Hardcore Volume 3 No. 4 1983 08 BASUG GB

hard core THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH APPLE SYSTEMS USER GROUP August 1983 fl VOLUME 3 No. 4 i = Page2 HARDCORE The Journal of the British Apple Systeins U ser Group TEC LZ SERVICES LiMiTED] CrLOMIAL WAY. | Ss (OK iFust gate on night Ss La) tr diett Road) ° J Sl, “Lux Computer AYLESBURY ‘A405 SLOUGH aa HOW TO Fi! Services Ltd COLONIAL WAY, WATFORD, HERTS. WD2 TEL: WATFORD (0923) 473€ A special purpose language for multiple choice tests and quizzes, questionnaires and Computer aided learning (CAL) — £50 + VAT # MICKIE progiams can be written by people with no previous experiance of programming. Many people have either the inclination nor the aptitude to master general purpose languages such as BASIC or Pascal % MICKIE can be used by people who have never used or even seen a computer before. This is demonstrated by MICKIE’s success with hospital patients * MICKIE is written in @ 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 hiswry taking. MICKIE has been evaluated in hospitals, schools ond commerce It saves ti legible and structured ra: a, The original MICKIE was developed at the tations Physical Laboratory by the I (well-known a8 the author of ‘The Mighty Micro’ an The Making of the Micro) Full Apple implementation trom SYSTEMICS LIMITED 21-23, The Bridge, Harrow, Middlesex HA3 SAG. Tol: 01-863 0079 Nate! Prosi! Labotoy SEP AMPLE «* Ampliés for Apple 11 * & Volume control aus (atater Column switches winch card? only £ Small run nardware a tality. STILL ONLY £6¢ RASUG MEMBERS Sound effec & Music August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 3 ardcore THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH APPLE SYSTEMS USER GROUP P.O.BOX 174 WATFORD WD2 6NF BASUG Lrd. company is a non-profit-making limited by guarantee, Basug Committee Bob Raikes Chairman Norah Arnold Secretary Tony Williams. Treasurer Fran Teo Administrator Jim Panks Software Library John Rogers Meetings John Wellsman Membership David Bolton & Quentin Reidford Micronet Keith Chamberlain Lit. Library Yvette Raikes Hardcore Editor Peter Blair & John Rodger Assistants BANKERS National Westminster Bank PLC, Brompton Square, London SW3 LHH. 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 Core, provided the author and source are properly credited, j The opinions of the necessarily and views expressed are those | various contributors, and are fot] supported by the British Apple| CONTENTS 4% Editorial Pots Chairman's Corner 5 A Noddy Guide to Indexes Cliff Wooton 9 Pascal Pages | Membership Apple /// 13 Minutes of the AGM 14 Software Library 15 Slough "83 Local Groups 16 Book Review 18 GPLE Review 19 A Voice for Tony Williams John Bettle Dougal Hendry the Speechless Nigel Wallace John Sharp R. G. Silson Frances Teo Epson Card Fix 21 Random Numbers 22 Visicale Corner 23 Visicalc Course Review Madeleine Hamilton 26 Epson Pages Norah Arnold 28 Hotline 29 Bulletin Board 31 Education Norah Arnold 33 Programmer's Aid RAM Test Dougal Hendry 34 The Accelerator I John Rodger 36 Seedlings Printer Workshop Bob Raikes 38 Pinball Peter Trinder i0 Readers! 46 Diary Letters INTERNATIONAL APPLE CORE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL APPLE CORE HARDCORE is produced using Applewriter YX, and printed on an APTEC Flowriter with a Madeleine Daisy-wheel Front Cover Norah Arnold created this using the Bit Stik and Zoom Grafix. Page & HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1933 Editorial Recently there have been criticisms that Hardcore lacks "bite". Could this be because we are too polite? Certainly one person admitted that having looked at a product in order to review it, she felt unable to put pen to paper as the product was so awful! Another reason, I feel, is that we have too many willing reviewers. People kindly offer to look at a product for a few days and then write about it. This seems fine, but in fact it is very unlikely that in such a short time a reviewer would find the more obscure faults or disadvantages that crop up with long use. Also there is a tendency to read the accompanying manuals and assume that what they say about their product must be true! This is a USER group after all, The People that should be writing about products should be those that actually use them. Let's face it, if someone is contemplating buying a product, they want to know if there is a problem with it. If the product is good then there is no reason to worry if any member buys it. Of course we are happy to print that a product is good if it is, But we really need YOU, the User, to write and tell us if there is anything about a product that is not good. It could save someone from making a costly mistake. The whole point of a User Group is to exchange information that is not normally available to the general public. On another point, we have now sorted out the previous problems with credits. Credits are now in the form of vouchers. One voucher may be used to purchase cither a disk from the software library or a blank disk for only £1. We are sending contributors one voucher for each column that we print. POTS WORN OUT PADDLES The pots for paddies are now available. If you haven't yet ordered yours, now would be a good time. They are called P15S Pots. Please make sure you read this correctly! Chairman's Corner This is the first issue of Hard Core produced by BASUG Ltd. I believe that this event represents much of what BASUG has been doing in the last year. The change was made after professional legal advice had been taken by the committee on the best way to limit the financial liability of the members of the committee, while maintaining BASUG as a club, rather than a profit making commercial organisation. Although the spirit of the club has remained in the true sense of the word amateur, it was vital that the organisation ‘and administration of the club were Properly developed to ensure the long term survival of the group. Accounting systems which meet the requirements of our auditors and VAT registration have been major areas of change. Many of these changes have not of course provided immediate extra benefits to the members, but they have established the foundations for growth both in the size of the group and tor further services to members. In the coming year, there are a number of areas of new development. | hope that by the time you get this magazine, there will be information on the Software Library ‘Special Releases'. These programs will come with manuals, the aim being to get to members low cost, high quality software. We also want to set up a hot-line help system based on the models of Call A.P.P.L.E. and Washington Apple Pie. We will need volunteers to answer problems, and we will also need the cooperation of all those who use the system to ensure that no unreasonable burden is placed on the ‘Consultants’, We are also waiting tor 8.1. to install the first BASUG telephone, which will allow phone enquiries. We also expect to hold more courses and meetings, throughout the country, and will help more local groups to get going. If you use one of our advertisers, don't forget to mention that you saw it in Hardcore. Advertising pays. for _ this magazine. August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 5 A Noddy Guide To Indexes by Cliff Wooton Indexes are simple. Not at all as complex as all those high flying computer experts would have us believe. | will try to lift some of the mystery from them here, but please bear with my rotten English and even more rotten jokes. When thinking about an index system, the following sub-systems will be required, AKEY STRIPPER A FAST SORTER AN INDEX BUILDER AN INDEX SEARCHER ALOA The first three are only required during the index build process while the last two are required only at search time. The programs are easiest written as separate modules for simplicity and ease of debugging. Let me tell you, it is one whole lot easier to debug a small program than a big one. Before writing the program it is wise to consider how the index access is to be designed and what language it is going to be written in. 1 find machine code best for three main reasons. 1. It runs. faster. 2. It is transferable from Integer to FP. 3. It is hard to disassemble (mine is, due to its basically unstructured nature.) 4. It covers up bad programming practices. 5. People are cleverness. impressed with your The program subsystems themselves are essentially very simple,” Let us assume that we have a series of records stored in a text file, The format of each record might be as shown in Fig 1. FIELD NO[GONTENTS [SIZ |TYPE_] ENTS (ce ee | | Field 1 |Surname 20 Chars [AScit | 2 jinitials | 4 Chars |ASCII 3 |Phone No. | 6 Bytes ACD | 4 |Address 40 Chars ASCII 5 |Inside leg| 2 Bytes|BCD | 6 |Part no. 6 Bytes /BCD | 7_|Left/Right| 1 Byte |ASCII) Record Format. Let us say that we want to build the index based on the value of the surname. The index key will be field 1. The index key could be based on any of the fields within the record or could be the record number itself. The choice of key is immaterial, and only important is the fact that there is a key. This key is used by the key stripper which is the first part of the index build process. The key stripper program will pass through the entire Text file reading a complete record at a time. As it retrieves each record it notes the contents (in this case) of field 1 and also the track and sector number in which the record starts and the byte — displacement. These are stored together to form a record in a new file that will form the basis of the index. The record format of this new file is shown in Figure 2. FIELD NUMBER [CONTENTS [SIZE TYPE. Field | (key)|Surname |20 Chrs [ASCII Field 2 Track 1 Byte Hex Field 3 Sector 1 Byte |Hex Field 4 Byte 1 Byte |Hex Figure 2. Index file record format. This file will have the same number of records as the Base file. Each one will correspond to one in the master file and they will at present be stored in the same order as they were entered. The key stripper is now finished and may therefore be flowcharted in its entirety as shown in Figure 3, see over During the execution of this program several pointers will need to be maintained, 1. A pointer to each record in the master file is needed. This is incremented by the master record length each time a new record 1s called up. 2. A pointer t» the next pocket to be built in the new file will be required. This will be incremented by the Key length plus three bytes for the track sector and byte every time a new pocket is built. 3. A pointer to the track sector list of both files will be required if the program is performed in machine code using dynamic access to the disk via RWTS, Page 6 MARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group GET NUMBER OF RECORDS SET RCD CTR TO ¢ MOVE KEY INTO NEW FTLE MOVE TRACK MOVE SECT Figure 3 MOVE BYTE INC RCD CTR No LAST ONE STORE NEW FILE Having built an abridged version of the file, the sort program is used to arrange the keys and their associated track sector and byte printers into some logical order, This sort can be of any type but must be built to fit the records stored in the file to be sorted. The sorted key file is then stored in the disk if necessary. At this stage the data in the master file can be accessed in two ways. 1, In the order in which it was keyed. 2. Indirectly via the sorted key list. The indirect method is simple enough. Complete records are retrieved and the pointers used to locate the specific record within the master file. This sort tile can be invisible and form part of the index only, or may be accessible if it has its own directory entry. This indirect method of access is illustrated in Figure 4. This is wucre the indexing starts to get 4 little tricky, not because it is complex but because it will require several intermediate files ‘once, to be maintained at The sorted tile now becomes the primary index level or PIL, The third program used during the build yrocess comes into play. This is the index yuilder proper and has several stages. The PIL is searched and assuming it has been duilt in ascending order the smallest key value will be at the start and the largest at the end. This also applies to each sector of the key list. As we pass through the PIL we make a note of each record that is the last one encountered in each sctor. The number of records in each sector of the PIL depends on the length of the sort key chosen. We should start to build up a file whose length measured in records is the length of the PIL divided by the number of records in each sector. As we store these we modify the track sector and byte pointers to reflect values within the PIL instead of the master file. When a complete pass is made we will have built a smaller list of keys. This smaller list of keys will be called Intermediate Index Level One (Il LI). This IIL_has several properties worthy of note. Its most important being that it consists entirely of keys that are each the highest value of their —_ corresponding sectors within the PIL, This IIL is stored and if it is more than one sector long it is used to replace the PIL while another pass is made to build IIL 2. Several more ML's may be made until a level is built that occupies only one sector. In the case of a very short master data file it is possible that the PIL itself could only be one sector long. In this case an index will not save any time in accessing the data. At each level a byte will need to be reserved in each sector indicating the level of the index being accessed. It would be most convenient for this value to be zero when the PIL is reached. When the index length has been whittled down to one sector in length it is defined as being the Highest Index Level. As mentioned previously this might also hapnan to be the PIL or might be one or August 1933 | August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page7 SORTED KEYLIST YSLCAL PILE ——— — INDIRECT Co) rr 2 DIRECT ACCESS IN THE 1 4 SORTED ORDER ORDER 2 3 3 8 4 1 Figure 4.Indirect access 5 A via a sorted file. 6 2 7 7 8 6 more levels above depending upon the size of the Index/Sort key value. The index is now complete and can have its own entry made in the disk directory. The intermediate levels need not have entries within the directory but could have if it was required. This would only have the advantage of different entry levels to the index. The index is now complete and functionally can be illustrated as shown in Figure 5. see over That completes the index build procedure. The only remaining units of software to be written are the search modules. These will be used to inspect the index to locate the key value required. First of all the search key is compacted into the same format as the index key. This will not be necessary in the case of a Mraightforward byte for byte storage but will be required if any compaction has taken place, for instance in the case of a ACD key. The HIL is searched for a value of the key that is equal to or” greater than the search key. The relevant sector is loaded from the next level down and a search performed in the same manner to locate the key again. This process is repeated, always looking for a key that is equal to or greater than that being searched for. When the PIL is teached the system should be informed. This is why the index level needs to be indicated in each level. The PIL should be searched to locate a key exactly equal to the search key. If one is not found then there is no corresponding record within the master tile and the search process will halt. If an equal value is found then the track and sector within the master file are located and the record pointer set to point at the specific record within the master file. The index search program is now finished and can pass contro! to the routine that requested the search in the first place. If the record is required for processing or alteration the LOADER can be used to get the appropriate data into the system memory, If we figure out a case history we can see the advantages obtained by using an index. Page 8 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 | Let us say that we have created a file with 1000 records each 64 bytes long. This file would be 64/256 x 1000 = 250 sectors in length. To locate a record in the middie, if the file has not been sorted, will require 125 sectors to be inspected, Normal disk access is abour 200 m.secs (600 m,.secs_max.), this works out at about 25 secs (75 secs max.). This is a long time when sitting at the console. This access time can be improved by just using a sorted file. Suppose we choose an access key equal to 7 bytes in length, adding the track/sector/displacement pointers. This would make the key length 10 bytes. We would now fit 25 keys into a sector so the sorted list would be 40 sectors in length. The total file is now 250 + 40 - 290 sectors in length, but the access time would now be based on sequentially searching 40/2 sectors. This would reduce the access time to 20 x 200 m secs = dsecs (24 secs max). This is an improvement but is not as drastic as it would be by using an index. By using the same key the index levels would be as follows, FILE 250 SECTORS 1000 RECORDS PIL 40 SECTORS 1000 RECORDS Tit 2° SECTORS 40 RECORDS HIL 1 SECTOR 2 RECORDS function. Incex The file would now be 250 + 40+ 2+ 1 - 293 sectors long, but the access time would require 4 sectors to be accesed, reducing the access time to 800 m secs (2.4 secs nax) to locate any record anywhere in the index. The time could be reduced on some records by accessing directly into the HL or assuming that the HIL was allowed to be 2 sectors long. This would be quicker for access to the first 625 records but would take 20 m secs longer for the remainder. Figure 5. The concept of indexing is really not one of complexity but of arranging the data logically, and choosing an appropriate access key. The shorter the key the fewer index levels required. Each index level required is a disk access, and the fewer there are, the less access time is required, August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group. Page 9 Pascal Pages + We con't know who wrote this. If it's yours please write in and let us know. «MOCRD ROALL CAL $78 80889 72 OMIA MODE S78 TK RTs -PROC COLOR, t POP RETURN ee ROPL. SETCOL PLR PUSH RETURN RTS PROC PLOT»2 PUSH RE ars PROC VLIN, 3 POP RETURN pla PUSH RETURN RTS -PROC CLEARTOP cLetes Page 10 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 CNIBBLE EXPRESS ADDED SY Greg CRINTRINGIC UNIT FOR INSERTING IN SYSTEM LISPRSY TO SLLOW USE OF LOWRES GRAPHICS BY INCLUDING ‘USES LORESG’ IN PRoGeam £y CaSoek) Ce NG OPTION “UgT BE ON FO UNIT LORESG) INTRINSIC CODE 23; 1 saw a program in an earlier PASCAL PAGES column that allowed you to use the low resolution graphics on your programs. This is fine except that I didn't want to have to include the routines whenever I needed them (even via the compiler option) and | thought the most trouble-free method would be if 1 could use the routines just as 1 do the TURTLEGRAPHICS routines. This lets you do just that. When you need the routines just include the statement ‘USES LORESG' in your program and you can use the routines with no further worry, The price you pay is the complexity of typing it in and getting the new UNIT into the SYSTEM.LIBRARY. (1) Type in the assembler listing shown into a textfile and call it LORES.TEXT. (2) Use the SYSTEM.ASSEMBLER to assemble this text tile into LORES.CODE, NOTE: You may have to transfer the assembler files to the hoot disk, and you may need to specify a file size for LORES.CODE - a size of 10 will cover everything. (3) Enter the Pascal program and call it LO.TEXT. (H) Compil: LO.TEX! inte LO.cOvE. () Use the SYSTEM.LINKER to link LORES sCODE into LO.CODE to produce a code file called LORESG.CcOpe. (6) Xecute LIBRARY from APPLES to merge SYSTEM.LIBRARY and LORESG <CODE | to form NEW.LIBRARY (see THE SYSTEM LIBRARIAN on p.186 of OPERATING SYSTEM MANUAL for an explanation of using the LIBRARY program), August 1983, HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 11 (7) Change the name of SYSTEM. LIBRARY to OLD.LIBRARY and then change the name of NEW.LIBRARY to SYSTEM.LIBRARY. (8) Use lo-res graphics. NOTE: This assumes segment 23 is available in SYSTEM.LIBRARY (which it will be if you haven't added anything to the library yet) and this number used by the Pascal UNIT will have to be some other number if 23 is used. L,Y INTEGERD, Membership Renewal Dates Many members are concerned that their renewal dates seem to be incorrect. "My renewal date is for January and | joined in September! is a typical cry. Do not despair. The renewal jates are American-style. They are in the order month, day, year. So the member who joined in September will find that his renewal date reads 09-01-84, APPLE 7/7 We have a volunteer to answer questions on the Apple ///. If you have a question please address it to the P.O.Box as usual. Several articles have been submitted for Hardcore which are not suitable for printing. If articles are too long or too specialist, they may be sent to the software or literature libraries for __possible inclusion, 1 am naming these articles so that the authors know that they have been received but will not be in print. 1, APPLE SALES CODES by Cliff Wootton 2. JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE DISK by Clift Wootton, 3. LOWER CASE ROUTINES by Thos, S. Korteweg, BASF DISKS individually numbered 5.25" single sided, single density - suitable Apple J[,//e & /// box contains 10 disks 1 BOX £ 15.50 NO 10 BOXES £140.00 EXTRAS [we PAY VAT, POSTAGE & zac} Send order & remittance to: SYSTEMICS LIMITED, 21-23 THE BRIDGE HARROW MIDDLESEX HA3 5AG 01 863 0079 Access & Barclaycard accepted Page 12 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 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. # }y 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 August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 13 AGM MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of BASUG held at the Central Institute, Longford St., London at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday 2nd July 1983. The meeting was opened by Bob Raikes, BASUG chairman, at 2.05 p.m. Approximately 50 members were in attendance, including all the outgoing committee. \. It was proposed by Tony Williams, and seconded, that the minutes of the previous Annual General Mecting held on the 18th July 1982 were taken as read. This was carried unanimously. 2. Matters Arising. There were no matters arising. 3. Chairmans Report. The Chairman explained that following John Sharp's resignation as Secretary, in order to take up a new job, Norah Arnold had taken over as Secretary, and that he had then taken her place as Chairman, On behalf of the committee and the membership, he presented a glass Apple paperweight to John Sharp, as a token of thanks for the amount that John had done for the club. John Sharp expressed his surprise and thanks and pointed out that many others had worked very hard for the group. BASUG had grown far beyond his original expectations. The Chairman thanked all those present for attending the meeting, and noted members from Middlesborough, Nottingham, Bristol, Portsmouthh and Eire. He continued by stating that BASUG existed only because of its members and needed their support and contributions. H: acknowledged that the majority of ac! ies were still based in the South East, but looked forward to further opportunities to widen the arca covered. Looking back over the year, it might seem to most members that few major changes had taken place, but much had been done by the committee in building a firm administrative foundation for the long term growth of the group. Much had been done to set up BASUG Ltd, and administration of the group was now on a more professional footing. During the forthcoming year, more emphasis could be placed on the growth of the group, both in numbers, and in terms of the services offered by BASUG to its members. In particular, it is the intention of the committee to set up a Consultants list on the Call A.P.P.L.E. model. This venture would need the support of many members to ensure success. To improve communications within the group, those standing for committee membership had agreed to release their phone numbers to members. The administrative centre would also shortly have phone facilities. 4. Secretary's Report. Norah Arnold refered to the fact that she had not been long in the position of Secretary in giving a report on the events of the last year. She was able to announce that BASUG Ltd had been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on the 28th June, and that the certificate of Incorporation had been received on the 2nd of July. Efforts had heen made during the year to build a better relationship with Apple UK. Meetings had taken place, and the feeling was that Apple were now keener to deal with existing as well as new Apple owners, Although some had fallen by the way-side, a number of Local and Special Interest groups had now got going. One of the problems encountered by ‘SIG's was the wide geographical spread of those interested. BASUG had succesfully participated in a number of exhibitions including PCW, the &th London Computer Fair, The Midland Computer Fair, the recent Earls Court exhibition and Apple '83. Thanks were given to all those without whose help exhibitions could not be attended, A number of workshops and courses had been held during the year. Courses _ included Pascal, two Assembler courses, Visicalc and File Handling. Workshops had been held in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Cambridge and Milton Keynes. 5. Treasurers Report. Fran Teo explained that although she was not Treasurer at the time of the AGM, she had held this post until a short while ago, and she was therefore better equipped to answer any questions about the accounts. At the last AGM, there had been no accounts to hand, This position had been rectified, and*accounts for the period up to the end of Page 14 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 August 1982 had been prepared, audited and published to members. BASUG has been registered for VAT from the Ist July 1981, and there is some liability for VAT from that time until now. This was not an excessive amount, and calculations had been agreed with HM Customs & Excise. In order to allow for VAT liability, the cost of software library disks was increased, but no further increases are planned. Although exact figures for this years accounts were not available until the accounts had been fully prepared and audited, she expected that there would be a small surplus over the year 1982/1983. VY. Quaintance then asked whether the committee had considered the possibility of registering the group as an educational charity in order to avoid Corporation Tax. This had been considered in the past, but it had been felt that the restrictions placed on the groups activities by the relevant legislation were too great, bearing in mind the reliance of the group on sales to members as a source of income. It was anticipated that the Tax liability would not be large. 6 Election of committee. The following nominations for officers and committee had been received :- Bob Raikes (Chairman), Norah Arnold (Secretary), Tony Williams’ (Treasurer), Fran Teo, Keith Chamberlain, David Bolton, John Rogers, Jim Panks, Quentin Reidford and John Wellsman. There was a block proposal by Peter Trinder, which was seconded, and this was passed. 7. Any Other Business, a) Apple UK. Some discussion took place about the actions and attitudes of Apple UK, and its relationship with BASUG. It was clear that Apple are taking a more positive view of existing users, although some dealers are not. Apple have said that they are prepared to take up problems with dealers on behalf of users. The committee asked that the experiences that members have of this system are passed to BASUG for possible publication in Hardcore. b) Literature Library. Enquiries were made about the position of the Literature Library. John Rodger explained that a list of the items in the library could be sent to members on request. Items could then be borrowed, or on occasions he duplicated and posted on. This proved expensive, and demand had been small. The possibility of a Lending Library had heen investigated, but items had been retained by borrowers for many months, despite repeated letters. Never the less, the committee was always reviewing all the activities of the club with a view to change and improvement. c) Micronet. Following a question from the floor, David Bolton replied that Micronet were about to launch a hard wired modem for the Apple for about £75.00 as a special offer to BASUG members and those who had already ordered. d) It was requested that future inailings about meetings contain all the neccesary information about meetings. The chairman apologised for the absence of a time on the last mailing about the AGM. V. Quaintance requested that future meetings be held at 2.30 to assist those who travelled a long distance, or worked in the morning. e) D. Hendry asked whether BASUG could develop cheap hardware sales along the lines of Call A.P.P.L.E. This had been talked about at length by the committee. The main reasons that more had not been done were the neccesity to offer warranty back up, and also the amount of time neccesary, No volunteers had ever come forward to do this job. f) It was suggested that a database be set up of members equipment in order that those who were considering buying something could consult existing users. When this had been done in the past as part of the membership database great problems had been encountered in keeping it up to date. This seemed a good potential use of Micronet. A vote of thanks was given to the committee for their work during the last year. The meeting closed at 3.22pm Software Library As Jim Panks has not been able to write for Hardcore, he asked me to tell you that the software library is now under new management ( ie his }. He hopes to add a lot more on CP/M, in Pascal and other languages. we always need more software so please write in. August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 1> SLOUGH ’83 NO DESPOND AT SLOUGH BASUG at the Windtall $3 Show by Tony Williams While not wishing to join the team from Stockport in their orgy of _—self- Congratulation, we at BASUG also have to say "Good Show" to the Windfall organisers. Everyone | talked to agreed that this show has something different to offer, and that they came away well satisfied. Of course Apple 83 is no use whatsoever to ZX81 or Spectrum users, which is one of its strongpoints. Apple users do not have to wade through the crowds besieging stands of marginal concern to them. All the stands in the Slough Fulcrum Centre are Apple stands. Attendance figures are lower than at some of the larger shows, but the interest is correspondingly more intense. Each inquiry can be treated at length and in depth by exhibitors, well by some of them, and hence more business is done. Put it this way - this not a show for hordes of kids and space invaders but it is still fun for the serious user. The initial impression was that attendance was down, but this was in fact not so numbers were up on last year. The blazing sunshine outside - following a dreary spring might have kept some potential customers away, but in any case, as Derek Meakin told me, those that attended the show came with money in their pockets and this was mightily pleasing to exhibitors wanting to take it off them, The successes this year and last mean that Windfall will be going ahead with its plans to "take Apple to the people" in the shape of "regional villages". As for BASUG - it was tun tor us too. Recruitment of new members was moderate, some forty or so, but since that was only one of our reasons for being there we were well satisfied. We manned our stand in order to put faces to our names, answer questions and ask some of our own. This is one of those occasions, highly gratifying to the committee when ordinary BASUG members come forward and quite voluntarily man our stand for hours on end, Jim Panks shouldered responsibility for setting up the BASUG stand. He was joined by Peter Trinder (who stepped in with the loan ot his Apple Ile at positively the last minute) and others, not forgetting "BASUG GILBERT", in spending many hours talking to members, demonstrating various Apple capabilities and explaining "What BASUG can do for you!" Some of their time, but not much, went into catching the flak put up by irate members complaining at what BASUG failed to do for them in the past. They explained patiently that that all happened then, and cannot possibly happen in future - at least | hope that was what they said. local Groups The South-East Essex Computer Club meets at: The Esplanade (pub) Sea Front - near the pier Southend-on-Sea, Essex Every Monday at 20.00 hours. Various machines but the Apple users (around 10) considering forming their own break-away group. Essex Group Colin Poynder has offered to set up an Essex Group. As he has an hotel, he obviously has a possible place to hold meetings but he is very aware that Epping is not central for Essex. He would like anyone interested in joining an Essex group to contact him either by letter or phone giving their address so that he can sort out a convenient meeting place. He will then contact all those that were in touch to let them know details of time and place. Colin can be reached at: Fivasthag final eam Ran iE lee ati Telephone: ‘init Please let us know what is happening in your Jocal group. Page 16 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 Says Jane Davis. 6NOW you can ead MICROPRO” the MAY Prostar training Sie At last, an easy to read, simple to under- stand book - written in plain English for British users of MicroPro software. Giving you the full power of: WordStar ” MailMerge - SpellStar ~ -DataStar ": SuperSort ": CalcStar © EXISTING USERS - EVER HAD PROBLEMS? Let Jone Davis’ tutorial method be your quide. NEW USERS® In Part 1. you will musts yout oper ing system; create a tulonal dise ond pe merge pried lelers ond envelopes - ll wibin two days! em ProStar Training Guide is unique in all six MicroPro packages in ONE VOLUME lading Hae Fagor Star Whether you have ONE MicroPro package — or SIX—this is the guide for you SEND THIS COUPON TODAY, - To: JANE DAVIS PUBLICATIONS 1 38 Etheldon Road, London Wi2 7BG T Please send me... ies of the cop 1 Prostar Ti ‘Training Guiele ot £29 per copy including | postage ond pocking, 1 Allow 3 weeks for delivery. Moke cheques payable to: Jone Devis Publectons I Pees send me hxtheriokomoton _] NAME... Book Review Kids And The Apple (Prentice/Hall) By Edward H. Carlson reviewed by John Bettle This review enabled me to look at a book which I had contemplated buying for my children, Being a newcomer myself to practical computing I needed some assistance before starting to teach my children. I started off by giving the book to my 13 year old son who has limited programming experience but does know his way around the "Apple". Initially 1 just left him to it with no comments from me. His first commen’ was "But I can do this", but after the first few chapters more questions arose from him and perhaps things were not as easy as first thought. Here I think the book scores, It has some 33 chapters. These are all fairly short and ad: up like building blocks to a greater understanding of simple programming. The length of the chapters to ime fulfil two major requirements of a child's text book - one, a quick sense of accomplishment without too heavy a drain on the reader and secondly, it forestalls boredom which a child gets if feft to plough through acres of text. Fach chapter consists of three parts: First, notes for the parents or teacher to prepare them for the topic the pupil is about to start, thus giving them a head start on any possible queries that might arise. These notes can also be used by older students as part of the lesson. Secondly, the actual topic for the chapter. The topic is approached simply and with a feeling for a child's logic and also with an accent on hands-on experience of the computer. In this section there is an abundance of cartoons, which to the more advanced programmer may seem a waste of space, but I think they are used well not only to make the subject more lighthearted but also to put over ideas in a way children easily assimilate. For example memory locations are represented as several toy boxes each holding different toys, a much more understandable idea than a technical description. Thirdly, a section giving assignments to the child to make sure Whether they have in fact understood the work they have completed or whether they August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 17 need further practice before carrying on. Answers are given at the back to these questions. 1 personally like the question-answer technique used so often in American text books but certainly at the start my son did find this a strange system although he very quickly came to terms with it. As at this time (prior June 9th) opinion polls are all the rage, | carried out one on this book. | asked several people in an age range of 12 upwards and with varying computer experience to give an opinion on this book. All but one were very impressed with it not only as 4 book ior a child but tor anyone who is new to computers who needs a gentler introduction than the one given by the le Tutorial and other Basic learning book: My main critisism of the book was the price - £15.95. Although not vastly exhorbitant these days for computer books, | feel it is when the book has a very limited usetul life as once successfully learnt, which is not that difficult, it has no lasting use as a reference book. So unless you have a very large family, the value for money is small which is a shame for what is a good book. I think it is a library book or more especially a book for schools with "Apples" who are going to get many years of good use out of it. In conclusion you may have gathered | think this is an excellent book but at a price. One thing to remember, if looking at this hook as a possible one for your children it is just primarily that, a book for children, Lower Case Chips 40 column display chips Simple #1t for IT and + Revision 7,8 & RFI Instructions included Software compatible with convention and Tech-note £ sign Versions with rounded or slashed zero £16-50 All Inclusive Dougal Hendry ta a ns Send SAE for details of Individually customised Character chips @ £26-75 Says Jane Davis: 66NIOW you can ne MICROPRO”? with the 444“ ProStar training guide At last, an easy to read, simple to under- sland book - written in plain English for British users of MicroPro software. Giving you the full power of: WordStar MailMerge SpellStar” -DataStar ’: SuperSort - CaleStar’ «© EXISTING USERS - EVER HAD PROBLEMS? Let Jane Davis’ tutoriol method be your guide. ¢ NEW USERS? In Part I, you will master your operat: ing system, creale a tvlonial disc and produce merge - printed leters ond envelopes all within hwo doys! Tho ProStar Training Guide is unique in avenge i MicroPro packages in ONEVOLUME* sjpafuding Ue Report Star” Whether you have ONE MicroPro package — or SIX —this is the guide for you SEND THIS, I'S COUPON TODAY, 1 To: JANE DAVIS i ysormaearh 38 Ethan Rood, London W12 78G 1 Preose send copies of the 1 Prostar Training Guide at £29 per copy including 1 postage and packing. Allow 3 weeks for deliwery Moke cheques payable to. Jane Dows Publcohone 1 Pease send me thor informoton _] Page 18 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 GPLE ‘A Review by Dougal Hendry Global Program Line Editor + Author: Neil Konzen When a program has been on sale for over a year, and has a great "Word of mouth" Teputation yet has not been reviewed by any UK magazine... the time has come for digital extraction ! At the outset, let me say that this is an unashamedly favourable review. 1 believe that this program is the single most essential utility for any Apple Basic programmer. Why? Because it not only provides the line editor that should have been there from the start, but it can also find the lines for editing, handles lower case better than a He, provides programmable function keys, and even hides itself very effectively. It provides a 32 character typeahead buffer, works with both Applesoft and Integer, and many 80 column boards. Treat as a bonus the fact that a "Move DOS to the Languge Card" relocator program is provided as an option, along with the appropriate fixes for FID, Muttin and Renumber, Let's look at the line editor. This core function is like the earlier, excellent but comparatively limited "PLE", from the same author. A CTRL-E followed by a valid line number presents that line in "Edit Mode" - the line is listed using the full screen width, with the cursor following the (right justified) number. The arrows move you as usual, but are not needed tor tracing over the entire line, You keep the lot when finishing with a Return | The real magic Starts with a CTRL-I, for subsequent typing is inserted, while the rest of the line is automatically shuffled along to make room for it, CTRL-D deletes the character under the cursor in a similarly neat fashion. You can Zap all characters from the cursor to the first, (or nth), chosen character - a colon perhaps ? The cursor could be moved non-destructively to that chosen character, or straight to the beginning or end of the line, It's even possible to Restart the editing of a line, should you mess it up in a big way.. Global editing is the first enhancement over PLE. The line(s) for editing can be selected as a range of numbers, or all those containing a designated string, either from the whole program or a range of line numbers, Before entering edit mode on each line, the search string can be auto-replaced by another string. Global search and replace without editing is also possible.The search string may even be a sub-string - (when you know about tokenising, you can appreciate just how clever it is to spot the "IN" within "PRIN If you have a lower case chip, or run a Ile, you'll love GPLE. It happily allows entry of Monitor, Basic and DOS commands in lower case, supports the single wire shift mod, (or else CTRL-A), and even allows natural Program "Input" of lower case. A lower case letter under the cursor appears not as flashing punctuation but as inverse upper case - an excellent aid to editing. A very simple configuration program is supplied with the tweaks for various 80 column cards. 1 will remark that in supporting my Vision 80 card it saves the irritation of — Shift-Key-bounce causing inadvertant Caps-Lock-mode change. It should work with the Digitek card, and also supports those from ALS, M&R, Videx and Wesper (Wizard). The program links in through the DOS VO hooks, and so must be reconnected after using a printer - an ampersand relinker is provided. Three functionally —_ identical versions are supplied for different memory configurations. It can sit between DOS and the file buffers in a 48k machine, or on the "spare 4k" of the Language Card, This means that you could be forgiven for not knowing that it was there. It also survives INT, FP, and MAXFILES. The third version works with the relocated DOS, which precludes the use of an alternate language in the 12k bank and may not like packaged software but does give you back 10,5k of RAM. Although there are many lovely trimmings like the ability to list a program a screenful at a time, the major facility that | have kept for last is the provision of over Ik of space for definitions of "Function Keys". These are realised through software, not hardware | An example: typing ESC | gives me "CATALOG,DI RETURN ESC S$". The last part is another key function, “nested” within the one that I used, which CALLs a routine that works out and displays the number of sectors free. Very neat ! Now these definitions can be changed at will, August 1983 HARD <= The Journal of the British Apple Systems !ser Group Page 19 and saved to disk, Proper use of the nesting ability will give a lot of mileage out of that Ik, but I'm afraid that however much there was, we would ask for more. There are so many ways to use it - typing non-keyboard characters like underscore, entering and calling small, temporary m/c programs, in fact anything that reduces repetitive typing. So, what's missing ? Not much. Most significant is the inability to re-order blocks of lines. This is useful when you realise that a chunk of code ought to be somewhere else, perhaps as a subroutine. The facility is provided in a lesser prograin, CRAE, Perhaps a reader has an ESC function that would help ! GPLE provides so much, and does it so well, that it is likely to be your Number One utility. When Neil Konzen writes a Word Processor, I'll be at the head of the queue... GPLE: $38.50 for A.P.P.L.E. members, or about £40 U.K. retail, published by Synergistic Software. (32pp Manual). Voice for Speechless A voice for the speechless By Nigel Wallace For some years, in a desultory way when time permits, I have been playing around with applications for the Heuristics speechboard and the Mountain Hardware Supertalker tor helping people with a very common form of physical disability, that of aphasia. It comes together with other forms of brain damage which means that in addition to loss of speech victims of this disability cannot use their limbs or fingers to type or communicate easily by other means. I used the Speechlink board to match to a code of grunts they could pronounce and these accessed a table of words stored on disk. It takes about 30 seconds to feed these successively into Apple's memory (about 3k bytes each, digitized at 2k per second) and a sentence of up to 12 words can be spoken via the Supertalker without the "speaker" having to press a key. Following this 1 devised a program using the same combination to teach speech impaired children to pronounce words correctly to a model uttered by Supertalker and matched by Speechlink. My next project is for a severely handicapped child who cannot possibly repeat any sound reliably and it is a question of trying to get a happy response rather than tears. So for this 1 am using a simple voice switch in the hope that she will respond happily to pleasant questions over the Supertalker (being blind she can have no visual stimulation) and will be silent if things she doesn't like are suggested. Most disabilities allow for more than one response but this is an experiment which relies entirely on binary input, 0 or I. One reason I am writing this is that, sadly, Heuristics have gone out of business and Speechlink is no longer available. Several schools and centres for the disabled who want to use my programs are therefore unable to do so unless they can afford the very much more expensive Voice Input Shadowvet system described by Tony Williams in Hardcore, June 1983. This is all very well but an additional £950 is quite impossible for a disabled school. Are there any members of BASUG who bought Speechlink some time ago and no longer use it, perhaps because they've progressed to Shadowvet, and who would be prepared to donate or sell for a reasonable sum to one of these disabled organisations. If there are, could you please write tome - Nigel Wallace satiate or telephone ti Epson Card Fix Epson graphics card fix uber by John Sharp The patches for CP/M to make the Epson 8132 (MX/APP2) printer card work as detailed in the manual for the card are not correct for the latest Apple CP/M Version 2.23. Patches with DAT are as follows: for 44k CP/M 2.23 Enter DDT was change to SFE5O GF) 32 for 60k CP/M 2.23 Enter DDT SPE59 (68) SB peel OUTSTANDING BARGAINS am from ROSCO. ROSCO LTD PRINTERS _%_ STARw 510 nn, DUG soso price £258 ae yf STARw 515 z.n.?. ERRGir0s00 price £348 4 yall JUKI 6:00 sve aR. &; Rosco price £368 DISC DRIVES— Apple compatable Half Height Drive (ALPS Mechanism) £167 Standard Height Drive (SHUGART Mechanism) £179 FREE nunsysiring tray with lockable lid(capacity 40 disca,value £20) with all orders for disc drives received before 31ot August, PERIPHERAL CARDS on APPLE Il Cames Joystick £10,00 Dise Drive £32.00 Integer Basic £34.50 Colour Interface £36.00 J Bs Printer (Centronics) £38.50 a Tanguage (16K) £39.50 sae BS 2320 £41.50 ee 80 Coloum £15.50 280 cP/Mt £46.50 EPROM Writer £48,00 Coxriage:— printers £8, other orders under £100 add £3, over £100 NO CHARGE. Add 19% to total onder for VAT. ROSCO LD, Freepost, Birmingham, B20 1BR Telephone 021 356 7402 | August 1983 HARDCORE - fhe Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 21 Random Numbers by R. G, Silson The comments (p.38, June '83) on random numbers are somewhat misleading. For scrious use pseudo random numbers need to be of the same quality as true random numbers. Changing the seed is dangerous since it is almost impossible to know whether the sequences overlap. It also does nothing to improve the quality of the whole sequence if the parts are of poor quality. 1 have spent hundreds of hours of computer time testing various pseudo random number generators and almost all, both in systems and in the literature, are to be avoided for other than simple demonstrations. I now NEVER use system RND functions but always write my own. If a floating point fraction is required nothing less than 64 bit double precision is likely to be wholly satisfactory. The multiplier must be satisfactory e.g. a high power of a 2 digit prime number shifted so that only about 15 bits are whole numbers. This method gives every bit, in the binary fraction, of high quality not just the most significant as with most methods, The standard format ist R=RxMPY :R=R - INT(R) However many purposes merely need a sequence of small integers. A simple technique gives very good results and has been tested in several sequences up to 1600,000 values. Unfortunately, in Applesott, it needs machine code routines but MBASIC allows its direct use. Method:- Allocate an array R( ) and fill it with 2" random integers from any moderate to good source. A minimum of 64 words should be used, Two variables T! and 12 are also given random values. The sequence at cach call ist- T3=R(T2) : R(T2)=T1 XOR T3 : Th=T2 : T2-T3 T3 is used as the random integer. It the address range is different from the random integer range, secondary variables__with "AND" masks may be used for variables T2 and Ti. This method gives ranges always of 2” but the out of range values may be skipped. Theoretically larger arrays should be useful but 64 gives a sequence that shows a high randomness. If security is required one part of the word should be used for the address and another for the random integer that is output. DISKS BASF SS/SD 215 INCLUDING VAT P/P etc. SEE BASUG ORDER FORM SAXON SOFTWARE presents: A ‘Structured BASIC Language System’ * ‘Pascal-like' control statements: = REPEAT .. UNTIL ..5 - WHILE .. DO .. OD; - IF .. THEN .. ELSE .. FI; Subroutines named & "called by name": ~ No tedious remembering of GOSUB numbers. Structured Basic programs do not require line numbers, Translates to 'Applesoft' Basic for ease of testing. * Needs “pple [1"* 48k + DOS 3.3 * Price 215.00 (incl. p&p) Also text file line editor £5.00 (incl. p&p) For details or to order: "SAXON SOFTWARE? 62, Hillside Avenue, CANTERBURY, KENT, CT2 SHA (Al1 items supplied on 5.25 inch diskette) Page 22 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 Visicale Corner by Frances Teo One of the reasons why I am so happy with Visicalc is that the Commands and Functions use plain English. All Commands start with a '/' followed by the initial letter of the command you want to use. Similarly, Functions are always preceeded by the symbol ‘@’, followed by plain English! For example, to find the average amount in a list you use the formula @AVERAGE (AL...A20), the sum of the list would be @SUM(AL...A20) and so on. Calculations can also be linked within a function using the comma in this way, @SUM(AL...A10,A20.. A304 C10,519) . Here are some of the most commonly used functions:- @SUM, @AVERAGE, @MAX, @MIN, @COUNT, @LOOKUP and (most important of all) @IF. Lets examine @IF in more detail. @IF(A1=25,10,0) What is this formula saying? We have a statement which says Al=25, if this statement is true print the value 10, if this statement is false print the value 0. In other words Visicale examines the first argument, if it is true the second argument is used, if it is false then the last argument is used. There are many ways in which this powerful function can be used. Let's take an example combining it with another function, the logical @AND. Let's say that we have conducted a survey of staff at a factory. We have taken details of their salary and age and we want to pick out those who are over 45 and have a salary less than £10,000 p.a. Co-ordinate BI has the age and Co-ordinate Cl has the salary. The formula will ber. @IF(@AN (81245,C1<10000,C1,0) Therefore, if the statement is true, the contents of Cl, i.e. the salary, will be printed, If the statement is false the value 0 will be printed, Another way of utilising @IF is to trap error messages. When an ERROR message occurs (eg as a result of attempting to divide by zero) the error is transmitted through all the formulae that have reference to the original cell that contains the error. Unless we use @IF the only way to clear the errors is to blank out the original cell containing the formula causing the — error. We have the formula @AVERAGE(AL...A10) at All, as we have no entries in the range Al...A10 the word ERROR is sitting in All, To rectify this, we change the formula to read: G@IF(@ISERROR(AI1),0,@AVERAGE(AL...A10) Therefore if All shows ERROR print 0, if not print the result of the formula @AVERAGE(AL...A10) Obviously the uses of @IF are many and varied and it is impossible to mention all of the ways it can be utilised. I leave it to your imagination to think of all the difterent applications. One word of warning to those of you still working with 3.2 Visicalc, you have not got @IFI This function is available only with Visicalc Dos 3.3. Small Ads I have the following Apple hardware for sale: 1x Disk Drive w/o Controller L175 2x 7710A Asynch. Serial Int. b 60 each Ix IEEE 488 Interface b100 1x Supertalker Kit £ 60 1 should also be interested in a negociable swop for 'Apfeldcutsch' tuition system. T. Burch dit TARGET GAT (Givvnge Lamia un i Tl Due to machine upgrade, to Apple ///, all the following must go a.s.a.p. therefore this is a non-repeatable otter. 64k Apple Ils, 2 disk drives, Silentype printer, hi-res monitor, L/C chip, + many extras £1000 + pp. ow joystick Anadex DP9500 graphics printer £250 Smarterm 80-col card £50 Versawriter digitising pad, + 3 disks £60 August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 23 Int. rom card with Programmers Aid rom £40 Rom Plus card + 2 roms and software £50 Z80A Sottcard, CP/M, Basic (S) £60 16k card £40 Voice-card (Arphon) with software £50 CIS COBOL + FORMS 2 £150 (costs L425) Pascal language £40 Dos tool kit £20 Graphics magician £25 Information master (Database) £30 S-C Macro Assembler £30 Integer compilers £20 Tasc comoiler t40 Graforth language £30 Visicale &30 Micro on the Apple, 3 vols + software £25 Utilities - ALDS, AOPT, DOS+, MACRO-SCED, LOCKSMITH, HIGHER GRAPHICS, MANAGER, TRIDEE, FLASH, EXPEDITOR II, FORTH, etc. E10 - £30 each. Games Zork 1, Zork I, Tauntics, Fastgammon, Othello, Hellfire Warrior, Temple of Apshai, Rings of Saturn, Microsoft Adventure, Flight simulator, plus many, many more. Please ring for further titles. From ES: - 525, ALL THESE ITEMS ARE O.N.O. PLUS PACK AND POSTAGE. IF YOU DON'T SEE IT PLEASE RING AND ASK. Seley ‘vee: Navneet ea Berkshire Micros Lid Does the high cost of apple cards and peripherals prevent you owning the system you really want? We may have the answer - new and used equip- ment from around 50% of normal price EXAMPLES Apple | 1 48K From £420 Disc Drives. . From £180 ITT 2020... - SOLD ITT Dise Drive. . SOLD ABT Keypad Applefan (new) 16K Rameard . Romwrite Romplus with Keyboard Filter and Copyrom BTID. Clock/Calendar SOLD Printers... From £130 Software at around half price, Call us if what you want is not on the list - we can often quote lowest prices on new equipment. We buy used apple hardware and software Prices exclude VAT BRACKNELL (0344) 84423 Course Review by Madeleine Hamilton 1 knew all about what Visicale could do but I couldn't plough my way through the manual to discover how to make it work for me. So I jumped at the chance ot attending a Basug Visicale tutorial. Accompanying me on the course was my ‘experienced in the use of Visicalc' husband who came along "to keep you company though I doubt whether it'll be of much benefit to me." How wrong he was. Within the first 10 minutes he had to admit that he had already picked up three points about Visicalc that he hadn't known! We were a mixed bunch on the course, most with little or no knowledge of how to use Visicalc. However, if many of the other attendees were like me they are now Visicalc addicts. Frances Teo took us gently through the basics so that even the complete novice could keep up. Her introduction to Visicalc was both interesting and easy-to-follow and, in no time at all, she had us all experimenting on our screens. "Who's beeping?" was the phrase of the day as, one after another, we made errors and our hard working Apples protested at our errors. I came away from that introductory course, my head reeling with details of 'templates' and formulae and eager to put into practice some of what I had learned. Within days of attending the course I had put everything | could lay my hands on on Visicalc. It still took a good deal of trial and effort but at least I now knew what to look for, and where, in the Visicalc manual - something 1 could not have coped with before the course. 1 would heartily recommend anyone who has to deal with figures - statistics, sales records, cash flow, ete - to go on the next available Sasug Visicale course. It's worth Weeks spent studying the manual and Frances Teo knows and teaches you lots of ‘back doubles' that only months of practice could give you - and some of them you wouldn't discover for yourself even then, I've already attended the Advanced Visicalc Course and am nos: waiting for a ‘Specialised Uses! course to come .. . UA LOOK! FOR ALL YOUR@appie CONTACT THE FRIENDLY All items fully guaranteed for one year @ Immediate delivery © Free pi BUSINESS SOFTWARE NET INC. a 62. 1 @ Many more items available | Aconss Business Forecasting Model (Regs. apples + (Epson/Anadex/Can/Nec) 98.00 Visicale) {PB-1 6K (seria/paraliel card & butter) 12800 Colcstar ot ad column spread sheet) 00 MBP-16K (Eoson 16K butter) 96.00 Bese II 80 COLUMN CARDS & ACCESSORIES Softswitch (for Videx Videoterm) Perfect U-Term (ine shift mod. & font editor) 08 Ma (version 3.02) ; Uitraterm (new Videx card) DB. Master statistics nN. Videx Enhancer 1 D.B. Master utilities (links with visi's} é Videx inverse Eprom Desk Top Plan it Videx Utility Disc {inc font editor etc) util (for dBase tl) 1475 Videx Videoterm Graphmagic (bar graphs, pie chars, etc) 5 Visicale preboot disc (80 coi with vides) Mathemagic 59.00 Vision-80 (ines softswitch & inverse) Msort-80 (stand slone CP/M sort) MONITORS/COLOUR CARDS Multiplan (Microsofts superior Digitek Colour Card spreadsheet) c Orne (aso for tis) 2428 DMS. RGB Colu Card BES Fin ay (te ri Microvitee colour monitor raph (also for Ile) 0 row 1 card (use wi PFS Report (Also for Il Mica colour card ute with above) Quick Code (for 4Base It) . GRAPHIC UTILITIES & MUSIC napedphen | Arcade Machine (game designer) Sepenent [err Bit Stk (Robocom) ihe General caareon: bse.) Complete Graphics System (Penguin) The Last One (programme generator) Dima ft Tene ram enti is Pace E-Z Draw 3.3 (excellent graphic utility) | isieale i ivisicake Gonsoligstioa Gibson Light Pen fee Gratorth (fast 30 utility plus music) | Visidex 5 Graphics Mogician (Penguin) Visite Graphic package Sublogic (30 pack) Visipiot Higher Text I! (many diff fonts) Visitrend/plot Pascal Animation WORD PROCESSING Pilot Animation tools Applewritr lle Special Efects (Penguin) Applewita I The Artist . Executive Secretary Versawriter (graphic digitize) Executive Spetier Versewriter expansion pac 1 80 Zoom Grafix (similar to Bit Stick zoom) 21. (Mailer & Form Larter) AAudex 1895 2179 i ( lumns Echo Il (speech synthesizer 18500 199.75 Secte Soa (walter! Electric Duet (creates 2 pert music) 21.00 24.15 Screenwriter M1 (70 col waut forte 1895 86.26 80 col Card) SAM. (sofware outomatic mouth} 75.00 86.28 Super Text 40/80 Zapple Sound Etfects & Music Board 5600 64.40 Word Handler (does not rea, 80 col. card) UTILITIES Wordster (CP/M) ‘Aplus (Applesoft structured Basic} 1895 21.79 Zardax (40/80 & inc form jeter) Appleguard (provides software protection) ... 185.00 212.75 PRINTERS . Apple Mechanic (Beagle Brothers) 2500 28.75 Epson AX-80 (100 eps tractor feed) Assembly lng Dev. (8802, 280, 0080) ... 7800 9625 Groen oe LUE obs © se apne BEST. (Enhanced Soltwore Toll 2095 27.54 Epson MX100FT-3 Build Using (provides ‘print using’ cmnd) 23.95 27.54 Monnesmann Tally MT120 L (160 cps) Copy il Pine 3600 40.25 Strabo Cophics Plotter Dise Doctor (CP/M disc recovery) 39.00 10235 Sweet P Plotter Dise Library {nel CP/M & Paseal) 34954019 Nac 8023 (100 cps & prop. spacing) 339.00 OS 33 10 DOS 3.3 Tool Kit 4100 4715 TEC1 800-265 (25 cps daisy wheel) 599.00 688.85 Bos Ross (moditys Dos Commands) 1500 2875 Vee Steewriter F10-40epe 1088.00 1263.85 Edit Saft (powerful macro line editor) 1995 2202 PRINTER INTERFACE CAROS: Fast 00S 1345 2237 Aristocard Paralie! 69.00 79.38 Global Program Line Edito: (supports BOcol) 35.50 40.83 Anstocard Serial 7500 86.25 image Printer-Epson (iiexible hires dump). 3200 36.80 Asynch Serial VFeoe (77108) 119.00 13685 Lisa (Assembly lang. dev. system) 57.00 65.55 Butterdoard $900 113.85 Lisa (Educational system) 75.00 86.25 CPS Multitunction Card (ine clock) 139.00 List Master (ine. smart renumbering) 2395 2754 Digitek Printmaster (BASIC/CPM/PASCAL) 88.00 Locksmith 4.1 (bit copier for most discs) 8100 70.15 ACCESSORIES PECIALISTS.... tage and packing within UK Merlin Micro 3 Lower cae Munch A Bug 3 i Pact clip Printogreoher The Mil BBO with Pascal sped up Speed Star {1200 fines per min) Time Kit Super Dise Copy It /80 (up to 145K Visicale & Tase Compiler (handles v. large programs) The Bug (Assembly Language debugget) The Inspector (needs 1 cd) i The Routine Machine (mach. lang. routines) \Videx Function Strip (req Enhancer Il) 49.00 56.35 SYSTEM EXPANSION WA 6522 Card 58.00 67.85 18K Ramcard Digitek 280 card U-micro (caré only) 18K Rameard (Intalligance Research) 280 card Microsoft (New Sottcard) LANGUAGES Apple Logo Apple Pascal Apple Pilot 00S upgrade kit (3. E-2 Port (ga ee £2 Port 11 (2 game socket extenders) Eprom Card (holds 6) 0 Fortran 80 (CP/M) Keyplus Numeric Keyped Terrapin Logo Transforth (tull floating point Forth) MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS - Disc Drive (Fully Apple Compatible) Dist Drive Controller Card Dise Head Cleaning Kit (50 discs & fluid) Disc tay (40 discs & lockable) Eprom Prog (Namal) j f Games Paddles see ya y Z doystick (Sell Centering) , Master Diagnostic Disc Plastic Dise Box Snopahot il Typing Tutor It Wabash 5.25 Discs Pack of 10 Wildcard (permits softwere backup) PACE SOFTWARE SUPPLIES Cl | 92 New Cross Street, = ~ Bradford BD5 8BS Net VAT TOTAL APPLEWRITER PRE-BOOT TOTAL Tenclose my cheque made payable to PACE SOFTWARE SUPPLIES Name £18 + VAT Address .. ‘ Town... County Postcode Tel No .. Page 26 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 Epson Pages THE EPSON FX-80 USER-DEFINED GRAPHICS CHARACTERS AND BIT IMAGE PRINTING by Norah Arnold One attractive feature of the Epson FX-80 is the fact that this printer is not limited to the pre-defined character set. Any character or symbol that can be defined in a 9 x Il matrix can be created and used as part of the printer's character set. The FX-80 manual gives a__ fairly comprehensive account of how to create user-defined characters but if you are just beginning to experiment with them, don't start by trying the example program on page 3-39 of the manual. Some of the values given in lines 30 to 60 of this program are incorrect and should be changed to those given under the diagram on page 3-38. Now you may be optimistic enough to suppose that, having corrected the values, the program would work. Well it might, but it definitely will not if your — printer interface card uses CTRL I as a command code. Unfortunately several cards do just this, so that you will find it difficult to PRINTCHRS(Q) ie.CTRL I from BASIC without the interface card interpreting it and the characters following as a command, Some cards do have the facility to allow you to change the command code temporarily to another control character, to enable you to send the necessary characters to your printer. The Digitek Printmaster card which T use does allow the command characters to be changed so 1 was able to get round this problem. Having mastered the technique of creating user-defined characters 1 set about the task of defining a set of graphics characters and immediately ran up against another problem. The Printmaster card has an extremely useful Silentype emulation mode which meant that it interpreted CTRL Q as a command to dump the hi-res graphics screen, following the manner of the Silentype. When I attempted to PRINT CHRS(I7) ie, CTRL Q, from BASIC my program came to a halt while the printer did a graphics dump of an empty hi-res page one. At exactly the right moment the June issue of ‘Windfall’ arrived and | read Mike Glover and Christopher Roper's article about their ‘bypass code’. This very short piece af code enables you to send ASCII characters directly to your printer so removing any potential conflict with DOS or the printer card. The article is part of — their "Understanding the Epson’ series and is entitled ‘Make Lite Easy - Talk Directly to your Printer’. On page 57 the bypass routine code is given for the Epson 8132 card and the Grappler. The code for the Grappler works equally well for the Digitek Printmaster. The bypass code can be loaded at $300 and then the ASCII characters you wish to send to your printer must be preceded by a CALL 768. This enables a line giving the values for a single character definition such as:- PRINT CHRS(139); CHRS(38); — CHRS(Y); CHRS64); CHRS(); CHRS(240); CHRS(O); CHRSG64); CHRSO); CHRSG38; CHRO); CHRS( to be ‘eplaced b CALL 768,139, 38, °, 60,9,200, 9,64,9,38,0,0 which is much neater. i a Set of graphics characters became relatively easy once the bypass code was installed. The following set was defined as ASCII characters 128 to 159. ore 18 CHR é 1S ¢ ches ut 1S CHREGIS1) £5 CHRECIS2) 1S CHRECISS) LS it CHRECIZa) 16 CHRE (ISS) Is == CHAR 1 Se) CHR Gt OCHRE OMRE CHP (1809 vuWNY Vow DOD DD a CHRE (145) cHRE Hea) cHRE aS) MBLC ao TREO Hef: 745) HRE Tay) or 447. Ont Ieee t ' a a ~ , x August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 27 Here are just a few of the patterns one can make with this character set. ee Se a ie 22222 oo 2 & & Bit image printing is also made much easier using the bypass code. The following prograin prints a pattern in each of the bit image printing modes which vary in density from 480 dots per 8 inches in mode 0, normal mode, to 1920 dots per 8 inches in mode 3. IG REM BIT IMAGE PATTERNS CALL 768,27,49 co FOR A= 0 TO 6 M0) CALL 768,27,42,A,240,0 4) FOR 1-1 108 PRINT 2 PRINT 1sQ) PRIt ' > & +S Oe] Ooeoe eSB ORC+ Hered ¢¢¢ @ % @ ¢$e¢+¢ @ ¢ Sa i a a Rit image printing can also be used to print pictures which have not appeared on the screen except as a BASIC program. Approximately seven hundred values were necessary to print this motif of a wooden cabin, which is shown in four different modes. This would be a cheap way of producing a small logo to add distinction to the heading of letters etc. Page 28 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systeins User Group August 1983 HOTLINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED HELPLINE We would like to set up a Help line for BASUG members along the lines of those run by Call APPLE and Washington Pl. In order for this to work we need a number of consultants who are prepared to be phoned between the hours of 7pm and 10pm on weekday evenings. In particular we seck specialists in: DOS Pascal Applesoft Integer Machine Code Graphics Visicale Word processing Apple /// Apple //e Databases Forth CP/M Hardware If you are keen to help but do not consider yourself an expert in any field, please put your name down as a local or regional contact. If anyone would like to talk about the system or put their names down, | (Bob Raikes) can be contacted on |! ig) between 7.00 and 10.00pm. Be Brave !! Put your name down today. [= STORYBOARD A READING SKILLS PROGRAM CLOZEMASTER A READING SKILLS PROGRAM EE BY CHRISTOPHER JONES QUESTIONMASTER BY TONY WILLIAMS GRAHAM DAVIES Write your own CAL routines for catalogue Send 9 x 6 s.2.¢. Wida Software 2 Nicholas Gardens : London W5 2H Specialists in Educational Software for Schools Tel (01) 567 6941 ENGLISH FRENCH AND GERMAN August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Syste ns User Group Page 29 Bulletin Board As many of you are interested in Bulletin Boards, 1 am printing in full this letter. Anyone who would like to act on behalf of BASUG, please get in touch. seeseeneene Dear Sir, The following list of Bulletin Boards have joined together to form the Association of Free Public Access Systems to be known as AFPAS. AFPAS has no commercial axe to grind. Our aim is to help the hobbyist in the use of computer communications and to standardise protocols. A Bulletin Board is a free service, available to all, run by system operators at their own expense (there are no government grants available for the hobbyist leading the way with new technology). FORUM-80 HULL (482) BPH “World's First International Board" MAILSOX-80 LIVERPOOL |//fiii)/ FHRE "TRS-30" TBBS LONDON (Gi) BAe GRR “TRS-80" FORUM-80 (NET-80) (tie) ml BH National TRS-80 User Group" CBBS LONDON ili) ae RR CP/M NORTH EAST REMOTE CP/M (i217) BBR? = "CP/M" A.C.C. (eh) PSU "Amateur Computer Club" BETTERSFIELD “cP/M" As from March Ist 1983 all the above systems have been configured to the same standard which is: BAUD RATE == 300 WORD LENGTH = 7 STOP BITS =i PARITY = EVEN Two methods of file transmission will be available:- 1) Standard ASCII 2) Binary Direct Transfer using Ward Christensen's MODEM protocol. This makes easy file transfer (error free) between most types of micros. The MODEM or XMODEM program for this is available FREE, yes FREE of charge, from the CP/M User Group library for the TRS-80, LNW-80 or VIDEO GENIE from any Bulletin Board Sysop. All members Bulletin Boards run electronic message systems and large public domain software libraries. User groups wanting further information for their members, contact your nearest Bulletin Boards or send S.A.E. toi Frederick Brown | Eran a ial Hike WR Page 30 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Syste:ns User Group August 1983 AUTOCRAT COMPUTERS 264 Preston Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 OPY. Telephone: 01.908 3636 * Hi-res graphics SILENTYPE viens * Silent operation * Upper and lower case 40 char/sec paper Screen dump GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICE IN U.K. aa 5 5 INCL. INTERFACE CARD AGAIN, NO-ONE CAN BEAT US ON PRICES LOOK AT THIS :- MEMOREX 5.25" SS/DD DISKS NEW LINE :- DENNISON 5.25" SS/DD DISKS (suitable for APPLE) £15.50 incl. Library Box #2© ALL Prices + VAT’ *** ALL ENQUIRIES WELCOME. PHONE US ON now £13.95 WRITTEN with LIFETIME GUARANTEE 01-908 3636 August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group. Page 31 Education by Norah Arnold A REPORT ON THE EDUCATION LECTURES. AT APPLE '83, "EDUCATION - FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES." Speaker:- Janet Rothwell, Senior Consultant (Education and Training Liason) National Computing Centre. Janet Rothwell started her lecture by stating that the primary guiding principle for the use of micros in schools should be the curriculum and its needs. Teachers should ask themselves how the micros should be deployed to best meet the needs of the curriculum, Brief consideration was then given to several ways of using a computer in school:= = for computer "appreciation" = to teach programming skills to pass exams in computer studies (Janet thought that there was not a great deal of scope in dated unimaginative computer studies curricula and saw them as being of limited use.) ~ for administrative tasks - for control applications, eg. physics - for information retrieval - as a teaching tool for CAL applications across the curriculum = as a general problem solving tool for tutors and students across the curriculum Janet saw the use of micros as problem solving tools as best suiting the aim of “educating children for life in a society where micro-electronics are commonplace and pervasive," An Authoring System is a set of programs comprising an authoring language, editors and system software designed to nake fewer technical demands on authors and reduce course development time, Janet thought that such systems could be helpful to teachers who were not expert programmers. PILOT was ‘a good example of an authoring system, and Apple Super Pilot, developed from Apple Pilot and written in Pascal, was the best implementation of Pilot in Janet's opinion. We then had a quick look at a couple of the Super Pilot editors and were shown a typical Super Pilot program. It all looked very much like the old Apple Pilot and was much too short a glimpse for me to be able to determine exactly what made it ‘Super’. We then moved on to the most commonly used language, Basic, which Janet saw as being slow but adequate if you know what you are doing. The historical reasons for using Basic were now not applicable but we still use it and people invent reasons for using it. To write a simple program in Basic is easy but few people progress beyond this stage and are able to write very complicated programs successfully in Basic. The most powerful argument against using Basic in schools was that it taught you to construct your program to suit the needs of the computer rather than the needs of the program, Logo, however, enabled the user to write programs in a straightforward logical manner. At this point Janet contrasted two programs for drawing a house, one in Logo and the other in Basic and criticised some in-service teacher training programs that set out to teach Logo on a half-day course. “Impossible said Janet and 1 thoroughly agree with’ her. Logo was the best language to use at primary level because it encouraged the development of critical thought, but Janet also saw Logo as a powerful language in its own right. One use of Logo with older students was as an introductory language prior to the use of Pascal. Pro-Log was seen by some as the programming language of the future, It has been adopted by the Japanese as the language for their filth generation computer project. At first Pro-Log seemed not to have many applications for children in schools. Some researchers at Imperial College have developed materials for ten and eleven year Page 32 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Syste-ns User Group August 1983 olds. (A Z80 card with CPM is necessary to run Pro-Log on the Apple.) The use of Logo and Pro-Log helped to develop skills of logical thought which not only helped with programming but could then be applied to other areas of the curriculum such as linguistics, maths and physics. Fortran and Cobo! will obviously be around for some years to come but Janet thought that they should not be taught in schools. Many languages could be seen as serving a particular need. There is a demand for Cobol programmers in business, and for Fortran in scientitic industry. Forth is growing in popularity, especially tor Control applications; many universities use Pascal and Lisp serves a particular need for some research applications. "EDUCATION - CASE STUDIES" First Speaker: Ronald Stemplis of Holy Cross High School. Holy Cross is the largest comprehensive school in Scotland and Ronald —Stemplis described a series of decisions which had to be made and problems which had to be overcome as the school strove to integrate the use of micros with the existing curriculum. The most important decision made was that one micro in a class was no good; the minimum necessary was one micro to every two pupils, So which computer should they buy? Ronald listed — their criteria tor the choice of computeri- -Qwerty keyboard (for typing etc.) -Disk drives available -Fducational software available -Reasonable cost After discussions with a dealer they approached their PTA and mentioned a sum of sixteen thousand pounds for a large number of Apples. Once the laughter had died down more discussions were held and an attempt was made to bring down the price by organizing a ~—snetwork — system. Eventually the network was installed but for various reasons proved to be useless. After a few months a practically untested AROS system was installed; (Advanced Remote Operating System). Under this system each pupil using the network has their own ‘tag’ or password. Pupils cannot access the Master Disks or meddle with another pupils files. AROS was a ouccess although disks fail regularly through being run continually, and occasionally many pupils could become ‘disconnected’ through the -—_ accidental pulling out of cables. The biggest problem had been raising thirteen thousand pounds in a short period of time. The high cost was justified by the extensive use made of the system at all levels trom remedial to teacher training. Second Speaker:- Dave Brunner of Fulmead School, Havering. Dave Brunner described Fulmead School as a typical comprehensive of 1000 children from Il to. 18 years. After exasperating experiences with a terminal linked to the Northern Poly, Dave was given the task of setting up a computer studies department with only two thousand pounds to spend. Having a 50% grant towards their first Apple system, Dave managed to get two Apple systems for the two thousand, At first, with enthusiasm coming only from himself, Dave started with a Computer Club giving ‘access to children who wanted it from 13am to 5.30pm. The shortage of software was a difficulty, although now that the 'A' level computer studies had been going for several years, sixth formers were beginning to produce software to meet specific needs of the staff. Havering standardised on Apples and the Borough purchased a licence from the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium to distribute the MECC software to all the schools in the Borough. These programs were downloaded to schools via a telephone link, Excellent manuals were provided with the disks, One couldn't help being struck by the contrasting approach of the two schools concerned. One had enough Aoples to make it @ viable propes:tio: for viner departments in the school to use the computer room regularly for a whole class at a time, but children with a special interest in micros were denied access except as part of their normal instructio.. The other school, with only a small number of micros, was having difficulty in persuading some departments to use them, but was able to provide access for those children who showed special interest and had a rota of staff who wished to take the machines home, August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 33 Programmer’s Aid RAM Test What's That Doing In There ? The Programmer's Aid | (Part | of an Introductory Series by Dougal Hendry ) Years ago, in 1981, you could spend £27 + VAT on a "Programmer's Aid 1" ROM to plug into your Apple I, or Integer Card, in order to add some useful extra facilities to your machine, It is a little publicised fact that this comes free with the DOS 3.3 System Master ! If you have a 16k RAM card, booting from this disc can put Integer Basic on the card - comlete with the contents of the Programmer's Aid... In this article, I'm going to describe just the RAM testing routines in this Gift Pack. They run from the monitor, (if the monitor is unfamiliar territory to you, have the Apple Il Reference Manual to hand and open at Chapter 3), and while we are there we ought to do a bit of bug-squashing first ! Apple burnt the ROMs wrongly, and tor consistancy put the same error in the disk version. They had the oo" toro to Issue a Tech-note though. For a Ily and ramcard, boot the System Master, then INT and CALL-I51, for the Monitor. To Read and Write enable the correct portion of the ramcard, we need C083 C083 Return - yes, twice. A D670L shows the first instruction as a IMP 02 CB, and there is not much there... It should be ISR D6 8A, so a D670: 20 8A D6 does the trick for the disk/RAM version. The extravagent souls with the Real Rom will have to put in a little more O2CB: 20 8A D6 4C 73 D6 .) This fix should prevent unpredictable behaviour while reporting a RAM error. You might care to fix a minor boo-boe in Integer Basic error reporting at the same time, E47A:1C instead of the 06 will provide "Too Many Parens" if you nest your brackets More than 12 deep, instead of getting "Too Long", (Thanks, Chris Volpe, March Call-APPLE.) To save reapplying the patches each time, you ought to save, (Intbasic,A$D000,L$2FFF), this version on a suitably labelled BACK-UP of your master disk, (always keep originals as original 1). The most “ethical” method of applying patches is an EXEC file, but that's a different article. Now we are ready for the test. Changing 9002 : IB FD FO FD then 3EAG will cause DOS to disconnect itself so that it doesn't interfere, then D5SBCG sets the Ctrl-Y vector to the test sequence. Type 1000.10 Ctrl-Y Return with no spaces, and wait. The asterisk ought to return in a halt minute or so with a beep and no error message, if all's well. The first number entered was the Hex start address, the second the number of 256 byte "Pages" to be tested - this number times $100 MUST be no more than the start address, Don't try to test below $400 or above SAFFF. The recommended sequence is 400.4 (text screen memory !), 800.8 1000.10 2000.20 4000.40 = 8000.40 ~—=sthen_ the change-over areas 3000.20 and 7000.20 rrors are reported in a rather cryptic form, but the first portion is the erroneous memory location, and the last should be the chip's circuit board location (don't believe it on the Ile) Before swapping over any chips, do switch off and earth yourself to the power supply box; this is preferable to routinely unplugging the —_ cable. Tests can be combined by entering a following test's parameters instead of the Return - with NO spaces. It is possible to run repeating tests with a special format — precede the test parameters with an "N" and fo.low them with a "34:0 " before the Return (the only space follows the zero). Errors get 3 beeps and a message, a successful sub-test gets | beep; it runs until reset. Do it overnight with the lid on to check the glieets of war ping up! The Ramtest code is original Wozniak and for study can be found from D5BC to D691. Reference: Programmer's Aid | , Installation and Operating Manual, Part No A2L0011. Page 34 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 The ACCELERATOR II A Review by John Rodger Is the trusty APPLE now a "Has been" in a new era of high speed, big memory micros with the latest processors? Since its introduction the Apple has managed to keep up with the competitors by the introduction of various add on cards which plug in to those eight convenient slots at the back. Perhaps this even worked against Apple themselves when the I+ continued to sell well and the /// struggled. One of the consequences of high volume sales over quite a few years is that there is currently a huge volume of software available to meet the needs of the business user as well as the home user. If you add to this the Z80 CPM software capability with yet another add on board then there is little doubt that in the software area Apple is unrivalled. The new computers with their new processors either have very little software written as yet or run as a hybrid in an emulation mode with hastily modified or adapted operating systems to run existing software straight from the “old processors" (Have you tried the Sirius?). Things will certainly change but software takes time to develop! A small company in the USA had the neat idea that if they could improve the efficiency of the Apple whilst maintaining its ability to use the vast software pool they would have a very marketable product. They successfully developed a plug in card to do just that and their product was then bought up by Saturn Systems and is now available in the UK via your dealer or direct from Pete and Pam (see their advert). The benchmark tests (timings of standard short Basic programs used as measures of efficiency of micros) now show the Apple ahead of most of the new rivals including the Olivetti M20 and the IBM PC. The ACCELERATOR is a very simple way of upgrading your Apple J, I+ or Te by alloy it to use a different 6502 microprocessor which runs at 3.5 times normal speed. Since, apart from the speed, the processor is identical in operation this means that all existing software (excluding PM) should run at this new speed without any modification, This applics to Basic, Pascal, Fortran, Forth, Pilot, Logo, Assembly and machine code whether written yourself or booted from a highly protected disc. It also applies to the various activities and utilities associated with programming such as LISTing, EDITing, compiling etc. Can it REALLY be that simple? There MUST be a catch (apart from the price). Well I have been using mine for a few months now and apart from an initial patch to the board (now incorporated in production models) 1 have not found a single piece of software that does not work at significantly increased speed. The card is neatly made and comes with a 35 page manual and a set up disk. The only part of the card you might have to adjust is a small set of switches to allow you to operate certain interface cards at normal speeds. One such card is the disk controller which obviously has to run at standard speed (slot 6 is already set to slow on the dip switch by the manufacturers). All of my peripheral cards work OK but I believe certain Modem cards have to be operated at standard rate. There are no chips to remove and the card simply plugs in to any slot. (There are certain restrictions about where you put it if you have a Z80 card or you have a machine with Integer Basic on the motherboard.) Most programs run at increased speed with no setup required at all. However programs that execute code that is resident in a Language card or RAM card in slot 0 require running the setup disk first and choosing an option called Phantom 0. This allows the accelerator to simulate the operation of the card in slot 0 but using its own 64k of high speed RAM in whatever slot it is placed, If your programs are in Applesoft then you need to use the setup disk to select Fast Applesoft, but this is done once only at the start of a session and this mode remains until you switch off. August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 35 The setup disc has two further options which enable you tot force the machine to run at the standard speed (many games are fast enough for most people as it is) disable the card so you can run your Z80 CPM software. The documentation has a 13 page list of programs which run with the card and setup instructions for them all. However I have rarely needed to consult the manual as the simplest method of setting up seems to be as follows: Try it without any setup - it will probably work anyway. Try using Phantom 0 option. Try Fast Applesoft. It is interesting to note that some programs such as DB Master are written in Applesoft although the protection methods employed by the software house make listing etc. not normally available. One side effect ot speeding up the processor is that reading paddle values which are determined by ‘a time dependant charging circuit give different values, or rather the rotation necessary to produce the full range is less. This could be adjusted by changing the notentiometer values or adding a capacitor if it really causes a problem. This could also affect tape loading and saving although | haven't tried it, Maybe you end up with a high speed tape system if your tape deck has sufficient frequency range. Who is likely to buy this card? 1 think it is a bit pricey for the home user who probably doesn't need the increased speed although watching’ Locksinith race through its algorithms in a third of the normal time or playing Sargon at three levels higher might be tempting. The professional programmer will find tremendous time savings in Pascal and Basic Compiling, or assembly times with large Source files. The business user with big Visicale or Multiplan spreadsheets or who wordprocesses large documents or has accounting benefits. financial and packages will find great T have used Visicalc with the Ramex 128 RAM card, Videx 80 col card and the Super Expander preboot and found it a major improvement. The TABS suite of programs (written in Basic) are much improved with this card and one of the fast versions of Dos. My only criticism of the system and documentation is that the manual suggests making several copies of the setup disk, which are configured in cach of the different options, whereas it is extremely simple to select your option from the menu whatever the default. The default option is saved as a binary file using 512 bytes of which only one byte is used. All of the TTL chips on the board have had their numbers buffed off and replaced by their own convention. You can't really blame them for trying to protect their interests in what I believe is one of the most exciting products for Apple to emerge in years. hardcore Contributions to Hardcore are always welcomed. Without them it would not exist. Whether you have a learned article, a ‘quick tip', a problem or a solution, let us know. If you have more than a short letter, it is helpful if you could send it on a disk, with a hard copy if possible. If you want to send printed copy, please do not cut it up bu: fill justify on a 9 cm (3.5 ins) column. We prefer copy on disk, either as a text file or an Applewriter 1 file. Pascal text files and others such as Wordstar files cari probably be accommodated, Please use the minimum of embedded printer commands, Remember, contributors receive credits for cheap Software Library or blank disks. Page Jo 4ARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group August 1983 Seedlings by Yvette Raikes There are interesting rumours in the Apple community of a new small micro which has been reported in the press priced at under $500 in the U.S.A. Rumour has it that this is cassette based. Is this Apple's answer to IBM's Peanut? 1 have also heard whispers of a new operating system for the Apple I which will handle interrupts and will work with Profile. It is rumoured to be similar to the BP System. This would confirm the trend toward Pascal type environments on all Apple machines up to and including Lisa. Has anybody seen any software which supports the theoretical double resolution graphics on the //e? Apple are bringing out their own plotter. Aen Apple Monitor Ills are still not available for Apple I systems at the moment because Hitachi (who make them) are unable to keep up with demand, It looks as though the new monitor will be available later in the year but we will have to wait and see. Useful note: The Videx "Ultraterm" 132 column card seen at Pete & Pam's stand at Apple ‘83 only works with monitors with long persistence phosphor. This is because in order to gct the extra data on the screen, interlacing is used. This means that each screentul of information takes twice the time to be displayed so the screen flickers badly on a standard monitor. Unfortunately, Apple monitors, which are long persistence and do not flicker, are not yet available (see above). Does anyone know of another long persistence monitor? A recent report by Philips on the ergonomics of terminals states that 1.5 seconds response time seems about natural, 4 seconds or more is rather long for a meaningful dialogue and that at 15 seconds conversation with the computer is impossible. Can anyone beat the 25 minute wait between goes on Computer Ambush? Does anyone have any strong views on this subject? Workshops AGM Printer Workshop The Workshop on printers held in conjunction with the AGM was 4 great success. There was a turn-out of over 60 people who had come from far and near. The first talk given was by Bob Raikes on the basics of printers, covering dot matrix vs daisy wheel, ribbons, paper etc. Next Jim Panks spoke on the use of glossary files in Applewriter Jl, about which he has written in Hardcore. Norah Arnold spoke on User defined character sets on the FX80. Meanwhile, in the Systems room, Peter Trinder was giving demonstrations of the Apple D.M.P., in particular the graphics print feature. Samples of the printout are shown elsewhere in this issue. There was activity in the Systems room all day, and it proved difficult to empty the room at the end of our allotted time. Thanks are due to all those who came and especially To those who worked so hard to make the day such a success. P.S. For those of you who are awaiting the result of our Lisa draw, we are waiting for Apple to give us a final number and date so that the draw can take place. August 1983 HARDCORE - The Journal of the British Apple Systems User Group Page 37 GOT A FUNNY DISK? .-- WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT? Then you need the (Confidential Information Advisors) CAN YOU * edit normal or protected disks? * + quickly find and recover any intact file, however badly the disk is corrupted? ist 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? * decrypt commercial software - or encrypt your own? * rapidly auto-search normal or protected disks for anything you lik: * understand & use the latest copy protection methods? * use your Apple @ powerful document retrieval system? x 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 odits It can (1 read individual sectors from protected disks, (2) list thovr contents in HASIC, assembler. ASCII, or hex, (3) edit them: (4) wnite them back to the disk Tricky Dick cunningly bypasses ‘Most protection systems. allowing you to work on disks with nonstandard formatting halt-tracks, and altered (10S mark (Ss also a chief executive program that directs the following undercover agents: THE LINGUIST reags in a tracktul of raw data tor your scrutiny transtates all the address information, and allows you to inspect the track's formatting. It also translates all 3 types ot DOS encoding (642,583, 4&4), and works with Tricky Dick to list and examine prog dish. Use mS OF textfiles on any protect The Linguist to recover valuable tiles 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 nex) The Tracer also verifies disk formatting, and sniffs out all hidden catalog or VTOC sectors When it finds something, it transters control to Tricky Dick and puts the cursor over the object of your search & few further keystrokes allow you to make any necessary changes and write the sector back to the disk THE CODE BREAKER hoops your programs and toxttiles trom prying oyes by enabling you to translate them into a “secret Code" during disk storage This utility also decipners encrypted commercial programs, allowing you to use Tricky Dick to read, list. and edit software never betore accessible to any disk utility THE TRACKER closely shadows the disk drive arm, carofully recording all its mavements and operations. The Tracker’s job {610 display, on either your screen or printer, a ligt of every track and sector accessed during a LOAD, RUN, SAVE, or any other DOS operation This utility also tells you exactly where a road oF write occurred during any disk access. Use The Trackers services to locate the precise trouble spots on a clobbered disk to determine sector skew patterns, to discover the location of hiaden “nibbie-count” tracks on protected disks. and to learn much mare about how DOS works You li be surprised to see Just exactly where tne disk arm really does go! What's more. you get permanent access to THE CIA FILES a 50,000+ word book designedtoturn you into disk expert In addition to complete instructions tor thes CIA utilities. the book contains an easy-to-tollow hand-noksing tolorial (written in plain English!) on all aspects of the Apple disk. Using the CIA utilities as your personal guides. you progress step-by-step to {otal disk mastery. Youll acquire a wealth of skills and information relating to disk repair and file recovery, DOS patches, copy protection, disk formatting. program encrypti