Full text of "PC Mag"
I
F
[
he Independent Guide
Personal Compute
The Man Behind The Machine?
' 'Not-SO-Easy Writer' ' a user's Report
Product reports: TecMates, Mathemagic, Visi-1040,
The Freedom Network, and more . . .
ipM's New Personal Computer:
y Taking The Measure
r ..-1 .... ^ / i r . I 1 I. .
rial
Presenting the IBMof
Ba-sonal Oxnputers.
IBM is proud to announce a product ^oa may have a
personal interest in. It's a tool that could soon be on your
desk, in your home or in your child's schoolroom. It can
make a surprising difference in the way you work, learn
or otherwise approach the complexities (and some of the
simple pleasures) of living.
It's the computer we're making for you.
In the past 30 years, the computer has become
faster, smaller, less complicated and less expensive. And
IBM has contributed heavily to that evolution.
Today, we've applied what we know to a new
product we believe in: the IBM Personal Computer.
IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS
*advan(:i:d e i ati ri:s ior personal compi ters
User Memory Display Screen
16K 256K b\ies* Hish resolution
Permanent Memory (720h x 350v)*
(ROM)40Kb>ies* 80 characters x 25 lines
Upper and Urnvr case
Microprocessor
High speed, 8088*
Auxiliary Memory
2 optional inicrnal
diskette drivts,
5V4". 160K bytes
per diskette
Keyboard
83 keys. 6 ft. cord
attaches to
s>'steni unit*
10 funciion keys*
10-ke\' numeric pad
Tactile fetxiback
Gteen phosphor
scavn*
Diagnostics
Rjftvr-on self testing*
Parity checking
Languages
BA.SIC, Pascil
Printer
Bidirectional*
80 characters/seaind
12 character styles, up to
132 characiers/line*
9x9 charaaer matrix*
Color/Grapiilcs
Text modi'
16 a)lors*
2% characters and
s\Tnbols in ROM*
Graphics mode:
4-color a-solution:
320h X 200v*
Black & while resolution:
640h X 200v*
Simultaneous graphics &
text capability
Conuntmications
R.S-232-C interlace
Asynchn )noas (start/stop )
pR)ttXX)l
Up to 9600 bits
per second
It's a computer that has reached a truly personal
scale in size and in price: starting at less than $l,600^for
a system that, with the addition of one simple device,
hooks up to your home TV and uses your audio cassette
recorder.
For flexibility, performance and ease of use, no other
personal computer offers as many advanced features to
please novice and expert alike (see the box).
Features like high resolution color graphics. Ten,
user-defined function keys. The kind of expandability
that lets you add a printer for word processing, or user
memory up to 256KB. Or BASIC and Pascal languages
that let you write your own programs. And a growing list
of superior programs like VisiCalc,^*' selected by IBM to
match the quality and thoughtfulness of the system's
total design.
This new system will be sold through channels
which meet our professional criteria: the nationwide
chain of 150 ComputerLand® stores, and Sears Business
Systems Centers. Of course, our own IBM Product
Centers will sell and service the system. And the IBM
Data Processing Division will serve those customers
who want to purchase in quantity.
Exfjerience the IBM Personal Computer. "Vbu'll be
surprised how quickly you feel comfortable with it. And
impressed with what it can do for you. ==^= =»
The IBM Personal Computer and me.
4
For the IBM Personal ( .>inpu(c r dealer nearest you. call (8(K)) 447-^700 In Illinois, (800) 322-4400
tThis price applin to IBM Product Centrrs.
Prices may vwy ai other siom.
VifiCalc IS a iraJemark of Prreonal Software. \nc
Ci'i
When IBM' built their newest toolbox,
the/ came to Microsoft for tools.
Leadership. When the world's leading computer
manufacturer decided to enter the microcomputer
world, they came to the leaders in microcomputer
software: Microsoft. In fact today, Microsoft has
provided more software tools for the IBM Personal
Computer than any other software manufacturer
Start with MS-DOS?' When IBM chose the primary
operating system for the IBM Personal Computer,
they chose MS-DOS. They call it PC-DOS. It's a power-
ful, yet easy to use and understand operating
system. And all software currently available for the
IBM Personal Computer runs under PC-DOS. It's
IBM's principal DOS for the Personal Computer
Next, languages. Microsoft 16-bit Cassette BASIC
is standard with the IBM Personal Computer But
Microsoft also provided 16-bit Disk BASIC, Advanced
BASIC, Pascal. FORTRAN, and utility software for
the Personal Computer For fun, we added the
Microsoft™ Adventure game. For self-improvement
. . .Typing Tutor.
Why Microsoft? Microsoft virtually invented micro-
computer software when we put BASIC on the first
personal computer Since then, we've developed a full
range of languages, utilities and operating systems.
Software that has become a standard for the 8-bit
world. Software that is becoming the standard
for the 16-bit world. That's why the world's leader in
computer hardware came to Microsoft, the world's
leader in microcomputer software.
IBM IS a registered trademark of International Business Machines. Corp.
MS-DOS and Microsofi are trademarks of Microsoft. Inc.
Microsoft. Inc
10700 Norttiup Way • Bellevue. WA 98004
~T — TTTTrrrr^ — ; Un^ \., iWSti ■ \m »>h —
AS AN AUTHOR
THIS MIGHT BE YOUR
MOST IMPORIANT UNE.
If you've tried to market your own program,
■ you've probably run into a virtual brick wall of
problems. Problems that require time, energy, funds,
personnel and expertise to solve.
Lifeboat Associates invites you to bring your
problems to us. That way you can do what you do
best: create quality software. And we can do what we
do best: sell it.
As an international publisher of quality
computer software with a strong relationship among
business, professional, programming and personal
computer users, as well as micro- and minicomputer
OEM's, Lifeboat Associates has sold and fully
supported more software programs by more authors
for more machines to more users in more countries
than anyone else.
And we do a lot more than sell. Lifeboat
also provides:
• Full after sales support • A multitude of media
formats • OEM sales • Extensive promotional cam-
paigns through Lifeboat's Software Desk Reference^**,
specially designed OEM private label catalogs, foreign
catalogs, brochures, flyers and direct mail • Adver-
tising • Advertising preparation • Marketing services
throughout a wide network of affiliates, dealers and dis-
tributors • Translation facilities into foreign languages
• Seminars • Typesetting services • And lots more
So if you've expended your time and genius in
writing a great program, bring it to Lifeboat. We'll
expend our time and genius in publishing it.
Write for a copy of the Lifeboat Author Guide.
lifebecrt Associates
World's foremost software source
1651 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10028
Copyrighi (^1961. by Liteboal Associates Software Desk Reference ts a trademark of U'eboat Associates
Keep up with
the latest COBOL products
for business appUcations
..with the Micro Focus Newsletter
Now, the Miao Focus Newsletter
t^nables you to keep up to date with
the latest COBOL products and
applications. It's the kind of information you
can't afford to b>e without - so ask us to mail
you, starting with the current issue covering
topics such as:
Mainframe COBOL capability. . .
...on the next generation of miaocomputers.
Thats the promise of Level II COBOL"
Currently being sold to major computer
manufacturers, Level II COBOL implements
seven COBOL modules to the highest level of
the ANSI '74 specification . . .
Multi-user environments . . .
. . . such as bank-switched MP/M are now
catered for by FILESHARE Based on the
IBM 8100 specification, FILESHARE provides
total security for CIS COBOL" programs
updating shared files . . .
UNIX- systems...
... can now run CIS COBOL and Miao Focus'
source code generator, FORMS-2 " UNIX and
CIS COBOL are natural partners for rapid
application development . . .
HI MICRO FOCUS
Micro Focus Inc. 1601 Civic Center Drive,
Santa Clara, Ca 95050. USA.
Phone: (408) 496 0176. Telex: 278704 MFCIS UR
Micro Focus Ltd. 58 Acacia Road, London
NW8 6AG. England. Phone: (01) 722 8843.
Telex: 28536 MICROFC
CIS COBOL, FORMS-2. FILESHARE and Level II COBOL are
trademarks of Micro Focus. UNIX is a registered trademark of
Bell Laboratories Apple II is a registered trademark of
Apple Computer. MP/M is a trademark of Digital Researcfi
Apple II as COBOL...
. . . provides one of the lowest- cost COBOL
systems ever. Apple dealers are stocking it
now, following world-wide distribution by
Apple . . .
COBOL applications . . .
... are now available for a host of industries,
and one transport industry user tells how he
used CIS COBOL to achieve 'radical improve-
ments in efficiency'. . .
Writing effective packages . . .
... on miaocomputers presents new oppor-
tunities and challenges. A question and
answer section shows the CIS COBOL
solutions to problems that could be bugging
you . . .
In Japan...
... CIS COBOL is now distributed by the
leading supplier of miaocomputer software,
and has been bought by six computer
manufacturers . . .
To receive our newsletter - mail this coupon
(or your business card, marking it Newsletter
Offer) direct to us:
^Please mail me
the Micro Focus Newsletter
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Title
Company
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Copy I '1 tUL-i kil
A comper
of facts, news, opinions, rum«»»k, — sossip, inside
inteMrsence, speculation and forecasts about IBM Personal Computers.
'A Very Different IBM"
An executive of an independent
software company that is develop-
ing application programs for IBM
Personal Computers recently
shared with K some experi-
ences of IBM's willingness to work
with non-IBM program marketers.
Though the comments seemed fa-
vorable, the speaker shall, at
his/her own request, remain
nameless.
"It's a very different IB.M," said
the software developer. " They at
least listen when vou call on the
phone."
"We went down to see them,
and they told us, We don't want
to develop software for this ma-
chine ourselves.' They were very
open and helpful about giving us
the technical information we
needed. The feeling was so radi-
cally different — it's like stepping
out into a warm breeze."
"They really want to coop-
erate. .After years of hassling —
fighting the Not-lnvented-Here
attitude — we're the gods. "
"BiUion DoUar Baby"
The above figure suggests Fu-
ture Computing, Inc.'s assessment
of the IBM Personal Computer's
economic impact. IBM's Billion
Dollar Baby is also the title of a
155-page report by Drs. Portia
Isaacson and Egil Juliussen, of the
Richardson, Texas, consulting
firm. Actually, the title is conser-
vative compared to the figures in-
side. Among the forecasts the re-
port offers those who pony up the
$450 asking price:
• Based on product demand esti-
mated by surveying key computer
stores, the retail value of IB.M's PC
Lookalikes From Home & Abroad
Perhaps expecting that IB.M
won't satisfy the demand of all
who want to buy — or sell — IBM
Personal Computers, at least three
companies are said to be preparing
"lookalikes." One, rep<irtedly
coming from Lee Data, a I .S. com-
pany, is purported to be compati-
ble with all PC standards, from the
disk drives on up.
Then there have been murmurs
in the trade press of a PC-
c(mipatible personal computer to
be made by Italy's Olivetti — a
company, incidentally, whose
typewriters are sold through some
major retail chains. But the Adan-
tic isn't the only ocean that may
have PC lookalikes crossing it.
Rumor has a PC lookalike well
along in the works at a Japanese
manufacturer. This machine, nat-
urally, wouldn't have IBM's name
and reputation to help sell it. But.
us a countervailing point, what if
the maker could argue that it was a
company IBM itself trusted enough
to use as a provider for parts of the
PC?
hardware sales will grow from
S3W) million in 1982 to $2,3 bil-
lion in 1986.
• Retail value of IBM software
sales will grow from S85 million in
1982 to S'OO million in 1986.
• .Meanwhile, over the same peri-
od, PC-related .sales of hardware
from other companies will grow
from $65 million to $685 millicm,
and related sales of software from
other parties will rise from $15 j
million to S.^95 million. '
The total for all the above cate-
gories will exceed $4 billion by
1986, Future Computing says.
IBM Employees Snapping Up PCs.
From the subscription orders
pouring into PC in IB.M envelopes,
and from the news PC keeps bear-
ing about sizeable IB.M-employee
Personal Computer Clubs, it's
clear that interest in the PC from
within the IB.M family is substan-
tial. But just how substantial?
In the December issue of Think.
an IB.M company magazine, the
number of employee PC orders is
ARCNET
Connection Coming?
Word has reached PC of a plug-
in module under development that
will allow connection of IBM Per-
sonal Computers to the ARCNET
local area communications net-
work manufactured by Datapoint
Corp. ARCNET is the local network
scheme adopted by Tandy Corp.
for connecting their TRS-80 Model
II computers together and hcMiking
them up to other devices such as
high-capacity mass storage. It also
allows the Radio Shack computers
to work together with larger com-
puters made by Datapoint. If an
ARCNET module for PCs is intro-
duced, it could provide a connec-
tion allowing IBM PCs and TR.S-80
.Model lis to be mixed together in
an integrated system.
put at 10.000. A phone call in Oc-
tober from a PC informant claimed
30.000 IBM employees had placed
orders for PC systems. At the COM-
DEX trade show , a number men-
tioned by more than one visitor to
the PC exhibit booth was 40.000
employee orders. And just before
press time, a note hand-scraw led
on notebook paper by an anony-
mous, self-described IB.M employ-
ee arrived in our mail. It claimed
more than 60,000 IBMers had put
in orders for PCs in the first month
of the company's employee offer.
Whatever the number, two pos-
sible reasons suggest themselves:
some employees may hope to capi-
talize on an anticipated .scarcity
and IBM's said-to-be-generous
employee deal (according to one
report: half price, with 2 years to
pay through payroll deduction) by
reselling for a profit. Others more
likely are eager to use their PCs to
begin writing programs for sub-
mission to IB.M's software market-
ing operati(m. (That, by the way,
is the only channel which
employees will be permitted to use
for selling their PC creations, ac-
cording to another source. )
Our loose-leaf correspondent
said employee deliveries were go-
ing to start last December and be
completed by September of '82.
PC Clubs Forming Fast
At least four groups have
already been organized for people
who have an interest in IBM Per-
sonal Computers. The groups'
scope ranges from local to regional
to national.
Two of the clubs have been
formed by employees at IBM facili-
ties, one in San Jose, California
and the other in Austin, Texas.
The first regional group to come to
PC's attention is based in the
Philadelphia area. And the nation-
al group, which has taken the
name "Autumn Revolution '81, "
is headquartered in Tulsa.
Many other groups may already
have formed, and many more are
likely to appear in the future, and
PC would like to hear about them.
(Drop information to "Clubs,"
PC, 1239 21st Avenue, San Fran-
cisco, California 94122.) Ad-
dresses for those we know of so far
are:
Pbiladelpbia Area IBM PC Iser
Group
do Craig Uthe
4101 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
The IBM Club
do David Andrews
310 Honey Tree Lane
Austin, Texas 78746
/BM PC Users Group
do Lee Wersel
7255 Orchard Drive
Gilroy, California 95020
Autumn Revolution
'81
Autumn Revolution '81, an in-
dependent users group for the IBM
Personal Computer, has opened its
national headquarters in Tulsa,
Oklahoma.
According to organizer Dan
Perry, the group already has
several thousand members across
the nation. Autumn Revolution
'81 is "dedicated to its members
and to the development and appli-
cation of the capabilities" of the
IBM Personal Computer.
Membership is S30 for one year
and 155 for two. The announced
benefits include a subscription to
the club's monthly newsletter, ac-
cess to an IBM PC software library,
access to a technical library, user
training and use of a "technical
hotline" — a toll-free number
members can call and, for a fee of
$1 per minute (S5 minimum), re-
ceive user information from a
qualified technical person.
Autumn Revolution '81 makes
it very clear in its literature that its
intentions are highly ethical. The
group does not 'condone soft-
ware piracy and other practices in-
tended to undermine or circum-
vent the honesty and creativity of
the persons engaged in the per-
sonal computer marketplace. "
Autumn Ret'olution '81
P.O. Box 55329
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74155
Numberless PCs??
Some initial press reports about
"The IBM Personal Computer"
made quite a thing of its being
"the first IBM product without a
model number."
T'ain't so! The nice, silvery
nameplate on the PC's front iden-
tifies it by name only. But on the
back of the System Unit, near the
power outlet, a matching silvery
square discreetly announces the
product as the Model 5150. (The
number also appears on the speci-
fication plate.)
Thus, the PC can be interpreted
as an outgrowth, at least in IBM's
eyes, of IBM's earlier models 5100
and 5110. Oh well... it's been
known to happen before — dumb,
stolid parents having a bright, per-
sonable kid. (And the kid not
wanting to talk much about his
parents. )
Bar Code Decoded
Been wondering about the bar-
code label on the back of IBM Per-
sonal Computers — the one that
looks something like those on cans
of peas? No, you won't see PCs for
sale in the supermarket (Yet!) The
bars are used in the factory for
production control. Each PC has a
unique label, and each work sta-
tion in the IBM plant has a label
reader. Every time a PC is moved
to a new stage in assembly, the
readers are used to report the
move to a big computer keeping
track of the production process.
From this information, a complete
who-what-when production his-
tory is developed for each unit. If
problems crop up, IBM hopes this
system will help cure them fast.
Program Generator Does Graphics, Music
"Program generators" —
programs that help users write
other programs — have recently
appeared on the microcomputer
scene, with varying levels of
sophistication and power. (One
heavily advertised version is called
TIk Last One.) In general, these
are only capable of creating pro-
grams that do traditional number-
crunching and file handling. But
Advanced Operating Systems, an
Indiana company, has announced
the imminent debut of a product in
this vein for the IBM Personal
Computer — with a special twist.
The company's program generator
will have fiill access to the
graphics and music features of the
PC. Release of the program could
come early in 1982.
PC Production Guess
As you can teU, the topic of the
IBM Personal Computer is one
with great potential to set tongues
wagging. The owner of one such
tongue phoned the PC offices to
give an unverified report about the
number of 8088 processor chips
IBM had ordered from Intel (the
chip's manufacturer). The caller
asserted IBM had committed for a
minimum of 150,000 chips in
1982, with options to take the or-
der as high as 225,000. Our caller
also commented that, to his
knowledge, the Personal Compu-
ter is the only IBM product using
that particular chip, and that we
could draw our own conclusions
from there.
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Jason McDonald
has a competitive edge on the market,
right in his own home.
You can have all the financial Information
you could only get from your broker, right
on your home TV screen. How? With a
low cost terminal or microcomputer and
CompuServe s financial services.
We have a data base that is now serving
thousands of customers throughout the
United States with the very latest informa-
tion on stocks, commodities, bonds and
most of the name business and financial
publication sources required to keep
abreast of today's competitive markets.
Just look at the financial information that's
available through the CompuServe
Information Service network. At home.
On your TV screen.
MicroQuote: current and historical
data on more than 40.000 ^ stocks,
bonds and options. Includes vol-
umes, dividends, earnings per share,
ratings and shares outstanding.
The information is updated daily.
Commodity News Service:
pricing, news and commentary on
energy, metals, financial instruments
and agricultural commodities. Also
weather, agricultural and economic
news.
Standard & Poor's General
Information File: selected items
of information from S&P's NYSE,
ASE, and OTC Stock Reports on
over 3.000 corporations.
Financial pages of major
regional newspapers: electronic
editions of major daily newspapers
including The Washington Post. The
New York Times. The San Francisco
Chronicle, plus the AP financial wire.
Raylux Financial Advisory
Service: business outlook, financial
commentary, stock market outlook,
securities glossary and industrial
outlook model.
Value Line Data Base II:
CompuServe provides access to
fundamental financial information on
more than 1 .700 public companies.
Fintol: personal financial programs.
How much does it cost?
The basic charge is S5.00 an hour from 6
PM to 5 AM local time weekdays, and all
day weekends — billed in minutes to your
charge card. tVlicroQuote. Standard &
Poor's and Value Line are extra cost
options. You can access the CompuServe
Information Service with a local phone
hook-up from more than 260 U.S. cities.
For hardware you need a terminal or
personal computer and a modem.
There's more.
Along with the financial services, you get
all the rest of the CompuServe Informa-
tion Services: AP news and sports wires,
electronic editions of major daily news-
papers, games, electronic encyclopedia,
government publication data, travel
information, valuable consumer and
home-related information, entertainment
features, electronic mail, nationwide
bulletin board, newsletters from com-
puter manufacturers— and more!
When your broker's not available, we
are. CompuServe s Information Service
can give you a competitive edge. Get
a demonstration of the CompuServe
Information Service at a Radio Shack"
Computer Center or many Radio Shack'
Outlets. Or for more information
write "Financial Information " at the
address below.
Radio Shack is a trademark
Of Tandy Corporation
CompuServe
information Service Division
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Colunnbus. Ohio 43220
(614) 457-8600
Charter iMm.im
42 16 26
IN THIS ISSUE
U social K«p»rt
Taking The Measure (Part 1)
IBM's new Personal Computer: beginning a thorough evaluation from the user's point of view .... 42
First ImprcMiont 43
Beanstalk Basic PC BASIC-powerful and complex 44
Graphic Power a Languase within a language. 46
OpenSysteai IBM comes to the plug ln world of personal computers. 47
Operational Choice An overview of three operating systems byHalGlatzer 50
The Man Behind The Machine? by David Bunnell 16
Software guru Bill Gates may have provided IBM much more than a new BASIC language and Disk
Ofserating System. You be the judge.
C— iMwicatioM
Saperliteracy a writer s search for the electronic graii. by Clifford Barney 26
The Freedom Network New aid for - electronic mail." 30
rc Playpen
Oameware coming, bnt. . . Game program publishers reveal plans, by Carl Warren 32
Ua»t H«pert
"Not-So-EasyWriter" by Andrew Flueselman 35
A candid evaluation and useful tips from an early buyer of IBM's chosen word processing program.
Cominf Attractions how pc wiii be evaluating produas, and what's in the pipeline, by Larry Press 40
Publislwr a Iditer-ln-Chicf: DAVID BUNNELL Editor: JIM EDLIN Dcslan Director: JAMES McCAFFRV PC-Lab Director:
DR. LARRY PRESS CenmHiiicatioRS Editor: CLIFFORD BARNEY Associate Editors: HAL GLATZER, JEREMY JOAN HEWES,
CARL WARREN Prosraaimins Editor: KARL KOESSEL Contribvtina Editors: EDDIE CURRIE, DR. REBECCA THOAAAS,
JEAN VATES Copy Editors: SUZANNE CLUPPER, MICHAEL CORRIGAN, BlUANNA SIVANOV Art Staff: LAUREL PHILLIPS,
MICK WIGGINS, MICHAEL ZIPKIN StaM iliHttraters: LINDA HARRISON, DON NACE, LINDA NACE Staff Pbotosrapiwr:
JACQUELINE POITIER ■ Director of Marketins « Sales: CHERYL WOODARD
Cevcr Pbete ky Jay Carlioa
8
Ci
Volume 1, Number 1
54
64
72
lif— ti
COMPEX: The Year 1 PC a report on the bissest-ever microcomputer trade show, and the PC's impact there.
PC Preview: T«cMat«S a smorsasbord of PC add-ons
PC Preview: Math«masic Turn your computer into a calculator.
.54
57
58
PrwfiU
PC For A Publithor by Jeremy Joan Hewes
How Andrew Flueselman of The Headlands Press is putting his new PC to work.
l«»h iHCfpt
.64
DONT! (Or How To Care For Voar CompHlar) by Rodnay Zaks
Chapter 3, Floppy Disks: A short course on taking care of your PC's crucial storage medium.
.72
Memory MaximiMr a full memory complement on one plug-in card .
Viti-1040 Tax planning models for spreadsheet programs
82
.84
KmbmI
How To
Legal considerations when you buy a computer. by K. Stewart Evans Jr.
The Afl€ of Altair Rediscovering the roots of personal computing. by David Bunnell and Eddie Currie
86
.88
■ C1m»
■ D«MrtMcMt
David Bunnell
Flying Upside Down 10
Zero Bate Thinkins / Jim Idlin
Confessions Of A Convert . . 12
Jean Yates A Rebecca Thomas
What do you do with all those computers 62
PCommuniques
Letters To PC
PC Directories
Book Reviews Wordstar Made Easy, by Walter Ettlin .
New On The Market
Index To Advertisers
Wish List
. 5
.14
.80
.91
.93
.95
.96
K: The iKdcpcRdcat Qaidc To IIM Personal CeaiiMitcrt
Prcaiicrc Ium— VoInhm 1, Naiiib«r 1 — FcbrHarr-Marcb 19Sfl
(ISSN applied for.) Published bimonthly by Software Communications Inc.
Miterial aad lasiMu OMc«: Ifllf titt A««mm, Saa Fraacisc*, Califoraia f 41tt
CoaipaScrvc 70370,53t
41S/753-S088
tabKripMoati Within USA-six issues for SIS Elsewhere-s« issues fa S54, air delivery (please remit US funds)
PC IS an independent journal, not affiliated in any way witti International Business Macfimes Corporation IBM ts a resistered trademark of International Business Machines Corp
Entire contents Copyright 1982, Software Communications Inc All rights reserved, reproduction m whole or in part without written permission is prohibited Tt^ following are tracJeniaflcs of
Software Communicalions Inc.: PC, The Independent Guide To IBM Personal Computers. PC lab. Kommumques, PC Playpen, Projea PC, Wish List. Zero Base Thinkins.
Printed in U S A. Ci
David Bunnell
FLYING UPSIDE DOWN
Conceived shortly after ibm announced its personal com-
puter on August 14, \9S\,PC: The Independent Guide to IBM I^rsonal Com-
puters was realized in its present form by the vision and determination of
those who have contibuted to it.
WE LAUNCHED OUR PROJECT OCTOBER 1,
1981, and six weeks later exhibited our
Preview Issue at the Comdex Computer
Show in Las Vegas — alleged to be tjie big-
gest computer industry show ever. Our PC
booth was mobbed for the entire four days
of the event. There was a great deal of in-
terest in the IBM Personal Computer sitting
on our counter (running the BASIC demo
programs), the opportunity to enter our
subscription giveaway, and the magazine
itself.
We left Comdex in high spirits, and got
back to home-base San Francisco just
before Thanksgiving. We immediately
launched the parallel processes of selling
advertising, setting up dealers and putting
together the actual editorial content.
Along the way we established a produc-
tion flow, contracted with the best printer
we could find, made plans for fulfillment,
set-up a subscription sweepstakes, gar-
nered in the best writers in the business,
and proceeded with all of the many other
tasks of magazine publishing.
There are good magazines and there are
bad magazines as well as successful and
unsuccessful ones. We strongly sense that
the users of the IBM Personal Computer
will demand quahty end-user publications
filled with useful, well-written infor-
mation. It is our destiny to be the first such
publication and our intention to always be
the best.
We unabashedly aspire to that elite set
of sensationally successful maga-
zines— ifo///M^ Stone, Playboy, and BYTE
are recent examples — that seem to
magically combine concept and timing in a
brew which results in a dizzy success cycle
that no business plan could ever account
for.
When you get into the business of pure
dynamic change, as we feel we have been
in at PC, you open up full-throttle and
operate largely on instinct. As Tracy Kid-
der put it in Soul of a Mew Machine, you
"fly upside down."
So, we come to you flying upside down.
Fortunately for /'C and our readers, the
PC crew is mostly combat vets.
Still, it's the things you don't anticipate
which cause the most aggravation. Ironi-
cally, in the end they are often the source
of our most humorous memories. The
whole day before the Comdex show in Las
Vegas provided the PC crew with several
such examples.
The plan that day was that our Market-
ing Director Cheryl Woodard and myself
would leave San Francisco on a morning
flight. Upon arriving at Las Vegas we
would pick up the rented station wagon,
drive to the two hotels we were booked
into, check in luggage for ourselves and
for Editor Jim Ediin and Staff Photographer
Jacqueline Poitier, and then drive over to
the Convention Center to make sure our
booth was properly setup.
Meanwhile, Jim and Jackie, scheduled
on an afternoon flight were driving
around San Francisco picking up signs and
printed material from a half dozen shops.
They would bring these things with them
which explains why Cheryl and I brought
their luggage.
The first thing that went wrong was
that the hotel had no record of my reser-
vation and all the rooms on the Strip were
booked for the weekend.
The second thing that went wrong was
minor, really, which was the color of the
carpet at our booth was red instead of
blue. That and the fact they forgot our fur-
niture.
The third thing was that when Cheryl
inquired about the furniture she discov-
ered that the people who staff Comdex had
never heard of us.
The fourth thing was that Jim and Jackie
picked up all the printed material OK but
missed their plane. They could see it pull-
ing away from the gate as they dashed into
the boarding area.
Finally when it seemed like everything
had been pulled back together— the situa-
tion at the exhibit hall was straightened
out, the hotel reservations were verified,
Jim and Jackie got on an evening flight and
arrived safely in Las Vegas laden with
signs, envelopes and business cards.
We had one remaining chore, which
was to pick up 6,000 copies of our PC pre-
view brochure from the PSA airline
counter. Upon arriving we instantly
sighted several boxes marked "PC" stack-
ed behind the counter. That was a source
of collective relief.
The rest would be easy — or so we
thought.
However, bingo. Murphy again, the
airline lost the freight bill. The rudely
mannered clerk behind the counter was
afraid to release our material to us. With-
out the air bill he had no record of who
shipped it or if it had been paid for. It was
near midnight, too late to call the printing
company in San Francisco to get the air bill
number.
Cleariy, it wasn't our fault if they lost
the air bill. For a good 40 miQutes we dis-
cussed the situation in great and some-
times heated detail with this surly, over-
grown boy of a clerk. At one point Jim
Edhn and I more than half-heartedly con-
sidered wrestling the packages away by
force. Hadn't we had enough for one day?
Finally, the clerk sensed our hostility
and wisely determined it wasn't worth
any more hassle. He let us have our bro-
chures. We gleefully drove away, the sta-
tion wagon loaded down under the weight
of 6,000 pieces of slick literature. We were
punchy as hell. We were flying upside
down.
C :
rn
THE PARTY
IS OVER
DONT BE MISLED BY SPREADSHEET PROGRAMS
MASQUERADING AS A BUSINESS PLAN.
Mett of tht CALC like programs are spectacular displays, but
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ter iMMlnaaa nlanntaM.
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Copyrighted material
Zero Base Thinking/Jim Edlin
CONFESSIONS OF A CONVERT
I HAVE WHAT I BEUEVE WAS THE BEST
personal computer of the pre-IBM era,
though you've probably never heard of it.
It's called a Compucolor II, made by a
Georgia company named Intelligent Sys-
tems Corp. I'm using it to write this col-
umn. If inspired design were all that
counted, the Compucolor II ought to have
enjoyed the success that went instead to
the Apple II. But while Apple had a mostly
pale and limited design (though not with-
out a spark of inspiration here and there)
Apple did have plenty of inspiration in all
facets of its marketing and management.
And the Compucolor, with its brilliant
design, was afflicted by massive in-
competence in the apparently more-vital
management and marketing departments.
I mention all this because, though the
guiding principle in IBM's design of its
Personal Computer appears to have been,
"Make a better Apple II/III," I have a
strong suspicion that someone influential
in the PC's design had more than a nod-
ding acquaintance with a Compucolor II.
Many of the PC's features, such as the
design of the color/graphics display, echo
the Compucolor more than the Apple. It is
this discovery that has helped to turn
around my views on the IBM PC.
Initially, you see, I was quite hostile to
the notion of the PC. Partly this had to do
with resentment toward IBM's latecoming
into personal computers, and revulsion at
the alacrity with which their entry was
greeted. I thought personal computers
were doing quite well without IBM, thank
you very much, and was repelled by the
fawning welcome the personal computer
world gave IBM's belated "blessing. " But
my objections went deeper than that.
The truth is, I am no fan of computers. I
love the power they can give people to do
things, but I hate the mickey-mouse they
often make people endure to employ their
powers. While there was once good and
necessary reason for most of that mickey-
mouse, I think advancing technology has
made it largely obsolete. Most of it, I
think, now lingers from inertia and force
of habit.
Personal computers were slowly grow-
ing away from the old, computery tradi-
tions, and I feared that if IBM entered the
market, ultimately perhaps to dominate it,
Still life of an editor with two computers.
I thought personal computers were doing quite
well without IBM, thank you very much.
they would redirect personal computers
back into the computer mainstream they
embody. I didn't want to see that happen.
Now that I have become better ac-
quainted with IBM's new machine, and
the company's new policies, I no longer
fear that outcome. It is clear to me that
IBM has designed a machine for the future.
They have published a technical manual
giving away in detail the secrets of their
machine. And in that manual's pages one
can read everywhere the deliberate effort
IBM's designers have made to avoid hem-
ming in the PC's future evolution.
By no means am I saying I'm altogether
delighted with the PC in its first go-round.
Among other things, I remain disap-
pointed that IBM hasn't made high-
resolution color display the standard
rather than an option for the PC. I remain
disappointed that IBM didn't choose to en-
courage communications by building a di-
rect telephone connection jack into every
PC. (Both these choices would have forced
desirable economies of scale.) And I'm still
disappointed that IBM settled for an
operating system not much advanced be-
yond the unfriendly qualities of CP/M. But
1 no longer fear that IBM's initial design
choices will set the standard.
Whether IBM intended it or not. Pan-
dora's box is now open. By both design
and policy IBM has created an "open
system. " They have thus insured tha' if
they dawdle about actualizing the poten-
tial of this machine, others will keep them
honest.
I once dismissed the IBM PC as a "me
too" machine. At the present moment,
that is pretty much the case. But I now
suspect it is "me-too " at the start of its
evolution, compared to machines ap-
proaching the apex of theirs.
I'm not quite ready to put my Compu-
color II away. But I can see it won't be
long.
PS — Tu ansuvr in adfance all wbo may be con/used:
So, I batv no nmnectiim with the Microsoft line
edilor which seems to hatv borrowed my last name.
-JE
iterial
Unauthorized, personal
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Here's how to
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To many companies, reviewing
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a valuable management tool for
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I
Input:
LETTERS TO PC
HOW THE HECK, YOU MA Y WONDER, DOES A BRAND-NEW MAGAZINE GET LETTERS
To Tbe Editor to print in its Premiere Issue? Well, we considered making tifem up. Then
uetbouglMmMybewe'dtryprintingLettersfmm The BdUonMt first UmaromuL Next,
Mgooddttzens of the microcomputer age, we got the bright idea of soliciting ' 'letters ' ' to
our electronic mailbox on the CompuServe Information Service; but nobody replied,
then, to our surprise and pieasure, good otd-foMoned letters started sbowing up at-
tached to people's subscription orders, ad orders, and even just by themselves. So,
however paradmdealUmigbt seem, wbat/oUow are the real thing. We just/igured you 'd
B «pft ProM The Front
I think tlie IBM PC will bring a lot more
people into personal oomputii^. My wife
and I are typical of one group. We both
consider ourselves professional computer
specialists. We had been eyeing a personal
computer, but what was available seemed
little better than extended toys. There was
little fed that the available personal com-
puters were designed to be tooto.
My wife and I are software specialists
who want the hardware to be transparent
to us. The PC gives us this. The system has
worked correctly since we plugged it in
the first time. Enhancing the hardware
does not require an EE degree; adding new
pieces requires that you can read and
follow simple directions.
The system is quite advanced and gives
us capabilities that we don't have on sonw
minicomputer development systems we
use. The potential for expanding the
system is impressive.
Now for our disappointments. Two
montiis receiving our PC we don't have
the 64K memory board to bring us to
128K, which means we cannot use
PASCAL. We don't have the word-
prooessing package yet and we don't have
the communications hardware and soft-
ware we ordered. We are annoyed and ac-
tually suffering from the lack of these
pieces. One motivation for buying the IBM
PC was to use it as a word processor for a
book I am writii^. I'm still writing by
hand on legal pads. We hope these pieces
don't become another 3830 for IBM (a
super disk drive announced two years ago
and still not delivered)
The other problem is dealing with Com-
puterLand. Generally, the ComputerLand
people are concerned and helpful, but on-
ly to the limits of their know ledge. They
do a good (not excellent) job, but a little
professionalism like that of their grey-
suited brethren would go a long way.
Well, we thought we would send you
some news from the front. We are sure
your eCfons win be a success and have
enctosed our subscription order.
BobPrUz
Con^Hder Sciences Corp.
San Diego, CtU^omia
MhorialAdvictt
OK PC, I'm interested enough in the
IBM personal computer and in your
magazine to say "here is my 12 Bucks."
As long as I'm subscribing I would like to
include a few comments. 1 sincerely hope
that your publication will be involved
with more than just applications software.
Wtiile articles submitted by users and ol>-
Jective reviews of professionally produced
programs are invaluable to your readers, I
think you can provide an equally impor-
tant service to a large segment of your pro-
spective readership by including articles
about the hardware and system software.
To have an in-depth understanding of a
system can turn a fun or useful object into
a powerful, creative tool.
I expect that a system with the name
IBM wiU attract a great deal of interest
from users and non-users alike. And 1
suspect you will have great success as long
as IBM and/or competitors are selling com-
patible systems. I wish you the best of
luck.
Gordon M. Furman
Santa Barbara, Califomia
We hofC yM IM K's Htmktt Ime a
aaltaUe fapame I* yaw caoocnw. Kplaaa M
ooTcr kafdware, foftwafc mi al die Oat
relates ta vwatng aai Mlag mi pcfio a al
computers.
Kind Words
Having been in and around the
publishing industry for some time (Time,
Inc., Neu'sweek, Inc., Saturday Review,
etc.), I know just how difficult and
perilous a new magazine venture can be.
I also think I understand a good idea
when I see one. AT is a good idea. Most
new publications aren't. And happily, PC
is manned by professionals. Sometliii^
most new puMlcatloiis aren't eidier. Con-
gratulations on your progress widi A7.
Brice W. SchuUer
Doyle Dan Bembacb hw.
San Francisco, Caltfonda
Itotghre aa, bat wc caaMa't raiit fanaiag aae
of these.
Best wishes in your new venture. I
think that you are covering a system that
is turning out to be a real tiger in the
marketplace. It is highly interesting that
you have an editor named 'Ediin'. Was he
the father of the DOS editor? (Ha!) As for
Cheryl Woodard, well, let's |ust say I think
I'm in love!
•\JobHGnnbn
Gaitbersburg, Maryland
Cheryl (our Director of Marketing ft Sales) says
tlianlu, and wants to Imow if yoa're Intcrcstci
la a lUttiaK aalscripiiaa.
. . .Unkind Ones. . .
Dear Editor. . .What i d like to know is
who let this David Bunnell character out
of his cage anyway. He's the same clown
who once wrote that the Aitair computer
could "control all the traffic lights in a ma-
jor city." I bought an Aitair and all I could
get it to do was change the lights on its
front panel. Lord knows what wild dahns
he'll be makii^ about the IBM.
Jack Rowbar
Traffic Manager
Plains, Georgia
. . .And Rcassnrins Onos
We shall be very happy to work with
you and your staff and provide informa-
tion on the IBM Personal Computer for
your new publication.
P D. Estridi>e
Director, Entry Systems Business
IBM
Boca Raton, Florida
PC wekomes kttm from mukrt. Wrttt to:
Letters, PC, IW2lttAmm.SMlhrmelKO,
CaUfomia. 94122. " leUm pMbM mgt be
edUttI far reasons of space or style.
Copyrighted material
Amdek
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demand state-of-the-art color. And for people who
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2420 E. Oakton Street, Suite "E," Arlington Heights, IlUnois 60005 (312) 364-1180 TLX: 25-4786
A PC Exclusive Interview
With Software Guru
Bill Gates
How WAS IBM ABLE TO SO GAUGE THE PERSONAL COM-
puter market as to come out with a machine that both in-
corporates ail the good features of existing personal computers
and accurately points the direction of future ones?
PC Publisher David Bunnell had a hunch that the answer to this question
was to be found in Seattle — home of Microsoft, the first personal computer
software company.
His hunch was based on the fact that while several software companies were chosen
by IBM to provide the initial software for the IBM Personal Computer, only Microsoft
provided a complete range of software. This software includes the IBM Personal Compu-
ter Disk Operating System, MACRO-assembler high-level languages BASIC, Fortran and
Pascal and even application programs (Adventure and Typing Tutor).
So Bunnell hopped a plane to Seattle to investigate for himself.
Sure enough Microsoft's involvement was total, day-in, day-out. For more than a
year, 35 of Microsoft's staff of 100 worked fulltime (and plenty of overtime) on the IBM
project. Bulky packages containing computer gear and other goodies were air-expressed
almost daily between the Boca Raton laboratory and Seattle. An electronic message sys-
tem was established and there was almost always someone flying the arduous 4,000
mile commute. While many other individuals and companies consulted with IBM during
the course of "IBM PC" development, and most have intriguing yarns to tell, only one
company worked with IBM in such an intimate and (especially for IBM) unheard of
fashion.
Continued next page. . .
by
David Bunnell
Co-
"Before they came, they said, 'Hey, we
may really do some business, it could
be exciting.'"
The highlight of Bunnell's investigation
was a fascinating two- hour exclusive in-
terview with Bill Gates, president and co-
founder of Microsoft. As it turns out Gates
probably knows mori about the IBM Per-
sonal Computer and iis history than any-
one (outside of IBM, uf course).
DA VID: What can you teU us about Mi-
crosoft's involvement with IBM on the Per-
sonal Computer project? How it was initi-
ated and what transpired, as much as you
can reveal.
BILL; In the case ot the IBM project we
started off not really knowing what they
wanted. They came out in July of 1980 and
first talked with us on a very tentative ba-
sis as though they were just doing market
research. They said, "Don't get too ex-
cited and don't think anything big is going
to happen."
Then they talked ahout how something
could be done fairly quickly if a machine
was designed to run standard software. In
fact, we found out later that behind the
scenes different labs v\ ithin IBM had been
charged with looking into how they could
get a project done on a very quick basis.
The typical product design time for a large
company like IBM, and they keep track of
this, is a little over four years. That is part-
ly because they do such a complete job,
and yet, in the personal computer indus-
try, which they had a ilesire to participate
in, you really couldn t be competitive if
you speced out your product in 1976 and
sold it in 1980. You would be selling an Al-
tair computer against an Apple II.
So they wanted to come up with some
way of doing things a little differently.
One of the development managers of IBM
got a committee together, people from dif-
ferent laboratories, and told them to go
out and research the issue. The people we
met with were from the Boca Raton labo-
ratory, simply putting together some
thoughts, essentially about how to cheat,
and their idea was to use software that al-
ready existed out in the world, and to use
industry standard parts like^the Intel mi-
croprocessor. So they went back and said
that based on using that approach they
could get something done in the order of a
year.
My understanding is that some of the
other groups put in proposals that in-
volved emulating existing IBM instruction
sets, and there have been a lot of rumors
that one of the groups looked at buying a
machine from Japan. In fact, one of our
Japanese customers had us do some dem-
onstration software that was probably for
that lab that was looking at Japanese
sourcing.
In any case, Boca Raton got the go-
ahead sometime in late 1980 and they
came out with a lot of people, about 12
people. Before they came, they said,
"Hey, we may really do some business. It
could be exciting." And then they said,
"We have a lot of things to do, we'll
have our technical team meet with your
technical team, so let's do them in paral-
lel. We'll have our legal team meet with
your legal team, we'll have the purchas-
ing team meet with your purchasing
team, we'll have our technical team meet
with your technical team, so we can do
four or five things at once." Well, that is
fine, but that's me who is going to do
those things and 1 can do only maybe two
things at once, so we're not going to be
able to have five simultaneous meetings.
Anyway, they came out with 12 peo-
ple, and we really got things going. We
ended up making the hardware a little
more state-of-the-art by putting new
things in it that went beyond the cardinal
rule of getting the project done in a year.
But, you know, the second priority
beyond getting it done in a year was to
have a state-of-the-art machine and by
using the 16-bit processor and doing
some of the stuff in the graphics, 1 think
everyone pretty much agrees that that
was achieved.
DA VID: Why is it important to have a
16-bit processor?
BILL: That is one area where there is a
lot of confusion because the standard
thing in the industry nowadays is to say,
"Who cares about what's inside the ma-
chine?" People are buying a solution, not
a computer, which is absolutely true.
They are buying things like word pro-
cessing or Visicalc which is one of the ap-
plications IBM announced.
1 think l6-bits is extremely important,
and it is not because of speed, although if
you sit down at an IBM machine and play
with it a little while you will see that it
performs significantly better than existing
8-bit machines.
The main reason for the 16-bit micro
being advantageous is its increased ad-
dress space. That sounds like a technical
issue, but what it boils down to for the
end-user is that we can do more complex
software, with a better end-user inter-
face, in a more transportable form than
we have ever been able to do in what I
call the "8-bit world." Cl aerial
When I say 8-bit world, I mean the
6502 microprocessor, which is the chip
used in the Apple, the Pet and the Atari,
or the most popular chip which is the
8080, Z-80 family used in the Xerox 820
machine, the NorthStar, Vector Graphic
and many others. In those 8-bit machines
there is one common characteristic,
which is that the logical address space in
the machine is limited to 64K bytes (about
64,000 characters of storage). You have
to put the operating system, the program,
the data, the graphics memory, if it is go-
ing to be efficient — all those things in a
single 64K area. You get into some terri-
ble problems where you have to write
program code in a hard to maintain
fashion to keep it small and in fact that is
one of the things that Microsoft is doing
absolutely the best job of, is writing stuff
in a small amount of space. Its a fine art
that we spend a lot of time on, because in
8-bit machines it really made a lot of dif-
ference. But this is no longer our focus
on l6-bit machines.
People also compromised in the end
user interface with their packages
because they simply could not get enough
stuff in there, and finally the overall
capability of the packages are also com-
promised because you want it to be able
to run on all the 8-bit machines. For ex-
ample, whenever we have put a new
feature in BASIC such as good screen
handling, which is something that we are
working on now, people complain
because any feature we put in takes away
from the space available for an applica-
tion.
Now in the 8088 (the Intel l6-bit mi-
crocomputer used by IBM), that limit, the
logical address space limit, is for all prac-
tical purposes gone away. The chip is de-
signed to address up to a megabyte ( 1 mil-
lion characters). IBM's announced sup-
port for up to a quarter megabyte, that is
2S6K, and it is very much in the relevant
range. In other words, that factor will
make all the difference in terms of quality
end user interface integrated software.
DA VID: Will your recently announced
planning package, Multiplan, be inte-
grated with word processing?
BILL: Not in its initial release. When
we first get an extra resource, we don't
know all the ways we are going to be able
to take advantage of it. All I can really say
is the 64K barrier has been the critical
constraint in terms of writing software in
a transportable form and putting new
features in. Now that we have the
freedom, we can use some more creativi-
ty to take advantage of it. It's just like
high resolution graphics was on the Ap-
ple. When the Apple II first came out it
had high resolution graphics, but for
about three years, nobody wrote pro-
grams that would take advantage of it.
The programs were low resolution and it
was kind of bizzare to try to use that ex-
tra mode. But today, the Apple II is vir-
tually defined by high resolution
graphics. There is simply not an enter-
tainment package around, or even a lot of
the serious packages, that don't take ad-
vantage of that.
Just some indication of this is that the
graphics memory in the IBM PC is right in
the address space of the machine. What
that means is you can directly manipulate
those bits on the screen using any of the
8088 instructions. Particularly the string
instructions can be used to great advan-
tage to provide animation type effects up
on the screen. We could not have done
that on an 8-bit machine, because we
would have used up that crucial 64K re-
source, whereas on the 8088 it is mega-
byte resource. We put it very high in
memory, I think about three quarters of
the way up, and so it is there anytime
you want to use it.
Myself and someone else here wrote
most of the demo programs used on the
IBM machine in a matter of about three
hours, because the extra versatility pro-
vided by directly manipulable graphics al-
lowed us to put commands in BASIC that
let you get at the full power of the
machine ver>' easily. In the case of the
Apple, anybody who knows how to do
really good high resolution graphics has
to be a guru and so there is what I call a
"bits and bytes barrier" to getting in and
using the machine. And so to do a good
program, you have to be both smart
about bits and bytes, and creative enough
to create the program. It is a rare in-
dividual who combines both of those
talents.
In the IBM PC we have lowered the bits
and bytes barrier so we will tap into some
people with additional creativity and un-
derstanding of how to do whatever the
particular need is. We are getting rid of
the general need to get into the innards of
the machine to make it really perform.
The power of this machine is much more
on the surface than an 8-bit machine
could possibly deliver.
DA VID: Now that you are into the sub-
ject of graphics, tell us more.
BILL: Looking at the graphics, the
things that I mean specifically are some of
the simple verbs that have been added in-
to the BASIC and I will highlight three of
those. The CIRCLE statement is very
straightforward, you simply state where
the center of the circle is and what the
radius is going to be and immediately the
thing is drawn at an extremely rapid
speed. Also, you've got a lot of other op-
tions, you can add it at the end of the
statement, like start angle, and end
angle, and aspect ratio. The default is
simply to do a full round circle, and that
is something that the user can get at and
use, for example, to do pie charts.
Another statement is what we call
PAINT. It is a very simple notion. You
simply enter a point on the screen and its
just like putting your paint brush down
there and painting until you hit the edge
of the screen or the border. Say you draw
a white border and you want to paint un-
til you hit white, so no matter what the
figure you have there is, square or circle
or crazy looking thing, it will use its paint
brush and paint in until it finds those
edges. As a default it paints in the same
color as the edges, but if you provide an
extra parameter you can paint with an-
other color. So you could paint a white
circle with a blue center, or, if you had
some sort of a jagged line graph and you
wanted to show it as an area, you find a
point in the interior and it would paint
that arbitrary figure.
PAINT is a single verb. It is quite sim-
ple and intuitive and yet its implementa-
tion is very hard. That brings through
some of the power of this machine. You
can paint a figure that's virtually the en-
tire screen in about two seconds. Really,
there is no way that that could have been
done on an 8-bit machine. It may sound
unimportant but when you really get into
trying to do some of these new user in-
terfaces, the so called Xerox Star-like in-
terfaces that really are what is going to
open up these machines to a wider user
population, these graphics primitives are
incredibly important. For example, when
we put a little arrow up on the screen to
point to things, we use a solid arrow, and
to do that efficiently we have actually
generated the thing with PAINT.
The final verb I wanted to mention is
DRAW and this represents a philosophical
continued...
"If you sit down at the IBM machine and
piay with it a little while you will see that
it performs significantly better than
existing 8-bit machines."
Coi
"When we first get an extra resource,
we don't know all the ways we are go-
ing to be able to take advantage of it."
decision we made a couple of years ago,
which was that ev ery time we put some-
thing new in BASIC there is a tendency to
add a ton of verbs. In the case of
graphics, where you are really adding
verbs all of the time, and the user has a
hard time remembering all of these verbs
and each of them has its own individual
syntax, and so that is a problem. The se-
cond problem is that if you use a bunch of
verbs, then the description of a graphics
object is not something you can read or
write like a file. It is actually a program
and so to move the embodiment of the
graphics object around you have to move
a program around. Well, that's a real
pain, because in BASIC a program and
data aren't treated uniformly and so you
just get into big problems. What you'd
really like is a simple way of using one of
the data types already in BASIC to
describe arbitrary graphics objects, and
what we chose is the string data type. So
now we have a simple single verb that
gives you almost all the graphics capabil-
ity and it is called DRAW.
Just to give one example, if you want
to draw a box, you use the subverbs,
which are R for right, L for left, U for up
and D for down. So if I want a 10 x 10
square, I would enter DRAW, put a quote
mark to indicate that it is a string, and go
"R20 D20 L20 U20" and if I execute that
it will draw the box. That is called
Graphics Macro Language and the IBM PC
is actually the third machine we have put
that on. It has been extremely well
received, and since using those strings
you can write into a file or edit them or
search for something inside them super
easily.
That same concept has been used for
music where it is called Music Macro Lan-
guage, and so instead of DRAW you use
PLAY. Enter PLAY "A, B, C" and it plays
the notes A, B and C. It is true if
somebody wants to speciaUze in them
they have to learn the so-called macro
language for that area, but it consists of
really super simple commands and very
self-contained.
Music is another case where I don't
mean to pick on Apple — the only reason 1
use it is because it is an example of one of
the most popular machines that has a lot
of these capabihties and yet they are hard
to get to. Once again, with music you
have to be a real bits and bytes man to get
that Apple to play any kind of decent
tone. With the BASIC we have provided
here, you can play something in legato,
staccato or normal, just knowing a few
simple characters that you type in under
the control of BASIC. So we are pushing
towards fulfilling the promise of these
personal computers which is that
anybody can just pick it up and use
it — it's still not fulfilled but we are mov-
ing in the right direction.
DAVID: We've been talking about things
that IBM bos done right which are signifi-
cant. In your opinion, what are some of
the things they have done wrong or not
quite right?
BILL: Well, you know in a way I am bias-
ed because of the depth of our involve-
ment. I'd say it's a reasonably good
balance, I mean in a way IBM is standing
on the shoulder of experience that
everybody else had in the industry — in a
totally fair and good way, but it's not like
1976 when we didn't know what the
market was and how to sell things. A lot
of elements have been firmly established.
I have a wish list after we finish a pro-
ject. I don't think cassette machines are
super important and so 1 think the effort
that was put into have a cassette interface
wasn't worthwhile. 1 think everybody is
going to run out of slots very quickly.
The machine has a 5 slot limitation, but I
suspect that an independent peripheral
industry will start to do some combina-
tion cards that will reduce the pain of
having a limited number of slots.
Everybody talks about how they'd like
to have more disk space on the machine
and of course 1 always like to see net-
working on a machine and nobody really
has a good solution to that yet. It would
be nice if there was a hard disk and I'm
sure the independent vendors will come
and put one of those on it.
It's possible to do a much better ma-
chine in a lot of ways from a hardware
point of view. You could put a faster pro-
cessor in. Intel's has the 8086. You could
do a machine that is almost four times the
performance. When Intel comes out with
their 8087 chip, that will be a nice poten-
tial upgrade. I think IBM's Technical Ref-
erence Manual makes it clear they have
an additional socket on there for that
8087 floating point processor but from
my point of view, which is once again
biased, the name of the game is software.
This machine will be significant be-
cause it will usher in a new generation of
portable software which will be signifi-
cantly better because of the speed, the
address space, the instruction set, the un-
derlying operating system, and the expe-
rience gained from the previous years.
I think five years from now the
amount of software and the quality of the
software on this machine will be incredi-
ble. It will dwarf what is available on
mainframes, minicomputers and other
machines.
DAVID: / think we should talk a little bit
about the operating system. Partly
because I see a lot of confusion about MS-
DOS and its relation to CP/M, and
CP/M-86 more specifically. It seems that I
read over and over again in the press that
IBM has an operating system that is com-
patible with CP/M. Does it?
BILL: Well, not really. There certainly is a
lot of confusion about this issue. When
IBM announced the machine on August 12
they said they'd be making available
three operating environments. And the
operating environment that we provided
is know by IBM as Personal Computer
DOS. We call it MS-DOS and Lifeboat
Associates calls it SB-86. So we've got a
lot of different names which adds a little
bit to the confusion, but that's the
operating system.
All of IBM's applications and languages
that they're supporting run under it. In
other words, VisiCalc only runs under PC
DOS. The BASIC only runs under PC DOS,
the Peachtree programs, and EasyWriter
word processing package run under that.
We've done some things there that are
substantially different than has been done
in CP/M. We did provide an upward mi-
gration path — in other words, we made
it extremely easy if you've got source
code and a translation package to move a
CP/M-80 package up into the 8086 en-
vironment without worrying about the
operating system interface. In other
words, we emulate all the CP/M-80 calls
because no doubt there is quite a wealth
of CP/M-80 packages in existence. In fact
the greatest installed base of CP/M-80
machines are the users of Microsoft soft-
cards which plug into Apple computers.
So we are probably as aware of that as
anyone. Also I think we have more
system software under CP/M-80 than any
of the other vendors. So we made it
possible to do that migration.
The move from 8-bit to l6-bit is an op-
portunity to improve things a great deal.
CP/M-80 became a de facto standard in
the 8-bit world. There is really no oppor-
tunity to change that — the 8-bit designers
will essentially stop over the next year.
The only chance to move up to a stronger
base is to grab this opportunity as we
move into the new generation of pro-
cessors.
Microsoft started out looking at 16-bit
operating systems at the high end. About
two years ago we went to Western Elec-
tric and licensed their Unix Operating
System — which we have commercialized
to a form known as Xenix. When IBM
came along both from a technical point of
view and other considerations it made
sense for them to work with us on a new
product we were doing which was a low-
end operating system. So what we've
got now is a family of operating systems
with MSDOS at the low end and Xenix at
the high end — really there's such a broad
range of systems. From a single-user
floppy system up to essentially a time
sharing 16-bit system. We feel it is
absolutely critical to have more than one
operating system, although you have to
have complete compatibility to move up
along the line and add additional capa-
bility. That's what we have done with
MSDOS.
DAVID: Let s talk a little bit about IBM
again. Who do you think the main cus-
tomers are going to be for the IBM Per-
soruti Computer?
BILL: I suspect that they will sell tons
through their DPD sales force to large
companies that have been looking at per-
sonalized work stations with local inteUi-
gence with a great deal of interest but too
much fear to date.
The Apple II does not have enough
communications capability and CRT capa-
bility to really be used in that mode. Until
the IBM PC came along there was no
product that could be offered to fill that
need and I think that it is a huge market.
I've never heard any IBM estimates so
I am just guessing here, but I think the
majority of the sales will be through their
DPD sales force. You know, Sears is doing
a super job but they are only projecting
five stores by the end of the year. No
doubt Computerland will sell a lot of the
machines but I doubt if they will be able
to keep up with essentially the Fortune
500 demand from standard dau process-
ing departments.
DA VID: When do you think IBM will begin
to sell through independent retailers?
BILL: All I know is what I read which is
that towards the start of next year,
they'll start to qualify additional retail
vendors.
My understanding is that they will
broaden their distribution. You know,
IBM has to be admired for some of their
conservatism. They only quaUfy the best
and most professional groups to work
together with them, because IBM is very
afraid that somehow their overall cor-
porate reputation is going to be hurt by
what they are doing in this area.
DAVID: Still, IBM is doing some rather
radical things, at least for IBM.
BILL: And it scares them that somehow
that might hurt their image. So they went
to Computerland, which is probably the
leader in the independent dealer area.
They gave BYTE magazine an initial ex-
clusive on talking about the machine.
They've really gone to the most estab-
lished groups to do their work.
DAVID: How many machines do you
think IBM will sell in 1982?
BILL: My guess is not based upon any in-
side information whatsoever but I think it
will be not far from 200,000.
DAVID: Really?
BILL: If they can deliver them, the poten-
tial is there. I've heard numbers ranging
anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 so I
am an optimist beyond the median point
of that scale. They'll have to open up
more distribution, though. I don't think
Computerland can push through that
many. And they may run into some pro-
duction bottlenecks. There are a lot of
outside vended parts on the machine and
they are not going to compromise quality.
Certainly at this point the machine is in-
credibly short, you know, we've got a
ton on order and it is going to take a few
months before they come in.
DA VID: Yes, we have the same problem.
Let's move on to another topic, which we
alluded to earlier. How does your soon-
to-be-announced electronic spread sheet,
Multiplan, relate to VisiCak?
Is it better?
BILL: Oh, certainly. It's a second genera-
tion spread sheet product. We'll be really
going into that in our literature and it's a
huge promotion thing for us — almost
equal to all the promotion we have done
for the entire company in its history, just
for this one product. But, I'll just men-
tion two things that are critical in
Multiplan. The first is the use of naming.
You are not put into a mode where you
have to use "AIO," "B9, " "C14" and
things like that, which you have to do
with VisiCalc. If you want to say that
taxes are 6% of sales then you say
"taxes are .06 times sales." If you want
the sum of all the profits you say "SUM
(Profit)" and so we deal with data on a
name basis which is the way people are
used to dealing with it. The second thing
is that we handle what we call
Multisheet, which is a pretty obvious
capability if you accept the analogy that
these are spread sheet simulators. It is
quite common to take numbers from, say,
your cost sheet and your sales sheet and
consoHdate together. What you would
really like is when you update the cost
sheet it will carry over to the summary
sheet. As soon as you look at the sum-
mary sheet, the information will be
there. You don't have to type any com-
mands or do any work every time you
make the change to get the information
over there. We have accommodated that
capability.
One last thing, that I would like to
mention also, is the way we have done
the end-user interface. We've done away
with slashes (/) and the need to know a
lot of things about what is going on inside
the package. For example, VisiCalc has a
feature called "Order of Recalculation."
The user has to think about does it go
horizontally to recalculate or vertically to
recalculate. Well, that's ridiculous. It's
up to the computer to figure out the order
of recalculation and not force you to
figure out how you have to order your
data so that things propagate through in
the right order. That's a very technical
thing.
DAVID: Are you doing other end-user
packages?
BILL: The second wave is Multichart and
Multifile which is data base and those will
come out fairly quick in like three or four
months, but anything beyond is easily six
to nine months away.
DAVID: One thing you seem to be saying
is that we are going to see a whole new set
of application programs similar in con-
cept to 8-bit programs only with a lot of
improvements.
BILL: Right.
DAVID: Let's slip down the road five
years. What are some of the real sigrufi-
cant advances you see?
BILL: In five years the cost of computa-
tion will really be effectively decreased.
"We're still not at the stage where I'd tell
my mother, or some naive person, just
to go out and buy one of these
machines."
We'll be able to put on somebody's desk,
for an incredibly low cost, a processor
with far more capability than you could
ever take advantage of. Hardware in ef-
fect will become a lot less interesting.
The total job will be in the software, and
we'll be able to write big fat programs.
We can let them run somewhat ineffe-
ciently because there will be so much
horsepower that just sits there. The real
focus won't be who can cram it down in,
or who can do it in the machine
language. It will be who can define the
right end-user interface and properly in-
tegrate the main packages. I expect over
the next five years between us and others
a heck of a job will get done. You'll be
able to sit at your desk and do whatever
it is you want to do with information or
presenting data or interchanging data in-
credibly effectively. In other words, we
will have changed the way people work.
At that time we'll just see the begin-
nings of the home information system,
because it is so much harder to cost-
justify that type of device. But I do feel
that the "office of the future" will be the
office of the present five years from now.
DA VID: What kind of mass storage device
will machines have in five years."
BILL: Well, you'll probably still have local
floppies in a lot of cases, but most of the
storage size-wise will be in shared file
servers — and although optical disk may
have had an impact, even at present
prices and capacities large (magnetic)
disks would suffice. There are
300-megabyte disks down in the $10,000
to 515,000 range now. If you can spread
it across 20 users — that is, with a good
networking scheme — you could justify it.
So, while there ought to be some im-
provement there, I don't think that
we've got any bottleneck even today.
Networking is probably one of the big
challenges.
DA VID: How are you facing that chal-
lenge?
BILL: Well, we've designed a structure in
MS-DOS that lets it work in a network
environment in a very strong fashion —
and it's substantially different than what
Digital Research has defined for CP-Net.
We're passing high level file calls down
the network, through a tree-structured
directory.
DA VID: What 's the most satisfying experi-
ence you 've bad in this business to date!'
BILL: I always sort of latch onto the most
recent thing. This IBM project was a
super-exciting, fun project. We were
given, even for a small company, an in-
credible amount of latitude in changing
how things got done as the project pro-
gressed. And we really were allowed to
feel like some of the key work had been
done here. And we had a really great
interface with the people from the
customer (IBM), even though they're as
far away as they could be, down in Boca
Raton. The night flight down there is
not too much fun. We had a lot of fun
together. We had an electronic mail
linkup, and we'd send messages every
day and we'd give each other a hard time
about whichever group was behind on
whatever they were responsible for.
We loved to kid them about all the securi-
ty — how we had to have locks, and sign
things in, and use code names and stuff
like that — but it was just part of the
project camaraderie, really. When
the thing finally got put together and
we did the demo programs, everybody
around here was enthused. That's
something WE did!
I don't know how many people have
read Tracy Kidder's new book The Soul
Of A New Machine, but it was like
that — and everybody really did get their
just desserts of being recognized and
knowing what part they put into it. Peo-
ple worked incredibly hard. I guess there
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was a kind of an anticlimax when I got a
form letter from IBM a week after we'd
finished the thing which said, "Dear Ven-
dor. You've done a fine job." But they've
apologized an appropriate number of
times for that.
There'll be more projects. In fact,
we're starting up one now which in its
general concept should prove to be as ex-
citing. And we're still not at the stage
where I'd tell my mother, or some naive
person, just to go out and buy one of
these machines. In a couple of years we'll
achieve that real peak — to fill that gap
and feel like it's a real tool.
DA VID: It sounds like from what you 're
saying that you have probably bad more
influence on the final result of the
machine than anyone, witb possible ex-
ceptions at IBM.
BILL: Oh, that's absolutely the case. The
people at IBM did a fantastic job and
there's some super smart people there. I
was very, very impressed with the team
they put together. They used most of the
people who had their own personal com-
puters. Employees within IBM who have
the oomph to go out and get their own
personal computer and be kidded by their
fellow workers, are in general a pretty
good class of individuals. And a few of
these people were just exceptional.
They were brought in from the com-
pany at large and they came down to
Boca just for this project. We were the
only vendor that understood what the
project was about. Even up to the an-
nouncement most vendors were kept in
the dark about the general scope and the
general push of the thing. So we really
enjoyed a really unique relationship. I
don't think its flatter-
ing ourselves to say that I doubt that IBM
has ever had such a relationship ever be-
fore. In fact, in their internal magazine —
Tbink — they even mentioned the role
that we played which was quite a thing
for them to do. Other than this project,
most outside vendors for IBM are really
just providing their components and not
super involved in how it fits in.
We developed a personal relationship
with all those people that's equal to the
closest project work we have done.
DA VID: Sounds like it was a lot of fun.
BILL: It was. Everybody around here en-
joyed it a great deal. In a way, we always
wanted there to be a definitive end to the
thing, but even today there's some work
going on. It's not Hke there is just one
celebration. Boy, there has been some
great... a lot of fun relaxation when
we've hit various milestones. I don't
know, the announcement was probably
the best one because all the way through
the project there was this aura that IBM
couldn't even say to us that the project
would be introduced. They always had to
say, "You realize this may get cancelled
any day and we'll just call you up and tell
you to put all those confidential pieces of
paper in a box and mail them back down
here and don't call us again." I don't
know how long that was really true, but
that is really what they had to say to us.
To know that the thing would really see
the light of day and people would have a
chance to evaluate what we had done
really made us feel good.
We expect over the next year or two
when people have really looked into the
machine to see what it can do they will
be increasingly impressed. Just like high
resolution graphics on the Apple, there is
a lot of capability there that will only un-
fold itself over a fair period of time. Some
of that is the stuff we put in there and
that will be neat.
I don't read about the TRS-80 any
more because it does seem like a long
time ago and in comparison it would be
pretty easy to make fun of it, but the year
or two after we did that project every
time we would see somebody disassembl-
ing the BASIC or figuring out some little
trick we thought it was really exciting.
It's the combination. Software is a
great combination between artistry and
engineering. When you finally get done
and get to appreciate what you have done
it is like a part of yourself that you've put
together. I think a lot of the people here
feel that way.
DA VID: Tbat 's quite a statement. Tbank
you for tbe interiiew.
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Communications
R
Network Systems, The CIA And The Electronic Grail:
A Writer's Quest For Perfectly Flexible Text
WITH TVO FAIRLY ISEXPESSIVE DEVICES
— IBM's Asynchronous Communications
Adapter or an equivalent, and a "mo-
dem" connectinfi it to the telephone
network — plus a simple program for com-
munications, yon can make an IBM Per-
sonal Computer reach heyond its desk or
tahletop to communicate with the world.
Communications Editor Clifford Barney
(who also edits Computer Setwork .\ews)
will report regularly on how PC users can
exploit this potential for outreach. In bis
first contribution. Barney shares some of
bis own experiences in this arena and
weighs its significance for the future.
Clifford Barney
One day in 196"'. I called at the Stanford
Research Insitute to interview a computer
scientist named Douglas Engelhart about
an advanced form of electronic informa-
tion system he was reported to be
developing. I knew little about such
systems but 1 hoped that the meeting might
provide the substance of a new s story for
m\ employer. Electronics magazine.
Vi hen 1 entered his office Engelhart was
sitting at one of the first cathode ray tube
terminals I had seen. As we talked he
began filling the CRT with screens of text,
which he would subject to various editing
tricks and then dispatch God knew where,
all the while keeping up a running com-
mentary in a vocabulary I didn't quite
understand, concerning statements and
■plexes" and branches and groups.
I watched for two hours as Engelhart
played his machine and explained how it
was that he could do these wonderful
things. However it was no use; 1 couldn't
follow what he was doing, so I didn't see
what made it so wonderful, ^X'hat made
the text look like that? Where did it come
from and where did it go? >X'hat was a
plex. really? So 1 wasted our afternoon,
though 1 don't think Engelhart minded; he
seemed to have a wonderful time show ing
off his creation. He called it Online
System, abbreviated to NLS.
I now realize that, like Parsifal botching
his first chance at the Grail, I had been
vouchsafed an early glimpse of electronic
text, but had failed to recognize it. To me,
at that time, computers processed only
data. Engelbart had shown me English;
not programs, not calculations, not col-
umns of figures, but words and sentences.
And though a writer by trade, I had been
too disoriented to understand them.
It was years later that I next en-
Gounteced electronic text. This time it
resided on the disc drives at the Pro-
vidence [RA] Journal, where I was doing a
torn on the copy desk . The Journal had in-
stalled an advanced text handling system
that integrated incoming copy from wire
services and the paper's own botenis, and
directed it to the proper departments in
the newspaper: news, sports, features,
etc. I used a CRT that could edit rings
around the oldfashioned pastepot,
scissors and soft lead pencil. And the the
text editor not only hyphenated and
justified the finished story but even
counted my headlines for me, a job I had
always had to do myself. Newspaper
headUnes have to fit in their allotted
measure, and generations of copy editors
had made sure that they did by counting
the letters and spaces. If the head was too
long, you had to rewrite it. The type
wasn't rubber, the printers osed to sneer,
it was lead. Now the computer did the
counting and the type might as well have
been rubber; because if my electronically
written headline was only a hair too long,
1 could shrink the type a little, say from 42
point to " 4 1 point, " a type size that strict-
ly speaking did not exist. Then the head
would fit and no one would ever notice
(though a sampling of middle-aged men,
eyesight beginning to falter, may have
wondered they were squinting at the
paper).
Still digesting this second experience of
electronic text, I immediately plunged into
the ddrd, several months of messaging
and conferencing on Murray TurofTs ex-
perimental Electronic Information Ex-
change System (EIES) network. It was
while I was entering EIES's logical gardens
that the electronic ephiphany occurred:
After 25 years of my pounding typewriter,
the typewriter started writing back.
"INITIAL CHOICE?" it said. (This is
EIES's method of leading you down the
garden path, i.e. choosing from its initial
menu.)
I was hooked. The damn thing was
finally beginning to share the woric. Pro-
perly teased, it would cough up endless
text without my typing a line. About time.
I thought, and proceeded to run it through
a few tests. EIES is extensively
documented, and I spent a good part of the
first few weeks onUne studying its strai^
rules for manipulating electronic text.
There seemed to be a lot of them, and their
purpose wasn't always dear to me. But I
did begin to get a sense of what Doug
Engelbart had been talking about more
than a decade before.
NLS, and the newspaper system, and
EIES, had been designed for the manipula-
tion of text, not data. The etymologies of-
fer a clear distinction: data is what is
"given," raw information, August saies
or altitude in feet; text is Uterally a "weav-
ing" of semantic and syntactic patterns.
"Text" and "textile" have the same root.
So the interpretation, and even the
representation, of text is a multidimen-
sional task. Yet text in electronic form still
exhibits all of the plasticity of electronic
data in that it may easily be edited,
transmitted, merged and searched.
As a writer, particularly one being paid
to listen, I might have realized the
significance of what Engelbart was telling
me. Computerized text systems put com-
munications and information handHng on
a new level. Once Englebart got NLS air-
borne, Elednmia magazlDe might never
be the same.
Not that print was going out of style.
NLS has since tamed conunerdal as the of-
fice automation system marketed by Tym-
share under the name "Augment"; if not
exactly flying, it has at least made the tran-
sition from an experimental system to a
practical tool, ^ei Electronics continues to
flourish, falter and more authoritative
than ever. Electronic text does not replace
print, but it does supplant it as the general
form of recorded information. Print
becomes one of the forms of display.
The medieval monks who transmitted
their culture a thousand years ago by co-
pying Biblical texts in the Book of Kells
would today be making them machine-
readable. That way they could be stored
online and accessed by the electronic ver-
sion of a concordance, a data base com-
mand language. The service would in-
evitably be called Scripturenet. You could
interrogate it and then salt and pepper
your prose with proverbs and learned
references, downloaded from the net and
merged with your novel, your business
report or your letter home.
The Online Marketplace
So far as I know Scripturenet does not
yet exist, but dozens of its functional
counterparts are competing in what is
coming to be known as the "network
marketplace." described by Herb Dordick
of use's Annenberg School of Com-
munications as a locus where "products
and services can be advertized; buyers and
sellers located; ordering, billing and
delivery of services can be facilitated; and
all manner of transactions can be consum-
mated, including wholesale, retail,
brokering and mass distribution."
Targeted as customers in this
marketplace are those of us who have ac-
cess to computer terminals — which in-
cludes every IBM Personal Computer
equipped with the Asynchronous Commu-
nications Adapter, or telephone connec-
tion device, and communications soft-
ware. The network marketplace at first of-
fered raw computer power and then
developed online data bases, remotely
searchable. But much of what is hawked
today as "information services" consists
of electronic text that you can access over
telephone lines from a computer terminal.
What is so special about this medium?
In Toward Paperless Information Systems,
F. Wilfred Lancaster gave the fullest ex-
pression to the importance of machine-
readability as the key attribute of elec-
tronic text. Lancaster, a librarian, helped
design the SAFE information system for
the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The
function of SAFE is to give CIA analysts
sharable access to remote dau bases and
files. They can construct private informa-
tion bases composed partly of their own
files and partly of files shared on a net-
work. And the whole system depends on
putting information into machine-
readable form, permitting easy creation,
editing, and transmission of text.
lalelliitace €oes PabOc
On the heels of SAFE comes the private
CIA, a multinational "worldwide in-
telligence service" called the Interna-
tional Reporting and Information System,
or nus (goddess of the rainbow and Zeus' s
messenger, according to the indispensable
Robert Graves). IRIS has hired the serv ices
of a former British prime minister, Edward
Heath, as a mascot signifying respectabili-
ty. The organization will provide commer-
cial information service, not political es-
ploni^.
Nevertheless, "DOS is to be built
around a powerful computer, tbe opem-
Hon of vMcb is befng modeled OH the one
used by tbe CIA in Langley, according to
the Washington Post (emphasis added).
Lancaster's prototypical analysts, their
computer screens trained on all the
world's information, or at least as much of
it as HQS can get into machine-readable
form.
You and I don't have the same access to
resources, and our equipment may be
unsophisticated relative to SAFE'S, or
iris's, but we can do essentially the same
Copyrighted material
thing on a PC. Electronic text plus net-
work connections gives the individual un-
precedented communications capabiUty.
Einar Stefferud, a consultant who
specializes in office automation, rates tex-
tual information systems in terms of the
connectivity and the mahility of the Infor-
mation therein. In personal terms, you
can see It in the mix of files that scrolls
across your CRT. It s different for
everyone: now a program to track cash
flow, now production statistics, now a
Dow Jones report, now electronic mail
from a colleague. There is a single display
space for all of the information: you can
append the cash flow file to the produc-
tion report, draw your own conclusions,
and send an electronic message to your
broker. In this repsect network services
become one more input to your computer,
just as your stereo set can accept input
from a remote FM station as well as an
onhne record turntable
The services have yei to mature. A clue
to the present state of the art in informa-
tion services is the price of hooking up to
IRIS: 120,000 to $200,000 according to
the Post. Useful databases and sophisit-
cated text software tend to be expensive.
Yet the primitive text systems available
today do provide capabilities for message-
sending and "asynchronous conferenc-
ing' ' (meaning not all parties need be elec-
tronically present at one
time) — capabilities that were simply not
to be had ten years ago. A shared text
space makes the network something of a
library in which everyone can write the
books, and a clubhouse where colleagues
can gather.
Messaging and conferencing — in which
the text is created by the user, not the
seller — are not expensive; but they are so
new that business management is only
beginning to see how they can be used. In
organizing commercial computer con-
ferences, I have found even the most
technically advanced computer and inte-
grated circuit manufacturers to be wary of
investigating computer- mediated com-
munication via electronic text. They'd
rather consider video conferencing,
which is a wildly expensive replacement
for a face-to-face meeting.
Epilog: NLS Revisited
My typewriter now sits on a closet
shelf; there are times when it would be
handy, but it's too bulky to keep around.
As a writer, 1 have become addicted to the
electronic method of creating, storing and
transmitting text. I have experimented on
a number of text systems, both online and
standalone. I have even had a chance to
use NLS itself; I too have been able to sum-
mon and dispatch screensful of informa-
tion and mystify my friends; and I have
tracked a "plex" to its electronic lair (too
complex to describe here).
NLS proved to be a special taste, like
oUves, and an expensive one at that. But
there are now many other text systems
available; every personal computer comes
with a word processor. So many people
have been exposed to electronic text that
it has spawned a new disciphne, "Elec-
tronic English," which has been taught
for credit by Dave Hughes at Colorado
Technical College. There are those who
claim that the medium actually improves
verbal proficiency. Others are skeptical;
one dissenter has noted darkly that just as
the chief effect of the invention of the
typewriter was the proliferation of the
busines letter, so hypertext might bury us
in well-formatted nonsense.
But this argument puts the new wine in
old bottles. The potential of electronic text
is not to be exploited In asked it to do what
is already done well, or well enough. That
is a "horseless carriage" approach that
we see in the marketing of computer mes-
sage systems as "electronic mail." (They
are really systems for sharing files, and
they perform many functions having no-
thing to do with mail.)
It may be that In order to be properly
recognized, the medium needs a catchy
name. "Electronic text" Is pedantic, and
"machine-readable" too technical. Ted
Nelson, the visionary author of Computer
Lib/Dream Machines, coined the term
"hypertext," which has become in-group
slang for the kind of multidimensional,
nonsequential writing that electronic text
produces. Another candidate is "superli-
teracy," a label that makes people ner-
vous until they find out how many of the
super literates can't even spell. "Aug-
ment" was Englebart's own choice for the
commercial name of NLS. He felt that the
medium could augment the ability of an in-
formation worker in the same way that a
lever augments physical strength.
A sentiment Uke Engelbart's may have
inspired the author of the "superUterate
manifesto" that has been woven into the
EIES hypertext (Conference 52 on Superli-
terate Societies, EIES). This message {see
box) is not elitist at all, but a vision of
what might be possible from the medium.
The manifesto is not your ordinary ac-
count of the potential of computers and
computerized text. Yet it does hint that
there are more aspects of this new world
than we have imagined so far. The next
round will be greatly influenced by the
thousands of personal computer users
who are just beginning to experience the
medium, including, presumably, the
readers of this text. Your contributions are
eagerly awaited.
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LIFEBOAT HAS THE ANSWER
3
Cl
Communications
THE FREEDOM NETWORK
New service lets you send messages to Telex, T¥fX, even "fax" machines
from your PC*
VIA A NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS SER-
vice, IBM Personal Computer users can
now send electronic messages to any of
several hundred thousand locations with
otherwise-incompatible receiving equip-
ment, according to Dick Sherwin of
Graphic Scanning Corporation. Sherwin
says the accessible devices include tele-
typewriters (TWX), Telex and facsimilie
machines, and specialized office word
processors.
The Freedom Network, a service of Gra-
phic Scanning's Graphnet subsidiary, has
been in partial operation for several
months, and Sherwin said it was sched-
uled for full operation January 1. The
Freedom Network can receive text from
any communications-equipped PC, trans-
late or modify the data to suit 1 10 different
variations of hardware, software and
communications standards, and then re-
transmit the message to the designated re-
ceiving equipment and location. Cost to
the sender will be about 30 cents per 100
words transmitted.
Sherwin says users of the Freedom Net-
work will be able to send electronic mes-
sages to about 140,000 TWX and Telex ter-
minals in North America, and to locations
equipped with many popular models of
"fax" machines such as the Xerox 410
and 3M 600A. They will also be able to
send text to offices with communication-
equipped word processors from CPT, Lex-
itron, Wang and others; international Tel-
ex will be possible too, Sherwin said.
The Freedom Network translates and
retransmits messages to TWX and Telex lo-
cations at the time they are sent. Messages
to other kinds of equipment are stored in
Graphnet' s computer for later resending,
and can only be stored for destinations
already registered with the Freedom Net-
work. Access to The Freedom Network
will be available by local telephone call
from most large U.S. cities, according to
Sherwin. Cost to use the service, over and
above transmission time, is $5 a month.
There is no initial fee. The 30-cents/IOO
words rate (Sherwin did not define a
"word") applies to most transmissions,
and remains constant at all hours. Telex
transmission is slightly higher. Users must
also bear any cost for their phone calls to
The Freedom Network.
Though Graphnet' s target customers
for the service are "Fortune 1000 com-
panies," Sherwin said the company
would not turn away "onesy-twosy"
business from individual Personal Com-
puter users. However he said credit
references might be requested before an
account was established.
Calculations suggest the cost to use the
Freedom Network will be very competitive
with that of express delivery for moderate
quantities of text. A business document of
eight to ten average-sized pages could be
sent via The Freedom Network for the
same price as a letter sent by the Post
Office's Express Mail Service. Anything
shorter would be less expensive, and in
any case delivery would take place in a
matter of minutes rather than overnight.
(The comparison is inexact because mes-
sages sent by The Freedom Network pre-
lllustration by Don Nace
sently cannot include signatures, graphic
material, etc.).
If you would like to check out some
places you could transmit to via The Free-
dom Network, you might consider pur-
chasing a directory of Telex and TWX sub-
scribers in North America. This volume,
available from Western Union, is set up
like a phone directory, with both alpha-
betical and classified sections. Also, Sher-
win says "thousands of subscribers, in-
cluding many major companies" already
have electronic mail addresses assigned
on The Freedom Network. A printed direc-
tory of subscribers is in the works, and
there is a 24-hour "Directory Assistance"
service as well.
"We are trying to make electronic com-
munication as easy as possible for
people," Sherwin said.
—Jim Ediin
The Freedom Setuvrk — Graphic Scanning Corp.,
.i29 Alfred Atv., Teaneck, Sew Jersey 07666
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Playpen
GAMEWARE COMING, BUT...
Carl Warren
SPOT A PERSONAL MICROCOMPUTER, AND
immediately you migiit tliink of games —
games that fill the screen with strange be-
ings, make buzzing sounds and even talk.
Games have always been a mainstay of
personal microcomputer systems, and the
IBM Personal Computer is ideally suited
for the electronic illusions. But even
though the PC has technically superior
features capable of supporting exciting
and unique game- ware, some believe that
games — particularly of the arcade type —
will be the least desired programs for the
machine.
Market analysts, and IBM, don't see the
Personal Computer as being just another
personal computer to be used to entertain
the family on a cold winter's night. This
computer, more so than others, is targeted
as a productivity machine for the family
and manager of today, rather than a
sophisticated device to garner points by
'chomping' gumdrops or cookies or what-
ever a game master can dream up.
Playins the "What-ir Game
But gaming is more than just shooting
down alien beings from outer space,
asserts Dick Ainsworth, creative director
at The Image Producers, a program devel-
opment company in Northbrook, Illinois.
Ainsworth believes that users of the IBM
computer will want to play true-to-life
sophisticated games, like making projec-
tions on the outcome of certain business
decisions. "Playing the what-if game is
more exciting than any arcade game I can
think of," says Ainsworth.
Regardless of how you define a game,
Carl Warren, author of otvr 600
k "^^Vv^^H nrticles. tUH) b(H)ks and a num-
ber of technical manuals, is a Western Editor for EDS'
magazine, and contributes regularly on microcom-
puter topics to several other publications.
Graphics resolution, color and animation powers shown in this IBM demonstration should inspire
game designers
the key is excitement. And by employing
the unique display and control capabilities
of the IBM computer, game designers will
be able to create some unique packages for
it. Partly supporting this thesis is David
Ahl, publisher of Creative Computing,
Morristown, New Jersey. He contends that
buyers of the IBM computer will want
games, but will demand more intellectual
games like Chess, Othello, or Backgam-
mon. "The machine lends itself very nice-
ly to this type of game," says Ahl.
Lcarnins By Playins
If you use IBM as the gauge, Ahl is cor-
rect. Intellectual, tutorial style games are
the ideal offering. Currently, IBM is offer-
ing a series aimed at teaching through
game techniques. Fact Track ($90, disk-
ette) covers basic arithmetic skills and is
organized by level of difficulty. In the
same genre are Arithmetic Games One and
Two. The first set has two games called
Beano and Rocket that are designed to
refine your math skills while playing an
enjoyable game. Set number 2, takes the
method further and includes basic logic
skills. These last two packages are priced
at $60 each on diskette, and were devel-
oped by Science Research Associates for
IBM.
But number games aren't the only thing
IBM is offering. The fourth package in the
new series is Typing Tutor ($25) which
comes to IBM from Microsoft Consumer
Products. This product, created by The
Image Producers, uses the concept of
automated teaching via game skills, and is
designed to teach you how to type or im-
prove your typing speed and accuracy.
The tutorial/game technique may be
more the rule than the exception accord-
ing to some industry watchers. Already
managers at local ComputerLand stores
FROM IBM
are finding that buyers of the new
machine are asking for software that can
be useful over a long period of time. They
report few requests for arcade games.
Customers will accept, however, those
packages that teach as well as play a game.
Creative Computing's Ahl has taken a
different approach with three games:
Blister Ball, Torax, and Tsuanami, all of
which are in the Tinal development stage
for the PC. He points out that these aren't
copies of other popular games, but are
original arcade games that challenge the
player and, for that matter, the machine.
Retrofits by March
Ahl and others expect a spate of retro-
fitted games (adaptations of those design-
ed for other computers) to come available
for the PC as early as March, with more
sophisticated games coming on the scene 9
to 12 months later.
The reason for the time lag? Program-
mers have to become familiar with the
machine and develop ways to take advan-
tage of all its capabilities. Moreover, even
with the development cycle aside, there is
wide speculation that most game designers
will offer their product to IBM for first
evaluation, with only a small number tak-
ing the game directly to market. By offer-
ing first to IBM, software publishers will
have to live with an evaluation cycle
which could last as long as 4 to 9 months,
depending on the package. The non-IBM
method may reduce the time it takes to get
the product to market, but direct-selling
game publishers may find it difficult to
locate the right audience.
To assist in the development of all types
of software, IBM is providing would-be
authors with full technical support — even
to providing a specific engineering contact
to answer questions about the operation
of the machine, and giving detailed infor-
mation about the PC's technical details.
But even with giant IBM providing a
great deal of assistance, potential game
authors may run into possible legal trou-
ble in their retrofitting efforts. Should an
author market a game similar in display
and playing concept to an arcade game
owned by Atari, for example, (which also
owns the rights to all Bally games) that
author can expect problems. Atari has
gone to great lengths, including filing
video tape representations of the games
with the copyright office to protect its
rights. What this will ultimately mean is
some of the games you now find in coin
operated arcades won't be available on the
Personal Computer. What you can prob-
ably expect though is for software com-
panies like DakinS Corp., Denver CO, to
retrofit their popular Kaves of Karkhan to
work on the IB.M PC, and other game com-
panies to follow suit as quickly as possible.
A Two-Faccd Machine
The IBM personal computer appears to
be a dichotomy at this early date, since it
offers high-resolution color graphics,
speedy screen updates good for anima-
tion, a flexible game port for handling
game controls, plus the power and overall
styling to fit business applications. All of
which make the machine ideal both for
games and business purposes. But Wayne
Green, for one, isn't convinced that any-
one has really figured out what the ma-
chine is to be used for. Green, President of
the Peterborough, New Hampshire, com-
pany that publishes Instant Software,
believes it's still too early to make any
broad statements about the machine.
.Moreover, he isn't sure if it is games or
business applications that will be impor-
tant. He does point out, however, that
games are usually popular and that even-
tually Instant Software will offer a variety
of packages, with games being included.
But what those games might be. Green
would not yet guess.
Conceivably, the powerful IBM PC may
open up a whole new era of game-ware.
Don't be surprised to see, in the next
several months, games that are based on
real-life simulations, or that teach com-
plex subjects in the form of a game. Ac-
cording to Loren Werner, owner of a Los
Angeles, California based technical
documentation firm: 'I expect that by
1983 we'll be creating highly technical
documentation on the IB.M computer, and
using gaming techniques to develop an
understanding of the topics."
TO IBM
IB '^^^
^ 1
14 14 4 4 4 4 4 f
1 t t 1 i 4 1 ^
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^ User's Report:
NOT-SO-EASYWRITER
EasylMlriter word preccssms prosram, version 1«00.
EASYWRITER, produced by Information
Unlimited Software, program by fobn
Draper and Matthew Mcintosh. IBM Per-
sonal Computer Word Processing Series.
AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF UNEXPLAINED
delays, IBM's first and, to date, only word
processing program for its Personal Com-
puter has finaUy been released. What will
the average writer discover once that pale
blue binder has been pulled out of its sHp-
case?
The first impression is likely to be that
the EasyWriter program does in fact live
up to its name. The documentation fol-
lows the superb format of the other PC
manuals, being elegantly printed and
clearly written, and making good use of
boldface headings and examples printed in
contrasting green ink. I was able to sit
down and read through the entire body of
the manual (84 pages, including a tutorial)
in about an hour and come away feeling
that I had a fairly good handle on the way
the program worked.
EasyWriter is organized on a three-tier
system. Upon loading the program and
storage diskette, the File System menu ap-
pears on the screen, listing sixteen avail-
able commands for editing, saving, revis-
ing, hnking and printing files, plus infor-
mation about the current file in memory
and the capacity of the storage diskette
(fig. I J. The prompt 'COMMAND:^ asks
for a one-letter instruction which is the
first letter of the corresponding command.
It's all clear and straightforward, and
even someone who's not familiar with the
concept of word processing files should be
able to find his or her way without undue
anxiety.
The "E" command gets you into the
second tier of the program, the Edit mode,
which is where all entry and revising of
text is done. If no file is in memory, you're
presented with a blank screen and a blink-
ing cursor, ready to start writing. If
you've already loaded a file into memory,
the screen displays the text at the start of
the file.
This part of the program makes excel-
lent use of the cursor-movement and
Andrew Flucselman
special function keys of the PC's key-
board. Individual keys move the cursor in
all four directions, scroll the text up or
down a "page" (actually, a screen's
worth), move to the home position on the
screen, to tab stops and to the end of the
file, allow insertions and make deletions.
Using the CONTROL key in conjunction
EasyWriter "Block
Move" Tips
For those of you who are ambi-
tious, I can pass on a few block-
moving tips. First, you don t have to
insert lines above and below the
block, as the manual states. You can
isolate a block in the middle of a para-
graph simply by entering insert mode
and placing the block markers where
you want them. You also don't have
to go through the double CTRL-J
routine at the end of the copy shift.
Once will suffice, before the move.
(Why the screen gives the ambiguous
messages "BLOCK COPY ON" —
■ BLOCK COPY OFF" is a mystery.)
On the other hand, make sure that
you do move the cursor to the line (or
the character) in front of the first
block marker before hitting CTRL-J
and CTRL-C. If you don't, you'll get a
"BLOCK TOO LARGE" message,
regardless of whether the block is
really within the 5.>0()-character
limit. This bogus error message
threatened my sanity for a while.
Preserve yours by proceeding very
carefully.
One final tip: After CTRL-C, and
before moving your copy block,
delete the trailing block marker and
paragraph-end by hitting the DEL key
twice (steps 16 and I" in the 21-step
routine above). Then delete the
leading marker by doing the same
thing (moves 20 and 21) once the
copy has been placed in the new loca-
tion. This will save you undue cursor
movement.
-.i.F.
with these enables advancing the cursor a
word at a time, deleUng lines of text, and
moving to the beginning of the file.
Hitting the F3 special funcfion key in-
serts a blank line below the cursor. F5 de-
letes a word (including the space pre-
ceding it). F6 "undeletes" previously
deleted words, a letter at a time. All of
these commands are logical and easy to
learn, requiring in most cases a single
keystroke that doesn't involve an alpha-
numeric key. Once again, a first-time user
should have a much more comfortable ex-
perience starting to write with Easy-
Writer's simple commands, compared to
the many multi-keystroke commands resi-
dent on a program like WordStar.
If you hit the key marked Fl , you'll see
the Help menu [fig. 2], which is displayed
above the text being edited and which
describes all the special function keys. The
F2,-7,-8, and -9 keys control commands
for moving blocks of copy and controlling
printing (more about those later). The FIO
key takes you back to the File System
menu, while the F4 key takes you to the
third tier of the program, the Additional
Commands.
(Before moving on, I must note my first
quibble. The Help menu is very easy to call
up, but it gives no clue as to how to get rid
of it. The manual does note, on page 5-1 ,
that the display can be discontinued by
hitting the Fl key again, but someone in
need of instant on-screen help isn't hkely
to want to go paging through a looseleaf
binder to figure out how to get
un-helped.)
The Additional Commands menu [fig.
3], displayed above the text being edited,
lists commands which perform a variety of
formatfing chores. As with the File System
menu, all the commands require single-
letter inputs that correspond with the first
letter of the command. This time, we are
told how to exit (hit the ENTER key).
These three menus cover all the Easy-
Writer commands, except for a group of
"Imbedded Commands," which control
print formatting. These are adequately
described in the manual, but it would have
continued...
c
THE PROGRAMMER"' HAS THE ANSWERS tj^
TO YOUR CUSTOM SOFTWARE QUESTIONS.
Mass produced software has
rapidly approached levels of
sophistication beyond the
imagination of a year ago.
However, regardless of the
sophistication of this software,
every user still encounters the
situation where he thinks to himself
"If it only did this or had that
capability . . ." Now, IBM'^ has
recently brought the power and
versatility of their main-frame
systems to your fingertips with the
new IBM personal microcomputer,
and now Advanced Operating
Systems complements this
accomplishment by introducing THE
PROGRAMMER, a software package
which brings you abilities previously
possessed only by a highly skilled
computer programmer.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO KNOW?
You must have a clear idea of what
you want your program to do. THE
PROGRAMMER can't read your
mind, but, with your direction, it
can actually write the lines of BASIC
language necessary for the micro-
computer to perform your tasks.
Non-programmers with little or
no knowledge of BASIC-ianguage
programming can use the simple,
multiple-choice, menu format to
create all types of programs.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO?
You direct THE PROGRAMMER via
a series of "menus". Each menu
presents a Question and a list of the
available choices. You simply input
the number of the function you
want, and THE PROGRAMMER
writes the corresponding BASIC
program lines. The finished product
is automatically stored on the disk,
from which it can be copied on
another disk for later use.
WHAT CAN THE PROGRAMMER
DO FOR YOU?
THE PROGRAMMER can write a
(choose the correct
response.)
a. data-base program ta develop
and update a mailing list or keep
track of catalog items in your
inventory.
b. graphics generator program.
c. program to create sounds or
music.
d. customized small business
accounting system.
e. program to interface with
another computer device.
f. word processing program to print
department reports.
g. all of the above, and more.
The correct response to this sample
menu is "g". The "bottom line is
that THE PROGRAMMER will write a
program for any purpose. The
possibilities are limited only by your
imagination. Once a program is
completed it can be saved on a disk,
allowing you to write additional
programs. THE PROGRAMMER will
not create the ideas, but will permit
you to quickly and easily implement
any programming ideas you have.
HOW. WHEN. AND WHERE
CAN YOU GET IT?
THE PROGRAMMER is not a fanciful
dream for the future, but is finished
and available to you, right now!
The newer micro systems are often
limited by an initial lack of readily
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EASYWRITER continued
been convenient to include them in a
fourth menu that could be called up on the
screen. I also wish that the three modes of
operation weren't set up on a hierarchical
basis. (To get from Additional Commands
to the File System, you have to first pass
through the Edit mode.) In operation,
there are many times when you do want to
execute one of the formatting commands
immediately following a file instruction
— without taking a tour of the whole pro-
gram.
Those are really just more quibbles,
though. Initially, I was truly impressed
with EasyWriter as a very friendly pro-
gram that could be learned quickly by
someone without an extensive word pro-
cessing background. It seemed like an
ideal program for a casual correspondent,
temporary worker, writing student, or
simply for someone not yet convinced that
word processing can, indeed, help them
write faster and better.
Unfortunately, EasyWriter contains a
few very annoying inconveniences and
some very serious traps for the innocent
computer writer. They start to reveal
themselves when you move from under-
standing the program (which is easy) to
actually writing with it, which is, well,
not so easy. I've given names to some of
these programmed gremlins.
"The Insert Phantom":
When writing or editing text, hitting
the Insert key lets you insert text in front
of the cursor. This feature operates just
about as with other w/p programs, except
that it's painfully slow, especially if the
screen is filled w ith a considerable amount
of text. The solution, the manual tells us,
is to create extra space by using the F3 key
to insert blank lines in the text.
All well and good. Hit F3 six times, and
all the text below the cursor is dutifully
pushed down six lines. Start typing in that
blank space and you'll see your new text
filling up the first line. Everything looks
fine so far, but appearances are deceiving.
Reach the end of the first line and you'll
see that blank space snap back together,
gobbling up a line of your elegant prose in
the process.
Woops! The manual does caution you,
on page 5-", that "if you forget to press
INS before inserting text, you destroy text
to the right of the cursor." But believe me,
after weeks of writing with this program, !
I'm still forgetting and letting my eyes
deceive me and gobbling up my words,
and I'll wager you will too — and so will
your temporary worker and your w riting
student.
Well, let's say the Insert Phantom is an
continued. . .
How to make your
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your IBM corporate computer.
Connect an INSTOR/801 to your IBM Personal Compu-
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on an 8" diskette in IBM 3741 format. Read the diskette
with your IBM corporate computer. Or send your cor-
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both ways. Simple. And the
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EASYWRITER continued
inconvenience. Meet his cousin, "The
Enter Demon." The problem with this
gremlin is that it's not satisfied with doing
jnst one job. Hitting the ENTER key in text
mode puts t little eighth-note symbol on
the screen and moves the cursor down to
the next line. You use this key to indlute
the end of a paragraph, and it worics lost
fine for that chore.
But you also have to use the ENTER key
to turn off the insert mode. This Is
needlessly confusing. (A much more
logical arrangement would have been to
use the INS key as a toggle switch— hit it
once to turn insert on and once again to
turn it off.) If you're adding text in the in-
sert mode (which you sometimes have to
do, as ej^lalned above) and come to the
end of a pamgraph, you hit ENTER once
and it only takes you out of insert mode.
You have to hit it again to place your
paragnV^if^ marker. Then you have to
remember to hit INS again before continu-
ing—otherwise you'll be gobbled up by
the Insert Phantom.
Thaf s not all. You also have to hit
ENTER after each of the special formatting
conunands. If you're inserting these com-
mands in your text, as you're likely to do,
you have to go through the same double-
strike routine described above. You also
then have to deal with the extra line added
by ENTER, deleting it with a CONTROL-
END. If this is beginning to sound confus-
ing, you're right.
The Enter Demon presents another
minor problem. How to insert a para-
graph-end in the middle of text? The
logical way would be to hit INS, then
ENTER. But doing that just turns off the in-
sert mode again. A writer who investi-
gates this conundrum will discover that
the ENTER key has insert rules of its own.
All you have to do Is place the cursor
wherever you want the paragraph-end.
Hitting ENTER automatically inserts the
marker. But will your temporary secretary
want to take the time to figure this out
before he or she begs to have the Correct-
ing Selectric back?
TiM AlisniiiS Hole
I could go on widi more inconven-
iences, but there are also some very
serious problems lurking between the
bytes. If you've already got a PC and
EasyWriter on hand, load a storage
diskette, call up a file of text (make sure
it's saved!), and let me introduce you to
the "Alipiing Black Hok."
Do the following:
1. Hit END, to get to die last text on
your file.
2. Hit ENTER. A parj^aph-end marker
will appear and the cursor will move
M
down to the next line.
3. Hit ENTER once more. A paragraph-
end marker will appear on the next
line and the cursor will move down
agjdn.
4. Now delete that marker by moving
the cursor up and hitting the DEL key.
5. Now re-align your text by hitting F4
and typing "A."
Unless your copy of EasyWriter con-
tains a revised version of the program I've
got, you're now on your way to the Black
Hole. First you'll see the program go
through its regular aligning routine. Next,
you'll see a little happy-face marker that
Indicates the end of the file. But the com-
mand prompt will indicate that the pro-
gram is still aligning. And it will continue
to be stuck in align mode, with no possible
exit, until there's a power blackout, or un-
til you reset the system (and erase current
memory!) with the CTRL-ALT-DEL keys.
Preventive medicine:
Check for phantom lines at the end of
your file by hitting END and noticing
whether the cursor is more than one line
below the hut line of text in your file. VL
so, hit CTRL-END several times before
aligning. To be safe, always be sure your
text is saved before trying to re-align, and
pray that your endiusiastic student
doesn't stumble upon this black hole on
his or her own.
I've also encountered the "Disk Format
Charlatan." More than just occasionally,
when moving from one File System com-
mand to another, I've received an error
message that says "DISK NOT INITIAL-
IZED. DO YOU WISH TO FORMAT?"
If this spine-chilling notice appears on
your screen, don't panic and type "Y,"
because, of course, you'll erase every-
thing on your disk while re-formatting.
Instead, type "N," and you'll be in-
structed to "INSERT THE PROPER DISK-
ETTE, THEN PRESS ENTER." Ignore tiie in-
struction and simply pull out your work-
ing storage diskette and re-load it. Be
prepared to get the same error message
two or more times before the program
reads your disk correctly.
I've experienced this glitch on both my
disk drives, which continue to work flaw-
lessly with other PC software. My very
strong suspicion is that the problem is in-
herent in the EasyWriter program. I'd be
interested in having this problem confirm-
ed by other users. Meanwhile, warn
everyone who's likely to be working with
your prized diskettes about this peril.
The last gremlin I'll describe is the
"Block Move Blockhead." Plain and sim-
ple, the block copy-moving feature of this
program is a disaster. It takes a minimum
of twenty-one commands and well over a
minute to successfully shift a paragraph
from one spot to another (place cursor,
F.^, INS, F8, ENTER, ENTER, movecursor,
F3, F8, ENTER, ENTER, move cursor back,
CTRL-J, CTRL-j, CTRL-C, DEL, DEL, move
cursor, CTRL-G, DEL, DEL). I don't mess
with this unless absolutely necessary. (See
box for tips on using tbe Nock-move
fiahmmoneas^.)
"flM Hard Copf Jaagte"
When you're ready to print your text,
you might find yourself in "The Hard
Copy Jungle." This part of the program
also contains a number of minor and nu-
jor inconveniences, plus some real gaffes.
To EasyWriter's credit, the program
does present a useful array of what are
termnl Imbedded Commands. These per-
mit formatting the printout by adjusting all
four margins, numbering pages, adding
three separate running headings (which
can be positioned anywhere on the page),
and providing for single or double
spacing, variable sheet leogth, and single-
sheet feed. Bach of these hnbedded Com-
mands must be inserted as a separate line
of text, preceded by a period and ter-
minated by a paragraph-end.
The manual does not warn you, how-
ever, that the presence of one of these Im-
bedded Commands will cause one or more
extra line feeds You can devise ways to
compensate and sneak these in at spots
where the extra Hne doesn't cause a prob-
lem, but it's really frustrating to have the
very commands you use to control your
format screw it up in the process.
EasyWriter permits two modes of print-
ing: from the File System Menu, via "H,"
and from the Edit mode, via F2. Occasion-
ally, these produce slightly different
results. Without trying to describe the
phenomenon in detail, it seems that print-
ing via "H" doesn't always reset the page
numbering and heading features properly.
I found printing from the Edit mode witii
F2 to be more rdlaUe.
EasyWriter conies configured to work
widi IBM's 80 CPS Matrix Printer, which I
haven't tested. If you want to use another
printer, such as one which prints letter-
quality characters, there's a Reconfigure
routine on the Additional Commands
menu, which lists various printer options.
I tested the ' 'Dhd>lo or Qume type printer' '
option to reconfigure for a TEC (C. Itoh)
Starwriter FP-1500-25, and all of the print
features described tai the EasyWriter
manual (except sub- and superscripts)
seemed to w<^ fine.
I didn't have the same luck following
the "Spinwriter type printer " option to
reconfigure for an NEC Spinwriter 5330.
Although the Kecon%ure routine gives a
Copyrighted matsrial
EASYWRITER FILE SYSTEM
A - APPEND FILE E - EDIT FILE H - PRINT FILE U - UNPROTECT
B - BACKUP F - FORMAT DISK P - PROTECT FILE X - EXIT
C - CLEAR TEXT G - GET A FILE R - REVISE A FILE 1 - DRIVE A
D - DELETE FILE L - LINK FILES S - SAVE FILE 2 - DRIVE B
FILE #: 4 M/S hdr FILESIZE= 145 AVAIL= 18415 %USEI>= 20 DRIVE B
LINKS ARE: 4 12 3
1 Esywrtrl 13350 2 E8ywrtr2 3603 3 E8ywrtr3 1638 4 M/S hdr 145
5 FIG hdr 58
COMMAND:
Fig. I — EasyWriter flic system display, showing Ave flies stored on the current disk.
(Printed by the author's PC system using the PrtSc command key.)
HELP MENU
INSERT LINE
DELETE WORD
STOP PRINT
ALIGN MARKER
EASYWRITER HELP MENU
F2 - PRINT
F4 - ADDN COMMANDS
F6 - UNDELETE
F8 - BLOCK MARKER
FIG- FILING SYSTEM
- BLOCK COPY
- BLOCK GET
- BLOCK PUT
- USER KEY
Fig. 2 — Help menu display. Below menu is format "ruler" showing left and right margin settings.
ADDITIONAL COMMANDS
A - ALIGN TEXT
C - CENTER A LINE
H - HMI SEniNGS
J - JUSTIFY ON/ OFF
COMMAND?
L
H H H H +-
M - MARGIN SETTINGS
P - PAGE SETTINGS
R - RECONFIGURE
S - SEARCH AND REPLACE
T - TAB SETTINGS
W - WORD COUNT
ENTER - EXIT TO EDITOR.
R
— H H H H H +-
Fig. 3 — Additional commands display.
bi-directional printing choice, that feature
of the Spinwriter wasn't supported. Bold-
face printing and underlining almost
worked, but the line feeds kicked over too
soon, or not at all.
There was also a problem printing
double-spaced with the Spinwriter. The
printer produced single-spaced lines at the
bottom of some pages, and always at the
end of the file. I did manage to get around
this by using the double-space switch on
the front panel of the Spinwriter, instruct-
ing EasyWriter to print single- spaced, and
imbedding ".lines" and ".pagelines"
commands that were half the value of
what I really wanted.
The EasyWriter program does allow for
user-defined printer commands which
might be able to remedy such problems.
Nevertheless, someone did go through the
motions of providing configuration rou-
tines. I can only report that if you're a
Spinwriter devotee and you prefer writing
to studying printer manuals, you're not
going to be pleased with what has been
provided.
Some program evaluators may be sur-
prised that, for all these cataloged grem-
lins, I haven't mentioned some of Easy-
Writer's obvious drawbacks: the indisput-
able fact that it operates needlessly more
slowly than the capabilities of the PC's
hardware: its limitation of being able to
handle no more than 31 files per disk
(maximum 18,500 characters per file); the
unavailability of certain formatting
sophistications and of merge, sort and
spell-check options; the fact that text is
stored as specially-encoded data, making
it difficult to transfer files to other pro-
grams or systems.
I haven't focused on those problems
because I don't think EasyWriter was ever
conceived as the Rolls-Royce of word-
processing programs. Its simple com-
mands and menu structure gave it the po-
tential to be a Beetle — a reliable vehicle
that could be driven by anyone, any-
where, without having to call in a me-
chanic every few miles. That it falls short
of that potential is my real disappointment
with the program.
The software assembly lines are already
humming, and PC users can expect to see
compatible versions of the established
word processing packages available
within the coming months. Many of us
with elaborate text-processing require-
ments will probably snap them up, re-
lieved. But many casual writers would
really rather iave a truly "easy writer"
that adequately serves their needs. Unfor-
tunately, version 1.00 of IB.M Personal
Computer EasyWriter is not quite that pro-
gram.
Andrew Fluegelman is Ibe co-aulbtir. uitb Jeremy
Joan Heuvs. w/Wrilinj! In Thi- OompuUT Agf. lo he
puhlished by Ancbiir/Douhledav in Fall HJ He is Ibe
subject of Ibe PC Profile appearing elseu bere in Ibis
issue
Cl
Dr. Larry Press
COMING ATTRACTIONS
PC-Lab Reports: What they are; what's in the pipeline.
P UBUCATION DEADUNES FOR THIS
Premiere Issue of PC came bard on the
beels of the first wave of product introduc-
tions for the IBM Personal Computer, and
did not permit completion of any product
evaluations in the rigorous fashion we
hope the ' PC-Lab ' ' banner will come to
symbolize. In the following article, PC-Lab
Director Larry Press introduces the view-
point and procedures that will guide prep-
aration of articles under that banner,
wbicb will start appearing in the next
issue.
— The Editors
A
XjL s you might have guessed from the
title, the PC-Lab section of this magazine
will publish evaluations of products —
both hardware and software — offered for
use with the IBM Personal Computer.
The title "PC- Lab" may make you think
of a solemn group of researchers in white
lab coats, carrying clipboards and con-
ducting experiments; however, this image
isn't really accurate. At the present time
we have neither a lab facility nor solemn
people with white coats. Initially, PC-Lab
will rely on a cadre of on-call specialists
who will conduct evaluations in their
areas of expertise and write up the results
for publication. Their work will result in
several types of articles
Or. Larr y Press. Director of PC-
Lab, beads SmaU Systems Group,
a product etviuation senice in Santa Monica. Cali-
fornia. He also edits The Personal Computer neuvlet-
teroftbe Association for Computing .Machinery.
Comparative
Reviews
We will strive to make each of our
reviews as objective and repeatable as
possible. They will include the results of
experiments, tables of capacities, feature
checklists, documentation characteristics
and general characteristics which are
broader than "features." In a compara-
tive review, we will run the same experi-
ments and make the same measurements
for each product, and present the results
in a common format.
For instance, in a comparative review
of file management systems, we would es-
tablish several typical data files, and then
measure such things as the time required
to sort the file or retrieve a record, using
each of the programs under review. The
amount of disk space used to store the files
would also be reported. The capacities of
the programs: maximum file and record
sizes, number of fields per record, etc.,
would be tabulated. In considering fea-
tures and characteristics of a file manage-
ment program, we would note such things
as the number of data types available, the
types of indexing which are employed,
and the ability to generate reports with
various forms of headings and totals.
One possible problem with this sort of
experimentally based evaluation is that it
might overwhelm relatively non- technical
people. On the other hand there is the
danger of oversimplifying complex pro-
blems and of glossing over important data.
This is a difficult tightrope to walk;
however, I feel that publications such as
Consumer Reports have shown that it is
possible to inform people about products
without talking down to them or boring
them to death. If we do our job well, our
comparative reviews will teach non-tech-
nical readers in addition to helping them in
making purchase decisions.
Comprehensive
Reviews of
Single Products
For several reasons, all of our reviews
won't be comparative. For one thing, at
this early stage of the game, there are not a
lot of similar products to compare. For in-
stance, as of this writing, there is only one
word processor available for the IBM Per-
sonal Computer. While there will soon be
many products to review, the time and ef-
fort required to conduct a comprehensive
comparative evaluation of several pro-
ducts is substantial. Time is required to
plan the evaluation, to conduct experi-
ments and then to interpret and write up
the results. Where we think you will value
timeliness more than comprehensiveness,
we will conduct single-product evalua-
tions.
The danger with a single-product re-
view is that you get one person's subjec-
tive opinion. For example, a reviewer
who had never used a word processor
might love a very poor word processing
program, since it was much better than us-
ing a typewriter. Furthermore, some peo-
ple are just more critical than others. One
person's "poor" might be another's
"good." We will attempt to forestall such
problems by selecting reviewers who have
experience with products similar to the
one under review, and by continuing to
emphasize experimentation and objectivi-
ty. Instead of saying that a program is
"good" or "average", its speed can be
measured and its characteristics listed.
Our goal with these in-depth reviews
will not be merely to evaluate a single pro-
duct, but to establish a format which will
be used in subsequent reviews of other
products of the same type. With time, we
will accumulate a group of standard re-
ments will be run and the same character-
istics and features tabulated even if differ-
ed
by the fact of a demonstration being kept
under the manufacturer's control. These
articles will not be expected to set formats
for subsequent reviews, but will be used
as a means of letting the readers know
about new products relatively quickly.
Quick-look articles will have more room
for opinion and informal comparison to
other products, so we will continue to be
careful about qualifying the authors.
In addition to publishing articles and
reports such as discussed above, we plan
to poll readers on their experience with
various products. These surveys would
not be able to go into the detail that a
review would, but we would gather signi-
ficant feedback on reader satisfaction with
products and vendors. Reader surveys
also feel good to me because they provide
a way in which we can all become actively
involved with the magazine. It is my guess
that a magazine which is used by an active
community of readers, will be both useful
and exciting to contribute to.
Photo by James McCaffrey
ent people conduct the evaluations and
they are done at different times. These
would also be used if we were to even-
tually publish a comparative review. Since
they will be used in this manner, a good
deal of time will be spent on planning, ex-
perimentation and designing the report
format for these reviews.
Quick Looks,
Previews and
Reader Surveys
We will also have a place for shorter,
less formal articles. These will describe a
quick look at a product, based on using it
for a few days, without doing much sys-
tematic experimentation. Preview evalua-
tions will offer advance looks at items not
yet released for sale, and may be limited
What's Next?
As you probably know, IBM has already
announced several software packages for
the Personal Computer. We have just re-
ceived copies of the Easywriter word pro-
cessor, VisiCalc, BASIC and the disk oper-
ating system and will try to give you at
least a "quick look" at these by the next
issue of PC. IBM has also announced that
they will offer UCSD Pascal, the Microsoft
Pascal Compiler and CP/M 86, but as of
this writing, they have not yet estabUshed
a firm delivery date for these systems. We
also expect a copy of their communication
package any day now, and will probably
have something to say about that by the
next issue. Finally, IBM has published a
technical manual describing the Personal
Computer. At first glance, it appears to be
quite complete and will be must reading
for anyone planning to really get into the
machine — either as a hobbyist, or as an
entrepreneur thinking of developing a
hardware or software product for the per-
sonal computer. More on that next time
too.
Since color monitors and letter-quality
printers are not supplied as part of the
standard IBM product line, they will pro-
bably be featured in early hardware re-
views. We have also heard many rumors
about hardware and software products
which will be forthcoming from vendors
other than IBM. At this time, we don't
have any firm dates, so we will wait to see
what materializes.
It goes without saying that 1 would like
to hear from you. Let me know what pro-
ducts you would like to see evaluated and
what you want to see in the evaluations.
41
IBM's New Personal Computer:
Taking the Me
N.
|o single computer event has ever
captured more interest from more
people than the introduction of the
IBM Personal Computer. No single
development in personal computers
has ever produced more forecasts of
far-reaching change.
But all the interest, all the fore-
casts, were excited by an unknown
quantity. At first , the only things actu-
ally known were the name, company
and reputation behind the coming
product. And. for apparent multi-
tudes, that was enough.
Preliminary reports about the ma-
chine began circulating immediately
after IBM announced it on August 12,
1981. But these were necessarily
based on speciflcations rather than
experience. Early October was when
the cash customers were scheduled to
begin receiving what some already
were calling their "PC's, and some
did indeed receive them, but at the
beginning only in a trickle. By the
COMDEX show at the end of November
(see following story) the IBM Personal
Computer was still an object of
curiosity.
The atmosphere echoed how an ear-
lier generation must have responded
when General Motors introduced its
first modern sports car, the Corvette,
and only a few early models had been
let out on the road:
"What'Ushe do?"
"How fast?"
"How's she hold in the turns?"
There comes a time when reputa-
tion must stand the test of perfor-
mance, and that is the purpose of the
articles that begin here and continue
in PC's next issue. We can now^ begin
to take the measure of the machine —
to test its reach, its endurance, its
power to satisfy.
In this issue we report on the
measure of things most immediately
accessible: the system software, the
potential for expansion, and first im-
pressions in general. First impres-
sions first.
I
Si
42
sure
Part One
Jim Edlin and David Bunnell
Photography: Jay Carlson
First Impressions
FIRST IMPRESSIONS START WITH THE
box. If someone has given obvious
thought to a packing box, you are inclined
to suppose they also thought hard about
what's inside. IBM has clearly given some
thought to its Personal Computer boxes.
To begin with, the packing boxes look
good — a tasteful gray-and-white exten-
sion of the highly styled machinery with-
in. Secondly, the packing arrangement is
exquisitely functional — all tabbed and
slotted and nooked and crannied to give
the goods maximum protection.
But if you have included the mono-
chrome monitor in your system, the pack-
ing boxes also telegraph one other quality
about the IBM PC, namely it's an awfully
good start but there are lapses. The
monitor, unlike the keyboard and system
unit, comes in a klunky brown carton
bearing random stamps and stickers from
its transpacific passage.
Elsewhere in these pages, Microsoft's
Bill Gates describes the IBM PC as the per-
sonal computer that "stands on the
shoulders" of all that has been learned in
the last half-dozen years about making
personal computers. And so it does, in
many respects.
But it is simultaneously the beginner of
a new cycle, full of things people will
quickly discover can be improved upon.
The keyboard is a good example of both
phenomena. Personal computer experi-
ence has shown that people like to have
two sets of keys for entering numbers —
one typewriter-style and one calculator-
style. So IBM provides both as standard.
Then IBM added a clever arrangement for
letting the calculator "pad" double as a
set of keys for controling display screen
motion. Similarly, in the light of evidence
that programmers can make profitable use
of special-function keys, IBM provided
these too.
The IBM keyboard approaches being a
triumph of design, even unto thoughtful
touches hke adjustable legs for tilt, and a
handsome spring cord for connection to
the system unit. But that nice spring cord
plugs into the most awkwardly placed out-
let imaginable, way 'round in back of the
computer — rendering half its seemingly-
generous length useless. And one wonders
how IBM, that ultimate pro of typewriter
manufacture, could put the left-hand
SHIFT key at the awkward reach they did,
let alone omitting the shift-lock arrange-
ment whose use comes so instinctively to
the fingers of typewriter users every-
where.
Memory,
Memory
Everywhere
When one first explores an IBM Per-
sonal Computer system, or imagines how
one would create programs for it, the
dominant impression is one of memory,
memory and more memory, everywhere
you turn. There is memory for the display,
and memory for the other display if you
include both monochrome and color in
your system. There is memory space re-
served for still other displays as yet
unspoken-of, or perhaps higher-resolu-
amltnued. . .
Taking the Measure
Beanstalk Basic
The PC's BASIC language — powerful and complex.
tion graphics to be offered sometime
hence. There's memory for plenty of plug-
in read-only software. And still there is
more memory space left for programs and
data than most personal computers store
on one, or even two disks.
Other personal computers use their
diskettes as simulated "virtual" memory.
The PC could use part of its memory as a
virtual diskette.
Getting full memory power out of a PC
does not come cheap. For what it costs to
give one PC its theoretical (as yet still
unusable) maximum of memory, you
could instead buy two or three more of the
most stripped-down PC models. But the
prices will continue coming down and it's
comforting to know the capacity is easily
accessible.
Professionalism
But Rough Edges
The lengthy self-diagnosis for problems
that every PC performs every time you
turn it on is a continuing reminder of the
professional standards observed by those
who build it. But the self-check causes a
pregnant pause after you flip the switch
on, and if you are inclined to expect the
imminent failure of all complex machin-
ery, the pauses can be repeatedly heart-
stopping.
Rough edges keep showing up as you
use the computer. When you format a new
disk, the formatting program tells you at
one point in the process, "strike any key
when ready." Yet, because the process
could destroy valuable data if it starts
prematurely, the user's manual warns you
to be careful of striking a key accidentally
before you are ready. One would wish for
for a better safety measure than this off-
hand note. And contrast that situation
with the two-hand, two-key contor-
tions — precautions worthy of a factory
punch press — needed merely to pause the
display listing of a disk directory or BASIC
program.
If one is inclined to pick nits, it is prob-
ably because they stick out against an
otherwise impressively smooth back-
ground. But IBM has 120 years or so to
correct these. Apparently, that's all the
time they have, though; the disk operating
system is set up not to accept an entry for
"Today's Date?" whose year is any later
than 2099.
After which, for all we know, you may
end up with an IBM personal pumpkin.
IN THE HALF-DOZEN YEARS SINCE
Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Paul
Allen showed up on the Albuquerque door-
step of MITS, Inc., bearing the BASIC lang-
uage interpreter they bad created for that
company's pioneering Altair microcom-
puters, their small seed of a program has
grown like Jack 's beanstalk. It has shot up
and fleshed out to such robust dimensions
that a microcomputer-age Jack can truly
use it to climb into the land of the com-
puter giants.
THE SEED PLANTED IN ALBUQUERQUE
was an 8,000-character (8K) program
with limited capabilities that conformed to
the spirit of the original BASIC language,
which had been invented a decade earlier
for use on large computers.
Well that 8K seed planted in the desert
sands of Albuquerque has since been nur-
tured by the rains of the Pacific Northwest
(where Microsoft later moved), the hot-
house climes of California's Silicon Valley
(where Apple Computer, among others,
resides), the giant-breeding influences of
Texas (Radio Shack), the precise gardening
of the Japanese (NEC, among others), and
now by the warm sunshine around IBM's
Personal Computer factory in Boca Raton,
Florida. The resulting growth spurt has
left it sextupled in size from its sprout days
(to about 48K in the advanced version),
with a geometrically proportional increase
in power.
The nutrient on which it has grown to
such power? Memory, memory and more
memory. Thanks to the PC's abundance of
memory space, and the ever-falling prices
for memory cell hardware, PC BASIC
sprawls out over memory acreage hitherto
unimaginable for a microcomputer's
BASIC language. Two other key nutrients
are speed, provided by the 8088 pro-
cessor's inherent fast operation and an in-
ternal instruction set that facilitates high-
speed computation, plus experience — the
six-year opportunity to discover and sup-
ply what people thought was lacking in
Microsoft BASIC'S earlier incarnations. An
additional growth factor for PC BASIC'S
power was the decision to make it
"machine-specific" — that is, to pull
many of the hardware design's special
features under direct control of BASIC
commands instead of requiring their man-
ipulation by POKE and PEEK instructions
to obscure memory locations (a common
approach for earlier machines).
Where is PC BASIC'S new power most
noticeable? In the "human interface:"
those ways in which a user must go about
writing, editing and using programs; in
file handling; in error handling; in facili-
ties to create and run interrelated suites of
programs; and most of aU in graphics,
when the advanced version is used.
There are three versions of the Personal
Computer's BASIC. The built-in version,
supplied with the IBM System Unit in 32K
of read-only memory, has most of the new
powers except those relating to disk stor-
age, graphics and music. Two supple-
mentary versions of BASIC are supplied
with purchase of IBM's disk operating
system; one that mainly adds disk-related
commands, and an "advanced" version
that also adds graphics and music com-
mands. Both versions mate with the 32K
of BASIC built into the system unit, the 8K
of operating system that is also built in,
and the 12K of additional PC DOS oper-
ating system loaded in from the same disk
as BASIC.
Earlier BASICS often had the on-the-job
personality of a meter maid. Park one
wrong character in a forbidden zone and it
would shout "VIOLATION" and write you
up with an error-message citation, show-
ing no mercy whatsoever.
PC BASIC is much more forgiving.
TYPE A LOWER CASE LETTER WHERE A
capital is required, and nobody shouts
"VIOLATION." BASIC just calmly capi-
talizes your mistake. Bury a "reserved
command word" like ON in a variable
name like ONIONS and your Personal Com-
puter goesn't get confused for a moment.
What's more, taking the new memory
abundance to heart, it lets you give
variable names as long as you want, and
pays attention to the first 40 characters.
To PC BASIC, lucid-to-you names like
COUNTY. TOTAL and COUNTRY. TOTAL are
mercifully distinguishable.
Editing a PC BASIC program to make
corrections and changes is a vastly eased
affair compared to earlier BASICS. The
44
program's designers took into account
that their product was going to work on a
idoe, flexible video screen nther than a
clunky old teletypewriter, so Instead of
old-fashioned "line-ediUng, " PC BASIC
gives yon serwn 0Mii^. If you are typing
away on line 350 of your new program
when you suddenly realize there's a
diai^ you need to make bacit on line
300, you just hustle the cursor straight up
there, type in your change, and it's done.
Then you can zip the cursor back to where
you were and go on. The editor design
isn't as fully adapted to the benefits of
video disptay as it might be, but it has
come a long way from the old days.
One last example of the human inter-
fuse's tboughtftalness is the way BASIC
refers to row and column positions on the
video screen. They are numbered starting
with 1, which is the way people count
things, instead of starting computer-
fashion with 0 as in other microcomputer
BASICS. (In a curious inconsistency, this
nice touch applies only for text display.
Graphics rows and columns on the screen
are indeed numbered starting with zero.)
Error Handiing
"EnHMt" IS THE OOMPUTEBISrS
euphemism for something happenliig In a
way other than planned. Handling errors
means jkmAog for die unplanned, and
somehow making sure that inconvenience
to the program user is minimized.
Errors am range from the inadvertent
typing of the lower-case L, when the
number I is needed, to an attempt to read
from a data diskette that has had coffee
spilled Oil It. An unhandled error means
ihe program "crashes. ' ' By providing lots
of easy ways to detect and correct errors,
PC BASIC encourages programmers— you
included — to anticipate and forestall pos-
sible crashes.
An ON ERROR GOTO. . . command and
its GOSUB brother let you direct the pro-
gram to a special section when an error
occurs. In that special section, other com-
mands let the program figure out what
kind of an error lo^ place, «mf even the
point in the program where the error oc-
curred. A RESUME command, and a varia-
tirni of the KETURN command that enables
return from a subroutine to a chosen line
number, allow extra sophistication in
recoverii^gracefolly from errors. For de-
bu^ng purposes, an ERROB command is
provided for temporary insertion in pro-
grams under development. When encoun-
tered, the ERROR command causes simula-
tion of the error named in it, permitting
the testing of a program's error-handliI^;
segments.
Program Integration
PC BASIC ENCOURAGES THE CSEA-
tion of elaborate, interwoven suites of
programs by providing such commands as
CHAIN, COMMON and MERGE. The MERGE
command, together with powers such as
RENUMBER, also makes it easy for pro-
grammers to build on thetar earlier work
and the work of others.
MERGE can be used during the creation
of a pnqpam to weave in earlier-writtai
material such as error handling or file
handling routines, it can also be
used — together with the DEIBTE com-
mand if desired — to modify a BASIC pro-
gram at the very time it is running. Such
powers are likely to encourage the
"menu-driven" technique of program
design, where a choice made from a menu
would cause merging in of the program
section responsive to the choice.
The Personal Computer also provides
plenty of ftdlities for weaving machine
language programming into BASIC when
its extra speed is desired. Both the CALL
and the USR commands are provided for
this purpose. Ten different user-written
routines are accessible at any given point
via the USR sutement, and the CALL com-
mand can branch to any stated point in
memory. Machine- language code need not
be within BASIC'S 64K of memory space;
the DEF SEG command (which defines the
Start of a 64K segment of memory) makes
it possible to access the IBM machine's
endre complement of usable memory. You
could even stash a machine-code routine
in an unused page of the video memory on
the color-graphics diq>iay adapter. And
the BLOAD command makes it easy for a
BASIC program to draw machine language
routines into memory from disk storage.
Graphics and Music
MENTION OF THE BEST HAS BEEN
saved for last in this article. The graphics
commands provided in the advanced ver-
sion of PC BASIC will make it possible for
BASIC programs to use dramatic graphic
presentations simply and routinely.
A similar command having language-
within-a-language properties b PLAY —
used to produce music from the PC's built
in speaker. Even the built-in BASIC
language can utiUze the speaker with the
SOUND command. But the PLAY command
is specincally designed for producing
musical sequences using the classical
Kestern scale of notes and bmiliar tem-
pos. Unlike SOUND, PLAY doesn't require
the user to know anything about fre-
quencies and durations, only the tradi-
tional notes. Regrettably, there seems no
easy way the PLAY command can send its
compositions anyplace other than Uie PC's
pipsqueak weaker.
Conclusions
PC USERS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL
software authors alike should find plenty
to had in Microsoft's new BASIC for the
Personal Computer. Because of its range
and power, commercial software authors
are probably goiiq; to be more incUned
than before to work at least partially in
BASIC. It is clear a lot of thought went into
making die details work senslMy, like
rounding numbers off rather than just
truncating them when converting from
douUe to single precision arithmetic.
Regardii^ translation of programs from
other versions of BASIC, hints are
included in the back of the user manual.
But chances are that translation in many
cases won't be quite as easy as the manual
makes it sound — particularly if the pro-
grams use machine-specific features such
as cursor positioning or display format-
ting. And in any case the translated pro-
grams won't be able to take advantage of
PC BASIC'S speed and pizazz without
Du^o' rewrite.
There is, however, a twinge of sadness
brought on by this latest version of a
language that no longer fits its name.
BASIC Is now complex. And for the guy
who buys something christened a "per-
sonal computer" only to discover that the
language for commanding it takes 400
pages to explain, one must feel some sym-
pathy.
In growing powerful, BASIC has
emerged less personal. Many people
newly brought into the world of micro-
computers by the IBM Personal Computer
will find this enhanced BASIC less ap-
proachable, more forbidding than its pre-
decessors. Perhaps IBM ought to have bor-
rowed a leaf from Atari and included with
its computer not only a comprehensive
reference manual to BASIC, but also a
firiendly , step-by-step fotroAiction for the
beginner.
Copyrighted m^ial
Taking the Measure
A Language Within
a Language
PC BASIC'S powerful graphics commands.
TO APPRECIATE THE POWER AND
simplicity of one command in PC BASIC'S
graphics arsenal — the DRAW com-
mand — it helps to have seen a child
discovering the things he can make a
video picture do using the "turtle
graphics" instructions of a computer
language called LOGO.
By telling an electronic image of a
turtle to go this way and that on the
screen, even very young children quickly
figure out the techniques for developing
complex video illustrations. LOGO has a
language of simple commands telling the
symbolic turtle which way to turn, how
far to go in the new direction, and
The dramatic power of DRAW comes
from a special mini-instruction ("X
string") that allows an instruction string
to incorporate others of the same kind
stored under different names. Each of
these other instruction strings can, in
turn, perform the same trick. And so on.
A set of such strings, each bearing the
instructions for drawing one simple
shape, can thus be conglomerated, layer
upon layer, into one long instruction that
draws a complex picture. The process can
be repeated through many layers of
instruction strings. In this fashion a single
DRAW command can evoke the appear-
ance of a quite elaborate image.
whether to draw a line as it goes. The
resulting lines can make shapes, and the
resulting shapes can be combined to make
still-larger shapes.
DRAW is not so powerful as LOGO nor
quite so simply expressed, but it comes
from the same school of thought. It is, in
effect, a separate graphics language within
the larger BASIC language. Each DRAW
command is followed by a series of mini-
instructions that describe a course of
travel for an imaginary penpoint and the
actions it should take along the way. The
course proceeds from a previously set
starting point in any one of eight direc-
tions, at 45-degree intervals. The mini-
instructions specify distance in each direc-
tion and color of line, if any, to be drawn.
The instructions for drawing, which are a
sequence of letters and numbers, are
stored together in a "string" variable.
You might, for example, make one
string that draws a little red rectangle, and
call it BRICKS. A second string, WALLS
might then make a whole wall by moving
the pointer to each new brick location and
then instructing: X BRICKS. A DRAW state-
ment for a picture of a house could read:
DRAW "X WALLS; X WINDOWS, X
DOORS,. . ." and so on.
DRAW is not quite LOGO. But— to sug-
gest how close it comes — it seems pro-
bable that someone could write a reason-
able facsimile of LOGO to run on the IBM
Personal Computer using Advanced BASIC
and relying heavily on the DRAW com-
mand.
Three other commands— CIRCLE, LINE
and PAINT — also add graphic power to the
PC. CIRCLE is a one-step command that
enables the creation of circles, ellipses and
segments of them. In the case of segments,
the ends can, if desired, be connected by
lines to the center. The command is a pie-
chart- maker's dream.
UNE should really be called LINE/BOX,
since it also draws squares and rectangles,
in the same fashion that CIRCLE works. Its
drawing of a straight line is really just a
special case of a box with one dimension
of zero. Finally, PAINT is a command that
provides for the filling in with color of any
enclosed area on the display. So after you
create a circle, box or other figure with
the earlier commands, you can use PAINT
to fill it in.
Lastly, one other pair of commands
contributes to PC BASIC'S graphic nimble-
ness— PUT and GET. These rely on the
principle that any picture on the PC's
display is simply an array of numbers in its
video memory cells. Such an array can be
copied to or from any equal-sized array
elsewhere in the computer's memory.
One could do such copying with a loop of
PEEK and POKE statements, but that tactic
is rather slow. PUT and GET accomplish
the same thing on a machine language
level, moving images in and out of screen
memory much faster — often fast enough
to create video animation.
An example of their use might be after
you created the house image discussed
earlier with DRAW, PAINT, LINE and
CIRCLE commands. The execution of such
an elaborate image might take quite a
while on the screen. But once it was there
you could store it away elsewhere in mem-
ory with a GET statement. Then, sometime
later you could call it back to the screen in
a small fraction of the time the original
commands took to draw it in the first
place.
With this powerful set of commands,
graphics programmers who have never
before found it practical to work in BASIC
might find they now can do so. This might
speed development of exciting graphics-
using software for the PC. Also, as noted
in the adjacent article, PC BASIC has broad
ability to merge existing program seg-
ments into new ones. This may inspire
commercial program marketers to develop
libraries of graphic elements available for
incorporation into other programs. Such
elements — display type faces, architec-
tural symbols, simple illustrations, etc.
— would be the Personal Computer's
equivalent of stencils, press-on lettering
and the like.
jterial
Open System
IBM comes to the plug-in world of personal computers.
TO OLD HANDS AROUND MICROCOM-
puters, the idea of augmenting your
system with plug-in accessories from a
teeming bazaar of vendors is a familiar
one. But to the growing new contingent
IBM is introducing to microcomputers —
folks who are as new to personal com-
puters as IBM itself is — tbe plug-in game
may come as a revelation.
SINCE IBM'S NEW PERSONAL COMPUTER
is very much a participant in the plug-in
game, a brief review of the rules seems in
order.
It boils down to this: buying an IBM Per-
sonal Computer is more Hke buying the
centerpiece of a component stereo system
than it is like buying an Oldsmobile. Many
IBM buyers may not be inclined to believe
so at first, but we predict they'll come
around. Unexpectedly enough, IBM has
provided all the ingredients for bringing
them around. These are:
• the Personal Computer's accessible
design,
• IBM's extremely a la carte marketing
approach,
• and IBM's generous openness with
technical information.
Together, these factors explain why the
microcomputer industry terms the PC an
"open system."
continued. . .
62-PIN EXPANSION SLOTS
Either the five internal sockets, or
added ones in an expansion box. (An
expansion box would probably use
up one slot in the System Unit for a
connector that ties the two together.)
• Memory expansion
• Communications ports (according
to various standards — RS232,
IEEE4888, etc.)
• Direct-connect telephone model
• Connectors for local networks
such as Ethernet and Desnet
• Mass storage device controllers
(such as for hard disks)
• Music synthesizers
• External device controllers (such
as for appliances and lights)
INTERNAL CHIP SOCKETS
• Enhancements to system software
in read-only memory
• Alternate character sets for video
display
• Game and other programs, or
parts of programs, in read-only
memory form
KEYBOARD CONNECTOR
The PC's keyboard connector
offers interesting possibilities. The
PC keyboard itself is an "intelligent"
device, and the channel between it
and the System Unit is a serial chan-
nel that carries information on keys
The PC's Plug-In
Potential
pressed rather than specific character
codes.
Each of the 83 keys has its own
number (including separate numbers
for each of the two shift keys) and
sends one code when pressed and a
different code when released. Soft-
ware in the System Unit keeps track
of which keys were pressed and
released in which order (". . .was
tbe SHIFT key released before tbe G
key was pressed? Hmmm, you must
want a lower-case g. . . ")to handle
such matters as shifts and Typamatic
repeating. The internal software that
handles this is accessible for change;
also, 45 of the possible on/off num-
ber pairs are left unused by IBM. So
there is great potential for outside
vendors to connect devices through
this channel.
• Add-on keyboards with special
function keys
• Musical keyboards
• Graphics tablets and other similar
devices
CASSETTE CONNECTOR
• Telephone modems
• Device control (via the "motor
on/motor off feature)
• Speech synthesizers
PRINTER AND COMMUNICATIONS
ADAPTERS
• Printers
• Plotters
• Telephone modems
• Scientific or medical instruments
GAME CONTROL ADAPTER
• Joysticks and paddles
• Graphics tablets (digitizer pads)
• Robots
INTERNAL SPEAKER PLUG
• Hi-fi sound amplifiers
• Other devices responsive to ana-
log waveforms
The above list is far from exhaus-
tive. Already, in labs, garages and
spare bedrooms from Silicon Valley to
Sault Sainte Marie, electronics
wizards are huddled over logic
analyzers, wire wrap boards and
other tools of their trade figuring out
how to plug in new goodies to the
IBM Personal Computer. As their
creations appear, they will be
reported and evaluated in future
issues of PC. (Some have appeared al-
ready and are discussed elsewhere in
this issue.)
At last, a
powerful enough
^^^^m ^^^^
by Son
Thanks, IBM.
For more information about Sorcim's
bestselier, ttie SuperCalc" program, call
Steve Warren or Ginger Jernigan at
(408) 727-7634, or write Supercalc on the
back of your business card and send it to:
A/fs. Emi Rock, Sorcim Corporation,
405 Aldo Avenue, Santa Ciara, CA 95050
&SORCIM
Taking the Measure
Inside the System Unit of the IBM Per-
sonal Computer, five long, identical, slot-
shaped sockets provide places for con-
necting to all of the PC's important
circuits — 59 in all. (This design approach
is sometimes called a "bus".) IBM acces-
sories, some necessary like a display
adapter and some optional like the game
paddle adapter, can plug into these
sockets. But so can accessories manufac-
tured by anyone else who figures out the
proper interactions with all 59 circuits.
(There are actually 62 connections in the
socket, but some are duplicates.) To help
make this possible, IBM has — in a major
reversal of its usual policies — published
full disclosure about the goings-on and ex-
pectations for each of the circuits.
The PC also has a good supply of other
available orifices for plug-in products.
There is the cassette-recorder connector,
and the matching one next to it for the
keyboard. There are sockets on the back
panels of most IBM accessory cards. And
there are the component s6ckets on the
main circuit board itself, some already oc-
cupied and some not. For various other
personal computers, all of these connector
types have been used to attach one or
another add-on devices, and it is reason-
able to suppose this will happen with the
PC too.
What might be plugged into this multi-
plicity of sockets, and why? Both the pro-
ducts and the answers range from the
mundane to the exotic.
The mundane products and answers
tend to go together. For example, com-
panies sell expansion cards for read-write
memory, and people often choose to buy
such cards because they are priced lower
than the manufacturer's equivalent. Other
reasons might also apply, such as extra
certification and reliability or, particularly
in the PC's case, an outside company's
design that offers more capacity than IBM
sells on a single card.
Exotic products include such things as
music synthesizers and graphics tablets.
Produrts in the exotic group are usually
sold by outside companies because
demand for them is not broad enough to
interest the microcomputer manufac-
turers themselves. But from those who
have a special interest, demand can be
quite fervent.
A computer music enthusiast might
want to plug six complete synthesizer
cards into his system in order to supply
many different "voices" which are
playable simultaneously. In the PC's case,
this music enthusiast would first have to
invest in a different kind of plug-in
device — an expansion adapter that pro-
vides more slots than the five built into the
IBM system unit. One such expansion unit
has already been put on the market, by
Tecmar; but our hypothetical music lover
needn't buy one just yet, because as of this
writing no synthesizer accessory has yet
been introduced. (Judging from the num-
ber available for the Apple computer, it
won't be long 'til some appear for the PC.)
Sometimes what is first thought to be
exotic later turns out to be popular enough
for the big manufacturers to begin offering
it. This was Apple Computer's experience
with graphics tablets, which are rectangu-
lar writing surfaces equipped to detect and
report the action of a pen moved across its
surface. They are useful in computer-
aided design, among other applications.
For the PC, a tablet might be designed to
plug into the game adapter, the cassette
port, or even (with a "Y-connector") to
the keyboard plug. In any of these cases,
software would also have to be added tell-
ing the PC how to interpret and act on the
signals sent from the tablet via the plug. In
fact, it is appropriate to view the slots of
the disk drives as yet another place where
"plug-in" products for the PC can be in-
stalled. Operating system software that
can replace the PC's own DOS, such as
CP/M-86 and the UCSD p-System, would be
examples of this phenomenon.
Operational Choice Hal Glaticr
DOS, CP/M-86, p-System: Three operating systems for the PC.
I. About Opcratins Systcns
IN THE MOVIES, WHEN THE KING SAYS,
"I want my breakfast," a seemingly
endless chain of people relays the order.
Like a bucket brigade, the words pass from
nobles to guards to servants. . . "the king's
breakfast!" . . . "the king's breakfast!" . . .
and so on, until the steward tells the cook
to fry an egg.
That's how your computer's operating
system works. You are the ruler of a
microelectronic domain. When you want
something, you type in a command to do it,
and the operating system actually does the
work for you. Programs are only in-
termediaries between you and your
operating system — like the servants in the
king's retinue. If you are working with
VisiCalc, for excample, it is the operating
system wfiich prepares the "spread sheet"
for you to write on, interprets your
keystrokes ("that's a 1, a 9, an 8 and a 2")
and displays them ("1982") on the screen
wherever it has placed the cursor for you.
When you are through, the operating
system checks to make sure there is enough
room in your disk to store the file, and then
it transfers the file from the working
memory (RAM) to the disk. Finally, it comes
back with the "A-prompt" ("A") to tell
you that it's ready to serve you again.
A typical program, like VisiCalc, doesn't
do those things by itself; it uses the
operating system, since those kinds of tasks
are common to almost every program and
need not be re-invented by each program-
mer. There is a technical advantage, too,
because the program itself can be shorter,
saving extra space on the disk for your
files.
II. About The Choices
IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER USERS WILL
have a choice of three operating systems:
DOS, which is the IBM PC's "standard"
operating system, CP/M-86, and the
p-System, both of which are alternate
choices. DOS is priced at only $40, reflec-
ting its position as the "standard." The
p-System will cost $675 (with one language
included), and CP/M is anticipated to be
around $300-350. Because CP/M was the
first operating system in the microcom-
puter industry to be adopted by many dif-
ferent manufaaurers, instead of just one,
we will consider it first.
ill. About CP/M
CP/M WAS developed' IN THE MID-
1970' s when floppy disks were being
perfected. Surprisingly, the industry
giants did not foresee the advantages of
floppy disk storage for the then-new
microcomputers; nor did they want to sell
a microcomputer operating system that
could work with floppy disks. So the man
who developed the "Control Program for
.Microprocessor," Gary Kildall, bought the
rights to his invention from his employer
and went into business for himself, as
Digital Research, Inc.
By 1981, CP/M wis—de facto— the
standard microcomputer operating sys-
tem. There are important exceptions but,
by and large, every professional
microcomputer uses either CP/M as its
factory-standard operating system, or is
able to use it with only slight modification.
CP/M was written for microcomputers
that use eight-bit processors (that is, they
work with eight bits of information at any
given moment). When a 16-bit processor
became available, CP/M was modified to
accommodate it. IBM selected the Intel
8088 chip for its Personal Computer, and
Digital Research asked Johnson-Laird, Inc.
to customize its 16-bit CP/M-86 (created
for the 8088's "brother" chip, the 8086)
to work on the PC.
IV. About CP/M-86
"THE OPERATING SYSTEM IS TO A
computer what gasoline is to an
automobile," says Andy Johnson-Laird,
his company's president. "It's only a
means to an end. The novice user should
not giv e a damn what kind of chip is inside
his computer. Rather, he's asking, What
can I do with it? 1 say, forget about the
chip and the operating system. The only
time you have to worry about the
operating system is when things go
wrong. "
Among the technical improvements
Johnson-Laird built in to the IBM version
of CP/M-86 were a "status line" at the
bottom of the .screen that carries messages
to the user, such as clock time, or the pro-
gress of internal tasks. His enhancements
permit the user to alter the way the com-
puter normally works with its peripheral
equipment, such as disk drives and
printers.
"You can, for example, support both a
letter-quality, daisywheel printer and a
high-speed dot-matrix printer at the same
time, with the same files," he says. "Us-
ing our ASIGN utility, within a BASIC pro-
gram, you can select which device will be
used for output, and then redirect that
continued. . .
FROM
CHIPS TO SYSTEMS:
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51
Taking the Measure
output at any time. You can tell your com-
puter to regard certain physical devices as
logical devices. For example, you can send
part of a file, like your remarks that aren't
part of the working program, to one
printer, while the other can be printing
your flle out.
"We also put in a fairly extensive
system for recognizing escape-
sequences," he says, "those special func-
tions that are heralded by the ESCAPE
character and one or more subsequent
characters — for example, the combina-
tion that produces a clear screen. If you
want to read the current date and time in a
program, you can send an escape-
sequence in BASIC, so you don't need
PEEK or POKE commands. Both of these
concepts, the logical device and the
escape-sequence, are rather technical, but
they're important to technical users."
V. About PC DOS
THE NEWEST OF THE THREE OPERAT-
ing systems is called simply DOS (disk-
operating system), and was written by
Tim Paterson. It was customized for the
IBM Personal Computer by Microsoft, Inc.,
a company that has led the microcomputer
software vanguard since 1975. Its found-
ers were two whiz kids who never fi-
nished college; they wrote a BASIC lang-
uage that ran on the first 8-bit hobby
microcomputer, and later wrote BASIC
and other languages that are compatible
with practically every microcomputer
ever built.
Microsoft's product marketing manager
for DOS, Chris Larson, describes the dif-
ference between DOS and CP/M-86 this
way; "CP/M was designed around 8-bit
hardware, when technology was less ad-
vanced. DOS was designed around con-
cepts of a l6-bit operating system called
UNIX, that was developed by Bell Labora-
tories. Microsofts's languages, such as
BASIC, FORTRAN, or PASCAL, will only
run on the IBM Personal Computer if DOS
is the operating system. There's no way a
user can get a Microsoft product onto his
machine if he's running CP/M-86."
The differences are technical, but im-
portant, according to Larson. "Under
DOS, you can use the full 256K bytes of
available memory for a program — not
merely the 64K codespace. That means
you can run large programs, such as
database management. Eventually, the
programs that run on l6-bit minicom-
puters will be brought down to the IBM
Personal Computer, running DOS. With
CP/M-86, there is a limit to the size of a
file: eight megabytes (eight million
characters). With DOS, the file size can be
up to one gigabyte — one billion bytes! For
users who get hard disks that hold 8M
bytes or more, that will be an advantage.
"Another technical advantage," Larson
says, "is that any command that makes
use of a disk file can use a device — that is,
to the operating system, all devices look
like files. In itself, that's not great, but it
has wide implications. If you want to add a
new device, under a BASIC program, you
don't have to change the BASIC interpre-
ter—only the BIOS, the BASIC input/out-
put system."
On the novice user's level, both DOS
and CP/M-86 have advanced error-
recovery procedures. Instead of "crash-
ing" or giving you cryptic messages, they
give you the choice of ignoring, aborting
or re-trying an operation, and a clear,
unambiguous message appears in the
status line.
VI. About Translatability
MICROSOFT'S LARSON IS CONCERNED
about what he calls a "myth" concerning
CP/M-86. "There is confusion in peoples'
minds," he says, "about the possibility of
translating 8-bit CP/M software into 16-bit
CP/M-86 software. I've heard retail-
ers — who should know better — say you
can take a CP/M disk and put it into a
CP/M-86 system. You can't! The software
has to be translated at the source-code
level (i.e. before it has been through the
final conversion stage to fundamental
computer instructions). A hobbyist might
be able to do it, but a typical end-user
won't."
The source-code must be exact. If the
software does not connect with specific
counterparts in the operating system, a
program cannot run as it was designed to
do. Programs which were written to run
on 8-bit computers will not work on 16-bit
computers, even if the computers and the
operating systems are — to the user's
eye — superficially alike. A narrow-gauge
railway locomotive will not run on a wide,
modern track unless the undercarriage is
rebuilt.
'We believe vendors and programmers
will translate their best programs into
16-bit source code," says Larson, "and
it's just as easy to translate a program
written for CP/M into DOS as it is to trans-
late it into CP/M-86. So you will be able to
get CP/M software without having to get
CP/M-86. 1 believe that vendors and pro-
grammers will translate their most popu-
lar programs into both CP/M-86 and DOS,
and then see which becomes dominant in
the marketplace. It's easy to support both,
technically, but it's a pain in the accoun-
ting department to coordinate orders for
software on two different operating
systems."
Andy Johnson-Laird admits that
CP/M-86 has what he calls a "legacy" of
8-bit software to live up to. "Why does
CP/M-86 do that? To provide continu-
ity — so the user will not notice the dif-
ference. Certainly, Microsoft's DOS runs
programs more rapidly than CP/M-86 can,
because it's freed from that constraint,
and it can adapt more comfortably to the
new hardware environment. The file
structure of CP/M-86 is paying its dues to
the past."
VII. About Pertability
THE CREATORS OF ANY OPERATING
system are limited by the design of the
chip that does the actual "computing"
(i.e., the microprocessor). Because no
two "families" of chips manipulate data
in exactly the same way, an operating
system written for one family probably
can not be used with any other. For the
IBM Personal Computer, the DOS and
CP/M-86 operating systems have been
carefully tailored, like a custom-fitted
suit, to the family of Intel 8086/8088
chips.
But a new idea arose in the late 1970's
at the University of California at San
Diego: an idea for an operating system
freed from the constraints of a chip's fami-
ly, and so able to work on virtually any
computer. It was written in a program-
ming language called PASCAL (named for
the 17th century French mathematician
and mystic), and based on the computer
concept called an "emulator, " which
works like the plastic spindle that lets you
play 45 rpm records on a regular
phonograph. Programs written in the
p-System are translated into a made-up
language for an idealized, altogether im-
aginary processor chip. Then a fast
translating program converts this
language for the idealized chip (called
"p-code") into a real chip's actual
language. The translating program is like a
human translator who can simultaneously
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translate from one language to another,
and is called an emulator.
VIII. About the p-Systcm
SOFTECH MICROSYSTEMS, OF SAN
Diego, developed this concept into a
"machine-independent" operating sys-
tem, which it calls the p-System. An emu-
lator fetches each p-code instruction, in
sequence, and looks it up in a table; for
each p-code there will be corresponding
instructions appropriate to that particular
chip.
According to Al Irvine, vice president
for engineering at Softech Microsystems,
the user's advantage comes in being able
to take any p-code software, written for
any microcomputer, and run it on any
other. Differences in hardware, he said,
presently force users to acquire different
software for each machine. "It's as if
every time you wanted to buy a phono-
graph record, you could only use records
that were compatible with your particular
brand of phonograph. Worse — if you
wanted to buy a new phonograph, you
would have to throw away all the records
you'd bought for the old one. Right now,
that situation exists with the three major
systems of videotape cassettes and two
major systems of videodisks. The last
thing we want is for the same situation to
be perpetuated in the field of computer
software."
The p-System has emulators for 20 dif-
ferent microprocessor chips, including the
8086/8088, he said. "A software author
can write a program just once, and sell it
everywhere. The user doesn't care what
kind of system the writer used to develop
it, all he wants to do is run it. In the same
way, the writer shouldn't have to care
what kind of system the user is going to
run the program on. If all the box needs is
a p-code emulator, and that matches the
chip inside the box, then the writer can
connect the BIOS to it and make the pro-
gram run."
For the programmer, the whole
p-System takes up 55K of p-code on a
disk — a block of code roughly equivalent
to 150K of machine code for an 8080 chip.
But in any finished program, there is only
a 3K "kernel" residing in memory at all
times; it loads other parts of the p-code
as they are needed. "The code pool" is
dynamic," Irvine said, "and varies with
the programs' requirements. If you open a
file, for example, the operating system
calls up the segments of code that are used
for manipulating files. The applications
programmer doesn't have to be concerned
with how much memory the executing
machine has; it runs as a 'virtual
memory.' That is, to the programmer or
user, the memory size seems very large,
but the machine is actually retrieving and
filing pieces of memory from the disk all
the time."
Right now, the p-System is mainly a
programmer's tool, but it will come into
its own as an operating system, Irvine
said, when users can "pick up other peo-
ple's software" and run them on their
own machine. For that to happen, though,
more application programs such as
general ledger, spread-sheet simulation,
word processing and games will have to be
written in p-code itself Software develop-
ment systems are currently available
which perform the p-code translations
from standard programming languages:
PASCAL, FORTRAN, and Softech
Microsystems' own BASIC; a COBOL will
be released later in 1982.
"The exciting moment will come," he
added, "when the end users discover that
the p-system applications programs will
outlive their hardware! Their programs
will continue to run even on replacement
machines."
IX. About Th« End
EACH USER WILL HAVE TO MAKE HIS
or her own choice of an operating system,
but Andy Johnson-Laird is philosophical
about the selection process. "Which is
better? That's like asking which is bet-
ter — a Ford or an Oldsmobile? They are in
overlapping domains. Whichever you
prefer depends on a lot of things that have
nothing to do with their speed or accelera-
tion: things like repair service, or the
recommendation of a friend who owns
one.
"Choosing an operating system," he
says, " is very subjective. Non-technical
users won't notice if a program will run a
few seconds faster as a result of its
operating system. As long as a general
ledger program, for example, runs in a
'timely' fashion, they won't care; to
them, it's downright miraculous that they
can run a computer at all!"
Hal Glatzer is a journalist and teletisinn producer
who describes himself as an "explainer. " His latest
hook is inlroduclion To Word Pr(K'essing, puhlisbed
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keyboard with^WondwlrkedoJ
a program to gather data from people Ik
'ng inquiries at our booth. Tamargo sToft
Using the letters to select lines where
we wanted text to appear, we formatted
„ sajner from our booth visitors Tamar
go showed us how ,0 indicate the Z "
-nu-n space we wanted to allow for eaTof
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Pfesenled us win a nice imi^kaL
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statements documenting what each pro
gram section was doine All in
bad performance (ThI
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such as the softkeys" also won no ap-
Peripherals Were Central
primer ti;^^7llr, ^n^^*^
-ound the one IBM seJs The; SsS
E r"^\P"'"Ping out some v r/ni e
'ooking graphics, and the MPI people w e
talking about doing some elaborate text
printing where the letters would be done
using a graphics rather than text ap-
proach — allowing italics, simulated
script, proportional spacing and other ap-
pealing goodies. MPI has promised to lend
PC one of these printers for further
evaluation, and a report on it will be in a
future issue.
Another item we admired at COMDEX
has already arrived at the PC offices for a
closer look — a Color II video monitor
from Amdek. This monitor is of the "RGB
direct drive" type and produces spec-
tacularly crisp, clear and stable images.
The improvement over the "baseband"
type display we had been using before is
dramatic; text at the 80-column width is
quite distinct and readable. It caught our
eye at Amdek' s booth not only because of
the great picture, but also because the
cabinet design and color fit so harmoni-
ously with the PC. We'll have more on this
and other color monitors in an upcoming
issue too.
Awards for both a great idea and great
graphics are due to a Silicon Valley com-
pany by the name of Destek, which was
promoting its Desnet "local network" for
interconnection of microcomputers. Desnet
was being touted as "the key to computer
city" and the accompanying artwork was
uncommonly handsome for the computer
world. The network arrangement, which
connects into the PC and other microcom-
puters using a SlOO plug-in card, will sup-
posedly string together several different
brands and models of computer into a sys-
tem working as a unified whole. There
was a demonstration that showed this on
at least a superficial level, but it will take a
more thorough look before we can figure
out how much compatibility Desnet really
creates.
M.B.A.s for Sale
In the software department, one trend
we noted favorably was the appearance of
integrated groups of programs that serve
multiple purposes. The groundbreaker in
this area is a suite of programs being sold
under the name MBA by Context Manage-
ment Systems of Torrance, California.
MBA was still in the working stages for
an anticipated spring release, but we got a
preview look at its combination of an elec-
tronic spreadsheet, data base manager,
graphics displaymaker, word processor
and communications handler. The idea, as
Context's Gib Hoxie explained it, is that
managers can go into a data base to draw
out a selected set of facts, then "change
contexts" to move those facts into the
spreadsheet program. There they can ma-
nipulate them in typical "what-if
spreadsheet fashion, then change contexts
again to display the results in graphic
form. In theory, they might then switch
contexts again to frame a memo around
the digested data using the word proces-
sor. . . and ultimately use the communica-
tions handler to send the whole thing off
to a colleague at another location.
At COMDEX, many of these ambitious
offerings were on display only as an en-
thusiastic gleam in Hoxie' s eyes. But we
did see a demonstration showing good
progress on the general theory — even in-
cluding the ability to split the screen into
multiple segments and show operations
from four different "contexts" simultane-
ously. Context appears to have made a
heavy investment in promoting their con-
cept, and if a similar investment underlies
their final development effort we shall
have a finished Context product to tell you
about before long.
More executive software for the PC was
on display at the booth of Target Software,
an Atlanta company recently acquired by
Comshare, who makes software for big
computers. Target's big gun is called
MasterPlanmr, and is described as an
evolutionary upgrade of earlier spread-
sheet programs. PC was treated to an
enlightening explanation by Target's Bob
Ranson about the different design philoso-
phies for such programs. Ranson described
three categories he says the "gridsheet"
programs can fall into — "cursor driven
(VisiCalc). logic driver (T-Maker), and
procedure driven (Desktop Plan)" —
and showed how Maslerplanner incor-
porates strong points of all. His comments
will be expanded upon in our next issue,
when we do a comparative evaluation of
spreadsheet programs.
Challengers Begin to Gather
A last item of interest at COMDEX was
the appearance of other microcomputers
THERE IS A SAYING THAT DEFINES LUCK
as "the intersection of opportunity with
preparedness." If that is so, then Tecmar,
Inc., in Cleveland, is a very lucky com-
pany. Because when IBM presented them
with an opportunity, in the form of the
Personal Computer, Tecmar met it with
seemingly faultless preparedness. The
aimed at or near the PC's territory and
with similar capabilities. Victor Business
Systems introduced a desktop system built
around the same 8088 chip as the PC. It is
said to be capable of using software de-
signed for the PC, though it can't read PC
diskettes since the drives are incompa-
tible. Its disk storage capacity is double
that of IBM's machine, and the Victor also
has an optional display format capable of
showing much more information — 132
columns by 40 rows.
A microcomputer introduced by For-
tune Systems, a new company, had slick
office styling of the same type as the PC's,
and was designed around the allegedly
more powerful 68000 processor chip.
This machine garnered a great deal of at-
tention from the crowds on the floor, and
more will hkely be heard about it. PC also
took interested note of the Otrona Attache
microcomputer, which we had plenty of
time to view since their booth was right
across from ours. The Attache, a portable
microcomputer selling for about S3, 700,
packs a lot of power and appeal into an
impressively small package. It seemed to
us that people who admire the IBM ap-
proach to personal computers would find
much to admire in this one if they ab-
solutely had to have a portable.
As for all of the COMDEX exhibitors
who had nothing to display for the IBM
PC, it seemed like more than half of those
we asked claimed they were in the process
of getting something together.
With a year for them all to work on it,
and judging by how much has happened in
the first couple of months, COMDEX'S sec-
ond year of the PC Era promises to be full
of worthwhile thngs to write about. And
PC, naturally, will be there to write about
it.
It's going to be exciting. In fact, it
already is.
— ^Jim Ediin and David Bunnell
result, a mere three months after IBM's of-
ficial announcement of the PC, was Tec-
mar's COMDEX announcement of 20 add-
ons, expansions accessories and enhance-
ments for it.
The company's ads could almost be
headed, "Everything you always wanted
continued. . .
TecMates
Tecmar unveils a plug-in smorgasbord
57
Comdex:
TheYearlPC
Martin Alpert, Tecmar president, sbouing off the TecMate lifw of 20 PC accessories.
I
I
to add to your IBM PC," except Tecmar
didn't leave people time to have wanted
anything for very long. The product line,
christened "TecMates," includes:
• a plug-in clock/calendar module
• a BSR X-lO-type device control module,
and a stepper-motor controller
• a speech synthesizer module
• a module to let several PCs share a
printer
• an expansion cabinet with a design
matching the PC System Unit
• a Winchester-type hard disk system
with controller card
• a video digitizer, and three modules for
analog/digital conversion
• a selection of modules for various kinds
of input, output and memory
• and aids to custom circuit-board design.
Tecmar president Martin Alpert says his
company's preparedness was the result of
previous work developing scientific and
industrial electronics for use in microcom-
puter systems that are based on the Intel
8086 microcomputer systems that are
based on the Intel 8086 processor. The
8086, he says, has the same internal archi-
tecture as the 8088 chip used in the PC.
When IBM announced the PC, Alpert
realized Tecmar was well positioned to
develop products for it. He began planning
immediately. Alpert tells how Tecmar peo-
ple flew to Chicago and "camped on the
doorstep" of the Sears Business Systems
Center to get two PCs on the first day they
were available. "We got our logic analyzer
on it and figured out the bus," he says. "It
didn't take very long; it's very straight-
forward with only a few confusing lines."
According to Alpert, between 40 and 50
people took part in getting the products
ready for previewing at COMDEX.
While Tecmar does offer a hard disk
system, software allowing it to be used
under the PC-DOS operating system is still
lacking. "We'll be talking to Microsoft
about that very soon," Alpert said. He
anticipated the hard disk system would be
available for delivery toward the end of
February, with all the other products
available a month or two sooner.
A PC Twin
Perhaps the most striking feature of the
TecMate line, apart from its breadth and its
speedy development, is the expansion
cabinet's design as a near-identical twin of
the IBM System Unit. Tecmar has even
copied IBM's color scheme; the only
detectable difference (besides the name-
plates) is a slight variation in the detailing
of the front panel's small, slotted grille.
Commenting on the close resemblance,
Alpert said, "The IBM system has been
done right, and everything we do has to be
done right too."
The TecMate item that performs the
neatest trick is the Device Master module
that combines clock, calendar and the sort
of device controller that sends signals
over electrical wiring to activate lights,
apphances and the like. According to
Alpert, the module, which has its own bat-
tery power, can be used to control the
outlet from which the Personal Computer
itself receives power. The Device Master
can store a command ordering the com-
THE DEMONSTRATION STARTED DECEP-
tively, hke a juggler tossing one ball. Joe
Luciano, one of the creators of iheMatbe-
magic program, showed how his new
software could take the formula 6 + I
and — watch carefully now — actually add
the numbers together to come up with (ta-
daa!) 7.
Wow! That's just what you spent thou-
sands of dollars on your computer for.
puter to be turned on at a certain time,
then execute a command to turn the com-
puter off, and then — using its own
power — turn the computer back on at a
preset time. Whereupon, if appropriate
autostart software is in the computer, new
times can be set and the whole cycle
repeated. This trick, like those novelties
whose switch activates a mechanical hand
that then turns the switch back off, isn't
particulariy useful, but it is neat. We ex-
pect we will have many more practical
uses for Tecmar' s products to report on
before long.
—Jim EdUn
Tecmar Inc.— 25600 Mercantile Rd., Oeveland,
Ohio 44122 216/464-7410
right? Well don't applaud yet folks, be-
cause the show gets lots more exciting. In
the course of a 50-minute demonstration
for PC, Luciano used his computer key-
board to have Matbemagic pick up one fig-
urative ball after another until it seemed
like a fountain of a dozen were coursing
through the air. At the end of the show my
applause was for real.
Matbemagic is billed as software to
Cui aterial
Mathemagk
A Reverse Twist: Ibming Your Computer
into a programmable calculator.
"turn your computer into a programmable
calculator. ' ' It does so, but that seems a su-
perficial description of its powers. Mathe-
magic falls into the same gray area the
VisiCalc program does — somewhere be-
tween being just an "application" pro-
gram and being a tull-bore programming
language.
Matbemagic has a strong flavor of what
computerists would call a "threaded in-
terpretive language." That weighty
phrase describes a simple concept familiar
to anyone who has ever used a diction-
ary — where all the words are defined us-
ing other words defined elsewhere in the
dictionary's pages. If "sneeze" is deflned
as "a blast of air from the nose" and you
don't know what "blast," "air" and
' ' nose' ' mean , you can flip to their respec-
tive pages and look them up. Then you can
go on to look up the words in their defini-
tions if the meaning still isn't clear, and so
on. Defining one word in terms of others,
down through many layers if necessary, is
what makes this process "threaded," and
flipping step-by-step to all those other
pages is what makes it "interpretive."
Threaded computer languages (FORTH
is one) are considered by many to be
among the most advanced and powerful
techniques for making computers respon-
sive to human wishes. But it usually takes
MATHEMAGIC
M A T H E M H
rnMMAND APEh
G I C
1
• N U :<:
jYSTEM PrtPHM
.05 QF DISK
s
a skilled programmer to deal with their
austere intricacies. Matbemagic delivers
similar (though more limited) powers to
anyone who can string together the sort of
formulas found in high-school math.
The power of Matbemagic lies in the
ability it gives you to define a formula,
name it, then use the name to incorporate
that formula in the definition of other
formulas.
You might give the name SPEED to the
formula ?DIST / ?TIME (the question mark
means the program will ask you to type in
the value it should use for the name, the
slash indicates "divided by"). Separately,
you could define WEIGHT as VOLUME *
?MASS(the * means "times"). A previously-
entered formula could define VOLUME as
?HEIGHT • PLENGTH * PWIDTH. And a
later formula could say FORCE = SPEED '
WEIGHT. The calculation of FORCE would
then be made step-wise using all the for-
mulas defined earlier.
You may detect a similarity between the
Matbemagic structure and a plain old
BASIC program. They are akin, but for
many purposes Matbemagic would be less
complicated to use. Matbemagic's named
formulas are not unlike BASIC subrou-
tines, but it would take sophisticated pro-
gram editing software and some deliberate
thought to incorporate previously-written
subroutines into a program for a new task.
With Matbemagic you need only indicate
the formula by name and new programs
will apply it wherever called for.
Matbemagic runs by displaying three
separate work areas on the computer
screen — (1) a menu area that shows what
commands you may give at each stage of
the program, (2) an entry area that shows
the formula you are presently creating or
using, and (3) an answer area, which
shows the progressive calculation then
displays a final result after you have
plugged all values into your formula.
First impressions suggest the program's
authors have been very resourceful in
designing the program to operate quickly
and efficiently, but somewhat less suc-
cessful at giving it true simplicity of use.
The user has to do several tasks of typing,
remembering or interpreting that, in a
friendlier design, the computer would do
for him. Since finishing touches for the
program were still underway at the time of
PC's preview, some of my complaints
may not apply to the final version.
The program includes facilities for stor-
ing formulas and data on disk, and for
prinfing out results with or without show-
ing all the step-at-a-time intermediate
calculations. One-step-at-a-time calcula-
tion can also be displayed on the screen,
giving the program much potenfial for ed-
ucational use. The printouts are designed
to serve principally as written records of
what calculation took place, and don't
provide much leeway in formatting or in-
cluding notes and comments for later ref-
erence.
Like VisiCalc and other spreadsheet
programs, Matbemagic is a general-
purpose product which can be adapted to
many different lines of work and study,
just by changing the formulas entered into
it. Both are good for "what if work, but
Matbemagic is designed for Unear, se-
quential calculations rather than the two-
and three-dimensional grids the spread-
sheets calculate. Obvious uses can be im-
agined for people working in the sciences,
engineering, social sciences, the quan-
titafive side of business, and wherever
else numeric formulas are employed.
—Jim Ediin
International Software .Marketing. 120 E
Washington St.. Syracuse. .\eu' York l}2()2
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WHAT DO you DO WITH ALL
THOSE COMPUTERS?
Jean L YrtM mwi >r Refcccca Thomas
Or: Six Micros is Not Enoush
EDITORIAL COMMENT: As a matter of pure happenstance. I live only blocks away from
one of the most effervescent, briUiant and unusuaUy outspoken personalities in
Mkrodom — tte ntar^ MomUeMeJem Yates (a name abnost anyone viho foUom Ms
industry wiO ncoffl^, as her prognostications hare appeared everywhere from Time to
The Economist to Tht VUl Street Journal/ / say nearly indomitable because I uitnessed
the Um when Jean met ber matdb, in tbe form of my 12-year-old stepdaugbter, Jennifer
Fott/er. There were six of us sitting at a table at one of San Francisco's finest Chinese
nstatirants, Tien Fu, when tbe exchange of barbs and witticisms began, for a fuU bour-
mid-a4M ^ , Jtan and Jennifer engaged in a conversational duel that left tbe rest of us
stunned and speechless. If ever there is a true national TV show about microcomputers
(Tbe ComputerWorld entry is not it), these two should be hostesses. In the meantime, it is
important, I tiUnk, yir readers of PC to become acquainted witb Jean Yates, wbose in-
sights into this business are sought out by major companies and publications throughout
the world. Jean's long-time associate. Dr. Rebecca Thomas, known as "Becca" to ber
friends, is a refined person wbo sits at Jean's side with a wry smUe and usually doesn't
get much involved in tbe conversation. However, for those of us who have gotten to know
Rebecca, it is obviousMkU diteisa vital cog in tbe wheel that keeps Jean s mind spinning
to ever-new iml^bls, hrsonally, I Mnkjean and Rebecca are equally briUkmtandl am
pleased ttMAey agreed to tvrUe a cobmn for PC. /hope you agree. — DHB.
Many of tbe people we meet, both in
and out of the computer industry, asl( us at
some point, "Do you own a personal com-
puter?"
"We own six," we ans\ver(give or take
a few depending on what we're up to).
"So what do you db wUl with aU those
OHnputers?" is tiie ioevital)le response.
Since this is a question that a lot of peo-
ple considering buyiag a system ask, and
since many IBM PGen are new to personal
computing, we would like to share some
of the things that make our six computers
indispensiMe to us.
Our use of persona! computers breaks
down breaks down three ways: home,
business, and hobby.
As far as home use is concerned, we
maintain our personal checkbook, credit
card and other records, categorizing them
by deduction. Then the computer prints a
listing at the end of the year for each
category of the long form, and we just fill
in the bfauiks. We own an Apple 11 and an
Atari game computer, and use them for
playing computer games and accessing
timesharing fuilities that have lots of in-
teresting home-orientt'd features. Time-
sharing with "The Source" or other con-
sumer "teletex" facilities gives us access
to services ranging from restaurant guides
for major cities, to hundreds of games, to
electronic bulletin boards on many topics,
to educational programs for children and
adults.
Telephone and address lists are kept on
our computers, and we also use a program
that simulates a datebook to schedule ap-
pointments. It looks ahead and tells us if
the time is free, and we can keep track of
everyone's schedules when planning
meetings or meals.
We have a large mailing list, divided
into several categories. Some are per-
sonal, some are personal business, Uke
credit card companies and banks, and
others are lists for charitable organiza-
tions for which we have volunteered to
maintain their mailings and accounting
records.
Recently, we implemented a computer
program that lists our insured property,
both personal and business. We sent a
copy to the insurance company and put a
copy of the disks in a safety deposit box.
When the list needs changing, a printout
of it can be updated. When writing off
depreciation on business equipment, this
list will be used again.
The business uses made of our com-
puters are numerous.
We have two Mector Graphic computers,
which are used for letter and manuscript
writing (word processing), for recording
and managing the large files of literature
that we maintain on the microcomputer
industry, and for accounting functions.
Although our "database" of files is on
computers, the same things could be done
to manage inventories or files of informa-
tion on your company's interests.
We estimate that we have written
ahnost 5,000 pages of published text on
our computers. This ranges from books to
market research texts to newsletters to
magazine articles. We keep the articles and
books on an electronic bidex so that pieces
of one that are rdevant to a new project
don' t have to be started from scratch. This
saves a lot of time.
You may have heard of VisiCalc^^, a
program available for the IBM Personal
Computer that lets your perform "what-
if" analyses. We use a program like
VisiCalc to perform financial modeling and
forecastii^} functions for our own com-
pany and for our dients. It's particularly
useful when combined widi aplotthig pro-
gram that turns the data into graphics,
which can be printed out or photographed
for slides for presentations, lie find it
much easier to understand trends when
we use ' ' what-ir ' programs and then look
at the graphic representation.
Rebecca and her coworkers in program-
ming use two of our systems for develop-
ment work. They contain more complex
l6-bit microprocessors and operating
system programs. She uses them to w rite
books as well, actually writing about the
programs that run the counters. That's
how we wrote The User Guide to tbe VMX
System, an introductory text from
Osbome/McGraw-Bill.
People say that we are unusual, two
women with so many computers, but we
feel that we have just found an interesting
and lucrative way to experiment with
computers and include their efficiency-
adding properties in our hves.
Copyrighted material
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IN THIS CONTINUING SERIES, PC WILL REPORT ON THE
people who are using IBM Personal Computers and on the
uses they are making of them.
Andrew Fluegelman is the owner and sole staff
member of The Headlands Press, an independent
book-producing firm located in Tiburon, California. He is
also one of the first owners and users of the IBM Personal
Computer.
Fluegelman purchased the computer in late October,
receiving one of the initial group of PCs distributed by
ComputerLand of San Francisco.
Jeremy Joan Hewes
His system includes the PC with 64K of
memory, two disk drives, the mono-
chrome display, and the asynchronous
communications adapter. In addition to
the BASIC that comes with the computer,
he has purchased the EasyWriter word
processor and the VisiCalc electronic
worksheet program. Subsequently he add-
ed a letter-quality printer, although he
worked with only the computer and disk
drives for the first few weeks of opera-
tion.
As a member of the publishing commu-
nity, Fluegelman is aware of the compu-
ter's increasing applications to his field,
and he believes that his unique position as
a book producer makes this technology
even more appropriate for his business.
Tm running a book-producing company
and operating out of the mainstream — on
the West Coast, as an independent. I per-
ceived that for me to stay competitive in
my field, I had to be on the front of the
Illustration by James Mo
almost instantly felt like
extension of myself . . as
though I had 2^000 extra
brains grafted onto my
skull"
technology; I couldn't afford to be left be-
hind by it. I also feel that publishing is go-
ing to be affected tremendously by compu-
ter technology, and I had to know about it
and be in that arena rather than out of it '
In his role as an independent producer.
Fluegelman takes a hook from the idea
stage through the writing, design and
typesetting phases, and often through the
printing as well. Before commiting his ma-
jor resources to a project, however, he
makes a publishing agreement with one of
the national firms, such as Doubleday or
Penguin. The large publisher then contri-
butes toward the co.sts of producing the
book and distributes it nationally. The na-
tional firm's name is on the cover as pub-
lisher, and Headlands Press is credited on
the title page, or given what is commonly
called an imprint .Among the books that
bear the lieadlaiuls imprint are The \eir
Games Book. More .\eu- Games and How to
Make and Sell Your Own Record.
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For ail practical purposes, then.
Headlands Press operates as a conven-
tional publisher in the way it develops a
concept and manuscript for each book.
This generally requires many letters,
memos and book proposals, not to men-
tion at least two or three drafts of a
manuscript before the editorial process
is complete. Consequently, the savings in
time and money that word processing
could provide, as well as the ease of
writing and revising his own material,
were obvious to Fluegelman.
New Projects Easier To
Take On
"Because I have this capacity to deal
with written material in a more efficient
way," he points out, "it's easier for me to
think of taking on new projects. Previous-
ly a manuscript would come in and I'd
look at it and say, 'Well, how much revi-
sion is this going to take?' or 'How many
drafts is this going to have to go through?'
And all I would see would be a pack of
proofreading and drudgery and trouble. It
seems easier to deal with that now. I'll
have it put on a word processing system
and maybe have a basic edit done, and
then get the manuscript back on my sys-
tem and look at it. Word processing en-
courages the nth revision."
This capacity is a distinct departure
from old methods of dealing with manu-
scripts and deadlines, he reports. "There
were so many times in previous books
when ways of making it better were pass-
ed up because it was just physically too
difficult or the deadline prevented it. And
that's a power that I see coming to my
business with the computer — I can make
all the changes that will make my writing
better and the manuscripts I produce bet-
ter."
Fluegelman" s commitment to buy a mi-
crocomputer was sealed when he decided
to be producer and co-author of a book
about writing with computer technology.
(This book, called Writing in the Com-
puter Age, will be published late this
year.) "Doing this book was the motiva-
tion to walk into the store and buy the
computer. I've said that I needed a com-
puter in my business because I perceived
that this technology is changing the nature
of publishing. And that is also true for
writing. When I had the realization, it led
me to see that the nature of writing itself is
being transformed. Many people are going
out to buy word processors for their spe-
cific needs or find that they have ended up
with word processing because they bought
a computer and have this capability. But
people have not yet looked at — or re-
looked at — the nature of the writing act,
the writing craft, and what it is like now
that they have this new tool. That's the
subject we're addressing in this book, and
I think that it will be of help to writers
who are thinking about using word pro-
cessing in their writing. But it will also be
helpful to writers who have systems and
maybe have learned the particular com-
mands but haven't had the benefit of all
the tips that we are collecting from many,
many users."
Behiwid The Detdaion
Like many major decisions that a
businessperson makes, the seemingly "in-
stant" impetus for Fleugelman's com-
puter purchase had a somewhat more
lengthy history. He recalls that he attend-
ed one of the early computer fairs in San
Francisco about four years ago, with the
intention of learning about the relatively
new phenomenon of personal computers.
"But here was all this stuff, and words
that I didn't know — even the term 'floppy
disk' was intimidating then. There were
all these poeple, totally involved and
engrossed, and I realized that I did not
know the first thing about putting together
this information. I came away feeling that
I was going to have to learn how to
operate a soldering gun before I was ever
going to get into the computer world."
But as his understanding of the utility of
microcomputers to publishing and writing
increased, so did his motivation to learn
the language and conquer the technology.
"When I had a tangible, practical use for
the technology, I had to start assimilating
information — to understand what storage
was about, what operating systems were,
and what different types of software were
available. " He found that two books were
especially helpful to him in this orienta-
tion: Adam Osborne's Tbe Business System
Buyer 's Guide (Osborne/McGraw-Hill) and
Crash Course in Microcomputers (by Louis
Frenzel; published by Sams).
Then he began visiting stores and using
a friend's word processor to get the feel of
the technology. Fluegelman pursued this
careful, rational course for several weeks
last summer, at just about the time that
IBM announced its Personal Computer. As
part of his search, he went to see IBM's
display model of this system.
**Thia la It— This is The
One
""After at least two months of going into
stores, looking at machines, poring
through the depths of Byte and every
other magazine, trying to assimilate and
evaluate all the information, I really took
one look at the PC and said, 'This is
it — this is the one.' And it was not ra-
tional at all. I was pleased to find when I
investigated the specifications that they
were good and that the PC does seem to be
adaptable and upwardly mobile. I feel that
anything I'm Hkely to want to do is going
to be possible with this computer.'"
One reason for his knowing right away
that this was the computer he wanted is
the design of the machine. "I think its
esthetics are great. I believe that
something you interact with every day,
especially if it's going to become an exten-
sion of yourself, should be pleasing from
an esthetic or design point of view. It's im-
portant that you'll enjoy spending time
with it."
One of the most appealing features for
his use of the computer is the detached
keyboard. "For me as a writer, the
continued...
ANDMW FUJICELMAN amUmiml. ..
miiiiflial ntnie of the keyboard is a plus. I
plan on doing a lot of writing with the
Icey board sitting on my lap, without the
rest of the machine sitting in front (tf me.
It gives me the chance to not be con-
fronted by lots of machinery and equip-
fflent iB the ttane. That' s « big plus to me. "
Perhaps the principal attraction of the
PC for him, though, is its mannfKturer.
"One of the thbigs that motivated me to
buy the IBM PC," Fluegelman explains,
"is that it has obviously been conscious-
ly created as a consumer product — and as
near as I can figure out, a well-thought-
out consumer product. 1 have no special
good or bad feeling about DM as a com-
pany, but for a huge firm — especially one
that has the reputation for doing things
right — to be a maldng a major investment
in an uncharted area, I just had to believe
that they have carefully created an in-
tegrated system that was gotaig to woric
right and that was going to be satisfactory
to me as a product. I had the feeling that I
wasn't bnyta^ any strange sur-
prises — that the whole thing was going to
work without my having to pick up a
soldering gun. And if the whole tUng
didn't work, that IBM would somehow
take care of it."
Knowfng that he would be worldng on a
book about word processing, he ordered
the PC and found the ComputerLand
salespeople very helpful in getting his
system to him as soon as they received the
machines. There was a slight delay in his
reodvii^ the EasyWrtter {mgram, how-
ever, so he began working with BASIC and
VisiCalc.
PC Waa iwnmediaieiy
Useful
Even without the word processor, An-
drew found that the PC was immediately
useful to him in his business. "I've been
amazed at how useful it's been already,"
he notes. "The VisiCalc program is very
valuable in keqiing track of my financial
information, eq»ecially because my busi-
ness is unusual in that my finances are
very low volume in one sense — 1 don't
liave 10,000 customers — but very com-
plex in that almost every one of the 30 to
50 checks I write each month has to be ac-
counted for separately. I've got a dozen
book projects, and I have 20 to 30 expense
categories, and I need to accoynt for every
one of them. So where many small busi-
nesses are characterized by a large volume
of routine transactions, my business is
characterized by a small volume of com-
plex transactions."
"I set up VisiCalc to keep track of my
cash flow items for the next year-and-a-
half; I made assunqitions of what sales
would be, what royalties would be, what
my overhead was likely to be. Before 1
programmed in all that information, I real-
ly thought in terms of saving money — if 1
do this myself, wiO it save money because
I won't have to pay a bookkeeper -for so
much time. But what I realized instantly
when 1 had the information in the com-
puter is that the control that I have over
this information is of such a different
dimension that it is just not comparable
with my old bookkeeping system. The
ease of moving and playing with that in-
formation gives me an tauight into my
business beyond what I possibly could
have ever done by hand, and just having
that is wordi half of what the whole
system is costing me."
Another immediate business use he has
made of the PC is to write his own ac-
counting program in BASIC. "The pro-
gram I'm writing now in BASIC is going to
write the diecks for me, keep the check-
book balanced, and print the ledger. I've
got the main part running; it's just left for
me to put the little features I want into it. I
pretty much made it up out of thin air; I
copied a business program out of a book,
but it was so tu away from the' way I
wanted my books to be that I just aban-
doned it. But it helped me get a handle on
how to program using random access files,
which is really sticky. It took me a while to
get a handle on that."
Considering that the PC is his first com-
puter and that he had used it for only two
weeks when he began writing this pro-
gram, Fluegebnan's experience seems
quite unusual. "Maybe I just learned to
write a program by enthusiasm," he sug-
gests. But he has put in a good deal of thne
and study, and the process of writing his
own accounting program has been one of
intense experimentation.
200 Houra of Learniw^
Time
"I read Bob Albrecht's book {BASK: A
Self -Teaching Guide, by Albrecht, Finkel,
and Brown; published by Wiley) when 1
was traveUng recently, and then I studied
a book of BASIC games to see what pro-
grams were really like. This was before I
had the computer, so I could only read
about programming. And I've put in a lot
of hours— I'd say I've spent 200 or 300
hours learning this stuff.
"One day I wasn't quite getting this
ledger program the way I wanted it. i was
using a function that tells you where in the
random files you are, and I just kept get-
ting weird results. It had a pattern to it,
but it just didn't make any sense. I was so
frustrated — I had tried everything I could
think of to make it work right. So 1 called
Microsoft in Seattle (the producer of BASIC
for the PC) and ended up speaking with
the guy who spend a year adapting BASIC
for this machine. I told him about the pro-
blem and asked him what to do about it.
He gave me an faisight bito what ffliiht be
happening, and it instantly made sense to
me. It was something that was not covered
in the manual. I was glad to have the
answer, and I was thrilled to be able to
describe the problem to an expert after on-
ly two weeks with die computer."
Owue * *GUtch** So Far
Fluegelman has had one human-
induced ' 'glitch " so far — and has learned
an important lesson from it. "AD the peo-
ple I talked to and everything I read about
working with the computer said 'save
your work, save your work,' but I don't
think there's any way you can ever ap-
preciate that advice until you've spent the
last two hours assenAling and recordfa^
some financial information and you open
your file drawer to get the last piece of
data that you need, and the drawer kicks
the plug out of the wall, crashing the
machine to a halt and fading all your data
into ether."
Despite that time-consumii^ error, An-
drew Fluegehnan is feeling none of the in-
timidation or apprehension that marked
his first step into the computer world. "I
think that what keeps 95 percent of people
feeling weird about computers is horning
how to boot the machine — how to get the
thing running. You sit there in front of it,
and you don't know how to get it started.
You're afraid that it's going to snap at you
or gobble you up or go up in smoke if you
don't do the right thing. And I think the
other great fear — and I'm speaking as so-
meone who was one of those outsiders —
is that when you get it running, it's going
to lead you into some black llole' that you
won't be able to get out of.
''2,000 Extra Brains At
My Commawid**
"But when 1 started playing with my
computer," he continues, "I stopped fed-
ing that it was a machine that was doing
things to me; it almost instantly felt like an
extension of myself. It was as though I had
had 2,000 extra brains grafted onto my
skull. I reaOy had that feeling — here are
these extra brains, and they're really at
my command, for me to string together or
build together in any way that I choose."
Would you or someone you know be a good sub-
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Book Excerpt
DONT!
Rednay Zaks
Chapter 3
FLOPPY DISKS
In bis preface to DON'T (Or How To Care
For Your Computer), author Rodnay Zaks
notes, ' 'It is true that personal computers
have become so simple tbat anyone can
operate tbem witb no prior training, and
without any real risk — at least in the
beginning. "
' 'However, ' ' Zaks continues, ' 'if a com-
puter is used for business purposes,
suitable precautions must be taken to
safeguard information and insure reliable
Dr. Rodnay Zaks, pnsittent of
Sybex, Inc.. is the author of
numerous books on all facets of computers, in-
cluUng Your First Computer.
operation. " DON'T is a book of detailed
adtice about such precautions. Zaks says,
"The operative word is generally DON'T!
hence the title. Quite simply DON'T
. . . unless you know what you are
doing."
The book's thirteen chapters offer
DON'Ts (and some DOs) concerning
printers, software, security and other
essential matters. Especially for IBM PC
owners who are new to persorml com-
puters, the following chapter about floppy
disks from DON'T could help avert
anything from aggravation to disaster.
(Old hands pay attention too; Zaks points
a finger at many sloppy practices indulged
in around the PC offices.)
DON'T! (OR HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR COM-
PUTER), by Rodnay Zaks— Sybcx, 1981—244
pages.
Introduction
FLOPPY DISKS ARE PROBABLY THE
main cause of failures in any computer
system that uses them. Nearly all such
failures are caused by user mishandling.
These failures can be prevented by respect-
ing the rules presented in this chapter. A
careful reading and understanding of the
information presented in this chapter will
probably eliminate 75 % of the failures that
are apt to happen on a computer system
with floppy disks.
Failures due to diskette mishandling
usually have tragic consequences. They can
destroy crucial data or cause strange symp-
toms that are hard to diagnose.
Here is a typical horror story.
In order to start Computer System A, a
diskette is inserted into one of the disk
drives, and a command is typed at the ter-
minal. Normally, the effect of this com-
mand is to load the contents of a program
from the diskette into the amputer's
memory.
Urtfortunately, one morning, the com-
puter system, which was operating perfectly
For the Home
Computer User
The main rule is:
Back-up each important diskette
before using it.
Other important rules are:
• Re.spect the physical and magnetic
integrity of the diskette: Don't touch
its exposed surface. Don't fold it or
compress it. Don't place diskettes
near magnetic coils or magnetized
objects.
• Label the diskette promptly. Don't
use a hard-tipped pen.
• Maintain the proper environment:
avoid heat and dust.
•Read this entire chapter. It is the
most important one for you if you
use diskettes.
up to this time, began to resist all attempts
to load from tbe diskette. As a result, no
work could be done on tbe computer. Tbe
maintenance person was called in, sbowed
up tbe next day, took tbe computer apart,
reassembled it, and mumbled sometbing
about a bad contact in tbe XYZ unit Tbe
computer began operating again.
A few weeks later, a new problem oc-
curred; this time, tbe computer started
properly. However, tbe data file contain-
ing all tbe customer names could no longer
be read. After replacing a few boards in-
side tbe computer, all in vain, tbe main-
tenance man concluded that tbe software
was bad. In this 'fortunate" case, tbe
company that protided tbe software deter-
mined tbat tbe software was good and sus-
pected tbe diskette tbat held tbe customer
names. After much debate between tbe
hardware supplier and tbe software ven-
dor, tbe conclusion was drawn tbat both
tbe hardware and the software appeared
to be working, but the data file was bad.
To make a long story short, one of tbe
computer operators bad used a ball-point
pen to label the diskettes. In doing so. tbe
operator damaged tbe contents of the disk-
ettes by applying pressure against their
cardboard jackets With the pressure of a
pen. dust present inside a jacket is im-
bedded on the diskette, thus damaging it.
The first time the pen was used, tbe main
system diskette used to store tbe operating
system was damaged. Tbe second time, an
essential data diskette was damaged.
Unfortunately, tbe damage tbat had oc-
curred to the data diskette was not im-
mediately detected, and the offending
operator was not around when the system
failed. Easy diagnosis was no longer possi-
ble.
This story illustrates the "time bomb"
effect that can occur when operators mis-
handle the equipment. The problem could
have been easily prevented had the oper-
ator been trained in proper diskette hand-
ling. The hardware and software both op-
erated correctly; the problem occurred
because of an inadequately trained opera-
tor who damaged several diskettes in an
almost unnoticeable way.
To avoid the "time bomb" effect, pro-
per discipline must be used and enforced
for the handling of diskettes. Remember
that most actions that damage a diskette
do not damage it in a way that is immedi-
ately visible. For example, contamination
by dust or physical damage may not be de-
tected until days or even months later
when the affected area of the diskette is
read by the disk drive. At that point, the
computer might be fooled by incorrect in-
formation on the diskette and, conse-
quently, irreparably damage the entire
contents.
Once you understand the proper pre-
cautions that must be used w hen handling
a diskette, you can avoid many problems
by simply using common sense.
Undcrstandins
Your Diskette
We will now present the main defini-
tions relating to diskettes, examine the
main techniques used for recording data,
and discuss the techniques for retrieving
the information that was recorded. We
will then proceed to the proper handling
of a diskette. Let us examine first the
diskette itself, then its jacket.
The diskette is flexible and constructed
of mylar material, coated with a magnetic
oxide. It is enclosed in a square jacket, and
rotates inside the jacket when being ac-
cessed. The jacket is lined on the inside
with a special low friction material that
automatically cleans the diskette by trap-
ping dust particles.
Data Rccordins
Data is recorded on the disk in binary
format as sequences of Os and Is (bits),
and stored as magnetic patterns along con-
centric circles called tracks. A regular 8
inch diskette generally has 77 tracks,
while a 5- % inch minidiskette can have
35, 40 or 77 tracks per surface. As shown
in Figure 3-2, information is structured in
sectors along the tracks. A whole sector is
always read or written at a time, and all
data on the disk is identified by a sector
number and a track number. Each track
can be accessed by moving the head of the
disk drive along a radius of the disk.
A mechanism must be provided so that
the disk drive may identify any given sector
on any track. We have already seen that
one of two techniques may be used for this
purpose: hard sectoring and soft sectoring.
The read/write head of the disk drive
operates like the head of a tape-recorder.
The head is applied against the disk sur-
face, while a felt pressure pad is applied
against the other side. Any defects in the
disk surface, such as dirt or creases, will
thus cause loss of information.
When a disk drive is misadjusted, or
when the head is dirty, the surface of the
diskette is generally damaged, resulting in
shiny rings on the surface of the diskette.
Inspect your diskettes regularly for such
clues.
We have already seen that data may be
recorded in one of two formats. Data may
be recorded at the surface of the disk
either in a single-density format (3,408
bits per inch or bpi) or in a double-density
format (6,816 bpi).
The jacket containing the diskette has
several roles: protecting the diskette,
allowing access to the drive motor and to
the drive sensors. These roles are accom-
plished by the special jacket liner already
described and by specialized openings.
These openings will now be described.
The Jacket
The jacket has several openings. The
center hole or disk hub allows the spindle
of the disk drive motor to grasp and rotate
the diskette inside the jacket at high
speed. A diskette should be replaced when
the edge of the hole is cracked or torn.
The access slot in the jacket (shown in
Details of a Diskette Figure) allows the
I , , , ■ . jterial
1\
SPECIAL
LINER
INDEX
HOLE
HUB
ACCESS
DISKETTE
HEAD
ACCESS
APERTURE
STRAIN RELIEF WRITE PROTECT NOTCH
NOTCHES (Optional)
DON'T confirmed.
read-write head of the disk drive to come
in contact with the diskette and to read or
write information un the surface of the
disk. I
The index bole on the diskette marks
the position of the first sector. A sensor in
the drive detects the index hole as it passes
by the corresponding jacket hole. Recall
that a hard sectored disk has maybe 20 or
32 sector holes in addition to the index
hole. A soft sectored disk has only one in-
dex hole. The hole is normally on the in-
side of the disk, except for Memorex disks,
where the outer part of the disk is used.
The write protect or write enable notch
is optional. This noti h may be used to pre-
vent accidental writing of information on
the disk. A write protect or write enable
notch allows the user to protect valuable
programs or data from inadvertent
writing. With an 8-inch floppy, the
diskette is \\ rite-proiected when the notch
is exposed, i.e., no information may then
be written on the disk. If the notch is
covered with a small aluminized square,
data may be freely w ritten on the disk. In
the case of a mini-floppy, this convention
is reversed, information on the disk is pro-
tected when the notch is covered; other-
wise, it is not protected Diskettes are sold
either with or without a protection notch.
This feature must be specified at the time of
purchase.
Alignment/strain relief notches are used
to position the diskette correctly. They
normally face towards the rear of the disk
unit.
Having learned the various types of
diskettes, how data is recorded, and the
purpose of the various openings in the
jacket, let us now learn how to handle a
diskette properly.
Handlins the Diskette
Proper diskette handling is essential to
the reliable operation of your system. Im-
proper diskette handling probably causes
most "computer problems." Improper
handling "pollutes' " the diskette by damag-
ing a few bits (or more) of information. The
damage may only be detected much later,
thus causing the time-bomb effect for the
same user or a subsequent one.
Once you understand the nature of your
diskette and are aware of the main dan-
gers, proper diskette handling is quite sim-
ple. Most importantly, you must respect
the physical and magnetic integrity of
your diskette.
Remember the four main characteristics
of a diskette:
• It is fragile.
• The data is recorded on a magnetic
surface, which is sensitive to elec-
tromagnetic fields.
• The magnetic surface is exposed to
the environment through the open-
ings in the jacket.
• There is only one correct way to in-
sert a diskette.
Let us examine the rules resulting from
these characteristics:
• Respect the physical integrity of a
diskette.
•Don't bend or fold a diskette.
• Don't touch the surface of a disk-
ette. The oily chemicals secreted by
the skin of your fingers will perma-
nently damage an area of a diskette.
•Keep all sources of magnetic fields
away from diskettes, including mag-
nets as well as magnetized objects.
•Maintain the proper working envi-
ronment. Avoid heat, moisture and
dust.
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•Insert the diskene into the drive pro-
perly.
It is unfortunate that many computer
users do not believe in taking strict pre-
cautions because they see no immediate ill
effects. Because damage generally occurs
to only a very small area of the diskette,
the dislcette might be used for a long time
with no visible effect. It is only when data
is read or written to or from the damaged
area that strange problems start to occur.
Because the data stored at the damaged
area is modiGed, the system might start
behaving in a strange way that is not di-
rectly traceable to a bad diskette. Hence,
the strange behavior may be attributed to
bad hardware or software, thereby elud-
ing easy detection. It is therefore im-
perative to insist on proper diskette handl-
ing by all users.
Now that we know how to handle a
dislcette properly, we are ready to use it.
Usins the Diskette
When using a diskette, four essential
recommendations apply:
1. Protect each new diskette.
2. Insert the diskette correctly.
3. Follow a proper power-up/power-
down procedure.
4. Inspect diskettes each thne they are
used.
Let us examine these recommendations.
Protect Each New DiskcNt
Each diskette is normally contained in a
paper envelope. When you first receive a
diskette, immediately inspect the enve-
lope for signs of obvious damage. Remove
the diskette from the envelope and inspect
it for damage. A diskette that has been
physically damaged should be presumed
to be bad and must be rejected. Don't
touch the magnetic surface of a diskette
with your fingers or any sharp objea.
Kemember: if the diskette contains a
new program that you have just received,
your first reflex should be to make a copy
of the diskette and to file the original away
in a safe location. Work with the copy that
you have created. No exceptions. No ex-
cuses.
If you ever wipe out the only copy of a
new program that you have just received,
you will be convinced that this recommen-
dation is correct. Infortunately. by that
time, it will be too late. This is one area
where bitter experience should not be re-
quired.
If you are not yet familiar with disk-
ettes, set the write-protect mode on your
diskette, by either peeling off or sticking
on the aluminum square on the notch (de-
pending on the diskette size), if your disk-
ette has this feature. Use a blank diskette
for writing information rather than the
one that contains the program. Using the
write-protect mode will prevent errone-
ous writing or erasure of information on
your program diskette — provided \ou in-
sert it correctly.
.Now insert the diskette by applying the
"rule of thumb."
iRMrt The Diskette Correctly
Hold the didcette in your right hand be-
tween your thumb and index finger, plac-
ing your thumb on top of the square disk-
ette tabel. Open the door of your disk
drive and insert the diskette, slowly and
firmly until you hear a "dick." Then
close the door of your drive (If it has one).
In most cases, disk drives are designed so
that you will correctly insert the diskette
automatically if you foDow the "rule of
Aund)," i.e., if, when you hold it, your
thund) is pressing against the diskette's
When a disk drive is mounted vertical-
ly, it is usually on the right side of the
screen or the computer, and the diskette
label usually faces to the left. When the
disk drive is mounted horizontally, the
diskette label normally faces up. The lon-
gitudinal head access slot is normally in-
serted first, in the direction of the drive.
If you insert the diskette the wrong
way, damage to the data stored on the
diskette may result.
There are eight different ways to insert
a diskette, but there is onh one correct
way. Any other way might damage it. If
unskilled operators will be using your
diskettes, it may be a good idea to print
labels that display a large arrow and to
place an arrow on each disk jacket indi-
cating the proper way to insert the disk-
ette. This will help to reduce errors when
the diskette is inserted into the disk drive.
To remove the diskette, open the door
of the disk drive, pull the diskette out, and
put it back into its envelope immediately.
Then, place the diskette on a horizontal
surface away from the computer or other
electromagnetic equipment or put it in its
proper holder or container. (These hold-
ers will be described later in this chapter).
Power-Hp/Power-Dowa
As a general rule, never insert a disk-
ette into a disk drive until power to the en-
tire computer system has been turned on.
If the computer can be turned on separate-
ly from the disk drive, it might accidental-
ly write random dau on the diskette, in
systems where the disk drive is powered
directly from the main computer, a
diskette may generally be inserted in the
disk drive before the system is powered
up. If in doubt, don't insert a diskette until
power has been turned on
Conversely, always remove the diskette
prior to turning the system off. If the
system is turned off while the diskette is
still in the disk drive, random data might
accidentally be written onto the diskette,
thus wiping out some of its contents.
iMpect your Diskette
Periodically inspect the round hole at
the center of the diskette. This hole con-
tacts with the hub that presses on the disk-
ette and rotates it at high speed inside its
jacket. Over time, this hole will deterio-
rate. Most of the damage occurs because of
improper insertion. Most microcomputer
disk drives simultaneously apply the read/
write head and the hub to the diskette so
that the diskette positions itself with the
hub already through the hole. As a result
indentations may appear. Once this hole is
damaged, the diskette should be replaced.
Also, examine the surface of the disk-
ette that is visible through the head access
hole. Over time, shiny rings will appear.
However, scratches, folds, or very shiny
wide rings indicate trouble. When these
signs appear, test your diskette with a
special program, or shnply discard it.
Backins-Un
One of the most important defensive
measures when using diskettes is to fre-
quently make a backup copy of the infor-
mation stored on the diskette. Always
assume that at some point the data con-
tained on the diskette will be damaged,
either by yourself or by someone else.
Therefore, as soon as any signincant
change is made on the diskette, a copy
should be created and stored at a safe loca-
tion.
When backing-up a diskette, it is
recommended that you store the copy at a
different location than the location where
the original is being stored. The reason is
quite simple. An undisciplined user is like-
ly to pollute the original diskette and then
pollute the backup diskette if it is readily
accessible. To guarantee a reliable backup,
the duplicates should be stored far away
from the original that they intend to pro-
tect. Don't hesitate to create multiple
backups but make sure that they are all
properly labeled. Always write the date
Copyrighted material
DON'T cohUhkmI.
when the copy was made on the lahel of
the backup diskette. (Remember, use a
soft-tip felt pen only — don't use a ball-
point pen or a pencil).
We have now learned how a diskette
looks, how it works, how to handle it. and
how to insert it. There is still more to
learn: how to label it, how to store it, as
well as how to maintain a suitable en-
vironment, i^t us examine these topics.
Labciins
Surprisingly, labeling can be a major
source of problems for two reasons:
1. Hidden damage to diskette can be in-
curred when writing on the label;
2. InsofBcient identification may result in
misuse, erroneous filing or accidental
erasure.
Let us examine these two problems in
torn.
WrMnf On The Label
Rmmber: when writing on a label on
a diskette, never use a hard pencil or ball-
point pen. Pressure exerted on the label
can damage the diskette underneath by ei-
ther deforming the diskette or by pressing
dust particles captured by the lining inside
the jacket into the magnetic surface of the
diskette. When writing on the label, use
only a soft felt-tip pen. As a general rule, it
is best to write on a separate label and tben
cardiiUy affix that label to the diskette.
Also, don't use an eraser to erase a la-
bel. Residue from an eraser will find its
way first into the envelope and from there
to the magnetic surface of the diskette
where it will cause damage.
ItfCBtiffy the Diskette
Whenever you modify the contents of a
diskette, identify it properly. In time many
copies of a file are created. Lnless they are
properly identified, much aggravation can
result from using or destroying the wrong
version. Immediately after use, always
label each diskette with at least the follow-
ing information.
1. The name of the file
2. The date
In addition, it is desirable to keep with
the diskette a printout of its directory,
i.e., the complete list of the files it con-
tains, (ienerate this printout on the
printer, tben upe it to the envelope in
which the diskette is kept.
Whenever possible, name files in such a
way that successive versions can be iden-
tified. Start with USTl, then caU the se-
cond versiOD LIST2, the third LISTS, etc.
As long as you know what the latest ver-
sion is, this works.
Beware of situations where several files
are updated on the same diskette. You may
no longer know which file was changed
when. In such a ca.se. create a separate
backup copy of each file that was changed,
or else carefully list each file along with
the date it was last modified.
When a diskette is a master or a copy,
identify it as such. Masters are normally
kept in a separate location and handled
with great care. Backup copies are also
generally stored in a separate location.
Dispose of obsolete copies after a
reasonable period of time, or else:
1 . You will quickly accumulate dozens of
useless diskettes.
2 You may encourage errors by keeping
old versions around.
Sterins Diskettes
Both physical and environmental fac-
tors should be considered when storing
diskettes. Diskettes can either be stored
horizontally or vertically, but they should
not be stored in such a way that they will
sag. slump, or be compressed. They
should be protected from adverse mag-
netic or environmental conditions. Let us
now examine the do's and don'ts for stor-
ing diskettes.
DONT L«t Tii«M Li« Around
When not bi use, a diskette should be
stored in a protective envelope and pre-
ferably filed away. Leaving a diskette lying
flat and unprotected on the top of your
computer is an open invitation to disaster.
Dust will accumulate on the diskette.
Usually, no immediate effect will occur as
the dust particles will be captured by the
inner Uning of the diskette. However,
once more dust has accumulated, or
pressure is applied to the lining of the disk
jacket, one or more specks oS dust will
scratch the disk surfiKx and damage data.
Later on, when the data is used, because it
is damaged, it will cause erratic system
behavior and there will be no easy oplaii-
ation for this behavior. Again, this is the
time bomb effect.
DO 9tM TbcM Properly
When stored, diskettes should not be
bent or stressed in any way. Tbey may be
placed in a box as long as there are no
physical obstructions inside the box that
might exert pressure on them. Don't over-
crowd diskettes in a single container.
When storing diskettes horizontally,
don't suck more than 10 diskettes on top
of each other. Diskettes should not be
compressed.
Diskettes may also be stored in vertical
plastic holders. The advanti^ of plastic
holders compared to metal ones is the
guarantee that plastic holders are not or
;will not become magnetized. Such holders
range in style from rotating diskette
holders to plastic boxes and vertical rack
holders.
Using plastic will help prevent a mag-
netized metal element from cotning in
close proximity to the diskette, but it will
not eliminate the danger altogether. In
other words, a diskette lying in a plastic
file holder may be wiped out if a magaeOc
coil or a magnetized screwdriver is placed
near it. Therefore, the file holders them-
selves should be located away from
sources of electromagnetic interference.
Hanging file holders may be placed in
metal cabinets. Metal cabinets will, to
some extent, shield the contents of a
diskette from electromagnetic radiation.
Naturally, this is true only if the metal
cabinet is not magnetized.
EnviroBHicnt
Diskettes must be used in a proper en-
vironment. Here are the main enemies of
your diskette:
• temperature extremes
• dust
• liquids and vapors
• electromagnetic interference
Let us examine each of these constraints in
turn.
T«Mp«ratMr«
Diskettes should be kept away from
direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Typically, diskettes will operate only be-
tween 10" and 50' Gdstas (50* to 122*
Fahrenheit). They will accept a relative
humidity of 10 % to 80 % . If a diskette has
been exposed to a temperature below 5 °C
or over SCC (41 " or 122 °F), it should be
presumed damaged, and discarded.
Special high-performance diskettes can
withstand higher operating and storage
temperatures. They may operate from 10°
to TO'C (50*' to 158°F) and may be stored
at temperatures ranging from -40" to
70°C(-40''tol58°F).
Don't use a diskette that has just been
brought in from outside the building if
there is a singiflcant difference between
the indoor and the outdoor temperatures.
Allow a period of 24 hours for the temper-
Copyrighled material
ature of the diskette to equalize with the
temperature of the computer room.
DNSt
Dust is one of the greatest enemies of
diskettes. Dust may be due to an unclean
environment or to more subtle causes
such as heavy smoking, machinery (for
example, drills used in dentistry), or
specks of paper from a high speed printer.
Ml sources of dust should be removed
from the vicinity of disk drives.
Smoke in the air will also deposit parti-
cles on the surface of a diskette. This w ill
cause the head to scratch the disk surface,
thereby dami^ng the diskette.
Liquids
Liquids will damage the surface of a
diskette. Don't use or even keep a diskette
that has come in contact with a liquid. Dis-
card it; it is unusable even after the liquid
has dried. The residue will contaminate
the diskette. The best precaution is to ban
all liquids from the computer room.
Whenever this is not practical, care should
be taken not to spill liquids on diskettes or
on diskette jackets or envelopes.
Vapors
Avoid placing solvents dose to disk-
ettes as chemical fumes may affect the
magnetic coating of a diskette. Dangerous
fumes encountered in office environments
include fluids for duplicating machines,
nail polish, and some adhesives.
Hcctricd HcdraMSjpMlic
laterfcrcncc
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the
name given to electromagnetic raiBations
that interfere with recorded data. Data can
be destroyed or even wiped out entirely if a
strong ctoctronn^netic fieM or electrostatic
field is applied to a diskette. Strong elec-
tromagnetic radiations are emitted by
transformers and coils. A diskette sliould
never be placed in close proximity to a mag-
netic coil (such as those used in telephones)
or a degaussing coil (such as those around a
color television tube).
Remember: don't put your telephone on
top of a diskette, a box of diskettes, or even
the disk drive, if the telephone rings while
on top of a diskette or disk drive, it will
wipe out any diskettes underneath it. (If
you have any doubts, try it on an old disk-
ette). Keep the telephone cord short
enough so that the telephone can never be
inadvertently placed on top of disk drives
or a work table where diskettes might be ly-
ing.
Any metal object should be suspected of
being magnetized. In particular, screw-
drivers and paper clips tend to become
magnetized over a period of time. A
magnetized screwdriver placed in close
proximity to a diskette can damage the
data. Similarly, car keys and other metal-
lic objects may become sufficiently magne-
tized to affect a diskette. Always store
diskettes in a proper container away from
electromagnetic radiation.
Diskettes must also be protected from
static, in a dry environment, static elec-
tricity can build up. In particular, if a com-
puter room is equipped with wool carpet-
ing, it is possible for up to 15,000 volts of
static dectrldtf to biilkl up in the body
simply by waOdi^ oa the carpeting. If a
finger is pointed at the computer or a
diskette, an electrostatic discharge may
occur and a spark will travel between the
tip of the finger and the computer or
diskette. A spark may also occur if you
walk across the room and touch a metal
part while holding a diskette. Such a spark
is guaranteed to wipe out some of the con-
tents of any diskette, as well as disrupt
operation of the computer. To avoid this
problem, you can use anti-static mats and
sprays. Whenever the danger of static
electricity exists (for example, on a dry
day), either be careful not to point a finger
at the diskettes, or be sure to ground
yourself carefully before doing so. You
can ground yourself by touching a metallic
object connected to the frame of the build-
ing or by touching a neutral ground.
Transportiiis Diskctlts
MailiHS DtekctlM
Diskettes are often mailed. When mail-
ing a diskette, use the best possible
packaging that will guarantee the physical
integrity of the diskette I'se rigid inserts
in the envelope, if you use cardboard,
make sure it is the corrugated kind. Place a
sheet of it on both .sides of the diskette,
with the ridges of one sheet perpendicular
to the ridges of the other. Don't use or-
dinary cardboard, such as the back of a
paper pad. It is not stiff enough and will
bend, which may destroy data on the
diskette. Whenever possible, place the
diskettes inside the package, Vt" to Vt"
away from the flat side. Distance is an ex-
cellent protection against pressure and
magnetic objects.
Travciiiif with Floppies
Airport X-ray machines will not harm a
floppy. However, the coils of the
machinery surrounding them are
dangerous. It is best to keep diskettes
away from these machines.
KEU.ER SOFTWARE
IBBB WKSTCUFF DRIVE
CA
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DON'T camimed.
Preventive
Maintenance
Two types of preventive maintenance
action are reconunended in order to saCe-
guard your diskettes:
1. Keep your disk drive within the
prescribed settings.
2. I'se defensive procedures to maintain
the integrity of your data.
Let us examine these two maintenance
procedures in detail.
Maintainins The Driv«
Disk drives must be correctly calibrated
and aligned, i.e., the drive must be cali-
brated to the proper tolerance and the
heads iiuist be properly aligned. This is
best accomplished by a specialist but can
be done by a dedicated tinkerer. Special
alignment disks are available from the
manufacturer to facilitate this process.
Typicalty, t drive will stay aligned for a
year or more.
The disk drive heads should be cleaned
r^ularly to eliminate dust. The frequency
of cleaning depends on the environment
in which the disks operate and the disci-
pline of the users. As a rule of thumb, disk
drive heads should be cleaned at least
once a year. Special head-cleaning kits are
available for this task. Preferably, sol-
vents such as alcohol, freon or thinners
should not be used.
Let's go through the steps involved in
cleaning a read/write head using a kit.
Step 1 : Saturate the cleaning tibric on
the special diskette with the cleaning solu-
tion as shown in above.
Step 2: Insert the diskette into the
drive.
Step 3: After 50 to 50 seconds remove
the diskette and make a note on the disk-
ette that it has been used. Typically, each
diskette may be used up to 15 times.
When double-sided diskettes are used,
an extra opening may be found on the
back of the cleaning diskette than can be
helpful when cleaning the opposite side of
the head mechanism.
Half of the diskette contains a special
cleaning fabric and the other half contains
a regular dr\ fabric that wipes off the
read/write head.
Depending on how frequently the disk-
ettes are used, and the cleanliness of the
environment, cleaning can take place
every few weeks or months. Anti-contam-
ination techniques, such as cleaning, nor-
mally have two main positive effects:
1. The read/write heads are kept
contamination free.
2. Operators are reminded of the risk
posed by dust and other particles to
their equipment and will generally be-
come more cautious.
A typical list of disk contaminants in-
cludes: dust, other particles, hair, skin
flakes, fingerprint oil. and smoke film.
Dual-sided diskettes are much more
suscepdMe to dust than single-sided disk-
ettes. With a single-sided diskette, the cer-
amic read/write head presses on one side
of the diskette while a soft felt backing
presses on the other side. Compression of
the diskette material is minimal. In the
case of a dual-sided diskette, two ceramic
read/write heads are applied to the disk-
ette simultaneously, one on each side.
Don't attempt to clean the diskette sur-
face itself. Any contact with the disk sur-
face will contaminate it.
Remember also that disk drives are sen-
sitive mechanical devices. When moving a
disk drive, be careful to avoid shocks and
vibrations. Such physical disturbances
might misalign the head.
Physical damage to a diskette is inflicted
either by the drive or the operator. Disk-
ettes should be frequently inspected for
signs of wear or damage. If there is visible
wear or damage on the disk surface, the
disk should be presumed bad and should
no longer be used. A backup should be
used instead and the suspected disk should
be discarded. Remember, the appearance
of large shiny rings may indicate a me-
chanical problem with the disk drive.
Most diskettes become damaged before
they wear out. However, in circumstances
where diskettes are valuable and are fre-
quently used, center rings are available
and can be used to reinforce the spindle
holes of diskettes.
Disil Failures
Diskette failures will seldom occur if
proper handling procedures have been
followed. If a diskette has been handled
properly, and a disk drive failure occurs,
improper calibration or alignment should
be susipected.
I.et us examine disk errors and possible
causes.
Disk Errors
Disk errors are due to the accidental
change of the value of one or more bits of
information at its surface. Such errors are
traditionally classified in three main cate-
gories:
1. Drop-Outs. In this case, bits are wiped
out either beacuse of a defect on the
disk surfKe or because of an inade-
quate write signal generated by the
read/write head. Both cases are gener-
ally attributable to contamination or to
physical damage to the diskette.
2. Drop-Ins. in this case, spurious bits are
written in locations where they should
not be. This is generally due to elec-
tromagnetic interference where a
strong magnetic field creates spurious
information on the surface of the disk.
This can also be due to disk drive mal-
function or to erroneous software that
w rites information In a ptace it is not
supposed to.
3. Bit Shifts. This problem refers to the
physical shifting of bits of information
at the surface of the disk. Such shifting
results in timing errors that may make
the data unreadable. This type of pro-
blem is generally caused by electromag-
netic interference, but it may also be
caused by physical distortion or high
temperature.
Most disk errors are detected during the
reading process. This happens because the
data that w as stored on the disk has been
damaged ("polluted"). Usually, the data
contained in the affected file on the disk
has been lost, in any case, the contents of
the entire disk should now be suspected,
and the polluted diskette should be re-
placed by Uie backup.
However, if a fiailure occurs while wri-
ting, three causes should be suspected be-
fore accusing the equipment:
1. The write-protect Ud) may not be pro-
perly positioned over the notch (or re-
moved from it, in the case of a mini-
diskette).
2. There may be a software protection
feature in the operating system that
prevents unauthorized writing on a
given file.
3. You may be using the wrong type of
diskette for the disk drive. In par-
ticular, a hard sectored disk will not
work with a soft sectored disk drive.
Floppy Disk Summary
Floppy disk failures are the most com-
mon cause of failures for small computers.
Proper diskette handling requires respect
for the physical and magnetic integrity of
the diskette. As long as proper handhng
precautions and proper operating proce-
dures, including a thorough backup pro-
cedure, are followed, diskettes will oper-
ate reliably for long periods of time.
Gopyiigliiea nidieiidi
Choose from
Intelligent Printers
for your
IBM Personal Computer
The NEC Spinwriter is an
excellent printer. But you
need more — More interfacing
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SELLUM I. For the past 2
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Now you have 3 choices of
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SELLUM SERIES
PRINTERS.
OOTSTANDING FEATGRES
Select from either of
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• 16K RAM
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MATCH THE RIGHT PRINTER TO YOUR NEEDS.
Features
Sell urn N-35
Sellum N-77
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Speed
33 cps
55 cps
80 cps
Shannon Test
28 cps
48 cps
72 cps
Print Wheels
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128 char.
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96 char, metal
Noise Level
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Suggested
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Sellum Series Printers also
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Extended 180 day warranly available.
465 Fairchild Dr., #214
Mountain View, CA 94043
(415) 964-5460
PC Directory
CONSULTANTS
CALIFORNIA
COMPUCON, INC.
Oflering: Value added management needs
analysis. Systems analysis/Custom pro-
gramming, Computer software and tiard-
ware selection assistance mini/
micro/maintrame ' ' Computers don t save
$. they make it "
2083 Landings Drive, Mountain VIsm. CA
94043 (415) 961-0234.
THE PROGRAMMING SHOP
Worried alMut making your IBM Personal
Computer really personal' The Program-
ming Shop recognizes that you have
unique business application requirements
Our consultation and programming ser-
vices are available to support: Networking.
Distributed processing. Accounting,
Structured application development For
more inlormation, give us a call today
1164 Umbarger Road, San Jmt, CA
95121 (408) 226-2157.
STANDARD SYSTEMS
Professional Consulting Services for your
Personal Computer Custom designed
business applications. System design and
implementation Telecommunications con-
sultant and training
STANDARD SYSTEMS 505 Channing
Avenue Palo Alto CA 94301
(415) 327-4716.
GEORGIA
JAMES B. STEINER. COP
Stelner Consulting, Inc.
Over 20 years DP industry experience
Management Consulting, Project Manage-
ment, Systems Design, and Programming.
For a copy of "Checklist of ftjints for First
Time Computer Purchasers to Consider
and Evaluate send S1 and a self-
addressed, stamped business envelope to
Dept PCCK, 2596 DeFoors Ferry Road NW,
AUanta, GA 30317 (404) 351-5122
MASSACHUSETTS
JOHN J. SPRINGFIELD
Independent computer consultant pro-
viding custom programming lor IBM Per-
sonal Computer, Apple, Zenith and IBM
nnainlrames (CICS) IBM Personal Compu-
ter available lor in-house demonstration
and training
37 Parker Street, Newton Centre. MA
02159 (617) 969-5183.
MISSOURI
BUSINESS PROBLEM SOLVERS
Mkrren P. Henry, COP
Established professional with quality
references Custom programming and
packaged software ranging from thorough-
bred handicapping to manuiacturing in-
ventory control
250 Richards Road, Room 245. Kansas
City. MO 64116 (816) 471-8660.
NEW JERSEY
TRENDTECH CORPORATION
Consulting services for small businesses
Including Micro-Computer selection, soft-
ware recommendations, feasibility
studies, custom software design, and
programming IBM PC available tor demos
in 1st quarter '82,
WMIIain Letandre. Wayne, New Jersey
07474 (201) 694-8622.
NEW MEXICO
LIGHT SOFTWARE
Need Help' Wb ll take on your pro)ecl with
our new PC, our 14 years of experience on
IBM computers, and our backgrounds in
scientilic. statistical and systems
programming
Clint Davis and Marilyn Davis, Ph.D.
Box 4982 Santa Fe. NM 87502
(505) 982-4049
SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE MARKHING.
Wb are ready to distribute your software to
our already existing customers and com-
puter dealers Send description of program
with details Evaluation copy preferred
CORNERSTONE SOFTWARE. P.O. Box
5151. San Jose. CA 95150.
FINANCIAL. INVENTORY AND COST
ACCOUNTING
' ■ It takes more elfort to make it simple
SIMPLE STRUCTURE SYSTEMS. INC.
7114 Hawthorn Avenue, Hollywood, CA
90046.
INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM.
PERFORMS Order entry/point of sale.
Purchasing with Reorder ft)inl, Receiving
INCLUDES: 1000 Inventory items. 100
Vendors, Listings and more COST $349
Complete REQUIRES: 1 disk, 48k and
Printer Dealer inquiries invited
DP SOFTV«RE ASSOCIATES, 8459 NE 3rd
Street. Coral Springs. FL 33065
(305) 753-5893
KELLER SOFTWARE
Announcing HAL9000 Series, a new line of
engineering, business and statistical soft-
ware for the new IBM Personal Computer
Send for our brochure and price list
KELLER SOFTWARE. 1825 Wtstclltf Drive.
Newport Beach. CA 92660.
FORTH FOR IBM PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Complete program development systems
including interpreter/compiler with virtual
memory management, custom screen
editor, line editor, assembler, decompiler,
and many utilities Floating point math
extensions, cross compilers, and other
options also available
LABORATORY MICROSYSTEMS. 4147
Beethoven Stmt. Los Angeles. CA 90066
(213) 390-9292.
FULLSCREEN TEXT EDITOR.
Full screen text editor for IBM Personal
Computer Write for information
ACORN SOFTWARE. INC. P.O. Box 8715.
Coral Springs. FL 33065.
PERSONAL MONEY MANAGER.
Available lor the IBM Personal Computer.
Software designed to be user friendly
Features include: Monthly financial plann-
ing. Balance sheets m minutes. Profit and
Loss statement at your fingertips.
Documentation written in English, and
much much more Write today and find out
how the PERSONAL MONEY MANAGER
can help save you time and money
THE PROGRAMMING SHOP. 1164 Umbar-
ger Road. San Jose. CA 95121.
PLAINWRITER.
Fast, easy to use word processing software
written specifically for the PC and lor sim-
plicity of use Useful for correspondence,
manuscripts, proposals, legal documents,
creative and lournalistic writing Also use-
ful as fast . flexible full-screen line editor for
program development Fully compatible
with all DOS utilities and programs Faster
and simpler than EASYWRITER and EDLIN .
Features include rapid text editing, help
menus, function keys, abbreviations,
automatic centering, alignment, lustilying
and paging, block move and copy, global
search and replace Requires DOS. 64K,
and any PC compatible printer.
Special introductory offer: $125 30-day
money back guarantee. Demonstration
diskette $15. applicable to purchase
Available March
LIFETREE SOFTWARE. 177 Wbbster
Street. Suite 342, Monterey. CA 93940
(408) 659-3221.
DEALERS
ALABAMA
COMPUTERLAND OF BIRMINGHAM
215 west Valler Avenue,
Birmingham. AL 35209
Source Number CL0034
Store Hours:
Monday-Friday 10 am-6pm
Saturday 10 am-4 pm
CALIFORNIA
COMPUTERLAND OF ALMAOEN
5035 Almaden Expressway
San Jose, CA 95118
(408) 267-2182
Hours
10 00 to 7 00 Weekdays
10 00 to 6 00 Saturday
Specializing in service and support to the
IBM South San Jose facility employees.
Hard disks, add-on memory, software and
peripherals in stock Call for information
regarding IBM Personal Computer training
seminars
OTHER SERVICES
WORD PROCESSING INTERFACE
TOTYPESEHING
Your word processed manuals or books are
loaded directly into our typesetter
Elimirlate rekeying You need telecom-
munications option We can design and
offer complete printing facilities Suitable
lor documents over 300 pages
GEORGE GRAPHICS Attn: Len Shafer
650 Second Street. San Francisco. CA
94107 (415) 397-2400.
RATES AND INFORMATION
If you have producLs or senlces to offer owners of the new IBM Per-
sonal Computer, \he K Directories provide an economical, rifle-shot
way to reach your prospects.
Ser\ice and software listings are classified according to type, (ion-
sultants and retailers are classified geographically, with subgroups by
specialty where warranted. All listings appear in a standard format.
type,set by PC from the information you provide, and are published
in the first available i.ssue after receipt.
• CONSULTANTS: Individual name, company name, mailing ad-
dress, phone and computer network numbers (one of each), and
up to .^5 words describing your consulting credentials and
specialties.
• RETAILERS: Store name, individual s name & title, mailing ad-
dress, phone and computer netw ork numbers (one of each), store
hours, and up to 35 words describing your products and sen'ices.
• SERVICES: Service type, company name, mailing address, phone
and computer network numbers (one of each), and up to 55
words describing your service.
• SOFTVARE: Product name, author name, company name, mail-
ing address, phone and computer network numbers (one of each),
and up to .SS words describing your product.
RATES: Ustings described above are JSO each; additional words of
description section are J 10 for each IS words or fraction. Charges
are payable in advance. For listings in three or more consecutive
issues, paid in advance. 15% discount.
ORDERING: I se our convenient tear-out order card, or mail your
listing information with payment H) PC, Directory. 1239 21st Avenue.
San Francisco. California ')-4l22.
C3
Win an
IBM* Personal
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Announcing
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The easiest way in the
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INTERMEDIA SYSTEMS OF CUPERTINO,
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The price comparison of three 64K
boards or one I92K unit is likewise
favorable. The cost of three IBM expan-
sion boards with 64K each totals $1,620;
at $1,095, the single memory expansion
board costs 32 percent less. These prices
are also indicative of how rapidly this
technology and its costs have changed: lit-
tle more than two years ago a 64K memory
board sold for as much as $ 1 ,000, and five
years ago that much memory cost $1,500
and occupied as much space as all the
boards in the PC.
At present, the software that can utilize
this added memory is limited, but many of
the major program publishers are reported
to be adapting or developing software that
will take advantage of the PC's larger
memory capacity. One currently available
product that is able to use more than the
standard 64K in the computer is
Microsoft's Pascal. The advanced disk
BASIC sold with the computer also can
utilize more than the 64K memory at pres-
ent. In addition, IBM announced in early
December that a Fortran compiler will be
available in March and a macroassembler
will be ready in February of this year; both
are being developed by Microsoft and will
be able to use the added memory. Personal
Software has announced an upgrade of its
VisiCalc program that will use up to 214K
for a spreadsheet, and says it will provide
the upgrade free to purchasers of the
earlier version.
Tom Kornei and Harry Kline, devel-
opers of the Intermedia Systems board,
emphasize the quality of their product and
their solid experience in the electronics
field. Both men have advanced engineer-
ing degrees from the University of Califor-
nia at Berkeley, both are former Hewlett-
Packard employees, and their indepen-
dent company has been in business for ten
years. They design and manufacture a
variety of electronics products, most of
which are supplied to the Medical Elec-
tronics Division of Hewlett-Packard.
Their new product is simple to install
and soundly made, and the firm offers a
one-year warranty on the board. The unit
is built with industry-standard 64K dy-
namic RAM chips, has a stainless steel
mounting bracket and a fiberglass "foot"
for secure placement, and is supplied with
the cardholder needed to hold it in place
in the computer's cabinet. Special pack-
aging was designed for shipping the
board; it consists of a large wrapping of
convoluted foam inside a sturdy card-
board box. Each board is tested by being
"cooked" for ten hours at 50 degrees
Centigrade before it is shipped to a dealer.
Although other manufacturers have an-
nounced their intention to market similar
memory expansion boards. Intermedia
Systems asserts it is the first to have such a
product in distribution. See New Products
section for related announcements.
Intermedia Systems. I()60l S. Saratoga-Sunnyivle
Rd., Cupertino. California 95014, (408)996-0900.
"WITH THE UCSD p-SYSTEM;
WE CAN WRITE ONE APPLICATION
THAT GOES FROM APPLE TO ZENITH!'
HARRY BLAKESLEE, President. Denver Software
UCSD p System and UCSD Pascal are trademarks of the Regents of the University of California.
Our business is bigger and
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A lot of the credit for that
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We can write a single,
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Instruments, Zenith, IBM, and more.
That's the real beauty of the UCSD
p-System. Any program you write for
one microcomputer runs on others,
both today and tomorrow. You protect
your software investment, without
restricting your hardware options.
And with the UCSD
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Product Report
Visi-1040
Tax planning models for spreadsheet presrams.
TAX SEASON IS HERE AGAIN, AND WHILE
K doesn't have any tips on reducing your
share of the national debt, we do have
news of something that will make filling out
the forms a lot less painful.
That something is the Tax Planning
Model, from Pansophics, Ltd. Designed to
work on an IBM PC with either VisiCalc or
SuperCalc, the Tax Planning Model is ac-
tually four spread-sheet files, each of which
contains a format for filling out one of the
following tax forms:
• Unmarried, single 1040 return
• Unmarried, head-of-house 1040 return
• Married, joint 1040 return
• Married, separate 1040 return
These models are included in the "per-
sonal package" and retail for $100. There is
also a "professional" package selling for
S150, which in addition to the above con-
tains two additional files:
• Corporation, 1120 return
• Partnership. 1065 return
The most apparent advantage of this
method of figuring income tax is that all the
calculations and lookups are performed
automatically. If you want to know what
your tax situation would be like if you had
received that raise last October, you can
easily enter a different number in the in-
come earned column and press the ex-
clamation key (!) for manual recalculate
(VisiCalc version). Presto, like magic the
numbers change before your very eyes.
Ouch, it's a good thing you didn't get that
raise after all.
In testing the single 1040 return model,
iising bogus figures for income and deduc-
tions, PC discovered that it only takes about
10 minutes using these tax models to figure
your taxes. And that's for a novice, non-
CPA type person. With practice, we
calculate that you could figure 80 to 100
returns in a single day using the Tax Plan-
ning Model.
The best part is once you've filled in the
numbers for your return, you can slip an
actual 1040 form in your printer and then
print it out. Every number will appear in
the correct position on the form.
The tax models have been geared to the
1981 return so that the new combined divi-
dend and interest deduction is figured in as
well as 198rs special 20% capital gains
maximum tax.
—David Bunnell
VisiCalc Tax Plannning MixJets:
PUmopbics. Ltd . VbisUeslop MaU. P() Hax '><). Rixk-
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All programs run with IBIVI Personal DOS
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HOW TO BE AN INFORMED BUYER
Lcsal considerations when you buy a computer
THE FACTS OF THE CASE: John Doe
Buyer thought he bad purchased the top-of-
the-Une, state-of-tbe-art persotuil com-
puting system Just right for bis business
when be signed the written purchase con-
tract. Later, when the computer system
failed and could not be repaired, despite
repeated attempts, Buyer discovered that
the promises and assurances of quality were
meaningless. So Buyer sued the manufac-
turer of the computer system to recover the
purchase price, repair expenses, and lost
profits.
THE RULING: Upon evaluating the con-
tract Buyer had signed, the court ruled that
all warranties bad been excluded.
THE RESULT: Buyer was left uitb a com-
puter that did not work, and be was re-
quired to pay the full contract price for the
system.
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS NOT THAT
our courts are unfair, unjust, or manufac-
turer-oriented. Rather, the moral is that no
buyer should enter into a contract for the
lease or purchase of a computer system
armed with only half of the requisite
knowledge. Knowing computer technology
and your particular requirements for its use
is not enough. To avoid Buyer's predica-
ment, it is essential to either learn the rele-
vant principles of law or have a legal expert
review the terms of the agreement before it
is made final.
This article will introduce you to the
legal knowledge that could have saved
Buyer from his costly mistake. The general
principles of this law, the Uniform Com-
mercial Code, apply in most states, but you
would be wise to learn the specific rules of
your state and to seek the advice of an at-
yK. Sleu arl Emm. Jr is a part-
ner in the law firm of Rnotbe.
Pricbard & Oiuiley: uitb offices in Fairfax and .Mexan-
dria. Virginia His sfiecialty is commercial litigation,
ami bis work includes computer-related matters.
K. Stewart Evans, Jr*
torney if you have any questions about a
purchase agreement.
Promises, Promises
The primary legal obligations that arise
between a buyer and a seller relating to the
quality of the goods purchased are known
as warranties. A warranty is a promise or
assurance by the seller that the goods will
conform to certain specifications regarding
quality, performance, or durability. War-
ranties fall into two main categories: ex-
press warranties, which are assurances ac-
tually made by the seller to the buyer; and
implied warranties, which are created by
law.
EXPRESS WARRANTIES. An express
warranty is created by the seller in any of
three ways: (I) an affirmation of fact or
promise; (2) any description of the goods;
or (3) any sample or model that is made
part of the "basis of the bargain" (that Is,
the ingredients influencing the buyer's
decision to buy). The law does not require
that sellers use formal words such as
"warrant" or "guarantee," or that
theyhave a specific intention to make a
warranty. Therefore, advertisements,
brochures, pamphlets, sales talk, and
demonstrations used to "show off" the
features of a computer system may actual-
ly amount to express warranties by the
seller.
The seller's affirmation of the value of
goods or any opinion or commendation of
the goods is not a warranty. For example,
if the seller asserts that one computer is
the "best computer ever made," this
statement is not an express warranty.
Equally important, if the seller makes pro-
mises after the buyer has decided to pur-
chase the computer, these are not express
warranties, because they are not a part of
the basis of the bargain.
IMPLIED WARRANTIES. Unless excluded
or modified by a seller, a warranty of mer-
chantability is implied in any agreement
for the sale of computers between a buyer
and a seller, as defined by the Uniform
Commercial Code (UCC), which applies in
all states but Louisiana. To satisfy this war-
ranty, the goods must at least pass without
objection in the trade under the contract
description and be fit for the ordinary pur-
poses for which such goods are used. A
refrigerator that will not cool, a heater
that will not heat, or a computer that will
not perform the storage, retrieval, and
data processing functions computers or-
dinarily perform are examples of goods
that are not merchantable.
Another type of implied warranty — of
fitness for a particular purpose — may be
created when a computer system is pur-
chased. This warranty applies when the
seller has reason to know the buyer's par-
ticular purpose in purchasing the com-
puter; the buyer relies on the seller to
select and furnish the right computer; and
the seller is aware that the buyer is relying
on his or her skill or judgment in the mat-
ter.
Wilcn Is a Warranty Not a
Warranty?
Considering the express warranties
that can be created by every advertise-
ment, promise, or assurance made by a
seller, and the implied warranties created
by law when a buyer purchases goods
from a seller, how is it that our Mr. Buyer
found himself with a computer that did
not work and no 4egal remedy? Simple.
Buyer voluntarily agreed to eliminate vir-
tually every warranty and legal right to
enforce those warranties which the law
creates. How? When he purchased the
computer system. Buyer signed a written
contract that included the following lang-
uage:
"Seller agrees to exchange any parts
shown to have become defective from nor-
mal wear and use during tbe first six
months from date of deliver): Purchaser
expressly waives all damages, whether
direct, incidental or consequential. There
are no understandings, agreements, rep-
resentations or warranties, express or im-
plied (including any regarding merchant-
ability or fitness for a particular purpose)
not specified herein, respecting this con-
tract or tbe equipment hereunder. This
contract states the entire obligation of
seller in connection with this tram-
action. ' '
Buyer ran into a trio of weapons that
sellers of goods use to protect themselves
from the legal obligations that arise from
warranties: disclaimers of warranties;
limitation of damages; and limitation of
remedies. If you encounter anything re-
sembling this language in a purchase
agreement, do not sign it; take the docu-
ment to a lawyer and have him or her sup-
ply alternative wording that protects you.
DISCLAIMERS. The funcUon of a dis-
claimer is to limit or exclude standards of
quality, performance, and durability from
a contract or agreement. While the effec-
tiveness of a disclaimer can be a difficult
legal question, all purchasers of com-
puters should be extremely wary of any
such provisions. To disclaim or exclude
the implied warranty of merchantability,
language which uses the term "merchan-
tability" is required, and, in the case of a
written contract, that language must be
conspicuous. A disclaimer or limitation of
implied warranties of fitness must be in
writing and conspicuous. But expressions
such as "as is" or "with all faults" are ef-
fective to exclude implied warranties of
merchantability and of fitness for a par-
ticular purpose.
LIMITATION OF REMEDIES. Remedies
available under the UCC for breach of war-
ranty may be limited by agreement be-
tween the buyer and seller. The following
example of a limitation of remedies clause
limits the buyer to receiving replacements
for defective equipment: "Damaged or
defective equipment will be replaced with-
out cost by the seller. Except for such re-
lllu.stralion by l.inda .Nacc
placement, buyer receives no other war-
ranty." Using similar clauses, the seller
can limit his or her legal obligation to the
buyer. It is not clear whether current law
prohibits the limitation of remedies when
a written warranty is given for consumer
goods.
LIMITATION OF DAMAGES. Current law
does not prohibit limitations of damages in
consumer product contracts. Therefore,
language such as "Seller is not liable for
any damage to business, property or repu-
tation resulting from any defect or mal-
function in the computer equipment" is
an acceptable method for the seller to limit
his or her liability. With this clause in a
contract, the seller would not be liable for
damage such as property damage resulting
from an electrical short, loss of data, or
delay in turning out projects, bills, or
other information. Language that attempts
to hmit the seller's liability for personal
injury resulting from a defect in the goods
is generally disfavored by the courts,
however.
The Moral Revisited
If your computer fails and the warran-
ties arising out of its purchase have not
been disclaimed, do not think that you can
automatically recover damages. There
may be other factual and legal hurdles to
overcome. But knowing what you have
agreed to and understanding the legal
obligations of that agreement are neces-
sary first steps. There is no substitute for
reading and understanding all of the pro-
visions of any agreement you sign. Your
failure to do so can result in the loss of im-
portant legal remedies available to you.
In 14 accelerated steps,
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The agj
The Land of Altair
Imagine a Land where computers are in the hands of
the people. Creative people from farmers to merchants to
engineers to bousetvives to dentists to poets.
Imagine a Land where the computer is in harmony with
man with nature with hope with peace.
Imagine a Land where computer power is affordable and
accessible ami understandable to almost everyone.
You are imagining the Land of Altair
The Land of Altair is now
THE LAND OF ALTAIR BY DAVID BUNNELL
first appeared m the September 1975 issue
0/ Scientific American as part of a 2-page
advertisement announcing the world's first
personal computer, the Altair 8800.
Tbe Altair and its history is in most
respects synonymous uHtb the early history
of personal computing. Mils, tbe little com-
pany in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which
proclaimed to Scientific American readers
that they bad invented a product which was
going to change tbe world history for all
time, went through a dizz}' success cyde and
then sputtered to an ignominious non-
existence.
Along the way, folks at Mils created or
inspired tirtiudly every component of tbe
personal computer market (see following
page). David Bunnell, tbe publisher o/PC,
was the Vice President of Advertising at
Mils, and Eddie Currie was tbe Chief Ex-
ecutive Vice President. Together in this series
they tell the story of The Age of Altair.
If AlTAIR
David Bunnell and Eddie Currie
THE PERSONAL COMPUTING AGE HAS
been in a continual dynamic state since its
beginning in 1975 with the introduction of
the Altair microcomputer.
The Altair was a neatly designed "ex-
pandable" computer in a sky blue metal
box with rows of flashing red lights.
Interestingly enough, the Altair, which
was the first commercially available com-
puter to be designed with a single micro-
processor chip for its brains or "CPU,"
didn't come from California's Silicon Val-
ley — spawning ground of micro chip com-
panies — or Boston's Route 128 — where
"minicomputers" were born. Instead, it
came from Albuquerque, an unhkely
desert town known mostly for its tur-
quoise jewelry and Mexican restaurants.
Though not many realize it. almost
every aspect of the personal computer in-
dustry had its beginning with this single
development. This included the first com-
puter to ever be offered in kit form, the
first personal computer BASIC and other
high level languages, the first personal
computer retail stores, the first personal
computer convention, the first personal
computer publication, and the first soft-
ware pubhsher for micros.
In 1975 more Altairs were sold than any
other single model of computer as it took
its place in history as the first of the so-
called "affordable computers."
Yet, the Altair Age began quietly with
few of its participants realizing that it
would spawn several hundred new com-
panies, nearly a hundred publications, a
dealer network of thousands, and an in-
stalled base of literally hundreds of
thousands of personal computers through-
out the world, and employment for
millions.
How could one have guessed that the
Altair computer and its knockoffs known
as "SlOO Bus" machines would be proved
capable of compiling virtually every lan-
guage available for computers of any type,
playing games, music composition and
production, splendid graphics, teaching
its owner a wide variety of skills, linking
up with other micros around the world via
the ordinary telephone line, speech recog-
nition and speech simulation — not to
mention myriad other activities.
PART ONE:
The Quiet Revol ution
The Altair Age was the creation of one
man, Ed Roberts, a former Air Force engi-
neer stationed in Albuquerque who upon
leaving the service started his own elec-
tronic development company — which he
first called M. I. T.S. for Micro Instrumenta-
tion and Telemetry Systems. Upon incor-
porating a year later he shortened it to
Mits, Inc.
Though Roberts began his company by
designing a hobbyist model rocket, he
soon moved into scientific test equipment
and then into both pocket and desktop
electronic calculators.
Roberts designed the Altair with 16 card
slots (the PC has 5) and, as IBM has done,
he designed the plug-in structure to be
easily accessible to third party vendors
and computer hobbyists.
Roberts' goal was to provide a "real
computer" to the masses much in the
spirit of Henry Ford. This computer was
basic and minimal. But it was made from
standard multiple source components and
it used the spiffy new 8-bit Intel chip, the
8080. Costing under S400 in its minimal
configuration of 256 chamsters of memory
(and that's not "K") — the Altair was a
real computer. It was infinitely expand-
able and best of it, it worked.
The Altair story has many twists and
turns. Each time this revolution has
appeared to stabilize, another new devel-
opment has sent it hurtling forward again;
whether it's the introduction of the Z80 or
the 8086 or the 68000, or the advent of
the mini-Winchester, the momentum is
continuing to build.
Just as we began to suspect that there is
a clear view of the future at hand, perhaps
the most significant event of the decade
occurs.
IBM enters the market with the IBM Per-
sonal Computer. This machine, with its
powerful 8088 microprocessor, with
enough internal memory to contain an
entire floppy, clearly marks the beginning
of a new era.
From our perspective, a tremendously
significant event has once again begun
without much fanfare and with relatively
little attention from the media.
As significant as the Apple and Radio
Shack computers have been in proving
that there is indeed a big market out there
for micros, the IBM ranks right up
there — with the Altair. The reason is that
as IBM PC sales mount up into hundreds of
thousands, and then millions, IBM will
polish up the personal computing market
that the Mits Altair originally created.
Next Month: THE ELECTRONIC COWBOYS FROM
ALBIQIERQLE
laeading the
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^ Books
WORDSTAR AAADE EASY
A GOOD USER'S MANUAL FOR A COMPUTER
product ought to be designed attractively.
It ought to be easy to use, to put the reader
at ease and eliminate some of the anxiety
attendant upon learning something new.
Certainly it should provide a useful index
and offer some gentle introduction (such
as a glossary) to all the new terms and con-
cepts it contains. Unfortunately, the
manual that MicroPro supplies with its
WordStar word processing program has
none of these attributes. The WordStar
manual is loaded with information about
the complex and varied features of this
program, but it does not offer an easy way
in.
WordStar is currently being adapted for
use on the IBM Personal Computer, and
this powerful program will add a welcome
dimension to word processing for PC
users. Even more welcome, though, is the
new book WordStar Made Easy, by Walter
Ettlin, published this month by Osborne/
McGraw-Hill. WME is not the last word in
documentation, but is a quantum
improvement over the MicroPro manual,
which can quickly overwhelm readers
with its dense format and type-crowded
pages.
Unlike the MicroPro manual, Etthn's
guide has an index, an eye-pleasing format
with ample white space on the pages, and
an intelligent organization. The fourteen
lessons in WME cover groups of related
commands, and the paragraph or two
devoted to each keystroke is headed in
boldface type with that command. There-
fore, a glance at any page in the book will
quickly disclose which commands are
covered on that page.
Ettlin's book is about half as long as the
MicroPro manual for WordStar, and some
information is sacrificed in achieving this
more manageable length. The author quite
rightly regards his work as an accompani-
ment to the MicroPro manual, however,
intending that WME be used routinely,
with the longer manual for reference
when necessary. As an aid to this two-
book system, WME has page numbers in
the margins that refer to locations in all
versions of the MicroPro manual where
related information may be found.
There are deficiencies in WordStar
Made Easy, however. The index is not
very comprehensive, and it is not cross-
referenced. This diminishes the utility of
the index and at times can be misleading.
For example, the author refers to the pro-
cess of lining up the margin (usually on the
right) so that every line ends at the same
column, as "reforming." He uses this
term in the index but does not list any of
the more common alternatives, such as
"justiHcation" or "alignment."
One solution to this problem would be
to have a complete glossar>', including
every term that a beginning user might not
know. It is difficult for an expert to im-
agine what a novice knows or does not
know. We become "experts" very quick-
ly, in our own estimation, and soon forget
that once we thought that a "menu" was
nothing but a list of available dishes to eat
and "prompt" was not a noun, but an ad-
jective meaning on time. Yet every docu-
ment that might be used by someone un-
familiar with a given system, or with com-
puters in general, ought to have a good
glossary.
Of course, none of this would matter if
every user were content to follow WME
slavishly, step by step, from beginning to
end, and compose his or her own in-
dex/glossary while going along. And here
we come to the most fundamental
criticism not only of WME, but of all docu-
mentation of this sort that I have seen. It
does not allow sufficiently for the way real
people actually learn a new software
package in the real world, which is by
playing with it. Let me take my own advice
and explain what I mean by "playing."
Upon first sitting down with a new soft-
ware package, I find it impossible to
follow a manual or tutorial very far
without thinking of some operation that I
just must learn how to perform right now,
no matter that the manual does not get to
it until page 106. I usually try to figure it
out and sometimes succeed, especially
with the use of a help menu, but 1 often
fail. In the process, I always learn
something about the system.
When I'm finished with such a digres-
sion I return to the manual, taking up its
instructional sequence where I left off I
cannot learn any other way, and I believe
that most people learn by this method;
that is, by following their own curiosity.
Curiosity is the only reliable educational
motivation, and any manual that forces a
student into a preconceived and inflexible
learning sequence not only violates the
student's individuality, but forfeits the aid
of curiosity, turning the student from an
ally into an antagonist.
A comprehensive glossary and a cross-
referenced index are the two most impor-
tant means of avoiding this mistake. Third
most important is adopting a style that
conveys the learner that he or she may in-
dulge a freedom to "play." Rather than
say, as Ettlin does in several places, words
to the effect that "we'll cover this subject
further in a later chapter," he might bet-
ter have said, "If you want to pursue this
train of thought, feel free to go to chapter
such and such right now, or see index ref-
erences X, y and z."
-Les G>waii
WORDSTAR MADE EASY, by Walter Ettlin
Osbome/McGrau-HiU. I24paf^s,
charts and elementary graphics.
When you've completed \X .ME's exer-
cises and examples, you will have
used most of the features and com-
mands >XbrdStar contains, and —
more important — you will have
some ideas about how to apply them
in business situations.
WordStar Made Easy is a great help
to anyone who is exchanging a type-
writer for a computer, and it cer-
tainly makes mastery of Vl ordStar's
varied components simpler than ei-
ther the manual supplied by .MicroPro
or Lcs Cowan's preferred learn-by-
experimentation method. Both ex-
perimentation and the WordStar
manual are es.sential parts of the full
learning process — it's just that ^Xal-
ter Ettlin has made it easier for all of
us to get started.
—Jeremy Jean Hewes
Second Opmiens
To me, the principal strength of
WordStar Made Easy is that it gives
readers a series of projects with
which to learn WordStar. There is no
substitute for learning by doing, and
Ettlin provides several different types
of documents for users to learn with:
simple paragraphs, form letters,
pages with internal lists and special
indentations, and even examples of
91
APPLE • ALTOS • ATARI • MAXELL •
N • CCS • SHARP • CASIO • HP • VERBATIM • MEMOREX • SOROC • CORVUS • ADDS
/VIICRO
TWiot HEWLETT
tizM PACKARD
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HP 67 Pioinmble
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8050 Dual Disk 9S0H 1795 00
4040 Dual Disk 343K 1295 00
C2N Cassette Dii»e 95 00
4022 80 Col Punter 795 00
8024 Mjiisman Tjllt, 1995 00
KCPS Sar»riter 1895 00
CSH IEEE Modem 279 00
Voice Syntliesinr 395 00
VC 20 299 OO
PtT to IEEE Cable 39 9S
jEEE to IEEE Cattle 49 9S
Price 1
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91900
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IM500
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XEROX
Xeroi 820 1 5 W Disk
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CP'M Operalmi System
Word PrKessint Soltwaie
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400 16K Bytes ol Ram
no 16K Bytes ol Ram
410 Profram Recorder
110 Disk Onve
125 Ptmtit ItO col
CentronK 7371
820 Pimler (40 col
impact)
830 Acoustic Modem
850 Interlace Module
^Uri Viticak
ATARI
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1080 00
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33745
739 00
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Tl 9«4A CooMie Nc« { .
Improved \ '7 '
10 Col0« Monitor Hn* "V^
Resolution
32K Memory Module
Speech Synlhesuer
Disk Memory Drive
RF Mcdulaloi
Telephone Coupler iModemi
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Our^
Pnce
950 00 3(5.95
399 95
399 95
149 95
499 95
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224 95
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339.95
31295
127 95
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42 50
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SYSTEM
64K
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12" Grn Phs Video Monitor '
PRINTERS
EPSON
MX 80 FT
MX 80 IMPACT
MX 70 IMPACT
MX 100
ANADEX 9501
NEC
5510
5515
3510
3515
OKIDATA
HICROLmE 80
MICRO! IKE 82
MICROLINE 83
PAPER TIGER
445G with Giaphics
460G »ilh Graphics
560G New lull sue
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tractors
1640K109 keypoaid
tractors
530 RO Receive Only
1650K 136 keyDoard
tractors
Our
List Prke
t 745 00 i 549 00
645 00 450 00
500 00 390 00
995 00 765 00
1650 00 1299 00
3195 00 2445 00
3295 00 2545 00
2495 00 1795 00
2545 00 1849 00
545 00 395 00
649 00 54 9 00
1050 00 769 00
795 00 695 00
1 394 00 899 00
1695 00 1.13900
QUALITY)
2 965 00 2.350.00
4 000 00 2.899.00
2 710 00 2.250.00
. 4 000 00 311X100^
MONITORS^ IB
Out
BMC
List
Prke
12- Grn Phs WJ |15 Hji
21900
16500
12- Grn Phs E0I18 Hji
S249 0O
185.00
12 Grn Plis l20 Hii
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209 00
12' Colour Composite Hi Res
439 W
3I9K
Grn Phs 12'
275 OO
165 00
NEC Grn Phs 12'
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Zenith 12
159 00
119.00
LE MONTFOR
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179 00
159.00
• 9- Green Phs
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• 12-BiW
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• 12- Green Plis
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199.00
12- Gre«n Phs
199 00
159.00
• Anil Reflective Screen
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SANYO MONITORS
13 Color inewi
hi|h quality
12' Green Phs
12' B t W
15' B ( W
9' B ( W The Best Selleri
^ 9" Green Phs
$550 « 399.00
360 00 269 OO
340 OO 23900
370 W 255 00
235 00 159 00
275 00 199 00^
XEROX 820
WORD PROCESSING SYSTEM
(INCLUDES SOFTWARE)
3495 00 "^*^-°''
TELEVIDEO
910
912C
92K
9500
List
$699 00 S 599 00
950 00 699 00
995 00 795 00
1195 00 949.00
DISKETTES ^^oldin boxes of lo''
iMIn. Purchasei $100
List
Ow
Price
DYSAN P«iCE nt diskette
104/1 5- SOFT SECTOR
600
199
104/lD = - DBl
DEN SOFT SEC
6 40
460
3740;l 8 SOFT SECTOR
7 25
475
3740/ID 8~ DBL
DEN SOFT SECTOR
10 75
(.90
MAXELL
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TOROBL DEN
500
350
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SECTOR.OBL SIDE (DBl
DEN
700
490
FDl 8- SOFT SEC /DBl
DEN
6 50
456
FDl 8 SOFT SEC /DBl ^
^SIDE/DBl DEN /N^
8 50
595^
llRIVES /X'f
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CORVUS V^/ '/
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5 MBYTES \/ /
3 '50 DOM 050.00
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^20 MBYTES
6 450 00
5.32500
EXPANSION BOARD
Q STAR
16K RAM BOARD
i
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LIST OUR PRICE
199.00 129.00
SOFTWARE
FOR APPLE ir
'our
'List
Prke
Unguaie System with
Apple Pascal
495 00
399 OO
BPI General ledter System
395 00
31900
Visidei
200 00
15900
Visicalc
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Desktop Plan II
200 00
159 00
Mtcrolab Database System
150 00
119 00
Slonewaie DB Master
229 00
189 00
Muse Superteit 11
151-
119 W
^oftaoe Majc Window
99 00
72 00^
Qcommodore
COLOR COMPUTER if|0^2Q
Vie TV Moduli iim
Vit Cassette tttOO
Vk: Disk Ornre tOM
Vic 6 PKk propui WM
MSL
299.00
OUR PRICE
$255.00
Sane
44.00
SOFTWARE
FOR COMMODORE
0;zThe Intormalion Wizard
Wordcritt 80
Irm* Into RetrievaJ & Ugmt AkI
Oow Jones Portlolio Mcml
Pascal Development Pk£
Ebs Receivables Inventory
Bpi General Ledsei
Word Pro 3 40 Column
Word Pro 4 SO Column
Pro 4 Plus
W
Lisl
39500
395 00
495 00
149 00
295 00
75000
395 00
250 00
375 00
450 00
Ouf
Prict
S 289.00
2S9.00
319.00
11900
21900
56900
319.00
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ii900
MODEMS
NOVATION CAT MODEM
NOVATION D CAT
NOVATION APPIE CAT
HAVES MICROMDDEM
HAVES SMARTMODEM
CALCULATORS!;!-,
I«=3| o«
CASK) Ust Price
HR 10 Paper Feed :::::: 49 95 39.00
HR 12 Paper Feed i'mVii ^4 95 42.00
FR lOO Paper Feed ZZIZZ '^'^
FR 1210 Paper Feed •••• 129 95 99.00
PQ 20 29 9 5 23.00
IC 785 12 95 lOOO
IC 3165 1295 10.00
FX68ScietiMic 29 9 5 23.00
FX81 Scienlilic 19 95 17.00
FX 360OP Scienlilic 39 95 29JS
FX602P Computet Talk 88 Memories Pro
grammmg Upper & Lower Case Dot
MaliK 512 Step 129 95 99.00
FX 702P Solves ProClems with Alpha
Numeric Clarity, uses Basic
^Lantuate 199 95 159-00
TELE. ANSW
DEVICES
PHONE MATE
900
905 Remote
910
920
925 Remote
930 Remote
950 Remote
960 Remote
Uil OarPr
11995 K.00
199 95 144.00
15995 115.00
199 95 144.00
23995 173.00
299 9 5 216 00
339 95 245
399 9 5 2S<
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A>iir^Dn BUSINESS world
' ''■OWr^Vi* WAREHOUSE
Ou:SrOE CA CALL TOLL FREE 1 laOOl 42356B6 IN CA t3l3l 99&32S2
Narne iPiease print)
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AVINQS
ERVICE
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TAX If APPIICABLE-
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C«ftill«d Ch«k or M.O.
Barth Wire Traneter
CREDIT CARD«
ANow 2 WMks clHranc* (or
paraonal chtck
Scjr\atu'f
MAXELL • DYSAN • EPSON • CCS • SHARP • CASIO • HP • VERBATIM • MEMOREX • SOROC • CORVUS • PERSONAL SOFTWARE
Cor
NEW ON THE MARKET
SOFTWARE
Arithmetic Gaines
IBM has announced three
arithmetic programs in its Per-
sonal Computer Education Series.
They are Fact Track {SW). which
assists students in learning basic
arithmetic, and/1 rilbmelic Games .
Set I and Set 2 ($60 each), which
build mathematics and logic skills
in game playing situations. Fact
Track measures mastery of single-
digit addition and multiplication in
two ways — by correct answ er and
rate of resp<mse. .Ml three pro-
grams are by Science Research As-
sociates, and are available now-
through PC dealers.
International Business Machines
Corp., P.O. Box 1328, Boca Raton,
In addition to the I92K memory
expansion board now being pro-
duced by Intermedia Systems (see
related story in this issue), two
other California firms have an-
nounced the availability of mem(>-
r\ boards w ith varying capacities.
Datamac (Computer Systems of
Sunnyvale offers an expansion
board that can be configured for
(hK, 128K, WIK. and 2S6K bytes
of memory, w ith parity. The price
of Datamac s(HK expansion unit is
S-iW. and the larger memory units
are comparably priced: the board
is available now.
Datamac Computer Systems, 680
Aimanor Ave.. Sunn>'\'ale, CA
94066: (408) -3S-0323.
A S T. Research, Inc., of Irvine
also offers memory expansion
boards with capacities of (>-4K,
FL 33432. 800/447-4700; in lUi-
nois. 800/332-4400.
Typing Tutor
A touch-typing instruction and
drill program that creates individ-
ualized typing drills has also been
added to IB.M's Education Series.
T)pinf> Tutor ($2S), from .Micro-
soft, Inc., automatically adjusts to
the user's skill level each time it is
used
IB.M, (see above).
Small Business Ac-
counting
General Accounting ($42S), a
program package by BPI Systems,
Inc., will be available in February
for use by small businesses and
professionals. Once the user
I2«K, 192K. and 2S(>K in one unit,
with full parity checking The firm
offers a one-year warranty on
these boards, which are priced
from S49'i to SlSi)S.
A.S.T. Research. Inc., 17925 Sky
Park Circle, Suite B, Irvine. CA
92-H; (-H) 540-1553.
Communications and
Development Modules
Two hardware products al.so of-
fered by A S T Research are a
communications option card that
contains two RS2.S2 prts that can
support asynchronous, bisynchro-
nous, SDI.C, and HDI.C protocols,
and a Vi ire-w rap/Extender card set
for PC users w ho are doing hard-
ware development.
A.S.T. Research, (see above).
makes journal entries into the sys-
tem, it can automatically post led-
gers, prepare financial statements
and clo.se the user's books.
IBM, (.sec above).
Languages Galore . . .
IBM has also announced expan-
sion of its Computer Unguage
Series for the PC. First of the new
products w ill be Macro Assembler.
to be ready in February . and FOR-
TR A. \ Compiler coming in .March,
both run under PC DOS and are by
Microsoft. Inc.
A later addition to the Series
will be the I CM) p-System (S(i2S
with one language), an advanced
operating system which functions
with both I CSD Pascal {Sll'i sep-
arately) and FORTRAS-77 (also
SPS) The p-System and associ-
ated languages, both from SofTech
.Microsystems, will be released in
April. Included with the p-System
are a screen-oriented editor, a
macro-as.sembler, and advanced
"turtlegraphics " for graphic
displays.
IBM, (see above).
INSTOR Corporation has
developed I.\ST0R/8()I, a floppy
disk for the PC that uses the IBM
Diskette I Basic Data Exchange for-
mat. U ith this device and the P(;'s
Asynchronous Communications
Adaptor, the PC can read and w rite
an 8-inch IBM y^\ format disk.
BASIC Utilities
A set of utility programs for
BASIC programmers, including
subroutines for formatted input,
matrix input and arithmetic, line
drawing and file searching, has
been released by Basic Business
Software, of Las Vegas. The BASIC
I'tilities disk ($'S) also contains a
program for cross-referencing,
and similar aids.
Basic Business Software,
Inc.— P.O. Box 26311, Las Vegas,
NV 89126—702/876-9493.
' 'Common BASIC Pro-
grams" etc.
Adaptations for the IBM PC of
the programs contained in the
b(H)k Some Common Basic Pro-
grams (Osborne/.McGraw-llill) are
being offered by Basic Business
Software. The disk is The
same company is also offering PC
programs for Plotting ($"5 — it
plots an array of data points to any
printer. Amortization & Deprecia-
tion and Firuwce Calculator
am.
Basic Business Software, Inc., see
above.
The 801 interfaces through the
PC s serial (RS232) port and, using
software provided with the pro-
duct, can transmit data into the
PC's memory (for subsequent
w riting on PC disk) or receive data
from the PC and write it on the
continued next [>age. . .
HARDWARE
Several Companies Announce Memory Boards
93
i
3741 format disk. Thus, the IN-
STOR 01 provides compatahility
between the PC and some 25 other
computers that uu\\/v IBM 3741
format disks. This di^k exchange
system is priced at $2,000, in-
cluding necessary software
INSTOR Corporation. 175 Jeffer-
son Drive, Mrnlu Park. CA 94025;
(415) 326-9830.
Multi-font
Typographic Printer
The Model "(M) typojiraphit
printer ($3,360) by S.iiukr> Tech-
nology can print drafi copy at high
speed, then print a liiul version in
multiple typefaces thai come close
to typeset quality. M.ui> mechan-
ical parts are common with the
Diablo 6.30 daisy-wlu'fl printer,
and the Model "(Mil), due for
March relea.se, will hr compatible
with the Diablo (^!>^\ s software
control codes. Six different type
styles or sizes can bi installed in
the printer, which also has plug-in
slots for four addiiional draft/
fmish sets ($125 each). The
printer can be set h\ switches for
all common umiputi r interfaces.
Sanders Technology. Box 1226,
Nashua, NH 03061,
603/882-1000.
Chronograph for
and Time
Date
The "stack" niodtni from
Hayes Microcomputer Prtxlucts,
Inc. of Norcross, (ienrgia now has
a matching ciimpani<iii — ilu' Hayes
Stack Chronograph a calendar/
lock that can be atiai hed to the PC
through an RS232 port In addition
to providing accurate timekeep-
ing, users may develop software to
log programs and data according
to time and date and to .send in-
structions to the computer to con-
trol security devices such as lights,
burglar alarms or sprinkler
systems.
Hayes Microcomputer Products,
Inc., 5835 Peachtree Comers East.
Norcross. GA 39902; (404)
449-8791.
Graphics Printer
Centronics Data Computer Cor-
poration has announced produc-
tion of the Model ''.SO printer,
which is capable of both graphics
and conventional text printing.
Text is produced in a 7x8 dot
matrix at speeds of 100 characters
per second (regular letter spacing)
and 80 cps (proportional spacing.)
Graphics are printed at a resolu-
tion of 74 dots per inch by 72 dots
per inch. The Centronics '^39 can
take sheet, fanfold or roll paper up
to 9 inches wide (including pin
feed), features a self-test, and
comes in both parallel and serial
models. This printer costs less
than $1000.
Centronics Data Computer Cor-
poration, Hudson, .New Hampshire
03051; (603)883-0111.
BOOKS
Guide to Inventory
Management
Retailers who are using or are
contemplating use of a computer
for inventory control will find
welcome guidance in Imenlor}'
Management for Small Compu-
ters, by Chuck Atkinson, just pub-
lished by dilithium Press. The au-
thor owns a sailing business and
wrote this book after designing his
own inventory system. Atkinson's
program, listed in the book, fea-
tures records of sttKk on hand,
prices, and automatic posting of
items sold to the general inventory
list as a sales receipt is printed.
Infentory Management for Small
Computers, by Ctiuck .Mkinson. 120
pages, $12.95; Dilithium Pre.ss, 1 1000
S.W. llth St., Suite E, Beaverton, 0
'r005; (W)eH6-2713.
PC Overview
A book titled IBM's Persona
Computer ($14.95) has been pub
lished by Que Corporation. Thi
team-written book offers an over
view of the microcomputer marke
and where the PC fits into it, am
analyzes its hardware and soft
ware components on an item-by
item basis.
Que Corp.. Indianapolis, IN
3r/842-7l62.
EVENTS
Computer Swap
r,v!,- ■ •
The high tech flea market will be
come a nationwide event in the com
ing year, aoording to John Craig, ori
ginator of Computer Swap America
Cra^ will take his swap meet, whicl
has been based in the San Frandscc
Bay .Area, to southern California or
Saturday, February 6tfi at the Orangt
Qninty Fairgrounds in Costa .Mesa.
The event will return to northern
California on April 24th, at the .Santa
Clara County Fairgnninds in San Jose.
The most recent swap meet. heW in
San Jose last October, drew more than
5,000 people.
Computer Swap America, P.O. Box
52. Palo Alto, CA 94302; (415)
494-6862.
Also available:
(A) 2-Port, RS 232: Capable
ASYNC, BISYNC, SDLC &
HDLC Model: CC-232 $240
(B) Wire-wrap Development Kit
(w/w board & Extender)
Model: WW-070 $95
Available Soon:
64K-256K Error Correcting Memory
Price
Unit Price
$ 495
$ 745
$ 995
$1145
R€S€RRCH INC.
Capacity
64K-(- parity
1 28 K -I- parity
1 92 K -I- parity
256K -I- parity
All memories are 250 ns Access Time
and 410 ns Cycle Time.
Fully assembled and tested.
17925 Sky Park Circle, Suite B
Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 540-1333
Dealer inquiries
welcome.
ML
COMING UP
A PC-Lab comparative report on "spreadsheet" programs, including the original,
VisiCalc, plus SuperCaJc, Multiplan and other pretenders to the throne.
PC visits the PC's birthplace in Boca Raton. Florida, for a first-hand report on the
how-and-whys of the IBM Personal Computer. Don Estridge, the IBM executive in
charge of the Personal Computer program, shares insight into the PC's design in an
exclusive PC interview. Also: A peek at the soon-to-open new PC factory and what it^
bodes for the PC's future.
follow up this issue's interview with Bill Gates, PC talks with Vern Raburn, Presi-
dent of Microsoft Consumer Products, a division of Microsoft. His views on future
trends in application software are of particular interest to PC readers, since Microsoft
will undoubtedly continue to supply programs for the IBM Personal Computer.
Taking The Measure— Part 2 . . . Color Monitor Test,
product news. . .z PC Profile . . .and lots more.
. more Product Reports. . . new
Index To
Advertisers
Advanced Operating Systems .... 36
Amdek 15
Apparat 66
ASTRe.search 94
Chrislin Industries 28
CompuServe 7
Computer Systems Design 85
Computhink 6l
Data Mac 85
Digital .Marketing 10
Electronic Specialists 69
Escon Products 33
Fantasia Systems 63
Godbout 70, 71
Hayes .Microcomputer Products ..31
Howard W.Sams 24
IBM Inside Front
Instor Corporation 37
Intermedia Systems 34
International Softw are Marketing . 2
InterSell 79
Keller Software 77
Laboratory Microsystems 69
Leading Edge inside Back
Lifeboat Associates 3, 29
Micro Business World 92
Microcorp 25
Microfocus 4
Micro Peripherals 60
Microsoft Consumer Products 1
OSBORNE/McGraw-Hill 87
Quantum Software Systems 69
Que Corporation 23
RobertJ. Brady 74
Sigma Designs 85
Softech Microsystems 83
Software Communications ... 63,81
Sorcim 48, 49
Sybex 51,53
Sycon, Inc 13
Tecmarinc Back Cover
T.G. Products 90
Time Sharing Consultants 63
V.R. Data 22,24
wisli list
f MOCK KEYS
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<;o#L£P, LON&£^ Prt^ MONITOR
rtob>6n AHO VCDeo 00»<l> wovcp MAIN
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PC invites readers to coniribuie VI ish List ideas for publication .\n\ prtxluct. service or design idea you'd like to see for IBM Personal Computers is fair game for
PC's Wish List feature Ideas selected for publication will be illustrated b\ PC's artist PC will pa> $2S for the featured \X ish List idea used in each issue, $ 10 for other
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Send Wish List idea.s— a description, sketch or both together w ith your name, address and phone number to PC Wish List. 1239 21st Avenue. San Francisco.
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The IBM Personal Computer
Personal, Professional, Technical — or somewhere in between
PC-MATi:'"' makes the IBM Personal Computer a perfect match
Vi -M \ ll " from 1 1.( MAR is (he first and (»nl\ complete
expansion series a\ailable for the IBM Personal
( omputer. I here are current!) more than twent\ l'( -
M \ 1 1 " expansion options available, and new products
are continuously added to the list.
When >ou want more from >our IBM Personal
(■ omputer. lo»»k to l'( -M \ ii
Vou can create a SI IM K PKKSONAI ( OMIM IKK
with household lij;hls and appliance control, \oicc
out|)ut. and jjive it nmre memor> than an\ ordinary
personal can handle.
Or make it a PKOM I ABI.K PKOI KSSION AI.
S\ S I I:M with expansion space and a W inchester disk to
handle more business accounts. Increase memory up to
the sxstem limit and process those accounts faster. Add I
flexible I/O interfaces and put yourself on line to outside ■
information sources.
As an INTKI.I.K.KNf I ABORATORV TOOL with i
interfaces to WW. 488 instrumentation, analog signals. ,
stepper motors and \ideo signals, your IBM Personal I
( omputer becomes the perfect workbench assistant.
Hardware. Software. Accessories — PC-M\II ' provides \
the highest quality and the greatest possible range of 1
functionality for the IBM user.
Ask y(»ur local computer store for more information on i
the P(-M\lh - series from TKCMAR. or call for the
name of \our nearest authorized PC-M WY" dealer.
PC-M ATK- EXPANSION OPTIONS
Personal C omputer Expansion C hassis (see photo)
I92K and 259K Dynamic Memory with Parity
W inchester Disk Drive and C ontroller
Parallel Medium Speed Input/ Output Interface
Serial Medium Speed Input/Output Interface
Parallel High Speed Input/Output Interface
Serial High Speed Input/ Output Interface
Analog to Digital ( onverter - 8. 12. 14. 16 Bit
Dust ( oxer Set for IBM PC and I'eripherals
High Speed Static Memory (RAM/ROM)
Digital to Analog ( onxerter - 8 and 12 Bit
Multi-System Printer Sharing Facility
CMOS Memory with Battery Backup
.System C lock with Batterv Backup
Electricallx Erasable KPROM
BSR \-10 Device C ontroller
The Independent Guide to
IBM Personal Computers
I
TVfyown fflVTcQti^xiter.
Imagine that''
One nice thing about having your own IBM Personal
Computer is tliat it's yours. For your business, your
project, your dcparrmtnt, your class, your family and,
indeed, for yourself.
Of course, you might have thought owning a
computer was nx) expensive. But now you can relax.
The IBM Personal Computer starts at less than
$1,600* for a s\ stem that, with the addition of one
simple device, hooks up to your home TV and uses your
audio cassette recorde r.
You mii^ht also have thought running a computer
was too diftlculc. But you can relax again.
^ IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS "I
User Memofy Display Screen Color/Graphics
Hixh-a"!<<>lutk)n*
16K 2'i6K h\K-s*
Permanent Menior>-
(ROM)-«)KbML--"
Microprocessor
AindUary Memory-
2 optional intL-nul
diskette <.lrivt.-s.
I60Kh>tcs
per diskette
Keyboard
83 km. 6 ft. 1 1 )rd
attaches to
.sj-stem unit*
10 fuiKtion kf\>*
10-key nuiiK-ric md
Tactile liidbuck
80 characters x 25 lines
L'pper and k)wer case
Ga"en plv)sph<)r
screen *
Diagnostics
RMier^ Ml self testing *"
Parit\chtxking*
Languages
BASIC, Past-al, FORTRAN
Macro A.s.sembk;r
Printer
Bidirw.lk>nal *
80 charatlers/second
12 character .st\les, up to
132 characters/line*
9x9 characner matrix*
Tkxt mtxk-:
16a)k)rs*
2% characters and
s\-mb<>lsinROM*
Graphics niixle:
4-0 >k)r nes< )lution:
320h X 200\ *
Black & white res>)lutk>n:
640h X 200v*
Simultaneoas graphics &
text capabilit\-
Communications
RS-232-C inierfcice
AsvTichnmi HIS (start/stop)
pnHiK'oI
Up to 9600 bits
per .second
♦adnanced features for personal computers
The IBM Personal G>mputer
Getting started is easier than you might think,
because IBM has structured the learning process for you
Our literature is in your language, not in "computerese.
Our software involves you, the system interacts with you
if it was made to — and it was.
That's why you can be running programs in just o
day. Maybe even writing your own programs in a matte
of weeks.
For ease of use, flexibility and performance, no
other personal computer offers as many advanced
capabilities. (See the box.)
But what makes the IBM Personal Computer a
truly usefiil tool are software programs selected by IBM
Personal Computer Software Publishing Dep)artment.
\bu can have programs in business, professional, word
processing, computer language, personal and
entertainment categories.
\bu can see the system and the software in action z
any ComputerLand® store or Sears Business Systems >
Center. Or try it out at one of our IBM Product Centers
The IBM National Accounts Division will serve those
customers who want to purchase in quantity.
Your IBM Personal Computer. Once you start
working with it, you'll discover more than the answers
and solutions you seek: you'll discover that getting
> there is half the fun. Imagine that. ==:^= =•
and me.
tThis price applies to IBM Pmdut t Ct i
Prices may vary at other stores.
the IBM Ptrsonal Computer dealer nearest you. call (800) 447-4700.
In Illinois. (800) 322-4400. In Alaska or Hawaii, (800) 447-0890.
i
iterlal
When IBM' built their newest toolbox,
they came to Microsoft for tools.
Leadership. When the world's leading computer
manufacturer decided to enter the microcomputer
world, they came to the leaders in microcomputer
software: Microsoft. In fact today, Microsoft has
provided more software tools for the IBM Personal
Computer than any other software manufacturer.
Start with MS-DOS?' When IBM chose the primary
operating system for the IBM Personal Computer,
they chose MS-DOS. They call it PC-DOS. It's a power-
ful, yet easy to use and understand operating
system. And all software currently available for the
IBM Personal Computer runs under PC-DOS. It's
IBM's principal DOS for the Personal Computer.
Next, languages. Microsoft 16-bit Cassette BASIC
is standard with the IBM Personal Computer But
Microsoft also provided 16-bit Disk BASIC, Advanced
BASIC, Pascal, FORTRAN, and utility software for
the Personal Computer For fun, we added the
Microsoft™ Adventure game. For self-improvement
. . .Typing Tutor
Why Microsoft? Microsoft virtually invented micro-
computer software when we put BASIC on the first
personal computer. Since then, we've developed a full
range of languages, utilities and operating systems.
Software that has become a standard for the 8-bit
world. Software that is becoming the standard
for the 16-bit world. That's why the world's leader in
computer hardware came to Microsoft, the world's
leader in microcomputer software.
IBM IS a registered trademark of International Business Machines. Corp.
MS-OOS and Microsoft are trademarks of Microsoft Inc.
/HIO^pSOfT
Microsoft. Inc.
10700 Northup Way • Bellevue. WA 98004
The Independent Guide to
IBM Personal Computers
IN THIS ISSUE
Cover Story
Boca Diary/David Bunnell 21
A report on PC's pilgrimage to the PC's birthplace . . . including an exclusive interview
with Don Estridge, head of IBM's Personal Computer project.
IBM Eye
Cranking Up The Software Machine/Jim Strofhman 36
On-site report; IBM's software publishing operation.
Competition
High Noon/Carl Warren 44
Tandy calls out IBM, packing a new 16-bit, $4,495 weapon.
PC-lQb
Testing T.J.M./Larry Press 48
Putting the PC's first available file manager through its paces.
User's Report
T./.M. Faces Real Life/Cheryl Woodard 54
How the T./.M. program worked out in PC's real-world situation.
Communications
The Virtual Conference/Clifford Barney 58
Using your Personal Computer for on-line conferencing.
Hardware
Color Displays/ Jim Edlin and Linda Thatcher 66
Color for the PC: What's available and how to choose.
Color Printers 71
The final step — getting pretty colors onto paper.
Programming
Using Color Graphics/Lon Poole 75
A hands-on, how-to introduction to PC BASIC'S powerful graphics commands.
Magic PCuhe/Karl Koessel 85
A simulation of Rubik's Cube on the IBM PC.
PC Profile
A Tale Of Two Beginnings/feremy Joan Hewes 89
How a corporate executive and a personal technology consultant are using IBM Personal Computers.
1 PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
PC Playpen
Math Games/Prof. D. H. Cabbage
Can the PC make learning arithmetic fun?
Issues
.100
Perspectives on Protection/HaJ Giatzer
The whys and hows of "copy-protecting" software.
Follow-Up
.108
Easy Writer Update Coming/Jim EdJin
Information Unlimited says revised version being readied.
Taking The Meosure . . . (Part 2)
114
User's ManuaJs//eremy Joan Hewes
Do the reference books measure up to the machine?
Basic Benchmarks/Larry Press
Putting a stopwatch on the PC's BASIC language.
Age of Altair
116
.118
Context Of The Revolution/ David BunnelJ and Eddie Currie
Part II of this series tells why computer kits weren't for everyone.
.138
Columns
Dovid BunneJJ 11
Cowboy Publishing
Zero Base Thini«ing//im EdJin 12
The Monochrome Mistake
Communications Briefs/Clifford Barney 63
Departments
Letters to PC 6
PCommuniques 15
User-To-User 104
EasyWriter tips and more . . .
PC Book Review 112
IBM's Personal Computer, Que Corp.
New On The Market 125
PC Interview
Microsoft's Vern Raburn
Directories
Advertiser Index
Wish List
.131
.135
.143
.144
Cover: Design— Linda Harrison;
Painting— Linda Schaub-Nace
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
3
The Independent Guide to
IBM Personal Computers
• Never osk for o raise
e Come to uiork fullv trained
e Do the ujork of ten people
1. TIM™
5.
2.
6.
3.
7.
4.
8.
TIM'" (Total Information Management) is this perfect
employee. TIM's eose of use and friendliness mokes it
the most successful information management program
available for the IBM Personal Computer.
TIM'" olloujs one to enter their information in minutes.
Once entered, information can be retrieved luith a
stroke of a key. Months uuorth of information con be
searched quickly in alphabetical, numerical or various
other orders. Business reports, customer files, mailing
lists and employee records con be generated and
summarized providing the manager timely information.
Don't settle for anything less. TIM'" uuonts to uuork uuith
you. After vieuuing the pouuer and effectiveness of TIM
you'll uuant to give him a raise.
. . . ond thofs just on Mondovll
Innovative Softujore, inc.
9300 UU. 110th St., Suite 380
Overland Porh, KS 66210
(913) 383-1089
DAVID BUNNELL
I'Misber (t K(/ilor-/n-Chief
IIM EDLIN
Assiic lute Pub/isher/K'dilor
CHERYL WOODARD
,\ssj» iut«* VublisbtT Marketing
lACQUELINE POITIER
rrfn/u( rj(in .Muno^jtr
SHERI L. BROWNE
/Jircclor of .AdminMtrut/on
LINDA HARRISON
,\rl Ihrrctnr
BRIAN DESSIN DAY
Dfsinn Oirrctor
CLIFFORD BARNEY
(.'fifiimunirtitions h'.ilitor
DR. LARRY PRESS
I't: l.di Diwctnr
KARL KOESSEL
^*rti)^^^lm!nmji Kfiitnr
ASSOCIATE ED/TORS
Hal Glatzer
leremy loan Hewes
Carl VVarren
COiVTR/B(/TING ED/TORS
Dr. Eddie Currie
Dr. Rebecca Thomas
Jean Yates
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Doris |Niki| Stranz
Suzanne Clupper
Dorothy Nielsen
ILLL'STRATORS
Don Nace
Linda Schaub-Nace
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
). Mark Doss
Shirley M. Harrison
PC HELPERS
lennifer Poitier
Mara Bunnell
Cassidy Warner
Aaron Bunnell
Elijah Harrison
(ISSN .ipplicd fur l Pufilished bimonthly by Software Com-
rniinicatiuns. Inc.
Kilitori.ll .ind Business Office; 1528 lr\in(( Street. San Fran-
I i.scd. Ciilifiirnia 94122 415/75,1-8)188
CnmpilSt'rve 7(1370.532
Siil>scri|illiins: Within USA— six issues for SH. 50. twelve i»-
-sues for S2fi Klsevvhere— six issues for $29. twelve issues for
S52. .lir ilclivi'n. (please remit I IS funilsl.
/'(.' is an in(i(>)>en(lent journal, not affiliated in any way with
Inttfrnationa! Business Machines Corporation. IBM is a reg'
isli-rwf Iradtrmark of International Business Machines Corp.
I-.nlire contents Copyrijihl C 1982. Software Communications
Ini: A\\ rijjhts reservetf. reproduction in whole or in part
uiihoul iHTmis-sion is prohibited The following are trade-
rn.irks of Software Communications Inc : PC: The Indepen-
ileni Ciiide to IBM Personal Computers. PC Cuide. PCM.
Personal Com|)Uler Cuide. Home Computer Cuide. Cnm|Hil-
er Cuide. Pt;-I,ali. PC:ommuniqiies. PC Playpen. Project PC.
Wish l.i.sl. Zero Base Thinking.
Printwl in U S A.
CP/M 8. IBM
Ife hard to imagine
one \A/ithout the other
If you're thinking about buying an IBM
Displaywriter, or if you already have one,
you need to know about CP/M-86™ from
Digital Research. CP/M-86 is the most
versatile operating system in the 16-bit
microcomputer world, giving you access
to hundreds of applications programs.
CP/M-86 along with an application
program turns your Displaywriter into | Q
a financial advisor, budgeting expert,
appointment scheduler, client accountant,
or inventory manager, as well as a superb
word processor. Call or write Digital
Research and ask about CP/M-86 for
your Displaywriter. You'll learn why it's the
first choice in 16 -bit operating systems.
160 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove,
California 93950. (408) 649-3896.
DIGITAL
RESEARCH
r
CP/M isa raoKlared trade
CP/M-«e and ma Oigttal F-
olOtgttainesevchlnc.
OCop/right 1982. OigM Resea
INPUT:
Letters to PC
English vs. "Computerese".
Last weekend I acquired the first
issue of PC at die San Diego Computer
Show and was thrilled to finally find a
magazine providing information about
micros written in "ENGLISH."
Rookies, like myself, find it very
difficult to make sense out of the articles
in most magazines on the market today.
Tliey are mostly written for professional
iwogrammers, analysts, etc., who, with
years of experience, have acquired
the command of the "Computerese
Language." Born and raised in Italy. I
have had a hard Enough time learning
English, not to mention all the abbre-
viations used in American-English.
I found Andrew Fluegelman's article
on Easy Writer particularly interesting, I
will gladly refrain from using it!
Mimma Fontl
The ANSWER in COMPUTERS
San Diego. California 92115
Oral exam for PC prize?
Tm puzzled about the color/graphics
monitor adapter included with the 16K
computer you advertised to give away. I
was informed by one of the local IBM
retail stores that the color/graphics
monitor adapter requires 32K to operate
it If ttiat is true, the system described In
your advertising will not work. I am not
sure I want to win a system that requires
me to buy some additional item to make
the system work.
Have I been misinformed? If the
retail dealers are correct, that leaves me
concerned about the accuracy of the
information you will print. You are, after
all, supposed to become the printed
authority on the IBM Personal Com-
puter.
Bruce Baker, |r.
Looking a gift computer in the mouth,
eb? Well, either you have been mis-
informed or you m/sunderstood. The PC
system prize in our sweepstaites that
ended February 28 ia fully functional. It
is, in fact, the basic system that IBM.
features in its advertisements. The
coior/graphics adapter has 16K of
display memory built in; added to the
16K in the computer, perhaps that is the
"32K" you were told about. We wouidn't
knowing^ give out a bum computer->or
bum information. But your question
points out that the many PC options can
be confusing. See this issue's article on
color displays for more enlightenment
DIsplayvrrHer fdn's plea.
Ido not ownaPersonal Computer, but
I do own the IBM Displaywriter (8086
microprocessor) which resembles in
some ways the PC (8088). I've bought CP/
M-86 and CBASIC-86 specially con-
figured for the Displaywriter by Digital
Research. Also, IBM is said to be
preparing a BASIC and some equivalent
of the VisiCaJc program for the Display-
writer. It might be a good idea to create a
section in your magazine— just a page
maybe — for Displaywriter owners. We
are bound to be very much interested in
what* s available for the Personal
Computer, because a good part of the
software might run or be transferable to
the Displaywriter— which happens to be
one of the most sophisticated 16-bit
microcomputers on the market. I for one
am subscribing to your magazine for
precisely that reason.
Georges Khal
Atelier Cybernetique Orphee
Montreal, Quebec
We plan to add some Dlspki}^rjter
coverage in future issues.
Why IBMers buy.
IVvo things to comment on: first, why
do you think IBMers buy computers for
other reasons than "regular folks" do?
The many IBM friends I know who are
buying an IBM Personal Computer are
doing so because they are upgrading
from a TRS-80 or Apple Computer, not
because of any expected shortage or
chance to make a buck.
Second, comments regarding the
article on EasyWrifer by A. Fluegelman:
regarding the "block move" tips, the
'block copy on', 'block copy off' messages
are not ambiguous. In the 'block copy on'
mode, it is possible to use CNTL "G"
more than once to place a given block at
different spots in your text. In the 'block
copy off' mode, only one copy of the
block is permitted. You can hit CNTL
")" one or two times, depending on
which mode is desired. Also, only one
"Er4TER" is needed after inserting the
second block marker, and only one
delete is therefore needed when clearing
it later.
Although Easy Writer may not be on a
par with some more costly programs such
as WordStar, I find it to be highly
useable.
I thoroughly enjoyed Volume 1, Num-
ber 1: 1 hope you aeon decide to make it
monthly.
Kenton Graham
Round Rock. TX
The writer who speculated on why
IBM employees are buying PCs so
eagerly responds that he Jf nows plenty of
"regular folkt^ who are very receptive
to chances for making a buck. Re:
moittbfy publication of PC, it will
conunence this August.
More about EcnyWttter.
The "Not-so-EosyWriter" piece by
Andrew Fluegelman is interesting and
useful. I have just assisted one of my
clients in installing this text editor and
the results were excellent. My client was
not looking for a super system, but some-
thing easy that he and his secretary can
use to produce relatively simple ma-
terial. The biggest problem was that the
manual provided by IBM is far too
complicated for the neophyte. I had to
produce an entirely new manual suitable
for people who are essentially computer
illiterates.
Prof. Andrew Vazsonyi
St. Mary's University
San Antonio. Texas
PC/APRl-MAY 1982
Copyrighted material
BEI
INVESTIGATE
THE PRICE/PERFORMANCE
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SYSTEMS
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AT NO EXTRA COST!
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• CP/M®
• EXO/Text Word Processing System
• EXO/Accounting
Accounts Receivable
■ Accounts Payable
General Ledger
Payroll with Job Costing
• EXO/Selector V database appli-
cation generator
And of course the entire mcredible
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EXO SYSTEMS ARE
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• High speed RAM -
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EXO MULTI USER
• 4 users
• 256K bytes additional high
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• EXO MP/M®
EXO/NET
users logged on at one
e
,000 BPS high speed
What to read
before
you buy your IBM Personal Computer.
LETIERSTOPC
I am veiy pleased with my IBM Per^
sonal Computer. I also purchased the
Easy Writer software. Previously I had a
TRS-80 Model 1 compater for three
years. With that, I used two word
processing programs, Scripsit and The
E iectrfc Pencil. I was pretty fast on Hbem,
and oncelknew the system I didn't make
any disastrous mistakes. It was a
different story witii "not-so-EosyfVriter."
I wanted to try out the features of my new
Epson MX«100 printer, but found to my
dismay that all was not OK with either
the documentation or the software. For
instance, I spent two days trying to learn
how to underline words . . .
Franlc P. Vlamings
Newarlc, California
Mr. Vlamings' tips on how to make
Easy Writer do underiining on the Epson
printer appears in this issue's User-To-
Uaer section.
Regarding the article on the Easy-
I Writer program, I agree! So do others I
j have talked to who have used the version
I on the IBM PC. I regard the pen I am
I holding as a true easy writer compared to
the program product. I wish I could get
my money bacic. I would much prefer a
full screen editor and text formatter
CHANGE OF ADDRESS?
To change the mailing address for
your PC subscription, please attach
I the mailing label from your latest
I issue to the card at left, fill in your
new address, and mail. If card is
missing, mail label with your new
address to PC Subscriber Service,
1528 Irving Street. San Francisco, CA
94122. If you do not have a label from
this or previous issue, please give all
address information including your
former ZIP Code.
which uses standard system files.
Robert Fritz
San Diego, California
I hope Mr. Fluegelman's comments
have been passed on to IBM and Infor-
mation Unlimited Software, Incor-
porated. User feedback of this nature is
vital to the health of personal computing.
A future release of this product Aat
corrects and enhances its weak spots, I
am confident, will be well received by
the user community.
Another sore spot in the software
arena of the IBM PC is the PASCAL
compiler. The compiler requires a
minimum of three diskette changes
during each and every compile. Putting
disks in and out of the drives is an
operational nightmare. The problem
stems from the limited disk storage
capacity (160K per disk). This may be a
subtle strategy to get PASCAL users to
migrate to hard disk. An improvement in
the operation of the PASCAL compiler is
definitely needed.
C.L. Pfau
Ralston, Nebraska
Random (and tequenliaO
request.
I've had a PC since November (color,
disk, 128K, printer) and am interested in
learning how to set up random and
sequential files and, via a modem, move
them back and forth to a mainframe. Any
articles on this in the coming year would
be appreciated, since the appendix
whidi covers this in the BASIC manual is
neither clear nor exemplified well.
Leslie Hendrickson
Eugene. Oregon
Wdtch for a two-part series on using
BASIC for random and sequential
files— and even explaining what the
heck they are— in PC's next issue.
Misceilany . . .
I need help in finding a "letter^
quality" printer which can be interfaced
with the IBM PC. which has a print
wheel to match the typeface of this letter,
i.e., "Letter Gothic," 12 pitch. I have seen
some print wheels advertised for Qume
printers, which meet this typeface in
appearance. Do you know of any others?
Samuel E. Jeffries
Ralei^ North Carolfaia
A report on avoikibJe letter-quaiity
printers is in the works for later tJiis
year.
I take exception to the reference that
the first personal computer publica-
tion was Altair related. Recreationai
Computing nee People's Computers; n6e
People's Computer Corrrpany was
continuously published since its 1972
debut, until its sale lastyear. But since we
started it well before the machines
actually existed in micro-form, perhaps
it is more precisely labeled die first
personal computing periodical— for real
hair splitters. Keep up the great work,
and bon voyoge!
Marlin Ouverson
Editor, Dr. Dobb's Journal
Menlo Park. California
As an IBM employee, I am pleased to
see that your publication lives up to the
same standards as anne of OUTS. Keep up
the good work.
Terry Taylor
Hayward, CA
Number Crunching, etc.
We expect to purchase an IBM PC,
but our main application is in engi-
neering and will involve a great deal of
number crunching. We've heard about
the impending Intel 8087 floating-point
processor which should help speed up
this type of computing, but we have
several questions which no one seems
able or willing to answer. First, is the 8087
intended to supplement the 8088 or will
it replace the 8088? Also, if we purchase
the IBM PC now, will we be able to add
the 8087 later when it is available? If it is
added later, will we need all new
software? We also wonder whether
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
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LETTERS TO PC
double-precision computations with
either the 8088 or the 8087 will provide
the 32-bit accuracy obtained with the
IBM 360 and 370 systems, or if we shouk
consider a different microcomputer for
number-crunching applications?
Alfred T. Miescl
George Van Trump, Ji
Lakewood, Colo
Your questions indicate a healthy
attitude— namely starting with your
needs rather than a choice of hardware
We don't have specific answers, but ma)
have more when the 8087 option is
actually offered.
Whither PC
I found your predictions of resound-
ing success for your magazine inter-
esting, but I have a somewhat different
prediction for you. You will do quite wel
at first. Then the very machine to whic?
your pages are devoted will be your
undoing. I predict that the IBM Persona
Computer and the networks that connec
them together will put most printed
paper magazines out of business within {
surprisingly short time. The technology
now exists to produce electronic
magazines, including advertising with
color pictures of the hardware, and
actual demos of how software operates,
and get them to a large number of user;
very quickly. Soon, someone will do it.
predict the first subject will be one of
interest to everyone capable of receivinj
the magazine-Personal Computers. I
would love to have had a copy of your
first issue in early December. I would
have considered it very good, then. Nov
it's old hat, compared to the informatioi
that's been coming over IBM's internal
network. I suggest you either find a wa;
to get your magazine to readers a lot more
quickly, or be the first to produce a gooc
electronic magazine. If you don't, I
predict you'll be out of business within
five years.
Bob Blas(
New Paltz, N^
Perhaps you didn't notice, but the nam*
of the company that publishes PC is
"Software Communications, Inc." Chen
on that awhile, fellow.
-DHl
PC welcomes letters from readers.
Write to: Letters, PC, 1528 Irving St., Sai
Francisco, California 94122. Letters
published may be edited.
10
PC/APRl-MAY 1982
DAVID BUNNELL
Cowboy Publishing
First off. let me warn you that
you may have a hard time
understanding Cowboy Pub-
lishing and how it relates to PC
magazine.
You may decide that the whole
idea is just plum loco, and p'rhaps
it is.
However, I 'spect it will make
a mite more sense to most of y'all
once I've given you the story be-
hind it all.
So. like or not, here goes.
This here magazine got started
in the spare bedroom of our home
last October 1. By Halloween, it
had grown into the dining room.
Then by November it was in the
kitchen, the dining room, the
basement and was starting to
sneak into my bedroom.
By December our living room
was an art production department
where artists Don and Linda
Nace, who came from New York,
worked from sunup 'til the cows
came home, helping to put the
first issue together.
And the amazing thing is, that
although there were a few tough
moments, we not only survived,
we got a bit tougher and a whole
lot smarter in the process. You'd
think we were working at Time, Inc., and not out of a house in
San Francisco, judging from the results.
Well, let me tell you, some mornings me and my family
didn't know what to do. Them phones would start ringing off
the hook about 4:30 a.m. with people who wanted subscriptions
and information on advertising and all sorts of stuff like that.
lacqueline, my wife, planned to work for the magazine part
time as staff photographer. Well, she ran herd on the entire
subscription department, supervised the proofreading, pro-
vided traffic management between editorial, art and suppliers
including the typesetter and printer, and still did the pictures
and even a little word processing as well as a zillion other
things.
My side-kick and good ole buddy jim Edlin, who's been
around personal computing a long time, just like me, decided
he'd like to pitch in. Jim wound up sharing the spare bedroom/
office with me where he acted in tandem as associate publisher
and editor and somehow found time to write copy.
PC's other associate publisher, Cheryl Woodard, who used
"As soon OS thot little dogle
Is downond hiog-tled,
you go out ond find you
some office spoce."
to round up buyers for Osborne/
McGraw-Hill books, was situated
in the dining room where she sin-
gle-handedly organized and oper-
ated the sales and marketing ef-
fort of PC.
Between startup in October
and the printing of the Charter Is-
sue in January, some 34 folks
worked at one time or another in
our large, but not thai large,
house.
We didn't just work at putting
out PC magazine, we Jived PC
magaine.
Now early one morning last
December— which seems like
about six years ago— I came down
the stairs in my bathrobe to fetch
a cup of coffee and perhaps even
fix me up some toast before the
phone started up. I looked at the
dining room table piled up with
stacks of paper, typewriters, and
other office gear. I looked at the
kitchen table, which was also
piled high with stacks of paper,
typewriters, etc. There were
boxes and boxes of brochures
near the door. There was a make-
shift table in the parlour with an
IBM Personal Computer on it.
and beside that was a dual 8-inch
disk drive (which never was connected to anything, anywayj.
"What is this?" I hollered.
Some few hours later when folks were running up and
down the stairs to answer one of the three phones in the office
because the two phones in the dining room were being used,
the answer came to me. I stopped dead in my tracks and mum-
bled to no one in particular. "This is Cowboy Publishing."
Well. now. do you understand? Cowboy Publishing was how
we managed to get PC out so fast and right pretty, too. You see,
we didn't have no time to set up offices, roundup furniture, and
do all them things. We was publishing a magazine.
But, as fun as Cowboy Publishing is, the real trick is to only
do it once. As soon as that little dogie is down and hog-tied, you
go out and find you some office space. You hang up your spurs
and start being a real business.
Actually, Cowboy Publishing refers to days gone by. Nowa-
days, we're just weekend cowboys. Still, we like to sit around
the fireplace and spin a yarn or two, and we spect before long
we'll have some new tales to tell.
PC/APRtL— MAY 1982
11
ZERO-BASE THINKING/JIM EDLIN
The Monochrome Mistake
One afternoon in
lanuary, Carl Warren
phoned to chat about
Radio Shack's new
Model 16 computer,
which he had seen
introduced.
Among the
product features Carl
described with approval was the Model
16's "high-resolution" (capable of showing
fine detail) display graphics. I imme-
diately interrupted to ask, "Does it also
have color?" Carl s equally immediate
reply, dripping with "what-a-dumb-
question," was. It's a business machine!"
There was nn mistaking that Carl's
implicit answer was. "No, of course not!".
Or that his censure, almost certainly
mirroring Radio Shack's attitudes, was
based upon Ih*; assumption that business
computers were designed for serious use
and therefore lobviously) need have no
truck with fancy fripperies such as color
display.
The attitude is commonplace. When
computer manufacturer Adam Osborne
spoke about his then-new Osborne I at a
convention, someone in the audience
asked him why he hadn't provided for
color in his machine. His answer: "If you
want to play games, get an Atari."
Such views, so confidently expressed,
cause me to imagine movie bigwigs a few
decades ago Ijlu.stering among themselves,
"Well that color stuff is alright for the
cartoons, but it just wouldn't be appro-
priate for seriou.s drama." That was before
they saw Gone With The Wind, no doubt.
Their spiritual heirs are the computer
experts who disdain color in workhorse
products.
Why are dismissals of color by other
manufacturers relevant to the IBM PC,
which does ha\ color capability? They
are relevant because, according to reliable
sources, few bu\ ers are choosing the PC's
color options. The word is that, so far, the
bulk of PCs are being equipped for mono-
chrome only.
If true, that is readily understandable.
But I think it is also a pure shame.
Several facts encourage the choice of a
monochrome display. Though IBM offers
a color adapter card, it sells no color
equivalent of the monochrome display.
IBM's monochrome display is hand-
somely integrated with the rest of the PC's
cabinetry, and it provides appealingly
At the end of your rainbow is there a
pot of black and white?
crisp, readable characters on the screen.
The choice of monochrome shaves
hundreds of dollars, if not a thousand or
more, off the price of a complete system.
And very little PC software— none of it
among the workhorse programs — takes
full advantage of the system's color
capabilities.
The facts favoring a choice of color are
less tangible; although they should prove
more compelling. At the top of the list:
Software which exploits color cleverly
will help your computer serve you as a
more powerful and efficient tool. Un-
fortunately, this is hard to appreciate
without experiencing how it does so, just
as you may once have found it hard to
appreciate how a computer, or word
processing, or a spreadsheet program, or
whatever you now depend on, could
contribute to your business efforts.
In a spreadsheet program, color can
help you quickly distinguish positive
amounts from negative, totals from line
items, and so forth. In word processing,
color can help marked sections stand out
from the rest of your text, can visually
separate text from status information, and
can do all sorts of similar, useful things.
Whenever information is presented in
graph form, color is a major aid to
comprehension. In general, programs can
be made faster and easier to use if color
cues are used to guide you through their
options — much as colored lines on the
floors or walls of buildings provide visitors
with at-a-glance directions.
If you will be paying other people to do
much work at the computer, color offers
another intangible benefit. Color is
friendlier to work with, more stimulating.
One's brain is less inclined to go numb
when staring at a screen that offers
changing color stimulation to the eyes,
which ought to translate to a very tangible
benefit — the increased productivity of
people working at the computer.
If you are buying a PC setup equipped
for business, you will probably be
spending between four and five thnu.sand
dollars on a monochrome version. An
upgrade to color would increase your
investment by perhaps 20 percent. But,
when good color software becomes
available, I expect it will quickly help you
pay back the extra investment.
There, however, is the rub.
Software developers are flocking to get
in on the opportunity created by the IBM
Personal Computer. But, if few buyers
purchase color systems, few software
developers will work at exploiting the PC's
color features. IBM's Don Estridge, who
directed the development of the PC, says
graphics and color features were con-
sidered important to provide for because,
"We thought the capability you see now in
games would ultimately be available in
business applications." IBM, however, has
left it to you to decide whether you want to
include those features in your initial
system.
I think that if you settle for mono-
chrome, you are making a big mistake. If
you want to see those super-programs that
Don Estridge envisioned, you ought to
make the investment that will (mcourage
their development. Business or pleasure,
once you enjoy the power of good color
software, you'll never want to go back.
12
I
PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
WHAT IF..."
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PCOMMUNIQUES
A compendium of facts, nenvs,
opinions, gossip, inside
inte/Jigence, specuiation and
forecasts about IBM PersonaJ
Computers.
Higher Math
It has been widely reported
that the empty component
socket in the IBM PC's main
circuit board has been pro-
vided for eventual installation
of the Intel 8087 mathematics
"co-processor" Now comes a
hint that one other empty
socket on the circuit board is
also awaiting the 8087's
appearance.
The socket in question is the
empty one next to the bank of
read-only memory chips where
PC BASIC and the core of the
operating system are stored. An
informant tells us that the
empty socket is being saved for
an enhancement to BASIC that
will use the 8087's high speed
math. The "floating point"
math routines in the new
BASIC chip will, it is said,
supplant those now used and
will increase number-crunch-
ing speed dramatically. Our
informant claims to have tested
an 8087-equipped machine
with the enhanced software
and says "it runs like a 360," (a
large IBM computer of years
past). When spreadsheet and
other number-intensive pro-
grams are rewritten to take
advantage of the chip, our 8087
fan says they will run un-
believably faster As for graph-
ics, the fans says when the
CIRCLE statement is used in
8087-enhanced BASIC, "a
circle doesn't draw itself
around the screen, it's just
there."
If the 8087 is so wonderful,
how come you can't get it for
your PC yet? We're told Intel is
not building the chip in pro-
duction quantities so far The
present versions of the chip
apparently find all that
arithmetic something of a chore
and heat up 'til they are too
torrid to touch. Debugged ver-
sions will have to run cooler
before production quantities
will be seen. Meantime, IBM is
said to have several PC's run-
ning with preliminary releases
of the 8087. With the covers off,
we presume.
Franchise Adopts PCs
Newest franchised business to hit the microcomputer scene
is a hands-on school teaching how to put the little beasts to
work — a sort of electronic-age Evelyn Wood course. And the
computers they bought for students to lay hands on are — you
guessed it— IBM PCs.
The Evelyn of this play is Phoenix entrepreneur Tom
Palazzo, and his emporiums are christened CompuGuidance
International Computer Training Centers. While Palazzo says
the instruction is adaptable to "virtually ever\' popular
microcomputer available," it is the PC that his students are
going to be getting intimately familiar with. Ten core courses
are said to be available from your local CGI. with the dual
objectives of helping you determine the best system to buy,
then maximizing its effectiveness after purchase. (How
coincidental! That's what we think PC is all about too.)
Buggy BASIC
Speaking of the PC's BASIC
language, a few bugs have
turned up in the initial ver-
sion—as several informants
have taken trouble to advise us.
One whisperer also tells us that
the BASIC now delivered with
PC's is recompiled code done
for the 8080 microchip (the
data in this issue's "BASIC
Benchmarks" article tends to
support that) but that a new,
faster version using the full
m
8086/8088 instruction set is on
the way. Rumor has it that re-
placement BASIC memory
chips are coming, that they will
both fix the bugs and have the
faster program code, and that
PC owners with the old chip.s
will likely be offered a painless
way to switch. (Please don't
bug IBM on the strength of this
buggy rumor; if it turns out to
be true, we'll print a confi-
mation.)
One bug we found ourselves
is that when you list a BASIC
program to the COM port
(where our serial printer is con-
nected) lines are ended with a
carriage return but no line
feed. Thus, the program ends
up printed all on one in-
decipherable, very black line!
There is a suggested fix for this
in our User-to-User pages.
Colorless Clue
Have you wondered how
come IBM sells a beautiful
monochrome display for the
IBM Personal Computer, but
offers no equivalent color dis-
play to go with color-graphics
equipped PCs? According to
one rumor that came in over
PC's transom, the explanation
is that a PC Model 2 is in
development that will have a
built-in, high resolution color
display (an RGB-type monitor,
siiys our riiin(ir-mi)n|t;er|.
We're not sure we believe
this one. But it seemed like a
good opening for our special
"Color" issue. And if it does
prove true, remember . . . you
heard it here first.
Double Headed
Disk Drives
Upgrading a PC system to
two-sided disk drives should be
a simple matter, according to
Tom Kornei of Intermedia
Systems, a company that makes
add-in circuit boards for the
PC. Kornei has been poring
over the disk controller elec-
tronics and says that both the
controller and disk drives have
signal lines for "head select."
He also says the Tandon drives
IBM uses are equipped with
"diode switching logic" for
using two read/write heads.
Besides the extra head itself,
Kornei thinks conversion to
two-sided disks, which would
double storage capacity, would
take only minor changes in
"head end software." In pass-
ing, Kornei also comments,
"everything is there for double
density."
Buggy DOS?
Then, there is the following
bug in PC-DOS reported by
an owner in the Pacific North-
west, who chooses to remain
anonymous but will still see his
name in print — on a $50 check.
At least two versions exist of
release 1.00 of PC-DOS. There
appears to be a bug in the
original version that IBM does
not want to say anything about.
I was having difficulty using
DOS to transmit over the serial
interface with a hardware
handshake. Even though DOS
was responding to the signal
(on the CTS or DSR pin), it was
losing characters. The techni-
cian at ComputerLand did not
know what to do, but one day
he mysteriously received in the
mail a disk labeled "Serial
Printer" with no accompanying
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
15
PCOMMUNIQUES
documentation. We tried it and
it fixed the problem. There is
no new version number for this
DOS; it is also labeled "Version
1.00."
Here is a way to test to see
which version you have: set the
CTS pin in the serial interface
to "off" (hold it between -3 and
-15 volts). Then use COPY to
send a file out the serial port
(e.g., "COPY TESTAUX: •).
With the first version, the mes-
sage "Aux I/O error" continu-
ally appears, about once a
second, until COPY gives the
usual message that a file has
been sent, which of course has
not happened. (Every time
"Aux I/O error" appears,
COPY thinks that a character
has been sent.) With the new
version, after entry of the
COPY command, nothing hap-
pens. (DOS is waiting for the
CTS line to change state.) You
can get out of the routine by
hitting Control-Break, at which
time the message "Aux I/O
error" appears once. There is
still a problem with the DSR
signal, even with the new DOS.
When DSR is "off," characters
are again lost at a rate of about
one per second, but the error
message does not appear. Let's
look for a third version of
"Version 1.00" that will fix this!
Economy Route to
Second Disk Drive
if you have do-it-yourseJf
inclinations, here's a suggestion
on how to save up to $300 on
adding a second disk drive to
your PC.
The Tandon TMlOO-1 disk
drive is very similar to the
standard diskette drives used
in the IBM Personal Computer.
In fact, it's indistinguishable. I
am tempted to suggest that it's
exactly what IBM uses. IBM
charges $570 for the drive. Tan-
don sells to distributors who
are free to charge whatever
they want, but recent adver-
tised prices range from $225 to
$310. I bought one by mail-
order and one week later I had
the drive, carefully packed in
popcorn and solid foam. The
label on the right rear of mine
read: 661-3-R150 122F.
— [onathan Seder
ProActive Systems
Palo Alto, California
ASCII Me No
Questions . . .
Since you ASCII'd anyway,
those five letters are an acro-
nym for the American Stan-
dard Code for Information
Interchange. ASCII is a
standard that tells computers
how to get from the numeric
codes it understands to the
letters, numbers and punc-
tuation you understand. As it
happens, ASCII is not the
standard which IBM computers
have traditionally used: IBM
went instead with a standard of
its own, unpronounceably
acronymed EBCDIC.
These codes are a little like
religions: if you were born into
IBM's family you went to the
EBCDIC church, while person-
al computers universally
learned ASCII's catechism.
But the PC, a schismatic
from IBM tradition in so many
respects, was baptized an
ASCII machine — or so it
seemed. Now, someone has
been trying to tell our com-
munications editor. Cliff
Barney, that the PC is really a
closet EBCDICer. The signifi-
cance is that PCs, if they do in
fact have EBCDIC in their soul,
could communicate more easily
with bigger IBM brethren.
Cliff's source says the PC
operates with ASCII only
because a circuit inside it is
doing constant translation, and
if switched off the machine's
true EBCDIC colors would im-
mediately be revealed.
We're not sure it matters,
except to fanatics of the faiths.
Any machine as smart as the
PC could pray in ASCII and
EBCDIC simultaneously and
never miss a beat.
PC Goes Latin
We had never considered
having a "Travel" department
in PC. But if we get any more
reports like the following, we'll
have to start thin/sing about it.
Against the advice of my
computer salespeople in New
York. I took my newly-pur-
chased IBM Personal Com-
puter to the province of Tucu-
man. in the northwestern part
of Argentina. The place I went
to was 3.000 feet above sea
level, 95 percent humidity, 95
degrees in the shade (it was
summer there). The electricity'
was 50 Hz, 220 volts, and sub-
ject to frequent "brownouts."
But with a simple 220-to-llO
volt transformer. "Leticia" (as
the IBM Personal Computer is
lovingly called there) was
working the first day I
arrived— Dec. 14. 1981. At the
time I left the country' to return
to New York, my friend and I
were programming and dis-
playing optical systems. A
program to calculate the lens in
the Schmidt camera, which we
did just for fun, appeared in
the |anuar>' issue of a profes-
sional optical magazine. I left
the computer there, and I am
told it is still working without
problems.
)ose A. Valcinkas, PhD
New York City
16
PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
Software Author
Sounds Off
PC was on the "cc." list
when an angry software author
fired off a blistering reply to
some letters from IBM's ex-
ternal program submissions de-
partment. The exchange began
when the author inquired
about submitting programs for
publication by IBM. In return,
an informational packet
arrived, but the author chose
not to respond. A few months
loter, the author was included
in a survey mailing inviting
reaction to the first packet.
This time, the author re-
sponded. Some choice
excerpts . . .
I am taking the time to
respond because, in your own
inimitable IBM manner, you
seem to be concerned about
communications and comments
from microcomputer program
authors.
In October, 1981, I received
an unsigned letter over your
name, and 13 pages of extreme-
ly formidable legal prose. As
an attorney and Certified Pub-
lic Accountant I can appreciate
your company's need to protect
itself against the rest of the real
world, but as a program author
I decided that I didn't need the
obviously legalistic and
impersonal (witness the
unsigned and undated
transmittal letter) approach
that IBM had decided to take
with its potential authors. For
this reason your letter was filed
in a folder labeled "IBM
)OKE" for future reference.
Today I received an offset
follow-up letter that didn't
even include your name, al-
though it did have a date and
your title ... if you really want
to communicate with software
authors and even begin to
plumb the depths of talent that
is out here you have got to look
down from your lofty Fortune 5
position and make some
attempt at PERSONAL com-
munication. In case you hadn't
noticed, the name of the
product is the IBM PERSON-
AL Computer (even though I'm
sure that you refer to it
internally as the Model 5150).
I will now answer the ques-
tions listed in your question-
naire: (1) Yes, I own two IBM
Personal Computers (in
addition to seven other
microcomputers). (2) Yes, I
have published programs. The
current count is 14, with 5 more
to be released in the next 3
months. (3) No, I do not plan to
submit a program to IBM.
There are two basic reasons
why. First, this letter should
have made its point that I am
not interested (nor or most
other bright software authors)
in dealing with forms, un-
signed letters, and generally
with the impersonality that
IBM continues to exhibit.
Second, and probably more
important— what's in it for me?
What can IBM do that I can't
do more effectively and less
expensively by myself . . . ?
I have spent the better part
of an hour writing this letter,
and I hope and pray that it has
not been wasted. I have spent
this time because I truly be-
lieve that you have a superb
product and that if you would
spend a little bit of time and
effort in "cleaning up your act"
you could be as successful in
the micro field as you have
been in mainframes.
"Graphics will become as critical
to ttie workstation of tomorrow as
ttie keyboard is today."
— Microsoft's Bill Gates, at a seminar
for software auttiors planning to
write for the IBf^ PC— MARCH 8. 1982
CLUB NEWS
IPCO INFO
IPCO stands for IBM
Personal Computer Owners
Group. It was formed in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by
two engineers and their
wives— )im and Cindy
Cookinham and Steve and
Windy Hart. The stated
purpose of the group is "to
represent the owners and users
of the IBM PC throughout the
world."
IPCO publishes a newsletter
called the "IPCO INFO " and is
setting up a Software Exchange
program. Members of IPCO
who contribute a program to
the IPCO library will receive
four free programs of their
choice (all on diskette).
Membership in IPCO is $15
a year for residents of the
United States and $20 for
Canadians. Prices for residents
of other countries have not yet
been established.
For more information, write
to: IPCO, Inc., P.O. Box 10426,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15234.
Hot Flashi From
Indianapolis
PC Editor-in-Chief David
Bunnell found this message on
his desk: "EXTRA! EXTRA!
IBM PC Users Group formed
in Indianapolis. Call David
Reed at (317)259-7892. Plans
call for a newsletter and
monthly meetings."
It's SW-PCUG in
Dallas-Fort Worth
The name of the Dallas-Fort
Worth IBM PC Users Group is
SW-PCUG. Membership is $30
a year and it includes a
newsletter, monthly meetings,
demonstrations, and assistance
with software and hardware
problems. Also the group plans
to distribute public domain
software. Contact: Samual P.
Cook, 309 Lincolnshire, Irving,
Texas 75061, (214) 253-6979.
Hawaii Users
Group
The first meeting of the
Hawaii IBM PC Users Group
was held February 16 in
Honolulu. Membership in the
group is $2. For more
information, write: Doug Long,
1750 Kalakaua, Suite 3-168,
Honolulu, Hawaii 96826.
PCommuniques Pays
Are you in possession of information you think should appear in
PCommuniques? PC pays up to $50 for each contribution published
in this section. Submissions must be signed, but anonymity will be
preserved upon request. All submissions become the property of PC
and are subject to editing. For payment, you must include an
address and phone number. Write to "PCommuniques," 1528 Irving
Street, San Francisco, California 94122.
PC/AP151— MAY 1982
17
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Thursday, December 17, 1981—
It's the week before Christmas, and the charter issue
of PC magazine has reached that frenzied stage of
production which I call "flying upside down."
However, two lucky PC staffers, the publisher and
the photographer, have won a reprieve: we are flying—
right-side-up— to Boca Raton, Florida, a resort area
north of Miami. Many of the passengers seated around
us are wearing palm tree prints and oversized,
frivolous hats; it's easy to see that they're on their way to
a vacation or a holiday reunion. However, we have a
much more serious purpose in mind: we are on
assignment to visit the birthplace of what could turn
out to be the most dynamic electronic product of the
decade the IBM Personal Computer.
Actually, I find this turn of events somewhat strange, although certainly in
keeping with the g\Tatiuns of the personal computing business. Last
August, when IBM announced the Personal Computer. I was sitting in my
office at Osborne/McGraw-Hill. in Berkeley, California, staring out the
window at people wind-surfing in the neighboring recreational j>ond. I was
thinking about how much I liked being a book editor and how I might
stick it out for a few years.
To tell the truth, the announcement didn't exactly cause me to jump
out of my chair with excitement. "IBM, ho-hum," I thought. "Just another
computer company jumping into the personal computer market."
What finally awakened my curiosity, however, was the attention the IBM
Personal Computer was getting in the press and the impact it had on the
people around me. None of my associates wanted to talk about the Apple III
or the Osborne I computer anymore, nor did they want to fantasize about
writing the next super-selling program. They didn't even care about th(!
movies.
All they wanted to talk about was the IBM Personal Computer— what it
was, its potential and limitations, and. most of all, the impact IBM would
have on the business of personal computing. Would the major shareholders of
Apple quickly sell their stuck and retire to Hawaii? Would Tandy go
back into the leather business? Did Commodore even know yet? Those were
the burning questions of the day.
Friday, December 18, 1981—
I am blown away. What to me is a hurricane, but to Florid ians would be a
mere wind storm, is shaking the walls and windows of my ocean-front
motel room far more fiercely than a California earthquake. Also, the phones
arc out, but that's not what I'm talking about.
What I am talking about is our visit to the IBM Personal Computing
division, which has turned out to be a major event anil one which I am
ver\' plea.sed and somewhat .surprised abovit.
First of all, the place itself is a standard gray IBM building situated in
a rural setting just off the frmAvay on thi; inland aide uf Boca Raton. We wore
there from nine in the morning to around six in the evening, iluring
which time I talked with many of the top people involved in the design,
production, and marketinv of thf? IBM personal nompntur. Wn also pot n
fascinating tour of both the ' old" IBM factor\' (where the PC is currently
manufactured) and the newly built IBM PC factor,', which, by all
appearances, will be in operation within a few months.
Our guide and hostess for iht; day was jeanelle Maher. llit; Senior
Information Representative for the Personal Computfjr divisicm. [eanette is a
/
ver\' competent professional who knows how to conduct business in a
friendly manner. In fact, all the IBMers I met that day seemed to be cut from
the same cloth: entirely professional but neither stuffy nor arrogant. Also,
I noticed that they really care about excellence, taking pride in both their
individual and the company's accomplishments.
leanette and her associate, Hal Jennings. Marketing Support
Representative (no relation to "HAL"), greeted us in the reception area
and led us to the nearby Personal Computer demonstration room. There we
spent the morning in meetings with the key members of the development
team that made the IBM Personal Computer. |In between these visits, we
played with the new IBM math games, including Bennn and Rorkefs.)
Our first two visitors were Bill Sydnes, Engineering Manager, Entry
Systems Business, and David Bradley, Manager of Entry Systems
Business Architecture. I asked them about the open-bus structure of the
Personal Computer and how they felt about third-party companies
selling such things as IBM PC-compatible memory boards. Sydnes told me
that the PC was definitely "designed to be open." He and Bradley were
vcr\- interested in hearing about these products and they were fascinated that
so many were already available.
They were particularly intrigued by Tecmar, the Cleveland engineering
company which, at that time, had already developed more than 20
options, including a PC expansion box. I confess that I was taken aback by
this. Although I came to Boca with few preconceived notions, I was
surprised to learn that IBM would welcome competition.
Then Sydnes said something which I found stunning: "The definition
of a personal computer is third-party hardware and software."
I told him that I appreciated the open-bus design but questioned there
being only five slots for plug-in boards. He said that it was a "design trade-
off" having to do with the size of the power supply in relation to its
capacity.
Sydnes pointed out that the IBM Personal Computer has the capacity
to emulate the IBM 32/70 mainframe, and thus he expects the IBM Personal
Computer to find its way into many major corporations where it will be
used both as a stand-alone unit and as an intelligent terminal hooked to the
32/70.
Obviously proud of the PC achievement. Sydnes said that the PC has been
designed for maximum flexibility and that it could easily be interfaced to
any kind of printer or display. (Some PC users might dispute the word
"easily."]
Following my conversations with Sydnes and Bradley— whose most
memorable quote was that he was "not at all surprised " by the success
the IBM PC is having— I met with Senior Programmer Mel Hallerman and
Dave Stuerwald, Manager. Entr\' Systems Business, Programming and
Publications. These two gentlemen threw some light on the operating sjstem
question. I asked them which nf the three operating systems— DOS. CP/
M-86, or p-System— would be used the most. Without the slightest hesitation.
Stuerwald replied that the "great majority of users will use DOS"
because they will want to take advantage of its "native interpreter." Microsoft
BASIC.
"If code is written in Microsoft B.ASIC, then it doesn't matter what the
CPU is," Stuerwald further explained.
Hallerman added that while all three operating systems "have value for
us" and that there will be "a nice market for all of them," the
"overwhelming majority will be DOS-based." HS^P'
Next, I met with the man who actually designed the IBM Personal
Computer; David O'Connor, Manager of Systems Architecture.
Mr. O'Connor, who is an extremely bright and articulate fellow.
seemed prouilest of the human interface" aspects of his design, such as the
fact that open manuals can rest on the keyboard and that it fits into office
furniture (the main unit can be installed in a drawer, which explains why the
keyboard curd is plugged in at the back).
I asked him when they started the Personal Computer project and he said
that it was in luly. 1980.
He volunteered that there was an "imbelievable level of enthusiasm"
during the time of the project and that indeed, there were lots of days
when "I had to tell people to go home."
The design of the IBM PC is a "conservative design" and O'Connor
freely admitted that when designing physical packaging, there are always
"compromises" to be made.
I asked O'Connor why IBM chose to use a 16-bit microprocessor rather
than a standard 8-bit machine. His answer to this question was that there
isn't anythinjj very challenging about 8-bit machines. "Can you find anything
they haven't tried?" he asked. "On the other hand, 16-bit machines have
the potential for far more commercial and design applications."
O'Connor believes that color graphics will rapidly become important
in business applications. He is hoping someone will design a color-card
adapter with an attachment for a light pen so that users could paint or
draw color directly on the screen.
"If color is so important," I asked him, "how come it wasn't included -
as a standani option? Why does it require a separate interface board?"
O'Connor s answer was that it was done separately so that the PC can
have two monitors operating in tandem. The color monitor would be used fo
graphics while the monochrome display would be used for menus.
Before departing for his busy office, he pointedly took time to express his
belief in the importance of third-part\' software authors' employing a
keyboard us<ige consistent with that in other programs. I assured him that 1
would make nur readers aware of his concern, and that PC also believes
in maintaining keyboard standards.
Following the meeting with O'Connor, we left the gray building to
have lunch with jeanette at a nearby restaurant, where I learned that she ha
been an IBMer for 12 years and that she had a wealth of experience in
the public relations field. Jeanette moved from New York to Boca Raton for
the Personal Computing Project, and we discussed the drastic change in
environmeni that this had brought about.
Upon returning. I had a fascinating interview with Philip D. (Don)
Estridge, Division Director, Entr\' Systems Business Unit, who is in charge of
the entire project and who presently heads the Personal Computer
division. Estridge. who isa lanky, imposing figure.seemed as though he had a
thousand thmgs on his mind, which i am sure he did. Still, he projected
a take-charg>! attitude and quickly warmed to my (juestions. In fact, he was
ready with his answers much faster than I was with my questions. I
found him such an interesting person that the minute I returned to the motel,
I had to pla\ the tape and transcribe the highlights of our conversation,
which fol low-
PC (that's me.'); Why did IBM enter (he personal computing market?
Estridge: Thu simplest reason is that it represents an opportunity- for business.
With the explosion that occurred between 1977 and 1979, it became
enough of a business to be interesting.
The .second reason is a little more difficult to pin down. We believed
we could build a machine that would be something special— so special that
people who hadn't used IBM equipment before would use it. Also, our
own employees would have access to a personal computer: it would give an
outlet to the prugranuniag creativity that was inherent in the IBM
population.
PC: Why did you decide to go with third-party sojlware?
Estridge: We believed that a very wide array of software would be one of the
key factors in the widespread use of the Personal Computer. There is no
way that a single company could produce that much software; even if it were
possible, it would take too long. So we needed to have the participation
of other software authors and companies.
Another reason was a little more pragmatic: we didn't think we could
introduce a product that could out-BASIC Microsoft's BASIC. We would have
to out-BASIC Microsoft and out-VisiCalc VisiCorp and out-Peachtree
Peachtree— and you just can't do that. They have established good products
and it didn't make any sense for us to ignore that. Quite the contrary; we
really wanted their participation.
PC: Are you surprised by the response to the IBM PC?
Estridge: We wanted to fit into what we believed was the existing intra-
structure of software houses, authors, hardware vendors, and retail
distribution channels that had arisen. We were ver\' anxious to get people to
understand that we really did want to fit in and that we weren't trying to
set rules for others to live by. We are ver>' surprised that this view seems to be
getting across well. No, "surprised" is not really the right word;
"pleased" is better.
From the standpoint of the success of the machine, the demand for it
is very strong. We always thought it would be, and it is every bit as strong as
we'd hoped for.
PC: How many machines will you ship in 1982?
Estridge: Lots!
PC: Well. I tried.
fThings moy be different at IBM with regards to the Personal
Computer project but getting pro/ections of, or information about, future
products is impossible. Jeanetle scolded me mildly for persisting in
asking such questions, but I continued to do so in the hope that something
might slip out. It didn't.j
^uiiMf^ lata PCs
PC: In developing your strategy, did you ciosely examine Apple's strategy and
the reasons for their success?
Estridge: No, we didn't. We didn't look closely at any single product. Instead,
we looked closely at what purchasers were doing. We asked these kinds
of questions: Why did the customer buy? What machine capabilities were the
customers using? Why would people want to buy a personal computer in
the future? If you hadn't purchased one yet, what was it you were waiting for?
PC: Nonetheless, many industry analyses conclude that the JEM
Personal Computer is a "Super-Apple" because it has high-resolution
graphics, music, and other similar features. Also, it seems that IBM's
promotional campaign is similar to Apple's, is perhaps following Apple's
lead.
Estridge: Well, we certainly would not call it a Super-Apple. We think there
are a lot of features in the machine that stand on their own. It has some
similarity to other machines but there are significant differences as well.
As far as promotion goes, we wanted to make sure that people knew
we had this machine, so we began our advertising effort with the most eye-
catching, appealing awareness campaign we could devise. If that makes
our promotion look like someone else's, it is an accident.
PC: Some of our subscribers have commented that they wish IBM had
provided better word processing, that is, u more advanced pucliuge than
EasyWriter.
I
Estridge: We yvanted a middle-of-the-road word processor, one that would
function relatively well for a private individual and also offer a
minimum level of function for a professional. We also wanted one that would
be affordable. We knew there were packages that had more functions
and were more expensive, and we knew there were packages that had fewer
functions and were less expensive. We just made our choice.
PC: Can you share with our readers some more about the project itself
and how you were abJe to put it together in just a JittJe over a year?
Estridge: Gee, it seems like only yesterday. There were a lot of people at
IBM— not just in the technical areas, but throughout the company— who
wanted IBM to build a personal computer. There was a high level of
enthusiasm; if you became a member of the project that enthusiasm carried
over into the project. From the beginning, we knew what we wanted to
build so we didn't spin our wheels asking, "Is this the thing we really want to
do?" I think it has already been shown that we were more on the track
than off it. Then we just went to work— and didn't eat or sleep for a year.
I don't remember the exact quote, but someone said that it was "One
percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."
(Note: It was said by Thomas Edison, who doesn't work for IBM.— Ed.]
PC: Can you share with us any of your fears before IBM made the
announcement?
Estridge: Well, you never know for certain how people are going to react to a
product, so there is a great deal of uncertainty about its probable success.
We received a great deal of support from people in the software community,
such as Microsoft and Personal Software, who told us, "You've got a
good machine, ' and our advertising people told us we had a good machine.
But, what about the people who were going to express their support in
terms of dollars and cents? That part we didn't know.
Also, what if we couldn't build it? The Personal Computer constitutes
a lot of product and a lot of volume in a short time. Never before has any
division of IBM tried to build so many computers. What if we couldn't do
it? What if one of our suppliers ran into a problem that none of us had
anticipated? There were any number of unknowns.
PC: Aren't you stiJi facing some of these manufacturing and suppJy questions?
Estridge: No. the question today is how quickly we can build them, not
IF we can build them. We are shipping
them and the quality is just superb. Our attention has turned to building
enough so that there can be off-the-shelf delivery.
PC: Will IBM continue to build the machine in Boca Raton or will there
he other locations?
Estridge: Well, we do build at Boca right now. We are always asking
ourselves whether we are doing the best job. I would say "forever" and
"always" are things that never happen at IBM.
PC: That is a quote you could apply to the whole PC project.
Estridge: We are very quick to change our plans if we find a better way.
PC: Tell us why you called it the Personal Computer.
Estridge: Because that's what it is.
PC: Why doesn't it hove a model number?
Estridge: We thought that putting a model number on it would cause
confusion about what the machine was for, so we just didn't do it.
PC: But doesn't that create a problem with future machines?
Estridge: It doesn't bother me. Someone asked me what the next IBM
personal computer would be called, and I said, "The IBM Personal
Computer." I don't know why there should be anything but the name.
PC: Were there aJternafives?
Estridge: There are always alternatives.
PC: Can you tell us what some of the other leading candidates were?
Estridge: We never talk about the others.
PC: Are you concerned choul software piracy?
Estridge: Our plan is to protect the software in a simple way: by impressing
users with the fact that unauthorized copying is illegal. If we were to find
it being done flagrantly, we would probably take clear action. It is against the
law, and it is stealing our assets. Bej'ond that, software piracy takes all
the fun out of the very reason software authors want to participate, which is
to be creative and to have a chance to strike it rich through royalties. It
doesn't make sense.
PC: StiJl, even with copy protection, it is pretty easy to copy a diskette.
Estridge: But it is wrong, and it is disappointing to me to think that there are
people who knowingly do it. It is just a form of thievery. I think it is the
single greatest threat to the viability of these machines.
PC: Do you think the price of software is a factor?
Estridge: I don't know if you were at the recent Boston Computer Society
meeting, but Mike Markkula, from Apple, talked about something that
turned out to be somewhat controversial. He said, in effect, "Why don't we
forget about having copy protection, let's just don't do it. That way, we'll
implement— that is, we'll not copy protect — the code but price everything the
same. We could price it on the basis of the cost of manufacturing the
diskettes rather than on the basis of the value of the material stored on them."
This approach would be similar to that used in the record industry and
there is a lot of merit to this idea, but none of the software authors will agree
to it.
PC: Ma)'he when the volume goes up?
Estridge: Only when people stop copying. It has nothing to do with
volume. People have to stop copying.
Someday, in the comfort
of your home or office,
you'll be able to shop
and bank electronically,
read instantly updated
major newswires, analyze
the performance of a
stock that interests you,
send electronic mail to
business associates
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on ■> 1
I
That was an intense interview; following it, I was pretty depleted.
However, th. highlight of our Boca journey was yet to come.
Next there were brief discussions with Manager, Entry Systems
Business, Sales and Service, "Sparky" Sparks, and Staff Communications
Specialist Dave McGovern. We talked mostly about the new market
directions IBM is taking with the PC. Sparky assured me that IBM will soon
be announcing new retail outlets for its Personal Computer, but he was
careful not to say when or where— or especially, how many.
Then Jeanette introduced me to Dan Wilkie, a tall, athletic-looking
man who is the Manufacturing Manager. He was in a very relaxed, jovial
mood. I discovered the reason for this attitude when I shook his hand, as
he happily announced that that ver>' day, the IBM PC manufacturing division
had reached its production goal for 1981.
Naturally. I asked him what the production goal was and with a smile he
declined to tell me. But he assured me, and I later verified with my own
eyes, that (as Estridge would say) it was "a lot."
Wilkie had come to take us on a tour of the two manufacturing
facilities, both the new plant (recently constructed but not yet in use) and the
old, which was in triple-shift production.
Both manufacturing plants are approximately five miles from the division's
headquarters. We drove to the sites in three cars, caravan-style. Wilkie
lead the way in his Corvette Stingray— not the kind of car I'd expect an IBM
executive to drive, but then, the Personal Computing division, I'm
finding, is really something quite special and unorthodox, especially for
IBM— and I mean that in a totally positive way.
Jeanette followed Wilkie in her car, and we followed Jeanette. It was a
good time to collect a few good thoughts and clear some of the old
memory locations which, in my mind, are well under 256K.
"This is really exciting," I remember thinking.
Our first stop was at the new plant, a big, long, gray concrete building with
lots of windows but otherwise nondescript as far as other manufacturing
facilities I have seen.
Dan VVilkie was waiting for us at the front, and he let us in by
slipping a plastic card into a slot on the door. The building was empty and we
were the only ones there. From the looks of it, only the finishing touches
need be made before they could move into it. They were still setting up
portions of the assembly lines, which Wilkie told us would begin with
one "fully automated" line and one semi-automated one which will be
converted when all the automation bugs are worked out. Dan fold us that
the interior of this building was 100,000 square feet, including 25,000 for
manufacturing (concrete figures at last! I wrote these down feverishly).
Wilkie began our PC tour in a huge parts room where he explained to us
that the manufacturing procedure at the Personal Computer plant is a lot
like a kit-building process. In other words, it is not done from the ground
up — the circuit boards and the keyboards come preassembled from other
plants. Here they are packaged together with the IBM chassis, single-disk
drive, and 48K memory. All IBM PCs currently begin in this stage, which
should tell you something about the number being sold with cassette
interfaces to hook to home tv sets.
Next, we walked the length of the automated line, where Wilkie stopped
at various key points to explain how IBM Personal Computers are made,
tested, and packed in boxes ready for shipping (there are nine full-size
loading docks in the back of the building and as he talked, I fantasized
one semi-truck after another loading up with PC's).
Interestingly enough, each IBM PC is built by a single worker who,
more or less, has his signature on it, since IBM can use the bar codes on the
back to identify the worker who assembled the machine.
The first part of the process is the CPU assembly, which involves installing
the CPU circuit board along the bottom of the chassis.
Once the units are assembled, they are plugged into a robot tester which
does an automatic power test under the watchful eye of an IBM Series 1
computer. Here a keyboard simulation test is performed and the printer
interface is tested. Next, the PC is moved by a "pick and place" robot
and placed on a huge, metal-frame carousel where up to 750 machines can be
"burned in" at one time. This test includes a "high pot" test which
should identify any weak components.
Following the burn-in, the machine is removed from the carousel
(again, by a robot) and plugged back into the robot test for a second automatic
power test. Following this, it is transferred to the end of the line, where
yet another robot picks it up and puts it into its shipping box. (This carton is
designed to withstand a 36' drop on all sides and corners.)
Following our tour of this fascinating new factor^', we went to the old
factory. While it lacked the automation features of the new building, it was
nonetheless remarkably efficient and productive. As a matter of record,
the first part of this building we saw was the large shipping area, where
several thousand PCs were in stacks ready for shipment.
Eh gads, I thought, IBM is really serious about making these things.
The biggest treat for us at the old facility was watching IBM
technicians as they assembled and tested Personal Computers, doing very
much the same assembly procedure that will be done in the new
building. Though I have little basis by which to judge, in my view, they
appeared to be extremely competent and proficient. Many of them joked
with Wilkie as we went down the line and they posed for photographs.
Our IBM day concluded in the parking lot of this manufacturing plant
as the sun was setting. It was past six on a Friday evening, and I'm sure Dan
and leanette were anxious to get home for the weekend. We thanked
them on behalf of ourselves and our readers— who will hopefullj' benefit
from this Boca trip at least half as much as we have.
The wind is still shaking my windows. It is 6 a.m. and as I peer out the
curtains I am astonished that it is a clear day. The morning sun is rising
over the Atlantic. It shines brightly on Boca Raton.
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Standard equipment on the Volkswriter includes:
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Typewriter keyboard layout
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On line help
On screen tutorial
Reset key for changing your mind
Automatic word wrap
Fast insertion and deletion of
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Rapid scrolling through text
Move and copy blocks of text
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Swap lines with 2 key strokes
Search or replace any or every
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Store formats for later recall
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Since Volkswriter files are in 100% standard DOS format, it can be used with VisiCalc'^' print files, network trans-
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Jim Strothrmn
CRANKING UP THE
SOFTWARE MACHINE
How IBM is iwrking to bring plenty of PC software to market.
It's called, simply enough, IBM's Per-
sonal Computer Software Publishing
Department.
And to authors who are seeking fame
and fortune by writing programs for use
with the IBM Personal Computer, it's an
easy way to approach the giant firm. If
the software passes IBM's tests, IBM will
publish, market and distribute it.
Let the program author beware, how-
ever, for he or she has to play by IBM's
rules. As of this writing, while the sky's
the limit on fame, "fortune" will not ex-
ceed $100,000 — unless the software au-
thor can convince IBM an exception is
justified.
The $100,000 limit, written into IBM's
standard "Acceptance Agreement." has
resulted in complaints from some hopeful
authors, who also don't like another term
which says, "IBM's obligation to pay roy-
alties to you shall end when four (4) years
have elapsed from the date of the general
availablitity from IBM of a program prod-
uct based on the Program," should that
occur before the $100,000 limit is reached.
Nevertheless, the stated limitations
have not discouraged many hopeful ap-
plication writers.
Ed J. Marill, manager of application
planning for the IBM Personal Computer,
who oversees the Software Publishing
Department, said his program reviewers
"are beginning to have a significant num-
ber of submissions."
IBM historically does not disclose vol-
umes or numbers of employees engaged
in any specific activity, but Mr. Marill
said he was pleased thus far and is seeing
"a satisfactory level" of submissions from
outside IBM, as well as from IBM em-
ployees.
As of this writing, IBM has not an-
nounced any programs that were pro-
cessed via the Personal Computer Soft-
ware Publishing Department route.
Previously announced programs resulted
from separately arranged agreements be-
tween IBM and software vendors, includ-
ing Microsoft; Personal Software, Inc.;
and Peachtree Software, Inc., to name
just three of the main ones.
And because other alternatives exist to
IBM's Software Publishing Department,
program authors should explore them be-
fore signing any agreement with IBM.
Even IBM's standard initial agreement-
needed simply to give the company per-
mission to review the prospective pro-
gram — contains a provision that prevents
the writer from changing his or her mind
later. It states:
"If IBM accepts your program for pos-
sible use and marketing, you agree that
you will enter into an Aceptance (sic)
Agreement with IBM in the form pro-
vided herewith." (IBM said it plans to fix
the spelling of "aceptance" when it prints
new forms.)
"... the form provided herewith" is
the standard "Acceptance Agreement,"
discussed previously, with the $100,000
limitation.
IBM has good reasons for getting the
writer to commit prior to actual accep-
tance. If it didn't, and the program author
had a change of heart and decided to
have it published by another vendor, IBM
would be what is known in industry- par-
lance as "contaminated" with knowledge
of the program's details. This would make
IBM's legal position more difficult were it
to introduce a product later with similar
function, and, in fact, would give IBM
pause about bringing such a product to
the marketplace at all.
Let's look at the submission procedure,
and some other important considerations
would-be writers should keep in mind.
Contacting tt)e Department
Organizationally, the Software Pub-
lishing Department is located at IBM's
Entry Systems Business (Personal Com-
puter) headquarters near Boca Raton (ac-
tually Delray Beach), Florida, reporting to
Don Estridge, ESB director. That's where
the key people are located who actually
review the content of submissions, and
experience with personal computers was
key when IBM was recruiting internally
at the time the department was created.
However, like large mainframes, the
Florida unit has a "front end" which as-
piring authors must contact first. Those
interested in exploring the IBM route
should write: IBM Personal Computer
Software Submissions, Dept. 765, Ar-
monk. New York 10504. By return mail,
authors will receive information packets,
including the blank agreements, submis-
sion instructions and a list of helpful
"things to consider" when writing a pro-
gram.
While seemingly bureaucratic, IBM
again has good reasons for this "front
end."
Long before the Personal Computer, in
fact for most of IBM's existence, people
and other companies have approached it
with ideas, including new inventions and
programs. The same corporate function
experienced in handling past overtures is
now also the Personal Computer Soft-
ware Submissions 'front end." Simply
stated, its objective is to assure that the
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
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IBUFs Agreement:
An Overview
AGREEMENT FOR SUBMISSION
OF PROGRAM
The agreement contains three parts:
(1) General Provisions; (2) Program De-
scription; and (3) Specific Provisions.
The General Provisions section is
brief and primarily advises authors that
their submission should be original,
complete and fully operational.
(Ed J. Marill. manager of application
planning for the IBM Personal Comput-
er, said he didn't feel that submissions
necessarily had to be a completely fin-
ished program — but at least in the proto-
type state, far enough along to show its
function, ease of use, prompts and so
on.)
Format isn't specified, other than
saying the submission "must be entirely
in writing." Mr. Marill emphasized that
content was the most important consid-
eration.
The Specific Provisions section is
perhaps the most interesting. In addi-
tion to asking the author's assurance that
he or she is of legal age and that the pro-
gram does not infringe on any copyright.
trade secret or patent, and is not already
in the public domain, it specifies that:
"If IBM accepts your program for
possible use and marketing, you agree
that you will enter into an Acceptance
Agreement with IBM in the form pro-
vided herewith."
IBM wants that up-front commit-
ment, Mr. Marill explained, because it
wants to avoid any possible problems
that might later be caused if a writer
should give it to another party after IBM
had considerable knowledge of the de-
tail in the program.
The same section also asks the author
to agree that "$100,000 shall be the abso-
lute limit of IBM's liability in the event
of any controversy arising between you
and IBM with respect to this Agree-
ment, the Acceptance Agreement, or
your submission and/or its subject mat-
ter."
ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT:
NON-IBM AUTHOR
Once IBM has approved a program
product submitted by an outside author,
a representative of IBM will sign this
agreement.
It grants IBM, in effect, the right to
market or license it however the com-
pany sees fit. In turn, IBM agrees to pay
a 15 percent royalty.
However, a provision under the Roy-
alty Section has resulted in complaints.
It says:
"IBM's obligation to pay royalties to
you shall end when four (4) years have
elapsed from the date of the general
availability from IBM of a program
product based on the Program, or when
the total of all royalties paid by IBM to
you equals one hundred thousand dol-
lars ($100,000.00), whichever occurs first.
No further payments of any kind shall
then be due to you.
Mr. Marill said IBM felt the $100,000
limitation seemed "fair and reason-
able." He said the company would,
however, "be willing to react if it's the
right thing to do," meaning that if any
author felt that, in his or her instance,
this was unfair, IBM would be willing to
listen— and possibly change the num-
ber.
Elsewhere, the agreement calls for
the author to "enforce your rights
against infringers of your copyright, to
the extent reasonable under the circum-
stances . . ." While unspecified, it leaves
the impression that IBM could be ex-
pected to assist if someone infringed on
the copyright.
In a section called "Conversion and
Maintenance," the author is alerted
that, for the first four years of the pro-
gram's general availability from IBM, he
or she will be expected to "use your best
efforts" to verify and correct errors
"within ten (10) days after each notifica-
tion."
— (im Strothman
ideas of the inventor, or program author,
aren't mishandled in a way that could lat-
er hurt either party.
"Any corporation has a problem when
looking at ideas from the outside," ac-
knowledges Mr. Marill. "so we must use
cautious language in the agreements, for
example, which doesn't compromise
ideas— especially when similar ideas
might be coming from the inside."
The initial "Agreement for Submis-
sion of Program" asks for the "minimum
information " needed for initial screening,
he said.
Mr. Marill said that, once IBM re-
ceives a signed "Agreement for Submis-
sion," it has a self-imposed goal of decid-
ing in six weeks whether to approve or
not approve the proposal. This time could
be longer, or shorter, however, depending
on the complexity,' of the review process
and the clarit\' of the submission.
While a submission does not have to
be a completely finished program, "it
should be at least in the prototype state,"
he said. "We don't want just ideas— we
want some level of implementation that
shows its function. We want to be able to
demonstrate, for example, that it's friend-
ly, easy to use. that good prompts come up
on the screen and so on."
During the review process, the IBM
evaluators likely will get a second or third
opinion within the department, he said. If
the application is a specialized one. such
as for real estate or medicine, and exper-
tise is not within the department, a spe-
cialist will be found, he assured. With its
larger computer line. IBM has developed
software expertise in a vast assortment of
applications.
While copyright and other legal con-
cerns are covered in the review process,
the main effort is put behind the pro-
gram's content— "Is it worth investing
money on?", the department head said.
Mr. Marill and the "Things to Consid-
er" instruction sheet that's provided with
the information packet emphasized that
programs are desired which are original,
unique, useful and "friendly," as well as
well designed and supported by adequate
publications.
Things Writers Should Consider
The "Things to Consider" sheet says:
"Programs with the best chance of be-
ing published will be easy to use. offer a
better way to accomplish a task, he enter-
taining, or will provide something special
or unique to the end-user. The emphasis
is on quality, wide appeal and unique-
ness."
40
PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
It notes that "of particular interest" is
software in the following categories: (1)
home/personal finance; (2) education; (3)
recreation (games); (4) business/profes-
sional; and (5) software development
tools.
Mr. Marill emphasized that IBM is
"wide open" to program applications in
other areas. Of submissions received to
date, no particular trends have been no-
ticed, he said, nor have any particular
weaknesses or strengths been generally
identified.
In the home/personal finance cate-
gory, IBM is looking for everything from
simple data management to sophisticated
systems for people with complex finan-
cial investments. In education, self-
improvement courses are of interest. En-
tertainment can vary from arcade-type
games to sophisticated games, such as
chess.
Programs for business and profession-
al users could be of special interest. For
while IBM is letting Sears and Computer-
Land stores, plus IBM Product Centers,
do most of the marketing to individuals,
its main marketing effort to large business
users will be done through IBM's two big
marketing divisions — one focusing on
large national accounts and the other on
smaller businesses.
The IBM Personal Computer is ex-
pected to compete very well in the busi-
ness marketplace, and this would make it
significantly more attractive for would-be
authors to develop business applications.
The "Things to Consider" instruction
sheet encourages writers to ask such
questions as;
• What makes your program special:
• What makes your program unique? A
better or faster way to do a job; a method
to solve a problem that has not been
solved; an easy to understand user guide?
• Does your program take the user into
account?
• Are the following used properly, and
are they appropriate to the user and your
application? Color; Sound; Screen design;
Help screens and instructions; Adequate
error messages; Consistency; Speed; Pub-
lications.
• Does your program let users make
mistakes and still go on?
• Is your user guide adequate for us to
evaluate your program? For the users to
learn about and utilize it easily?
• Does your program do the user's
whole job? Does the program design al-
low for expansion?
Mr. Marill said that, while he ex-
pected BASIC to continue to be a popu-
larly used language, the key is to produce
a program that's friendly and easy to use.
IBM has announced early availability of a
PC Macro Assembler by MicroSoft, for
developing programs in BASIC, Pascal
and FORTRAN; a MicroSoft FORTRAN
compiler for writing- programs in a ver-
sion of FORTRAN-77, a popular scien-
tific and engineering language; and pro-
gram development aids from SofTech
Microsystems, Inc., called the USCD
p-System (Version IV) with UCSD Pascal
and FORTRAN-77.
Once a program submission is ap-
proved as an IBM-endorsed product by
the Software Publishing Department, it
will be promoted and distributed
"through the same channels" as current
software, Mr. Marill said.
Software for the Personal Computer is
available only at the same authorized out-
lets where hardware is sold. It is not
available via mail order, for example.
Jim Strothman is a syndicated coJumnist
whose reports on new technology are
distributed by (he Register & Tribune
Syndicate. Before starting his coJumn, he
had been employed by IBM for several
years.
IMAGE PROCESSING with your IBM Personal Computer!
IMAGIK!
IMAGIK displays innages with graphic overlays. The image pixels range over
64 intensity levels which can be enhanced linearly or nonlinearly to 64 gray
levels. The 64 intensity levels can also be enhanced to the color spectrum.
The graphic overlay pixels are either off or are one of five colors. Different
enhancements give different sets of 5 colors. Choose one of 12 different
enhancements.
For a high resolution still frame IMAGIK provides 483 lines in the vertical by
640 pixels in the horizontal. For animation IMAGIK provides 241 lines by 320
pixels with loops up to five frames in length and any loop rate.
IMAGIK provides a special mode in which each pixel is ether black or white,
with four frames at 483 X 640 resolution or 20 frames at 241 X 320 resolution.
These may be animated at any loop rate.
SPECIFICATION:
individually addressable pixels. User selects
1 full resolution image of 483 X 640 lines
5 images of 241 X 320 lines
20 frames of 241 X 320 lines (black and white only)
simultaneous display of Image and graphic
Images are animated with a user-selected loop rate
Imaging in black and white with 64 gray levels and enhancement
image loading is via a DMA Interface
five-color graphic overlay
RGB color output is RS-170 compatible to drive color monitor
or NTSC encoder
light pen option available
external sync option available
uses one board slot
Price: $2,950 standard IMAGIK
$3,450 with light pen
for the best in Image processing
iOETIK
IDETIK CORPORATION Madison, Wisconsin 53715-1096
Telephone 608-258-8855
Specifications and prices are subject to ctiange without notice,
dealer inquiries invited
PC/APf?IL— MAY 1982
41
Choose from
Intelligent Printers
for your
IBM Personal Computer
The MEC Spinwriter is an
excellent printer. But you
need more — More interfacing
choices, more RAM buffer,
and more word processing
features. So we installed a
specially designed interface
and renamed the printer
SELLGM 1. For the past 2
years it's been outselling all
expectations.
Mow you have 3 choices of
printers based on the NEC
Spinwriter Series, and the
Fujitsu. All perform beautiful-
ly with the IBM Personal
Computer. They're the
SELLUM SERIES
PRINTERS.
OUTSTANDING FEATURES
Select from either of
these fine printers, and
enjoy many bonus
benefits, such as
• 16K RAM
or 48K RAM option.
• 16 baud from,
50-19,200,— hard-
ware/software selec-
table.
• RS-232, Cen-
tronics Parallel,
IEEE ports, Current
Loop.
• Switch selectable protocols:
rSEC 3510. Diablo 630, Qume
Sprint 9.
• 24 switch selectable func-
tions.
• Auto-bidirectional printing
with optimized throughput.
Sheetfeeder and
^graphics modes.
• Auto proportional
spacing and tab
setting.
• Upgrad-
able to latest
software.
• Complete word pro-
cessing features, standard.
• Supports optional front
panel.
MATCH THE RIGHT PRINTER TO YOUR NEEDS.
Features
Sellum N-35
Sellum N-77
Sellum F-86
Speed
33 cps
55 cps
80 cps
Shannon Test
28 cps
48 cps
72 cps
Print Wheels
128 char.
128 char.
127 char, plastic
96 char, metal
Noise Level
60 db
60 db
60 db
Suggested
Retail
$2495
$3295
$3495
Sellum Series Printers also
available for most microcomputers.
Sold only through dealers
and systems integrators.
465 Fairchild Dr., #214
Mountain View, CA 94043
(415) 964-5460
THE PROGRAMMER"' HAS THE ANSWERS
TO YOUR CUSTOM SOFTWARE QUESTIONS.
i.
Mass produced software has
rapidly approached levels of
sopnistication beyond the
, imagination of a year ago.
' However, regardless of the
sophistication of this software,
every user still encounters the
situation where he thinks to himself
"If it only did this or had that
capability . . ." Now, IBM' has
recently brought the power and
versatility of their main-frame
systems to your fingertips with the
new IBM personal microcomputer,
and now Advanced Operating
Systems complements this
accomplishment by introducing THE
PROGRAMMER, a software package
which brings you abilities previously
possessed only by a highly skilled
computer programmer.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO KNOW?
You must have a clear idea of what
you want your program to do. THE
PROGRAMMER can't read your
mind, but, with your direction, it
can actually write the lines of BASIC
language necessarv for the micro-
computer to perform your tasks.
Non-programmers with little or
no knowledge of BASiC-language
programming can use the simple,
multiple-choice, menu format to
I create all types of programs.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO?
You direct THE PROGRAMMER via
a series of "menus". Each menu
presents a question and a list of the
available choices. You simply input
the number of the function you
want, and THE PROGRAMMER
writes the corresponding BASIC
program lines. The finished product
is automatically stored on the disk,
from which it can be copied on
another disk for later use.
WHAT CAN THE PROGRAMMER
DO FOR YOU?
THE PROGRAMMER can write a
(choose the correct
response.)
a. data-base program tadevelop
and update a mailing list or keep
track of catalog items in your
inventory.
b. graphics generator program.
c. program to create sounds or
music.
d. customized small business
accounting system.
e. program to interface with
another computer device.
f. word processing program to print
department reports.
g. all of the above, and more.
The correct response to this sample
menu is "g". The "bottom tine ' is
that THE PROGRAMMER will write a
program for any purpose. The
possibilities are limited only by your
imagination. Once a program is
completed it can be saved on a disk,
allowing you to write additional
programs. THE PROGRAMMER will
not create the ideas, but will permit
you to quickly and easily implement
any programming ideas you have.
HOW, WHEN, AND WHERE
CAN YOU GET IT?
THE PROGRAMMER is not a fanciful
dream for the future, but is finished
and available to you, right now!
The newer micro systems are often
limited by an initial lack of readily
available software, but with THE
PROGRAMMER, you can instantly
create your own complete software
library.
Now available at your local
software retailer, or call (800)
348-8558 to order (Indiana
residents, call (219) 879-4693.)
MasterCard and VISA accepted.
THE PROGRAMMER
$495-
ADVANCED
OPERATING
SYSTEMS
450 St John Road
Michigan City, IN 46360
'IBM is a registered trademark of international Business Machines
Copyrighted matcua^
iiliin: hmdnnii l>irflmi!;vKr
In a setting replete with ten gallon hats
and bottles of Lone Star beer, Tandy
Corporation's Radio Shack division
this past January issued a challenge to
IBM by introducing a powerful new com-
puter dubbed the "TRS-80 Model 16." At
$4,995 for the basic system, the Model 16
is priced in the same range as typical
business configurations of the IBM Per-
sonal Computer and. by some measures,
could be viewed as offering more capac-
ity for the money.
Like the IBM PC, the Model 16 is
based on a more advanced microproces-
sor than those used in Tandy's and other
companies' earlier microcomputers. But
instead of the Intel 8088 used in IBM's
PC, the Fort Worth, Texas, firm chose the
more powerful and easier to program
Motorola 68000. In addition, the intreped
Texans developed a dual-processor de-
sign that puts an 8-bit Z-80A microchip in
tandem with the 16-bit 68000. When the
16-bit processor is in control, the smaller
chip handles input and output operations;
but the Z-80A can also serve as the prima-
ry processor, enabling the Model 16 to use
software already created for Tandy's
TRS-80 Model II, upon which the newer
machine is patterned.
A basic Model 16 system consists of;
— A single disk drive capable of stor-
ing 1.25 million characters (megabytes) of
information;
—128 thousand characters of main
storage, expandable to 512 thousand char-
acters;
—Connection ports for adding print-
ers, plotters, and telephone communica-
tion devices (modems);
—Expansion slots for adding such
items as the $499 high-resolution graphics
board.
Besides all these enticing attributes,
the Model 16 is capable of supporting
multiple users and tasks. By connecting
two additional terminals to it, the Model
16 can serve as the primary' host for three
users simultaneously. (Radio Shack intro-
duced an inexpensive terminal at the
same time as the Model 16.) Tandy's new
computer is also equipped to communi-
cate via the ARCNET local area network
system announced last September.
Why Only TWo Additional Users
Interestingly, the multiple user feature
is among the ones most damned by indus-
try observers. Many feel that two aren't
45
Cci
enough. But Dr. john D. Patterson,
Tandy/Radio Shack's vice president of
research and development, counters that
adding users tends to degrade the sys-
tem's performance. Patterson believes it
is better to add additional user stations
either through the ARCNET, which can
support any number of users and periph-
eral devices, or through another newly-
announced product, the Network III. This
$599 device is designed to support as
many as sixteen users in a round-robin
fashion. Its potential significance is great,
but it was the least touted of the products
introduced.
Although the Model 16 design is capa-
ble of supporting extra users and han-
dling several tasks, such as allowing
printing of a document while you're
working on another job, these powers are
not currently available. And some expect
they may be a long time in coming. Ac-
cording to Don Williams, publisher and
editor of the respected '68' Micro /ournaJ,
it appears that Radio Shack was prema-
ture in their offering.
More Than Just A Big Machine
Williams might be correct in his as-
sessment if Tandy had elected to lump all
their efforts into one product, as did IBM.
But Tandy has taken the empty-your-six-
shooter approach to introducing new
items.
Besides the powerful desktop comput-
er system, its add-on graphics system, and
the Network III, Radio Shack also un-
veiled an updated version of its hand-
held personal computer. This computer,
called the TRS-80 PC-2, costs $279.95 and
is essentially a TRS-80 Model I that fits in
your hand. It can have as much as 18,000
characters of storage and, like the Model
16. it can connect to the ARCNET. It can
also be used to communicate remotely to
a Model 16.
This total product offering, according
to Tandy's president, John Roach, is a
way of reaching the small business audi-
ence. Roach says Radio Shack now has
something for every application and can
provide an upgrade path that is both sup-
ported and inexpensive. This is some-
thing they apparently aren't convinced
IBM can do.
But What About IBM?
Of course, IBM hasn't been resting on
its laurels either. Already, reports have it
that the Personal Computer has sold in
excess of 50,000 units, and that an ex-
pected 200,000-plus will be sold by year-
end. Sources at Sears and ComputerLand
reported that the machine isn't gathering
any dust on the shelves, but refused to re-
lease any concrete figures on total sales.
Although Tandy introduced a host of
products to surround the Model 16, IBM
is relying in part on outside sources to add
additional value. For example, Tecmar, of
Cleveland, Ohio, has already created
more than twenty add-on products for
IBM's machine. According to Tecmar's
vice president of marketing, Dave Wert-
man, the company currently has no plans
to support the Tandy machine. Microsoft
Corporation's Consumer Products Divi-
sion is also gearing up to support the IBM
machine with both hardware and soft-
ware. Microsoft's Vern Raburn says that
the company is preparing an add-in
memory board, with special software to
treat it like a disk storage system. Raburn
says this product will speed up the entire
operation of IBM's machine, and make it
stand toe-to-toe with any available micro-
computer.
It appears, though, that the real sup-
port factor for the IBM machine will be
the software. Reportedly, IBM has al-
ready signed contracts with Micropro In-
ternational Corp. to sell its series of word
processing and data handling packages.
Neither IBM nor Micropro could be
reached for comment, but as this is being
written, an announcement is expected
within the month.
Even as IBM makes vigorous efforts to
develop or buy software for the machine,
other companies— such as New York
City-based Lifeboat Associates, and the
Oakland, California firm, G&G Engineer-
ing—are already beating them to the
punch. Lifeboat, for example, is readying
a number of its popular packages includ-
ing TMaker, an electronic spread sheet.
According to Lifeboat's vice president of
software development, Harris Landgar-
ten, the company also has a product that
will permit the use of any software writ-
ten for Digital Research's CP/M-86 oper-
ating system to be used instead with the
IBM's PC-DOS.
G&G Engineering's approach is differ-
ent. Rather than providing products di-
rectly for the IBM machine, they are mar-
keting tools that permit software de-
signers to use other, more powerful
systems, based on the popular S-100 bus,
to create software for the PC. Further-
more, they have developed a software
link — a reverse of Lifeboat's mentioned
above— that permits any package written
to run under PC-DOS to work with
CP/M-86.
Software Lagging For The
Model 16
Tandy officials, with surprising can-
dor, are quick to admit the paucity of soft-
ware for the 68000 microprocessor. They
assert, however, that a single user operat-
ing system and the COBOL language will
be available when volume delivery of the
Model 16 begins. By the same time. Radio
Shack plans to have converted for the
machine a number of existing COBOL
applications packages including accounts
receivable and payable, general ledger,
and payroll.
Unlike IBM, Tandy has elected to do
its own development of the multi-user,
multi-tasking operating system which the
Model 16 needs to fulfill its potential.
Many observers in the industrv' foresee a
long upward path for Tandy before it has
a viable system, and believe the com-
pany's choice is a mistake. Meanwhile,
other companies do offer multi-tasking
operating systems that might fill the
breach. The MSP system, from Hemen-
way Corp., Boston, Massachusetts, sup-
ports multiple tasks and, according to
chairman jack Hemenway. can handle
multiple users simply by adding the nec-
essarv' software modules, a task Hemen-
way's firm is currently engaged in.
46
PC/APr?IL-MAY 1982
Users Don't Really Care
With all the hoopla surrounding both
machines and all the learned prose from
the so-called informed consultants, there
is a fact escaping many who write about
and analyze such microcomputer prod-
ucts—namely, most users don't really care
whether or not the machine uses an Intel
or Motorola part, or whether or not it
crunches numbers as quickly as a multi-
buck mini- or a mega-buck maxicom-
puter. There are, however, a few analysts
who see the case from a user's standpoint.
Grant Bushee, a vice president of Cu-
pertino, California-based Dataquest, hit
the nail on the head when he described
this latest round of high-performance mi-
cros as an emotional reaction rather than
a solid technical decision. He believes it
is hard to define what the right technical
level is and that IBM forced the issue by
using a 16-bit microprocessor when a
standard 8-bit part would have served the
purpose.
Bushee and other pundits agree that
what is really required is for vendors to
offer a large librar\' of user-ware, rather
than a raft of development-ware. Typical-
ly, users are asking for software items
such as spreadsheet calculators, database
managers, software interfaces that re-
move the operator from the operating s\'s-
tem, the ability to handle several tasks
concurrently, and packages in general
that operate in an interactive manner.
While both the PC and the Model 16
are capable of running such software ef-
fectively, at bottom they are not really
comparable machines. The PC is de-
signed for single-user, single-task opera-
tions, or to work tied into a business' main
computer. Moreover, the PC software
philosophy appears to embrace the prac-
tice of using products that have already
gained acceptance on other computers,
such as MicroPro's WordStar.
TRS-80 Model 16.
On the other hand, the TRS-80 Model
16 appears geared to multi-user, multi-
task applications. Tandy's approach is
more toward developing unique-to-its-
machine software that meets demonstrat-
ed needs rather than the expectations of
software designers.
Depending upon your specific appli-
cation, either machine is adequate. This
is a factor that is ver\' important in today's
system world, asserts Epson America's di-
rector of market planning, Chris Rut-
kowski. Referring to his firm's MX-80 dot
matrix printer (supplied with the IBM
PC], he comments, "This printer is ade-
quate for the intended job. We never
planned it to solve all printing problems,
or to work with a big mini. What we de-
veloped is a printer that meets the expec-
tations of small systems users. And that's
exactly what's required of a microcom-
puter system." Rutkowski thinks it's fool-
hardy for system designers to tr>' to be all
things to all people. Moreover, he isn't
convinced that current system suppliers
really know what the intended users
want or expect.
Rutkowski isn't alone in his opinions.
Los Alamitos-based computer consultant
Nancy McMullen has found that, more
than anything else, users want a machine
that works all the time even.' time and
doesn't take a Ph.D. to learn how to use.
In addition, she has found that users want
some form of hand holding to get them
used to the machine. And guess what?
Tandy designers agree. They have found
that users want as much help as they can
get either from documentation or comput-
er-aided instruction on how to use the
machine. As a result, they are already of-
fering such instruction with current ma-
chines and plan to extend the technique
to the Model 16, as they release more soft-
ware products.
The Barrels Are Smoking
As the two giants eye each other from
opposite ends of Main Street, sunlight
glints off the barrels of their six shooters.
Each has fired a salvo but no wounds are
yet evident. In the meantime, just beyond
the horizon, another challenger is riding
towards town ... |^
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PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
47
PC-LAB/LARRY PRESS
Testing T.I.M.
A file management system that was quick off the
mark, hut slower on the job.
The gold rush is on. Everyone wants to
develop and market software for the
IBM PC, and many companies that
have been selling software on earlier per-
sonal computers are hurriedly converting
their programs. T.I.M., which stands for
Total Information Management, claims to
be the first file management program
available for the PC.
T.I.M. came out quickly because it is
written in Microsoft BASIC and has been
available for some time on other personal
computers that, like the PC, use Microsoft
BASIC. It is a file management system,
which means that it can be used to create
and maintain many different types of
data files. It might be used with a person-
nel file, a file of real estate listings, a file
of subscribers to a publication or a file of
books or phonograph records you own. In
other words, a file management system is
intended to help you keep track of any
data you might be interested in; it is not
restricted to a specific application. (If you
are unfamiliar with the idea of a file man-
agement system and such terms as ^Je,
record, field, keys and index, see the in-
troduction accompanying this article.)
First Impressions
In looking at T.I.M. or any other pack-
age, I give myself one hour to read over
the manual, and then try the program out.
This enables me to form a first impression
and to get a feel for how difficult it is to
learn the program. In that first hour I
learned a T.I.M. file may contain as many
as 32,767 records, if you have the disk ca-
pacity, and that each record can have as
many as 40 fields which each may be up
to 60 characters long. All of the records in
a given file must fit into the same format.
It is possible to create files, to maintain
them, to look through them and to gener-
ate reports based upon the information
stored in them. It seemed as if using
T.I.M. would be easy because the manual
is clearly written and well organized;
however, the manual was disconcerting
in one respect. It contains a number of
references to earlier versions of T.I.M. for
other computers, which seemed very
careless and made me wonder if T.I.M. 's
authors hadn't gone too fast in trying to be
first on the market.
Having read the manual, it was time to
try T.I.M. out. It comes on three disks,
each of which contains different parts of
the program. The fact that the program
resides on three disks is bad news, since it
means that the operator must often swap
disks when a new function is needed.
You also get a disk containing four sample
data files that are used in the manual's
tutorial examples. A beginner could learn
nearly everything there is to know about
T.I.M. by using these files in conjunction
with careful study of these examples.
When T.I.M. is loaded, it displays a
main menu which is used to move to oth-
er menus. The menus are nearly self-
explanatory and "help screens" are only a
keystroke away. I began by creating a file
of checking account data (described in
the article FiJes, Fields, Records, etc.).
This task involves specifying the name.
size, and type of each of the fields in the
records. It is a tribute to T.I.M.'s clear
menus that doing so for the check file
took less than ten minutes and I only had
to refer to the manual once. I would ex-
pect that anyone with a little program-
ming and data processing background
would be able to do the same as easily.
Defining a file in this manner creates a
directory entry which contains the field
specifications for future use, but doesn't
enter any data into the file. The next step
was to add some records.
This proved to be as easy as creating
the file had been. Once you select the
"add record" command from the menu,
the system displays a "form" on the
screen, which shows each of the field
names and their lengths. You can move
the cursor to various parts of the form and
key in values. There are several time-
saving data entry features; for instance, a
single keystroke will insert the current
date into a field, or duplicate the entry
that was used in the previous record.
When values are entered, the system
PC/APRl-MAY 1982
automatically does some error checking,
e.g., it won't let you put letters in a nu-
meric field; however, other desirable
types of error checking, such as limits on
numeric values, are not provided for.
Problems and Irritations
While I generally found the system
easy to use during this first encounter,
problems did turn up. In their hurry to be
first on the market, the authors of the pro-
gram went light on error checking. When
I do something wrong, I want the comput-
er to explain the problem and then give
me a second chance. T.I.M. usually does
just that, but all too often it just stops ex-
ecution and returns to BASIC'S command
level. When this happens, you must take
the time to restart the system and you may
have lost work. Microsoft BASIC makes it
possible for the programmer to intercept
any error a user or the system may make,
and this sort of blind return to the system
should never occur. Another irritation is
that, in an attempt to save the operator a
few keystrokes, T.I.M. does not wait for
you to hit the "enter" key after you type
something which it knows will only be
one character long, for example, a menu
selection. This sounds good, but what
happens in practice is that you often hit
the enter key anyhow, which generally
signals some further action choice. This is
good intention, but bad design, especially
with untrained operators.
Speaking of untrained operators, I
showed one how to use T.I.M., and within
an hour, she was able to add records,
search for records and update (alter) rec-
ords in the check file. While the two prob-
lems mentioned in the previous para-
graph bothered her, this still seemed a
reasonable learning time.
Overall, the first impression is that
T.I.M. is easy to learn and to use. Part of
that simplicity is achieved by cutting
down on options which you might like to
have, but much is due to good design and
documentation. On the other hand, care-
less re-writing of an earlier manual and
failing to account for many operator er-
rors evidences a blind rush to get the
product on the market. Finally, compared
to file management systems on other per-
sonal computers, T.I.M. seemed slow be-
cause it is written in Microsoft BASIC.
Further Exploration
Several experiments were tried in or-
der to get some data on T.I.M.'s speed and
storage requirements. The results are
summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Files con-
taining 12, 100, and 500 records were gen-
erated using a test program. The records
Vital Statistics:
Program Name: T.I.M.
Company: Innovative Software
9300 West 110th Street
Overland Park, KS
66210
(913) 888-0154
Price: S500.00
Hardware Requirements:
64K memory
80 cohimn display*
1 disk drive
80 column printer*
Language:
Microsoft BASIC
Operating System: PC DOS
Program Capacities:
32,767 records per file
40 fields per record
60 characters per field
40 index fields per file
Command Structure: menus
User Aids: help screens
function key legends
*Initial version works only with mono-
chrome display and parallel printer
adapters.
in these files contained a four digit nu-
meric field in addition to the fields of the
check accounting file. This extra field,
which contained a random number from
0 to 9999, was used for time sorting and
record retrieval. Each of these files was
the only one on its disk. Two drives were
used in all of the tests, one for the pro-
gram and the other for the data file. In
tests involving two data files, such as
copying the records from one file to an-
other for backup, each file was on a dif-
ferent drive in order to speed things up as
much as possible. Although it didn't seem
to make much difference, the maximum
T.I.M. buffer size of 2,400 characters
(bytes) was used for each test. Times
shown in Table 1 don't include time spent
in swapping disks and setting up the var-
ious operations. For example, the time for
sorting a key does not include choosing
the sort option from the menus or specify-
ing the sort keys; it is just the time for the
actual sorting.
The times necessary to create the test
files are shown in the first line of Table 1.
Once the files were created, I made a mi-
nor change in their definition. This re-
structuring is done by creating a second
file and then copying the data from the
first file into it. Creating the second file,
with a change in field size and type, took
only a few minutes and went smoothly.
Once the new file was created, the old
data was copied into it. The copy time for
the 12 record file was only 57 seconds,
but, as you see in Table 1. restructuring
the larger files took much longer.
In addition to restructuring data files,
it is possible to change the appearance of
the screen forms. Again, only a few min-
utes were required to design the custom
form shown in Figure 3.
I was also curious as to how much disk
space a file would occupy. Each T.I.M.
file requires a data file on the disk, a di-
rectory entry and a file for each key
which you define. Table 2 shows the disk
requirements for my 12, 100 and 500 rec-
ord files. The data and index files grow in
proportion to the number of records add-
ed, but the directory entry does not. The
designers of T.I.M. could have made
some tradeoffs at this point, for example,
encoding the data file or using variable
length fields; however, this would have
slowed the system down, a price that they
were evidently not willing to pay.
File Maintenance and Locating
Records
Once a file is created, most of your
time will be spent in maintaining it,
which means adding records, deleting
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
49
Files, Fields, Records, etc.— An Introduction
Field nane Length Type
Check number 5 sequential nuiiber
Date 8 date
Recipient 25 alphanuneric
Inount
10
dollar
Bus/pers
1
alphanumeric
Remarks
SO
alphanuneric
Figure 1, The name.
length and type of
each of the fields
in a
check file.
CHECK
BUS
NUMBER
D»TE
RECIPIENT
AMOUNT
PERS REMtRKS
1
02 12 82
John Press
25 00
P
for books
2
02/ 12. 82
John Press
125.00
P
delivery work
3
02/12/82
Saaantha Press
12 50
P
candy
4
01/21/82
Roberto Lastrico
400 00
B
clerical work
5
12/21/81
Roberto Lastrico
325.50
B
typing
6
01 21/82
Joe Press
50.00
P
birthday present
7
01,19/81
Natalia Lastrico
37 45
P
party supplies
8
02/12/82
Carla Lastrico
550 00
B
data management software
9
02/ 12/82
Carla Lastrico
1250.00
B
printer and adapter
10
02/ 12. 82
Lillian Press
125.00
6
turkey
11
02/12/82
Marcela Ortuzar
417.00
B
auto repair
12
02/12/82
Marcela Ortuzar
31 50
B
spark plugs and hoses
Figure 2, A 12 record check file.
*: 3.
1. 12. 7. 6, 2
10. 5. 4. 11, 8. 9
B: 8.
9, 7. 4. 5. 6.
1. 2. 10. 3. 11. 12
C: 12
10. S. 4. 11.
8. 9. 3. 1. 7. 6. 2
Figure 3, 7'hree indices for the file shown in figure 2. 'I'he first index [A] orders the file on
check amount. The record with the smallest omount IS12.50} is first, etc. The second index
alphaljelizes the file on recipient's name (last naine first/. 7'he third index sorts the file on
two fields, one within the other. Can you see H'hich ones?
Before getting into a review of T.I.M.,
we should agree on a few basic terms
and concepts having to do with data
files. Let's start with the words file and
record. For the time being, forget that
we are speaking about computers and
ask yourself what these words mean.
For example, if you call your auto in-
surance agent and he says, "[ust a
minute while I get your record from
my file," what is he saying? He prob-
ably goes over to a metal filing cabinet
where he has the records for all of his
customers and takes out a single folder
with your record in it. Inside the folder
is a form which has ail sorts of infor-
mation like your name, your address,
the make and model of your car and
how much liability,' insurance you car-
r\'. He is looking at your record, but, if
he looked at my folder, he would find
the same form filled in with my val-
ues. He will refer to the items on the
form as fields.
The ideas of file, record and field
also apply to computer data files. In
the same way that the insurance file
was made up of many records, a com-
puter file is made up of many records.
Let's also assume that each record con-
tains the same categories of informa-
tion (fields) arranged in the same or-
der, just as each person's insurance
record used the same form. As a sim-
ple example, consider a file with infor-
mation on your bank checking ac-
count, having one record for each
check you write. What information
would you like to store on your checks;
in other words, what would be the
fields in the check records? The check
number, date, name of the recipient,
amount of the check come immediate-
ly to mind. You might also like to store
a remark to remind you of the purpose
of the check, and a code to separate
the business checks from the personal
ones.
Figure 1 li.sts the names of these
fields along with their sizes and the
type of information which can be
stored in each. For example, the
amount field is 10 characters wide and
can hold a dollar figure, while the
business/personal code field is only
one character wide. The remark field
is fift>' characters wide and the type,
alphanumeric, means that any alpha-
betic, numeric or special punctuation
character is okay. Field names, sizes
and types are some of the information
which must be provided to a file man-
agement system whenever a new file
is created.
Figure 2 completes this example by
listing 12 records which might be
found in nur check file. Take a look at
it to make sure that you understand the
ideas of file, record and field, because
we will use this data in several tests of
T.I.M.'s performance.
We also need to say something
about key fields and indices. Glance
back at Figure 2. What order are the
records in? What order would you like
them to be in? At one time you might
be interested in searching for or print-
ing out the checks written to a certain
person. In that case, it would be nice if
they were sorted alphabetically by re-
cipient's name. If. however, you want-
ed to find the check you wrote on a
certain day, you would like them sort-
ed according to date. It is clear that
there is no single answer to this ques-
tion. Can you give a few other exam-
ples where still different ordering
would be preferred? I have been
speaking of "sorting" the records and,
while computers can certainly be pro-
grammed to physically reorder the
records in a file, there is another, often
better, way to deal with the need to re-
trieve records in var\'ing order. This
involves building key fields and build-
ing indices.
Figure 3 illustrates these ideas.
Let's say, for example, that we wished
to be able to retrieve records in order
by the amount of the check. We would
say that AMOUNT was a key field
and build an index. The index could
be merely a list of record numbers, in
order of ascending check amount. Fig-
ure 3 illustrates these ideas, but, in or-
der to understand it, you will need to
refer back to Figure 2, which lists the
I
SO
PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
I
tire data file. The first index shown
2re sorts the records by check
lount. Record number 3 is for the
lallest amount ($12.50), record num-
r 1 is for the next smallest ($25.00),
;. The largest check ($1,250.00) is
cord number 9, so it is the last entr>-
the index. Figure 3 also shows an
dex on the RECIPIENT field, which
oris" the file into alphabetical order,
le third index shown in Figure 3 is a
lie bit trickier Can you figure out
lal it does before reading on?
The third index uses multiple keys
sort the file on AMOUNT within
JS/PER. What this means is that all
the business checks will be sorted
to t)ne group and all of the personal
lecks into a second and that within
ese two groups, the records will be
dered by AMOUNT. Note that in
gure 3 the business checks all pre-
•de the personal checks. Why didn't
e personal checks precede the busi-
>ss checks? Because the code for
jsiness, "B", precedes the code for
;rsonal. "P", in the alphabet. In this
:amp!e. we would refer to BUS/PER
. the mu/or field and AMOUNT as
e minor field. Note that there is
ithing to stop us from building a key
hich orders the file on more that two
;lds, for instance, it might be useful
report your checks by AMOUNT
ithin RECIPIENT within BUS/PER.
an you think of other keys which
ight be useful.?
Finally, you may have heard of
jtabase or data management systems,
id be wondering if they are the same
; file management systems such as
I.M. While there are no universally
:cepled definitions of these terms, I
ould distinguish a file manager as
;ing more limited than the others. A
e manager, as I use the term, is de-
nned to work on one file at a time
Iher than an entire database which
ight be made up of many files, all of
hich are related to each other. Al-
ough T.I.M. is able to generate a cer-
in type of report using two files, it is
it designed to handle multi-file data
ises: each T.I.M. file is treated inde-
indently.
— Larr\' Press
them and changing or updating them.
Adding records is quite simple, as stated
above. A form is displayed on the screen
and you "fill it in." Filling in and editing
this screen form is accomplished using
the commands shown in Figure 4. The
function keys on the left of the keyboard
are used instead of the cursor control, in-
sert and delete keys on the right. This is a
little confusing; however, it enables you to
use the cursor control keys as a numeric
keypad. After you add new records, they
must be merged into the data file, and,
again, you notice how slow T.I.M. is. Ta-
ble 1 shows the times needed to merge
just a single record into a data file.
To delete or update a record, you must
first locate it in the file. Figure 5 shows
the interactive commands which may be
used in finding records in a T.I.M. file.
For instance, if you wanted to find a
check that you had written to Roberto
Lastrico, you would like to step through
the file using the RECIPIENT field as a
key. T.I.M. will let you do this, assuming
that an index has been created for the key
field. T.I.M. is quite flexible in the cre-
ation of indices. A file may have up to 40
indices and they can be based upon ei-
ther simple, single field keys or com-
pound, multiple field keys. For instance,
an index might sort the file on AMOUNT
within RECIPIENT. This flexibility is
quite useful and, like everything else in
T.I.M., creating an index is easy but time
consuming.
To create an index all you do is specify
the key fields, start the sort and get a cup
of coffee. Table 1 shows the time to sort
the check file on the four digit random
number field which was added for this
test. The 12 record file required only 19
seconds; however, sort times grew rapidly
with file size and 100 records took a min-
ute and 59 seconds. I tried the 100 record
sort again using the check number field,
which was already in sequence rather
than random, but that saved only 6 sec-
onds. The fun really began when I tried a
500 record file. Not only did the time es-
calate to 22 minutes, but the sort did not
work properly!
Once a key is built, it is possible to step
through the records as if they were in or-
der by that key, but it takes about 3.2 sec-
onds per step. If we are looking for Ro-
berto Lastrico's check, we don't want to
search alphabetically, we want to jump
straight to it. Direct (non-sequential)
searches can take only one form in T.I.M.:
the value you are searching for must ex-
actly match the contents of the key field.
In our example the search would be for a
record in which the RECIPIENT field
contains "Roberto Lastrico." The time to
search for a record varies depending
upon where it happens to fall in the in-
dex, so Table 1 shows a range of times for
searches in files of 12, 100, and 500 rec-
ords. It might not seem like 10 or 15 sec-
onds is long to wait for a search, but I
have used file managers on other person-
al computers that were much faster, re-
quiring more like 2-3 seconds. Because it
is written to run under PC BASIC, T.I.M.
is slow. Furthermore, few systems would
limit you to searches for exact matches on
single fields.
Since it is good practice to back up
your files periodically, another test mea-
sured the time necessary to copy a data
file— including its directory and indi-
ces—from one disk to another. Table 1
shows the times needed for each file.
(Since a T.I.M. data file can have several
associated files, like the T.I.M. directory,
which must be kept together with it, you
must use the copying functions built into
T.I.M., rather than DOS, for duplicating
TI.M. files.)
Generating Reports
In addition to looking through data
files and maintaining them, a file man-
agement system allows you to generate
reports about the data in a file. As a re-
port generator, T.I.M. is easy to use, but
not very flexible.
Let's say that we want a report which
shows the check number, date, recipient's
name, amount and indication as to busi-
ness/personal for each of the checks in
our 12 record file. The first step is to de-
fine the report format, which takes only a
minute or so. It is also easy to try your re-
port out by having it "print" on the screen
rather than on paper, and if it is not quite
right, it is very simple to edit it. Once the
format definition is complete, it can be
saved in a library and reused without re-
peating the definition process.
Figure 6 shows a copy of this report.
Part of the reason that defining the format
of the report was so easy is that T.I.M.
does not give the user much flexibility.
For example, it would be nice to use re-
port headings which were not the same as
the field names you chose when creating
the file, to have two-line headings, to cen-
ter, left justify or right justify a column of
data or to space the columns out. Had
;/APRl— MAY 1982
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)ere is nothing comparable.. .at any pric
T.I.M. provided such options, it would
have been possible to produce a report
like the one shown in Figure 7. It would
have been nice if report definition had
been handled in the same manner as
screen definition, where the user is al-
lowed to create a special custom design if
the pre-designed formats don't satisfy.
T.I.M. wouldn't be the T.I.M. we've
grown to know if printing reports weren't
a bit slow as well. The report shown in
Figure 6 required 45 seconds print time
and the one in Figure 8 took 68 seconds.
Admittedly, the IBM matrix printer is
slow, but even it had to wait for T.I.M. to
prepare lines for printing.
Reports can also have control breaks.
For example, it is easy to generate a re-
port such as Figure 8, in which business
and personal checks are listed separately
and subtotals are calculated for each
group as well as a grand total. Defining
that report took less than a minute, but
again, additional features such as more
levels of subtotals (T.I.M. allows two) or
calculation of averages could have been
provided. Finally, although not shown in
our check example, it is possible to have
fields (report columns) which are calcu-
lated from other fields. For instance, in an
inventory report, quantity on hand could
be multiplied by unit price to create an
inventory value field.
What if you wanted a report that
showed only checks greater than a given
amount, or only business checks? It
would be nice if it were possible to direct-
ly specify such a sub-file, but it is not. In-
stead, it is necessary to first create a sec-
ond file which contains only the records
that you wish to include. Then you print
the report using that smaller file. This is
conceptually simple, and defining the se-
lection criteria for creating the sub-file is,
as usual, ver>' easy; however, the process
is inefficient since T.I.M. must read
through the entire file in selecting the
sub-file and then read through the entire
sub-file to print the report. As we have
already seen, T.I.M. does not posess blaz-
ing speed, so going back through the data
file takes a lot of time. Table 1 shows the
time necessary to select the business
checks from our files (about half, selected
at random, were business checks).
Conclusion
A general picture begins to emerge
from all of this. On the positive side,
T.I.M. is easy to use. The manual is well
Timing T.I.M.
Operation^
Convert ASCII Hie to T.I.M. format
Restructure file
Merge single record into file
Sort (create index) on 4 digit field
Search on 4 digit random number key field
Copy file, indices and directory
Select subfile for business checks only
Table 1, Tests of T.I.M. speed. Three check files, with 12. 100 and 500 records were cre-
oled. A special 4 digit, numeric field containing a random number was added lo each
record for the purpose of liming sorts and searches. Times are shown in minutes and
seconds.
Number
of Records in File
12
100
500
45s
5m 51s
29m 9s
57s
7m 3s
37m 33s
57s
Im 51s
4m 34s
198
Im 59s
22m
7-9s
10-15S
15-19S
57s
2m IDs
7m
54s
3m 49s
17m 55s
Number
of Records in
File
File
12
100
500
Directory
1664
1920
1920
Data area
1280
10496
52224
Indices (per field)
512
512
1280
Table 2, Disk space requirements. Kach 'I'.I.AI. file requires disk spoce for a directory
enlrv, (he data records and (he index entries.
Main l.I.M Menu
k = Add Inspect Update a record
C = Create a ne* tile
D = Display T I M. directory
F = File specifications
H = Help menu
I = word processor Interface
Enter comand
Figure 1, The main menu. This menu is used to access secondary' menus. It is often neces-
sary to change prognim disks when moving from one menu to the next.
L = List generation
M = file Maintenance
R = Report generation
S = Select records fro* a file
U = Utility comands
X = eXit to operating systea
FILE: B; CHECKS EOF
RECORD: 14 ( 14 )
1 Check Number
2 Date
3 Recipient
4 tiiount
5 Remarks
6 Bus/Pers .
KEI: SEO
DEL N
DIR: + SCREEN: 1
TyPE S 0
1 = Lft 2 = rt 3 = Up 4 = D*n 5 = Insert 6 = C dlt 7 = Last 8 = Date 9 = F dlt 10 = Exit
FILE: B CHECXS EOF XEV: SEQ
RECORD: 14 ( 14 ) DELN
1 Check Nunber 2 Date 4 *«ount
DIR: + SCREEN: 1
TYPES 0
3 Recipient 6 Bus/Pers
5 Remarks
Figures 2 and 3, "Di.'fuull" .scn;en layout for check file, with fields displayed one per line, and
cusloiii screen which can ()e d<!signed ivilh a lilth: extra ii'ork.
cursor aoveaent by character
cursor aoveaent by field
cursor to top of torn
character insert
character delete
field delete
tab
insert current date
use value froa prior record
Junp to the first record in sequence
junp to record n in sequence
step + - 1 record in sequence
Ju«p + - n records in sequence
search sequentially for utch on partial field
step + — 1 record using key field
ju«p + — n records using key field
search for exact natch using key field
Figures 4 and 5, T.l. M.'s commands for editing and locating records.
54
PC/ APRIL-MAY 1982
Sequential Check Report
02/21/82
Check Hiaber Date
Recipient
taount
Bus/Pers
1
02 12 82
John Press
2S.0O p
2
02 12 82
John Press
125.00 p
3
02 12, 82
Sa«antha Press
12.50 p
4
01 21 82
RoBerto Lastrico
400.00 b
5
12.21 81
Roberto Lastrico
325.50 b
6
01 21 82
Joe Press
50.00 p
7
01 19' 81
Natalia Lastrico
37.45 p
8
02 12 82
Carla Lastrico
550 00 b
9
02 12 82
Carla Lastrico
1250 00 b
10
02- 12 82
Lillian Press
125.00 b
11
02/12 82
Marcela Ortuzar
417.00 b
12
02/12/82
Marcela Ortuzar
31.50 b
GNO-TOT*L>
$3,348.95
GR Record count = 12
Figure 6, Reporl. Showing check number, date, recipient
personal code
name, amount and the
business/
Check
Bus (b)
Number
Oate
Recipient's Naae
Inount
Per (p)
1
02/12/82
John Press
25.00
P
2
02/12/82
John Press
125.00
P
3
02/12/82
Sanantha Press
12.50
P
4
01/21/82
Roberto Lastrico
400.00
b
5
12/21/81
Roberto Lastrico
325.50
b
6
01/21/82
Joe Press
50.00
P
7
01/19/81
Natalia Lastrico
37.45
P
8
02/12/82
Carla Lastrico
550.00
b
9
02/12/82
Carla Lastrico
1250.00
b
10
02/12/82
Lillian Press
125.00
b
11
02/12/82
Marcela Ortuzar
417 00
b
12
02. 12/82
Marcela Ortuzar
31.50
b
Figure 7, improved report. 7'he formatting of the report shown in figure 6 left something
to he desired. 'J'his i/Justration shows some ivays in which it could be improved: centering
(.olumns. spacing them out, two-iine headings, etc. t/nfortunately. these are not possible
using r.l.M.
Business and Personal Checks
02 21/82
Bus Pers
Date
Recipient
tuount
Check Hmter
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
< TOTAL >
MJ Record count
P
P
P
P
P
< TOTAL >
MJ Record count
02,12 82
02/12 82
12/21 81
01/21 82
02/12 82
02/12.82
02/12/82
= 7
02/12/82
02/12/82
01/19 81
01/21 82
02/ 12 82
Marcela Ortuzar
Lillian Press
Roberto Lastrico
Roberto Lastrico
Marcela Ortuzar
Carla Lastrico
Carla Lastrico
Sanantha Press
John Press
Natalia Lastrico
Joe Press
John Press
31.50
125.00
325.50
400.00
417.00
550.00
.i2sg,og_
$3,099 00
12.50
25.00
37.45
50.00
125.00
$249 95
12
«
S
4
11
S
9
$3,348.95
<GND-TOT
OR Record count = 12
Figure 8, ( oluls and subtotals. Sul)totuls un; printed whenever the value of the control field
llnis pers) chunges. Hefore the report wus printed, un inde.x sorting the file on amount
within bus/ pers hud to be created.
organized and clearly written. The screen
interaction, menus and help screens are
done well enough that it is seldom neces-
sar>' to refer back to the manual after a
first reading. Anyone who is familiar with
data processing and has some back-
ground in programming should be able to
set up T.I.M. files and reports. Once a file
is defined, a few hours would probably
suffice to train a non-technical person to
operate the system well enough to main-
tain files and generate reports.
To some extent, T.I.M. is easy to use
because it is simple and doesn't offer
many options to the user. There could
have been more flexibility in searching
for records and in report definition, for
instance. However, a good part of the
ease of use must be attributed to the de-
sign of the s\'stem, so, if T.I.M. is capable
of doing your job, you will find it friendly
to use.
Unfortunately, you will also find it
slow. Because of this, T.I.M. is best suited
to applications where files are small, un-
less it is possible to process information
in relatively large, periodic batches (such
as a mailing list for a monthly publica-
tion). T.I.M. would be poorly suited to
tasks such as an inventory system, where
the file ought to be updated whenever a
transaction occurred.
A good deal of the blame for this slow
operation (and probably for the decisions
to cut down on options) is due to the fact
that it runs using the Microsoft BASIC in-
terpreter. When Microsoft makes their
BASIC compiler available for the PC. a
considerably faster version of T.I.M.
should be forthcoming. Speed of oper-
ation would also be enhanced by using a
hard disk rather than floppy disks. Not
only would speed of reading and writing
the disk be increased, it would no longer
be necessar\' for the operator to swap the
three program disks in and out of the
floppy disk drive. That gets tiresome in a
hurr>'.
But all of T.I.M.'s shortcomings cannot
be blamed on the BASIC interpreter. I
also think that its release was too rushed.
This shows up in many ways, like the
careless editing of the manual for the PC
version, several minor bugs in the pro-
gram, a few major bugs in the program
and not trapping all operator errors. I am
sure that all of these problems will even-
tually be cleared up, but an extra month
or so of testing and fixing should have
prevented them. xi
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
55
ilenai |
USER'S REPORT/CHERYL WOODARD
T.I.M. Faces Real Life
As Marketing and Sales Director of
PC magazine, I have many of the
business needs that a database
management program such as T.J.M. is
designed to satisfy. I keep records on ad-
vertisers, potential advertisers, and retail
distributors that number in the thousands,
and must monitor magazine shipments to
dealers and advertising orders, as well as
their related invoices.
Looking through the T.I.M. manual, I
discovered many ways T.J.M. could help
me organize the mass of information my
department routinely handles. I've used
other off-the-shelf microcomputer pro-
grams, so the terminolog\— "files," "rec-
ord lengths," "bytes,", etc. — did not in-
timidate me. In fact, the manual gave me
bright hopes that I'.l.M. and I would get
along quite well; I felt, after reading the
manual from cover to cover, that I had a
sound understanding of T./.M.'s capabili-
ties, limitations, and mode of operations.
Knowing I had a review to write and
only a limited amonnt of time in which to
write it, I decided to limit my work with
T.J.M. to the Ret.iil Dealer Sales func-
tions. I tentativeh planned to use T.J.M.
files and reports in the following ways:
1. To generate mailing labels;
2. To generate sales reports and inven-
tory, open inventory, and dealer lists by
using a file based on invoices and a file
based on dealers;
3. To use the dealer file to generate
lists of buyers and their telephone num-
bers; and
4. To use a word processing program,
together with the dealer file, to generate
'personalized' form letters.
My first hamis-on encounter with
T.J.M. was painless. Within hours, using
the program was almost effortless; within
two days, we had created, modified, and
restructured a deider file containing 94
names. At this point. I wrote a letter to a
friend, saying, "TIM is great! It's going to
make things a lot easier for me."
And then the problems started.
When I encountered error messages I
didn't understand, I called Innovative
Software for help; fortunately, I knew
VVoodard; "My overaJl impression of T.l.
enough about computers to know that we
should copy the error messages exactly as
they appeared on the screen, even though
they were completely meaningless to us.
The people at Innovative Software pa-
tiently listened as I recreated the situa-
tion and read them the error messages.
Shortly thereafter, they called back to ex-
plain that I had a "bad disk" and that
they'd rush a new copy to me overnight.
They did, and my work was interrupted
only for a day or so; but the situation was
still upsetting.
First, the absence of any explanation
for the error messages in the manual left
us unable to solve the problem without
assistance; this omission continues to
plague me. Further, the programs revert
to BASIC whenever anything goes wrong,
and the documentation offers no assis-
tance in recovering from the error.
A second problem had nothing to do
with T.J.M. but everything to do with us-
ing a computer in an office situation.
When the new copy of T.J.M. arrived, an
over-zealous co-worker reformatted and
recopied the program disks; in the pro-
cess, he erased everything we had done to
that point. It took at least a day to recreate
the lost files; as a result, I learned to keep
our working files on diskettes locked in
mv desk.
.M. us /iiDic p()si[i\-(,' than not . . ."
At this point, I had to revise the scope
of my review, since time was running out
and I discovered that some of the pro-
gram options were unavailable. For ex-
ample, when the word processing option
is selected from the main menu, it reads,
"not available." Also, the reporting for-
mat proved to be so awkward for generat-
ing invoices that I decided to have them
printed and to complete them with a type-
writer.
In light of my revised expectations, I
proceeded to have dealer files, reports,
and lists developed. All of these files,
lists, and reports have proven to be help-
ful, and thus my overall impression of
T.J.M. is more positive than not. It's a rel-
atively 'friendly' program that is both
easy to learn and flexible to use, and I'm
impressed by the variety of ways in which
it can report information from the dealer
files.
On the other hand, we encountered
some aspects of the program that were so
frustrating they caused us to limit the
number of applications in which we
could utilize T.J.M. A friend of mine, who
is a programmer, tells me that many of
these problems do not originate with the
T.J.M. program itself. In the following ex-
amples, when I know T.J.M. to be blame-
less, I'll sav so.
PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
First. T.I.M. comes on three program
liskettes which are used in conjunction
A'ith a data diskette containing your files.
To move through the various phases of a
jarticular operation (e.g., updating a file,
sorting it in some particular sequence,
ind writing a report), we had to shuffle
he three program disks in and out of the
lisk drive; it seemed that 90 percent of
)ur time was spent waiting in front of a
screen that read, "One moment while
Drogram is loading."
My friend told me that this problem
Aias the result of IBM's diskette format,
A?hich doesn't provide adequate space for
arge programs. Since there's 256K of
■nemory on my IBM PC, I asked him why
he program hadn't been designed to al-
low all the programs to be loaded into
Tiemory at one time. The answer: T.I.M.
s written in Microsoft BASIC, which, al-
hough easy to use, is unable to address
Tiore than 64K of memory at one time.
[Therefore, this frustrating and time-con-
suming feature of T.I.M. represents a
:rade-off in which ease of language use
was achieved at the cost of program effi-
ciency. Perhaps a brilliant and user-dedi-
cated programmer could have overcome
:hese limitations and/or reached a more
satisfactory compromise, but the T.I.M.
programmers have chosen not to do so.
Perhaps this problem will be solved in fu-
ture versions.
Although I've already mentioned the
Dmission of error messages from the man-
ual, I want to come back to that topic be-
cause it was another source of recurring
Frustration. The following incident is typi-
cal:
I was trying to save a report format in
the Report Format Library and was re-
peatedly tossed out into BASIC. Receiv-
ing no explanation from either the com-
puter or the manual, I had to spend 45
minutes trying to discover why a program
khat worked yesterday was not working
today. Finally, using the IBM DOS com-
mand, "Check Disk," I discovered that
^he diskette was full and, therefore,
would not accept any more data.
In this case, discovering the nature of
the problem did not solve it, or even sug-
gest a solution, since it is a feature of the
program's design to store libraries on an
already crowded program diskette, not on
the data diskette. The only way to over-
come this particular obstacle is to make
several copies of the program diskette
and to distribute the different libraries
among them. It took an entire afternoon
to solve this problem; better documenta-
tion would have made that effort unnec-
essary.
My final criticism concerns sorting
speed. When the dealer file contained
only 94 records, it could be sorted very
quickly; now that it contains more than
250 records, a sort takes a great deal long-
er. The T.I.M. manual warns that having
several key fields would slow the sorting
and merging processes, and so we've re-
duced the key fields to the two that are
essential: zip code and standing order. As
our PC dealer base grows— and it has the
potential to reach 2,000 by the end of the
year— all of these processes will become
even slower.
As a result of this problem, I have de-
cided not to use T.I.M. in applications re-
quiring frequent sorting of large(r) data
files. For example, I plan to have a file
created which would describe all of our
present and potential advertisers in some
detail. There are already more than 700
such companies and individuals on our
"comp list" and the number is growing
rapidly. I don't think it would be wise to
use T.I.M. with a list that size.
There are other minor problems that
will undoubtedly be corrected before
long, e.g., T.I.M. can't be used with a col-
or monitor and the word processing inter-
face isn't yet available. All in all, T.I.M. is
better than a filing cabinet and we will
continue to use it for small, uncomplicat-
ed tasks such as mailing lists since it's
easy to learn and flexible to use. Howev-
er, I do hope that a more powerful data-
base program— one that's able to perform
the more sophisticated tasks I have in
mind— will be available soon.
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COMMUMCATIONS:
Computer conferencing is not a
substitute for anything, but is an
entirely new form of group inter-
action. The members do not meet, and it
is irrelevant whether or not they are "on-
line" at the same time. They communi-
cate with e.ich other indirectly via the
computer fii. s which they jointly create
and which tlie\ access via software on a
"host" computer system. The host, which
may be ;iny suitably equipped and pro-
grammed computer but is usually of the
large, triuiitinnal type, keeps track of who
has seen u hdt entries in the file and noti-
fies users when new material is present.
The only equipment required for com-
puter conferencing (CC) is an ordinary
terminal with communications capabili-
ty—hardly ,1 rare item today. Personal
computers siich as IBM's PC can easily be
set up to fill the role.
The mechanism of CC is simple. The
host computer recognizes individual
users, or "accounts," as members of a giv-
en conference. The members are permit-
ted to read and write in its files according
to whatever protocol they want to estab-
lish. In an open conference, users can
read all of the items and enter their own
contributions. Normally, they will not be
able to change files created by others;
however, in some instances, it may be
useful to give one member the editorial
power to add and delete. Files may be ei-
ther signed, unsigned, or even pseudony-
mous. Members may send messages to
each other privately and may have a per-
sonal file space for notekeeping.
When this s\'stem is linked with a per-
sonal computer that has its own informa-
tion processing capability, the user has an
unprecedented opportunity to integrate
his/her individual work with others'. Co-
operation takes on a new dimension
when the individual is free to work at an
individual pace, yet the network is al-
ways available.
Clifford Barney
THE
\1RTIAL
t MEETING
Using your computer for
online conferencing
El
How this capahilitN' is put to use de-
pends upon the purpose of the confer-
ence. The files may contain little more
than items of general interest to a loose
group of colleagues, or they may record
something as detailed as the creation of a
precis.' f':.^i:'rii,<il
"Qnly the help
pounds a keyboard
. . . voice Input/
output Is the opium
of the managerial
class."
One of my favorite examples of the ap-
plication of computer conferencing is the
inside-out press conference conducted on
EIES. Art Kleiner, an editor of Co-EvoJu-
tion Quarter^, set up an on-line meeting
for the sole purpose of providing him
with the information he needed to write a
magazine article. As a reporter who is
used to chasing news sources— or duck-
ing them when they thought they'd been
misquoted— I was enchanted by the sim-
plicity of Kleiner's vision. Hv. had collect-
ed all of his sources in one electronic
space and had their comments in a ma-
chine-readable form. There had h(!(!n
nothing like it in the annals of journalism
since the days when Welsh bards from
opposing armies met on a hilltop during a
battle to decide among themselves how
the fighting should be reported.
Despite its advantages, CC is widely
held to be unsuitable for commerce be-
cause it requires the use of a terminal.
"Only the help pounds a keyboard" is the
way this view was expressed in one EIES
conference. The emerging class of per-
sonal computer owners together with the
generation of kids now surfacing in Kom-
puter Kamp and in video game arcades
may undermine this premise.
A subtler objection to CC is that it de-
mands written input. Few people like to
write, whereas many people enjoy the
sound of their own voices, so sweetly rea-
sonable and so soon forgotten. Voice in-
put/output (I/O) is. in fact, the opium of
the managerial class. Freed of the de-
mands of typing, the theory goes, execu-
tives will treat their computers like robot
secretaries: take a letter, file this, what's
next on the schedule?
Unless managerial speech has sud-
denly acquired a clarit>' unknown else-
where in society, however, the resulting
teact is likely to be unreadable. Though
humans are frequently capable of flights
of eloqueDce, very few of us speak in or-
dered sentences and paragraphs. Speech
is by nature redundant and elliptic; writ-
ten text is, or strives to be. ordered and
complete. Someone will have to edit the
spoken input
In an\' case, the issue is probably a chi-
mera. A study of EIES use by sociologist
Roxanne Hiltz showed that the prime de-
terminant of system use was neither t\'p-
ing ability, nor familiarity with comput-
ers, nor preference for speech over
written communications— these factors
proved to be of no measurable influ-
ence—but mindset. The people who used
the system most and professed to get the
most out of it were the ones who antici-
pated that they would like using EIES be-
fore they ever came on-line. They proved
to be the people who already knew other
on-line participants; in otfier words, the
ones who already had some community
of interest.
Hiltz's results illuminate the true na-
ture of computer conferencing: It is a sys-
tem by which people with a joint purpose
may conveniently carry it out. Surely
someone can find a use for that.
Conferencing N«lworl»: V^Mrt's
Available
One of the reasons that CC is so myste-
rious is that it is not yet widely available.
The largest conferencing system, the
ARPANET, with more than five thousand
members, is restricted to Defense Depart-
ment contractors. (Although outsiders
may slip in through a few semi-legal
■gateways', they do not normally have ac-
cess to the full system.)
The Electronic Information Exchange
System (EIES) provides very sophisticat-
ed conferencing software and is accessi-
ble via Telenet. Members pay $75 per
month plus $7.50 per hour for Telenet's
packet-switching services. Query Anita
Graziano at the Computerized Confer-
encing Communications Center, 323 High
Street. Newark, NI 07102.
Some so-called "community bulletin
boards" offer conferencing software for
local use: a prime example is the Confer-
ence Tree, which began in San Francisco
and is presently cloning in other cities. A
directon,' of community bulletin boards is
available for $1 from AMRAD, 524
Springvale Ave.. McLean, VA 22101.
Cross Communications Co., of 93
Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80303 is offering a:
entire conferencing package, called "Ma
trix," for installation on DEC computer!
Cross also plans to make Matrix availabl
via Telenet for approximately $20 pe
hour.
The Rolls-Royce of conferencing s\i
tems is probably Augment, a corporat
product from TX'mshare, 20705 Valle
Green Drive, Cupertino. CA 95014. Au{
ment provides ARPANET-like servicei
either in-house or via Tymnet, lynr
share's packet network.
A rudimentary' conferencing systei
may be constructed out of the messagin
and bulletin board services provided b
Telemail, which is itself a value-adde
service of GTE Telenet. Telemail charge
corporate users $140 per month, with
$500 minimum on Telenet charges.
The Source, an information networ
owned by the Reader's Digest, will offe
a form for conferencing via its Participat
service this spring. Participate was deve
oped on EIES and is migrating to thi
Source in several forms and at severs
"Computer
conferencing is a
system by which
people with a joint
purpose may carry
it out."
price structures. Basic Source rales are
$100 entry fee plus from $4.25 to $17 pe
hour of connect time (depending on th
time of day). Source headquarters is Ic
cated at 1616 Anderson Road, McLear
VA 22102; accounts are also sold at Con^
puterLand stores.
For those who would like to read mor
about CC, the canonical text is The Ne
work Nation, subtitled "Human Commi
nication via Computer," by Starr Ro>
anne Hiltz and Murray Turoff of EIE
(Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1978
This book is a technical, historical, an
sociological description of CC. A ne\
summary and analysis of research int
CC is to be found in Studies of Compute
Mediated Communications System
Status and Evahiation by Hiltz and EIE;
colleague Elaine Kerr. It will be pub
lished this spring by the Academic Pres!
New York.
Face-to-Face vs. Computer vs. Video
attending meetings, writing up reports of
those meetings, or talking on the tele-
phone), one might easily imagine that the
corporate sector is biisilv investigating
CC.
Here the imagination is running ahead
of reality. It is true that business is explor-
ing teleconferencing as a way of reducing
the time, irritation and. above all, the ex-
pense of shuttling executives to all parts
of the world to manage affairs that are in-
creasingly global, rather than local. Ever>'
trade journal worth its controlled circula-
tion has devoted its "special report " to the
joys of teleconferencing. What they usu-
ally mean, however, is video conferenc-
ing.
The accompanying chart tabulates
some of the differences between face-to-
face meetings, video conferencing, and
CC. Next to the elegance of CC. video
looks like brute force. It demands a multi-
million dollar investment to establish,
and the coordination of many people,
many miles apart, to set in motion. And in
the end what have you got? A meeting in
which only one person can speak at a
time, whose transcript is always delayed,
and whose results are skewed by body
language and who-sits-vvhere.
Satellite video communication has
been shown to be a clumsy substitute for
a face-to-face meeting, of little more val-
ue than an ordinarv' phone call. It de-
mands so much extra equipment to estab-
lish special conference rooms that taking
part in a video conference is like putting
on a space suit to take a stroll around the
block. (Bell Labs officials shunned their
own Picturephone service, which re-
quired them to go to a special room, be-
cause it took more effort than it was
\\nrth.| Clifford Barney
A Communications System Morphology
System parameter
Face-to-face
Video conferencing
CC
Medium of transfer
Verbal & nonverbal
Verbal & nonverbal
Written word; graphics
Effective group size limit
Unstructured: few tens
Few tens
Unstructured: many tens
Structured: hundreds
Structured: thousands
Occurrence of interaction
Coincidence of all
Coincidence of all
Individual choice
Frequency of interaction
Predetermined
Predetermined
Individual choice
Speed of interaction
Talking rate
Talking rate
Reading speed
System memory
Recordings
Recordings
Machine-readable
Memory modification
None
None
Electronic
Memory retrieval
None
None
Unlimited
Transformations
Transcription
Transcription
Hard copy
Structure
Varied but fixed once chosen
Single and fixed
Dynamic and adaptable
Adapted with permission from The Network Nation, by Storr Roxanne llihz und Murray Turoff; Add/son-VVesiey
Publishing Co.. Inc.; Menio Park. CA \97H
Conferencing
Compared:
Computer conferencing is such a
mysterious animal that there is a
great temptation to begin by de-
scribing what it isn't. It isn't electronic
mail, for instance. And it isn't back-and-
forth on-line messaging, like a written-
out telephone call. And it certainly isn't
video conferencing.
However this procedure may be dan-
gerous. The "not" operator functions in
)Ome .sentences in such a way that the
eader or listener gets the uncomfortable
eeling that the existence of something is
isserted in one breath, only to be denied
n the next, as we may see in the well
cnown self-canceling instruction, "Don't
hink of a hippopotamus."
There was a professor of anatomy at
Cambridge University who was appar-
sntly ignorant of this semantic pitfall, for
n his lectures, he always listed the com-
mon mistakes that students inevitably (in
[lis experience, anyway) made. "The
nerve doesn't go here." he would say.
md it doesn't go there, and so you don't
^et this reflex and you don't get that one."
Not surprisingly, he often had cause to la-
ment. "I told my students exactly the mis-
akes they should avoid, and these are the
very mistakes they always make. "
It is probably best, therefore, to de-
scribe computer conferencing by stating
ivhal it is. rather than what it isn't. Yet
lere again we meet that subtle serpent,
he negati\'e: the most obvious fact at)out
computer conferencing, and the one that
separates it from all other forms of tele-
conferencing, is that it is asynchronous,
i.e. the members need not be present si-
multaneously. Expressed more positively,
it is a meeting or conference between
dozens or even hundreds of people, that
takes place when only one of them is
present. That person is the one who hap-
pens to have the attention of the host
computer's operating system.
In this res[)ect. computer conferencing
(CC) resembles a formal conference in
which one must first obtain recognition
from the chair in order to speak. However
in CC one does not speak, one writes; and
that is its second defining characteristic.
The creation of a continuous written rec-
ord is CC's most original contribution to
group communication. Here is a medium
that makes it possible for a large group of
people, widely separated in space and in-
dependent of all time considerations, to
create a joint text that accurately reflects
all of their views; a text in which all con-
tributions can (usually) be identified by
source and time of composition: a text
which, moreover, can be searched by au-
thor, date, or any other keyword recog-
nized by the host computer.
What could be more suitable for co-
ordinating the work of a large number of
individual!)? Considering the practices of
American business, in which managers
and executives spend 75 percent of their
working hours "communicating" (either
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
61
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1982 Product Availability
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MAY
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Recommended PC Configuration
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Winchester
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ASSEMBLER
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Languages and Utilities
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For father information for personal and OEM users, please write or call:
QUANTUM SOFTWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
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IN CANADA
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'UNIX IS a trademark of Bell Laboraiorics
Cl
FROM IBM
TO IBM
CLIFFORD BARNEY
Communications Briefs
Cut-Rate telemail vendor fed up,
cbandons service.
Claiming that Telenet management is giving him the cold shoulder, Ed Mag-
nin of the Telephone Software Connection has decided to quit providing
low-cost Telemail service. Loss of TSC means that Personal Computer
owners no longer have access to the cheapest and simplest electronic mail service
heretofore available.
Telemail is a powerful, user-friendly electronic mail system operated worldwide
by GTE Telenet over its packet-switched common carrier network. Telemail is nor-
mally marketed to businesses for $140/month plus a $500 minimum on Telenet
connect charges. Acting as an independent broker, under an agreement with Te-
lenet, Magnin bought the service and resold it. He charged $5/month plus the actu-
al Telenet rates, with no minimum.
Magnin operated out of his home on a couple of microcomputers. Nevertheless,
at one time last year TSC was the fourth-largest user of Telemail, billing around
$5,000 a month. At least half his customers, Magnin says, were personal computer-
ists who accessed the network after 9 p.m., when the Telenet rates dropped to $4/
hour. (It is $14/hour in the daytime, $7/hour evenings.) Magnin mother-henned his
clients, answering all messages personally, providing nearly a hundred state and
special interest bulletin boards (including one devoted to the PC), and running in-
terference with Telenet to correct customer problems.
But Telemail, Magnin charges, failed to provide the Telex service it promised,
reneged on several agreements with TSC, confused billing by failing to separate
network acess charges from charges for special services, and even miscalculated
some bills. Telemail also failed to correct an annoying software glitch that caused
long delays in transmitting messages to and from Magnin himself.
In the end, Magnin says, the headaches weren't worth the rewards. Periodically
threatened with the loss of his large-user discount, and fearing a rise in Tlenet rates,
Magnin abruptly decided to get out of the Telemail business as of Feb. 28. TSC will
continue as a seller of telephone-delivered software (for Apple computers) via di-
rect dial to TSC in Torrance, CA.
TSC's abandonment of Telemail prompted one user to comment that high net-
work charges remain the principal roadblock on the "information freeway." At $15/
hour, he predicted, information networks will remain "curiosities" for both person-
al users and businesses.
Telemail acknowledged that Magnin's complains were justified, and expressed
regret that he was giving up the service.
Electronic mail only slightly expensive that TSC/Telemail is still available on
The Source and the CompuServe network. Telemail, however, is more flexible and
easier to use than these systems, which have rudimentary search software.
% 1
Publisher Folds Newspaper, Mounts Online Newsletter Service
The bottom line looks better in electronic publishing than in print to Independent
Publications, Inc., which announced an online newsletter service less than a month
after if folded the Philadelphia BuJielin newspaper. Under its Newsnet service.
Independent Publications will distribute some 70 newsletters via telephone dialup
lines. The first, already online, is Communications Daily.
The newsletter publishers will supply machine-readable text on magnetic tape;
subscribers will be able to access the text at $24/hour (plus the newsletter subscrip-
tion price).
Independent Publications shut down the once-proud BuJletin in January after
many money-losing months.
WHAT IS
THE
CONNECTION?
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IBM is a registered trademark ol Internalional
Business Machines Corporation.
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
Advertisement
Software Breakthrough...
NEW QUIKPRO+ PLUS PROGRAM ^
WRITES PROGRAMS FOR YOU ON
YOUR OWN IBM-PC...in minutes.
Technical Review
by Wayne Hepburn
QUIKPRO+PLUS is the name given a
new breakthrough in software, ff)r the
IBM Personal Computer, by FutureSott
Until now, whenever you wanted a
new separate HASIC program, you had
to spend a lot of dollars to get it, or a
lot of hours creating it That's in the
past now
Anybody who (an turn on a com-
puter can write a program, ()uickly,
with this new Quikpro+Plus program
generator It's the invention of loseph
Tamargo of Florida His brilliant ap-
proach to program writing allows you
tf) tap the real power and speed of
your computer (and it's about time )
I located and interviewed him to
find out more about Quikpro+Plus and
pass this valuable information to you.
He told me "The best part of this
program is that it gives you a separate
Basic program, produced in standard
Microsoft Basic, every time you use it
What's more, you can list your new
program, look at it, see what makes it
tick, and modify it "
I found out you can also enhance,
alter, and even copy programs you
create using Quikpro+Plus I don't think
there is any other program available
with this much flexibility and ease of
use.
The applications seem to be unlim-
ited Uses occur in Business, Home,
Hobby, tducational and Scientific
situations A few examples of what
Quikpro+Plus can write for you are
programs like these
Financial Forecasting, Fxpense
Planning, Data Access & Retrieval,
Modeling, Record keeping of all kinds.
Statistical Data Banks, and more
Quikpro+Plus cuts program develop-
ment time to a trcUlion ot what it
takes now It will generate File and
Data fcntry programs in a standard file
format, allowing data to be drjwn-
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systems also
HOW IT WORKS....
The operation of Quikpro+Plus is
surprisingly simple and easy Right on
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you get error-free Filing and Data Fntry
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in creating a new program Your in-
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you don't have to be a programmer to
use it. Quickly, you have a new pro-
gram that stands alone While some
generator lype programs give you bits
and pieces, Quikpro + Plus gives you a
complete, full running program Then it
will print out the operating manual of
the new prcjgram tcjr you
In addition tcj the functions oi Data
Fntry, Updating, Retrieval and so forth,
Quikpro+Plus allows you to generate a
program that does Reporting on your
printer You can print out in a lormal
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wish, without altering the file or record
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Substantial mathematical ability is
also incorporated info Quikpro + Plus
generated programs You can perform
all manner of calculations on various
fields of data within individual records
You can selectively do calculations
and use the ri'sulling data, or print it,
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data
I can't help but tell you I was really
impressed with the range of uses and
thc» power ot this program I saw a list
of over one hundred applications you
could do right now and of course you
can dream up as many of your own as
you want
There were letters from owners
who wrote to comment on the pro-
gram and I read some of them. They
came from all kinds of users, doing all
kinds of things, with this automatic
program generator that writes a
separate Basic prcjgram for you each
time you use it. They had saved a
small fortune by getting numerous
separate applications from it and they
can keep on doing it, year after year.
Ot course, you can too. once you have
a copy of Quikpro+Plus to run on your
own IBM Personal Computer
I had checked on some other firms
advertising program generators and
was disappointed to find out they were
running ads but were not ready to de-
liver FutureSoft has already delivered
and is accepting orders even as I write
this rejjort to you They c*ven give ycju
a full guarantee of satisfaction, allow
you to obtain Quikpro + Plus, run it on
your computer, and it not fully pleased
return it within 10 days of delivery. I
thought that takes a lot of confidence,
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formance c>t the product
You get QUIKPRO+PLUS by mail
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By the way. you Software Dealer;
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you can handle QUIKPRO+PLUS ir
versions to run on many popular com
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1918
Your IBM personal computer deserves
an Amdek Color-ll monitor
To take maximum advantage of all your color capability to match IBM's
new IBM Personal Computer can do, high resolution colors,
you need a compatible monitor with • IBM plug compatible cable and
extensive capabi ities of its own. And connector.
for that, there's simply no better choice • Molded-in carrying handle for easy
than Color-ll from Amdek. portability
Color-ll's high-resolution colors can • Front-mounted controls for quick
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business analogy or scientific applica- warranty on picture tube,
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Color-ll features include: part of Amdek's complete line of colon
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Amdek Corporation, 2420 E. Oakton St.. Suite E. Arlington Heights, IL 60005. (3121 364-1180 • TLX: 25-4786
PROGRAMMIIVG
JimEdlin and Linda Thatcher
MAKING "PC"MEAN
"PRETTY COLORS"
If you want to erjiiip your IBM Personal
Computer tii display color text and
graphics, the number of possible ways
is in the same le.igue as cat-skinning.
At present, however, all the ways have
one common prpreqiiisitc: you must first
equip your PC with IBM's color/graphics
display iidapler, an investment of ap-
proximately $300 (This does not mean
you can't also ha\ e/use the monochrome
display adapter: the two are designed to
function in tandem.) After you've ac-
quired the adapter, depending upon your
needs and desires, you can achieve color
display capabiliti.!s for an additional $70
or less (assuming you already own a color
TV), or you could add another $1,000 or
more to the cost of your system.
The factors dctHrmininti your location
in that spectrum .should be the immediate
uses you have in mind for color plus the
amount you care to invest in being pre-
pared for the future. The overwhelming.
'right-now' consideration is resolution,
i.e., the level of detail and sharpness the
display is capable of reproducing. Resolu-
tion is measured by how many dots (in a
horizontal line) and how many lines (ver-
tically) can be distinctly and separately
displayed. The PC is capable of produc-
ing 640 distinct dots (320 in color) on 200
distinct lines, at two levels of brightness
for each. How much of that resolution
you need depends upon the programs you
plan to buy or write. The future consider-
ation is this: do you want to be prepared
for color adapters or other devices capa-
ble of even greater feats of resolution, as
well as for the programs that might ex-
ploit them? (A future intersection of mi-
crocomputers and video disks is worth
consideration at this point.)
There are three basic options to con-
sider, as well as arrays of secondary
choices within each. Since the market-
place is still adjusting to the new opportu-
nities created by the PC, the choices are!
not as clear-cut as they could be: the pres-
ent lack of a substantial body of pub-
lished, color-using programs is also a sig-
nificant factor.
Hardware Choices
The color/graphics adapter has three
different places where a display can be
connected; these connections define the
three categories of hardware that can be
used. Each connection point enters at a
different stage of the electronic process
that paints color pictures onto a video
screen.
To understand the choices, it helps to
have a rough conception of how video's
ephemeral painting process works. The
image you see is built up from three su-
perimposed pictures, each of which is a
single, pure color, i.e.. one of the three
"additive primaries," or red. green, and
blue. (These are slightly different from
the paint-pot "subtractive" primaries you
PC/APRl-MAY m%
.J
.s|)l.iy.s,ind equipnicntcourtesyof Computer Connection, San Fransit
annisco: CompiilerI.,iiid o^lhe Castro. \
; ( Idnipiitt.Tl^iinil of San
Ciruj)hics dibpluy progrum hy Lon Paoit
phologruphs by Eil Kashi.
learned abounfi elementary school.) The
triple images are Imilt up by ever-sweep-
ing electron beams Ihat. ulien energizeti.
make phosphor spots on the screen glow
in color.
For the simplest of systems, imagine
the computer keeping track of each
beam's regular, repeated sweeps, energiz-
ing it whenever it is aimed at a spot
where its color is desired. Displays that
work according to this system are called
RGB (for red-green-blue) monitors. Since
RGB is the simplest approach, you might
expect it is the least expensive: but, in
fact, it costs the most. One reason for the
expense is that the economics of color
displays are influenced far more by tele-
vision use. which is a multi-million-unit
business, than by computer use. which is
still relatively rare. RGB monitors are
also more of a precision device than is a
mass-produced TV. A D-shaped, 9-pin
jack on the back of the IBM color adapter
provides ,si).!nnls for an RGB-type display.
In broadcast television, the signals de-
fining the three superimpo.sed color pic-
tures go through two additional stages of
processing. First, the signals are com-
bined to form one "composite" signal.
Then, the composite picture signal is
overlaid onto a broadcast carrier signal.
The steps are similar to music from a gui-
tar, drum, and piano being combined into
a single signal in a record groove, then
that signal being incorporated into a radio
wave when the record is broadcast. To re-
create the picture at the receiving end,
both the overlaying and combining pro-
cesses have to be performed in reverse.
For a computer to send a picture to a
broadcast-oriented display, it must take
on one or l)oth functions of a miniature
television station.
The device that acts as a T\' transmit-
ter is called an "RF (for radio frequency)
modulator." These can be bought for $70
or less, and will allow the color
adapter to send pictures to your standard
color TV. RF modulators are connected to
the IBM color adapter unit on a multi-pin
plug inside the IBM system near the back
of the circuit boani.
If a TV set is equipped to let yc
pass the broadcast receiving stage via a
separate connector, or if you select one of
the special-purpose displays that omits
the broadcast part, your PC can send it
the composite video signal, which comes
from the round, stereo-like jack at the
back of the color adapter.
The three main hardware choices,
then, are a TV set with RF modulator, a
composite video monitor, or an RGB mon-
itor. What factors influence the choice be-
tween them?
The Trade-orts
If, as a child, you ever played the game
"telephone," you know that the more
times information is handled, the more
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
67
Color Displays
likely if is to become distorted. That effect
is what makes the RF modulator/TV set
combination least desirable, and makes
even composite monitors a compromise.
The extra handling tends to mush up the
sharpness of the |)icture.
A second major limitation is that TV
sets are designed to adhere to a standard,
i.e.. a specified way of sending TV signals
that is uniform within the US (other na-
tions also have broadcast standards, most
of which are different from ours). Among
other things, the standard defines the .size
of the channel, or bandwidth, which may
be used for the picture information. Your
computer could be capable of sending
more picture detail, as the ICM PC is, but
the l)andwidth 'door' in the display is too
small to let it through. Since composite
monitors are usually built to television
standards, they also suffer from this limi-
tation. |A composite monitor designed to
higher-bandwidth standards could ap-
proach the sharpness of a similarly de-
signed RCiB monitor, but would still lose
tiuality because of the extra handling to
make the composite signal.)
In the case of RGB monitors, which
are liberated from the constraints of the
broatlcast-T\' standard, the limitations
Color Displays: What's Available
Make/Model
Physical
Electrohome C5&050
13'
21.5 X 13.25 X
17.25
60
" w \y B L
RCA VFM 575
It
25.5 X 17.12 X
17.36
Sony KX 1901
19'
79
H I i V
Amdek Color N
13'
17 X 14 5 X 15
32
▼ • w
Data Ed/Teco TN1440
"J
IIS.O X 14. 0 X lO.O
O 1 .0
Electrohome ECM
1302-1
13-
18.5 X 13.31 X
14.61
Electrohome ECM
13
18.5 X 13.31 X
14.61
40
OA
Hitachi CM 1472
13-
17 X 14.75 X 15.2
32
NEC JC 1202 DH (A)
12
14.88 X 12.08 X
1/S 96
25.79
OA
1
Amdek Color 1
13-
17 < 14.5 ■ 15
32
4a ABO
BMC 12 CL
13-
Heath GD2 1320
13"
20.25 X 14.00 X
14.75
33
o
Hitachi CN 1481
13"
17 X 14.75 X 15.2
25.6
Oaabd*
NEC JC 1201M
12-
14.88 X 12.02 X
16.26
25.79
OA
Sharp XR 3013
13"
19.84 X 15.33 <
15.85
37.7
Zenith DC 13PF2
13-
20.25 X 14.00 X
14.75
33
O
♦ On A Contrast
O On/Vol ■ Tint /Hue
4 B[inritn855 n Pnint
iirise from mamifactiiring precision.
Theoretically, an RGB monitor of unlimit-
ed picture resolution is possible, but reali-
ty intervenes with how small and how
precisely you can place dots of phosphor
on the screen and drill patterns of micro-
scopic holes, and so forth. It is these dif-
ferences that account for the variation in
both the performance and the price of
different RGB displays.
RGB monitors for use with computers
are often set up to be digital, implying
that they can be told whether a color dot
should be on in a particular place, but not
how bright it should Ik;. IBM shook up
this status quo by equipping the PC color
card to display two levels of brightness.
As our "What's Available" survey shows,
the marketplace is scrambling to respond.
(Since composite monitors and TVs are
broadcast-oriented, they are designed to
reproduce levels of brightness.)
So the "bottom line" is this: TV sets-
easy on the pocketbook but hard on the
eyes: fine for games and low-detail
graphics: limited to 40-column width for
text, and even then, lough to look at for
long. Composite monitors— almost as
limited as TV sets, but will be easier on
the eyes. RGB monitors- the only display
Picture/Sound
Miscellaneous
Comments ^
td. TV
Yes
65 W
(note 4)
256 X 200
6(8
gray)
?
$972
Now, ind. dirs
lyr. Pao.
Base unit (or complete ^
Videotex system. ^
lUldtOf
Yes
110 W
525 lines
(note 3)
N/A
Yes
$599.95
May '82 Indep. dIrs.
90 days L, 1 yr. P
An enhanced, upper-end TV
set.
Multl
Yes
130 W
340llnes
(note 3)
N/A
Sep.
Sys.
$1,500
Now, Sony dirs.
Not stated
"Profeel" n:Kxle(, also aval.
In25- version (KX2501).
In
Yes
70 W
560 X 240
8/16
(2)
Yes
$995
Now, Computer-
Land, IBM 8t ind. dIrs.
1 yr. P8iL, 2 yr. tube
16col. stand, otter 3-1-82:eoFi
ller nrtodels can be upgrod.
DIN
No
70 W
360 X 230
8/16
(2)
Yes
$599
Now, dealers or
direct from Co.
90 days P8iL
Lowest reso. of f?GB monitors
ttiot release specific figures.
Plug
Yes
65 W
(note 4)
"Medium"
N/A
?
$570
Apr. '82 ind. dirs.
1 yr P&L
Comp.or RGB Input. DNTerent
video tube from mod. 130 1-2.
Yes
65 W
"High"
16
?
$978
Apr. '82 ind. dIrs.
1 yr P&L
Canadian nrranu. Preferred
(or color text display.
In
Yes
70 W
560 X 240
16
Yes
$950
May '82 ind. dirs.
90 days
Equlvaient to Amdek Color 1.
In
No
67 W
690 X 230
8
?
$1,095
Now, ind. dirs.
90 days P8iL
Highest reso-, most expen-
sive, not capable of 16 cd.
Plug
Yes
65 W
260 X 300
N/A
Yes
$449
Now, Computer-
Land, IBM, ind. dirs.
1 yr. P8iL, 2 yr. tube
Plug
?
?
?
N/A
?
$450
Now, ind. dlrs.
?
Several specificotions not
supplied by mfr.
Plug
No
82 W
240 lines
(note 3)
N/A
Yes
$399.95
Now, Heothi centers
& catalog
90 days P8iL
Most controls at bock,
could be inconvenient.
Plug
Yes
65 W
260 X 240
N/A
Yes
$450
Now, ind. dlrs.
90 days
Plug
No
67 W
340 X 240
N/A
Yes
$399
Now, Ind. dlrs.
90 days P&L
Plug
?
now
300+ lines
(note 3)
N/A
?
$
Now, ind. dlrs.
90 days P&L
Also avail, in 19' model
(XR3019).
Plug
No
82 W
240 lines
(note 3)
N/A
Yes
$399 95
Now, Zenifti dists.
90 days P&L
Some OS Heath model GD2-
1320.
\7 Normal/RGB Selection
Switch
NOTES
(1) All models 1 10/120 volts. 60 HZ unless indicated otherwise.
(2) Basic model can reproduce 8 colors, odd on modification allows
disptavof two intensity levels tor 16 total "colors,"
(3) Mfr does not release horiz resolution information
(4) Also capable of 220/240 volt, 50 HZ operation.
Color Displays
\ype capable of showing the picture defi*
nition die PC is capable of producing;
oosdy, but essential if you want to worlc
extensively wifli color text as well as
gnqjdiics and use 80-character-wide lines;
however, not all RGB models can achieve
die resolation of the PC.
1h» Survwy
To help you gain an idea of the color
display products available, PC undertook
a survey. Our explorations consisted of
telephone conversations with manufac-
turers and distributors. carRful reviews of
Some products ore
antecedents of a
generation ttiat
aspires to equip your
"media room,"
specification sheets, and visits to retail
outlets. The fact we learned most clearly
is that the information we were seeking is
harder than expected to come by, and
also a little slippery. What we were able
to learn is summarized in the table tliat
accompanies this article.
Except for one RCA unit, we did not
specifically survey TV sets. In general, a
TV sef s quality as a color display for your
PC will be proportional to its quality as a
TV set. We did not specifically survey RF
modulators either, but the one we ran
across was the Sup*R*Mod 5, from M&R
Enterprises in Santa Clara, California,
lliis unit sells for approximately $60 and
comes with the plug needed for connec-
tion to IBM's adapter. Plugging it in prop-
wly, however, can be tricky and we sug-
gest you have it installed for you, if
The other products we surveyed fell
into three categories: composite-type and
RGB-type monitors, plus some combina-
tion products intendod for more dian one
purpose. Most of the displays were suit-
able for top-of-the-computer placement,
but there were a few biggies more suited
to group viewing. Our chart reports the
screen size (in inches) measured diag-
onal^ firom comer to comer, the cabinet
size and weight, and die controls that are
easily accessible from the front. Compos-
ite displays require more controls for ad-
justment and are likely to need more fre-
quent fiddling, so we thought you'd like to
know which ones you could get at without
moving die monitor or tryfaig to locate die
knobs by feel alone. Some of the front
controls are recessed or hidden betiind
doors. The chart does not indicate cabinet
material or color; although none of the
cabinets fits in with the look of the PC as
nicely as IBM's o«vn monochrome display
does, most RGB displays are some shade
of gray. Power requiramentB «vere fairly
uniform; only die Electiohome displays
were equipped for oulaide-die-US power
standards. Smaller screens, in general,
drew about as much power as a 60-watt
bulb, 100 watts being die cluster point for
big screens.
In the video speciflcadons, we report
resoluUon information to the extent man-
ufacturers were willing— or able— to sup-
ply it; we did not investigate this our-
selves. Many companies simply don't
release horizontal dot resolution, and no
one but Teco and Amdek were able to
talk about bandwidth as such; a pity, since
it's a useful measure, we think. The col-
umn entitled "Colors" applies only to the
RGB mcNiltors, ^ce Hbe odior kinds of
display can reproduce all colors. Most of
the RGB monitors we found were limited
to diqilaying the eight basic colors in
IBM's video palette (black, white, red,
green, blue, yellow, magenta and cyan,
which is a lightish blue). Electrohome's
RGB model was set up for IBM's full 16
colors (the eight above plus eight sliades
with different bri^tness, e^ Mack be-
comes dark gray), as is Hitachi's and Am-
dek said all their production would t>e
thus modified after March 1, and pro-
vides a kit that would convert earlier
specimens of its Color II model to 16-col-
or capability. Most other makers said a
change to 16-color capability was in die
offing, or offered modification idts.
Many models included built-in sound
capability. This is of no immediate use
with the PC, which has its own built-in
speaker and does not transmit sound
through the color display adapter. How-
ever, this featiu'e may be worthy of con-
sideration with regard to future uses for
your monitor.
Several different connector types
were provided for delivering the video
signal to the display. They ara listed as
they were reported to us, but don't be
confused by the various names, many of
which are the company's own version of
standard connectors. All you need to
know is that if there isn't an RCA plug on
the computer's end of the cable for a com-
posite display, or a 9-pin plug for an RGB
display— or, worse, no cable provided at
all— either you or your dealer is going to
have to do some fooling around to make
the connection.
Warranties tended to be the 90-day va-
riety, although a few companies (RCA.
NEC, and Electrohome) offered a year on
some models, and Amdek stretched that
to two years for the tube.
Some products we looked at, notably
the Sony Profeel series, had aspirations
broader than serving as a display for your
Personal Computer. They are the ante-
cedents of a product generation that as-
pires to equip your "media room" and
hook up to videodisk players, cassette re-
corders, and who-knows-what-else.
However, many of their self-adjusting
The bottom line Is ttMrt
RGB monitors ore ttie
only display type
capable of stiowing
ttie pictures ttie PC
can produce.
features could be a hindrance rather than
a help so far as computer display is con-
cerned. One Electrohome model in our
chart is set up to work with videotex (re-
mote information library) systems such as
Telidon in Canada, wh«re Electrohome is
based.
In trying to get information from some
large companies, we found them very
confused about where in their organixa>
tions computer displays belonged — or
ought to belong. RCA. in particular;
seemed to have no idea what WB VMn
talking about; fourteen {laag-dktaaice)
phone calls and three divistrais later, we
gave up on Zenith and called our local
HeathUt Electronics Store, which pro-
vided us with the biformaHon we needed.
Smaller companies, particularly Amdek,
seemed to be most interested in serving
the IBM PC market. The bulk of the com-
posite monitors we surveyed seem to owe
their existence largely to serving the Ap-
ple computer market, and seemed far leas
relevant to die needs of die PC. |^
i
A
EVOPORATOR
CONTINUOUS EVAPOR'
W'hetheryou are using color to in-
terpret data, enhance text, or
enrich pictures, its advantages
can be substantial. But with a color dis-
play alone, you can enjoy those advan-
tages only when you are where your com-
puter is. An ideal setup would include
ability to translate your color displays into
more portable form, i.e., print them on
paper. This option is not available yet ex-
cept to those with plenty of technical
prowess; but the wait may not be long. In
the meantime, your camera can fill the
breach in some situations.
Manufacturers of two relatively low-
cost color printers have stated intentions
of customizing their products for the IBM
PC in the near future. One of these is In-
tegral Data Systems, Inc. (IDS), of Mil-
ford, New Hampshire. For $1,995, IDS
sells a printer, called the Prism, that is ca-
pable of printing in seven colors— though
the color set (cyan, magenta, yellow,
green, purple, brown and black) does not
exactly match the PC's displayed set. The
Prism is a dot-matrix type printer with a
multi-color ribbon that makes multiple
passes across each line where more than
one color is to be printed.
You could plug a Prism into your PC
now and print in color if you wrote your
own programs to do so, but there isn't any
convenient way of simply reproducing a
color image on your display onto paper.
Peter Eisenhauer, director of marketing
for IDS, says a remedy for this lack is un-
derway. According to Eisenhauer, a PC
now resides in the IDS engineering de-
partment, where the top priority project is
to develop an interface which will allow
automatic printout of PC color screen im-
ages. Eisenhauer also points out that the
Prism is a modular system, so a buyer
could begin with the basic printer ($899),
then add the plug-in to upgrade to color
capability at a later date.
A color printer that uses a different
process is the PrintaColor, from a corpx)-
ration by that name in Norcross, Georgia.
The PrintaColor uses fine jets of color ink
shot at the paper to create its image, and it
seems better at covering large color areas
than the Prism but poorer at text. Printa-
Color's unit prints with only three colors
of ink. omitting black, and as a result is
able to create only a muddy gray-brown
where black is desired. Its palette also
does not quite match the PC's screen col-
The PrintaColor (I) and Prism (rj printers,
and samples of (heir output.
ors. Suggested retail price for the least ex-
pensive PrintaColor model is $3,995, and
Daniel Byford, a spokesman for the com-
pany, says it too is working on an adapter
that would allow easy control by IBM
PCs.
Yet another option might be a color
plotter like that recently introduced by
Hewlett-Packard to sell for $1,595. Plot-
ters work by moving colored pens around
on a sheet of paper. For displays that are
more graphic than text, the H-P plotter
seems to do a slicker (if slower) job. But
the colorful sample distributed by the
company is somewhat misleading. It
shows a lovely multicolor set of graphs,
but the plotter appears capable of using
only two colors at a time without human
intervention. A colorful image like H-P's
sample would, as we understand it, re-
quire several changes of the felt-tip pens
inside the machine. The H-P plotter is
now on the market, and could be connect-
ed to the PC's asynchronous communica-
tions adapter or equivalent, but again the
lack of software specifically designed to
control it means it would not be especial-
ly useful to most people.
"71
PC /APRIL— MAY 1982
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that has the poy^r to do m\
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X>rf GOinG SVFFORT FOR MICROCOMPUTERS'
Programming
Lcm Poole
€(MX)R GRAHIICS
A hands-on, how-to introduction to PC BASIC'S
potmful graphics commands
Discuss computers these days and
it's guaranteed that you will hear
the words "computer graphics."
Computer salespeople, buyers, owners,
and ordinary users all agree that a ma-
chine's graphics capabilities are a good
measure of its worth, and PC votaries are
no exception. Not only does the PC have
excellent color graphics capabilities
when the color graphics adaptor board is
installed, but it really is quite easy to in-
clude graphics in any PC BASIC pro-
gram.
What Is Graphics?
Before I discuss programming graph-
ics displays, let's take a look at what com-
puter graphics is. Some people believe
that computer graphics is intricate spiral
line drawings or blocky, bright-hued car-
toons, while others envision the on-
screen action of their favorite arcade
game. All these viewpoints have one
thing in common: they assume that com-
puter graphics are only a means of enter-
tainment.
Although graphics can entertain, they
are a powerful aid to comprehension and
can inform people in a way that no report
can. Most people are intimidated by the
profusion of numbers of a typical comput-
er report. Not only do graphics attract,
and maintain, a user's attention, but they
process raw numeric data and make it
easier to understand. Which can you
Copyright © 1981, Lon PooJe
grasp faster, a list of seven-digit numbers
or a graph that shows their relative values
at a glance?
Of course, graphics can no more re-
place reports than pictures can replace
poems or movies replace novels; exact,
to-the-penny numbers document the ac-
curacy of accounting reports. All too of-
ten, however, a financial analysis re-
quires poring over columns of dry
statistics. That's where a computer graph-
ics program can be an indispensable tool,
allowing the computer to wade through
the numbers and display a picture of the
results on the screen.
A Graphics Application
Let's take a look at a practical applica-
tion. The BASIC program accompanying
this article is based upon one which ap-
pears in Some Common Basic Programs
by Lon Poole and Mary Borchers (Os-
borne/McGraw-Hill, 1979) and employs
the statistical technique of exponential
regression to calculate the average growth
rate of a value at regular intervals of time,
and then to project the extent to which
the numbers will increase or decrease in
the future. Analysis of this type is useful
in evaluating and predicting sales, costs,
patronage, and other factors that usually
grow or decay at an exponential rate.
This article explores the PC BASIC
graphics statements used by the program.
You can enter the growth-rate program in
the computer as is and use it on any PC
equipped for color graphics. A step-by-
step analysis of the program itself appears
with the program listing, and Fig. 1 shows
the starting phase of the program, i.e., the
point at which the data on the program
works is entered.
Ways To View Your Data
As originally written, the Average
Growth Rate program displays the aver-
age growth rate percentage and the exact
values of future projections. Fig. 2 shows
how this looks on a monochrome monitor.
Although the projections are only esti-
mates, the exact numbers are not as im-
portant as the magnitude of those num-
bers and the overall trend, features which
are easier to see when the data is dis-
played in graph form.
One way to graph data is to plot each
number as an individual point. Fig. 3
shows the data from Fig. 2 in a point
graph on a color monitor. The color not
only enhances the appearance of the dis-
play, but also imparts more information:
red points are past data and green points
are projections.
Drawing lines between the plotted
Lon PooJe, author of several books in-
cluding The Apple II User's Guide and
Some Common Basic Programs , has re-
cently turned his attention to the IBM
Personal Computer.
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
I- 7»
The Difference Color
Graphics Makes:
points can further enhance the data. Fig.
4 displays the same data as Fig. 3, but now
the red and green dots are connected by
colored lines which add more color and
make the trends more transparent.
A bar graph of the data in Figs. 2-4 of-
fers a completely different look, as illus-
trated by Fig. 5. All this color on the
screen has a very dramatic impact.
Any one of the preceding graphics dis-
plays offers a .substantial improvement
over the ordinary report format in Fig. 2.
The differences between the graphics
displays are mostly aesthetic; different
people will have different preferences.
Fortunately, the PC creates point, line, or
bar graphs with equal ease.
PC BASIC Graphics
On the PC, all three versions of BASIC
make it easy to transform verbal output to
graphics output. Cassette BASIC. Disk
BASIC, and Advanced BASIC can all plot
points and draw lines and boxes. The
only special equipment you will need is a
color graphics adapter and a color display
screen.
Advanced BASIC has other graphics
capabilities as well. It can draw circles,
arcs, and ellipses, and can fill in any area
of the screen with a solid color. Advanced
BASIC requires at least 48K of random
access memory (RAM), one disk drive,
and IBM's disk operating system (DOS).
Although BASIC graphics on the PC is
easy, it's not for the rank beginner, so it's a
good idea to practice with some of the sta-
ples of BASIC before beginning to use
graphics. PC BASIC'S graphics statements
will augment the standard BASIC state-
ments, but they will not replace them.
You still need to know how to use state-
ments such as PRINT . INPUT . FOR .
NEXT . DIM, and LIST .
Foreground, Background, and
Border
The display screen has three different
regions: border, background, and fore-
ground. Background, as the name implies,
is the region of the screen on which ev-
erything is displayed. When you turn on
the PC, the background region is the
black part of the screen which can have
characters on it. Text and graphics images
appear in the foreground, superimposed
on the background. The background has a
border around it which is not visible
when the computer is turned on because
both border and background are black
The border compensates for variations
Fig. 1.— Data entry for Average
Growth Rate (AGR) program
Fig. 2.— AGR program numeric output
Fig. 3.— AGR program point plot
Fig. 4.— AGR program line graph
Fig. 5.— AGR program bar graph
im
iiiiiii
Fig. 6. — Text colors and color numbers
ill
III
Fig. 7.— Graphics palette and color
numbers
Fig. 8. — A diamond drawn by the
listing in text
PC/APRIL-MAY 198f
between different televisions and moni-
tors by providing a safety maigin against
overscan, the tendency for the image at
the edges of the screen to be partially or
completely lost.
The COLOR Statement With Text
In PC BASIC, the COLOR statement
allows you to specify different colors for
foregrfiiind Imrkgronnd, nnd hnrrier.
"Which can you
grasp faster, a list of
numbers or a color
graph that shows their
relative values at a
glance?"
Colors are specified by number, as illus-
trated by Fig. 6, which correlates color
numbers with actual colors. Color num-
bers 0 through 7 are available for fore-
ground, background, and bolder, whereas
colors 8 through 15 are available in the
foreground for text only. Some color dis-
plays will show the same colors for num-
bers 8 and 0, 9 and 1, 10 and 2, etc., even
though the computer sends out different
signals. The following statement changes
foreground color to magenta:
COLOR 5
The COLOR statement affects only the
foreground color of items entered (typed]
after it is executed; text that is already on>
screen will not change color. Any text dis-
played after a COLOR statement changes
foreground color will be in the new color.
After executing the statement above, the
PRINT statement below will be magenta
iwhoi it is mtttred, as will its output when
you press the RETURN key to execute it.
PRINT "Waltz of the Toreadors"
Waltz of the Toreadors
The next statement makes the fore-
ground color magenta and the back-
ground color blue:
COLOR 5, 1
The background color immediately
changes tbroii^ut die screen; as before,
the foreground color change is not retro-
active.
Tb make the foreground magenta, the
background blue, and the border white,
use this statement:
COLOR 5, 1, 7
The border color and the background
color change at once; the change of fore-
ground color only affects future text
As you can see from the examples
above, the first number in a COLOR
statement specifies the foreground color,
the second number specXRu the back*
ground color, and the third number qied-
fies the border color.
Omitting any of the numbers in a
COLOR statement results in the color of
the item you omitted remaining un-
changed. For example, flds statement
changes the background color to cyan
without rhanging either the foreground w
die border cdois:
COLOR , 3
Notice the comma ahead of the 3. It
indicates that the first number, which se-
lects the foreground color, is to remain
unchanged. Two commas ahead of a
number mean that it is the third (border)
number, and that the first and second
numbers, which select foreground and
background colors, respectively, are un-
speciffed. For example, to change the bor^
der color to green without altering the
foreground or background colors, enter:
COLOR . . 2
Text and Graphics Modes
Everything discussed so far pertains
only to a display used purely for text,
which is called text mode. In text mode,
any of die 256 characters in die PC char^
acter set can be displayed. The presence
of the color graphics adapter allows the
use of two additional screen modes (fai
BASIC], both of which are graphics
modes. In these modes you can plot single
points: draw lines, boxes, circles, and
arcs; and color the interior of delineated
areas. The addition of these abilities al-
lows a user to construct elaborate pictures
which can be displayed together widi any
of the 256 text-mode characters.
The PC BASIC graphics modes differ
only in the number and size of the points
displayed and in the number of colors al-
lowed, Hjgh-resoJution mode divides the
screen into more points than medhun-
resolufion mode; consequently, high-reso-
lution points are about half as wide as
medium-resolution points. High resolu-
tim is strictly black and white, whereas
medium resolution allows as many as
four different colors to be used on the
screen concurrent.
SwHcMno Scfeen Modes
The SCREEN statement allows a user
to switch between text and graphics
modes. The following statement switches
to medium-reeohition graidrics:
SCREENl
This statement switches to high-resolu-
tion graphics:
8CREEN2
To switch back to text mode, use diis
statement:
SCREBNO
The SCREEN statement erases the
screen and sets the foregrmmd color to
white, the background and border colors
to black. (AldMm^ die SCREEN state-
ment offers other options, in this article
we'll use only the simpler forms shown
above.)
Ttie COLOR Statement WHh
Graptiics
The COLOR statamant is actually two
statements in one. COLOR works one
way in text-mode, another way in the me-
dium-resohition grepMcB mode, and is il-
legal in high-resolution graphics mode, in
which the foreground color is always
white and the background and border
colors always black.
In medium-resolution graphics, the
COLOR statemmt has no bmder color
"You can plot single
points; draw linos,
boxes, circles, and
arcs; and color ttio
Interior of dollnoatod
II
specification. The border is always the
same color as (and thus is indistinguish-
able from) the background, which can be
any of the 16 colors in Fig. 6. The choice
of medium-resolution fmvgronnd colors
is limited, and the scheme for specifying
them differs markedly from the text-
mode scheme.
The COLOR statement chooses one of
two sets of medium-resolution fore-
ground colors; these sets are referred to
by IBM as palettes, and each has four col-
ors. Once the palette is chosen, the state-
ments which actually plot and draw on
the medium-resolution graphics screen
can choose individual colors from it. To
understand the param^ers of the pal-
ette's use, imagineanartbt painting a pic-
ture. She has two palettes of paint on her
PC/APRl— MAY 1982
Copyright material
Average Growth
]^e Progra
20 CLB
30 WIDTH 40
40 DIM F(24>
90 PRINT -
M PRINT
70 PRINT
Thl« prograa analysM MilM or othar flguras 4raa
coaputM an avaraga groMth rata, and projaet*
Vau opacify tha nuabar of paat and futura
89 PRINT ■ Tha total nHabar of aontha cannot aaeaad 24. ■■
90 MINT
too PRINT
aoo nvur
210 mnn ■hbn Mnir
220 IF N4^>24 THEN PRINT iPRINT •{»•.¥ 24 HONTHB TDIWL.
230 PRINT
240 PRINT -NoH antar ■■mint.a far
230 PRINT
260 FOR J-1 TO H
270 PRINT ■Hanti»*|4|
2M INPUT FM>
2f0 NUT a
li-taoiD too
at aantliaf
300
310
320
330
340
390
3*0
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
4S0
4&0
470
V-0
FOR J-2 TO N
L-t.OB(F(J)>
T-T-H.
V-V4'IJ-1>«L
MOT J
A-*« (2«V/ (H-D-tl
A-EXP<A)-1
AGF^EXP (T/n-A« (H-i > /2>
FOR J -mi TO H+P
NRT J
MIN^d)
MAX-F(1>
FOR J-1 TO H+P
IF F<J>>HAX THEN NAX-FCJ)
IF FtJXHIN THEN HIN-FCJ)
Morr a
tMO MR »al TO IM»
1020 IF J>H*P TMEN J-24i80TO 1090
1030 PRINT
1040 PRINT *Hanth'|J|TAB<10)|F(J>|
1090 NEXT J
1060 PRINT TAB(ia)|-(8rciHth Ratal "| INT(A(1000O«^.9>/10O| "X) '|
1100 eosue 2000
illO FOR J-1 TO H*P
ttao tr am imm m
ra>r «»it-M8,ao»-SNT(MrMin,e
1140 MIT a
1300 flOlUB 3000
1210 P8ET (S6,200-INT(8tFfl>}),e
1220 FOR J-2 TO H*P
1230 IF J>I1 THEN I>1
1240 LINE -<j»iiiw ,a oo mtmm>vnii,c
1290 NEXT J
1300 eoeuB 2000
1310 FOR J-1 TO H*P
ia» uw (atii«4B,aow-Moii«m,j
— , J
(i>
0,0.0
2000 AC-INPUT* (I)
2010 CLS
2020 SCREEN 1,0
2030 COLOR 0,0
2040 C-2
aOSO PRINT ■
20M PRINT "RMUnt"
2070 PRINT • 1 1 <
2080 PRINT ■ \/ 13
2090 FOR J-9 TO 23 STEP 3
2100 LOCATE J,l
2110 PRINT INT<(16B-(J/9-l)«40)/»».3>|
2iao mr j
iNr««F(«>»,ci
ta ■|lNrM*10000».8>/tOO|"S"
12 IB 10 21
— >"i
2«-|
n
woric table, but can only hold a single pal
ette at a time. When she chooses to ust
one palette, she can only paint wiA flu
colors on it. In order to paint with the col
ors on the other palette, she must pu
down fhe one she is holding and pick u[
the other. The medium-resolution graph'
ICS display works in the same way, bu
with one variation— when a user change:
from one palette to another, the colors on
the screen change from the colors of the
first palette to the colors of the second.
"It's really quite easy
to Include graphic Ir
any PC BASIC
program,"
As you might expect, the palettes ar(
numbered zero and one, and the colon
on them are numbered from zero to three
Fig. 7 correlates actual colors with palette
and color numbers. Nodce fliat on eacl
palette, color numbers 1, 2, and 3 art
fixed. Color number 0 is. de facto, fixed]
since it is alvrays fhe same as the current
background color. Text printed on a meJ
dium-resolution screen appears in palette
color number 3, {.e.. either in yellow or iq
white.
In medium-resolution graphics mode,
there are only two numbers in a COLOR
statement: the first sets the background
color and the second chooses the palette
for foreground color. Yes, this specifica-
tion format is the opposite of the COLOR
statement in text mode. Remember, the
border color is the same as the back-
ground color, so there is no tfaild number
Assuming a SCREEN 1,0 statement ha:
been executed to put the screen in medi-
um-resolution mode, the following state-
ment selects a blue background and
chooses palette 0:
COLOR 1. 0
The currently active background coloi
can be retained and the palette niimbei
changed by omitting the background col-
or specification:
COLOR , 1
When the COLOR statement is execut-
ed in medium-resolution graphics mode,
both background and foreground colors
change immediately and retroacttvehf—
unlike in text mode, in which foreground
color changes are not retroactive. For ex-
ample, if some items were drawn in
green, red and yellow using paletto o
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■he COLOR Statemmt WHh
Graphics
The COLOR statement is actually two
statements in one. COLOR works one
way in text-mode, another way in the me-
dium-resolution graphics mode, and is il*
legal in high-resolution graphics mode, in
which the foreground color is always
white and the background and border
colors always black.
In mfidium-resoiution fjraphics. the
COLOR statement has no border color
specification. The border is always the
same color as |anci thus is indistinguish-
le fromj the background, which can be
I in of the 16 colors in Fig. 6. The choice
uf medium-n^soiution foreground colors
is limited, and the scheme for specifying
ihem differs markedly from the text-
mode scheme.
The COLOR statement chooses one of
two sets of medium-resolution fore-
ground colors: these sets are referred to
In IBM as paiettes, and each has four col-
ors. Once the palette is chosen, the state-
ments which actually plot and draw on
the medium-resolution graphics screen
can choose individual colors from it. To
understand the parameters of the pal-
ette's use, imagine an artist painting a pic-
ture. She has two palettes of paint on her
work table, but can only hold a single pal*
ette at a time. When she chooses to use
one palette, she can only paint with the
colors on it. In order to paint with the col-
ors on the other palette, she must put
down the one she is holding and pick up
the other. The medium-resolution graph-
ics (lispla\- works in the same way, but
with one variation— when a user changes
from one palette to another, the colors on
the screen change from the colors of the
first palette to the colors of the second.
As you might expect, the palettes are
numbered zero and one. and the colors
on them are numbered from zero to three.
Fig. 7 correlates actual colors with palette
and color numbers. Notice that on each
palette, color numbers 1, 2, and 3 are
fixed. Color number 0 is. de facto, fixed,
since it is always the same as the current
background color. Text printed on a me-
dhim-resolution screen appears in palette
color number 3, i.e., either in yellow or in
white.
In medium-resolution graphics mode.
there are only two numht-rs in a COLOR
statement: the /iirst sets the background
color and the second chooses the palette
for foreground color. Yes, this specifica-
tion format is the opposite of the COLOR
statement in text mode. Remember, the
border color is the same as the back-
ground color, so there is no third number.
Assuming a SCREEN 1,0 statement has
been executed to put the screen in medi-
um-resolution mode, the following state-
ment selects a blue background and
chooses palette 0:
COLOR 1, 0
The currently active background color
can be retained and the palette number
changed by omitting the background col-
or specification:
COLOR . 1
When the COLOR statement is execut-
ed in medium-resolution graphics mode,
both background and foreground colors
change immediately and retroactively—
unlike in text mode, in which foreground
color changes are not retroactive. For ex-
ample, if some items were drawn in
green, red and yellow using palette 0,
s
A
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PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
•1
Copyrighted material
switching to palette 1 immediately
changes them to cyan, magenta, and
white, respectively.
Graphics Screen Coordinates
In order to display points, lines, boxes,
and so forth, the computer needs to know
where they go, which requires that it be
given a definite description (unique iden-
tifier) of every point on the screen. Imag-
ine that a piece of graph paper is super-
imposed on the screen and that each box
on the grid corresponds to one graphics
point. By numbering the rows and col-
umns, any box can be described by giving
its coordinates, that is, its column and
row numbers. That is exactly the way
points on the graphics screen are identi-
fied. Column numbers begin with zero at
the left edge of the screen: the rightmost
column is 319 in medium-resolution
graphics, 639 in high-resolution. In both
graphics modes, the top row is zero and
the bottom row is 199.
The PSET Statement
Neither the COLOR nor the SCREEN
statements alone creates graphics images
on the screen, but only condition the
screen for the medium- or high-resolu-
tion graphics to follow.
The PSET statement plots a single
point on the graphics screen at any given
coordinates and uses the same format in
either graphics mode. The following
statement will plot a point at the intersec-
tion of column 45 and row 10:
PSET (45,10)
A color number is optional in the
PSET statement. When it is absent in me-
dium-resolution mode, color 3 (yellow or
white) is used. If the PSET statement has
no color specification in high resolution,
it plots a white point.
To specify a color in a PSET statement,
add a comma and the color number after
the coordinates. In medium-resolution
graphics, the color number (0 through 3)
chooses one of the four colors from the
active palette (see Fig. 6). In high-resolu-
tion graphics, an odd color number
chooses foreground color (white) and an
even color number chooses background
color (black). For example:
PSET (180,150),1
In medium-resolution graphics, the
statement above plots a green or a cyan
point, depending upon which palette is
active. In high-resolution graphics, the
statement above plots a white (fore-
ground) point.
The UNE Statement
In addition to plotting points, all ver-
sions of PC BASIC have LINE , a power-
ful statement which draws straight lines
as well as empty and solid-color boxes.
Given that any two points define a
straight line, it stands to reason that the
LINE statement must include the begin-
ning and ending points of a line. The
straightforward way to do this is to speci-
fy the coordinates of both:
LINE (50.150)-(1,10)
The statement above draws a straight
line from the point at column 50, row 150
to the point at column 1, row 10.
Line color is specified in the same way
in the LINE statement as it is in the PSET
statement. Following the end-point co-
ordinates, add a comma and the color
number. In medium-resolution graphics,
the color number chooses one of the col-
ors from the active palette: in high-resolu-
tion graphics, an odd number chooses
foreground color and an even number
chooses background color. If the color
specification is absent, as in the example
above, color number 3 is used in medi-
um-resolution graphics. If it is absent in
high-resolution graphics, the foreground
color is used.
LINE (50,70)-(70,90)„BF
The statement above creates a square the
same size and in the same locations as the
empty one created earlier. The only dif-
ference is that this square is solid red or
magenta (depending on which palette is
active) in medium resolution. In high res-
olution, the statement above draws a solid
black square, thereby erasing the screen
in the area it covers.
Numbers, Variables, and
Expressions
In the interest of simplicity, all of our
examples have used numeric constants to
specify color numbers and coordinates;
however, variables and expressions are
also allowed. Fractional values are
rounded to the nearest whole number.
The Average Growth Rate program listed
at the end of this article demonstrates the
power of variables and expressions in
graphics statements.
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PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
Relative Coordinates
There are two ways to specify a point.
Until now, we have always stated the ac-
tual column and row numbers of each
point, which is known as the absoiute
form of coordinate specification. The al-
ternative, called the reJafive form, speci-
fies coordinates relative to the last point
plotted. When the word STEP precedes
the numbers in parentheses, it means
those numbers are offsets to the coordi-
nates of the last point plotted. Consider
these two PSET statements:
PSET (40,23)
PSET STEP (10.-3)
The first statement above uses absolute
form. It plots a point at column 40, row 23.
The second statement above uses relative
form. It plots a point which is 10 columns
to the right and 3 rows up from the pre-
vious point plotted, i.e., at column 50, row
20.
You can use either the absolute or rel-
ative form to specify the coordinates of
any point. Of course, you must use abso-
lute form for the first point you display,
since there is no previous point to be rela-
tive to.
Now that you have been introduced tc
the individual statements of PC BASIC
graphics, you can refer to the Average
Growth Rate program and see how they
work in actual practice.
Average Growth Rate Program
fSee page 78}
This program has nine parts: setup, in-
put, computation, verbal output, point
graph output, line graph output, bar graph
output, conclusion, and headings subrou-
tine. To make it easy to identify and sepa-
rate the parts, each is shown in a different
color.
The first part of the program (lines 10-
100) performs various housekeeping
chores. First, the program turns off the
bottom-line display of the function key
uses (line 10). Next it clears the screen
and sets screen width to 40 columns (line
20 and 30). After that, it dimensions a sin-
gle-precision numeric array (line 40).
Here and elsewhere, the program indo-
lently uses single-precision variables
where integer variables would suffice.
Next, the program displays a title and
instructions (lines 50 through 100).
Lines 200 through 290 input data. The
program user must break down the 24-
month analysis period into past and fu-
ture (lines 200 and 210). The total number
of past and future months cannot exceed
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
24 (line 220). After that, the user must en-
ter a figure for each past month (lines 230
through 290).
Lines 300-490 perform the exponential
regression on the entered data (lines 300
through 390). Next, the program projects
future figures (lines 400 through 420).
After that, it computes a scaling factor for
the graphic output (lines 330 through 390).
To do this, it must find the highest and
lowest figures among the past and future
figures (lines 400 through 490). Then it di-
vides the graph height, 168, by the sum of
the highest and lowest figures (line 490).
The result is a scaling factor which will
allow all figures to appear on the graph.
Lines 1000-1060 display the exact
amount of past and future figures for each
month in the analysis.
Lines 1100-1140 use the PSET state-
ment to plot a single point for each past
and future figure in the analysis period.
Variable C determines the color of the
point.
Lines 1200-1250 use the LINE state-
ment to draw a line from one figure to the
next. A PSET statement plots the first
start point (line 1210). Variable C again
determines the color of the point.
Lines 1300-1340 use LINE statements
to construct solid-color boxes, one for
each past and future figure. The width of
each box is the same but the height varies
according to the magnitude of the figure.
Once more, variable C determines the
color of the point.
Lines 1400-1420 pause for the user to
press any key, then reset the screen to text
mode and end the program.
Lines 2000-2130 are a subroutine. It
first waits for the program user to press
any key (line 2000). Then it clears the
screen, sets medium resolution graphics
mode, and chooses a black background
and foreground palette 0 (lines 2010
through 2030). It sets variable C to specify
color 2, red (line 2040). After that, it dis-
plays a screen title together with column
and row headings (lines 2050 through
2120).
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PROGRAMMING
KarlKoessel
MAGIC PGUBE
A simulation ofRubik's Cube on the IBM PC
To try out severaJ features of PC
B/\S/C in an actual program of some
complexity. Programming Editor
Karl Koessel decided to develop a com-
puter simulation of the popular fiubik's
Cube puzzle. The program demonstrates
hoiv it is possible to make a "model'
ivhereb>' a computer pw^ram mimics the
behavior of a physical object. The inner
ivorkings of the program depend on the
MOD arithmetic function that is one of
The "Magic Cube' has become quite
popular since its days as a tool for Erno
Rubik. a teacher of architecture and de-
sign at the School for Commercial Artists
in Budapest. Rubik used the cube to shar-
pen his students' ability' to visualize
three-dimensional objects. (Douglas Hof-
strader has an excellent article expound-
PC B.ASlC's enhancements. (MOD tells
\ ou the \'alue of the remainder after you
divide one number b\' another.) Koessel
also designed the program to detect
ivhether a system is set up for color or
monochrome display.
For the color-display veTsion. Koessel
iook advantage of the mun\' color and ap-
pearance variations PC BASIC allows.
Though perhaps at some cost to its speed,
the program also uses the long larioble
ing both the cube's mechanical structure
and its mathematical characteristics in
the March 1981 Scientific American.)
The Magic Cube has six differently
colored faces, each with nine "cubies" in a
three by three matrix. Initially, each face
is one color, all the cubies on a face the
same. But each face may be rotated about
names and formatting abilities PC BASIC
permits to improve a program's under-
standability. It contains no features from
the Disk or Advanced versions of BASIC
and, ivith remarks deleted, will run on a
PC ivith 16K of memor>-. Vollowin% is
Koessel's description of the program,
with some sample displays and excerpts
from the program itself. For details on
getting a cop\' of the complete pTogmm,
see the end of the article.
its center, moving each cubie of that face
(except, of course, the center cubie) to a
different position on that same face. Al-
though this face may remain one color
after the turn, the rotation will also move
the three closest cubies of the four bor-
dering faces, mixing the colors on those
faces. After twisting a few faces, the col-
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
as
llOO
IIIO
1120
IIM
I MO
I ISO
II80
1 190
12>JO
1210
1220
I230
123<»
1240
12SC
12*0
1270
I2S0
127V
13uO
1310
13W
I400
1410
1420
1430
1440
14M>
14S0
1490
ISOO
'••••••••■>••>•<•«••■•••• 0ISP1.AV PRIHTINS nOUtlNC ••IKaat 1 1 1 tl •>>•
ran fa- i to 6
rm p-o TO a
LOCATE X<FA)«10FtP>,V(FA)*vaF(P)
Bft-Bf«<FlX(CUBIEtrA.P, 1 1 MO) }
IF Bfi THEN COLO; CUBIC (FA, F , 2) «~ 16, Bf^lGOTO llbO
IF CUBIE(FA,F,ri THEN COLOR 0,7 ELSE COLOR 7,0 I HlfMlghtt -
ir DM THEN PFINT USINCX \'-|CUBIE4 IFA. P. DH) 1
ELSE PRINT USIN6-4»''(CU81E (FA,P, 1 ) I I'Print chocffn dl*p>«v type
Th»«« \ mm* ikAk* for a clm*nmr dt»pl«y 4« colors/highlight* ct>«no«
IF P-l OR P-2 THEN NO-tiGOSUB I740
IF P-S CR P>0 THEN NO-4lEOSUB 1240
IF F~>7 OR P't, THEN ND--I1GOSUB 1240
MlIT
teiT
COLOR 7,0 I'NorMlti* <ar«grouncJ, bAcl'qround
RETURN
'find p<op«r color* 4or vAch »id« of *p • b»t n ««n cutat**
IF BR THEN COLOR BR. BR (F I KCUBIE (FA, (P*ND) MOD 12,1>M0>) ELSE 12&0
PRINT CHR«l221l|lG0T0 1280
IF CUBIE(FA,P,2I-CUSIE(FA, <p>NOI MOO 12,21 THEN 1270 ELSE COLOR 7,0
PRINT - -|
lieTUlN
■ ■•ta>tttttiaitii»a«tit«« clear prompt /iwnjT lines ti f ttaaaaaaatiait
LdCATE 14.ItPflINT 'On* mt>mmnl , pI*«M. . , 'SPC ( 7V> SPC ( 39) SPC 4 39«
RtTURN i-ClVM-* ltn«B 14 V ir.i mlmo t* UIDTH 40 clw.,r» i 1 r>» lt>
■ lataaaaaataaaaaaaaaaataa turn off highlight flags aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
foR J- I TO 4
FOR fl TO 3
CUSIEiFACE (J) , < (POSITiaN(JI •l^-2> HOD B>«1,2>>«
NEKT
roR P-1 TO a
CUBlE(F,P,2>-0
NEXT
RETURN
This program section displays the newly changed cube diagram on the screen
after a twist.
latX) FUR
J-1 TO 4
IBIO
FOR K-1 TO 3
ia2o
'S*t cubio v«lu«> in holding c*ll«
1830
Ha.O( (J-1 )«3*K)-CU8IE<FACe(J>, ( <POSITION<J)^ -2) NOD 3)-I.l
ia40
'Turn on higlilight flag*
laso
CtJBlEIFACC(J> , 1 (POSITIONIJ) •K-2) KID a)«l,2> — 1
1S60
NEXT
1870 NEXT
18S0 RETURN
1899 •
1900 FCR
J-1 TO 4
1910
FOR K-1 TO 3
I920
CUSIEIFRCE 1 ( <J«OSO) HOC 4I«1 1 , ( IPOSITIONI < <J*OS0) HOD 4>«1>«I.
HOD B)*l, 1 )*HOLDl (J-l)a3«K) |*N«M value of aach
-2)
cubl •
I930
FOR DfiI-1 TO 2 l*A««OC)at«d oaMtt «cllOM
19*0
CUBIE«(FACC( ' <J*OSO> HOD 4) « 1 ) . ( (POSIT ION, ( (J*OGO) HDD 4)
*4k-2) HOD 81 *-1.0«1I)>PLAC£«(DaiI,FlX( (HOLDi (J-1 )a3*» k Mu) . )
• 1 )
19SO
NEXT
1960
NEXT
1970 W
XT
1980 RE TURN
This section of liie program keeps track of the bordering faces of the cube to be
changed when i. twist is ordered.
ors become quite scrambled. Note that no
matter which face is twisted, the center
cubie of each face maintains its orienta-
tion to the other center cubies and, as-
suming we do not turn the entire cube but
only the faces, each center cubie never
changes its position.
The challenge of the Magic Cube is to
reorder the scrambled colors to their
original segregated state. This is very dif-
ficult. But, by keeping track of the twists
performed, we may learn 'sequences' that
swap the colors of certain cubies while
leaving the other cubies undisturbed after
the sequence is completed.
In "Notes on Rubik's 'Magic Cube'"
by David Singmaster, the faces have been
given names. Because any two cubes may
have different colors, or colors that are
arranged differently, the faces are named
not by color but by place. From Singmas-
ter's convention, the faces are called 'up-
per', 'left', 'front', 'right', 'back' and
'down'. A 90-degree rotation of a face is
called a 'twist'. Clockwise twists are
named by the single letters 'U', 'L', 'F'.'R',
'B' and 'D' respectively, designating the
face twisted. Counterclockwise twists
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nave the same notation plus a prime (the
jingle close quotel following, as in 'L'.
' The program begins by asking you to
^ive each face an arbitrary' color (on the
Tionochrome display, simply the name of
1 color). It then prints brief instructions,
lisplays the Magic Cube unfolded on the
jcreen as six faces of nine cubies each
md asks for a twist or command.
Below each face is its name. These
lames may be erased (or. if off. reprinted)
py entering the command 'LABELS',
j Each cubie is represented by two con-
secutive characters. Initially, they are the
First two letters of the names of the faces,
but they may be replaced by code num-
bers (used by the program) or by the first
two letters of the names of the colors you
gave each face. To change to these differ-
ent types of display, enter the command
•CODES". COLORS' or 'FACES'.
For those with a color display, the cu-
bies have assigned background colors.
And an additional command, "BIG",
changes the size of the display from small
characters to large or vice versa. The
instructions fit only in the WIDTH 80 dis-
play mode.
To twist a face clockwise, enter a sin-
gle letter naming the twist, such as 'R'. To
twist a face counterclockwise, the single
letter name must be followed immediate-
ly by the prime 'R". The program then
highlights the cubies that will be chang-
ing positions by printing them in reverse
"The challenge of the
Magic Cube Is to
reorder the
scrambled colors to
their original state."
characters (black on white) on a mono-
chrome display or by blinking them on a
color display. A second question asks if it
is okay to proceed before performing the
twist by updating the display. Then a list
of the twists made so far is printed on the
lower portion of the screen, and the pro-
gram returns to ask for another twist or
command.
The program will also respond to one
other command. When vou enter 'NEW',
the program restores the cube to the start-
ing configuration and erases the twists.
One last note for programmers and
mathematicians: because of the circular
nature of the twists and of the cubies
around each face, the program makes am-
ple use of a new BASIC function found
on the IBM Personal Computer. This
function performs modulo arithmetic
(also known as 'clock math ). See iha IBM
BASIC manual, pages 3-21.
For a copy of the Magic PCube
program . . .
The complete program for Karl Koes-
sel's simulation of the Rubik's Cul)e is
several hundred lines long— too long to
print here in its entirety. PC will make
copies available in either printed or disk
form to readers who want them. .Mail re-
quests to Cube Program, PC, 1528 Irving
Street, San Francisco, CA 94122. For
printed copies, send S3 with a self-ad-
dressed, business-size envelope. For disk
copies, send SIO with a blank. PC- format-
ted disk in a suitable mailer with a self-
addressed return label. Make checks pay-
able to Karl Koessel.
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PCPROFILES/JEREMY JOAN HEWES
A Tale of Two Beginnings
Charlie Hoerner, corporate pioneer and
Gary Moonert, private entrepreneur.
Charlie Hoerner and Gary Moonerl
are helping to spread the word and the
applications of the PC. even though nei-
ther man works for IBM. In fact, these
two advocates of microcomputers are
working in different areas of society:
Gary's principal interest is in helping
bring this technology to new individual
users, while Charlie is concentrating on
uses for the computer within a large cor-
poration. Both are at the beginning of a
promising new venture, and the PC is a
central figure in their stories.
Charlie Hoerner of Foremost
McKesson
Hoerner works in the Information
Services department of Foremost- McKes-
son, the largest drug wholesale distributor
in the United States. Several years ago.
the corporation significantly improved its
operations and earnings by computeriz-
ing many basic operations (Business
Week. December 7, 1981). Since making
the step into large-scale computing, the
corporation has begun a program of uti-
lizing small computers both as part of its
office automation program and as man-
agement tools.
That's where Charlie Hoerner comes
in. The coordinator of corporate activities
in office automation, he has also assumed
the task of introducing, evaluating and
developing uses for the five IBM Person-
al Computers that Foremost-McKesson
has purchased. Hoerner points out that
these pilot machines are expected to be
the first of a series to be purchased by the
company: "We're estimating that there's a
good likelihood of another 15 to 20 ma-
chines going in throughout the corpora-
tion within the next six to twelve
months," he says.
Economy is a major consideration in
the corporation's anticipated purchase of
20 or more of these desktop computers.
As Hoerner notes, "We don't know what
all of the applications are going to be.
One thing we do anticipate, however, is
FOREMOST
McK^ON I
Charlie Hoerner
that they're going to expose people to
some of the potentials of computing in a
way that previously wasn't economically
possible."
VislCalc Is Key
At present, the main application of the
PC at Foremost-McKesson is financial
analysis and calculations— and the rea-
son for the PC's immediate utility in these
areas is the VisiCalc program.
One of the firm's PCs is in the Trea-
sury department, where financial projec-
tions and analyses must be based on for-
mulas or assumptions that can change
rapidly. Hoerner believes that the great-
est number of requests for more PCs will
come from areas of the corporation in-
volved in financial planning, specifically,
from VisiCaJc users. "The greatest inter-
est that we've seen comes from people
who have to do a lot of financial analysis,
people who are dealing with a lot of
change and want to be able to evaluate all
the alternatives. You can't write a pro-
gram using conventional programming
languages, with a programmer sitting
there, and have it change back and forth
and be that flexible."
Another of the five microcomputers is
used by the planning and analysis group
within the corporation, and the remaining
three PCs are presently being used by
Hoerner and two other members of the
Information Services department. A sixth
PC will be added in a New York office of
the company and will utilize communica-
tions hardware and software to exchange
financial data with the San Francisco
headquarters. One initial use of this
coast-to-coast hook-up will be to monitor
foreign currency rates, which change fre-
quently and thus can affect the firm's
day-to-day operations.
WouJd you or someone you know be a
good subject for a PC Profile? PC weJ-
comes suggestions for peopie to be fea-
tured in this series— anyone whose use of
an IBM Personal Computer would prove
interesting or heJpfui to readers. Send
your recommendations to PC Profiles,
1528 Irving Street, San Francisco, Cali-
fornia 94122.
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
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Software: • Addition to IBM DOS which allows JRAM to be used as normal
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Benefits: • Creates a bridge to allow old file base software to use new
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I
All five people evaluating the uses of
he machine at corporate headquarters
lave some experience with computers;
he three Information Services staff
nembers have data processing back-
;rounds, and the two treasury and plan-
ling people have personal computers at
lome, although neither has a PC. So, to
late, the PC users at Foremost-McKesson
ire not novices.
1ands-on Learning
That situation is changing quickly,
lowever, according to Hoerner. He has
pent several weeks giving demonstra-
ions of the PC to interested departments,
ind his standard technique has been to
et an inexperienced volunteer actually
iperate the computer as that person's co-
vorkers look on. "It lets the person using
he machine know there's nothing magi-
;al going on at the keyboard," he reports.
It's hard to keep an eye on the screen
ind see what keys are being pushed at
he same time. And for the people watch-
ng. they know that person doesn't know
my more about it than they do— so that
akes away the mystery."
When presenting this unfamiliar tech-
iolog\' to a group, Hoerner lets the com-
niler do most of the work. "I've set up the
lemonstrations to be very straightfor-
vard, such as using the auto-execute
unction so that all you have to do is load
n the diskette and turn your back on it.
^nd while I'm talking, they hear all this
jeeping and clicking going on, and all of
1 sudden, a menu comes up on the
creen. That's very clear-cut — you don't
lave to worry about it at all. People enjoy
hat."
In addition to the financial planning
ictivities presently employing the IBM
'ersonal Computer, word processing is
inother area of strong interest within the
ompany, according to Hoerner. At pres-
mt, however, he is not able to place a sys-
em in a department for that purpose, be-
ause he has not found satisfactory
oftware. "We're looking forward to
VordStar," he states. "We tried Easy-
Vriter [the word processor sold with the
ystem by IBM and the only one presently
ivailable] and we decided it was just $175
lown the drain. It just wasn't useful
inough."
Even when more versatile word pro-
essing software is available, Hoerner
loes not expect the PC to replace the
mall number of dedicated word proces-
ors presently in use by the corporation.
C/APRIL— MAY 1982
"I don't see the PC replacing word pro-
cessing in high-volume work, since I find
it hard to imagine that something that's a
general-purpose computer using 'over-
the-counter' software is going to replace
something that was custom-designed
from the ground up to serve a secretarial
function."
Hoerner points out that one primary
advantage of a dedicated system is its
ease of learning and use. "If somebody
has to remember that Fl6 means this in
one application, and that in another, the
system is just not as easy to operate as a
dedicated word processor, which has
"With the right
applications, I can
envision an excellent
tool for managers."
clearly labeled function keys that say
'Find' or 'Go To' and that serve a particu-
lar function. So it's worth paying the extra
money for a dedicated word processor in
those situations."
A Management Tool
However, if clerical functions are not,
at present, a likely application of the PC,
managerial functions are. "The purchase
price, to my mind, is reasonable enough
that, with some discounting and with the
right applications, I can envision a system
that's an excellent tool for managers. It
must have the software, though, including
a good word processor that's simple; it
doesn't need a lot of fancy features, but it
must be easy to use. Such a system must
also have versatile communications capa-
bilities that allow a manager to use time-
sharing networks, to upload and down-
load files, to bring in files, and to pass
things to VisiCaic and to other comput-
ers."
Before this potential can be realized
within the company, Hoerner believes
that further development and evaluation
will be necessary. "I see the potential for
the PC as a desktop computer for manag-
ers. i)ut I think the corporation is going to
have to take that on as a project and make
that happen and then hand it over to the
manager as a finished product— not just
give him a inmch of boxes and say, 'Here,
have a good time.' Not only doesn't the
manager have the time to do it, but you're
reinventing the wheel at every place."
"Reinventing the wheel" may also be
an apt description for setting up the PCs
when a bulk order is received, Hoerner
recalls. "When you make a multiple order
from the company, not from a store, you
get one big box for each component, and
then you get a box of spare parts. Each
little part has a number on it, and there
are instruction manuals for putting them
together."
Setting Up Is Hard To Do
Considering that the basic computer
comes with 48K of memory, and most
business users routinely order the 16K ex-
pansion kit to have 64K of memory, in-
stalling the spare parts isn't a mere matter
of slipping a board into a ready slot.
"When you do the memory expansion,"
he says, "you've got to put in these nine
integrated circuits. All the IC's have legs
that are a little bit flared, and all the sock-
ets are lined up directly below, so the
odds of somebody who's never seen a ma-
chine like this getting them all in without
bending a pin or breaking it off are rela-
tively small. You have to roll the thing
and get the pins so they're straight up and
down and then guide the IC into the
holes.
Except for these problems with setting
up the PC, Hoerner has been well satis-
fied with the computer. "I'm very im-
pressed with the reliability of it and I
haven't had any trouble," he states.
Hoerner recognizes the necessity for a
trade-off between maintaining low prices
for multiple orders of the system and the
customer's responsibility for assembly. In
fact, he predicts that increased user in-
volvement is a trend in this business. "I
recognize the way the industry's going,
and this is one of the things that's going to
be new. Providing installation, on-site
training, and field support for ever>'thing
that goes wrong has become an intoler-
able expense for companies making hard-
ware with prices this low— especially
hardware that's sold, not rented. So the
upshot is, if you're going to get that price
on something, you're going to have to put
up with the inconvenience and learn to
do it yourself."
Hoerner is confident that he and his
associates can weather the initial storms
of installation and fashion a useful and
reliable system around the PC. However,
(Continue(i on page .95/
—91
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characters. And VersaText Is easy to learn. The manual is clearly
written and packed with examples. Get VersaText today. Suggested
retail $149.00. Manual only $25.00.
-C? Set the Hostages Free
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1028 North Madison Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75208
(214)495-5052
w Dealer inquiries invited.
IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines
Epson MX-70/80/IOO is a trademark of Epson America. Inc.
8' DISKETTE ATTACHMENT
System contains an 8" QUME DT-8 diskette
drive and a 5-foot attachment cable to the
IBM diskette adapter card. The diskette ap-
pears as drive "C" to the IBM DOS software.
Utility programs are provided for formatting,
verifying, and copying files between the 8" and
5V4" diskettes. Both single side— single den-
sity IBM 3741 or DEC format and double side
—double density IBM S/34 or S/38 format is
supported. A diskette can be copied in approxi-
mately two minutes. The system price includ-
ing utility software is $1,295. Size 9" x 5" x
19"— shipping wt. 25 lbs.
Also available is a 64-point digital output
and B4-point digital input attachment card for
use in data acquisition and control applica-
tions. Price is $395.
Our programming staff will also provide
price quotes on converting existing IBM
Series/1 applications to the IBM PC.
Contact; Dennis White
FLAGSTAFF
ENGINEERING
282D W. Darleen
Flagstaff. AZ 86001
(602] 774-3588
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mm
1
i PCProfile
Ean' Moonert
>at present, he is less certain about the
; software. He has written several pro-
[grams in BASIC to help him demonstrate
;and evaluate the machine, and he has
1 modified the minimal communications
[ program that is part of the PC's DOS. But
I he is not impressed with the separate
) communications software distributed by
[ IBM, and this capability is essential if the
1 PC is to be widely used within Foremost-
1 McKesson.
"The communications software is
I pretty primitive right now," he observes.
'The major disadvantage, according to
1 Hoerner, is that the IBM communications
: software does not make it easy to "upload
>and download" data between your per-
jsonal computer and the remotely located
[host computer. "You can exchange with
■ another PC or you can function as a cer-
Itain terminal for a host system— but not
I both. I was very surprised that they re-
[ leased the software this way."
Like many other PC users, however, he
is anticipating that many software devel-
I opers will step in to fill the void. "As far
I as the software goes," he predicts, "you
I can only hope. I'm guessing that the PC
1 market's going to be big enough that we're
t going to see tons and tons of software
I coming down the chute within the i">ext
[ year."
Because he believes that the IBM PC
' will find a valuable place within Fore-
I most-McKesson. Hoerner has begun to
I develop the integrated system of hard-
' ware and software that staff members
' will need. "I've already started sketching
! some ideas for design considerations, and
[ 1 11 be hiring someone soon. One of the
(criteria for the job is that they know BA-
!SIC. We ll be writing some experimental
software to go with what we presently
have for the computer."
Hoerner has one other long-range
hope for this personal microcomputer
and his work. "There's one more area
that I'm kind of dreaming about," he con-
fides. "I don't know how soon it's going to
come, but it seems inevitable. And that
has to do with the interface between
home and office. If people have equip-
ment at home that's compatible with what
they have at the office, all of a sudden it
expands their capabilities and flexibility.
Although it has an inherent risk, in that
people might be tempted to work 24 hours
a day, the potential rewards include the
ability' to do some work at home and thus
to avoid some of the commuting hassle.
Given rising energy costs, it's about time
we started looking for alternatives along
this line."
Gary Moonert, Technology
Consultant
Gary Moonert is another seeker of al-
ternatives, and his plans center around
the home-work strategy that is Charlie
Hoerner's dream. Specifically, Gary is
forming a company to advise individuals
about technology on a personal level.
"What I really want to get down to do-
ing, " he notes, "is being the technology
assessment expert for the average person.
They might come to me and say, 'I think I
want a computer,' and I'll listen to them
and ask questions and offer alternatives
at different prices and with different fea-
tures."
Although he has worked as a data pro-
cessing professional for 15 years and cur-
rently is employed by a major California
bank, Moonert's new career focuses on
individuals. "My specific interest is in ad-
vising the individual," he states. "The
corporations have people to give this as-
sistance, and if they don't, they have IBM
to tell them. But the public doesn't have
this kind of help."
As the first step in educating himself
in personal computers, Moonert bought a
PC from one of the ComputerLand stores.
His system includes the computer with
64K of memory, the companion dot-ma-
trix printer, the mono display, and the col-
or graphics component so that he can use
his color television as a monitor as well.
He also purchased two disk drives, the
DOS system, and EasyWriter.
Like Hoerner, Moonert had the specif-
ic intention of evaluting the PC for its
strengths, weaknesses, and applications
for general use. The difference is that
he'd like to see computers in the hands of
housewives, kids, and anyone else who
doesn't come into contact with this tech-
nology on a legular basis. His perspective
is that these machines, together with the
other electronic marvels available today,
are truly tools for all of us.
Technology as Friend
'I use the term 'technology' in the
most magnanimous of spirits," Moonert
points out. "When I say that word, I'm re-
moving it from the arena of mainframe
computers; I'm talking about a whole
world that is ultimately there to serve ev-
erybody."
Nor is his focus limited to computers:
"It's not just computers' it's what I consid-
er to be technology as it's going to relate to
everybody: television as components,
such as a color TV that is also a monitor
for the computer; the telephone that links
you to many things; stereo that could work
with the television components. All these
things can be part of a system that is
planned for each person according to his
needs, taste, and budget."
These interests have been part of
Moonert's thinking for a long time, and
his present job involves improving the re-
lationships between computer profession-
als and people in the bank who utilize
their services. Now he hopes to take his
services "beyond the walls of the corpo-
ration," as he puts it, and IBM's introduc-
tion of the Personal Computer told him
that the time had come to launch his new
career.
"Actually, as a career for me, this was
something I looked at and didn't take se-
riously as being do-able until IBM sort of
sanctified personal computing by making
this machine. Now I've bought the com-
puter, taken it home, played with it,
"If people have equipment at tiome that's
compatible with what they have at the
office, all of a sudden It expands their
capabilities."
I PC/ APRIL— MAY 1982
9S
opened the cover, looked inside and said,
'This is a personal computer. Never mind
that the mailuting emphasis isn't on indi-
vidual home computing use right now. It's
there. It's capable of doing recipe archiv-
ing, music, and other things that business
users aren't going to do with it, by and
large.'"
Priority Number 2
Moonert believes that despite the PC's
obvious utility as a versatile home com*
puter, IBM has not yet included the indi-
vidual user in its marketing efforts. "It ap-
pears to me that IBM's marketing and
literature is dirocted toward the small-
business user whose computer needs are
similar to those of the company's tradi-
tional customer base. I don't yet see the
thrust from IBM to place the Personal
Computer in the homes of the public. I
think that will come, but it's priority num-
ber two for IBM. I think they're very ca-
gey, in a marketing sense; they have an
immediate marketplace that they can
center their attention on— the corpora-
tions, banks, and so forth. They can sell a
hundred or five hundred to these places.
When they feel that they've more or less
saturated that market segment, they'll get
more serious about the system's ultimate
marketplace, which is the personal com-
NEW
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puter user. In other words. I think this
machine was acciuately— and strategical*
ly— named for a purpose the IBM is some
time away from."
Though his purpose in assessing the
PC is different from the bushiess thrust
he sees dominating IBM's present mar-
keting strategy, Moonert has some of the
same reservations about the system as
Charlie Hoerner. The biggest problem for
both men in trying to evaluate the poten-
tial of this system is the lack of applica-
tions software.
"My perspective on behalf of my ulti-
mate client is that I could see a lot of rea-
sons for a more integrated approach to
the whole system," he states. "It's a large
disappointment to me fliat you can't easi-
ly transfer files between EasyWriter and
DOS— they are independent systems. I
can't imagine why in the world fliey con-
structed it that way."
Software Sdutlont
Although Moonert's data processing
experience includes programming, and
he has written some programs for his own
use on the PC, he does not plan to join the
ranks of software developers. "I look
around at the record of oOier personal
computer implementations and users," he
observes, "and there's obviously been a
large amount of bright, generally young
talent that has seized the TR8-80, the Ap-
ple, and the Atari. Those people are a tal-
ent base who are dying to do what needs
to be done for the PC, and I am waiting
for them to do it. Programming is not my
primar\' area of interest, and it's not
where I feel my talents, and therefore my
contributions, ultimately lie."
Instead, Moonert is content to wait un-
til the software and integrated system
comes of age for the PC, and he believes
that that won't be long. 'The IBM PC in-
dustry is in its infancy, and I don't have to
make my living at this new career yet. I'm
willing and able to wait until the industry
is right for me to do what I want to do. It's
only a matter of time. I have the feeling
that it's not years, but months, or in some
cases, even weelcs. The Idds down at
ComputerLand playing on the machines
are one layer of it, but more importantly,
it's the hobbyists— or latent hobbyists-
inside corporations like IBM who are the
brightest minds going and who have been
waiting for something like this to roll
around. They will come up with thingi
for the PC that are mind-boggling. " 1^
PC/APRL-MAY 19a<
Copyrighted material
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© Copyright 1982. Software Laboratories, Inc.
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Educational Games;
Three Appetizers
IBM Persona/ G
omputer
ARITHMETIC I', AMES I
by Science Research Associates, Jnc.
IBM Product Center Price; $60*
IBM Personal Computer
ARITHMETIC (]AMES II
By Science Research Associates, Inc.
IBM Product Center Price: $60
IBM Personal Computer
FACT TRACK
by Science Reseurch Associates, Inc.
IBM Product Center Price: $90
These three titles are among the first
educational programs to be released
for the IBM Personal Computer. Be-
cause they were introduced so soon after
the computer itself, they were expected to
be somewhat rudimentan.', and indeed
they are. In spite of this, they were
thoughtfully developed and do have real
educational valuo; best of all, children
will love them, though maybe not as
much as they lo\ e some of the current
video games. Thi^ truth is that, overall,
these releases, developed at an IBM sub-
sidiary called Science Research Associ-
ates, Inc., have a ijreat deal of redeeming
value.
Fact Track
I liked Fact Track from the first mo-
ment I used it. The program presents it-
self well, both aciuiemically and aestheti-
cally; it uses color graphics and sound to
interest users at the beginning, and then
easily undtirstantiable directions to en-
sure that they will stay and learn.
Fact Track teaches 390 arithmetic
facts, involving addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division. The brief
and well-organized instruction booklet
gives a description of these basic func-
Fact Track offers
Cossidy Warner and her mom,
Katie, have a great time
playing BEANO.
*Prices at otl^tr outlets may vary.
PC/APRIL -ly/lAY 1992il
tions, but you can also work with mixed
numbers or extensions of these that re-
quire seven additional skills. These skills
include multiplying and dividing by ten,
adding three single-digit numbers, and
adding one-digit numbers to two-digit
numbers without renaming (adding from
right to left). In addition, if you choose
one of the four basic skills, you have the
option of working at sub-skill levels one
to four.
And still this is only the beginning.
The three packages are "Arithmetic
Games Set 1," "Arithmetic Games Set 2,"
and "Fact Track." Each package consists
of a floppy disk, instruction booklet, and
warranty card packaged in a handy
brown vinyl binder. Each one requires an
IBM PC with 64K bytes of memory, and a
color/graphics monitor adapter with a
television set or color monitor. Once
you've narrowed down the topic of the
lesson, its length and method of presenta-
tion are the next user options.
The time option is particularly delight-
ful, as it consists of a simple yet eye-
pleasing graphic sliding scale. By press-
ing the arrows instead of entering digits,
you choose from 20 seconds (displayed on
the left) to 200 seconds (lights up on the
right).
After selecting a time limit and the
number of problems you think you can
solve, the program asks you if you want to
race against the computer. I always found
myself in a racing frame of mind as I
went through the program, and I doubted
that anyone would not want to race.
However, when I asked Cassidy
Warner, age 9, to try out the math games, I
discovered that she was initially too timid
to challenge the computer to a race. Only
after she gained confidence in her ability
to master the games did she wish to race
the computer.
Cassidy 's test of Fact Track pointed out
its major weakness, which is that the pro-
gram is too limited. While Cassidy loved
the way the game worked and found it
very exciting, she is already very compe-
tent in the skills it teaches. Thus, Fact
Track really offers her little more than
amusement. This conclusion is probably
applicable to many situations.
BEANO
On the other hand, BEANO, which is
part of "Arithmetic Games Set 1," was a
different matter. BEANO is a variation of
BINGO that is played on a card (depicted
on the screen) containing a grid of num-
bers. In the least difficult of three levels
of play there are seven "Free" spots on
the player's card and the numbers are all
under 20.
A graphic version of a pair of dice
spins underneath the card, then settles to
show two random numbers. The idea is to
use these numbers by adding, subtracting,
multiplying, or dividing them so that the
result will be equal to a number on the
card.
I tried the most difficult version
against the computer and after a false
start found it to be a very challenging ex-
ercise. In this version there is only one
free spot and the dice roll three numbers.
On my first attempt I discovered that the
game does not calculate left to right; in-
stead it first multiplies and divides from
left to right and then adds and subtracts.
The number I wanted to arrive at was
35, and my dice had rolled 8, 1 and 5.
Thus, I entered "8—1X5." To my dismay
I discovered that the answer to this prob-
lem was "3" according to the way
BEANO calculates. My solution to this di-
lemma (since I did not wish to alter my
own calculation logic) was to simply put
parentheses around every problem, such
as (8-l)X5.
BEANO was challenging and fun.
Cassidy and her mom played the game
for about an hour while we took their pic-
tures. They are both ready to come back
and I think BEANO is a hit. However,
BEANO's companion program, "Rock-
ets," is another story altogether.
Rockets
Arithmetic Games Set 1 has one good
program. "BEANO," and one dud,
"Rockets." It reminds me of 45 rpm rec-
ords I used to buy when I was a kid, with
a hit single on one side and vile scratchy
sound on the other. However, Arithmetic
Games Set 2 is different. It contains two
equally mediocre games called "Discov-
ery Machine" and "Number Chase."
Discovery Machine
In Discovery Machine a number goes
into a machine pictured on the screen.
Some mathematical event happens and it
comes out of the machine transferred into
a new number. The trick is to discover
what the machine is doing to the number.
Not a bad idea, and it has educational
value, but it is hard to forgive SRA for
such poor, elementary graphics. Come on,
folks, this is a DISCOVERY MACHINE,
how come it can't look exciting?
101
Number Chase
Number Ch.ist! is also an interesting
idea. You try to guess the computer's se-
cret number before the computer guesses
your number.
Like Discovery Machine, its graphics
are nothing to cheer about, and I honestly
wonder what value for your money these
two programs give you. In my opinion,
they should be s ikl for under $10. I have
a few other opinions I'd like to share with
you, so I'm going to get up on my software
soap box long enough to air out some mi-
nor irritants.
Impressions trom the Software
Soap Box
Minor Irritant #1. As with other IBM
PC programs, the first time you use the
SRA arithmetic i^ame packages you have
to perform the relatively fool-proof, yet
definitely nomputerese. procedure of
loading DOS from the DOS disk into the
machine and tht n copying it onto the pro-
gram disk. I really find this to be an an-
noyance. It runs contrary to my notion
that operating systems should be totally
invisible to the vast majority of users. If
DOS has to be on the disk to make it
work, then it should be loaded by the
manufacturer.
Minor Irritant #2. The dreaded NUM
LOCK key. [When this key on the PC key-
board is depressed, the key pad functions
as a number pad.] When it isn't, the keys
do other things. This is a problem because
there is no indication of which mode the
NUM LOCK key is in at any particular
time.
Programs such as these, which require
mostly number keystrokes, should give
you NUM LOCK feedback. What this
means is that there should be some indi-
cation on the screen of whether or not
you are in NUM LOCK.
Minor Irritant tt3. The dreaded
SHIFT LOCK key. This is not particularly
important to the programs reviewed here,
but nonetheless it has the same problem.
Minor Irritant #4. These programs,
like many other "educational" programs,
accept homogenized public school stan-
dards as their goals for student perfor-
mance. Personal computers have the po- ■
tential to accelerate the learning curve in
exponential leaps. If you understand this ;
potential, you probably realize that if we !
can learn more, then indeed we can actu- >
ally raise our standards.
Minor Irritant #5. Few educational .
programs seem to have been designed .
with an understanding of the realities of :
the classroom environment. In particular, ,
the relationship between student and I
teacher is often overlooked or misunder- •
stood.
For example, while the SRA programs i
can be run with or without sound, which i
may be useful in a busy classroom, the :
option is entirely student selectable. Nei- ■
ther teacher nor computer can control the i
situation unless the student cooperates. In ,
some classrooms they will and in others i
they won't, but in both cases they require i
teacher attention that could best be used
elsewhere.
All in all, not a very inspiring begin- ■
ning for educational software on the IBM '.
Personal Computer. I certainly hope to <
see much improved releases in the future.
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• Sequential Processing Of
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• Random Retrieval By
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• Access Files With Keys Up
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• Multiple Methods Of
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• Interfaces With Existing
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• Eliminates Hours Of
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Screen-Master
Generates Screen Input
Format
• Defines Defaults
• Table Searching (Handling)
• Date Checking (Leap Year
Included)
• Special Handling Routines
Available For Each Field
Through Gosubs
• General Title Formatting
• Utilizes Special Function
Keys
• Define Where Each Field
Input Goes Into The
Record
• Key Length (Maximum 30
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• Program Various
Sound Responses
102
PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
IBM PERSONAL
COMPUTER
RNtAlOr
EY
Now you can buy a
64K RAM expansion
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Personal Computer for
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That's less than you
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That's not all:
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Expansion products
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USER-TO-USER/ANDREW FLUEGaMAN
Letter Writing Witti EasyWriter
The PC's EasyWriter word processing
program includes the ability to dis-
play as many as three headings or
footlines anywhere on a page, a very use-
ful feature unmatched by even the mighty
WordStar, which only provides for two
such headings. One way to use these
three headings is to insert date, address-
ee, and page number references at the
top of each sheet of a multi-page letter,
following a standard business letter for-
mat. Further, this feature can be made to
operate automatically, eliminating the
need for the writer to monitor page
breaks.
The following routines accomplish
this letter-writing task very reliably and,
at the same time, provide a good method
for organizing address and correspon-
dence files neatly within the EasyWriter
file system. Working through the follow-
ing routines will also give the user a
hands-on tutorial covering virtually all of
the EasyWriter embedded commands.
Formatting the Envelope
The first file to create is a print format-
ter that will print both an address and a
return address in the proper positions on
a standard business envelope. Begin by
loading the EasyWriter program and then
load a blank storage diskette formatted
with IBM DOS and initialized with the
EasyWriter overlay. From the File System
menu, type C Y to clear memory and en-
ter the Edit mode. Then, type everything
shown in Fig. 1. character for character.
This file will be explained later, but for
the present, save it as File #1 by pressing
key FlO (return to the file system) and typ-
ing S (save) "ENVELOPE" (name of file).
(Note: the H symbols in the figures in-
dicate carriage returns, made by hitting
ENTER at the keyboard and displayed
on the screen as eighth-note symbols.)
The first entry in the file, .formstop .
like all the embedded commands, be-
gins with a period and must be terminat-
ed with a carriage return. It instructs the
printer to pause between pages and is
used whenever the printer does not con-
tain continuous-form paper.
A .spaceO instruction embeds single
spacing by telling the printer to insert
zero spaces between lines. Remember
to start with a period and to be sure that
the zero immediately follows the word
"space."
The next four embedded commands,
■titlea , .titleb . .litlec , and .page , are what
I call clearing commands since they
eliminate any heading and paf^ination
instructions which may have previously
been put into effect, (.'n.siiring that no
104
PC/APRl-MAY 1982
headings or page numbers will ap[>ear
on the envelope.
The command .topO instructs the
printer to insert no (zero) blank lines be-
fore commencing printing, and operates
under the assumption that the envelope
will be positioned with the printer's
head at the top of the printable area.
.marginO sets the left margin at the be-
gin-printing-here position.
The next three entries contain a re-
turn address, which should be entered
as indicated. If an address is already
printed on the envelope, omit the
.marginO command and enter three
blank lines (which are necessary to keep
the vertical spacing correct) by pressing
the ENTER key three times.
The three carriage returns shown in
Fig. 1 move the print head down to the
proper position to begin printing the ad-
dressee's address. The .margin52 com-
mand sets the left margin approximately
4V2 inches from the left edge of the en-
velope. The envelope formatter file
ends here; later it will be linked to sepa-
rate address files.
Formatting ttie Letter
The next file to establish is a letter
formatter. From the File System menu,
type C Y . then enter the contents of Fig.
2.
Name and save this as File #2 by
pressing key F 1 and typing S - LETTER .
The first six embedded commands
on this file are clearing commands, as in
the ENVELOPE file. The next two com-
mands instruct the printer to position
the print head four lines from the top
and to set the left margin ten spaces in.
The .pagelines66 command tells the
printer know that each page is 66 lines
in length — the standard for printing six
lines to an inch on 11-inch paper — and
is the default for the EasyWrifer pro-
gram. It's inserted here as another clear-
ing command in the event that another
value may be in effect.
The .linesSO command specifies how
many lines will be printed on each
l)iif,'e. To determine the number of lines
in the bottom margin, subtract the .top
and .lines values from the value of the
■pagelines command.
The next two lines contain your ad-
dress, which will be printed at the top of
each letter; if you're using printed letter-
head, substitute carriage returns. The
following line contains the current date.
The final three commands instruct
the printer to print a heading on all sub-
sequent pages of the letter. The .titlea,l,
portion of the first of these commands
directs the printer to print heading a on
the first line of the second page. The
today's date portion of that command
contains the text that will actually be
printed on line one.
The -titlecS.page command directs
the printer to print the word "page" on
the third line of the second page; if it
had read .titlec.3.sheet . it would have
printed the word "sheet". Be sure to fol-
low the spacing and punctuation exact-
ly.
\
C,6'
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
10S
The last command on this file,
.page3.6 . tells tlie printer to number
each page and In position that number
at line 3, cnhimn 6. This works in con-
junction with lilt previous command so
that the third line will print as "page 2".
One final iidtc: These last three com-
mands are placed below the address
and date text so that the heading does
not print on the first page of the letter.
The program .uxdmplishes this by clear-
ing the heading ami page numbering for
the first page iin<i inserting the heading
commands so that they'll take effect
when the printer reaches page two.
Creating an Address File
To write a letter, begin by creating two
files — one for the address and one for the
text. From the Kile System menu, type
C Y . then create your address file, which
should look like Fig. 3. Remember that
the *I symbol indicates carriage returns.
Save this as File #3 by pressing key
FlO and typing S - :^Kdlin .
The first three lines of this file are a
normal address. The fourth line con-
tains another emijedded command,
which completes the heading to appear
on page two of the letter and instructs
the printer to print "lim Edlin" on line
two of the page.
The address file should contain this
embedded comm.inil even if the letter is
certain to be less than a page long, since
you may want to use this file later on for
another letter. The insertion of this com-
mand is also ni'ce.ssary to ensure the
correct spacing nf the first page of the
letter.
Creating a Letter
To write the letter itself, clear the
editor by typing C Y from the File Sys-
tem menu. Start the letter with the salu-
tation, as in Fig. 4. Try to make sure that
it's long enough so that you'll be able to
see the second-page heading feature op-
erate when you print the letter.
Remember to end the letter with the
embedded command .eject , which not
only ejects the last page of the letter
from the printer, but also resets the
page-length counter in the event several
letters are to be printed in succession.
Save this letter as File #4 by hitting
key FlO and typing S - (SEdlin . The
function of the @ symbol will be ex-
plained later.
Printing a Letter and Envelope
The first step toward printing the let-
ter and addressing the envelope is to
link the four files (envelope formatter,
letter formatter, letter address and letter
text). From the File System menu, load
File #2, LETTER into memory by typing
G 2 . The first linked file must be loaded
into memory for linking to work proper-
ly. Then link the four files by typing L 2.
3. 4. 1, 3 and pressing ENTER. The File
System menu should look like Fig. 5.
Before printing, a final routine is
necessary to ensure that the automatic
page numbering begins with the num-
ber "2". From the File System menu,
type E; the contents of the LETTER file
should appear on the screen. Now press
key F4, to enter the Additional Com-
mands menu.
Next, type P, the command for page
settings. The prompt will ask for PAGE
#:. Tv pe 2, indicating that numbering is
to start with that numeral, and press
ENTER.
The prompt will now ask for #
COPIES: . Respond by pressing ENTER.
The next prompt is PRINT TO
SCREEN? . Press ENTER again. Now
press ENTER once more to exit from the
Additional Commands menu. The
screen should once again display the
contents of the LETTER file.
You're ready to print. Position the
first sheet of stationery in the printer,
make sure the printer is turned on, re-
cite a short incantation to the micro-die-
ties, and press the F2 key.
If your prayers are answered, the
printer should print the return address
(assuming you included it in the file)
and the date, and then pause. Press a
key and the printer should skip a spa
and type the addressee's address, th
pause. Again, press any key and t
printer should skip another two spac
and start printing the letter.
At the bottom of the page, the print
should eject the first sheet and pauj
Position the second sheet and press a
key again. The printer should begin
printing the three-line heading and th
continue with the letter, as in Fig. 6.
the letter continues to a third page, t
printer should pause again and print t
heading with "page 3" at the top.
When the letter is completed, t
printer should eject the last sheet a:
pause again. Position the envelope, a:
press any key. If nothing happens, pre
any key again. The address should
printed automatically at the correct f
sition on the envelope. Depending
the size of the printer's buffer, some
the pauses may not occur.
Establishing a Routine
Don't expect all this to work perfec
the first time; in fact, plan on consumi
a fair quantity of stationery before tl
routine is fine-tuned to your printer a:
letterhead. Start this fine tuning by <
tablishing a standard way of inserti
the paper and envelopes in the print
The commands listed in the figures a
based upon a start-print position that
approximately one inch below the t
edge of the page and approximately
inch from the left edge.
If your starting print position is d
ferent, you'll have to make adjustmei
with the various .margin , .top , and Jin
commands. If the second-page headi
doesn't print in a spot suitable for yc
adjust the values of the various .title ai
.page commands. Bear in mind that t
value of the .top command in the LE
TER file determines where the first li
of the regular text of the letter will pri:
and that this value must be at least o
greater than the value of the .titlec ai
.page commands, which determine t
line position of the page-numberi
heading.
Experiment — it will be worth
Once an acceptable format is estc
lished it can be used for all your con
spondence.
The second part of establishing
routine is managing the address and 1
ter files. The system I've used identify
each address file with a # symbol a
C PC/API?IL-MAY 1<;
each letter with the @ sign. Since the
File System menu displays four files to a
line, address and letter files can be kept
adjacent to one another, which should
make it easier to keep track of files to be
linked. For general correspondence, you
can simply create the files in order and
purge them as the disk nears its storage
capacity.
If you correspond frequently with the
same people, you may want to format a
disk with approximately 12 addresses,
leaving enough room to create letter
files. Unfortunately, EasyWriter doesn't
permit linking files on separate disks,
which limits the ability to use the pro-
gram for mass-mailing applications. You
can, of course, transfer address or letter
files from one disk to another by loading
them into memory, changing disks or
disk drives, and saving the loaded file to
the new disk.
A User's Report
I've been using this routine for all of
my business correspondence for three
or four months now, and it works very
efficiently and reliably. My personal
preference is to do all of my letter writ-
ing on the computer and leave the print-
out for the end of the day. This keeps me
in create mode and frees me from dis-
tractions. The end-of-day print routine
is good physical therapy.
When I am ready to print, the first
thing I do is to get my LETTER file and
revise it to list the current date, making
sure to revise the text of the .titlea com-
mand as well. Then I link files and start
printing, letter by letter. The step I for-
get most often is to reset the page num-
bering for each letter. You have to do
this, or else page two of your second let-
ter will be printed as "page 4".
After a while, you'll develop what I
call keyboard routines— sequences of
commands which you can execute by
rote, without having to think about them
or follow the prompts on the screen. For
example, in linking and resetting the
page numbering, you can just pound out:
"G 2 L 2, 3, 4, 1. 3, ENTER E F4 P 2
ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER" in
rapid succession and be ready to start
printing with the F2 key. The keyboard
buffer will permit you to input com-
mands ahead of the program, and pretty
soon you'll feel enough in control to
wail away with computer-assisted letter
writing.
EasyWriter Underlining for
Epson MX-100 printer.
Frank Vlamings writes: "I spent two
days trying to underline words using my
newly acquired EasyWriter software
and Epson MX 100 printer." Stumped at
last, Mr. Vlamings went first to his Com-
puterLand store and then to IBM for
help. There were a couple of false starts,
but eventually, Mr. Vlamings did re-
ceive instructions which worked. He de-
scribes them as "extremely cumber-
some" and says, "I don't believe I will
use it unless I absolutely have to." He
savs IBM wrote him that a better "fix" is
being developed, but submits the fol-
lowing until an alternative is available.
1. Insert 5 lines above the line you
wish to underline (F3)
2. Enter insert mode and type on
first line .USER$141
3. Enter insert mode and type on
second line .EOL$
4. Delete extra inserted lines above
the line you wish underlined
5. Insert 5 lines below the line you
wish to underline
6. Enter insert mode and use space
bar to move cursor below the word you
are going to underline
7. Now type the underline
8. Enter insert mode and type on
first line below underline .USER7rlO
9. Enter insert mode and type on
second line below underline .EOL%
10. All embedded commands must
be at the beginning of each line and ter-
minated with the end of paragraph (EN-
TER key)
11. Delete any extra inserted lines
below the second line and the rest of the
text
—Frank Vlamings
Share Your Discoveries
When you learn something your fel-
low PC users can benefit from, pass it on
through these pages. You'll encourage
others fo return the favor, plus we'll pay
from $25-100 for each tip published.
Mail contributions to; Use r-to- User, PC
Magazine, 1528 Irving Street, San Fran-
cisco, California 94122.
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• Combo Card
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• Hardware Prototype
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107
PROGRAMMING
Jim Strothtmn
PERSPECTIVES ON
PROTECTION
In the 1880s. Gilbert and Sullivan had
to steam to New York with a full Lon-
don cast, and mount an authentic pro-
duction of their "Pirates of Penzance" in
order to head off the success of a 'pirated'
American production down the street. In-
ternational copyrights were scoffed at,
and they fought all their lives to secure
royalties.
A hundred years later, the protection
of copyrighted material is still taking bi-
zarre twists. A federal appeals court has
ruled that home videotaping of TV shows
is an infringement— overturning a lower
court, and disputing evidence that audio
taping has not hurt radio broadcast prof-
its. Xerox takes out full-page ads remind-
ing people that they can't 'xerox' some-
thing because the company's name is a
trademark; they don't want to join Vase-
line, Kleenex and Scotch tape, who are
fighting to stay out of the public domain.
And computer proliferation . . . well,
that has led to the most difficult problem
of all. Simply put, it is this: everybody
needs 'backup' copies of software, but
how can you make copies without open-
ing the door to piracy?
The Software Dilemma
"There is a perception that software is
a freebie, that it 'comes with the ma-
chine,' and that may have contributed to
the piracy problem," says leff Walden,
public relations manager for VisiCorp.
"Now, manufacturers have realized
that software is what selis the machine in
the first place. The customer doesn't need
to know anything about copy-protection
except that the disk doesn't copy. Why?
To protect our copyright," he says, "and
keep it safe from both casual and profes-
sional piracy."
The former occurs in many users'
groups and among friends: one person
buys a program, makes copies and gives
"I believe anyone
who buys a
program has the
right to enough
copies to feel
comfortable."
them away; they trade them like baseball
cards, or pool them for common use. Ex-
cept possibly to recover the cost of a
blank diskette, money rarely changes
hands.
On the other hand, professional
thieves sell illegal copies as if they were
legitimate, at prices high enough to avoid
suspicion but lower than the manufactur-
er's suggested price or a reasonable dis-
count. Because they have not invested in
research and development, marketing,
quality control, or after-sale service, their
profits are enormous, and do not contrib-
ute toward improvements in the next
'generation' of software.
"There are ten man-years of effort
that went into the original Apple version
of VisiCaJc," Walden says, "plus the time
we spent customizing it for the PC and
other computers. There's an awfully large
investment in it. Some people feel that
software should be priced according to its
manufacturing costs, like the price of a
diskette. But I say you have to consider
the effort that went into development and
maintenance.
"We don't know what the piracy will
be like for the PC, but it was particularly
rampant for Apple computers in gener-
al," he adds. "Interestingly, though, pira-
cy seems to bear no relation to the list
price of the software. In my estimation,
people who made $16 game programs had
as much piracy as we did with the $250
VisiCaic. Of course, it's hard for me to
conceive of grey pinstripe-suited busi-
nessmen, huddled over a PC, trading soft-
ware."
(An IBM spokesperson says, "We're
new in the personal computer business,
so we're looking at the issue more careful-
ly than in the past. All our PC application
programs are copy-protected, but devel-
opment software isn't. We prefer not to
comment on the issue right now.")
Legal Strategies
VisiCorp is "adamant" about copy-
protection, legally as well as technically.
"We've instituted a license agreement be-
tween the company and the end-user,"
Walden explains, "that increases our
copyright protection under the law. There
will be no change in the effect on the
end-user, but it carries a different legal
interpretation, and some users will note
that a change has been made."
If that doesn't help stem the tide of pi-
racy, license agreements may grow in-
creasingly restrictive. In a column for the
trade journal /nformation Systems News,
attornev Bruce K. Brickman describes a
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
109
hypothetical software license agreement
that "contains language making [the] user
liable for the consequences of its unauth-
orized disclosure." Though he is writing
about mainframe and minicomputer soft-
ware, the principle may have to be ap-
plied to microcomputer software. "In ef-
fect," he writes, "the user becomes an
insurer, underwriting the vendor s busi-
ness."
Innovative Software Applications
(ISA) is a company that requires custom-
ers to sign license agreements, but its soft-
ware—chiefly the proofreader Spell-
guard— is easily copied under the CP/M
operating system.
"Users want to make backup copies,
or transfer a program from one disk for-
mat to another," says Will Pape, of ISA.
"Say they bought Spellguard on an 8-inch
single-sided, single-density disk and want
to run it on a 5V4-inch double-sided, dou-
ble-density disk; or suppose they buy a
hard disk and want to load it on that."
Technical Strategies
Pape says that ISA has chosen, in-
stead, for ever>' direct sale, to put the cus-
tomer's name into the first "page" that ap-
pears on the CRT screen. But that's hard
to do with sales through dealers, or in pri-
vate-label (OEM) sales of Spellguard by
word processing software companies.
Their biggest worry, says Pape, is not the
individual customer, but the occasional
dishonest dealer who makes more copies
for sale than his contract with ISA per-
mits. To solve that, ISA developed a
scheme for embedding dealers' names,
and the consecutive serial number of
each copy, into the software itself. They
have made that process available to other
software manufacturers and vendors.
"One company hired us to make it
possible for a dealer to sell low-priced
demonstration copies that can't be up-
graded into usable products without the
manufacturer's participation," Pape says.
"A person can buy a limited version of a
program for, say, $10, that's recorded on
one side of a disk. If he or she decided to
buy the whole program, the dealer calls
an '800' phone number and gets a special
code to enter into the program. That un-
locks the other side of the disk where the
full program resides.
"At ISA, we're not selling 'disks,'
we're selling service. If there's a way that
a software company can verify that a call-
er is a valid customer, that'll help them
provide service, and make piracy less at-
tractive." Pape says, however, that even
after direct sales, many customers forget
to mail back their 'warranty cards' to reg-
ister as legitimate customers. Still, con-
ventional copy-protection won't work at
ISA. "We don't do copy-protection, be-
cause CP/M provides you with all the
tools you need to get in and diddle with a
program. "
CP/M-86 is the operating system that
was customized (from CP/M) for the IBM
PC by Johnson-Laird, Inc. As Andy John-
son-Laird, its president, admits: "There is
no difference as far as copy-protection is
concerned— there is no protection!"
"Locks are for honest people, and the
law is inadequate," he says flatly. "Even
honest users copy software, because they
don't perceive that as dishonest. "
Johnson-Laird cites the experience of
MicroPro, which in 1980 tried to copy-
protect its WordStar (CP/M) program: "It
lasted about 30 days, because it was a
convoluted technical scheme that got in
the customers' way, and screwed up the
dealers. "
Making The Best Of ft
"We've gone round and round on this
issue many times," says Bill Baker, presi-
dent of Information Unlimited Software,
Inc., which produces EasyWriter. "IBM
asked us to copy-protect it for the PC, as
we did for Apple and other computers.
but copy-protection is hard on us, and
hard on the customer.
"I've come full-circle: I used to be
advocate for copy-protection, but not
more. Software is intangible," he s
"and people don't think of it the way t
think of tangible property, like their c
puters. Teachers make photocopies
books for their students, and comp
people make copies of their software
"If we copy-protect our word proc
ing program, we know that somebod
sure to have an accident with a disk
and won't be able to make a copy, or
one, in time to get out a critical report,
whom, " he asks, "should we focus ou:
tention? On the people who are goin
rip us off anyway, who get satisfac
from breaking our codes? No. We wai
make it easier for our legitimate cust
ers to use our product, to get our ser
and support, and to work with us and
from us."
"I believe anyone who buys a prog
has the right to enough copies to feel c
fortable," declares Peter Gordon, of 1
Microsystems^ which does developn
and marketing for software products,
terribly inconvenient not to have
"Another approach
is to build in 'time
bombs' — things tha
go wrong unless th<
customer gets
periodic updates."
flexibility of extra copies because
disks themselves are so easily mis
died. Why put complicated protec
schemes into a program in the first pi
You're just giving lip service to the ti
toward customer service."
Future Trends
The next generation of products
have more sophisticated copy-protec
mechanisms than are now available,
these may be as fraught with problen
the current crop is.
"Do you remember the famous pu
with nine dots, and you have to con
them without lifting your pencil frorr
paper? The solution is to go outside
square. We may have to do somet
dramatic like that," says Andy John
Laird. "One approach is to do what A
Osborne did with his business app
110
PC/APRIL-MAY
lions package: he sold the disk media for
a low price, letting dealers add value to it
by customizing it. but he copyrighted the
printed words in the instruction books.
"Another approach would be to build
in what I call 'time bombs'— things that
go wrong unless the customer gets period-
ic updates. If the program asks for the
date, we could set it up to crash after one
year. We could create rounding-errors for
numbers, that automatically go into effect
after the program has been used a certain
number of times: the customer has to get
the dealer to refresh the program, some-
how, to prevent them.
"The philosophy behind those ideas is
that, if you've got stolen stuff it doesn't
perform. But surely," he says, "some in-
nocent person will be hurt accidentally."
MLI's Peter Gordon thinks there will
always be 'keys' to protection mecha-
nisms. "If you copy a program like Visi-
Calc," he says, "you get something that
looks okay, but it won't run because the
program encounters an odd-looking track
on the disk. One of the utilities that comes
with the PC DOS (disk operating system)
is called COMPARE. It's used to verify
that something is authentic, but it's very
primitive. It only checks the data fields
and not the formatting of the data on the
disks, so it would probably okay a disk
copied directly that, in fact, won t run.
"I envision a family of utility pro-
grams, that I call a 'superutility,' which
will format, diagnose, copy, modify and
even restore files that have been 'killed.'
Its main use will be for fixing defective
disk files." he says, but suggests that it
could serve as a kind of locksmith.'
"There must be 25 other people around
the country' working on utilities like
these."
Bill Baker says that lUS has had to
fend off copy-breaking programs. He
notes, caustically, that "their disks are
copy-protected! You can't use their soft-
ware to copy their own program. So what
side of the fence are they on? The expedi-
ency side. They're just out to make a
buck.
"We believe in appealing to people's
ethics, and having them send in their
warranty cards and be registered as legiti-
mate customers. IBM asked us to copy-
protect EasyWriter for the PC. and we're
dedicated to giving them what they want.
But for future products that we sell on our
own, we're not going to copy-protect
them. We intend to get our products out to
people so they can use them with no has-
sles, " he declares.
Baker also raises the problem of com-
puter networks as channels for copying
software. "Microcomputers are the key to
distributed processing and accessing
large computers remotely, through ser-
vices like The Source. You can 'down-
load' programs from their mainframe into
your micro. Since there's no way to copy-
protect a large, hard-disk pack, copy-pro-
tection itself becomes a joke. I say, if you
know what you've got, and how to get it,
then 'Power to the People!' "
What Do You Say?
Share your views on the copy-pro-
tection question. What's fair, what's
possible, what's unacceptable from
your perspective? A follow-up article
will publish a cross-section of replies.
Write to: Protection, PC Magazine,
1528 Irving Street. San Francisco,
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PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
111
PC BOOK REVEW/LES COWAN
A Team-written PC Overview
IBM's Personal Computer,
Que Corporation, Indianapolis;
277 pages, $14.95
IBM's Personal Computer is the product
of a "team of writers," according to the
book's introduction. Actually, they are a
team of experts, not of writers. They have
produced a guide to the PC micro which
will be an extremely useful aid for some,
but is badly written at best, and almost
unreadable at worst. Chapter Five, which,
ironically, deals with languages, is
especially bad.
Since the book has many good qual-
ities, let us begin with the major criticism.
It comes of the prevelent misconception
that a technical background is of more use
in writing a technical book than an ability
to write. The publishers who hold this
opinion would not, I think, defend the
analagous proposition that a clergyman is
better qualified to build a church than a
general contractor. The fact is that any
writer worthy of the name can learn a
body of information and then present it in
a craftsmanlike way. That is, once he has
spent the years it takes to become a good
writer. The four experts who collaborated
on IBM's Persona] Computer should have
supplied the information which they have
spent years accumulating, and let some-
one with a readable style put it into words.
That would have avoided the outrages of
syntax, the wordiness, the abuses of the
passive voice, and the outright incorrect
usage that plague the pages of this
otherwise useful work.
IBM's Personal Computer is two hun-
dred and seventy-seven pages long,
perhaps ten percent of that length
consisting of unnecessary verbiage. It is
extremely well organized and laid out,
with lots of eye-succoring white space, apt
illustrations, a very comprehensive table
of contents and, best of all, a good, glossary
and a thorough index. It is composed of
three sections and appendices, preceded
by an introduction. The introduction
sketches the history of IBM, partly as a
prelude to pointing out that with the PC,
IBM is departing from some of its
traditional policies. For the first time it is
using components manufactured by other
companies, acting friendly toward soft-
ware written by outsiders and marketing
through non-IBM outlets.
The first section of the book devotes
three chapters to describing the machine's
hardware, peripherals and operating
software. One of the best features of this
section is a comparison of various CPUs,
in text and chart, and a good discussion of
the power of the 8088 CPU used in the PC
machine. The authors like this CPU so
much that they even honor it with a brief
discussion of its lineage, the Intel 8000
series.
The second section covers software
available for the PC machine. The infa-
mous chapter five discusses the immedi-
atelv available languages: IBM (Microsoft)
BASIC. IBM PASCAL and FORTRAN,
University of San Diego's PASCAL and
FORTRAN, and the available assemblers.
Chapter six explains and evaluates
business software presently available
through IBM— lUS's EasyWriter word
processor, VisiCaJc and Peachtree's
general ledger, accounts payable and
accounts receivable packages. Chapter
seven does the same for educational
software.
A word about the Que 'evaluations':
they consist of text descriptions of the
software, their major 'outstanding
features' and 'significant limitations.'
Accompanying charts list every possible
feature a given program could have, and
check off those offered by the software
under consideration. These charts, or
check-lists, were a little gimmicky, with
over-involved instructions for weighing
their conclusions according to a com-
plicated formula to make them more
relevant to your particular application.
Nevertheless, the evaluations would be of
the greatest help to prospective purchasers
trying to decide what word processor or
financial package to buy. Strangely,
though the educational software was
described thoroughly, it was not eval-
uated—no outstanding features or multi-
page check-lists. This illustrates one of the
limitations of the book itself; it is really
slanted ver\' heavily toward business
users, both in tone and in content.
Incidentally, by registering their names
with Que, owners of the book may qualify
for evaluations of new software as they are
published. Que does not say what charge
will be made for this service, if any.
The third part of the book covers "Other
Topics.' These turn out to be various
aspects of computer communications:
112
PC/APRl-MAY 1982
using the PC as a terminal for a main-
frame, use of the data-base services such
as Source, intra-office electronic memos,
electronic mail, etc. A discussion of
various timing modes for computer-to-
computer data transfer assumed that the
reader knew more about the subject to
start with than most likely do.
Here is a weakness of the book. It
attempts to be too many thihgs, and is none
of them completely. As mentioned above,
it is mostly a guide for businesspeople who
are considering a purchase. But then, why
some of die technical discusrions^ such as
the three paragraphs on a^chronous,
synchronous and bisynchronous data
tranamlaslon. The typical businessperson
who comes upon that sort of thing is
guaranteed to smile politely and turn the
whole confusing thing over to the com-
pany's Permanent Executive Committee
for Purchasing, Evaluation and
Institutional Delay.
Furthermore, throughout the book,
IBM is spoken of with admiration and
reverence. IBM salespeople could use the
book as a sales aid. Again, this is probably
the result more of confusion over wliat the
book was supposed to be, dian a desire to
flack for IBM. The book is certainly even-
handed about pointing out flaws of
hardware and software, as well as
superior qualities. It's just that flaws are
mentioned with an off-hand shrug, as it
were, and superior qualities are written in
flashing neon with historical totitiuOes.
Throughout, the book speculates about
what may be expected in the future. Here,
too, an ambiguity nagged. Whence comes
the information that, for example, future
announcements will tell of an increase in
die PC's interactive capability or that a
COBOL compiler for the 8086/8 may be
expected from Microsoft by mid-1982?
Dc^ens of diese forecasts are sprinkled
through the book; hardly a subsection does
not end with one or two. Unfortunately it
is never clear whether the authors'
prescience is derived from official
announcements, industry rumors, wishful
thinking or a crystal ball.
The appendices of IBM's Personal
Computer are a thoughtful touch. They
include a list of IBM BASIC commands, a
list of software publishers for the PC
machine, and a command by command
comparison of two available disk op-
erating systems, PC DOS and CP/M-86.
Throughout, the book has other little
tidbits which are of interest It is noted that
IBM declined to comment on Que's soft-
ware evaluations. IBM's warranty and
purchase agreement is published in tote.
IBM's invitation to independent software
writers is passed along. A price list covers
the machine and a large number of
peripherals.
The book does not leave out much.
Notably, competing products were
compared only in the category of CPU. I
would like to have seen comparisons with
Apple, Cromemco. et al. in other cate-
gories, such as available software.
Another omission is diat the slant to-
ward business is never spelled out.
Unwarned, non-business types might
waste time and money expecting to get
answers to questions the book never
addresses. For instance, I would like to
know what kind of video signal the
machine puts out. This is not a business
question and is not answered here.
In summary, IBM's Personal Comput-
er. though written in a van,' poor st\'le, is
otherwise well organized and designed. It
will be espeiciaify vahuble to prospective
business users, at wlumi it seems to have
been aimed. It will also serve well as a
general reference for all PC users,
especially if the software evaluations
increase greatly and at little or no cost
Certainly, if you are shopping for micros,
dils book would be well WOTdi {ricking up.
interfaces, peripherals, languages, etc.
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PC/APRl— MAY 1982
113
Copyrighted material
FOLLOW-UP
Easy Witer to get improvements
Company executive says
updated version is coming
IBM is going to issue an update to
EasyWriter, we're writing it for
them," said W illiiim Lohse, vice presi-
dent of sales and marketing for Informa-
tion Unlimited Software. Inc. (lUS), the
program's developer, in an exclusive in-
terview with PC. "Most of the requests
and problems that have been brought to
our attention <irt being addressed in the
update, " Lohse said. He denied, however,
that the rtn isiun was directly related to a
critical review b\ Andrew Fluegelman in
PC's last issue, .saying, "We were doing
the work that we are doing before we
read Andrew's article "
In addition to revealing the forthcom-
ing KasyWriter version and describing
some of the changes, Lohse talked about
two soon-to-be-introduced lUS products
aimed at KasyWriter users. One will be a
spelling checker that works with Easy-
Writer text files and the other a service
that offers advice by telephone to Easy-
Writer users who have questions about
using the program. The latter appears to
be a ground-breaking move toward sepa-
rating the sale of a software product from
what the computer industry calls "sup-
port."
Regarding criticism in the PC review,
Lohse said, \\v accept input from all
quarters, and vm appreciate it." He said
the revised profjram would "respond to
most of the concerns expressed by An-
drew Fluegelman and those that have
been brought to our attention by other
people." Lohse was reluctant to get spe-
cific about the nature of the enhance-
ments, ' i)ecause of our relationship with
IBM." But he did indicate that the pro-
gram's disk storage arrangements, a
source of much criticism, will be substan-
tially reworked.
Disk Files To Be Standard
"It writes standard PC-DOS files,"
Lohse said of the updated program,
which will be called "Version 1.1." He
said the use of specially formatted disks
for KasyWriter text files will no longer be
necessary; it will be possible to store them
on any disk normally formatted for the
PC-DOS operating system, and Easy-
Writer files can coexist on a disk with PC-
DOS files of any other type. Text files
saved by EasyWriter will be listed in the
usual disk directory with the suffix .EW
after the file name, such as TEXT.EW. An
enhancement related to this change is
that standard files from other programs
can be loaded into EasyWriter for edit-
ing, and text edited with EasyWriter can
include PC programs.
"It's more easily a part of the IBM soft-
ware operating family," said Lohse. "It
works very easily with other programs, at
least with [the] VisiCaic [program], so you
can go ahead and edit VisiCaJc files or
write Pascal or BASIC programs with it."
Besides these details, Lohse described
the enhancements as "making it faster
and more powerful." "A couple of fea-
tures in the editor" was as closely as he
would pinpoint where the extra power
would be most noticeable. Asked if the
improvements to making the program
"faster" would come by reducing the key-
strokes needed for common editing
operations, Lohse said, "I know it will be
speeded up in some areas." But he added
the cautious qualification, "Certainly
there are advances made in that area, but
I think that the experience may be that it
is not as speeded up as people would like
it in that particular area." Lohse also said
an updated user's manual was being pre-
pared for EasyWriter 1.1.
Exchange Plan Hinted
The lUS executive hinted there would
be an arrangement whereby owners of
the earlier EasyWriter version could ex-
change for the enhanced one, but again
he wouldn't discuss specifics. "From our
conversations with IBM, the opinion is
that we want 1.1 to be the issuance that
exists. So they will make it easy for peo-
ple to get the new EasyWriter," he said.
"The purpose is to have it get as soon as
possible into everybody's hands who
bought the original EasyWriter, and to
have it be well accepted." For new buy-
ers, Lohse indicated that the new version
would be sold at the same price as the
original.
New Products
The two new products Lohse revealed
were software items — a spelling checker
(see box) and a service plan. Asked if it
made sense for the company to be work-
ing on new software while EasyWriter
was receiving substantial criticism on its
lead product, Lohse responded, "That's
the same question IBM asked. " He con-
tinued, "Every single resource we can put
on EasyWriter we have put there," and
he explained that the spelling checker
was actually developed by independent
authors and was being handled by lUS in
its role as a publisher.
EasyWriter for the IBM PC will be the
first product lUS will treat under its
planned separate-support approach.
"We'll be offering to users the ability to
get a specific product— support— in many
ways over the phone, and we'll be charg-
ing for it," Lohse said. "We think that as
the industry develops that will be the way
to provide the kind of service we want to
provide and make it obvious to people
what they're getting."
— jim Edlin
iUS's New Spelling Checker
"We will be coming out with a
spell-checking program that will work
with Kos\ VVriter, ' said Bill Lohse of
lUS. "It will not be available for our
Apple market: it will only be available
for the PC. It has about 90.000 words, '
and it fits into about 92K. which is a \
much stronger compression technique
than the others (similar programs) that
I know. It's fast. It can handle prefixes
and po.ssessives. It can distinguish
faults such as improper capitalization
and impro()er use of hyphenation. For
example, it may see "Easy' and say 'I
do not recognize that capitalization.'"
Lohse said it hadn't been determined .
whether the product would be distrib- ■
uted b\ IBM or not.
114
PC/APRl-MAY 1982
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IBM's New Personal Computer
I
| l ll t| lll l |llll|llll |l l l l|ll l l [ llll|llll[llll|llll|llll|llll[llll|llll|llll|llll|llll|llll|llll|III H III H IIII|llll|...ry
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
I I I I ■ I I I 11 I I?
A Glimpse at IWo PC Manuals
In some ways, the Personal Computer
is a departure from IBM's usual way of
doing things. For example, the com-
puter's price is r<;latively low, making it
competitive with other micros, and the
company intends to market programs
written by independent software devel-
opers. Both of these policies are designed
to attract consumers to the exploding
small-computer market, a ballpark in
which IBM has clearly decided to play
(more or less) by the rules of the game.
One solid feature of the IBM entry
into the micro market is its user's man-
uals: they are handsome, practical, clear-
ly written and organized, and concise. As
with any guides to new equipment, there
are a few omissions or lapses of style, but
in general, IBM's own manuals offer a
suitable intrtKhictinn and thorough docu-
mentation for l)oih the novice and the ex-
perienced user.
IBM'S Emphasis
IBM has planned its marketing cam-
paign to appeal to people who are not fa-
miliar with computers, an approach re-
flected in the PC's documentation. For
example, the Guide to Operations, the
fundamental manual that comes with the
computer, devotes 168 of its 240 pages to
setting up the system and operating it. By
comparison, the viser's manual for the Os-
borne 1 computer provides only 31 pages
of such elementan.' information, in chap-
ters titled "Getting to Know Your Com-
puter" and 'How to Use Your Comput-
er," before plunging into explanations of
its resident programs. The Applesoft Tu-
torial, an introductory manual for Apple
II computers, goes overboard in the other
direction, cramming its pages with hard-
ware and software details that could clog
the circuits of an\ beginner's brain. IBM's
introductory guide falls in the middle,
displaying a more personal, less business-
oriented approach than the Osborne I
manual and a less cluttered, computer-
devotee orientation than the Apple II
guide.
Although some of the introductory ma-
terial in the PC's Guide to Operations
(GTO) covers the computer's disk operat-
ing system (DOS) and BASIC, two other
manuals prepared by IBM are devoted to
the operating system and BASIC lan-
guage, respectively. Consequently, al-
though there is some overlap in the cover-
age of BASIC and DOS, this duplication
of information assures that a novice can
take advantage of the disk operating fea-
tures and write simple programs using
only the elementary manual.
Publishing Savvy
Since the GTO is every user's intro-
duction to the PC, a more detailed look at
it is worthwhile. Like the other PC man-
uals, this book is a cloth-covered, three-
ring binder that comes in a cloth-covered
slipcase. Not only are the manuals ele-
gant-looking, they stand on a shelf or desk
without support, eliminating the annoy-
ance of constantly-sliding bookends or
the need for a space-eating storage rack.
"They are handsome,
practical, clearly
written and
organized, and
concise."
The binder is smaller than the standard
8V2 by 11 -inch format, measuring 7V4 by 9
inches. Like most other hardware and
software documentation (Apple's spiral-
bound manuals are an exception), the
ringbinder format allows new pages to be
added or corrections to be made inexpen-
sively. The GTO pagination format fol-
lows another convention in microcom-
puter documentation: each chapter or
major subsection of a long chapter is
numbered as a unit (e.g., DOS 8, Key-
board 3) permitting expansion without ex-
tensive page renumbering.
Four suggestion/criticism forms at the
back of the manual represent another in-
TAKIN
: 1;
■I""
18
19
20
ll
7
1
8
1 1
Jeremy Joan Hemes
stance of savvy planning. Each is a sepa-
rate page that can be folded, stapled and
mailed, postage-paid, to IBM— not only a
nice gesture, but one that will help the
company improve its documentation
without necessarily compensating the us-
ers who provide valuable feedback. Spe-
cifically, a note above the space for com-
ments on the form reads: "IBM may use
and distribute any of the information you
supply in any way it believes appropriate
without incurring any obligation what-
ever. You may, of course, continue to use
the information you supply,"
GTO's Guts
The contents of the GTO offer an ori-
entation to assembling and using the PC
system in a logical and easy-to-under-
stand sequence, and consist of six sec-
tions: Introduction, Setup Procedures,
Operation Instructions (the longest i)y
far). Problem Determination Procedures,
Options, and Relocate. Only the "Prob-
lem Determination Procedures" section
suffers from excessive technical bluster
in its title; the chapter should have been
named "Troubleshooting," since that's
what it's about. The first four sections
represent the heart of this manual for
new users, the "Options" chapter covers
installation of options available from
IBM, and the "Relocate" chapter dis-
cusses disassembling the system and
packaging the pieces to move it to another
place (a digest that could have been in-
cluded in the "Setup" section).
The manual is generously illustrated
throughout and consistently provides a
fundamental orientation to working with
a microcomputer. Operator commands
and examples of screen messages are
printed in green, making attractive pages
that allow the new user to follow the se-
ries of steps that should be followed
when giving commands, loading pro-
grams, or performing diagnostic tests.
One glaring omission from the .screen
details, however, is error messages, which
are present in the IBM DOS but are nei-
116
I
PC/APRIL-MAY 1982
HE MEASURE
'"■■1 1 ■•■■I
24 25 26
27
28
29
30 31
32
33 J
^I^ll
1 1 1
12
1 1 1
1
1 Ir
th(!r mentioned nor illustrated in the
GTO. The error messages are listed in an
appendix to the DOS manual, but there
will be some surprised PC beginners who
hit the wrong key or type an unacceptable
file name and get a screen response that
the GTO didn't lead them to expect. This
is an omission that certainly should be
corrected in future editions of the man-
ual; in fact, it may be an oversight, for at
one place in the discussion of DOS, the
manual warns users not to touch the key-
board while changing disks (assuming a
one-drive configuration) — although there
is no clue as to what will happen if they
do hit a key. Incidentally, the PC DOS er-
ror messages themselves are straightfor-
Part Two
|IIII|IMI|IIII|IIII|IIII|MII|IIII|IIII|IMI|IIII|IIII|IIII(MII|MII|IIII|I
38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
1
ij
1 7
ward and friendly by comparison with
those of the CP/M operating system, giv-
ing such feedback as "Bad command or
file name."
Another more-than-bothersome fea-
ture of the GTO is the absence of an in-
dex, although one is included in both the
DOS and BASIC manuals, and GTO's ta-
ble of contents is detailed enough for be-
ginning users. Finally, cassette storage in
a sv'stem configuration without any disks
is a subject that deserves more attention
than it is given; the sole information for
cassette-only users is a 14-page section
buried in the "Problem Determination
Procedures" chapter.
Given these relatively minor and easy-
to-remedy exceptions, the PC's Guide to
Operations is not only a fine tutorial for
this computer system but also a good in-
troduction to working with any micro-
computer. IBM has gone beyond many
other manufacturers' efforts by offering
the essentials of dealing with disks, nam-
ing files, and even alerting users to the
"whirring and clicking" as DOS is loaded
from the disk into memory. A "Helps and
Hints" section also contains advice that
users often get only from friends or sales-
people—usually after a catastrophe, such
as a warning to make backup copies regu-
larly and to check filenames or com-
mands on the screen before hitting the
"enter" (return) key.
47 48 49 50
i|Mii|nii|iiii|illl|llll|llll|llil|illl|llll|llll|llll|llllfK^
51 52 53 54 55 56 5T\^
■ 1.1
1 1 1
1
|2
9i,
i|2
1,1,
,|2
2,.
, 70 71
72
73
74
75 7(
, 1?
,1?
Q
1 1 1
1 1 r
Sacrifice in Style
Although the GTO should prove to be
a valuable sourcf of information for com-
puter novices, it is written in a simple
style that ev«n moderately knowledge-
able readers may find cloying. Some of
the analogies border on silly, such as this
explanation of what it means to "write
over" a disk file: "Similarly, if you record
a Chicago Symphon\ program on an Elvis
Presley tape, you can no longer listen to
Elvis." Such attempts to make the text
chatty and relevant to all possible users
are admirable, perhaps, but they are like-
ly to elicit moan.s or howls from many
readers.
A similar flaw occurs at a few places
in the GTO text where the authors have
assumed too little sophistication and in-
telligence on the part of readers. For ex-
ample, in the in.striictions for typing file-
names and commands, the manual con-
fides: "Computers are fussy about the
number zero and the letter O— they want
what they want, and you can't fool them
into taking the wrong one." This almost
idiot-level exi)lanation precedes the nota-
tion that on the screen the zero has a slash
through it and the O doesn't— a fact that
could have lieeii stated without the ac-
companying lecture on computers' dispo-
sitions.
Fortunately, lliese lapses in style and
tone are exceptions to a sound introduc-
tory manual. More important, IBM has
probably come closer than any other mi-
cro manufacturer to reconciling the
sometimes conflicting needs of computer
novices and informed users. In short, the
PC's Guide to Operations is much like the
computer itself— solid, functional, unsur-
prising, and iii.st about right.
VlslCalc at a Glance
The first of ihe independently pro-
duced pro).!rams and manuals to be dis-
tributed with the PC is VisiCalc, from
Personal Software. This electronic spread
sheet is the niimlier-one seller among ap-
plications programs for microcomputers
as well as a highlv appropriate first offer-
ing from IBM. In fact, this program's
availability alone may influence some
wavering buyers to choose the PC rather
than its near competition, such as the Xe-
rox 820, which offers another spread-
sheet program instead of VisiCaic.
The VisiCaJc manual for the PC has
almost the same content as that for the
Apple II, although the two versions are
written by different authors. To the PC
VisiCaJc manual, author Van Wolverton
has added a summary at the end of each
chapter as well as two appendices deal-
ing with controlling the printer and ex-
changing files, respectively. In addition,
Wolverton has contributed a fifth lesson
to the four included in both versions; this
sophisticated new example deals with sci-
entific notation, powers, and formulae.
IBM has chosen to use the same read-
able typeface as in other PC manuals, in
contrast to the "sans serif" type of the Ap-
ple VisiCaic manual. Commands and
screen messages are also displayed in
green, another point of continuity with
the system's documentation. Both of the
attributes make learning the complex
VisiCaic program easier, but potential us-
ers should understand that this calcula-
tion-and-hypothetical-situation program
takes study and experimentation, and that
its manual is a good deal more demand-
ing than the GTO.
Second Opinion
My reaction to the examples of
chatt>- style and simple tone Hewes
objects to is exactly the opposite of her
view. Such a style probably comes
very hard to IBM. and I applaud them
for making the effort. 1 believe many
users of the PC will like and benefit
from the friendly, basic approach, and
think it has a valuable place so long as
a separate, un-flowery reference sec-
tion is provided for knowledgeable us-
ers who don't want to be bothered
with the novice's tutorials.
— [im Edlin
BASIC Benchmarl
Putting a stopws
Benchmarks? Sure, little marks on
benches, right? Well not really.
When computer people speak of
"benchmarks" they are referring to stan-
dard programs which can be run on sev-
eral systems in order to compare their
performance. In preparing this article, 1
wrote several such benchmark programs,
each of which is designed to measure
some aspect of the PC's speed. For exam-
ple, there is a program that measures the
time taken to retrieve information from a
random access data file, and another one
that measures the time needed for math-
ematical computations.
In all, twenty-five benchmark pro-
grams were used to check out PC BASIC.
They covered six major areas of oper-
ation: control statements, memory access,
text string manipulation, calculation, file
processing, and general capabilities. All
programs were written in Microsoft
BASIC and timed while running with the
PC's standard disk BASIC interpreter. (I
tested to see if there are speed differ-
ences between the three versions of PC
BASIC, cassette, disk and advanced; as
far as I can see, there are not.)
The timing figures, when taken nut of
context, may not seem to have much
meaning. After all, do you have any in-
stinctive sense of whether 15 seconds is a
fast or slow time for a computer to add
5,000 numbers? Probably not. But even .so,
the tests establish reference points for lat-
er comparisons. In the future, we will be
able to compare how fast 5,000 additions
are carried out using other software .such
as Pascal or FORTRAN or perhaps some
other version of BASIC. We will also be
able to measure the impact of new hard-
ware add-ons such as hard disk .storage
systems or the 8087 arithmetic processor.
The data gained from benchmark jiro-
grams can also serve another valuable
purpose. They can help you "tune" pro-
grams that you write. If you want to know
how much faster a FOR loop will run
when you use integer variables, or how
much search time could be saved by reor-
ganizing a data file or changing a buffer
size, quick benchmark experiments can
tell you.
Control Statements
Benchmarks in the first group te.sted
IIS
I
PC/APRl-MAY 1982
'9
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» 97 9
iie P€'s BASIC langiiage
Larry Pi^
how fast control statements are executed.
Tv.st 1 measured the speed of an empty
loop (no statements except those of the
loop itself) using the FOR and NEXT
statements. The loop was tested two ways,
once using an integer variable to count
the repetitions, and again using a single
precision variable to do the cotmting. No-
tice in the table of results that the integer
version ran about 28 percent faster.
Test 2 is an empty loop similar to the
first test, but using the DO and WHILE
statements instead of FOR and NEXT.
The same two variations were performed
here. The DO/WHILE combination is sig-
nificantly slower, suggesting that, when
programming, you should use the FOR
statement and integer variables if a loop
will be executed frequently.
The third test measured tfie time used
to call a subroutine. Tests 4 and 5 show
the time taken to compare numeric and
string variables, respectively, for equality.
Three variations were done for the nu-
meric comparison, using each of PC BA-
SIC'S variable types. Double-precision
variables, as might be expected, were
handled somewhat more slowly. The
string comparison was done four limes,
using increasingly long strings. Again as
expected, the longer the string the slower
the response.
Memory Access
Tests in the second group dealt with
the time needed to access memory. The
expcjriments were built around assign-
raent statements such as B=A. State-
ments of this type can be used with all
three types of number variables and with
string variables, and as an added compli-
cation these can be either simple (scalar)
variables or elements of arrays. Assign-
ment statements using all types of simple
variables all required the same time, al-
though I suspect that slight differences
would have shown up if more precise
measurements had been tal(en. Storing
information in arrays took longer. Tests 6.
7, 8 and 9 tested memor\' access first with
simple numeric and string variables, then
with number and string variables in both
one- and three-dimensional arrays.
Two additional facts regarding mem-
ory access turned up. Assignments involv-
ing string variables require the same
amount of time regardless of the string
length (evidently memory location point-
ers are merely altered). It also turned out
that access to constants is slower than ac-
cess to variables by about ten percent.
Variations on Test 1 showed that the
length of variable names and the number
of variables in a program also affect ex-
ecution speed in the PC BASIC. Presum-
ably the reason is that before a variable's
value can be found in memory, the inter-
preter must look up its location in a sym-
bol table. The larger the symbol table, the
longer this procedure takes.
"To my disappoint-
ment, the PC was
only about 13 percent
faster ttian on Apple II
computer,"
I experimented with two ways of
lengthening the symbol table— using
longer variable names, and adding
names. When, in the empty loop program
of Test 1, the variables "INDEX" and
"NUMBER" were substituted for "1" and
"N". execution time jumped from 26 sec-
onds to 34. An equal slowing was record-
ed when I established 24 other one-letter
variables before running the test with "I"
and "N". Thus, if you write a program in
which certain variables are accessed very
often, it might pay to give them diort
names and define them early.
Text String Manipulation
Tests 10 through 13 examined the ma-
nipulation of text strings. The test in-
volved removing three-character sub-
strings from the 11 -character string
"LARRY PRESS." I did one test each
where the substrings were taken from the
beginning, middle, and end of the larger
string, then one test combining all three
operations. The time taken to extract a
substring from the middle was 25 percent
longer than at either end.
Arithmetic Speed
Computers wouldn't be called com-
puters if arithmetic speed were not im-
portant. Tests 14 and 15 covered that area.
My first test included addition, subtrac-
tion, multiplication, and division done all
together. As usual, I ran it with all three
types of number variable. Surprisingly,
integer arithmetic proved slower than
single precision. To discover why, 1 ran
tests that each included only one of the
four operations. Integer division turns out
to be the culprit. Furthermore, execution
time is influenced by the order in wliich
operations take place: when I reversed
the order of multiplication and division
in my test program, execution time was
cut 1^ ten percent.
Complex Calculations
If you are interested in engineering
and scientific applications, you may be
curious as to the speed of computation in-
volving transcendental functions such as
SIN. Test 16 looked at the speed of these
functions. Single precision computations
are predictably faster than double; and
the magnitude of the argument doesn't
seem to affect execution speed in most
cases.
File Processing
For all my test on file processing, I
used a setup with the program disk in one
drive and the data files on an otherwise-
blank disk in the other drive. Test 17 mea-
sured the time to locate and read 200 ran-
domly selected records from a 1.000
record file. In these cases, using a record
length that was a power of two resulted in
noticeable time savings.
Because rancinm ncce.ss files are some-
times processed serially. Test 18 investi-
gated this and found that execution time
is a direct function of record length. But
here, execution time was unaffected by
whether or not the record length was a
power of two.
One surprising thing I found was that
changing the size of the memory buffer
for processing random access files, which
PC BASIC allows, had no effect. When I
quadrupled the buffer size for my test
program from the default 128 characters,
the speed stayed exactly the same. Since
this discovery contradicts the BASIC
manual. I tried Test 19. which copies a
file instead of merely reading it. Again to
my surprise, a large buffer provided no
speed-up.
Several tests were run using serial
files. Copying a 100-record file with 128-
character records took one minute even.
PC/AP(?t— MAY 1982
Copyrlgti?^ material
m 1U1 m m m m m m m m m 111
0
1 1 nl 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ri-f 1 ■ 1 1 1 1
12 113 114 115 116 11; 11£
4
_L
Ll
_LL_L
BASIC Benchmark Tests
CONTROL STATEMENTS
Numeric
Time
Number
Tact
Tuna
Repetitions
(sec.)
lA
FOR-NKXT
integer
30.000
26
IB
lno|)
single
30.000
38
2A
DO- WHILE
1 integer
5.000
20
2B
lc)0|i
1 single
5,000
24
3
GUSUB cull
15.000
31
4A
IF A - B
linteger
10.000
32
4B
THEN
single
10.000
32
4C
branth
Idmihle
10,000
35
String Length
5A
IF A$ - B$
THEN
branch
10.000
30
SB
10
10,000
35
5C
100
5.000
34
5D
255
2.000
25
MEMORY ACCESS
Numeric
Time
Number
Test
Type
Repetitions
(sec.)
I.A
(iB
6C
1
assignment |
single
(IdUllIc
KI.IKHI
10.000
10,000
-»'>
22
22
Dimensions
liS \$
III.IHHI
8A
Hill = All)
1
5.000
16
8B
Blj.K.Ll =
Ad.K.LI
3
5.000
25
9A
HSIII = A$(I1
11
5,000
17
9B
BSd.KXl =
A$(I.K.L|
la
5.000
26
STRING MANIPULATION
Tlrrie
Number
Test
Repetitions
(sec.)
HI
MIDS
5.000
25
11
i,En$
5.000
20
12
RIGHTS
5.000
20
13
all above
5,000
55
ARITHMETIC SPEED
Numeric
Time
Number
Test
Type
Repetitions
(sec.)
14A
integer
5,000
49
HB
+ - + X
single
5.000
39
14C
1 double
5,000
137
•
Time
Time
Time
Integer)
(single)
(double)
15A
+
15
i«i
IH
15H
15
17
20
ISC
X
15
18
21
15D
29
22
111
COMPLEX CALCULATIONS
Time
Time
Number
Test
(single)
(double)
H.A
(.indent
(iH
ti8
t6B
sine
27
27
16C
cosinu
4A
44
16D
arctangimt
20
21
16E
exponential
18
18
16F
log
19
20
FILE PROCESSING
Number
Test
Buffer
Size
Record
Lengtti
Time
(sec.)
17A
17B
17C
I7D
17E
random
search
for 200
from l.non
63
64
127
128
50
45
60
56
18A
63
28
18B
serial
64
28
18C
read
65
28
I8D
through
127
56
I8E
1.000
128
56
18F
129
56
IH.^
\2n
19B
copy
50
rcciirils
512
128
28
19C
128
127
28
190
512
127
29
20A
20B
see
note
456
57
38
20c
912
32
Note: Copy 100 records of 1 14 characters each. Test 20A is serial copy routine.
20H nnd 20C use "pseudo-random" technique.
RANDOM NUMBERS
Numeric
Time
Time
Number
Test
Type
Normal*
Stiorf
21A
which of
integer
136
121
21B
8,19n numbers
single
178
162
21C
are prime
double
186
170
•"Short" times are when all variable names in
program (e.g.,
"PRIME"! are
reduced to
a single letter I
"P"|.
BENCHMARK-DERIVED TIPS
1. Use the FOR statement rather than DO WHILE for critical loops.
2. Us<! integer variables for loop indices.
3. L(mg variable names will slow your program down by making the symbol
table larger.
4. Define frequently accessed variables early in your program to force them to
the lop of the symbol table.
5. Pay allentl<in to the order of operations in critical arithmetic expressions
since it has an effect.
6. U.se integer arithmetic when possible, but beware of integer division.
7 Make random access record lengths powers of two, even if you have loadd a
little padding.
8. Use the "pseudo-random" technique for processing serial files.
9. Never put remarks inside of frequently executed loops.
.'\ few ways in which you can speed your programs up were discovered while
lii'nchmarking the BASIC interpreter. Some of these (short variable names, for
rxamplel are inconsistent with good programming and documentation prac-
tice, .so ii.se them only in critical parts of your programs.
A BENCHMARK PROGRAM
III DEK FNTIME = VAL (LEKr$(TIME$.2])*
:«i(m-rVAI.(MIDS|TIMES,4,2||*
(id f \ AI.(RIGHTS(TIME$.2|)
It) DEFINT I-N
30 A = 1
40 INPUT "TRIALS '-.N
50 I = FNTIME
HO FOR 1=1 TO N
70 B = A + A
HI) NEXT I
!Hi I'RINT FNTIME- 1
KHI INPUT "MORE";Y$
11(1 IF Y$ = "N " THEN STOP
120 GOTO 40
rhe program used for Test 1. Lines 10. 50 and 90 use the PC's internal time-
ki'fpiny [unction lo timi' the test
120
PC/APRI.-MAY 1982
\in \26 UB \V UB Ufl i;SU \S\ \S2 IjJ 135 1JB 13> iJB UP I^U
4
1
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A
llf
9 1
1 1 1
llf
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4
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ll?
ll?
111
1 1 1 1 1 1
speed did not seem affected by slight
:hanges in record size. In another test, I
ised a sample file of 100 name-and-
iddress records with a 114 character re-
;ord size. Treating it as a normal serial
lie, 57 seconds were required to make
he copy. Test 20 is the one that copies the
>ame file using the BASIC manual's
'pseudorandom" recommendation; here,
arger buffer sizes finally produced a no-
iceable time saving.
General Capabilities
The final benchmark tests I ran evalu-
jted random number generation, video
)utput, REMARK statements, and two
arger programs testing overall perfor-
nance.
Random number generation was test-
;d because game programs often use it.
fo generate 15,000 random numbers took
J5 seconds.
As I ran the benchmark programs, it
seemed to me that the computer was writ-
ng information to the display screen
•ether slowly. So I devised a test that cov-
;rs the screen with lines of 79 "X"s then
umps to the upper left corner and re-
peats. On a PC with a monochrome dis-
play adapter, it took 74 seconds to fill the
screen ten times. For comparison I ran
the same test on a Digital Microsystems
computer connected to a standard 9600-
baud terminal, also using Microsoft BA-
SIC. On that system the test ran in less
than half the time— 35 seconds— suggest-
ing that if you require fast video output
from BASIC programs you may have to
use assembly language subroutines.
The REMARK test was merely an
empty loop with a REM statement in the
middle of it. The addition of that REM
more than doubled execution time, so be
careful not to put remarks inside of loops.
For a more general test, I used the pro-
gram PRIME that appeared in a Septem-
ber. 1981 Byte magazine article by Jim
Gilbreath. Gilbreath wrote the program
in many different computer languages
and published the results of running it on
many different machines. The program
looks for prime numbers (those undivisi-
ble by factors other than themselves and
1), and is a good test of overall perfor-
mance since it combines arithmetic, con-
trol statements and memory access. Test
20 checked the time needed to find which
of the first 8,190 odd numbers are prime.
Comparative Results
To my disappointment, the PC was
only about 13 percent faster than an Ap-
ple II computer on the prime-number
test. Several of the other tests were also
run both on the Apple and on a computer
with a Z-80 microprocessor, each using
Microsoft BASIC. In general, the PC is
about halfway between the two in inter-
nal computing speed. Although the Intel
8088 microprocessor can operate on two
bytes of data at a time, it is slowed down
by the fact that the data must be trans-
ferred to and from memory one byte at a
time.
For a software comparison, I ran a
Pascal language equivalent of the prime
number program, using the Microsoft
Pascal compiler. The compiled version
ran more than 20 times faster than the PC
BASIC version, and compared favorably
to results for this benchmark on Z-80
based computers with similar software.
For a printed copy of the programs used
by Larry Press to run his PC benchmark
tests, send a self-addressed, stamped
business-size envelope to Benchmarics,
PC, 1528 Irving Street, San Francisco,
California 94122. M
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'C/APRIL— MAY 1982
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more prudent use of expansion
space in the PC. Installation and
configuration of the MAGIC RAM is
simple and straight-forward so that
anyone can install it in less than
ten minutes. The installation
instructions are written in everyday
language, not in "computerese", to
simplify understanding and
installation.
All of these features on ONE
board, quality craftsmanship, one
year warranty, and low price make
the MAGIC RAM the ONLY answer
to memory expansion for your IBA
Personal Computer.
You can pay more for memory
but you can't buy better —
the DG MAGIC RAM.
Priced from $399 for 64K. $579 - (128K). $759 - (192K). $939 - (256K)
Available from DG Electronic Developments or from many of your local computer outlets.
Onlcring Inlonnatioii: Products listed availat)le trotn DG Elec
tronic Developments Co . 700 South Armstrong Denison, Tx
75020 Check Money Order VISA or MasterCard accepted
Phone orders call (214) 455-7805 Freight prepaid Allow :
weeks tor personal checks to clear Texas residents add 5%
Foreign orders add 30% Prices subiect to change wittiou
notice
Hard Disk Storage
Three companies have in-
troduced products for users
who want to upgrade their disk
stnra>j(f capacity. Datamac's
add-in Winchester disk system
ciin be installed directly in the
floppy disk area of the IBM
PC. The system includes the
disk drive, disk controller
(which supports as many as
four Winchester drives, is fully
huffered. and offers automatic
error correction), software, and
dociimenlation. Available in
May, the system will offer stor-
age capacities of 6MB ($2995).
12MB ($34951. or 18MB ($4195)
per drive.
Datamac Computer Systems,
680 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale,
CA 94086; (408)735-0323.
The MiniMcga hard iii.sk
and floppy disk backup system
includes a controller, host
adapter, operating software,
power supply, cable, cabinet,
and operating instructions. The
system contains an on-board
microprocessor, makes media
errors transparent to the host
computer, and is available
either alone, in 5 or 10MB con-
figurations, or integrated with a
5.25-inch, 1MB floppy disk
backup. Contact the company
for information about price and
a current $200 rebate.
Santa Clara Systems, Inc, 560
Division St., Campbell, CA
95008: (408)374-6972.
NJbW
ON THE MARKET
Davong Systems' DSI-501
Winclii'sti'i disk drive fits
Inexpensive Color Plotter
Hewlett-Packard's new HP 7470 is a microprocessor-based,
small-format pen plotter capable of an 8.5 x 11-inch plot area, two-
color output, 1/1000-inch resolution (step size), and a plotting speed
of 15 inches per second.
The plotter is capable of accepting either 8.5 x 11-inch or ISO
A4-size paper. It automatically selects between two pen stalls and
can accommodate both HP fiber-tip pens (available in ten colors
and two widths) and transparency pens (seven colors, two widths)
used to produce overhead projections. Intelligence features include
built-in character generation and the ability to rescale (enlarge/
reduce) or reconfigure (expand/condense) images and characters
automatically.
The unit is equipped with an RS-232C interface and requires a
maximum of 25 watts to operate. Graphics software (HP-GL) to
drive the plotter is available, although it is unclear whether or not it
will run on the IBM PC.
The HP 7470 will be available March 1 through computer
retailers and Hewlett-Packard; the suggested retail price is $1550.
inside the DrK c Two location
in the IBM PC chassis, pro-
viding 5MB formatted file ca-
pacity and a data transfer rate
of 5 megabits per second.
Compatible with both the PC-
DOS and Qunix (Unix-like)
operating systems, it includes
the Winchester disk drive, a
disk controller board, power
supply, cables, and software
(diagnostic program, hard-disk
formatter, and installation/
configuration program). The
DSI-501 is presently available
through ComputerLand stores
at a suggested retail price of
$1995.
Davong Systems, Inc., 10601
Terra Bella Ave., Mountain
View. CA 94043; f415j965-7130.
Finally, as of March, Tall-
grass Technologies' TG-1000/
1200 Winchester HardFile
subsystems will incorporate the
newly developed TG-IOOAT
combined dLsk/lape controller.
which includes a revised for-
mat allowing increased data
storage per track and increases
the storage capacities of the
TG-1000 and TG-1200 to
6.267MB and 12.534MB.
respectively.
Tallgrass Technologies, 9009
W. 95th Street/P.O. Box 12047,
Overland Park, KS 66212;
(913)381-5588.
Memory Expansion
Boards
Davong Systems has an-
nounced the availability of
a series of RAM expansion
boards: the DSI-64K ($325), the
DSI-192K ($750), and the DSI-
256K ($950). These boards may
be placed in any free system
slot, are compatible with all
IBM PC hardware and soft-
ware, and are available from
ComputerLand.
Dovong Systems (see above)
Memory Technologies'
MT512-XIB memory board of-
fers a maximum capacity of
512KB of random access mem-
ory with full parity checking,
bank selectable in blocks of
64KB to allow the user to pur-
chase the board with an initial
64KB and then to expand it to
full capacity using the compa-
ny's MT649 Memory Expan-
sion Sets. The board ranges in
price from $499 (64KB) to $1995
(512KB) and is covered by a
one-year warranty on parts and
labor.
Memory Technologies, Inc., 25
Main St., Twelve Mile, IN
469«a; (219)664-5741.
An error-correcting memory
board available in storage
capacities ranging from 64KB
($495) to 192KB ($1195). in
64KB increments, has been in-
troduced by Boulder Creek
Systems. The board detects and
corrects single-bit errors and
flags double-errors as a parity
error.
Boulder Creek Systems, 4859-
C Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts
Valley, CA 95066; f40«j438-
4546.
Autodial Modem
General DataComm's
103|-M is an auto-answer
modem designed for full
duplex, asynchronous
operation over the switched
network at data rates of from 0
to 300 bps. The modem, which
operates over all dial
telephone lines, features
Automatic/Manual and Data
Talk modes.
General DataComm, One
Kennedy Ave., Danbury, CT
06«10; (203)797-0711.
Peripheral
Switchboxes
Two peripherals-switching
stations have been introduced
by Automated Control Systems.
The ACS 200, a three-position
parallel switching box, allows
the user to alternate between
two, Centronics-Compatible
printers from a single CPU
port; a front panel switch
controls printer choice. The
ACS 232 serial switching box
permits a single computer port
to support two terminals; the
switch is fully buffered and
operates at baud rates up to
1MB. Both the ACS 200 and
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
125
the ACS 232 ha\ a list price of
$129.95.
Automated Control Systems,
1801 130th JVE. Suite 4,
Bellevue. WA 98005; (206jMl-
0177.
Communications
Cards, Etc.
AST Research is presently
offering a series of products
designed to enhance the stor-
age and communications capa-
bilities of the IBM PC. These
include:
— A series of memory ex-
pansion hnanis, ranging from
64KB ($495) to 2ritiK13 ($1145).
with full parity checkinj;; fully
assembled, tested, and burned-
in.
— Two asynchronous, serial
communications boards: the
CC-032 (one RS-232 port) for
$145; and the f:( ,-132 (two RS-
232 ports) for S2"5.
— An iuivanctul communi-
cations board, the CC-232,
featuring two independent,
programmable RS-232 ports
supporting asynchronous, bi-
synchronous, SPLC. and HDLC
protocols.
—A direct-connect modem
offering two ports: an RS-232
serial and a tiirtct-channel
modem.
AST Research. Inc.. 17925 Sky
Park Circle, Suite B, Irvine,
CA 92714; (714J540-1333.
Groptiics Printer
The Centronics Model 122
graphics dot-matrix printer is a
120 characters-per-second
(CPS). 132-column desk-top
peripheral intended for use in
data and business processing
applications. It provides both
alphanumeric printing and 6-
or 8-pin adcire.ss.ihle graphics;
other standard features include
bidirectional printing in single-
space alphanumeric mode, uni-
directional print in>j in graphics
mode, and selei table forms
length and lines per inch. The
suggested list pi ce is $1195.
Centronics Data Computer
Corp., Hudson. \'H 03051;
1603)883-0111.
\lhW
ON THE MARKET
Mallbu Dual-Moae 200 Character Set<
Gr««k/Hath and APL sees are available and print thtse
charactars at 42 cps for spacial appl icat 1 ont :
Greak/Math; no( ) } / * | , ♦ • / -AO » i a* 9« » * - n x »/ j;^-*** < AH * > » ( ) i
rec-a<anTk^ > «■ "ta^vac-^knt sk w( vootsotCkAxuc* I <«=
APL: "i<S>>lv«*,«./0123<l567B9ll;>:\loxnL c_VAt o *Q 1 to-
?pr -v* uv3 9c-f-l -OABCDSrGHIJKLItMOPOFSTUVyXrZ I ^) S
Pitch 17 LO provulM cenMnaaJ print ftr co^Mct raportj Mlth
17 ctaractvs far inch an 7% cps.
('i*c»> 1/ [10 ptovi4ff 1/ cl*«*wi [-ft ifid. MM IW) ep- rw
Dual-mode Printer
Malibu Electronics has introduced the Dual-Mode 200. a printer
capable of performing both high-speed (165-200 CPS) data
processing tasks as well as high-quality, low-speed (43r70 CPS) word
processing duties. Features include the abilit\' to output proportion-
ally spaced and justified text: to change fonts and/or print-quality
modes at any point in a document: and to employ a variety of text
emphasis devices, including boldface and underlining. A selection
of fonts is available. The suggested list price is $2995.
MaJibu Electronics Corporation, 2301 Townsgate Rd., WestJake
Village, CA 91361; (805)496-1990.
Carrying Cases
The Computer Case
Company has introduced a line
of carrying cases for the IBM-
manufactured PC components:
the IB1501 ($129) can contain
the CPU, keyboard, and man-
uals: the IB502 ($99) holds the
monitor: and the P403 ($89) is
designed to carry the matrix
printer. In addition, these cases
can be used to provide dust-
free storage and can be locked
to prevent unauthorized access.
Computer Case Company,
5650 Indian Mound Court,
Columbus, OH 43213; (614j866-
9464/(800j848-7548.
SOFTWARE
UCSD p-System
Network Consulting, Inc..
(NCI) has introduced an imple-
mentation of the Version 4
Softech/UCSD p-Syslem oper-
ating system for the IBM Per-
sonal Computer. The p-System
is an operating system that
compiles programs written in
Pascal, FORTRAN, and BASIC
into a form in which the
programs are "transportable"
between (can be used on) ma-
chines built around a variet\,' of
different microprocessors. The
NCI implementation includes
features that enhance memory
use and storage options and
allow the use of non-IBM
peripherals.
The NCI p-System supports
RAM disk, a feature that
allows any extra memory to be
used as if it were located on a
floppy disk and thereby signifi-
cantly increases the speed of
certain operations (e.g., com-
piling). By fully utilizing the
space available on the floppy
disks. NCI p-System makes it
possible to use ten sectors per
track rather than the eight IBM
recommends, resulting in a 25
percent increase in disk storage
capacity. Automatic discrimi-
nation between eight- and ten-
sector diskettes is provided,
assuring compatibility between
IBM (eight) and ten-sector
diskettes. In addition, any
combination of single-sided
(provided with the PC), double-
sided, and double-density
(double-tracked) disk drives is
supported.
The operating system also
includes a number of other
features, such as a floppy disk
formatter for all supported
diskette formats; hard disk
back-up and recover functions
via floppy diskette; terminal
mode: remote supervisory ter-
minal support; and a number
of I/O support functions. The
company plans eventual sup-
port for Ominet and the 8087
coprocessor and for the Corvus
Constellation, Tall Grass Tech-
nology, and Tecmar hard disk
systems. Although the p-System
is available as a package
(including total system, Pascal
compiler, extended memory,
native code generator, double-
track support. RAM disk,
Turtlegraphics, and print
spooler) for $800, a number of
other, separately priced options
are offered.
Network Consulting, Inc.,
A106-1093 W. Broadway, Van-
couver, Canada V6H 1E2;
(604;738-3500.
FORTH Language
PC/FORTH, a complete
FORTH program development
system for the IBM PC, has
been introduced by Laboratory
Microsystems. The basic pack-
age ($100) includes an inter-
preter/compiler with virtual
memory management: the fig-
( FORTH Interest Group)
FORTH line editor: a screen
editor modified to take advan-
tage of the PC's graphics dis-
play capabilities: an 8086
assembler: a reverse translator:
debugging aids, utilities, and a
series of demonstration pro-
grams. The FORTH vocabulary
has been extended to give full
access to all PC-DOS operating
system facilities. Options in-
clude floating point extensions
(available either in full soft-
ware or support routine ver-
12«
PC/APRH-MAY 1982
i,uiial
sionsi Ini a series of arithmetic
coprocessors (SlOO) and the
Laboratory Microsystems'
version of the Nautihis FORTH
Cross Compiler ($300, requires
PC/FORTH].
Laboratory Microsystems,
,4147 Beethoven St., Los
Angeles, CA 90066; (213)306-
7412.
Word Processor
Select Information Systems
has announced the availability
of an IBM PC version of their
Select word processing system.
Select, which includes an on-
screen, interactive teaching
program (Teach), is designed
for the novice user whose only
interest in a computer is in its
ability to accomplish tasks. The
program, which is compatible
with virtually all CP/M-based
systems, includes two 5.25-inch
floppy disks containing the
word processor. Teach, and in-
stallation instructions; Super-
spell (a proofreading program);
Merge Print (a program that
integrates mailing lists with
any Select document): and a
reference manual. The sug-
gested retail price is $595.
The company has also in-
troduced two new software
programs: Teach/ M. a self-
teaching program designed to
introduce novice users to the
essentials of using CP/M; and
Converse, a CP/M-based tele-
communications program for
general office use.
Select Information Systems,
919 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.,
Kentfield, CA 94904; (415)459-
4003.
IN PRINT
Periodical Index
COMPend/um is a monthly,
periodical guide to the contents
of computer publications. The
bulk of the magazine consists
of synopses of all non-editorial
articles appearing in 20 major
personal computer magazines
(from Byte to TRS-80 Micro-
computer iVews) and of direc-
tories of book, hardware, and
software reviews found in
those publications.
COMPendium includes a sec-
tion called "ADwatch," which
lists the publications in which
advertisements for major
products appeared, as well as a
section called "Infoservice", an
inexpensive ($20/75 words)
classified advertisements sec-
tion in which users" groups,
newsletters, magazines, stores,
etc., can describe their activi-
ties and services. Subscriptions
cost $18 per year in the U.S.
and $20 in Canada. Publisher/
Editor: Michael Bierbauer.
Epicurious Publishing
Company, P.O. Box 129,
Lincolndale. NY 10540.
Reference Cards
Two products designed to
reduce the time spent search-
ing through the manual for
forgotten syntax rules or com-
mands have been recently in-
troduced. The IBM PC BASIC
Memory jogger is a single-
sheet, color-coded list of the
computer's commands, state-
ments, functions, and alternate
keys. It measures 8.5 x 14
inches, includes a built-in easel
to allow it to stand upright, and
costs $10.
/C Computer Specialists, P.O.
Box 3465, Federal Way, VVA
98003.
The Easy Find reference
card contains 14 panels of
information obtained from the
IBM BASIC manual and in-
cludes lists of information such
as Basic statements, commands.
I/O-related functions, string-
related functions, graphics and
color, and operators. All entries
are alphabetized and contain a
brief description of the item
and an example of its use.
Printed on light cardboard, it
costs $3.50.
Minimagic Co., 104 Park Rd.,
#34, West Hartford, CT 06119;
(203)233-6261.
FABS
IPC
TM
THE
TO
FABS/pcfor 'DATA AT YOUR
FINGERTIPS', is undoubtedly
one ol the fastest & simplest
high speed DATA retrieval
keyed access systems lor
floppy or hard disk computer
systems lor enhancing appll-
cations programs
Many notable software houses
/OEMs have Incorporated
FABS™ into their applica-
tions systems.
FABS/pc'^'^ IS an 8088
assembly language subroutine
designed to provide rapid
access to very large data files.
FABS/Pc'^*^ is easily linked
with BASIC
HIGH SPEED DATA ACCESS:
*** MAINTENANCE FREE BTREE STRUCTURE ***
FOR DOS & BASIC ON THE
IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER
Features:
REGULAR PRICE S195.00
INTRODUCTORY
PRICE
$150.00
VALID THRU 4/30/82
OTHER PRODUCTS:
FABS, FABS-II,
ULTRASORT-II, and
AUTOSORT FOR
CP/M SYSTEMS.
Versatile, fast, easy, to use assembly lang. multi-path BTREE
Loads as resident to DOS for easy, continuous access by BASIC
Random search time approx. 1 sec; sequential approx. V4 sec.
Duplicate keys permitted; search returns the first duplicate
Insert/Delete multiple keys with a single command string
Deleted data records automatically reclaimed by later inserts
Generic search returns the first occurrence of a partial key
FABS directs all access to the data file with record pointers
Allows ASCII keys 50 bytes), integer keys use only 2 bytes
Up to 32767 records (limited by BASIC, FABS supports 65535)
Excellent error handling; errors/warnings returned to basic
COMMANDS:
Create Key File
Open Key File
Close Key File
Search For Key
First, Last,
Next. Previous
Genenc Search
Insert Key
Delete Key
Replace Key
# of Open Deletes
# of Data Records
# of Primary Keys
Max. Key Length
IBM IS a
registered trademark
ol Iniernatlonal Business
Machines Corporation
FABS/PC IS a trademark ol
Computer Control Systems
CP/M IS a trademark of
Digital Research
COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC.
298 21 St Terrace S.E., Suite 1 00, Largo, FL 33541 (81 3) 586-1 886
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
127
PC/FORTH
Laboratory Microsystems is now shipping a complete FORTH program development
system for the IBM Personal Computer. The basic package includes the FORTH
interpreter/compiler with virtual memory management, the fig-FORTH line editor, a
full screen (visual) editor optomized for the PC graphic display capabilities, a true
8086 assembler with local labels, a reverse translator, debugging aids, utilities, and
many demonstration programs. FORTH "screens" are stored in standard random
access disk files, and may coexist with other PC-DOS program and data files. The
FORTH vocabulary has been extended to give full access to all PC-DOS operating
system facilities including file and record management. A 1 50 page manual includes
detailed operating instructions for the editors and assembler, a full description of the
PC/FORTH internals, an extensive glossary, and a listing of the PC/FORTH nucleus.
Floating point extensions are available in a full software version or as support
routines for the AMD 951 1, AMD 9512, or Intel 8087 arithmetic coprocessors.
Our version of the Nautilus FORTH Cross-Compiler allows you to create dedicated
disk or ROM-based applications written in FORTH. Headerless programs may be
generated which are extremely compact and are nearly impossible to disassemble.
Current prices for PC/FORTH and extensions are given below. Shipping by UPS or
first class mail within USA or Canada included. California residents add appropriate
sales tax. Purchase orders accepted at our discretion. No credit card orders.
PC/FORTH program development system $100.00
Floating point extensions, specify software floating
point, AMD 951 1 , AMD 9512, or Intel 8087 additional $100.00
Nautilus Cross Compiler (PC/FORTH also required) $300.00
Laboratory Microsystems
4147 Beethoven Street
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(213) 306-7412
Cl
Keep it Clean.
' Protect Your Investment
Proiect your IBM personal computer keyboard with
our dustcovcr made from rigid smoked bronze
plastic. Its low silhouette was custom designed to fit
with the IBM's contemporary design, and provides
' the protection your keyboard requires.
Our dustcover is the liriil in a line of accessories
exclusively designed for your IBM personal
computer by //\H"'|computer accessories. Watch for
j the release of additional products.
Keyboard ^^^^^(j
dustcover in stock
and ready for immediate delivery.
Send check or money order for $12.00 to:
Nat Hellman III, Inc., 9402 Burtis Street, South
Gate, CA 90280
BUY! SELL! TRADE!
COMPUTER & HAM EQUIPMENT
Q COMPUTERS
T TRADER
Mailed 1st and 15th of every month
SEND ADS FIVE DAYS BEFORE MAILING DATE
-RATES-
Subscriptions Ads
One Year $10.00 Hobby. .10' Word/Number
Per Copy $1.00 BuslnessSO' Word/Number
Foreign (Air Mall) $25.00 year
Send Ads and Subscriptions with remittance to:
COMPUTER TRADER®
Chet Lambert, W4WDR
1704 Sam Drive • Birmingham, AL 35235
(205) 854-0271
Please include your Name, Address. Call Sign or Phone Number
In Less Than 3 Minutes
Your IBM Model 50, 60, or 75
Electronic Typewriter
can be an RS232C PRINTER or TERMINAL
CALIFORNIA MICRO COMPUTER
Models 5060 and 5061 can be
installed easily and require NO
modifications to the typewriter.
For additional information contact:
CALIFORNIA MICRO COMPUnR
9323 Warbler Ave., Fountain Valley, CA
92708 (714)968-0890
• IBS01 & IB502
Attache style cases for carrying and protecting a complete connputer set-up
Constructed of the highest quality luggage material with saddle stitching Will
accommodate equipment in a fully operational configuration along with
manuals, working papers and disks Never a need to remove equipment
from case Simply remove lid. connect power and operate.
• IB501 IBM Personal Computer $129
• IB502 IBM Monitor 99
• P401 Paper Tiger Printer (440/445/460) 99
• P402 Centronics 730 737 739 89
• P403 Epson MX70 or MX80 89
• P404 Epson MX1 00 99
• P405 IDS 560 or Prism Printer 109
• CC80 Matching Attache Case (5") 85
• CC90 Matching Attache Case (3") 75
• CC91 Matching Accessory Case 95
compuTOf case comi»nv Ww'
5650 INDIAN MOUND CT COLUMBUS OHIO 43213 (6141 868-9464 '
Cl
WITHOUT A WORD, I ADJUSTED
THEJSIEXT MORNING'S SCHEDULE
Thanks to TCI Software, unexpected
interruptions needn't be a problem
Have you ever forgotten an important event? Scheduled two meetingj at or near the same
trme? These problems are solved by the AGENDA system that tracks all of your personal and
business time You simply enter data on scheduled meetings, projeas. holidays, reminders, and
dates to remember (birthdays, anniversaries, etc ) and AGENDA does the rest There is an
automatic check of tightly scheduled days, a perpetual calendar, and a preview of coming days,
weeks, or rtionth-at-a-glance either on your display or a printout to carry with you User defir>ed
expenses can be tracked day to day AGENDA even provides continuous clock display and alarm
when on-line Can handle up to 3.000 separate records (Requires 64K. DOS. printer, and either
40 or 80 character display! S6S IrKludes disltette. manual, arxf shipping
SIS for manual only (refundaMc on diskette purchase)
jMalltrakll.
Clubs, churches, sports teams, prospeas. sales lists, membership organisations, fraternities,
alumni, neighbors, volunteers Whatever the list, it can be managed on TCI's MAILTRAK Full
name and address information (first and last name, two address lines plus city, state, and 9 digit
zip), two phone numbers, five user defined activity codes Orvscreen editing and updating
Output irxludes phone directories master list, mailing labels (user seleaed forrrvat). file labels,
and output file for IBM Easywriier program Sort and selea capabilities draw on all information
to suit your specialized needs (Requires 64K. DOS. Printer, and either the 40 or 80 character
displayl S65 Includes diskette, manual and shipping
S I S for marajal only (refundable on diskette purchaw|
Call or write today for more Information.
VISA and MasterCard accepted.
U Software
6107 west Mill Road
Fiourtown, PA 19051
The First ond Only Text
for IBM Personal Computer Users
The IBM Personal Computer:
An Introduction to Programming and Applications
by Larry Joel Goldstein, Ph.D.
A text of such scope and magnitude
that only you — the IBM PC user —
will appreciate because it's de-
signed specifically for you! Written
In a thorough yet refreshingly infor-
mal style that focuses on using the
Personal Computer.
The IBM Personal Computer. An
introduction to Programming and
Applications. The first and only text
of its kind, designed to help you get
the fullest most practical use from
your Personal Computer.
Look at this wide range of practical
real-life applications for your pro-
gramming use — mailing and tele-
phone lists — data filing — inven-
tory - payrol I — word processi ng —
graphics — even games! Complete
with a comprehensive introduction
to BASIC and advanced BASIC. An
in-depth look through the jungle of
software purchasing. A complete
overview of VISICALC programming.
Tutorial style questions and helpful
tips on easing programming frustra-
tions.
1982/320 pp/28 illus/paper/
ISBN 0-89303-1 11-9/$1 4.95
Dealer Discount Inquiries Inirited
BFV\DY
Write us or Call Toll Free at (800) 638-0220
Rot)ert J. Brady Co. Bowie, Maryland 20715 (301) 262-6300.
A Prentlce-Hall Publishing and Connmunlcatlons Company
A PC EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW /DAVID BUNNELL
Microsoft's Vern Raburn
Raburn: "Few people even have a g/immer of the power . . ."
When PC Publisher David Bunnell
recently interviewed Vern Raburn,
President of Microsoft Consumer
Products, he asked him point blank if
Microsoft would be coming out with a
word processor for the PC. Raburn
refused to answer but we believe the
following discussion will be of interest to
our readers. We think that by declining to
answer, Raburn may have answered the
question. Anyway, he gave us pause for
thought.
PC: Is Microsoft planning a word
processing package for the IBM Personal
Computer?
Raburn; I cannot answer that question.
PC: With a 16-bit machine and all of that
addressdyle memory, you couJd come up
with a writer's dream.
Raburn: One of the critical elements of
word processing today is that the really
good word processing machines— such as
Wang and Xerox— are dedicated systems.
This is one of the reasons why WordStar
suffers by comparison. You have to use all
of those control codes. Of course, their
response is "Hey, if I am keeping my
hands on the keyboard, and I am only
adding one key, those control sequences
become much faster than punching a
dedicated key."
PC: But it is so easy to hit a wrong control
key.
Raburn: The theory' is that people who use
word processing machines are people who
type all the time. This means that they are
ver>' proficient at the keyboard. They
don't hit wrong keys. I am just giving you
the party line right now. I don't agree with
this completely, but unless you are willing
to go out and build a dedicated machine
with a lot of dedicated functions . . .
PC: The IBM has some dedicated keys.
Raburn: There are ten function keys. You
can do many things with them. IBM has
been insistent that we implement those
keys into any products we produce.
Multiplan uses those keys. That is a
problem with word processing. If we
really want to get into it. The way that the
word processor becomes really nice is
when you get away from keyboard input.
Which means, use keyboard input for
words only and use something like a
mouse, or a joy stick, or a track ball for the
editing commands.
PC: Voice recognition would be a great
way.
Raburn: Oh, voice recognition is the
ultimate solution.
PC; I would think that a system that could
recognize words such as "delete" might be
possible now.
Raburn: Voice recognition is still not a
viable alternative. I believe strongly that it
ultimately will be, but right now it cannot
be done.
PC; What are the possibilities for
integrating a v^ord processing program
and graphics with an electronic spread
sheet program?
Raburn: I would throw in database
management. That's where the 16-bit
processor comes in. When you have a
megabyte of working memory you can put
all that stuff in there. Then you are talking
about a complete information processing
system. A knowledge processing system, if
you will.
PC; How far are we away from that?
Raburn: In some ways it exists today. That
is what the Star system is. The Star will
ultimately have all of those capabilities —
database, word processing, graphing,
charting, communications.
PC: You're talking about the Xerox Star
system?
Raburn: Yes, exactly. If you want to pay
about $100,000 you can have it now. We are
a couple of years away from doing that on
a $5,000-$10,000 machine.
PC; With a machine like that you could be
a one-man army.
Raburn: It's phenomenal. There are very
few people even in the computer business
who have even a glimmer of the power
that we are going to make available to
people in a very short period of time. The
18-hour days around here get tiresome.
But I believe that Microsoft will be one of
the companies in the forefront that
ultimately integrates all of this technology.
We are coming up to one of those points in
history that occurs every once in a while
where a group of totally separate
technologies are going to start maturing
simultaneously. The result is going to be a
new technology— a new way of doing
things that has never even been thought of
before. That is extremely exciting. ['[(1
PC/APRIL— MAY 1982
131
IBM'S DOS or CP/M-86?
Confused about operating system options for your
IBM Personal Computer? HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
WITH LIFEBOAT S CP/M-86 EMULATOR. The
CP/M-86 emulator solves the problem by per-
mitting you to use all the software written for
IBM's PC for both DOS and CP/M-86.
This high performance, low cost DOS utility al-
lows you to fully integrate and mix programs.
You can use a DOS editor to write a program,
compile it under a CP/M-86 compiler and exe-
cute the finished application under DOS.
The CP/M-86 emulator extends the scope and
capacity of all of your software. With the CP/M-86
emulator, CP/M-86 programs run quicker with
faster file access than with CP/M-86 itself.
Additionally, your program will enjoy all the other
DOS advantages, such as large file size, dated direc-
tory displays, and more. The DOS peripherals are al-
ready installed and DOS commands are fully available.
The package even contains a utility program to trans-
fer programs and data files from a CP/M-86 diskette to
a standard DOS diskette.
NO NEED TO LEARN A NEW SET OF UTILITIES AND
COMMANDS;
NO NEED TO END UP WITH TWO INCOMPATIBLE
SETS OF DISKETTES;
NO NEED TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS
ON CP/M-86, WHEN THE CP/M-86 EMULA-
TOR COSTS S75.
NO NEED TO WONDER WHICH
OPTION IS BEST FOR YOUR IBM
PERSONAL COMPUTER.
PMATE: Editor-in-Chief
Perform miracles of manipulation on your keyboard with Lifeboat's PMATE.
This new generation text editor is the most sophisticated text editor available today and is bristling with features previously
unavailable on microcomputers, making it ideal for virtually any program or data file editing.
PAAATE's command set includes full screen single keystroke editing, horizontal scrolling, automatic disk buffering, macro
command language, text formatting, expression evaluation, conditional branching, I/O with prompting, and other program-
ming language constructs. PMATE makes use of 1 1 buffers for storage, and includes commands permitting work on more
than one text at a time. Unique to PMATE is the facility for user customization. Keystroke functions can be redefined, and se-
quences can be programmed to directly execute macros. Video commands can be changed, and macro functions can be
written, to emulate any other editor with which you may be familiar. PMATE provides full side-scrolling, and can be used
with virtually ANY video terminal on the market. IF you use an editor, you need PAAATE.
PMATE is the only text editor you'll ever need.
PMATE-86 is available for IBM's Personal Computer DOS, SB-86^^ and MS-DOS^^. Also available is PAAATE for SB-80 and other
CP/M-80<ompatible operating systems.
Lifeboat Worldwide offers you the world's largest library of software from its offices in the U.S.A., U.K., Switzerland, France,
West Germany and Japan.
For more information, send tO:
Lifeboat Associates
1651 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10028
Tel: (212)860-0300
TWX: 710-581-2524 (LBSOFT NYK)
Telex; 640693 (LBSOFT NYK)
SB-80 and SB-86 an trademarks of Lifeboat Associates
PMATE and PMATE-86 are trademarks of Phoenw Software Asso Ltd
MS-DOS IS a trademark of Microsoft, Inc
CP/M-80 and CP/M 86 are resisiered trademarks of Dgrtal Research, Inc
Tfiis ad was desqned by DocuSei™
Copyngfit & 1981, by Lifeboat Associates
LIFEBOAT HAS THE ANSWER
13
TYPE "T" FOR TEACH.
THAT'S ALL YOU DO TO LEARIM
TM
1
SELECT is the only word processor with this unique teaching program. TEACH tal<es
you through each of SELECT'S commands. Step by step you interact with the computer
and see your progress on the screen. You can learn the basics of this fully featured word
processor before you take it home. And at the end of your TEACH program (90 minutes or
less) you'll be ready to use SELECT to compose, reorganize, file and manipulate just about
any document you want.
When you want to Create or Erase, Move or Zap, key only the first letter of the com-
mand. After committing your document to SELECT, polish it with the help of SUPER-
SPELL™. SELECT'S multi-thousand word spelling dictionary scouts out your spelling and
typing errors and helps you correct them. SELECT'S merge feature integrates your mail-
ing lists with SELECT documents to simplify billing, forms and advertising.
SELECT runs on any CP/M based hardware and you'll see it displayed on more new
hardware this year. Ask your dealer to sit you down in front of SELECT. Wave him away.
Type "T" — you've just enrolled in the common sense school of word processing.
SELECT... The Word Processing People
TM
'SELECT, SUPERSPELL and TEACH are trademarks of
Select Information Systems, Inc.
**CP/M is a trademark of Digital Researcli
SELECT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
919 Sir Francis Dral<e Boulevard, Kentfield, California, 94904 • (415) 459-4003
Ci
QncB you've chosen tiie IBM Personal
CamputBT, your next consideratians are
enhancing your unit's productivity and
providing for its longevity. By combining a
CamputBr-Mate Desk with an ElectrohaniB Moni-
tor, you can accomplish bodi. Exclusively designed
to match your IBM System, the Computer-Mate Desk
protects your companents, provides ample storage space
and a large work area. M Protective recessed bay iar CPU
and Disk Drive assures ample work space 111 Master switch for
simultaneous activation of system H Self adhesive wire supports
to eliminate cord clutter S) Cord drop space for flush wall placement
and cable protectian ill Rear air space for proper ventilation 91 Adjust-
able leg levelers HI Proper keyboard height to eliminate fatigue B TWo
roller drawers for storage B Gray color with black accents to match IBM
system — Exclusive availability at ComputerLand Stores The Electrohome
Manitnr has advanced electronic technology and design innovations to assure
crisp, clean, reliable video display with Bxcellent resolutian. B Medium or hi^
resolution for improved graphic display B BO character text display capacity B 16
color BEB output means mora color variations B Compatible with IBM, Apple and ottier
name computers B Backed by nation-wride service networic B One year unconditional warranty
— parts and labor — Available at ComputerLand and other fine computer stores Make sure your
camputBT system gives you the performance you need by choosing the best complementary components
. . . Computer-/Vtete DesK m BLECTROHOME dealer INOUIRIES welcome 1-800-527-3643
OUR COMPLEMENTS TO IBM
CONSULTANTS
Alaska
RAMBOW ENTERPRISES
Conslruclion Management consullani work-
ing with eslimaling, Critical Path scheduling,
cost forecasting, computer assisted de-
sign, and other construction related appli-
cations of the IBM PC
7-480 A T Strnt. Elatidort AFB. AK
99506 (907) 753-2291
California
COMPUCDN. INC.
Offering: Value added management needs
analysis. Systems analysis/Custom pro-
gramming Computer software and hard-
ware selection assistance mini/micro/main-
trame. "Computers don't save $, they
make it."
2083 Liidlift Drivi. MuiUii Vliw. CA
94043 (415) 961-0234
THE PR06RAMMIN6 SHOP
Worried about making your IBM Personal
Computer really personal? The Program-
ming Shop recognizes that you have unique
business application requirements. Our
consultation and programming services are
available to support: Networking, Distribut-
ed processing. Accounting, Structured ap-
plication development. For more informa-
tion, give us a call today.
1164 Unkaritr Kni. Sh Jim. CA 95121
(408) 226-2157
PROACTIVE SYSTEMS
Get the most out of your personal computer
with custom applications. Complete con-
sulting services and system design for
planning, data analysis, and reporting.
505 Cluiilig tut.. Pilo Alli. CA 94301
(415) 327-4716
SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSOCIATES
Let us help you get your money's worth out
of DOS, BASIC and packaged software. We
have 20 years experience designing and
buiWing commercial and scientific applica-
tion systems. Professional standards:
"Quality is our middle name"
P.O. B» 50083. Pilo Alto. CA 94303
(415) 321-4208
Georgia
JAMES B. STEINER. COP
Over 20 years' DP Industry experience:
Management Consulting, Protect Manage-
ment, Systems Design, and Programming
For a copy of "Checklist of Points for First
Time Computer Purchasers to Consider and
Evakjale" send $t and a self-addressed,
stamped Ixismess envelope.
Sliliir Cnsiltli|. lie. Dipl. PCCK. 2596
DiFoiri Firm t(ui NW. Atlinli. GA 30318
(404) 351-5122
Idaho
B i L COMPUTER CONSULTANTS
We are compiling a list of IBM Personal
Computer owners. This list will be released
to software vendors and distributors of
software for the IBM Personal Computer If
you now own or plan to buy an IBM Person-
al Computer and would like to be included
on this list, please send us your name and
mailing address
P.O. Bax 4232. 226 S. Cilt. Bdsi. ID
83704 (208) 377-8088
Missouri
BUSINESS PROBLEM SOLVERS
Established professional with quality refer-
ences Custom programming and pack-
DIRECTORY
RATES AND INFORMATDN
If you have products or services to offer owners of the new IBM
Personal Computer, the PC Directories provide an economical, ri-
fle-shot way to reach your prospects.
Service and software listings are classified according to type.
Consultants and retailers are classified geographically, with sub-
groups by specialty where warranted. All listings appear in a stan-
dard format, typeset by PC from the information you provide, and
are published in the fir.st available issue after receipt.
• CONSULTANTS: Individual name, company name, mailing ad-
dress, phone and computer network numbers jone of each), and up
to 35 words describing your consulting credentials and specialties.
• RETAILKRS: Store name, individual's name & title, mailing ad-
dress, phone and computer network numbers (one of each), store
hours, and up to ,35 words describing your products and services.
• SER V'/CES: Service type, company name, mailing address, phone
and computer network numbers (one of each), and up to 35 words
describing your service.
• SOFTWARE: Product name, author name, company name, mail-
ing address, phone and computer network numbers (one of each),
and up to 35 words describing your product.
RATES: Listings described above are $50 each: additional words
of descri))tion section are $10 for each 15 words or fraction. Charges
are payable in advance. For listings in three or more consecutive
is.sues. paid in advance. ISVr discount.
ORDERING: Use our convenient tear-out order card, or mail your
listing information with payment to PC Directory, 1528 Irving Street.
San Francisco, California 94122.
aged software ranging from thoroughbred
handicapping to manufacturing inventory
control
Wirrn D. Hnry. CCP. COP. 250 Rlckarit
Road. Boon 254. Kaaus City. MO 64116
(816) 471-8660
New Jersey
TRENOTECH CORPORATION
Consulting services for small businesses,
including Micro-Computer selection, soft-
ware recommendations, feasibility studies,
custom software design, and programming.
Wllllia Lalaidra. Wiyaa. NJ 07474
(201) 694-8622
New Mexico
LIGHT SOFTWARE
Need help? We'll take on your project with
our new PC, our 14 years of experience on
1MB computers, and our backgrounds in
scientific, statistical and systems program-
ming.
Clint Di»ls aid Marliyi Davis, Pk,D„ Box
4982. Sinta Fa, NM 87502
(505) 982-4049
Ohio
TRIANGLE SYSTEMS
IBM Personal Computer and other micro
systems. Special application programming
in Pascal and Basic lor data acquisition,
networking, mass storage interfacing, data
base implementation, accounting and in-
ventory data structures. Local computer
classes available
1690 Laaa Avaiaa, Colankos, OH 43221
(614) 486-3527 Conpasarv 70645.217
Washington
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Financial Analyst* by Micro Solutions.
User-oriented environment enhanced by uti-
lization of IBM soft key feature,
NwMB Lavlnion. P.O. Box 345. RodMoil
MM 98052 (206) 881-8970
SOFTWARE
ARRINGTON SOFTWARE SERVICE
Indexed Sequential Access Method pack-
age sorts and accesses files by key
$59.95 disk.
Othello, Oubic, Blackjack. Startrek, Presi-
dents Quiz, Famous Americans Quiz, Crib-
bage, Blackbox, Mastermind and Kingdom.
All ten games for $29.95, disk. Free cala-
log.
ARRINGTON SOFTWARE SERVICE, 9522
Lloalock. Bolaa. ID 83704 (208) 377-1938
AUTOMATIC SCREEN DESIGN AID (ASDA*)
Available lor the IBM Personal Computer
End the laborious time consuming task of
programming screen and report layouts
ASDA* IS a powerljl tool that allows the
user to interactively design screens and re-
ports It generates executable basic source
code. ASDA" IS coupled with the finest
field editing system available (Soft/Edit*)
Controls attributes for all input fields/output
constants: left/right adjust, zero/blank fill,
mandatory entry/fill, data check, mod 10/
11, control exit, field length control, high
intensity, reverse image, blink, and more!
Complete ASDA (including
Solt/Edil) $99
Solt/Edil alone $49
SOFTMARK. INC. 446 Coloiial Avaoia. Lay-
IN. UT 84041 (801) 546-2000
BASIC PROGRAM CROSS REFERENCER
Excellent program development and docu-
mentation tool for youc IBM Personal Com-
puter Locates all your variable names by
line number. Sorts them alphabetically, and
prints them tollowing the program listing.
$30.00. Watch this directory lor more
from . . .
A. Eric Eastnao Co.
620 Woat 1950 Nortk
Salt Laka City. UT 84087 (801) 292-0664
BONUS ACCOUNTING
A unique software tool for Business Money
Management and Personal Money Manage-
ment for the IBM PC. Learn how to set up
ledger account numbers for home and busi-
ness, or use your existing chart of ac-
counts This system is designed for all who
need to know their financial standing Fea-
tures include balance sheet and financial
statement at anytime of the month, a his-
torical transaction register that's just a
command away, and month to date totals
that are rolled lorward and displayed for all
ledger accounts All transactions, including
closing entries, are automated. The year to
dale financial statement will be a big plus al
lax lime. Fully documented! Explanations of
all screens and functions make record
keeping manageable for the business own-
er and the professional. Also an excellent
teaming tool for the student. Wile today
and let Bonus help manage your money.
Requirements: one disk, 64K and 80 col-
umn printer. Dealer inquiries invited.
THE PROGRAMMING SHOP INC.. 1164 U*-
karior M.. Sao Joao. CA 95121
BUSINESS SOFT
Back up a disk, copy programs, formal a
new disk, produce new combinations of
DOS commands, produce new menus and
much more from the "Ultra Menu " Specifi-
cally designed for the IBM PC This program
will help eliminate the need to remember
many of the protocols required by DOS
commands A help menu no PC user should
be without Available May. Introductory price
$29.95,
BUSINESS SOFT, INC.. 3SI1 Broil Laoo.
Gloovlow. IL 60025
(312) 940-8088 or (312) 266-6809
CUSTOM SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS WRIHEN
I'm a full-time research scientist on the fac-
ulty of a college of medicine. At home, I will
write a program for you to handle data gen-
erated by your experiments For a quota-
tion, send all information to:
SAUL LOWin, PH.D.. 2131 Brookkavn
Drlva. Saraaola. FL 33579
FINANCIAL. INVENTORY AND COST
ACCOUNTING
"It lakes more effort to make it simple,"
SIMPLE STRUCTURE SYSTEMS. INC.. 7114
Hawlkora Avonoo. Hollywwd. CA 90467
PC/APRIL— IvIAY 1982
135
FLOPPY DISK LIBRARIAN
Use youf PC to keep an easy update cata-
log o( youf disks and files. Program main-
lams entries lor each disk or file with date,
size, your comments, and cross refer-
ences PC DOS 64K Send $30 check or
money order; 30 day money back guaran-
tee
LimE BIT. 469 Edgiwiod. Ntw Hivn. CT
06511
FORTH FOR IBM PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Complete program development systems
including interpreter/compiler with virtual
memory management, custom screen edi-
tor, line editor, assembler, decompiler, and
many utilities Floating point math exten-
sions, cross compilers, and other options
also available
LABORATORY MICROSYSTEMS. 4147 BmI-
lovin StrNt. Los Ai|(l(s. CA 90066
(213) 390-9292
FSEDITOR
Full screen text editor lor IBM-PC. 80-254
char lines, block/tine copy, move, insert,
delete, print, append— no data lost due to
power failures, disk full, etc 64K, one
drive, 80 Column Display and DOS required.
Price $125 00.
ACORN SOFTMRE. INC.. P.O. Bm 8715.
Cml Spriili. FL 33065 (305) 755-1513
FULL SCREEN TEXT EDITOR
Full screen text editor for IBM Personal
Computer Write lor information
ACORN SOFTVMRE. INC.. P.O. BlX 8715,
Ctnl Sprl*|i. FL 33065
HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT. 1981 INCOME
TAX
Programs lor Household Management.
1981 Income Tax. Under developmeni —
Retail System. Food Cost Management, Pa-
tient Accounting. Utilities. All for IBM PC and
Apple II Visa and Mastercard accepted.
N.F. SYSTEMS. P.O. Bm 76363. Allaita. 6A
30358 (4M) 252-3302
INVENTORY CONTROL
Inventory control system. 1000-t- line
Items Total and Department List. Reorder
Backorder. YTD $ and «. PTD $ and «.
Margin. % Deparlmenlal Sales. Last Sale
Date. Last Received Dale. Price $295.00.
ORGANIZED BITS. P.O. Btx 303. Saniiik.
MO 64485 (816) 324-4314
INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM
Perlofms: Order entry/point of sale. Pur-
chasing with Reorder Point. Receiving. In-
cbdes: 1.000 inventory items. 100 Ven-
dors. Listings and more Cost $349
Complete Requires; 1 disk, 48K and Print-
er Dealer inquiries invited.
DP SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES. 8459 NE 3rd
SlrNt. Coril Sprlnns. FL 33065
(305) 753-5893
KELLER SOFTWARE
Announcing HAL9000 Series, a new line of
engineering, business and statistical soft-
ware for the new IBM Personal Computer.
Send for our brochure and price list.
KELLER SOFTWARE. 1825 Wntclifl Driv*.
NiwHrt liicli. CA 926«0
KELLER SOFTWARE
Offers Business. Statistical, and Engineering
Programs specifically designed lor the new
IBM Personal Computer We "custom-fit"
DIRECTOR
our software to fit you needs. Wife for a
brochure and price list.
KELLER SOFTVMRE. 1825 Wiitcllfl Drivi.
Niwptrt Back. CA 92660
MARKHING SUPPORT
Marketing Support Software for small busi-
nesses; "Marketing Prospect System."
"Automated Telephone Directory." "Prod-
uct Filing System." Game diskettes also
available Custom designed applications
and Professional Consulting Services pro-
vided.
MICRBBASE SOFTVMRE. INC.. P.O. Box
40353. lidlHipolit. IN 46240
(317) 877-4304
PC SOFTWARE
Dedicated to developing high quality soft-
ware at the lowesljjossible price. Currently
offering bank and charge account man-
ager with detailed expense reports; electric
message pad and calendar with auto re-
minder lor upcoming events; casino black-
jack dealer, tutor and simulator. Planned;
powerful full screen editor Ask about home
trial
PC SOFTVMRE. 4155 ClovoUid Anin. Sai
BIO|i. CA 92103
PERSONAL MONEY MANAGER
Available for the IBM Personal Computer.
Software designed to be user friendly. Fea-
tures include; Monthly financial planning.
Balance sheet in minutes. Profit and Loss
statement at your fingertips. Documentation
written in English, and nnuch more Write to-
day and find out how the PERSONAL MON-
EY MANAGER can help you save time and
money
THE PROGRAMMING SHOP. 1164 UMkar|or
Rul Sh Jou. CA 95121
PLAINWRITER
Fast, easy to use word processing software
written specifically lor the PC and for sim-
plicity of use Usefui lor correspondence,
manuscripts, proposals, legal documents,
creative and lournalislic writing. Also useful
as last, flexible full screen line editor lor
program development Fully compatible
with all DOS utilities and programs. Faster
and simpler than EASYWRITER and EDLIN
Features include rapid text editing, help
menus, function keys, abbreviations, auto-
matic centering, alignment, justifying and
paging, block move and copy, global
search and replace Requires DOS, 64K.
and any PC compatible printer Special in-
troductory offer; $125, 30-day money
back guarantee Demonstration diskette
$15, applicable to purchase Available
March.
LIFETREE SOFTWARE. 177 Wotslor Strati.
Slitt 342. MMloraf. CA 93940
(468) 659-3221
ProEDIT
Easy-to-use, easy-lo-learn lull screen editor
designed for flexibility and efficiency. Hori-
zontal and vertical scrolling Block manipu-
lation, selective and global operations.
Source code and complete documentation
with diskette lor $50.00
ProActivo Sytlont. 505 Ckiiiii | Airi.. Pilt
Alti. CA 94301 (425) 327-4716
RECREATIONAL. EDUCATIONAL.
DEPENDABLE SOFTWARE
Now available for your IBM/PC under DOS
BASICA, Graphics not required; BLACK-
JACK. MATHTUTOR. PING-PONG, SIMPLE
SIMON, BIORHYTHM. FLYING FACES (happy
faces invade your screen) Send $19 95 for
each program plus $5.95 for diskette and
handling to;
REDS. Box 585. BotMd Brook. NJ 08805
SCREEN-MASTER
Allows development time of BASIC pro-
grams to be minimized, by handling all input
through the screen. Easily modified! Unlimit-
ed applications. Define field attributes and
defaults Utilizes special function keys. See
index to advertisers.
BASIC-ENHANCEMENTS
Allows igo to X). (go sub X). (restore X) in
normal BASIC and many more handy utili-
ties Cost; $35.
SOFTWARE MASTERS. 6704 Heovor R«i4.
liilMipoNi. IN 46260
SELF-TEACHING SOFTVMRE
No more manuals or commands lor IBM PC!
'Home & business expense organizer' has
built-in self-teaching 'learn' mode, and fast-
path 'quick' mode. Organizes, itemizes ex-
penses; built-in sales tax table, calculates
sales lax automatically; yid reports: audit
trails. Available now. $60.00. 30-day mon-
ey-back guarantee.
CASTISH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
1636 CariMlioi Avoioo. Lot AifilM. CA
90025 (213) 826-4600
TIMEMARK
Practical, inexpensive software; TimeMark,
a time, date and elapsed time display rou-
tine ($10 on diskette); PasFor, a straightfor-
ward, easily customized Pascal formatter
($15); DiskLook. a multi-function diskette
displayer ($15).
PETER NORTON. 1716 Mall StrMl. Voilco.
CA 90291 (213) 399-3948
DEALERS
Alabama
COMPUTERLAND OF BIRMINGHAM
215 WosI Vallay Avoaio
Blrai«|taa. Alakaiia 35209
Source Number CLCC34
Store Hours; Monday-Friday 10 am-6 pm.
Saturday 10 am-4 pm
California
COMPUTERLAND OF ALMAOEN
5035 Aluadaa Expratstny
Sai Jou. Calltoriia 95118
(408) 267-2182
Store Hours; 10 00 to 7;00 Wee
10;00 to 9;00 Thursday. 10;00 to 6:(
urday
Specializing In service and support
BM South San Jose facility empi
Hard disks, add-on memory, softwa
peripherals in stock. Call for informal
garding IBM Personal Computer t
seminars.
SERVICES
COMPUGUIDANCE COMPUTER TRAII
CENTERS
Increase Small Business Computet
and solve training problems with a C
Guidance Training Center franchise,
sionalty prepared instruction and IE
nearly every popular make. Call Tc
lazzo or Bill Ginalskl.
COMPUGUIDANCE INTERNATIONAL
ING CENTERS. INC.. 3644 East Mc
Sulla 208. PkoNlx. AZ 85008
(602) 244-2791
JOYSTICKS FOR THE IBM PC
Modifying a pair ot Radio Shack Jo
takes a special connector, a solderii
and about an hour. Send $5 00 for i
lions, parts numbers, and a small
program lor two-person computer .
OAVIO A. WILSON. P.O. Box 5167:
Alto. CA 94303.
QUICK REFERENCE CARD
Compress those extensive PC Manu
one easy reference source. All Dt
BASIC commands, with correct syn
examples, printed on a folding cart
able now lor $3 95
ASTEC. 223 HmiomU St.. IMkn
02194.
SOFTVMRE AUTHORS
Sell your IBM PC software the eas
through worldwide distritjution No t
you Generous royalties All types i
grams considered For immediate
send for our evaluation packet
QUALA SOFTVMRE. 1014 GritwoM (
Sai Foriaida. CA 94130
SOnVMRE MARKETING
We are ready to distribute your soft*
our already existing customers and
puter dealers. Send description of pr
with delais Evaluation copy prelerri
CORNERSTONE SOFTVMRE. P.O. Bu
Sai Jiio. CA 95150
WORB PROCESSING INTERFACE TO
nPESEniNG
Your word processed manuals or boc
loaded directly into our typesetter Eli
rekeying. You need lelecommunic
option We can design and offer co
printing facilities Suitable for doci
over 300 pages
GEORGE GRAPHICS. AtH: Lai Skifa
Satond StrMl. Sai Fraielsca. CA
(415) 397-2400
1M
PC/APRtL-MAY
David Bunnell and Eddie Currie
THEAGEOFALTAIR
PartlWo
The persona] computer traces its roots back to the AJtair computer first manufactured
in January, 1975, by Mits, Inc., a liitle company which came from the desert sands
of Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the next two and a haJf years, Mits, Inc. so
dominated this new found maritet that the company JileraiJy defined personal
computing. Dovid Bunnell and Eddie Currie were both uniquely imolwed in the
beginning of personal computing as Mits vice presidents. Together in tius exclusive PC
series, they tell the story of The Age of Altair.
CONTEXT OF THE REVOLUTION
It is important to understand the period
in which the.Altair Computer was
born if one is to truly appreciate the
growth of what was initially considered a
modest market.
Students of the computer in the early
1970's were constantly frustrated by the
computer priesthood which dominated
the cathedrals of the computers, i.e. the
computer centers. These sacred shrines
provided shelter and isolation for the
IBN I 360, the Univac 1130 and other such
number-crunching beasts.
Computer students spent countless
hours laboring, often in vain, not at the
computer but at key punch machines.
Having pimched their programs into Hol-
lerith cards, an artifact of the previous
century, they made their way with great
temerity to the hallowed computer room.
They weren't allowed inside this room,
but instead were permitted to pass their
deck of cards through a small window
and retire to await the "job" completion.
Enter The Hungry Card Reacl<
In as little as two hours or in
cases as long as two weeks they ret
to the little window to learn that the
puter system crashed, or the card r
ate all their cards, or the cards
dropped prior to introduction int
card reader (that is, the operator we
en an opportunity to shufHe the de<
their listing had inadvertently bei
tached to the listing of another pe
output who was nowhere to be f
and so on.
In those rare instances when the
of cards and the printout were returi
was often discovered that a comm
been deleted from, say, column 12
first card in the deck and that, of c
was "Fatal Error Number 345"— wh
you could find the right reference
ual, could be decoded as meanin;
again, Charlie."
- ■\ ^
From the Sands of New Mexico come the World's First Persona/ CotApatsi
1M
PC/APHL-MA
No one was permitted to touch the
nputer unless they were a member of
i priesthood. Consequently there
Dived the popular academic pastime of
:ing an axe to the computer. Thus the
nputer was further restricted by metal
rs, armed guards, police dogs, electron-
locks and other devices.
$t A CIA Plot
It was commonly believed that such
iversity computers were instruments of
/ert activities sponsored by the CIA.
)wever, computer students knew that
IS a ludicrous concept because they
ew the problems associated with run-
ig a ten-card program to sort a few
mbers in ascending order. It could take
ys, if not weeks, to get such a program
irking.
By late 1974 frustration among those
erested in computers had reached an
-time high. Thus, when the free spirits
long them learned of the availability of
omputer which could be purchased for
ew hundred dollars and enshrined in
e's spare bedroom or garage they pro-
led Mits Altair a ready market.
The majority of those who flocked to
i post office had limited discretionary
ids, so they purchased the "kit form" of
} Altair computer. Mits soon found a
•iving business trying to repair the myr-
1 attempts to render bags of resistors,
:kets, integrated circuits, capacitors,
IDs, pc boards and a plethora of other
n-descript components— held in place
cross-threaded screws and acid core
Ider — into a living, breathing computer
th flashing lights that rivaled the IBM
mts.
Of course, the half-life of these home-
ew computers was relatively short
ice the acid was slowly eating the
;hed circuit from the pc card. Critical
mponents were not infrequently found
rking amongst the edge connectors on
s mother board having slipped their
rly solder bonds.
»llo, Hello, Hello . . .
It was during this period that Mits de-
loped the concept of "infinite hold."
Though the AJtair couJd be purchased in
Qssembied form, most early customers opted
to buiJd the low-price kit, shown here in an
eariy Mits advertisement.
This early byproduct of the microcom-
puter revolution resulted when hobbyists
found access to university and other insti-
tutional telephones from which they
called Albuquerque without charge to
discuss at length fine points of remote
computer construction.
Some of these hobbyists are still hold-
ing, yet even so these interminable tele-
phone calls rapidly consumed the avail-
able Mits repair staff so that computers
waiting in the repair queue were often
left to trespass on eternity.
The Great Chip Debate
For some time prior to the advent of
the Altair computer, debate had raged at
Harvard between Bill Gates and Paul Al-
len as to which microprocessor they
should write a BASIC interpreter for. The
announcement of the Altair with its Intel
8080 CPU ended these discussions and
sent three young enthusiastic men (the
third was Monty Davidoff, aka Mad Dog)
off to write the code which would eventu-
ally find its way into millions of personal
computers.
A few weeks later, Paul Allen arrived
in Albuquerque armed only with a paper
tape having never seen an 8080 chip.
Within twenty minutes 4K Altair BASIC
was up and running.
With the release of a 4K dynamic
memory board along with 4K BASIC on
paper tape, the teletype machine all but
vanished from the surplus stores where it
had been stashed in great excess. Al-
though BASIC had appeared on college
campuses years earlier, it had fallen into
disfavor for serious work and was re-
placed by FORTRAN and COBOL. Un-
daunted, the hobbyist picked up the BA-
SIC banner and pressed on. This simple
act of faith was to have an enormous im-
pact upon future generations as we shall
see.
Consuming Megatiours
Many a megahour was consumed by
the unsuspecting hobbyist in front of his
trusty teletype machine waiting patiently
for Altair BASIC to be loaded into the
machine through the paper tape reader.
Often the end of the tape was met by ab-
ject silence meaning that somewhere a
tiny cell within the bowels of the 4K dy-
namic memory board (remember the
term "dynamic" as it will loom up out of
the swamp again) had "dropped a vital
bit" during the loading process. A major
breakthrough occurred each time the sys-
tem responded with the long awaited
"MEMORY SIZE?" prompt which meant
that with any luck at all you would soon
be running BASIC.
Strange as it may seem, Mits discov-
ered that customers who could not afford
a teletype machine or 4K memory board
were often far happier if their computer
was not functioning since that left them
with an avocation, viz. repairing it. An-
other interesting discovery was that much
of the desire to own an Altair was based
on the prestige an owner got by impress-
ing his friends that he had his own com-
puter.
The result was that thousands of peo-
ple mailed in the full payment for their
computers which they might not see for
weeks or even months. The cash require-
ments for Mits were greatly facilitated by
this never-ending backlog.
The Federal Trade Commission en-
tered a new era of bureaucratic red tape
with the advent of the mail order comput-
er. Many of the regulations in effect today
grew out of Mits related activities, [jj
copyright 1982, David Bunnell & Eddie Currie
/APRIL— MAY 1982
20,000 Programs
For Hie IBM
Baby Blue CPU Plus and Baby Blue are trademarks of XEDEX corporation.
Are Now Available
Personal Computer!
INTRODUCING
BABY BLUE CPU PLUS
Baby Blue CPU Plus is an accessory printed-circuit board for
your IBM Personal computer and special software on disk.
As far as normal PC DOS operations are concerned, Baby
Blue acts just like any other normal, mild-mannered 64K
byte random-access memory board.
But when you invoke a CP/M-80* program, Baby Blue
becomes a second computer within your computer, letting
you run thousands (literally thousands) of programs written
for the CP/M microcomputer operating system.
CP/M, the first microcomputer operating system to
gain wide acceptance, has been around since 1975. Not only
has it played host to a lot of programs, but those programs
are among the most useful, most sophisticated, most
thoroughly tested and debugged, most proven programs
ever written. More than 200,000 computers were field-
testing those programs for you before the IBM Personal
Computer even existed.
The total CP/M library is immense. It includes the best
efforts of thousands of professional and advanced-amateur
programmers. There are time managers, spreadsheet
manipulators and professional-office packages. Languages
— BASIC, of course, alcol, Fortran, c, Pascal, lisp, cobol,
PILOT, and FORTH, to name a few. Text editors, text
formatters, full-blown word processors, spelling checkers
and indexers. Utilities that will massage problem files so
that they lie back and purr. Games, including chess, Reversi,
Adventure and tournament-level Star Trek. Database
managers. Accounting packages that can run a million-
dollar business . . . Just about anything you can imagine.
The net result is an integration of CP/M programs into
the PC environment that's so smooth, so transparent that
you won't need to know or care which operating system a
program was originally written for.
Special Baby Blue Features:
■ Additional 64K memory, fully available to PC DOS — looks
just like the IBM 64K board to the system.
■ Will accept CP/M programs on any of several popular
SV* " soft-sectored diskette formats.
■ 63K of user memory is available for CP/M programs — 7K
more than on any other popular machine.
■ Files can be shared — CP/M and PC DOS programs can be
mixed in a menu-driven system with common data files.
■ IBM Personal computer peripherals are supported —
including keyboard, video boards, printer, Asycnronous
communications Adapter.
ONLY
$600
For only $60 more than the cost of the IBM 64K Memory
Board ($540) you get 64K of Memory PLUS an interface to
over 20,000 programs!
For more Information call
(212) 247-1400
I
S cUr lift I ckar rliM ck» : "I T.k 'I Wan : lira mW>
A tmi Itll 'r mri rl|M IKl II! 'V IBm MfT :'J mit 'I llact
t liM ,f 'X llH tan IT MTi m'l fM^lo ifaU|-« liKt *? rrlM
■■■llln IT Urn imm bt nmmn*« >■ ■< ■»■
«r "V li«a I t H laMri • RTW I
cro«n af 'I fcr«M taMi l*ltUv«c«Mil I
. ( 1 , , , ) 1 1 1 1
WordStar", tne popular CP/M
word processor is among
thousands of programs that
can now be run on the IBM
PC with Babv Blue
or write XEDEX Corporation
1345 Ave. of Americas, New Yorl<, n.y. 1010S
CP/M IS a registered trademark of Digital Research
WordStar is a trademark of MicroPro international Corporation. uerial
PMC Peripherals S495
QUALITY, DELIVERY AND SERVICE
Price $495 for 2
Compare printer specifications . . .
compare design reliability, repairability
or any other parameter! Our DMP-85 is
a true "work-alike" to C. Itoh 8510 or
NEC 8023 and offers many more fea-
tures than the MX-80FT at a lower
price. You need excellent printers and a
professional supplier. Come to PMC.
Price $495
Yes, our disk drive has a proven per- -
formance and an established reliability \
record. We specialize in single sided I
5 V4 inch single or double density drives <
featuring 5 ms stepping and 40 tracks e
with case and power supply. The case is c
color matched to IBM and PMC per--
sonal computers.
Price $495
IBM Selectrics or similar typewriters;
become 12 cps letter-quality printers at i
a quarter the cost of "daisy wheel""
printers. The ETF-80 coupled with ai
word processor becomes your personal I
typist accurately reproducing text atl
100 wpm. What a bzirgain, ETF-80 . . . .
CALL now for details.
PMC peripherals are designed for PMC, IBM, Apple, Radio Shack or other fine per-
sonal computers. We don't advertise our unprintable dealer /distributor prices but if
you call or write youll find we don't meet the competition ... we make it!
Dltff/^ Personal Micro Computers, Inc.
M 1~M^^ 475 Ellis Street, Mountain View, CA 94043 (415) 962-0220
Coming Up
\dvertiser Index
DVERTISER PAGE
dvanced Operating Systems 43
mdek Corp 65
pparat, Inc 74
pplied Software Technology' 34
ST Research 107
itstream Inc 115
obert J. Brady Company 130
alifornia Micro Computer 129
hrislin Industries 82
ompuCart 93
ompuServe 28
omputer Case Company 129
omputer Control Systems 127
omputerized Management Systems 34
omputer Systems Design 121
omputer Trader 129
RC Personal Computer Products 123
TI, CompuThink 19
ataMac Ill
[avong Systems 103
I.e. Electronic Developments 124
ligital Marketing 14
digital Research 5
^sy Data Systems 98
ectroHome 29
ectronic Specialists 121
scon Products 63
XO Systems 7
antasia Systems 94
agstaff Engineering 94
& G Engineering 98-99
oward Sams 33
3M Inside Front
R Future Soft 64
letik Corp 41
inovative Computer Products 92
inovative Software 4
inovative Software Applications .... 92
iterface, Inc 113
itermedia Systems 86
iternational Software Alliance 10
iternational Software Marketing ... 53
itersell 42
eller Software 81
raft Systems 80
aboratory Microsystems 128, 115
eading Edge Products Inside Back
>C/APRIL— MAY 1982
ADVERTISER PAGE
Lifeboat Associates 18, 132
Lifetree Software 35
MMIS 123
Macrolink 84
Maynard Electronics 122
Microcorp 32
The Microperipheral Corp 94
Microsoft, Inc 1
Microsystems 134, 115
Moonware Co 87
Network Consulting 57
NH3 Computer Accessories 129
Omric 90
Owl Software Corp 38
PC Logic Systems 87
Personal Micro Computers 142
Personna 79
Quadram Corp 39
Quala 83
Quantum Software 62
Santa Clara Systems 52
Seattle Computer 20
Select Info Systems 133
Sigma Designs 47
Software Laboratories 97
Software Masters 102
Sorcim 72, 73
Stoneware 88
Sysco Software 123
Systemics 34
Tall Tree Software 90
TCI Software 130
Tecmar Back Cover
TexaSoft 94
Veritas Technology 115
VisiCorp 13
V.R. Data 88
Xedex 140-141
CORRECTIONS
In the previous issue's Advertisers Index, the ad-
vertisement of G&G Engineering, on pp. 70-71,
was incorrectly identified as that of Codbout Co.
The previous issue's excerpt of Don't by Rodnay
Zaks. beginning on p. 72. should have been identi-
fied as Copyright ^ 1981. Sybex.
PC regrets the error and omission.
CP/M's Creator
PC interviews Can,' Kildall,
creator of the CP/M
operating system, to find out
what the future holds for
this software family on the
IBM Personal Computer.
PCs In The Classroom
National University, in San
Diego, is using PCs by the
truckload to acquaint
students with the power of
personal computers. We visit
to see how.
At Ttie Faire
For the past five years, the
West Coast Computer Faire
has been one of the seminal
rites of the personal
computer world. PC reports
on the IBM PC's impact at
the 1982 Faire.
"Letter Quality" Printers]
When dot-matrix [irinting
isn't good enough, you may
want one of these. PC
surveys what's available and
helps interpret the choices.
Plus . . .
An evaluation of the PC
keyboard in Taking The
Measure, Part 3 ... a PC
profile, product reports, and
plent%' more . . .
opyr^ftsd materi
ex+ra tint
COLOR DISPLAY V:> MATCH
for-
A SIMPt£ BUTToNy
UKB ON tAoSr OTHER
TO Dl5eN^6£ FROM
720 X 350
R£SOLUT/ON
(>£j.320x 2 00),..
BUILT in I28K
PISPLAY MEMORV
f6« FULL /6-a)LcA
CHOKE oNEflcHOCjr.,.
THf5 WOULD
FINP A
MARKET AMOVCr
AND PRofTS^foNAL
•Frank /^.Wood
N«wKai/, Calif.
^^^^
KCyBOARI
TBLLTALEi
LIGHTS OhI
KEYBOARD
To li^DICATf
STATUS OF
-P/ana Hcrroi
5ah Vi&^^Cd
RIGHT AM6LE FRimER Ptu6
UNLC55 IBM PRINTER 15 PirT
fULU FoRWAfU> Ofl PgHHTER STf\HD,
PAPER SCRAPES THf CAStE .
8I6HT AN6LE CABLE IVoULD
SOUe PROBLEM.
PC invites readers to contribute Wlsti List Ideas tor publication Any product, service or design idea you'd like to see for IBM Personal Computers Is
appropriate ideas selected for publication will be illustrated by PCs artist it needed, PC will pay S25 for ttie featured Wisti List idea in eacti
issue, S 10 tor others published All ideas published will be credited to the submitter and become the property of PC In case of duplicate submissions, any
award will go to the earliest postmark Send a description or sketch of your idea to Wish List. PC, 1528 Irving Street. San Francisco. California 94122
Sorry, we can't discuss the Wish List feature by telephone
144
PC /APRIL-MAY 198:
•NEVER'
FORGETS'
MORE THANJUSTAINnHER PREm FHGE
Says who? Says ANSI.
Specifically, subcommittee X3B8 of the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) soys so. The fact
s all Elephant'*^ floppies meet or exceed the specs
9 equired to meet or exceed all their standards.
But just who is "subcommittee X3B8" to issue such
loronouncements?
They're a group of people representing a large,
well-balanced cross section of disciplines— from
)Dcademia, government agencies, and the computer
mdustry. People from places like IBM, Hewlett-Packard,
\8M, Lawrence Livermore Labs, The U.S. Department
lof Defense, Honeywell and The Association of Com-
louter Programmers and Analysts. In short, it's a bunch
lof high-caliber nitpickers whose mission, it seems, in
lorder to moke better disks for consumers, is also to
make life miserable for everyone in the disk-making
business.
How? By gathering together periodically (often,
one suspects, under the full moon) to concoct more
and more rules to increase the quality of flexible
disks. Their most recent rule book runs over 20 single-
spaced pages— listing, and insisting upon— hundreds
upon hundreds of standards a disk must meet in
order to be blessed by ANSI. (And thereby be token
seriously by people who take disks seriously.)
In fact, if you'd like a copy of this formidable docu-
ment, for free, just let us know and we'll send you
one. Because once you know what it takes to moke
an Elephant for ANSI . . .
We think you'll want us to make some Elephants
for you.
BfflUNT. HEWY DUTY MSNS.
Distributed Exclusively by Leading Edge Products, Inc., 225 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Coll: toll-free 1-800-343-6833; or in Massachusetts call collect (617) 828-8150. Telex 951-624.
Copyrighted material
The IBM Personal Computer
Personal, Professional, Technical — or somewhere in between
PC-MATE^" makes the IBM Personal Computer a perfect match
P( -M \IK - from TK(M.\R is the first and only complete
expansion series available for the IBM Personal
C omputer. There arc currently more than twenty P( -
M A I K " expansion options available, and new products
are continuously added to the list.
When you want more from your IBM Personal
( omputer. took to PC -MATK.'".
Vou can create a SI PFR PFRSONAI COMPl TFR
with household lights and appliance control, voice
output, and give it more memory than any ordinary
personal can handle.
Ot make it a PROFIT ABI F PROFFSSION A I
SVSTFM with expansion space and a \Mnchester disk to
handle more business accounts. Increase memory up to
the system limit and process those accounts faster. Add
flexible I/O interfaces and put yourself <m line to outside
information sources.
As an IMFI I I(;FNT I ABORATORV TOOI with
interfaces to IFFF 488 instrumenlalion, analog signals,
stepper motors and video signals, your IBM Pers<mal
( omputer becomes the perfect workbench assistant.
Hardware. Software. Accessories — P( -xiM K " provides
the highest quality and the greatest possible range of
functionality for the IBM user.
Ask your local computer store for more information on
the P(-MAri'" series from TF(MAR. or call for the
name of your nearest authorized P( -MA I K - dealer.
P( -M MK - FXPANSION OPTIONS
Personal ( omputer Fxpansion ( hassis (see photo)
I92K and 256K Dynamic Memory with Parity
Winchester Disk Drive and ( ontrt)ller
Parallel Medium Speed Input /Output Interface
Serial Medium Speed Input/ Output Interface
Parallel High Speed Input/Output Interface
Serial High Speed Input/Output Interface
Analog to Digital ( onverter - 8. 12. 14. 16 Bit
Dust ( over Set for IBM P( and Peripherals
High Speed Static Memory (RAM/ROM)
Digital to Analog ( onverter - 8 and 12 Bit
Multi-System Printer Sharing Facility
(MOS Memory with Battery Backup
Svstem ( lock with Battery Backup
Flectrically Frasable FPROM
BSR \-I() Device ( ontroller
Stepping Motor ( ontroller
W > idco Image Digitizer
IFFF 488 Interface
H ^^^H Prototyping Board
iimH Synthesizer
^1 -ESmB Noice Synthesizer
H Fxtender Board
One ^ ear U arranty
Additional products
are already under
development, so if
we don't ha>c what
> ou need, chances
are good that we
soon will.
Tficmar InCt
PERSONAL COMPUTER PRODUCTS DIVISION
^Mfi l3g[?9GM!l 5^=- Cleveland, OH 44122 (216)464-7410
(216)
1
■
The Independent Guide to
IBM Personal Computers
Volume 1, Number 3
$3.00
GARY KILDALL
The Man Who Created CP/M
IBM Announces
CP/M-86
WordStar Released
Baby Blue, Using
Data Files, FORTH,
Hundreds of New
Products
PLUS: Adam Osborne
& David Bunnell tell you how
NOT to buy a Micro
IBM OWNERS ARE DISCOVERING
WHAT OVER IQOOO APPLE OWNERS
ALREADY KNOW
Chances are you don't truly realize how helpful
your computer can be in managing your family
finances.
The key is selecting the right software.
That's why you should know about a program
that's become the runaway best seller among
Apple owners* — the Home Accountant '" from
Continental Software.
ADDED POWER FOR IBM USERS.
Home Accountant Plus for the IBM Personal
Computer has all the power and ease of operation
that made the Apple version such a success.
But it includes a brand new Forecasting Module
that gives you a peek at the future. You can
evaluate various investment strategies —or let the
program show the way to your financial goals.
Of course, you get all the great features of
Home Accountant. Like room for up to 100
budget categories, 5 different checking ac-
counts, and all the credit cards you can carry
Automatic printing of your net worth and
standard financial statements — plus checks a:
any custom reports that you specify. Also, fi
color graphs" of actual vs. budgeted expen-
ditures, trend line analysis, and more.
READY TO GO TO WORK FOR
YOU-TODAY.
Sooner or later, you're going to want your
computer's help with your personal finances.
Over 10,000 users have already found th
ideal answer. Now it's your turn.
Home Accountant Plus
Continental
Software
oil or wntc us for your nrami tlralrr Cnntinrnral Sofrwarr. \\22^ Hindry. to* Anjtcln. CA 9004) (2)4) A]f'HO\\ *IUtcd No. I in home software packages. Softalk majtmnc <M«rrK-Jun«
I9H2}. tRrquirn 6 tk. I disk Jrtvc and mono or tolur display Printer oprional Apple is ■ registered trademark of Apple 0>mputer Inc IBM is a reft'stcrrJ trademark ul IBM.
DISK DRIWE
ilkiiiliiiiiiiiiiiliii
Microsofr^ RAMCard'vfith RAMDrive
takes the vriiir, click and wait
outoftlieiBMPC
Solid State Disk. When you add the Microsoft"
RAMCard to your IBM® Personal Computer, you
also add RAMDrive, which lets you use
nriemory as you would normally use a
disk. That gives you "disk access"
that's typically 50X faster than
disk. Without the whirring,
clicking and waiting of mech-
anical data access.
Fast and easy. You simply
designate a portion of
memory as "disk." RAMDrive
takes it from there, instructing
the program to go to RAM rather
than disk whenever data access is
needed. The result is faster, smoother,
no-wait computing.
64K to 256K. You can start small, but think big.
Start with 64K and add Microsoft RAMChips™
in 64K blocks. Or, buy the full 256K now. Either way,
you get both RAM and "disk" capabilities. All in a
single slot.
A complete subsystem. The RAMCard package
comes complete with the memory board (64K,
IBM IS a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp.
Microsoft. RAMChips. RAMCard. and RAMDrive. are trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
''•^128K, 192K or 256K), documenta-
ry tion, a diskette which adds
RAMDrive and, a full one year
warranty.
More tools for IBM. Microsoft
wrote PC-DOS, the standard operat-
ing system for the IBM Personal
Computer And Microsoft is first in
providing a full range of languages,
applications programs and utilities
for the IBM PC. The addition of RAMCard
with RAMDrive is our way of saying that
Microsoft will continue to offer more and
better supported tools for the IBM PC.
See for yourself. Ask your Microsoft or
IBM PC dealer for a demonstration of both
main memory and disk features of the Microsoft
RAMCard with RAMDrive. It's solid state memory
you can also use like a disk. And it takes the whir,
click and wait out of the IBM PC.
BETTER TOOLS FOR MICROCOMPUTERS
Microsoft Corporation H
V 10700 Northup W&v ^ V
Bellevue. WA 98004
CC!
Keeping up
with modem tim<
Roller skates can gain you a little speed.
But they can't help with the unprecedented
pressures, problems and paperwork of this
information age.
That kind of challenge calls for a
special solution — a tool for modern times:
the IBM Personal Computer.
Getting things accomplished.
The most-often-asked questions about
this tool are: how easy is it to use, and just
what do I use it for?
The first question is simple to answer,
because the IBM Personal Computer is
surprisingly simple to learn.
The second question has no single
answer, however. Because the uses for the
IBM Personal Computer are as varied as your
W needs — as limitless as your imagination.
Storing form letters at the office, for
example. Attendance records at school. Or
tax records at home.
Keeping track of accounts receivable.
Or when you last paid the orthodontist.
Completing sales reports as easily as
your kids can revise and print book reports.
Or teaching students "dry" subjects in
game form (while they learn there's more to
computers than intergalactic battles).
Plan on it.
Keeping up with modern times is
tough enough. But intelligent planning
is key. What if interest rates plummet?
What if property taxes soar?
What's the latest stock W
report? What's the Aspen ?
ski report?
With an IBM Personal Computer, and
an expanding library of software, you can
forecast. Plan ahead. Test contingencies. Tap
information networks that bring the world
into your lab.\bur office, "feur classroom
and your living room.
What's in store?
So to keep up with modern times,
visit your authorized IBM Personal
Computer dealer today.
Ask what programs are available now.
Get a demonstration.
r
IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS
1
User Memory
16K-2%Kb\tcs*
Microprocessor
16-bii,8088*
Auxiliary Memory
2 (jptional inierriLi]
diskette driws,
SH", I60Kb«es
per diskette
Keyboard
83 kt-\>, 6 ft cord
aiuichfs ti)
s^Mem unit '
lOfiinaion kev's*
10-kf>' numeiic pad
Taaik- feedback
Diagnostics
P(TfterH)n self lesiinx*
Parit\ checking*
Permanent Memory
(ROM)40Kb«es*
Display Screen
High-res4)lution*
80 characters x 29 lines Color/Graphics
L'pper and li»er c~ase Text mode:
Green phosphor screen' 16 colors*
Operating Systems
DOS, ICSD p-SN-slem.
CP/M-86*
Languages
BASIC, Pascal, FORTRAN,
MACRO Assembler,
COBOL
Printer
Bidirectional *
80 characters/sc-cond
12 character sta les, up lo
132 characners/line*
9x9 character matrix *
256 charattcTS and
symbols in ROM*
Cnfjhics mode.
4-color resolution;
320h X 200v*
Black & ntilie resolution:
640h X 20Oi *
Simultaneous graphics &
text capability-
Communications
RS-232C interface
Asynchronous (stan/stop)
pnxix:ol
Up to 9600 biLs per seaind
I ^\ WANcjp_FE/nm reRso^^cmiPUTERs |
And be sure to check the hardware
features that set this personal computer
apart, (Bring the box above to simplify
comparison shopping.) "^u'll find that the
quality, power and performance are what
you'd expect from IBM. The price isn't.
For a store near you (or for information
J from IBM about quantity
I purchases) call (800)447-4700.
In Illinois, (800) 322-4400.
In Alaska or Hawaii,
(800) 447-0890. t^^^*
The IBM Personal Computer
A tool for modem times
tUCSD p-System is a trademark ol the Rej;ents of ihc University of California. CP/M-86 is a trademark of Digital Research, inc.
The Independent Guide to
IBM Personal Computers
In This Issue
O PERATING SYSTEMS
CP/M's Creator/David Bunnell and
Jim Edlin 32
A PC exclusive interview with
Digital Research's Gar\' Kildall
abtiut CP/M-86, concurrent
CP/M and other developments
important to IBM PC users.
CP/M Arrives/Jim Edlin 43
IBM releases CP/M-86 for the
personal computer.
Baby Blue/Lawrence ]. Magid 48
CP/M-80 plug-in module from
XEDEX— Does it open up the
CPM toy box for the IBM Personal
Computer?
PC DOS Wins One/Hal Glatzer 54
Minicomputer programs
converted for IBM PC.
EVENTS
At The Faire/Hal Glatzer 56
The biggest personal computer
event ever and there were IBM
Personal Computers and related
products at ever\ turn.
NETWORK TUTORIAL
Discovering The Source/Stuart R.
Schwartz and Ellen Wilson 67
An introduction to telecomputing
for the computer novice.
MARKETPLACE
PC PLAYPEN
Used Apples/Lawrence I. Magid ... 72
Want to upgrade to the 16-bit
world? Tips on trading vour Apple
for IBM PC.
COMMUNICATIONS
Making Your Link/Clifford Barney . 83
How to get your PC
communicating with networks,
information utilities, data banks
and other computers.
Three Communications Go-
Togethers/Richard Steck 85
Using the Hayes Smartmodem
could be a ver\' smart move, and
here's why.
PROGRAMMING
Using Data Files/B. Boasso 91
Build your own with BASIC— it's
easier than you might think.
Easy-As-Pie Charts/Lon Poole 97
More on PC graphics power and
how you can access it.
PChallenge/Karl Koessel 108
Exciting video game with program
listing.
The Arcade Opens/Les Cowan Ill 1
Review of newly released PC
games.
(See page 72i
PRODUCT REPORTS
Speech Master, VisiSeries, WordStar
and Double-Sided Disks 125 t
SOFTWARE
Going FORTH/Eric Raymond 133 t
A different kind of programming
language.
4
PC MAGAZINES
AGE OF ALTAIR
COLUMNS
Solder to the Right of Them, Solder
to the Left of Them/David Bunnell
and Eddie Currie 175
Part III reveals the horrors of
computer-kit building.
19
22
203
BOOK EXCERPT
How Not to Choose a
Microcomputer/ Adam Osborne and
David Bunnell 178
Mr. Fogart>' enters the Computer
Age.
EDUCATION
Revealing the Poet's Tools/Dr.
Edmund Skellings 192
Teaching poetn,' on a PC — a
surprisingly colorful endea\'or.
(See page 159)
David Bunnell
For ten minutes PC was free.
2^ro Base Thinking/)im Edlin ..
Applying PC Power
PCounsel/K. Stewart Evans. Jr.
Discusses software licensing.
DEPARTMENTS
Letters to PC 9
PCommuniques 27
Communications Briefs 80
Marketplace 118
Oak Computer Furniture. Disk
Emulator, Hard Disks, New
Software, and More.
Book Briefs/Les Cowan 142
Club News/Kathleen Burton 145
User-to-User/ Andrew Fluegelman 151
Discov eries and questions shared.
Directories 167
Advertiser Index 206
Wish List 208
COVER
Concept— Jacqueline Poitier
Design— Linda Harrison
Painting— Linda Schaub-Nace
PERSONAL SERIES
The integrated
Personal Financial System
for \ise on the
IBM Personal Computer.
Imagine that come tax time you press a key on your per-
sonal computer, and out comes a statement listing your
soles tax expenditures, interest expenses, real estate
taxes, personal business expenses, and everything else
you need to prepare your tax return or determine pre-end-
ot-year tax strategy. Need detail for an audit? It's there at
the touch of a key.
The Financier system is a complete, integrated,
computer-aided system for organizing financial records
for use by people without backgrounds in computers or
accounting. The Financier uses state-of-the-art data base
techniques for efficiently storing information you give it
and for instantly producing reports on bank accoxmt
activities, budgets, investments, taxes, personal property,
insurance, and more. It was specifically designed by a
team consisting of a tax and investment expert, an
accountant, and data base experts. It was designed to be
truly easy to leam, and to give you the maximal amount
of useful information while requiring a minimum of effort
on your part
The Financier is not a bunch of disjointed computer
programs that merely duplicate manual operations. The
Financier is a financial plarming and record keeping
system more powerful, more flexible, and more conve-
nient than most business record keeping systems, but de-
signed for personal and professional use. $ 180
CREDIT CARDS
PROPERTY
INVENTORIES
BANK
ACCOUNTS
(PERSONAL SERIES)
DETAILED
TAX
RECORDS
BUDGETS
NET WORTH
FtNANCIER INC.
1 1 Flanders Road
Westboro. MA 01581
(617) 366-0950
Coining Summer '82:
FINANCIEB mVESTOB SERIES (Interfaces with Personal Series)
FINANCIES INVESTMENT PSOFESSIONAL SEKIES
DAVID BUNNELL
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
LAWRENCE J. MAGID
Editor
Associate Editors: leremey Joan Hewes.
Andrew Fluegelman
Contributing Editors: Dr. Eddie Currie. Hal
Glalzer. Dr. Rebecca Thomas, Carl Warren,
lean Yates
Communications Editor: Clifford Barney
Programming Editor: Karl Koessel
Staff Writer: Kathleen Burton
Founding Editor: |im Edlin
lACQUELINE POITIER
Production Manager
Copy Editor: Evelyn Spire
Production Assistants: Mary Newels,
Niki Stranz
BRIAN DESSIN DAY
Design Director
Production Artists: Suzanne Anderson,
Mick Wiggins
Illustrators: Suzanne Anderson, Mick
Wiggins, jack Desrocher. Marc Ericksen.
Linda Harrison, jim Ludkte. Don Nace.
Linda Nace. Stuart Vinadhara
Photographers: Dennis Bettencourt.
lacqueline Poitier
CHERYL WOODARD
Associate Publisher & Director of Marketing
Advertising Sales: j. Mark Doss
Sales Representative: Shirley M. Harrison
Administrative Assistant: Noreen Giannini
SHERI L, BROWNE
Director of Administration
Administrative Assistant: Sarah Cox
PC Helpers: jennifer Poitier, Mara Bunnell.
Aaron Bunnell. Elijah Harrison. Donavan
Henderson
I I.SSM .i|>|)lii*(l (orl Piiljlislied bimonthly by Soflwdre Comniu-
nictilions. Inc
Editorial and Buiinett Office: 152B Irvinx Slreet. San Fran-
ciscii. Cilifornia 94122 1415/751-8(1881
CompuServe 70370.532 The Source ST0 938
Sulncripliont: Within USA— six issues for $14 50. twelve is-
sues for $27 Klscwhere— six issues tor $29. twelve issues for
$54; air deliver) (please remit US fundsl Please allow four
weeks for dellven, of your first issue
/'(; is an independent journal, not affiliated in any way with
International Business Machines Corporation. IBM is a rejjis-
liTed trademark of International Business Machines Corp.
Knlire contents Copyright rl982. Software Communications
Inr. AU ritihis reserved; repro<lucli(m in whole or in part
without permLvsion is prohibited The follovvin)i are trade-
marks of Software Communications Inc: PC. PC: The Inde-
pendent Guide III IBM Personal Computers. PC Guide, PCM,
Personal (Computer Guide. Home Computer Guide. Comput-
er Guide. PC-Lab. PCommuniques. PC Playpen. Praiecl PC,
U ish List.
Printed in the United States of America
6
PC MAGAZINE
''WIWIF.J'
Seldom is your first solution to a
problem the only one, or the one
that's necessarily best.
That's why our VisiCalc® pro-
gram is #1 in the business: the
most widely-used business program
ever for the personal computer.
I It's a powerful "electronic
worksheet" that takes the work out
of working with numbers. Whether
you are working with investments,
cash flow, inventory, estimates,
budgets, plans — neariy anything
numerical, the VisiCalc program will
help you work better, smarter,
faster.
And the VisiCalc program lets
you take full advantage of the IBM®
Personal Computer's memory ex-
! pansion capability. You can create
worksheets sbc times larger than
those possible at the 64K level. So
I you can solve even the biggest
01982VisiCoip
problems with our VisiCalc program
and your IBM Personal Computer.
In just seconds, the VisiCalc
program can calculate and display
the answers to involved problems
you could have spent hours doing by
hand.
Its speed and versatility make
it easy for you to explore more
alternatives. You can ask
"What if?"... just
change any number
in your problem
and instantly,
the VisiCalc
program recal-
culates all the
numbers and
displays the
impact of decisions before you make
them.
Ask your retail computer store
salesperson for a demonstration of
the VisiCalc program for your IBM
Personal Computer. Discover how
easy it is to take the work out of
working with numbers.
new results.
So you can
readily ana-
lyze the
I
VisiCalc FROM
VlSlCORP'
I^GET PlannerCalc™
Liicinmic gridsheet.
The first calc in
English.
Priced t(j get you into
the future in business
planning now, with
a pnKluct that gives you
somewhere to gn)w —
into the unique, fully
integiated gridsheet/
a)mmand file power of
TARGE r MasterPlanner."
for example.
Call (jr write for your
nearest dealer.
(And watch for our
next great deal to give
yourself a bigger TARGET.)
Comshare Target Software
19:i5 Cliff \klley Way
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
404/634-9535
Letters To PC
PC Sells a PC
I have been in the market for a good per-
sonal computer for several months, and
have beoi trying to digest file trochures and
articles describing the various products cur-
rently on Uie nuu-ket. Your magazine un-
equivocally sold me (HI the IBM Personal
Computer, better than any sales brochure
could or would. The interview with Bill
Gates and your section "Taking the Mea-
sure" were superb. It gave me a thorough in-
sight into the thought that went into the
design of (he computer and its software.
After reading your magazine, I went
right out and placed an order for the IBM
Panonal Compuler. and am now eagerly
awaiting deUveiy.
].L. Arps, President
Arps Petroleum Ckxnpeny
Bellevue, Washington
A Bet "On the Come^
Bravo, your first issue is outstanding. We
are, so to speak, babes in the wood as to com-
puter knowledge and found many wolves
out there in the marketplace. Through a
long, agonizing search, we decided to obtain
the IBM PC (because it is clearly the best
micro on the market) and leave ourselves
adrift without the software we really want-
ed, such as SuperCaic, WordStar, SpeilStor,
and MaiiMerge, gambling that Mm
CP/M-86 would be available soon enough
or that those items would be rewritten in
PC-DOS.
Arthur O. Carmichael, P.E.
Livonia, Michigan
Your "gamble" has paid off. This issue car-
ries reports on lots of new products, includ-
ing CP/M-66 and a pJug-in board that lets
you run WordStar and MaiiMerge.
Monochrome Mistake —
Two Views
"The Monochrome Mistake" (PC,
April-May, 1982) is very misleading in out-
lining the relative advantages of color vs.
monochrome displays. Color displays are
great, all else being equal. Unfortunately,
all else is not equal. There are good
reasons why "business" software general-
ly is not designed to use color displays on
the IBM PC or any other computer.
Obviously, color displays convey more
information, which, in computer terms,
means memory. For a monochrome dis-
play, each small dot forming a character is
either on or off. However, for a color dis-
play each dot also has some color attribute,
which uses more memory. Hie practical
result is that the characters produced by
IBM's color display have only about half
the number of dots available (64 vs 126) to
form a character as the monochrome dis-
play, and that means that color display
characters are harder to read.
Another problem related to how eas\' it
is to read the screen is the quality of the
video display Itself (TV or monitor). Color
• video is produced by scanning the surface
of the picture tube with three electron
beams, which must be perfectly aligned to
produce high resolution. Black and white,
with only one electron beam, lias no such
alignment problem. It is a feet that even a
ver\' expensive, studio-qualit\' color moni-
tor cannot match the resolving power of a
relatively inexpensive black and white
monitor.
For business applications, you need the
best display quality you can get. because
someone will have to look at it eight hours
a day. With present technology, it just is
not possible to equal the quality of a
monochrome display for any reasonable
amount of money, so I will continue to rec-
ommend against color for burineas appli>
cations. Compare them yourself— anyme
can see the difference.
Burks A. Smith
Datasmith Micro Software Systems
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
fim Ediin responds: Screen resolution is
a valid concern, but it's color graphics, not
color text, thot reolfy demands extra
memory. J use a color display fnot on a PC
yetj several hours a day for word-process-
ing and wouldn't trade boclc for the world.
Bravo for "The Monochrome Mistake"
(PC, April-May. 1982)! We at IDETIK
Corporation agree with Jim Edlin's point
of view. Color has a lot of potential and we
are one of the few manufacturers to cap-
italize on It We offer a board for the Per-
sonal Computer which has high resolu-
tion, 16 colors, and other features too
numerous to mention. Let's hear it one
more time for using the graphic potential
of the Personal Computer!
Huron Smith
IDETIK Corporation
Madison, Wisconsin
Minimal Configurations
Please don't sniff or look down on those
who own minimal configurations. My
5150 is a 32K s>'stem, and I am quite happy
with it. Not everyone can plunk down
$4,000+ for disk drives, printers, extra
memory, etc, at least not all at once.
Charles A. Miller
Atlanta. Georgia
PC is an equal opportunity mogodne. We
do not discriminate on the basis of mem-
ory, disk drives, or software origin.
Chip on Chips
Your "PC Production Guess" (PCora-
muniques, February-March, 1982) was an
embarrassment. A couple of electronic
trade magazbies have already disclosed
another IBM product which uses the Intel
8088. That information is months old, as a
matter of fact.
Disclosure of "maybe's" is warranted
when verification is impossible. However,
advertising ignorance not what a poten-
tially great periodical should be doing
in its infancy.
L Chip Getter
IBM Corporation
Tarrytown, New York
We don't knowingly advertise our igno-
rance. If you could give us the reai num-
ber, we wouldn't need to speeulote. How-
ever, we appreciate it when our readers
point out our goofs. ThanJcs.
Electronic Mail
This Is my first time on (CompuServe's)
Micronet, and I appreciate the fact that
you provided your user's number to write
IUNE/)ULY 1982
0
Letters
to. I jusl had to write my first electronic
miative to you.
Gary L. Jackson
Hermosa Beach. California
We like to practice what we preach.
CompuServe auivcriben can reach our
editors at 70270JS32 and Source mail con
be sent to STOMt
End-to-End Makeup
Tve had your PC about a month and
mine about a month, and I love thnm both.
I would like to add some positive rein-
forcement to something that I really ap-
preciated. Not one of your columns ended
with a "continued on page #." I could read
through your whole magazine without
having to flip back and forth 67 times.
Please keep up the good work.
limSchings
Canton, Michigan
Wie're pleased you noticed. PtAlisberscall
it "end-to-end makeup" and it sometimes
makes our lives a little more dijficult, but
we thinlc if s worth it Glad you agree.
Artide Ideas
A suggestion: No doubt among your
readers there will be more or less com-
plete neophytes who have elected to use
the IBM Personal Computer as their initial
machine for entry into the computer ex-
perience. For thoee who have not "worked
their way up" and acquired familiarity
with computers previously, using the IBM
and its documenlBtion may be like learn-
ing to fly in the Space Shuttle!
A helpful deptrtment might be "Learn-
ing to Use the Personal Computer" (or
some such title) in which various com-
mands, statements, and functions that are
available on the system would be ex-
plained in more detail than that in the
manufacturer's documentation and inter-
esting, illustrative programs presented in
which these capabilities are documented.
Albert R. Frederick, Jr., M.D.
Boston, Massachusetts
We haven't got a formal department title
yet. but articles of this type will be a staple
of our content Set Lon Poole'sartic[e(PC,
ApriJ-May, 1982) on "Using Color Graph-
ics" for starters.
IB.M's entr>- into personal computers
has been late. However, those of us who
anticipate significant progressive and in-
novative developments from them find
ourselves frustrated in not knowing what
plans lie ahead in terms of both hardware
and software. Companies other than IBM
have, or suggest, available materials
which are adaptable. I, for one, would be
willing to defer acquisition, knowing a
particular item was in the throes of devel-
opment. It would be my preferred choice
rather than adventuring into potentially
unexplored turf. Therefore, if IBM is
reluctant to formally publish its project
calendar, could PC interject one of its
own?
R.M. larrett
West Hollywood, California
IBM is understandably tight-Jipped about
its unreleased products. Our New On The
Market section contains information on
almost everything we know about, and
PCommuniques shares gossip, rumors,
and speculations.
Communication Correction
Clifford Barney's comment ("Commu-
nications Briefs. " PC, April-May, 1982)
that CompuServe's electronic mail is
"only slightly expensive" is misleading,
and certainly does not do justification to
CompuServe. First of all, CompuServe's
non-prime time rates ($5) start at 6 p.m. so
you have three hours during which they
are cheaper than the $7 mentioned there
for Telenet. The non-prime-time rate con-
tinues until 5 a.m. Those are the user's lo-
cal times. Secondly, there are "several"
bulletin boards by special interest groups
that provide "computer conferencing." as
defined on page 58 of the same issue of PC.
For example, MUSUS is a bulletin board
for members of the UCSD Pascal User's
Group to which I belong and regularly
conference with others. Another grouj) is
devoted to CP/M Operating System prob-
lems and interests. There are many other
features which I will not mention. "Hiere is
a one-time cost of $19.95.
Gene Gingerich
Santa Barbara. California
Boca Boo-Boo
I have just finished reading the sec-
ond issue of PC magazine, and you and
your staff can certainly be proud of the
magazine.
I know you were introduced to many
IBMers associated with the Personal
Computer when you visited us. However,
while David O'Connor is indeed an
"extremely bright and articulate fellow"
("Boca Diary, " PC, April-May, 1982) and
had responsibility for the architectural de>
sign of the Personal Computer, it was not
he who you met; it was David Bradley,
manager of Systems Architecture.
feannette A. Maher
Communications
IBM
Boca Ratm. Florida
My apologies to both Mr. O'Connor and
Mr. Bradley. DHB
No Computerese, Please
I originally purchased an IBM PC in re-
sponse to my young son's desire to have a
computer "like everybody else in the
neighborhood and school." He wanted an
Apple but I held out for a more traditional
name. His primary' interests were amuse-
ment, games, and just fun. After reading
your first issue, I realized there may be
some business application for me as well.
Our request of you: Please don't forget
that some of your readers are not computer
specialists, freaks, or even ver\- knowl-
edgeable in the world of RAM, ROM,
DOS. BITS, BYTES ad infinitum. Remem-
ber that some of us are civilians and need
to be patronized.
A. Dean Lynn
Tarzana, California
Request granted* We couldn't agree more
with your comments about "computerese."
PC iveJcomes letters from readers. Write
to. Letters, PC, 1528 Irving St., San Fran-
cisco. CA 84122. Letters published may be
edited.
10
PC MAGAZINE
Copyrighted material
TRUE CP/M FOR YOUR IBM
ilTROOUCING BYAD 0S1
More programs and faster
access available now!
Today with the BYAD DS1 plug-in
expansion circuit board, you can
increase the speed and productivity
of your IBM-PC.
More programs ' '
The BYAD DS1 allows you to
transform your system into a
CP/M computer giving access to
the largest existing software
library (CP/M version 2.2). Data
base Management, word process-
ing, business programs, and
literally thousands of CP/M ]
programs can be used
Faster • ' ' ' >
The DS1 board contains 64K
bytes ol parity RAM and a Z80B
microprocessor. The Dual Systems,
Z80 and IBM 8088, achieve
improved performance CP/M with
up to 30 times faster access
through interrupt driven full I/O
buffering. DS1 uses the 8088 as
an intelligent concurrent I/O
processor which performs keyboard
type-ahead buffering, printer
buffering, disk track and directory
buffering
Easy Operation I ' I
No learning curve or new
commands when using DS1. Utility
programs are provided for reading
various diskettes directly
moving files, and to link your IBM
with a serial port to any existing
CP/M system. An expanded
version. BYAD DS2. contains a
built-in serial port and includes
all features of 0S1 .
Cost Competitive '
Both BYAD DS1 and DS2
operate with a minimum 48K single
drive system. The DS1 costs only
$660 and the DS2 with serial
port, $760. A comprehensive
operating manual is available at
$40 and the cost will be applied
to the purchase of either a
DS1 or DS2.
Send check, money order or
call 312 539-4922 and give your
VISA or Master Card number for
quick delivery. j |
BYAD Inc.
5345 North Kedzie Avenue
Chicago. Illinois 60625
312 539-4922
Integrated Hardware and
Software Systems
I ^1
E S
*2 o ™ I
C.n lurinhlaH maloria'
CONCURRENT CP/M-86
LETSYOUROQMPUTER
DOMORETHAN
ONE THING llft,^
ATATIML ri-|£lir
Another productivity breai<th rough '
from the creators of CP/M.
If you have to wait impatiently for your microcomputir to
finish a job before moving on to another task, you ni t
Concurrent CP/M-86. Digital Research introduces
new software technology to increase the producti-
vity of 16-bit microcomputers, including IBM's
Personal Computer!
Using Concurrent CP/M-86, you can run several
programs simultaneously, switching instantly from
one program to another. For the first time you can
write text while printing other documents. For the
first time you can see directories without leaving
your application program. For the first time you
can edit programs while your computer compiles.
Concurrent CP/M-86 is the best investment you
can make in microcomputing, because it multiplies
the value of your hardware, it lets you use all the
CP/M-86 compatible programs, and if you're develo
ing software, it insures that you're on the crest of the
hottest new wave in the business.
As the chart shows, there's nothing else like Concurreni
CP/M-86 in the microcomputing world, and only Digita
Research offers it. For information, call or write Digital
Research inc., PO. Box 579, 160 Central Ave. Pacific
Grove, California 93950 (408) 649-3896.
Europe
Vector International
Research Park
B-3030 Leuven
Belgium
32 (16)20-24-96
Telex 26202 VECTOR
Far East
Microsoftware Associatcb
6 Floor A. Y. Building
3-2-2 Kitaaoyama,
Minato-ku
Tokyo 107, Japan
03-403-2120
Telex 2426875 MSA
ID
DIGITAL
RESEARCH
The creators of CP/M."
See us at NCC Booth #A507
^^^^
/////
Available on
IBM Personal Computer
Single-User with
Background Consoles
Real-Time Control
Password Protection
Time and Date Stamps
dIIH
Record and File Locking
Local Area
Network Support
Shipped with Editor,
Assembler and Debugger
1 Megabyte
Memory Management
Winchester Disk Support
CP/M File Compatible
ADDITION
FEATURES:
• 32 Megabyte File^apacity
• 512 MegaJ;»ffe Disk Capacity
• Rea\-fjf(f\e message passing nucleus esse
m*rffi-tasking, data communication
yu\a\ control applications.
• Supported by existing CP/
languages.
• Upward compatib
H^demark of Digital Research Inc
SntCF
fnt CP/M-86. and the Digital Research logo
Tf Digital Research Inc.
Is a trade name of International Business
'Corp.
'a trademark of Bell Latwratories.
'86 is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
'Copyrlgtit 1982 by Digital Research
If you use numbers to mak
fbrecastSg theie's
that has the poy\^ to do m
IBM Personal Con
siness assumptions or
electronic spreadslieet
for you i/vfien you use your
ten
TM
The IBM Personal Computer brings new power to personal computing. Most
software programs can't take advantage of that power. The SuperCalc™ program,
by Sorcim, is the exception.
The reason is SuperSheet™ which, unlike VisiCalc* and other spreadsheets,
allows you to make full use of the IBM Personal Computer's expanded memory.
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DAVID BUNNELL
For Ten Minutes PC Was Free
Feeling strongly that PC is
well worth its cover price. I
have resisted most sugges-
tions to give copies away— even
for promising promotional rea-
sons.
During the recent West Coast
Computer Faire, however, there
were a few frantic moments when,
for the sake of human safety, I had
to throw my magazine principles
into the wind.
For those who don't know, the
West Coast Faire, held annually in
San Francisco, is by definition a
consumer trade exhibit that fea-
tures microcomputers and all sorts
of microcomputer-related prod-
ucts. But it is also much more.
Located just north of Silicon
Valley, the heart of "microdom,"
the West Coast Computer Faire,
more than any other event I know
of, captures the spirit and points
the future direction of personal
computing. It is a happening in
which entrepreneurial upstarts
and the established vendors of
personal computing products are
deluged by hordes of hobbyists,
business people, professionals,
educators, students, and many
others representing ever\' sex,
race, and age.
During the three days of this
year's Computer Faire, some
40.000 people crammed down row
upon row of exhibits in two giant
exhibit halls, and filled to over-
flowing capacity the seminar rooms located on four floors.
PC magazine was there, of course. We rented a triple booth
from which, once we finally got them, we sold a ton of maga-
zines. Our Faire experience was one of woe and frustration
followed by moments of triumph. In other words, it was a typical
PC tale, the likes of which we've shared with our readers before.
Perhaps you've noticed that this issue of PC is perfect-bound
like a book instead of stapled together like the first two issues.
Herein is the clue to the problem.
PC has grown much faster than anticipated. We originally
thought our charter issue would be 48 pages, but it was 100. After
issue two (148 pages) was printed, our printer discovered that it
was too fat to be easily bound and stapled by his equipment.
Binding problems created an un-
foreseen delay in getting the issue
to the show, which caused the PC
staff to have heartburn for the first
day and a half of the Faire.
If you knew the details, you'd
understand why it was miraculous
that the magazines arrived about
12:30 a.m. on the second day of the
show (Saturdayl.
From that point on, the Faire
experience was much more grati-
fying. PC magazines sold as fast as
we could handle the transactions.
Saturday night PC had fun as
we toured the Computer Faire
Party Circuit (CFPC). Following a
few brief stops at wine and cheese
affairs in assorted hotel suites, we
hit a real winner— the Microsoft
party, held in an elegant Victorian
mansion. This event featured
plenty of fabulous food, a flowing
bar, and lots of old rooms to ex-
plore, to say nothing of a lively
crowd dotted with many of my old
microcomputer chums.
For the PC crew the real high-
light of the Faire came on Sun-
day—the final day— when we
held the PC drawing for our IBM
Personal Computer contest. First,
TILL MORE
people were crowded in.
Suddenly it looked to me BS if the we had the drawing announced
counter of our booth would ne1:l:„t
collapse and we would be crushed ^ent said that PC magazine at
1,1 1,' , 1 booth such and such would be giv-
by the resulting stampede. away an IBM Personal Com-
puter in 20 minutes.
Afterwards, more than one person said they wished they
could have seen a bird's-eye view of the resulting riot. The an-
nouncement, which was heard throughout the show, caused
thousands of people to stop dead in their tracks. Then they head-
ed for the PC booth.
Behind the counter of our booth was a contest drum into
which were stuffed the 50,000-plus entries of people who over
the course of the previous months had entered the "Win a PC"
contest. Twelve-year-old )ennifer Poitier was positioned to pull
out the winner.
Some people wanted to know if it was too late to sign up
(which, of course, it was). Crowds of people arrived at the booth
to see what was going on.
lUNE/IULY 1982
19
Cl
Still more people crowded in. Sudden-
ly it looked to me as if the counter of our
booth would collapse and we would be
crushed by the resulting stampede.
Needing to do something fast, I yelled
out, "For the next ten minutes, PC is free!"
The other PC people picked up the
clue, and as fast as possible we began
shoveling magazines into the hands and
over the heads of the crowd. This had the
desired effect of diverting attention and
keeping them from crushing in further.
The tumbler stopped and Jenny picked
the winner— Paul Hardiman from Mil-
waukee. Soon the throngs thinned out, al-
though activity at the booth was extremely
brisk for the rest of the afternoon. We
had survived the Computer Faire.
Due to PC's tremendous growth and
success, and the large amounts of material
we need to cover. PC Mogazine will be
publishing monthly, beginning with our
August '82 issue.
And beginning with this issue, PC
Magazine will be perfect bound, rather
than saddle-stitched. This will afford easi-
er reader access to special section titles
(printed on the spinel, and allow each is-
sue to be stored as a reference guide on
bookshelves.
PC is proud to announce that Brian
Dessin Day, PC's Design Director has won
the prestigious "Maggie" Award, given an-
nually by the Western Publications Asso-
ciation for excellence in magazine design.
Brian, who was tapped for his outstanding
work as Art Director for "Darkroom Pho-
tography" Magazine last year, says the
award was "totally unexpected." And.
"we intend to win one next year with PC",
he says.
Announcing the "What did one com-
puter say to another?" contest. Send me
your responses to this question. I will pub-
lish the best ones including author credit.
PC POWER will continue to grow and
grow. For an interesting definition of this
term, read Jim Edlin's column, which fol-
lows. Jim, who served as PC's founding
editor, has caught the software bug. He is
actively developing a low-cost .software
package which could have monumental
impact on the personal computing market.
Expect PC to keep up with these develop-
ments.
PC Power, by the way. is evidenced by
the flock of PC look-alikes, computers that
will read either PC DOS or C/PM-86 files.
Expect us to examine these developments
more closely in future issues.
Would you like to contribute to PC. as a
writer, or just as an interested informant?
Drop me a line or put a message on the
Source and we'll send you a PC Contribu-
tor s information pack.
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MAKE A CONTRIBUTION /
TO THE STATE OF THE ART AND WIN
A GRAPHICS GENERATOR
CONOGRAPHIC
COMPANY
May 28, 1982
Dear IBM PC Useri
At Conographic Company we are developing a
powerful graphics generator that will greatly
increase the capabilities of your computer.
Our plans include an innovative design, the most
advanced graphics technology, and modialar capa-
bility levels to accomodate the needs of the
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During OMT many years in the computer graphics
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capabilities you really want.
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prehensive response, one to the most imaginative
suggestion and one to the most practical idea.
Please let us hear from you by Jvly 15, 1982 since
we do wish to have our product in yo\ir hands as
soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Joseph Meshi
General Manager
2268 Golden Circle, Newport Beach, CA 92660/(714) 642-6778
I
ZERO-BASE THINKING/JIM EDLIN
PC Power
For computers too, anatomy is desti-
ny. What a computer can achieve
depends on how it is built.
Much of what has become convention-
al in computer programs was dictated by
limitations of yesterday's hardware. The
reasons are gone but the conventions sur-
vive because computer programmers are
comfortable with them.
Programs that don't dispense with out-
dated conventions make you work and
think harder than you need to. This is true
for all sorts of programs but is easily seen
in the case of word-processing. Take the
"insert" function found almost universally
in word-processing programs. The insert
function dates from a time before word-
processing was done on video screens: you
edited on paper with a terminal that slow-
ly clacked out copy. To insert something in
your text, you "played out" your text on
paper to the point at which you wanted to
make the insertion, shifted to "insert
mode," typed your addition, then
switched insert mode back off and played
out the text to the point of the next change.
The constraints of that hardware de-
sign also explain why deletion in word-
processing typically works forward in your
text rather than in the more intuitive back-
ward direction. On a system with an ink-
and-paper terminal, you would play out
text to the point of deletion, shift to delete
mode, delete as much material forward of
your working position as you wished, then
shift out of delete mode again. You
couldn't delete backward no matter how
logical that might seem, because what you
wanted to delete was already there in real
ink on your paper. The limitations of the
hardware demanded that you learn a new
layer of habit contrary to intuition.
Today, when the text in progress is in
ephemeral video instead of permanent
ink, there is no need to have a special in-
sert mode or a counter-intuitive deletion
procedure. You can simply "go" where
you want in your text and make the de-
sired change.
The next generation of systems could
have let you insert without a special mode.
Irc
ROGRAMS
that don't dispense
with outdated
conventions make
you work and think
harder than you
need to.
but they couldn't show you your revised
text in correct form as you changed it. You
had to use a "reform" function after
changes. The reason: These systems,
though they used video display, used it in
the form of terminals, which are devices
separate from the computers to which they
are attached. Even the fastest terminals
take 2V2 seconds or so to completely re-
write a full screen. Since people can type a
lot faster than that, a terminal screen could
never keep up with the changes. Comput-
ers such as the PC don't use terminals.
Their display is integral with the com-
puter's memor\' and can be completely
changed in l/30th of a second— so you can
see the form of your text adjust as you type
in changes. The widely used "reform"
function becomes a dinosaur.
Then there are functions such as
underlining and boldface type. Older
computers have to show you the presence
of such emphasis by displaying code sym-
bols around the emphasized text. The PC
can show you underlining and boldfacing
by doing so on the screen. Any word-
processing program that doesn't (most of
them so far) is guilty of wasting PC Power.
Worse are programs that screw up
through a failure to provide for PC Power.
IBM has designed keys that automatically
repeat the function as long as they are held
down. This is fine in normal typing, but it
can be disastrous when the keys are used
to command program functions and an ab-
sent-minded user holds one down while
lost in thought. You could easily end up in
limbo while your text file is saved on disk
20 times in a row. IBM lets programmers
switch repeat-action off or on key by key,
and any program which fails to do so at the
appropriate times is unworthy of PC Pow-
er. In the same way, programs should set
the state of the number/cursor keys via
software in anticipation of how a user will
need to employ them at given stages of the
program.
The PC Power list goes on for all types
of programs: function keys, large memon,-.
color and graphics, multifont printing .
Before you buy software, examine it
with care. If it attempts to foist anachro-
nisms like "reform" commands and "in-
sert" modes upon you, proclaim PC Power
to the marketplace by declining to buy it.
(Note that even IBM doesn't always honor
the power of its new machine— witness
the counterproductive "insert" key they
provide.) IBM Personal Computers com-
mand a premium over machines further
from the state of the art. If you have paid
this price, you owe it to yourself to insist on
software that justifies it. You owe it to
yourself to reject software that does not
exploit PC power.
22
PC MAGAZINE
Your IBM
|\ppUcatums J0
St)m()urYR)ILick
Ptt^ninimingthc IB^
Rrsonal Gxii puier: _
1ICSD
PASCAL
(A) YOUR IBM PERSONAL COMPUTE!
BASIC AND APPLICATIONS
David Cortes). 304 pp., paper $16.95* ISBN-0-03-061979-3
Intended to get the first-time user over the hurdle of the initial
introduction to the new machine. Provides a non-threatening,
"confidence-building" introduction to the Personal Computer and
to computing, basic language and softvt^are. (VisiCalc®, word
processing, etc.). An ideal introductory text to be used informally,
or in classroom or training situations. Focuses on central
programming concepts, emphasizing IBM's version of
MICROSOFT BASIC. AVAILABLE FALL '82
(B) PROGRAMMING THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER:
UCSD PASCAL
Seymour Pollack, 256 pp., paper $16.95*
"The Portable IBI^ PC Pascal!" Emphasizes the syntax of UCSD
Pascal and good program design. An ideal introductory text to be
used informally, or in classroom or training situations. Includes
full coverage of the system and its uses, basic and advanced UCSD
p-SystemTM functions. Easy to understand, user-oriented,
reinforces working knowledge and application.
AVAILABLE FALL '82
More To Come ...
In this exciting new "PC" series . . .This fall and early 1983!
PROGRAMIMING THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER: PASCAL
H*m Graham, paper $16.95'
PROGRAMMING THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER: UCSD p-SyttemTM
WITH FORTRAN 77
Robert Reu** • Thomaa Bugnltz, papar $1S.9S*
PROGRAMMING THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER: UCSD p-Sy«temTM
WITH PASCAL a FORTRAN 77
Saymour Pollack. Robart Routa, Thomaa Bugnllz, papar $16.M*
USING THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER: VISI-CALC«
Roban Crowlay, papar $19.(6*
USING THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER: MACRO-ASSEMBLER
Mark Franklin, papar $1(.9S'
USING THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER: SOUND
Jattray Poadtnar, papar $16.96*
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Neill Graham. 256 pp., paper $16.95* ISBN— 0-03-061911-4
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necessary. An ideal introductory text to be used informally, or in
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IBM Personal Computer, elements of BASIC and programming,
and various applications (text editor programs, program for
storing and retrieving information from random files, etc.).
AVAILABLE SUMMER '82
(D) PROGRAMMING THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER:
FORTRAN 77
Robert Rouse & Thomas Bugnltz, 304 pp.. paper $16.95* ISBN-O-03-062042-2
Examples, problems and exercises drawn from the sciences and
engineering teach the Fortran 77 language on the IBM personal
computer. An ideal introductory text to be used informally, or in
classroom or training situations Introductory and advanced
topics, with special emphasis on use of IBM's unique Fortran
Compiler. AVAILABLE SUMMER '82
PC WRITERS
Let Me Know Your Book/Software Ideas
Contact Brete Harrison, Editor
MAIL TODAY FOR 30 DAY FREE TRIAL
To: Deborah Mitera
Holt, Rineliart and Winston
383 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017
Indicate Book By Letter Code G A □
Send my order for Book(s) @$
Name
B □ C
. ea. Total $ _
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I 'Prices subject to change without notice: does not include applicable sales tax.
How to ma
work like
First, neatly cut out the "370" label.
Now, when nobody's looking, non-
chalantly tape it to your terminal, just under the
"IBM" as if it really belonged there.
Then wait for your chance and quickly
slip a dBASE II™ disk into
your main drive.
That's it.
Your IBM Personal
Computer is now ready to
run a relational database
system, the kind that IBM
put on their mainframes last year.
And you're ready with more data han-
dling power than you would have dreamed
possible before dBASE II.
You'll wonder how you managed without it.
You'll find that dBASE II, because it's a
relational database management system (DBMS),
starts where file handling programs leave off.
dBASE II handles multiple databases
and simplifies everything from accounting to
department staffing to monitoring rainfall on
the Upper Volta.
With a word or two, you CREATE data-
bases, APPEND new data instantly UPDATE,
MODIFY and REPLACE fields, records and
entire databases. Organize months worth of data
in minutes with the built-in REPORT. Do sub-
field and multi-field searches, then DISPLAY
some or all of the data for any condition you
want to apply.
And you've just begun to tap the power
of dBASE II.
Easy to look at, easy to use.
Input screens and output forms couldn't
be easier— just "paint" your format on the CRT
and what you see is what you'll get.
You can do automatic calculations on
fields, records and databases, accurate to 10 digil
And you can use dBASE II interactively
for answers right now. Or save your instruc-
tions, then repeat everythin g with two words:
DO Manhours, DO ProjectX, DO whatever
has to be done.
Use dBASE II to help make your choice:
If you've got a 96k IBM PC, send us
$700 and we'll send you a copy of dBASE II to
use free for 30 days.
your micro
minframe.
Instead of just poring over a manual, run
it and make sure that it does what you need done.
Then if you find it isn't right for you,
send it back and we'll return your money, no
questions asked.
But if you do that, you'll have to remove
that label. Because nothing short of a mainframe
works like dBASE II.
Call (213) 204-5570 today or drop by
your local computer store for the rest of the story.
AshtonTate, 9929 Jefferson Blvd.,
Culver City, CA 90230.
Ashton-Tate
©1982 AshtonTate
CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research
!
Personal computers
are full of promises.
MBA makes them
deliver.
The Context MBA is a remarkable new software
package that transforms the IBM personal computer
into a powerful management tool. C-MBA combines
spreadsheet, graphics, word processing, data base and
communications functions in one totally integrated
program.
C-MBA was developed specifically for managers,
not computer experts. Because it's easy to learn and
use, you can produce results in hours that used to
take days or even weeks.
Helps Managers Review, Analyze and
Report
Review Information: Tie into your company's
computer, a financial information service, electronic
mail network, or virtually any other computer system.
C-MBA saves information and lets you retrieve, exam-
ine, edit or print it with a tew keystrokes.
Analyze Alternatives: Use the electronic spread-
sheet to create realistic business models simply and
easily. With the drudgery removed you can work the
problem to the best solution instead of to the point of
exhaustion.
Report Results: Compose, edit and print reports,
letters and business graphs. Make revisions yourself,
faster than you can explain them to your secretary.
Because C-MBA is an integrated system, it's easy to
incorporate data from your spreadsheets in your text.
C-MBA Integrates Five Powerful
Functions
Modeling: Create a giant spreadsheet of figures
and text. Change one number and every effected fig-
ure is recalculated. Search or sort models to quickly
find the information you want.
Business Graphs: Build pie, high/low, bar, line,
area and scatter graphs of data in your spreadsheet
using simple graphing commands. Thanks to C-MBA's
unique design, graphs change automatically as you
update the spreadsheet.
Word Processing: C-MBA's executive word pro-
cessor makes concisely edited reports easy to prepare.
A few keystrokes let you automatically insert tables of
numbers or graphs from your spreadsheet anywhere
in your report.
Database: A vast electronic library makes storing
and finding information easy and natural.
Communications: C-MBA includes a data com-
munications and conversion function which allows
information from mainframe computers to be used in
your models or databases. You can even use C-MBA
for electronic mail.*
The C-MBA is sold only by selected computer
retailers who have completed special training courses
to help managers get the most from the program. And
C-MBA features exceptionally clear, highly detailed
documentation.
IBM is a trade mark of IBM. 'Version 1 of the C-MBA will not
include communications. Version 1 owners will receive a free
upgrade to version 2 which will include communications. The
MBA is currently available for the IBM Personal Computer and
requires two disk drives and 256k of memory. Versions for other
second generation personal computers are under development.
« COPYRIGHT 1982 CMS INC.
Context Management Systems
Management Software for Personal Computers
23864 Hawthorne Boulevard
Torrance, OA 90505
(213) 378-8277
Telex 181149 WEST LSA cu
PCommuniqrues
A compendium of facts, news, opinions, gossip, inside JL intelligence, speculation,
and forecasts about IBM Personal Computers.
No PC at OAC
At the national Office
1 Automation Conference (OAC)
! in San Francisco last April,
I IBM had a large and handsome
exhibit booth, but the Personal
I Computer was nowhere to be
I seen in it. How come, you may
wonder? After all, isn't the PC
I touted by many as IBM's first
crack at the elusive "office
work station?" (Xerox exhibited
its personal computer as a
candidate for thai role.) The
PC's banishment, one source
told PCommuniques. was
decreed by an unnamed
executive at IBM headquarters,
out of fear that the PC would
steal the show. This exec
reportedly worried that crowds
would flock around the PC if it
were exhibited, and thus give
short shrift to the more
expensive wares ("boat
anchors like the 8100,"
according to our source), which
IBM is selling far less quickly
than PCs. So, why no PC at
OAC? If our source is accurate,
Cinderella would have
understood perfectly.
Portable PC?
The computer pictured
above, which was a big draw at
the OAC, is not an IBM
product. It is the Compass
computer from Grid Systems
Corp.— an $8,200 portable
wonder with a flat, fold-down
display. It does, however, have
some interesting points in
common with the IBM PC.
Consider these: 8088 processor
with 8087 mathematics
coprocessor, 256K of memory,
and a display with 320 by 240
graphics resolution— no color,
though. (The Compass also
includes a 1,200 bps phone
connector, 256K of bubble
memory to take the place of
disk storage, and a bunch of
custom-developed software. It
is designed to connect via
networks to a variety of central
computers, which Grid Systems
also provides for its main data
storage.)
Graphics on
Monochrome;
OCR for Free
If you have both the
monochrome and color/
graphics display adapters for
your IBM Personal Computer,
you may already have
discovered that, though both
have identical 9-pin
connectors, the IBM
monochrome monitor remains
blank if plugged into the color/
graphics connector. It can,
however, be made to work with
the graphics card by wiring pin
7 of the monitor plug to the
center connector of the round,
composite-signal jack. See the
Option Insla/lalion Manual to
set the .switches inside the
system unit so both color and
monochrome adapters are
selected. The monochrome
display will show minor
distortions due to the different
video frequencies it is designed
for, and you won't get color, but
it's a usable stop-gap
arrangement.
Also, did you know your PC
has pattern recognition
software built into a part of the
operating system? It is used
when the color/graphics
adapter is set to graphics mode
and a BASIC program tries to
read text from the screen. A
built-in subroutine compares
the dot pattern of shapes on the
screen to the patterns stored
for generating characters on
the screen. This is the same
principle used in some optical
character recognition (OCR)
systems, and works fine as long
as you haven't drawn
something on top of the
characters you want to read
from the screen. (See page A-
61 of IBM's Technical
Reference Manuai for more
about this cute trick from the
folks at Microsoft.)
—Mark Dionne,
Solid Software,
Newton, Massachusetts
Semi-Hard
What good does 256K of
memor\' do your computer if
you don't have software
capable of using it? What good
does software capable of using
256K of memory do you if you
have only 64K in your
computer? Aha! That's the kind
of question that put Sears
together with Roebuck, Simon
with Garfunkel. and
strawberries with cream. Now
it has brought together Sorcim
Corporation, a publisher of
software, and Vista Computer
Company, a maker of memorv'
boards. The fruit of their union
is called "SuperCache" — a
packaged combo of 192K
memory expansion for the IBM
PC and a financial modeling
program that can fill up all
those extra cells. The proud
partners claim the $800
package price is less than the
two items would sell for
individually, and the buyer gets
to use the full potential of both
items right away.
(lUNE/JULY 1982
27
PCommuniques
From Boca to
Berkeley
Berkeley, (iiilifurniii is an
unlikely habitat fm an IBM
veteran of 22 ycais. but Paul
Chasen, recently nf Boca
Raton, has joined Information
Unlimited Sofiuiiic as its new
vice president for research and
development. Chasen. whose
work at IBM goes back to the
original 360 mainframe
computer, was instrumental in
IBM's acquisition and release
of vendor software for the PC.
Like a retired naval officer at
the helm of a tugboat. Chasen
will help the independent
software company ready its
new products for the IBM.
Apple, and other personal
computers.
Software Show-Biz
"Interactive .systi
Nelson. The it;()no(
published in the m
Conference. X'el.so:
sound effects, |>iii:
as much time as n'w
the movie director,
Nelson also .sug>;e.si
"attract mode," fur
Frontiers of a dif-
introduce notions a
Nelson had an opp
field, he may be in
techniques. "Cue tl
■m design is a branch of show business, specifically, moviemaking," says Ted
la.stic author of Computer Lib. a seminal anticipation of personal computing
id-1970s, expanded on this thought in a talk to the National Office Automation
1 encouraged designers of office software to think in terms of major visualizations,
. and continuity. He argued that making a program work right takes only a quarter
. ing it "the right feel" and proposed that a new kind of professional, analogous to
be an influential participant in the design of future business computer programs,
ed office software take some hints from arcade games such as Pac Man— having an
example, to get potential users acquainted with its features,
cipliiu- are often expanded when people from other disciplines move into it and
ml techniques from their original fields. As the son of two Hollywood professionals,
')rtniiit\ to absorb the craft of moviemaking. Having chosen computers as his own
a good position to understand the value of translating over those show-biz
le cursor. Lights, camera— compute."
Drop
in Price
?
Before "PC" stood for
"Personal Computer" in the
IBM world it stood for "plug-
compatible"— a phrase
describing other
manufacturers' equivalents that
would plug in to replace
elements of IBM systems.
Thomas Hong is a veteran of
that earlier p-c business. Now
he forecasts that phenomena
he saw in the original IBM-
plug-compatible industry will
happen again with companies
that make p-c's for today's PCs.
Hong, president of Davong
Systems, which makes PC
memory add-ons and hard-disk
storage systems says, "In the
beginning, prices were high. A
lot of companies went in
without understanding what
they were getting into. Then
IBM cut prices on products the
plug-compatible equipment
was designed to replace. Prices
dropped, profit margins
eroded, and a lot of companies
went out of business."
To avoid that scenario. Hong
says his company will set low
prices to begin with, which he
says he can do because Davong
is well financed and can order
in volume to get discounts from
suppliers. His not entirely
disinterested advice to smaller
companies that want to make
PC plug-ins: "Slay away from
the commodity markets like
memory boards— slick with
more specialized markets."
Hong's advice to buyers: "Be
prepared for prices to fall."
28
!
PC MAG.\ZINI
Whither Modular
Video?
Ever wondered how come
the IBM PC's screen display
circuitry- is designed as a plug-
in card rather than built right
into the basic design? The
ability to respond flexibly to
marketplace developments
seems like one good
explanation. For example, note
the elaborate display of the
new Concept computer from
Corvus Systems, Inc.. which
the company modestly
describes as "the next
generation in personal
computers." You can flip the
Concept's display 90 degrees
from vertical to horizontal;
when vertical it can display 72
lines of 90 characters: when
horizontal, it will show 56 lines
of 120 characters. It s the
equivalent of about three PC
grai)hics displays stacked
together (720- by 560-point
resolution). As with the PC's
graphics adapter, text and
pictures can be mixed .
Corvus sells the basic unit for
S4.')'J5.
F^nrms m high technology
■•■ creating a personll
computer industry that will
outsell the auto industry
'v\'ill llii.s ),iz/.\ (iispi.iy miikf
your PC obsolete? Not hardly.
Courtesy of the modular
display adapter, if Corvus's
design proves a hit, then either
IBN^ or other companies could
produce a plug-in equivalent
for the PC. All the rest of your
system stays intact and the
upgrade is eas>' as pie— the
memorj' space for such a dense
display is already designed into
vour PC.
Street ,.„rn.l.
■ \pril 22. tmi2
No-Cigar
Department
Previously in these pages we
quoted someone's assertion
that the PC is the only IBM
product to use the Intel 8088
microprocessor. "What a
mistake." wrote one reader. He
told us w'e were "flagrantly
incorrect" because the IBM
Displaywriter word-processor
also uses the 8088. To this
individual we award neither
$50 nor a cigar; as we
understand it. the Display-
writer uses the 8086 processor.
Close, as they say, but...
This department will
surrender its own stogie to the
repo man on account of a bona
fide erroneous report. We
misstated (PC. February-
March, 1982) the terms of the
discount offered IBM
employees buying PCs.
According to a price sheet
we've been sent, the average
employee discount on
hardware is about one-third off
retail (such as $1,517 for a 48K.
1-drive system unit listing at
32.325). Software discounts run
about 45 percent (such as $91
for the $175-list KasyU'riler
program). One system per
immediate family member is
allowed at these prices, with 12
percent, two-year financing
through payroll deduction.
PComniuniques (Februar>'-
March.1982) reported that
software authors who are IBM
employees can sell their wares
only through Big Blue.
An IBM employee who
prefers to remain anonymous
suggests another way for fellow
employees to sell their
programs. Staffers can submit
programs to Science Research
Associates (SRA) of Chicago.
Illinois. SRA, an IBM
subsidiary', is looking for
educational software.
Timely Sign
When IBM gave them its
blessing, personal computers
gained a new aura of
legitimacy'. But now they have
been implicitly endorsed by an
even more significant arbiter of
public acceptance. Time
magazine. With its May 3 issue.
Time inaugurated a continuing
section entitled "Computers."
We assume it is the
personalization of computers
that is making them of regular
interest to 'I'ime readers. For
the sake of symmetry. PC
briefly considered adding a
section called "Time"— but
that's always in short supply
around here.
IBM Announces
Changes To
Software
Submission Plan
IBM has announced new
terms and a submission
procedure for programs.
Effective immediately under
the new plan, dollar royalty
ceilings have been eliminated.
Royalty terms— percentages,
advances, and duration of
payment— will be individually
determined for each accepted
program and documentation.
Software submission is a new
two-step procedure. A single-
simplified agreement is signed
before submitting a program to
IBM. Thereafter, a separate
software contract will be
offered when a program is
found acceptable by IBM.
Software submission packets,
containing an explanation of
the revised Software
Submission Plan, copies of the
new Software Submission
Agreement, and guidelines to
assist authors, will be available
from IBM, External
Submissions Department 765
PC, Armonk, NY 10504.
Authors who currently have
software under evaluation may
choose, upon IBM finding it
acceptable, between the
previous and revised Software
Contract.
Xerox Monk
Stephen Kennedy, a soon-to-
be-graduate of UC Berkeley,
suggests a new term for the
computer enthusiast. If a
'grease monkey' is an
accomplished mechanic, then
what do we call those who
work with computers? Stephen
flashed on the famous Xerox
monk, and. like a miracle, the
term came to him— "CHIP-
MONK "
lUNE/IULY 1982
29
PCommuniques
"Word processing is like a
m and they come out cleaned
A Visi-tor Speaks
Getting past the imitation-
equals-flatten,' chestnut, how
do the folks at V'isiCorp feel
about the many "VisiCiones"—
23 by one count — that their
VisiCak spreadsheet program
has spawned? Rich Melmon.
director of product marketing
for the company, fielded that
question among others during a
recent visit to the PC offices.
"VisiCalc is a two-year-old
product." said Melmon. "It's
easy for people to see what's
needed to add to it After
selling more than 200,000
copies, it's easier still for us."
The imitators tend to look at
the problem in too narrow a
way," Melmon continued.
"The spreadsheet market is
different from what it was two
years ago. You're dealing with
more corporate rather than
personal data; you're dealing
with more numbers and with
data that already exists
somewhere in a corporation's
computers. The next generation
of spreadsheet software must
address these issues." The next
generation? Melmon wouldn't
elaborate but sugge.sted more
might be forthcoming at the
National Computer Conference
in |une.
We ASCII-d,
He Answered
Whoever told your
communications editor
(PCommuniques. April-May.
1982) that the IBM PC
somehow used EBCDIC code
internally for belter
communication with big
mainframes was pulling his
leg. The PC doesn't have an
EBCDIC bone in its body.
EBCDIC (pronounced ebb-
suh-dick) is the standard
interchange code for most IBM
machines, probabh because it
is a binary representation of a
punched card code. However,
the fact that the PC uses the
Intel 8088 microprocessor
instead of an IBM-developed
CPU makes it a strictly ASCII
machine.
As far as communication
with big IBM mainframes is
concerned, most of the big
machines can speak ASCII to
the outside world out of
necessity to communicate with
a variety of non-IBM terminals
over the telephone. The IBM
System/34, for example,
supports both .ASCII and
EBCDIC in its communications
software. Even if the big
machine couldn't speak ASCII,
it would be a simple matter to
write a program for the PC that
would do the conversion.
-Burks A. Smith
Big Name
Disk-tionaries
Here's a computer-age
version of an old philosophical
quandary: Who checks the
spelling of your spelling-
checker program?
The newest answer is: The
editors of big-name
dictionaries. Yes indeed. No
longer need you settle for an
off-brand lexicon to comb your
text for goofs. New York
entrepreneur Dick Brass has
gone around and sewn up the
microcomputer rights to several
well-respected reference works
that he is now relicensing to
pul)lishers of proofreading
programs and the like. Brass
says PC users will soon be able
to check their text against word
lists from The Ranflom House
Diclionury. lilack's Law
Dictionary, and Slec/man's
Medicai Dictionary for
starters. Peachtree Software
will be the first to base
products on word lists from
Brass's company. Dictronics
Publi.shing. Inc.. but he says
other firms will follow.
Bra.ss is also promoting new
products built on familiar
reference books. In April he
and Peachtree demonstrated a
program built on the Random
i louse '/'hesaurus. for use in
conjunction with word-
processing. When you seek a
synonym. Brass says the
Peachtree program will
produce an on-screen list of
possibilities from the 80,000-
wnrd Thesaurus in no more
than three .seconds. Brass said
the program would definitely
be available for the IBM PC
this year, but he wouldn't say
exactly when.
Disk
Conservatism
"PC" might stand for "pretty
cautious" in design, at least in
the case of the PC's disk
storage system. Anyhow that's
the impression one gets from
Stuart Lynne of Network
Consulting. Inc. up in
Vancouver. Lynne's company
has been developing a version
of the UCSD p-System
operating system for the PC.
and in the process it has been
able to squeeze extra speed
and 25 percent more storage
out of the PC's disk drives.
As an example of IBM's
caution in design. Lynne cites
the gap size used between
sectors of data on the disk. IBM
leaves gaps equal to 80
characters of data, but Lynne
says a 30-character gap is
adequate. By making this
change. NCI shoehorns ten
data sectors onto each disk
track, where IBM settles for
eight. To speed up disk access,
Lynne's software waits only
half the time— four
milliseconds vs. eight — that
IBM allows for the disk head
to settle in position before
reading or writing.
If IBM's design is as cautious
as Lynne paints it in disk
storage and other aspects, the
conservatism is understand-
able. In designing a product for
people unfamiliar with
computer quirks, wouldn't you
want to err on the safe side in
the reliability department
while leaving it to others to test
•where the real limits are?
PCommuniques Pays
.•\rc in pii.sscssion iil iniorniiitinn ymi ti)ink siidiild .ippiiar in
/'C(mi(niiiii(;iJ(^s? PC pa\s $5(1 for each contribiilion puiiiislu'd in this
section. Siilinii.ssions must be signed, but anonymit\- will be preserved
upon recpiest .Mi sui)missi(ins become the property of PC and are
siihiecl to editiny. For p.i\ rnenl. \()n miisl include an .iddre.ss and
phone n\imlier Write to J'(,'nnijmini((iies. ifi^H lr\ jn,ti St.. S.in
l-mnci.sco. CA (14122.
30
PC MAGAZINE
BEFORE YOU BUY
INVESTIGATE
THE PRICE/PERFORMANCE
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• 4 users
• 256K bytes additional high
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• EXO MP/M'"^
EXO/NET
• 32 nodes
• 16 users logged on at one
time
• 800,000 BPS high speed
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•CP/M K. MP/M by Digital Respaict
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SYSTEMS
EXO Systems come complete with all
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AT NO EXTRA COST!
EXO SYSTEMS WARE
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• EXO/Accounting
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Accounts Payable
General Ledger
Payroll with Job Costing
• EXO/Selector V^" database appli
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And of course the entire incredible
"library" of CP/M ' software is avail
able now to run on your EXO System'
For true computing and word processing power select an EXO SYSTEMS 58 or EXO
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OPERATINIC^, SYSTEMS/DAVID BUNNELL and JIM EDLIN
An IndeptJi PC-Exclusive Interview with
Software Pioneer Gary Kildall
^2
For (I few years in jfs euriy adolescence,
the microcompuItT industry hud its own
version of HoJiyu ood's Oscar, presented
by an aivards committee of one. micro-
computer publisher fnoir manufacturer]
Adam Osborne, in recognition of each
year's most significant contribution to the
ad\'ancement of tiie new industry. Recipi-
ents of the award included such personal
computer luminaries as .Apple Computer
Corporation's Chairman Alike Alarkkuia
fl979j and VisiCalc program outhors Dan
Bricklinand Bob Frankston |1980j. But the
very first person to get the award (lilTH)
was a bearded, young software author
working out of a Victorian house in the
seaside village of Pacific Grove, Califor-
nia.
Paraphrasing the citation that accom-
panied the uward. presenter Osborne told
a packed banquet hall, "We had a lot of
silly little boxes being sold to enthusiasts
and doing nothing. Gary Kildall came
along and gave us CP/M. on operating sys-
tem that allowed those sill>- little boxes to
start doing something useful."
Four \ ears later, ivilh IBM and other
major companies \ ying for a share of the
market, the little boxes no longer seem
silly at all. And Gary Kildall no longer
works in a Victorian house. Digital Re-
search, Inc., the company he founded,
nou' spills out of a sizable new office com-
plex overlooking Monterey Bay. CP/M,
an acronym for Control Program for Mi
crocomputers, is now offered not only for
computers with curious and unfamiliar
names, but is available and in demand for
machines bearing^ lhe nameplates U'ang
Digital Equipment Corporation, and other
computRr-industn.' heai-y hitters. Its inflii'
ence has spread even further. Kildall
scribes IBM's own PC-DOSrU)^ther vir itn
operating systems sold by s'e*^ral ^/jer
cofBpaiv'es. as " a CP/M deritWive." iVow,
in what must be interpreted as another
award of sorts, there is a version of CP/M
officially issued under the IBM name ond
logo, though the disk's copyright notice
credits Digital Research.
The original credit, of course, belongs
to Kildall himself, who devised the first
CP^'M version as an entrepreneurial \ en-
lure after the sf.-miconductor maker he
Vi'orked for (Intel, n7aker of the 8080 and
now «08« processors] told him that his
CP/M precursor had no commerciol pos-
sibilities and that thev were not interested
32
PC MAGAZINE
[liiisiT.iiiMTi Linil.i Hiirnnm
8
lUNE/IULY 1982
33
An Uninitiate's Glossary
The patois of the master (jrogrammer rolls
flowingly from Gan,' KildaH's tongue.
Readers familiar with computer intrica-
cies down at the "bits-"n-bvtes" level will
follow right along. However, we think all
who are interested in PCs can benefit from
Kildall's insights. To assist uninitiates we
offer this glosscir\'.
in it. Now Digital Research offers several
advanced descendants ojCP/M, as well as
computer languages such as CBASIC and
a variety of related "systems software"
products. Intriguing new products are
hinted at for imminent announcement.
Kildall has not retired to his laurels be-
hind an expansive desk in some paneled
office, however. He is still a man doing the
work he loves— harnessing the intricate
inner workings of computers. Moments
after the end of the interview that follows
we spotted him back in his open-office cu-
bicle, surrounded by three computer
screens, intent at the keyboard of one of
them.
One spring afternoon Gary Kildall
took a break from his terminals to share
with PC some tales and insights about
CP/M-86 as it is now offered for the IBM
Personal Computer, and to gaze a little
into the future. His enthusiasm frequently
burst through his laid-back demeanor.
erupting info a profusion of colored dia-
grams on the blackboard behind him.
PC; Tell us about CP/M-86 and how it
compares with PC-DOS.
Kildall: Basically, you know the history of
PC-DOS— where it came from, and so
forth. It's one of the variet\' of operating
systems we call CP/M lookalikes. It ar-
rived on the scene between CP/M version
1.4 and CP/M 2.2, so it has characteristics
of CP/M 1.4 and extensions toward the
CP/M 2.2-style file system, but with dif-
ferences because they were kind of simul-
taneous in design. There are subtle differ-
ences but PC-DOS is fundamentally the
same as the 8-bit version of CP/M as far as
the user is concerned, and also as far as the
program interface. Most of the interface
differences between PC-DOS and CP/M
are misunderstandings of the CP/M calls
by the person who wrote the original PC-
DOS implementation, simple things like
reluming FF rather than 1, things that are
of no consequence but just weren't done
specifically the same.
CP/M-86 has been out for about 14
to 15 months. It was designed around
CP/M-2. It's exactly the same as CP/M-2
in terms of the function calls, the way the
interface appears to the user, and the way
the program interface appears to the pro-
grammer. The difference is in the exten-
sions you find in the 8086 processor. Num-
ber one is memory management: the
major extension is being able to partition
34
Returning FF— A function within the op-
erating system reporting the result of its
operation to another part of the program
by sending the number "FF." which is 255
(the largest a single-memor>' cell can hokl|
written in the base-16 shorthand program-
mers often use.
Development— Program writing.
Symbol table— One product that prepares
a program using assembly language.
Persistence— In video displays, the ten-
dency of an afterimage to remain after the
screen has been erased.
Backplane— A section of the system unit
into which additional circuit cards can be
plugged.
Z-8000, M68K— Microprocessors competi-
tive with Intel's 8086.
Source program— A program in assembly
language, which gets translated to an "ob-
ject program" of numeric instructions the
processor understands.
Add immediate 5— A program instruction
in 8080 assembly language, ordering that 5
be added to the current number the proc-
essor is working on.
Op(eration) codes— Numeric instruc-
tions—one for each of the basic operations
(such as "add" or "compare") provided in
a particular processor's design.
Registers— The working spaces of a proc-
essor chip. Different chips have different
assortments of registers with different
names.
Flags— Special registers that record par-
ticular details of a number, such as wheth-
er it is zero or not.
Shifts and rotates— TN'pes of arithmetic
operations used on binar\' numbers.
Data bus— The channel via which compo-
nents of a computer s\stem exchange in-
formation.
Algorithms— Formulas for calculation.
Megahertz— For a microprocessor, how
many millions of times per second its in-
ternal clock ticks, permitting another step
in one of its ba.sic operations.
Bank switching— Exceeding the maxi-
mum nuinl)er of memon,' cells a processor
is designed to use by switching its connec-
tion among more than one bank of mem-
ory.
PC MAt;,\/l.\H
Cl
out and allocate memory, to load multiple
programs, for example.
PC: That's a difference befiveen CP/M-86
and the 8080 version 0/ CP/M. How about
other differences between CP/M-86 and
PC-DOS?
Kildall: CP/M is really a complete devel-
opment environment; with it you get an
editor, an Intel-compatible assembler, and
a debugging system— DDT— that has
built-in disassembly in the debugger itself.
So you can just pick up CP/M-86 and start
developing your own high-performance
applications. From the beginning, CP/M
has always had that flavor to it. It's a base-
level operating .system that is a complete
development system in its own right and
doesn't need anything else to support it,
though people have gone off and added to
it. It's like the IBM PC in that way— an
open system. The basic system, when you
get it and turn it on, still works to perform
basic functions. But some people will go
toward BASIC interpreter and others to-
ward Pascal or PL/1.
PC: A lot of people are going to be buying
the PC who are not software developers
and are not liltely to become software de-
velopers. Will you or IBM offer a user or
"run time" version of CP/M-86 /or peopJe
who don't need the assembler, the debug-
ger, and so forth?
Kildall: I don't know. There aren't any
plans for doing that at this point. It's tradi-
tional for CP/M to have those tools avail-
able and we don't want to change that
Jtm
.HE THING
we're trying to do
with CP/M'86 is to
make it as much
like the S-bit world
as we can,
structure right now. We'd be having all
sorts of difficulties with the pricing differ-
ences. The basic thing we're tr>'ing to do
with our initial release of CP/M-86 is to
make it as much like the 8-bit world as we
can. We feel there are a number of reasons
it was successful and that the same thing
will be true for 16-bit. We just have to get it
out there and see what customer reaction
is. We'll go from there and work some
things out with IBM.
PC: How do you feel about describing
the PC, with its 8088 processor, as a 16-bit
machine? After all, you call the operating
system CP/M-86.
Kildall: I see a 16-bit machine as one that
has more memory. I don't think of it as
anything more than that. Hence the PC
qualifies as a 16-bit machine. It satisfies all
my needs because I've never been con-
cerned about the speed of an 8-bit proces-
sor; they've always been fast enough to do
the tasks I want. The only thing I've been
concerned about is running out of symbol
table space, or just trying to stuff a lot of
functionality into a small spot. The 16-bit
machine relieves that pressure. You've got
it with the PC.
PC: What's your evaluation of the PC in
general? What do you see as its strong and
weak points?
Kildall: I think the product itself looks
really good. They've done an excellent job
of IBM-style presentation. It looks good,
works nicely, and the display is reasonably
good though it has a little bit too much
persistence for me. One problem is it
needs more backplane: you can't stuff as
many boards in as you'd like. And 5V4-
inch disks are just not enough. This indus-
try already knows that we've evolved past
those things. You're talking about a 256K
memory system with 160K single-sided
drives, and that doesn't make a whole lot
of sense. The 5 >/« -inch hard disk add-on is
going to occur with any serious usage of
the system. Other than that I don't think
there's anything particularly wrong.
In terms of the marketing, they've tak-
en a very professional approach to set
standards toward which the rest of the in-
dustry can work. I think we've learned
things about the presentation of our mate-
rials that we'll use in the rest of our prod-
uct line. I'm sure the companies that main-
tain the level of presentation that IBM has
provided will be successful with their soft-
ware products, and those that don't— that
still have a kind of shabby appearance-
will probably be out of business within the
next few years.
PC; When was the first time you or some-
body at Digital Research knew about
IBM's PC project, and what were your
thoughts when you learned about it?
Kildall: I can't recall exactly when we
found out about it. It's probably been over
a year. I get a little reluctant to talk aliout it,
because I don't know that they 're nut going
to come back and ask, "Why did you say
that? " IBM is very careful about what you
put out. But we've known about it since
fairly early in the project.
.C'DOS
is one of a variety of
operating systems we
call CP/M lookalikes.
About m\' response to it: I was really
happy. We've put a lot of effort into 8086
stuff for the last couple of years— made a
big investment moving our software in
that direction. I was really concerned,
probably about the time IBM was first talk-
ing about using the 86, that the 86 was not
going to make it. Ever>'body was talking
about the Z8000, and the M68K was on the
horizon, and I thought, "We're going to
have some real troubles here if the 86
doesn't make it. We're going to have a real-
ly hard time, because we'll have to go back
to old CP/M-80 and hope it .supports the
development of our next generation of
software after this faux pas." IBM basical-
ly decided the 86 was going to make it, that
we've got a substantial market there to sell
to.
PC: You said CP/M-86 has been out for 15
months. What appJicotion softivare has
become available for it, and will that soft-
ware be immediately usable on the IBM
PC?
Kildall: There's quite a bit of stuff out
that's translated from the 8-bit world.
There's a considerable amount of CBASIC
(commercial BASIC) software that can
come over immediately. The amount that's
going to be available will be evolutionary.
We've contacted a lot of the software
vendors we work with. We've told them
we're getting into this and ari; interested in
supporting their downloading and pro-
duction efforts. We've got maybe 15 or 20
of these that IBM has allowed us to use as
test sites; they are doing word-processing
systems, general ledger, accounts receiv-
able, and spreadsheets.
One way we're motivating software
translation is with our IBM Displaywriter
lUNE/IULY 1082
35
Copyrighted material
CP/M-86"s DOCUMENTATION: We re
the only supplier to IBM that has tione the
whole thing— from creating the document,
tj'pesetting and printing it. to delivering it
in p,ick'iiged form. This was something we
wanted to do to get the experience—
everything down to the little picas.
FUTURE IBM DEVELOPMENTS: We re
trying to get our OS to match their releases
of hardware and so forth. It s really impos-
sible for me to say anything specifically
about more disk space, or facilities in data
communication, or vvhate\'er. because
we're realK' under their confidentiality
agreements on those things and we value
that ver\- highly. But 1 can say we're in step
with all the things that will be available on
the PC. We're in a very open relationship
with IBM. They want our system to be suc-
cessful on their computer. As a result, they
let us know in a timely fashion to be sure
that our system supports their features.
IBM SOFTWARE PUBLISHING: I don t
think they undiirstand the problem of get-
ling new. independently authored soft-
ware into production in a useful way. I
think they're using a .simplistic a|)i)roach
that will probably change when they get
some experience. The approach of taking
.software from employees and giving them
acap of $100,000 on royalties is one that we
know from experience won't work.
PC SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION: I think
there is going to be difficulty in trying to
.stuff a large amount of software through a
.small funnel. Timing is really critical: the
reaction time isn't fast enough. Nine
months to a year to react isn't fast enough.
.■Mternate marketing channels will devel-
oji for software. The most selected or pre-
ferred software will end up being in com-
puter stores and on IBM shelves, but not
the most innovative software: I think you'll
find that elsewhere.
version of CP/M-86. We're really doing
promotion, saying to software vendors.
"We're selling bunches of this stuff. It's a
very popular system and we don't have
any competition. " Once they get things
running on the Displaywriter. they can go
over to the PC immediately.
We also have a program at test sites
called "send-receive." It will go out at rea-
sonable cost to vendors who are interest-
ed. "Send" runs on 8080 systems and "re-
ceive" runs on the PC or any 8086 sy.stem,
and there is an RS-232 connection we
make according to our specification. The
program has a little interface to the user
that asks what kind of programs you want
to send, where they're coming from,
where they go to over here, and then
there's automatic retransmission going
back and forth. This makes it easy to get
8-bit stuff over to the PC. But it's going to
be an evolutionary thing. Available right
away on the PC. I'd say. are probably six or
seven popular software packages.
PC: What are some of the comp/exities
involved in trunsluling a program from
8080 to 8086 form?
Kildall: Straight translations at the source
program level you can do [iretty much me-
chanically. For example, an 8080 'Add im-
mediate 5" instruction turns into an "Add
AL 5" on the 8086— a very straightforward
translation of the op codes themselves.
The complexity in mechanical translation
comes from situations such as this: The
8080 instruction DAD H takes the HL reg-
ister and adds DE to it. For the 8086 the
equivalent instruction would be some-
thing like ADD DX BX. which is fine, no
particular problem. You just say the DX
register is the same as HL and BX the same
as DE. The problem is that the 8086 in-
struction has a side effect of setting the
zero flag, and the 8080 instruction does
not. In mechanical translation you end up
doing something like saving the flags, re-
storing the flags, doing some shifts and ro-
tates, and so forth. These add about five or
six extra instructions to get the same se-
mantic effect. There are a lot of sequences
in 8080 code that produce ver\' strange se-
quences in 8086 code; they just don't map
very well because of flag registers and
things of that .sort. The way we get soft-
ware over is a thing called XLT-86. It's
been out six months or so.
PC: By "better" code do you mean small-
er?
Kildall: Twenty percent smaller than if
you just took every op code and did a
straight translation, saving the registers to
preserve semantics.
PC; How does the size of the translated
program compare to the 8080 version?
Kildall: If you take an 8080 program, move
it over to 86 land and do an XLT-86 trans-
lation, you'll find that it is roughly 10 to 20
percent larger. With 16-bit machines it's
more difficult to address everything: you
get op codes that are a little bit bigger on
the average. An interesting phenomenon
is that one of the reasons you don't get a
tremendous speed increase in the 16-bit
world is because you're running more op
codes over the data bus.
PC: is CB/\S/C also going to be avaiJabie
for the PC?
Kildall: CBASIC and also Pascal MT+.
These are both running on the PC right
now. They'll be offered simultaneously.
Then CIS Cobol. PL/1-86 is a more diffi-
cult thing. We've worked on that since last
july and it looks like it's pretty close now.
We have a lot of future in that one. espe-
cially on the IBM PC. We've seen a lot of
interest from people who are getting into
the PC through IBM channels— PL/1 us-
ers: the biggest community of PL/1 u.sers is
IBM itself. But the biggest .software vendor
F YOU'RE
using a 4-megahertz
Z-80 versus a slower
8086 processor^ the Z-
80 version may run
faster,
languages are CBASIC, number one, and
Pascal, number two. These are going to be
the basic tools.
PC: Will you inKvoduce any enhancements
for CBASIC?
Kildall: Color graphics. We've got an in-
house color graphics subroutine about
ready that will be made available through
our languages. It does direct, display
memory operations for high-speed rectan-
gular painting, building objects and cir-
cles, things of that sort.
PC: Are your CBAS/C color graphics
similar to those in Microsoft's Advanced
36
PC MAGAZINE
BASIC for the PC?
Kildall: They're similar— the same kind of
stuff. But we're not necossarily looking for
exact compatibility because the CBASIC
community is different from the MBASIC.
We had the orientation toward color
graphics some time ago, and whether
there was IBM or not, it was an important
part of our future.
PC: Microsoft's BAS/C is \ ery spec/fir to
the hardware features oj the PC, such as
the function keys. Will CBASIC be modi-
fied in similar ivays?
Kildall: I don't now how product specific
it's going to be. Other manufacturers, the
Japanese for example, have specific re-
quirements too. Our intent is to be as gen-
eral 88 we can with the facilities or func-
tions that we add to CBASIC. As this
marlcet grows, there's no doubt we're going
to have more machine-specific things
coming into the language if the customer
demand is great enough. Right now the
implementation for the IBM PC will h<in-
dle all the function keys and that .sort of
thing. That's no problem because that's
built into the internals rif onr operating
s\ stem. For the display, in terms of han-
dling screen management, it comes in a
package we're going to be rehiasing called
DM, a display manager. This product has
been in the works for probably close to a
year: it's definitely in the final stage, but
we haven't announced anything. The dis-
play manager is something you can link
with CBASIC or Pascal or PL/1 or what-
ever, and it will handle all the stuff you
like to do in terms of getting a fully interac-
tive .screen.
One of the things I think is significant
about what we're doing is taking functions
like the display manager system and really
standardizing it as part of the operating
system. There's also a thing called AM-86,
an access method for high-level data-file
interfacing.
PC; On other microcomputers it is possi-
ble to run Microsoft BASIC under CP/M.
Will it be possible to do so on the PC?
Kildall: Doing something like that i.s fairly
trivial. The differences are relatively easy
to take care of through a simple interface.
Whether we'll do something like that,
whether that would r>in MB.ASIC, we
don't really know at this point. We would
need some specific clients to do that. The
intention is not to.
PC: \A'hat ohout the possibiiity of software
emulators that would allow programs for
PC-DOS to run under CP/M-se or vice
versa?
Kildall: I'm not really hot for emulators of
other systems, basically because then
you've got to track someone else's devel-
opment cycle; they come up with a new
release and you've got to scramble.
There's been an emulator announced for
CP/M-86 that supposedly runs under PC-
DOS. 1 haven't seen the emulator, but I
understand the differences between the
two systems, and I would be extremely
surprised if that emulator in fact emulated
CP/M-88. Emulators can get you in a lot
of trouble.
PC: lA'hd! (fo you think is important In the
design of an operating system?
Kildall: When you're designing operating
systems or talking about software in gener*
al, the successful software seems to be that
which fit.s the r(>sonrc(" you're working
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JUNE/IULY 1982
37
Copyrighted material
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38
'INGLE-USER
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to lake 8-bil (;1V \1 and move them over
into 86 CP/M, and add memory man-
agement for the megabyte machine and
multiple-resident programs. Fundamen-
tally, this is the only difference in the
system, so anyone who understands 8-bit
CP/M can go into 16-bit CP/M and see the
same things.
PC; Where does (his strategy lead for the
future?
Kildall: Single-user concurrent is the
mode of operation we feel is going to be
the most important way for the PC and
other 16-bit machines to be used. That
means you have a terminal attached to
your PC and wnrk with multi-ground
operations. You might have the word pro-
cessor in the forfground at a particular
time. Behind that you have background
applications. riie\ re hidden, but could be
brought back to your active console.
Maybe there's a p.iyroll program printing
checks on your printer at the same time
you are doing \(iiir word-processing, and
maybe a comijile going, a network inter-
face, and pn.ssibK some programming
down the line.
You have to learn how to use this effec-
tively. When I'm going to develop one of
my programs, I can be in the editor, switch
over to being in the middle of my debug-
ging so I can find more things that are
wrong with my program, go back into the
'E'RE TRYING
to bring the mini- and
mainframe software
vendors into the
16-bit software world
through concurrency.
editor and make the changes immediately,
then switch back to test some more. What I
used to do was go into the debugger, make
some changes, maybe make some hand
patches, take some handwritten notes, run
a little further, then go back into the editor
and make all those changes. With concur-
rency you get that immediate response, go
right back into the editor, make the
changes, do some more debugging. The re-
sult is you get all the fixes in by the time
you finish the debugging session.
We're tr>'ing to bring the mini- and
mainframe software vendors into the 16-
bit software world through concurrency.
PC: Besides concurrency, what other
changes do you see coming?
Kildall: Since we don't have the same limi-
tations on the size of memory', we're going
to get a lot more competition in terms of
comprehensive, say, spreadsheet-t\'pe ap-
plications. We've got this functionality:
there's no effective limit on what we can
add to that functionality. So the old appli-
cations we've seen are going to be vastly
improved. Each product is going to be sig-
nificantly better and probably at close to
the same price.
We're going to enter the data communi-
cations area— that's going to be a hot item.
We're ver\' interested in that; we're going
to be announcing our plans for a product
fairly soon.
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40
PC MAGAZINE
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OPERATING SYSTEMS
CP/M Arrives
IBM releases a tailored-for-the-PC version of CP/M-86
that profits from the learning curve.
CP/M-86
IBM Corporation.
Boca Raton, Florida
$240
It is a little ironic that the IBM Personal
Computer version of the CP/M-86 op-
erating system seems in several ways
better fitted to the PC than does IBM's
first-introduced and seemingly favored al-
ternative, the IBM Personal Computer
Disk Operating System (PC-DOS). How-
ever, the better fit is mitigated by CP/M-
86's six-times-greater price tag, and is pos-
sibly explained by CP/M-86's debut six
months further along the "learning curve"
than the introduction of PC-DOS.
CP/M-86, introduced on April 5 and
priced at $240, includes a single, 5V4-inch
disk and a manual in one of the now famil-
iar slipcases. The disk contains 13 pro-
grams, or "command files," including ver-
sions of Digital Research's assembler and
debugger programs for the PC's Intel 8088
processor. The disk is not copy protected.
The user's manual consists of 372 pages
organized into 11 chapters, a preface, 6
appendices, and an index.
In a feature-for-feature comparison.
IBM's version of CP/M-86 is strong where
PC-DOS is weak, but the reverse is also
true. One irony in a comparison is thai the
function keys— the use of which IBM is
said to have urged vigorously upon outside
software developers— are used more
meaningfully by CP/M-86 (hereafter, sim-
ply "CP/m") than PC-DOS. (Yet both
operating systems require that users
memorize the meanings of the keys: nei-
ther provides the on-screen legends of-
fered by the PC's BASIC language.) The
keys are used by PC-DOS to edit lines of
input to the operating system. CP/M uses
the keys for single-keystroke execution of
such oft-used functions as viewing a disk
director^' or checking the available space
on a disk.
Other areas in which CP/M seems
stronger than PC-DOS are in offering pro-
grams easier access to the PC's display and
keyboard features, and in easing serial-
)UNE/]ULY 1982
t>-pe communications. IBM's BASIC lan-
guage companion to PC-DOS contains
many commands for controlling display
features, such as cursor position, character
color or other attributes, text or graphic
screen mode, and the like; but PC-DOS
itself is devoid of mechanisms for dealing
with such matters. Using CP/M, you can
control all the display adjustments and
similar items by sending the operating sys-
tem sequences of two or more characters
started with the "escape" character.
Easier Use of Serial Port
PC-DOS's BASIC also provides com-
prehensive facilities for adjusting oper-
ation of the asynchronous serial communi-
cations ports, while PC-DOS itself has no
equivalent controls. That's inconvenient if
you want to use the COPY command to
print a file on a serial printer that commu-
nicates at some speed other than the built-
in setting PC-DOS uses automatically.
CP/M provides two commands, PROTO-
COL and SPEED, that deal with most
imaginable requirements for setting up
serial communications. The PROTOCOL
command allows selection of either wide-
ly used convention by which an attached
device can tell your computer when it is, or
is not. ready to accept data (the XON/
XOFF and ETX/ACK protocols); there's
also a third choice for when no protocol is
required. The SPEED command lets you
43
Cop;i.j-.",L.:.. ::
I
set all the remaining; adjustments you
might need to cf)pc with in order to estab-
lish successful si;riiii communication:
transmission rate, number of "stop bits,"
and the like. By incorporating these fea-
tures into the operatinj,' system, CP/M
makes it nnnecessar\ for individual pro-
grams to recreate them, and simplifies
using CP/M commands, such as TYPE, di-
rectly with serial devices.
Contrariwise, PC- DOS has a MODE
command that allows direct adjustment of
line spacing and character size on the IBM
matrix printer and permits tinkering with
display pn.sitionin^; to compensate for a
maladjusted video monitor. CP/M lacks
both these features.
Tells What it's Doing
Surprisingly, in view of the ultra-terse
screen interaction style of earlier CP/M
versions, CP/M-8li is very communicative
in several respects about what it is doing.
When you start it up (either by switching
on the computer i r pressing CTRL-ALT-
DEL, just as with PC-DOS), it counts off,
"READING 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4" as it loads
the four disk sections of its main program
into memory. It then displays a list of the
hardware it detects as installed and work-
ing in your PC. When you give the com-
mand to format a disk (in CP/M it's called
NEWDISK), the first result is a screen
message repeating back to you which disk
drive you've ordered to perform the for-
matting procedure. The message warns
you. "ALL DATA WILL BE ERASED
FROM THE DISK" and asks, "Is this what
I
:n view
of the ultra-terse style
of earlier CP/M
versions, CP/M-86 is
very communicative.
you want (y/n)?" If you say yes, CP/M
then displays a running progress report as
data tracks are written and verified.
There are other areas in which PC-
DOS is a better communicator. When a
problem has occurred in using a disk, PC-
DOS gives you the choice, "Abort, Retry,
Ignore?" while CP/M presents the laconic
choice, "A, I, C, R?" (and it's still not clear
what "C" does!). CP/M's facilities for
copying and moving files, collectively
known as PIP for Peripheral Interface
Program, carries forth the same inscruta-
ble command syntax seen in earlier CP/M
versions. Thus CP/M gains a point for
consistency, but PC-DOS gains an offset-
ting one for understandability.
A key feature of PC-DOS that CP/M
apparently does not provide is an option to
set up a disk so a certain program or series
of them goes to work automatically after
you turn on or reset the computer. Appar-
ently, it is possible for software experts to
add an "autoexecute" feature to CP/M,
but such a feature is not standard. Also.
PC-DOS provides explicit methods for
programmers to create their own variation
on the "command processor" program that
interprets how to handle your commands
to the operating system. This kind of vari-
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44
PC MAGAZINE
c
ation may be possible with CP/M, but
ways to achieve it are not explicitly given
in the manual. One way variant command
processors are used is by programs that
redefine key meanings on the keyboard,
or lock out such key functions as break and
reset— a frequent strategy' to frustrate soft-
ware copying.
Disk Capacities About Even
Disk storage capacity for the two sys-
tems is comparable. A formatted CP/M
disk has 141K of free space after the
operating system has been copied to it.
CP/M will have an edge in the future,
how ever, since it includes the ability to use
two-sided disk drives, which IBM is ex-
pected to have announced by the time this
is published. PC-DOS is a little more de-
tailed than CP/M in its reports of disk con-
tents; it shows a file's size to the exact num-
ber of characters, where CP/M shows an
approximate size rounded up to the next
larger "K." But CP/M offers extra features
in assigning "attributes" to files and allo-
cating files among up to 16 separate "us-
ers."
When CP/M is in control of the com-
puter, it uses the bottom line of the screen
for a "status" display, which includes the
CP/M disk has 141K
of free space after the
operating system has
been copied to it
current lime and dale. Those who do not
enjoy seeing their life tick away in front of
them, second by second, will find this fea-
ture questionable. CP/M does not de-
mand you type in "today's date" as does
PC-DOS. Instead, it goes on using the last
time and date it was aware of until you set
it otherwise. When first loaded out of the
box, the disk displays the date 2/10/82,
perhaps suggesting when the last tinkering
with the product was finished.
The user's manual is very much in
keeping with those accompanying other
software IBM sells for the PC. It is well
and clearly, but not frivolously, written.
The organization is simple and quickly un-
derstandable. The novice will not feel
unduly put off. nor the expert patronized.
Considering the Choice
Comparing functionality and ease-of-
use. the choice between these two operat-
ing sy stems would appear to be in the "six-
of-one, half-dozen-of-the-other" category.
Each excels in spots and falls down in oth-
ers. From the programmer's point of view,
a choice has yet to emerge. The key "func-
tion calls" by which programs employ the
operating system are virtually identical
between the two. CP/M-86 sells for six
times the price of PC-DOS, but includes
tools for assembly-language programming
that PC-DOS does not provide. The assem-
bler is considered by many to be an essen-
tial tool for advanced programming.
For those who don't plan to do assem-
bly-language programming, CP/M seems
a less compelling purchase. Ultimately, it
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will depend on the appeal of other soft-
ware that is marketed to run using one pro-
fjram or the other, or perhaps a different
system will come along and overshadow
both. An obvious gap in the CP/M offering
is a minimal version meant only to support
the use of other programs, a so-called
"run-time package" priced comparably
with PC-DOS. Availability of a run-time
package would make it easier for software
marketers to choose CP/M without impos-
ing a $200 price disadvantage on their pro-
grams.
The introduction of some compellingly
desirable program offtjred to work only
with CP/M-86 might shift the momentum
in its favor. Regarding conversion of exist-
ing programs from earlier CP/M versionsj
all parties generally concede that the con-
version effort is about equal to get to
CP/M-86 or PC-DOS.
The real value of CP/M-86 may be in
illustrating what even a short move along}
the relatively horizontal part of the learn-'
ing curve can produce. CP/M may be win-
ning wide acclaim and adoption as
"almost an industry' standard." but its ver-
sion for the IBM PC tends to suggest there
are plenty better things to come.
— [im Edlin
Still Another CP/M Choice
Compu View Products introduces its own CP/M-86 version and
savs it's "better than IBAl's. "
A Michigan software company has not
only begun selling the CP/M-86 operating
system for the PC ahead of IBM's own
version of the software, they claim to have
improved upon it as well.
CompuView Products. Inc.. says that
VKDJT, its $325 implementation of CP/
M-86, includes an increase in the IBM
Personal Computer's standard 5V4-inch
disk capacity to 196K characters, plus a
way to define the use of the function keys.
For S 100 extra, the user also gets horizontal
scrolling and a full-screen text editor.
According to systems programmer/
analyst Rick Fortson, CompuView s CP/
M-86 uses "more of the available disk
space," giving the user 193K of the 196K
disk capacity. It also reads from and writes
to any 5 ' 4 -inch. "double-densit\" disk
format, not onlv those created on the IBM
PC.
CompuView's CP/M-86 will work with
all the IBM hardware. Fortson says,
including the hard disks, which are not yet
available, "because it's easy for our BIOS
(basic input-output system) to handle
them. We even handle expansion memorv'
better than PC-DOS does. "
Fortson says that CompuView's CP/M-
86 is also more versatile than IBM's
PC-DOS because it contains a terminal-
emulation package. "Say you bought an
application program that's written for CP/
M-86, but it didn't specifically have the PC
listed in its configuration utility. With our
CP/M-86 you could emulate one of the
terminals that it did list, such as the Tele-
video or Beehive or Hazeltine, and so on.
The software for doing that is already in
our BIOS."
The reason for that, says Fortson, is tha
CompuView has, for two years, sold a
powerful text editor, VEDJT (pronouncei
'veddit'l. a CP/M product used mainly b;
programmers to edit programs. Because
VED/T had to be configured for many
different terminals, he says, "we alread;
had the tables of CRT characteristics, the
escape-sequences, and so on."
RANKLX
we've got IBM beat,
feature for feature.
VED/T is now offered for the PC as
well, he said, in both a CP/M-86 and a
DOS version, for $195. "The customer cai
also purchase our update subscription
service: $45 for two updates. Since VED7
came out, we've offered an update everj
four to eight months: we believe in
instantaneous' customer support. I shoul
know. I'm the guy that patches software fo
your particular machine if you call in
saying it doesn't work right."
"Software without headaches " is
CompuView's design philosophy, says
Fortson. "Even for an inexpensive screei
editor |V'ED/T] people get more support
than they're used to. With the CP/M-86.
frankly, we've got IBM beat, feature for
feature."
—Hal Glatze
46
PC MAGAZI.\'E
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OPERATING SYSTEMS/LAWRENCE J. MAGID
Another CP/M alternative — a plug-in module that
lets your PC use existing CP/M-80 programs.
Baby Blue. XEDEX Corporation.
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
NY 10105 (212/489-0444). $600 for the
board, software, and manual; $980 in-
cludes WordStar and MailMerge.
Baby Blue from XEDEX Corporation is in-
tended for PC users who want to have
their cake and eat it too. It is an alternative
for those who choose the PC in anticipa-
tion of a new generation of powerful pro-
grams, but whose immediate needs seem
better met by existing programs designed
for other computers. Baby Blue could also
serve people who already have a substan-
tial investment in programs or data files
not easily transferable to the PC.
XEDEX's $600 Baby is a plug-in board
and set of programs that, according to the
manufacturer, allow an IBM PC to run the
vast library of software that was written
for the CP/M-80 operating system. CP/M-
80 is the older brother of CP/M-86. which
is now available for the IBM PC. The clos-
est thing to an industry' standard, CP/M-80
can play host to an estimated 2,000 ready-
to-run programs. MicroPro International's
WordStar word-processing system is one
example of a CP/M-80 program that is in
high demand by PC users.
Because the IBM PC uses an Intel 8088
processor instead of the earlier 8080 and
Z-80 chips for which the original CP/M
was designed, most software written for
the CP/M-80 systems cannot run under
either CP/M-86 or PC-DOS disk operating
systems without some rewriting. Baby
Blue creates compatibility by providing a
Z-80 based "computer within a computer"
while the PC itself remains under the con-
trol of its own 8088 processor. As a bonus
feature, Baby Blue contains an additional
64K (65,535 characters) of memory. When
in use. Baby Blue uses its own memory
chips. When the PC is working under its
own operating systems. Baby Blue func-
tions as a 64K expansion board, upgrading
a 64K PC to a 128K system.
Aside from the different operating sys-
tem, another potential source of incom-
patibility is that most CP/M-80 software is
written for computers that use an external
terminal, whereas display and keyboard
functions are built into the PC. To over-
come this. Baby Blue causes the PC to act
like a Televideo 950 terminal. XEDEX se-
lected the Televideo because, of all the
popular terminals, it has screen and key-
board characteristics most similar to those
of the PC, yet it is also compatible with the
terminal supported by most CP/M pro-
grams, Lear-Siegler"s ADM-3.
As I explain later, a CP/M-80 program
or data file can be entered into a Baby Blue
equipped PC in one of four possible ways.
Once the program is in your computer.
Baby Blue adds to it an additional 4K of
code and then writes it to the disk as a PC-
DOS file. The 4K consists of commands
that inform the PC that it is about to run a
CP/M-80 program and to turn on Baby
Blue. All this is invisible to the user. Once
that code is attached, you use it like any
other program or file on your directory. A
secondar\' advantage of using Baby Blue
with existing CP/M-80 software is that
XEDEX, by using some of the PC's mem-
ory and other facilities, has added up to 7K
of additional working memor\' to the
maximum available using most Z-80 or
8080 based computers.
Baby Blue is the first product of the
New York based XEDEX Corporation. But
49
Cl
XEDEX President Harris Landgarten is no
stranger to CP/M. He, along with several
other XEDEX executives, left Lifeboat As-
sociates, a major marketer of CP/M com-
patible software, to form this new venture.
A precedent for the IBM/Baby Blue
combination comes from the Apple II
microcomputer, whose processor, like the
PC's, is not capable of running CP/M-80.
To get around this, Microsoft Corporation
offers Apple owners the "SoftCard." The
SoftCard product, like Baby Blue, contains
a Z-80 processor and gives the Apple user
the choice of running the Apple under its
regular operating system (Apple DOS) or
the transformed Z-80 Apple under CP/M.
Unfortunately, the SoftCard equipped
Apple uses two incompatible operating
systems, so software that runs under one
system cannot access data created by the
other.
.F BABY
Blue is to open up the
treasure chest of CP/
M software, the user
must find a way to
read the disks.
To avoid that disadvantage. Baby Blue
writes its files using IBM's PC-DOS oper-
ating system. The CP/M-80 data and pro-
gram files can co-exist with PC-DOS files
on the same disks, and data files created
with CP/M-80 software can later be read
by other programs that use PC-DOS. Ven-
dors are gradually developing programs to
take full advantage of the PC's 256K mem-
ory capacity. With any luck, many of these
programs will be able to access files cre-
ated by the Z-80 programs running under
Baby Blue.
A cautionary note: As of this writing,
PC-DOS files cannot be accessed by pro-
grams that run under CP/M-86. Since data
created by Baby Blue controlled programs
is written in PC-DOS, it is not presently
compatible with CP/M-86 software. How-
ever, with computers everything is subject
to change— usually for the better. It
wouldn't surprise me if someone has al-
ready written a program to solve this prob-
lem.
How to Obtain Baby Blue Software
If Baby Blue is to open up the treasure
chest of CP/M software, the user must
find a way for the PC to read the disks that
the software comes on. XEDEX President
Landgarten outlined four methods to ob-
tain software that will run on the Baby
Blue equipped IBM PC.
The easiest is to buy programs distrib-
uted in the Baby Blue format. XEDEX sells
its own release of MicroPro's WordStar
and MailMerge and is currently negotiat-
ing with other software publishers to pro-
vide Baby Blue formatted versions. The
format problem is not unique to Baby
Blue. There are several CP/M disk for-
mats and all manufacturers of new Z-80
equipment face the same task of either
adapting other companies' CP/M soft-
ware or convincing the publishers to re-
lease a special version to run on their new
machine. XEDEX is following the lead of
Osborne, NorthStar, and other computer
companies by releasing its own versions of
the most popular software while encour-
aging software publishers to produce com-
patible versions. Since issuing a CP/M
program for a new format is relatively
easy, publishers often oblige.
Another way to obtain IBM compatible
CP/M-80 software is to purchase it in an-
other format and convert it to work with
Baby Blue. A "convert" program is includ-
ed on the disk provided by XEDEX. Ac-
cording to XEDEX, the program allows the
user to convert programs that are format-
ted to work on other machines. Part of the
"convert" process includes placing 4K of
PC-DOS code at the beginning of each
CP/M-80 file. The "header" is placed on
the file by Baby Blue's software and is in-
visible to the user. At press time XEDEX
was planning to support the following for-
mats: SuperBrain 3.0 [not quad density),
Osborne Double Density, the NEC PC-
8000, Cromemco single-sided double den-
sity, Triumph Adler, Alphatronic, Colum-
bia Data Products, and the new Heath/
Zenith 48 TPI format. If the convert pro-
gram works as planned, you can take an
HEN
the PC is not working
under its own
operating system.
Baby Blue functions as
a 64K expansion
board.
off-the-shelf disk for one of the supported
formats and convert the program to run on
the IBM PC.
A more cumbersome way to convert
software is through data communications.
It is possible, says Landgarten, to connect
almost any CP/M computer to an IBM and
"port" over the software from one ma-
chine to the other. This is done through the
communications ports of both the CP/M
machine and the IBM. It can be done by
cable or by sending data via telephone. A
serial communications port and/or a mo-
dem are optional on the PC. The disk that
accompanies Baby Blue contains a pro-
gram that will attach the necessary PC-
DOS "header" to the front of the CP/M
program, and XEDEX will sell you soft-
ware that enables the IBM to receive CP/
M files. But you will also need the appro-
priate communications software for the
sending computer.
The fourth method for obtaining soft-
ware is through a service that XEDEX
plans to offer. For about $100 per disk
XEDEX will transfer existing CP/M pro-
grams and data to a format that can be
read by Baby Blue.
50
PC MAGAZINE
Vhen YouVe
hrough
claying games
VOLKSWRITER
4
a high performance word processor for a high performance machine ,
The wait is over. Volkswriter, designed especially for the IBM PC, allows you to concentrate on yoi
writing instead of your word processor.
For your personal writing needs, use Volkswriter to prepare correspondence, proposals, studies, manuscript
articles, and school work. In the office, use Volkswriter for agreements, sales letters, memoranda, reports, new
letters, price lists, schedules, and mailing lists. Volkswriter is unequaled in versatility and simplicity.
For programmers writing in BASIC, PASCAL, and other DOS languages, Volkswriter's full screen editor
unexcelled in speed and flexibility. Volkswriter is the last program editor you will ever need.
Volkswriter is easy to learn. A unique interactive tutorial shows you how to use it. With a reference card at
on screen guide to commands, editing and printing functions are explained in step by step detail. For in dep
documentation, there is a sturdy reference manual.
Standard equipment on the Volkswriter includes:
Full screen editor
Typewriter keyboard layout
Extensive use of function keys
On line help
On screen tutorial
Reset key for changing your mind
Automatic word wrap
Fast insertion and deletion of
characters and lines
Reformat paragraphs
Rapid scrolling through text
Move and copy blocks of text
with 3 key strokes
Swap lines with 2 key strokes
Search or replace any or every
occurrence of a word
Set margin and tabs visually
Store formats for later recall
Automatic centering '
Left/ right justification
Since Volkswriter files are in 100% standard DOS format, it can be used with VisiCalc'^' print files, network trari
missions, and BASIC and PASCAL text files.
Volkswriter protects you. You cannot erase data unintentionally. Problem situations are detected and explainc
in English.
And performance? Whether you have a 64K system with one disk drive, oral 28K system with two floppies and
hard disk, Volkswriter can and will use all your horsepower to drive as fast as you care to go.
...and the best news of all: Volkswriter is priced at $195
TEST WRITE THE VOLKSWRITER TODAY
AT YOUR LOCAL DEALER OR CALL OR WRITE
Volkswriter requires a PC with
64K, one disk drive and DOS. It
brings out the best in the IBM,
EPSON, and NEC families of
Centronics parallel printers.
LIFETREE SOFTWARE, INC.
177 Webster Suite 342
Monterey, California 93940
(408) 659-3221
Dealer inquiries weico
Volkswriter is a trademark
Lifetree Software, Inc.
VisiCalc is a trademark o
Personal Software, Inc.
Some Software is Not Compatible
Regardless of how you try to transfer
them, some CPAif-80 programs will not
work with Baby Blue.
The fint limitation is that the programs
must fit within the physical limitations of
the PC. If the program requires 400K of
disk storage, it cannot be stored on a stan-
dard 160K PC disk. It might, however, be
possible to run the program if the PC is
equipped with a hard disk or a higher ca-
pacity eight-inch floppy disk. Programs
that won't run under CP/M 2.2 won't run
on Baby Blue. Baby Blue will also fail to
support programs that use what Landgar-
ten termed "primitive disk calls," such as
calling upon the disk operating system to
"read a certain sector." Such calls, accord-
ing to Landgarten, "are most likely to show
up in disk utilities you aren't likely to use
anyway." Other programs that will not
work include those that are dependent on
specific hardware of the computer or dis-
play device. Programs designed to run on
an Osborne computer or a SoftCard
equipped Apple are not going to run on an
IBM or any computer other than the one
for which it was derigned.
Transferring programs from one ma-
chine to another can also interfere with
the licensing agreements that users sign
with the software publishers or distribu-
tor. In recognition of that, Landgarten cau-
tions, "We are not providing the convert
program so that people can take software
they run on one computer and convert it to
the IBM. The purpose is to allow users to
buy software immediately that has already
been written rather than waiting for it to
be rewritten on the Baby Blue format"
Does It Work?
A prereleased prototype of Baby Blue
arrived at our office just in time for this
issue. This article was typed on the IBM
with the CP/M-80 version of UbrcJStur. It
is virtually the same WordStar that for
years has been the word-processing work-
horse on most micrncnmpntnr.s. ,\EDE.\
has improved the program to take advan-
tage of the PC's cursor control and func-
tion keys. The\' also provided us with a
special version of the SuperCaic spread-
sheet program to run on a Baby Blue
equipped IBM. Both SuperCuic and
WordStar worked as advertised and both
created data files in standard PC-DOS.
Using a BASIC program written by one of
our editors, we were even able to convert
Baby Blue's WordStar files so that they
could be edited with the EasyWn'ter and
VoJksWriter word-processing programs.
PC did not test the convert program,
nor did we attempt to "port" software from
a CP/M system to a PC.
Will It Become Obsolete?
Baby Blue might get you through the
current software drought, but in time there
is bound to be a plentiful supply of soft-
ware written for the PC's native 8088 pro-
cessor. If the programmers are as fars^t-
ed as the PC's hardware designers, much
of the new software will be better suited
for the PC than that which will run on
Baby Blue or any other Z-80 processor. Six
hundred dollars is a lot of money for a
stop-gap measure, but Landgarten points
to several reasons why his Baby should
have a long and useful life. First, it adds
64K of memon,' that can be accessed by
IBM's processor. Baby Blue sells for only
$40 more than a 64K IBM memon,' board
and. like a memory board, it takes up only
one expansion slot, although a number of
companies have introduced single-slot
boards that provide up to 256K of addition-
al memory. Baby Blue also adds another
^ABY BLUE
creates compatibility
by providing a Z-80
based ''computer
within a computer/'
processor to the IBM, which XEDEX sa>'s
will later be able to perform chores while
IBM's 8088 processor is busy doing some-
thing else. For example, using as yet unde-
veloped software, the Z-80 could be send-
ing text to a printer while the 8088 is
running a text editing program.
Will It Meet Your Needs?
Whether Baby Blue is for you depends
on your software needs. If you can be
served by software that runs with PC-DOS
or CP/M-86, you probably don't need any
"babies" in your system. As a general rule,
before buying any hardware, be sure it
will run the specific software packages
you need. But if you want to run programs
that are available for the Z-80, then this
Baby may bring joy into your life. /PC
IBM PC
Personal
Financial
Systems
Like having your private
accountant on call. Personal
Systems package looks after
your personal finances:
• Household Budget with 13
major expense categories
and user defined
itemization.
• Checkbook with automatic
payment withdrawals by
date.
• Passbook with
compounded savings
projections.
• Amatori/ation with
mortgage and consumer
loan scheduling.
In addition to professional
and educational uses, your
Personal Computer can be
keeping your personal
finances in order.
User friendly programs in
Basic. Diskette and Manual
only SI 00. Send check or
money order. Allow up to three
weeks for delivery.
DE5i6ni
5270 N. Park Drive
C«dar Rapids, 1 A 52402
JUNE/JULY 1982
53
Copyrighled maleiical
INEXPENSIVE and EASY-to-USE
SMALL BUSINESS SOFTWARE
for your IBM PC
EZLabel
EZMoney
EZMemo
• Mailing labels & phone
lists
• 1000 addresses per
diskette
•Sort by zip code or last
name
• Sort by user defined
codes
• 48K ■ One Drive • BASIC
• Ctieckbook & cash
management
• 100 user defined
categories
• Reconcile statements
• Reports by montti,
• Yearto-Date
• 64K • Two drives
- BASICA
• Easy-to-use word
processing
• Custom form letters
using addresses from
EZLabel files
• Print in any IBI^ PC type
style
• Line by line editing
• 64K - Two drives
- BASICA
• On screen order entry for
phione or mail order sales
• Stares 500 orders per
disk
• Prints custom invoices
• Up to 200 product codes
• Automatic extension,
taxes
• Wfiolesale & retail pricing
• 64K - Two drives
- BASICA
All sollwafe designed tor ease-of use Dy new IBW
PC owners For advanced users, 'iie formats are
pubhsHed in tfie use's guide IBM PC 80 CPS Matrix
Printer and Monoctirome Display recommended
At your dealer, by mail below or call:
EZEntry
rs
313 851-2504
systemics
3050 Spring Street
West Bloomfield, fvlichigan 48033
Name _
Address
City. State. Zip
EZLabel $39,95 EZIVIoney $44.95
EZMemo $39.95 EZEntry $99.95
(Michigan residents add 4% sales taxi
Certified checks, money orders and
credit card orders shipped next day
by U.S. Mail. Personal checks m two
weeks. CCD. add $1.50 / item
Total amount enclosed $
or charge my VISA MasterCard
Card #
Exp. Date
Signature
Interbank #
Send me your free IBM PC catalog
OPERATING SYSTEMS/HAL GLATZER
PC-DOS Wins One
CARE Computer's MatchMaker lets PCs use software from
Datapoint's DATABUS operating system.
Beginning in September, CARE
Computer Systems plans to offer a
software product that will open up
a veritable catalog of applications pro-
grams to the IBM Personal Computer. The
Bellevue, Washington firm is currently
testing MatchMaker 8600— a program
that converts Datapoint minicomputer
software into programs compatible with
IBM's PC-DOS operating system. To de-
velop the product, the company aban-
doned a previous project working toward
compatibilitv' with the CP/M operating
system.
"The effect of our product," says Ger-
ald Nelson, executive vice president of
CARE, "will be to bring a 437-page book of
seasoned, third-party software from Data-
point's catalog to the PC user. Those are
field-tested, existing applications pro-
grams that have been available for years."
CARE markets systems built around
Datapoint computers, specializing in gen-
eral ledger and medical records-keeping
software for nursing homes; they install
Datapoint minicomputers on customers'
premises, and also operate a remote com-
puter service bureau (with an IBM main-
frame) for some 800 clients. The idea for
MatchMaker 8600 grew out of a desire to
make use of microcomputers.
"Our software is written in DATABUS,
Datapoint's operating system language,
but it's not easily transportable into BASIC
or COBOL or other languages that a micro
could use," Nelson says. CARE was im-
pressed by CP/M, and found a computer
manufacturer that— at first— was willing
to support their conversion costs, but later
backed out of the project.
"Then the PC came along. It made me
nervous that we were going in one direc-
tion— 8-bit CP/M— and IBM was going in
another— 16-bit machines with greater
memory addressability. Now, the Data-
points are 8-bit machines, with multi-user
capabilities, but that's hard to achieve on
microcomputers. The IBM PC seemed like
a good product, and we figured we'd rath-
er bet on IBM and be on their side of the
line than be against them. We re-targeted
the conversion of DATABUS from 8-bit
CP/M to PC-DOS."
Mike Orr, who actually did the conver-
sion, was formerly a product manager for
the business-oriented COBOL language at
nearby Microsoft, and he describes the
project this way: " DATABUS is inherent-
ly an interpretive language, even on the
Datapoint. What that means is that the
software is processing every instruction
one step at a time, so the user sees only the
high-level, English-like language, and the
machine sees only its elementary machine
language. There's an 'interpreter' between
them.
"For turning DATABUS files into PC-
DOS files, we created an interpreter that
translates the DATABUS instructions into
pseudo-code, an intermediate step that
can then be translated for each operation.
There is an alternative approach, called a
compiler," Orr explains, "that would take
an entire program and translate it into ma-
chine language, but the advantage of our
approach over the compiler approach is
that it is smaller and more easily portable
among different machines. The major dis-
advantage is that it is slower than a really
well-done compiler can be.
"But the interpreter is really a bridge —
you can call it a 'portable bridge'— to other
16-bit processors, and to other operating
systems besides just PC-DOS. Ultimately,
we'll be making DATABUS conversions to
the Motorola 68000 chip and to UNIX op-
erating systems."
The first applications software that will
use the PC instead of a Datapoint will be
CARE'S own VistaCARE system for nurs-
ing homes, and CARE does not expect to
make further translations itself. Rather,
says Nelson, "We will make MatchMaker
8600 available to the 50 other Datapoint
OEMs" (companies that develop products
using Datapoint computers) and "open up
the PC to them." /K
Hal Glatzer is a journalist and television
producer who describes himself as an "ex-
plainer." His latest book is Introduction To
Word Processing published by Sybex.
54
i
PC MAGAZINE
One of the great masters?
Although the Datasouth DS180 matrix printer may not exactly rate as a work of art. our customers have a very
high opinion of its value. Over the past year, we have shipped thousands of DS180 printers to customers throughout
the world. Many of our sales now come in the form of repeat business —a strong testimonial to the acceptance of
a product.
The success of the DS180 in a very competitive market did not happen by accident: rather through our sensitivity
to the needs of the industi^/. This sensitivity we carry through research and development, production and quality con-
trol and finally to after sales support and service.
Recently we introduced new enhancements to make the DS180 printer even more versatile. Dot addressable raster
scan graphics produces output of computer generated charts, maps and graphs at a resolution of 75 x 72 dots per
inch. Variable horizontal pitch selection allows printing at 10. 12
or 16.5 characters per inch plus double wide printing at 5, 6 or IHIHHH^I^I^^^I^^I^^^I
8.25 characters per inch. The e>q3anded 2K FIFO print buffer ^^H^BV^^m^^^^^^^^l^^H
handles a full CRT screen dump at up to 9600 baud without de- ^ . "r^ ^^^^^I^^H
laying the host system. We also offer ti:cinsparent mode for isolat- >flB ^^^^^H V
ing communications problems, and for APL users, the dual ASCII/ ^^^^^B—
APL character set option. MjW^B >l> ^^^^^HQQI
Check our list of features and we think you will agree that the DS180 ^^^^^"""^'■■'■■''^^^^^^9^^^^
offers the most complete performance package in matrix printers. W i
DS180 PRINTER STANDARD FEATURES
• MiccoptocessorCoiKTol • Vtrrtkal Tabi
• MtcToprocessorComnol •VAmkalTalK
• ISO CTSPcml Speed . Peiforatton Skip Over .h
• Bkllr>«i™vi\ Ixwic Seeking . Auto Uiw Feed A
• 101)0 ChjrjcterBuHerlEwKlablet .6 8LPI .2
• ')x7 [)oi Mdtm • Auto End of Line Carnage Return . A
• EMMiided Character . 5 IPS Paper Sleu
• AdKistaMePrtnthead 16 Copies > Parallel and SctM lm«^f{a.'es
.% ASCII Character Set . 1 10 %(X> Boud Communications
• Cartrkkie Ribbon • Temimal Status Indicator;
• 132 Column Plint Width .AutfioAlaim
• Tractor Feed (Front or Booom) • SeU Test
.NooVoWkiFwTTVit Retention .X-oi\.Xo«
•TopoJFotm .Paper Out Detection
• Horizontal Tabs
The DS180 is available nationwide through our
network of sales/service distributors.
OPTIONAL FE.ATURES
. Compres.sed Pnni - 10. 12. 16.5 cpl
• High Resolution Dot -
AcUressable Graphics
• 2k Expanded Prtnt Buffet
.APL ASCII CKararterSet
data©@[at^[rD
computer corporation
EVENTS/HAL GLATZER
PCs pop up all over at the microcomputer
world's longest-running tribal rite.
At The Faire
The West Coast Coiiipuler Fuire. held un-
nuuJJy in Sun Francisco, has been a tribal
rile of the microcomputer industry since
1977, when the Apple II and Commodore
PKT computers niude their public debuts
there. 7'he Faire is not exactly a trade
show, nor a convention or conference; de-
scriptions like "gathering of the clan" or
Hal Glutzer s image of "The Big Game"
seem to capture its spirit.
While there are sizable microcom-
puter industry outposts elsewhere (Hocu
Raton, for example], and the roots of the
industry' can be traced to Albuquerque and
other places, the Sun Francisco Ba\' area
and neighboring "Silicon Valle>" have
become to microcomputers what Detroit
is to uulos and Pittsburgh is to steel— home
base. So each year the clan comes out to
the Faire to revel and swap stories. And
the clan keeps getting bigger,, with the
crowd swollen ever more by fascinated
onlookers and would-be initiates. Prod-
56
acts are shown and lectures given, but not
with the blue-suit or pipe-and-Iweed
atmosphere of more traditional events.
Attending the Faire is an experience unto
itself.
At last year's Faire IBM was an official
exhibitor Asked when her company was
going to introduce its "real" personal com-
puter, an IBM representative pointed to
the Model 5120 on display and said. "7'his
is it." (Four months later we all knew bet-
ter./ In 1982 IHAl itself didn't exhibit. But
the presence of the PC was everywhere—
the biggest source of excitement in the
place. PC magazine was there too, hawk-
ing our H'ares and checking nut the scene.
Following are several n.'fjnrts from PC
staffers.
The West Coast Computer Faire was
like a homecoming weekend for
Silicon Valley alumni. At the ver
nal n()iiin()x- a cool, green moment be
fore the waxing sun baked their grasslands
brown— some 40,000 people crowded into
San Francisco's stadium-like Civic Audi-
torium and Brooks HaW for the "big
game."
Hundreds of team players drew the
crowd in, their pennants and jerseys pro-
claiming brand-name and no-name goods,
arcane peripherals, and exotic languages.
Those celebrating the rites of spring had
their ceremonial "king" in Faire organizer
Jim Warren, who made himself ubiquitous
on rollerskates.
The Faire offered me a chance to see
how far the IBM Personal Computer team
(which had moved to Boca Raton, Florida
from Armonk, New York) would go
against the home-town boys and girls of
Northern California's indigenous indus-
lr>'.
Yet IBM itself was conspicuously ab-
sent, and it was not the only league leader
to stay off the field: Atari, Zenith, and
Microsoft set up no booths, and the latter
two asked only the trade press "sports-
writers " to attend their news conferences.
Instead, resellers and dealers represented
them, going head-to-head with Apple, Os-
borne, Radio Shack, and other first-string
players who were there in person.
Around the Faire at least two dozen
booths had a PC on display, and many
more had flyers that swore that their hard-
ware or software was— or soon would
be— running on the PC. In this wide world
of computer sports, some exhibitors' litera-
ture reminded me of TV wrestlers in be-
fore-the-match interviews, shouting gruff
and bluff promises of strength; others
were more soft-spoken, like golfers who
have played only 9 of 72 holes in a tourna-
ment.
One company, Datamost. proclaimed
that their software, WRITE-ON! {■]' is part
of the name, by the way) was "easier than
EasyWriter ," as "powerful as WordStar,"
and "a program editor too." To them things
like word wrapping, variable inserts to
form letters, print formatting and text
merging were unique features.
More subtle was Quadram Corpora-
tion, which modestly touted its memory
expansion board for the PC this way: "The
first mass-produced IBM cards jsicj
shipped by a supplier other than IBM. . . .
With four cards being shipped, Quadram
has become one of the leading suppliers of
IBM peripheral boards. " Did they mean
four varieties or just four boards? (And I
thought I knew what "IBM cards" were—
those things you're not supposed to fold,
spindle, or mutilate.)
Exhibitors'
literature reminded
me of TV wrestlers in
before-the-match
in ter views — gruff
and bluff.
Team sports again: A club that has been
on the field since the beginning of the PC
game showed off its latest player. Informa-
tion Unlimited Software, Inc. brought out
EasySpelJer as a teammate to its Easy-
Writer word processor.
EasySpeJier has a built-in dictionary of
88,000 discrete words and showed itself to
be very user friendly, giving full-sentence
explanations of its activities. "EasySpelJer
does not recognize this word at all," ap-
peared when a word in the file was not
found in the dictionary, and "EasySpeJler
sees improper capitalization," showed up
when an ordinary' word was capitalized as
a proper noun. EasySpei/er accepts non-
Easy Writer documents and will proofread
any PC-DOS-created files, including BA-
SIC and FORTRAN programs.
A potentially dangerous competitor to
the PC-DOS software jockeys was a piece
of hardware delicately called "Baby Blue"
(a pun on IBM's corporate nickname, "Big
Blue "). The product is a microcomputer on
a single-printed circuit board that allows
programs for the CP/M operating system
to run as if the PC were an 8-bit, CP/M-
compatible microcomputer- the very
computer IBM had hoped to render obso-
lete by using the 8088 16-bit chip. Since
there is still little software that takes full
advantage of the 8088, Baby Blue may fill
in the gaps. But if 16-bit software (written
for PC-DOS or CP/M-86) comes down the
pike soon. Bob Dylan's lyrics may be heard
blowing in the wind: "It's all over now
Baby Blue."
So here's the latest from the press box
at Silicon Valley Stadium, over radio sta-
Giveaway Winner Drawn
For a few moments, the PC exhibit booth became the center of attention at the West Coast
Computer Faire, as jennifer Poitier (daughter of PC's production manager jacqueline
Poitier) drew the winning name in our promotional giveaway of an IBM Personal
Computer. As a dense crowd pressed around, jenny gamely plunged her hand into the
barrel and drew out the entr\' of Paul Hardiman of Milwaukee. The response to PC's
drawing was one more indication of the intense interest IBM's PC elicited from Faire
attendees.
58
PC MAGAZINE
Cl
lion WCCF: The team from IBM has yet to
knock anybody out of the running, but
don't let the first innings fool you. The
name of this game is hardball.
Surrender at the
Faire
I arrived at the West Coast Computer Faire
as a freelance writer in search of anything
new and exciting in the world of comput-
ers. Having no bias toward any particular
system, I wandered through the cavernous
convention stopping at whatever booths
struck my fancy. After three days of non-
stop talking and gawking, I surrendered
my free-agent status.
Within a week I signed on as an editor
at PC, and I just took delivery on my own
IBM Personal Computer.
I didn't need the Faire to convince me
that the PC was an excellent computer.
Like a lot of people, I was holding back
until I saw adequate software and hard-
ware for the machine. There are a lot of
excellent computers on the market, but
what makes a machine exciting is the sup-
port it gets from others— software authors,
equipment manufacturers, users groups,
even book and magazine publishers. Any
lingering doubts were erased by my exper-
ience at the Faire.
The Faire pierced certain myths about
IBM's new computer. Myth One: Limited
software. Software may have been limited
in October when the machine was re-
leased, but a lot of programmers have
been burning the midnight oil in the inter-
vening six months. The Faire had enough
software offerings to satisfy some pretty
diverse demands.
Faire goers in search of word-process-
ing software could view demonstrations of
VolksWriter, Select, and Write-On. and
Norell Data Systems promised the immi-
nent release of fJasyText.
Spreadsheet shoppers were not limited
to IBM's VisiCalc. "Calcalikes." it seems,
are fair|e| game. Sorcim was showing
SuperCalc while others were claiming
that their electronic spreadsheets were
just around the corner.
PCers in need of communications soft-
ware were not bound to IBM's Asynchro-
nous Package, since Micro-Link made it to
the Faire. Data Base management needs
could be filled by Norell's KasyDala,
ISU's EasyFiJer, Washington Computer
Service's Record Management System
and two packages from johnson Associ-
ates.
Games, though not plentiful, were dis-
played by Stoneware and Digital Market-
ing. There was even a program called
"The Programmer," designed to help you
write your own programs.
While there weren't as many software
packages as there were for Apple, TRS-80.
or CP/M microcomputers, there were
plenty from which to choose.
Myth Two: The PC is expensive. Faire
goers were treated to add-ons that trans-
formed the PC into a bargain system.
Davong's Faire Special included a 192K
memory board for $599—539 more than
IBM's 64K board. To store the data gener-
ated by all that cheap memory', they also
showed a $1,995 five-megabyte hard disk.
These disks hold 31 times the data of an
IBM floppy at 3 1/2 times the price.
Buyers of color monitors could see the
light for a lot less. Both ATI and Electro-
Home had color monitors for less than
$600. Berkeley Micro-Computer was one
of many companies selling memory chips.
They also had a six-foot extension cord for
the PC keyboard.
Engineers, programmers, scientists,
and system designers also had products
from which to choose. Hurricane Labs, for
example, was showing its PC prototype
wire rap and expander boards, and prom-
ising lots more for the future. Basic Busi-
ness Software demonstrated a series of
utility programs to take some of the drudg-
er\' out of programming. They also offered
some pretty sophisticated statistics pack-
ages to run on the PC.
lUNE/lULY 1982
Even would-be entrepreneurs had a
chance to cash in on the PC bonanza. The
Software Emporium offered franchises to
anyone "with a modest amount of capital
and a willingness to work hard." The PC
was the most prominently featured com-
puter in the Emporium's prototype adver-
tising.
For every firm that had a PC product at
the Faire, there were several that had
some in the works, not yet ready for exhib-
it. Need proof? Check out this issue's
"New on the Market." If that's not proof
enough, stay tuned. Next year's Faire
might just be a PC Carnival.
—Larry Magid
The Programmer
Previewed
The most tantalizing booth at the Faire
for me was that of Advanced Operating
Systems. They were showing off a nearly
finished version of The Programmer, a
program to help write other programs. I
wanted a copy the minute I saw it.
The Programmer is not one of the so-
called "programs that program." It is a
program that helps you write programs in
BASIC. By far its nicest attribute is that it
takes in the full range of the PC's capabili-
ties: graphics, sound, communications,
etc. Menus in the program present you
with choices of all the things the PC can
do. The screen graphics menu, for exam-
ple, includes a choice to draw a line; and if
you select this. The Programmer will then
ask you where the line should start and
stop, what color it should be, and whatever
else it needs to know. By showing you list-
ings of the PC's features in this way, the
program keeps reminding you of all the
things the PC can do.
Making a program this way is a little
like stringing beads. You still need to de-
fine what you want a new program to ac-
complish; but once you do, you just outline
the steps, and The Programmer turns if
into a BASIC program. While in the bead-
stringing stage, you can shift back and
forth between The Programmer and your
evolving program to check how it's coming
along, then go back for changes or addi-
tions. If the eventual product lives up to
the preview, this one's going to be a biggie.
—Jim Edlin
Word-Processors
Proliferate
One obvious message from the Faire
exhibits was that PC users will have plenty
of choices about what they use to process
words.
The cottage-industry corps had already
been hard at work. In a small booth tucked
away on a mezzanine, Camilo Wilson
(above left) showed off his VoJkswriter
WRITE-ON! IBM
t»SltR THAN EASTMRITER
White- nl
POWEHrui lis WOROSTftR
A PROCRAM EDITOR. TOO
^ St29.95
A
60
PC MAGAZINE
Copyngliied material
program— aimed at those seeking simplic-
ity. Downstairs, DalaMost was marketing a
version of Write On! that Betsy Speicht
(right) had rapidly adapted from its origi-
nal version for the Apple II computer.
(The manual binder bore apple pictures,
Some 40,000
people crowded into
the stadium-like
Civic Auditorium and
Brooks Hall for
the big game,
but a sticker was affixed that said "IBM
Version.")
The makers of IBM's chosen software,
EasyWriter, previewed a newer and dif-
ferent program. EasyWriter II, that they
will be marketing on their own. And other
companies, while not yet showing their
products, certainly wanted to make sure
you knew they were coming. These in-
cluded Sorcim Corp., publishers of the
SuperCaJc spreadsheet, which was talking
up a companion SuperWriter program,
and Select Information Systems, who had
their Select program demonstrating on
several machines including the Xerox per-
sonal computer. Select's Zev Rattet said
the IBM PC version of the program was
just about to be released.
PC Panel Draws
Standing Room
Only
The Computer Faire's three-hour pan-
el discussion entitled "The IBM Personal
Computer" drew a standing-room-only
crowd of more than 500 information-
hungry individuals. They turned out to
hear a panel that included such stars of the
PC firmament as Microsoft's Bill Gates
and Digital Research's Gary Kildall. The
only missing ingredient was a representa-
tive from IBM itself, and though none
were on the podium, some visitors from
Boca Raton were spotted in the audience.
The session was organized by john Reut-
ter, president of Megasoft, a software sys-
tems company that is developing educa-
tional and entertainment software. In
addition to scoring the coup of getting rival
software authors Gates and Kildall on the
same stage, Reutter assembled two hard-
ware manufacturers— Martin Alpert,
president of Tecmar, and Bob Lindgren,
vice president of marketing at DataMac
Equipment Corp. Other speakers at the
session included Fred "Chip" Pood, senior
vice president for mergers and acquisi-
tions at Micropro International; Richard
Mandel. national products manager at
ComputerLand in Hayward; PC publisher
David Bunnell; and PC founding editor
jim Edlin.
Each panelist gave a 15- to 20-minute
talk followed by a few minutes of ques-
tions and answers. Here are some high-
lights.
John Reutter, Megasoft
For three to four years many of us spec-
ulated about when IBM would drop its
bombshell and legitimize our industry'. In
August 1980. IBM began forming the proj-
ect and put together 250 PC "freaks" with-
in IBM. I had a number of friends at IBM
who had their own PCs— some of the early
ones. They had to hide the fact that they
had them. It wasn't an accepted thing to go
home and play with your PC if it didn't
have an IBM label.
The project was completed in less than
a year. And the software that was sold to
the public for three to four years, with
thousands of bugs in it. was found and cor-
rected before IBM introduced its comput-
er onto the market. This was to maintain
respectability.
IBM is one of the very few companies
in the entire world that overnight could
create a billion-dollar industry.
Bob Lindgren, DataMac
I talked with a lot of the ComputerLand
Store owners — the ones who have been
around for a while, who have been
through the Apple. They said the Apple
would be a ripple on a pond. But the IBM
seems to be a tidal wave. And it doesn't
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JUNE/jULY 1982
61
seem to be subsiding at all.
Memory is an area that, as users, you're
gonna have to look at. ffyou look at IBM's
announcement, they say the maximum
configuration would be 256K. Remember,
with five expansion slots, when you take a
floppy and you take your monitor and your
printer, you're left with three expansion
slots. The obvious thing was to increase
the density of the board. We wondered
why they didn't increase the capacity of
the board.
products, we've been able to learn a great
deal about the PC and our market.
Many users are first-time users without
significant technical background, which is
why quality of product and high reliability-
are so vital.
L
Chester drives, and expansion chassis
were some of the products. You can now
find literally dozens of manufacturers of
memory for the PC. Most of these com-
modity products are ver>' similar, with a
few variations. It is the peripherals that
make this PC acceptable to a multitude of
applications. It is these peripherals that
give this PC personality.
The other area that we looked at on a
PC that was interesting and seemed to be
similarly deficient was the amount of flop-
py disk storage offered. IBM used Tandon
drives and the 40 tpi drives, which gave a
capacity of 160K. So really you have a flop-
py storage problem, especially with some
of the software that's being supported. You
need certain data bases that you can't get
to with those sized floppies.
Dr. Martin Alpert, Tecmar
Tecmar has developed 26 products for
the IBM PC. By virtue of handling these
.BM
is one of the few
companies that
overnight could
create a billion dollar
industry.
There are certain product omissions
that were obvious. And IBM. by providing
complete documentation, facilitated
third-party hardware vendors' meeting
those needs. High-densit>' RAM. Win-
New software can be used to add new
functions to the hardware. For example, at
the show, we've announced software
products that allow the standard memory
board to act as a disk.
IBM has set very high standards that
this industry must also adhere to.
Fred "Chip" Pood, Micropro
The projection before IBM entered
[the market) was that we'd have between
one and two million micros out this year.
They're now forecasting four and five mil-
lion by 1985.
Professional and business people are
bv far the dominant users of microcom-
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The Personal Computer is great for home
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Displaywriter was designed as an office
machine. It has more storage, faster data
transfer and a rugged exterior.
Now the Displaywriter has the CP/M-86
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Veritas Technology Inc., customized CP/M-86
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62
PC MAGAZINE
NEC's new letter-quality printer
gets personal witti IBM.
The Spinwriter* 3550 lets the IBM PC
get down to business.
NEC s new Spinwriter letter-quality
printer is the only one plug-compatible
with the IBM Personal Computer. So you
get the business applications you've been
wishing for. Letter-quality output for
word and data processing. Multi-language,
scientific, and technical printing. Simple
forms handling. Quiet operation. And the
reliability of the industry's most popular
printer line.
NEC designed the new Spinwriter espe-
cially for the IBM PC. It comes complete
with documentation and training materials
to fit your PC user's handbook. Just plug
the Spinwriter in and your PC instantly
beconu's more versatile and flexible.
More than 8 forms handlers and
50 print thimbles boost PC versatility.
N EC designed the Spinwriter's 8 modular
forms handlers to accommodate a wide
range of paper and document sizes and
types. The easily mounted handlers let
your computer print out the forms you
need for data processing, word processing,
graphics, accounting or other business
applications.
The Spinwriter's 50 print thimbles
can more than triple your PC's usefulness.
They come in both constant pitch and
proportional-spaced fonts, plus in foreign
language, technical and scientific versions.
They snap in and out in seconds, and let
you print up to 203 columns on 16-inch
paper. They each last for more than 30
million impressions.
This printer's special features make
everything look better on paper.
The Spinwriter's software-invoked
features include automatic proportional
spacing; bidirectional, bold and shadow
printing; justification; centering; under-
scoring; and sub/super scripting, all at
speeds up to 350 words per minute.
That big extra, Spinwriter reliability.
The new 3550 is part of NEC's renowned
Spinwriter family, the world's most popu-
lar line of letter-quality printers.
Spinwriters have the industry's best
mean-timc-bctween-failure rating, in ex-
cess of 3,000 hours. In terms of average
personal computer usage, that's more
than five years.
I 1
NEC Information Systems, Int.
5 Militia Drive, Lexington, MA 02173
Send me more information on the
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IBM
QUNIX"
BRINGS MINICOMPUTER PERFORMANCE TO YOUR PC**
QUNIX IS AN ENTIRELY ORIGINAL AND HIGHLY OPTIMISED OPERATING SYSTEM DESIGNED TO EN-
SURE YOUR PERSONAL COMPUTER'S UPGRADABILITY TO ADVANCED INFORMATION PROCESSING,
COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING APPLICATIONS.
QUNIX SUPPORTS A FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE "C" PROGRAMING LANGUAGE (WHICH CAN
ALSO USE THE 8087 COPROCESSOR!) AS WELL AS COMPILED BASIC AND PASCAL.
A VERY ADVANCED ULTRA-FAST FULL SCREEN EDITOR ALLOWS ANY KEY TO PERFORM USER DE-
FINED FUNCTIONS WHILE THE TEXT FORMATTER PROVIDES FOR DOCUMENT PREPARATION.
CHOOSE A SINGLE USER MULTI-TASKING VERSION OF QUNIX AND SPEED UP AND INCREASE YOUR
CONTROL OF YOUR PERSONAL COMPUTER! SPOOL OUTPUT TO YOUR PRINTER OR USE "TALK" TO
TRANSFER FILES TO OR FROM REMOTE PC'S VIA MODEMS THEN RESUME YOUR EDITING OR OTHER
FUNCTIONS WHILE THAT TASK IS COMPLETED!
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO AVOID THE QUESTION "Dad, can I use the IBM computer tonight?" CHOOSE A
DUAL USER VERSION OF QUNIX FOR YOUR HOME USE AND SHARE THE FULL SYSTEM POWER WITH
YOUR CHILDREN! MAKE THE PERSONAL COMPUTER A JOINT LEARNING EXPERIENCE OR JUST LET
THE KIDS PLAY GAMES WHILE YOU WORK ( OR VICE VERSA? ).
IF YOU ARE A BUSINESSMAN OR EDUCATOR AND WANT TO MINIMIZE THE COST OF PROVIDING AD-
VANCED COMPUTING FACILITIES CONSIDER UPGRADING YOUR IBM PC WITH A DAVONG-h WIN-
CHESTER DRIVE, MEMORY EXPANSION AND OTHER ADD-IN COMPONENTS TOGETHER WITH AN EX-
TENDED VERSION OF QUNIX TO ALLOW UP TO EIGHT SIMULTANEOUS USERS!
I F YOU WANT TO RUN APPLICATIONS YOU ALREADY OWN WRITTEN FOR THE IBM DOS A NEW QUANTUM
PRODUCT CALLED A "DOS EMULATOR" TO BE RELEASED IN JUNE 1982 WILL ALLOW YOU TO DO
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QUNIX 1.0
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$200
QUNIX 1.0
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$250
QUNIX 10
OCTAL
USER (S)
$300
Recommended Minimum PC Configuration
64K &
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64K &
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128K &
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C
COMPILER
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IN U S.
For further information for personal and OEM users, please write or call:
IN CANADA
QUANTUM SOFTWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
7219 SHEA COURT
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'UNIX IS a trademark o) Bell Laboratories
puters. We feel it's the needs of the office
ttiat are the drtving force behind software
devekiiinent ComputerLand stores in
Now York and MIS Week in February
1982 recorded that 93 percent of the PCs
are purchased by businesses, both small
and large.
We perceive Uiat the trends in software
are three-fold: (l) The needs of the office
environment are going to be crucial to the
development of applications software; (2)
The entire office environment needs to be
integrated; (3) One of Micropro's intents is
diat our software will allow Bill Gates to
recommend the IBM PC to his mom. It
must be easy to use and alter.
Canned application software has a ma-
ior problem. The Ukelihood of satisfying
everyone is virtually impossible. There
have been accounts receivable (A.R.) as
long as there have been professions. Yet
nobody's ever come up with a definitive
A.R. package, because businesses are all
different All packaged software is just an
approximation of what the user wants. A
mora powerful microcomputer from the
world's largest computer company is not
going to change this fact The problem will
become worse as whole new types of users
absolutely unknovdedgeable about data-
processnig enter the microcomputer
world. We feel the answer lies not only in
better hardware, but, specifically, in better
software.
o£ MicroPro's
intentions is that our
software will allow
Bill Gates to
recommend the IBM
PC to his mom.
Hardware is interchangeable. You
have much more invested in learning how-
to use a piece of software. We want to cap-
italize on that investment for you by hav-
ing you learn one piece of software and
making the next piece that much easier to
kam— keyboard techniques are the same,
operator techniques ara identical, menu
schemes are the same, prompts are the
same, data is compatible between pro-
grams ... It has to be. If we don't do it
someone else will. And we intend to be
number one.
Bill Gates, Microsoft
IGateswTOtethefirstBASIC language foro
microcomputer and is, in Reutter's words,
"singlehandediy responsibJe for creating
our industry, "y
We have today a 16-bit world. (The PC)
is the first of a new class of machines that
will become increasingly important.
Some of the key packages now on the
IBM machine (VisiCoIc, Easy Writer) nev-
er existed in the 8080 environment
Tliere isa very large user base out there
today developbigqrstems under MS-DOS.
Lifeboat Associates will be publishing
a wide variety of applications in MS-DOS
environments, and that's important. That's
die type of momentum that leads to an op-
erating system being accepted as a stan-
dard.
I think ever\'one's aware, in the case of
the machines today, that you can buy a
nice peripheral, but in most cases the ap-
plications won't take advantage of it
I expect most work for IBM machines
will be done in a'high-level language. The
extra power of die instruction-set means
that the inefficient cost for working a high-
level language is greatly reduced from the
8-bit environment. The key reason for
working in machine language in the 8-bit
environment was the limited address
space, and that is something the IBM PC
solves.
I think you'll see packages that'll de-
mand more and more memory. I encour-
age you to get a board that's expandable,
even if you only go with the 128 initial^.
Dr. Gary Kildall,
Digital Research
We transported fundamentally the
same environment into the 16-bit world to
I»ovide transportation paths for software
vendors ... the same function calls, the
same memory organization, and the same
base page. Everything is fundamentally
the same, with extensions to handle mem-
ory management and multi-reskient pro-
grams.
The common mode of operation for 16-
bit machines, including the PC, is going to
be a sfaigle-user, concurrent system.
Iexpect
most work Jfor IBM
machines will be
done in a high-level
langaage.
One thing we'll see in the 16-bit world
that will be a change from the 8-bit envi-
ronment is that the professional program-
ming languages will become more in-
credible. You'll see some migration away
frmn small basic systems and into COBOL
and PASCAL environments.
Tim Edlin and David Buiinell,
PC magazine
jim Edlin and David Bunnell discussed
custmner trends (Fortune 500 companies,
small businesses, and professionals are
prevalent), made future projections (by
die third quarter of 1982. IBM will be ship-
ping 1,000 PCs a day), and opened the Pan-
dora's box on a new rumor,, that IBM will
open a PC manufacturing plant tn upstate
New York and one in France). "It's impor-
tant to be first" said Bunnell, "with a mag-
azine or a product."
Richard Mandel,
ComputerLand
Mandel touched on several key issues
involving PC sales and development. High
points of Mandel's presentation centered
on:
• ComputerLand's role in convincing IBM
to publish the PC schematics. (Compu-
terLand was involved quite early in KS's
development.)
• First-quarter ComputerLand sales,
which indicated that all line sales ex-
panded as n result of PC's entry into the
marketplace.
• Emerging sales patterns. The customer
base for the PC consists of Fortune 1000
Companies, which tend to install multi-
ples— 50 to 1,000 machines per firm.
— Kaddeen Burton
ae
PC MAGAZINB
NETWORK TUTORIAL/STUART R. SCHWARTZ and ELLEN WILSON
Discovering The Source
A network novice's inilialion into the uses of a
lelecompuling service.
Three weeks before my IBM Person-
al Computer was to arrive I signed
up for The Source information and
communication service. I had only a vague
hint of what its computing power could
offer, but the concept of an electronic
resource— an array of services available
from the comfort and convenience of my
home— seemed particularly appealing.
I purchased a subscription to The
Source to access its large data base, to get
late-developing financial information,
and to monitor legislation in health care
from Capitol Hill. Initially 1 focused on the
information librar\' that was available, but
I soon recognized the communication pos-
sibilities inherent in this new medium. A
user can receive news, transmit text, re-
produce documents, and rapidly commu-
nicate information to a specialized inter-
est group that know each other only
through the electronic service.
IBM Post
One of the features of The Source is
POST, a classified ad and bulletin board
service. Subscribers participate in open
HERE'S
something magical
about typing a reply to
a letter and knowing
it's instantly in
another person's
mailbox.
forum to trade goods and services, discuss
topics of mutual concern, and establish in-
terest groups. Anyone can send up to 23
lines on the POST free of charge within 75
subject categories. Photography, antiques,
aviation, even apartments for rent are
shown as separate POST categories. Each
of the popular computers has its own
POST listing. Naturally I acces.sed the
IBM POST, and I found it immediately
helpful.
Even,' evening messages appearing on
the POST brought me new information
about the PC: additional software, hard-
disk availability, data on RGB monitors,
problems with features, and recommend-
ed peripherals.
Since this was my first computer, 1 had
many questions about its use. One imme-
diate problem I noticed while using the
communication package was the back-
space feature, which should delete incor-
rect characters. Instead, card-like symbols
in reverse video would appear on the
screen and alter the communications flow.
I inquired if anyone out there in Source-
land could help me.
My POST communique was answered
immediately. This was a software prob-
lem, and its correction required a simple
patch.
Furthermore, I wanted to be able to
print out material from The Source while
it was appearing on the screen. IBM's
communication package did not provide
for this. I sent out an inquiry on the POST
for assistance. Very quickly people re-
sponded who had already developed a
solution. They sent me a few simple modi-
fications to the IBM package, which
allowed me to echo the screen in ongoing
print-out. Here were experienced and
technically proficient programmers shar-
ing information to help solve those prob-
lems.
As questions and answers popped up
night after night, I realized that 1 had be-
come part of a network that was effective-
ly overhauling the IBM asynchronous
communication software and making it a
practical tool for the needs of home users,
PC Gazette
Following The Source's menu led me to
an option called "user publishing." It
allows subscribers to set up files that
are available to all. One individual has
created a categor\' called The PC Gazette,
a file of information about the machine. It
contains communications going back to
1981. It also has an index of articles pub-
lished in PC magazine, a listing of avail-
able software, and prices from IBM prod-
uct centers. One can learn about user
groups starting to form throughout the
(CunlinUfS)
)UNE/)ULY 1982
67
DESIGNS
inc.
PRODUCTS for the
IBM Personal Computer
SYSTEM SUPPORT CARD
SDI-SSC $295.00
• Clock Calendar Parallel/Printer Port.
Async Port on one card.
Plus Game Adapter
• Slot Savings
• IBM Software Compatible
• Software for Clock Calendar
• Battery Back-up
All Boards Available Now
*JUNE SPECIAL-
1 5% DISCOUNT
On Prepaid Orders for fully configured
256K Boards.
64K Byte Non-Expandable
SDI64 $195.00
• Small Size, Low Cost
• Includes Parity and Addressability
SDI-PROTO $55.00
SDI-MiniProto $30.00
SIGMA DESIGNS, INC. . p„ s.e or Ha f Sze
3866 Eastwood Cr., P.O.Box 3765 • Documentation Kit
Santa Clara, CA 95055-3765 • Platec' Tfirougfi Holes
(408) 496-0536 • Bracket
MEMORY BOARDS WITH
ASYNC SERIAL PORT
64K Byte - 256K Byte Expandable
SDI 256+Async/64 $445.00
SDI 256+Async/128 $595.00
SDI 256+Async/192 $745.00
* SDI 256+Async/256 $895.00
MEMORY BOARDS ONLY
SDI 256/64 $295.00
SDI 256/128 $445.00
SDI 256/192 $595.00
*SDI 256/256 $745.00
Field Expansion Memory Kit
9 Chip Set $150.00
• Async Port IBtVI Software Compatible
• Parity Ctiecking
• Addressable to any 64K Boundary
• Board is disabled on unused blocks
• Field Expandable to 256K Byte
MEMORY EXPANSION MODULE for IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER
■ Directly expands memory to 256K Bytes. Replaces three
64K Byte cards, (larger configurations available)
■ Each card aged at high temperature and voltage margined;
less than 350 mA of -t-5v; one year warranty.
■ Available at participating COMPUTERLAND stores:
contact factory for further Information.
Intermedia Systems: 10 year old company; also
produces CAD and Medical Graphic Display systems
for Hewlett-Paclcard computers.
STAINLESS
STEEL
BRACKET
$579.00 o
EACH
CARD GUIDE INCLUDED
EXTENDED FOOT FOR
VERTICAL STABILITY
8
iHterMcdiii iKY*f^H>
10601 S. DeAnza Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 996-0900
FULL WIDTH CARD FOR HORIZONTAL STABILITY ■
C0P;1„
About The Source:
The Source service can be used by al-
most any personal computer or computer
terminal. Source transmission is accom-
plished through either of two telephone net-
works. Telenet and Tymnet, which are
reached via an ordinan,' telephone call.
IBM Personal Computer owners wish-
ing to use The Source will need a mfxlem,
which connects the computer to a telephont;
line, and an asv'nchronous communications
card with an RS-232 serial port. One can
reach The Source through the COMM.BAS
program included with IBM's disk operat-
ing system (PC-DOS|. Communications soft-
ware sold separately can also be used.
A subscription to The Source costs $100
and may be purchased from retail computer
stores or directly from Source Telecomput-
ing Corporation, 1616 Anderson Road,
McLean. VA 22102.
The subscription is a one-time-only fee.
Charges for actual use of The Source are
based on connect time and type of service
accessed, although there is a SlO monthly
minimum. Rates var\' with time of day. from
S4.25 an hour betw'een midnight and 7 a.m.
to S18 an hour for prime-time use (7 a.m. to 6
p.m. Monday through Friday).
A new. advanced data base called
Source Plus is available at additional cost.
Source Plus features include commodity re-
ports and recommendations, a record of
bills before Congress, and Comp-U-Star, an
electronic department store. Books, major
appliances, tools. tirf!s, cameras, and carpet-
ing are among the items that may be pur-
chased through Cnmp-lJ-Star. A worldwide
trading network and a customized informa-
tion research service are also available
through Source Plus.
New subscribers receive a host .system
number, a .six-character identification code,
and a personal password. These numbers
must be entered corrt;ctl\\ in proper se-
quence, to connect with The Source.
Subscribers also receive a user's manual,
which we found intelligently written, well
documented, logically arranged, and ade-
quately indexed.
There are two routes to maneuvering
through The Source. It appears designed
with operating simplicity- in mind, and peo-
ple with little or no previous computing ex-
perience should become proficient quickly
in its use.
A menu screen displays a set of alterna-
tives, and selection usually leads to a sub-
menu of additional options. A choice there
may lead to yet another group of categories.
As you become familiar with The Source,
you will probably choose to b\pass the
menus and type in direct commands.
One can al.so switch rapidly from one
application to another, from accessing infor-
mation to actual communication.
The Source will automatically discon-
nect if no activit\' is registered at command
level after three minutes.
—Stuart Schwartz and Ellen Wilson
NF
SYSTEMS
A new micro-sotlvkdfe company with
more than a decade ol experience
in large and inlermediali' systems
— Catalog Available —
HOUSEHOLD AIDS A group ot six programs designed to organize
and conirol paperwork tor ttie entire family Total Pkg 49.95
1
2
3
4
5
6
HOUSEHOLD INVENTORY - 26 categories ol possessions Totals by
category including cost and current value
VITAL RECORDS - keeps lists o( social security numbers, bank
accounts, wills, insurance, etc A must for everyone'
VCR INDEX - also could be used to keep track ol regular cassettes
Unlimited tape numbers
RE SUME - keep it handy— keep it current Keeps resumes loi several
lamily members
PERSONAL STATEMENT - keep one or more available to print as
needed Covers all topics
NAME/ADDRESS/PHONE - also allows space for children s names
and a miscellaneous lield for birthdays Christmas cards etc Search on
last name
STOCK PORTFOLIO Keep all transactions by company name and
date Pnnl entire portfolio or transactions by month or year 39.95
CHECK REGISTER Up to 40 ledger/budget headings Print Check
Register or Totals by ledger/by month 39 95
NF SYSTEMS, LTD.
P O Box 76363
Atlanta, GA 30358
Personal Computer
To order, call collect 9-5 404-252-3302
Reliable Business
Software
DATASMITH software requires no previous computer
experience, so it can be used effectively by your present
office staff. The menu-driven systems feature extensive
error detection and correction facilities, so they are
"friendly" to the user
• GENERAL LEDGER. Everything you need to keep
the books. Features easy to-use data entry and
error correction, trial balance, fast post, and a vari-
ety of comprehensive reports. Automatic error
detection keeps the books In balance Writes
checks and makes journal entries in one operation.
• PAYROLL. A very flexible system that adapts to a
vi/ide variety of needs. Features Federal, state, and
local tax calculations. El credit, and special pay
and deduction amounts. Prints all necessary
reports, paychecks, and W-2 forms
• DATA MANAGER. A powerful generalized data
management system that lets you define, enter, up-
date, sort, select, and print reports from a database
of your own design. Applicable to almost any job
where records must be kept, this system can
replace literally hundreds of programs.
Put your computer to work with these sophisticated
systems now. Programs are available for 48K or larger
two-disk systems in your choice of code for l^^icrosoft
BASIC-80- under CPIM'. IBM" Personal Computer
BASIC, or fVlicropolis' BASIC.
DfllflSfnJTH
Box 8036, Shawnee Mission, KS 66208. (913) 381-9118
jUNE/lULY 1982
69
[Continued frnm page 67}
countn' and track the evolutionary devel
opment of the PC.
CHAT
was reading UPI news when something
flashed on my screen: some call letters, a
small identification, and a personal intro-
duction, "Would you like to chat?"
CHAT is a feature that allows typewrit-
During my first week on The Source, I ten conversation with another subscriber.
Fix for IBM Communications Program
The following change corrects a problem IBM's asynchronous communications program
has with handling backspaces. (IBM apparently forgot there might be more than one
character in the input buffer.) To make the change, load the BASIC language, insert the
communications program disk, then type LOAD ' TERMINAL.BAS' ' . When the program is
loaded, type the following lines:
2005 D% = 512+ ASC(BKS$]: CALL SS(C%.TX.D^.EX)
5106 IF RIGHT$(B$,1) <> BKS$ THEN 5110
5107 IF LEN(B$) > 1 THEN B$ = LEFT$[B$.LEN(B$}-2) ELSE 60SUB 2720
SAVE -TERMINAL ■
GOTO 5200
The modified program will then be stored on your disk. Line 2005 forces the base
program to terminate a buffer read at a backspace character, if there is one, so only the
rightmost character needs to be tested in 5106. If there is more than one character in the
buffer string, then line 5107 removes the backspace and preceding character before
letting the buffer be printed to the screen, otherwise it calls an existing subroutine,
'vhich backs up one character position on the screen, prints a space, and ijacks up again.
With thanks to Morris E. Thompson, jr. of Dallas, Texas (Source TCS923), who
originated this change.
WIN 10 FREE DISKETTES
ATTENTION OWNERS OF:
I Personal Computers
Small Business Computers
Word Processors
^ DRAWING JULY 30, 1982
( This is our way of introducing you to
the best guarantee in diskettes available today.
Fill in the entry form below and send to:
PERSONAL COMPUTING AND SUPPLIES
P.O. BOX 203, E. AMHERST, N.Y. 14051
NAME
COMPANY (If Required).
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP
Type of Word Processor or Computer Used
DISKETTE TYPE: (Indicate by "X" mark)
SIZE SECTOR
\ □ Single Sided □ Single Density
* □ Double Sided □ Double Density
No One Will Call On You. Tlie Winner's Name Will Be Used In Future Ads.
I had read about CHAT in the user's man-
ual for The Source, but it didn't prepare
me for the reality of this stranger coming
into my home electronically. I was
shocked but managed to respond.
Most conversations centered on com-
puters and their uses. Through the CHAT
feature I met a graphics designer in New
York, a baccarat dealer in Las Vegas, and a
Detroit TV technician who offered me a
place to stay when the San Francisco
Fort>'-Niners went to the Super Bowl.
One random contact on the electronic
network turned into an amazing coinci-
dence. I found myself chatting with an old
friend of my brother's who I had heard
about but had never met.
SMAIL
The POST and CHAT introduced me to
a group of people, and I began to commu-
nicate regularly through a feature called
SMAIL— Source Mail. Each subscriber
has a mailbox, a 2,000-character storage
bank accessed with a simple command.
This feature allows for rapid communica-
tion of information to an individual or a
group of users. There is something magical
about this instant communication— about
receiving a letter, typing a reply, and
knowing it is instantly in another person's
mailbox. This feature can be an enormous
WAS
shocked but managed
to respond to this
stranger coming into
my home
electronically.
timesaver and a useful business link. The
only drawback I have experienced is simi-
lar to that of a traditional mailbox— find-
ing unsolicited announcements and pub-
licity mail.
The Source was established in [une
1979. In October of the following year it
was taken over by Reader's Digest Associ-
ation. Seven mainframe computers were
purchased, new data bases added, and re-
sponse time improved. The user's manual
was rewritten and a system of on-screen
menus was devised to simplify access to its
services.
PC MAGAZINE
Expand Your IBM P.C.
■ Memory Expansion Board
(PO^'s Expansion Board otters 4 TIMES 128K, 192K and 256K Bytes. Board can
ttte amount of memory ottered by IBM be easily upgraded in 64K capacities.
P C. Contigurations can be set at 64K, Upgradabllity is the key!
At this writing The Source says it has
16,786 subscribers, 1,500 added during a
recent month. Mike Rawl, manager of cor-
porate communication for The Source,
says every month a new subscription rec-
ord is broken.
I think services such as The Source
represent a shift toward more efficient
methods of conducting routine business
and, more significantly, a change in the
way we collect, manipulate, and share in-
formation. There are infinite possibilities,
and a user may never know them all.
Some Caveats
I doubt, however, that such services
will supplant the printed page. There's an
optimum amount of time one can spend
watching information scroll across the
screen. For me it seems to be 60 minutes at
a sitting.
Also, the expense of usage can add up
quickly. One has to compare the cost of
writing text, playing games, and develop-
ing programs on The Source against the
cost of purchasing equivalent software.
The general novelty of CHAT soon
wears off. CHAT is a great equalizer and a
means of expanding social networks, but
after three weeks I was an old-timer.
There are just so many ways you can ask
someone, "What kind of computer do you
have?"
The future value of The Source de-
pends not upon the company as much as
the subscribers. Continued use will be
based on specialized interest. It gives us a
chance to interact, to present problems,
and share solutions.
I view a subscription to The Source as
similar to having a million diskettes avail-
able for use; a personal storehouse of data
on business, finance, science, public af-
fairs, sports, education, and employment;
an entertainment library containing 74
games; and six dozen bulletin boards
where you can place notices to buy and
sell equipment or exchange ideas. With
each passing month it seems more evident
that my green screen will become an ex-
panding window to the world. /PC
Stuart R. Schwartz, M.D., is a CJinicaJ
Professor of Psychiatry at the University
of California School of Medicine. He was
assisted in the writing of this article by
Ellen Wilson, a seJf-procJaimed cyber-
phiJe who is proprietress of The Electron-
ic Cottage, a home-based computer proc-
essing service.
■ Add-In Winchester Disl( System
(PCjr's Add-In Winchester Disk System is slot, reducing desktop space. Also
housed within the IBM chassis and is available in 12 and 18 M Bytes capacity,
easy to install directly into the floppy
■ Asynchronous Communications Controller
1 or 2 line capability on one card.
Totally compatible with IBM software and diagnostics.
■ DDS-1 Software
(PC)2's software program double; Jto from 160K to 320K. Used with Tandon
IBM single-sided diskette capacity TM100-2 disk drive or equivalent,
using both sides. Increases capacity
PHONE OR WRITE -BUT ORDER NOW!
(PC)2, P.O. Box 678
1250 Oakmead Parkway
. Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 749-9313 )
Postage and IHandling included within continental U.S.A.
One year warranty on all board products.
MasterCard. Visa and Checks accepted.
PLUG COIWPATIBLES FOR PERSONAL COIWPUTERS
lUNE/lULY 1982
71
MARKHlPLACE/LAWRENCi^}:;;!^^
lllmtratjun: (im Ludk«
r^Bi^PCcomputerSt
^^Hc^the question.
trbed Apdes
•Are you an Apple II owner who looks
longingly through the window of your IBM
dealer's, wishing you could trade your old
Apple for a new PC? Take heart. The sale
. of your used Apple may go a long way
towards paying, for a new IBM Personal
Computer. Used Apples hold their value
and are relatively easy to sell.
' This article is for Apple owners who
afe thinking of selling their system to buy
an IBM; Some of the tips will also apply to
.Radio Shack or other equipment. I am not
trying to convince anyone to part with his
or her old tomputer. Some IBM PC pur-
chasers' are finding constructive uses for
their oW Apples, just as some societies
provide their able elders with useful jobs
, -rather than forced retirement. Read on if
you can't afford or justify keeping an extra
computer around the house or office.
Making the Decision
The first task in "trading up" is to make
the fateful decision. That means taking
stock in your equipment, software, and
data as well as present and future needs.
It's like any buying decision. But changing
from one system to another means letting
go of an investment in time, money, and,
for some, emotional attachment. Remem-
ber, the IBM is a recently released system,
so the realization of its full potential lies in
the future. A system as powerful as the
IBM PC can, in the long run, perform tasks
that have yet to be attempted by earlier
computers such as the Apple.
Consider the value of your hardware,
software, and data. When evaluating soft-
ware, separate that which you really use
from what you have around but hardly
care about. If you absolutely need applica-
tions that can be run only on the Apple,
and there is not yet software that allows
the IBM to perform the same task, then the
decision to trade is premature. If, on the
other hand, your important applications
are focused on such tasks as word-process-
ing, budgeting, and data-base manage-
ment, the IBM may already have as good
or better software than what you now have
on the the Apple. With the introduction of
Baby Blue (see story this issue), the PC can
now run most software written for the CP/
M-80 operating system. If you are one of
more than 30,000 people running an Apple
under CP/M, chances are good that you
can continue to use IBM versions of your
current software.
You should also consider the value of
the data you are storing on Apple disk-
ettes. For some users, that can add up to a
huge investment. There are ways to trans-
fer that data. Files can be transferred via a
communications adapter directly or over
the phone. In some cases they can be
uploaded to The Source, CompuServe, or
some other host computer and then down-
loaded to your new IBM. ComputerLand
dealers sell both IBMs and Apples, so if
you buy a PC from them, see if they can
help you make the transfer. If worse comes
to worse, you can print out all the data and
re-enter what you wish to keep.
• The price you can get for your used
, Apple depends, in part, on the new retail
value Df the tjomponents. Many people'
. think, the IBM is much more expensive
' than the Apple II. The difference, is less
]tiNE/]ULYJ982
mM^'im xir >v fc'if ■ : • • ■■;:( ■'. '•::■: ■i't i'-
73
IBM PERSONAL
COMPUTER
FORA10T
LESS
Now you can buy a
64K RAM expansion
card for your IBM"
Personal Computer for
just $299*.
That's less than you
would pay any other
manufacturer.
That's not all:
Davong Systems, Inc.
has a 192K RAM card
for as little as $599*,
and a 256K RAM card
for just $799*.
You pay the lowest
prices in the industry.
You get cards of the
highest quality and
superior design.
Expansion products
from Davong Systems,
Inc. are completely
compatible with all IBM
Personal Computer
software and hardware.
192K
256KRA
D DAVONG
Systems, Inc.
EY.
They're the most
reliable expansion
products you can buy
from any manufacturer.
With just one major
difference: They cost
much less.
Don't pay more
than you have to for
expanded memory. Ask
your local participating
ComputerLand* dealer
for IBM Personal
Computer expansion
products from Davong
Systems, Inc.
1 06 1 Terra Bella Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043
(415)965-7725
Davong Suggested R«(ail Pric*
IBM 18 a r^gtstefed trademark of IBM
CorporatKKi
Compuiertand is a r»gnt*r*d tradamark
of ComputerLand Coiporabon
Co
than you might imagine, and, in many con-
figurations, an IBM is actually cheaper
than a similarly equipped Apple II.
What's the Blue Book?
Of course the value of your Apple de-
pends on how it is equipped and its condi-
tion. Because well-made computers dete-
riorate ver>' slowly, your system is
probably as good as new.
One of the reasons for the Apple II's
high resale value is that it is still a produc-
tion model. Despite the introduction of the
Apple III, the II remains a ver\' popular
computer. Four years after its introduction
as one of the first personal computers, the
Apple II is still a sales leader. Apple has
reported a 98 percent increase in sales,
comparing the first quarters of fiscal 1981
and 1982. The majority of those sales are
for the Apple II. As long as dealers contin-
ue to sell new Apples at full list price,
some people will be glad to pay less for a
good used one. That may no longer be true
if Apple introduces a replacement for the
II. When Radio Shack introduced the
TRS-80 Model III, the used value of the
Model Is dropped substantially. That's be-
cause the Model III was essentially a re-
packaged Model I with more features and
a lower price tag. Apple has not an-
nounced any plans to replace the II, but
there is speculation they will, at some
point, come out with a more powerful
computer at a lower cost.
\JsED
Apples are selling for
60 to 80 percent of
their initial retail
The Apple's high resale price is also a
testimony to the excellent reputation that
it has earned as a versatile and reliable
machine.
Used Apples, if you can find them, are
currently selling for between 60 and 80
percent of their initial retail value. When
you advertise your system, you should
probably allow some room for negotiation.
People like to bargain. A little flexibility
on your part can help clinch the sale.
A VisiCaJc-type spreadsheet program
(or its paper, pencil, and calculator equiv-
alent) can help you price your system. In
jUNE/IULY 1982
the first column, list all of the components.
In the second column, list retail prices,
and in the third the formulas to calculate
the used price of each component based
on your discount. You can then experi-
ment with different discounts until you
reach a satisfactory' sale price.
Should You Break Up Your System?
If your system includes a lot of compo-
nents, you will have to decide whether to
sell them all at once or a piece at a time.
You are likely to get calls from people
wanting an 80-column card, a CP/M
board, an extra disk drive, or part of your
software collection. Whether you want to
break up your system depends partially on
how long you want to be in the business of
selling used equipment. One solution is to
be willing to sell the Apple and disk drives
as one package and the components a
piece at a time. It's probably a mistake to
sell the components before you sell the
bulk of the system. Components are easy
to sell if you have access to a computer
club or electronic bulletin board. Apple
owners are always looking for inexpen-
sive ways to expand their systems. But it
will take extra time and effort on your
part.
Software is more difficult to sell, its se-
lection being more personal than hard-
ware. If you throw it in free as part of your
sale, you may be in a more competitive
selling position. Or, once you find a buyer
for the hardware, you may be able to con-
vince the person to buy some of your soft-
ware. Sometimes it is hard to convince a
buyer of the value of your software. Even
though it is an expensive part of the sys-
tem, people have a tendency to think in
terms of hardware and resist paying for
software. Nevertheless, millions of dollars
are spent each year on software and a cur-
rent release of a "pre-owned" software
package works just as well as a new one.
The only drawback to used software is that
the new owner may not be eligible for up-
dates and assistance.
Where to Advertise
Chet Lambert publishes the Computer
Trader, a Birmingham. Alabama based
monthly newsletter that brings together
buyers and sellers of used computer
equipment. He says he recently sold his
own dual drive 48K used Apple for
$2,100—70 percent of list price. Lambert
claims that Apple ads produce almost im-
mediate results.
The Computer Shopper is published
monthly from Titusville. Florida. The
pages of one of its recent issues carries 16
ads for used Radio Shack Model Is and
only three for used Apple lis.
Advertising in a nationally circulated
trader directs your ad to a group of highly
motivated buyers. National circulation,
however, means that you may have to deal
with a long-distance buyer. That causes
obvious complications, though Lambert
claims that his buy-ers and sellers have al-
ways managed to work things out.
For subscribers to CompuServe and
The Source, other national outlets for sell-
ing used equipment are the electronic bul-
letin boards provided on these networks.
75
Ct
Subscribers pay only the normal time
charges while they send or read ads. These
ads are frequently used to sell components
or software, but occasionally entire sys-
tems are advertised and sold through the
electronic classifieds. Like users of the
trader newsletters, arrangements must be
made to bring together the buyer's money
and the seller's equipment.
Community-based electronic bulletin
boards provide a free local advertising op-
lion. Most large and some small cities
have dial-up bulletin boards, some of
which are dedicated to specific machines.
Contact your computer dealer or clubs for
the phone numbers of these services.
Old-fashioned bulletin boards also
work. Local colleges are filled with people
interested in bargain computer equip-
ment. Don't overlook posting notices in of-
fice buildings and supermarkets.
The most obvious place is the classified
section of your local paper. If your paper
has a computer section, place your ad in
that section. Otherw ise, try to get the paper
to put a bold heading saying "Computer."
Some papers have a special classified sec-
tion for the business community'. That's
probably a better bet than the general clas-
sifieds.
If you live in a town with a computer
club, you can put a notice on its bulletin
board or make an announcement at its
meetings. A lot of would-be Apple owners
associate with clubs.
SOFTWARE
is more difficult to
sell If you throw it in
free, you may be more
competitive,
I asked several ComputerLand dealers
what they could do for people wanting to
upgrade. Though none accepted trade-ins,
several said that they would help custom-
ers sell their used equipment in conjunc-
tion with the purchase of a new IBM. One
dealer said he would display the used sys-
tem as a free service. Another said she
would do so for a commission. All the
dealers I spoke with said the used Apple
market is slanted toward the seller.
Sales Advice From the Pros
Wherever you advertise, give a com-
plete description of your offering and in-
clude a price. Chet Lambert of Computer
Trader says his advertisers who include
price are more likely to get calls from seri-
ous buyers. It also screens out callers who
have no idea what the system is worth. I
spoke with one seller who made the mis-
take of advertising his $4,000 system with-
out a price. He was besieged by callers in
the market for a $300 system. Many people
have no idea what a fully equipped com-
puter is worth.
If you're paying for your classified by
the word or line, you want to keep it short,
but it's important that people know what
you're offering. Some people think that
Apples are just for playing games and are
not aware of what can be done with a fully
loaded one. Go through your system slot by
slot and include each add-on.
People in the market for a used system
are, of course, interested in price. Your
TTTTTTTTTTYTT
Print Screen to Letter Quality Printer
Using a letter quality printer on RS-232
interface? SCRNPRNT or QUIKPRNT prints
your screen to a printer via the RS-232
interface. Simply strike SHIFT and PRTSC
keys simultaneously.
★ SCRNPRNT prints the full screen.
★ QUIKPRNT prints the full screen less
trailing blanks and blank lines.
★ SCRNPRNT/QUIKPRNT become addi-
tions to resident system code.
★ PRNTPARM personalizes the baud rate,
stop bits, data bits, and parity for your
system.
★ All included on diskette with separate
written instructions for $39.95.
1 jlilornij rf^iJcnis .iJJ ^ T. xjlo tax
Pif.tM- .iJJ $J V ti»r t^iMUh*,- .inJ hjnjlinh!
PROSOFT, INC.
The Professumal Software Compuny
16920 Oakridge Une
Morgan Hill, California 95037
(408) 287-6900
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTrr
WARNING!
Electric Power Pollution.
Spikes & Lightning
HAZARDOUS to
MICROCOMPUTERS!! i
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• ISOLATOR (ISO-1) 3 Isolated 3-prong sockets; Spike Suppression;
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• SUPER ISOLATOR (ISO-3) similar to ISO-1 except double isolation &
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situations such as factories or large offices S104.9S
• SUPER ISOLATOR (ISO-1 1) similar to ISO-2 except double isolated
socket banks & Oversize Spike Suppression; tor the larger system in
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• MAGNUM ISOLATOR (ISO-17) 4 Quad Isolated Sockets; Multiple
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• CIRCUIT BREAKER, any model (Add CB) Add $9.00
• REMOTE SWITCH, any model (Add RS) Add $16.00
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76
PC MAGAZINE
RAM+ THE EXPANSION MEMORY
FOR THE IRM PERSONAL COMPUTER
WITH A RUILT-IN RS-232 SERIAL PORT
St'.itfle Cotnputer h.is ,i winninji ( .ird tor owners ot
the Personal Computer. It's RAM * the new expansion
nii'mory that c an make your Personal Computer
untor<iett,ilile hv adrlin)^ up to I'lUK of memory.
And RAM • t ards c .in pi.it money on the talile.
r.u h comes with a built-in KS-2?2 serial port — which
uouici cost $150 from IIJM. This serial port uses IBM
supplied software and can be used as IBM COMl or
CX)\t2 le.ivin}; an open slot for further additions-
like another KAM i C iird.
Available in MK. 128K, 192K or 25faK, RAM +
is I'xpandable, fast and reliable, and is made by Seattle
Computer, the creators ot the o|)eratin}4 system for the
IBM personal computer.
1 1 14 Industry Drive, Seattle, Wastiington 98188
I ,i( h ( <ird ( omes tullv assembled, tested and
witli ,1 l-\i'ar guarantee. Expansion kits are also available.
How to order: RAM+ is available only
through \()ur Io< al computer store. Call us toll free
at l-8(X)-42(7-89}() tor the location of your nearest
RAM+ dealer.
The RAM Af^reat deal for owners of the
IBM Personal Computer.
main competition consists of discount
mail-order houses that are selling Apples
for as much as 30 percent below list price.
Apple has recently decreed that it will not
permit mail-order sales, but there are
some companies that are defying Apple's
orders. The chances are good that the used
Apple buyer is aware of those discount
houses, so you must make your system
more attractive. Undercutting the dis-
counters is one way to do that. Another is
to make an offer that the mail-order
houses can't possibly beat. You can offer
your customer free software, free installa-
tion, advice, support, and consultation.
One reason for buying new instead of
used is warranty. The mail-order houses
do offer the typical 90-day factor^' warran-
ties. But they are of dubious value if local
dealers either refuse to honor them or do
so grudgingly. You can offer your customer
a one-year extended warranty, which you
can purchase from an authorized Apple
dealer for $225. This gives your prospec-
tive buyer a sense of security and a posi-
tive relationship with a local dealer. Your
customer, in many wavs, is better off
buying used equipment under these cir-
cumstances than buying new through a
mail-order house. One dealer I spoke with
said that she is much more inclined to pro-
vide friendly service to buyers of used
equipment than to those who buy through
the mail.
o
NE
PC owner said he
wouldn't consider
parting with his old
Apple,
You can also offer to have the Apple
checked out by a service technician prior
to the sale. We checked with several, and
most offer a complete diagnostic exam for
about $40. You can offer your customer
written proof that the machine is as good
as new.
Letting Go
Perhaps the most difficult part of sell-
ing your Apple is the decision to do so. For
some people letting go means more than
just hardware, software, or data. In our
research, we encountered Apple owners
with a deep emotional attachment to their
computers, just as some people have with
their cars. One PC owner said that he
wouldn't consider parting with his old
Apple. Instead, he placed it in his de-
ceased father's room, supplying it with
"lots of games, its own telephone, and
plenty of 12-year-olds to play with."
For most users, a computer is a tool, and
their buying decisions are based on what
the computer and its software can do for
them. At some point, most people will
reach the moment when it is time to buy
their second computer. If you are at that
point, you're in a good position to sell.
Anybody want a used Apple? /PC
Lawrence /. Magid is Editor of PC. He is a
long-time Apple owner who recently test-
ed the waters by putting his own system on
the market.
FABS
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Many notable software houses
/OEM's have incorporated
FABS^" into their applica-
tions systems
FABS/pc^" IS an 8088
assembly language subroutine
designed to provide rapid
access to very large data files
FABS/re^" IS easily linked
with BASIC
HIGH SPEED DATA ACCESS:
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INTRODUCTORY
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VALID THRU 7/31/82
OTHER PRODUCTS:
FABS, FABS II,
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FOR DOS & BASIC ON THE
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Features:
Versatile, fast, easy, to use assembly lang. multi-path BTREE
Loads as resident to DOS for easy, continuous access by BASIC
Random search time approx. 1 sec; sequential approx. y* sec.
Duplicate keys permitted; search returns the first duplicate
Insert/Delete multiple keys with a single command string
Deleted data records automatically reclaimed by later inserts
Generic search returns the first occurrence of a partial key
FABS directs all access to the data file with record pointers
Allows ASCII keys 50 bytes), integer keys use only 2 bytes
Up to 32767 records (limited by BASIC, FABS supports 65535)
Excellent error handling; errors/warnings returned to basic
COMMANDS:
Create Key File
Open Key File
Close Key File
Search For Key
First. Last.
Next. Previous
Generic Search
Insert Key
Delete Key
Replace Key
# of Open Deletes
# of Data Records
# of Primary Keys
Max. Key Length
IBM IS a
registered trademark
of International Business
Machines Corporation
FABS/PC IS a trademark o(
Computer Control Systems
CP'M IS a trademark of
Digital Research
COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC.
298 21st Terrace S.E., Suite 100, Largo, FL 33541 (813) 586-1886
78
PC IVIAGAZINE
How fo get the most
out of your IBM
Personal Computer
in one eosy step.
Contact LifisbMt AaMctatM We're the only soft-
ware publisher you'll ever need for easy-to-use,
reliable procnrams created for your IBM Peraonal
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Our growing line of proven software for the IBM
Personal Computer with DOS currently includes:
Emalator/aS™. the CP/M-ee™ emulator, that lets you use CP/M-flB soft-
ware under DOS This emulator allows you to fully integrate and mix pro-
grams, and to run CP/M-86 programs quicker with (aster program loading
than with CP/M-86 itself All this without having to learn a new set of utilities
and commands or end up with two mcompahble sets of diskettes Why spend
hundreds of dollars on CP/M-86 when the CP/M-86 emulator is $75
EM80/86™. the emulator that allows execution of CP/M*-80 programs on
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PMATE". the text editor with single keystroke editing, expression evalua-
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mits the customization of the keystroke definmons and so the user can set
PMATE to mime a previously familiar editor $19S
Lattic* C Compilar full implementahon of C with library and I/O sub-
routines which implement under DOS most standard I/O functions specified
by Kernighan and Ritchie UNIX™ Ver 7 compatible: produces relocatable
machine code in Intel's 8086 object module format for use with the linker sup-
plied with DOS $500
JISCOM™, the asynchronous communication facility for users who need to
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files and programs $ 175
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ates files, inputs, edits, deletes data and produces a variety of reports $495.
OTM™. system utility designed to improve user friendliness of systems us-
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For full information about how Lifeboat can help
you get the most out of your IBM Personal Computer
(and other computers using MS™-DOS), or how you
can be added to our Mail List for either 8- or 16-Bit
software, contact Lifeboat Associates, — The *1
resource for your IBM Personal Computer
Prices and specifications subject to change without notice
Prices FOB New York
Shipping and handling and COD charges extra,
Emulator/86 is a trademark of Lafeboal Associates
MS ts a trademark of Microsoft Inc
EMSO/86 ASCOM UTB6 aie-iiademaiks of DMA. Inc
PMATE IS a tiademaik of Phoenix Software Asso Ud
Z80 IS a trademark of Zilog. Inc
UNIX IS a trademark of Bell Laboratories
CP/M IS registered and CP/M-66 a trademark of Digtal Research, Inc
Copyright © 1982. by Lifeboat Associates.
lifeboat Associates
the standard for fully supported software
1651 Third Avenue, NY, NY 10028 (212) 860-0300
10-581-2524 (LBSOFT NYK) Telex: 640693 (LBSOFT NYK)
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Communications Briefe
Source Bulletin Board Devoted to IBM PC
One offering on The Source information utility's smorgasbord of services is a bulletin
board for messages about the IBM personal computer. Anyone on-line may post a
message: it will be listed for two weeks or until the writer purges it.
Source members may scan these messages in only one way: reverse order of
posting. The content is a mixed bag of commercial ads for software and hardware
products, and "ham radio" messaging about various aspects of the PC. (Many users
are reporting difficulties with the PC's communications package, a topic that PC will
report on in the next issue.) Microsoft Corp. used the IBM bulletin board to announce
plans for a nationwide PC users group.
Source member Chuck Reinbrecht of Potomac, Maryland publishes the on-line
PC Gazette, an electronic journal. Reinbrecht monitors, edits, and classifies bulletin
board items. (He also indexes and comments on the contents of this magazine.) The
Gazette, which has published a point-by-point comparison of the PC and the Apple II
and Apple III, also maintains a list of PC user groups and a price list of IBM products.
EIES Installs More Powerful Host, Plans to Add Uninet Access
The EIES conferencing network last month switched to a bigger host computer,
doubling the number of its communications ports to 48, and announced plans to hook
into the Uninet packet-switched network in addition to its current carrier. Telenet.
EIES is now operating on a Perkin-Elmer 3200 minicomputer with 2 million charac-
ters of main memory. Four 256-milIion-character disk drives serve the computer, two
for on-line use and two for backup.
EIES programmers are using their old host computer, a smaller mini, to develop
more advanced software for connection to both Telenet and Uninet. Once this soft-
ware is in place, EIES said, access rates will probably be reduced. They are now S7.50
an hour via Telenet; the Uninet rates have not yet been set.
Prestel Coming For PC
Prestel is one version of a new medium called videotex— a sort of cross between
traditional publishing and broadcasting. It lets you use a specially set up, computer-
like terminal via your phone line to view "pages" of information and advertising that
are "published " by storing them in a central computer. Several versions of videotex
are in various stages of experimental or commercial realization, mostly sponsored by
national governments or telephone monopolies. Prestel is England's videotex entry,
and it may be gaining a foothold in the United States via IBM Personal Computers.
Wolfdata, an Ithaca, New York firm, is planning to sell a plug-in card software that
will turn a PC into a working Prestel terminal. President Tom Lonergan says: "We see
a long-term potential in the videotex marketplace, with the near-term opportunity
being business applications." Lonergan explains that the PC was chosen as Wolf-
data's vehicle for moving into videotex because "the PC is the most versatile and
capable of the current, intelligent desk-top computers." The company settled on
Prestel, a relatively Plain-jane videotex version, because 'the overhead for the more
complex versions is just not practical yet. " But Lonergan also notes portentiously that
IBM already sells Prestel central computer systems in Europe.
Wolfdata's Prestel adapter is scheduled for June introduction at about $1,000,
including a built-in connection to your phone line that will receive data at 120
characters per second. A model without the phone connector will sell for $750 but
requires that you have an asynchronous communications adapter. Both models re-
quire you to have a color display and the color graphics adapter. For $450 more the
company will sell you a program disk that lets you compose Prestel pages on your
PC— for those who plan to become videotex publishers rather than users. /PC
80
PC MAGAZINE
IBM
Of course Percom diskette drives for the IBM Personal
Computer fit right in. They fit right outside your Personal
Computer, too. And they're fully compatible, providing the
same full double-density storage capacity.
But just as important, Percom diskette drives also fit the
same high standards set by IBM.
At Percom we've been making disk storage systems
since 1977. We build quality, high-performance disk drive
systems. From proven design through quality inspections
that include 100% two-day operational tests. And Percom
dealer support ensures competent after-sale service.
So expect more from Percom. You won't be
disappointed.
Percom disk drives for the IBM Personal Computer are
available in 40-track single- and dual-head models, and 80-
track single-head models. Call or visit your independent IBM
Personal Computer dealer — and fit right in with Percom.
For the names of dealers carrying Percom products for your
Personal Computer call toll-free 1-800-527-1222.
PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
PERCOM DATA COMPANY, INC.
112M PAGEMILL RD • DALLAS TX 75243 • (214) 340-7081
IBM and IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER are trademarks of International Business
Machines. Inc
PERCOM IS a trademark ol Percom Data Company. Inc.
Minlmunfi system requirements are an IBM System
Unit with 16 Kbytes of RAfvl and S'V Diskette Dnve
Adapter. Drive models supported depend on DOS
used. An optional cable available from Percom is
required for external (add-on) drives.
Yes ... I'd like to know more about Percom diskette drives
for my IBM Personal Computer. Rush me free literature.
Send lo: PERCOM DATA COMPANY. Inc , DepI 2-P01
11220 Pagemill Road. Dallas. Texas 75243
Street
city
state
zip phone numt>er _
I intend to add a hard-disk system to my computer □ yes dno.M
MAIL TODAY!
Friendly,
and Inexpensive . .
lilt ST"
I
That's FrIENDLYWarE"*
Visit Your Local Coffl|HilerlQAd ' Store
And Find Out Why Our New $49.95' 3 Disk
P.C. Introductory Set For The IBM® Personal
Computer Is Raising So Many Eyebrows.
FriendlyWare"
software that works with you, not against you.
IBM* . i.fimpuicrtand. and FrimdlyVfarr irr RcgiMcmJ TnHk-nivlu of InicmaiMnul Bu»incM MaL'hino. ( itrp . (.iimpuicrtand Mom. Iik' . and FrimdIySoft. Iik' rcspcclivrly
Cc)
COMMUNICATIONS/CLIFFORD BARNEY
Making Your Link
How to get your PC communicaling: building a bridge during
rush hour.
The late humorist Robert Benchley
professed to be totally mystified as
to how one goes about building a
bridge. Do you start on both sides of the
river and hope to meet in the middle? Do
you build the bridge entirely on land and
then swing one end out over the water like
a fishing rod? To Benchley 's nontechnical
mind the process seemed unfathomable.
Although he did not survive into the age of
the IBM Personal Computer, he might
well have experienced that old, sinking
feeling had he ever contemplated asyn-
chronous communications for the PC.
("Asynchronous" describes the most com-
mon approach used to link computers and
terminals over phone lines for occasional
exchanges of data, and refers to the lack of
any requirement that the data be sent
within a strict timing rhythm.)
Complaints about communication on
the PC have been abundant since its intro-
duction. Many users have reported that
the IBM-supplied software is uwieldy and
difficult to use despite the clear and ex-
haustive documentation that accompanies
it. Some users haven't even been able to
get as far as cursing the software— they
can't get the communications card to send
signals to the outside world at all.
Peace. There isn't anything wrong with
the hardware. And if IBM's software
doesn't suit you. new communications
packages— some supplied by amateurs
and some by pros— are appearing almost
weekly. This particular bridge, the com-
munications link, is being built while traf-
fic is already rolling over it, which would
have been a new one on Benchley.
The Hardware Question
PC has learned that in some cases the
asynchronous communications card will
not transmit signals properly to remote de-
vices, thus making all questions of soft-
ware adequacy moot. We learned this by
installing a card into one of our own PCs
and trying to communicate. No dice.
The problem, as it turned out, was not
with the card but with the cable. And there
was really nothing wrong with the cable
either; it was a perfectly legitimate 25-pin
"RS232" connection with no opens, shorts,
or other defects. So what did go wrong?
Benchley would really appreciate the
answer. It seems that while RS232 is in
theor>' an industry-sanctified standard for
electrical connection, with each pin as-
signed a specific function, in practice
there are one . . . two . . . many RS232s.
"There is no such thing as a standard,"
says Les Fried of Atlanta's Microstuff.
"There is no Santa Claus either."
Some manufacturers have taken liber-
ties with the RS232 specs to fit their own
needs. So when we have a situation of
IBM making the computer, a second com-
pany supplying a modem, and a third pro-
viding the cable, the potential for confu-
sion multiplies.
This is especially true for the PC, since
IBM has implemented RS232 to its fullest
extent. "The card is fairly smart," explains
David ). Stang of Starware, Washington,
D.C. "It wants to send a lot of information
on baud rates, start/stop bit options, and so
forth. The cables may all look alike, but if
any of the pins are crossed or merged, you
may have a problem." There's a fair
chance, Stang added, that cables bought at
a personal computer store won't work.
"It's not the end of the world," says
Stang. "You can fix the cable yourself or
get someone to do it for you." But if fixing a
cable is a close enough approximation of
the "end of the world" for you. Stang him-
self has produced and is selling a work-
able cable for the PC; so you might consid-
er buying one of his.
Communications Software Choices
The difficulties with IBM's communi-
cations software also stem from the elabo-
rate nature of PC communications. Users
have to define a lot of details about the
communications link— full or half duplex,
word length, etc.— and many of them
aren't technically skilled enough to feel
comfortable doing it.
The IBM package works best with an-
other PC or with one of IBM's model 370
mainframe computers. For communica-
tions with networks, or CP/M-based sys-
tems, you might want to check out one of
the other packages. They're available at
every price from a straight giveaway to
$150.
Microstuff produces a top-of-the-line
package, called Crosstalk. It presents on-
screen menus that allow the user not only
to control paritv', data word length, and the
other parameters, but also to change them
dynamically while on-line. Most impor-
UNE/IULY 1982
83
We'U pay $50
for your IBM Personal Computer word processor.
EDIX + WORDIX is the world's most advanced, most flexible
microcomputer word processor. If you've missed the
chance to buy it. we'll give you another chance.
No word processor has the features of EDIX+WORDIX.
Multiple windows. Slde-to-side scrolling. Completely
automatic hyphenation. Automatic footnote placement.
User-defined macros. Online help. And much more.
If you haven't yet bought your IBM Personal Computer
word processor, then you're even luckier. Just send us
$195 for EDIX (the editor) or $325 for EDIX + WORDIX Or
write for our detailed brochure.
To srU us your old word procrssor (or scrrrn editor): Along
with your order for EDIX+WORDIX. send us the oflglnal
dIsKrite. the ortfiiiial manual and binder, and the license
agreement- We ll send you a $50 check- Or vou can take a
950 dlscouni Instead Offer applies onJy to commerclalh-
available word processors or screen editors for the IBM
Personal Computer
1 Emerging Technology Consultants, Inc.
Box 154
, Louisville, CO 80027
' (303) 447-9495
EDlX and WORDIX are trademarks of Emerging Technology Consultants. Inc.
ANNOUNCING
THE 086'"*
C COMPILER —
THE COMPILER
THAT SPEAKS
THE LANGUAGE
OF THE FUTURE!
Kernlghan and Ritchie's book, The C Programming Language,
is the key source for C. Just as fundamental is the C86tmC
Connpiler.
The C86 .C Compiler is especially designed for the IBM®
Personal.lBM' Display Writer, CP/M-86- and MS-DOS®
For further information on the C programming language and
the C861M C Compiler, please contact:^
Computtr Innovitlons, Inc.
75 Pine Street
LIncroft. New Jersey 07738
Telepnone (201) 530 0995
tanl. Fried says, CrosstaJk lias a file trans-
fer mode that is protocol-compatible with
an earlier version for the CP/M operating
system. Therefore, it can transfer any CP/
M file to the PC. Command files won't run,
but Microsoft Basic programs probably
will "with a little hammering and sawing,"
M
UCH
free software is
available on the
Capitol PC Club's
bulletin board.
Fried says. Another commercially avail-
able program, PCiUodem, is also reviewed
in this issue.
PC's own Andrew Fluegelman has also
written a communications package, called
PC-Taili, which he will send you if you
mail him a blank formatted disk and a
postage-paid, self-addressed mailing con-
tainer. The address is Freeware, The
Headlands Press, P.O. Box 862, Tiburon,
CA 94920. PC-Talk works well with a DC
Hayes Smartmodem, has built-in access
programs for the CompuServe and Source
networks, and will print out, on command,
your screen contents during the communi-
cations process.
Freeware programs are not totally free;
the users are requested but not required to
send back a modest contribution. Whether
or not they do, they are encouraged to copy
the program and share it with others.
Much free software, including still an-
other communications package, is avail-
able on Wes Merchant's IBMPCUG bulle-
tin board, the communications organ of
the Washington area Capitol PC Club
(703/560-0979). Merchant says he first be-
came aware of the problems with IBM's
communications software when callers
began using other personal computers to
put messages about it on his bulletin
board.
One user. Charles Brandon of Boulder,
Colorado, sent him a free communications
package, which Merchant makes avail-
able to all callers who can overcome the
Catch-22 of receiving it via phone link.
So take your pick of communications
packages and build your own bridge to the
outside world. Even Benchley could prob-
ably do it. /PC
84
PC MAGAZINE '
COMMUNICATIONS/RICHARD STECK
Three Communications
Go-Togethers
The Hayes Smartmodem, a program to take advantage of it,
and a cobJe to conned it.
Smartmodem $279
Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.
5835 Peachtree Corners East
Norcross, GA 30092
PC Modem $49.95
System Software Services
1765 Raleigh Lane
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
Smartmodem-to-PC Cable $34.95
Starware
1629 K St. NW, Suite 551
Washington, D.C. 20006
Many products for microcomputers offer
an array of appealing features. But in the
not-yet-standardized micro world, the ap-
peal often gives way to frustration when it
proves difficult or impossible to exploit
those tantalizing features with your par-
ticular system. Following is Richard
Steck's report on a triad of products, each
from a different company, that work to-
gether smoothly to deliver powerful com-
munications capability to your PC. The
featured product is the only one we know
of that, when someone is calling you on the
telephone, will print "■RING, RING" on
your display screen.
The Smartmodem from Hayes Mi-
crocomputer Products, Inc. is a
highly innovative product de-
signed to meet the need for flexible data
communications. It is a compact, IV2 -inch-
high box that fits neatly under a standard
telephone. There are switches and con-
nectors on the rear and seven indicator
lights on the front.
The rear panel contains a power
switch, an RS-232C female plug for con-
nection to a computer, a modular tele-
phone jack, and a volume control for a
built-in monitor speaker. The speaker on
the bottom of the case lets you listen to the
dialing process, ringing or busy signals,
and the high-pitched tone sent by a distant
computer when it answers. These features
are particularly useful for hearing if there
is a problem or you have misdialed.
Two of the front panel's indicator lights
tell you at a glance whether power to your
modem is on and whether the serial inter-
face card in your computer is ready. Two
others flicker when your PC sends charac-
ters to the Smartmodem or when it re-
ceives characters over the phone line. The
remaining ones tell you whether your
phone is functionally "off hook," whether
the Smartmodem detects the carrier (high-
pitched tone) of the remote modem, and
whether you have instructed the Smart-
modem to answer your phone automati-
cally.
Connecting the Smartmodem to the
phone line is simple for modern phone
equipment employing modular plugs and
jacks (R|-ll series). I recommend that you
consider an adapter that permits a tele-
phone and the modem to be connected
simultaneously to one modular jack. (At-
tachment of any equipment to the phone
lines requires notification and approval of
the telephone company. Instructions for
such notification are simple and are sup-
plied in the Smartmodem manual.)
To connect a Smartmodem to the Asyn-
chronous Communications Interface of
your PC, you will need a special cable. The
cable has the familiar RS-232C connectors
at each end— one male and one female.
You can build your own cable using only
three of the 25 pins and supplying the ap-
propriate jumpers to supply certain con-
trol signals to the interface. Or you can get
a cable that uses, at a minimum, pins 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8 and 20. Suitable cables are avail-
able from many sources. One is Starware,
whose president. David Stang, has worked
out a cable expressly for connecting the PC
and the Smartmodem. which he sells for
$34.95.
Working with the Smartmodem can be
an enjoyable crash course in data commu-
nications. Compared to using the earlier
JUNE/IULY 1982
85
acoustic coupler-t\'pe modem, you can tell
the Smartmodem what you want it to do
and then monitor, through the indicator
lights and the built-in speaker, the process
of establishing communications.
The Smartmodem has two o[)eriitional
states: the Command state and the Termi-
nal state. In the Command state the Smart-
modem is listening to your commands re*
jj.-iPflinij it^ (ipi'ration In the 'IVrminnl st;ite
A™
the Smartmodem
commands are easy to
memorize, you can't
beat menu-driven
single-keystroke
operation, and the
PC's function keys
seem natural for this
purpose.
characters are passed through the Smart-
modem onto the phone line. Once in the
Terminal state, the Smartmodem does not
listen for your commands unless you send
a special "escape" sequence of characters.
You can flip the Smartmodem into Com-
mand state from Terminal state by typing
+ + -t- from your keyboaid. If you d«i't
like this escape sequence, you can change
it.
It would be impossible to cover all the
features and commands of the Smart-
modem in this brief article. Suffice it to say
that the Smartmodem is based on the Z-80
microprocessor chip and a 2,(M)0-character
built-in control program. A command to
the Smartmodem typically consists of sev-
eral uppercase characters or numbers fol-
lowed by a carriage return.
You can use the Smartmodem in its
simplest form by typing:
AT 0 5551212 cr
This would dial the number 555-1212 and
connect you to the remote computer if it
answered. The /^isan attention code that
precedes every command. The D asks the
Smartmodem to dial the number that fol-
lows. If you reach the remote modem, the
Smartmodem will display "CONNECT"
on your screen. If voudo not, it will display
"NO CARRIER.* "(If you think of it. you've
accomplished a rather interesting feat at
this point. Your microprocessor-con-
trolled keyboard is talking to the system-
board microprocessor, which is control-
ling the Asynchronous Communications
Adapter microprocessor chip, which is
controlling the microprocessor chip in the
Smartmodem. You can only imagine how
many more microprocessors lie between
your keystrokes and the characters echoed
to your screen by the remote computer.)
You can issue very omiplex cmnmands
to the Smartmodem. An example in the
owner's manual is:
AT M2 FO V1 DT 555-1212; S2»1 0 cr
This command would keep the monitor
speaker on continuously, set the modem to
half-duplex, send platai English Smart-
modem command acknowledgments to
your CRT, dial 555-1212 using tone-dial-
ing, change the Smartmodem wake-up
character from + to AAA, and put the
Smartmodem (m-llne to await a carrier.
So much for commands— you get the
idea. The repertoire of about 20 Smart-
modem commands and the functions of
the registers are explained in the Smart-
modem owner's manual along with many
examples.
Hayes Microcomputer Products says
that the Smartmodem works up to 300
baud. This is conservative because users
have been known to use the Smartmodem
at 450 and 600 baud. I would suspect that
the manufacturer has understated its ca-
pabilities. The Smartmodem was preced-
ed at Hayes by its original offering, a mo-
dem board for S-100 microcomputers, and
then by the very popular MICRO-
MODEM U for the Apple. A considerable
amount of thought and experience must
have gone into the design of the Smart-
modem.
You can operate the Smartmodem with
a relatively simple BASIC program run-
ning on the PC. Examples are given in
Appendix F of the IBM PC BASIC manual
and on the PC-DOS diskette (COMM-
.BAS). However, using the PC and the
Smartmodem without good software will
not permit you to take full advantage of
either. The examples mentioned above do
not permit you to capture or send files.
Although the Smartmodem commands are
easy to memorize, you can't beat menu-
driven single-keystroke operation, and the
PC s function keys seem natural for this
purpose.
You would not expect one of the first
telecommunications programs available
for the IBM PC to be quite so good, but
anything that follows System Software
Service's PC.MODK.M program will have
to work quite hard to improve upon it.
PCMODEM, a telecommunications
program written by Gene Plantz of System
Software Services, is a telecommunica-
tions program written primarily for the
IBM PC used with the D.C.Hayes Smart-
modem. Having used a number of other
modem programs, I realized very quickfy
that all the elements needed for comfort-
able telecommunications on the PC were
available in this program.
IBM's offering. Asynchronous Com-
munications Support Software, works sat-
isfactorily when communicating with IBM
mainframes or with another PC, but it is
quite disappointing when one learns that
to use it with non-IBM equipment, it must
be modified. (The code is not particularly
easy to follow or change.) Add to this the
lack of a stored phone number list, flie lack
of autodial, and an unfriendly user proto-
col, and you soon lay the package aside
and look for odier alternatives.
JLNTHE
COMMAND state the
Smartmodem is
listening to your
commands regarding
its operation.
For those of you who have used
CLINK. ASCII Express. Visiterm. or Z-
Term. I would describe PCMODEM as
having the best of their features with bene-
fits added to complement the features of
the PC. For example, the KEY feature is
used to continuously display a menu of
options available to the user. Since
PCMODEM runs under BASICA. the
user can select features by pressing func-
tion keys.
Not much effort is required to install
the PCMODEM: 64K of memor\', a Hayes
Smartmodem, an 80-column display. PC-
DOS, and BASICA. Customization is pos-
se
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VERY IMPORTANT
Tho September 1932 issue of PC will be a special catalog issue, listing every product and
service now {or soon to he] available for the IBM Personal Computer* The magayAne will
have over 300 pages and a circulation of more than 100.000. Products will be listed by type
ami with brief editorial coverage.
If you have any products or services for the IBM Personal Computer, send detailed
product information, including photographs where appropriate, to:
Kathleen Burton
PC Maga/.inc
15ilB Irving Street
San Francisco. CA 94122
'i'iie editorial deadline for this important issue is June 15. so please act now.
For advertising information contact Mark Doss at 415-753-8088. Advertising deadlines
are July 12 for space reservations and July 19 for materials.
*Ta the best of our knoiviedge.
• IB501 & IB502
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• IB501 IBM Personal Computer S129
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• P401 Paper Tiger Printer (440 445 460) 99
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IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER
HANDBOOK
is currently in preparation
The IBM Personal Computer Handbook will be
a comprehensive guide and resource direaory
to applications, hardware, information, soft-
ware, future developments, and other matters
about the IBM PC. Updates will be issued an-
nually.
We have been compiling the best articles we
can find atxjut the IBM Personal Computer. If
you have articles, discoveries, short programs
or other material which might be appropriate
to this handtx)ok, please contaa us. If you
have any produas or services for the PC, we
would also like to consider them for inclusion
in the book.
AND/OR PRESS, INC.
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415/849-2665
sible not only within the guidelines sug-
gested by the author but, since the
program is written entirely in BASIC, it is
quite eas>' to customize to particular
needs. PCMODEM is written in as struc-
tured a manner as BASIC will permit. Pro-
gram modules are easily identifiable and
program logic flow is easy to understand.
L
.NTHE
TERMINAL state
characters are passed
through the
Smartmodem on the
phone line.
A session begins by typing PCMODEM ,
which calls in BASICA and the PC-
MODEM program with the appropriate
buffer allocations. At this point, a menu is
presented that offers these options:
• Turn Modem Online/Offline
• Switch Between 300, 450, 600 Baud
• Auto-Redial Last Phone Number
• Auto-Dial Phone Number From Menu
or Manually
• Display Menu
• Turn Printer On/Off
• Write to Disk from Modem
• Write to Modem from Disk
• Hang Up Modem
• Quit Program
• Switch Between Half and Full Duplex
• Switch Between Touch-Tone and Pulse
Dial
• Switch Auto- Answer On/Off
• Change Parity and Number of Data Bits
I
Having seen this menu, it is difficult to
imagine any other features one might
need. Each of the above features is acces-
sible through the PC's function keys or
through other single keystrokes. For exam-
ple, depressing function key F4 permits
dialing from a stored phone number list or
from a phone number entered from the
keyboard. If there is no answer, the num-
ber may be redialed repeatedly by de-
pressing key F3. The auto-redialing may
be stopped by again depressing F3.
PCMODEM is entirely menu-driven
and I must admit that I succumbed to my
usual practice of running the program first
and reading the instructions later (with
user-friendly programs this never seems
to be a problem). The instruction manual
served only to confirm that I was using the
program properly.
An important characteristic of any mi-
crocomputer communications program is
the ability to capture and send files from
and to remote computers. These functions
are easily accomplished with PC-
MODEM. A file is captured by depressing
F7. You are then asked the name of the
destination file and that file is opened.
Large data-file captures are possible and
are limited only by the space available on
your diskette. F8 sends files in a similar
manner. The communications protocol
popular with bulletin boards and many
time-sharing services, called XON-XOFF,
works with PCMODEM. It seems that BA-
SIC does a certain amount of internal
bookkeeping that periodically slows it
down. PCMODEM issues an "XOFF" to
deactivate the remote computer during
such internal processes and later an
"XON" to activate the remote computer. I
have neither lost data nor introduced ex-
traneous characters during some rather
lengthy data transfers.
At this time there is no provision in
PCMODEM for block transfers via Chris-
tensen protocol (the familiar XMODEM
programs found on CP/M bulletin
boards). The author indicated that this
may be available in the near future. Other
enhancements may include the use of as-
sembler language modules to permit faster
program execution in areas where that
might be needed. I do not see either as
being necessary for successful use of the
program at this time.
PCMODEM has significantly expand-
ed the horizons of my PC. Its ease of use
has taken me beyond the facilities I had
with previous microcomputer systems,
and its author has been helpful whenever
minor clarifications of program usage
were required. PCMODEM is available
from System Software Services for $50,
and it is well worth the money.
For cable-making advice, drop a stamped,
seJf-addressed enveiope to: Richard
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lUNE/JULY 1982
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PRi)GRAMMING/B. BOASSO
Using Data Files
Ways to store collections of information in disk fUes with
BASIC — Part One: Sequential Access.
A data base is a colJectlon of information
organized to help you extract and work
with eJements 0/ your choice. The IBM
Personal Computer's BASIC language in-
cludes reJafively uncomplicated tools for
writing programs that create and use data
boses stored on disk. Thisarticle is the first
in a tu'o-part series offering tips on how to
incorporate easily used data fiJes in your
programs.
Part one of this series describes and
gives examples of an access tech-
nique known as the sequential ac-
cess method, which is a straightforward
method of storing pieces of data sequen-
tially (one after another as they arrive in
the file). Part two will cover another tech-
nique icnown as the random access meth-
od, which provides faster access and more
economical use of storage space. These ar-
ticles do not teach BASIC programming—
you must be familiar with the BASIC pro-
gramming language on the PC to under-
stand the examples of these techniques.
A data base, no matter how big (the Li-
brary' of Congress) or how small [a 50-
name mailing list) has a certain pre-
determined oiganization based on how
you would want to find something. When
you design your own data base, you must
first plan its organization according to the
ways in which you will access the data-
If your data base is a mailing list of
newsletter subscribers, for example,
would you want to mail newsletters to spe-
cific people on your list [find them by
name), or would you want to mail newslet-
ters according to their destinations (sort
them by zip code)? If you wanted to do
both, you would organize your data base
records so that both the names and zip
codes are easy to retrieve. You would then
use the BASIC access techniques that
make it easy to retrieve data in this man-
ner.
There are many factors to consider
• The information: How should infor-
mation be organized for access? How will
users access the data? How will other pro-
grams (if any) access the data? Should
there be some verification of the informa-
tion tosee if each piece of data conforms to
some regulation.
• The "human interface": How will the
program accept information from the out-
side world, and how will it report errors to
users (errors in the information, in the typ-
ing or other input procedures, etc.)?
• Memory and storage space: How
much disk storage will you need for the
files (including room for expansion) and
for "backup" copies of the files (for
archives)? How much of the system's ac-
tive internal m(!mnr\' is n(;(!ded for "open"
files while inputting or updating informa-
tion, and how much of this active memory
Sequential
access mually means
you are processing the
information in a
stream from
thinning to end of
theBle,
is also needed for your program?
Advanced BASIC programmers look-
ing for specific examples should skip
ahead to the "Sequential Access Example:
Recording Transactions." Newcomers to
BASIC programming or to data base ac-
cess methods read on.
First you should become familiar with
the terms used in this article: input data is
the information as it is typed, entered, or
recorded in the data base: output is the
information retrieved from the data base
(usually in a readable form, on the screen
or in a printed report); and input/output or
I/O routines are BASIC statements that let
you store pieces of data in a file and re-
trieve data from a file.
A data structure describes the form of
each piece of data. A simple data structure
is the integer format in which each piece
of data must be an integer Another simple
data structure is a string— a series of one or
more characters (letters, digits, punctua-
tion symbols, spaces, etc.) coded in ASCII
format .
BASIC Statemento for Sequential
Access
The BASIC statements INPUT#, LINE
INPUTS, and PRINT# offer simph; ways
to get data into and out of a sequentially
organized data base.
You can use these statements to access
files that are organized sequentially (or
even nonsequential files in order to proc-
ess the information sequentially). Sequen-
tial access to the file usually means that
you are processing the information in a
stream, as it is stored from the beginning to
the end of the file, and that you are proc-
essing all of the data in die file from begin-
ning to end.
Sequential access to the information
may sound slow, but if the file is small
enough, you can retrieve ("read") the en-
tire file sequentially into your computer's
internal memory, where your program can
process random piecesof the file using any
number of data access methods.
A file could contain, for example, the
inventory data of a truck rental business of
50 trucks. This inventor^' data-base file
could be organized so that each record
holds the information for each vehicle:
reservations, maintenance schedule, in-
voices, etc. Your program could sequen-
tially "read" the entire file from disk into
the computer's memon,'. where it could
then update records randomly.
Since the entire file describes only 50
trucks, it would probably all fit in the Per-
sonal Computer s user memory. A larger
file, describing a rental business that has
more equipment, would have to be orga-
nized so random access can be gained di-
rectly from the disk instead of transferring
the whole file to memon,'. (Part two of this
series will deal with the latter case.)
Some data base applications are natu-
rally suited for both sequentially orga-
IUNE/)ULY 1982
91
Copyrighted material
nized files and sequential access. For ex-
ample, if you wanted your program to
"massage" (process or manipulate) data
before sending it to a text processor, or
before printing the data, you would use
sequential access techniques in the pro-
gram. Other sequential access applica-
tions include the posting of cash receipts
or transactions, and the processing of sci-
entific and statistical data in "batch" mode
(in large packets that follow each other
sequentially).
There is one characteristic of BASIC
sequential access statements that ever>'
BASIC programmer should know: the in-
HERE IS
one characteristic of
sequential access
statements that every
BASIC programmer
should know,
formation stored with PRINT#. or re-
trieved with INPUT# or LINE INPUT«,
is treated as a string of characters. As a
result, numeric information takes up more
space than if it were stored in the binary
format the computer usually uses. For ex-
ample, the integer 12345 requires only two
cells of memor\' space if stored as an inte-
ger; the same number, stored as a series of
digit characters, occupies seven cells. The
character format (sometimes called ASCII
format) must be used for all data— words,
letters, digits, spaces, punctuation sym-
bols, etc.
Although the assembly language pro-
grammer could implement a faster meth-
od of access, the BASIC programmer has
the advantage of not having to be con-
cerned with the actual mechanics of "disk
I/O" (input/output techniques that handle
transfer of data to and from the disk drives
and the computer's input/output buffer).
Disk BASIC statements, like PRINT#. IN-
PUT#, and LINE INPUT« handle the
"disk I/O" routines for you. and they man-
age the input/output buffer. Your BASIC
program interacts with the buffer, a tem-
porary storage place for data on its way
somewhere else, using BASIC input/out-
put statements.
In sequential access, you need not con-
Recording Transactions:
An example program
This example records OTC (Over-The-
Counter) stock prices and allows records in
the file to be added, u(xlated. or deleted.
Since the file is sequentially organized, in-
formation must be read from beginning to
end and rewritten with updated informa-
tion.
The access technique in this example ac-
cumulates all new information into a trans-
action file (TRANS.DAT) and then merges
the transaction file with the "source" file
(STOCKS.DAT-the file containing original
records from previous transiictions). This
merging operation actually takes the entire
information (old and new information
merged together), writes it to a temporar\'
file (TEMP.DAT). and then copies the tem-
poran,' file's contents into a new "source"
file. The temporar\' file and the transaction
file are then deleted, leaving an ujxlated
"source" file (STOCKS.DATl.
Statement 140 in the program writes the
stock name (a string), and the current bid
and asked prices (two numbers]. I use a liter-
al comma (".") as a string delimiter (follow-
ing INCOMPS). The numbers are naturally
separated by a trailing space after each
number. I use semicolons to prevent extra
leading spaces (to save space in Ijoth the
buffer and the disk file).
Remember, the PRINTS statements as
used here do not allow stock names to con-
tain commas. To allow commas in the stock
name, you would have to .surround the IN-
COMPS function with "CHR$(34)" to sur-
round the name with double-cjuotes (e.g..
PRINT «3. CHRS (34): INCOMPS; CHR$
(34)... in lines 140, 250, 400. and else-
where).
One convenient aspect of BASIC se-
quential access statements is that it doesn't
matter if you use one PRINT» statement to
store the data, or multiijle PRINTS state-
ments. For example, the loop at statement
490 could have been written differently, as
follows:
490 FOR 1 = 1 TO 30 STEP 2:
PRINT «2.B(I):A{I):B(I + 1):A(I + 1)::
NEXT I
You may have noticed the variables SN
and TN. and wondered about their uses.
When there is no more data in either the
"source" file or the transaction file, there
may be data already read from the other
input file, but not yet written to TEMP. To
detect this problem the logical variables SN
(for "source") and TN (for "transaction") are
manipulated and tested to determine
whether the data should be written to
TEMP.DAT l)efore the file is copied.
The techniques used in this program are
t\pical of techniques used to handle se-
quentially organized files. If the data in the
TEMP.DAT or TRANS.DAT files have ar-
chival value (and you want to keep copies),
or if you want to add a recover^' procedure
to retain and store this data, you can delete
the copy-back step of the program begin-
ning with line 580, and rename the TEMP-
.DAT and TRANS.DAT files. Be sure to de-
lete lines 780 and 790 if you want to save
TEMP.DAT and TRANS.DAT
1 REM
2 REM SEQUENTIAL ACCESS METHOD EXAMPLE
J REM MODIFY A FILE WITH CURRENT TRANSACTIONS
4 REM
5 REM
6 REM
10 CLEAR 100
20 DEFINT 1-N:DIM BI D < 30) . ASKED (30) , 8 (30> , A (30)
JO FALSE = OlTRUE = -1
40 OPEN "I". 1. "&: STOCKS. DAT"
50 OPEN "0", 3, "B: TRANS. DAT"
60 OPEN "O", 2, "B: TEMP. DAT"
70 IC» = ""lINCOMP* = ""
80 WHILE INCOMPt <' "QUIT'
90 CLS; INPUT"ENTER COMPANY NAME"; INCOMP*
100 IF INCOMP» <" IC» THEN
PRINT "NAME OUT OF SEQUENCE - TRY AGAIN"
FOR I = 1 TO lOOOlNEXTl
GOTO 90
110 IC» = INCQMP*
120 INPUT"ENTER BID PRICE"lB(l)
130 1NPUT"ENTER ASKED PRICE"lA(l)
140 PRINT «3, INC0MP»I","»B(1))A(1>»
150 WEND
16U CLOSE 3
170 OPEN ■ I ", 3, "Bl TRANS.DAT"
180 IF EOF(l) THEN 380 'SOURCE EMPTY
190 TN = FALBElGOSUB 250 'READ A TRANS RECORD ^ • i
2UU SN = FALSEiGosuB 3*0 'READ A SOURCE RECORD iContinueo OD poge 35)
'WRITE TRANSACTION FILE
92
PC MAGAZINE
Cl
Tve been
ycio ;
dymgtDsay
and now
lean!"
6 mo. old IBM®
New York, New York
Now, thanks to TYPE-'N-TALK,™ your
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This exciting text-to-speech synthesizer
gets your computer talking about any
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By adding a voice to your computer,
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Just let TYPE-'N-TALK^^ speak it out.
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VOU-RE TALKING.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines. © 1982 VOTRAX
cern yourself with the buffer and with disk
input/output— the BASIC statements sim-
ply "read" the next data item in sequence,
or "write" the next data item in sequence.
With the random access techniques de-
scribed in Part two, you have to exercise
more control over the buffer activities and
other disk input/output mechanisms.
The BASIC sequential access state-
ments give you flexibility in the organiza-
tion of your data— they allow you to store
data in any sequential order you choose.
Several statements can be condensed and
still perform the same function (the state-
ment "PR1NT»1,A;B;C;" performs the
same function as the statements "PRINT
#1,A::PRINT#1,B::PRINT#1.C;").
It is up to the programmer to be careful
that the program stores data in the same
format expected for retrieval. Since all
data in sequential access is stored as char-
acter strings, you must retrieve them as
character strings (unless you are doing
something extraordinary' and paying care-
ful attention to the results).
BASIC can only separate one character
from another if there is a delimiter be-
tween them— in our examples, we use a
comma as a string delimiter. Numbers
(sets of ASCII digits) do not need explicit
delimiters between them— a space suf-
fices as a delimiter between numbers.
'EVERAL
statements can be
condensed and still
perform the same
function.
If you neglect to put a comma between
two strings or between a string of charac-
ters and a string of digits, you may get
errors while tr\'ing to retrieve correctly
stored data. To illustrate this point, consid-
er the following example:
10 A = 12 .32
20 B$ = "A YELLOW BASKET CASE"
30 PRINT «<1.B$:A:
After executing the above statements,
the data stored on disk is organized se-
quentially like this:
-A YELLOW BASKET CASE 12.32"
In another program, you could use the
following BASIC statement to retrieve the
data in the above example:
INPUT «1.B$.A
However, you would get the following
data in B$, and an "Input Past End" error
for the variable A:
"A YELLOW BASKET CASE 12.32"
If. on the other hand, you had used a
literal comma as a string delimiter be-
tween "A YELLOW BASKET CASE" and
"12.32" in the PRINT# statement above,
you would have correctly retrieved "A
YELLOW BASKET CASE" in B$ and
"12.32" in the variable A. The PRINT#
statement with the literal comma used as a
string delimiter looks like this:
30 PRINT «1,B$:",":A:
Following are hints for using PRINT#
to store data in a sequential format:
1. Separate each data item with a semi-
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94
PC MAGAZINE
(Continued from page 92}
210
240
250
-:6ij
270
2811
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
39ti
400
410
420
430
440
450
46i:i
470
480
490
500
510
52U
530
540
550
560
57 O
580
590
600
610
620
630
640
650
TAB
ED"
660
IF INCOnP$ > COMPANV* THEN
GOSUB 440i
SN = FALSE! GOSUe 360 I
GOTO 180
IF INCOMP» < COMPANY* THEN
GOSUB 480:
TN = FAUSE:GOSUe 250:
GOTO 180
IF INCOMP* - COnPANV* THEN
GOSUB 320:
TN = FALSE: GOSUB 250:
SN = FALSE: GOSUB 360i
GOTO 180
GOTO 210 "CONTINUE UNTIL BOTH SOURCE & TRANS EMPTY
IF NOT (EOF <3) ) THEN
INPUT »3.INC0MP«.B<1),A(1): 'READ RECORD FROM TRANS
TN = TRUE:
RETURN
REM END OF FILE ON TRANS FILE - COPY SOURCE FILE
'WRITE SOURCE DATA
'READ SOURCE FILE
•WRITE TRANS DATA
'READ TRANS FILE
'MODIFY DATA
'READ TRANS FILE
'READ SOURCE FILE
'WRITE SOURCE DATA
'EVERYTHING WRITTEN TO TEMP
'READ STRING
'WRITE STRING
'READ PAIR OF NUMBERS
'WRITE PAIR OF NUMBERS
'READ SOURCE STRING
'READ PAIR OF NUMBERS
'READ TRANS RECORD
'WRITE STRING PART TO TEMP
■WRITE 30 ELEMENT ARRAYS
IF SN THEN GOSUB 440
IF EOF(l) THEN 570
INPUT #1. COMPANY*
PR I NT (•2 . COMPANY* ; " , " J
FOR I = I TO 30
INPUT »1,BID(1).ASKED(I)
PRINT 4t2.BID(I)|ASKED(l):
NEXT
GOTO 280
IF NOT<EOF ( 1 ( ) THEN
INPUT COMPANY*:
FOR 1 = 1 TO 30:
INPUT ai.BIDCD.ASKEDd):
NEXT:
SN = TRUE:
RETURN
REM THERE MAS AN EOF ON SOURCE - COPY TRANS TO TEMP
IF TN THEN GOSUB 480
IF EOF C.) THEN S70
INPUT «3. INCOMP*. B(l). Ad)
PRINT #2. INCOMP*: ", ":
FOR I = 1 TO 30:
PRINT «t2. A( I ) :B (I ) : :
NEXT
GOTO 390
PRINT «2. COMPANY* ;", ":
FOR I = 1 TO 30:
PRINT »2.BID<I ) : ASKED! I) I :
NEXT
RETURN
REM WRITE TRANS DAI A TO TEMP
PRINT »2. INCOMP*; "I
FDR I = 1 TO 30:
PRINT •2,B<I) ;A< I ) I :
NEXT
RETURN
REM MODIFY THE SOURCE DATA AND WRITE IT TO TEMP
IF EOFd) AND EOF (3) THEN 570
PRINT <t2. INCOMP*! ". •■:
PRINT «2.Bd) !Ad) i
FOR I = 1 TO 29:
PRINT N2,BI0(I))ASKED(I>;:
NEXT
RETURN
CLOSE
OPEN •• I", 2, "B: TEMP. DAT"
OPEN "0", l."B: STOCKS. DAT"
INPUT"DO YOU WANT TO REVIEW THE DATA"iR»
IF E0F<2) THEN 770
INPUT «2, COMPANY*
IF R« <> "Y" THEN 660
CLS: PR1NT330. COMPANY*
PRINT
( 10) "BID"TAB(20) "ASKED"TAB(30) •■BID"TAB (40) ••ASKED"TAB (50) "BID"TAB(60) "ASK
FOR I = 1 TO 30:
INPUT «2,BID(I>.ASKED(I)I
NEXT
670 IF R» <,> "Y" THEN 730
680 FOR I = I TO 30 STEP 3 I
PRINT
It"."iTAB(10)BID<I)>TAB(20)ASKEDd):TAB(30)BID(I + l)iTAB(40)ASKED<I + l):TAB<;
0 ) BID (I +2) ! TAB (60) ASKED (1+2)
690 NEXT
700 D* = ""
^'10 INPUT"DO YOU WANT TO DELETE THIS ISSUE" :D»
720 IF D* = "Y" THEN 610
730 FDR I = 1 TO 100O:NEXT
740 PRINT ttl. COMPANY*! ", "!
750 FOR I = 1 TO 30:
PRINT «l,BIDd) i ASKEDd ) I :
NEXT
760 GOTO 610
770 CLOSE
780 KILL "B: TEMP. DAT"
790 KILL "B: TRANS. OAT"
800 END
colon. Since BASIC "prints" to a disk file
in the same manner that it "prints" to the
screen, the semicolon eliminates extra
spaces between data items and saves disk
space.
2. Unlike numbers (sets of number
characters) that are stored with one trail-
ing space to separate one number from the
next, strings (mixed sets of letters, num-
bers, punctuation, etc.) must have an ex-
plicit delimiter between them— usually a
comma. To place a comma in the data
stream between two strings, surround the
comma with quotation marks in the
PRINT# statement as shown below:
30 PRINT «1.A;B:C$:".":D$:".":
This statement places a literal comma
between C$ and D$. and a comma follow-
ing D$.
3. If you want to store a string that con-
tains a comma (not being used as a delim-
HE
statements INPUTS
and PRINTS offer
simple ways to get
data into and out of a
sequential data base,
iter), you must enclose the entire string in
double-quotes. The CHR$(34) function
provides the double-quotes in the follow-
ing example, which stores the entire string
"ATISKET, ATASKET" as one string with
no delimiter:
10 A$= "A TISKET, A TASKET"
20 PRINT «1.CHR$(34}:A$:CHR$(34]:
Were it not for the double-quotes
stored on disk with the string, only "ATIS-
KET" would be retrieved with the state-
ment "INPUT #1,A$": with the double-
quotes, the entire string "A TISKET, A
TASKET" is retrieved with the statement
"INPUT #1.A$".
An example program follows that illus-
trates uses of PC-BASIC's sequential ac-
cess statements. /PO
B. Boasso is a computer programmer and
author in Newbury Park, California. Tony
Bove and Cheryl Rhodes also assisted in
the preparation of this article.
lUNE/IULY 1982
95
THE PROGRAMMER " HAS THE ANSWERS
TO YOUR CUSTOM SOFTWARE QUESTIONS.
Mass produced software has
rapidly approached levels of
sophistication beyond the
imagination of a year ago.
However, regardless of the
sophistication of this software,
every user still encounters the
situation where he thinks to himself
"If it only did this or had that
capability . . ." Now, IBM" has
recently brought the power and
versatility or their main-frame
systems to your fingertips with the
new IBM personal microcomputer,
and now Advanced Operating
Systems complements this
accomplishment by introducing THE
PROGRAMMER, a software package
which brings you abilities previously
possessed only by a highly skilled
computer programmer.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO KNOW?
You must have a clear idea of what
you want your program to do. THE
PROGRAMMER can't read your
mind, but, with your direction, it
can actually write tne lines of BASIC
language necessarv for the micro-
computer to perform your tasks.
Non-programmers with little or
no knowledge of BASIC-languaqe
programming can use the simple,
multiple-choice, menu format to
create all types of programs.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO?
You direct THE PROGRAMMER via
a series of "menus". Each menu
presents a question and a list of the
available choices. You simply input
the number of the function you
want, and THE PROGRAMMER
writes the corresponding BASIC
program lines. The finished product
is automatically stored on the disk,
from which it can be copied on
another disk for later use.
WHAT CAN THE PROGRAMMER
DO FOR YOU?
THE PROGRAMMER can write a
(choose the correct
response.)
a. data-base program to develop
and update a mailing list or keep
track of catalog items in your
inventory.
b. graphics generator program.
c. program to create sounds or
music.
d. customized small business
accounting system.
e. program to interface with
another computer device.
f. word processing program to print
department reports.
g. all of the above, and more.
The correct response to this sample
menu is "g". The "bottom line ' is
that THE PROGRAMMER will write a
program for any purpose. The
possibilities are limited only by your
imagination. Once a program is
completed it can be saved on a disi
allowing you to write additions
programs. THE PROGRAMMER wi
not create the ideas, but will perm
you to quickly and easily implemer
any programming ideas you have
HOW, WHEN, AND WHER
CAN YOU GET IT
THE PROGRAMMER is not a fancif
dream for the future, but is finishe
and available to you, right no\
The newer micro systems are ofte
limited by an initial lack of readi
available software, but with TH
PROGRAMMER, you can instant
create your own complete softwa
librar
Now available at your loc
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r.enal
PROGRAMMING/LON POOLE
Easy-As-Pie Charts
Beyond the straight line — using PC BASIC'S graphics power
for easy circles and solid colors.
Straight lines seem to pervade typical
computer graphics. That's because
it is usually easy to plot points, draw
lines, and construct boxes using graphics
commands found in microcomputer ver-
sions of the BASIC language. The IBM
Personal Computer's Advanced BASIC
lets you transcend lines and boxes using
one simple command— CIRCLE. It is not
difficult to draw circles in BASIC without
a special command, but it is tedious. On
the PC, the CIRCLE command makes
drawing circles, arcs, and ellipses fast and
easy.
Another Advanced BASIC command,
PAINT, works especially well with CIR-
CLE. It fills areas of the screen with solid
colors, making it as easy to create discs as it
is to create hollow circles.
There are many practical uses of the
CIRCLE and PAINT commands. For ex-
ample, a simple program will plot points
and connect the points to form a line graph
(Figure 1), but drawing a solid circle at
each plotted point enhances the line graph
considerably (Figure 2). Circles also depict
proportions well. If a circle of one size rep-
resents, say, 100, a circle twice as large will
visually represent 200, and a circle half as
large will represent 50. Figure 3 illustrates
a more complex distribution of this type.
Of course, the classic way to depict pro-
portional shares of a whole is with a pie
chart, which certainly relies on circle-
drawing capability (Figure 4). Three dem-
onstration programs (see box) illustrate
these uses of circles in graphics.
This article explores the CIRCLE and
PAINT commands in practical applica-
tions. This is an advanced topic and re-
quires a general understanding of PC BA-
SIC and specific knowledge of PC BASIC
graphics capabilities and techniques.
The CIRCLE Command
What are the PC's requirements for cir-
cle drawing? First, the computer must be
ready to understand the CIRCLE com-
mand. That means Advanced BASIC must
be in control and the display screen must
be in one of the graphics modes. The state-
Figure 1: A plain iine graph.
Figure 2: Line graph enhanced with CIRCLE and PAINT.
ment SCREEN 1 selects medium-resolu-
tion graphics, and the statement SCREEN
2 selects high-resolution graphics.
Before Advanced BASIC can draw a
circle, it needs to know where the circle
make the circle, and what color the circle
should be. Finally, since CIRCLE is a gen-
eral command that draws partial or whole
circles. BASIC needs to know which part
of the circle to draw.
will go on the display screen, how big to Following is a sample statement that
JUNE/jULY 1982
97
ber missing:
CIRCLE (160. 100). 100. .0.6.2831
Notice that the comma for the color speci-
fication remains. When the color specifi-
cation is absent, BASIC draws a circle in
the standard foreground color. That is col-
or number 3 in medium resolution, which
is white or brown, depending on the active
foreground palette. In high resolution, col-
or number 1, white, is the default.
Choices for medium-resolution colors
include color numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3. Color
numbers 1, 2. and 3 choose a color from the
active-foreground palette. Color number 0
is the background color; it is useful for
erasing. For example, the following pro-
gram draws two circles— one cyan and
one white— and then waits for someone to
Figure 5a: The 360 degrees in every circle. Figure 5b: Circle divided into rudiuns instead of degrees.
draws a circle in the middle of a medium-
resolution screen:
CIRCLE (160. 100). 50. 1.0. 6. 2831
The first two numbers specify the coordi-
nates of the center of the circle, namely
column 160 and row 100. The third num-
ber, 50, determines the size of the circle.
The fourth number tells which color to
draw in. The last two numbers specify
which part of the circle to draw. The state-
ment above draws the whole circle.
The CIRCLE command specifies the
center of the circle with standard column
and row numbers. Row numbers range
from 0 at the top of the screen to 199 at the
bottom. Column numbers start with 0 at
the left edge of the screen and end at the
right edge with 319 in medium resolution
and 639 in high resolution. Circle size is
measured in the same units as columns.
Radius determines circle size, and one
unit of radius equals the width of one col-
umn. Therefore a circle with a radius of 6
has a diameter of 12 columns. Of course
columns and rows are not the same size,
nor is the screen square— it is wider than it
is tall. The CIRCLE command compen-
sates automatically for these facts. In me-
dium resolution, six columns equal five
rows. This means a medium-resolution
circle with a diameter of 12 columns also
has a diameter of 10 rows. In high resolu-
tion, 12 columns equal 5 rows.
The color specification in a CIRCLE
command is optional. The following high-
resolution example shows the fourth num-
96
PC MAGAZINE
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X)/y GOIliG SUFFORT FOR MICROCOMFUTERS'
press any key on the keyboard. When that
happens, the proj^i am erases the white cir-
cle by drawing over it with the background
color. I
10 SCREEN 1: RBI Set Md. res. graphics
20 CLS: REM Clear screen
30 CIRCLE (200, 120), 25. 1.0. 6. 2831:
REM magenta
40 CIRCLE (110. 140), 25. .0.6.2831:
REM white
50 A$=INPUT$(1) REM Wait for keystroke
60 CIRCLE (110, 140), 25, 0,0, 6. 2831:
REM background
In high resolution, an odd color number
draws a white circle, and an even color
number draws a circle in the background
color, !
Drawing Arcs
The CIRCLE command can also draw
part of a circle. How does BASIC know
which arc to draw The answer relies on a
convention of geometn, that says every
complete circle contains 360 degrees.
Think of a compass; it has 360 degrees.
Geometry does not number the degrees of
a circle the same as a compass, however. It
starts with 0 on the right and proceeds
counterclockwise, with 90 degrees straight
up, 180 degrees at the left, 270 degrees
straight down, and back around to 360 de-
grees at the right (Figure 5a). To further
complicate matters, PC BASIC measures
circles not in degrees, but in radians (Fig-
ure 5b). Radians relate to the mathemat-
ical constant PI, which is about 3.14159.
One half-circle, 180 degrees, is the same as
PI radians. A full circle is 360 degrees or 2
PI (about 6.2831 radians). To convert from
degrees to radians, multiply by 0.0174532.
To specify an arc, state the point on the
circle at which it starts and the point at
which it ends. State both points in radians.
So far, examples of the CIRCLE command
specified the arc starting at 0 and ending at
6,2831 radians, in other words, the whole
circle. The following statement specifies
just half a circle:
CIRCLE (160. 100), 50, 1,0, 3. 1416
One ambiguity remains: The two points
that specify an arc actually specify two
arcs. Draw counterclockwise from the
start point and one arc appears; draw
(Conlinuesl
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Circles and Solids:
Three Sample Programs.
Enhanced Line Graph Program
The Enhanced Line Graph Prof^ram
plots 12 points, emphasizes the points by
drawing solid circles over them, and con-
nects the points to form a line graph. Fig-
ure 2 illustrates program output. The pro-
gram calculates equidistant column
coordinates and reads corresponding row;
coordinates from DATA statements.
The program begins by turning off the
standard hnttom-line display of soft-key
uses, setting medium-resolution graphics
mode, and clearing the display screen
(lines 10-30). Next, it computes the current
column number (line 40) and reads the
current row number from the DATA state-
ments' list of values (line 50). Then the pro-
gram draws the next segment of the graph
(line 60). Variable LC determines the line
color. Its initial value isO. so the first line is
in the background color. Next, the pro-
gram enhances the point with a circle (line
70) and fills in the circle with color (line
80). The value assigned to variable LC on
line 100 determines the color of the next
line segment. Lines 120 and 130 establish
the list of DATA statements' values for the
row number of each point.
Proportional Circles Program
The Proportional Circles program will
divide a whole amount into as many as six
parts and display a proportionally sized
circle for each part. Figure 3 shows pro-
gram output when inputs are 30, 40, 3, 7,
12, and 8. The program is fairly unsophisti-
cated, so it will not work for all input com-
binations.
The first part of the program (lines 10-
40) performs housekeeping chores. Lines
10 and 20 hold the column and row coordi-
nates for each of the six circles that may be
output; the first circle is at (85,60). the sec-
ond is at (175,95), and so on. The first thing
the program does is turn off the standard
bottom-line display of soft-key uses (lingj
30). Next it clears the screen (line 40|.fl
Lines 50 through 90 input data. Th?
program user must enter the amounts to be
apportioned (lines 50. 60, 70, and 90). Any
amount can hefl. While this is going on. the
program keeps a running total of amounts,
entered (line 80).
100
PC MAGAZINE
After finishing th(! input, the program
sets medium-resohition graphics mode
(line 100|, clears the screen (line 110). and
displays a title at the top of the screen
(lines 120 and 130).
Finally, the program draws the propor-
tionally sized circles (lines 140 to 220). If
any of the six amounts is 0. the program
skips it (line 150). For non-zero amounts,
the program gets circle coordinates from
the data statements(line 160). Next, it com-
putes the size of the circle according to the
ratio of the partial amount to the total
amount (line 170). Then, in a position near
where it will display the circle, the pro-
gram displays the partial amount (lines
180 and 190|. After that, it draws a circle
(line 200) and fills it with color (line 210).
After displaying all circles, the program
I
N
addition to drawing
arcs, the CIRCLE
command can draw a
ray to either or both
endpoints.
moves the cursor to the bottom of the
screen (line 230) in anticipation of the Ok
message at the end of the program.
Pie Chart Program
The Pie Chart program constructs a pie
chart with any number of wedges. The
program user must enter the number of
wedges and the size of each wedge. Figure
4 shows program output for six wedges: 30,
40, 3, 7, 8, and 12. The program displays the
wedge size near the center of the appropri-
ate arc. As an exercise, try changing the
program to input a label for each wedge of
the pie, and print out the label instead of,
or along with, the wedge size (see lines
190-210).
The program begins by performing
several housekeeping chores. First, it allo-
cates space for 25 wedges— the practical
maximum (line 10). Next, the program
turns off the standard bottom-line display
of soft key uses, sets medium-resolution
graphics mode, and clears the display
screen (lines 20-40). Then the program in-
puts the number of wedges (lines 50 and
60). It inputs the size of each wedge (lines
70-110). During the input phase, the pro-
gram keeps a running total of wedge sizes
(line 100).
When input is finished, the program
clears the display screen and displays a
title (lines 120-140). It starts the first wedge
at 0 radians (line 150) and sets the length of
each wedge radius at 90 (line 160). Lines
170-250 display the wedges. For each
wedge the program computes the endpoint
and midpoint in radians (lines 180 and
Pie Chart
190). then, near the midpoint, it displays
the wedge size (lines 200 and 210). After
that the program outlines the wedge (line
220). Negative start and end points in the
CIRCLE statement draw the wedge radii,
and subtracting .001 from the start point
keeps it non-zero. Line 230 fills the wedge
with color, starting near the wedge center.
The next wedge starts where the current
wedge ends (line 240). After displaying the
pie chart, the program moves the cursor to
the bottom of the screen (line 260) in an-
ticipation of the Ok message at the end of
the program.
10 DIM PAHT(25)
20 KEY OFF
30 SCREEN 1
110 NEXT J
120 CLS
isO STARTPT-0
190 HIDPT-tSTART^ p^j.jRAD 8))/ '
\\l Kpt-endpt
250 NEXT J
260 LOCATE 22
270 END
120 LOCATE 1 IS
READ cJr"''"'' goto 22n \ . KEY OFF,
LOCATE 22 * ""^^^"^ IC.R>'
END
Proportional Circles
■^°o''% .10 100,100.10°
120 'Oh'tr^ ^0 100,80.3"'
^30 oKtt^ 9"' — r
lUNE/jllLV 1982
101
clockwise and a different arc appears. To
resolve the ambiguit\'. BASIC draws coun-
terclockwise if the first arc endpoint is less
A SOLID
circle drawn at each
data point makes line
graphs look much
better.
than the second, but it draws clockwise if
the first arc endpoint it greater than the
second. Figure 6 shows some sample arcs.
Drawing Rays
In addition to drawing arcs, the CIR-
CLE command can draw a ray from the
center of the arc to either arc endpoint. A
negative endpoint in a CIRCLE statement
generates a ray to that endpoint. The fol-
lowing example draws a ray from coordi-
nates (40,100) to the second arc endpoint:
CIRCLE (40. 100), 30, ,3,1416,-4,7124
The minus sign does not affect the arc.
However, the endpoint -0 is not allowed.
even though 0 is. To circumvent this limi-
tation, use -0.001 instead of -0.
When both endpoints are negative,
both rays are drawn, creating a pie-shape
wedge. Here is an example:
CIRCLE (240 , 100) , 30. 2 . -3 . 1416 , -4 . 7124
Drawing Ellipses
The CIRCLE command can also draw
ellipses. This requires one more piece of
information, the aspect ratio— the rela-
tionship between the height and width of
the ellipse drawn. Here is an example;
CIRCLE (270 , 100) , 50 , 1 , 0 , 6 . 2831 , 5/3
The extra number at the end of this state-
ment specifies the aspect ratio. The easiest
way to understand the aspect ratio is to
think of it as a fraction with a separate
JLAINT
will not work right
unless a single color
completely surrounds
the area to be filled.
numerator and denominator. The numer-
ator tells how many rows equal the num-
ber of columns specified by the denomina-
tor. In medium resolution, an aspect of 5/6
yields a circle, an aspect of 1/3 (or 2/6)
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102
PC MAGAZINE
PROAID
Announcing a Data Base Management System for
use on the I.B.M. Personal Computer!
DATA HANDLER'
OVERVIEW
The DATA HANDLER is an easy-to-use software development tool for you to (1 ) keep a file(s) of data, (2) be able to
add, change, or delete data from that file, and (3) perform calculations and print reports to present the data and/or
calculations in the format wanted. PASSWORD features allow you to keep the data 'private'.
The HANDLER has the following capabilities:
1 . Generates master data file and multiple screens for data input and maintenance,
(keyed, direct or sequential data files)
2. Generate sub-files permitting direct access to segments of a data record.
3. Provides user with ability to "compute" fields of a record.
4. Utilize PASSWORD features.
5. Easy formatting of screens including reverse display options.
6. Utilize all columns and 22 lines (rows) of display screen.
7. Requires three program files on application diskette realizing significant savings in diskette space.
8. Incorporates editing features on input with prompting of users when required.
9. Generates cross reference directory of data file.
1 0. Generate reports with sub-totals formatted by user.
1 1 . Generate labels for mailing or labelling.
Proper use of the HANDLER permits you to quickly and efficiently develop on application without knowing BASIC. All
input screens and reports have similar edit and operational requirements. Thus, the HANDLER offers significant savings
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• Price— $250 Including detailed, user-oriented documentation.
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Copy I . i.u J .1 -lUUi lal
produces a short, wide ellipse, and an as-
pect of 5/3 (or 10/6) yields a tall, narrow
ellipse (Figure 7). In high resolution, an
aspect ratio of 5/12 yiel9s a circle.
Decimal fractions make perfectly ac-
ceptable aspect ratios too. For example,
the ratio 5/6 is the same as the decimal
.8333333. It so happens that when the as-
pect ratio has a value less than 1, BASIC
draws ellipses with the same width and
varies the height (F'igure 8a). On the other
PAINT and CIRCLE
commands are
electronic
replacements for
compass, protractor,
and a box full of
similar tools,
hand, when the aspect ratio is greater than
1, the height stays the same and the width
varies (Figure 8b).
The PAINT Command
PAINT is another graphics command
included in the PC's Advanced BASIC. It
fills in a selected area on the screen with
one of the graphics mode colors. Here is an
example:
PAINT (150. 100). 3,1
The statement tells the computer to start at
point (150,100) and paint the screen color 1
in all directions, and not to stop painting in
any direction until it encounters color 3.
That means there must be some shape in
foreground color 3 surrounding point
(150.100).
The fill color can differ from the border
color, but the entire area must be bordered
by a single color. PAINT will not work cor-
rectly unless a single color completely sur-
rounds the area to be filled. If there are
gaps in the border color, the fill color will
leak out and paint the rest of the screen.
This feature of the PAINT command
makes it possible to paint the entire back-
ground with a foreground color. The fol-
lowing statements paint the entire back-
ground area with foreground color 1, then
hollow a circle out of it.
10 SCREEN 1: REM Set ined. res. graptiics
20 CLS: REM Clear screen
30 PAINT (1.1). 1.1: REM Paint whole
background
40 CIRCLE (50. 150). 20, 0.0. 6. 2831;
REM outline stiape
50 PAINT (50. 150). 0.0: REM Paint circle
The PAINT and CIRCLE commands have
electronic replacements for a chart-
maker's toolbox filled with compasses.
protractors, rulers, brushes, palettes, eras-
ers, and the like. It may take you some time
to grow facile at their use. but once you do,
you'll find them far swifter, simpler, and
more reliable than the paper-and-pen
tools they replace. /PC
Copyright ' 1982. Lon Poole.
Poole is the author of several books on
microcomputer programming, including
Some Common BASIC Programs.
Figure/; E/iipses in medium-resolution graphics.
Figure 8; F.llipses.
104
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PROGRAMMING/KARL KOESSEL
Boxindn' Along With PChallenge
A video game with color, sound, and fast action — all in
16 iines of BASIC.
In the earJy 1970s Nolan Bushneil devel-
oped a video game, Pong, that became an
overnight success. The company thai
grew from Pong, Aiari, Inc.. made Bush-
neiJ a rich man. Today, the IBM PsTSonal
Computer's Advanced BASIC language
makes it easy to ivrite games whh the
same kind of fast action and sound e^^ecis
pjus color, which the original Pong didn't
have.
Programming editor Karl Koessel
demonstrates this poin[ with PChallenge,
the BASIC program that appears below.
This Pong-like, one-player "video hand-
ball" game is all done with 16 lines of BA-
SIC code, including scorekeeping. This
code is admittedly packed more densely
than need be to illustrate how compactly it
can be done with so few lines of code.
Following is Koessel's program along
with excerpts from his explanation of it.
You may find it instructive to figure out
the rest for yourself, perhaps with help
from BASIC'S "trace" function (give the
command TROJV before running the pro-
gram, and each line's number will appear
on the screen as it is executed). If you get
Stumped, see the end of the article for how
to get a complete copy of Koessel's expla-
nation. PChallenge may not make you a
millionaire like Bushneil, but it will en-
rich your knowledge of BASIC and pro-
vide you with more fun than a barrel of
quarters.
PIChallenge is a bail and paddle
game that uses the left- and right-
arrow keys to move a paddle toward
the bouncing ball. Although it works with
a monochrome display, its full glory is re-
vealed by a color display.
The program begins by skipping to Line
11, which sets the screen width to 80 col-
umns; picks foreground, background, and
border colors; clears the display; and turns
off the softkeys' display at thebottomof the
screen. Defining variables as single-byte
"integer precision," when possible, short-
ens operating time and reduces required
memory. Function P is defined to calculate
the offset to the start of screen memory for
a character at row V, column X of the
screen. This function is used later both to
check what character is in a particular po-
sition on the screen, and to place charac-
ters at a particular location. The speed re-
quirement of the program demands work-
ing directly with the screen's memory
instead of using other BASIC commands,
such as LOCATE and PRINT, that would
do the same job but more slowly.
Line 13 clears the screen, changes the
foreground color, prints the title and other
headings on the right side of the screen,
gives us a bit of advice, and, after deter-
mining (with a pair of statements you may
want to use in other programs) whether a
color or monochrome monitor is attached,
then defines the start of the current seg-
ment of memory (for PEEK and POKE
functions) to coincide with the start of
screen memory (&HB8000 for color and
&HBOOOO for the monochrome monitor).
Line 14 initializes a couple of variables,
builds the paddle (P$), puts 10 balls on the
top row, and POKEs the walls ("bricks " of
character 219s) around the playing field
("empty" spaces of character 32s).
Line 2 is reached just after printing the
ball in a new position. Here we wait a
while. How long depends on the value of
L, the drag factor This wait determines the
speed of the ball, values of 150 and greater
making the speed slow enough for the very
young.
Line 5 plays the bouncing tone. The
"MB" at the beginning of the PLAY state-
ment's parameter string means Music
Background and tells the computer not to
wait for the speaker to finish but to keep
computing while "singing." If the up/
down bounce counter, M, is a multiple of
14 (i.e. M MOD 14=0), L. the drag factor, is
108
PC MAGAZINE
:erial
decreased by 10 percent and the ball code. I hope you have as much fun with
speeds up. PChallenge as I had putting it together.
Lines 6-8 contain the subroutines to
move the paddle left or right. These are
known as key-driven interrupt subrou-
tines. As explained before, each ON KEY
(nj— n is one of 14 keys; see your IBM BA-
SIC Manual— statement points to a line to
which the program is to GOSUB in re-
sponse to pressing KEY(n].
For the full explanalion . . .
To receive a copy of Karl Koessei's com-
plete explanation of how the PChallenge
program works, send a stamped, seJf-ad-
dressed, business-size envelope to: PChal-
lenge, PC Magazine, 1528 Irving St., San
Francisco, CA 94122. /PC
All this in just IV* screens of BASICA
2 FOR T-l TO ^"^-'':T^'t{-7,US'cLSe IF V.23 THEN . ^
I vlfa^BSTO 2 ^^sE ,p PEEK.FNP<X-«.V...« THEN
2,9 THEN '■"'f ,^ „:= ..iz THEN B— B.N-"*'
J,- --r.:^»;^^„ .HEN 3 E.SE ..U..-OOTO 3
^ p.AV.NBC*4". IF H NOD . ^„.,.SOTO 9 ELSE 9
t KEV(12> OFF.KEy<lJ> n<Sl THEN D-D*3 oN.RETURN
l-°^rEi.l?.^--..3, ON.OOTO 3.,.....C.U.0EF -<X.V.-y---
♦V«l«»O«0N KEY (12) BUt.u ^.^^e 12, I5i INPUT P ^oxrMT* (TIME*, 2) >
ii::.IF A--'THEN 12 ELSE IF ^^^^ "^nR^INT " In i t i .1
p.4 ELSE P=5 l5.PRINT"Stay on th« B*i £ ^ ^ • ^5* '^SprsEeUHBBOO
13 CLS.COLOB ic LOCATE 1 3, ^6. PRINT"B.l 1 • ^-^^^e.^HBOOO ^^^E DEF SEB^^
6.PRlNT"PCh«ll.ng«^LQL tJl^oTJoKE FNP ( 12*4»T , O) , 2. NEX^ FNP
p%OKE FNP(S,1>.219.NEXV^SlOR 4. LOCATE, 69. PRINT ^„,MT-Fin.l Drag".C
^<i3*p.T,S),219.NEXT:NEXT.C cp.nt LOCATE ^^'^^'^^ "J-W^lScATE 20.65
\rMr;H*Ev."F''«-"v-oB ^^-y^^ — — ■
lUNE/IULY 1982
109
Copyrighted material
HOW TO MAKE YOUR IBM
ACT LIKE AN IBM
Y ou ch(x)se an IBM for its advanced
capabilitios.Hul tapping! host- capabilities
is another matter
It lakes sophisticated. pn)fessional sottware.
Like the kind that s available fn)m SPl.
Pascal Business Software
Pascal IS much inoa' advanced than other
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That's \K h\- it was chosen exclusively for all
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Although some pretty good software has
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The more a program does, the less you
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SPI pn)grams are menu driven, and the
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And if una'asonable data is accidentally
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What's more. SPI programs work together
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So. now that you own an IBM, get the
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Available
The following softwari' is available now.
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These separate software packages share a
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System Stjftware
□ bigiQuest II □ LogiQuest HI
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□ LogiCalc □ Asset (Ci L. A K. .A. Pi □
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LogiCalc is perhaps the most p<nverful
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Print command to
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LogiCalc automat-
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PC PLAYPEN/LES COWAN
The Arcade Opens
The PC's first good arcade-type game arrives; two others
get low scores. Meanwhile, up on Everest . . .
Aslro-Dodge. Digital Marketing
Galaxy Master, Info Pros
Set The Hostages Free. TexaSoft
Everest Explorer, Acorn Software Prod-
ucts
Asteroids was one of the first
world-class arcade games— com-
plex and fast moving. You were
either immune to its appeal or you became
an Asteroids maniac. Developed by Atari,
this game appealed to a much wider audi-
ence than had any video game since the
novelty of Pong wore off back in the last
days before the information age. whatever
that age was called. In a feature article in
Es<juire magazine, it was noted that three-
piece-suited executives, lawyers, accoun-
tants and such, could be seen spending
their lunch hour and lunch money playing
Asteroids in arcades around Times
Square.
Since then we have seen the arrival of
Space Invaders, Missile Command, the
insatiable PacMan. and all the rest. The
best of these games present graphically a
"fundamental psychological condition."
OU WERE
either immune to its
appeal or you became
an Asteroids maniac.
Electronics, which seems to abstract any-
thing it touches, presents, in the good vid-
eogames, the surreal conditions we exper-
ience in dreams: falling from great
heights, being pursued or attacked, trying
over and over to do something but never
quite doing it. With PacMan we even get
role reversal. The first three games re-
viewed here succeed or fail to the extent
that they are graphic descriptions of the
unconscious, or for you computer types,
displays of a segment of (buried) memory.
lUNE/IULY 1982
111
Copyrighted material
Astro-Dodge is a close relative of As-
teroids and follows similar products that
have been released for the Apple and oth-
er micros. While no game is as good on a
micro as its dedicated big brother in the
neighborhood arcade, Astro-Dodge comes
as close as possible. It fully maintains the
spirit and appeal of the original.
The opening display in Astro- Dodge is
a small triangle— a spaceship at screen
center Slowly and deliberately closing in
on it from all sides are much larger, men-
acing asteroids— irregularly shaped and
apparently mindless. This image of sur-
rounding menace may be the source of As-
teroids' appeal to professionals whose
work is highly competitive and who are
still young enough to have rivals and
bosses. Further, the good Astro-Dodge
player may shatter the asteroids into tiny
fragments and finally destroy them alto-
gether by shooting them. In the real world
he might get a promotion, but in this game
he gets more asteroids. (Maybe that is
more realistic after all.) He also gets a little
flying saucer, which, unlike the asteroids.
If THE
game, like the rat race,
becomes too much,
you can always hit the
hyperspace button , . .
shoots back. If the game, like the rat race,
becomes too much, you can always hit the
hyperspace button, disappear from your
position on the path of doom, and instantly
relocate somewhere else— the video
world's version of three double martinis
for lunch.
Astro-Dodge uses the F9, FlO, INS, and
DEL buttons for rotating counterclockwise
and clockwise, for thrust and for firing,
respectively. The space bar, appropriately,
hurls you into hyperspace. The asteroids
themselves were more round than in the
arcade game, without the jagged edges.
They looked plump and were yellow (this
is a color game, if played on a color moni-
tor). True to their appearance, the aster-
oids were not all that menacing. This game
is also slower than the arcade version and
112
not as smooth. Sometimes the movements
could be seen as stepped, rather than as a
smooth flow. This game has two flying sau-
cers instead of one, and the first is not
much of a challenge. The second, howev-
er, is as deadly as a small mosquito in the
tent on a camping trip; you learn to hate it.
Besides its relative slow speed, Astro-
Dodge has one or two failings. Unlike
many games, the high score is not posted—
only the score for the present game. On the
Other hand, the instructions displayed on-
screen are clear and easy to read. I was
playing on a color monitor with the mono-
chrome monitor displaying the instruc-
tions at the same time, which was conven-
ient.
As stated earlier, no micro games can
match the arcade version, but Astro-
Dodge is one of the better ones. I played
for an hour and quit only for lack of time.
My best score was something over 8,000.
Simple-Minded Galaxy Master
Galaxy Master is not in the same class
as Astro-Dodge. It is a simple-minded
game, though it has modest charm. It is a
game, not of psychological states, but of
coordination among one's eye, hand, and
sense of timing. The display is extremely
simple, consisting of very schematic ob-
jects. The spaceship looks like a stick char-
acter, space garbage like a dim cursor, en-
emy ships are asterisks, and the Galaxy
Master is a symbol similar to the legal sym-
bol for "section."
Galaxy Master, space garbage, and en-
emy ships move across the screen slowly.
Your ship can move in any direction b
means of the four arrow keys on the ke
pad, at least until your fingers cram;
which won't be long. You shoot lasers c
photons with the Fl and F2 keys and try t
score points by hitting things. The Galax
Master is the only one who shoots bad
and you have two minutes to score 60
points, which will restart the clock or yo
lose. You can also lose by shooting whil
moving upward, in which case you usuall
shoot yourself down. If you don't scor
high, you're called a "humorous oppc
nent" or "foolish" earthling, or somethin
of the sort, a sure sign of amateurish mai
keting to go along with simplistic program
ming. My best score in about 40 minutes c
play was 955, which rates "fair" I likei
best that you could play the game with o
without sound (fitting it's advertisement a
an "office game"), a choice more game
should offer It requires Advanced BASK
and an 80-column display such as IBM'
monochrome monitor.
Tinny Tunes
Set the Hostages Free is the least intei
esting of these games. From the disk it wa
not apparent who wrote it. It is anothe
game of coordinating the movement q
something on the screen with the timing o
a key press. A space moves around th
perimeter of a square. You may move you
gun (two hi-res lines) around the outside o
the square. You must time your shot to hi
the moving space, allowing the bulk
through to eliminate one brick in th
square, a la Break Out, an arcade gam
PC MAGAZINl
that was intermediate in the line of devel-
opment between Pong and Asteroids.
When all the bricks are gone, a number of
hostages in the center of the aquare are
released. I lost interest before I actually
witnessed this. Perhaps the release of the
hostages would trigger some unexpected
wellspring of patriotic emotion. But I
doubt it. This game requires Advanced
BASIC and an 8(k:olumn display. Just as
army generals in the poorest countries
wear the most braid and brass, this game
had the most tinny tunes accompanying its
start.
Because It Was There
Everest Explorer is a game of resource
management, not an arcade game, so I
adced my colleague, Edmund Hilarious,
O.B.E. to review it, as he is much more
qualified than I am ui these matters. Here
is his report:
"Bloody good game, old sport. We left
Katmandu in late Spring — Goodwin, Hos-
kins, and the rest, including that doctor
chap— and made base camp in two weeks.
with a lot of Sherpa fellows, can't ever re-
member their funny-sounding names.
Spent $80,000 petting there too, don't mind
telling you, what with the cost of tents and
&
^PENT$80fi00
getting there too,
don't mind telling
you, what with the
cost o£ tents and
oxygen , , .
oxygen bottles, fuel, meals, and of course
the bloody Sherpas themselves. Over
$1,000 apiece they were, and unreliable at
that, as I'll explain in a moment. On the
third day one of the Sherpa's was lost in an
icefall, poor SOuL Name was Ang Phu,
Any Phl^m, or something like that. That
wouldn't have been so bad, of course, ex-
cept that the system crashed too, returning
me to BASIC against my will and giving
me a bloody division by zero, overflow at
line number 76 error message. Hardly
sporting, don't you know. A rather sudden
descent, too. Wonder I didn't suffer severe
nosebleed. Of course, I tried the mountain
again immediately. Always be an Eng-
land, hey? This time got Base Two almost
supplied. Goodwin was down for a feW
days with hypothermia, but he is better
now. Our progress was no thanks to the
Sherpas, by the way, who refused to climb
past base camp after one of their number
suffered an irreversible loss of life clear-
ing out icefalls from the more difficult
Western approach. When I saved all infor-
mation to disk after an hour of play, the
weather was cloudy with light snow and
mild winds. I think that once the rix of us
climbers (I took only a small crew this
time) get all the food and fuel to camp two,
those cowardly Sherpas will change their
tune all right.
"Well, wish me luck old tiean. Cheerio
for now," /PC
FOR THE BEST PC HARDWARE...
GET THE BEST SOFTWARE.
WE MEAN IT. OUR SOFTWARE^ WHICH USES VARIABLE RECORD LENGTHS AND
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SOUND EXPENSIVE? NOT REALLY. UE OFFER 3 CROUPS OF SOFTWARE:
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HAL 9000
SERIES
M
III
s
O _l
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id
UI <
88
<n <
O O
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Z O Q
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jUNE/jULY 1982
113
Copyrighted material
20,000 Programs
For The IBM
Baby Blue is a trademark of XEOEX Corporation.
I
Are Now Available
Personal computer!
INTRODUCING
BABY BLUE CPU PLUS
Baby Blue CPU Plus is an accessory printed-clrcult board for
your IBM Personal computer and special software on disk.
As far as normal PC DOS operations are concerned, Baby
Blue acts just like any other normal, mild-mannered 64K
byte random-access memory board.
But when you Invoke a CP/M-80* program. Baby Blue
becomes a second computer within your computer, letting
you run thousands (literally thousands) of programs written
for the CP/M microcomputer operating system.
CP/M, the first microcomputer operating system to
gain wide acceptance, has been around since 1975. Not only
has It played host to a lot of programs, but those programs
are among the most useful, most sophisticated, most
thoroughly tested and debugged, most proven programs
ever written. More than 200,(XX) computers were field-
testing those programs for you before the IBM Personal
Computer even existed.
The total CP/M library is immense. It Includes the best
efforts of thousands of professional and advanced-amateur
programmers. There are time managers, spreadsheet
manipulators and professional-office packages. Languages
— BASIC, of course, ALGOL, FORTRAN, C, Pascal, LISP, COBOL,
PILOT, and FORTH, to name a few. Text editors, text
formatters, full-blown word processors, spelling checkers
and indexers. utilities that will massage problem files so
that they lie back and purr. Games, including chess, Reversi,
Adventure and tournament-level Star Trek. Database
managers. Accounting packages that can run a million-
dollar business . . . Just about anything you can imagine.
The net result is an integration of CP/M programs into
the PC environment that's so smooth, so transparent that
you won t need to know or care which operating system a
program was originally written for.
Special Baby Blue Features:
■ Z80B* microprocessor running at 4.77 megahertz.
■ Additional 64K memory fully available to PC DOS - looks
just like the IBM 64K board to the system.
■ Will accept CP/M programs on any of several popular
SVa" soft-sectored diskette formats.
■ 63K of user memory is available for CP/M programs - 7K
more than on any other popular machine.
■ Files can be shared - CP/M and PC DOS programs can be
mixed in a menu-driven system with common data files.
■ IBM Personal Computer peripherals are supported -
including keyboard, video boards, printer Asynchronous
Communications Adapter
ONLY
$600
Special option -
Baby Blue bundled
with WordStar*
and Mall-Merge . . . $980
For only $60 more than the cost of the IBM 64K Memory
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Call (212) 489-0444
WordStar"
or write XEDEX Corporation and waii Merge
1545 Ave. Of Americas, New York, N.Y. 10105 are trademarks of
MicroPiD International
Corporation.
WordStar*, the popular CP/M
word processor is among
thousands of programs that
can now be run on the IBM
PC with BaDv Blue.
CP/M Is a registered trademark of Digital Research
Babv Blue IS a trademark of XEDEX Corporation
280 IS a trademark of Zilog, inc
aterial
When your IBM® personal computer
gets downright friendly . . .
That ' s FrIENDLyWaRE"^
Our new 3 disk package is designed to introduce you to
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But it will also teach you, amuse you, organize you, test
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At S49.95 , we think that's a pretty friendly package.
Available at ComputefUMid '
FriendlyWare"'
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t(uiih iiunujil SiiioicMt'd KcUfl Prui'
IBW ( ompuirrbnil. and FricniUvVl arr ire Kefi>imil Tradcnurks of tnirmaiional Biisinr» Machines. Corp . CtHnpulerland Stores. Inc . and FriendlySofi. Inc rcspcttivciv
Cl,| aterial
■ ■
\ \ n Marketplace
Oak Desk
Electroniture is a combination
computer cabinet and desk
handcrafted of solid oak, which
provides a permanent home to
the IBM PC.
The unit is "ergonomically
human engineered, has a large
work surface, a document hold-
er, and space for peripherals
and software storage."
The monitor cabinet has a
nonglare glass screen that will
enhance contrast and color
without distortion.
Although the unit has room
for a small printer, there is an
optional, matching solid oak
stand that accommodates both
back- and bottom-feed printers
using 15-inch and smaller fan-
fold paper. An optional wire pa-
per bale is available.
Price: Desk Unit $895, Printer
Stand $225, Paper Bale $25.
Bench CoWecX'xon
1387-D Cass Rd.
SonlQ Rosa, CA 95-J03
(707/526-1074}
Space Tablet
The Space Tablet is a four-
access system digitizer that con-
sists of a pen that can be moved
to various locations on an object
so as to translate the dimensions
into code that can be interpreted
by the PC. The product works
with both Chart Pro and Slide
Pro software, described else-
where in this section.
Micro Control Systems
431 Vinyard Point Rd.
Guilford. CT 06437
(203/643-1897)
Screen Cover
A non-glare screen cover that
darkens a "too light" back-
ground is new from PFM Prod-
ucts. The screen fits the PC
monochrome display.
Price: $15.95
PFM Products
9129 Coral Cove
Dallas. TX 75231
Printer "LEGGS"
Argus' "LEGGS" allows you to
store paper underneath your Ep-
son or IBM printer. The four legs
take the place of the screws un-
V
"New on the Market" does not review products, but reports
information provided by the manufacturer. If you have a
product that you would like to have included in this section,
please send a brief description that includes applications, price,
and system requirements to New on the Market, PC Magazine.
1528 frving St., San Francisco, CA 94122. Photographs and
iiJustrations are run on a space-available basis.
der your printer, and can be in-
stalled in seconds, providing
room for 3 inches of paper.
Requires: Epson MX-80 or MX-
100 or IBM Matrix Printer.
Price: $15.
Argus
Box 9777
Baltimore, MD 21204
(301/321-8451]
Print Spooler
Compulink s SooperSpooler is
an "intelligent printer interface
designed to free microcom-
puters from the mundane task of
printing." The device allow'syou
to quickly dump text or other
data into a 16K buffer. Sooper-
Spooler sends the data to your
printer while you use your com-
puter for something more cre-
ative. Other standard features
include: pagination, formatting,
and headers.
Price: 16K Unit $349. Memory
Expansion $159. Serial Port Op-
tion S95.
Compulink
1840 JnduslriaJ Circle
Longmont, CO 80501
(303/651-2014)
Disk Emulators
SemiDisk is a high-capacity
memory board that operates like
a 512K disk drive. Like a disk,
there is a directory, and files can
be written, read, and executed.
Because it has no moving parts,
it is much faster than a floppy or
hard-disk system. Data or pro-
grams from your regular disks
can be loaded into SemiDisk for
instantaneous access.
Price: 512 Kbyte System $1,995.
1 Megabyte System $2,995.
SemiDisk System
P.O. Box GG
Beaverton, OR 97075
(503/642-3100J
Another half megabyte disk sim-
ulator is JRAM. The board
comes with "a set of software to
make that memory directly us-
able by common software."
Price: $1,200 (with 500K of
RAM). $400 (without memory
chips).
Tall Tree Systems
1036 Los Altos Ave.
Los Alios, CA 94022
(415/941-8748J
Hard Disks
Santa Clara Systems has an-
nounced two hard disks for the
PC. Their SCS-MiniMega is a
5V<-inch disk in both 5 and 10
megabyte versions. The SCA-
Sabrina Series offers 10 mega-
bytes of storage on a removable
8-inch Winchester cartridge,
along with from 10 to 40 mega-
bytes of fixed disk storage ca-
pacity.
Santa Clara Systems
560 Division St.
Campbell, CA 95008
(408/374-6972)
Internal Hard Disk
Professional Micro Systems is
offering a 5 Vi-inch 20 megabyte
hard disk that fits inside the PC
system unit, replacing one of the
two floppy disk drives. The hard
disk supports PC-DOS and CP/
M-86. The company also offers
UKE/ll'LY 1982
117
■ ■
\ \ n Marketplace
special hard-disk versions of
MicroPro's WordStar word-pro-
cessing system, Sorcim's Super-
Cq/c spreadsheet program, Sys-
tems Plus's Accounting Plus and
MicroNetics' Client IVrite-Up
and Genera/ Ledger.
Price: Disk Unit $5,995.
AST's new memory board
can be configured with 64K to
256K of add-on memory. It also
includes a parallel printer port
and an asynchronous port.
Requires: 64K.
AST Research
17925 Sky Park Civcle. Suite B
Irvine, CA 92714
I7i4/54n-i:v.i3j
lus, a power supply, a communi-
cations interface cable, and an
operator's manual and neces-
sary software.
Price: Start at $1,419 for 11" XI l"
digitizer.
GTCO Corporation
1055 First St.
Rockville. MD 20850
(301/279-9550}
Data Base Machine
The IDM 2000 is a combination
of relational data base manage-
ment software and specially tai-
lored hardware. The hardware
is designed to enhance the per-
formance of the relational data
Communications Port
Persyst has introduced an asyn-
chronous communications con-
troller for the PC that includes a
rotating jumper plug to ease
communications cabling, pro-
grammable baud rates from 50
to 19,200 baud, and dual chan-
nel option to allow one card to
drive both a modem and serial
printer
Price: Single Channel $130.
Dual Channel $195.
Personal Systems Technology
22957 La Cadena
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(714/859-8871)
Graphics Digitizer
The Graphic Analysis Package
«1 includes a digitizer with
0.001" resolution, a digitizing sty-
model. The hardware/software
package makes it possible to run
applications previously requir-
ing much larger computer sys-
tems.
Insac Software
2300 Peachford Rd.. Suite 3235
Atlanta. GA 30338
(404/452-7676)
Parallel Printer
The new NEC Spinwriter Mod-
el 3550 letter quality printer can
be plugged directly to the PC's
parallel printer port. A parallel
port is included on the card used
for the IBM monochrome dis-
play. The 3550 printer allows us-
ers to select from over 50 print
thimbles designed for word and
text processing. The printer ac-
cepts paper up to 16 inches wide
and supports automatic propor-
tional spacing, bold and shadow
printing, underlining, super-
and subscripting.
Requires: Parallel Port.
Price: $2,250.
NEC Information Systems
5 Militia Dr.
Lexington, MA 02183
(617/862-3120)
SOFTWARE
MBA Is First Software
Combo
The MBA program (695) from
Context Management Systems
combines a spreadsheet simula-
tor with word-processing,
graphics, and data base manage-
ment. A future version of the
program will also include tele-
communications software,
which the company says it will
give free to buyers of the current
version.
In a preview for PC. the
MBA program appeared a
credible start toward the ex-
pected merger of single-purpose
programs: but it suffered some-
what from the "jack of all trades,
master of none" syndrome. Its
word-processor, for example, is
very rudimentary compared to
programs dedicated exclusively
to that job. As is expected for
such integrated suites of pro-
grams. MBA requires a beefily
equipped PC— at minimum:
192K of memory, a graphics
adapter with high-quality mon-
ochrome monitor (the program
uses only graphics, not color),
two disk drives, and a printer
with graphics capability (such as
the Epson printer with Graftrax
option). MBA is written in Pas-
cal for the UCSD operating sys-
tem, whose "run-time" ele-
ments are included on the MBA
disk.
The centerpiece of MBA is
its spreadsheet simulator, which
is operated using a command set
modeled upon and expanded
from that of the VisiCalc pro-
gram. Where MBA starts getting
interesting is that you can fill its
spreadsheet cells with values
drawn from a data base created
using another arm of the pro-
gram. After twiddling the
spreadsheet to your satisfaction,
you can then, in the program's
terms, "change contexts" to the
word-processor and create a
memo that leads in to your fig-
ures. Then you can change con-
texts again, to graphics, and or-
der selected rows and columns
of the figures interpreted as a
pie chart or in other graphic
fashion. The text, figures and
charts appear together on your
screen (which displays text and
graphics alike in high-resolution
graphics mode), and matching
copies can be made on paper if
your printer is equipped for it.
Context Management Systems
23864 Hawthorne Blvd.
Torrance. CA 90505
(213/378-8277)
Word-Processing
EosyWriter II. Information Un-
limited Software, the producer
of IBM's EosyWriter has re-
leased a totally new word pro-
cessing package called EosyW-
riter 11. Pages appear on the
screen just as they appear on pa-
per, complete with headers,
footers, onscreen underlining,
boldface and double underlin-
ing. Printing can be done direct-
ly from the editor, eliminating
the need to save short memos to
disk. The simultaneous print
and edit feature makes it possi-
ble to route up to ten documents
118
PCMAGAZIN
to the printer while editing an-
other.
Requires; 64K 2 Disk Drives.
Price: $350.
/nformation Unlimiled Soft-
ware
281 Arlington Ave.
BerkeJey, CA 94707
(415/527-9526]
Wordnet86 is a new word-proc-
essing program that incorpo-
rates data entr>' and text data
merge capacity. Using all the
PC's function and cursor control
keys, its features include hori-
zontal scrolling, block move and
copy, search and replace, and
numeric tabbing. Disk file han-
dling, printing, system interac-
tion, and help files are menu
driven.
Requires: 64K Two Drives.
Price: $395.
Monoson MicroSystems, Inc.
51 Main St.
Watertown. MA 02172
(617/924-2124)
Finaiword is an integrated
word-processing sv'stem. In ad-
dition to standard operating fea-
tures such as automatic word
wrap, global search, and justifi-
cation. Finaiword offers several
unique text editing and format-
ling capabilities. "Chapter Com-
mand" will center numbers,
boldface chapter headings, and
create appropriate entries in the
Table of Contents. Further, dur-
ing output, the menu-driven
program can create an index,
complete with appropriate pagi-
nation, and number footnotes.
Additional features are split-
screen capability, directors' ac-
cess during the editing process,
and simultaneous editing and
printing capability.
Requires: 56K memory. PC-
DOS.
Price: $300.
Mark of the Unicorn
P.O. Box 423
Ariington, MA 02174
(6 17/48.') -1.387)
Designed for the first time IBM
PC user (as well as the expert),
the VoiJisvvriter word-processor
includes an interactive on-
screen tutorial and a complete
reference manual. It uses 20
function keys with an on-screen
reference guide.
Requires: PC-DOS.
Price: $195.
Lifetree Software, Jnc.
177 Webster St., Suite 342
Monterey. CA 93940
(408/659-3221)
Spelling Checkers
EasyspeJier is an innovative
spelling-checker and proof-
reading package. Using an
88.000-word dictionary, it flags
misspellings and offers the user
a chance to substitute the correct
spelling. The system can also
create supplementary' diction-
aries for jargon and abbrevia-
tions. It further allows the user
to correct the same mistake
within a file by pressing a single
key. The system also displays the
entire line in which the flagged
word appears, enhancing ease
of readability.
Requires: PC-DOS.
Price: $175.
Information Llnlimiled Soft-
ware
281 Arlington Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94707
(415/525-9452)
Another spelling-checker in the
PC marketplace is the updated
Spel/guard 86. Designed for use
with a CPM-86 operating sys-
tem, this version speedily proof-
reads documents at rates ex-
ceeding 20 pages per minute
using a 20.000-word dictionary.
Requirements: CPM-86 DOS.
Price: Speilguard $295. British
Diet. $35 till 6/30; then $125.
Innovative Software Applica-
tions
1150 Chestnut Lane
Menio Park. CA 94025
(415/326-0805)
Mail Management
Two new mail managers geared
to the IBM PC user are on the
market. Mail Manager will cre-
ate and update address files,
create subfiles, merge files, and
sort using a variety of key fields.
Starware plans on releasing sev-
eral other IBM PC packages in-
cluding: Gradem for teachers.
Data Analyst, Listpro (for creat-
ing custom form letters), and
Pfofsale (an order-entry pack-
age).
Price: $49.
Starware
1629 K Street NW. Suite 551
Washington, D C. 20006
(202/337-5300)
EZLabe) is a mail management
program geared to the small
business employee and comput-
er neophyte who lacks the time
to master a more complicated
system. The company will fol-
low this product with a similarly
"simple" line-oriented word-
processor and home finance
program. All are in the lower
price range.
Price: $39.95.
Syslemics
3050 Spring St.
W. Bloomfield, MI 48033
(313/851-2504)
Communications
Logon, an auto-dial, auto-an-
swer communications software
package supporting the Hayes
Smartmodem, features menus,
directors' of frequently called
numbers and host computer
configurations, automatic re-
transmission of erroneous data,
selectable number of columns
(screen width) and ability to
"chat" off-line without losing
carrier. Written in UCSD Pascal
4.0.
Requires: 64K. Serial Card Disk.
Price: $150.
Ferox Microsystems
1201 N. Ft. Myer Dr.
Arlington, VA 22209
(703/841-0800)
Crosstalk Version 2.0 allows a
PC or CP/M computer to access
almost any ASCII dial-up com-
puter system. It captures and
stores received data and sends
pre-ed ited files to a remote com-
puter system. The company is
releasing both PC-DOS and
CP/M-86 versions.
Microstuf
1900 Leiand Dr., Suite 12
Marietta, GA 30067
(404/952-0267)
PC MODEM communications
program for the IBM PC fea-
tures include: continuous auto-
dialing, auto-answering, send-
receive ASCII files which can
be read from or written to PC-
DOS files up to 600 baud, menu
drive, and switches between
touch-tone and rotary dialing.
Requires: 64K. IBM Communi-
cations Adapter (or equivalent).
PC-DOS. BASICA. Disk Drive.
D.C. Hayes Smartmodem.
Price: $49.95.
System Software Services
1765 Raleigh Lane
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
(312/843-8584)
ASCOM is an asynchronous
communications program for
users who routinely send or re-
ceive program or data files be-
tween a PC and another com-
puter. The PC version of
ASCOM is compatible with AS-
COM on any CP/M system.
Requires: PC-DOS, Serial Com-
munications Module.
Price: $175 including software
and manual.
Westico
25 Van ZanI St.
Norwalk, CT 06855
(203/853-6880)
1UNE/)IJLY 1982
119
Cc|. ,
» • • •
\ \ nMarketplace
Terminal Emulator
R/NET, an abbreviation for Re-
lational Network, v. as created to
allow the IBM PC to connect di-
rectly or remotely lo minicom-
puters supporting tlie ADDS ter-
minal. Because R/\'E7" can
capture ininicompiiter data on
the PC's disks, it is possible to
manipulate data ott-line The
system includes software, docu-
mentation and a cable to con-
nect the PC to a minicomputer.
Price: $200.
Cosmos
10626 14flth Ave. SE
Renfon, WA H9056
(206/226-9362)
Phone Log
Phone Chronicle from Sycon
logs outgoing c<ills and is intend-
ed for single telephone line us-
ers who need to monitor inter-
nal telephone use for billing or
cost control purposes The pro-
gram sorts, organizes, and pre-
sents calls in a report format
which includes iht data, tele-
phone number, tinu^ and length
of call, and three-digit individ-
ual employee/account code.
Consisting of a PC board, tele-
phone plug, cable, diskette, and
user's manual, the unit has an
on-board memory of 100 calls,
and signals when memon, is
reaching the limit. It uses an ex-
ternal A/C adapter to supply
power when the computer is not
in use. A multi-line version is
under development.
Price: $395.
Sycon
3040 Scott Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408/727-2751J
Payroll
Payroll Master cai; process up
to 200 employees i n a two-disk
PC. It supports six user-defined
deduction fields ami gives de-
finable pay rates fi r each em-
ployee. Miilli-slnie and mixed-
department labor analysis are
also offered. ATecmar hard disk
version is also available.
Price: $495.
ASTEC
223 Hunnewel/ St.
Needham. MA 02194
(617/444-5551)
Dow Jones
Another IBM release, Dow
Jones Reporter enables an IBM
PC user to gather business infor-
mation from the Dow |ones
News/Retrieval Service. It pro-
vides access to a variety of infor-
mation including financial
news, stock market quotations,
and company profiles.
Price: $100.
IBM
iBOO/447-4700)
The Personal Investor automati-
cally connects your PC with the
Dow [ones News/Retrieval Ser-
vice giving you access to "the
most authoritative financial in-
formation in the world." Stories
and reports as new as 90 seconds
or as old as 90 days can be
viewed from The Wall Street
/ournaJ, Barrens, and Dow
/ones News.
The Personal Investor in-
cludes several modules. The
"Portfolio Manager" records
slock purchases, dividends, and
sales of stocks. The "News/
Terminal" works with Dow
[ones and most other informa-
tion services. The "Quotes
Screen" automatically signs on
to the Dow jones service, col-
lects quotations on preassigned
stocks, and signs off. The quota-
tions can be printed or viewed
on the monitor, after the Dow
Jones service is disconnected.
The package includes software
and a 58-page manual.
PBL Corporation
P.O. Box 599
Wayzata. MN 55391
(612/473-37691
Financial and
Accounting
The Boss from XEDEX Corpora-
tion is a new financial account-
ing package that includes Gen-
eral Ledger, Accounts
Receivable, and Accounts Pay-
able modules. The company
plans on releasing several other
interactive modules by fall.
XEDEX will provide user sup-
port via a technical "hotline"
service.
Requires: XEDEX Baby Blue.
Will work with 5-megabyte hard
disk drives or two 8-inch floppy
disks with 200K Memorv' (IBM
5-inch floppy disks will store
only 160K each).
Price: $2,495. Combined price
with Baby Blue $3,095.
XEDEX Corporation
1345 Ave. of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
(212/489-0444)
Another set of Accounts Pay-
able, Accounts Receivable, Gen-
eral Ledger, and Payroll pro-
grams is available from:
Zela Products
P.O. Box 147
Georgetown. TX 78626
(512/863-3079)
A new series of business pro-
grams for the IBM PC includes:
Payroll, job Costing, Accounts
Payable, Accounts Receivable,
and General Ledger.
Computer Systems Design
P.O. Box 735
Yakima, WA 98907
(509/575-0320)
More Business Tools
IBM has released Inventory
Control by PeachTree Software
to help companies manage their
inventory assets. The program is
designed to assist a small busi-
ness improve its merchandise
control, reduce inventor\' in-
vestment, and improve custom-
er service and response. The
program may be customized to
suit a company's needs.
Price: $595.
IBM
(800/447-4700)
Chort Pro produces graphics on
the screen (monochrome or col-
or) and the Epson or IBM print-
ers. It can produce charts, bar
graphs, and linear data from in-
formation you enter directly or
through VisiCalc files. A com-
panion program. Slide Pro, pro-
duces copy that can be thermo-
faxed for overhead projection
slides. The product allows you to
move your cursor around, draw-
ing flow charts, block diagrams,
and the like. $49.50 for each
product.
Price: $595.
Micro Control Systems
431 Vinyord Point Rd.
Guilford, CT 06437
(203/643-4897)
Time Manager from IBM and
Microsoft, Inc. enables the PC
user to organize and plan activi-
ties while maintaining records
for future reference. By record-
ing events as they happen, the
user can later retrieve a sum-
mary of those events, as well as
organize and update data. Totals
can be created in several cate-
gories for tax verification, ex-
pense reports, and project eval-
uations.
Price: $100.
IBM
(800/447-4700)
M/croGANTT is a project-plan-
ning sv'stem designed for users
who perform time-and-cost
analyses. The programs use the
Critical Path Method technique
to determine task dependencies
and project completion dates.
When an aspect of a project is
modified, the plan is immedi-
ately redisplayed to reflect the
new schedule.
Price: $395 with Documentation.
Manual $25.
Westico
25 Van Zant St.
Norwalk. CT 06855
(203/853-6880)
120
PC MAGAZINE
Business & Engineering
HAL 9000, a new line of Busi-
ness and Engineering software,
has been introduced by Keller.
It consists of:
—HAL 1000 Business Software
with General Ledger, A/R. A/P,
Inventory and General Business
applications.
-HAL 2000 Engineering Soft-
ware with Civil. Scheduling,
Cost Engineering, and Electrical
applications.
— HAL 3000 Statistical Software
with general applications.
Requires: PC-DOS.
Price: Statistical Package $395.
Business and Engineering Soft-
ware $495. Civil Engineering
$595. Business Inventor^' and
Cost Accounting $695.
Keller Software
1825 WestcJiff Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
lists, risk analysis, and tracking
claims. Word-processing is in-
cluded.
Requirements: 64K Memory, 2
Disk Drives, Monitor, Printer.
Price: $650.
Metamorphics, Inc.
154 Montgomery Ave.
Ba/a Cynwyd, PA 19004
1215/668-9000}
Electronic Memo Register was
designed especially for insur-
ance agents who have "hun-
dreds of follow-up messages to
track."
Metamorphics. Inc.
154 Montgomery Ave.
Bala Cynwyd. PA 19004
(215/668-9000)
Banking
Ampersand Corporation intro-
duced its Branchbanker series
for financial institutions. The
Econocomp Services, Inc. is re-
leasing a line of engineering
software for the IBM PC. In-
cluded are structural, geotech-
nical, and hydraulics programs.
Econocomp Services. Inc.
89 State St.
Guilford. CT 06437
(203/453-4386)
Insurance
A new line of software geared
specifically for insurance agents
has been released. Nine modu-
lar programs in the series cover
wide-ranging aspects of insur-
ance sales: compiling prospect
package currently consists of a
Master and Individual Retire-
ment Account (IRA) modules.
Requires: 64K. Printer.
Price: $595 (Master Module and
One Accessor>').
Ampersand Corporation
128 S. George St.
York, PA 17405
Real Estate
The Quickcaic Real Estate In-
vestor is a template model for
the IBM PC. using either Visi-
Caic or SuperCaic. The system
displays information in a work-
sheet format. The residence and
income-property models are ca-
pable of analyzing variables
such as purchase price, financ-
ing structure, tax implications,
cash-flow and after-sale profit-
ability.
Price: $99.50.
Simple Soft
480 Eagle Dr., Suite 101
Elk Grove, IL 60007
(312/364-0752J
Data Base Manager
EasyFiler is an "information
processor" from Information
Unlimited Software. The data
base management sv'stem allows
the user to enter, manipulate,
and report a variety' of data. The
software is designed to handle
up to 100 megabytes of data, if
you can find a disk that will store
that much. EasyFiler has its own
limited editor, so it is possible to
create form letters and use the
product as a stand-along mail-
merge program. Each listing
(record) in the data base can
have up to 50 items.
Requires: 2 Disk Drives. 64K.
Price: $400.
Information Vnlimiled Soft-
ware
281 Arlington Ave.
Berkeley. CA 94707
(415/525-9452)
Disk Library Program
The Floppy Disk Library is de-
signed to "take some of the
drudger\' out of keeping track of
floppy disks and files."
Price: $39.95.
Little Bit
469 Edgewood Ave.
New Haven. CT 06511
Spreadsheets
IBM announces the release of
VisiCaic version 1.1. The re-
vised version of this best-selling
spreadsheet program will now
accommodate up to 256K of user
memorv' and will support addi-
tional parallel and serial print-
ers. VisiCalc's producer. Visi-
Corp. will automatically issue
the upgraded version at no
charge to all registered owners.
Requires: PC-DOS. One Drive,
64K.
Price: $250. No charge for up-
date.
Vis/Corp
2895 Zenker Rd.
San /ose. CA 95134
(408/946-9000)
Ferox Microsystems, makers of
MICRO-DSS/F, is offering a
menu-driven financial model-
ing package for the PC. It fea-
tures "what-if" calculations,
32,000 cell built-in financial
functions, and report genera-
tion. Includes run-time UCSD
Pascal 4.0.
Requires: 2 Drives, 128K.
Price: $1,500.
Ferox Microsystems
1701 N. Ft. Myer Dr.
Arlington, VA 22209
(703/84 1-0800J
The SuperCaic Electronic
Spreadsheet for the PC allows
users with color monitors to see
negative values displayed in
red, and formulas in yellow.
256K users will be able to fill in
all 16.000 cells of the worksheet
with five-digit numbers —
enough space to allow 10-year
projections by month.
Price: $295
Sorcim
405 Aide Ave.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408/727-7634)
For the Home
Household Inventory enables
homeowners to maintain rec-
ords of their valuable posses-
UNE/IULY 1982
121
\ \ nMarketplace
sions for insurance purposes.
The program catalogues and
cross-references household
items (up to 100 in 2') rooms) key-
ing in such informaiion as serial
number, purchase dale, and val-
ue. Price: $95,
What Do We .Vome the
Baby? draws upon .i 2,500-name
database to generate lists of
names defined hy series of pa-
rameters chosen In the prospec-
tive parents.
Requirements: 48K Memory,
Single Disk Drive.
Price; $15.
Metamorphics, /nc.
J5J Montgomery Ave.
Baia CynwyA, PA 1.9004
/215/668-9000)
Education
Two new software educational
packages have been introduced
into the marketplace. SchooJ-
daze provides the answers to
hundreds of arcane and rarely
asked questions, and can create
a Timeline of any .size.
Requires: 32K Memorv. Disk
Drive, Printer for Timeline
Function Only.
Price: $25.
Schoo/daze by Metamorphics
154 Montgomery Ave.
Bala Cynwyd, PA J9004
(215/668-9000J
Maih Drilis offers mathematical
exercises geared toward the ele-
mentary age >,'roiip The pro-
gram generates pmblems in
many difficulty ranges. A user's
scoreboard monitors progress
and missed proiilems and sup-
plies the correct answers.
Requires: 36K Memory. 1 DO,
80-Column .Monitor.
Math DriiJs by Stanvare
3901 Davis PJace N.W.
Washington, /) C. 2mm
(202/337-5300}
Games
Space Guardians rociiiires its
players to travel tlu; galaxy,
searching out and destroying
alien warships.
Requires: 64K, One Drive, 80-
Character Display.
Price: $29.95.
Omric
1268 Main St., #207
Newinglon, CT 06111
(203/666-4240]
The makers of Gafaxy Master
have dubbed their new product
the "office game" because the
user can elect to turn off the
sound in an office environment.
Movement around the screen is
accomplished through cursor
controls and the user gets to
press Fl to fire lasers or F2 for
"photon torpedoes."
Price; $29.95.
Info-Pros
2102 Business Center Dr., #132
Irvine, CA 92715
(714/851-8975]
Keyboard Enhancers
The Keynote Keyboard En-
hancer allows the user to speci-
fy repetitively typed phrases or
control functions with a single
key stroke. The strings may con-
tain any legal ASCII characters,
thus making it possible for you to
re-define many of the PC's keys.
The program becomes part of
the disk operating system and
remains in memor\' until you re-
boot or turn off the power. The
program allows you to save and
complete keystrings (macros) to
disk files. Includes a quarterly
software newsletter with pro-
gram enhancements and up-
dates. Quoted price is an intro-
ductory offer and is subject to
change after july, 1982.
Requires: PC-DOS, One Drive.
Price: $29.95.
Gerard Cerchio System Consul-
tants
1110 Whirlow Pi.
San /ose, CA 95131
(408/923-091 1 J
Utilities
Note; Disk Utilities are tools
that aid in the interface between
the computer user and the disk
operating system; that is, the en-
vironment in which computer
software operates. Some utili-
ties (like CP+ j are for novices
and others (like DiskLook and
Iool.s/86) are more suited for
programmers or advanced users.
CP+ replaces CP/M com-
mands with a series of "simple.
English-language 'menus,' mes-
sages and directions." It cur-
rently works only with CP/M-80
systems, but its distributors plan
to release a version for the Baby
Blue (see stor\' this issue)
equipped for PC as well as for
CP/M-86.
Price: $150.
Taurus Software Corporation
870 Morkel St., Suite 817
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415/788-0888)
Disklook is a menu-driven set of
PC-DOS utilities which allow
users to "browse through any
file, display any diskette sector,
graphically map diskette usage
and the location of any file, dis-
play erased file names, reveal
hidden files, display complete
directory' information, and en-
able the user to learn more about
how files are copy protected."
Requires; PC-DOS, 64K, One
Disk Drive.
Price; $20. Unerase (recovers
erased diskette files) $20. PasFor
(formats Pascal programs to
user-controlled standards) $20.
TimeMark (disp)ays time, date,
and elapsed time] $5.
Peter ,NJorton
1716 Main St.
Venice, CA 90291
(213/399-3948)
Operating System
The Oasis 16 operating system
turns the IBM PC into a multi-
user business microcomputer. It
simultaneously coordinates up
to three users on a standard sys-
tem and up to 32 users with ap-
propriate bus expansion. The
system provides for private or
shared public files, optional
passwords, and privileged level
.security access. It is compatible
with Z-80 Oasis Basic and C ap-
plications software, making
over 500 commercial programs
immediately available. Supports
Corvus hard disks.
Price: Sl,495.
Phase One
7700 Edgewater Dr., Suite 830
Oakland. CA 94621
(415/562-8085)
CP/M Emulator
l-DOS is a version of the native
"PC-DOS" operating system for
the PC. It supports Professional
Micro Systems' 20 and 40 Mega-
byte 5V4-inch Integral Hard
Disks and CP/M-80 and
CP/M-86 under the native PC-
DOS.
Both CP/M programs or files
and PC-DOS programs and files
can run in the same "areas" or
"volumes" on the disks.
In I-DOS' "configure pro-
gram." the hard disk and floppy
disk can be assigned any logical
drive letter and "volumes" can
be of any size, within disk size
constraints.
l-DOS has a menu-driven
copy, rename and erase utilities.
It has a built-in Communica-
tions Program that utilizes
Hayes Smartmodem, Novation
Modem and other RS-232 Mo-
dems.
Professional Micro Systems
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(714/851-8655)
COBOL Language
IBM Personal Computer
COBOL Compiler by MicroSoft
is a software product that lets the
user develop programs in CO-
BOL, a language designed for
business applications. The IBM
COBOL is a version of the popu-
lar ANSI 1974 level standard
with extensions that support col-
or and screen formatting.
IBM
(800/447-4700) /PC
122
PC MAGAZINE
SAVE TIME WITH TEXTPLUS
WORD PROCESSING - PLUS.
WORD PROCESSING:
PLUS:
Full screen edit
1 1 cursor controls
Move, Copy blocks
Merge, Split or Chain files
Menu driven, extensive prompting
Full speed, word wrap
5 insert/delete methiods
Search and Replace
1000 words of on-line HELP screens
Titles
Trailers
Page numbering
Control all margins
Page Advance
Centering
Justification
On-line file inquiry
Mailing labels
Sort by field(s)
Record selection
DOS file compatible
Format multi-column lists
Calculate: total, sub-total
Calculate: average, percent
Bar charts
Written for the IBM PC. Comprehensive 1 00 page manual. Easy to use. Function key meanings
are always displayed on the bottom line. Extensive Prompting and HELP screens available. All
you need is the IBM PC v^/ith 64K, one disk, an 80 column display, and the IBM DOS Diskette. The
IBM or Epson printer is recommended. Typestyles are easily changed, even in the middle of a
sentence. TEXTPLUS is the easy and natural word processor.
Introductory price TEXTPLUS — $200.00 (iricludes stripping)
Moil your order today, call now toll free (for orders only):
(800) 824-7888. operator 89
In California — (800) 852-7777. operator 89
Dealer inquiries invited.
IBM IS a tegis'efed trademark o< International Business Machines
□ Send me TEXTPLUS at the introductory price of $200.00
□ Please send me just the manual for $30.00
□ VISA □ Mastercard □ Check / Money Order
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NAME:
ADDRESS:
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( \
STATE:
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SOFTWARE CORPORATION
EXP. DATE
OWL SOFTWARE CORPORATION . DEPT. P • 1605 E. CHARLESTON BLVD. . LAS VEGAS, NV 89104
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I
LAWRENCE I. MAGID
Product Reports
TecmoT ProUferales PC Products; New VisiSeries; MicroPro
Releases WordStar; and IBM Announces Double-Sided Disk
Drives.
Tecmar Proliferates
PC Products
Speech Master, PC-MATE,
Speed Disk, and More to
Come.
Tecmar
23600 Mercantile Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44122
(216/464-7410)
When IBM released the PC in October
1981, several companies jumped on the
bandwagon with software and hardware
add-ons. None were quite as prolific as
Cleveland's Tecmar Industries, which in-
troduced more than 20 PC-related prod-
ucts by the time this magazine's first issue
of their new plug-in
devices teaches the PC
to talk back to you — in
audible English.
hit the streets in fanuary. Now they're
back with several more.
Talkin' Terminals
One of their new plug-in devices teach-
es the PC to talk back to you— in audible
English. According to Tecmar Vice Presi-
dent Dave Wertman, the Speech Master
Board is treated by the PC like a monitor or
a printer, but instead of the output being
displayed or printed, it is enunciated
through the device's on-board speaker or
through an amplifier or tape recorder con-
nected to the Board. You can write your
speeches in BASIC or in PC-DOS text files
that can be created with a word-process-
ing program.
By including a few lines of code at the
top of your BASIC programs, you can
LPRINT directly to the Speech Master
Board, according to a Tecmar spokesper-
son. But even if you don't know a word of
BASIC, you can use a simple PC-DOS
command to route text to the speaker. PC-
DOS includes a command that allows you
to route a file to the screen by typing TYPE
FILENAME . If you want that same file
printed, you precede the TYPE statement
with a CTRLP (for PRINT). With Speech
Master, according to Wertman, you type
CTRLT (for talk) and the text is spoken
rather than displayed or printed. Your
Speech Master, in essence, becomes an-
other list device.
Words are pronounced on a "synthesis
by rule" basis. If you don't like the ma-
chine's pronunciation, you can retype the
word phonetically.
A production model was not available
for testing as PC went to bed, but we'll
soon play with one and let you know what
it has to say for itself. Price: $395 for the
Board: $95 for software.
Hard Disk/Expansion Chassis
Another new Tecmar product is the 10-
megabyte (10-million-character) version
of their combination hard disk/expansion
chassis. The PC-MATE Winchester/10,
like their previously announced five-
megabyte hard disk, is enclosed in the PC-
Mate Expansion Assembly, which looks
remarkably similar to the PC itself and
contains its own power supply and six ad-
ditional expansion slots. Price: $3,995.
Programs Increase Use of Memory
Boards
Speed Disk is a program that allows a
192K memory expansion board to simulate
a floppy disk. The result is a logical disk
device that is "totally compatible for nor-
mal system operations and provides speed
increases of between 5 and 50 times that of
the IBM mini-floppies." .Mthoujjh it was
designed to work with Tecmar s PC-Mate
Dynamic RAM Option, it should work
with an\ 192K memory expansion board.
Price: $40.
Tired of waiting for your printer to let
you use the PC? The R.AAIspoo/er allows
data sent to a printer to be buffered, thus
freeing the PC to perform other tasks
while the printer is Inisy. Like Spv.e.d Disk.
it requires a 192K memory add-on board.
New VisiSeries
VisiCalc Business Companion
Series
VisiCorp
2885 Zanker Rd.
San lose, CA 95134
(408/946-9000)
The most expensive element in many
computer systems is neither the hard-
ware nor the software. The time and ex-
pense of entering data, whether words or
numbers, can add up to a very substan-
tial investment. As a result, a company
that offers an integrated lint; of software,
able to make several uses of the same
data, has a distinct advantage in the mar-
ketplace.
The VisiDex
program operates like
a giant set of index
cards . . .
VisiCorp (formerly Personal Software)
is already pre-eminent. Their VisiCalc
spreadsheet program is the world's best-
selling software program.
That's a tough act to follow, but the
"VisiSeries" is likely to open up a lucra-
tive after-market from VisiCorp's plenti-
fUNE/IULY 1882
12S
Copyrighted matsrial
ful supply of VisiCdc customers.
The VisiSeries is an interrelated set of
business prugrams for planning, analyz-
ing, forecasting, budgefting, and answering
"what if" questions. Along with VisiCdc,
the series for the PC now includes: VM-
File, VisilYend/Plot. VisiDex. and Desk-
Top/PLAN.
ViuFOe stores business records in a
flexible format and can be used either for
simple applications such as organizing a
mailing list, or complex ones such as in-
ventory management. A single diskette
stores up to 12 files. A maximum of 32,000
records can be stored within each file. Us-
ers with 64K of memory can specify up to
48 fields per record and 256K users can
specify up to 128 fields. The program is
menu-driven ami includes a "help" fea-
ture to aid user understanding. Available:
third quarter 1982. Price: $300.
The Visi'l'rend/PJot program allows
the iisfc til l.ikr (iiitii I'titcrri! tln'iiiLili \'),si-
time and expense of
entering data,
whether words or
numbers, can add up
to a very substantial
investment
Calc and create charts and graph.s idong
with statistical reports including linear re-
gression, standard deviation, mean, medi-
an, and the like. Displays may he saved on
diskette for later use in presentations.
Graphs may be printed with the IBM or
Epson MX-80 with graftrax and several
other graphic printers. Available: third
quarter 1982. Requires: IBM Color Adapt-
er for high-resolution graphics. Price:
$300.
The VisiDex program operates "like a
giant .set I if index cards that ma\' lie cross-
referenced thmibands of wa\s." Its appli-
cations include personnel information,
sales reports, financial details, or short re-
ports. Each "card" can be stored on disk
and cross-referenced against a number of
special words or dates (called "key-
words"). Available: third quarter 1982.
Price: $250.
The Desktop/PLAN program uses a
series of menus to guide the user through a
financial modeling session. The user cre-
ates .1 model, beginning with row and col-
umn titles, inputting initial values, and de-
ciding on row and column formulas for
later calculation. The coin|)Uted-\aiues
file can be printed out with headers, foot-
ers, pagination, and other formatting aids.
The program includes a high-resolution
graphing feature that can be used with sys-
tems equipped with an IBM Color Graph-
ics Adapter only. Available: May 1982.
Price: $300.
MicroPro Releases
WordStar
Popular word-processor now
available jor the PC
MicroPro International
1299 4th St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415/457-8990)
WordStar is to word-processing what
VisKiak is to spreadsheet programs-
very popular.
|ust before press time MicroPro Inter-
national released its long-awaited PC-
DOS \ ersion of the WordStar word-pro-
cessing program. Although there was
neither time nor space for a full review,
we look a (]iiick look at the protirain. It
r rORDSTAR
is to word-processing
wliat VisiCalc is to
spreadsheet
programs — very
popular,
was tested with only an Epson MX-80
printer (from which the IBM printer was
cloned). A more thorough review will be
included when PC reviews several
word-processing programs.
The PC version represents at least
three firsts for its publi^er, MicroPro In-
ternational; This is the first time Micro-
pro h,is reliMsed ,1 non-f^P 'M v'ersion (it
As
a result, we
recommend WordStar
users have at least
92K of internal
memory,
runs under PC-DOS); it is the first time
MicroPro has used a computer's function
or arrow keys; and it is the first WordStar
to work with more than 64K of internal
memory.
The standard WordStar requires the
use of the CTRL keys plus one or more
letter keys for e\'er\'thing from a mun-
dane backspace to stellar block moves.
For cmnputers other than the PC. even if
they have arrow keys, it is necessary to
use CTRL S for left arrow. CTRL D for
right arrow, CTRL E for up, and CTRL X
for down. These CTRL kv.ys will work on
the PC version, but they are duplicated
by the arrows on the number pad.
The PC's ability to handle more than
64K of memory presents some advan-
tages. We ran WordStar on both a 128K
IBM and a 64K NorthStar Horizon. The
PC was able to print one file while we
ed ited another. When we tried this on the
NorthStar. its printer sometimes paused
while we typed.
Block moves— moving text from one
part of a file to another — were easier on
the 128K PC. The PC's extra memory
made it possible to move text in larger
chunks.
When we tested WordStar on a 64K
PC. we were disappointed with the small
amount of space for block moves and the
slow response time when moving the
cursor from the top to the bottom on a
large file. As a result, we recommend
WordStar users have at least 92K of in-
ternal memory.
WordStar does not make as extensive
use of the PC's function keys as do some
of the other word-processing programs.
But they can be used for help menus,
setting tabs, left and right margins, un-
derlining, boldface, block markers, and
126
PC MAGAZINE
Copyrighted material
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enhancing your unit's productivity and
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and a large woric area. 19 Protective recessed bay br CPU
and Disk Drive assures ample work space Dl Master switdi for
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to eliminate cord clutter IB Cord drop space for fhish wall placement
and cable protection Bl Rear air space for proper ventilation SI Adjust-
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sending the cur8oi*to the top or bottom of
the file.
The cursor control keys on the nu-
meric pad can be used to move the cursor
to the top (home) or holtdm (END) of the
screen, to scroll up (PgUP) or down
(PgDn) one screen full of text, and to
move the cursor to the left, right, up. or
down. This all may seem unexciting, but
to old WordStar users it's a great im-
provement.
Despite the inclusion of some cursor
and function keys, it is still necessary to
use CTRL keys for ;i number of func-
tions. To exit the editor and save a file to
the disk, for example, it is necessary to
type CTRL K D. This sounds cumber-
some, but most people get used to it
quickly. Nevertheless, one wonders why
they didn't make more creativt! use of the
PC's 40 function keys (programmers can
hook up Fi through FlO as well as those
kevs in conjunction with ALT, CTRL, or
SHIFT).
Choosing how to use the function and
arrow keys is admittedly arbitrary, but I
would have done things differently. Mi-
croPro uses FlO to go to the top of the file
and F9 to go to the bottom. This seems to
be the reverse of what is logical. One
would assume that the DEL(ete) key is
used to delete the character over the cur-
sor. Instead, it is used as a destructive
backspace. The key that IBM designated
for destructive backspace is redundant
with the cursor to the left key. Price: $495.
IBM Announces
New PC iProducts
Doiible'SUied Disk Drives,
New DOS, and additional
software.
IBM
Entry Systt-ms BUBiness
P.O. Box 1328
Boca Raton. FL 31432
(305/998-6007)
The diskette storage capacity of the
IBM Personal Computer has been dou-
bled, several new programming and appli-
cation packages have been added and
prices for two attachments have been re-
duced. .
The doubling of diskette storage brings
capacity per drive to more than 320.000
bytes. The new programming aids are an
enhanced version of the Disk Operating
System (DOS), a BASIC language compil-
er and new inventory control and ac-
counts receivable application programs.
Thf IBM printer and IHO.dOO In tc disk-
doubling of diskette
storage brings
capacity per drive
to more than 320,000
bytes.
ette drive now sell at IBM Product Centers
for $555 and $450, respectively.
320K Diskette Drive
The new 320K diskette drive accomo-
dates up to 327,680 characters of programs
and data of 5-V4 inch diskettes, enabling
users to store and update information on
either 320K double-sided or 160K single-
sided diskettes.
The greater storage capacity and pro-
gramming flexibility of the new diskette
drive means that applications currently
running on the IBM Personal Computer
can take advantage of larger data files,
providing for future growth. The 320K
diskette drive is supported by the new ver-
sion of the DOS, as well as by the CP/M-86
and UCSD p-System, Version IV.O operat-
ing systems. Price: $650.
New Disk Operating System
Version
The Disk Operating Sy.stem Version 1 .1
by Microsoft Corp. supports up to two
320K or 160K diskette drives, or a combi-
nation of each. Version 1.1 with Disk and
Advanced BASIC includes several en-
hancements.
With it, information can I)e written on
or read from diskette drives at higher
speeds, for faster processing and im-
proved response times. In addition. DOS
1.1 provides asynchronous communica-
tions setup and support to direct parallel
printer output to a serial printer, or to a
remote printer via an available asynchro-
nous communications adapter. The new
DOS sells for $40.
BASIC Compiler
The IBM Personal Computer BASIC
Compiler by Microsoft Corp. enables us-
ers to write and test programs with the BA-
SIC Interpreter and then compile the pro-
grams into machine-level code. This can
improve program execution speeds sig-
nificantly. Once they are distributed, com-
piled programs cannot be listed or modi-
fied. Price: $300.
IBM Announces Additional
Business Series Software
Two application packages which can
he'lpcompanif's manage inventory and ac-
counts receivable were also announced
for the IH.\I Personal C^omputer.
inventor)' Control by BPI Systems. Inc.
provides quick access to the status of any
Information
can be written on or
read from diskette
drives at higher speeds,
for hster processing
and improved
response times.
inventon,- item, including li.st prices and
quantity on hand, enabling .sales orders to
be checked and changed as they are en-
tered. Customer invoices can be created
and stock levels adjusted automatically. In
addition to alerting users to items which
must be re-ordered, the program can also
produce the appropriate purchase orders,
as well as log back orders and merciian-
dise received. Price: $425.
Accounts Receivabie by BPI Sytems,
Inc. helps manage a company's cash flow
by tracking current and past-due receiv-
ables. In addition to providing informa-
tion necessan,' for timely, accurate credit
decisions, the program prepares monthly
customer statements and past-due notices,
eliminating many manual billing proce-
dures. It also prepares monthly aged re-
ceivables reports, maintains detailed cus-
tomer files, and produces rapid anaKses
of customer account status. Price S-i25./PC
128
PC MAGAZINE
Copyrighted material
Great Software at Great Prices
from Software Laboratories
Software Labs is offering these new software packages for your IBM-PCt
$10
SU-Writer*
Our versatile mini-text editor —
great for iorm letters.
Mini Data Base Manager*
Compile, manage, sort, and
print information with up to
10() records per file. Great for
small businesses, clubs and
home use.
Compnt-A-Sketch*
(requires color ifrapliics card)
Draw single-line designs and
circles on your screen using
the PC keypad.
$20
$50
$100
Fun Package*
Tic Tac Toe, Lucas Puzzle, Slot
Machine, Dice Roller, Number
Guess.
Kids' Package*
Addition, Subtraction, Compute-
A-Sketch (color firuphics curds
required). States and Capitals,
Dates in History.
50-for-l*
(50 proffrunis in one (xtckaiie)
Includes text editor, checkbook,
games, business programs and 4(i
other ideas for the price of one.
• General Ledger**
• Accounts Payable**
• Accounts Receivable**
• PayroU**
SUPPLIES: $36.95
Business Package*
Straight Line Depreciation,
Double Declining Balance
Depreciation, Tax Return
(1()4()-A), Loan Amortization,
Check tiook Register and
Check Writer.
Mailing List Program*
Assemble and maintain your
own lists of up to 50() names
with field .sorting and text
editing.
Ideal for a small business, these
programs may be used
individually or as an integrated
accounting system.
Manuals for the G/L, A/P, A/R
and Payroll programs are
available for S2() each
(applicable to purchase).
Home Package*
Household Property List, Credit
Card Register, Shopping List,
Biorhythms. Contact Sports
(adults).
Database Manager*
User defined fields, indexed
files, capacity limited by disk
space.
Save $50. Order all
four of these packages and pay
only $350.
Diskettes (box of 10) single sided, dual density with hub
ring. Guaranteed one year.
Anti-Static spray (16 oz. spray bottle)
Video programming worksheets. Pads of 100.
Ordering Inf Ormatioii: order by calling software Labs at (614) 889-508.3 or use our postage paid return card.
t IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation
• Requires 4HK. PC-DOS and Disk Drive
Requires 64K, PC-DOS and Two Disk Drives
$4.9S each
$4.95 each
sof TUinnE LncQfinTcriiEs, ire.
6924 Riverside Drive
Dublin, Ohio 43017
614/889-5083
CompuServe: 71535,1670
© Copyright 1982, Software laboratories, Inc.
CCi
introduces
Printer Stands For
IBM Personal Computex
Regular Stand
Regular w/shelf
Large Stauad
Large w/shelf
Large w/slot
End the paper mess on your computer desk. Our
printer stand allows your paper to be fed from
\mder the printer, making room for the vised paper
to stack behind the print out of the way. Available
with an optional removable shelf (Shown) for
easy computer forms change. Available in Large
size also, for MX- 100 and other large printer xisers
also. Also available with center slot for bottom feed
printers. (Large only).
(300010) $29.96
(300011) $44.95
(300020) $34.98
(300021) $49.98
(300050) $49.98
Blbbon Reloads for
MX 70/80/100 IBM Personal Computer printer
Reload yo\ir old ribbon cartridge for much less then replacing the cartridgel Quick and easy
to do, takes only about 2 minutes each to reload. Lacludes complete instructions. Available
in Black and 4 popular colorsi
Black Reload (500000) $3.98 ea. Black Reload
Bed Reload (500010) $4.95 ea. Red Reload
Blue Reload (800020) $4.95 ea. Blue Reload
Green Reload (800030) $4.98 ea. Green Reload
Brown Reload (800040) $4.98 ea. Brown Reload
(600001) $39.96 dz.
(600011) $49.50 dz.
(600021) $49.50 dz.
(500031) $49.50 dz.
(600041) $49.50 dz.
Ribbon Cartridges for
MX 70/80 IBM Personal Computer Printer
Replacement cartridges for youv printer. Complete cartridge for yoiu* printer at great
savingsl Available in Black and 4 popular colorsi Buy in 3 packs and save!
Black Cartridge
Red Cartridge
Blue Cartridge
Green Cartridge
Brown Cartridge
Black Cartridges
Red Cartridges
Blue Cartridges
Green Cartridges
Brown Cartridges
(500050) $10.96 ea.
(600060) $11.96ea.
(600070) $11.96ea.
(600080) $11.96ea.
(500090) $11.98ea.
(600061) $29.95/3
(500061) $31.95/3
(500071) $31.96/3
(600081) $31.95/3
(600091) $31.96/3
171 Hawkins Rd.
Centereacb, N.T. 11780
C816) 981-8868 Cvoice)
C816) 888-8836 Cmodem)
Dealer Inqiilries Welcome
N.7.S. Residents Add Tax
Add $8 sMpping — liandlin^
Prices subject to cbange
WELCOME
Cor
Everything for the IBM'
■k SOFTWARE
Integrated Accounting System
(Q/U Payroll, A/P, A/R) $395
Ustpro"* (for custom form letters) $95
Mall Manager™ $49
MIcrostat (complete statistical
package) $250
Ptofeale™ (order processing system) $195
WordStar* (Mord processing) $495
. . . mnd muth more,
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Color printers, monitors, modems, hard
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-k DISKETIES— v^th free game 10 for $49
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Suite BID, 3901 Davis Place MW
Washington DC 20007 (202) 337-5300
★ IBM Is a trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation. * WordStar Is atrademarKofMlaroPro Inter-
national Corporation.
Introducing the IBM PC
Business and Technical
Graphics Generator
by Lany Joel Goldstein. Uses the 16 bit power of the IBM
PC to create, edit, format, save and recall graphs with ease
of a single-keystroke. Allows you to create barcharts,
piecharts, line graphs, function graphs as color or mono-
chrome displays. Features a user-friendly design. H
And - its the first and only graphics package Srat . -r .
effectively uses the power of the IBM PC. To ~ ~
order yours, clip the coupon or call —
800-63W)220. — — _
_ r E = D
_ 'i' ' ■ "5 • • ■ 5 • N Please
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...... T^ . . .T. . . ^ Business and
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_ Generator for $200 (plus
— ■ ■ H. ^-^^ postage and handling). I have
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. > ■ . .
Name
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Signature
Address
Phone No.
Signature
Residents of MD, DC, PA. N), MA, II, CA and FL «ld local sales u>.
Df>r>^'« r orders by phone: toll-free (800)638-0220,
Eyi €M\Ay in Maryland (301) 262-6300
Robert). Brady • Bowie, Maryland 20715 • (301)262-6300
Our Claim to Fame!
Price and Delivery! |7k corpora ion
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• Serial Interface Card/Dual Port $140.00
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'Prices Subject to Change Without Notice
In Less Than 3 Minutes
Your IBM Model 50, 60, or 75
Electronic Typewriter
can be an RS232C PRINTER or TERMINAL
CALIFORNIA MICRO COMPUTER
Models 5060 and 5061 can be
installed easily and require NO
modifications to the typewriter.
For additional information contact:
CALIFORNIA MICRO COMPUTER
9323 Warbler Ave., Fountain Valley, CA
92708 (714)968-0890
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Apple II Plus version requires 48K and color TV or
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O 1981 Stoneware IrKorporated. Apple II Is a registered trademark of Apple Computer.
NOW FOR THE IBM OR APPLE II !
The astonishing puzzle that has amazed
millions. COMPUCUBE simulates the mathematical
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fun, options and challenge.
• Set your own level of difficulty by solving the
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• Specify complex moves with a single command
line.
• Preset COIVIPUCUBE with any desired pattern.
Including the pattern of an unsolved solid cube.
Or even patterns not possible with a solid cube.
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SOFTWARE/ERIC RAYMOND
Going FORTH
A di^jeveni kind of programming language, PC-FORTH takes
some getting used to. But many who learn it love it.
PC-FORT}{, Laboratory' Microsystems.
4147 Beethoven Street. Los Angeles, CA
90066. 213/306-7412. $100
The new FORTH programming lan-
guage from Laboratorv' Microsys-
tems for the IBM Personal Com-
puter. PC-FORTJf, is a clean, fast, very
flexible language, which, if you're familiar
with only BASIC and its kin, will take
some getting used to. It's an example of
what computer scientists call "threaded,
interpretive languages" (TILsj— a class
becoming more popular for microcom-
puters, especially in process control and
data acquisition systems, because they are
very efficient in the use of a computer's
internal resources. FORTH runs very fast
compared to conventional languages such
as BASIC, and it requires less user mem-
ory' for doing comparable work. It was
originally developed by an astronomer for
"real-time" control of scientific instru-
ments and for heav>'-duty data-crunching.
Except by hand-coded assembly language,
FORTH is still nearly unbeatable for mi-
crocomputer applications of that kind.
G
^LANCING
at the clock, I noticed
it was early evening;
the next time I looked
at the clock, it was
early morning!
The one big disadvantage of FORTH is
that its code is not easy to read or explain,
especially for novices or those used to
more conventional languages. It has been
used so far mainly by systems program-
mers, engineers, hobbyists, and others
willing to learn its particular idiom, hav-
ing polarized those exposed to FORTH
into either zealous partisans or vehement
opponents of the language.
lUNE/IULY 1982
A FORTH program and how it works:
One of the traditional benchmarks used to test programming languages is the Sieve of
Erasthotenes algorithm for selecting prime numbers up to a given upper bound. In
FORTH it looks like this:
0 ( Sieve of Erasttiotenes. modified from PC-FORTH demo file )
1 :PRIHE
2 DUP 2/ 1+ S«P . ■• Starting • CR
3 1 DO
4 DUP I 1 ROT
5 2 DO
6 DROP DUP I /MOD
7 DUP 0 = IF DROP DROP 1 LEAVE
8 ELSE
9 1 = IF DROP 1
10 ELSE
11 DUP 0 > IF DROP 1
12 ELSE
13 0= IF 0 LEAVE ENDIF
14 ENDIF
15 ENDIF
16 ENDIF
17 LOOP
18 IF 4 .R ELSE DROP ENDIF
19 LOOP
20 DROP 7 EMIT CR .•Finished "
FORTH uses parentheses to delimit comments. :PRIME tells it that everything
following up to the next semicolon should be compiled into the definition of a new
FORTH word called PRIME.
DUP brings us to FORTH's major peculiarit\', the stack. Imagine a well holding a
spring-loaded stack of plates, each with one number written on it. You can pop a plate
off the top (revealing the number on the next one down) or you can push a new plate
with some number on it onto the top (hiding the previous top number), but you can't
get at the sul)merged ones below the top.
FORTH's stack works like this: A number is interpreted as a command to push
itself onio the .stack, and DUP is a primitive that duplicates the top-of-stack (TOS in
FORTH jargon). Thus, if we type 23 PRIME to FORTH,' after DUP the stack holds
I 23 I 23 I.
The number 2 pushes itself onto the stack, leaving 1 2 1 23 i 23 1. The slash is FORTH's
division primitive: it eats the top two numbers on the stack and pushes their quotient,
leaving! 11.51231. 1+ simply increments the TOS, leaving 1 12.51231. SWAP switches
the TOS with the second-of-stack (called 20S) leaving 1 23 1 12.5 1; point-quote cau.ses
characters up to the next double-quote to be output, and CR outputs a carriage return.
DO . . . LOOP is a FORTH control structure re.sembling the FOR . . . NEXT in
conventional languages. The number 1 before it on the outer loop pushes itself, then
gets eaten by DO to serve as a lower limit for the loop variable: then the 23 gets eaten
to serve as an upper limit. The stack is now I 12.5 I.
133
Col,
I is a word that pushes the value of the innermost current loop counter (let's call it
P). 1 1 ROT pushes P and 1. then rotates the top three stack entries, leaving behind a
stack state of I 12.5 I 1 1 P t. This loop executes once for each number to be tested.
The inner DO uses 2 as a lower limit and 12.5 as an upper, leaving a state of 1 1 1 P I.
DROP DUP leaves I P I P 1. 1 pushes the current inner loop counter (the correct try at a
divisor): let's call it Q. /MOD pushes the remainder and signed quotient onto the
stack, leaving 1 P MOD Q 1 P/0 I P I. DUP replicates P MOD Q.
The code 0= IF DROP DROP 1 LEAVE tests P MOD Q to see if it's zero; if so, the
stack is popped twice, a 1 is pushed, and the inner loop is left (a divisor has been
found so P is non-prime).
If the remaindtT is not zero, the ELSE branch gets taken: the interpretation of the
rest of that IF . THEN . . ELSE is left as an exercise to the reader. The
IF 4 .R ELSE DROP ENDIF prints the number being tested in a 4-character
field if prime, else discards it. and the DROP 7 EMIT CR Finished " does a beep, a
carriage return.and prints a termination message.
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PC-FORTH. in fact, developed from
an ancestor called figFORTH, the cre-
ation of a cabal of gifted and zealous parti-
sans called the FORTH Interest Group.
They produced a family of good, nearly
compatible FORTH versions for a number
of popular microprocessors including the
6502, 8080. and Z80 chips, as well as the
8086/8088 pair.
How TILs Work
Threaded interpretive languages oper-
ate by simulating a "virtual machine";
they replace hardware instruction sets
with higher-level primitives, which are
instructions to the imaginary machine sim-
ulated in software. By this maneuver,
many dependencies on the architecture of
a particular microprocessor are eliminat-
ed. The nucleus of primitives and a tiny
interpreter for them gets written in each
processor's machine code, but most of the
code in a TIL is then written in the TIL
itself. FORTH is the most well known and
one of the oldest of the TILs.
The FORTH virtual machine defined
by its primitives is often very different
from the real machine it runs on, such as
I the 8088 chip. FORTH's machine has no
internal registers for data and memory ad-
dresses: instead data is passed around on
stacks (see box). It has "virtual memory,"
which means that it considers both mem-
ory cells and disk storage together as a
very large memory with average access
.HOSE
exposed to FOR TH are
polarized into either
zealous partisans or
vehement opponents,
time slower than the former but faster
than the latter. The primitives are much
more powerful than machine instructions
for the 8088 in that a single instruction can
cause processing actions of greater com-
plexity or subtlety, but because of the soft-
ware "overhead" inherent in FORTH's
design, they run somewhat slower.
Above and beyond FORTH's built-in
primitives, or words, you can define your
own. Your user-defined words— compos-
ites of words already defined in the lan-
134
PC MAGAZINE
aterial
Best Sellers
For Your IBM PC
Take Your Pick
guage— amount to mini-programs written
for the virtual FORTH machine. Once
they are defined FORTH can't tell them
from its own predefined composites, and
E
ORTH
will do nicely if you
have reached the
limits of what BASIC
can do.
you can modify FORTH's initialization to
include them. Even the FORTH ma-
chine's word interpreter can be changed;
thus, not only can you write programs in
FORTH, you can even gradually custom-
ize FORTH itself for your needs. And the
customization becomes portable to other
machines.
PC-FORTH in Particular
The PC-FORTH manual and two disks
come in unpretentious but austerely classy
packaging that will appeal to hobbyists
and technical people. The documentation
suggests the same attitude; it's carefully
written, concise, and informative, but too
short on tutorial material and examples for
users with no prior programming exper-
ience. Also, no unifying overview of the
system was offered to tie the painstaking
documentation of individual pieces to-
gether (this will be remedied soon; the de-
veloper has shown me a draft of a FORTH
overview they plan to include with the
package).
Despite these problems I found learn-
ing the facilities relatively painless. A use-
ful quick-reference card is included. A
number of excellent demonstration pro-
grams (including a couple of enjoyable
games) and systems tools including three
editors, a stack tracer, an assembler, and a
decompiler are provided. More advanced
programming tools will be released in the
near future as well as some additions to
the documentation. Regular s\'stem up-
dates and enhancements will be sent gra-
tis to registered users, an enlightened poli-
cy I wish more developers would follow.
Eric Raymond is a freelance journalist
and computer programmer based in Phil-
adelphia.
Ctwice A-The Book, IBM Personal Computer
An Introduction to Programming and Applications
Larry Joel Goldstein and Martin Goldstein
Now for the first time, here's a book specifically designed for novices, potential
buyers, and existing owners of the IBM Personal Computer. You'll enjoy its
thorough yet refreshingly informal approach to BASIC programming and applica-
tions. Contains all the information you'll need to know -from turning on your PC
to programming it to using it for business and personal pleasure. Available in soft
and hardcover. 1 982/302pp/softcover/ISBN 0-89303-1 1 1-9/Prod. No. 9429/$! 4.95
Choice B- The Kit, IBM Personal Computer BASIC Programming Kit
[Developed by the same authors, the Kit contains the IBM Personal Computer
text -plus -an accompanying diskette of applications programs with complete
documentation. The diskette saves time and eliminates frustrating keyboard
mistakes. [Designed for easy use, the Kit allows you to use, modify, and examine
application programs at your own pace. Includes 37 actual application programs /
from the text, such as word processing, several interactive games, and much /
more. 1982/Prod. No. 9645/$34.95 ✓
Now That You've Picked, Here's How to Order
Check-off your selection of the book or kit, noting
your payment option, and clip the coupon.
Address an envelope to the Robert J. Brady
Co., Bowie, MD 20715, and mail today! v>\<P~ /
For faster service, call toll-free rfS" & y ^
800-638-0220. Just have your Visa - ^ -^"^
or Mastercard ready, and well
take it from there.
Books are available at your local
bookshop. Books and Kits can
be found at Computerland.
lUNEyjULY 1982
135
Ccr
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
IBM 64 K PERSONAL COMPUTER
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• MATRIX FUNCTIONS INCLUDING INVERSION,
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• SOLUTION OF N SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS IN
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• MACHINE LANGUAGE SCREEN DUMP TO EPSON
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Boxed copy
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No limit to
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Superscripts and
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* ...and much more
25% more data per disk
PowerText accommodates 200K bytes
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System requirements
PowerText is a run-time, bootable
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memory, two disk drives, and a printer.
It supports both serial and parallel
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Full 5-year warranty
The system is warranted for a full 5
years. Should it ever fail to perform as
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Available from selected dealers
Or order directly from Beaman Porter.
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Complete software $399
Includes diskette plus excellent
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BEAMAN POKIiR, INC.
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Ci
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COMPONENTS
FOR THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER
RAM EXPANSION
192K board available depopulated. With parity,
64K addressable banks, buss bar capacitors,
invisible refresh, gold connector, 64K. SV. 200
MSEC DRAM chips.
64K $310
128K $420
192K $525
64K chips (9) $108
PARALLEL PORT
IBM/Epson printer interface, 25 PIN D-shell
connector $105
FOUR I/O PORTS PLUS PROM
2— RS232 serial ports, 2— parallel ports and 4
prom sockets on one board. 2—25 PIN connec-
tors on the rear panel and 2 ribbon connectors
on the board. Uses LPT and COM calls in IBM
software $300
HIGH RESOLUTION COLOR MONITOR
13" RGB type, 24 mhz bandwidth, 1024x720
max resolution, 16 color TTL input. Mitsubishi
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MULTIUSER SERIAL PORTS
Add up to 8 terminals or modems. 8— RS232
independent serial ports. Software selectable
baud rates. Includes a housing which attaches
to the rear panel for 8-16 25 PIN connectors.
Available August
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Add any hard disk, high density diskette or the
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BOOKS/NORMAN McENTIRE
The Key to the PC
IBM's Technical Reference Manual Jets you in on many of the
Persona] Computer's inner worJcings.
IBM Personal Computer Technical
Reference Manual
IBM Corporation
Boca Raton, Florida
$48.99
Hello?" "Yea, this is Steve from
the Sears Business Center. I
wanted to let you Icnow that the
IBM Personal Computer Technical Refer-
ence Manual arrived today. Since your
name was on the waiting list, I thought I
would give you a call "
"Great!" I said. 'I'll be over to pick it up
tomorrow afternoon."
"Well. I would suggest you come right
now," said Steve. "You see, the manuals
are going like hot cakes . .
The salesman was not fooling. When I
arrived at the store, there were others
ahead of me. each one plopping down
$52.49 ($49.99 plus tax) for a fre.sh new
copy of the manual. I noted with interest
that one of the fellows purchasing the
manual was the president of a company
that designs interfaces for minicomputers.
I wonder what was on his mind . . .
Arriving at home, I quickly removed
the protective wrapping from the manual.
As with all of IBM's Personal Computer
documentation, the manual is packaged in
the familiar "book and binder" scheme.
As I removed the manual from its binder, I
could feel the excitement building, as if I
were about to go on an exciting journey, a
journey in which the "treasure" would be
the valuable secrets of how the IBM Per-
sonal Computer operates. Glancing at the
dock, I noticed it was early in the evening;
the next time I looked at the clock, it was
early in the morning!
The manual is packed with useful in-
formation. After the preface, an extensive
table of contents, figure listing and table
listing, the manual begins with Section
One. "Hardware Overview." This section
reviews each component of the computer.
All information in this section is brief, just
enough to arouse your intere.st. The sec-
tion ends with a "System Block Diagram,"
which show s the various options available
with the personal computer.
Section Two, "Hardware," begins with
a discussion of the main system board,
briefly covering each mmhile of impor-
tance. Included is something called a
"System Board Data Flow" diagram,
which shnws in detail how all the compo-
nents on the main system board are con-
nected.
The section then covers the bus signals
available on the five card slots on the main
.system board. Interestingly. IBM refers to
the five slots as the I/O (input/output)
Channel, a term that is familiar to IBlVl's
mainframe customers. All 62 pins of the 1/
O Channel are defined w ith a signal name
and description. Also included is a dia-
gram showing the locations of the major
components on the main system board.
The next discussion is about the key-
board. The keyboard has some interesting
features, including an Intel 8048 single-
chip microprocessor. After reading about
the keyboard and its "scan codes," I won-
dered who would be the first to connect a
"musical" keyboard to the IBM PC.
The cassette interface and the speaker
interface are covered next. The I/O Ad-
dress Map and the System Memory Map
JLOUSEE,
the manuals are going
like hotcakes . . .
are then introduced. The most striking fea-
ture of the Memory Map is all the unused
space— waiting for system expansion.
Also included is a discussion of the various
switches and their settings on the main
system board. Finally, the power supply is
discussed, including the power supply
connectors and pin assignments.
The remaining topics in Section Two
deal with the I/O Channel boards.
First on the list is the IBM Mono-
chrome Display and Parallel Printer
Adapter. A discussion of the overall fea-
tures are presented, including a block dia-
gram. Next, the specifics are covered: sig-
nals and loads on the I/O Channel, data
rates, interrupt, and DMA response. Infor-
mation vital to the programmer is also in-
cluded: modes of operation, pn^mming
rnn.siderations. memnr\' requirements,
and the I/O address and bit map. Specifi-
cations of the IBM Monochrome Display
are also listed.
The Color/Graphics Monitor Adapter
is discussed next, again with the same
depth and detail. Next is a discussion of
the Parallel Printer Adapter and the IBM
80 CPS Matrix Printer. The 5V4-inch disk-
drive adapter, drive and diskettes are dis-
cussed. In addition. memor\' expansion
options and the Game Control Adapter are
covered. The section ends with a detailed
discussion of the Asynchronous Commu-
nications Adapter.
Section Three, "ROM and System
Usage," is a software developer's dream
come true. The most important informa-
tion here is a discussion of the ROM (read
only memor\) BIOS (basic input/output
system). Parameter passing and interrupts
are covered. The information on the inter-
rupt vectors is especially complete, includ-
ing both discussions and listings. Other
topics covered include cassette logic, key-
board encoding, and detailed memory
maps. In short, if you plan to write systems
software for the PC, this section, com-
bined with Section Two, will save you
many hours of "searching through the
ROMs"
The manual ends with many useful ap-
pendices. Appendix A, "ROM BIOS List-
ing," is a complete, thoroughly comment-
ed source listing of the BIOS. That's right,
no more disassembling ROMS to decode
the I/O routines: they are already listed
for you.
Appendix B, "Assembly Instruction
Set Reference." contains both a model of
the 8088 registers and a listing of its
instructions and op codes. However, no
descriptions of the instructions are given,
so Intel's iAPX 88 Book (or equivalent)
)UNE/)ULY 1982
130
Copyrighted material'
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Items subject to mailability. prices sub|«ct to cliange without notice
may be necessar\' if you are not familiar
with 8088 assembly language program-
ming.
Appendix C, "Of Characters Key-
strokes and Color." contains an assortment
of tables listing various symbols, keys, and
characters with their corresponding hex
and decimal codes.
Appendix D contains the complete
schematic diagrams for the circuitry of the
Personal Computer. This includes sche-
matics for the system board and the plug-
in boards now available from IBM. Those
interested in computer hardware will
have hours and hours of enjoyment study-
ing the schematics.
The manual concludes with Appendix
E, "Unit Specifications," a glossary, a bib-
liography, and an index. That's right, an
index, something new to us microcom-
puter users. Finally, in typical IBM fash-
ion, a product comment form is included.
This allows you to comment on the manual
and/or offer suggestions for improvement.
Obviously, the IBM Personal Comput-
er Technical Reference Manual is packed
full of useful information. However, I
have heard a few complaints.
For example, although the bus signals
are defined, computer hardware engi-
neers point out the absence of any timing
diagrams. (A bus timing diagram or "bus
spec" defines the best and worst case
times allowed for bus signals.) Even so,
absence of such information does not
seem to have impeded development of
products for the Apple II computer, and I
doubt that it will for the Personal Comput-
er. Also absent from the manual are parts
lists and diagrams showing the exact loca-
tions of components on the printed circuit
boards. And yes. there are the usual typos,
but that is to be expected in a first edi-
tion — even in the "computer age."
I am very much impressed with the
IBM Personal Computer Technical Refer-
ence Manual. It is mandaton,' reading for
anyone wishing to work intimately with
the PC's extensive hardware and software
features. This manual could even serve as
an excellent textbook at the college level,
lust imagine the student response to a
computer engineering or computer sci-
ence course called "The IBM Personal
Computer— Hardware, Software, Appli-
cations."
Norman McEntire yA/orkswHh Microman
Productions in Dallas.
140
PC MAGAZINE
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LES COWAN
Book Briefs
Lay Of The
Word-Processing Land
Introduction To Word Processing
Hal Glatzer; Sybex
205 pages; $12.95
Hal Glatzer is a journalist first and a technical t^'pe second. He has thoroughly
explored the world of word-processing and mapped it out in clear, clean prose. Intro-
duction To Word Processing is comforting to the eye. amply illustrated witfi phfitographs
and uncluttered diagrams. In general, Glatzer avoids descriptions of particular systems;
you won't find an analysis of WordStar here, for example. Rather than describe individ-
ual towns on this map, he is concerned with the lay of tfie land, tells you what lies in each
direction, explains the difference between a large city and a hamlet, gives you a good
compass, and leaves you prepared to do more detailed research on your own.
Thus chapter five, entitled "Which Type of Word Processor is Best," climbs from a
concise explanation of the workings of electric typewriters with one-line editing and
mag-card storage through similar treatments of dedicated word-processors, micros,
minis, and mainframes. From the vantage point reached by tfie end of flie chaptei;
Glatzer points out the pros and cons of each t>'pe of system, depending on the user's
needs, and offers suggestions for benchmark comparisons.
Other chapters provide similarly informative overviews of the history of word-
processing, the kinds of printers available, cost-effectiveness of word-processing, the
various functions of word-processors, e.g., insertions, deletions, lexicons, global search,
and more.
Introduction To Word Processing has 12 chapters in all plus a good index, a helpful
glossary, and, what is most welcome, an 11-page bibliography.
You Don't Own
Whaf s In Your Head
Trade Secrets
James Pooley; OSBORNE/McGraw-Hill
213 pages phis appendices; $19.95
142
James Pooley is an attorney who wrote Trade Secrets as a guide to help both employ-
ees and employers avoid disputes over "proprietary information."
Trade Secrets is divided into six chapters followed by nine appendices, each an
example of a letter or document, e.g., a typical confidentiality agreement.
The book begins by defining proprietary information as "commercially useful ideas."
Proprietan,' information may be a technological breakthrough or a list of customers. The
point is that it is an asset and must be protected as such. But first it must be identified.
Throughout the book Pooley emphasizes the importance of a firm's keeping a detailed
inventory of its proprietary information.
The second major theme of Pooley's book is that appearances are at least as important
as fact in deciding trade secrets cases, should they go to trial. According to Pooley, a
history of stern warnings to employees concerning the seriousness of secrecy weighs as
heavily with j udge or j ury as the value of the secret itself. If you act as if your secrets are
worth keeping, the judge may be sufficiently impressed simply by your earnestness to
grant the injunction you want.
Pooley's third major theme is that trade secrets law is relatively new, especially as it
applies to rapidly changing technologies, i.e., electronics. FurOtermore. many judges
and juries do not understand the technologies involved. According to Pooley. judge-
ments are often subjective, based on a judge's biases or even his mood that day. And each
j udgement is unique to the individual case. No reliable body of precedence has accumu-
lated to guide j udges. The upshot is that a trade secrets case is a risky proposition, as well
as an expensive one.
PC MAGAZINE
Copyrighted material
"WHAT DID ONE COMPUTER
SAY TO THE OTHER COMPUTER? "
L 3: i
(C
NOTATHMG... UNTIL NOW.
Until The Communicator from EDS'
Smartools™ line.
With The Communicator, the IBM
Personal Computer can now talk to
other computers — not just to other
IBM's, but also to any Bell 103 compati-
ble system— such as APPLE U, TSO,
VM/CMS, and word processors.
Transfers VISICALC files
With The Communicator, your IBM
Personal Computer can also transfer
data &x)m various sources, including
VISICALC files, text files, and any pub-
lic domain programs in ASCII format.
Are your VISICALC files bound to a
less powerful computer? The Commu-
nicator will transfer them to the Per-
sonal Computer intact, eliminating the
need for manual re-entry. Less time,
less expense. No mistakes.
Uses the most powerful Text Editor
available
The Communicator is also unique in its
ability to modify and manipulate data
to just the format needed for the Per-
sonal Computer. This "information
transformation" is made possible by
The Communicator's powerful and fast
Text Editor. With the gtobal FIND and
REPLACE command, key syntax from
one BASIC is automatically converted
to BASIC for IBM.
Other Text Editor commands include
MOVE, COPY, SWAP DELETE,
LIST HEX LIST and PRINT all with
optional "from" and "through" data
lines. All commands are invoked using a
single key and do not require an
ENTER key except where variable
operands are allowed.
Breezes through security and
passwords
In its 'conversations' with other comput-
ers, The Communicator seldom runs
into problems with passwords. Operat-
ing throu^ the Hayes Stack Smartmo-
dem. The Communicator features auto-
dial, auto-answer, and an auto-logon
that breezes throu^ multi-layers of
security and passwords.
Auto-logon also provides quick, auto-
matic access to the large network of
bulletin boards and networits that are
available. Such as Networks, Networks
II, TTie Source, CompuSource, Tele-
net, and Tymnet Automatic sfMllover
files catch any information overflow,
preventing loss of data and broken
communication.
Backed by the e3q>ertise of EDS
With these advanced features. The
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SMART
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Put your powerful microcomputer to
work in your office with Sams business
application books ... the kind of
information you can't afford to be without.
Sams easy-to-understand microcomputer
books are designed to help you take full
advantage of what a small computer can do.
UNDERSTANDING AND BUYING
A SMALL-BUSINESS COMPUTER, by Susan
Blumenthal. A practical guide intended to
help business people (owners/managers)
pick a small computer Not a shopping guide.
Its non-technical style helps build your
confidence and knowledge. No. 21890 $8.95
MICROCOMPUTER MATH, by Bill Barden.
A step-by-step introduction to arithmetic
operations using binary, octal, and
hexadecimal numbering systems. Excellent
for serious BASIC programmers.
No. 21927 $11.95
MICROCOMPUTER DATA-BASE
MANAGEMENT by E. G. Brooner.
A practical hands-on tutorial for business
people who need to control and access
large amounts of data with a
microcomputer. Evaluates performance of
3 data-base packages and shows how to
write and implement data-base programs.
No. 21875$12.95
BASIC BUSINESS SOFTWARE, by
E. G. Brooner. Helps small business owners
choose the business software that will be
most effective for them by providing a basic
understanding of business software.
No. 21751 $11 95
MICROCOMPUTER DIQIONARY, by
Charles J. Sippl. Provides the most
complete "Desktop Encyclopedia" of
up-to-date definitions of microcomputer
terms, and includes explanations of
products, procedures, systems and
techniques. A must for your microcomputer
library! No. 2 1696 $15.95
Give your Personal Computer the
Business with Sams Books!
To order these Sams Books, or to get
the name of your local Sams Retailer,
call 800-428-3696 toll-free, or
317-298-5566 and reference AD185.
TM
SAMS BOOKS
Howard W Sams & Co . Inc
4300 West 62nd Street, PO Box 7092
Indianapolis, IN 46206
SHOW YOUR
PERSONAL COMPUTER
WHO'S BOSS
otter good in USA only and expires 10/31/82 Prices subject to change without notice.
Co|.,
EDITED BY KATHLEEN BURTON
Club News
New cJubs springing up across the land [like crocuses).
PC has received word of five new clubs in the United States and Canada:
/ndianapoiis: jo Spangler, IBM PC Users Club. Microbase Software, Inc., P.O.
Box 40353, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (317/877-4304). Northern New Jersey: Irving
Lang, 7 W. 45th St., New York. NY 10036 (212/581-2909), Ontario. Canada: Tony
Bagshaw, P.O. Box 1376. Station B, Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3H 5V6. San
Francisco Bay Area: Christian Du Lac, Box 155, San Francisco. CA 94101 (415/668-
4647). Suffolk County. New York: Marvin Freifeld, P.O. Box 77. Smithtown, NY 11787
(516/724-0574).
Ongoing Clubs
PC has learned from various subscribers that several new clubs have already
begun meeting. (Bet there are more acronyms in this section than you can translate.)
Baltimore. Maryland: Future meetings of the Baltimore PC will be held temporar-
ily on the first Tuesday of each month at ComputerLand, 1516 York Rd., Lutherville,
MD. Membership is $5. A club newsletter, the I/O News is published monthly.
Penn State: The Microcomputer user Group #18, better known as MUG. will
meet regularly with scheduled lectures. For information, contact Penn State Univer-
sit>'. 21 5B Computer Bldg., University Park. PA 16802.
Santa Barbara, CaJifornia: The Santa Barbara Computer Club for IBM PC users
would like to affiliate with other user groups. Contact Stu Swartz, Santa Barbara
Community College. Computer Sciences Dept.. 721 Cliff Dr., Santa Barbara. CA
93109 (805/966-2919).
Stamford, Connecticut: Meetings are held ever\' third Tuesday of the month at
ComputerLand, 111 High Ridge. Stamford. Future agendas will include matching
users of similar interests. Contact Dave Foulger, 69 River St., New Canaan. CT 06840.
Bulletin Board
For technical information call the BBS. 3277 Victor Circle. Annandale. VA 22003
(703/560-0979). This bulletin board is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will
take messages and disseminate information bulletins.
Autumn Revolution '81 Update
Autumn Revolution '81 is an independent users' group for the IBM PC headquar-
tered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Organizer Dan Perry has informed PC that membership is
burgeoning, and a toll-free "technical hotline" is now open. For $1 per minute ($5
minimum), members can call and receive user information from a qualified technical
person.
Membership will be accepted over the hotline, with fees of S30 for one year. $55
for two years, and $80 for three years. Besides use of the hotline, membership
includes a subscription to the newsletter, access to software and technical libraries,
and user training. Contact Autumn Revolution '81. P.O. Box 55329. Tulsa. OK 74155.
Hotline number: (800/331-2347).
(Good) Deals
Starware is offering substantial discounts to members of IBM PC user groups on
WordStar, Maxell Diskettes, Houston Instruments Supplies, and Tall Grass Technol-
ogies (202/337-5300).
Consider the Source
PC has learned that an IBM PC Gazette is now on The Source. To leave messages,
call SMAIL TCS668. (To read the Gazette, enter PUBLIC from COMMAND level.
Select OPTION 1. and at COMMAND level, enter POST READ IBM. l
FROM IBM
TO IBM
WHAT IS
THE
CONNECTION?
ESCON
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Connect Your Personal
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lUNE/IULY 1982
145
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aerial
PC PROFILE/JEREMY JOAN HEWES
Walking Through The Open Door
Frederick Merchant, program creator, and Bob McCuilough
and associates.
IBM's welcoming of all comers to make
products for the Personal Computer
has spawned a great deal of invention,
both frantic and leisurely. Many of the
programmers and hardware manufactur-
ers who've entered this booming business
have announced or actually delivered
their products; many others are hinting
broadly or coyly declining to comment.
One result of all this hoopla has been a
rumor mill that may perpetually outstrip
the real developments in both quantity
and quality'.
Two of the vanguard in preparing .suit-
ware and hardware products for the IBM
PC have delivered known quantities,
however. They are Frederick Merchant,
whose Personal Mailer is a powerful pro-
gram that handles names and addresses in
numerous ways, and Dr. Robert McCul-
lough and his associates at Datamac Com-
puter Systems, whose peripherals for the
PC include memory and communications
boards and expanded disk storage. These
small-scale entrepreneurs are among the
pioneers who have brought their products
to market within a few months of anyone's
having a PC to work with.
A Specialized Data Base
Fred Merchant calls his Personal Mail-
er program a "specialized data base." This
description is appropriate, because the
program has the sorting and data manipu-
lation features of many data base pro-
grams, though it is limited to the name-
and-address format. One excellent fea-
ture of Personal Mailer fPM] is its built-
in utilities, which allow the user to trans-
fer an existing name-and-address file to
the PM file format or to make any PM file
into a plain file readily accessible through
the Personal Computer's disk operating
system (PC-DOS). This flexibility means
that anyone can take files created with
some other program and use PM's features
on them or transfer a PM file to PC-DOS
form for use with a word-processor or
other program.
In addition. Merchant's program, writ-
ten in the BASIC language, contains sort
and search features and coding and com-
lUNE/IULY 1982
Frederick Merchant
I'D HATE
to design something,
push it out there, and
have nobody want to
use it
ment sections in each record, which make
it desirable for small-business mailing lists
as well as personal name-and-address
files. Each record has 11 sections (usually
called fields), including last name, first
name, an optional line for company name
or title, street, city, state, zip code, home
and work phone numbers, and the code
and comment lines. The length of each of
these fields can be varied, with a maxi-
mum of 36 characters in any field. Each
record is automatically assigned a num-
ber, and Merchant has also taken advan-
tage of the PC's "date" utility to date each
record when it is entered or revised.
Versatile editing and printing controls
allow users to change the format of files or
update individual records easily, and each
file can be protected with a password. All
aspects of PM are well documented with
on-screen menus, and the program is
straightforward in organization. In short.
Persona] Mailer promises to be a highly
useful program for PC owners, and its pre-
liminary price of "less than $100" should
make it affordable for a wide spectrum of
businesses and individuals. Initially, Mer-
chant plans to distribute the program
through his firm. Computer Age of San
Francisco.
Spare-Time Programmer
Fred Merchant estimates that develop-
ment and in-house (alpha) testing of Per-
sona] Mailer took him about 250 hours,
spread over some three months. He man-
aged to find 20 hours per week for work on
the program, which is definitely a .secon-
dar\' career interest for him. His first obli-
gation, and his ultimate profession, is
medicine; Fred is currently beginning his
third year of medical school at the Univer-
sity of California.
Merchant began his computing career
several years ago with one of the early
Apple lis. Interest in medical work was
paramount in his first programming effort
for the Apple, he recalls. "I got one of the
first disk drives and sat down to write a
program which I thought could be used in
a physician's office for patient recall." The
main component of the program was a
name-and-address file, which a doctor
could use to send reminders to patients
who must return for regular checks of their
medical status.
"The program evolved over a period of
years." Merchant notes, "to become a
mailing-list program for an Apple users'
group in Seattle, where I lived at the time,
and now it's used by many Apple users'
groups all over the country." This pro-
gram, named Apmail, was what Fred calls
a "first-generation" type of mailing-list
handler. His new Personal Mailer has fea-
tures that he developed from feedback to
Apmail and from his own experience in
programming and computing. icnnnnuisi
Would you or someone you know be a
good subject for a PC Profiled PC wel-
comes suggestions for people to be fea-
tured in this series— anyone whose use of
un UiM Personal Computer would prove
interesting or helpful to readers. Send
your recommendations (o PC Profiles,
1528 Irving St., San Francisco. CA 94122.
147
Co|. , J L .dterial
Merchant chose the PC to begin his
work on a new generation of program.
"When the PC became available, it had a
lot of power to do a lot of different things,
so I wanted to tap that power and try to go
into what I call the second- or third-gen-
eration type of program. This means it's a
lot more user friendly, has a lot more flexi-
bility and portability of files, and is ex-
pandable. "
Because he had written and refined the
Apmail program, Fred expected merely to
adapt that as the basis for Personal MaiJer.
"I thought it would be easy; I would just
slightly redo what I'd done on the Apple
for the PC. But things never work that way.
Personal Mailer is actually a completely
rewritten code. It has no resemblance at
all to the first-generation mailing program
on the Apple."
Thinking on the Bus
The bus plays a part in Merchant's pro-
gram development, but it's not the cabinet
for circuit boards in a computer— it's the
city's transportation vehicle. "I'm not so
organized that I write everything on a nice.
concise flow chart, but I like to take notes.
I may be on the bus going downtown or to
school or whatever, and an idea will pop
into my mind; I'll just jot down something.
E TOOK
the cover off and
looked at everything.
Later that will trigger my mind as I'm
working on the program." Even when he's
at the keyboard. Merchant points out, Tm
not one of the programmers who turns on
the PC and starts typing. I have to have an
outline or concept of how it's going to be
done, usually in some sort of modular
fashion."
He also makes use of techniques and
information that other programmers have
developed. For example, in Persona]
Mailer he used an adaptation of the
"soundex algorithm," a formula that iden-
tifies words or names that sound alike.
such as Peterson and Petersen. "I try not to
invent the wheel any more than I have to, "
Merchant observes.
So far Fred Merchant's PC time has
been devoted to his mailing-list program,
but he expects to keep learning and devel-
oping programs for his own use in medical
practice and for general use, as well. "I'm
very much interested in medical informa-
tion science— how you can incorporate
computers into the medical environment
in a friendly sort of way, so that neither the
physician nor the patient is apprehensive
about using them. I see that as a wave of
the future."
Merchant offers one bit of advice to
other PC users who are developing pro-
grams for themselves or for commercial
use. "Become familiar with your machine;
learn its capabilities — what it can and can-
not do. This necessitates a careful perusal
of all the documentation that goes with the
PC so that you really get to know it. If you
know all the things it can do, you're in a
better position to sit down with the com-
puter and come up with a program that you
might want to develop."
REAL-TIME APPLICATIONS
We specialize in implementing real-time applica-
tions using the IBM Personal Computer We can
provide a complete turnkey real-time system in-
cluding design, programming, custom hardware,
and on-site installation. Our application program-
mers are skilled in using assembler language to im-
plement multitasking systems that get the most
out of your IBM hardware. Our design engineers
can provide customized hardware cards, sensors,
cables, and interface panels. We have previous
experience in the following areas:
• TELECOMMUNICATIONS
INCLUDING IBM BSC
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Call or write us for price quotes on providing our
services to implement your real-time application.
Contact: Dennis White (B02) 774-3588
FLAGSTAFF ENGINEERING
2820 West Darleen • Flagstaff. Arizona 86001
9^
148
PC MAGAZINE
A Home for Hardware
Becoming familiar with the PC is exact-
ly what the staff members of Datamac
Computer Systems were doing when they
decided to build a memory board for the
new IBM computer. Vice President of
Sales Bob Lindgren recalls the firm's origi-
nal interest in the PC: "Back ahovA the first
of October, we looked closely at the IBM
announcement, just for our own internal
analysis and review, because we have a
computer that we market. And we noticed
some deficiencies in the IBM product
line— the most obvious was the memory."
Computer memon,' products are noth-
ing new to the Datamac staff. The com-
pany's president. Dr. Bob McCullough,
was the designer of the first add-on mem-
ory for the IBM System/360 and 370 (at an
earlier point in his career and when work-
ing for another firm), and the other five
principals at Datamac have extensive ex-
perience in the computer fleld. So the
group knew it could meet the technical
challenge of making memory components
for the PC; its first concern was with mar-
keting the products if Datamac were to
make them.
After talking with people at the corpo-
rate headquarters of ComputerLand and
determining that the chain's stores could
sell products for the PC that were not
made by IBM, Bob Lindgren notes that the
Datamac crew began to think seriously
about making PC memory boards. "Then
we thought about how we could do it, tech-
nically," Lindgren says. "So Dr. Bob and I
Wriil ti; f'Mr/.jiMt' -Am, '!.,!' had a
I WANTED
to tap the PC's power
and go into a second-
or third-generation
type of program,
PC and looked at the system. We took the
cover off and looked at everything. We
also got our hands on the technical manual
before that was out officially."
Although tfi^ didn't have a PC in
house \'et, the group held a product plan-
ning session based on Aeir knowledge of
general computer technology, the infor-
mation in the technical manual, and ob-
servations from a peek inside the ma-
chine. The session ended with a tentative
decision to make memory boards for the
PC.
"Dr. Bob went away on a Friday and
came back on a Monday with the schemat-
ics and everything done," Lindgren re-
members. Adds McCuUou^: "I've had a
little practice."
Suddenly a New Division
Bob McCullough had spent a weekend
designing the memory board, thereby cre-
ating the first offering for his firm's new
Peripheral Products Division. Previously
Datamac had concentrated on marketing
its own microcomputer and planning for
another, more powerful micro to add to the
product line.
Once the new product's design was
worked out, the Datamac staff put together
a working board to show ComputerLand
The Man — Machine Interface ...
... The All-Important Connection
Whether you are developing programs or writing books, you need productivity. IBM* Icnows that, that's
why they developed SPF for their big mainframes. And now, Al^* offers the same power for your
micro computer.
ADVANCED PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM
• A Full-Screen Editor Similar To SPF
• Dual Screen Support
• A Separate Browse Subsystem
• Integrated Utilities
• Tag-Driven Text Processor
• IMenu-Driven, General Purpose Dialog Manager
For information, call or write to:
ARRIX LOGIC SYSTEMS INC
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Don Mills, Ontario
Canada M3C 2R6
(416) 292-6426
*) IBMI*«1trad*MM«efinMm«ianal8iMliwMMaehlnMCorp.
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JUNE/JULY 1982
MB
Copyrighted matBrial
headquarters. Concurrently, they sent out
announcements of their expandable PC
memory boards— available in configura-
tions of 64K, 128K, 192Kj,or 256K— to indi-
vidual ComputerLand stores. The re-
sponse was immediate.
"The day after we mailed out our an-
nouncement, we started getting calls with
orders for 10 or 20 boards or whatever,"
Lindgren states. "Then we knew that we
really had to start producing."
McCullough recalls that they had not
anticipated such an immediate or large
demand. "For the first two months we
were production-limited. Primarily, Com-
puterLand stores were selling the board
with the computer as it was being sold, as
opposed to the computer going out with
the end user and then the end user decid-
ing to get a board."
In recent months, Datamac's produc-
tion and testing facilities have been able to
keep up with demand, which consists of
orders from individual ComputerLand
stores and the corporate division, and
from consumers who do not have a retail
outlet handy. Lindgren estimates that the
firm has sold more than 2,000 memory
boards for the PC since late 1981.
Disks and Communications
Datamac's success in selling its mem-
ory boards has led to other products for the
PC. One of these is a 5 "/i-inch Winchester
hard disk that fits into one of the PC's disk-
drive slots; it is available with 6, 12, or 18
megabytes of storage. The hard disk can be
used in combination with a floppy disk
drive in the other disk slot, and the neces-
sary controller board and cables also fit
inside the computer's cabinet. Because the
hard disk requires its own power supply,
however, a small, thin power unit is at-
tached to the back of the PC cabinet for
this purpose.
Dick Andreini, vice president for mar-
keting, points out that this outside power
supply requires no modification of the
PC's cabinet. "As a matter of fact, there
happen to be four screw holes of unknown
origin on the back of the PC in that very
location. We use those to attach the power
supply, so we're not modifying the back of
the system or drilling any holes "
Two additional products are in the
works for the PC at Datamac. One is soft-
ware designed to expand disk storage by
allowing use of both sides of the disk; this
must be used with double-sided drives.
The other new development is a commu-
nications board, which has the option of a
second line, so that a modem and another
device, such as a printer, may be used si-
multaneously.
Bob McCullough is confident that his
firm will continue to design and manufac-
ture hardware for the PC, but he is reluc-
tant to predict what those products will be.
"The products we make in the future for
the PC are going to be primarily market-
driven. As an engineer, I hate to design
something and push it out there and have
nobody want to use it. We're in business to
supply things that people need and want.
We don't want to get into an engineering
sandbox."
For further information;
Frederick Merchant, Computer Age of
San Francisco, 825 Masonic Ave. #6, San
Francisco, CA 94117 (415/921-7792}.
Datamac Peripheral Products Division,
680 AJmanor Ave., Sunny vaJe, CA 94086
{408/735-0323}.
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150
PC MAGAZINE
1^
EDITED BY ANDREW FLUEGELMAN
User-To-User
Shared discoveries and questions about IBM
persona] computers.
An Invitation to Share . . .
This regular "User-To-User" department
will pass along fieJd-tested innovations,
lips, caveats, and questions concerning
IBJVI Personal Computers, contributed by
PC readers. Already there has been a
wellspring of insights, a few gripes, and
some unanswered questions flooding our
mailbox. We have inaugurated this de-
partment as a place to share them.
Before sampling this month's offerings,
a word might be in order regarding the
"philosophy" of this department. We rec-
ognize that computer users, like auto-
mobile owners, have different involve-
ments with their machines. Some are
content knowing how to change a tire or
learning how to drive in snow. Others
might want to play with adjusting the car-
buretor. A few might even get down to the
grimy business of rebuilding the differen-
tial. fAt least with computers you don't
need a set of Allen wrenches, and you can
forget the Boraxo.J
We'll try to serve all interests in this
space, but we will avoid purely theoretical
discourse. We simply want to pass along
whatever makes the little beast work bet-
ter. If the going gets seemingly technical,
don't be put off— better yet, stick with us.
Anyone can (and should] learn to change a
tire.
Disk Speedup
The undisputed celebrity of this
month's user tips is SPEEDUP— 14 lines
of BASIC program code that will make
your disk drives perform their chores in
half the time. The program popped up on
Wes Merchant's Annandale, Virginia IBM
Bulletin Board Service (see Club News). It
was sent there by Chris Carson of Aurora,
Colorado, who found the program circu-
lating in the Denver area, where it evi-
dently originated from the Apparat store
there. Good news travels fast. Here it is:
05 REM SPEEDUP DISK-ZAP
10 FOR 1 = 1 TO 37:REA0 N:C = C+N
15 NEXT:REA0 N: IF NOC THEN 40
20 RESTORE : OPEN " R M , " SPEEDUP . COM M
25 FIELD 1,1 AS N$:FOR 1 = 1 TO 37
30 READ N:LSET N$=CHR$(N):PUT 1
35 NEXT: CLOSE: PRINT "Created" : END
40 PRINT ERROR - Verify Data ""lEND
45 DATA 186,18,0,184,30,37,205,33.139
50 DATA 250,190,26,1,185.11,0.243,164
55 DATA 51,192.205,19,139,215.205,39
60 DATA 223.2,37,2,8,42.255,80,246.0,4
65 DATA 3866
70 END
Even if you've never touched BASIC,
this gem is too good to pass up. To create
the program, place the PC-DOS disk into
your A: drive and load BASIC by typing
Basic and hitting ENTER . Then type each
of the lines above, exactly as written. Hit
ENTER after each line. When you've hit
ENTER following line 70. hit the F2 key to
run this short program.
If you get a message saying ** ERROR -
Verify Data ** then you've made a mistake
copying the numbers in lines 45 through
60. Otherwise, you will have created a new
file on your PC-DOS disk called SPEED-
UP.COM.
Go back into PC-DOS by typing system
and ENTER and run the new program by
typing speedup and ENTER . Now load
and run any program or PC-DOS utility
and be amazed. Your disk drives will mi-
raculously zip along at almost double
speed, singing instead of groaning.
Exactly how much faster? Well, for ex-
ample, to format a new disk with the /s
option: 25 seconds instead of 45 seconds.
To copy the PC-DOS disk via the "DISK-
COPY" command: 42 seconds instead of
83. To copy the entire PC-DOS disk with
COPY *.*: 139 seconds instead of 206. If
you're a speed and performance fanatic
(who isn't?), you've just made up to a 100
percent improvement in your disk opera-
tions.
According to Chris Carson, the pro-
JUNE/JULY 1982
151
gram works its magic by reloading the
diskette parameters table in PC-DOS.
IBM programmed tlie step rate for the ma-
chine's Tandon disk drives at eight milli-
seconds; SPEEDUP shortens this to six,
still within the Tandon-rated minimum of
five milliseconds. The program also sets
the head settle rate to zero milliseconds,
which is the Tandon minimum rating.
(IBM's conservative default setting is 25.)
The obvious question: Will this routine
send smoke out of your drives or garble
your prized data? I can only report that
Chris and his Denver-area friends have
been using SPEEDl 'P regularly for sever-
al months with no reported ill effects or
glitches, and that I've become a total
SPEEDUP convert. Nevertheless, it
should be made clear that neither Mr. Car-
son, I, nor PC magazine warrant this modi-
fication. You undertake it entirely at your
own risk and, we hope, to your delight.
Note: If you load and run a program by
hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del (as you do with Easy-
Writer and VisiCaJcl. the system will reset,
and SPEEDUP will no longer be in effect.
Once you've run SPEEDUP and see the
PC-DOS A> prompt, insert your program
disk in drive A: and type command and
ENTER . Your program will load and run
its disk activity in about half the time. You
can also include speedup as the first in-
struction in a disk's AUTOEXEC.BAT file
(PC-DOS manual, pages 2-16)— provided,
of course, that you copied the SPEEDUP-
.COM file to that disk.
Bug Hunt
Now for the bad news. A number of
unnerving reports have surfaced that cast
doubt on the ability of IBM Personal Com-
puter BASIC (version Dl.OO) to calculate
and reason correctK . The bug that got the
most publicity was reported by Andrew
Pollack in the April 5 New York Times. It
seems that BASIC can't always divide .1
by 10 and come up with the right answer.
IBM Debuggs BASIC
IBM has corrected the BASIC bugs.
BASIC 1.05 is now available from IBM
dealers.
We contacted David Walonick of Min-
neapolis, the purported discoverer of the
bug, and he provided this test program:
5 ' Basictst.100
10 DEFDBL A ' defines A as double precision
20 READ A
30 PRINT "A = ": A
40 PRINT ' A = ": : PRINT USING
" .»«»" ; A
50 PRINT "A divided by ten = ": A/10
60 PRINT "A divided by ten =
Print Using " .»»»" ; A/10
70 END
80 DATA .1
RUN
A=.1
A=.100
A divided by ten = .001
A divided by ten = .010
Line 20 reads the value .1 into variable
A. Line 30 prints A via the normal PRINT
statement and line 40 prints A with PRINT
USING. So far so good. But in line 50 we
try to print the value of A divided by 10.
The answer should be .01— not .001 as the
w
shouldn't let the PCs
forgiving attitude
about lower case lull
us into complacency,
program run indicates.
The problem is evidently with the out-
put rather than the calculation, since
printing the value of A/10 with PRINT
USING does produce the correct result.
Also, the bug seems to occur only when
double-precision (more than seven-digit)
numbers are involved.
My fooling around with this bug dis-
closed that the problem is not as severe if
you assign a value to A directly, as in
Basictst.lOl:
5 ' Basictst.lOl
10 DEFDBL A ' defines A as double precision
20 A=.1
30 PRINT "A = "; A
40 PRINT "A = : PRINT USING
".»»»" : A
50 PRINT "A divided by ten = " :A/10
60 PRINT "A divided by ten = " ; : PRINT
USING ••.»»»"; A/10
70 END
RUN
A =.1000000014901161
A=.100
A divided by ten = 1.0000000149011610-02
A divided by ten =.010
The math is accurate this time, al-
though you do get meaningless digits after
eight places if vou use PRINT instead of
PRINT USING. (The math bug will crop
up, however, if you use INPUT to get a
value for A.)
David Walonick has been asked by
IBM to go down to Boca Raton to help
smoke out the extent of the problem.
Meanwhile, the best advice we can offer is
to be very careful using double precision
numbers, and experiment to see whether
various methods of input or output avoid
errors.
This bug led me to experiment further
with the way BASIC treats double preci-
sion numbers, and I chanced upon more
traps awaiting hapless number crunchers.
Consider Basictst.200:
[ENTERED AS]
5 ' Basictst.200
10 DEFDBL A ' defines A as double precision
20 A =.00000001
30 PRINT "A = ": A
40 PRINT "A = ••; : PRINT USING
" . »««««««« " ; A
50 END
LIST
5 ' Basictst.200
10 DEFDBL A ' defines A as double precision
20 A = 1E-08
30 PRINT "A = A
40 PRINT "A = : PRINT USING
50 END
RUM
9.99999993922529D-09
A =.00000001
The first listing shows the program as I
entered it on the screen. Since A is an
eight-digit number, it is properly double
precision. When you list the program,
however, A has been converted into expo-
nential form. (Note, however, that the des-
ignation E is used instead of D, as pages 3-
11 of the BASIC manual would lead us to
expect.) When we want to display the val-
152
PC MAGAZINE
ue of A. the PRINT USING statement is,
once again, the only way to avoid mean-
ingless output.
Are you ready now to send your ma-
chine into a nosedive? Delete line 10 from
the program above. Even without the defi-
nition statement, BASIC should make A a
double precision number. When we run
the modified program, however, the exis-
tence of the PRINT USING statement evi-
dently throws the program into a hopeless
crash. (The only recover*' is a cold start.)
We've saved the most bizarre bug for
last. Notice of it came to us from two
sources. Chris Kantack of Belle Plaine,
Iowa, and Alex C. Seggie of Freelton, On-
tario. If you've got your machine up and
running again, you can amuse and con-
found yourself by running Basictst.300:
LIST
5 ' B8SictSt.300
10 INPUT "B = B
20 PRINT "A = "; A
30 IF A = 0 THEN PRINT "A equals zero"
ELSE PRINT -BUG IIT
40 PRINT
50 END
RUN
B = ? 1
A= 0
A equals zero
B = ? 2
A= 0
A equals zero
B=? 3
A= 0
BUGIII
GOTO 10
Resetting BASIC for Serial Printers
The foJioiving contribution from Dr.
WiJIard A. Brown of Western Washington
University might look frighteningiy tech-
nical if ynu are new to computers, but it
couJd he]p enormously if you have a ser-
ial-type IRS 232] printer you want to use
with your PC. If you have such a printer
but are not lechnicaJiy inclined, plunge on
fearlessly anyhow; Type in Dr. Brown's
two programs letter for letter without
worry ing what they mean, saving each to
disk under the names shown. Then, at the
start of every computer session in which
you will use the BASIC language, load the
disk with these two programs first. 7'hey
will make >'our serial printer operate with
all the convenience of IBA-I's standard
parallel-type printer.
When I bought my IBM PC I intended
to make use of the serial-interface daisy
wheel terminal I already owned. Using
the RS 232 port with the LIST 10-,
COMl:300.N.8,l statement worked fine
(as long as my terminal was set to the "auto
line feed" option, and with the slight bug
that it wouldn't print the final character in
the file.) However, as I became more fa-
miliar with the system. I realized some
nice features were not available, namely
the PrtSc variants at both the BASIC and
PC-DOS levels.
With the help of the IBM PC Technical
Reference .Manual, I developed the
instructions that follow.
Listing 1 is an automatic-starting set of
operating system instructions that makes
the usual request for the date, then goes
into BASIC to RUN a program, SETUP2.
that equips the computer to use the serial
printer.
The instructions in the setup program:
(1) Supply the needed parameters for
opening and initializing the RS 232 port;
(2) Establish the WIDTH for the RS 232
port: (3) Change the PC-DOS instructions
that start at 60H so that the address for the
parallel printer is made to point instead at
the RS 232 port; (4) Let the hardware status
information at 40:8H "lie" to the system
concerning the presence of a parallel
printer: (5) Insert a set-interrupt-enable-
flag instruction at lOOH; (6) Set register AH
to OlH to indicate to the RS 232 subroutine
.OUR
serial printer will
operate with all the
convenience of IBM's
parallel-type printer.
that a character is ready to be typed; (7)
Branch to the RS 232 subroutine; (8)
Change the interrupt vector at 5CH to
point to the new instructions at lOOH.
The reason for the somewhat convolut-
ed auto-start routine is that BASIC doesn't
sense that its entn,' parameters have been
changed until it is reinvoked.
The two following programs also en-
able LLISTand LPRINT in BASIC. And if
you then use the SYSTEM command, the
control-P option is enabled in PC-DOS.
—Dr. Willard A. Brown
LISTING 1
AUTOEXEC.BAT
DATE
BASICA SETUPS
BASICA
"z
NOTE: To enter the character shown as
■ Z " in the listing above. t>pe F6. then
return.
LISTING 2
SETUP2.BAS
10 OPEN "COMIiBOO.N.S.I" AS '1
20 WIDTH "COMI: " ,80
30 DEF SEG = SH60
40 POKE 5HD. SH40 DOS PARALLEL PRINTER
VECTOR CHANGE
50 POKE SHE. SHI
60 OEF SEG = SH40
70 POKE 5H8.SHF8 TELL BASIC THAT THERE IS
A PRINTER
80 POKE m.m
90 OEF SEG = &HO: POKE SHIOO.&HFB RESTORE
THE FLAGS
100 REM AN INCONSISTENCY EXISTS IN ROM BIOS
CONCERNING
110 REM THE MEANING OF THE AH REGISTER IN THE
RS 232
120 REM AND THE PARALLEL PRINTER PORT
SUBROUTINES
130 REM THEREFORE THE FOLLOWING LINE
140 POKE SH101.SHB4: POKE &H102.SH1
150 REM THE NEXT THREE LINES SIMULATE THE
160 REM PRINTER PORT INTERRUPT VECTOR
170 POKE SH103,SHEA: POKE SH104.SH39
180 POKE SH105.SHE7: POKE SH106.8H0
190 POKE SH107.&HF0
200 REM NOW TELL THE INTERRUPT HANDLER
TO JUMP
210 REM TO 100H FOR ITS NEW INSTRUCTION
SEQUENCE
220 POKE SH5C.SH0: POKE 5H5D.SH1
230 POKE &H5E.&H0: POKE SH5F.SH0
240 SYSTEM
JUNE/jULY 1982
153
B = ? 4
A= 0
A equals zero
B-? 5
A- 0
BUG III
B=? 6
A= 0
BUG III
B-? 7
A- 0
BUG III
B-? 8
A= 0
A equals zero
B-?
Since A is not assigned a value in the
program, it should be initialized automati-
cally to zero when the program is run. It is,
in fact, and the "A=" results so indicate.
But for some reason, the accuracy of the
logic function in line 30 depends on the
value input for B. Simply incredible!
"Aha, but there is a pattern there," you
say. Notice that the logic works correctly
when B is equal to 1, 2, 4, and 8. Yes, it also
works when B is 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256.
But it also mysteriously works when B
A ND THEY ALL
point to the fact that
we shouldn^t
let the PC's forgiving
attitude toward
upper and lower case
lull us into
complacency.
equals 257, and 512 through 515, and 1024
through 1032. We promised no theorizing,
so we'll leave you (and the gang at Boca] to
figure this one out.
(Interesting to note that this bug does
not crop up if B is assigned its values in a
FOR-NEXT loop, or with a READ DATA
table.)
Before moving on to more positive mat-
ters, a word regarding our editorial stance
on glitches and bugs: We at PC do not get
our thrills being critical of other people's
hard work, and. Lord knows, people who
have hacked their way developing their
own software should be nothing but empa-
thetic toward snafus. In an ideal computer
world everything would work perfectly all
the time— and we all know it never will.
Our sole purpose is to warn users of unex-
pected pitfalls, do our best to document
the bugs, and help their creators get them
fixed.
(We have passed all this information on
to IBM. Remedies may already be in the
works by the time you read this.)
Communications Fix
One feature not provided in IBM's Per-
sonal Computer communications pro-
grams so far is the ability to produce simul-
taneous hard copy on your printer while
communications are in progress.
BEAUTIFUL PICTURE!
NOW - PRINT OUT YOUR GRAPHICS ON THE
IBM OR EPSON MX-80 PRINTER- WITH
"PRINT-GRAF
■ OH
31 I
PRINT-GRAF Program for your IBM Personal Computer gives you a print-out of your
HI-RES or MED-RES GRAPHICS SCREEN - on your IBM or MX-80/MX-80TF Printer.
• Prints Black on White (Positive) or White on Black (Negative) Image.
• High Speed Print-Out — PRINT-GRAF Uses Fast Machine Language.
• 6.5 in. X 9 in. Format — Excellent for Reports or Vu-Graphs.
• Uses IBM Color Graphics Board/ 1 or 2 Disk Drives.
• Requires Epson "Graftrax-SO" Proms in Epson or IBM Printer.
Package 1 — PRINT-GRAF Disk and Operator Manual S79.50 ppd.
Package 2 — PRINT-GRAF Disk and Operator Manual, Graftrax-80 Proms and Graftrax Manual .... $149.50 ppd.
(Graftrax-80 Installation in the IBM Printer may void guarantee - see your dealer)
MICRO-Z COMPANY
D«pL I, P.O. Box 2426. Rolling Hills, CA 90274 • (213) 377-1640
164
PC MAGAZINE
If you are using the CUMM.BAS pro-
gram provided on the PC-DOS disk for
"dumb terminal" access to networks and
bulletin boards, there's a relatively' easy
fix that will get you a printout. Load the
program and then enter and/or revise the
following lines:
5 REM COMM.BAS Modification to provide
siMltaneous printout
295 IF LEN(B$)>1THENIF
ASC(MI0${B$,2,1)) = 114 THEN IF
PRN = FALSE THEN PRN = TRUE E15E
PRN= FALSE ' toggles print function
with Control-PrtSc
405 IF PRN THEN LPRINT MID$(A$.I.1}:
462 IF ERR = 27 THEN BEEP:PRIHT:PRIIIT
" = = = CHECK PRINTER = = = " :
PRN = FALSE : RESUME ' error trapping for
printer off or out of paper
463 RBUME
This modification will let you use the
keyboard combination Control-PrtSc to
toggle on and off the printer (make sure
the printer is turned on).
Capital Offense
Our final offerings come from diverse
corners of the computing world, and they
Wn
mu IT,
information can be
written on or read
from diskette drives at
higher speeds, for
faster processing and
improved response
times.
all point to the fact that we shouldn't let
the PC's forgiving attitude toward upper
and lower case lull us into complacency.
PC-DOS and BASIC usually don't care
whether we converse with them in capital
letters, but other machines and programs
often do. Witness; Bob Kay of Leading
Edge Products, which distributes the
C.Itoh Starwriter line, wrote to inform ns
that the Starwriter can produce sub- and
superscripts with Easy vi^riter, contrary to
what we reported in the February-March
issue of PC. The Control-Q command
must, however, be followed by an upper-
case D or U.
One network novice (who requested
that he remain nameless) couldn't get his
Hayes Smarfmodem to perform at all.
After tearing his hair, pulling apart his
PCs innards, and trucking his asynch'
board and modem back to ComputerLand,
he discovered that the Hayes modem,
only understands uppercase. /PC
Shore Your Oiscoveries
When you Ivarn something from which
your feilow PC users can benefit, pass it on
through these pages. You'll encourage oth-
ers to return the favor, plus we'll pay from
S25 to SlOO for each tip published. Mail
contributions to; User-to-User, PC maga-
zine, 1528 Irving St, San Francisco. CA
94122.
ProActive
Systems
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• Custom Applications
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• Consulting Services
• Networking and
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Maximize your computer resource
with superior services and products
ProEdit — full-screen editor: $50
ProSort — sophisticated sorting
tool: $75
For free brochure:
ProActive Systems
505 Channing, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Itel. (415) 326-2722
A POWERFUL NEW
rBM PC COLOR
GRAPHICS PACKAGE
Introducing the IBM PC =
Business and Technical^ ^'
Graphics Generator . |. . . .7.
Larry Joel Goldstein — . — . . . H . . .
_ E = = D
I. ..=... I 0
= I ^ CALL
'^800-638-0220
(MD residents 301-262-6300)
^r-Xg^^ J OedeiS liy phone: toll-free (800)638.0220,
mj\CAJij in Maryland (301) 262-6300
Robert J. Brady • Bowie, Maiyland 20715 • (301)262-«300
JUNE/JULY 1982
155
Copyrighted material
r'SBRlKi^HA Annual Convention &
PC + 1
J J
THE FIRST ALL - PC EVENT
AT
THE GOLDEN NUGGET HOTEL/CASINO
ON THE BEACH & BOARDWALK OF
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.
SEPT. 8-11
(Same Week As The Miss America Pageant)
Gen. Public Admitted To Exhibit Only
EXHIBIT0RS
PERSONNA MEMBERS
Discount Room Rates
Finest Sai^s Environment
''Exhibitors Only" Restaurant
24 hr. Security
150,000 to 250,000 Visitors to
A.C. for Pageant Tliat Week
Network TV, Press from Phila.,
N.Y., Balti. D.C., & Pittsburgh
Video Tapes or Promo Films
Shown To General Public
Discount Room Rates
Free Exhibit Admission
Free Seminars
Free Coci^taii Party
Door Prizes (10) Tickets to
Miss America Finals
Moonlight Cruise, Fishing,
Boating, Swimming, Winery
Tours, and More
Contact: Show Management
George Qrafas, President
Atlantic Data Supply Corp.
1451 Highway 88 West
Brick, N.J. 08723
800-526-0968, N.J.: 201-840-8778
Contact: Fortune Coratti
Membership Director, Personna
P.O. Box 759
Point Pleasant, N.J. 08742
201-840-0300
Copyrighted material
What's the best partner
for my IBM PC?
• vo That's easy, pardner. It's
VersaText Word Processing System
a new word processing system that even lets you create your own commandsl
THIS BXCITIRQ SYSTEM INCLUDES:
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• standard database format for names
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• [>efine new database formats for
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• Output data in custom reports or files
• Data entry, editing, deletion
• Create mailing labels and
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PCQiant - creates giant letters
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PCWriter - a screen editing gem
• rull cursor control
• Automatic word wrap
• Delete, insert, replace, search, and
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• On screen tutorial and helps
• Files limited only by disk space
• Uses standard DOS files
• Manual written in plain English
PCProcessor - a really versatile
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• Automatic text justification, borders,
centering, titles, paging and page
numbering
• Wide, emphasized and compressed
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• Merge files, addresses, or termmal
input at process time
• 36 processing commands in all
• Create new commands for specific
Copyrighted material
THE
FIGHT
IlillllllllllliU
4t Check our low memor)
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We have Floppy Drive
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FIGHT THE I/O SQUEEZE
With only five I/O slots in the personal computer you •
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adaptor, and disk drive adaptor you will have only one
slot left for memory expansion. MAYNARD
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Fight the price squeeze
Compare the price of the personal computer using their I/O versus our I/O. You can save up to
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Maynard Electronics Presents:
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Memory Boards include parity,
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instructions for installation All
boards expandable to 256KB.
I
Memory Boards
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192KByte MEM 192 $470
128KByte MEM128 $385
64KByte MEM64 $295
Internal Floppy Drives
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Internal Floppy Drives
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Dual Head $360
Other products will be
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'IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation
External Floppy Drives
Add 3rd and 4th drives to your IBM. Includes cables. Simply plug in
and go. All drives 100% ttsted before shipping. Dual headed
drives also available.
Part No. Price
Single Drive #EFD1H1 $450
Dual Drive #EFD1H2 $700
Miscellaneous:
Part No. Price
16KByte Memory Expansion for Chasis MEM16 $ 25
Floppy Drive Controller
Upgrade your 16K cassette system with this
controllerandan internal drive (includes cable) . FDC $195
Floppy Drive Controller with parallel
printer interface (includes cable) FDC/pp $269
Floppy Drive Controller with
serial interface (RS232) FCD/sp $269
FOLLOW-UP
The Microsoft / Lifeboat
Battle Cry
Software firms hack PC-DOS as 16-hit standard.
Two major players in the lucrative micro-
computer software market, Microsoft and
Lifeboat, have announced that they sup-
port IBM Personal Computer DOS (PC-
DOS) as the "standard" operating system
for 16-bit microcomputers.
What this amounts to if you are a CP/
M-86 fan is an outright declaration of war
by two companies that are probably just as
responsible for CP/M's standardization
on 8-bit microcomputers as Digital Re-
search, CP/M's creator.
New York-based Lifeboat has pub-
lished and marketed more CP/M applica-
tion programs on more 8-bit machines
than anyone in the world. Meanwhile, Mi-
crosoft is directly responsible for putting
CP/M on the Apple by the development of
its Z-80 plug-in card.
Microsoft and Lifeboat seem to be say-
ing that just because CP/M became the
defacto standard operating system for 8-
bit microcomputers doesn't mean CP/M-
86 should be the standard on 16-bit micros.
Instead, they say, PC-DOS, developed
by Microsoft for the IBM Personal Com-
puter, should be the standard operating
system not only for the PC but for all 16-bit
micros. The only exception to this would
be hard-disk, multi-user microcomputers,
which should use XENIX, a Microsoft im-
plementation of the Unix Operating Sys-
tem. PC-DOS and XENIX are further de-
scribed as being part of a family with PC-
DOS being upwardly migratible to
XENIX.
In truth, both PC-DOS and CP/M-86
are souped-up versions of CP/M-80, en-
hanced to take advantage of 16-bit micro-
processors. However, neither is compati-
ble with CP/M-80 as many are misled into
believing. Without translation, CP/M-80
will not run on either CP/M-86 or PC-
DOS.
Confusing as all this is, Microsoft and
Lifeboat don't help matters much by the
way they dilute the identity of PC-DOS.
Microsoft refers to it as "MS-DOS" while
Lifeboat calls it "SB-86."
The result of this multiname approach
is that we will soon see it in the press re-
ferred to as "IBM Personal Computer
DOS, aka PC-DOS. aka MS-DOS, aka SB-
86."
In the hopes of receiving clarification
about all this, PC magazine recently at-
tended a seminar in Santa Clara, Califor-
nia (the heart of Silicon Valley), sponsored
by Microsoft and backed with blessings
and a speaker from Lifeboat. The topic
was "16-bit Operating Systems," and it
dealt with many of the questions just
raised.
Held at the Marriott Hotel, the seminar
had about 500 attendees, many of whom
were software authors interested in writ-
ing programs for the IBM Personal Com-
puter. It consisted of a series of speakers
who made slide presentations followed by
questions and answers. What follows are
highlights from the seminar presentations
of two of the speakers, which we think may
be useful to understanding this issue and
also some of the underlining Microsoft/
Lifeboat attitudes.
MS-DOS: Concepts
and Features
Excerpts from a presentation
by Chris Larson, Microsoft's
MS-DOS product marketing
manager.
The operating system is at the center of
the software universe. It impacts all other
software running on the system. The oper-
ating system should be the interface be-
tween the hardware and both the user and
the system's software.
MS-DOS is a single-user, single-task
microcomputer disk operating system for
the Intel 8086 and 8088 microprocessors.
Its purpose is to provide a friendly and
efficient interface between the user and
the hardware. By standardizing this inter-
face across manufacturers, both the user
and software can easily be moved from
one manufacturer's machine to another's.
Microsoft developed MS-DOS in order
to provide an adequate base upon which
to distribute 16-bit software. MS-DOS is
owned and licensed by Microsoft. Thus,
being independent from any one hard-
JUNE/JULY 1982
159
ml
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FTC3)
( DATA SYSTEMS
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Total
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C0|., : J .: .1,1.1, al
ware manufacturer, MS-DOS will contin-
ue to grow in the best interests of the in-
dustry' as a whole.
Chris Larson's 16-Bit Myths
The first (of five] 16-bit myths says a
CP/M-86 machine can run CP/M-80 soft-
ware. It is often said that the IBM Personal
Computer can run existing CP/M-80 pro-
grams, simply because CP/M-86 is avail-
able as an option, or that CP/M-80 ma-
chines run the IBM software because the
IBM machine runs CP/M-86.
In reality. 8-bit software is different
from 16-bit software. Neither MS-DOS
nor CP/M-86 machines can run CP/M-80
programs. Special 16-bit versions of these
programs must be created by the manufac-
turer.
The next myth says there is a vast num-
ber of programs running in the CP/M-86
environment.
While there is a considerable CP/M-80
Ms
S'DOS IS A
single-user, single-
task microcomputer
disk operating system
for the Intel 8086 and
8088 microprocessors.
library, there is relatively little 16-bit mi-
crocomputer software that is specific to
any one operating system, whether MS-
DOS. XENIX, or CP/M-86. No significant
16-bit software library exists yet.
What makes most software available
under multiple operating systems is that
most software is written in high-level lan-
guage and is therefore independent of the
operating system.
The next myth says that most good 8-bit
software is available under CP/M. On the
IBM Personal Computer there are two
good examples of software packages that
have never been available under CP/M,
namely VisiCaJc and EasyWriter. And
much of the Radio Shack and Apple soft-
ware bases have never been implemented
under CP/M.
lying device independent charter I/O
calls, and one has the choice of using the
CP/M-like calls or the more efficient MS-
DOS calls.
Microsoft also provides a translation
utility, which translates Z-80 as well as
8080 code to 8086 as part of the MS-DOS
package itself. Thus, it is not necessarily
more convenient to translate CP/M-80
software to CP/M-86 than to MS-DOS.
The third 16-bjf software myth says
there is something unique about the CP/
M-80 library of programs. The myth says if
you don't have CP/M, you do not have any
applications to run.
Not only are there other libraries of 8-
bit software, but much of the 8-bit soft-
ware packages are available in several of
these libraries, so that one does not neces-
sarily need to go from CP/M-80 to Micro-
soft BASIC, for instance. Many software
packages are available under 8-bit operat-
ing systems other than CP/M.
Perhaps the most widely believed 16-
bit software myth is that there are more
CP/M-86 systems in the field than MS-
DOS. . . . Recent investigation by Micro-
soft pegged the MS-DOS marketshare in
the desk-top personal computer market at
93 percent.
MS-DOS is IBM's (personal computer]
primary operating system. All IBM appli-
cation software runs under MS-DOS.
Only MS-DOS software is supported by
IBM, Microsoft, and Lifeboat.
Future Plans for
MS-DOS or The
Bridge to XENIX
Excerpts from a presentation
by Paul G. Allen, vice
president and cofounder of
Microsoft.
It is important to realize that MS-DOS
is part of a family of operating systems.
MS-DOS emulates the CP/M-80 sys-
tem's calls in a much more sophisticated
way. Under MS-DOS this emulation of
CP/M-80 calls resides on top of its under-
XENIX has over five megabytes of util-
ities (compilers, assemblers, text proces-
sors, etc.) and really should be used with a
hard disk. MS-DOS, on the other hand, fits
comfortably with all its utilities on two
floppy disks. Providing the user with a
family of operating system capabilities
means a clear migration path from MS-
lUNEyjULY 1982
161
Ci
DOS to XENIX. This means compatibility
for both th« terminal end user and die ^
terns programmer.
MS^XW Enhancements Coming
Enhancements added to MS-DOS in
version 2.0 to be released in the third quar*
ter of diis year emphasize greater user
friendliness, standardization, XENIX
compatibility features, networking, im-
provements to the standard utilities as
well as the addition of some common
XENIX 'filters', and improved disk perfor-
mance.
The end user interface or 'shell' is the
first thing that the user sees when he boots
MS-DOS. The shell interprets all com-
mands the user types to the operating sys-
tem. MS-DOS 2.0 replaces the traditional
command-line-orientad shell with a visu-
al shell that shows the user a menu of the
most commonly executed applications
and utilitias.
used to tailor MS-DOS for a particular ap-
plications environment or for use in a f or^
eign country.
A standard library for XENIX-86 C will
allow compilation of a program on a
Irc
One very important feature is fliat the
' may customize the shell to his own
I He may create his own categories,
pragnms, and help files. This oodd be
PROVIDING THE
user with a family of
operating system
capabilities means a
clear migration path
£tom MS'E)QS to
XENIX.
XENIX sysiam and then execution on MS-
DOS. This will allow MS-DOS to tap the
already existing library of progr am s writ-
ten in C, as well as the generation of new
utilities, which can run under either
XENIX or MS-DOS.
Networking Stressed
Networking is a key to the success of
operating systems like MS-DOS and
XENIX in the office automation market.
An enhancement package to MS-DOS
will provide local network capability. Mi-
crosoft's networking software will encom-
pass both XENIX and MS-DOS. An ad*
vanced mail system, file transfer program,
and other utilities will sit on top of the
basic network services provided the !«•
spective operating systems.
XENIX systems vvill be able to function
as network file servers and MS-DOS sys-
tems as application servers for individual
users.
Microsoft will continue to provide
many enhancements to the basic BASIC
compiler, PASCAL, FORTRAN and CO-
BOL compilers, which already run under
MS-DOS. These changes will go hand hi
hand with the improvements to MS-DOS
itself. As you can see, the next year will be
one of rapid evolution for MS-DOS. We
think that with the changes and upgrades
we have planned, MS-DOS will become
the premier single-user operating system.
IBM-PC DATABASE MANAGEMENT RMS
RECORD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
• uten MFiNiD recoud pommt via data ncnoNARY
• SCREEN ORIENTED, FORM FILL OUT TYPE Of ACCESS
• OPTIONAL TWO LEVEL RECORD HIERARCHY
• ALL FILES IN ASCII TEXT FORMAT, BASIC COMPATIBLE
• DIRECT ACCESS SY KEY FIELD, MULTIPLE INDEX FILES
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• VERSATILE, PROFESSIONAL QUALITY REPORT WRfTER
• BUILT-IN SORT / MERGE
• EASY TO USE, DOS AND BASIC COMPATIBLE
• UP TO 86,000 RECORDS, IK/SO FIELDS EACH
f
mviNTeiiY
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RMS ie a eompMe DATABASE MANAQEMENT psoimga for
the IBM computer. It is made up of five m so Niie language
programs that make up the most powerful business program-
ming tool available for the PC. It can be used by the relative
novice, to imploment an incredible variety of information
storage and ratrleval appHeatloMi, wfttMut any pragrani*
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solution to a larger problem, saving many hours of un-
necessary program development time. RMS can be used to
handle data input, editing, validation, on-line retrieval, aort-
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filled In by the user's BAHC
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PC MAGAZINE
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* Variable Key Length From 1 to 50 Characters
•k Machine Language or Basic Subroutines.
BUSINESS APPLICATION ADVANTAGES
- Improved Disk Utilizatk>n
- Easier Program Development
• Improved Operating Characteristics
- Reduce or Eliminate Sorting
- Improved Performance
ISAM SUBROUTINES
ISAM UTILITIES
Documentation
On Diskette $90.00
NEW! MACHINE LANGUAGE + BASIC SUBS — $140
— PLUS— Free Mailing List Sample Application
Add 6°<i Sales Tax for California Orders
Johnson Associates
P.O.Box 3069
Redding, CA 96049
-or- Telephone Order Line
For Bank Card Sales
(916)221-0740
WRITE FOR FBEE CATALOG
GOOD
CONNECTIONS
Autodial/Autoanswer Modems
The MICROCONNECTIONTM direct connect
modem automatically dials other computers and
answers too. It monitors incoming lines, runs
printers, decodes busses and transcribes in-
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Apple*, Atari 400/800*. and CBM/PET*. $224.95 up.
the micropenpheral corporation
2643 - 151st PI. N.E.
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(206) 881 -7544
"Trademarks of Tandy Corp . Apple Corp., Atari Corp..
and Commodore Busmess Macfiines.
HARDWARE REQUIRED: IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER • 48K • DISK DRIVE
SEND CHECK TO: I.B. MAGAZETTE • 1306 PETROLEUM TOWER • SHREVEPORT. LA. 71 101
Cc
C COMPILER
For the IBM Personal Computer. The package
includes the compiler, with complete installa-
tion and operating instructions, and the C
source for many standard library functions.
The C compiler is UNIX* ver. 7 compatible.
Cross compilers are available for the PDP-11,
6809, and 8080. Full C or C without float is avail-
able to meet individual needs.
(UNIX) is a trade mark of Bell Labs.)
C
C w/float
Cross C
$200.00
$350.00
$500.00
TELECON SYSTEMS
90 E. Gish Road, Suite 25
San Jose, CA95112
408-275-1659
Key Utilities
gain more control of
your IBM/PC with —
DISKLOOK — reveals hidden
files, erased files, shows every-
thing on diskette $20
UNERASE — recovers erased
files $20
FILEHIDE — hides and unhides
files $10
SECMOD — easily changes
any diskette sector $20
FREE programs and system
information \N\Xh each order
Peter Norton
1716 Main Street #D
Venice, OA 90291
include $5 per order
for diskette & postage
Calif. 6% tax
GAME no ADAPTER+
Game I/O Adapter
• Interfaces With Popular
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• Interfaces With Graphics
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• Allows X, Y Control
• Analog Control Via 16 Pin
Connector
SOFTWARE MASTERS
6704 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Dealer Inquiries Welcome
License Agreements Available
Access-Master
Disk Accessor Used Within
Any Basic Program
Interfaces With
Screen-Master
Utilizes The Latest
S.K.R.A.M.' Techniques
Sequential Processing Of
Random Access Files In
Key Order
Keyed Access For Direct
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Random Retrieval By
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Access Files With Keys Up
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Multiple Methods Of
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Interfaces With Existing
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Eliminates Hours Of
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Screen-Master
Generates Screen Input
Format
• Defines Defaults
• Table Searching (Handling)
• Date Checking (Leap Year
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• Special Handling Routines
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Through Gosubs
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• Utilizes Special Function
Keys
• Define Where Each Field
Input Goes Into The
Record
• Key Length (Maximum 30
Characters)
• Program Various
Sound Responses
and
Put
in
IBM
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you e«„ ^'^'S ^«J»fOfty,
IBM-PC Peripherals
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IBM PC owners can save with confidence on these proven peripherals.
Dot Matrix Printer
Our DMP-85 is 50% faster than the IBM model
and significant ly lower cost. It has built-in friction
and tractor feed, 8 fonts including proportional
type, 10 or 12 characters per inch, condensed
type, plus emphasized printing, 1.3K print buffer,
6 channel vertical format unit high resolution
graphics, and more! (Model equivalent to C. Itoh
8510A or NEC 8023A).
Letter Quality Typing
Your IBM Selcctric becomes an instant 12 cps
printer with our Model ETF-80 Electric Typing
Fingers! It sits on the keyboard and connects to
the printer port without any modification of
typewriter or computer. No software required!
When used with ASCII type ball all printer char-
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(Model equivalent to KGS-80).
not $755 but $495 plus $54 for cable/adapter
Model
DMP-85
1
not $3000 but $495 plus $54 for cable/adapter
Model
ETF-80
Video Display Monitor not $345 but $129 plus $5 for cable
The VDM-80 green phosphor monitor has a
15MHz bandwidth for 80 characters per line
resolution. It connects to the IBM color CRT
interface, or to the monochrome interface with
PMC's video interface. The monitor case is color
compatible wit h the IBM Personal Computer and
screen display is suitable for long term viewing.
(Model equivalent to Zenith ZDM-21).
Floppy Disk Drives
These single sided, software compatible drives
provide 5 msec track access and perform conser-
vatively at the recording density of the IBM
operating system. Internal drives connect to
IBM's cable and disic interface, while color
matched external drives include a cable/adapter
from PMC. (Model equivalent to TEC FB-202).
I
All prices include shipping by UPS in Continental USA.
No PO Boxes please Delete shipping and handling when
paying by check
Model
VDM-80
not $570 ea. but $450 for 2 (Use IBM cable.)
Also
Model
SFD-51E
(external)
Model ^^^1 $495 for 2
SFD-51B ^^Hi^^l plus $90 for
(Internal) cable/adapter
Model
Qty
Price
Calif, cust. add taxes
Shipping and handling
TOTAL
Total
$25.00
or money order.
Check □
M.0 □
VISA
M/C
No. _
□
□
Exfxres
Personal Micro Computers, Inc.
SHIP TO:
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP
Signature
W^Ji/iC^ Personal Micro Computers, Inc
M 1 475 EUis Street, Mountain View. CA 94043 * (415) 962-0220
I
• • ■
\\ HDirectory
CONSULTANTS
Alaska
RAMBOW ENTERPRISES
Consloiclion Managemeni consultant work-
ing wilh estimating. Critical Path scheduling,
cost forecasting, computer assisted design,
and other construction related applications ol
Ihe IBM PC. Software and custom program-
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7-480 4 7' Sfreer, Elmendorl AFB. AK 99506
(907)753-2291
California
INFO-PROS. INC.
Professional specialists for your IBM Personal
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2 102 Business Center Dr. tt 132
Irvine. CA 92715 (714) 851-8975
THE PROBRAMMINQ SHOP
Worried about making your IBM Personal
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1 164 Umbarger Rd, San Jose, CA 95121
(408)226-2157
Florida
DENNIS M. NABEL. P.E.
Consulting service available for custom hard-
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other microcomputers. Extensive experience
in communications, industrial control, data
acquisition, custom microcomputers, games,
etc.
Dennis M. Nagel. Inc., 455 NW 35th SI.
Suite D. Boca Raton. FL 33431
(305)395-9515
niinois
AUTOMXnON COUNSELORS LTD.
Large mainframe to micro networks are (Hf
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Edward L. Blonski, Ph.D., Automation
Counselors Ltd.. 218 Washmgton Sl-
Ingleside. «. 6004 1 (3 12) 587-2008
Missouri
BUSINESS PROBLEM SOLVERS
Established professional with quality refer-
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software ranging from thoroughbred handi-
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Wirren D. Henry, CCP, CDP. 250 Richards Rd
Room 254. Kansas City. MO 64 116
(816)471-8660
Rates And Information
If you have products or services to offer owners of the new IBM
Personal Computer, the PC Directories provide an economical,
rifle-shot way to reach your prospects.
Service and software listings are classified according to t>'pe. Con-
sultants and retailers are classified geographically, with subgroups by
specialty where warranted. All listings appear in a standard format,
typeset by PC from the information you provide, and are published in
the first available issue after receipt.
• CONSULTANTS: Individual name, company name, mailing ad-
dress, phone and computer network numbers (one of each), and up to
35 words describing your consulting credentials and specialties.
• RETAILERS: Store name, individual's name and title, mailing ad-
dress, phone and computer network numbers (one of each), store
hours, and up to 35 words describing your products and services.
• SERVICES; Service t\'pe, company name, mailing address, phone
and computer network numbers (one of each), and up to 35 words
describing your service.
• SOFTWARE: Product name, author name, company name, mailing
address, phone and computer network numbers (one of each), and
up to 35 words describing your product.
RATES: Listings described above are S50 each: additional words of
description are SlO for each 15 words or fraction. Charges are payable
in advance. For listings in three or more consecutive issues, paid in
advance. 15 percent discount.
ORDERING: Use our convenient tear-out order card, or mail your
listing information with payment to PC Directory, 1528 Irving St., San
Francisco, CA 94122.
Texas
COOK COMPUSYSTEMS
Custom computer systems for churches,
professionals, and businesses utilizing IBM
and Seattle Computer components Scotch
disks; 100 for $240; 5" disk drives; $295;
Seattle 64k RAM board; $425; mailing list;
$99
Samuei P. Cook. Ph.D.. 309 Lincolnshire.
Irving. TX 75061 (214) 253-6979
Washington
EXPERT SYSTEMS INC.
Ongoing word processing. VisiCalc. and intro-
duction to programming seminars/training.
Personal and professional financial manage-
ment systems
'. . bridging ttie gap between people and
technology , '
fXPfflr SySTtUS inc. P.O. Box 345
Redmond, m 98052 (206) 881-8970
Wisconsin
MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION!
Experienced in solving data processing prob-
lems, our consullants provide services includ-
ing; software and hardware research, evalua-
tion and selection; customized software;
system installation, education and training;
and telecommunications. Before making your
decision, contact our consultants to help with
your individual data processing needs.
mfORUAWN SYSTEMS. P.O. Box 8700
Madison. Wl 53708 (608) 274- 1980
DEALERS
California
COMPUTERUND OF ALMAOEN
5035 AhniN Ei^rttiwiy
SMJtM.CA 95118
(408) 287-2182
Store Hous; 10 a.m.to 7 p.m. Weekdays
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Specializing in service and support to the BM
South San Jose facility emptoyees Hard
disks, add-on memory, software and peri-
pherals in stock. Call for information regard-
ing IBM Personal Computer training seminars,
THE SOmtMRE CENTER
4720 BarY Blvl (mr lltl An.)
SaiFnieltct.CAB4118
(415) 751-2231
M-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
THE CODA CARD
Single board expansion for the BM PC. Up to
256K socketed memory, one parallel I/O. one
serial I/O. and time/date clock with battery
B/U, Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional consult-
ing call or write.
CODA. INC., P.O. Box 1054
Lmurn, (jA 30247(404) 925-0640
COMPATIBLE COMPUTER CORP.
Plug-ins and add-ons for the IBM Personal
Computer. Both assembled models and
kits— build it yourself and save. Wite for free
information. Compatit)le Computer Corpora-
tion, Dept. PCI, Box 51102, Seattle. WA
98115
416 N.E Maple Leal PI. a7
Seattle WA 98 1 15 (206) 525-2246
IBM CABLES
Cables for the BM Personal Computer. Spe-
cial on the RGB Cable lor the Sony Proleel
$69 95 pkjs $3 shipping No C.O.D.s.
JACK smCK & ASSOCIATES 949 South
Southiake Dr.. Hollywood. FL 33019
IBM MONOCHROME DISPLAY SCREEN
Darkens background, improves contrast, and
reduces glare. A must for all owners May be
purchased at select COMPUTERLAND stores
Of directly from the manufacturer. Price
$1 5 95 plus $2 shipping. Texas residents add
5% sales tax.
PFM PRODUCTS. 9129 Coral Cove
Dallas. TX 75231
JOYSTICKS FOR THE IBM PERSONAL
COMPUTER
Available for immediate delivery High quality,
heavy duty joystick suitable tor professional
as well as game and educational applications.
Designed specifically for the BM PC Special
introductory price $44.50. Money refunded if
not satisfied
TOM CAR PRODUCTS. 99 Lily Pond Lane
Katonah. NY 10536
PC DUSTCOVER
Protect your IBM PC from the damaging ef-
fects of dust Not tacky vinyl, our handsome
cover IS washable, gray corduroy, and con-
tour-fitted lor the system unit, monitor, and
keyboard Send check or money order for
$24.95 per cover. North Carolina residents
add i% sales tax Money-back guarantee if
not satisfied.
SYSTEMS SOFTWEAR. P.O. Box 3203
Durham. NO 27705 (919) 471-4 152
ERVICES
COMPUQUIDANCE COMPUTER TRAININ8
CENTERS
Increase Small Business Computer sales and
solve training problems with a Compu-
Guidance Training Center franchise. Profes-
sionally prepared instruction and texts for
nearly every popular make. Call Tom Palazzo
or Bill Ginalski
COmXMlANCE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING
CENTERS. INC . 3644 East McDowell
Sule 208. Phoemx. AZ 85008
(602)244-2791
EUROPE FOR THE IBM PC
We are ready to demonstrate and support
your hardware/software products in Zurich on
our IBM PCs and woiM be interested to dis-
UNE/JULY 1982
167
• • • •
• ■ •
\\ nDirectory
tribule/represeniyadapt your pfoducls or ser-
vices lor the local markel.
Hs/js Roduner. 3i Corporation. Bernersir
169. CH-8CH8 Zurich. SwiUerlarKt
lei. (01)6222 30
m PC INTERNATIONAL OWNERS GROUP
Fof a $ 1 5 membership (ec($20USanclCan-
ada. $45 foreign) we otter a newsleller with
informalion on new fiardware/soflware and
other member-requested items, and manage
a software excliange tor member-developed
programs
«PCO, INTERNATIONAL PC OWNERS. INC.
P.O. Box 10426. Pillsburgh. PA 15234
14 12) 56 1- 1857: COMPUSERVE
tf71545.467
SOFTWARE/HAROVMRE DIRECTORY AND
GUIDE
Ttie directory will be published every six
months with monthly updales. It will include
software, hardware, consulting services, re-
tailers, help wanted, and supplies columns
with entry fee $10 per product/service En-
tries under owners and users' groups will be
tree of charge Wife for more information and
free sample issue
SOPANA UKRO SOFrmRE
P.O. Box 748. Oumcy. L 62301
(217)224-4337
WORD PROCESSING INTERFACE TO
nPESFTTINB
Your word processed manuals or books are
loaded directly into our typesetter Eliminate
rekeying You need telecommunications op-
lion We can design and offer complete phnt-
ing facilities Suitable tor documents over 200
pages
(jEORGE GRAPHCS. Am: Len Shater,
650 Second SI . San Francisco. CA 94 107
(415)397 2400
SOFTWARE
ANOTHER FULL SCREEN EDITOR
A full featured editor with find, change, insert,
and delete functions Moves, copies, and de-
letes btocks of lines $29.95
NOTA BENE SOFTmRE. P.O. Box 497.
Glenview. I 60025
APPOINTMENT CALENDAR
The Personal Appointment Calendar (PAC) is
now available lor the IBM PC. The (PAC) Pro-
gram allows you to keep track ol appoint-
ments lor a year at a time, with up to eight
appointments each day. Appointment
changes are easily made And il you have a
printer, appointments lor any day may be
printed. The program, supplied on diskette,
comes complete with step-by-step instruc-
tions tor $49 95 To order send check to:
V.J. DEUUPO. 8459 NW 3rd SI.,
Coral Springs. FL 33065 (305) 753-5893
AUTOMATIC SCREEN DESIGN AID (ASDa'")
Available lor the IBM Personal Computer is a
powerful software tool ttiat will end the time-
consuming task of programming screen lay-
outs ASDA" allows you to simply type the
desired screen layout directly on the CRT in-
cluding text description, graphic characters,
input fields, output fields, or input/output
fields, as well as any attribute (high intensity,
reverse image, blink, etc.). ASDA"^ Ihen will
generate all the basic code to handle the
screen. The code generated can be merged,
chained to, or used as a skeleton start lor a
program Save lime and elfort as you design
prolessional screens with ASOA" Dealer in-
quiries invited. ASDA" only $99.
SOFTUAPK. INC.. 446 Colonial Ave.
Laylon. UT 8404 1 (80 1) 546-2000
BASIC PROGRAM CROSS REFERENCER
Excellent program development and docu-
mentation tool lof your ISM Personal Comput-
er. Locates all your variable names by line
number Sorts them alphabetically, and prints
them lollowing the program listing, $30
Watch this directory lor more Irom . , ,
A Eric Eastman Co.. 620 West 1950 North
Bountiful. UT 84087 (80 1) 292-0664
BONUS ACCOUNTING
A unique sollware tool for Business Money
Management and Personal Money Manage-
ment lor the IBM PC Learn how lo set up
ledger account numbers lor home and busi-
ness, or use your existing chart ol accounts
This system is designed for all who need to
know their financial standing. Features in-
clude balance sheet and financial statement at
any time of Ihe month, a historical transaction
register that's |ust a command away, and
month to date totals that are rolled forward
and displayed lor all ledger accounts All
transactions, including closing entries, are
automated The year to date financial state-
ment will tie a big plus at tax lime. Fully docu-
mented! Explanations ol all screens and lunc-
tions make record keeping manageable for
the business owner and the prolessional. Also
an excelleni learning tool tor the student. Wife
today and let Bonus help manage your mon-
ey. Requirements; one disk, 64K and 80 col-
umn printer. Dealer inquiries invited.
THE PROGRAUUING SHOP. INC
1 164 Umbarger Rd.. San Jose. OA 95121
BUSINESS SOFT
Back up a disk, copy programs, lormat a new
disk, produce new combinations ol DOS
commands, produce new menus, and much
more Irom the "Ultra Menu." Specifically de-
signed lor the IBM PC. This program will help
eliminate the need to remember many ol the
protocols required by DOS commands. A help
menu no PC user should be without. Introduc-
tory price $29 95
BUSINESS SOFT INC.. 38 1 1 Brett Lane
Glenview. I 60025
(312) 940-8088. 266-6809
COMPU-LOAN
Unique Amortization System essential to ev-
ery PC owner. Enhances financial decision-
making capacity on business and personal
levels Analyzes regular or IRREGULAR loans.
Fully documented Introductory price $50.
See ad this issue lor details.
BENCHMARK CREATIONS. P.O. Box 31861
Raleigh. NC 27622
COPY PC
Makes back-up copies ol many protected
programs including VisiCalc and EasyWnler
Recovers usable data from damaged disks.
Available now. $24.95 |CA residents add
6' j% sales tax)
NAGY SYSTEMS 44 1 1 Geary Blvd
Surie 23 1, San Francisco. CA 94118
CREDIT MASTER
Prevent overcharges on your credit cards—
or multiple submissions ol the same charge.
Sollware logs your purchases and compares
to your invoice. Excellent documentation
$50
ROGLE COMPUTING CORP.. P.O. Box 5 166
Spartanburg. SC 29304 (803) 574-4950
CUSTOM SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS
Created lor research biologists I'm a lull-time
research scientist on a college ol medicine
laculty. At home. I will write a program to han-
diedatageneraledby your experiments . For a
I quotation, send all inlormation to:
I SaulLowitt, Ph.D.. 2131 Brookhaven Dr.
Sarasota. FL 33579
DISKLOOK
Displays everything on your diskettes, inckx)-
ing hidden and erased tiles. Displays every
[ sector, graphically maps space utilization and
I file location, and more. A valuable tool. $20
plus $5 postage and diskette.
Peler Norton. 1716 Mam SI. ttO
Venice. CA 90291
EDUCATION/ENTERTAINMENT SOFTVMRE
PC POETRY.
When not using your IBM PC lor business, use
Il lor displaying and reading some exciting
new poems. Some titles are: 1. Lite.
2. Time. 3. Answer Man. 4. Xmas Wish, etc.
Mail $ 19.95 check for 8 poems on diskette: a
very low pnce lor them REQUIRES: 48K. 1
disk, 80-column CRT.
BUSmSS APPL€ATION SYSTEMS
P.O. Box 36008. Oaklandon. IN 46236
(317)897-5350
ENSIGN SOFTVMRE
Indexed Sequential Access Method package
sorts and accesses files by key. $59.95 disk .
I Othello, Cubic, Blackjack, Startrek, Presi-
dents Quiz, Famous Americans Quiz, Crib-
bage, Blackbox, Mastermind and Kingdom
All ten games for $29,95, disk. Free catalog.
ENSIGN SOFTWARE. 2312 N Cole Rd
Suite E, Boise. O 83704 (208) 378-8086
FACES GAME
We have a new game for the IBM PC. It's
called "FACES" If you send us $9.95 we'll
mail you the program listing. You shoot the
faces as Ihey appear on the screen and they
appear more Irequently as your score in-
creases ($14.95 lor listing and diskette).
Anthony A. Schulu. 310- 153rd St
Calmut Cify. IL 60409
FINANCUL ANALYSIS PACKAGE
The package is designed to provide financial
executives with a llexible tool for making
sound financial decisions — important deci-
sions such as whether to lease or buy, analyz-
ing capital budgeting alternatives, loan and
lease payment schedules, and Ihe elfeci ol
the Economic Recovery Tax Act ol 1981 for
determining deprecialion schedules,
EXECUWARE. P O Box 909
Pineville. NC 28134
FLOPPY DISK LIBRARIAN
Up to your ears in files and disks? Use your PC
to keep an easy-to-updale catalog Program
maintains entnes for each file and disk with
date, size, your comments, and cross refer-
ences PC DOS 64K; 30-day money back
guarantee Send $39.95. CT residenis add
sales tax
LITTLE Bit 469 Edgewood. New Haven. CT
065 1 1 Source mail: TCE348
FORTH FOR IBM PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Complete program development systems in-
cluding inlerpreter/compiler with virtual mem-
ory management, custom screen editor, line
editor, assembler, decompiler, and many utili-
ties Floating point malh extensions, cross
compilers, and other options also available.
LABORATORY MICROSYSTEMS
4 147 Beethoven Si. Los Angeles. CA 90066
(213)306-7412
FSEDITOR
Full screen text editor lor BM-PC 80-254
char lines, block/line copy. move, insert, de-
lete, print, append— no data losi due lo pow-
er failures, disk full, etc, 64K, one drive, 80'
Column Display and DOS required. Price
$125, Demo disk available.
CYPRESS SOFTWARE. INC . PO. Box 8715
Coral Springs. FL 33065 (305) 755- 1513
GALAXY MASTER
The newest video aclion space game lor the
IBM Personal Computer is now available in
color or B&W and with or without action
sound. Requires Advanced BASIC and 80
char width display. Challenging Send $29.95
(+ tax lor CA|.
INFaPROS. INC.. 2102 Business Center Dr.
U132 Irvme. CA 92715 (714) 851-8975
IBM PC SOFTWARE INTERCHANGE
This service enables subscribers to obtain
software inexpensively MAILING SYSTEM —
ELECTRONIC FILE - SORT - GAMES - FI-
NANCIAL — much, much more! Membership
is $50 per year. Members may obtain most
programs for $5 pkK a handling charge. Each
withdrawal requires an original program con-
tribution. Send your check today lor your
nnembership. or $3 lor an inlormation packet,
to:
MIRACLE COMPUTING. BM PC Software
Interchange. Dept. 10. 313 Oaylon Ct.
Lawrence. KS 66044
INVENTORY CONTROL
Inventory control system. 1000-^ line items.
Total and Department List Reorder. Back-
order. YTD $ and ». PTD $ and a. Margin. %
Departmental Sales Last Sale Date Last Re-
ceived Date Price $295
ORGANIZED BITS P O Box 303
Savannah. MO 64485 (816) 324-4314
KELLER SOFTWARE
OHers Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Elec-
trical Engineering. Cost Engineering/Cost Ac-
counting. Scheduling, and Statistical Soft-
ware specifically designed lo use the
advanced leatures unique to the IBM PC. Will
"custom-fit" our Software to fit your needs.
Start at $395.
I KELLER SOFTWARE. 1825 Westclift Dr.
Newport Beach. CA 92660
LIGHT SOFTWARE
Need help? We'll lake on your project with our
168
PC MAGAZINE
CG|. ,
\\ HDirectory
new PC. our 14 years of experience on 8M
computers, and our backgrourxls in scienti-
fic, statisticai and systems programming.
Oml Davis and Uarifyn Davis. Ph.D.
Box 4982. Santa Fe, NU 87502
(505) 982-4049
MAILING LABEL PROfiRAM
Stores 150 records (on system drive) or 600
disk (on second drive). Requires 48K. 16
fields filed under three categories Five sorting
options give maximum printing flexibility
Prints labels and office directory Price $65
ppd
UBSSOFTmR£. 12729 NE Hassakl SI.
Pomand. OR 97230
MONEY MAESTDO
MONEY MAESTRO'" is a financial record-
keeping package tfiat provides budget track-
ing and tax reporting Sole proprietors, free-
lancers and families can realize the benefits of
automated money management without in-
vesting in double-entry accounting software.
By tailoring the Category List and Payee List
with a few simple commands, expenses and
rece^ts can be tracked as needed MONEY
MAESTRO™ reports totals by category or
payee, including monthly and year-to-date
budgeted vs. actuals Data files are stored in
BASC sequential format MONEY MAESTRO'"
requires 64K and DOS, and is available for
$200
INNOSYS HCORPORATED
2150 Shatluck Ave.. Suite 901
Berkeley. CA 94704 (415) 843-8122
NEWTEXT1
AvailalDie NOW A comprehensive Text Proc-
essor that functions like SM's own mainframe
text processor— Script Use NEWTEXT1 m
conjunction with an editor to produce profes-
sional appearing books, manuals, reports,
memos, or labels Unique features include:
Text nesting (to 14 levels), automatic Table of
Contents, and Index generation $125 (man-
ual $25).
D6AX SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES
P C Box 4695, Uanchesler. m0310B
(617)682-6629
PASCAL SYNTAX CHARTS
Program on the fty m IBM/PC Pascal with
handy syntax charts Our railroad track dia-
grams let you see syntax instead of puzzling
over it. Charts insert neatly into your Pascal
manual for easy reference. $5.95 from
INSTANT RECALL. Box 30 134
Belhesda. UD 20814
PC PERSONAL FINANCE PROSRAM
The PC-PFP IS a financial information, budget-
ing, and record-keeping system that has
been professionally devekjped to take full ad-
vantage of the unique capabilities of the BM
Personal Computer Now. non-accountants
can use the PC-PFP's simple-to-foltow in-
structional manual to quickly keep detailed,
accurate, and useful records of income and
expenses Simple to use. PC-PFP is compre-
hensive and versatile. Through monthly en-
tries from your checking and credit card
statements, the PC-PFP will keep track of up
to five income sources and 38 expense cate-
gories, balance you checkbook, monitor
cash flow and credit card usage, maintain tax
records, and tell you how v«il you are manag-
ing your budget. PC-PFP features year-at-a-
glance color bar graphs that bring your finan-
cial picture alive. Or, you can zoom in and
exarrtine a monthly budget category item by
item. Best yet. you can store your financial
and tax records on one diskette and have
fingertip access. Send or call today for more
information on this breakthrough made possi-
ble by the IBM Personal Computer
BEST PROGRAMS. P O. Box 2370
Alexandria. VA 22301 (703) 549-3663
PC SOFTWARE
Dedicated to developing high-quality soft-
ware. Offering: •'CHAMPIONSHIP BLACK-
JACK"; computer version of the popular
game show CONCENTRATION; bank and
charge account manager with detailed ex-
pense reports; computerized datebook/
memo pad/calendar. We challenge you to
compare our product to any others. Take ad-
vantage of our unique HOME TRIAL.
PC SOFTWAflE. 4 155 Cleveland Ave.
San Diego. CA 92103
PERSONAL MAILEN
The professional mailing list database with the
"personal" touch offers password protec-
tion, 12 user-defined data fieMs that may be
searched, sorted, or printed (labels 1, 2, 3
across) Even finds misspelled names in a
flash! Reads and wntes files for word proces-
sors, spelling checkers Requrements: 64K,
one disk, 40 or 80 column display. Printer
optional All these features and more for jusi
$65 Dealer inqunes welcome.
COMPUTER AGE. 825 Masonic Ave.
San FrarKisco CA 94117 (4 15)921-7792
Source TCE-511
PERSONAL SECRETARY
a lime management system. Simply
schedule time-related data, recall it by
keyword search, summarize cost and invoice
amounts and manage a chronological filing
system. Simply It's only $55. Not a big price,
not a big system Just effective BM-DOS.
64K. BASICA, 1 or 2 drives Printer optional
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
764 24th Ave . San Francisco. CA 94121
PMEMT
Easy-to-use. easy-to-leam full-screen editor
designed for flexibility and efficiency Horizon-
tal and vertical scrolling Block manipulation,
selective and global operations. Source code
and complete documentaton with diskette for
$50
PROACTIVE SYSTEMS. 505 Charming Ave
Pah Alio CA 9430 1 (4 15) 327-4716
PROSCRIPT
Text formatter designed especially for the PC
Produces professionally formatted docu-
ments from files created with a standard text
editor Contains features previously unavail-
able in a text formatter lor the PC. Cost $ 100.
Manual only $25.
PROSOFT INC. P.O. Box 66
Melbourne Beach. FL 3295 1
(305) 7258665
THE REAL ESTATE CONSULTANT
A complete detailed report generator, written
in BASIC, for User control of screen, printer, or
disk file Uses all available RAM BM 64K, yet
amazingly simple to operate. It is especially
designed as a lutorial-learmng wi. for real es-
tate mvestmenls emphasizing mortgages,
cash fk}ws, spendabies, tax shelters, lax lia-
bilities, resale projectwns. profits, syndicates,
partners, return rates, pyramid projecting &
more Visil your nearest authorized IBMPC
rep Demo-diskette available lor $15 (applied
toward purchase) $175
CONSULTANT SYSTEMS iNC.
3887 Stale St.. Suite 111
Santa Barbara. CA 93105
SCREEN-MASTER
Allows deveiopmeni (imeof BASIC programs
to be mirmaed. by handling all input through
tf>e screen. 5as«y modified! Un/imi/edapplica-
tions Define fieU attritxites and defaults Uti-
lizes special function keys. See index to
advertisers
BASIC-ENHANCEMENTS
Allows (go to X), (go sub X). (restore X) in
normal BASIC and many more handy ulUitles.
Cost: $35
SOFTWARE MASTERS. 6704 Hoover Rd.
ktdianapolis. IN 46260
SELF-TEACHING SOFTVMRE
No more manuals or commands lor IBM PC!
'Home & business expense organizer' has
buiit-m seif-teachtng learn' mode, and fast-
path quick' mode Organizes, itemizes ex-
penses: buHt-m sales tax table, calculates
sales lax automatically; ytd reports; audit
trails Available now $60. 30-day money-
back guarantee.
CASTISH INTERNATIONAL COfVORATION.
1636 Carmelina Ave. . Los Angeles. CA 90025
(213)826-4600
THE SOFTWARE HOUSE
Sorted directory witf> all files on screen at one
time, $20($2 1 .20 in Calif ). Send for brochure
of other software, including screen file dump
and serial port print program.
THE SOFTmRE HOUSE, Box 1 12
Citrus Heights. CA 95610
SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSOCUTES
Let us help you get yoa money's worth out of
DOS. BASC. and packaged software He
have 20 years experience designing and
building commercial and scientific application
systems Professional standards; "(Xjality is
our middle name "
P O BOX 50083, Palo Alto. CA 94303
(4 15) 324-8088, (4 15) 32 1-4208
STOCK MARKET DATA SOFTWARE
Stock Market Data is a program that lakes
stock data from CompuServe and reformats
the data into program readable form Witten
in BASIC, includes Source code, mns on
many other machines. $39.95.
SYSTEMS S SOfTmRE
220 Redwood Hwy it 121
MHI valley CA 9494 1 14 15) 33 1-5056
STOCK OPTIONS TRADING
Analyze put and call options, profit potential of
spread and hedge strategies, covered or un-
covered writing Identify undervalued options.
REQUIRES: 1 disk. 48K. COST: $49
complete.
FINSOFl 16-06 OuaH Ridge Or
Ptamsboro NJ 08536
STOP-LIST
n is no kjnger necessary to use that awkward
two-handed reach lor Ctrl and NumLock lo
suspend operation of your IBM PC. This sys-
i lem enhancement uliWy program provkJes a
I single key operation of the Pause/Resume
function, a sk>w-molk)n display option, and
: automatic operation upon system startup.
Compat<)le wilh almost all DOS software Full
, user reference manual included. Price Is
$24.95. inckxfing shipping and handling.
' WILCRO SYSTEMS, PO Box 1 1208
\ Dallas. TX 75223 (2 14) 32 1- 7049
SUN COAST DATA SCIENCES
We have 14 years experience with IBM main-
frames but are new to microcomputers. Wb
want to know what applicatx)n and/or sys-
tems software /ou. the PC user, want and
need If you write us giving a description of
your system configuration and your ideas lor
software you woukj like lo buy. you will re-
ceive a coupon good for a 50% discount on
any one program of your choice that we pro-
duce The coupon has no expiration date but
you must respond before 9/31/82 to receive
one No application too simple or complex for
conskleration Wife today.
SUN COAST DATA SCIENCES. Personal
Computer Support Group. 680 Center St.
Stile B, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(714/631-9241)
8URVTAB SURVEY ANALYSIS SOFTWARE
Easy lo use system lor entering, editing, ana-
lyzing data from survey questionnaires. Fre-
quency tabulations. cross-labulatkins, and
"banner" tables SURVTAB for BM PC: $180,
Send $2 50 for sample output Survey con-
sulting servk:es available.
STATISTICAL COMPUTHG CONSTANTS
9025 Andromeda Dr.. Burke, VA 22015
TEXT FILE PRINT FORMATTER
FPRINT DOS ASCI files to BM (EPSON) printer
with current date, filename, dale last updated,
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THE AGE OF ALTAIR/DAVID BUNNELL and EDDIE CURRIE
Solder to the Right of Them,
Solder to the Left of Them . . .
Part Three.
To the hobbyisl, a beautifuJ circuit board was a sight to behold.
The personaJ computer traces its roots back to the Altair computer, first
manufactured in January 1975 by Mits, Inc., a small company that came from the
desert sands of Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the next two and a half years,
Mits, Inc. so dominated this new-found market that the company literally defined
personal computing. David Bunnell and Eddie Currie were both uniquely involved
in the beginning of personal computing as Mits' vice presidents. Together in this
exclusive PC series, they tell the story of The Age of Altair.
The era of the computer kit builder
blossomed rapidly with the advent
in 1975 of the Mits Altair computer.
About once a week a phone call would
filter through "infinite hold" to Dr. Eddie
Currie from an irate customer who had the
audacity to claim that Mits' products were
fraudulently advertised, poorly engi-
neered, provided with second-hand or
otherwise inferior components, and so on.
Closer inspection would often reveal that
this poor soul had, in fact, purchased, with
a significant portion of his or, infrequently,
her savings, an Altair computer system
complete with disk drives, additional
memory and interface circuit boards, and
a reconditioned Teletype machine.
Typically a Mits' irate customer had,
prior to calling Albuquerque, anxiously
assembled one of the many printed circuit
PC MAGAZINE
cards provided by Mits. As this customer
looked up from what three weeks earlier
had been the kitchen table, his gaze fell
upon a sea of cardboard boxes, plastic
bags filled with components of every size,
shape, and description; and notebooks
filled with page after page of detailed
instructions for the assembly of this pre-
cursor to the Cray-1.
One Horrible Flash of Insight
It was at this point that the first true
realization of what he had wrought came
to him in one, horrible flash of insight. The
card he had just painstakingly completed
was weeks, months, or perhaps years from
ever reaching a stage at which it would be
capable of joining its counterparts in a
s>'nergistic role as part of his "COMPUT-
ER." Should, for reasons perhaps beyond
the scope of his understanding, any por-
tion of this monument to technology fail to
work properly— or worse, fail to work at
all— he was impotent to diagnose or repair
it. Most buyers had purchased insufficient
memory for serious use; few had any
input/output device of greater sophistica-
tion than the switches and winking lights
of the front panel; and fewer still had
oscilloscopes and other weaponry with
which to wage an unholy war against bad
solder joints, components soldered in
backwards, broken wires, defective
LEDS, bad switches, etc.— though acid-
core solder seemed to be within every-
one's grasp.
This poor soul had, in a moment of pan-
ic, appealed to the only remedy that could
in his mind ease his growing, gnawing
feeling that he had crossed the microcom-
puter Rubicon. Grasping at straws, he de-
cided to blame Mits for all his woes. Fortu-
nately, this scenario was met with sympa-
thetic understanding, and Mits went to
extremes to extricate him and his fellow
hobbyists.
The Memory is the Thing
The dynamic memory chips that were
the basic building blocks for the first "4K
memory boards" were incredibly complex
devices in and of themselves. In fact, their
technology was at least as sophisticated as
that of the Intel 8080 microprocessor.
The Monostable Multivibrator
Unfortunately, the monostable multi-
vibrator came into its own about the same
time, and this insidious device— claimed
by manufacturers to be useful for, among
other things, pulse generation of select-
able duration— turned out to be better de-
scribed as an excellent device for the gen-
eration of pulses of arbitrary character.
This device was joined with carbon resis-
tors and disk capacitors in an unholy alli-
ance that served to determine an initial
value of what was to be a random walk
through the temporal space of pulse dura-
tion.
What the above meant to the unsus-
pecting hobbyist was that the probability
of getting a 4K memory board to work
when assembled from a kit was remote.
And the likelihood it would continue to
work could easily have been rated zero.
A
THIS
customer looked up
from what three
weeks earlier had
been the kitchen
table . . •
One must recall that the most crucial
element in any computer is the memory.
Ottier elements of the system may exhibit
obstreperous behavior from time to time
that often will remain undetected, but
memory failure is an insidious and dread>
ed malady in any computer system. An as-
semblage of flaky memory boards can
cause even the mod enthusiastic hobbyist
to question the meaning of life.
Furthermore, (bp type of failures and
aberrant behavior qaiued by bad memory
boards is seldom, if ever, repeatable and
therefore virtually impossible to localize.
In feet, a musical coinposition enHtled "If I
Had a 4K Board" and sung to the music of
"If I Were a Rich Man" (which seems a
curiously related topic) was soon sung
from the rooftops.
Ode to Dynamic Memory
Today I got my 4K board in the mail.
It came to me C,O.D.
Hm postman said he dropped it only
twice.
I plugged my 4K board into my Altair
next to the CPU.
I threw the switch.
It worked like a charm
until the 8080 blew.
The smoke poured out
and filled my room.
The CPU turned black.
Then I knew the time had come
to send my Altair back.
The days, the weeks, the months
rolled by
and still no word from A-B-Q.
And then one day a letter said
we have bad news for you.
We tried to fix your machfaie
but we did not succeed.
Chorus:
If we had a 4K board
If we had a 4K board
One 4K that works is all we need
One 4K that works is all we need.
Since reliable, dynamic memory had
proved elusive, static memory rapidly
came into being. 16K static memory proved
to be power hungry, somewhat expensive,
but. most importantly, high^ reliable.
Some dealers would take systems to a po-
tential customer site using static memory
for demonstration and then would substi-
tute 4K dynamic memory systems when
ttie sale was constmimated.
Manufacturers of dynamic RAMS con-
tinued to lobby Mits engineering to pro-
duce 16K dynamic memory cards based
upon the significantly lower components'
cost. However, dynamic RAM cards also
required 15 to 30 Integrated circuits per
16K board to provide dynamic refresh.
This meant lower overall cost but signifi-
cantly greater complexity. One of the larg-
est semiconductor manufacturers in the
world offered to assist Mits with the de-
sign. This was the precursor of what was in
part to lead the ultimate deterioration of
the Altair market.
The Dragon from the Swamp
Following a jomt-development effort
culminating in the Mits 16MCD (for 16
"K" dynamic memory board], the board
was announced at the National Computer
Conference (NCC). Shortly thereafter, one
of the representatives of the semiconduc-
tor manufacturers called to say that the 4K
memory chips used in this board had been
discontinued. This resulted in a succes-
sion of so-called "equivalent compo-
nents" substitutions. Since these compo-
nents were not exact equivalents,
additional uncertainty was introduced.
Thus the groundwork was laid for a drag-
on that would loom up from the swamp.
It should be noted that the hard-
leamed lessons of previous computer gen-
erations failed to prevail in the exploding
microcomputer marketplace. Minicom-
puter manufacturers had learned long ago
that parit\' checking was a must for any
computer system. This is a technique (used
in the IBM PC) whereby one may detect
whether or not one of the eight bits in a
memory cell has changed value. In com-
puter systems it is Important always to
know when errors occur and, where feas-
ible, to correct them. Error correction in
8-bit systems such as the Altair was pro-
hibitively expensive and therefore not
considered. This inability to detect reli-
ably any such errors resulted in endless
frustration to all who attempted to use
such systems. Since such errors were of
the "soft" variet\' (meaning not permanent
failure of a memory chip), these errors
were not repeatable, making diagnosis ex-
tremely difficult.
Transparent Refresh
Furthermore, dynamic memory re-
quired refreshing every two milliseconds.
This meant that all memory must be ac-
cessed every two milliseconds regardless
of anything else that might be occurring.
"Transparent" refresh was soon employed
in an effort to avoid conflict with CPU at-
tempts to access memory. This board al-
lowed refresh only when the CPU was
busy with activities not requiring memory
access. Interestingly enough, it was the re-
quirement for "transparent" refresh that
was to contribute heavily to the wide-
spread use of the Z-80. This single-power-
supply chip provided refresh addrowing.
which reduced the component count for
dynamic memory, and contributed signifi-
cantly to more reliable dynamic memory
designs. Early proponents of this 8080 su-
perset believed that the Z-80's significant-
ly greater instruction set would force the
8080 into obsolescence. These self-styled
gurus, who surface again and again in
NKNOWN TO
Mife, he carried with
him the seeds of Mits'
ultimate destrucHorL
their role as false prophets of the micro-
computer industry, failed to realize that
the large investment in 8080 software
would not be cast aside.
It was at about this time and against this
background that a man appeared at Mits'
door wearing gold-rimmed glasses, a dark
pin-striped suit, and carrying a small black
briefcase. Unknown to Mits, he carried
with him the seeds of Mits' ultimate de-
struction. /PC
Copyright « 1982, Oovid Bunnell and Ed-
die Currie.
17B
IUNE/)ULY 1982
Copyrighted material
Be fore And After
You Buy Your
IBM Personal Computer
rial
I
I
BOOK EXCERPT/ADAM OSBORNE and DAVID BUNNELL
Illuslrdlions: Shern- Balesira
How Not To Choose
A Microcomputer
An Introduction lo Microcomputers
Volume O: The Beginner's Book
Adam Osborne and David Bunnell
238 pages: $12.50
Used by permission of OSBORNE/
McGraw-Hill. Copyright "^^ 1982, 1979 and
1977 McGraw-Hill. Inc.
This book is uniquely structured to give
readers a choice between two reading lev-
els: general interest and beginning techni-
cal.
The two different levels are accom-
plished by dividing the book into two sec-
tions and by using boldface type to high-
light the book's major concepts. In
addition to reading introductory consum-
er or technical material, you can read on
an in-depth level, or you may choose to
simply skim through the book.
The book offers a lot of ground to cover
and the authors move at a fast pace from
printers to memory storage to application
software to selecting the right computer
system to a beginner's discourse on bits
and bytes.
To keep things from getting too serious,
the breezy, conversational style of the
book is broken for a humorous interlude—
the tale of computer hobbyist Susan Kilo-
byte and her inspired but somewhat bum-
bling boss, Mr. Fogarty. Through these fic-
tional characters, Osborne and Bunnell
explore some of the common pitfalls peo-
ple experience when they decide to enter
the microcomputer age.
The following PC excerpt is from
Chapter Three.
CHOOSING A MICROCOMPUTER
Let's take a look at the many types of
microcomputer systems that are
available today.
In order to help us in this task, meet
Susan Kilobyte, a former computer hob-
byist who recenth' started working as a
customer service representative for Ace
Products.
Back in 1976. when the microcomputer
industry was in its infancy. Susan was one
of those fearless few who built her own
microcomputer from a kit. Since knowl-
edge is worth money, Susan figured that
the time and money she spent building a
kit was worthwhile. She ended up with an
excellent understanding of microcom-
puters—and a lot of useless computer
hardware collecting dust in her basement.
As a result of various misadventures,
Susan Kilobyte no longer had a computer
she could call her own. It was music to her
ears when she heard Mr. Fogarty, her boss,
mumble something about it being time
that Ace Products got a computer. Mr.
Fogarty owned Ace Products, and what-
ever Mr. Fogarty said, people at Ace Prod-
ucts did.
"Mr. Fogarty, I know all about micro-
computers," Susan said. "In fact. I built
my own computer once. I'd love to help
you get a computer for Ace Products.
These days you can get some great micro-
computer systems for less than $10,000."
But Mr. Fogarty had his own ideas
about economical microcomputers. Reach-
ing into his pocket, he pulled out a page
torn from a magazine.
"I don't know about $10,000 systems."
he said. "I'm thinking more about spend-
ing a couple of hundred bucks."
In dismay Susan Kilobyte watched Mr.
Fogarty lay the magazine page on his desk
and smooth out the wrinkles. It advertised
a Sinclair ZX80 personal computer, cost-
ing less than $200.
"Oh, Mr. Fogarty." Susan said. "That's
a toy. You can't do a thing with that."
"That's not what the ad says." Mr.
Fogarty replied.
"But you need a display. What are you
going to use for a display?" Susan asked.
"The ad says I can use a television."
Mr. Fogarty replied. "There's that TV set
here in my office which I never use. We'll
start with it."
"And wherever are you going to store
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your programs? Or your data?" Susan
asked.
"Look, it says right here," Mr. Fogart\
stuck his finger into the middle of the ad.
"You just use cassette tapes. Get that old
tape faooider bom the storeroom. Nobody
uses it anymore."
"But you'll need a printer. How do you
print results?" Susan persisted.
"Printer? Who needs a printer?" Mr.
Fogarty asked. "This computer's for Jack.
He does all the bookkeeping and all the
calculating by hand, and he doesn't get it
right every time either. Now the computer
can do the calculating, and Jack can write
down the results."
"But you don't understand!" Susan
Kilobyte wailed. "It doesn't work that way.
If you buy a cheap computer, you're just
wasting your money."
"Maybe you're right, but if you are, I'm
not wasting a whole lot of it," Mr. Fogarty
said. "Not like Fred Butler down the road.
He bought a computer for more than twen-
ty grand more than a year ago. It still isn't
doing anything except taking up space."
UPS delivered Ace Products' micro-
computer some weeks later. The ZX80 is
the size of a small book.
Mr. Fogarty, murmuring approvingly,
hovered over Susan Kilobyte, while she
unpacked the box, read the accompanying
documentation, and then connected the
computer to a tape cassette drive and a
television set.
Until the computer actually arrived,
jack had looked upon the whole escapade
as the type of a folly bosses indulge in
when they have nothing better to do.
Apart from a comment that "at least Mr.
Fogarty was only spending a couple of
hundred dollars," Jack had assiduously
avoided involving himself in the hare-
brained scheme. Now that the computer
had actually arrived, he continued to keep
his distance; but on a couple of occasions,
curiosity overwhelmed his suspicions, and
he walked in on the computer instullation
ceremony on a pretext. On the third such
visit Mr. Fogarty spoke up.
"Jack," he said, "I think you should
stick around. When Susan has taught you
how to use this thing, it will be all yours."
"Not that I ever asked for it" lack re-
plied, but he stayed.
By now Susan had the computer con-
nected to Mr. Fogarty's television set and
tape recorder. They were ready to go.
"Where's the computer?" Jack asked.
"Inside here," Susan tapped the box
commended Mr.
Fogarty for wasting
only a couple of
h undred dollars on his
computer foolishness.
But Mr. Fogarty was
not convinced.
right behind the keyboard.
"That tiny thing? That's a computer?"
Jack exclaimed. "I thought computers had
switches and lights and things all over
them."
"They did," said Susan, "but no more.
Actually, a few microcomputers still have
front panels with switchesand lights," she
added, trying to be very precise. "But that
stuff is no longer a necessity. In fact, it costs
more to build a front panel than it costs to
build a computer."
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FC MAGAZINE
Copyrighted matsrial
"Where's the keyboard?" Jack eyed the
ZX80 with deep suspicion.
"Right here. Look." The keyboard ap-
peared to be printed on a piece of thin
plastic.
"That's not a keyboard! It doesn't have
any keys. It's only a picture of a keyboard,"
jack protested.
"It's a keyboard, " Susan stated authori-
tatively. "Some calculators have key-
boards like this one. Some elevator switch-
es work like this." jack was not convinced.
"It's cheap," Susan added.
"Yes," lack said very slowly, agreeing
for the first time.
Creating a Program and
Making it Work
Fred Fogarty decided that Ace Prod-
ucts' microcomputer should begin earning
its keep by helping lack pay bills, lb ac-
complish this task, Susan wrote a program
on a piece of paper, using a programming
language. The program had to be very
small, because the ZX80 microcomputer
does not have much memory in which to
store programs.
When Susan had finished writing her
program on a piece of paper, she entered it
into the ZX80 microcomputer's memnn
via the keyboard. This is a straightforward
process on any modem microcomputer.
All Susan had to do was connect power to
thfi ZX80 and start tapping keys. The ZX80
assumes that you are entering a program
until you tap appropriate keys telling it
that you are doing something else.
Things were not always that simple,
and creating a program is a good deal more
complex on most large microcomputers.
(We will discuss the reasons in later chap-
ters.)
Since Susan's program was short, it did
not take her very long to key the whole
thinjj intr) the ZXRO micrncnmpnter. When
advertised a
Sinclair ZX80
personal computer,
costing less
than $200.
the job was done, Susan touched a control
key that said RUN on it. This caused the
ZX80 to execute her program.
Error Message
A message at the bottom of the screen
told Susan that there were errors in her
program.
Susan first made sure that the program
as recorded by the microcomputer was the
same as the program she wrote down on a
piece of paper. If Susan had pressed the
wrong key at some point, the two programs
would now differ.
It is easy to look at programs stored in
the ZX80. or in any other microcomputer's
memon,'. On the ZX80 there is LIST key.
Susan touched this key and there ap-
peared as much of her program as would
fit on the television screen.
After carefully examining the program
as displayed, Susan discovered that she
had pressed the wrong key in two differ-
ent places. The program as displayed was
not the same as the program die wrote.
Susan corrected the program as stored
by typing correct words in the place of in-
correct ones.
Again, Susan pressed the RUN control
key and again a message on the television
screen told Susan that her program had
mistakes in it.
Susan want back to her handwritten
program. By now Mr. Fogarty was making
Susan nwDUs, so Susan went back to her
office and looked the program over. She
promised to call Mr. Fogarty once the pro-
gram was correct and running.
Debugging
What Susan is doing is referred to as
debugging a program. Computer program-
mers refer to errors as bugs; hence the
term debugging.
There are many ways in which errors
can get into a computer program.
Types of Errors
You might touch the wrong key when
entering the program with the keyboard;
these errors are the price that Susan and
poor typists pay for their lack of keyboard
proficiency.
In addition to keyboard errors, most
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Copyrighted material
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programs when first written contain sim-
ple programming errors, meaning that
program statements do not accomplish the
task that the programmer intended. This
can result from misunderstanding the pro-
gramming language, or simply not keeping
track of details. Now the programmer's
task is much like a doctor's; given the
symptoms the programmer must find the
cause. The program must be rewritten to
eliminate problems, and corrections must
be typed into the computer— making sure
that no new keyboard errors are intro-
duced.
Finally, when the program is running
and executing correctly, you may well dis-
cover that you misunderstood the prob-
lem. The program is wrong, not because it
contains any program errors, but because
you misunderstood the task. And the
whole correction cycle begins anew.
Saving a Program
Although Susan's program was short,
she did not want to reenter it via the key-
board (and correct keyboard errors) each
time the program was to be run. Instead.
Susan saved her program on cassette tape.
That way she could load it back from cas-
sette tape into the ZX80 memory before
running it. In order to save the program on
cassette tape. Susan connected the ZX80
microcomputer to the cassette recorder's
microphone input, touched the SAVE key
and waited.
At a later date she would be able to load
her program from cassette tape into mem-
ory by connecting the ZX80 to the cassette
recorder's earphone outlet and pressing
the LOAD key.
As this simple sequence demonstrates,
there is really no difference between re-
cording your voice, or a program, on cas-
Introduction to the Authors
Adam Osborne, who co-authored
"An Introduction to Microcomputers;
Vol. 0. The Beginner's Book" (excerpted
in this month's issue), is renowned in the
microcomputer industn,' as the visionary
who created the first portable computer,
the Osborne I.
Osborne, 43, was born in Bangkok,
Thailand of British. Buddhist-missionary
parents. He received his B.S. in Chemi-
cal Engineering from the University of
Birmingham. England, and his Ph.d. in
Chemical Engineering from the Univer-
sity of Delaware.
In 1970 he founded his own computer
company, Osborne and Associates. The
firm offered programming and technical
writing consultation to the microcom-
puter industr\'. and also designed micro
components into comprehensive sys-
tems.
In 1975 Osborne authored "An Intro-
duction to Microcomputers. Volume I," a
book that was well-received in the mi-
crocomputer and electronics industries.
The book acted as a springboard for Os-
borne Associates to focus on micro-elec-
tronics publishing. Over the next few
years, Osborne published dozens of
seminal and authoritative publications,
including "The Business Systems Buy-
er's Guide," "The Apple II User's
Guide", and "The CP/M User's Guide."
The company was sold to McGraw-Hill
in 1979.
At the end of 1980 Osborne founded
the Osborne Computer Company in
Hayward, California. The company
manufactured the first Osborne I in )une
1981. addressing the consumer's need for
a low-cost, portable computer. To date
approximately 20,000 Osborne Comput-
ers have been shipped to firms all over
the world.
Adam's co-author. PC Publisher Da-
vid Bunnell, was managing editor at OS-
BORNE/McGraw-Iiill prior to the
launching of PC. A pioneer in the micro-
computer industry, he traces his roots
back to the first microcom|)uter.
182
PC MAGAZINE
ilerlal
sette tape. To record your voice, you use a
microphone; to record a program, you con-
nect the computer to the tape drive, as you
would a microphone.
ROM
Consider for a moment the many tasks
which Susan's ZX80 microcomputer per-
formed automatically. All of the "intelli-
gence" that it, or any other microcomputer,
displays is derived from programs that
someone wrote and built into the micro-
computer as a permanent part of the ma-
chine. These programs are stored in Read-
only Memory (usually referred to as
ROM). A read-only memory, as its name
implies, can have its contents read, but can
never be written into. The contents of a
read-only memory are defined when the
device is manufactured.
System Software
Every microcomputer has built-in pro-
grams that give the microcomputer its in-
telligence. In small microcomputers like
the ZX80, all of these built-in programs are
provided in ROM. Larger microcomputers
have additional programs on floppy disk
or cassette that are automatically read into
the microcomputer's read-write memory
and executed as needed. These programs
are collectively referred to as the micro-
computer's system software.
Applications Software
In contrast, the term appiications soft-
ware is used to describe programs you
write (or someone writes for you) to make
the microcomputer perform your tasks.
At this point there is nothing more you
need to know about a microcomputer's
system software other than the fact that
such programs exist. Later, we will de-
scribe in more detail the functions per-
formed and the qualities you should seek
in system software.
Running a Program
By the time Susan got her program
working properly, the microcomputer had
ceased to be a novelty, and Mr. Fogarty
was no longer demanding that he be pres-
ent when anything happened— a develop-
ment which, as far as Susan was con-
cerned, had not come a day too soon.
lack's suspicions of the microcomputer
were as strong as ever, but he decided that
he had better cooperate. So he sat down
with Susan, resigned to doing his best.
Susan's program created a list of ac-
count information for everyone who rou-
tinely sold goods or services to Ace Prod-
ucts. The list was stored on cassette tape.
Susan used two cassette tapes, one to hold
her program, the other to store account in-
formation.
)ack brought a stack of bills and depos-
ited them next to the microcomputer.
Here's what Susan had to do. First she
loaded her program cassette into the cas-
sette drive. She then connected the cas-
sette drive monitor outlet to the ZX80
microcomputer's earphone input, pressed
the ZX80 LOAD key, and loaded her pro-
gram from the cassette into the ZX80 mem-
ory.
Once she loaded her program into
memory, Susan had to rewind and remove
the program cassette. Then she had to
place her account information cassette in
the cassette drive.
Susan's program was then ready to run.
Her program read account information off
the cassette for the first account and dis-
Sove
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played it on the television set. Susan up-
dated information for this account show-
ing new bills received and checks paid.
Susan was now ready to write the updated
account information back to a cassette;
this she could do in one of two ways: she
could have one cassette per account, or
she could keep information for all ac-
counts on a single cassette.
Let's look at the trade-offs facing
Susan, depending on which strategy' she
selects.
Back-up Data
If Susan decides to have one cassette
per account, then she can. if she wishes,
rewrite the updated account information
back to the same cassette from which she
has initially read the account information.
Why? Because rewriting the information
back to the same cassette would be equiv-
alent to erasing everything that was on the
cassette and putting all new information
onto it. Therefore, no misalignment would
be likely to occur. But Susan would not be
likely to rewrite new information on the
old cassette for a totally different reason:
she needs a back-up cassette.
What if a cassette is damaged? Or what
if she puts the wrong cassette into the drive
at some point? In all data processing appli-
cations it is imperative that you keep
copies of all data to guard against such
disasters. Instead of writing updated ac-
count information back over the old ac-
count cassette, Susan must write the new
information to a new cassette.
The problem with having a separate
cassette for each account is that Susan
would soon have a closet full of cassette
tapes. For example, if Ace Products had
200 active vendors, Susan would need 400
tape cassettes. The cost of the cassettes
would exceed the cost of the microcom-
puter. But far worse, Susan would be faced
with problems making sure that she prop-
erly labeled all her cassettes. Moreover,
she would be presented with an unreason-
able number of opportunities to place the
wrong cassette in a cassette drive and
throw the entire payables operation into
disorder.
Susan's alternative solution is to store
information for a large number of ac-
counts on a single cassette. Suppose, for
example, Susan could store information
for 50 accounts on a single 90-minute cas-
sette tape. Information for 200 vendors
could then be stored on four cassette tapes.
in which case eight cassettes would suffice
if Susan maintained back-ups.
Susan chooses to store information for
50 accounts on a single cassette tape. This
decision is not based on her knowledge of
computer operations; rather. Susan is
frightened of what Mr. Fogart>' w^ill say
when presented with a S1200 bill for 600
cassette tapes.
But after Susan put information for 50
accounts on a single cassette tape, she ex-
perienced a nightmare when she ran the
program.
Handling the first account was easy;
Susan placed the "New Data" cassette in
the tape drive, read the first account infor-
mation off the tape, and removed it. Susan
then placed a blank cassette in the tape
drive and wrote updated information for
the first account at the beginning of this
blank cassette tape. This became the
"New Data" cassette. The old "New Data"
tape became the "Old Data" tape.
Susan carefully took out the new New
Data tape without rewinding it. She want-
ed to put it back in the drive and write the
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ANNOUNCING NEW PRODUCTS:
Spellguard now available
for your IBM Personal Computer ™
with either
DOS OR CP/M 86™
Astonishing reliability- used daily by thousands and has 30 day
limited warranty. Easy for beginners, with instructions on screen
for each step, and all responses just one keystroke. Numerous advanced
features- add words to the dictionary with one keystroke and build
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The Plaij Building
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''iv'Tbmi' Tel (4151326 0806
Excellent dealer opportunities!
DiKiul R.-»jrch, J
pjufK r.t,.v.-.(.A (jive US a call today.
lUNE/jULY 1982
185
second account's new information imme-
diately after the first account. Susan tried
removing the Old Data cassette without
rewinding it, so she could immediately
read information for the next account.
This method worked most of the time, but
sometimes she did not stop the tape quick-
ly enough after reading one record. To re-
position the tape Susan had to rewind it
and read each record up to the one she
now needed.
By the time Susan and lack had looked
at five accounts. Jack was convinced that
his suspicions of the microcomputer were
well-founded. Waiting for the cassette
drive was getting downright tedious.
"I don't like this microcomputer thing,"
Jack grumbled. "I could do the job faster
by hand." And for the balance of accounts,
he proved his point by doing things the old
way while the microcomputer did them
the new way. With each new account |ack
got further and further ahead of the micro-
computer.
At this unfortunate moment Mr.
Fogarty walked in to see how things were
going.
"Just fine," Jack said, beaming from ear
to ear. "I am doing it by hand faster than
the microcomputer." Mr. Fogarty laughed
nervously, unsure whether Jack was jok-
ing or serious. His laugh turned to a sour
grin when he realized [ack was serious.
Alt
this unfortunate
moment Mr. Fogarty
walked in to see how
things were going.
Susan explained the problem. With
one cassette drive they had to wait forever
while she swapped cassettes. "This,"
Susan explained, "was because the micro-
computer had to read an account's data,
update it, then write the data out."
"We need two cassette drives," Susan
said, "and the ZX80 doesn't allow two cas-
sette drives. With two cassette drives I
could read old records from a cassette in
one drive, and write new records to a cas-
sette in the other. Then I could at least
keep up with Jack, even if I didn't get
ahead of him."
Mr. Fogarty decided to think about this
problem. And during the next few weeks
Jack presented Mr. Fogarty with an addi-
tional problem.
Jack hated the ZX80 keyboard.
Touch Switch Keyboard
Susan explained that it was a touch
switch keyboard. Touch a key and the mi-
crocomputer senses the touch. Jack knew
how to type, and typists rest their finger-
tips on the typewriter keys. When using a
typewriter, this causes no problems, but
Jack could not rest his fingertips on touch
switch keys, because every touch became
a keystroke.
Touch switch keyboards are fine for
typists who only use one finger, like Susan,
but as far as Jack was concerned, the ZX80
had to go.
And there was the problem of a printer.
THE PERSONAL INVESTOR
Consistently making money
in the stoclt marltet requires
^ time consuming hard work.
^N^v^ Successful investors spend
>v hours scanning stacks of
publications looking for information on their
investment interests. They keep up to the
minute and accurate records, analyze their
holdings, and keep a sharp eye on stock prices
and volumes. The Personal Investor software
does the time consuming work, and gives you
the facts you need to make wise investment
decisions.
The News/T erminal automatically connects
your computer with the Dow Jones News/
Retrieval Service or manually to other terminal
services to collect financial news and reports.
The Stock Portfolio records and reports on
stock purchases, commissions, dividends and
splits. It also keeps a sales transaction ledger
that helps you with your taxes and shows
actual profits and losses (after commissions).
The portfolio can be manually updated or
automatically updated by the Dow Jones
service.
Quotations on the stocks in your portfolio and
any stocks you add to that list are collected
each time the portfolio is updated by the
Dow Jones service. These quotes are stored
and can be viewed on the monitor screen or
printed.
The IBM PC version requires 128K and one disit drive
($145.00). The Apple II version requires 48K and one or two
drives ($95.00). Tha Dow Jon»M Nmw/Ratriaval Sarviea la
a tradamark of and is told by Dow Jonas and Company Inc.
Tha Parsonal Invastor can be purchased from many
Computarland and other retail computer stores. For more
information or the location of your nearest dealer call or
write:
PBL Corporation
P.O. Box 559
Wayzata MN 55391
612 473-3769
C O R r 0 N I
Th« InvMtmant
Softwar* Company
166
PC MAGAZINE
Reading information off the television
screen in order to write checks was very
tedious. If the microcomputer was going to
keep records, why couldn't it type checks?
Furthermore, there was no way |ack could
keep ail of his accounts payable records on
cassette tapes, with no printed copy. What
if a cassette tape was damaged? What if
the computer stopped working? He insist-
ed on having ledgers that he could read.
And he knew that the auditors would in-
sist on such printed records. Thus, |ack
had the choice of taking all the informa-
tion stored on a cassette tape and writing it
out by hand— which defeated the purpose
of having a microcomputer— or convinc-
ing Mr. Fogart\' to buy a printer for the
microcomputer.
It was becoming clear to Mr. Fogarty
that you could not buy a microcomputer
for less than $200 and do data processing
with it.
THOUGHT
computers had
switches and lights
and things all
over them.
Jack felt that the sensible thing to do
would be to take the dumb little computer
and throw it out. He commended Mr.
Fogarty for wasting only a couple of hun-
dred dollars on his computer foolishness.
But Mr. Fogarty was not convinced.
True, Susan Kilobyte had not succeed-
ed in creating a successful payables sys-
tem, but computers, like any other prod-
ucts, must offer better models for more
money, and Ace Products had certainly
started at the bottom end of the economic
spectrum. Moreover, Susan had warned
Mr. Fogarty that the ZX80 was great for
learning about microcomputers, but it was
incapable of handling real data process-
ing.
So Mr. Fogarty took the little ZX80 mi-
crocomputer home and spent a few even-
ings playing with it. That was sufficient to
teach him what Susan had been saying
about computers and programming. He
was now ready to explore the market—
with Susan Kilobyte's help. /PC
Move up to WordStcn:'*
We feel WoidStai* is the most advanced word processing program yet
oflered lor the IBM PC* * * . We like MaUMerge* as an excellent tile tool allow-
ing "personalized" form letters and mailing list labels For a limited time DSR
is offering these new programs at considerable savings, and we are even
willing to give a credit for Easy Writer" and other softwear programs Write
for DSR catalog and cpjotation on trade-In value of your present software
WordStar*
without trade-in
$350.00
(regularly S49500)
WordStar*
with Easy Writer
trade-in
$300.00
MoilMerge*
$75.00
(regularly
SlSDOO)
p)usSSOOpostageai>dhandlma Maryland resdertlsoddS^soles lax
Credit CQDCd oidets, caU 800/34S4112
in PennsTlvcmia caU 600/662-2444
Mail orders send check, money order VISA or MasierCard number
and expiration date and EosyWriter"* senal number
DSR Electronics
PO Box 34413
West Bethesda, MD 20817-0413
Telephone 301/469-8101
Telex 89-7423
•Trademark ol MicroPro International Corporation
■ ■Reoisterod Trademark ol Inlonrration Unlimited Software Inc
• " "Trademark ol International Business Machines Corporation
DSR Electronics is a division ol
DSS Intematioiial, Inc.
1835 K Street NW, Suite 600. Woshingtoa EX: 2(XO6-1240
Announcing The System Solution
Integrating Software and Hardware with
IBM PC Equivalent Documentation
SOFTWARE (AW Software requires 64K, IBM DOS and 1 Disk Drive)
• PC/GAMES I— An anthology of 5 games; BLACKJACK. GOLLUM'S TUNNEL,
MORTAR, MARS LANDER, and KISMET $ 20
• PC/FORMAT— Allows for fast creation of screen formats. Includes user-callable
subroutines whicti control all screen and keytward I/O. Supported by FORTRAN.
PASCAL, and BASIC $ 99
• PC/HASP— A HASP/RJE Workstation emulator. Supports single line printer,
reader, and punch streams. Available 8/82.
• PC/100-2— A program which patches IBM DOS to support the TANDON TM100-2
double-sided drives $ 20
HARDWARE (Personal Systems Technology, INC.)
— One year warranty —
• 64K Expandable (256K) RAM Board $299
• 128K Expandable (256K) RAM Board $450
• 256K RAM Board $750
• 64K Expansion Kit for RAM Board $175
• Dual-Line Asynchronous Controller Board $159
LITERATURE
• Discount Buyer s Guide to the IBM PC $ 3
Cal Residents Add 6% Sales Tax MC/VISA accepted
HardvuareiSollware include S3 50 shipping and handling
IVIICRO EXPRESS (714) 859-7575
3857 Birch Street, Ste. 109, Newport Beach, California 92660
lUNE/IULY 1982
187
Cl,
PC/FORTH
Why you should try FORTH on your IBM® Personal Computer . . .
• FORTH is interactive and conversational like BASIC
• FORTH's performance is fdr superior to ordinary interpreted languages, and v/hen
carefully tuned can approach the speed of equivalent assembly language programs
• FORTH's compiler includes constructs that support modular, structured programming
• FORTH is largely written in itself and is highly portable (can you imagine a BASIC
interpreter written in BASIC?)
• FORTH includes a user-controlled virtual memory facility for program text and data
• FORTH permits easy user definition of new data types and control structures.
The PC/FORTH package includes the FORTH interpreter/compiler with virtual memory management, a full screen
(visual) editor optomized for the PC graphic display capabilities, a true 8086 assembler with local labels, a
reverse translator, debugging aids, utilities, and a 1 50 page manual. FORTH "screens" are stored in standard
random access disk files and may coexist with other program and data files. The FORTH vocabulary has been
extended to give full access to all operating system facilities including file and record management. Optional
extension packages for data base management, floating point math, and advanced color graphics are also
available.
Software developers: our version of the Nautilus FORTH Cross-Compiler allows you to create dedicated disk or
ROM-based applications written in FORTH. "Headerless" programs may be generated which are extremely
compact, efficient, and are nearly impossible to disassemble.
Current prices for PC/FORTH and extensions are given below. Shipping by UPS or first class mail within USA or
Canada included. California residents add appropriate sales tax. Purchase orders accepted at our discretion. No
credit card orders.
PC/FORTH (Specify CP/M-86® or PC/DOS) $100.00
Software floating point extensions $ 1 00.00
Intel 8087 floating point extensions $100.00
Advanced color graphics extensions $100.00
Data base management extensions $200.00
Nautilus Cross Compiler (PC/FORTH also required) $300.00
Laboratory Microsystoms
4147 Beethoven Street
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(213) 306-7412
CP/M is □ registered trodemaHt of Digital Reseorch, Inc
IBM ii o registered Irodemarli of Inlemationol Business Macfiines Corp
Micro Match solves the IBM PC
expansion puzzle.
MM64 MEMORY BOARD
* Expands in 64K increments
* Includes sockets for all RAM
* RAM test program included
* 5 year warranty
* Parity ....MM64-1( 64K)$400.
MM64-2(128K)$510.
MM64-3(192K)$620.
MM64-4(256K)$730.
*64K Expansion Kit (9 chips)
Expands MM64 memory $108.
TANDON TM100-1
DISK DRIVE
* Installation instructions
included
*IBM PC compatible $275.
Lmicr
Personal Computer
PROTOTYPING BOARD
* Provision for rear panel
connector
* Full size
* Bracket and card guide included
* Accommodates all DIPS $50.
EXTENDER BOARD
* Extends any IBM PC board for
easy servicing $45.
* Send for our free Catalog
To order: Send check or Money
Order (US only). Add $3.50 for
Shipping and Handling. California
residents add 6% sales tax. Master
Card/VISA accepted.
Products
Quality Product
10343 Commerce Ave • Tujunga, CA 91042 • (213)353-5929
TAPE BACKUP!
IZVi MEGABYTE TAPE CARTRIDGE DRIVE
High-density backup is a must for business applications. The TG-2200
Tape Drive provides backup capability as a companion to the
TO- 1000/ 1200 HardFile.
SPEED
The full 12Vi Megabytes of the TG-1200 is written to tape in ap-
proximately 4 minutes. A full "SAVE" operation, including a pre-
erase and post-verify takes approximately 10 minutes. Partial saves
can be accomplished in less time. And with no operator intervention
once the "SAVE" or "UNSAVE" operation has begun.
SIZE
A standard DC-300XLHD cartridge can hold the full 12V'2 Megabytes
of the TG-1200 HardFile. One cartridge replaces more than 10 of the
largest 8" diskettes, or up to 80 mini-diskettes.
INTERFACE
A cable from the TG-2200 plugs into a special connector on the
TG-1000/1200 HardFile. The Tape unit is an accessory to the HardFile
unit and derives all control and data from the HardFile. No additional
interface cards or cables are required by the Tape unit.
FEATURES
• 12'/2 Megabyte formatted capacity using DC-300 XL Hi-density
cartridge
• Complete package, includes tape drive, power supply, cabinet,
interconnect cable, software
• Plugs into TG-1000/1200 HardFile unit
• 2-level error control with 40 bit CRC/ECC
OPERATION
"Data streaming" is used to copy entire surfaces of the HardFile onto
individual tracks of the tape. This is the fastest, most efficient way
of getting data from disk to tape. The tape thus stores an image of the
specified disk's contents. Transfer to/from tape is done on a per-drive
basis, and is a function of how the user has configured his HardFile.
WARRANTY
Parts and labor for a period of 90 days. Extended service contracts
are available.
Tallgrass
Technologies
Corporation
Available at participating
ComputerLand stores.
9207 Cody
Overland Park, Kansas 66214
(913)492-6002
Qualify Computer Services presents. .
tefd Disl^Systems
For TRS: Apple:HedtK,S-100 JBM
6,12,20,40arKj 60 Megabyte systems
Completely assembled and tested subsystem including:
• Switching power supply
• Winchester drive
• Host adapter card
• Sealed case
• Expansion
The encioser, controller
and power supply have been
designed to allow for future
backup hardware or increased
storage
• Software
• Auto attach CP/M*
• Hard disic utilities
• Real time clock
Formatting program
Assigns alternate sectors
tor any weak sectors detected
during formatting assuring
the lowest possible error ratt
Warranty: The system has a full one year
warranty on all parts and workmanship
• Also available: attach for TRSOOS,
OASIS', Apple DOS
• Optional sy*" floppy (shown)
• Rei
OURPRKES^SEUaiON
AND SAME-DAY SHIPPING
MAKE IIS (OMPEnnYL
OURPEOPIE MAKE US EXPERTS.
RedBarolu
Home of the Notion^s Largest Computer Printer Imrentory^
NEC 8023
Outstanding Graphics, Print
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144 X 160 dots/inch • Proportional Spacing
• Lower case descenders • N x 9 dot matrix
• 8 character sizes • 5 unique alphatiets
• Greek character set • Graphic symtxils
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seeking * Adjustable tractors • Single-sheet
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NEC 8023 ^OmII
Dot Matrix List $795 9l#ail
Televideo CRTs
Price, Performance & Reliability
910 List $699 $600
925 List $995 $750
950 List $1195 $970
IDS Paper Tiger
Prism 80/132
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Dot Resolution Graphics • 9-wlre staggered
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NEC Spinwriter
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ribbon • Optional cut-sheet feeder, horizontal
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NEC Spinwriter RO
Serial Parallel 77xx List $3055 $2575
35xx List $2290 $1975
The Epson Series
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Other Quality Printers
at Red Baron
Utt Discount
Anadex 9501 $1 650 $1 300
C.Koh 8510 Prowritar $795 SCall
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Tractor Option $48
Our People, Our Producfc
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Red Baron is an organization of compu-
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Here's How To Orden
Phone orders are welcome; same-day ship-
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use of MasterCard and Visa. CCD's accepted.
Personal checks require 2 weeks clearance.
Manufacturer's warranty included on all
equipment. Prices subject to revision.
Call For Free Catalog:
1-800-854-8275
OA, AK, HI (714) 630-3322
RedBaion
■
Member Better Business Bureau
COMPUTER PRODUCTS
1100 N.TUSTiN
ANAHEIM. CA92806~
Interface Equipment
Complete Stock of Options.
Cables and Accessories.
GRAPPLER APPLE INTERFACE $175
CCS APPLE SERIAL Interface & Cable $150
ORANGE INTERFACE for Apple II
Parallel Interlace Board and Cable . . $110
NOVATION D-CAT
direct connect modem SI SO
COMPLETE STOCK OF EPSON
ACCESSORIES SCall
CUSTOM PRINTER CABLES FOR Apple.
Atari. IBM. TRS-80 (all models) SCall
HAYES MICROMODEM S300
PRINTER STANDS: Large $99
Small $25
PRINTER RIBBONS-Most Typac SCall
EDUCATION/DR. EDMUND SKELLINGS
Revealing the Poef s Tools
Using PC's color display to leach the tricks of the poet's trade.
d ^
¥our our
^^^hf f ov^^^ ''''
Poet and ( (iuculor Ed SkelUngs used to
use colored chalks on a bJackboard to help
his students understand the techniques of
the poet's craft. Now, with the help of
some graphics and display management
programs under development by IBM's
Hal Jennings, he has traded in his black-
board for a color video projector connect-
ed to an IBM Personal Computer.
The IBM Personal Computer is
ideally suited for a systematic en-
hancement of computer programs
which, in the past, were merely mono-
chrome: word-processing, accounts re-
ceivable, inventory, graphic plotting, and
management information systems gener-
1
ally. But it is in education and training that
the system offers some of the most striking
possibilities for the functional use of col-
or-coded displays that inform faster and
with greater retention.
In poetry, text and language appear at
their most compressed and words are in-
terrelated in both meaning and sound pat-
tern—much can be demonstrated in a lit-
tle space. I have attempted in these slides
taken from IBM color text displays to illus-
trate some initial steps toward animated
color education.
The Peter Piper slides show various
features of why this little riddle has been
I rememl)ere(l by generations. Not only the
high number of p's, but other patterns as
well have worked upon our subliminal
memory, especially the falling trochee
rhythm pattern, which operates against a
language fundamentally iambic and ris-
ing, and which has been at work, quietly
emphatic.
Even in the more relaxed prose of Lin-
coln, the patterns that make it truly memo-
rable can be made evident by the skillful
application of color to demonstrate why
we have held that short speech in high re-
gard for so many years.
There is not a single area in which a
serious programmer will not find color im-
mediately relevant to his own application,
for color is not simply here to stay; it has
been built by nature into the eye itself,
ready for the thinker to come designing.
Dr. Edmund SkeJiings is a professor at
Florida International University and the
Poet Laureate of the State of Florida. He
has also been granted a U.S. patent
(n4,270,284} relating to uses of color to
communicate information via computer
displays.
192
PC MAGAZINE
IBM'S DOS or CP/M-86?
Confused abcut operating system options for your
IBM Personal Computer? HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
Wrm LIFEBOAT S CP/M-86 EMULATOR. The
CP/M-86 emu ator solves the problem by per-
mitting you to use all the software written for
IBM's PC for both DOS and CP/M-86.
This high performance, low cost DOS utility al-
lows you to fully integrate and mix programs.
You can use a DOS editor to write a program,
compile it under a CP/M-86 compiler and exe-
cute the finished application under DOS.
The CP/M-86 emulator extends the scope and
capacity of all ofyour software. With the CP/M-86
emulator, CP/M-86 programs run quicker with
faster file access than with CP/M-86 itself.
Additionally, your program will enjoy all the other
DOS advantages, such as large file size, dated direc-
tory displays, and more. The DOS peripherals are al-
ready installed and DOS commands are fully available.
The package even contains a utility program to trans-
fer programs and data files from a CP/M-86 diskette to
a standard DOS diskette.
NO NEED TO LEARN A NEW SET OF UTILITIES AND
COMAAANDS;
NO NEED TO END UP WITH TWO INCOMPATIBLE
SETS OF DISKETTES;
NO NEED TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS
ON CP/M-86, WHEN THE CP/M-86 EMULA-
TOR COSTS $75.
NO NEED TO WONDER WHICH
OPTION IS BEST FOR YOUR IBM
PERSONAL COMPUTER.
PMATE: Editor-in-Chief
Perform miracles of manipulation on your keyboard with Lifeboat's PMATE.
This new generation text editor is the most sophisticated text editor available today and is bristling with features prev'ously
unavailable on microcomputers, making it ideal for virtually any program or data file editing.
PMATE's command set includes full screen single keystroke editing, horizontal scrolling, automatic disk buffering, macro
command language, text formatting, expression evaluation, conditional branching, I/O with prompting, and other program-
ming language constructs. PMATE makes use of 1 1 buffers for storage, and includes commands permitting work on more
than one text at a time. Unique to PAAATE is the facility for user customization. Keystroke functions can be redefined, and se-
quences can be programmed to directly execute macros. Video commands can be changed, and macro functions can be
written, to emulate any other editor with which you may be familiar. PAAATE provides full side-scrolling, and can be used
with virtually ANV video terminal on the market. IF you use an editor, you need PMATE.
PMATE is the only text editor you'll ever need.
PMATE-86 is available for IBM's Personal Computer DOS, SB-86^^ and MS-DOS^**^. Also available is PMATE for SB-80 and other
CP/M-80-compatible operating systems.
I
Lifeboat Worldwide offers you the world's largest library of software from its offices in the U.S.A., U.K., Switzerland, France,
West Germany and Japan.
For more information, send to:
Lifeboat Associates
1651 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10028
Tel: (212) 860-0300
TWX: 710-581-2524 (LBSOFT NYK)
Telex: 640693 (LBSOFT NYK)
I
SB-80 and SB-86 are trademarks of lifeboat Associates
PWATE and P*AATE-86 are trademarks of Ptioenix Software Asso. Ltd.
MS-DOS IS a trademark of Microsoft, Inc
CP/Ea«JLATOR is a trademark of Lifelxiat Associates.
CP/M-80 and CP/M-86 are registered trademarks of Diqitai Kesearch, Inc
This ad was designed by DocuSei"
Copyrigfit © 1981, by Lifeboat Associates
LIFEBOAT HAS THE ANSWER
I
Cor
Many are the doors that
lead to the undeng^und.
The top prose adventure t>estsellers, ZORK I and ZORK D.
Now available for
Apple II. ATARr400/800. IBM Personal Computer.
NEC PC -8000, CP/M:and PDP'-ll.
Few are they who come back alive.
Your greatest challenges lie ahead— and below.
ZORK I: The Great Underground Empire, and
ZORK II; The Wizard of Frobozz will transcend
any computer age adventure you ve ever
encountered.
Those who live to tell the tale of ZORK's
mysteries speab of becoming immersed in a
dimension where the extraordinary is common-
place, and the dangers are as real as any in
human experience. It is said that once you have
bnown the forbidden realm, you are changed —
and that he who dares ZORK's depths twice will
never be the same again.
Apple Imi rcv;l>li. rL i.l iradcmdrkut Apple Ciimpuii. r Inc ATARI Is a registered
irjilenuirfcnt Auirt Ine CP/M isii rei^isiered iradeniiirkcilDiytlal Research
Inc I'DPisuirciilcmarbolDitfilal Lqulpmcni Ldrporallon
inpocoii\
55 Whcclcr Street. Cambridi^e, MA 02138
Now your door to ZORK has opened to
becbon you below. The journey begins where
Infocom's new worlds of INTERLOGIC" prose
adventure— including the new mystery thriller
DEADLINE™ —await you. at fine computer
stores everywhere.
Open your door to the underground—
here's $2 for openers!
To get your t2 ZC5RK rebate by mail, just send Infcxrom
this coupon with your completed warranty card and
sales slip tromZORK in their orls^inal torm No repro-
ductions will be accepteil Limit 1 rebate tor household,
address t)r orsjanization Otter gix)d only in U S A Void
where prohibited taxed or otherwise restricted Rebate
request must be postmarked betorc midnisght 7/31/82
Infocom is not responsible tor lost late or misdirected
mail Allow 4 to 6 weeks tor ilelivery
Infocom, 55 Wheeler St., Cambridge, MA 02138
OFFER EXPIRES |ULY 31, 1982
D2
Cc
3 Choose from
Intelligent Printers
for your
IBM Personal Computer
The MEC Spinwriter is an
excellent printer. But you
need more — More interfacing
choices, more RAM buffer,
and more word processing
features. So we installed a
specially designed interface
and renamed the printer
SELLGM I. For the past 2
years it's been outselling all
expectations.
Now you have 3 choices of
printers based on the NEC
Spinwriter Series, and the
Fujitsu. All perform beautiful-
ly with the IBM Personal
Computer. They're the
SELLUM SERIES
PRINTERS.
OUTSTANDING FEATURES
Select from either of
these fine printers, and
enjoy many bonus
benefits, such as
• 16K RAM
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Sellum Series Printers also
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Extended 1 30 day ivarranty available.
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Your personal
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Copyrighted material
Our"PersonaI"
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MICROBYTE Add-Ons
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Software Worthy of the IBM-F>C
Why did you buy an IBM-PC rather than some other brand of
computer? We think we know the answer You trust the name
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Why should you select WRITE-ON! as your word processing
program? Because it's totally worthy of your IBM-PC. BYTE
Magazine, for example, said things like: " human engine-
ering is superb . . . commands are easy to learn and use .
the most powerful features found in a microcomputer-
based word processor " Beyond this, WRITE-ON! is fully
supported by Datamosf. Inc . a sound and solid company of
professional specialists
WRITE-ON! can handle all your word processing whether
simple or complex You can set tabs, margins, spacing, with
a keystroke you can move, copy, merge, delete or save
blocks of text And you con save time with its form letter or its
complete mail-merge features What about editing your
letters or documents'' We've made that especially easy
and uncomplicated, by making sure you can use the regu-
lar IBM edit keys.
You'll also appreciate WRITE-ON's capability as a powerful
program editor. Nothing near its price edits BASIC, PASCAL
FORTRAN, COBOL and Assembly Language source code so
well You can even use it to edit VISICALC and accounting
system files
All In all WRITE-ON! is the word processor you can have con-
fidence in the one that delivers the reliability and useful-
ness that make it truly worthy of your personal computer.
And, with all this, it is exceptionally inexpensive. Get your
copy now from your computer store, or from:
T\ DATAMOSH
9748 Cozycroft Ave , Chatsworth CA 91311 (213) 709-1202
PCounsel/K. STEWART EVANS, IR.
Licensing Software
Things you should Icnovi^ be/ore getting into a software h'censiog
agreement.
Do you own the latest super software
package you purchasecf for your PC? May-
be. Maybe you just oivn a license to use it.
Licensing is a typicaJ business practice for
marketen of computersoftivare, especiai-
Jy with high-pou'ered, big-bucks products.
Software for the PC soJd by IBM carries a
ijcensfng qgreement thot stares up at you
from beneath the plastic overwrap and
demands you read and accept it before
opeajng the packqge. Now that softmire
with four-figure prices is being marketed
for the PC, the stalces can be significant, so
your acceptance of any softivore Jicense
ought to be an eyes-open proposition. In
the following articJe, attorney Stetrart
Evans proffers some eye-opening iiints.
License agreements for computer
software are unusual contracts be-
cause they are so carefully tailored
to the requirements of the computer indus-
try. "Boilerplate" contract paragraphs,
which might be useful in drafting most
contracts, are of little help in drafting the
computer software license agreement.
Due to the uniqueness of computer con-
tracts, it is advisable that anyone planning
to enter into a software licensing agree-
ment involving sizeable amounts of mon-
ey have an attorney review the agreement
before it is executed.
Though there are hundreds of danger
points in any software licensing agree-
ment, this article will focus on two major
ones: software description and acceptance
testing.
As a result of either market dominance
or the desirability of the software, licen-
sors are very often in so powerful a bar-
gaining position that they can dictate the
terms of the software licensing agreement.
A prospective licensee may not have the
bargaining leverage to negotiate a more
protective contract; but aware of the dan-
gers and problems in the contract, one can
better assess inherent business risks.
Software Description
There is no ea^y way to identify a soft-
ware product in a license agreement. Sim-
ply referring to the licensor's name for the
software product is, by itself, unaccept-
able. Instead, the functions and programs
that the software can execute should be
described in plain English.
Software licensors often prepare bro-
chures, pamphlets, sample computer runs,
and other materials that are used to pro-
mote the software. The licensee should in-
sist that each item used to promote the soft-
ware be attached to the software license
agreement as an exhibit specifically iden-
tifyini; r,i;;;;lrl-'i.'S ''f 'h' S^' ^ !"tw, i I r alld
J.HEUCENSEE
should insist on a well
drafted description of
the product and its
performance
standards, *
incorporating these terms into the agree-
ment. These materials will be bulky and
difficult to attach to the license agreement,
but the effort can make the difference be-
tween winning or losing a lawsuit.
A judge or jury, who almost certainly
will not be familiar with computers, will
need a simple, clear, and complete de-
scription of what the software is supposed
to do, and there is no substitute for provid-
ing that description in the agreement. If
the licensee can point to a specific portion
of the agreement that says the computer
software will perform a particular func-
tion and then can establish that the soft-
ware, as installed, is not performing that
function, he will most likely win his case.
The Integration Clause
Most contracts contain what is called
an "integration clause," which states that
the written contract and all of its attach-
ments constitute the entire agreement be-
tween the parties. The intent of an integra-
tion clause is to prevmt oral or vrAtbea .
statements made by the licensor, but
which are not specifically made a part of
the final contract, from bdng legally bind-
ing on the licensor. Suppose a salesperson
promises emphatically that certain soft-
ware performs read-after-write verifica-
tion, but in fact, it does not. And suppose
the license agreement contains an integra-
tion clause, but nowhere in the agreement
does it describe "read-after-write verifica-
tion." Legally, it would be very difficult, if
not impossible, for the licensee to argue
successfully that the oral statements about
read-after-write verification became part
of the description of the software.
Avoid agreements with integration
clauses. Oral statements by the licensor's
saleqieople often convince licensees that
Oie software can do what is desired.
Acceptance Testing
After describing the software's capa-
bilities, the license agreement should
clearly establish a test to determine
whether the software product can, in fact,
do what it's supposed to do. Many, if not
most, license agreements provide either
no testing standard or a standard drafted
to ensure that the software will never foil
the test. In addition, such agreements usu-
ally provide that the tests will be conduct-
ed on the licensor's premises and will use
the licensor's data. This is of little value to
the licensee if the software won't operate
on the licensee's hardware with Us data.
Clearly, reasonable testing procedures re-
quire that the test use the actual software
licensed, the licensee's hardware, and the
licensee's raw data.
The technical specifications of the test
must be tailored to the software capabili-
ties being purchased. A clear and detailed
software description in the license agree-
ment will make designing the test and as-
sessing the software's performance eader.
The test should set an objective standard
from which to determine whether or not
the software product meets the perfor-
mance standards. Subjective tests are less
preferable, since they rely on judgment
calls to determine whether the standard
has been met. However, subjective tests
are often unavoidable, because of both the
lUNE/IULY 1962
203
Copyilyikuj iiid^uiial
SAVE YOUR SLOTS!
Seattle 64K Memory/Communicalions Board
Saves 4 slots over IBIVI Expandable
Board S475 Each 64K Addition S200
PLUS — SlOO Credit (rem MicroCorp (or IBM Com
munications boards sent with order
Microsoft 64K Memory Card/Software Package Just
announced' RAM Drive option lets you copy entire
disk into machine memory Read/write at hard disk
speed 50 times faster than a floppy' Soltwarc sup-
ports other systems as well Board/software S495
Each 64K addition S200
WORDSTAR WORDSTAR WORDSTAR
Now available MicroPro s WORDSTAR' Full printer
controls for most standard printers handles docu-
ments larger than memory— All the features that have
made WORDSTAR the world s best-selling word pro-
cessing program PLUS Full support ol IBM/PC (cur-
sor controls Function keys horizontal scrolling and
much more) S495
Optional Mail/Merge (or maillists S150
PLUS S85 credit from MicroCorp for EASYWRITER
when sent with order'
COMMUNICATIONS
IBM COMIM-PLUS
Now your IBM Communications sodware can do even
more Complete on-disk patch kit lets you modify your
program to support Upload/Download (send
prepared text or capture online information), printers
auto-dial for Hayes Stack modem automatic single
key (F8) sign on S2S
(Includes Inielliterm Communications Tutorial for
beginners Full credit when you buy soon to be re-
leased Inielliterm )
INTELLITERM
The premier communications program Fast flexible,
incredibly easy to use Unique split-screen mode
High-speed system to system transfer Much more'
(7/82) S150
IBM Communications Cards (pro-owned) S125
SOFTWARE TOOL KIT
SUPER2AP S40
View and modify any byte o( a PC DOS diskette Ac-
cess by absolute track, sector number or (ilename
Move track by-track or seclor-by-sector up and
down Ideal lor patching ruined directories Note NOT
intended for copying protected software
VIEWDISK S20
Cuinpicii' disk exploration and display Graphic view
of storage Complete documentation on how PC disk
liles are stored and how to alter directory Lists and
prints directory alphabetically by name or extension,
creation date sizes file attribute Ideal lor hard disk
RECOVER S20
Yes there is life after accidental death Recovers
erased files
ATTRIB S10
Modilics tiles to/lrom Invisible System
Available singly or as package
PACKAGE PRICE S80 Includes free CLOCK program
liime date elapsed )0b time)
PASCAL Tools
Seleck!d PASCAL utility programs on disk from Kerni-
ghan/Plaugor s Software Tools m PASCAL Includes
366 page book S75
DATABASE
T.I.M. Ill State-of-tho an user (nendly data mgi pro-
gram Up to 8 field types 32 000 records per die 40
fields per record. 40 sorted orders and more Ordc
now and receive complete Software Tool Kit a S90
value tree' S500
DATAMASTER see Jan Mar PC ads S800
UNBASIC
Powerful BASIC preprocessor for maintaining modular
library with named subroutines (PASCAL FORTRAN
etc) S75
HARDWARE
Smith Corona TPl 12 cps Daisywheel S895
IBM PC 2 drive 64K S3300
All IBM hardware/software available
I-I!.-1M.-Mlt K ().il.i*.Vi-«lt-r .K.KLitili- 'U'.-. Ill' IMS HO
FREE CATALOG
(and floppy disk SPEED-UP
program listing)
n I have purchased I J I plan to purchase
IBM PC s K disks
Mono 1 : Color IJ Comm.
Printer Type .
Name
Company
Address . .
Compuserve * .
Dealer inquiries inviled, reply on letterhead
nature of the software product being pur-
chased and the expense of establishing the
technical specifications for an objective
test.
A Nonobjective Test
An example of a nonobjective test stan-
dard is one that states: "The software shall
be deemed acceptable if it uses the licen-
see's live data to produce correctly all re-
ports which the software is required to be
able to produce under this agreement for
31 days." This kind of test has four advan-
tages: (1) It requires the test to be run on
the licensee's pj^emises, using the licen-
-I. OO LITTLE
attention is given to
the testing standards
used in a software
licensing agreement
see's software and equipment and the li-
censee's raw data; (2) It can be used in
virtually all software license agreements;
(3) It requires that all reports be correctly
produced, which sets a very high standard
of effectiveness for the software but at the
same time contains an implicit "reason-
ableness element" in that both parties un-
derstand that 100 percent accuracy is not
required; and (4) Although it is a strong
test, licensors' resistance to its inclusion in
the software license agreement may be
lessened because it clearly states what
they themselves feel their product should
be able to do.
Too little attention is given to the test-
ing standards to be used in a software li-
cense agreement. Often this is because the
licensor dictates what those testing stan-
dards will be, and there is little room for
negotiation. However, just as often, the ac-
ceptability provisions of the contract are
ignored by licensees because they are un-
familiar with the concept of establishing a
performance standard for a product they
purchase. For most consumer purchases, a
performance standard is unnecessary; in a
software license agreement it is the most
important provision protecting the licen-
see.
If It Comes to a Lawsuit . . .
When seeking a remedy or damages for
his malfunctioning computer software, the
licensee will first have to establish what
the computer software was supposed to do
as agreed upon in the contract. Second, the
licensee will have to establish that the
software is not, in fact, performing accord-
ing to the performance standards set forth
in the contract. Meeting both the descrip-
tion and performance requirements will
be much easier if they are set forth clearly
and completely in the software license
agreement.
Because the description of the software
product and the performance standards
are such critical portions of a software li-
cense agreement, the licensee should in-
sist upon a well drafted description of the
product and performance standards.
A final word: Another unique aspect of
computer software contracts is the impor-
tant role played by computer technicians
in drafting the contract. Technical experts
may be helpful in drafting a clause or two
in many contracts; however, in computer
contracts technical expertise plays a part
in almost every clause. Therefore, while
the importance of having an attorney
review major contracts cannot be over-
emphasized, it is equally important that
the contract be very carefully reviewed by
someone with technical expertise.
K. Stewart Evans, Jr. is an attorney with
the Fairfax, Virginia Jaw firm of Boothe,
Prichard, and Dudley.
THE SPACE TABLET
A New Dimension
in Computer Graphics
F3»tlS« '««E
liii
FIRST GRAPHICS TABLET
for the
IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER
• 2D or 3D input
• Digitize coordinates directly
• Hold tablet pointer like a pen
for easy input
• Provides user-friendly interface for
CHART PRO" and SLIDE PRO"
• Price $595.00 includes 2D and 3D digitizing
software, CHART PRC and SLIDE PRO"
CHART PRO"
■ Simptifies business graphics
■ Permits interactive graph generation
■ Menu driven - uses function keys
■ Reads Visicalc DIF* files
■ Hardware requirements:
• Mono-chrome display
• MX-80 printer
• 64K memory
Suggested retail price: S49.50.
See your local dealer.
(*v«ic«icano DIF ar« T>ad«<narlu ol PMonal Soflwars. Inc)
Qrapfts actually produced by CHART PRO'
on MX.60 printer
SLIDE PRO"
■ Block diagrams
■ Flow charts
■ Special lettering
Suggested retail price S49.50
MS
mien, ciHilniJ N>-Menia Inc.
230 Hartford Turnpike
Vemoa Conn. 06066
(203) 647-3656
lUNE/IULY 1982
20B
Cci
Index to Advertisers
ADVERTISER LOCATION
Advanced Operating Systems 96
Aegis Systems 150
Aerocomp 37
Alkazar Associates 197
Alpha Software Corp 3M1
Alph.inetics 198
Amdijk Ctn p 42
And/Or Press, Inc 88
Apparat 99
Applied Software Technology 132
Apslfk. Inc 40
Arlington Software Systems 51
Arrix Logic Systems 149
ASAP Computer Producte 199
Ashton-l^te 24.25
Aspen Snflw.ire Co 18
AST Research Inc 16
Automated Business Machines
Incorporated ^ ^97
B.T. Enterprises IM
Beaman Porter 137
Benchmark Creations 89
Bench Collection, The 106
Bitstream 197
Bottom Line, The 1S2
Rviid Inc 11
California Micro Computer 132
CBS Puliiishi.'g 23
Call Computer & Magus Systems 198
Chrialin Industries 192
Comprehensive Software 150
Computer Case Compan\ 88
Computer Control Syst.-ms. Inc 78
Computer Innovations. Inc 84
Computer Technology
Innovations 173
Computerized Management
System 136
Computer Systems Design 171
Comsen, Inc 193
Comsh.irr Target Software 8
Conographic Company 21
Context Management Systems 26
Continental Software. Inside Front
Control Systems 139
Cuestii S\ stems Inciirp ir.iled 134
Curtis Manufacturing (Company 90
D S R International Inc 187
Datacount, Inc - 190
Datamost 202
Datasmith 99
Datasouth SB
Davong S>'stem8, In&...., .74.141
Daystar Systems 94
Design Data Systems S3
rii.imnnil Software 140
Digital Research 12.13
EDS 143
Electronic Specialists, Inc 76
Emerging Technology Consultants 94
Engineering-Science. Inc 136
Kscon Products 145
EXO Systems (Corporation 31
Fantasia Systems Incorporated 44
Financier Corp 6
Flagstaff Engine(!ring 148
FTO Data Systems 160
WfiV. Computronics 174
Howard W. Sams 144
IBM 2.3
I B Magazette 163
ICR Futuresoft 172
Infocom 195
Information Unlimited Software 197
Innovative Computer Products 20
Innovative Software
Applications 185
Interface. Inc 171
Intermedia Systems 68
Intersell 196
Ipex International, Inc 44
lohnsiin Associates 163
Kell.T Software 113
Latwratory Microsystems 188
Leading Edge Inside Back
Lifeboat Associates 79,194
Liff'tree Software. Inc 52
Macrolink 200
Maynard Electronics. 158
Mediamix 193
Memon, Technologies, Inc 38
Micro-Ap, Inc 100
Micro Control Systems, Inc 205
Micro Express 197
Micro-G 171
Micro House 105
Micro Match 189
MicroPro 179
Micro Z Applications 124
Micro Z Company 1S4
Microcomp\iter Business
International 94
Microcorp 204
Microperipheral Corporation 163
Microsoft, Inc 1
Microsystems Distributors 127
Miller Microcomputer Services 142
Moon ware Company, The 173
NEC Info Systems S3
N.F. Systems S9
Network Consulting Inc 46
( )mric 136
( )r,ing*; Micro 191
Owl Software 128
PBL Corporation ISS
PC-Logic Systems 173
PC Software Development 82,116
PC Squared .71
Percom Data Company, Inc Jl
Personal Computing & Supplies .71
Personal Diita Systems, Inc 198
Personal Micro Computers, Inc 166
PERSY8T. Inc 170
Personna 159
Peter Norton 194
ProActi\ e Systems „,..,.,.» 155
ProSoft Inc 76
QuCes Inc .IM
Quale ...M
Quantum Software Systems 94,98
Robert ]. Brad\ Company 131,135.155
Seattle Com|)uter .77
Select Info Systems IM
Sigma Designs 09
Softrend. Inc S9
Software! Laboratories. blC. 129
Software n Stuff 148
Software Masters 164
Software Products International 119
Sorcim Corporation 14,18
Starware „„,.,...,„ 131
Stonew.ire Incorporated 132
Sxstemics 54
TCI Software .45
T.G. Products 148
Tallgra.ss Technology 189
Tecmar Inc Back Cover
Telecon Systems 164
Texasoft 157
Ticom Systems. Inc 97
\'.R. Data 201
\ eriliis Technology Inc 62
\'idoti Systems 181
VisiCorp 7
Vista Computer Company. Inc 16S
X'litrax 93
Washington Computer Services 182
Worldwide Software
Publishing, Inc » 62
XCOMP 47
XT.nFX 114.11S
Zen/ Tek Corporation 131
Zobex 197
206
PC MAGAZINE
Copyrighted material
Coming up
Here Come The
Spreadsheets
PC compares the features and usability
of spreadsheet programs in real world
situations. Includes VisiCalc. SuperCalc,
Context Management, MultiPlan and
more.
Dan Fylstra — The
Man Who Made
VisiCalc Sing
PC interviews Dan Fylstra, whose
company, VisiCorp, became an
overnight multi-million dollar software
company thanks to one sensational
program.
Inside Your PC
Lon Poole's photo-journal essay takes
you inside the IBM Personal Computer
to see what makes it lick.
Buying A Computer
What's it like when you're a computer
novice and you set out to buy your first
machine?
Plus . . .
PC visits a Sears Business Center . . .
More Wish List, PCommuniques,
Marketplace, Age of Allair,
book reviews, product reports and
User-to-User.
EXPAND AND ENHANCE YOUR
I'D HA PERSONAL
1 Jj lyiCOMPUTER
with the complete line of fully compatible multi-function adapter
cards and peripherals by Automated Business Machines, Inc.
From entry level configurations to full function office support for
the sophisticated business user, ABM products offer exceptional
flexibility and capability in expanding the potential of your IBM
Personal Computer.
• OMNI-BOARD' from $165
Featuring up to Ave functions on one board, the OMNI-board provides the capabilities of an expansion
chassis on a single board. Configure the functions required now and expand to the maximum configuration
when needed. Fully IBM compatible adapters provide for a parallel printer and up to two RS232
asynchronous communication ports. Add the game adapter option which is compatible with IBM software
and connects to two standard Apple joysticks. The clock/ calendar option with rechargeable battery backup
maintains correct time and date even when the computer is switched off.
Printer only $I6S Printer, game & clock $295
Printer & RS232 $265 Clock & 2xRS232 $345
Printer, clock & RS232 $275 Printer, game, clock & RS232 $345
Printer, clock & 2xRS232 $435 Printer, game, clock & 2xRS232 $485
• MEMORY EXPANSION from $445
To complement the capabilities of the OMNI-board. this memory expansion provides parity protected
memory for your IBM Personal Computer. 64KB increments allow for easy growth to 2S6KB.
MEM-64K $445 MEM-I28K $625
MEM-192K $805 MEM-256K $985
• CP/M-80' ADAPTER $545
The C P/ M-80 adapter makes available for your IBM Personal Computer thousands ofCP/M-SO programs
developed for the Z80 and 8080 processors. Featuring a Z80 processor and 64K bytes onboard memory,
this adapter comes complete with software necessary to implement CP/M-80 on your IBM Personal Computer.
• TELEPHONE RECEPTIONIST ADAPTER $995
The telephone receptionist adapter connects directly into a modular phone jack and provides a fully featured
300/1200 baud modem with aulo dial and auto answer A voice synthesis unit and touch tone decoder
provide interfaces for automatic telephone answering and remote data input.
• BSR-XIO" ADAPTER $215
Convert your IBM Personal Computer into a security watchdog. The adapter allows the computer tocontrol
any electrical appliance in your home or office. Inputs are provided for monitoring of sensors for security and
safety control.
• COLOR TO MONOCHROME INTERFACE CABLE $95
Providing the flexibility to use the features of your IBM color graphics adapter with the quality of your IBM
monochrome display, this interface cable allows you to upgrade to color display when required
• APPLE- JOYSTICK INTERFACE $29
This interface module plugs into any standard IBM game adapter and provides connections for 2 Apple
compatible joysticks.
• PROTOTYPING CARD $49
Providing space for up lo 96 integrated circuits, this full size prototyping card has power and ground busses
and provision for mounting of a DB25 or DB37 connector.
• OFFICE-WRITER- $1195
Offering letter quality output at matrix printer prices, this unit is a fully featured Adier- Royal 1 01 0 electronic
typewriter. It produces impeccable letter quality pnnting at 1 8 c.p.s. and connects lo your IBM Personal
Computer via an RS232 asynchronous communication port or parallel printer port.
• 5MB WINCHESTER DISK & ADAPTER $2195
Fitting conveniently inside the second floppy drive location of your IBM Personal Computer, this fast access
disk comes complete u iih an adapter and all necessary software for integration into PC-DOS.
OFFICE AUTOMATION
THAT MAKES SENSE.
Automated Business
Machines Incorporated
29352 Avocet Lane
South Laguna. CA 92677
(714) 643-0439
All ABM. Inc. products come complete with a one year warranty
and IBM compatible documentation.
Order By Mail or Call Today - (714) 643-0439
Name .
Company.
Addrcis.
City. Sute. Zi|>_
Enclme ChccW. Monc\ Order or t'rcdil Card Number and Exp Dale
C'alifumia residenis add 6% &akk tax
AVAILABLE AT SELECTED COMPUTERLAND STORES
Dealer Inquu'ies Invited.
CP M a a rcgi'.icred Trademarli iif Digiiil Research. Inc . IBM PC i» a refisiered Tradcmarli .M IBM Corp.
1UNE/|ULY 1982
207
Wish List
BHolibeek. "Diretfphtt. to Call for
4f ^^^^/^ Tethnicml Oocit/oni pimf-
"cJcOkn ama J^M Rc^i have
difficulty ai^i¥fCrm^ '^^SpACioltf jot itiOiC
cicitio0i¥%^ praducH ba£*d »n PC'<"
Symbol nnanS -or%tf make
USori manual writers hem afyel liOW>
the wotd ^fnicr'o^i fht. kef*
Pcmf Zoyieitr-
Coo^-ihtntt, Z/.
J'C inviles readers to contribute Wish List ideas fur publiculiun. Any product, service or design idea you'd like to see for IBM Personal
Computers is appropriate. Ideas selected for publication will l>e illu.sirated by PC'sarti'-; if needed, PC will pay $25 for the featured Wi.sh
List idea in each issue. $10 for others published. All ideas published will be credited to the .submitter and become the property of PC. In
case of duplicate submissions, any award will jjo to the earlit!sl postmark. Send a description or sketch of your idea to: IVisn List, PC. 1528
Irving St.. Sun Kruncisco. C.A .9-1122. Sorry, we can ! disi ii.ss Ihr Wi.sh l.isi fcaliir.' liv li'lfphdni'
208
PC MAGAZINE
SIARNA/RfTK F-IO
On the new. slicked-up.
trimmed-down Starwriter F-10.
It's C. Itoh's latest genera-
tion of letter-quality printers.
It cranks out flawless copy
at 40 cps: and its full 15'
carriage lets it double in brass
for both letter processing and
business applications. You
can plug it into almost any
micro on the market jserial or
parallell simply by plugging it
in. And then make it keep on
trucking with inexpensive,
easily available Diablo com-
patible daisy wheels and
ribbons.
In its serial mode, it can
print just about anything
(including boldface, under-
lines, subscripts and super-
scripts!, and snap the carriage
back to start the next line
in less than a second. In its
line mode, it prints in both
directions, for even faster
throughput.
(While making about as
much noise as a cat walking
on Kleenex.)
It's a nice, portable 30
pounds-about 10 pounds
lighter than the Starwriters
before it. And it stands
exactly as tall (or precisely as
small) as a dollar Dill.
Speaking of which:
Incredibly, the Starwriter F-10
sells for about the same
preposterously low price as
its predecessors. Which is to
say. about $800 less than a lot
of other printers that don't
even come close to measur-
ing up. Or even better. . .
Measuring down.
Distributed Exclu-
sively by Leading
Edge Products, Inc..
2S Turnpike Street.
Cantori Massachu-
setts 02021. Call: toll-
free l-WO-343-6833;
or in Massachusetts
call collect 16171
828-8150. Telex
951-624.
LEADING
EDGE.
Firstf the IBM Personal Computer^
The Next Step . . .
Tecmar
The TECMAR Expansion series is the first
and only, complete line of expansion options
available for the IBM Personal Computer.
Now totaling over twenty-five separate
options, the TECMAR series gives you the
broadest range of expansion available for
your IBM Personal Computer.
SYSTEM EXPANSION with a comp-
lete Expansion Chassis providing six
additional systenn slots, a separate
power supply and styling that com-
plements the IBM system.
MEMORY EXPANSION in 64K
128K, 192K and 256K Byte incre-
ments of Dynamic RAM with parity.
32K Bytes of Static RAM, 32K Bytes
of CMOS RAM with battery backup, or
up to 128K Bytes of Read Only
Memory.
PRACTICAL EXPANSION with two
Serial ports and one Parallel port on a
single board, or a Time of Day
calendar with battery backup, a Voice
Synthesizer with vocabulary in ROM
and phoneme speech generation,
even a BSR XI 0 " device controller
for lights and appliances.
DISK EXPANSION through the addition of a five or ten megabyte
Winchester disk. The disk options come enclosed in the TECMAR
Expansion Chassis, providing additional expansion slots as well as
Winchester disk storage. This approach assures you of unmatched
system expandability for nearly any application.
FUNCTIONAL EXPANSION is also available with TECMAR
Speed Disk'" and print Spooling Software that give new
functionality to memory options.
UNMATCHED EXPANSION for the serious IBM Personal Computer
user through these and the many other TECMAR Expansion products
available through participating COMPUTERLAND stores, and other
fine computer retailers nationwide.
LABORATORY/INDUSTRIAL EX-
PANSION through an IEEE 488
interface, the Lab Tender with an 8 bit
A/D and D/A, or the Lab Master for
12 bit A/D and D/A, a two axis
Stepper Motor Controller, or the Parallel
Digital ln/Digital Out Base
Board'", Video Digitization
with Video VanGogh'".
DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION using
an E+EEPROM programmer. Proto-
zoa prototyping boards or a TECMAR
Extender card.
NEW PRODUCTS are currently un
der development with many soon to
be announced. At present shipping
26 unique IBM add on products, we
are still looking for needs to meet. If
you have an need for a new product
for the IBM Personal Computer, and
would like to ask us about it, give a
call on our Product Input Hotline at
(216)464-8317.
For IBM Personal Computer Expansion, TAKE THE NEXT STEP . . .
Tecmar Inc.
PERSONAL COMPUTER PRODUCTS DIVISION
23600 Mercantile Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44122
Telephone: (216)464-7410 Telex: 241735
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