creative GOiwpafciRfJ

the #1 magazine of computer applications and software

September 1982 vol 8, no 9 S2.95

Database and File Systems:

• Datafax • Visidex • Cardbox

• DBMaster • Visifile • PFS

• T.I.M. Ill • Filemanager 800

• Versatile • B.P.I. General Ledger

Interview With Steve Wozniak

Columns: IBM, Atari, TRS-80 Pet, New Products, Books, I/O

New Computers from DEC and NEC

Game Controls, Part 2 (Whose hands are these?)

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INTRODUCING MICROBUFFER.

NOW YOU CAN USE YOUR PRINTER WITHOUT WASTING COMPUTER TIME.

As you know, your computer drives your printer. And when it's performing this function, you can't use it for anything else.

A program that takes fifteen minutes to print makes you wait fifteen minutes before you can compute again. And if it takes two hours to print, you wait two hours.

A waste of valuable time.

THE NEW MICROBUFFER INCREASES YOUR EFFICIENCY.

Microbuffer allows you to print and process simultaneously. No waiting!

ACCEPTS PRINTING DATA

AS FAST AS YOUR COMPUTER CAN SEND IT.

Microbuffer first stores the data in its own memory buffer and then takes control of your printer. This frees the computer for more productive functions.

Additional output may be dumped to the buffer at any time and it will be printed in turn.

MICROBUFFER WILL SPEED UP ANY PROGRAM THAT REQUIRES PRINTING.

The full line of Microbuffers is designed to accommodate virtually any computer/printer combination.

Microbuffers are available in Centronics-compatible parallel or RS-232C serial versions.

FOR APPLE II COMPUTERS, Microbuffer II features on-board firmware for text formatting and advanced graphics dump routines. Both serial and parallel versions have very low power consumption. Special functions include Basic listing formatter, self-test, buffer zap, and transparent and maintain modes. The 16K model is priced at $259 and the 32K, at $299.

FOR EPSON PRINTERS, Microbuffer starts at $159 in either an 8K serial or a 16K parallel version. The serial buffer supports both hardware handshaking and XON- XOFF/ETX-ACK software hand- shaking at baud rates up to 19,200. Both Epson interfaces are compatible with all Epson com- mands including GRAFTRAX-80. Both are user-expandable to 32K.

ALL OTHER COMPUTER/PRINTER COMBINATIONS are served by the in-line, stand-alone Microbuffers.

Both serial and parallel versions are expandable up to 256K. The serial stand-alone will support different input and output baud rates and handshake protocol. The 32K model starts at $299, 64K for $349. 64K add-ons for up to a total of 256K are just $179.00.

SIMPLE TO INSTALL

Microbuffer II, being slot- independent, will fit into any slot directly inside the Apple except zero.

Microbuffer for your Epson mounts easily in the existing auxiliary slot directly inside the Epson printer.

The stand-alone Microbuffer is installed in-line between virtually any computer and any printer.

When you think of how much

time Microbuffer will save,

can you afford to not have one?

PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS, INC. ~ 31245 LA BAYA DRIVE WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 (213) 991-8200

CIRCLE 208 ON READER SERVICE CARD

The Galaxy Invaders Have

<<f&> Returned in This Newest Game

^'I^L of Skill and Excitement.

InWw

Mil

/

LZJ

PO Box 9078-185 Van Nuys. CA 91409 (213) 782 6861

Prices per Game TRS 80 1GK Lev2 Modi Mod3 ( 95 All Games 1980,1

7RS80 32K Lev2 Modi Mod3 Diskette $19 95 Programs are writta

Optional Joystick lot Moo. $39 9b effects.

Iiscounl foi . for 3 .>i 'i - 8- other soun

>dd SI. 75 pi -. handling, Calif, residents add High scores are aut<

lax.

Outside USi Call or wrn> handfi

CIRCLE 1 18 ON READER SERVICE CARD

All Games 1980, 1981 by Bill Hogue & Jell Konyu

Programs are written in machine language for high quality graphics & sound

effects.

Si other sound effects aie playable through the cassette AUX plug. High scores are automatically saved after each game on disk versions.

Call Ol i catalog

in this issue

evaluations & profiles

1 A Apple Game Controls Ahl

Paddles and game port extenders

JO Keyword Database Programs Coffey

Datafax. Visidex and Cardbox

43 File Managers Coffey

DB Master and Visifile

Coffey

50 p*r*°nal Filing System

Elegant, efficient, beautiful

54 T.I.M. III Goodman

Database Management for IBM PC

33 Filemanager BOO Anderson

69 Versatile , Haarbye

Versatile file manager for TRS-80

72 B.P.I. General Ledger Exner

78 SATN Fastie

Keeping VisiCalc smooth and silky

OQ Monkey Wrench Anderson

Prehensile programming for Atari 800

82 Starshlp Commander Miller

85 Lemmings Staples

86 Hi-Res Golf Archibald

88 Bl8St ,rom '"• Past Anderson

Deluxe Invaders and K-razy Shootout

90 A,ari Games Small & Small

Dog Daze and Caverns of Mars

Cover Contest: Playing Our Hands

The cover photo shows some of the paddles and joysticks in our three-part series of evaluations (see page 14). The hands on the joysticks and paddles all belong to Creative Computing employees. Can you match the names on the masthead with the hands on the cover?

We will award a free subscription (or renewal) to the first person who correctly identifies the eight people in the picture All entries must be received by midnight, October 31, 1982 Send to: Hands. Ceative Computing, 39 E Hanover Ave.. Morris Plains. NJ 07950.

Photo by David Ahl.

September, 1982 Volume 8, Number 9

Creative Computing (ISSN 0 097-0140) is published monthly by Ahl Computing. Inc.. a subsidiary ol Zitt-Davis Publishing Company David Ahl. President. Elizabeth B Staples. Vice President. Selwyn Taubman. Treasurer. Bertram A Abrams. Secretary P O Box 789-M Mornstown. N J 07960 Second Class postage paid at New York. NY 10001 and at additional mailing offices Copyright ©l 982 by Ahl Computing Inc All rights reserved

Editorial offices located at 39 East Hanover Ave Morris Plains NJ 07950 Phone (201 1 540-0445

Domestic Subscriptions 12 issues S24 97 24 issues $43 97 36 issues S57 97 POSTMASTER send address changes to Creative Computing. PO Box 5214. Boulder. CO 80321 Call 800-631-8112 toll-free (in New Jersey call 201-540- 0445) to order a subscription

V?PA fig

articles

96

100

101 102

112

118

Woz and Us Ahl& Staples

An interview with Steve Wozniak

All Hands on DEC

Digital announces personal computer

NEC Announces 16 Bit Machine

Basic vs. Database Meyer

Implementing a business application using Condor 20

Comparing Prices

A simple VisiCalc application

The Graph Paper

Part 3: moving experience

1 26 Loo° |dM* 130

How to Solve It

Programming contest problems

Ahl

Lubar

Lawler Piele

applications & scft wane

"| 46 A Modular Data Base

-1 fiQ Searching Techniques ' wv How to find it

1 72 A,ari Diskf lie Tutorial

1 78 Ge,,in0 Along without TAB

An Atari translation

1 80 Form»nin0 Lister

Creating tidy Basic listings

Pelczarski Mitchell

White Pinho

Doering

departments

8 Input/Output Readers

1 0 Notices Fee

1 2 7 Year* AB° Ah/

1 86 EWectlve Writing Archibald

The electronic saltcellar

1 88 °utP°,t: Atarl Small & Small

More on DOS menu options

1 92 'BM Images

208 TRS-80 Strings

Fastie

Gray

Yob

212 P8rsonal Electronic Transactions

Epson commands and Petspeed

218 New Products Hecht

225 Computer Store of the Month Gibbons

226 Boofc "••views Gray, etal.

230 «•«■'< Ro»t«r

233 Classified

234 Index to Advertisers

September 1982 e Creative Computing

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Editor	Elizabeth B. Staples
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		^UJS^S)(JJ(U	David Lubar Guy Kewney Stephen Klmmel		Creative Computing
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Advertising Director	JotfWeinor
Creative Computing Press Laura Conboy
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				4		September 1982 e Creative Computing

«!>«>«**

TASC. The Applesoft Compiler.

It turns your Apple into

a power tool*

Step up to speed. TASC. the Applesoft Compiler, converts a standard Applesoft BASIC program into super-fast machine code. By increasing program execution speed up to 20 times. Microsoft gives you a power tool for Applesoft BASIC programming. Highest capacity available. TASC will compile and run larger programs than any other Applesoft Compiler. As a disk-based system, it doesn't require the simultaneous pres- ence of compiler and program in memory. The memory you save allows you to compile significantly bigger programs.

Power without bulk. Code expansion of up to 100% severely restricts other compilers. TASC's special code compression schemes typically limit code expansion to only 25%. You'll really appreciate that with complex programs or programs that utilize Apple's hires graphic pages. More BASIC power. TASC's powerful new commands increase Applesoft BASIC programming capability. Chain with COMMON allows compiled programs to share variables, so a main menu

"Applesoft is a trademark of Apple Computer. Inc

CIRCLE 190 ON READER

supports several programs in a single runtime environment. TASC's True Integer Arithmetic and Integer FOR... NEXT capabilities maximize the execu- tion speed of compiled programs. TASC's near total compatibility

with Applesoft speeds compil- ation of existing programs with little or no modification. What about mistakes? You perfect your programs inter- actively with Applesoft. If some- thing does slip by, TASC recovers from errors discovered in compilation and traps all runtime errors. It even permits graceful interruptions during compilation. See for yourself. Ask for a demonstration of TASC at your Microsoft dealer. Discover the software package that turns your Apple into a power tool.

/MCftpSOfT

V CONSUMER^ PRODUCTS f

A Division of Microsoft Inc. 10700 Northup Way • Bellevue. WA 98004

SERVICE CARD

jtput . . . input /output . . . input

Obfuscation Obdurancy

Dear Editor:

Damn! Jack Nevison has let the cat out of the bag! Everyone else follows the rules when they put a Basic program listing into a popular computer magazine:

1. Leave out REMs. They just take up space and slow down the computer.

2. A space character is a waste character: Never hit the spacebar unless you absolutely have to.

3. Don't forget the right side of the TV screen: You can probably get eight or ten statemments strung out before you have to hit Return.

4. Be tricky. Use clever arithmetic. Use lots of GOTOs. People will think you're smart.

Along comes Nevison with all that indentation and all those blank lines and all those short lines and all those REM statements. My God! You can even read his programs and figure them out. There's not a single trick there. It's a disgrace. Are then no standards?

Someone has to take Nevison in tow. If you editors don't

watch out, the whole world is going to find out they can write

readable, well-structured, top-down programs in Basic. And

then, what's going to happen to us poor Pascal authors?

Without Basic to kick around, it could mean the soup lines.

Damn!

Arthur Luehrmann

1466 Grizzly Peak Boulevard

Berkeley, CA 94708

Microsoft Basic + RAM Disk Does Not Compute

Dear Editor:

I would like to bring to the attention of your readership a matter of great importance concerning the Atari 800 computer system. I have a colleague who has purchased Microsoft Basic for the Atari 800. However, to his and my great disappointment and frustration, it does not support the Axlon RAMDisk (disk simulator) operating system.

I'm sure that there really is no reason why the RAMDisk could not be supported, but Atari has chosen to use two protection scemes which make it impossible to load Microsoft Basic as a binary load file.

I want to develop computer software and Atari's decision is hampering my ability to do so. I urge all interested parties to contact Atari.

Dennis Baer

868 Main Street

Farmingdale, NY 11735

VIC Keeps Its Cool

Dear Editor:

I am a high school student who does considerable work on my VIC-20. especially for science fairs and world history projects. Sometimes these take as much as 10K-12K of memory, which means long hours of programming. This causes overheating, which is quite dangerous for the computer.

So I decided to do something. I inspected the bottom of (he VIC and found that at the right-hand side there are some openings. So 1 drilled a 3 1/2" hole in my desk with a jig-saw. and installed a "spider fan" (which cost about $7). That was the end of my problem.

Now. even though my brother uses the VIC for long sessions of "Super Alien" and I use it for super-long programs, the VIC-20 remains quite cool.

Roberto Morales, Jr.

655 Hernandez St.

Miramar. PR 00907

No Codes Barred

Dear Editor:

I read with interest your reply to Frank Lambert's question "Could Creative Computing print its programs in bar code as well as typed form?" in the May, 1982 issue.

Like Frank, I would like to find a quick way of putting Creative Computing's programs into my computer without typing hundreds of lines of code.

I agree with your response that it just wouldn't be possible (economically) to make bar code available. Would it be possible to make your programs available on MicroNet or The Source''. Many of your readers already subscribe to one or the other. The programs could be made available in the public access area and just for the cost of connect time, a subscriber could download your programs and have them up and running in a matter of minutes. There are already several magazines on MicroNet (including Popular Electronics) but there aren't any computer magazines. I think this would be a great service to your readers.

Bill Rosen

4334 McKee St.

Covington, KY 41015

We would like to hear from readers about this. If you think it is a good idea and would use such a service, please let us know— a note on a postcard would be sufficient. —EBS

September 1982 ' Creative Computing

First, 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 system 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 X10" 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

CIRCLE 249 ON READER SERVICE CARD

Jtput . . • input /output . . . input

Loose Lips Sink Tips

Dear Editor:

The advice given in "I Don't Understand..." (June 1982) seems sincere, and may help a few windy or pompous writers. But, for the most part, it should be taken about as seriously as the insights offered by Sunday magazine section articles called Ten Ways to Improve Your Love Life, or Five Tips for Getting Along With Your Boss.

Unfortunately, there's just no easy way to present technical information. The English language is too versatile and too complex to accept mastery by a few cut-and-dried rules; that's both its difficulty and its virtue. Would you tell a Basic programmer to avoid Functions, Subroutines, Matrices, and String-Handling Statements to mask his proficiency, or to make his programs more readable?

The main, and most difficult, job of a technical writer is the judicious handling of numerous details. These must be organized intelligently, and presented in a manner that helps the reader follow the logic of that organization.

Then, what whould a popular technical magazine suggest to potential writers? How about: "Have something worth saying, and say it as clearly as you can. Use some sort of an outline. It also doesn't hurt to give some examples." This presupposes some consideration for the reader, a good knowledge of the subject, and a lifetime of reading and writing.

Jay Pastor

Technical Writer

Utica, NY

Sound advice. Unfortunately many people writing today score well on your first two qualifications (presuppositions) and fall woefully short on the last. —EBS

Clarifying GraForth

Dear Editor:

In reference to Michael Coffey's review of GraForth II, I think some points of clarification are necessary. As a programmer who started from scratch with the GraForth package when it first came out in March and who has written exclusively in that language since, I offer some important considerations.

It is misleading to say that GraForth is machine language. Though it is true that the working version of any developed program or module is compiled, programming itself is done in a Forth-like language far simpler than machine code. At the same time, GraForth supports calls to other machine language routines and allows the programmer to view his Basic-like program listing at any time.

I strongly disagree that "for 2-D animation all the languages are equally good." Try, for example, moving 15 to 25 objects at once through Basic. If the name of the game you are developing is "Snail Pace," then yes, they are equal.

Also, it is important to recognize the differences in the manner in which 2-D character sets are created. With most tools this is a painstaking job during the creation process and a very wordy recall to print large character set designs. With GraForth the design process is simple, fast, and clear. The recall process involves two' or three simple commands to print small or large blocks.

GraForth is also accompanied by excellent documentation and superb customer technical support. I am an end user who has just completed a marketable product using GraForth, and there is no question in my mind that it is a superior product for any graphics enthusiast.

M. Max McKee, President

Multi Data Service

Pear Software Division

407 Terrace

Ashland, OR 97520

"Today's computer weather forecast calls for a high in the seventies, and showers this evening followed by an attack of alien spaceships. "

Don't Debug In The Bathtub, Either

Dear Editor:

The suggestion from Mr. Press in the May "Input/Output" to eliminate static electricity problems with the TRS-80 Model I (a metal clamp around the wrist wired to ground) is very dangerous and should not be used.

Never ground your body through a low impedance path when working near electrical equipment.

The method suggested is particlarly hazardous, since if the free hand touches an electrically "hot" potential, current will flow across (or through) the heart; an area where a few milliamps can be fatal.

N. Edward Walker

President

Ampli-Tek

4341 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33609

Use a I megohm resistor between the radiator clamp and ground, and all will be well Otherwise, purchase a commercial grounding bracelet. —MC

September 1982 e Creative Computing

by Peter Fokos

You havenl lived until youve died in space.

And here's your chance.

Software author Peter Fokos has created Alien Ambush, a space age nightmare. This hi-res, full-color arcade game is written completely in assembly language to give those nasty aliens every advantage.

So if you have access to a 48K Apple* with DOS 3.3, and you're hot for some new thrills, Alien Ambush was written for you. But be warned: It just got a lot tougher to survive in space.

Available at finer computer stores everywhere. "Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Distributed exclusively by Micro D, 17406 Mt. Cliffwood Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 540-4781

CIRCLE 185 ON READER SERVICE CARD

I ices . . . notices . . . notic

Reward Increased

Level-10 has increased the reward for the return of the Alkemstone from $5,000 to $7,500.

Alkemstone is a computer adventure which now offers a $7,500 cash reward to the first person who can find the missing Alkemstone. which is hidden "somewhere on the planet."

Alkemstone is written in machine lan- guage for any Apple Computer with 48K. one 16-sector disk drive and Applesoft or language card.

Timex Sinclair 1000

The Timex Computer Corporation will enter the personal computer market with the Timex Sinclair 1000. Sales will begin in July through the more than 100,000 Timex retail outlets, including computer stores, department stores and chains, consumer electronics, jewelry, and drug stores. This step is the result of an agree- ment between Timex and Sinclair Research Ltd. for Timex to market com-

puters using Sinclair's technical expertise. Sinclair's mail order sales of the ZX81 will be phased out as Timex begins its marketing program. The announcement of the Timex entry into this new field and of the agreement with Sinclair was made by Daniel D. Ross. Vice President of Timex Computer Corporation, and affili- ate of Timex Corporation, in New York on April 20.

The Timex Sinclair 1000 is basically the Sinclair ZX81, which Timex has already been manufacturing in Dundee. Scotland, but with two major differences. First, the new machine will have 2K RAM instead of the current IK on the ZX81. Second, the new machine will sell for a suggested retail price of $99.95 instead of the $149.95 for the ZX81. Also featured will be an instruction manual especially written for the first time computer user with step by step instruction and a course in fundamental programming.

Peripherals for the Timex Sinclair 1000 will also be sold by Timex along with the basic machine. The first one available is the 16K RAM expansion module for

$49.95 (Sinclair's current 16K RAM is $99.95). In the fourth quarter of 1982 a printer and a telephone modem are expected to go on sale for $99.95 each. The modem will offer a significant enhancement for many users and will feature: 300 BAUD, standard Bell Tele- phone jack attachments, and auto-dial capability. It will give a direct tie-in with large computer data services.

Timex plans to supplement the hard- ware offerings with a range of software, including business, personal financial management, education, and entertain- ment. The price range of the programs is expected to be from $9.95 to $19.95.

The marketing program will aim at the first-time computer buyer, the educational market, and computer buffs. The poten- tial market for personal computers is estimated at over 90,000,000 customers. In addition to instructional displays in the retail outlets, Timex plans to support the retailers with an extensive service net- work, a 90-day guarantee, and a national ad campaign beginning in August.

—Paul Grosjean

WATCH OUT

TheOINKSare A loose!

Pig out on fun with PIG PEN

(for the Apple II* and the IBM-PC!) Here's the newest and freshest idea in dot-maze games. You'll go hog-wild at the way Pig Pen's clever switches make this the most intriguing game you ever got hooked on!

With Pig Pen you run the maze leaving dots wherever you go! And the 4 beady eyed pigs are out to stop you. Take a potent, pulsing pig pill and you can zap the pigs, turning them into delicious ham hocks! Why be boared' with the old-fashioned versions. Get the freshest - have the most fun of all! Oink, i

$29.95 in Apple or IBM versions. At your computer store, or from:

DDATAMOS1

9748 Cozycroft Ave. Chatsworth, CA 91311 (213)709-1202

CIRCLE 152 ON READER SERVICE CARD

Cash in with Sams books and the most up-to-date information about the 6502 , 6809, and 68000 microprocessors.

6502 SOFTWARE DESIGN by Leo Scanlon gives you a solid introduction to programming in 6502 assembly language. No. 21656, $13.50

6809 MICROCOMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND INTERFACING WITH EXPERIMENTS by Andrew C Staugaard, Jr. demonstrates the ease with which the 6809 can be software-controlled. No. 21798, $14.95

With THE 68000: PRINCIPLES AND PROGRAMMING by Leo Scanlon, Sams introduces you to the unmatched 1 6-Megabyte direct memory addressing capability of the powerful 68000. No 21853, $14.95

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ADVANCED 6502 INTERFACING by John Holland is a collection of design techniques and actual circuits which can be used in almost any situation where you need to interface a 6502-controlled system to the analog world. No. 21836, $12.95

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7 Years Ago in

creative computing

The Sept/Oct 1975 issue of Creative Computing had a central theme of com- puter literacy and user friendliness, timely topics even today. Alexander Cannara of Stanford compared four languages: Basic. Fortran. Algol and Logo and recom- mended when each should be used. Logo in 1975? Yes. and Smalltalk too!

Marian Goldeen wrote of her experi- ences using Smalltalk at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. Six years later. Xerox finally released Smalltalk commer- cially.

WRITER KTERflCY EEUE

Building A Computn Ut Youl (>»n

I ir*.id A Human Ctmputef LAiwjuagr

'The Campim GanpuWf Cmioaur'

Piuzlr* & Probittm Without A Compuwr

(jamn Wumpuft. Sthmoo. Civil War

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Steve Gray wrote a fascinating article, "Building A Computer of Your Own" which described two newly announced computer kits, the Scelbi-84 and Altair 8800. He also told where one could obtain plans for four totally homebrew machines. Steve felt a good follow up article would be, "What Are You Going to Do With Your Computer?"

This issue also carried the first MITS ad for the Altair. Price for a complete kit (no memory) was $439. assembled and tested S621. A IK memory board cost an additional $97 (kit) and a 4K board $264. A serial interface was another $1 19. Want to use the computer? Then you'll prob- ably want a terminal, say a used Teletype ASR-33 for $750 or so.

The issue carried 22 pages of educa- tional activities including a fascinating piece on learning with Turtle Geometry concepts without computer hardware. We also announced the First National Student Computer Fair cosponsored by AFIPS and Creative Computing.

Games? Sure. An unsuspecting world was introduced to Greg Yob's marvelous Wumpus. an enduring classic. Also des- tined to become a classic was Civil War. an educational simulation game of 14 Civil War battles.

Twenty-three books were reviewed in depth including six in the series reviewing all 34 books on the Basic language. □

September 1982 c Creative Computing

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• The Cursor /// is an equally high quality, self-centering joystick for your Apple ///.

• The Numeric Keypad offers increased data entry and calculating speeds. It is a must for the professional and VisiCalc® user.

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Part2of3

computing equipment euDluotion

Apple Paddle Controls and Game Port Extenders

David H.Ahl

This evaluation of paddle controls and game port extenders is the second of a three-part series. Last month (August) we evaluated Apple and Atari joysticks. Next month we examine game controllers for the TRS-80 and some rather interesting arcade-type controls for the Atari.

A2D Paddles (2002)

The A2D model 2002 paddle controls were physically the largest ones in this test. Children or women with small hands may find these controls too large for handheld use. On the other hand, most of our players judged them just fine.

Since the case is nearly square and the firing button is located in the center of one side (or end), it is equally easy to use with practically any finger of either hand. All of our players liked the large size (0.6" square), short throw, and positive click of the A2D firing button.

The knob is just under 1" in diameter, a size preferred by most players. Rotation is easy and provides precise adjustment to any point on the screen.

A diode isolation circuit prevented us from measuring the resistance of the potentiometers in the A2D paddles. How- ever, as mentioned above, they provide precise control to any point on the screen.

The ribbon cables are a generous 8' long. Unfortunately, there is no indication which is paddle 0 and which is I (out comes the trusty masking tape). Each paddle has an internal trim adjustment, however, no instructions are given for using this and we assume, that once adjusted at the factory, there should be no further need for user adjustment.

Apple Paddles

Early Apple owners will remember the flimsy plastic paddles with miniscule firing buttons that came with the original Apple computers. Over the years, the design has changed several times; we tested one of the common types for comparative pur- poses. The paddles currently sold by Apple are described below.

The Apple Paddle is a small rectangular unit designed for handheld operation. The knob is just over 1-1/4" in diameter which most of our panelists deemed to be the "right" size. Not so for the firing button. It is minute (3/16" diameter) and leaves a nasty indentation in the finger pressing it.

The placement of the firing button on the left top of the case is less than optimal. In this position, it almost requires that the paddle be held with the left hand and the firing button operated with the thumb while the right hand attends to the knob. Left handed players will find that they must hold the case in their palm, reaching around to the top with the index or middle

finger of the right hand to operate the firing button while turning the knob with the left hand. This sounds a bit awkward, but at least it allows one to alternate between two fingers doing the firing when the indentation in one becomes unbear- able.

All in all. the Apple Paddle makes it obvious why a replacement market has sprung up to produce more user-friendly devices.

Incidentally, it is possible to improve the old Apple Paddle controllers dra- matically for about $3.00 and one-half hour of time. The impovement comes about by replacing the firing button and the control knob.

There are many momentary-contact SPST switches that will fit in place of the existing one in the Apple paddle. Find one that has a large surface for your finger (3/8" diameter or more), short throw, and positive feel. I found some at the Trenton Computer Festival Flea Market for $0.50 each.

The other thing you will want is a new pair of knobs. Look for ones about 1" in diameter that are held on with a setscrew rather than the knurled friction fit of the existing Apple paddle knobs.

14

September 1982 ' Creative Computing

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Gam* Ports, continued..

Pop open the case of the Apple paddle control (some have one screw, some don't), unsolder the old switch and re- move it, and install your new switch. If your new switch requires a larger hole than the existing one, you'll have to enlarge the hole with a rattail file. Solder on the wires. Be sure to use the set of normally open (NO) contacts if you have an SPDT switch. Reassemble the case. Pry off the old knob and put on your new one. You'll be amazed at the difference!

Hand Controller

These attractive, wedge-shaped con- trollers from the Keyboard Company (now owned by Apple Computer) are obviously designed for handheld use, though they may be used on the tabletop as well.

Departing from the design of other manufacturers, the firing button is located on the right rear side of the controller. It is a large rectangular controller which pushes down a microswitch, thus it pro- vides both tactile and aural feedback. While extremely easy to press, some players felt that the large size of the button tempted them to hold their finger on it thus preventing the quick release required in games needing fast firing. In other words, these players felt they had to consciously both press and release the switch. On the other hand, some other players (right handed) liked being able to control the firing button with their left index finger instead of a thumb.

The knob is a two-tiered design, the center of which is about 1" in diameter and the outside just over 2". We found this design was quite satisfactory for players who liked a small knob as well as those who liked a larger one. Detracting from the pleasing knob design, potentio- meter rotation was rather stiff which some players felt hampered game play. On the other hand, I achieved my all time high score in Tsunami with this set of paddles.

Manufacturer

Model/Name Price

A2D 2002

Apple Computer Paddles (original)

The Keyboard Company Hand Controller

Computer Works Pro Paddles

Kra" Paddles

Tech Designs Adam and Eve

TG Products Super Paddles

Zlrcon Alpha Command

A thoughtful touch is the molded "0" and "1" on the center of each paddle knob. Also thoughtful is the strain relief on the cable which goes in the notch of the Apple computer behind the game I/O port. In addition, a grounding clip is provided which is connected to the cable shield to minimize RF interference. These were the only paddles with an external cable ground.

Pro Paddles

These paddles were by far the most diminutive of those tested. They measure a scant 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" and have a 1" diameter knob. A 3/8" square firebutton is mounted on the back of the paddle. A thoughtful touch is the numbers 0 and 1 inscribed on each knob. This is a far tidier way of identifying paddles than the strips of masking tape I have on the backs of other paddles.

The small size of the Pro Paddles was praised by some members of our panel along with the placement of the firing button which makes it very easy to hold the paddle in one hand using first or middle finger to fire while the other hand controls the rotation. The fire buttons have a very

short throw and a definite tactile feel when contact has been completed which some players found to be an advantage. Having the firing button squarely in the back also does not unduly favor right or left handed people. On the other hand, some people felt that the size of the Pro Paddles was just too small. However, this seemed to be a matter of preference because others liked the size very much.

In place of the flat cables found on many paddles and joysticks. Pro Paddles use a round, 3-1/2' cable for each paddle. While 6" to 12" shorter than most others, the round cables seem to be more flexible than flat ones and the difference in length was not noticed. Indeed, if a game extender is used, there is no reason for joystick and paddle cables to be over 2' or 3' long.

The potentiometers in the Pro Paddles seem to be suffer than others, i.e., more difficult to turn and adjust. One player felt that this was an illusion as a result of the small size. As we did not measure this variable, stiffness remains a subjective observation.

Apparently there are two different designs of the Pro Paddle; please see the photograph which shows the one that we tested.

In summary, the reaction to the Pro Paddle had more subjective factors than most others— small size, button placement, and stiff rotation. Some people liked the Pro Paddles very much while others were lukewarm. The best bet is to look at a pair in your local computer store or at a show before you buy.

Adam and Eve

The Adam and Eve Paddles are an attractive, hand-fitting trapezoidal shape. The firing button is on the left rear side of the case, thus making it easy for both right and left handed players to control. Curiously, paddle 0 is labeled Eve and paddle 1 is labeled Adam.

The knob is just under 1" in diameter which most players found convenient particularly for fast movement from one end of the rotation to the other. Move-

Apple Paddle Controls

Size WxOxH

Table Top/ Hand Held

Potentiometer Resistance Trim

34 95 39 95 29 95 4995 4995 39 95 3995 1995

3.0x35x20 25x3.2x0 8 2.0x4. 5x 1.0(1) 1 5x25x1.3 (2)

20x3.5x 1.0(1) 20x40x 1.0 2.0x4.3x 1.0(1)

Both Hand Both Both

Both Both Hand

n/a 150K 150K 150K

150K 135K 150K

No No No No

Yes

No No

Knob Size

(in dial

09 13

1.0/2.0 10

0.9 14 1.0/1.7

Button Size I india )

0 6sq 02

10x06 0 4 sq

0 4 sq

06

04

Button Tactile

Placement Feedback

Rear side yes

Left top rear No

Right side rear Yes

Rear side Yes

Left side rear Yes

Left side rear No

Right side No

( 1 1 Shape is not rectangular (2) Not available in time for this test

16

September 1982 e Creative Computing

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Game Ports, continued...

ment of the potentiometers was easy and precise.

The 3/8" square firing button has a very short throw and a positive click when pressed, thus providing both tactile and aural feedback.

Each potentiometer has a trimmer control which allows the paddle to be matched precisely to your computer or particular games. These were the only paddles with an adjustment of this type. This trimmer is also said by the manu- facturer to be able to compensate for excessive wear, a useful feature.

The five-foot cables to the paddles are more flexible than most and Tech Designs has thoughtfully provided a stress relief at the DIP connector end to prevent the cable from being pulled out of the back of the Apple.

In summary, we felt the Adam and Eve paddles were exemplary in all regards.

TG Super Paddles

The TG paddles are rectangular in shape with the firing button on the left rear side of the case. This position is suitable for either left or right handed players. The size lends itself to either handheld or table top use.

The firing button is a large 0.6" in diameter but. unfortunately, has a fairly long throw and no positive feedback when contact is made. Some players felt that this button provided less-than-precise control of firing and also contributed to finger fatigue. Other players barely noticed.

The knob was the largest of any paddles tested, 1-1/4" in diameter. Since most games use only a portion of the potentio- meter rotation, theoretically a large knob can be adjusted more precisely. Indeed.

with our playing panel, the size led to sharply divided feelings: some players liked the large knob very much and others did not. On the other hand, all players agreed that the TG paddle could be adjusted very precisely and that the potentiometer was exceptionally easy to rotate.

Older TG paddles used a round cable, while new ones are coming through with ribbon cables and improved DIP connect- ors. There are no cable strain reliefs. Paddle 0 is designated by a red TG logo and paddle 1 by a black logo, a thoughtful touch (assuming you can remember which is which).

Zircon Alpha Command

Under pressure from the FCC because of excessive RF radiation, Apple Com- puter stopped shipping paddles with their computers about 1-1/2 years ago. Did you ever wonder what happened to all of those paddles in stock? Well we can't be sure, but indications are that the latest models were bought up by Zircon and are now being offered as the Alpha Command paddles. If they are not the exact Apple paddles, they are an awfully good' imitation.

September 1982 e Creative Computing

Designed for handheld use. the Alpha Command paddles have a firing button on the right side of the unit. The paddle is shaped so that either left or right handed players will be able to hold it and press the fire button with either thumb, index finger or middle finger. The firing button has a relatively long throw and is concave in shape (outer lip higher than inner part of the button), hence it is somewhat uncomfortable for sustained firing. Also, some of our panelists were not pleased that the button did not provide either tactile or aural feedback.

On the other hand, the two-tiered knob was judged easy to move and met the needs of both those players who like a smaller knob (1" in diameter) and those who like a larger knob (1-3/4" in diameter). Adjustment of the potentio- meter was accurate and precise on all games tested.

The cables are round and flexible and just over 4' long. They do not have a strain relief or shielding.

If you are looking for a bare bones, but adequate set of paddles, the price is right on the Alpha Command from Zircon.

19

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Extension and Auxilliary Game Port Devices
		Retail	Cable	Number and Type of
Name	Manufacturer	Price	Length	Input Sockets
Applexpander + S	CJM	$54.95	18	2 Jones
Expandaport	Datamost	69 95	33	6DIP(3switchable)
EX Port	Versa Computing	24.95	24	1 DIP (Zero insertion pressure)
Game Socket Extender	Happ Electronics	14.95	24	1 DIP (Zero insertion pressure)
Joy port	Sirius	7495	24	2 DIP (2 switchable) 2 DE-9(2switchablel
Octa Stick II	Astar International	22.95	6	1 DE-9
Paddle-Adapple	So. Calif. Research Group	29.95	14"	2 DIP (2 switchable)
Paradise Ports	Tech Designs	39.95	18	4 DIP (3 switchable)
Select A Port	TG	59.95	18	5 DIP (4 switchable)

EZPort

E Z Port from Versa Computing is a simple, straightforward extension I/O port for the Apple. It comes with a long 24" ribbon cable which probably makes for lots of RF interference but permits E Z Port to be mounted practically any place you desire: top. bottom, right, left, etc.

The device itself measures a dimunitive 1-1/2" x 2". just large enough for the cable connector and a zero insertion pressure DIP socket. Using this ZIP socket, you merely plug in the DIP connector from your joystick, paddle, etc. and throw a small switch which engages the con- nections within the socket. Mounted on the right side of the Apple, pin 1 is up and toward the front, a convenient position since the notched part of DlP plugs corresponds to pin 1. All in all, E Z Port is a simple, handy device.

Happ Game Socket Extender

This simple, functional device consists of a small PC board on which is mounted a zero insertion pressure 16-pin DIP socket with a sticky back designed to be mounted on the right side of the Apple case.

It has a 24" flat ribbon cable which can be snaked through the bottom or top of the Apple terminating in a DIP plug which goes into the game I/O port on the motherboard. To connect paddles or

joysticks, the DIP connector is simply plugged into the ZIP socket and the small lever switch thrown to the up or down position depending on how the board has been mounted.

Although Happ recommends that the board be mounted with the switch in the down position, we found it far more convenient to mount it so it was facing up and toward the front of the Apple case. In this position, pins 1 and 16 are toward the top which conforms to our recom- mendation identifying the end of the DIP connector with a small dab of liquid paper or white paint. Futhermore, in this position the cable leads to the back of the Apple case and can be neatly snaked out of the way.

The device works well and is a bargain at the suggested $14.95 retail price.

A second version. Model GS-2, is the same as the GS-1 with the addition of an extra female socket on the male plug end (inside the Apple case). This is useful for certain decoder chips and other devices which must always be plugged in and work in parallel with paddles, joysticks, etc.

Paradise Ports

On the 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" surface of this game extender device are mounted two switches and a jack to the 18" cable that plugs into the Apple game port. In addition, four sockets are provided to plug in paddles, joysticks, etc. The design is unusual in that the sockets are actually a part of the printed circuit board itself. Sockets A, B and C are switchable. while socket D is

20

permanently wired in parallel with the Apple game port. Socket A always goes into paddle port 0 and I , while socket C always goes into paddle ports 2 and 3. Socket B may be switch selected for either one or both.

The entire back of the blue printed circuit board is covered by a rubber cushion pad. Together, the PC board and pad are

1	POL O £ 1 POL 2C 3 TO. \. \m'/ J
	1 TOI A B C O
p . qI r\ til i . PARADISE PORTS

only 5/16" thick. While the instructions state that Paradise Ports is "mountable on Apple case," short of using Contact cement or drilling screw holes, we could not figure out an easy way to mount it on the case. Nevertheless, its compact size means it does not take up much space on a desk or table.

TG Select-A-Port

Select- A-Port is an extender which allows up to five devices to be selected singly or simultaneously for input to the Apple. It is relatively compact, measuring 6" x 3" x 1/2" and has five DIP sockets with a switch above each one. With four small rubber feet, it can be used flat on the surface of a table or a desk or even the top of the Apple. In addition, two small plastic mounting brackets are included which permit it to be suspended from the cooling fins on the left or right side of the com- puter.

Socket number I is a non-switchable socket which directly parallels the game I/O port. This is for sensitive devices with which diode isolation would interfere.

Sockets 2-5 are diode-isolated and switch selectable. Socket 2 modifies the device

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Game Ports, continued.

plugged into to it to operate paddles two and three which is useful in applications requiring dual joysticks or four game paddles. Sockets 3 to 5 parallel the game I/O port and are useful for paddles, joystick, light pen, etc.

The instructions provided with Select- A-Port are scant but sufficient.

Select-A-Port is well designed and func- tional. We particularly like the individual switches on each port which allow eternal devices to be used one at a time or several simultaneously, something not possible with other extension port devices. The compact size is also a decided plus.

Paddle Adapple

Paddle Adapple goes one step beyond a game port extender in that it may be used in two modes. First, it may be used as a simple switch between two game ports; second, it allows for up to four paddles or two joysticks to be input to the Apple.

Paddle Adapple consists of a 2" x 3" sticky backed PC board on which are mounted three DIP sockets (one input, two output), a small switch, and a jumper socket.

To use Paddle Adapple as a switch, one device is simply plugged into DIP socket A and the other into B. The small side switch is moved to either position A or B thus selecting that device. In this mode the six jumpers installed with the unit as it is shipped are left in place. However, it is possible to change two jumpers to reverse paddle 0 and paddle 1 in case you have worn out your paddle 0 from playing too many games.

The second mode of operation uses the jumper socket to provide a wide range of input combinations to the Apple. For example, two joysticks or four paddle controls maybe input simultaneously to ports 0, 1, 2 and 3. Unfortunately, although the Apple accepts input from four devices,

it only has three "fire button" inputs. However, a fourth input is possible using the cassette input jack at the rear of the computer. Paddle Adapple includes a plug and cable to go between the cassette input jack and the jumper socket on the unit. For those into it, this will allow four- player paddle/fire button games to be written.

The jumpers can also be used to ex- change the X and Y axis on joysticks, use a light pen and paddles (or joystick) simultaneously, or use shift key modifica- tions that plug into the game I/O socket.

The 14" cable on the Paddle Adapple permits it to be mounted any place on the right side of the computer. Our one minor complaint is that the two output sockets are not zero insertion pressure sockets. Although theoretically one should not be changing devices around much with Paddle Adapple, we regularly use three, and occasionally four, devices which must be plugged in through the game I/O port. Thus, we prefer zero insertion pressure sockets.

Another minor complaint: when mount- ed on the right side of the Apple case, pin 1 is down to the rear, which is not the "natural" way one might expect to plug in a device. This is a very minor complaint, as the manufacturer obviously did not intend that the devices be plugged and unplugged from Paddle Adapple with any frequency.

Paddle Adapple comes with six extra jumper cables— enough for doing practi- cally anything as well as replacing a cable or two. It also includes a cassette input cable and a comprehensive eight-page instruction manual.

Expandaport

Measuring 6" x 4" x 2", Expandaport was physically one of the largest extension port devices that we tested. Its six input DIP sockets were also more than found on any other device. They are clustered in three pairs on the top of the unit along with a small three-position toggle switch.

The instructions recommend that con- nector J-l be used for game paddles and J-2 for a joystick. J-3 is wired for an additional joystick input (or two paddles) to ports 2 and 3. It is recommnded that J- 4 be used for a lightpen. These three inputs (J-l, J-2 and J-3 together and J-4) are selected with the three-position toggle switch.

Two additional sockets labeled J-5 are also available. It was not clear from the instructions how these were selected. Trial and error proved that they were both permanently wired in parallel with the input I/O and the position of the switch has no effect on them.

Expandaport also has a small speaker mounted in the left side of the unit and a

cable which plugs into the Apple speaker connector on the right front of the mother- board. We have long been proponents of an external speaker for the Apple and found that it has ample power to drive a good quality 8 ohm extension unit. Indeed, the volume from an inexpensive SIS or $20 speaker is five to six times that from the internal Apple speaker. Thus, we had great expectations for the Expandaport extension speaker. Alas, the reality is that the sound is of lower volume and quality than that provided by the internal Apple speaker. The speaker in Expandaport is smaller than that in the Apple and has a sound reminiscent of the earphones that came with early transistor radios.

Expandaport comes with a generous 33" cable. Unfortunately, the instructions are not equally generous in their expla- nation of how to use the device. The best part of the instructions is the program which tests every function of every device that can be plugged into Expandaport. On the other hand, the instructions do not tell the user what to do about software protection devices, and lower case adapt- ors, which may require use of the game I/O. (They can be plugged into J-5.)

In summary, for most applications, the paucity of instructions will pose no problem. Our advice: ignore the speaker and look at Expandaport as a versatile, convenient, expansion I/O port device.

CJM Applexpander + S

The Applexpander is part of the CJM Microsystem, a comprehensive input, output and control system for the Apple. It differs from all the other expanders in that the Applexpander uses Cinch Jones plugs and sockets, thereby requiring the purchaser to use only CJM components. A Jones plug to DIP socket converter is offered by CJM, but that seems to be defeating the purpose of the Microsys- tem.

As mentioned, this is more than just an extension port. We will first look at the input capabilities and then the output/con- trol capabilities. Like other expansion devices, the 18" ribbon connector is designed to snake through the top of the Apple case after it has been plugged into the Apple game I/O port. The instructions refer to a diagram A for mounting the

22

September 1982 c Creative Computing

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Game Ports, continued...

Applexpander on the case, but there was no such diagram in the manual. On the other hand, it was not difficult from the position of the sticky backed tape on the side of Applexpander to determine how it should be mounted on the right side of the Apple case.

Applexpander has two input sockets which can accept the usual two paddles, one joystick, light pen. or other input sensor as long as the device terminates in a Cinch Jones P-306 CCT plug. A full complement of such devices is available from CJM or the Jones plug may be installed on the cable of existing devices. Although a wiring diagram is provided in the back of the manual, we don't recom- mended doing this if it is your first construction project. If you have built at least one Heathkit. you'll have no trouble installing a Jones plug.

Input socket 1 is connected to paddle port 0 and 1, while input socket 2 goes into ports 2 and 3. These are not switched sockets; both are permanently connected. Five pages in the rather comprehensive manual are devoted to describing the operation of paddles and joysticks as graphics and game input devices. Five sample programs are included which demonstrate these concepts.

The "+ S" in the name of the device refers to "+ Speaker." Three twisted wires from the Applexpander are snaked through a cooling slot and are used to connect to the internal Apple speaker output and the speaker itself. Applexpander has a mini phone jack on the left front of the unit which provides for an external speaker to be plugged in. Additionally. Appleex- pander has a volume control which adjusts the volume of the internal or external speaker. If an external speaker is plugged in. the internal one is automatically turned off.

Although the Apple accepts input from four potentiometer devices, it only accepts three switch inputs through the game port. Assuming one has the CJM Microstick. switches 0 and 1 are located on it. However, for some applications it may be desirable to be able to trigger the third switch (SW2) without having another joystick or set of paddles. Applexpander provides this capa- bility in the form of a small pushbutton switch on the case of the unit.

cated adjacent to the pushbutton for switch 2 is a mini-jack. The function of this jack is to allow an external switch to be read into the SW2 input. The switch and jack are in series. The jack accepts only normally closed switches, but any number of these external NC switches can be wired in series and plugged into the mini-jack. If one of the switches is thrown, then the Apple will read SW2 as thrown.

This type of system can be used for security. For example, a series of switches around the house can be wired in series and if any one of them is thrown, the Apple would "know" it and could turn on an output module through the control box described below which, in turn, could turn on an alarm.

Another application might be a "failsafe," in which the Apple is used as a controller. Tripping a limit switch would halt the Apple and the system would shut down with the Apple signalling a warning.

In addition to the input ports on the game I/O. the Apple also has four annun- ciator outputs. These outputs are controlled by "soft switches," which is the term used to designate an output which is switched on from one memory location and switched off from another. For example, for annun- ciator 0, memory location -16295 is the on switch and -162% is the off. To throw the switch on or off, its appropriate memory location should be loaded with 00. This is accomplished with POKE (address) 00 from Basic or. from machine language, a LDA $300 then STA (hex address). These routines are fully described in the CJM Microsystem instruction manual.

You may be saying, "This is fine, but what's it good for?" By itself, not much. But with an additional relay control module, these output switches can be used to control a wide variety of household devices such as a video tape recorder, lights, security devices, hi-fi system, or anything at all that can be turned on or off. In other words, with the addition of a relay box. the Apple soft switch becomes a real- world hardware switch.

In summary, the Applexpander +S is the heart of the comprehensive CJM Microsystem. The rugged Jones plugs will probably last far longer than the Apple itself. Used only as an extender, the unit is somewhat pricey. However, considering the additional output and control capa- bilities, the extension speaker, and the access to switch 2 open up many new possibilities and put the CJM Microsystem into a unique niche in the market.

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Sirius Joyport

(Review by RandiJ. Rom. I

The Joyporl is Sirius Software's first entry into the hardware field. It consists of a small plastic case about 6"x 4"x I" that contains four I () ports. The joyport serves as a game socket extension. In addition, it is an expansion to allow the use of two sets of Apple game paddles (with all four pushbuttons operational! as well as two Atari-type joysticks.

The Joyport user's manual is a 20-page document that contains several diagrams to aid in proper installation. The manual also contains instructions on using the Joyporl and source listings of two example programs, one in Applesoft Basic and the other in Pascal.

Besides extending the game I () socket, the Joyport also allows the Apple to recognize input from Atari-type joysticks. Two switches on top of the Joyport allow you to select which device lor devices) plugged into the Joyport will be active." One switch allows you to choose between activating the two Atari ports l front I and the two Apple ports I back). A second switch allows you to choose whether the left, right, or both ports are activated.

Before going any further let's set the record straight about some of the things that the Joyport cannot do. Most important, existing programs that use Apple game paddles will not work automatically with Atari joysticks once the Joyporl is install- ed.

Oames that use game paddles will be completely compatible with the Joyport when you use game paddles plugged into the Joyport. If you want to use Atari joysticks you must either modify your games yourself, or buy software written expressly for use with the Joyport and Atari joysticks.

Why hasn't someone come out with an adapter for the Atari joystick before now 7 Simple: the Atari joystick works on a completely different principle than Apple game paddles or joysticks. The Atari joystick consists of five switches, that's all. No potentiometer, just five switches. One of these switches is for the fire button, the other four represent the four cardinal points of the compass. If you push the joystick left, the "west" button will be depressed internally. If you push the joystick down and to (he right, both the "south" and "east" buttons will be de- pressed. Diagonal movement is detected when two buttons are depressed simulta- neously (e.g., up and left equals north- west.)

In order to obtain values for all five switches, the Joyport must be accessed twice. The first time, annunciator I is "off", (accessing location SC05A will turn it offi and the Joyport returns values for the fire, "east" and "west" buttons in the

September 1982 ■ Creative Computing

27

Game Ports, continued.

locations for pushbuttons 0. I, anil 2 respectively. Accessing location SC05B (turning annunciator I 'on") will signal the Joyport to return values for the fire, 'north." and "south" buttons in the same three locations.

Thus, to obtain values for all five buttons, first look at locations SC06I-SC063 with annunciator I "off" to read values for the fire, "east" anil "west" buttons. Then access locations 3C062 and SC063 again with annunciator I "on" to get values for the "north" and "south" buttons.

As you can see. the Atari joysticks will behave much differently from Apple game paddles. They have absolutely no effect on the game controller locations (SC064- SC067) that are used to interpret the current paddle position. It is for this reason that existing software will not automatically run using Atari joysticks instead of Apple paddles.

Despite the incompatibility, the Atari joystick provides another distinct advan- tage: input can be obtained much more rapidly. This is because of the way the Apple paddle works. To read the paddle, the timing circuit is reset and all game controller locations are set high (they contain values greater than 127). The time it takes for each location to drop below 1 2H is proportional to the setting of the game paddle. Button inputs can be read with virtually no time delay.

Another difference is that the Apple paddle pushbutton locations will contain a value greater than 127 if the button is being pressed. The Atari joystick buttons

Atari Mode Function Selection

cause just the opposite to take place: a value less than or equal to 127 signifies the button has just been pressed. This is a function of the Joyport. It ensures com- patibility with the shift-key to pushbutton input two (pin 4) modification many users have made.

How does the Joyport work when the back switch is set to "both"? This position indicates pushbutton input should be accepted from both devices on the active side of the Joyport.

With the back switch set to "both." paddles 0 and I are obtained from the left side of the Joyport and paddles 2 and 3 are obtained from the right side. Turning annunciator 0 "off" i accessing location- SC058) will allow pushbutton inputs on the left side to be read normally. Switchiing it "on" (referencing location SC059) allows pushbuttons on the right to be read.

The Atari inputs are obtained a little differently. A second annunciator (number 0) must be "on" when input is to be read from the left side and "off" when input is to he read from the right side. The table shows all the combinations of this switch.

Controller Select Switch Setting	Annunciator #1	Button 0 SC061 -16287	Button 1 $C062 -16286	Button 2 SC063 -16285
Left	On	Fire-1	Up-1	Down-1
	Off	Fire- 1	Left-1	Right- 1
Right	On	Fire-2	Up-2	Down-2
Off	Fire-2	Left-2	Right-2
Controller Select In Middle
Annunciator #0	Annunciator #1	Button 0 $C061 -16287	Button 1 $C062 - 16286	Button 2 SC063 - 16285
On	On	Fire-1	Up-1	Down-1
	Off	Fire-1	Left-1	Right- 1
Off	On	Fire-2	Up-2	Down-2
	Off	Fire-2	Left-2	Right-2

Atari mode function selection. With the annunciators and the controller select switch of the Joyport set as shown, locations SC06I-SC063 will indicate a movement in the specified direction.

28

JBLOrD INVADER. MACH

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JBSAVE INVADER. MACH (JOYPORT) ,AS12,L2410O

Listing I. Patch that will let you play Creative Computing 's Super Invader with an Atari joystick using Sirius Joyport.

Software Compatibly

As you can see. a program must be written specifically to take advantage of the Joyport. or it must be modified to do so. I have succeeded in modifying a few of my shoot-'em-up games to accept input from the Atari joystick, and am quite pleased with the results.

Listing I shows the steps necessary to convert Creative Computing's Super Invader. You may wish to check the starting address of your version by tvping: PRINT PEEK(-2I902) + 256 * PEEKl- 21901) after you have BLOADed the program. If the result is 512. you can follow the steps as shown in the table. If the address is 768. save the modified version by typing BSAVE INVADERS (JOY- PORT).A768.L24KX).

Sirius is currently marketing several games that may be played with an Atari joystick connected to the Joyport. These include Gorgon, Copts ami Robbers, Outpost. Hadron. Snake Byte. Twerps and Borg. Gebelli's Horizon V may also be played with an Atari joystick by typing control-shift-p at the beginning of the game. Sirius has sent free Joyports to some of the major game publishers, including On- Line and Broderbund. in order to encour- age development of compatible software.

The Joyport has a suggested retail price of $74.95 and includes a copy of ( omputer Fooshall ( 1-4 players).

It should be emphasized that although the Sirius Joyport and Astar Octa Stick both accept input from a switch-type (Atari I joystick, they are not interchangable. (See Octa Stick review below).

Astar Octa Stick - II

The Octa Stick II is an interface for using an Atari-type joystick with an Apple. As mentioned above, this type of joystick is either completely on or off in a direction and. if pushed diagonally, can activate two switches.

The heart of the mechanism is a small

September 1982 ■ Creative Computing

BBBBi

interface consisting of a 16-pin DIP plug, a male receptacle for a DE-9 Atari joystick plug, some resistors and relays and two trim potentiometers.

Since this type of joystick returns only three values in each of two directions (center, up, down or center, left, right). the center value may have to be adjusted so it does not look to the program as though the joystick has been pressed. "Normally" the three values returned are 0, 127, and 255. However, a program written for both continuously variable as well as switch-type joysticks may be written to accept the values 100. 120 and 140 indicating directional movement. For a program of this sort, it may be necessary to adjust the center (off) value of Octa Stick.

It should be emphasized that although the Octa Stick interface and Sirius Joyport both accept input from a switch-type joystick, the output to the computer is quite different. Octa Stick puts out three resistance values which can be thought of as simulating the left, middle and right position of a potentiometer-type joystick. Games written for the Sirius Joyport cannot be used with Octa Stick while games like Thief and Snack Attack work well with Octa Stick but not the Joyport.

The Octa Stick-II interface has a sticky back permitting it to be mounted on the side of the Apple. Unfortunately, the cable is only six inches long which means that if Octa Stick is one's only interface, it must be mounted well to the back of the Apple case. However, if it is used in conjunction with an extension port it can be mounted toward the front right of the case.

In summary, we found the Octa Stick interface with a Newport or Atari joystick considerably better than potentiometer- type joysticks for playing the Pac-Man and Berzerk families of games.

September 1982 ■ Creative Computing

Time Is Runnim

Can you succeed at a test of fire? Guide your mechanical Firebug through an increasingly complicated five-level maze using your Apple" keyboard or joystick. Make it pick up and drop "gas cans" to destroy the maze for bonus points as it heads for the exitl A fuse is burning behind your Firebug, so your time is short. If you're good enough to destroy all the walls on your race through the mazes, you can add your initials to the Firebug Great Scores Listl

Firebug ' — a chal- lenge for the Apple II" with 48K, disk drive, retail price 24.95. Avail- able at computer stores everywhere and from MUSE, innovators in fun and fantasy for the Apple computer.

Apple II is a trademark of Apple Computer Corp.

A

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SOFTWARE

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For use with Apple Computer Systems

The Superplotter is a highly versatile business, engineering, educational, math and graphics ap- plications package featuring:

Standard Bar Graphs* Point and Lin* Graphs* Graphics Display of any Mathematical Function* Leaat Squares Polynomial Curve! It Generation* Keyboard Image Shape Tables and User Tutorial* Automatic Graphics Disk Storage and Recall* Data File Editor* Automatic Disk Storage and Recall ol Editor Data Flles*Overiay Modes* Graphics Screen Text Editor

Data may be input directly or from previously generated data files Comprehensive documen tatton is provided including printer dump instruc- tions and directions for accessing data bases created by other programs Requires Applesoft and one DOS 3 3 disk drive

$69.95

See your local dealer tor a demonstration or order direct from

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J

	Manufacturers of Joysticks, Paddles
	and Game Port Extenders
A2D Company	Datamost	Newport Machine Design	Tech Designs
P.O. Box 6471	9748 Cozycroft Ave.	East coast distributor:	3638 Grosvenor Dr.
Greenville, SC 29606	Chatsworth. CA 91324	Game-Tech	Ellicott City, MD 21403
(803) 297-0552	(213)701-5161	283 Broadway
		Arlington. MA 02174	TG Products*
Astar International Co.	Happ Electronics. Inc.	(617)648-3230	P.O. Box 2931
5676 Francis Ave.	4640 Island View		Richardson, TX 75080
Chino, CA 91710	Oshkosh. WI 54901	West coast distributor:
(714)627-9887	(414)231-5128	G.A.M.E.S.	Versa Computing, Inc.*
		6626 Valjean St.	3541 Old Conejo Rd., Suite 104
BMP Enterprises	The Keyboard Company	VanNuys,CA91406	Newbury Park. CA 91320
(address not available)	Company name changed to: Apple Computer Accessory	(213)781-1300	(805) 499-4800
CJM Industries	Products Division	Sirius Software, Inc.	Zircon International, Inc.
P.O. Box 2367	7151 Patterson Dr.	10364 Rockingham Dr.	475 Vanell Way
Reston. VA 22090	Garden Grove. CA 92641	Sacramento, CA 95827	Campbell. CA 95008
(703) 435-2991	(714)891-5831	(916)920-1195	(408) 866-8600
Computer Works	Kraft Systems, Inc.	Southern Calif. Research Group
Distributor:	450 W. California Ave.	P.O. Box 2231	* TG and Versa products are
Rainbow Computing	Vista. CA 92083	Goleta. CA 9318	available mail order from:
19517 Business Center Dr.	(714)724-7146	(805)685-1931	Peripherals Plus
Northridge. CA 91324			39 E. Hanover Ave.
(213)349-5560		Syntronics. Inc.	Morris Plains. NJ 07950
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p u

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The Book

That's an Open Door to the Computer Future

KIDS & THE.APPLE is its name, and its game is to prepare your child, or any child, to take his or her place as a member of the com- puter generation by teaching them the mysteries of the Apple" computer in ways they'll love and enjoy. Don't be surprised if you will also learn along with your child.

The kids of today are fascinated by com- puters to start with. And thafs great, be- cause it means they're eager to learn. But, until this book by Edward H. Carlson, learn- ing about the Apple was a fumbling, bumbling effort for a child.

KIDS & THE APPLE was designed in every aspect to lead them gently, interestingly yet guickly into the computer world. First, ifs a large 8V2 by 11 book which can be opened flat for ease of use. Second, there are 35 chapters, each one building upon the knowledge of the prior chapter - and ifs loaded with dozens and dozens of car- toons which make a point as they amuse.

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At computer stores, or from:

The educational/book division of

fflDATAMOSl

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CIRCLE 153 ON READER SERVICE CARD

Then, there are special sections for a parent or teacher to use so they can work along with the kids, if they wish, and help them over any rough spots.

Perhaps the major reasons the kids will love this book is that it is truly written so they can easily understand it (without a lot of confus- ing technical language) . . . and that they see on-screen-results almost immediately! Right away they realize they'll soon be pro- gramming their Apple, making their own games! ... or creating other programs for school or work or to play.

The computer world is roaring toward us. To be successful at work, school or even play, a child will have to be knowledgeable about computers. Make sure your favorite child is prepared for the challenge. With KIDS & THE APPLE at his side, he'll enjoy learning and you'll know you've prepared him or her for a successful future. Only $19.95.

'Apple is a trademark ol Apple Computer. Inc.

Datafax, Visidex, Cardbo

Keys to Success

How would you like to type whatever you want and have a machine remember it? Would you like to type any word and have that machine tell you everything it knows about it?

Imagine underlining the most important words in a letter and asking a secretary to file it. If you underline more than one word, the secretary may file a copy of the letter under each word, or may file the original in one place and a note, referring to the letter, under each of the other underlined words.

A keyword database program can play the role of the secretary in the above scenario. You type anything at all into the computer and, instead of underlining, you stroke a control key to indicate which words are key words. The computer will save your text on disk and will enter your key words into an index, enabling it to retrieve the text quickly at your com- mand.

We reviewed three keyword database programs and found them all quite inter- esting. They all allow free-form text entry with full cursor movement. They all can very quickly retrieve information based on a key and they all are fairly easy to learn and use. They all work on Apple II computers and two of them also work on other computers.

The differences among the programs

September 1982 e Creative Computing

Mike Coffey

have to do with their operating environ- ment (what you need to have to use them), their relationship to other pro- grams you may use and the degree to which they support or encourage Prefor- matting of data.

Datafax

Data/ax by Link Systems, of Santa Monica, California, is designed for the USCD Pascal environment. You can use Data/ax on any Apple II with 64K of memory. The program is designed to use two floppy disks, but can be used with just one drive.

The program can make full use of a hard disk, disk emulator in RAM and almost any other peripheral that works with Apple Pascal. Link Systems has promised versions of this program in IBM PC and Apple III formats, though we have not seen either of those.

33

With Datafax, you organize your infor- mation into folders, storing or recalling a folder's worth of information in each operation. You can type anything at all into a folder, filling as many pages as you like.

Datafax generally uses a one-line menu to tell you which commands you can use. Most commands are invoked by stroking a single key. The main menu lets you move from folder to folder using com- mands like E to examine folders, S to scan through several folders, P to print the contents of folders. D to delete fold- ers, and N to create new folders.

Let's look at some of these operations in more detail. If you have stored infor- mation about all your favorite trees, you could press "S" for scan and then type the word "oak" to scan through all the folders that are filed under the word "oak." Datafax will now consult its index and show you a list of all the first lines of all the folders it found.

This list of first lines now acts as a menu. By stroking a single key, you can bring any of the chosen folders into full view. Also by stroking a single key, you may copy, print or delete any of the chosen folders. Best of all, you can alter- nate between the menu and the viewing of folders, deleting and printing things after taking one last look at them.

Keys to Success, contini

creative computing

SOFTWARE PROFILE

Name: Datafax

Type: Keyword filer

System: Apple II 64K, Disk drive Apple III 128K

Format: Disk II ( 16 sector) or Disk

III (for Apple III) Language: Pascal

Summary: Best bet for free form filing Price: $199 (Apple II) $249 (Apple III)

Manufacturer: Link Systems 1640 19th St. Santa Monica. CA 90404

If you choose to read the folder, you may add text to it or change anything in it and send it back to the disk either replac- ing or coexisting with the old folder.

Editing Folders

Datafax includes one of the best screen editors available today. Like those in the other two programs, it can insert and delete characters and lines and it does so with single-key commands. Unlike the other programs, the Datafax editor can be redesigned by the person using it. If you don't like typing ctrl-P to move the cursor up and ctrl-L to move the cursor down, you can change those commands to suit your taste.

There are just a few unfortunate draw- backs in the Datafax editor. The "insert

Datafax Scan command.

ICROCONPUTER PRODUCTS.

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character" and "insert line" commands can cause characters to be lost from the end of the line or screen. To mitigate this effect, Datafax warns you when you are about to lose a line, forcing you to confirm your intention before completing the operation.

Datafax allows a folder to contain more than one screen full of text and its editor includes commands for inserting, deleting and copying screens. The major limitation is that, unlike a word processor, Datafax does not carry you automatically from the bottom of one screen to the beginning of the next. The other big problem is that you can not incorporate screens from several different folders into one folder.

Here's The Key

When typing your text you can establish a word as a key by pressing one control key after typing the word. You can also back up and turn any previously typed word into a key word using the same control key. If the desired word does not actually appear within your text, you can summon the key-menu which lets you review your key selections for a folder and add or delete keys. You may establish as many keys as you like for each folder.

Summary of Datafax

Datafax fits my design of a key word database perfectly. All I want is a full- screen editor and a keyword retrieval method. 1 want a program that is easy to use and that can cooperate with other programs. Datafax performs the assign- ment elegantly.

Visidex

Visidex, published by Visicorp, is designed for the standard Apple II Plus with a disk drive. You can use a printer with Visidex, but forget about hard disks, 80-column cards and other high perfor- mance peripherals.

Visidex offers a few enhancements to the basic idea of a key word database. It includes a calendar that allows you to file data under a key date instead of (or in addition to) key words. The Visi people also provide the means for designing and

c&Mupd$L,

using templates which are outlines for data that you fill in later.

With Visidex, you organize your infor- mation into screens; there is no analog to the idea of a folder. The operation of Visidex is divided into several modes, each of which is characterized by the set of operations which appear in its menu. Most of the time, you will find yourself in edit mode, two keystrokes away from any other mode.

In Edit mode, you may type any text you like and move the cursor all over the

creative GOiRpatiitg

SOFTWARE PROFILE

Name: Visidex

Type: Keyword filer

System: Apple II 48K, Disk drive

Format: Disk II ( 16 sector)

Language: 6502

Summary: Extremely versatile

Price: $250

Manufacturer:

Visicorp

2895 Zanker Road

San Jose, CA 95134

place. You may insert and delete charac- ters and lines but you must be careful with the insert commands. Visidex will push the last line off the screen whenever you insert a new line. Any text on that last line is gone forever.

The editor can also erase the whole screen, move to tab stops, invert or flash letters, rearrange lines and establish key words. Finally, you can read lines from text files, but we found this feature awkward and difficult to use.

To create a key word, just press ctrl-K after typing the word. You can also summon the key word mode and enter the key word without actually typing it into the text.

To rearrange lines of text you must delete the lines one-by-one, then undelete them. This scheme is very convenient for

Visidex Command Mode.

34

September 1982 ■ Creative Computing

»z&

SU^e\^v

«£<

'trademark ot Apple Computer. Inc. ■•trademark ot International Business Machine Corporation

Your IBM personal computer deserves an Amdek Color-ll monitor

To take maximum advantage of all your new IBM Personal Computer can do •^eed a compatible monitor sive capabilities of its own And at. there's simply no better choice Color-ll from Amdek Color-ll's high-resolution colors can ize and analyze the most . ex data Whether you need -

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• Complete with one-year warranty covering all parts and labor two-year

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^mmm

Keys to Success, continued...

moving a single line, but fur moving arbitrary blocks of text, it drags.

You can read a line from a standard text file by pressing ctrl-R. However, if you try to read more lines than the text file contains. Visidex makes a non-recov- erable error. Since there is no way to know when you have reached the end of a file, we found this feature useless.

Templates

If you get tired of the freedom of full- screen data entry and yearn for the structure of business forms, design some templates. Just type a sample form and use black-on-white format to type the permanent parts of the form. ( Visidex has control keys to switch between black-on- white and normal typing.) Save the form with a name that begins with a number sign (#) and Visidex will remember the form.

When you want to use the template, simply retrieve it from disk and fill it in. When you have finished filling it in. Visidex will save it without the number sign (thus distinguishing the blank form from the filled in ones) and provide a fresh, blank form for you to complete.

Heavy Dates

If you file a screen under a date. Visidex will automatically show you that screen if you boot the program on that date or within six days after it. You can also ask for advance warning of up to 15 days. Finally. Visidex can remind you of daily, weekly or monthly tasks.

Summary of Visidex

If you want to keep track of a floppy disk worth of short notes and forms. Visidex can do the job. For multi-page forms and documents, look elsewhere. We especially like the fact that the pro- gram supports but does not mandate templates. Our primary complaint: The command structure is somewhat difficult to master.

Cardbox

Cardbox is published by Caxton Soft- ware, of faraway England. Cardbox requires the CP/M operating system and an 80-column screen. You may use a standard video terminal or one of the popular 80-column cards for the Apple.

Cardbox works best with two disk drives, though one will suffice. The more storage you have per disk, the better off you are, since Cardbox can handle very large files. Cardbox will use any disk drive or printer that is properly connected to your CP/M system.

With Cardbox. you organize your data into records, which resemble pre-printed index cards. You fill in the blanks on the

September 1982 c Creative Computing

cards, file them and flip through them, much as you would in real life.

Cardbox uses a split-screen technique for operator interaction. In the bottom section of each screen, you find instruc- tions, on what to do next. Usually, you have the choice of two-letter commands. Each two-letter command stands for a longer English word, e.g. ADd, DEIete, INclude. EXclude.

Designing Cards

Before storing any information, you must tell Cardbox the format of your pre- printed index cards. Beginners will find the card design process somewhat inti- mated. This is partly due to the wide variety of options available.

With Cardbox, you organize your data into

records, which

resemble pre-printed

index cards.

Each card is divided into rectangular areas called fields. You must tell Cardbox five facts about each field: the start position, end position, name, caption and index mode. When you are finished defin- ing one field, press the escape key and repeat the process for another field.

To establish the start position, move the cursor to the desired location and press S. For the end position, move the cursor and press E. To set the field name press N and type the name. The caption (which, unlike the field name, will be displayed during most operations) is entered by pressing C and typing your caption.

creative computing

SOFTWARE PROFILE

Name: Cardbox

Type: Keyword filer

System: 48K CP/M. version 2 or later Disk drive, 24 x 80 video display.

Format: 8" single density, Apple

CP/M, Osborne, etc. Language: 8080

Summary: Best bet for templates Price: $245 Manufacturer:

Caxton Software

10-14 Bedford St. Covent Garden

London WC2E 9HE England

You use the index mode option to help Cardbox determine which words should be key words. To force all words within a field to be key words, use All. To prevent any words from becoming key words, use None. To leave it up to the operator, use Man or Auto. The difference between Man and Auto is that Auto assumes that each word is a key word until told other- wise, while Man assumes the opposite.

Editing Cards

Editing text with Cardbox goes as smoothly as it does with the other pro- grams. You are restricted to a single page per form. Cardbox. unlike the other two programs reviewed here, never threatens to lose a character at the end of the line or page when inserting. It is also the only one that does not move a whole word from the end of a line to the beginning of the next line when it gets to the right margin.

In addition to four-way cursor controls, Cardbox includes keys for moving to the beginning or end of a field, next word.

37

RAM* THE EXPANSION MEMORY

WITH A BUILT-IN RS-232 SERIAL PORT.

Seattle Computer has a winning card for owners of the Personal Computer. It's RAM+ the new expansion memory that can make your Personal Computer unforgettable by adding up to 256K of memory.

And RAM+ cards can put money on the table. Each comes with a built-in RS-232 serial port— which would cost $150 from IBM. This serial port uses IBM supplied software and can be used as IBM COM1 or COM2 leaving an open slot for further additions- like another RAM+ card.

Available in 64K, 128K, 192K or 256K, RAM 't- is expandable, fast and reliable, and is made by Seattle Computer, the creators of the operating system for the IBM personal computer.

Each card comes fully assembled, tested and with a 1-year guarantee. Expansion kits are also available.

How to order: RAM+ is available only through your local computer store. Call us toll free at 1-800-426-8936 for the location of your nearest RAM+ dealer.

The RAM+. A great deal for owners of the IBM Personal Computer.

S8SW

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Keys to Success, continued...

previous word, and next field. While typing, you may insert or delete charac- ters but not whole lines. You can establish or disestablish a key word with a single stroke.

Flipping Through Cards

When you are not editing a card, you can scan through your cards using the Move To Next Card and Move to Pre- vious Card keys. You can also use the Move to Last Card and Move to First Card keys.

If you have many cards in your file, a one-by-one scan takes a long time. To help speed things up. Cardbox provides the Select, Include and Exclude com- mands. Let us use another example from the world of trees.

If you want to look at only those cards that contain the key word "oak" just type SE /OAK and press the return key. Now you can scan forward and back among only the cards in which Cardbox found the key word "oak."

You can further restrict the cards to be scanned by giving another Select com- mand or by giving an Exclude command. If you want to concentrate on oak trees other than American Oak, you might type EX /American, for example.

The Include command serves to expand the collection of selected cards.

After saying SE /Oak, as above, and IN /Maple we can scan through all cards having either oak or maple as key words.

For those occasions when you forget to make key words where you should, Cardbox has special versions of Select and Exclude (but not Include) which search all text in your cards, not just the key words.

To help the sophisticated searcher, Cardbox offers commands called Back and Clear which undo your selection commands one at a time or in one big gulp. Also helpful are the History com- mand, which tells you how you managed to select your current set of cards, and the Listindex command, which helps predict the effect of a Select command.

Deciding

Ask yourself the following questions: Do I consistently use data in fixed for- mats? What else am I using the computer for? What kind of memory devices do I use?

Cardbox forces you to predefine your data formats. Data/ax provides no support for preformatting. Visidex can go either way.

Cardbox can create data files for use with many standard CP/M word pro- cessors and other programs. With Datafax you can make Pascal editor and program

compatible files. Visidex has limited capabilities of this type, but can make Apple DOS text files.

Datafax and Cardbox can both make full use of hard disks. 8" floppies and disk emulators in RAM when such peripherals are correctly installed. Visidex has no such capability.

Final Words

I can't close without mentioning docu- mentation and on-screen help. Each pro- gram comes with a very good manual, although the Cardbox manual is a bit difficult for beginners. Visidex includes a superb reference card and the Datafax manual, though good, is labeled "prelimi- nary."

Each program displays help in a differ- ent way. Cardbox is very talkative. Visidex is terse and Datafax is profession- al sounding.

I prefer the Datafax style of spelling out each available command at the top of the screen. The Cardbox screen seemed a bit too busy, with messages changing between keystrokes so often I was some- times distracted. Visidex is a bit too terse for me, providing only single-letter clues as to what I could do next.

Don't be afraid to try any of these programs. Remember: If you can't deal with it, file it. □

Allenbach is putting tomorrow on disks.

The future of the world is written in computer software. And Allenbach disk duplication is making sure that the future is faithfully reproduced. We use our own Allenbach diskettes and state of the art eauipment, with electronic surface evaluation of each diskette before use. Copies are 100% verified, track by track, and carry the Allenbach lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship or materials. For information and prices on disks, duplication, and dealer information, please call (800) 854-1515. In California, call (714) 438-2258 collect.

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CIRCLE 107 ON READER SERVICE CARD

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Introducing the Sinclair ZX81.

If you 're ever going to buy a personal computer, now is the time to do it.

The Sinclair ZX81 is the most powerful, yet easy-to-use computer ever offered for any- where near the price: only $99.95* completely assembled.

Don't let the price fool you. The ZX81 has just about everything you could ask for in a per- sonal computer.

A breakthrough in personal computers.

The ZX81 is a major advance over the origi- nal Sinclair ZX80- the first personal computer to break the price barrier at $200.

In fact, the ZX81 's 8K extended BASIC offers features found only on computers costing two or three times as much.

Just look at what you get: ■ Continuous display, including moving graphics

Sinclair technology is also available in Timex/Sinclair computers under a license from Sinclair Research Ltd.

THE $99.95

■ Multi-dimensional string and numerical arrays

■ Mathematical and scien- tific functions accurate to 8 decimal places ■ Unique one-touch entry of key words like PRINT, RUN and LIST

■ Automatic syntax error ■ detection and easy editing

■ Randomize function useful for both games and serious applications

■ 1 K of memory expandable to 16K

■ A comprehensive programming guide and operating manual

The ZX81 is also very convenient to use. It hooks up to any television set to produce a clear 32-column by 24-line display. It comes with a comprehensive programming guide and oper- ating manual designed for both beginners and experienced computer users. And you can use a regular cassette recorder to store and recall programs by name.

Order at no risk.* *

We'll give you 10 days to try out the ZX81 . If you're not completely satisfied, just return it to Sinclair Research and we'll give you a full refund.

And if you have a problem with your ZX81, send it to Sinclair Research within 90 days and we'll repair or replace it at no charge. Introducing the ZX81 kit.

If you really want to save money, and you enjoy building electronic kits, you can order the ZX81 in kit form for the incredible price of just $79.95.* It's the same, full-featured computer, only you put it together yourself. We'll send com- plete, easy-to-follow instructions on how you can assemble your ZX81 in just a few hours. All you have to supply is the soldering iron. A leader in microelectronics.

The ZX81 represents the latest technology in microelectronics. More than 10,000 are sold every week. In fact, the ZX81 is the fastest selling personal computer in the world.

We urge you to place your order for the ZX81 today. To order.

To order, simply call toll free. Or use the coupon below. Remember, you can try it for 10 days at no risk.** The sooner you order, the sooner you can start enjoying your own computer. Call toll free 800-543-3000.

Ask for operator #509. In Ohio call: 800-582-1 364; in Canada call: 513-729-4300. Ask for operator #509. Phones open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your MasterCard or VISA ready.

These numbers are for orders only. If you just want information, please write: Sinclair Research Ltd., 2 Sinclair Plaza, Nashua, NH 03061.

* Plus shipping and handling Price includes connectors for TV and cassette. AC adaptor, and FREE manual

• • Does not apply to ZX81 kits

NEW SOFTWARE: Sinclair has published pre-recorded pro- grams on cassettes for your ZX81 . We're constantly coming out with new programs, so we'll send you our latest software catalog with your computer.

16K MEMORY MODULE: Like any powerful, full fledged com- puter, the ZX81 is expandable. Sinclair's 16K memory module plugs right onto the back of your ZX81 . Cost is $49.95, plus shipping and handling.

To order call toll free: 800-543-3000

		Price*
	Ad Code 09CC	Qty. Amount
	ZX81	$99.95
	ZX81 Kit	79.95
	16K Memory Module	49.95
	Shipping and Handling	4.95		$4.95
	MAIL TO: Sinclair Research Ltd., One Sinclair Plaza, Nashua, NH 03061 Name		TOTAL
Address

State.

Zip.

& & & &

& 49 & & r & & &

•!•

THE $549. SMART TERMINAL

The Heath 19 Smart Video Terminal gives you all the important professional features you want in a ter- minal, all for under $600." You get the flexibility you need for high-speed data entry, editing, inquiry and transaction processing. It's designed to be the back- bone ot your system with heavy-duty features that withstand the rigors of daily use. Standard RS-232C interfacing makes the 19 com- patible with DEC VT-52 and most computer systems. And with the 19, you get the friendly advice and expert service that makes Heath/Zenith a strong partner for you.

Sold through Heathkit Electronic Centers* nationwide (see your white pages for locations). Stop in today for a demonstration of the Heath 19 Smart Video Termi- nal. If you can't get to a store, send for the latest Heathkit* Catalog. Write Heath Co., Dept. 355-934 Benton Harbor, Ml 49022.

HEATH/ZENITH

Your strong partner

Completely ad- dressable blinking cursor lets you edit anywhere on screen.

Reverse video by character lets you emphasize words, phrases or paragraphs.

High resolution CRT gives you sharp, easy- to-read image, reduces eye-strain.

Complete ASCII character set includ ing upper case, tower case with descenders, and special graphic symbols.

80 character by 24 line format, plus 25th line for operator mes- sages and prompts.

Professional quality keyboard, standard type- writer layout, 72 keys, including 12 special function keys.

Z-80 microprocessor- control makes the 19 capable of multitude of high-speed functions. It's the only terminal with ROM source code readily available.

Insert and delete character or line plus erase to end of line and end of screen make the 19 ideal for sophisticated editors like WORD- STAR.

Cursor and special functions are accessible by keyboard or computer, using either DEC VT-52 or ANSI Standard protocols.

Keypad in calculator format permits fast, easy entry of numeric data.

'In kit form. FOB. Benton Harbor. Ml. Also available the completely assembled Zenith Z-19 at $895. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.

t Heath Company and Ver itechnology Electronics Corporation are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Zenith Radio Corporation. The Heathkit Electronic Centers are operated by verrtechnotogy Electronics Corporation.

CP-202C

DB Master and Visifile

Record Players

Mike Coffey

When you buy a file manager, you are really buying several programs, to wit:

• Record designer

• Record editor

• File printer

• File sorter

Each program within a file manager can be evaluated separately for ease-of- use, generality, speed, error protection, documentation and whatever else you think is important. To summarize these into an overall evaluation would be a difficult, enemy-making and otherwise meaningless task.

Thorough analysis of all the worthwhile file managers on the market would fill a book with as many pages as any two issues of Creative Computing. This article will analyze the functions of each program within a complete file manager and cite examples from two popular systems.

Both DBMaster, from Stoneware Microcomputer Products, and Visifile, from VisiCorp, are complete file man- agers that you can buy from almost any Apple dealer. They are generally well documented and carefully debugged. We do not mean to imply that they are necessarily the best file managers. You must analyze your needs and choose the system that best fits you.

Record Designers

Building a file begins with designing the layout of the data to be stored in the

September 1982 c Creative Computing

If some parts of the

design puzzle you,

you have been

effectively introduced

to the world of

record design.

file. We will use a simple mailing list file as an example.

For each person or organization, we may need to keep track of the following things: name, address, phone numbers, and birth date.

Figure I.

For the sake of the program we must state our design more specifically than we did in the previous paragraph. We must specify the record design as a col- lection of fields, each of which can hold a simple sequence of characters, often restricted in number and type of character.

Figure 1 shows our refined record design for the simple mailing list.

If some parts of the design puzzle you, you have been effectively introduced to the world of record design. Many books have been written on the topic.

Any decent file manager will let you specify the length of fields and whether each should hold letters and numbers (alphanumerics) or numbers only. Many file managers, including DBMaster, also

Name of Field	Type of Characters	Number of Characters
Last name	any	up to 20
First name	any	up to 20
Street address	any	up to 40
City or town	any	up to 20
State	letters	2
Zip code	numbers	5
Day phone	(xxx)yyy-zzzz	8-13
Night phone	(xxx)yyy-zzzz	8-13
Birth date	mm/dd/yy	8

43

I

Kelly's Computing

O rV MsnlMayKCdtl) 44 45 .V «. 38 50

Q Centipede

(DueJuryor Aug KCart) 4495 Mm M.M

D Cevernsol M... 1995 \1-.t , ,

a spk< h*>. ii'<. i \OLU

D Slai R 4995

n Amodt (Ckrtl M,s *?750

D Mm* Command H 44 95 as* I

2195 Mm 19.141

2195 Mm l».S»

O AunBiK H.«* H95 Mm 7.541

D Ann Biss M ■■'... » 50

D Te,h. 2995 MVi 25.M

19 5*

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Q bviution In Pragramm, 24 95 Nm, 19 50

100 00 ."»... 07.SO

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RAM FOR ATARI 400

■J8K (reg $299 00) Nou 225.00 32K (reg. $199 00) Now 125.00

Send your name, address, credit card number and signature

with your order in 3515 Beyce Way. R Ids, CA 92S0k

• (7 141 707 7002 Include 52.00 lor Shebang and Handkng If you phone your order we win credH $1.00 for your carl Cakkxraa Residents add 69. Sale. Tax Al orders shtpped bom nock withei 48 hours We accept Maalsec.ee: assd Visa

COD I add $5 00 Pnces subject to change without notice

CIRCLE 175 ON READER SERVICE CARD

DBMaster/Visifile, contini

creative computing

SOFTWARE PROFILE

Name: DBMaster Type: File Manager

System: Apple II 48K, 2 Disk Drives

(or more) Format: Disk II (16-sectur) Language: Basic & 6502 Summary: Maximum Power Price: $229 Manufacturer:

Stoneware

50 Belvedere St.

San Rafael, CA 94901

can handle specially formatted fields, such as dates.

When you tell DBMaster that a field should contain a date, it creates an eight- character field with hyphens to separate month, day and year. The operator will be able to type only numbers into the field, however, DBMaster will not reject dates like 99-32-82.

Visifile recognizes numeric and alpha- numeric fields. For a date, you would specify an eight-character alphanumeric field. The operator(s) might have to learn to be careful about how they type dates.

DBMaster knows about numeric, alpha- numeric and several kinds of fields. Here is a list:

• Counting numbers (0-255)

• General Integers (+/- 32767)

• Decimal numbers (9-digit precision) o Dollars and Cents (up to

$9,999,999.99)

• Social security number (xxx-xx-xxxx)

• Telephone number (xxx-xxx-xxxx)

• Yes or No

Record Capacity

Next on our list of considerations are record length and field length. Figure 2 shows how our two programs compare.

Figure 2.

You can see that DBMaster enjoys greater record capacity, but that Visifile would be preferable for people with a few long fields. Either program works fine for our mailing list.

With a little practice,

you could probably

make money setting

up people's files

for them.

The Record Design Process

The record design program should make your job easy, keeping you informed of your options along the way and allowing you to back up, correct mistakes or change your mind. Most programs fail to do this.

DBMaster puts the designer through a long, confusing and, therefore, error prone dialogue. Beginners should seek help from an experienced friend the first time they design records.

creative computing

SOFTWARE PROFILE

Name: Visifile

Type: File manager

System: Apple II 48K, Disk Drive (2 recommended)

Format: Disk II (16-sector)

Language: Basic and 6502

Summary: Good menus

Price: $250

Manufacturer

Visicorp

2895 Zanker Rd.

San Jose, CA 95134

	Maximum	Maximum	Maximum	Maximum
	Record	Number	Character	Numeric
	Length	of Fields	Field Length	Field Length
DBMaster	1020	100	30	11
Visifile	232	24	128	38

44

September A 982 c Creative Computing

Turn your Apple* IE into an

Orchard

With software from Quark™ Engineering

Quark Engineering brings you software specially designed for your Apple III. Easy-to-use products that dramatically increase your system's capabilities. And your productivity.

You start with Word luggler™. the most easy-to-use word processor available for the Apple III. Word Juggler is written in assembly language. And comes with special keyboard templates to label important functions.

Word juggler retails for $295. Form letter and simple mailing list capabilities are included free. If you want even more capacity, you can interface with Apple's Mail List Manager for an additional $35.

Need to check your spelling? Add Lexicheck™. A high-performance spelling checker with a 25,000-word dictionary. You can add your own words. And get more accurate documents, without a lot of proofreading. The price? Less than a penny a word. Only $195.

You can even send text from Word juggler to computerized typesetting equipment. All you need is Typeface™. Interface software which cuts your typesetting costs and eliminates re-keying errors. $175.

Finally, there's Transcribe™. A spooler designed especially for hard disk drives. Transcribe lets you use other computer functions while you're printing. And it's compatible with most Apple III software. $125.

There's much more to tell you about Word juggler, Lexicheck, TypeFace and Transcribe. See them at your local dealer. Or contact us today. We'll help you turn your Apple III into an orchard. And from then on, you'll find easy picking.

Quark Engineering 1433 Williams. Suite I 102 Denver, CO 80218 (303) 399-1096

'Apple is A registered trademark ol Apple Computer. Inc.

Engineering

CIRCLE 214 ON READER SERVICE CARD

Reading, Writing, and TRS-80

The biggest name in little computers is also the biggest name in classroom computing. There are more TRS-80s in use in schools than any other computer — and for some very good reasons. We're not just a hardware company. Our education division has produced more courseware than any other microcomputer manufac- turer, even more than most major educational pub- lishers. We're serious about education. No reputable educational publisher would place a new and untested program on the market — and neither would we. We maintain an extensive field test program for all our classroom products. If they don't measure up. we don't

put our name and our reputation on them. And they don't make it into your classroom. Our service and support organizations are second to none. And they're company-owned and company-operated — nationwide. If you're serious about computers in your classroom, ask a school that owns a TRS-80. And then visit a Radio Shack Computer Center or one of our stores near you. Or call 817-390-3302 for the name of our full-time educational sales coordinator in your area.

Radio /hack

The biggest name in little computers™

A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION CIRCLE 264 ON READER SERVICE CARD

■

DBMaster/Visifile, continued...

Visifile employs a very easy to follow design procedure. You will seldom wonder what to do next, especially if you read the manual. The program always displays a not-too-cryptic list of options and your work in progress is fully visible.

As for redesigning old records, Visifile lets you start again from scratch and then copy data from the old type records to new ones. DBMaster will not do that unless you purchase the optional Utility Pak m.

Summary of Record Editors

DBMaster has one of the most powerful and complex designers you can buy. With a little practice, you could probably make money setting up peoples files for them.

The Visifile record editor, while simple to operate, offers fewer options. We recommend this type of record designer to beginners and to people whose files will be used by only one person.

Record Editors

Most people spend most of their file management time editing records. There- fore, consider carefully the qualities of the record editor of each system.

Under record editing we include both generating new records and altering old records. Some systems treat these as separate tasks but we have a hard time keeping them very far apart in our mind.

We think of record editing as a special- ized form of text editing. We wish that the designers of file management systems felt the same way. Commands to insert and delete characters, words and lines are just as useful in record processing as they are in word processing. Unfortunate- ly, most of these commands are missing from many file managers, including both DBMaster and Visifile.

Complete cursor controls can also add much to the convenience of a system. Most file managers, including DBMaster and Visifile, fail to satisfy this wish.

Record editing, like text editing, involves very subjective concerns about what feels right to an individual. Be sure to try out each system before buying.

Visifile Main Menu.

■> DB MASTER MUM HEHU <■

FILE HAKE' NAILLIST

CHOOSE FROM'

(1> OISPLAY/EDIT/OELETE RECCR3S

<2> 003 RECORDS

<3> LIST RECORDS TO PRINTER

(4) LOAD OR CREATE SHORT FORK

<5> SET UP OR PRINT REPORT

<6> FILE MAINTENANCE

<7> LOAD OR CREATE HEU FILE

<8) CLOSE FILES I EXIT

ENTER YOUR CHOICE (t TO 8) ■

DBMaster Main Menu.

DBMaster Record Editing

In DBMaster, you reach for the record editing functions from the main menu by selecting "add new records" or "search/ print/update." When you have searched out the record you wish to edit, pressing the escape key alows you to change its contents.

Whether you are adding or modifying a record, DBMaster lets you move sequen- tially from field to field and from page to page (if the record has more than one page) and retype any field.

If you suddenly decide you don't need a record, you may delete it.

Visifile is built around

several cursor driven

menus.

Visifile Record Editing

Visifile is built around several cursor driven menus. At the bottom or top of the screen you see several choices. Touching the cursor keys causes each choice in turn to be highlighted. When you have highlighted your choice, just press return and it's yours.

Adding records is as simple as can be: just select Add and fill in the fields.

Visifile Record Editor with fields filled in.

Utf»to

I

iSKU

ri . -. m m

DBMaster Record Editor.

Correcting mistakes is no problem, just back up and retype.

Changing records can be a bit weird, though. When you select Change from the menu, the program asks which record to change. Normally, it asks you to tell it the record number of the one you want to change. In the index mode, however, it asks for the key value of the one you wish to change.

We would prefer a Visifile with only one mode. The record number method of record selection should have been dis- carded before the product was released. It does little to enhance the utility and much to complicate its use.

Because of the availability of two dif- ferent modes, the operator must remem- ber to throw the system into "search index mode" whenever starting the record editor.

Now, back to our editor. Choose "Change" from the menu and enter the key value of the record you wish to change. Oops, we're stuck again. What's a key valuel

Before you can use the search index mode on a file for the first time, you must sort the file. In its simplest form, sorting involves choosing one field as the key field. The program then creates a special file, called an index, that tells where each record would be if the data file were arranged in alphabetical order according to the contents of the key field. Simple, right?

Now more about our editor. You have typed a key value. Visifile shows you a record that matches your key. You can retype any field, inserting and deleting characters at will. Finally, you press a control key signalling that you are done editing, and Visifile returns you to the maintain menu.

You delete records in similar fashion. Choose Delete from the menu and enter the key value. Visifile will display the corresponding record and ask for confir- mation before deleting it.

Try It Out

Let's emphasize once again that the record editing program is the most impor- tant component in the file manager sys-

September 1982 c Creative Computing

47

DBMaster /Visif ile, continued

The record editing

program is the most

important component

in the file manager system.

tem. Make sure that the program feels right to the person who will use it most often.

Printing

File printing can be divided into two steps: designing report formats and print- ing reports. Generally, you can design a format once and use it many times.

DBMaster can print without having you create a report format. Just choose "List records to printer" from the main menu. You will then be able to specify which records should be printed. You will not be able to specify which fields should be printed, DBMaster will print them all.

You can get basic reports from Visifile very easily also. The first time you print a report from a given file, you must design a report format for that file. For sub- sequent reports you may reuse the same format or you may design and use addi- tional ones.

Visifile Report Design

When designing a Visifile report you specify:

• Report name.

• Printed title (up to three lines).

• Length of a page.

• Whether to print in key order.

• Whether to print deleted records.

• Whether to print the names of fields.

• Which fields to include and where to place them.

All except the last of these are shown on the first screen of the Report design dialogue. You can easily back up and change your mind, and you can always see what you have done so far.

The second screen of the dialogue covers the details of the choice, place- ment and appearance of fields. Again, because of the menu orientation and the ease of correcting mistakes, this process is simple to master.

With all these specifications tucked away in the print format, there are still two options that can be selected at print time: which records to print and in what order.

The easiest thing to do is to print all records. Otherwise, you can use yet another specialized menu to weed out certain records. Just select the fields you want to consider and the characters you

n each field. The order of printing is determined by the sort command, described in its own section, below.

DBMaster Report Design

DBMaster also has a Report Design program. It has many options, is difficult to use (especially the first time) and its explanation requires 35 pages in the DBMaster manual. Features include page number placement, date of report, num- ber of lines between records, comment lines, column titles, computed fields, row totals, column totals, sort fields, subtotals, and which records to include.

File Sorters

Sorting a file usually means arranging its records in alphabetical order so that a human can find one quickly. Computers sometimes sort files so that they can find records quickly, but they also have other quick search methods.

DBMaster, for example, uses keys and indexes to find records quickly and only sorts when you ask for a sorted report. Visifile also uses keys and indexes and, if you are careful, can keep everything in order as you add new records.

Sort of DBMaster

DBMaster can consider up to six fields in one sorting operation. Examples are fun to imagine. You can print a list of people according to country and, within country, according to state, and within state, by county or parish, city or town, postal code, or street. This is very useful for statistical researchers, especially since DBMaster can add up columns of num- bers within each of the sort levels.

For quick retrieval of records (within about five seconds for even full-disk sized files), DBMaster uses secondary keys. When you tell the program that you want a particular field to be a secondary key, DBMaster quietly creates an index file for that field.

The secondary keys of DBMaster obviate the need for a separate sorting step (except for printing.) Instead, the

storing of each record takes a bit longer. In many cases, the difference will not be noticeable. The DBMaster manual sug- gests using no more than three secondary indexes at the same time.

Sort of Visifile

Visifile can consider up to ten fields in one sorting operation. When you sort with Visifile, the program builds an index file, to which you give a name.

Visifile uses this index both to print sorted reports and to help find records quickly for editing. You can build more than one index file (each using a different set of fields), but switching among them requires re-sorting using the Sort menu.

Capacity and Overhead

Visifile, like most file managers you can buy for the Apple II, can manage files as large as the capacity of one Disk II (approximately 120K). DBMaster can handle files as large as a million bytes. However, as soon as your file exceeds 140 kilobytes, you will have to begin swapping disks as DBMaster commands you, unless you have the hard-disk version.

Each program requires 48K RAM and a disk drive. Both publishers state that their programs work with a single disk drive. Only a masochist would use either program with a single drive. DBMaster works best with three drives (one for records, one for indexes, and one for the program), though two are adequate for most users. Visifile works best with two disk drives and will ignore any additional drives.

Both systems handle printers of most types. Neither supports 80-column boards nor other non-printer peripherals. Hard disk compatibility is another desirable, hard to find, feature. Special versions of DBMaster have it, most others do not.

Summary

As I said at the beginning of this article, there is no way to summarize this topic. So get going, analyze your needs and try a couple of systems yourself. D

48

Dear Diary..."

September 1982 c Creative Computing

a^afl

The experts are excited about QR AMMATlK

Seldom does a new software product receive the universal praise from the experts of major microcomputer magazines that Grammatik has. Read for yourself:

Alan R. Miller, Interface Aye. May 1982:

"Tin rutin- manuscript of »/// Fortran Imok was given to Grammatik. Grammatik flagged many locations throughout the Ixxik. Several doubled words were correctly flagged. Other flagyil passages truly nmlnl attention, ""drum mat ikfou ml a very important pattern; the expression in this ease' appeared hh times. This pkrast expressed four different concepts, ami most of the examples m re reworded,'' "Profile can be used to determine the frequency <>/ word usage in a document" "Grammatik is a useful aid for professional writers. It is the perfect complement to a spelling checker."

A. A. Wicks, Computronics. June 1982: "The innii mil fur Grammatik is better than average. The gen- eral text and explanations are thorough detailed, and cmi-

dse." "When the linn/ruin nils 'test rnn'iin sunn ulil articles nf mini still an ilisk. I tens i nihil rrnsscil by smile 11/ tin over- worked, wordy, or trite phrases that I hail used. Nevertheless, I hail tn agree with what Grammatik was saying, ami vow to

11 n 1 ill these pitfalls ill the J'nt 11 re. " "Til is is one of the must inter-

esting ami useful programs that I hare had tin pleasure to re- view. All functions operated as elated with m problems, or even a hint of a problem. And iw guessing was required about exactly what someofthe directions implied. Anyone involved with word processing in ana way, whether writing manuals, letters, brochures, newscopy, reports, etc is encouraged to get

this excellent linn/rani."

Stephen Kimmel, Creative Computing, June 1982: "/ ilnn't get excited about many programs. I am < xcited almnt Grammatik.'' "It is difficult to imagine the program being any

easier tu use. " "/ hail decided that the program Would he useful

tn a professional writer if mil a because it cheeks far double

iciirils." "I hare a hit/her enthusiasm threshold than that.

Grammatik can also In- expanded to include phrases <tf parti-

cular significance to you. It can become your personal editor

anil English coach I luce to start sentences with ami'. That's

not a particularly good idea. So I added the phrase '. And' with

the note tn !»■ careful not tn an ruse it. ,\mc I get a reminder i very timt I do it. Then an other words that I use too often. My copy of Grammatik clucks for them, too, and gently tells me tu watch out. " "I like Grammatik a great deal. It is a worthy ami useful addition to your word processing software." Bob Louden. InfoWorld. December 7. 1981: "Grammatik is the next step beyond spelling checking for seri- ous word processors. Grammatik a unitizes writing style at the word ami si ntenci level while, at the sunn time, it checks for subtle spelling and typographical errors that ij<> beyond tin capabilities of conventional spelling-checking programs. If

ifuii use a iron! processor ami a spelling clinker, then you

should investigau tin ununu capabilities of this program."

"Althnuijli skeptical at first. I proceeded In run sec, nil i if mil

published articles through Grammatik. None were fret of errors. " "Grammatik is a surprisingly fast ami easy tool for analyzing writing style ami punctuation."

Dona Z. Meilach, Interface Age, May 1982: "The programs together {Aspen Software's spelling checker Proofreader and Grammatik) offer a dynamic tool for compn In nsice editing beyond spelling corrections. It can begin where your college English teacher left off ami help you analyse your documents in a way ;/<»» may never have thought possible."

Eric Balkan. The Computer Consultant, Vol 2 No 9: "Asa reviewer, I'm impressed tin most with tin imagination that went into this product. With all the me-too software on the market, it's ijihh! tn see something original come nut. It's also

gixiil to si e that tin program author nllnici il the usi r as much

freedom as he iliil you can use your men imagination tn ex- tern! the uses of the program,"

GKAMMATJR » pgW%/\PEffV= no errors

Together. Grammatik and the Aspen Software Company spelling checker Proofreader form an unequalled document proof- reading system. Proofreader features an official version of the RANDOM HOUSE" Dictionary for a word list that you can trust! It also features immediate on-line access to the dictionary for spelling help while making corrections interactively. Proofreader is the best spelling checker available. Write or call for more details. (On-line dictionary not available on TRS-80 version )

CPM and IBM PC DOS Grammal.k $150 00 Proofreader - $12900 Both - $25000 TRS-80 Model U Grammatik - $9900 Proofreader $99 00 Both $179 00 TRS-80 Model l III Grammatik

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PFS

so

Form Fiddling

creative computing

SOFTWARE PROFILE

Nam* PFS: The personal filing system

Type: Forms Filer

System: Apple II 4KK. Disk Drive (2 recommended) or Apple III 128K, extra drive (Disk III or hard disk)

Format: Disk 11(16 sector)

Language: Pascal

Summary: Elegant, efficient, beautiful

Price: $125 (Apple II). $175 (Apple III)

Manufacturer:

Software Publishing Corp. 1901 Landings Drive Mountain View. CA 94043

Mike Coffey

I have used many programs and man- uals that load me down with jargon, promise mainframe power and leave rue wondering why I bought a computer in the first place. The PFS series from Software Publishing Corporation does nisi the opposite.

PFS is an ideal database management program for a first-time computer user. There is no cumbersome command lan- guage to master, the menus arc few and simple, and the terminology is based on simple English.

Overview

PFS data is organized as a collection of forms. A PFS form works like a preprinted business form: you design the form once and fill it in many times.

Once you have designed your form anil filled in a few. PFS lets you review.

remove, change, or print them selectively. All these options appear on the main PFS menu.

Form Design

PFS incorporates the simplest form design process we have seen. Just move the cursor to the spot where you want the name of the item to appear and type the name of the item, followed by a colon. Repeat that process for each item in your form.

When you are finished, press a single control key and PFS does the rest. It will initialize your disk and record your file name and form design on it. If you change your mind about initializing the disk, just press the escape key to bail out.

While typing item names, you can flip to the next or previous page of your form using a control key. You can also erase a whole page if you make such a mistake and you want to start over.

Filling in Forms

When you want to add or change the contents of forms, you use the limited function editor that is built into PFS. You can move the cursor up. down, left and right but you cannot insert or delete characters or lines; you must type over the information on the form. These func- tions are adequate for original data entry but leave something to be desired when many revisions are necessary.

The editor employs the right arrow key to move to the next item, the eontrol-C combination to conclude the editing process, and the escape key to bail out without saving the changes you have made.

50

Re-reading Forms

To re-read forms, choose Search Update from the PFS function menu. PFS will show you a blank form and ask for a Retrieve Specification. Your job is to tell the program how to find the forms you want to read.

To do this, simply move to any item and type in the information you want PFS to find there. For example, if you want to find out about oak trees, move to the Tree item and type Oak.

When you hit the continue key PFS will show you all forms that have Oak in the Tree item. Each time PFS shows you a form that it found, it waits so you can read and perhaps change the infor- mation in the form. While the form is displayed, you may print it or delete it. Finally, when you give the signal. PFS continues searching for more matching forms.

Deeper Searching

The retrieve specification can be more complicated, if you wish. For instance, if you just want to learn about all the oak trees in Chicago, type Oak in the Tree item and Chicago in the City item.

PFS can even find things that you don't spell out completely. If you don't know how (or are too lazy I to spell Chicago, just type Chi., in the City item. PFS will find forms that include a city beginning with Chi.

You could also type ...chi... and PFS would find anything that had chi in the middle of it. Coffe® would match either Coffey or Coffee. To find everything that does not have oak in it, type /...oak... in the tree item. If you have a numeric item, like age of tree, you can use greater-than. less-than and equal-to signs along with numbers to specify which forms to look at.

September 1982 ' Creative Computing

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PFS, continued.

I EMPLOYEE «

ITTmTm

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EHJgga SALES

Hmaa>$i»5o|

1 = = FULL FILE STAFF

RETRIEVE SPEC PAGE 1

We ask for someone in sales with a salary over S 1850...

Printing Forms

If reviewing your forms on TV does not thrill you. try printing (hem on paper. Just select "Print" from the menu anil PFS will show you a blank form.

To show PFS which forms to print, fill in the form as if you were searching. Next, you must tell PFS which items to print from each form. The program again displays a blank form and asks for print specifications.

You can ask for each item to be printed on a separate line by putting an X next to the name of each item to be printed. By using plus signs instead of Xs. you can get items to share space on the same line. Naturally, you can combine these options.

The latest additions to the PFS reper- toire of print options are the T and S options. By placing a T next to the + or X for an item, you prevent words from being split at the ends of lines. By includ- ing an S next to an item, you tell PFS to sort the printed forms in alphabetical order according to the item in which the S appears.

Unwanted Forms

When you want to get rid of forms, select Remove from the PFS function menu. As so often happens, a blank form appears, while PFS asks for a retrieve specification. When you have entered a pattern to be matched. PFS will search through the file and forget any matching forms.

Niceties

Many programs punish you for making mistakes. PFS forgives you. If you belat- edly discover that you have left some important item out of your design, PFS lets you change your design without losing any data.

Another important thing about PFS is that it is a completely self-contained package. If you have two disk drives. PFS will even copy your data disks for you. You never have to read another manual or run another program to make the most of PFS.

September 1982 c Creative Computing

ij'Ni.vij n nan cnigjj bo 02/01

l.'M.'U MIKE COOPER

»1:I*H 907 SUNSET CT

rami porti audhhh or fttj 9720a

■MiUHIal SALESPERSON- WEST

Banaa$i9oo

1S FULL FILE STAFF

..PFS finds a salesperson.

Limitations

Lest you think that PFS stands for perfect filing system. I must mention some of its limitations. There is no was to specify what type of information should be entered into each item. For example. PFS cannot force the user to enter a whole number, a date, or a telephone number.

If reviewing your forms

on TV does not thrill

you, try printing

on paper.

The Apple II version of PFS stores exactly one file on each data diskette. Consequently, people with small collec- tions of data end up wasting diskettes. People with very large amounts of data, (more than 1000 forms), find that PFS cannot handle files larger than one disk's worth.

PFS for the Apple III can place more than one file on a disk and can also use a hard disk for files as large as 32.000 forms (depending on the size of the forms).

Relatives

Software Publishing Corporation main- tains an impressive line of software prod- ucts. Their PFS: Report program can make sorted columnar business reports from your PFS files. The brand new PFS: Graph makes colorful charts based on the data in PFS and DIF (Data Inter- change Format) files.

Evaluation

PFS is phenomenally simple to learn and use. When combined with the rest of the PFS series, it offers a collection of features that compares favorably with most of their database managers in the field. □

53

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T.I.M. Ill

Database Management for the IBM PC

Danny Goodman

creative computing

SOFTWARE PROFILE

Name: T.I.M. III. Revision 5

(December 19811 Type: Database Management

System: 64K IBM PC. Disk drive, monochrome, display, parallel printer

Format: 3 Program Disks

Language: Microsoft Basic

Price: $495

Manufacturer:

Innovative Software, Inc. 9300 W. 1 10th St.. Suite 380 Overland Park, KS 66210

To my way of thinking, applications software, especially packages intended to be "user friendly," should make the com- puting machine transparent to the user. That is, the user's attention should be focused on the application and not the computer. Just as in adding two numbers on a calculator, you are more interested in getting the result than how the unit's

Danny Goodman. 27.S-B Island View Lane. Harrington. IL 60010.

integrated circuit converts, stores, pro- cesses, and drives the display during cal- culation.

With Innovative Software's very flex- ible and powerful T.I.M. Ill database management program for the IBM Personal Computer, however, the user is reminded a bit too often that there is, indeed, a microcomputer with multiple disk drives in use, and that some care must be taken in executing commands, or keyboard input may be lost at the slip of a key.

The ••TIM" in T.I.M. Ill stands for Total Information Management, and in that regard the program lives up to its name. The menu-driven program assists the user in creating electronic files, which can be of great benefit to business and personal applications.

Once information is stored in the files, the user has the option of adding to or updating the file, searching through the file for records which meet user-specified criteria, printing mailing labels from the files, printing or displaying cumulative reports in user-specified formats, and invoking several maintenence and utility services within the program.

For the first-time database management user, some of the terminology may be confusing, even though the ideas behind them are familiar. The three most impor- tant concepts to grasp are: file, record, and field.

In the non-computerized world, a file cabinet drawer may be labeled "Customers": this is the "file" called Customers. Inside the drawer are prob- ably file folders, one for each customer, all in alphabetical order. Each folder is the "record" of that customer. Then, inside the folder is information about the customer— name, address, phone, person to contact, etc. Each of these items is called a "field."

That means that the bulky non-elec- tronic file cabinet I just mentioned is sorted according to the Customer Name field: that's the "key field" of the file. By dividing a record into fields, you have the ability to search through an entire file for specific zip code fields, for example. Try doing that with a file drawer of alphabet- ized files.

The other distressing term to watch for is "library." When creating the format for your records or printed reports (i.e., how the fields are to be physically arranged so they make sense to the eye), the specifi- cations for a given format are stored in a "library."

With these fundamentals out of the way, we can jump into T.I.M. Ill, one of the first database management programs to become available for the IBM PC. The package owes its early arrival to the existence of earlier TIM editions written in Microsoft Basic. And, since the resident Basic of the PC is of the Microsoft dialect.

54

September 1982 • Creative Computing

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T.l.M. Ill, continued..

/. Main menu on disk ffl through which all subcommand menus must be accessed.

2. Help screen for defining fields in a file record.

only minor changes in the program were necessary to duplicate CTRL-(x) sequences on the ten function keys of the machine.

A TIM file can hold up to 32,767 records; each record can have up to 40 fields; and each field can have up to 60 characters— in all, a healthy amount of data for a microcomputer to manipulate. System requirements are 64K RAM, one disk drive (though two will be much appreciated by any user), PC-Disk Operating System. IBM monochrome display, and parallel printer.

The T.l.M. Ill program is contained on three 5-1/4" diskettes, labeled Master Disks 1, 2, and 3, plus an Examples disk used in conjunction with a tutorial at the end of the manual. The disks are shipped in a pocket located on the inside front cover of the padded, three-ring binder manual.

Documentation

The documentation is divided into 13 tabbed chapters, plus appendix and four tabbed examples sections. Pages are printed from a typewritten — or rather word processed— original, which is never- theless easy on the eyes, and uses boldface type for highlights. All material that appears on the monitor is printed in blue, with boldface blue used for characters which are to be input by the user. This two-color, two-weight format leaves little room for operator error.

Indicative of the user friendliness of the manual is that the operator is carefully guided through the process of making a backup set of master disks, including the basic procedure for formatting blank disks

with PC-DOS. All subsequent COPY steps are clear and thorough.

After that, the user follows screen prompts through configuration of all disks for printer width (default is 131 charac- ters), available disk drives, number of program disks, his name, address, etc.. and printer type. Only the last item is not fully explained, leaving you to figure out what "Optional Printers 1 and 2" might be.

Help screens, menus and prompts abound.

These are all laborious steps for the non-computerist, but fortunately, they are performed only once, and the directions are very easy to follow.

Just when you think all the disk shuf- fling is behind you, you select the "Create a new file" sub-menu from the Main Menu. You are directed to put disk #2 into the drive. Then you're told to wait while the program is loading.

Sub-programs are grouped such that the most common ones are on Disk 1 , but "Create" is on Disk 2, and all file mainte- nance and utility sub-programs are on Disk 3. To get from Maintenance to Utilities, both on Disk 3, you can go only via the Main Menu on Disk 1. These interruptions break the trance of the application.

Once on the proper program segment, however, TIM is very easy to work with. Help screens, menus and prompts abound.

File Definition

When defining a new file, for example, you are prompted for a field title (e.g., "Last Name"), while the help screen above advises that you have a maximum of 15 characters. For that same field, you must then specify the length of the field (the maximum number of characters you expect to "fill in the blank") up to 60.

At each prompt, you are also shown how many characters you have left from a maximum of 2400 per record (but this figure can be misleading, as you will see below).

Other parameters to specify are field type (eight choices including alpha- numeric field, numeric field, calculated field that performs arithmetic functions on two other fields, inverted name field, dollar field), precision of a numeric field (0-4 places to the right of the decimal) and even data type (American month/ day /year or European day/month/year). At any time in the new file definition stage, you can review the fields you have already created or go back through your entries to correct an error.

To signal the end of your file defini- tion, simply press Return (null string). and you are asked if you are done. My tendency was to press "Y" and Enter— Oh, NO! You are only supposed to hit "Y," after which you are prompted for the file name before it is all stored on disk. But if you hit "Y" followed by Enter, the file name prompt flashes for an

September 1982 c Creative Computing

50

T.I.M. Ill, continued...

3. Sample blank record. Dashed lines indicate number of characters that can fill the field. Help screen at bottom indicates IBM PC function key actions.

4. Sample record.

instant, and you are back to the Create sub-menu; all previous field specifications are gone.

The difficulty is that most menu com- mands are executed by simply pressing one key. while other prompts are not consistent— some require Enter, some do not. So, after inputting all the fields with Enter, and even ending the session with Enter. I have Enter on the brain— only to lose a great many keystrokes. This is one of those reminders to a non-techy that you must pay attention to the machine to avoid errors.

Speaking of errors, the program catches most of them, tells you what the problem is, and lets you continue. That's great.

I ran into one occasion, however, where an error stopped the program and returned me to Basic, so I was unable to continue. The problem came when I was defining a new file, a relatively large one at that. The character count on the prompt started at the possible maximum of 2400— but the default maximum is only 650.

Not realizing that I should stop before hitting 1750 (i.e., 650 used) I was defining away, watching the character count drop at each field definition. I then gave the file its name and got an error on line 3440 and a Basic "OK." I couldn't get the program going without hitting F2 (RUN). and thus losing all my work up to that point. There was no clue in the documen- tation that I might run across this pro- blem.

It is unfortunate that room for such errors comes in the "Create" stage, because this is the first place the user must go when starting to use TIM. An impatient user would be disappointed.

On a more positive note, though, TIM's user friendliness really shines when it comes to establishing screen formats for records and generating lists or reports.

Custom screen formats can be created with ease thanks to full screen editing. Simply move the cursor to the spot on the screen, call up the field you want, and

Custom screen formats

can be created with

ease thanks to full

screen editing.

press a button: Presto! the field appears on the screen in its proper place.

You can put more than one field on a line, provided there is room for all the characters, and leave blank lines between items.. .really a custom form for each file.

On the IBM, cursor movement is con- trolled by function keys 1-4, which is a bit awkward if you are used to the scrolling keys on the numeric keypad. The custom screen feature is particularly useful if you want to keep as much data as possible on one screen. Or if an untrained operator is accustomed to established, printed forms the transition to computer entry would be a snap.

Generating Reports and Lists

TIM's list generation is well-suited for printing mailing labels. Again, the flexi-

60

bility of the program allows for a variety of options, such as specifying 1-4 lists across the page, which and where items (fields) are to appear on the label, spacing between labels, etc. There is also a test print feature which helps you line up the labels properly without printing out data.

In generating reports from data on file, the potential power of TIM is evident, but its flexibility only partially so. Screen prompts make definition of the report format fairly easy. Among the "high power" functions you have are the ability to link two files together in one report, and to print subtotals throughout the report (as in sales commission reports).

You are limited, however, in several respects. You're stuck with the titles originally chosen for fields as headings on the report. Secondly, you don't have the ability to create a better looking form with full screen editing as on record formats. This is probably a compromise between too complex a program and a user-friendly approach designed to elimi- nate as much of the human toil from the job as possible.

Aside from the disk switching, which, admittedly, becomes more transparent as time goes on, the most disheartening feature of the program is the slow speed at which its most powerful features oper- ate. Any shred of hardware transparency disappears when you have to wait for the machine to churn away.

In one 57-record file I used as a guinea pig, a search for a particular record in the pre-sorted key field took 22 seconds, a bit longer than it would take me to dig it out of a file drawer. But if I hadn't been sure of the exact entry as originally input on the record (as might be the case if some- September 1982 • Creative Computing

one else had entered the data, adding "Co." or leaving off "Inc."). the program would have had to "look" at the field in every record on file. And when each peek at a record takes a hair over three seconds, well, that really adds up fast: a bit over three minutes for my 57-record file. The same goes for a search through any non-key field, whether you have the exact entry or not.

Speed

Creating lists and reports is also pain- fully slow. I printed a report of my 57- record file to the terminal only (negating any delay the printer might cause), with a printout of only four fields from the record, in sequence of any key field. It took almost four minutes!

When you consider that an IBM disk can store up to a minimum of 234 records (at the default record length of 650 characters per record maximum), you are still a long way from "information at the push of a button" on a good-sized business file— unless you want to run the report during lunch or overnight.

Much of the slowness can be attributed to the fact that TIM runs in Basic, and the Basic in the IBM PC is not particularly fast compared to some of its less noble competitors.

Innovative Software surely recognized the problem and helped somewhat by using a disk drive Speedup routine which is automatically invoked after you input the date during power up. It's quite an experience to watch the screen print A SPEEDUP and hear Drive A kick on the afterburner. (Editor's Note: Innovative Software has promised that the version of

It becomes difficult to

separate the faults of

TIM from the limitations

of the IBM hardware.

TIM which will be available when you read this will be compiled and will be "20 to 30 times faster" than the version we reviewed.)

It becomes difficult to separate the faults of TIM from the limitations of the IBM hardware, for which it is configured. Indeed, if the program were on a double- sided, double-density disk (with appropri-

ate disk drives available) or, better yet, on a hard disk (a manual addendum offers instructions to eliminate the potentially hazardous SPEEDUP routine if you use a hard disk), part of the speed problem of getting to the various parts of the 346.6K total program would be eliminated. The other problem, on the IBM at least, is running the program in Microsoft Basic. A compiled version should help step up the program.

Recommendation

With my experience so far. I would not recommend T.I.M. Ill for the IBM PC for applications involving a continual, high volume of input/output through the data files. A word processing interface is promised to allow you to merge TIM data files with form letters and a global search and replace command will be available by the time you read this.

A small business user might also like to see TIM files shared with accounting or billing programs, too. But for small busi- ness or personal applications in which self-contained files need be updated only periodically, TIM offers a vast amount of data manipulation power. Almost too much power, as we have seen, for the likes of even a heavy-duty micro like the IBM PC. D

Simply the best word processor... anywhere1

For the Apple™

No hardware additions needed — What you see is what you get. All functions are displayed on the screen exactly as they appear in print including:

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Word Handler

Word Handler is simply the best word processing software I could find anywhere by far."

William R. Moroney

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Filemanager 800

A Manager For All Seasons

John Anderson

But Does It Do Windows?

You're just finishing an extensive demonstration of your Atari system for your dinner guests. The swirling, three- dimensional graphics display, comparable to those running on systems at five times the price, fades to black. As you boot some Bach on the music cartridge, you notice the thumbs of your guests are still stiffly akimbo, proof positive that the joysticks have once again done their job well. And then someone speaks:

"But what do you really use your computer for? What practical purposes does it serve?" Your guest smiles, leaning back in his chair as he sips your Chateau Neuf. His eyebrows arch menacingly, and silence fills the room.

For a frozen moment you are speech- less—the timing of the question has caught you off balance. Here you were, displaying the capabilities of your Atari

creative computing

SOFTWARE PROFILE

Name: Filemanager 800 Type: File management system System: Atari 40k. Basic cartridge, at least one disk drive

Format: Disk

Language: Hybrid (Basic and machine)

Summary: Best of its kind currently available for the Atari

Price: $99.95

Manufacturer:

Synapse Software 820 Coventry Rd. Kensington. CA 94707

September 1982 • Creative Computing

as state-of-the-art entertainment machine, running circles around the competition, and this nerd has the audacity to ask about practical applications!

Images race through your head — the hours you've spent learning Basic instead of watching TV; the way word processing has improved the quantity and quality of your written work: how your three-year old has already learned the alphabet. Then the thought strikes you, you return the smile. You calmly boot Filemanager 800.

Though several database management programs are available for the Atari. Filemanager 800 is the only one to make extensive use of color, sound, and extended text modes to simplify program use. Through menu-oriented operation, it provides a clear and easy to understand command format. The screens are designed to make each function mnemon- ically unique and easy to access.

Before you can boot Filemanager, you must insert a small electronic key. called a "Data-Lock," into controller port number one. Without it. no information can