1120 Daisywheel Printer. Seeking • QUME Protocol, QUME Ribbons Available on Direct Purchase Mail • QUME Daisywheels, Centronic Order at the incredible price of • Interface (Optional RS232-C) • Supports all Wordstar features • Optional Tractor /Sheet Feeder • One years parts and labour guarantee £249 inc VAT For full specification see opposite, SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER >< Please complete coupon in block capitals Please send me Quen Data enclosing your remittance and send to 1 CTlicraSa DWP 120 Daisy Wheel Prmter(s) a! | Microstyle Dept M.O.. Turnpike ind. Est.. C249 00 including VAT Turnpike Road. Newbury. Berks. plus £6.90 Secuncor Delivery THE HOME COMPUTER PEOPLE Name_ . Address

-.Daytime Tel No: Order by phone please telephone 0635 41929 I*— Total price including quoting your Access/ Barclaycard numbe post & packing 'deques may De made Out to Please MICROSTYLE Note: While Microstyle will endeavor to maintain stocks Please remember to include appropriate ot all items curreniiy or previously post & packing charges. Allow 28 days tor delivery. advertised all itmes are ot- AV/1 2/84 tered subiect to availability Irom manulacturers Special price otter only applies to mail order purchasers . n n r

Che Quen Data DWP 1120 HINTS &TIPS

SPECIFICATIONS

Print ipaed: 20 cps (Repeal). 18 cps (al Shannon Text)

Print whttl: pnntwheels are compatible with the QUME 96 character exciting screen display is given by HIMEM. The offer of extra memory is an Print method: have Fully lormed characters are printed in a series by the computer uses from HIMEM to the top proposition. Several readers dillerenl character automatic print energy adiustment lor asked for more information about such sizes Ur.i-directional incremental printing and bidirectional of the 32k memory. logical seek printing are sollware selectable So, the computer grabs some of the devices. There are boards that offer an Maximum paper width: bottom of the map for its own extra 20k of memory, there is the 13 inches 32k at the processor which offers 64k, Character par line use, and some at the top for the screen second 120 characters at 1/10 inch pitch display. The user is left with what there are sideways ROM boards which 144 characters at 1/12 inch pitch and ISO characters at 1/15 Inch pitch remains in the middle, ie that memory can also have 16k of RAM added, spacing with 1 / 1 20 inch increments is available Proportional fact boards which offer up to 128k of by the soltware control ol a connected outside computer between PAGE and HIMEM. In he It's impossible to give Honsontal minimum pitch: or she cannot even use all this as space memory. almost 1/120 inch needs to be left at the end of the pro- a simple answer to this question and Minimum Una faad pitch: gram for the computer to store things say whether they are worthwhile or a 1.- 48 inch or positions waste of money. In many cases the Forma: such as values of variables tractor! their Single sheel or continuous lorms (with lorm of procedures that are required by the value of such add-ons depends on The maximum width is 13 inches Basic program. The end of the user's intended use. Print hammer is TOP. nor- There are several points which 4 levels impression control program given by LOMEM find helpful when decid- Copy capacity: mally has the same value as TOP and is readers might Original (45kg) 4 copies (15kg) the start location for the program vari- ing to add extra memory options. First, Paper lead area. I'll take the 6502 second processor. Fnchon platen standard, bi-directional lorms tractor (option) ables storage is, therefore, left with Piibbone: The user Compatible with Ihe QUME MULTISTRIKE IV in a high precious little of that magic 32k and the page 52 yield, easy loading cartridge Compatible with Ihe QUME FABRIC IV with a snap-in EPSON TYPE III CODES cartridge !or 'Clean Hands" loading MBi Standard Oulol-Ribbon detection DESCRIPTION

• Automatic ribbon advancing Bickipict B bickipict one plici Bill 7 toundl bill Interface B " diti print* bit liigu - 8-bil parallel compatible with Centronics '"'ill dwiilty 27,73 follMlng U printtd it bit latgtt RS232C dull dimity 27,76 following data Cirriigi riturn 13 cirriigi riturn - 12-bil parallel compatible with the QUME SPRINT 3 Condenttd aodt on 13 itortd

Lint fitd for-trd II tutcutti lint fiid . , Trade Enquiries Only Pigt nidth 27,81, uti pigt tilth to n chirictiri ft* IB<-n0233) Paptr fttd 27,74, imcutti in n/214' piptr Sklp-ovir ptrforition 27,7B,n tkipi n lint* it pigt bottot cincil 27,79 eincili ibovt - nt ipic ng to 1/9* 0635 35384 Spicing 1/B' 27,48 uti lubitgutnt 7/72* 27,49 ittt tubittuifit lint ipidng to 7/72" 1/6' 1/6" 27,31 uti tubitgutnt lint ipidng to 27,31, n uti tubitguMt Uti tpiclng to n/214 n/214' 1 Dealer Information update „/72- 27,45,n uti lubitgutnt lint ipicing to n/72 I.I. doti aidth Subicript ttt 27,83,1 uti lubicrlpt todt cinctli ibovi Microstyle been appointed as an ctnctl 27,84 have Supincrlpt lit 27,93,1 Mti luptricript regional distributor for ctnctl 27,84 cinctli ibovi official, horlipntil tab Tib horizontal 9 mcutti EASYJUNIOR business software horliontil 27,48 itti horuontil tibi utM 1 virticil II !"!? "^''f .*!* .4. vtrticil 27,46,.... difinu virticil tib potltioni dntlicti undirl nt 'BUSINESS SOFTWARE AT ITS BEST' Undirlint 27,43,n n-l tilKti undirllni, n-l bidlrKttonil print Umdirtctioml print 27 83 n n«l uti unidirKtionil print, n* uti contact us now for more information and DEALER DEMONSTRATION PACKS. Easyiunioi software available lot BBC + TORCH DISK EPSON RXBB CQDE8 PACK and Apncol

Microstyh

h DllMlng dlti prlntid ll ave°^^ ^ei, lolloung Uti prlntid II deal( flltir llovl tvt ml I c I.I. Mill Mill II quiflrupll omlltr ii ilo.i Pal Urker Prosper £»*Z" and LwflKl riTuri 'li|i riturn

Minn pi clir. in print PiMtr uti dowlli itriki Mdi CIIKlll ibovi 11,77 lolloolng flili if •lit! to print 37,11 ... . rUrni lornl 27.11 II folloiing dlti prinlw in mHinK MM 27,71 cinctli lion illicit me ol piptr detector Bmlicli md ol pipir dltKtor mliriM lor on IlM

n-lMI ill ioIImibo dlti prlitid mlmied n-t/il cmcili CHKffl cmcili tin nt It i" fori •.. •tutu (ori iHd Imgtn linn lit! fori Itnitn I lmgtti inchti 77,l',l,i Kill wtM JMWVIC6 IMMt prKter left uroi iiitmiH Inltlilllil priotir Branches: print! follotlno dlti 'r« n chiricttr lit print! ill lollMig dlti ll Itllici cincil I HOT!

iiKiitn I »• 'Hi The Aylesbury Computer Centre iiu a diriettr lift Mr|in Pill .llll lit! pill "lit" lo n cni'ictm c«\-n<-25SI Pipir IM iKutli in «/2IV pipir Ittt Friar's Aylesbury. during Buffi* 52 Sq., »I-Ht inltllltm prlntK, liclallno, Hip o*lf pertoritloi hpl n linn It pill Mttoi 5124 CIKll cmcili Hovt Telephone: Aylesbury (0296) print CIKtll SIM IP"H 77, 115, n.l.Hwtl bill IK n-i,U 111" Spicing !/ 77,11 Hi iu««.mt line wicmg to 7/72' mr 27,11 Htl lubiMtimt llni ipidng to The Bath Computer Centre UK 37, SI uti ii*in«mt iiu ipuim to i/f tme 27,31." uti uiueiieat llni mcln tl i/Jll' B«l nil ulmueat llll ipiclll 10 i"2" I.I. I«1 29 Belvedere. Lansdown Road. Bath. 37.BS,. n-l/IVHll lolKrlpt oodl cmcili mon 27,11 i:I n-l/ll Htl l«pificri|t Telephone: Bath (0225) 334659 cweel cmcili llovl in Mriuetil liocutfi horuontil til vertical i.it.'.ll VKtlCll IM IMirllM 27,«,n I The Newbury Computer Centre Unidinctionil prill 77,11 27,B,n 47 Cheap Street, Newbury. Telephone: Newbury (0635) 41929 Epson MX80 Type III and RX80 control codes

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 PRINTERS^) ACORN DOT MATRIX BBC MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM printers have centronic parallel interface unless otherwise WE ARE AN OFFICIAL stated. All printers have hires dot addressable graphic mode. BBC Please send SAE for full details. COMPUTER DISTRIBUTOR DEALER ENQUIRIES ARE WELCOMED EPSON FX80 1 60CPS 10" wide friction & pin feed £324 + VAT £373 FX100160CPS 15" wide friction & tractor feed £499 + VATE574 RX80F/T 100 CPS 10" wide friction & tractor feed £239 + VATE275 Acorn RX80 100 CPS 10" wide tractor feed £199 + VAT £229 RX1 00 F/T1 00 CPS friction & tractor feed £385 + VAT £443 8143 RS 23 Interface for FX and RX printers £39 + VAT £45 Electron 8148 RS 232 Interface with 2K buffer x on x off £60 + VAT £69 INC Ribbon Cartridge for RX80FX80&MX80 £5 + VAT £6 £199 VAT Ribbon Cartridge for FX100&MX100 £7 + VAT £8 STAR APPROVED ECONET SERVICE CENTRE Gemini 10X120CPS 10" wide friction & tractor feed £200 + VAT£229 WE STOCK A LARGE RANGE OF SOFTWARE FOR Gemini 15X120CPS 15" wide friction &tractorfeed £295 + VATE339 BBC MICRO INCLUDING ACORNSOFT, Gemini Ribbon BBC £3 + \/AT £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 " TAXAN KAGA OR CANON 160CPS 10" wide 27CPS NLQ 24 x 16 matrix £269 + VAT £310 160CPS 15" wide CDIT1PUTER 27CPS NLQ 24 x 16 matrix £349 + VAT £401 GRDUP 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 DAISYWHEEL DISC JUKI 6100/1 PRINT 20 CPS Bi-Directional Logic seeking 10 12 15 CP1 100% BBC COMPATIBLE MITSUBISHI AND + RS 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 7001 High Res Green Screen with sond input There are some very useful utilities included on formating disc 1431 MS 14" RGB Normal Res Colour £65 + VAT £75 e.g. £173 + VAT £199 1451 MS 14" RGB Medium Res Colour GM1211 * £269 DISASSEMBLER: This is 6502 machine code disassembler GM1211 18 MHZ High Res Monochrome + VAT £309 1441 MS 14" RGB High Res Colour * DUP: To Monitor with tilt and swivel stand available in copy and rename a file on disc £417 + VAT £479 green or amber etched antiglare screen * FORMAT: Formating progam for 40 & 80 tracks (please specify colour £86 + VAT EOT * FREE: This utility provides a disk usage analysis MICROVITEC FOR QL * MDUMP: Enables you to display and modify any part of 1451 14" Medium Res Colour. Specially BBC memory SANYO designed for Sinclair QL £239 + VAT £275 * MERGE: Merge a number of text files DM8112 12" Green screen into one file * 18MHZ Hi- Res RELOCATE: Downloads a basic program to &E00 * £86 + VAT EOT SAMWOO SDUMP: Screen dump for EPSON In all graphic modes 12" Green DM2112 24MHZ High Res Monochrome etched * VERIFY: Verifies every sector on a disk screen 15MHZ antiglare green screen IBM/BBC Compatible * MENU: A flexible menu program ^ £66 + VAT £75 £86 + VAT £99 «fc*fc 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 vi

- *& 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, Purchase Ledger, Nominal Disk interface kit (free fitting) £84 + VAT £96 Ledger, Invoicing, Stock Control, 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 system at an 16K memory upgrade kit £30 + VAT £34 unbelievable price. Games paddles £17 + VAT £19 Delivered Only £1495 + VAT £1719 Delivered and Installed User Guide £10 plus J day Advanced User Guide £12.95 training £1595 + VAT £1834 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 f lopy disk storage. 3$ " 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 Sirlus 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 JUKI 6100 Printer Tel: 443521 0279 (12 lines) £2995 + VAT £3444

DEALER/BULK ENQUIRIES , HAMAYUN MUGHAL SANYO PROFESSIONAL COMPUTER TELEPHONE ORDERS CARON ANDREWS DEALER ORDERS .. . JULIA ALLUM SANYO 550 SANYO 555 EXPORT ENQUIRIES MOHAMAD EDIB 16 Bit Micro 128K RAM expandable to Sanyo MBC555 128K double drive and TECHNICAL SUPPORT _. .. ALAN LAFFOLEY 256K. Single or Double Disk drive built free software including Wordstar, ACCOUNTS ...... „. .. , JULIE AMBLER „ in full colour graphics (640 x 200 pixels Calcstar, Inforstar, Datastar etc. LITERATURE REQUEST .. .. JOHN MAULE in 8 colours) IBM compatible. Free £999 + VAT £1149 software. Sanyo MBC 550 128K RAM single drive and free software including SANYO 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 esiabhshments. 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 160K As 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 £1149 and are rounded up to the nearest pound £999 + VAT SANYO SYSTEMS INCLUDE SANYO 550-730 FREE HIGH RES GREEN NING HOURS: MON-FRI 9am-6.30Dm. SAT 10am-5Dm. As 550 but with 2 x 730K Drives MONITOR £1049 + £1206 We welcome callers, no parking problems. VAT "- WORD PROCESSING DRIVES COMPLETE SYSTEMS FROM £650 + VAT

BBC 1: BBC Micro Model B, View (or SAN 1: Sanyo MBC 550 Series 16 Bit Single drive 100K 40 trks single sided £86 + VAT £99 Wordwise) Wordprocessor, Quendata Microcomputer, 128K Ram, Dual 160K 20 CPS Daisywheel Printer, High Res drives (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 all the necessary 6100 Daisywheel Printer, High Res Single drive 200K 40 trks double sided £138 + VAT £159 cables £650 + VAT = £747.50 Green Monitor, 1 Box of 10 discs, Wordstar Wordprocessor, Calcstar Dual drive 40 400K trks double sided £260 + VAT £299 spreadsheet and all the necessary BBC 2: BBC Micro Model B + Disk cables £1175 + VAT = £1351 .25 Single drive 400K 80 trks double sided £152 Interface, View (or Wordwise) + VAT £175 2: as 1 but with Dual Wordprocessor, 100K Disk Drive, High SAN Same SAN Drives x360K) Res Green Monitor, Quendata 20 CPS 360K (2 Single drive 400K 40 80 trks £1345 + VAT = £1546.75 Daisywheel Printer, 1 Box of Disks and switchableDS SAN 3: Same as SAN 1 but with Dual £155 + VAT £179 all the necessary cables 720K Drives £799 + VAT = £918.85 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 with Microcomputer, 128K Ram, Dual 160K 400K Drive switchableDS £31 2 + VAT £359 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 BBC 4:Same System but with Monitor, 1 of 10 discs, + built in monitor stand £373 + VAT £429 as BBC 2 Box Wordstar, 400K Drive and JUKI 6100 Daisywheel Wordprocessor, Calcstar spreadsheet, Printer Mailmerge, Spellstar (dictionary), £975 + VAT = £1121.25. Datastar (database), Reportstar plus all All drives are slimline (0 3 typ above low power A the necessary cables £1295 + VAT = £1489.25. at + 12vand0 4at + 5v per drive) Normally extra BBC 5: BBC Model B + Disk Interface, SAN 5: Same as 4 but with Dual View (or Wordwise) Wordprocessor, SAN 360K Drives power supply is not required. The BBC Computer 800K Dual Disk Drive (Mitsubishi), High Res Green Monitor. 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 Dual 730K Drives Track DS discs and all necessary £1525 + VAT = £1753.75 drive (IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO DRIVE INTERNAL cables £1 1 45 + VAT = £1 31 6.75. ROM BOARD) If you require High Res Colour Monitor instead of High Res

Green Monitor in Sanyo Systems please add £320 -t- VAT = £368 to the above prices. SSDDdisketts(10Box) £18 + VAT £20 *128K RAM Upgrade for all above Sanyo systems (makes a total of 256K RAM) £150 + VAT DSDDdisketts(10Box) £23 + VAT £26 = £172.50 Including fitting. 5

Twillstar reliability for HOI

COMPUTERS Brother HR25 £631 .00 Canon Commodore 64 £179 Epson RX100F/T 100 CPS £439.00 AP400KSR £874.00 OncAtmos48K £166 Epson FX80 160 CPS £370.00 Daisy Step 2000 20 CPS £228.00 Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K £115 00 Epson FX100F/T160CPS £494.00 Diablo 630 API £1512.00 SanyoMBC55128K2x160K Epson LQ1 500 200 CPS Diablo Sheet Feeder £563.00 Drives £914 25 (NLQ) £1029.00 Fujitsu SP830 RO(S) 80 CPS £1 374.00 Acorn Electron £199 MannesmannMT8080CPS £199.00 Juki 6100 18 CPS £340.00 Juki 40 BBC Model B £399 Mannesman MT1 80 160 CPS 6300 CPS £850.00 Model Disc Interface NEC 2010 Serial 20 CPS £741.00 BBC B [ £469 (NLQ) £678.00

\- NEC 2030 Parallel BBC Model B Econet Newbury DRE8850 300 LPM £2409.00 20 CPS £741.00 Interface £447 00 Newbury DRE8925 240 CPS £1592.00 NEC 3510 Serial 35 CPS £1321.00 BBC Model B -+ Disc & Econet OKI 82A 120 CPS £293.00 NEC 3530 Parallel 35 CPS £1321.00 Interface £517 OKI 84A 200 CPS £724.00 NEC 7710 Serial 55 CPS £1723.00 Z80 Second Processor £399 OKI 92P 160 CPS £379 00 NEC 7730 Parallel 55 CPS £1 723.00 0lympiaESW103 6502 Second Processor £199 OKI 241 OP 350 CPS £1765.00 £948.00 Acorn Bitstick £375 00 SeikoshaGP100A £165.00 Quendata20CPS Unidirectional Acorn I EE Interface £325 00 SeikoshaBP420420CPS £228.00 Acorn Electron + One Interface £59. (110 CPS NLQ) £1255.00 Qume11/40RO £1362.00 BBC Prestel Adaptor £132. ShinwaCP80Model11Ft £199.00 Qume11'55RO £1575.00 BBC Telex Receiver £225. StarDelta10160CPS £378.00 Qume9/45RO £1782.00 Ricoh RP1300S Amstrad \ Green Monitor £235. 00 StarDelta15160CPS £511.00 £1029.00 Amstrad + Colour Monitor £335. 00 Riteman Compact 120 CPS, Ricoh RP1600S £1368.00 Ricoh RP1600S Flow Writer Einstein £499. 00 80COI, F/T £228.00 8K £1436.00 DOT MATRIX PRINTERS Star Gemini 10X1 20 CPS £228.00 Ricoh Flow Writer Star Gemini 15X1 20 CPS £334.00 RP1600S Anadex DP-6500 500CPS £2321 .00 8KIBMPC £1493.00 AnadexWP-6000 £2079.00 Star Radix 10 200 CPS (NLQ) £516.00 Ricoh RP 1 600S Sheet Feeder £527.00 Brother EP44 £228.00 Star Radix 15 200 CPS (NLQ) £631.00 Ricoh RP1600S Tractor £158.00 Brother HR5 £148.00 Tec1550120CPS £534.00 SilverFeedEXP550(P)16 Canon PW1080A1 60 CPS Toshiba TH21 00H 1 92 CPS £1466.00 CPS £655.00 (NLQ) £289.00 Trend 930 200 CPS (NLQ, 80 CPS) Smith Corona TIP 12 CPS £224.00 Canon PW1156A 160 CPS £1552.00 TEC Star Writer F1 040 40 (NLQ) £389.00 Epson 81 43RS232 Interface for FX & CPS £1029.00 Texan KagaKP810 £279.00 RX £43.00 Epson TEC Star Writer F1 055 55 Texan KagaKP910 £389 00 81 48RS232 Interface with 2K BufferX CPS £1420.00 Ensign 1650 165 CPS £305 On/Off £65.00 TEC Sheet Feeder £527.00 Epson RX80T 100 CPS £224 DAISYWHEEL PRINTERS TEC Tractor £158.00 Epson RX80FT 100 CPS £253. Brother HR1 £511.00 UchidaDWX-305(SorP) Brother HR1 £378.00 18 CPS £264.00 Brother HR1 5 Keyboard £155.00 Juki Single Sheet Feeder £245.00 Brother HR1 5 Sheet Feeder £212.00 Juki Tractor Unit £108.00 Brother HR1 5 Tractor Feed £71.00 Juki RS232 Interface £55.00 Juki Spare Daisywheel £16.00

Twillstar Computers Limited

• 17 Regina Road, Southall. MIDDLESEX, UB2 5PL. TEL: (01 ) 574 5271 ^j?^

50 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 1

ME computer users...and now

Oric Disk Drives £263.00 COLOUR PRINTERS Sinclair 249K Disk Drives £229.00

Canon PJ1080A 7 Colour ADDONS FOR THE BBC much more than just the standard

40CPS InkJet £399.00 Spell Check £19.00 commands, it has been programmed to give more and better commands! Priced at £69.95 SeikoshaGP700A7 Tool Kit £27.00 inclusive of VAT. Please add £1 .50 for post Colour 50 CPS £399.00 Star Base £69.00 and packing. PLOTTERS Disk Doctor £32.00 Graphics ROM £32.00 Mannesman P1XY Plotter £569.00 Microtec Cassette £49.80 MONITORS MicrotecOnDisk £59.85 Texan Kaga RGB Vision 1 1 Grafpad £132.00 12" £369.00 BBC Cassette Recorder £35.00 2" Texan Kaga 1 Disk Interface (Free Fitting) £120.00 HR Green/Amber £118.00 Games Paddles £9.95 Microvitec CUB 1431 Stand Econet Interface £69.00 RAM-ROM BOARD RES £199.00 Speech Interface £54.00 The RAM-ROM extension board gives an Microvitec CUB 1451 Medium View Word Processor £59.00 extra 6 sockets for extra ROM's and 2 slots of RES £299.00 Word Wise Word Processor £37.00 RAM. This RAM is not an extension of BASIC. It is intended that the RAM be used to develop Microvitec CUB 1441 High Light Pen for BBC £45.00 your own ROM based software. There are in RES £399.00 Edward User Pack £44.79 fact seven sockets on the board, the 7th SanyoSCM14"VHR £425.00 Edward Teacher Pack £34.44 replaces the socket on the main board that Fidelity 12MHZ, RGB, Edward Commercial Pack £59.74 would otherwise betaken by the ROM board. Composite £195.00 (The RAM-ROM board can accommodate both 2764 type as well Phillips V7001HR Green EPROMS as 271 28 EPROMSandROM.) Screen with Sound Input £75.00 The RAMAMP board will not cause Microvitec FOR QL1 451 14" overheating . it comes with fully fitting Medium Res £270.00 instructions, tested and heat tested before Novex 14" Colour Monitor £215.00 depatch. Nordmede TV/Monitor 14" £249.00 Prices: Without RAM fitted £33.50. 1 x 6K RAM fitted £47.00. 2 x 16 RAM fitted PERIPHERALS £59.00

DISK DRIVES EXPANSION BOARDS All prices inclusive of VAT. Please add £1 .50 for P&P. RAVEN-20 BOARD BBC Single 100K Drive £99.00 HOWTO ORDER The RAVEN-20 is a 20K RAM BBC Dual 200K £189.00 You may purchase any of the items listed by EXPANTION forthe BBC Micro, Model B. cheque made payable to: Twillstar Computers BBC Single 200K 40 Track fitted with O.S. 1.2. Ltd. Barclaycard or Access. All you have to do is fill in your requirements on a separate sheet of Double Sided £159.00 This specially designed product plugs in paper, post to us and we will despatch with 24 BBC Dual 400K 40 Track to the CPU socket of your micro (centre hours, subject to availability. All prices inclusive of 15% VAT. ADD C2.50 P&P for orders socket of the 3 available) with the minimum of Double Sided £299.00 below £150. Over add £8 P&P. Credit card effort. The pins are specially custom made, holders may order by telephone. Single Give card BBC 400K 80 Track number, name, thus avoiding any possible damage to the address and items required. Double Sided £175.00 Please note VAT is not charged on export circuitry. orders. Export customers please ring for details BBC Dual 800K 80 Track The RAVEN board provide the user with of P&P. Double Sided £349.00 an extra 20K of usable RAM in screen modes . . . ask for our Full range! BBC Single Power Supply £20.00 to 3. This together with the aid of software makes the system completely transparent to BBC Dual Power Supply £29.00 both the user and the computer. Disk Drive for Amstrad £199.00 Open The RAVEN-20 software ROM gives ra tsR* 6 days a week Commodore 1541 Disk Drive £179.00 9am to 7pm Monday to Saturday

BARCLAYCARD * TELEPHONE ORDERS VISA (01)5745271

ACORN DECEMBER 1984 51 HINTS &TIPS

< page 47 less fitting. There can also be problems you intend to purchase several ROMs. When this is added to the BBC, the user with the power they draw from the BBC. Think carefully about the other forms of ends up with about 44k of memory, However, there are sideways ROM extra memory before buying to ensure because the second processor still boards that are carefully designed, they will meet your requirements. I sus- needs some memory for itself, easy to fit and operate almost un- pect such devices as the 6502 second although not as much as a normal noticed inside the Beeb. processor will only become popular - of to Beeb. It uses the BBC as a slave com- Lastly, there's the Solidisc system when there is a range software puter, and mostly makes use of a memory expansion board that take advantage of the extra memory features concerned with inputting or enables ROM software to be stored on offered. outputting information. The second disc and then loaded into these areas of processor is not concerned with screen RAM. As with the other systems it has Command line display, so no memory is reserved for its advantages and disadvantages but I this - a great bonus for the user. As it's wonder how long it'll be before soft- using the BBC to perform many of its ware houses making ROM software interpreter tasks, it's able to do its work faster, and will find a way of preventing it being the system works more quickly. copied onto disc and then loaded into BBC Basic as used on the Electron and

The worst problems with the second sideways RAM - as it stands, the sim- the BBC is one of the best versions of processor are that many programs will plest way to copy ROM software. Basic around for a micro. As well as the not run on it because of the way they To many people, 'extra memory' Basic statements there are a range of are written, and the lack of software implies that when such memory is operating system calls (all the * calls) created to take advantage of the extra fitted, one will, perhaps, see a message which give the programmer access to memory. If a program will run on the appear on the screen saying "BBC many functions that otherwise would standard BBC there's little to be gained Computer 64k", and have all the extra be difficult to program. Sometimes one by buying a second processor, unless can come unstuck trying to combine the program allows the user to take Basic commands with operating advantage of that extra memory. An system commands -for instance, example is a graphics creation pro- 'MOTOR. "MOTOR 1 switches on the Screen memory e gram such as Bitstik. cassette motor relay (and the LED indi- Often one wants to share a program cator on the keyboard of the BBC) and

"MOTOR switches it off again. Try the one has developed, but care must be Variable taken to ensure that others have similar storage program shown in listing 1. equipment, or that it will run on a stan- Line 20 inputs either a "Y" or an "N" dard computer. One program that into the string A$. Line 30 will put the could be used to advantage on the value 1 into the variable N if A$ contains second processor is Wordwise, but the "Y", otherwise it will return the value 0. current version will not work. It comes This routine, therefore, gives a default down to the usual story - such add-ons value of 0. and only returns a value of 1

if is detected. The variable N is are only as good as the software avail- Workspace lor "Y" operating system, with the "MOTOR command able for them. tiling systems then used and Baste The review of the Aries B20 20k RAM to switch the relay on or off. expansion board in April's Acorn User MEMORY MAP When the program runs, the error highlighted the problems I've raised. "Bad command at line 40" appears, This board also needs special software because once the Basic interpreter across an operating system which is included in ROM form. This How the memory is divided comes could cause more difficulties if ROM command, the rest of that line is passed space was at a premium, especially as memory on hand in the same way that it to the operating system. Line 40 tries to most other ROM boards cannot be could be added to a model A. The fact is use a Basic variable in an operating fitted at the same time. It's not possible that the Beeb has as much memory system command, with the result that

to fit such a board, expect all programs available as its architecture will allow the operating system does not under- to work with it and make use of the extra (with the possible exception of the stand the variable N. memory. For instance a special version sideways ROMs), and adding any more There are many examples where an of Wordwise is needed. has to be done using one or more ability to include variables or strings There are several sideways ROM tricks. This is why, with the exception of into operating system commands boards available which allow extra the second processor, such memory would extend the range of options open ROMs to be fitted, and often also up to add-ons are rather awkward to fit onto to the programmer, or simplify rou- 16k of RAM. This extra 16k can't gener- the BBC main circuit board and all pro- tines. As might be expected, Acorn ally be used to provide more room for grams don't automatically work without have thoughtfully provided such a

running programs, but it does enable alteration. means, but it's not very well docu- software intended to be put into ROM to To sum up, in order to get the best out mented in either the Electron or the be more easily developed, and can be of any of these systems the software BBC User Guide. Another problem is used for special functions such as a needs to be written to take advantage of that there's a simpler method of use print buffer (with suitable software). the extra memory, and as yet there is which will only work on the Electron or ROM boards aren't free of problems little of this about. Such memory can be the BBC fitted with either Basic 2 or Hi- either. Some need to have tricky sol- used for one's own programs, but Basic (supplied with the second pro- dered connections when being others must have the same memory cessor). installed, and some have wires pushed expansion to run them. Sideways This routine is called the Command into integrated circuit sockets along- ROMs have proved useful for some Line Interpreter (CLI) and listing 2 side the chip lead (no-one will ever applications such as word processors shows how it can be accessed. First, an convince me this is a satisfactory and utilities programs, and one of the array 20 bytes long needs to be defined. method). Only a few have truly solder- better boards is a useful investment if This is done in line 20. Notice the differ-

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ...Twillstar reliability for BUSINESS computer users!

attprices

BUSINESS SYSTEMS inclusive of vat/ SANYO 550 16 Bit Micro 128K RAM expandable to 256K. Single or is Double Disk drive built in full and there more virtually any computer system in colour graphics (640x200 BBC 3° SAN 5:

the world . This is one of the new pixels in 8 colours) IBM Same as S'ystem BBC 2 but with Same as SAN 4 but with Dual compatible. Free software. 400K Drive £1006.25 360K Drives £1696.25 generation modems, that will probably Sanyo MBC 550 128K RAM BBC 4: SAN 6: cover any single drive and tree software BBC Model B + Disk Interface, Same as SAN 4 but with Dual communications standards you View (or Wordwise) 730K Drives is including Wordstar and Calcstar £1753.75 would ever need. This the £862 Wordprocessor, 800K Dual Disk modem that will cover Prestel, Drive (Mitsubishi), High SANYO 550-2 Res BUSINESS SOFTWARE Micronet, Telecom Gold, Distel. Green Monitor, JUKI 6100 As 550 but with Dual Drive £ £ Microweb. One-to-One. Bulletin Daisywheel Printer, 1 Box (10) 2x160K £976 Tape Disk Boards both in the UK and of 80 Track Disks and all Cash Book abroad, ect. etc. as well as SANYO 550-360 necessary cables £1316.75 Accounts 59.80 63.25 user-to-user communication It As 550 but with 2 x360K Drives SAN1: Final Accounts 59.80 63.25 also has a rather useful facility of £1149 Sanyo MBC 550 Series 16 Bit Invoices & Reverse-Prestel' mode i.e. SANYO 550-73 Microcomputer, 128K RAM, Statements 19.84 23.28 75 1200 so that you can As 550 but with 2 x 730K Drives Dual 160K Drives (2 x160K). £1206 High Res Graphics (600x200 Commercial communicate with other users SANYO 555 pixels in 8 colours). JUKI 6100 Accounts 19.84 23.28 who only have a standard 1 200/ Sanyo MBC555128K double Daisywheel Printer, High Res Mailing List 19.84 23.28 75 type modem What possibly

drive and free software including Green Monitor. I Box of 10 DataBase 19.84 23.28 gives this modem its biggest Disks, Wordstar Wordstar, Calcstar, Inforstar, StockControl 19.84 23.28 advantage is its option of Wordprocessor, Datastaretc £1149 Calcstar Home Accounts 19.84 23.28 computer controlled switching spreadsheet and all the SANYO 555-360 Beebcalc between all modes of operation.

necessary cables £1 35 1 . 25 As 555 but with 2 x 360K Drives Spreadsheet In addition, separate auto- SAN 2: £1436 Analysis 19.84 23.82 answer and auto-dial cards are SANYO 555-730 Sames as SAN 1 but with Dual Payroll 44.85 48.30 available, giving this modem 360K Drives x360K) As 555 but with 2 x730K Drives (2 £154675 possibly the greatest potential of £1494 ADDONS FOR BBC all. Mains powered £1 48(c) SAN 3: WORD PROCESSING Complete Please phone-Write Same SAN 1 with programme for details of BBC1: as but Dual 720K Drives £1604.25 development package on 1 6K optional extras BBC Micro Model B, View (or ROM, an absolute necessity for Word-wise) Wordprocessor, SAN 4: TELEMOD-2 Quendata20CPSDaisywheel Sanyo MBC 555 Series 16 Bit all assembly langugae A BT approved modem programers Printer, High Res Green Monitor, Microcomputer, 128K RAM, £56.35 complying with CCITTV23 Dual 1 50K Drives (2 x160K), Cassette Recorder plus 10 MODEMS 1 200/75 Duplex & 1200/1200 High Res Graphics (600x200 cassettes and all the necessary WS2000 Half-Duplex standard, that cables. £747.50 pixels in 8 colours) JUKI 6100 A world standard direct connect allows communication with Daisywheel Printer, High Res 2: BBC modem switchable between Viewdata services e.g. Prestel, Green Monitor, 1 Box of 10 BBC Micro Model B + Disk Micronet Disks, Wordstar 75,300/300,600,1200/75,75/ etc. . as well as using Interface, View (or Wordwise) Wordprocessor, Calcstar 1200 baud, awaiting BT 1 200 Baud for communicating Wordprocessor, 100K Disk spreadsheet. Mailmerge, approval. It is compatible with with other computer users Drive, High Res Green Monitor, Quendata20CPSDaisywheel Spellstar (dictionary), Datastar Bell 103/113/108, 202 and Mains powered. TELEMOD 2 (database), Reportstar plus all £74 75(b) Lead £3.50 Printer, 1 Box of Disks and all the CCITTV21& 23 standards and BBC the necessary cables £1489.25 necessary cables. £883.00 allows you to communicate with HOW TO ORDER You may purchase any ot the items listed by cheque made payable to: Twillstar Computers Ltd.

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ence from defining an array 20 be examined, loaded or saved - useful &BFF. The first 16 locations store the elements long, which would have been if a different set of definitions needs to start pointers - one from the beginning defined DIM B(20). Here we are reserv- be called up from within a program. All of the buffer for each of the 16 keys ing 20 bytes of memory only, and the that's needed within the program is to (don't forget that the Break key and the string to be put into the CLI is stored in *LOAD the particular file to change the editing keys can also be used as func- "*" that area of memory. (The does not definitions. tion keys, using *FX4). Location 17 of need to be included). This is done by If using a disc system this feature is the buffer stores the first free space starting line 50 $B and not B$, equiv- especially useful, and it's also possible location, the free space pointer. As the alent to poking a string into a specific to use the command line interpreter to key definitions are stored in the buffer area of memory, the variable B defining catalogue the disc before loading or in the order in which they're pro- the start point in memory of that string. saving a file, enabling a check to be grammed, it's necessary to look The start point then needs to be put into made for an existing filename. This is through the other 15 start pointers to X% and Y%, X% being the low byte, done by entering the following lines for determine the location of the end of a and Y% the high byte. Once this has listing 5: particular key definition. If any key is been done, the CLI can be called up at not defined then its start pointer will 95 PROCoscli ("CAT") &FFF7. have the same value as the free space 235 PROCoscli ("CAT") In this way we have been able effecti- pointer. vely to put a variable into an operating and for listing 6 the following similar system call. The routine can be tidied lines: Headphones halt up somewhat - for instance instead of 95 PROCOSCLI "CAT" writing X% = B MOD 256, it can be writ- 235 PROCOSCLI "CAT" ten X% = B, as only the low byte will be headaches accessed anyway. A trap for the The program also uses the command unwary exists here, as a space must be line interpreter to enter each key defi- IS it possible to use headphones with left between the B and MOD otherwise nition once defined. the BBC to prevent annoying the rest of the computer assumes BMOD to be a The function key buffer starts at the family, asks Mr E Stanley from variable name! Also it's not necessary location &B00 and ends at location Hayes, Middlesex? The speaker for the to define X% and Y% each time as they BBC is mounted on the keyboard circuit don't change, so they can be put in at Quick fire board. Its two leads plug into the main the start, outside the loop. Listing 3 circuit board at the front left, but could shows these changes. equally well be connected to a head- Basic 2 recognises the importance of questions phone socket. It's possible to use the the CLI and provides a new keyword to switches fitted to headphone sockets to easiest way to clear the screen simplify its use. It's available on all THE cut out the internal speaker only if the in is to press the control Electrons, newer and BBCs fitted any mode headphones are plugged in. and the 'L' (usually written with Hi-Basic. The keyword is called key It's also possible to stop all the sound time. OSCLI (Operating System Command CTRL-L) at the same using a *FX call. Sound can be turned

Line Interpreter). Listing 4 shows how it off using *FX210.1 and on again using THE commands available using the works. Readers with Basic 1 will get the *FX210,0. If it's just the bleep that control key pressed with another "Syntax error at line 40" error if they try causes annoyance while programming key, such as CTRL-L mentioned this program. It should be stressed that this can be turned down. *FX212,224 above, or CTRL-B to switch on the if you're writing a program which uses will subdue the bleep, and *FX212,240 printer, can be included at the end of the CLI and you intend it to work on a will make it barely audible. Using variety of BBCs, then don't use the a command such as List. OSCLI keyword, use the longer form CTRL-L after List will clear the has been When to stop which will work on any machine. screen after the command Electron owners can use the OSCLI written on it but before the program THE correct use of the statement STOP is listed. Type LIST, then CTRL-L provided they don't intend to use the is in de-bugging programs. I hate its and press Return. This is especially program on a BBC machine. It's very use to end a program and print out a useful when sending listings to the unlikely that a time will come when all pointless phrase telling me that it printer, and avoids having com- machines are upgraded to Basic 2, as ended at a certain line. It can be placed such as the List being printed was the case when the 0.1 operating mands in a program to stop the program so system was upgraded to the 1.2, but out as well. that a check can be made that it's func- there were far fewer 0.1 chips about, tioning correctly up to that point. The pressing and enough improvements were made ON a disc BBC machine, variable values at that point can be function key f9 at the same time as to make it worth changing. found by asking the computer to print will the to cassette What can CLI be used for? Any of the Break reset BBC the variables. It's then often clear why a *FX calls, any of the operating system operating system, although PAGE program doesn't function as expected. will remain at &1900. file handling calls (*CAT, *LOAD, It's usually possible to restart the

*SAVE, 'SPOOL, *EXEC, *OPT, *RUN, program from that point if the position using the control keys *DISC, "TAPE, etc), to program the WHEN cursor of the stop is chosen with care (ie, not in top function keys (*KEY), or for the filing to copy a line of a listing near the procedures or loops) by typing GOTO system calls ('DRIVE, *DIR, 'COPY, of the screen, it's quicker to move followed by the next line number after off the bottom of the etc). Listings 5 and 6 are two versions of the cursor down the STOP. screen to take it back to the top. a program to define the function keys. Similarly, to position the cursor at Nothing special you might think, and The listings demonstrating the right of the screen, move the rather a long way round a simple prob- the Command Line Inter- cursor off the left side and it will re- lem, but, apart from demonstrating the preter are to found on appear on the right on the line be use of the command line interpreter, above. yellow pages 101-102 they allow the key definitions buffer to

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ^smms <3&** h. A The The Electron — A thoroughbred from Electron the manufacturers of the BBC, who + 5 top have incorporated all their experience and knowledge Acorn to conceive another winning computer. Games Many BBC £199 programs are compatible. This full colour 32K ROM and RAM computer with text and graphics includes a cassette input, and a multi-way connector for the addition of expansion units containing interfaces to additional hardware. It has a 56 key full travel QWERTY keyboard, 10 user-definable and 29 pre-defined enabling BASIC keywords to be ente a single keystroke. The Electron comes with free introductory cassette containing 19 programs including a number of exciting games.

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The Big ^^International Dealer Network needs is far too often appar- all the necessary information make up his or her own mind ent -but only after one has was supplied in the correct after being presented with a bought the product. block zero RAM locations. series of facts that the The BBC User Guide is a However, it would be virtually reviewer considers to be im- fine example of techno-speak, impossible to do this from portant features. which increases as you get Basic, as the program In the case of the toolkits, I more involved. No other required to perform this would drew up a table of those

system seems any better, as I almost certainly corrupt the in- features I consider to be desir- discovered when looking at a formation you are assembling. able, and manipulated them

business system recom- The program would also be accordingly. As I mention in

mended to me by a consultant. much longer than the com- the article, I suggest that the Precedent for Without someone to help me mand itself! reader does the same and you infor- with the 'simple' BBC B, I The only way in which these should be able to find the would have given up shortly entry addresses can be used is mation necessary to do so in it. pirates after unwrapping everything, from machine code, but again Thus I arrived at the combi- as my wife did. My son is the relevant block zero RAM nation that suited me best. coping through trial and error, locations must be seeded with Whether that matches your Sir, In the October issue, Geoff the way all kids do. We now the expected information. requirements is another Nairn reported on and Bill have a rather expensive, matter. Penfold looked at the ubiqui- clever and quick typewriter! Regarding other reviews. tous subject of software Geoff Nairn and Bill Penfold Most magazines tend to look at piracy. Could I, as a too-often Making your separately. Thus the bemused newish computer rightly say that all is not well each item with software companies. reviewer may be rather blin- user and journalist/writer of However, what is wrong are kered and quite often may long sitting comment on what I the profit margins expected, have never seen any compar- see as a part of a lobby to mind up combined with the unintelli- able software. change the law to little effect? gible English which confuses If I provided each of six Obviously, copying which Sir, I have just read your re- the huge potential market. reviewers with one of the tool- stops people from buying is view of the six toolkits in the Just compare the literature kits, I'm sure that every one not good for the software October issue of Acorn User. and ads of the computer four of would be highly recom- houses, but they have only I have used the ROMs industry with those being used mended, as they are all good theirown shortsighted policies mentioned, Addcomm, Care- to sell other high-tech items, items of firmware. But this to blame. Changes in the law taker, Toolkit and Toolstar. prospective even to specialists. The com- Without in experi- doesn't help the will only make it illegal, not doubt my puter industry has to start Caretaker followed by purchaser to choose one from stop it. ence using outsiders to show it how the six. if you don't have com- In the case of much com- Toolkit are by far the best. I communicate literately with parisons you can't form an puter software, the potential to have read another review of its audience, and the sooner it accurate overview. market is being badly served Caretaker which called it does the better for everyone. I therefore strongly chal- because the early games 'Another excellent example of David Parkes Bristow lenge your comment that my inventors and publishers a Basic toolkit ROM, certainly Middlesex review is misleading and in- made a lot of big money when first division stuff'. accurate. Indeed, if you had software was not so easily I would be very interested to only used one of the toolkits available. They also copied read why Bruce Smith was dis- Passing and not seen any others would successful games, setting a appointed with Caretaker. I you have written in to Acorn precedent for others! have found its RENUMBER, User with your comments? Today, too much software is SQUASH and EXCHANGE far Regarding my disappoint- available to tempt the addicts, parameters out-rank any of the others. In ment with Caretaker, I suggest who have an insatiable desire general, I would like to see - which have a few very you look at the article again as to have a copy of everything Sir, I have recently purchased ROMs there, thought out com- I do give my reasons but at £5 to £20 each, they can- a Basic ROM Advanced User good, well com- but I'm glad the article suc- not afford to keep buying these Guide, and on page 145 there mands, rather than many ceeded in stimulating your and acquire more hardware. is a list of Basic commands mands which are only half letter. The other inescapable fact and their call addresses. The implemented (eg Addcomm). I is therefore conclude that is that kids from eight to 80 call address for SAVE would &BEF3. So to SAVE a program your review is misleading and take a delight in beating the strings system. In most cases, it's you could type: that other magazines (Micro No incidental that the User and Which Micro & Soft- probably A$ = "FILE". copying saves money. ware Review) are far more Sir, The reply to Clive Maid- CALL &BEF3, A$ issue 'Pirates' collect but seldom detailed and accurate. ment in the October use the software over any Note, CALL &BEF3, "FILE" Ian Paton missed one vital point; that

(* ) can be used to start a I to London length of time, not least will not work but when tried [ comment line in an EXEC file, because most of it is boring or execute other commands such Smith replies: First for example. The 'vertical bar' rubbish, and is very expensive as RUN, CLS and COS, I just Bruce may first I last sentence of symbol, if it is the non- if one pays full price. got either syntax error' or 'no quote the my review, 'At the end of the day, blank character following the Of the three £8 plus games I such variable'. * the remain- bought for my son, none Presumably this is because however, it should be a per- symbol, causes ing string to be ignored. See interested him for longer than of a lack of parameters, so I sonal choice'. The idea behind User Guide p. 12. three days. He's not yet six, wonder if anyone might know the review, and the forthcom- Advanced to the ing series of comparative re- Dave Bell and in a few years I doubt that how to pass parameters Acorn Computers, anyone will be able to stop him commands. views, is that the prospective Cambridge being a 'pirate'. Simon Reading purchaser should be able to Everything anyone has ever Kent said about our schools produc- angry ing illiterates and morons The Basic ROM User Guide ASK a silly question, pass a fair comment, stage an about (or about seems to apply fourfold to gives the entry points for each protest -we don't mind what you write to us those who prepare the instruc- of Basic's commands as used us!). Keep 'em short, keep 'em sweet, but keep 'em coming! User, Publishing, tion manuals for anything to do by the Basic interpreter. It The address is: Letters, Acorn Redwood with computers. Also, lack of would indeed be possible to 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH. knowledge of business and its use these routines, provided

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 to eyes and so best done by that the problem is a little this printer does not alleviate The riddle of using an EPROM eraser. It can deeper than your answer the problem of printing files. then be reprogrammed using would suggest. and getting the Block? error an EPROM programmer, First, if the writer had ver- message. The drivers that are loading games either with your own sideways sion A2.1 of View, then he available for the Silver Reed ROM software or programs in would have no problem in range of printers from Watford *ROM filing system format. printing files irrespective of Electronics were written orig- Sir, I have a number of games, You could certainly try selling type of cassette recorder. This inally by myself, and the driver including Countdown to Doom your surplus DFS, perhaps version has a routine embed- and Castle of Riddles and un- for the EX44 will only allow the through Acorn User's free ads ded in the ROM that enables user fortunately, the quality of to access underlining of section. I would have thought the contents of the memory to text. The range of drivers Acornsoft's tapes seems to be that a price of £15 would make be PRINTed, SCREENed or decreasing. available, however, allow the it a popular buy for our SHEETed by just typing in the user to access far My copy of Countdown to more print- readers! keyword (in command mode) ing facilities with the more Doom (a superb game) is of followed by RETURN. expensive printers. such a poor standard that it Version A1.4, however, is Clive Brown cannot be loaded unless it is not so well equipped. The London connected to the hi-fi. I sent More on ROM will work quite satisfac- away for a new copy but that torily if the user has a disc was also a 'dud'. So I now have drive or a data cassette two useless copies of the same print problems recorder. Handicapped game. If neither of these facilities

I realise that this may be due Sir, I am writing in reply to a are available, then there is to the quality of our tape- letter from Mr. Keller that one last line of defence. Acorn- kids appeal recorder but if so why do old appeared in the October issue. soft supplied me with a copy of favourites such as Snapper I was interested to read fix that he a routine, which when Sir, I am appealing on behalf of still load? had problems printing from loaded into the computer's the St George's Hospital Desmond Hourihane View using the Silver Reed memory enables the user to Development Centre, for some Dublin EX44 electronic typewriter PRINT, SCREEN and SHEET help from your readers. with I/F40 interface. from memory. Our Centre provides an Acornsoft replies: We make You were quite correct to As for the point about the assessment and treatment every effort to ensure our inform him that the only real printer driver for View and the service for children with all products are duplicated to a solution to was buy a data Silver Reed EX44, I can state kinds of handicap. Recently we high standard and have found cassette recorder, but I feel that the driver available for acquired a BBC micro, with that the quality of tapes and monitor, dual disc drive, discs is improving all the time. printer, concept keyboard, The majority of cassettes that Latest round-up of games high scores turtle and a small amount of are returned to us work per- software. Our aim is to fectly when we test them and Aviator Acornsoft 2,700 D J Reynolds develop suitable computer we believe it is usually the Android Attack Computer 1,132,985 Jon Button activities for very young physi- tape recorder that is at fault. Concepts cally handicapped children. However, if any Acornsoft Arcadians Acornsoft 48,760 Gerard Mulholland* Most of the software currently customer thinks that they have Battletank Superior 98,640 Adrian Foster available is for the five year a faulty disc or tape, they Chukkie Egg A&F 7,739,440 Richard Jolliffe old and over age range. should approach their dealer Crazy Painter Acornsoft We think some of your in the first instance. In the 85,130 Andrew Jenkins readers may already have event of difficulty they should Cybertron Micro Power 68,000 D J Perry written programs to amuse send it to Vector Marketing, Mission their own very young, normal Denington Industrial Estate, Fortress Pace 87,000 Damon Futter* children, and these might be London Road, Wellingbor- Frak! Aardvark 289,300 Jon Button adapted to suit our handi- ough, Northants NN8 2RL and Free Fall Acornsoft 1,989 Jon Button capped youngsters. As an it will be replaced free of Hopper Acornsoft 42,375 Stephen Corcoran example, we have devised a charge. JCB Digger Acornsoft 52,000 Owain Griffiths* very simple sequence in which Micro Power 108,250 David Sowerbutts each touch of the concept key- Meteors Acornsoft 73,220 Robert Hirskyj* board adds a brick to a pile (with sound effects) and the Leftover Missile Gemini 34,810 Keith Harding Command final touch brings it crashing down. Monsters Acornsoft 257,060 Ian Cook In effect, we are thinking of a Moonraider Micro Power 583,750 Lindsey chip Tasker computer 'toy box' for the child Overdrive Superior 102,560 Daryl McClure* whose disability prevents him Sir, After buying my 6502 (BBC) from playing with ordinary Overdrive Superior toys for toddlers. second processor I found that I 707,010 Gerard Mulholland* had a spare DFS chip. I'd like (Electron) If any of your readers would to know if it's worth getting Painter A&F 116,350 Stephen Corcoran like to (a) lend us any suitable reprogrammed if it only holds programs or (b) write pro- Pengo Watford 173,000 Damon Futter* 8k? Also how much is it worth grams to our specification (for Planetoids Acornsoft 639,000 Stephen Corcoran and does anyone want it for a which we may be able to pay a Pole Position Atari 109,600 Simon Payne reasonable price? small fee), would they please Rocket Raid Acornsoft 83,270 Stephen D J Perry Corcoran write to me at the address Snapper Bristol Acornsoft 262,810 Ian Cook below. Space Virgin 4,640 Gareth Dykes* Dr David Hall

If you decide you have no Adventure St George's Hospital Medical further use for your DFS chip, Starship Acornsoft 2,590 Ian Cook School, then it certainly can be reused. Command Cranmer Terrace, To this it first London do must be Zalaga Aardvark 11,350,200 Stephen Corcoran erased by subjecting it to ultra SW17 0RE * Scores unbeaten since October violet light which is damaging page 61

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 46 STATION PARADE BARKING COMPUTER SERVICES ESSEX IG11 8EA ION'S HOME COMPUTER SPECIALISTS Tel: (01)591 4726

PLEASE REMEMBER, AS ALWAYS, THE PRICES LISTED BELOW INCLUDE ALL CABLES. CONNECTING LEADS AND MANUALS AS REQUIRED THERE ARE NO HIDDEN EXTRAS!! SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFERS JUST COMPARE THESE PRICES!

BBC MODEL B MICRO £325 + VAT = £373.75 MONITORS including all leads BBC + DISK INTERFACE £399 + VAT = £458.85 BBC + ECONET £387 + VAT = £445.05 SANYO DM2112 12" green 15MHZ £66 + VAT = £75.90 BBC + DISK + ECONET £447 + VAT = £51 4.05 PHILIPS TP200 12" green 18MHZ £79 + VAT = £90.85 MICR0VITEC1431 14" RGB Colour £173 + VAT = £198.95

DISK DRIVES including software, cables and manual

UPGRADES fitted free! TEAK 100k 40T single sided £97 + VAT = £11 1.55 MITSUBISHI 200k 40T D/S £139 + VAT = £159.85 ACORN disk interface £96 + VAT = £11 0.40 MITSUBISHI 400k 40T D/S DUAL £259 + VAT = £297.85 CARTRIDGE port/speech £46 + VAT = £52.90 MITSUBISHI 400k 80T D/S £152 + VAT = £174.80 ECONET £59 + VAT = £67.85 MITSUBISHI 400k 40/80T D/S £160 + VAT = £184.oo MULTI-STATION ECONET INSTALLATION P.O.A. P.O.A. MITSUBISHI 800k 80T D/S DUAL £300 + VAT = £345.oo MITSUBISHI 800k 40/80 D/S DUAL £31 2 + VAT = £358.oo MISCELLANEOUS

PRINTERS including all connection cables ACORN ELECTRON £164 + VAT == £188.60 £52 + VAT == £59.50 DOT MATRIX: Plus One Interface ACORN ANF03 recorder + lead £30 + VAT == £34.50 EPSON RX80 100cps 10" WIDE £209 + VAT = £240.35 SANYO DR1 01 recorder + lead £33 + VAT == £37.95 EPSON RX80F/T lOOcps 10" WIDE £237 + VAT = £272.55 ACORN Bit Stick £325 + VAT == £373.75 EPSON RX1 00 lOOcps 15" WIDE £374 + VAT = £430.io VIEW (wordprocessor on ROM) £47 + VAT == £54.06 EPSON FX1 00 160cps 15" WIDE £477 + VAT = £548.55 WORDWISE (wordprocessor on ROM) £33 + VAT == £37.95 STAR DELTA 1 0X 160cps 10" WIDE £335 + VAT = £385.25 DISK DOCTOR £30 + VAT == £34.50 STAR DELTA 15X 1 60cps 15" WIDE £445 + VAT = £51 1.75 CASSETTE/DISK SOFTWARE P.O.A. P.O.A. DAISYWHEEL: JUKI 6100 (2k buffer 20cps) £320 + VAT = £368.oo

BROTHER HR15 (bidirectional 1 3cps) £349 + VAT = £401 .35 N.B. Please ring for an up to the minute quote as DAISYSTEP 2000 (undirectional 20cps) £245 + VAT = £281.75 prices are sometimes reduced after publication date.

POST, PACKING & INSURANCE For BBC micros, printers, drives & monitors—£7 + VAT = £8.05. All other items £1 .65 + VAT £1.90. * Orders over £1 ,500 are free of all carriage charges.

PRIORITY ORDER FORM POST TO: SE Computer Services, 46 Station Parade, Barking. Essex IG1 1 8EA

PLEASE SEND ME THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF PUBLICATION AND Enclose a cheque/P.O. for £_ SUBJECT TO NAME ADDRESS AVAILABILITY

60 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 teletext and second pro- any readers know of a user On/off cessors also appears to group in France, particularly Getting it reduce the free flow of air Paris, please let me know -I'd

through it. like to hear from any French dilemma This view appears to be in Electron users anyway. taped line with Acorn policy. It's a Cecile Christophe pity they don't produce a 12, rueTissot, sideways RAM/ROM board 92210 Saint-Cloud, Sir, In Hints & Tips in the Sir, I must challenge Martin that their criteria for September issue, Martin Phil- meets France Phillips' statement that, 'When expansion. lips discussed the wisdom of used with a computer, the Dennis leaving a BBC micro switched V Long cassette is pushed to the limit Kent on for 10 hours. After 30-odd Type to print of its performance'. This is cer- years using electronic tainly not true and I am suc-

gadgetry, I have learned that Dave Bell of Acorn replies: cessfully using a 20-year-old Sir, I use a BBC model B with the most harmful thing you can You cannot generalise Philips machine - the joystick about an Epson RX80FT printer for

the effects I do to a piece of apparatus is to of frequent switch- word processing. This arrange- type -which would not con- switch it on, and the only way ing or a prolonged ON state sider for audio work. ment works well, but I miss the you can avoid this is never on electronic equipment. It to beautiful quality printing from When recording music, the switch it off. depends upon the cassette has to cope with very component my old IBM model 82 golfball I believe that the is content, damage design techniques, electro-mechanical type- wide frequency and dynamic power It little differ- It caused by the surge etc. should make writer. ranges. must also have a low through the electronics before ence to the BBC micro whether signal to noise ratio and low Obviously, I could buy an the self regulating devices it is left or distortion figures, including can on switched on and expensive modern typewriter, take control, and even resis- off frequently. wow and flutter. but I only need one quality final tors need to warm up to reach The Beeb is designed to For data, the only version, and the Epson satis- cassette their working resistance. work in ambient temperatures needs to deal fies my draft needs. with two fre- Thus while I agree with him of up to 35 "C with the specified quencies (representing and Ideally, I would like to con- that overheating can be very options. Items fitted inside the 1), and the dynamic range is vert my IBM model 82 to drive damaging, there's a lot of case like a sideways ROM nil. Furthermore, on playback it through an interface running sense in Mr Smith's practice of card may affect this specifi- the computer only has to dif- from the RS232C port. Can any leaving the computer on for cation, apart ferentiate 10 from possibly vio- readers assist with a technical between tones hours, rather than switching it lating internal data address above and below a single mid & handbook for this typewriter, on and off several times. I also bus loading rules. In many and any suggestions on con- frequency, so it can tolerate agree that in the interests of situations particular variations in a add-on version? Guidance on solving tape speed and a safety fire such equipment may function well, but we are the interface requirement level of background noise should reluctant be switched off over- to sell an item such would also be appreciated. which would be unacceptable night; indeed, it should be as a sideways ROM card Sam Burgess for music. switched off and unplugged which may degrade the BBC Incidentally, there is no 34 Redd iffe Road whenever the house or office micro's specification. Individ- London SW10 reason why noise reduction is vacated for more than an uals with technical skill may, of systems cannot be used with hour. course, find ways round a computers. In fact, because Turning to the subject of the problem but it must be at their Why, why, why? the dynamic range of the sig- BBC micro power supply, I risk. nal is zero, most noise reduc- have experienced problems Modern half-height disc tion systems will make no dif- with overheating and, above drives generally have low Sir, Yes, I have tried typing the ference whatsoever. all, low voltages. enough power consumption command Daytona' in on View There is no point in using in I have often seen re- for the BBC micro to provide as suggested the October anything other than stand- commendations in the press adequate power for one and Acorn Abuser's Diary - and ard grade type 1 (ferric) (including Acorn User) that in some cases two drives. An I'm not in the slightest bit cassettes - but stick to repu- owners should return their extra PSU should only be amused. Instead of faffing table brands. Some computer micros to Acorn with what necessary here if internal add- around with such narcissistic dealers sell black unlabelled appear to be RAM or ULA ons have been fitted. nonsense I'd rather Acorn had cassettes of varying lengths at problems with symptoms such got some of the irritating bugs reasonable prices. These are as odd pixels lit up on the out of their £50 plus product usually loaded with Agfa or before screen or failure to erase fully Parisian releasing it. BASF tape and are quite satis- the graphics during the play- Why, for instance does factory. ing of some of the arcade type SAVE :2.A.FILNAME not do Don't pay over the odds for

it games. When I had this prob- what says, but overwrites specially plea packaged 'computer' lem I found that it was due to a your source file instead? Why cassettes. low voltage in the RAM area of does LOAD :2.A.FILNAME There is no reason why an the BBC board. The voltage Sir, I am a new user of the Elec- result in a syntax error mess- old open reel recorder should was falling to about 4.8 when tron and reader of Acorn User. age? Why does CHANGE Jon not be used for data recording. the machine was hot. Taking The Electron has not been John also change jon to John, Its big advantage is that you the lid offtheBeeb allowed it to available in France for very joN to john and JOn to JOHN, can splice lengths of coloured cool down and the volts rose to long and there are no maga- etc? Why does the screen leader tape in between your about 4.9. The problem oc- zines or even articles about it clear every time you do a programs to make finding curred only when my room in the French press. LOAD or SAVE? Why if you them easier, and you can temperature was over 70°F. I had the good luck to find invoke a bad command does move programs from one reel To keep the Beeb as cool as your magazine in an English the filename disappear off the to another, or delete them and possible sideways RAM book shop in Paris, where I screen? Why does *HELP DISC reuse the tape. One word of expansion should, as far as also found some good pro- come up with message VIEW warning though - unless practicable, be kept outside gramming books for the Elec- A1.4, instead of Disc Doctor's you're very good at editing the Beeb to permit maximum tron. Before that I only had my help info? Why do Acorn don't record over splices. air circulation. This is particu- User Guide. ignore requests to rectify Richard Porter larly necessary because the I wish to make contact with these faults in their expensive Publications Editor accumulation of plugs and other Electron users, but the product? The Federation of British Tape cables under the Beeb which user groups in your list are James Miller Recordists one gets with disc, printer, mainly in Great Britain. So if Cambs page 63

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 — The UliCOm Modem Auto Dial Auto Redial Auto Answer Auto Baud Rate Scan

Full Duplex Half Duplex

Bulletin Board Facility Number Memory Store European and U.S.A. Standards

Complete with Power Supply EX VAT Leads and Manual AND at a Breakthrough Price of £49.95 P&P.

We've taken the best components from the best suppliers and combined them to produce a modem with everything you could want. Modern manufacturing and quality control techniques have brought a breakthrough in price. Our philosophy is to pass those savings on to you and to recover our R&D costs across increased sales. We've made the modem easy to understand and use, you don't need to know anything about baud rates or bits, simply plug in and talk to the world. Features of the Unicom Modem include: Software features of the Unicom Modem on ROM or disk include: Auto Answer Unicom automatically answers, then uploads or downloads data into Auto Dialing telex. your micro and printerjust like a Prestel. Micronet. Telecom Gold, Easylink, Unilink and Homelink in Auto Baud Rate Scan ROM. Up to 99 stored numbers on disk. Simple two key selection. When receiving, the modem scans the incoming data and selects the Auto Redial correct baud rate to receive. Redials automatically until connected. Full and half duplex Bulletin Board Facility transmission. One or two-way simultaneous Start your own or contact all information boards throughout the Full U.K. European and U.S.A. standards world. V21 and 23, CCITT. Bell 103 and 202. Fully compatible with Termi. Printer Routines software. Communicator and other existing Gives the facility to use your printer to record data in and out. BAUD RATES Software Commands 1200/75 75/1200 300/300 1200/1200 Commands like * Downland * Dial * Answer etc. can be incorporated into your own software. Easy to Use Complete with all leads, power supply, operating and reference Remote Facility required. Fits all RS232/423 manuals. Just plug in, no soldering * Remote enables you or your friends to dial and download or upload interfaces. (State machine). your micro from any other modem. Self Test Facility Reliable Transmission Unique error correct protocol means you can send, store, and receive All major components are BT approved. files and programs reliably with no transmission errors. Dealer Enquiries: Ring Mark Simon on 01 930 1612 Technical Enquiries: Ring Barry Krite on 01 482 1711 Orders on Access/Visa: 01 482 1711 Unicom Limited, A joint Rushworth Dales - D.B. Enterprises Company 20 Orange Street, London WC2H 7ED. To: Unicom Limited, 20 Orange Street, London WC2H 7ED. Please send me: (Qnty) Unicom Modems at £60. Includes VAT and P&P (State Machine -) (Qnty) Unicom ROM's at £24. Includes VAT and P&P (Qnty) Unicom disks at £12 includes VAT and P&P State 40 or 80. .track.

I enclose cheque to the value of £. .Or debit my Access/Visa card no..

Signature: . Name: Address: AU12 .Postcode: .

shorn of complications where Sorting possible. Kitty spends a The sort seemed to work

very well, so I did not worry too much about the 'worst case' you describe. reader's money

b) Both the text books I con- Sir, With reference to George sulted (Data Structures and Hill's article 'See how they Algorithms by Aho Hopcroft and explains an sort', Acorn User, October, and Ullman. and Introduction shell sort is more efficient than to Data Structures by Beidler) bubble sort because compari- produce precisely the same error message son and exchange at a dis- algorithm as mine and don't tance allow items in an mention the problem you unsorted sequence to take raise. read your answer to longer 'jumps' towards their Just my luck to choose the HIBernard Walker's eventual destination -a small worst possible case by acci- question in the value at the end of the list does dent! November issue of ing a line number from a pro- not have to work its way labor- Using the change you sug- Acorn User with interest. I gram saves four bytes im- iously back to the beginning, gest the time taken for shell to have also experienced prob- mediately! one step at a time. sort 128 names was reduced lems when typing in listings, But to get the best mileage from 16.75 to sees 12.77 sees. but often when I run the pro- Could you please give out of shell sort the distance This indicate would that quick gram I get the error message me some advice on for comparison and exchange and tree sorts should not be 'No room', rather than 'Bad what to buy next? I am should never be allowed to considered until the number of Mode'. B 16 years old and half- become a power of two. So the items to sort is in excess of Could you explain why this way through a computer stud- worst possible example to 200. occurs? ies course. I am really stuck give the unsuspecting reader Ray Harris on what to spend my money is an array of 16 members Kendal on. First I had my heart set on a where the items are compared Wordprint 100k Cumana disc drive, then at distances of 8,4,2 etc. Why? QThe 'No room' error it was a number of ROMs and Because it has the effect of message is issued by now it is a Brother Printer and partitioning the data into dis- lapse the Beeb or Electron a sound/speech synthesiser. crete sets which are ordered when it trys to execute Paul Gallagher within themselves but will not Sir, Thank you for publishing the program. A computer Belfast interact with one another until my Wordprint program in your requires space to perform its right at the end. October issue. housekeeping. For example, QWhen you only have a Take the most pathological Unfortunately because of variable names and the values bare Beeb and a example: a set of 128 numbers, the time-lapse between the assigned to them must be cassette recorder, 1,65,2,66,3,67, etc. It's easy to original submission and my placed above the program, everything you don't see that comparison at dis- supplying a new cassette a and space made for arrays to have seems wonderful. tances of 64.32,16 and so on small error has occured. The be stored and calculations A printer would probably will nothing do for us, and that program was amended and no performed. keep you enthralled for a not until next-door neighbours copies of the original were If, on running, the Beeb or couple of weeks, but unless are compared will any useful available. Electron finds it doesn't have you write a lot of letters, it exchanges take place. On page 148, the paragraph enough room for these it would more than likely sit Even worse than the bubble which starts in the centre issues the 'No room' message. unused after the initial love- sort! column gives three addresses, Before tearing your hair out in affair. Likewise, the ROMs. The best initial distance to /2B57, *2B69 and *'298A. a frustrated rage, reset the You could certainly buy a choose is one less than the These should be ^2B51 , ^2B63 Beeb by pressing the CTRL wordprocessing ROM but power of two nearest to half and :/2984 as in shown the pro- and BREAK keys together. unless you have discs it would the number of items -this gram (lines 505, 316, 20, 22). Now type OLD and re-run your try your patience to use it. ensures that each item meets Should any reader need program. Good utilities (such as Disc as many others as possible, help then I would be pleased to This often does the trick -if Doctor and Caretaker) would that of and most the work is assist them. it doesn't, check you have be virtually useless without done by the time the compari- Alex Wilson entered the program at the discs. Speech synthesiser? I son distance reduces to 1. Re- Essex correct value of PAGE. For doubt if you would be using it place line 510 of the 'un- example, the program may much after a month or so. ac'orned' program listing with: have been written by a tape Now - discs. I think this is Amstrad user, who expects PAGE to be what you should go for. Not inc=1 : REPEAT set at &E00, whereas a only incline *2 UNTIL you are does a disc drive mean an inc>max disc user who works with end to eternal waiting for PAGE at &1900. To test inc = incDIV4 -1 abuse this out, cassettes to load, allowing save your program to more a time for programming, it

I liked the recursive tree Sir, Your scholarly and highly cassette, then type: also allows you to investigate sort -very neat! appreciative evaluation of *TAPE and experiment with the more Susan Jones Amstrad's Hi-Fi technology PAGE = &E00 serious aspects of program- City University (Acorn Abuser's Diary, NEW ming such as writing and up- London October 1984) left us not know- dating databases, personal ing whether to laugh or cry- and reload the program and address books and accounts. George Hill replies: I agree not least because the unit try again. So, my advice? Even though with what you say and make featured in the photograph If all else fails, try deleting it's the most expensive (disc the following pleas in miti- was not ours, but one pro- any surplus spaces (for interface plus drives) I'd go for gation: duced by a competitor. example between line discs every time. Once you a) The programs were written A M Sugar numbers and the start of the have them, you can then start to illustrate sorting methods to Chairman program text), and remove all wondering what to buy next. students of 'A' level standard Amstrad Consumer REMs and compact lines into For me it would be the and below, and were therefore Electronics pic multi-statement lines. Remov- printer. .

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 Mimn of Ltd.

:'•' .. ' • fsteitts ltd

Of Precision engineered, this monitor has been designed for use ujith most popular microcomputers. incorporates 12 inch phosphor green CRT.

iJM.Mo.iR0V ft (fid Complement your monitor ujith this universal tilt S swivel stand Rllows adjustment of screen for total viewing comfort.

1th fitted ACOAN DFS One of the most popular Micro's. One of the highest supported for software 390 1

i.UiWOIkO res Dual 400H 40/80 Track '299 00 Coll our Soles Office for detoils of full range.

matrix, can interfaced with " U.M 00:> l&Y This column dot be most popular micros ond personal computers. Parallel (Centronics) interface standard

mmpmmto nu*

The Company - Walters Microsystems International, manufacture and supply computer peripherals to 8.T. Merlin and the Ocpt of Trade's "Micros in School" schemes; and offer you the facility ond advantages of direct supply from our ff€tt* factory. The Warranty - Walters Microsystems International is on -Ar complete system guarantee that all warranty worh undertaken., done so our ouin premises, ond normally within 48 hours of receipt of ponoNiv product at our Servke Reception. ^99 Walters Microsystems into. ght to change specifications at ony time ono wit otice.

Send to: UUalters Microsystems International Limited, Matrix i Order Form House, Lincoln Road, Cressex Ind C-st. High Wycombe, Bucks HPI2 3RD. Tel: 0494 32751 Product Unit Cost Order Qtv Please Send Me the Order as shown on left of this Form LUM12 Monitor £65.00 The total Unit Value of order = LUM Monitor Stand £14.00 Please debit my Access/Barclay Card Delivery f. 10-00 I BBC Micro with DFS £390.00 Card No. Sub Total £ MLU Dual 400K Drives £299.00 I VflT @ 15% £ LUM 80 Printer £165.00 TOTRl I I enclose a cheque for fc. I Total Unit Cost £933.00 Nome Company Total System offer £899.00 I fldi iresi

Rll prices shown ore exclusive of V.R.T. .Tel: 1 BAR CODES

The MEP barcode reader inaction. It has great potential in education

LUH

lllll

You don't have to serve the life sentence of typing

in programs. George Hill shows the escape route

HAVE you noticed that beer cans Perhaps the second most common use machine readable but not normally and baked bean tins have strange is in libraries. Barcode technology human readable. Machine readable in- black-and-white stripes printed allows the computerisation of the formation can, however, be read by in a small panel on their labels? These whole process of borrowing and return- humans -for example, the magnetic are barcodes, and they seem to be ing books. It gives the librarian all the ink markings at the foot of cheques are everywhere. It's only a matter of time advantages of computerised file hand- easily recognised stylised numbers before even 17th-century music, sheep ling, so that he/she can deal with stock and letters. Punched cards and and dogs are marked in this way, with control, overdue books, borrowing punched paper tape are also human Bach-codes, baa-codes and bark- from other branches and other admin- readable, though requiring a lot of codes. But enough of this punnery! Bar- istrative details simply and accurately, practice. Barcodes fall into this codes are an important commercial without the massive card indexes so category too. Humans can read them, development which has already had common in the past. but it takes experience and they are not an important effect on monitoring the A number of machine readable code primarily designed to be scanned by distribution of consumer goods and systems are in current commercial use human eyes. packaged food and is likely to affect and the most common now are mag- Until now barcode readers have employment levels and patterns in the netic. Magnetic media such as tape and been very costly, and hence only used grocery industry. disc backing storage and magnetic in commercial situations where the Where else do barcodes crop up? strips on credit and bank cards, are expense of investing in the system can

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 MD800 £312.17 + VAT = £359

£155.65 + VAT= £179

BBC Compatible Mitsubishi Slimline Disc Drives

These are high capacity, precision drives with dynamic clamping and very low power consumption. All drives are supplied with cables, a very comprehensive utility/format disc and a manual. MD 400 - 400K (800K double density) 40/80 track switchable double sided single drive. MD 800 - 800K (1600K double density) independently 40/80 track switchable double sided dual drive. MD 800P - 800K (1600K double density) independently 40/80 track switchable double sided dual flhHTEPI drive unit with built-in power supply and monitor stand.

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6.30pm Mail Order: Cheques or bankers draft Sat 10am-5pm (ample parking) payable to Akhter Instruments. We accept telephone orders on Barclay Delivery free of charge (UK only) and Access Cards.

28/29 BURNT MILL, HARLOW, ESSEX CM20 2HU UK. Dealer Enquiries CDmPUTER GRDUP TEL. HARLOW (0279) 443521 TELEX 818894 AKHTER G Welcome BAR CODES

HOW THE BARCODE READER WORKS

THE MEP reader is covered by a patent, so precise electronic details are not available. In any case the construction of such an instrument involves precision Optical fibres

work which puts it far beyond the capabilities of all but the best equipped and most skilled amateur. The principle is as follows:

1. A special transistor in the reader emits infra-red light which is conducted down an 'optical fibre' (a very fine strand of glass) into a small chamber (figure

1) just above the paper surface. This is the source. 2. White paper reflects the light from the source, while black paper absorbs it. A second optical fibre is sealed into the chamber and any reflected light passes up this fibre. 3. The other end of the second fibre is connected to a light-sensitive device that

emits a small current if light falls on it. 4. This small current is amplified and converted into an output voltage that passes along one wire of a cable to the user port. Paper Reflected Infra-red light 5. The software now samples the voltage on this wire. While there is a voltage, light from light is being reflected -corresponding to white paper. No voltage indicates a white paper black bar.

6. These signals are read as or 1 by the computer, and the length of time the Figure 1. signal remains constantcan be used to determine the width of the bar.

be recouped by the effects of improved eventually be versions to run on the pen data code. It is the latter system, efficiency. The software (programs) RML 480Z and the Sinclair Spectrum to allowing the encoding and decoding of written for them have all been of a very cater for the other DOI-supported Basic programs, that will be of interest specific commercial nature, and hence micros. Small businesses may also find to the home micro user. Apart from the not of great value for teaching or hobby it a useful adjunct to their operations as listing published in last month's yellow purposes. But all this should change barcodes become universally used on pages in Telepen coding, Acorn User with the availability of an inexpensive products and more sophisticated and printed a sample line in Telepen code barcode reader produced by the Micro- customised software is written. as a teaser in the March issue. Several electronics Education Programme and Barcodes can be used to encode any readers were able to decode it but if packaged by Addison-Wesley Pub- information that is essentially digital. you weren't among them you can dis- lishers (see box on page 70). ASCII text is a simple example, but a cover the message in figure 2. The MEP package, containing reader Basic program is also digital in nature, A third system is introduced in the pen itself, a user guide and several consisting of both ASCII letters and MEP pack in which binary digits are useful and instructive example pro- numbers and 'tokens' for keywords, encoded directly into barcode form. grams, brings barcodes within the with beginning and end-of-line This gives a good idea of how infor- scope of the amateur home micro user. markers. mation is digitised and then converted

It will retail for under C50. Two standard systems of coding are into barcode, and offers practical The software in the package to be covered in detail in the MEP barcode experience of the binary and hexadeci- launched this month is designed to pack: the European Article Numbering mal systems. Thus it is a teaching aid work with the BBC micro but there will code, of which more later, and the Tele- that can be used at various levels.

M »i 1 P T E S T . K II IIB 1 1 IB 1 1 BIB I i inn mill IB! 1 1 !! IB II IB I BIB IB II IB Bll IBIB IB II IBB 1 IIIIBII II II B III E k o h

Telepen 'frame' of barcode

Barcode

elerrlent element 1 llll 1 010 00 1 1 Binary (reversed)

1 1 0001 01 True binary 1 III 100 01 01 Remove parity bit 4 5 Hexadecimal 1 1 11 69 Decimal value, coding 5 000 517"c 0176 1 E ASCII letter

Fiau re 3 TvDica I barcode labe 1 usi iq the Figure 2. Translation of bar-code (Telepen system) line printed in the March issue EAN1 3 system

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ADDISON-WESLEY PUBLISHERS NEW EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE

The Bar Code • The information technology family Reader Project • Storing information Teaching Pack • Representing information • Applications and implications I Published by Each Teaching Pack contains: Addison-Wesley • Two disks or three cassettes for the • One copy each of the six different pupils' books

Microelectronics • One teacher's guide covering the whole of stage 1.

Education Additional pupils' books are available separately in packs of Programme five retailing at £15.95 per pack.

The cassette teaching pack retails at £39.95 and the disk pack at £49.95

The Bar Code Reader Teaching pack: is an exciting and The project is also available for the RML 380Z/Link-480Z innovative teaching resource for schools and colleges (see (single density disk). review in this magazine). It provides additional materialifor any course covering information technology and will be of Maths For particular mterest to those running TVEI courses. Micros The aims of the project are to: • provide a supplementary input system for the Project Director: microcomputer Ruth Walker • introduce students to the applications of bar code readers • provide a tool for specific applications. Consultant: The project is available as a cassette or 40 track disk pack Arnold Howell retailing at £49.95. A home-user pack will be available in early 1985.

The Information Maths For Micros has been developed by members of the Technology distinguished Mathematics for Schools author team and a Project group of professional programmers. All the material has extensively Project Director: been trialled in schools. Maths For Micros material can be used alongside any primary mathematics Trisha Strong scheme as it covers the basic strands of primary An MEP/CET Project mathematics: Published by Addison-Wesley • Number • Measurement • Shape • Pattern • Relations • Pictorial Representation

The pupils' book provided with each set of programs offers pre-computer activities, instructions for using the programs The Information Technology Project provides a complete and follow-up problems and investigations. course in information technology based on the work The teacher's guide contains hints on classroom organisation, pioneered by Croydon IT Unit suitable for pupils aged 1 1 to a detailed description of each program, black-line masters 14 years old. The first stage covers the following topics. for work and record sheets, and technical specifications.

• Introducing information Each cassette pack retails at £21.95, disk pack at £29.95 and • Information skills additional pack of 5 pupils' books at £15.95.

The prices quoted above are valid for the UK and Eire only POSTAGE & PACKING and are exclusive of VAT. For orders under £60.00 at retail value, please add £1 50 for single items and 50p for each additional item. Orders over £60 are handled free of charge.

Please send me: n Name:

The Bar Code Cassette (£49.95) Address: Reader Teaching pack: Disk (49.95) D

The Information Cassette 15535 (£39.95) Technology Project: Disk 15533 (49.95) Maths For Micros Each Cassette pack £21.95. Each Disk pack £29.95

Number I Cassette 4 1322 D I enclose my cheque for £ Disk 4 1301 D OR please debit my Access/Barclaycard/Visa/ American Express/Diners Club (Delete as applicable). Shape & Measurement I Cassette 41324 D Disk 4 1304 Expiring Date: Number II Cassette 41345 Disk 4 1307 Account No. O Shape & Measurement II Cassette 4 1347 p Signature: Date: Disk 41310 j '-'. Games I Cassette 4 1349 Dept S, Addison-Wesley Publishers Ltd S3 Disk 41313 Finchampstead Rd., Wokingham, < Berkshire RG1 1 2NZ Tel: (0734) 794000

68 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 I BAR CODES

From the pack supplied by Addison-Wesley, the barcode reader with cable and user port plug, and the metal stencil

Telepen system EAN system The code for the second field comes Details of the Telepen system are fully Educational use will be two-fold. First is next. explained in the MEP package. For our the simulation of 'point-of-sale' (POS) The code is terminated by another purposes they can be summarised into transactions, and the other is in the use guard pattern. three main features: of barcodes to encode binary numbers The first field is made up of patterns directly by a system worked out by the • The code for each letter takes up the from sets A and B. while the second MEP. same amount of space (called a field is made up of patterns from set C. The POS application uses the EAN 'frame'), giving the possibility of con- system (apologies for all these The last digit is a checksum. stant-length lines. abbreviations -computing is riddled • Each line is started and ended by a The checksum digit is calculated by a with them!). You might have guessed unique 'guard pattern'; in figure 2 these complex algorithm. To follow it we that the EAN system is very complex. are the 'leader' and 'trailer' frames. need to number the 13 digits from left to Thirteen-digit codes are used (EAN- • A checksum is used to ensure that a right as digits 1 to 13. Thus the UK's 13), and an example appears in figure valid read' has taken place. digits 50 are digits 1 and 2 respectively. 3. Other versions such as the EAN-8 During the calculation of the checksum These features mean that the codes code exist but these are of much more the checksum digit (number 13) is not can be reliably read by the barcode restricted use. used! reader, and so copying a Basic pro- To give you a flavour of how the Step 1) Add together digits 2,4,6,8, 10 gram from a magazine can be reduced system works, here are a couple of and 12 and multiply the result by 3. to a simple and quick mechanical pro- quotes from the MEP pack: Step 2) Add together digits 1,3,5,7,9 cess, requiring no ability to type. The The EAN- 13 system represents 13 deci- and 11. reader pen is simply drawn across the mal digits in barcode form. The code for Step 3) Add together the results of row of stripes against a supporting the 13 digits is carried in two 'fields '. steps 1) and 2). straight-edge. The method is obviously The barcode is started by a 'guard Step 4) Take the final decimal digit free from the hazard and expense of pattern ' of three narrow bars, two black only of this sum. and subtract it from 10. tape or disc transfer through the post, one white. Then comes the code for the The result is the checksum. and permits a convenient and inexpen- first field. Following this calculation for the sive means of publishing listings. The fields are separated by another EAN number 50-00127-06109-C (where As demand grows Acorn Userw\\\ be guard pattern. C is the missing checksum). page 70 presenting programs in barcode format (as well as in the conventional way), and Addison-Wesley also intends to publish versions of its computer books in which the programs appear in bar- code form for easy copying. Other pub- lishers are sure to follow. The MEP pack includes a utility pro- gram to enable users to produce their own hard copy barcode versions of pro- grams to be output on a suitable dot- matrix or daisywheel printer. Figure 4. Piece of ASCII coded text in barcode drawn up from stencil

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 BAR CODES

In the first, the program can be used Message Encoder to convert characters typed at the key- board into ASCII, decimal, hex and binary. Figure 5 shows a screen dump of the system in operation. The stencil -» GEORGE can now be used to reproduce the

message on paper, and it can be decoded by another pupil with the bar- code reader. This is fun in computer lit- eracy classes, and the instructive element can be increased by denying the code-writer access to the program, thus forcing the deciphering of ASCII tables and the conversion of decimal to hex and binary, and the calculation of a simple checksum. The music encoding and decoding

system was originated by Joe Telford. It TAB = checksum 4» - new 1 i ne illustrates the way in which musical phrases can be put together in a jig- E Character saw-like fashion to form tunes. For 69 Decimal pupils with a higher level of musical interest and competence it shows how 45 Hexadecimal musical notes can be broken into pitch mum and length parameters and digitised. 81888181 Binary The very skilful might construct their own tunes with the stencil. a Enter character? New line A further application in the pack is a simple picture digitiser. The barcode Figure 5. Screen encoding/decoding system in operation dump of the menu-driven binary reader scans the picture, timing the relative widths of black and white

< page 69 1, while a narrow bar represents a 0. bands, and displays the result. In this

1)(0 + + 2 + 0+1 + 9) x 3=12 x The bars here are much larger than mode it is clearly necessary to have a 3 = 36 commercial ones, as they are designed very accurate and steady scanning 2)(5 + 0+1 + 7 + 6 + 0)=19 to be human-readable as well as speed. Scope here for a project on 3)36+19 = 55 machine readable. They can be drawn mechanising the process! 4) 10-5 = 5=C in pencil using the stencil illustrated in The user obviously needs to build up The fully encoded number is thus figure 4 which comes as part of the his/her manual dexterity in wielding 50-00127-06109-5 pack. Two programs are provided to the reader, and a program that graphs Confused? Never mind, understanding deal with these codes: a comprehen- the steadiness (or otherwise) of your the coding is not necessary to the suc- sive ASCII message encoding and scanning is provided. cessful use of the system. Every decoding system and a music system. The MEP pack manual gives running product has a unique code which is instructions for all the programs, read by simply brushing the barcode SUPPLIER detailed explanations of types of reader across it. The software takes coding in appendices, and suggestions care of the rest. Several procedures The MEP barcode reader is available as for classroom exercises. are thus possible: Teaching Package aimed at a edu- I am convinced of the applicability of cational establishments direct from this package at all levels of computer • Decoding the bars to find out the Addison-Wesley Publishers at £49.95. - teaching, and also in commercial product's country of origin. and see page 1 1 3 for special offer to ALL courses. The range of applications • Decoding of bars and storage of the readers. extends from the lowest level of intro- information thus revealed, together This pack, contained in a moulded duction to computers (where it can be with details typed in (name of product, plastic bag, comprises: used by the very young to read mess- price, weight etc). 1. Metric Crown Quarto user manual ages or tunes) to Advanced level or • Saving this stored information in a with worksheets, etc. beyond, where itcouldform the basis of tape or disc file. 2. An acetate sheet to protect barcode an extended project. Two suggestions • Loading a file from tape or disc. program sheets and the reader itself. that have already been made are to • Reading of codes and producing of a 3. A stencil. encode and machine-read names and running total price for articles whose 4. The barcode reader. classes for a computer timetabling pro- details have been loaded in from file. 5. Software on cassette or disc. gram, and to implement a library This is the true POS simulation. Contact Marketing Services, Addison- checkout system. There is something

I have used the package in the class- Wesley Publishers, Finchampstead here of interest to everyone. room and it provoked considerable Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG11 interest and discussion from a group of 2NZ,tel: (0734) 794000. students on a Manpower Services Trial-run programs for owners of Commission engineering course. A simplified version for the home user/ the reader are on pages 97 and 98. Encoding binary hobbyist with instruction notes rather than a full manual will be obtainable You could join the club - see The binary encoding and decoding early in 1985, but details of availability system is based around a simple prin- competition on page 89 have not yet been finalised. ciple. A broad bar represents a binary -: A FOUR AFFORDABLE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FROMDRG...AND WHERE TO GET THEM

Ifyon irani

CI Mltlili ( ariisle: Thet omputerShop. MANCHESTER Sumlock Electronics Carlisle Ltd. '0228)27110. Semes I. hi. (Mtl-S3*4233. DEXON Exeter: Devon ( 'omputers Ltd MERSEYSIDE Lin rpool: Spet iolist 0392)218401. ( omputer ( en/re Ltd 051-236 3499. DORSETPoole: Densham < omputers NOREOLK Norwich: Sumlock Bondain. Ltd 0202) 737493. 0603)617083. SEIKOSHA GP700 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Nottingham: Cires excellent colourprintout in . colours Computer Market. (0602) 586454. and30 shades in onepass, onpin orfriction- ( SALOP 'Eelfan I: 'omputer I Wage. fedpaper up to 10" iriile. OQA.Q Q^ (0952)506771. Prints text at up to 50 cps. STAFFORDSHIRE Stoke-on-Trent: Computer Cabin. (0782) 636911. Please send me more information and an SURREYCroydon: Visionstore Ltd 01-681 7539. order loanfor: Kingston-upon-Thames: I isionstore Ltd GP50A D 50S 500A a 550A D TOOA O [01-546 8974. Baai ( DRG Business Sj stems. Dealer Division, 13/14 E\ nx 'rescent, U interstoke lid, U eston-Super -Marc BS24 9DN. Tel: 0934 4 16392. Telex: 44476 1. 11 Christmas Da \ I re re Program 1 Wl Is** Wm m ; 'G %M 1

inn y •*•«*

\ 4& ''•?««ftSlB3?Sl

JSSt 5J&

\< ornsolt announce tidings of great joy Or you can send off for our catalogue by lor both BBC Microand Electron owners: eight writing to Acornsoft, c/o Vector Marketing, su brand new programs lor Christmas. London Road, Wellingborough, JNorthants /: Each one makes an ideal stocking filler. NN8 2RL. ^ TheyYe all available at your local Alternatively, however, you could always take Acorn so ft stockist. For the U * address or to order a chance and drop a ' ul 'jpApiJQAn by credit card simply ring 0933 79300. to Father Christmas. /HA/KPIOW bo Soltwarr lor iln- HIM. Microand Klirtroi 9.00 Firebug A fast moving arcade-type game in which you are a fireman, trying to rescue some oil drums and take them to the safety of a water tank Your opponent is the firebug who tins around lighting fires which move slowly towards the drums and fire extinguishers,

destroying them if contact is made.

1 10.00 Maze A gripping graphics game where you enter a top secret installation with the aim of steal- ing secrets from a rival company. The security system, however, has many levels each consisting of a maze of corridors patrolled by armed robot guards. Complete with full colour 3-D graphics, sound effects and a high score table.

12.00 Elite A superb 3-dimensional graphics game that's light years ahead of any other. You are aspace trader who roams the universe, making your living from buyingand selling cargo

in your Cobra space craft On your travels, you will encounter aggressors who are eager

to put an end to your dealings. Be warned, only the fittest will survive.

LOO Crazy Tracer A crazy adventure in which you guide a paint roller round the edge of a maze ol rectangles, while avoiding the monsters which are trying to stop you by crushing the

roller. Beware - as the game progresses, so the number of monsters chasing you

will increase.

3.00 Go 'Go' is a board game for two players which originated in China 3000 years ago and is now more popular than Chess in the Far East It requires strategic insight, intuition and a strong, calculating mind. If you wish, you can also challenge the computer at differing degrees of difficulty. A velly good game indeed.

4.00 Watch Your Weight

At last, a weight-loss program designed especially for you. With it your computer becomes an expert wholly conversant with and sympathetic to your needs, and will help you choose an appropriate and individual weight-loss plan. The program also includes a calorie counter and a series of apposite menu suggestions to help stimulate your imagination when you just can't think what to eat

5.00 The Complete Cocktail Maker With everything from a Black Russian to a Betsy Ross, this program contains data sufficient to concoct a staggering 320 different cocktails.

6.00 Paul Daniels' Magic Show Stun and amaze your friends with your astounding feats of magic. This program contains

ten tricks to be performed by or with your BBC Micro/Electron. Hurry though - it's bound to disappear fast JOES JOTTINGS 1

Joe Telford shows

m m m m m m § 1 you how to build your own keyboard

for a song. Get organised now! ORGMENTATION WITH Christmas approaching. controllable function keys. Because the • small side clippers. Santa's elves (Elf Research hardware produces 28 separate digits • small screwdriver (for 'D' cover). scissors (for cutting labels for key- Department) have been work- via ADVAL 1 , the keyboard can be com- • ing furiously in collaboration with pletely controlled from Basic. It's con- tops). really interest- nected to the BBC micro by a three- Acorn Userto provide a Messy solderers may find a desolder- or the kids - wire lead, which may be over a metre ing present for Mum, Dad ing gun or desoldering braid useful. the Acorn User Monophonic ORGan, or long. Acumorg. All Acumorg functions other than dividers The seasonal advice from snow- keypresses are produced by software. Potential 1 an electronic circuit bound Telford Towers (remember Cle- It should be operational in real-time, so Figure shows divider, so called veland is north of the Arctic Circle - that musical intervals down to semi- called a potential the resistors. R,and R?, Ed) is to buy the parts for Christmas, quavers can be played accurately. because two then, after the festivities have died Facilities to be made available initially divide the electrical potential or volt- down, allocate a few evenings to put- include: real-time organ sound, data- age, so that the input to channel 1 (ch.1) ting Acumorg together. Users of upper logging (music writing facility), selec- is somewhere between Ov and Vref. secondary age should be able to table octaves, volume control, major The actual value of this input voltage resistors, can manage with little help, but parents and minor chords, and a tune record/ depends on the two and should assist wherever possible, playback facility. be found by applying the formula: especially as a soldering iron is These are available from a selection

of programs described at the end of this R 2 'Vref needed. Vm = R,) Acumorg provides a cheap and article. Each facility within a program (R 2 + simple way of attaching a logical music will be activated by a function key on keyboard to the BBC computer. The Acumorg. This says the voltage at V„, is the result package presented includes both hard- The components (see panel) can be of Vref being shared in the ratio R,to R2 . can find this value by writing a small ware and software. If there is sufficient bought from almost any high street We interest, a further article on learning electronics store. (No pin photodiodes routine:

it will published. are included, so problems should be programs for be A 10 REPEAT PRINT FNadc(1): built here was small amount of software calibration minimal.) The version UNTIL FALSE constructed using components obtained may be required for some BBC micros, 1000 DEF FNadc(x)-ADVAL(x) DIV direct from RS Components which but in my experience this has never 128 taken more than 10 minutes, and once doesn't deal direct with the public, but calibrated, the programs seem to func- your store may be able to order for you. Notice that the analogue input is tion permanently. The minimum tools needed for this divided by 128 to make it more stable, The Acumorg has 28 keys, and project are: giving a number in the range to 511. this divided is designed to cover two octaves by # soldering iron - miniature 15 Watt It's possible to connect direct keypress, and has three user- type with a ^ in bit. voltage to the computer by a switch that when depressed will feed the preset

voltage into channel 1 of the ADC. Un- fortunately, when an ADC channel is

not connected, it floats' between Ov

Switch Switch and Vref at random, which means that open closed the switch might appear to be Vin- depressed, when it wasn't. The answer R2 • Vret to this problem is shown in figure 2. The !F?2+ Ri) D v side of the switch nearest to the ADC connection is tied to Ov via a large

Figure 1. Potential divider Figure 2. Switched divider resistor, commonly a 1Meg Ohm

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 JOE'S JOTTINGS

(1.000.000 Ohms). This resistence is sufficient to hold channel 1 at Ov when the switch is open. When the switch is closed the voltage m (N at channel 1 rises because of the effect of the potential divider. If R 2 is small in comparison to the 1Meg Ohm resistor,

the at channel 1 will be very r^TJ voltage

close to the ratio of R,to R,. If R 2 is quite large, say over 50k Ohm. the 1Meg Ohm resistor will act to alter the value of the voltage from the potential

divider, because it is always in parallel

with R 2 . -vW- While a 1Meg Ohm and a 1k Ohm EOM resistor in parellel can be regarded as

a 1k Ohm resistor, a 1 Meg Ohm resistor in parallel with another 1Meg Ohm resistor would combine to produce one of 500k Ohms. Hence the value of the voltage at the potential divider would alter drastically. In this project the 1Meg Ohm resistor is in parallel with resistor values up to 28k Ohm, and this range can be handled in a linear way from Basic. Figure 3 shows a potential divider

made from nine 1k Ohm resistors. If a voltmeter were to be connected between Ov and the junction of each resistor in turn, the voltage would be in roughly seen to rise toward Vref nine Figure 3. Circuit for a two-octave organ -o o- equal stages. Pressing any switch will T place its associated voltage on the divider chain from Ov to Vref, ensuring

input to channel 1 of the ADC, which that a switch is connected between the means we can read eight different volt- chain and channel 1 at each resistor

ages via the ADC port. If we divide junction. Notice that a 1 Meg Ohm resis- these voltages by a suitable value they tor is used to hold channel 1 at Ov when can be read as the numbers one no switch is pressed. It's important to to eight, and a voltage means that use one per cent tolerance resistors in no keyswitch is pressed. A suitable the circuit, because these will provide

routine is: greater linearity, making the software easier to write. 10 REPEAT PRINT FNadc(1): Figure 5 is the component view of the -o o- UNTIL FALSE stripboard showing resistors, switches T 1000 DEF FNadc(x) = ADVAL(x) DIV rvVv^ and wires, which should be fitted and 9192 soldered under it in the positions

This can be taken a stage further by marked. The 'x's are cuts made on the 1 placing the numbers generated into a underside of the board using either a SOUND command: spot face cutter, a i in drill bit or a craft knife. 10 REPEAT note = FNadc(1) of construction 20 IF note = SOUND&1 1.0,0,255 Sequence 30 IF note >0 SOUND&11,- 15, "I.Cut the stripboard in half length- note*4,255 ways - each can be used as the chassis 40 UNTIL FALSE for an Acumorg. Figure 4a. Complete circuit diagram 1000 DEF FNadc(x) = ADVAL(x) DIV 9192

Obviously the accuracy of the sound generated will depend on the scaling factor of 9192 in line 1000. This is the part of the software which may need to be calibrated for each Acumorg. Figure 4a shows the circuit diagram for Acumorg and figure 4b relates the switches to the keyboard design. The circuit diagram is no more complex than figure 3, except that 28 keys and 30 resistors are used. Trace the potential Figure 4b. Key layout

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 < «V"'""' *7 PAWS Each disk holds 1000+ hours of s/w engineering developed form our artwork systems. These programs fully exploit a disk- based BBC to stimulate long-term interest through exploration and experiment.

Prices inclusive. State 40tr or 80tr. £3 off total for 2 programs.

£6 off for 3. Add £5 if backup required. Special terms for Schools/Colleges needing 3 -+ copies.

* JIGSAW PICTURE & WORD PUZZLES (2 programs): £19.95 JSPP takes any mode-2 picture, 3 pictures supplied JSWP has fun-to-use word-puzzle creator/editor Random jumbles on 12 levels: toddler to top puzzler Four sliding & teleporting cursor options AVP Computing Helps: Tidy/Re-jumble keys, Save/Reload * TEX and PAM (2 programs): £1 9.95 The finest software for secondary education TEX creates/modifies/animates mode-7 pictures Get ahead by using it at home Output options: spool, *save, *save 5-pic sequence PAM runs TEX o/p as film/slideshow/newsreel Only AVP Timed frames. Inner loops, 13 TV-type smart wipes Shop/exhib can send you a free catalogue listing users: please ask about Advert Mgr Sys for displaying your goods with up-to-date prices Over 500 Programs * MUSIC MAESTRO (synth for non-musicians): £14.95 Design pleasant/weird sound envelopes All educational All for BBC/Electron MM displays pitch and amplitude waveforms Phone or write - no stamp needed - to Play: 4oct, 8std + ownenvs, chords, arpeggios, loops Record/edit/replay. Add rhythm after melody

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NOW FOR A 3 IN 1 STOCKING FILLER! reHtmitcmill

Need that extra little present for your A B.B.C(B) Computer-Moderated Adventure Came son, daughter, or brother? Want to get for 1 to 6 players. Mum and Dad a computer game? Or just buy one for yourself? Need that extra ere is 3n alternative to the solitary pleasures of huddling over a hot keyboard - a sociable board game little for players of high intelligence, heroic bravery and present for the tree or Christmas treacherous cunning. stocking?

Our compendium cassette is the answer, BJith real or imaginary companions you prepare yourself to explore the mysterious, ruined Island Empire of featuring the three exciting games, Cresvillion - a land of a thousand adventures. You travel through the island of forests, rivers, plains

l; and townships in search of the fabulous lost Treasure LUDO, PATIENCE, SOLITAIRE. Guaran- v Hal 1 of the Emperor. teed fun for all the family!

ome of your discoveries will be pleasant ones, but It only costs £3.50 and includes post & you must cultivate friendships Co help you through your trials and tribulations. Not all friends, for packaging. example, will care to help you when you are attacked by monstrous snakes, pursued by The Stalker or turned into a bucket by an irritable old witch. Fill in the form and send it with a cheque or postal order to the address below. throughout the game you will find hidden treasures, magical weapons of extraordinary power, natural and unholy creatures, traps, puzzles and challenges which will tax the humour, strength and sanity of the boldest adventurer. Please send me cassettes. I enclose a cheque/postal order for By linking a board game to the computer NAME (SreHtriirtLTtr ADDRESS goes beyond the confines of ordinary adventure games.

Cheque) : I IS. 95 (P.O. or NAME l.'.M.G. DAMES ADDRESS; "' 29A 0SB0RN1 SHAVIN Nl'. CREWE THE PROGRAM BUREAU. CHESHAM HOUSE. 136, REGENT STREET HIRE LONDON W1. CM2 SB?

li

76 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 • JOE'S JOTTINGS

aDii-i-uzao: COMPONENTS .iJJJ.I.UI.hl Price Component RSNo. (approx) ^^T 1 stripboard (makes 2 Acumorgs) 119mm"455mrrT 1.6mm 434-201 £4.50 28 PCB push switches £4.20

29 1 k Ohm 1 % resistors 148-506 £0.90

1 1 Meg Ohm 1 % resistor 149-228 £0.03

1 15 way 'D' plug 466-185 £1.50

1 15 way 'd' cover 469-572 £1.25 1m two-core screened cable £0.20 20cm single-core 'Hookup' wire £0.10 Black and white self-adhesive labels for keytops £0.50 1m solder £0.10

Total £13.38

'Nestec has agreed to supply PCB switches - the address is Nestec, Kielder House. New- castle Polytechnic, Coach Lane Campus. Benton. Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE7 7XA. Tei (0632) 663409. RS PCB push switches are RS no. 337 598 and cost £14.50 for 28. You may ha ve problems in fitting the Nestec switches squarely on the veroboard - see page 80.

2. Cut the track side of the stripboard at 7. Connect the two-core shielded cable the points indicated. Makesure no links to the stripboard as shown, with the between tracks are accidentally made screen to track J (the lower end of the and that the gaps completely remove potential divider chain). the copper tracks around the holes 8. Connect the other end of the cable to

marked 'x'. the 15-way 'D' connector (making sure 3. Fit the PCB switches in the holes shown. Have a dry run and compare the -Vref result with figure 5 before soldering •ch 1 them in place. Note that there is a f9o o o o o • M\^15 MO OOO -0V seven-hole gap between switches in the bottom row (apart from the function switches), and that the rows are separ-

ated by a single row of holes. If different Figure 6. Lead connections to D' plug switches are used, their contact pegs may push through the stripboard in dif- that the leads are connected correctly) ferent positions. Try, however, to main- by following the lead colours to it from tain the connections to lines H and J, Acumorg (figure 6). Add the cover to the

and alter the contacts at lines D and N if 'D' connector. necessary. 9. Check the trackside of the board for 4. Solder the switches in place and trim dry joints - they will be a dull grey - little the solder joints, if necessary, using colour often caused by too side clippers. solder, and for solder bridges between - 5. Solder the four wire connections tracks caused by too much solder. near the function key switches. Trim the 10. Check the other side of the board for of place, joints if they are untidy. any components that are out 6. Solder the 29 1k Ohm, one per cent and remove and replace them. resistors and the 1Meg Ohm one per- 11. Make sure the necessary tracks cent resistor into place, then cut their have been correctly cut. legs and trim any untidy joints. Once the soldering has been done, and the Acumorg checked for mistakes.

• Z 5 160 170 179 RS switches -D • — 1 -F H KSd -J 2 4 L _J -N -P • - 5 r R -T -V — Nestec switches

i • ' • • ' • i i i i i i i' i ' i i • ~ 1

Figure 5. Veroboard constructional dia- 2 3 gram. NB: if RS push switches are used, pin Figure 5a. Resistor layout changes for RS switch pin-outs position will move along the track switches Figure 5b. PCB push

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 + p

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ds/dd disks disco-box £?5 now only £70 Ldp + We buy S XM" disks from the major international manufacturers, then test and verify them in our London laboratories. Every Yl tTOn disk meets all ANSI, commercial and manufacturers specifications. Over 250,000 II tron disks have been sold in the U.K. in the last three years.

Earlier this year we ran the advertisement opposite, introducing the

concept of the disco-box , and everybody loved it. We also got a lot of people on the phone asking if we could supply slightly fewer Yl tron disks, and as you can see, we're now offering boxes in 25's as well.

Every order of 25 or 50 comes packed in the same rigid plastic storage box 5 with four dividers, we've kept the same high specification and all disks carry our "two-for-one" guarantee.

We accept orders from all government bodies, schools, universities, libraries, armed forces etc. We despatch on receipt of an official purchase order. If you can't raise a cheque without an invoice please post or telephone your order and we'll send you a proforma by return. Disco Technology Limited, Lex House, 3/6 Alfred Place, London WC1, England. Telephone 01-631 0255 PERSONAL CALLERS WELCOME

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(qty)dfeco.box (es) filled with 50 ss/dd disks at £59.50 each .(qty) disco-box (es) filled with 25 ds/dd disks at

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To: Disco Technology Ltd., Lex House, 3/6 Alfred Place, London W.C.I. , England. ; JOE'S JOTTINGS

a the finishing touches should be added. two conversion periods. Because this to interrupt any sound channel at Most electronics shops sell cheap self- may occur at the beginning and end of a moment's notice. The &1x command from channel x as adhesive rubber legs. To prevent the keypress, the sound will generally start interrupts sound board from bending when the keys are and end two conversion periods after soon as it's executed. only calibration which may be pressed, up to eight of these can be that keypress (figure 8). It is therefore The period to necessary is in line 1010, and once struck to its underside. best to reduce the conversion the shortest time available. This can be done this line can be added to each pro- To make it look more like a piano

gram. I found that this line needed keyboard, the top row of keys can be done using the command: black adhesive labels and altering in only one out of five proto- covered with 'FX16.1 types. the lower with white. Note that the key calibration, simply re- activates , allowing To check the on the far right is C, which is playable which only ADVAL1 40 with the line: and should be covered white. The three the ADC to run faster, at about 10msec place lines 30 and conversion. It's possible to improve function keys should be marked per 30 PRINTnote F1:F2:F3 (figure 4b). The protection on this, but in practice this is sufficient, undetectable ' connect Acumorg up to the BBC tabs included with many packs of floppy as the sound is only an 5 Now and the amended program discs provide cheap keytop labels. second out of sync with the keyboard. micro RUN 1. number Users who are adept with wood, The first set of software provided for With no keypresses the should appear. plastic, fibre-glass or metal might like Acumorg is aimed at users learning to Press and hold each note in turn. As to make a case for Acumorg, but this use the keyboard. The programming simple, and each is pressed its corresponding isn't essential. techniques are relatively users should, as usual, improve on the number from 1 to 28 should appear and Software for Acumorg software given. no/change. If the numbers from 1 to 28 Although some software has been all appear correctly then Acumorg is described in introducing the concepts calibated. If any number does not behind Acumorg, it didn't originally appear or flickers between two values, techni- asmall amendmentto the calibration is function correctly. The greatest Conversion period V V Alter the 2240 of line 110 by cal problem with Acumorg is that the needed. ADCs continually sample the input to one unit either way, then try again. If Key press each channel, and this is done rela- F the flickering becomes worse try the tively slowly (milliseconds are very other way. If adjusting the number 2240 slow in computer terms). This means over a range of +32 does not cure Figure 7a. Key pressed during conversion: that pressing a key is not synchronised the problem, reset it to 2240 and alter incorrect reading to the polling of the ADC, with the result the other parameter, the 128. This can that during an ADC conversion the be done in steps of 32 between 32 and three waveforms found in figures 7a-c 224. Program 2 allows the organ to print can occur. \ / Conversion period W In figure 7a a key is pressed during understandable musical information, an ADC conversion period, resulting in l-—-Key lelease' corresponding to the pitch of sound a value for ADVAL1 which does not re- \ _ L- produced by each keypress. The data is flect the correct keypress. The same shown in line 1050 and is placed into situation can occur on key release the array 'note$' which is two chroma- Figure 7b. Key release during conversion: (figure 7b). Because of the voltage tic octaves (28 notes) long. On pressing incorrect reading is and the change between Ov and V n the value a key the note sounded, returned will not be correct. Only in coding at line 60 prints out each new

figure 7c can it be correct, because the note as it's played. Rests and internote

I / Conversion period \ / switch is held closed for the full conver- gaps are not shown because these are interpreted as a 'delete' code, confi- sion period. V|n i— zri --^7" release »i ^1 gured line 40. Unfortunately, we cannot be sure I Key press Key by which waveform is being returned on The program can be altered to show any keypress. So we must continually just the number of the keypress, giving sample the waveform until two values Figure 7c. Key pressed over conversion: SOUND statement values which are match, indicating that a key is properly correct reading directly transferable to other Basic pro- held or released. A simple routine for grams such as for jingles. The alter- this is: Program 1 (page 103) shows the few ation is to line 60 where: lines of coding necessary to make Acu- 1000 DEFFNadc(x):LOCALa%.b% PRINT noteS(note) morg play real-time sound, and can 1010 REPEAT:a% = also be used to check its calibration. becomes (ADVALX+ 128) DIV 2240 The main body of the program repeats = TIME+1:REPEATUNTIL PRINTnote 1020 T% current note TIME>T% continually, pushing the value into one of the two available Line 80 sets the note produced to match 1030 b% = (ADVALx+ 128) DIV 2240 SOUND statements. In the develop- the name printed. 1040 UNTILa% = b%: = a% ment of later software, it was found that Program 3 introduces the user to the Notice that two readings are taken lines 30 and 40 could be combined to idea that not all the keys on the organ roughly 1/100th of a second apart (line read: need to initiate sound. The three func- equal (line 1040) then tion keys can be set to alter the value of 1020). If these are SOUND&11,(- 15*SGN(note)),note value is returned to the main pro- the variable 'octave'. This is done in that *4,255 gram - if not the sampling continues. lines 90 to 110. for function (a It should be clear that the worst, case which gives silence for all notes equal Line 90 checks a key of Acumorg recovering from an out-of- to 0. The &1 1 at the start of each SOUND key with value more than 25) and if it synchronisation keypress is over just statement is there because of the need finds one pressed, blanks out the

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 JOES JOTTINGS I

indicating the current octave. Line 100 line 230), then the new volume is indi- out complex use of the IF statement. alters the octave by subtracting 26 from cated (at line 240). Line 250 is included The contents of line 370 arc shown in the keynumber, giving a value from to so that the function key must be figure 9. 2. This is used to print a new indicator released to prevent multiple toggles. Program 5 allows Acumorg to play " in the correct position. Finally, for The procedure returns to the main pro- like program 1, except that whenever keypresses over 25, the program loops gram with the variable 'volume' now F1 is pressed the keypresses and round in line 110 so that no sound is switched to 1 or 0, depending on its last durations are stored in two 100-item produced. When the octave has been state. lists. These lists can be replayed at a set, it's used by line 130 to produce a PROCchord is found at lines 170 to moment's notice by hitting F2. When F3 '48' sound in that octave. If the of line 210 First it clears the current screen is pressed the two lists are cleared, ready for a new tune to be recorded. With a small amount of alteration the program could be improved to enable 10ms conversion periods At ADC the loading and saving of files to and

I I I I from disc. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Lines 100 to 140 handle the function - Key press KOms From ACUMORG keys by moving the screen indicator (lines 100 and 110), then examining the further. checks for Sound 140ms - From speaker keypress Line 120 function key 1 and if this is currently pressed sets the organ variable 'mode' 1 20ms i 20ms i Validation delay Validation delay to 1. Line 130 checks for F2 and sets 'mode' to 2, then replays any music stored. The benefit is that the user can Figure 8. Timings of worst cases try out other tunes without them being

recorded until F1 is pressed again. If it stored, 130 was altered to '96', the sound would chord indicator (line 170), next the is hit when some music is new recordings will be added to the end of rise in double octaves. chord type is toggled between 0, 1 and 2 Program 4 demonstrates how the (at line 180) and then the new chord the last recorded piece. Line 140 checks for F3, the clear key. Acumorg function keys can be used to type is indicated (at line 190). Line 200 If at stage the control three of the organ's features. F1 is included so thatthe function key must this is encountered any pointer the of the lists of controls the octave range up or down be released to prevent multiple tog- 'top' to end one octave. F2 alters the volume. F3 gles. The procedure returns to the main stored music is reset to 0. Line 150 selects whether each key pressed program with the variable chord' now handles the recording of played notes, but the 'mode' must be set to 1 by func- plays a single note or a major or minor switched to 0, 1 or 2, depending on its tion key 1 (Record). chord based on it. Chords can be used last state. Replay procedure repeats the to produce an accompaniment to When any key less than value 26 is The another instrument or even to another pressed, the program uses the pre- notes played, emphasising them and Acumorg. viously set values of octave, chord and not the inter-note gaps. Altering line 230 will change this emphasis. If during THE Nestec switches may be used without modifica- the playback the clear key is pressed, tion, but because of their pin arrangement they will the playback will be cut short but the will not removed. Hitting be positioned at an angle to the main board. If you music data be want the switches to sit square on board proceed as it again will reset the music data follows. Gently bend pins inward until they can be in- pointer 'top', effectively clearing the serted into correct holes. While applying pressure to stored data. This program is experi- keep the switch in the board, rotate the switch anti- mental in its present form, and users clockwise until square with board and solder. are encouraged to restructure and

improve it. The function keys are trapped bythe volume to play the note indicated. This This project relies on good soldering coding in lines 110 to 130. The three is done in PROCplay. PROCrest is only ability, plus willingness to experiment, basic procedures which handle them used to produce musical rests and change and customise hardware and are: PROCoctave, PROCvolume and inter-note gaps. software. For beginners attempting the

PROCchord. The PROCplay routine is designed to project, I suggest you work slowly and PROCoctave is found at lines 270 to play either single notes (at line 370), or methodically, ticking off the stages. If

310. First it clears the current screen chords. If a single note is required, the you have to break off work, make sure octave indicator (line 270), then the variable 'chord' will have been set to 2. the equipment is kept together. Be octave is toggled between 1 and (at If 'chord' is or 1, a second voice plays careful with the soldering iron (especi- line 280), and the new octave is indi- at line 390. If 'chord' has a value of the ally with children) as it's a source of cated (at line 290). Line 300 is included SOUND statement of line 400 is played great heat and electrical current. After so that the function key must be and the routine concludes, giving a the construction of the hardware only released to prevent multiple toggles. major chord. If the value of chord' is 1 enter program 1 until the organ is func- The procedure returns to the main pro- then the SOUND statement of line 410 tioning properly, then move on to the gram with the variable octave' now plays, which alters the sound to a minor other programs. switched to 1 or 0, depending on its last chord. state. The organisation of each sound state- Acumorg demonstration Found at lines 220 to 600, PROC ment is such that the values of 'volume' volume first clears the current screen and 'octave' are placed in expressions and control programs are volume indicator (line 220). Next the which evaluate to the correct para- on yellow pages 103-104. volume is toggled between 1 and (at meters for the SOUND required, with-

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Remember the days when every dailv with the very latest computer news record player was gifted with a needle and reviews. Paging a special Bulletin w instead <>t a stylus. 45's were irC 78's Board. Feastjng from "PrestePs vast menu. were "out'.' Even downloading a choice ol software absoluteh Before the days of hi-fi and laserdiscs. free. When a graphic equaliser was a break- In fact, imagine 50,000 pages at your through on the football pitch instead of fingertips and you've imagined what its in music technology. like to he- on line- with the Micronet 800

its system. I ook at a record player now and a museum piece. lor Just LI I a quarter (^nd, for most ol you, a local telephone call when- It's like that with micros too.

t you could rhe machine you thought would give ever you want to connec up) system. endless hours of fun and interest often subscribe to the Micronet becomes a live minute wonder. Played The only extra you nevd to connect out within months. Or so you thought. up is a modem unit. Which is a small But imagine communicating with enough outlay lor what it Buys. other micro users on a nationwide Micronets features are almost limit- mainframe system. Updating yourself less and constantly updating so why not

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• li Making the most ofyour micro, PRINTERS

Dear Mr Hill, Please can you help me and a number of other frustrated printer-users

with a problem which I know can be solved but with a little knowledge

needed from someone of your standing. The problem to which I am refer- ring is the screen dumping of 'protected' screens, games etc, on an

Epson printer. By 'protected' I mean that the program is protected in such

a way that one cannot hope to get into it and add a nice little screen dump. In the July issue of 'Acorn User' you talk about dumping a reasonable rep-

resentation of the screen to the printer. This is all very well if you have a nice graphics program which is listable, but please tell us -in layman's terms so even an idiot like me can understand - how on earth you pro- duced the dump of the 'CTBerf screen on page 165 of July's issue. At every show you see lovely dumps of nearly every game ever released pinned up all over the stands, but nobody seems to know how it's done! What's needed is a nice machine code program that can be loaded at

an obscure address and which will interrupt any program while it is running and dump whatever is on the screen to the printer. Your rival magazine 'Micro User' published one several months ago which claimed to do this but out of nearly 100 games tried, it only managed to dump

'Hopper' by Acornsoft. Please write or find me a program with which I can happily dump games screens with my BBC and Epson.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope you can help me out with this most frustrating task.

Yours faithfully A G Postle

George Hill's three programs solve a reader's problem with dumping freeze frames of arcade action

EAR Mr Postle, The time has None of this really helps you with generate an 'interrupt'. This means come to blow the gaff. To do this your problem, but it does indicate an that the computer detects an 'event'

kind of screen dump it is essential approach for programs for which the and transfers control to a piece of to have a machine-code dump. The method I explain below does not work. machine code. The address of this colour dump used for Q'Bert sat in There are three pre-requisites if you machine code is vectored' (ie, trans- page 10 (&A00 to &AFF) and was pub- want to carry out an 'instant dump'. ferred) through a memory location lished with my review of the Canon First, you must have a piece of machine reserved permanently for this purpose. PJ1080A colour printer (Acorn User, code buried in the machine that can do The vector address in question is &200 July issue, pages 163-5). This article the dumping. Second, this piece must and &201. The event we want to detect contains the assembly language for a be found a home where it does not is 'key pressed'. This is 'enabled' by the machine-code dump for a dot matrix interfere with the normal functioning of operating system call: printer. the computer, or with the game in ques- *FX14,2 When I dumped Q*£?err(and inciden- tion. Third, you must be able to 'freeze' tally Snapper and some other games the game. We now write our interrupt handling screens) I cheated! First the freezer. The best way to machine code, and deposit its address Q'Bert has a Basic controlling pro- interrupt any computer process is to at &200 (low byte) and &201 (high byte). gram, and so I found a convenient place There are three programs. The first and inserted the line: is Autocol, which sets up the interrupt CALL&A00 handler at address &9C0 (where the speech processor has its work-space and hey presto! or in the middle of the cassette output Snapper was a bit more tricky, but is buffer, which will be unused unless you a well-constructed piece of machine save something), which is relatively code. It therefore consists of a number safe. It then performs the necessary of JSR instructions at the beginning of *FX call and deposits &C0 at address the code. I looked at the disassembled &200 and &09 at address &201. When a listing and poked the two bytes: key is pressed the CPU completes its present instruction, &00 &0A then performs a JMP (&200) instruction. This jumps to (the start address of my dump) in place the location pointed to by &200, which of various subroutine addresses until is &9C0. the dump occurred at a suitable junc- The routine preserves the registers ture. Dumping 'Snapper' was tricky by pushing them onto the stack. The

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 PRINTERS

&200 and &201, by-passing the inter- rupt handler (Rocket Raid does this). The method works for a surprisingly large number of games, though. The second pair of programs com- prises Dumper, a Simple setting-up program, and Autodmp, which is much more complicated and deserves some

explanation. It generates a machine code dump suitable for the ESC L n1 n2 double-density graphics. This occurs on Stars, Epsons, CP80. and Canon printers, and probably many others. Autodmp sets up two pieces of machine code of one page each. They are interconnected but need not be consecutive. CODE1 contains all the storage space, some of the subrou-

tines, and the interrupt handler. It is preceded by a jump instruction, so that

it can be called at address &900. The second piece of machine code (CODE2) actually carries out the dump. My most recent article on screen dumps introduced the subject of 'logi- cal' and 'physical' colour dumps (July, page 167). This dump is a compromise.

It dumps modes 2 and 5 in physical colour (otherwise some games screens which use VDU19 calls exten- BHI1LIS sively look disappointing) but modes 0,1 and 4 in logical colour (otherwise 0-»2:S the contrast is very poor). The first problem remains - where to

it GHHinGE put the machine code. I have solved TO-* ffii for most disc machines - &900 to &AFF remains clear most of the time. The f* problem for tape machines is that &D00 should be free, and that is where the second piece of code is located, but 4 4 i many games programs use this page of memory. Try &B00 (the soft key buffer - 444 often unused) as an alternative. These modifications will have to be left to 44442 someone who uses tape regularly. A desirable side-effect of this last 4 4 44 system is that it can be used in the 4^ If absence of the interrupt handler. you: 44 44 4 4 •LOADCODE1 •LOADCODE2

inserting the line:

CALL &A00 (&D00 on tape) The Q* Bert screen that prompted Mr Postle's letter will cause an excellent screen dump.

it, Postle. I last one preserved is the Y register, most dumps for normal dot-matrix So there you have Mr

approval. I which is transferred to the stack printers quite unsuitable for producing hope it meets with your through the accumulator (tya:pha). This multicoloured screen pictures.) must admit that I still had to cheat for the system. The results in the contents of the accumula- The @ key was chosen because few Q'Berteven with new more than tor being the previous contents of the Y games appear to use it as a control key. problem is that games using use &900 register. This contained the ASCII code It should be clear that this method will three ENVELOPE commands their get overwriting tor the key which had been pressed. It work with most games and almost all for storage and we

I leave readers is compared with '@' (the ASCII code is Basic graphics programs. There are of the dumping system. exceptions, games use to puzzle out the answers to that. 64). If it was not @ then the registers however. Some are restored and we exit gracefully. If it my program's workspace at &900 and was @ then we jump to the dumping &A00 and attempt to overwrite the Autocol, Dumper and subroutine. Any machine-code dump dump- Hopper appears to do this, The will do, but you must find it a suitable resulting in a 'Bad program' message. Autodmp programs are listed home. 'LOAD it there and define its Some have their own interrupt routines on yellow pages 105-108 start address as 'dumpstart'. (I found to handle the keyboard and so reset

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the snow swirls around you in Problem 3 Asthe wilds of Long Acre and you THIS MONTH'S PRIZES Mad Alex had five hogsheads of his pull your adventuring gauntlets beloved extra-special Bulls Blood and tighter around your fingers to keep out one hogshead of el cheapo Plonko (the the cold, a pitiful sight shuffles out of a latter reserved for the rare non- damp and darkened corner and blocks occasion). The hogsheads contained your passage. 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 31 gallons. Under Dressed in combat gear (army sur- straitened circumstances he sold part plus-Battle of Verdun) and with a of the Bulls Blood to one dwarf dealer Santa Claus beard which looks three- and twice as much to another, leaving days genuine, it parts its lips and a him with only the hogshead of Plonko. shallow moan emanates towards you: How many gallons of Plonko did he Spare us a few bob for a drink, guv. have? Season of goodwill y'know'. Problem 4 With a shock, you perceive from the At the dwarfen temple are two bells icicles dangling from his gold earring, which toll to indicate important events. that you have just encountered Mad The first bell rings every 1| seconds Alex -he who has consumed more of and the second bell every 1| seconds. yourtime in the pastyear, by giving you To a dwarf ear, however, two peals ridiculous puzzles to solve, than you which occur within I second or less would have wished. sound like one. If both bells begin exactly 'Begone, wretch!' you cry. 'If I give ringing at midnight how many you money, far from spending it on peals will have been heard fifteen honest drinking, you'll only put it minutes later? towards a second processor!' Alex explains to you that the serial to the vault containing the 'Honest, guv, I won't. In fact, if you number were to accompany me to that excel lent treasure is the sum of the solutions to hostelry yonder, The Freemasons' these four problems - adjusted by what you are told by the people he is about to Arms. I venture to suggest you might learn something to your advantage.' introduce to you. Your heart sinks. You know only too He goes on to explain that all these well the mental anguish and late nights people (who are currently celebrating entailed in trying to acquire one of Mad your good health at your expense) are Alex's advantages. And yet, one day, either dwarfs or trolls. For the benefit of maybe? newcomers to the dungeon, it should In a dream, you cross the threshold be recalled that dwarfs invariably tell trolls and before you know it Mad Alex has the truth and equally invariably his hands on your pouch of sovereigns ie. 'Be certain that you do only what a and is distributing largesse to all and dwarf tells you,' Alex warns you. sundry. 'Ignore all instructions from trolls.' After the first few flagons have been At Table 1 there are two people who quaffed, an air of weariness descends raise their glasses to you. upon you. 'Er, are these people from A: 'We are both trolls. Add the solution the Acorn User dungeon?' you enquire to problem 1 to your answer.' of Mad Alex, fool that you are. B: 'Add the solution to problem 3 to Indeed.' digit to be used more than once) which your answer.' is the At Table 2 there are three people. And I suppose I have to solve some is exactly divisible by 11. What thinks exactly one of us is a troll. problems before I can talk to them?' difference? A: C Mad Alex clicks his fingers and Kate Problem 2 Add the square root of the solution to the serving wench, scuttles over with a 23 3 + 24A3 + 25A3 is the smallest problem 2 to your answer. sheaf of paper. Written on it are the fol- square formed by three consecutive page 9 1 lowing puzzles: cubes (excluding 1). What is the smal- Problem 1 lest square which can be formed in this See page 91 for August Find the largest and smallest numbers fashion by more than three consecutive competition results containing any nine of the digits 0-9 (no cubes (again, excluding 1)?

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< page 89 B: C is a dwarf. Add the solution to prob- correct solutions out of the bag win an 12 Signs of the Zodiac lem 2 to your combination. MEP barcode reader package, each 54 Cards in a Deck (with the Jokers)

C: I am a dwarf. Subtract the solution to worth £50, kindly donated by Addison- 18 Holes on a Golf Course problem 3 from your number. Wesley Publishers. The next five 200 Pounds for Passing Go in Mon- At Table 3 three more imbibers greet correct entries will receive the book opoly you. Procedures and Functions in BBC 3 Blind Mice (See How They Run) A: B thinks C is a troll. Add the solution Basicby Douglas Gregory. 24 Hours in a Day to problem 4 to your number. 57 Heinz Varieties B: A is a troll. Subtract the solution to 29 Days in February in a Leap Year problem 4 from your answer. AUGUST A 12 Players in a Cricket Team (includ- C: A is a dwarf. Add the solution to prob- ing the Twelfth Man) lem 1 to your number. WINNERS^ The only one which 'stumped' some of mm At Table 4 another trio sits swilling you was the last one. 'TM' was your ale. THE August competition attracted an occasionally interpreted as team A: C does not believe we are all dwarfs. enormous entry -approximately 2000 manager' or, even more bizarre, 'third Add the solution to problem 3 to your postcards arrived in our office from as man' -that's notcricket! number. far afield as Zambia, New Zealand and B: C is a dwarf. Add the solution to prob- the Middle East. Evidently the prospect The five winners of the Torch lem 1 to your answer. of winning a modem and talking to the Unicomm modems were A Waluish of C: Subtract the solution to problem 4 world inspired you all. Essex, Sue Mounce of Devon, Mark from your answer. Mad Alex's message was a simple Betteridge of Doncaster, E Southall of Now you have the combination to the letter-for-letter substitution code which Surrey and Carol Nelson of Leicester- treasure vault. What is it? Answers on a then posed its own puzzles, the shire. A special mention to Karen Clark postcard, please, to arrive not later answers to which were: of Sydney, Australia, whose postcard than 4 January 1985, addressed to 26 Letters of the Alphabet featured an attractive rear view of what December Competition, Acorn User, 68 7 Wonders of the Ancient World she claimed to be herself surfboarding Long Acre, London WC2. The first five 1001 Arabian Nights naked!

complete

with

ram

1: 6 SLOT ROM 1*16K RAM * 47:00 2: 6 SLOT ROM 2*16K RAM * 59:00 ram inclusive in 3: 1*16K RAM ONLY. * 38:00 i: 6 SLOT ROM BOARD 25:00 5: EXTERNAL I SLOT ROM BOX 39:95 the price! 6: SPARE CARDS FOR ITEM 5 3:00

* FREE software to operate these boards Send tape/disc BASIC still highest priority!

All boards fit underneath keyboard therefore do not cover ram area causing overheating. No bits of I/O Port used. Compatible with RAVEN 20 A,so available at TWILLSTAR Open 9AM-10PM. 7 DAYS a WEEK. 25 AyQN DR|yE WHETST0NE LE|CESTER RAMAMP COMPUTERS TEL °533 8864966

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 I I ood fac

raxAfti

\\ TfcJKvAN

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disc II: 6. January 1983 MEP school launch. copier Colour painting. Basic ring data between Beebs, Atoms . . or the Atom Atom bytes free' routine. "FX commands lor sound. Second BBC random access files. Screen dumps for Pets. Atom block demolition utility. Schools -test of Factfile. Keyboard TV series Machine code 3 -two pass Olivetti, Centronics and Seikosha. Atom disassembler program. Reviews skills. Amcom DFS v Acorn DFS Re- assembly. Disc drives for the Beeb Atom strings. Reviews of Tandy of software, books, educational pro- views Beebpen wordprocessor, Atom Programming forum. Program protec- CGP115 printer, five educational grams from Chalksoft. expansion system, software, books. tion. Micros in schools -new series packs, A to D converter. 18. January 1984: Games special issue 21. April Beeb graphics on TV. 6845 Commodore Pet printer used with 14. September Techniques- ink-blots Techniques -graphs part 2 Stacks and chip explored. Advanced filing Beeb. BBC programs written on an and mazes. Painting by lightpen. DFS queues, Basic and languages. Hints & systems Lisp 2. Hints & Tips Beeb Atom Extra Atom memory. space explored. Beeb Forum. Mega Tips. Voice chip revealed. How to write Forum. Choose disc tracks to copy. Monsters game listing. Machine code games. Electron interfacing. Beeb Function key editing. Teletext dumps graphics dumps Atom Forum. Atom Forum. Life graphics routines. CES scrutinised. Passing variables. cassette recorder check. Reviews of Delencecom game listing. The Train Computer Concepts' graphics ROM. Atom RAM boards, Cumana disc Game listing. Machine code graphics. Schools -simulations. Calculating manual, Logo for schools. Hobbit Where to put machine code. Schools Easter dates Better programming. floppy tape and books. handling data. Juki daisywheel printer Atom Forum. Atom ROM routines. Con- 15. October Women and computing. examined. Atom Forum and adventure. verting BBC to Atom Basic. Three Techniques- random numbers. Re- Reviews of ultilities, software, Beeline printers compared. Reviews, software, view of Computer Concepts' Beebcalc. wordprocessor, educational packages, Aries B20 RAM board. Toolkit. Moni- vm\ Fractal graphics. 57 files on 40 & 80 two chess programs. tors. track discs. Vampire game listing. 22. May Bitstik graphics system. Hints Beeb Forum. Assembly code controls & Tips. 6502 second processor exa- tab key. Osfile merging. Atom future. mined. Lisp 3. Beeb Forum Disc utility Atom verify routine. Reviews of Vu- to keep track of available space. Stat- Type, Procyon Atom book, Epson FX80, istics. Pattern graphics. OSWORD Teletext adapter, disc drive, software. explained. 4 colour graphics listings. 16. November Techniques- imposs- Second-hand disc drives. Education ible problems. Contour graphics Con- do girls get a fair deal 9 Atom Forum. necting two Beebs together. XREF: BBC to Atom Basic 2. Reviews: British sorts & lists variable, function and pro- Micro's Grafpad, Edword wordproces- cedure names. Assembler ultilities in sor, 4 sprite generators, Opus micro- - Basic II. OS, VDU, FX, OSBYTE calls drive, Beasty, software. pull-out poster Disc overlays Adding 23. June Acorn Z80 second processor. extra Atom commands Reviews of 7 Forth. Graphics to brighten up your 7. February 1 MHz bus examined (4). 3D educational packs. Atom ROM, books, games. Soft Pottery graphics Go faster Atom graphics (3). Atom BBC Board games. and save memory space. Rapid search reviewed (3). Machine code 4- and load routine for tapes. How the memory (5) BBC Computer Literacy Beeb and Electron work 1. Business: update (1). Atom error handling (2). reviews and how to gently enter office Micros in schools 2 - getting organised MK men. Iltrtroo mi Um moouiM computerisation. Education -adult lit- (6). Hints and Tips (4). Beeb Forum (3). HINTCl TIPS: now (oluni eracy. Dumping Atom programs on the Reviews of Wordwise (2) and the Amber *** BEEBtAU for two micros BBC Atom Forum. Software copyright printer (1), XHF-. ram worth utility laws. Hints & Tips Techniques- B- 8. March Chess on the BBC micro (3). ITOnV. hwIWi routines Trees. Beeb Forum. Reviews of moni- Sound on the Beeb (4). Printers for DHCS-. memory ovtrlays 19. February: Adventures special issue tors, printers, books, software, adven- beginners (4). Atom analogue con- Techniques -efficient sorts. PROC for tures, EPROM programmer verier (2). Schools 3 -micros and a numeric keypad on the Beeb key- maths (6) Machine code 5- indirect board. 12 graphics listings. Random addressing (3) DIY lightpen (5) MEP s access filing on disc. Locking files. Microprimer review (2) Atom Ross MCP40 printer/plotter looked at. Hints toolkit review (1). Beeb Forum (2). & Tips. Beeb Forum. Make discs read- Assembly language and Pascal book able on 40 and 80 track drives. Screen *'* reviews (2) memory organisation Hints on adven-

9. April Hexangle game listing (4). Bach ture design. Adventure action Adven- on the Beeb (4) Hints & Tips on disc ture ideas in computer language. Text drives (4). Machine code 6 -the CALL compression. Word-crunching. VIA

statement (4) Interfacing the 1 MHz bus chip on Electron to drive a parallel (3) Schools 4 -young children and printer. Atom Forum Schools -simu-

micros (6). Graphics listings (2). lation packages Reviews: Disc Doctor. Printers for beginners 2 (4). Reviews of Leasalink's DFS upgrade, Hitachi's BCPL, educational software and Atom 17. December Random graphics. Ani- microdrive system, Solidisk's sideway *** software (3), mated graphics in colour. Tech- RAM board, software.

10. May Review of Basic II. Graphics niques-graphs. Hints & Tips. Univer- 20. March Utility: timing routine Frac- listings New "FX calls in OS1 .2. Colour sal printer dump. 6522 connected to tals. Teletext and mode 7 dump. ROMs mixing on the Beeb. Jazz, blues and the' Electron. Saving machine code. reviewed Hints & Tips. Beeb Forum folk on the BBC. Schools 5- language Beeb Forum. Graphics pull-out poster Add sounds to your games. Learn Lisp development. DIY Beeb interface box Index: July 82-July 83. Forum Extra: 1. Cube graphics. Printer driver for

Atom sound board. A to Z of printing: EQUS. BBC helps the disabled. View Basic II from Basic I Beebs ADC how to get going. Hints and Tips: Schools -data processing. Transfer- chip Atom Forum. Listing formatter for PROCs, discs and FNs. Printer, soft- ware and book reviews. *** Sold-out copies 11. June Techniques series -sorting Four issues of Acorn User are not available - July 1982, Hints and Tips: 50p network. Drawing techniques and CAD. Machine code: February, March and April 1983. Photocopies of articles interrupts. Schools 6 -information are available at 18p a page (minimum charge 50p, in- technology. Atom Forum. Beeb Forum. clusive of postage). Orders should be addressed to AU Printers- write your own graphics dumps Comparitive review of View Photocopies, Redwood Publishing, 68 Long Acre, and Wordwise. Three graphics pack- London WC2E 9JH. Figure in brackets indicate the of Acorn User's ages reviewed. Test number of pages for each article. interface box. 12. July Techniques -hash tables. Hints and Tips: logic made easy. Recursion and graphics. Handling HOW TO ORDER strings. Two ideas for passing vari- ables. Beeb aids the blind. DIY second Fill in the order form opposite and send with your keyboard Beeb Forum Sounds on the Atom Hardware, firmware, software cheque or postal order for £1.25 per issue (made pay- and book reviews. Atom Forum. able to Redwood Publishing) to Acorn User Services, August Printer graphics and 13. PHS Mailing Ltd, PO Box 14, Horley, Surrey. dumps Techniques -Tree structures and sorting All the fun of the fair 40/80

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 %': EIGHT V

4 * A * S to > k 4 of the s A TV V GREATEST A i During 1984 thousands of readers have played the Acorn

User software games Swordmaster and Trek. Now, just in

time for Christmas, we have expanded the range with six

more -tremendous games on cassette and disc. Every one

is an absolute winner and, of course, great value. Give

yourself a present this year, with the best wishes of Acorn User.

VAMPIRE CASTLE TREK SWORD MASTER Make sure you play this adventure TREK was the first game to take SWORD MASTER is one of the

with the lights on It plunges you advantage of voice synthesis on few two- player games around, and into spine-chilling reality, where the BBC micro and uses joystick is designed for joystick or key- you can almost smell the dank or keyboard. board odours and feel the terror around Trek puts you in charge of a Sword Master by Ken Worrall is every corner. Eyes peer at you Starship with the task of wiping based on the fencing rules written through the gloom and all manner out an alien fleet It's an excellent in 1190 by Herman von Salza for of creature awaits your slightest adaptation of the classic game the Deutscritter Order of Teutonic

error. Try to find and destroy Dra- with 7 screen displays, 3 on-board Knights It features full-colour cula, but remember there are fates computers and 2 weapon systems machine code animation of a

worse than death Versions have been written for sword duel between two i< r The game, written by Andy Mit- BBC micro and Electron to use A quality game with hig chell, includes suitably eerie music both machines to their full The graphics one ot the most enjoy and surprise graphics, and BBC tape uses voice synthesis (if we able games I have played Home accept no responsibility for heart the chips are fitted) Computing Weekly. June attacks suffered as a result. The game has been extensively Swordmaster is an immensely enter- developed from Tim Heaton's 'A gem of an adventure - PCN taining game h ith ext elleni famous Trek III It barely fits into and animation Personal Com- C6 95 Cassette 32K puter Games. June f9 95 Disc (40/80) FLINT'S GOLD £7 95 Cassette 'Swordmastei game If you suffer from sea sickness, £10.95 Disc one of the few two player g, < scurvy or beriberi this game will makes more man a either kill or cure. It's a swash- towards truii iction buckling adventure that may be PCN June the experience of a lifetime if you £7 95 Cassette can survive long enough In your £10 95 Disc search for the legendary Flints Gold you will sail the Spanish & Main to a land of blood-thirsty 0* V 1 pirates, and you may never return V The sound of crashing surf, the ' cry of seagulls, and the accompa f ^ nying sea shanty are so realistic that you can almost taste the salty

air. 1 . . l« ... ahsn r«r mom €».« » > : It MhMMB «-» !•«• •rxj QlWM *«l«VM>• Hwvil Micro User

£6.95 Cassette £9.95 Disc (40/80)

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 HACKER 2000 In the year 2000 only two classes survive, Programmers and Proles. As a Prole, your only escape from a life of drudgery is to hack' your way into the massive Multivax complex in order to change your PLUS Brain Scan Report and obtain ARTICLE LISTINGS money to bribe the Thought Police. You may gain vital information ON CASSETTE with the assistance of the Duty Yes, at last, the tape you've been crying Android in complex. If COMPENDIUM a tour of the out for! Save the on your fingers you manage this, you're on your wear A tremendous-value compendium own. From here on you start to by sending for one of our cassettes of the three most popular Acorn appreciate the originality of the User games. giving all the major listings in this issue. game in its representation of a HEXANGLE demands the real-time system. You'll need all Each cassette costs £3.75 (inclusive) for utmost concentration. You and the your powers of logic and some micro take turns in drawing lines lateral thinking to use the infor- the Electron and BBC micro. This between the six points of a hexan- mation you glean to 'hack' through includes a menu and disc transfer gle, avoiding at all costs complet- the Multivax systems. Your goal ing a triangle while at the same routine to help you find your way can be reached in an unlimited ESN time forcing the computer to do variety of sequences. around - and use on your own programs. so. In MEGA MONSTERS you are £7.95 Cassette The tapes come with BBC programs on £10.95 Disc confronted by waves of aliens. (40/80) side Electron While avoiding these and many one and programs as the other obstacles you have to rescue other, so it shouldn't be possible to mix the stranded mutants. It gets more the two. difficult with each phase until finally you face the Monster him- self. ORDER FORM PAGE 96 VAMPIRE is a two-player action game in which good battles with 1 evil. Each player has an equal \- number of souls in his care, repre- '•"•.»»! sented by tombstones or crosses. During each period of day or night

I one player has the chance to recover or capture souls from the other. The winner is the one to recover all the souls.

£7.95 Cassette £10.95 Disc (40/80)

Save yourself TRAINS This classic game by Peter Batch the time and bother of requires quick wits and clear typing in Acorn User listings thinking Your aim is to manoeuvre a number of trains around a com- plex network of track, as you pick up fare-paying passengers and RIM USER SOFTWARE deliver them to their destinations. All the time your valuable stocks of

coal are dwindling. If you succeed, you have even more trains to con- EIGHT OF THE GREATEST trol and more passengers to col-

lect. And as if this were not I would like to order cassettes/discs at £7.95 and enough to cope with, you are con- £10.95 inclusive of VAT respectively. Please send me fronted by the Demon train over copy/copie's of TREK copy/copies of which you have no control. SWORD MASTER copy/copies of CORPUSCLE The game has excellent graphics TRAINS In this superb machine code action and will keep you on your toes. copy/copies of COMPENDIUM copy/copies of game by Ken Worrall you assume See how profitably you can run a FLINT'S GOLD copy/copies of VAMPIRE railway. control of the body's defences, CASTLE copy/copies of HACKER copy/ journeying into the three-dimen- £7.95 Cassette copies of CORPUSCLE. of human sional labyrinth the £10.95 Disc (40/80) arterial system. Invading colonies The total price is £ of bacteria advance relentlessly and you must destroy as many as I enclose a cheque/PO payable to Redwood Publish- you can. If you fail to keep the ing for £ bacteria count low they attack Please debit my Access/Visa individual organs. You must then frantically follow the network of arteries to reach the site of infec- tion. Too many critical areas and Account No. you die. You don't need to know a great Name deal about the body to begin with Address - a map is provided But we guarantee you'll know a lot more when you've finished. It's a unique adventure, truly educational and great fun. Signed Date Send this form, with your remittance, in an envelope to Acorn User £7.95 Cassette Software, PHS Mailing Ltd, PO Box 14, Horley, Surrey. All the £10.95 Disc (40/80) above prices include VAT, postage and packing.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 L L ACORN USER SUBSCRIPTIONS Please start my subscription to Acorn User Please answer these questions to help us improve from the next available issue your magazine . as indicated: 1 Do you use your micro for?:

• 1 school 2 business 3 hobby D 5 12 months 24 months 2 Do you have, or intend to buy, any of the following?: 01 UK £15 £30 C 23 02 Europe £25 u £50 1D monitor 2D disc drive 3D second processor 03 Middle East £30 £60 4 printer 5 modem 04 The Americas and Africa £30 £60 3 How many software packages do you think you will S3 05 All other countries £35 £70 buy in the next 12 months?:

Name 1D0-5 2D6to10 3D 10 or more

III I I I I I I I I enclose my cheque/postal order/sterling bank draft Address payable to Redwood Publishing for £

I i i i i i i i i i i i i i i Please debit my Access/American Express/Barclaycard

I I I I I I i i I i i I i I I i i I l i i i i I i I I Account no. L

I i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i Signed Date

i i I i i i i I l I l I I I l l l l l l I l Send this form, with your remittance, in an envelope, to Acorn User 5 Subscriptions, Redwood Publishing, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9J - ACORN USER SERVICES

BACK DATED ISSUES @ £1.25 per copy Name * MONTH YEAR Address. All issue £....

AU issue £.... 33 AU issue I enclose my cheque/PO payable to Redwood Publishing for £

5 8 BINDERS D Please de bit my Access/ Barclaycard

In red with I Account no. I I I—I— silver logo on the spine. Holds 12 issues of over 200 pages. Signed Date. ONLY £4.75 inc. p&p. Send this form, with your remittance, in an envelope, Binders £4.75 £ to Acorn User Services, PHS Mailing Ltd, PO Box 14, Horley, Surrey. All the above prices include postage Please add £100 each for overseas items. and packing. Please allow 28 days for delivery. ACORN USER SOFTWARE

DISC EXCHANGE SERVICE MONTHLY PROGRAM LISTING * Send in your copy of Trek or Sword Master CASSETTES IH5 with a cheque for £3.50 and we will Please send me a cassette of all major exchange it for a disc. (Which runs on BBC Micro and Electron program listings 40 or 80 tracks). (December issue) as advertised on page 95 @£3.75£ 35 Tape(s) in exchange for disc @£3.50 each Total £

Please send me: Tape Disc Name Copies of Sword £7.95 £10.95 Address. Master for BBC (32k series 1.0 OS) for Electron £7.95

Copies of Trek £7.95 £10.95 I enclose my cheque/PO payable to Redwood for BBC Publishing for £ (32k series 1.0 OS) Please debit my Access/Barclaycard for Electron £7.95 Account no. I I—I—I—I—I— 24 HOUR PHONE SERVICE (02934) 72208 Signed Date Send this form, with your remittance, in an envelope, to Acorn User Software. Please add £1.00 each for overseas items. PHS Mailing Ltd, PO Box 14, Horley. Surrey. All the above prices include Please allow 28 days for delivery. postage and packing. 1 BAR CODES

Beeb Forum, page 115, listing 3

1 hi ii i mil i mini i mi mi 1 1 hi inn miiiiiiiiiii inn mini i mi i m 1 1 iiiiimiimiiii 1 1 mi inn

2 in i n inn in mi inn in n 1 1 n i mi i mi i nun i in 1 1 1 in 1 1 mi n urn in i imiiiii n i mi inn

3 iiiii linn n i in in it mi illinium urn mm m mil iinniii i urn i minim n i in m iniini inn

4 1 1 1 1 1 m in 1 1 mi minimi i immniiii in inn nun i iminii n n i m i in i miimiin 1 1 inn

5 i inn mi in inn m 1 1 1 n linn n n 1 1 1 1 n m in 1 1 imiiimi m n 1 1 mi i limn in

6 i n i nun i iiimimmni n n in n 1 1 n 1 1 ii ii iiiii i mi n iimiiininm mi m inn in i

7 I lllll III! Illl ill II IIIII I li III II

8 EB II III IN II II! Ill llll ill I II INI

9 iiiiiiininiiiiiiiiiniiiiiniiiiiiiiiniiiiiimiiniiiiniiniiii

10 mm i n iniinii i inn i n 1 1 miiiiiiiiiiiii mi m iiiii n 1 1 inn in i in i inn i iininiiininn nun i mi

11 in in nun hi n 1 1 n 1 1 n 1 1 inn i inn i mi i iiiiiiininmi mi in inn n 1 1 in iminii i n

12 i i 1 1 1 1 1 i i i i i n inn in m 1 in linn hi n 1 n mini inn inn n imiiiii mm 1 1 mi mum 13 iiiii iiiii ii in ii i 1 1 ii i inn 14 i mi n i mi i mini mi i nun i niiini n i mi i mini mini mi i mum ii i mi mini

15 i n i inn 1 1 in in 1 1 mi hi iiiii mi i iiii i in 1 1 illinium ii i n i n iiiii 1 1 1 1 1

16 i n mini ii n i in 1 1 mi i imiiiii ii i mm n 1 1 mum i m 1 1 n 1 1 iiimnininii inn 1 1 inn

17 i mi nil i in 1 1 innniiiniiiimi mi in mil 1 1 1 in i mi i ni i m 1 1 nil i ninii nniiimn 18 i inn 1 1 inn ninninm i ii inn in mi mil i in 1 1 in iiininiiniimimnm i in 1 1 n i iniinni

19 I II II I lill II Illl III I Ell i: II II !

20 I III III III 1 1 II ! I EDi B I III I II

21 III IIH till III I II E9t il Ii Illl lil ; II II IE

22 inn linn n in 1 1 1 1 1 n n 1 1 n 1 1 1 mini 1 1 n i minim i iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii i iminii

23 iiiii 1 i 1 1 i hi inninnm i nmnniiiiiiniii iminii 1 1 n 1 in mi mi ii in minimi i mm i inn

24 mm mm ii 1 1 n iminii n 1 1 1 1 1 1 n 1 1 n 1 1 1 mini 1 1 in mm in immiinn n i mini i nniiini in 25 in in inn in i n in n 1 1 1 1 1 m 1 1 nil i n mini n n i iiiinin i minium nminii n inn 26 i n inn in mi i limn mm inn i iiniin inn i mini mm n in iniini minim i iimimni u i 27 mm mi i mini mm 1 1 mi m n 1 1 in minium in i in i nmiiin i mini n mi 1 1 1 n ninnimi in mil 28 i i in nun ii u n ii in i ii i hi i i i ii 29 m i n 1 1 null n mi i n limn n mi imniiii immiiiiiii n 1 1 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin inn

30 in n 1 1 u i mi 1 1 in ii n in i n in in i mi inn 1 1 1 1 in 1 1 1 1 in 1 1 in mi

31 in mi mil 1 1 ii i mm 1 1 mi

BAR CODE LISTINGS AVAILABLE

To receive a copy of the listings in this month's yellow pages sec- tion in bar code format, send a £1 cheque or postal order plus an A4-sized stamped addressed envelope to: Bar Code Listings, Acorn User, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 1 1 BAR CODES

Program 1. Hints and Tips, page 52

1 1 mil i nun ii i mi mi 1 1 iii ii

I II llll I II II I II II I 111 1 III II

II III I II! I I I I I III I I

in i 1 mil in mill ii 1 1 1 hi ii 1 1 in iiim i iniiiiiiiiiii n n i n mum n i ii n mm 1 1 1

mi mill ii 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 in i mil i ii mi ii ii in 1 1 mi ii i urn 1 1 11 1 11

1 1 in mi : n mi i n i iii

Program 2. Hints and Tips, page 52

ii i i iiiiiiiii ii in mi ii i mi mi illinium i mil ii iiiiiiiniii iiiiiiniii in iiiiiiiiiii

i ii ii ii ii 1 ii hi mil ii in mi in iii in mi ii 1 1 nil

iiiiiiiiiii hi i in i i iiiiiiiiiii mum iiiiiiiiiii

in in mini i urn i iiiiiiiii ii ii i ii hi mini 11 1 im 1 11 nun iiiiiiiii ii mum i mini i mill hi

mi in n iiiiiiiiiii mini ii ii in n mi 1 1 iiiiiiiii iiiiiiiii i inn n mm mini in n i m 11 mi in

in ii in 1 1 mi in i in i iiiiiiiiiii m i in i in in n ii in in 1 1 iiiiiiiiiii hi ii 1 1 in mi i mi i m mi

in 1 1 ii i iiiiiiiii mm ii i iii iii n ii iii mil iii i n hi n 1 1 in in

hi iiiiiiiii ii IIIIIIIII 1 1 mi I 111 I III i in i iiiiiiiiiii ii i ii iiiii in

ii i in 1 1 1 mi

Program 3. Hints and Tips, page 54

llll II I IIIII I IIIIIIIII II I llll 111 1 1 III IIIIIIIII I III

iiiiiiiiiii mil iiiiiiiii i iii n ii iii n i iiiii iii i iii iiii iii ii ii i iiiii

iniiiiiii ii inn ii i iiiiiiiiiii iniiii

mi iii i ii mi iiiii ii in i ii i in in ii ii im 1 1 in mi i iiiiiiiiiii

1 1 I III I III I III I : III II I I III

im ii i mi i iiiiiiiii ii ii i ii iii mi ii i

ii iii iiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiii ii mil 1 1 iiiiiiiii iiiiiiiii i im ii iii iiiii in

iii i ii i im hi i in i iiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiii i ii iiiii 1 1 1 ii i mi i mi i iiiiiiiiiii

in mi i n iiiii iiiiiiiiiii mi in i

Program 4. Hints and Tips, page 54

III II I IIIII I IIIIIIIII II I llll IIIII 1 1 III IIIII ii

ii i iiiiiiiii iii mini iiiii i iii iiiii i ii iiii m im ii mi m

i in i ii i i i iiiii in ii iiiiiiiiiii iiiii 1 1 ii in im 1 1 1 in i

in hi mm i ii ii i hi iiiiiiiii in i iiiiiiiii n ii i mm i illinium i

iiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiii niiii i

i m in mi in 1 ii i ii iiiii n

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 e 1 5 | I FIRST BYTE

See 'Painting by programs ', page 41

10 REM Picture Designer 20 REM Tessie Revivis — Program details • TO REM (C) Acorn User December 1984 f 40 REM Electron and BBC Micro

# 60 i£!'/.=0 70 MODE 2 — Set up screen # SO PROC screen

• 90 PRQCoarams 'Old' save screens can be loaded • 100 REM *L0AD SCREEN here by removing REM from line ^ • 110 PPOCdetails Display status line and enable cursor _ 120 *FX4. 1 • and function to produce ASCII codes 130 #FX225.240 keys ^

• 140 REPEAT ' EZB — Set up main program loop and test for K.7.=GET # 150 key press • 160 IF K"/.*136 X7.=X7.-1 • 170 IF KX-137 X%«X%+i — If it was a cursor key, update X, Y 180 IF K7.-13S Y"/.*Y7.-i 9 co-ordinates •

190 IF K7.= 139 Y7.=Y7.+ 1 1

# ip| i i- o^ o^ o_ o.a COLOUR 7 # 210 — and print in white £ 220 MOVE X:., • 230 PRINT X7.a , ', ,, 5Y7.s" "* _ == m 240 IF K3i«=240 THEN PROCsauare: PROCdetai 1 250 IF K"'-=241 THEN RROCci rcl e: PROCdetai 1 s • 260 IF l<7.=242 THEN PR0C1 i ne: PROCdetai 1 s 270 IF K7.=243 THEN PROCdot : PROCdetai 1 s 2S0 IF K::=244 THEN PROCdotted: PROCdetai Is — If a function key was pressed call * appropriate procedure then rewrite ^ 290 IF KV.-245 THEN PROCtr i anql e: PROCdetai 1 s • status line 300 IF K7.=246 THEN PROCf l 1 .10 IF K7.=247 THEN PROCerase • 320 IF K7.»24S THEN PROCcolour 330 IF K7.=249 THEN PROCsave : END — • 340 UNTIL FALSE

# 350 : 1 360 DEF PROCparams • 370 C7.=7 — Procedure to set up initial parameters e 380 gcol o,c7. 390 X»500 : Y%«5O0 • 400 ENDPROC —1 ^ 410 : 420 DEF PROCsauare • 430 PR I NTSPC (18): CHRf (13); " " " " 440 I NPUT X : SO 1 7. . Y : SQ27. q Procedure to draw a square or • S.X7.+SQ17.. Y7. 450 PLOT — rectangle of any size from the bottom _ • 460 PLOT 5.X7.+S017..Y7.+SQ27. left vertice • m 470 PLOT 5. X7.. Y7.+SQ27. 480 PLOT 5. X7., Y7. • 490 ENDPROC 500- : — 510 DEF PPOCdetails • 520 VDU 13 530 PRINT" X. Y : ": " " • 540 PRINTTAB (5) ; X7.; . : Y7.; — Procedure to display status line # 550 BCOL 0.C7. 560 COLOUR C\ • 570 PRINT TAB(16):"C": # 580 ENDPROC 590 : • 600 DEF RROCci rcl

I NTSPC (18); CHR* (13): # 6 1 PR " " 620 I NPUT Pad i us : R7. Procedure to draw a circle of any • 630 MOVE X7.+R7..Y7. # radius (continued overleaf) m 640 FDR TH7.= 10 TO 360 STEP 10 650 X 1 7.=R7.*C0S ( RAD ( TH7. ) ) Continued *

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 7 FIRST BYTE

< Continued

660 Y I '/.«RV. * S I N ( RAD ( TH7. ) )

670 PLOT 5 . X7.+X 1 7. . YY.4 Y 1 7. 680 NEXT 690 move x::.Y7. TOO ENDPROC

7 1 720 DEF PPOCline

1 730 PRIMTSPC C IS) S CHRf I 740 INPUT" X: "XIX. "Y: "Y17. 750 plot 5. xi y.. yi:: IKE1 760 ENDPROC Procedure to draw a line of any length 770 DEF PRQCdc 4- from current X. Y position 780 PRINTSPC< 18) :CHR* (13 790 INPUT" X: ">'l'-. " Y: "Y17. 800 PLOT 6°,X17„,Y17. 8 1 ENDPROC 520 830 DEF RROCdotted 840 PRINTSPCdS) :CHR* (13)

" '.'. Procedure to plot a point at a specific 850 INPUT" X: "XI 7.. "Y: Y 1 point 860 PLOT 29. X17.. yi:: 870 ENDPROC 830 DEF PROCtri angle 890 PRINTSPCUS) :CHR$ (13) "RY7. 900 INPUT"LX: "LX7.. "LY S "LY RXs "RX7.. "RY: Procedure to draw and fill a triangle.

1 1 ENDPROC

1 020 1070 DEF RROCcDlour

1040 C7.=C7.+ 1 1050 IF C7.M5 THEN C7.=0 1060 COLOUR CV.

1 070 GCOL 0.C7. Procedure to toggle through drawing colours 1 080 VDU .1.7

1090 FOR L7.= l TO 16 : VDU 9 NEXT

l too PRINT"C": 1110 ENDPROC 1 1 20

1 1 30 DEF PROCscreen

1 1 40 MOVE 0.50

1 1 50 DRAW 12^9.50 1 1 60 DRAW 1279.1027

1 1 70 DRAW 0. 1027 Procedure to draw screen board and 1 1 80 DRAW 0,50 define text and graphics windows

1 1 90 MOVE 500.500 1 200 VDU 2S.0. 31, 18.31 121'? VDU 24.0:50; 1279 1023; 122 ENDPROC 1270 1240 DEF PROCsave 1 250 VDU 13 1260 *SAVE SCREEN 3000 8000 — Procedure 10 save picture design 1270 ENDPROC

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 HINTS &TIPS

See page 45

Listing 1. Validating keyboard output- but Basic 10 REM Listing 1 variables cannot be passed to the operating 20 INPUT "Do you want the cassette motor on Y/N "A* system 30 N=INSTR(A*,"Y") 40 *MOTOR N 10 REM Listing 2 50 GOTO 20 20 DIM B 20 30 INPUT"Do you want the cassette motor on Y/N "A* 40 N=INSTR(A*,"Y"> Listing 2. Passing commands and 50 *B=" MOTOR "+STR*(N> values to the Command Line Inter- 60 X7.=B MOD 256 preter 70 Y7.=B DIV 256 80 CALL &FFF7 90 GOTO 30

Listing 3. Making listing 2 more efficient 10 REM Listing 3 20 DIM B 20:X7.=B:Y7.=B DIV 256 30 INPUT"Do you want the cassette motor on Y/N "A* 40 N=INSTR(A*,"Y") cJ 50 *B="MOTOR "+STR*(N> 60 CALL &FFF7 10 REM Listing 4 70 GOTO 30 20 INPUT "Do you want the cassette motor on Y/N "A* 30 N=INSTR(A*,"Y") Listing 4. Basic 2 owners can use the 40 OSCLI" MOTOR "+STR*(N) OSCLI command 50 GOTO 20

10 REM Listing 5 Listing 5. Defining the function keys in Basic 1 20 REM Basic 1 listing 30 MODE1 40 PROCinitial i se 50 PROCload 60 PROCf inddef 70 PROCf or mat 80 INPUT "Dq you wish to de-fine a key "question* M 90 IF LEFT* (question*, 1)= Y" THEN PROCenter : GOTO60 100 INPUT "Enter save filename "-file* 110 PROCoscli ("SAVE "+file*+" B00 BFF") 120 END 130 140 DEFPROC initialise 150 @X=2 160 VDU19, 0,4, 0,0,0 170 VDU 19, 3, 6, 0,0,0 180 DIM A* (15) , B 255 185 X7.=B:Y7.=B DIV256 190 ENDPROC 200 210 DEFPROCload 220 INPUTTAB(0, 10) "Do you want to load in definitions? "question* 230 IF LEFT*(question*,l)="N" THEN ENDPROC 240 INPUT "Enter filename "file* 250 PROCoscli ("LOAD "+file*) 260 ENDPROC 270 280 DEFPROCf inddef 290 length =?&B10 300 FOR N=0 TO 15 310 end=length 320 start=N^&B00 330 a*="" 340 IF start=end THEN GOTO 440 350 FOR n=0 TO 15 360 peek=n?&B00 370 IF peek>start AND peek 430 NEXT n 440 A*(N)=a*+CHR*(13) 450 NEXT N 460 ENDPROC 470 480 DEFPROCformat 490 CLS 500 FOR N=0 TO 15 510 COLOUR 1+(N M0D2) 520 PRINT"*KEY"N; 530 FOR n=l TO LEN

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ) HINTS &TIPS i

M Continued 560 COLOUR 3 570 PRINT "There is space for "255-1 ength" characters. 580 ENDPROC 590 : 600 DEFPROCenter 610 INPUT ' "Which key "key 620 IF key>15 THEN GOTO 610 630 INPUTLINE' "Enter definition "A* (key)

640 IF length+LEN(A*(key> ) >255 THEN A*(key>=""

650 PROCosc 1 i ( " KEY " +STR* < key ) +A* ( key ) 660 ENDPROC 670 : 680 DEFPROCoscli (C*) 690 *B=C* 10 REM Listing 6 700 CALL&FFF7 rrci 20 REM Basic 2 listing 710 ENDPROC 30 M0DE1 40 PROCinitialise

50 PROC1 oad Listing 6. Defining the func- 60 PROCf inddef tion keys in Basic 2 70 PROCf ormat 80 INPUT '"Do you wish to define a key "question* 90 IF LEFT*(question*,l)="Y" THEN PROCenter : GOTO60 100 INPUT "Enter save filename "file* 110 OSCLI"SAVE "+file*+" B00 BFF" 120 END 130 140 DEFPROCinitialise 150 «7.=2 160 VDU19, 0,4, 0,0,0 170 V/DU19,3,6,0,0,0 180 DIM A*(15) 190 ENDPROC 200 210 DEFPROCload 220 INPUTTAB(0, 10) "Do you want to load in definitions? "question* 230 IF LEFT* (question*, 1)="N" THEN ENDPROC 240 INPUT "Enter filename "file* 250 OSCLT'LOAD "+file* 260 ENDPROC 270 280 DEFPROCf inddef 290 length =?&B10 300 FOR N=0 TO 15 310 end=l ength 320 start=N?&B00 330 a*="" 340 IF start=end THEN GOTO 440 350 FOR n=0 TO 15

360 peek=n'?S( B00 370 IF peek>start AND peek

410 IF char <32 THEN a*=a*+" " : char=char+64 420 a*=a*+CHR*(char) 430 NEXT n 440 A*(N)=a*+CHR*(13> 450 NEXT N 460 ENDPROC 470 480 DEFPROCf or mat 490 CLS 500 FOR N=0 TO 15 510 COLOUR 1+(N MOD2) 520 PRINT"*KEY"N; 530 FOR n=l TO LEN(A*(N>) STEP 30

540 PRINTTAB(7) MID* ( A* (N) ,n ,30) 550 NEXT n,N 560 COLOUR 3 570 PRINT "There is space for "255-length" characters." 580 ENDPROC 590 600 DEFPROCenter 610 INPUT "Which key "key 620 IF key>15 THEN GOTO 610 630 INPUTLINE ' "Enter definition "A*(key)

640 IF length+LEN(A*(key) ) >255 THEN A*(key)="" 650 OSCLI"KEY"+STR*(key)+A*(key) 660 ENDPROC

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ) ) )( C, JOE'S JOTTINGS

See 'Orgmentation ', page 74

10 *FX16,1

20 REPEATnate=FNadc ( 1 30 IF note=0 SOUNDS* 11 ,0,0,255 40 IF note>0 SOUNDS* 11,-1 5, note*4, 255 50 UNTILO

1 000 DEFFNadc ( x > : LOCALa"/. , bV. 1010 REPEAT: a7.= (ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240 1020 T7=TIME+1:REPEATUNTIL TIME>T7. 1030 b7.= (ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240 1040 UNTILa7.=b7.:=a7.

Program 1. Simple monophonic organ

cm I

10 lastnote=0 20 DIMnote*(28>

30 F0RI7.= 1 TO 28:READnote$(I7.) : NEXT 40 note*<0>=CHR*127 50 *FX16,1

60 REPEATnote=FNadc ( 1 ) : IF note< >1 astn ote PRINTnote-fc (note) ;",";: lastnote=note 70 IF note=0 SOUNDS* 11 ',0,0,255

80 IF note>0 SOUNDS* 1 1 , -15,48+note*4 ,2 55 90 UNTILO

1000 DEFFNadc (x ) : L0CALa7.,b7. 1010 REPEAT: a7.= (ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240 1020 T7.=TIME+1:REPEATUNTIL TIME>T7. 1030 b7.= (ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240

1 040 UNT I La7.=b7. : =aV. 1 050 DATAC , C# , D , Eb , E , F , F# , G , Ab , A , Bb , B , * ,C#* ,D* ,Eb* ,E' ,F' ,F#' ,G' ,Ab' ,A* ,Bb*,B*

' C ' ,C#' ' ,D* ' ,Eb' Program 2. Music-writing organ

Program 3. Organ with selectable octaves 10 *FX16,1 viaF1,F2,F3 20 octave=l 30 CLS 40 PRINTTAB(10,8) Octave range' 50 PRINTTAB(10,9) Fl F2 F3" 60 PRINTTAB (10,10) "Low Mid High" 70 PRINTTAB(20, 11) ,, * M

BO REPEATnote=FNadc ( 1 90 IFnote>25 PRINTTAB ( 1 l+octave*9, 1 1

100 IFnote>25 octave=note-26: PRINTTAB 1 l+octave*9, 11) "*" 110 IFnote: 25 UNTILO 120 IF note=0 SOUNDStl 1 ,0,0,255 130 IF note>0 SOUNDStl 1 ,-15,octave*48+n ote*4,255 140 UNTILO

1 000 DEFFNadc ( x ) : L0CALa7. , b7. 1010 REPEAT: a.7.= (ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240 1020 T7.=TIME+1:REPEATUNTIL TIME>T7. 1030 b7=(ADVALx+128) DIV 2240

1 040 UNT I La7.=b7. : =a7.

Continued

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 " >) ) JOE'S JOTTINGS

Program 4. Multi-feature organ

10 *FX16,1 240 PRINTTAB (24, 10+vol ume) CHR$131"["CH

20 octave=l : volume=l : chord=l R$135 ) 30 CLS 250 REPEAT UNTILFNadc ( 1 =0 40 PRINTTAB(9,7)CHR$133"0ctaves "CHR* 260 ENDPROC 131 "Volume "CHR*130"Chords" 270 DEFPROCoc t ave : PR I NTTAB (14,1 0+octav 50 PRINTTAB(10,9)"F1 F2 F e)" 3" 280 octave=octave+l :octave=octave MOD 60 PRINTTAB(10,10)"low Piano 2 C Maj" 290 PRINTTAB ( 14, 10+octave> CHR*133" "CH 70 PRINTTAB(10,11> "High Forte R*135

Min" 300 REPEAT UNTILFNadc ( 1 ) =0

BO PRINTTAB ( 10, 12) 310 ENDPROC " Off 320 DEFPROCr est : SOUNDS* 11,0,0, 255 90 PROCoctave: PROCvol ume: PROCchord 330 SOUNDS 12, 0,0, 255

100 REPEATnote=FNadc ( 1 340 SOUNDS* 13,0,0, 255 110 IFnote=26 PROCoctave: UNT I LO 350 ENDPROC 120 IFnote=27 PROCvol ume: UNT I LO 360 DEFPROCplay

130 rFnote=2B PROCchord: UNT ILO 370 SOUNDS* 1 1 , vol ume*-7-7 , not e*4+octave 140 IF note=0 PROCrest *96,255 150 IF note>0 PROCplay 380 IFchord=2 ENDPROC 160 UNT ILO 390 S0UNDS<13,volume*-7-7, Cnote + 7) *4+oc

170 DEFPROCchord : PR I NTTAB ( 32 , 10+chord tave*96,255

400 IFchord=0 S0UNDS*12 , volume*-7-8, (no

180 chord=chord+l: chord=chord M0D3 te+4) *4+octave*96 , 255: ENDPROC 190 PRINTTAB (32, 10+chord)CHR*( 130) "[" 410 SOUNDS! 1 2, volume*-7-B,

210 ENDPROC 1 000 DEFFNadc ( x > : LOCALa*/. , bV.

220 DEFPROCvol ume: PRINTTAB (24, 10+vol urn 1010 REPEAT :a*/.= ( ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240 " e) 1020 TV.=TIME+1:REPEATUNTIL TIME T v.

230 volume =vol ume +1 : volume=volume M 1030 bV.= < ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240

OD 2 1 040 UNT I La7.=b7. : =a7.

equivalent Figure 9. volume octave SOUND parameters Contents of line 370, program 4

&11,-7,note , 4,255

1 &11,-7,note*4 + 96.255 , 1 &11.-14,note 4,255

1 1 &11,-14,note*4 + 96,255

Program 5. Organ with record/playback facility

p+1 : time*/, (top) =T I ME: note*/, (top) =nate: 1 ast 10 *FX16,1 note=note 20 top=0: lastnote=0: mode=0 160 IF note=0 SOUNDS* 1 1 ,0,0,255

30 DIM not eV. (100) , time*/. (100) 170 IF note>0 SOUNDS* 1 1 , -15, 48+note*4,2 40 CLS 55 50 PRINTTAB ( 10,8) " Mode of Action" 180 UNTILO 60 PRINTTAB(10,9) " Fl F2 190 DEFPROCr epl ay :LOCALpointer,T: IF to F3" p=0 ENDPROC 70 PRINTTAB (8, 10) " RECORD PLAYBACK 200 FOR pointer = 1 TO top CLEAR" 210 IFnote*/.(pointer)=0 THEN SOUNDS* 11,0 "*" 80 PRINTTAB (29, 11) ,0,255 ELSESOUNDS* 1 1 , -15, 48+4*note7. (poi nt

90 REPEATnote=FNadc ( 1 er ) , 255

100 IFnote>25 PRINTTAB ( 1 1 , 1 1 ) STRING* (3 220 TIME=0 0," ") 230 REPEAT UNTIL TIMEXtime*/. (pointer + 1

110 IFnote>25 PRINTTAB ( 1 1+ (note-26) *9, )-time*/.(pointer) )*.8 OR FNadc ( 1 ) =2

"*" ) 11) 240 IF FNadc ( 1 =28 pointer=top 120 IFnote=26 mode=l : REPEAT UNTILFNadc 250 NEXT :S0UND?y 11, 0,0,0: REPEAT UNTIL F (1>=0:UNTIL0 Nadc(l)=0:ENDPROC

130 IFnote=27 mode=2: REPEAT UNTILFNadc 1000 DEFFNadc (x ) : L0CALa*/.,b7.

) ( 1 =0: PROCrepl ay : UNTILO 1010 REPEAT: a7.= (ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240 140 IFnote=28 mode=0: top=0: REPEAT UNTI 1020 T7.=TIME+1:REPEATUNTIL TIME>T7.

LFNadc(l)=0:UNTILO 1030 b*/.= ( ADVALx + 128) DIV 2240

150 IF mode=l ANDnoteOlastnote: top=to 1 040 UNT I La7.=b7. : =a7.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 PRINTERS

See 'Dumping Secrets ', page 86

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE 1. To use 'Autocol' with your own (or any other) dump: a) amend line 100 as necessary. b) CHAIN "AUTOCOL". c) LOAD and RUN the game or graphics program. a ( This can almost certainly not be done by SHIFT- BREAK using discs.) d) Press the '@' key when you want the dump to occur.

2. To use the ESC L n1 n2 type system:

a) CHAIN "AUTODMP" ( This is necessary only once. The machine code sections will be saved for you). On the second and subsequent occasions: b) CHAIN "DUMPER" c) LOAD and RUN the game or graphics program. SHIFT- Knsn ( This can almost certainly not be done by a BREAK using discs.)

' d) Press the a ' key when you want the dump to occur. Program 1. Autocol'

270 OPT PASS 10 REM AUTOCOL 280 \ 20 REM G.B.Hill (c) JULY 1984 290 \ MAIN PROGRAM 30 REM To cause any graphics screen t 300 \ be dumped when @ key is pressed. 310 . entry eld 40 REM The dump must be a single page 320 pha: txa:pha: tyarpha machine-code dump installed at line 100 :php \save registe s Y is copied into 50 PROCassemble A 60 *FX14,2 330 emp #64

70 ?&220=S< C0 \@ key 80 7^221=^.09 340 bne exit 90 REM Load a one page dump here at & 350 jsr dumpstart A00 for disc or &D00 for tape systems. 360 .exit pip: pla: tay: pla: tax 100 »L0AD"CAN0NPJ" : pla \restore regi iters 110 END 370 rts

120 : 380 : 130 DEFPROCassemble 390 NEXT 140 REM Operating system addresses 400 : 150 osargs=&FFDA 410 IF P7.<>base+&15 THEN PRINT' '"You m 160 DIM user 3 ust have made an error in typing in the 170 REM Locate program piece of code. Please check and try agai 180 PROCf iling_system n. ":VDU7:END 190 base=&9C0 420 ENDPROC 200 IF tape THEN dumpstart=&D00 430 : 210 IF disc THEN dumpstart=&A00 440 DEFPROCf iling_system 220 IF NOT (tape OR disc) THEN PRINT"C 450 X7.=&80 an't *SAVE, unrecognised filing system." 460 Y7.=0 :VDU7:END 470 A7.=0

230 : 480 ! user=USRosargs 240 FOR PASS=0 TO 2 STEP 2 490 tape=(?user=l OR ?user=2) 250 P7.=base 500 disc=(?user=4) 260 C 510 ENDPROC

Program 2. 'Dumper' 10 REM DUMPER 20 REM G.B.Hill (c) JULY 1984 30 REM To cause any graphics screen t o be dumped when @ key is pressed. 40 REM The machine code is generated by AUTODMP which must be run before DUMP ER 50 *FX14,2 60 ?&220=00 70 ?&221=&09 80 *L0AD"C0DE1" 90 *L0AD"C0DE2" 100 END

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 o e n PRINTERS

Program 3. Autodump'

530 S7.=S7.+4 10 REM AUTODMP 540 resetcontrol :=sx 20 REM Copyright 6. B.Hill 550 Preset control ="@"+CHR*27 30 REM July 1984 560 S7.=S7.+2 40 REM Version 6 570 REM Storage for various 1 byte \-ar 50 REM Assembly language printer dump iables for all ESC L nl n2 printers 580 count 4=57. 60 REM Prints all graphics MODEs 590 ?count4=4 70 REM MDDE0,1,4 in logical colour, M 600 pass=S7.+ l DDE2,5 in physical colour 610 byte=S7.+2 80 REM This program generates two pie 620 mode=S7.+3 ces of code which a.re *SAVEd 630 stepsize=S7.+4 90 REM These are then *L0ADed by the 640 passnumber=S7.+5 na BASIC program "DUMPER". 650 S7.=S7.+6 100 REM The dumps are then activated b 660 REM Dot patterns for colours y pressing the & key. 670 pattern04=S7.

110 : 680 ! pattern04=&FF00 120 M0DE7 690 S7.=S7.+2 130 REM Operating system addresses 700 pattern 1=S7.

140 oswrch=&FFEE 710 ! pattern l=8e3F260400 150 osasci=ScFFE3 720 S7.=S7.+4 160 osword=&FFFl 730 pattern25=S7.

170 osbyte=&FFF4 740 ! pattern25=&49B41000

180 osargs=&FFDA 750 ! (pattern25+4)=?vFF6FB966 190 oscli=&FFF7 760 S7.=S7.+8 200 DIM user 3,cli 30 770 REM Table of steps, passes and pat 210 REM Locate program tern addresses for various modes. 220 PROCf iling_system 780 patterntable==S7. 230 base 1=^.900 790 patterntable 0=?/ 1 Q2+& 1 0000*pat ter n 240 IF tape THEN base2=8tDGO 04 250 IF disc THEN base2=&A00 800 patterntable 4=?y304+?/ 1 0000*pat tern 260 IF NOT (tape OR disc) THEN PRINT"C 1 an't »SAVE, unrecognised filing system." 810 patterntabl B=&608+& 1 0000*pat ter :VDU7:END 25

270 : 820 patterntable 1 6=&304+8< 1 0000*patter 280 REM Assembler section proper start n04 s here. 830 patterntable 20=&608+& 1 0000*pat ter 290 S7.=basel n25 300 REM reserve space -for jump 840 S7.=S7.+24

310 S7.=S7.+3 850 : 320 REM Set up constants and variables 860 FOR PASS=0 TO 3 STEF 3 330 REM Xlo,Xhi bytes of X coord: Ylo, 870 P7.=S7. Yhi bytes of Y coord 880 C

340 Xlo=S7.: Xhi=S7. + l : Ylo=S7.+2: Yhi=S7.+3 890 OPT PASS 350 !Xlo=&03FF0000 900 \ 360 REM logicol is the byte for osword 910 \ SUBROUTINES to deposit the logical colour 920 \ 370 logicol=S7.+4 930 \Reset X and Y to screen top left 380 REM value is the byte where osbyte 940 \ deposits the physical colour 950 . setup ldx #3

390 value=S7.+5 960 . setuploop Ida XYstore,X 400 S7.=S7.+9 970 sta Xlo,X 410 REM Store starting coordinates for 980 dex subroutine setup 990 bpl setuploop 420 XYstore=S7. 1000 .g_org Ida #26 430 !XYstore=' XI 1010 js'r oswrch 440 S7.=S7.+4 1020 Ida #29 450 message=SX 1030 jsr oswrch 460 *message="Not graphics"+CHR*13+CHR 1040 ldx #3

*<7> 1050 . g_orglDop Ida #0 470 S7.=S7.+ 14 1060 jsr oswrch 480 If control =SX 1070 dex 490 $lf control =CHR*8+" A "+CHR*27 1080 bpl g_orgloop 500 S7.=S7.+3 1090 ldx #2 510 bitcontrol=S7. 1100 . If loop Ida #1 L 520 *bi tcontr ol =CHR#3+CHR* 1 92+ " " +CHR* 1110 jsr oswrch 27 1120 Ida lfcontrol ,X

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 Y , X PRINTERS

• 1130 jsr oswrch 1740 pha: txa: pha: tya: pha 9 1140 dex :php 1150 bpl 1 f loop 1750 cmp #64 • 1160 rts 1760 bne exit 1170 \ 1770 jsr dumpstart m 1780 .exit pip: pla: tay: pi a: tax 1180 \Check current mode , if not graphi # cs, issue error mess age and set carry f 1 : pla ag. 1790 rts • 1190 \ 1800 ] 1810 : 1200 . modecheck Ida #&87 1210 jsr osbyte 1820 IF PJCObasel+8tFB THEN PRINT '"You • 1220 tya nust h ave made an error in typing in the 1230 sta mode first section of code. Please check and • 1240 cmp #6 try a gain.":VDU7 END * 1250 bpl wrongmode 1830 : 1260 cmp #3 1840 P7.=base2 • 1270 beg wrongmode 1850 C 1860 DPT PASS m 1280 . rightmode clc 1290 rol A 1870 \ • 1300 rol A 1880 \DUMPING ROUTINE 1310 tax 1890 \ • 1320 Ida patterntable .X 1900 . dumpstart jsr modecheck 1330 sta stepsize 1910 bec start 1340 Ida patterntable+1 1920 rts • X 1930 .start Ida #2 1350 sta passnumber 1940 jsr oswrch • 1360 Ida patterntable+2, 1950 jsr setup • * 1960 . scan ldx #3 1370 sta select+1 1970 .ctrl Ida #01 • 1380 Ida patterntable+3, 1980 jsr oswrch • x 1990 Ida bi tcontrol , 1 390 sta select+2 2000 jsr oswrch • 1400 clc 2010 dex 1410 rts 2020 bpl Ctrl . • 1420 . wrongmode ldy #00 2030 line Ida #0 2040 sta pass f 1430 . msg Ida message, 1440 jsr osasci 2050 Ida mode • 1450 iny 2060 bne pixel _ 1460 cpy #14 2070 Ida passnumber • 1470 bne msg 2080 eor #3 # 1480 sec 2090 sta passnumber 1490 rts 2100 . pixel Ida #4 • 1 500 \ 2110 sta count4

. MOD 256 # 1510 VReset printer and send to top of 2120 onebyte ldx #Xlo next page. 2130 ldy #Xlo DIV 256 # 1520 \ 2140 Ida #&09

1530 . reset_.pr ldx #1 2150 jsr osword

• 1540 . reset] oop Ida #1 2160 Ida mode # 1550 jsr oswrch 2170 cmp #2 1560 Ida resetcontrol ,x 2180 beg physical • 1570 jsr oswrch 2190 cmp #5 1580 dex 2200 beg physical • 1590 bpl reset loop 2210 Ida logicol £ 1600 ldx #24 2220 sta value logical 1610 . pageloop Ida #1 2230 jmp 1 #logicol MOD • 1620 jsr oswrch 2240 . physica ldx 25 m 1630 Ida #10 6 1640 jsr oswrch 2250 ldy #logicol DIV 25 # 1650 dex 6 1 660 bne pageloop 2260 Ida #&0B • 1670 Ida #3 2270 jsr osword 1680 jsr oswrch 2280 . logical ldy value 1690 rts 2290 Ida pass • 1 700 \ 2300 and #3 1710 \ MAIN PROGRAM 2310 tax • 1720 \ 2320 . select Ida patter n25,Y 2330 cpx #0 * 1730 . entry eld

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 X X ) PRINTERS

2340 beq rotatei n 2350 rotateout ror A 2360 ror A 2370 dex 2380 bne rotateout 2390 rotatein ror A 2400 rol byte 2410 ror A 2420 rol byte 2430 sec 2440 Ida Ylo 2450 sbc #4 2460 sta Ylo 2470 Ida Yhi 2480 sbc #0 2490 sta Yhi 2500 dec count4 2510 bne onebyte 2520 Ida #1 2530 jsr oswrch CT^Ji 2540 Ida byte 2550 jsr oswrch 2560 clc 2570 Ida Ylo 2580 adc #16 2590 sta Ylo 2900 sta Yhi 2600 Ida Yhi 2910 Ida Yhi 2610 adc #0 2920 cmp #StFF 2620 sta Yhi 2930 beq -finished 2630 inc pass 2940 jmp scan 2640 Ida pass 2950 .finished jsr reset_pr 2650 cmp passnumber 2960 rts 2660 beq increment 2970 3 2670 jmp pixel 2980 NEXT

2680 increment clc 2990 : 2690 Ida Xlo 3000 IF P7.<>base2+&FF THEN FRINT*'"You 2700 adc stepsize must have made an error in typing in the 2710 sta Xlo second piece o-f code. Please check and 2720 Ida Xhi try again. ":VDU7: END 2730 adc #0 3010 PRINT"P%=s&";'**PX 2740 sta Xhi 3020 set up jump to entry point 2750 cmp #5 3030 basel?0=S<4C 2760 beq eop 3040 basel?l=entry NOD 256 2770 jmp 1 ine 3050 basel?2=entry DIV 256 2780 eop Ida #0 3060 : v " 2790 sta Xhi 3070 C0M*= " SAVE " " CODE 1 +STR*' base 1 + 2800 Ida #1 +FB "+STR*'vbasel *" 2810 jsr oswrch 3080 PRINT '"SAVING DUMP ; COM* 2820 Ida #10 3090 PROCoscli (COM*) 2830 jsr oswrch 3100 C0M*="SAVE ""C0DE2 +STR*'"base2+" 2840 sec +FF "+STR*'v'base2 2850 Ida Ylo 3110 PRINT'"*"; COM* 2860 sbc #16 3 1 20 PROCosc 1 i ( COM* 2870 sta Ylo 3130 END 2880 Ida Yhi 3140 : 2R90 sbc #0 3150 DEFPROCf iling_system 3160 XX=&80 3170 Y7.=0 3180 A7.=0

3190 ! user=USRosargs 3200 tape=(?user=l OR ?user=2) 3210 disc=(?user=4) 3220 ENDPR0C

3230 : 3240 DEFPROCoscli (*cli) 3250 X7.=cli MOD 256:Y7.=cli DIV 256 3260 CALLoscli 3270 ENDPR0C

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ; ; 1 ;

See 'Homegrown Database', page 143

Mike Fryer's menu-driven database managemen 220 PRINT TAB(8,5);CHR$130; "1: Start program new Data File" • 230 PRINT TAB(8,7);CHR$130;"2: Load a Data File" 240 PRINT TAB(8,9);CHR$130; "3: Add • MENUI IL.il lU records" _ 250 PRINT TAB(8,11);CHR$130;"4: Delete •

... records" # 260 PRINT TAB(8,13);CHR$130; "5: Sort

i records" 270 PRINT TAB(8,15);CHR$130;"6: Modify m a record" 280 PRINT TAB(8,17);CHR$130;"7: Print • Data File" m 290 PRINT TAB(8,19);CHR$130; "8: Save : Data File" • 300 PRINT TAB(8,21);CHR$130;"9: Exit" 310 PRINT TAB(8,23);CHR$131;"Number of • choice 320 ON n% GOTO 330,340,350,360,370, 380,390,400,410 • 330 PROCnew:pb%=0:ENDPROC » 340 PR0Cold:ENDPR0C 350 PR0Cadd:ENDPR0C • 360 PR0Cdel:ENDPR0C # Number -of choice 370 PR0Csort:ENDPR0C

380 PROCmod : ENDPR0C • 390 PR0Cprnt:ENDPR0C # 400 PROCsave : ENDPROC

10 REM Database management program : 410 exit%=l « DBASE 420 ENDPROC • 20 REM M.J. Fryer 430 30 REM For BBC and Elk 440 DEF PR0Cunpak(g%,j%) *

40 REM (C) Acorn User DEC. 84 450 ;

• 50 : 460 REM Splits a record into fields • 60 REM DBASEO 470 ^ •m 70 : 480 LOCAL k%,a$,p%,n% • 80 CLS: MODE 7 490 a$=d$(j%):p%=LEN(a$) • 90 REM Allows for 200 records of 6 500 FOR k%=l TO f%+l m 9 fields plus keywords. Prints up to 5 510 n%=INSTR(a$,"|") • % records across the page. 520 q$(g%,k%)=LEFT$(a$,n%-l):p%=p%-n% #

100 record%=200 : f ield%=6 : pwidth%=5 530 a$=RIGHT$(a$,p%) • 110 DIM d$(record%),dl$(record%), 540 NEXT • * in%(record%),m%(pwidth%),s%(field%+l), 550 ENDPROC q$(pwidth%,field%+l),p%(field%+l) 560 : • 120 exit%=0:pb%=0:e%=0:f%=0:kw%=0: 570 DEF PROCnew • nc%=0:f=0:lin$=STRING$(255," ") 580 f m "; 130 ON ERROR REPORT : PRINT" at line 590 REM DBASE • ERL:VDU3:CL0SE#f :z=INKEY(200) 600 REM To start a new data file • m 140 REPEAT 610 : • 150 PROCmenu 620 LOCAL g%,s%,sl% # 160 UNTIL exit%=l 630 CLS:PRINT TAB(2,4); "Any existing # 170 CLS records will be deleted:" ,TAB(6, 6) • 180 END "Press ESCAPE to abort" :z=INKEY( 200) •

# 190 : 640 CLS: REPEAT # 200 DEF PROCmenu 650 PRINT'"How many fields (<";field%+ • 210 CLS:PRINT TAB( 16,2) ;CHR$141 1;") •;:INPUTf%' • # CHR$ 131; "MENU": PRINT TAB(16,3) ;CHR$141 660 UNTIL f%-l # CHR$131;"MENU" 670 e%=0:s%=255:sl%=0

Continued

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 : E _

•^ Continued

680 FOR g%=l TO f% 1050 DEF PROCadd • 690 PRINT"Length of field ";g%;" ?";: 1060 • # INPUT SPC(2)p%(g%) 1070 REM DBASE3 # 700 s%=s%-p%(g%)-l:IF s%<1 PRINT"Not 1080 REM To add extra records from the

• enough space" :z=INKEY( 100) : GOTO 690 keyboard # # 710 NEXT 1090 : 720 INPUT'"How many keywords ? "kw%' 1100 LOCAL a$,b$,ee% • • IF kw%s% PRINT 1140 PRINT TAB(4,2);"Record Number "; q TAB(20)"Too many":G0T0 730 ee% • 740 nc%=255-s%+sl%+f%+l:p%(f%+l)=sl%: 1150 a$="":b$=a$ • 9 lin$=STRING$(nc%," ") :mr%=(HIMEM-TOP- 1160 PRINT TAB(0,4);"Field (Max length) - 3200)/(2.4*nc%) ii • 750 PRINT"There is room for about "; 1170 FOR g%=l TO f% • # mr%-2;" records" :z=INKEY( 200) 1180 PRINT'TAB(2);g%;" (";p%(g%);") "; W 760 ENDPR0C 1190 INPUT LINE b$:IF LEN(b$)>p%(g%)

• 770 : PRINT' Too long": GOTO 1180 # _ 780 DEFPROCold 1200 a$=a$+b$+"| M

• 790 : 1210 NEXT • " Keywords • 800 REM DBASE2 1220 IF kw%>0 PRINT'; kw% ; # 810 REM To load a data file from tape (separated by commas)": INPUT LINE b$:IF

* or disc LEN(b$)>p%(f%+l) PRINT"Too long (>" ; • O 820 : P%(f%+1);")":G0T0 1220 * 830 LOCAL g%,k%,f ,fm$,nnc%,ee%,ff%, 1230 d$(ee%)=lin$ • kkw% 1240 d$(ee%)=a$+b$+"r • 840 CLS: PRINT TAB(4,2)"To load a Data 1250 INPUT" TAB( 2) "Press RETURN to add _ 9 " File"" "(The contents will be ADDED to another record, "'TAB( 9) "M for MENU • any"'SPC(4);"existing records)" ans$ # 850 INPUT' "Give the name of the Data 1260 e%=ee%:UNTIL ans$<>"" File to be"'" loaded: "fm$ 1270 ENDPROC • • 860 INPUT' "Get tape/disc ready and 1280 • press RETURN" a$ 1290 DEF PROCdel • 870 f=OPENIN(fm$) 1300 • « 880 PRINT"File found" 1310 REM DBASE4 # 890 INPUT#f ,ee%,ff%,kkw%,nnc% 1320 REM Deletes records • 900 IF e%>0 AND (ff%Of% OR kkw%Okw% 1330 • m OR nnc%Onc%) PRINT"Incorapatibility of 1340 LOCAL n% # records" : CL0SE#f :z=INKEY( 200): ENDPROC 1350 CLS:PRINT TAB(6,2) ;"Delete by:" • 910 f%=ff%:kw%=kkw%:nc%=nnc%:lin$=STRI 1360 PRINT'" 1: Record Number" • # NG$(nc%," ") 1370 PRINT'"2: Keyword" 920 FOR g%=l TO f%+l 1380 INPUT""Number of choice ",n% • • 930 INPUT#f,p%(g%) 1390 IF n%=l PROCdnum: ENDPROC # 940 NEXT 1400 IF n%=2 PROCdkey : ENDPROC • 950 FOR g%=e%+l TO e%+ee% 1410 • 960 d$=lin$:INPUT#f ,d$(g%) 1420 ENDPROC * 970 NEXT 1430 DEF PROCdnum • 980 IF e%=0 pb%=0 1440 • # 990 e%=e%+ee% 1450 REM Deletes records by number ^ 1000 CL0SE#f 1460 : • 1010 PRINT'"There are ";e%;" records."' 1470 LOCAL pp%,ff%,r% • " # "Each has ";f%;" fields and ";kw%; " key 1480 CLS: INPUT' Range of records to words" be deleted"'" first, last : "ff%,pp% • 1020 mr%=(HIMEM-T0P-3200)/(2.4*nc%): 1490 r%=pp%-ff%+l • PRINT"There is room for about ";mr%-2;" 1500 FOR g%=ff% TO e%-r% • records" :z=INKEY( 200) 1510 d$(g%)=d$(g%+r%) • # 1030 ENDPROC 1520 NEXT ^

1040 : 1530 e%=e%-r% 1540 ENDPROC •

Continued

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 < Continued

1550 : 2040 : • 1560 DEF PROCdkey 2050 LOCAL g%,flg%,dum$ • on which 1570 : 2060 CLS:dum$=lin$:INPUT'"Sort # 1580 REM Deletes records by keywords field ",ans%

• 1590 : 2070 FOR g%=l TO e% • 1600 LOCAL g%,c$ 2080 PROCunpak(l,g%) • 1610 CLS:INPUT'"Give Keyword for select 2090 dl$(g%)=lin$:dl$(g%)=q$(l,ans%) • # Ion : "k$ 2100 NEXT • 1620 REPEAT: INPUT'"Delete records with 2110 REPEAT • this Keyword (D), or"' "Include records 2120 flg%=0 • - with this Keyword (I) :"c$:UNTIL c$="D" 2130 FOR g%=l TO e%-l # CM I OR c$="I" 2140 IF dl$(g%)>dl$(g%+l) THEN dum$=dl$ • 1630 g%=0 (g%+l):dl$(g%+l)=dl$(g%):dl$(g%)=dum$: • 1640 FOR g%=l TO e% dum$=d$(g%+l):d$(g%+l)=d$(g%):d$(g%)= # 1650 PR0Cunpak(l,g%):PR0Csplit dum$:flg%=l • 1660 NEXT 2150 NEXT • 1670 PROComit:PRINT'"Deletion Completed 2160 UNTIL flg%=0 # • ":z=INKEY(200) 2170 PRINT""Sort completed" :z=INKEY( « 1680 ENDPROC 200) •

1690 : 2180 ENDPROC

• 1700 DEF PROCsplit 2190 : * # 1710 : 2200 DEF PROCmod # 1720 REM Separates the keywords 2210 :

• 1730 : 2220 REM DBASE6 • 9 1740 LOCAL a$,b$,j%,p%,n% 2230 REM To modify a particular record f 1750 in%(g%)=l:a$=lin$:b$=a$ 2240 : • 1760 a$=q$(l,f%+l) 2250 LOCAL r%,c%,g% • m 1770 p%=LEN(a$) 2260 CLS:PRINT'"To Modify a record" # 1780 FOR j%=l TO kw% 2270 REP EAT: INPUT '"Number of record :" • 1790 IF a$=k$ in%(g%)=0: j%=kw%:G0T0 r%:UNTIL r%>0 AND r%<=e% • 1840 2280 PR0Cunpak(l,r%) • 2290 g%=l TO f%+l # 1800 n%=INSTR(a$ > ","):IF n%=0 j%=kw%: FOR * GOTO 1840 2300 PRINT"(";g%;")",q$(l,g%) # 1810 b$=LEFT$(a$,n%-l):p%=p%-n% 2310 NEXT • 1820 IF b$=k$ in%(g%)=0: j%=kw%:GOTO 2320 REPEAT: INPUT'"Number of field :"c% • # 1840 : UNTIL c%>0 AND c%p%(c%) PRINT"Too long":G0T0 2330 # 1860 : 2350 d$(r%)="" • 1870 DEF PROComit 2360 FOR g%=l TO f%+l • 2370 d$(r%)=d$(r%)+q$(l,g%)+"|" # 1880 : 1890 REM Omits or includes records by 2380 NEXT keyword 2390 ENDPROC •

: 1900 : 2400 • 1910 LOCAL g%,j% 2410 DEF PROCprnt • 9 1920 g%=0 2420 : * 1930 FOR j%=l TO e% 2430 REM DBASE7 • 1940 IF c$="I" in%(j%)=l-in%(j%) 2440 REM To print/display some or all • the records ^ # 1950 IF in%(j%)=l g%=g%+l:d$(g%)=d$(j%) 1960 NEXT 2450 : • 1970 e%=g% 2460 CLS: INPUT' "Range of records to be • 1980 ENDPROC output:"'" first, last ( 0,0 for all reco ^ • rds): "ff%,pp% • 1990 : # 2000 DEF PROCsort 2470 IF ff%e% •

2010 : pp%=e% • 2020 REM DBASE5 2480 IF pb%=l INPUT'"Repeat Format (Y/N • t 2030 REM Sorts records in alphabetical ) ",ans$:IF ans$="Y" OR ans$="y" GOTO * order by given field 2690 2490 REPEAT •

Continued ^

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 DATABASES

4 Continued

2500 INPUT"How many records across sere 2930 NEXT • en (<5) ",a% 2940 IF s%(g%)>-l PRINT • # 2510 UNTIL a%<5 AND a%>0 2950 g%=g%+l:p%=g% # 2520 REPEAT 2960 UNTIL g%>f%+l • 2530 INPUT"How many lines between recor 2970 FOR j%=l TO b%: PRINT: NEXT • ds ",b% 2980 NEXT m • 2540 UNTIL b%>0 AND b%<30 2990 ENDPROC # 2550 FOR g%=l TO a% 3000 A 2560 PRINT"RECORD NUMBER ";g% 3010 DEF PROCblank • • 2570 INPUT"Position of Left Margin : 3020 # "m%(g%) 3030 REM Inserts blank records to fill % 2580 NEXT up prl nt line • 2590 FOR g%=l TO f% 3040 • # 2600 s%(g%)=-l 3050 LOCAL k% q 2610 PRINT"Print Field ";g%; : INPUT" (Y/ 3060 FOR k%=l TO f%+l • N) ",ans$ 3070 q$(g%,k%)="" • M 2620 IF ans$="Y" OR ans$="y INPUT"Numb 3080 NEXT # er of leading spaces :" s%(g%) 3090 ENDPROC

• 2630 : 3100 2640 REM Add 100 to combine next field 3110 DEF PROCjoin

• 2650 : 3120 # 2660 NEXT 3130 REM Concatenates fields + 2670 INPUT"Print Keywords (Y/N) ",ans$: 3140 : • s%(f%+l)=-l 3150 LOCAL s% • # 2680 IF ans$="Y" OR ans$="y" INPUT"Numb 3160 IF s%(g%+l)<0 THEN join%=l:FOR j%= m er of leading spaces :" s%(f%+l) 1 TO a%:q$(j%,g%+l)=q$(j%,g%):NEXT:g%=g% • 2690 pb%=l: INPUT"Press 'P' to print, ' +1: ENDPROC • ^ L' to list "ans$ 3170 s%=s%(g%+l):IF s%>99 s%=s%-100 # 2700 IF ans$="P" VDU2:PR0Coutput :VDU3 3180 FOR j%=l TO a% • ELSE CLS:VDUl4:PR0Coutput:VDU15:z=INKEY( 3190 q$(j%,g%+l)=q$(j%, g%)+STRING$(s%, • 400) " ")+q$(j%,g%+D • 2710 ENDPROC 3200 NEXT w

• 2720 : 3210 g%=g%+l • 2730 DEF PROCoutput 3220 ENDPROC • • 2740 : 3230 2750 REM Formats each output line 3240 DEF PROCsave 9

2760 : 3250 : • 2770 LOCAL g%, j%,k%,p%,sk% 3260 REM DBASE8 • m 2780 w%=INT((pp%-ff%)/a%+l) 3270 REM Saves data to tape/disc ^ 2790 index%=ff%-l 3280 : • 2800 FOR k%=l TO w% 3290 LOCAL g%,f,fm$ • 2810 FOR g%=l TO a% 3300 CLS:PRINT'"To save the data file" • 2820 index%=index%+l 3310 INPUT'"Give the name for the file « 2830 IF index%>pp% PROCblank ELSE to be saved: "fm$ # PROCunpak(g%,index%) 3320 f=OPENOUT(fm$) • 2840 NEXT 3330 PRINT* f ,e%,f% > kw%,nc% • # 2850 join%=0 3340 FOR g%=l TO f%+l ^ 2860 g7 =l:p%=l 3350 PRINT#f ,p%(g%) • 2870 REPEAT 3360 NEXT • # 2880 IF s%(g%)<0 AND join%=0 GOTO2950 3370 FOR g%=l TO e% ^ 2890 IF s%(g%)>99 OR s%(g%)<0 join%=0: 3380 PRINT#f ,d$(g%) • PR0Cjoin:G0T02960 3390 NEXT • 2900 IF s%(p%)<99 sk%=s%(p%) ELSE sk%= 3400 CL0SE//f m • s%(p%)-100 3410 ENDPROC # 2910 FOR j%=l TO a% > 2920 PRINT TAB(m%(j%));SPC(sk%);q$(j%, • g%);

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT

A free monthly listing cassette - worth £3.75 - when you subscribe to Acorn User for a friend (or yourself!). After holding down cover and UK subscriptions prices since the first issue, increases are planned in the New Year. So do a friend a favour: subscribe now and get a free December issue cassette into the bargain.

To take advantage of this offer fill in the form below giving both

your name and address and that of the recipient and send it to Redwood Publishing. But hurry - this offer closes on January 31 1985 and unfortunately is open only to addresses in the UK and Eire.

POST EARLY AND BEAT THE CHRISTMAS RUSH

Pf~| Please start a year's subscription to Acorn User from the next available issue and send '— ' it to the following address: Name Address

2~| Please send the December monthly program listings cassette to my address*. development in Name Address off for a pack from

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I enclose my cheque/postal order for £15 made payable to Redwood Publishing Ltd LI Please debit £15 from my Access/Barclaycard/American Express by Acorn User author Account No. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Signed Date Send this form with your remittance in an envelope to Redwood Publishing, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E9JH. >rd KUdl UUUebltMIUI packs a i rect to reaaers at me inTroaucToryprrceiDT C49.95 (plus VAT). *disc or cassette of utility software Acorn User will be printing some listings in bar code format in each issue and making booklets of bar codes available by mail order. Book publishers are already All for £49.95 (plus £7.50 VAT). Make your cheque printing listings in bar code format, in fact Bruce payable to Redwood Publishing, fill in the form below

Smith's latest book The BBC Micro Machine Code and send it to Bar Code Offer, Redwood Publishing, 68 Portfoliohas 13 pages of barcode listings. Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH.

Please send me Bar Code Reader Teaching Packs* (£57.45 each inclusive) 'please state disc or cassette version Name Address Postcode £. I enclose a cheque/PO payable to Redwood Publishing for 3 Please debit my Access/Barclaycard/American Express Signed

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Please reserve me a copy of Acorn User every month until further notice.

4 Continued I will collect it. Please deliver to my house. (tick as required) Name Address 2500 INPUT'How en «5) ",a% 2510 UNTIL a%< Acorn User is distributed to the news trade by Comag on 0895 444055. 2520 REPEAT Computer dealers can place orders with the Subs Manager (Acorn User) 01-836 2441. 2530 INPUT'How ds ",b% 2540 UNTIL b%> 2550 FOR g%=l 2560 PRINT"REC 2570 INPUT"Pos MONTHLY PROGRAM "m%(g%) 2580 NEXT LISTINGS CASSETTE 2590 FOR g%=l 2600 s%(g%)=-l 2610 PRINT"Pri N) ",ans$ Each month ACORN USER publishes a cassette containing all the major listings in the 16 yellow pages and often programs in 2620 IF ans$=" extra not the issue (edited by our technical editor BRUCE SMITH). So preserve your fingers, save time and typing errors, and get er of leading s your programs to work first time round. 2630 :

2640 REM Add 1 Each cassette costs £3.75 and covers the Electron and BBC micro. It includes a menu 2650 : and disc transfer routines to help you find your way around. 2660 NEXT 2670 INPUT"Pri s%(f%+l)=-l 2680 IF ans$=" er of leading s 2690 pb%=l: IN L' to list "ans 2700 IF ans$=" ELSE CLS:VDU14: 400) CASSETTE 2710 ENDPR0C 2720 : OFFER 27 30 DEF PROCo 2740 : WORTH £3.75 27 50 REM Forma 2760 : IF YOU 2770 LOCAL g%, 2780 w%=INT((p 2790 index%=f£ SUBSCRIBE NOW! 2800 FOR k%=l 2810 FOR g%=l 2820 index%=ir.^ ,*,... 2830 IF index%>pp% PROCblank ELSE to be saved: "fm$

PROCunpak(g% , index%) 3320 f=0PEN0UT(fm$) 2840 NEXT 3330 PRINT//f,e%,f%,kw%,nc% 2850 join%=0 3340 FOR g%=l TO f%+l 2860 g%=l:p%=l 3350 PRINT#f ,p%(g%) 2870 REPEAT 3360 NEXT 2880 IF s%(g%)<0 AND join%=0 GOTO2950 3370 FOR g%=l TO e% 2890 IF s%(g%)>99 OR s%(g%)<0 join%=0: 3380 PRINTtff ,d$(g%) PR0Cjoin:G0T02960 3390 NEXT 2900 IF s%(p%)<99 sk%=s%(p%) ELSE sk%= 3400 CL0SE#f s%( P %)-100 3410 ENDPR0C 2910 FOR j%=l TO a% > 2920 PRINT TAB(m%(j%));SPC(sk%);q$(j%, g%);

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 L BAR CODES will revolutionise the way we use So, to stay ahead of the latest development in computers in applications as well as the way we load computers and education, send off for a pack from data. Here is the chance to get experience of this Acorn User tod ay. important development by ordering the Addison Wesley/MEP Bar Code Teaching Pack (see page 65) direct through Acorn User. The pack includes: These bar code readers are being offered to schools *barcode reader first and versions will not be available to the public in •explanatory booklet written by Acorn User author the shops until next year - when they will certainly cost George Hill more. However, because of its active involvement in •software to print bar codes the scheme Acorn User\s able to offer the Teaching *music program by Joe Telford Packs direct to readers at the introductory price of *bar code stencil £49.95 (plus VAT). *disc or cassette of utility software Acorn User will be printing some listings in bar code format in each issue and making booklets of bar codes available by mail order. Book publishers are already All for £49.95 (plus £7.50 VAT). Make your cheque printing listings in bar code format, in fact Bruce payable to Redwood Publishing, fill in the form below

Smith's latest book The BBC Micro Machine Code and send it to Bar Code Offer, Redwood Publishing, 68

Portfolio has 13 pages of bar code I istings. Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH.

Please send me Bar Code Reader Teaching Packs* (£57.45 each inclusive) * please state disc or cassette version Name

Address Postcode

I enclose a cheque/PO payable to Redwood Publishing for £. Please debit my Access/Barclaycard/American Express Signed Account number Date... Send this form with your remittance to Bar Code Offer, Redwood Publishing, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 . . . BEEB FORUM

\| I |DDDDDDDD

Easy text window definition and

marker deletion, and a slow

scroller are among the ideas

you bounce off Bruce Smith

!" *KEY1! ! !0C27,45,1! !" *KEY2! ! !0C27,45,0!

*KEY3»»i ! 10! !$! !#!A! !*! «:a: ! :o:[563)s:m:mi[

*KEY6! !#! ! !M! !#!!'!! !M

Listing 2. Stiles' JUDGING by the total lack of response it D painless way to remove the markers when using Wordwise seems that Beeb Forum readers have progressively lower down the screen. saved for future use. Type the following

been stumped by the challenge I put up Key f9 restores the default window (ie, key definitions (only) into Wordwise a few months ago. But I'm determined the whole screen) and positions the (listing 2), leaving two blank lines at the not to be defeated so I'll throw it out cursor where it was when the key was end. Use menu option 1 to save it to again in the hope that newcomers to pressed. tape/disc. The definitions may be the column will be able to provide the The text window locations are stored loaded back using *EXEC"" in the answer. in locations &308 to &30B, as noted in menu screen, thus automatically set- One of the most common mistakes the Advanced User Guide. By using ting up the function keys for use in the made in typing programs in is that these locations, the routines will work text screen.

zeroes and O's and ones and I's tend to in any mode, although changing mode In the example given key 1 issetupto get confused. Can anyone supply a will remove the windows. give a printer underline code, and key 2 transparent program that will interpret to turn off the underline; key 3 is set up

an I as a 1 and an O as in a a zero Easy marker to cancel the markers normally set by numeric variable and vice-versa when this key; and key 6 will delete the text they occur? from the current cursor position to the end of the line. The characters are 1^ deletion @@ Defining text used as a place marker at the start of the cancellation, and are deleted at the

AS an avid user of Wordwise, I have end of it using menu option 5. always found having to delete markers windows Other keys may be set up in a similar ^ 'by hand', as it were, a bit of a pain. way. For further details on the coding A USEFUL two-liner to help with However, defin- thanks to D Stiles of Bristol used see the Wordwise manual. ing text windows has been sent in by this is now a thing of the past. Mr Stiles

Andrew Mummery of Gravesend. I sets the scene . . have to resort to the Encyclopedia One of the frustrating things about Slow Userguidea before doing this to estab- Wordwise is that the markers are not i0> lish the correct sequence of the VDU easily deleted, ie, there is no function

parameters. Andrew writes . . key assigned to remove them. The only scroller The key definitions in the program apparent way is to scroll through the (listing 1) enable to a text window be text and delete them using the Delete HAVING been weaned on the Atom I defined by two key-presses. After key or CTRL-A, and then try to find your appreciated hearing from a Beeb pressing key f8, move the cursor to the original place again. owner who reads the Atom pages. P

required position and then press It is possible, to however, delete the Owen of Malvern, Worcs. writes . . Return. There will now be a text markers using the CTRL + Shift keys in On looking through the February the cursor window from position to the conjunction with a function key. Other Atom Forum I was much taken with the bottom of the screen. The key can be keys may be set up to perform similar Slow Scroller program described

used repeatedly to position the window useful functions, and the key set-up there. I felt it would be useful to have a similar facility for the BBC computer. 1 : , , 0*KEY8 Z=GET VDU23 , 7&309 ?&30A ¥ VPO This program (listing 3) works in the S+7&30B+1 JM same way by altering the WRCHVEC to point to the routine, which looks for a 20*KEY9 Z=VP0S+?S<30B- 1 : VDU26 , 31 , O , 2 ! M CR and delays if one is found. The delay

1 is set in line 210 to give a slow scrolling Listing . Andrew Mummery's routine for defining a text window in two keystrokes speed of five lines per second. CTRL

freezes the display and Shift restarts it. Beeb Forum is a platform for ideas, tips and applications relating to the BBC micro and the Slow scrolling is enabled by function Electron, intended for experienced programmers to share their thoughts. For every reader's key while key 1 returns to normal list- tip published we pay £5 -or more for something special. Contributions should be typed or ing. printed, with substantial listings on cassette. WRITE TO Beeb Forum, Acorn User, Redwood The program is at placed Publishing, London WC2E 9JH. the moment in Page 9 (&900) but is easily reloca-

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 . M A ( BEEB FORUM

32000DEF F'ROCS: LOCAL A7.,@7.: @7.=6: WIDTH ?& 10 REM SLDWSCR 30A-7&30B) DIV6*6: A7.=PAGE+4 20 0SBYTE=S124:WIDTI 50 COPT opf/. 60 LDA ttenter MOD 8cl00 : PRINTCHR*8: ENDPROC 70 5ta &20E Listing 4. Procedure by Hallvard Furuseth to search for occurrences of a specific variable or 80 LDA #enter DIV S/100 piece of text in a program 90 STA S/20F

100 •J MP end 32010 REPEAT IF LEN$A% > 110 \ normal scrolling Striped 120 LDA #?yA4 LENS&705 IF INSTR (... 130 STA 8-20E Everyone should then define: 140 LDA #?yE0 150 STA &20F *KEY0 ; UPROCSELSE: ^ answer 160 J MP end Then REPEAT will print out 170 . enter IF Beeb and Electron users have ever all line numbers where REPEAT iao PH A : T X A : PHA : TYA : PH wondered how and why GCOL para- 190 CMP #13 occurs. PROCS ELSE: 200 will search meters in excess of the standard 200 BNEout for the number 200, PROCS ELSE 200 GCOLO.n to GCOL4,n produce funny 210 LDX#20 for the line number. stripy effects then John Graham- 220 LDY#0 1 To search for uncompiled text, use Cumming of Bury St Edmunds has the 230 LDA #S-81 PROCS REM text. 240 JSR OSBYTE answer. PROCS ELSE: TIME will not find all 250 CLC Electron-owner John writes. . . TIMEs. There is one 'left-hand' TIME 260 CLV In the Electron user guide, Acorn 270 JSR &EF02 (TIME-=T%) and one 'right-hand' says that a GCOL command with a high = 280 BMI freeze \ "?CNTR key (T% TIME). HIMEM, LOMEM. PAGE first parameter (greater than 4, eg, 290 JMP out and PTR behave in the same way. Use GCOL135.1) will produce 'various 300 . -freeze PROCS ELSE = TIME to find right- stripy effects' and although not men- 310 LLC hand" TIMEs. tioned in my BBC user guide this also 320 CLV Use TAB(, not TAB. The bracket is applies to the Beeb. 330 JSR &EF02 part of the name. The same applies to Take GCOL 135,1 as an example. 340 BVC freeze \ 7SHIFT KEY all two or three-argument functions. When this command is used, Basic 350 . out A search for TO will also find all 360 PLA: TAY: PLA: TAX: PLA sends 18,135 and 1 to OSWRCH (18 is 370 JMP &E0A4 TOPs. Sometimes a search for a short the Set Graphics Colour code) and the text comes up with a line number, 380 . end ,first parameter is stored at &35B (&35C of of 390 RTS because the special way storing if the background colour is being set). 400 D line numbers. And of course, a search This first parameter should of course 410 NEXT for the variable D will also find AD, D%, be between and 4. but the OS

420 *KEY0 CALL &900 ! DUMMY and so on, and is not of much assumes that this parameter is correct 430 #KEY1 CALL &90D!M use. and does not check it. Then, when a plot command is used Line 32000 @% and WIDTH are used OSWRCH jumps to the plot routine Listing 3. A slow scroller lor the Beeb, for formatting. ?&30A = right hand (&C7AF in OS 1.2) and uses the byte at by POwen column of text window, ?&308= left -at &35B to get the two graphic colour least on my BBC, OS 1.20, 1982. If you table by altering the assignment to P% bytes, stored at &D4 and &D5, from the don't know these addresses on your in line 40 and making the appropriate table. (These two bytes are used as a BBC. use WIDTH 36. A% points to the changes to the function key definitions mask to determine how the points text in the first program line. in lines 420 and 430. should be plotted.) Butsince the OS has provision for this only between and 4, Line 32010 S&705 is the text searched the table at &C41B contains only suf- Specific for. S&700 is the input buffer, 'compiled' ficient bytes for these options. The OS into Basic. PROCS ELSE: uses reads these bytes using the 6502's addresses &700-&704. A%?-2+ ... is indexed addressing mode (Y is loaded searcher the line number of the line into which *£ if from &35B). Thus a number greater A% points. A PROC that enables specific occur- than 4 is used when the OS reads these rences of text or variables to be found Line 32020 A%?-1 is the length of the bytes, they are loaded from outside the is in Thus stripy within programs supplied by Hall- line. A% is incremented to point into table, as the example. the vard Furuseth of Norway. Ideally the effects have no set pattern, although it the next line. If A%?-3>124, then the procedure is not random. would be saved by *SP00L- line number > =32000(125*256). ing it as an ASCII file and *EXECing it So when Acorn says the effects may into your program when required. Mr ELSE (and DEF and DATA) works in change with different OS releases the

Furuseth tells the story . . the same way as REM, but the text is not warning should be heeded since the

I got tired of searching through long compiled' after REM (or DATA). ELSE tables need not be in the same order, programs to find all occurrences of a STOP uses three bytes, REM STOP and the effects would change. Those

special variable/text, so I wrote a short uses six. The IU deletes everything wishing to write programs that will run

PROC (listing 4) that would do it for me. before PROCS ELSE:, to ensure thatthe on all BBCs and Electrons should avoid

I add it to all long programs I write. text is located at &705. IF A = 5 PROCS these effects. They are fun to use, Because of the INSTR bug, OS 1.0 ELSE: AD% would search for ''PROCS though, and need not be avoided for must use: ELSE:AD%". your own enjoyment.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 '

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Speedy Paul Beverley sets the pace for your micro

containing the exitcondition with either COMPARED with many other it makes the time values obtained con- '1000' micros, the BBC is a very fast stant, ie, they're not affected by the fre- the A%' or the is interpreted machine, as demonstrated by the quency with which interrupts occur every timeihe loop is executed, which, summary of the PCW Basic benchmark during the timing period. of course, is what makes these two tests (table 1). Even the Sinclair Ql_, structures slower than the FOR . . . with its 32-bit processor can beat the Points to note NEXT loop.

Beeb only on benchmark 8 - the trigo- 1. If the loop tests in table 2 are run 2. Another interesting point about the nometrical calculations test. On aver- using the number 1000 rather than the looping structures is that although, in age, over all the tests, the BBC is 60 per variable A%, which had previously the IF statement, you can use either cent faster than the QL. been set to 1000, then in the case of the THEN or GOTO, it's in fact quicker to

. it into Nevertheless, if you've got to do a job FOR . . NEXT loop hardly makes any use THEN. Changing THEN GOTO in which speed is of the essence, and difference to the timings. This is in the test example increases the you already have a BBC micro, (or an because the line containing the FOR timing by two per cent to 1 .96 seconds. Electron, for that matter), the important statement is only interpreted once. The 3. It was pointed out by Robert Tidey in thing is to see if there are ways of other two loop structures, however, are a letter in the August issue that making it work even faster. So in this slowed down to 2.03 and 2.38 seconds although Gary's timings appeared to article, I'll look at a selection of respectively. This is because the line show that it's quicker to use GOSUBs methods of speeding things up, mainly by improving programming tech- niques, but also discussing one or two • FOR . . . NEXT is the fastest loop • In calculations, take out any hardware techniques. mechanism, REPEAT . . . UNTIL is common factors, ie, A/B + C/B

For Electron owners, the program- next fastest, and IF . . . THEN GOTO takes longer to work out than ming techniques will be equally appli- the siowest (table 2). (See Points to (A + B)/C. cable, since Electron Basic bears a note 1.) • Use multiplication rather than * remarkable resemblance to Basic II on • Always use integer variables division, eg A 0.01 is quicker than the BBC. On the hardware side, though, (A%, B%, etc) wherever possible A/100, (table 3 d,e,f,g). the remarks will be specifically for rather than floating point variables • In anything other than the shor- Beeb owners. (table3b/c,d/e,f/g). test of programs, procedures are Gary Smallridge's article in the June • The resident integer variables faster than GOSUBs. (See Point 3.) issue gave a number of ways of (@% to Z%) are faster than other • Blank lines and REM statements increasing speed when working in single letter integer variables aid readability, but slow down the

Basic. In case you missed it, there's a (table 3b). interpretation (table 3 a). summary of the points made, sup- • Use short variable names, all • Always use variables (integer if ported by various timings (tables 2 to starting with different initial letters possible) for any constants that are

4), plus a few extra notes added in the if possible (table 3 b,c). used repeatedly, since it's quicker light of further experience. All timings • Multi-statement lines speed up for Basic to look up the value of a were done using an external digital interpretation of a program, though variable than to re-interpret the timer, with interrupts on the micro they reduce readability (table 1 a/b). value (table 3 d,e,f,g). having been disabled. This increases Summary of points from June issue the speed slightly, but is done because

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Computer Processor BM1 BM2 BM3 BM4 BM5 BM6 BM7 BM8 Average BBC (6502) 0.6 2.7 7.8 8.3 13.2 20.7 4.99 8.4 Electron (6502) 0.9 3.7 10.7 11.4 11.9 18.2 28.1 7.1 11.5 QL (68008) 1.9 5.5 9.4 9.2 11.8 24.1 43.0 2.1 13.4 380Z (Z80) 1.4 6.5 13.2 13.9 15.0 22.3 31.6 6.2 13.8 MZ80B (Z80) 0.6 5.0 12.0 19.0 20.0 27.5 38.0 5.0 15.9 VIC-20 (6502) 1.4 8.3 15.5 17.1 18.3 27.2 42.7 9.9 17.5 Atom (INT) (6502) 0.8 5.5 10.0 11.5 14.5 20.0 (F.P.) 30.5 27.0 30.0 26.0 17.7 44.8 10.7 18.4 Apple II (6502) 1.3 8.5 16.0 17.8 19.1 28.6 PET (6502) 1.7 9.9 18.4 20.4 21.0 32.5 50.9 12.3 20.9 ZX81 (Z80) 4.5 6.9 16.4 15.8 18.6 49.7 68.5 22.9 25.4 Atari (6502) 2.3 7.4 19.9 23.2 26.8 40.7 61.5 43.1 28.1 Spectrum (Z80) 4.8 8.7 21.1 20.4 24.0 55.3 80.3 25.3 30.0 EE3

Table 1. Results of the PCW Basic benchmarks tests than PROCedures, it's true only for *FX 151,78,127 short programs. As the program gets 10 ONERROR GOTO 160 and then to switch them all back on longer, the PROCedures take exactly 20 *KEY0RUN M again, you can use: the same length of time, whereas the 30 P7.=&FE61 subroutines get slower and slower. 40 A=10 ?&FE4E = 255 (or *FX 151,78,255). Those of you with long memories may 50 A7.= 100 This also disables the ADC inputs, so recall that this was pointed out in one of 60 B=10 there's no need to use *FX 16,0 as well. the very first issues of Acorn User, back 70 B'/.= 10 If you do this you'll find that all your rou- in December 1982, in an article entitled B0 C=0. tines will run another 3.3 per cent Probing procedures', since reprinted 90 *FX151,78,127 faster, making a total saving of 4.5 per in 'Programming tips for the BBC 100 ?P7.=0:?P7.= 1 cent. micro' published by Addison-Wesley. 110 REM LINE UNDER TEST A word of warning. Your program 120 ?P7.=0:?P7.= 1 must include effective error-trapping in 130 *FX151,7B,255 Clearing the screen order to switch the interrupts on again 140 END in the event of an error (program 1). If It's worth noticing the considerable dif- 150 J the interrupts are switched off, it means ference in time taken to clear the 160 REM ERROR ROUTINE that the keyboard is disabled, so you screen using CLG instead of CLS or 170 *FX151,78,255 can't type in anything after an error has MODE (table 4). This is because CLS 180 REPORT occurred. The natural reaction then, is simply wipes the memory locations in " " 190 PRINT AT LINE ; ERL to press the break key to regain control numerical order, whereas CLG uses of the machine. Unfortunately if you do the fill routines to fill thescreen with the Program 1. Test program used to do all the this your program will disappear as if background colour. time measurements with the interrupts dis- by magic! This is because one of the - in line abled the two extra spaces 120 are first things the operating system does used to add a small delay so that, when Stop interrupting! when the break key is pressed is to there is no test line, the time registered check the interrupt enable register of on the external timer is exactly 1.00 milli- If you're doing some calculations and seconds. This can then simply be subtracted the internal VIA. If it contains zero (ie, want to save yourself a few valuable from the value registered when the line or no interrupts are enabled), it assumes milliseconds or microseconds, then it's lines under test are inserted that this must have been a power-up possible to disable the interrupts which reset, and the first thing it does there- occur regularly and which the BBC fore is to wipe the contents of the micro uses to do various housework memory from &400 to &7FFF- which like up-dating the ADVAL values jobs, includes the whole of your program! or the value of TIME. The ADC inter- Even with error-trapping, you could rupts can easily be disabled with no ill still lose your program. If there's a logi- effects by using *FX16,0 and this will £) FORN7.= lTOA7. cal error in it so that it gets into a loop speed things up by 1.2 per cent. To dis- M7.=N7. NEXT 0.61 5 while the interrupts are disabled, able the other interrupts as well saves there's no way out. Escape is disabled, time, but is a bit riskier. b) F0RNX=1T0AX:M7.=NX:NEXT 0.57 S even more and break causes a memory wipe! The All of the regular interrupts are c) N7.= l answer, therefore, is to debug the pro- routed through the system VIA -the REPEAT gram thoroughly first and then add the 6522 versatile interface adaptor which MX=N7. line interrupts. N7.=N7.+ 1 which disables the is memory-mapped at &FE40 to &FE4F. UNTIL N%=AX 1.73 S To disable these interrupts, all you Hardware techniques d) IB N7.= l need do is to write to the interrupt 20 M7.=N7. register at to On the hardware side, the first thing to enable &FE4E. Thus 30 N7.=N7.+ 1 switch all the interrupts off, you could 40 IFN7.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 HARDWARE

can be started and can produce an but the time spent servicing the phan- interrupt when the timing is finished, tom interrupt is wasted time which will a) REM 0.06 jE3 allowing processing to continue during REM THIS IS A COMMENT 0.14 reduce the overall speed of the pro- the timing period. The only disadvan- cessor. b) M7.= tage of this is that it means using 10 0.51 To test whether this is a problem m7.= 10 0.B4 machine code programming and on your machine, run the following number'/.= 10 1.09 having an understanding of the work- program: ings of the VIA. c) M=10 1.04 m=10 10TIME = The other possibility, which is 1.03 numbar*" 10 1.27 simpler but only enables you to time in 20FORN% = 1TO500000 centiseconds, is to use the elapsed d) M7.= 100+10 0.92 30NEXT time clock provided by the operating M7.= 100«10 1.12 M7.= 100/10 2.74 40T%=TIME system, using one of the hardware 50PRINTT%/100 timers on the internal VIA. This is e) M=100+10 1.3B

accessible through OSWORD calls 3 M=100*10 1.65 Be careful to type it in without adding M=100/10 2.B1 and 4 as explained on page 460 of the spaces in lines 20, 30 or 40. You should User Guide. However, you can't use f) M7.=A7. 0.43 get an answer of 88.06 if you are using this method of timing if you are also M7.=A7.+B7. 0.64 Basic 1 and 88.11 for Basic 2. On a M7.=A7.*B7. 0.B5 speeding up by disabling interrupts, model A or a model B with ADC inter- M7.=A7./B7. 2.47 since the elapsed time clock is inter- rupts disabled the times should be rupt driven. M7.=A7.M0DB7. 1.3B 86.98 or 87.03 respectively. M7.=A7.DIVB7. 1.39 If the timing is somewhat longer than expected, then the problem may be the High-speed interfacing g) M=A 0.BB M=A+B 1.39 phantom keyboard interrupts men- If you're involved in interfacing and M=A*B 2.26 tioned above. M=A/B 2.45 want to work that extra bit faster and The solutions suggested by Acorn you're using the 1MHz bus, it's worth are first to replace the eight 10k pull-up knowing that there are links on the PCB resistors on the keyboard PCB with 2k2 Table 3. Results of timing tests given in milli- which can be used to speed this resistors, (later will already up seconds of the interpretation by Basic of models interface to 2MHz. Unfortunately there various program lines (Interrupts disabled) have 2k2 resistors fitted), and second, is a PCB error, which has been perpe- (A% = A = 100, B% - B = 10) to solder a 560 pF capacitor between tuated right up to issue seven boards, pins 7 and 8 of the 74LS30 integrated which means that you have to break a to get spurious pulses on the keyboard circuit on the keyboard PCB. track going to one of the ICs rather than interrupt line. This occurs mainly when This has the effect of smoothing out the actual piece of track which makes the keyboard links, which are read on any tiny spikes that might occur on the the link (S16). Details of exactly how to the keyboard matrix lines, are being line that goes to the VIA to generate the do this are given in Electronics and used. What happens is that when a keyboard interrupts.

Computing Monthly, December 1983. spurious pulse appears, it causes an It's also possible, even though there interrupt. The operating system then Going faster still are no actual PCB links, to double the checks the keyboard to see which key

speed of the user port and printer port. has been pressed and returns when it If you want to work even faster than the This requires the replacement of the discovers that none actually is. suggestions in this article allow, you external 6522 VIA with a 6522A (the To the user there is no visible effect, need to learn a bit about machine code 2MHz part), and also involves the programming. The good thing about breaking of one track plus the addition N MODEN CLS CLG the BBC micro and the Electron is the of a solder bridge (see above article). 53.6 51.1 538.8 ease with which you can combine The other effect of using the 6522A is 1 54.2 51.1 527.9 machine code and Basic. You decide to double the speed of the VIA timers, 2 54.9 51.1 522.7 which parts of your program are taking which improves their resolution when 3 44.0 41.2 (0.2) up the most time and write a machine used to set delay times or to measure 4 29.0 26.3 319.5 code routine or routines to do just that elapsed times. If you think you're good 5 29.3 26.3 308.4 critical part of the program. These rou- at Acornsoft's Snapper program, try 6 24.2 21.3 (0.2) tines should not be too complex and playing it on a BBC micro fitted with this 7 6.2 3.9 (0.2) can then be called from within the Basic modification. program. This kind of 'hybrid' program- Table 4. Timings in milliseconds for clear- Another piece of hardware infor- ing the screen in different ways in various ming really does make the Beeb a good mation that's worth knowing from the modes. Those in brackets are not signifi- machine to use when speed is of the speed point of view is that it's possible cant since they refer to text-only modes essence!

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D Tarzan D Chartbuster D Uncle Claude D Son of Blagger D Roboman Please indicate programs required and whether tape T or disk D 111

I enclose a cheque/ PO* fort ^"" *• «&fe> \V Alligata Software Ltd Charge my Access Card No. _ 1 Orange Street, Sheffield S1 4DW Tel: (0742) 755796 ,<» Name Signature >! IB

Address

'Payable to Alligata Software TAIlow 75p for post and packaging

aMM'4 Aum i Software Limited Despatch is normally made on receipt of order and should reach youyo within 7 days UNIQUE CREATIVE GRAPHICS AND DYNAMIC IMAGERY

THE ART OF MICROCOMPUTER GRAPHICS for the BBC Micro/Electron by Jim McGregor and Alan Watt L- EL - -: Microcomputer graphics comes of ; = age with the publication of this book. More than just a miscellaneous collection of listings and tricks, it provides a comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of microcomputer graphics. If that sounds daunting, don't worry - it isn't! The book is presented in the clear, readable style which has become the hallmark of the author's highly successful books for micro users.

Among the many areas covered are: two-dimensional graphics: linear and non linear transformations, network and frieze pattern generation. three-dimensional graphics: model representation and input, three- dimensional transformations, hidden surface removal, stereo views, decorative effects

tesselation art: interactive tile design techniques £14 interactive techniques: using raster-ops in CAD and painting software natural patterns: recursion and fractals

Structured programming techniques are used throughout to ensure efficiency and clarity. With this book as your guide, you will soon turn the screen of your BBC Micro or Electron into a window onto the colourful, exciting and endlessly fascinating world of the Art of Microcomputer Graphics.

The book is heavily illustrated with hundreds of screen shots, plotter output and line drawings; there are also 16 pages in full colour.

256pp/illus/0 201 14567 7/soft/ £14-95

Please order from your local bookseller. In case of difficulty order direct from Addison Wesley The prices are valid for the UK and Eire only and include VAT. P&P ; for orders under £60 at retail value please add £1.50 per single item & 50p for each additional item. Orders over £60 are handled free of charge.

Please send me Name: -McGregor & Watt/The Art of Address:. Microcomputer Graphics (14567)

I enclose my cheque for £_ please debit OR my Access/Barclaycard/ ^^ Dept C Addison-Wesley Visa/American Express/Oiners Club (Delete as applicable). iA4 Publishers Ltd Account No. I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I TT\ Finchampstead Rd Expiring Date: Date:. Wokingham RG11 2NZ Signature:— Tel: (0734) 794000 i ATOM DIYROM PAGER Construct a useful addition to

finished pager board mm your Atom with Alan Knowles The ROM

chip is trying to write data via the first big task I attempted on my decoder then routes the chip-enable CPU THEAtom was a machine code monitor signal to EPROM number 0. data bus to the ROM, which will win? program and disassembler, which The mechanism for entering the The data bus levels will be ill-defined at of the selected EPROM into the this time and will be unsuitable for I blew into EPROM and installed in the number least utility ROM socket (C24) at address 74LS174 latches may be of interest. loading into the latches. Thus the page 129> I external connections was one •-;A000--AFFF. I soon realised that Minimal needed other utility ROMs as well, to of the initial constraints and thus use o o o o o enhance the Atom's facilities and allow had to be made of signals already o o o o o wordprocessing and so on. As they all going to IC24 as far as possible. How PL4 NWDS required to be located in socket C24, I could the latch be addressed? The obviously needed to be able to switch answer, of course, is simple. No pro- (preferably by program) between gram should ever need to write to a part several ROMs sharing the same of the address space occupied by read- addresses. only memory. So the act of writing to A ROM pager was therefore addresses in the range -AOOO-^AFFF designed within the following con- could be used to load the latches. straints: The chip-enable signal on pin 20 of IC24, together with the write signal • It should be accommodated within NWDS (brought in by a wire from near the Atom case. to PL4- figure 2), provide a suitable It should involve an absolute mini- • strobe signal when combined by the mum of wiring on the Atom PCB. 74LS02 gate. The obvious source of in- • One of eight EPROMs should be formation for the latches is the data bus selectable by program and, if desired, onto which the EPROM's place their a specific one should automatically be data when enabled. selected on power-up or on using the Herein lies a problem. If an EPROM Break key. is driving the data bus and the 6502 Figure 2. Location of flying leads on the PBC The first two were easily dealt with. When my prototype had been tested, a small printed circuit board containing eight 24-pin sockets for the EPROMs and 24 pins to plug into C24 socket was designed with all the address lines from -and all the data lines to -socket »-" NWDS being connected to all eight C24 WRITE strobe from EPROM sockets. near PL4 The third constraint was more diffi- cult. The chip-enable signal on pin 20 of IC24 needed routeing to only one selec- ted EPROM, the remaining ones being left disabled. The circuit diagram in

figure 1 shows how this is achieved. The number of the currently selected EPROM is stored in the 74LS174 latches and decoded by the 74LS138, which selects only one of the eight EPROMs when the chip-enable signal on pin 20 of IC24 socket is activated. The latch flip-flops are all reset by NRST (from pin near R41 on the Atom PCB -figure 2), All pins on IC24, except 20, taken to same pins on all ROM sockets which is generated on power-up and

when the Break key is operated. The Figure 1 . Circuit diagram of eight-way ROM pager

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 compute^ ith a micro

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Available from BS High Street Computer Retailers and branches of W. H. Smith, Harrods, maMSSSSm in Menzies with selectedmodels available from largerbranches ofBoots ATOM FORUM

A hidden line routine, joystick conversion, dumping garbage and BBC Basic compatibility are Barry

Pickles' Atomic topics this month

Hidden line 9000 P.$21;DIM LL2 FOR 1=0 T01 P=#3900 IESj £V0 9010 ; 9020 [ routine 903 0\** *********************** 904 0\** ** 9050\** HIDDEN LIME ROUTINE ** THIS hidden line routine (listing 1) from 9060\** FOR X,Y,Z SURFACE ** E Paijmans of Amersfoort, Holland, 9070\** ** works with two arrays. In these arrays 9080\************************* the highest and lowest Y co-ordinate at 9090\ 9100: LDX #5A X-COORD. certain X co-ordinate is stored. LL0 9110 LDA #5C Y-COORD. The program works in graphics 9120 CMP #3A00,X MAX-ARRAY the plot routine mode 4. It changes 9130 BCC LL1 vector so when you want to plot a point 9140 STA #3A00,X UPDATE MAX every point is examined first, and when 9150 JSR #F7AA M0DE4 PLOT it lies between the minimum and maxi- 9160 LDX #5A X-COORD. mum value it isn't plotted. The program 9170 LDA #5C Y-C00RD. may be used in combination with the 3D 9180: LL1 CMP #3B00,X MIN-ARRAY program on page 83 of the Atom 9190 BCC LL2 9200 RTS manual. To make it work properly 9210: LL2 STA #3B00,X UPDATE MIN change lines 70 and 200 as follows: 9220 JMP #F7AA M0DE4 PLOT 70Z = 0;GOSUB9000 9230] 200 FOR U = 20 to -20 STEP-1 9240 NEXT ; P. $6; D=#C0C0C0C0 9250 FOR 1=0 TO 255 STEP 4 Mr Paijmans' routine earns him £10 9260 I!ir3B00=D; I!#3A00=0; NEXT

92 70 !#3FE=#3900; ?#B 000=#F0;R .

of Holland Listing 1 . Hidden line routine from E Paijmans

3. No, because of the COS. each compass direction and one for the 4. Strictly speaking, the colour board- fire button. The Atom technical manual the state of MICHAEL LACEY of Retford has just would not work, since neither GCOL or shows you how to sense attached to the user port, and bought a BBC Basic board to fit his fully COLOUR are supported. However, you switches matter of expanded Atom and asks the following can actually use it by poking the appro- reading each switch is a questions. priate values into port B of the 8255 masking the appropriate bit(s) at (seethe Atom manual). #B80G.

1. Can I run BBC software or hard- The software is another matter. If the ware (16k or 32k) on it? keys are read by a Basic routine, there 2. Are there any books to help me is no problem -just replace the routine convert them? with yours. However, most commercial run on 3. Are there any games that software uses machine-code to read both? the keyboard and here you must first 4. Will colour board work? a find the routine (by using a disas- ... To answer the points as they are IS there any software or hardware to sembler) and replace it with a JSR to raised: convert my Atom games (Acornsoft, your own machine-code. This assumes is sufficient space left in 1. No, you can't run BBC tapes with A&F, Program Power, etc) to run with a also that there this board, as the cassette operating joystick? asks Philip Arkley of Accr- memory to accommodate your own routine. can imagine, all this system format is quite different. You ington. He wants to know so that he can As you page 129 can run BBC software listings provided decide whether it is worth buying a they are all in Basic, you do not use the joystick and interface. Invented a routine or discovered a of commercial hardware features of the Beeb, and you I don't know any hardware modification for the Atom? have enough memory. company making a joystick interface Here's a chance to show your orig- 2. We ran a short series on convert- for the Atom, but it really is very easy to inality and win some cash. Send your ing BBC Basic to the Atom earlier this do, using the VIA and user port B. idea to: Atom Forum, Acorn User, Red- Publishing, 68 Long Acre, year (see page 125 of last month's Essentially, switched (Atari-type) joy- wood London WC2 9JH. issue and earlier back numbers). sticks contain five switches, one for

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 .

HIGH RESOLUTION THAT COMES HK3MY RECOMMENDED "There is no doubt that theJVC range of ECM And naturally there's a year's lull guarantee.

colour monitors is excellent value for . . II money you order your moniti ir by post, you'll receive it there is no loss in quality of picture after long within ten days by courier service.

periods . . . and remember, as more and more Simply post the coupon helow to: Opus Supplies LtdJ resolution is available with new micros, the need 158 Camberwell Road. London SE5 OEE. Or telephone for a better display will be that much greater." 01-701 8668 quoting your credit card number. Or, of course High recommendation indeed from Personal you can buy at our showroom between 9.00- 5.30pm, Computer News. Meanwhile Acorn I ser said: M< >nday Friday. 900-l.OOpm, Saturday

( "It seems that all 'normal' and 'medium' 'Mil haiu'i .uh I i" nn resolution monitors, including the Sanyo, are lo: Opus Supplies Ltd., 158 Gltmbcrwell Road. London SE5 1 simply inadequate OEE to deal with the Beeb's graphics Please send me; and text output . . . The JVC was excellent, giving J ligh Res< (lution Colour Monitor(s) ai clear, legible results . . . Was theJVC better than the &2 i').')S(i,h. VAT) Microvitec?* Would I buy one? Yes to both -Medium Resolution Colour Mi miti ir(s) ;i questions." £22 1.95 (inc. VAT) Our KGB high resolution Colour monitor (580 x

470 pixels) sells for £249.95 (including VAT) -that's a I encli >se a cheque fi »r & ( )r please debil my credit card

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I 'lease state the name « >fy< >ur a >nipuicr BBC Micro, Electron, Sinclair QL, Lynx, Oric, Apple, IBM and most other leading micros. Name

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L AC35 | ATOM

not to < page 125 sockets are mounted. Take care significant three bits on the address short together printed tracks passing between pins. bus are used instead. Writing any data ROM 4 ROM 5 ROM 6 ROM 7 carrying to address *A000 selects EPROM 0; Flying leads NWDS and between the Atom PCB and the #A001 selects EPROM 1, etc. This may NRST either soldered into be done in Basic (?#A001=0) or in pager board can be place or pins and clips used to permit machine code (STA #A001). It doesn't of pager board. matter what is in the A register as the ROM0 ROM1 ROM 2 ROM3 easier removal the extra IC position that may be data is ignored. The My original design was constructed seen on the board is for a 74LS123 veroboard and this operated re- LS138 monostable and associated com- using c, NRST LS174I ponents, which I use to generate an IRQ liably for some time, but it was fiddly to interrupt request whenever NRST is make and in due course a PCB was pro- NWDS duced which meant that construction is activated. This is used to initialise my of pins position now only a matter of soldering in the Dotted line under ROM 3 shows location monitor ROM which, being in into IC24 socket sockets (the 74LS174, 138 and 02 chips 0, is automatically selected. Ct, C2 disc ceramic capacitors 1 OnF to 100nF may be socketed or soldered in place). C3 electrolytic 10pF or more The only difficulty encountered was the To assist in the construction of the ROM pager, the author is supplying procurement of suitable pins to plug Figure 3. PCB layout circuit into IC24 socket. the bare glass-fibre printed Care must be taken not to use pins of turned pin socket. This socket should board (two-layer, drilled plated- too large a diameter as these will strain be cut into two narrow 12-pin strips into through-hole). Orders should be 15 Bel- the IC24 socket, making it useless for which short lengths of bare wire should sent direct to: A E Knowles, Flixton, Manchester its original purpose. Wirewrap pins are be soldered. These wires are now used grave Avenue, therefore unsuitable. The best solution to solder the strips onto the underside M31 2SR, enclosing a cheque for seems to be to purchase a 24-pin of the PCB before the eight 24-pin £4.50, which covers P&P.

< page 127 dump routine for my Centronics printer Oh dear! This was one of those rare listing not requires a fair degree of familiarity with 739-2L,' writes P Ringwald of London occasions where the was running program. Line machine-code. NW9. 'All I got printed out after typing produced from a of com- RUN is as detailed below (figure 1). 1020 should read: I have converted a number special conditions where mercial programs, but some of them do 'Are there 1020F.N = 0TO#1740S.192 not leave enough memory free for suc- it might work? The printer and Atom cesful conversion. In the end, the value work perfectly in conjunction with My apologies to Mr Ringwald and users. of doing this depends on the user but, if Wordpack.' other 739 there"s sufficient interest I'll write an article giving some methods of conver- LISTING 1 sion.

Dumping tf garbage

'WITH reference to your dump routine, PF

listing 1, page 127, September issue, I looked forward to a very useful screen Figure 1. 'Garbage out' from a Centronics 739, submitted by P Ringwald ATOM COMPETITION

cassette, preferably HERE'S a great chance for all you Atom users to show off Entries should be sent on returned, how- your talents - and win some nice prizes into the bargain. accompanied by a listing (tapes cannot be will judged on both artistic merit This competition is for the Atom only, so, for once, you ever). The competition be decision is final. won't be overshadowed by the Beeb! and programming skill and the editor's three winners, who may each take their The competition is quite simple and should give a There will be chance to users at every level of competence. All we want pick of one of the following prizes: graphics demonstration. It can be you to do is to write a • The Bearsoft Editor (WP) ROM anything you like-a still picture, an animated sequence or • SuperBasicROM of patterns. The only requirement is just a sequence pretty • Millipede & Night Driver games tapes that moving displays should last for at least 10 seconds. Your program should run on a 'standard' Atom, which for Closing date for entries is Friday, January 4, 1985 and Competition, User, the purposes of this competition is defined as no more than these should be sent to Atom Acorn 9JH. 5 + 6k RAM, with no 'toolbox' or other extension ROMs and Redwood Publishing, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E no additional hardware. The FPROM and the VIA are All the prizes in this competition have been kindly allowed, however. donated by Bear Hardware of Harmondsworth.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 SIX OF ONE OR HALF A DOZEN OF THE OTHERS? SCRIBE Additions to your DOUBLE- 1 computer system depend 4 DOS THEPROFESS!ONAL« upon each otherfor best Double density WORD PROCESSOR disc interface designed for the performance. How often for the BBC serious user All have you asked if this or that computer. operations fully prpmjlpted A high capacity' No special knowledge of the computer program is compatible with database or word system necessary Document size NOT some piece of hardware? processor is enhanced even further with limited by computer memory Automatic this state of the art disc interface. disc buffering ensures text is moved MERLIN products for the The many features include almost between disc and computer memory BBC computer are designed 800 Kb of CONTINUOUS file space on a without user intervention Up to 255 pages standard 80 track disc drive in a single document 80 column display to complement each other Automatically read standard Acorn files on screen underline and right justify and so Compensate for discs formatted in single See it as it will be printed. get the best from your density Provide up to 1 56 files IN ONE SCRIBE comes in a chip with system. Rest assured when DIRECTORY Automatically read, write 5 minute fitting instructions, you buy MERLIN, each and format double sided drives to appear utilities disc and manual. as one disc surface "Allow maximum use DISC MACHINES ONLY. addition is compatible with of MERLIN Scribe and Database. £59.95 + 60p p&p Fitting to your computer is made thelastand ismadetobethe exceptionally safe and reliable by providing connection O DATABASE best available in its field. via a flexible ribbon cable. Full instructions provided. Combined with one another Asuperb information £109.25 + 90p p&p they are unsurpassed management system in DISC with an incredible performance or value. operating speed. 5 DRIVES 96 fields per record Purchasers of MERLIN One record 2 Kbmax software are provided with a One field 900 characters max 4000 records per database "1 6 level free update service and an conditional search Find any record in 2 sees Wild card search Record match unmatched level of technical 8 automatic sub indexes Total flexibility support. of output via report writer with auto write backto any field Maths pack Semi All of our disc drives are double . density spec, and therefore if used in Integrates with Scribe to give conjunction with DOUBLE-DOS give twice conditional search with MAIL MERGE the standard Acorn disc capacity and and high powered report formattin feature head load light. Single drives are Database is in a chip. supplied in a double case to allow easy DISC MACHINES ONLY addition of a second drive. £49.00 + 60p p&p. D100Singledrive51/4D/D £135.00 Scribe & Database in one chip MERLIN COMPUTER PRODUCTS £95.00 + 60p p&p. D200 Dual drive 5 /1/4D/D £267.00 D400 single drive 5 1/4 TYPEWRITER "I £219.00 3 Please supply the following products/ double side D/D PRINTER information (Delete as applicable). D800 Dual drive 5 1/4 £349.00 Based on the imperial 8008 this QTYQ double side D/D beautiful daisywheel typewriterfeatures QTYQ For switchable 40/80. Add £26.00 MERLIN'S own QTYD ONE parallel interface YEARS GUARANTEE

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Name . . 6 HYPERDRIVE Address FOR RELEASE NOV 84 1/4 Included are keyboard buffer auto A2Megabite5 ins floppy disc drive which will also automatically detect repeat electronic tab set and clear and read decimal tab 20 character auto correction standard 40 and 80 track discs. memory "auto underline compatible with Size the same as a standard half SCRIBE. height drive optional 400 Kb backup drive To: MERLIN COMPUTER PRODUCTS also available. Comes with carrying case, instruction 33/36 Ideal to maintain a large database or manual and ribbon connection to your Singleton Street document file with high BBC computer. Swansea SA1 3QN speed access. mmm Requires Merlin Double Dos. £299.00 + VAT Teh (0792) 467980 Jw Next day Securicor delivery £5.00 a j £575.00

130 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 GsFORTH - Is an advanced implementation ol FORTH

G:FORTH - follows the 79-standard specification

G:FORTH - has the full double-number extension set

G:FORTH - has extremely last Turtle graphics GEORTH G:FORTH - includes an Editor and a (. 502- Assembler G:FORTH - supports extensive siring and file handling

G:FORTH - allows the use of all screen modes

G:FORTH - contains more than 540 predefined words

G:FORTH - can be used with either tape or 40/SO track disk systems

G:FORTH - is ideal for scientific and professional applical

- fast data acquisition and analysis - process and robot control - statistical analysis - advanced colour graphics

GtFORTH - provides words that can be used tot

- read joystick ports - produce sounds - set & read the time - produce random numbers

G:FORTH - reduces program development time and inspires a Structured and creative way of solving problems

Price: £43.00 - please add £2 p & p

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Also available from Technomatic!

For the BBC Microcomputer 1984 Grandex Data - Denmark 0sters0gade 34 - Copenhagen model B DK 1357 K

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131 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 SERIOUS SOFTWARE FORTHEB.B.C MICRO J^ From BEEBUGSOFT SPELLCHEC HELP ROM NOW IN ROM and up to 500% faster.

SPELLCHECK provides an automatic spelling check for letters or documents and is the ideal companion to WORDWISE or VIEW. It is menu driven, easy to use and allows unknown words to be added to the dictionary, ignored or re-spelt. A new corrected copy of the text may then be saved to disc.

SPELLCHECK 1 (On Disc)

SPELLCHECK 1 is supplied on two discs with a starting dictionary of 6,000 words. Separate versions are available for WORDWISE and VIEW. (When ordering please specify). Give your micro a mainframe utility Most large mainframe computers have a comprehensive on- SPELLCHECK II (On Rom) screen HELP facility to aid programming, save time and help you out when you get stuck. BEEBUGSOFT's new HELP Rom SPELLCHECK II is a completely new machine code program will give your micro a similar facility. supplied in Rom. Operation speed is up to 5 times faster than it Just plug in , and every time you get stuck for a VDU call, a SPELLCHECK I and larger pieces of text may be held in memory. colour code, the parameters for a Basic command or whatever: The same version will also check both VIEW and WORDWISE. the HELP Rom will provide an instant answer. A dictionary disc is still supplied including 6,000 words, but a Rather than wade through a book, simplv type, for example, data compression technique is used to ensure that well in •HLPVDU (or just *H VDU) to find out all you need to know excess ofl 7,000 words be stored may on a 100K disc. about VDU commands - or if you know that it is VDU23 that Ingenious hashing and virtual file access routines have also you want - type *H VDU23. considerably speeded up the time taken to check text. This The HELP Rom uses an ingenious compression technique sophisticated program is fully 6502 Second Processor enabling some 14,000 characters of text to be squashed into an compatible and uses the extra memory to further improve word 8K eprom, and provides help on a vast range of subjects, retrieval time. including the following major areas: BASIC KEYWORDS MEMORY ALLOCATION SCREEN MOD >*HLP VDU SOUND VDU TEXT DRIVE O CTIONARY DRIVE O COLOUR Sends character to VDU queue For specific help use *HLP VDU n Your Options Or VDU Nothing only COMMANDS 1 Next char to printer Automatic Check 2 Enable printer Attended Chi v I IS 3 Disable printer 4 Separate cursors Select 5 Join cursors Quit Spe 1 1 chec k 6 Enable VDU drive 7 Bell Load Text Cursor left Save Text Cursor right lO Cursor down Select Option 1 1 Cursor up 12 Clear text screen 13 Cursor to start of lin HELP will not 14 Paged mode on 15 Paged mode off Text tile LETTOl affect the normal 'HELP command "^*"

SPELLCHECK II £31 HELP ROM £25

SPELLCHECK I £19 Available from your local dealer and selected branches of W.H. SMITH'S $ Prices include VAT UKUKUtD ACCESS & BARCLAYCARD ORDERS & ENQUIRIES: VBA TEL ST. ALBANS (0727)60263

MAIL ORDER (POST FREE) TO: BEEBUGSOFT. Mailing Dept 13, P.O. Box 109, High Wycombe, Bucks:ks - SLEUTH Looking for bugs in your Basic? Let Sleuth track them down.

Here at long last is the ULTIMATE DEBUGGING TOOL for the Basic programmer! Dual screen memory workspace Accelerator Instruction being \ executed with current statement 5LEUT - lOOO FOR Xk=OTOnulB^: V^=FNval max* THE Printer, Current procedure Breakpoint, Trace, name —— Single step, Status Values of variables — in current statement Dual screen status SEL: dV =113 rang»V. =1015 Values of other selected variables

* Command entry Major Features of Control !£^T^\ SLEUTH • Single Stepping through Basic - Tab toggles between one statement at a time or a block procedure) at a time. screens (e.g. /i ^~ • Dual Screen Operation - flip between your program screen and SLEUTH s controlscreen. • Breakpoints - pause your program at any preset line number, or on the state of any variable. Space bar single steps • Accelerator - adjust the speed of SPACE your program from full speed to freeze frame. • Full Feature Control Screen - SLEUTH allows you to single step any variable or update memory. You can monitor and update vital aspects of through your Basic program instruction even change the fine number of the next your program as it runs. by instruction, watching your screen instruction to be executed or alter the statement. • - sophisticated line trace display as it is built up. Simply press the logic within a program Then Trace a Space Bar to execute the next instruction. simply press the Space Bar to watch the facility operating when program Alternatively you may watch SLEUTH'S next instruction execute. runs. control screen as you step through your Breakpoints may also be set up at any program. (Press lab to toggle between position in your program, these allow you your own screen and the control screen.) to speed to the problem area and then see Control Screen Features will show you the next instruction to exactly what's happening. You may even This • Control screen entered at the press be executed and allow you to list any part set conditional breakpoints, e.g. Stop IF of a key. of the program. Also displayed will be the A%=20. • Select edit or single-step mode. contents of all variables associated with Advanced trace and decelerator facilities • Adjust program run speed (1 - instruction and the values of are also included. The decelerator allows the current 100%). other specified variables. you to alter the speed at which your • View the current program line with time you may alter the values of program executes, actually as it is At any the current statement highlighted. running. • List the whole or any part oryour SLEUTH is ideal for the novice and expert program. will to be instantly alike and prove • Alter the next line number to be invaluable, saving hours of debugging executed. stepping time. In addition, the single • Read and adjust the value of it powerful teaching aid. facility makes a variables in the current statement. • Read and adjust the values of any other specified variables or array parameters. Price £29.00 §1 • Insert or remove breakpoints and conditional breakpoints. TEL ST. ALBANS (0727)60263 • Return to the program screen or MAIL ORDER (POST FREE) TO: BEEBUGSOFT. continue to single-step or to run at any speed. Mailing Dept 13,P.O. Box 109, High Wycombe Bucks. . SERIOUS SOFTWARE amh fi fttrom FOR THE B.B.C. MICRO ^ From BEEBUGSOFT li^^L&etiuLi EXMONI The BBC Micro EXTENDED MACHINE sound facilities CODE MONITOR NOW WITH have a lot of DUAL SCREENS potential, MUROM will help you exploit this to the 45 07 Ol FE 30 full.

Create your own 4 II by 3eebugsoft 12 CP flags PC " stack tunes and sound OOOO sequences with 53 49 43 50 28 43 BASIC. CC ease, either with 39 38 32 >0 41 63 51982 Ac MUROM'S editor 6E Oft OD JO OO "SO orn ft9 84 20 -4 FF 86 . . > . t . .

O? A9 83 20 F4 FF . . . > . t and a musical ." «2 OO 86 IF 8E 02 . score or by using 03 04 Cft 36 23 A2 . . . . J.#"

OO 04 CA 3E Ol 04 . . . .J. . the Beeb to simulate 25 11 05 5D 05 OE > .54. . . . . a piano keyboard. OS lO DO A9 52 . 85 3BBF lOX S.OB Edit creations A9 02 8D your 03 02 58 3BC1 STX L19 3BC3 _DX 8.0C with the full screen 44 80 OO 53 AND. ABS 8BC5 BTX CIA music editor. Then BBC? STY ll'B ?P 8000 switch to the envelope editor to tailor the tonal quality and select ?SS 8000-»9000"BftSIC instrument type. Alternatively select one of the predefined instrument envelopes. Incorporate your music and sound sequences into any program of your own, to play back with or without MUROM plugged in. 60. New Commands for debugging and Playback is interrupt driven and may continue even while you developing machine code run other programs. Our very popular machine code monitor has been enhanced Predefined instrument envelopes may be set up,V e.g.B 'FLUTE, 'SYNTH etc. by the addition of a numbepof new facilities, including Dual Instant sound effects may be called from Basic, e.g. 'ZAP, Screen Operation and full screen memory editor. 'SIREN, 'EXPLODE etc. Now it you are debugging a game, or any other program with MUROM is accompanied by a full instruction manual and a visual display, you can single step through it instruction by repertoire of music data on cassette. instruction and actually watch the effect on the screen You can also revert to the monitor screen at the press of a COMMAND key to examine registers, edit code, read variables, alter SUMMARY memory etc., and then switch back to your display screen and "PLAY Calls the variable speed, interrupt driven playback routine. continue running (or single stepping), without losing your 'DISP Mode 7 display of tune playing. display. "TEMPO Alter tempo. 'KEYB Use BBC keyboard as a piano keyboard. " 60 machine code commands. 'SCORE Call up full screen music editor. Exmon II " Full dual screen operation. EDITOR SUB COMMANDS: " Full screen memory editor, input in hex, Ascii or as Change from MODE editing a single channel to editing all features assembler instructions. channels consecutively. ' Search for hex, or Ascii string, including wildcards. GO Move editor to any note in score. * Move memory block. PLAY Enable single stepping of music. include ' Verify that two blocks 0CTV Change octave ofany channel. are the same. * ENVL Change envelope of any channel. Relocate code to run at another location. ' LOAD Load previously created music. Fill memory with series of hex bytes or Ascii string. ' SAVE Save edited score to disc or cassette. Execute all ' commands. KEY Toggle note entry between note name and keyboard ' Single step with skip option. position. " Up to 10 breakpoints which may even be set in Rom. "ENVLP " Sound envelope editor. Conditional . . breakpoints . e.g. Break if register X-5. ' "FLUTE, . . etc. •SYNTH . ten predefined envelopes. User definable work area.

•EXPLODE, 'ZAP . . . etc. ten predefined effects. "TRANS Transpose up or down by a number of semitones. "MONOC Disable colour output for monochrome screens. Note: The Electron version does not feature dual screens. HHHBBBBBHHHHHBaaaHBHBBHBHHHBHB«He3S

murom £29*00 exmon ii £29.00

Available from your local dealer and selected branches of W.H. SMITH'S I Prices include VAT BMCIMCARD ACCESS & BARCLAYCARD ORDERS & ENQUIRIES: VIS* TEL ST. j ALBANS (0727)60263

MAIL ORDER (POST FREE) TO: BEEBUGSOFT. Mailing Dept 13,F.O. Box 109, High Wycombe Bucks 'YOU HAVE THE BEST SOFTWARE AND YOU ARE FASTER." (V. Kressler, Switzerland.]

ourselves - just the to offer you. Software Supermarket is a very different kind of software shop. First, we actually play all the programs and choose best catalogue of BBC//Commodore/Spectrum Second, we never advertise a program until we have it in stock. Third, we send FREE with your order our unique

- most important of all, ALWAYS TRY TO SEND best which quotes all the reviews, gives detailed program descriptions and even lists load times! And, WE OUT YOUR PROGRAMS ON THE SAME DAY WE GET YOUR ORDER. U.K. prices include VAT: export prices are the same (plus p&p). To order by tell the fastest - and only sell the best. Try us VISA/ACCESS call 01 789 8546 at any time, 24hrs a day. We're not the cheapest, but our customers us we're we once. We know you'll be back for more.

32K BBC 'B' ONLY

to Pit SIMPLY THE BEST GAME WE'VE EVER SEEK ON nprnt YD1VT T1 ^ FftlTltl Thelon9-awaited sequel imn "MAYBE I\£j 1 UKIV 1 \J bJL/EllN SNOWBALL' and the fust JliLiI 1 Hi THE BBC OR ANY OTHER MJCRO...THE GRAPHICSARE Level 9 adventure with graphics. Over 250 locations, as much text and as many puzzles as SUPERB, THE ACTION FANTASTIC." (PersCompNem) 'By far the most ever tor before - but 240 pictures as well" 'Snowball' still available, same prices NO STICKS (Level 9) impressive game Acomsoft have everproduced.. .may be the best game CASSETTE £9.95 DISK £11.95 the BBC. " (PopCompWkly) "The 3D effects are astounding. ..it's the best game of its type...Ehte looks superb!" (Acorn User). Short novel sets the scene. Good training

IDEA. . "AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL manual, too. Poster identifies friends or foes. Competition entry card. This space adventure HACKING! Hacking has a SYSTEM 15000 ARTIFICIAL has everything. NO STICK. (Acomtoft) CASSETTE £14.95 DISK £17.65 wonderful appeal. System 15000 closely mimics a vast number of different databases and you have to hack your way around discovering passwords, as different and rewarding as any "Must be the most accurate and complete flight simulation adventure "(PopCompWkly) STICKS (Craig) CASSETTE ONLY £12.95 " NO . game AVIATOR tor the BBC the graphics are superb (Micro User) "This is " '11 it an exceptional piece of work. . .you probably get more out of than any other game you buy "The 3D graphics are different to (Big K) "A worthy contender for the best program ever for the Beeb "(GamesComp) STICK OR anything seen before on any micro. ..hills, COMBAT LYNX KEYS (Acomeoft) CASSETTE £14.95 DISK £17.65 valleys and fields move towards you m an astonishingly convmcmg way "(PCGames) at last . wave BBCgames that are Impressive air-to-ground battle simulation as you pilot your Lynx helicopter Realtime combat, Tin A WJT I "This is a classic. one of the new of " (Acorn User) "Combines total originality 4 stall levels. 30 re-definable command keys SAVE Hi-score KEYS OR STICK (DuraU) K I!\r*l» living up to the machine. the Beeb. games player CASSETTE ONLY £8.95 with masterful programming. . .sets new standards (or games on any should dehmtely purchase this masterpiece olprogrammmg " (Beebug) NO STICK COMPLETE MACHINE CODE (Aardvark) CASSETTE ONLY £8.90

THE BEST MACHETE-CODE TUTOR . no serious programmer should learn machine-code "QUITE SIMPLY THE

" !). comprehensive enough to help even the beginner, very without it. (Crash "The lessons are WHEEL OF FORTUNE BEST ADVENTURE user-friendly "(Smclair User.) Different versions of the same program for Beeb/C64/Spectrum. " THAT I HAVE SEEN FOR THE BBC IT REALLY IS SUPERB (Micronet 800) "Technically, of data loads in 4 parts from 2 cassettes. Helpful manual. NO STICKS. " Over 70K this game surpasses any 1 have seen for the BBC (HomeCompWkly) 250 locations, every one Generation) £14.95 (New with a half-screen picture Moving characters with varying moods NO STICK (Epic) CASSETTE £9.95 DISK £11.95

l ' te djlferenl trorn Mamc Miner SAVE ££££S ON ROMS! HHvmfn£UT A FT ra

disks or write assembler programs, then you must have this chip." (HomeCompWkly) £27 50

(Saving £5.85) WORDWISE "Probably the most useful word processor on the market " (Your PRICES OTHER ROMS" NEW! 32-PAGE CATALOGUE Computer) £36 (Saving £10) PHONE FOR ON Latest edition has 32-pages of BBC/CBM64/SPECTRUM best One catalogue free with every

order or send £1 cash or cheque now (no credit cards) Your £1 back with your first order"

SOFTWARE SUPERMARKET VISA/ACCESS CALL 01-789 8546 (24hrs)

To: SOFTWARE SUPERMARKET (ACU5) Program CASS/DiSK Price 87 HOWARD'S LANE, LONDON SW15 6NU.

(If you do not want to cut tins magazine, write your order out clearly on plain paper

I have a 32K BBC

I enclose a cheque/PO made payable to SOFTWARE SUPERMARKET OR CHARGE MY VISA/ACCESS/EUROCARD/MASTERCARD No: m rrm nm ltd

Signature Packing Please write clearly. If we can't read it. you won't get it Postage & UK add 75p per order Name Europe ADD £1 .00 Der Droaiam

Address . Outside Europ ; ADD £1.50 program

Postcode: Total Order

PHONE NO: , if any, in case of query CURES N>1 muniJIYSCMmRE! BET A -BASE £25 DISC REPLICA II: £12.00. NEW ONESHOT: £12.00 DISC a 8 GREAT FEATURES • Full feature trace utility. The original REPLICA set a very high WHAT IS A DATABASE? •Single step through BASIC program or standard so the specification we set our halt at user determined interval. chief programmer included impossible It is a FILE which contains RECORDS. some • Print line number prior to execution. features. Records consist of a number of FIELDS In fact ACORN state that some of • Obey fixed instructions before executing the things that containing the information— an analogy can we have done are impossible, a line. it just took us longer that's all. II be drawn with a card index in which a box of REPLICA •Trace window allows screen to be seen cards is the file. Each card is a record and transfers most cassette based programs to whilst tracing execution. disk, each line on the card is a field. even more than REPLICA. When you • " Printer only will force trace output to a buy disk drives you do not have to throw printer allowing full screen disptey. SPECIFICATION away expensive cassette based programs. •Ability to dynamically alter control of ONESHOT. REPLICA II transfers 'LOCKED' programs, 1) Random Access—disc based, single or • ONESHOT can be configured to run in programs loading as files, programs that dual drives any area of memory. load below &EOO, those with up to 6 2) File Size— 99K (40 track), 199K (80 track) sections and those up to &6E in length eg ONESHOT is a 1.25kb machine code I —65,000 + records adventure programs. No waiting for 6 program which gives the user several 3) Record Size— up to 2048 characters and minutes whilst adventure programs load. powerful aids in debugging BASIC 200 fields programs. These include the ability to 4) Field Size— to 254 characters with up REPLICA II is very easy to use. The user SINGLE STEP through the BASIC code of complete line scanning enters a name, how many sections and the target program, stopping the processing Access any record using Primary 5) Key in whether CHAIN^RUN or'LOAD to load the at specified points and comprehensive trace 2 seconds first section. Press play and let the program functions of the variables Holds— used by the target 6) 1200 NAMES AND ADDRESS do the rest, even a menu. program. records on 100K disk Think how much it will cost you to buy just 1 A very powerful option allows the user to 7) Search— 500 records on 5 fields in disk version of your favourite program— enter a string into 60 seconds command function key REPLICA II which will hold up to 16 and instruct ONESHOT to obey this 8) Sort— 500 records on 3 fields in programs, limited only by the disk capacity. 60 seconds command BEFORE each line is executed e.g. *KEY0 PRINT X%| M will print the value SYSTEM FEATURES of X% before executing each line. This is a FX 80 PRINTER DRIVER £12.00 very simple example and it is possible to do much more complex •CALCULATE— using any valid expression PRINTER DRIVER things including FOR EPSON FX80 printing the value and store results AND VIEW of a variable only when it • POWERFUL PRINTOUT OPTION — changes or when it reaches a certain value Multi-page driver with print menu allowing Eliminates need for separate mailing or falls within a certain range. This option the setting of global (document wide) printer program, Parallel/Serial Printout allows can also be used to dynamically alter functions at printer initialisation. setting of printer control codes, line spacing, ONESHOT as it is working. The power of this The print menu program contains a tabulation, Headings etc, plus label printing option is only limited by the users ingenuity. sophisticated character generator which with horizontal and vertical tab control. In addition to ONESHOT the disc also allows the construction of 95 user defined • REDEFINE— Titles, field widths, number contains 3 very useful function key routines. characters which are then accessible from of fields, number of records etc. The first will search for any DEFPROC or VIEW via a highlight option. •TRANSFER— Records from one file to DEFFN and print the line numbers in which Supplied on disc with comprehensive user another. they appear together with the name of the manual. •SEARCH LISTS— Allow creation of sub- procedure or function. The second will Databases within main Database. search for a specific procedure or function and print the line numbers containing it. DISCDEX: £15.00 HE>N* DISC The third routine will print out every active variable together with its present value. • GLOBALENTRY enables repetitive data to •Catalogues all your discs quickly and ONESHOT is not compatible with double be typed in once and placed in as many easily. density interfaces. records as required. Can also be used with a • Room to store four thousand titles. search list to provide a powerful global •Quick search and load option. edit/update facility that will save hours of • Compatible with single or dual drives. FUN HOUSE: £10.00 DISC typing. • Extensive print options for catalogue is highly original suite of # SPOOLER enables you to create spooled and disc labels. FUN HOUSE a educational programs suitable for ages 3 to files that are compatible with Wordwise, View • Update and delete options. other 13. The program is designed to encourage and word processors. You can •Supplied with stick on labels to number children to spell words which relate to therefore present your data within a your discs and a supply of labels objects found around the home. Animation document or in varying formats etc. for printing your own disc labels. The spooler program will allow to format and music are used to good effect and some DISCDEX is the answer to a disc users are incorporated. your spooled file in the same way as the print highly original ideas nightmare. How many times have out option. You can therefore have headings, you had to Each room exercise is terminated with a wade through your discs looking for the file columns, titles, numbers etc. warning item e.g. the lounge finishes with that you know is there somewhere? * INPUT is a routine included on the disc Now 'FIRE' which goes on to engulf the whole with DISCDEX those days are gone. which will allow you to write utilities for lounge. Tests with a newly hired 4 year old accessing your data and tailored specifically DISCDEX will catalogue all your discs and resulted in us having to prise him away from to your needs. store them in alphabetic order. In addition to the keyboard after 2 hours. In that time he # TUBE compatible with the 6502 second the very useful search and load facility had gone from never having used a keyboard processor. DISCDEX will also print out a full catalogue to finding the location of all the keys very # Comprehensive manual and tutorial. in alphabetic or disc order. Even more useful quickly and entering the correct answer. is the All timings and sizes are relative to ACORN ability to print disc labels for sticking He had thus started on the path to learning DFS. Compatible with ACORN DFS, on the disc or the jacket. spelling and familiarised himself with the including the of DELETE to WATFORD 1 .3 and latest AMCOM DFS DISCDEX is only suitable for discs with 31 keyboard use mistakes. afford not to SERIES B. file names as in the standard ACORN correct his Can you give your children the same start? • ORIGINAL USERS send your disc plus £3 system. It is not suitable for double density for up grade. interfaces. FUN HOUSE is not compatible with double density interfaces. Send for detailed newsletter. All prices inclusive of VAT & Carriage— NO EXTRAS! Please state 40 ot 80 track disc Dept. AU12 98 Middlewich Rd., All Disc Software now ares Northwich, Cheshire CW9 7DA. available on 3" disc- d Tel 0606 48511 add £3 to printed prices MICRO SUPPLIES Open 9—5pm Monday—Friday

Viewdata communications system tor the BBC micro. The first system to unlock the full power of the BBC micro. Nothing further required beyond the BBC micro and the new 600 series B.T. phone socket. SCHOOLS Log on to any other Viewdata system. Hatfield Advisory Unit lor Computer Based Education have negotiated a special schools deal' and are selling the Local mode Become your own 'micro-PRESTEL'. off-line system + the TERMINAL software + a book on Educational uses of Viewdata + sample database disk, under the bases telesoftwarc. Create your own Viewdata and extended schools licence lor the same price £45.00 + VAT. Enquiries to Hatfield AUCBE. Let others access them over the phone. For further information and order form write to: FULL SYSTEM £325.00 + VAT + pp CommunlTEL Ltd. LOCAL £45. (X) + VAT + pp 189 Freston Road,

Concise Computer Consultants Ltd. COMPUTERS DISK DRIVES MONITORS B.B.C. B £375.00 SINGLE DRIVES 12" GREEN ZENITH £ 79.00 B.B.C. B + DFS £465.00 40TRKs/s £ 98.00 ELECTRON £199.00 40TRKd/s £158.00 MICROVITEC WITH FREE CASSETTE 40-80 TRKd/s £178.00 14" RGB norm res £198.00 14"RGBmedres £331.00 DUAL DRIVES 14" RGB high res £478.00 PRINTERS 40TRKs/s £188.00 SPECIAL 40 TRKd/s £174.00 THIS MONTH ONLY 40-80 TRKd/s £358.00 GRAPHICS QUEN-DATA 80 TRKd/s £348.00 40-80 TRK + PSU £428.00 B.B.C. GRAF-PAD £140.00 DOT MATRIX PRINTERS Built in Monitor Stand MARCONI RB2 £ 63.00 DMP-81 80 column £149.00 TRACKER BALL DP-100(100cps) £225.00 FLOPPY DISKS Light Pen £ 25.00 DAISY WHEEL PRINTERS ACCESSORIES 10 s/s s/d £ 9.99 DWP1120(20cps) £259.00 CASSETTE £ 25.00 compatible 10 s/s d/d £12.50 Fully QUME ACORN Cassette £ 35.00 10 d/s d/d £14.00 TRACTOR FEED £ 95.00 QUICKSHOT2 £ 15.00 SHEET FEEDER £249.00 10 d/s d/d 80TK £17.00 AUTO FIRE JOYSTICK SOFTWARE Joystick adap. £ 11.00 MODEMS Cassette Lead £ 1.72 OELTELEMOD3 £ 148.00 Most items available 24 hrs A TO BE Upgrade Kit £ 75.00

B.T. approved

RING RING 01-681 6842 ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT. 01-681 6842 1 Carlton Road, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 0BP

138 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 IS PAPER WORK GETTING ON TOP OF YOU ? CAN BE YOUR STEPPING STONE TO EFFECTIVE FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL PAYROLL £29.95 PURCHASE/SALES LEDGER £29.95 ALL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE STOCK CONTROL £17.95 AS A BUSINESS STARTER NON VAT ACCOUNTS £17.95 PACK FOR THE SPECIAL CASH PLANNER £12.95 PRICE OF £99.50 MAILING LIST £17.95 THE PRICES ABOVE ARE FOR THE CASSETTE VERSION OF THESE PROGRAMS, DISC VERSIONS USING RANDOM ACCESS FILES ARE AVAILABLE FROM OCTOBER 1ST 1984.

ALL SOFTWARE PROVIDED BY ABACUS, IS FULLY SUPPORTED BY THE COMPANY.

[AlBggpfsi

21 UNION STREET RAMSBOTTOM, LANCS PHONE: 0204 52726

HIGHLIGHT SOFTWARE Stake your survival BBC & ELECTRON READ WRITE AWAY on Spaceman Sid.

". . . / suspect these are the sort of programs children will enjoy taking home in days to come for learning with these really is fun, Another great and mums and dads will play with them after children are challenge from ,." tucked up in bed just for the pleasure of the graphics. A&B COMPUTING. English Software Survival on Earth depends on 'Spaceman Sid'. Reading Pack 1. Age 5-8 SPLASHDOWN FIREFIGHT And 1 hat means YOU! Building 3 letter words si .sm .sn-.sp.bl etc Get behind the controls of Reading Pack 2. Age 6-9 your laser-armed combat PYRAMIDS SPLOOSH rover- and start the battle.

oi , , oa-, ai- . . oo-, ee-, ea-, ou th . eh sh wh-. The Martians have Reading Pack 3. Age 7-10 MAGIC E BREAK-IN taken over our dilithium "Magic e" spelling rule. Soft "c"lsoft "g" sounds. mines on the planet Reading Pack 4. Age 8-11 Tribos and re-capturing SORTOUT LETTERBUGS those essential mines is Unscrambling hidden words. Alphabetical sorting. your tough challenge. But watch those Martians Available DEALERS, selected your local dealer today. now from MICROPOWER - they're loaded with dirty branches of -JOHN MENZ1ES, BOOTS and by mail order Tomorrow itsell could tricks. And watch out for the (please state whether you require B.B.C. or ELECTRON version). beat stake! Telephone or write for our new catalogue with details of our full other hazards of space travel programs range of . . . you won't have to wait long, we can guarantee! PRICE PER READING PACK There are 3 progressive Cassette: £7.95 40 Track Disc: £11.95 levels of difficulty of play. All prices include V.A.T. That applies to both Acorn Electron and BBC Model B users. THE POWER OF EXCITEMENT 'Spaceman Sid' is The English Software Company, lor just available on cassette Box 4^, Manchcswi M60 5AD £7.95, so beam voursell into Ii.kIc Enquiries Tel: 061-835 1358

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 139 BBC MICRO

- with lots and lot;

We confidently predict this will be the Thursday biggest Show we have ever organised - witl

Sunday more exhibitors than ever before and with 6 many hundreds of really worthwhile bargains for all our visitors. December 9 Among our exhibitors are all the leadin; Decembei names in the world of the BBC Micro and New Horticultural Hall Electron. And they are determined to Westminster, make this a show to remember, with London SW1 a whole host of hardware and software bargains. Reduced prices for School/College Groups

Entry only £1 per student if bookings are made in advance. Send your cheque (made payable to Database Publications) and SAE to:

Electron & BBC Micro User Show 68 Chester Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5NY. Tel: 061-456 8383.

Valid for a minimum of 10 people

^ SAVE MONEY with our ^ Special Travel and Hotel Offer Visitors to the Show can obtain cut-price rail tickets from ANY station in the United Kingdom - plus special reduced prices at London hotels. Write to:

Travel Offer, P.O. Box 1, St. Albans AL1 4ED with SAE or Telephone: St. Albans 34475 quoting: The Electron & BBC Micro User Show. &$$k :<°^?

i. T

rtjof Christmas bargains! V

You'll be able to try and buy some fascinating new games that are destined to be the top sellers this Christmas - and well into 1985. You'll be able to inspect new hardware packages that will make your micro much more powerful and much more versatile.

And on our Technical Advice Stand you'll be able to discuss any problems you may have with experts who know the BBC Micro and Electron inside out.

Don't miss the show^^eirB^il: your questions are answered!

By handing in this voucher at the door you save £1 off BBC MICRO the normal admission price of £3 (adults) and \3Sv_vC7 £2 (children). ^C'g^^T^ V*-^ (Valid for a maximum of 4 people) ^%^J^^^^^ (Only 1 voucher per person) 10am-5pm, Thursday, December 6 is worth £1 10am-5pm, Friday, December 7 10am-5pm, Saturday, December 8 10am-4pm, Sunday, December 9 New Horticultural Hall per head Westminster, London SW1

Number attending [TJ [T\ QT] [T]

5THSS. J^y^ssmmT t'ffliraiHK FAMILY HISTORY COMES ALIVE! with BEL GEN from BEL TECH BEL TECH for BBC and ELECTRON

DEDICATED DATA BASE WITH ADDITIONAL POWERFUL OPTIONS FOR STUDY AND PLEASURE

MENU DRIVEN, SOPHISTICATED but EASY TO USE 360 PEOPLE/FILE on truely RANDOM ACCESS DISC VERSION (720 on 80 TRACK, 75 on TAPE) ADD, BROWSE, SORT (Any Field), CONDITIONAL PRINTS/DISPLAY OWN FORMAT, EDIT, FIND, SAVE, SEND PRINTER CONTROL CHARACTERS, SELECT DISC DRIVES. ALL OPTIONS can be DISPLAYED OR PRINTED FIELDS (TOTAL OF 20) ARE:

FAMIL Y NAME GIVEN NAMES GENDER OCCUPA TION PLACE DA TE of BIRTH/BAPTISM DA TE of DEA TH/BURIAL No. of CHILDREN SPOUSES (Up to 3) DA TES OF MA RRIAGE REMARKS/NOTES

ALL DATES can be CIRCA, ESTIMATED, ACTUAL SPECIAL SEARCHES AND PRINTS/DISPLAYS BEL TECH additional to OWN REPORTS Software i

ANY NAME or PLACE No. of CHILDREN GENDER of CHILDREN PERIOD of YEARS ANY FOUR GENERATIONS LONGEVITY TAPE DISC TOTAL k££S^fci>^ JOTV on SUPPLIED WITH TEST DATA FILE 'ROYAL' AND BEL BASE 16.00 18.00 COMPREHENSIVE MANUAL BEL GRAPH 15.00 17.00 TAPE USERS CAN UPGRADE TO DISC LATER FOR £3.00 BEL CHEM Chemistry 1 9.50 1150

Chemistry 2 9.50 11.50

BEL GEN 15.00 17.00 MALE PARENTAL LINE Geneology KEY PERSON GEORGE WINDSOR i MAIL SHOT 9.50 11.50 BEL PLOT 950 11.50 SAXE-COBURG HANOVER MALE/FEMALE LINE BEL SUBS 10.50 1230 ALBERT VICTORIA

1819-1861 1819-1901 TOTAL inc. P. ft P. £ GERMANY OSBORNE FAMILY TREE

i ADDRESS for any person

SAXE-COBURG SAXE-COBURG on file EDWARD ALEXANDRA COMPUTER TYPE -MODEL .

DISC |il applic I 1841-1910 1845-1925 CREDIT CARD No PAYMENT BY CHEQUE PO VISA ACCESS LONDON DENMARK + Please Complete & Return to - BEL TECH Limited. Stanmore Industrial Estate, Bndgnortri Shropshire WV1S5HP or Telephone: 07462 5420 (24 Hrs.) 2

HOME- GROWN DATA- BASE

Do friends move too fast to keep tabs on? Mike Fryer's database management program could be your answer

ADDRESS book is a mess -a sists of supplementary information, is given its own field as it would be im- MYjungle of crossings out and il- often not required for printing, but use- possible to sort by surname otherwise. legible handwriting. The thought ful for defining subsets of the data. For A large database management pro- of rewriting it every year or so is so example, each of my address records gram doesn't leave much space for daunting that I've started amending the has the general format: data (especially when using a disc amendments -hence this program! Its filing system). Consequently you must Field 1: Title, initials use is not restricted to lists of consider the type and number of Field 2: Surname addresses or telephone numbers -it records you wish to save when design- Fields 3, 4, 5: Address can be used for records of any kind, ing (or buying) a system. Field 6: Telephone Number such as a list of computer programs There are two main types: Keywords: Relation? together with a brief description of their Send Christmas card? Cassette based: The management contents and location, or a bibli- program plus all the data are in ography of useful computer articles. so that one might look like: the computer throughout the run. A database in its simplest form con- Mr.J.C. Consequently relatively few records sists of a set of records in the same Smith, can be accommodated (200-300 general format that can be manipu- 49, Acacia Avenue, addresses?). lated, sorted and printed in various for- BloxtononSea, Disc based: The management pro- mats using a database management Norfolk. gram is always in memory, but with program. For convenience each record 20826 is divided into the same number of UR.XC fields and keywords. A field is the basic See yellow pages 1 09-1 1 element of the record. It is either Here I'm using UR to represent unre- for Mike Fryer's database printed or not, and can be used to sort lated, and to remind send XC me to a management program the records. A keyword usually con- Christmas card. Note that the surname

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 THE DISK DRIVE YOUR MICRO WOULD CHOOSE FOR ITSELF

1 " THE TEAC 5 /4 DISK DRIVE FOR THE BBC 'B' MICRO Any self-respecting BBC B' Micro seeking a disk drive of high reliability and performance would immediately identify the TEAC 5W mechanism as the complete solution. A quality product, it is extensively industry-proven in major systems applications all over the world. Now available for the home, education or office user direct from Mail Order Micros, the "Computamate" - using the TEAC B'A" Disk Drive - guarantees trouble-free high speed data access every time: and what more could a micro ask?

• Single and dual models available with capacities up to 800K. (All 80 track models are switchable 40/80). • Supplied with leads, utility disk, instructions: ready for use with your BBC 'B' Micro DFS Disk Interface. • Oatmeal moulded box to match your micro. • Fully stackable, plus extending tilt-action "legs" to ease disk insertion. • 12 months parts and labour warranty. • The Mail Order Micros "Computamate" is supported by the resources of a major multi-national -- public company.

w to order: fNG«AflANTJS£Q pst- complete the cot your requirements am pi. AU12, Mail Order Micros, otia Road, Bursiem, Stoke on Trent, ST6 4DX close your cheque/P.G, (made payable to computamate

lil Order Micros) or use ass/Barciaycard number. By telephone- ring 0782811711 to purchase by phone dhrtston ol Thomas French PLC Bdif card holders only) Available only from Mail Orter Micros, a

INTRODUCTORY PRICES ONLY Postto: Dept. AU12,

SINGLE DRIVES COST (Incl. VAT) QUANTITY TOTAL (£) Mail Order Micros, Scotia Road, FD-55A SS 40TK 100K £119.95 Bursiem, Stoke on Trent, ST6 4DX FD-55B OS 40TK 20OK £165.95 FD-55E* SS80TK200K £165.95 FD-55F* DS80TK40QK £189.95 TWIN DRIVES FD-55A SS 40TK 100K £239.90 FD-55B OS 40TK 200K £33190

FD-55E* SS80TK20OK £331.90 . FD-55F* DS80TK400K £379.90

DUAL DRIVES (with integral power supply, available only in metal non-tilting box at present) *l enclose cheque/P.O.forL FD-55A SS 40TK 100K £28980 FD-55B DS 40TK 20OK £381.95 •Please debit my Access/Barclaycard Number. FD-55E* SS80TK200K £359.95 FD-55F- DS80TK400K £414.95

Post and Packing (Firs) Unit) £5.75 Signature.

Post and Packing (each additional unit) £2.50 (Credit Card orders must be signed by the card holder. Address above •Price includes 40/80 switch must be the same as card holder) MEDIA '(Please delete as appropriate) Box ol 10 Diskettes 40TK SS £18.50 exciting Box ol 10 Diskettes 80TK SS £21.25 For further information on these products, or for details of other 1/2" 3" Drives, Box ol 10 Diskettes 80TK DS £27.00 products, including TEAC 3 and Disk telephone 0782

Postage & Packing per box ol Diskettes £1.00 811711. TOTALE Enquiries from Dealers and Educational Authorities welcome.

744 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 only a small subset of the data. This records without it. For example, to Option 5 Choose this to sort the

allows for very large data sets, but produce a list of people I send Christ- records into alphabetical order by any

there are a terrific number of disc mas cards to, I would choose this field. You are asked the field number, reads/writes, which lead to relatively option to eliminate all records without and the sort takes place, which can take

slow sorting, for example. the keyword XC. quite a few seconds if there are several hundreds of records. The program described here (listed on Option 6 It's useful to be able to modify yellow pages 109-1 12) is one which will of the fields of particular - work as a cassette system, or can be one a record to correct an address or change a overlayed' for a disc system, so that

I . Start new Data Fi le keyword. Use this option in conjunction although all the data are always in with the COPY key. memory, only the 'active' part of the Load a Data File program is resident. This releases Option 7 The raison d'etre of this pro- further memory for data. Add records gram. Output of all or part of the data This of management program is type set can be sent either to the printer or EkM suitable for those who are using a the screen. You can choose how many X : Delete records cassette system but are considering records are printed across the page upgrading to discs. It also has the ort records (check your paper width!) and the verti- advantage that with overlays extra cal separation between the records. subroutines can be added without -"> riodi^y a record Next you are requested to give the tab reducing the upper size of the data set. position for each record across the

I cassette-based *\ will describe the Print Da t a F i 1 e screen (eg, these might be 5, 25 and 45 instructions for overlay- program, but if three are required). You are now ing the subroutines for the disc system _ . Save Data Fi le asked for each field in turn, and are given at the end. The program is whether it is to be output or not. If the ExI menu driven (figure 1), and the items answer is 'yes" you have to supply the on the menu are as follows: 'number of leading spaces' -the Number of choice ; number of spaces beyond the tab set

1 If want to zero the file in Option you Figure 1. The menu above. If 100 is added to this number memory or start a new file choose this. then the next field to be output is You will be required to state the printed on the same line. So for an R*cord Number 1 number of fields and the maximum address the number of leading spaces Field (Max length) number of characters in each, together for the first field might be 100and for the

1 C20> 'MACHINE CODE with the number of keywords. The total second, 1. This would mean that the number of characters in each record 2 <20> 7SMITH title, initials and surname would be 255. listing allows cannot exceed The 3 <4> 7123 printed on the same line with one space for up to 200 records of six fields but you between the fields. To check that can change these values by suitably •»MACHINE CODE, CODE you've set up the print parameter cor- modifying line 100. rectly it's worthwhile just printing the Press RETURN to add another record, first few records. Figure 2 shows the Option 2 Choose this to read in an M for MENU . commands to print the first three existing data file from tape (or disc). addresses, two across the page. The This data will be added to the end of any Constructing a record output is shown in figure 3. Figures 4 data file already in memory. If the data and 5 show how to convert the address in memory and on the tape file are not list into one of telephone numbers. To completely compatible (in that they Range of records to be output avoid too much typing, you are given have the same number of fields, etc), first.last (0.0 for all records): 1 ,3 the chance of repeating the same out- then the process will be aborted and put format the next time you choose this you will be returned to the menu. How many records across screen ( < 5) ?2 How many lines between records ?2 option. in further Option 3 Use this to type RECORD NUMBER 1 Option 8 The main parameters to- records to add to any already in Position of Left Margin :5 gether with the data are saved on the memory. Each of the fields is checked RECORD NUMBER 2 currently open unit (either cassette or for length, as is the total number of Position of Left Margin :35 disc). characters in the keywords. Note that Print Field! (Y/N)?Y leading spaces :100 you will be asked to re-input any invalid Number of Option 9 Choose this to leave the Print Field 2 (Y/N)?Y field. It is quite acceptable to input system. Number of leading spaces :1 blank fields or fewer keywords than Print Field 3 (Y/N)?Y Much of the data will be checked on requested, but if more keywords are Number of leading spaces :0 input. However, to avoid the program input the excess is disregarded in later Print Field 4 (Y/N)?Y being too long, any other errors operations. Number of spaces :0 leading (including the 'panic button' Escape) Print Field 5 (Y/N) ? Y Option 4 This allows you to delete redirect the program to the menu after Number of leading spaces :0 records -either by the number of the reporting the error. For example, if any Print Field 6 (Y/N) ?Y keyword. If character outside the range 1 to 9 is record or by a you choose Number of leading spaces :0 'Number', then give the numbers of the Print Keywords (Y/N) ?Y used with the menu, an 'ON range' first and last records to be deleted in Number of leading spaces :0 error is reported before returning to the the form FIRST.LAST. To delete a Press 'P' to print, 'L' to list P menu. single record NN, just type NN.NN. If Overlays are for disc use only. The is into its you choose 'Keyword' you are given Figure 2. The commands for printing the first program split up constituent the choice of whether to eliminate three addresses in blocks of two across the parts and arranged so that at any time all records with that keyword or all page only the 'active' procedures are in

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 .

BBC Microcomputer in the NORTH CTECH Computers Te1ephone:06 1-366-8223/7794

Acorn Equipment Computers £ p SPECIAL OFFER £ p BBC Model B 6502 2nd Processor 173.04 346.95 BBC B £379 BBC Model B with DFS 407.82 Z80A 2nd Processor 346.95 BBC Model B with DFS & Econet 439.00 INCL VAT Teletext Adaptor 199.00 BBC Model B with DFS & Wordwise 433.92 WITH FREE DELIVERY Electron Computer 173.04 Electron + 1 51.30 All computers come with Free Cassette Lead and Software Package. Most add-ons include free fitting and installation. Monitors Addons Philips Hi Res 68.69 DISKETTES HCR Electronics ROM/RAM board 36.52 Microvitec Normal Res 199.00 HCR Electronics Eprom programmer 49.00 Ferguson TX-90 RGB/TV 199.00 Light Pen 21.69 Kaga Normal Res 179.00 OEL 200 Prestel Terminal 87.39 Kaga Medium Res 285.00 Acorn Speech Synth 47.83 Chip Chat Speech Synth 2604 Light Pens and Joysticks Pace Grapevine POA Addon Light Pen 21.70 ROM Software JMB Full Analogue Joystick 13.00 Wordwise 34.74 Joystick Pairs Boxes of 1 17.35 diskettes Graphics ROM 2865 Hi-Fi Extension Cable BASF s/s d/d diskettes £1 3.00 5.17 Print Master 28.65 BASF d/s d/d diskettes 96 TPI Atari-type joystick to BBC interface 13.00 View 2.1 £20.78 5209 Ultra -Calc 56.48 Components and Cables XIDEX diskettes £15.22 1.2 O.S. 10.00 Control Data d/s d/d 96 TPI We stock everything e.g.: Disk Doctor £19.91 2865 2764 Eprom 6.52 BCPL 86.09 Control Data s/s d/d 96 TPI Termi 27128 Eproms Low £14.74 2865 8271 Disk Controller POA Commstar 30.39 Viewsheet Printer Cables 12.99 Masterclass Video Tape. Our 52.09 Beebugsoft Toolkit Disk Power Cables price £8.95 23.48 8.65 Spellcheck 17.35 DISK DRIVES FROM £95.00 + VAT Bare TEC CHINON F051 0/CUMANA CSX1 00, Slimline. 40 Track, Single Sided. 1 00K (200K Double Density). As above but complete TEAC with Cables, Utility Disk, Cables. Case and Manual. £109.00 + VAT Bare TEAC55F, Slimline, 40/80 Track, Double Sided 400K (800K at Double Density). £169.00 + VAT CHINON As above but complete with Cables, Utility Disk, Cables. Case and Manual. £185.00 + VAT TEC Disc Drives from £109.00 + VAT

TEC DUAL DRIVES FROM £199 + VAT Dual Slimline, CHINON F051D, 40 Track. Single Sided 2 x 10OK (2 x 200K Double Density). Complete with Cables, Utility Disk TEAC Cables, Case and Manual. £369 + VAT Dual TEAC 55F, Slimline. 40/80 Track. Double Sided. x CHINON 2 400K (2 x 800K with Double Density). Complete with Cables. Utility Disk, Cables, Case and Manual. (With your drive you may need an interface). £389.00 + VAT

DISK INTERFACES FROM £69.00 + VAT The Fabulous LVL Single and Double Density Interface. This will allow you to read and write to Acorn Disks see below. But also you Ca r te V° ur °wn Sm le 0R Double Density Diskettes for extra online storage. 1 o f o 9 Maximum capacity is 1 .6 MB with 8 logical drives #-»v*ACORN\j n iv and files. 248 The standard Acorn Interface is available from us this uses the 8271 disk controller which gives very fast access to disk files. Acorn is DFS the standard for the BBC Micro it allows 31 file's per disk and a maximum of 800K on 4 logical drives. Phone for latest prices.

PRINTERS CANON PW 1080A/KAGA KP810. This is the latest state of the art in printer technology. This machine out performs the EPSON FX80. It will do everything the FX80 does and more besides and using the same control codesl What makes the PW1080A so special is not only its superb value for money but the near LETTER QUALITY mode. We include a free screen dump and our BBC CANON Micro Instructions as well as the excellent manual. £259 +. VAT. NEC QUEN 51 00 Daisywheel This British assembled printer has all the features that you would expect like Auto Bold, Auto Underline. Sheet Feeder option. Take Qume daisywheels and Ribbons, 20Cps Bi Directional. £299 + VAT QUEN NEC PC-8023N Dot Matrix Printer Bi-directional (1 20 cps), tractor and friction bed. £199.00 + VAT QUEN DATA Dot Matrix Printer (Epsom Compatible) British assembled. £173.04 + VAT

FREE DELIVERYTODAY PRICES . . (Orders over £90) C TECH All our prices are ft ASK ABOUT OUR COMPUTERS constantly INSTALLATION SERVICE moving, so If you are in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, 184 Market Street, please ring us to check Lancashire, Midlands, Merseyside, West Hyde, Cheshire Yorkshire or South Yorkshire, if you ring us the latest price. now we can send one of our highly trained SK14 1EX staff to install your computer equipment All prices plus VAT today. 061-366 7794 (Now for business software tool) 061-366 8223

146 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 OSCLI at &FFF7 when a new overlay is Name Line numbers Contents Size required. (approx) Here are the additions and amend- ments we must make: DBASEO 10- 560 MAIN,PROCmenu,PROCunpak 696 DBASE1 570- 770 PROCnew 258 Add DBASE2 780-1040 PROCold 2BE 72 REM reserves space for overlays DBASE3 1050-1280 PROCadd 214 74 LOMEM = TOP + &700 DBASE4 1290-1990 PROCdel.PROCdnum.PROCdkey, 76 REM removes 'end of program' PROCsplit,PROComit 4B1 marker DBASE5 2000-2190 PROCsort 1AB 78t%=TOP-2 DBASE6 2200-2400 PROCmod 188 79oflgS="0" DBASE7 2410-3230 PROCprnt,PROCoutput,PROCblank, 551 DEFPROCoverlay(nS) PROCjoin 6F8 553 IF n$< >oflg$ oflg$=n$ ELSE DBASE8 3240-3410 PROCsave 114 ENDPROC 555 $&C00="LOAD DBASE" + n$+" " + STR$-(t%) Table 1 . The nine sections of the program 557 X% - 0:Y% = &C:CALL &FFF7 559 ENDPROC Mrs. A. Diggle, Mrs. A. Fryer, The Firs, 19, Cumberland Drive Note that in line 74 &700 is larger than Claxton, Holton, the longest overlay (table 1). Somerset. Devon. Replace 501597 331789 330PROCoverlay("1") PROCnew:pb% UR R.XC = 0:ENDPROC 340PROCoverlay("2") PROCold: Mr. J. C.Smith. ENDPROC 49, Acacia Avenue, 350PROCoverlay("3") PROCadd: Bloxton on Sea, ENDPROC Norfolk. 360PROCoverlay("4") PROCdel: 20826 ENDPROC UR.XC 370PROCoverlay("5") PROCsort: ENDPROC Figure 3. The output generated by the commands in figure 2 380PROCoverlay("6") PROCmod: ENDPROC memory, thus saving space and ena- DBASE8 are moved in and out of 390PROCoverlay("7") PROCprnt: bling us to work with larger databases. memory as and when required. In ENDPROC I've split the program into nine sections order to use overlays, sufficient 400PROCoverlay("8") PROCsave: (table 1). DBASEO is the main program, memory has to be saved above the ENDPROC always resident, whereas DBASE1 to main program for the largest of these overlays to be loaded, ie, we increase With this overlay technique, it's easy to LOMEM by a suitable amount, prevent- write your own procedures and incor- Range of records to be output ing this region being used for data. porate them via the menu and a call to first.last (0,0 for all records): 0.0 Next, the computer has to be fooled into the procedure using the ON GOTO sta- Repeat Format (Y/N) ? N thinking the overlay is part of the main tement in line 320. For example, you the of pro- might find it useful to be able to inter- How many records across screen ( < 5) ? program, by removing 'end How many lines between records ?1 gram' marker, which resides in the last change fields, to add fields to existing RECORD NUMBER 1 two bytes below TOP. Finally, we call records or even to allow for mathemat- Position of Left Margin :1 the correct overlay when required. To ical manipulations of numeric fields Print Field 1 (Y/N) ?Y do this I've written a short subroutine to (eg, to automatically update a person's Number of leading spaces :100 be added to DBASEO, which sends the age by subtracting his birthdate from Print Field 2 (Y/N) ?Y correct *LOAD request via a call to the present date) - the list is endless. Number of leading spaces :101 Print Field 3 (Y/N) ?N Print Field 4 (Y/N) ?Y Number of leading spaces :104 Print Field 5 (Y/N) ?N Print Field 6 (Y/N) ?Y Number of leading spaces :2 Print Keywords (Y/N) ?N Press 'P' to print, 'L' to list P

Figure 4. The commands to convert the list of addresses into one of telephone numbers

Mrs. A. Diggle.Claxton, 501597 Mrs. A. Fryer, Holton, 331789 Mr. J. C. Smith, Bloxton on Sea, 20826

Figure 5. The list of telephone numbers out- put by the commands given in figure 4

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 r

UNIT 14. PEERGLOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, OLD'S APPROACH, TOLPITS LANE, WATFORD, HERTS. 4 © TELEPHONE: 0923 777155 ©

SLIMLINE DRIVES LEADS "READY-MADE" Inc VAT DIN plug (RGB) 1 5mt 2.99c ea SINGLE DRIVES CASED: Inc VAT 6 pin DIN to 6 pin @ i 6 pin DIN to 6 pin DIN plug (RGB) 2mt @ 3.45c ea 139.09a 40 Track 100K CHINON @ 6 pin DIN to 6 pin DIN plug (RGB) coiled cab e a 6 90c ea 40/80 Track 200K Switchable TEAC 55 @ 164.91a 6 pin DIN plug to 6 pin DIN skt (RGB) extension a 2.99c ea Disc Drive 4 way 1.5mt 3.45c ea 40/80 Track 400K Switchable TEC 178.94a BBC Power 6 way to @ @ BBC Power 6 way to Disc Drive 4 way 2mt @ 4.14c ea DUAL DRIVES CASED: BBC Power 6 way to 2 Disc Drive 4 way 1.5mt @ 4.60c ea 40 Track 200K CHINON @ 268.18a RIBBON LEADS: Inc VAT Disc Drive single 1.2mt @ 6.67c ea 40/80 Track 400K Switchable TEAC 55 @ 329.82a Disc Drive dual 1 2mt @10.12cea 40/80 Track 800K Switchable TEC @ 357.88a Printer Imt @ 7.82c ea INTEGRAL POWER SUPPLY: Printer 1.5mt @1 1.27c ea Parallel 26-26 pin 1mt @ 7.59c ea Fitted to any of the above drives @ 26.45b Parallel 26-26 pin 1.5mt @ 8.74c ea 26-26 pin 2mt 9.43c ea POWER SUPPLY UNIT: 32.20b Parallel @ @ Serial 25 pin D type plug each end 2ml @ 12.88c ea * Colour finished to match BBC. Serial 25 pin D type plug each end 5mt @15 18c ea • 6 pin BBC Outlet or Dual Power lead for disk drive. (Please We can make up any com )ination ol cable assy specify when ordering) Please contact factory lor details CONNECTORS: Plugs: Sockets: FLOPPY DISCS: (Boxes of Ten) BBC Power 6 way housing @ 0.35c 0.40c ea 3M's S/Sided D/Density 5.25" @16.10c BBC Crimp Terminals @ 0.08c 0.09c ea Disc Drive 4 way housing ® 0.29c 0.24c ea 3M'sD/Sided D/Density 5.25" 27.37c @ Disc Drive Crimp Terminals ao toe 0.09c ea Fuji D/Sided D/Density 5.25" @ 27.37c Various Din Connectors @ 0.40c 48c ea ••Special Offer** FUJI DISC INTERFACE PARTS: Inc VAT 10x CARE D/Sided D/Density 5.25" @ 25.30c E'Prom HITACHI HN482764G @ 9.20c ea i Low power Schottky 74LS10 0.48c ea storage/presentation box @ Packed in plastic Low power Schottky 74LS38 OT0 48cea Low power Schottky 74LS123 @ 1.21c ea PHILIPS 14" COLOUR TV/MONITOR: Low power Schottky 74LS393 @ 1 43c ea CMos 4013BCP (a) 0.70c ea 234.60a Inc VAT. @ RGB CONVERSION KIT: C'Mos 4020BCP @ 1.00c ea PHILIPS 14" COLOUR TV: (Please telephone for details) We also stock a wide range ot electrical Components I e. I.C's/Caps/Connectors etc (a) 184.00a Inc VAT. i 38.64c Inc VAT. DON'T BUY A COLOUR MONITOR!! HAVE YOUR 14" & 16" PHILIPS or PYE COLOUR TV CONVERTED TO A TV/MONITOR Normal TV @ 49.91 Inc VAT Remote Control @ 54.97 Inc VAT * Image clarity comparable to leading monitors. * Includes RGB lead for connecting with BBC. * Conversions carried out at our workshops within 2/3 days. * Please telephone for other makes.

••••REDUCED TO CLEAR**** CARE ELECTRONICS presents: CPX2 "X" SWITCHER VIGLEN ROM CARTRIDGE Changing leads becomes a thing of the past!!! SYSTEM * 26 pin (As BBC) 2 Micros driving 2 Printers at the same time. Avoids damage to BBC from changing ROMs * Can be used as a "T" Switcher. constantly. *AII outputs BUFFERED enabling longer leads between units. In excess of 20 Easy to use and install. metres. Prices lower than any other ROM System. * No strain on your BBC power supply, as the "CPX2" comes complete with its own Complete Kit E15.64c Inc VAT internal power supply. Spare Cartridge £4.14c Inc VAT * Easy to install and operate. 5 Cartridges £19.55c Inc VAT * Colour Finished to match BBC. 10 Cartridges £33.60c Inc VAT * Supplied with moulded mains plug. * 12 Months Guarantee. For lafger quantities Consult our factory at the "ONLY' 85.10b Inc VAT. above telephone No.

COMPUTER/PRINTER SELECTOR: @ 65.09c Inc VAT * 26 pin as BBC. * 1 Micro to 3 Printers. * 3 Micros to 1 Printer. MAINS FILTER 5 amp: @ 45.08b Inc VAT * Noise and Transient Filter.

RS232 "T" SWITCHER: I 55.20c Inc VAT. * 4 Socket outlets. <^^ RS232 "X" SWITCHER: 65.09c Inc VAT. ^ * Moulded mains plug. TEL: 0923 7771 55 HOW TO ORDER: By Post. Enclose your Cheque/P.O. made payable to:. CARE Electronics. Or use your ACCESS. Allow 7 days for delivery. Please add carriage. a) @ 8.00 I b) @ 5.00 c) (53 2.00

148 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 UNIT 14, PEERGLOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, OLD'S APPROACH, TOLPITS LANE, WATFORD, HERTS. •S? TELEPHONE: 0923 777155® THE CARE LOW PROFILE ROM/ MICRO MODULE

^ o -f- 4

Don't run the risk of damaging your BBC Unlike other Rom Expansion Systems the micro each time you change Roms. Why CARE LOW PROFILE MODULE SYSTEM not fit our Low Profile Rom Module does not take any power from your BBC System and store your collection of Roms Micro and allows you unlimited in our specially designed cartridges: ROMS/EPROMS.

The CARE PROFILE ROM MODULE SYSTEM LOW EACH SYSTEM CONTAINS: allows you to plug in any ROM/EPROM that you want 1 Low profile to use, such as Disc Doctor — Toolkit — Wordwise etc., ***% without having to open up your BBC micro every time socket housing. you want to change ROM/EPROM. 1 Cable assembly. The CARE LOW PROFILE ROM MODULE SYSTEM 1 Rom cartridge. 1 plate. is an extension of any of the existing sideways ROM Blanking sockets on the left of your keyboard. Once fitted all 1 Fitting instructions. you need is one CARE ROM CARTRIDGE for each ROM/EPROM that you wish to use.

COMPLETE KIT ! £16.10 inc. VAT The CARE LOW PROFILE ROM MODULE SYSTEM Spare Cartridge ( £ 4.14 inc. VAT is suitable for all BBC Micros model B and model A

5 Cartridges ( which have been upgraded to allow access to the £19.55 inc. VAT

sideways ROM sockets. 10Cartrdiges ( £33.60 inc. VAT Each CARE LOW PROFILE ROM MODULE SYSTEM PLEASE ADD £2.00 Carriage comes neatly packaged in a special presentation case.

HOW TO ORDER: By post- enclose your cheque/ P.O. made payable to CARE Electronics or use your ACCESS. Allow 7 days for delivery.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 149 I

THE OLYMPIA RANGE OF DAISYWHEEL PRINTERS A RANGE OF DAISYWHEEL PRINTERS DESIGNED BY OFFICE EQUIPMENT LEADERS O OLYMPIA INTERNATIONAL

OLYMPIA 3000 SERIES Method of printing: Daisywheel interchangeable 100 characters. Print speed: 50 cps maximum. (40 cps Shannon) Form width: 17" Width of Printline: 15". Tabulation: Variable, 60 positions/inch (optional 120) bi- directional, horizontal tabulation direct to column address, halfspace forward. Pitch: 10, 12, 15 characters per inch and proportional spacing. Line length: 150 characters with 10 pitch. 180 characters with 12 pitch. 225 characters with 15 pitch. Method of printing: Automatic bi-directional printing with shortest path seeking logic. Automatically skips over blank fields. Paper feed: Variable, 96 positions/inch, bi-directional. Buffer: 4 K Buffer. Keyboard option. Qume/Diablo. Code option. Function control led: ON/OFF-Line. Paper out. Ribbon out. Cover open. Error.

Printing mode: Bold printing ( 1/120"). Expanded printing. Double strike. Interface: RS232 IEEE. Centronics.

OLYMPIA 103 SERIES

Method of printing: Printing: Automatic bold . ( Dypewheel. exchangeable, 120"). expand and double 96 characters print. Automatic Print speed: 17 characters per bidirectional printing with second, Bidirectional. shortest path seeking. Form width: 17" (431. 8mm) Automatically skips over Width of printline: 14.2" blank fields. (360.6mm) Buffer: 4 kbyte. Tabulation: Variable. 60 Keyboard option. Qume positions/inch. Bidirectional control code. Option for Pitch: 10, 12, 15 characters/ Wordstar inch proportional spacing Function controls led: Line length: 102 ON ()H -Line. Error. 141 characters with 10 pitch 103 ON/OFF-Line. Error. 169 characters with 12 pitch Bold print. 212 characters with 15 pitch Expand print. Double prim. Paper feed: Variable, 96 Interfaces: RS232. positions/inch, Bidirectional, Centronics IEEE. indexing one halfspace up/ down.

OLYMPIA COMPACT SERIES Method of Printing: Daisywheel KM) characters. Interchangeable. Print Speed: 14 cps .5" From Width: 14.3 Width of Printing: 1 1 Pitch: 10, 12. 15 characters per inch.

Line length: 10 pitch- 115 char. 1 2 pitch- 138 char. IS pitch- 172 char. Instruction code: Diablo compatablc (compact R0) Built in Tractorfeed - Compact R0 Built in Keyboard - Compact 2

RS232 or Centronics Interlace ( Compact 2) Both interfaces as standard (Compact RO)

ACCESSORIES Olympia Single Bin Sheet Feed £398. Double Bin Sheetfeed £598. Olympia Tractor Feed £150. (All Prices exclude VAT) A full range of Daisywheels and ribbon types are available.

n . .. Intelligent 43B Wood Street. Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37. Interfaces Tel. U7K9 296879 London 01-367 0817 TL. 312242.

750 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 IB

The ROM based Gemini Datagem package

Vincent Fojut files his verdict on six software packages

to help you find the right one for your needs

DATABASES, like word processors ability to sort, or re-sort, a file depend- file to prepare a series of address and spreadsheets, form one of ing on the values of one or more fields labels - if your record layout had a tele- the classic application areas for in a record. Normally, sorting on just phone number field, you would not micros. A number of competing pack- one field copes with most common want it printed on the address label. ages are now available for the BBC requirements, eg, a micro-based Potential applications for databases micro, with a wide range of features address book is most useful if kept are legion. In the home, you can file and prices. What a database is and how within alphabetical order of surname. record and book collections, a list of it can be used are defined in Mike Sometimes, however, it is helpful to computer programs, names and

Fryer's article (see page 143), but if you sort on more than one field, or 'key*. An addresses, recipes, and so on. The already have an application in mind, employer may have several Smiths on amateur club or association could how do you choose the best database his payroll and may wish to use a create a membership file, a great time- for your requirements? secondary key of 'forename' to cope saver for printing address labels when-

Any database package should be with such circumstances. If there are ever members' subscriptions are due! able to execute a certain number of several John Smiths in the organ- In business, the right database pack- basic file-accessing functions with isation, then further sort keys may be age could be ideal for keeping track of relative ease. These include the addi- necessary. customers, suppliers, orders, invoices tion, deletion and updating of records Finally, there is little point in access- and so forth. in a file, and the retrieval of records ing data if it cannot be presented in a Lastly, an educational environment depending on particular criteria. For meaningful fashion, so some degree of could also use a database to good example, the business user does not printout formatting is usually standard advantage. Apart from its obvious want to search each individual entry of in databases. It is often possible to con- place in computer studies, as an an enormous order file for, say, any trol the positioning of fields on printout, example of a typical computer appli- order worth over £100. This is the sort change the order of fields, and select cation, the database has a role to play of search that any self-respecting data- only specific fields within a record. This in any discipline involving the collec- base should do automatically. latter option is probably the most use- tion and analysis of large amounts of Other common functions include the ful. Imagine using your address-book data, for statistical or other purposes.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS VISIT OUR SHOW ROOM micronix til computers Ltd NEAR LETTER QUALITY (NLQ) PRINTER MONITORS FOR IBM PC AND OTHER COMPUTERS SINCLAIR Visicn QL RGB 640 (H) X 440 (V) £260 + VAT = £299 LM Monitors 12" green or amber 80 x 25, tilt and swivel £ 120 + VAT = £ 138 PANASONIC P1 091 PHILLIPS 12" green £ 80 + VAT = £ 92 KAGA (TAXAN) K12R2 12" RGB Hi Res £ 260 + VAT = £ 299 K12R3 12" RGB Super Hi Res £ 360 + VAT = £ 414 KX1213PC 12" 20MHz Hi Res amber monitor IBM PCcompatible £ 160 + VAT = £ 184 K12R3 12" RGB Hi Res for IBM PC £ 400 + VAT = £ 460 w 5% DISKETTES (Box of 10)

40track, single sided £15 + VAT = £17.25 40track, doublesided £20 + VAT £23.00 80track, doublesided £30 + VAT = £34.50 ONLY £260 + VAT = £299 * 80 column, pica, elite, italic characters 3" DISKETTES (Box of 10) * switch selectable 120 CPS draft * switch selectable 22 CPS NLQ 40 track, flippable sides £45 + VAT = £51 .75 * switch selectable 75 CPS proportional * Switch selectable Standard mode (EPSON compatible) 3%" DISKETTES (Box of 10) for any Computer Single Sided £50 + VAT = £57.50 * Switch selectable IBM PC matrix printer mode Double Sided £60 + VAT = £69.00 * Switch selectable IBM PC graphic printer mode I

* Switch selectable IBM PC graphic printer mode II * Bidirectional logic seeking DOT MATRIX PRINTERS * Snap in long life cartridge SMITH CRONA Fastext * Hi Res, dot addressable graphics 80 80 column. 80 CPS £ 200 + = * Tractor and friction feed • 1K buffer VAT £ 230 EPSON RX80F/T 80column, 100CPS £ = * Centronics interface * Downloadable characters 240 + VAT £ 276 EPSON FX80 80 column, 160 CPS £ 380 + VAT = £ 437 DISK DRIVES FOR BBC NEAR LETTER QUALITY (NLQ) PRINTERS

Quality half height drives Japanese boxed and supplied with all cables, PANASONIC P1 091 , 80 column switch selectable formatter disk and DFS manual 120 CPS draft/22 CPS NLQ -switch MX150 - 100K Single selectable for . IBM PC or other Computers . £ 260 + VAT = £ 299 40 track, single sided (while stocks last! I £ 80 + VAT = £ 92 KAGA 810 80 column, 160 CPS - MX152A 400K Single draft/27 CPS NLQ £ 260 + VAT = £ 299 80 track, double sided, 40/80 track switch £140 + VAT = £161 SMITH CORONA D200 80 column, -160 CPS draft MX252A - 800K Twin 40 CPS NLQ, dual interface, 80 track, double sided, switched mode PSU, IBM PC compatible £ 420 + VAT = £ 483 40/80 track switch £340 + VAT = £391 SMITH CORONA D300 same as above but 136column £ 560 + VAT = £ 644 FUJITSU DPL24 24 wire head, 288 CPS draft/96 CPS NLQ £1,480 + VAT = £1,702

SMITH CORONA L1000 12 CPS, Bidirectional, \ 3 pitch, dual interface £ 260 + VAT = £ 299 JUKI6100 20 CPS, 2K buffer £ 340 + VAT = £ 391 FUJITSU SP320 48 CPS, Diablo, 4K buffer £ 980 + VAT = £1,127 l^"""SJ! B^^^^"* RICOH Flowriter RP1600 60 CPS, 46K buffer, universal interface, Qumeand Diablo £1,720 + VAT = £1,978 Tractors and Sheet Feeders also available! DISK DRIVE FOR APPLE II & lie ONLY £140 + VAT = £161 * Not a modified but a dedicated APPLE drive VISA, ACCESS WELCOME * Half height, direct drive CHINON * 143K capacity * Supplied boxed with cable Ordering Information: THE REAL LOW PROFILE KEYBOARD Prices are exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, Postage/ Carriage free within UK for advertised prices only — special or FOR SINCLAIR SPECTRUM discounted prices will attract postage /delivery charges at cost. All goods are subject to availability and prior sale. Prices are subject to change without notice. ONLY £50 + VAT = £57.50 We accept VISA and ACCESS. • Professional QWERTY Keyboard * 67 Keys * Visit our brand new Showroom — off-street parking, nearest tube Kilburn • Easy fitting (no soldering) * Real low profile (Jubilee Line) OPEN MON-FRI: 9.30am - 5.30pm SAT 10.30am - 1.30pm • High quality finish micronix computers Ltd

1 Grangeway, Kilburn, rnmmrn London N.W.6 wm'**afi?j Tel: 01-625 0295 (5 lines) \ EEEEI Telex: 295173 G ' MICROX "^•- li i '"' ' CLARES P-BASE Choosing a database should be taken to mean the following Load File general layout (from an imaginary Enter Data You may still be wondering which Itork FU. book' file): Calculate Redefine features you ought to be looking for in a 'address Search Maw File The first step in choosing the database. Forename (20 chars) for your requirements is to best one Surname (20 chars) carefully the application in assess Addressl (25 chars) mind. It's a good idea to write out Total - © Address2 (25 chars) Full - © record layouts for the file(s) you intend Deleted - 9 Town (25 chars) Fraa - list of fields and their to use, with a Postcode (10chars) maximum sizes. Consider how many S J HcConnell Phone no (15chars) entries (ie, records) you are likely to of the points covered within the Beta-Base - rated best value for money need per file. Allow for expansion, and Some ask yourself how big your files will tables merit further explanation. Table field sizes. need to be in a few months' time -not 1 covers file, record and Cassette, disc or ROM? just now. Bear the following simple Where possible, maximum values are r^M given. All systems reviewed here allow Databases for the BBC micro come on rules in mind when calculating sizes: time, or Cassette only one file to be open at a cassette, disc ROM. * rec. size File size = no. of recs. to the are usually the cheapest, and though there's obviously no limit systems Record size = sum of lengths of indi- of files that can be maintained. use the micro's free memory to store number vidual fields within a micro-based records is ex- Some rather advanced records. Accessing record systems allow more than one file to be tremely fast, but a file can consist of the simultaneously, so that data in only a small number of them. Also, If anything, overestimate -make open distinct files can be trans- because of the serial nature of cassette records and files slightly larger than physically ferred or compared. files, updating just one record involves you think you need. You are almost It should be clear that file, record and loading the whole file into memory, certain to want to add something at the inter-related: an in- altering the record, then saving the last minute! Give particular thought to field sizes are all print- entire file onto (another) tape. the kind of searching, sorting and With disc-based products, record re- ing of data that you are likely to need rww2S43 BEEBUC m«STERFlL£ areas where trieval is normally slower if there are a (tables 2-4). These are the A. Sat up Ilia naaa large number of records on the disc. databases seem to differ the most, in B Enter record description C. Look at, or altar a record The bonus is that file size is generally terms of options and implementation. If D. Printer line lengtrVLett Margin E. Open data file limited not by free RAM but by the size possible, have a good read of the docu- F. Initial iee'Clear file C. Entar search data package rch> an K. Coaeact tha Ilia L. Global «lold calculation program, which, if you get the chance, try out those a cassette-based M. Stop tha prograa modified for disc, uses program 'over- features of importance to you. lays' to ensure maximum memory is The accompanying tables provide available for record storage). both quantitative and qualitative data ROM systems, though usually the on six databases currently available for most expensive, offer further advan- the Beeb. What follows is not intended Masterfile was thorough but slow tages. The program is instantly access- as an exhaustive comparative review or decrease in one leads to ible and does not encroach on free but outlines the typical features you are crease appropriate changes in the others. The memory. Files are still stored on disc, likely to come across, with an indi- whether though the extra RAM available can cation of how they compare. 'Fid calcs?' heading denotes out on minimise the number of disc accesses To provide ourselves with a yard- calculations can be carried fields. required, say, to browse through a file. stick, any reference to a 'typical' record values stored within

Masterfile Beta-Base Datafile Multibase Profile Datagem ROM/disc System type disc disc disc cassette cassette

1 1 No. files open 1 1 1 1 4.5k approx. 13k 10 Mb File length = disc size = disc size approx.700k approx. 1469 approx. 13k 5,110 Recs per file = disc size/ 500 max in 700 on record length search/sort 100k disc (3 byte recs) (1 byte recs) approx. 13k 6143 Rec length 425 bytes 2k bytes approx. 480 bytes 1,800 (1 rec file) (1 rec file) only 62 Fields per rec 17 200 av12 9 limited by memory String String Field types String String String String Real No. Real No. Real No. 'Numeric' Integer Integer Integer (16 & 32 bit). Block Text String Char. Date 120 Fid Igth (string) 25 254 av40 200 132 Y Fid calcs? Y Y N N N

Table 1. File, record and field data (av = average, all other values are maxima)

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE FOR THE BBC MICRO EASIPLOT SHARE ANALYSER

EASIPLOT is a sophisticated user friendly AND graph package for the SHARE ANALYSER is a sophisticated portfolio reporting and share BBC Micro, placed 14 th in the top 20 Educational packages by the. analysis package designed for the small investor. The disk version has leading Educational Computing Magazine. EASIPLOT has also come to a capacity of 20,000 SHARE PRICES and up to 320 buy/ sell deals be regarded as an 'outstanding business package' and 'excellent value covering 20 share names. Share Analyser has facilities for profit for money'. flexing and multiple merging of graphs and a variety of selectable indicators. SHARE ANALYSER IS A MUST FOR THE INVESTOR Note:- EASIPLOT 3 comes complete with the number charting AT A BARGAIN PRICE. program DATA PLOTTER with graph magnification, colour and moving average facilities. SUPERB VALUE AT £22.95. PROFIT STATEMENT

198? sri.£<; NAME BRITISH PETROLEUM DEAUNGS Bought Av Price Cost 600 338 2028

Sold Av Price Income 300 426 1278

Held Curr Price Mkt Vain 300 438 1314

Gross Profit 564 Income 257 EASIPLOT FACIUTES DISK CASSETTE Expenses 101

Line, Bar and Pie Charts YES YES Net Profit 720 Auto ii Manual Scaling YES YES % Gain = 36 Grid & Scatter Options YES YES No of simultaneous graphs 5 3 SHARE ANALYSER Overwrite memory YES NO FACILITIES DISK CASSETTE Screensave facility YES YES No of prices stored Screendump facility YES YES 20,000 Appxl700 Max no' of Holdings Fixed description per graph (char's) up to 200 100 20 20 Transactions per holding Full plot and axis editing YES YES 16 16 Range, adjuster Save, Load & *CAT facilities YES YES YES NO File Manager Single file selection YES NO YES NO Printer Manager Operating Manual (pages) 52 52 YES NO

REPORTS PRODUCED: - All our programs will produce hard copy on the following printers:- EPSON (entire range), Shinwa CP80, Star DP 510, Seikosha (GP80A & Portfolio Valuation YES YES GP100A). Share Analyser will produce reports on any BBC compatible Portfolio Profit Analysis YES YES printer. Share Profit Analysis YES YES PLEASE NOTE:- Our programs CANNOT BE OBTAINED FROM YOUR Share Movement Analysis YES YES Transaction LOCAL DEALER so send for details NOW. Record Report YES NO File Status Report YES NO PROGRAM PRICE GRAPHICS FACIUTTES:-

Data Plotter (cassette) . . Model B & Electron £7.00

Data Plotter (disk) . . Model B £8.00 Magnification option YES YES Easiplot 1 (cassette) . . Model B & Electron £15.95 Grid YES YES

Easiplot 2 (disk only) . . Model B £19.95 Autoscale YES YES Easiplot 3 (including Data Plotter-disk only) £22.95 Screenwrite YES YES

Share Analyser . (cassette) . Model B & Electron £14.95 Screendump YES YES

Share Analyser (disk only) . . Model B £19.95 SELECTABLE GRAPHICAL INDICATORS:- Disk orders., please state 40 or80 track(add£l for 80 track and £1.50 for overseas orders). We will upgrade 1 Easiplot to Easiplot 2 for £7 (£10 to Lagged Moving Average YES YES Easiplot 3). Centred Moving Average YES YES Rise and fall indicator Write for full details of all our programs or leave your name and YES YES address with our Answerphone service (Luton 33858). Weekly/ Daily Low indicator YES YES All programs are normally despatched within 24 hours. Superimpose Facility YES YES

Send cheque/P.O. etc to Synergy Software, 7 St Andrews Close. Slip End, Luton. LU I 4DE.

154 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 -)

Table 2 covers searching abilities. Master- Beta- 'No. relational operators' shows how file Base Datafile Multibase Profile Datagem many different comparisons of the No. search fids 17 5 = no. of 1 = no. of 6? 'greater/lesser than' and 'equal to' type fids on fids on which can be performed. of search test record record Most systems allow all six relational

( - = No. relational operators = , <>, < , >, < , > 6 6 6 3 1 6 to be used. The use of AND and OR con- operators & nectives, as in Basic, allows more com- 'AND' 'OR'? tests to be carried out in one step: fid) N N N N Y plex = (on same Y for Surname 'Smith' eg, searching Wildcards? N N N N Y Y OR = 'Jones' would find all entries in Y Y Y Y N Y your address book with either sur- 'INSTR'? name. Case dependent? N Y N Y N either Wild cards should be familiar to DFS Table 2. Search facilities (ail are maximum values) users. These are special characters represent any that can be used to Master- Beta- character, or group of charac- single file Base Datafile Multibase Profile Datagem ters, in a search string. Thus 'FIND B T 16 3 av12 none 30 1 might come up with BIT and BAT, and No. sort fids Sort fid Igth 25 10 av40 N/A 132 120 'FIND IN*' might uncover INK and Y N Y Y INSTRUMENT. Ascending? Y Y Y Y N N N Y The INSTR function (called a "fuzzy Descending? Case dependent? Y Y N N/A Y Y search' in Masterfile) acts as in Basic

ie, you can search for the occurrence of Table 3. Sorting facilities (av = average, all other values are maxima) a substring anywhere within a larger string. Master- Beta- file Base Datafile Multibase Profile Datagem

Select fids? Y Y Y N singly Y Change order? Y Y N N N Y R*Qt« Position fids? Y Y Y N N Y .ItttV «•»" pregraa Single labels? Y Y Y Y N Y '.imi CrMt» • nM utm Double labels? N Y Y N N N t\WM destructor* • #!!• Spool output? Y N Y N N Y II to Table 4. Printout facilities

Master- Beta- file Base Datafile Multibase Profile Datagem

Cost (inc VAT) £19.00 £25.00 £49.50 £9.00? £19.99 £129.95 Searching 8 6 8 3 5 8 Datafile: the program menu Sorting 6 6 7 7 7 8 4 4 9 Some databases have only a case- Printout 7 8 Speed 5 7 7 5 6 7 dependent search facility, which Modification of file means that a match is found only if you structures 6 6 6 1 8 enter your search value exactly as the Documentation 7 7 7 5 5 9 original field was entered in terms of Ease of use 7 8 6 6 4 7 use of capital and lower-case letters. If Overall value 7 8 5 5 4 7 you wanted to search for all 'Smith' Thorough Very Versatile Cheap, Good for Excellent records, irrespective of whether they Comments but slow, good all- printing. very cassette if you can were entered in upper-case, lower- otherwisel round. Costly, limited but over- afford it case, or a mixture of both, you couldn't v. good Best for disc priced do this on a case-dependent system. value for Sorting, ie, arranging files in a money specific order, is outlined in table 3. Remember that sort field length is not Table 5. Overall performance (marks out of 10) always the same as the length of the double address field being sorted! For instance, some whether single and/or Six products compared systems may allow a very long string to labels can be printed, and whether be used as a sort key, but only perform printed output can be sent to a 'spool Masterfile, from Beebugsoft, is the first reviewed. the sort operation using the first few file' -vital for transferring database of three disc-based systems word- It has clearly defined limits to field, characters of the string. If you are output to other systems, such as could intending to sort long fields, be wary of processors. A spool file is simply the record and file sizes, and these restrictive for serious' uses, this, as the sorting performed may not data saved to disc or tape as an ASCII prove requirements be satisfactory. Sorting is nearly file rather than as data. although most home nice touch is that always case-dependent- all upper- Finally, table 5 summarises the should be satisfied. A deviation case entries being 'less' in value than major features with marks for overall total, average and standard lower-case. performance. Additional points of values are produced for any numeric Table 4 covers a number of printout interest not covered in the tables are fields in a retrieved subset -ideal for options: range of formatting available, outlined below. statistical work. The search facility is

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ' CHRISTMAS CRACKER. A MEGABYTE DISC 95 (INC SYSTEM FOR £299 VAT)© If you're thinking of upgrading your BBC reliability. Our drives have been tested to the

Mien >, your hunt for value ends here. limit - running for 8,000 hours without failure A one Megabyte disc drive (unformatted) - that's a year of continuous use. double sided 80/40 track, hardware switchable And that's why we have the confidence tc and a double density Acorn compatible disc give a two year guarantee on all our drives. interface, for a combined price of £299-95, No other company can give you that including VAT reassurance. But it doesn't stop there. Because the So get cracking. The offer closes on ( )pus name is second to none when it comes to Christmas Eve.

5'// SINGLE DISC DOUBLE DENSITY DRIVES. DISC INTERFACE. • All Vi height. The ultimate Acorn 5>«I*«,! ( • Lowpowei compatible dise inter- ... consumption. face for your BBC Micro • Comprehensive manual. •Free utilities disc. Z-80 and 6502 2nd • Direct drive mechanism. • Fast access time. Processor.

5400 LOOK Single sided 40 Thick £129.95 • Utilities nn ROM including: Formal and verify, tape u 5401 1 00K Single sided 40 Track £149.95 dise transfer, automatic n> 80 Track selection, auto sided -to Track 5402 200K Double £169.95 matte density select!* >n. unique mass c< >py r< >utine, t< x )( 5802 >l\ I >iible sided hardware switchable powerful machine axle operating system gi\ ing up to 8040Track_&199.95 files, ; 248 80% taster than single density. l .as\ to install.

Free user manual supplied . £129.95 5 'A DUAL DISC STOP PRESS FOR DEALERS: new prices DRIVES. dealer available Please ring us for informati< >n. • Metal eased and all necessary leads. OPUS PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM BOOTS, SPECTRUM,JOHN MENZIES, ALLDERS AND • Separate p< >wer supply" OTHER GOOD COMPUTER STORES NATIONWIDE. • Utilities disc and manual 5401D200K; i()0Kon lines sided 40 Traek_£349-95 OPUS SUPPLIES LTD. 5402D400K 800Kon lineD sided a()Traek_£399.95 l58Camberwel! Road, London SE5 0EE. C7g\} 01-701 8668 5802D800K 1.6 Megabyte on line D sided ( )pening hours: 9.00 530pm \l< >nday C^3 01-7036155 hardware switchable 80/40 Track £499.95 Friday, 9O0 1.00pm Saturday. Telex: 295931 OPUS 32K RAMBANK. To:OpusSupplicsLtd., l58CamberwellRoad,I.ondi >nSE>()El Please A 32K sideways RAM tx >ard to b< x >st the capabilities of rush me die fi >ll< »wingi (all pku es im lude vats ( vrriage.)

your mien > Quantity Description Price Unlike ROMS, each block is individually write selectable and can write protected t< > ensure against accidental erasure.

It >if y< re running short < >f ROM sockets, the RAM card alK >w s you to load utilities as and when they are needed. TO I encl< so .1 •hmiiclnr.V. ™

• I fses l( >w pi >wer 64K dynamic RAM chips. • Simple to ( >r please debit my credit card account with the amount of&. install. •Consists of2 x loK blocks ofsideways RAM. M\ Access Barclaycard (please tick) No is • Two year guarantee .£49.95 FLOPPY DISCS. Name. 3" cartridge £5.75 each or £25.95 for 5. Address. 5 i" Discs- Mill ! with 5 year warranty and free library ease. S/SS/D £17.95 for 10. S SI) D £19.95 for 10. for D/SD/D £21.95 10. S/S 80 Track £25.95 for 1< >. Opus. telephone -*-<-^-( >pu.s)ihi.s SuppliesSiinnlu-s LtdI til 1) S SO Track £27.95 for 10. I A C36| thorough, in fact, probably the most The third of our disc-based systems unique in its use of variable-length extensive of all the packages tested is Datafile, from Cardiff Micro Software. records. This makes efficient use of here. Any (or all) fields in a record can Among its features is its use of indexed RAM by eliminating the unused space have a search condition set against fields, allowing rapid retrieval of indi- often found in predetermined, fixed- them, allowing powerful searches to be vidual records (typically five seconds). format record layouts. Fields can be carried out in one step. The more usual sequential searching is one of six types, further improving Sorting is also versatile with Master- also available. Any kind of field can be memory usage: file, allowing up to 16 sort keys to be defined as indexed, and any number of 1. unsigned integer (16-bit nos.) used at a time -more than enough for indexed fields can occur within a 2. signed long integer(32-bit nos.) any requirement I can think of. Further- record. However, they must all be 3. numeric reals more each sort key can be selected for positioned at the start of the record lay- 4. character (1-byte string) ascending or descending sort order, out. 5. string unique among the systems reviewed Since the order of fields cannot be 6. block string (a field built of The great bugbear is the sorting changed on printout, it may be necess- here. several speed, which the manual admits is very ary to duplicate indexed fields within strings) slow. The documentation also points the body of the record, which obviously out that it's best, where possible, to sort uses up file space. In other respects, A record can have up to 30 key fields, on only one key, since a faster sort rou- the print formatting options are very which together allow it to be uniquely tine is automatically selected when this versatile. Any field can be selected for defined and also provide very rapid re- is the case. printout, and its starting column pos- trieval of individual records. Profile Masterfile is supplied with a sample ition can be specified. Embedded automatically sorts records on entry, datafile on disc and a small but clear spaces and line-feeds are also easy to but it can re-sort files at any time, using and adequate manual. add. the specified key fields. If a record On a similar level in terms of price Another neat facility is that sorting search is requested on a non-key field, and performance is Beta-Base, from (on multiple keys if desired) can be Clares Micro Supplies. Searches are specified at the same time as a search. limited to a single field, although they That is, if records are found matching vm can be restricted to a given range the required conditions they are auto- CREATE FILE within the complete file by specifying matically sorted in the appropriate 1 2 DISPLAY FILE start and end addresses. Once a order. Only ascending sorts are poss- 3. SEARCH FILE search has been carried out, the ible. Validation of user input on the 4 ALTER FILE 'Print layout' menu leaves a lot to be SAVE FILE desired- nonsensical values are not 5 6. LOAO FILE trapped. 7. ADD TO FILE Should the structure of the datafile 8 DELETE RECORD need to be modified in any way (eg, 9. FILE DUW extra or larger fields) a 'Restructuring' program allows this. However, the B*l«c1 L mp* r manual warns that this is a slow and tedious process and, looking at the Multibase - limited facilities but cheap instructions, it does appear extremely

complicated. or if you want to search for more than Multibase is a cassette-based pack- one record, the system automatically age from G. Soft Micro Software. RAM is performs a sequential search through used for file storage, allowing at one the file. This is very tedious to set up. extreme a file holding a single record of Every single field within the record is Good but overpriced was the verdict on 1800 bytes or at the other 1469 records presented in turn for possible inclusion Profile of three bytes each. This suggests a in the search criteria. records that satisfy the search con- maximum of about 4.5k for file storage, The 'wild card' facility is not flexible ditions constitute a 'search list'. Sorting which seems very small. Using our enough to allow a full INSTR simu- and printing operations can be carried 'typical' address record, you can lation. You can check whether a sub- out on this search list rather than on the expect to store about 30 records per string occurs at the start of a string or entire original file. Search lists can be file. after a fixed number of characters, but saved and reloaded as separate files, You can't compare an inexpensive not anywhere within a string, as but to reload them the original file must cassette system directly with a more allowed by INSTR. Printout facilities be in memory. costly disc package, but all the same, are a weak point, with virtually no con- The maximum number of records in the facilities provided are very rudi- trol over formatting. a search list (and therefore for sorting) mentary-non-existent as far as file There is, incidentally, no reason why is 500, although the number of records re-sorting is concerned. Searching cassette-based systems need have on file could be higher. Sort fields are is limited to one field, and only three limited printing capabilities. Mike restricted to a maximum of three, and relational operators are permissible - Fryer's article demonstrates some of only the first 10 characters of any field 'equal to', 'less than/greater than' the the facilities that can be implemented. are considered during sorting, even search value. Datagem is a ROM-based offering though fields can be up to 254 bytes Printing is restricted to the entire file from Gemini, supplied in 24k of EPROM

long. Unfortunately, I seemed unable to or entire records. You could use the on a special carrier board. It requires a (*. invoke MOS commands . .) from system for printing labels, but you can- BBC system with at least one disc within Beta-Base, for example, to not leave out undesired fields during drive, to load and store data files. As create spool files for input to other printing. one might expect from the price, the

systems. If this is possible, the manual Profile, a cassette-based package product has a very professional feel to

doesn't make it clear. from Haiku Software Technology, is it.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 The package is undoubtedly power- to perform frequent updates and don't ful, but the range of options available, need any fancy sorting or printing the sizeable manual, and the number of features, then either cassette system special control-keys to be learned com- would suit you. However, Profile does bine to make the system appear unduly not compare well to similar-priced disc complex at first. Perhaps its greatest systems with much better facilities. strength is the large size of files that Any of the disc systems would suit can be accommodated (potentially most typical home, school or even spanning more than one disc). The modest business requirements. Mas- number of search fields is limited at terfile offers complex searches in one any one time by the size of the input line step, comprehensive sorting but slow to about six, but lists of records can be sort speed. Beta-Base is a good all- stored in of eight levels one and com- round performer and is easy to use, but bined with one another to produce has a sort field length of only 10. Data- increasingly complex subsets of the file has fast indexing, versatile print for- original file. matting, but seems over-priced at twice Comprehensive calculation facilities the cost of the other systems. are available, and equations can be Datagem stands out in terms of both conveniently stored under single-letter price and performance, though mnemonics. Screen formatting is whether it is worth the money is a moot attractive, but time-consuming to set point. If you have serious business up. separate A 'Print layout' record applications in mind, especially using allows two different record formats to large files, and cost is not an obstacle, co-exist, one suited to screen, the other then Datagem is probably the most for printout. A 'default' record can be sensible buy. As with any sophisticated set up to simplify adding new records. system, its power is largely determined fields Any not entered at creation time by the user's willingness and ability to set are to the values specified on the get to grips with the facilities. default record. The Gemini Datagem board If you would like further insight into here could be summarised as follows: the workings of databases, or want a Conclusion If you want fast retrieval from a system for hands-on experience, Mike The suitability of the products reviewed limited number of records, are unlikely Fryer's article will prove helpful. SCHOOLS! Meadnet-380Z/BBC Network

MEADNET has been designed to connect up to 16 BBC Micros to a single RML 380Z, giving each BBC on the network access to the disks Basic Meadnet System £275.00 and printer connected to the 380Z. (includes all hardware required, Features include: software on disk, and manual)

* Individual User ID/Password system. State whether 40-column or * Comprehensive filing system with full Varitext version required. random access data file facilities. Compatible with View, Edword, Wordwise. Each BBC station £20.00 (includes software on EPROM, * Requires no hardware modifications to 3 ft connecting lead, and manual) the BBC network stations.

* No user memory is used by the filing N.B. A 5-pin DIN plug extension lead between system. (PAGE remains at &E00). each BBC station and the 380Z will need to be provided by the purchaser, in addition to the * The 380Z can be used normally when not above equipment. required to run the network.

* Familiar Ctrl-B/Ctrl-C printer usage. Prices quoted include p + p but exclude VAT.

Orders and enquiries to: RICHMEAD MICRO, 29 Easby Way, Lwr Earley, Reading, RG6 3XA

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 !

Cartridge System that does not overloadyourpocket oryourBBC Micro

Why risk damage to your BBC micro every time you want to change ROM's? Instead, store your growing coliection of ROM's in professionally-made protective cartridges

O Insert and remove Wordwise, View, Disc Doctor etc. at will from your micro in absolute safety - no wear or damage to pins to your ROM's.

Q Low, low power consumption unlike other systems. Q Saves on memory. O Price for complete kit including one cartridge only £19.95 inc. VAT. COMPUTER#SUPPLIES f 4^ $ O Extra ROM cartridges £15. 75 for four, Hanwell W7 2QA for ten cartridges, single f

O Our cartridge system for educational establishments has been approved by in schools. the Test Bureau for use P Sb V "P" ^O J**? Dealer enquiries welcome. VIGLEN gives youthe bestvalue

in monitors , printers & BBC Micros

INC EXCL INC EXCL Dot Matrix Printers VAT VAT Colour Monitors VAT VAT Canon PW 1080A- £339.00 £294.78 Microvitec standard 1431 £185.00 £160.87 KAGA-TAXAN KP810 £319.00 £277.39 Microvitec medium 1451 £289.00 £251.30 New printer recently reviewed shows Microvitec high 1441 £399.00 £346.96 near letter quality printing from dot Philips 14" TV/Monitor matrix printer. Friction and tractor (RGB input) specially feeds. 160 cps. Highly recommended. manufactured by Philips £229.00 Epson RX 80/FT Brand leader. A re- Monochrome Monitors liable well established printer with friction and tractor feeds. 80 cps £275.00 £239.13 Philips 12" Green BM7502 Epson FX 80 The upmarket printer Even higher resolution from the Epson range. 160 cps. All other facilities you would expect. £389.00 £338.26 Shinwa/Cosmos 80 £199.00 £173.04 Mannesmann Tally MT80 £209.00 £181.74 Daisy-wh.eel Printers Juki 6100 £385.00 £334.78 SAN PLE 2000/QIJEN DATA £255.00 £221.74 BBC Micros Model B £369.00 £320.87 Model B DFS £459.00 £399.13

Please add £8 for 1 { metre printer lead for BBC Micro

Please add £8.00 for carriage. We also stock other computer peripherals, accessories and & complete word processor systems. Please call for our latest offers. x^r// You may also purchase these items direct by calling at <<£v t f^§. our factory/showroom in Hanwell, London Prices correct at time ofgoing to. press and offers subject to availability. &y

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DISK COMPUTER M SUPPLIES 9903 W7 2QA Tel: (01 ) 843 STORAGE Unit 7 Trumpers Way Hanwell No. 1 DISK STORAGE This diskette No. 2 storage This lockable holds diskette storage 70 diskettes holds 80 Our SUPER LOW diskettes Our price £14.95 Including VAT SUPER LOW 3M SCOTCH price DISCS £14.85 Including VAT 5 1A" diskettes single sided PERSPEX KEYBOARD STOWAWAY STAND Our Ourl SUPER LOW & VDU 10discs SUPER LOW per box prices Inc.VAT

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ss 40 track £15.00 £13.50 £13.00 ds 40 track £20.00 £18.40 £17.70 ss so track £23.00 £20.70 £20.00 ds 80 track £26.70 £24.00 £23.00 SWIVEL BASE FOR MONITOR Our Miiaaswivi price Including VAT £13.95 Open GRAFPAD OurEEElOEEl price £143.75 Including VAT

This remarkable Grafpad from British Micro allows - very you to input information into your computer ^ accurate and high resolution, not to be confused with other models which ore both more expensive and less accurate. Supplied with all necessary cables, manual m and sample programs, to allow you ^4^£&**° &<« " <^° to develop your own application programmes. 161 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 At Viglen - the choice is yours First class drives from TEAC AND TEC

We also stock at even lower prices CANON, Replacing EPSON, MITSUBISHI cassettes and SANYO drives with disc too. Please ring drives means for details. programme loaded and data accessed in I seconds not minutes. Our guaranteed disc drives are supplied with a comprehensive fact-filled 53 page manual, "; exclusive to Viglen, which shows loading from cassette to disc and other information for the BBC Model B.

Also supplied utilities disc, containing 13 useful utilities. E=^«^sSSS^^S=S^SSTEAC 55 AND TEC 500 SERIES SLIMLINE DRIVES Incl Excl Incl Single Excl Drives VAT VAT Dual Drives VAT VAT 40 TRACK 100K SINGLE SIDED £113.00 £98.26 40 TRACK 200K SINGLE SIDED £226.00 £196.52 40/80 TRACK 200K 40/80 TRACK 400K SINGLE SIDED SWITCHABLE £139,00 £120.87 SINGLE SIDED SWITCHABLE £278.00 £241.74 40/80 TRACK 400K 40/80 TRACK 800K DOUBLE SIDED SWITCHABLE £169,00 £146.96 DOUBLE SIDED SWITCHABLE £338.00 £293.91 INTEGRAL POWER SUPPLY INTEGRAL POWER SUPPLY FOR SINGLE DRIVE £18.00 £15.92 FOR DUAL DRIVES £36.00 £31.30 SUPPLEMENT FOR SINGLE EXTERNAL CASED POWER DRIVE INDUAL CASE WITH SUPPLY CAPABLE OF DUAL DRIVE POWER SUPPLY £49.00 £42,61 DRIVING DUAL SLIMLINE DRIVES £45.00 £39.13

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• Package assumes you own a BBC Model B with switched mode power supply plus 1.2 operating system. OFFER INCLUDES: • Disk Interface (call at factory for free fitting while you wait, or COMPLETE DISK supplied with easy to fit instructions) • 400K 40/80 track double sided TEAC Disk Drive (Model FD55F) SYSTEM FOR THE including case and all leads • Comprehensive, fact-filled, 53 page manual including BBC MODE B techniques of loading from cassette to disc. Not available elsewhere. • Utilities Disk including formatting, verifying, BASIC program Epson screen dump, dual VIGLEN- comparator, disassembler, V* catalogue (giving 62 files), large printing and others *& J

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163 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT FOR THE HO* } ACORN t* ELECTRON

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6. KEY SET ROUTINE. A program to set up the user function keys 7. MEMORY DISPLAY. An efficiently written utility to display the con- 3D MAZE tents of memory (ROM and RAM) 3. CHARACTER DEFINER. Define individual graphics characters with this useful utility for use in your own programs.

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ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 165 •••••••• • ••••• • ••• ••• • • •••••• • ••• •• • • • • • •• • •• • • • ••••• • •••••• • • • • • • ••• ••• •

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ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 EDUCATION NEWS

Science Topics mixes software with video

THE first two software packs in The strength of the Science function key strip is supplied in treatment -the graphics used a series of 10 planned to Topics combination, says the software booklets.' on the films were done on a accompany BBC2's Science series producer Dr Peter Bratt, The software is not copy BBC micro.

Topics autumn and spring is that it fixes strong visual protected. Dr Bratt is worried The project embodies pio- term programmes are now images of the real world in the thattherewill be a risk of being neering work. 'The latest

available. Waves is a suite of pupil's mind, thus making the pirated but feels it is less im- scientific ideas,' says Peter programs on two discs which interaction demanded by the portant than giving the teacher Bratt, 'have been brought to aims to give pupils simulated software simulations and the facility to modify the bear on both videos and CAL. experience of wave motion, experiments 'more relevant models supplied. We've consulted the world's and Relationships, on one and meaningful'. In the classroom the soft- leading authorities on genetic disc, is a simulation that casts TV can excite,' he says, ware will be worked by small engineering, for example, and the pupil in the role of the 'and bring the real world into groups of children at a time, so we're using the most up-to-

medical control officer in an the classroom, but it is not that a lot of time is spent away date examples of real-life African village. interactive; CAL may not be from the computer, planning science and technology.' Three more packs will be real, but users can ask "what and analysing results. Pupils Teachers can order the ready for the spring term: if" questions. Combining the are encouraged to use screen Science Topics CAL software Bonding, Electronics and Elec- two produces more than the dumps, keep record sheets packs, costing £14.95 (plus tromagnetic Spectrum. The sum of its parts. and make notes, and in the VAT), from BBC Publications. series will be completed in 'Thus if a child watches Bonding package the com- Schools Orders Section, 144 1985/6, with three more avail- scenes of an African village puter keeps a database which Bermondsey Street, London able for the September term and is concerned to see the pupils can sort. SE1 3TH. They are also avail- {Ecology and Conservation. people suffering from malaria, Films and software are able through the normal retail Macromolecules and Newton his or her role in the simulation linked not only by theme and outlets. and the Shuttle). The final two as medical control officer will packs will be Periodic Table seem much more relevant. and Food and Population. The pupil is able to make deci- CHILDREN'S QUIZ The 10 packages have been sions and see what effect designed to complement the these have on malaria levels. weekly 'TV series and work The software -all disc- Fifteen 'Science Topics'

with it towards a common pur- based -has been developed pose, although TV films and by the Computers in the Curri- CAL software packs software can be used on their culum Project at Chelsea Col- own. The 20 programmes in lege, and has undergone the TV series are aimed at 14- extensive trials in schools. must be won! 16 year-olds following O-level Peter Bratt says no previous and CSE syllabuses. They last knowledge of computers is ANSWER 10 questions cor- number, school and school for 20 minutes each and are required by the teacher: 'The rectly and you could win for address and send it to Sci- transmitted on Tuesdays at programs are menu-driven, your class up to five of the Quiz, Acorn User, 68 Long 1.15pm and repeated on Fri- using inverse video and Computer Aided Learning Acre, London WC2E 9JH. It days at 9.30am. single-key operation, and a disc packs that accompany must reach us on or before the autumn and spring TV Friday, January 4, 1985. Science Topics programmes The first correct entry to be being broadcast by BBC2. picked out of a hat will win The series is aimed at O- five CAL packs, the second level and CSE science wins two packs and there will students -and so is our Sci- be eight third prizes of one Quiz. Write your answers on pack each. Winners will be a postcard and include announced in the March issue details of your age, form (published on February 21).

1 What insect carries the malaria parasite? 2 Which have the longer wavelength, bass notes or treble notes? 3 How many electrons are there in the outer shell of a chlorine atom? 4 Which machines get their name from the Czech word for 'worker'? 5 What is the formula that relates the frequency and the wave- length of a wave? AERIAL shot of Slapton Ley nature reserve, South Devon, which 6 What is the general name for animals that feed on other ani- features in the Science Topics TV film on 'Ecology and Conser- mals? vation'. The CAL software companion to the programme takes the 7 What do the initials PVC stand for? form of a management game in which the user has to take into 8 What is the name given to the back pack used by the NASA account the conflicting opinions of interest groups concerned with astronauts to fly around outside the Shuttle? different aspects of natural life on the reserve -the fish, the reed 9 Name one element which has similar chemistry to sodium. beds, the birds and the otter population. The most successful 1 Approximately what is the population of the world today? player makes improvements with the minimum of disruption.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 . IS KEYBOARDING TURNING YOU INTO A 'MICRO MONSTER'?

nmmww Let's face it, your BBC Micro is a demanding creature. Powerful it may Five keys (plus control key) pressed in easily remembered be, but using the keyboard is probably a lot harder on YOUR system combinations, give all inputs than you expected — and it's all because you're forced to 'hunt and except Break. Can be used in peck' amongst 74 keys, on a keyboard that's a hundred years old! conjunction with BBC keyboard or as entire replacement It's no wonder you feel like the many-headed hydra! With your eyes being torn from document to keyboard, then to the screen for checking and back again. Errors and bugs are bound to creep in. your Micro overnight with QUINKEY. Four-channel connector tor up to Master BBC tour Quinkeys.*

fttr-TOWWfi(ICPE Contains everything you need to know. Instantly learned, simple mnemonics based on widely used technique of Micrownting ensure under an you're touch-typing in ^

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the pack(s) undamaged within two weeks of delivery if I am not fully satisfied for a complete refund Please send Qumkey pack(s) @ £49.95 (plus £2.50 p&p) £ *Tick box C More information about the educational pack of 4 Quinkeys and software for schools

I enclose a cheque made payable to "Vector Marketing/Microwriter Ltd" for £ or debit my Visa/Access credit card No

Signed Name

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Please allow to for delivery Reg No 1374069 up 28 days AU 12/841

DECEMBER 1984 168 ACORN USER 1 EDUCATION NEWS

with other characters as Calling all shown in figure 2. Commentary by These flags are now assigned particular opera- micro junkies tions so the '" may mean 'Re- Nick Evans, place each character with a A CLAIM that must have star', the 'S'- Scramble the brought a few teachers to an letters' and 'D'- 'Delete the abrupt halt in the middle of word and replace with three preparing computer-centred who welcomes dashes'. materials for their classes was Whole sentences and even that many children risked paragraphs may be scrambled becoming computer-addicted reader feedback and also individual words may both at home and at school - to be flagged to be highlighted in the obvious detriment of their colour. The use of this sort of education. Not only that, the market. Packages such as roomkW, Module 3- Managing exercise for understanding the for computer is ruining marriages Wida Software's Question- the Micro. 'Clues' is a text- workings of language and throughout the country as the master or Choicemaster handling package allowing the exploring the child's ability to computer 'fiend' -usually the makes CAL preparation a user to create a passage of deduce information from given husband -disappears into the straightforward task. 'Author- text and then flag particular facts is limited only by the study with his new mistress ing programs', as such soft- words so that when the com- teacher's imagination, and until 4 am. ware is appallingly called, are puter comes across them it applications have been found What wasn't said in the probably of more use than any will perform a particular func- for it in many different subject reports, published both in this other kind to teachers of tion assigned to that flag. So, areas. country and abroad, was that almost any subject and, once for example, the piece of text Another package of much research into the subject had the initial operating skills are in figure 1 may be then flagged greater sophistication is just been started at the Univer- learned, the member of staff Acornsoft's Microtext, devel- sity of Loughbor- will be able to manufacture his oped by the National Physical Technology, Jack and Jill went up th« hi 1 ough, and the researcher, or her own software to fit the Laboratory (reviewed in the Margaret Shotton, is con- particular situation being dealt Figure 1. October issue). The ROM- cerned that conclusions are with. based version will apparently went tha hill being drawn from the fact that A good general package of Jack and Jill up be capable of interfacing with for certain areas are being inves- this kind is entitled 'Clues' and « • S D a video disc random access tigated. She expressed her comes with the Longman of video material. frustration with the press and Micros in the Primary Class- Figure 2. Education in general and said she had been grossly mis- Microtext in particular are quoted. likely to be the saviours of the The aim of Ms Shotton's re- video disc industry, which took Quinkeys in the classroom balloon in the search is to find out whether off like a lead publicity. there is a significant problem 'CLEARLY He had only one to plump for a system like the bright glare of The of in the areas outlined above keyboard in mind when He Quinkey for pocket computers. big limitation video disc as is that the and she'd like to hear from designed the human hand'- But is it working in education? against video tape anyone with relevant infor- thus Microwriter's Quinkey The educational package for disc is read-only -there is no mation. advertisement and, when you interfacing four Quinkeys to facility for recording your own As yet she has been unable consider the claims that are the same Beeb and thereby images and so the consumer to interview any children and made for the device and the sharing a split screen seems has eschewed the higher- for would welcome the oppor- good notices it has so far to be a good idea -albeit quality disc picture the tunity to do so. Similarly, received, you wonder if they cramped -but how does it flexibility of the tape. When the adults -families -who have don't have a point. Peter work out in practice? educational benefits of experienced problems would Voke's review of the Quinkey Are there any Quinkey devo- random access storage of realised, be able to contribute to this re- in the September issue was tees bursting to tell us about it? video material were search. quite complimentary and indi- In particular, what sort of however, people began to take As yet interviews have been cated that future trends in materials are you using with it the disc seriously again and limited to middle-class cou- computer design are going to and did you find any significant the first permanent interactive ples, probably since comput- mean that miniaturisation will problems in adapting pro- video centre (which opened ing tends to be a middle-class probably cause manufacturers grams? last week) is at the Council occupation. With children, for Educational Technology, 3 however, the social classes Devonshire Street, London are bridged by contact with the W1N2BA. machines at school. If you have developed any videodisc If you have information to materials using the offer and are willing to be then write and tell the rest of interviewed contact Ms Shot- us! ton at the Department of Human Sciences, University of Technology, Loughborough, Scheme ends LE113TU,tel: (0509) 263171. PRIMARY schools that have not taken up the Department of Trade and Industry's half-price computer offer have only until DIY CAL January 11, 1985 to do so. THE preparation of classroom Every primary school is materials for use either with eligible for this package and the computer or separately LEA computer advisers should has become the subject of be contacted for further several programs on the How does the four-Quinkey package work in practice? details.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 Hows this for starters? nt' 1* €) ttfiw'^

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First Moves Chess for the young w beginner. Plus colour Nursery Rhymes 1 The BBC Micro Guide poster with extra details. Nursery Rhymes 2 £2.95 Shiva titles are available from large branches ot Boots. Menxles. W. H. Smith and bookshops, computer shops and department stores. In case of difficulty, £9.95 Nursery Rhymes 3 The Electron Micro please write to: SHIVA PUBLISHING LTD. FREEPOST. 64 Welsh Row. Nantwlch. B/ELECTRON Cheshire CwVS SBR. Telephone orders welcome: 0270 62*272 (24 hrs/7 days, BBC All your traditional number Guide £2.95 Telex: 367258 IGASEOP/ Masterkey and counting rhymes come Micros in Control

48 lessons in this easy-to- alive with imaginative £4.95 follow 10-hour typing and animated graphics. Compact, practical books, ORDtX FORM Title Price I enclose a cheque for £. course. £9.95 each full of ideas and tips on BBC Micro Assembler made payable to Shiva Publishing Ltd. £9.95 BBCB how to get more mileage Workshop £6. 95 Forpayment by Access Barclayey rd On the Road to Artificial American Express: B/ELECTRON from your micro. BBC Intelligence: BBC Micro IS. 15 BBC Micro Assembly Card No. SOFTWARE &K Language £7.95 LONGMAN BBC Micro Utilities €6.95 Signature BBC Micro Workshop Ml available from row software deafer Manual For your free catalogue Phone our HOTUHE today (0279) 3*622

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170 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 EDUCATION

EXPLORING ENIGMAS Star map showing the position of the con- stellation of Orion from the 'Star Gazer' program. Nick Evans reviews a suite of programs which investigate the

environment in maps and words

Dudley Programs make up a 'The Dudley Programs Exploration THEsuite of software designed to Theme', Heinemann Computers in cover a wide-ranging band of topic Education/Five Ways Software, BBC, work within the junior/middle age £33 plus VAT (available individually at range. They are divided into broad £9.25 each) theme areas as follows: Weather, Travel, Exploration, Myself, Food, and You can choose to look at a constellation in Homes. Within each theme area four detail, and ask for information about its component stars main subjects are dealt with by the pro- Tomb Adventurer grams: Maths, Environmental Studies, As you enter the tomb a stone slab Science and Language. seals the entrance behind you, cutting up-dated to show present position. The Previous offerings from Five Ways you off from the outside world. A 'magic controls for movement are simple and Software have tended to be high on map' appears on the floor and, using the problem lies not in the operation ideas but low on presentation and this, you are able to navigate your way of the program but in the orientation visual impact, especially in the second- first to the treasure and then to the exit. itself. ary sector. These programs certainly The trouble is that you need to memor- As with all these programs, the reverse that trend, for they give the ise the instructions. You may re-inspect teacher is able to control the level at child not only excellent visuals but also the map but you lose points for that. which is is used - in this case whether a a high level of accuracy and of training Once you reach the last point of your four- or eight-point compass is used; technique. The objectives of the pro- expedition the 'magic word' has to be how many rooms have to be explored; grams have obviously been carefully guessed - with the help of an anagram whether the compass rose moves or considered and the presentation of the - and you thereby free yourself. The remains stationary with only the needle material makes using the software magic words, needless to say, are the moving, and also whether north is easy for both pupil and teacher. One names either of great explorers or of shown on the original map. The level of reservation on ease of use, however, is their objectives. difficulty attainable by juxtaposition of is quite astonishing - that if you are using tapes of these pro- On the screen is displayed the magic these variables grams you must endure the intermin- map which shows the pupil's position in as is the ability of the children to sur- able loading time that Five Ways thinks the chamber relative to points T and E, mount the problems. necessary to prevent us getting our the starting points for the discovery of An excellent program with much to sticky fingers on its code. the treasure and the exit. When the commend it in presentation, planning In this review we deal with one pupil has digested the instructions the and the way it meets educational theme -that of Exploration. The con- map disappears and he or she is left requirements. cepts of mapping our environment and with a view of what can be seen in the

thus being able to control it are put for- chamber- represented by a simple line Star Gazer ward strongly in this set as we battle drawing - and a compass that revolves On starting this program the pupil will with the enigma of the Pharaoh's Tomb, in a most friendly manner to show be asked for the exact time of day, puzzle over the intricacies of Ordnance which way the user is pointing. Moving month and year on which he wishes to Survey co-ordinates, scan the heavens to T and E is probably the most difficult inspect the sky. Regardless of whether for our astrological signs and constel- part of the operation and the child it is day or night the constellations in lations and, finally, explore the world of needs to be well organised - first tries view will be shown. The time-scale books and words in the Librarian/ are usually chaotic, interspersed with covers the decade beginning in 1983. Wordfinder package. frequent references back to the map, Having selected the time the star map

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 If you're involved with education, then you're involved with hi-technology and computers THE HI-TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTERS ~1M ~ EDUCATION exhibition 23-26 January, 1985 BARBICAN CENTRE, LONBON EC2 The face of education is world has to offer, compare specifications changing, monitors are replacing and collect literature away from the bustle of blackboards, light pens are day to day activities.

replacing chalk. Entrance is free to anyone working in education and over 18 years of age. Just clip As an educationalist take an opportunity to the coupon below. (To be completely up-to- get right up to date with everything that's date, book into the series of half- day new in high technology and computers in seminar/workshops organised alongside the education. The new techniques aren't only exhibition in co-operation with the Micro- for the science labs or computer classes, electroncs Education Programme. For they cover all aspects of the schools details of these and a booking form, tick the curriculum, from geography to physical box on the coupon below.) training. Timothy Collins,

This exhibition, the first of its kind, is a Computer Marketplace (Exhibitions) Ltd., definitive showcase for both manufacturers 20 Orange Street, and users alike. You can see the best the London WC2H7ED

To: Timothy Collins, Computer Marketplace (Exhibitions) Ltd 20 Orange Street, London WC2H 7ED Please send me details of the seminar/workshops I]

Please send me my free ticket! s J to the Hi Technology and Computers In Education Exhibition,

Quantity Name . Establishment Address Postcode Telephone

172 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 . EDUCATION

may be presented showing, as astrono- it the machine will either respond with the three-figure decimal references mical convention requires, the night "Correct" and move on to the next which would rarely appear in a junior/ sky with north at the base of the picture question or, in the event of error, middle library and not very frequently

as if one were looking upward from a demonstrate the incorrect reference in a secondary library. Level of diffi- north-facing position. By stepping the and the correct one by means of culty can again be specified - whether program along using the space bar, the coloured grid lines, which move across the sorting is based on the first, second user may see each of the major con- the screen in an easy-to-follow or third letter. In addition to this is an stellations drawn in with joining lines. If manner. My volunteers found this rou- encyclopaedia routine in which the closer inspection of a constellation is tine not only easy to follow but dynami- child is asked to indicate the volume required then pressing Return will cally riveting - good attention-fixing that would contain a particular subject clear the screen and the constellation stuff this! area -alphabetical sorting skills again.

will be drawn in enlarged format. Lines I was disappointed with this offering.

may be added to it so that the original It seems to be a bit of a make-weight in outline that gave the constellation its an otherwise excellent suite, even

name can be seen; the Zodiacal sign though it did fit in with the theme of associated with relevant constellations exploration. may be displayed - good line drawings these; or the component stars of the Word Finder constellation may be highlighted and If Roget's Thesaurus could be usefully

information about name, magnitude put onto computer it would be in this and distance from Earth in light-years form, a vocabulary-handling program printed. with lateral linking. Unfortunately, how- 67 68 69 70 71 11 73 74 I was amazed by the amount of infor- ever, the user must be content with the

mation that had been crammed into this vocabulary presented, as it's unalter-

program. I think its applications will able. A program allowing linking of range much further than being used by vocabulary and building of lists might In 'Mapping Skills' the child is asked to give junior/middle schools and that further have the grid reference of a feature been much more useful, although ventures along the same lines will grow probably difficult to produce. out of its design, perhaps dealing with The theme of exploration is covered the solar system itself and the inter-re- by the vocabulary, starting, logically, lation of the planets and their moons. with the main components of any expe- Excellent value and an absolute must dition - people, places, equipment etc, for any young astronomer wanting to and then branching away to develop find his way around the universe. each of the areas individually as they are chosen by the user. An indication is

Mapping Skills given if a 'lateral' link can be made by a The teaching of grid reference on Ord- < or > next to the word concerned. nance Survey maps is performed most Pressing the cursor keys makes the persuasively by this program, which in- link. A Dewey reference number is itially presents the pupil with a choice attached to some words, allowing between coastal and urban landscape further research to be made on that and, when the choice has been made, topic. draws a small section of the relevant The teacher is able to add the refer- If the wrong answer is given the micro sup- of The compatibility with type O.S. map. plies the correct one ence numbers to more of the words by the real man and its symbols is quite a routine which has to be reloaded high, although the delicacy of artwork each time the file is used - why couldn't can never be truly replaced by com- Librarian Five Ways have allowed the user puter graphics, no matter how high the I have a feeling that most people, when access to the original Data file of resolution. Five Ways appears to have presented with this program, would vocabulary so that the loading of yet developed several new character sets rather see children performing the another section on top of their already for these programs, one being a fairly tasks using real books in a real library. mind-warping loading routine could accurate rendering of the Times fount. Use of the computer for simulation pur- have been avoided?

Similarly, a character set has been poses is fine when it frees resources for Reaction to this program was much designed which fits in with the style of others or enables people to handle the same as to Librarian. Why not use a the graphics. The overall effect is most concepts normally unattainable. In this book? Why not create your own lists of satisfactory. case, however, not much is done that vocabulary? Isn't a book quicker? The What happens next is governed by couldn't as well be done with work- main complaint was that no alteration the choices made by the teacher earlier sheets or practical supervised work in could be made to the content of the pro- in program. For example, Whether the a library. Yes, I know it's self-checking gram. Perhaps this might be a further the grid should be numbered on the and it frees the teacher for other things development - a content free thesaur- horizontal axis, or lettered; whether but. . us, ready to be filled. four-figure or six-figure grid-refer- The program presents the user with ences should be used; how many ques- a set of volumes to be sorted into alpha- Conclusions tions are to be asked; how great a betical order - the teacher determines This complete suite of programs is well margin of error is allowable in the how many volumes. Pressing the f-keys worth the £33 plus VAT asked for it. The pupil's attempt at grid-reference. moves the volumes around and Return programs are available individually at The pupil is then asked for the refer- enters the final offering for assess- £9.25 plus VAT, but they hang together ences of one of the features on the map ment. Sorting may be done on the basis well as a theme project set and I think - he has to recognise basic Ordnance either of author's name or on the Dewey that their use would be greatly

Survey symbols. When he has entered reference number - I was alarmed by enhanced by using them as a suite.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 . . .

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With serial interface: £171.35 and disk drives . . systems With serial and Centronics interface £ I 90.00 The new generation of TEAC 57," slimline disk Simply connected to any micro, this is a We offer a number of complete packages for drives offer high performance at incredibly low powerful speech computer with sophisticated word-processing, from £658 to £1960. Pictured prices. Single drives: I00K £120: 200K £140: software: it will convert any text into speech here is a BBC-based system: BBC 'B' + DFS. 400K £180. Dual drives: 2x I00K £295; faster than it can be spoken. This is our own Philips green monitor, I00K disk drive, Word- 2X200K £325; 2X400K £415. Disk with power product, developed and manufactured in wise, dot matrix printer, leads — ready to use, at supply extra £30. Delivery £6.00 per item. Cambridge. Postage £/ 0.00. £875 including VAT. Other packages on offer All drives are fully cased and complete with include: cables and format disk— ready to use. . . PACKAGE ONE: BBC 'B' Computer • Word- . books . . wise software • Sanyo DRIOI tape recorder • Our highly successful Advanced User Guide for . . . and for 1 985 . . Dot matrix printer • BBC cassette lead • the BBC has now been joined by the Advanced Our free mailings will bring you immediate BBC printer cable £658.00 Basic ROM User Guide, which delves deep into details of new products on offer— if you wish to PACKAGE THREE: BBC Computer + Acorn the BBC micro BASIC I and BASIC 2 ROMs. At be included on our mailing list, just write or 2" £7.95, it's essential DFS • Philips 1 hi-res green monitor • 200k phone. for disc drive • Wordwise software • Dot matrix' the serious printer • Printer cable £940.00 user. We have also introduced hard- Cambridge back ring-binders We stock a vast range of micros, printers, mon- for the Acorn /Microcomputer

itors, joysticks . . . phone or write for our com- User Guide and plete price list. All prices listed include VAT. our Advanced Centre Credit terms available for orders of £500 or User Guide: The Peripheral Centre of East Anglia over— ask for details. See our full stock on available at Prestel 377550875/76A-updated weekly. All 1 53-4 I £4.50 each, plus East Road, Cambridge CB I DD. UK credit cards accepted. £1 postage. Telephone (0223) 355404 Telex 817445.

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174 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 REVIEWS

LOGICAL LOGO in Command mode. The illustrations Nick Evans speaks well of the with this article are all from an Epson printer. The 6502 second processor is also new Acornsoft implementation compatible, as are joysticks and other analogue functions, sound and all the range of VDU commands. A character Logo, Acornsoft, (0223) 316039, £60 computing since it was first mooted, definition program is included on the DID you know that greedy primitives much has been added to the original disc (figure 1). are needed to tell turtles? No? Then concept -not least the implementation Those facilities which are external to read on, as these are all Logo ex- of BBC graphics modes. Logo and extend its range (eg floor- pressions. turtles), are termed 'extensions' and Logo, the language i developed by imiuiiimiiiimuiiNHiiimiiiimitiliiiiiiMiiiiitimiiiiiiiiiiii' mi i'imihii iiii'iiuiimip. i- 'im are loaded into the workspace either Seymour Papert and his fellow before or during normal program Char- = 224 © researchers at the Massachusetts Dtfint operations. A separate booklet Institute of Technology, has had many Edi t explains thejr use and operation. r End emulators -some good, some down- Logo has always been considered by right ridiculous. Acornsoft's offering, the layman as a language for drawing however, is in another league. It bears pretty shapes on the screen, exem- as much resemblance to many other plified by children sitting around EPSH lf>E - U» cursor • u« and RETURN. I a packages as the Space Shuttle does to monitor producing glorified Spirograph i% 66 129 163 129 133 66 6»> the bicycle. patterns. The programs in this package «!cl?ll ? f " ".t.rt. This is a full implementation of the dispel that illusion immediately. Yes, language, using the wide and powerful the graphic work is there in all its Figure 1 . The character definition program facilities of the BBC micro to the full. finery, more detailed still because of Papert's vision was of a world where the possibility of multiple turtles -you every child would have a powerful HATCH the things -and there is a per- IIIIHni|MllinuiUIIUII MWIIHttllWU|)imNIUI»HIWIIHI.HH) micro from the age of about four and, spective function, as well as a mirror through its use, would develop an facility (figure 2) which places two tur- understanding of those concepts which tles making mirrored images on the are often taught slowly and poorly by screen. However, there is also a good conventional means. This software deal of text and number work, often makes a "positive contribution to that combined with the graphics to provide ideal. H interesting ahd stimulating examples. The first indication of serious intent As well as the usual text facilities it's on Acornsoft's part is that this package possible to draw letters on the screen consists of two ROMs, a disc and a using one of the programs supplied massive amount of clear documen- (figure 3). Their size is determined by Figure 2. An example of the mirror facility tation. For most people who have made input of a number from one to 10. All the any additions to their micro, the two normal Logo functions will operate so ROMs will mean an expansion board as that the screen may be labelled using well - but if you use Logo in your class- this program. room, the trouble will be well worth- The ability to create a specific Logo TE»T F I CARD while. 'environment' is central to the prin- Every effort has been made to ciples of the language, and you do this ensure that the user will be able to find by restricting or extending the facilities his or her way round the language as offered by the machine -for example, quickly and easily as possible. Two you may wish for single key-presses to manuals are supplied -one for those 5 represent a particular or M I Mil' command, to IIIHWIIh I totally new to the idea of computing and 'hide' some of your procedures so that I'll'. Logo, the other for those who are fam- I Rl I II they cannot be analysed by the user. iliar with programming but not with These and other facilities allow you to Figure 3. A program to draw letters on the Logo. The user will find that the struc- create an environment which is tail- screen tures, the keywords (or primitives as ored to the needs of the particular task. they are called - and there are over 200 Logo may not be the fastest language of them) and the methodology are all Machine code routines and all around -some of the examples seem expounded in simple terms. OSBYTE calls are fully accessible from very slow. Its most important feature,

All the usual facilities a Logo pro- Logo. The package is compatible with however, is that it grows in a logical grammer would expect have been built all the existing floor turtles on the pattern from a starting point easily into this package, so the language is market (Buggy, Valiant, Jessop, etc), understood by small children. That is quite compatible with other systems, and it provides hard-copy facilities for a the secret of its success and, with this and should be able to run a good deal of range of printers, allowing a very rapid implementation, a child may now grow existing Logo software. However, screen dump to be executed (just under up with a version which fully exploits because of the strides forward made in one minute) whenever the machine is the BBC micro.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 REVIEWS

PASCAL ffr%f>x*)&$p%£&m POWER Acomsoft's first major compiled

language for general use is out now. Simon Williams takes a look Ik^^^T^^TSm

ISO Pascal, Acomsoft, BBC (with or with- system. The Pascal editor is entered by The compiler may be called from out 6502 second processor), £69, and typing EDIT and presents a blank page Pascal command mode, to which the Electron (price to be announced) with a cursor at the top and a single system reverts on leaving the editor. status line at the bottom. The compiler overlays the editor and IF there's one area of software pro- The facilities offered by the editor are then tries to make sense of your source duction at which Acornsoft has always very sophisticated. As well as being a code. A number of different compiler excelled, it is in the programming full screen editor it allows block copies, options are offered, including one to language. BBC Basic, despite some moves and deletions and all manner of produce object code or not (useful for minor irritations, has proved one of the search and/or replace operations, quickly checking errors in long pro- best and most robust implementations including the use of wild cards. In use, grams), listing the source code and on any micro. Now we have the first the editor reminded me most strongly providing full error messages or only major compiled language released for of Wordwise, and some functions, such their code numbers. Error messages general use (BCPL being largely as cursor control, are identical to this are held as a text file on disc, so if you intended for specialist applications wordprocessor. If the Pascal editor had are working with tape you'll have to programming). included automatic word-wrap I could refer to the appendix in the manual,

ISO Pascal is the language finally have written this review using it. where all 168 of them are listed. arrived at (after much deliberation) by This kind of sophistication in a Between them they should give you a a committee of the International Stan- language editor may seem excessive, good idea of what's wrong (if anything). dards Organisation. The Acornsoft ver- There are a further 34 messages, which sions (there are three, intended for may be generated by the 'run-time' different environments) adhere closely system when you try to execute the to the standard, with minor omissions, object code. mainly due to space constraints, and The user manual is The user manual is a detailed affair - some extensions to allow for machine and not something for the uninitiated specific graphics, sound and keyboard not something for mind you, the same could be said for commands. the uninitiated' Pascal. It gives full information on the The package consists of two editor and compiler, and there's a com- manuals, a function key strip, a disc of prehensive index and a quick refer- utilities and 32k of code, supplied in two ence chart in the appendices. There 16k ROMs for the basic BBC micro; a will also be a copy of From Basic to language disc for the BBC plus 6502 until you remember that Pascal is a Pascal, an introduction to the language second processor; or a ROM cartridge fully compiled language, taking its itself. This was not available for review. for the Electron (which obviously source code and converting it, once Acomsoft's ISO Pascal appears to be requires a Plus-1 extension to be and for all, to an object code equiv- a comprehensive (although somewhat fitted). The 32k is divided equally alent. A good editor will therefore daunting) implementation of the between an extremely comprehensive greatly speed the production of the language. At present the compiler will editor and the Pascal compiler, which source code and, since Pascal also dis- produce only an intermediate code, is itself written in Pascal. The package penses with line numbers, it provides which will not run without the 'run-time' under review is the ROM version sup- an efficient way of handling a large pro- routines present in the machine. There plied for the BBC micro, but all the fac- gram. are priority plans to produce a separate ilities covered are also provided in the Nearly all the editing functions not run-time generator to allow stand- other two packages. directly obtained from the text or cursor alone operation. Without this facility, Having installed the ROMs - an easy keys are provided by function keys fO to the market for the product may well be job for anyone who's delved into the f9, with or without the use of Shift or restricted to schools and colleges (the machine before (Acorn dealers will do CTRL. This is very convenient to use, system is compatible with Econet) and it for you if you are timid) - typing although the review copy didn't have a a few wealthy enthusiasts. With it, there

'PASCAL from Basic will take you key strip - it was a question of delving would seem to be ample opportunity for straight into the language and provide into the manual to find out what was Pascal to be used in the production of the % prompt, used throughout the what. commercial programs.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 .

Ain't She Sweet

rfb nymPH

AND WITH A VERY TRIM LITTLE

The Bevan Nymph 3-inch Compact Floppy Disk Drive is FEATURES tailored for use with your BBC Micro and is compatible with all 1 Compact and lightweight: Almost half the volume and weight of the disk interfaces and comes complete with cables, "Mini Floppy Disk Drive." comprehensive manual and utilities disk. 2. One-touch disk load/unload. 3. Hardened plastic center hub for improved reliability. The Nymph has been developed by Hitachi and its rotation 4. Rigid compact floppy-disk case with automatic head-window speed, data transfer rate, recording capacity per track and shutters for media protection. other specifications are designed to be the same as those of 5. Low power consumption: Almost half that of the "Mini Floppy Disk Drive". the conventional 5.25-inch drives and is therefore, fully ^ 6. Brushless direct drive motor: Highly reliable, compatible. brushless direct drive motor offers The Nymph is available either as a flipable unit with a storage longlife operation. 7. High-performance head-access capacity of 100K each side or as a double sided unit allowing mechanism using step motor access to either side of the disk without removal. It can be and steel band. A? purchased either as a single or double drive unit with or 8. Narrow write and wide read heads with a tunnel erase head * without power supply thus enabling you to choose between Mr using Mn-Zn ferrite. using the BBC's power supply or utilising its own. 9. 12 month warranty. Prices quoted are inclusive of VAT, postage and packing. sf RANGES AVAILABLE * STl Single Flipable £159.00 * ST2 Single Non-Flipable £199.00 • ST3 Single Flipable with PSU £179.00 • DTI Dual Flipable £269.00 2* * DT2 Dual Non-Flipable £359.00 y • DT3 Dual Flipable with PSU £319.00 cftf?^ DISKS $> s Double Sided (100K x 2) at £4.75 each OR pack of five £22.00 & DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME 4$ A member of D. F. Bevan (Holdings) PLC 4? cf Jf> • ^ «»

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 177 —

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PRINTMASTER £33.00 GRAPHICS ROM £33. CARETAKER £33.00 GREMLIN £33.00 The Music Editorfrom SYSTEM has now been W0RDWISE £46.00 TERMI £33.00 superseded by The Music System from SYSTEM DISC DOCTOR £33.00 COMMUNICATOR £69.00 and Island Logic. You can upgrade to The Our SYSTEM SOFTWARE selection includes: Music System as follows

SPY 2 £30.00 ADE £60.00 ASM £35.00 RETURN PURCHASE PRICE inc. vat & P+P BEEBUGSOFT presents: Music Editor TOOLKIT £27.00 EXM0N £16.00 Envelope and/or Music System Generator on C21.95 on disc From PACE SOFTWARE SUPPLIES: either disk or cassette TOOLKIT £34.00 C0MMSTAR £34.00

Cassette 1 Music Editor and from LINCOLN MICROSYSTEMS or C11 45 cassette Cassette 2 AID (Dual Screen Monitor) £29.00 itfc t* Envelope Cassette 1 A vvide Generator or C 11.45 Setec * i °n aiways) cassette Cassette 2 bailable. Send cheque/P.O., Barclaycard or Access card number to:- I SYSTEM 12 Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield S1 2BA TEXTEL SYSTEMS Telephone (0742) 682321/2

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775 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 impl word processor for the BBC Micro.

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Va —3ZI (DNCEPTS

Available from all good BBC Computer Dealers. Available by Mail Order from Computer Concepts, Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 6EX. Or by 'phoning with your credit card number on (0442) 63933. Ifyou're studying. . • Study our Software

we've been producing educational software for tne BBC micro ever since it was launched, and our programs are in use in schools and colleges all over the country. Now, some of these programs have been specially adapted for you to use at home.

With our Understanding Science programs with many more to follow. " Symbo,s Formu,aeandva,encv ^T^^^r^'fflE ™™W :

doing simulated experiments on the com- d ldenti fication gf Cases

on understanding the subject and the programs come with a detailed explanatory Each package costs £12.95 (cassette) booklet. The first programs are ready now - or £1 3.50 (disc).

rhe t - =• SnBodyl MISTI? Human Body ? HuQgf! y

*""""> new

LEAR Sa Mtf;7^ zicmillMG CflE"^ MATHS fit '!/>

geom> 5YIV1IV £/ ii H elecb JM1 Angles e,ec£ FRACTIONS JM2 Directed Numbers JM3 Fractions For younger pupils age 9+, our Learning JM4 Co-ordinates and Lines Maths programs use simple games and JM5 Symmetry animations to illustrate important principles JM6 Motion Geometry of elementary Maths. There are nine titles - JM7 sets each containing three or more programs JM8 Elementary Statistics covering a particular concept. The programs JM9 Ratio are great fun to use - as well as providing Each cassette costs £7.00. Disc collections real educational value. also available (JM1-6, £30.00; JM7-9 £18.00)

Nine cassettes are available* "Electron versions of programs JM1-9 and Dragon versions of JM1 6 also available

Available by direct mail order, or from selected software dealers. Prices include VAT and P&P (in UK). Please send for our full catalogue of over Fifty Educational Programs

750 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 Presenting 4 new releases for the Electron and BBC Computers • ixo

L' ORDSQUffRE JEffBfiTTLE PKK-fl-PfflR fYKi Fun instructions are provided m the program &- /"IASINO DOMINOES ••MorBBC THREE MEN'S MORRIS BAAWA • MINGMANG DOMINOES SIX MEN'S MORRIS 4 FOX & GEESE -TABLUT THREES & FIVES DISPUTING TENS Fun instructions art provKWO m the program LA /\ BBC ONLY A

£ oqqtWD own A collection of Six games

k.. of logic and strategy, w either play against >^ - an opponent or pit your wits *rv against the computer. Probably invented by the Chinese and now played worldwide. You play against the computer in these Three educational games exciting versions of the basic game. for the BBC Micro- computer A game to help with spelling and word recognition.

Featuring fast action A submarine captain versus and superb graphics, the commander of the fleet. you stand to win or A game for two players. lose against the Demanding sharp computer. concentration Pick-A-Pair is Two great card games a version of the old parlour for one player. favourite 'Pelmanism'. mmstsm® - Each cassette costs only £6.95 (inc. vat and P&P) Disc versions for BBC also available please enquire •fP^Klsslia

j Computing Available from: all good software stockists or by mail order from Garland mI i Garland Computing. 35 Dean Hill, Plymouth PL9 9AF. Telephone: (0752) 41287 ! ) . mixed twaamazi me

ton . .

Software Invasion games are available from WH SMITH, HMV, all SPECTRUM SHOPS and over 1 ,000 retail outlets.

This is the game you've been waiting for! A 3D high speed formula 1 car race round 8 different international circuits. Just look at these amazing features:- * Bends arranged to simulate 8 actual Grand Prix circuits. * Working cockpit- Rev. counter, Speedometer, Temperature Gauge, gears, moving steering wheel. \' Other cars which alter in perspective and size as they overtake. * Signposts. * Realistic sound effects such as engine noise, skids and crunching shunts. * Keyboard or Joystick control. * Volume control. Runs on O.S. 1 .0 or greater. More than a year of man hours have gone into creating this superb game. BBC MICRO MODEL B £9.95 CASSETTE £11.95 DISK Authors: Mick O'Neill and Dave Mendes

Blitzkrieg is a 3D Tank Battle from the same author as $tt*$fcfeG our Best Seller "3D Bomb Alley". This program is probably unique in the fact that all the graphics were created with the help of models, a video camera, a video digitiser and some very special Light Pen NOW WITH COLOUR software. GRAPHICS! This has resulted in extremely fine detail and realism, (BBC VERSION ONLY) with fast moving real time graphics - you don't have to wait for the screen to be updated between each move. Features include- * Detailed scrolling landscape. * Rotating tanks. * Detailed explosions. * 3D shell movement. * Recoiling barrel. * 3D sound. * Keyboard/Joystick option. * Freeze game facility.

: ; i Optional sound. * Demo' mode. # High score & ranking system. BBC MICRO MODEL B £7.95 CASSETTE £9.95 DISK Author: Simon Vout. swwmre HOW TO ORDER You may purchase any of the games above direct. All you have to do is write your name and address on a piece of paper, item(s) required, enclosing your cheque/P.O. made payable to SOFTWARE INVASION. hours Please allow 7 to 14 days for delivery (orders are normally dispatched within 48 ! OVERSEAS ORDERS. Please add £1 .00 per game 1Q 50 Elborough Street, Southfields, London SW18 5DN DISTRIBUTORS, MULTIPLE STORES. RETAILER GROUP AND EXPORT INQUIRIES INVITED V Do you write your own programs? If you have an unusual program which can meet our standards you could be earning a substantial sum every week! Why not take advantage of our sought after reputation. Write now other SOFTWARE INVASION GAMES . . .send for full list now!

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PLUS A NEW GAME LAUNCH!

A thrilling Speed Boat Race round a maze of estuaries A race against time to complete as many laps as possible while avoiding the'various hazards on route.The game uses a very clever technique which makes the area of play 8 This exclusive offer is limited the 6 titles above and for cassettes ONLY! times the area of the normal TV screen, to The £2 95 is inclusive of postage and packing! with full real time up/down and diagonal Should you have a tape for any of our titles, and wish to exchange for a scrolling. A superb achievement from disk version, then send your cassette, (undamaged) to us along with your Dr. Leatherbarrow the author of "Super Pool" chequefor£2.00 Tape version £7.95 inc. Disk version £9.95 inc. (Mail order only) 1 St CLASS SAME DAY POSTAGE

Offer closes 31st January 1 985. sorrvwiE HOWTOORDER You may purchase any of the games above direct All you have to do is write your name and address on a piece of paper, item(s) required, enclosing your cheque/P O made payable to SOFTWARE INVASION within Please allow 7 to 14 days for delivery ( orders are normally dispatched 48 hours! OVERSEAS ORDERS. Please add £1 00 per game orders mf SO Elborough Street Southfields. LONDON SW18 5DN 870-1197 IPost lo' SOFTWARE INVASION, 50 ELBOROUGH ST.. SOUTHFIELDS. LONDON SW1 8 5DN • a, . ,..• . . rEI ..send fora full list of games. ' , Please send me the following: TOTAL

I JET BOATQ DISK at £9.95 [~J CASS, at £7.95

I 1DGUNSM0KE-C2.95 4n3DBOMBALLEY-C2.95 I 2D EAGLES WING -£2.95 5nSP00KSANDSPIDERS-£2.95 ED. I 3D ATTACK ON ALPHA CENTAURI -£2.95 6GVORTEX-£2.95 I TOTAL £ (Tick games required - Games on offer are for CASSETTE ONLY)

I (title) I have purchased 3 Games, please send me .FREE-

I I enclose my cheque/P. 0. for £_ Name

I Address

LABEL (use block letters) 1 Name Address "1 f Htutoergitp ^ofttoare UNISTAT UNIMAX STATISTICAL PACKAGE LINEAR PROGRAMMING PACKAGE

MULTIVARIATE REGRESSION: Main outpul consists ol estimated coefficients, LINF.Ak PROGRAMMING: A powerful and instructive optimisation program capable

i si, its standard errors R' corrected R-, standard erroi "i regression. I- stat. and ol handling all sorts of linen programming problems (min max, any combination ol

Durbin-Waison stat, Further output options: multiple correlation matrix, var-covai .>= constraints and x I), \- Q .» \ a sign constraints) Primal, canonical. matrix, AN< rVA ol regression, residuals, plot ol residuals, interpolation Data options dual and then solutions are displayed in standard mathematical form Unbounded

I

1 1, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests Pearson's, Spearman's rank and Kendall's rank con CBM-64 (disk I: £60, BBC-B (disk) £611, 4KK Spvclrum limb cart c.issi E43 coefs Chi-square. t. I. binomial. Poisson and normal (std non-std.) distributions Results ol tests and corj coefs are displayed with significance levels in st RIPTIVE STATISTICS, FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTIONS AND HISTOGRAMS: ALSO AVAILABLE FOR 48K SPECTRUM Analysis ol raw data 01 data with frequencj counts Raw data sorted and grouped, INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS SET: £25 ( hoiee ol lower bounds and class intervals Absolute, cumulative and relative l l Frequencies Histograms with up to 200 classes Outpul displays sum mean, mean ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY: t > >5 • BIBLIOFILE: £9.95 deviation, median, variance, Std de\ . 3rd and 4th moments, skewness kurtOStS, ranee. POLYNOMIALS: £6.95 • INTEGRATION: £6.95 etc.

All are datalile To UNISOFT LIMITED programs compatible with Matrix Operations program in UNIMAX (Dipt. package Data matrix capacity examples (columns bj rows) CBM-64; 2x1250 I)) 29 ST PETER'S STREET, LONDON N18JP. 10x380. BBC-B; 2x750.5x400. 10x200. 48KSpectrum; 2x1800, 5x900, 10x500 CBM-64 TEL: 01-359 0978 tuisK)idiski OS,in:-, BBC-Bi (disk): £85, 48K Spectrum (mdvean/cass): twi Prices include vat and delivery within the UK. Foi orders from Europe add post £1.50, outside Europe £3.00 per item foi airmail I dealers enquiries COMMODORE 64, BBC-B, 48K SPECTRUM * Comprehensive user manual * Full data handling facilities (display, print, change, save, load) All results can be printed out

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Add forty BASIC commands to your BBC "B* BBC BASIC ROM USER GUIDE or ELECTRON with this versatile new ROM Full ROM description i^v rf^r rfaW ^W ^W ALL routines documented ADDCOMM Adding NEW commands 1'BASIC ROM Overlaying PROCedures GRAPHICS, LOGO GRAPHICS, USER GUIDE Bad Program salvaging Complete disassembler TOOLKIT, GENERAL PURPOSE. FOR THE BBC MICROCOMPUTER AND ACORN ELECTRON Error recovery MARK PLUMBLEY BBC BASIC 1 & BASIC 2 "ADDCOMM is a very useful and versatile piece ol firmware and I Electron BASIC would certainly recommend it to any BASIC programmer, it reduces Massive 360 pages the need to buy several ROMs as it contains almost all one could

wish lor." Ideal XMAS GIFT !

"The thing I like most about ADDCOMM is the fad that you don't need to use those messy 0.S, commands, you can entet the commands just like BASIC statements in a program." "Marks: 10 out of 10."

'' "I el's hope other Companies can give us such good value lot money 1 Reviewed 'VlhWF AX TUBELINK" _/Z/ "In addition to the 31 BASIC programming utilities the EPROM ADDER provides some useful enhanced graphics facilities, including circle and Adrian Dickens, author of the 'Advanced User ellipse drawing commands, col out fills and commands to scale and Guide' has founded Publishing rotate you I ctealtons." ADDER to produce high guality books. The BBC BASIC ROM USER GUIDE "The ADDCOMM from Vine Micros is probably the best value for money out of the toolkits " is one of the first books from this exciting new Cambridge publisher and contains a detailed "My own preference is the ADDCOMM," description of the BASIC ROM used in the Electron From TOOLKIT review, ACORN USER, Oct. I')K4 and BBC Micro. If you have ever wondered how a

"The combination of a vatiety ol baste loolkil type Utilities on the high level language like BASIC works, wanted to same chip as extended graphics commands is very useful." extend the available commands, recover from 'Bad "With the addition of ready to use ROT ATI- and TRANSIocale programs' or simply run a 100K BASIC program from commands BBC graphics become child's play." disc, then this is the book for you! Reviewed "MICRO USER". Oct. 1984. If your local shop doesn't stock the book, we can BBC 'B' O.S.1.20 1 supply it mail order for £11.45 inclusive of P&P. (BASIC or 2) (incl.VAT and Post) ELECTRON with £28 There are lots of long programs in the book, so ROM board. - the Or tend stamp for datallad Brochur< don't wear your fingers out buy programs on (incl. 1558 VINE MICROS MARSHBOROUGH, tape for £6.84 VAT and postage). ./wi&7P.ra To order send chegue or postal order to: • •_• Ej«jy CT13 OPG ADDER Publishing, PO Box 148, Cambridge, CB1 2EQ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

754 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 5DFTUURREer BBC and ELECTRON Software

EDUCATIONAL SIMULATIONS French Tutor £9.95 737 Flight Simulator £9.95 Up to and beyond 'O' level standard, Tests Written by a professional 737 pilot, this bestsell- vocabulary, speech idioms, and irregular verbs. ing simulator emulates a high performance jet Create your own files; progress assessment and airliner. Full instrumentation and hi-res graphics. revision lists available at any time. BBC only. Please specify Tape, Disk, or Electron version. "Certainly the best flight simulator I have flown. Graphs £9.95 Full marks to Salamander." — Acorn User A suite of five programs for use by students studying GCE at 'O' and 'A' level or equivalent syllabus. Includes versatile curve sketching, par- ametric curve sketching, an interactive multiple choice and multiple choice tests for recognition of straight line equations and trigonometric, quad- ADVENTURES ratic and cubic curves. BBC/ELECTRON. Franklin's Tomb £9.95 Can you, as Dan Diamond P.I., solve the riddle of Vectors £14.95 the crypt, or will you fall prey to its mysteries as A suite of fourteen programs carefully designed many others before you have done. Fully illus- to teach the user the skills and techniques asso- trated Case File. BBC only. ciated with the main vector algebra requirements "Worth every penny. This will become a classic of a syllabus such as GCE examinations in — Popular Computing Weekly. Additional Mathematics and 'A' Level Mathe- Program of the Month — Computer Choice. matics as well as many other courses requiring a knowledge of vector algebra, BBC/ELECTRON. Lost in Space £9.95 The sequal to Franklin's Tomb. Can you escape from the derelict space ship, or will you be trapped forever with bored security robots and UTILITIES chatty doors. Fully illustrated Case File. BBC only. EDG Graphics Package £19.95 A sophisticated drawing system allowing the user to build up simple drawings or complex designs. BBC only.

SPECIAL OFFERS (BBC only) EDG Graphics Package (disk) £24.95 The disk version of the graphics package con- Eagle £4.95 tains all the features of the tape version. Also Original Arcade Game includes an EPSON Printer Dump and Teletext Screen Editor. only. Requires Acorn DFS. Dragon Rider £3.95 BBC Arcade Game Electron Graphics System £9.95 Tanks! £3.95 A version of the EDG Graphics System rewritten Armoured Warfare for two specifically for the ELECTRON. Games Compendium Bl £3.95 Simon, Fireman, Hangman, Alphabet Soup Utilities Package £9.95 Four essential aids: Sound Shaper, EPSON Printer Compendium B3 £3.95 Games Dump, Teletext Screen Editor, and Disassembler. Mole, Boot Hill, Bomber BBC only.

Please rush me the following: r £1 n SAVE Title Price

If you return this voucher with your order you will be entitled to a £1 discount on the order. Only one dis- count per order. You will also become a member of the Salamander Software Discount Club. This entitles you to further Less Discount £1.00 discounts on future orders, as well as free posters, Total stickers and T-shirts (subject to availability). This to products ordered by direct mail offer applies only Name from Salamander Software, 1 7 Norfolk Road, Brighton Address BN1 3AA.

Please make cheques and postal orders payable to Salamander Software. Postcode J

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 185 ) TOP 20 SOFTWARE CHART — TITLE PUBLISHER PRICE MICRO I REVIEWED

1 (-) Elite Acornsoft £14.95 (£17. 95) B/E October '84

2 (2) Fortress Amcom £8.95 B September '84

3 (4) Football Manager Addictive £7.95 B

4 (9) Aviator Acornsoft £14.95 (£17.95)B May '84

5 (1) Frak! Aardvark £7.50 B September '84

6 (3) Micro Olympics Database £6.95 B

7 (5) Blagger Alligata £7.95 B/E October '84

8 (-) Chartbusters Alligata £9.95 (£13.95) B

9 (-) Jet Pac Ultimate £7.95 B

10 (— Sinbad Virgin £7.95 B

11 (6) Overdrive Superior £7.95 B September '84 12 (-) Gisburns Castle Martech £7.95 E

13 (-) Scrabble Leisure Games £8.95

14 (re) Battletank Superior £7.95 B September '84

15 (8) Ghouls Micro Power £7.95 B/E June '84

16 (— Eagle's Wing Software Invasion £7.95 (£11.95) B November '84

17 (-) Tarzan Alligata £7.95 (£11.95) B 18 (— Chess Micro Power £7.95 B/E

19 (re) Twin-Kingdom ValleyBug-Byte £9.50 B/E

20 (re) Cylon Attack A&F £7.95 B/E April '84

B = BBC E- Electron re -re-entry Prices in brackets are for disc version.

BUBBLING UNDER

Galaxy Raiders (Visions) Stock Car (Micro Power) Son of Blagger (Alligata) Star Seeker (Mirrorsoft) Laser Reflex (Talent) System 15000 (Craig) Compiled by RAM/Computer

WHAM! Straight in at number one comes the Software house of the month in terms of in evidence. However, if Acomsoft's Ache- best game ever for the BBC micro - Elite. numbers is Alligata with two new entries ton is as good as our reviewer Peter Kill- And if you don't believe our editor, go along joining the excellent Blagger, with the worth thinks, perhaps things will look up in

to a dealer and take a look. remake, Son of, looking as if it will follow its the New Year. Also, a proper adventure illustrious ancestor. based on TV's written by Peter The other big event this month is the number Voke is coming out from BBCSoft. And then Virgin, who we've had a go at over the of new entries - nine in all plus three re- there's Return to Eden, Level 9's sequel to past year for games which don't exactly set entries. Christmas must be coming. And Snowball. the world alight, might have come good with readers looking for presents to please their But the big question is whether British Sinbad, although we must confess to not manic game-playing acquaintances need Telecom's policy of pricing games at £2.50 having seen it. look no further than our Hit List on page 188 will come off and catapult them into the where Snapper author Jonathan Griffiths The trend towards disappearing adven- charts, because at that price they're going to gives his best games of 1984. tures is confirmed this month with only one, have to sell in big numbers.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 —

/ TOP SELLING FELIX IN THE F a

I cc < -> m^^jm Clear a path Hi the vault and shove the Radio- active Plutonium cannisters * *

! before all hell breaks loose fJJ; and the Megapods and oscil- *"" lating Nuclids appear. Cassette: £6.95. Disk: £9.95. * m*

FOR THE B.B.C.MIC [J] . ^

3

s*$||

OUT [MI I C n R IOW ** iC"*:tasvc D CD Q Q «W

MICRO POWER LTD.. r NORTHWOOD HOUSE. NORTH STREET. LEEDS LS7 2AA TEL (0532) 458800 MICRO POWER SOFTWARE IS AVAILABLE FROM SELECTED BRANCHES OF WH SMITH, BOOTS. JOHN| MENZIES CO-OP, WOOLWORTHS AND ALL GOOD DEALERS AUTHORS! WE PAY 20% ROYALTIES! - GAMES OF THE YEAR

has picked what he regards as 1984s two outstanding adventure games. All these games played a part in making 1984s batch of games excel- lent. Some were more successful than others, either at making a name for themselves or by selling well (which isn't necessarily the same thing). Also, some of these games were around in 1983 but are still going strong and influencing the charts. Elite is the game of 1984, and very probably of 1985 as well. No other

comes anywhere near it for complexity,

quality of graphics and speed. It is also one of the first arcade games to make use of the disc. The graphics on this are

Front Ui«w

mm m/X

out of this world, and the speed is truly stunning. Also, just to make sure things don't pall after you've mastered the spaceship (by no means an easy task), you have to defend yourself against any pirates that may be around. Then you have to journey around the galaxies EST ARCADE GAMES 19 (eight of them), making deals (you can trade with the various worlds), blasting 1 Elite - Acornsoft 11 3D Bomb Alley - Software In- pirates (or perhaps becoming one of 2 Zalaga - Aardvark vasion them!), and generally having a great 3 Aviator- Acornsoft 12 Blagger- Alligata time. Just in case this becomes mono- tonous, the game grades your pro- 4 Frak! - Aardvark 13 Hunchback- Superior gress, giving you epithets which range 5 Fortress - A 14 Jet Power Jack - Program mcom from 'harmless', through 'average' to 6 Missile Control - Gemini Power the ultimate status, 'elite'. 7 Pengo- Watford Electronics 15 Overdrive - Superior This game is not a flash in the pan, 8 Killer Gorilla - Micro Power 16 Micro Olympics- Database but should herald in a new era of thought-provoking, reaction-testing 9 Hopper- Acornsoft 17 Ghouls- Micro Power games, having as it does the addictive- 10 Chukkie Egg- A & F 18 Snooker- Visions ness of Dungeons and Dragons (in which one also progresses through BEST ADVENTURE GAMES 1984 levels of ability), graphics and action that are second to none and a sufficient Snowball - Level - 9 Acheton Acornsoft complexity to ensure that players will

come back to it time and time again. AMES over the past year have advance the techniques.

shown some remarkable inno- However, it is not only technique and vations, representing radical innovation technical that make a game Graphics - departures from those of the previous good. It is also an indefinable addicti- Sound A A A A year, which were largely sprite-based veness' that a game must have if it is to and used fixed screens. Although the be played for more than the first week. Programming skill - old favourites will continue to sell, the The chart shows what in my opini- Value for money - A A AAA games that have been stealing the nion have been the outstanding arcade Addictiveness- A AAAA limelight are the ones that are seen to games of the year, and Peter Killworth

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ------GAMES OF THE YEAR

U .^M1.7tt3«

Zalaga is one of the fastest games being positioned on top of the Pengo, around, and the techniques used (like which leaves a horrible mess.) This is the way, for example, that the ships another addictive game, which people always move at a constant speed, no seem to want to play again and again. matter how many are moving at any RATING FOR PENGO I one time), makes this technically excel- Graphics- lent. The amount of information held Sound- (all the shapes, together with their rotations, plus the re-defined character Programming skill s<%t) is truly amazing, and Orlando's Value for money methods of handling this are superla- Addictiveness- tive. Also, it is very addictive, as the computer employs different tactics with armed with a yo-yo is sufficiently off- is quite each sheet, which you have to outwit, beat for it to appeal. Program Power's Killer Gorilla one always feels compelled to play an old favourite now and is beginning to and RATING FOR FR again discover what the next sheet is be regarded as a classic game. A game to - Graphics it establishes like. becomes a classic when Sound itself as the only version on the market. RATING FOR ZALAGA Snapper and Planetoid did this in 1982 Programming skill Graphics and have since remained the only ver- Value for money - Sound sions that most people know. Killer Addictiveness- Gorilla's graphics are good, and serve Programming skill their purpose admirably. Value for money - Fortress is a version of the arcade ING FOR KILLER GORIL Addictiveness- Zaxxon and uses some very game Graphics- AAA interesting techniques to get thescreen www Sound AAA A viator is now the standard flight simu- scrolling. The speed and smoothness v - lator package for the BBC micro. The of this game are superb, and it is cer- Programming skill AAA graphics are adequate for the job of tainly addictive. The graphics are - AAAA Value for money w w w giving the pilot some feedback, and re- amazing, and the speed at which the Addictiveness A AAA sponse time is impressive. The game is landscape rolls past is faster than the it difficult also very addictive - 1 find myself play- arcade version, making more Acornsoft is the ing it more than any of the others than the original. All in all, an excellent Hopper from smooth- for (except Elite). The simulation of flying game, and the only one that I know of est game around the Beeb. that uses diagonal scrolling with a con- The game is extremely cute, with densed screen. happy, brightly coloured little cars and RATING FOR FORTRES lorries, all moving along to the accompaniment of several happy little Graphics - ditties, which play in the background Sound - and which are, thankfully, stoppable - Programming skill even the best tunes become tedious if played too often. This game is also Value for money acquiring classic status, in common Addictiveness- with author Neil Raine's other games, Planetoid and Meteors, released in

Missile Control is easily the best Miss- 1982. ile Command game for the Beeb. The RATING FOR HOPPER whole package is professional: the Graphics AAAw game is fast and colourful, the graphics AAA an acrobatic aircraft is uncanny, and have been competently executed, and Sound w w It is AAA several pilot friends of mine have the game is set to become a classic. Programming skill- w praised its accuracy. quite addictive, and as the level mounts AAA Value for money pumping, which is RATING FOR AVIAT the adrenalin starts AAA a good test of how much concentration Addictiveness ^ Graphics - is required. Sound - Chukkie Egg demonstrates how import- RATING FOR MISSILE CONTROL - ant the addictiveness element is. The Programming skill - Graphics graphics on this game can best be Value for money Sound described as adequate, and yet people Addictiveness- Programming skill find that they are still playing it months later. The sheer number of different Value for money Fraklis a game distinctly different from stages in this game make it compelling Addictiveness- any others. There are no hordes of - you have to find out what will happen screaming baddies, the player is not on the next screen. Also, the way in equipped with a fast-firing laser ship - Pengo from Watford is a very pro- which you can jump to virtually any and speed is not essential, although fessional game in the Pacman tradi- point on the screen without the usual dexterity is. The graphics are' the stun- tion. The catchy tune that is played con- effect of being killed is nice, and a dis- ning thing about this game, with very tinuously is just one example, of the tinct step up from most Donkey Kong- pixel large shapes moving about smoothly. care that went into it. (For all that, there type games, where being a out Also, the idea of being a caveman are still some bugs - such as an egg when you jump means death. page 190

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 ------GAMES OF THE YEAR

RATING FOR CHUKKIE EGG Jet Power Jack attempts to bring Spec- RATING FOR MICRO OLYMPICS Graphics - trum-style graphics to the BBC, and t- Graphics- mostly succeeds. The shapes are per- wt Sound- Sound A A ** haps a shade too small to be clearly w Programming skill- A - A A seen, and the response of the program Programming skill w w - AAA to the player's controls Value for money w w+ is a bit too Value for money- A AAA enthusiastic for me, and I normally go Addictiveness- w www Addictiveness- A A flying across the screen before I've w w worked out what's going on. However, 3D Bomb Alley is yet another 'different' this speed is probably a plus point Ghouls from Micro Power indicates a game, although in essence the old when one becomes experienced. The new direction for games to follow. I've theme of destroying hordes of baddies game is firmly in the Donkey Kong seen the same game for the Commo- is still there. The graphics are the main mould, with a cross-section through the dore 64, so it was obviously designed to advance, the attacking bombers being building in which Jack is moving. be easily converted for other viewed from an anti-aircraft emnlar.p- machines. Perhaps in the future com- ment. The planes get larger and larger, panies will only sell one tape, which until they eventually drop a bomb that will contain versions for all micros, so destroys any ships left in the water. that the user will wind the tape to the During the attack, you must hit them by correct position and load the appropri- moving your sights until they are cover- ate version. Specialist games will con- ing an attacker and then fire. This last tinue to offer better use of the machine. detail is reminiscent of Missile Com- For all that, though, Ghouls is fun. mand. RATING FOR GHO RATING FOR 3D BOMB ALLEY Graphics - Graphics e* Sound Sound - - M Programming skill Programming skill A w Value for money- A A Value for money Addictiveness- Addictiveness- wAAw Snooker from Visions is a faithful ren- dition of the game, with large snooker Blagger has 21 different screens, and balls which move fairly Graphics- about convinc- this variety keeps up interest long ingly. The only thing that I found odd beyond the initial learning phase. The Sound was the bouncing algorithm, as slam- graphics are relatively uninspired, Programming skill - ming a ball into the red pack didn't pro- although better than those of Chukkie duce the normal scattering effect, Value for money but Egg, and sufficient to play the game. instead all the balls absorbed the Addictiveness- What is remarkable is their sheer impact. Other features include the number, as there is not much spare ability to vary the strength of the shot. memory after one has decided to use Overdrive, from Super Software, is RATING FOR SNOOKER mode 2 graphics. graphically quite good, the cars on the Graphics - RATING FO track being scaled according to their Sound Graphics- distance away from the player's car. My only gripe is the lack of corners, Programming skill - Sound which means that most of the skill Value for money Programming skill - needed is in avoiding other cars as you Addictiveness- Value for money - overtake them. At high speeds, these other cars appear very fast, and the Addictiveness- game becomes almost pure reaction. Among the two adventure games that RATING FOR OVERDRIVE make our chart, Level 9s Snowball'xs to Hunchback is a game requiring you to be commended for its logical structure. Graphics A A pilot Quasimodo through a heavily w w The features of the game are the amaz- - guarded castle. This is done by having Sound AA ing text compression - 7,000 rooms a fixed screen which scrolls to one side AA fitted Programming skill w into a standard model B. In this when it is completed. Thus the game game you have to find your way around Value for money - A has different phases, each of which has a large building with separate floors, Addictiveness A A to be completed before one moves on. w w most of which are connected together of the One more useful features of this by lifts (but not the floor you start in - game is the facility to start at any Micro Olympics is interesting from the this is the first puzzle!). phase, which is useful for practising. novelty point of view. The graphics The other game is a new release All this helps to make it addictive. (when you get to them - there are from Acornsoft, called Acheton, which RATING FOR HUNCHBACK rather a lot of instruction pages) are uses techniques devised by Jon Thack- very good, and the man runs extremely ray and David Seal. This is one of the smoothly. Unfortunately, the only copy first adventures for the Beeb that works Sound M that I have seen of this package was in- only with a disc drive, a disc being Programming skill- AAw complete, in that the Throwing and necessary to hold all the room descrip- Running sections didn't exist. However tions and the pointers associated with Value for money AAA the jumping was good, although it was them. The game itself is also chock-full Addictiveness- AAA tricky to judge when to jump. of puzzles.

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 I I

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR JOYSTICK

When you bought your BBC Model three values in any plane. These you hold down a key the aircraft joystick is in that B. or a PLUS 1 or one of the other values are full on, full off or half moved analogue interfaces for the way. This type of joystick will run direction — O.K until you need to ELECTRON, then you paid out a programs which only require up. suddenly swing the other way fair amount of money for the A/D down. left, right or diagonal move- because you will have to wait while the joystick is driven to centre converter. Don't waste it by buying ment in one speed. back switched joysticks. ACORN did not The type of joystick really intended and then off in the other direction. as to put all this additional cost onto the to be used on the BBC is a fully In the on-going debate machines without considering its analogue one. Few programs are whether video games are good or worth against a switched joystick around yet which really take bad for young children; one of the option which could have been run advantage of the variable rates and "for*s" is that they improve from the user port without any angles that can be used with this co-ordination between hand and additional hardware. type. Two programs that do are eye. This is only true if there is a A switched joystick cannot AVIATOR and SNOOKER from direct relationship beween the properly simulate an analogue one ACORNSOFT and you need position of the hand (joystick) and but an analogue one can simulate analogue joysticks to play the the object on the screen. It is not a switched one with extra facilities. joystick versions of these programs. really improving co-ordination if Three types of joystick are around ()ii AVIATOR the joystick replaces the object moves at a rate lor the BBC at the moment. These the real Spilfire"s joystick. A slight determined by software regardless are:- movement of the joystick will cause of the relative position of the stick to it the (a) Switched type that plugs into the plane to change direction or the pressure applied or the user port. slowly and a large movement will speed that is moved. lb) Switched type modified to plug make it change direction sharplv. Similarly the absolute position of a into the analogue port, In SNOOKER the angle of the shot cursor in a graphics program is best tc) Fully analogue. is directly related to the angle of the done with analogue joysticks. The Firstly, don't buy a switched joy- joystick and the strength of the shot cursor can be moved a tiny bit by stick that plugs into the user is determined by (he deflection of making a fine adjustment in any port. Joystick software for the BBC the joystick from the centre direction or can be put the other as as is written to run from the analogue position. side of the screen quick the port. A joystick of this type will Most things in real life are joystick can be moved. need a conversion routine, even to analogue. For instance, imagine To help you make the most of your run programs that have an driving a car with only idle or flat joystick we are offering free listings ACORNSOFT compatible joystick out. forwards or backwards and of some useful joystick utilities for option. Conversion software can brakes that were either hard on just sending us a stamped addressed returning the cause problems, it can interact with with the wheels locked or not on at envelope and the hardware timers in the user all. Imagine picking up an egg with enclosed form. port, or affect the speed of the a hand that was either open or fully game, or sometimes the conversion closed. An attempt can be made to cannot be located because all simulate analogue movement with by Tony Pearmain available memory is used. switches by causing the switch to The switched type of joystick that adjust the rale at which something plugs into the analogue port has is moved. The keyboard version of been fitted with resistors to give AVIATOR is like this-as long as

Please send me a listing oh he Following joystick utilities and more informal ion on the Volt mace Delia range ol analogue |o\ sticks:

1. A utility lo simulate a switched joystick action on an analogue joystick with adjustable sensitivity. joystick. 2. A utility to convert games like SNOOKER from two joysticks to run on one This can also he used to transfer action from one joystick lo another if one joystick is Faulty. This program works very well for a single DELTA 14b where each player has his own fire button. ners existing software 3. For DELTA 14b & I4h I ow a utility to transfer joystick to the side socket of the \ D I si R PORT INTERFACE to save changing the joystick over alter running keyboard joystick conversions.

Please answer these quesitons:-

Doyou own a joystick'.' yes I— no I—

li yes please Rive make

Are you satisfied with your joystick'.' yes I I noO

If no please slate win

Please send your form and stamped addressed envelope to:- VOLTMACE LIMITED, PARK DRIVE, BALDOCK, HERTS, SG7 6EM Telephone (0462 1894410

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 191 Electronequip (Authorised BBC Micro Dealer, and Econet service centre)

SPECIAL OFFERS VOLTMACE JOYSTICKS 5 Mail order only *10% off list prices * EPSON Bl

RX-80 FT £225.25 + VAT

FX-80 £320.88 - VAT

Printer price includes paper and BBC cable Screen available dump rom for £1 1 .50 Ele anc oft Discounted price inc VAT * sta TAXAN/KAGA JSVOLT 1 4 Voltmace Delta 1 4B Joysticks 13 46 JSVOLTAD Voltmace Ref . . 14B/1 Adaptor Box . .13 36 JSV0LT3B KP810 Voltmace Delta 3B Twin Joysticks 18.09 ANBl ANBl SIDEWISE SIDEWISE FITTED ANBl £242.58 + VAT ANBl ANC( ANCt Printer price includes paper and BBC cable IB • ACBE Screen dump rom available for £11.50 ACB1

3 "Micro Disc £89.00 (inc. VAT) "SIDEWAYS" rom board for BBC Micro. No soldering required £33.44 i VAT Disc Interface & Drive £181.30 (inc. VAT) IM-l:M!IJ*MJ

Micro Disc Drive for 14" TV/Monitor the BBC Micro £199.96 + VAT The Micro disc drive offers a method of low cost quick access to programs. The drive is essentially a small version of a 5|" disc drive and offers similar features to the larger drive. The data is stored on a 3" disc, this is enclosed in a protective hard plastic cassette which features a write protect switch. The micro drive requires the standard Acorn disc interface, but a new disc filing system rom. Acorn SOFTWARE DFS may be exchanged for the micro DFS for £2.30. The new micro disc filing system can read and write to Acorn DFS discs. Special offer 1 5% off most Thus if a 5 inch -J and a micro floppy were connected on the same cable files could be transferred between them. software + 1 Free cassette Capacity: 80.64 K bytes Transfer Rate: 125k bit/s. with every 3 bought (phone Networking Torchnet/Econet for details) Advanced connection techniques used on our networks considerably reduce joint resistance Elite etc in stock. ensuring lower end to end resistance than by any other method.

All our BBC's and Torches are networked together. Are yours:

If not phone 0329 230671.

^P^CORN Electronequip COMPUTER BBC \L

192 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 Electronequip (Authorised BBC Micro Dealer, and Econet service centre)

5FREEACORNSOFT GAMES All Acorn products WITH EVERY (while stocks last) 3BC supplied by Electronequip have:-

1 full year warrantee. > (All repairs are \

:iectronequip is an authorised Acorn service centre carried out on site). Ind has been an Acorn dealer since the introduction

:' the Atom. Our demonstration facilities include 20 "ation Econet and Torchnet systems.

i\ BBC Micros Ex VAT Inn VAT BBC/Electron '.301 BBC Model B Micro Computer 348.26 399.00

—*BG2 BBC Model B with Econet Interface 389.14 446.00 $03 BBC Model B with Disc Interface 409.14 469.00 Starter Packs: 1804 BBC Model B with Disc & Econet Interface 450.01 516.00 KOI 6502 Second Processor 174.35 199.00 Z80 Second Processor 348.26 399.00 All BBC Micros (ANBOI's) ;3BITST Acorn Bit Stick (ANF04) 327.39 376.50 -C3TELET Teletext Receiver (ANE01) 195.65 225.00 and Electrons are sold with a starter pack which includes: Electron Starter Pack £229.95 1 BBC Data Recorder (or Sanyo DR101) 5 Acornsoft games cassettes.

BBC Starter Pack ANBOI/ANBSP £399.00 inc VAT

Electron Starter Pack ALAOI/ANBSP £229.95 inc VAT

Disc Pack All offers subject to availability TORCH Prices subject to variation without prior notification Prices for monitors & printers include BBC cable SPECIAL TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME Access & Barclaycard Accepted OFFER Large Stocks 24 Hour Despatch Only £740.00 + VAT with BRANCHES Acorn Disc upgrade F.O.C. MAIL ORDER: 36-38 WEST STREET FAREHAM, HANTS. (0329) 230670 (Free fitting available if required) SHOP/TECHNICAL: 59 WEST STREET FAREHAM, HANTS. (0329) 230671 KINGS LYNN: 17 TENNYSON AVE. (0553) 3782

,4•i: Electronequip coto PUTER BBC %1J 36-38 West Street, Fareham, Hants (0329) 230670 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 193 - SOFTWARE REVIEWS

INTO THE ABYSS TEE-TIME

'Abyss', Case Computer Simulations, 14 'Birdie barrage', Computasolve, BBC B Langton Way, London SE3 7TL. BBC and and Electron, £7.95 Electron, £6.95 IN this neatly packaged golf game, the DESCRIBED as an unusual adventure idea is of course to hit a ball into a hole. game, Abyss consists of grid a to be tra- The title page tells you that the versed. After moving section from one course is 72 par. Once loaded you are of the grid to another, a random puzzle asked if you want music, and to check is set. that caps lock is on. The predefined These are mixture of a mathematical high score table is then displayed. problems, arcade games and memory Pressing the space bar starts the tests. The arcade games may sound game, producing an image of the first great but really only consist of, for fairway. At each hole the red tee box example, avoiding three blobs which has an arrow through it to show the home in on you as they move down the a few lines of instructions to be read at wind direction and contains a yellow screen. Similarly the other problems the top of the screen. The object is to number giving wind-strength. At the don't cause much difficulty, with tasks read a word flashed on the screen, but bottom of the screen is a white box such as remembering a number of let- as this appears simultaneously with the showing the distance and par of the ters in sequence, or answering (within instructions it's impossible to accom- hole being played. After entering your a time limit) if the sum of two numbers plish on your first attempt. Other diffi- choice of club, a window displays the is correct. culties are caused by bad combi- direction of shot, which can be rotated The graphics are poor and some of nations of colours which can only be using the Z and X keys, and the the checks on the mazes are terrible read on clear monitors or monochrome strength, which can be altered by the in one case it's possible to come out of TVs. up and down cursor keys. the entrance, walk round the maze and Abyss is just a collection of small Once set up you press Return and a reach the exit, thus solving the prob- tasks which any semi-competent pro- white pixel pops out from the tee box lem. Another puzzle has a bad feature grammer could write, and really should representing the ball. As the ball slows which means it can only be completed not be sold under the title of 'adven- down it can be carried by the wind. on its second occurrence. It begins with ture'. MR Cooper When it comes to rest it expands into a full stop, which is more easily seen. TRENCH WARFARE

'Battle Planet', ISP Marketing, 15a Cas- crucial that you destroy them, or you tons Yard, off New Road, Basingstoke, tend to expire. Hants, BBC B, £6.95 To aid your quest, you have a force shield which, though using up your DONNING shoulder pads, dark glasses energy somewhat, will protect you from and skin-tight trousers you are yet the robot fighters (who can also be again called upon to adopt the now zapped with the photon gun). Your familiar role of 'hero extraordinaire' to secret weapon, however, is the plasma fly down the also now familiar trench to bolt launcher. You have three plasma have one shot at the even more familiar bolts -one of which is used to destroy ultimate in bad-guys! Battle Planet is a the 'battle planet'- which can stun the remake of the 'fly down a narrow hole robot commander to give you a chance while having goodness knows what to escape. shot at you' scenario. The graphic effect of travelling down Battle planets are about to KO man- the tunnel is really quite effective, kind and you are volunteered to pene- using a colour switching technique trate its one weakness (the trench). which needs a long set-up procedure. Avoiding odd robot fighters and trying Animation is smooth, though not very You proceed like this until you reach

complex, but I was impressed with the the green, then the computer redraws stimulating sound effects. the display as a green background with Packaging is colourful and informa- a black circle in the centre to show the tive, though no control layout is given in hole, with a white circle representing the inlay. The controls are, however, the ball. You are told if it is a fast or slow often given in the run of the program. green, then you set the parameters for

The one surprising feature of Battle your shot as before, except it is pre- Planet is that it is a Basic driven pro- sumed that you chose a putter. And so gram with machine code routines for you proceed through the 18 holes of

the more complicated parts. I dis- Acorn Park Golf Course.

covered this when I pressed 'Escape' The screen displays are good and and -horror of horrors -it escaped! clear on a colour monitor but rather dif- Quite amazing for a commercial game. ficult on a monochrome display. to stay one step ahead of the invincible The game's playable but nothing orig- This is a fairly good game, though robot commander are the seemingly inal apart from this aspect, so there is slightly lacking in excitement; its only impossible odds to be overcome before very little to recommend it. fault is not having a constant display of having a crack at the nasties. It's quite Philip Tudor your running score. Roger Gammans

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 TH€ RCST ABC MICRO SOFTWftRC * PRODUCCD BY AN IND€P€ND€NT SOFTUIflftC HOUSC * *2& * TOP OUnilTV MflCHINC-CODC PROGRAMS * 0® -ssssr i

BMX ON THC MOON (32K) £7.95 Smooth scrol ling-screen orcode oction. In this gome you control o moon cycle which you use to potrol the surfoce of the moon. Vou must ovoid the rocks on the surfoce, ond olso the monsters bouncing high in the low gravity. You should try to shoot down the spoceships which fly overheod dropping bombs onto the moon surfoce-. fl further hozord ore the flying borrels which ore often just too high to shoot or jump over, ond just too low to squeeze underneoth. • ••N€UUR€L€flS€»»» Br&$&

(TjBSfo Monu of our titles ore available in Boots, LU.H. Smiths, John Menzies, Rumbelows. Laskus, Currus, jufflly HMV, Greens at Debenhams ond Spectrum Shops. Also at all major computer dealers - €ltec Computers, Micro Management, West Coast Personal Computers, Miaostule, Clectronequip, 3D lt-1fcH»r»TiiMI major distributors, and d

wrap"*1 'man v #

v. -'""" K ?A'-'\ ' "Twm

UIINGCD WARLORDS (32K) £7.95

fl foscinoting arcade-style gome for one or two players. €och player rides an ostrich, and the aim is to knock the enemy riders off by colliding with them. In a collision the rider with the highest jousting pole will be victorious. If you are successful, the enemy will revert to its original form: an egg. The egg must be collided with to prevent it from hatching. Avoid the lava bath at the bottom of the screen, and remember: you can fly better by using stronger strokes - imagine you are an ostrich trying to fly! (K6YBOAAD OA JOYSTICKS) • ••N6WR€l€AS€»»»

SUPCMOR SOFfUJAftC LTD. OUR GUAftftNTCC

fill our is available before we advertise. Dept. RUll. Regent House, (1) software (2) fill our software is despatched within 48 hours by first-class post. Skinner Lone, Leeds 7 (3) In the unlikely event that any of our software fails to load, return your cassette to us and we will immediately send a replacement, Tel: 0532 459453 £11.49 OR LESS. HOWS THATFOR STARTERS?

Everything you need to organise yourself and to Also look out for the range of Rexel Computer Care operate and maintain your and Maintenance products. Prices start from £3.50. computer - cassette storage, You couldn't have a better start than that. programming, cleaning - all together in one complete kit, For more information on the Rexel Computer The Rexel Home Computer Care products, write to: Starter Kit is put together by Rexel Ltd, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, experts to help you get the DUCKS. Hriy jUI Cassette binder supplied without cassettes very best out of your micro, especially if you are starting on the exciting business of creating your own programs. REXEL Compatible with every cassette driven micro, it is COMPUTER SUPPLIES available now at W.H.Smith, John Menzies and other leading suppliers. And at £11.49 or less, it's an absolute gift. TAKEA CLOSER LOOKATREXEL

196 ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 SOFTWARE REVIEWS I

your you've first loaded it M followed by A is more so when the fox is hot on the I playing ONE MORE used to start the game, it appears to heels. became so annoyed

default to the joystick control for direc- game that I delved into the code to see

tions of your ship, although you still if it was written in Basic. It doesn't TIME seem to be able to fire with Return. appear to be, but its hard to see why The graphics on this game are of there should be this trouble if the game reasonable quality and well laid out. is totally in m/c code. There aren't 'One Last Game', Clemoes Software, with moving sprites to cause any I interesting game enough BBC and Electron (Plus-1 needed for found this an problem. joystick option), £6.95 the excitement of a lot of the oldies such as and Pacman. As far as I'm concerned, I've played Roger Gammans better versions of this game from list- ings published free in magazines, and wouldn't consider buying Blockbuster AVOIDING THE when there are so many more respon- sive programs available. Simon Williams ALBATROSS

Blockbuster', Micro Power, BBC, £7.95 MAYDAY (disc £9.95) MICRO POWER has acquired quite a MAYHEM reputation for producing high-quality versions of existing arcade games for Mayday'. Clemoes Software, BBC, £6.95 the BBC micro. More recently it has A CROSS between Space Invaders and started to release new software on disc Lunar Lander Scramble, One Last Game from Cle- MAYDAY is essentially a type game, ie. your craft is launched moes is unusual in allowing the joystick the mother ship and you must land option on the Electron (with Plus-1) to from the two pads at the bottom of be used with a cassette. on one of the screen. Once loaded a tune is played which I The first odd thing I noticed about this imagine sounds good on the Elk as it was that there didn't appear to be uses the cassette motor relay for the game any gravitational pull, so there are only drum. There are six different types of two speeds -fast (without thrust) and aliens to fire, named Slimey, Rapier. slow (with). Zit, Rammer, Invulno and Vogon. A list Once landed and stopped for a quick of these is shown when the game is cuppa, you must take off again, avoid- loaded. At the bottom of the screen it ing aliens who drop bombs on your tells you how to start and how to display

shuttle. I found getting down onto the the control keys. pads easy, and the asteroids weren't To play you use A and Z to go up and too bad, but getting back to the mother down and Return to fire. As the one pro- as well as cassette, and Blockbuster \s ship was quite a challenge. gram runs both on the Beeb and the Elk available in both versions. To make the game more interesting you can increase the speed of the game The game follows the format of and addictive there are several differ- with shift, which of course adds to the Q'Bert, in which you jump a character ent colourful screens and graphics are 20 different levels. When playing you around a structure of hexagonal good, if a little flickery. face five rows of aliens to shoot at. Two columns, changing the colours of their

I found one bug: when the explosion or more aliens leave the rows depend- tops as you go. In this version, your of your ship takes place, bits fly every- ing on the level and come forward character is a large green rabbit, and where, yet the image of your craft shooting, trying to kill you by running trying to prevent him completing his fox. can remains at the bottom of the screen. into you if you evade their fire. If you let task is an equally big blue You /Wayc/aycomes with a screen shot on them pass they will rejoin their ranks, temporarily forestall his pursuit by the front of the inlay (this is left out on so you can have another go at shooting luring him off the back of the blocks safety on many games, and such an omission them (stupid aliens!). If when the game while elevating yourself to always makes me suspicious of the finishes your score is high enough to one of the two multicoloured disks pro- content), but it's not a game I'd rush out get into the high score table you are vided for the purpose. and buy. Rob Fenton given a rating: poor, average, etc. (I Other characters occasionally crop aver- to cause you annoyance and most confess I haven't done better than up age yet). are fatal to the touch. A fat white gull, The 20 levels are lettered A to T and described in the cassette inlay as an by entering the correct letter after albatross, floats to and fro overhead space/fire/M you can start at any one. and drops the odd blob of noxious The ground alternates between build- guano' -nice! The sound effects are ings and hills as the levels change. fairly ordinary, but the rabbit produces One Last Game operates on a mixed a satisfying boing each time he hops. control format. Apart from the usual My main grouse is the response to keyboard or joystick choice, a third the control keys. This is so intermittent option allows direction control from the on the first level that it can take three or joystick and fire from the keyboard. four depressions of the relevant key Although you can start with M or the before any action occurs. This is frus- space bar from the keyboard, if when trating at the best of times, but much

ACORN USER DECEMBER 1984 SOFTWARE REVIEWS I

'crackits'. His only protection is the GROWING «s f$ «»J^^^J^^^y^* T n 1 ability to push the boulders which form the walls of the maze in the hope of Vl^l^l-M^l^l-M-Kl squashing a crackit against a wall. The PAINS difference IB ilTjI'M'M'M .. I between Rubble Trouble

and the other versions I have played is 'Paranoid Pete', UBIK Software, BBC B, that the boulders bounce back if the £7.95 -hi ., « crackit is missed and mm m ton stand a good AT first sight Paranoid Pete looks •vara chance of turning you into so much rather insignificant, packaged in a m m pate.

normal cassette case with a bright This all adds to the excitement, but if •HI «W yellow inlay card, but it's an amusing, you're still after something more, there m -M