Hardcore Volume 3 No. 3 1983 06 BASUG GB

hard core THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH APPLE SYSTEMS USER GROUP Tune 1983 FF VOLUME 3 No. 3 Page 2 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June igg~ 1 HEMEL MEMPSTFAC Atos SLOUGH We ve MOV <d} Z = HOW TO FIN Lux Computer Services Ltd COLONIAL WAY, WATFORD, HEARTS. WD2 44 TEL: WATFORD (0923) 473¢ Amplifier & Volume control £ 18 for Apple JC and //e STILL. ONLY £65 TO BASUG MEMBERS :— THE ZAPPLE Sound effects & Music Board 40/780 Column switches only £3.50 (state which card) ALL PRICES INCLUDE Small run hardware a speciality. VAT PAND P Meekrose Ltd 85 Water dell EEKROSE Leighton Buzzard Telephone: Leighton 8273" Bedfordshire (0525) 370621 LU7 8PL June 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 3 hardcore THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH APPLE SYSTEMS USER GROUP WD2 6NF P.O. BOX 174 WATFORD Basug Committee Bob Raikes Chairnan Secretary Norah Arnold John Wellsnan Jim Panks Secretary Software Librarian John Ropers David Bolton Tony Willians Hardcore Editor ADMINISTRATOR Fran Too Consultants/ Assistants John Martin, John Sharp» sikes Yvette BANKERS National Westminster Bank Ltd. Brompton Square, London SW3 1HH. COPYRIGHT (C) - The contents of this journal are copyright of the British Apple Systems User Group and / or the respective authors. However permission will normally be granted for non-commercial reproduction by user groups affiliated to the International Apple Cort provided the author and source are properly credited. The opinions and views expressed are those of the various contributors, and are not necessarily supported by the British Apple Systems User Group. CONTENTS 4 Editorial Chairman's Corner Unar are These File uffer Things Anywa! 12 Education Norah Arnold 13 Uny does Less cost Neville Ian Ash nore ? 15 Voice Based Learning Tony Willians Bob Raikes CLif£ Hooton Tony Willians 19 Epson & Applewriter II Jin Panks David Archbold Jin Panks Fran Teo Quentin Reidfo: 22 Fpson Printer Ribbons 23 Visicale Corner 26 Nisconnected Jottings tings & Workshops eaters Letters 33 Nenbership Matte: Jin Panks 26 DASUG foes Heneling Tony Willians 37 Pascal for the Apple Hob Raikes 38 Unlist trick Craig, Crossman lesoft Randon nunber 39 Easy Text Screen Dump Ron Wrenholt/ Harry Brawley 40 Small ads Diversi Dos RUC cronet/ had Disk flings Tony Willians eal Groups 4 The Ths Outs of Bob Raikes AG Diary INTERNATIONAL APPLE CORE ™! MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL APPLE CORE The cover this month is a picture by Norah Arnold of the Mary Rose + Is Norah trying to make a point about the potential danger of new technology ? If you can, get to see the colour original at a RASUG meeting. Page 4 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1983 Editorial T suppose {t had ro happen: the following passage has appeared in Maple Orchard, published by the Apple Users Group of Toronto: Wardcore. This one wins the prize for the most controversial of the Apple-related publications. In the beginning, few reputable publications would even carry its advertisement (ch?) as its sole pur pose was to disseminate information about how to break the copy protection codes on Apple software (ch? ch?). The magazine, which has as rather — sporadic publishing schedule, does include some other articles. All-in-all it’s not a bad publication, although not @ great one cither. Its strength Mes fn {rs description of disk operating systems They can't be talking about us, not us, aithough "rather sporadic schedule" is an unkind way of looking at what sometimes happens. Only at the end of the Maple Orchard article when the address is given as Tacoma, Wa. are our worst suspicions confirmed. We not only have a namesake in the USA, but one which apparently tries to live up to the rather scurrilous image suggested by the name Hard Core. So what do we do? Well, we can send off our back numbers to even more groups throughout the world - we do it already but not enough apparently. They ought to convince anyone immediately that for all BASUG's sins , it is not a copying shop. Or we could rename the magazine "Hard Core 1" (like Jaws I) to remind users that we were first, we think. Or we could rename {t entirely. You could bring this up at the ACM which - note this in your diaries - {s on July 2, this year. There you will have the opportunity to haul us over the coals, and more importantly put yourselves forward as volunteer workers, writers, distributors, magazine renamers, anything. If you can't get there (a venue had not been settied at the time of writing this piece) send your proxy vote. or failing that a letter stating your ideas and suggested changes which you would like to be read out or taken inty consideration at the meeting. Your editor intends to put in a couple of days at Apple '83. Come and abuse him, if our "sporadic schedule" docs not play up again. Chairman's Corner Those of you who look at the first page of flardcore will have noticed a nunber of changes in the composition of the connittee. One name that has changed has been on Page 3 since volume 1, no 1, the nane of John Sharp. I know that all those that have come into contact with John since the founding of BASUG will join myself and the present committee in wishing hin suecess in his new job and thanking hin for the enormous amount of time and effort that he has put in to the group over the last two and a half years. 1 trust that he will succeed in making the manuals of the company that he is going to join much less inscrutable. John has promised not to leave us in the lurch, but will give us the benefit of his accumulated knowledge both of BASUG and the Apple. Over the last 18 nonths John has been organising the day to day administration of the roup. lis change to new employment has meant that different arrangements have had to be made, and Fran Teo, previously the group's treasurer, has taken over the full-tine administration. This will make no difference to the use of the PO Box, so carry on sending your orders and letters to PO Box 174, Our thanks go to Sheila and Sue for the work that they have done in running the group. Ao Fran has left the connittee in order to take up the Administrator's job, Jonn Wellsman has become Honorary Treasurer. Norah Arnold has taken over the Hon, Secretary's job fron John Sharp, and I have taken over the Chairman's role from her. These arrangements are, of course, only to take us up to the AGM. The last year has seen a tremendous change in the way that BASUG has been organised. Proper accounting and administrative systems have been introduced, and the appearance of BASUG Ltd is now imminent. The foundations have been laid for the long tern survival of the group. The direction that we go in will be up to you, the members, and the committee that you elect at the forthcoming AGM. Those of you who attended the last AGM will remenber how close we were to having too few menbers to be quorate. I hope that the change of venue and the attractions of a workshop will persuade hore of you to cone along to let us know your views. If you cannot cone, please let us have your proxy votes. ! June 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page S — What Are These File Buffer Things For Anyway ? by CLIf£ Wooton I was poking about in the DOS a while ago and was interested to see what was in the file buffers. as they cach take 595 bytes of memory, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. When DOS wants to the disk to the main memory, ( or vice versa) it uses these buffers as temporary storage of one sort or another. A buffer needs to be available for data logging although it does not actually transfer any information into the main momory, other than that pur in the directory buffer. The reasons for this will be apparent when we see what is actually stored in the tile buffer. transfer a file from Apple DOS will build between 1 and 16 file buffers. If 0 is specified as the MAXFILES argument, then a range crror will result. It will also resulr on specification of a value greater than 16. A default number of MAXFILES are set up when DOS is booted. This can be altered by patching the DOS before you create a new master or by getting at the appropriate sector with a DPATCH type utility. If you are patching the DOS in RAM prior to an INIT then the byte to alter is at AABL in a 48k machine. Depending upon the type of disk used this can be stored at several places on the disk. This is summarised in the table shown in figure a = = Seeman DISK TYPE TRACK SECTOR BYTE, 13 SecrOR MASTER | 1 c Bl 13 SECTOR SLAVE | 1 1 BI Figure 1. D Patch Address for default file buffers. I am not too sure about the 16 sector disk mapping as 1 have not yet got into 16 sector DOS as much as I would like, so I will not confuse the issue with it this time around. Whichever sector it is in, the value will probably be stored at byte ul. However many file buffers there are, they all follow the same basic pattern and are butlt by a common routine. The buffer builder resides in the middle of DOS starting at 27D4 and finishing at 2850. This is the routine to modify if you don't want MAXFILES to garbage your programs. Figure 2 illus:rates the basic structure of a single tile bufter. 8|LINK POINTER TO FILE NAME | OF NEXT BUFFER. 2 BYTES 7 |POINTER TO START OF DATA BUFFER. 2 BYTES t ---TOP 6 |POLNTER TO START OF TRACK SECTOR BUFFER. 2 BYTES | POINTER TO START OF MISC INFO, 2 BYTES FILENAME. 30 BYTES MISC INFO BUFFER. 45 BYTES | erate Soil TRACK AND SECTOR LIST | BUFFER, 256 BYTES DATA BUFFER. 256 BYTES SL) vow Figure 2. One File Buffer. As is obvious from Figure 2, the file buffers are broken down into 8 separate parts. [will attempt to explain them in order of appearance, starting from the lowest address and going up towards the highest. 1, THE DATA BUFFER. When DOS disk or vice versa, transfers a file from memory to the RAM image may not occupy a multiple of 256 bytes. Tf not, the last sector stored on the disk will have less than a full page of memory. The unused bytes need to be set to zero, and furthermore must not be transformed directly into the memory otherwise they will wipe out the memory following the arca to be loaded into. Let us assume that we are BSAVING a memory area, fur Page 6 HARDCORE — The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 198% Arguments sake $6000 to $ 61DA. The DOS 2 THE TRACK AND SECTOR LIST BUFFER. will move page $60 into the buffer and then onto the disk. The buffer will then Wien! the BOX haw Weand che perctenker be zeroed by the routine at the top end entry in the directory that is being of DOS $B7D6. This routine zeros the 256 bytes of memory whose base address is pointed at by monitor accumulator 4, S42, $43. When the buffer has been cleared, bytes $6100 to 61DA are moved into the buffer. The whole process is controlled : 2 by some value stored in a buffer that is PORELE/COMTEGL BUNPERS searched fur, the track and sector list is stored in this part of the file buffer. During a file creation the track and sector List Ls built here. pasar to DOS via the Lénnnn part of a The miscellaneous information buffer is BSAVE command. When the first SDA bytes all those odd items of data that will be of the buffer are filled, rhis {s written Veetel §% BOS Gille dc te, Feading:or fo: tho next sector of the file. ‘The writing to the disk on behalf of cach process is exactly similar when a BLOAD file. For instance which drive and slut is carried out, except that the Lsnnnn number and any other such parameters. value is supplied from the file itself. tie’ mieds into, bUEtcr’ La nakwally The sectors are loaded from the disk {nto ASGaied ‘Keak the Copel che DOS. between the buffer and then into the main RAM BSD] and BSFU. Figure 3 below lists the arca. The last one having only the bytes individual items that are stored in this O:DA moved inta the main RAM so as not to buffer with the number of bytes available overwrite beyond the end of the memory Sn Geena area defined by the length of the file. rrem| Label] size] CONTENTS DESCRIPTION 1 jeor ji jaz FIRST TRACK/SECTOR LIST BLOCK (TRK) 2 |ros 1 |0c FIRST TRACK/SEGTOR LIST BLOCK (SEG) 3 jeor j1 | 12 CURRENT TRACK/SECTOR LIST BLOCK (RK) 4 jens |1 joc CURRENT TRACK/SECTOR LIST BLOCK | (SEC) 5 jWRF {2/00 WRITE REQUEST FLAG 6 TRK {1 12 CURRENT TRACK BELNG PROCESSED 7 |sec }1 |ow CURRENT SECTOR BEING PROCESSED 8 jvDR jl joL BLOCK NUMBER IN CATALOG BEING PROCESSED | 9 |vpr ji joo INDEX TO FILE ENTRY WITHIN THAT BLOCK 10 |oms |2 | 70 00 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRK/SEC PAIRS | | ALLOWED 11 |prs |2 }00 00 GURRENT T/S BLOCK BASE VALUE 12 jonr ]2 | 7A 00 REL SECTOR OF NXT DIR 13, |ous |2 | 00 00 SECTOR CURRENTLY IN MEMORY 14 jsp. |2 00 01 SECTOR DATA LENGTH 15 ices |2 | 00 00 CURRENT RELATIVE SECTOR 16 |csB }2 {al 00 CURRENT SECTOR BYTE 17 }RcL }2 © | 00 O1 RECORD LENGTH 18 ieee 2 | AL 00 CURRENT RELATIVE RELE 19 jcrB |2 00 00 CURRENT RELATIVE BYTE 20 [NSA | 2 02 00 NUMBER OF SECTIONS ALLOCATED 21 Jats }1 {00 ALLOCATION SECTOR BYTE 22 jaTK |1 |00 ALLOCATION TRACK 23 ABM /4 [60 00 00 00] ALLOCATION BIT MAP 24 |FTC | 1 81 FILE TYPE CODE 25 {sur ji 60 SLOT NUMBER * 16 26 | pRV | 1 OL DRIVE NUMBER 27 |vor |. | FF VOLUME NUMBER 28 |vT™N [1 1 VTOC TRACK NUMBER 29 |sPR |3 | 00 00 00 3 SPARE BYTES Figure 3. File control buffer contents. June 1983 HARDCORE ~- The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 7 3.1. FDI. The FDT is short for First 3.5. CDT. If the track and sector list Directory Track. The value stored here for the file exceeds one block in size is the track number which the first then while an operation is being and maybe only block of the track and performed on it the track address of the sector list for the file is stored. block currently being processed is stored here. 3.2. FDS. The FDS is an abreviation of the First ‘Directory Sector and 3.4, CDS. This is similar to the FDS and corresponds to the FDT. The FDS is the corresponds to the CDI in the same way as sector on track FDT that the T/S list the FDS is related to the FDT. The starts at. concept of the FDS, FDT, GDS and CDT ts illustrated in Figure 4. file buffer FDT EDS cor cos ) link address pointer at front of T/S list. “ = $4 (no Link) i i 4 disk contains a file Figure with a 3 sector T/S li Page 8 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1982 3.5. WRF. I haven't completely but been found. figured this out the following values have 00 No bits on and so no write performed. ol 02 Write catalog bit will catalog entry to be created 04 permir a 08 10 20 40 Write current sector bit 80 Write file directory block 3.6. RK. If a sector is being read or written then its track address is stored here. 3.7. Similarly its stored here sector address is 3.8. VDR. The directory track has one sector permanently allocated as a VTOC, all the others are catalog sectors. This stores the block number or page of the directory that this file buffer relates to 3.9, VDI, This is the index byte into the file entry area of that directory block. This will give a precise vector to the location of the filename within the catalog. 3.10. DMS. This is the maximum number of track and sector pairs allowed in each track/sector list block. It is identical to the value stored in the disk VTOC 3.11, DFS. This is the base value that needs to be added to the sector currently in memory to get the relative sector within a file. It 1s the base address for the track sector block currently stored in this file buffer. 3.12. DNF. This is a similar value but has the maximum number of track sector pairs added to it to give the base offset for the next block of the track/sector list. There may not be another bluck but the offser {s calculated anyway. It can be thought of as:- DNT = DFS 4 bMS. 3.13. CMS. This is the relative sector number currently stored in the memory. 1 have not teated this to sce whether it is relative to the current track and sector list only, or pertains to the entire file. It would in fact make no difference for a file whose less than 122 secrors. sength ts 3.14. SDL. This is the value stored in the [0B spectfying the length of each disk block or sector. For Apple DUS this is always $100 i.e. 256 bytes. This may change to $200 for Pascal bur unless anyone has got at Pasce!’s innards this is unconfirmed. 3.15. CRS. This is the current relative sector and ts (I rhink), a close relative to the CMS but I am not sure. 3.16. CSB. This ts the byte within the current sector that is being pointed at most probably for use by text file access routines. 3.17, RCL. = The record specitied by the optional L parameter which tells DOS the length of the records within the random access text files. length ts 3.18. CRR. This from the CSB is probably calculated follows: CRR = CSB#256 RCL and points at the current relative record within the ffle. This ts normally specified by the R parameter in a READ statement. 3.19. CRB. The Current points at the Relative Byte byte with the record that is to be accessed via the current instruction and would have been specified by the B parameter in a READ instruction. 3.20. NSA. This is the total file length in sectors and {s the value stored ar the ond of the file name. This ie a true representation of the value since {t runs to two bytes in value unlike the value stored with the file name which is indicated as (NSA) MOD 256. 3.21. ALS. This is the Allocation Sector Byt Tt is the value found by inspecting the bit within the VIUC. 3.22. ATK. This is similar to the ALS and is the track address of the next free sector. 3.23. ABM. This is the four byte bit map that corresponds to the track currently being searched for a free sector. This bit mapping process is covered in detail in the DOS manual. June 17993 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 7 — 3.24. FTC. This is the File Type Code FN 2) thken from: athe! dirsetory. ‘entry forthe Lid file. The most significant bit indicates whether or not the file is locked. Figure 5. (FCB LD Conceptual Layout 3.25. SLT. This {is the Slot Number, te is (ist 1) | Times 16 that the disk with this file is % (DATA 1) installed in. buffers. FNAME, 1 3.26. DRV. and rhis {s the Drive number in the SLT in which the disk is installed. File control 3.27. VOL. This is the Volume number of the diskette in Slot SLT and Drive DRV. 3.28. VIN. The VIN is the track number whose sector 0 is assumed to be the VTOC (EN 3) for the disk in SLT, DRV. FNAME 2 3.29. SPR. There are throe spare bytes left for expansion of the file control buffer in future releases of the DOS. It is unlikely that they will be used but anything is possible, and it is always a no Link woe good thing to allow a bit of room for expansion. 4. The next part of the file buffer is FNAME 3 where the file name that the buffer is open for is stored. This uses the standard 30 character notation as used SOWOLUSTON for filenames throughout DOS type 3. I seem to have rambled on at great length 5. Item 5 in the file buffer is 9 pointer here about what started out as a fairly that Is used to locate the start of the simple subject. It would be possible to file control buffer. map out the address of all the individual 6. Item 6 similarly points at the start buffers for each type of machine but that of the track and sector list buffer. Feally would be a waste of space tn the journal. If you want to do it then go 7. Item 7 points at the start of the Data ahead. By patching the DOS on the disk Buffer. it should be possible to eliminate the necessity to use the MAXFILES as a 8. The last pointer (item 8) ts not used statement in a Boot program, since (his to point at anything within the Buffer garbages any program anyway. That way iteelé but points at the stert of the the approprialte number of file buffers file name in the next buffer down. The can be set up automatically. By putting concept of this linkage is illustrated in various other values into the file figure 5 for a3 buffer case that exists control block it should be possible to st boot time. change the parameters relating to a file during the execution of a program. One As can be seen from figure 5 above, if might, for instance, be able to change there are no more buffers then the Link drives without closing and re-opening a pointer is set to 0000, this follows the file. Whether or not any of these same convention throughout DOS. In a way possibilities ts in fact of any use I | tt is a pity this value is used to will leave up to the rest of you to indicate no link as it precludes the use decide. Perhaps it might make an excuse of track 0 for anything other than DOS for another article. It could be that T storage for booting. Tf the value FFFF am barking up the wrong tree completely wre used this would not be a problem. and what I have found is not a file This would however make the checking for butfer but a box of kippers! That is + Linkage in most cases a little more aiso up to the rest of you to write in trfficult. and tell everybody else where I have gone wrong. Page 10 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 198% With this simple tool, and plain English, you can create your own microsoftware IT SOUNDS EASY... AND IT IS! Gone are the days when business persons needed to learn a complex computer language to write their own application programs, now ... enter the Codewriter. Dynatech Microsoftware are specialists in the development of program generators such as Codewriter, designed to enable beginners to write their own systems in English. 7_,| Also available is Techwriter, a program generator for those with some knowledge of Basic. Techwriter can save up to 90% of program development time in technical and scientific applications, Write or ‘phone for further details. DYNATECH MICROSOFTWARE LTD Summerfield House, Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands. Telephone 0481 45934 Telex 4191130 ine 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 1 GOT A FUNNY DISK? ... WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT? Then you ; need the (Confidential Information Advisors) CAN YOU... * edit normal or protected disks? x quickly find and recover any intact fi , howev badly the disk is corrupted? x list programs directly from any disk - protected or not? + examine textfiles directly from any disk - protected or not? * analyse the formatting of normal or protected disks? x decrypt commercial software - or encrypt your own? * pidly auto- arch normal or protected disks for anything you lik: * understand & use the latest copy protection methods? * use your Apple as a powerful document retrieval system? * make use of an exhaustive knowledge of disk lore? YOU CAN NOW — with a little help from these 5 sophisticated disk utilities: TRICKY DICK examines, records, deletes, and edits. It can: (1) fead individual sectors trom protected disks, (2) list thoir contents in BASIC, assembler, ASCII, or hex, (3) edit thom, (4) write them back to the dick. Tricky Dick cunningly bypassos most protection systems, allowing you to work on disks with nonstandard formatting, haif-tracks, and altered DOS marks. It is algo a chief executive program that directs the following undercover agonts: ‘THE LINGUIST reads in a tracktul of raw data tor your scrutiny, translates all the address information. and allows you to inspect the track's formatting It also translates all types of DOS encoding (6 & 2.58 3.4 & 4), and works with Tricky Dick to list and examine programs or textiles on any protected disk. Use The Linguist t0 recover valuable files from blown disks improve your programming skills by studying commercial software, and analyse standard or altered formatting THE TRACER rapidly searches normal and most protected disks for up to six strings of your choice simultaneously (specified in ASCII or hex). The Tracer also verifies disk formatting, and sniffs out all hidden catalog or VTOC sectors Whe it finds something, it transfers control to Tricky Dick and puts the cursor over the object of your search. A few further keystrokes allow you to make any necessary changes and write the sector back to the disk ‘THE CODE BREAKER keeps your programs andtextfiles from prying eyes by enabling you to transiate them into a “secret code” during disk storage. This utility also deciphers encrypted TO GET THE CIA ON THE TRAIL OF YOUR DISK, SEND £35.00 TO: commercial programs, allowing you to use Tricky Dick to read, list, and edit software never before accessibleto any disk utility, ‘THE TRACKER closoly shadows the disk drive arm, caretully recording all its movements and operations. The Tracker’s job isto display, on either your screen or printer. a list of every track and sector accessed during a LOAD. RUN. SAVE, or any other 005 operation. This utility also tells you exactly where a read or write occurred during any disk access. Use The Tracker's, services to locate the precise trouble spots on a clobbered disk. to determine sector skew patterns, 10 discover the location of hidden “nibhie-count” tracks on protected disks, and to learn much more about how DOS works. You'll be surprised to see Just exactly where the disk arm really does go! What's more, you get permanent access to: THE CIA FILES a 50,000+ word book designed to turn you into acisk expert. In addition to complete instructions for the 5 CIA utilities, the book contains an easy-to-follow hand-holding tutorial (written in plain English!) on all aspects of the Apple disk. Using the CIA ulilities as your personal guides, you progress step-by-step to total disk mastery. You'll acquire a wealth of shills and information relating to disk repair and file recovery, DOS patches, copy protection, disk formatting program encryption, and other vital topics. Much of the material has never before appeared in print. All programs are unprotected, and hence can be copied, listed, ‘and modified at will. They require one drive, DOS 3.3, and 48K of RAM. GOLDEN DELICIOUS SOFTWARE LTD. 7 Sloane Avenue ° London SW3 3JD Page 12 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1967 Education by Norah Arnold A few months ago while attending a workshop at Nottingham, I met a gentleman by the name of Peter Cave. Peter uses his Apple in school and he and a few friends have formed a ‘disk ring! in order to develop useful programs for primary school children. Peter has recently sent to me a disk containing several programs which he and hie friends have found to be useful in a school situation. This disk is to be added to the Software Library and will be available at the normal price for library disks. The disk contains the following programs :~ 1, TILES Pattern making with simple use of co-ordinates. The resulting patterns may be saved. 2. ABACUS This program is not intended for use by the children, but as a visual aid to help the children to understand place value. It is very helpful in getting over a concept which {s difficult to demonstrate in traditional ways. 3. MONEY ABACUS Similar to Abacus but is a visual demonstration of the conversion of pounds to pence and vice versa. 4. MOUSE CHASE 2 Peter describes this a popular game which many children find difficult. Mouse Chase 2 is a hires version, while Mouse Chase 1 which is also on the disk, is the original lores verston. 5. ROBOT MAZE This contains four mazes. Needs some logical thinking and map-work in order to get out. 6. SIEGE This simulation is not intended to be historically accurate but to exercise co-operative management skills. 7. HAMMURABL THE GREAT A modified and corrected version of the Integer simulation. Peter has tried to make it easter to use and more pleasant to look at. 8. SHAPEDRAW én casy way to create shape tables. See Hardcore, Feb. 1982. this disk from the Software for Education Disk Letterbox To get Library ask If any teachers or present trying to get together programs for young children would Like to become members of a wider disk ring, write to me through the P.0.Box. The disk could be sent from one person to the next on the List and cach could add programs that they have found useful. The programs need not be perfect - after all, very few ever are. Mutual help and co-operation is the theme. Many thanks, Peter, for offering to start the ring rolling. parents who are at LOGO ARTISTS All T did was leave my cassette recorder on my desk during a wet dinner-hour when the children were confined to the classroom. Kerry and Nicola, both aged eight years six months, could not resist the challenge. They presented me with a Logo program which produced the following excellent Likeness of my cassette recorder. I i 4 fs MAN AND DOG Logo drawing by - Kerry & Jane aged 4.5 years dune 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 13 Why Does Less Cost More? by Neville Lau Ash Now we have the Apple IIc, but don't worry, your IT plus or europlus isn't dead, just on the way out. The vast majority of the with the software existing programs work new machine and most of the new will work with the old hardware. So after Apple has had a model in production for euch a long time, why docs the new model cost more? For a start there are far inside - so you less chips pay more fur less. The external casing is slightly differenr, but not much. Now more reliability and less inside costs more, even though there's not a lot of change for the user The keyboard is better, but reset could have moved ty the back of the machine display that could have been 80 is in fact still the 40 plus 80 with a spectal card. Though the 80 column card for the Ile is around half the price of the card for the europlus, could tt have been feature? Included as a bonus Another feature for ease of use especially for s would have been the numeric keypad standard on many other models. It isn't essential, true, but tt certainly things easier when you are potting fn lors and lots of figures. busine makes After all these complaints - how docs the new model measure up? In one thorny arca Apple gets full marks from me - documentation. Rather than hundreds and hundreds of pages - great for those botfin types but not much good for me = they have a disk system. It's far better to use hands-on experience with a minimum of complicated books to teach you things you can casily manage without. And a bouquet to Apple for the keyboard - makes my curoplus seem positively obsolete. Maybe that was the Idea. Altogethor a better machine for people who are used to using typewriters Like me, but not all that one expected after the spate of rumours. Comparing the new Apple Ile with those other micros with similar specifications one fact emerges. You can ger less a similar specification for money. So why do I still say that the Apple Tle, the Volkswagen of the micre. industry will still be another » even though it uses the 6502 Because of the tremendous software base and almost unlimited range of peripherals and possible applications only limited by a company's ingenuity. Even su, with their fantastic production lines all over the world, there had to be the opportunity of slaying —_the competition with a price around £599. Unless Apple felt people would still feel it was worthwhile to buy The Real Thing. and T reckon they are quite right. In fact only today I saw an advertisement for yet another ingenious card to go in the back of your Apple II, II plus europlus or Tle called the Accelerator Ul, which makes the Apple faster than the much vaunted IBM PC, the ACT Sirius and Olivertt MO. and that's. using PCW benchmarks. So for €29% you can be up to Jate even though your ippie tant the new Te and uses an 8.bit chip A special purpose language for multiple choice tests and quizzes, questionnaires and Computer aided learning (CAL) — £60 + VAT 4 MICKIE programs con be written by people with no previous experience of programming. Many people have neither the inclination nor the aptitude to master general purpose languages such es BASIC ot Pascal i MICKIE can be used by people who have nevar used ‘or even seen a computer before. This is demons by MICKIE's success with hospital patients. ® MICKIE is written in a simple to use. easy to remember format, designed specifically for the first time user who does not want to know more than is absolutely necessary about computers and computer languages. * Originally developed for medical history taking, MICKIE has been evaluated in hospitals, cchools and commerce, It saves time and provides comprenensive, and structured records. The original MICKIE wes developed at the National Physical Leboratory by the late Dr. Christopher Evans. {well-known as the author of The Mighty Micro’ and "The Making of the Micra’). Full Apple implementation from: SYSTEMICS LIMITED 21-23, The Bridge, Harrow, Middlesex HA3 5AG. ‘Tol: 01-863 0079 C2 Lee Page 14 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 198 What is VOICE INPUT, completes the man/machine interface through What for? speech, the most natural form For apPLe 11° USERS . . TI ice- si slots of communication. JOPLE Wend yours scay, Winans It's natural ..it’s simple .. it's fast .. “*" sh" it’ FOR PROGRAMMERS and it's accurate. It takes the tedium out of programming with your fingers. VOICE INPUT LTD 15 St Margaret's Road, Girton, Cambridge CB3 OLT Telephone (0223) 276097 June 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 15 Voice Based Learning System by Scott by Tony Williams Nover a man to let a good chance slip by, after writing the Scedlings column in the last edition of Ward Core, your roving editor took himself off to St Yves. No, not in Cornwall, the one in Cambridge, although you wouldn't know the difference - it shares the same fishing boats, well cabin cruisers, tourists, olde worlde souvenir shops and picturesque water. More important, one of its seventcenth century houses {s the home of Voice Input, a pioncering outfit determined to break the keyboard domination of terminal and micro inputting once and for all. Votce Input was formed in late 1981 by Donald Hottord who was convinced of the obvious advantages of voice entry for controlling computers. acceptance was by no means instantaneous, not least because the technology was not quite ready then. As founder BASUG members will recall when Frank Kay demonstrated various digitised and synthesized voice input and output systems for the Apple back in 1981, it was agreed that actual voice recognition The hardware consists of the circuit board, circuit three audio preprocessor board plugs into one of and microphone. the expansion slots and a cable was in its infancy, and that {f you trained a system to run your bath when you said “Computer, bath!" but forgot to allow for incipient laryngitis, you had to go dirty. However, one year on the technology has caught up - voice recognition is a going concern. Personally, I have not found the keyboard 2 barrier, and as a heck from way back can make my thoughts known through my fingertips. However, that docs not go tor everyone. The introduction of Lisa shows that Apple Ine for one believes that the way to talk to the screen is not through the keyboard but through running a little furry animal back and forth on your desk. Votce Input - after a shaky start with other less refined systems - have started (March 1, 1983) importing Scott Instruments Shadow/Vet technology and from the evidence of my visit, are so inundated with interested parties that you are unlikely to see them at many exhibitions, I do hear tell that they will be at Apple ‘83, however. part VET/2 speech recogniser: The doublesided connects this to an outboard audio pre-processor housed in a small box. The preprocessor frequency range. Analysis consists into two regions (300 to 1000Hz crossing measures in both regtons, analyzes an acoustic signal within a 300Hz to 4000Hz ot breaking the frequency range and 1000 - 4000Hz), taking zero and extracting the amplitude envelopes of the two regions. The four resulting analog data lines are converted into digital system is also configured for provides all the form at the request of the host computer (the IBM PC). The software package functions for training and recognition. Vocabulary ‘words’ may be up to 1.5 seconds in duration and up to 20 characters long. The about total of 10.6k required in the functions for template area for a forty word resident vocabulary requires 4600 bytes. The control software requires approximately 6k for a host computer. The system includes saving vocabulary sets to disk, calling vocabulary sets from disk, and selecting sub-vocabularies. These functions can be used interactively in the VET=2 accessed from BASIC (Integer or system Applesoft) or machine Terminal) or can Language (Voice Entry Programs. The system has a REYVET feature which means that voice and keyboard input can be used interchangeably. Page 16 HARDCORE ~ The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1793 In their demonstration set up you speak to the Apple and, look no hands, a sign saying "Voice Input" lights up. What good is that you might ask, when you can more easily flip a light switch. True, but not if you have no hands, if they are busy duing something else or you are a thalidomide person getting around at half the height of other people. Or if the switch, or whatever is a very long way off and has to be activated by a radia mike. Or if you are a theatre stage manager who has to control an awful lot of lighting gear, curtain machinery and perform many activities simultancously in double quick time. The value of voice input can be best judged by taking the case of quality control. In an industrial or research environment the results of tests or measurements are in the normal wav entered in the computer either directly via a keyboard or indirectly from entrics made on paper which are later typed up. To enter data the tester wast theretore put down the object under test or the test instrument or both and in the case of large objects may even have to leave the test bed altogether to record the test data. Having to continually switch his attention in this way from quality control to data input is tiring for the tester and leads among other things to a greater number of input errors. Using the unobtrusive lightweight microphone which is positioned about half an inch from his lips (to overcome background noise interference) the operator really hes ‘hands-free’ control. At the moment voice entry has proved a success in warchouse management, laboratory data acquisition. transport control and photogrammetry. In the version I saw working, Scott Instruments's new (and relatively inexpensive) technology allows you to train the system to recognise your voice in as many as nine passes in each of which your voice may be slightly different. In user mode the system tries to match up your voice with one of the nine it has been trained for and if it finds a good march will take the appropriate action. Personally I am much more in tune with the VBLS = the Voice Based Learning System. This uses the same voice recognition technology, but for a different purpose. The system is not used to activate devices, but {s a courseware authoring system including methods for creating lessons, guiding students, administering prepared quizzes, providing reinforcing activittes and storing student scores - all designed for voice input operation. Even withuut the sound cloment this is a very carefully conceived and implemented CAL package. After planning their lessons out on paper teachers then enter them into the computer. Answers may be true/false, multiple choice, or the actual word or short phrase which is the correct response. Lessons may be easily edited or updated and branching capability is provided. Any answer may be considered a decision point on which branching may teke place. It would be tedious to describe in full detail here the actual learning route chosen by the planners. Instead I shall mention the examples which most impressed me. If the application is for foreign language learning - for drilling the pronunciation of individual words or two-words phrases not separated by a pause - the teacher can specify the degree of tolerance on a scale. If he sets it very wide, if the required answer is say "Middlesbrough" and the student answers "Loughborough" the computer may accept it and move on (in the final score, however, arding the curiously misnamed ‘bonus’ point signifying a pretty rough rendition). At the other end of the scale the teacher can insist on an exact pronunciation and intonation. Incidentally, when "signing on" the student says a word or two to enable the computer to take a reading of his or her voice and thereby make allowances in attempting matches with the model answers. Matches are recorded not as right or wrong but represented on a sliding scale to indicate proximity to the desired model. This has its limitations for foreign language learning purposes, of course. The overall accuracy of the student's spoken response is quantified and represented graphically, but the system {s not capable of actually analysing what elements are wrong. for example. if the target word ts the German "Muenchen" and the response is "munching" the VBLS will June 1993 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 17 calmly say 65% or some such, whereas the deserved reaction is a screamed “Have you got cloth cars! This is a city not breakfast time! There is no g on the end and the WUhas an umlaur. Say tt again or else you're in detention!" The computer fortunately doesn't say any of those things, and yet in a mispronunciation or mishearing situation the student really wants to know not how far he or she is out but what is actually wrong. One lost opportunity: while "recording" his volce on the computer, the teacher does not have the built-in facility for recording {t at the samc time in clear on a separate but linked tape recorder. This omission moans that the student is working "in the dark" as it were, following a model that may be remote in time. As it stands he {is attempting a good match out of his head, when it is berrer to hear it. I should add that the system does not set out to replicate and improve on language laboratory procedures. but still it is difficult to avoid making the comparison. Certainly language teachers or users ought to be able to add this factlity with relative ea and this simple addition would make the Scott system a far more powerful weapon in the language teaching armoury. Curious that where so much omphasis is placed on the spoken word so little is placed on the heard word. The regular Voice Entry Terminal system doce make use of the Votrax synthesized voice chip for spoken prompts but this is not utilised by VBLS since this sound is inevitably rejocted by serious language teachers. However, I am looking at this froma narrow language teaching viewpuint, which of course is unfair. The VBLS can be used for any teaching application which involves a questioning technique and where a correct target answer is possible which demands a spoken in. Let's go one further - you don't need a pedagogical underpinning for using sound input at all. Tt can be used merely because it is fun and attractive in ite own right. The price at over £1000 might seem high untijone considers it in the context of uther capital expenditure. Seen against the twenty or fifty thousands a modest language laboratory installation may cost - with all its concomitant breakdown and maintenance problems - a thousand or so pounds buckled on to an Apple is not so expensive. And I believe that every language lab in the country could gain a new lease of life from this and other computer assisted additions. Many students react unfavourably to the isolation of the language lab booth and unless constantly wonitored by the directing teacher, can easily tire of the effort of self-correction. Some of these on other hand respond favorably to the stimulus of CAL and certainly VBLS which could be seen as a patient and untiring aid, offering immediate response to every student attempt. Neither VBLS not VET of course can cope with continuous speech. The system will handle one or two word inputs (without a pause between) - but anything more sophisticated will have to wait until the 1990's...unless, of course, the Japanese come up with anything - which they will. The problems of keyboard entry for the Japanese, with the unwieldy mixture or iiragana, Katakana, Kanji and Roman letters used tn Japanese are so insuperable that it could in the long run prove easier to bypass it and go straight for continuous voice input. Although Europeans are not faced with the same scel of problem we could benefit from a spin-off. That could = even — mean voice-entered word processing... and goodbye to your Little furry desktop animals. And if the forecast is for the 1990's experience tells us that it will come sooner, and Voice Input is gearing up for it. The sales and marketing director Rawdon Gallaway is rather philosophical about the state of acceptance of this technology, "ke are currently passing through an educational phase, whereas we need to prove that Voice Technology has really arrived." The MD Donald Hofford reminded me that the Maestro already speaks, that London Transport is going ahead with its "Talking Bus Stops project ("London Transport regret ) and that British Aerospace intends incorporating voice control into the cockpits of fighter planes. There is a less exotic but — equally —_useful application in aids (our friend Roger along for the handicapped Jefeoates has been to St Yves already, of course) and Page 18 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group dune 1985 | Voice Input is working closely with the Manpower Services Commission developing BASF DISKS systems to help both the blind and physically handicapped to perform as well um arte sited and she bodied: and who | ~ inSSviduallly numbered knows, if I keep writing long enough they - 5q" single sided, might want to lend BASUG a system to work single density over... - suitable Apple II,IIe & /// - box contains ten disks Lonely Apples 1 BOL £ 18:50 NO 10 BOXES £140:00 EXTRAS The following member vould like to contact others in his area - WE PAY VAT, POSTAGE & PACKING 1 Willian G Watson Send order & remittance to: IAGR Sei SYSTEMICS LIMITED 21-23 THE BRIDGE HARROW MIDDLESEX HA3 SAG 01-863 0079 Access & Barclaycard accepted VISICALC DAY 1 HANDS-ON COURSE ON THE WORLD'S BEST- SELLING PROGRAM JULY 9th LADBROKE MERCURY HOTEL BRACKNELL, BERKS Speaker: Fran Teo Only £17.50 to members, £25 to non-members incl. VAT June 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 19 Epson Pages ss at and Applewriter II by Jim Panks. The commands used 1n Applewriter If to turn the Epson Printer ante a useful tool can be hard to understand. 1 have after some days of constant attention to this problem sadway. I have found the only way these commands with any suce is to use the Glossary Funetion present within Applewriter It. Firs of all you will have to set up 4 Glossary File. This is done by writing @ normal Applewriter file. You start by making a list of the functions you wish to use and then give them a key to turn them on or off. The Glossary Function allows you to use any of the keys on the Apple and it will also recognise upper and lower keys. [his gives you at least 82 variations. the following list 1s designed with the whole Epson MX range in mind, although it hes been tested using the FT/3 version, so 1¢ you have an earlier version you will not get some of the more fancy printing. If you have the Apple II Users guide you will find page 34% a help as il lists many of the control codes required. For those that do nut wish to play with the Epson codes | have placed a disk in the softwar library and it should be available shortly. needs to have certain codes the correct order to use all The Epson entered in the features present. Some of the FT/S codes require a Chrt(#) or (1) after the normal alphanumeric code. inputting them into Opplewriter can be difficult because Chrsi@) is Control @, which is us to let you know when you are in the edit mode. I have found that you can enler il provided you press Control K just prior to entering control codes. This lets you enter Control @ by pressing ¢ Control Key, Shift Key and P key all at once. The Annual General Meeting, of G will take place on 2nd July 1983 at The Central Institute of Adult Education, Longford St., London, Wel at 2,00 P.M. There will be a workshop fron 9 to 5,the nain topic bein PRINTERS There will be demonstrations of some of the latest printers including, Apple D.t.P. Epson FX80 Epson RX80 plus interfaces Universal Parallel Pkaso Epson Grapplert 1.D.5. Pipeline Buffers + Apple //e + Accelerator + much nore There will be a draw amongst those present to attend an Open Day at Apple Conputer Henel Hempstead in Septenber The Central Institute is 5 minutes walk from Fuston Station, and 10 minutes walk fron Tottenhan Court Road. Free parking is available in the Institute Car park. Please cone and bring your printer and printer problens. Page 20 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1983 | I will explain each feature as 1 go along, the first feature 16 condensed which makes adding notes to articles or putting large tables within articles. When using this feature you must remember that it allows 132 columns and you must therefore account for this when justifying your text. This applies to all the different sized type. The Control Code tor Condensed is :- Control kK, Control ¥, Control 0, Vv, and Control Kk. The Control K is to keep the cursor in upper case mode. The Control V lets Applewriter know that you are about to send @ non-printing control code. The actual code for condensed 15 Control O. Well that i5 @ taste of what is to come. On the FI7S the continuous underline was d, this together with the superscripl/subscript requires a Chr$(@) and Chr#c1) to turn on or off or in the case of super/subscript to tell it which you wish to use. As an example of how to enter these codes I have used the underline as en example and the codes are as follows Control K, Control V, Escape -, Control Shift F, Control ¥, Control kK. New you can see why the Glossary Command is needed, fancy putting that lot tn every time you wish to underline. 1 will now demonstrate the things that can he done using the FT/2 Big Letters Condensed Characters Emphasized Characters Us line Mode Double Strike Mode And to finish, for those that do not like wasting paper how about this:—- et and om line feed of onty we IMTS ene caeaY Bend air mari voce In the next assue 1 will continue with some other variations on this theme and af any member wishes to add his comments er has a particular problem with his Epson and Applewriter please let me know. hardcore Contributions to Hardcore are always welconed, without then it would not exist. Whether you have a learned article, a ‘quick tip’, a problen or a solution, let us know. If you have more than a_ short letter, it is helpful if you could send it ona disk, with a hard copy if possible. If you want to send printed copy, please do nor cut it up but fill justify on a9 en (3.5 ins) colunn. We prefer copy on disk, either asa text file, or an Applewriter 1 file. Pascal text files and others such as Wordstar files can probably be accomodated. Renenber, contributors receive credits on the Software Library. hardcore ~ June 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 21 EPSON PRINTER CODES WITH APPLEWRITER ][ David A Archbold, Squadron Leader, Ramstein Air Base T have been slightly confused by some of the comments and questions about Applewriter I[ in the December and February issues of Hardcore. I have an Apple Il Plus, Tymac = Centronics interface, and an Epson MK-80 Type III. Neither 1 nor friends in the local club, who own various other combinations of equipment, have experienced any difficultics with Applewriter ]{. I hope the following will therefore be of assistance. /ed. If I may butt in. The problem concerned the Centronics 737 alone. But let it pi tell us all:/ As far as the software is concerned, the upper limit on the Right Margin (rm) command in the Print Parameters would be 99,999 although the setting becomes inaceurare above 30.000! Seriously my standard setting is 75 with the Left Margin at 5. However, I regularly use 130 with condensed printing. Ev with a setting of 200 the printer continues quite happily, generating its own Line Feed (LF) when its buffer ts full, with a further LF being received from Applewriter after every 200 characters. | Although there 1s no practical use for the latter test, it appear to docs show that the 40 characters per line limitation discussed in December's Seedlings {8 not a software problem. Don't Parameters forget that you can amend the Print available on initial boot ing by changing them to what you want and saving them to disk with Ctrl @4 under the filename SYS. Turning te the insertion of Ctrl characters for printer control, they may, of course, be entered directly in the Top Line parameter (i.e. tl/Ctrl-O/ gives condensed printing). Within the text, Ctrl characters must be surrounded by Ctrl-V's. The first Ctrl-V ts not placed in memory but switches on a routine which stores all subsequent characters in memory exactly they are input, but deducts 64 from the ASCII code of characters whose codes lic and 159 before printing them Character codes outside unaffected. Study of (almost) all between 128 to the screen. these limits are Table 7 on Reference codes 128 page 15 of the Apple Jf Manual will show that character to 159 are all the Concrol characters, whereas codes 64 to 95 are flashing characters. Thus following a Ctrl-V, the true Ctrl codes are inserted in the textfile in memory while "harmless" flashing characters are printed to the screen. The exceptions to the above are Ctrl-M (RETURN) which of necessity remains active, and Ctrl-D which for some reason that I have yet to fathom is printed as an inverse D ~ CHRS(04) - rather than a flashing D - CHRS(68). No doubt it has something to do with its relationship with DOS commands. Needless to say, the cancels the above procedure. Having established what Ctrl-V does, how do we put it into practicé? Let's look at some examples: a. Condensed Characters The MX-80 Type “III Operation Manual states on page 60 that to print condensed characters the Epson must receive the Shift In (SI) code and implies that this is OF Hex or 15 decimal. In fact it can be seen from the Table at Appendix 3 of the same book that the codes between 128 and 255 have identical meanings to those second Ctrl-V between 0 and 127 as far as the Epson is concerned (ie bit 7 is ignored). We can therefore type Ctrl-V Ctrl-0 Ctrl-V and CHRS(143) or 6F Hex is entered into momory while CHRS(79) or 4¥ Hex (flashing 0) is sent to the screen. When the CHRS(143) 1s received by the Epson, condensed printing is initiated. bh. Fmphastzed Characters We need to output ESC E to the printer. ESC E is CHRS(27) CHRS(69) or, using the above arguments, CHRS(155) CHRS(197). We therefore type Ctrl-V ESC E Ctrl-V and the correct codes are loaded into memory whilst a flashing-[ and normal E (remember 64 is NOT deducted from codes greater than 159) are shown on the sereen. Note that it must be "E" and not c" that you type, as the code for "e" is CHRS(229). How you produce "BE" will vary depending upon whether or not you have carried out the “shift-key modification” and have toggled ir with Crri-Q 7. With the modification, entry fs straightforward: without {t you will have to type ESC prior to each character entered cg Ctrl-V ESC-ESC ESC-e Ctrl-V. Page 22 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1985 c. Underlining On page 65 of their Manual, Epson say that underlining requires Fse- +(n)D where n = 0 or 1 to respectively stop or start underline mode. It seems simple enough, but unfortunately it is untrue. The "Esc-" bit is correct and can be dealt with as in para b above, bur the 0 and 1 are not what they seem. What is required to switch off underlining is a CHRS(O) which is the NUL code. Neither CHRS(48) nor CHR§(176) which are the codes produced by "0" will do. The answer is to type in Ctrl-@ ie Ctrl-shift-P in upper case mode. In the same way, you would expect to type Ctrl-A to generate CHRS(L) or CHRS(129) to = switch on underlining. That is a correct solution but in fact the Epson will accept ANY character, other than NUL, to do the job, including a space. Fven if you type "ESC-" without any third character, underlining will commence - but it will pinch the first character of your text to make up the proper code! In summary then. to start underlining type Ctrl-V ESC- (x) Ctrl-V and you will see on the screen flashing-{ normal (x), where (x) fo any character other than NUL. To stop underlining, you type Ctri-V_— ESC= Crri-shift-P Cirl-V and will see flashing-( normal- tlashing-@. 4. Superscriprs and Subscripts To answer the specific query raised by Barry Hill in the February Hardcore, superscripts are obtained with Ctrl-V ESC S (not as he implied) Ctrl-shift-P Crri-V and subscripts with Ctrl-V ESC S (x) Ctrl-V where (x) 1s any character other than NUL. The reasoning is a given in para c. above. Other points to note arc: DIP owitches 1-3 and 1-4 in the Epson must be in the normal OFF position for superscripts and subscripts to be produced; to get reasonably proportioned superscripts you should first change to condensed mode, the control sequence becoming Ctrl-V Ctrl-O ESC S Ctri-shift-P Ctrl-V to obtain superseripts and Grri-V ESC T ESC I Ctrl-R Ctri-V to switch them off; and finally you must switch off Emphasized Mode, if you are using it, before printing superscripts. For those unbelievers who would like te check things for themselves and who have rhe ability to jump from Applewriter If into Monitor (by loading non Auto-start ROM routines into a language card, or using a specialist card like SNAPSHOT - which I can highly recommend), enter the codes which you wish to look at in the firet Line of Applewriter text. Break into Monitor and examine the text file which commences at 4700 hex. One final point. Although Ctrl-V is not placed in the text file, all subsequent control codes are. ‘These are then included in Applewriter's character count and justification of the printed text ts upset. I can unfortunately offer no solution at the moment. L hope this ts of use to someone. EPSON PRINTER RIBBONS The Miser (Jim Panks) llow many miles do you get from your Epson Ribbon 7? Were is a tip for when it starts to fade! Take the ribbon out, turn ft over so that the winding knob is facing down. You can now open out a paper clip to use as a winding handle. Turn the ribbon over so that as you wind the ribbon into the cassette it turns over. As soon as the turn has entered the casactte start winding with the paper clip. It takes about three minutes to wind the twenty or so yards through the cassette. When you have finished place the cassette in the machine and you have a brand new ribbon for nothing. The secret is that the ribbon is struck above the centre line, allowing the botrom to remain inked. If you find this works (I do) you may send me a small donation. June 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 23 Visicale Corner by Fran Teo "THE Spreadsheet" In the last mentioned that we some of the edition of Hardcore | would be dealing with built-tn functions of Visicale but since then I have come across a new spreadsheet which deserves a very prominent mention. Quite simply tt ts called ‘THE Spreadsheet’ and distributed by Call-A.P.P.L.E. To all intents and purposes it is Visicale but with further commands allowing greater flexibility. The extra commands are:- Mu Sets local column width la Sets attributes. Accept only labels Accept only values Protect cells Hide contents uf a cell Default Accept all data porver Other advantages are:- replicate blocks of data rather than single rows or columns, replicate formats or data rather than only being able to replicate the entire contents of a cell and cursor movement using the CIRL key- extra You can also configure ‘THE Spreadsheet’ for 80 column cards and it automatically recognises any Ram cards you may have including the 128K cards. In other words no Pre-Boot disks are needed. Visicale files can be loaded directly into 'THE Spreadsheet’ so transferring from one program to the other presents no problems. When printing reports that are too wi for the printer, 1 usually have to work out how many of the columns will fit on the paper, print that out and then go back to the beginning and print the remaining columns. ‘THE Spreadshect' does all of that automatically! It will print out as much as it can Fit on the paper, scroll up a few lines and then continue with the next section. Whar a time saver! By nuw you can probably sce why 1 have taken to ‘THE Spreadsheet’ in the way } have. I haven't had to learn a totall» new way of operating a program, existing files can still be used and my extra memory and 80 column card are automatically recognised. On top of thir I have all the extra features that I have been yearning for in the past. All this for a third of the cost of Visicale. If possible buy it through Call-A.P.P.L.E. for $60 = rumour has {t that it is being sold in this country for £115 but even so it is still cheaper than Visicalc. In my wext article I using the built-in Visicale/'THE Spreadsheet’. shall return to functions of Courses Due to the phenomenal first Visicale course, another. This will be at the Ladbroke Mercury Hotel, Bracknell, Berks on the 9th of July. The cost will be £17.50 for nenbers, 525 for non-members. The cost has increased fron last tine, as we would prefer a maximum of 15 people on the course. Despite this increase, the value is tremendous. We also plan to hold an Advanced Visicale course after the summer, Other courses at the planning stage inelude Machine Code, Advanced Assembler and another Pascal course. There has been no response to the idea of a Pascal Assembler course, so that one has gone by the wayside. If you want a course that has not been organised, or feel that you could give one, please get in touch. success of our we are running hardcore Page 24 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1983 LOOK! ... FOR ALL YOU @appie accessories I @ All items fully guaranteed for one year @ Free postage and packing within UK BUSINESS SOFTWARE ‘Access Business Forecasting Model (Regs. Visicalc) Calcstar (CP/M) (80 column spread sheet) dBase Il (CP/M) Star (CP/M) (powerful data entry) Perfect 0.8. Master (version 3.02), 0B. Master utilities (links with visi's) Desk Top Pian It Dutil (for ¢Base I) Graphmagic (bar graphs, pie charts, etc) Mathemagic Meort-B0 (stand alone CP/M sort) Multiplan (Microsofts superior spreadsheet) Omnis (also for tle) PFS Filing system PES Graph PFS Report Quick Code (for dBase Ii) Supersort (CP/M) The General manager (ver 2.0) The Last One (programme gener Versatorm (form generator in Pascal) Visieale Visi + (visicale consolidation) Visca u Visidex Visifle Vesiplot Vesitrend/plot WORD PROCESSING Applewriter lle Applewriter I Executive Secretary Executive Spelier Format 80 List Handler (Mailer & Form L Pie Writer (40/80 columns) Sensible Spelier (new fast proot reader) Sensible Spetier (CP/M) Screenwriter 11 (70 col w/out 80 col card) Super Text $0/80 Word Handler (does not req. 80 col. card) Zardax (40/80 & inc form letter) PRINTERS Eoson AX-B0 (1000 cps tractor feed) Epson FX-80 (1680 eps & prop spacing) Epson MX100FT-3 (100 eps & wide carriage) Mannesimann Tally MT120 (160 cps) Strobe Graphics Plotter Nec 8023 (100 eps & prop. spacing) TEC1500-26 (26 eps daisy whee!) Tec Starwsiter F10-40cps PRINTER INTERFACE CARDS Aistocard Parallel NET 162.00 63.00 63.00 325.00 122.00 19.45 34.00 135,00 135.00 135.00 155.00 1099.00 69.00 INC VAT 186.30 688.85 1263.86 79.35 Avistocard Serial Asynch Serial I/Face (7710A) CPS Multitunction Card (ine real time clock) Digitek Printmaster (BASIC/CPM/PASCAL) Grappler + (Epson/Anadex/Cent/Nec) 1PB 16K (serial/parallel card & buffer) MBP-16K (Epson 16K butter) Mcrobutter 30 COLUMN CARDS & ACCESSORIES Softswitch {for Videx Videoterm) U-Term (ine shitt mod. & font editor) Videx Enhancer Ii Videx Inverse Eprom Videx Utility Dise (ine font editar etc) Videx Videoterm Visicale prebaot disc (BO col with videx) Vision-80 (ines softswitch & inverse) MONITORS/COLOUR CARDS Digitek Colour Card (excellent colour on TV) DMS. RGB. Colour Card Kaga 12” Green Screen Microvitec colour monitor Microvitec colout card (use with above) Zenith 12° Green screen (very 004 value) GRAPHIC UTILITIES & MUSIC Arcade Machine (game designe) Bit Stik (Rabocom) Complete Graphics System (Penguin) Oigiter I £2 Draw 3.3 (excellent graphic Gratorth (fast 30 utility plus music) Graphics Magician (Penguin) Graphic package Sublogic (detailed 30 pack) Higher Text il (many diff fonts, sizes. cols) Pascal Animation Pilot Animation tools Special EHfects (Penguin) The Artist Versawriter (graphic digitizer) Versawritr expansion pac 1 Zoom Gratix (simulat t0 200m on Ba Stick) Auder Electric Duet (creates 2 part music) Fore (4 voices & 9 octaves) SAM. (software automatic mouth Zapple Sound Effects & Music Board unumes Aplus (Applesoft structured Basic) Appleguard (provides software protection) Apple Mechanic (Beagle Brothers} Assembly lang. Dev. (6502, 280 or 8080) Bag of Tricks 75.00 118.00 119.00 69.00 98.00 129.00 96.00 95.00 2495 12700 300 1845 27.00 23.95 1895 21.00 1595 75.00 56.00 1895 185.00 25.00 75,00 24.95 2179 212.75 2875 86.25 28.69 dune 1985 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 25 e delivery re items available BEST. (Enhanced Software Tool) Fortran 80 (CP/M) 12500 Build Using (Provides ‘print using Terrapin Logo $5.00 108.25 command) 2395 27.54 Transtorth (full Hoating point Forth) 7500 8625 Copy It Plus 3500 4025 MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Dise Dactor (CP/M disc recovery) 89.00 10235 Disc Drive (Fully Apple Compatible) 199.00 228.85 Disc Library incl CP/M & Pascal) 3495 40.19 Disc Drive Contellee Card 5400 62.10 0S 3.3 Tool Kit 4100 47.15 Disc Head Cleaning Kit (50 discs & fluid)... 1995 2298 Dos Boss {moditys Oos Commands) 1500 28.75 Dise tray (40 discs & lockable) 1745 2007 Edit Soft (powertul macto line editor) 1995 2202 Games Paddles 2500 2875 Fast OOS 1945 2237 Joystick (Selt Centering) 3800 4370 Global Program Line Editor (supports Master Diagnostic Dise 4800 5520 80 col.) 3550 4083 Plastic Dist Box 250 288 Image Printer-Epson (flexible hi-res dump) 3200 «3680 Ram Card utility (permits s/ware backup) 5900 67.85 Liga (Assembly lang. dev. system) 5700 6555 Trak Ball (TG Products) 4500 51.75 Lisa (Educational system) 7500 8825 Typing Tutor t 1495 1718 List Master (ine smart renumbering) 2395 27.54 Watash 5 25 Discs Pack of 10 1795 «20.64 Locksmith 4 1 (bit copier for most discs) 6100 «70.15 Wildcard (permits software backup) 93.00 106.95 Merlin Macro Assembler (editor & sSeeeeseeeeeeeeeny utilities) 4200 4830 Munch A Boy : 3200 3600 | Orders trom Colleges and a Printographer (supports almost any peas. ise Government Depts. etc welcome Speed Star (compiles 1200 ines ‘ Save wes 7500 9625 | f and returning to us or you can phone DAVE or Ree ie Copy il DD 8 SHERIDAN on 0274 676973 and your enquiry Tasc Compiler (handles v. large programs) .. 105.00 120.75 Bh will receive a friendly and speedy response. The Bug (Assembly Languege debugger) 3500 4025 | fi PACE-SOFTWARE-SUPPLIES & The Inspector (dise snooper ‘ maid ne 3500 4025 | QM Rose Bank, 130 Clayton Road, ] The Routine Machine (mach. lang. routines) 45.00 51.75 | Bradford BD7 2LY, West Yorks. | SYSTEM EXPANSION §f Please rush me the following items. ] 16K Romcard Digitek ysoo 625 | a | 16K Ramecard (Intelligence Research) sso 6325 | t 32K Ramcard Saturn 13500 15525 Lh, Eipomotpa me eee (mls ' 128K Ramex card 27500 31625 | | Cool stack (holds 2 drives & 3 monitor + tan) 6500 74.75 i | a 00S upgrade kit (3.2 t0 3.3) 3e00 4140 | pl rm €-Z Port (game socket extender) 1700 1955 EZ Port Hl (2 game socket extenders) 2200 25.30 Bis t | Eprom Card (holds 6) $200 59.80 a | Keyplus Numeric Keypad 83.00 95.45 T. Lower case adapter W/shift (rev 7+) 3400 «39.10 i | TOvaL a Pact clip on fan 4600 5290 | enclose my cheque made payable to PACE The Mill 6809 with Pascal speed up ve900 21735 | M sorrwane a | Time Kit $500 6325 | I [Export licence arranged) ae VC-Expand/80 (up to 145K Visicale & : 80 col) sso0 7475 | J Name_ —= oe | VC-Expand Hamer (loads 136K visi in r] i 20 sec) 4000 46.00 Address _ Vitex Function Strip (req Enhancer tI) 4300 5635 | | ViA 8522 Cart $300 8785 | gy Town ao —_ 280 card U-micro (card only) 83.00 9545 a 280 card Microsoft (New Softcard) 199.00 226.85 B County | LANGUAGES a Apple Pascal 14200 163.30 Postcode__________ Tel. No. _ 8 Agple Pilt 8000 92.00 3 Cobol 80 (CP/M) 399.00 458.85 i ie 3 a Forth 1 (lnteraer oniy) 4500 5175 | 2 a Page 26 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Sy’ ms User Group June 1983 Disconnected Jottings by Q. Reidford. Tris should, of course, be EPSON PAGES, but publication looms, the editor is raging and I've been otherwise occupied (or lazy). /B4. no problem Quentin, Jim Panks has enough to say on the Epson to meet all our needs for a while/. I had thought that there would be some feed-back on information but if there has been, then I'm afraid that it has been mislaid, and if there has been none then I feel’ that the whole essence of BASUG has started to collapse. The group was started, as I remember, as a self-help group, and I, as a new and bewildered owner was very grateful for the help and encouragement given by everyone......that still exists, although I ouspect that I have met enough people to know their telephone number, which helps. I believe that the question of giving ‘phone numbers has been mooted from time to time, and obviously diomissed, however [I feel strongly that BASI'G should be much more interactive, and in the hope that some others will follow, I wish my telephone number to be published as a contact point, I do not profess to be ‘expert’, far from it, but I am more than happy to have a chat abour most things (except the weather). My telephone number is ‘fijiififiuiil! (Nhe Preis I suppose this all leads on to John Sharp's article in the last issue about ‘Micronet'. What John omitted to say was that Micronet have been promising an Apple Interface since January, and the Latest information I have from their ‘Illelp' line in Peterborough is: "Um! June .... well Mid-summer ."...The latest price by the way is around £61.00 plus VAT for the hardware/ software package, and a fairly modest quarterly membership fec~ The Micronet modem {is an acoustic coupler; you dial up as normal and push the handset into the moulded box, but it does seem well made, and very much a bargain. Rumour has it that an auto-dial, direct connect modem is on the way. This would allow you ta leave your Appie switched on all the time and messages could be sent directly to you, and saved on your disk, with the device switching itself (and your disk/printer) on and off. But then the ordinary Apple modem is ton the way! too !! I have very recently bad a play around in Micronet, on 4 friend's B--B. And I came away feeling very much as 1f I had been one of the first people to receive a radio broadcast on a ‘cat's-whisker' set. The potential is undoubtedly enormous and -to return to thio business of interaction within BASUG - Micronet must be the cheapest possible method of having an Electronic magazine and particularly a Bulletin Board for news and help. BASUG, again, hoped to be a ‘pressure group! at one time, and I would suggest that this may be an ideal time to wield some muscle. After all, if everyone ‘phoned Micronet (01-242 6552) and gave Uhem a hard time on their Apple performance, then we might just — have ~— some effoct....Perhaps Apple UK, who have quite a few pages on Micronet, would care to add their weight, or is that expecting too much. I obviousty feel that the area of telecommunications can only enhance our hobby and increase the degree of Satistaction and enjoyment we get from it. Colleagues in the States havo used the Source and other similar central databases for some time, they have sophisticated automatic modems, and cheap if not free local calls; we on the other hand have British Telecom who 1 feel allow us technology as if they were dispensing gems from the Crown jewels. Please help to support BASUG and the original aims of the group, if any members agree with me then please help to apply pressure. We will need help when all this technology comes pouring through the ‘phone Lines so again please write to Bob Raikes and find out what has to be done, and how. June 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 27 Tf, however, you disagree then telephone your abuse to me then at least I will know that there is someone out there......---Abuse line is upen from 8 till 10 most nights. (On the Micronet delay, John Sharp assures readers that indeed something is happening on the Apple front, and that unless something quite drastic occurs the Apple will be hooked up certainly by Apple '83. Apparently the original firm contracted to make the board folded, leaving Micronet rather in the lurch.) Meetings & Workshops Graphics Workshop This workshop took place at the Central Institute in London, A number of new itens were on view. Keith Chamberlain gave a demonstration of the Bit-Stik. Once again this proved a popular item which was enhanced by a further demo by Dick Menhinick of the Bit-Stik with the Strobe plotter. This showed nore of the full potential of the systen as a serious design tool rather than just a Hi-Res drawing aid. Colin Holgate & John ‘olloy meanwhile were showing their video of John's group Mainframe’ (as heard on Radio 1 !). This video was created using the Apple's graphics. Very inpressive. At lunchtime there was an exodus to Iion Mouse to look at books and magazines. The rumour that up to date copies of Nibble were to be had was unfortunarely only a runour. Nevertheless, Call Apple and otners were available. Colin was also showing 'Coomac', a new graphics language fron the States, Sone of you may have seen a progran called ‘Fire Organ’. This contains a nunber of dynanic graphic displays, one for cach key on the Apple keyboard. Ceenac is the language used to create ‘Fire Organ‘. The ain of the language is to make it very quick and easy to create abstract moving, pictures or ‘scores’, in particular patterns which nay add to the enjoyment of music ete. Also shown was a Hi-res kaleidoscope which reacts to music input through the cassette port. Again, vory inpressive. Mike Siggins gave a preview of his Graphics progran (shortly to be available from BASUG), and demos were piven of Apple World, Graforth and many of the other Graphics packages. All in all, a successful day was had. Exhibitions. Since the last magazine, we have attended two exhibitions. The first of these was the 4th London Computer Fair, organised by tho Association of London Computer Clubs. After last minute panics over the lack of a machine, we managed to borrow one from Apple. Nany thanks to then, After a very quiet Thursday and a slightly better Friday, the Saturday proved reasonably busy. A number of new members were signed up, and lapsed memberships renewed. Thanks go to all those who helped on the stand especially Jim Panks, Richard Teed and F.E. The !lidland Computer Fair was somewhat disappointing. Very much a Sinclair/ Vie type of exhibition and we were quiet most of the time, Contact was made with many who were interested to hear of Mid-Apple's attempts to get a local group going. Thanks to Mel Golder of Mid- Apple and F.E., without whom our attendance at the show would not have been possible. Ne receive complaints from time to tine that too much attention is being given to the South East, and it was partly with this in mind that we went to this show. It was not really a financial success, and involved a fair amount of time to organise from a distance. Our request for help to allow us to go to the Manchester Show drew not a single offer of help. Unless we do get sone help from those who are nearer to the non-London events, the likelihood of being able to go to them will decrease. We will definitely be at :- The Computer Fair - Earls Court, London. Personal Computer World Show - Barbican, London What about offers for - The Northern Computer Fair - Belle Vue, Manchester. age 28 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1985 Readers’ Letters Sunningdale Dear Tony, I recently found that HIGHER TEXT (by Synergistic software) has a slight quirk on the Apple Ile. The Timekit produced by Glamire Electronics uses Higher Text to set up its display and whilst it works fine when set, when I tried to reset the time using the programme provided by Glamire it wouldn't accept the inputted data I wrote to CALL A.P.P.L.E. and had a reply from a member called ‘Butch’. We says there is a conflict or whatever at location SIF. To fix it BLOAD Iligher Text, enter the monitor and change the following locations to lA. * * * * * * Then do a 3D0G and BSAVE HIGHER TEXT, A2045, Lol4 L then ran the clock software anc sclected ‘clock set! and all workes perfectly. A word of caution to anyone who uses Higher Text extended. The mod shown above docs not work for this ‘improvement’ and T have a reply from the authors of Higher Text Extended (C6H Video) who say that they are aware of a problem but can't afford the cost of modifying their enhancement to the basic Higher Text programme. Yours sincerely, Peter Trinder. Handicapped Persons Research Unit Newcastle upon Tynbe Polytechnic No 1 Coach Lane Coach Lane Campus: Neweastle upon Tyne NE7 71W a major exhibition ‘Microfair Electronic Aids for the Handicapped’ funded by the Department of Industry. The exhibition is to start in Newcastle upon Tyne in September, 1983 and then visit five other centres around the country. In the past we have found computer groups very helpful and a rich source of new ideas. 1 would be grateful tf you could inform any of your members who may be interested in participating in our exhibition. You may not be aware of some of the other projects being undertaken by the unit. If you would like information on these projects or further information on the MICROFAIR please contact Ed Wilson, Peter Qurran or Dale Robertson at the above address. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Ednie Wilson Exhibition Assistant GH Atinlinw Beat! hivinncitinlia, ties Want SHE Dear Computer Users Group If possible I would like to place the following notice in your user group newsletter. CALC-Letter is a bi-monthly newsletter devoted to documenting the use (and abuse) of electronic spread sheet programs and accessories. While prognosticators and seers were talking about the revolution the computer would bring, the revolution went off alwad of schedule. The people discovered Visicale (T™)! And Visi-cale begat Visi-Clones and Calc-Alikes. and piles of people who would never be caught dead programming a computer, started creating incredibly complex computer — models. We at CALC-Letter recognize thie phenomenon tor what it ts: the electronic spread shect concept is a mator lean forward {n user friendly high level programming languages. We ced the help of users why have started to realise some of thir June 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 29 power. CALC-Lettor is soliciting - ano is ready to pay for - articles, models, user notes, software and hardware reviews, ete. for publication in future issues. To submit outlines or ideas for articles or to request subscription intormation write to the above address, Attn J.H. Kitler. Thank you Sincerely James H Kitlor, Editor (fd. Well, this {s rather 1fke a free plug, but we included it because it might be of direct benefit to those of our members that like to spread the sheets). Ulverston Dear Sir, In the April issue of Hard Core you gave a name a telephone number for ITT manuals (Reader's Letters, page 34). Wanting some service manuals for my ITY 2020 1 phoned the number to be told that no one had heard of Arthur Grimwood and that they had nothing to do with supplying manuals. Is the number a misprint or an crror in someone's filing system or what? (the person on the other end of the phone seemed quite upset by their number and extension being printed). Having an LTT 2020 with Palsoft in ROM I have the following suggestions. 1) To use programs such as TASC or Super Forth (Hayden) load FP Basic from the Apple DOS 3.3 Master Disk into a Rameard/ 2) The IIT disk controller card can be upgraded to DOS 3.3: this can be done in two ways. a) Modify the board (a couple of track cuts) lo take 2716 EPROMS programmed with the contents of Apple's P5A and P6A PROMS. b) Wire two adaptors (24 pin header - 20 pin sockers) to fit Apple's PSA and P6A PROMS on the board. If a) {s used then the EPROM in position P5 can be programmed with boot programs for DOS 3.2 and 3.3 (switch selected). 3) 1 have written a shure (120 byres) program to replace FINAL.OBJ - this is shorter, faster and a lot easier to use. 4) Jailbreak - hi-res mod for the ITT costs over £30 and can be built for under a pound! 5) [have a program which will convert an Apple hi-res picture to ITT format. Tf you would like details for any of these please contact me. Yours faithfully S.N. Hobson /Bi. Glad to hear you are doing such useful work on the TTT. Readers: please don't call that number. In the carly days of BASUG our members did a lot of research to find help for ITT users (since ITT were not being helpful) and that name was produced. Now it doesn't seem to work. I hope to find the time to look into it again. As for Jailbreak: you have missed the point. You seem to be saying that a pirated version of the modification can be built for # pound. That may or may not be so, but you ignore development costs and the right to profir./ Kingswinford Dear Sirs, Your correspondent Dave Miller of Finchley was enquiring in the February issue of Hard Core for information about genealogy filing systems. Me will be pleased to hear that help is to hand. The Society of Genealogists has an S.1.C. for computer buffs and publishes a regular magazine. I have sume knowledge of spectalised programs = American (and literature) which may prove useful and would be pleased to pass this on. I use Visidex myselt and to date it serves my purpose well. Yours faithfully William G Watson /fd. Dave; find William Watson's address in the Lonely Apples column / Page 30 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1983 Liverpool Dear Sirs, We are the owners of an Apple ///, and are interested in UCSD Pascal. Neither of these features very largely in the literature you have sent, and we guess that they would in any case be a minority interest among your members. However, our hope in joining BASUG was that you may be able to put us in touch with others of similar interests. The lack of published information about Apple J// is beginning to make it a most frustrating machine to work on, and anyune with whom to exchange information, views or ideas would be most welcome. In particular, is there anyone with any knowledge uf system tables or vectors on thie machine? (A memory map seoms less relevant, as memory appears to be dynamically allocated), For example, the sort of thing we should like to be able to do is ty access the graphics buffer directly and though we have a nice assembler in the UCSD system, without ‘inside knowledge’ it is impossible to use it to write an offective routine to dump graphics to our Epson printer - that was an early project, postponed for lack of knowledge. Yours sincerely 1 Flaxman /¥es, you touch our consciences, we don't do enough for Apple /// users = but events seem to have dictated that neglect. Will try to correct it in future issues. in the final analysis. however, it {s up te mewhors to write and tell us ail aiout thetr fatlures and successes. / Corbridge Dear Sir, Could you please offer some advice on what appearo to be a compatibility problem. My system is a 48k Apple IT+ with disk, Integer firmware card (located in Slot 4,) with The Inspector in Rom DO and the Programmer's Aid (in D8), 32k RAM card in Slot 0, a Wildcard, CPS Msltifunction card running an Epson MX60 type II in serial mode and an Olivetti JP1O! spark jet printer {n parallel mode, ROM+ card, Symtec Light pen and an RGB colour card with a Decea 12" monitor. My main problem concerns the use of nega Software's Inspector EPROM which I have recently purchased. The adverts that I had seen for the ROM version indicated thar the only system requirements were a “8k disk system and Integer BASIC. 1 thought that I had these as I was able to load Integer from the 3.3 Master Disk onto half of the Saturn 32k Ram card and that the chip could then be inserted into the ROM+ card. However, when the chip arrived from a dealer in the USA I found that ir had to be plugged into the D0 socket on the "motherboard of an Integer Apple IT or on an Integer firmware card. I duly bought a secondhand card through the classified ads in Hardcore and installed the chip in the appropriate socket. I then installed the board in my only remaining slot and used the software supplied with the 32k Saturn card to modify DOS 3.3 to use the card in Slot 4. I now find that although T can access Integer Basic and run Integor programs I cannot use the Inspector chip. If I access the chip as described in the manual i.e. CALL -151,;0080; — D800G nothing happens or the system crashes. After consulting "What's Where in the Apple" I tried using OC to turn on the board located in slot 4, This meant that 1 could access the Inspector but the program would only act in a very intermittent manner. This T took to be an indication of some sort of conflict, most probably between the 32k Saturn card and the Inspector. Can you help? | have written to both manufacturers concerned. The chip itself 1s not at fault since I have tried {tf tn another Apple with the same Integer Card and also in my own Apple with all of the other cards removed - a solution but not the one I want. 1 have also had problems of compatibility using CRAE & PLE with the 32k Saturn RAM card in both relocated DOS and RAM disk modes. Have you any suggestions? It would appear that there are a number of conflicts between the changes needed tn DOS to run such cards and a large number of programs, especially utilities. I have included an SAR for your reply but could you also publish the letter in Hard Gore @ warning ty other members about June 1903 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 31 ELITE SOFTWARE COMPANY. S-C Macro Assembler: Full macro assembler with 1U0Q page manual. Operates in any II or //e. Source files may be in core or on disc. Object files may be assembled directly to memory, or to disc. Can read or write standard text files. Editor and assembler are co-resident, all Apple OOS and monitor commands are available. Price £60.00 + VAT. Appli-Kit: Applesoft utility. Appli-Kit is a package designed to aid the writing and debugging of Applesoft Basic programs. All commands are typed in as if they are part of the standard Applesoft set. Price £25.00 + VAT. Wildeard: plugs into any slot and copies the program in core onto a standard DOS disc. Copies 48K core resident programs. No parameter list needed. Copies most programs requiring RAM card. Copies made with the Wildeard can be copied with standard copy programs. Copies even the bit copiers. Works with any RAM card - plugs into any slot. Price £99.00 + VAT. Wild-Word; a 40 column word processor for the II or //e. True SHIFT key operation. Built-in mailing list and merge. Core-resident. Price £35.00 + VAT. Format-80: 80 column word processor for II and //e. What you see is what you get. Editing and formatting achieved with single keystrokes. Supports all Apple compatible printers. Mailing list and merge feature. Core-resident. Price £199.00 + VAT. Ramview: 80 column board for the //e, upgradeable to 64K. Price £80.00 + VAT. All Elite Software Company products are not copy protected. Elite Software Company, 2 Almorah Road, Hestan, Middlesex, TW5 9AD. Tel. O1-572-0453 Page 32 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group June 1703 non-compatible cards. Yours faithfully, David Steward JEd. It seems to me that your problem is that your Apple keeps crashing through the table and toppling onto the head of your dog beneath who, in a fearful panic attacks it and tears the plug out of the wall. You in your distraction plug it absent-mindedly back in. It is difficult to get the Inspector to work under these conditions, What you need 1) a cast-iron table or 2) a turtle instead of a dog or 3) advice from John Sharp. But seriously, John Sharp writes: you should have ordered a RAM version of the Inspector. Then the Integer loaded onto your card would have contained the Inspector. since you have bought the Inspector in ROM you are somewhat stuck. You are correct in using C000 to access the card in the right slot. However, having done this, T would have thought you would have litrle problem, providing DOS knew that an INT command meant you were using slot 4. It is worth noting that hidden away when you load INTEGER onto the language card are the Programmers’ Aid routines (Is there someone ho is willing to write an article for us, please, oa the Programmer's Aid, JR?) PLE (and therefore CRAE) — need modification to use with DOS on the Language card (See Call A. P.P.L.E. article by Bongers. Now it is up to lard Core readers to produce something more substantial in the way of results./ Tadworth Dear Sir, I have a number of problems and questions which I would like solved /answered. Goncerning the Apple Silentyve printer, the Apple will not turn on with the printer connected but will turn on without the printer connected. Could you suggest a solution? ow do you turn the printer on and off from a machine code program? Concerning Hi Kes Graphics, can you explain the relationship between the memory location and the screen position of pixels. Are the Eamon disks avatiahle? Thank you for an excellent magazine. Yours faithfully, G.H. Davies. /FA. as for the first problem - you should put it in the Ist port of the Silentype. As fur the rest, don't know. Thie we have to turn over to our readers/ Stoborough, Warcham, Dorset Dear Sir, 1 wonder whether other mombers have been disappointed with the screen resolution of the new le? Using my new Ile with the same 18 Mh2 green monitors (BMC, Kaga etc) as our existing II plus machines there is a very noticeable degradation of the image compared to the TI. In 80-column mode the poor quality of the display is such as to make word processing something of a pain. The sharpness of the display using the Monitor IIL is quite satisfactory, although of course the slow decay phosphor on this monitor can he a nuisance. 1 would be most interested to know what the technical explanation of this is, if anyone knows. My dealer can offer none. I would also like to know what Apple are doing about it, because it is a very serious defect. to find on a not inexpensive machine. All the monitors, Including the ifi are 18 Mae, and the internal switch is not ect to colour in the Apple, of course. Yours sincerely, Dr. Jeremy Lec-Pottor. /Ed. Our chairman tells me that there isn't generally a problem with this one, 30 your problem is likely to be specific. He suggests trying the single switch (somewhere in the middle of the board) which is in fact "a colour killer" and not what you think 1 is. Therefore it should be "on" (I think). Try it. If tt doesn't work, get back to us with your phone numbner. June 1963 HARDCORE The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 33 London NWw2 Dear Sir, T am interested in obtaining a used Apple Il (with a printer), as my first step to learn micros. Initially I will use ft as a word processor, prior to experimentation. If any of your members wishes to sell his/her Apple 11 (in good working order) please put this person in touch with me. I thank you in anticipation. Yours sincerely, John Kason. Bath Dear Sir, I would be interested in joining the Medical sub-interest yroup within BASUG, and would also Like to be put in touch with anyone using Pascal on the Apple IL plus or new Apple Ile. Yours faithfully, H.R. Lang. The British Library, Copyright Receipt Otfice. 2 Sheraton Street, london WIV GBH. SOFTWARE MANUALS AND THE BRITISH LISKAKY The Science Reference Library, part of the British Library's Reference Division, maintains a collection of manuals designed to accompany software packages. The purpose of this collection ts to enable potential software users to consult the manuals in the light of their own requirements and make a choice. Some of the manuals of thie type are available separately from the software firm, the price of the manual being set against the price of the package should the latter be purchased. Since this means that the manuals are “published in the legal sense such works come under the terms of the Copyright Act 191], which states that one copy of each work published in the United Kingdom shall be deposited with the British Library. We enclose a leaflet about legal deposit for your information. Should a manual be cligible for deposit you should send one copy to us at the above address. Unless you enclose a note to the contrary it will be made available to readers in the Sctence Reference Library - as information for them and publicity for you. If a manual is not eligible you may, if you wish, still send a copy to the above address with a note that it is not available separately but that you wish it to be added to the collection. Yours faithfully, Maureen O'Sullivan pp- For Head of Copyright Receipt Office /FA. So that's what became of Maureen O'Sullivan! But joking apart, we think the above notice is important for all you software producers. / Membership Well I have served nearly a full year now, and this may be my last Menbership natters. I would like to thank all those people that I have net in my year and all those that have patiently awaited a reply when their menbership has gone haywire. My machine can nmow run DB, Master on its own and ny wife has becone a Computer/BASUG Widow, although she has learnt the basics of Applewriter II whilst I was in hospital. I would also like to thank the Committee Henbers that have had to listen to ne until very late in the evening on our many meetings. I hope that the person who takes over this post will benefit from the total reorganisation of the database and the associated paperwork. I hope to be back on the committee next year in a new job, and 1 hope I get the same support that you have given me this past year. So Temenber that BASUG runs only with your support and encouragement, without it ue can do nothing. SEE YOU ALL. AT THE AGM IN JULY ff! Robocom Ltd—the UK’s leading supplier of microcomputer-based CAD systems is looking for bright enthusiastic programmers to join their innovative development team. 6502 assembler experience an advantage. ene will be given the opportunity to develop experience with UNIX and ‘C’ Top level remuneration negotiable according to age and experience. Please contact Martin Ellis on 01-263 6682 Robocom Ltd. CIL Building, Goodwin Street London N43HQ 01-263 8585 dune 1985 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 35 AUTOCRAT COMPUTERS 264 Preston Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 OPY Telephone: 01-908 3636 FRICTION & TRACTOR FEED PLU: ROLL HOLDER AS STANDARD BIDIRECTIONAL LOGIC SEEKING * 9X 9 MATRIX-TRUE DESCENDERS 2.3K BUFFER AS STANDARD HI-RES BIT IMAGE+BLOCK GRAPHICS * SUB AND SUPERSCRIPTS DP 510 10" CARRIAGE 80 COLUMNS 100 CPS cuakawree Lowest price ur. £259.00 AGAIN, NO-ONE CAN BEAT US AUTO UNDERLINING * 2K USER DEFTNABLE ROM FULL, ONE YEAR WARRANTY IN PRICES, LOOK AT THIS :- MEMOREX 5.25" $S/DD DISKS NOW £13.95 NEW LINE WRITTEN DENNISON 5.25" SS/DD DISKS with LIFETIME (suitable for APP! GUARANTEE £16.95 inc. Library Box. wh ALL Prices + VAT ### ALL ENQUIRTES WELG! :- 01-908 3636 Page 36 HARDCORE - The Journal of the Hritish Apple Systems User Group June 1983 BASUG Goes Hemeling At the end of March BASUG in the shape of Norah arnold, John Sharp and Jim Panks took itself off to the bastion of Apple (UK) in Hemel Hempstead to talk about this, that, the fate of the universe but more particularly the immediate future for Apple. Instead of being given a perfunctory runaround they were treated to an exhaustive and lengthy talk on future developments by Cherry Watret and Steve Holmes, marketing man. Here are some of the jottings I made from their combined account. I hope I got it right. First, Steve set the record straiyht on RevA and RevB. Apparently some purchasers of the Ile spotting a prominent B in its innards have concluded that he who says B must say A, 30 what about it. It transpires that about 1000 A motherboards were indeed made but recalled for one reasun or another and converted into B's. Forget it. Problems with 80 column card product ion- Apple have Licked this one by buying up lock stock and barrel M & K who were making them. The LQP Printer. LP means Letter Quality Printer, and is something rather special in the way of daisywheels. It has 132 characters including foreign Furopean character sets all on one printwhecl. The configuration {s identical to its DMP (Dot matrix printer) with the blindingly obvious advantage adopted by no one clac that the same software and embedded printer commands can be used interchangeably. You du your text, check it on the fast DMP which will exactly reflect the final daisywheel printout. Why didn't T think of that? German law, bless it, insists that a ct be maintained by the manufacturer at least ten years after production ceases. Which for us means that support for the IT plus will last until 1993, However, there will be some changes. The DOS 3.3 Toolkit is to be dropped. There will be a massive swing in emphasis toward Pascal because its operating aystem te more conducive to transportability between the Iplus, Le. Lt and Lisa. A new and improved graphics tablet ts on its way. People have been talking, incidentally, about Apple producing a disk to enable the Apple to emulate a BBC B, but that rumor has been flying around for over a year now so we should believe when we sce tr. Good news for us, bad news for bad dealers. Apple is to crack down heavily on cowboy "Apple" dealers and any complaints sent to BASUG concerning shoddy or dishonest treatmen