peelings ii v4n1 1983

Reelings||| 6 DOS ENHANCERS BUSINESS e VISISCHEDULE ° VERSAFORM COMMUNICATIONS e P-TERM COPY CARDS ¢ CRACK-SHOT ¢ SNAP-SHOT ¢ WILDCARD _< 1 poh STARTING THIS ISSUE (FOR BEGINNERS) “THE ANYTHING MACHINE” CHAPTER ONE WARNING! THESE GAMES MAY BE TOO REALISTIC! Six great video games from IDSI for Apple Il; Atari; and IBM’ computers Innovative Design Software, Ime., tests your skill in the pool hall, your nerves on the speedway, your reflexes under the Big Top, your agility at the shuffleboard lanes, your strategy in the science lab. IDS! creativity will bring your home computer alive with more realism than you ever thought possible, and action graphics will challenge you and keep you challenged as never before. Pool. A real-time, hi-res color simulation of the game, allowing you to play 8 ball, rotation, 9 ball, or straight pool. Features include instant shot replay, table friction control, cue ball english selection, and more. POOL 1.5™ Disk for Apple Il (requires 48K), Atari 400/800 (requires 48K), and IBM PC (requires 64K with graphics option) $34.95 POOL 400 Cartridge for Atari 400/800 (requires 16K, Joysticks) $39.95 Trickshot. A hi-res successor game to POOL which provides precision ball placing capability. Features include trick shot examples, 4 new games, disk storage of shots, and more. Disk II for Apple Il (requires 48K) $39.95 Shuffleboard. A hi-res color simulation of the classic game played on the decks of ocean liners. Play this exciting game against your Apple or a human opponent. Disk Il for Apple Il (requires 48K) $29.95 Juggler. A fast, fun hi-res game in which you test your juggling skills against your computer. Combining arcade-quality hi-res color graphics with realistically smooth motion, JUGGLER is an addictive game that will keep your adrenalin flowing for hours of exciting entertainment. Disk version for Apple Il and Atari 400/800 (requires 48K) $29.95 Speedway Blast. An action game that pits you against the asphalt- eating monsters that have invaded your neighborhood. You hop in your speedster and blast out after these destructive creatures. But dangers await you: monster eggs about to hatch, dangerous holes in the street which could totally destroy your racer. Rid your community of these creatures in the fastest time possible and become the town hero with the highest score! Cartridge for Atari 400/800 (requires 16K, Joysticks) $39.95 Survival of the Fittest. A fascinating, challenging test of strategy and tactical skill which pits your wits and nerves against both the “Laws of Nature” and your opponent's colonies in a battle for survival and dominance. You must create colonies of organisms that will thrive in the universe of “computer life," attacking and defending against your opponent's life forms. Cartridge for Atari 400/800 (requires 16K, Joysticks) $39.95 Ask for IDSI products at your computer store...or charge to VISA or MasterCard by calling (505) 522-7373... or order by mail, including with the purchase price $1 per game for shipping and handling. (New Mexico residents, add 414% sales tax.) Dealer inquiries invited. Apple Il is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Atari is a registered trademark of Atari, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp. Pool 1.5 Is a trademark of IDS INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOFTWARE, INC. P.O. BOX 1658, LAS CRUCES, NM 88004 na a2 4) Sia | arts a hard-disk comp: of 70-column upper and lower case display 160-character line length, multiple-copy print feature, and DOS housekeep- ing commands within the program. $149.95 ARTSCI HAS NEW PRODUCTS, NEW PACKAGING, NEW OFFICES, ‘ir ae tan RT TET) i “Bee va ‘en mis ae umns for confidential data, and full compatibility with VisiCalc.” Expansion memory boards may be used to ex- pand the worksheet size. $149.95 processor. $99.95 The MAGIC WORDS™ spelling checker. $69.95 The MAGIC MAILER™ mailing list merge system. $69.95 (And there’s more to come!) ARTSCI — a new look, with the same old reliability at an affordable price. 5547 satsuma avenue ¢ no # h hollywood, california 91601 « 219/985-2022 CIF CSCI. Calc is a registered trademark of VisiCorp. MAGICALC is a trademark of Artsci, Inc. by David Lubar and Mark Pelezarski Paint on your computer in over 100 colors with 96 different brushes! Magnify mode for precision touch- ups; mirror image; color reverses; move any part of picture anywhere; packing routine for increased disk storage of any standard graphics screen. Can be used by anyone. Paddle/joystick $39.95. Apple Graphics Tablet $69.95. * Penguin RESALE @map pial GRAPHICS SYSTEM II bby Mark Pelezarski Everything needed for computer-aided design. Easily draw and design in two or three dimensions, mix text and graphics freely, define shapes and create typefaces with unique character generator. Great for presentations, videotape displays, storing designs on disks, graphics for other programs, or just for experimentation. Paddle/joystick $69.95, Apple Graphics Tablet $119.95. 50 additional fonts, $19.95. software 830 4th Avenue, Geneva, Illinois 60134 (312) 232-1984 All Penguin applications products are now on unprotected disks for your convenience. «NNT for the Programmer : «Graphics (agician by Mark Pelezarski, David Lubar, and Chris Jochumson Add fast, smooth animation and hund- reds of pictures to your programs. Create animated shapes and draw paths; have up to 32 independently controlled figures on screen. Use a special palette of over 100 colors to create pictures and objects in highly compressed format. Easy to use, and includes a special programming tu- torial. Has saved months in develop- ment time for several games already on the market. Paddle/joystick $59.95, Apple Graphics Tablet $69.95. Apple Il isa trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Publisher Peelings Il, inc. @ ™ Associate Editors Edward Burlbaw John Martellaro dohn Mitchener Contributing Editors THE MAGAZINE OF APPLE Tom Little SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE EVALUATION Michael Weasner Editorial Assistants Jane Trego Volume 4, Number 1 dack Moran Ruth Moran Director Marketing BUSINESS & Communications 9 enim ie Rebecca Winecup 12 Ver ae foci IOP. Subscription Dept Published by Applied Software Technology exlsleti DOS ENHANCERS Cover Art 18 HyperDOS Richard D. Bishop Published by Softkey Publishing 19 Diversi-DOS SUBSCRIPTION RATES Published by Diversified Software Research ofetes lean $21.00 21. The DOS Enhancer 18 shies (year) $38.00 Published by S & H Software Saree Cay $ 4.00 21. Turbo Charger Baden $ 4.00 Published by Silicon Valley Systems ; 22 Ultra Fast Loader Canada, Mexico, APO, FPO, Published by Computer Advanced Ideas (First Class) 22 David DOS issues $36.00 Published by David Data Back issues $ 5.00 24 Comparison Chart South America & Europe, INTEGER BASIC COMPILERS (Air Mail) 24 Introduction issues $48.00 27 ‘FLASH! Back issues $ 6.00 Published by Laumer Research z s a 28 Integer BASIC Compiler gatee Koh sti (Ne a “ Published by Synergestic Software Back issues $ 6.00 28 Summary Each separate contribution to this issue Sy MONICATIONS and the entire issue as a collective work -Term Copyright (c) 1983 by Peelings Il, Inc, All Published by Southwestern Data Systems dg ee. BEGINNER COLUMN: The Anything Machine Apple, Apple Il and Apple Il Plus are 32 Chapter One: Hello World registered trademarks of Apple Computer, EDUCATION Inc. Grade Books Updated 38 The Apple Gradebook BILLINGS Published by J & S Software Peelings II does not bill for subscriptions 39 The A. E. N. Grading System except for major institutions and schools. Published by Apple Educator's Newsletter (There is no school discount, but subscrip: HARDWARE tions can be pro-rated.) There will be an ad- 40 Super-MX Interface Card ditional $3.00 fee for billings. by Spies Laboratories All regular mail and subscritpion cor- respondence: P.O: Box 188, Las Cruces, soon eS ior NM 88004-0188. UPS Address: 2260 by Pirates Harbor Oleander, Las Cruces, NM 88001. Phone: 45 SNAPSHOT (505) 526-8364. The Source: TCT 120 by Dark Star Systems 48 WILDCARD Peelings II (ISSN 0744-2475) is published by East Side Software monthly except June, Aug, and Oct for $2l/year by Peelings Il, Inc., 2260 Oleander, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001. Second-class DEPARTMENTS postage paid at Las Cruces, N.M. and addi- 5 Authors 9 Reader Request tional mailing offices. 5 Peelings Ratings 49 Software/Hardware Index POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 5 Review Header Update 52 Cumulative Ratings Peelings Il, P.O. Box 188, Las Cruces, NM 5 Back Issue Sale 52 Advertiser Index 88004. 8 Editorial Volume 4, Number 1, 1983 3 Internationally acclaimed The ultimate in copy de-protection CRACK-SHOT is a total system comprised of hardware and software modules. CRACK-SHOT is easy to use, designed for users and programmers. Eliminates ‘‘owners paranoia”’ about disk failure. Provides quick, easy, reliable archival backups for critical software software to hard disk. with a flip of a switch. Allows transferal of Be an Arcade King. Use CRACK-SHOT as a gaming tool to stop, start and save a game at any level. Your total CRACK-SHOT system consists of: a sophisticated hardware device, advanced state software utilities, and a 70-page users manual. Price: $149.95 Optional Hot-line available for only $15.00 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing system updates to registered owners. Cash, check, money order, MasterCard or VISA accepted. for MasterCard and VISA orders only! Call now! Toll free! 1-800-824-7888 Ask for operator 68 in California 1-800-852-7777 Ask for operator 68 CS) Pirates Harbor >< P.O. Box 8928, Boston, MA 02114 617-738-5051 MODEM — & Apple iss registered trademark of Apple Computer, CRACK:-SHOT isthe trademark of Pen ‘ eater requirementa; 48 Appis er Appi Plus: 1 Slax arioe, Mameard heiptel eesdtrec CRACK-SHOT In intended to be used aba programmore aid, Gaming tool, and legal archival Backup of Your programs CRACK-SHOT should not be used for illegal purposes: THE AUTHORS Peelings II has a group of highly qualified editors and authors who have expertise in their chosen areas for reviewing. We will, from time to time, tell you about this group. Note that not every author appears in every issue. Sandy Abernathy describes herself as “living on a farm south of Las Cruces with her husband George, a resident roadrunner family, various domestic feathered friends, and whatever college age kids (four) happen to be around.” She taught elementary school for 13 years and was last a language arts and science teacher. Recently she received a doctorate in Educational Management at New Mexico State University. Her hobbies include fishing, camping, swimming, reading, and using her Apple. Edward Burlbaw is the regional manager for Science & Technology Corp. His background is in physics electronics and mathematics. He has a B.S. in physics, an M.S. in mathematics, an MSS. in physics and a Ph.D. in physics. Edward enjoys snow skiing and electronics. Montgomery Lee is a U.S. Air Force Captain currently assigned to the Dept. of Defense Shuttle Program Office in Los Angeles as a Manager for Shuttle Payload Flight Readiness. He is also an F-4 pilot. He has a B.S. in mathematics and astronautical engineering and an M.B.A. His hobbies are science fiction and photography. Tom Little is a senior at New Mexico State University working on a B.S. with a dual major: physics and computer science. He is also the administrator of the computer center's UNIX system. Tom's hob- bies are growing irises and writing science fiction (none yet published however). John Martellaro is an operations research analyst for TRASANA, White Sands Missile Range working in computer graphics and com: bat simulation models. He has a B.S. in astrophysics and an M.S. in physics. John enjoys computer chess, science fiction, astronomy and soaring. John Mitchener is a Personnel Management Specialist at White Sands Missile Range. He is a former Electronics Warfare Analyst for the U.S. Army and has a B.S. in psychology. John’s hobbies are ballooning, cooking and ham radio. Alan Shalette is president of Shalette & Company, Inc., a Chicago-based management consulting firm. The firm provides market, product, business and operational systems planning assistance for clients mainly in the finance industry. He holds a B.S. (ChE) and an M.B.A. Alan’s outside interests include astronomy, photography, camping and reading. Michael Weasner is a U.S. Air Force Captain and a fighter pilot/instructor with multiple FAA ratings. He is currently assigned to the Air Force's Space Division in Los Angeles where he is manager of the Computer Resources Division in the Launch Vehicles Program Office. Mike holds a B.S. in astrophysics. Besides flying, his interests include space exploration and computers. Volume 4, Number 1, 1983 Peelings Ratings Peelings Ratings are a letter grade designed to indicate an overall impression of the product. It is a measure of how well the publisher did the job he intended to do taking into consideration comparison to other similar products, price to performance, ease of use, documen: tation, and sophistication. We stress that you should not skip a review or disparage a pro- gram because it receives a low rating. The rating alone can never tell the whole story. Only reading the entire review will give you alll the in- formation you need. For this reason, the rating should never be quoted alone without reference to text of the review The Peelings II rating categories follow: Some example criteria are given for the categories, but they are not meant to be all inclusive, AAA - Absolutely astounding software. We have seen one pro- gram in two years that fits this category. AA - Top notch, superb. Programs in this class generally use the most sophisticated programming techniques and have excellent documentation. A - Very good. Software in this class incorporates very good pro- gramming techniques and has clear and informative documentation. B - Good. Software in this class may have minor errors or be slightly flawed, it may be lacking in thorough documentation, or it may just be unexciting. C - Average. Software of a mediocre nature. There may be a lack of good programming concepts or lack of good error trapping. It may be a repeat of other work, or have a low performance/price ratio. D - Below Average. Software with a blatant disregard for the user in terms of programming design, unacceptable documentation, or unacceptable price to performance ratio. F - Unacceptable. Software of such poor value or usability that it should not be marketed. P - Pending. The rating is on hold for comparison to other similar types or it is not yet appropriate to give a rating (e.g., mini-review). R - Provisional. The reviewer has seen enough to give a tentative letter grade, but there may be more analysis necessary, or new documentation may be in the works, or some program bugs may still be present. N- No Rating. The reviewer abstains, or a rating is inappropriate. REVIEW HEADER FORMAT UPDATED All software reviewed will now be assumed to run on a 48K Apple II Plus with one disk drive running DOS 3.3. The protection status will be assumed locked unless otherwise noted. The language written in, if salient, will be included in the text of the review. Any additional hardware requirements over the above will be mentioned in the text of the review.0 BACK ISSUE SALE! Peelings Il is having a sale on back issues. All 1981 issues are now $2.00 ppd. until further notice. Supplies are short however. All 1982 issues are $3.00 ppd. Sale ends March 1, 1983. Following is the status of our back issues. 1980 1981 1982 VINI1 depleted V2NI1 depleted V3N1 available VIN2 depleted V2N3 available V3N2 limited VIN3 depleted V2N4 available V3N3 available VI1N4 depleted V2N5 available V3N4 available V2N6 available V3N5 available NIBBLE EXPRESS Vol. | TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORIAL rere Site st tases reeen cue ote ese mares ess APPLE TRAC — Personal Finance Management by Mike + SORT 'EM OUT — Principles of Sorting by N/BBLE Staff PSEUDO UTO-START — Reset with CTRL Y by Rick Con INITIALIZE NEW FILES WITH ONERR GOTO by N/BBLE MACHINE LANGUAGE SCREEN DUMP by R.M. Mottola FREE? DISK SECTORS by Chuck Hartley ............. HI-RES SPACE MAZE — Graphics Game by N/BBLE Staf. UN-GRAPHIC GRAPHIC PRINTING by NIBBLE Staff ... TABLE PRINTING MADE SIMPLE! by NIBBLE Staff ..... DYNAMIC ARRAY DIMENSIONING by NIBBLE Staff BLOCKING VERY LARGE FILES by NIBBLE Staff ... LOW RESOLUTION SHAPEWRITER — High Speed Actio SPACE ANIMATION — Add ZIP to your Games by N/IBBL STAR ATTACK — Fast Hi-Res Conflict Game by Mike Hai PADDLE READING IN ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE by NI/BBL FIRIN: U t ined d Control by N/BE AIRS = | rce Maneuvers b AUT! by NIBBLE Staff WATE OUT FOR Aes EE by Mike Harv 1 Ae 8 Tou Bice I TOU! jildiam Reyno. DOU by NIBBL ARROWS AND CONTROL CODES by NI/BBLE Staff .... APPLE TRICKS — Fast DOS/Spcl Chars/Unlistables by C APPLESOFT VS. INTEGER BASIC PERFORMANCE gee A APPLE Ll — Paper pe Graphics by Mike Harvey . APPL| APPL| q OL by Alexander Laird APPL! FT Ri DY Alan D. Floeter ........ FAST £0) | ND SALES TRENDING by Mike F SUPE les Weaving Design by Alexande: FOO rid-Ilron Action by Lou Haehn ... BUILD DUA\ By ae FOR Pat ss 00 by NIBBL, BUIL BLE Stat DISK NIBBLE APPL@TRI IST by Cra PIP | — soeetel Inventory Program on Tape by Rick Con FUN \giTH| by Craig Cr PIP I Pll PASS! Lt iS q cc by F MANAGING AND MOVING DIS BUFFERS by William Re MONITOR EXECUTION — Basically by William Reynolds AMPER-INTERPRETER — Add Print-Using and Much Mo FUN WITH ASSEMBLER — Graphics by Alexander Laird STRING FUNCTION FOR INTEGER BASIC by William Re BASIC/MACHINE LANGUAGE SUBROUTINE CREATOR CHR$ FUNCTION FOR INTEGER BASIC by William Reyr. FUN WITH ASSEMBLER — Alpha/Beeper by Craig Cross APPLE A.I.M. — Automated Intelligent Mailing by Michaei APPLE CONCORDANCE — Track Variable and Line #'s b LOW SCORE II — Strategy Game by Rudy A. Guy ...... HOW TO WRITE GAMES THAT LAST by Mike Harvey .. IMPROVING THE MULTIPLE ARRAY SORT by Rick Cont APPLE UPPER/LOWER CASE PRINTING by Mike Harvey WILL O’ THE WISP — High Adventure by Mark Capella . NIFFUM — DOS 3.3 to 3.2 Conversion by C.J. Thompson BLAST AWAY! — Lo-Res Shooting Gallery by Andrew Be, FUN WITH MONITOR — How to Enter Assembly Languag) ORDER NOW All programs and Articles are centered on the Apple Computer family. NIBBLE P.O. Box 325 Lincoln, MA 01773 Yes! | want NIBBLE EXPRESS Vol. 1 in my library! Here's my OC] Check Money order for $12.95 plus $1.75 postage/handling. (Outside U.S. add $2.75 Surface Mail or $5.00 Airmail.) Cl aAlso send me NIBBLE EXPRESS Vol. 2 at $14.95 plus $1.75 postage/handling. (Outside U.S. add $2.75 Sur- face Mail or $5.00 Airmail.) ec == Master Card & Visa Accepted Card#2 = Expires PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Signature Telephone Name Street Clty ceeeaibents States se Zip! Your check or money order must accompany your order to quality Outside U.S.: Checks must be drawn on a U.S. Bank. “Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Company, 101 103 106 113 119 120 121 123 133 135 135 135 136 139 147 153 157 158 159 161 169 171 174 S&H Software Is Speeding up The Apple’ J The DOS Enhancer (TDE) works up to 500% faster than standard Apple DOS 3.3...$69.95 TIRED OF WAITING ... for your programs to load or save? Then S&H’s TDE, licensed by Apple, is the answer. TDE program updates standard Apple DOS 3.3 disks — or creates copyable TDE disks — with TDE’s QuickDOS and Quick-load features. TDE’s QuickDOS runs and saves BASIC and binary programs up to 5 times faster* and is completely compatible with standard Apple DOS 3.3 programs. And — just added — text file Quick-read and write!” TDE “Quick-loads” the RAM card with FPBASIC/INTBASIC, QuickDOS or user program in 1.7 seconds at startup. TDE “package” includes utility disk, training/support disk, step- by-step instruction manual, S&H's Supercat/menu, and multidrive “Quick-copy” program. TDE system requirements: 48K Apple ][ or ][+, ROM/RAM card, DOS 3.3 and one or more disk drives. Here’s what the critics say: John Mitchener of PEELINGS II: “The speed increase with TDE is awesome and is probably worth the price of the program alone, without all the other features.” Chuck Carpenter of INFOWORLD: “Results ina disk that will boot — very fast — in any Apple system.” “To achieve speeds even faster than a hard-disk drive, combine TDE with Axlon's RAMDISK 320K Memory System. Val Golding, Editor of Call-A.P.P.L.E.: “(TDE) stands as a shining example of how utility and application programs take into account every possible system configuration.” Clark Congleton of The Apple Orchard: “The Quick-load capabilities will make this package attractive to anyone who spends a lot of time at the keyboard.” Amper-Sort/Merge (A-S/M II) works up to 1000% faster than even VisiCorp’s VisiFile program...$69.95 tox “UNPROTECTED,” to allow user-modification to 8”, RAM disk, or hard-disk rives. A-S/M I is the fastest “file clerk” you've ever met. Of all the sort utilities developed to manage Apple J[ data files none does the job nearly so fast as A-S/M Il! A-S/M II's new features include: S&H’s superfast VisiFile index sort (callable from within VisiFile for effortless use), an equally fast S&H random access file index sort, and parameter file editing. A-S/M II can sort/merge from one to five unsorted files into a single file of up to 125K in size per disk. A-S/M II's Package includes: utility disk, training disk, step-by- step instruction manual, and S&H’s new Supercat/menu. A-S/M II's system requirements: 48K Apple ][ with ROM or RAM card or 48K Apple J[+ with DOS 3.3 and Disk II. S&H Dealer inquiries invited. Software Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc Available from your dealer. Mail Order: Send checks to S&H Software, $8 Van Orden Pd,, Harrington Park, NJ 07640, 201-768-3144, Credit Cards: Phone Cybertronics International at 212-532-3089 (Overseas Airmail: Add $10.00 postage and handling.) EDITORIAL: IN SEARCH OF A GOOD MICROCOMPUTER LANGUAGE Recently I have had the experience of writing some applications software for Peelings Ilin Applesoft. I will confess that it is not the most pleasant of ex. petiences. And that comes from someone who, at one time, was fairly fond of Applesoft. After all, it is a reasonably powerful language, has all sorts of ex- tensions, and is fast enough for most minor applications. Then I started writing some really serious software and the truth became much more evident. Applesoft is not the language of choice for extensive, complicated programs. To be fair, I would have probably admitted prior to this experience that Ap- plesoft is not suitable for major work, but having actually gone through the ex: perience made a true believer out of me, What are the failings of a BASIC like Applesoft? We know them well in our hearts but ignore them until it is time to ante up. Line numbers are a real annoyance. They are required only to tell the interpreter that the statement is for deferred execution. Branching to labels instead of line numbers seems more natural. Alll variables are global. This is a big headache when trying to write a medium to large size program. There are several solutions, such as naming conventions and overlays. But naming conventions are tough when only the first two letters of a variable name are significant, and overlays or chaining is slow with a floppy disk drive. There is no clearly delineated “IF- THEN-ELSE” structure. It is true that Applesoft has a limited form of this structure in: line.num IF LOGICAL.EXPRESSION THEN statement.1: state- ment. 2:. . .statement.n line.num (ELSE) statement.a: statement.b... . state: ment.z. As you can see, everything that you want to do if the expression is true must be crammed onto a single line number. The next line number, with an assumed “ELSE”, and successive line numbers can contain everything else you want to do as the alternative. But sometimes the amount of work to be done on the “IF” line is extensive and editing that single line number can be frustrating without a good editor. Just about the first extension made to Ap- plesoft is to provide a structure that is much more easily read and edited: line.num IF LOGICAL.EXPRESSION line.num statement.1 line.num statement.2 linenum ... statement.n linenum ELSE line.num statement.a line.num _ statement.b line.num statement.z linenum ENDIF The first Applesoft interpreter was 8K and forced you to choose between graphics commands or REMarks. Those were the days when memory was ex orbitantly expensive (over $500 for 16K). Later, as the memory situation eased a bit, the full blow 10K Applesoft you now use was introduced. But it is a good bet that serious home, scienfitic and small business microcomputers of 1983 will average 256K of RAM with many having 512K. Itis time to provide a more modern language. What are the candidates? There are some languages that many might con- sider realistic candidates to be the “natural” programming language for the next generation of microcomputers. These are Fortran 77, CBASIC, and Pascal. There are other, more exotic, languages that have a strong following, but which most manufacturers would not consider general and/or friendly enough: FORTH, C, APL, and LOGO. Looking at the likely candidates: For tran is a language locked upon in horror by many who consider it an archaic language which should be stamped out. However, it refuses to die and has, in fact, been updated so as to absorb much of the criticism that has been leveled against it. Fortran 77 has, among other improvements, free-form reads, IF- THEN-ELSE, and good character manipulation capability. One major drawback is the continued limit of six character variable names. However, I use it and find it quite satisfactory. CBASIC is, so far as I know, the best ex- tension of BASIC. It runs in either interpreted or compiled mode. It has 14 digit precision, print using, and 31 character variable names. Line numbers are optional, it has long strings and good string handling capability, and can chain in programs which can access current variables in COMMON. It has the IF- 8 THEN-ELSE structure and is 5-6 times faster than the average microcom- puter BASIC. It does not, however, have local variables in subroutines. Pascal, from what I can gather reading other micro publications, is falling out of favor. It is a good language to learn on, and it is a good language in which to write transportable, maintainable code. It tends, however, to suffocate creativity and is weak in its I/O handling. Also, the current UCSD implementa- tion’s precision is insufficient at seven digits. Before settling on a given language, microcomputer manufacturers will, of course, set up some standards. I would suspect that these standards would in- clude the following considerations. The language should be as fast as possi- ble; current microcomputers have been pushed to the limit by small businesses who need the job done quickly. Thus, for serious applications, it will almost certainly be a compiled language. (BASIC will always be there for small jobs.) The language should be friendly. That means a high level language. Let the compiler do the work. Memory is cheap. It should have a structural hierarchy usable on different levels so that beginners can write pro- grams right away and more sophisticated authors can stretch their muscles. It should have strong data typing, that is, variables should be definable as 16 and 32 bit integers, real single precision, real double precision, and variable length strings as a minimum, Global variables should be definable in a pre: amble so that any subroutine can access them. All variables should have at least 30 significant characters. Subroutines should be recursive, that is, they should be able to call themselves. It should be possible to call Fortran subroutines since there is a vast library of Fortran work. Source text should have free form entry, that is, spaces should be delimiters, not record length or capricious semi-colons. It should be a character oriented like APL and C which are concise but sometimes unreadable, even by the author, months after writing, Character oriented languages are easier to read and learn. Is there such a language? There is, | have been writing in this language for a year now, and I love it. consider it the cleanest, most versatile, friendly, and powerful language I have every used, It meets all the criteria above except the double precision mode. Is it well known? Unfortunately, no. It requires a hard disk system and 256K of RAM, preferably 512K. I wil tell you more about it next time, For now, I will quote some sample source code. See if you can iden- tify this language. And while you are perusing it, ask yourself if you wouldn't mind coding in such a language. The first person to identify the mystery langauge gets a certificate worth nine free issues of Peelings Il. Hint: It is not any kind of Fortran. — Martellaro FOR EACH PASSENGER IF FIRST.CLASS.MODE(PASSENGER) = .YES LET TIME.SEGMENT = TIME.OF.FLIGHT/NUMBER.OF.STOPS FOR INDEX = 1 TO NUMBER.OF.STOPS, DO CALL CONNECTION GIVING DEPARTING.PLANE, PASSENGER YIELDING DEPARTURE.FLAG IF DEPARTURE.FLAG = .NO. LEAVE ” the loop ISE WAIT TIME.SEGMENT UNITS LOOP ENDIF IF DEPARTURE.FLAG = .NO. LET ARRIVE.ON.TIME(PASSENGER) = “NO” ELSE LET ARRIVE.ON.TIME(PASSENGER) = “YES” ENDIF WRITE PASSENGER AND ARRIVE.ON.TIME(PASSENGER) AS “FOR PASSENGER “I 6,” ARRIVE.ON.TIME = “, T *, / USING UNIT DUMP.OUT Peelings II READER REQUEST DEPARTMENT For our new readers, we would like to remind you that Peelings II maintains a list of reader requested reviews. All you have to do is send us a postcard giving the name of the product and the name and address of the vendor. We will do our best to acquire the product and review it. While it is not ab- solutely guaranteed that all requests can be honored, we have, in the past, reviewed a great many of the requested products. We have decided to purge the current list of programs of old requests and start the year anew. Requests submitted after 1 Oct 1982 will go onto this new list. The composite list will be published in a few issues. Remember, this is your way to participate in the review process. Fight back! Tell us what programs you want to see examined. And because we are such good guys, use the postage paid envelope inserted in each issue. VisiSchedule VisiSchedule (Version 1.05) Program by: Dr. Michael Posehn, Organic Software. Manual by: Richard Ewing. VisiCorp 2895 Zanker Road San Jose, CA 95134 $300.00 Locked - backup/replacement available for $20.00. Rating: A Reviewed by Alan Shalette INTRODUCTION VisiSchedule is a management tool which can help schedule, bud- get and track the status of multistep projects. Its basic functions con- sist of: 1) creating; 2) modifying; and, 3) reporting on schedule and budget data. It will not handle more than one project at a time although facilities are provided to help group related job steps for re- porting purposes. If your business or other activities are project-oriented, Visi- Schedule can be valuable in two ways. First, experienced project managers who lack automated support of their current scheduling and budgeting activities will find the never-ending process of updating projects made quicker, easier and more accurate by using this type of tool. Second, VisiSchedule can be an excellent tool for inexperienced users to improve their project management skills. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS Hardware compatibility problems may arise which appear to stem chiefly from the Pascal language in which the system was written. A printer, if used, should be attached to a control card in slot #1. The manual reports successful tests with equipment supplied by seven manufacturers of the more popular printers. About a dozen manufacturer-supplied and independent interface cards were also tested, but some problems were noted. Three interface cards will probably not work with the program: Mountain Hardware CPS; California Computer Systems parallel (7728); and, SSM AIO parallel. Mountain Hardware’s CPS card may be made to work if appropriate changes are made to the Pascal Runtime system. The manual suggests contacting your Apple or Mountain Hardware dealer for more information. Volume 4, Number 1, 1983 The program does not use 80-column display cards or clock cards. If they are present, the program should ignore them — with the following limitations. Your video display must be connected to the Apple's video out jack or RF modulator. Reports may be directed to a communications card although the program does not provide other terminal functions which would help establish a remote connection. This option may be useful if your printer is connected to an RS-232 interface driven by a communications card. The program will not load if a D.C. Hayes Micromodem (or, perhaps, another communica- tions card) is located in slot #3. No problem should be encountered if it is located in any other unused slot however. Check Chapter One and Appendix A of the manual for compati- bility with your equipment before you buy. DATA ENTRY AND MODIFICATION VisiSchedule treats your project as a series of steps, each with a name, duration, capital cost, mix of manpower and associated labor costs, and a list of other jobs that must be completed before a par- ticular step can be started. Project creation normally occurs in two steps — project descrip- tion and step description. Project description includes entry of the project’s title, leader, start date, time units (i.e. days vs. weeks) and cost units. It also includes entry of manpower skill category titles and unit costs (i.e. daily or weekly wage rates) and nonworking days or weeks. Up to 50 steps are allowed with 48K of RAM and 160 steps with 64K of RAM. Step descriptions involve entry of the following data: name (up to 30 characters per step); duration (up to 999 days or weeks); prerequisites (up to 9 per step); earliest start date; nonlabor cost (up to 4 digits in units of dollars, thousands of dollars or millions of dollars); skill resource requirements (up to 9 skill types per project); deadlines and milestones. Step numbers are the only mandatory data for each step and are assigned sequentially by the system. Deadlines and milestones may be entered for reference in reporting, however, they don’t affect scheduling. After initial entry of project and step descriptions, there normally follows a cycle of data checking and modification using either the sys- tem’s displays or reports which are discussed later. Such modifica- tions may include step addition and deletion or revision of any of the information noted above. Step sequencing may also be rearranged — with or without step renumbering. If the system has been instructed to perform a critical path analy- sis, slack times and earliest and latest allowable start and finish dates will be analyzed and reported for each step. The critical path is, in essence, the sequence of steps from the beginning of the project to its end which determine the project's total duration. While steps not on the critical path may have slack time between their earliest and latest 9 start dates, those on the critical path have earliest dates equal to latest dates. Two major options are available to tune the schedule. Tuning is usually desired to reduce peak manpower requirements and to ensure that requirements don’t exceed manpower available in each skill cate- gory. The system’s ‘LEVEL’ option will perform this function auto- matically by moving start dates for noncritical steps within slack periods. Scheduling of critical path jobs is not affected by this auto- matic leveling function. Since the system will attempt to reduce peak requirements for only one skill category at a time, when multiple skills are involved, attempts to level one skill may adversely affect peak re- quirements in others. A second tuning option is available to change the start date of any critical or noncritical step. Use of this ‘SCHEDULE’ option will likely affect completion of the overall project but may be necessary to ensure the practicality of resource assignments. As with the LEVEL’ option, all modifications made with the ‘SCHEDULE’ option may be easily cancelled. As projects proceed, actual start and finish dates normally vary from planned dates. VisiSchedule helps to keep project schedules up- dated through its ‘COMPLETE’, ‘DURATION’ and ‘SLIP’ options. The COMPLETE option allows marking a step as partially or fully complete. No job may be even partially completed unless all its pre- requisites are totally complete. This obstacle can be overcome, how- ever, by resetting the step’s earliest start date and deleting its pre- requisites. If more time than originally estimated «will be required to complete a step, its DURATION can be modified. Finally, SLIP re- quests the date to which all unfinished steps are to be slipped and will completely revise the schedule. PROJECT REPORTING VisiSchedule provides four types of reports: project descriptions; job descriptions; schedules; and, tabular job reports. These reports can be produced on either the display screen or a printer. The system will also produce Pascal text files and DIF files. These may be used to transfer data to other systems accepting these types of files — the latter, including most of VisiCorp’s other packages, D.B. Master and others. Project description reports are one-page project summaries con- taining the descriptive information discussed earlier, plus total re- source requirements and costs for each skill category, total nonlabor costs, overall completion dates and related information. Detailed data for each step or job within the project are listed in job description reports. These contain short summaries of the project description information discussed earlier in addition to: completion status; slack time or an indication that the job is on the critical path; earliest and latest start and completion dates; and, manpower and (nonlabor) costs. These reports may be produced for all steps; those within a range of step numbers; those requiring a given skill category; or combinations of these search criteria. The order in which the jobs are listed can also be varied according to 12 different criteria includ- ing: job number, job name, scheduled start date, prerequisites, and slash tags. I mentioned earlier that steps may be grouped for reporting pur- poses although the system does not support multiproject schedules. This is accomplished through use of ‘slash tags’ which are appended to individual step names. Slash tags are anything which follows a slash (/) in step names. If the slash tag criterion is selected in specify- ing the order of a job description report, steps will be sorted in alpha- betical order of the part of the name following the slash. Steps with identical slash tags will be sorted according to the part of the name occurring before the slash. Unfortunately, the system will not develop summary reports (e.g. combining manpower requirements, costs and the like) for slash tag groups. Schedule reports are Gantt charts (look like horizontal bar charts) containing step schedules laid out on a horizontal scale showing dates and numbers of days or weeks since project startup. Curiously, 10 the manual briefly addresses the PERT scheduling algorithm (Pro- gram Review and Review Technique — mislabeled as Performance etc.) which the system does not use, but completely overlooks the contributions of Henry Gantt (an early 20th century Scandinavian en- gineer) to the principal visual displays provided by the system. Further, the manual does not describe the processes by which the system determines critical paths and slack times. As a result, I usu- ally disregard the critical path and automatic levelling options. Gantt chart presentation is the principal display presented during entry and modification of step-level data and may also be displayed and printed using reporting options. Since schedules can easily ex- ceed the capacity of either a standard Apple display screen or a printed page (containing up to 255 lines of 160 characters), the sys- tem uses special techniques to display schedules completely. For screen displays, hitting CTRL-A will cause the display to flip- flop horizontally, allowing it to display up to 80 columns of informa- tion, 40 columns at a time. Simple scroll commands are also pro- vided which work vertically to scroll projects and horizontally to scroll dates while in data entry mode. When a scroll command is entered, the entire screen is recreated corresponding to the new co- ordinates. When a schedule is printed, if necessary, the system will spread it over multiple pages vertically and horizontally. These pages can then be taped together to build the complete chart. Mapping requirements are based on user-supplied format information indicating page length and width, top and bottom margins, formfeed/linefeed requirements and related parameters. Manpower requirements and costs are shown at the bottom of printed or displayed schedules. In data entry mode, either manpower requirements for one skill category, total manpower costs, total direct costs, or total project costs can be dis- played — one at a time. This information can be very useful for man- power balancing and schedule tuning. Printed or displayed schedules produced via the system’s PRINT option contain all this information. Other PRINT options allow selection of steps to be printed and their order. The last reporting option allows the user to build summary re- ports of detailed data including step number, name, duration, man- power levels, prerequisites and the like. The detailed data selected will be listed using one line per step — neither column nor row totals are provided. These reports are very handy for analyzing project data (eg. calculating manpower totals for slash tag groups) and to aid in fine-tuning schedules. DOCUMENTATION VisiSchedule’s documentation consists of almost 250 typeset, looseleaf-bound pages plus a reference card. The manual is divided into four main sections plus appendixes and an index. Chapter One includes introductory and set-up information. Chapter Two contains an extensive tutorial in five lessons covering all of the system’s func- tions. Chapter Three contains functionally-organized reference infor- mation and Chapter Four, error message definitions. The appendixes cover hardware compatibilities, DIF file usage, system capabili- ties/capacities, the ASCII character set, a bibliography and a glos- sary. Almost 100 figures and tables are presented to facilitate use of the various menu options, understanding of reports and data entry. Despite its size, the documentation falls short of my needs and expectations in the following areas. As mentioned earlier, critical path determination and slack time calculations are not explained. The reference card shows only one of the system’s 13 menus and does not describe the almost 75 options and commands used in those menus. While the manual contains a one-page diagram show- ing an overview of all the menus, it lacks page number references to detailed discussions contained in the manual. Moreover, information in the reference chapter (Chapter Three), while extensive, is not com- plete and I must frequently refer back to the tutorial chapter. Fortun- ately, the index is useful in facilitating cross-referencing. Peelings II PERFORMANCE VisiSchedule does a very good job performing its intended func- tions. On the other hand, its intended functions fall short of my needs in several significant ways. Functional improvement suggestions are discussed in the next section and I will discuss performance of its in- tended functions over the remainder of this section. The system’s large numbers of menus and options demand a command structure which is easy to move through and use. Yet, it uses one of the more difficult structures I have encountered — as is readily apparent in the program menu overview contained in pages 3-3/3-4 of the manual. I will not attempt to suggest how it might be completely overhauled, but several minor modifications would ease its use. I consider it prudent to save data as entry proceeds as a form of insurance (see comments on key usage below). To do so with Visi- Schedule, while in step description entry mode, requires stepping ‘up’ and ‘down’ through two levels of menus to get to its SAVE option and back again. A save option could be added to the two-part step data entry menu. Another improvement in this menu would be to allow scrolling while using the HIGHLITE function in the menu exten- sion. Since scrolling can only be accomplished in the main part of this menu, users must switch back and forth between the two parts of the menu fairly frequently during schedule tuning. The system reference card and manual list a series of control key entries some of which, it warns, should not be used. My experience shows that hitting these forbidden entries will hang the system, nec- essitating re-boots and causing loss of data. This practice of permit- ting key sequences to hang the system should not be allowed — no matter how many warnings are posted. As mentioned earlier, the system accepts deadline dates but does little more with them than to show them on schedules. It is quite pos- sible that, prior to tuning, steps may be scheduled to follow their re- spective deadlines. Why not issue a nonfatal warning when this occurs? Neither printed nor displayed schedules show calendar years — a major inconvenience when projects span more than one year. I would also like an option to omit all manpower and cost data from the bottom of printed reports rather than having to cut them off when appropriate. Finally, other nuisance problems | often encounter include: the desire to use more than the 9 allowed skill categories; the desire to in- flate manpower costs over time; the inability to vary manpower re- quirements over the course of a single step; the inability to schedule using months as time units; the inability to use months or years as the basic time coordinate in printed or displayed schedules; the in- ability to highlight all steps dependent on a particular prerequisite — not just the ones which contain the job in question as a direct pre- requisite; and, the inability to enter fractional time units for schedul- ing. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS VisiSchedule does a fine job tackling the potentially difficult chore of displaying very large Gantt charts on comparatively small media — whether printed pages or video displays. I wish, however, that it were able to use 80-column display capabilities since video scrolling can be tedious. Several types of improvements come to mind which would speed scrolling and data entry. Rather than having the user enter either numbers of steps or time units to scroll and then recreating the screen, the scanning technique implemented so well in VisiCorp's VisiCalc (i.e. using arrow and space keys) would be valuable here. Repositioning the date scale to correspond to the beginning of newly entered steps would also be useful. The Axlon RAMDISK™ 320K Memory System for the Apple Il and Apple Il Plus* provides access speeds never before available. The Axlon memory system is designed to interact with Apple DOS 3.3* and Apple Pascal 1.1* like two standard flop- py disk drives while delivering the lightning fast access speeds of RAM memory. This also leaves 32K of RAM for advanced programming techni- ques. The interface board is slot independent and draws no power from your Apple. The rechargeable battery system built into the unit provides three hours of backup in the event of a power loss. Drop by your local Apple dealer or contact Axion, Inc. for more information. * Trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. * Pascal is a Trademark of U.C.S.D. Regents Supercharge Your APPLE II* * Plug-in compatibility * 320K bytes of RAM (200NS) memory designed to function like two 35 track floppy disk drives * Compatible with Apple DOS 3.3 and Apple Pascal 1.1 * Same size as the Apple Disk II* Drive * Invisible memory refresh - even with the Apple turned off * Rechargeable battery system built-in to pro- vide 3 hours of auxiliary power * Slot independent interface board - draws no power from your Apple * All firmware is in static RAM on the interface board ¢ Includes software for diagnostic, fast load and copy routines, and business applications FRE sore AXLON San Jose, CA 95131 (408) 945-0500 Volume 4, Number 1, 1983 11 In step data entry mode, dates are entered as the numbers of time units (days or weeks) after project startup. A new calendar math function would be useful here to convert from calendar dates to time units since I normally set out to develop schedules with step dura- tions in time units, but with start times and deadlines in date form. Alternatively, the program could accept either time unit or date in- puts. Since large projects can cover many printed pages, an option to print selected parts of the overall schedule (i.e. for a range of time units or dates) could help speed the fine-tuning process. While the system allows step range selection, no limitations are allowed for dates. Even within the system's limitation of handling only single-project schedules improvements could be made to help simulate multiproject or multiphase schedules. These improvements would be related to enhanced reporting capabilities based on slash tags. Specifically, the types of information developed for project description summary re- ports (described earlier) could be produced for slash tag groups. Alternately, totals or subtotals (e.g. manpower levels, costs or overall times to complete) could be developed for slash tag groups or for any other collection of steps specified for tabular job reports. Finally, the ability to enter and compare actual expenses to esti- mates would be valued. With the current version, actual nonlabor costs and manpower requirements may be entered as steps are com- pleted, but comparisons of actuals with estimates must be developed manually. A useful function would be to have the system or a utility program read both planned and actual data contained in two data files, compare the two and produce reconciliation reports regarding dates, durations, manpower and costs. CONCLUSIONS VisiSchedule is a solid performer, a valuable tool for project plan- ning and is the only scheduling system of which I am aware which will run on an unmodified Apple. I don’t hesitate to recommend it to potential users (clients and friends) whose needs would justify its cost — despite the shortcomings noted earlier. On the other hand, if I were to remake my own purchase decision, I would investigate two other comparable systems. Now that I have a Z-80 Softcard installed, WESTICO’s MicroGANTT and Digital Marketing's MILESTONE would be worth a closer look based on their advertised capabilities. Each of these packages runs under CP/M and requires at least 56K of RAM. VERSAFORM (Version and Authors Unknown) Applied Software Technology 15985 Greenwood Road Monte Sereno, CA 95030 (408) 395-1541 $389.00 Rating: AA- Reviewed by Alan Shalette INTRODUCTION If you, as I, have scrutinized magazine ads month after month to find one or more specialized accounting packages with the right balance of features and price but usually resolve to wait a little longer, VERSAFORM may be your answer — as it was for me. As advertised VERSAFORM is a business forms processor adaptable to sales, inventory, purchasing, job costing, manufacturing and many other applications. Very simply, it allows users to log busi- ness activities, extensively checks the validity of entered data, and provides quick access to selected information. I think of it as an ac- counting-oriented database system although Applied Software Tech- nology (AST) emphasizes that forms processors are not database systems. No matter what it’s called, there’s no argument that it’s ina class of its own. Its concept and execution, although not totally without fault, should be valued study material for both aspiring and seasoned busi- ness software developers. In addition to a general ledger system, VERSAFORM could be the most important accounting system a small business may need or want for accounting-related chores. In my own case, | use it as a general ledger pre-processor for de- tailed client and business-related expense tracking, job costing and invoicing. I'm unable to find any other package(s) which will do as much as I need, at a price I'm willing to pay, with the flexibility VER- SAFORM provides. Why is it unique compared to other application or database sys- tems? Three features stand out: 1) Unlike most database systems, VERSAFORM allows variable numbers of row entries per record (AST calls them forms) in addition to typical key and other fixed data. In an invoicing application, for 12 example, fixed and key information would include date, customer name and ID number, shipping address and payment terms. VER- SAFORM will accept up to 99 lines of detailed/line information per form, entered under predefined column headings. For example, these might include part number, description, quantity, and unit prices. It will also calculate price extensions, taxes and appropriate totals. Thus, each record is a complete business form. Moreover, as with most database systems, reports may be designed to summarize any information contained in a form. 2) VERSAFORM performs extensive data validation and table lookup functions which can speed and protect the accuracy of data entry. Examples of its data validation capabilities include range and list checks, data length and type (i.e., numeric vs. alpha) checks and check digit verification. In the latter test, self-checking digits, calcu- lated using modulus 10 analysis and appended to the entered num- ber, are recalculated and validated by the system. This procedure is normally used to catch transposition errors while entering critical data. Table lookups can be used to fill fields located anywhere on the form which are dependent on other fields. For example, product de- scriptions and unit prices can be entered automatically in an invoice by having the system look them up in a table based on part numbers. Thus, all the user need enter for an invoice line is a part number and quantity. VERSAFORM will validate both entries, look up descrip- tions and unit prices and will calculate extensions, tax and totals. Each of these automatic functions may be easily overridden on a field-by-field basis — e.g. to enter a nonstandard price for a special order. 3) The system provides a calculator function in data entry mode which will perform simple math functions (+, —, X, and /), round and invert numbers, generate self-check digits, calculate column to- tals and move numbers from and to the form (e.g. to bring down a standard price, calculate a discount and then move the result back to the form). Math functions operate much like a Hewlett-Packard cal- culator — i.e. using RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) entry in which data is first entered and then the function to be performed, selected. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS Hardware configurations are constrained by the Apple Pascal system with which VERSAFORM was written. Slot-related depen- dencies are as follows: Peelings II * Slot 0 - Pascal Launguage Card or RAM card (mandatory) © Slot 1 - Printer must be here if one is used Slot 2 - Use optional. May contain a modem or printer or other device. Slot 3 - 80 column board or external terminal only. Slot 4 - Third and fourth disks (optional). Slot 5 - Fifth and sixth disks (optional). Slot 6 - First and second disks (mandatory). Slot 7 - Not used. If slots 4, 5 and 7 are not specified to contain disk controllers, they will be ignored. Initialization sequences may be sent or devices con- nected to either Slot 1 or Slot 2. Except for these considerations, no mention is made of specific campatibility requirements — e.g. as might be related to specific manufacturers, products or interfaces The system is semi-copyable. That is, I was able to copy several of the system diskettes with COPYA found on the DOS 3.3 System Master diskette but was unsuccessful with key, file maintenance programs. DOCUMENTATION VERSAFORM'’s documentation is the best I've seen for systems of its complexity, but not without improvement opportunities. The documentation comes in three parts titled “User’s Guide”, “Hands-On Experience” and “Reference Summary”. The User's Guide contains over 250 spiral-bound, 5% in. by 8% in. pages written in simple English. It is organized into ten chapters plus seven appendixes and a six-page index. Chapters contain extensive operating instructions corresponding to functions users want to perform — e.g. titled “How to Create a File and Design a Form”; “How to Use the Form You've Designed”; “The Calculator”; and, “Analyzing Data in Your Files”. While reference to specific program diskettes, menus, and com- mands is inevitable, the user need not have a map of the system in his/her head to locate needed information in the Guide. Its authors clearly understood, and were capable of a sensitive response to this classic user's predicament. Further, their careful pruning of compu- ter/systems jargon is highly appreciated. System operation is explained making extensive use of examples. This approach necessitates giving illustrations for all menu options, commands and responses to prompts. I find, however, that the authors have followed this rule only about 90% of the time. For example, the manual may adequately discuss a ‘Y’ response to a ‘Y/N’ prompt, while giving only a very brief comment about the re- sults or meaning of an ‘N’ response. Intuition, further references else- where in the documentation, or trial and error exploration, in these cases, is required to fully resolve the meaning of the unexplained re- sponse. To illustrate, when copying the contents or description of a file, VERSAFORM provides an option to produce an action log which shows what's going on during the process. The authors might have assumed a printed log will normally be desired and explain this option fully. However, the log may also be sent to a disk file or an- other device (e.g. CRT display). The manual states “If you would like to have the log sent to the printer key in Y. If not key in N. In that case you will be asked where to send it.” Brief mention is made of disk logs but not of how to send the log to the CRT. Flipping through the manual to its chapter on system configuration reveals that speci- fying ‘CONSOLE: as the output device (a Pascal convention) will do the job. This detail, among others, cannot be located in the index or table of contents. I also believe that a menu map, similar to those found in most VisiCorp manuals, would be a valuable addition to expedite manual use while operating the system. This would show each of the main menus presented by the various programs, along with lists of valid commands and prompt responses and (unlike VisiCorp maps) chap- ter/page references to the manual. The Hands-On Experience manual contains an over 55-page tutorial based on data contained in the Tutorial data diskette sup- plied with the system. The tutorial does not step through all system Volume 4, Number 1, 1983 functions, but is sufficient to give the user a thorough understanding of its major capabilities. Although it contains neither a table of con- tents nor an index, quick reference usually can be made to the User’s Guide which contains many additional examples. The Reference Summary is a 14-page booklet printed on card stock containing brief operating instructions for all system functions. Recognizing that everything needed would not fit on one accordian- style card, the authors acted accordingly — that is, to expand the reference information, not contract it to what would fit on one piece of folded paper (see my comments on VisiSchedule’s reference card elsewhere in this issue). This information is augmented by system ‘help’ menus which, among others, explain the one or two-character commands used in file design, data entry/review, and in the calculator. OPERATION The system is supplied on four program diskettes labeled “De- sign”, “Filing”, “Report”, and “Copy/Print”. Two additional diskettes are supplied, one labelled “Tutorial”, containing data corresponding to the examples in the “Hands-On Experience” manual; the other is a work disk for use when producing reports. Form Design is a two-stage process encompassing form layout and field specification. First, the user is prompted to place either text or field descriptions anywhere on the screen using the cursor (CTRL-O and CTRL-L are used to substitute for the Apple key- board’s missing up and down cursor movement keys). Upper and lower case characters are accepted, if available. Two types of data fields are specified — single items and column items. Single items correspond to customer number, date and the like which would have only a single entry per form. Column or line items correspond to part numbers, quantities and the like, which may have multiple occur- rences per form as discussed earlier for an invoicing application. Data fields are given text names and are initially specified with series of dots (“... ”) to indicate their respective lengths. Text is typed as the (— Powerful Lab Graphics \ For Your Apple II + ® Computer SCIENTIFIC. PLOTTER qip C cunve ere) Ave SCIENTIFIC PLOTTER 48K APPLE II +, $25 Draws professional-looking graphs of your data. 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Since each program uses the same data format on disk, data may be shared BUY THESE PROGRAMS AT YOUR LOCAL DEALER OR ORDER DIRECT. For more information, ask for FREE brochure or send $5 for any manual ($12 for all 3), deductible with purchase. Add $1.50 shipping on all orders. For fastest service, call in your VISA or Master Card order. INTERACTIVE MICROWARE, INC. P.O. Box 771, Dept. P_ State College, PA 16801 igi Ww CALL (814) 238-8294 for IMMEDIATE ACTION ® Trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. 13 user would like to see it for use in column headings and to place fixed notes on the form. As usual in designing database pages, careful planning and, perhaps, trial and error is required to get the layout exactly correct. With the exception of line items, all information must fit within the limits of one display screen. When form layout is complete, the system prompts for data specification, validation and table lookup information. Very briefly, these include, for each data field: CHECKING AND AUTOMATIC FILLING Minimum and maximum data length — i.e. number of digits. Left/right justification for display. Whether or not a self-checking digit should be tested. Numeric vs. alphanumeric data. Date format? Yes or not (Y/N) data? Mandatory — i.e. must this field be entered on every form? EXTENDED CHECKS * Range check — i.e. to make sure the data falls within specific ranges of values (more than one can be entered). © Format — allows the designer to specify data patterns to be used in entering data. E.g. to require proper insertion of hy- phens if the field is to contain social security numbers List — requiring that the data entered be contained in a list of pre-specified valid entries, such as might be used to check ab- breviated cost codes or part descriptions. AUTOMATIC FILLING © Lookup — will fill the field with values found in a pre-specified table by referring to the contents of another field. E.g. the sys- tem will search a table to locate customer names based on the contents of another field containing their respective ID numbers. *¢ Todaysdate — tells the system to fill the field with the date entered when the system was loaded. © Calc — will fill the field the results of a multi-step mathematical calculation. ¢ Column total — tells the system to fill the field with the total of a specific column. Record indexing is based on one or two data fields selected during the design process. These keys are used mainly during file mainte- nance as discussed below. Most other file accesses, e.g. to produce special reports, use searches of the contents of any data fields which are specified by the user. Filing corresponds to form/record entry and maintenance. In filing mode, the user is initially presented with a blank copy of a requested form. New data may be entered and saved, or the user may enter in- dex keys and have the system display a previously saved form con- taining the specified keys (each form must have unique keys). Pre- viously saved forms may, thus, be recalled, modified and re-saved, or deleted. Filing functions are easily visualized through review of the sys- tem’s related commands: Command Name Operation B Back ¢ Displays previous form in file. CA Calculator ¢ Loads calculator facility. CL Clear * Clears all fields in the displayed form. D Delete ¢ Deletes a specific line on the form (all lines are numbered as entered — 1 through 99). E: Erase ¢ Erases entries which have not been validated. F First ¢ Displays first form in file (forms are stored in the same order they were entered) 14 G Get ¢ Locates and displays particular form containing specified key(s); partial keys may be used. 1 Index ¢ Lists keys for all forms in the file. L Last ¢ Displays last form in file N Next © Displays next form in file — typically used in partial key search. PF Page Forward ¢ Displays next page in form — ie. scrolls lines which are not visible due to display size limita- tion. PB Page Backward ° Displays previous page in a par- ticular form. PR Print ¢ Prints displayed form as it ap- pears or according to a print for- mat (discussed later). Q Quit ¢ Returns system to main menu. R Remove ¢ Removes/deletes form from file (based on key index). SA Save ° Validates data if required, then saves form to diskette. SP Space Report * Reports storage available on diskette. Vv Validate Checks entered data against specifications; performs automatic table lookups and calculation. Report generation allows users to analyze any data contained in stored forms. For example, in my own job costing and expense re- porting application, I enter time charges, client expenses and busi- ness expenses weekly. Then I run monthly summaries to develop two kinds of reports — time and expense summaries for each client to develop invoices and additional summaries by account number for entry to my general ledger system. These reports save many hours each month in lieu of manually-prepared invoices and entry of ex- pense details to my G/L system. Report specifications, which may be saved as named formats for later use, identify: ¢ Page layout — i.e. lenth and width. ¢ File to be used. Report title — to be printed on report. © Data to be printed — usually column data such as client number, expense description and amount. © Data selection criteria — to limit information/records which should be included in the report, e.g. to create a report for client A for travel expenses incurred between 10/1/82 and 10/31/82. * Sort order — e.g. to have expenses listed alphabetically by type or description. ¢ Subtotals — e.g. to subtotal expenses by type. © Totals — indicating which data should be totalled. Copving/Printing options support a variety of chores which all re- late to moving information stored in files to other places. The infor- mation moved may be filled-in forms, form designs, report formats, form printing instructions and the like. The places to which they may be moved include other diskettes, pre-printed forms or blank paper, or the display screen. The Copy/Print diskette contains programs which will move fill ed-in forms to other diskettes, the printer, or display screen. Forms to be moved are selected using criteria similar to those used in report generation discussed above. The copy feature could be used to move all forms corresponding to particular clients to new, single client files from a multi-client file but will not extract data contained within the Peelings II Buyers of Software and Services If you're using an Apple computer, you need to know where to buy the right software for your individual ap- plications. Software Response! will bring you free in- formation from software vendors helping your Apple grow into the full system needed to meet the demands of your business. You choose the packages which inter- est you from a direct response card publication created specifically for Apple users. With Software Response! there is no need to weed through information which is useless to you. Just fill out the direct response card and receive further information directly from the vendor. SOFTWARE RESPONSE! Brings Software Buyers and Sellers Together Vendors of Software and Services If you hav e software to market to Apple users, you need qualified sale leads. The Apple exclusive issue of Soft- ware Response! will carry your mi ge directly to the core, for a fraction of the cost of magazine advertising. Advertising money is spent on cost-effective response cards sent to your prospective buyers, not on increasing magazine insertions directed at a mass audience with a few possible buyers. Software Response! will hit the Apple market right on the head. The direct response postcards you receive will be from the users most in- terested in learning more about your product. Software Response! planting the seeds of information Over the past year, Software Response! has effectively planted the seeds of in- formation concerning products in the software industry. The seeds are grow- ing into a mutually beneficial relation- ship between software buyers and Vendors: Call Renate Neely at (703) 573-1266 Software Response! will plant the seeds. software users. Software Response! serves as a communication channel be- tween the two groups ... a channel once non-existant. Software Response! brings together software buyers and vendors — to nurture profitable cooperation! ! SOFTWARE RESPONSE! SRS ESTE SE Se 7309 Arlington Blvd. + Suite 301 + Falls Church, Va. 22042 + (703) 573-1266 forms. This capability is similar to search and list capabilities found in most of the database systems I've seen. The system will also support use of pre-printed forms by allowing users to specify print formats which will place selected data any- where on the form. All other information, e.g. column headings and text fields which appear on blank forms, is deleted. Print instructions and copy specifications may also be saved and copied. Other copy and print routines are located on the ‘other program diskettes: A data diskette backup utility is located on the Filing program diskette which will create a complete duplicate of the diskette being copied including all forms, and report, copy and print formats. e Report format specifications may be copied selectively from one data diskette to others with a utility located on the Report program diskette. Individual form designs may be moved to new diskettes using a utility on the Design program diskette. Other Functions and Features supported include data diskette ini- tialization, form design modification (e.g. to update lookup tables) re- port copy and print format modification, and system configuration. During diskette initialization and formatting, space is allocated to each file to be located on the diskette. Since form length will vary with the actual number of lines contained in each completed form, diskette capacity will vary when measured by the number of forms stored in a file. The system will, however, estimate diskette capacity after form design has been completed, and Appendix D of the User’s Guide shows how to estimate file sizes. System-produced estimates for three different files I use range about 900 forms per diskette assuming no column lines per form. Since the system will operate with multi-diskette files, file space should not be a significant problem — except to the extent that a lot of diskette swapping may be required to run large reports or lists. Of course, potential users have the option to buy a version of the system which will run with hard disks with up to 4 million characters per file. The system generally supports up to 99 lines in its forms and tables (e.g. for range checks, table lookups and list checks). These might correspond to numbers of employees, customers, parts/pro- ducts, invoice line items and the like. In my own experience, these capacities have been more than adequate to handle the needs of my small corporation and consulting practice. PERFORMANCE No question about it, VERSAFORM is versatile, fast and polish- ed. Also, no doubt about it, the way it parcels out control of most operations bit by bit can be a bore. For example: ° Each line in a form must be validated as it is entered, before going on to the next line. © One cannot copy complete sets of information pertaining to one of several files (form design, forms and other specifica- tions) contained on one diskette, to another, all at one time. Each set of information must be moved, using separate in- structions. ¢ When switching from one file to another to enter or update forms, or when changing program disks, the system requests ‘today's date’ each time. © While report formats can be copied, they cannot be renamed. Thus, to create a new report substantially the same as another one, but with a different name for its format file (as opposed to the title which will be shown on the report) it must be completely re-entered. © When updating report, copy, or print specifications, the sys- tem will submit all fields in the specification for update — i.e., one cannot go directly and solely into a lookup table to update it without having to step through all the other specifications with which it is associated. 16 © Although more than one form may have use for a particular lookup table or list of valid entries (e.g. customer names vs. numbers), the system does not know how to share tables. Therefore, one copy of each common tableflist must be created and maintained for each form using it. In my own ap- plications, I must maintain three copies of my customer list. An argument no doubt, could be made that the system's re- quirements for meticulous operational control help to protect the user from him/herself — a design concept which is clearly found through- out. In rebuttal, I would say that the system should better anticipate the value of experience by becoming more adaptive to more pro- ficient users, while providing options for those who feel they need the protection. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS Make no mistake, the foregoing criticisms present ideas | think would help make a fine product better. Other improvements I would like to see include: * Two or even three dimensional table lookups — e.g. to look up prices based on both product codes and quantities. Otherwise, volume-related discounts may be approximated by applying uniform rates based on, say, quantities or for specific custo- mers, or by calculating them manually. The system’s current automatic filling capabilities cannot be used for these types of calculations. ° The constraints posed by limiting forms to a single display screen prompted me to, first, buy an 80 column display card (this was one of several applications I had in mind, however) and second: to create three seperate forms to support my job costing application. Since I must move data manually from my expense form to my invoice form once summary reports have been developed, I would like to: — Produce forms which result from consolidations of selected groups of forms in a specific file. —Be able to develop forms or reports using data contained in two or more different forms. Now, a more hopeful note. AST sells a Pascal programmer’s in- terface which allows programmers to access VERSAFORM files, to move data between VERSAFORM and Pascal files, and to create custom applications through Pascal programs. The interface also provides a way to extend the capabilities of VERSAFORM to multi- file applications (as many as three VERSAFORM files may be accessed). AST’s product literature, in fact, mentions much the same types of problems which may be solved with the interface, as I have mentioned above. dust what the doctor ordered? Not really. The interface’s reason- able cost of $245.00 is, of course, only a license to spend lots more money and time trying to solve the problems I've noted above. I can only hope that AST or an entrepeneur will pick up these suggestions, determine that there is a reasonable market for VERSAFORM utili- ties and publish accordingly — much the way utilities have been made available to expand the capabilities fo VisiCalc, WordStar, D.B. Master and dBase II. CONCLUSIONS — WHY AA-; WHY NOT AAA? VERSAFOBRM stands well above the rest of the crowd in concept and utility, and head and shoulders above most in documentation and user-friendliness. I believe these characteristics to be worth at least a AA rating. Ignoring the functional limitations discussed under Suggested Improvements, the system's operational tedium and in- conveniences deny it an AAA rating and detract from even an AA. Its cost hsould not be a barrier to those who can’t justify paying $300 for a professional billing system which can’t handle client ex- pense billings, or for a host of other single-function packages at simi- lar prices. VERSAFORM can support most of these types of applica- tions and offers the flexibility to grow as your application needs grow.) Peelings II Micro Station _nowsells business programs at micro prices. 20% off programs for Apple and Apple compatible computers. Buy 3, and get 1 off the third. ‘ATHIRD OFF ‘ATHIRD OFF PROGRAM ust zaveore ATMO OF PROGRAM ust ae ore A THIRD OF Apple Mechanic 29.50 23.60 19.67 | Sensible Speller 125.00 100.00 83.33 ASCII Express Super Disk Copy 30.00 24,00 20.00 Professional 129.95 103.96 86.63 | Utility city 29.50 23.60 19.67 Bag of Tricks 39.95 31.96 26.63 | Videoterm Utiities 37.00 29.60 24.67 Complete Graphics i System 69.95 55.96 46.63 Visicalc ; 250.00 200.00 166.67 Zoom Grafix 39.95 31.96 26.63 Datafax 199.00 159.20 132.67 . EDUCATION & LANGUAGES Disk Organizer 30.00 24.00 20.00 . Delta Drawing 59.95 47.96 39.97 Disk Recovery 30.00 24.00 20.00 Face Maker 34.95 27.96 23.30 DOS Boss 24.00 19.20 16.00 ¢ Graforth 75.00 60.00 50.00 Edit-Soft 30.00 24.00 20.00 P Master Type 39.95 31.96 26.63 Ast Class Mail 74.95 59.96 49.97 i Rhymes & Riddles 29.95 23.96 19.97 Graphics Magician 59.95 47.96 39.97 Snooper Trooper! 44.95 35.96 29.97 Home Accountant 74.95 59.96 49.97 Pie Writer (Specify Snooper Trooper II 44.95 35.96 29.97 standard & 80 column) 149.95 119.96 99,97 | Story Machine 34.95 27.96 23.30 Screen Writer II 129.95 103.96 86.63 . « And Many More Call collect: (313) 358-5820 TERMS: Certified check, money order, personal check (allow 10 days to clear), MasterCard or Visa (include card # and expiration date). Please add $2.00 for shipping and handling. Add additional $1.50 for COD. Foreign orders add 10%. Michigan residents add 4% sales tax. Prices subject to change without notice. Choose from our wide selection of quality business programs listed in the chart. (If you don’t see the program you want, call us to see if your preferred program has been reduced to micro prices.) We have a large selection of business programs, from Apple Plot to Visicalc. And everything in between. Call us today. Open seven days a week from 11 to 7 during the holidays (except Thanksgiving and Christmas day) micro Station MICRO BY MAIL DEPARTMENT 24484 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48034 Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. DOS ENHANCERS One of the complaints about the Apple II and its Disk Operating System (DOS) is that it is too slow. When the disk drive was first introduced, it was a tremendous improvement over cassette reading and writing. But with all the various new computer systems available today, Apple DOS is, by compari- son, indeed too slow. However, some enhancements can be made to DOS to speed up certain operations. It appears that most of these enhancements were recently discovered be- cause suddenly DOS speed up programs are popping up all over. We will look at six (one is a preliminary evaluation) in this issue and will review more in future issues. In evaluating these DOS enhancers two basic criteria were used. The first is speed of operation, and the second is the ease of use of the program to create a faster DOS disk. Most of the programs reviewed here improve LOAD/BLOAD (RUN/BRUN) times only with no effect on SAVE/BSAVE or text file operations. Other capabilities may be included such as fast booting, disk free space, or date stamping of files. Each program will be briefly discussed and its features covered. The reviewers have not tried to anticipate every application, so when considering one of the DOS enhancer programs for your own use keep in mind that it is possible that the enhanced DOS may not work with your programs or in your application. For example, if DOS is placed into a RAM card, the PIE WRITER (or Apple PIE) word processor will not function cor- rectly, or if you move an enhanced DOS into a RAM card, you may find that your Apple hangs since some vectors may be changed. Programs which directly access DOS routines may not find these routines in an enhanced DOS so the program will “bomb.” If you attempt to enhance a modified DOS, you may find that things don’t work as expected. However, in many applications, using an enhanced DOS will improve disk access times dramatically and increase your Apple's efficiency. Hyper-DOS by John Bridges Softkey Publishing (Hardcore Computing) P.O. Box 44549 Tacoma, WA 98444 206-581-6038 Machine Language 48K, FP (see text) DOS 3.3 Unlocked Rating: B— Reviewed by Monty Lee HyperDOS is distributed by Softkey Publishing, who also publish the HARDCORE magazine. The HyperDOS listing was included in Vol. 1 Issue 3 to all HARDCORE subscribers. For those who do not subscribe to HARDCORE, HyperDOS is available from Softkey directly. According to Softkey, the only difference between the two products is that the $19.95 HyperDOS will work with Integer BASIC files also, and the magazine one will not. The program itself occupies 256 bytes starting at $9C00 in DOS. Since this is just below the normal DOS buffers, HyperDOS rewrites 18 the buffer start so as to protect HyperDOS from being overwritten. The author indicates that the routine can be placed so that it occu- pies the space now taken by the INIT function, but this is left to the individual to accomplish. The source code is provided for those who have the magazine. The documentation with the magazine version is only one col- umn. Softkey indicates the documentation for the retail version will not be significantly different. Since the program is user transparent, just LOAD/RUN, and BLOAD/BRUN as before, the necessity for more extensive documentation is not needed. HyperDOS only enhances the loading of either BASIC programs or binary programs. It does not affect text files or SAVEing of pro- grams. The advertisements claim that HyperDOS is 500% faster. A look at the chart will indicate that this is not the case. Even the figures in the Softkey ad do not support this claim. Finally, in some cases where the binary program loads exactly below DOS that nor- mally starts at $9D00, HyperDOS will be overwritten and your DOS in memory will crash. HARDCORE indicated that they will be publishing a version that locates HyperDO$ within the INIT code area to bypass this problem. Overall, HyperDOS works without problem. It does not have the problem of loading in more than just the program that some others have. For HARDCORE, subscribers, the price is nice — FREE. For others, whether you think you can use it will depend upon your needs. If you just want to speed up program LOAD/RUN times with out any other DOS enhancements, than this may fit your needs.1 Peelings II TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPECIAL OFFER (See Cards Below — Offer Expires 1 April 1983) Use this Toll-Free Number For MasterCard and Visa Orders 1-800-345-8112 1-800-662-2444 (Pennsylvania only, Peelings(|| SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE EVALUATION Please [] Enter my subscription to PEELINGS II SUBSCRIPTION CARD (SPECIAL OFFER EXPIRES 1 APRIL 1983) OO Renew 1 Year (9 issues) 2 Years (18 issues) Olusa - $24-007$ 18.95 C $38.00 Cl Domestic Ist Class; Canada; .... ..-$36:00-3 33-95 0 $68.00 Mexico; APO; FPO Cl South America; --$48:00° $45.95 D $92.00 Cl All Other... .SEHOT $54.95 © $110.00 SAMPLE COPY [] USA $4.00 (] ELSEWHERE $8.00 NAME DEALER INQUIRIES COMPANY INVITED ADDRESS city oe STATE ZIP COUNTRY —— — — Chargemy [I] VISA [1 MasterCard _ Signature Card * ___ Expires Payment must accompany order and must be made in US funds and drawn on US bank — make checks payable to PEELINGS II, INC Peelings ||| ‘AND HARDWARE EVALUATION Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. SUBSCRIPTION CARD (SPECIAL OFFER EXPIRES 1 APRIL 1983) Please [] Enter my subscription to PEELINGS II UO Renew 1 Year (9 issues) 2 Years (18 issues) Ousa + $24-00-$ 18.95 CO $38.00 CO Domestic Ist Class; Canada; . - $3600 $ 33-95 C2 $68.00 Mexico; APO; FPO i OO South America; Europe . » S48.00- $45.95 O $92.00 O All Other = SEHOC $ 54.95 0 $110.00 SAMPLE COPY [] USA $4.00 [] ELSEWHERE $8.00 NAME DEALER INQUIRIES COMPANY _— - — — INVITED ADDRESS a oe CITY STATE ZIP = COUNTRY Chargemy CIVISA [1] MasterCard _ Signature. Card # Expires Payment must accompany order and must be made in US funds and drawn on US bank — make checks payable to PEELINGS II, INC. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc, woid reload of the language card. Diversi:DOS ne area for the patch is modified or not. d enhancements, Diversi-DOS was one of the ilso improves file SAVE times, but does so at the FY function performed by normal DOS. Thus if : a successful SAVE you must re-install the this will slow down the SAVE times. he only program to improve text file access. eading/writing is significantly improved as indi- zlow. Additionally, Diversi-DOS will work with wove the reading/writing of both TEXT and deed improvement with the BINARY files is real- rmore, Diversi-DOS provides a routine that will cess file reading/writing through the use of a iis feature revealed generally a 20 second im- y random access files regardless of file size (if ords) and a 30% speed improvement in READ- es regardless of size. This test was done on files cords to 1000 (20 to 110 sectors). *** The IAC distributed version of Diversi- as a bug in it that will NOT correctly READ then text files. Users must send in $5 for the update 25 license fee). were not enough, Diversi-DOS also includes a buffer using the RAM card. These features are are instead, a separate binary file that you must assumes a 16K card in slot #0 and a parallel L. If you do not have this standard arrangement, ‘ided to make the necessary modifications. ffer will allow you to type while the computer is e reading the disk. As the instructions point out, one entirely in software, some programs will not rogram reads the keyboard strobe (uses PEEKs GET) it will not work. There are other instances <. For example, if you LIST a program, you can sting with CTRL S or stop it with CTRL C since ‘eyboard strobe for these features. ris installed at the same time as the keyboard the printer (when PR#1 is used) is routed to the ing and then to the printer card. Unfortunately, les the features on the printer card, so your out- at you expected. Generally, I found the buffer ieyboard and printer not worth the problems. A t work with the keyboard buffer, and there’s no n and off. The output from the printer buffer is way it would be without using the buffer. rsi-DOS provides a lot of nice features. A more of the changes and better documentation (and a ) would significantly improve this product even ind that many programs that work with normal Diversi-DOS. The improvement in speed for all mands, from SAVE to READ, make Diversi- kage. One major drawback to Diversi-DOS is aessages have been replaced by DOS ERROR have to look up the code for XX to see what er- 19 DOS ENHANC One of the complaints about the A Operating System (DOS) is that it is too drive was first introduced, it was a trem: over cassette reading and writing. But wit computer systems available today, Apple son, indeed too slow. However, some e made to DOS to speed up certain opera most of these enhancements were rec cause suddenly DOS speed up program over. We will look at six (one is a prelit this issue and will review more in future In evaluating these DOS enhancers ty used. The first is speed of operation, ai ease of use of the program to create a fa of the programs reviewed here impr (RUN/BRUN) times only with no effect « Hyper-DOS by John Bridges Softkey Publishing (Hardcore Computing) P.O. Box 44549 Tacoma, WA 98444 206-581-6038 Machine Language 48K, FP (see text) DOS 3.3 Unlocked Rating: B— Reviewed by Monty Lee HyperDOS is distributed by Softkey Publist the HARDCORE magazine. The HyperDOS li Vol. 1 Issue 3 to all HARDCORE subscribers. | subscribe to HARDCORE, HyperDOS is av directly. According to Softkey, the only differe products is that the $19.95 HyperDOS will wor files also, and the magazine one will not. The program itself occupies 256 bytes starti Since this is just below the normal DOS buffers 18 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPECIAL OFFER (See Cards Below — Offer Expires 1 April 1983) Use this Toll-Free Number For MasterCard and Visa Orders 1-800-345-8112 1-800-662-2444 (Pennsylvania only) BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST CLASS PERMIT NO. 385 LAS CRUCES, N.M POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE Peelings ||| ‘THE Soo) i can are ter 2260 Oleander Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001 BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST CLASS PERMIT NO. 385 LAS CRUCES, N.M POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE Reelings(|| ea ear rie coco 2260 Oleander Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001 NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES Diversi-DOS Bill Basham Diversified Software Research, Inc. 5848 Crampton Ct. Rockford, IL 61111 815-877-1343 $30.00 Applesoft BASIC and Mach. Lang. 48K, FP, optional RAM card DOS 3.3 Unlocked Rating: A — Reviewed by Monty Lee Diversi-DOS was distributed by one of the most unique methods to date. It was mailed free to all International Apple Core clubs for them to distribute to their members. Even booting the disk gives you a page telling you to feel free to copy the disk and give to your friends. The catch is that if you decide you like Diversi-DOS and want to in- corporate it on all your disks you must send the company $30 (in- creased from the original $25). Until then, you must display the “re- quest for payment message” on all disks. Once registered you will re- ceive a patch to remove this screen display. Diversi-DOS does significantly increase the speed of DOS. Diversi-DOS also improves SAVEs and text file access — something that many of the other enhancers do not. The instructions provided with Diversi-DOS are all on the disk. You can print these out either to the screen or to your printer. Unfortunately, the print out is only 40 column so to print out the entire set will take about 20 pages. Furthermore, the instruction. set resides in memory, and not a text file, thus you cannot load it into a word processor to print out. It would have been better for Diversified Software to provide the in- struction set suitable for an 80 column printout in a text file. The instructions are fairly complete, but lack enough detail. To successfully use all the features of Diversi-DOS will take some experi- mentation and rereading the documentation. One nice feature is that information is provided for advanced programmers on how to change some of the features of Diversi-DOS. Some of these features include adding different printer cards, handling interrupts, RESET hooking, and POKEs so that a data disk can be INITialized with no DOS on it. This information is very valuable. One thing lacking in the documentation is a more detailed ex- planation of what areas of DOS were changed. I’m not asking for the source code of the changes, just the areas. For those who have worked with DOS and made many changes to it, a significantly modified DOS like Diversi-DOS will usually overwrite your many changes. | think it is up to the company to provide some information on unused areas for user patching, commands not affected, and loca- tions of DOS not modified. This makes it considerably easier for the user to insert his own patches. For example, a common patch to nor- Volume 4, Number 1, 1983 mal DOS is one to avoid reload of the language card. Diversi-DOS does not tell you if the area for the patch is modified or not. As for the speed enhancements, Diversi-DOS was one of the fastest we tested. It also improves file SAVE times, but does so at the expense of the VERIFY function performed by normal DOS. Thus if you want to insure a successful SAVE you must re-install the VERIFY feature and this will slow down the SAVE times. Diversi-DOS is the only program to improve text file access. Sequential text file reading/writing is significantly improved as indi- cated in the chart below. Additionally, Diversi-DOS will work with Pie Writer and improve the reading/writing of both TEXT and BINARY files. The speed improvement with the BINARY files is real- ly noticeable. Furthermore, Diversi-DOS provides a routine that will improve random access file reading/writing through the use of a CALL. Testing of this feature revealed generally a 20 second im- provement in writing random access files regardless of file size (if greater than 100 records) and a 30% speed improvement in READ- ing random access files regardless of size. This test was done on files ranging from 100 records to 1000 (20 to 110 sectors). *** WARNING *** The IAC distributed version of Diversi- DOS, version 1-A, has a bug in it that will NOT correctly READ then WRITE or APPEND text files. Users must send in $5 for the update (in addition to the $25 license fee). As if the above were not enough, Diversi-DOS also includes a keyboard and print buffer using the RAM card. These features are not part of DOS, but are instead, a separate binary file that you must BRUN. The buffer assumes a 16K card in slot #0 and a parallel printer card in slot #1. If you do not have this standard arrangement, instructions are provided to make the necessary modifications. The keyboard buffer will allow you to type while the computer is doing other things like reading the disk. As the instructions point out, since this feature is done entirely in software, some programs will not be compatible. If a program reads the keyboard strobe (uses PEEKs instead of INPUT or GET) it will not work. There are other instances where it will not work. For example, if you LIST a program, you can no longer scroll the listing with CTRL S or stop it with CTRL C since the Apple uses the keyboard strobe for these features. The printer buffer is installed at the same time as the keyboard buffer. All output to the printer (when PR#1 is used) is routed to the RAM card for buffering and then to the printer card. Unfortunately, the print buffer disables the features on the printer card, so your out- put may not be what you expected. Generally, I found the buffer feature for both the keyboard and printer not worth the problems. A lot of programs won't work with the keyboard buffer, and there's no easy way to tur it on and off. The output from the printer buffer is rarely formatted the way it would be without using the buffer. In summary, Diversi-DOS provides a lot of nice features. A more detailed explanation of the changes and better documentation (and a better way to print it) would significantly improve this product even more. Generally I found that many programs that work with normal DOS will work with Diversi-DOS. The improvement in speed for all of the disk access commands, from SAVE to READ, make Diversi- DOS a complete package. 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