THE BEST SELLING MAGAZINE FOR THE

ISSUE 40 • JANUARY 1990 • £1.75

AMSTRAD PCW
f

PLUS
•

How to rescue %—
lost data from
damaged discs'

t DTP SPECIAL
• SPEECH SYNTHESISER
t STREAM LINED BASIC
• BIORHYTHMN PACKAGE
• BOOKS TO BIT 01

9 770952"505007

BASIC LISTINGS • LOCOSCRIPT 2 • SOFTWARE GUIDE

 FACSIMILE AMIGA 500
RICOH Fax 07 A500 + TV MODULATOR
External + ACCESSORIES From£259
Fuji Features
Fax^ A500 + TV MODULATOR +
£650 - RETURN OF THE JEDI - CUSTODIAN
- MERCENARY - WARLOCKS QUEST
CANON Fax 80 - ZYNAPPS - HELLBENT -
Send and - POWERPLAY - ELIMINATOR
Receive
- 23 PUBLIC DOMAIN GAMES
£599
£320
BROTHER Fax RAM EXPANSION £99
16 Shades
Touch Dial SECOND DRIVE £75
Group 3
ATARI ST
£499
ATARI 1MB EXPLORER PACK £220
MANNESMANN TALLY LASER PANASONIC
6 ppm, 5,000 pages per month US 130
300,000 page engine life On Site Maint ATAR1 1 MB + SM 1 24 MONITOR £320
Hewlett Packard Laserjet + Installation
^£950^ Series emulation
II
£699 Super Pack 21 games +
Fax Card organiser software database
INCLUDES ON SITE MAINTENANCE ICFAXSRE180 spreadsheet wp £290
ICFAXSR £220 I I

When you buy complete

FREE1 DAY'S TRAINING IBM compatible
Call now for details (6 H RS) system WELL WORTH IT

406 Ashley Road, COURIER

Parkstone, DELIVERY
TEL 0202 715989 Poole,
Dorset.
£5 Please allow np to
28 days for delivery

AMSTRAD COMPUTERS SAMSUNG CALL IN TO OUR

EXTENSIVE
PCW 8256 £299 3000 DD £525
PCW 8612 £374 9512 Best 3000 20Mb HD £745
SHOWROOM OPEN
SHOWROOM IN
PCW 9215 £399
>*O0
MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS
MONO COLOUR Possible 6000 SD £895
PC 1512 £359 6000 20 Mb HD
9.30 to 5.30 pm POOLE, DORSET
PC 1512
£437 S» Bargain Prices
£1,120
30 0_1/sin gle drive... .^.^...£460
PC 1640SD MONO COLOUR EGA
PC 1640DD
PC 1640DD
£454
£519
£678
£535
£598
£775
£625
£679
£848
!!!!!!! ON SITE MAINTENANCE
COMES FREE! PRINTERS
W ITH SAMSUNG 9 PIN
HARD DISK
PC 2000 SERIES 21 MB HARD CARD £199.00 MT81 £110.00 EPSON LX800 £150.00
12" HI-RES 14" HI-RES 32 MB HARD CARD £210.00
err 1200 £120.00 KXP1081 £120.00
MONO COLOUR COLOUR COLOUR STARLC10 £135.00 CIT180E £145.00
PC 2086
PC 2086
SD
DD
£500
£560
£580
£640
£660
£720
£740
£800
ALL PRICES SEIK0SHA1-8OAE115.00 STAR LC10(COU £195.00

PC 2086
PC 2286
HD30
DD
£720
£866
£800
£953
£880
£1040
£960
£1126
EXCLUDE VAT 24 PIN
PC 2286 HD40 £1040 £1126 £1213 £1299 CANON BJ130 SEIKOSHA SL80A £235.00 STARLC24-10 £245.00
PC 2386 HD65 £1732 £1819 £1905 £1992 INK JET PRINTER £575 NEC P2200 £275.00 EPSON LQ500 £275.00
5 /4" 360K External Drive for PC2000 £155
1
KXP1124 £275.00
5Va" 1 .2Mb External Drive for PC2000 £165

IBM LASER
THE SPECIALS!
computers ono/
<l u
1) CITIZEN 1200

Lq 3500 24 pin
£75.00 discount JU /U
l /ra
BROTHER HL8
STAR LASER 8
HERMES 800
£1,400.00
£1,230.00
£1,099.00
CANON
KXP4450
LP08

HP LASER JET II
£1,275.00
£1,350.00
£1,270.00
2) £165.00
Toshiba MT905 £950.00

3)

4)9512
1081 Monitor

£385
CBM £145.00 portables
discount 25% All
All accessories low low prices
Epson Printers 25% Discount

3)Atari520St( /2mb) 1
£150
SOFTWARE All Brother Printers 20% Discount
Full software list inc: All NEC Printers 25% Discount
6) PC 1512 20Mb MONO £515 LOTUS SAGE All Toshiba Printers/Lasers POA
COLOUR £599 ASHTON TATE MICROSOFT
DIGITAL (GEM) Supercalc HP/Roland/Calcomp Plotters
PCW Serial DMP PTR Lotus
Multimate Ventura Minimum 20% Discount
pen PTR Smart Ability
light 2000!! Symph All Hewlett Packard Lasers 25% Discount
£35 Wordstar Clipper
£25 9 pin £55 £75
WordPerfect All Amstrad Printers POA
 HNEWS
The
PLUS
latest -first!
FUTURE PUBLISHING
|
BEAUFORD COURT
30 MONMOUTH STREET |fjl DISC EDITORS
BATH BA1 2AP 1 Software saviours fight corruption
TEL • 0225 442244
FAX -0225 446019

EDITOR
HCP/M
SID? Overlooked? Not any more
Sharon Bradley

PCW CHALLENGE
REVIEWS EDITOR
Tim Smith

ART EDITOR
Julie Barnes
m 1]
'lj
4-game compilation reviewed

STREAMLINED BASIC
How to write the programs with bells and whistles
ART ASSISTANT
Paul Morgan

PERIPHERAL VISION
AD PRODUCTION PCW add-ons to expand your horizons
Melissa Parkinson J]

ADVERTISEMENT LOCOSCRIPT PAGES

MANAGER
Elaine Brooks

PUBLISHER
m Ti
1
Everything you need to know about labels

Kevin Cox
Eft HOTEL
Eat your heart out Arthur Hailey!
"J

FUTURE PUBLISHING
SPEAKEASY
jl Brian Holley goes in search of an expert
THE OLD BARN
SOMERTON
SOMERSET -TA11 7PY
DISC DOCTOR

MAIL
TEL -0458 74011

ORDER QUERIES
m 31
1
8000 Plus talks to

SPEECH SYNTHESISER
Dave Smith

DISC DOCTOR
Sarah Richards ||
TEL -0458 74011 Hearing is believing
El Charity and corruption? We find the link.

SUBSCRIPTION THE MEMORY GAME

ENQUIRIES
Christine Stacey El
,
I Just how does it work? 1 cmI
PHOTOGRAPHY
DTP SPECIAL
ASHTON JAMES jl We explore the options -with a little help from you
TEL '02216 6686

1*
1

BOOK LOOK 1 1
COLOUR ORIGINATION Introducing dBase and business computing
DP GRAPHICS
HOLT, WILTS
BIORHYTHMN
m
TEL. 0225 783004
I SPEECH SYNTHESISER I
Peaking and troughing with Biolog's new program
PRINTING
CHASE WEB OFFSET LANGFORD
ST. AUSTELL, CORNWALL
® jl
The columnist who needs no introduction WT% SPEECH SYNTHESISER
[jf^ The PCW gets more and more voluble by the minute

DISTRIBUTION
COMAG
fZI LISTINGS
I DIY BASIC type-ins for all the family
WEST DRAYTON
MIDDLESEX UB7 7QE
THEA-ZDF
71 TIPOFFS BUSINESS
FUTURE PUBLISHING LTD yj The pages with more hints than an adventure game AConcise COMPUTING
D |
Introduction to
1989
dBASE
8000 Plus an independent
GOOD SOFTWARE GUIDE
is

publication

have no
We welcome
Future Publishing Ltd
link with

readers - please enclose

with

material
submissions
is required
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it
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Spreadsheets, graphics and

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games
=EFE AdrianV Stoke

accepted articles is made 4 weeks

after publication date.
|l]
I Come on in and have a browse
We take great care to ensure that
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cannot accept
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No part ot this
any
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||1|| Last but not least -over to you!
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ABC BACK PAGE BOOKS

Jan July 89 30.583

®
-

f|Tj|
kill Competition details 8000 Plus gets down to serious business
The Amstrad Professiona Members enjoy
User Group is the official On-Line Technical
support organisation for Assistance, Substantial
Amstrad PC, PPC and PCW Discounts on Hardware
owners. and Software, a monthly
With thousands of Magazine, Newsletter
members nationwide, and Offers, Nationwide
the Amstrad Training, Welcome Pack
Professional User and choice of quality
Group has Free Gift upon joining.
proved, beyond Gold Card
doubt, to be the Membership is
add-on
essential designed for the larger,
forAmstrad possibly corporate user.
Computer Users.

THE ESSENTIAL
ADD-ON
•>c-
Silver Card
Please send me Membership
Membership is details of the Amstrad
Professional User Group.
for the standard am resident
I in the U.K.
scale Amstrad Name...,
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For full details

and our full colour Postcode.

brochure, simply Day Phone Number

Machine Type
return the FREEPOST Send to:
coupon (no stamp Amstrad
Professional
required) or ring User Group,
FREEPOST, QLEXX£QKED]
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 NEWS PLUS
increase efficiency, maximise this one are in the business in training - whether formalised
Wising up productivityand meet deadlines of demonstrating, is not just group learning or self-tuition.

with unruffledcalm - it's a simple an electronic typewriter; it's a Good training doesn't have to be
Amstrad, it would appear, have matter to walk into any local personal computer with a whole the prerogative of the salesperson

realised that there really is no kind highstreet store and purchase range of applications and software who sells you your machine; get
of salesman like an informed one. one. It could just as easily be a to support it. some for yourself and become
The company's distribution wing is television or CD player. It requires a lot of input and an informed user. It's the only

taking steps to sharpen the sales Yet the difference is soon work from you, its user, before way to unlock the potential of

pitch of independent dealers by obvious and the naive buyer it will even start to yield the your PCW and make those early

laying on a variety of training tumbles reluctantly to the con- dividends you expected to see at expectations come true.

courses which span the whole clusion that the PCW is actually a the outset. And until that initial
Happy New Year!
range of Amstrad computers - very demanding machine. Unlike work is completed, it is more
including the PCW. a new TV, it's not a simple matter realistic to expect the machine to
But what about the end user? of attaching a plug, switching it on paralyse rather than galvanise

Once the decision has been taken - and waiting. activity for a while.
to buy a personal computer - to The PCW, as magazines like The answer lies, very simply,

Thanks for the memory

SCA systems, West Sussexthe maximum addressable two
company most famous for their megabytes.
Real Time clock, will start One very encouraging sign is

shipping a RAM upgrade in the the involvement of Locomotive

new year. This comes as the first Software. Not only have
competition to the Isenstein Locomotive run several tests on
board which has been on the the board, including their own
market for some months now. RAMtest, they will also be actually recover the data held in

The SCA RAMPAC, which we publishing the specifications on Move on up faulty sectors with certain types of
have not seen as yet, is said to the PCW's addressable memory. damage. Previous versions and
provide an additonal half These have not previously been 8000 Plus is moving. With the
most other software couldn't read
megabyte of memory. available. This should mean that expansion of Future Publishing
damaged
sectors which were at all,
In simple terms this means software writers and manufac- forcing writers, designers and the
and had to sacrifice them in order to
another 851 2 added to your turers will be able to make full advertising crew to sit on each
rebuild the rest of disc."
machine. In the case of 9512 use of the board. others laptops, was decided
it that a
In inexperienced hands any disc
and 8512 machines this will give Howard Fisher
of Locomotive plush new HQ was required.
editor can be a potentially
a full megabyte of memory with told us,"What Locomotive want Not wanting to forsake the
memory. Of
freely available
dangerous piece of software.
is
beautiful city of Bath, we and our
-w course if we're to be linked with magazines (Amiga Format,
Moonstone inform us that they have
sister

SCA any product, that product must

be of the highest quality. In fact
Mac Publishing, Amstrad Action to
name just three) will be ensconsed
even taken this into consideration:
"The exact way it (ToolKit v2) works
we used two SCA RAMPACs on is controlled by a set of new
in a building three times the size of
our PCWs at the Computer we
'intelligent' commands. These
our present home. In order that
Shopper Show." default, however, to the best and
may still make use of the Bath
All of this sounds exciting, for safest settings, this means that
Tandoori and other essential
current users of the machine and inexperienced users never need to
amenities, the new building is just
for the PCW generally. With more know about them!"
RamPae companies taking an interest in around the corner. The full address
The manual, which was already
is 8000 Plus, Beauford Court, 30
expanding the PCW's hardware
good (if a little shabby in
The soon-to-be-released SCA 512k
potential the chances are that Monmouth Street, Bath, Avon, BA1
RAMPAK. Locomotive's support. appearance), has been given a
built with
previously disinterested software 2AP. The telephone number 0225 is
thorough overhaul, having been
which to play around. In real houses will take the machine 442244 but shouldn't be used
it

properly typeset.
Gone are the days until at least January 2nd 1990.
terms once you have software seriously.
Current users need not fear that
running you will be left with 880k when people could say that the
have £24.95
on the 512k machines and 624k PCW was limited because there Tooling along they will to fork out for

was simply no room to run the changes; Colin Foster of the

on an 8256.
Happily this major memory anything. With a fully Two very interesting pieces of news company assures us that

boost for the PCW looks as if it implemented SCA RAMPAC from Moonstone Computing. This is Moonstone "... will upgrade
will be easy to fit. Instead of running on an 8512 or 9512 you the company, based in

having to get inside the machine, could end up with a PCW2048!. Clydebank, which produces
SCA tell us that you merely fit it Add to this a 48mb hard disc and PCW-ToolKit, the disc editor
into the expansion port at the rear you have a seriously hard that is reviewed in this issue.
machine which would make
of the PCW.
through-port. This
It also comes with a
means that some so-called sexy clone PC's decided
Firstly,

to
they have
upgrade PCW-
MOONSTONE
you can continue using the look to their laurels. So, come
peripherals, such as modems, along software houses and meet
Toolkit while retaining the
current price of £24.95.
computing
mice and extra printers. the demand with supply.
Additions to the program
Theoretically this also means that The RAMPAC will be on sale
mean that discs will
you can mount further memory. in the new year at a cost of £1 1
automically be formatted i=i . i i

SCA say that, "The RAMPAC has plus VAT. For more information
when copying to them. More
provision for a further one contact Peter Mydlarz at SCA on
importantly, according to Power corrupts but Moonstone's ToolKit goes a long way
megabyte of RAM to occupy the 0903 506606.
to uncorrupt. They're even going as far as America.
Moonstone, "Version 2 can

Januarys 8000 PLUS 5

 THE WEST OF BRITAIN BUSINESS SERVICES
You Must Add V.A.T. To Our Prices - Carriage Is FREE !

AMSTRAD PCW'S MODEMS SOFTWARE TRAINING

+ FREE DISC CONTAINING DATABASE,
REELTIME
GRAPHS PACK, PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST + MIRACLE TECHNOLOGY MODEMS TOP QUALITY TRAINING COURSE ON DISC
GAMES WS4000 £147.80 EVEN THE SCORE WITH THE COMPOSERS WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON AUDIO TAPE
PCW8256 £326.00 WS4000PCW, c/w Integral Interface PEN *NEW* ALLOWS YOU TO WRITE
- -
RT-Locoscript PCW9512 II £29.99
-

PCW8512 £408.65 for the PCW & connecting lead! £147.80 YOUR OWN SHEET MUSIC ON SCREEN - PCW8256/8512
RT-Locoscript £29.99
PCW9512 £447.85 PACE MODEMS - ONLY £56.00 RT-Locoscript PCW8256/8512
II -
£29.99
LINNET-INTELLIGENT, V21/V23 £130.40 Mini Office Pro.Plus - not 8256 £29.00
RT-CP/M use your computer! £29.99
WE ARE SANYO DEALERS AND THE CablePCW INTERFACE
to £13.90 Mini Office Pro - suits all PCWs £25.87
RT-Supercalc £29.99
I

| NEW SANYO RANGE IS HERE!

|

rillHuillllll llllllllTTl I
,
RT-dBase
II

£29.99
BBD DUST COVER SET - SWALLOWTAIL SOFTWARE PRESENTS:- II

I 1 I

PRO-EAZE PCW Invoicing, ordering, -

IANSYST
SIMPLY THE BEST Crash course in typing beginners -
£17.20
The newest products from Sanyo are now 3 PCW8256/8512 £10.40 settlement of suppliers invoices and many
Two Fingers To Touch Typing £17.20
PCW9512 other useful documents -
available from W.B.B.S. The computer MBC ; £12.13 KOSMOS LANGUAGE TUTORS -
range is designed with the very highest quality . PC1640/1512 state col or mono ...£7.85 special offer only £15.00
Choose fromn the French Mistress, The
in mind - and it shows. We use the MBC18+1
AMSTRAD PPC £5.20 WORTH GETTING PROTEXT FOR!
PACE DISK DRIVE COVER £5.00
German Master, The Spanish Tutor, or The
386 model to run our own PC Network and boy Tutor each at only
does it run! If you are thinking of going PC
OVER 800 TYPES OF COVER Italian £13.75
AVAILABLE! WORDPROCESSORS EDUCATIONAL & FUN!
contact us for full details or to arrange a demo Animal, Mineral, Vegetable
at our premises.
PLEASE STATE MODEL WHEN t £11.99
ORDERING PROTEXT THE FULL SYSTEM: -
£33.00 World Wise £11.99
* THE EXECUTIVE RANGE L'miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinrTTTTT not for PCW8256
Flipper 2 -
£26.00 TOPOLOGIKA - other titles available.
Locoscript £18.95 (maths adv. 9-16 yrs)
Giantkiller,
I FROM OSICOM* POWER & RELIABILITY |
Lococombo
II
£12.85
I WITHOUT TEARS
- Locoscript II & Spell £27.00 Yes Chancellor! (UK Economy sim) £12.83
I

I
Locospell II £15.20 REACH THE TOP WITH LCL - serious stuff!
1
Locofile - database for loco II £24.20 LCL: Micro Maths 8 Adult £20.90
EXECUTIVE 88/10 SOME SAMPLE PRICES uiALur-communications Software £58.90 Locomail II £24.20 LCL: Micro English 8-Adult £20.90
Locofonts £15.20
20Mb HD/MM Amber or Green: -
£759.00 CF2 FOR THE PCW/CPC X 10
3" H Buy both and get £4.00 off total! H
£20.00 Locofont II £11 99
30Mb HD/EGA £1067.60 CF2 FOR THE PCW/CPC X 5
3" SCHOOL SOFTWARE
£11.00 TAS-PRINT 8000 £10 00
40Mb HD/MM Amber or Green - £825.95 3.5" ATHANA DS/DD DISCS X 10 £13.00 TAS-SIGN 8000 Better Spelling age 9-adult -
£11 .99
£20 00
40Mb HD/EGA £1093.70 5.25" BULK-UNBRANDED X10 £4.35 DIGITA 'E' TYPE-typewriter emulator ...£24.1
Magic Maths age 4- 8 - £11.99
EXECUTIVE 286/12.5 - WITH DISC CACHE! 5.25" BULK-UNBRANDED X 25 £10.45 M.A.S.S. Easy Labeller £21 .00 Maths Mania age 8-12 -
£11.99
1MB RAM PLUS 12 MONTH ON SITE 5.25" BULK-UNBRANDED X50 £17.40 SPREADSHEETS Better Maths -age 12-16 £11.99
WARRANTY DISC STORAGE Supercalc II £34.60 Physics Chemistry or Biology age 12-16
-

20Mb HD Amber - or Green £1088.00 AMS30L (AMSTRAD BRANDED) £11.00 Cracker II Turbo £34.75 (each only) £16.00
40Mb HD - Amber or Green £1328.00 DS40L 373.5" LOCKABLE £8.50 Rotate: for sideways printing! £17.00
40Mb HD EGA CT-31 00 373.5" LOCKABLE £10.20 DATABASES
40Mb HD VGA
£1599 00
£1675.00
CT-50 5.25" (HOLDS 50) LOCKABLE ....£8.50 Cornix Card Index - simple to use £25.90 LEISURE
AMSTRAD DS100L 5.25" (HOLDS 100) LOCKABLE £10.20 Mastertile 8000 - best general use £28.00
PC'S SOME SAMPLE PRICES:
PRINTER RIBBONS
PC1512Double Drive Mono £459.00 ***GET RICH QUICK PERHAPS?** *
REFRESH! BLACK RE-INKING SPRAY.E7.80
-
-
PC1640Double Drive Mono £535.00 Extends fabric ribbon I
If you are unsure which package Pro-Hunter (racing better aid) £39.00
life - will re-ink up to 30
PC164030Mb HD Mono £711.00 ribbons!!! I you need for your business please '
I Pro- Pools (forecasting aid) £34.60
PC2086Single Drive 12" Mono £540.00 EXCELLENT VALUE COMPATIBLE RIBBONS:- I phone and we will describe the various I

PC2086HD 12" Mono Display £769.00 PCW8256 (14mm Fabric length) x2 £6.51 packages in clear jargonless terms - *** ADVENTURE GAMES ***
PC2086HD 14" Colour £859.00 PCW 8256 Carbon Multistrike ,...x2 £6.51 but leave you to decide.
*** LINK YOUR PCW TO A PC! *** PCW 9512 Carbon £6.00 Multistrike ,...x2 I
|Scapeghost!! £15.00~j
If you wish to run your accounts on a PC but PCW 9512 New Fabric type x2 £6.00 dBase II - the 'do all' database P.O.A
1

iHeadcoach American football £15.00 |

use your trusty PCW

as a very cost effective AMSTRAD BRANDED PRINTER RIBBONS DIGITA - Datastore II £25.20 iWorld of Soccer £14.00 I

workstation (and as a stand alone PCW!) send PCW8256 Fabric or Carbon MS. x2 £13.03 ACCOUNTS I 1

for details of Compact Accounts PC2PC PCW9512 Carbon Multistrike x2 £12.17

system!
NEW! COLOUR RIBBONS -
Money Manager PCW (NEW OUT!) £28.25 Leather Goddesses of Phobos! £19.80
PCW8000 SERIES FABRIC: Money Manager Plus £24.00 Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy! ,....£19.80
GREEN/RED/BLUE/BROWN/YELLOW/
I OUR GUARANTEE PURPLE/MAGENTA or CYAN
Meridian Stockmarket £25.00 Tau Ceti II £15.00
Is a bit special. If any computer or printer bought CORNIX Space Pilot P.O.A
I
Any Two £11.80 Simple Accounts - PCW £82.60
I from us develops any fault under warranty we will II
Blackstar £12.00
Any Five £27.60 Job Estimating v2 £65.20
collect, repair and return at our cost. Fish! £16.30
Any Ten £49.00 Product Costing v2 £65.20
All you have to do is telephone! Lancelot - 3 Adventures in One £12.83
MICRO SIMPLEX
""prTnters I
We strive hard to be the friendliest and | VAT made simple - A/Cs system £99.95
Jinxter £17.20
most helpful place around with low prices Micro Pub stock
* THE PROFESSIONAL ADVENTURE WRITER*
citizenrange (2 year guarantee), nec. I | £99.95
and fast despatch that will bring you back COMPACT ACCOUNTS - NEW RANGE NEW * WRITE YOUR OWN ADVENTURES!*. .£18.00
panasonic, epsom, amstrad and morel I |

I for more & more I PRICES Time and Magik - 3 games £10.22
We use Compact own accounts system. Acheton £12.83
PCW HARDWARE for our
I 1

* MANY OTHER RIBBON TYPES AVAILABLE * The best there is on the PCW! DETAILS OF Kingdom of Hamil £12.83
THE FULL RANGE & STATIONERY •SIMULATIONS **
COMPUTER PAPER CAVALIER SOFTWARE Heathrow Traffic Control + S.B £12.83
I
PACE 5.25" 2nd drive - with its own buill in |
11" X 9.5" Continuous :- Inbusiness (integrated) £130.00 A.C.E (Air Combat Emulator) £12.83
I interface. Comes with free TDOS & external SP/05 1 ply plain 500 sheets £7.80- Simple Invoicing £30.39 A.C.E + JOYSTICK + INTERFACE £26.00
I

SP/10 1 ply plain- 1000 sheets Diner: RESTAURANT/TAKEAWAY A/Cs.£52.13 Tomahawk - Helicopter Combat!!!
I power supply. Very easy to fit. We use one I £11.30 £15.40
Homeview: ESTATE AGENTS - program .£169.95
'for data transfer from PCW/PC/PCW! P.O.A SP/20 1 ply plain 2000 sheets £15.60 - Starglider-SCI F1 Flight Sim £15.80
'
Newsboy: NEWSPAPER DEL - program. ...£52. 13
DP/05 2 ply plain - 500 sheets £15.60 ** ACTION **
Re-Chord: MUSIC LIBRARY - program ..£26.04
DP/10 2 ply plain 1000 sheets £24.30 - Tetns £15.40
MEMORY UPGRADE PRICES DOWN. .£37.00 -
CAVALIER SOFTWARE: FULL RANGE AVAILABLE.
11" x 14.5"Continous:- Living Daylights £10.40
PCW 2nd 3" drive (FD4) £113.00
CAMSOFT ACCOUNTS:-
1 ply plain 500 sheets -
£9.00 PSIL - Integrated. Stock/lnv/Sales/ Brian Cloughs Football Fortunes £10.00
S.C.A SERIAL PARALLEL INTERFACE- 1 ply plain 1000 sheets Head Over Heels
-
£10.75 Purch/Nom £85.00 £10.20
With Real Time Clock £50 25 ply plain - 2000 sheets
1 £22.50 PSPN - INT. Sales/Purch/Nom £63.90 Classic Collection II - 3 games £12.20
WITHOUT REAL TIME CLOCK £41 .55 A4 - (TRUE A4) 80 gsm - Continuous:- PPAY PAYROLL -
£32.40 •TABLE GAMES **
'MARGIN MAKER' - aligns paper £10.90 500 x plain white/micro pert £12.90 PSTK (AND OTHER TITLES) £32.40
SPIKE PROTECTOR PLUG - Helps 1000 x plain white/micro pert £19.95 SAGE ACCOUNTS:-
I

*NEW-BRIDGE PLAYER
1

protect against power surges £10.25 Popular Accounts

2000 x plain white/micro pert £33.50 £74.75 I GALACTICA-NEW+ I

A4 - (TRUE A4) - Single Sheets:- Popular Accounts Plus £111.09 I** MASSIVE DISCOUNT** £16.60 I

I •• HARD DISCS EASY LIVING** - Plain White - 500 sheets £7.25

MAP ACCOUNTS:- I 1

Integrated Accounts £104.20 Bridge Player 2000

[TITMATIC 20MB PCW HARD DISK ..£495.60 Plain White 1000 sheets -
£13 75 £10.40
LABELS - WITH SPROCKET HOLES:-
IVORTEX 40MB PCW HARD DISK. ...£495.60
IDIAMOND 32MB PCW HARD DISK. £459.00 ONE WIDE 3 1/2" x1 7/16" - 500 £7.25
DTP AND GRAPHICS Colossus IV Bridge
Clock Chess 89 - very powerful
£12.00
£14.00

'DIAMOND 48MB PCW HARD DISK. £539.00

ONE WIDE 3 1/2" X1 7/16"- 1000 £13.75 Colossus IV Chess £13.60
ONE WIDE 3 1/2" x1 7/16 - 2000 £22.50 MICRO DESIGN NEW OUT- ONLY Trivial Pursuit £15.20
THE DIAMOND RANGE CAN BE SHARED ONE WIDE 3 1/2" x1 7/16
II:
World of Snooker £11.80
I - 4000 £42.50 £36.00
BY MULTIPLE PCW'S! I I
Steve Davis Snooker £10.20
I MICRO DESIGN II LOGITECH MOUSE I

DETAILS AVAILABLE ON ALL Classic Games 4 Compilation £15.40

NOT ONLY BUT ALSO! £79.00
THE DRIVES MENTIONED HERE Contact us for Dictating Machines,
Stop Press, Mouse, Interlace etc £60.70 Please note this advert constitutes just a
Telephones, Typewriters, Shredders, I
Stop Press software only £28.50 tiny part of our range of products (see
|

Photocopiers, Computer Furniture, Video I

PCW 8000'S Wire Printer Stand £9.13 Desktop Pub& Mouse £51.99
|

Recorders, Fax Machines, Satalite Dishes, I Not Only But Also') above. If you do not I

Any width Master Paint 15.45

Stand - Rugged
Printer £14.75 Office equipment, and office I see what you need here please do not I
Master Scan £48.50
Printer Cleaning Kit-PCW8000'S £14.60 supplies of all types hesitate to telephone -
Master Pack £54.60
Mouse Mats £4.35 Microdraft (graphic design) now multiple telephone lines!
I 1 £67.60

CALLERS WELCOME BUT STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE ~

If you see anything we sell being sold cheaper elsewhere phone us before you buy - Office open 9a.m. to 5p m MONDAY TO FRIDAY
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/
 NEWS PLUS
existing customers' programs for week) training course. During this

£1 inclusive if they return their h time they are versed in, among Dealing, the
original discs."
e other things, police and court good cards
The next update from the Scot's procedure, victim reaction and
software house is internationalist in CBVS I
associated organisations. Continous No, not a
starter
game but a new 9512
package from Amstrad. This
flavour. With even the Soviet Union assessment is part of the course.
CHICHESTER & one is aimed at the dealers though.
deciding to do its Christmas BOGNOR REGIS Completion of the course does
mean Over recent months you will have
shopping at Macey's, Moonstone v not automatically that a
have decided to begin exporting volunteer can then walk into the seen the televison advertising
VICTIM i
home of a victim. Assessment which has been pushing the PCW
PCW-ToolKit to the USA. SUPPORT is still

This project has been in the

c verymuch in force. 9512. Well, according to a
Successful volunteers are computer trade weekly, aptly called
pipeline for six months. It finally CHAIRMAN CA NON M BUT L E R
t
expected to council victims of Computer Trade Weekly, Amstrad
came to fruition when Sinotech REGISTERED CHARITY NO 290848

i
crimes such as mugging and are offering the following deal to
Ltd of Mundelein
approached Moonstone. PCW-
Illinois
m burglary. A volunteer with a retail outlets.

ToolKit will join other products such s minimum of two years experience is A special starter pack
of containing "everything an end user
as Mini-Office and The Cracker in crime then eligable to deal with rape
victimsand the families of mudered needs to fully utilise his(s/c) new
America. For more information
The Chichester and Bognor Victim Support people. Not only does this sound word-processor from the moment of
contact the amiable Colin Foster on
Scheme appeals to your better nature.
purchase. includes blank discs, a
041 941 3120. like a highly professional It

This group is one of 320 others organisation, it is also one of the disc holder, spare ribbons, dust

Your better nature affiliated to a national organisation most worthy causes we've covers, a VDU cleaner and 13 amp
based in Brixton, South London. We encountered in some time. plug. Also included will be a
Burglars are, hopefully, dragged spoke to the Chichester 'co- So what did they want? Money? special voucher redeemable

into court, muggers are gaoled, but ordinator' Jill Munion who explained Publicity? No, simply a PCW8512. against one of three different

what happens to the victims of the role of the scheme and also Mr W G Calvert who wrote to us training courses from the Amstrad
these criminals? aspects of training for volunteers in says that they are willing to collect Business Training Centre".
8000 Plus, or rather its readers, this emotionally charged area. and pay but, of course a gift would The price to the dealer is

have received a plea for help from After vetting, which occurs be more than acceptable. Any £29.34 while the recommended
the Chichester and Bognor Regis during interview, volunteers are put offers? If so contact W G Calvert or retail price will be £69.99
Victim Support Scheme. through a seven week (one night a Jill Munion on 0243 670718. (inclusive of VAT).

Hampshire hogs donated 4 copies Streamlined BASIC

of
CLUB
Gerry Austin on the following number: 0384
A communication has reached us from the (reviewed in this issue and well worth a 66269. You can also write to him at
Hampshire PCW User Group. Mr P C look even for those readers who don't think Cotswold House, Cradely Heath, Warley,
Bassett tells us that membership of the club they could ever enjoy BASIC) to the £1000 West Midlands, B64 7NF.
has risen to around 35 members with 8000 Plus competition, he has also sent us
around 12 to 15 attending the monthly the PCW-World Public Domain catalogue. Full steam ahead comrade
meetings in Southampton.
The format of the meetings is
consistent with a presentation followed by a
general problem solving discussion. Recent
This beefy looking document contains
a substantial amount of cheap software.
NEWSWEEP, the space saving file
manager which the 8000 Plus editorial
Skipper!
The editor recently received
Mrs L Y Skipper
is
of
a
Cleveland. Mrs Skipper
on a project with the
currently working
letter from
S
meetings have involved Public Domain and
games, although the latter didn't seem that
department find invaluable, is included.
Aside from old favourites such as this,
there are programming languages including
Moscow Chamber of Commerce and was
in need of a Russian daisywheel for her
(A
popular with the group.
Small C, which produces Z80 mnemonics - 9512. The situation was resolved, but what
The meeting entailed a
latest
by the way the Z in Z80 stands for Zilog. is of more interest to Club News is the fact
presentation by Locomotive Software's
Two less well-known languages, LISP and that Mrs Skipper finishes her letter with the
Jane Packer who came over to
Southampton. She talked about recent STOIC are also included; LISP being a following idea, "There must be a lot of

developments within the company and also language most closely assciated with other users feeling isolated: would it not be

about LocoScript 2.28 and 2.29. She was Artificial Intelligence (also known as Al). a good' thing if an International PCW
then 'inundated with questions'. Games such as the classic Collosal Cave owner's club could offer some sort of
The meetings are planned to continue Adventure and Mastermind, graphics lifeline to other members? don't know I

with other guest speakers. Hampshire is a packages and communications software whether any such organisation already
sizeable county and there must be a few are there for the taking. exists: if not, I would be quite happy to
thousand PCW owners resident within its All of the software is available on CF2 start one up."
boundaries (even Dorset). So why not drop (A> drive) discs. If you wish to have Interesting, n'est
Mr Bassett, the membership
secretary, a CF2DD format, this is only available on
pas?We know that
line at the followingaddress: Mr P C 5.25 inch disc. Members pay £2.95, non-
many people think some
Bassett, 27 Fellows
Street, Farnborough, members £3.95, and add £1 .50 for post
of 8000 Plus is written in
GU14 6NU. You never know, it might give and packaging to your total order. These
Polish but what do you
you the chance to get some direct feedback prices basically cover the cost of a new
think of this idea?
from companies such as Locomotive. At disc. PCW-World is such a professional
organisation that credit card orders are
Please write and tell us
the least you will meet a few like minded
accepted. If you wish to find out more at our swish new offices:
people who can share some knowledge.
about the club which is probably the Beauford Court, 30
Austin's rovers largest in the country outside the official Monmouth Court, Bath, Does this man own the other 951 2 in the
Eastern block? wouldn't supnse us.
Gerry Austin of PCW-World has not only Amstrad organisation, you should contact BA1 2AP. It

January 90 8000 PLUS 7

NEWS PLUS
you're reading this) Topologika have
come up
Until
with some
February 28th 1990
special offers.
their
SNIPPETS
games are available for the princely Thurston for knowledge
sum of £1 1 .95 inclusive of postage, Brian Thurston of Thurston
packing and VAT. The following are Techniques has probably got
a selection of those available: more useful and ideas for
discs
Avon: which is based on a LocoScript users than anyone else
Shakespearian theme and which we could name. His series of
our reviewer appreciated in the Tempdiscs contain vast vistas of
November issue. Headers, characters which have
Acheton: not a sneeze but, been re-defined as only Brian
according to Topologika, "The knows how. Prices, for his multitude
biggest adventure ever written." of handy products range from £4.95
Yes Chancellor!: an for the Tempmate to £19.95 for

"economics simulation"; we'll leave the latest Tempdisc. For more

the witty comments to your information please contact Brian
imagination. Thurston on 0395 277496.
If you buy 2 games then 1 0% is

deducted from the price, 3 games

reduces by 20% and 4 or more
it
It's only a name
This month's waste-a-tree press
cuts it by 30%. Games from this
release photograph has been
company usually offer hours of quite
sent by Citizen Computer Printers.
stimulating fun. For more
The blurb runs "Jubilant Citizen
information contact Topologika on
At the time of going to press more than 500,000 sales." celebrated the spectacular win of
Amstrad's business divison Sales The lucky 500,000th purchaser this number 0733 244682.
the Mitsubishi-Oil Citizen team rally

Manager, based in Newcastle- was 24 year Micheal Graham, a 24 car in the RAC Lombard Rally
under-Lyme, Mr Mike Walker was year old electrician from Dover-by- Winter driven by Pentti Airikkala." The
unavailable for comment; he was in Cokermouth, Cumbria. He sent in combinations blurb ran on, and on, and on. The
a management meeting. Again, his registration card and in return picture, by the way, shows Rocky
according to CTW, Mr Walker has received £500 worth of Sony SLV Following on from last month's Otake and Ari Vantanen
of Citizen
said, "This really is a superb 401 video recorder. "I couldn't be databases review, Digita who drove the second car with
opportunity for our dealers to get more pleased", commented the International tell us that their navigator Bruno Berglund. Might all
added value and extra profit in the lucky Mr Graham. database - Datastore - is still this success entice Citizen into
run-up period to Christmas. Our It is certainly good to see a available. producing a cheap 24-pin printer?
pack sells well, especially
starter piece of software doing this well. They also have two "special
amongst first time end-users and combination packages" featuring
promotion should increase the Digita product range. The Home
this this
Topologikal Jim Combination Pack 1 includes
even further."
The dealers are even further Supertype II, Datastore and the
For a machine which isn't supposed
enticed into selling the PCW9512 Personal Tax Planner as well as
to have anything to do with games, Classic Invaders. It costs £49.95
because for the cost of £1 ,285 they
there seem to be a lot of them and will save you £45.
will get three 951 2's with cut sheet
about. One company which has Business Combination Pack 2
feeders and three 'specially priced'
been been creating quality text includes Datastore II, Business
starter packages. This would price
adventures for some years now is Controller and DGPayroll and
each machine, feeder and package
Brian Kerslake's Topologika. With Supertype II. The saving here is,
at £428.33 each.
the new decade nearly upon us (or £65. Contact Jeremy Rhill at Digita
The more that Amstrad push the
engulfing us depending on when on 0395 270273.
9512, the better it is for existing
users of PCWs. We can only hope
that this starter pack is available to
all and not just 'first time end-users'
(which end do they use?). Profit
Two men. one car. some dirt and some
margins are margins and
profit
particularly amusing names.
Amstrad have always been good at
those. So, at around £70 a machine,
the dealers are not making an
It travels well
Over recent months, people have
astronomical cut.
been asking about copying files to
For more information contact
other machines.
Mike Walker on 0782 566344.
Mapej Disk (sic) Copying
Service import and export files
Sales office from the PCW to machines such
as IBM compatible computers. You
Database Software have sent us yet
willcharged £7.50 per disc copied
another press release dealing with
from. LocoScript files should be
Mini Office. According to Database,
converted to Ascii. Mapej will
the package has "... achieved
charge 25p per file to convert. For
another milestone in software
more information you can contact
marketing history by notching up
them on 01 640 7676.

8 8000 PLUS January 90

 QQ 99
The Rolls Rayce of PCW
Amstrad PCW magazine, July
desk-top pubtehin.
'89.

CRO
)*•'*= -V

Hsfcr

: TYPESETTING = GRAPHICS— FONT DESIGN~PAGE LAYOUT=TEXT ED1TING=PRINTING^

Runs on PCW8256. PCW8S12 and PCVC9512. Gives very high quality printed output (Recommended retail price £69.95)
Fully compatible with files from using the internal dot-matrix printer, or
LocoscripQ, Pretext, Wordstar,
Press,
MAX
The Desktop Publisher, Mini-Office
Stop an external 9-pln, 24-pin or laser printer
(HP laserjet+ compatible).
£59-95 55
With FREE Extra Fonts disc
Professional, Rombo Vidi Digitiser, Master Supports both the Kempston and AMX only when ordered directly
Scan, and other PCW software packages. mouse systems (though not essential). from
10 Park Street

EXTRA FONTS DISC

tupari new Hie fill of fonts from
tat eriteri of UtcroDestgn
£14-95
incVATandP*P
Uttoxeter
Staffs
STI4 7AG
Including lirgir hoaitlno typofteot 4otl$nod it a/no ap to 73pt,
FREE 31 0889-567160
Baghdad angnpUet cGLtic GkkrV MIBLICK with MlcroDeslgn 2 when
ordered directly from CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Outrigger Bcf>a>abacl)ec JBherwood ... 4 m*Mf met* Creative Technology

This advert was designed, typeset and printed AT THIS SCALE using an Amstrad PCW8512, Micro-Design 2 and a Star LOO 9-pin printer.

TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS AND RELIABLE SERVICE ;uaranteed!1

DATA TROLLEY STOCKISTS OF ORIGINAL AND CF2 3" DISKETTES
COMPATIBLE (and coloured) AMSTRAD
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ALL JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY!

Small 3" Storage Box (Cap 30) £9.95

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RESURRECTION!
There can be life after death for your corrupt - oops! - corrupted files. Ever
had that 'Disc error' message and found that vital disc unreadable? Maybe
a disc editor can rescue your work. George Bridge undertakes to find out.
one of those error messages? Missing address where - which is exactly what a disc editor does.

Gotmark? Disc unreadable? Just because your PCW can't When you format a disc, a pattern of magnetic tracks is
read a disc doesn't mean you've lost all the data. It's laid down, each neatly divided into 9 sectors. Each sector
like a record that has a crack on it; you can still access has a unique numerical address. It's like numbering the
the other tracks - maybe record them onto tape - you'd just houses in this street, each of which also has its own unique
miss out the the damaged section. geographical address.
Similarly, a good disc editor will let you look at any bit of a
damaged disc and copy all the bits (literally Bits) that are OK. What not to do
In practice this will probably be around 99% of it - you can So what corrupts a disc? Anything that disturbs the magnetic
recover almost all the data that was on the disc a little chunk blips, or more precisely fields, which are recorded on it. A
at a time. This is why disc editors can be useful. really good way to ruin a disc is to run a magnet over it, but
there are other less obvious ways. A ringing telephone
Anatomy of a disc generates a magnetic and can corrupt a disc nearby.
field,

Inside the familiar rectangular case of a PCW 'disc', there Heat, dust and smoke (and tea or coffee spilt onto it) can do
really is a perfectly circular disc. It's made of thin plastic the same by altering the surface or the disc. Many discs just
covered with magnetic material, not unlike the coating of an give up through old age; over two years old is heading for
audio cassette tape. possible problems. Unfortunately the damage occurs
How is the data actually stored? Well,
like a cassette, completely unpredictably, and the best way to avoid it is to

however closely you look you won't see anything.

at it keep backups - copies of all your important discs.
Everything from LocoScript text files to BASIC programs are But the two most common reasons for corruption are if the
stored as a series of magnetic blips on the disc. Now, if all the head that reads the discs is slightly misaligned, or if there's a
files were stored one after the other continuously, you'd be in surge of power. As much of the time the head is reading the
trouble if you came to edit one in the middle of the disc Directory - to find out where to find the contents of the file
somewhere and made it longer - all the others would have to you're working on - this means that the Directory is the area
be shifted along. most vulnerable to corruption, just as those things you use
So what all computers do is to split the disc up into and need most are those you're most likely to leave on the
sections or compartments. They then store the various bits of bus or drop on the floor.
a file in these compartments and keep a note of which
compartments hold which bits of the file in a special area of When disaster strikes
the disc called the 'Directory'. When a new file is created, it's The dreaded error message? The first thing to do in CP/M, if

put into the nearest available empty compartments. When a you have the error on a B drive disc is to keep retrying -
file is deleted, the compartments are emptied. CP/M often misreads a disc first time round.
Next, (or if the error's on the A drive) and you can, copy
if

Addressed to kill the whole disc to a freshly formatted one so that you don't put
Imagine a street full of equally sized houses in which a your data at any further risk. DISCKIT or LocoScript 2 may
number of families live; as a family grows, some members not be able to do this for you, but it's always worth a try.

might move to other houses. A central list ofwho lives at what If neither can do the job, then you need to use the disc-
address will let you keep tabs on any particular family. It copier function of one of the better-equipped disc editors.
doesn't matter who moves where - you can always find all the Once you've made (preferably) several copies of the bad disc,
members of a particular family your list is up to date. Some
if you can relax a little and consider the possibilities.
houses might be empty at some time, and people move in
and out constantly. What files are rescuable?
If you equate a family to a file, and the central list to the What kinds of are amenable to data-recovery? Well, any
files

directory, you can imagine how your data is stored. A house kind of text easy, even LocoScript ones, providing
file is fairly

corresponds to a 'Block' on the disc. If one house loses its you can most of the pieces that belong to it.
find
number, then you have problems. But clearly the worst Restoring spreadsheet or database or desktop publishing
problem is if you lose a page of your central list - which is files can be much harder. If you have the time, study the

precisely what happens in that 'missing address mark' structure of undamaged files to see if you can work out the
situation! (Low number tracks and sectors are where the arrangement. But it could be quicker simply to print out all the
Directory is stored). If your PCW can't read the Directory area relevant figures and words you can retrieve and type them
of the disc, it doesn't know where to find data, and gives up in into a brand-new file.
utter desperation. Program files (i.e. .COM files) are practically never worth
The data is still there, of course - just as the various trying to rescue, because losing just one bit can render the
members of the family are still alive and kicking even though whole thing useless.
the page they appear on in the central list has gone west. All Anyway, that's enough theory. Here's a list of the disc
you have to do is make house-to-house calls to find who's editors on the market for the PCW - and our verdicts on them.

10 8000 PLUS January 90

 IH

DU Another unique DU feature

'map' of the target disc showing which blocks belong to
is its ability to construct a

Public Domain program • various suppliers • included on which files and where the free blocks are.
discs £5 or £6 • All PCWs DU is well worth having around just for this function

Two versions of this program are current: DU86 and DU87. There seem to be no alone. It's still the best disc editor for getting into a really

major differences between them. DU comes to us from non-PCW sources in the troublesome disc. However, because of the inability to edit

CP/M world, so some of the terminology is rather odd: 'Group' means 'Block', and the command line, it's unlikely nowadays that it could ever
'yank' means 'copy' or 'build file'. DU is a difficult program to get used to, and the be considered the disc editor of choice though it does offer

documentation is no help at all until you have virtually hacked your way into some special features.

sort of familiarity with it.

It operates exclusively from the command

CP/M's SID. Alone of all disc line like

editors can be set to automatically copy up to 49K of data into what it calls
it

'sequential memory'. It can print out the first and last records of all the blocks on a B> PLUSES
drive disc. You would need a lot of paper, but the results might help to solve one of '
Best disc-editor for getting into a difficult disc

the worst problems in data recovery, a completely trashed disc-Directory. The only disc-editor which can make up a 'map' of a disc

Can build a file in the memory

IH Accepts multiple commands
42-42 00DIK-B 00 03-OA 00 J14CPN3 .EMS 00 Has Print function

M-li 00 TOOLKIT .COM 00 12-12 00 DK-FIB 00 .

MINUSES
13- LA 00 TOOLKIT .COM 00 IB- ID 00 SlfPEK2AP.COM 00
Cumbersome command-line operation, and worse
LME 00 TOOLKIT .COM 00 1F-21 00 TOOLKIT .COM 01
The command line can't be edited, so on occasion a single
still...

22-29 00 J14CPH3 ,EMS 00 2A-33 00 J14CFH3 .ENS 01

mistake could lose you hours of work
34-36 00 TOOLKIT .cm oi 37-38 00 SUPEJt2AP.COM 00
No copier
39-39 00 KNLFE+ .COM 00 3A-3A 00 J14CPM3 .EMS 01
Can't flow a file sequentially
3B-3B 00 DISKDIT.C 3C-40 00 J14CPM3 .EMS 01
Hex display is a solid block of numbers hard to work with
11-42 00 J14CPH3 .EMS 02 43-43 00 TOOLKIT .COM 01
No on-screen menus
44-49 00 J14CPM3 .EMS 02 4A-4A 00 DUMP .COM 00
1B-4B Ml .COM 00 K-Af 00 SUPEJt2AP.COM 00
'
Documentation apparently intended
determined
to defeat all but the most

so-so 00DIBCHK .COM 00 Sl-57 00 DISKE0IT.COM 00

Find a string function is unbelievably slow
58-60 00 TOOLKIT .COM 01 61-88 00 DISKE0IT.COM 00
'

Here Be Dragons DU's map fragmented disc Your discs wi look much The
.. of a horribl like this after use. table is in
RANGE OF FEATURES 3/5 EASE OF USE 1/1
two halves side by side. The Block numbers are in Column 1 ; User Numbers in Col 2. Then come the File names, and
lastly the Extent Numbers. Read/Write ace ess to such a dis c can be very low. You can speed up access to your discs
|

PERFORMANCE 2/5 DOCUMENTATION 1/5

perceptibly by PIPing the files out occasionally to a newly-fo rmatted disc - one more of the unsung talents of PIP. 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 7/20

SUPERZAP be loaded in the TPA (Transient Program Area) - indeed,

unique among disc editors it modifies its display for .COM
Public Domain program • various suppliers • included on allow for the standard 100-hex origin. Its feel is very
files to
discs costing £5 or £6 professional.

This fairly mature program could be considered the ideal beginners' disc editor if only
SUPERZAP's 'Find a string' function is the fastest of any
ithad a more friendly and elementary manual. Even so, if what you want is an easy- disc editor, though it operates only within a file.

to-use, no-nonsense investigative program, this is clearly it. Finally, for what it's worth, SUPERZAP is the only disc

Throughout its operation, SUPERZAP requires only the simplest one-key editorwhich allows you to examine the structure and
commands, except where you need to have a warning with which to concentrate all contents of the M: drive. Contrary to expectation, when you
your attention (as when writing your changes to disc) and then sensibly calls for it
use [SHIFT] +[EXTRA]+[EXIT] to reset your PCW without
two keys. Adequate menus appear as part of the display at all times, and only switching off, the files in memory are not completely lost!

occasional reference to the documentation is required.

SUPERZAP scores heavily over all other disc editors in being able to follow a SUPERZAP
machine-code file sequentially with full reference to the addresses at which it would
PLUSES
SUPERZAP VERSION 3.7
', Outstandingly easy to use
Menu-driven: mainly simple one key commands
It Next sector T lop of file Z Exit fro* Supertap
P Previous sector E Last sector of file L Exit to file list Can follow files sequentially. Brill for .COM files
C Chame Sector S Select Sector X Scratchpad operations
Fast Find function
« Fine- ASCII Strim H Find Hex Strinq
Scratchpad :- Ewtj Reverse-video identifies Read-Only, System and Archive files

Select function •"> . The best layout of any disc editor's hex display

File-Naite Access Current-Sector Load Address

aiSUPEKZAP.COH 9996 MINUSES
mm
m*\t
CD a
24 21
3A 99 92 FE
•5 CD 5A 25
46 29 93 C3
18 EA 11 99
B3 93 9E 19
96 CD
11 SC 99
24
CD
liBU.jjtt.
No
No
copier
Print function - even the standard CP/m command
95 M C9 43 4F 4D 99 9A 53 65 6C 65 (3 74 29 46 iiitjKpOeiectri '[EXTRA]+P' is disabled
999430 75 6E 63 74 69 6F 6E 29 31 3D 3D 3E 29 99 91 24 lunction =--> ..$1
W449 45 tl 74 (5 72 29 49 65 71 29 53 65 63 74 (F 72 I Enter Hex Sector I Numbers can only be entered in hex
OMS9 99 97 99 9B 3S 46 69 6C 65 29 4F 66 66 73 65 74 SFile Offset!
MM
1

Find only works within files

99460 20 3S 4C SF 61 64 29 41 64 64 72 65 73 73 ..SLoad Addressl
M«47t NUUN 4E 29 29 4E 65 78 74 29 73 65 (3 74
I

L.J Next sectl Not the best for getting into a troublesome disc

RANGE OF FEATURES 2/5 EASE OF USE 5/5

PERFORMANCE 4/5 DOCUMENTATION 2/5

8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 13/20

8000 PLUS January 90 1

 w The KNIFE PLUS
KNIFE PLUS displays in are nowhere accompanied
by on-screen help. Most of the commands require two keys,
£19.95 • HiSoft • (0525) 718181 • All PCWs which might not sound too serious at first but eventually
KNIFE PLUS is also a mature program, but our comparison to
its also the first in becomes a pain. The program has a moderately fast 'Find'
incorporate a copier which can reproduce a damaged disc regardless of errors. The feature. The KNIFE PLUS manual is handsome indeed, it
copier operates somewhat deliberately but with minimal fuss. The details of faulty offers an admirable overview of the program's features and
sectors are reported on screen and remain there, so you can usefully screen-dump data-recovery procedures on several levels of experience.
the by pressing [EXTRA]+[PTR], when the copy is complete. The destination disc
lot, The only problem is that there's not very much of it, and the
doesn't have to be formatted in advance. difficulties of some quite ordinary file-rescue problems are
•
You canre-build a file in memory by scavenging the disc and picking up isolated breezily glossed over.
blocks or sectors at will. KNIFE PLUS will also replace a damaged disc boot sector, The main KNIFE PLUS programs are supported by a
though in truth this is a bit of a non-problem. group of file-handling utilities of which the most interesting
are UNERA.COM (an unerase and WP.COM, a very
utility)

neat file-copying program.

CP/M Plus Knife Plus Disc Sector Editor V3.43 (C) HiSo ft 1987, PCM raw.
Drive: A Track: 81 Sector: 81 Block: F ile: MM KNIFE PLUS
MM » S3 S5 S» 45 52 5A 41 M
43 41 41 M M M 56 .SUPEBAPCON...V
Ml* & IC 11 37 31 4C 41 4E 4F 7F MMMMMM . . . 78U4MD
M2« M4C4F4F4B41S4282t43 4F4DMMMt8 cm.... PLUSES
M3«
M4«
AEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
4F41MMMM
MS44F4F4C4B49 542«43
.UJOKAT

.TOOLKIT COM..,
*
Good copier, by a small margin possibly the handiest there is
MS* M «C ! § *F 1* 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A IE Can re-build a file in memory
M6* MS44F4F4C48 49S4M43 4F4D41MMW .TO0UIIC0N....
M7* IF 2* 21 34 35 36 43 S8 59 i 51 SC 51 5E 51 6* !4StCXVZt\lt
' Can follow a file sequentially
M
.

M8» 4A 31 34 43 5* 41 33 2* 45 41 S3 M M M 8* . J14CH43 EMS ... Can replace a damaged disc boot

M9» *8 «3 (4 »5 *6 *7 *9 *A 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 23 'ItXl'O
MA* M 4A 31 34 43 5* 41 33 2* 45 41 53 tl M M 8* . J14CrM3 EMS ... Accepts number entries in either decimal or hex
MB* 2A 2B 2C 21 21 2F 3* 31 32 33 3A X 31 3E 31 4* «,-./«123:<=>«
MC« MS44F4F4C4B49S42«43 4F4D*2MM8t .TOOLXITCni....
MD» 78 84 8S 86 87 81 34 95 96 97 98 99 9A 9E Sf MINUSES
ME* M 44 49 S3 41 45 44 43 54 43 41 41 8* MMM .DISKQIICOt,.., No print function
MP* 3B 51 52 S3 54 SS 56 57 tl 62 63 64 tS 66 (7 68 iQRSTIWabcdtfqh
No on-screen help
Commands mostly require two keys
Log-in and exit sequences not well thought-out

RANGE OF FEATURES 3/5 EASE OF USE 2/5

PERFORMANCE 3/5 DOCUMENTATION 3/5

llM^IJ 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 11/20

PCW TOOLKIT TOOLKIT will build you a complete new

sectors or smaller fragments scavenged from anywhere on
file from blocks,

£24.95 • Moonstone Computing • (041) 941 3120 • All PCWs the disc.
PCW TOOLKIT is an ambitious production, and clearly no effort has been spared to It's astonishing that there is no facility for printing out
make it every perceived need in
fulfil data recovery. The 70-page manual alone is a data except by screen dump. The TOOLKIT manual,
veritable monograph on the subject. TOOLKIT incorporates the by now obligatory disc- though, is a delight, and almost an object-lesson in how it
copier which pauses at every error to offer the option to flag for subsequent attention. it should be done. Clear thinking in presentation is much in
The on-screen menus are about as good as they could be, and single-key evidence, and there are masses of illustrations.
commands are the rule. This is one of those rare programs which make full and At the time of writing a substantially improved version of
effective use of the PCWs keyboard. All numbers can be entered in either decimal or PCW TOOLKIT was being finalised, and should now be
hex, and both are displayed immediately. All the editing commands are well chosen, widely available. The price remains the same. To upgrade
and the PASTE, COPY, CUT and FILL options are particularly impressive. If required, your existing copy, send your original master disc plus £10.

FCH-roolKit Disc utii (c) Moonstone Conputing 1988 Version l.t PCW TOOLKIT

M
mmmm
m
M4E M
41
wmm— Track

mmflFmm*,
M M MM M M
MMMM
tl

4F
Sector

7F
F
" 8S Block

81
"

88
*M2 ;

L.H.H.O.O..
PLUSES
'. Good copier
MM 4F48
4C 4F
MM M MMMM MM4D MMMM
41 54 i» 24 43 4F LOOKS! COM.
menus
.S4 4F 4f 4C
1M K M M K M M
tl
43 4B 49 54 2t
13tF
4F 41
14
MMM
M M M
11
8* .TOOLKIT CON...
Well-designed display and
Single-key commands
S4 4F 4F 4C M M 8t
4B 49 54 24 43 4F 41 tl .TOOLKIT CON.,..
M M M M M M M 58 M
21 43 .!,4.S.6.C.X, Can memory
re-build a file in
2t
MMMM
34 35 36 ,

,.
4A 31 34 43 St 41 33 2t 45 41 53 .J14CPN3 ENS....
8M M MM M tCM MM M tF M
t9 tl tE
Accepts numbers in decimal or hex
! 4A 31 34 43
AM M K M 21 M 2EM 2FM M M 31 M
28
MM 88
5* 41 33 2t 45 41 S3 tl .J14CPN3 ENS....
»..,. -.../.t.l.
Very thorough and well-designed manual
"
4B 49 54 2t 43 4F4D t2MM 8t
S4 4F 4F 4C .TOOLKIT CON.,,.
78M M M 86 M 87 M 81 M 8FM 94 M
84 85 MINUSES
! 4S 44 49 54 43 4F 40 w W W <w
44 49 S3 4B "oisKEtiicoN::::
IH » M S3 M 54 M 55 M 56 M S7 M
SI 52 l.Q.R.S.T.U.V.H. No Print function

Can't follow a sequentially

— ——^—^—
file
Disc is Anstrad CF2 fornat. Using Drive A:
— — Viewing Data Sector No Find feature

COMMAND MODE <

No reverse-video to identify Read-Only, System and
[SELECT : I Archive files

RANGE OF FEATURES 4/5 EASE OF USE 3/_

PERFORMANCE 4/5 DOCUMENTATION 5/5
8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 16/20

12 8000 PLUS January 90

I FEATURE

discEDIT Editing at byte level with discEDIT is awkward. You have

to leave the Edit mode before you can swap between the
£7.95 • Donald Mcintosh (47 Almondell Terrace, East Calder, Hex and Ascii fields.
Livingston, West Lothian EH53 OEZ) • All PCWs discEDIT is strong on peripheral features. There's a
clock, octal numbering, an inverted-data option, a 'show free
discEDIT is member of the new generation of disc editors, and the new approach is
much in evidence. However, is not one of those programs which goes out of its
it
space' option, and a quiverful of disc-handling functions
way to welcome beginners. discEDIT's copier function constructs an error-log of the emulating the standard CP/M commands like DIR, REN and
faulty disc as it copies.
TYPE. Together with a couple of formatting utilities for
variations of the normal PCW format. discEDIT's 35-page
discEDIT has quite a good on-screen menu, and additional information about
the commands can be called up if required. About half of the commands require
manual is on disc and has to be printed out before you can
only one key, and are mildy memorable or intuitive. The number entries are a bit of make effective use of it. Despite the long section supposedly
a mess. Some are required indecimal and appear in hex; others have to be hex. aimed at beginners, it is strictly a buffs' broadsheet.

DISC EDIT
If W ff FFFF ff ft rr ff rr ff rr ft rr ft ft
rr rr n Ff FF rr ftff ft rr ft rr ft rr ft Fr
PLUSES
n fr ff Ff FF ft ft rr ft rr ft rr ft rr ff rr
B FF FF FF FF ff rr rr FF FT ft rr ft rr rr rr '. Good copier
rr ff ff FF FF ff ft rr FF FF FF FF FF rr rr ft
h Ff ff FF Fr Fr FFFF FF FF rr rr ft ft ft rr
Writes logs of disc errors, and can be guided by these logs
FF Fr FF rr FT rr ft Fr FT FF ft rr ft rr ft rr Can print out the current sector
W» 1
,

38 »S 02 03 03 2A 52 00 00 00 00 00 04
31 M FF 3E rr 32 f M CD B4 ro 2i 00 00 E5 11 , Sophisticated Find function
WW 86 M CD BE F0 10 FB C» 57 r0 C2 23 Fl Dl Reverse-video identifies Read Only, System and Archive files
96 W 7E B7 38 1» ES 6F 26 00 29 C» 8E F0 CD 81
, 'Inverted Data' option

, Group of supporting functions and utilities

MINUSES
track 5 Sector
: Paqt : : Block I 0012 KW8256 foriwt '
Awkward Edit function
Cursor Keqs Move Cursor : c : Chanqe (Edit) Mode To«le HEX/ASCII You can't easily quit an operation once begun
atl'-S Scratchpad Facilities
: s/S :romrd/Back Sector Disc Search
Alt -B Shot) Free Disc Space
: t/I :Fomard/Back Track Goto Track/Sector Unable to follow a file sequentially
BLf D Duplicate/Check Disc n Next ErrorCALT-H RESET) Goto Block
: :
No 're-build file' function
M.I-0 One's Coup lenient
: f : riip Page Displayed Write Sector to Disc
t Print Sector
: I : Display Instructions Utilities Section No line numbers in display
C Clock OH/OFF
: X : Extra Info OH/OFT QUIT

Here's a nice little exercise for discEDIT. Copy DISCKIT an A: disc. Get discedit running and Press G then '0008' RANGE OF FEATURES 3/5 EASE OF USE 2/5
then [RETURN] then Y to display the start of the last block ot this copy of DISCKIT. the lower part of the hex window
In
PERFORMANCE 3/5 DOCUMENTATION 2/5
you should see this line of bytes: 00 00 28 09 02 01 03 02 Change the second 02 to
... 03. Now type W to write the
change to disc. You now have a version of DISCKIT which formats discs with 96 directory entries instead of 64! 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 10/20

Hexagony The good surgeon's

Code the native language of computers, but not
Binary
since the early
is

days of computing has it been used directly toolguide

to write programs in. The reason for this is that it is quite
File rescue is far from being the monopoly of the big guns of disc-editing. Most people in data
horrendously difficult to work with, and mistakes at every level
recovery also keep handy a small group of auxiliary utilities to deal with specific tasks. Many of
from the trivial to the colossal are unavoidable. For example, a
these programs are in the public domain.
number like 10010101101011101 is prone to typing errors.
The best known must be UNERA.COM, which as its name suggests, can unerase a file which
Hexadecimal numbers have now become universal as a kind
you have accidentally deleted. In ideal circumstances it works like magic - but for success you
of halfway house between binary code and decimal numbers.
must have written nothing to the disc in the meantime, and there must be no other erased file
Using Hex, as it is affectionately known, we can easily handle
with thesame name on the disc or total confusion will ensue.
any binary number. And at the same time, with somewhat greater
Another useful program is DIRCHK.COM which maps a disc in a different way than DU does.
difficulty we can convert Hex numbers to and from Decimal. Hex
DIRCHK can cope with Xformat discs (DU can't) but only works with one user/group at a time it
numbers run in sixteens, like so:
(DU maps all user groups).
LOOKAT.COM can display and print out a file in Ascii - ideal for speedily chasing up all those
Hex: 0123456789 A B C D E F 10 1112
text messages in .COM files. LOOK.COM is a file-editor operating at the byte level rather like
Normal: 01 234567891011 1213141516 1718
CP/M's SID.COM. COMPARE.COM will compare two copies of a file, byte-against-byte, and list

10' Hex any differences between them on screen or in a separate file. Very nice.
in is actually 16 in decimal; '20' is 32; '30' is 48. The
strange combination of letters and numbers which you might D.COM is a directory utility like CP/M's DIR.COM but only 1 15th of the size. It displays the

have seen are nunbers too; for example 27 in decimal is 1B in

sizes of the files on a disc, the free space available, and marks Read-Only files with a star. At 1K

hex while 43 is 2B and so on. it is small enough to include on all your data discs. RIP.COM is a pleasant little program for

The other major reason for using hex numbers so freely in

copying files from disc to disc. If there already is a file of the same name, the resident file is

renamed (filename).BAK, which is handy.

computers is their compactness. The largest 2-digit hex number
is 'FF', which is two hundred and fifty-five.
NEWSWEEP.COM, the leading file-management utility, needs no introduction. Not all that

BASIC.COM, which is on your system discs somewhere, helpful with an unexpanded 8256 (too much disc-swapping), but absolutely indispensable with
an 8512 or an upgraded machine. FILECHOP.COM is handy for dividing up long files; while
offers automatic conversion between hex and decimal (i.e.

normal) numbers. To find the decimal equivalent of '9E'

MERGE.COM does exactly the opposite - it joins files together. (PIP.COM can already do both
hex, type:
jobs perfectly well, though) Either way you are probably going to need a look with a disc-editor

PRINT &h9e beforehand. The best known collection of auxiliary data-recovery programs is 'COMPLEAT
The response is: 158. To find the hex for '232', type:
UTILITIES' from Advantage, 64 Bath Road, Cheltenham GL53 7HJ (0242 224 340). It contains

PRINT hex$(232) nearly all of the utilities mentioned above, plus SUPERZAP and many others. All the other

The response will be: E8.

Public Domain suppliers offer similar collections.

8000 PLUS January 90 13

 ;;'^' : :"! ;
='\
:"::>?
fSlll

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for your PCW8256/8512

IH^HmS

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individual price of LocoFile and LocoMail Note: All prices include VAT and UK postage TEL 0306 740606" Surrey, RH4 1YL
 CP/M

HE QUIET HERO
Steve Patient meets SID, a utility whose small name belies its power
regular readers of 8000 Plus will be familiar with
Many
SID.COM as the utility often used in Tipoffs to «>sid
CP/M 3 SID - Version 3.0
change one or two bytes in an existing program. ItnOlOO
9100 nvi a, 94
That's one function from SID's extensive armoury of
3102 rrc
abilities. SID is an acronym for Symbolic Instruction 3103 rrc
9104 rrc
Debugger. It is designed to monitor the actions of another 9105 rrc
9106 oni OP
program. This enables the user to discover why that program 9108 nov e.o
is doing what it's doing.
9109 rst 06
HOfl
SID loads a program and runs it under software control. U0 100
0100 MVI fl,94
It can arrange for the program to be executed one instruction 0102 RRC
0103 RRC
at a time, several instructions at a time or can even let it run 0104 RRC
until it reaches a pre-arranged marker or Breakpoint. 0105 RRC Poison pen
0106 RNI OF
SID allows you to set Breakpoints at any location. The 0108 M0U E.R Before the friendly SID arrived
0109 RST 06 on the scene, back
test program will stop when it encounters one. It then hands OlOfl NOP
in the early

©10B NOP days of CP/M computing, a far

control back to SID which then can check various values
010C NOP less friendly debugger was
such as the Z80 registers, counters or address pointers. used.
Values held in memory locations can be examined to see if This had the acronym
1 Using SID to assemble a simple subroutine. The routine will shift the bits in a byte
they fit expectations. DDT which stood for Dynamic
four times to the right. This creates a byte with the value ot the high nybbie.
The best way to get a feel for SID is to try using some of Debugging Tool. In terms of
today's dynamism DDT rates
thecommands described in this article. You'll be surprised at
against SID in the same way
how much control can give you over your programs.
it Sxp
that Sir John Gielgud
p=oieo
lit compares to Daley Thompson
Command structure
»0102
fl=00 B=0©00 D=0000 H=0000 S=0100 P=0100 MUI fl,94 in terms of pole vaulting
SID has a number of options, most of which are simple to It prowess.
use. A few of these are explained below. You can't do any H=94 B=0000 D=0000 H=0000 S=0100 P=0102 RRC
K0103
permanent damage as long as you only ever use copies of It
fl=4fl B=0000 D=0000 H=00©0 S=0100 P=0103 RRC
the programs you are going to SID around with. K0104
ttb
A - Assemble ptoies
fl=2S b=oooo d=oooo h=oooo s=oioo p=oio4 rrc
Begin assembly at hex address following A. For example,
A100 and finish when a [RETURN] is entered on its own.
,
li
c
*O106
— r=92 b=ooo© d=oooo h=oooo s=oioo p=oios rrc
Remember to finish routines with an RST 06 command to It
fl=49 B=0000 0=0000 H=0000 S=0100 P=0106 RNI OF
return you to SID, like so: W108
It
A100 —EI A=09 B=0000 D=0000 H=0000 S=0100 P=0108 MOV E,fl
«0109
0100MVAA,#50 Load a register with decimal #50 It
0102 DCR, Decrement A —EI A=09 B=0000 0=0009 H=0000 S=0100 P=0109 RST 06
W109
0103 JNZ 0100 Jump if not zero to 0100 hex
0106 RST 06 Return to SID
2 Single stepping through the routine to check that it is behaving as it should.
[RETURN]
Note the values changing in reg A.

This is all assembled as you go and when run using SID it

will return control to SID on completion.

nsoioi
9101 94 85
C-Call 9102 OF
10100
It
.

This calls an existing subroutine at an absolute address - for 0100 MUI A, 85

0102 RRC
example at C2FE0 - but you have to know what you're 0103 RRC
about. It can be a fast way to crash the machine. 0104 RRC
0105 RRC
0106 UNI OF
D - Display 0108
0109
MOV
RST
E.fl
06
Usually called Dump; displays memory in various ways.
it
010R NOP
010B NOP
The default is to display the address, then 16 bytes of 010C NOP
memory followed by the same values in the form of Ascii
characters where possible (a full stop otherwise). If no command to alter the initial value to be shifted. The dis-assemble
3 Using the Set
(List) command shows the altered version of the subroutine. Note the use of RST 06
address is specified then the display is from the last memory
to ensure that control returns to SID if the routine is run un-monitored.
position displayed. If no second address is given then 12
lines are displayed.
F- Fill
D01 00,01 50 Display from 01 00 hex to 01 50 hex This fills memory and is useful for
with a particular byte value
D#256,#336 The same addresses in decimal clearing an area up before having a program use it. The
D.LOOP3 Display 12 lines from symbolic command is where ssss is the starting byte, ffff
Fssss,ffff,v;
the finishing address and v is the value to fill memory. Try not
address LOOP3
to overwrite SID or your practice program; it can be very
There is also a word display format: DWnnnn.mmmm that embarrassing.
reverses each pair of bytes displayed. This is useful for
G-Go
looking at tables of addresses (which are stored
high byte order internally).
in low byte,
The G command lets the test program run on

15 8000
its own

PLUS
>
Januarys
 CP/M
until it a breakpoint or an RST 06. If neither of these
hits ssss is the start address of the area to move, eeee the end
happen then it's likely to crash or return to CP/M. The main address and mmmm is the start of the area to move to. You
forms command are as below.
of the may have problems if the areas overlap.
G - Go from current program counter position (pep)
Gp - Go after setting new pep for the program under test P - Pass count
G,b - Go after setting a breakpoint at address b This is like a breakpoint but isn't cleared when it's reached.

Gp,b - Set pep and a breakpoint then Go Each time SID hits the Pass Point, execution of the program
G,b,b - Set two breakpoints stops so that you can see what's happening. You can add a
Gp,b,b - Set pep and two breakpoints. count so that SID stops after a stipulated number of times
SID clears these breakpoints on regaining control. But you past the pass point. The syntax is as follows:
must set them unless you're certain your program will reach an Pssss - Set a pass point at location ssss, defaults to one
Symbolically pass.
RST 06.
speaking Pssss,n - Set a pass point and stop every n times past it.

Programs assembled with

H-Hex
MAC.COM produce symbol
This is two hexadecimal numbers
a kind of calculator.Give it
R - Read
These are simply a
Causes SID to load a file - of any kind - into the TPA
tables.

name up to 1 5 characters
and it returns the sum and difference. Give it just one and it
long followed by an address. converts it into decimal and Ascii (and the symbol that number (Transient Program Area). it's preceded by an If I

You can load one into an represents if there is one). command then everything will be initialised correctly (as if it

editor or word processor to had been loaded by the CCP).

look at or simply type it to
I - Input R will read in Hex files and correctly convert them to
They can make
the screen
This simulates a CCP command by allowing you to initialise the machine code at their proper ORG address. This makes it

debugging much easier

File Control Block (FCB) at 5CH . possible to write a program in parts and then use SID to
since they allow you to refer
build a memory image of them. This image can be saved
to your sub-routines by their
L - List again as a complete working program using W(rite).
original names while using
This takes code in memory and displays as 8080 mnemonics. it
SID. This is far easier than
The three forms are:
trying to remember a lot of
S - Set Memory
hex addresses All L - list from current pep for twelve lines. any location and allows
This shows the value of a byte at
assembler and debugger -
Lssss list from address ssss for twelve lines.
you to set that value to another. You can also enter long
packages make use of
Lssss.ssss - list from first address to second address. one each alteration, SID
symbol tables, not just SID. strings of Ascii values in go. After
SID can't tell whether it's dis-assembling code or data. It's up to memory address and waits for another
increments the
you to ensure that you start dis-assembly on an operand or that
value. If you hit [RETURN] the value remains unchanged.
what you are dis-assembling makes sense. You can use List
To enter Ascii characters begin the substitution with a
with symbols you have a symbol table for the program under
speech mark (") and type in the list. When it's complete,
if

examination.
press [RETURN], To finish, type a fullstop and [RETURN].
The syntax is:
M - Move memory Sssss - Address to begin altering bytes.
This copies one area of memory to another location leaving the
original unchanged. M needs three addresses:
T- Trace
Mssss,eeee,mmmm Follows a program by single or multiple stepping through it

while watching what's happening inside the Z80 registers.

After each operand has been executed the state of all

SID is loaded by CP/M

Where SID
It then checks for the top of available
at address 0100M.
lives registers is displayed, as is the operand and other pieces of
information which might prove useful.

memory and there overwriting the CCP. It then adjusts the pointers
relocates itself T - Perform single step from current program counter
to the top of memory soprogram under test won't overwrite it. It loads any
that the position.

options specified in the command tail (the parameters you gave it when invoking Tn - Perform n steps from current program counter
position.
SID). If you just type SID then it just waits for instructions. If you specify a file it
loads it at 0100H and waits. If you specify a file and a symbol table it loads the U - Untrace
symbol table into high memory and loads the program at 0100H. These three The same as trace except that there is no display of the
possibilities leave memory looking like this:
registers. It is fully monitored by SID and pressing any key
halts it. The memory location reached is displayed when the
bios_ BIOS break occurs.
BDOS BDOS
W - Write
SID This writes the file in memory back to disc. You can use to it
SID
save any area of memory to a file for later use. Use W as
SYMBOLS follows:
Wtestfile - Write TESTFILE to default disc using the same
memory values displayed when loading.
TPA Wtestfile 0000.FFFF - Save the whole of memory to a file.
TPA
X - Examine
This displays the current state of the Z80 registers and
allows you to alter any of them. You can also check the
state of the flags which are displayed as: CZMEI for C(arry),

Z(ero), M(inus), E(ven parity), \(nterdigit carry) respectively.

PROGRAM PROGRAM these flags are true then the letter appears in the position
If

indicated; if false then a '-' appears. To see a flag's value

JMPBDOS JUMP SID JUMP SYMBOLS type Xf where f is the flag .You can alter it with a 1 (true) or
,

The normalssate of SID loads over the CCP SID with a program SID with a program a O(false). X is used as follows:
memory with the and often the BDOS jump loaded ready for and the relevant
BDOS JMP vector vector to point to itself. debugging symbol table loaded
X - Look at everything
at 0001 untouched Another jump inside SID for debugging Xf - Look at (and alter) the state of a flag
redirects it to the BDOS Xr - look at (and alter) the state of a register
™c
16 8000 PLUS Januarys
 LocoFont

MODERN After disconnecting the

: CAP! AL FOR SALt: Mini
I : 1000 -
mains power... Good little runner...

jggj ggggjgft SJr|« »ii> Antique*t COPPERPLATE : You. are invited to

8t)0(i 2X (EtjB Square, West Street
f o Kouse warming party...

PENMAN It teem* age* tince I tat>t wtote PECO ;

to you - and iongen tince wz met... IWacadc IPear with prawns

ROMAN The minutes of the

: DEFINITE We have teen forced :

meeting were accepted... to adopt a tougher approach...

SANS SERIF Taking this as our

: FINESSE The fete this year will :

hypothesis, we can,.. be held on the Oth June... I

SGXfPf We're ylacl to hear that

: 1*1 IN IThis package is supplied
1 '::> / 1 / :

yoiif enjoyed the surprise party... on the terms shown below. . .

STANDARD Please find enclosed

: Mini Pb A word processor provides a
:

facility to create documents...

confirmation of your order...

Please send me the following for LocoScript 2:

I 1 1 enclose a cheque for T0TAL£
LocoFont for the PCW8256/8512 Printer Name.
Please charge my Access/Visa card exp Dale
- Standard, Sans Roman,

n
I I

Set 1 Serif, Script,

D
Copper Plate, Deco, Definite, Capitals, Finesse and Modern
Set 2 - Standard, Sans Serif, Penman. Old English,
£19.95
Address.
i 1
in
Mini 15/17 and Mini PS £14.95
Set 1 and Set 2 together £29.95
Signed
LocoFont 24 for the 24 Pin Dot Matrix Printer
Text Set - Roman, Definite, Capitals, Finesse and Mini PS £24.95 Send to Katy Buchan at:
Display Set - Penman, Old English, Deco,
Script and Copper Plate £24.95 LOCOMOTIVE
Postcode
SOFTWARE
To use LocoFont 24 you need the Dorking.
i 24 Pin Printer Drivers Disc £24.95 Note: All prices include VAT and UK posiage TEL 0306 740606 Surrey, RH4 YL 1
ON TEST

PLAYTIME
The idea of four games on one disc sounds like
good news. Tim Smith puts on helmet and
visor and sees what cards fate has dealt.

PCW CHALLENGE ees you as

£14.99 • Artronics • 0423 525325

PCW Challenge a compilation of four games; a racing simulation, a helicopter attack
is

piece, a turgid strip poker endeavour and a flight combat program.

The final game from that list goes by the name of ACE. Not merely a shoot 'em up,
you play the only pilot from a crack AWAT (All Weather, All Terrain) combat team who
is available to defeat a vast enemy attack force. The first thing you have to do is take

off - not as easy as sounds. You must get the velocity and altitude right - and don't
it

forget to pull the undercarriage up. The game can be played with keyboard and/or
joystick but playing without the latteris laboured due to the fact that the software

refuses to communicate with the keyboard at any noticeable speed. Still, once you're
in the air this rarely matters because you seem to get blown right back out of it within

a matter of seconds.
This is where Level 1 - Training - comes in very handy. During training, no one
shoots at you. You, however, can fire at whatever crosses your path, get to grips with
mid-air refuelling and attempt a landing or two. Including training, there are nine 'skill'
levels, although none of them appear to differ that much in terms of terrain. ACE is the
only game to come with on-screen scoring and high score table. It will probably keep
you amused for a few hours.

Formulaic one
This racing simulation sees you spidering around tracks ranging from Silverstone to
Jerez - most of which look uncannily similar. It is all done on never-ending hills and

you have the object of day or night driving. The object of the game seems to be to
keep going until your fuel runs out as there are no such things as pit stops. You
achieve this feat using the left and right cursor keys to change gear (there are six).
Once in the correct gear, the same keys are used to steer. Be warned, the other
drivers are pyschotics who would rather crash into you than see you triumph (or
Maclaren for that matter).
Having played this on three of the office machines, it appears that the PCW
keyboard just isn't scanned often enough by the software and this makes the play
sluggish. This is a criticism of all four games. ick glimpse of Skywar, Artronics helicopter-flight simulation game.
If you can get up into fourth gear, you will begin to speed around the circuits. Using Your aim is to shoot down an anonymous horde of baddies

third gear as a brake should keep the other vehicles at chassis length. The game falls
down on three major points. Firstly, there is no score or high-score table. In effect you
are racing against your fuel. Secondly, the scrolling is abysmally jumpy. Thirdly, you
find yourself reliving the same piece of track, time and time again. All in all, the game Ifthere is a saving grace for this package it
has the feeling of a BASIC listing with a few mildly interesting graphics.
has to be ACE which is still only mediocre.
Formula 1 might hold the imagination of an
Joker in the flak
eight year old for ten minutes. The other two
The other two games in the package are Strip Poker and Skywar. The former is
introduced as "...a card game for connoisseurs of all ages". Obviously they don't mean
games are mere fillers which lack imagination
all sexes. We can only hope that Artronic do not seriously mean that this game is in sound and graphics. Keyboard response is
suitable for children. poor. £14.99 should really be £10.
Even the most perverse adult would be disappointed as the wildest the game gets
are the jokers. A choice of two atrociously hand drawn nymphettes lie pouting in what
looks like a prison cell. As the blurb says, 'Samantha and Sabrina are waiting to show PCW CHALLENGE
you what they've got; and don't mean their cards!". Nor for that matter does he mean
I

their card-playing skills.

The gameslow and the betting bears no resemblance to real poker. On the up-
is

side, pressing [f3] disables the bleep. We discovered this purely by accident when
bashing the hell out of the keyboard in an attempt to shut the machine up. The manual
does not provide this information. Not only does this game lack skill or thrills it is also a
cynical, deeply sexist attempt to push a hackneyed poker algorithm.
As for Skywar, the helicopter simulation, you have a two player option and sound. PLAYABILITY 1/5 ATMOSPHERE 1/_
Well, ' bleep-bleep' is the report of your fiersome artillery. There is no score given. You DOCUMENTATION 1/5 ADDICTIVENESS 1/5
move from left to right using the cursor keys, the space bar fires and that's that. A hit 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 4/20
might destroy an enemy, it might not.

18 8000 PLUS January 90

Simple Recounts II JoB 'Estimating
Genuinely easy to use book-keeping An essential tool for the small contractor:
system - featuring:
* Full Audit trail
* Holds a library of component parts
* Monthly and year to date totals
* Full
Performs all calculations
bank/cash reconcilliation
Full control over quoted prices
* Part payments catered for
* In
Comprehensive analysis
depth analysis facilities
Prints full estimates or quotations
* Creditors and debtors report
* Full vat accounting
Reports your profit

Maintains latest cost prices.

* 100 page ringbound manual
* Indefinite FREE user support.
Amstrad PCW format £79.90
Amstrad PCW format £69.95

(Product Costing
Card-Inde?c Invaluable for use by manufacturers in
costing products:
Useful and simple filing system: * Reflects component costs
changes in
* Genuinely easy to use * Automatic update of production costs
* Powerful search and sort * Comprehensive analysis of costs
* Range of print formats
Reports your profit
* Ideal for mailing labels

Amstrad PCW format £34.95 Amstrad PCW format £79.90

O^E/W - Corni?c Invoicing

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solution to the problems of producing and recording invoices:
* Stores up200 regular customers
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* Shows Invoice and delivery address * Comprehensive invoice analysis
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DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME
 REVIEW

STREAMLINE OF
CONSCIOUSNESS Streamlined BASIC by Geoffrey Childs is a book and disc
which seeks to help the PCW user get more from Mallard.
Tim Smith looks into it.

Use Cursor keys to select file and then keys fi 1

STREAMLINED BASIC
f3-Give details of file.
£18.95 (book and disc) • PCW-World •
fl-Exit and Run menu
0384 662269
CATA Geoffrey Childs is known and respected as the programmer
DM139
DWBAS of Lightning BASIC. His latest venture is Streamlined BASIC
LOADER
MALLARD .
a package comprising a 112 page guide and A drive disc
PROFILE .
packed with some 54 files. Some of these files act as object
README
REMARKS . lessons in programming, both good and bad, and also as
DWTEST extensions to Mallard BASIC.
BAS2
CLS Streamlined BASIC is not aimed at the complete novice
PLO
CL to BASIC programming. However, its sphere of interest takes
UD in those PCW owners who have just started to dabble in the
FORMHEAD.
language as well as those of you who feel that you are
already accomplished technicians. This said, it might not be
a bad idea for the truly adventurous beginner to give the
package a look over. What you get is a highly individual
overview of programming technique, a number of useful tips
and shortcuts and some very handy small programs to

The opening screen does its stuff. It also shows a few additional files created using the programs supplied on the disc. complement your own work.
50 20 20 31 00 00 00 2E .PEN 001.
51 ©0 00 00 00 00 00 00 O.P.O
54 20 20
00 00 00
S3 00
00 00
00
00
00
00
OB
00
.PLOT.
R
. . .BAS. Styled high
4S 41 44
55 00 56
33 00
00 00
00
00
00
00
3B
00
.SPREADEM833.
S.T.U.U
Streamlined BASIC is published by one of the newer PCW
45 44 42
00 00 00
33 00
00 00
00
00
00
00
OF
00
.SPREDB0X833. user clubs - PCW World. The manual is a laser printed tome
20 20 20 45 00 00 00 OF
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 which sadly lacks a thorough index. To give you an idea of
54 20 20 35 00 00 00 73
OB 00 OB 00 5A 00 5D 00 the approach taken by the author, chapter headings such as
45 53 20 35 00 00 00 13
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 'Input Techniques' go shoulder to shoulder with 'It Pays to
20 20 20 43 00 00 00 03 A Amend by
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ASCII Increase Your Word Power'. Generally the style is a mixture
43 4B 59 34 00 SI 00 17 U Update
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 disc
of professionally termed advice, debate and a quirky sense
.

48 45 43 44 00 00 00 80 .i 7_HECK LAD ... • . H Help .-

62 00 63 00 66 00 67 00 * .aTb.c .d.e.f
.g.
48 45 43 44 01 00 00 31 .i¥_HECK.LAD. .1 . of humour. It definitely does not feel like the classic 'manual'
en 00 6B 00 00 00 00 00 h.i.J.k Sector
20 20 20 34 00 00 00 30 - Previou or tutorial. What is does feel like is the work of a writer
6E 00 6F 00 72 00 73 00 Sector
20 20 20 34 01 00 00 31 Q Quit enamoured with his subject and eager to show like-minded
76 00 77 00 00 00 00 00
52 4F 20 43 00 00 oo in
souls just how much they can get from their PCW.
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
20 20 20 4D 00 00 00 04
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 Unlike any other book of its kind on the market, great use
57 20 20 34 00 00 00 SB
7C 00 7D 00 00 00 00 00 is made of the first person singular. Opinion is used as

Included among the files on the accompanying disc is this disc editor. It allows you to both examine and modify files on opposed to gospel truth. Using this style programming begins
disc from a very complex level As with all such tools, it should be treated with respect. to look more like the enjoyable art could be and rather less
it

like a system whose rules are carved in stone. For the newer
MAIN MENU
user this will hopefully garner enthusiasm. For the more
experienced types it will probably engender some heated
1 . Rates and Rent argument.
2 . Food
3 . Clothes Stepping stone
4 . Dr i nk The book is split into three sections. These can be viewed
5 . roughly as follows. Section 1 : a short, friendly introduction
6 . Toll which includes explanations of existing (and neglected)
7 . Holidays BASIC commands and an examination
routines. Section 2: of
8 . Miscellaneous the workings and design of memory; included here are
3 . Mt graphics, sound and method of writing .COM files from
BASIC. Section 3 contains the appendices of which there are
ten.These encompass areas of knowledge and programs
u ^jmi fflj m BMBBB which were either too big to be afforded a full explanation
some
had they been included in one of the chapters or are
Another of the Streamlined disc files is this menu sub-routine. Not only will it allow you to study

clean programming techniques, it can also be incorporated into your own programs. additions to what came before.
The accompanying disc saves you having to type in, and
X
20 8000 PLUS Januarys)
 REVIEW

About the Disc

Streamlined BASIC - the organisation system. The really handy aspect of it is that you can
book - accompanied by an
Is write small descriptions of each file which can be updated and
A drive disc which contains viewed.
54 files. These are meant not Aside from those programs already mentioned, you also have
only to be illustrative but also access to a program called DWBAS.BAS for the 8000 series or
to be examined, modified and DW139.BAS for the 9512. This is a version of Mallard BASIC with a
possibly improved upon. few extensions. For example, there is a built-in clear screen
With this in mind, the first command, a windowing command and the ability to alter the printer
thing you will need to do is output from NLQ (near letter quality) to draft from within a program.
make at least one back-up You are required to use DWBAS in order that the longer
Geoffrey T Childs. the man who
copy of the disc. programs in the appendices can be run. However, this is no hardship
Streamlined BASIC.
The main group of files are and you may even find yourself using DWBAS as the standard BASIC
related to specific chapters of the book and are referenced like this; for your machine. The mere ability to clear a screen with two
C3P2.BAS, (Chapter3, Program 2). These can be accessed straight keypresses makes BASIC programming a great deal easier.

from BASICin the normal way or by making use of the To detail each of the programs would be a real pleasure. Many of

PROFILE.SUB which accompanies the disc. This SUBMIT file them, such as the disc editor or the formatting program which runs
presents you with an on-screen index of the available files running faster than Disckit (and checks to see whether the disc has already
from a program called CATA.BAS. You can examine each one in a been formatted) cast a whole new light on the possibilities of Mallard.

similar way to LocoScript's Inspect File option. You can run Unfortunately there just isn't enough space. The only shame is that

programs directly, run them and list them or simply list them. the final listings which draws a picture of the train after which Mallard
Obviously this will index on any disc and can be used as a file basic was named, does not appear to want to work.

get wrong, the various listings which act as the only refer to the addresses as they appear in BASIC V1 .39 which
illustration. The first section contains a list of questions applies to the PCW9512. Where possible throughout the
aimed at making you think about the subject at hand rather book any differences between the 8000 series and 9512
than accepting that the author is directly linked to the facts. machines are highlighted.
For the most part these questions (all of which are rhetorical)
are addressed to the more experienced user - someone who Coming to take you away
has written at least two programs. Questions such as "Do One section of the book which can be found scattered about
you religiously, occasionally or never put in REMs?" and "Do many other publications goes by the name; "The Magical
you think that JETSAM is the best thing about Mallard, could Mystery Tour'. This contains a quite fascinating run down on
be used on occasions, or is too complex to try to of the way in which BASIC handles and is handled by

understand?" are thrown at you. The idea here is a sound memory. Included here is a list of the various 'blocks' which
one; the reader and potential programmer are encouraged to make up memory. In effect you have a small written 'map' of
join in rather than being lectured. More Mr Chips than Mr your computer.
Gragrind. One of the great pities of the whole book is the lack of
Following this, and an all too brief section on Planning, illustration. Such things as diagrams or screen dumps would
we are confronted with Everyday Problems in Chapter 2. This certainly have made the more complex concepts less so for
israther like being caught in the blast of a scatter gun. the newer user.
Subsections on creating clear screen routines rub shoulders This becomes something of a problem within the

with an informative explanation as to why you only have 31k Graphics section. Concepts like Roller Ram are not the most
intuitive things in the world with which to get to grips.
free towork with in BASIC. Wedged between these is a piece
Over all, Streamlined BASIC is well worth the near £19
about randomising the PCW's internal clock. Each of these
asked. The disc alone includes so many truly useful routines,
sections include a few sample pokes and are tenuously
none of which are protected, that it covers half the price. As a
linked by the fact that they all relate to BASIC. In fact, the
package takes some getting used to and some more
it
connections throughout the book appear arbitrary at best.
getting around. The lack of index does no justice as the it
However, if you are prepared to be assaulted with ideas
more you use it, the more you find yourself wanting to use it;
and experience then this eccentric layout is bearable. Luckily
having to search through for addresses or references really
nearly every page contains some useful piece of information;
should have been taken into consideration. Having said that
a routine to save an entire screen to memory or disc and
it also remains the case that there is information
then to recall it and a method of slowing the rate at which
to be had and plenty of it. Geoffrey T Childs' experience,
your PCW scans the keyboard are just two examples.
skill and in-depth knowledge manages to sneak past the
rather frenzied presentation and planning (in a close race)
Addressed sense toproduce a worthy addition to any PCW owner's book
One of the most useful sections appears in Chapter 14 and
and disc library.
is entitled 'Useful Addresses (and probably one or two

useless ones as well!!)'. This informs you as to the location

of several handy functions which can be peeked at and
STREAMLINED BASIC
poked into life. For example the address of a strange
PLUSES MINUSES
message, something to do with Acorn Computers to be
exact, which hides in memory. Other addresses are of a
Plenty of useful tips, T No diagrams, screen
shortcuts and utilities dumps in manual
more practical nature and cannot, to our knowledge, be
found in any other publication. At least not in this kind of user A Programs on disc not T Rather scatty layout

friendly form. protected T No index

Streamlined assumes no knowledge of machine code or Treats BASIC as lively,

real low level (complicated) programming. Or at least that's human subject

what says in the introduction. This claim should be taken
it

with a pinch of salt. When an address is explained as RANGE OF FEATURES 5/5 EASE OF USE 4/5
65413/4 [65492/3] is start of XDPB for A, 65381 [65331]
READABILITY 4/5 LONGEVITY 4/5
for B general feeling must be that some fairly deep
8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 17/20
knowledge is assumed. By the way the figures within the ] [

8000 PLUS January 90 21

 SPECIAL OFFERS SEE OUR FANTASTIC
Amstrad FX9600T Fax £535.00
PRICES ON DESKTOP
NEW Dialatron Faxlink £73.00 PUBLISHING PACKAGES IN
Amstrad FX9600T + Faxlink £600.00 THE SPECIAL DTP SECTION

CORPORATE
EDUCATIONAL, CORPORATE, OR VOLUME PURCHASERS PLEASE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE
FREE DELIVERY (UK MAINLAND) • ALL PRICES EXCLUDE VAT

PCW ADD-ONS
FD4 1Mb Drive _£115.00
(Second Disk Drive for the 8256/9512)

Amstrad RS232 Centronics Interface _ £45.00

PCW 8256/8512 Memory Upgrade. _£P.0.A.
RSC PCW Printer/Power Extension 8256/8512 . _ £11.00
9512 Printer Extension £9.00

ACOUSTIC HOODS FOR PCW9S 12

Grey,Black or Magnolia Acoustic hood £1 25.00

Acoustic hood and stand £75.00 DISK STORAGE BOXES

DISKS AMSIOL(each) _£5.50
Why take chances with inferior disks, buy the best for your AMS10L(x2)_ £10.00
PCW, use Amsoft CF-2 disks. Fully Guaranteed. AMS10L(x3)_ £13.00
Quantity Cost per box of 10 AMS 30L (each) .£11.50
10 £21.50 20 £21.00 3" DISK DRIVE HEAD CLEANER

30 £20.50 40 £20.00 The Clear Head £6.50

PRINTERS
STANDARD PRINTERS & THE PCW LQ850 £435.00 PANASONIC
RS232 Centronics Interface - Connect the 8256/8512 to any LQ860 (Colour) _ £550.00
KX-P1180 £145.00
standard printer, or as the 9512 already has this facilty LQ2550 (Colour) wju.uu
KX-P1124 £245.00
built-in, connect the 951 2 to Communications peripherals. STAR
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RSC Special offer £45.00 LC10 £150.00
RSC CA4 Cable (Interface to Parallel Printer) £8.00 LClO(Mkll) £189.00
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LX850 £180.00 DAISY WHEEL PRINTERS P2200 £265.00
FX1050 £399.00 JUKI 6300 £445.00 P6+ £429.00
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PRINTER PAPER NEW ASF951 2 SHEET FEEDER PCW 951 2 RIBBONS

At last a quality sheet feeder for the Amstrad 951 2. A valuable Multistrike

80 Column listing paper per box additon to your 951 2 printer, Includes modified software. QT2 £3.35 each
1 l"x9.5" 1 Part Plain 60gsm 2,000 _£13.50 RSC SPECIAL INTRODUaORY PRICE £69.00 QT5 £3.15eoch
1 l"x9.5" 1 Part Plain 80gsm 2,000 _£19.00 0T 10 (or more) £3.00 each
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A single sheet guide for the PCW 8256 & 8512 £9.1
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maximum print quantity. RSC PRICE £14.00 Ribbons available for most other printers. Some available in French & German at £9.50 each

Telephone: (0923) 243301

 DESKTOP PUBLISHING
GRAPHICS With the desktop publisher you con unleash the grphics potential

MASTERPACK £52.00 of your PCW to design newsletters, flyposters, adverts,

The Rolls Royte of PCW desk-top publishing. MASTERPAINT .

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TYPESETTING. GRAPHICS. FONT DESIGN. PAGE LAYOUT. TEXT MASTERSCAN £45.00 artwork with headlines, text and graphics exactly where you

EDITING. PRINTING Masterscon is a new, low cost device you simply clip on to the want them.

The fantastic new DTP package from Creative Technology. Micro head of your printer. Insert the picture to scan and it will be STOP PRESS £29.00

Design II is fast and easy to use, running on the PCW8256, reproduced on your PCW screen line by line. This allows you to STOP PRESS WITH AMX MOUSE £54.00

PCW8512, PCW9S12. illustrate your letters, newsheets or paper any way you want. FLEET STREET EDITOR PLUS £29.00

Fully Compatible with files from Locoscript 2, Protext, Wordstar, Masterpaint gives you eveLyLhing you need to produce quality

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concise 1 40 page user manual. DESK TOP PUBLISHER £19.00

RSC SPECIAL INTRODUaORY PRICE £39.00 DESK TOP PUBLISHER WITH AMX MOUSE £54.00

DATABASES SPREADSHEETS

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Dbasell

Locofile RSC TOP 10 GAMES

Batman £10.00
WORDPROCESSING
Scrabble, Now Available! £12.00

Tomahawk £13.00

Locoscript 2 Match Doy II £10.00

Locoscript 2 with Locospell 2 Steve Davis Snooker £12.00

Locospell 2 Time and Magic £10.00

Locomail 1 & 2 Cyrus II Chess £12.00

Locofont 1 Classic Games 4 £12.00

Locofont 2 Brian dough's Football £10.00

New-Word II Colossus Bridge £12.00

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RSC E21A KEYBOARD STORAGE DRAW COPY HOLDERS
RSC L2 Desktop £12.00

& RSC LI Desk Clomp £12.00

The RSC E21A keyboard storage draw features a sturdy steel

locates in the tray which can A must for every workstation, can be positioned to olmosl any
plostic construction. A PC keyboard
Qn angle.
be safely tucked out of sight when not in use. Saves space

your desktop & provides protection from dust & dirt. CPU &
4-WAY MAINS MULTI SOCKET
monitor stack on top.
4 Way mains distribution socket. With built-in orrester to give
RSC PRICE £27.00
full protection from mains borne spikes and surges £15.00

Spike protected plug £9.50

ANTI-STATIC MATS
RSC M-02 Anti-Static Mouse Mat

280 x 210 x 4mm Fully earihed when connected.

RSC M-03 Anti-Static Keyboard Mat

595 x 250 x 4mm Fully earthed when connected.

RSC M-04 Anti-Static PC Mat £14.95

RSC Limited, 75 Queens Road, Watford WD1 2QN. Fax: (0923) 37946
 COMPUTER PUT THAT MANUAL
iw: REPAIRS DOWIN-
AMSTRAD
We
9512,
repair Amstrad models 464, 664, 6128, 8256, 8512,
PC 1512 and Ams trad Monitors.
AND LISTEN!
/fyou want to master anew computer or
All repairs carry a 3 month warranty.
program, but don 't have time to waste or
* Maintenance now available in West London -k money to burn, a Reeltime Audio-disc training
PHONE US NOW FOR DETAILS course will teach you in a fraction of the time.
Just switch on your computer and play the tapes -

SUREDATA DEPT+, UNIT 6

STANLEY HOUSE
your tutor will talk you through the course in a
series of easy-to-follow exercises.
STANLEY AVENUE Learn at your own speed on your own computer
TELEPHONE: 01-902 5218 and take as much time as you need!
WEMBLEY, MIDDX HAO 4JB
AMSTRAD COURSES Amstrad PK Portable £29.95
Amstrad CPC 6128 £29.95 SuperCak3(&4) £29.95

WORDFI NDER
At last! Help for all crossword and word game enthusiasts.
PCW9512-Loco2
KW 8256- Loco
PCW 8256 -Loco 2
CHM Computing
1
£29.95
£29.95
£29.95
£29.95
WordStar Express
GENERAL COURSES
IBMXT
IBM PC/AT Extended
£29.95

£29.95
£49.95
WordFinder gives you on line access to its dictionaries to aid those AmstradPC1640 £29.95 Desktop Publishing £49.95
jaded memory cells. As used by professional crossword compilers.
Amstrad PC Extended £49.95 WordStar Prof 3.3 £29.95
Search through 19,000 words and 5,000 proper names between 3
AmstradPC2086 £29.95 dBase II £29.95
and 12 characters in length by just typing in the known letters e.g.
A-S---D. Simple retrieval mechanism for plurals, adjectives and K2086Extended £49.95 Timeworks Publisher £29. 95
adverbs. Superb anagrammer allows input of more or less
characters than in the target. WordFinder is dead easy to use,
comes with a full instruction manual and a utility to add new words
to the dictionaries. Price £13.50 inclusive. f^feuUvt&
Also Letta-Head Plus - have fun designing and printing
personalised stationery, labels, posters etc. Price £18.50.
All courses available by return. All prices include
P+P but exclude VAT. Send your cheque to:
For further details and orders phone (0433) 30799 or write to:
Headline Communication Ltd.,
Brad way Software (8P), POBox22, Hereford HR48UW

] "Hillsett", Upper Padley, Grindleford,

Sheffield, S30 1JA.
E3 or phone 0602 603623 quoting your
Access or Visa number.
437 WestdaJe Lane, Mapperley, Nottingham, NG3 6DH.

Banish The A> Prompt - Get SuperDOS

The DeskTop Environment for the PCW
PCW SuperDOS totally replaces the unhelpful A> prompt with a friendly DeskTop environment
featuring windows and pull down menus.
With SuperDOS you can ALSO NEW!! PTR. COM
For 8256/8512 users only. Displays a second menu bar at the
* run all your programs and batch files, bottom of the screen giving the up-to-date settings of paper,
* do all your disk housekeeping, including copying Length. Spacing, Gap, Pitch, Margins, Tabs, Bold, Double. Italic
AND moving files. and Underline. Any item can be changed at will and text can be
* carry out actions with the minimum of keystrokes. sent direct to the printer. Instructions on disk.
* organise your programs into separate directories Only £7.95 or together with PCW
just like the PC. SuperDOS for £34.95. SAVE £2.95!
After running your programs you return automatically to SuperDOS. You need never see the A> prompt again!
SuperDOS also includes a 'notepad' for reminders, to-do lists and the easy writing of batch (SUBMIT) files. SuperDOS
adds four new built-in' commands, including COPY, IFNOT and a pause command for inclusion in your batch files. For
8256/8512 users there is improved control of the printer from the DeskTop. SuperDOS is fast, is packed with features,
and has been designed to feel like Locoscript so will appeal to reluctant CP/M users and power users alike. SuperDOS
includes some or all the features of DIR, PIP, ERASE, RENAME, TYPE, SHOW, SET, RPED, DISCKIT, SUBMIT and DATE.
SuperDOS requires a minimum 512K RAM, and will work
with the new memory expansion boards. It is programmed in
Script2Base and Text2Base machine code using only documented CP/M techniques.
Free Text Databases Unfortunately it is NOT designed for use with a hard disk.
These programs turn your. Locoscript 2 or Pretext Would make a lovely Christmas present!
documents into a database. No need to make ASCII PCW SuperDOS costs £29.95,
copies. You mark key phrases in a way that does not including a ring bound manual.
affect the documents. The program then creates up to
five alphabetical subject indexes that you can later
Four great PCW programs from
browse through to find your pearls of wisdom. Manual Encyclasoft
on disk as a sample free text database. Hay fields Grove,
Both programs cost £29.95 - Audi em, Crewe,
please specify clearly which you require. CW3 OLB. E n f t
0270 811890
 S K MARKETING
COMPUTER SUPPLIES < « <
LONDON'S LARGEST
REGISTERED
AMSTRAD DEALER
10 Fulham Broadway, London SW6 1AA. Telephone 01 381 6618/9 (24hours) FAX: 01 -381 0528
Personal callers welcome COMPARE OUR PRICES BEFORE ORDERING FOR All prices Excl. VAT
Opposite Fulham Broadway UNBEATABLE OFFERS!! Carriage Free/Mail Order
Tube Station - District Line Export, Government and Educational orders welcome (UK Mainland)
BRITAINS BEST SELLING WORDPROCESSING RANGE
AMSTRAD PCW 8256 AMSTRAD PCW 8512 AMSTRAD PCW 9512 AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDER
The ASF951 2 Is an automatic sheet feeder
foruse with the PCW 9512 will hold up to 30
. It

sheets of paper enabling either multi-page

documents or mail-merged letters to be printed
unattended, thereby releasing the user for other
tasks and improving productivity The Sheet Feeder

1 can be attached or removed m seconds, leaving the

• Fully integrated word
• 82 key Keyboard
• 256K RAM
• High res. screen
• 180K 3" disc drive
• 9 pin dot matrix printer
• 90 CPS in draft 20 CPS
• Locoscript software
• CP/M Plus with GSX & Dr.Logo
• Mallard Basic with Jetsam
£315
On-site maintenance please add £30.00
printer to accept individual sheets of paper or the
standard tractor assembly.
processor system • Fully integrated word processor system Z80A processor
• 82 key Keyboard 51 2K RAM
• 512K RAM 3" 720K drive
• High res. screen
82 Key Keyboard
• 1x 180K + 720K3"drives High res.paperwhite monitor
• 9 pin dot matrix printer Wide carriage bi-directional daisy wheel printer
NLQ • 90 CPS in draft 20 CPS NLQ 20CPS single & tractor feed
• Locoscript software Locoscript 2 software inlcudes Locospell
• CP/M Plus with GSX & Dr.Logo & Locomail
• Mallard Basic with Jetsam CP/M Plus with GSX 8 Dr.Logo
Mallard Basic
£399
On-site maintenance please add £30.00 FREE SHEET FEEDER WITH PCW 9512

3 " CF2 Dlscs FOR AMSTRAD £425

ACCESSORIES PCW 951 2 I On-site maintenance please add £30.00 ACCOUSTIC HOOD FOR YOUR 9512
SKM SCOOP
Vortex 40MB Hard Drive £499.00
CPS 9512 AMSTRAD RS232
P/S Interface £49.00 maxell DOT MATRIX PRINTERS
CF 2 per 10 £22.00
CF-2per20 £42.00 Star LC10 Multifont Printer £150.00
SKM 256K to 51 2K Memory Upgrade Kit
Star LC10 Colour Printer £185.00
with fitting instruction P.O. A. CF-2per30 £63.00

AMSOFT PANASONIC PRINTERS

FD4 Second Disk Drive 8256 £115.00
Panasonic KX-P1124
CF-2per 10 £24.00 Draft -
160 cps, NLQ 63 - cps £265.00 SKM'S most economic solution to
CF-2per20 £45.00 Panasonic KX-P1180 noisy printers
Disk Cleaner £6.50 Draft - 132 cps. NLQ 38 cps £165.00

PCW Dust Covers (3 piece inc) £9.00 • Up to 90% noise reduction

• See through keeps noise in and dust out
lid
3" Drive Cleaning Kit
Margin Maker
£9.50
£10.50 SKM's CHRISTMAS Hood and Stand £89.00 only
Now available to accommodate
PCW RIBBONS
SOFTWARE BONANZA!!! 9512withSheetfeeder
OUR PRICE
£120
PRINTER QTY QTY QTY WORDPROCESSING DESKTOP PUBLISHING
AMSTRAD 2+ 5+ 10+
PCW 8256/8512 NYLON. ...£4.30.. . £4.00 £3 50 Pretext £35.00 Fleet Street Editor Plus £39.00 LEISURE SOFTWARE
PCW 8256/8512 CARBON £4. 75 . £4.50 £4.00
Locoscript 2 £22.00 £29.00
Stop Press
PCW 8256/8512 COLOUR. £5.00 £4.75 . £4.50
Locoscript 2 with Locospell 2 £27.00
PCW 9512 NYLON £3.50 £3.30 £3.00 Stop Press + AMX Mouse £54.00 Cyrus Chess £12.00
Locospell 2 £18.00 Colossus 4 Chess £14 00
PCW 9512 CARBON £4.75.. £4.50 .£4.00 Micro Design II £40.00
Locomail 1 & 2 £25.00
£17.00 Database Software £20 00 Batman £11.00
Locofont 1

AMSTRAD PCW MAINTENANCE KIT Locolont2 £13.00 Database DTP + AMX Mouse £57.00 Tomahawk £13 00
Locofile £25.00 The Pawn £17.00
New-Word II £42.00 Trivial Pursuits £14.00
SPREADSHEETS Head Over Heels £11.00
Ace £14.00
Supercalc 2 ..£38.00 Match Day II £12,00
Sage Accounts £58.00 Cracker (Turbo)..
II ..£35.00 Tetris £14.00
Sage Accountant Plus £86.00 Clock Chess £14.00
Sage Invoicing £40.00 Steve Davis Snooker £11.00
Sage Payroll £40.00 GRAPHICS Classic Games 4 £14.00
Stockmarket £25 00
Time & Magic £10.00
Money Manager £24.00 £49.00
DG Payroll £26.00 £13,00 Brian Cloughs Football £10.00
Map Integrated Accounts £90.00 Colossus Bridge £12,00
MasterScan and
DAISYWHEELS FOR PCW 9512 Mocker Master Paint
Mindfighter £15.00
Living Daylights £14.00
£53.00
PCW Challenge £12.00
AVAILABLE TYPE STYLES £1600
BetterMaths (Age 12-16) £14.00 Times Jubilee Crossword
PRODUCT CODE TYPEFACE
CourierlO Prestige Pica 10 Physics (Age 12-16) £17.00
£17.00
DATABASES Sun Crossword 2 £14,50

Recta 10 Oratorio Chemistry (Age 12-16)

Biology (Age 12-16) £17.00
LetterGothic 10/12
Script 12
Prestige Elite 12
Mini Gothic 15
Better Spelling (8-Adult) £14.00
Sage Retrieve
Master File 8000
£40.00
£35.00
MODEMS
Each £6.00 Magic Maths (Age 4-8) £14.00
£14.00 Dbase £60.00
For other printer ribbons please call Maths Mania (Age 8-12) II

AMSTRAD V21/V23
Datastore II £29,00
At Last Plus £19.00 Features 1200/75. 75/1200, 300/300
BOOKS (no VAT payable) GENERAL & UTILITIES Cambase II £32.00 Baud rates £99.00

Sage Chit Chat £69.00

By Amstrad
Mallard Basic £9.95
Programming PCW By Ian Sinclair £7,95
Easy Labeller £21.00
£16.00
Mini Office
Step by Step Guide to Locoscript £4.95
Rotate
AMX Mouse & Desktop Utilities £47.00
PROFESSIONAL PLUS
All inOne Mini Office Professional. ...£11 .50 Crash Course Typing £17.00 Very successful - many new features
Desktop Publishing with the Amstrad PCW ...£9.50 Two Fingers Typing £17.00 5 separate programs - Wordprocessor
Locoscript 2 by Ian Sinclair £9.95 Daata Fax £32.00
Locoscript 2 Amstrad PCW £11.95
• Database • Spreadsheet • Graphics
Sharemaster £69.00 • Communications Interactive
Locoscript Mail Spell
- - £7.95 E-Type £18.00
Looking into Locoscript 2 £13.95 Personal Tax Planner £20.00 OUR PRICE ONLY £27.00

Export, Government and Educational orders welcome 24 HOURS

SALES HOTLINE AN9WERPHONE
FOR CREDIT
ALL PRICES EXCLUDE VAT
CARRIAGE FREE!! 01 - 381 - 6618 CARD ORDERS

%^<m^^r utnMce -
PERSONAL CALLERS WELCOME 9.30 - 5.30 ^ESJM^SST
 Printers
Although all PCWs come with a printer (and tor most
people this is the reason for purchasing the machine)
there is no harm in upgrading. For PCW9512 owners,
the addition of a dot matrix printer will allow for graphics
output and faster draft quality printing. Listed below are
just a few of the printers available for the PCW.
Printer Price Telephone
StarLC-10 £259 0494 471111
StarLC-15(9pin) £299 0494 471111
Panasonic KX-P1 081 £219 0753 73181
Citizen 180E £299 0895 7262:
Brother M-1109 £195 061 330 6531
Amstrad DMP3250di £199 0277 228888
Juki 7100 (24pin) £900 0256 473232

Ram board
Isenstein, always in the forefront of
design for the PCW, brought out the
RAM Upgrade board. This adds an
additonal 51 2K of memory to your
computer. Since theinitial board was

released, thecompany have come up

with a RAM
pack which fits onto the
machine's expansion port. You will have
read in news that SCA Systems are
also bringing out a RAM upgrade; we
haven't had the chance to review it yet
but be doing so soon.
will

Before the days of 1024K memories

(K stands for kilobyte or 1024 bytes)
there were also memory upgrades for the
8256 owner. These consisted of chips which were fitted onto the 8256 motherboard =3 L U ..B
:
ffl-BBI

Sample prices for these, and the Isenstein details, are given below.

Product
J J
™
I ! Ill
Price Telephone f
" I t '
"
I " I ' I ' I "

'I '
"
I

iTTj
' I ' '

RAM upgrades:
I I I J

Isenstein / i
'
i
'

512k RAM pack - external fitted £119(+VAT)

51 2k RAM card - internal fitted £98.95(+VAT) 0244 822768
Sample 256k upgrades:
West of Britain Business £37(+VAT) 0558 823782
Cyca Ltd £49(+VAT) 01 704004

Hard discs Interfaces

A hard disc rids Your PCW can
you of hours of be a very lonely
tedious disc machine unless
swapping. it is provided
Backing up can with the ability to
be achieved communicate.
rapidly, and you Peripheral
know where devices such as
everything is. A printers,
modems and PCWInterface
hard disc is
dummies /awe
MIDI simply will
basically a larger, 9
more versatile not talk to the

version of the PCW without

the use of an
smaller discs you put in your drives. They come in various
sizes, normally ranging from 20MB (megabytes) upwards.
interface. The expansion slot at the back (just
A megabyte, by the way, is 1024 kilobytes. you consider below the printer port) of your PCW is the place for
If

an interface. So, if you want to communicate, have

that an A drive disc is able to hold about 173 kilobytes then
a look at the list below:
you get some idea of how big 20MB really is.
Drive Price Company Telephone Interface Price Company Telephone
Diamond (32MB) £465 Cirtech 0896 57790 CPS8256 £59.95 Amstrad 0277 4545555
Diamond (48MB) £545 Cirtech 0896 57790 PCW £49 MCS 0602 391204
Web (20MB) £499 Timatic 0329 236 727 SCA £49.95 SCA 0903 700288
System 2000 (40MB) £499 Ideal Hardware 01 390 1211 Parallel I/O £55.95 SM 0323 766262

26 8000 PLUS jan U

 Modems
you cast an eye over the interface section, you will see mention of modems. These are becoming more and more
If

popular as both home and business computing moves out of the cubby hole and into the real world. A modem will
allow you to a)communicate by telephone line with other users, via Bulletion Board Services (BBSs), b) have your
own electronic mailbox on systems like Telecome Gold, and c) even use Prestel. As the months go by a modem
becomes a must. Just a few are listed below:

Modem Price Company Telephone

SM2400 £286.35 Amstrad 0277 228888
TM602 £343.85 Tandata 0684 892421
TM500 £171.35 Tandata 0684 892421
Linnet £174.80 Pace 0274 488211
fit! Linnet 1200 Exec £347.30 Pace 0274 488211
EC2400 £279 Hi-Tec 0733 52440
Detton II £103.45 Hi-Tec 0733 52440
Minimo Plus I £224.25 Dowty 0635 33009
Miracle WS300 £339.25 Miracom 0473 2338888

Disc drives
You have probably seen 'other'
machines with weirdly-sized
disc drives. Gone are the days
of the mammoth 8 inch disc
drive. The industry standard
(which means IBM used them)
for some time has been 5.25
inch; these are still very cheap
to buy. Then came the 3 inch
drives which you have on the
PCW. The new standard is set
to be 3.5 inch. The more
popular the drive, the cheaper
the disc. Listed below are a few of the drives available for your PCW:
Drive Price Company Telephone
Pace 5.25 inch £166 Pace 0274 488211
KDS 5.25 inch £159.95 KDS 0485 32076
Compact Micros 3.5 inch £94.94 Compact Micros 0274 640589
KDS 3.5 inch £129.95 KDS 0485 32076

Mice and
Lightpens
Many people find trying to
draw or create graphics by
means of the cursor keys a
quite unnatural process. Since
the inception of the WIMP
(Windows, Icons, Menus and
Pointers) environments used
in software such as Stop

Press and Master Paint, mice

and lightpens have become
more popular.

Product Company Telephone

AMX mouse Database 0625 878888
Kempston mouse * Kempston 0234 841224
Cadmaster Lightpen £29.95 Trojan 0792 885564
Electric Studio Lightpen ** Electric Studio 0462 420222

Joysticks * Only available with various Kempston software products.

Alien space marauders always move faster Kempston have said that in individual cases they might reconsider.
than you do, as do helicopters or fighter
pilots. The best way around this is to use a ** Only available with Electric Studio's Newsdesk International.

joystick. The PCW is not exactly well

endowed with these creatures but a few are listed below

Joystick Price Company Telephone

Quickshotll £5.95 A to Z Computers 01744 1834
Quickshot II Turbo £11.95 A to Z Computers 017441834

January 90 8000 PLUS 27

[Advertising--Trcl^cture---Artwork---Booklets---Brochures---Busin

PUBLISH AND BE DAMNED pleased

a Page Processor
•

There has never been a better time to invest in

o
IF ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS STOP PRESS "MicroDesign takes over where Stop Press leaves oft.
II

There is no chance of Stop Press being upgraded to compete with

THINK WHAT YOU CAN SAY WITH now and in fact there would be little point: there is just too
MicroDesign II CO
much ground to make up. ..it would make little sense to choose Stop Press.
MicroDesign would win out for the printer support alone".
II
3
05
CO
THE ACCOLADES "They have introduced a desktop publishing program
which surpasses anything else., the last word in the development of text and O
05
graphics manipulation for the ubiquitous PCW." "Does almost everything
better." "This beats the lot." "The results are superb." "Brilliant and Q.
sophisticated." "Beats the opposition hands down." "The Rolls Royce of CO
I

PCW desk-top publishing." I

I

QUOTATIONS FROM: The Guardian; 8000 Plus; Amstrad PCW; Micro O

Read what the Reviewers have to say
Computer Mart; New Computer Express.
i
"New lease of Life for the PCW" o
THE MANUAL c
"Is clear, concise and refrains from using terms which might TYPESETTING * TEXT EDITING * PAGE LAYOUT
confuse the first time user". "Comprehensive, immensely friendly and will • GRAPHICS • FONT DESIGN • PRINTING
lead you where you want to go" " An excellent manual. ..which contains a
clear and well set-out tutorial guide, as well as a full reference section". Runs on the PCW8256, PCW 8512 and the PCW 9512. Fully compatible 0)
CO
withfiles from LocoScript 2, Protext, Wordstar, AMX Stop Press, The -1
USE "It takes about an hour or so to get on speaking terms with Desktop Publisher, Mini-Office Professional, Rombo Vidi Digitiser, Master 05
MicroDesign". "The most un-artistic user should be able to produce basic Scan and other PCW software packages. 3
illustrations." "MicroDesign has been created with the end user in mind." CO
"The program is meant for grassroots users." Gives high quality printed output using the 8256/8512 dot matrix PCW I

need designing and

printer. Speed and quality are improved with an external 9 pin printer.
Highest quality and speed are achieved using 24 pin, or laser printer.
o
FEATURES "It does everything you are likely to in

laying-out your artwork". "With normal typing skills any document can be MicroDesign also supports the Star LC-10C Colour
II Printer. Supports both o
made to look attractive." "An important feature of the program is auto-flow the AMX and Kempston mouse systems. c
05
around graphics... the text you enter will automatically flow around the
Huge range of Fonts, Typestyles and Typesetting functions. Extensive range
picture." "The impressive way (it) copes with text." "There's speed like you tfl
of Graphic Art and Design facilities.
wouldn't believe possible from the PCW." "Very fast - puts rivals to shame."
"(They) have thought of everything." o
co
PRINTING "The print quality, even from the PCW printer, knocks spots off
MICRODESIGN (£36.52 + VAT) =
We will
II

With AMX Mouse and Interface (£71 .30 + VAT) = £82.00

beat any lower price providing the advertiser has
£42 c
IT
the competition." "Output extraordinarily good" "...found it hard to believe.
is
stocks CD
The quality was far in excess of my hopes." "...the high graphics resolution c
produces higher quality text even from the standard printer." "....extremely Your PCW 8256 will need a Memory Upgrade for high resolution
high resolution printouts which set the software apart from its competition". printing

There has never been a better time to invest in a Dot Matrix Printer
MEMORY UPGRADES
9 and 24 PIN DOT MATRIX PRINTERS Upgrade your PCW 8256 memory to 51 2K with our best selling kit.
Almost an essential for MicroDesign and Locoscript 2 + disc copying.
II

We have researched budget printers for you and STAR is the outright Our simple instructions assume no knowledge, experience, or skills.
prior
3 winner with Panasonic the only close contender. We rejected Amstrad, We TOP QUALITY preformed for ease of insertion. NO
O Brother, Citizen, Epson (reliability) and NEC (jamming). The STAR LC-10
supply chips jig

> BENDING REQUIRED, plus a 'Practice' chip. Simply 'Plug in & Go'
CO was voted 'Best Dot Matrix Printer' by What Micro and 8000 Plus. The Star • PCW 8256 256K Memory Upgrade kit to 512K (£30.39 +) = £34.95
LC24-10 was chosen by the PC Independent Users Club and PC Plus.
SAVE £5 ON ABOVE WHEN PURCHASING A DRIVE
• STAR LC-10 Multifont 9 pin 144cps draft, 36cps NLQ(£140+) = £161.00
• STAR LC-10 New, faster. 180cps draft, 45cps NLQ(£160+) = £184.00
II
PCW DRIVES o
• STAR LC-10 Colour (7 colours, including black) 144cps/36cps 3" Brand New AMSTRAD/PANASONIC internal fitting 1mb (720K formatted)
Fully compatible with MicroDesign II (£175+) = £201.25 drives using CF2 discs, with simple DIY instructions. Just "Plug in & Go" o
3"
• STAR LC24-10 Superb 24 pin 170cps/57cps LQ (£199 +) = £228.85 The FD2 (black front panel) and FD4 (ivory panel) are otherwise identical.
05
• STAR LC24-15. A3 landscape, 200cps , • FD4 second drive for 8256 and PCW 9512 PCW
(£107.87 +) = £124 -T
1-^
67cps LQ (£330+) = £379.50 • FD2 second drive for PCW
8256 (as available) (£112.17 +) = £129
CO
NB printer cables required. 8256/8512 owners will require an interface and • NEW FD1 for PCW
8256/8512 drive A replacement (£86.09 +) = £99
will usually require LocoScript 2. All PCW's may require Printer Drivers • NEW FD4 for PCW
9512 drive A replacement (£103.48 +) = £119
Tj
i

5 1 '4" PACE external 40/80 track self powered drive for data transfer
(Booklet on request).Please note that Panasonic's otherwise excellent ><
between PCs and all PCWs, using TDOS software supplied (£11 6.52 +) =£134
KX-P1124 requires the extra 32K RAM Text Buffer for even part
(/)
compatability with Locoscript 2.
SOFTWARE 3"
05

PERIPHERALS AND ACCESSORIES LOCOMOTIVE SOFTWARE.

For the PCW 8256/851
All new stock. Prices include VAT CD

Printer Drivers Disc LocoScript 2 £21.50

PRINTER CABLES. Top Quality PCW9512 to Star etc (Centronics) . £7.95
(+CharKit) £17.95 Locospell2 £17.45
PCW 8256/8512 (interface required) to Star etc Centronics Printer ...£9.95 24 Pin Printer Drivers £20.95 LocoScript 2 + LocoSpell £27.95 O
£16.95 LocoMail £24.50
3
RIBBONS (including VAT, P&P) LC-10 £4.60; 5 + £4.30. LC-10 Colour LocoFont Set 1
£6.90; 5 + £6.20 (also takes black for economy): LC24-10/LC24-15 £5.75;
LocFont Set 2 £12.95 LocoFile £22.95
o
CD
5 + £5.25.
* * LOCOFILE + LOCOMAIL £42.50 - C/>

AUTO Cut Sheet Feeder LC-10, LC-10C, LC24-10 (£60+)= £69.00 cq'
3 BBD Dust Covers (incl) 8256/8512 (grey 3pc):£11.45: 9512 (ivory 3pc).... £13.45 For the_PCW 9_5_1 3
O
> Star LC-10, LC-10C, LC24-10, LC24-1 5 (state grey or ivory) £5.50 Printer Drivers Disc 24 Pin Printer Drivers £20.95
CO
INTERFACES Parallel /Serial for PCW8256/8512 printer etc connection (+Charkit) ..£17.95 LocoFile £22.95 O
(£40.87+) =£47.00
o SCA Professional. Highly regarded, featured full
o
05

c SCA Prof Plus. As above + real time clock/calendar (£50+) = £57.50 For all PCWs: Locofont 24 Text £23.50. Locofont 24 Display £23.50.
MASTER SCAN Optical scanner attaches to 8256/8512 printer head.
£ most pictures
Digitises to save for Graphics Minimum order £10. Next day Courier Delivery £8.
3 (£46.04) =£52.95
Bold prices include VAT and UK post, normally by return.
and DTP programs
Send cheques/Money orders; or Pic/LA/Govt orders to:
0- MASTER PAINT Graphics package £13.95 With AMX MOUSE ...£57.50
MASTER PACK Master Scan + Paint £55.95. ..With AMX MOUSE ..£97.50
""£44.50
SILICON CITY
AMX MOUSE (includes interface with through connector) Dept 8, Wheal Rose, Redruth,
CANON PHOTOCOPIERS Free one year UK on site mainenance Cornwall TR1 6 5DR
Canon FC-5 small portable multiple A4 copier (£575+) = £661.25
Access/Visa orders: Telephone 0209 891141
Canon PC-7. 8 copies/min. Reduction/Enlargement (£850+) = £977.50 {Coolchance Ltd)

Leaflets— Letterheads' ^enu^^Newsle^^s^^rdej^ojjms^

WILLING
LABELLE Learn how to print out on labels:
Sharon Bradley shows you the fast and easy way
Christmas and New Year period is the one time during
The the year in which we traditionally renew old
acquaintances and get back in touch with all our far-flung
relatives.
disc drives whirring
This is

and
probably all

printer chuntering
it takes to send your
in a flurry of
PCW's
: ^ TTj till M fa ;1 '
J
* I it t- r^W'T 1 W'lHrTMTTH^B l^^^^H vl^ J^^'TBBT"

perfectly-LocoScripted letter production.

Hiss C Battistit'
But whether it's the season of good will or not, the last 11 Sund ia 1 Squared
,
Hestonf
thing you're going to want to do is sit down in a corner with Bathf
Avon BA1 1RT?
pen, bulging address book and, by now, solid wedge of
Mr N Weinberg*-*
envelopes to manually address each one. Wouldn't life be Box 30 9f
Route 56f
much easier you could somehow find a way of using your Tor on tot 1
if
Canada?
PCW to print out the full list of names and addresses you Mr H Macpherson**
needed on, say, a roll of 11/2" continuous label paper? All you Flat 3A*>
Robbie Burns Parade**
Edinburgh*'
would then have to do would be to stick each label on its Scotland?
appropriate envelope. Giuseppe e Maria Angelillo* 1

Uia dello Spedaluzzo, 44+*

If in the way you go
you've been particularly clever Fiesole**
Firenze**
about organising your New
Year correspondence, you will Italia!
probably have created a file on your LocoScript disc and 1 ) Create the names and addresses file in much the same way as you would a LocoMail mailmerge datafile. After

given it over exclusively to the names and addresses of the entering the details to be printed out on the first label, press the [15] key to open the Page menu and select the End

eventual recipients of your letters - rather like a LocoMail page here option. The appropriate marker will appear on your screen. Start typing in the next name and address.

mailmerge datafile. isc nanagenent B ail bar back. Us

Although it's obvious that you're not going to want to carry f2=Disc f4=Group f5=Docunentf3=FlleBiting*
Drive A: Drive B:
out a full-blooded mailmerge on all your personal New Year 150k used 23k free 13 files Ok used Ok f Paper A4 :

correspondence (at least, one hopes not), holding a separate

oup 4 Ok Single sheet
group Ok "P 6S Ok
Ok •/ Continuous stationery

file of names and addresses does allow you to 'insert' in one P

Ok group 7 Ok
go the correct address at the top of your letter. This can be group O 2 files)
HJJTXJpH \JLL :

li
I

done using LocoScript's cross-file copy and paste facility. This

'tl'M'IfcHMi'l'HH
file will, however, be essential you want to print out all the
if LOCOCHAR.BAS 14k
LOCOCHAR.KEV Ik
names and addresses on continuous label stationery. So how MATRIX tH Ok .

PHRASES STD Ik .

exactly is it all done? READ .ME Sk

SETTINGS. STD Ik
5 hidden 117k
LOCOSCRIPT 2 2) Printing out on labels will necessitate defining a new paper type. This is done within the [f6] Settings menu. This
Create a name and address file in much the same way as you menu will show the details of the current paper type when you call it up on the screen. You will have to edit it so that it

would create a LocoMail datafile. Press [C] to open a new contains the dimensions of the new 11/2" label continuous stationery: Height 9, Left offset 0, Top gap and Bottom
gap 2. Don't forget to tick Continuous stationery and give the new paper type a name. Write it to your Settings file.
document and start typing. In order to print out each label
correctly, LocoScript demands that the information to be K KMH MHi f2=Disc f3=File f4=Group
printed - the name and address - must be treated as an
on it
Drive A: . Drive B: Drive M:
150k used 23k free 13 files 438k used 268k free 45 files 3k used 59k
individual page. At the end of every address, therefore, simply iJ.1H »»t.-'.]- qroup 4 Ok group O 438k group 4 Ok group O 3k
group 1 Ok group 5 Ok group 1 Ok qroup 5 Ok I I q
press [f5] to call up the Page menu and choose the End page group 2 Ok group
group 3 Ok group Document and current printer do not natch
here option. The marker denoting the end of a LocoScript A: group O 13 files Paper types differ
2 limbo files Portrait
page will appear on the screen; type in the next address, and
Continuous
so on, until all the recipients' details have been entered. Press
LOCOCHAR.BAS 14k U se the current
LOCOCHAR.KEV Ik •I iM'iI L> 4 M \ '1 i 'M
[EXIT] and then Finish edit in the usual way to save the ? •
rr-Ml'J^'fl'i' lUiiI
'•>

MATRIX «*» Ok . Cancel opera t ion

document - called something logical like ADDRESS. PHRASES .STD Ik
READ .ME 6k
We then have to set up a new paper type so that the SETTINGS. STD Ik CONVERT .COM 12k PR0TEXT .CFG 2k
5 hidden 117k CPMKEVS .COM 2k PRO TEXT .COM 44k
printer can accommodate the continuous label stationery
DATABASE. 839 2k PT0MAC .COM 10k
DEVICE COM
.COM 8k SET .COM 12k
we've chosen. Back Management Screen, press DIR COM
.COM 16k SETDEF .COM 4k
at the Disc DISCKIT .COM SETKErS .COM
DMATE .COM SETLST COM
.COM 2k
[f6] to bring LocoScript 2's Settings menu up onto the screen. EDIT HLP
.HLP 10k SETSIO COM
.COM 2k
EPSON PTR
.PTR 2k SHOM COM
.COM 10k
Select the New
paper type option at the top of the menu. ERA" SID .COM
As we saw month when creating a new paper type,
last
possible to print out your on a different kind paper one you've You might,
3) It is file of to the just set up for it. for
this menu is already filled in and shows the details of the example, want to see a printed list of the files contents on standard A4 before you go ahead with your label printing.

current paper type. You must change the information Either way, this is the menu where you make that choice. If you want to go straight into the label print, choose
t~-^s.
on the screen dimensions Change to Paper intended for Document. not. stay with Use the current Paper.
to accurately reflect the of l***^ If

T
8000 PLUS January 90 29
 LOCOSCRIPT
your new 11/2" label paper type. Ignore paper sensor option hasn't been ticked. If it has, clear
First of all change the default paper type to Continuous it. Move back down to the bottom of the menu and select

stationery using the [+] key to the left of the space bar. Next Create new paper type.
alter the Height of the paper to 9. Why 9? we hear you cry. Back at the Settings menu, choose the Write
initial [f6]

As far as LocoScript is concerned, each label is to be treated SETTINGS.STD new paper type to the
option to save the
as a page. The distance to measure, therefore, to calculate program's settings You will need to insert your original
file.

the height (or depth) of our 'page' - albeit a little one - is the LocoScript 2 start of day disc in the drive to do this. If you
distance between the top of one label and the top of the one don't write this paper type to the Settings file, you will have to
below it. In our case, the distance is 11/2". We must then redefine it next time you need to print out on labels.
multiply that measurement by 6 (basic line pitch) to calculate Open the names and addresses file we created earlier on
the height, or,more exactly, the number of printable lines per under [E]dit and press [f1] for Document Setup. Open the [f5]
label. This works out as 9. Page menu and choose Paper type. Highlight 11/2" Labels
Next, set the Bottom gap (the number of printable lines using the [+] key, and then press [EXIT] and [ENTER]. This will
tobe left blank at the bottom of each label) to 2 and set take you back to the familiar names and addresses file.
everything else - the Left offset and Top gap options - to Finally, before printing out, don't forget, as we saw last
0. They don't concern us here. Givo the new paper type month, to Change to paper intended for document when the
you have just created a name by moving to the top of the Document and current printer do not match warning
menu and typing over the name of the former paper type. appears on the screen. Proceed with the print.
11/2" Labels seems an appropriate name.
Since labels stationery is continuous, make sure that the LOCOSCRIPT 1
As with LocoScript 2, create and save your names and
addresses file, not forgetting to call up the [f6] Page menu
after each entry has been typed in to force an endof page
LocoScript 1 marker. Back at the Disc Management Screen, press the
[PTR] key once to enter the printer control state and then [f1]
ABETTERS/ ADDRESS. 000 Editing text Printer id le IE .

-Layout -Pil2 nLSl HLP6 Page to open the Options menu.

fl=5hou fZ-~ S=Paaes f7=Modes
The resulting menu is the equivalent of the menu we used
ertie twist leton**
The Manor House** under LocoScript 2 to create our new paper type. Here,
Walker ton on Seaf
Kent? highlight Continuous stationery, again using the [+] key and
er and Mrs Muggins** set the Form length(or Height, as was called in LocoScript it
Appledoret 1

Br i<jgsby Hove* 1
Enter at the Gap length prompt.
Lancashire? 2) to 9.

perton-Huff** All you have to do after that is press the [EXIT] key to
Malnesbury** come out of the printer control state and you will be ready to
Gloucestershire G18 87R?
print out your list of labels as normal.
One more thing: make sure the printer head is positioned
1) Create the LocoScript 1 names and addresses file in exactly the same way as when in LocoScript 2. After at the top of a label before starting. If the printer starts to move
entering each recipient's name and address, open the [f6] Page menu and choose the End page here option to
at a skew-whiff angle across the continuous labels stationery
force a LocoScript page break. Save the file as normal.
for whatever reason, press first [PTR] then [f7][ENTER] to stop
Disc nanagenent Printer idle IT .

i 1 bar back Idle High qua lit printing, followed by [EXIT]. Line up the stationery again (a
flSRSfBnSl JBITTTrT7TlT^:rr7JTrt^»irB;rrn^M<:Bi
tractor feeder will stop the paper slipping on the platen) and
Drive B:
438k used 268k free es 2k used 100k restart printing.
group 438k
8k group 4 Ok LETTERS Ik
group 1 Ok group 5 Ok SAMPLES Ok You'll have address labels whizzing off your PCW's platen
group 2 Ok group 6 Ok CONT Ik
Single sheet paper group 3 Ok ^oup 7 Ok TEMPLATE Ok in less than the time it used to take you to even so much as
Continuous stationery ES 5 les A: CONT
file 1 files A:TEMPL
bo files linbo fi les lin find your old address book. Reluctant letter writers will have to
Form length
Gap length: TEMPLATE. STD Ik HEADERS start thinking up some other good reasons as to why they can't
Paper out defeat LET2FAG
LET2FAG lend a hand at the annual Hogmanay roll-call.
LETTER
KEYS .S2B LETTER
LETTER . MANUSCR
LOGO .000 MEMO Form of address
PAYMENTS. 838 PAGENUM
PHRASES .STD With both LocoScript 1 and 2 don't forget that it is not essential
READ .ME
TEMPLATE. STD PHRASES
.000 10k PHRASES for thepaper type that you have set in the document to match
en 86k TEMPLAT
the paper type that you print on. Even though we've set up our
2) From the Disc Management Screen, press the [PTR] key to move into the printer control state. Press [f1] to open
names and addresses file to print out on 11/2" continuous label
the LocoScript 1 Options menu. This Paper type menu will appear on your screen.
stationery, it is still possible to print out the file on standard A4
Disc nanagenent. Printer idle. IT
paper. Doing this will simply give you a list of the file's contents
bar back Idle High qua lit
fWSnli i 1

for easy, portable reference. You never know; it could make a

Drive B: Drive M: .

438k used 268k free 45 files 2k used 100k handy Filofax update.
High qual ity group 438k group 4 Ok LETTERS You might prefer on the odd occasion to print out a
Draft quality group 1 Ok group 5 Ok SAMPLES
group 2 Ok group 6 Ok CONT particular name and address directly onto the envelope. To do
Single sheet paper group 3 Ok group ? Ok TEMPLATE
Continuous stationery ES S files DiCOHI files A:TEMPL this, open the ADDRESS file, set the left margin at, say, 35 and
bo files 10
linbo files
TEMPLATE. STD Ikk
lin
HEADERS
the right at 70 and clear any tabs. Save these changes, and at
LET2PAG the Disc Management Screen, highlight the name of the file
LET2PAG
LETTER with the file cursor and press [P]. Choose Print some pages
KEYS .S2B Ik LETTER
LETTER 3k
. MANUSCR and enter the number of the page containing the details that
LOGO .000 2k MEMO
PAYMENTS. 838 2k PAGENUM you want to print on the envelope. This is where a printout of
PHRASES .STD Ik PAGENUM
READ .ME 3k PAGENUM the list would come in handy; it would save you having to open
TEMPLATE. STD Ik PHRASES
WOMEN .000 10k PHRASES the file. and scroll your way slowly through it just to find the
4 hidden 86k TEMPLAT
page number of the details you want to print.
3) Make the following alterations to LocoScript 1's paper type menu: tick Continuous stationery, set the This method, needless to say, will not prove particularly
Form length to 9 with the Gap length 0. Press [EXIT] to leave the printer control state and print as usual.
time-effective if you've got more than a handful of addresses
Away you go with label after label ready just to stick on your envelopes.
that you want to print.

X
30 8000 PLUS January 90
 And now. a J

FLIPPER
that works
with Isenstein
memory
boards
FLIPPER 2 was quite an That's why we've brought out
Please send me FLIPPER 2 PLUS for my:
unusual program. It could split FLIPPER 2 PLUS This still
] 851 2 J 951 2 U Expanded 8256
your PCW's memory in two, let- gives you all the memory-split-
I enclose a cheque/postal order for £29.95
ting you run LocoScript 2 in one ting power of FLIPPER 2,
I enclose my FLIPPER/FLIPPER 2 masterdisk and a
half and a CP/M program in the but itcan handle extra cheque/postal order for £5.00
other. Or it could let you load memory as well. (As much of
(Price includes UK postage and packing, and VAT. Please make all cheques payable to Software
FLIPPER does not run on an unexpanded 8256.)
two CP/M programs atonce, it as you want to plug in, in Imperative. Sorry,

one in each half. It could even fact.) means that, with an

This Name.
tackle tricky programs like Mini Isenstein 51 2K expansion
Address..
Office and LocoFile. Best of all it fitted, FLIPPER 2 PLUS

could FLIP you from one half to can cram two (very nearly)
the other in as little as two sec- full-size 8512s or 9512s into Postcode

onds, any time you wanted. And one machine. Not bad, eh? Mail this coupon to: Software Imperative, 11 Chapel Row,
it wouldn't lose your place. And we haven't even put the Queen Square, Bath, Avon, BA1 1HN
price up. i

Things have changed since we

launched FLIPPER 2. Now
you can buy an Isenstein
Ramdrive Card and double your
FLIPPER 2 PLUS: still only £29.95.
PCW's memory size. Soon there
may be other memory boards Software Imperative, 11 Chape! Row, Queen Square, Bath, Avon, BA1 1HN, proprietor A.J. Wilton, tel

(0225) 425315. PCW is a trademark of Amstrad pic, CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research,
on the market, giving you any- LocoScript and LocoFile arre trademarks of Locomotive Software, Mini Office is a trademark of
thing up to 2048K of memory. Database Software, Isenstein is a trademark of Isenstein Computer Systems.
 i«W mliii Hi til ill >lhWmi!!'

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MODERN LANGUAGE

LEARNING AIDS OF ALL TIME
•THE FRENCH MISTRESS
•THE GERMAN MASTER
NEW- Version 2 now available! •THE SPANISH TUTOR
Ii designed to allow anyone to examine, copy and recover information from
is

damaged or corrupted discs. Although ToolKit is a full-function disc editor,

•THE ITALIAN TUTOR
you don't need to be an expert to use it! The manual too is comprehensive NOW AVAILABLE FOR AMSTRAD PCW 8256/851
but straightforward, and includes features such as a "First Aid" section for
quick answers in an emergency. ToolKit runs on all PCWs. Designed to satisfy the language learning needs of:
• School children studying 0-level, CSE and GCSE
PCW ToolKit Version 2 still costs just £24.95 • Beginners and night class students
• Business men and women
How much is YOUR data worth ? • Holiday travellers
• Foreign students learning English
MFU i.irPcwieshandPCWKsi: £49.95 Each program includes a comprehensive series of lessons with
Universal Multi-Format Allows the PCW to emulate other
Utility. CP/M formats, over2500 items of vocabulary. Additional vocabulary such as
analyse discs, transfer files from other systems and much more. homework, coursework and revision material can all be very easily
keyedin, edited and saved on disc or cassette for future use
2in1 l<irPCWS25AanilPCW85l2 £49.95
Transfer files to and from IBM-PCs on disc, format PC discs on the PCW. For PCW 8256/851 2 3" Disc £19.95
For CPC 464, 664, 61 28 3" Disc £19.95
5.25" Disc Drives for PCW8256 and PCW9512 £ 139.95 For CPC464, 664 Twin Cassettes £16.95
5.25" Disc Drives for PCW8512 £ 169.95
3.5" Disc Drives for PCW8256 and PCW9512 £ 139.95 To order please state FRENCH. GERMAN, SPANISH or ITALIAN and
ACCESS number.
All pricesINCLUDE V.A.T. and Postage to U.K. and BFPO addresses.
enclose a cheque/postal order or quote your
^^^^^
Please write or phone for our catalogue; overseas enquiries welcome.
All prices include VAT and postage
K^^l
Please remember to tell us which type of computer you have. C^^JI
MOONSTONE Strathclyde Business Centre
Clyde Street KOSMOS SOFTWARE
FREEPOST (No stamp needed)
LIMITED Tel: 05255 3942/5406
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FROM THE PRO-PUNTER STABLE

A scientific guide to Football
Forecasting and betting
* Pro-Pools employs the most powerful forecasting technique (E.W.M.A.), used in Industry
and the City, to make match forecasts for any league team game.

* The data base contains 152 Club records covering English, Scottish and G.M. Vauxhall
Conference teams. Further teams, or even complete leagues, may be added by the
user. Try it for your own local amateur league or if you are so inclined, for Rugby
League betting.

* Fixture file sets up the program for this season's fixtures.

* Pro-Pools is completely menu driven and requires no special keyboard skills. Forecasts
are displayed or printed as desired in best Home, Away or Draw order. It keeps its own
E.W.M.A. based league tables, which are available for display or printing. Compare
these with published league tables, to find teams which are 'on a run' or in a decline.

* Forecasts do not depend on results from the distant past which have no relevance to
present performance - you, the user, can decide how long a memory Pro-Pools will
have.

* Inaddition to Form, forecasts include a 'Motivation' factor which represents the

Price £44.99 inc VAT p & p with fixture file
eagerness with which a team goes into its next match.

* Pro-Pools contains the unique 'cash counter' - an in-built accounting system which
automatically evaluates different investment strategies to point the user towards the
most profitable policy.

* Practise mode allows you to play matches without affecting your main database. DGA SOFTWARE, PO BOX 36,
* Display season's fixtures for each team or all fixtures for any date. ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE OL7 9AJ
* Full printer support.
Telephone 061-330 0184
* Available for Amstrad PCW, IBM PC and compatibles.

PRO-POOLS ORDER FORM

Name_ Address

Postcode.

Details of computer Make JVlodeL Disc Size: 3 1/ 2/5 1/ 4*

Please send copy/copies * of PRO-POOLS at £44.99 inc VAT. p.p. Total enclosed £

Please make cheque payable to 'D.G.A. Software'.* Please debit my Access/Visa * account. * Delete as appropriate

Card No. Expiry Date

 INTRASET CF2 DISCS D G C Software
CASHMASTER 29.95 MAXELL CF2 . (Individual Card Sleeves) ULTIMATE SUMS 14.95
CASHMASTER is designed as a more powerful, 19.95 for 10 (10.95 for 5) The fun way for children aged 5 to mid-teens to
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* COMPREHENSIVE SCORE SHEET *
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COURSEMASTER 18.95 DISC STORAGE Test your knowledge of English words.
LARGE SUPPLIED DICTIONARY *
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The COURSEMASTER racing program is AMS30L deluxe storage box . . .11.95 * CREATE YOUR OWN DICTIONARY *
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designed to give you the edge to profit against
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Learning can be fun!
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WADD SOFT PCW9512 2-piece set

PCW9512 3-piece set
9.95
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QUIZZES (1000 QUESTIONS) SUPPLIED*

WRITE RIGHT 14.95 PCW8256/8512 2-piece set .... 9.95 * OPTIONAL JOKES - TIMER OXO GAME • -

We are pleased to re-introduce this very popular * COMPREHENSIVE SCORE SHEET •

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PCW8256/8512 3-piece set .... 9.95 SUITABLE FOR SCHOOLS - CLUBS - HOME
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LINEBACKER 14.95 ULTIMATE TEST
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Prestige Pica 10 - Orator 10
THE USEFUL DISC 14.95
A collection of 20 useful and entertaining
DISC DESIGN Letter Gothic 10/12 - Courier 10 programs to help you use the computer to the full
FORMS BOX COMPENDIUM . 19.95
FOREIGN STYLES 7.95 BAR CHARTS * CALENDARS • COLUMNS
The stationers on a disk (new extended version) Most foreign styles now available CONVERSIONS * DIARY * DISC LABELS
Over 80- different LocoScript forms ready to print Normal delivery 7 days on foreign styles FILE MERGE * PRINTER SET-UP
and use in Personal Organiser, Home, Finance, Style sheets available on request.
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- - -
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UTILITIES PLUS 19.95
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diary pages for personal organisers or A4 folders.
Dozens of time saving programs. A few examples: Multistrike FABRIC Ribbons
Print empty pages or fill in and print,
Labels - address lists onto labels. File sorter - Black 4.95 (blank continuous organiser stationary available)
many options. Columns converts text files to
-
Red, Blue, Brown or Green .... 5.95
multi columns. Word sentence and letter counter.
Multistrike FILM Ribbons << NEW ULTIMATE SERIES >>
Matrix printer set up commands.
Black only 6.95 These are intelligent programs and will use your
AVAILABLE SOON: PCW 9512 responses to 'get it right' the next time. The store
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Multistrike FILM Ribbons
TEXTBASE 19.95 Black 3.95
GUESS WHICH ANIMAL . . . 14.95
The free-text database that can use files without Blue or Brown 4.95
re-typing
Can the computer guess the animal?
Multistrike FABRIC Ribbons
EXPERT SYSTEM PCW .... 29.95 Black only
A classic rule-based expert system specially written 4.95 GUESSWHO 14.95
for the PCW. Can the computer guess the name of the person?
HYPERTEXT PCW 19.95 PAPER & LABELS
New product - Text + Connections = Hypertext.
Most types and sizes available, GUESSWHERE 14.95
Can the computer guess the place?
including specials - please enquire or
SPA Associates send for our list.
Rivers, mountains, oceans, countries, etc...

PCW MACHINE CODE 13.95 NEW OTHER TITLES TO FOLLOW!

NO VAT Continuous single micro-perforated
A practical guide to controlling PCW's by SUITABLE FOR ALL PCW's
MACHINE CODE PROGRAMMING stationery for personal organisers
80 gsm (per 100 sheets) . . . only 3.95
COULD YOU FILL THIS PRINTING SERVICE DATA TRANSFER
SPACE? We can transfer data between different
Have you written a program or We can now offer a Laser Printing programs anddifferent machines.
service from most software packages
book for the PCW? If so we and disc formats. If multiple copies are
Please telephone and we will quote for
would like to speak to you. YOUR
exact needs.
required we can photocopy or litho print FAST TURN AROUND - LOW PRICES

ALL OUR PRICES INCLUDE VAT & POSTAGE

COPY COMM Ltd
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VISA - BARCLAYCARD - ACCESS - MASTERCARD - AMERICAN EXPRESS - DINERS CLUB

 ON TEST

Tim Nott prepares to have his every wish met as he

checks out a new PCW program for hotels
HOTEL where to insert
self-loading start of
various discs. After a few minutes you have a
day disc, and another disc prepared to
£99.95 • Cavalier Software • 01 639 6683 record all the data. This process is completely painless and

Bolt-on extras This Christmas, fifteen relatives of varying shapes and sizes has been designed for users who don't know their PIP from
Hotel is described as a hotel will be honouring our house with demands for bed and board. their PROFILE.SUB.
booking, registration and
Having insufficient time to take a crash course in hotel
billing

used in
system, and can be
conjunction with
management, and having insufficient fingers to keep count of Room with a view?
Cavalier's INTACT the guest list at any one moment, this reviewer fell upon Having created the start of day discs, the next step is to
accounting system (£74.95), Cavalier Software's new product as an answer to a prayer. create your hotel. The start of day disc auto loads, and
and DINER (59.95), the The manual, while lacking the strong narrative style of prompts you for today's date. The main menu then appears,
restaurant and room service Arthur Hailey's work of the same name, is excellently written and selecting Departures and Billing, allows you to enter
package from the same
in plain English, and assumes minimal knowledge of your Hotel's name and address, together with such details as
company. It can be used on
any PCW, but in order to
computers - always a good sign. It starts by telling you how to the VAT rate and the number of your first invoice. Having
use the complete range of make a start of day disc, which is done by loading BASIC and done this, Floppy Towers is launched, and you can get down
goodies available, a twin typing RUN "HOTEL". You are then asked a few questions to the fun part of detailing the rooms.
drive machine is required. about your PCW and the program informs you when and The first module of the system is Room control. This
enables you to define up room types, which could vary from
Unconverted stable - share with ox and ass to Private
CAUALIER SOFTWARE HOTEL MENU suite with own pool. (Yes, for only 2500 Francs a day you
can stay in such luxury at the Hotel Le Mas D'Artigny, near
Nice, which boasts 25 such suites. Renault entertain the
Room Control (Allocate Room Nunbers & Types)
Reservations & Arrivals motoring press there. Software publishers please take note.)
Departures & Billing The system provides for 13 types of bedroom and a
Previous Guests Database
Telephone Call Logging further 1 3 types of function room. The next thing is to set up
Transfer Charges front DINER the room status codes, numbered 0-9. Of these, is reserved
Newspaper Reservations & Billing for Available, no problem and 9 for Unavailable. The rest
of the codes are user definable, and the examples given
range from Needs new linen to Major decorative problems.
A status code greater than 4 will prevent the room from
being booked.
Minor niggle number one is that the Needs new linen
EXIT TO CP/M
example is rather misleading, as when a previously
PLEASE MAKE VOUR SELECTION Available, no problems room is vacated, reverts to that it

status although will obviously need new linen. Another

it

option module allows you to set break dates - you will

in this
The opening menu to Cavalier Software's Hotel: select Departures and Billing to enter your hotel's name not necessarily want to charge the same rates throughout the
year - and you can set five such dates. Finally, you assign a
I
room type and a status code to each of the rooms in your
hotel, give them prices for each season, an optional short
itaiifim«:iim»wa*«
description, and Floppy Towers is in business.

Single [Shower] as. 60 30.00 35. 00 36.06 as.oc

Single [Shower, TU S Bar] 30.00 3S.00 40.00 3S.00 30.0C Printing fits
Single [Bath, IU * Bar] 3S.00 40.00 4S.00 40.00 35. 0«
Double [Shower] 30-.00 35.ee .
-- ee 35.00 30. 0« This module also contains facilities for displaying or printing
Double [Shower, TU « Bar] 10.00 45,00 SS.60 45.00 40. 0(
Double [Bath, TV « Bar] is.ee SO. 00 60.00 50.00 45. 0( a list of all and bookings
the rooms, with their codes, status
3 >x< 0.00 0.00 0.00 O.0C taken. The you today's date, and a name to
printout gives
Honeynoon Suite SS.00 60.00 70.60 60.00 50. 0(
0,00 0.06 0.00 O.0O O.0< the bookings. The screen display doesn't, which is a pity.
0.00 0.06 0.60 0.00 0.0C
0.00 6.06 0.60 0.00 O.0< There seems to be no easy way of accessing the date on
0.00 6.06 0.00 0.00 0.0(
0.00 6.00 0.60 0.00 0.0< screen, which seems rather an oversight, as a wrong date
NEXT SCREEN - SPECIALIST ROOMS
PLEASE SELECT ROOM TYPE at start of day, or a computer left running overnight could
cause a lot of problems.
Finally, there is an option to list rooms vacated that day,
which is useful for housekeeping. Unfortunately this will
only print out, does so without prompting for paper, and will
only work once, so if you had no paper in the printer, you
wrgiaa>ii);i:MB» 3!w*.«ijaiB are left, as was, trying to decipher your list from the marks
I

left on the roller.

Defining the various room types, including the tariffs for various periods throughout the year The next module is for booking and registration. Having
selected the minimum standard of room required, and when

34 8000 PLUS January 90

 ON TEST
and for how long it is required, the program will display, one by possibly reassigning a guest to a favourite room. This again
one, each available room of that standard. If it doesn't find contains a rather sinister Fawltyism - Delete old guest.
A seems efficient, well thought out, and
Mind the
one, it will move up to the next standard. curious glitch here In all, the package
is that the room status line isn't cleared each time, so if a easy There is no direct way of seeing a day's
to use. language
Observant readers will have
room that was Available, no problems is followed by a room bookings, which seems rather an oversight, as it would be
noticed the phrase "loading
that is Very damp this will be displayed as Very damp, no very useful in terms of housekeeping to know how many BASIC" in the opening
problems. guests were expected on any one day. There are a number of paragraph, and yes, the
Having found a suitable room, the guest is then booked in, minor and not so minor bugs, such as those mentioned programs are written in

and their name and details taken. When the guest arrives, above, error messages that don't clear when they should, and Mallard Basic. This is one in

the eye for programming

their name is typed in, and the details of the booking appear the need sometimes to delete invisible numbers when a
snobs who wouldn't be seen
on the screen. A registration card can be printed, and details mistake has been made. Let us hope Cavalier will put these dead using anything less
of alarm calls, special requirements and up to three right, and please, give us a date up on the screen. And esoteric than C, as the result

newspapers noted. Various other choices in this module allow perhaps an index to the otherwise excellent Manuel?(sic) is extremely professional.

for alteration, cancellation or confirmation of bookings.

Guest spot
The next module, which Cavalier describe as the part that "will

bring a rosy glow to the cheeks of your accountant",produces

the bills. As well as keeping track of the room
can bill, this
automatically charge phone calls, newspapers, and, used if

with DINER, meals a guest's bill. In addition, other items

to
can be added manually - food and drink, say, if you
to the bill

are not using DINER. A not so minor

niggle here is that you
have to work out the VAT on these items manually. Rather
..ritating that, from a computer.

The day's departures and alarm calls can be listed to

screen or printer, and bills and receipts printed out. Finally, a
summary of the days receipts can be produced, with details of
who paid how much and by what means. As with the list of
vacated rooms, this goes to the printer only, without warning,
and can only be done once.
Other modules of the system include telephone call
logging, a complete newspaper ordering and billing system, Hotel amends the features and details of a specific room, in this case room 3.

and finally, a guest database, useful for sending mailshots, or

I

THE SECOND OPINION

When it comes to hotels, it's clear that Martin
Hot-line help
Barnes from Poole knows exactly what he's Martin is particularly impressed with the back-up that he's received from Cavalier
talking about. Former student of the exclusive Software in the form of accompanying documentation and hot-line help. 'On a number
Lausanne Ecole des. Hoteliers, he is currently of occasions I have left questions on Bill Week's answering machine and he's got back
preparing himself for a major, once-in-a- to me almost immediately. The manual is very well written. One thing that I particularly
lifetime purchase: a twenty-five bedroomed like about it is that it advises you to start using Hotel with just a corner of your business
hotel in Bournemouth. and to slowly commit more and more data to the program as you go along. It's very
It looks set to be an unqualified success. sound advice.'
As well as having spent eight years working We asked Martin if there were any ways in which he felt the program could be
in various hotels dotted around London's improved. His main concern seemed to be that there was no straightforward way of

West End, he has, in his time, helped set changing a guest's room number other than re-registering his or her arrival. The same
up and run both a commercially-operated is true of trade accounts (business guests who refer the bill to their company). 'You must
hotel in Bermuda and a private American find out at the beginning if the guest or the company is paying the bill because there's no
university in Strasbourg. way to suddenly change to a trade account while the guest is checking out.'

Following his return to more inhospitable climes, he became the Hotel Catering Martin also told us that British hotel guests can be divided into two groups: British
Course Director at Bournemouth Management College - a post he still holds and obviously passport holders and non-British passport holders. When booking into a hotel, the

enjoys. He finds that his PCW 851 2, which he has been using for the past four years, former are legally required to submit their names and addresses only, despite the fact that

combined with Cavalier Software's Hotel, provides one of the most valuable teaching aides most hotels and bed and breakfast places nearly always insist on them leaving their

that he has at his disposal. signatures as well.

The latter, meanwhile, are legally required to state where their passports were

User-friendly package issued, where they are going, how long they will be staying at the hotel and, finally, their

Tve used a number ot hotel catering packages with my students in the past,' explains passport numbers. These details haven't been included in the package,' points out

Martin. 'The trouble is that they tend to be so needlessly and hopelessly complex, that my Martin. The registration card asks simply for each guest's name and address - which
students tend to become both disheartened and disinterested very quickly. The beauty of isn't legally correct.'

Hotel is that I can use it to simulate some quite interesting and complex business games for Cavalier actually say that Hotel has been written specifically with small- to

them to play around with. And the program is neither so sophisticated nor inflexible that medium-sized hotels in mind. Martin feels, however, that it is the turnover rather than

they can't successfully compact what would probably amount to 24 hours' theory into half the size of the hotel that is the most important issue. 'If you've got a particularly busy

an hour's practice.' reception desk, it's going to be difficult seeing to more than one guest at the same
Martin is certainly anxious to praise Hotel's flexibility. 'The hotel business is all about time. The answer might lie in having more than one networked computer on the desk

human beings - selling them a commodity and interacting with them throughout the at any one time.'

course of that transaction. Human beings are, by their very nature, unpredictable; Martin was particularly impressed with the quality of Hotel's printout - especially the

they're always changing their minds. This is something that a good hotel manager must bills. 'You can set the program up so that it automatically inserts the name of your hotel; the

always bear in mind. printouts are neat, well laid-out and legible.'

Hotel is a fast, friendly - and above all - very adaptable program. You don't need to now busy preparing himself and his family for the new venture which will start
Martin is

know everything there is to know about hotels before you can get the program up and on New Year's Day everything runs according to plan. One thing he's adamant about: his
if

running successfully on your PCW.' PCW 851 2 and Cavalier Software's 'Hotel' will be with him every step of the way!

8000 PLUS January 90 35

 SPEAKEASY
've discovered that there's no such discovers is that she has to work 25 hours a day for a
thing as a 'computer expert.' Oh fortnight to write the manual.

D yes, there are people

expertise with computers, but
that's not quite the same thing.
who have

Ask a
manual
sound. The
There's definitely something to be said for writing the
first. That's not quite as impossible as
first draft of the manual should describe exactly
it might at first

systems analyst, for example, something how operate and act as a detailed
the system is to
about programming and this 'expert' will specification for the programmer. It might also ensure that
invariably look to the floor, start shaking the programmer produces a piece of software that is easy to
his head and mutter something about it use because the instructions make sense. They used to call
being 'Donkeys years since I touched seen some very odd
this 'user-friendliness', but I've
any coding', and refer you to some examples of it so disclaim ownership of the term by placing
I

preoccupied introvert down the corridor. it in quotes.

Putting a question about hardware to a
programmer results in a journey to a guy People-literate software
wearing tee-shirt and jeans who jabbers One example of such 'user-friendliness' is the best-selling
on enthusiastically about blitters and word processor Word Star. If you want to see a fine example
transputers and who finally leaves me of persuasive marketing technique at work, take a look at
fumbling for my pocket computer guide how company sold this package - with such hideously
the
Brian Holley is a local government officer who has been and thinking that perhaps I failed to unmemorable mneumonics - so successfully to so many
setting up and managing databases for the last eight years.
graduate from kindergarten. people. Once you've learnt that [CTRL] (or [ALT])/[J] means
Having accumulated a significant store of CP/M and MS-
recently had cause to phone
I
'help', it is quite difficult to get it out of your system. [ALT]/[Y]
DOS-based knowledge over the years, he became a proud
owner of a PCW 8256 in 1987. Amstrad concerning a hardware problem means 'delete a line' in Word Star; in Protext, however, it

I'd come up against. A pleasant- means change to the other screen. It's easy to sustain
sounding young lady, who clearly didn't know one end of some quite nasty shocks when switching from Word Star to
a parallel interface from another, took my query. She told Protext;go to delete a line, and all your work vanishes.
me that she would have to find an available 'expert' who have to admit that the first time used LocoScript,
I I I

would presumably be able to explain the problem - so thought it had been named after the mental condition of the

that she could promptly (I fondly imagined) relay the reply person who wrote Having used many other systems,
it.

back to me. nothing seemed obvious and was forced to sit down and I

Yes, you've guessed it, by the time got the answer had I it
read the manual - something hate doing. When am I I

degenerated into a rather terse and unsympathetic 'You'd be introduced to a new piece of software,
like to be able I to
better off having a talk to the retailer you bought the machine
load and get going without first having to read the m
it

from.' Have you ever tried to extract an intelligible answer

anual, no matter how well it has been written.
from any of Messrs Dixon's 'computer experts'?
still find LocoScript's drop-down menu system a
I

cumbersome one to use. find myself suffering from

Manual exercise I

withdrawal symptoms when sit, temporarily paralysed at

The problem is that computers have now become so
I

complex that no one can know all there is to know. This

the keyboard, unable to simply key in the command I need.
But suppose prefer from a
that's the kind of immediacy
problem is further exacerbated by the fact that those who do I I

know some the answers seem word processor. Having said that, LocoScript 2 is a big
of totally incapable of
successfully communicating them average
improvement on its predecessor with its accelerated screen
to mortals of
scrolling. It remains a powerful word processor by anyone's
intelligence like you and me. In the absence of fully-fledged
'experts', hapless users are tossed onto the sometimes standards and is accompanied - to boot - by a highly
rocky and inhospitable shores of software manuals and proficient user guide.

'user-friendly' packages. Needless to say, limitations are placed on the 'user-

The realisation is slow and
Unwrapping thatpainful. friendliness' of a given package by the power of the
brand new, recently-acquired software package, you turn to machine on which it is run. The PCW's 64K-worth doesn't
the first page of the accompanying manual. Your fate, it permit a lot of interactive resident software to be packed in
would appear, is firmly sealed. Unlocking the secrets of this alongside other programs; once again, most users must
particular piece of software is going to be a real barrel of rely on the written word. One good thing about mediocre

laughs, involving a long series of protracted nightshifts, manuals is that they provoke a spate of 'How to ...' books
fuelled only by an intravenous supply of coffee and some that enable the more innovative computer journalist to earn

sturdy matchsticks. an honest crust.

Of course, the a software manual is that it
difficulty with The answer seems to lie in helping yourself wherever
is invariably the last job to be completed. Months, even possible. The PCW, unlike some other machines whose
years, have been spent slaving over a hot computer by the technical architecture seems to be changing almost daily,
time the boss casually asks 'Ready for release next week?' has enjoyed a long period of consolidation. Little by little,
and deals the fatal blow. The programmer, who can't hear therefore, it should be possible to build up an ever-
anything or anyone while her head is buried deep in a increasing store of knowledge that concentrates on
cathode ray tube, makes some sort of noise that he can only particular aspects of the machine and software that
interpret as assent. The boss gleefully tells the man from interest you most. Before too long, you will be hailed as
marketing to go ahead and the next thing the programmer a PCW 'expert' - in your own right.

36 8000 PLUS Januarys

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 STOCKMARKET
THE COMPREHENSIVE INVESTMENT PROGRAM!
STOCKMARKET is a program designed to help you plan your investments and keep a close and careful watch on their progress. It enables you to
record full details of your purchases and sales of stocks, shares, unit trusts and other securities. Dividends can be recorded as they are received. If
required, cash balances in savings accounts can also be monitored as stocks are bought and sold. It also lets you record and plot prices of shares, unit
trusts,exchange rates, indexes etc.

STOCKMARKET does not have to be used only with your real investments. We all see shares recommended in a newspaper or magazine that we
think will do well. Six months later if the price has gone up we wish that we had trusted our judgement. If the price has fallen we quietly forget it.
With STOCKMARKET you can record details of as many shares folios as you want. These can include hypothetical folios of 'hot stocks', recovery
shares, penny shares or whatever you choose. You can practise buying and selling share:, and see how well you do!

The program is easy to use and comes complete with a comprehensive manual and demonstration files including real price information going back
several years for several shares (inc FT 30 index, British Telecom, Amstrad, Marks &
Spencers) so that you can plot graphs straight away.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PRICE ANALYSIS

* Record full details of your portfolios of stocks, shares, unit trusts etc.
* Practise buying and selling and accurately record your progress.
* Up to fifty shares per folio. As many folios as you like.
* Buy and sell shares with automatic calculation of dealing costs.
* Ten sets of dealing costs which you can alter as necessary.
* Record dividend yields and price earnings ratios.
* Update prices and automatically recalculate share and folio values.
* Record values of share prices, unit trusts, indexes, exchange rates etc.
* Store up to 260 prices per share (equivalent to weekly prices for 5 years).
prices for each share.
* List all the
* Plot pricesand moving averages on a logarithmic or linear scale.
* Choose any period for moving averages. Plot them separetely or
superimpose them on the price.
* Automatic scaling of graphs so they always fill whole screen.

* Record tax credits (not CPC) and dividend payments. * Easy to read scales for prices and dates (not just week numbers).
* List one year's information for the tax (not man CPC). * Complete with real weekly prices for several shares for the last few years
* Keep records of your cash as you buy and sell. (inc FT 30, British Telecom) as a demonstration.
* List your present folio, past transactions, dividends and cash accounts. * Use curves as a guide to the best buying and selling opportunities.

Comprehensive fifty page manual. Complete with demonstration account and prices

AMSTRAD PC, PPC, IBM PC and compatibles £39-95

AMSTRAD PCW £39-95
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 INTERVIEW

DOCTO As day's work, Dave Smith has been running his data
well as a full
[J LARGE
recovery service for three years now. Tim Smith went along for a checkup
Dave: Not much really - well, not as far as micros are
concerned. About twenty years ago, worked on some I of

the few mainframes which were around at the time. My

very first job was on one where you booked for an hour, it

sat down and literally flipped switches; you drove We it.

worked in machine code, which I'm not very good at, or

they used autocodes, which were completely trivial
compared to what you get in a programmable calculator
nowadays - let alone a PCW.
So a lot of programs worked on concerned data I

transfer: getting data from magnetic tape to a computer and

then from a computer to a different kind of mag' tape.
The next machine encountered was the RML380Z. WeI

were always hacking programs in order to make them look

prettier on screen. used DDT (Dynamic Debugging Tool)
I

which is SID now. But always vowed never to buy a home

I

Smith is not a ut definitely a man whose 'phone number every diligent

computer; that was until I saw the PCW in Dixons. I took two
especially on that emerqency services list! hours to suss and thought, 'This is
it out fantastic; disc drive,

monitor, everything I've been waiting for in one package.' So

rv ave Smith is a civil servant by day and software
Ibought there and then. it

saviour to countless PCW owners by night - and the

occasional weekend. His extracurricular line of 8000 Plus: And what did you do with it?

mJ an unusual one; not only does he

business is
Dave: The first thing did was to tailor some of the
I

regularly cast himself down among the bits and bytes of

programs I'd written on the RML380Z to run on the PCW. In
corrupted discs to save valuable data that is stored on them,
fact, have Fortran programs running on it now. As said,
I I I

he donates any profits that he makes in the process to a

charity called
United Patients.
had already bought a few disc editors in order to change
BACUP, the British Association of Cancer
programs more easily than DDT or SID.
His data recovery service was registered a
One of the weaknesses with the programs had before I

limited company earlier this year when it enlisted the

was that none of them had facilities to copy damaged discs.
practical helpand moral support of regular 8000 Plus DTP
The first one on the market to be able to do that was Knife.
contributor and expert, Dave Axford. We went to London to
talk to Dave Smith and find out a little more about the 8000 Plus: Changing the subject slightly, you do a full day's
unique service that he offers. work in London, commuting in every day from Paddock
Wood in Kent. Where does the time come from?
8000 Plus: Dave, first off thanks for sparing us your time. Is
Dave: Out of the family's time, and it does cause some
there any reason why you chose BACUP as the charity your
pressure. There are some times in the year when we get no
data recovery service would support?
discs and other times when we receive twenty five a week.
Dave: Well, the whole thing started off years ago in an When get this many, often have to work forty hours a
I I

attempt to win some Tipoffs prize money. Everybody kept week on data salvage. I reckon that a disc nowadays will

writing inabout missing address marks, the reason being take about an hour, an hour and a half. But that's in addition
that theyhad not done a warm boot in CP/M - they hadn't to all the paperwork. Please call us
Dave Smith and Dave
pressed [STOP] or [ALT]+[C] after changing a disc. we set up the company is that
What's happened since
Axford are always pleased
But there also seemed to be more errors occurring than Sue, my
does the books. And because it's a limited
wife, to help, but they are also
could be accounted for by this. One day a guy upstairs from company, these have to be done properly. She also does all very busy. If you have just

my office brought me a disc with a missing address mark. I'd of the office work - answering the phone and everything. seen your last four months'
work seemingly disappear,
bought a few disc editors like Knife and had a lot of public I
That has taken a tremendous load off. But still spend I

and you haven't taken a

domain programs. So had a go at this disc. I anywhere between one and three hours an evening and one back-up or two, you should
I saw exactly what had happened - and fixed it. He said out of two weekend evenings on Dave's Disc Doctor phone first Dave Smith on
that he'd like to give me some money and I said, 'No way; I
Service. It has got easier over the last few months since 089238 5974 then Dave
Axford on 0428 56438.
do this kind of thing for fun.' So I said to a chap who worked Dave Axford took half the load.
Remember, they don't
for me at that time, 'Look, I don't want to take money for
charge they fail to retrieve
us about your teaming up with Dave
if

What sort of charity could send to instead?'

8000 Plus: Yes, tell
this. I it anything but any money
He suggested BACUP Axford. make goes
It could have been anyone. they do straight

to charity.
which, as you know, is apposite to backing up discs. That's
Dave: Dave had written to me previously offering his
how it started. I rang them up and asked them send my to
services, but at that time it wasn't feasible due to the
details to people. They said fine and ran an
about it. article
distances involved. But eventually it was getting so hectic
The whole BACUP thing originated as a rather bad pun.
Dave enjoys the business; he doesn't want
that he joined in.

8000 Plus: What kind of computing background do you to charge. He's got the same attitude as me. We make
have? money for charity. T^s
January 90 8000 PLUS 39
 INTERVIEW
8000 Plus: So how is the company doing? but there are some times in a year when there are twenty
a week and others when when you think the phone has
five
Dave: The aim was to make £10,000 in a financial year. This
been disconnected.
first year we didn't start trading until April so I think we'll
It really is very volatile, and I'm not sure why. There are

probablymake around £8000 plus. We might even have times in the year, especially after the summer holiday
made more had a few people paid up when they were season, when for some reason we get masses of discs in.
supposed to. Invoice number 3 is still outstanding and It's happened two years running and for months goes mad.
it

they're not a small outfit.

8000 Plus: Might this be to do with spikes. More electricity

8000 Plus: And they know who they are. Passing quickly being used?
on, what kind of recovery won you do ? 't

Dave: My experience is that it's not the spikes but the

Dave: never salvage programs. Well I've done one BASIC
I
brownouts which cause the problems. Or it's much more
program which was really a listing in compressed form. So I
likely that when you come back from holiday you do things

Browned off had to work out how the compression worked. But generally wrong or even that someone else has been messing around
A brownout is not quite as Inever patch a program. with your discs.
disgusting as sounds.
it It is
There was a suggestion in one of the papers that there
actually a slightly less violent 8000 Plus: There seems a sub-culture
to be quite
were exceptionally high sunspots this last year. It's alleged
version of an electrical black- deve'oping now in How do you feel
terms of data recovery.
out. Cities can, and America that this caused problems with machines in the States and it
in
about that and the fact that some people might not really be
and Japan often do, suffer did coincide with our busy time.
that expert in what they are doing?
from brownouts wherein parts
rather than the whole
Dave: don't know whether it's a sub-culture. think it's
I I
8000 Plus: What advice would you have for the person who
metropolis are plunged into
more part of the general intellectual satisfaction that comes has just bought their PCW and new box of discs ?
electric toothbrushless panic.
from the machine. It's basically extremely interesting and Dave: Well firstly, buying cheap discs is no real saving. In
challenging. It's also great fun and very addictive. And think I

my experience, the good ones are those which have a

that's why a lot of these people have started up. They've
number inscribed on the right of the disc case above the
done a disc for a neighbour or friend and it worked. They
label. Also if they have black casings and criss-crossed
Because you do get this
think, 'Great. Fantastic'
markings, they're usually goodquality discs.
tremendous sense of elation. Then all of a sudden you get a
The main problems we have are with the plain plastic
dozen discs which you don't know the first thing about.
discs with no markings or inscriptions. Some early discs
That's where worry; when you offer a service, think you
I I

really were only meant for A: drives and caused a lot of

have to do it on the basis of professional competence. I'm not
problems the closer you got to the centre; tracks 141, 1 43,
technically qualified to write many machine code programs
145, and up were a real problem.
which we use. I have to rely on other people like this guy I

A good tip te that people should Verify discs. Verify just

8000 Plus: To get back to basics now, how many discs do isn't used enough in Disckit. often find that you Format a
I

you think you handle a year? disc, assume that it's fine, then Verify it and it fails.

Dave: Well, between ten and twenty a week is an average 8000 Plus: What's the daftest disc you've ever seen?

Dave: There was one that had been

This sheet of paper accompany the discs which are successfully dealt we
A word
will eaten by an Alsatian dog. But

to with. You might do well

Remember never ever turn a
to take note of the pointers in section four.

B drive disc over as the machine looks at both

still

from
managed
it.
to get the information

sides automatically. Also, discs,

the wise
like the rest of us, get old. Unlike the rest of
8000 Plus: Finally Dave, what would
us, they can be duplicated by backing them up regularly.
you like to see for the new year?

Dave: see the potential of the PCW

4* DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, RESULTS & USER ACTION REPORT (Please keep for future reference)
I

as being really enormous. A cheap,

Customer's Name: Disk Name: Date: / / Disk Type: 160/720 powerful machine which could
1 . Diaqnosis: 3 Result . revolutionise the way people work at
1 Mistake in copying:
. 1 Full recovery .

a. Source disk overwritten as destination disk 2. Almost complete recovery

home, especially disabled people.
b. Partial copy only onto new/old disk 3. Limited recovery only
c. 720k disk partially copied onto reverse
What really would like to see is
I

4. Files recovered but names lost

d. Other: 5. Damaged files patched/repaired people getting together more in order
2. Formatting error: 6. Remnants of data collated into files
a. 180k disk reformatted on rear as 720k 7. Some/all data/ files lost to get more from the machine.
b. 180k disk reformatted on front as 720k 8. Other:
c. 720k disk reformatted on rear as 720k
d. 720k disk reformatted on front as 180k 8000 Plus: So support your local user
e. 720k disk reformatted on rear as 180k 4. User Action Required:
f. Reformatted by mistake 1 Have hardware checked out immediately .
club. Any final pieces of advice?
g. Other: 2. Use higher quality disks
3. Disk sector errors: 3. Use write-protect tabs when making
a. In system/directory/data areas backup copy
Dave: There's no point in trying to fix
b. Limited loss 4. Make another backup copy NOW a corrupt disc if you don't know how a
c Extensive loss
. 5. Check integrity of power supply
d. Physical damage observed on disk 6. Recover and rename important limbos normal one works. So, it might be a
e. Other: 7. DO NOT turn 720k format disks over
4. File error: 8. DO NOT try to mix 180k & 720k formats
good idea to get hold of something
a. Editing file too large for disk
b. Non- contiguous file extents/page code errors
9. Make room for editing by erasing any
unwanted files or copying to new disk
like PCW Toolkit from Moonstone and
c. Other: 10. Print/examine recovered FILE. 001 etc. spend some time really getting to
5. Files erased: Edit, rename or erase as appropriate
6. Program bug: 11 As 10 for residues in ODDS. 001 etc .
know how a disc works. Above all, if

7. Disk of inadequate quality for drive 12. Create new files and import ODDS. 001
8. Other error:
you are thinking of experimenting,
etc with INSERT TEXT option. Edit,
rename or erase as appropriate never, under any circumstances, use
13. Keep files smaller
2 . Treatment 14. Upgrade software to latest version the original disc or even the first
1 Old disk repaired/left as it was 15. Run specialist software on recovered
.

2. Hew copy of disk made

back-up.
files:
3. Salvage undertaken 16: Institute proper backing-up regime To find out a little more about the
4. Files unerased/Limbo copies of files recovered 17: Recycle disks more frequently
5. Other: 18: Other: disc editors Dave mentions in this
article, turn to our disc editing
feature - Resurrection - on page 10.

40 8000 PLUS Januarys

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Like Mini Office Professional Plus it
includes anew manual, the All-In-One
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 ON TEST

PUBLIC SPEAKING
Want to make your PCW talk? Steve Patient listens to an upgrade of a
speech synthesiser that gets more and more chatty by the minute
The Speech Synthesiser still isn't completely self
contained; requires a power supply. However this is
it

supplied by SM Engineering in with the price. What isn't

supplied a parallel printer cable; you don't have one of
is if

these itcost you anywhere from £5 to £10 depending on

will

where you buy it.

Only one thing remains to be done: connecting to the it

PCW. you have a 9512, then there isn't any problem since
If

you have a built-in Centronics interface - 8256 and 851

owners will need a Centronics/RS232 interface before they
can use the Speech Synthesiser. The interface with the IDC
connector to which the built-in dot matrix printer connects
can't be used instead.
The way Speech Synthesiser works is extremely
the
simple to understand. Each of the 64 allophones that can it

generate are produced by sending a number between and

63 to the printer port. If you're using Basic then it really is as
simple as that. At a more technical level, you have to put
the allophone number to the printer port address and then
send a strobe signal. This just tells the speech module that
the data on the lines is valid. The speech module then sets
the busy line to stop the PCW sending anything else while it

Gone is the naked board: the new speech synthesiser comes in a compact steel box with amplifier and volume control processes the allophone code. When it finishes, clears the it

busy line and the PCW can send the next data byte.
SPEECH SYNTHESISER Printers work in exactly the same way.
If all this sounds complicated, don't worry - it isn't.
£35 +VAT« SM Engineering* (0323) 766262
Everything is clearly explained in the accompanying (slim)
Speech synthesis on the PCW? Unlike many other home documentation with examples in Basic. The documentation
micros, the PCW has a very limited sound chip, limited to a also runs through the theory of speech production on
single beeping tone. While this could conceivably be of use computers and includes a complete list of the allophones
to a speaker of Silbo - the whistled language used in some the unit supports.
remote areas of Brazil - it isn't much use otherwise.
How much is
So, for those applications that need to speak to the Received pronunciation
enough? user, an add-on sound chip is called, or rather beeped, for. Alongside the list of allophones are example words in which
The fundamental sounds of
This updated speech synthesiser module from SM will allow the sound produced occurs. This takes some of the
speech -sounds like 'ah', or

'ch',
l

or eh' - are called you to write Basic programs that can speak to the user - guesswork out of producing suitable lists of data for the
phonemes, but a phoneme can just about comprehensibly. You can put warning messages words and sentences you want to produce. Even with this
come in more than one form. into your database - 'Save your data', maybe - or write a help it will take some experimentation to produce lists of
Different forms of the same typing tutor for users with impaired vision which gives the allophones that reproduce acceptable speech patterns.
phoneme are known as
names of each key as is pressed.it Using the Speech Synthesiser is not just simple but
allophones. There are
hundreds of different ones but
great fun as well. This explains its popularity in teaching
using a selected few you can
Whizzers and chips environments; it's much easier to learn new techniques
make comprehensible speech. Speech is a very complex mixture of sounds, with pitch and when the learning is fun. The Speech Synthesiser has its
Some languages use volume altering markedly in even the shortest word. To serious side as well. It can be used to allow communication
phonemes which English duplicate even some of the more simple effects of speech between computers and the blind; it can be used to provide
doesn't. These can be hard to using a traditional sound chip is extremely difficult. So isn't it
audible and meaningful warnings in industrial or security
hear and pronounce
surprising that chip manufacturers have come up with
learn to
applications and can be integrated into games.
correctly after childhood.
dedicated speech chips. Overall the new Speech Synthesiser is a great
One such chip is the SP0256AL2 from General improvement on its predecessor and an interesting addition
Instruments and it is this that forms the heart of S M to the PCW. The price, and the fact that it can be used with
Engineering's Speech Synthesiser. most machines, means that it is more accessible than most
The present Speech Synthesiser module is a computer hardware peripherals.
development of an earlier, much less attractive, naked
board that could be connected to SM Engineering's Parallel
I/O Interface. In fact this interface was the only one with
SPEECH SYNTHESISER
which it would work. The company had so many enquiries
PLUSES MINUSES
for a stand-alone module that they redesigned and
Inexpensive No leads
repackaged for a wider market.
it

Separate power supply

The Speech Synthesiser now comes in a compact steel , Self contained

box with an amplifier, volume control and a standard _j Works on most computers
Centronics parallel printer port connector on the back. This
addition means that it will run from any Centronics interface
on any computer. Better still, most computers, including the
RANGE OF FEATURES 3/5 EASE OF USE 4/5

PCW, have a BASIC that will treat it exactly as if it were a PERFORMANCE 3/5 DOCUMENTATION 4/5

printer. This means that programming is now as simple as

it 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 14/20
sending LPRINT commands.

42 8000 PLUS January 90

 3" CF2 DISCS FROM Hold the front page!
£1.70 EACH DELIVERED
(nothing more to pay)* ALL PRICES INC. VAT Stop Press is the ideal desktop publish-
ing package for home enthusiasts,
QUANTITY 5 10 20 50 100 schools, societies and small businesses.
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Maxell/Panasonic 3" £11.95 £19.95 £39.00 £95.00 £185.00
professional newsletters, leaflets, forms
Rigid Plastic Library
Cases £2.50 £4.95 £9.45 £21.95 £39.95 and flyers- in fact anythingwhere text
Individually cased CF2 3" £13.95 £22.45 £44.00 £106.95 £209.00 and graphics are required, placing you
right at the heart of the desktop pub-

Store and Protect your 3" discs in individual Rigid Plastic Cases
lishing revolution.
Alldiscs guaranteed. 3" Disc Drive Head Cleaning Kit £4.95 You can import digitised and
scanned images from products like
4k #\ ^| ft throw away your used fabric printer
|
MasterScan and the Rombo Vidi Dig-
"^^^
[111 l\l
"
ribbons - re-ink them for only
95p each/ £1.75 per 2* itiser, or create your own graphics with
the built-in tools including the excel-

Do you program your PCW? lent zoom facility -and even

charts, histograms and line
create pie
graphs with
YOU NEED TO READ
"PCW: Streamlined BASIC" ease.

by Geoffrey Childs 'Fulfills all my wishes and more'

'Streamlined BASIC is a new concept in PCW
publications from PCW-World. The package -Your Amstrad PCW
includes a book and a disc so that all the examples in the book can easily be used on your PCW.
The book and the programs have been written by Geoffrey Childs, who is probably best known to
PCW users as the main programmer of Lightning Basic. He has also been a contributor to several Become your own publishing baron
computer magazines including 8000 PLUS. The book was written in response to two questions
that frequently appear in the correspondence columns of PCW magazines. It will answer many of with Stop Press -and start the presses
your questions too!
rolling!
"I've read the manual. I've written a few programs in Basic. Where do i go from here?"
"Amstrad seem very shy about giving detailed information about how the PCW works.
How can I find out more?" STOP PRESS £49.95 Code: 5052

"THIS MAJOR WORK SIMPLY OOZES WITH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT YOUR PCW AND HOW
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PACKED FULL OF EXAMPLE PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVIDED ON THE FREE PROGRAM
DISC. IF YOU WANT TO 'GET UNDER THE BONNET THIS BOOK IS A MUST Gerry Austin
PCW World AVAILABLE ONLY FROM THE PUBLISHERS £18.95.
PCW
World User Group
-

1
Cotswold House, Cradley Heath,
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Locosrripl 2 * Locospel] 2 £33.00 Turbo Pascal £69.00 top-quality mode or use the faster draft
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D I enclose a cheque payable to Database Software
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Spell Checker + Thesaurus £18.95 Invoicing £48.00
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Masleriile 8000
Databases
£30.00
Money Manager Plus
Personal Tax Planner
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£27.95
£18.95
£29.95
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Name
^-7 date: q
Dalastore II £27.00 SBACash £45.00
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At Last Plus £24.95

Just a selection trom our vast range of computer software.

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BEHIND THE SCREENS
Ever wanted to know exactly how CP/M uses your PCW's memory chips?
In thefirst of a new series, Richard Cox makes a fantastic voyage and reveals all

of the appealing characteristics of the PCW range Whichever PCW you possess, it will contain a certain number
Onecomputersof is the large amount of memory which of silicon RAM chips (RAM means Random Access Memory
they possess. Amstrad display this fact for our or, more meaningfully, Read & Alter Memory). Each of these

attention in names of the machines - the

the very chips is capable of storing 16k of information.

PCW8256 has 256k ofmemory, whereas the 8512 and 9512

have 512k each. If you know what 'k' means then ignore the Memory blocks
next paragraph. These memory chips are vital to the function of the
If you are under the impression that 'k' has something to computer. The Z80 CPU - Central Processing Unit, the brain
do with 'kilo' then you're right; but the connection is a bit of a of the PCW - would be able to accomplish very little without
cheat because 1 k is 1 ,024 bytes, whereas one kilobyte, to be them, since it expects to find its program instructions in

precise, would be 1 ,000 bytes. However, kilobytes is them. They also act as a data store for all but the smallest
convenient, so kilobytes it is, and we get an extra 24 bytes of operations.

free. 256k is 262,144 bytes of memory, 512k is 524,288. (1 Since the data scurrying about inside the computer
byte is the basic unit of memory for this range of computers, actually consists of electric currents, every byte in the store
and corresponds roughly to 1 character of text, or 1 number of memory used by the CPU will need from time to time to
between and 255.) be connected to it electrically; not all at the same time
All this means that the PCWs have a great deal of though, otherwise, writing a value of say 33 to one byte
memory power at their disposal for both the manipulation of might set all the bytes in memory to 33, with most
text and for numeric calculation. This series of articles is undesirable consequences.
about the way memory is used by the PCWs: how some of it Evidently, there is a need to isolate individual bytes as
is organized by CP/M, how a large part is configured to make they are required. This done by a technique known as
is

drive M, and how the screen memory can be used to create addressing, which simply means that each byte is called by a
graphics effects. number, its address. So, every byte has two numbers
associated with it: the value it

contains, which may change now and

then, and its address, which remains
the same.
When the CPU writes to, or reads
from, the memory, the address of the
correct byte is needed. See in

diagram one how a byte is read: the

address is sent to the memory chips
along 16 tiny wires (the Address Bus),
coded as a set of electrical impulses;
this activates the correct byte of
memory, which then sends its current

Address Bus Address Bus value to the CPU along another set
of 8 wires (the Data Bus). When
writing to a memory byte the value
is sent along the data bus in the
opposite direction.

What's on the bus?

How is the correct memory byte
'activated' though? Remember the
address bus has 16 wires. Inside a
digital computer (e.g. yours) such
wires usually carry one of two
voltages, high and low.
With 16 wires there are 65,536
possible combinations of high &
low voltages, and, since each
combination refers to a different
byte of memory, the CPU can activate
up to 65,536 bytes of memory, i.e.
When the CPU writes to, or reads from, the memory, the address of the correct byte is needed. The address is sent to the memory chips along 16 tiny 64k, or 4 of the 1 6k RAM chips. By
wires (the Address Bus), coded as a set of electrical impulses; this activates the correct byte of memory, which then sends its current value to the CPU convention, we refer to values of
along another set of 8 wires (the Data Bus). When writing to a memory byte the value is sent along the data bus in the opposite direction.
and 1 instead of low & high voltages,

44 8000 PLUS Januarys

 But how can this work with the majority
of the OS inaccessible? Imagine this: you
have 7 memory chips in your hand. On the
The aewry chips
circuit board of the computer are four
Chip 87 1 during a pr ograi sockets, and you fit a chip in each one.
run. Notice the These are the 64k bytes of memory we
Chip 86 1 have been talking about, and they contain a
DIY Note
operating systen There's virtually nothing you
program which is running. You have 3 chips can do to prevent a memory
Chip 85 1 chips waiting in left in your hand. Diagram two gives a basic fault developing. More often
the nings until the illustration of this. than not, unexpected
Chip 84 1 electricity surges and shoddy
progran calls then Reaching into the invisible workmanship at grass roots

level are to blame. The good

to action. Now the program wants to contact the OS.
news is that it is possible to
You take out the first three chips and rebuild your PCW's memory
replace them with the three which contain yourself; memory chips cost
The progran calls Chip 87 I the OS (leave one for communications). no more than a couple of quid

each and you've a steady

The OS code is now available to the Z-80
if

the operating hand and a good eye for

Chip 83 1- i Chip 86 CPU and is executed until the job is
systen; the ranory |
detail, it's not too difficult to

done; then you have to replace the chips clip the new chips into place
chips are shifted-) you just took out so that the main program on the main circuit board. It's

a good job too. Memory

ahout so that it . can continue.
repairs undertaken by

can do the job. This sounds cumbersome, and would maintenance houses tend to
only work if memory chips could retain their be very expensive.

valueswhen unplugged, which they can't.

The job is finished The PCW, however, has a way of juggling
the chips around without unplugging them
so the nenorg
physically. To do this, four special output
chips are ports are used.

restored. All of An output port is a gateway between the

this usually
CPU and the outside world. The PCW has
256 of them, and they are numbered from
happens in the to OFFH (hexadecimal for 255).
hint of a fraction For the memory chip switching, four
output ports are used, corresponding to our
of a split second.
four imaginary sockets on the circuit board.
To 'plug in' a different chip into a particular
socket, you simply
choose the correct port
The program wants to operate the contact the operating system. You take out the first three chips and and send to it the number of the chip you
replace them with the three which contain the operating system (leave one for communications). The
wish to plug in. Each port has a buffer
operating system code is now available to the Z80 CPU and is executed until the job is done; then you have
which 'remembers' the chip number most
to replace the chips you just took out so that the main program can continue.
recently sent to and this information it

so instead of 16 wires, think of 16 digits (Binary diglTs - becomes important when the CPU accesses a memory byte.
hence BITs). This circuit works out the answer to two questions: (1
So, addresses exist internally as 16 bit binary numbers - which quarter of the 64k does the required address belong in
in this form they are easy to decode electronically so that the (e.g. address 4099 is in the second quarter)? and (2) which
activating signal is sent to the correct byte. memory chip is currently 'switched in' to that quarter (the
The operating system is the program which controls the number be in the corresponding output port
of the chip will
basic functions of the PCW. (The operating system will be buffer)? Communication is established between the correct
mentioned often now, so we will abbreviate to OS.) A large
it
chip and the CPU and the operation is carried out.
part of it consists of
1 ,001 basic routines needed by
Let's go back now to the moment when the program calls

programs communicate with the disc drives and console.

to the OS. Control is first transferred to the part of the OS which
When you run a program by typing its name at the A> or is accessible - it is in the very top of the 64k bytes. The OS
B> prompt you are issuing a command to the OS, i.e. 'Please chips are switched in by sending their numbers to the output
run this program'. The OS then loads the program into ports. The desired OS function is performed and then the
memory from disc. Control is now transferred to the program original memory chips are 'replaced' so that the program How big?
Amegabyte(1MB)is1024
and the OS program wants to use one of its
retreats until the can continue.
kilobytes (1024K); a kilobyte
routines. When has been successfully accessed,
that routine Of course, the OS memory
must be switched into (1k) is 1024 bytes and a
control is again returned to the program and the OS retreats place every time itis used by the program. However, the byte represents roughly one

once more into the background. switching time penalty involved is quite small, and the character. Memory
expansion packs or boards
When the program comes to an end, tells the OS, it average program uses routines within itself far, far more often
currently in existence - like
which then displays the A> or B> prompt and waits for you to than uses the OS.
it
Isenstein's and the one from
say what to do next. SCA (see News Plus) -

Since the Z-80 CPU

can only activate the first 64k bytes Drive M: and the screen consist of 51 2K, This is the

of memory, it is not helpful to have lots of it used up by the equvalent of having another
There is a great deal of memory still unaccounted for; some 8512 added to your
OS: some programs need lots of memory if they are to is used to store the screen display and character set and machine. In real terms
operate effectively. the rest is used for drive M. Next month we will be describing (ie.once you have software

This problem is solved by placing only a small amount running), you will be lefl with
layouts, looking at which output ports are used for memory
(about 2/Ek) of the OS in the first 64k bytes and hiding the switching and how programmers can use them to
880K on the 512K machines
to play around with and
rest of it away in some of the other memory chips - there are communicate directly with drive M. 624Konthe8256.
plenty of them.

Januarys 8000 PLUS 45

 FEATURE

THE IMAGE
MAKERS
Which DTP package has what you want? Sharon Bradley, Tim
Smith and a few 8000 Plus readers take a tour of the options

Who needs THE DESKTOP PUBLISHER than import Ascii

and offers
files. Importing
no advantages unless the
is easy, but takes a
text you're importing
lot of time
was
WIMPs? £29.95* Database Software • 0625 878888 written at a much earlier stage and not specifically for the page
Desktop publishing
At just under £30, The Desktop you are now creating.'
packages often rely quite

heavily on what is known as Publisher is one of the most A text window must stick to the same-sized text throughout.

a WIMP environment. WIMP inexpensive DTP programs All the usual style changes of bold, italic, subscript, superscript
stands for Windows, Icons,
Good news your and so on are, however, permitted. The Desktop Publisher i

around. for
Mouse and Pointers,
pocket, but what about your generally prides itself on its WYSIWYG
(What You See Is What
^
Windows are areas on the
pages? This program is
You Get) facility, but, points out Chris, 'sometimes you can
screen in which you can
probably better at helping you change a couple of lines of text that you've already written into
work - either for creating
italics and the program will appear not to have followed your
text or graphics. It's usually produce simple one-page
possible to have a number handouts than longer multi-page instructions.'
of windows open on the Having decided on the dimensions of your text window you
- documents; it's not particularly
screen at the same time
The graphics windows
good at carrying text smoothly must, as far as possible, write to fill it.

like The Desktop Publisher.

from one page to another. work in exactly the same Once you've decided on the size
way.
Icons, on the other
hand, are small pictures To get the most out of the of the window at the page editor, you now have to find an image
to put in Images from the program's supply of clip-art can be
which represent a particular program's page editor - the it.

facility or item. When these

principal screen of the program introduced into these boxes; so can illustrations from digitisers
icons are pointed using a
at,
- you need to be rather organised as it's here that you decide and scanners. 'Although,' says Chris, find the graphics editor 'I

mouse or light pen, for

the most enjoyable of the program, there are still a number of
example, the facility is how your page is to be divided between graphics and text.
- things I'm not happy with. You can't, for example, move items
'activated'. Icon-driven You place a number of windows onto the naked page
systems are faster because around on their axes or alter their sizes particularly easily. When
graphics windows or text windows depending on the page's
they make recognition of an pasting, you can't see exactly what you're pasting - which is
eventual contents. Each window is saved as a file in which are
item instant. WIMPs essential you want to get the size right.'
if

heighten the friendliness of

stored both its dimensions and contents, whether words or an
will eventually occupy
The program also treats headline fonts as graphics with
a program; just point to what image. The position that these windows
A page preview option each letter occupying its own box. Make more than 8 pixels it
you want and away you go. on the page isn't, at this stage, fixed.
high, however, and the characters will display unsightly stepped
msmmmmsm later on will allow you to move
diagonal edges. Getting the headline to fit into the space that is
them around before finally
available for it is largely a question of trial and error requiring
printing out the finished page.
several hair-pulling attempts. It's not easy.
The windows are filled using
The Desktop Publisher is very cheap; this economy shows
the program's graphics and
in its lack of proportional spacing and its inability to easily flow
text editors.
text across a number of pages. Concludes Chris: 'The program
Chris Jenkins, from
always holds its own in the uses to which put it - namely I

Garstang in Lancashire, has

preparing political community newsletters and cheap advertising
been using The Desktop
copy. You'd be better off thinking of as a game rather than your it
Publisher, for almost two
opportunity to become Bob Maxwell!' The Desktop Publisher
years. He reckons that the
probably the
works with AMX, Kempston and Electric Studio mice.
page editor is

least successful part of the

whole program even though its
THE DESKTOP PUBLISHER
role is an important one. 1 feel
PLUSES MINUSES
that a template option which
Very cheap Headlines very difficult
would repeatedly allow you to
Page design must be to manage
create pages on the same
organised at start
~ Documentation could
design would have been a very
useful facility. The good news Good text editor be better
15 versatile fonts supplied
" No proportional spacing
is that existing window files
can be repeatedly added to a with program or 15 pitch

page to produce a number of

equally-sized graphics or text PERFORMANCE 4/5 RANGE OF FEATURES 4/5
boxes.' EASE OF USE 3/5 DOCUMENTATION 2/5
he program always hoi s own in the uses to which put says Chn:
I it,
Says Chris: 'I prefer to type
8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 13/20
'namely, preparing politica
1

community newsletters and cheap ad copy.'

text directly into the text editor
I I

46 8000 PLUS January 90

 FEATURE

Making the decision to go ahead and expand your PCW's Desktop publishing packages simply provide you with the
horizons a little is usually a fairly sound and commendable means of making that output more attractive by increasing its

step. But temporarily deserting the warm security of the by visual impact. And this comes from introducing onto the page WYSI-What?
now familiar haven of word processing to venture into the a combination of illustrative back-up, imaginative fonts and Users of desktop publishing

uncharted realms beyond can be a bewildering affair. This is structured text. The DTP approach ensures that the message programs often haven't got

particularly true of the world of desktop publishing where so you're trying to put across gets the attention it deserves. time to wait for a printout of
every page that they create
many different ways of making improvements to computer- As you will see throughout this article, there are a
so that they can check that
produced output are on offer. Promises of skillfully number of desktop publishing programs available for the everything is as it should be.
engineered pages on which words and images are perfectly PCW. As will also become clear, they don't all do the same Most desktop publishing

blended can also at times intimidate rather than encourage thing. Which package you choose is likely to depend on your programs have, therefore,
application. Some programs put the emphasis on graphics what known as WYSIWYG
the novice dabbler. Confronted with the evidence, he or she
is

mistakenly arrives at the conclusion that output as smart as when making up a page; others consider text-handling more -What You See Is What You
Get. Put simply, this means
important. All these packages work with or without a mouse,
that can only be the work of real professionals with big that the screen at which
expensive machines. It doesn't have to be like that. although operating such potentially versatile programs from you're working will show you
We're living in a world where the presentation of the keyboard alone holds little appeal - like dancing Swan an accurate representation

information is as important as the information itself. The Lake with a pair of Wellington boots on; you just don't develop of the effects you are
-
written word is still one of the most popular and effective a 'feel' for the exercise. This will be something else to creating with typefaces,

images and so on - so that

means of communicating information between people. consider when making your final choice.
you don't have to wait until

printout to see the results.

NEWSDESK INTERNATIONAL you to check out any piece

snip art before committing it
of

to
OotiHouse
Church Eaton
£25 (£50 with Light Pen) • The Electric Studio
your page.
Icorn Stafford
STZ0 OflJ
Wines
• 0462 420222 (Ml: Stafford H73773)

Newsdesk International has Fonts scoring

been with the PCW from very There are also quite a few
early on. Not to be outdone by additional fonts available. If you
its growing number of rivals, it
would prefer to design your own
has managed to stand its
serifs, san serifs and weirdo
ground. 8000 Plus reader and space cadet typefaces, then this
desktop publishing baron option is also available to you.
Christopher Derricott bought his Text handling itself is carried
PCW 8256 together with out directly from the keyboard
Newsdesk International in order onto the screen or from the
toproduce advertising handouts keyboard into the 'mini-editor'
and price lists for his wine which is similar in spirit to Micro
business. Design's. You can also import
Newsdesk International files, although as Christopher
Christopher Derricot
works on a pull-down menu has pointed out, this is not the
system. Choices are made using the cursor keys and hitting the easiest job in the world.
space bar to go into action. If you use a mouse, getting around Text boxes on screen can
the system becomes slightly faster. It really depends on your be resized and ordered around
feel for computer rodents. The mouse comes into its own with your quite expansive working
the freehand drawing facilities. It is far easier to create flowing area. The only real proviso here
curves with this than it is with the cursor keys which are only is that flowing text into the
really any good for drawing along the vertical and horizontal.
columns needs a deal of Graphics and text courtesy of Christopher Derricott and Newsdesk International

Christopher's initial problems with Newsdesk International practice before it is mastered.

concerned a manual which ... arrived with pages that were
'

According to Christopher, "You set windows on the page preview Good point
firstly in the wrong order and secondly, unnumbered.' More
The size of a type face
and works well. However, there is no easy way to divide the
is
it
measured in points. The
recent versions of the manual have dealt with this glaring page into two or three equal columns; you have to turn on the co- point size of this margin
shortcoming which is hardly conducive to successful mastery of ordinate indicator and do manually. It's very easy to end up with
it
note, for example, is 7. The
the program, but they still lack an index. The other major gripe,'
columns of different widths." height of the type face is

says Christopher, 'was that importing Ascii files from word measured from the top of

processors was underdocumented.' This, however, would still what are called the
Conclusion 'ascenders' - 1's, 'b's, 'h's
appear to be the case.
For the price, without a mouse, Newsdesk International is an and 'd's, for example - to the

first bridge into the world of desktop publishing. It is bottom of the 'descenders' -
excellent
Art editor slow compared to Stop Press and Micro Design II but if you're 'p's, 'q's, 'y's and 'g's.

Where Newsdesk does look strong, however, is in

International
and a great deal of flexibility, then Leading (pronounced
after good quality printouts it

software another aspect

its graphics capabilities and the amount of supporting
ledding'j is

might be worth a look. of typesize. This is the

available for in the form of snip art and additional fonts.
it
distance, measured in
a freehand drawing facility with pen, brush or spray
offers
can
It

allwhich can be used either with a mouse or from the

of
NEWSDESK INTERNATIONAL points,

of one
between the bottom
line of text to the

keyboard. Each of these can be changed to give different bottom of the next line. In

Drawings done without the help of the PLUSES MINUSES this margin note, the leading
thicknesses of line.

Electric Studio mouse (which, incidentally, the company are no Good graphics handling T Difficult to undo mistakes is 8 points; in the main body

longer manufacturing) can appear rather stilted and unnatural A Plenty of additional fonts T Skimpy manual with no copy, it is 10, It's usually a

good idea td insert a little

If, however, you require and snip art index

with a distinct lack of curves. extra space between the
straightforward no-nonsense printouts, then Newsdesk Built-in text mini-editor T Slow lines so that the ascenders

International is more than competitively priced. of one line don't fight for

The available snip art is plentiful but does tend to be in the PERFORMANCE 3/5 RANGE OF FEATURES 3/5 space with the descenders
of the line above.
nature of cartoons. You are given the ability to resize any DOCUMENTATION
EASE OF USE 4/5 2/5
graphic which system by grabbing the top left
loaded into the
is
8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 1 2/20
corner and either pushing or pulling. The Examine area allows

8000 PLUS January 90 47

 FEATURE

MICRO DESIGN II mouse is a matter of preference although does speed up some

it

£59.95 (£99.95 with Kempston mouse) processes such as drawing and undoing.
• Design's strongest features
In factone of Micro
Creative Technology • 0889 567160 is its ability to undo mistakes at the
click of a button. This allows for much experimentation.
The arrival of
Micro Design saw desktop publishing on the II
The other outstanding feature is the text editor. You can
PCW move up three gears and fit a turbo charger. Its creators either type your words directly into it, adding bolds, italics and
call an integrated page processor which basically means that
it
other LocoScriptian frills, or you can tidy up imported text. There
it

treats words and graphics as equals. really is no other package to compete.

some packages which are supposedly portable' this
Unlike Page layout follows fairly conventional lines, with text
and
is configured for the PCW. The OPTIONS screen will graphics boxes being moved around until they
allow you fit (of course, a bit

to tailor even more closely to your needs by asking you things

it
of advanced planning never once you have hurt anybody.) But
like which mouse or word processor (in got your pages looking justright, you will need to print them
the case of imported out.
files) you will be using. The program Again Micro Design kicks in the nitro and speeds
is compatible with both away from the
competition. Its print capabilities are quite
Kempston and AMX mice which superb. The standard
means that people with other printer is made to work like never before. However there is more,
Word Search 2CVGB Can you
2CVCB
find '

the
Clubs hidden systems don't have to fork out some real class: the system supports 9 and
ifyou're looking for
BNUJESGTDAV 24 and even laser printers.
pin printers
5WESSEXDU In Lhe tellers?
extra money. It accepts
Creative Technology offer excellent system support
cos*""* LocoScript files as standard but for their
ouo*
k package and are constantly improving it. For printer support
will also deal with Protext files if
alone it is streaks ahead of the pack. So, for those PCW users
told to. The comprehensive
manual, complete with index
who want to produce top quality output with the minimum of fuss
*****
O*^*- and appendices, will take you Micro Design 2 will take some beating.

through all this quickly and

II*
painlessly. MICRO DESIGN II

Moving, doing
w ,
The command structure
it PLUSES
A, Comprehensive manual
MINUSES
T Rather small design screen
comprises a mixture of menus
Supports 24 pin and
and icons. The first screen you
laser printers
will encounter is the Layout
Excellent text editor
tttt screen to which you will return in
order to see how the page as a
mi**" whole shaping up. Movement
is
PERFORMANCE
EASE OF USE
5/5 RANGE OF FEATURES 5/5
Just look at the quality of David Solomon's (see
overleaf) printout
is achieved with mouse or by 5/5 DOCUMENTATION 5/5
keyboard input. Again the 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 20/20

Mice work
The AMX mouse is a
three-button rodent which
STOP PRESS font such as Slender for body
comes complete with £49.95 (£79.95 with AMX mouse) • Database text," suggests Mark. There
interface and through port.
Software* 0625 878888 are a number of other tricks to
It costs £47 and can be
Mark Buckley-Sharp has been using Stop Press since be used but there always
purchased from Database the spring
of 1988. He uses to edit and produce the Harrow Camera Club seems to be a rippling
Software on 0625 878888. it

variation in the character

The Kempston Mouse can and Arts Centre Magazine.
only be bought with other heights on different lines."
One of the more impressive aspects of Stop Press is its
Kempston software 0234 Basically, any none graphic
(
158-page ringbound manual, complete with detailed index. Not
841224). The Electric material is going to suffer
only will help the new at
Studio mouse is no user get to grips with the system, it also
it
li
the hands of Stop Press and
production. includes an Advanced User Guide. This gives
in details of such
goodies as perspective effects and kerning. By the be particularly
this will
afternoon of
noticeable on printout.
the day following purchase I

Mark Buckley-Sharp Stop Press's drawing

"twMnms saEsiraio found I could use nearly every
facilities are superb. The
HARRDU" CAMERA CLUB feature of Stop Press easily,"
normal spray cans, pens, and brushes are available.
HARROW ARTS CENTRE Importing
comments Mark. 'After that, the and then customising pictures could not be easier. As
each page
transition from novice to expert is made up as you go
NEWSLETTER takes place very quickly; there
along, you can move boxes around, fitting,
Editor! Hwk Bucicl*u.-Sharp
sizing and re-sizing to your heart's content.
3 IMjW Rod, Ktntofy Harm. HAS OBN, 01-907 187* aren't any blocks to rapid use.'
It is definitely more of a tool for the person who wishes
hit
EDTTOR1AL MEWS 8. DIARY One of the first criticisms to produce interesting designs such as
niut «»r<» :-( invitations or illustrative
'w w,
firs? ,n the
Km Mate
Ron Tiuh
Liaise Trophg Trl?

y^
.
"»» *m «wi mrfnn of
*
' generally levelled at Stop Press pages
l--t iMtttttf is tg p.thsfi news of
Congratulations to D.F.hVsfislt USPS
rather than newsletters. An ideal use might be
I'd iMps'tait Northolt and District for
:*••< f ;f
Kfe Photographic
is its lack of an in-built text
Hi mm 4i how to hod nerpe
B'j
Seen:, far winning the Ron Uake
ThurJIhtHtgh UsKonbi
Tues.l2th: Hampstead
.
sporting or theatrical programs or price where
: • :; "e'era "rophy at the opening of lists text is kept
we ZTZZ
• j..-.
f ;r f
,„(
m UWn in September
U* r*
,

1E W*>
""I '6 slides.
Possible nthors should submit to
H editor. Because it is such a to a minimum.
run* hut, m» Edit:' ifetyj frmual Onrw the

« :ws cttwr mtr-a wo.; y

OtIW.M.
- tmm *
vi :rce
,t thai the tm Cnner S^*1 * lm No '" b « r at th < highly graphics-oriented
adjusted tt
StW4 :: ,t
Itffn l|y »,„,
fit, or m-ij-jm
i

;
S(
„r m W, „
—
will be held on Saturday
Ffcenha,,

_ you- diaries no
Golf Cub.
sic
Sl C lFanmS ?,
Uhu Pay a f
carrgmg
r" a ^^
„
case, when M+S, John Lewis,
print
package, it treats even STOP PRESS
_ enw further infornstion soon,
individual text
RoteRoyc* K(
et a give awag
"~
plastic bags just lines as graphic
right for a Zr
PSj

i:.-t".»„ liaxsoen.
w"i Ope* at 7p* daily: tme to see the "» 3U{
'
elements. In this, it differs from PLUSES MINUSES
[
I4M», K.50 it the aoo'.
trtt$.
FROM Tr* ABM all the other packages we're A
Excellent manual No
.'time;

.«££ ?£,
eVSkeffS
judging

m« E?n£2* ^ £<hbit,;n wles on Wednesday,

h » •* r.*
Friday

'* bH nkt
m
" mtart% M
o'i

'£
*J* *«*" - *
:int iub scrip lion

» looking at. It will accept imported

i

Good graphics facilities

built-in text editor

No access to CP/M
h S
II prints ,nd
ik , ' "' ""«
8
««bfrihip records and collecting files in Ascii
format but text
no.

*
<L u*«
wtice Xvc.
"ore 1,1*11. on our no.icebo.rd
"*»« Quick to learn No file housekeeping (eg
yoiunteers are required to act as < ? lssuts
Loumttee,
wert referrt!l to the manipulation is cumbersome
s-ewarjs.
directory) facilities
ihus^v Ittti Niheniir, *ne fr-st
Should
fienbership
t be so«e form of and difficult. The textual print
round o' tni Chiitein
(otecod n Selection (Associate or
tt Corresponding) for those tag way
ie.d it t"( One: quality
ikjiteth me I fie t if the selectors i
«« consequently leaves a lot PERFORMANCE
from Harro«i
4/5 RANGE OF FEATURES 4/5
Stop Press is very different from any other DTP package: has no to be desired.
it in-built EASE OF USE 4/5 DOCUMENTATION 2/5
text editor and is a highly graphics-oriented program "You can make some
improvements by using a 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 17/20
finer
I

L
48 8000 PLUS January 90
 COACH
c American Football
£ff&
down
.Stokfu^Vhe Knows
is
ODA
SOFTWARE
HEAD
placing devastatir
under way, you're going
-

"
where the war on the field is often
that hi,
decided by the decisions
careful^ game^anis beginning to wo ?
of
,
v3
a lonely figure pacing the sidelines.
and the^deas.on to
He's the Head Coach and

F^JglSSXZSZZSA
while the

the Washington Redskir .

Rigorous t
are available to you, logging the match performance of each player.
that star player you so desperately need.
takes any more/and the college draft will give you the chance to find
really know, and if you're just abeginner^then its \he jdea^way to
learn, A 48
you're already a fan of the Orid^tanj HEAD COACH v3" will test how much you
I,

page playbook will teach you even ^^^tf**S*S*,"™&* t'h* can pVevenFyoulrom 'winning the Superbowl, and that's YOU!

FEATURES THE REVIEWERS SAID THE CUSTOMERS SAY WE SAY

"A must for NFL fans" "Thanks for a superb game" We despatch credit card
• Full48-play offensive and orders within 24 hours,
defensive play book cheques within 7 days
enclosed of receipt.

• NFL player Data Base "Heartily recommended"

"My wife has threatened to
hide the disks unless cut
I

down on the playing time" We offer a full after

• Full 45 man squad sales service.
"A realistic and addictive
simulation"

• Complete NFL schedule

"Absolutely amazed by the The game is fully
"It seems unfair to call it

realism" compatible with colour

• League statistics and just a game"
and mono systems.
standings
Supplied complete with
• The college draft "If you have any interest at
manual
a pleasure to do disk, wallet,
all in American football then "Its
business with you" and playbook.
• The Superbowl this game is a must have"

i
Please supply me with: Name: CODA SOFTWARE
lHEAD COACH v3 PCW £17.95 Address. 437 Kings Road
IBBCB/MASTER128 £17.95
I IBM PC £54.95 Ashton-Under-Lyne
j
ATARI ST £24.95
Access No (if appl):.
Lanes OL6 9AT
Prices quoted are fully inclusive.
Tel: 061-330 0184
i

Visa No:
Expiry Date:

3 1 /2" DISK DRIVE

Add a 3V2" Drive B to your 8256, 8512 or 9512.
This external unit is simple to fit and acts just like
the standard 3" Drive B.
31/2" Discs are the Industry Standard as used on
the PC 2000, PPC, Atari ST, Amiga, Macintosh etc.

AVAILABLE NOW ONLY £89.99 + £3.00 P&P

TEN BLANK DISCS £10.00
Available from:
Siren Software
84-86 Princess Street
Manchester Ml 6NG VISA

Tel: 061 228 1831

 FEATURE

CADMASTER LIGHTPEN them into successful illustrations. This problem was

to interpret

£29.95 • Trojan • 0792 205491 mostly solved, however, when the Cadmaster Light Pen became
a permanent addition to my desk top.'
One alternative to using a mouse for DTP work is to plug the Now an experienced user of the Light Pen, Ron warns that it

Cadmaster Light Pen onto the expansion port at the back of does take time to learn exactly how this sometimes quirky
your PCW. This a device which looks like a pen and almost
is program operates, learning to hold the pen at the correct point
works like one, except that you use it by applying it to the PCW on the screen and setting the brightness control to match the
screen instead of a horizontal piece of paper. It sounds fairly sensitivity of the pen's response becomes something of a knack,'
straightforward in theory; what about in practice? he says. 'Yes, it can take several hours, including thinking time,
The Cadmaster Light Pen is a product of extremes; it's to complete a detailed drawing; once this is done, however, and
brilliant when it's good and flops abysmally when it's bad. the work stored on disc, you can recall and print it out in one of
Obtaining any degree of accuracy with the pen, for example, is three different sizes as often as you like. The same drawing can
very difficult. Because the be loaded, modified for another use and saved, along with the
keyboard original, under a different file-name.'
The Magazine everything must be
is not utilised at
done by
all,

One of Cadmaster Light Pen's major strengths is its text

selecting the appropriate option facility. Although there
is only one type face, each letter can
be
from the on-screen menu (you sized up or down to the tune of 64 permutations, each one
8000 PLUS pick up the pen, place
screen and point to
it on the
your choice).
different to the last. Thisis done by placing the letter in question

on an eight by eight grid that has both an X and Y axis. Both

Once you've selected the cube, upper and lower case letters can gradually be increased in size
from the X1 ,Y1 coordinate (the smallest size) to the biggest
on sale here say, thatyou want to draw, you
again use the pen to determine X8.Y8 coordinate.
the cube's screen position and 'Although mainly use the text for labelling drawings,' says
I

dimensions. The method is a Ron, 'it is also convenient for making quick temporary signs for
slow and laborious one and exhibitions, parties and outdoor functions. During the past year
A . interna and M I

B .v.h.f. to h.I.
T5SP E virtually impracticable when it
have made many such notices which were printed out on A4
r'
C underground ca

o ,h.f, receiver comes to producing your own paper, used and then thrown away after the event. And of
e .*.*, Mriiltn
freehand drawings. course, you can personalise the program's supplied typeface by
F .chart recorder
G
I
.

.
loudspeaker

pen chart

-^
t jj-n
j*rLssi
s-s.-ar
IP
8
1. 1.
4\
?
\

\
X
\

^
in house
Muipxent

IHJ r
Any hope of tight accuracy
nosedives when you see the
cursor; it completely obliterates

any fine lines that are being

using the Zoom facility. The colour of the print can also easily
altered by changing the printer ribbon. often keep a red one
handy for this very purpose.'
be
I

JjJi-B L lt volt line

Solar- Radio Telpscope drawn behind Having said it. CADMASTER LIGHTPEN
that, Cadmaster's zoom facility

This text notice was produced using the axes combination of X5.Y3 is exceptionally good, allowing PLUSES MINUSES
Each file can be printed out in up to three different sizes. you to make very fine pixel * Excellent choice of T Accurate positioning
alterations to your work by typeface sizes difficult
Way to go providing magnification options of 4, 6, 8 or 1 2 times the Very good zoom facility Freehend drawing virtually
Designer Stubble is a original size.
Inexpensive impossible
secondary piece of DTP Ron Ham from Storrington in Sussex writes for two radio
software which coaxes the Not very friendly
magazines - Practical Wireless and Short Wave Magazine - on
newcomer to the delights of
a regular basis. Although his articles usually contain
desktop publishing in the PERFORMANCE 3/5 RANGE OF FEATURES 3/5
ways of successful photographs allied to the topic under discussion, a diagram is
production and publication. often required for further clarification.
EASE OF USE 2/5 DOCUMENTATION 2/5
'I must confess,' admits
John Evans, the man Ron, the ideas come a 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 10/20
'that lot more easily to me than the ability
behind Designer Stubble, is

aiming to show that

professional-looking results
can easily be obtained MASTER PACK capturing each of the dots on the page and transferring them, dot
using inexpensive DTP
£49 for Master Scan • £13 for Master Paint • for dot, onto the screen of your PCW. The image can
then be
software on the Amstrad
saved as a file. A Master Scan file can then be loaded
into Micro
PCW. you want to know
If £55 for Master Pack Design, Fleet Street Editor, Newsdesk, Stop Press and, of course,
what DTP on the PCW can
do for you, speak to John
• Database Software • 0625 878888 Master Paint.

Evans on 0225 315131. The software which accompanies the scanner, and without
This little package includes one of the cheapest
digitisers for any
which is useless - there have been stories of
computer in the form of Master Scan. It is accompanied by
it
people being
conned into buying secondhand Master Scan but not the software
Master Paint, a strong graphics package.
- allows you to control contrast and the width of picture you wish
Master Scan comes with an interface which attaches to the
to scan. You do this by setting the maximum width across
the
expansion port on the back of carriage that the printhead can travel. The largest image it is
8000 series PCWs. Coming out possible to scan is about 8 by 6 1/2 inches. The scanning process
is a lead which ends in a
of this
is not the most rapid experience your PCW will ever have. The
The
small block of plastic. size of photograph we have just mentioned will take about 12
reason you won't be able to use minutes to complete.
Master Scan on the 951 2 is Master Scan does have problems with shiny surfaces. So, if
because this block contains the you're thinking about taking pictures from a glossy magazine, or
actual scanning device and will even a photograph of yourself, you should photocopy first. The
only fit over the printhead on quality of digitised image you will be able to achieve is dependent
8000 series printers. upon the quality of picture you use.
The process of digitisation is the early days, Database Software touted Master Scan as
In
a
fairly simple. Fit the block to the possible fax.Combined with a modem, the theory went, you
printer head. Remove the printer should be able to send scanned images over telephone lines. This
ribbon. Find your picture and would be fine if you just wanted to send graphics. But Master
away you go. The printhead Scan does treat text in exactly the same form as it does graphics.
Master Paint: an image has been Imported from Master Scan
moves over each of the 256 lines Text the size of that which you're reading at the moment would
and then fine-tuned by Master Paint.
which make up a screen, simply be too blurred.

50 8000 PLUS January 90

 FEATURE

FLEET STREET EDITOR PLUS Fleet Street's clip-art library

contains over 100 items which can
£69.95 • Mirrorsoft • 01 9281454 be sized up or down, rotated and TrE RJLMAP ELCLE
•£ Audited circulation: 19 copies June
Fleet Street Editor is one of generally edited to your heart's
It AMI 'A IN HE 111
those packages that ought to content. As with the other DTP
Brighton
be good. Perhaps the most programs we've looked at, there is
adventurous and a freehand option and zoom
comprehensive of the earlier facility which will transport you to

DTP packages around for the pixel-level accuracy if you need it.

PCW (the accompanying Fleet Street Editor's layout

manual is a 193-page editor is the heart of the program.

information-packed tome), it This is where the text and
isn't so much a page make-up graphics you've prepared earlier
program as a publishing are integrated onto the (almost)
package. This arrangement is finished page. If you've done your

better for users like David homework beforehand, everything

David Solomon
Solomon from Southampton should fit. Page headlines are

who need to produce a lot of pages with a minimum amount then entered straight onto the

of effort.
page from the keyboard.
Fleet Street Editor certainly
Explains David, 'I was among the first 500 users of Fleet is

Street Editor Plus and have used it every month since May '87 one of the most ambitious
toproduce a family 'newspaper' and since January '88 to put packages we've looked at. David Solomon and Fleet Street Editor Plus produce a family newspaper

together a monthly newsletter for a car club.' Although its graphics and design and the Wessex Ducks 2CVGB newsletter called Quack
features are limited, text
The package comprises three sections: a text editor, a its

graphics editor and, finally, a layout editor. The first is used for handling capabilities are versatile and competent. It is marred

typing in your text and is one of the best text editors to be by the occasional but quite serious shortcoming, but will make
DTP
program. Not only can you import Ascii a good choice you're in the business of producing a lot of
integrated into any
if

program, also has a word counter. pages as quickly as possible. Fleet Street Editor Plus can be
or LocoScript files into the it

It's essential to do your page layout planning well

away from the used with the Kempston mouse. I

computer before you start, because the text editor will ask you to
and leading when you
enter details like column width, font size
FLEET STREET EDITOR PLUS
begin typing in the text. What is disconcerting is that you won't
see these specifications taking effect on the screen in front of PLUSES MINUSES
you. The program will then calculate the column length for you; ' Powerful and ambitious
" Expensive
all you have to do is write to fit to fit the space. Fleet
Street's
Impressive word processor Prone to crashing
word processor offers you a selection of five fonts and four type
,

Will only read from - and Complements

,
Multi-page design facility
sizes: 12, 18, 24 and 36 point. More than adequate. not write to - drive B galore
. Good documentation
Despite these advantages, David has found over the Program loading is
Since the appearance on the

years that Fleet Street's text editor has some serious and market of the DTP programs
prolonged and tedious these pages,
mentioned in
irremediable shortcomings: 'Sometimes the program will
other secondary,
suddenly stop inputting from the keyboard due to insufficient complementary packages
memory. It will inexplicably insert random linefeeds when PERFORMANCE 4/5 RANGE OF FEATURES 4/5
have been written to boost
typesetting onto the page and does the same again when the EASE OF USE 3/5 DOCUMENTATION 4/5 their supplies of clip art and

text is recovered from the page back into the editor. The 8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 15/20 fonts.

Stop Press:
hyphenation doesn't work either.'
Complement Fonts and
Borders (£12.50 from

Line drawing Dragonfly Designs, 58 The

draw, create shapes from circles to filled ellipses. is
Shrublands, Horsford, Norwich
made simple, as is the ability to move and copy blocks.
NR10 3EL)
As a drawing tool there is a great deal to be said for Master
Clips and Fonts Desktop
Paint. It's Zoom facility allows for detailed, close-in work. This Magic Clip Art (£12.50 per disc

allows you to view, and alter areas of the screen pixel by pixel. from HD Design, 3 Roundthorn

There are also a few businesslike fonts available but, at heart, Way, Goldsworth Park,
Woking, Surrey Gu21 3QN)
Master Paint is a graphics system.
Get Set Typeset (£24.99 from
Tecnation, 23 The Nursery,
MASTER SCAN High Street, Sutton Courtenay,
Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14
PLUSES MINUSES 4UA)
Simple to use Text qualit is very poor HD Computer Aided Graphics

most Needs pictures to be (£7.99 from HD CAD Design

Scanned images port to
[0486 781394))
DTP packages photocopied
Newsdesk International:

Cheap Clips and Fonts Desktop

Magic Clip Art (£12.50 per disc
Master Scan: the original digitised image that the program has
been able to produce from a photocopied illustration MASTER PAINT from the above address)
Get Set Typeset (£24.99 from
the above address)
Master Paint PLUSES MINUSES
^ The Desktop Publisher:

At £1 3 Master Paint is works on a WIMP

a relatively good buy. It \ Quick and easy to use Print quality isn't fantastic
Clips and fonts Desktop Magic

(Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers) system which was all the , Plenty of facilities Can't move large blocks Clip Art (see above)

Headlines (£7.99 from Wadd

rage a few years ago. What this means is that you should never . Undo is useful
Soft, 227 Church Road.
have to type anything while using it. Especially you make use if

Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

of the AMX mouse. PERFORMANCE 3/5 RANGE OF FEATURES 4/5
FY83NN)
WIMP environments lend themselves to creative design as EASE OF USE 4/5 DOCUMENTATION 3/5 Newsdesk International:

is rarely broken. With Master Paint there is also a

great VALUE VERDICT 14/20 45
the flow 8000 PLUS Electric Studio Snip Art (£7

deal else to maintain that flow. There are options to Freehand per disc [6 discs] from Electric
Studio [0462 675666))

8000 PLUS January 90 51

 Small businesses
Self-employed
Professionals
Personal finances
Clubs etc etc
MANAGER PCW
For business, professional or personal use, MONEY
MANAGER is the ideal system for managing your money
£49.95
Far easier to set up and to use than other accounting software -
- yet packed with an unrivalled range of features
f or fast, efficient and enjoyable control of
your finances.
All options are selected from a menu
Report of monthly income, expenditure and cash-flow
i

Any number of data files- business - personal - etc

Report of account and class totals (eg profit & loss etc)
i

12 months of accounts per file, with up to 500 entries /month
Move file forward by a month at a time when required
Up to 20 user-defined accounts (banks, cash, cards, etc)
Up to 50 user-defined classes of income/expenditure
Arrange classes into logical groups for powerful analysis
Design
classes to suit your own special environment
Up to 50 user-defined "marks" for extra report selectivity
Fast and natural data entry - like adding lines to a
statement
Optional reference (up to 6 characters) for each entry
Your own descriptive text (up to 18 characters) for each
entry
* I2y r cod5 s are displayed on the screen during data entry
Add, modify or delete existing items at any time
Quick insertion of regular entries/standing orders
Sort entries into date order at the press ofa key
Specify account/class/class group/mark for each report
Detailed statements, item by item, for any range of months
Totals for each class of transaction for one or more
months
bpreadsneet-type table showing class totals for each month
Reports may be for consolidated class groups
Report showing class totals for each account
Account statistics - monthly max, min, average balances etc
Bar charts for up to three selected categories of entry
Pie charts for up to 20 selected categories of
entry
Antnmatir' calculation
Automatic n( WAT /...!iU M ,.li:.i.
falrMthtinn of '
VAT (with multiple rates u required) *
if
Detailed VAT reports showing taxable, VAT and gross amount
Summary VAT statements in same format as VAT return
Simply ignore VAT features they are not required if
Detailed bank statement reconciliation with running balance
Budget and cash-flow forecasts - may be updated
Print any report on built-in PCW printer
Printing may be switched to a separate printer
Attached Dot-matrix, Daisy and Laser printers supported
Print any report to a file for use with Locoscript etc
Data search
facility to find "lost" items
Full vertical and horizontal screen scrolling of reports
Pop-up five-function multi-line calculator with memory
Macros to record and play back sequences of key-strokes
Context-sensitive help windows appear at the touch of F1 key
Back-up copies of data files created automatically
Easy installation routine produces self-starting "turnkey" disc
Data may be kept on program disc or on separate disc(s)
Suitable for PCW-9512, PCW-8512 and PCW-8256
Suitable for single or twin disc systems
Comprehensive 64 page manual (with index)
Two sample sets of data provided for initial practice
Free and indefinite telephone support

Here are some comments from the people who matter and who
really know the system - the users:
reS ed W h he 0ftWa e that thou ht
'™nuZLT
many l ']
J t J ' 9 y° u mi3ht "ke to know that I think it is superb and surpasses
other packages I have bought at more than twice the
price of Money Manager. Thanks for a raniasnc,
fantastic easy
easl to
use piece of software that represents outstanding value for money.
D.A. J. (lines)

S °PP°rtu" y P ass with °ut repeating my satisfaction with Money

,e th ' lt
tffK oft several
keeping small businesses. Before retired recently after 40 vears
Manager. am using for the book-
I it
I in banking 24 of Shchwereasa
tSSSSl^J^^JS d
f my sma " (and some not so small
1l
nte
V fe^KtSEES
Et k
° 6aSy
and
•

SC0 M t0 USe>
9Ures
save many
statlstlcs oftneir
Besses
>
businesses as produced by Money Manager. It really is a proaram
3£?iSK -
does, result from poor or non-existent book-keeping. r.a.l.
from the chaos and disaste,-which can and S> oflen
(Cheshire)

luTss
guess ^^^^l^JPV
how much "^ is
6 and eaS t0 USe program at such a reasonable price. No longer do we
l without first
where and no decisions are made consulting Money Manager. k.d. (Milton Keynes)
think this is the best program that I use on
/ my computers and I have tried quite a few programs' a.b (iceiandj

saxr&x^^T^r"'*' 6 whomm ,istmed ,o

** ma,k « and skews
'n^L^V,617 p/ea Sed With tne Pro9ra m ,
in fact it is an indispensable part of my business. My accountant is
*" *" '° ** "***
-

P
s!go1daTthispTe.
The program
JJ5X2T °
***' ' "" *" ^ "'S
^BhSSStS^
is perfect, just what I needed. If it were edible I would have a second portion, n.t. (Wilts)

lS££ttl^rt
more flexible
aPd imPressedJ am with Money Manager. It seems to me far simpler, faster
than any of the other accounts packages I have looked
accounts for a small business, and am delighted with the
and
at. I have so far used it to prepare two sets
P of
results, r.d.h. (Yeovil)
US ay at t0 my wrd-processor this has to be my most frequently used program and cenamiy
an Jj. J* change
LTastounding "H* to our finances. All in all....
has made
certainly nas
brilliant! '
d, i.n.p. (Co Durham;

of congratulating
'SfJV^^fJSS^X
V T
Jervu^f, ril hIVhI tP
a
T 9Jmy 5*™,"?'
you on an excellent program. I am treasurer of a local cycling
VBS me In thatl0b is ^emendous, and impresses the auditors
too! It is also
accot"*s a "d know to the penny how much I owe to the various
credf^rdrnmnfnVf
credit SSS **£
card companies. Keep ?
up the good work! j.f.n. (Wilts)
'

'

Over 25,000 users can't be wrong!

^^^

VAHlIlCC
2T 7, l
* .
Jh/n^f
ufSi?
^
C ° Py
f
?,'
Ofpnone quoting
MonSun
MONEY MANAGER PCW by return first class post, either send a
your Visa. Access or Amex card number for immediate
6arn-10pm Price £49.95 Includes VAT & postage.
despatch
u«P«»cn.
S^ffyU5S"A f tfi
«viir,a,ci.iu. 3 Flanchford Road, London W12 9ND Tei 01743 9792
 ON TEST

BOOK LOOK Basil Pigg gives

THE A-Z OF BUSINESS COMPUTING

an account of two new books on business computing

A CONCISE INTRODUCTION TO DBASE

by Adrian V Stokes by J W Penfold
£14.95 • Heinemann • 0865 311366 £3.95 • Bernard Babani 01 6032581 / 7296

some dictionaries that in trying to define There are several excellent databases available for the PCW:
There's a problem with
Masterfile, AtLast, Mini Office and so on. But for business users, dBase
information in a compact and succinct way they only succeed in

is a much more familiar name, because of that program's

widespread
being a collection of incomprehehsible one-liners.
use on the PC.
For example, should you be reading an account of fossilised
Australian coralsand find the word 'phacelloid', you find the Penguin dBase II - the only version for the PCW - must be the most
unfriendly program of all time; when you run it, all you see on screen is
Geological dictionary not too helpful. Under 'phacelloid' it says
a single dot. To use the program you type in a series of commands,
'synonym for fasciculate'; for 'fasciculate', it says 'phacelloid is

CP/M, but they're all special database commands

-
rather like in
a synonym'.
While this A-Z isa little more detailed than that, it does nevertheless
DISPLAY NAME.PHONE for example might display on screen a list of
fall into the trap of being too glib too often. Look up 'TPA (a term that names and telephone numbers from your customer file. dBase is
really a very powerful database programming language rather than a
appears on your PCW screen every time you start up CP/M) and it says
memory used simple database program, and you can write 'programs' for your own
'An abbreviation for "Transient Program Area", an area of
CP/M systems to load programs transiently'.
database system.
in
dBase IV can be run off a system of menus rather like LocoScript,
Knowing what the letters stand for might be useful should your local
but this only available for the PC. On the PCW, you're stuck with
Pub Trivia Quiz ever have a round of questions on CP/M, but didn't I
is

dBase Learning to use dBase is like learning to use a programming

enlightening. The 'definition' is little more than a
II.
find the entry at all
language, which is where this book comes in.
padded-out rewrite of the term itself.
Only the first forty-nine pages of the book actually talk about dBase
Other definitions simply require too much prior knowledge to be at
(the rest being devoted to the later versions) but what is there is
all useful to the beginner. Looking up ASCII, for instance, you find that
II

methodical, concise and clear. The cut-price nature of all means it

'it is nearly always used with an eight-bit byte with the extra (top) bit

a there's only time for one example database to be covered in any sort of
either being set to zero or used for parity check'.
form of 'a=97, detail, which is a sort of stock record for a book publisher with some
Of course, it gives an ASCI I table, but not the familiar
amusing book-and-author
b=98, c=99' etc. which clearly shows
combinations. Illustrations on the
what the code is about; it gives instead a
example are reasonable enough
tabular form where 'a' appears in the box
but the introduction - on what a
1 across and 6 down, Z' is A across and
database is and how can be it

5 down, and the and 1 rows are full of

used to good effect - is rather
unexplained bits of Polish such as STX,
brief, unaccompanied by either
VT and NAK. Ifyou tire of the
meaningful real examples or
crosswords in the back of Sunday
pictorial illustration. It is doubtful
supplements because of their simplicity
whether beginners would find it
this may be for you; otherwise not.
particularly enlightening.
Ever wondered what a spreadsheet
However, for someone who is
is, or a database?
coming to dBase for the first time,
Don't bother looking here. The entries
it delivers what it promises in the
are terse and dismissive and explain
title - a concise introduction - with
little. Margin notes in 8000 Plus are more
no frills- to this important
detailed and helpful.
program. At £3.95 for a computer
What the book (and the reader) cries
book you can't really complain,
out for is examples. Instead of rewriting
and while the PCW-relevant dBase
tired old definitions, should be giving
it

IIparts are short, the sections on

an example what this thing looks like,
of
dBase III and IV would be useful
how works, and what it's used for.
it

for anyone who also uses a PC or

The book is fairly comprehensive but
is thinking of upgrading.The
the illustrations are skimpy and consist
verdict, therefore, is that it's a book
mainly of off-the-shelf press shots of
worth buying for the first-time
computers. All in all I'm afraid to say it's
dBase II user, and worth the cover
really a waste of money. Beginners will
thumbing through to chase price - you get deep into the program and want to write detailed
but if
merely be confused and spend all their time

up the cross-references. Don't buy it

stuff, in which case you won't need it anyway.
hb
unless you already know your applications of your own, you'll be after one of the weightier and more
expensive guides to dBase that fill the bookshops.

iliiii
A CONCISE INTRODUCTION TO DBASE
THE A-Z OF BUSINESS COMPUTING
ISBN; 0434 91875 " II imM; a 8SS34 208 5

January* 8000 PLUS 53

 ON TEST

YOU GOT RHYTHMS

Biorhythms; gimmicks or godsends? Pete Gerrard looks at IMC's new package
BIORHYTHM peak your biorhythms. You are allowed to look at all three
at
cycles (physical, emotional and mental) in a number of
£19.95 • IMC Software (0604)54814
different ways.
As the accompany paper documentation tells us, "Within you,
Hammer and there is a clock". I must confess that mine needs winding up Introversion 1
occasionally, usually after a hard night's 'sporting' endeavours You can see each one on its own or in a variety of groupings.
cycle
The study of biorhythms
down at the local pub. Would IMC's Biorhythm change the A very simple method of date selection allows you to scan
started off at the turn of the Gerrard way of life? forward through the months and search for any potential
century with the work of two A great deal of evidence in favour of the biorhythm disaster days.
men, Dr. Fleiss and Dr.
approach to life has been collected since the early studies at The next option is called Biofeedback. This allows you to
Swoboda. They observed a
'physical cycle' of 23 days
The press release which came with
the turn of the century. match your personal biorhythm cycle(s) with your
and an 'emotional' one of 28
Biorhythms mentions several interesting case studies. There performance in real life without affecting your standard cycle
days among the group of may well be an equal amount of evidence refuting biorhythms, (the one that you were born with, presume). The display
I

people that they were don't know, but many companies in the States and also in
I
looks rather like the main biorhythm one, only with a few more
studying. Later work pointed
Japan claim to have increased the overall performance of days visible.
to a 33 day mental cycle.
their employees by keeping a close check on their Bionotes and Biodiary come
The Biodiary is a very
next.
These cycles, so it is

claimed, begin the second
you are born and carry on
(repeating themselves over
and over again) until
shuffle off this mortal coil.
biorhythms. am writing this review on what is termed a
I
"critical" mental day. Make of that what you will.
you
Start your cycles!
After making the recommended back-up copies and preparing
a start-of-day disc set out to see what Mallard BASIC and
I appointed dates very quickly and any data is entered using a
Biorhythm could do for me. Several things soon became
apparent. The suite of programs (for there are more than one)
are very smartly presented with some
displays. They make the most of the PCWs graphics abilities.
A minor flaw is that the manual is stored on one side of
very attractive screen
good sub-program on its own, covering one hundred years
from 1st January 1989. Three days at a time are displayed on
screen in three separate windows. The good thing about this is
that three totally
un-connected days from vastly differing years
can be shown at the same time. The system finds your
simple, but effective, text editor.
The Bionotes section is the place for you to record your
thoughts about how your performance matched up with the
program's predictions. This is mainly for dedicated biorhythm-
ers who are deeply 'into their cycles', would imagine. I

the disc (although the package is easy to learn). Consulting it

requires a quick swap of data disc and back-up program copy Risk's place
then swapping again after a swift read to get back to the job in
Bioplanner lets you search through a given period of time for
hand. For those who are interested, a lot of biorhythm history a selected mixture of physical, emotional and intellectual
and theory is also included. states. However, the most interesting section by far of the
You really get started by (a) telling the program what program (or at least as far as was concerned) was the print-
I

breed of PCW it's running on and (b) informing it of your date

You cannot be out options of which there are many.
There are several nice touches about this suite of
of birth.
Printing can be done to either personal organiser or A4
serious! programs; such as instant working out of the day from any
The accompanying paper formats. It covers the biorhythms, the diaries, the notes,
given date. There is also a little "Thank You" message which
documentation gets off to a and just about anything else you might care to mention.
sometimes appears when you're swapping discs in the early
bad start by telling you to Printing out your PEM (Personal Emotional Mental)
make a backup copy of "the stages. It all helps to give a friendly feel to the program.

game". But Biorhythm

Summary points out days which the program considers as
From the main menu, with most of the programs sitting in
Invaders was not to be; this
RISK, HIGH RISK and even SERIOUS RISK. How survived I

drive M: even on an 8256, the obvious thing to do is to take a

is a serious program. November 6th is a mystery. Even Christmas Day seems
something of a risk, coinciding with my emotional state
being at an all time low.
For people interested in biorhythms, this is a
comprehensive and inexpensive suite of programs, and for
non-believers it will provide some harmless fun.

BIORHYTHM
PLUSES
' Easy and fun to use
The only program of its kind

Clear, attractive screen displays and versatile printouts

MINUSES
Documentation is on disc

RANGE OF FEATURES 5/5 EASE OF USE L,*

PERFORMANCE 4/5 DOCUMENTATION 2/5
8000 PLUS VALUE VERDICT 16/20

54 8000 PLUS January 90

Do you require extra memory but would
prefer not to dismantle your ? PCW
Then you need the SCA plug-in RamPaC

This simple to fit unit attached to your PCW provides an extra 512k of ram to enable
LocoScript2, LocoFont, LocoMail, LocoSpell, plus a selection of fonts from Loco-
Font, all to be loaded into memory and still leave plenty of space. CP/M users now
have an 880k ramdrive.
The SCA RamPac plugs onto the expansion port on the rear of the PCW, and a
through-connector provided for other peripherals. Further expansion up to the
is
2mb maximum will be available. A concealed switch configures the RamPac for use
with either the 8256 or 8512 & 9512 machines.
,

Other popular PCW programs like Flipper and Micro-Design can also take advantage
of the extra memory.

£ 119.00 Plus VAT ( £136.85 inclusive )

ORDER NOW on 0903 700288

SCA Systems Ltd BARCLAYCARD

61 Ferringham Lane VISA
Ferring West Sussex BN12 5LW
 800 PLUS SMALL ADS!
DISC CONVERSION. PC
AMSTRAD 8512 PCW
LOCOSCRIPT RECORD LIBRARY FOR SALE.
Out inFebruary. Beat the rush, Your Keep track of your albums, cassettes,
PCW disc onto MSDS Discs. Perfect gift for Christmas at £350.
videos, unlimited record storage,
Excellent condition -
comprehensive search and print rou-
Contact 0223 314053. tines (state which PCW).
bought for degree project write-up.
Boxed, software, dustcovers,
£21.95. books, disks, disk box,
Phone Gavin
THETFORD SOFTWARE,
INDIVIDUAL TUITION
31 Thetford, Washington, Watford (0923) 34877
on PCW: Locoscript (1 or 2), Accounts,
Tyne and Wear, NE38 7QT.
Payroll, Spreadsheets etc.
Bromley, Caterham,
South Croydon areas. PROGRAM
LEARN TO IN C
Tel: Caterham (0883) 343803 Course starts January 26.
or 01 777 2841 PCW8512 Westwind Computer
Education Centre,
Double Drive, 512K Memory, VDU, Wellington, Shropshire.
Keyboard, Printer, Master Discs,
STARBASE2169 Locoscript 2, Locomail, Database 0952 56573
Atlast, Desktop Publisher, Vidi Digitiser,
Join the Database revolution in the Electric Studio, Lightpen, ,

year 2169 and help intergalactic Fleet Street Editor,

!

travellers in the quest for plusgames. WORDPROCESSING SERVICE

ultimate knowledge. £500 o.n.o. Margaret Nickolls, 8 Fisherton Island,

Jade Software Tel: 0506 4161 12

Salisbury, Wjlts. SP2 7TG.

0705 696543 Tel: 0722 25802

i
i

SMALL ADS RATES Advertisements and are charged at £1 per word. We will then place the ad in the next available
Private ads cost £7.50 for up to 30 words. IThis (Max 30 words). issue (published 2-7 weeks after we receive your
rate only applies to readers wishing to sell their
8000 Plus reserves the right to refuse any ad order).
own hardware or original software or to pass on
which is deemed to be a Trade Advertisement If you wish your address or telephone number
but which has been paid for as a Private Ad. to be featured in your advert it must be includ-
a message toother 8000 Plus readers)
All other ads are now classified as Trade
To place an ad just fill in this application ed in the grid below (one word per space).
form and send it to us with the correct payment.

Order form Send to: 8000 Plus Small Ads, Future Publishing, 4 Queen Street, Bath BA1 1EJ
Please place the following advertisement in the next available issue of 8000 Plus
Name My advertisement is a Private/Trade* Advertisement and
I enclose payment for £ * delete as applicable
Address
I wish to pay by Cheque/Postal Order /Access/Visa
Credit card number
Credit card expiry date

Telephone Please make cheques and POs payable to Future Publishing Ltd
 DISCOUNT SOFTWARE
FOR THE PCW 8256, 8512 & 9512

HARDWARE DESKTOP GRAPHICS / GAMES

Desktop Publisher 19.95 Bridge Player 2150 24.95
5.25" DISC DRIVES as above with AMX Mouse 59.95 Classic Collection 1 (not 95 12) 1 1 .95.

We now stock 5.25" fully compatible Stop Press 34.95 Classic Collection 2 (not 9512) .11.95
disc drives for the PCW
range. They as above with AMX Mouse 69.95 Classic Games 4 15.95
are directly addressed by CPM and Micro Design 2 54.95 Clock Chess '89 15.95
require no extra software. as above with AMX Mouse 95.95 Colossus Chess 4 11.95
PCW 8256 & 9512 5.25" drive....£l 39.95 Masterpaint (graphics) 15.95 Corruption 19.95
PCW 8512 Switchable drive £159.95 asabove with AMX
Mouse 59.95 Guild of Thieves 19.95
Masterscan (optical scanner) 54.95 Jinxter 19.95
WORD PROCESSING N.B. Masterscan is for

Masterpack (Scan & Paint)

8256/8512 only
59.95
Lancelot 15.95

Pretext (Full Version) 39.95 PCW Challenge 11.95

29.95
as above with MouseAMX 99.95 Scapeghost 15.95
Pretext Office AMX Desktop (WIMP Environment)
21 .95 Tomahawk 15.95
Locoscript 2
with AMX Mouse 64.95 Trivial Pursuit 15.95
Locospell (for Loco 2) 18.95
Locoscript 2 &
Locospell 31.95
AMX Mouse and Interface only ..47.50 Head Coach v.3 13.95
World of Soccer 13.95
LocoMail (for Loco 28.95
LocoFile(stateif9512)
2)
28.95
IT'S BACK Starglider 19.95
The Original
Supertype II font program 12.95
17.95
MINI OFFICE PROFESSIONAL BOOKS
Tasword 8000 Since the release of Mini Office
TasSpell 11-95 Professional Plus, customers have been
All InOne Mini Office 11.95
Mallard Basic 9.95
TasPrint (extra fonts) 10.95 asking for the original program. No spell
checker, no thesaurus, just the original five Program Your PCW 7.95
MJC SPECIAL: modules, comprising Word Processor, Programming the Z80 19.95

PROTEXT CPM excellent Spreadsheet, Database,

Presentation Graphics and
PCW Machine Code 13.95

Full Version including Spellchecking Communications. They would also prefer a

CP/M Bible 16.95

& powerful Mail-Merge routines. new manual and/or a copy of the John CONSUMABLES
RRP £59.95 Hughes "All In One..." book.
OUR PRICE JUST £39.95 Now you can have both! Amsoft or Maxell CF2's (as available)
MINI OFFICE PROFESSIONAL 10 off 23.95
DATABASES RRP £39.95 OUR PRICE £25.95 5 off 13.00
Masierfile 8000 34.95 If you still require the spell checker and
thesaurus and you have an 85 1 2 or 95 1 2, the
PCW 8256/8512 RIBBONS
28.95
Locofile (8256/85 12) Standard 14m Fabric Each 3.95
Locofile (9512) 28.95 'new' Mini Office Professional Plus
29.95 is still available.
two 7.00
At Last Plus
Higher quality/density fabric 4.95
Comix Card Index (8256/8512) 25.95 MINI OFFICE PROFESSIONAL PLUS
Comix Card Index (95 12) 25.95 RRP £49.95 OUR PRICE £32.95 PCW 9512 RIBBONS
Minerva First Base 25.95 I Amstrad brand Film Multistrike..3.95

TUTORIAL DOT MATRIX PRINTERS Box of 12 42.00

2.95
Unbranded continuous fabric
French Mistress 15.95 9512 and supplied with
Suitable for N.B. Fabric ribbons do not give as good a print
15.95 necessary cable. quality as film/carbon ribbons even when new,
German Master
15.95 Citizen 120-D 139.95 but as they are continuous will last a lot longer.
Spanish Tutor
Recommended for draft copies
Italian Tutor 15.95 Panasonic KXP-1081 159.95
or in-house memos.
Iansyst Crash Course Typing 19.95 Star LC-10 Mark 1 179.95
Iansyst Two Finger Typing 19.95
Star LC-10 Mark 2 (quicker) 199.95 MISCELLANEOUS
Star LC24-10 (call for advice) ...259.95
BUSINESS/FINANCIAL Prices include normal 1 2 month 'return
45.95
PCW 8256/8512 Dust Cover Set .9.95
Comix Invoicing to dealer' guarantee. For 12 month on- PCW 9512 Dust Cover Set 10.95
Comix Simple Accounts II 55.95
Comix Job Estimator 59.95
site Service Contract just add £5.00. PCW 8xxx Printer extension leadl 1.95
Comix Product Costing 59.95 PROGRAMMING PCW 9512 Printer extension lead 12.95
1000 Fan-fold address labels 6.95
Digita's DG Payroll(8512/9512 only)29.95
32.95
Arnor C Compiler 39.95
3" DiscHead Cleaner 6.95
Money Manager Plus Hisoft C Compiler 39.95
Money Manager PCW 39.95
Nevada Cobol 39.95
PCW 9512 Daisy wheels: All at .£5.95
Personal Tax Planner 19.95 choose from:
Hisoft Pascal 80 39.95
Plan-It(Home Accounts) 15.95 Courier (10) Orator (10)
Stockmarket (share analysis) 32.95 Hisoft Devpac 80 V2 39.95
Script (12) Prestige Elite (12)
Supercalc2 55.95 Maxamll 39.95
Recta (10) Thesis (Prop)
Minerva First calc 25.95 Nevada Fortran 39.95
Letter Gothic (10/12) Mini Gothic (15)
Mini Office Professional 25.95 Hisoft Forth 18.95

All prices INCLUDE VAT, postage and packaging

Overseas orders welcome - please write for prices

MJC SUPPLIES pls

40a QUEEN STREET, HITCHIN, HERTS, SG4 9TS.
Enquiries/Credit orders » ^
mt
(0462) 432897 420847 421 41 5 for
Tel:
CALLERS WELCOME Mon
/ /
C^J
to Fri 9.30 - 5.00. Sat 10.00 - 4.00
 Arnor's 1990 PCW Software Sale
PROTEXT ... The Word Processor ... The Book
Pretext is now firmly established as the alternative to Locoscript.
At long
last an independently
All you would expect from a good word processor - many text editing commands, print
the features
produced book about Protext,
commands, spell checking and mail-merging. The refinement and thought that has been put into the
by Rob Ainsley.
written
program - logical keystrokes and commands, clear layout, speed and power all go towards making ...

Protext ideal for the novice or the experienced user.

The book features a large section
* On-screen help * Typewriter mode * Insert or overwrite typing mode * Word count * Undelete of tips for easy reference and is
feature
* Move/copy/delete/print blocks of text * Box manipulation * Configuration * Personal dictionaries * well illustrated with screen shots
Exec
files * Two file editing * Keyboard macros * File conversion * Comprehensive Find & Replace * Foreign
and printouts.
languages and accents * Program editing mode * Proportional printing, right justified * Conditional
printing and loop constructs * Print any number of copies * Works with any It also includes a section written to
printer * Calculator * Print
labels * Use the maths/string functions to produce personalised invoices etc * help the Locoscript user to
* Compatible with PCW 9512 * Enhanced spelling checker - larger dictionaries, dictionary on drive M or on 'convert' quickly to Protext.
program disc * Many improvements based on customer feedback *
It is an essential purchase for any
"Protext deserves to be the system by which all other word
current or potential Protext user
processors are judged ... a superb product' your computer
whatever their word processing
" The great strength of this package is its ease of use" cwta Special Offer - Save £20 experience.
"Protext is the solution to all Locoscript s drawbacks" pew Buy Protext together with the book
"Makes Locoscript look like a snail " 8000 plus for£49.90 and save £20 off RRP.
Protext...A PCW Users guide
246 pages, illustrated paperback
"Simply the best word processing program to date for the (RRP £59.95 + £9.95 = £69.90)
PCW ... Locoscript is effectively dead" putting your Protext + Book £49.90 Price £9.95 + £1 post/packing
AMSTRAD TO WORK (Post/packing is free if buying a
Protext also available German piece of software)
is in at £59.95 (Prowort)

New low prices for CP/M languages

MAXAMII BCPL
Complete CP/M machine code development system Complete C development system Flexible, fast, general purpose
programming language.
* Macro assembler * nested conditional assembly * file * Full implementation of K&R standard *
inclusion * textual of macro parameters
substitution * Optimising *
compiler Floating point Extensive set of I/O libraries
* repeat loops * Full expression evaluation * Error listing to arithmetic * 32 and 16 bit integer arithmetic including access to CP/M routines.
screen/file/printer * 8080 mode * Linking facility * Create * I/O and maths libraries * Conditional Example source files supplied,
object files for use with C *
compilation * File inclusion * Macros including full screen editor and all
Window based * Linker accepts C and assembler (with the libraries. Comprehensive
monitor, with:
* line assembler * disassembler * memory editor * find
Maxam II) * Stand alone generator 60 page manual covers the
string * relocate * move memory * compare memory * fill
produces COM files language and gives details of the
memory * bank switching * symbolic debugger * single Protext compatible editor:-
libraries.

stepping * set memory limits for stepping * stack checking *fast and easy to use *on screen help
* conditional breakpoints * trace mode * edit registers *two "Easy to use, yet both flexible and
file editing * keyboard macros * fully
* Editor is program mode of Protext (as for C) * configurable* powerful
powerful " cwta
find and replace
* exec files * compile from inside editor
" Maxam II - now the best gets even better cwta cpc
" Good library of procedures ... very
fast 8000 PLUS
"A really excellent piece of software which, given the "very good value for money" amstrad pcw
speed
with which debugging can be done, will pay its way very "Streets ahead in terms of programming "Amor's clear, concise manual will
quickly" ACU power " amstrad action have you programming
"The thing that struck me ... was the amount of thought "ki typical Amor fashion, they've taken their
confidently very rapidly
and effort that has gone into this product" cwta cpc time and got it right' amstrad computer user amstrad action

"Maxam II is stunning ... the most complete and competent "All the facilities necessary to write
programming package around. Simple, speedy and complete applications programs
sophisticated" amstrad action popular computing weekly

RRP £49.95 Sale price £24.00 RRP £49.95 Sale price £24.00 RRP £24.95 Sale £12.00
±
All programs run on PCW8256/8512, 9512, CPC6128

Amor Ltd
All prices include VAT,
ffe/essi/ii/yoi/rmicro spote/itia/..

{EPJ, 611 L/nco/n Road, Peterborough,

postage and packing. Access/Visa/Cheque/Postal Order.
tWI/^Z
PE1 3HA. Tel:
Fax: 0733 67299
0733 68909
 LANGFORD

ELECTROMAGNETIC
ETIQUETTE
Dear Miss Magnetic Media, minimal couple of pounds.
I've become acquainted with a Miss Media suggests that
famous author who nervously much heart-searching might be
mails "security copies" of his avoided if senders of material on
novel-in-progress to friends. disc were to inscribe the label No
This is great because you get need to return this, or alternatively,

the perk of reading the books Please return after copying files

before they hit the best-seller -thanks.

list. When his latest was Those objecting to the latter

published, I naturally returned plea should contemplate the

the discs with the draft virtues of Green policy. Causing
versions. Back came a thank- correspondents to buy new discs
you letter which thought I uses up resources; recycling old
slightly chilly. Have blundered? I ones doesn't. Conversely, you're if

"Worried." so eager not to insult others, do

you throw away their discs to

Miss Media replies: You have avoid demeaning yourself

encountered a problem of (scandalous waste!), or furtively

etiquette so novel as to be absent re-use them? Be honest, now.

from the guidebooks. See below....
Dear Miss Media,
Dear Miss Media, Are you aware that cardboard
I'm a starving writer and mailing boxes for floppies cost The READ. ME (or scared of inserting strange
recently made my first sale. As more than new discs? README.DOC, or discs for fear of viruses. How
recommended by that bigmouth Ecologically it's better to throw READTHIS.NOW, or whatever) can reassure her?
I

Langford, the print-out's discs away than mail them information might be in LocoScript "Plague Vector"
covering page said: "Text back. format or "plain ASCII text". Those
"Megacorporation" CP/M or other Miss Media can only applaud the
available on 3" disc in accustomed to
brilliance of your friend's excuse
LocoScript or ASCII format." machines' MS-DOS will expect
for not reading your ghastly book,
The magazine was glad to avoid Miss Media was addressing the ASCII, and react by entering
while answering with enormous
retyping, so all was well, except long-suffering PCW owner, whose TYPE READ. ME at the CP/M
regret that it's unfounded.
that months later they hadn't sturdy discs can be safely
little prompt. Hardened LocoScript
used jiffybags, or even
Were a PCW virus ever to
returned the disc. When I posted in users naturally attempt to peep
emerge, it would be spread by
enquired, they sent it back sort ordinary envelopes (cardboard with E for Edit.
infected "start of day" discs, or
of reluctantly and said stiffeners are advised). Doubtless If it's ASCII, LocoScripters
perhaps ".COM" program files in
something about being afraid of there's small hope of persuading should create a new document
CP/M. Using your own LocoScript
insulting me! Should now feel corporations, no matter how and load in READ. ME via "Insert
to examine alien document discs
I

insulted, and if so, why? Green, to soil their squeaky-clean text" ([f7]"Modes" in Loco 1
is always safe.
"Impoverished" image by mailing all discs with [f1]"Acti.ons" in Loco 2).

cardboard protection cut thriftily If LocoScript... might it be

Dear Miss Media,
Miss Media replies: This from supermarket boxes. A pity. suggested to perpetrators of
Har har CAUGHT YOU OUT! You
embarrassment arises from Twice each blue moon, a disc READ.ME files that they use Loco
said reading discs was ALWAYS
friction between different social is scrambled or cracked in transit. 1 which everyone can read, and
,
SAFE what about this then. I

and financial strata in computing. Accept this as our kindly post not Loco 2, which frustrates pull back the shutter, put on a
Itbegan when well-heeled office's way of making you grateful unregenerate Loco 1 users? To streak of superglue and sprinkle
organisations and computer for (a) sending battered old discs; comfort those who try CP/M and with fine carborundum. Anyone
owners chose to become uppity (b) retaining backups. TYPE, a message in LocoScript's reads it, they need a NEW
about returned discs. "We don't "identify text" (editable through DRIVE, brill eh?
ask people to send back letters so Dear Miss Media, "Modes'V'Actions") is a shrewd "Smartass"
we can clean the paper for re- This public domain disc has me ploy. This text, preceded by the
use,"one imagines them sniffing. foxed —
there are no letters is what TYPE will
JOY, Miss Media replies: There is a
"We can afford endless new discs. instructions, and can't load the I display when READ.ME is a Loco time for measured considerations
Returning them implies that we're file READ. ME which might file; its 30 characters allow room of etiquette and there is a time for

penny-pinchers. What an insult!" explain things. to declare, "Read me with petrol-soaked blazing crosses to

Alas, a PCW user who mails "Baffled" LocoScript, clot!" be hurled through windows. In
many discs cannot afford this Miss Media retains an your case one is reluctantly
haughty contempt for bank Miss Media replies:To book- old-fashioned preference for compelled to the latter course of
managers. The big-time attitude lovers, that filename evokes some clearly printed instructions on action.

unpublished Lewis Carroll Careless tea- or coffee-

was formed by the traditional IBM archaic paper.
fragment in which Alice discovers
drinkers are warned that a dried
5.25" disc (which in bulk costs as
READ. ME Dear Miss Media, on the disc surface may have
spill
as 20p) or the cheapest 3.5"
little a small text file called
on doing so sent my novel on disc to this almost as exciting an effect as
equivalent (perhaps 50p), rather and finds that it I

know, but she says she's carborundum....

than the 3" Sugar Special at a magically turns her brain to mush. writer I

Jan UaIy90 8000 PLUS 59

m& youb; 4 F4S7, WELL PROVEN
PROFESSIONAL SYSTEM
DESIGNED SPECIALLY
FOR BUILDING WORK
RUNS ON ANY PC
OR PCW COMPUTER
SUPER EASY TO USE
Laser Typesetting
Our new improved service brings low cost laser
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LASER IMAGES
39 Belle Vue Terrace Sandbach Cheshire CW1 1 ONR •

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also Disc Conversions from £5

PCWDRAW
A full function drafting program - produces clear drawings on your PCW printer.
MAKE YOUR AMSTRAD EARN!
Yes making money with your Amstrad becomes incidental when you know how.
Your micro is, if only you knew it, a gold mine. The size and make is irrelevant.
Make the initial effort NOW by starting your own
Prints across or down page - small drawings can be positioned anywhere on page.

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 LISTINGS PLUS

was wrong. Finally you are asked to name the

author. The more you get right, the more
Also, first steps into points you accrue. The game is played over
five rounds and you are then asked whether
programming with you wish to start a new game or quit.
As Tom mentions in his comprehensive
The Learning Curve. notes to SHAKEY, the program is the basis of
a larger effort. Improvements could be made;
for example, instead of using DATA lines you
might like to read a file into the program.
However, in its present form SHAKEY should
provide both fun and the chance to look at
some clear programming.
SHAKEY.BAS the
One of the more interesting elements
listing is

smaller one,
the production of two boxes. The
in reverse video at the top of the
of

SHAKEY.BAS brings a new meaning to the READ

By Thomas Coughlan screen, contains the details of which round
command in BASIC.

you are playing, the name of the game and window definition in line 550 PRINT
Coughlan comes from the suburbs of your score. It will remain there until terminated
FNw$(0,030,90) followed by PRINT cls$.
Tom where such towering
Dublin, the city in line 550. This box
defining the user function w$.
is created in line 20 by
The parameters
The use of DATA lines in SHAKEY.BAS is

Shaw, and
figures as Yeats, Joyce, also worth noting. Line 60 dimensions the
Kavanagh made their respective marks. given are for the Right and Left corner co-
various DATA arrays. For example, DIM f$(ti)
SHAKEY.BAS is a program which tests your ordinates and height and width.
uses ti, the variable which holds the total
knowledge of great literature by asking you to Lines 290 and 300 print both this small
area'. So, you number of DATA items to dimension the array
state whether a given quotation is correct or box and the larger 'playing if

crash out of this while running the first for 'first part of the quote'. DATA is used here
not. Once you've done this you are prompted
versions of the listing you will need to use the with economy and some style.
to give the missing word or words if the quote

10 esc$=CHR$ (27) cls$=esc$ + " E" +esc$ + "H"

:
ODAF
20 ronS=esc$+"p" rof $=esc$+"q" PRINT cls$
: :
109F
30 DEF FNw$<r, 1 h, w> =esc$+" X"+CHR$ <32+r > +CHRS <32+l >+CHR$ <31+h> +CHRS <31+w) 1AC8
,

40 DEF FNatSCro, co> =esc$+" Y" +CHRS <ro+32> +CHRS <co+32> 15FF
50 RANDOMIZE <PEEK<64504 ) !
0B11
60 sc = 0: ti = 10: DIM f$<ti):DIM s$<ti):DIM r$<ti):DIM c$<ti):DIM n$<ti) 1DC2
70 FOR x=l TO tiiREAD 1$: f $ <x> =i$+" "l NEXT 1267
80 FOR x=l TO ti.'READ i$ sS <x) = i$: NEXT :
12BB
90 FOR x=l TO ti:READ i$: r$(x)=" "+i$:NEXT 11E1
100 FOR x=l TO ti:READ i$ n$ <x)=i$: NEXT :
131D
110 FOR x=l TO ti: c$ <x)=f $ <x)+s$ <x) +r$ (x) NEXT 14FB :

The various escape routines, such as clear screen, are set up here. So are the windows.

120 DATA " WHAT" " WHAT" " QUOTH THE" " A"
,
,
,
10F1
130 DATA "CAST A", "LIKE AN" "THE" "HOW A" " A" , , ,
131A
140 DATA "A GOOD", "BLOODY MAN" "LIGHT" , 11F6
150 DATA "RAVEN" ."TERRIBLE BEAUTY" "COLD EYE" ,
1638
ieo DATA "ARMY" "SPIDER" "BEAR" "SNAKE" "CIGAR" " IS THIS"
, , , , ,
1933
170 DATA "THROUGH YONDER WINDOW BREAKS" ,"' NEVERMORE' 1C75
180 DATA "IS BORN", "ON LIFE ON DEATH" 1119
190 DATA "DEFEATED", " IS SOLE DENIZEN" 10B2
200 DATA "LIKES HONEY", "CAME TO MY WATER-TROUGH" 1977
210 DATA "IS A SMOKE" "SHAKESPEARE" , 1041
220 DATA " SHAKESPEARE" " POE" " YEATS" " YEATS"
, , ,
15A7
230 DATA "WORDSWORTH" "HARDY" "MILNE" , ,
1328
240 DATA "LAWRENCE" "KIPLING" ,
0DE4

Have more fun than usual typing in this DATA. The quotations and authors are included here.

January 90 8000 PLUS 61

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 LISTINGS PLUS

sc=0: sp$=SPACES<20) PRINT FNwS <0 5 90) PRINT cls$;ran$ 1B4E

250 : , , , :

PRINT SPACES <27>;"SHAKEY-SPEARE - OR WHO MAYBE SAID IT" SPACES <27 204E
260 ;

PRINT SPACES (90) PRINT ronS; spS; " ROUND " rd; spS "SCORE " sc; SPACES <31)
; 22 BC
270 :
j |

5:flag=0 0AF7
280 FOR rd=l TO
PRINT FNwSCO, 0,5,90) PRINT ronS FNatS <3 26 rd; FNatS <3 55) isc 1C17
290 : ; , ) ;

PRINT FNw$<6, 0,24,90) PRINT rofS.clsS 10D5

300 :

PRINT "QUOTE NUMBER " rdj " IS:": PRINT 1533

310 ;

x=l+INT<RND*ti) y=l+ INT <RND*ti 11AB

320 :

PRINT f$<x)+sS<y)+r$<x) testS=f S <x) +sS <y ) +rS <x) PRINT 1905
330 :
:

1539
340 IF testS=cS<x) THEN GOSUB 560 ELSE GOSUB 580
08CD
350 IF flag=l THEN 490
1A2F
360 PRINT "THE WRONG BIT WAS: "; ronS; sS <y) rofS: PRINT ;

2042
370 PRINT "WANT TO INPUT THE CORRECT WORD<S).Y/ N" GOSUB 620 :

The qame loop FOR rd=1 to 5 is set up and the windows are printed to screen.

380 IF rep$="N" THEN GOTO 430 0EB2

+ya$+r$ <x)
390 INPUT "YOUR ATTEMPT" yaS yaS=UPPER$ <yaS) test$=f S (x) ; :
: 2204
400 IF testS=cS<x) THEN 410 ELSE 420
0F29
490
410 PRINT "WELL DONE!":sc=sc+3: GOSUB 660: PRINT cls$:GOTO 1C3E
420 PRINT: PRINT "SORRY, WRONG" PRINT :
156D
PRINT i$<x>+ron$+sS<y)+rofS+r$<x) PRINT 156E
430 :

FOR z l TO
= ti: PRINT z ";sS(z): NEXT ; 14A2
440 "

PRINT: INPUT "CHOOSE BY NUMBER FROM LIST TO REPLACE

WORD(S) ;
23A9
450
460 testS=^S<x)+s$<n)+r$(x) 0B14
IF test$=c$<x) THEN sc=sc+l PRINT "CORRECT"
PRINT: GOSUB 660: GOTO 490 2492
470 :
:

480 PRINT "SORRY. WRONG. IT WAS: ": PRINT cS<x): GOSUB 660 1CF5
490 FOR z=ti TO 1 STEP -1: PRINT <z*-l)+ll;" "> nS <z NEXT ) : 1607
PRINT- INPUT "ENTER AUTHOR NUMBER FROM LIST ABOVE" ano:
ano= <ano«- 1 + ll ;
)
26B8
500
IF nS(x)=nS<ano) THEN sc=sc+3 PRINT "CORRECT"
PRINT: GOTO 530 211E
510 :

PRINT "SORRY. IT WAS nS <x) 101F

520
530 GOSUB 660: NEXT 0857
250
540 PRINT "ANOTHER GAME. Y or N" GOSUB 620: IF repS="Y" THEN :
1D3E
0D2A
550
560
PRINT FNwS<0, 0,30,90) clsS:END
GOSUB 610: IF
+«o«
repS="Y" THEN sc=sc+6 PRINT "CORRECT" f lag= 1 RETURN :
:
:
M 2127

The quote must have been wrong, so you are challenged to fill in the missing word or words.

570 PRINT "YOU'RE WRONG - IT'S RIGHT" flag=l RETURN : :

1A7A
580 GOSUB 610: IF rep$="N" THEN sc=sc+3: PRINT "YOU'RE RIGHT - IT'S WRONG" 2136
590 IF rep$="Y" THEN PRINT "YOU'RE WRONG AND SO IS THE QUOTE" PRINT : 22CE
600 PRINT: RETURN 0975
610 PRINT "IS THIS RIGHT? Y or N" PRINT: GOSUB 620: RETURN :
1D91
620 rep$=INKEY$: IF rep$="" THEN 620 1105
630 rep$=UPPER$ <rep$) 0B1B
640 IF rep$<> "Y" AND rep$<>"N" THEN PRINT "Y/N ONLY" GOTO 620 : 1CE0
650 PRINT: RETURN 0984
660 FOR t =1 TO 4000: NEXT: PRINT cls$: RETURN 1607

"You're wrong - It's RIGHT" applies to the quote. In this case you are merely asked to name the author.

liotinnc
I-
mow
Liz-tun +#% "Kirx/^ ir\
io Iyp6 in iisungb
BASIC running. To do this take your CP/M disc - not the Master line number. Edit the line using the cursor keys and make changes using
First gel Mallard
[DEL]. Press [RETURN] and the line will be accepted in the corrected form.
disc, but acopy - and type BASIC at the A> prompt.
BASIC has been loaded when the A> disappears and is replaced by ok. When you've finished typing the program, you should type LIST. This will

as they appear by except for the print the listing on the screen. If you want a printout type LLIST. Now, think up a
Now you're ready to type the listings line line
don't worry about using .BAS after it. The name
four figure hex numbers which appear at the end of each line; these are file name such as A:SHAKEY;
should be no longer than eight letters. To save your program, type SAVE followed
check digits.

When you've finished typing a line check it for typing errors. When you're by the filename you chose.
before this, you find a mistake The next thing to do is type RUN. If the program runs first time you're in
certain everything is correct, press [RETURN]. If,

Once you're happy, go on luck. not, don't worry happens to us all. BASIC will probably give you an error
then cursor back to it and make the correction. to If it

message with a line number. This might not be the exact line but it will narrow
the next line.

you've moved on, you can type EDIT followed by the down the search. If all else fails, read the manual.
If you spot an error after

JanuafySO 8000 PLUS 63

LISTINGS PLUS

Printer commandbar look. However even

when your menu is running and stunning

other, lazierprogrammers, the Printer bar can

still be accessed.

The program is a simple affair, involving

no machine code. It is still highly effective and
etch record Enter data Save data rated
profitable. One of the most impressive
By H M Dixon
sections is the use of ON in line 1 00. This
saves a great deal of time and space. It It might not look like much but MENUBAR is a smart way of

many subroutines which you

of the achieves the completion of a task with speed, achieving a necessary task

One will see programmers plagerising, or and some elegance.

should that be learning, from others is Of course if you wanted to include in a it Menubar. a working program you would
In
the dreaded Menu. H M Dixon's full blown program you would need to get rid exit to the subroutines which would,
program not only presents you with an of lines 200-700 as these merely include for example, Fetch data. The options
excellent menu routine it also places it along dummy 'options'. They are merely there to themselves can be changed to suit your
the bottom of the screen. This gives a pseudo give you some feel for the workings of needs by editing lines 70 and 80.

10 REM menubar. bas' by H. M. Dixon 1074

20 e$=CHR$ (27 > rv$=e$+"p" nv$=e$+"q" PRINT e$ + " O"
: : :
12D0
30 cl$=e$+"E"+e$+"H" PRINT cl$ :
OABE
40 DEF FNa$<x, y, m$> =e$+" Y"+CHR$ <32+y> +CHR$ <32+x> +m$ 143F
50 DEF FNiS<x, y, m$>=FNa$<x, y, "" >+rv$+m$+nv$: DEFINT i,k,n 1998
60 num=6:F0R i = l TO num: READ menu$ <i > NEXT ;
1559
70 DATA "Fetch record." ," Enter data", "Enter formula" 1882
80 DATA "Save data" "Print cell" "FINISH" , ,

13E6
90 GOSUB 1000: REM print main menu 1188
100 ON k GOTO 200,300,400,500,600,700 0BC4
The scene is set with reverse video, both on and off being defined. The main bar and smaller boxes are also defined in lines 40-50

200 PRINT "You chose Fetch record" END :

14B4
300 PRINT "You chose Enter data" END :
122A
400 PRINT "You chose Enter f ormula" END s 1634
500 PRINT "You chose Save data" END ;
1159
600 PRINT "You chose Print cell": END 1266
700 PRINT "You chose FINISH" END :
10F5
990 REM **** Main menu **** 0A52
The dummy options. In a real program your program would move onto the relevant sub-routine. These should be removed when incorporating
the listing.

1000 k=l 02C0

1010 PRINT e$+"f" FNi$<0,30,menu$<l>>; i
0D2F
1020 FOR i=2 TO num.- PRINT FNa$ < <i-l ) #15 30, menu$ <i ) ) NEXT , ; :
18AD
1030 a$=INKEY$: WHILE a$=" " a$= INKEYS VEND : :
11C8
1040 IF a$=CHR$<6> AND k<num THEN 1050 ELSE 1060 1382
1050 PRINT FNa$< <k-l)*15,30, menu$<k> > FNi$(k*15, 30, menuS<k+l> ) ; ; 1661
1051 k=k+l:GOTO 1030 080A
1060 IF a$=CHR$<l> AND k> 1 THEN 1070 ELSE 1080 1256
1070 PRINT FNi$<<k-2)*15,30, menu$<k-l) ) FNa$ < <k-l)*15, 30, menuS(k) ) ;
; 1884
1071 k=k-l:GOTO 1030 0816
1080 IF a$=CHR$<13) THEN PRINT: PRINT FNa$ (0 30 SPACES (90) ); e$+" e" RETURN , , :
1FE9
1090 GOTO 1030 04FD
The real work of the program is carried out here. Line 1050 erases the menu bar and restores the cursor. It will also send the program back to line 80.

FIREWORX WHICH DIDN'T

As many of you will have noticed, last month's Fireworx program was more like "DAMPSQUIB.BAS".
Our fault entirely, and like Guy Fawkes, we have suffered suitably appalling punishments. The problem
arose in line 260 which ended rather' abruptly. The line should be as follows:

READ x$:WHILE x$o"*":P0KE a,VAL("&H"+x$):a=a+1 :READx$:WEND:RETURN

Many apologies to Richard Cox and to everyone who
spent time tearing their hair out.

64 8000 PLUS January 90

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 LISTINGS PLUS

Listen up
For those readers new to these pages and as a reminder to our regulars, we would like stamped addressed padded bag or at least a sticky label suitable postage.
to make the following announcement as we head into the new decade: Now for the good news: we appreciate that even the shortest of programs has
Listings Plus is one part of the magazine which relies heavily on audience probably involved planning, writing, frustration, and intelligence before it gets near to
participation; it's got nothing to do with it being the season of pantomime. The completion. Bearing this in mind, we pay up
will to 50p per line. This is dependent on
programs which spring from Listings and find their way onto the discs like the Software the quality of the program.
Collection have nearly all come from you. So, a top quality program of 50-65 lines could net you around 30 pounds. It

In other words, we need your contributions. A slight change of policy, and the should be born in mind that no matter how your program looks,
brilliant it will tend
inclusion of The Learning Curve, wherein smaller programs will be examined as a to be the most cleanly laid out, clearly documented and concise listings which
regular feature, means that we will now accept listings up to 70 lines long; maybe even will win through.
longer if the program really makes us sit up and take notice. So, typing-in and running the two programs
I
if in this month's issue has made you
1) The program listing should be in Ascii form. eager for fame you should send your listings to the following address:
2) There should be no more than 80 characters (including spaces) per line. Listings, 8000 Plus, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AP.
3) You should include full and detailed documentation in printed form or at Finally, for those people who have already sent in work and are wondering what
least as an Ascii file. Notes of the variables and subroutines used should on earth has happened to their discs, we will be getting onto the case as soon as
be included, as should any interesting tricks you may have used. physically possible.
4) If you would like your disc to be returned, you must also enclose a Thanks for the work and please be patient. Happy New Year!

DATA, READ, RESTORE

This month we will look a little more deeply
into the role of DATA and READ, as well as

adding a third command which is RESTORE.

But before that, there is a correction to be
THE LEARNING
"Smug, self-satisfied, techno-freak"; does this phrase leap to
made to the final listing in last month's
Learning Curve.
mind when you listen to people saying things like, "But really,
As many of you might have guessed, BASIC is just soooo easy!" ?
therewere not supposed to be two line 30's. Do manuals make you wish that you had paid more attention
The second one should have been line 40! to the Applied Serbo Croatian lessons at school? Would you like
Sorry about that. Now onto this month's to kick bytes into the faces of those very technofreaks? Well, the
gobbet of knowledge.
Learning Curve might be able to help you on your way.
DATA and READ always accompany
The aim of this small section of listings is to take the mystery
each other. The fact is that they are quite
useless on their own. A out of what can be a most enjoyable hobby. For some people the
brief listing like the
following should give you a taste of what hobby really takes off and becomes a profitable sideline or even
they do. a business. We hope that within the Learning Curve things Basic
are treated in a down-to-earth fashion. you think that you could
10 READ number%,word$
If

20 PRINT "The number is" number%

make WHILEs, WENDs, HIMEMs and GOSUBs even more
straightforward, then please write to us.
30 PRINT "The word is "word$
40 DATA 100,WORD
This program should be typed into BASIC (for are 100 and WORD and 200 and WORD2) into include several lines of DATA some of which
details see the How to memory and PRINT is putting them to screen.
Type in a Listing Box were relevant to one condition and some which
in the main section). we have added several other factors.
Once you have it But were not? The only way to get READ to go
running, you will see that on the screen Type the listing into BASIC but when you where you want is to include RESTORE
it

appear the two lines "The number is 100 "and come to line 50 omit the word RESTORE. followed by a line number. If you use
"The word is WORD." Then the program When you run the program, you see that you RESTORE without a line number, it merely
ends. Now consider the following listing: are presented with a Syntax error in line 3000. directs the program pointer to the first line of
This is because the READ command in line 20 DATA in a program.
10 flag%=1 is looking for a numeric variable number% (you So, for a brief description of these
20 READ number%,word$ can tell it is a numeric variable by the % sign at commands then:

30 PRINT number%,word$ the end). What the program encounters instead DATA: always precedes a list of information
40 IF flag%=0 THEN END
is " A BLANK LINE" which is obviously not These can be alpha (words, letters or
or items.
numeric. Hence the error. BASIC will only ever even numbers such as telephone numbers
50 flag%=0:RESTORE 3000
try to do what it is told. which you don't want calculated) or numerics.
60 GOTO 20 Run the program again but this time include READ: goes to the first DATA item it finds
1000 DATA 100,WORD the whole of line 50. Quite simply what this within a program and literally reads it into
2000 DATA " A BLANK LINE" does is to add the RESTORE command. This memory where it can be accessed from the

3000 DATA 200,WORD2 tells READ to point itself at line 3000, program. It then moves onto the next item
consequently skipping the rogue line 2000. Fine unless RESTORED.
20 and 30 are exactly the same as in the first and dandy but you are probably asking "Why RESTORE: allows you to control exactly
listing. The DATA line 1000 is also the same. doesn't the idiot just get rid of line 2000?". where abouts within the program you want
What is happening is that the program is In this small example, removing READ to begin is duties. You can only point a
reading DATA items (the items in this case 2000 would work. But what if you wanted to READ command to a DATA statement.

66 8000 PLUS January 9

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Step By Step Guide to Locoscript
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 TIPOFFS

Trouble at t'printers
note the difficulty !'&04' "USER SYMBOL 4" Extra 4

Q
;

readers are having in

!'&05' "USER SYMBOL 5" ; Extra 5
sending control codes to
a Star LC 10 printer.
!'&06' "USER SYMBOL 6" ; Extra 6

Although use an Epson

I !'&07' "USER SYMBOL 7" ; Extra 7
GQ3500 laser printer with my
!'&08' "USER SYMBOL 8" ; Extra 8
9512, the example may help
some people. Of course you !'&09' "USER SYMBOL 9" ; Extra 9
need the LocoScript Printer
Driver Disc.
The hash can be any normal
To be able to send control
keyboard character so long as
codes to the printer it is
it is indicated in the printer
necessary to create a dedicated
driver file. The title can be
printer driver file, by either
any title.
altering an existing file or
Change the whole thing to
PCW into the 1990s with tipo
fake your

Can't get that first tooting in LocoScript? Feel like a tall dark
— '
creating a
To
new one.
this file simply add the
following set of lines immediately
below the initial general
ASCII ('Make ASCII
text option,
Manager
and using CHARKIT
from the Disc
[f1] in
file',

LocoScript 2)
filed to
simple

stranger in CP M? Failing to make any auld acquaintance with instructions.

group 0.
Mini Office, Mastertile, Micro Design and the rest? Then make it a As an example, using the
happy new year with Tlpoffs and enter a new age. This month ;ESCAPE BITS AND PIECES codes with an Epson FX80 dot
e-re's a tip on dates for all of us waiting to celebrate the coming
matrix printer, to set enlarged
fthe 90s from Rena Smith of Oxfordshire, white Neil Wilson of !'&1b'"HASH" 0; Extra #
characters type the following
•settwins £30 for his batch of LocoScript and other tips. !'&00' "USER SYMBOL 0" ; Extra immediately before the line to be
Send your questions and tips to 8000 Plus which pays hard printed:
I'iMV "USER SYMBOL 1" Extra 1
ash - or Its equivalent in whisky, cake and coal - to the best tips
;

ach month. We've now moved to new premises for the new !'&02' "USER SYMBOL 2" ; Extra 2
[EXTRA]#W[EXTRA]1
decade, so write to: Tipoffs, 30 Monmouth St, Bath BA11 22AP. !'&03' "USER SYMBOL 3" ; Extra 3
(that's a one, not a letter I). In

normal terms this would be sent

From now on until you type a listing' in this month's
in
Make a date switch off or reset the PCW, it listings pages).
as CHR$(27);"W";CHR$(1). To
cancel the code, type
As we all look at the calendar, knows the date. In CP/M, you Once you've done this you
here's the answer to our 'Make a can get the date and time can RUN the program at any time
- a way displayed by typing at the A> and it'll tell you the date. More [EXTRA]#W[EXTRA]0
Date' competition of
getting the date to print DATE useful is to incorporate the above
BASIC. ending with [RETURN]. lines inyour own BASIC programs (zero, not letter O). In practice the
out in

First, when you run up But if you now go into to give the date where necessary. codes seem to work best when
CP/M, insert a disc with BASIC you have to resort to a But you always have to set the they are placed at the beginning
DATE.COM on it (e.g. your CP/M listing. Rena Smith of date using DATE as above when of a line.

copy disc). Suppose the date is Ambrosden in Oxfordshire sent you start the machine up. If you wish to send a code
in what we thought was the If you set the date just before
a necessary
Christmas Day and it's four in the within line it is to

afternoon. Type at the A>
DATE 12/25/89 16:00:00
ending with [RETURN]. You
get the reply:
Strike key to set time
- so hit any key when
stroke of four.
A>date 12/31/89 23:59:80
Strike key to set tine
best date program listing and midnight, the PCW will change the insert the line spacing to zero
wins a fiver. date correctly at zero hours.
using
Having first set the date in However, you can only set dates
[+]LS0
CP/M as above, you can between Jan 1st 1978 and 31 Dec
and [ENTER] then [RETURN] at
access the date in BASIC as 1999, and the PCW takes no
theinitial change point.
it's the follows. Type and save the
in account of British Summer Time
The next line starts with the
listing below (see 'How to changes or jet-lag!
relevant number of spaces to
position the changed text in the
correct place, followed by the
The date, accessed from BASIC, as it

actual changed text ending with a

might look over the beginning of the
New Year. Note how CP/M actually does [RETURN].
Hallard-80 BASIC with Jetsan Version 1.29 take account of the change of decade as The next line starts with the
(c) Copyright 1984 Locomotive Software Ltd
midnight strikes!
All rights reserved printer cancel code followed by

31597 free bytes line space normalisation with

[-]LS
3k
run "date followed by the relevant number
1 Jan 1990
Ok ofspaces to place the text at
list
10 non=12 non*="JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec"
:
the end of altered text.
20 teld=PEEK<64500! >+(PEEK(6450lT)»256) Trial and error may be
30 year=INT(teld/36S.2S) doy=teld-INT(<year*365.25>+0.5>
:

40 uear=uear+1978: IF year/4=INT( year/4) THEN ly=l necessary, and use of phrases

50 DATA 334,304,273,243,212,181,151,120,90,59,31,©
GO READ eldy IF doy<=(eldy+y) THEN non=non-i
: GOTO 60 : can speed things up.
70 doy=doy-eldy noy*=MIM(monl, <mon»3)-2,3>
:
John Worthington.
80 PRINT dow*;doy;noy*;year
9k Sale,
Cheshire

8000 PLUS January 90 69

TIPOFFS

That bending moment Booted out written programs ignore or override some typewriter most of us started on. ..

of the CP/M features they should work with,

BMy
PCW8256 - which
only cost me £50
second hand - works jj^^
^^^
] ,. In October Tipoffs
noted that you can
auto-boot the
it is and there's no way round!

Nice touch
Screen test

HDoes anyone know how I

when
fine
switched on but as the monitor
it is first spreadsheet in Mini
Office by including the lines
F3H
fjjl
A nint for
use the thumb to press
to
touch typists is
can save the screen
a section of it) to a
{or

warms up the top quarter of the OFFICE LVVJ the [+] and [-] keys, as suitable position in

screen gradually bends further <SDD;FL HkSi these don't fall under any memory? I'd like to know how I

and further over to the left. in the PROFILE.SUB file (with the
finger but are easy to find by sliding can a section of screen after
recall
What can do? I semicolon having the effect of
the thumb along the space bar. putting a pull-down menu over it.
Lora Colver, llford, Essex pressing [EXIT]). Rev Andrew Warner, Gt C Black, Oxford
Previous tips have claimed this Bookham, Surrey
8000 PLUS: Hmm. Try fiddling with works dateabase,
similarly for the 8000 PLUS : We published a BASIC
the 'Sincro horiz' knob at the back of but it doesn't! Why not? 8000 PLUS: I'm not convinced of this listing which saves and recalls screens in

the machine -it might make a HC Sykes, Market Rasen, Lines myself, but I'm sure we'll have more issue 28 (January 1988). It only works on
difference. Otherwise you'll have to find correspondence about the problems of whole screens. But It anyone has a
a friendly TV engineer whc^can have a 8000 Plus: You're quite right, it doesn't. touch typing on a computer keyboard, BASIC routine to save a portion of the
look at it. Unfortunately some 'cleverly' (i.e. badly) which is rather more complex than the screen, we'd be glad to hear.

Six of the best

Neil Wilson of Ossett wins £30 for sending these six tips. One or two have appeared before but bear another mention!

Join the select EBtfnn'UBfc&ininTii^iiQ.'j M: group 0/LAV0UT .EG Editing layout.

When using LocoFile Merge documents Layout 1 Pil2 LSI CR+0 LPG

Hto change
from the Disc Manager
screen, don't use the
'Select
datafiles.
easier to press [EXIT], select
new
It
file'

is
option
far
'HH— iliH'HWP'IM
Group:
Drive:

Nane:
Group:
Drive:
M
group

N0NSENSE.DOC
M
group
f3=Tabs f4=Size

Shortcuts while setting layouts: pressing [+] once sets a simple tab (lite the one in column 22) at the
the new datafile with the J High quality
position of the cursor (currently at column Pressing again gives a tab
Draft quality 1 5). it left (like that in 26) again
cursors and call up LocoFile Nunber of copies: 1 gives a centre tab (see 30) and again a decimal tab (see 34). Also, pressing [SPACE] moves you
again by pressing immediately to the right margin.On a margin, [4] moves it right, [-] moves it left.
Manual
[f1]R[ENTER][ENTER]. Automatic
The 'select new file' option 2. Pressing [+] will place a simple sex$="F" THEN x=1 ELSE PRINT
apparently insists on moving the
| tab at the position of the cursor; "Don't be silly":GOTO 150
Yc u can jump straight down to 'Automatic on
Disc Manager's file cursor to the pressing it again makes it a right but you can split them up making
this menu by pressing [SHIFT] and down a rrow
first group on drive A, even when
tab; again makes a centre tab; it them easier to read by putting new
there's no disc in the drive - again makes a decimal tab;
it lines with [ALT]J at appropriate

usually a long way from your last On the menu again makes a simple tab, and
it places. You can move up and down
datafile selection.
so on. the lines while editing using the up

If you use LocoFile from Pressing [SHIFT] and the down 3. Pressing [-] on a tab marker and down arrow keys
arrow in any LocoScript menu will delete it.
within LocoScript the same
problem occurs. Fortunately moves the cursor immediately to 4. The [TAB] key will move you User groups
the bottom, [SHIFT] with the up along to the next tab marker on
there is a way you can make
arrow to the top. the ruler line.
your datafile instantly available To select a user group in CP/M (the
This is useful in menus where 5. The [SPACE] key moves you
for use.Before starting work equivalent of a group in LocoScript)
you can't select by pressing the to the right margin.
on the document, 'Run LocoFile' just type the number followed by a
first letter (in which, for Unfortunately there seems no colon, e.g.
on the required datafile and
example, after pressing [EXIT] in a way to move automatically to the
come straight out again. Now 12:
document you can jump straight left margin!
the next time 'Run LocoFile' is and [RETURN]. Add a drive if

away to 'Abandon Edit' just by required, for example

used from within LocoScript it
pressing the letter A). Examples IF line too long 8m:
will automatically call up this

datafile.
might be selecting 'Automatic THEN... [RETURN].
merge' in 'Merge documents',
miner Kite, using choosing 'Print part of document' When writing a BASIC program,
Page 1 lin in the print menu and so on. lines like this can be difficult to
No tipping but
read: pleading
tie cauiesm > Layout on me
latlock, bu inue
1 60 IF sex$="M" THEN x=0 ELSE IF When copying discs, always flip the
he only ti Save and Print
LocoScript 2's layout editor has a write-protect tab on the source disc
Mrs Thatch Abandon edit
barking na number of short cuts. You get into (i.e. the one you're copying from).
160 IF sex$="H" THEN x=0
off 'er trolle te, howeverf the layout editor while editing a This stops you losing any data
1 ELSE IF sex$="F" THEN x=l
ntil the word eg is conple
document by pressing [f2] and ELSE PRINT "Don't be silly" :G0T0 150 you should put the wrong disc in
if

Pressing A selects 'Abandon Edit'; S selects leave it with [EXIT]. I thewrong drive when copying in a
'Save and Continue'; S then P selects 'Save 1 . Pressing [+] while on either of number of parts using DISCKIT or
and Print', This works for any menu. That's
the margins will move the margin LocoScript, which ruins both discs
why they're in capitals! Splitting up those lines using [ALT]J
to the right, and [-] to the left. pretty effectively!

8000 PLUS January 90 70

 TIPOFFS

selecting 'Codes' with the

Column bind Double checking [+]

key). Then go to the start of the

easy to forget to document and type
WpTM wish to produce my want to record the in and It's

H
1 I

outgoings as they come and cancel italic and bold [+]RV

[gJk] domestic accounts in two in

IwJ columns - an IN column get the totals done commands. A

have that
that doesn't
(+ltalic) then [DOC] and
into reverse video. However,
all the text is put

and OUT column, with

it
BfcfcS automatically at the end of the
month. Is there an easy way on document!
(-Italic) ruins the doesn't reverse out the (+ltalic)
totals worked out automatically,
my 951 2? But LocoScript users have and (-Italic) commands
like this:
Bernard Wilkie, an easy way to check the themselves - making easier it to
DATE ITEM/ IN OUT commands are cancelled. First see if there's an uncancelled
Coulsdon,
DETAILS make sure the (+ltalic) and command somewhere.
Surrey
1.10.89 Rates 148.00 are turned on Rev Andrew Warner, Gt
(-Italic) codes etc.
2.10.89 Payment 120.00
(using [f8] 'Options' while editing, Bookham, Surrey
8000 PLUS: I'm sure some kind soul
3.10.89 Materials 20.00
out there can knock up suitable
4.10.89 Tax rebate 11.50
LocoMail routine tor you. A liver to the while the (+Italic) final (-Italic) work Shostakovich
wrote uas Opus 147, (+Italic)Sonata {or Viola
TOTALS 131.50 168.00 best solution. and Piano(-Italic). However his final (tltalic)nessage
is generally taken to be Opus 14S,
the (tltalic)Suite on verses by
Michaelangelo(-Italic) a work which ,

undoubtedly expresses, albeit in

Paper chase Compatibility problems characteristically cryptic forn, the
sentinents that the cowposer wished Wmffi-''''-, iHH
to leave behind hin.f

have a large name

SWhen using continuous
paper, a sheet is
SI and address list on an
leapijuhile the B
wrote uas Opus H
^and Pi an oM
wasted between two
documents if you have
old database called
DataGem. Is there any
way can use the data from this
K is
!is genera
general
'
the [OlEUDlSuite on verse
( i nhaelailjelnfatniiar
undoubtedly expresses,
characteristically crt
to rip off the first before printing

1
I

sentinents that the ct

the second, as the second in another database such as to leave behind h

needs a leading page. LocoFile without having to re- That missing 'italic off command is easier to spot in the version below

If you begrudge this waste type the whole lot?

of paper, keep on your discs a Alan Wood,
Epsom, Surrey For example, you might have For the first format, for
few documents you always need
- memo slips, compliment slips, quote marks round each item of example, go to the start of the
DataGem was written information, commas separating document and convert all " marks
small forms and so on. You can 8000 PLUS:
them, and a new line for each to nothing automatically, then go
have several to a page. inBASIC and so should store the
person; or each item might have back to the start of the document
Then you can print a page of names and addresses in a fairly
recoverable way. The general no quotes, new lines separating and convert all commas to
these out as the last page of your
method of getting any data from each item, or whatever. [RETURNJs, then all
first document. Tear off all but the
4. What you want for LocoFile is [RETURN]{RETURN]s to the new
last page. You thus have your a database into LocoScript or
as tohave each item of information page marker, [ALT][RETURN],
first document intact and have LocoFile is follows.
manual to see on a separate line and a page and so on.
left the sheet of memos and so Check through the
if your database has an 'Export'
break between each person. Use 5. When the new file is in the
on as the leading sheet for the
the [EXCH] key to do the required format, save it and use it
second document. When you or 'ASCII' option.
has - Masterfile, Mini conversion. as the LocoFile data file.
print this,you can rip off the If it

leading sheet of memo slips, print Office Professional, Datastore II

another sheet of memo slips as and so on do - you're laughing. group O/Dfll'fl 7IS" Editing text. Printer idle. Osii
-ayout. 1 Piia LSI CR+0 LP6 Page
the last sheet, and so on. Follow the manual to create an unlit f1=^tu]p e f7=Spell f8

John Boyd, Ealing, export file, or ASCII file, on a disc ith'V John\ "23 Letsby' Avenue" "Kirk Stephens" ."Surrey'V
',

and call it say DATA.DBS. "Jones". "Dr Marie", "6 Seely HalkV'Stokeley Carnichael","Hants"v
West London "Davies*,"Mike","l3 High St","","Bath'V
If it hasn't, try making a mail "Broun", "Eric", ''Ml Short St*, "Whitney Houston", "Oxon'V

merge file or something (you do

Mouse trap this in Mini Office, for example)
How your database data might look just after inserting it into LocoScript (stage 3)

Here's a tip for those of this name with all the

S The
ports AO
trying to
mouse
programs.
AMX mouse
use the
with their

uses input
to A7, but only the first
AMX
own
information
each name.
you want for

1. Run up LocoScript as usual.

Put the data disc in the drive

which holds the database file
three are necessary to drive the you want put into LocoScript.
mouse. The numbers returned from Create an empty document
these ports correspond to changes called say DATA.LS on the M EXCH putting one name to a line by changing commas to RETURNS (middle bit of stage 4)

drive in group 0. group 7E5 Editing text. Printer idl

in the mouse's position or the O/DfiTfl
LSI CR+O LP6
2. In DATA.LS, select 'insert text'
button state.
{[ft] in Loco 2, [f7] in Loco 1) and Sn i the
Port A0 concerned with
is

vertical movement; if the mouse is

move the cursor over the file
John*1
23 Letsby Avenues
Kirk Stephens**
BKMSflBNi
moved up, the value of the port is
from the database that holds the Surrey!
increased by 1 , whereas if it is
names and addresses,
DATA.DBS. Dr Maries
moved down, the value is 6 Seely Halkf
3. You should see the
Stokeley Carnichaelt1
increased by 16. Hants?
After 1 6 successive
information being inserted into Davies*1
the new file. Depending on the HIkM>
movements in one direction, the 13 High SW
value returns to what was it the first way it came over - ASCII, mail
time the mouse was moved
merge, or just a straight data file
^^^ - will be in varying formats.
Your database file can now be used in LocoMail or LocoFile (stage 5)

that way. (If the value was /^-^ it

71 8000 PLUS January 90

 ENHANCED, GREATLY ASTROLOGY for beginners
Teach yourself astrology using your Amstrad
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The fully-featured LocoScript Buy a Starter Pack comprising a simple program to calculate a
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Easier to use, more powerful, (how to interpret the horoscope).
same price .
ONLY £12.50 No previous knowledge required
For ALL Amstrads (CPC, PCW, PC, PPC)
Ansiblelndex PLUS will index Payment by Access I Visa, Cheque, P.O. Please state make of
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documents: details of our wide range of programs for PROFESSIONAL
* Words and phrases ASTROLOGERS including complete natal interpretations and
* Inverted phrases forecasting.
* Headings and
sub-headings Also I CHING, GRAPHOLOGY, BIORHYTHMS, etc.
* Themes
and sub-themes
* Choice of
automatic alphabet sorting
ASTROCALC
(Dept 8000) 67 Peascroft Road, Hemel Hempstead,
We include an improved version of Check fast LocoScript . . .

Herts HP3 8ER England. Tel: 0442 51809

word counter. Counts a whole document, several in one go . . .

or just a small section of text. (Also available separately.)

And the dreaded Grease is more fiendish than ever . .

We also supply A.I.Q. the Amstrad PCW random text

. .
Price: £29.95 31/2" DISK DRIVE, £94.94
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ANSIBLE INFORMATION
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V\[ezv JLozu 'Prices

ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT & 1 st CLASS DELIVERY
CF2-3 DISCS £19.95 LOCOFILE
Hitch Hikers Guide £18.50
I All branded and 100% Certified
8256/8512
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Locomail 2
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Catch 23 £16.95 Bridge Player 2150 Galactica...£22.95
Maxell CF2 Double Sided for Single Drive Locoscript + LocospelL C. £29.95
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Pawn
- £22.95 .£68.50 II

Ingrids Back £11.95 £18 50 >™.

Amsoft CF2 Double Sided for Single Drive
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Clock Chess '89 £15.50 Starglider £18.50
Bridge Player 2000 with Tutor. .£12. 50
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Ski ClimbCavern Colin
£15.50
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Matchday £11.95
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II

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PCW 8256/8512 Colour Fabric
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 TIPOFFS

32, would be 47 after 15 moves

it of space.
printout - so don't align. However,
up, and one more would return it to Users of the Kempston Incredible but true
because of screen limitations, they all

32). Port A1 is similar; a movement mouse can use a similar

I am at a loss in appear identical widths, and therefore tine
to the right causes an increase of technique based on ports DO
a movement to the to D4, which is described
'JAi resolving this fault up. on screen.
1 ,

of 16. Port A2
left

returns the button

increase
full in the current Tipoffs
in
IVJ
i^kS
printing documents,
which sometimes come
The easy answer is
the offending
to

document and set it back

go to the top of

to
state, which must be ANDed with 7 collection' book.
out not lined up properly. have I 12 pitch by typing [+JP12 at the start.
to give a number in the range to Now when you print out
replaced the keyboard and it'll be OK.
7 which tells you which buttons if AMX Mouse Button Values
monitor under guarantee, my However, the proper way to line
any are pressed. Left button only 6
PCW is fitted with a surge things up is to use tabs - then it doesn't
To demonstrate, here's a short Right button only 3
protector. I shall be exchanging matter if you're using proportional
BASIC listing. It prints a letter on Middle button only 5
the complete system on spacing. Suppose you want something
the screen, changing the letter with Left and Right buttons 2
guarantee including the program aligned at column 56. At the start of the
button presses and moving the Leftand Middle buttons 4
discs. Could it be a virus? document, press [f2] and select 'Change
letter on screen as the mouse is Middle and Right buttons 1
CliveWoodrow, layout'. Move the cursor to column 56
moved around. Allthree buttons
Southampton and press [+]. (EXIT] to the main
In a proper program you'd No buttons 7
document. Now, when you press [TAB]
check that the letter is positioned
8000 PLUS: LocoScript is always aligned you'll automatically be positioned at
within the screen, but these C Black,
Before you exchange anything else, have column 56, whatever the pitch, and any
have been left out here because Oxford them
look at the document. I bet you're trying to items with a tab in front of will all

align everything by inserting spaces. In line up nicely on printout.

the first version, you're using 12 pitch so a The trouble with the current virus
10 DEF FNat$(x,y)=CHR$(27)+"Y"+CHR$(32+y)+CHR$(32+x) scam people tend blame
space equals exactly one character, is that to
20 PRINT CHR$(27)"E"CHR$(27)"H" everything on viruses. They just don't do
meaning everything lines up on screen
30 chrnum%=0 and printout things like this: they destroy data or
40 DIM port%(3) In the second, you're using corrupt files or discs, but none has ever
50x=40:y=15 proportional spacing, in which all the been found on the PCW. The chances of
60 PRINT FNat$(x,y)CHR$(chrnum%) characters have different widths on a living' virus are realty non-existant
70GOSUB100
80 GOTO 60
GROCERIES PRICE LIST.
90 END
100 v=INP(&HA0) h=INP(&HA1) b=INP(&HA2) AND 7
: :
Iceberg Lettlce 0.69
" VEGTABILES:
110 IF voport%(1) THEN PRINT FNat$(x,y)" Carrots £0.24/ lb
120 IF ABS (port%(1)-v) < 16 THEN y=y-1 ELSE y=y+1 Green Peppers £0.85/lb
Tomatoes £0.79/lb
130port%(1)=v
" Vhale Cucumber 0.52
140IF hoport%(2) THEN PRINT FNat$(x,y)" 0.42
Vatercress
150IF ABS (port%(2)-h) < 16 THEN x=x+1 ELSE x=x-1 0.48
Celery
160port%(2)=h Avocados £0.49 each
170 IF boport%(3) THEN chrnum%=b+65 : port%(3)=b
Satsumers £0.64/ lb
180 RETURN FRUIT:
Bananas £0.52/lb

GROCERIES PRICE LIST.

Odd tip
VEGTABILES: Iceberg Lettlce 0.69
LocoScript users have only 10 blocks available. Carrots £0.24/lb

E no easy way
outodd and even
pages separately
(thus allowing both sides of the
paper to be used when printing
to print
5. [EXIT] the current document
and return to the disc

6. Create a new document

manager.
Green Peppers
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Vhole Cucumber
Vatercress
Celery
£0.85/lb
£0.79/lb
£1.15/lb
0.52
0.42
0.48
out on continuous paper wth whose names ends in .ODD Avocados £0.49 each.
the resultng document coming
7. [PASTE] in pages 1,3,5 FRUIT: Satsumers £0.64/lb
out 'book fashion').
etc. by pressing you find this happening to your documents, don't blame LocoScript!
But you can achieve the
If

effect as follows. [PASTE]1[PASTE]3etc.

1 Go to the start of the
page of the .ODD file (page 1 of even pages from then on are printed.
document by pressing 8. [EXIT] to the disc manager,
the real document). Similarly . the command prints
[ALT][SHIFT][DOC]. saving of course, and create a
just the odd ones. You can print the
document whose name ends in
The only problem is with page document with the first command at the
2.Press [COPY] and then .EVN, into which are pasted
numbers, which have to be put in top. To achieve this feat you will have to
[PAGE] and then [COPY] again. pages 2, 4, 6 etc.
manually. reverse the paper, replace the first

[EXIT] and print out the .ODD PE Tew, command by the second, and print again.
3. Save page 1 as block 1 by 9.
Newark, Your pages are all numbered
pressing 1 file as normal.
Notts correctly for you of course.

You can even make sure that the

4. Repeat stages 2-3 until all 10. When finished, reverse the
8000 PLUS: Users of the amazingly next new page in any document will start
the pages are saved under the paper in the printer and print
versatile Protext word processor already on an even (or odd you would prefer it
same numbered block. A out the .EVN file so that the if j

have the abiility to print just odd or even page -in the case where all your
document of more than 10 first page of the .EVN file which (

pages automatically. chapters are all to start on right hand

pages will have to be done in ispage 2 of the real document)
ten page chunks as there are goes on the back of the first The command ensures that only the pages for example.

73 8000 PLUS January 90

 ADVANTAGE Postage &
VAT Included
HOW TO BUY
Order with confidence, by phone using your Access
or Visa card or send cheque, PO or Eurocheque to:-
• The BEST Public Domain Software
Advantage, 56 Bath Road,
• Specially Adapted for the PCW

•roi-b v • Easy Start-Up Full Instructions

-

• Fast Despatch - First Class

Cheltenham, GL53 7HJ

0242 224340 Fax 0242 226755

WORD-SPREAD-BASES
WORD PROCESSOR £5.95 Powerful WordStar-like editor with full
block operations, windowing, automatic horizontal scroll, macro
functions, word-wrap, formatting, pagination, find/replace,
pagination, undelete and many user options.
SPREADSHEET £5.95 For home accounts, mortgage repayments,
business transactions. 60 rows by 26 columns, menu-driven, enter
text, numeric value or calculation. Print facility.
DATABASE £5.95 Relational database with reports generator. Uses
free format query language with macros and commands plus on-line
help. A good introduction to the concept of databases. Comes with a
useful Inventory Database.
KEYBASE II £5.95 A commercial menu-driven database released as world of Artificial Intelligence. Printed documentation supplied with the disc.
Shareware register with the author for the full version. 15 fields and
-
128 records out of 32000 more than enough to set up a simple
-
database. Ideal for cataloguing collections. "Well designed, simple to
use and it works" 8000 Plus
- and sound,
HOME & BUSINESS
PROGRAMMING GAMES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
THE Z80 PROGRAMMER £5.95 Convert your own Assembler file into a PIT YOUR WITS £5.95 Pit your wits against the computer with
executable machine code .COM program. Includes Z80 Disassembler.
fully Chess, Othello, MasterMind. Rubik's Cube, Spellit. Stone (Awari),
Z80 Debugger. Z80 Library. 8080 Disassembler, Z80 to 8080 Translator TicTacTo and Word Search puzzles generator.
and associated utilities. FUN & GAMES £5.95 A selection of popular classics; Pacman,
THE C PROGRAMMER £5.95 C for Yourself what C programming is like. Space Invaders. Maze Game, Hungry Snake, Pressup. Ping-Pong,
A practical and useable version of C which produces .COM programs. Return to Arg, Game of Life. Bugs and Golf.
Includes source code and documentation. AMUSEMENTS AND DIVERSIONS £5.95 Packed with over 30 games
THE PASCAL PROGRAMMER £10.95 A completely operational Pascal including Startrek, Lunar Lander, Pilot, Merchant, Baseball. Football.
compiler which compiles to executable .COM programs. With sample Horses, Civil War, Craps. Baccarat. Chase, Spies.
programs and extensive documentation. (2 DISC SET) COLOSSAL CAVE ADVENTURE £5.95 The one that started it all!
PROLOG 80 £5.95 This powerful interpreter offers a good introduction to the An extensive and challenging adventure game. Features
game
save and re-load. Also "BESTIARY" specially written for the PCW.
THE LISP PROGRAMMER £5.95 Why not find out more about this PCW CHALLENGE £5.95 Four entertaining cult games from
fascinating Artificial Intelligence interpreter. Plenty of on-disc Nemesis The Trial of Arnold Blackwood.
- Arnold Goes To Somewhere
documentation.
Else. The Wise And Fool Of Arnold Blackwood. Brawn Free.
GOING FORTH £5.95 A comprehensive FORTH compiler which produces TRTVIA QUIZ £5.95 Multi-choice game with graphics
executable programs with documentation and utilities.
competitive scoring and plenty of questions. Suitable for all ages.
C TOOLBOX £5.95 See some practical examples of C at work with this "Guaranteed completely trivial"
disc full of C source code examples. Each program is accompanied by the LOGO LOGIC
8000 Plus. -

£5.95 Six educational programs specially written

THE DESKMASTER £5.95 A suite of programs comprising a Desk- corresponding executable .COM programs.
for DR-LOGO (supplied with all PCW's) AIRLINER. ANAGRAM,
:-
Top Appointments Calendar, Calculator, Memo-writer, Card-file
Database, Label Printer, Home Accounts, Mortgage Calculator, MIX C COMPILER £33.95 HANGMAN, UFO HUNTER, LOGO-DRAW and MUSIC PRINTER.
Weather Forecaster and UNERASE for the M drive. Thousands of satisfied users agree that this is the best FUN WITH GRAPHICS £5.95 DRAWING program plots lines.
HOME VIDEO £5.95 Keep track of your video collection with this floating point C compiler for the PCW. MIX C is supplied with points, boxes, four Pill patterns. BIO-MORPH - fascinating graphic
an extensive manual and tutorial plus examples. demonstration of natural selection. README - program to display
purpose built program. Offers four Sort Options and Forms
ADVANTAGE MIX any text file in double width. 45 character format.
Management System for printing out the data in order of title £44.95
number, video number, global alphabetic or unique.
HOME INVENTORY/HOME INSURANCE £5.95 Record your assets
This amazing value for money package offers all the items
you need to write your own programs in C - MLX C compiler,
DO IT YOURSELF
and their value eg. for contents insurance, monitoring your spending, Text Editor. Source code for the Tutorial, Graphics Library COMPLEAT UTILITIES £5.95 NEWSWEEP gives you one-key CP/M
valuing your stamp collection, simple stock taking. and the MIX Assembler Utility. (Items also available functions, disc and file housekeeping much easier. SUPERZAP
makes
LETAFONT £5.95 Fed up with the characters on your PCW screen? separately) files and discs, unerasing etc. DISCKITA
Sector editor for modifying
With Letafont you can see a wide variety of new ones, change the look NEVADA COBOL COMPILER £33.95 178k data formal and 5 1/4" second drive formatting.
disc formatter-
of programs, print out text in different styles and alter any of the 16 Very popular with colleges, Nevada Cobol offers one step MAKE. CLEANUP. LOOKAT, UNERASE, DIRECTORY CHECK. FILE
fonts provided using the LETA-EDIT program - design your own compile and run, fast programming for commercial and home SPLITTER. PASSWORD PROTECTION. SCRAMBLER.
character set! applications. Printed manual supplied. TEXT PROCESSING £5.95 Print file (eg Spreadsheet) SIDEWAYS.
KERMIT & FRIENDS £5.95 for data transfer between computers NEVADA PASCAL COMPILER £33.95 ALPHABETIC SORT. WORD COUNT for text AND Locoscript, WSCLEAN.
(local and remote), access to databases, bulletin boards, Viewdata, A good low-cost one-step compile and run language which CALENDAR GENERATOR. SPELLING CHECKER. SCORING CARD
Prestel. Kermit. UkModem7, MEX & Comms utilities. offers sequential or indexed file I/O and trace-style Generator. BANNER Printers. TYPEWRITER EMULATOR.
STD CODEBOOK £5.95 Text files containing lists of all the UK debugging. Printed manual supplied. DISC ORGANISATION £5.95 CATALOGUE your discs. LU
STD codes and corresponding exchange names. Listed in NEVADA FORTRAN COMPILER REDUCED TO JUST £13.95 LIBRARY UTILITIES for archiving. FILE DATING system "
numeric order of STD codes and alphabetical exchanges. Adheres closely to the ANSI X3.9 standard with some 1977 SQUEEZE and UNSQUEEZE for space saving.
NUMBER CRUNCHER £5.95 does for calculations what a word extensions Two pass assembler, random I/O file, function INSTA-MENU Now you have menu presentation similar to
processor does for text. The mathematian's toolbox has 15 sig.fig. library and runtime error reports. With printed manual. Locoscript for your CP/M programs. Simple program selection,
accuracy, complex formulae. %, log, trig functions, fixed or * ADVANTAGE ALSO STOCK copy, view, print out. Easy access to all user areas. The ideal
floating point. Plenty of menus and on-screen help. THE HISOFT RANGE OF QUALITY PRODUCTS "front end" for all your discs.

HOTEL from CAVALIER SOFTWARE

MAKE THEIR STAY A with our comprehensive HOTEL,
RESTAURANT & ACCOUNTS System.
PLEASURE FOR YOU
- Designed for Small Hotels, Inns
or Guest Houses using the PCW.

HOTEL HOTEL+ DINER you operate a

INTACT
Complete the package
A complete booking and Extend Hotel to Include If
billing system for the a database of previous restaurant or room with our comprehensive
small Hotel, Inn or service In your Hotel, accounts system. A full
guests from which you
Guest House. either for guests or nominal ledger with
can produce mall shot
passing trade, then balance sheet, profit
labels. Link DINER to
Everything needed at auomatlcally update by DINER will allow you to and loss accounting and
your reception desk for not only produce trading accounts, Cash
room number. Newspaper
the efficient operation restuarant menus, but Accounting and Bank
allocation and billing
of your also to bill your reconciliation. Full
business. by room and phone call
Bookings, confirmations customers and guests. open Item sales and
recording. All added
and deposits. Room When linked to HOTEL by purchase ledger and of
seamlessly to HOTEL.
allocation/registration HOTEL PLUS It will course a comprehensive
and when your guests automatically update range of audit and VAT
leave a fully Itemised To operate this part of the guests bill with reports.
bill and the system you must any charges Incurred.
payment
receipt.
have as least 512K and Again this package
two disc drives operates on any PCW
This option operates on
Operates on any PCW any PCW computer computer.
computer

£9995 £5995 £59-95 £74-95

Another specialist product from Cavalier Software 8, Lausanne Road
(All prices include VAT and delivery in the U.K.) London SE15 2HU

EE3 Tel 01 -639

'.
6683 for more details or to place your order \^\
 GOOD SOFTWARE GUIDE
These pages provide a guide to the best software around
for the Amstrad PCW. Published in three monthly parts,
this time it's the turn of Spreadsheets, Games and
Graphics to face the ultimate test. We've set out to test
every piece of software we could lay our hands on, and to
give you enough information to decide which program is
the one you might be looking for.

The selection isn't comprehensive, but the software

listed here represents what we think is the best of that
currently available. As well as a brief summary of what
they do, there are the main Plus and Minus points for each
program - Pluses have a A by them, Minuses a T.
Most of the packages mentioned throughout this guide
should run on all three models of the PCW - unless, of
course, we have stated otherwise.

Mini Office is a suite of five integrated programs

- Comprehensive range of calculation functions available

database, word processor, graphics moduie, comms A Screen can be split into 2 windows

package, and a very good spreadsheet. Broadly similar to

T Spreadsheet is limited by memory size
T No graphical output facilities
SuperCalc in operation with usual features of auto or
manual recalculation, replicating of rows/columns, powerful
range of arithmetic functions etc. Printout is a strong
point - rows/columns can be put into italic/bold etc, and prints First Calc
draft, NLQ or even sideways! Can't sort and can't just save Minerva Systems • 0392 437756
£29.95 •

data or structure of a spreadsheet, but maximum size of

If a database replaces an address
book, spreadsheet is claimed to be 320k. You can use the data Touted as a quick and simple to use program for the beginner,
this is nevertheless quite a powerful spreadsheet, with a large
then a spreadsheet replaces the back of from a spreadsheet in the graphics module directly. The
capacity, ability to replicate formulae, export etc. Really it's

an old envelope. It is really an electronic manual is, however, pretty useless.

not vastly more user-friendly than the rest but a good value
piece of paper which allows you to jot PLUSES • MINUSES package all the same.

down numbers, juggle them around and

Good, full-featured easy to use spreadsheet PLUSES MINUSES •

analyse the cost benefits of a situation.

Vital for businesses, spreadsheets can
be useful to home users too: if you want
a bank loan you will find that
your bank manager a spreadsheet print-
out of your living expenses answers a lot
Prints in draft, NLQ or even sideways
Maximum size of spreadsheet 320k A lot of program for the m^ne
Can transfer data directly to graphics module Good tutorials with demo fift
Can drive 24-pin printouts Simpleto use but reasonably sophisticated
showing
'Save' options not as versatile as SuperCalc Not much easier to use than more powerful packages
Program is limited by the memory capacity of the PCW
400
(300 - filled cells)

of questions! Cracker turbo

A spreadsheet has a grid of
typical £49.95 • Paperback Software • 0245 265017
Pocket CalcStar
rows and columns. This grid forms a A spreadsheet designed with advanced calculating power
£39.95 • Davis Rubin Associates • 0386 853610
screenful of cells identified by their col- firmly in mind, including statistical functions. The screen
A spreadsheet but with a few surprising fea-
umn and row numbers, e.g. A3, K36 etc. layout is totally defined by the user, and cell value fairly traditional

calculations can almost be full programs, eg DO ... WHILE. tures. It's not particularly large or fast, but is attractively priced
Each cell can contain a simple number, Itmight prove too complex if all you want is simple spread- and has all the basic functions. Can form part of an integrated
some text to make
the page easier to sheet operations. The screen messages are very helpful system with the other Pocket products. A safe buy for the

read, or a formula the spreadsheet

telling though. Turbo is claimed to be faster than CrackerJJhough first-time user, and the documentation is up to the usual high

sometimes isn 1 noticeably so.

\* MicroPro standards.
to work out a number using values from ^****iZi
elsewhere. The power of spreadsheets is PLUSES MINUSES •
fQ fN***!. PLUSES MINUSES
in this last category, formulae. You can
Can cope with very comple^ Good range of mathematical calculation functions.
make a cell's value depend on the value Flexible screen format defined by the user Good documentation - sections for beginners and
of cellsabove it, or to the left of it, and On-screen prompts are very clear reference.

thisvalue is then automatically updated if Graphs/charts can be automatically produced You can preset a course of cells to visit, for form filling.
Documentation is large, but obscure and confusing A Can be integrated with other Pocket products,
changes are made to the other cells. You've got to do a lot of work just to get started eg ReportStar
So how do you choose between the T Very complex for quick, simple applications T Screen size is very small - 10-15 spreadsheet rows,.

various spreadsheets? One difference is Needs some programming skills to get the most out of it No auto-recalculate facility

Free workspace is on the small side (1 7k) although memory It's not very fast
sheet size, i.e. the number of cells you is used efficiently T You can't type heading text etc. over adjacent columns
are allowed to work with. You'll need a
few hundred for home use, and 1000 or
more for business use. Another area is SuperCalc 2
the range of formulae that you can use
- 091 567 3395
£49.95 • Amsoft/Sorcim •

all spreadsheets allow simple column and endorsed by Amstrad.

The best selling spreadsheet, officially
row totalling, but with some you can get SuperCalc 2 broadly similar to Scratchpad Plus and at

M
is ,

complex statistical analyses too. As with least as effective, but it has a smaller workspace and is less

about the allowed spreadsheet dimensions.

software, think very carefully what you
flexible
all
You can store sequences of commands f
You can use a graphics package to cre-
will need before choosing. calculations.
ate and store diagrams and drawings on
PLUSES MINUSES •
i&tt disc, to be amended, adjusted or printed
Mini Office A Excellent manual - sections for beginners and experts. out at will.
Stores commands tb run from files
There are three main types of graphics
Professional Plus "Data Interchanged allows you to transfer spreadsheet data
to other applications package: art, technical drawing and
£49.95 • Database Software • 0625 878888

75 8000 PLUS January 90

 GOOD SOFTWARE GUIDE
graph plotting programs. In art packages It's easy to ring the changes with the five fonts provided The full title is 'All you ever wanted to know about graphics, the
on this poster program because you can have either solid or universe and everything on PCW 8256/8512 ... but were afraid
the emphasis on designs and pictures, is
hollow characters one of six patterns. Very good value
in for to ask PLUS' Phew. A wide range of little programs to do
with freehand drawing facilities, a selec- money but best for the occasional poster producer. graphic things on the PCW like smooth scrolling, defining win-

tion of pretty text fonts and a variety of dows, moving sprites around. The programs are written in
PLUSES MINUSES •
assembler, with the source code provided if you want to see
patterns to fill areas with. These are how to program them for yourself and adapt the routines.
Its really good value for money.
made much more effective and easier to
You can freely mix fonts and styles PLUSES • MINUSES
use if you have a mouse. The print commands are contained in a file which you have
to create yourself.
Technical drawing packages concen- A Wide range of useful functions
No warning if the poster is too big for the paper.
Can be used from BASIC, machine code, or other language
trate on shapes, such as squares and
The assembler source code is supplied
polygons, lines and labels. Finally graph Inexpensive

plotters will take your data and turn them Lightning BASIC Good manual
CP don't mind you using their routines in programs you sell
into bar charts, pie charts and so on. £24.95 • CP Software • 0993 823463 A bit long-winded to use from BASIC
9512 owners will have to buy a dot matrix A very clever add-on to normal Basic which works on
No easy way of loading just the routines you want

printer to do all this, of course. three levels. The first contains all the everyday commands,

whilst the second and third levels are used for designing
icons, characters
or everyone, whether
and sprites. There is something in it
an experienced Basic programmer
VIDI PCW
Lightpen/ Mouse art or a beginner. £79.95 Rombo Productions • 0506 414631
£79.95 or £129.95 • Electric Studio • 0462 834864 A very similar package to the Electric Studio digitiser; not much
PLUSES MINUSES •
choose between the
—a to two. Rombo's works with the Fleet
Ostensibly you are buying a piece of hardware
pen, or a mouse, that can be used with many PCW
light

Simple and easy to use

*w0- Street Editor, Electric Studio's with Newsdesk International.

graphics programs, like DR Draw. In practice, its main use is Makes simple Basic programs look really
PLUSbb MINUSES •
with the software that comes with it, a very good picture professional
drawing package. You can freehand draw, get airbrush Good fun to use
Text can be inserted from,
effects, create polygons and circles, and move blocks of T Documentation can be unclear 16 levels of shading
pixels. Great fun. Printed output is coarse draft quality
Can print images to screen*
Can only cope with simple graphics T Unhelpful manual
PLUSES • MINUSES

Light pen hardware is

Can use freehand pen or cursor keys for accuracy

a simple plug-in module
Complement Fonts Video Digitiser
Menu selections are easy to understand
Full

spraying
range of functions for area filling, shading and & Borders A
£99.95 • Electric Studio • 0462 834864
black box which plugs onto the expansion port at the back of
£12.50 • Dragonfly Designs • N/A
A Blocks of pixels can be moved and copied the PCW, into which you put a video camera or video recorder.
You would need to know your way around CP/M to use the Although can be used with all the main DTP packages, this
it It will then 'digitise ' the picture it receives and display iton the
lightpen itself with other graphics programs latest complement disc was designed to work alongside Stop screen. The result can be used as a normal graphic in any of
Items on the screen are purely pixels, not distinct Press. The 1 1 fonts supplied on the disc show consistent good the desktop publishing packages and can be edited, cut, etc.
elements design and artistic flair and are easily loaded.
No positioning of items by numeric co-ordinates for PLUSES • MINUSES
accuracy. PLUSES MINUSES -

Automatically picks a good contrast level for the display

The fonts provide a very professional finish. Can store pictures for Light Pen or Mouse to work on later
possible to rotate and reverse elements. Can out on a A4 page
Master Paint It is

Very user-friendly.
print

Can't take simple

full

TV signals - video only

£19.95 • Database Software* 0625 878888 T Setting up borders tends to be difficult and time-consuming. When used a desktop publiscation, won't be as good as
in

T Printed output could be better {but it is still screened photographs

A WIMP environment graphics package (windows, icons above average).
menus, and pointer) which will run with Kempston, AMXor
Electric Studio mice. Usual facilities for drawing curved or
straight lines, polygons, boxes, circles and ellipses, and a
host of and eraser facility, plus
Signwriter

Gam^s
'fill' patters. 'Undo' function
the ability to zoom in on a part of the picture. £29.95 • Wight Scientific • 01 858 2699

Offers the widest range of features of any of the poster

PLUSES MINUSES •
printing programs. Signwriter provides a range of 20 fonts,

WIMP environment makes it easy to use some of them very imaginative. Ideal for posters.

Zoom function lets you fine-tune your pictures

Good range of effects PLUSES -MINUSES
Undo and erase facilities Academy (Tail Ceti II)
Text fonts are boring You can redesign fonts and design your own symbols.
A wide range of interesting fonts is available
£19.95 • CRL (01 533 2918) • 8000s only
Can't move large blocks with the copy function
Not very user-friendly. 77?e sequelto Tau Ceti. To quality as an advanced skimmer
T Font design is slow. pilot, you must complete successfully 20 missions. Blast
enemy craft with your personally designed skimmer.
MasterScan
GRAPHICS 4/5 ADDICTIVENESS
£69.95 • Database Software* 0625 878888 Stop Press 5/5

A device which clips on to your printer head and scans £49.95 AMS • 0625 878888 LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5
pictures, sending the digitised result to disc. You can
Though touted as a DTP program, Stop Press is an excellent
then use the pictures in desktop publications or in
graphics package. Can present data in the form of graphs, pie
other graphics packages,
useful for newlsetter production but the claims for
such as Master
Master
Paint. Very
charts and has the usual range of facilities to draw and fill
etc., Armageddon man
triangles, boxes and so on plus a very good zoom' option^
Scan as a low-cost fax machine are grandiose • the quality £19.99 • Martech (0323 768456) • 8000s only
which lets you examine the effect of changes h
of scanned text is poor if the text is anything iBS^Jhan
As Supreme Commander and world leader you have to pre-
headline size. vent nuclear war from breaking out by preserving good diplo-
PLUSES MINUSES •

matic relations between the 16 member countries of the UNN.

PLUSES MINUSES

Simple method
•

WS5
of gettin^gootTdigitised graphics
Good graph dr^
Can design y<
Good range of
tterns
fwhich you can modify if you wish
Nip conflict in the bud by providing sufficient food and
resources.

Suitable for all desktop publishing programs

Can superimpose one image on another GRAPHICS 4/5 ADDICTIVENESS 4/5
Contrast control useful
Works AMX
and Kempston mice
with
T Quality of scanned text is bad - no good for faxes
Is also a good DTP package
LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5
T Problems with illustrations containing lots of grey
T Undoing wrongly placed text is difficult

Backgammon
Postafont AYE PLUS £15.95 • CP Software (0993 823463) - All PCWs
£9.95 • Independent User Group • 0242 224340 £24.95 • CP Software • 0993 823463 A fairly good implementation of the gambling board-game.

76 8000 PLUS January 90

5.25" D/S, 48tpi, bulk packed, 25 off ....£8
5.25" lockable storage box, 110 cap £7 NEWSPEED
QUAD
M O OEMS
MNP5
Ribbons, black, fabric, compatible, price for 3
£8 V22bis- V22 - V23 - V21 Hayes Compatible
DMP2000/3000 series MNP5
Error Correction - MNP4 Data Compression -

DMP4000 £13 PCW9512 £9

• Battery Back-up
PCW8256 £12 LQ5000 £24
Special Price Normal Price
multi-strike film ribbons also available £399 £699
£5 THE HI-TEC EC2400 (approved)
Cables, 4 pin DIN plug-4 pin DIN socket THE HI-TEC EC2400 (unapproved) £299
34 way plug-34 way socket (printer) £15 SOON: THE HI-TEC EC9600 £699 £1299
14 pin DIN plug- 14 pin DIN socket £15 Next Day Delivery By Credit Card

Computer Images
15 Grove Market Place, Eltham, London, SE9 5PU.
HI - TEC MODEMS
Cambs
Ltd.
5DU PE1
131 Wellington Street, Peterborough,
Access/Visa cards, Telephone: 01-850 3883 PHONE: 0733 897333 FAX: 0733 558974
All prices include VAT, Carriage free, E&EO Trade / Dealer Enquiries Welcome

Expert help from experienced writers and

Custom Made Computer Cables
anyone who needs to get
self-publishers for nun
Ditjm Cibm
CPBLl

Supplied at
words into print. ] KffiM :mm M
Very Competitive Prices

•DESKTOP PUBLISHING •LASER PRINTING

• TRAINING •GRAPHICS & ILLUSTRATION H
II rar tafaiter tabbi ml Connections

T«i own oartrjuB rtourairals tor tiu* less than

mat' ll measure
m
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ad ait

• DATA CONVERSION FROM 3 INCH DISCS *un

ion
CABLES

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write tar a Quotation, well" be aiv/scd how Btlle eastern node ceeeections
tar roar PCW cost
'a IJ£"a",E Ziam nth
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TRAINING COURSES in PCW and PC-based

'njsurr
CHOICE

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EtlBLES
MM "
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.

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bleak PSZ3Z Wertao! to Mai 1 lag* 1 loetre 1 EB.50 k> V.T 1 Posteje.

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desktop publishing, word processing, etc. KU.-I
BODE :»
'm IiblH

Combine a short break in Cumbria with a HEflSUfE

friendly training course, pitched at your level of

J. P. Main Computer Services
experience. Individual and small group courses. IWn UK Tel U4DZ7 21)153
04 Hubert Kail. Ftaielam. Essbl

ZZ Hood Had. ftmhm Essex MB BAT Id D4IZ7 ZEH

Groundwork, Old Gatehouse, Station Square,
Grange-over-Sands, LA11 6EH. Tel 05395 33600

DOWN TO EARTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PCW BOOK KEEPING PROBLEMS

BOOK-KEEPING AND ACCOUNTS CLUB ACCOUNTS £69.00

• Similar to Book-keeping and Accounts inc P&P
• 3 ledger Module system • Members ledger and journal
• Facility to use up to 3 data discs • Deals quickly and effectively with annual subscriptions
• Unusual postings eg Bank Payment to Sales Ledger as single posting • Includes Bar Takings control
• Up to 999 each Sales and Bought Ledger accounts A gem oja system. T\xree alternative quotes for a system to
• Optional historic mode do the job were each over £5000" Financial Advisor
• Trial balance split between capital and revenue permits profit or loss Ideal for the job" Golf Club Secretary
assessment at trial balance level
£69.00 inc P&P
.

Version 1 Book-keeping only

-

Version 2 with integrated invoicing

- £80.50 inc P&P
Version 3 with invoicing and stocks
- £92.00 inc P&P DDE ACCOUNTS (DIRECT DOUBLE ENTRY) £69.00
Single module system means freedom to post to mc P&P
"
The best system for the 95 2" Chartered Accountant I
any account from any source
"
Easy to understand and operate" Book -keeper Allows narrative in nominal ledger
I
» Speeds up and simplifies operation
INDEPENDENT INVOICING £29.00 "I'd recommend it to anyone" Chartered Accountant
A very versatile system offering three means of producing inc P&P
invoices, catalogue based and two freestyle types.
Invoice
summaries and analyses including VAT information
Based on A4 paper and 80 columns INDEPENDENT STOCK RECORDS £29 00 .

An all-purpose comprehensive system offering, an inc P&P

immediate view FIFO based Stock Ledger, showing,
STOCKS/INVOICING £34.50 base and selling prices, balances on hand at cost prices. Dues In,
The same invoicing system plus stock records for sale goods. inc P&P
Dues Out, Re-order level. Re-order signal and calculation, plus
at three levels: simple, simple plus dues in, simple plus dues valuation at
priced analysis of issues and a complete stock list with
in and out. Employs a register of entries and creates a Stock Ledger plus cost prices. A sure winner.
summary and evaluation of stocks on hand.

GOLF HANDICAP RECORDS AND REVISIONS £29.00 BAR TAKINGS CONTROL £23.00
inc P&P
A complete implementation of the Standard Scratch Score and A simple means of exercising inc P&P
Handicapping Scheme (1983) as amended (Male only) Created control over takings from a bar or kiosk
in response to popular demand. Quick, simple and
effective.

TEI EPHONE
1ELE1 HELPLINE DIRECT TO AUTHOR JUSl'AbK FOR
HUNr. "£ GEORGE
GE CLOUGH. -

AFTER SALES ADVICE LINE AND SERVICE

MANX TAPES. GAREY VEG, GLEN AULDYN, RAMSEY. ISLE OF MAN.
TELEPHONE (0624) 813Q71
 GOOD SOFTWARE GUIDE
Playing speed is easily alterable and is totally unrelated to One of the better PCW chess programs. You can alter the ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION 4/5
the games level of skill control. level of play by specifying a time limit. Capable of very
strong play and the 3D graphics are excellent. CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5
RANGE OF FEATURES 4/5 STRENGTH OF PLAY 3/5
GRAPHICS 4/5 STRENGTH OF PLAY 5/5
GRAPHICS 4/5 DOCUMENTATION 3/5
RANGE OF FEATURES 5/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5 Head Coach
£15.95 • Coda (01-789 9551) • All PCWs
Batman You coach an American Football team, picking players and
£14.95 • Ocean (061-832 6633) • 8000s only Colossus Chess 4.0 deciding tactics against realNFL teams and players. Incredibly
detailed simulation - a must for NFL fans!
3-D animated graphics as you guide Batman around Gotham £15.95 • CDS Software (0302 21134) • All PCWs
City, looking for hidden parts of the Batcraft. Good range of
A very strong chess game which manages to use time which ATMOSPHERE 4/5 INTERACTION 5/5
hazards, and even a tunei
you spend thinking to plan its strategy. Bags of features,
including blindfold games. CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT
GRAPHICS 5/5 ADDICTIVENESS 5/5 4/5

LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5

GRAPHICS 3/5 STRENGTH OF PLAY 3/5

LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 3/5 Head Over Heels

Blackstar £14.95 • Ocean (061 832 6633) •
8000s only

CRL A superlative, compulsive 3D arcade adventure where you

£14.95 • (01-533 2918) • 8000s only Corruption control either Head or Heels. Escape from Castle Blacktooth
A adventure with large playing area. You
traditional text and free the Empire's enslaved planets.
explore Castle Blackstar in search of a power orb.
£24.95 • Rainbird (0666 504 326) • All PCWs
rates you into the heady world of stocks and shares where GRAPHICS 5/5 ADDICTIVENESS 5/5
ATMOSPHERE 4/5 INTERACTION 2/5 making money is what it's all about. There's something
rotten in the state of Scott Electronics and it's up to you to LASTING APPEAL 5/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5
CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5 find out what.

ATMOSPHERE 4/5 INTERACTION 5/5

Ingrid's Back
Bounder CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5 £1935 • Level 9 (0344 487597) • All PCWs
£13.95 • Gremlin (0742 753423) • 8000s only
A graphics bouncing-ball game You have to direct the
. ball
over a treacherous network of squares
Sequel to Gnome Ranger in which Ingrid returns to Little
& hexagons.
Persevere - or use the cheat mode!
Cyrus II Chess Moaning to find under threat from Jasper Quickbuck who
it

wants to replace it with a yuppie estate. Adventure in 3 parts.

£15\95 • Amsoft (0277 230222) • All PCWs
GRAPHICS 4/5 ADDICTIVENESS 3/5
Chess game with a stunningly detailed 3-D display. The play ATMOSPHERE 4/5 INTERACTION 4/5

LASTING APPEAL is quite strong, with several handy features like allowing you to
3/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5
take back a move. CHALLENGE 5/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5

GRAPHICS 5/5 STRENGTH OF PLAY 3/5

Brian dough's Fortunes Jmxster
LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5
£17.95 -CDS (0302 21134) All PCWs
•
£24.95 • Rainbird (0666 504326) • All PCWs
A cross between Monopoly and Football Manager, combining
board and PCW. Go for league and cup success - but keep This one's all about saving the civilisation of a place call

the bank manager happy too!

Double t Patience Aquitania from the wicked Green Witches. All you have to do
£17.95 is find and reassemble a magic bracelet and redirect its errant
• Thurston Techniques (0395 277496) •

GRAPHICS 2/5 ADDICTIVENESS 4/5 powers. A very atmospheric game.

All PCWs
LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5 Six well-known card games (from Poker Patience to Pairs) to
ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION 4/5
be played either alone or against the computer.
CHALLENGE VALUE VERDICT
GRAPHICS ADDICTIVENESS
Bridge Player Galactica 2150 2/5 5/5

£19.95 • CP Software (0993 823463) • All PCWs LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 3/5 Knightorc
The upgraded Bridge Player 2000. Excellent Tutor mode
with hands written by Nichiola Gardener of the London
£19.95^ Level 9 (01 631 5373) • All PCWs
Bridge School. Retains strong play. Fish You are an ore in this typical Level 9 adventure by the name of
Gridieguts. An addictive game with lots of action, plenty to
GRAPHICS 3/5 STRENGTH OF PLAY 4/5
£24.99 • Rainbird (0666 504 326) • All PCWs explore and mind-bending puzzles.
The underwater world of Hydropolis is under threat from a
LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 3/5 gang of interdimensional anarchists. They've stolen a focus ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION 5/5
wheel and dismantled it; your job is to get it back.
Excellent graphics. CHALLENGE 5/5 VALUE VERDICT 5 /5

Catch 23 ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION 4/5

£19.99 • Martech (0323 768456) • All PCWs
CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5
Lancelot
A game of exploration on an inhospitable island which has
been taken over by the military. Your task is to locate the 'most £14.95 • Mandarin/Level 9 (0625 878888) All PCWs
secret military complex on earth' and escape with the design A game in three parts which recounts the adventures of
of their most deadly weapon. Gnome Ranger Lancelot.. Manufacturers have vividly created an Arthurian
world which points are awarded for displays of chivalry, val-
in
GRAPHICS 4/5 ADDICTIVENESS 4/5
£14.95 • Level 9 (0344 487597) • All PCWs our or benevolence. The game permits a full range of
powerful commands.
You follow the adventures of Ingrid Bottomlow. the intrepid
LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5
gnome, through a fairy tale landscape full of compelling puz-
zles. Humorous and rather quaint.
ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION 5/5

Classic Games ATMOSPHERE 3/5 INTERACTION 3/5

CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5

£19.95 CP • Software (0993 823463) •

CHALLENGE 3/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5
All PCWs Lurking Horror
A compilation of classic 'thinking' games on one disc: Clock £24.95 • Activision (01-431 1101/2992) • All PCWs
Chess, Bridge Player,
value for money.
Backgammon and Draughts. Excellent Guild of Thieves Something nasty is lurking down in the bowels of the George
£24.95 • Rainbird (0666 504 326) •
8000s only Edwards Institute of Technology - find it before it finds you!
To join the select Guild of Thieves Another great game from Infocom.
in Kerovnia, you first have
Clock Chess 89 to show your
excellent adventure!
worth by fleecing an island of all its treasures. An
ATMOSPHERE INTERACTION
£19.95 • CP Software (0993 823463) • All PCWs

78 8000 PLUS Janua

 GOOD SOFTWARE GUIDE
CHALLENGE VALUE VERDICT CHALLENGE VALUE VERDICT
Time and Magik
•
£14.95 • Mandarin Software [0625 879920)
Matchday II Stamlider All PCWs
Ocean 832 6633)- All PCWs £24.95 'llainbird (0666 504 326) • 8000s only
£14.95 • (061 An excellent trilogy of time travel adventure which can be

game with superb graphics. A sophisticated shoot- 'em-up with 3D vector graphics and a played in any order. Your task is to protect the history of the
Excellent football simulation
and heading Play dose of strategy too. Your task is to save Novenia, helped by world from the destructive timelords -another very
Tackling and jumping .volleying etc.

against the computer or against a friend. a complex playing guide. atmospheric game.

ADDICTIVENESS 5/5 GRAPHICS 5/5 ADDICTIVENESS 4/5 ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION

GRAPHICS 5/5

VALUEVERDICT 5/5 LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5 CHALLENGE 5/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5
LASTING APPEAL 5/5

Mindfighter Stationfall Tetris

£24.99 • Abstract Concepts/ Activision £24.95 • Activision (01-431 1101/2992) • All PCWs £19.99* Mirrorsoft (01-377 4837) • 8000s only

4311101)- 8000s only Sequel to Planetfall. You explore a space station with your You fit together bricks of various shapes that drop out of the
(01
chums Floyd and the philosophical robot Plato. Usual Infocom sky at the bottom of the screen. The better the fit, the higher
An adventure game set in post-holocaust Southampton. Hero standards -a great sci-fi adventure, a mix of 200t and your score. One of those ridiculously simple ideas which is
is a psychic 1 1 year old boy who can change himself into
ail
Star Trek! very addictive!
different kinds of animals, and who has accidentally projected
himself into the future. It's up to him to change the course of ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION 4/5 GRAPHICS 3/5 ADDICTIVENESS 5/5

events and prevent nuclear war.

CHALLENGE 5/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5 LASTING APPEAL 4/5 VALUEVERDICT 5/5
ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION 3/5

CHALLENGE 5/5 VALUE VERDICT

Steve Davis Snooker Tomahawk
£14.95 • CDS (0302 21134) • All PCWs £19.95 • Digital Int. (0276 684959) • All PCWs
The Pawn Surprisingly realistic simulation of both pool and snooker
A sophisticated Apache helicopter flight simulator. Impressive
-
PCWs cockpit view graphics as you engage in combat missions
£24.95 • Rainbird (0666 504 326) • All
games -
not as easy as it looks either! Foul shots, breaks and
can be used with a joystick too.
allows for spin, side, strength of shot. Good value, despite all
An excellent adventure with dozens of superb screen illustra-
the balls being greens! ADDICTIVENESS
tions, zany characters and a host of baffling puzzles. Will keep GRAPHICS 4/5 3/5

you entranced for hours.

GRAPHICS 2/5 ADDICTIVENESS 3/5
VALUE VERDICT
LASTING APPEAL 4/5 4/5

ATMOSPHERE 5/5 INTERACTION 5/5

LASTING APPEAL 3/5 VALUE VERDICT 3/5

CHALLENGE 5/5 VALUE VERDICT 5/5

World of soccer
Strike Force Harrier £15.95 'Coda (01 789 9551)'
Return to Doom £19.95 • Mtrrorsoft (01-377 4645) • 8000s only All PCWs
£12.95 • Topologika (0733 244682) • All PCWs A combat simulation of a Hawker Harrier, designed in A soccer management simulation game; you select squads of

Very detailed and realistic players for your international team and quid e them through
conjunction with British Aerospace.
Sequel Countdown to Doom; you're back on the planet
to
the European and World Cups. Gives a good insight into the
but you need to put in a few hours with the manual to get
Doomawangera again to track down the ambassador Regina 'II

kind of strategic thinking required.

off the ground.
who has been kidnapped by some very unpleasant robots.
Another text-only adventure game. ATMOSPHERE 4/5 INTERACTION 3/5
GRAPHICS 4/5 ADDICTIVENESS 3/5

ATMOSPHERE 3/5 INTERACTION 2/5

CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5
LASTING APPEAL 3/5 VALUE VERDICT 3/5

CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5

A
Silicon
£19.95 •
Dreams
Rainbird (0666 504 326)

trilogy of intriguing adventure games. You are secret agent

Kim Kimberley saving Snowball 9 from almost certain doom!

With a humorous novella.
• All PCWs
NEXT MONTH
ATMOSPHERE 4/5 INTERACTION 4/5
The guide continues with the categories of SPREAD-
CHALLENGE 4/5 VALUE VERDICT 4/5
SHEETS, GRAPHICS and GAMES. The month after that
will cover WORD PROCESSORS, ACCOUNTS/PAY-
Scrabble ROLL, UTILITY and DTP software, and the month after
£19.95 • Virgin Leisure (01-727 8070) • All PCWs
Excellent implementation of the famous game. 1 to 4 people that it's back to this month's topics.
can play the computer, which knows a fair few obscure

words. Good graphical display. Eight levels ofdifficulty, and Our intention is to keep publishing the three parts of
the guide in rotation, updating it each month to include
the top level scores 350 or so so you have to be
regularly,

on lop form!

GRAPHICS 4/5 ADDICTIVENESS 3/5 all new products. If you would like to see other sections

LASTING APPEAL VALUE VERDICT of the guide, back issues of 8000 Plus are available at
£1J5eacr
Sorceror
I.;:;

m
• Activision (01-431 1101/2992) All PCWs
Jons or errors in the File as published, please let us
•
£24.95

Enter the world of necromancy and sorcery courtesy of anoth-

er intriguing and mind bending adventure game from now. We intend to maintain it as THE authoritative
Infocom. You have to find out the correct spells which will

locate your missing master. Belboz.

!

-"e to PCW software.

ATMOSPHERE INTERACTION
iliiiHIW H^MMUn

79 8000 PLUS January 90

 PCW SUPPLIES P Continuous Stationery Specialists
Pinfold Print
F
for

RIBBONS I
Business Forms - Single & Multi-Part Sets A
AMSTRAD PCW 8256/8512 MULTISTRIKE £2.35
N Letterheads - Mailing Labels
Single or Multi-Colour and Tints
N
NYLON £2.35 F Artwork Production Facilities Available F
Quick Service - Generally Less Than 7 Days
AMSTRAD PCW 9512 MULTISTRIKE £1.99 O For Example : 1,000 letterheads ,11" x 9 V2 " on 80gram
NYLON Bond, one colour:- £50 + V.A. T.
£1.99
For further information, phonejtill 7.00p.m.) write or
L
D Email. (Closed December 23rd to 27th) D
MAXELL 3 DISKS £1.85 EACH Lane. Old Woodhouse. Loughborough. Le

)509 890262 Email Tk MAG37342

CLEANPRINT - CLEANING RIBBON
CLEANS AND LUBRICATES PRINT HEAD * IMPROVES PRINT QUALITY
PCW 8256/8512 £5.00 PCW 9512 £4.50

CLEANHEAD - 3 CLEANING DISK £5.50

8S SuperMaths
Specially written for Amstrad PCWs, PCs and compatibles.
ANTISTATIC CLEANING SPRAY £3.50 User friendly, enjoyable package: multiplication (including
tables), division, addition and subtraction - 4 levels of
ORDER ANY 12 ITEMS AND GET FREE CARRIAGE difficulty ages 5 upwards. Scores shown, success
-

rewarded. PRACTICE and TEST (timed), WORKSHEET

Just add VAT 15% and if @ produces worksheets on printer with choice of styles,
ordering below 12 items 23p-
each for carriage. with separate answers.
NOVATECHI Payment
Credit Card.
for PO, Cheque or Send S.A.E.
of other programmes.
for information Can provide hours of fun
improving numeracy
31 HOLLY DRIVE Price (inc VAT/P&P) £16.95 (PC) and
WATERLOOVILLE
PORTSMOUTH
£14.95 (PCW), Cheques to
Abacus
P07 8HN (0705) 255779 Abacus Software, 1 1 Woodcote
Drive, Orpington. Kent BR6 8DB
Educational Software
Proprietor: JD Charlton

DATA LINE COMPUTING SERVICES

For Quality, Reliability And Service
fast delivery - low prices
AMSTAT* & STATMODE
MODULAR STATISTICS AND MATHEMATICS PACKAGES
* * * CHRISTMAS SPECIALS ' ' " * Leisure MARKETED BY
Microdesign II
Stop Press & Mouse
AMS Disc Box + 10 Amsoft Discs
Offers end 19/1/90
£43.95
£66.95
£33.00
Brian Cloughs Football
Clock Chess 89
Classics Collection
Classic Games 4
II
..£11.95
£15.95
£11,95
£15.95
S. C.
AMSTAT for PCW & CPC
COLEMAN LIMITED
STATMODE PC
Classic Invaders £11.95
for Compatibles
Databases Corruption £19.95 AMSTAT 1/STATMODE 1 - means, si. devs., variance, skew, kurtosis, 1-sample, 2-sample, and paired t-tests,

At Last Plus £31.95 Fish £19.95 1— way— AOV with single and mult. conf. intervals, 2— way— AOV, correlns, regression, histograms, scattergrams,
transformations, file store and retrieve, output to WP file, manual, Flexible variables and observations to a total
Cambase2 £54.95 Guild of Thieves (8000 only) £19 95
of 500 <+) data points (12000 STATMODE).
Datastore II £33.95 Graham Gooch Cricket £15.95
DBase II (A/Tate) £72.95 Head Coach £15.95 AMSTAT 2/STATMODE 2-27 nonparametric tests providing a "complete Siegel". Binomial, Chisquare(3),
Locofile £24,95 Scrabble £15.95 Kolmogorov— Smirnov(2), Runs, McNemar, Sign, Wilcoxon, Walsh, Randomisation{2), Fisher, Median
Back (+extension),Mann-Whitney, Wald-Wolfowitz, Moses, Cochran, Friedman, Kruskal-Wallis, Contingency,
8000
Masterfile £34.95 Ingrids £15 95 Spearman, Kendall, Kendall partial. Concordance.
DTP/Graphics Jinxter £19.95
Desk Top Publisher £21.95 Lancelot £14.95 AMSTAT 3/STATMODE 3: FORECASTING
Desk Top Publisher & Mouse £59.95 Leather Goddesses of Phobos £21.95 An array of business oriented mathematical and statistical
software: Linear and Polynomial regression, Trend and Seasonal
Stop Press £39.95 Living Daylights £11.95
Variation, Multiple Regression Analysis, Transformations,
Masterpack £61.95 Mindfighter (8000 only) £19.95 Exponential Smoothing, Adaptive Filtering, Graphic display, full
AMX Mouse & I/Face £46.95 PCW Challenge (8000 only) £11 .95 printout, manual suited to immediate use and for teaching.
Word Processing Scapeghost Phone (Additional program for PC).
Locofont (10 fonts) £16.95 Starglider £19.95 AMSTAT 4/ STATMODE 4: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT -
Locomail £26.95 Time & Magik £11.95 LINEAR PROGRAMMING MODULE
Locoscript 2 £21.95 Tomahawk £15.95 General Purpose Linear programming + Specialised Transportation
Locoscnpt2 + Locospell £31.95 World Of Soccer £15.95 and assignment variants. Capable of analysing and solving
Full Protext £41 .95 Spreadsheets problems of sequencing, scheduling, blending and allocation of
scarce resources. 40 Page manual, 18 worked examples.
Supertype & I II £12.95 Cracker Turbo
II £39.95
Educational Supercalc2 £46 95 AMSTAT 6/STATMODE 6: SFANOVA
Maths Mania (8-12) £13.95 Accounts Up to 8-way analysis of variance for equal ceil sizes. Unequal cell
Better Spelling (9-14) £13.95 Money Manager PCW £36.95 sizes on 1-way AOV. Maximum of 2000 data points (300 on
Biology 1/2 (12-16) £18.50 Small Business Aces £58.95 unexpanded CP/M 2.2, 4000 on PC). Input from ASCII Files.
Chemistry 1/2 (12-16) £18.50 Sage Pop Accounts £79.95
^ Output to screen or text file with full AOV table + main and
interaction means and Neuman— Keuls on main effects. Manual.
Physics 1/2 (12-16) £18.50 Meridian Stock Market £32.95 (Disc only).
LCL Micro English £21.95 Ribbons (Min 2)
LCL Micro Maths 8256/851 2/LQ3500 AMSTAT 7/STATMODE 7: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT II -
£21.95 Fabric £3.50
STOCK AND PRODUCTION ANALYSIS
Akadimias Software GCSE 16+ £24.00 9512 Amstrad M/Strike £3.65 Calculation of economic order quantities for both single and
Kosmos Language Tutors £15.95 Star LC10 £3.65 multiple items. Dynamic programming to calculate optimum
Training Star LC24/10 £4.95 production schedules for single items and consolidation of several
Two Fingers To Touch Typing £19.95 Star NL10/NB24-10 £3.65 — i results into a multiple schedule. Also Pareto and Lorenz analysis.
Crash Course In Typing £19.95 3M DSDD5.25" Discs 10 x... £9. 95 Output to screen or printer. Includes operational manual with
Touch Go Amsoft/Maxell 3" Discs Uflfit 2] worked examples.
'n' £19.95 10 x £23.95
Reeltime Locoscript 2 £29.95 AMS 30L Disc Box £11.95 The programs have applications in research of all kinds, education, sales, production planning, work and
Reeltime Dbasell £29.95 Amstrad 9512 Cut Sheet Feeder £89 95 method study, financial planning, personnel, social work etc,
Reeltime Supercalc2 £29.95 New Amstrad FD4 2nd Drives £123.95 "/ will certainly in the future and no reviewer can offer a warmer
be using them myself
Reeltime CP/M Computing £29 95 Mouse Mats - Soft. Non Slip £4 95
recommendation than that." Dr. Peter Morris, Amstrad Professional Computing, May 1987.
Send 28p stamp ( refundable ) for our laslest catalogue (
please state machine Price List CPC PCW PC
Cheques/RO's payable !o:- AMSTAT1 £25.95 £27.95 STATMOOE1 £39.95
DATALINE COMPUTING SERVICES AMSTAT2 £39.95 £39.95 STATMODE2 £39.95
AMSTAT3 £25.95 £27.95 STATMODE3 £39.95
14 DUKE STREET WISBECH CAMBS PE13 2AS AMSTAT4 £25.95 £27.95 STATMODE4 £39.95

ACCESS/ENQUIRES AMSTAT6
AMSTAT7
£25.95
£25.95
£27.95
£27.95
STATMODE6
STATMODE7
£39.95
£39.95

TEL: 0945 61736 ANY 2 - 15% DISCOUNT CHEQUES AND P.O.sTO:

OUR ANY 4 -20% DISCOUNT

COLEMAN LTD.
—ALLPOSTAGE AND
INCLUDE VAT PRICES
PACKING,
Please enquire for
Educational quantity discounts.

ALL PRICES INCLUDE POST

AND PACKAGING IN THE
U.K. BUT EXCLUDE VAT.
5. C,
33 LEICESTER ROAD, ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH
LEICESTERSHIRE, LE6 5DA
TEL: 0530 415919
24 Hour Answerphone. Technical enquiries after 6.00pm
•AMSTAT Is a trademark of AMSTRAD PLC and is used under licence
 t MAIL ORDER • MAIL ORDER • MAIL ORDER •
1.8000 Plus disc labels
Spare labels for your 3" discs in four different

colours - yellow, green, red, blue.

2. Copi-Reader
This neat and easy copy holder features a unique
new clip. It can be positioned on either side of the

monitor, and may be swivelled into position for best

viewing angle, and then to the side when not in use.

3. Highlighter Pens
For £1 .50 you get green, red and yellow 8000
Plus-stamped pens in a clear plastic wallet.

4. 8000 plus dust covers

PCW with these specially-
Protect your
commissioned three-piece 8000 Plus covers.

5. 8000 Plus T-Shirt

The Truly Terrific American Royal Blue T-shirt with the honour
of carrying our 8000 Plus logo on the left breast. Wear yours
with pride and set yourself above the rest!

6. Magazine Binders
A superb gold-embossed green binder. Buy one
and watch your collection grow into the definitive

library of PCW information.

7. PCW Luggage
An essential addition for any PCW owners
who want to ensure against accidental knocks when
transporting their computer. Ideal for writers on
assignment, businessmen when taking the micro to

the office, or salesmen for demonstrations.

High density foam padding and a water resistant nylon
exterior make this a strong and safe piece of luggage, along
with its adjustable shoulder strap and
sturdy carry handles.

8256/8512
Two separated pouches for the printer and
keyboard, that then fit neatly into the large case

but leave room for manuals, etc.

9512
Two large cases for the monitor and printer, with a
separated pouch for the keyboard that fits in neatly with the

printer but leaves room for manuals, etc.

Title Order code Price

Disc labels (pack of 20) 8013 £1.00

Copi-Reader 8075 £6.99

H Highlighter pens (x3)

-
8001 £1.50

Kt^i
Dust covers
:

1 3 pieceset for 8256/851 8005

8006
£11.95
£12.95
3 piece set for 951
IS T-Shirt -

B 1 Medium
Large
8071
8072
£4.95
£4.95

Magazine Binder 8004 £4.95

Two Magazine Binders 8076 £9.00

PCW Luggage -

8256/8512 8074 £35.95

9512 8073 £49.95

• PRICES INC CARRIAGE & VAT t HOTLINE 0458 74011

 t MAIL ORDER • MAIL ORDER • MAIL ORDER t

A Future book DA ATA FAX from Kempston Data Products (All PCWs')
Use your PCW to organise your life with this complete personal
organiser package.

• Diary Printyour diary with four days to a page for anything from one
week to a year. Then cut and paste to other parts of the diary.
• PhonGbOOk The phonebook allows you to store names,
addresses and telephone numbers either as full entries or in
abbreviated format. Complete with fast search facility.

The Ultimate Tips Book for the Amstrad PCW • Notepad Use this indispensable facility to print notes for

m •
timetables,

Calendar
months per page
expense sheets, bank balances, etc.
Featuring a perpetual calendar, this option prints three
for any selected year.

ROB AINSLEY
The Most Comprehensive Compilation of Amstrad PCW
Hints, Tips, Shortcuts and Useful Programs Ever Published

The book is based on the collected tipoffs in 8000 Plus

from issue 1 to the present day and covers every
possible facet of PCW use. But it's not just a reprint —
every item has been rewritten, re-illustrated and updated
where necessary. Plus a whole host of new tips have
been added to make this book the essential guide to
PCW use. Order code Price

Each tip has been written to stand alone — easily Daatafax -

Giftpack (inc. binder, tabs and stationary) 8600 £34.95

followed by even the absolute beginner without having
Software only 8601 £28.95
to read other sections first. No 'refer to the manual' or
'see the tip on page 192' here — we tell you exactly what
to do, which keys to press, and what happens on screen.

We feel sure that you will quickly come to rely on this

BRIDGE PLAYER GALACTICA 2150
from CP Software
unique reference source as the new PCW owners' bible.
A must for every PCW owner's Christmas stocking.
iiihi
The information it contains is truly invaluable.
A brilliant game requiring skill and
Order code concentration, written by a world champion
bridge player the programme includes:-
Tips Book
• post mortem facility
Book only £11.40 • cheat "options" to peep at your
Book and disc £14.40 opponents hands.
• fully integrated tutor.

HACKERS HANDBOOK Bridge Player

Order code

8606
Price

£19.95
from Century Hutchinson
Everything about challenging
mega-computers and networks.
This brilliant book by Hugo

Cornwall has been updated by

SCAPEGHOSTfo
the infamous Steve Gold
from Level 9 ££!£#]
It's not easy being a ghost; betrayed to a
(Prince Philip/Prestel hack).
criminal gang and falsely blamed for your
This new edition covers viruses,
own death when they escape.
hacking, electronic mail and
Reincarnated in your old haunts, you have
looks at the new and extensive
just three nights to clear your
tools available.

A must for every computer buff.

name. A unique adventure game.

Order code Order code Price

Hackers Handbook Scapeghost 8607 £14.95

PRICES INC CARRIAGE & VAT • HOTLINE 0458 74011 • •

 • MAIL ORDER t MAIL ORDER t MAIL ORDER t

MICRO DESIGN 2 from Creative Technology (All PCWs') TOUCH N GO

The latest and best DTP package. from Paperback Software
The print quality is unbelievably good for the PCW
(All PCWS)
printer. Get into desktop publishing and buy the best
Teach yourself touch typing.
mouse around at the same time.
The course develops your skills
• Four times higher graphics resolution than Stop Press
and aims to produce 95%
• Three possible page formats
accuracy at 45 words per minute.
Full review issue 36

Micro Design -
Order code Price
|fe
Software only
AMX Mouse
Sofware and
n
IfiUCH NGO
HI SOFT C from HiSoft (All PCWs')
TOUCH N GO
The fastest C compiler for the PCW. Produces fast, good, compact code.
Carefully designed to make it easy for a newcomer to learn as well as

providing the power and flexibility that professional programmers need

• Full screen editor automatically started on compilation errors.
• Friendly English error messages and hints on how to find bugs. Fast, Standard
Integer C Compiler Order code Price
Order code
Touch n go 8605
HiSoft C

MASTER PACK ORDER FORM N0.39

from Database Software (8256/8512)
Consisting of Master Paint and Master Scan HOW TO ORDER Payment is by (please

Cheque • PO • Access • Visa

circle)

Master Scan: attach the Just list the items you require in
Make payable to FUTURE PUBLISHING LTD.
optical scanner to your PCW the order form below or ring our
24 - hour hotline on (0458) Your credit card number is
printer to enable images to be
74011 and ask for Credit Card
captured for use in art
Orders. All goods are sent by
packages and DTP. Capture first class post, normally within
logos, diagrams, sketches, fivedays of order. But please For prices and delivery times for export orders

allow 28 days in case of ple< ise call Kelly Porter on 0458 74011
photos, maps, signatures,
temporary shortage.
cartoon characters and much Title Order code Price
more. Your letters, reports New subscribers please note:
1.
and bulletins can now be The issue of a new
first

subscription will be one or two 2.

illustrated to create a much
issues away from the one
more interesting and current when you place your
3.

professional image. subscription order. 4.

Master Paint: with this

Please send me the following 5.
package you have everything
items from the 8000 Plus
6.
you need to produce quality, Special Offers pages
artistic, professional artwork.
Create various shapes that Name
can be filled with a choice of
Address
16 different patterns, choose
from a range of styles and
fonts, use the airbrush for a
more subtle shading facility. Postcode

Order code Price Send this form plus payment SPECIAL OFFERS 8000 Plus
to: •

Master pack SOMERTON • SOMERSET TA11 7PY

•

I • PRICES INC CARRIAGE & VAT • HOTLINE 0458 74011

 SUBSCRIBE
... to the best THE BEST SELLING MAGAZINE FOB THE
NOW 12 Issues of the
.
magazine
.

AMSTRAD PCW delivered to your door, why

selling
queue only to find out that your
magazine for local newsagent has already

sold out?
Amstrad PCWs
at only Guarantee
If at any time during the
£20.95... and subscription period you are not
receive £20 completely happy with our
service, we will refund the cost
worth of of unmailed copies.
vouchers* for
Receive your quarterly update
the mail order
of extra special offers we
pages either didn't manage to
squeeze into the magazine or
absolutely J WJ<J-j'J;i]r' that have been replaced by

FREE! new ones.

Overseas Subscriptions o 2 issues only)

Air MailEurope £35.95 Order code 81 01 A Surface Europe and Rest of World £26.95
Order code 8101S (For other variations call Christine Stacey on 0458 74011)

PCW to a
BACK ISSUES... transferring files from
Order code 80030
Issue 31 £1 .75. Writing
a

a
PC, Lightening Basic review.

and 'dont's, your database

thesis, the 'do's'
Amstrad SM2400 Modem, What is C/PM
with Protext,
Order Code 80031
Issue 32 £1 .75. Astrology on your PCW. Learning C/PM, PCW User
Groups, The Amstrad-Sugar story. Publishing books.
Order Code 80032
Issue 33 £2.00. Four spreadsheets compared, C/PM for beginners.Five
budget printers reviewed
Order Code 80033
Issue 34 £2.00. Accounting packages reviewed, the full report, write a
on spreadsheets.
bestseller, the series
Order Code 80034
We have limited quantities of the back issues listed below. The
prices include a nominal 25p postage. All issues contain excellent
Issue 35 £2.00. Take a look at communications, we analyse budget

TipOff sections and a selection of BASIC listings, plus the other

modems. Play sweet music on your PCW. The PCW out on Safari in Africa
Order Code 80035
regulars. Don't miss the chance to expand your collection!
Issue 36 £2.00. Micro Design II, is this the best DTP package so
far? Money Manager, the new one, fully reviewed. The full
Issue 21 £1.75 New Locoscript fonts reviewed, Guide to add-ons, story of the Locomotive team from Dorking. The new ASF9512
PC/PCW link. Order Code 80021 from Amstrad.
Issue 24 £1.75 9512 Special report, Four-page features, back issues Order Code 80036
index, astrology, cricket, database reviews, DIY Graphics,
Issue 37 £2.00. Take a look at the jumbo ram drive for your PCW.
Mini Office book Order Code 80024 Choose between three hard discs. Mini Office Plus, is it worth the wait?
Issue 25 £1.75 Spreadsheet special, Flipper review, DIY share Order Code 80037
analysis,Home banking. Jeffrey Archer & his PCWs' GSX graphics,
Issue 38 £2.00.Need a third disk drive? The Composers Pen for the
2nd hand PCW Guide Order Code 80025
PCW Musician. Women in computing.
Issue 26 £1.75 LocoFile exclusive preview, BASIC wallchart Order Code 80038
PCW portable preview, Disc doctor, LocoScript books, Devpac 80 2
Order Code 80026 Issue 39 £2. 00. Two new games. Choose a database from our
selection. Which interface does what?.
Issue 30 £1 .75 Speech synthesiser, teach your PCW to talk back, Order Code 80039
 Software for serious sports enthusiasts

POOLSWINNER n POOLS PREDICTION I'KOORAM

• MASSIVE DATABASE Poolswinner is a sophisticated Pools
prediction aid. It comes complete with the largest database available -

22000 matches over 10 years.

• PREDICTS Not just SCOREDRAWS, but NO-SCORES, AW AYS l*i"V ****J
and HOMES too. Predictions are based on many factors recent form,
/••Cv/*"^iJ ...

the massive database, current league standing, goal scoring rates, and
draw averages (each factor is independently switchable by the user).
• SUCCESSFUL Selec guarantee that Poolswinner performs signif i-
cantly better than chance.
• LEAGUE AND NON-LEAGUE matches are covered.
• FULL LEAGUE TABLES are automatically generated as results are entered.
• AUTOMATIC FIXTURE GENERATION Fixtures for English and Scottish :

League matches are generated automatically by Poolswinner's sister program FIXGEN...

• FIXGEN
No need to struggle for :

FIX<JEN 89/90 hours to get the fixture list into the tZo.i>U
computer just type in the date, Fixgen contains the complete
- Poolswinner
fixture list for the whole year's league soccer. (Published under with Fixgen.
licence from the Football League, and the Scottish Football League).

POOLS PERM PLUS

SOPHISTICATED FOOTBALL POOLS PERM ANALYSER
'MM3' cut-sheet LOCATOR & ALIGNER for PCW 8000
Architect designed. British made. Quality throughout!

Load cut-sheets spot-on, fast! Save time, paper, money! No guesswork

Printers

• Whether you use a scientific bet, or family birthdays, PPP will check the performance or skewing. Use letterheads, forms etc. < "lOOgms. Multi-pass print! Fix
of any bet over the years, revealing which weeks it won prizes. Test your theories, or arms anywhere. Four pitch scales. Easy to fit, adjust, use.
compare perms' performance. Complete with 5 years coupon results. "MM3 is so simple. ..so effective. Beautifully
• Also you can use Pools Perm Plus to check your perm for winning £26.00 designed and well worth the money."
lines each week: the program comes complete with 20 top perms. 'Micronet' August 88

COURSEWINNER vs "MM3
improved
tions."
revolutionised teaching
GCSE results in
word processing,
keyboard applica-

OOURSWINNB*
PUNTERS COMPUTER PROGRAM
• The ORIGINAL, and still the BEST computer punter's aid.
• Coursewinner V3 uses all the most important form pointers (past form,
Mrs. M.R. (Tewkesbury) September '88
"1 would like to order MM3
as I'm sick of friends
who've got one and gloat at my wasted paper!"
Mr. P.F. (Birmingham) August '88
£12.50 ind.VAT&p+p
rf-wA speed ratings, prize money, course statistics, jockey form .trainer form etc)
to give a detailed assessment of every runner's chances, not just a tip.
• Vital statistics of all British courses (Draw advantage, Top
Trainers and Jockeys etc) are included in the database. £26.00
SIMPLY - THE BEST!
• Includes both

All available for

FLAT and NATIONAL HUNT

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phone 24 hrs Reg. Design. No. 1043347
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Amstrad PCW8256 computer/word processor 401.35 ...361.22 ANC
LATE EXTRA - software to transform the quality of STOP Amstrad PCW8512 computer/word processor 516.35 ...451.81 ANC
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FD-4 2nd 3" disc drive PCW9512 (genuine Amstrad drive) 171. 35. ..115. 66 C
(8000 PLUS). £19.50 in CF2 or CF2DD format.
-

Amstrad CPS8256 serial/parallel interface PCW - 68.94 44.81 D

MCL391 lead, CPS8256 to parallel printer (round cable) 14.95 8.97 E
DESIGNER STUBBLE - the key to high-quality publishing PL2 lead, PCW9512 to parallel printer (round cable) 19.95 6.98

with the DESKTOP PUBLISHER program. "Highly recommended" Panasonic 1081 parallel F & T NLQ printer 281. 75. ..166. 23
Electric Studio light penwith art software-PCW8256/8512 79.95 23.99
(Amstrad PCW Magazine). Two issues available - please send SAE Mouse mat 26cm x 20cm blue 5.95 3.87
Printwheels-PCW9512(9UKstyles) 6.61 4.96
for details.
Printwheels PCW9512 (119 foreign styles)
- 10.45 9.41
2746MS ribbon multistrrke - PCW9512 PKT 2 7.70 4.62
EXEMPLAR DESIGN, P.O. BOX 683, BATH BA1 1XU 2741FN ribbon fabric PCW8256/8512
- PKT 2 11.98 5.00

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you within 48 hours of arrival on our premises Maxell 3" discs DS/ALL 3" drives Box 10 29.90 17.94
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will (ANQ3 Day £10.35 Next Day £13.80, COD + £2.30, Max. UK post
Send ribbon(s) plus payment to:- chg. £6.90 per 20kg/£500. ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT.
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 ^"

POSTSCRIPT-
At last somebody listens and

POST
Model gaff immediately corrects what is

admittedly a very small problem to

I recently purchased a
one of the advertisers in the
November issue,
Services (page 61 ). The game was
PCW Challenge and it was only
your average Amstrad user, but to
game from
someone like me who has been
disabled for 15 years with Multiple
A to Z Computer
Sclerosis and whose PCW 8512 is
an electronic lifeline back to the

SCRIPT can only say: thank

'real world'
when received it that realised it
I I
I

you everyone!
was only for the PCW 8256 and
Gerry Brown
8512 and have a PCW 9512.
I I

rang them up and they told me I

Weston-super-Mare
would have to pay a handling fee
Avon
of 25%. And the thing I am
complaining about is that nowhere 8000 PLUS: Glad to be of help. Software
'iews to air? Observation Plus have had occasion to come to our
in the advertisement did they
rescue more than a few times: suffices to
mention that it was not suitable for it

These are the pages where y the 9512. I was wondering if

say that we don't even mention coffee and

advertisers had to mention disc drives in the same sentence any

important facts instead of more. There's just one thing I'd like to pick
The first topics up for discussion in 1990 are Hebrew word like this

using to make a couple of you up on, though: Wendy is, in fact, the
processors, embroiderers' guilds, training courses and the it

pounds off people by charging a Managing Director of Software Plus, not

latest feedback on the Tips Collection.
Neville. He's the Technical Director. Still,
handling fee.
If you've got anything to say that might be of interest to the
They also told me that it was it's always good to hear from a satisfied
rest of us about PCWdom, 8000 Plus - or anything else for that customer, and I'm sure Neville and Wendy
my fault for not telling them when I

matter - please send your letters to Postscript. 8000 Plus, was ordering, which I do not think will heartily agree.
"
Beauford is very fair. It was my mum who

ordered it for me, and she had no

at the end of each line I reverse it. idea that there was more than one Up, up and away
Don't adjust your sets (It's fine for posters and large type kind of PCW computer. So was I

use). I have not yet found a way of hoping that you or someone else Could an avid reader ask advice,
entering the Word Star Hebrew on the team could look into the please?
I have just read Ian Goodhardt's
input into Stop Press. matter for me. have been teaching word
article 'Biblical your Learning' in I

must tell you that it's great David Murphy (aged 13) processing at evening classes for
December issue. While the screen I

that you have introduced overseas Leicester the last 21/2 years and have
print of Protext Hebrew is
It makes one
airmail availability. identified a need for daytime
unreadable to a Hebrew reader,
it

feel up to the minute to receive 8000 PLUS: / agree, this does seem classes in my area; have so far
would be interesting to see the I

8000 Plus before the beginning unfair. On the other hand, I don't know of
obtained the promise of financial
printed result from this input. There
of the month instead of two any supplier of PCW games (or leisure
is a Hebrew version of Word Star backing from the bank and details
months late. software, as is alluringly called these
suitable for the PCW available it
of how to register with the RSA to
Joe Isaacs days) who will state in the advertisement if
which have occasionally used for
I put on their examinations, so
Netanya it works on the 9512 or not. I think you'll
two years onmy 8512. have just I pending planning approval and
Israel just have to put this one down to bitter
checked and find that it is still deluges of eager students, it all
experience and, in future, find out before
available from Elyashim, POB looks set to go ahead.
you buy the games whether they wilt work
8691 Haifa, 31086 Israel.The 8000 PLUS: Thanks for the information, However, would be buying 8 I

on your machine. One way of doing this is

telephone number is 04 523601 Joe. Back to our screenshot of Hebrew Amstrad PCW 851 2s - like the one
to consult our very own Good Software
The instruction book supplied is in Protext supposedly in action (see I've had at home for four or five
Guide games section starts on page
(the
Hebrew, but they say that a normal December issue, page 56) before any years and teaching LocoScript 2
76). If the game you're interested in only
Word Star instruction booklet more of our Hebrew-writing readers write mainly. When mentioned the I

works on an 8000 series PCW, you'll find

can be used. The price quoted is in. There's one very good reason as to why futility of being landed with eight
out here.
US$150. it's 'unreadable 'as you so restrainedly put copies of LocoScript 1 to the
Incidentally, I also designed for it: we printed the wrong one. Laugh? We Amstrad Professional User Group
my own use a Hebrew font for use thought we'd never start. should have representative who telephoned me,
It
Gratefully received
in Stop Press. In order to write looked like the one below. There. Iwas told there is a possibility of
from right to left using the normal Ian Goodhardt wasn't really trying to pull LocoScript 2 being sold with the
some Having spoken to you in
8512s the near future. Can you
keys as used on a Hebrew off elaborate and premature April in
desperation re. my PCW 8512 and confirm or refute this?
typewriter, I inverted the letters and Fools joke.
the much needed repair of its B However, my main question is
mitlt/ir Docunent exinfl drive cover (nothing rude this: do have to purchase eight
I

Pane 1 Liiie20 Col 3 No narkers set

intended!), felt that must contact
I I
copies of each program wish to I

you in writing to sing the praises of use if expand into offering

I

flu Ham loves Fruit and nut chocolate, (yes, I rumber the old digs Bath-based Software Plus (Green LocoMail, SuperCalc et al, or can
of MM*) I

(mm* » ir>iw» w nm ' ,p) ran '» ipw iram 'iu)

Park Station, Green Park Road,
Bath) and its managing director,
somehow get a site licence to use
eight copies on the same
Neville Smith. premises? wish to remain legal
I

Mr. I'ortesque, these Brussels sprouts ire covered in insects. How refreshing in this very while becomingly disgustingly
rtm rpm Pun iPrrn rpBiu u stressful day and age to meet a wealthy and promise would not I I

company whose approach is

be bribed into giving pirate copies
It is also mite possible to type IT rail in Hebre* mi HUM in the knowledgeable; based on Neville of anything to students past or my
niddle of 1 sentence.
Smith's 20 years of sound present. (Most of them are useless
computer experience, personal; without the explanatory manual,
C00DHHMI HEBREW Phone 1734 5739541 based on Wendy Smith's empathy, anyway.)
and to cap it all, whose pricing We have just received Rob
The way it should have been; Protext writes in Hebrew
policy is reasonable and fair. Ainsley's '8000 Plus Collection'

86 8000 PLUS January 90

 POSTSCRIPT
and it's already become our bible. go out of my way to spread the Their address is also 17 Stapel
Rob should be canonised! word. Missing address mark Tye, Harlow, Essex CM18 7LX,
Keep up the excellent work on While writing, thanks for such though their telephone number is

8000 Plus. a wonderful magazine. Throughout different.

have supported 8000 Plus since it
Whether they are the same
I

TriciaWoodgate my professional career in H W

began. bought issue 1 in
I

Ivybridge, Devon aeronautical engineering have I people operating under a different

Smiths in High Wycombe and
had to read technical manuals and name have no idea; they may
I

immediately subscribed. When I

simply be the same building, but

magazines, and not all easy in
8000 PLUS: We've just spoken to Howard began my business obviously I

reading. How nice it is, in Ithink might be a bit wary.

I

Fisher at Locomotive who has told us that chose 8000 Plus to advertise in.
retirement, to look forward to and Rev. Stephen Coombs
LocoScript 2 won't be shipped with PCW This have done over the last
greatfully receive 8000 Plus each
I

Cannock
8512s until such times as Amstrad buy the eighteen months with a short break
month with its easy reading style Staffordshire
licence to do it. And, from what we can when the price went up. While I

and careful explanation of technical

gather, that doesn't look like being
Keep up the good work and realise that you have had no
details. 8000 PLUS: 77ie good news is that Mike
particularly imminent. Don't hold your experience of my service or
don't worry about the odd moan Mordecai ofAV Computing Ltd has
breath is the answer to that one.
from people who don't like the testimonials from customers, I feel
absolutely nothing to do with Cut Price
As far as having to buy eight
my
jokes. The majority I am sure aggrieved that in spite of Software and is merely occupying the
copies of everything goes, there is such a
appreciate its total content. support, when someone writes in same premises. He told us that there were
thing as a 'site licence' which you would
BJ Joint asking about data transfers to an originally three companies working from
have to negotiate on an individual basis
Watford IBM format (see December the same building - and Cut Price Software
with the company supplying you with the
Postscript's 'Loco in motion') I don't andAV Computing were two
software. This enables you to use a
get a mention. Instead, people are of them.
software package on more than one 8000 PLUS: You bunch of sweet talkers,
usually referred to Grey Matter or For those of you who lost money
computer - provided that they are all lot - and Happy New Year!
you. Thanks a
now Word Print. to Cut Price before their collapse, try
installed at the same address.
I am not asking for exclusivity. 'phoning the company's solicitors - Giess

I am not suggesting that since I am Osbourn and Partners. 10 Mulberry Green,

8000 Plus - The collection the only regular advertiser of such Harlow in Essex - on 0279 27431.
a service am the only one that I

should be mentioned. What am I

would really like to thank your

I

staff, past and present, for having

asking for is a little even New and old
handedness.
produced The 8000 Plus
So much for my moans. As I

Collection. It is a very handsome Re. November's Postscript letter

said at the beginning, 8000 Plus
publication and appreciate the 'Designs on you' from Lola and
continues to set the pace among
I

extra work that has gone into Martin Taylor.

the PCW magazines. Please make
preparing the text and the disc. It Yes, there are some people
sure that you continue in the
has given me great pleasure. out there who are interested in
tradition of the magazine and
When first started taking the computers and handcrafts.
I

keeep it the best.

magazine, as a beginner on my Embroiderers, quilters and
Digby L James
PCW 9512, most of it was machine knitters all use computer
Mapej Disk Copying Service
unintelligible to me. can now go programs for working out designs
I
Mitcham
back through past issues again and and inventing new variations; I

Surrey
find can learn more and more.
I
have seen several articles about
this. suggest you go into a large,
Incidentally, it puzzles me that
I

8000 PLUS: We are bombarded all day

well-known newsagents and
neither the magazine nor the book every day with company names, locations
appear have taken advantage of browse until you find what you
to and services; and even when they appear
want. In my latest copy of
LocoSpell. cannot recommend it
I
- as yours does - in the magazine on a
'Embroidery', there is a small ad.
too highly for weeding out regular basis, we're apt to forget them
typographical slips. This letter was
still
for The Stitch Grapher by MGA
from time to time. That's why whenever we
Softcat, Pear Tree Cottage,
full them until a moment ago. My
of
favourite one so far in the book is
— lOLAp. refe peAP^r /
do neglect to give

appreciate receiving timely

somebody a mention, we
and civil
Appledore, Kent TN16 2AR.

on page 31 'LocoScript is one of

The following guilds all publish
:
reminders like this one. Sorry about that,

the most bug-free programs ever

a magazine or newsletter and back
Mr James; promise I to try harder.
relaesed.' Compatibility ratings numbers are usually available:
J. Goodacre The Embroiderers Guild,
Clarendon Park Apartment 41 A, Hampton Court
Re. John Smith's enquiry about Harlow revisited
Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT.
Leicester loading his LocoScript 2 files
Mrs Elizabeth Gillett, The Knitting
directly intoa DTP program,
My sincere congratulations to I was interested to read the letter in and Crochet Guild, 5 Roman
all perhaps he (and you) might be
those involved the Bath office, your December issue from G Lewis Mount, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2DP,
in interested to know that Micro
the Old Barn or wherever, in the of Clockwise Enterprises regarding and finally Judi Watson, The
Design II will not only load his
a company called Cut Price Quilters' Guild, 25 Churchfields,
production of this latest Tips LocoScript 2 files directly (without
Software. also got burned for £20 Tickton, Beverley, N. Humberside
publication. From what I have read resaving them as ASCII files) but
I

so and take some time to by this bunch for a copy of Mini HU17 9SX.
far, it will will even preserve the style and
digest everything, think rates an Office Personal, though the Alyson Bradley
I it formatting codes used for bold,
Amstrad health warning to the address have is 1 7 Stapel Tye, Croydon
italics, centred text and so on. I

effect that every 8000/9000 owner This kind of full compatibility Harlow, Essex CM18 7LX, not the
should purchase, or even be certainly is 'the exception rather Lewes address G Lewis quotes. 8000 PLUS: Just goes to show the uses to

supplied with, a copy! Your Advertisement Manager which you put your computer can never be
than the rule', so if there is an
How delighted I was to receive exceptional program, why not was quite right to say you've too traditional!

the publication before Christmas. mention it? carried no advertising for Cut Price
It's certainly going to be a Nik Holmes Software this year. You are, The common weel
bestseller and would have no Creative Technology however, carrying advertising for a

>
I

hesitation in recommending it to company called AV Marketing Ltd All we need, we who are
anyone with a PCW. Indeed, I will 8000 PLUS: Thank you. Nik; you just did. on page 63 of the December issue. moving on as soon as

January 90 8000 PLUS 87

 POSTSCRIPT-
LocoScript get their program for 8000 PLUS: Well, courtesy ofGM of this size; ie, the impossibility of you reach the Throne Room.
the PC up and running, is some Demaline from Nelson in Lancashire, we rapid input of text on the tiny Try combining actions on the
clever disc manufacturer to make a can bring you the very lines of Mallard keyboards. PCW keys. Set up one group for
disc that will slot into both the 3" BASIC you need: Are you planning to feature the movement in all directions as
drive of the PCW and the 31/2" AgendA in the near future? usual, another for jump and swap
drive of thePC.
1 0e$=CHR$(27):c$=e$+"H"+e$+"E"
Unless it will be featured in the identities simultaneously. Use
cannot be beyond the wit of 20 curon$=e$+"e":curoff$=e$+"f"
It next issue, would be most grateful
I highlighter on the keys to keep you
man to make such a thing, surely? 30 print c$:print curoff$ if you could write and let me have orientated.
Then we could change all our files 40 input"",a$ your opinion on this machine and if Jim Mackay
from machine A to machine B 50 a$=upper$(a$) it is possible for it to input/output Aberdeen
without any angst and all this stuff 60 if a$ = "B" then goto 80 information with my PCW 851 2.
about interfaces and null modem 70 print curon$:system Thank you in advance for
8000 PLUS: It would appear that 8000
cables and what-have-you would 80 print curon$:end your help.
Plus readers are enjoying themselves far
be an unnecessary expense. J R Jackson
too much these days. The Coxes have
Reverend John Ticehurst Press B followed by [RETURN] to return Stourport on Severn
been literally inundated (or rather, the
Braunton, North Devon to BASIC, or just [RETURN] to return to Worcestershire
office has on their behalf) with letters from
the A> prompt.
crazed Head over Heels junkies desperate
8000 PLUS: Interesting idea. It has to be 8000 PLUS: We've had a lot of letters like
to share the secrets of their jump and swop
said, though, that such boundlessly yours over the past few weeks. We'll be
successes.
optimistic taith in the capabilities of
Trainee writer carrying out an in-depth review of the
For anybody who's stuck
computer hardware designers is touching AgendA in next month's issue.
anywhere else in the game. I understand
in the extreme. I guess we reached our
Having used a Sirius Word Star that Amstrad Action, our sister magazine,
limitations with test-tube babies and putting
word processor several years ago 'For those of squeamish published a complete map of the game in
the first man on the moon.
and fancying myself as a writer, I disposition...' one of their issues a couple of years ago.
bought an Amstrad PCW 951 2.
Child's play, thought I.
He. the (Joxs' desperate plea tor
CADzooks! Public assembly
Not so, not so! need help and I
directions to the Emperor's Throne
suspect that the easiest way is to Room in Head over Heels (see
I am writing to ask for your advice go on a short user's course. December Postscript's 'Royal It was good to see Steve Patient
regarding the availability of a CAD However, have seen noneI

Flush'). First collect all four highlighting the excellent utilities

package that will enable me to advertised and wonder if you would Crowns. available to assembly
plan and design kitchen and be kind enough to send me details When you've passed the programmers from public domain
bedroom furniture as am soon I
of any that you know of in and entrances to the Four Worlds and in the December issue. There were
to commence employment in
around South London. turned right, you can use a jump one or two problems with Z8E that
that field. Until then, printing my
out and swop identity routine to gain prospective users should be aware
As I am a newcomer to the masterpieces and bestsellers will that essential little bit of height to of. The version in SIB/M 239 that
world of computers (I've only had have to remain an idle dream! reach the well-nigh-impossible he mentions won't work properly
my PCW 8256 for three weeks) I'm V Battenti space station door (you know, the on the PCW. Z8E must therefore
at a bit of a loose end as to where Orpington one you think only Heels can get be modified - as has SID - to use
to findsuch a package. Is there a Kent up to). Enter transmitter, shoot RST 6 for its breakpointing. Easy
relevant CAD program built into
sprite in next room, turn right, enter enough you know how. Several
if

The Desktop Publisher for 8000 PLUS: You Ve got a number of

options. Although there aren't
next transmitter, carry the spring versions modified in this way are
instance? would be very grateful
I
any training
that you never could reach from available from various libraries, but
for any information you could companies right on your doorstep, there
below, jump down from the ledge none, so far as I know, have
give me. are a number of places in London with
to the even-more-well-nigh- corrected the bug which prevents
Brian Dobison whom you can arrange specific PCW word
impossible Castle door, go straight symbol tables being written to disc
processing training. Talk to any of the
Whickham, Tyne and Wear on through the next room, turn right properly. have a version that
I

following:
and after another three rooms and corrects these and several other
8000 PLUS: Try any of the following:
Banna Word Processing (01 493 3336)
an encounter with the Ape-Dalek, bugs, although I won't claim that
PCW Draw from HTB Digitus Training (01 251 1010)
Computing (0794 I'vefound them all.
516279), Sketch Pad (£14.95) from
PS Partnership (01 379 3198)
If any readers want a copy,

Composit (0952 595436) or

Office International (01 387 9339)
Digital
No Hassle Computing (01 675 3139) or
then they can send me a formatted
Research's DR Draw which you might be disc and a SAE with a quid in it -
able to get second-hand.
CTC UK Ltd (0202 299676).
Headline Communications
otherwise be wearing out my
I'll
will offer
disc drives - and I'll send them an
specific PCW 9512 training on audio-
Burning screen cassette and disc. Call them on 0602
amended version complete with
the documentation.
603623 for further information.
Contrary to what Steve says,
Having regard to the benefits of
there is a very good 8080
leaving my computer on more or
Agenda planning assembler book still in print - at
less all the time, I have sought
least, I've seen in several it
without success a means of
I was very pleased when you bookshops recently, which
clearing the screen completely at
announced a series of tests on although is not PCW-specific, is
times when the machine is not in

use to prevent screen burn. In the hand-held computers as am I

great for learning the code. It's

thinking of buying one. 'Soul of CP/M' by Mitchell Waite

event, Ihave resorted to calling up
SET 24 *
80, which clears the enjoyed the first two reports
I
and Robert Lafore, and published
screen - except for the A> prompt from which would appear that the
it by H W Sams at £16.95.
- and turning the brightness to its Psion is clearly superior to the Mick Reed
lowest level. Sharp IQ. 11 Older Way

Any suggestions? might even I

The machine have in mind is I
Angmering
accept aline or two of BASIC. the AgendA, mainly because of the Sussex BN1 6 4HQ
Christopher Whitehouse Microwriter facility of input which, if
(Tel: 0903 775039)
" lKt&P Ti4i|JKirJ& IT* Jt*3T
Tutbury practical, would seem to overcome
Burton on Trent the objection to all other products
AH AWEHTuipe <5A*\& Oft 8000 PLUS: Thanks for your letter, Mick.

88 8000 PLUS JanuaryM

 AND
POOLS WIN HORSES
WITH ADVERTISERS INDEX
COURSEMASTER AND
POOLSMASTER
{formerly 'Pools Predictor' by Corwen Computer Systems)
A- Z Computers 72 Intraset Ltd 89
Abacus Software 80 JEM IFC
The Computer Horseracing Programme Advantage 74 JP Main Computer Services 77
* RATES ANY RACE IN SECONDS ANY DAILY NEWSPAPER IS ALL YOU NEED
-

* NEVER out of date Both N. Hunt and Flat Fast data entry
- -
Aladdink 62 Kavin Computer Supplies 67
* AMAZING ACCURACY!! Now you CAN BEAT THE BOOKIE!
-

* Works on the simple principle that FAST HORSES BEAT SLOW ONES!!!
Apex Computing Services 41 K&M Computers 62
Amstrad User Club 4 Kosmos 32
* Clearly identifies best selection in every race plus these AMAZING Features:-
* First, Second and Third choice shown for Forecasts and Tricasts, etc. Recommends most suitable type of bet. Ansible Information 72 Laser Images 60
* Actually works out your WINNINGS on most popular bets including SINGLES and DOUBLES, win and each Arnor Ltd 58 Little Office 41
way. PATENTS, YANKEES, CANADIANS, HEINZ etc. Good EACH WAY and LONG ODDS bets clearly
shown. Astrocalc 72 Locomotive Software 14, 17
* Will PRINT BETTING SLIP for you.
out your A V Marketing Ltd 65 Manx Tapes 77
* Maintains a BANK ACCOUNT BET like PROFESSIONALS do! Records
- all your bets in any number of
BBD Dust Covers 68 Margin Maker 85
accounts. Keep a complete record of your betting or compare Coursemaster against your favourite tipster.
* PLUS!!! - THE AMAZING COURSEMASTER SYSTEM. This superb betting system is included in the Bradway Software 24 McGregor Software 60
programme. A system which regularly produces huge wins from small stakes. Try it! Can pay for itself many Brainstorm Software Ltd 89 Meridian Software 38
times over on the first day!
Caspell Computer Services 37 Micro Media Computer Supplies ..60
* Supplied with 20 page BETTING GUIDE and MANUAL.
Cavalier Software 74 Miles Better Software 43
FREE HOT TIP OF THE MONTH TO EVERY PURCHASER
Supplied on TAPE at £16.95 for: Supplied on DISC at £18.95 tori- Cirtech Uk Ltd 65 MJC Supplies 57
AllSpectrums, Commodore 64/128, Amstrad All Spectrums, Commodore 64/128 Amstrad Compact Micros 72 Moonstone Computing 32
CPC's, BBC & Electron. Also available for CPC's, Amstrad PCW's, BBC & Electron,
Computer Images 77 Newstar software Ltd OBC
Sinclair QL on Microdrive at £16.95. IBM/PC compatibles. All Amstrad PC's etc.
Comstax Ltd 60 Novatech 80
Please state machine and disc size
Compumart IBC PCW Software Library 68
The Computer Football Pools Predictor
The amazing POOLSMASTER programme is by far the best Pools predictor that we have ever seen. Connect Software 52 PCW World 43
In just 10 weeks of trying this programme ourselves we won 12 dividends the largest being nearly £300. Copy Comm 33 Pinboard Computers 62
POOLSMASTER is simple to use and requires only that you keep the league tables up to date using your usual Cornix Software 19 Pinfold Print 80
newspaper.
The result of many years research into the Football Pools by the programmer Martin Evans of CCS. the Creative Technology 9 RSC 22-23
programme is a masterpiece of expertise and is simplicity itself to use. Data Access 85 SBS 9
* Predicts Homes, Aways and Draws. Database 41, 43 SCA Systems 55
* No fiddly typing in of teams etc. and no redundant databases.
* Instant read out or Hardcopy you have a Printer.
if
Dataline Computing Services 80 S.C Coleman 80
* Uses scientific formula based on recent form home and away, league position, goals scored etc. It has long DGA Software 32, 49 Selec Software 85
been realised that certain combinations of these factors return a much higher average of draws than the laws of 68 Silicon City 28
Dragonfly Designs
average would expect. POOLSMASTER looks tor these factors and analyses their significance to give you the
Dunning Computer Services 62 Siren Software 49
best possible chance of a win.
* Also has a 'Sequence Predictor' option. Many people believe that certain numbers on the coupon come up Encyclasoft 24 SK Marketing Ltd 25
more often than others and over a season patterns do seem to develop. The programme analyses these Exemplar Design 85 Software Imperative 3
patterns and predicts the numbers most likely to come up next. Certainly more scientific than sticking a pin in or
Groundwork 77 Suredata 24
family birthdays etc!
If you do the POOLS then this is the programme for you. HD Design 62 Timatic Systems 38
SUPPLIED ON DISK AT £18.95 FOR ALL Hi Tech (Modems) 77 Three Inch Software 62
SUPPLIED ON TAPE AT £16.95
PCW'S, SPECTRUMS, COMMODORE
FOR ALL SPECTRUMS, AMSTRAD CPC'S 64/128, AMSTRAD CPC'S, AMSTR AD/IBM
HSV Computer Services 68 W.A.V.E 85
COMMODORE 64/128.
COMPATIBLE PC'S. H.T.B Computers 60 West of Britian 6
Headline Communications 24 Wight Scientific 62
British and Australian version available please state which. Please state disc size.
Home Based Business 60 Worldwide 89
* SPECIAL COMPENDIUM DISK OR TAPE CONTAINING *
BOTH COURSEMASTER & POOLSMASTER TAPE E31.95 DISK £34.95 - -

INTRASET LTD, (DEPT 8000) FREEPOST NO. 10 Woodside Ave,

Clayton-Le-Woods, Chorley, Lanes, PR6 7QF

WORLDWIDE
SOFTWARE Ul\l
ooom Tnorn
Ul\lIII I I I I
Tel Tel
106A Chilwell Road
1 Bridge Street
0896 0602 Beeston
Galashiels
57004 252113 Nottingham
TD1 1SW NG91ES
Successful projects, reports, courses,
(24 hrs) (24 hrs)
meetings and presentations can be
All Prices Include VAT.
yours with Brainstorm
1st Class Postage and Packing is FREE in the U.K.
• It's an ideas organiser
AMX Mouse/Stop Press £69.95 Cheetah Joystick £6.95
Stop Press Software Only £31.95 10 x CF2 Amsoft/Maxell Disk £23.95 • It enhances and encourages your thinking and creativity
Bridge Player 2000 £11.95
AMX Mouse/Desktop Publisher £58.95 • It lets you build and rearrange maps of your thoughts
Masterpack (Masterpaint + Masterscan}..£58.95 Bridge Player 2150 £21.95
Desktop Publisher £19.50 Classic Games 4 £14.95 • It's so fast, it never impedes your creative flow

Mini Office Professional Plus (8512/9512) £33.00 Clock Chess 88 £11.95 • It's quick to learn and is genuinely easy to use
Enhanced (8256) ...£33.00
Mini Office Professional Clock Chess 89 £13.95
Hi Soft C £38.95 Colossus Bridge 4 £13.50 • It's a tried and tested product with thousands of users
Colossus Chess 4 £13.50
It comes with a full tutorial and reference manual
Hi Soft Knife Plus £14.95 •
Hi Soft Pascal £38.95 Scapeghost £14.95
Locoscript II + Locospell £32.95 Scrabble £14.95 It's sold and supported by the experts - its authors

Locofile
Masterfile 8000
Money Manager Plus
£28.95
£32.95
£28.95
Steve Davis Snooker
Tomahawk
Trivial Pursuit
(Helicopter Simulator)
£13.50
£14.95
£14.95
8-c
Please send me:
Money Manager PCW £38.95 PCW Challenge (Compilation) £12.99
~| Amstrad PCW disk- only
Plan It

Pocket Pretext
£16.95
£26.95
(Air Combat
Strip Poker)
Emulator, Sky War. Formula 1
1 I —
Brainstorm- enclose £29.99
I 1

£29.99
Prospell £21.95 Educational I The manual
is on disk in both
1
Sage Payslips (1000) £38.95 Animal Vegetable Mineral £12.99 LocoScript and all inclusive
Sage Invoices (500) £44.95 Better Maths (12-16 Yrs) £12.99 I ASCII text formats.
Sage Statements (1000) £38.95 Better Spelling (9-14 Yrs) £12.99
Sage Popular Accounts Plus (Accts + lnv)„. £102.95 Maths Mania (8-12 Yrs) £12.99
£12.99 ~| Further information
Sage Popular Accounts £71.95 World Wise
Sage Popular Invoicing £51.95 Wordprocessors Computers
Sage Popular Payroll £51.95 PCW 8256 £373.95 I My name is

Sage Popular Retrieve £49.95 PCW 851 £488.95

Joystick Interface for PCW £14.95 PCW 9512 £505.95 My address is

I
Please make Cheques and Postal Orders .Tel
I
Payable to
Please make your cheque out to Brainstorm Software Ltd.
Worldwide Software I Our address is: FREEPOST,
Credit Card Orders accepted by Phone or Mail. (18 Courtlands Close, Ruislip, Middx., HA4 8AX. Tel: 0895 677845).
 BACKPAGE

Next month
COMPETITION
FIRST PRIZE
£500-worth of Cirtech's
Diamond hard disc (see
October review) wilt be
winging its way to the
winner of this month's
competition. Not only
How well does Microwriter's AgendA talk to the PCW?
can you connect up to 7
PCWs to it at the same What's on the AgendA?
time, it is also the only Responding to popular demand, we check out
hard disc from which
the credentials of Mircrowriter's pocket-sized
you can automatically
electronic personal organiser and find out how
boot your PCW.
well it talks to the PCW. We'll also be taking a

make sure the New Year gets off to a good count, then two copies of the word processing
look at the sort of people who can expect to get

the most out of

To start,we've got well over a thousand pounds'
worth of prizes sitting here in the office waiting
package
office -
that we use
Protext from Arnor
here in

-
the 8000 Plus
will also be up
it.

to be shared out among 14 lucky competition for grabs.

Using the PCW as a
winners. Five simple questions are all that are Campbell Systems, on the other hand, are FAX machine
standing between you and our fabulous first prize; and trauma-free data upkeep
offering efficient Why not save yourself the £600 - £700 or so
Cirtech's Diamond 48 MB hard drive. If your name to thewinners of the two copies of Masterfile that it will cost you to buy a new FAX machine
isn't first out of the hat, however, there are still 8000 (also reviewed last month) which they and use your PCW instead? Next month sees
plenty of other equally indispensable prizes waiting have kindly donated to the New Year lucky dip.
the PCW move up a few gears as it breaks into
tobe claimed. Locomotive, as we all know, are never ones
the world of rapid communication.
What about breaking into the world of high- to miss out on a party - and this one's no
speed comms with a Hayes compatible Linnet Howard Fisher has thrown in two
V21/V23 modem, complete with autodialing,
exception.
PCWSuperDOS
copies (8000 and 9512 versions) of LocoFile
If you're one of those people who have
answering and 32 name store? Cross the line in one of the friendliest PCW databases around.
always found the CP/M A> prompt unfriendly,
second place and it will be yours. Third runner-up Plus, more power to your programming elbow!
this original new system from Encyclasoft offers
will receive equally practical hardware in the form of If you liked our review of PCW World's
SCA's Systems Professional interface (see last Streamlined BASIC earlier on this issue, you the chance to throw it over for good.
month's review.) This is the version that comes with sharpen your pencils and get thinking: four PCW SuperDOS is, say its creators, an
the in-built battery-backed clock so that your PCW copies ofthis improved Mallard BASIC are altogether more friendly desktop environment
system clock can be set to automatically show the waiting to be won. which has been closely modelled on the
correct time whenever you switch on the machine -
The rest is up to you. On the front of this LocoScript disc management screen. We'll be
a useful addition to anybody's desktop. month's issue is a card on which you will find reviewing it next month.
Fourth prize be appropriate for any music-
will five multiple choice questions to do with
loving winners. Composit Software's Composer's calendars and the New Year. Ring the Going FORTH
Pen will have your printer churning out those chart- correct answers and send it in. Don't waste Aside from programming the animation
topping hits one after the other. time though; the competition closes on the sequences in Star Wars, to what other uses can
If you're interested in fast scrolling and a word 21 st of January.
computer
you put this language that was
originally designed for use by astronomers.

Competition Winner Read our overview of a language that doesn't

have to be just a stack of Reversed

Cast your minds back to our November competition and
Polish arithmetic.
you will remember that in order to win the Hi-Tec fully

Hayes-compatible modem we Making the famous

were offering, you had to
work for you
complete Thomas
Intrigued? This one's all about how you -
as
Jones' word circle.
a writer - can get the most out of meeting well-
Well the first

envelope out of
The February issue of known people by marketing those special

the hat belonged 8000 Plus will be in 'celebrity' articles.

to C Hughes from
your newsagents on Exploding myths (part li)
the Isle of Wight
th
who correctly January 25 1990. This month, the Gods obviously weren't willing.

Hopefully, they will be next month when we'll

completed the They won't be stocking
puzzle below to form be reviewing Myth, the game for the PCW that's

the word PROGRAMS

up for long - order your got more Poseidon and pizazz than an
Congratulations! copy now! American block-buster.

8000 PLUS January 90

7

Compuma
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90 70
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•
•
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LOCOSCRIPT 2 (Locomotive Software)
LOCOFILE
(Please specify
(Locomotive Software)

PCW 8 or 9 Series)
£19.90
£19.90
£24.90

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RECTA 10
ORATOR 10 £5.90 High quality transparent
PCW 8 Series - 2 Piece £7.80
SCRIPT 12 CLEANPRINT (PCW Printers) - 3 Piece £8.60
COURIER 10 Removes
£2.40 PRESTIGE 12
(V ink deposits
PCW 9 Series - 2 Piece £7.80
£3.95 (v Maintains print quality
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90 FA nr 3" Disk Storage Case £5.90
Minimum Order - 2 ribbons unless ordered with other items.
Prices are per ribbon and ex VAT. EX. VAT SERIES L. J
90
SERIES £5 20 (Holds 10 disks)

OftDER WTLIlf
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A Great Deal More. For a Good Deal Less
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L> Free fast delivery on all items.

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FREEPOST (8 0+)
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 News From The Software Specialist

NEW STAR SOFTWARE

The Old Rectory, London Road, Widford, Chelmsford CM2 8TE, Essex.
Telephone 0245 265017, Fax 0245 263969, Tlx 995143

New Star Software's Autumn 89 catalogue NewWord2:

is now out! the classic
more products
More for the PCW alternative WP for the
NewStar Catalogue prices shown inc & ex VAT PCW
[Autumn 1989
extensive buyers's guide
owner than ever
Lost in LocoScript? You may
information
By popular demand the PCW be surprised to learn that the
section has been expanded,
network and multiuser most refined WordStar worka-
and includes the complete Loco
selection from File to Font. like of them all has been avail-
pricing
able to run on the PCW since
feature cross ref charts Displaying it's usual commit-
long before LocoScript was
ment to be much more than
Expanded PCW section just another software vendor's dreamed of.
Business software flog sheet, the all-new New NewWord2 operates under the
Star Software Buyers' Guide CPM operating system, and
Entertainment software
and Catalogue is available free uses the universally recog-
The complete guide to buying
IBM nnd flmMrad so/lUJ
N2vN
51/\R FREE of charge - just call/write for
your copy.
nised codes that allow trans-
portability of the skill to virtu-
just ask! There are 64 pages describing ally any micro computer - in-
a complete range of IBM PC
cluding systems operating
(and compatible) software,
under CDOS and Unix! What's
NewStar Software: Original and best plus an expanded section
covering the best of the PCW more, the files are directly
Over 3 years of supplying software transferred to 3" disk software. transferrable!
software for the user PCW on request; and our classic
Accounts, wordprocessing, NewWord2 PCW £60
makes NewStar probably the CPM applications, Touch database and graphics are all
most experienced company in 'n'Go, NewWord and Cracker covered.
Li NewWord2 with Polyprint
the marketplace. are still the best in their typeface sets, if purchased
Check and see if your local
We were there from the launch respective fiel ds. together £99.95
software stockist has the New
of the PCW with any CPM Several feature data and Star catalogue available - and
skill Upgrade NewWord2 PCW
portability to MSDOS (IBM if not, ask them to get some in, to IBM PC edition £39.95
PC) systems, so skills learned but don't delay before getting
Upgrade NewWord2 PCW
Celebratory on the PCW can be carried your free copy!
forward with no wasted effort.
to IBM PC edition with
STAMfile transfer utility
Offers! Cracker 2 Turbo suite £60

From PCW to PC, still the only high res (Return of original master
disk required with all
graphic spreadsheet
and back again upgrade purchases)
for PCW users
Included in an expanded PCW
catalogue section, is the latest The range of features and PaperBackUp
edition of Software functions in Cracker remains Support
Technology's versatile OPINION POLLS
Pointers Don't forget that our
CSTAM: the simple to use *-Hr~Tir cf

To mark the appearance of our
first major new catalogue for
over a year, we are giving away
a free copy of the Trivial
Pursuit game, or for the more
serious minded user, a copy of
the outstanding keyboard
trainer, Touch 'n'
each order for £50 worth of PC
software, accompanied by a
copy of this advert. Offer
applies until September 30th
1989.
affiliate publishing
serial file transfer utility:
available with 3" disk, PCW company, PaperBack
3.5" and 5.25" PC disks. Software UK, operates a
comprehensive hotline and
Move files between any support service on all it's
combination of these systems published products.
using the serial connector
Extensive support, close
lead supplied.
integration of the facilities
CSTAM £49.95 Example plot from a PCW printer of UK published
applications and the easy
PCW Serial interface
£59.95 unsurpassed for the serious transfer of skill and data to
spreadsheet user. And don't other types of computer
Go - with CSTAM and interface is forget, like newWord, Cracker software like Cracker and
purchased together £99 NewWord,. makes
users can upgrade to MSDOS
PaperBack Software the
and CDOS systems, taking all
Prices here are EXCLUDING VAT
data and experience as you go!
logical solution for all UK
registered trademarks acknowledged.
All users.
Q QCracker2 £60.00