BYTE Vol 09-07 1984-07 Computers and Video

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Announcing a small im

It'sl2"xll'A"x2iA" It weighs less than 8 pounds* And costs less than $1,300.** Yet with 128K, the new Apple1"' lie Personal Computer is a lot bigger than it looks.

The Ik has a foil-size fe) 'board.

Because it's inherited all the talents of the eminently talented Apple lie:

The versatility to run over 10,000 different software programs.

The ironclad reliability of the first true VLSI motherboard.

And the artistic ability of 16 high-resolution colors.

The lie also has some talents of its very own

For instance, a

switchable 80/40

character display.

_ . , \, ' l hm. tsn t ar Even u Switchable MM

QWERTY/Dvorak keyboard

A built-in half-high 143K singlesided disk drive.

Built-in serial ports for modems, printers and an extra half-high drive.

Even built-in mousetronics so it's read\T to use a mouse and all the new Apple II mouseware.

And our newest brainchild is certainly not an orphan.

You can grow it with a whole family of Apple II accessories and peripherals.

'ilhitshiiill-iii

■

tovement on the Apple lie

Including the new Apple Scribe—Apple's first dill-color print-on-anything printer for under $300, it can handle anything from business graphics to term papers.

The lie's father, of course, is the granddaddy of the whole personal computer industry, the Apple He. Which, lest we forget, has quite a few improvements of its own this year.

The He can now use our ProFile™ hard disk—so it can store about 2400

pages of anything you 'd like to remember.

And the Apple He is still the most expandable personal computer there is.

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Built-in portsfor making all the right connections You can increase its RAM to an elephantine 512K. Add a Z-80 card to ran CP/M™

In fact, you can grow it with enough cards and peripherals to run just about any family business. Like Saudi Arabia.

So you see, the only question is whether you need an expandable Apple II. As in He.

Or a compact Apple II. As in lie.

Just visit your friendly authorized Apple dealer.

And tell them what size improvement you'd like.

'Dtm'itisierisksnutkeywsusfftCknti Tlxpxivrpaci, monitor, an extra disk drire. aprinterand'several'bricks itill

maketheIk weighmore. Ourhvtye^tveremneeriiedtbatyou might vol be abktojiguretbtotieoMJarjow^

toucan par mum ifvou really want to. Or less, © 1984 Apple Computer Inc. Ajple, the Apple top and Profile are trademarks ofAfflile Computer. Inc. CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research Inc. for an authorized Apple dealer nearest you, call (800)538-9696. In Canada, call (800) 268-7796 or (800) 268-7637.

VOLUME 9. NUMBER 7. 1984

CONTENTS

125

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FEATURES

Introduction 119

Symphony: A Full-Orchestra Version of Lotus 1-2-3

by Rik jadrnicek 121

Word processing and communications add to the power of this integrated program.

Ciarcias Circuit Cellar: A Musical Telephone Bell

by Steve Garcia 125

Steve's latest project can help you personalize the sound of your telephone and. in the process, learn about the telephone system.

The West Coast Faike by )erry Poumelle 136

The lord of the manor visits his favorite computer show.

An Ada Language Primer. Part 2: Tool Building in Ada

by Sablna H. Saib 139

The primer concludes with an exploration of more advanced programming techniques and a look at lanus Ada for microcomputers.

Kermit A File-Transfer Protocol for Universities, Part 2: States and Transitions, Heuristic Rules, and Examples

by Frank da Cruz and Bill Catchings 143

This method works on both microcomputers and mainframes.

THEME: VIDEO

Introduction 149

Electronic Encyclopedias by Peter R. Cook 151

Interactive video technologies help explore "the realm of worthwhile knowledge."

Televisions as Monitors by Ken Coach 171

There's a new generation of TV receivers that double as computer displays.

Computer Control of a Video Recorder by Cy Tymony. . 179 You can extend the capabilities of your VCR with any sound-generating computer.

Videodiscs and Computers by Stan \arvis 187

Hardware, formats, and interfacing are discussed.

Controlling Videodiscs with Micros

by Rod Daynes and Steve Holder 207

Tips on getting started and a generic BASIC program for the Sony SMC-70 are presented.

REVIEWS

Reviewers Notebook 233

The Sage II and Sage IV Computers by Allen Munro. . . .235

Driven by the 32-/16-bit MC68000 chip, the Sage computers display the power of the p-System.

The Compaq Plus by Mark Dahmke 247

A key feature of this transportable computer is its shock-mounted, 10-megabyte fixed disk.

Xenix for the IBM PC XT

by Steven H. Barry and Randall jacobson 255

Sritek offers a 68000-based multiuser system.

Turbo Pascal by Tom Wadlow 267

Borland International's new Pascal compiler is available in CP/M and PC-DOS versions.

Lisp for the Ibm Personal Computer

by \ordan Bortz and ]ohn Diamant 281

Integral Quality's IQLISP is compared with muLISP from The Soft Warehouse.

The Smith-Corona L-1000 Printer

by Richard S. Shuford 293

This daisy-wheel unit is appropriate for light-duty word processing or high-quality program listings.

Review Feedback 301

Readers react to previous reviews.

KERNEL

Introduction 303

Computing at Chaos Manor: The AT&T Computers

by ]erry Poumelle 305

The good doctor applauds the 3B2/300 and goes on to critique a plethora of products.

Chaos Manor Mail 328

lerry's readers write, and he replies.

BYTE West Coast Trends in Telecommunications

by ]ohn Markoff 341

On-line search software and faster modems help personal computer users access specialized information on large databases.

BYTE Japan: Start-Up by William Raike 361

BYTE's Tokyo correspondent reports on Seiko's wrist computer, the Akihabara district, and other news from across the Pacific.

Mathematical Recreations: Invariance

by Michael W. Ecker 365

Several number tricks are based on this principle.

EDITORIAL: PATRONIZING THE NAIVE USER 6

MICROBYTES 9

Letters 14

Update 33

What s New 44, 410

Ask BYTE 54

Clubs and Newsletters 69

Book Reviews 73

Event Queue 94

BYTE's Bugs 112

BYTE's Bits 114

Books Received 406

Unclassified Ads 461

BYTE's Ongoing Monitor Box, BOMB Results 462

Reader Service 463

Circle 223 on inquiry card.

MicroTime

IBM® CO If PA T/ffl £

N

£

£

ZENITH

DESKTOP PC-150 PORTABLE PC-160

V C 0N-5ITE

SERVICE

SET-UP ASSISTANCE

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COLUMBIA BENCHnfiRK fltlDEK ZEHITH HAVES HOUSTON INSTRUMENTS OKI GEMINI NEC TTX ORTRSOUTH BROTHER SILLIER REEO BTC

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SUPPORT

SYSTEM INTEGRATION SOFTUJRRE SUPPORT SET-UP ASSISTANCE MODEM TEST LINE

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ADD-ONS

KOALA OAANGE TITAN QUADAAM TECMAA

1800-642*7684

"PEIl SATURDAY

411 Was! Grant Road Tucson, Arizona 85705

4 BYTE- JULY I984

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PUBLISHER

Philip Lemmons gene W. Simpson

MANAGING EDITOR ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Gene Smarte |OHN e Hayes

CONSULTING EDITORS PUBLISHER'S ASSISTANT

Steve Ciarcia Dor1s r gamble

ierry pournelle

SENIOR TECHNICAL EDITORS ADVERTISING SALES

Richard Malloy. Reviws , Peter Huestis. Sale, Manager

G. Michael Vose. t-eaiures Sandra Foster. AumimslruliK mum

Gregg Williams advertising

technical editors _ _ _ .

Thomas R. Clune Deborah Porter. Sup.rv.sor

GLENN HARTWIG MARION CARLSON

RICHARD KRAIEWSKl |EA™E ClLLEY

Arthur A. Little Cathy a r Drew

Bruce Roberts Rob "innings

Ken Sheldon Ieanna Reenstierna

Richard S. Shuford - L,SA Wo^mak

Iane Morrill Tazelaar Wai Chiu u 0ualitu Co"lrol Manager

Stanley Wszola Linda I, Sweeney. Adveriisinu/Praiuciion Coordinator

Margaret Cook Gurney. Associate 'ULIE Nelson

Alan Easton. Drafting

WEST COAST EDITORS CIRCULATION

Ezra Shapiro. Bureau Cfiief Sun Fraraisco Gregory Spitzfaden. Director

Iohn Markoff. Senior technical Editor. Pato Alio Andrew Jackson, Subscriptions Manager

Donna Osgood, Associule Editor. Sun Francisco Barbara Varnum. AssisiunI Manager

managing editor, user news phil dechert

George Bond Mary Emerson

user news editors louise menegus

Anthony I. Lockwood. Wnuis Nw Agnes E. Perry

Mark Welch. Microbytes Jennifer Price

Jane Varnum

contributing editors James Bingham. Single-Copt) Sules Manager

Dennis Allison, ul large Linda Turner. AssisiunI Munuser

Mark Dahmke, video, operating systems Carol Aho

Michael Ecker. mathematical recreations Claudette Carswell

Rik Iadrnicek. CAD. uraunics. spreadsheets Edson Ware Mark Klein, communications

William Raike. \apan Horace T Howland. Director

Perry Sa.dman. computers and law °OUC Webster" D"T o/ Publ,c ftdalmB

Robert Sterne, computers and law VlCKI Re™ol^ M^ting Associate

Bruce Webster, software Nancy Giaca">^ Assistant

Richard Willis, al large Stephanie Warnesky. Graphic Arts Supervisor

', Sharon Price. Graphic Arts Designer

copy editors Michele P. Verville, Research Manager

Elizabeth R. Cooper, Chief Patricia Akerley, Market Research Analyst

Dennis Barker Cynthia Damato. Reader Service Coordinator

Anne L. Fischer

Nancy Hayes accounting

Paula Noonan Daniel Rodrigues. Business Manager/Controller

Joan V. Roy Kenneth A. Kinc, Assistant Controller

Bud Sadler Mary E. Fluhr. Accounting & D/P Manager

Warren Williamson Karen Burgess

Patricia Burke

assistants Lyda Clark

Peggy Dunham Diane Henry

Martha Hicks Vern Rockwell

Faith Kluntz Linda Short

Beverly Iackson JoAnn Walter

Lisa jo Steiner Vicki Weston

art director traffic

Rosslyn A. Frick n. Scott Gagnon. Manager

Anthony Bennett

production Brian Higgins

David R. Anderson, Associate Director

Virginia Reardon. Production Manager receptionists Michael J, lonsky l. Ryan McCombs

Ian Muller jUL|E ferry

Sherry McCarthy, Chief Typographer

Nan Fornal personneuoffice manager

Len lorette Cheryl A. Hurd

Valerie Rage Donna Sweeney

Editorial and Business Office: 70 Main Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire 034 58, |603) 924-9281

West Coast Offices: McGraw-Hill. 425 Battery St.. San Francisco. CA 94111. (415) 362-4600 McGraw-Hill. 1000 Elwell Court, Palo Alto, CA 94303, [415] 964-0624.

mm , u Officers of McGraw-Hill Publications Company: President: |ohn G Wrede. Executive Vice Presidents Paul F McPherson Operations: Walter D Serwaika. Finance & Services Senior Vice President-Editorial: Ralph R. Schulz. Senior Vice President Publishers: Harry L. Brown. David

I fll I ' McGraln' ,ames R Pierce- Gene w Simpson, John E. Slater. Vice President Publishers: Charlton H. Calhoun III. Richard H. Larsen. Iohn W

■ ■ 111 ■ patten vice Presidents: Kemp Anderson. Business Systems Development: Shel F. Asen. Manufacturing: Iohn A Bunyan. Electronic Information

Services: George R Etsinger. Circulation: Michael K. Hehir. Controller: Eric B. Herr, Planning and Development: H. Iohn Sweger. Ir.. Marketing. Virginia

L Williamson. Business Development Officers of the Corporation: Harold W McGraw, Jr.. Chairman, loseph L. Dionne. President and Chief Executive Officer: Robert N. Landes, Senior Vice

President and Secretary: Ralph |. Webb, Treasurer BYTE is published monthly by McGraw-Hill Inc Founder lames H McGraw ) 1860-1948) Executive, editorial, circulation, and advertising offices. 70 Main St., Peterborough. NH 034 58, phone 1603) 924-9281 Office hours: Mon-Thur 8:30 AM — 4 30 PM, Friday 8:30 AM - 100 PM. Eastern Time. Address subscriptions to BYTE Subscriptions, POB 590. Martinsville. NJ 08836 Postmaster: send address changes. USPS Form 3579, undefiverable copies, and fulfillment questions to BYTE Subscriptions. POB 596. Martinsville. Nl 08836. Second-class postage paid at Peterborough. NH 03458 and additional mailing offices. USPS Publication No. 528890 (ISSN 0360-5280). Postage paid at Winnipeg. Manitoba. Registration number 9321. Subscriptions are S21 for one year. S38 for two years, and S55 for three years in the USA and its possessions. In Canada and Mexico, 523 for one year. S42 for two years. S61 for three years S69 for one year air delivery to Europe 17,100 yen for one year surface delivery to lapan S37 surface delivery elsewhere Air delivery to selected areas at additional rates upon request Single copy price is S3 50 in the USA and its possessions. $4.25 in Canada and Mexico. S4.50 in Europe, and 55 elsewhere. Foreign subscriptions and sales should be remitted in United States funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery of first issue Printed in the United Slates of America

Address all editorial correspondence to the Editor. BYTE, POB 372, Hancock. NH 03449. Unacceptable manuscripts will be returned if accompanied by sufficient first-class postage Not responsible for lost manuscripts or photos. Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of BYTE.

Copyright © 1984 by McGraw-Hill Inc. All rights reserved. Trademark registered in the United Slates Patent and Trademark Office. Where necessary, permission is granted by the copyright owner for libraries and others registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) to photocopy any article herein for the flat fee of $1 50 per copy of the article or any part thereof. Correspondence and payment should be sent directly to the CCC. 29 Congress St.. Salem. MA 01970 Specify ISSN 0360-5280/83 SI.50. Copying done for other than personal or internal reference use without the permission of McGraw-Hill Inc is prohibited. Requests for special permission or bulk orders should be addressed to the publisher BYTE is available in microform from University Microfilms International. 300 North Zeeb Rd.. Dept. PR. Ann Arbor. Ml 48106 or 18 Bedford Row. Dept. PR. London WCIR 4EJ England

Subscription questions or problems should be addressed to: BYTE Subscriber Service. POB 328, Hancock, NH 03449

68000-based systems.

Just tell us what wu

68000-based systems to fk your

'.It] Hum', l til] I

Right from the pages of our catalog, we can deliver 68000-based supermicro systems to match virtually any application.

Including yours.

Here's how.

Built on the IEEE-696 (S-100) bus, Cromemco systems offer up to 21 board slots. And a family of 35 boards — CPU, memory and specialized I/O—to fill the slots any way you choose.

At the heart of each system is our 68000/Z-80 dual processor. Backed by as much as 16 Mb of error-correcting RAM. Full multi-tasking capability. I/O to handle up to 16 terminals.

And that's just the beginning. You can select single or dual floppies, 514" or 8." A 21 Mb Winchester hard disk. And a ninetrack tape drive.

We can accommodate your taste for the exotic, too. With boards like our SMD interface that supports up to 1200 Mb of disk storage. An NTSC standard color graphics interface. A TV camera digitizer. A/D and D/A converters. An IEEE-488 bus interface. Communications. And more.

kv ft 1 frfji

Then, if you're designing a distributed processing system, you'll want to take a look at our C-10 personal computer. The Z-80-based C-10 can serve our 68000-based systems

as a powerful intelligent workstation in a distributed processing mode. Or as an independent personal computer with its own floppy storage.

That brings us to software. It starts with CROMIX? our UNIX™-like operating system that you're free to tailor to your application.

CROMIX can execute both 68000- and Z-80-based programs. So right along with your 68000-based packages, your system will accommodate a wide selection of CP/M*software written for the Z-80.

And our high-level language support is second to none. From a 68000 Macro Assembler. To 68000 FORTRAN 77, PASCAL, GSA-certified high-level COBOL, C and BASIC.

You see, when we say, "Just tell us what you need" we're not kidding.

You won't find another family of 68000-based microcomputers that can fit your needs as exactly as ours.

So if you're in the business of providing specialized computing solutions, you really should be doing business with Cromemco.

For a copy of our Systems Catalog, contact: Cromemco, Inc., 280 Bernardo Avenue, P.O. Box 7400, Mountain View, CA 94039. (415) 964-7400.

In Europe: Cromemco/GmbH, 6236 Eschborne 1, Frankfurter Str. 33-35, P.O. 5267, Frankfurt Main, Germany or Cromemco Ltd., The CambridgeHouse,

178-182 Upper Richmond Rd., Putney, London SW15 England.

Cromemcd

* Cromemco and CROMIX are registered trademarks of Cromemco, Inc. ™ UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories. *CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research. ©1983, Cromemco, Inc.

Circle 93 on inquiry card.

EDITORIAL

Patronizing the Naive User

There is a lot of talk now about the naive user, what the naive user doesn't want, and the hazards from which the naive user must be protected. Unfortunately, some of the steps that computer companies take on behalf of the naive user show a misunderstanding of what "naive" means in this context.

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, MA: G.&C. Merriam Company, 1981) defines "naive" as follows: "1:

marked by unaffected simplicity: ARTLESS, INGENUOUS 2a: deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment; esp: CREDULOUS b: not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation."

First-time users of computers are naive only in the last sense—they haven't been "subjected to" computers before. Yet many companies treat these new users as if they are simple-minded and deficient in judgment. In effect, such companies produce products that condescend to the people who buy them.

Apple's Macintosh is the best example of such a product. Macintosh will be nothing less than wonderful when it has two drives and more memory. It is without doubt the friendliest of today's computers. But it would be more friendly if it were less condescending.

Consider Macintosh's Reset button. Calling it a "programmer's switch" and hiding it inside the machine suggests that the naive user lacks sense enough to restart an appliance when all else fails. A recessed Reset button would have done the job nicely.

Macintosh's disk drive is more approachable than the Reset switch but is equally patronizing. Although the user can insert a disk whenever the drive is empty, the story changes once the disk is inside. The computer forces users— for their own good, of course—to pass a three-stage qualifying examination before the machine permits removal of a disk. First a user must select the icon of the disk, then select the File menu, and then select Eject. Only then does Macintosh consider returning the disk. The ensuing 10-second delay makes the user a humble petitioner before a mysterious and powerful computer. The whole process is especially annoying when the user has made the very human error of inserting the wrong disk in the first place.

Macintosh doesn't trust its users with a programming language, either. The absence of a built-in language gives users no means to attempt more direct control of the computer. Rather than inviting naive users to explore, this makes them think hard about paying extra to try something Apple Computer apparently believes they can't handle.

It's strange, in a way, to criticize Apple for going too far in the cause of friendliness. Most companies don't go far enough. This is a gentle reminder that truly friendly computers, like friendly humans, give their human friends credit for some intelligence.

—Phil hemmons, Editor in Chief

Writing For BYTE

BYTE continues to solicit and publish articles and reviews that keep you informed about what's new and important in microprocessor-based technology, and many of our articles are still written by you, the people directly involved with the field we report on. Details on querying us about article, productreview, and book-review ideas are listed below. We also welcome submissions (typed and double-spaced, please) to our Letters to the Editor column. Please contact us, via the appropriate department at: BYTE

POB 372 Hancock, NH 03449

16031 924-9281

You may also want to call or write us (send a stamped, self-addressed business envelope! for our current author guidelines.

Articles

Because our editorial needs are very specific and subject to change, we prefer receiving query letters instead of completed articles. A query letter should contain one or two pages explaining the subject to be covered, its importance to the BYTE reader, and the focus of the proposed article: it should also contain a one- or two-page outline and a tentative first two pages of the proposed article. Query letters should be addressed to the features editor.

If you send us a completed article, we need double-spaced printed versions of the main text (up to 2 5 numbered pages) and all listings, figures, and tables: please label all items and place all captions on a separate page. Photos should be 3 5 mm (or larger) transparencies or 5- by 7-inch (or larger) prints. If possible, we would also like to receive magnetic copies of the text, listings, and tables on Apple DOS. IBM PC. Kaypro, or 8-inch CP/M disks: we will pay an additional S20 for this. The files should be standard ASCII text files and should not contain any nonprintable characters: we prefer files that use carriage returns only at the end of each paragraph. You should also include a stamped, selfaddressed return envelope of the appropriate size. Address these to the features editor.

Product Reviews

We frequently need good product reviewers and sometimes accept unsolicited reviews. BYTE product reviews must be fair, accurate, and comprehensive. Reviewers must have considerable experience in the microcomputer field. Writing experience is preferred but not required, and reviewers must have no financial connection to the company whose products are being reviewed. If you are interested in becoming a BYTE reviewer, send a letter to our product-review editor stating what computer products you own. what products you are interested in, and what writing experience you have.

BOOK REVIEWS

BYTE is always looking for qualified book reviewers. Submit queries and proposals accompanied by a resume, writing samples, or a list of computer-related interests and expertise to the book-review editor. Unsolicited book reviews also will be considered.

We pay competitive rates for articles and reviews and offer you the chance to share your expertise with hundreds of thousands of BYTE readers. Your comments and submissions are always welcome.

6 BYTE- )ULY 1984

Wordstar Wordprocessing and SuperCak 3 Integrated Spreadsheet now included Free with all Seequa computers.

SEEQUA SHOWS YOU HOW TO GET Alii IBM PC FOR JUST 81095.

BUY A CHAMELEON BY SEEQUA.

The Chameleon by Seequa does everything an IBM PC does. For about $2000 less than an IBM.

The Chameleon lets you run popular IBM software like Lotus® 1-2-3™ and dBase II.® It has a full 83 key keyboard just like an IBM. A disk drive like the IBM. And a bright 80 X 25 character screen just like an IBM.

But it's not just the Chameleon's similarities to the IBM that should interest you. Its advantages should, too. The Chameleon also has

The Chameleon by

SEEQUA

an 8 bit microprocessor that lets you run any of the thousands of CP/M-80® programs available. It comes complete with two of the best programs around, Perfect Writer™ and Perfect Calc.™ It's portable. And you can plug it in and start computing the moment you unwrap it.

So if you've been interested in an IBM personal computer, now you know where you can get one for $1995. Wherever they sell Chameleons.

COMPUTER

CORPORATION

8305 Telegraph Road Odenton, MD 21113

Chameleon shown with optional second disk drive.

To learn more alxiut Seequa or for line location of the Seequa dealer

nearest you. call (800) 638-6066 or(301) 672-3600.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

Circle 276 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 -BYTE

Circuit-Board-Design Without the Tedium

smARTWORK™ lets the design engineer create and revise printed-circuit-board artwork on the IBM Personal Computer.

Forget tape. Forget ruling. Forget waiting for a technician, draftsman, or the CAD department to get to your project. smARTWORK™ software turns your IBM Personal Computer into a professional, high-quality drafting tool. It gives you complete control over your circuit-board artwork —from start to finish.

smARTWORK™ transforms your IBM PC into a CAD system for printed-circuit-board artwork. Display modes include both sin gle-layer black and white and dual-layer color.

What makes smARTWORK™ so smart is that it understands electrical connections. Conductor spacing is always correct, lines don't become too narrow, and connecting lines do not intersect other conductors. smARTWORK™ can automatically find and draw the shortest route between two conductors. Or you can specify the route.

smARTWORK™ is the only lowcost printed-circuit-board artwork editor with all these important advantages:

□ Complete interactive control over placement and routing

□ Quick correction and revision

□ Production-quality 2X artwork from pen-and-ink plotter

□ Prototype-quality 2X artwork from dot-matrix printer

□ Easy to learn and operate, yet capable of sophisticated layouts

□ Single-sided and doublesided printed-circuit boards . up to 10 x 16 inches

□ Multicolor or black-andwhite display

□ 32 user selectable color combinations; coincident

points can be displayed t in contrasting colors.

Can use optional Microsoft Mouse as pointing device

Wf

Twice scale hardcopy of your artwork is produced using the Epson dot-matrix printers or the Houston Instrument DMP-41 penand-ink plotter. Quick 1X check plot is also available from Epson printers.

Dual-layer color display of a 2" by 4" section of a 10" by 16" circuit board

The Smart Buy

At $895, smARTWORK™ is an exceptional value, particularly when compared to conventional engineering workstation costs.

Call or write us for more information on smARTWORK™ We'll be glad to tell you how smARTWORK™ helps us design our own circuit boards and what it can do for your business.

Send a purchase order, or major credit card number, and smARTWORK™ can be working for you next week.

System Requirements

□ IBM PC or XT with 192K RAM, 2 disk drives and DOS Version 2.0

□ IBM Color/Graphics Adapter with RGB color or b&w monitor

□ Epson MX-80/MX-100 or FX-80/ FX-100 dot-matrix printer

□ Houston Instrument DMP-41 pen-and-ink plotter (optional)

□ Microsoft Mouse (optional)

"smARTWORK" and "Wintek" are trademarks of Wintek Corporation.

WINTEK CORPORATION, 1801 South St., Lafayette, IN 47904-2993, Phone: (317) 742-8428, Telex: 70-9079 (WINTEK CORP UD)

8 BYTE* JULY 1984 Circle 329 on inquiry card.

MICROBYTES

Staff-written highlights of late developments in the microcomputer industry.

COMDEX: Morrow Unveils Battery Portable

At the recent COMDEX trade show in Atlanta, Morrow introduced the Pivot, a 9-pound IBM-compatible portable computer with a built-in one-third-height 5 '/4-inch disk drive and room for a second. The $2500 base configuration also includes a 16-line LCD, 128K bytes of RAM (expandable to 512K), a 300-bps modem, and batteries that last for 5 hours. The computer will not fit in a briefcase and stands upright rather than flat; the keyboard flips down. Morrow says it will offer a 2 5-line LCD early next year.

COMDEX: Laser and Color Printers Get Attention

Hewlett-Packard's $3500 LaserJet, based on Canon's 300-dot-per-inch LBP-CX laser printer, wasn't the only Canon at COMDEX. Quality Micro Systems showed a $9995 version that can print graphics by emulating Tektronix graphics drivers.

Earlier, Personal Computer Products Inc., San Diego, CA, announced a laser-printer controller for the Canon printer; a laser printer with the controller could retail for about $3500. Apple is also expected to announce a laser printer based on the Canon.

Several color-graphics printers were unveiled quietly at COMDEX. Seiko Instruments, Milpitas, CA, showed a $12,000 printer with a resolution of 152 dots per inch; Gulton Industries introduced a $4950 seven-color thermal-transfer printer with a resolution of 100 dots per inch.

Epson's |X-80, an $800 160-cps seven-color dot-matrix printer, can use either a four-color ribbon or a standard Epson FX-80 black ribbon. Dataproducts has two new color printers: a $1695 200-cps model and a 400-cps model for $2195. C. Itoh exhibited two seven-color dotmatrix printers, including a $2000 model with a 24-wire print head.

COMDEX: Makers Move to 3!/2-inch Drives

Citizen America Corp., a subsidiary of Citizen Watch, showed two 3!/Hnch floppy-disk drives that are only an inch high. Panasonic introduced both 3- and 3'/2-inch drives, including a 1'/4-inch-high 3 '/2-inch drive. Janome, which exhibited a 3-inch disk drive last fall, added a 3/2-inch drive. Mitsubishi also showed a 3'/2-inch drive.

New Telecommunications Products for the IBM PC

ModTech International, Salt Lake City, UT, showed MasterLink at COMDEX, an $800 expansion board for the IBM PC. When you pick up the phone, ROM software automatically switches the computer from the current application to the on-board software. A $295 Night Owl option lets the system send and receive electronic mail unattended. Code-A-Phone, Portland, OR, showed the $700 Tel-A-Modem, a combination two-line telephone/modem allowing voice and data communications simultaneously. Both units include a 300/1200-bps modem. Three companies also unveiled internal 300/1200-bps modems for the IBM PC: Quadram's Quadmodem is priced at $595, Anderson Jacobson's PC Connection is $495, and U.S. Robotics' Personal Communicator is $499.

Demand Prompts Smaller, Higher-Capacity Hard Disks

Shugart and Cogito, which currently make 5- and 10-megabyte 5'/4-inch half-height hard-disk drives, are both expected to introduce 20-megabyte versions at NCC. Mitsubishi showed a 20-megabyte 5'/4-inch half-height drive at COMDEX, with a 1000-unit price of $875.

Microscience unveiled both a 10-megabyte half-height 3 '/2-inch hard-disk drive and a 20-megabyte half-height 5 '/4-inch drive. The recently formed Lapine Technology announced 5- and 10-megabyte 3/2-inch drives. Atasi, which now sells a 46-megabyte 5'/4-inch hard-disk drive, exhibited a 75-megabyte version at COMDEX.

Dragon Industries, Hopkinton, MA, is selling 65- and 140-megabyte hard-disk systems for the IBM PC, priced at $4995 and $6995. Tallgrass Technologies added a $1995 60-megabyte tape drive that uses MS-DOS disk-access commands.

Dysan Corp. is now shipping Chocolate media to hard-disk manufacturers. Dysan says the product is a high-capacity alternative to the thin-film media now used in hard-disk drives.

(continued)

JULY 1984 -BYTE 9

MICROBYTES

ACT Introduces New Apricot Computers

ACT was expected to introduce two new models of the 8086-based Apricot in late June. The Apricot Executive includes a 25-line LCD, a single 3'/2-inch disk drive, 512K bytes of RAM, a trackball/mouse, and a voice-recognition system for about $3000. The Apricot Fl is a $1600 system with 256K bytes of RAM and one 3'/2-inch disk drive. Both systems use an identical keyboard linked to the computer using either an infrared signal or a fiber-optic cable.

Two Firms Announce Speech Recognition for IBM PC

Microphonics Technology, Federal Way, WA, offers a $795 voice-recognition expansion board that can handle a 128-word vocabulary. Another speech-recognition system, the Speech Recognition Board from Interstate Voice Products of Orange, CA, will be introduced at NCC this month. The $1650 SRB will recognize up to 240 spoken commands. Either system can be used with off-the-shelf application programs on the IBM PC.

Digital Research Introduces Multiuser/Concurrent PC-DOS

Digital Research introduced StarLink, a $1695 expansion board for the IBM PC allowing you to link four terminals to the IBM PC using standard RS-232C cables. StarLink includes a version of Concurrent PC-DOS that allows the PC user to run up to four MS-DOS or CP/M-86 applications concurrently in addition to the program used on each terminal. Digital Research had originally planned an eight-terminal version of StarLink but delayed that product because of performance problems using the IBM's 8088 processor.

NANOBYTES

TTX Inc., Foster City, CA, has developed an interface/buffer allowing the Apple Macintosh to use a daisy-wheel printer. The TTX MACpac includes a 64K-byte print buffer and a 14-cps

printer for $895 Digital Equipment's LAI00-PF is a $1595 240-cps dot-matrix printer

that uses removable cartridges to select fonts and to emulate Epson or IBM printers.. .. Harris announced the 80C88, a CMOS version of Intel's 8088 processor. . .. National Semiconductor has renamed its 32-bit processors the Series 32000 and has licensed Texas Instruments as a second source for that line. . .. The Neon Software Co. Inc., Middletown, CT, is selling IBM PC software on clothes hangers. Women's Ware includes Budgeting, Checkbook, Recipe, and other programs for $49.95 each... . Diamond Computer Systems Inc., Santa Clara, CA, offers a $695 board that allows the IBM PC to run CP/M or Apple II software. . . . Ericsson, a European telecommunications and information systems firm, will introduce an IBM PC-compatible computer. .. . WordTech Systems Inc. introduced dB/Compiler, a $750 compiler for dBASE II.. ... IBM announced that it will sell enhanced versions of Software Publishing Corporation's popular PFS: series for $129 to $149.. .. Sheet feeder prices drop: Multl-Matic, Philadelphia, PA, is selling a $395 sheet feeder, which also uses a $50 adapter for attachment to a specific printer. Brother offers a $269 sheet feeder for its $995 HR-25 daisy-wheel printer. . . . T.N.T. Software Inc., Round Lake, IL, is selling My Word!, a $25 WordStar-like word processor for the IBM PC. MBASIC source code is $25 extra... . VisiCorp has cut prices on all its products by about 50 percent and introduced FlashCalc, a $99 spreadsheet for the Apple II. .. . Modula Computer Systems, Provo, UT, now offers Modula-2 compilers for UNIX and for the Macintosh, priced at $94 and $150... . Amlyn has announced a half-height 3.2-megabyte floppy-disk drive that is not compatible with the Drivetec/Kodak 3.3-megabyte drive, while Shugart Corp. and Phillips Peripherals have both introduced 1.6-megabyte half-height 5!4-inch floppy-disk drives. ... Strobe Inc., Mountain View, CA, announced a $995 8-pen plotter.. . . Hong Kong manufacturer Bondwell Industrial Co. Inc. plans to buy Spectravideo and will add a $995 Z80-based portable computer with two single-sided disk drives and 128K bytes of RAM. . .. Workman and Associates' WRITE is not available for CP/M-86; this column reported in error that it was... . Tallgrass, Information Storage Inc., and CPT Corporation are jointly developing an optical disk drive.

10 BYTE • JULY 1984

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LETTERS

Bouquets ...

I applaud the April editorial "A Call for Ethical Standards for Personal Computer Magazines" by Phil Lemmons (page 4).

As president of the National Office Machine Dealers Association, I represent one of the distribution channels that markets small systems to end users. Our members/dealers pride themselves on their independence, objectivity, and the freedom to market whatever product we deem the best value for our customer.

By reinforcing your stand on objectivity, BYTE will continue to be the reference standard in our industry.

Keep up the good work!

John Kuchta Lincoln. NB

As a professional journalist and regular reader of a wide array of technology magazines. I applaud your stance on ethical standards for computer magazines.

The guidelines you set forth in your April editorial are absolute essentials for any journalistic endeavor. 1 sincerely hope that your spirit of professionalism will spread throughout the computer magazine industry.

Erik K. Meyer The Milwaukee Journal

Milwaukee. Wl

I enjoyed the April editorial on ethical standards for personal computer magazines. You ought to give article numbers to editorials, Ask BYTE, Chaos Manor Mail, Book Reviews, etc., so that readers can vote for or against them in BYTE's BOMB each month.

N.C. Webb Lincoln, MA

As a new subscriber to BYTE, I would like to commend you for your editorial in the April issue. Your objectivity in appraising both hardware and software is the prime reason I subscribe to BYTE.

Charles Mattson North Syracuse, NY

I like your magazine. The April editorial by Phil Lemmons was heartening for me in its description of your commitment to honesty of content. As a microcomputer user I am delighted to be able to look forward to reading a magazine with such high standards. Please keep up the good work.

William Y. Acnew Jr. Miami Beach. FL

After reading the replies to several letters in re

cent issues of BYTE, I am impressed. To a certain extent, the letter writers might be viewed as quibblers. But on the other hand, they raised some points that led the authors of some articles to add information to their subjects that otherwise might not have come out.

Letters are one of the features 1 always read and they are especially educational when there are replies like yours.

Wayne L. St. )ohn Carbondale, IL

... and Brickbats

As a software author, I object to your aiding and abetting the violation of copyright laws by posting notices by people requesting software exchanges in your Unclassified Ads section. Such ads in essence read: "Send me copies of your programs, and I will send you copies of mine." I cannot believe that I am alone in my objection.

Schuyler M. Moore Los Angeles, CA

Please see the new advisory on Unclassified Ads.

Aw c'mon; your April cover would have us believe that God used a portable computer to create the world. What do you take your readers for? He would have used at least a mainframe. Next thing you'll try and tell us is that He didn't really want to rest on the seventh day but His system was down so He had to!

Roy Smart Hopewell function. NY

in last December's issue I expected to find a Cumulative Index as I had in previous years. I was disappointed when I saw that this service apparently had been discontinued. The index has particular value for the hobbyist and as a regular subscriber I recommend its continuance.

One more gripe: Despite the enthusiastic acceptance of the IBM PC there is still a large number of Apple computers in the hands of your readership and more are being sold every day. Could you please consider this and give us Apple owners a more evenhanded share of your attention?

Despite this regrettable tunnel vision, I think your magazine is still the most enjoyable and readable around. Keep up the good work.

R. P. Stubbs Kaweraw. New Zealand

We apologize for the lack of a cumulative in

dex for 1983. We are working on a comprehensive new approach to make the indexes much more usable. Please bear with us. As to coverage of Apple products, we have previewed the Macintosh and the lie and have published such recent articles as Apple FAX. Macintosh Pascal, Macintosh BASIC, and a two-part data-acquisition system based on the Apple II. We also are publishing the BYTE Guide to Apple PCs in October. The Guide will be provided to all BYTE subscribers at no cost.

Few things in life bother me enough that I write a letter to the editor of a magazine. Unfortunately, I now must take word processor in hand and pen a letter of complaint about your fine publication. I have no complaint with the magazine itself or its editorial content: in fact, it is the only magazine I read cover to cover monthly.

My problem is with the circulation department. It drives me nuts to see the new issue of BYTE in the bookstores and on the magazine racks of local computer stores two weeks before I receive mine in the mail. A day or two I could live with, but not two weeks. I would like an explanation of this discrepancy.

It's no fun having my friends ask me if I've read an article in BYTE and having to tell them I still haven't gotten mine yet.

Robert Fruit No return address

The circulation department has taken several steps to speed delivery to subscribers, including arranging for drop shipments to different regions of the country. Let us know whether things improve.

Overlooked BASICS

Your features on BASIC in the April issue were very interesting, and I would like to add a couple of comments. HP BASIC, probably the most powerful BASIC for any microcomputer (especially as implemented on the Series 200 machines) was conspicuously absent. This BASIC is the only one that has found wide acceptance as a useful tool in the engineering community because of its powerful command structure and exceptional graphics commands that allow simple plotting and labeling of engineering-type displays.

Another BASIC that is often overlooked is that of the Sinclair machines, which is one of the most logical and clear of BASIC dialects. In addition, it has a twist to the VAL command that I have seen on no other machine. VAL does not

[continued]

14 BYTE • JULY 1984

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just return the numeric equivalent of a string but rather evaluates any legitimate BASIC expression in the argument and returns its value, so that

PRINT VAL (SIN(PI/4))

returns .70710 rather than 0 or an error. This makes entry of formulas into a program simple, because you can use

INPUT NS

sin ((x"2)/tan(y|)

PRINT VAL NS

which will return the correct answer if x and y are defined.

In the discussions of "structured" versus "unstructured" programming, the GOTO statement is universally censured. Far worse than a GOTO is the universal use of obscure PEEK and POKE statements required by most microcomputer BASIC dialects to accomplish simple tasks.

Thanks for an interesting issue.

V.P. O'Neil II Gilbert. AZ

Your April review of new BASICS was of great interest since I have used BASIC for years in a small business.

In 1979 I obtained a North Star Horizon and. using North Star BASIC, implemented a complete package including editor, general accounting, mailing list, etc. I am told that our system is archaic, since it uses a poor language and runs on an 8-bit processor (Z80) with a 4-MHz clock.

For a different business, I recently obtained a Hewlett-Packard Model 150 with an 8-MHz clock, 8086 processor, and Microsoft BASIC

I ran the following program on both machines. (The DEFINT statement, absent in North Star BASIC, tells the HP 150 to force "I" to a 16-bit integer, saving time in the FOR loop.)

10 DEFINT I 20 A = 0

30 FOR 1=1 TO 20000 40 A = A + .00001 50 NEXT 60 PRINT A

The North Star computer did the loop in 65 seconds, yielding the right answer. 0.2. Microsoft BASIC took 50 seconds la savings, but not much), yielding the wrong answer. 0.1999783.

So, a better BASIC will be welcome as a "standard." Meanwhile, we have purchased a used North Star as a backup to run our old. obsolete, and dependable software.

Paul T. Brady Middletown. Nj

I enjoyed reading the series of articles on improved versions of BASIC in the April issue. However. I was surprised that no mention was made of the extended BASIC that has been available on Hewlett-Packard's "scientific" series of computers for nearly a decade. For example, the HP-86 computer has roughly 170 functions and commands available, with plug-in ROMs available for file management, matrix manipulations, interface control, listing of

variable cross-references and program flow, etc., for a total of about 330 functions. From the articles in the April issue, it appears that other companies have almost caught up with HP BASIC in a few areas and surpassed it in only one case (Macintosh BASIC). More recent HP computers are significantly improved over the 86. The 9816 ("200/16") offers every structure you could want for control of program flow but lacks the structured variables of Pascal and other newer languages. Although its variables are limited to arrays, the 200/16 can sort a string array with a single command. HP also has integrated a spreadsheet with the BASIC language on the 75 computer. Users can create their own VisiCalc functions as well as incorporate spreadsheet abilities into BASIC programs.

Some enhancements can only be implemented by a computer manufacturer. For example, the HP-86 has seven dedicated keys to control program debugging and execution (besides the 14 programmable function keys), optional ROMs that make additional functions always available (even without a disk drive), and perhaps most importantly, an operating environment that supports the BASIC language. For example, users can execute several commands in immediate mode from the display screen then edit in line numbers to quickly develop programs. What is unfortunate about these computers is that little applications software is available, and the user is thus forced to continually write programs when a database system or integrated package could provide even quicker results.

Your readers may also be interested in a speed comparison of some BASIC implementations. Execution speeds for a simple division program to calculate prime numbers {\nterface Age. August 1981) are: Apple II, 970 seconds. IBM PC (Microsoft BASIC), 785 seconds; HP-86, 142 5 seconds; HP 200/16, 82 seconds: Apple Macintosh (Microsoft BASIC). 784 seconds. The Macintosh and HP machines used variables with about twice the numeric precision of the others. It is interesting to note that the Macintosh is no faster than the IBM PC. This is not merely a case of differences in precision because the HP 200/16 with the same processor as the Macintosh and higher precision is about 10 times faster. Perhaps the Microsoft implementation is particularly sluggish. It would be interesting to evaluate Apple's Macintosh BASIC.

Randy Webb Bloomington. IN

Your April articles on improved BASICs were very informative, even inspiring. It's about time BASIC grew up. As an educator, I have had mixed feelings about teaching BASIC as a first programming language. BASIC is easy to learn, but a lot of bad habits have to be unlearned later. Some college instructors have gone so far as to say they prefer incoming students who have no programming experience to those who have learned BASIC The "experienced" BASIC programmers are famous for their tangled, poorly planned "spaghetti programs." Now the situation should change. But here's

[continued]

16 BYTE • IULY 1984

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the catch: After talking with the people at True BASIC Inc. and at Software Technology (authors of BetterBASIC). I have learned that these languages are not being planned for adaptation to the Apple II. And let's face it. the vast plurality of public schools use the Apple II. Are we to go on teaching bad habits to our beginning programmers? Pascal is certainly an alternative. But Pascal is intimidating and hard for many students to learn as their first language. Editing, compiling, executing, and re-editing to debug a program can severely test the patience of a young person.

Supposedly, the 6502 and Z80 processors are not "powerful" enough to handle the wonderful new BASICS. But even a low-end machine such as the Commodore 64 has a good choice of structured, "user-friendly" languages. Simon's BASIC allows many of the features of Pascal. And a relatively unknown language, COMAL, has been around for years on Commodore machines. COMAL is incrementally compiled and allows procedures and functions with global and local variables. It permits nested IF/THEN/ELSE statements and a wide variety of looping structures (REPEAT/UNTIL. WHILE/ ENDWHILE. and LOOP/EXIT/ENDLOOP). The Commodore 64 version also supports highresolution turtle-graphics commands and is available free in the public domain! It does not have fancy features such as "windows," but this is a luxury better suited for 16-bit processors that can address more memory.

It is indeed ironic that the Apple II, the most widely used and generally best-supported computer in our public schools, does not have a good language available for teaching beginning students. The best I've been able to come up with is Microsoft's GBASIC (running under CP/Ml, which has the WHILE/WEND loop but not much else in the way of structure. Digital's CBASIC looks fairly good at first glance but does not allow nesting of IF/THEN/ELSE statements, which mandates use of a lot of GOTOs. There is one place in Denmark that may offer a nongraphics CP/M version of COMAL for the Apple II. But have you ever tried to get a school district to approve a purchase order to Denmark?

High school computer education is now facing a terrible dilemma. What do we teach? Isn't it about time somebody offered a well-structured, incrementally compiled language for the Apple

II?

Wendell Brown Kent. WA

CSS Languages

"ISIM: A Continuous-System Simulation Language" by Roy E. Crosbie (May. page 400| was interesting. I think you could have helped your readers by adding a box informing them that several other CSS languages were listed in "Going Further" by Charles Pratt (March, page 204).

Gerald L. Gottlieb. Ph.D.

Evanston, IL {continued)

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IULY 1984 - BYTE 21

Circle 37 on inquiry card.

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LETTERS

To Err Is Indeed Human

Greg Scragg's "criticism" (April Letters, page 20) of Douglas Davidson's "forgotten" sort ("Address Calculation: The Forgotten Sort," November 1983, page 494) demonstrates too much enthusiasm and too little familiarity with the subject area. He quotes Donald E. Knuth (The Art of Computer Programming) as proving that "no sort can work in time less than 0(n log n)." What Knuth clearly points out. but Mr. Scragg appears to have missed, is that this bound only holds for "sorting techniques which are based solely on an abstract linear ordering relation between keys" (Knuth. volume 3, 1st edition, page 181)—specifically excluding such methods as address calculation. In fact, Knuth describes the address calculation sort, concluding that "we have achieved a sorting method of order N. provided only that the keys are reasonably well spread out over their range" (Ibid, page 102)—precisely the claim Mr. Davidson makes.

Mr. Davidson's article presents a simple, too often neglected algorithm with which many of BYTE's readers were likely unfamiliar. Mr. Scragg's letter is unjustified and inept, and seems unforgivable regardless of the state of his schooling.

Mike Dixon Ontario, Canada

This letter is representative of several we received regarding Mr. Scragg's criticism of Mr. Davidson's article.

ICONOLATRY

To complete Gary Sanford's amusing "ultimate allegory" (April Letters, page 15), I suggest a passenger-driven mouse—nothing elaborate to begin with, say, 50cc with a 4-speed box (labeled N, S, E, and W). The posher PC pushers would soon rush in with add-ons: seat belts, "I V my Htafc^- - stickers, in-dash computers with submice.... There is (literally) no end to the possibilities.

Another aspect of Tom Houston's iconolatry ("The Allegory of Software." December 1983, page 210) puzzles me I've often wondered why the drudgery of program development has not been enlivened by the use of video-game graphics. I have in mind, for example, that instead of typing ERASE FILENAME it would be more fun to have all your FILENAMES floating around the screen in little boxes while you try to blast the right one with your joystick button. Much less user-mollycoddling than having mousey drag off naughty Freddy File to the trash can.

Stan Kelly-Bootle Mill Valley, CA

Design Flaws

Some of the examples and assertions of Mark lohnson and Allen Munro's "Pascal's Design

Flaws: Modula-2 Solutions and Pascal Patches" (March, page 371) are misleading or incorrect with respect to the Pascal language as defined by the International Standardization Organization (ISO Pascal). Standard Pascal:

1. does not have a built-in string type

2. allows short-circuited evaluation of Boolean expressions (implementationdependent)

3. includes, at level 1 of the standard, "open" array parameters (referred to as "conformant array parameters" in the standard)

4. defines an out-of-range case selector to be an error

Steve Brecher Software Supply Long Beach, CA

We thank Steve Brecher and others who have pointed out some of the ways that standard versions of the Pascal language las developed by the ISO and the American National Standards Institute) address the Pascal design flaws we discussed.

One of the problems with talking about Pascal is making it clear which "standard" Pascal you are talking about. Our article pertained to the original definition of Pascal, as published in the Pascal User Manual and Report by Kathleen Jensen and Niklaus Wirth. We chose to discuss Pascal's problems in terms of UCSD Pascal because it is the most widely used implementation for microcomputers. Future Pascal implementations will undoubtedly be influenced by newer standards from the ISO and ANSI. Thus far, however, the user base for UCSD Pascal far exceeds that of other implementations.

Mark Johnson and Allen Munro Redondo Beach, CA

The Spirit of Benchmarks

I enjoyed reading "STSC APL* Plus and IBM PC APL: Two APLs for the IBM PC" by lacques Bensimon (March, page 246). Although STSC's APL* PLUS/PC is a very fine product, the soonto-be-released LP. SHARP APL/PC promises to contain the powerful operators, such as nested arrays, that most sophisticated APLers expect from their language. I hope BYTE will have the opportunity to review LP. Sharp's upcoming product.

In response to page 2 50 of the article, Mr. Bensimon remarks "... a significantly modified algorithm to reduce execution time, which goes against the spirit of benchmarking" was used in an APL solution submitted by Michael Rowe and Donald Stoneburner (May 1983 Letters, page 8). As the Rowe half of the Rowe and Stoneburner solution, and as a professional who has been involved with many benchmarks of commercial systems, 1 cannot comment on what is the "spirit" of benchmarking, nor am I sure that benchmarks even have "spirits." What I would like to assure the fine readers of BYTE is that there is a purpose for doing benchmarks.

22 BYTE • JULY 1984

ILLUSTRATED BY IEREMY VARNUM

Circle 38 on inquiry card.

LETTERS

A benchmark's purpose is that of evaluating and quantifying the efficacy of hardware/software environments within a relevant range of use. A relevant range would be defined by the particular purpose of a benchmark. If a benchmark is performed to generate capacity planning decision information, the relevant range would be based on anticipated utilization; or if a benchmark is performed for systems tuning or performance analysis, the relevant range is based on present utilization. You can always make a benchmark look extremely bad or extremely good for a particular software/hardware environment, but a well-designed benchmark will strive to make representative use of the hardware/software environment by selecting commonly accepted and practiced programming techniques. Most professionals soon find and adopt efficient programming techniques and algorithms (count the times that you or a colleague has made the remark, "1 have this routine running twice as fast and with half the code"). Thus, most benchmark designers take for granted that the average programmer is no dummy and therefore tests efficient and representative algorithms. The Rowe and Stoneburner solution is efficient (22 milliseconds for 10 iterations running on an IBM 3081) and makes use of commonly utilized APL programming techniques.

As for the "significantly modified" nature of our algorithm. I thank Mr. Bensimon for his opinion, but I do not concur. Conceptually, each alley of the Sieve of Eratosthenes can be thought of as a Boolean decision processor, in that a ball rolls down an alley (representing a particular number) and ij it encounters a hole (representing the number's factorability by a previously derived prime) it is proven no! to be prime. Our algorithm is true to this original construct, in that we generate a bit mask based on previously derived primes and perform a Boolean AND between this mask (representing the sieve holes) and a bit string (representing all possible numbers (alleys of the sieve)).

One additional note concerns bit-string implementations. PC versions of APL (and some other languages) do not universally implement true Boolean strings, in that a whole byte or integer is sometimes used per single bit. If this were the case, an algorithm that is highly dependent on Boolean operations may have highly variable results in relation to memory utilization and execution speed across software implementations. I have heard, but cannot confirm, that the first release of STSC's APL* PLUS did not have true bit strings, but that the current release does have true bit strings.

Michael C. Rowe, Ph.D.

Lewisville. TX

Simulation Languages

I was very interested in the theme articles on simulation in the March issue, but rather disappointed by the sparse and vague references made to European, and especially British, developments in this field. This is surprising and unfortunate because considerable attention has

been paid in the United Kingdom to the use of existing (mainframe) simulation languages on microcomputers. This approach has two main advantages: the microcomputer-based system can be used without retraining personnel who are already familiar with the language; and a mainframe can be used if the model becomes too large for the microcomputer.

The languages that I refer to are the Extended Control and Simulation Language (ECSL), together with its associated code generator CAPS; SEE-WHY: and FORSS1GHT. the current version of the original general-purpose simulation language. GSP (General Simulation Program), which was first used in 1958. All of these languages also support dynamic graphic display facilities on microcomputer systems. As far as I know, FORSSIGHT is not yet available in the United States, but ECSL and SEE-WHY are both actively marketed here.

These three languages use the powerful threephase activity cycle representation, sometimes called the "British" approach. This means that they can be used only for pure discrete event modeling purposes. This approach has the benefits of being easy to understand and code, and it eases certain modeling decisions.

I hope that this letter will draw your readers' attention to these languages, so that they will consider them when choosing a simulation language.

Robert I. Mills West Lafayette, IN

A Minor Problem

For someone who "writes extensively about computers," Ed Teja seems intent on coming across as a novice ("Compupro's System 816/C and System 68K— the Two and Only," March, page 214). His persistence in referring to the "68K bytes" of CompuPro's 68000 board is in strange contrast to the technical detail of the rest of the article. How could he possibly miss "68K" being an abbreviation for "68000"? And how can I possibly take seriously someone who makes such a flub?

Paul Robinson Framingham, MA

There was no "persistence in referring to the '68K bytes'of CompuPro's 68000 board." In one caption an editing change converted the declaration that this was a picture of the System 68K's central processing unit into the misstatement Mr. Robinson noted. I should have caught the error in the galleys. I didn't. Mea culpa.

Edward Teia Santa Cruz, CA

Comparing Compilers

I found Kaare Christian's "Inside a Computer: Notes on Optimization and Code Generation" (February, page 349) most intriguing, and 1

(continued)

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JULY 1984 -BYTE 23

LETTERS

rushed to my IBM PC to see what kind of optimized code Microsoft's 3.13 Pascal compiler produces for the Sieve of Eratosthenes algorithm. [For more information see "Eratosthenes Revisited: Once More through the Sieve" by Jim Gilbreath and Gary Gilbreath. January 1983, page 283.| Eagerly comparing my COD listing to the DRI and Intel listings. I saw a close correlation between Microsoft's and Intel's optimization strategies. My summary: Where Intel dedicates CS and

AX to somewhat specific functions. Microsoft seems to use AX generally. This results in five instructions (that the Intel code did not require) to load AX with the desired values. In one case, Microsoft saves an instruction adding directly to the count in memory, whereas Intel adds to and then stores AX. The bottom line is that Intel produces a tighter, faster Sieve, but not by much.

Because I use MS-DOS and do not have access to iRMX/86,1 was pleased to see how well

Microsoft Pascal optimizes. Although some may be bothered by the fact that the Microsoft COD file is just a memo listing and not an assemblylanguage source that can be modified, this suits me just fine. Code that is not tinkered with is one less picket in the fence to come loose—or one less to be hammered up in the first place. The fact that the compiler does such a good job of optimizing is key to my happiness.

As Christian points out. the use of .COD lists is most helpful in analyzing alternative coding tactics. In one case, a piece of my Pascal source code looked redundant because a variable expression was explicitly stated in two consecutive lines. When 1 compiled this alongside an alternative that precomputed the expression, 1 discovered that the compiler carried the results of the expression evaluation to the second line, doing automatically, and in less code, what I attempted to achieve in my alternative.

As a final note. Christian's discussion of ways to beat the FOR loop control was most instructive. Microsoft, by the way, exhibits the same weakness that Intel does.

Chet Floyd Manhattan Beach, CA

Still More on the Mac

After reading the February issue on the Macintosh. I flipped through some old copies of Scientific American. An article in the June 1978 issue caught my eye: "The Earliest Precursor of Writing," in which Denise Schmandt-Besserat investigates pictographic versus ideographic origins of writing. It suddenly struck me that the Lisa and Macintosh represent a major step backward in the state of the art of recordkeeping, on the order of perhaps six millennia. Congratulations Apple! The computer, originally conceived of as a tool to expand the horizons of man's intelligence, is instead now encroaching upon it.

Thomas Litant Tokyo, Japan

There is an important difference between Macintosh's graphical images and those of prehistoric man. Mac's icons provide a method of controlling an interactive device, while prehistoric man's were for recording information.

Thank You

Several months ago I wrote to you asking if any of your readers would be interested in contributing programs to a book called Microcomputer Programs in Medicine.

The response from your readers was astounding. I received letters, postcards, packages of disks, and printouts from all over America, various parts of Canada, England, Ireland. South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Australia, Malaysia, and even one from mainland China.

I received phone calls in the middle of the night from people asking for details of the im

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24 BYTE • JULY 1984

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LETTERS

pending book.

As a result of this overwhelming response, the programs have now been published in book form in two volumes. Volume I contains scheduling and appointment programs, direct patient billing and accounts receivable programs, patient file retrieval, simple statistics (including standard deviation), graph drawing and curve fitting, and numeric and alphabetic sorting. Volume II contains programs for taking patient histories and history summarization, respiratory function, pediatric growth-percentile calculation, bar-graph drawing, etc.

The book is available from Computer Medica Corporation, Medical Software Company, 328 Main St., Center Moriches, NY ll934.

I must thank your readers again for the fantastic response.

Derek Enlander, M.D.

New York. NY

The Perfect Microcomputer

First, let me congratulate you for having the finest computer magazine and the finest consulting editors: Steve Ciarcia and )erry Pournelle. I agree with their assessment of the industry as exemplified in the May issue.

I find the prevalent state of the microcomputer industry appalling. Although we have had two very powerful 16-bit processors available from the start of this decade (the MC68000 and the Z8000). they are not in most microcomputers and are underutilized in all but the most expensive. Mr. Ciarcia's Trump Card, for example, is a great addition to a PC. but why is it necessary? Did Intel and IBM conspire to offer America inferior technology? And why is the Z8000 such an underused chip?

Having owned three personal computers. I am ready to buy again, but this time I have some specific criteria in mind. I would like a 16-bit processor, at least 512K bytes of RAM expandable to at least 2 megabytes, two disk drives of at least 512K bytes each, multiuser capability, a good operating system with plenty of software, and an under-S3000 price tag.

Guess what? There are none. Two computers that come close are the Sage and the Pinnacle. The Sage is a little too expensive at present, and the Pinnacle needs software. But why are there no Z8000 machines? I believe there are many computer sophisticates such as myself who would buy such a machine.

Richard H. Knop Kansas City, MO

Mumps

I read with interest Jonathan Javitt's article "Computerizing a Medical Office" (May. page I7l). I have been involved in this field from both a programming and a medical perspective for over five years. I am in particular agreement with the seven-step approach Dr. lavitt recommends for effective use of computers within a

[continued)

26 BYTE • |ULY 1984

HIGH PERFORMANCE

IT'S WHAT'S UNDER THE HOOD THAT COUNTS

Take a close look under the hood of a Datasouth printer. Inspect for loose parts, cheap fittings. Search for things that show more concern for speed on the assembly line than the communications line.

You won't find them. Instead you'll find the source of the Datasouth reputation: design, engineering and materials dedicated exclusively to high performance value.

Now look closer.

MORE THAN THE HUM OF ITS PARTS

Count the moving parts in a Datasouth printer. You won't find many. Most of those are dedicated to transporting the printhead and the paper from point to point with optimum speed and accuracy, while the rest of the printer sits quietly with the motionless authority of a Stonehenge.

And thinks.

Under the hood of every Datasouth printer is a highly intelligent microprocessor. Its sophisticated brainwork eliminates the need for many parts still common in other printers, and optimizes carriage and paper travel so the printhead intelligently follows the shortest path from one printable character to the next. So more work gets done with less strain on the machinery.

Everything that matters is easy to reach, right there under the hood. Even the cartridge ribbon, rated at 3 to 4 million characters, snaps into place in seconds.

JUST TURN THE KEY

Datasouth printers are easily driven by virtually any mini or microcomputer. The fully instrumented dashboard allows the user to program up to 50 different applications features at the touch of a few buttons. Meanwhile, the digital readout shows everything from programming prompts to line count.

TAKE YOUR CHOICE

Datasouth reliability comes in two high performance models. The DS180 is a legendary workhorse that delivers crisp data quality printing at 180 CPS. The new multimode DS220 cruises at 220 CPS for high speed data printing and at 40 CPS for letter quality word processing. Both models print precision dot-addressable graphics.

If you have a high performance printing need, Datasouth has a high performance printer to fill it.

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Datasouth design simplicity assures easy maintenance. All control electronics are on a single printed circuit board. The 9 wire printhead is rated at over 500 million characters, and is easily replaced in minutes.

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IULY 1984 - BYTE 27

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Up to 255 fields per record

Greater descriptive capacity

Lowers frustration of having to deal with multiple tables for a single topic

Passwords, read/write access, data encryption

Access to data is individualized

Unauthorized use of data prevented

Query multiple tables with a single command

Retrieves data without unnecessary intermediate steps

Users get information more efficiently

Query syntax like IBM's SQL/DS

English-like commands

Users not required to learn a new language

Dynamic sorting and grouping of query output

Control of output format

Data can be customized to users needs

Spreadsheet cells may be defined in terms of

• formulas

• data table values

Cell can automatically retrieve information from tables and can perform Intricate mathematical operations on that information

No need to rekey information or perform calculations separately

• programs

Forms creation for screen and printer using 8 colors, blinking, bell, prompts, reverse video, etc.

Greater versatility In screen and printed output

Screens and forms are easy to understand and use

Statistics (e.g., min, max, average, sum, standard deviation, variance, etc.) automatically generated

Provides more complete analytical description of data

Improved decision-making capabilities

High resolution color graphics: pie charts, bar charts, area curves, scatter diagrams, etc.

Numerical data from spreadsheets and tables can be pictorialized

Patterns and trends easier to spot

'Partial List

We help a lot of different people solve a lot of different problems:

from the simplest to the most complex.. .from mailing lists to integrated accounting, from preparing tax returns to order entry. Whether you need help saving money or making it, the Knowledge Manager can help you manage your information better than any other micro software package.

Quality Software for Quality Results

You can start just as simply as you want and grow just as fast as you like. The Knowledge Manager's powerful commands are always ready when you are. You get quick results, improved productivity, accurate information, custom tailored to meet your needs. The Knowledge Manager lets you use your information, when you want it and in the way you want it.

intricate... or somewhere in between

Reliable and Comprehensive

The Knowledge Manager is built to last. You can start with the Beginner's Guide, or run right through the instruction manual to advanced data management commands.

Chances are you won't find a job the Knowledge Manager can't do.

Dealer inquiries invited.

KNOWLEDGE

man

KnowledgeMan is a trademark of Micro Data Base Systems, Inc.; SQL/DS of IBM.

Circle 212 on inquiry card.

Please send me:

□ Free feature-by-feature comparison

□ Forms painter and graphics information and pricing*

□ Run-time package information and pricing*

*Forms painter, graphics and runtime package are available as optional components.

□ Please accept my order for

the Knowledge Manager $500.00

□ Shipping and Handlingf 10.00 (Indiana residents must add

5% sales tax—$25.00)

Machine:

Operating Systems:

□ PCDOS □ MSDOS □ CP/ M-86

Disk Format:

□ 8" 1BM-3740 SS/SD

□ 5%" IBM PC SS

□ 5V<" Victor/Sirius

□ 5W DEC Rainbow

fAdd $20.00 if outside U.S., Canada or Mexico

192K RAM required, 500K. mass storage suggested.

□ Check or money order enclosed (must be drawn from U.S. bank in U.S. currency)

MasterCard No.

VISA No

American Express No

Expiration Date

Bank No. (if M.C.)

Signature

VISA, MasterCard and American Express orders may be placed by phone (317)463-2581.

Name. Title _

Company. Phone (_

Address

City

State

Send To:

Zip.

MDBS/Consumer Products

P.O. Box 248 Lafayette, IN 47902 Phone: (317) 463-2581 Telex: 209147 ISE UR

Or Contact Your Local Dealer.

PRIC ES SUBJECT TO CHANCE WITHOUT NOTICE

Current release is 1.06 as of 4/1/84.

Now Taxan for IBM

RGBvision 420 features 640 horizontal line resolution with .38mm dot pitch, non-glare black face picture tube, 18 MHz bandwidth. Includes cable.

TAXAN Model 121 (Green) or 122 (Amber) are TTL, 800 horizontal line resolution, 20 MHz bandwidth.

The optional tilt and swivel base with LCD clock, model 110-12, is also available for Models 121 / 122.

Ask your dealer about TAXAN model 505, 256K RAM expansion card for the IBM PC.

Circle 300 for Dealer inquiries. Circle 301 for End-User Inquiries.

Image on Model 420

Created by

Visual Data EnterprU

"l

1 ° 1 °

1

ISM;

TAXyAIV manufactures monitors for nearly every personal computer.

TAXAIM Corporation, 18005 Cortney Court, City of Industry, California 91748,(818) 810-1291

See your local "UkXflWM dealer or call us for details

Circle 208 on inquiry card.

LETTERS

medical practice.

However, as both a software vendor and a physician I disagree with some aspects of the article. On page 174. Dr. Javitt says:

. . . packages have been created that accommodate specific items of clinical information. These programs allow a practice to designate 10 or 20 items that must be recorded for each patient and to configure data fields to store those items.... What is needed is a relational database that is able to track clinical parameters over lime and correlate them.... This level of sophistication has not been developed under current microcomputer systems and is currently available only under Unix.

Our medical-software package now supports both free-text entry of patient records and storage of up to 1000 problems per patient. All information is retrievable individually or in groups selected from criteria of the practice without resort to custom programming with up to fifty Boolean AND, OR, and NOT operands for either inclusion, exclusion, or both.

On page 176 Dr. Javitt states:

installation ... is time-consuming. . . An the initial phase, the personal data on each physician in the practice must be entered as well as the particulars of each insurance carrier with which the practice deals. A complete list of diagnoses and procedures used in charges and . . . codes. .. . Try to find a program that can learn new diagnostic codes and procedures as it comes across them.

Our software package "learns" all data about a practice as required during a normal posting cycle. Thus, patient data, diagnostic codes, procedural codes, insurance carriers and codes, and provider information are all entered only when outside the current boundary of the known practice data.

The trick is not alchemy but rather Mumps. This ANSI-standard language/operating system/ filing system supports a remarkably flexible data structure almost handcrafted to the needs of medical users with both variable-length records and multiple linked records per patient possible. Argument indirection permits the user to enter a variable whose truth value can be tested easily across the entire database. Finding all patients who are 3 5-55 and have hypertension and diabetes, for example, is easy. Finally, Mumps is available for microcomputers and minicomputers, ranging from the Apple II and clones to the largest networked mainframes, all without alteration of source code.

Both as a programmer and a physician, 1 have found the Mumps language to be a joy: I am

only sorry that BYTE has not represented this computing option to its otherwise well-informed readership.

Douglas H. McNeil, M.D.

Little Rock. AR

You Think

You've Got Problems

Our corporation consists of two divisions. One is an offshore drilling and training division. The other develops computerized operating programs for the petroleum industry. We who work in the offshore drilling and training division are constantly exposed to terms and definitions from the computer division that we do not understand, such as gigabyte and multibus. And when we ask the computer division questions about what they are talking about they look at us like we are idiots. So we took it upon ourselves to find out what these terms mean, and due to our diligence and constant searching we did locate a multibus, of which we have enclosed a picture (see photo below). We would appreciate it if you could print it in your magazine so that all the other people who are constantly exposed to these computer people and who have no idea what they are talking about will at least know what a multibus is.

We are still searching for a gigabyte and are somewhat apprehensive about looking for a terabyte. If anybody else out there needs our assistance please feel free to write us and we will see if we can find what they are looking for.

General Petro Science Houston. TX

Are You Sitting Down?

While I'm still in shock, I thought my fellow readers should be informed about the cost of computer repairs. I purchased a Columbia VP portable in September (by mail order) with the belief that nationwide servicing through Bell & Howell would negate any problem of not buying from a local dealer. (As a research engineer, I didn't need any dealer support for my applications.) Was I ever wrong!

When my machine went down on December 30.1 figured a quick trip to Bell & Howell would take care of it. After all. it was probably just the Motorola 6845 CRT controller chip that needed replacing. It took a little longer than expected because, despite national advertising, Colum

[conlinued]

EVERYTHING

FOR

IBM PC/XT DATA ACQUISITION

AND

CONTROL

MODEL DASH-8 $375 • 4,000 Samples/Sec (30,000 in Assembly Language)

8 S.E. Channel, 12 Bit Analog Inputs Event, Period, Pulse Width, Frequency Measurement

7 Bits of Digital I/O Programmable Scan Rate Interrupt Handling Foreground/Background Operation

MODEL DASH-46 $895

40,000 Samples/Sec 8D.L, 16 S.E. Channel 12 Bit Analog Inputs with DMA

2 Multiplying Analog Output Channels

8 Bit Digital I/O Interrupt Handling Foreground/Background Operation

MODEL DASCON-1 $485

30 Samples/Sec, 4 D.I. Channel 12 Bit Analog Inputs

On-Board Signal Conditioning Direct Temperature Measurement (-200 to + 650 C.)

12 Bits of Digital I/O Interrupt Handling

2 Optional 12 Bit Analog Output Channels 2 Optional Instrumentation Amplifiers (0.5 MicroVolt/Bit) Foreground/Background Operation

MODELPIO-12 $97

24 Bit Parallel Digital I/O Interface to Plotters, A/D's, D/A's, Relays, Switch Contacts, Etc. Interrupt Channel No Software Needed

MODEL IE-488 $395 Industry's Easiest IEEE-488 Board to Program

Interrupt, DMA, and Normal Transfer Modes

Controller, Talker or Listener No Floppy Disks Required Resident ROM Command Interpreter

Single Piece Pricing Including Software

ONE YEAR WARRANTY

Also Available is a Complete Line of Accessory

and Expansion Products

fTtetroButG

Corporation J

254 Tosca Drive, Stoughton, MA 02072 (617) 344-1990 IULY 1984 -BYTE 31

LETTERS

bia Data Products Inc. did not have a servicing agreement in effect with Bell & Howell for the VP until January I, 1984. In all fairness, the people I dealt with did their best to get my machine fixed—they just didn't have any idea how much it would cost. It came to $811.06.

Why? It's simple. Servicing consists of replacing the motherboard at $630 plus tax. plus two hours of labor at $64 per hour. While this may be an acceptable way of performing service for a business, the individual consumer simply can't

afford it. It is equivalent to replacing the engine whenever your car won't start. How many of us would own cars under that condition? Therefore, I have some suggestions for the individual owner: (I) Find a reputable serviceman who will fix what's wrong with your machine (not just replace boards) before you buy it. Buy only what you know can be serviced reasonably. Many users groups know of such people and could put you in contact with them. (2) If you know nothing about computers or electronics and

NOW!

your personal computer can see

THE REMARKABLE NEW VISION BOARD INTERFACE

Both our Oculus-100 and Oculus-200 boards give vision to your IBM® PC or compatible computer. And, both convert your PC into an image processor.

For high performance, choose the Oculus-200 board. Priced at $1995, it incorporates features you'd expect from vision systems costing twice as much. In fact, the Oculus-200 is a real-time, 30 frames/second video digitizer with 256K bytes of memory. Thanks to its on-board video output, the processed image can be displayed on an auxiliary monitor, with graphic overlay and vectoring capabilities. The Oculus-200 transforms, in real-time, the image received from a standard video camera into an array of 512 x 512 pixels with 128 shades of gray. Which means that the digitized image will be as sharp as your original subject.

For those special applications where a real-time binary system is just right: take a close look at our other board... the Oculus-100. It digitizes a TV image, in realtime, into an array of 512 x 512 black and white pixels that can be processed by your personal computer. And the image can be displayed, at a lower resolution, on your PC monitor. With its 32K bytes of memory and $695 price tag, the Oculus-100 is ideal for the rapid processing of contrasting images.

Applications for the Oculus boards can include: page reading — facsimile — teleconferencing — surveillance/security — microscopy — graphic arts — factory inspection — and much, much more. Dedicated software for these applications is available from our company. Each board is delivered with menu driven imaging software, cable and manual. Camera and display monitor are not included.

For more information about our Oculus boards, software or volume discounts, call us toll free at (800) 361-4997, in Canada call (514)651-2919. Or write to: CORECO INC. The Computer REsearch COmpany, 547 St. Thomas, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada J4H 3A7

IBM is a Registered Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

can't find a suitable serviceman, then buy a service contract from your dealer or a reputable service organization.

As for me. I'm going to buy one of every chip on the motherboard (which will cost less than a service contract) and fix it myself the next time it fails.

Michael W. Fitzpatrick Westerlo. NY

The Origin of "Bugs"

Several recent magazine articles and a book [The Naked Computer) have suggested that the words "bug" and "debug,'' used in relation to computers and computer programs, originated because a moth flew into the relays of the Mark I at Harvard.

Though this incident undoubtedly occurred, the meaning of the word bug is at least a hundred years older. For example, here is an excerpt from a letter written by Thomas Alva Edison to Theodore Puskas, Edison's representative in France, on November 13, 1878:

1 have the right principle and am on the right track, but time, hard work, and some good luck are necessary too. It has been just so in all of my inventions. The first step is an intuition, and comes with a burst, then difficulties arise—this thing gives out and then that—Bug&-as such little faults and difficulties are called—show themselves and months of intense watching, study and labor are requisite before commercial successor failure—is certainly reached.

John Lord Santa Monica, CA

In Praise of the Mac

As an engineer, I have been using mainframe computer and minicomputers for the last 25 years. I have always viewed the microcomputer industry as being characterized largely by trash software running on trash hardware. For the past few years there has been frantic activity but little forward progress. For this reason, I find it sad to read all the letters nitpicking the Apple Macintosh. Perhaps these writers are proud of their ability to remember that < cntl >< alt > O moves the cursor left two characters (or was it three characters?) and are intimidated by the thought that soon anyone will be able to use a computer. In developing the Macintosh, Apple has done something unique in the microcomputer field—combined excellent hardware with excellent software. I think that Apple's pursuit of excellence is far more important to the future of microcomputing than the temporary difference between 128K bytes and 512K bytes of memory. This letter was, of course, composed on my new Mac. For the first time in 25 years, I am having fun using a computer.

George Root Boulder, CO ■

32 BYTE • JULY 1984

Circle 84 on inquiry card.

READ

ONLY

A review of the IBM Personal Computer family- Summer 1984

UP AND RUNNING

And Swimming, Building, and Baking. Building and baking?They don't produce gold medal winners, but they do figure in staging the Olympic games. So do 200 IBM Personal Computers (including software) that are part of IBM's sponsorship of the 198-t Olympics in Los Angeles. In fact, IBM PCs are hard at work in both sports and administration.

PCs are involved in a wide range of planning and analytical activities, though they don't provide official results of the various athletic events. Some events, for example, use the IBM PC to determine how competitors are seeded—who competes against whom. In other events, such as archery, the PC simplifies the complex task of recording scores and compiling statistics for each athlete as the competition progresses.

In events like gymnastics that depend on points awarded by judges, statistics can be kept on the PCs to analyze scoring consistency. Also, a whole range of information about individual athletes, past Olympics, and

world and national records, both past and present, can be quickly recalled and compared with the help of the IBM PC.

Last but not least, administration. Spreadsheet programs, such as IBM's Multiplan'", were used on the PC for planning and forecasting by nearly every administrative department, from Construction to Ticketing. The same departments speed up some of their day-to - day accounting tasks with the help of the PC and IBM accounting packages.

Departments with specific software needs developed special packages with the assistance of a programmer whose services are part of IBM's Olympic sponsorship. Specially designed programs include database management applications to help handle transportation requirements and inventory control programs to keep track of sports equipment and personnel records.

In short, there's hardly an area of planning and staging the 1984 Summer Olympics that the IBM Personal Computer doesn't play a part in. Maybe there should be medals for administration.

Multiplan is a U.S. trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

ON THE STOREFRONT

A Shorter Distance between PC Points. We're all familiar with the feeling of being lost in the growing maze of new computer products. IBM has opened a path through that maze, straight to the information and answers you need about IBM Personal

Computer Products—information about a specific software package or hardware configuration and answers to technical questions.

The key to entering this new information path is the IBM Customer Support System (CSS) at your authorized IBM Personal Computer retail dealer or IBM Product Center. Dealers in over 300 cities throughout all 50 states use the Customer Support Sys

tem, which includes a nationwide communications network, to help give you instantaneous computer-age service support that's unmatched by any other computer manufacturer. Colorful Stops along the Way. More than 1,700 authorized IBM dealers have access to a permanent and continually updated directory of IBM Personal Computer product information in IBM's Customer Support System. For a sharp color display of the type and level of information you want, visit your dea ler or IBM Product Center and choose from lists of options displayed on an IBM PC color monitor. There are choices that guide you quickly and easily from product directories to indepth product demonstrations and configuration information.

Since knowing how to take the first step is often a problem, CSS gives you a variety of possible starting points. By selecting the appropriate category—such as printers or business software—you can move to a list of specific products and then to the

3f

Information from CSS with simple one-key commands

product demonstration you want. If you know a product name to begin with—Word Proof, for example—CSS will make an alphabetic search for it. To keep you up-to-date, there's also a special listing for new product announcements.

You can browse through the CSS displays at your own pace, pausing at a given spot or moving quickly backward or forward by using simple onekey commands that are always displayed at the bottom of the screen. One of these commands enables you to make print-outs of any information you wish to save for future reference.

The IBM PC family's color graphics capabilities make the CSS software demonstrations especially impressive.The Multiplan demonstration, for example, consists of several consecutive screens of information. Each screen is split vertically, with representative sections of the actual program on the left and explanatory text on the right. By the time you've seen the entire demonstration, you'll have a good idea of both what the program can do for you and bow it does it. Answers at the End of the Line. Over 1,000 authorized IBM retail dealers and IBM Product Centers are linked through their Customer Sup

port System to the IBM Information Network. This nationwide communications capability helps your dealer give you fast, efficient service. Warranty claims, for instance, can be handled through CSS with a minimum of paperwork and delay Dealers also use Ik the network to communicate with Pother dealers and with IBM to keep abreast of the latest product and service information.

In addition, the CSS network is k your gateway to technical information L about the IBM Personal Computer H) family of products. IBM maintains a ^database on a 3033 mainframe in Tampa, Florida, that your dealer can use to answer—within minutes—a wide range of questions. If the solution isn't on hand in the database, your question can be submitted through CSS to a technical support staff in Boca Raton. There, it will be analyzed and an answer returned through CSS to your dealer.

The information used to answer your inquiry is added to the CSS database, where it will be immediately available for anyone else with a simi lar question. Your technical inquiries therefore contribute to the growth of the Customer Support System. Its online product informat ion, color graphics displays, and advanced communications all have a single purpose—to help you get the most out of your investment in IBM Personal Computer hardware and software products.

ir

HARDWARE NEWS

Color. There's color news for the IBM PC, IBM PC XT, and IBM Portable PC in the form of the IBM Personal Computer Color Printer. It's a high-performance, dot matrix printer that can print charts, graphics, artwork, and text in up to eight colors. The Color Printer produces color graphics that can enhance the appearance of your reports and presentations and make the information they contain even easiertounderstand. It can also type directly onto overhead transparencies.

The IBM PC Color Printer's range of performance features make it especially well suited for heavy-use/ high-productivity applications. A near letter quality printing mode is standard. Printing speeds of up to 200

characters per second can help save time. So can programmable automatic control of print requirements such as print mode, line spacing, and margin and tab setting. These programmable features act as an extension of many software products—word processing programs, for instance—and can be initiated with just a few keystrokes.

Afinal feature forthose who like a personal touch. You can use the Color Printer to personalize your documents by varying the printing modes, character spacing, and boldness. This allows you to differentiate

The IBM PC Color Printer

among headlines, subheads, and quotations and even to print math and science equations.

The Big Crunch. Not long ago, computing and number crunching were nearly synonymous. Personal computers and software for everything from office management to agriculture changed that, but the need for heavy number crunching has hardly disappeared. If it's still a part of your computer workload, the IBM Personal Computer 8087 Math Co-processor can help speed up your calculations.

'The 8087 is a floating point coprocessor that multiplies, divides, adds, subtracts, exponentiates, and performs trigonometric and logarithmic functions. It works together with the PC's 8088 processor to improve the execution speed of floating point operations by as much as 10:1. The Math Co-processor increases calculation speeds so greatly because it makes floating point operations a hardware rather than a software function.

In addition to increasing the speed—and often the level of precision—of statistical and analytical math packages, the Math Co-processor can improve the display speed of graphics and video games. It also significantly improves high-level language execution time, and is designed to work with the APT Interpreter and the version 2.0 Pascal and FORTRAN Compilers discussed next in this issue.

1

f*1

WHAT'S THE PROGRAM

We Speak Your Language. IBM Personal Computers are shameless polyglots. They can handle most of the popular programming languages you want to work with. Much of the credit for their versatility goes to the IBM Disk Operating System (DOS) 2.10. This updated version of DOS 2.00 was developed to provide support for the IBM PCjr as well as for the IBM PC, PC XT, and IBM Portable PC. So all members of the IBM Personal Computer family are united by a single master program that provides the required support between their hardware and a wide range of application programs.

More to our present linguistic point, the DOS 2.10 diskette contains two programs, Disk BASIC and Advanced BASIC, to help you write your own programs on an IBM PC. (IBM PCjr BASIC—a separate, optional cartridge—provides this support for the PCjr.) Disk BASIC adds DOS file support, date, time of day, and communications capabilities to the BASIC language that comes with every personal computer from IBM. Advanced BASIC adds advanced key trapping and advanced graphics—including viewports, windows, and paint tiling—plus music and other capabilities.

DOS has other features that help simplify advanced program development and design, including a line editor, a linker, background printing, and chaining of commands. For help with writing and editing particularly sophisticated BASIC programs, there's the BASIC Programming Development System, a software package that consists of two programs and four utilities. The first program includes aText File Editor and a Structured BASIC Pre processor; the second includes a BASIC Formatter and a BASIC CrossReference.

Native Translators Available. The

IBM BASIC Compiler compiles or translates the BASIC programs you've written, down to native object code so they'll run on your IBM PC. And BASIC is just the beginning. DOS also provides the support you need to develop and run programs using the IBM Personal Computer Macro Assembler or the FORTRAN, COBOL, and Pascal Compilers.*

Two of these, the FORTRAN and

Pascal Compilers, are available in recently updated versions. IBM PC Pascal 2.0 is based on the ISO standard, and IBM PC FORTRAN 2.0 conforms to the ANS1-77 standard subset level. Both new versions feature improved arithmetic capabilities, and both support the IBM 8087 Math Co-processor for greatly increased speed in processing floating point calculations. (For more about the Math Co-processor, see "Hardware News" in this issue of Read Only.)

In addition, versions 2.0 of the FORTRAN and Pascal Compilers feature a Library Manager for creating user-defined libraries and provide easy access to all files in any subdirectory through DOS path support. FORTRAN 2.0 supports linking of object modules with subroutines written in Pascal 2.0 and vice versa. Both new versions support linking of object modules with subroutines written in IBM PC Macro Assembler.

There's a bargain in store for those who already own the 1.0 versions of these compilers: you have the option of buying an upgrade to the 2.0 version at a substantial savings from the full 2.0 price.

To ensure that your programming reach doesn't exceed your grasp, the IBM PC APL Interpreter enables you to write and edit your own programs in APL. It can also be used to exchange data files and workspace between your IBM PC and many mainframe computers.*

Finally, if you're inclined to make serious use of the IBM PC's array of programming aids, we suggest that you also take a look at the recently announced IBM PC Sort program. It provides support for data types and file organizations used by the IBM DOS-supported languages mentioned

\

Application development tools from IBM

above and can significantly speed and streamline your programming efforts.

IBM PC Sort can be used as a stand-alone utility, integrated into a batch job stream, or invoked directly from a COBOL program via the Sort verb. It can sort records from a data file

or files, merge multiple input files, selectively include or exclude records, and create an output file containing the records, pointers, or keys from the input files. There are no arbitrary limits in IBM PC Sort for file size, record length, number of keys, or number of input files.

'BASIC Compiler and Macro Assembler will run on the IBM PCjr. APL Interpreterwill not. Although the IBM PCjr does not support FORTRAN, COBOL, and Pascal Compilers, most of their output will run on the PCjr if there is sufficient storage.

Now Get Organized. The IBM PC's ability to run a wide variety of commercially available programs and to help you develop your own applications may result in a good news/bad news situation. The good news is that you'll be able to satisfy your application requirements. The bad news is that you'll probably be the one responsible for keeping track of your growing library of programs. If, as we've often found, enthusiasm outstrips organization, you may find yourself falling behind—especially if you're working in an area, such as

Animation Creation software from IBM

small business finance or education, where programs multiply rapidly.

Fortunately, help is in sight, in the form of Fixed Disk Organizer, an IBM software package that does just what its name suggests.

Fixed Disk Organizer has a master menu that lets you sort out your various application programs by category— word processing, spreadsheet, communications, and so on. You can tailor the menu to your specific application needs by adding new menu categories, revising or deleting existing categories, or changing titles. The master menu allows you to review all the programs stored on your fixed disk at a glance and to call them up quickly with just a couple of keystrokes.

Fixed Disk Organizer also helps protect sensitive data by allowing you to create passwords and restrict access. It also enables you to write a

string of complex DOS commands into a batch file and execute them whenever you want simply by selecting that file from the menu. And in case part of your organizational problems stem from not always remembering just how things are organized, you can use Fixed Disk Organizer to establish Help files as a reminder.

So we're all in trouble—no more excuses for not being organized. Moving Pictures and Mathematical Castles. Let's not forget that there's more to life than programming, compiling, and getting organized. There's also software from IBM for pure enjoyment and for enjoyable education. Two such packages are Animation Creation and Adventures in Math.

Adventures in Math incorporates math drills into an adventure game with vivid color . graphics of a castle and its ' j3| passageways and treasures. To find the way out—and to un - M ' cover as many treasures as pos- r sible along the way—children (or particularly skillful adults) have to solve basic math problems. The program's difficulty level increases as you solve the problems you're confronted with.

Using Animation Creation, you or your children can draw your own pictures and watch them come to life. To draw pictures, you select from 254 computer characters and position them on your screen. Add color by choosing any of 16 foreground and 8 background colors. Then, by slightly repositioning the images on successive screens, you can create animation.

Next stop, Hollywood.

HARDCOPY

You Can't Enjoy the Game without a Program. Earlier in this issue (see "On the Storefront"), we discussed the Customer Support System for online information about IBM Personal Computer products. Much of that information is also available in two publications: The Guide, a directory of Personal Computer offerings from IBM, and The Library, a directory of IBM Personal Computer software offerings. If you want to enjoy the personal computer game, these are the "programs" you need to do it.

the end of the booklet that shows at a glance which programs are compatible with the IBM PCjr. Or the Hardware without a Manual. If The Guide and The Library are the general road maps to IBM PC products, the Technical Reference and Hardware Maintenance and Service manuals*—now available in newly updated versions—are the detailed maps of downtown. It's not a trip everyone wants to take, but if you do, these are the right directions.

There's a three-volume Technical Reference set for the PC and another for the PC XT and Portable PC. These manuals include the functional specifications for the system units and for the options and adaptors in the IBM PC product line. The Hardware Maintenance and Service manual details many aspects of troubleshooting a personal computer from IBM. It in.eludes a parts catalog, a section on preventive maintenance, and instructions for identifying the failure of a replacement unit.

'These manuals are intended

tor use by technically qualified service personnel.

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

If you use Personal EditorIBM's full-screen editor for writing programs and brief documents—but find yourself displaying the Help file whenever you forget a function key assignment, here's a little help from the fellow forgetful.

Function key assignments can easily be displayed on the command line of your Personal Editor screen by assigning Fl to display the unmodified keys and alt+Fl to display the alt+Fx keys. You can then assign the Help function to alt-fH, although you probably won't need it nearly as often as before.

The macro for the Fl assignment can be written as follows: def fl = [cursor command] [begin line] F: 2 = Save 3 = File 4 = Quit 5 = Erase 6 = EraseEOL 7' Print 8 = Switch 9=InsL 10=Ins&Indt' [cursor data].

The Guide, published twice a year, is a catalog that contains clear, concise descriptions of IBM PC, IBM PC XT, IBM PCjr, and IBM Portable PC systems. It also reviews printers, video displays, expansion units, and all other IBM PC hardware products. A separate section of The Guide contains articles on IBM PC software packages.

Both hardware and software articles are illustrated

S

ft

Li.

with annotated color photographs—of key screens for the software packages—and start with charts that provide quick product overviews. Other noteworthy features include sample configuration tables for all three systems and a closing section on Sales and Service Support.

The Library, updated quarterly, presents an overview in booklet form of the entire IBM PC software product line. It presents the software by category, with sections on Operating Systems and Languages, Personal Productivity, Communications, Business, Education, and Entertainment. Program descriptions are brief and to the point. Each includes a short overview, program highlights, and system requirements. There's also a chart at

For more information about 1ISM Personal Computer products, see your authorized IBM Personal Computer dealer or IBM Product Center. To learn where, call 800-447-4700. In Alaska and Hawaii. 800-447-0890.

© 1984 International Business Machines Corporation Little Tramp character licensed by Bubbles Inc., s.a.

UPDATE

Feedback

Pascal p-System Upgrade for PC XT

Maura Smith, SofTech Microsystems' director of communications, commented on lames P. Reed's letter to the editor "Watch the Fine Print" (February, page 24). In his letter, Mr. Reed related his surprise when he discovered that neither UCSD Pascal p-System's program nor data files can be stored on an IBM PC XT's fixed disk.

Ms. Smith wants BYTE readers to know that SofTech Microsystems offers an upgrade kit to solve fixed-disk problems such as Mr. Reed's. This upgrade allows you to store both programs and data on the IBM PC XT's hard disk, and it lets you partition a disk among various operating systems.

The upgrade is available through SofTech's end-user sales department for $20. The address is SofTech Microsystems, 16885 West Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127. (619) 451-1230.

Developments

Product News

QDP Computer Systems of Cleveland. Ohio, has announced a 15 percent price reduction on its entire line of QDP-300 business and industrial desktop micros. Prices begin at $3495 for a single-user system with two floppy-disk drives and 128K bytes of RAM.

ASHTONTATE'S dBASE II database-management system will now be bundled with Kaypro 4 and 10 computers shipped after April 4, according to Kaypro Corporation. In a related development. Kaypro revamped the software package that comes with each of its computers. The new bundle features Digital Research's CP/M 2.2 and MicroPro International's WordStar, MailMerge, CalcStar, and MBASIC. Incidentally, if you're wondering why Kaypro changed the name of the Kaypro II to Kaypro 2, a company spokesperson explained that it was because people kept asking to see a Kaypro eleven.

MICROPRO International, the San Rafael. California, applications-software developer, has announced that its WordStar Professional package is available for the Tandy 2000. The Professional package is made up of the WordStar word processor, the CorrectStar spelling corrector, the MailMerge file- and data-merging program, and Starlndex, which creates tables of contents and alphabetized indexes. MicroPro claims to have sold 800,000 copies of WordStar.

LOTUS Development Corporation's 1-2-3 is now available for the IBM PCjr. The Cambridge, Massachusetts, software developer has set the suggested price for this integrated package at $495.

SOFTWORD Systems Inc. has changed its name to MultiMate International Corporation. According to a company spokesperson, the public's recognition of the name MultiMate is higher than its recall of the name SoftWord Systems. This is due to the fact that the name of each of the company's products begins with the word "MultiMate." The word "International" reflects the company's expanding overseas customer base. MultiMate International, which produces word processors and database and list managers, maintains corporate headquarters in East Hartford. Connecticut.

TERRAPIN LOGO'S suggested retail price has been reduced to $99.95, according to a recent announcement by its Cambridge, Massachusetts-based publisher, Terrapin Inc.

LEADING EDGE Products of Needham. Massachusetts, has reduced the price of its Leading Edge Word Processor to $200. in response to IBM's announcement that it will market a version of Displaywriter for the PC.

Network Updates

Database Serves Financiers

Invest/Net, billed as the insider's trading monitor, is said to feature complete up-to-the-minute information showing the buys, sells, and options exercises of corporate insiders, including senior officers, directors, or owners of 10 percent or more of a corporation's stock. You can also browse the entire list of stocks traded in the United States, scan specific industry groups, and assemble data covering any period of time. A talk-back feature lets you communicate with Invest/Net or other users. The transactions are taken from the records of the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the New York and American stock exchanges.

Invest/Net can be accessed by any personal computer or terminal equipped with a 300- or 1200-bps modem. Most commands require a single keystroke, and a help facility is on line. It's available in more than 240 cities worldwide. For contract fees, contact Financial Information On-Line—Invest/Net, 99 Northwest 183rd St.. North Miami, FL 33169, (305) 652-1710.

Collectibles On Line

The Collector's Data Service, a database for collectors and connoisseurs, went on line last

month. This service provides an exchange for buyers and sellers of such sought-after items as oriental rugs, exotic real estate, works of art, classic cars, antiques, and other collectibles. Lists of stolen properties are carried, along with newsletters, event calendars, and show and auction listings. Additional features include on-thespot credit validations and low-cost classified notices.

Access is via Tymnet. Further information is available from the Collector's Data Service Ltd., 420 West Mercer. Seattle. WA 98119. (800) 435-0100; in Washington. (206) 281-7273.

Pharmaceuticals Focus of New Network

GTE Telenet Communications Corporation and Fisher Stevens Inc. have introduced PHYCOM (Physicians Communications). PHYCOM is reported to be the first on-line version of the P%sicians Desk Reference, which contains information on nearly 1000 trade-named pharmaceutical products, product profiles, details of patients' reactions, abstracts of papers by physicians with prescribing experience, and a bibliography of clinical studies.

Up and running since early April, PHYCOM provides daily news bulletins on medical and regulatory developments from the Bureau of National Affairs. A special emphasis is placed on government health-care rulings and medicolegal decisions. A request service enables doctors to contact sponsoring drug companies for product literature or samples, order reprints of published papers, and register for seminars and symposia.

Most of PHYCOM's information can be obtained free of charge, because the cost of providing this service is shared by the sponsoring companies. PHYCOM is available through GTE Telenet's MINET medical-information network. For further information, contact GTE Telenet Communications Corp., 8229 Boone Blvd., Vienna, VA 22180, (703) 442-1000.

Electronic Mall System for Deaf Uses Standard Telephone

Subscribers access the Deaf Electronic Mail Service's (Deaf-EMS's) computer through their TTY or TTD (teletyping devices) in the same manner they would place a call to a friend. Serving as a community bulletin board and electronic mail system for the hearing impaired in the Seattle. Washington, area, Deaf-EMS provides users with mailboxes and schedules of such events as captioned films, national deaf sports, and local club and service organization announcements. Health, safety, and other public-service announcements are covered.

(continued)

IULY 1984 -BYTE 33

UPDATE

Developed by Silent Software Services, DeafEMS does not require users to purchase additional equipment or modify their hardware. Deaf-EMS's interface converts the 5-bit Baudot TTY letter code to the 7-bit ASCII code used by its computer, which facilitates ease of use.

Silent Software Services was founded by Paul Stefurak of Seattle. Deaf since birth, Mr. Stefurak earned a degree in mathematics from Gallaudet College for the Deaf in Washington, D.C. For more information contact Silent Software Services, 3864 Beach Dr. SW, Seattle. WA 98116, (206) 937-5386 (voice or TTY).

Interaction

Analyses Can Be Risky Business, But Maybe Not That Risky

Professor William Lyons from the University of Tennessee's political science department wrote us suggesting the possibility of a "substantive error" in Pat Macaluso's article "A Risky Business—An Introduction to Monte Carlo Venture Analysis" (March, page 179). We wrote to Mr. Macaluso requesting his opinion on the issues raised by the professor. Here are some excerpts from both letters.

"Pat Macaluso." writes Professor Lyons, "gives the strong impression that one makes estimates of the standard error of the sample means of a particular size drawn from a population only through repeated sampling. In fact, one would not use the sample standard deviation of SI3.400 if one had conducted one sample, as is suggested on page 190: If we had made only one run of 2000 samples, we would have little idea of how we were doing. The large standard deviation of $13,400 would have left us with a range of about SI4.000 to S41.000 in which to expect the average in 2 out of 3 chances.'"

Professor Lyons contends that you would not use the standard deviation of the cases in such a manner. In his opinion, the appropriate technique would be to use an estimate of the standard deviation of the means. You can estimate this by dividing the standard deviation of the one sample taken (i.e., $13,400) by the square root of the sample size minus one |V(2000-1)|. This phenomenon lets researchers make estimates of population parameters after having conducted a single sample.

In his reply, Pat Macaluso agrees with Professor Lyons that you should not use a sample standard deviation as an estimate of the population value, and he confirms that you should first divide by the square root of the sample size. The purpose of the 10-run method used in the article, notes Mr. Macaluso, was to get a fix on the sample size. Consequently, he asserts the validity of the use of sample standard deviations in that context.

He does, however, differ with what he sees as Professor Lyons's suggestion that you could do as well by making a single run of N samples. Such an avenue may be justifiable for a survey where sampling is expensive, but it would be unwise when sampling a model on a computer.

"Suppose we made a single run of 200 samples." suggests Mr. Macaluso. "A typical result

would be about $27,600 plus or minus 950 ... not bad for a two-thirds chance of bracketing the true (model) average, it could well satisfy an analyst. Still, the 10-run method requires a sample size of 2000 and uses the averages from 10 runs of 200 samples each to approximate the population parameters. My approach makes allowance for the iffy nature of the model, the number of variables, and the economy of sampling on a computer.

"The analyst can see how data that are often skewed settle down to a fairly normal sampling distribution with diminishing variation. This makes the process more understandable and helps settle on a larger, yet more practical, sample size. Managers risking large sums of money appreciate the conservatism of this approach."

Internal Circuitry Compensates for Possible Bug

David L. Gaissert. an evaluation engineer with NCR Corporation in Peachtree City. Georgia, spotted a bug in the BASIC program accompanying loe D. Blagg's article "A Low-Cost. Low Write-Voltage EEPROM" (February, page 343) and is concerned about a possible error in the circuit Mr. Blagg described.

In listing 1 on page 344, the program does not increment the EEPROM address pointer, which is the variable P. This results in programming all 2048 bytes of RAM into a single address. 14336. lb correct this problem, add this line to the program: 265 P=P+ 1.

While scrutinizing Mr. Blagg's example of interfacing the 52B13 EEPROM to a Z80-based system, Mr. Gaissert noticed that a one-shot was used to extend the Z80's bus-write pulse to a nominal 10 milliseconds. He felt that the interface does not have provisions for latching the data until the write pulse times out. The integrity of the data to be written would then be lost even before the EEPROM had a chance to complete the programming process.

Mr. Blagg has informed us that this would be true when programming a conventional PROM, such as the 2716, but not with Seeq Technology's 52B13 EEPROM. Seeq's chip has its own data-latching network as a part of its internal circuitry. Once it detects the leading edge of WE, the 52B13 latches in all other input signals, including data, addresses. CTi. CC, and OT. The system controller only has to maintain the WE signal during the write cycle after the latches are activated. This feature was one of the reasons Mr. Blagg found the chip so easy to use.

While on the subject of Seeq Technology. Mr. Blagg provided us with some supplementary materials to pass on to you. Seeq is producing the 52B13 (at the time Mr. Blagg wrote his article, only production samples were available). It's distributed nationwide by Schweber Electronics, lericho Turnpike. Westbury. NY 11590. (516) 334-7474. which maintains outlets in 30 cities. At press time, the 52BI3 is available in 3 50- and 250-nanosecond versions for $23 or $27.50 each (quantity I to 24). Seeq Technology is located at 1849 Fortune Dr.. San lose, CA 95131, (408) 942-1990.

(continued)

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34 BYTE- JULY 1984

Circle 267 on inquiry card.

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sing a Business Plotter is difficult and expensive, right? Wrong! That's the way things used to be. Roland DCs new hardware/software package not only makes plotting easy, it also makes part of the deal free!

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At the heart of the package is the Roland DG DXY-800 X-Y Plotter, (the lowest priced 8-pen plotter on the market). The DXY-800 is an 8-pen intelligent plotter offering an 11" x 17" plot bed, Centronics parallel and RS-232 serial interfaces, and can also be used in either a horizontal or vertical (60 degree inclined) position, to conserve your desk-top space. Use regular paper or even acetate to produce overhead projection graphics,

Next add KeyChart, probably the quickest, and easiest software program for generating presentation-quality business graphics. You don't have to be a programmer to use KeyChart. It is completely menu-driven and can provide automatic default values for every characteristic. Load in your data from the keyboard, or from almost any electronic spreadsheet, including Lotus 1-2-3.

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oland DCs DXY-800 KeyChart package is available for most popular personal computers. Just plug it in, and within minutes you'll be creating the kind of graphics you thought might take days of programming. All of this comes to you for the DXY-800's normal low retail price of $995.00. KeyChart, normally priced at $375.00 is included at no additional cost. For those who don't need multi-pens, Roland DG also makes a single pen plotter (the DXY-101), also bundled with KeyChart for only $750.00 Why not let the Roland DG graphics system improve the quality of your business presentations?

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hurry, this kind of free and easy dealing isn't going to last forever, just until June 30th. For a dealer near you contact: Roland DG, 7200 Dominion Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90040,(213)685-5141.

KeyChart is a trademark of SoftKey Software Products Inc. Lotus and 1-2-3 are trademarks of Lotus Development Corp.

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JULY 1984 'BYTE 35

ATAEA5E

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Mi ilfinl^ fi^lr! <=.nrt

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Take a look at DATAEA5E today. DATAEA5E is available at participating Computerland stores and other fine retail dealers. Call or write for detailed information on the entire 50ETEA5E™ family of products (DATAEA5E™, WORDEA5E™, QRAPMEA5E™, D05EA5E™ and MEDEA5E™).

Circle 283 on inquiry card

UPDATE

Bug in Early 8088 Arises Later, Reader and Author Explain Fix

BYTE reader Martin Janzen of PBSC Software in Winnipeg, Manitoba, found |. Eric Roskos's' article "Writing Device Drivers for MS-DOS 2.0: Using Tandon TM100-4 Drives" to be both interesting and informative. (See February, page

370.) However, the routines in which a local stack is created for the device driver, listing 2 on page 374. concerned him. It seemed to Mr. lanzen that the two groups of instructions (i.e., to switch to a local stack and to switch back to the DOS stack) could produce unpredictable results, such as overwriting areas of memory or storing registers in nonexistent memory.

"Each Igroup of instructions! makes up a critical section; a sequence of instructions which may not be interrupted." explains Mr. lanzen. "For example, if an interrupt were to occur after the MOV SS.AX instruction had been executed, but before the MOV SP. OFFSET STKBOT instruction, the interrupt mechanism would push the CS and IP registers onto a stack pointed to by the new value of the SS register and the old value of the SP register."

Mr. (anzen's solution (see listing 1) is to surround each critical section with CLI (clear interrupt flag) and STI (set interrupt flag) instructions. This prevents the interrupts from being processed until the critical section is complete and the stack has been moved.

"If a critical section occurs inside an interrupthandling routine." says Mr. Janzen, "then the interrupts will already be disabled when the routine receives control. Provided that the routine never executes an STI instruction, the critical section will always execute correctly. However, it is not good to leave interrupts disabled for too long, so this method is not practical for any but the shortest interrupt handlers."

"Whenever a MOV or POP instruction is executed specifying a segment register as the destination," says Mr. Roskos. "interrupts are automatically suppressed until after the next instruction is executed. Intel designed the instructions this way ... to handle the case Mr. lanzen describes. Thus, it is not necessary to surround the sequence MOV SS, AX ... with a CL1/STI pair [becausel the first of the two instructions will cause interrupts to be ignored until after the second of the two is executed."

Mr. Roskos stressed that Mr. Janzen could well have found that the program did not work on his machine. He told us that the problem existed in some of the older IBM PCs, which had a bug in the 8088's microcode. Long after writing his article, Mr. Roskos came across Will Fastie's "Tracing a Bug in the 8088" (PC Tech Journal. September-October 1983. page 106). The article described an error in the 8088 processor that was shipped with some of the earlier IBM PCs. This bug prevented the disabling of interrupts following a MOV or POP to the stack segment from working correctly—precisely the difficulty encountered by Mr. Janzen. Mr. Roskos verified the error by using an old 8088 microprocessor he had, but he defended his program as being correct according to Intel's specifications for the 8088 microprocessor. In addition, it works with all IBM PCs, except for those few early releases with the faulty microcode.

Although Mr. lanzen's solution is workable for machines with a defective 8088, Mr. Roskos offers a caveat regarding the use of CLI/STI pairs to protect stack switching. In some routines the interrupts must remain disabled and that using a CLI/STI pair turns on interrupts at the end of the critical section you're protecting. This can cause complications if the protected section resides inside a larger block of code that is supposed to be run with the interrupts off.

If such a situation as described here were to arise and you wanted to protect the stack switches, you must first verify that the interrupts will always be on at the start of the critical sec

(continued)

Listing 1: Martin lanzen's solution to prevent unwanted interrupts from disrupting critical sections.

dev strategy:

'switch to local stack

cli

turn off interrupts

mov spsav,sp

save DOS's stack pointer...

mov sssav,ss

. .. and stack segment regs

mov ax.cs

set up a local stack in this

mov ss,ax

code segment

mov sp.offset stkbot

bottom of local stack

sti

allow interrupts to occur

:switch back to DOS's stack

cli

turn off interrupts

mov ss.sssav

restore DOS's stack segment

mov sp,spsav

... and stack pointer

sti

allow interrupts to occur

ret

after ret' instruction

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38 BYTE • JULY 1984

Circle 179 on inquiry card.

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You can often judge a personal computer user by the hardware he selects. If the modem comes from UDS, chances are he has a serious investment in computer and software, a serious data communications requirement and serious computer-based decisions to make.

UDS modems offer true pro-quality performance to the serious microcomputer owner. Data rates range from 0 to 9600bps. Depending on data rate, synchronous and asynchronous models may be selected for half- or full-duplex communications. Their prices put them within easy reach of the serious user.

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UPDATE

tion. Otherwise, you'll re-enable them, producing errors. Often this can be avoided by turning off the interrupts (using PUSHF/CLI/ POPF) and then restoring them to their previous state. In the case of a stack switch, this won't work, so you must analyze the code before adding CL1/STI to the program. Our thanks to Mr. Janzen and Mr. Roskos.

Statement Draws Fire, Authors Stand By Words

Nicholas Ourusoff, associate professor of computer science at Lander College in Greenwood, South Carolina, disagreed with a statement made by Mark C. lohnson and Allen Munro, authors of "Pascal's Design Flaws: Modula-2 Solutions and Pascal Patches" (March, page 371). He objected to their assertion that "... the Pascal-language definition does not permit... short-circuited evaluation—cessation of the evaluation when the expression is false."

lb back his argument, Mr. Ourusoff sent us this quote from the second edition of Jensen and Wirth's Pascal User Manual and Report (Springer-Verlag, 1978):

Boolean expressions have the property that their value may be known before the entire expression has been evaluated. Assume, for example, that x=0. Then

(jc>0) and (x< 10)

is already known to be false after computation of the first factor, and the second need not be evaluated. The rules of Pascal neither require nor forbid the evaluation of the second part in such cases.

"In general," concludes Mr. Ourusoff, "Jensen and Wirth have little to say about implementation of Pascal in this book, being mainly concerned with the language definition itself. In Boolean expressions, however land contrary to what lohnson and Munro state|. implementors of Pascal are explicitly given the freedom to use short-circuited evaluation if they choose."

Mark lohnson and Allen Munro agreed their statement was somewhat misleading. What they had intended to say was "the definition does not provide ... short-circuited evaluation."

They do, however, stand by their statement. They counter Mr. Ourusoff's accusation by completing the quote from lensen and Wirth: "This means that the programmer must assure that the second part is well defined."

They feel that Jensen and Wirth were telling programmers that they should assume that short-circuited evaluation will not be provided by the implementation.

Skeleton Credited to Wrong Body

An editing error in the March BYTE incorrectly credited David Zeltzer's picture "Jumping Skeleton" to the wrong organization. (See "Simulating Reality with Computer Graphics," by Peter R. S0rensen, page 106.) Mr. Zeltzer did his work at Ohio State University's Computer Graphics Research Group, with the support of the National Science Foundation. ■

40 BYTE • JULY 1984

urn enape.

e re gonna

o a numbe

you

■

it &j&

Introd the III

ucin

It's fast. It's easy.

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dBASE III isn't just fast. It's ultra-fast. Operating. And sorting. Even faster, is no sorting. Because dBASE III keeps your records in order so you really don't have to sort anything. Unless you want to. Then watch out!

What about dBASE IF?

It's still the world's best database management system for 8-bit computers. And it's still the industry standard for accounting, educational, scientific, financial, business and personal applications.

Let us do a number on you.

For the name of your nearest authorized dBASE III dealer, contact Ashton-Tate, 10150 West Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230. (800) 437-4329, ext. 333. In Colorado, (303) 799-4900.

ASHTON -WE

©Ashton-Tate 1984. All rights reserved. dBASE III is a trademark and dBASE II is a registered trademark of Ashton-Tate.

Circle 29 on inquiry card.

1ULY 1984 'BYTE 43

WHAT'S NEW

Advanced Personal Computer Has UNIX

NEC Information Systems' Advanced Personal Computer 111 is an IBM PC compatible offering UNIX functionality. The MS-DOS operating system and GW BASIC are standard, and the multitasking, single-user UNIX System III operating system is

The Omni-Reader from Oberon International is an inexpensive opticalcharacter reader for microcomputers. It links to your computer or word processor in the same manner as a telephone modem. Omni-Reader is operated manually and is reportedly faster than top-rated typists. It reads at less than 4 seconds per line. J

Omni-Reader consists of a light-sensitive scanning head, a specially grated ruler, and in

available with special memorymanagement hardware.

Three basic Advanced Personal Computer III configurations are offered: a single 320Kbyte floppy-disk drive system; a dual-drive system; and a system with an integrated 10-megabyte Winchester-disk and a single

telligent software. You pass the head over a line of text, using the ruler to facilitate accurate registration on the line. The special grating on the ruler is sensed so as to determine how fast and in which direction you are scanning a line. This method captures a series of vertical slices across the line of characters. These characters are analyzed by a dedicated microprocessor that uses a number of algorithms to process a line of recognized text for transmis

floppy-disk drive. All models have an 8-MHz NEC PD8086 116-bit) microprocessor. 128K bytes of RAM. 8K bytes of nonvolatile CMOS memory, and 32K bytes of ROM for bootstrapping, diagnostics, and ROM BIOS. I/O facilities are made up of a Centronics parallel interface, an RS-232C port with both asynchronous and synchronous communications at speeds of up to 9600 bps, and monochrome and color (RGB) monitor interfaces. A hardware calendar/clock and IBM character sets are supplied.

The Advanced Personal Computer Ill's 61-key IBM Selectrictype keyboard is supplemented with a numeric keypad, cursorcontrol keys, calculation keys, and 12 user-definable function keys that can be used in five modes for 60 total programmed definitions. Both monochrome and color systems use 14-inch, reduced-glare monitors. The display format is 2 5 lines by 80 columns; character cells are 8 by 16 pixels. Graphics resolution is 640 by 400 pixels. The graphics option gives the system 64K bytes (monochrome) or I92K bytes (colorl of dedicated memory. Each pixel can have any one of eight colors. The monochrome and graphics subsystems are based on the NEC

sion to your computer. The algorithms allow the software to discern a variety of type fonts and learn nonstandard fonts.

Omni-Reader's suggested retail price will be under $500. For more information, contact Oberon International. Suite 630. LB 48, 552 5 MacArthur Blvd.. Irving. TX 75062, (214) 252-8453. In the United Kingdom, the address is 47 Romney St.. London SW, * England: tel: 44 1 222 0518. Circle 501 on inquiry card.

7220 graphics-display controller

Other options include up to 640K bytes of RAM, RS-232C and IEEE-488 interfaces, a memory-management unit that protects multitasking operations in the UNIX environment, and joystick interfaces and sound effects. The system runs all generic MS-DOS software in IBM 514-inch formats; a complete list of available applications software is available through CompuServe and The Source.

A 2 56K-byte Advanced Personal Computer III with the floppy-/hard-disk combination. UNIX software, and UNIX hardware costs $5320. The UNIX software features a C compiler. RAND editor and Berkeley UNIX editor, 8087 coprocessor and emulation, coresidence with MS-DOS on hard disk, file transfers to and from MS-DOS, and C-Shell from Berkeley UNIX. The single-drive system with a 14-inch monochrome monitor is $1995. A monochrome system with the hard- and floppy-disk combination is $3995. For more information, contact NEC Information Systems Inc., 1414 Massachusetts Ave.. Boxborough, MA 01719, (617) 264-8000.

Circle 500 on inquiry card.

44 BYTE* IULY 1984

DAIA ACQUISITION SOFTWARE THAT SPANS TWO WORLDS

Now one IBM PC can direct high speed acquisition of analog signals, and simultaneously read and control instruments on the IEEE-488 bus. Connect your analog signals to the Keithley DAS Series 500 Measurement and Control System; connect IEEE^488 instruments to our new Plus500 Instrument Control System. The same software environment controls both interfaces at the same time.

■ Soft500andnewPlus500 software make measurement and control accessible. Soft500 and Plus500 software are enhancements of BASIC, the language of personal computing. As easy to use as BASIC itself, Soft500 and Plus500 add

Circle 172 on inquiry card.

powerful data acquisition and control capabilities to a higher level language.

■ You can trust the data. Soft500's foreground/background scheduling carefully times multiple tasks to ensure that successive readings from the same channel maintain precisely the same sampling interval. And there's still time for simultaneous data analysis.

■ The Series 500 is fully modular. Seventeen modules form an extensive and growing family that supports analog input, analog output, digital I/O, current loop output, pulse counting, and AC/DC relay control. And now the Plus500 Instrument Control System allows simultaneous access to the IEEE488 bus as well.

■ Quality manufacturing, quality service.

The Series 500 is built like an instrument. It has the highest accuracy, the lowest noise, and the best thermal stability of any personal computer based data acquisition workstation. That's why it comes with a one-year warranty and a free product support hotline.

■ For more information

Call us toll free at 1-800-552-1115. In Massachusetts, call 617-423-7780. We'd like to tell you more about the Series 500 measurement and control family.

349 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210

KEITHLEY

IULY 1984 -BYTE 45

WHAT'S NEW

The Otrona 2001. a portable computer that easily converts to a desktop system, is fully compatible with the IBM PC. Its architecture offers three PC-compatible expansion slots, and its operational compatibility embraces all IBM software, such as Lotus 1-2-3 and Multiplan.

The basic Otrona 2001. retailing for $2495. comes with a single 48-tpi 360K-byte floppydisk drive, a 4.77-MHz 8088 microprocessor. 128K bytes of RAM with parity, 64K bytes of

ROM with diagnostics, a 7-inch amber flat-screen display, a serial RS-232C asynchronous port, a parallel port, and a composite-video/RGB external monitor interface. The lowprofile. 84-key DIN 30-mm keyboard is equipped with 10 function keys, a 15-key numeric pad. uppercase/lowercase LED indicators, and a 16-keystroke buffer. The display format is 80 by 25 with a standard resolution of 640 by 200 pixels. The Otrona 2001 weighs 19 pounds and measures 7 inches high. 15

inches wide, and 14 inches deep.

Expansion options include a 10-megabyte internal hard-disk drive, a second 5 '/4-inch floppydisk drive, up to 640K bytes of RAM. a 4.77-MHz Z80B microprocessor with CP/M. an 8087 mathematic coprocessor, realtime clock, internal 300/ 1200-bps auto-dial modem, high-resolution (640 by 200) graphics board, and additional asynchronous and synchronous I/O ports. A 7-inch P-31 greenphosphor monitor, a 12-inch color display, a dot-matrix printer, DC power supply, a travel pack, and a PCcompatible expansion chassis are also available. Otrona offers Microsoft MS-DOS version 2.1 with Disk Manager 2 and GW BASIC. CP/M 2.2. and BASIC-80 Plus as system software.

The Otrona 2001 is available for immediate delivery. For the name of your nearest dealer, contact Otrona Advanced Systems Corp., 472 5 Walnut St.. Boulder. CO 80301, (800) 525-7550; in Colorado. (303) 444-8100.

Circle 502 on inquiry card.

StarLink Expands IBM PC into Multiuser Micro

Ahardware/software combination to expand the IBM PC into a multiuser system. StarLink from Digital Research provides a low-cost alternative to purchasing multiple computers. With StarLink, you can connect four terminals or microcomputers to your IBM PC. with users sharing files, data, and applications.

StarLink is made up of an 8088-based board. 64K bytes of RAM, and Concurrent PC-DOS (see announcement on page 50). Its on-board RS-232C interface lets you use the IBM PC along with terminals, modems, and computers from other manufacturers. The operating system has protection and filelocking functions.

StarLink can run such applications programs as WordStar. MBA Accounting, and Multiplan. It requires an IBM PC. PC XT. or PC compatible with 512K bytes of RAM. The list price is $1695. Contact Digital Research Inc., 160 Central Ave.. Pacific Grove, CA 93950. (408) 649-3896. Circle 503 on inquiry card.

Light Pen Works with Apples

The Gibson Light Pen. available from Koala, lets you create and manipulate objects on the Apple's screen. It's easy to judge and control the Gibson Light Pen because it comes in direct contact with the screen. Color can be added or changed as often as you like, and you can choose from a variety of presupplied colors and patterns to paint areas of your art.

The heart of the Gibson Light Pen is software. Four programs come with the pen. and Koala intends to expand software offerings in the future. The programs are PenPainter, PenAnimator. PenMusician, and PenDesigner. PenPainter is a color graphics program for artistic applications. PenAnimator serves as an introduction to animated computer graphics. It lets you create 20 frames of animation

that can be cycled through the monitor. PenMusician shows you how to score simple melodies. It uses the Light Pen for moving notes across the staff lines, and it plays back the melodies. PenDesigner is a black-and-white line art program for technical or business graphics. It provides the means for producing professional-quality graphics.

The Gibson Light Pen is currently being shipped for the Apple II series. System requirements are 64K bytes of RAM. Applesoft in ROM. DOS 3.3. a disk drive, and a monitor. Versions for the Commodore 64 and the IBM PC and PCjr are expected by year's end. It lists for S249. Further information is available from Koala Technologies Corp.. 3100 Patrick Henry Dr.. Santa Clara. CA 95052-8100. (408) 986-8866. Circle 504 on inquiry card.

46 BYTE" |ULY 1984

lis is THE PASCAL COMPIL1 You've Been Hearing About

VERSION 2.0

"It's almost certainly better than IBM's Pascal for the PC...

Recommended.''

Jerry Pournelle

Byte, May 1984

$49.95

"If you don't have CP/M [for your Apple], Turbo Pascal is reason enough to buy it."

Cary Hara Softalk Apple, May 1984

If you have the slightest interest in Pascal. .. buy it."

Bruce Webster, Softalk IBM, March, 1984

And Now It's Even Better Than You've Heard!

• Windowing (IBM PC, XT, jr. or true compatibles)

• Color, Sound and Graphics Support (IBM PC, XT, jr. or true compatibles)

• Optional 8087 Support (available at an additional charge)

• Automatic Overlays

• A Full-Screen Editor that's even better than ever

• Full Heap Management—via dispose procedure

• Full Support of Operating System Facilities

• No license fees. You can sell the programs you write with Turbo Pascal without extra cost.

Yes. We still include Microcalc . . . the sample spreadsheet written with Turbo Pascal. You can study the source code to learn how a spreadsheet is written . . . it's right on the disk.* And, if you're running Turbo Pascal with the 8087 option, you'll never have seen a spreadsheet calculate this fast before!

*Except Commodore 64 CP/M.

Order Your Copy of TURBO PASCAU VERSION 2.0 Today

For VISA and MasterCard orders call toll free: 1-800-227-2400 x968

In California: 1-800-772-2666 x968

(lines open 24 hrs, 7 days a week) Dealer &. Distributor Inquiries Welcome 408-438-8400

Choose One (please add $5.00 for shipping and handling for U.S. orders. Shipped UPS)

Turbo Pascal 2.0 $49.95 + $5.00

Turbo Pascal with 8087 support

$89.95 + $5.00 Update (1.0 to 2.0) Must be accompanied by the original master $29.95 + $5.00

Update (1.0 to 8087) Must be

accompanied by the original master $69.95 + $5.00

Check

VISA

Card ft:

Exp. date:

Money Order Master Card .

My system is: 8 bit 16 bit

Operating System: CP/M 80

CP/M 86 MS DOS PC DOS.

Computer:

») BORIPDD

!» INTERNATIONAL

Borland International 4113 Scotts Valley Drive Scotts Valley, California 95066 TELEX: 172373

Disk Format:

Please be sure model number & format are correct.

Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Telephone:

California residents add 6% sales tax. Outside U.S.A. add $15.00 (If outside of U.S.A. payment must be by bank draft payable in the U.S. and in U.S. dollars.) Sorry, no CO.D. or Purchase Orders. cl5

WHAT'S NEW

Clout Inquiry Option for R:base

Microrim's Clout is a natural-language inquiry option for the R:base Series of relational database-management systems. It lets you pose questions to your database in free-form English words and phrases without fussing with command syntax or database structures.

Clout incorporates expert system theory and naturallanguage techniques from artificial-intelligence technology. It extends the power of the R.base Select command by allowing you to retrieve information from up to five files. Upon installation. Clout reads the attributes in an existing database and adds them to its built-in 200-word dictionary. It then lets you build on the dictionary with synonyms for words or operations associated with the database.

Clout has the ability to search through the database to retrieve records based on adjectives or qualifying words, and it allows

you to define words in terms of the result of computations or data manipulation. Clout can be used with any R:base database. You can add approximately 500 words of your own. Information requests incorporated into Clout can take almost any form possible, including arithmetic expressions, uppercase/lowercase characters, singular or plural words, and any standard verb conjugation. Other features include an automatic spelling checker, automatic report formatting, menu-driven functions, and more than 60 Help screens.

Clout requires an MS- or PCDOS 1.1 or higher system with 256K bytes of memory. Although Clout will operate on a dual-disk-drive micro, a harddisk system is recommended. Any 80- or 132-column ASCII printer can be used. Clout is S195. For complete details, contact Microrim Inc., 1750 112th Ave. NE, Bellevue. WA 98004. (206| 453-6017. Circle 505 on inquiry card.

Low-Cost

Screen Graphics for PC

Fontrix 2.0 is a low-cost, extended-screen graphics software package for IBM PC and PC XT computers. Fontrix. first introduced for the Apple more than a year ago. gives your monitor a window on a large graphic worksheet, moving across nearly 23 times the area and resolution of a single screen (up to 115 screens with a hard disk). Its drawing and painting routines work with both a keyboard and a mouse.

Among Fontrix's programming tools are elastic lines, rectangular area fills, freehand drawing, and the ability to capture, move, and replicate portions of the screen. Text can be intermingled with graphics. The italic and bold functions are automatic, and you can change fonts at any time. It comes with 11 fonts and with a font editor capable of creating a variety of characters, including special symbols. The font editor provides a 48- by 48-pixel character cell environment and offers

such features as copy and overlay.

Fontrix's graphics dump prints single and extended graphics on most popular dot-matrix printers, including Epson. Mannesmann Tally. NEC. C. Itoh, and Okidata. The dump features independent horizontal and vertical magnifications, 90-degree rotation, justifications, and multiple copies.

Optional libraries of additional fonts are available. Each volume contains 10 fonts. The five volumes of the library list for S20 each. The Apple version of Fontrix. which costs S75. requires 48K bytes of RAM. Applesoft in ROM. and a disk drive. It works with the Apple II Plus, lie, and HI. The IBM Personal Computer version requires 2 56K bytes of memory, a graphics board, and PC-DOS 2.0. It lists for $125. Contact Data Transforms Inc., 616 Washington St.. Denver. CO 80203. (303) 832-1501.

Circle 506 on inquiry card.

Please Database System Is Easy to Use

First-time users of Please. Hayes Microcomputer Products' database-management system for the IBM Personal Computer, can create a database shortly after they sit down at the keyboard according to the manufacturer. A menudriven package, Please has 999 characters per field, 99 fields per record. 2000 characters per record, and the ability to accommodate several million records per database, depending on your system's capacity. It lets you quickly change the structure of the database, merge and copy databases, and transfer data rapidly. Four different field types let you shape output to specific needs, and Please gives you the option of setting your screen formats and field characteristics.

Please has an Import/Export feature that transfers data to and from other sources, such as Lotus 1-2-3, dBASE 11. Friday!, and VisiCalc. Instructions for

inputting data from these and other popular programs are provided in the operator's manual. For one-time needs, Quick List retrieves selected information from a database according to specific criteria. Output Plans, comprising List, Form, Replacement, and Export functions, manipulate selected information. The List Output Plan produces columns of information from a database, while the Form function allows data to be printed in a predetermined location on a form or mailing label. Replacement makes mass deletions, and Export sends information to spreadsheets, word-processing files, and other programs.

Please's Define mode lets you create new fields in the Output Plans based on files within the record. While the original record remains on screen. Dial automatically calls a telephone number from the record using Hayes Smartmodem. Additional

features include nine-digit decimal precision, a maximum of nine screens per record, and on-line Help facilities. Optional applications templates expand Please further. These templates focus on such common database-management needs as mailing lists, contacts, appointments, and household records.

Please requires a 128K-byte IBM PC equipped with a mono

chrome or color monitor and either a pair of double-sided, double-density drives or a harddisk drive. It costs S349. The applications templates list for $29.95. For the name of your nearest dealer, contact Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc.. 5923 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.. Norcross. GA 30092, (404) 449-8791.

Circle 507 on inquiry card.

48 BYTE' |ULY 1984

1

Now you can buy flexible disks with a five year warranty from Control Data.

A lot of companies make diskettes. But Control Data also makes disk drives In fact, we're the leading independent supplier of disk drives to computer manufacturers.

Now we've put our expertise into a truly superior line: StorageMaster diskettes from Control Data.

You can choose from a com

plete line of premium 8" and 5.25" diskettes in single or double densities, single or double-sided. And each diskette is 100% certified and backed by a 5 year warranty. So you can depend on them to perform for years to come.

Look for StorageMaster diskettes at your local computer store or ask for them from your computer supplies distributor.

Or give us a call toll-free at 1-800/328-6207 (in Minnesota call 612/853-8065) and we'll tell you where to find StorageMaster diskettes.

contrpl

DATA

Circle 82 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 49

WHAT'S NEW

Kit Extends PCjr Up to 512K

dBASE III: Relational DBM for 16-Bit Computers

The Drive Two Enhancement Package is a twopiece, snap-on expansion kit for the IBM PCjr. Manufactured by Rapport Corporation, this kit extends the capabilities of the 64K-byte, single-drive PCjr to those of a dual-drive IBM PC. With the Drive Two. you can run virtually any software designed for the PC as well as PCjr software.

The Drive Two kit comes with a 360K-byte floppy-disk drive, a clock/calendar with battery backup, a parallel printer port, and an expansion slot for in

creasing the PCjr's RAM to 512K bytes. Once installed, this package lets you operate PCDOS 1.1. 2.1. or 2.0. Installation is said to take less than 10 minutes, requiring only a flathead screwdriver. The kit snaps on top and to the side of the PCjr box and uses the original PCjr cover.

The Drive Two Enhancement Package costs S675. For more details, contact Rapport Corp.. Suite 213, 80 South Redwood Rd„ North Salt Lake City. UT 84054. (801) 292-9454. Circle 508 on inquiry card.

^ r

Ashton-Tate has introduced dBASE 111. a relational DBM (database manager) for 16-bit microcomputers. With dBASE 111. you can enter, manipulate, and retrieve large volumes of data as well as develop custom applications programs to put that information to work. Its storage capabilities, limited only by your computer, can be as high as 2 billion records per file with 128 fields per database. As many as 10 database files can be simultaneously operated.

At the same time. Fox & Geller (604 Market St., Elmwood Park. N| 07407) has announced that it is supplying Quickcode III. dUTIL III, and dGRAPH III versions of its dBASE enhancements. Quickcode is an applications generator that uses the dBASE programming language. dUTIL is a general utility program, and dGRAPH sorts, averages, and totals dBASE data and displays it graphically.

dBASE III provides fast sorting and indexing of stored data and color displays. Its user interface features a command assistance mode that guides novices through the most common areas of the database. Full online, context-sensitive help is available at the press of a key.

Written in C from the ground up, dBASE III uses the same English-like commands as its predecessor. dBASE II. with

only minor modifications and enhancements for new functions and program changes. It also uses the dBASE programming language, which lets you develop your own applications programs. It's compatible with Framework and dBASE II. Miscellaneous features include variable-length text files of up to 4K bytes per entry, 4000 bytes per record (fixed length), 512K bytes per record (variable length), 15.9 digits of numerical precision, full-screen data entry and modification, and report and mailing-list generation.

dBASE III currently runs on the IBM PC. PC XT. and all IBM PC compatibles. Minimum system requirements are 2 56K bytes of RAM. dual 514-inch 360K-byte floppy-disk drives, a monochrome or color display. PC-DOS 2.0. and an 80-column printer. It will also work with a single floppy-disk and one fixed-disk drive. Available this month, it will list for $695. A take-home sampler tutorial can be obtained for $9.95. Owners of dBASE II wishing to upgrade to dBASE III should contact authorized dealers before luly 31 for details on a preferential pricing program. Prices for the Fox & Geller programs had not been announced at press time. Contact Ashton-Tate, 10150 West lefferson Blvd.. Culver City, CA 90230. (213) 204-5570. Circle 509 on inquiry card.

Multitasking Concurrent PC-DOS to Be Available in Third Quarter

Digital Research has announced that its longawaited Concurrent PCDOS will be shipped during the third quarter of this year. Pricing has been set at $295.

Of particular note to our corporate readers is Concurrent PC-DOS's ability to run as many as four PC-DOS or CP/M applications programs simultaneously, thereby making it a suitable productivity tool for team-working environments. It also runs most popular PC-DOS applications packages, such as Lotus 1-2-3. dBASE II, WordStar. MultiMate. and SuperCalc 3.

50 BYTE • |ULY 1984

Concurrent PC-DOS works by presenting you with menus that outline a series of tasks to perform. The menu serves two functions. First, it guides the operator through all the system's resources and applications while tending to such control commands as copy, print, and delete files. The second function lets you create your own menus and compose special commands for custom-designed Help screens.

A communications capability lets you work on one application while the IBM PC receives information from an external

database. Concurrent PC-DOS has a window capability that permits simultaneous monitoring of four applications. Windows can be positioned anywhere on screen, scrolled, or sized to display the important parts of the application. Information can be cut and pasted from applications by placing the window over the appropriate data.

Advanced productivity tools supplied include a print spooler. Rolodex, and a twouser function. The print spooler lets you queue up documents to be printed while other tasks

are printing. Rolodex is a sorting and searching program for lists of names, addresses, and other pertinent data. The twouser function offers a remote dial-up link.

An IBM PC or PC-compatible system with 256K bytes of memory and two floppy-disk drives is required. For maximum efficiency. 5I2K bytes of memory and a hard disk are recommended. The $295 list price includes documentation. Contact Digital Research Inc.. 160 Central Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950, (408) 649-3896. Circle 510 on inquiry card.

[continued on page 410) Circle 302 on inquiry card. —►

Our Family Tree Is Growing Again

4600 Pell Drive Sacramento. CA 95838 (916)920-4600 Telex #4991834 Answer back-Teletek

TELETEK

WANTED

SOMETHING TO RELIEVE THIS MESS!

If you've ever found yourself searching for a calculator, notepad or appointment book when you've got a computer tight in front of you, then you know the absurd situation we're illustrating.

Sure, there are clumsy little programs you can boot up to accomplish one or the other of these tasks... but that's generally meant first stepping out of the software you're working with.

What's always been needed is one powerful piece of software, occupying only a few A, that would be tucked away in an unused part of RAM no matter what program you're running.

Whether you were running dfiasell, Lotus 1-2-3, WordStar or even Turbo Pascal® ... it would always

be ready for lightning-fast use. You could just hit a button and open a window for a notepad, another for a calculator. Hit the button, again, and your work would be saved to disk and you'd be right back in your original software!

While we're at it, it should also have a perpetual calendar linked to a datebook. And even an autodialer, with a built-in phonebook. Is this piece of software possible? At a price you can afford . . . now?

Something totally new in applications software from Borland, the folks who make Turbo Pascal© JUST A KEYSTROKE AWAY.

NO MATTER WHAT SOFTWARE YOU'RE RUNNING!

• A CALCULATOR

• A NOTEPAD

• AN APPOINTMENT CALENDAR

• AN AUTO DIALER

• AN ASCII TABLE

• AND MUCH MORE ALL AT ONCE ... OR ONE AT A TIME.

ANYWHERE ON THE SCREEN YOU LIKE. ANOTHER KEYSTROKE, AND YOU'RE RIGHTWHERE YOU LEFT OFF IN YOUR ORIGINAL PROGRAM! (you never realty left!)

. t J .« J .• • .»' .1 .1 .1 I I (.11 I I 1.1 I

u I M i ri l I

i ii' i i • i

SIDEKICK

INTRODUCTORY OFFER

$49.95

Available only for the IBM PC, XT, jr. and Compatibles.

NOW ... Whether you're working in dBasell, Lotus 1-2-3, WordStar or whatever ... You'll have your SIDEKICK®, too!

Something brand new. Crafted in Assembly language as carefully as Borland's famous Turbo Pascal®, so that it's lightning-fast and as compact as only Borland knows how to make it! With a notepad that has a hill-screen editor that saves your notes to disk. You can even swap information back and forth between your applications software id your Sidekick.

ipose you're working with a spreadsheet, and you suddenly have an important idea. Just hit the button, a window opens, you write the note and hit the button again. You're right back where you left off in the spreadsheet.

Need to make a phone call? Whether the number is in an existing database, your own Sidekick phone directory, or you've just typed it on the screen . .. put the cursor next to the number, hit the keystroke, and Sidekick dials for you!*

Uteres lots more, too. You can move the Sidekick windows anywhere on the screen you like. And you can have as many on screen at a time as you need. We designed it because we needed :t. If you've ever been writing a report and needed to do a quick calculation, or jot down a note, then you

understand Why. 'Only with Hayes Smanmodem and compatible.

YOU CAN ORDER YOUR COPY OF SIDEKICK© TODAY!

For Visa and MasterCard orders call Toll Free 1-800-227 2400 ext 953 in California l-SOO-772-2666 ext 953

(lines open 24 hours, 7 days a week) Dealer and Distributor Inquiries Welcome 408-438-8400

SIDEKICK® $49.95

(plus J5.00 shipping and handling • Shipped UPS)

Check □ VISA □ Card * ._

Money Order □ MasterCard □

Please be sure your computer is an IBM PC, XT, jr., or trite compatible!

NAME :

ADDRESS

CITY/STATE/ZIP

TELEPHONE

i» BORIPDD

INTERNATIONAL

Expiration Date

California residents add 6% sales lax. Outside U.S.A. add $15.00. (If outside of U.S.A. payment must be by bank draft payable in the U.S. and in U.S. dollars.) Sorry, no C.O.D. or Purchase Orders.

S C15

Borland International 4113 Scotts Valley Drive Scotts Valley, California 95066 TELEX: 172373

Circle 42 on inquiry card.

dBase II is a trademark of AshtonTate. WordStar is a trademark of MicroPro. Lotus 1-2-.S is a trademark of Lotus Development Corporation.

ASK BYTE

Conducted by Steve Ciarcia Power-Line Pollution

Dear Steve.

I enjoyed reading "Keep Power-Line Pollution Out of Your Computer" in the December 1983 BYTE. A definite need exists for such protection devices to be utilized with computer equipment. However, when I contacted Radio Shack about the components, the only item available was the four-outlet power strip. The MOVs (metal-oxide varistors) have been back-ordered for months, and the EMI/RFI (electromagnetic interference/radio-frequency interference) filter is a discontinued item. Do you have any suggestions for an alternate EMI/RFI filter?

Lee E. Anderson Rockville. MD

Radio Shack still sells the V130LA10A MOV transient protectors (part number 276-570), but it could not anticipate the demand caused by my article. In fact, 1 was surprised by the number of letters received on this subject. It's nice to know that many of you are interested in powerline protection.

I chose the Radio Shack MOVs because they were easily obtainable, but you can contact several other sources. The VI30LAI0A, which is manufactured by General Electric, should be available from a GE distributor or electronic parts supply house. Also. Panasonic and General Instrument manufacture similar units.

The Panasonic ERZrC14DK201 is available as part P7063 from Digi-Key Corporation, Highway 32 South. POB 677. Thief River Falls, MN 56701, (800) 346-5144. The General Instrument part S14KI30 is available from Active Electronics, POB 8000. Westborough. MA 01581. (800) 343-0874.

Several manufacturers produce power-line filters that are suitable for your applications. They include Corcom Inc., 1600 Winchester Rd„ Libertyville. IL 60048, (312) 680-7400, type 5VB1 or 5VB3; Comell-Dubilier Electronics, 150 Avenue L, Newark. NJ 07105, (201) 589-7500. type APF511L; Delta Electronic Industry USA, 1355 Yosemite Way. Hayward. CA 94545, (415) 785-5231, type 05DBAG5: and Potter Company. POB 337. Wesson, MS 39191. (601) 643-2215, type 600A5.

These filters are equivalent to Radio Shack part number 2 73-100. Write the manufacturers for additional information and the address of your nearest supplier.—Steve

Dear Steve.

Will a big transient lead to an MOV "suicide" while it is protecting my system? If so. how big? Also, how can I tell that the MOVs need to be replaced?

How much of my upstream wiring will be protected against transients by MOVs on a power strip with a line cord 3 feet long (as in figure la on page 43 of the December 1983 BYTE)?

Finally, 1 understand that an EMI/RFI line filter protects only downstream. Does EMI/RFI filtering affect upstream transient clamping by MOVs?

N. C. WEBB

Lincoln, MA

MOVs have an energy rating expressed in joules or watt-seconds, but the actual energy absorbed is a function of the applied transient waveform. Also, a device with a lower clamping voltage will absorb less energy. Therefore, it is difficult to give a specific failure value.

MOVs are rugged devices conservatively rated and exhibit a low failure rate when properly selected. Still, they do fail, and their failure characteristics should be considered. MOVs initially fail in a short-circuit mode when subjected to transients beyond their peak ratings. Short<ircuit failures also occur when MOVs are operated at steady-state voltages in excess of their voltage ratings.

When a device short<ircuits. it can demand large amounts of energy input, and failure occurs by rupturing of the package and expulsion of material. This miniexplosion can be minimized by a fuse in series with the MOV to open the circuit when such failure occurs. Locating the MOV away from other components will avoid damage from packaging material.

In answer to your second question, since the MOVs are in parallel across the AC line, they should, in theory, provide protection to any device connected to it. However, the AC wiring has inductance and capacitance and will present different impedances to various transients. Assumptions as to the effective length can be made, but it is safer to have the MOVs close to the device requiring protection.

Lastly, the EMI/RFI filters do not affect the upstream clamping ability of an MOV. Conversely, the EMI/RFI filters tend to reduce the transient voltage levels downstream of the line and make the MOVs work somewhat easier. The components in the filter are usually not damaged by transient voltages.--Steve

Dear Steve,

I was unable to-find GE part V130LA10A at Radio Shack—sold out for many weeks!—and had to-get V130LA20A units. Does the "10A" stand for 10 amperes (A) and the "20A" for 20 A? In terms of transient protection, what is the gain, or loss, from the use of V130LA20A units rather than the V130LA10A units?

Elbert S. Maloney Pompano Beach, FL

The GE MOV-ll varistors such as the V130LA10A described in my article use the following model number nomenclature:

V the GE MOV varistor

130 the applied RMS (root mean

square) voltage LA product series (LA for radial

leads)

10 pulse energy rating A clamping voltage

The 130 volts (V) indicates that it would be suitable for a standard 117-V AC line and allow for an overvoltage of 10 percent. The pulse energy rating of 10 indicates that the MOV has a maximum allowable energy rating of 38 joules for a single noncomplex impulse of 10/1000 microsecond (/is). The clamping voltage is the peak terminal voltage measured with an applied 8/20-fis impulse current of 50 A.

The V130LA20A has a pulse energy rating of 70 joules and a clamping voltage of 340 V with a peak current of 100 A. It is an excellent substitute and will result in a higher safety factor—Steve

Dear Steve,

Perhaps I'm paranoid, but I live on top of Little Mountain in the Great Smokies. This area is pretty high by Connecticut standards, and lightning strikes are a frequent occurrence. For example. I've lost three white pines to lightning in the past few years, and I've seen a 200-watt light bulb explode in my summer home when a surge came down the power line; fortunately, nothing else was turned on at the time. When I built a permanent home, 1 went all out on lightning protection. Here are a couple of hints you might find useful.

First, a careless reader of the "How Lightning Strikes" text box (December 1983, page 38) might get the impression that one rod is enough. I had a professional lightning rod installer do my home. He put a rod every six feet along all the ridge lines, tied them all together with cable, fastened that to all the other metal on the roof, and brought the cable down to three separate grounding rods. You should see the purple glow in the air during electrical storms. Something is definitely happening up there on the roof, but I haven't had a strike.

Second, my electrician was able to install a lightning arrester on the power-line side of my meter box. I don't know what's inside but am glad to have it there.

Since you live in Connecticut, I can see why you wrote, "Blackouts generally affect only a small number of utility customers. . .and generally last less than 10 seconds." It just ain't so here in the Great Smokies. I suspect many

[continued)

54 BYTE • JULY 1984

Circle 297 on inquiry card.

In the Hard Disk Jungle^ Tallgrass Clears

In today's hard disk jungle, Tallgrass clears a path by offering high performance, integrated mass storage solutions for the IBM®PC/XT, the T.I. Professional and related computers.

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IBM4 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp.

PCnet* is a trademark of Orchid Technology

EtherShare is a registered trademark of 3Com Corp.

Circle 322 on inquiry card.

ULTRATERM?

JUST ASK THE PROFESSIONALS!

With the wide variety of peripherals available, it's difficult to evaluate the quality of accessories for your Apple. Listen to what the professionals say about UltraTerm.

BYTE-FEB. '84

"Overall, the UltraTerm display card is one of the best peripheral devices I have seen to enhance the display capabilities of the Apple."—P. Callamaras

SOFTALK—SEPT. '83

"The UltraTerm shines brightest in use with spreadsheets and word processors."

COMPUTER RETAILING —FEB. '84

"The UltraTerm is a high quality investment for anyone who has an Apple product and wants to add to it."

PEELINGS ll-VOL. 4. NO. 8 '83

"The UltraTerm will be the new industry standard for Apple video display cards. The availability of the extra modes will enhance almost any software product that uses the text screen."

PERSONAL COMPUTING -MAY '83

"Perhaps the most impressive achievement of the UltraTerm expansion board is that the character set it produces is so sharp that its difficult to see the dots that make up each character."

The experts agree—the UltraTerm is one of the best display devices for Apple computers.

Videx Inc.

1105 NE Circle Blvd. Corvallis, OR 97330 (503) 758-0521

V >

56 BYTE- |ULY I984

ASK BYTE

others who live at the end of their power lines have learned it isn't true for them either. I've learned to be careful. I never use my computer during storms, and I back up frequently—even on cloudless days. But I'd like an uninterruptible power supply. The problem is, I don't know how to select a good one. For example, I'd like the AC to come from the (trickle-charged) battery all the time, because I've been told that even momentary glitches can mess up some computers.

If you'd write something on this topic, I will appreciate it. A Circuit Cellar design would give us something to have faith in.

Charles R. Blair Sr. Townsend, TN

You are indeed correct that more than one lightning rod is required for a roof or other large structure. The down line should be dressed away from the house to prevent any arc-over in the event of a strike, and multiple grounds are a good idea. I have seen installations where the soil itself was treated with salts to improve conductivity.

General Electric manufactures a device known as the Home Lightning Protector, which is designed to mount at the weatherhead or meter housing of the AC line. It uses a Thyrite element to clamp surges at about 650 V and should be installed by a licensed electrician. The device number is 9L15BC002, and it can be obtained from an electrical supply house. Another unit is the Square D Model 19200-10. and similar units are available from other manufacturers.

I have had many requests for an uninterruptible power supply and am considering an article for a low-cost unit. Watch for it—Steve

Dear Steve,

I use a Universal Data Systems 103LP modem that is powered by the telephone line. When an electrical storm is in the vicinity, my connection to the computer has been lost several times shortly after lightning flashed several miles away. Once a nearby strike not only made me lose the computer connection, it also erased the memory in my LA34 DECwriter. Do power surges affect this kind of modem, and can I build a surge protector for my telephone line similar to the power-line protector you described in the December 1983 issue?

Germain Boer Nashville, T\

Power surges can affect any equipment and cause damages ranging from simple loss of memory to complete destruction. Solid-state devices are much more susceptible to transient voltage surges and noise. While the telephone lines use protection devices such as carbon gaps, gas tubes, and heat coils, solid-state circuitry is still vulnerable. The V130LA10A MOVs that were used for power-line protection can also protect the telephone lines. They are applied in the same manner as for power lines (line to line and from each line to ground), but check with your local telephone company before connecting any nonapproved components.—Steve

Dear Steve,

I'm a pretty fair amateur electrician. Would it be possible to wire in some suppression where the power lines enter the house and thus afford protection throughout? What would you use? Would high-surge lines (air-conditioner circuit, etc.) have to be isolated? How? It seems to me that wiring something into the circuitbreaker panel, if it's workable, is a lot more elegant, and likely to be cheaper, than scattering power strips around the house.

John Carl Bowers Bronx, NY

Devices such as the GE Home Lightning Protector connect across the power line at the service entrance to reduce the amplitude of large transients and lightning surges. These are twopole, three-wire units designed for 120/240-V single-phase service. They mount in a 'A-inch knockout in the service entrance box or at the weatherhead. Available at an electrical supply house, they are in the $20 range. Because they clip at voltages higher than the MOVs described in my article, the MOVs should still be used—Steve

Bank Switching

Dear Steve,

In writing about the Fujitsu Micro 16s ("A Machine for All Processors: The Fujitsu Micro 16s." June 1983 BYTE, page 150), Wayne Clingingsmith says on page 156, "In slot 2 of the standard unit is an 8-bit Z80A microprocessor board. It operates at 4 MHz and has memorybank-selection circuitry that enables it to address the full 24-bit (16-megabyte) address space of the Micro 16s." How does Fujitsu do that? What is bank-selection circuitry?

The manual accompanying my CompuPro CPU-Z says that an OUTput of CI. for example, to port FD will enable memory on page CI and disable memory on all the other pages. 1 understand that, but I am completely terrified by the thought of even trying to write a routine callable from several pages with a RETurn to the proper page. How do you assign a 24-bit address to a LABEL in assembler code?

Jack H. Hayes Maryville, TN

Yes. it is possible to address 16 megabytes of memory with an 8-bit Z80 processor. As you seem to suspect, however, it's not all available at the same time. Actually, on the S-100 machines that have 24 address lines, it's more usual to use the upper 8 address lines to select one of eight 64K-byte blocks for a maximum of only 512K bytes. This way. you can treat each line as a chip-select (block-select) line and wire the chip-select line on each board to a specific address line on the bus. A circuit to do this is given in the book Interfacing to S-100 (IEEE 696) Microcomputers by Sol Libes and Mark Garetz (Osborne/McGraw-Hill). The bank address is then output to a port (apparently port FD on your CompuPro system) and used to latch the

(continued)

Circle 314 on inquiry card.—»■

BUYING A PASSWORD MODEI CAN SAVE YOU UP YO $250.

AND THAT AIN'T HAYES!

You can bank on it. Your outlay will be less than if you settle for our major competitor, but not your output! A Password'" modem sends and receives up to 120 words a minute. Provides both 1200 and 300 baud capacity. Offers total interchangeability that lets you transmit information from any make microcomputer to any other make. And your investment is protected by a 2-year warranty.

Unlike our major competitor, Password ™ delivers operating simplicity, plus the convenience of uncommon portability. Thanks to lighter weight, it goes almost anywhere. And because of the ingenuity of Velcro'" strips, it attaches wherever you need it, from the side of a desk to the side of a computer!

This means that Password'" doesn't tie you down, and its price won't hold you up. It features auto-dial, auto-answer, and even knows when to disconnect. If you're cost conscious, but refuse to sacrifice high-speed capability and performance, hook up with the right modem—Password?

The smart decision

Based on suggested retail price

comparisons of U S Robotics. Inc

and Hayes Microcomputer Products. Inc.

ASK BYTE

appropriate bank-select line to an active state.

There are limitations on the addressability of programs and data in this extra memory, too. For example, you can't write routines that are directly callable from your main program if you switch 64K-byte blocks. It is much easier to handle the block switching if you switch only 32K or 48K bytes at a time and keep control of this with the lower I6K bytes that don't get switched. This can be made easier by using the PHANTOM line that is available on some S-100 sys

tems to control a smaller block of memory.

If more memory is required, a more complicated bank-switching logic can be implemented to emulate the segmentation used in the 8086/8088 family of processors. This will allow addressing a full 16 megabytes in blocks as small as 256 bytes with 24 address lines.

A number of books discuss design of systems like this. I suggest you browse through the computer book section at a library or some of the larger book stores.—Steve

Foreign Character Generators

Dear Steve,

Do you know where I can find a foreign-language character generator for either an IBM PC or a Hewlett-Packard Model 16?

Yong Nanagara Reading. PA

Several programs are available for the IBM PC that may serve your purpose. Charactergenerator programs that let you generate and save your own character sets for screen display include Lenitext from Duncan Atwell Computerized Technologies Inc.. 1200 Salem Ave.. Hillside. Nl 07205: Font Editor from Versa Computing Inc.. 3541 Old Conejo Rd.. #104. Newbury Park. CA 91320; and Graphic Character Editor from C &C Software. 54 Sonoma Ave. Goleta. CA 93117.

The following program, which was reviewed in the lanuary 1984 PC magazine, contains a large number of character sets that can be printed with an Epson or an IBM Graphic dotmatrix printer: Fancy Font from SoftCraft. 8726 Sepulveda #1641. Los Angeles. CA 90045.

Word processors that have foreign-language character sets include Arabic-WP. MultilingualWP. and Translator Aid System, all produced by Economic Insights. 416 Center St.. Washington Grove. MD 20880.

1 suggest you contact these companies or your local computer store for information about the capabilities of the programs—Steve

Infrared Links

Dear Steve,

I have a few questions for you. Do you know of any units that can provide a good two-way RF link between a computer and a terminal? Are you doing any more work on infrared links?

Also, with more computers running on batteries these days, how about a circuit that can indicate not only low or high voltages but also the presence of spikes and dropouts that may have caused a system error or crash?

David Smith Milford. 1A

I haven't heard of any low-cost RF data-communications equipment that would be satisfactory for a terminal-to-computer link, but one similar application is the Atari wireless joystick interface. The infrared or optical links seem to be getting more attention lately, with Fujitsu developing an infrared modem and a hand-held computer from Canon with an infrared printer interface in the works. And. of course, the IBM PCjr has an optical keyboard link.

Infrared light or visible light using LEDs and photo diodes or transistors seem like optimum media for this application because they avoid the potential for all sorts of RF interference problems that can arise with radio links. For

[continued]

Circle 317 on inquiry card. —►

What do you get when you cross 1200 baud, free on-line time, and extra features at a price Hayes can't match?

Data Rate?

The MultiModem gives you a choice— either 1200 or 300 bits per second. So you can go on-line with the information utilities. Check out bulletin boards. Dial into corporate mainframes. Swap files with friends.

On-Line Time?

With the MultiModem you get CompuServe's DemoPak, a free twohour demonstration of their service, and up to seven more free hours if you subscribe. You also get a $50 credit towards NewsNet's business newsletter

Features & Price?

Of course, the MultiModem gives you automatic dial, answer, and disconnect. Gives you the Hayescompatibility you need to support popular communications software programs like Crosstalk, Data Capture, our own MultiCom PC, and dozens of others. Gives you a two-year warranty, tops in the industry.

Trademarks—MultiModem. MultiCom PC: Mullt-Jech Systems, /fic — CompuServe CompuServe Information Services. an H £ ft Block company—NewsA/e( NewsNer, Inc.—Crosstalk: Mlcrosfuf. Inc —Data Capture: Southeastern Software— Smartmodem: Haves Microcomputer Products. Inc.

58 BYTE" IULY I984

MultiModem.

But Better?

Yes. The MultiModem gives you features the Hayes Smartmodem 1200'" can't match. Features like dial-tone and busysignal detection for more accurate dialing and redialing. Like a battery-backed memory for six phone numbers. All at a retail price of just $549—compared to $699 for the Smartmodem.

What do you get? The new MultiModem, from Multi-Tech Systems. Isn't this the answer you've been looking for?

For the name of your local distributor, write Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., 82 Second Avenue S.E., New Brighton, MN 55112. Or call us at (612) 631-3550.

MultiTechffll

Systems ^Qpr

The right answer every time.

Circle 230 on inquiry card.

*° °"Tfnr Your P^°ne!

ith U^K

That*s right partner. Now is the time to upgrade your PC with the Sundown!" disk. Includes controller. Tnntallg right inside your PC in less than 10 minutes. Backed by our full one-year warrranty.

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mm

UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories.

Dysan is a registered trademark of Dysan Corporation. © 1984, Dysan Corporation.

Somebody has to be better

than everybody

else.

It's inevitable.

Somebody is always more determined. Works harder. And winds up on top.

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Call toll free for the name of the Dysan dealer nearest you. (800) 551-9000.

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Dysan*

Circle 123 on inquiry card.

New Release 4.1

We've continually improved Microstat since it was introduced in 1978, and the latest release includes many new features you've wanted.

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Transforms Reading data files created by other

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Microstat's algorithms have been designed to prevent numeric overflow errors and yield unsurpassed accuracy. Microstat's price is $375.00 including the user's manual and is available for the Z80, 8086, 8088 CPU's and CP/M80. CP/M86. MS-DOS. and PC-DOS. To order, call or write.

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m

62 BYTE- |ULY 1984

Circle 178 on inquiry card.

ASK BYTE

rest Mims III has written several articles in Computers and Electronics (formerly Popular Electronics; on data communications using LEDs and photo transistors. See the October and November 1983 issues for two articles of particular interest.

It is not usual to find voltage transients in the power circuitry of battery-operated equipment unless they are caused by faulty wiring, such as loose connections, bad solder joints, and the like. Batteries are sometimes used as filters in low-voltage equipment because of their extremely high capacitance, so we should not find crashes caused by any battery problems except low voltage. If you have been having problems of this type, you may have a problem with bad connections or insufficient decoupling between circuit elements. It is common practice to use decoupling capacitors of 0.01 to 0.1 microfarad from the V+ terminal to common ground at each IC to prevent noise generation on the supply bus—Steve

MS-DOS versus PC-DOS

Dear Steve.

1 have a Canon AS-100 that runs MS-DOS programs. I use "Copy F: to Copy A:" to bring an IBM PC program over to the Canon. A good many times it works, but a lot of times I experience total failure. Isn't PC-DOS different from MS-DOS? I saw a program that lets you execute a PC-DOS program through a CP/M-86 environment. Are the CP/M-86 calls similar to PC-DOS calls? Can CP/M-86 address certain parts of the BIOS (basic input/output system) ROM (read-only memory) that regular MS-DOS can't address?

Second. I have a lot of programs in BASIC and recognize that UNIX will be the dominant operating system of the future. How can I transport the BASIC programs into a UNIX environment? Are there emulators that recognize BASIC and convert it into the C language?

Finally, can the Micro D-Cam (September and October 1983 BYTE) be used to read typewritten invoices and automatically enter data into a computer, thus eliminating the use of a keyboard?

Arthur Brandmein Flushing. NY

Your questions regarding software transfer between the IBM and Canon computers relate more to differences in their BIOS structures than to differences in their operating systems per se. PC-DOS and MS-DOS are somewhat different internally. MS-DOS is designed to be installed in many types of machines with different I/O devices, while PC-DOS was written for one specific machine with most of the BIOS in ROM. Functionally, however, the two are the same. Software written for the IBM PC has a good chance of running on some "compatible" 8088/ 8086 machines if it does not bypass the DOS I/O calls, use the IBM s ROM BIOS functions or. worse yet. output directly to port addresses or access screen memory directly.

(continued)

THE BUFFER DID IT.

Who Stole The 1500 Letters From The Computer?

Let's just say you've got to send a letter to 1500 different people. Would you like to spend 22.5 hours* or 60 seconds of computer

time? &

\<?y

With a gardenvariety buffer, the

computer has ^ to mix, merge and send 1500

addresses and 1500 letters to the buffer. Trouble is, most buffers only store about 32 letters. So after 32 letters, the computer's down until the printer's done. Altogether, you're talking 22.5 hours.

In the case of our new (not to mention amazing) 6i"- there s ShuffleBuffer,

that

s iutnen * computer time d00^.. is 60

n9s.

oeiie^- ' "Scripts, rep0r) seconds

You'd Jove

flat.

'c «•'- Just give ShuffleBuffer one form letter and your address list, and it takes care of the mixing, the merging, and the printing. But that's not all ShuffleBuffer's stolen from the computer. Oh, no.

Who Changed and Rearranged The Facts?

Again, ShuffleBuffer's the culprit. You want to move paragraph #1 down where #3 is? Want to add a chart or picture? No

problem. No mystery, either. Any buffer can give you FIFO, basic first-in, first-out printing. And some

buffers offer By-Pass; the ability to interrupt long jobs for short ones. But only ShuffleBuffer has what we call Random Access Printing — the brains to move stored information around on its way to the printer. Something only a computer could do before. Comes in especially handy if you do lots of printing. Or lengthy manuscripts. Or voluminous green and white spread ^e V* sheets. And by the way, ShuffleBuffer ^ does store up to 128K of information and gives you a By-Pass mode, too.

And Who Spilled The Beans 239 Times?

Who Wants You To Catch A ShuffleBuffer In Action?

You guessed it. We do. Just go to your local computer dealer and ask him to show you a ShuffleBuffer at work. Or, you can call us at (215) 667-1713, and we'll clue you in on all the facts directly.

.vje/

6t

* Based on an average 4000 character letter & 128K buffer.

uni Him*

Most buffers can't tell the printer to duplicate. If they can, they only offer a start/stop switch, which means you're the one who has to count to 239. Turn your back on your buffer, and your printer might shoot out a room full of copies. ShuffleBuffer, however, does control quantity. Tell it the amount, and it counts the copies. By itself.

So,What's The Catch?

There isn't any. Sleuth around. You won't find another buffer that's as slick a character as this one. You also won't find one that's friendly with any parallel or serial computer/printer combination. This is the world's only universal buffer. With a brain.

ra tm

iv '» »" ,u,„ nut W

. real w"1 "' ... '"-v .

■ <■»*> " 1 ». w «<»«""»•' , , ,

,„.aiW. W"" l;«.\iwi«v»"*"' '

, .* USlf'Ml. J \

C.ll^'jlBlB 1

f\ShuffleBuffer

Th

The Buffer with a Brain

Interactive Structures Inc. 146 Montgomery Avenue Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Circle 159 on inquiry card.

IULY I984 -BYTE 63

Circle 54 on inquiry card.

WHY JOHNNY CAN'T READ HIS OWN CODE

Johnny's A Good Programmer, Even Brilliant,

But- Johnny works in 8080/Z80assembly language, with a conventional assembler. That can make yesterday's brilliance today's garble, a maze of mnemonics and a jumble of meaningless labels. Johnny's program is less than self-explanatory— even for Johnny.

Johnny could read his own code if he used SMAL/80—the superassembler—and so can you. SMAL/80 boosts your program's clarity and your productivity by giving you:

■ Familiar algebraic notation in place of cryptic mnemonics—"A=A-3" for example, instead of "SUI 3" (if you know BASIC or Pascal, you already know SMAL/80)

■ Control structures like BEGIN... END, LOOP... REPEAT WHILE, and IF.. THEN... ELSE... to replace tangled branches and arbitrary label names (eliminating up to 90% of labels with no overhead imposed)

■ Complete control over your processor— because SMAL/80 is a true assembler, it doesn't reduce execution speed or burden your program with its own runtime routines.

SMAL/80, the assembler that handles like a high-level language, lets you do it right the first time, and lets you read and understand your work afterward—the next day or a year later. Users say SMAL/80 has doubled and even tripled their output of quality code. But don't take our word for it—TRY IT!

Use SMAL/80 for 30 days. If you're not completely satisfied with it—for any reason— return the package for a full refund. SPECIAL BONUS: Order before Sept. 30, 1984, and get Structured Microprocessor Programming—a $25 book FREE! SMAL/80 for CP/M-80 systems (all CP/M disk formats available—please specify); produces 8080/8085 and Z80 code. Now supports Microsoft .REL.ONLY $149.95 SMAL/80 for CP/M-80 systems, 8080/8085 output only. SAVE $20: $129.95 NEW! SMAL/80X65—for Apple II and lie (requires Z80 card and CP/M); produces Z80 and 6502 object code. $169.95

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ASK BYTE

Most of the PC-DOS calls perform the same functions as the corresponding CP/M-86 BDOS calls. MS-DOS was originally written to provide as much upward compatibility with CP/M-80 as possible. This was done to simplify the translation of existing software, but MS-DOS. PC-DOS. and CP/M-86 all have additional functions, in some of which we find considerable differences between MS-DOS/PC-DOS and CP/M-86. Another difference is that PC-DOS accesses DOS calls through INT 33. while CP/M-86 uses INT 244. and generally uses different interrupt numbers for most other BIOS functions as well. In other words, while PC-DOS uses all the IBM ROM BIOS functions. CP/M-86 brings its own BIOS in.

The answer to your next question involves some speculation. First, UNIX or a similar operating system may well become popular for larger business microcomputers, but it isn't universally accepted that it will take over the personal computer field. Second, if UNIX does become popular for personal computers, it seems a fair bet that Microsoft and Digital Research will provide compatible BASIC interpreters and compilers. Therefore, you probably shouldn't be too concerned about transporting your BASIC programs. Also, you should know that while C was originally written in the UNIX environment, it is now available for MS-DOS and CP/M-86.

Lastly, yes. the Micro-D Cam can. in principle, be used to enter typewritten data directly into the computer. The picture is stored as a bitmapped image much the same as any monochrome graphics display, so a picture could be transferred into a block of memory in the computer and processed to translate the bit patterns into letters and numbers. In practice, however, this turns out to be fairly difficult to do with a high degree of reliability for several reasons having to do with varying sizes, locations, and orientation of the character images. It would be a fun programming project though—Steve

Memory Access Time

Dear Steve,

My query involves processor speed versus memory access time. The higher the processor clock rate, the more instructions that can be executed in a given time. This is of no avail, however, if the processor has to wait for slow memory. Without any instruction buffering between the fetching and execution of an instruction, the simple equation would seem to hold, for no wait states:

memory access time = 1 /instruction execution rate

The instruction execution rate depends on the processor clock speed and may be one instruction per clock cycle. Nowadays, it is not that simple with pipelined architectures, instruction buffering, and memory management.

The problem is that, with various claims and counterclaims by different manufacturers, it

becomes difficult to determine what memory access time is required for a particular processor to operate at a particular clock rate. Would you be able to determine the access time required for the more popular processors to operate with no wait states at a set clock rate?

Paul Shields Dampier, Western Australia

Even though it might seem that the required memory access time for the simpler processors would be simply l/instruction rate, it is really not that simple. Only in some 4-bit processors do we find instructions that execute in one clock cycle. For example, the shortest instructions vary from two cycles in the 6500. 6800. and 8086 series processors to four cycles in the Z80 and 8080 families.

A look at some timing diagrams for memory chips and various processors will show that actual read or write time can be as little as about one-and-a-half clock cycles, but the timing must allow for the data coming out from memory to become stable and for the processor to see the data long enough for a stable reading. The times required for this vary between different models of the same processor as well as between different types. The time for data to be valid at the memory output also varies. Thus, the only safe way to determine the access time is to obtain data on the processors and memory chips you are interested in and work out the timing. This information can be obtained from data sheets and application notes that are sometimes available from the manufacturers or from some of the advertisers in BYTE.

TWo good sources for information on most of the available microprocessors are the Osborne Four and Eight Bit Microprocessor Handbook and the Osborne Sixteen-Bit Microprocessor Handbook by Adam Osborne (Osborne/McGraw-Hill). A number of other good books deal in depth with specific processor families. You might read these for background if you need it—Steve

Upgrading S-100 Standards

Dear Steve,

I have an IMSAI 8080 that I would like to upgrade to 256Kor 512K bytes of RAM. I'm hoping that you can help me.

Can 1 replace my Z80 board with a Cromemco Z80/68000 dual-processor board and use 256K- or 5l2K-byte memory boards on my system? What about CompuPro 8085/8088 and 8086/8087, 68000, and I/O and memory boards? Is it possible to use 16-bit boards from other manufacturers?

Thank you for your help.

Akbar Fassihy Lanroodi Tehran, Iran

The advantage of an S-100 system is that it is very versatile and can be upgraded easily Now that the IEEE has established an S-100 bus standard, boards from one manufacturer should

(continued)

64 BYTE- IULY 1984

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Circle 198 on inquiry card.

IULY I984 -BYTE 65

ASK BYTE

work with boards from any other manufacturer that uses the standard. It is now possible, for example, to purchase a Cromemco processor, an SD Systems RAM board, and a CompuPro floppy-disk controller and expect them to work properly together.

There are some problems in upgrading an old system that may not have IEEE-696-compatible boards because some old S-IOO boards used signals that do not agree with the new standard.

For example, new processor and memory boards use lines 58 and 60 to determine if a 16-bit or an 8-bit memory transfer will take place on the bus. Older boards that do not have these signals may not work properly with new IEEE-696 boards. If you have some of these older boards and want to use them with a new system, it is possible to modify them to meet the new standard. A good reference book on this subject is Interfacing to S-100 (IEEE 6961

tCelxdne®

Turn any Touch-Tone " phone into a remote data entry terminal

By combining the capabilities of an intelligent modem with a DTM F to ASCII converter, Teltone has unlocked countless opportunities for you. With a Teleport 300 on your computer, you can use any TouchTone " phone in the country as a remote data entry terminal, or, if you wish, a control panel.

Imagine the possibilities: Branch office order entry, Inventory control, Remote control of environmental systems, Data logging, Emergency access to process control systems, Credit card authorizations, etc. The list goes on and on.

It's a full-featured smart modem

The Teleport 300 is a fully equipped intelligent modem: Bell 103J compatible, auto answer and originate, with tone and pulse repertory dialing and call progress indications. I t's menu driven and user programmable. An internal buffer lets the

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Microcomputers by Sol Libes and Mark Garetz lOsbome/McGraw-Hill).

Before upgrading your system, it would be beneficial to review the newer products from the many companies now manufacturing S-100 boards so that an optimum system can be selected. The Priority One Electronics engineering selection guide is a good source of this type of information because it covers a wide selection of S-100 products from a variety of manufacturers. This selection guide can be obtained from Priority One Electronics. 9161 Deering Ave. Chatsworth. CA 91311.

Another source of reference material for the S-100 bus is Microsystems magazine, which covers the S-100 bus and CP/M subjects. The September 1983 issue should be of special interest to you because it contains an article on converting an IMSAI system to use the CompuPro 8085/8088 dual-processor board. The same issue also has an article on running N*DOS as a COM file under CP/M with an N'-to-CP/M file-transfer facility. Volumes of Microsystems magazine can be obtained from Microsystems. CN 1987. Morristown, H] 07960. —Steve

Microprocessors

Dear Steve,

Is there a single publication that contains a listing of the computers that use a specific type of microprocessor? If not, could you list several microcomputers that use the 68000 chip?

Nadder Sarshad Edison. Nl

The October 1983 Radio Electronics featured a comprehensive computer buying guide, listing computers by price range. The tables of specifications showed the microprocessor, operating system, and specific features of each unit. Back issues of the magazine may be obtained from Gernsback Publications Inc.. 200 Park Ave. South. New York. NY 10003.

Several microcomputers utilizing the Motorola M68000 chip include Apple's Lisa and Macintosh. Hewlett-Packard's HP-200. Radio Shack's TRS-80 Model 16. the Sage II. and Sord s Model M6S.-Steve ■

IN "ASK BYTE," Steve Garcia answers questions on any area oj microcomputing. The most representative questions received each month will be answered and published. Do you have a nagging problem? Send your inquiry to:

Ask BYTE

do Steve Garcia

POB 582

Glastonbury. CT 06033 Due to the high volume oj inquiries, personal replies cannot be given. All letters and photographs become the property of Sieve Garcia and cannot be returned. Be sure to include "Ask BYTE" in the address.

66 BYTE • IULY 1984

Circle 304 on inquiry card.

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68 BYTE • IULY 1984

Circle 43 on inquiry card.

CLUBS & NEWSLETTERS

• INTERESTED IN MSX?

The MSX Interest Group (MIG) keeps members up to date with the latest developments on the MSX graphics standard, which is currently supported by several American and lapanese computer manufacturers. A newsletter is produced each month. Annual dues are SI 5. Write to MSX Interest Group, Room 1009, 350 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011.

• CANYON DE CHELLY-FOUR CORNERS USERS GROUP, The Four Corners Users Group is primarily made up of Commodore users, but users of other computers are encouraged to join. They meet bimonthly at one of the Chinle, Arizona, public schools. All group meetings serve users in the Four Corners area and the Central Navajo Indian Reservation. The club is currently seeking public-domain bulletin-board system (BBS) software for CBM 8032 or Commodore-64 computers with a 2031-, 8050-, or 4040-based disk. For information, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Canyon de Chelly—Four Corners Users Group, Calumet Consulting, Box 1945, Chinle. AZ 86503, (602) 674-3421.

• CHAOS ON BBS

The BBS of the Capitol Hill Atari Owners' Society (CHAOS) in Lansing, Michigan, is open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. at (517) 373-6788. The club maintains a public-domain software library, produces a nonprofit newsletter, meets monthly, and houses several special-interest groups. Annual dues are $12. For details or the library's listing, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Treasurer, CHAOS, POB 16132, Lansing. Ml 48901.

• LISA NEWSLETTER NOW INCORPORATES THE MAC, Semaphore Signal, a newsletter about Apple's Lisa, has expanded to include coverage of the Macintosh computer. The newsletter is

created, edited, and printed using a Lisa. Any users in the United States who submit the serial number of their Lisa or Macintosh can qualify for a free subscription. Other readers can subscribe for S10 (10 issues); S20 overseas. Contact Semaphore Signal, 207 Granada Dr.. Aptos, CA 95003, (408) 688-9200.

• MILWAUKEE'S BL1NKIN CURSOR, Blinkin Cursor is the newsletter of the IBM Personal Computer Users Group, an assembly of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area computer users interested in the IBM and compatible machines. The twice-monthly meetings feature hardware and software demonstrations and questionand-answer sessions for beginners. The newsletter runs a list of current members. For further details, contact Blinkin Cursor. POB 305, Elm Grove. Wl 53122.

• MAC SIG IN APPLE PI

The Washington Apple Pi (WAP) has formed a special-interest group for owners of the Macintosh computer. The group will hold tutorials, distribute software from its public-domain library, and publish articles about the Mac in its monthly newsletter. In addition, 75 qualified volunteers man a hot line to handle questions from members on specific programs, peripherals, and programming languages. Membership is $2 5. For office hours, next-meeting details, and general information, contact the Washington Apple Pi, Suite 201, 8227 Woodmont Ave.. Bethesda. MD 20814. (301) 654-8060.

• CBR ON LINE

The Computer Book Review (CBR). produced bimonthly, runs more than 100 annotated reviews of recently published computer

books under such categories as applications, business, communications, history, software, juvenile, introductions, references, languages, and specific brands of computers. An electronic version of CBR, on line with NewsNet. is issued biweekly. CBR also covers trade news, book ratings, and graphics. Subscription rates are $15 annually; a foreign subscription is $2 5. For information on subscriptions via NewsNet call (800) 345-1301. To subscribe to the hard copy, contact the Computer Book Review. 73 5 Ekekela Place, Honolulu, HI 96817.

• MEDICAL. COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL MUMPS, One language that meets the requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is MUMPS, or the Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System. This programming language doubles as a database-management system with applications in more than 4000 medical, commercial, and industrial installations around the world. Its user group contains almost 1000 members. In addition to producing a quarterly newsletter, the club sponsors seminars and holds annual conferences for programmers and nonprogrammers interested in furthering their knowledge of MUMPS. For membership details, contact the MUMPS Users Group, Suite 308. 4321 Hartwick Rd.. College Park, MD 20740. (301) 779-6555.

• THE MAC IN BCS

The newest special-interest group to branch from the Boston Computer Society (BCS) is the Macintosh Users Group. Novice and technical people constitute the audience that meets each month to witness

demonstrations, presentations, and discussions about peripherals, software, and uses of the Macintosh. Call Jack Hodgson for meeting locations and further details at (617) 3 54-7899. or contact the Boston Computer Society, Macintosh Users Group, One Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02108. (617) 367-8080.

• TEXAS HAS HEART The Heart of Texas (HOT) TRS-80 Club meets at 7 p.m. each month in Waco. Texas, to discuss computer languages, peripherals, operating systems, and applications for all models of Radio Shack TRS-80 computers including, I, II, III, 4, 12, 16, 100, Color Computer, Micro CoCo, and the Pocket Computer. Membership dues are $10 and include a subscription to the monthly newsletter and voting privileges; an associate membership of $6 entitles you to receive the newsletter only. For information, contact HOT TRS-80 Club, POB 1923, Waco, TX 76703.

• COAST-TO-COAST MS-DOS, Oriented toward users of MSDOS-based computers, SIG-86 is an international 8086 MS-DOS users group that produces newsletters and public-domain software, runs a bulletin-board system, and maintains a software library. The 300-bps (bitper-second) BBS can be reached at (617) 842-1435; the 1200-bps BBS is (617) 842-1712. Both are open from 11 p.m. to

6 p.m. Eastern time. Membership is $18 a year. For details, contact loseph Boykin, 47-4 Sheridan Dr., Shrewsbury, MA 01545, (617) 845-1074. or Frank Warren, 2 5190 Cypress Ave. #213, Hayward. CA 94544, (415) 785-7499.

• ITALIAN COMPUTERISTS RALLY, Members of the Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry work on the applications of personal computers to the clinical laboratory. The newsletter. Bio

[continued]

CLUBS & NEWSLETTERS is a forum for letting BYTE readers know what is happening in the microcomputing community. Emphasis will he given to electronic bulletinboard services, club-sponsored classes, community-help projects, field trips, and other activities outside of routine meetings. Of course, we will continue to list new clubs, their addresses and contact persons, and other information of interest. To list events on schedule, we must receive your information at least four months in advance. Send information to BYTE. Clubs & Newsletters. POB 372, Hancock. NH 03449.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 69

ANNOUNCING

EMH.CS

UniPress

Product

UPDATE

FOR THE IBM PC

UniPress is pleased to announce the availability of MS-DOS EMACS to supplement our existing UNIX and VMS versions. MS-DOS EMACS is full-function Gosling EMACS, including compiled MLISP, macros, command undo and much more.

UniPress Gosling EMACS: The famous multi-window full-screen editor. Edit several files at once. Interprocess communication on UNIX and VMS. Extensible via macros and the built-in compiled MLISP language.

UniPress Gosling EMACS: The ultimate programmer's tool: C, Pascal and MLISP language assist. EMACS manages execution of Unix makefiles, and automatically points to lines containing errors in the source code. Keys can be bound as desired, macros can be named, customized MLISP routines can supplement the many included packages, and much more!

UniPress Gosling EMACS: Use EMACS as your session manager — Divide your screen into a "shell window" to run commands, and one or more source file windows.

ALSO NEW! MINIMACS — Special efficiencyconscious EMACS. Faster and smaller; includes all standard editing features, keybinding, and multiple windows.

PRICES: UNIX: $395/Binary; $995/Source VMS: $2500/Binary; $7000/Source MS-DOS: $375/Binary; $995/Source (Requires at least 384K)

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Lattice® C compilers to the 8086-family; both native and cross. Write programs on your mainframe for execution on the IBM-PC, etc. (Cross compilers for UNIX and VMS.)

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CLUBS & NEWSLETTERS

chimica Clinica Notkiario SIBioC. runs book reviews and other items of interest to its 3000-reader circulation. For details, contact Societa ltaliana di Biochimica Clinica. Sede e Redazione: via Keplero, 10-20I24 Milan. Italy.

• CADD, A NEWSLETTER FOR EDUCATORS, CADD, a monthly newsletter, is designed to provide educators with information, articles, and tips for teaching computer-aided design and drafting more effectively. One section in the newsletter, called "CADD Without a System," gives an instructor material and advice for helping the student develop qualities the computer industry seeks. For a free issue, write to CADD. POB 906028. Tulsa. OK 74H2. (918) 832-7124.

• AND FORTH TO CANADA The Southern Ontario Chapter of the FORTH Interest Group meets periodically and sponsors conferences that include presentations, business meetings, and discussions. For details about the group, contact Dr. N. Solntseff. Unit for Computer Science. McMaster University, Hamilton. Ontario L8S 4K1. Canada, (416] 525-9140. ext. 2065.

• FOR CHAMELEONS AROUND THE WORLD, The most frequently asked questions directed at Seequa's technicians will be answered in a monthly publication produced by the International Chameleon User Group (ICUG). which is backed by Seequa. It features a listing of new software for the Chameleon and references to public-domain software for MSDOS, CP/M-86, and CP/M-80. Questions can be sent along with the $18 annual membership fee to loe Verzino, ICUG. POB 265, Dewitt, NY 13214, (315) 446-2763.

• SAGE COMMUNICATION LINK. The purpose of the Sage Users Group is to share information and provide an environment to develop members' proficiency and knowledge of microcomputing. The group holds general meetings for an information exchange: sponsors a bulletin-board/database system; maintains software and technical libraries: and updates information about the group's

current events. It also produces a newsletter to enhance the group's communication links. For details, contact Randy Scott. Sage Computer. 4905 Energy Way. Reno, NV 89502. (702) 322-6868.

• WORLD TELECOMMUNICATIONS NEWS. International Nefworks is a monthly newsletter covering the technology and policy of world telecommunications. It analyzes significant security questions confronting the future of electronic mail and database networks. An annual subscription is S375. Write to International Networks. POB 187. Moulton Hill Rd.. Monson. MA 01057. (413) 267-5171.

• COLORFUL MEETINGS The Alachua Color Computer Users Group meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Operations Center located behind the Kelly Power Plant in Gainesville, Florida. Interested persons can contact Al Kirk, 4617 Southeast 2nd Place. Gainesville. FL 32601. (904) 377-6285, or George McDonald, Route 2, POB 530. Alachua. FL 32615. (904) 462-5392.

• HUDSON VALLEY COMPUTERISTS. The Hudson Valley Personal Computing Club is a nonprofit organization that promotes interest in public-domain software available for the IBM Personal Computer. The club is a forum for information sharing, personal computer education, computer literacy, and user support. Monthly meetings are held at Ulster County Community College. Stone Ridge Campus. Stone Ridge. New York. Contact the Hudson Valley Personal Computing Club. H.V.M. Box 6057. Kingston. NY 12401.

• LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPLICATIONS, Local governments, private companies, and consultants that are interested in the local-government/microcomputer market can request a complimentary copy of a monthly newsletter. Government Microcomputer Letter. It focuses on news and software and hardware applications. City and county policies on the use of microcomputers are also covered. For subscription details or a free copy, write to Government Microcomputer Letter. POB 16645, Tampa. FL 33687. ■

70 BYTE- IULY 1984

Circle 316 on inquiry card.

When Lotus wanted

better graphics for 1-2-3, they i chose a better

graphics card-HERCULES.

And then we became a standard.

When the IBM" PC was introduced over 2 years ago, the talented people at Lotus realized that it was limited by a lack of high resolution graphics. They knew that this was going to have an adverse effect on 1-2-3's graphics. And Lotus didn't want anything to hold back their revolutionary software.

So they turned to Hercules.

Lotus recognized that the Hercules Graphics Card delivered the performance they wanted. It offered high quality text and high resolution graphics on IBM's monochrome display. It completely replaced the IBM monochrome card. And it didn't cost an arm and a leg.

Since then, Hercules has sold a lot of Graphics Cards. So many that the Hercules Graphics Card has become the high resolution standard for the IBM PC. And this means that there is more high resolution graphics software available for Hercules than for any other graphics card you can buy.

Software like Microsoft" Word. Our high resolution makes Word's text much sharper and easier on your eyes. And there are other programs for business graphics, computer aided design, terminal emulation and programming. Call for our free information kit. See why the company that made the first graphics card for the IBM PC still makes the best.

Hercules. We're strong on graphics. 800 255 5550 Ext. 408

Address: Hercules, 2550 Ninth St, Berkeley, CA 94710 Ph: 415 640-6000 Telex: 754063 Features: IBM monochrome display graphics resolution of 720x348; parallel printer port; text mode software compatibility; free software for programming; 2 year warranty. Foreign distributors: Compuserve/ Canada; Keflex/11.K.; Computer 2000/W. Germany; EdisoftfFrance; Source Ware/Australia. Trademarks/Owners: Hercules/Hercules Computer Technology; Microsoft/Microsoft Corp; IBM/International Business Machines; Lotus & 1-2-3/Lotus Development,

Circle 149 on inquiry card. IULY 1984 -BYTE 71

PGS introduces the no-compromise monitor to meet your no-compromise needs.

High resolution

Once you've invested in a first-rate computer, you don't want to compromise with a second-rate monitor. That's why PGS introduced the first no-compromise monitor, the Princeton HX-12. It set the price/ performance standard for high resolution RGB color monitors.

Super resolution

Now we're introducing the first no-compromise monitor in the super resolution class. It's our new SR-12: an RGB monitor that meets the most demanding expectations at a price that will surprise you.

Monochrome

And, for price/performance in a monochrome monitor, we're introducing the MAX-12: our new amber monitor that's as easy on the eyes as it is on your budget.

The monitor to meet your needs

All three PGS monitors are engineered for no-compromise performance to provide you with a cleaner, sharper image than any other monitor in the same price class. The HX-12 and the SR-! 2 both feature uncompromising color convergence for crisp whites without color bleed. The MAX-12 offers impressive clarity in a monochrome monitor with easy-onthe-eyes amber phosphor.

And all three monitors come with a non-glare screen and a shielded cable that plugs directly into the IBM PC or XT.

The HX-12 has the highest resolution (690x240) and the finest dot pitch (.31 mm) in its class. And yet its suggested retail price is comparable to many medium resolution monitors. The HX-12 brings no-compromise color to the PC and now, with the PGS RGB-80 board, to the Apple He as well. Suggested retail price: S695.

The new SR-12 , in conjunction with the PGS high performance color graphics card, also features a .31 mm dot pitch supporting 690 horizontal resolution. However, by increasing the horizontal scan rate to 27.5 KHz, the SR-12 can support 400 vertical resolution in noninterlaced mode. This results in a very high quality, flickerless image with the ability to generate graphics and text that is truly of monochrome quality. Suggested retail price: $799.

The new MAX-12 offers you easy-on-the-eyes amber with 720x350 resolution at a suggested retail price (S249) that is actually lower than the leading green-on-black competitor. And the MAX-12 runs off the IBM PC monochrome card—no special card is required.

Clarity of the Max 12 is enhanced by dynamic focusing circuitry which ensures sharpness not only in the center but also in the edges and corners. Suggested retail price: S249.

Whatever your needs, from word processing to super resolution graphics, there's now a no-compromise PGS monitor that sets the standard. Ask your dealer for a demonstration and let your eyes decide. Or call for more information and the name of your nearest dealer.

800-221-1490

Princeton v Graphic Systems

You can look to PGS for the image your eyes deserve.

Circle 252 on inquiry card. Nationwide service provided by Bell & Howell Service Company and MAI Sorbus Service Company.

1101-I State Road Princeton, New Jersey 08540 609 683-1660 TLX 6857009 PGS Prin

BOOK REVIEWS

ALGORITHMS

Robert Sedgewick, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA: 1983, 550 pages, $30.95

FORTH FUNDAMENTALS

Volume 1, C Kevin McCabe, dilithium

Press, Beaverton, OR: 1983, 248 pages,

S16.95

THE UNIX OPERATING SYSTEM Kaare Christian, John Wiley and Sons, New York: 1983, 318 pages, $26.95

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS Walter Reitman, ed„ Ablex Publishing, Norwood, NJ: 1984. 343 pages, $37.50

Algorithms

Reviewed by Michael O'Neill

Awhile ago I read a summary by Robert Sedgewick of his doctoral dissertation on the fastest general-purpose sorting routine known, "Implementing Quicksort Programs," in Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery (volume 21, number 10, October 1978, page 847). I was impressed that the author did not deal only with the abstract details of the algorithm, but that he also covered the concrete aspects of its implementation. Furthermore, the tricks, trade-offs, and fine points he presented were general enough to be useful in most programming environments. And the writing style was clear and concise.

So when Algorithms was published, I was curious to see if the author would keep up the good work. I found that this book is as impressive as the aforementioned summary.

Algorithm Conversion

Sedgewick's stated goal is to teach "... a large number of the most important algorithms used on computers today well enough to be able to use and appreciate them."

The key phrases in the above quote are "large number" and "use." Professor Sedgewick deals with a staggering

ALGORITHMS

i« IBBRT SEBSBWCK

number of algorithms. The book treats a wider range of subjects than any other single work 1 have seen. The seven major sections are: Mathematical Algorithms, Sorting, Searching, String Processing, Geometric Algorithms, Graph Algorithms, and Advanced Topics. The book covers a number of topics not usually dealt with by introductory texts: curve fitting, integration, parsing (language translation), cryptology, linear programming, and the fast Fourier transform. And these are intended to be used (and useful). The author tries to give the reader the knowledge needed to convert a given algorithm into a working program, and he provides basic information about how fast the program can be expected to run.

Limitations

The ambitious scope of the book implies that some trade-offs had to be made. The author usually only presents the basic form of each algorithm as a fully written-out program: he discusses fine points, tricks, and useful modifications but leaves their detailed implementation to the reader. He keeps theoretical discussion to a minimum. And while there is some introductory

material on how to compute running times, he generally confines theoretical considerations to semi-intuitive treatments of running time and correctness questions.

Even with these limitations, the author has tried to pack a lot of information into 550 pages. Professor Sedgewick is in the unenviable position of making his exposition coherent and comprehensible without wasting words. The chapters are short; Quicksort is covered in 11 pages; parsing in 13. Thus, Algorithms is densely written. Information content is high, repetition is low, and there is ample cross-referencing. While there are some chapters on numerical algorithms that are rough going, 1 think the author has succeeded in making Algorithms work within these constraints.

A few warnings are in order, however. Because many of the implementation details are left to the reader and because the book is somewhat dense, it is neither a cookbook nor a reference work. The style also precludes skimming and diving into the text at random.

My only major criticism of Algorithms is a lack of coordinated references. The author gives only 5 or 10 references for each major section of the book, without indicating which one refers to the further information you may seek on a given subject. More extensive referencing (including references in the text) would add little to the length of the book but would make it possible to locate further information about specific algorithms.

Prerequisites

This book is not for beginners: a reader should have moderate programming experience and, I feel, should already have some basic knowledge of data structures. A more detailed list of what the prospective reader should know may be found on page 3 of the book itself.

By keeping theoretical detail to a minimum, by presenting a unified treatment

{continued)

IULY 1984 -BYTE 73

BOOK REVIEWS

of a wide variety of algorithms, and by treating implementation details with sufficient generality, Robert Sedgewick has written a work that will be useful to many practical programmers.

FORTH Fundamentals - Volume i Reviewed by E. Francis Avila

Until the introduction of C. Kevin McCabe's FORTH FundamentalsVolume I, textbook-quality FORTH programming books that were both well written and logically organized were in short supply.

McCabe's treatise has been sorely needed for many years. (FORTH was created by Charles Moore almost 15 years ago.) However, this book is not for those with little programming experience. For the novice programmer, I would still recommend the perennial mainstay, Leo Brodie's Starting FORTH (see review in September 1983 BYTE, page 494). But for the seasoned pro

grammer looking for a professionally written dissertation of FORTH's operation, McCabe's book is indispensable.

Improving the Image

The author treats his subject matter in much the same style that college texts

cover material: technical, calculating, and concise. A book of this kind is needed if FORTH is to proceed beyond a fanatic's realm (a frequent stigma assigned to FORTH programmers) and be taken seriously in the world of professional programming. But because of an absence of professionally written texts on FORTH to date, many college computer-science departments have shunned teaching this versatile language. While McCabe's book is not intended as a college text, it is a beginning.

McCabe writes with an authority and assurance that can only come from an intimate knowledge of the subject. In contrast, it could be said that Leo Brodie never fully understood the language's intricacies and subtleties. This is not to deny that Mr. Brodie was the first to pen a readable book on FORTH: instead it is to acknowledge that his enterprise was a beginning point of

[continued',

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74 BYTE • JULY 1984

COMPUTERS a

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BOOK REVIEWS

FORTH books and succeeding works should improve upon this early text. McCabe accomplishes that task.

A Lot to Offer

The language FORTH is made up of words contained in a vocabulary. These words represent specific programming operations and functions. The language is supplied with a set of core vocabulary words with which the programmer begins. As a programmer becomes proficient with the language, he normally develops extensions of the core to perform new and complex tasks. The purpose of a FORTH text is to examine and describe the function and use of each word. McCabe's job. therefore, is to describe each core word in complete detail, and he manages to do this admirably.

Organization is the Key

The author's greatest strengths are his organization of the subject matter, his

straightforward writing style, and his knowledge of the language. Organization is an important point since FORTH is based on a word vocabulary. Each new word introduced generally builds upon previous words. McCabe provides a logical progression of the FORTH vocabulary, emphasizing important words with exercises for the reader to try. In general, his exercises worked on my system using a FORTH-79 language. As each new word is introduced in the book, McCabe lets the reader know immediately on which standard the word is based. This is a real plus. A criticism of Brodie's Starting FORTH was that his book was based on PolyFORTH, a unique version of FORTH not in keeping with the proposed standards (more on that later): consequently, not all exercises would work properly, if at all. Several of Brodie's FORTH words are not available in the two most popular versions of the language, FIG-FORTH and FORTH-79.

Difficulty with Detail

McCabe's weak point lies in the detail of complex subjects. For instance, the initial subjects in the beginning chapters—the stack, stack words, numeric operations, conditionals, and the likeare treated in careful detail but, as the book progresses, McCabe appears to be in a hurry to arrive at the end. I don't believe he spent as much time on the more complex aspects of FORTH as he did on the basics. This is unfortunate because it has been my experience that, in time, most users will master the operation of the stack and postfix notation, but some of the more elusive aspects of FORTH are a source of continual confusion. These include compilation, the vocabulary, array structures, floating-point math, multitasking, disk operation, and others.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect to understand in FORTH is the dictionary,

[continued]

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BOOK REVIEWS

dictionary fields, and linking. While McCabe devotes an entire chapter to this complex and confusing subject, 1 feel he would have done well to double his effort here, leading the novice FORTH programmer through more clearly mapped examples of dictionary operation. The examples he provides appear correct, but the chapter must be read more than once to fully grasp the content.

Contrary to claims made by FORTH advocates, FORTH is not an easy language to learn, especially for those unfamiliar with computer hardware concepts—an absolute necessity with FORTH. Starting FORTH takes a more fundamental, almost simplistic, approach to the language, and thus Brodie's book is best for the beginner. For instance, because Brodie assumes his readers do not know what constitutes a byte of memory, he explains it in detail, complete with drawings. McCabe does not bother.

Make no mistake, while FORTH is much more difficult to learn than BASIC, once mastered it is far easier and quicker to program in than most other popular languages; this is especially true in input/output-intensive applications.

Many Standards

One last observation. FORTH is still in the evolutionary stages of development. (1 feel it always will be, due to its nature.) It can rightly be described as a roll-yourown programming language, and while there are standards, there are more unofficial variations to these standards than computer systems. This makes the job of writing a complete, accurate book covering FORTH an almost impossible task, in my opinion. McCabe wisely avoids the politics of FORTH standards and simply notes the differences between the more popular versions, generally FIG-FORTH and FORTH-79. It's obvious, however, which standard

McCabe believes in. His book convinced me that FIG-FORTH, not the original form of FORTH, is the only way to go. As new standards emerge (FORTH-83 is the latest), less and less flexibility is available to the programmer in terms of custom implementations.

I am only reviewing the first of two volumes. The second is simply a detailed glossary of FORTH and provides a quick, expanded reference source of the language. In Volume 1, McCabe makes few references to Volume 2. Although the companion glossary is nice to have, I do not feel it is worth the retail cost.

Despite its flaws, FORTH FundamentalsVolume 1 is a must for the serious FORTH programmer who requires an intimate understanding of the inner workings of this complex and versatile language. What is needed next is a FORTH applications book—McCabe just might be the one to do it.

{continued)

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JULY 1984 'BYTE 81

BOOK REVIEWS

The UNIX Operating System Reviewed by Irene Pasternack

When I first looked at The UNIX Operating System by Kaare Christian, the only thing I could say was "Why another UNIX book?" I read this book in order to answer that question and discovered that, yes, there is an audience for the book.

Christian's book is well suited for the person with experience using another computer system who needs to learn about UNIX. It provides a conceptual overview rather than a tutorial for beginners. The first few chapters on history and fundamentals take up only 13 pages, so I actually read them instead of skipping them and missing some important concept. The second section. "Advanced UNIX System Topics," provides clear descriptions, examples, and relevant concepts on topics that any serious UNIX user needs to understand: shell programming, C, make, Source Code Control System, yacc and lex,

system manager and programmers' utilities, and the UNIX kernel.

For Several Levels

The UNIX Operating System is also suitable for those who are learning UNIX as their first operating system but are beyond the basics. It fills in the concepts behind newly familiar commands and explains what your local system administrator or programmer is doing in a way a newcomer to computers can understand. It should be read after a class or practice with introductory books such as The UNIX Primer Plus by Mitchell Waite and Donald Martin (Howard W. Sams and Co., 1983) or A User Guide to the UNIX System by lean Yates and Rebecca Thomas (Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1982).

Appendixes include an abridged user's manual and a glossary of UNIXspecific terms. Christian does an excellent job of orienting you to what is relevant and what you should ignore, whether you are a novice, a programmer, or a system administrator.

The second chapter jumps into the UNIX system basics with a short warning to get you situated: "The UNIX System is harder to use than a toaster, but then it does more than a toaster. Learning the UNIX System is somewhat like learning a complex skill such as swimming or bicycle riding. At first none of your reflexes seem appropriate but eventually the skill is mastered."

People who consider themselves UNIX experts will probably remember this challenging phase of learning UNIX. The UNIX system, with all its built-in utilities and library functions, is an awesome tool that requires patience and an understanding of computers before you can learn how to use it. This book is designed to show you the major capabilities of this tool, rather than to teach you how to use it.

The following chapter covers the shell. For those uninitiated in UNIX, the shell is the part of the system that interprets your commands and acts on them. For

[continued]

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example, a common action would be to load and execute a requested program, directing its input and output streams to specific files or to the terminal. The UNIX shell also has the capabilities of performing conditional commands. Because of this, it can essentially be used as an interpretive programming language. Christian discusses the shell's capabilities and presents many examples of ways it can be used.

The structure of the UNIX file system is presented from a user's point of view. Many of the utility programs that are presented include the text editor, a few basic utilities for handling your directory and files, finding out what's going on, and formatting text.

Advanced Topics

"Advanced UNIX System Topics" is the second part of the book and it will delight programmers and systems administrators without completely overwhelming more casual users. Topics covered include make and Source Code Control System, advanced shell use, security, C, programmer's utilities, yacc, lex, system manager's utilities, and the kernel. These topics are not usually covered in books on UNIX but are important for anyone intending to do serious work with UNIX. Each new topic is introduced with a description of why it is important and the concepts behind relevant commands. Examples show format, how to use the commands, and alternative ways to accomplish a goal.

Although I am a fairly sophisticated UNIX user, I found that conceptual holes in my knowledge were filled. A less experienced UNIX user, approaching these topics for the first time, found the concepts and explanations understandable. This is quite a feat considering the levels of complexity of yacc, lex, shell programming, the kernel, and C.

Christian's explanations of yacc and lex are good examples of the quality of the book for both novice and experienced users. For the novice, the concepts and need for recognizing a command language are explained and the commands are demystified. For the experienced user, enough information is provided to begin using lexical analysis and parsing for useful tasks.

I found the description of the UNIX kernel fascinating because it explains

(continued)

84

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why UNIX works as it does. Because li ie user never interacts directly with the kernel, it is rarely covered in UNIX books. The kernel is the master behindthe-scenes organizer, scheduling processes, allocating disk storage and memory, and supervising data transmission between peripheral devices and the main processing unit. This section explains why you have to reboot and what happens inside the computer when you start up your system. It explains how processes are handled, relating the concepts of parent/child processes, multiuser timesharing, block and character I/O, all the way to the functioning of the kernel.

Errors

As with every book on UNIX that I've seen so far, there are a few technical errors. In the chapter called "Check File Systems," the command volcopy is explained as an alternative way to back up files on Version 7, but it is not available on the Version 7 I use. Christian also errs with the phrase, "only the system is allowed to write in directory files." Any users with write permission for a directory can write in the directory file. Occasionally, introductory paragraphs contain generalizations that are not completely accurate. For example: "Many UNIX Systems have several text editors, most of which resemble. . ." ed, is misleading. Most people use a screen rather than a line editor, and only one of the popular screen editors is related to the line editor, ed.

Altogether. The UNIX Operating System is a well-written and useful book for those who are switching to UNIX from other systems or who are familiar with UNIX basics. It contains conceptual information and a wide range of topics not found in other recently published books on the UNIX operating system.

Artificial Intelligence Applications for Business

Reviewed by Hunter Alexander

Artificial intelligence (AI) interests people in business both as a tool for performing tasks that could not have been done before and as a new way of approaching old problems. Walter Reitman has edited the May 1983 proceedings of the New York University (NYU) Symposium relevant to this topic and

they are published in Artificial Intelligence Applications for Business.

According to one contributor, in 1978 Schlumberger Ltd. of New York City began recruiting and equipping an AI group. To date, it has spent more than $21 million on researching improved techniques for locating gas and oil (the dipmeter project). Texas Instruments, Amoco, and Standard Oil of Ohio have similar programs. The fifteenth chapter, entitled "Market Trends in Artificial Intelligence," by Howard Austin, delves into this aggressive AI marketplace where, at present, large amounts of money are being spent, both by business and by the government. One knowledgeable AI businessman, Eamon Barret of Smart Systems Technology in McLean, Virginia, estimates that $300 million will be spent on AI in 1984. The book contains many such facts arranged in useful charts showing who's who on AI, how much money has been invested in certain projects, which people to contact, and what telephone numbers to call. Other tables list all known AI investors and contacts and their telephone numbers.

The book by itself will not help business people in developing a program that will enhance the company's productivity. Rather it is designed to bring the business person up to the speed of the AI industry.

A Sample Program

This book is divided into three parts: expert systems, natural language, and the future of the AI marketplace. Adrian Walker's chapter on "Databases, Expert Systems and Prolog," takes us inside IBM's San jose research laboratory. He explains how Plantdoc, a naturallanguage system, diagnoses ailments that you enter about houseplants and then recommends remedies. Because Plantdoc is one of the easiest applications to explain, it serves as a good example of how people can enhance cheir businesses with increased service or productivity facilitated by an AI program. Although the program could be for home use, a customer can allegedly enter a plant store and describe a plant's symptoms, such as yellow leaves that are dropping off. The clerk then enters this information, the ailment is diagnosed, and the computer responds

(continued)

86 BYTE • IULY 1984

Gifford has a lock on multiuser CiyM 8-16

It's 11:00 P.M. Do you know where your files are?

It's great when multiple local and off site users can run any 8- or 16-bit CP/M or MP/M™ program. It's even better when they can share expensive resources like printers, hard disks, and tape drives. Best of all is when they can share your most precious resource —data. Gifford has been delivering systems with all these features for over two years.

But sometimes data is sensitive. How do you keep people from taking more than their fair share?

Gifford adds a new dimension to CP/M security.

With our new security features, you can control what resources and data are shared.

Gifford's proprietary security enhancements include user login with encrypted passwords, control over access rights of modem users, secure electronic mail, and the ability to restrict users to specified terminals, programs, and directory areas. Plus, an audit log utility that keeps a permanent record of system activity. And you also get all the standard security features of Digital Research's MP/M-86.™

You select the level of security needed to get the best balance between file sharing and file safety.

Unleash productivity with Gifford's Virtual Terminals.

With our Virtual Terminals, each terminal on your system can monitor up to four different programs running concurrently. And at the touch of a key you can switch screens instantly from one program to another.

You could look up an address in dBASE [I™ jump over to SuperCalc™ to make some projections, then switch instantly to WordStar* to use this information to update a letter. If you forget what's on a screen, just touch a key to refresh your memory. You won't need to go through the distracting process of loading and unloading programs.

And since your Virtual Terminal can run any 8- or 16-bit CP/M or MP/M program, you can choose the best programs for your job from the biggest software library in the world. It's easier than 1,2,3!

The Gifford Security Blanket: Total Solutions.

Gifford delivers solutions.This means professional pre-sale consultation, expert system integration with 200 hour system burn-in, complete training,and full after sale support.

For example, our three user CompuPro* based system with a 21megabyte hard disk costs just $9,990, and can be easily expanded for $500 per

user. This includes MP/M 8-16, SuperCalc, and dBASE II.

Other Gifford solutions include systems with hard disks that range from 5 to 300 megabytes, 4 and 9 track tape backup, printers, plotters, and modems. Single- and multiuser 8086,68000, and Z-80 based systems are available for immediate delivery, with 80286 and 16032 systems on the way.

Two year warranty protection.

In the unlikely event that you encounter a hardware related problem, we'll replace any defective S-100 part within 24 hours FREE for two full years. But chances are, it can be solved on the Gifford service hotline or diagnosed via modem. All at no cost to you.

Lock in on Gifford Security today.

If total support, training, on site service, obsolescence-proof upgradeable S-100 bus architecture, and complete system security sound appealing, cut the coupon or give us a call. We'll send you a free brochure that tells the whole story. Once you get it you'll see why Gifford has a lock on multiuser CP/M 8-16.

Gifford Computer Systems is a Full Service CompuPro* Systems Center.

0

The powerful Gifford System 321 shown with optional GCS-80 Virtual Terminals.

i

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•A QAK77 I

2446 Verna Court, San Leandro, CA 94577

(415) 895-0798 A division of G&G Engineering

I'D LIKE THE WHOLE STORY.

Please send me your brochure.

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GIFFORD COMPUTER SYSTEMS □ San Leandro, CA (415) 895-0798 □ Los Angeles, CA ( 213) 477-3921 □ Houston, TX (713) 680-1944

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IULY 1984

87

How to pick up the most portable computer for your money.

The advantages of a portable computer.

Personal computers.

No matter where you are or what you do, you can see how they're changing your world. If you've done any reading on the subject, you know that there are a dizzying array of personal computers on the market today, all with differing features, capabilities, sizes, and prices.

If you're planning to buy a personal computer, consider the advantages of a portable computer. Today, the portable computer can offer the same capabil ities as a desk-top model, yet give you options that go far beyond your desk: If you work at home, a portable can free you of the cost of separate computers for your home and office. A portable computer can make any business trip infinitely more productive. And outside the office, a portable can also become an educational tool for yourfamily.

The benefits of a portable computer go as far as you can take it.

Weigh the differences.

When looking at portable computers, keep in mind the three P's: power, price, and portability. Every portable computer design is the result of trade-offs between these three factors.

At one end of the spectrum you'll find small, inexpensive lap models with very limited capabilities, and at the other, relatively large and bulky portables with desk-top computer power, costing up to thousands of dollars more.

Within this broad range, however, exceptions do exist. Whatever your needs, remember: you're looking for the model with the most power and features at the lowest possible weight and price. A portable like the Visual Commuter.™

The Visual Commuter: two computers for the price of one.

Commuter is a breakthrough in portable computers. In only 16 pounds (half the weight of comparable portables), and for only $1995, Commuter offers you the same features as a powerful desk-top computer: a 16-bit 8088 processor.

VISUAL

Visual Computer Incorporated

28K of memory expandable to 512K. Single or dual floppy disk drives with up to 720K of storage (rough I y 360 typewritten pages). A full 16 line by 80 column optional flat panel display. And expansion capabilities for printers, hard disk, communications, and external monitors, includingyourTVset. So instead of buying a desk-top computer for the office and a portable for the road, you can save yourself thousands by buying a Commuter.

A portable without IBM " PC compatibility is no bargain.

Any computer, no matter how advanced, is only as good as the software that goes nto it. And in micro-computers, IBM PC compatible software sets the standard. The success of the IBM Personal Computer and the resulting IBM PC compatible software industry means that today's most innovative, powerful, and useful programming is being written expressly for the IBM PC. And only a truly IBM PC compatible can take advantage of it.

Commuter offers a level of IBM PC compatibility unsurpassed in a portable or desk-top computer. With the IBM PC compatible MS-DOS'" operating system and GW Basic.'" A full 83 key keyboard with a layout identical to the IBM PC. 5V4" floppy disks that are interchangeable with the IBM PC. Built-in IBM compatible color graphics and monochrome support. There's even a port for the IBM PC expansion chassis. And unlike many so-called IBM PC compatibles, Commuter can run virtually all of the software written specifically for the IBM PC.

No computer makes $1995 go farther.

For $1995, Commuter not only gives you desk-top power and features, it does it in only 16 pounds. And at 3 ^2" x 18" x 15" with built-in handle and carrying case, you can take it anywhere you'd take a briefcase.

For more information on Commuter, call 1-800-847-8252 (in MA call 1-800-462-5554), or write Visual Computer Incorporated, 135 Maple Street, Marlboro, MA 01752. Or visit your local Commuter dealer today.

Commuter. Whether you compare it to desk-top models or other portables, you just can't pick up more computer for your money.

Commuter. It can take your business places its never been.

Visual Computer In corporal etl is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visual Technology Incorporated. COMMUTER is a trademark of Visual Computer Incorporated. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. MS-DOS and CW Basicare trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Circle 323 on inquiry card.

THE PORTABLE [OITIPUTER

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Circle 306 on inquiry card

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BOOK REVIEWS

with the appropriate remedy. On a less simplistic note, a similar procedure could be programmed for diagnosing what ails something as complex as a nuclear power plant, though we would certainly require a great deal of trust in the system and its information. Dr. Walker also tells how the Prolog language, used extensively in AI, provides powerful and practical means for integrating techniques in databases and expert systems. Digital Equipment Corporation, for example, has used expert systems to replace manuals and oldfashioned dumb databases. The corporation is presently automating manufacturing and assembly.

Other papers describe several applications that include knowledge-based systems, expert systems, natural-language interfaces, advisory systems, robotics, and intelligent database software.

This is no easy task. For a computer to interact with you it must be able to solve problems, answer questions, and recognize and respond to misconceptions. According to the authors of Chapter 12, Webber and Finin, there are four discernible types of user misconceptions: one, "that something exists"; two, "that something can participate in some relation"; three, a misconception about an object's type; and four, "that some event can occur." Further, there are times when even the user does not know how to answer or what information to supply. In these cases, the interactive process requires that the systems extract from the user the required data. "Without these capabilities," Webber and Finin claim, "interactive problemsolving systems will never be more than laboratory toys."

A Certain Future

Yet every discussion of AI should include some guesses about the future. The editor, Reitman, sees an increasing amount of AI software houses backed by venture capital from various sources. In the long run, AI is building and will continue to market software because certain professionals can benefit from it. "If there is a population of people who regularly buy knowledge or who could buy knowledge to avoid costly problems or who routinely perform tedious knowledge-based inference in their work, conjecture is that a commen

surate knowledge system product would appeal to that market."

The opinions and stylistic problems in this book call for the reader to forgive these authors, because they are explorers of a new galaxy. Some of them will undoubtedly find more oil and copper, diagnose more diseases, invest wisely in the stock market, or maybe even win a space war.

Audience

This book would help someone setting up an artificial language department in a company, preparing to buy an AI product, and preparing to hire an AI consultant. A venture capitalist pondering an investment in AI would make a better transaction after reading this book. Someone planning to perform AI consulting, programming, or related work would do well to read Reitman. A professor teaching AI might hesitate to assign this book because of the price, but it will probably be on reserve in many libraries.

The contributors are all established experts. Reitman himself has drawn conclusions for readers to entertain about AI. He started 1983 teaching at NYU Graduate School of Business Administration. He organized or helped organize a conference on AI. The conference was a hit. Reitman got an offer he could not refuse. He now works for Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., of Cambridge, Massachusetts, one of the more successfull AI firms and contractor for the Navy and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).

Reitman considers that people considering incorporating AI in their firms encounter two obstacles. He has attempted to address the first with the symposium proceedings, namely, "figuring out what AI is." The second matter takes more grappling; determining how a firm should apply AI. Because no two firms are alike, each one must decide on its specific expectations, answering questions such as: Do you want to implement AI for marketing or productivity? Will you design your applications or rent them? How far do you want this new implementation to extend?

Reitman suggests the next steps after symposia are books and articles; seminars; consultants; product, service, and development firms: demonstrations; in

{continued)

90 BYTE • IULY 1984

REPORT ON NEW PERIPHERAL HARDWARE

CHOOSING A

SERIAL INTEREACE FOR

YOUR APPLE COMPUTER

The "Second Serial Hardware Decision"...

Once you've selected the right serial printer or modem for your Apple* system, your hardware decisions are over for a while. Right?

Wrong, of course! You still have to decide on an interface card. This "second serial hardware decision" is an important one—one made much simpler

SERlALL Printer/Modem Interface

by seriALL™, the new serial interface for Apple computers.

At a significantly lower cost than Apple's own serial card —$159.00 vs $195.00—SERlALL gives you a bunch more features. Practical, everyday features, not useless extras.

For one, seriALL is the only interface that provides graphics capabilities for serial printers including Apple's new dot matrix Imagewriter™.

Graphics capabilities for serial printers

seriALL also offers 27 easy commands for text formatting and screen dumps, making it the most intelligent serial interface you can use with an Apple.

Equally important, seriALL gives you complete communications interfacing capability. You can use it for modems or in the special terminal mode for timesharing and talking to other computers.

In fact, seriALL completely emulates the Apple serial card as a communications interface.

No additional software or hardware modification is required.

Finally, consider the quality. seriALL's five-year warranty is proof that this interface is built to work long and hard. No other serial card is backed by a guarantee like this.

After comparing seriALL feature-for-feature with other serial interface products, we think you'll agree—seriALL truly is the Do-lt-AII serial card for Apple computers.

Available from Practical Peripherals—makers of MICROBUFFER™ PROCLOCK™ PRinterface™, and GraphiCard™

HHnHHHnnVHsHnHhHnnVnI

See us at NCC '84 Booth D3100!

"Apple and Imagewriter are registered trademarks of Apple Computers, Inc.

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mmPRACTICAL mPERIPHERALS

31245 La Baya Dr., Westlake Village, CA 9I362 • (818)991-8200 • TWX 910-336-5431

Circle 248 on inquiry card.

JULY I984 'BYTE 91

A Jungle In There? Help Is Here:

ETPs

Office Management System

If your office has a way of getting overgrown with bulging files and paperwork, here at last is a clear cut way back to civilization.

The ETI Office Management System is an integrated office software program that is easy to use and easy to adapt to &QQ95 your needs. And at *P«-'«7 only $99.95, you don't have to be a big game hunter to afford it.

Whether it's used for file management, word processing, forms design or generating reports, the ETI Office

Management System is easy to operate. By using the built-in prompts and instructional guides, anyone in the office can become productive in minutes, without overheating their pith helmet.

And, the Office Management System grows with your needs. Its flexibility is limited only by the specific needs of your office.

To find out more about the flexible, easy-to-use and inexpensive ETI Office Management System, use our reply number or phone or write ETI.

ALSO FROM ETI

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System S295 00 System S49 95

Personnel System Micro-Reminder S9500 $29 95

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Requires IBM Personal Computer 128K ot RAM monochrome display one disk drive PC-DOS IBM and PC DOS are trademarks of Internalional Business Machines Price subiec! to change without notice

BOOK REVIEWS

house projects; cost; availability; and management style.

The Controversy

"A rule-based approach may encourage a false sense of security in capturing expertise," we are told. This book both warns where the pitfalls are as well as brags about the successes of Al.

Coping with uncertainty is a concern shared by many. This book explains how some Al products have succeeded in coping better than any intuitive devices we have used in the past.

In the last chapter Reitman warns of the shortcomings of Al. Apparently, it has not yet lived up to the promise of its academic acolytes.

Questions about natural language and artificial intelligence seldom produce crisp answers. (To speculate, UFO reports began about the same time as Al research.) Some interesting results have been achieved; books come out; conferences are held. But people in business are left with the feeling that the shortage of substantial answers can be expensive. Other reports on Al can also be expensive, but this book is one of a kind and may help defer costly errors. ■

Michael O'Neill (2227 Dwigfit Way #4, Berkeley, CA 94704) is interested in mathematics, electronics, and music.

E. Francis Mia (POB 401, Auburn. CA 95603) is director of communications at Litton Engineering Labs in Crass Valley. California.

Irene Pasternack is managing director of Specialized Systems Consultants (POB 7, Northgate Station. Seattle. WA 98125) and teaches UNIX seminars. She is also Chairperson of the Seattle Area UNIX Users Group.

Hunter Alexander (4520 King St. #404. Alexandria. VA 22302, (703) 820-8304) is BYTE's Washington correspondent whose interest in Al is supplemented by past experience as a researcher in the Office of Naval Intelligence. He was also a consultant on defense and translator of technical Russian material.

'• BYTE is always looking for qualified book reviewers. I • Submit aueries and proposals accompanied by a • ; resume, writing samples, or a list oj computer-related ; : interests and expertise lo Book Review Editor. POB I i 372. Hancock. NH 03449. '

92 BYTE • IULY 1984

Circle 120 on inquiry card.

We Made It Powerful. But We Kept It Simple.

Until now, IBM PC users looking for a data base manager had to make an unappetizing choice: Multifile systems so powerful they're difficult to use. Or single file systems so simple they can't be used to do much.

Until we cooked up Power-base™

Power-base is the only multifile data base manager powerful enough to get the job done, yet simple enough to be mastered in one sitting. Even if you've never used a computer.

There are no languages to learn, no commands to memorize. To tell Power-base what you want, simply keep choosing from the menu which never goes away, yet never gets in the way. To make a change, simply make another choice. And the unique DataZOOM™ gives you the power to move rapidly from file to file, right to the piece of information you need.

Software Digest awarded Power-base the highest "overall evaluation" after testing twenty IBM PC data management programs for the March 1984 issue of The Ratings Newsletter.

It's hard to make a simpler choice than Power-base. Especially with a suggested retail price so easy to digest: $395.

Get a taste of Power-base for yourself. For a demonstration copy, send us $10. It's refundable when you

purchase Power-base at your local participating ComputerLand or other authorized dealer.

Powerbase Systems, Inc., (Dept. A), 12 West 37th St., NY, NY 10018. (212) 947-3590.

Requires 256K for either IBM PC with 2 drives or XT and compatibles.

IBM Personal Computer and IBM PC are registered trademarks of the IBM Corporation.

Circle 247 on inquiry card.

Power-base and DataZOOM arc trademarks of Powerbase Systems. Inc.

JULY 1984 • BYTE 93

EVENT QUEUE

]uly 1984

• C. UNIX COURSES Courses in C Language and UNIX. Concord. MA, Somers Point. Nl. and College Park, MD. Three five-day courses are offered: "C Programming Workshop," "Advanced C Topics Seminar," and "UNIX Workshop." Contact loan Hall. Plum Hall Inc.. 1 Spruce Ave., Cardiff. Nl 08232, (609) 927-3770. luly-August

• DATABASE SEMINARS SoftwareBanc Seminars, various sites in the U.S. and Canada. Such seminars as "Problem Solving with 1-2-3." "dBASE II." and "Exploring UNIX" are planned. Contact SoftwareBanc Inc.. 661 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02174, (800) 4512502: in Massachusetts, (617) 641-1241. ]uly-August

• DBM SEMINARS

Digital Consulting Associates Classes and Seminars, various sites in the U.S. Seminars and classes on information centers, database administration, and other microcomputer topics. Contact Digital Consulting Associates Inc.. 339 Salem St., Wakefield. MA 01880, (617) 246-4850. luly-August

• ENGINEERING SUMMER CONFERENCES. Chrysler Center, North Campus, University of Michigan. Ann Arbor. Topics include aerospace, chemical, electrical, nuclear, marine, metallurgical, mechanical/automotive, industrial, and computer, information, and control engineering. Fees range from S450 to $1000, depending on course length. Contact Engineering Summer Conferences, 200 Chrysler CenterNorth Campus. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ml 48109, (313) 764-8490. luly-August

• WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS. Compuworkshops Computer Seminars for Educators, various locations in California. Among the seminars offered are "Designing Educational Courseware," "Com

puter Literacy for Educators," and "How to Set Up a Computer-Based Education Program in Your School or District." Each course is $50. Contact Compukids of Seal Beach, Rossmoor Shopping Center, 12385 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach, CA 90740, (213) 430-7226: in West Los Angeles, (213) 473-8002: in Tarzana, (213) 343-4008: and in Rancho Bernardo/San Diego, (619) 451-1742. luly-August

• DEC SEMINARS Technical and Management Seminars for Professionals, various sites in the U.S. Subject areas: system-performance management, networking, personal computing, applications design and programming, real-time applications design, and management development. On-site seminars can be arranged. Contact Educational Services. Seminar Programs BUO/E58. Digital Equipment Corp.. 12 Crosby Dr.. Bedford, MA 01730, (617) 2764949. luly-September

• EFFICIENT COMPUTING TECHNIQUES. Microcomputers: Techniques for Improving Your Computer Efficiency. Valley Inn and Tavern. Waterville Valley, NH. Four intensive two-day seminars: "Microcomputers: Programming in BASIC." "Introduction to VisiCalc." "Micro Database Applications," and "Engineering and Management Applications." Tuition is $495, or $679 with meals and lodging. Contact New Hampshire College. Resource Center. 2 500 North River Rd„ Manchester. NH 03104, (603) 668-2211, ext. 175. luly-September

• MANAGERIAL SEMINARS Computer Competence Seminars, Boston University Metropolitan College. Boston. MA. A series of hands-on presentations tailored for managers who know little or nothing about computers and for those who wish to sharpen their computing skills. On the docket are "PCs for Improving Financial Analysis

and Decision Support," "Personal Computers for Sales and Marketing Professionals," and many others. Fees range from $22 5 to $595. In-house programs can be organized. Contact loan Merrick, University Seminar Center. Suite 415. 850 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02167, (617) 738-5020. luly-September

• RAINBOW SEMINARS All-Hands-On. Boston. MA, Chicago, IL, New York City, and San Francisco, CA. A series of applications seminars featuring the DEC Rainbow 100. Contact Carol Ericson, BUO/E50, Educational Services, Digital Equipment Corp.. 12 Crosby Dr., Bedford, MA 01730. (617) 276-4572. luly-September

• HIGH-TECH TUTORIALS Tutorial Short Courses from Hellman Associates, London, England, and various sites in the U.S. Among the courses offered are "VLSI Design." "Digita Control," and "Error Correction.' Fees are generally $895. Contact Hellman Associates Inc.. Suite 300, 299 California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, (415) 328-4091. ]uly-October

• PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION Seminars from the Institute for Professional Education, various sites in the U.S. Programs in statistics, management, simulation and modeling, personal computers, and computer science. Contact the Institute for Professional Education, POB 756, Arlington, VA 22216, (703) 527-8700. luly-December

• NCC

The 1984 National Computer Conference—NCC. Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. Professional-development seminars, more than 650 exhibits, and nearly 100 technical sessions. Contact the American Federation of Information Processing Societies Inc., 1899 Preston White Dr., Reston. VA 22091, (703) 620-8926. ]uly 9-12

• FIBER-OPTIC METHODS Fiber and Integrated Optics. San Diego, CA. Course topics: single- and multimode fiber cabling, photo detectors, receiver and repeater technology, and optical-fiber sensors. The fee is $875. Contact Continuing Engineering Education, George Washington University. Washington. DC 20052. (800) 424-9773: in the District of Columbia. (202) 676-6106. luly 9-13

• SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE, Microcomputers in Special Education: Today's Challenge, Lesley College, Cambridge. MA. Subjects: Logo, software evaluation, administrative applications, and model programs. Technical expertise not required. Contact loy Nikkei. Lesley College, 29 Everett St., Cambridge. MA 02238, (617) 868-9600. luly 16-20

• SIMULATION CONFERENCE Summer Computer Simulation Conference—SCSC '84. Copley Plaza Hotel. Boston, MA. Technical sessions, papers, panel discussions, exhibits, and tutorials. Contact Charles Pratt. Simulation Councils Inc.. POB 2228. La lolla. CA 92038, (619) 459-3888. luly 23-25

• SIGGRAPH

ACM SIGGRAPH '84, Minneapolis, MN. Technical papers, panel discussions, a design show, film and video presentations, and nearly 30 courses. Contact SIGGRAPH '84 Conference Office, 111 East Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601, (312) 644-6610. luly 23-27

• INTERFACING TIPS FOR TEACHERS, Microcomputerbased Instrumentation for Schools, Middletown. OH. An introductory, hands-on workshop for college and secondary teachers. Contact Bill Rouse. 301 McGuffey Hall, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, (513) 5292141. luly 23-August 2

[continued]

94 BYTE • IULY 1984

LMC's

32-Bit Virtual Memory MegaMicro Is The-State-Of-The-Art UNIX Microcomputer

LMC's 32-bit MegaMicro provides mainframe or super-minicomputer performance at prices competitive with today's far less powerful 8- and 16-bit microcomputers. This is made possible by use of the next generation of logic chips-the National Semiconductor 16000-series. LMCMegaMicros incorporate: the NS16032 central processing unit which has true 32 -bit internal logic and internal data path configured on the IEEE 796 multibus; demand-paged virtual memory implemented in hardware; and hardware 64-bit double-precision floating-point arithmetic.

The LMC MegaMicro is supplied with HCR's UNITY* which is a full implementation of UNIX** and includes the Berkeley 4.1 enhancements to take advantage of demand-paged virtual memory. Also included are C and FORTRAN. Typical multiuser systems with 33 megs, of fast (30 ms. average access time) Winchester disk storage, a half meg. of RAM, virtual memory, hardware floating-point arithmetic, UNIX, C, and FORTRAN 77 are available for $20,000 (and even less with quantity or OEM discounts).

' UNITY is a 'IVademark of Human Computing Resources. "UNIX is a 'IVademark of Bell Laboratories.

LMC MegaMicros The Logical Alternative™

The Logical Microcomputer Company

4200 W. Diversey, Chicago, IL60639(312) 282.9667

MAMMUN

I I !L A member of The Marmon Group of companies

96 BYTE • |ULY 1984 Circle 187 on inquiry card.

EVENT QUEUE

• HEATH/ZENITH USERS MEET Internationa] Heath/Zenith Users' Group Conference, Pheasant Run Resort. St. Charles. IL. Contact the Heath Users' Group, Hilltop Rd. St. loseph. Ml 49085. (616) 982-3463.

lull) 27-29

• MICROS IN EDUCATION Stanford Institute on Microcomputers in Education. Stanford University. Stanford, CA. An intensive session that provides the background necessary to serve as a school or district resource person. Hands-on programming, word processing, and administrative computing. Contact Stanford Institute on Microcomputers in Education, POB K. Stanford, CA 94305. (415) 322-4640. lull) 30-August 31

• WORKSTATION IN OFFICE EXPLAINED. Software and Hardware for Interactive Workstations. Washington. DC Demonstrates how to solve business problems by using distributed information systems. The design, operations, components, and possible results of a communications workstation will be explored. Tuition: $695. Contact Continuing Engineering Education, George Washington University. Washington. DC 20052. (800) 424-9773: in the District of Columbia, (202) 676-6106. lulu 30-August 1

• ROBOTICS STRATEGIES Robot Manipulators, Computer Vision, and Automated Assembly. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge. This short course emphasizes ways of developing strategies for solving such robotic problems as sensing, spatial reasoning, and manipulation. Existing industrial robots and binary-vision systems will be covered. Contact the Director of the Summer Session. Room E19-356, MIT, Cambridge. MA 02139. lulu 30-August 3

August 1984

• SME CONFERENCES & EXPOS. Conferences and Expositions from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, various sites in the U.S. and around the world. A calendar is available. Contact the Public Relations Department, Society of

Manufacturing Engineers, One SME Dr., POB 930. Dearborn. Ml 48121. (313) 271-0777. August

• SCHOOL COMPUTER COORDINATORS. The Computer: Extension of the Human Mind, Center for Advanced Technology in Education. University of Oregon, Eugene. For individuals responsible for the use of computers and emerging technologies at the school and district levels. Pre- and postconference workshops. Registration is S95. Contact Summer Conference Office, College of Education. University of Oregon, Eugene. OR 97403. August 1-3

• SHOW FOR TARHEELS Great Southern Computer Show, Civic Center. Charlotte. NC. Hardware, software, peripherals, and accessories for the home and office. Seminars and workshops. Contact Great Southern Computer Shows, POB 65 5. lacksonville. FL 32201, (904) 356-1044. August 2-4

• HOME AND OFFICE The First Annual Tampa Bay Computer Show & Office Equipment Exposition. Curtis Hixon Convention Center, Tampa, FL. Hardware, software, accessories, and peripherals for industry and home. Contact CompuShows Inc.. POB 3315, Annapolis. MD 21403. (800) 368-2066: in Annapolis, (301) 263-8044: in Baltimore, 269-7694: in the District of Columbia, 261-1047. August 2-5

• Al INVESTIGATED

The National Conference on Artificial Intelligence. Performing Arts Center. University of Texas, Austin. Seminars, exhibits, and panel discussions. Registration for American Association for Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) members is SI00: nonmembers pay $140. Contact Claudia C. Mazzetti. AAAI, 445 Burgess Dr., Menlo Park, CA 9402 5. (415) 328-3123. August 6-10

• COMPUTERS IN ENGINEERING, The 1984 ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference and Exhibit, Hilton Hotel. Las Vegas. NV. More than 60 panel discussions and paper sessions. Product exhibits. Contact American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 East

[continued)

Circle 277 on inquiry card. —►

Prescription: SemiDisk.

jw^vwhat the doctor ordered!

If you've been "patient" with slow

disk drives fol tOO long) SemiDisk

will relieve your suffering. Fast-acting.

The SemiDisk, a super fast disk emulator, stores and retrieves data much faster than either a floppy or hard disk. This is especially useful with programs such as editors, assemblers, compilers, spelling checkers, and large capacity data base managers.

Easy to apply.

Installation is as easy as plugging the SemiDisk into an empty slot of your computer, booting up normally, and running the installation software provided. No assembly language programming is required.

Comes in regular and extra-strength.

SemiDisk I is the standard model for S-100, for use with CP/M® 2.2. SemiDisk II is just as easy to use,

and oilers extra speed and flexibility for custom S 100 applications. There are also SemiDlsks for TBS 8Q Model II, IBM PC and Epson QX10

Contains gentle buffers.

<;i'/M*8<) installation software includes SemiSpool, which temporarily stores print data in the SemiDisk, and continuously feeds the printer as it becomes ready for data This buffering action allows the computer to be ready for other uses immediately after issuing a print command, while the printer is printing.

No blackouts: A cure for emulator amnesia.

The optional Battery Backup Unit (BBU) plugs into the SemiDisk, and supplies power even when the computer is off. It contains a battery which keeps the data alive during prolonged power outages of four hours or more.

Stops head-aches.

Unlike a hard disk, which can. crash' its head on the rapidly rotating disk surface, and a floppy, which grinds the disk constantly, the SemiDisk has no moving parts to break or wear out. No buzzing, clicking, grinding, or other noise. Just ultra fast, silent data transfer.

Won't bruise your wallet.

And now the really good news! SemiDisk's price won't raise your blood pressure.

SemiDisk I, S-100 SemiDisk II, S 100 SemiDisk, TRS-80II SemiDisk, IBM PC

5I2K I Mbyte 1995 M795

11245 $2095 $995 $1795 1945 11795

SemiDisk, Kpson QX10 $995

SEMIDISK

SemiDisk Systems, Inc.

P.O. Box GG, Beaverton, Oregon 97075

503-642-3100

Call W3-M6-5510 for CBBS'NW and 503 775-4838 for CBBS/PCS, both SemiDisk equipped compute! bulletin boards (300/1200 baud) SemiDisk. SemiSpool trademarks ol SemlOlsk sysiems CP M Iradcmark ol IMglul Research

To help you communicate more clearly To make tough subjects easy.To make work go faster. To visualize, really visualize what you have in mind.

Pictures of yourideas. Produced by Mindset'." A new breed of hardware that gives you the next generation of mouse-driven graphic

Intel's true 16-bit 80186 microprocessor. Two custom VLSI processors for high speed, high resolution bit-mapped graphics from 320 x 200 pixels in 16 colors. Runs Lumena™ and other professional graphic design programs, IBM PC software, and the next generation of icon-based, mouse-driven, windowed software.

IBM is a registered trademark ol International Business Machines Corporation Lumena is a trademark of Time Arts.

98 BYTE" IULY 1984

power today. More impressive graphics than any we could show you on this page.

You can draw ideas. You can plot and rotate dimensional designs. Even change their perspective.

You can create charts, diagrams and layouts with brilliant clarity from Mindset's palette of 512 colors.

Mindset works, thinks and plays as fast as your mind. It runs IBM® PC software at blazing speed. Never puts your mind on hold.

Always goes with the idea flow.

Mindset's price? About one-third less than an IBM PC.

Bring us the programs you're using today Try them on Mindset. Watch your ideas pop on the screen the way they come to your mind. Quickly. Completely. Your ideas never looked so good. So fast.

Call 1-800-447-4700 for your nearest Mindset dealer.

Mindset: The possibilities are endless.

"RODUCING MINDSET

Circle 227 on inquiry card.

Mindset Corporalion, 617 North Mary, Sunnyvale. California 94086 IULY 1984 •BYTE 99

Main/Frames

Write or call for our brochure which includes our

application note: "Making micros,better than any ol' box computer"

INTEGB4ND

8620 Roosevelt Ave. • Visalia, CA 209/651-1203 We accept BankAmericard/Visa

100 BYTE • IULY 1984

EVENT QUEUE

47th St.. New York. NY 10017. (2121 705-7100. August 12-16

• MICROS & VOC EDUCATION Microcomputers and High Technology in Vocational Education Conference, Vocational Studies Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Concurrent sessions, formal classes, presentations, speeches, and videotaped programs. Preregistration fee is $55. or $65 at the door. Contact Dr. ludith Rodenstein. 964 Educational Sciences Building, University of Wisconsin, 102 5 West lohnson St., Madison, Wl 53706, (608) 263-4367.

August 13-16

• COMPUTERS AND BIOLOGY The Fourth Annual Notre Dame Short Course Series: Computers in Biology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN. Three concurrent short courses: "Computers in Bioeducation." "Microcomputers in Classroom and Laboratory." and "Computerized Data Analysis in Biological Research." Technical expertise is not required. Tuition is $450. Contact Theodore |. Crovello. Biocomputing Short Course Coordinator. Department of Biology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 465 56, (219) 239-7496. August 13-17

• COMPUTING IN SCHOOLS The Third Annual Harvard Institute on Computing in Schools, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA. Designed for educators and administrators. Software demonstrations and group discussions will be featured. Prior computer experience not required. Contact Institute on Computing in Schools, Programs in Professional Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 339 Gutman Library. Cambridge, MA 02138. (617) 495-3572. August 13-17

• PROGRAM COMPUTER GAMES, Programming Games on Computers, Salzburg Inn, Stowe, VT. Presented by Monty Newborn and David Levy, computer-game experts, this course is designed to show you how to program a computer to play chess, bridge, othello, checkers, and blackjack. Ability to program in BASIC, FORTRAN, or Pascal is advised. The fee is $550. Contact Dr. Monty

Newborn. 4874 Westmount Ave, Westmount, Quebec H3Y 1Y1. Canada, or call (514) 481-1766. August 13-17

• COMPUTERS. GRAPHICS. AND BUILDING. Computers/ Graphics in the Building Process—BP '84, Embarcadero Center, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, CA. Exhibit of equipment and services, tutorials, and technical sessions exploring the theme "The Building Process in Transition." Contact Conference Director, BP '84. Suite 333, 2033 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 775-9556.

August 19-23

• ADA COURSE, Hands-On Programming in Ada, Washington. DC. Upon completion students will be able to design, code, and test Ada programs in an interactive environment. Enrollment is limited to individuals with programming experience in at least one high-level language. The fee is $875. Contact Continuing Engineering Education. George Washington University. Washington, DC 20052, (800) 424-9773: in the District of Columbia, (202) 676-6106.

August 20-24

• PROGRAM COMPUTER GAMES. Programming Games on Computers. Salzburg Inn. Stowe. VT. See August 13-17. August 20-24

• COMPUTERFEST/HAMFEST The Central Pennsylvania Repeater Association Eleventh Annual Hamfest/Computerfest. Hershey, PA. Indoor dealer and flea-market areas. Registration is $3. Children and spouses free. Contact Timothy R. Fanus. WB3DNA, 6140 Chambers Hill Rd„ Harrisburg, PA 17111, (717) 564-0897 (noon to 8 p.m.). August 26

• INFO CENTER CONFERENCE Information Center Conference and Exposition. Sheraton Boston and Hynes Auditorium, Boston, MA. More than 60 educational sessions on hardware, software, and organizational topics of interest to information-center managers will be featured. Contact Warren/ Weingarten Publications. 38 Chauncy St.. Boston, MA 02111, (617) 542-0146. August 26-30

[continued]

Circle 158 on inquiry card.

Better Business

BASIC

Finally! A BASIC compiler that means business.

Microsoft® Business BASIC Compiler allows you to create professional applications for MS-DOS systems that are so fast your users will never know they were written in BASIC.

Because the compiler produces native code, your software will run three to ten times faster than the same interpreted programs.

But speed isn't everything. Microsoft's Business BASIC also has busi

MICROSOFT. £eSS sawy

The High Performance Software based On the

de facto standard Microsoft BASIC, it includes a rich set of extensions:

Decimal floating point arithmetic (14-digit precision-BCD format) for extremely accurate dollars and cents calculations.

Two types of arrays provide maximum program flexibility: static arrays for speed, dynamic arrays for expandability.

Over twenty string handling functions provide sophisticated character manipulation capa

bilities. Strings can be up to 32K bytes.

Multi-line functions and subprograms allow you to define routines with local or globally defined variables.

Separate module compilation means complex programs can be broken down into smaller units. Coupling multiple modules together permits creation of very large programs, up to one megabyte.

Call 800-426-9400 to order the better Business BASIC* $600*

In Washington State, call 206828-8088. Ask for operator A5, who will rush you your order, send you more information, or give you the name of your nearest dealer to see Microsoft Business BASIC in action.

*Price exclusive of handling and Washington State sales tax. Microsoft is a registered trademark and MS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation

LOOK NO FURTHER!

we'll get you low prices and fast service, or else!

ALPHA OMEGA

COMPUTER PRODUCTS

Circle 17 on inquiry card.

COMPUTERS

TAVA PC IBM Compatible, 128K, 3-320K Drives, Parallel Port,

Monitor $1989

SANYO MBC 555 w/software 1049 SANYO MBC 555-2 w/sottware1420 IBM PC 64K, 2-320K Drives, Color Graphics Board, DOS 2.1, Amdek 300G . . . .2669

DISKETTES

SCOTCH 3M SSDD $23

MAXELL MD2 DSDD 39

PRINTERS

C. ITOH 8510 P. 120 cps . . SAVE

EPSON FX80 160 cps $495

EPSON FX100 160 cps 695

OKIDATA Microline 92 160 cps425 OKIDATA Microline 93 160 cps699

BMC BX-80 Printer 259

GEMINI 10X 120 cps 275

GEMINI 15X 120 cps 409

NEC 3550 35 cps L/Q SAVE

JUKI 6100 L/Q 18 cps 445

C. ITOH F-10 40 cps 1075

MODEMS

HAYES Smartmodem 1200 . . .482 HAYES Smartmodem 1200B . .425

HAYES Micromodem lie 249

ANCHOR A. Mark I 300 Baud . .81 ANCHOR A. Mark XI 300/1200 269

MONITORS

TAXAN 12" Amber $115

GORILLA 12" Green 85

AMDEK 310A for IBM PC 169

AMDEK 300G 12" Green 135

AMDEK 300A 12" Amber 145

AMDEK Color I 13" 305

PRINCETON HX-12 RGB 495

BMC 13" Color 219

APPLE PERIPHERALS & SOFTWARE

VIDEX Videoterm 80C

w/sottswitch $209

VIDEX Ultraterm 279

MICROSOFT 16K RAMcard 69

MICROSOFT 280 Soflcard .... 245 MICROSOFT Premium Pack . .479 MICROSOFT Premium Sottcard

HE 345

KRAFT & TG Joystick 45

HAYES Mach II Joystick 99

PROMETHIUS Vs Height Drives195 WIZARD IPI Parallel Interface . .75

PROMETHIUS Versacard 149

EPS Keyboard 289

KENSINGTON Systemsaver 68

COOL & TIME (fan, surge, clock)75

KOALA Pad 93

PFS Filing System 81

PFS Report 81

DBase II 389

Wordstar 249

Home Accountant SAVE

Multiplan 165

DB Master Version 4 249

DB Utility 1 or 2 95

Magic Window II 109

Zaxxon 29

Choplifter 25

Zork l/l l/l 11 28

Wizardry 39

Sublogic Pinball 27

IBM PERIPHERALS & SOFTWARE

TANDON TM100-2 360K . . . $219 PANASONIC V2 Height 360K

Drives 179

MICROSOFT Mouse 139

QUADRAM Quadboard w/64K .269

QUADRAM Quadlink SAVE

QUADRAM Quadcolor I 209

64K RAM Kit 200 ns 55

AST 6-pack plus 279

STB w/64K clock, par, serial,

game 295

HAYES Mach II Joystick 35

MAYNARD Int. 10MB Hard Disk999

rBASE 289

Home Accountant + SAVE

Multimate 329

PFS Filing System 89

PFS Report 81

Lotus 1,2,3 319

DBase II 389

Friday 189

Wordstar 259

Wordstar Propack w/Mailmrg,

Spellstar 349

Multiplan 165

Flight Simulator 33

Deadline 38

Zork l/ll/lll 28

Hundreds of available items. Call for complete pricing information. We do not charge for VISA or MASTERCARD.

S3 345-4422

VISA'

4847 La Montana Circle, Tarzana, CA 91356

All products are in factory sealed packages. We guarantee all items lor 30 days Within this period, defective merchandise returns must bo accompanied by RMA number. All other returns will be subject to a 10% restocking fee For prepaid orders there will be a 3% shipping charge; 5% for UPS Blue Label: $5.00 minimum: all orders outside U.S al 15% shipping. There will be an additional $4.00 surcharge on COO orders. Cash or Cashiers Check is required on CO D. orders. Calif residents add 6.5% sales lax Prices subject to change without nobce.

EVENT QUEUE

• PCB TECHNICAL SEMINAR The 1984 Printed Circuit Fabrication Technical Seminar, Boston, MA. Contact Donna Esposito, PMS Industries, 62 5 Sims Industrial Blvd.. Alpharetta. GA 30201, (404) 475-1818. August 27-29

• EUROMICRO

The Tenth Annual Euromicro Symposium—Euromicro 84, Copenhagen, Denmark. One of the largest European computer events. Euromicro features speeches, tutorials, and technical sessions. Also featured will be the annual Euromouse contest in which robotic mice zip through a maze, racing against time and foreign competitors. Contact Euromicro, p/a TH Twente. Department INF. Room A306. POB 217. 7500 AE Enschede. The Netherlands: tel: (31) (53) 338799: Telex: 44200 THES. August 27-30

September 1984

• ERGONOMICS CONFERENCE World Conference on Ergonomics in Computer Systems, various sites throughout the U.S. and Europe. Ergonomic experts and computer professionals and users will exchange information and observations. Contact Computer Psychology Inc., 54 East Main St.. POB 16. Mendham. N| 0794 5, (201) 543-9009. In Europe, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. LM Ericssons vag 4-8. S-12625 Stockholm, Sweden: tel: (8) 7190000. September-October

• SHOWS IN GERMANY Chip Microcomputer Weeks, various sites throughout West Germany. Microcomputer products, trends, and applications will be demonstrated. Sponsored by Chip, a leading German computer magazine. Contact Network GmbH, An der Friedenseiche 10, D-3050 Wunstorf 2. Bundesrepublik Deutschland (West Germany): tel: (0 50 33) 10 56: Telex: 92

4 5 45. In England. Network Events Ltd.. Printers Mews. Market Hill, Buckingham MK18 ]JX. England: tel: (02 80) 81 52 26: Telex: 83111. September-November

• INTEL WORKSHOPS Microcomputer Workshops,

various sites throughout the U.S. and Canada. Intel, the semiconductor memory manufacturer, is offering more than 20 workshops on microprocessor applications. A brochure is available. Contact Customer Training, Intel Corp.. 27 Industrial Ave.. Chelmsford, MA 01824-3688. (617) 256-1374. September-December

• IBM SYSTEMS SHOW The IBM System User Show, Olympia 2, London. England. Covers the full spectrum of IBM mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers. A focus on business. Contact EMAP International Exhibitions Ltd.. 8 Herbal Hill. London EC1R 5JB. England: tel: 01 837 3699. September 3-5

• Al IN EUROPE

The Sixth European Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Pisa, Italy. Covers programming languages, expert systems, natural-language processing, robotics, and computer vision. Tutorials. Contact the Programme Chairman. Institute of Educational Technology, Open University. Walton Hall. Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, England. In Italy. Stefano A. Cerri. Dipartmento di Informatica. Universita di Pisa, Corso Italia, 40, Pisa 56100, Italy: tel: Pisa 40862/3/4: Telex: CNUCE 500371. September 5-7

• SOFTWARE ONLY

The Second Annual National Software Show, Convention Center, Anaheim. CA. An exposition and conference devoted solely to microcomputer software. Contact Raging Bear Productions Inc.. Suite 175. 21 Tamal Vista Dr., Corte Madera, CA 94925, (800) 732-2300: in California. (415) 924-1194. September 5-7

• COMPUTER INTERFACING FOR SCIENCE, Personal Computer and STD Computer Interfacing for Scientific Instrument Automation, Washington. DC. A hands-on workshop costing $395. Contact Dr. Linda Leffel. C.E.C. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, VA 24061. (703) 961-4848. September 6-8

• MOTION CONTROL SEMINAR. Electronic Motion Control Seminar. Boston. MA.

[continued)

Capable COBOL.

For over twenty years, COBOL has proved it can handle the most awesome data handling requirements of the business world.

And Microsoft® COBOL^ brings this power to the MS-DOS environment in an even more flexible version. It's the ideal choice for transporting and adapting the thousands of mainframe and minicomputer programs now on the market.

Microsoft COBOL was designed after the ANSI COBOL standard. Its quality and performance has been fully certified by the GSA.

Microsoft COBOL includes a complete set of file handling MICROSOFT, facilities includ

The High Performance Software Ulg SUppOlt lOr

sequential, line sequential, relative and B+ tree indexed sequential (ISAM) files.

The advanced screen handling features, compatible with Data General1^ make it easy to create forms and menus for interactive user programs. Direct cursor positioning, highlighting, automatic format conversion, projected

fields, and automatic field skip are just some of the capabilities.

An interactive source code debugging tool allows you to step through your program in symbolic form. There is no need to wade through object code and addresses in memory to see what is going on. It's a complete development package.

Applications developed with the compiler can be distributed without a runtime support charge.

Like all Microsoft languages, the standard linking interface makes it easy to combine assembly language subroutines.

Call 800-426-9400 to order the capable COBOL. $700*

In Washington State, call 206828-8088. Ask for operator A5, who will rush you your order, send you more information, or give you the name of your nearest dealer to see Microsoft COBOL in action.

* Price exclusive of handling and Washington State sales tax. Microsoft is a registered trademark and MS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation Data General is a registered trademark of Data General Corporation.

libur System Deserves The Best!

Key Tronic Keyboards.

1

To enhance the performance of your personal computer or computer terminal, ask your dealer for a plug-compatible Key Tronic keyboard.

Key Tronic Corporation is the world's largest independent manufacturer of computer keyboards.

Key Tronic keyboards are engineered for performance and reliability, and are backed by a 14-year tradition of manufacturing excellence. All Key Tronic plug-compatible keyboards feature:

• Familiar typewriter key locations and legends

• Low-profile design

• Solid-state capacitive switches

• Positive tactile feedback Each production element, from printed

circuit boards to keytops is generated inhouse to insure high quality.

So ask your computer dealer for a hands-on demonstration of a Key Tronic keyboard.

Call Toll Free 1-800-262-6006 for the retailer closest to you. (7 am-3 pm Pacific Time). Warranty information may be obtained by writing to the address below.

UJIJ////

I k« HMO,

KB 5151 and 5151 jr —The ProjessiomI Series

KB 5151 is plug-compatible with the IBM * PC and XT.

KB 5151 jr is plug-compatible with the IBM PCjr*. Both

are available in DVORAK and foreign layouts, and special

models are made for the handicapped.

Suggested Retail Price: $255.00

□

keytronic

Circle 173 on inquiry card. Come see us at NCC Booth #B4206

"THE RESPONSIVE KEYBOARD COMPANY"

Department E • P.O. Box 14687 • Spokane, WA 99214 (U.S.A.) ■ (509) 928-8000

BBBBBBBBBBBB DOBDBBQOBQB ti BBBQBBBBBB -BDBBDDOBB1

KB 500

Replacement keyboard for the Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer*

Suggested Retail Price: $89.95

KB 5150 and 5150 jr — The Professbrntl Series KB 5150 is plug-compatible with the IBM* PC and XT. KB 5150 jr. is plug-compatible with the IBM PC jr.* Both are available in DVORAK and foreign layouts, and a special model is made for the handicapped. Suggested Retail Price: $209.00

"IBM and PC jr. are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation. 'Apple II is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. *DEC VT-100 is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.

'TeIevideo-925 is a registered trademark of Televideo Systems, Inc.

•Radio Shack is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation.

Circle 20 on inquiry card.

SUPER APPLE® COMPATIBLE

SUPERIOR TO APPLE. COMPARE FEATURES

AMERICAN SUPER COMPUTERS Elite4

1. Dual CPU's 6502 & Z80, 64K RAM

2. Runs APPLE & CPM, detached keyboard

3. Numeric keypad, 90 key keyboard

4. No copyright problems, completely legal

5. SAVES YOU LOTS OF MONEY! ONLY $499 Disk Drive $199 - Controller $49 - Monitor $109

Complete System: Computer + Controller + Drive + Monitor ONLY $839

APPLE is T.M. ot APPLE Computers, Inc.

WE HAVE ALL APPLE CARDS - CALL! SAVE!

Phone American Super Computers (919) 883-1105

Advanced Dignai Z8QB 6Mh/

Super Si*M28 WPS NET/I

Super Sliive-6/12B

Cumpupio 816C Demo II onl\

Mnnrjw l.ii:0

Hmdiiari VPU-128

North Slar Hon/on or Aefvani,

■Tunilh ZF-15* E.jBlo PC Spin NEC PCB20I

Televideo 970 Adds 3 A' VieirjpDrni GolOi Zenith 2-29

BMC BM-12AUW BMC Amber BMC Color

PRINTERS. LETTER QUALITY

NEC 2010 TelevKluo TP-720P

Bllvoi Reed boor

PRINTERS [JQT MATRIX

Epson (IX SOFT

11 Gniliioui Company

We Sell Entire Line Of Most Compaines Call For Latest Prices, Shipping & Availabilty Factory Warranties - WE BEAT PRICES!

WHICH COMPUTER IS BEST? - FREE BROCHURE

AMERICAN COMPUTERS

4167 Kivett Dr., Jamestown, North Carolina 27282 Phone: (919) 883-1105 or (919) 889-4577

Prices & Specifications subject to change

DISK CONTROLLER

KEY FEATURES

• Full sector buffering

• Logical sector addressing

• Multiple sector, cylinder operation

• 11 bit burst ECC

o Self-diagnostic capability ■ Automatic sector alternation

for the diffective sectors ©Automatic Error Retry o Industry Standurd SASI l/F

National Computer Ltd.

UASON OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA PH0NE:|408|734-1006 FAX:(408>744-0709

AKEBONO BLDG. 2-6-12 IWAMOTO-CHO CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN PHONE: (031863-6705 TIX:J27542 FAX: (03)864-4581

EVENT QUEUE

Sponsored by the Electronic Motion Control Association. Contact EMCA Headquarters, Suite 1200, 230 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601, (312) 372-9800. September 10-11

• ELECTRONICS SHOWS Midcon 84 and Mini/Micro Southwest 84, Dallas, TX. Concurrent conferences exploring practical applications and the state of the art of electronics, including computers, graphics, and networks. Contact Electronic Conventions Management, 8110 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles. CA 90045. (213) 772-2965. September 11-13

• UNIX EXPOSITION

UNIX Systems Expo/84, Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA. Exhibits from more than 200 vendors of UNIX-related products and services, as well as presentations and panel discussions. Contact Computer Faire Inc., 181 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 02159, (6171 965-8350. September 11-14

• EUROPEAN COMPUTER GRAPHICS. Eurographics '84—The Fifth Annual European Computer Graphics Congress, Copenhagen, Denmark. A congress with an international lineup of speakers and product exhibits. Contact Kenness International, 1 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016. (800) 23 5-6400; in New York, (212) 684-2010. September 12-14

• SOFTWARE EXPO

The Fifth Annual Software/Expo, Hyatt Regency, Chicago, IL. A conference and exposition. Contact Software/Expo, Suite 205, 2400 East Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018, (312) 299-3131. September 12-14

• TECHNOLOGY FOR DISABLED, Computer Technology for the Handicapped, Raddison South Hotel, Minneapolis, MN. A national conference and exhibit for special education, rehabilitation, and medical professionals. Presentations and workshops. Registration is $150 before September 1; $175 after. Admission to the exhibit floor only is $3. Contact Closing the Gap, POB 68, Henderson, MN 56044, (612) 665-6573 or (612) 341-8299. September 13-16

• GULF COAST COMPUTING The Heart of Texas Computer Show, Bayfront Plaza, Corpus Christi. Seminars and displays. Contact Heart of Texas Computer Show, POB 12094, San Antonio, TX 78212, (512) 681-2248. September 14-16

• PEOPLE AND COMPUTERS The 1984 SME World Congress on Human Aspects of Automation, Hotel du Pare, Montreal. Quebec. Canada. Contact Society of Manufacturing Engineers, One SME Dr.. POB 930. Dearborn. Ml 48121. (312) 271-1500. ext. 369. September 16-19

• COMPUTERS AND MODERN WORLD, COMPCON Fall 84, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA. Tutorials, panels, demonstrations, sessions, and papers will explore the theme "Small Computer (R)Evolution." Contact COMPCON Fall 84. IEEE Computer Society, POB 639. Silver Spring, MD 20901, (301) 589-8142. September 16-20

• MEDICINE, BIOLOGY, ENGINEERING, The ThirtySeventh Annual Conference on Engineering in Medicine and Biology, Los Angeles Hilton, Los Angeles, CA. Papers, short courses, and scientific and commercial exhibits will be featured. Contact The Alliance for Engineering in Medicine and Biology, Suite 402, 4405 EastWest Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814. September 17-19

• ADA WORKSHOP Future Ada Environment Workshop, Miramar Hotel Bythe-Sea, Santa Barbara, CA. Workshops, addresses, presentations, working groups, and discussions. Registration: $400 to $700 depending on room choice. Contact ACM AdaTEC Future Ada Environment Workshop, TRW R2/1134, One Space Park, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, or register directly with Carolyn Gannon, GRC, POB 6770, Santa Barbara, CA 93160. September 17-20

• KENTUCKIANA EXHIBITION CompuFest '84. Commonwealth Convention Center. Louisville. KY. Computer consultant services and approximately 100 hardware, software, peripheral, and word-processing system vendors will display exhibits.

(continued)

106 BYTE • IULY 1984

Circle 231 on inquiry card.

tlOw1.

Choose From | tem5

That Convert'fiffin Perform UHe The rv.

1

All three systems are q

VW5 2

-nrtalso run with other , fecial software drivers and also drjve

5;5tem. Ml you heed ^ ^

ready to run'. d wlth a**??^,, Hard Disc

Unconditional One Year

VW5 3

Dnve contro^ Cwd floppy 8" drives

_ H=,tar™ Memory

"emaKe modern times better.

'"qu/ry

card.

Circle 216 on inquiry card.

DISCOUNT PRICES COMPUTERS & EQUIPMENT

COMPUTERS

@SANYO f FRANKLIN

ACE 1000 COMPUTER ACE 1200 COMPUTER

IBM COMPATIBLES

eaGLE YOUR CHOICE

coniPUTEr!

EQUIPMENT

COLUMBIA

1

DAT* PRODUCTS, INC. 1

QD Hayes* l]Novation|

I PIANTRONCS"

pes z;

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\ferbatim*

RCSCRRCH INC.

ill

PRINTERS

EPSON

C. Itoh

TOSHIBA

PRINTER CARDS AND CASUS

j^Oronge micro

Panasonic, d^syv^itef Tfanstaf cardco',ncSBB,1

WTTT71

, SMITH CIWONA

BOTEK

FREE

Price List « information Kit

Call For Your Discount Prices

Since 1978

MicroManagement Systems, Inc.

2603 Thomiiville Rati E*il Ciiro. Gcoraii 31721 |912) 377-7120

1-800-841-0860

A Software Implementation within Your Product Hardware

If you manufacture a computer system or a computer based product, allow it to EMULATE COMMUNICATE by installing one or more of Systems Strategies "G" Language based communication packages.

• 3270 SNA SDLC Emulation

• 3270 BSC Emulation

• 2780 3780 HASP Emulation

• X.25 Levels 1. 2, 3 Communication

You can purchase these "C" Language packages with source code and license to distribute in your hardware product. Each package is available either "Port it Yourself" with instruction manual and training or ported to your hardware by Systems Strategies' communications staff.

Systems Strategies/Advanced Technology Division Specialists in Data Communications Software

Systems Strategies Inc.

225 West 34th Street New York, New York 10001 (212) 279-8400

EVENT QUEUE

Technical sessions will be offered. A full day's worth of seminars costs $15. Registration fee is $2. Contact the Kentucky Society of CPAs, 310 West Liberty St.. Louisville, KY 40202, (502) 589-9239. September 18-20

• PARISIAN COMPUTING The Thirty-Fifth S1COBInternational Exhibition of Data Processing, Teleprocessing, Communication, Office Procedures, and Office Systems, CNIT Paris-La Defense, Paris, France. Microprocessing and videotex will be major highlights of the exhibition. International visitors presenting their passports will have a special reception room. Some of the congresses and conferences will feature simultaneous interpretation in English and French. Contact International Trade Exhibitions in France, 8 West 40th St., New York. NY 10018. (212) 869-1720. September 19-28

• EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE The First North Carolina Educational Microcomputer Conference, Benton Convention Center and Hyatt Hotel, Winston-Salem. Educational sessions, hands-on workshops, and product displays. A network of various computers will be set up. Contact leanette Gann, NC Regional Education Center, POB 21889, Greensboro, NC 27420, (919) 379-5764. September 20-21

• DOCUMENTATION METHODS How to Document a Computer System. Holiday Inn—Thomas Circle, Washington, DC, and Hyatt Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill. N|. A series of documentation procedures will be presented. The fee is $15 5. Contact Technical Communications Associates, Suite 210, 12 50 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. (800) 227-3800, ext. 977; in California, (408) 737-2665. September 21 and September 24, respectively

• PACIFIC COAST FAIR

The Fifth Annual Pacific Coast Computer Fair, Robson Square Media Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This event

features exhibits, user-group displays, and more than two dozen speakers. Workshops, presentations, and panels will discuss the Apple Macintosh, MS-DOS, software and hardware marketing, publishing. Modula-2, and graphics. Admission is $4 per day. Contact Pacific Coast Computer Fair Association, POB 80866, South Burnaby, British Columbia V5H 3Y1, Canada. (604) 581-6877. September 22-23

• GRAPHICS STANDARD COURSE, Introduction to GKS, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Austin, TX. A course on the Graphics Kernel System (GKS) standard. The fee is $495. Contact Nova Graphics International Corp.. 1015 Bee Cave Woods, Austin, TX 78746. (512) 327-9300. September 24-2 5

• ASIAN COMPUTER SHOW The Fifth South East Asia Regional Computer Conference and Exhibition and Hong Kong Computer 84, Hong Kong Exhibition Centre, China Resources Building, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Contact Cahners Exposition Group, 7315 Wisconsin Ave.. POB 70007. Washington. DC 20088, (301) 657-3090. September 24-27

• COMPUTERS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CONTROL Eurocon 84—The Sixth European Conference on Electrotechnics, Brighton, England. A conference that seeks to identify the impact of computerbased technology on communications and control. Contact Manager, Conference Services, Institution of Electrical Engineers. Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL, England; tel: 01-240 1871, ext. 222; Telex: 261176. September 26-28

• MID-ATLANTIC SHOW The Fifth Annual Mid-Atlantic Computer Show and Office Equipment Exposition, Convention Center, Washington. DC Contact CompuShows Inc.. POB 3315, Annapolis, MD 21403. (800) 368-2066: Annapolis. (301) 263-8044; Baltimore, 269-7694; District of Columbia, 261-1047. September 27-30. ■

IF YOU WANT your organization's public activities listed in BYTE's Event Queue, we need to know about them at least four months in advance. Send information about computer conferences, seminars, workshops, and courses to Event Queue. BYTE Publications, POB 379. Hancock. NH 03449.

108 BYTE- IUI.Y 1984

Circle 296 on inquiry card.

OUT THE BEST.

Quadboard, the multifunction board from Quadram brings out the best. It's the board that's been around the longest. And just keeps on getting better.

THE PERFECT "Mr

Quadboard doesn't waste space. It combines 10 of the most needed PC functions onto one board to leave lots of room for expansion. You get all this:

1. Memory expansion to 384K in

increments of 64K with full parity checking standard.

2. A parallel port for printers and other parallel devices (addressable as LPT1 or LPT2).

3. A serial port (RS-232C adapter) for plotters, modems, letter quality printers and other serial devices.

4. A game port for joy sticks and paddles.

5. An I/O bracket to organize expansion port connectors.

6. A battery powered chronograph for an up-to-date internal clock/ calendar.

7. QuadRAM Drive* to set up multiple RAM drives in memory.

8. MasterSpool* for a software print buffer.

9. Qswap* to swap printers without changing cables.

10. MasterCache* a disk caching system that speeds up programs that frequently read data from a disk.

THE SOFTWARE MASTER.

Part of Quadboard's success is QuadMaster II, the best utility software package around. The one that's updated regularly to help you get more than ever out of your PC. No other combination can offer you more.

QUADBOARD*

THE PERFECT DECISION

A QUALITY DECISION.

Quadboard is the number one option board for the IBM PC. First in performance, dependability and reliability. It all adds up to Quality, from Quadram. A company you _can count on today. " And tomorrow.

Before you fill another slot, consider Quadboard by Quadram. It's ^QJJADRAM QUALITY] the best board v / for the job.

'Included as part of QuadMaster II software.

£ COPYRIGHT 1984 QUADRAM CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

QUADBOARD IS A REG TRADEMARK OF QUADRAM CORPORATION.

IBM PC. and IBM PCXT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

QUADRAM

An Intelligent Systems Company

4355 International Blvd./Norcross, Ga. 30093 (404) 923-6666/TWX 810-766-4915 (QUADRAM NCRS)

INTERNATIONAL OFFICES

Interquadram Ltd. 442 Bath Road. Slough. England SL16BB Tel 6286-63865 Tlx: 847155 Auriema G Interquadram GmbH Fasanenweg 7 6092 Kelsterbach. West Germany Tel 6107-3089 Tlx 417770 Seva G Interquadram s.a.r.l. 41. Rue Ybry 92522Neuilly Tel 758-1240 Tlx: 630842 Iso Bur Chevco Computing 6581 Kitimat Road. Mississauga. Ontario, Canada L5N-2X5 Tel 416-821-7600

Circle 257 on inquiry card.

JULY 1984 "BYTE 109

TheTeleVideo IBM PC The best hardware for

TeleVideo versus IBM. Make a few simple comparisons and you'll find there is no comparison.

RUNS IBM SOFTWARE.

With theTeleVideo" IBM Compatible line—PC, XT and portable computers—you'll get the most out of all the most popular software written for the IBM" PC—more than 3,000 programs.

Because every TeleVideo Personal Computer offers the highest level of IBM compatibility on the market

THE BEST HARDWARE FOR THE BEST PRICE.

Features

Tele-PC

IBM PC

Tele-XT

IBM XT

Monitor

YES

OPTIONAL

YES

OPTIONAL

Screen Size

14"

12"

14"

12"

Tilt Screen

YES

NO

YES

NO

Quiet Operation YES (NO FAN)

NO

YES

NO

Memory

128K

128K OPTION

256K

256K OPTION

Graphics Display

YES

OPTIONAL

YES

OPTIONAL

(640x200 resolution)

Printer Port

YES

OPTIONAL

YES

OPTIONAL

Communication Port

YES

OPTIONAL

YES

YES

MS™-DOS/BASIC"

YES

OPTIONAL

YES

OPTIONAL

System Expansion Slot

YES

YES

YES

YES

RGB and Video Port

YES

OPTIONAL

YES

OPTIONAL

Typical System Price

$2995

$3843

$4995

$5754

compatibles, the Best software.

and has the standard—not optional —features you need to take full advantage of every job your software can do.

Study the chart at the left. It proves thatTeleVideo—not IBM — offers the best hardware for the best price.

Note thatTeleVideo's ergonomic superiority over IBM extends from fully sculpted keys and a comfortable palm rest to a 14-inch, no glare screen that tilts at a touch.

THE BEST MICROCHIPS.

What is perhaps most impressive about the TeleVideo IBM PC Compatible can be found deep within its circuitry. We use the same 8088 central processing unit that runs an IBM PC. But we also employ new VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) microchips that are designed and built exclusively forTeleVideo. These interface more efficiently with the powerful 8088 and yield numerous benefits.

THE BEST PORTABLE FOR THE BEST PRICE.

Features

TPCII

COMPAQ

High Capacity Storage

YES

NO

2nd Disk Drive

YES

OPTIONAL

Quiet Operation (No Fan)

YES

NO

Ergonomic Display

YES

NO

Communication Port

YES

OPTIONAL

International Power Supply

YES

NO

MS™ DOS 2.11

YES

NO

Graphics Display

YES

YES

Typical System Price

$2995

$3710

For example, our tiny custom chips do the work of many of the larger, 'more expensive circuit boards in an IBM PC. So we can offer a computer system that comes in one attractive, integrated case, is ready to run and occupies less desk space. A computer that edges out IBM's adcled-cost component system for reliability, ease of service and purchase simplicity.

Fewer circuit boards to cool also allowed us to eliminate the noisy, irritating fan IBM and most other PCs force you to put up with. And TeleVideo compatibles accept

H

7W&

any IBM hardware options without modification.

THE BEST LINE.

But theTele-PC is onlyoneelement of the TeleVideo IBM PC Compatible line.

The TeleVideo XT is the best hardware for users of popular IBM XT software who would appreciate an extra 10 megabytes of storage capacity along with the advantages listed on the preceding chart.

As the chart above demonstrates, our portable IBM compatible computer, theTPC II, is far and away better hardware than COMPAQ™ Better hardware—standard—at a better price.

THE BEST MANUFACTURER.

The TeleVideo IBM PC Compatible line is made by the world leader in multi-user computer systems and the number one independent manufacturer of terminals.

Our compatibles are available at participating ComputerLand and Entre (call 800-HI-ENTRE) dealers or you may call 800-538-8725 for the dealer nearest you. In California, call 800-345-8008.

Before you invest, make a few simple comparisons. You'll find that TeleVideo-not IBM or COMPAQ — has the best hardware for the best software. At the best price.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines. MS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. CVV Basic is a registered trademark of MicroSoft Corporation. COMPAQ is a trademark of COMPAQ Computer Corporation.

TeleVideo

Personal Computers

©8TeleVideo Systems, Inc.

Circle 303 on inquiry card.

Circle 39 on inquiry card.

The BDS C Compiler...

'Performance: Excellent. Documentation: Excellent. Ease of use: Excellent."

That's what InfoWorld said when we introduced the BDS C Compiler four years ago. Today, the updated BDS Version 1.5 is even better.

First, the BDS is still the fastest CPM/80-C compiler available anywhere.

Next, the new revised user's guide comes complete with tutorials, hints, error messages and an easy-to-use index — the perfect manual for beginner or seasoned pro.

Plus, the following, all for one price: Upgraded file searching ability for all compiler/linkage system files. Enhanced file I/O mechanism that lets you manipulate files anywhere in your system. Support system for float and long via library functions. An interactive symbolic debugger. Dynamic overlays. Full source code for libraries and run-time package. Sample programs include utilities and games.

Don't waste another minute on a slow language processor. Order now.

Complete Package (two 8"SSDD disks, 181-page manual): $150. Free shipping on prepaid orders inside USA. VISA/MC. C.O.D.'s, rush orders accepted. Call for information on other

disk formats.

BDS C is designed for use win CP/M-80 operating systems, version 2 2 Of higher It is not cunenlly available tor CP'M-86 Or MS DOS.

BD Software, Inc. P.O. Box 2368 Cambridge. MA 02238

(617) 576-3828

-jh

ONE STOP SHOP for SERVICE, SAVINGS, and SATISFACTION

Call for July Specials !!

w

PRINTERS

Dynax 15X 419

Epson FX-100 679

FX-80 ..459

RX-80 FT 389

Gemini 10X 259

15X 379

NEC 3550 1829

2030 Call

Okidata 92P 439

93P 747

Ptowriter 349

HP Ink Jet 499

MONITORS

Amdek310A 159

300 135

Princeton HX 12 479

Sakata SC100 Color 259

Taxan Amber 119

Vision 3 449

Zenith 123 12 Green 95

122 12 Amber....95 135 13 Color....459

MODEMS

Hayes 1 200 479

1200B 399

MM //O 210

300 baud 199

Novation Apple Cat 2 259

Promodem 1 200 369

Signalman Mark I 81

Mark X 21D

XII 275

VolksModem300baud ...59

PC 64K 2-Drives, Controller Color& Monochrome, Parallel Port $2399

IBM XT $4295 Call for Special Deals !

MONTH'S SPECIALS

Juki 6100 $419

Gemini 10X $259

Gemini 15X $379

Word w/Mouse .. .$269 Slim Line Drive

Apple/IBM $189

Videx Ultraterm...$179

6

cippkz

NEW ARRIVAL !!

MACINTOSH. ..$2995 //e

64K CPU, 2 Drives, Controller. 80-Col S SAVES

IBM PRODUCTS

Tandon TM 100-2 219

Panasonic 320K 179

Teac55B 320K 189

STBGraphix Plus... 259

RI0+ 259

Super RIO 279

Microsoft Multiplan 179

Lotus 1-2-3 289

AST 6 Pak 269

Mega + 269

Quadboard 0K 219

Hercules Graphics Card..369 Dbase II 379

APPLE PRODUCTS

Micro Sci A2 Drives 189

Rana Elite I 219

Teac Drive 210

Chinon Drive 179

Videx 80 col w/soitswitch.189

Ultraterm 179

Grappler+ 119

Grappler Work-alike 69

Buttered 16K....109

16K Ram 50

System Saver Fan 69

Microsoft Prem fie 289

Softcard CPM..229

Multiplan 179

MAC Multiplan 139

Basic 109

Apricorn Serial Card 69

Koala Graphic Tablet 74

Z-80 Card 59

Ascii Express Professional.89

Maxell S/S 29

D/S 39

WE SUPPORT THESE FINE SYSTEMS: Altos, Apple, Columbia, Compaq, Corona, DEC. Epson, IBM, KayPro, Sanyo, TeleVldeo, Zenith, Zorba, and many more.

Computer Price Club

714 841-6160

16783 Beach Blvd. Huntington Beach, CR 92647

BYTE'S BUGS

Readers Catch Bugs in Real-Time Article

The lengthy code accompanying Dr. David K. Broadwell's article "Real-Time Clocks and PC-DOS 2.0" (lanuary. page 442) received considerable scrutiny from BYTE readers. One reader. Larry Waibel. caught a bug in the [NIT (i.e.. initialization! code at the end of Dr. Broadwell's system clock/driver program, which is based on the IBM PC macro-assembly language. In an attempt to pass to the operating system the end of the permanent part of his program with an offset of 0 and the breakpoint in the segment register. Dr. Broadwell added a few bytes to the segment

register. The result was that the program gobbled up I2K bytes of extra memory. The fix is shown here in listing I.

Listing 2 shows you how to maneuver the I NIT section to force it to a paragraph boundary and an offset of 0.

Another problem occurs because the operating system will try to verify its Write to the clock chip after the VERIFY-ON command is executed. This issues a command to output with verify to the driver. Bill Anderson suggests a fix: Remove the OUT_VERIFY: label from the Error Return Stack and place it adjacent to OUTPUT.

Listing I. The excessive appetite of the INIT code section oj Dr. Broadwell's program can be curbed with this patch.

IN IT:

MOV DX.OFFSET INIT MOV ES:BR_JiDDR_0|BX|,DX MOV ES:BR_^\DDR_IIBXZ1.CS :make that the break address

:OFFSET OF END SEGMENT OF END

Listing 2. The INIT section can be forced to a paragraph boundary and an offset of 0 passed using these maneuvers.

CSEG SEGMENT PARA PUBLIC CODE'

START

IF IS-START) MOD 16 ORG IS-START + 16 ENDIF

(IS

: gives paragraph bound for ref

:adiust to para boundary -START) MOD 16]

PUSH CS POP AX

MOV DX.OFFSET INIT :get bytes to here

MOV CL.4 :get ready for div by 16

SHR DX.CL xonvert to paragraphs

ADD AX.DX plus current code segment

MOV ES:WORD PTR BR_J\DDR_0|BX|,0 MOV ES:BR_ADDR_1|BX|.AX

Communications Failure

An editing error resulted in an inaccurate description of the Frobco-Development System in May's What's New (page 514). It works in conjunction with the ColecoVision console to develop prototype software. Its cartridge adapter will operate on either the ColecoVision console or the Adam computer. Any program in the interface unit can be read, modified, and run through the

ColecoVision. The system allows users to access the ColecoVision's memory space and I/O channels, and the manual provides information and a disassembled listing of the ColecoVision's operating system. The 32K-byte interface box plugs into the ColecoVision and not the Adam. A Coleco cartridge, however, may play on either machine. ■

112 BYTE- IULY 1984

Circle 75 on inquiry card.

WAIT REDUCTION MADE EASY.

You know how hard it is to wait for the printer to finish before using the computer again. It's wasteful! Counter productive!

The solution: simply install Microbuffer1 M printer buffer into the system, in seconds. And you can print and process simultaneously.

With one swift command, all printing data is dumped to the Microbuffer—it handles the printer and frees the computer for other functions. Presto! Instant wait reduction.

Microbuffer II and 11+ for the Apple II, 11+, and lie computers.

Microbuffer II comes in either a serial or a parallel version with 16K or 32K of RAM. Microbuffer 11+ , available with 16K, 32K or 64K, has both serial and parallel capabilities, so you can control two different printers at once. The Microbuffer 11+ has on board high resolution graphics routines for 37 popular printers, and all include expanded graphics capabilities and text formatting in addition to the inherent benefit of letting you use your computer while your printer is working.

Microbuffer In-line for virtually any computer/printer combination.

These are stand-alone units that install In-line between virtually any computer and printer.

Besides printer buffering, the In-line serial interface (MBIS) can be used to efficiently transmit data from the computer to almost any device using a serial RS-232C interface. The parallel Microbuffer In-line (MBIP) is built exclusively for parallel interfacing, and works exceptionally well in virtually any parallel computer and any parallel printer.

Each of the stand-alone models have controls for making multiple copies (up to 255). With the pause control, printing may be halted at any point and continued later—it will pick up right where it left off. Even while you are printing copies of a document, additional files can be sent to the buffer and they will be processed in turn. Both

AMP 2O7O09-I »J1«

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come with either 32K or 64K of RAM, and are easily upgradable up to 256K for processing greater amounts of data.

Microbuffer/E for Epson printers.

Fully compatible with Epson MX, FX, RX, and IBM-PC series printers, these easy-toinstall boards simply plug inside the printer.

For parallel interfaces, the Microbuffer models MBP-16K and MBP-64K are available.

For serial interfacing, Microbuffer models MBS-8K and MBS-32/64K are available. The MBS-8K supports both hardware and software (X-ON/X-OFF) handshaking; the MBS-32/64K supports three handshaking configurations (hardware, software X-ON/X-OFF and ETX/ACK).

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

mm PRACTICAL mPERIPHERALS

31245 La Baya Drive Westlake Village, CA 91362 USA (213) 991-8200 • TWX 910-336-5431

'1983 PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS

See us at NCC '84 Booth D3100!

Circle 249 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 113

Circle 15 on inquiry card.

QUALITY PARTS AT DISCOUNT PRICES!

SUB-MINIATURE D TYPE CONNECTOR

SOLDER TVPE SUB-MINIATURE CONNECTORS USED FOR COMPUTER HOOK UPS

$2.75 $4.00 $1.50 $2.75 $3.50 $1.25

DB- ] 5 PLUG DB-15 SOCKET DB-15 HOOD DB-25 PLUG DB-25 SOCKET DB-25 HOOD

'PARALLEL" PRINTER CONNECTOR

SOLDER STYLE 36 PIN MALE USED ON "PARALLEL"

$5.50 EACH ' DATA C^BLES

FREE' FREE! FREE!

KEY ASSEMBLY

5 KEY

J$1.00 EACH

CONTAINS 5 SINGLE-POLE NORMALLY OPEN SWITCHES MEASURES 3W LONG.

6 KEY

$1.25 EACH

CONTAINS 6 SINGLE-POLE NORMALLY OPEN SWITCHES MEASURES 4W LONG.

CRYSTAL

CASE STYLE HC33/U 2 MHZ

$3.50 EACH

NE\ 1984

METAL OXIDE VARISTER

G E. «V130LA10A 120 VOLTS, V DIAMETER.

120V INDICATOR

NEON INDICATOR RATED 120 V 1/3 W MOUNTS IN 5/16" HOLE RED LENS 75t EACH

10 FOR S7 00 100 FOR S65 00

MINIATURE TOGGLE SWITCHES

ALL ARE RATED 5 AMPS @ 125 VAC

S.P.D.T. (on-on)

p c. style, a non-threaded!

BUSHING. Cf 75« EACH ii;

io for $7 oo frj

S.P.D.T. (on-off-on) j

non-threaded!

BUSHING. fdU

P C STYLE

75C EACH Jry

10 FOR S7 00 v V

S.P.D.T. (on-on)

SOLDER LUG TERMINALS. $1.00 EACH 10 FOR $9 00 * 100 FOR S80 00*

S.P.D.T. (on-on)

P.C. LUGS. THREADED \ BUSHING. £1.00 EACH ' 10 FOR S9 00U 100 FOR 580 00

S.P.D.T. (on-off-on)

SOLDER LUG TERMINALS SI.00 EACH

10 FOR $9.DO 100 FOR $80 00

D.P.D.T. (on-on)

SOLDER LUG , TERMINALS $2.00 EACH

10 FOR $19.00 c 100 FOR $180.00

ALL CLKTROAKS CORP

905 S. VERMONT • P.O. BOX 20406 • LOS ANGELES, CA 90006

TOLL FREE ORDERS .1-800-826-5432

(IN CALIFORNIA: 1-800-258-6666) AK, HI, OR INFORMATION • (213) 380-8000

EDGE CONNECTORS

22/44 22/44 GOLD PLATED CONTACTS .156 CONTACT SPACING $2.00 EACH 10 FOR $18 00

NiMuM ORDER 5. 10 I A S2 SO SHIPPING NO COD

• FOREIGN ORDERS

INCLUDE SuFFICIEN SHIPPING

• CALIF RES ADD 6 1 2

5 STATION INTERLOCKING

MADE BY ALPS. 3 -2PDT AND 2■6PDT SWITCHES ON FULLY INTERLOCKING ASSEMBLY 3',«" BETWEEN MOUNTING CENTERS S2.50 EACH

5 STATION NON-INTERLOCKING

SAME AS ABOVE. EXCEPT EACH SWITCH OPERATES INDEPENDENTLY $2.50 EACH

THE

PURCHASING AGENT

COMPUTERS

Altos 586-20 w'olerm.

586-40 w/o lerm.

986-40 w'o term.

68000-12 Compupro Godbout' Sys. 816A RAM 17" Sys. 816A RAM 21 1 Sys. 816AHSys.816C* Sys.816CH' Sys.816D* Sys.816F{CPU 286)"

5.725 7.063 8.403 10,068

4,378 4,489 6,283 6,462 8.324 9,402 12,737

"Complelely Assembled

M Driwe-H 1.100

Pragma! ic 20 meg., 8" 2.990

Pragmatic 40 meg., 8" 4,686

Columbia Sys , 2-320K 2,779

Sys., 12meg. 4,119

Sys., porlable 2,320

Molecular SM 8.10 meg. 4.900

16X.30meg. 12.593

NEC APC-H03 2.999

APC-Hl2Graphics 618

Special Softpacks 747

APC-H26. 10 meg. 2.172

8201 porlable 619

8801A. System CALL Northstar Advantage

w/Dual Floppies 2.249

w/5meg 3.299

w/15 meg. 4.350

Onyx 8001 MU 20, 256K 10.454

8002 MU 20, 512K 14,338 C5002A. 256K. 14M. 9,022

Sanyo 555, W/2-160K 1.100

555-2, W/2-320K 1.375

Tava CALL

TelevideoTS 1605 PC 2.356

TPC-1. porl. 1.643

TPC-2. port 2.356

COMPUTERS

Zenith ZF-110-22 2.685

ZW-110-32 4.176 IBM PC Compatibles

ZF-151-22 2.565

ZFA-161-22 2.553

ZW-151-2 3.912

HARD DISKS

Corvus 12 meg. w/iril. 2.299

Dauong, 5 meg Univ. 1.525

32 meg. Univ. 3.040

Iomega 10 meg. 2.091

Mountain Computer

lOmeg. internal 1.701

35 meg. external 3,484

Tallgrass 12 mog. w/tape 2.670

35 meg. w/lape 4.337

IBM & PERIPHERALS

IBM PC64K mono 2-360K 2.950

PRINTERS

Diablo 630 API Fujitsu 830,80 cps IDS Prism 132, wfcolor Juki 6100 NEC 2010

3550

7710 Okidata Printronix P300 Oantex 7065 Qume 11/40 w/mlerfacc Tally 160L. w/tractoi

180L. vWtractor Texas Instr. TI810 basic

TI855 Toshiba P-1340 P-1350

1.584 1.799 CALL 5,900 1.575 1.395 569 784

Keytronics 5150 keyboard

Amdek Color IV A Color IV T NEC 1410RGB Princeton RGB w/cable

PRINTERS

Anadex 9625B, parallel Brother, DX-15P Dataproducts B 300 4 Datasouth DS 220

call PLOTTERS

189

Hitachi HDG-2222

3.170

239

Houston Instr., DMP29

1,778

DMP40

771

DMP41

2,321

499

DMP42

2,321

349

Hi-Pat!

763

Strobe M 100

461

1.007

TERMINALS

767

DEC VT100

1.529

780

Freedom 200

580

485

Hazelline Espril II

520

Qume QVT102A

542

OVT103A

861

1,190

Televideo 924

713

439

925

715

5.921

950

905

1.568

Wyse WY-50

539

CALL FOR YOUR PRICE ON ANY OF OUR 7,000 OTHER PRODUCTS.

VI

F.O.B. shipping point. Prices subject to change without notice. B-84-7

THE

PURCHASING AGENT, INC.

2444 Old Middlefield Way, Suite J Mountain View. CA 94043 (415) 964-8222

BYTE'S BITS

Search for Marketable Programs

Independent Software Evaluation Services has announced its Great Software Search for Atari and Commodore 64 computers. The purpose of the search is to find effective software that has not yet been marketed. Search winners are awarded $1000 worth of hardware for their machine. Winning entries are also submitted to software publishers for evaluation and possible marketing.

The deadline for the Great Atari Software Search is July 31. The Great Commodore 64 Software Search runs through Halloween. Before submitting your program, obtain a Software Submission Package from Independent Software Evaluation Services, POB 27463, Minneapolis, MN 55427.

Microcomputer Software Directory for Administrators and Educators

The Guidance and Counseling Directory of Microcomputer Software was developed by the Santa Clara County Office of Education for school administrators and educators. This directory describes and lists the required hardware and specifications for more than 100 computer programs. If you'd like more information about this directory, write to Janey H. Powers, Career/Vocational Education/ Guidance Department. Santa Clara County Office of Education, Mail Code 236, 100 Skyport Dr.. San lose. CA 95115.

ANSI Seeks Comments on International Standards

The American National Standards Institute is seeking comments on a number of Draft International Standards (DISs) on information systems, which are currently being considered for approval by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ISO DISs can be obtained from ANSI's International Sales Department. All orders must include titles, corresponding ISO Draft International Standard numbers, and remittance. Comments should be sent to Daniel W. Smith, American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broad

way, New York, NY 10018. Comments will be collated and transmitted to the U.S. Technical Advisory Group that prepares the American position for ISO work on information systems. The following is a partial list of ISO DISs being considered.

• 1SO/D1S 7069. Small Computerlo-Computer Peripheral Bus Interface—Data Transfer Between Computer and Peripherals. Price: S29. Forward comments by August 11. This DIS is designed to facilitate the compatibility and common use of equipment produced by different manufacturers as well as the interchangeability of such equipment between different systems. It contains the functional, electrical, and mechanical specifications that have to be met for full compatibility of all equipment in a computer at interconnection points.

• ISO/D1S 8278/1, Data Communications—Network Service Definition. Price: $40. Forward comments by August 11. This is one standard in a series involving the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Basic Reference Model. It is designed to facilitate the convergence of capabilities offered by subnetwork providers. It specifies the characteristics of a conceptual Network Service and supplements the Reference Model in guiding the development of Network Layer protocols.

User-Supported Spreadsheet

Freecalc is a user-supported electronic-spreadsheet program for the IBM PC. It has 100 rows and columns and provides a number of basic formulas that help both novices and experts create a spreadsheet. Freecalc lets you point the cursor to the cells to be included in the formula, and it has an area for you to enter your own formulas.

Freecalc comes with three sample spreadsheets and a tutorial. It requires 128K bytes of RAM for PC-DOS 1.1 and 192K bytes of RAM for PC-DOS 2.0 and 2.1. It's available for $3 5, or you can send a formatted blank disk to the author and make a contribution at a later date. Contact Steve Stilwell, Stilwell Software Products. 16403 North 43rd Dr.. Glendale. AZ 85306. ■

114 BYTE • IULY 1984

Circle 254 on inquiry card.

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All memories are good memories when they come from Cumana. Available for the Apple, Dragon, British Broadcasting Corporation and IBM personal computers, Cumana slimline disk drives are designed and manufactured to the highest standards to give outstanding performance and quiet operation.

Supplied with an extended 12 months warranty and fully assembled and tested before packaging, Cumana slimline drives are available in single and dual versions. All power and interface cables are supplied with the drives to enable you to plug in, switch on and go!

CUMANA'

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Cumana, Inc., Orangewood Business Center, 1701 East Edinger, Suite E12, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Call: (714) 953-7622. Cumana Ltd., Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street, Guildford, Surrey, England. Tel: (0483) 503121. Telex: 859380. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. The British Broadcasting Corporation Microcomputer is manufactured under licence by Acorn Computers Limited. Acorn is a registered trademark of Acorn Computers International PLC.

Dragon is a registered trademark ol Dragon Data Ltd. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

Circle 95 on inquiry card.

\

Introducing a pocketM of miracles.

It's the new BASF Qualimetric 3.5" Micro FlexyDisk® Its name is a lot bigger than its size, and a lot smaller than its capacity-one astounding megabyte. Our new Micro fits into more than shin pockets. It fits into several of the hottest new small portable personal computers-like Apple™ Computers new Macintosh™ and Lisa™ 2 and Hewlett-Packard's HP-150 Touchscreen PC.

The Qualimetric part is what makes our Micro %. FlexyDisk different from the others that will inevi% tably follow. It indicates a new standard in design, \ production, inspection,and testing.This standard enables us to warranty the Micro for a ■k lifetime? No more, no less. In addition, we |L certify that each bit of every byte on or between every track on each Micro FlexyDisk is 100% error-free. That's

'Contact BASF for a copy of our warranty. Circle 36 on inquiry card.

because we know, while each Micro FlexyDisk may only cost a couple of bucks, the hours and brain cells you put into it are priceless.

For those occasions when you need more than a pocketful of miracles, we provide a handy and virtually earthquake-proof 5-pack. It's sized to slip easily into your briefcase, handbag, or backpack.

For a plethora of technical details about our new Micro FlexyDisk and even more important information on where to buy it, call toll-free. 1-800-343-4600.

Celebrating 50 years of magnetic recording

evji

Features

Symphony: A Full-Orchestra Version of Lotus 1-2-3

by Rik }adrnicek 121

A Musical Telephone Bell

by Steve Garcia 125

The West Coast Faire

by \erry Pournelle 136

An Ada Language Primer, Part 2: Tool Building in Ada

by Sabina H. Saib 139

Kermit: A File-Transfer Protocol for Universities, Part 2: States and Transitions, Heuristic Rules, and Examples

by Frank da Cruz and Bill Catchings 143

THIS SUMMER'S HOTTEST BATTLE won't be between rival baseball teams or even rival football leagues, but between the purveyors of integrated software. Lotus Development Corporation's Symphony takes on Ashton-Tate's Framework while Ovation Technologies' Ovation. Business Solutions' )ack2, Peachtree's Decision Manager, and many lesser contenders scramble to offer personal computer users more action. To find out what drives this important new technology, we begin examining window-based, multifunction software this month with a product preview of Symphony. Contributing Editor Rik (adrnicek's examination of Lotus 1-2-3's heir apparent catalogs a list of impressive functions; a future review will assess whether the added capabilities encumber or enhance an already successful product.

This month's trip to Steve Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar finds BYTE's resident tinkerer putting together a sound circuit that can give your telephone a distinctive chime instead of a standard ring. As usual, Steve's work might be a springboard for other projects, such as adding music to a doorbell, dashboard, or digital alarm clock.

The BYTE Computer Show held in Chicago's McCormick Place in May gave Steve Ciarcia and Jerry Pournelle an opportunity to visit and talk with readers. The crowds around the BYTE booth indicated that one or the other of these popular editors was holding court. If you've not yet made it to a consumer-oriented computer show, you'll appreciate Pournelle's feature on the West Coast Computer Faire, held this past March in San Francisco. Jerry reports with his usual flair and eye for interesting products.

The first computer language invented by a committee, COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language), will be 25 years old next year. Labeled archaic by most programmers, COBOL applications nevertheless number in the tens of thousands and constitute the bulk of the nation's data-processing industry output. Will the newest committee-generated language, the Department of Defense's Ada, fulfill a similar legacy 2 5 years from now? Last month's beginning primer on Ada explored the language's modular, unitized structure and control statements. In this month's concluding installment, author Sabina H. Saib puts together an Ada toolbox of useful functions along with the source code (written in a microcomputer subset of Ada called Janus Ada) of all the examples illustrated in both parts of the series.

Kermit, the file-transfer protocol discussed last month in an Education theme article, is investigated further this month in the second of two installments. Last month's introduction examined how this protocol, developed at Columbia University, facilitates communication among micro-, mini-, and mainframe computers. Frank da Cruz and Bill Catchings discuss states, transitions, and heuristic rules and provide a sample sequence of packets from an actual file transfer.

Next month, we'll have a product preview of Framework and we begin a two-part examination of the new 16-bit version of the 6502 microprocessor as Steve Hendrix chronicles the specs of the 65816. Also, Senior Technical Editor Gregg Williams discusses the use of software toolkits and David Hinnant reports on benchmarking UNIX systems.

—G. Michael Vose, Senior Technical Editor. Features

JULY 1984 'BYTE 119

J J-». ,

11 ■

We have the lowest prices for ©Sanyo 550's

*

"Our prices this month ore lower than any advertised in this magazine for the Sanyo 550/550-2 serie.'.Give us a call ■ we'll tell you the lowest advertised price I and the page No., and our price will be at least $10 less. To find out why the Sanyo 550 is the "hot" micro of 1984 ask for our new Sanyo brochure.

SANYO -f'uiupp,.,^

ALTOS

Special iole on "4-dlgit" Sanyo computers. All Include dual drives. Daslc. Wordstar. Calcsfar. Mallmerge. Spellstor and Infosrar. Plus prices Include a Sonyo 5000 letter quality printer (may be deducted for 1200 credit). The 1150's have dual 320K drives, the 1250's and 4050 s feature 1.2 megabytes of formatted storage.

All Sonyo systems have a full one year warronry on the main boord. 90 days on everything else, and con be serviced of over 50 service centers nationwide (quantities limited). 1150 w/CP/M .... $1695 1250 w/CP/M .... $2095 4050 w/CP/M-66 $2149^

TERMINALS

From the lowest-priced dual-floppy multiuser systems to true 16-blt 10 Mnz. mulri user systems. Local service available via TRW. We will configure, test and install your systems for on odditlonal charge (call for prices).

560-20 S3629

580-40 $5099

566-20 $5925

586-40 $7395

8000 Series Coll

Columbia

Now even lower prices!

Don't buy o clone alone when you con get one with MS-DOS, CP/M/S5, Doslco, Perfect WrirerTM, Perfect SpellerTM, Perfect CalcTM, Perfect RlerTM, Fast Graphs. Home Acc't Plus, Space Commanders, a tutorial and nationwide Dell and Howell service. (Prices for 1600 series Include video card and keyboard).

V.P $2249

Xtro 128K Installed .... $100

1600-1 $2499

1600-4 (10mb) $3695

NEC PC-8201A $449

PRINTERS

ADDS

VIEWPOINT .... $449

Wyse 50 $499

Also great prices on rhe Viewpoint 60. Wyse. Televldeo, Altos, Zenith and Qume Terminals.

PLOTTERS

HI DMP-29 $1795

HI DMP-40 $745

HI DMP-41 $2340

MODEMS

Password

300/1200 $309

Hayes 1200 $509

Hayes 300 $209

Mark XII $249

IScottsdale Systems Ltd.

617 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite D, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257

~ (602) 941-5856

Coll 8-5 Mon.-Fri. Closed July 1-8 for Summer Vacation A

" We participate in arbitration for business and customers through the Defter

Business Bureau of Maricopa County

SERVICE/ORDERING

INTEGRATION: Prices listed ore for new equipment In factory sealed boxes with manufacturer's I warronry. We will pretest your equipment, integrate your system, configure your software, provide! I special cobles, ere. for an additional charge. Coll for prices.

I ORDERING: MAIL ORDER ONLY. If you plan to visit us call for an appointment. Prices listed ore! I for cash and Include 3% cash discount. No C.O.D.'s or A.P.O.'s. We sell on o Net 30 basis to Fortune 1200| I companies and Universities. P.O.'s add 2%/Vlso. Mastercard odd 3%. Az. residents odd 6%. Prices!

subject to change, product subject to availability. Personal/Compony checks take 3 weeks to clear.!

0-20% restocking fee for returned merchandise. Shipping is extra -products are f.o.b. point of shipment.l I Software Is sold only with systems and Is not warrantied for suitability. Registered trademarks: Wordstar ! I MicroPro Internorlonol: CP/M and MP/M Dlglrol Research: Televldeo-Televldeo Sysrems. Inc.

Tally Spirit $298

Tally 160/L $599

Tally 180/L $777

Okldata 92 $180 Off

Okidata 93 $290 Off

Plug N' Play FREE

Gemini 10X $115 Off

Gemini 15X $140 Off

Prism 132

all opts $1449

Toshiba 1351 $1515

Epson

Call

LETTER QUALITY

Silver Reed 500 .... $409 Silver Reed 550 .... $529

Diablo 630 $1669

NEC 2030 $675

NEC 3550 $1595

NEC 7710 $1735

DTC380Z $995

Juki 6100 $449

COLOR MONITORS

OKIDATA

Princeton HX-12 $489

Zenith ZVM-133 $449

Amdek Color 1 $274

Roland CB-141 $319

Now you con have rwlce rhe resolution of an Okldata 92 for about the same price. Buy on Okidota 82 at the retail price of S349 and we'll install on OK-Writer enhancement for $70. You'll hove the perfect double duty printer with 120 c.pj. In draft mode and on 16x17 resolution In corespondence mode - plus a serial port. Call for jjrint sample, qki 62 w/Ok-Wrlrer $419

PREVIEW

SYMPHONY

A FULLrORCHESTRA

VERSION OF LOTUS 1-2-3

BY RlK JADRNICEK

Photo I: A threewindow display highlights Symphony's ability to depict a spreadsheet, document, and graph in color on the screen at the same time.

0 0.00

1 3.18

2 6.37

3 9,55

4 12.73

5 15.92

6 19.10

7 22.28

8 25.46

9 28.65

10 31.83

11 35,01

12 38,20

13 41.38

14 44,56

15 47,75

16 50.93

17 54,11

-0.99 0.86 0.99 1.14

-0.96 0.63

0.95 1.22

-0.93 0.50

0.92 1.24

-0.90 0.36

-0.76 -0.07

mw

This is a denonstration of several different window types on the screen at the sane tine.4

Synphony allows the user to work in any window, then instantly noue to another window. Changes nade in one window are innediately reflected in other affected uindows.

Editor's Note: The following is a BYTE product preview. It is not a review. We provide this advance look at this new product because we feel it is significant. A complete review will follow in a subsequent issue.

Symphony is a full-fledged integrated package created by Lotus Development Corporation. The name is an allusion to the original product's likeness to a chamber music group, while the new one's features are numerous and varied. It is priced at $695 and current Lotus 1-2-3 users can upgrade to Symphony for $200.

I am an experienced Lotus 1-2-3 user and I recently secluded myself in a room with a large pot of coffee, an IBM PC, and Symphony. Here is what I discovered.

In a nutshell. Symphony includes and improves upon the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet, graphics, and database capabilities while adding new word-processing and data communications environments. All this is enhanced by powerful macro files and the Symphony command language.

The Master Environment

A 256-column by 8192-row spreadsheet is the master environment for the SHEET (spread

(continued)

Rik jadrnicek is president of Micro Flow (POB 1147, Mill Valley. CA 94942), a microcomputing consulting firm. When he isn't writing or playing with micros. Rik likes sailing and traveling.

IULY 1984 'BYTE 121

sheet), DOC (word processing), GRAPH (business graphics), COMM (data communications), and FORM (database) subenvironments of Symphony.

Like Lotus 1-2-3. the whole work environment is still memory-bound. With a 256K-byte IBM PC, Symphony showed 187,270 bytes free for modeling. I was able to fill 8 columns by 192 5 rows with an 8-digit number (that's 29 singlespaced, typewritten, 8'/2 by 11 pages)— to take full advantage of Symphony, I would need more RAM (random-access read/write memory). (Lotus recommends a minimum of 3 2 OK bytes of RAM for Symphony.—Eds.)

You can create and name any number of windows overlooking this workspace. Each window can operate as one subenvironment (for example, as a spreadsheet). The same window can then be changed to another subenvironment. Within the same window you might start out typing a letter, then change that window environment to a spreadsheet to enter some formulas, then change back to the document environment to continue the letter.

Window names can be up to 15 characters long and include spaces. The layout of the windows can be as small as one character or as large as the screen. They can be freely moved around the screen and can be piled on top of each other like papers on a desktop, or even filed away for later use. While paging from one window to the next, you can zoom into the window of your choice, making it fill the monitor screen. You can even completely eliminate window borders or you can change them to solid lines to give your integrated model a customized appearance.

Since all the windows and subenvironments you create overlook one master environment, the entire scenario is interactive. At your option, any changes you make in one window will be reflected in the others. In fact, in the process of developing formulas you can move from window to window picking up variables. Different windows can be formatted independently, and you can restrict the area they look upon. It's easy to switch among various environments, share data among environments, and use several environments simultaneously, thus achieving a high level of integration.

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Cobu Mueis of text

'"■ov{: Erase Search Replace Justify Format Page « _j> t > 1 ► ► ► ►—~>

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Use a database and its associated entry-Form

SSjflB Criteria initialize Record*Sort Generate Settings

Pjtpljfl a graph In this window

TfflFH? Ist-lie tilths 2iiii~Sst tings fmage-Savi

nudity ' in-rent uindnu or use another window

IW'V? 1 "e ^r^,t CSlrflj^tflltol flpplicatiun Settings New Cxit [lOS

Photo 2: A full complement of Symphony menus, beginning with a start-up menu followed by spreadsheet, communications, word processing, database, graph, and a window-management menu.

Symphony features include: word processing, a foms~oriented database, cowunications, spreadsheet and graphics. A unique window Management systea unites the various Symphony nodules. With it, users can simultaneously display spreadsheets, documents, forms, graphs, and teminal sessions in various convenient layouts both on screen and on paper.4

Photo 3: A text sample in a word-processing window.

122 BYTE- IULY 1984

Services and Environment Menus

Most of the commands used with Symphony are divided into two groups: services and menus. Pressing the F10 key on the IBM PC will present a set of tiered menus for the current active environment. For example, if you are in a window with the spreadsheet environment active, pressing the F10 key will give you access to the commands pertaining only to spreadsheets. A window with the DOC environment active would display the command menu used for word processing. The menus are therefore less complex and more focused on the task at hand.

Pressing the F9 key on the IBM PC displays the service menu giving you access to the commands common to all windows. You can then manipulate windows or disk files and configure the printer or program defaults. Within the services menu, cells can be protected and the entire worksheet can be locked against the editing of protected cells. A user-defined password is needed to unlock the spreadsheet.

Special application utilities can be attached to Symphony from the services menu. One such application is the DOS (disk operating system) window. This enables you to return to DOS with two keystrokes. When you execute those two keystrokes, the screen blanks and the A > prompt appears. You can run DOS utilities or even another program, RAM permitting. Typing "exit" at the A> prompt takes you out of DOS and returns you to Symphony.

Setting Sheets

Symphony lets you create Setting sheets to hold default values for printer settings and characteristics of the various environment windows. For example, you can create and store a variety of Setting sheets, each describing a different printer or printout format. A catalog of the sheets is kept for your review and selection for different applications. Communications parameters, database designs, graph specifications, word-processor formats, and spreadsheet characteristics all have Setting sheets.

The sheets are filled out by selecting options from menus similar to the command menus. When making the choices, the screen goes blank briefly and the Setting sheet reappears to reflect the changes. Each sheet created serves as a recap and can be dynamically updated, so you are seeing all values and changes as they are made. The use of Setting sheets further simplifies use of the program.

The special numeric pad keys have been put to good use in Symphony. All of them are used and the functions they perform are consistent from environment to environment. The scroll key actually warrants scrolling. In the document environment, it permits jumping 25 percent of a page in horizontal and vertical directions. In the spreadsheet environment, you can easily move to the end of data, column, or row. Lotus Development makes good use of the special beys on the IBM PC, especially the function keys (see figure 1). This,

Most commands are divided into two groups: services and menus.

coupled with the more focused menus of Symphony, speeds up the process of model building considerably and minimizes confusion.

The Spreadsheet Environment

The spreadsheet capabilities of Symphony are certainly not diluted. Lotus 1-2-3 is in full force and includes some new tricks. Global formats, recalculation order (including iteration count), title fixes, and global column widths are now conveniently displayed together in a Setting sheet. As you change the values, the full-screen Setting sheet changes dynamically—a real treat.

Remember that any window can become a spreadsheet environment and all windows are viewports onto the same master spreadsheet. When in the spreadsheet environment, only the menu items neccessary for spreadsheet development are presented. Copying, moving, and erasing cells, ranges, and blocks is a breeze. Direct access is given to spreadsheet-oriented graphics and database commands to develop the Setting sheets for those environments (see graphics and database environments).

[continued on page 372)

Photo 4: A Setting window for communications parameters.

Photo 5: A Symphony database form.

IULY 1984 • BYTE 123

The lean, mean plotting machine from Houston Instrument

Houston Instrument's brand new servo driven DMP-51 is the fastest drum plotter we've designed to date. This superb plotter offers a pen speed of up to 22 inches/second; programmable accelerations, and a pen-on-paper resolution of 1/1000 of an inch! That means you'll turn out quality 17" x 22" and 22"x 34" drawings a lot faster, increasing your firm's productivity and profitability.

Now, for more good news. The DMP-51, priced at $4,495 *, is as fast as other plotters costing three times more. At that price, you can afford to put a DMP-51 at individual drafting work stations.

This is the professional plotter that meets the needs—and the budgets—of all companies, large or small.

The DMP-51 is intelligent, too. The DMP-51 can execute complex graphics operations from the simplest commands. A mechanical/architectural version, the DMP-52, with its 18" x 24" and 24" x 36" paper size, is available for the same price from Houston Instrument.

So, watch our new plotter in action ... it won't take much time to realize it's the best buy for your money. For the name, address and phone number of your nearest dealer or distributor, write Houston Instrument, 8500 Cameron Rd., Austin,Texas,78753. You can also call 1-800-531-5205 or 1-512-835-0900 (Texas residents). In Europe, contact Houston Instrument Belgium NV, Rochesterlaan 6, 8240 Gistel, Belgium. Tel: 059-27-74-45. Tlx: 846-81399.

CIARCI AS CIRCUIT CELLAR

A Musical Telephone Bell

Personalizing the sound

by Steve Ciarcia

About a month ago, I was visiting an IC (integrated circuit) manufacturer that produces a line of communication and voice-synthesis chips, among others. Ol yOUr I was there to get some firsthand information

——^ «- on some new chips that will be the heart of

telepnOne a low-cost Circuit Cellar voice-recognition project coming later this year.

The visit started like most business meetings I'm used to: it included a tour of the facility, discussions with the technical staff, and lunch. After returning from lunch, a group of us were standing in the corridor adjacent to a large divided office area deciding who should be part of the next meeting when a phone rang in the middle of the room. Everyone immediately stopped talking and looked toward their section of the office as the phone rang again.

They glanced at each other again as one said, "Is that my phone or yours?"

The consensus was, "It must be yours, it doesn't sound like mine."

I watched as all four started walking toward their offices. About halfway there, each one stopped dead and turned around. With a somewhat exasperated sigh, one of them said, "It was George's phone."

"It gets so frustrating. All the bells sound alike, and with the acoustics in here it's impossible to tell whose phone it is unless you're within 10 feet of it"

The others shared the same expression of annoyance as the discussion shifted from electronics-related topics to an area of more immediate concern: Why can't telephone manufacturers make different-sounding bells for phones? It would seem that in a freeenterprise system, adept at producing pet rocks and Cabbage Patch dolls, a custom telephone bell would be trivial.

While 1 didn't make any pledge to solve this problem, I recognized legitimate concerns and decided to intervene electronically. Therefore, projects on talking robots, automatic houses, and rainmaking machines will have to be put off for another month as I try to build a better mousetrap.

I hope that this month's project will solve the auditory confusion in an office or at least Copyright (c) 1984 Steven A. Ciarcia. All rights reserved.

add a little spice to an otherwise boring telephone. Rather than just ring, the Circuit Cellar Whimsi-Bell plays the first few bars of 2 5 preselected tunes. Instead of hearing an annoying metallic clamor, you can be greeted by the theme to Star Wars, or perhaps you would prefer the "William Tell Overture."

Cleverly disguised in this whimsical project is a discussion of the telephone system. My intention is to help you understand characteristics and specifications that govern the telephone products you purchase or the telephone interfaces you might build. It also sets the stage for future Circuit Cellar projects dealing with telephone lines.

Reading between the lines, however, you'll soon realize that the central theme is not musical phones but rather ring detection and auto-answering the phone by computer. It may seem like a trivial consideration, but the environment is hostile and connection restrictions abound. First, a little about the phone system.

The Status Quo Telephone

Essentially, the characteristics of the telephone have been unchanged for 90 years. It originally used a carbon microphone and electromagnetic earphone with a capacitively coupled electromagnetic ringer triggered from a hand-turned magneto. Today's Western Electric phones incorporate many of the same materials, and new electronic phones merely simulate their archaic predecessors. For example, the characteristic impedance of the early Edison phones was 600 ohms, and today's electronic units must still abide by this specification.

The design and use of telephone equipment are dominated by line resistance. When you wish to answer or initiate a telephone call, the only requirement is to place a load across the

{continued)

Steve Ciarcia (pronounced "see-ARE-see-ah") is an electronics engineer and computer consultant with experience in process control, digital design, nuclear instrumentation, and product development. He is the author of several books about electronics. You can write to him at POB 582, Glastonbury, CT 06033.

IULY 1984 •BYTE 125

phone lines (between tip and ring). The handset, or the data-access arrangement (DAA) in either your modem or your auto-dialer, will cause a DC current flow of approximately 2 5 to 30 milliamperes (mA). A current-sensing relay at the telephone company then signals the system that you are "off hook." If it is an outgoing call, you will receive a dial tone; if it is an incoming call, the ringing will stop and you will be connected to the incoming party.

The on-hook voltage between tip and ring of the telephone line is approximately 48 volts (V) DC. It is generally supplied by a battery from the telephone office and can range from 42.75 to 52.5 V. Tip and ring have nothing to do with the telephone ring itself; they refer to the plugs that the operators used to connect callers many years before automatic dial exchanges. The original system had large arrays of connection jacks with operators who would physically insert patch-cord jumpers between initiating and receiving calls. The two conductor patch cords made their electrical connection to the tip-and-ring portion of the plug. The tip connection was usually ground. (Anything designed for connection to the telephone line should not be polarity sensitive. Polarity is sometimes reversed, and 200-V test voltages are sometimes placed on the line.)

Once the line is captured, an off-hook situation exists and a dial tone will be heard in approximately a second. The dial tone actually consists of two tones: 3 50 Hz and 440 Hz. If you are contemplating building a computer-activated

+ 5V A

1.7K

330K TIP o VW—

RING 6

1MF

ONE-SHOT 74LS122

PHOTO \ TRANSISTOR

■RING SIGNAL

Figure 1: A simple ring-detector circuit.

automatic dialer, a tone decoder should be incorporated to signal the computer that dialing can commence. It will also signal you when the call has terminated if it was not initiated at your end. (If you want to get elaborate, the awful sound that the phone company blares at you to attract your attention when you forget to hang up a phone consists of four tones: 1400 Hz, 2060 Hz, 2450 Hz, and 2600 Hz. Pulsed at a rate of 5 Hz, it is called the receiver off-hook tone.)

Dialing

Most residential telephones in this country still use mechanical pulse dialers. When you turn and release the telephone dial, the current in the telephone line through the off-hook relay is interrupted by the number of times indicated on the dial position. These dial pulses are issued at approximately 10 pulses per second (pps)—some exchanges will accept up to 21 pps—with

Photo I: Whimsi-Bell attaches to the tip and ring wires in parallel with your phone.

about a 60/40 percent on-/off-hook duty cycle. Nine breaks in succession are interpreted as a "9" digit, and three breaks define a "3" digit.

The separation of digits is determined by the interdigit time. Any succession of pulses occurring more than 750 milliseconds (ms) after the last pulse are considered part of the next digit. For example, if you send five pulses at 10 pps, wait 200 ms and send three more pulses, the telephone company will interpret this as the single digit "8." If you had waited 750 ms between transmissions, they would have been interpreted as the two digits "5" and "3."

The latest innovation in the telephone system is Touch-Tone, the registered trademark for AT&T's dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) communication. The pulses go only as far as the local exchange office. From there, and throughout the rest of the telephone system, DTMF tones are used to direct calls.

The advantages of DTMF are increased dialing speed and, more important, the ability to transmit data. DTMF tones are sent with a minimum duration of 50 ms and an interdigit time of 45 ms. A seven-digit number on a pulsedial system would take 11 seconds versus less than 1 second for DTMF.

I won't dwell on DTMF because it is covered in detail in my "Build a Touch Tone Decoder for Remote Control" on page 42 of the December 1981 BYTE.

THe Busy and Ring Signals

Again, if you intend to build an autodialer at some point, you should incorporate some means to recognize a busy signal. The busy signal consists of two tones, 440 Hz and 620 Hz, that are on for 0.5 second, then off for 0.5 second. Either the tones themselves can be recognized, or the unique 50/50 0.5-second duty cycle can be monitored.

When your telephone rings, it is the result of a high AC voltage being ap

[cont'mued)

126 BYTE- IULY 1984

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Circle 269 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 • BYTE 127

R

osc

N/C

OUTPUT

AC IN

i

3

?

1

osc

PUSH - PULL OUTPUT

TONE-GENERATOR LOGIC

r

40V

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Figure 2: Texas Instruments CMOS ring-detector chips. (2a) Block diagram of the TCM1501A. TCM1505A. TCM1506A, and TCM1512A versions. (2b) Block diagram of the TCM1520A version.

\f uou are building a computer-activated automatic dialer, use a tone decoder to signal the computer.

plied to the telephone lines. The voltage is capacitively coupled to the electromagnetic bell. When you are initiating a call and you hear a ringing in the earpiece, you are not hearing the ringing voltage. Instead, you are hearing a pair of tones, 440 Hz and 480 Hz, used by the phone company for signaling. The on/off duty cycle depends on the exchange being dialed. When the ringing stops, it usually means the call has been completed or that you are irrevocably lost among the trunk lines.

Ring Detection

The solution to the problem described earlier is a ring detector. Rather than try to change all the bells in an office, it is a relatively simple matter to monitor the telephone line in parallel with the existing phone (with its bell turned low or off) and generate a different sound corresponding to the incoming ring signal. This new sound can be a buzzer, a slightly different bell, or an entirely new electronic signaling device. The actual alerting mechanism is secondary. It is all triggered by a circuit called a ring detector.

The incoming ring is the highest nontest voltage encountered on the telephone line. The normal on-hook condition is a high-impedance state with approximately 50 V DC between tip and ring. When the phone rings (usually 2 seconds on and 4 seconds off), it is because an additional 86 V AC of ringing voltage has been superimposed on the line. This 20 Hz ±3 Hz signal is passed through a capacitor to the telephone bell, causing it to ring. While 86 V AC is nominal, the ringing voltage can vary from 65 to 130 V AC, and the DC component can appear as much as 70 V negative.

Because the ringing voltage is so different from other telephone signals, a ring detector is simple in theory to construct. The simplest ring-detector circuit (shown in figure 1) consists of a neon lamp and a phototransistor. Neon lamps such as the NE-2 have a turn-on threshold of about 65 V and therefore would respond only to the higher ringing

(continued)

128 BYTE • IULY 1984

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voltages. When the neon lamp lights, it in turn causes the transistor to conduct and triggers the one-shot.

Variations on this circuit employing LED (light-emitting diode) optoisolators and level-detection circuits are available, but a price is paid for simplicity. The telephone line is not an ideal environment and contains many aberrations that can lead to false triggering by crude ring detectors, just the action of going on hook or off hook (also called tapping) generates local line transients that are sufficient to cause a neon bulb or LED to fire. We can add more components or compensate for these peculiarities in our communications software, but, fortunately, alternatives exist.

Specially Designed Ring-Detector Chips

Texas Instruments produces a line of CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) ring-detector chips that offer all the necessary features. (See figures 2a and 2b.)

The normal installation of the ringdetector chip uses a capacitor and a 2.2K-ohm resistor connected between the detector and the line. The network formed by the DC-blocking capacitor, current-limiting resistor, and full-wave bridge rectifier supplies power to the IC from the phone lines. The rectified AC signal is filtered by a 10-microfarad (/xF) capacitor attached between pins 6 and 7. The value of this capacitor determines the minimum input voltage and turn-on time of the ring detector. It is also used to suppress response to dial tapping (tapping is a false triggering of the bell due to transient-producing pulses on the phone line, usually from rotary-dial phones).

In use, the ring-detector IC stays in standby mode until the incoming

[continued)

Photo 2: A view inside the Whimsi-Bell prototype. The doorbell synthesizer chip can play 2 5 different tunes.

0.47/j.F 250V

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TCM1501A TCM1505A TCM1506A TCM1512A

10K

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chip.

0.47MF 250V

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Figure 4: A two-chip ring-detection circuit that provides an optoisolated ring-detector signal for your computer.

130 BYTE • IULY 1984

o CM

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Figure 5: TAe schematic of the Whimsi-Bell.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 131

voltage between pins 1 and 8 exceeds 8.9 V (remember, the off-hook condition is a DC voltage on the line, and the series DC-blocking capacitor prevents the ring detector from seeing this voltage). While in standby mode, the impedance is approximately 1 megohm.

When the voltage exceeds 8.9 V, the IC begins to conduct. This energy is not transferred to the load, however, until the input reaches 17 V. Should the input voltage continue to rise beyond a predetermined limit (a transient instead of a true bell signal), an internal highcurrent SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier)

is triggered. The excess energy is dissipated in the 2.2K-ohm series resistor.

Two versions of the ring detectors are supplied by Texas Instruments. Models TCM1501 A, TCM1505A. TCM1506A, and TCM1512 A are detector tone drivers intended for use as electronic alternatives to the standard electromagnetic telephone bell. These chips incorporate an oscillator and a power audio-generator section to drive a piezoelectric transducer or speaker. Figure 3 demonstrates a typical circuit.

The TCM1520A is a ring detector only. It has a +5-V output signifying the ring

signal rather than an audio output. The TCM1520A is best utilized in autoanswer modems. Figure 4 demonstrates a two-chip circuit that provides an optoisolated ring-detection signal that can be connected to a computer. When a ring signal is applied, the 10-^F capacitor charges until it passes the 17-V threshold. At that point, pin 4 outputs + 5 V, which in turn drives the LED side of an optocoupler. The illuminated LED causes the transistor portion of the optocoupler to saturate, providing a low true signal to the computer. The computer, on recognizing a valid ring, gives

PIC1655A BLOCK DIAGRAM

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Figure 6: Block diagram of the General Instrument AY-3-1350 tone synthesizer.

132 BYTE* IULY 1984

Table 1: Tunes and switch settings for the Whimsi-Bell.

Switch Tune

AO Toreador

BO William Tell

CO Hallelujah Chorus

DO Star-Spangled

Banner EO Yankee Doodle

Switch Tune A3 O Sole Mio B3 Santa Lucia C3 The End D3 Blue Danube E3 Brahm s Lullaby

Al |ohn Brown's Body A4 Hell's Bells

Clementine God Save the Queen

Colonel Bogey Marseillaise

B4 Jingle Bells

C4 La Vie en Rose

D4 Star Wars

E4 Beethoven's Ninth

A2 America. America B2 Deutschland Leid C2 Wedding March D2 Beethoven's Fifth E2 Augustine

an off-hook signal to the DAA or the modem to answer the phone.

Back to the Initial Problem

The office situation described earlier can be easily solved for one or two individuals with the one-chip circuit shown in figure 3. Here, a TCM1512A is used to drive a speaker. The circuit is connected in parallel to an existing phone that has had the bell disconnected or turned down. Rl sets the frequency of the "bell": R2 sets its volume. When the phone rings, a different kind of bell is heard.

Such a circuit might be useful in some applications. Beyond a few installed in a large room, however, the same confusion would arise. Instead, a more varied signaling device must be employed.

A variety of alternatives comes to mind. Once you've detected the ring, virtually any triggerable event can occur. Initially, I thought it might be cute to attach a voice synthesizer or other equally nonstandard signaling device. However, I'd rather reserve voice synthesizers for more serious purposes. Instead, in the name of cost-effectiveness and mass production, 1 opted for Whimsi-Bell.

Whimsi-Bell

The Circuit Cellar Whimsi-Bell, shown in photos 1 and 2 and schematically diagramed in figure 5. combines a ring detector and a sophisticated microprocessor-controlled doorbell synthesizer. The phone is connected to the WhimsiBell through a Y-junction phone-line connector. When the phone rings, it plays the first few bars of one of 2 5 tunes or three chimes. The switchselectable repertoire is listed in table 1. The circuit also includes an optoisolated output so you can connect the device to a computer as well.

The heart of Whimsi-Bell is the General Instrument AY-3-1350 tone synthesizer, which is actually a PIC 165 5A 8-bit microcomputer that has been specifically mask-programmed as an electronic doorbell chime. Blockdiagramed in figure 6, the PIC 1655A includes thirty-two 8-bit RAM (randomaccess read/write memory) registers, 512 by 12 bits of program ROM (readonly memory), an on-board oscillator and real-time clock, and 20 I/O (input/output) lines on a single chip. The chip runs on + 5 V.

The Whimsi-Bell is powered by a 9-V battery and consumes virtually no power until it is triggered by a ringdetect signal from 1C2. This signal turns power on to IC1 through Ql. Ql is sus

tained for the musical period regardless of the length of the ring by the on/off signal, 1C1 pin 12. The chip shuts itself off when it has concluded playing.

The ring-detect signal is attached to one of three points in the circuit (A, B, or C), depending upon the combination of tones you wish. All 25 tunes are accessible if the connection is to point A. The chimes are selected by opening all the selection switches and connecting the ring-detect input to one of the three input terminals. If A, it will play the Westminster chime; if B, it will play the simple chime; if C, it will play the descending-octave chime.

With the ring-detector connection at point A, where all 2 5 tunes are available, a particular tune is selected on the 10-position DIP (dual-inline package) switch SW1. SW1 positions 1 through 5 are assigned to selection codes A through E; SW1 positions 6 through 10 are assigned to selection codes 0 through 4. To select the Star Wars theme, D4, positions 4 and 10 would be closed (all others open). Every time the phone rings, that tune will be played.

The 2 5 tunes average nine notes each. The tunes are stored internally as a series of notes with a stop code following the last note in each tune. Each 8-bit note comprises a 5-bit pitch value and 3-bit duration. Two-and-a-half octaves of notes can be accommodated, with the durations ranging from a sixteenth note to a whole note, (i mention this only because the AY-3-13 50 can be configured for external ROM should you care to play the entire "StarSpangled Banner" when the phone rings. Contact General Instrument for an application note describing this procedure.)

There are two potentiometer adjustments. RIO varies the processor clock speed about 1 MHz to set the pitch. The other adjustment potentiometer. R12, varies the charging time on C7 to set the speed at which the notes are played.

The output of IC1 is a combination of signals. The actual tune output comes from pin 14, while pin 13 serves as an envelope generator to control the volume. A three-transistor amplifier directly drives an 8-ohm speaker.

In Conclusion

This month's project is a little less taxing than the 99-chip Trump Card from the last two months. Nonetheless, ring detection and the telephone system are important subjects for discussion.

While 1 don't think everyone is going to want a Whimsi-Bell attached to their phone, all the people who have heard

my prototype have been amused enough to want one, if only as a unique conversation piece. More important, I'm encouraged by all the experimenters who have built one of the Circuit Cellar modem projects and see this as a means to add auto-answering.

Next Month

I'll be answering some of the questions I've been asked about my previous projects. In September, I'll present the Circuit Cellar AC Power Monitor. ■

Editor's Note: Steve often refers to previous Circuit Cellar Articles. Most of these past articles are available in reprint book from BYTE Books. McGraw-Hill Book Co.. POB 400, Hightstown. NJ 08250.

Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar. Volume I covers articles that appeared in BYTE from September 1977 through November 1978. Volume II covers December 1978 through June 1980. Volume III covers July 1980 through December 1981. Volume IV covers lanuary 1982 through June 1983.

To receive a complete list of Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar project kits, circle 100 on the readerservice inquiry card at the back of the magazine.

The following item is available from

The Micromint Inc. 561 Willow Ave. Cedarhurst, NY 11516 (800) 64 5-3479 for orders (203) 871-6170 for information

Whimsi-Bell kit. Includes printed-circuit board, ICs, and all discrete components, as described in figure 5. Case and battery are not included $49

Please include S3 for shipping and handling in the continental United States, $10 elsewhere. New York residents please include 7 percent sales tax.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 133

Only one company can show you so man] And it isn't IBM.

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Connect your PC to peripherals like a modem or printer, with the added efficiency of print spooling.

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Meanwhile, for great basic performance, we also offer PC/Monochrome,M and PC/Color Graphics™ display adapters engineered to deliver the same quality as IBM's own standard adapters.

Only Persyst offers you so much choice.

Memory and multifunction boards. Persyst has the most flexible ways to expand your PC.

Here again, Persyst offers a unique array of products to expand your PC beyond the IBM standard.

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134

IULY 1984 • BYTE

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DEC RAINBOW MEMORY MODULE

Circle 348 for Dealer Inquiries. Circle 349 for End-User Inquiries.

JULY I984 • BYTE 135

The Heath/Zenith Z-150 computer.

THE WEST

COAST FAIRE

by Jerry Pournelle

The lord of the Manor visits his favorite computer show

The West Coast Computer Faire is my favorite computer show; how can a big publishing company like Prentice-Hall put it on the way Jim Warren did? Of course it can't and it didn't, but in justice, Jim Warren wouldn't have been able to keep it up, either. For better or worse, the micro industry has changed. Oh, sure, there are still some pretty good products for sale in the little booths along the walls, but there were fewer than in the old days for the simple reason that the big outfits also have a lot of incredible new stuff, and it's a lot harder for a newcomer to compete.

This Faire was to be four days long, with Wednesday as set-up day.! went up Tuesday evening to spend some time with some of the BYTE editors. Wednesday morning 1 went down to the Faire office. The press room wasn't set up, but I hadn't expected it to be. I went to exhibitor registration and asked for a press badge.

They'd never heard of press badges. Hah, thought I. Changes. Warren always let us get in early. Set-up day is a good time for interviews and private demonstrations before the crowds arrive. These people don't understand that. Ruining the Faire, they are. .. Someone sent for David Sudkin. He listened for a mo

ment, said "Sure!" and produced a big red "TEMPORARY" badge. End of problem. 1 wandered in to talk to people.

As usual, set-up day is a study in controlled chaos. The big companies like MicroPro, Apple, and IBM have professional set-up crews working with the local San Francisco exposition services people. The smaller outfits are on their own.

At least they used to be. This year the unionized exposition troops were greedier than usual. In the past they'd let a small booth owner carry his own stuff; this year they socked everyone for a couple of hundred bucks to let them unload their trucks. It's a good racket: $200 to carry 10 boxes a hundred feet or so.

Eating the Seed Corn

It's also a stupid racket, like eating the seed corn, because some of the smaller outfits won't come back. Indeed, all day Wednesday the talk among exhibitors was that it was time to get the Faire out of San Francisco and into a friendlier city. More than half the exhibitors 1 talked with swore they wouldn't be back next year.

There were a lot fewer, anyway. That is: there was a lot of space rented. Not quite as much as last year: no one was on the garbage-collection platform, and the

136 BYTE • IULY 1984

chair-storage area, otherwise known as the Black Hole of Calcutta, hadn't been rented, but everything else had been, including the two side halls that used to hold seminars and speeches.

Instead of lots of small exhibits, there were fewer, but much larger, setups. Three of the biggest were in a row: IBM, Apple, and Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).

Wednesday ended with the traditional "after set-up" party thrown by Compute! magazine. As usual, there were more press people than exhibitors snarfing up the hors d'oeuvres and free beer. We also noted that there was no exhibitors' lounge: that location had been rented by Apple to let people get hands-on experience with Macintosh, or maybe it was IBM doing the same thing with PC and PCjr. The party was in the concession area—and unlike last year, there were no chairs and tables, just food service counters, with booths across a narrow aisle from them. 1 pitied the people who had those booths.

When 1 left on Wednesday night, it was a scene of pure chaos. On Thursday morning, the miracle had happened again: everything was set up. I headed upstairs to the Workman and Associates booth for coffee.

No coffee. The union people had not only forced Barry to pay for work he hadn't needed, but they'd lost the box containing vital parts to the coffee maker. Mornings are not endurable without coffee; you might as well sack a city. Eventually I found some in the press room, but by then I was thoroughly prepared to make this my last Faire.

Enter the Populace

At 11:00 the doors opened and the crowds came in.

There were quite a few people. Not as many as we had on the first day last year, but a respectable number— and this was, after all, Thursday. Last year the Faire was only three days and opened on Friday.

They were interested people, too. Fewer hackers—but a lot of customers. As 1 made my hurried cruise through the aisles, it seemed that more people were buying things. Barry Workman confirmed that when I got upstairs. There were a lot more serious customers.

All the presentations were well attended, too. The panels for hackers and hobbyists had plenty of those, but the panels for newcomers and users had crowds, too. The "All Star" speeches, which featured Bill Gates, Gary Kildall, Bill Godbout, Steve Wozniak, Adam Osborne, and, somehow inserted into this rarified atmosphere, me, were all crowded with attentive people who asked intelligent questions. This was a serious crowd.

By Thursday night it was pretty well confirmed: there were some glitches and justified complaints, but the new staff was trying hard to take care of the problems. This was a different Faire, but it was still a good one.

Barry Workman sells a line of CP/M software, including WRITE, my favorite text editor. He had more sales the first two days than he did during the entire Faire last year. Others report the same, and that's not just software vendors. The people at the Priority One booth had lots of

business, and when they announced a big sale on CompuPro 40-megabyte hard disks (like mine), there was something approaching a feeding frenzy. Even vendors of computer furniture reported big sales.

I expect there are several reasons for this. The state of the economy didn't hurt, of course. More important, though, more people have microcomputers, so they're ready to buy software and accessories. Whatever the reason, they were buying, and by Saturday night 1 could tell the exhibitors by their satisfied smiles.

Some Hits

There wasn't much new and exciting stuff. The best hardware wasn't at the Faire at all: Richard Ohran. of Modula Computers Inc., was on a panel about Modula-2 with me. He brought a couple of the U.S.-built modifications of Niklaus Wirth's Lilith computer, but they could only be seen in his hotel room. Naturally, I went. It's wonderful. It has fabulous graphics capability, better than Macintosh or even the (alas, late and lamented) Diser Modula Engine, except that the Modula Computer Lilith has a Winchester hard disk and a 5/4-inch floppy disk—much nicer than the goofy Honeywell-Bull "washing machine" hard-disk cartridge that came with the Diser.

The Modula-2 panel was interesting, if a bit frustrating. Panelists were Ohran, Tony Gorrengourt of Logitech, John M. Craig, formerly of Diser and now with Ohran's company, and Joel McCormick of Volition Systems. I'd been asked to be chairman; since I was going to the panel anyway, this gave me a good seat, although 1 didn't have much to say. We had a good crowd, every seat taken; there's a lot of interest in Modula-2.

Tony Gorrengourt led off with a neat presentation on the philosophy of Modula-2. Then John Craig described the U.S. version of the Lilith machine. Joel McCormick promised that Volition Systems would get the 68000 native code Modula-2 compiler finished Real Soon Now. Richard Ohran described the public-domain Modula Research Institute compiler (for the IBM PC), which is available for $40. (Useful if you're interested in Modula-2; alas, not really in shape for doing much practical programming.)

We were also able to announce that in early March a group met in Zurich to form the International Modula Users' Association, and we even agreed on some standards for the language and library modules. With any luck, we won't have a proliferation of dialects and libraries the way things went for Pascal.

TUrbo!

One very hot item was Borland International's Turbo Pascal, which was on a show special at $46.95, not much under the standard $49.95, but low enough to attract

{continued on page 376)

\erry Poumelle holds a doctorate in psychology and is a sciencefiction writer who also earns a comfortable living writing about computers present and future.

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THIS IS THE SECOND PART of the two-part Ada language primer that began in last month's issue of BYTE. The first part was an introduction to the fundamental structures of Ada. In part 2. I'll cover more advanced programming techniques and explore Janus Ada. a partial Ada for microcomputers.

This primer is closely modeled on "A C Language Primer" by lames Joyce, published in BYTE in August and September of 1983.

One of the reasons Ada may become very popular is its ability to package subprograms. The packaging of functions and operators enables programmers to write clean, expressive programs, as in this example:

-■copyc. ada --Copy input to output with text_io; use text _io; procedure copy is

c : character; begin loop get(c); put(c);

if end of line then

new_line; end if; end loop; exception

when end_error = > null; end copy;

This program copies characters until an end-of-file condition is

reached, end of file is one of

many predefined functions available in the text io package. (See

"An Ada Language Primer, Part 1" for an introduction to Ada and the text_io package.)

Such definitions make a program far more readable than using tests such as while c <> char$(26) loop or other obscure means for end of file. By stating before the program that we want to access the package text_io, we can use these predefined procedures and functions.

A proper Ada program is organized into packages that normally contain data, user-defined

types, and subprograms. There is also a main procedure, which may be called main or some name meaningful to the application. In our example, our main program's name is copy. As we saw in part 1 of this primer, one organizational scheme divides up an Ada program into subprograms that are called by the main program.

In part 2, we will cover the concept of tool building—code that can be used as general-purpose subprograms.

Strings

Ada contains a built-in procedure, in the package text io. to

let an entire line of text read into the computer. To demon

I HAN

ADA

LANGUAGE

PRIMER

PART 2

TOOL

BUILDING

IN ADA

BY Sabina H. Saib

strate the elegance of building tools from simpler subprograms, however, we will define such a program based on the primitive procedure get for characters. With this procedure, you can build a procedure that reads a line of input and package it as a procedure, named get my line in a package

named my_package. Then you can use the procedure whenever the need arises. The next two examples develop a slightly modified version of the get_line function found on page 26 of Kernighan and Ritchie's book The C Programming Language (Englewood Cliffs. NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1978); also see "A C Language Primer, Part 2: Tool Building in C" by lames (oyce (September 1983 BYTE).

The first example focuses on strings, which are defined as an array of characters in Ada. The program is written as a main program named get line.

Sabbia H Saib 11500 Holiday Hi//. Gotela. CA c)}\ |7i is i) memtvr ol me kefonautkat Operations Croup ill General Restarcn Corp. Dr Saib is the autfwi of an Add textbook to be uttbiished bij HWi Rinefuirt & Wins/on and co-auihot ol a tutorial mibltefaed ou the IEEE Computer Society.

-getline.ada

--input and display a line

with text io; use text io;

procedure get line is

limit : constant := 80;

subtype index_type is

integer range 0..limit;

-B

index c

line

0;

index_type character; string (1..limit) = (others = > ");

begin for i in 1..limit loop begin -set exception block get (c); index := i; line (index) := c;

if end of line then

index := i + 1; line (index) := ascii.cr; exit; end if; exception -exit from loop when end of file when end_error = > index := index + 1; line (index) := ascii.cr; exit;

end; -for exception block end loop;

-line formed, display it for i in 1..index loop

-C -D

-E -F

~G

-H

put (line(i)); end loop; end get line;

The example begins by defining a compile time constant named limit, which is set to 80 in line A. This value is used in the definition of a subtype in line B and in the definition of an object in line C. Line B defines an integer subtype for variables that have values between 0 and limit. Such a variable is index, which is used to keep track of how many characters are read into the object named line.

{continued)

4— Circle 176 on inquiry card.

|ULY 1984 • BYTE 139

line is defined in line C as a string of length limit. It is initially set to ail blanks by the assignment to (others = > ") in line D. This expression is called an aggregate. Aggregates are very useful in setting arrays (or parts of arrays) to some chosen value. This line also demonstrates the power of Ada initialization expressions.

The other declaration in this program is for the object named c, a character variable used in calls to the primitive procedure get.

The executable part of the program consists of two loops. One loop inputs the data character by character and the other loop displays the characters in a line. Line E defines a for loop, which has a loop parameter i that can step between 1 and limit. The loop has two conditions that can result in an early exit. In line F, a block is set up so that an end-of-file exception causes the loop to exit. In line G, a test is made

if an end_of line has been read. In either case, a carriage

return is saved in the next character position. The example shows that there are also predefined character names for certain characters; for example, ascii.cr signifies a carriage return. In fact, all ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) characters can be referred to by their symbolic values or by their designated names, such as If for line feed and del for delete.

In analyzing the first loop, it is apparent that there are three conditions that can stop the loop:

•the loop parameter i has reached limit •an end-of-file marker has been read •a carriage return has been read

Line H defines the for loop used to display the line by letting the loop parameter i take on the values between 1 and index. For each value of i, the character in line(i) is displayed with the primitive procedure put.

After writing a program such as the preceding example, you should take some time to rethink the problem. Where possible, it is better to avoid the exit statement: it adds paths to the program, resulting in an unstructured program. The example that follows is written in a better style and performs essentially the same function.

-getline2.ada -input and display a line with texLio; use texLio; procedure get line is

limit : constant := 80; ' -A

subtype index_type is

integer range 0..limit; --B

index : index_type := 0;

c : character := ";

line : string (1..limit)

:= (others = > "); --C

begin

while index < limit and c /= ascii.cr and

c /= ascii.eot loop --D begin -set exception block get (c);

index := index + 1; line (index) := c; if end of line then

c := ascii.cn

index := index + 1;

line (index) := ascii.cr: end if; exception

-set character when end of file when end_error = > c := ascii.eot; index := index + 1; line (index) := ascii.cr; end; -for exception block end loop;

-line formed, display it

for i in 1..index loop -E

put (line(i)); end loop; end get line;

The major difference between the two programs is the while loop for inputting the data. The while statement explicitly states all of the conditions for staying in the loop. This is preferable to searching for exit statements. If all conditions for staying in the loop are satisfied, the program increments the index variable, stores the character, and reads another character.

Another method uses a special character to designate the end of the string. This is done in the C language and could be done in Ada as well, but such conventions do not yet exist in Ada. The following example takes such an approach by using a carriage return to end the string. The example illustrates the use of strings as arguments to a subprogram. The code in the inner loops of the previous example are packaged in procedures named get_my_line and put_my_line.

-mypackage.ada

-subprograms to input and display a line with texLio; use texLio; package my_package is

limit: constant := 80;

subtype index type is

integer range 0..limit;

-to read a line into a string

procedure get my line (line : out string;

length : out index type;

-to display a line

procedure put my line (line : in string);

end my_package;

package body my_package is --to read a line into a string procedure get_my_line (line : out string; length : out index_type) is

index : index type := 0;

c : character := "; begin

line := (l.line'last = > "); while index < limit and

c /= ascii.cr and

c /= ascii.eot loop begin -set exception block get (c);

index := index + 1; line (index) := c; if end_oLline then

c := asciLcr;

index := index + 1;

line (index) := ascii.cr; end if; exception

140 BYTE • |ULY 1984

--set character when end of file when encLerror = > c := ascii.eot; index := index + 1; line (index) := ascii.cr; end; --for exception block end loop; length := index; end get my line;

-to display a line

procedure put my line (line : in string) is

index : index_type := 1; begin

while line (index) /= ascii.cr and index < limit loop put (line(index)); index := index + 1; end loop; new_line;

end put my line;

end my_package;

with text_io, my_package;

use text io, my_ package;

procedure main is

my_string : string (1..limit);

alLdone : constant := 1;

length : index type := 0;

begin

put (" Program to copy lines from input to output"); new_line;

put (" Terminate program by entering just");

put (" a carriage return.");

new__line;

while length /= alLdone loop

get_my_line (my string, length);

put my line (my string);

end loop; end main;

In packaging the subprograms, we first write a package specification, which contains any types appropriate to the package and specifications for the subprograms contained in the package. Our package, named my_package, has one type, the definition for index_type; one constant, limit, to

define the string length; and two subprograms, get my line

is defined as a procedure with two parameters: one for the string and one for the length of the line, put^ my line is defined as a procedure with one parameter. We need not specify the length of the string passed as a parameter to each subprogram. We need only specify the type of the parameter as string and whether the subprogram uses it as an input or an output.

Simple parameters in Ada are passed not as addresses but as values. This protects against side effects in subprograms. Furthermore, parameters declared as "in" cannot be assigned a value in a subprogram. For efficiency, when an array is passed as a parameter, the address of the array may be passed instead of the value of the contents of the array.

lb compile and execute the program on a VAX computer with the New York University (NYU) Ada/Ed compiler, we type $ ada mypackage. After starting execution, the program prompts us with

Begin Ada execution

Program to copy lines from input to output Terminate program by entering just a carriage return. >

If we type This is some normal data, followed by a carriage return or an end-of-file signal (which is normally Control-Z), we will see

>This is some normal data. This is some normal data.

>"Z

Execution complete Execution time: 185 seconds l-code statements executed: 718

$

Two lines appear as a result of the program execution. The first echoes your input from the operating system. The second is from the combination of get_my_line and put_my_.line. The input was terminated with a Control-Z, which appears as"Z. The actual execution time shows that this is an experimental compiler not intended to execute "real" programs. This compiler was produced to demonstrate that an Ada compiler could be written with a reasonable amount of effort and to provide an early experimental compiler for researchers investigating Ada. Near the end of this article, there is a section that shows the time taken to execute the same program on an IBM Personal Computer using one of the partial compilers. This example provides a better indication of the time that can be expected with one of the early partial compilers.

Case Statements

The last control structure we'll discuss is the case statement, which lets us use a multiway decision via an elegant construct. The following example of a simple, suggestive help system for NYU Ada/Ed offers an introduction to case statements.

--case.ada

-Demonstrate case statement

with texLio; use text io;

package help_package is

-send instructions to display

procedure greet;

-receive response

-filtering out tabs, blanks, and carriage returns procedure get_response (c : out character); -show help messages

type help topic type is (ada_help, syntax_help,

library help, error help);

procedure help (help topic : help topic type);

end help_package;

package body help_package is -send instructions to display procedure greet is begin

put (" On line help for Ada programmers "); new_Jine; new_line;

put (" Type For help about ");

new_line;

put (""); new_line;

(continued on page 386)

JULY I984 -BYTE 141

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KERMIT:

A FILE-TRANSFER

PROTOCOL FOR UNIVERSITIES

PART 2: STATES AND TRANSITIONS HEURISTIC RULES AND EXAMPLES

by Frank da Cruz and Bill Catchings

THE KERMIT file-transfer protocol was developed at Columbia University primarily for downloading files from mainframes to microcomputers, but it has evolved into a comprehensive communication system for transferring data between numerous types of computers. Kermit is inexpensive and reliable, uses RS-232C asynchronous serial communications to exchange packets of information, and has error checking for reliable transmission of files and information.

By defining a common subset of different computers' communication capabilities, Kermit sets up the minimum standards for communication between two systems. Numerous advanced features and options make Kermit powerful and flexible: many parameters can be changed, and it can even be set up as a simple network file server. Kermit is a portable protocol that is compatible with and has already been implemented on many operating systems and brands of computers.

In part 1 we covered the design considerations and specifications for the Kermit protocol, from the different ways systems handle files and information to

Kermit Off Campus

Although best known in educational circles, Kermit is equally suited to use by corporations, government agencies, and other organizations using a variety of large and small computers.

the encoding, error detection, and layout for the packets of information. This concluding part presents the states and transitions that take place in the Send and Receive File modes, rules that improve the performance and reliability of Kermit, examples of packets and a transfer session, the user interface, and future developments for Kermit.

Frank da Cruz is the manager of systems integration at the Columbia University Center for Computing Activities (612 West \ \5th St., New York. NY 1002 5) and is also planning the university's move toward personal computing in the coming years. Bill Catchings is the chief systems programmer of the file-transfer protocol and its principal designer.

Protocol States and Transitions

The Kermit protocol can be described as a set of states and a set of transitions that define, for a given event, what action to take and what new state to change to. The inherent simplicity of the design, particularly the requirement that each packet must be acknowledged, reduces the number of states and actions and the amount of state information that must be maintained to a minimum. Figure 1 shows a simplified version of a state diagram for Kermit receiving a file.

The receiver initially starts out in the Receive Init state and waits for the other side to send a Send Init packet. If any other packet is received or the Send Init does not arrive within the time-out interval, a NAK (negative acknowledge) is sent. Time-outs or NAKs can occur up to a threshold that, when exceeded for a particular packet, causes the protocol to assume that the connection has become unusable and to give up. After the Send Init arrives, the state becomes Receive File; Kermit waits for a File

[continued]

IULY 1984 -BYTE 143

Header packet containing the name of the file that is to come. When the File Header arrives, Kermit opens a new file using the name provided (perhaps transformed to suit local naming conventions or to avoid a name collision) and switches to the Receive Data state.

Kermit then receives the contents of the file, until an EOF (end of file) packet arrives. At that point, Kermit switches back to the Receive File state. If another file is to be sent, another File Header packet will follow, otherwise an EOT (end of transmission) packet will terminate the transfer. The distinction between EOF and EOT, plus the File Header itself, allows files to be sent in groups. EOF marks the end of a file; EOT marks the end of a group. This dis

tinction also allows the two sides to disconnect cleanly: the EOF must be acknowledged before the sender will believe the file has been transmitted correctly; the EOT will follow, but if the ACK (acknowledge) sent in response to the EOT is lost, no harm will be done since both sides are terminating anyway.

For simplicity, some transitions are not shown in figure 1:

• If in any state a bad packet is received or a time-out occurs, a null transition back to the same state occurs, with a NAK for the expected packet.

• In any state an error may occur that can cause the transfer to terminate. For instance, the target disk

Receive Inlt

Get EOT Packet

Get Send Inlt Packet

Done •*

Receive File

Get File Header Packet

Receive Data

Get EOF Packet

Get Data Packet

Figure 1: A simple state diagram for Kermit receiving files.

Send inlt

No More Files to Send

Get Good ACK

Send File

Get Good ACK

sena Data

Send EOF Packet

Get Good ACK

Figure 2: A simple state diagram for Kermit sending files.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

6

9

10 11

MAXL

TIME

NPAD

PADC

EOL

OCTL

QBIN

CHKT

REPT

Reserved

Figure 3: The setup parameters in the DATA field of the Send \nit packet of the Kermit protocol.

might fill up. The side that encountered the error sends an error packet containing an informative error message and quits. Upon receipt of the error packet, the other side displays the message on the screen (if it is in control of the screen) and also quits.

• Actions that are taken on each transition, such as opening a file when a File Header packet is received, are not shown; in particular, each packet successfully received is acknowledged with an ACK.

The state transitions for a sending Kermit are similar (see figure 2). In each state, instead of waiting for particular packet types, Kermit sends the appropriate packet and waits for an ACK. If the ACK does not arrive within the allotted time, or a NAK appears instead of an ACK, the same packet is retransmitted. A send operation begins with a Send Init packet, includes one or more files starting with a File Header, followed by one or more data packets and then an EOF. When all the specified files have been sent, an EOT packet closes the connection and terminates the operation.

Base-level Kermit provides that during any particular transaction the sender is the master and the receiver is the slave. These roles may be reversed in the next transaction; any Kermit implementation is capable of acting as either the master or slave. In addition, mainframe implementations may also be put in a kind of permanent slave, or server, mode in which all commands come in command packets from the master, or user, Kermit.

Initial Connection

To allow a diverse group of computers to communicate with one another, an exchange takes place during the initial connection in which the two sides configure each other. The sending Kermit includes setup parameters in its Send Init packet, and the receiving Kermit responds with an ACK packet containing the corresponding parameters as they apply to itself. The DATA field of the Send Init packet is shown in figure 3. The fields are as follows ("I" and "you" are used to distinguish the two sides). Fields are encoded printably using the char function (ASCII [American National Standard Code for Information Interchange! value 32) unless indicated otherwise:

MAXL—The maximum-length packet I want to receive, a number up to 94. You respond with the maximum you

144 BYTE- IULY 1984

want me to send. This allows systems to adjust to each other's buffer sizes or to the condition of the transmission medium.

TIME—The number of seconds after which I want you to time me out while waiting for a packet from me. You respond with the amount of time I should wait for packets from you. This allows the two sides to accommodate different line speeds or other factors that could cause timing problems.

NPAD—The number of padding characters 1 want to precede each incoming packet; you respond in kind. Padding may be necessary for a halfduplex system that requires some time to change the direction of transmission.

PADC—The control character I need for padding, if any. modified by XOR with 64 to make it printable. You respond in kind. Normally the null character (NUL), some systems use the delete character (DEL). This field is ignored if the value NPAD is zero. EOL—The character I need to terminate an incoming packet, if any. You respond in kind. Most systems that require a line terminator for terminal input accept a carriage return for this purpose. (Can you see the catch-22 here?)

QCTL—The printable ASCII character I will use to quote control characters or prefix characters, normally #. You respond with the one you will use. QBIN—The printable ASCII character I want to use to quote (prefix) characters that have the eighth bit set, for transmitting binary files when one or both systems cannot use the parity bit for data. Since this kind of quoting increases both processor and transmission overhead, it is normally to be avoided. CHKT-Check type, the method for detecting errors. 1 for singlecharacter checksum (the normal method), 2 for two-character checksum, 3 for three-character CRCCCITT. If your response agrees, the designated method will be used; otherwise, the single-character checksum will be used. Other check types may also be added. REPT—The prefix character I will use to indicate a repeated character. This can be any printable character other than blank (which denotes no repeat count prefix), but - is recommended. If you don't respond identically, repeat counts will not be done. Groups of four or more identical characters may be transmitted more

efficiently using a repeat count, although an individual implementation may wish to set a higher threshold.

CAPAS—An extendable bit mask encoded printably, to indicate whether certain advanced capabilities, such as file-attribute packets, are supported.

Reserved Fields—The next four fields are reserved for future use. Those wishing to add their own parameters to the initial connection exchange should start at the fifth field after the capability mask in order to remain compatible with other Kermit programs.

Naturally, the three prefix characters must be distinct and should be chosen to be uncommonly used printable characters to minimize further overhead from having to prefix them when they are found in the data.

The trailing fields in the DATA field may be omitted, in which case they will assume appropriate defaults. Defaults for intermediate fields can be selected by setting those fields to blanks. Every parameter has an appropriate default. In fact, the entire DATA field of the Send Init packet or its ACK may be left empty to accept all defaults. The more exotic parameters are at the end and reflect more recent developments in the Kermit protocol; earlier implementations can still communicate with newer ones, since there will not be agreement to use these options. The Send Init mechanism preserves compatibility from the earliest Kermit to the most recent.

There is no protracted negotiation; everything must be settled in a single exchange. Some parameters, however, are outside the scope of this exchange and must be set even before the first packet is sent. For instance, if the receiving computer can read only characters with odd parity, but the sending computer sends them with even parity, the Send Init packet will never arrive successfully. In cases like this, the user may have to issue some preliminary commands to inform one or both Kermit programs about the vagaries of the other system. Another example is the packet terminator (EOL) mentioned above—if the receiving Kermit requires one that the sending Kermit doesn't know about, the Send Init will never get through.

For these reasons, most implementations of Kermit provide SET commands for all the parameters listed above and some others as well.

During initial connection, an exchange takes place between the computers using Kermit in which the two sides configure each other.

Rules and Heuristics

During a file transfer, one Kermit sends information packets—file headers, data, and so forth—and the other Kermit sends only ACKs or NAKs in response. The most important rule in the Kermit protocol is wait for a response before sending the next packet. This prevents buffer overruns and allows participation by halfduplex systems. Of course, Kermit should not wait forever; a time-out should occur after a few seconds if the expected packet has not arrived. Upon time-out, a sending Kermit retransmits the current packet; a receiving Kermit reacknowledges the current packet or negatively acknowledges the expected one.

Some interesting heuristics are used in Kermit to boost efficiency and improve error recovery. A number of important rules take care of the cases when packets are lost in transmission. The first can be stated as a NAK for the next packet implies an ACK for the current packet. A NAK with packet number n+ 1 means the receiving Kermit got packet n, sent an ACK that was never received, and, not knowing that the ACK didn't get through (since we don't acknowledge an ACK), is now waiting for packet n+l. which was never sent. In this case, we simply send packet n+l. An important exception is when the missing ACK is for a Send Init packet; do you see why? The next rule, acknowledge and discard redundant packets, handles the situation where the same packet arrives again. The sending Kermit timed out waiting for an ACK that was sent but lost and retransmitted the packet. The receiver must discard the redundant data and acknowledge the packet again; to do otherwise could have undesirable effects, such as adding the same data to a file twice or opening the same file multiple times. Note that the situation resulting from a lost ACK depends upon which side times out first.

Kermit must handle another situation arising from possible lost packets: nega

[conlinued on page 400)

IULY 1984 'BYTE 145

We wrote the book on portability

In nine different languages.

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Concurrent

CP/M™

IBM PC DOS

MS DOS

CP/M-68K

FORTRAN-77

J

J

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C BASIC Compiler

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IULY 1984 'BYTE 147

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BYTE

Video

Electronic Encyclopedias

by Peter R. Cook 151

Televisions as Monitors

by Ken Coach 171

Computer Control of a Video Recorder

by Cy Ttjmony 179

Videodiscs and Computers

by Stan \arvis 187

Controlling Videodiscs with Micros

by Rod Daynes and Steve Holder 207

COMPUTERS AND VIDEO appear to offer an endless variety of combinations, as this month's cover by Robert Tinney depicts. With an increase in higher-power communication satellites that require smaller, less-expensive user antennas and electronics, and with the melding of television receivers and microprocessors, we might look ahead to the day when worldwide person-to-person visual as well as aural communication is based on personal computers and not on a direct descendant of Mr. Bell's original invention. "Bulletin Boards in Space," described by John Markoff in the May BYTE West Coast column (page 88), may give way to worldwide electronic conferencing and conventioning by adding television cameras to the growing list of common personal computer user options.

Many videotex, work-alike, and other interactive cable-television-based systems already exist. With the proliferation of coaxial-cable interconnection and its high-speed data-transmission capabilities, more and more homes and businesses could be linked via computercontrolled video instead of the restricted-bandwidth, audio-frequency-based systems now in use.

Shopping via computer is already a reality in some areas. With television- or presentationlevel graphics, perhaps complicated and expensive encoding schemes could become unnecessary because you might be able to view the person to whom your message is directed. And as Rich Malloy, our product-review editor, stated in the July 1983 BYTE in his introduction to the Videotex theme, the printing presses might stop and BYTE could be delivered to you electronically.

Though with us for over a generation, until recently hardware costs made computer and video interactivity limited and expensive. In recent years, dramatic advances in digital electronics and large-scale integration (LSI) have made personal computers, videocassette recorders (VCRs), and videodiscs available to anyone with a down-to-earth application or interest in learning. In this issue, we present articles on a wide range of topics related to computers and video.

Peter R. Cook's article, "Electronic Encyclopedias," explores something that all of the major encyclopedia publishers have talked about for several years: how to develop an "intelligent encyclopedia" that uses natural means of accessing and using knowledge. Included with this article is contributing editor Mark Dahmke's look at "An Ideal Video Peripheral." a glimpse at how personal computers and videodiscs might communicate more efficiently.

In "Televisions as Monitors," Ken Coach describes some of the characteristics common to the new generation of television receivers that can double as microcomputer video monitors.

If you already have an inexpensive VCR with limited or no programming capabilities or are considering purchasing one, Cy Tymony's "Computer Control of a Video Recorder" should be particulary interesting. This construction project enables you to use your micro as a programmable control center for your VCR.

Stan Jarvis's "Videodiscs and Computers" takes a look at the videodisc industry, its evolution, and the myriad of companies and equipment facing personal computer owners.

As an example of what you can do with a CAV (frame-addressable) videodisc, Rod Daynes and Steve Holder designed a game around a generic version in "Controlling Videodiscs with Micros." They used the videodisc support commands available in the Sony SMC-70 computer.

—Gene Smarte, Managing Editor

IULY 1984 'BYTE 149

THE END TO THE

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THEME

ELECTRONIC ENCYCLOPEDIAS

by Peter R. Cook

Interactive video technologies help explore "the realm of worthwhile knowledge'

ENCYCLOPEDIAS EVOKE special memories for most people. When you were a child, you probably did research for essays and class projects, looked for "naughty" words and pictures, struggled through dull facts about dead people, or discovered fascinating facts in articles from "Aardvark" to "Zygote." Later on, maybe you used an encyclopedia to solve crossword puzzles, to help a child with homework, or to look up the location of a vacation spot or an unfamiliar country mentioned in the news.

Now there is a whole new range of associations that most people wouldn't normally connect with an encyclopedia: on-line databases, videotex systems, and laser videodiscs—new interactive technologies that, at first glance, might appear to be the very antithesis of the traditional printed encyclopedia. But major electronic publishing companies are beginning to create a new generation of encyclopedias, powerful informational/educational tools that can interact through, and with, all of these new media.

As part of a long-range development plan, Grolier is creating a massive encyclopedic database of text and audiovisual materials that can be accessed and manipulated using interactive technologies. The two major components of this plan, the text database and the audiovisual database, currently are be

ing developed along separate but convergent tracks—one utilizes on-line or videotex technology, the other utilizes videodisc technology.

In this article, I will review both development tracks, observing from the publisher's point of view how information is enhanced by delivery via new interactive technologies. But let's begin with a look at encyclopedias delivered via a traditional interactive medium—the book. Though new technologies should not slavishly imitate those that preceded them, there is much to be gained by using the book metaphor for building the foundation of an information tool that utilizes the full power of interactive video technologies.

According to an entry in the Academic American Encyclopedia (AAE), a printed general encyclopedia "attempts to present the entire realm of worthwhile knowledge: the humanities and literature; fine, applied, and performing arts; science and technology; history and

Peter R. Cook is vice president of creative services for Grolier Electronic Publishing Inc. (95 Madison Ave.. New York. NY 10016). He is responsible for coordinating the development of that firm's Multi-Component Electronic Encyclopedia, which is intended to combine videodisc and videotex technology. Cook spent five years at Arete Publishing Co.. producing the Academic American Encyclopedia.

social sciences; critical issues such as bioethics and civil rights; and select data on significant places and persons."

Mechanics and economics tend to limit the size of a printed encyclopedia's "realm of worthwhile knowledge"; of necessity, the information itself is synthesized and summarized. Distillation and outlining of knowledge, along with broad coverage, make a general encyclopedia—whether it be in 1, 20, or 30 volumes—a useful reference tool.

The reference characteristics of encyclopedias are what brought about their rather unnatural, usually alphabetical, information structure. There is no inherent logic in grouping "Aardvark" with "Alvar Aalto" and "Hank Aaron," although such curious juxtapositions often create wonderfully serendipitous discoveries. Diverse subjects are thrown together for no reason other than the fact that an alphabetical, dictionary-like organization improves access to information. Some encyclopedias still cling to the earlier thematic approach in which related information is grouped together. Thematic groupings make it possible for information to be viewed in a broader context, but highly specific facts are harder to locate.

Alphabetical encyclopedias compensate for the seemingly arbitrary arrangement of their articles by using in

(conlinued)

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ENCYCLOPEDIA

tegrated cross-references that indicate the presence of related articles and draw connections between the various realms of knowledge. In its current (fifteenth) edition, the Encyclopaedia Britannka attempts to overcome the shortcomings of this alphabetic tyranny by breaking the set into three resources: Propaedia, a one-volume overview of knowledge; Macwpaedia. a collection of in-depth articles (many of considerable length) on broad areas of knowledge; and Micropcedia, containing very short articles as well as discrete, specific facts. The attempt, however, is thwarted by the awkwardness of three integrated, but separate, resources.

While encyclopedias may have to struggle with the drawbacks of their own unique organizations, they also exhibit the positive characteristics of the printed book. Books are physical entities, portable random-access devices. Their organization is universally recognized: pages, chapters, tables of contents, prefaces, introductions, indexes, bibliographies, etc. They are the framework of written language. Other characteristics inherent in books let you browse through them easily and give you a sense of scale and place. You know how to navigate in a book.

But the book also has its limitations. It is a fixed medium: once printed, it cannot be changed. The only way for a user to update a printed encyclopedia is to buy a new one, write notes in the margin, or purchase the yearbook that most encyclopedia publishers issue annually to maintain the currency of existing sets. The information is also fixed in that it cannot be dynamically rearranged for the user's convenience. Comparing all the articles on dinosaurs, for example, might require accessing more than a dozen volumes. Information access is also limited by the specificity of the article titles and by the quality of the index—nonindexed information is almost the equivalent of no information. Finally, no matter how descriptive the text or how informative the illustrations, no printed encyclopedia can capture the power of a place, person, or event more vividly than an audiovisual medium. Yet the printed encyclopedia is, and will continue to be, a highly valued information resource for most people.

(continued)

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ENCYCLOPEDIA

Now consider an electronic encyclopedia that uses the full power of new interactive media and is designed to meet the needs of a new generation of users.

Electronic Reference Work

In 1982, Grolier acquired the rights to the Academic American Encyclopedia, a new 20-volume general-reference work designed for use in homes and schools. Containing approximately 30,000 articles and 9 million words, the AAE is characterized by its currency and its short entry format (its articles have an average length of approximately 300 words). For us it had the additional virtue of being typeset entirely with computerized equipment, and thus it could be converted for on-line dissemination.

The electronic edition of the AAE has been in existence for two years and is currently available to over 2 50,000 online and videotex subscribers through existing information utilities. These include services such as CompuServe, Dow (ones News/Retrieval, BRS, Dialog,

and Vu/Text. We also distribute through NAPLPS (North American Presentation-Level-Protocol Syntax, or "naplips") graphics-based systems: Viewtron, Keycom, and Times Mirror's Gateway (which uses Telidon graphics, a forerunner of NAPLPS). Users accessing the encyclopedia remain customers of the information utility, which in turn pays Grolier a royalty.

The encyclopedia's inherent data structure has to be adapted to the display characteristics and access protocols of individual systems. Because these system requirements have a considerable effect on how the user interacts with the encyclopedia, it is worth reviewing some samples at length, beginning with the less complex, and consequently less powerful, systems.

Viewtron: An ASCII/NAPLPS Hybrid

Viewtron, operated by Viewdata Corp. of America (a Knight-Ridder subsidiary), is the first commercial videotex service to use NAPLPS color graphics, which

can be accessed only by AT&T's Sceptre terminal. This regional service is now available in just three Florida counties; if successful, however, the service will become available in major cities around the country.

Viewtron is a relatively simple menudriven system that stores most of its databases on preexisting frames. However, because the AAE is a large database (by videotex standards), it is actually accessed through a communications gateway. The AAE text is housed on computers at Vu/Text (another KnightRidder subsidiary) in Philadelphia; the computers are linked by dedicated line to the Viewtron host in Miami. A user accessing the system is connected via the gateway as soon as he selects the AAE from a menu (see photos la through Id). The videotex terminal "paints" the appropriate NAPLPS frame, but it has an active window for displaying the ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) text from the Vu/Text gateway. The user is then prompted to type in a search term, which is matched against the AAE's 30,000 article titles. If an exact match exists, the system displays the first 15 lines of the article and the user can "page" through the rest at his own pace. If the search term is too broad, a number of articles are selected. For example, if just "Lincoln" is entered for information on Abraham Lincoln, the system locates all articles with the word "Lincoln" in the title, including "Lincoln, Nebraska" and "Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts." The first article is displayed with the qualifier "1 of n |articlesj," and the subscriber can then use the system's "browse" function to scan the first frame of each article.

ASCII (Non-Graphic) Videotex Services

Dow Jones News/Retrieval and CompuServe are both consumer-oriented information utilities that primarily use keyword and menu-driven access. A subscriber logging onto Dow lones News/ Retrieval is guided to the AAE via names and enters a search term or query that is matched against article headings. If the search term is in more than one heading, the system generates a menu, listing all of the articles, and the user selects from this (see figures la

(continued)

Photo I: A Viewtron subscriber selects the Academic American Encyclopedia (AAE) from one of the many submenus that list the several hundred topic areas available through the service and is then linked via a communications "gateway" (la) to the AAE database (lb), housed on the computer of Vu/Text in Philadelphia. The user types in a search term—in this case "videotex"—(\c) and the system searches for an encyclopedia article with that title. \n photo Id. the system displays the first screen of information. Wfti/e the user is accessing information from the AAE, the screen display is in a dual mode: a static NAPLPS color border surrounding an active "window" for the encyclopedia's ASCII text.

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ENCYCLOPEDIA

(la)

ENTER QUERY:

BRAZIL

SEARCH TERM ENTERED BY USER

USER ACTION TO ENTER SEARCH TERM

Figure la: A subscriber to Dow \ones News/Retrieval can access information in the encyclopedia by typing in his search term or query. In this case, the search term is "Brazil:

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through le). If the selected article is long, an additional menu (or series of menus) is shown, providing a numbered outline of the contents. Thus, the user can select the most appropriate section without having to page through the entire article.

Dow Jones News/Retrieval also lists the number of pages or screens of text in each article and lets the viewer know which page he is viewing (2 of 14. etc.). CompuServe gives each page an individual number, which can be used in conjunction with the GO command to go directly to the page, bypassing the intermediate menu stages. As useful as these features are, menu-driven systems are limited. Access is through the article title only, which doesn't open up the full potential of an electronic encyclopedia.

Free Text Databases

Two much more powerful on-line database systems are BRS and Dialog. Considerably more expensive than the consumer databases. BRS and Dialog use free text search procedures in which every word in the database is indexed and therefore can be searched.

When accessing via BRS. a search term or query is entered using the required command language. However, if the search term is not properly qualified, the system may locate far too many occurrences to be helpful. For example, a search for "Einstein" produced several

hundred "hits" (occurrences) of the word in 69 articles throughout the encyclopedia (see figures 2a through 2c). But the search can be narrowed down by using Boolean operators such as and. which combines two search terms in the same article; same, which combines two terms in the same paragraph; with, which combines them in the same sentence: and adj. which requires the two terms be directly adjacent. If what I really want to find out about Einstein is when he moved to Princeton, I would phrase the search as: "Einstein same Princeton," which means I'm looking for the paragraphs in which both of the words appear. This narrows the hits down to just two paragraphs, which can be quickly displayed. These paragraphs tell me that Einstein moved to Princeton in 1933 and that he died there in 1955.

This simple example doesn't really illustrate the full retrieval capabilities of free text systems. They can be powerful tools in the hands of an experienced researcher or librarian. On the other hand, their complex command syntax and Boolean search logic make them too complex for easy access by most untrained users.

In an effort to broaden the appeal and usage of their services, BRS and Dialog have both introduced easier-to-use and less expensive off-peak services: BRS After Dark and Knowledge Index, respectively. Communications software is

(continued)

Circle 23 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 157

ENCYCLOPEDIA

(lb)

ENTER QUERY:

PRESS FOR

-1 BRAZIL

2 BRAZIL CURRENT

3 BRAZIL NUT

4 BRAZILIAN LITERATURE

5 BRAZILWOOD

USER'S SELECTION

(lc)

PRESS RETURN TO VIEW THE SELECTIONS AGAIN OR ENTER A NEW QUERY

PACE I OF 2

PRESS

FOR

1

Brazil

2

LAND AND RESOURCES

3

Climate

■1

Vegetation and Animal Life

5

Soils

6

Drainage

7

Resources

8

PEOPLE

9

Demography

10

Ethnic Mix

II

Language and Religion

12

Education and Health

13

Arts

RETURN •

NUMBER OF - PAGES LISTING "BRAZIL" ARTICLES

LIST OF ARTICLES WITH "BRAZIL" IN THE TITLE

NUMBER OF -MENU PAGES

OUTLINE OF ARTICLES CONTENTS MAIOR SECTIONS

USER ACTION - FOR NEXT PAGE

Figures lb and lc: \n the top screen, the system generated a menu listing all the articles with "Brazil" in the title. The bottom screen shows that the article on the country of Brazil {selection #1 on the top screen) was selected and the first page of an outline of the article's major sections is displayed.

also being introduced; Sci-Mate and InSearch simplify command procedures and enable the user to develop a search strategy before going on line. Such efforts are the first steps in what will undoubtedly be a series of software products aimed at making these information utilities (including Dow Jones News/ Retrieval and CompuServe) more powerful and easier to use.

Earlier I used the printed book as an example of a medium with which we are manifestly familiar; the reason for our familiarity is that the structure and conventions of books have been evolving for centuries. On-line databases have been in use for little more than a decade, and it is only in the last two or three years that large numbers of untrained users have started accessing them. Consequently, the learning curve for everyone—system operators, information providers, and end users—is particularly steep. There is still much to be learned about how users interact with electronic information utilities, what kinds of displays are best, what accessing protocols and commands are most effective and easy to learn, and what information is most appropriate.

Enlarging the Database

The electronic edition of the AAE is already quite different from its printed parent. Updated twice a year instead of annually, it has no physical growth limitations, unlike the printed work. We intend to use this essentially unlimited capacity for growth: to respond directly to users' needs; to reflect areas of strong current interest; to broaden the

[continued]

Through the Trap Door

March 1979—$35

Breaking the Sound Barrier

September 1977—$35

BYTE COVERS

The prints shown at left are beautiful Collector Edition Byte Covers, stricuy limited to 750 prints each, and signed and numbered by the artist, Robert Tinney. Each print is 18 in. x 22 in., and is accompanied by its own Certificate of Authenticity. To order, use the coupon below. Visa and MasterCard orders may call 1-504-272-7266.

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158 BYTE • IULY 1984

THE MI-286 DUAL CPU BOARD IS AT LEAST TWICE AS FAST AS COMPUPRO'S 8085/88... AND IT'S A DIRECT REPLACEMENT!

The 20-second revolution. It only takes about 20 seconds to bring your S-100 system up to its ultimate speed/ power potential. Just pull out the old fashioned 8085/88 board and plug the MI-286 in its place. That's all there is to it. You're off and running with more power than ever before.

The 80286 and Z-80H.The MI-286 is the first dual-CPU board using the new, high speed Intel 80286 coupled with a Z-80H. It is designed for use with a variety of operating systems, including MP/M 8-16. It will support all your current 8086/88 and Z-80/8085 software. It can accommodate an optional 80287 math co-processor. In short, it gives you the best of both worlds.

Add more users.The MI-286. It improves throughput so dramatically you can add those extra users you've always wanted. It carries S-100 technology to its logical limit. And it only costs $1395!*

Upgrade your S-lOO.The MI-286 is only one of Macrotech's products designed to maximize the performance of your S-100 system. The MAX Dynamic Memory gives you up to 1 Mbyte of memory for your system memory

and virtual disk applications. ADIT lets you control up to 16 different terminals, modems or printers from a single slot in your S-100 bus. And our static board is the S-100 world's first 1/2 Mbyte static memory. Call or write us today, and find out how easy it is to upgrade your S-100 system.

M

Macrotech International Corp.

9551 Irondale Avenue Chatsworth.CA 913H Phone: (818) 700-1501

Circle 193 on inquiry card.

Dealer/Distributors: Priority One Electronics. (800) 423-5922. (213>709-Sltl / John 1) Owens Assoc, (2121 448-6298

In England; Fulcrum (Europe) (0621) 828-763 / MP/M i* a regtetered trademark oi Digital Research 'Mailt co-processor extra

ENCYCLOPEDIA

(Id)

PACE 2 OF 2

PRESS

FOR

14

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

15

Agriculture and Forestry

16

Mining and Manufacturing

17

Transportation and Trade

18

GOVERNMENT

- 19

HISTORY

20

Bibliography

21

See Also

22

FACT BOX

OUTLINE (CONTINUED!

(le)

PACE I OF 7

a Spaniard, touched the northern coast of Brazil in 1500. In the same year Pedro CABRAL claimed the land for Portugal, based on the Treaty of TORDESILLAS 114941. The first permanent Portuguese settlement (Sao Vicente in Sao Paulo state), however, was not founded until 1532. French Huguenots briefly settled at Rio de Janeiro, and the Dutch ruled at Recife from 1630 to 1654. The demand for sugar in Europe led to the establishment of sugarcane plantations along the northeast coast

RETURN

TOTAL NUMBER OF "PACES IN HISTORY SECTION

FIRST PORTION OF TEXT IN HISTORY SECTION

USER ACTION FOR NEXT PACE

Figures Id and le: 1m the top screen, the outline started In figure k is continued. In the bottom screen, the user has chosen #19, the history section, and the first "page" is displayed.

database so it is more appropriate to different age and interest levels; and to develop satellite databases designed to interact with the encyclopedia.

Responding to users' needs: An electronic encyclopedia has a unique advantage over its print counterpart because it is possible to "capture" such key parts of the information transaction as search terms and usage time. Analyzing the captured data can reveal shortcomings, whether in the form of inadequate article headings or missing information. Such data also reveals areas of high and low interest—a useful guide for database growth.

Reflecting areas of strong current interest: Printed encyclopedias contain little information of transitory interest. It will be a long time before the Britannica has an article on Michael lackson. This isn't necessarily because encyclopedia editors disdain popular culture. The physical limitations of the printed work make it difficult and costly to insert large numbers of new articles each year. Space has to be found for each new article, usually at the expense of other articles. Further, an article of fleeting interest may create a difficult hole to fill when its importance diminishes.

This is not the case with an electronic edition, in which articles can be added to and deleted from the database with considerable ease. For example, coverage of the Olympic Games and athletes can grow in anticipation of this year's meeting in Los Angeles. Next year the coverage can be reduced. An electronic encyclopedia can be a truly responsive, dynamic reference work.

(continued)

ULTRA-RES™ GRAPHICS

Available from stock

WHEN RESOLUTION COUNTS

Advanced feature display controllers for IBM-PC / XT and compalible systems Features include NEC7220. programmable resolution lo 1024X1024. slave controllers, transparent mode allows monochrome adapter and ULTRA-RES on same monitor. DMA compatible, light pen. externally powerable. Monitor protection circuits. Video outputs are TTL direct drive or analog. Software drivers.

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160 BYTE • IULY 1984

Circle 47 on inquiry card.

You can count on 3M diskettes. Day after day.

Just like the sun, you can rely on 3M diskettes every day. At 3M, reliability is built into every diskette. We've been in the computer media business for over 30 years. And we've never settled in. We're constantly improving and perfecting our product line, from computer tape and data cartridges to floppy disks.

3M diskettes are made at 3M. That way, we have complete control over the entire manufacturing process. And you can have complete confidence in the reliability of every 3M diskette you buy. Look in the Yellow Pages under Computer Supplies and Parts for the 3M distributor nearest you. In Canada, write 3M Canada, Inc., London, Ontario. If it's worth remembering, it's worth 3M diskettes.

Circle 310 on inquiry card.

3M hears you.

3M

ENCYCLOPEDIA

(2a)

BRS - SEARCH MODE ENTER QUERY:

1: Einstein RESULT 69

SEARCH TERM ENTERED BY USER

NUMBER OF ARTICLES CONTAINING THE SEARCH TERM

Figure 2a: On powerful on-line database systems such as BRS. every word in the encyclopedia is indexed and therefore can be searched. Here, the search term "Einstein" was located in 69 articles.

(2b)

BRS - SEARCH MODE

ENTRY QUERY:

2: Einstein same Princeton .

3: ,.P2 |HITS/DOC= l|

SEARCH TERM "ENTERED BY USER

NUMBER OF ARTICLES -CONTAINING THE SEARCH TERM

PRINT COMMAND ENTERED BY USER

PRINT QUERY #2. |UST PARAGRAPHS IN WHICH "HITS" OCCURRED

Figure 2b: Because of the large number of articles, the search was narrowed by using the Boolean operator "same'.' The new search term. "Einstein same Princeton" located only one article in which both words appear in the same paragraph.

Expanding for a broader audience: In its present form, the AAE spans a wide range of age and interest levels. As stated in its preface, the AAE is "for students from junior high school, high school, or college and for the inquisitive adult." By expanding that base to include young children and advanced scholars, the resulting database will be several times larger than the printed encyclopedia and will be capable of responding appropriately to the user's age and

interests.

Satellite databases: Grolier has recently completed the first of a series of satellite database products designed to interact with, and be enhanced by. the electronic encyclopedia. Whiz-Quiz is a menu-driven educational game that directs the player to the AAE to find out more about a topic. We believe that children in particular will be compelled by this mechanism to explore the encyclopedia.

The User Interface

Regardless of what shape or direction a database takes, the key to its use and value is the user interface. The user interacts with the electronic encyclopedia on several distinct levels:

entry level: logging onto a system and getting to the database search level: entering a search term to locate a specific article (or group of articles)

retrieval level: once the relevant article is located, finding and retrieving the required information manipulation level: getting the information in the form of a printout, writing words down directly from the screen, or simply remembering the facts

exit level: leaving the database

The first and last levels are entirely the province of the system's operator and, in any event, are not an obstacle to most users. The search and retrieval levels, however, are areas of major concern because that is where the user works most closely with the system. The information-manipulation level will become increasingly important as software is written to take full advantage of encyclopedic databases.

The best way to analyze potential improvements at the search level is to return to the book metaphor. As an access device, a book is very forgiving. When you look something up in an index, you usually don't need to know the exact spelling to locate it. Likewise, you sometimes use a dictionary because you can't spell a word but have no problem locating it.

Databases are not so forgiving. A misspelled search term, no matter how close to the correct word, cannot be used to locate the required article. Some systems attempt to overcome this by providing a function called truncation. On Dow Jones News/Retrieval, for example, all you have to enter for an article on Zbigniew Brzezinski is "BRZ—a nice feature, but not the complete solution. The problem isn't just misspelling: children in particular tend to use plurals for certain common nouns: cats, dogs, trees, dinosaurs, etc. This is not a problem in a printed reference work: however, when entered on a videotex system, the search terms will fail to match

(continued}

162 BYTE • IULY 1984

LOMAS DATA PRODUCTS PRESENTS:

THUNDER 186 offers the following standard features:

■ 8 Mhz 80186 processor

■ Floppy disk controller (controls both 5'A" and 8" drives simultaneously)

M Two RS232 ports with hand shaking

■ Centronics compatible parallel

port

M 256K bytes of RAM

■ Full IEEE-696 COMPLIANCE

■ One year warranty

It 186

THUNDER 186 provides the earth shanking performance you have come to expect from LOMAS DATA PRODUCTS. THUNDER 186 is a complete SIXTEEN BIT SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER on a standard size SI00 bus board. THUNDER'S low price includes Concurrent CP/M-86* version 3.1. This allows the user to run PC-DOS**** programs, as well as, CP/M-86* programs on the same system. And, for those users that prefer, MS-DOS*** is also available.

TEST: THUNDER 186 BENCHMARK.

In our April '84 advertisement, we compared the benchmarks of our other advanced CPU products, against the COMPUPRO CPU86/87 10 Mhz. The test consisted of assembling the example BIOS (BIOS. A86) distributed with standard CP/M-86. The operating system used was CP/M-86. Now, we put THUNDER 186 to the same test. . .

LIGHTNING ONE" 10 MHZ

COMPUPRO CPU86/87 10 MHZ

LIGHTNING 286" 6 MHZ

THUNDER 186 8 MHZ

ASSEMBLY-TIME (SEC.)

47

55

41

48

RATIO TO 10 MHZ LIGHTNING ONE

1.00

1.17

.88

1.02

BOARD SET COST LIST PRICE AS TESTED

$2545.00

$3040.00

$3290.00

$1595.00

COST PERFORMANCE

$2545.00

$3556.80

$2895.20

$1629.00

RATIO

1.00

1.40

1.14

.64

RESULT: THUNDER 186 THE LEADER.

The benchmark comparisons clearly make THUNDER 186 the leader in the 16 bit price/performance race. Other THUNDER 186 advantages are too numerous to mention here. CALL US, and we'll be glad to discuss the other advantages with you.

S100 bus board products & support for the system integrator...

■ LIGHTNING ONE *** 8086/8088 CPU

8086 or 8088, with 8087 and 8089 coprocessors. Up to 10 MHZ operation PRICES start at $425.00

■ HAZITALL SYSTEM SUPPORT BOARD

2 serial, 2 parallel ports, battery protected clock calendar, Hard disk controller host interface PRICE $325.00

■ LDP 128/256K DYNAMIC RAM

Advanced dynamic RAM with LSI controller for failsafe operation, parity PRICE 128K—$495.00, 256K-$795.00

■ RAM67 HIGH PERFORMANCE STATIC RAM

High speed (100ns) low power CMOS static RAM. 128K bytes, extended addressing PRICE $995.00

■ LDP72 FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLER

Single/double density, single/double sided disks, both 8" and S 1/4" inch drives simultaneously .... PRICE $275.00

'CP/M-8S. MP/M-86 and CONCURRENT CP/M-86 are trademarks of Digital Research

**MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft

***Lightmnq One is a trademark ofLomas Data Products, Inc.

****PC-DOS is a tradmark of IBM

■ LIGHTNING 286—80286 CPU BOARD

Offers 4 times the performance of a 5MHZ 8086 CPU while maintaining software compatibility. PRICE $1395.00

■ OCTAPORT 8 PORT SERIAL BOARD

8 serial ports 0 to 19200 baud operation real time clock interrupt. Ideal for multi-user systems such as MP/M-86.* . . .

PRICE $395.00

All of LDP boards are fully tested to exacting standards and carry a one year warranty. We specialize in 16-bit products & support the four major operating systems for 16-bit processors: CP/M-86*, MP/M-86, CONCURRENT

CP/M-86*, and MS-DOS (PC-DOS).

Dealer inquiries invited.

LDP

LOMAS DATA PRODUCTS, INC. □ 66 Hopkinton Road, Westboro, MA 01581 □ (617) 366-6434 □ Telex: 4996272

Circle 189 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 163

ENCYCLOPEDIA

(2c)

Tl Einstein. Albert

1 of 14. The German-American physicist Albert Einstein, b. Ulm, Germany. Mar. 14, 1879. d. Princeton. N.|., Apr. 18. 1955. contributed more than any other scientist to the 20th-century vision of physical reality. In the wake of World War I, Einstein's theories—especially his theory of relativity—seemed to many people to point to a pure quality of human thought, one far removed from the war and its aftermath. Seldom has a scientist received such public attention for having cultivated the fruit of pure learning.

4 of 14. By 1909, Einstein was recognized throughout German-speaking Europe as a leading scientific thinker, in quick succession he held professorships at the German University of Prague and at the Zurich Polytechnic. In 1914 he advanced to the most prestigious and best-paying post that a theoretical physicist could hold in central Europe: professor at the Kaiser Wilhelm Gesellschaft in Berlin. Although Einstein held a cross-appointment at the University of Berlin, from this time on he never again taught regular university courses. Einstein remained on the staff at Berlin until 1933. from which time until his death (19551 he held an analogous research position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. N.I.

END OF DOCUMENTS IN LIST

- ARTICLE TITLE

ARTICLE CONTAINS 14 PARAGRAPHS: ONLY PARAGRAPHS I AND 4 CONTAIN "EINSTEIN' AND "PRINCETON"

Figure 2c: Y\aving located the one article in which both "Einstein" and "Princeton" appear in the same paragraph, a string of print commands displays the text of that paragraph on the screen.

Circle 3II on inquiry card.

More speed, more memory workspace from the people who lifted the 64K limit.

In 1981, we introduced our famous Saturn RAM card to boost the Apple's memory by 32K. Now, there are 64K and 128K versions for added power.

Increased RAM lets you run bigger programs, and our VisiCalc"" expansion software provides a dramatic expansion of workspace memory Also, the extra memory can work as a pseudo disk for instant access. (No more 20-second searches!) The Saturn RAM board is a super aid for advanced word processing, data base management, spread sheet, and accounting applications. And perfect with PASCAL, CP/M®, and BASIC.

Use our easily installed cards in combination—and get a whopping 220K of VisiCalc workspace on the Apple He. Or sensational enhancements on Apple II, II + , Franklin, Basis and most Apple compatibles. We even have software that increases your Apple's memory in BASIC programming up to 4 megabytes!

This kind of performance requires sophisticated bank switching and supporting software that we originated, proved, and improved. Buy from the leader!

Let us help you expand your Apple's productivity For information on our RAM boards and other Titan microcomputer products, see your computer dealer or contact: Titan Technologies, Inc., P.O. Box 8050, Ann Arbor, MI 48107: Telephone (313) 973-8422.

Sales and Marketing by The MARKETING RESOURCE GROUP, Costa Mesa, CA.

Hi Titan

—» TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. Inc VisiCalc is a registered trademark of VisiCorp, Inc. CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc,

164 BYTE • IULY 1984

the exact article titles, which are singular.

First-time users, especially children, make repeated errors when entering search terms. Analysis of the search terms for one of the videotex services reveals that about one-third of all terms failed to locate an article. In approximately 90 percent of those cases, the information existed but errors (misspellings, use of plurals, incorrect positioning of names) prevented the user from finding it, at least on the first try.

Clearly, the unforgiving nature of search-term entry on videotex systems is a frustrating inadequacy that can be improved by the system operators. At the same time, the information provider has a responsibility. Other aids to access are required. Current videotex systems allow only keyword access to article headings. There is no on-line index, and today's videotex systems do not have the full text-indexing capabilities of BRS and Dialog. Clearly, the specific entry headings need to be broadened so that the same information is available via several different search terms. An on-line index would broaden access still further, especially when combined with a thesaurus function.

Free text systems are not restricted to keyword access. Rather, the user can

focus his search language to a highly specific degree, examining the body of knowledge with precision. The price of that precision is a high degree of practice and skill.

In the long term, both keyword and free text access to large databases probably will give way to search languages with a high degree of artificial intelligence (Al). At present, when you search for information in an encyclopedia, particularly on videotex systems, you have to think about its likely location. You cannot interrogate the database, but this is exactly what you should be able to do, posing such questions as: Who wrote The Grapes of Wrath? How many Nobel Prize winners went to Harvard? Where do icebergs come from?

Answers to all these questions can be found eventually with current systems, but a fully developed database incorporating Al search techniques would take you directly to the sources.

Having located an article, the user begins to read it. The "window" into the encyclopedia's massive database is a television or monitor. The text display (depending on the service and the enduser's hardware) varies from 16 lines by 32 characters per line (approximately 85 words) to 25 lines by 80 characters per

{continued)

You don't need a computer to talk to another computer.

DISPLAY (VP3012D). High performance, 12" diagonal, non-glare, green phosphor screen.

RESIDENT MENUS. User-friendly terminal set-up and phone directory maintenance.

DIRECT CONNECT MODEM.

Built-in, 300 baud, originate/answer/auto answer

AUTO DIAL. Tone or pulse dialing of up to 26 stored phone numbers voice or data base calls.

AUTO-LOG-ON. Enters information automatically after auto dialing

VIDEO OUTPUT. Selectable 80 or 40 characters x 24 lines on standard monitor.

TV OUTPUT. Displays 40 characters x 24 lines on Ch. 3/Ch. 4 of standard TV set.

MEMORY BACKUP. Minimum 48-hour storage of directory, logon and other parameters without plug-in power. No batteries required.

FUNCTION KEYS. User programmable or downloadable from host computer.

APT VP4801

The new RCA APT (All Purpose Terminal) expands your data communications capabilities

for a lot less money.

For business, professional and personal data communications, you'll find more user-friendly features and greater communications capabilities in the RCA APT than in other terminals selling for up to three times the price.

The new APT terminals are ideally suited to multi-data base time sharing and dedicated, direct computer-connected applications. They feature menu-controlled operation and a programmable "personality" to match specific communications requirements for your data bases.

A single keypress can dial a stored number, send the log-on sequence on the host computer, and return terminal control to the user. Password protection prevents unauthorized access to designated numbers. APT can also be used as an autodialer for voice communications.

Quite simply, matching features with price, there is no other professional quality terminal available today that can do as much at such low cost.

APT terminals list for $498, in your choice of full stroke or membrane keyboard versions. Either style is also available with a display monitor for $697 list. The data display monitor alone, VP3012D, $199 list.

For more information—or to order—call 800722-0094. In Penna., call 717-295-6922. Or write for fully descriptive brochure to RCA Data Communications Products, New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17604. OEM and dealer pricing available. The new RCA APT. Expansive. Not expensive.

OTHER FEATURES

RS232C port lor direct computer connections at data rates to 9600 baud, or for connecting high speed modems and other accessories. Parallel printer port for hard copy. Numeric keypad, can dial phone numbers not in terminal directory. Built-in speaker with adjustable volume control for audio monitoring of phone line. Smooth scroll display. Automatic screen blanking to reduce possibility of burn. Briefcase size: 17" x 7" x 2". Weight: under 4 lbs.

^ APT VP3801.

Flexible membrane keyboard version k designed for travel

* and hostile W3 environments.

nc/i

Circle 3 50 on inquiry card.

IULY I984 -BYTE 165

ENCYCLOPEDIA

An Ideal Video Peripheral

As a software consultant, my major complaint with most of the popular videodisc players is that they communicate with computers very poorly. Typically, the videodisc player is treated as a printer or a plotter: the user has to deal with commands that may or may not be ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) format and may or may not be logical and consistent.

The Discovision (now Pioneer) model 7820 had a command set that looked like a selection of random numbers. The codes to send the numerals 0 through 9 were: 3F OF, 8F 4F 2F AF 6F, IF. 9F and 5F, in that order. In addition, the 7820 had an IEEE-488 external interface that wasn't compatible with most microcomputers, in an attempted remedy. Discovision built a serial converter box to change the IEEE-488 protocol to and from RS-232C levels. What they came up with was a protocol converter with a 1-byte buffer that could easily be overrun, erasing the last command before it could get to the player.

Even if the translation and protocol conversion problems are ironed out eventually, a programmer is still faced with a stiff challenge in trying to get the status and frame number back from the player. Some players won't give out this information at all. Ones that do return strangely encoded bytes that take many instructions to untangle. On some players the frame number comes back as a 2-byte integer, on another it comes back as four ASCII digits in hexadecimal, and on still another it shows up as five-decimal ASCII digits. Any software expected to run on more than one model of videodisc player has to account for all of these differences.

Timing seems to be the worst problem with interfaces. Data sent to the player at serial-port speeds just can't control a fast videodisc player in the manner required by modern interactive applications. Some new players offer parallel ports, but many computers (e.g., the IBM Personal Computer) don't support full bidirectional interfaces. IBM claims that its Centronics port is "parallel input and output." However, if you check the circuit

by Mark Dahmke +

diagram, you will see that it isn't. It is wired so that reading the port returns only what was last sent.

Newer videodisc players operate at floppy-disk and. in some cases, hard-disk speeds. Some have worst-case access times of 2 to 3 seconds. Within a year or two. I expect to see write-once, multipleread videodiscs with interfaces to let them be used as archives. (Some current videodiscs can hold gigabytes of data.) For this to work, however, the interface

will have to be smart enough to recover the stored data and fast enough to return it to main memory at magnetic-disk speeds. This technique can work, as shown by the fact that it is already being used in several hard-disk backup systems for videotape recording equipment. In these disk-to-tape systems, the data from the disk is recorded redundantly in the scan lines of a National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal, which is then recorded on videotape. While this prac

personal computer \p±

GRAPHICS

DISPLAY

INTERFACE

VIDEO

OVERLAY

CIRCUIT

VIDEODISC PLAYER

NTSC/RGB MONITOR

0

VIDEODISC INTERFACE ADAPTER

FROM /TO PLAYER

FRAME 52300

COMMAND BUFFER

01001100

OVERLAY MODE 01

TO/FROM COMPUTER

Figure 1: The hardware configuration for an intelligent videodisc player.

166 BYTE • IULY 1984

Circle 63 on inquiry card.

ENCYCLOPEDIA

TV CAMERA OR

OTHER VIDEO SOURCE

PERSONALS COMPUTER i

D

<2.

GRAPHICS

FRAME BUFFER

1024 BY 1024 BY 16 BITS

COLOR MONITOR

0

DIGITAL VIDEODISC PLAYER (WRITE-ONCE, MULTIPLE READ )

PLAYER-TO-HOST

INTERFACE

-READ/WRITE CONTROL

-BLOCK DATA TRANSFERS

Figure 2: A second-generation interlace built around digital television.

tice could easily be transferred to videodisc hardware, much of the videodisc would be wasted and not used to its full potential. The developing direct-digital recording techniques will remedy this problem by maximizing use of the disc recording surface.

Loading software into a personal computer from a videodisc as if it were a floppy disk would greatly enhance educational applications. For example, audiovisual and computer-graphics course material (all orchestrated by an authoring language) could be combined and loaded into a personal computer from the first part of a videodisc while just the audiovisual portion is stored separately on the remainder of the videodisc. A development system would consist of the videodisc player and other end-product hardware, but the graphics and curriculum-specific data, or "courseware," would be developed on attached floppydisk or hard-disk systems.

Figure 1 shows one possible hardware configuration for a first-generation intelligent player. The main feature of the design is the videodisc interface adapter, which would plug into an expansion slot on the microcomputer. The interface adapter gives the programmer tight control over the timing of the player and also controls the video overlay circuit.

As digital television and audio reproduction become affordable and popular (I estimate that this will take five to seven yearsl. we'll be able to define the formats that will let personal computers store and retrieve video images and sound. We'll be able to create high-resolution computer graphics and synthesized music on personal computers and write it onto a write-once videodisc peripheral. We'll then be able to play it back through digital television sets. Alternately, digital television images could be recorded from TV sets onto a videodisc and then retrieved, displayed, or processed on personal computers.

Figure 2 shows a second-generation interface built around digital television. As 32-bit processors become faster, and memory bandwidth greater, it will be possible to directly manipulate highresolution images that come from the videodisc or are created directly by the microcomputer. The video output from the TV camera can be routed to a digital television for viewing, or the output can be held in the graphics frame buffer for further modification and processing.

Mark Dahmke. a contributing editor for BYTE, is a software consultant and heads MCD Consulting \nc. He can be contacted at POB 80266, Lincoln, NE 68501.

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JULY 1984 -BYTE 167

ENCYCLOPEDIA

USING THE BODYDISC

Photo 2a: The "Bodydiso" is an experimental project designed to test the feasibility of delivering encyclopedia information via a laser disc. The disc incorporates several user aids and orientation features, such as this chapter on how to use the disc.

Photo 2b: Another orientation feature of the "Bodydisc" is the inclusion of several strategically placed "You Are Here" screens.

line (approximately 330 words). By contrast, the printed AAE contains 1500 words per page, and pages can be viewed two at a time. Clearly, current video-display technologies are capable

of only the most myopic view of a large text database, which is why it is all the more important to be able to rapidly shift the view, to be able to browse and move around in an article quickly and

easily.

But there is a need for other orientation tools, such as sequential numbering of article pages (which Dow lones News/Retrieval has) as well as individual numbering of pages (which CompuServe has).

A recent study of a group of eighthgraders' use of the videotex AAE produced some interesting findings. While the students searched for articles and moved around in them with varying degrees of proficiency, they confined their activities to finding information rather than using it. They actually read and manipulated the information later as printouts, which could be studied at leisure, marked up, and incorporated into their research projects. In fact, I suspect that many of our users who have access to a printer do their serious reading in ink-on-paper form.

This doesn't mean that no one reads text from the screen. Graphics-oriented videotex systems, such as Viewtron, are based on the assumption that subscribers will read from the screen. This is fine for news summaries. But the real utility of an electronic encyclopedia won't be realized until people can access, manipulate, and reorganize significant amounts of information electronically using such powerful information tools as word processors, database managers, and graphics programs.

Electronic Knowledge Land

Grolier is working on some of the refinements I have been describing. We believe that, having freed encyclopedia information from the artificial constraints of the alphabet and the physical constraints of the book, we should be able to reshape and reorganize that information. We want to put it to new uses. We want to create a reference tool that can interact with other information tools. Additionally, we're trying to build a conceptual framework—an outline of knowledge—for intellectual pursuit and stimulation. At present, this new "knowledge land" is largely uncharted, although major landmarks are known. We hope that videotex systems will have the navigational tools to explore it fully, and that software producers will have

[continued]

168 BYTE • |ULY 1984

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ENCYCLOPEDIA

" ■■ r amm

,— 1 r-i

C_ h. o

Ch.7

INDEX

PART III

1

CONTENTS j

►1 J

Photo 2c: This photo shows one of the Help screens on the "Bodudisc'.' The user can get additional assistance when needed.

created the manipulation tools to exploit it fully.

A Videodisc Encyclopedia

The videodisc is another interactive medium that we believe is applicable to encyclopedia information. The ability to randomly access any frame, combined with the disc's dense storage capacity (54,000 frames per side on a laser disc) and its inherent audiovisual properties, make it a particularly powerful publishing medium. As part of a joint venture with Long

man, a British publisher, Grolier recently produced a pilot disc. The pilot was developed as a test vehicle to determine how the organization, content, and audiovisual treatment of encyclopedia material might best be accomplished.

Long before the pilot went into production, we had concluded that we would need a lot of discs to encompass all the information contained in a general encyclopedia. This led us to ask ourselves how each disc should be organized so that it could be both a stand-alone information resource and a

part of an integrated series. We decided to organize each disc around a specific theme or subject area. The pilot is part of what will eventually be a two-sided disc devoted to the human body (see photos 2a through 2c).

Each thematic videodisc will be a selfcontained information resource. The discs will not attempt to be the equivalent of a printed reference work. Rather, each disc will "illuminate" knowledge areas, conveying through audiovisual means only the essence of a subject.

Designed for use with a standard consumer laser videodisc player under normal keypad control, the discs will become considerably more versatile resources under microcomputer control. While the number of combined microcomputer/videodisc applications has increased substantially in the last two years—applications that include training, point of purchase, education, and games—there are few truly "generic" discs for which software can be written.

Grolier is developing two electronic databases, one in text form and one in audiovisual form. These two databases are being developed separately so that each can take advantage of the separately developing markets for on-line/ videotex and videodisc products. But both databases will ultimately be brought together (although whether through telecommunications or local mass storage is yet to be determined). The result should be an innovative informational/educational resource: an encyclopedia that is appropriate to the media and appropriate to the times.■

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170 BYTE

JULY 1984

Circle 89 on inquiry card.

THEME

TELEVISIONS AS MONITORS

by Ken Coach

An introduction to a new generation of television receivers that double as monitors

SOME HOME COMPUTERS will operate quite nicely with just a normal television set, as you probably know if you've usurped the family TV or dug out the old black-and-white set from the basement. But sooner or later, you'll probably want to upgrade to a monitor. If you are using your computer for word processing or 80-column applications, a television set just can't give vou the same resolution that a monitor can

If you are interested in using your computer only to display text or data, you'll need a monochrome monitor for an 80-column screen. You ran choose green, amber, or black-on-white video displays to help reduce eyestrain.

If you use your computer for more varied tasks, however arra if von are interested in other television peripherals, such as a videocassette recorder (VCR) or videodisc, you probably will be considering an upgraded color system.

Computer Resolution

Resolution begins in you' 'omuute.- = ROM (read-only memory) and depends on how large a dot matrix the ROM character generator uses to produce letters or graphics. The matrix can vary from 35 dots, which produces a character 5 dots wide by 7 dots high up to a matrix that contains more than 300 dots, The more dots, the high.ei the resolution and the more clearly defined

the characters. One of the most common arrays is a 63-dot matrix (7 by 9).

When the matrix for each character is displayed on a TV or monitor, its sharpness can depend on the following factors:

Bandwidth is the rate at which the screen is redrawn (or refreshed). It is measured in millions of cycles a second (MHz). Television sets normally have a bandwidth of about 4.5 MHz, while monitors can have bandwidths as high as 50 MHz. in fact, the actual bandwidth of most TV receivers is not more than about 3.8 MHz, which is adequate for the evening news but not really good enough for a computer display.

As a rule, you can expect to get about 80 horizontal lines of resolution for every MHz of bandwidth. Remember that a TV screen has 52 5 lines but that the viewed image amounts to only 343 lines.

TV producers make sure most of the action takes place in the center of the screen because TV manufacturers have a built-in "overscan" that compensates for the deterioration of some of your

Ken Coach has been a newspaper and TV journalist for 14 years. A cofounder of Orcavision Computer Software, he is now an independent computer writer and consultant. He can be reached at 228 East 13tfi St., #21, New York, NY 10003.

set's parts, which might make the picture smaller than the screen. Unfortunately, that further reduces the number of lines available for computer use.

Resolution can also depend on the way a TV or monitor interlaces its picture. The 52 5 horizontal lines on a TV screen (called the raster) are ideally broken down so that each "frame" on the screen is made up of two scans of 262 Vi lines each. In order for that to work, each of the two fields must be perfectly interlaced so that the lines of one fall exactly between the lines of the other. Thirty frames are drawn on the screen each second, and each one has two fields.

Not all TVs can accommodate an interlaced 52 5-line raster (nor can all computers, for that matter), so many units use a 260-line noninterlaced raster that lowers the quality of resolution.

A monitor with a high number of scan lines would still be limited by, for example, an Atari computer that sends out 191 visible scan lines.

If you use a 3 5-dot matrix (5 by 7), it will take at least 7 scan lines to draw the character. When you add space between lines and perhaps an underline option, it can take 10 or 12 lines to draw the character. That means that a 260line raster can display only about 20

{continued)

IULY 1984 • BYTE 171

TELEVISION

lines of characters on the screen.

Color convergence is yet another aspect that can affect resolution. Convergence is the degree of accuracy with which each of the three color guns shoot the electron beam onto the screen. If you look closely at the screen and detect little color halos or rings around some characters, the convergence needs adjustment.

The other contributor to resolution is dot pitch, the space between the red, green, and blue phosphor dots on the screen.

Dot pitch is measured in millimeters (mm), and the smaller the pitch, the more dots are on the screen and the better the resolution. A high-resolution color monitor may have a dot pitch under 0.50 mm, but the dot pitch of an ordinary TV can be as much as twice that.

High resolution is obviously alluring, but don't be seduced by it. Make sure your computer can produce the resolution to take full advantage of the monitor you have in mind; otherwise, you may be throwing away money.

RGB vs. Composite

The letters "RGB" are kicked around quite a lot when people discuss monitors these days. They mean, of course, "red, green, blue," the basic colors that all TV sets use to produce a color picture.

The color signal standard known as "composite" video as defined by the National Television System Committee (NTSC) allows for the transmission of red, green, and blue together as one signal that is then split with a device known as a "comb filter." In early TV sets, the signal coming in was "chopped" and alternately diverted to red, green, or blue phosphor dots.

Some composite sets, such as the Sony Trinitron, use three separate electron guns to shoot the separate red, green, and blue signals, which is a great improvement, but there is still just one composite signal coming into the set. With an RGB monitor, however, each of the three colors has its own signal to control the electrons hitting the video screen. The result is a sharper image and more clearly defined color intensities.

Two types of RGB systems are currently in use: analog and digital. The analog

signal is delivered directly to the video gun, illuminating the phosphor screen dots in sync with the raster-scan pattern. This produces an almost unlimited variation in colors and brightness levels.

A digital RGB system is more restricted in its color range. Instead of sending the actual signal, a digital system works through a microprocessor and sends the instructions for the color scan.

To date, most home computers must be adapted to work with an RGB monitor. However, some computers, such as the IBM PCjr, are equipped with builtin RGB capability. As a result, some monitors and TVs are being produced with both composite and RGB inputs to allow the use of either system.

Monitors vs. Televisions

Since monitors seem to do less than television receivers, you might wonder why they cost more. The reason is that a monitor is actually designed to do more than a normal TV set: it has been developed specifically to display signals from your computer or video recorder or videodisc player. In fact, some units let you integrate functions from one of those media to another. You can use your computer, for example, as a character generator to produce text that can be superimposed on a VCR image.

Monitors are likely to have a much greater bandwidth than receivers, which means better resolution. They are generally built to more exacting specifications, since there is not the automatic loss of quality inherent when a video signal is broadcast.

Another advantage is that monitors often have controls that TV sets lack or controls in more convenient locations for frequent adjustments. Some new color composite video monitors, for example, have color-kill switches to produce a monochrome display to make text reading easier or a reverse-video switch to produce a black-on-white display.

Brightness and contrast controls on monitors are generally located at the front of the unit, and some monitors have centering controls to adjust the picture.

Some new monitors, following the lead of the stereo industry, are being billed as "component" televisions. In fact, component TV will probably start

to take off when stereo TV broadcasting becomes more widespread.

Several manufacturers are working on stereo TV tuner/receivers that will be out late this year. Another approach is a TV tuner that would use a standard home stereo system to amplify the stereo signals.

Teletext and videotex services providing everything from banking to televised catalog shopping at home are expected to increase in the next few years as well. That will increase demand for higher-quality home monitors.

While an RGB monitor provides the best resolution and can operate with some computers, video players, and cable systems, composite video is still an option.

Picking up standard broadcast signals still requires a composite video system. As a result, many monitors are being made with the option of RGB or composite video to allow for a wider variety of use.

Future Technology

One of the problems with any computer-related technology is that you can't tell if it will be obsolete within a year or two. Just as the mouse seems ready to change some of the basic concepts of home computing, a new technology will radically change our expectations for a computer monitor. Manufacturers of a flat-screen TV technology, for example, are about two years away from making serious inroads in the computer field. Although some portable computers have come out with flat displays, they provide only a few lines rather than a full screen.

One approach, the liquid-crystal display (LCD), works on the principle of varying the electric current applied to crystals, which makes them either clear or opaque. An LCD depends on light being reflected back from the crystals. It does not produce light on its own and therefore can be used only in a well-lit area.

A different sort of flat-screen application, the electroluminescent display, consists of a layer of zinc sulfide and manganese between two glass panels that have extremely thin, closely spaced wires imbedded in them. An electric current can produce pixels where a horizontal and vertical wire intersect.

[continued)

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1ULY 1984 -BYTE 173

TELEVISION

So far, flat-screen displays are being used mainly for text. Their major disadvantages are limited resolution and high cost, problems manufacturers are working to solve.

Still another approach involves redesigning the video display rather than finding a replacement for it. The Sony Watchman was a significant development in the miniaturization of a screen, but more significant to computer applications may be the recently released pocket television from Sinclair Research in England.

The Sinclair pocket TV is not presently suitable for computer applications because of its size, but the technology holds promise for the future.

The Sinclair TV uses a cathode-ray tube with an electron gun on the side rather than the rear, as in conventional TV picture tubes. The company is now working on a color version of the pocket-size TV and is also developing larger flat-screen technology. The socalled "picture frame" display that's thin enough to hang on a wall may have great potential for computer applications.

A Monitor Sampling

It would take a good-size book to compare the many monitors and television sets on the market today. Even a straight listing of specifications is deceiving, since our perception of color is highly subjective.

The best approach when shopping around is to look at as many different monitors as possible, preferably hooked up to your own computer or one like it. Monitor size, features, and price range are all personal decisions. What follows is a sampling of some of the monitors that are presently available.

Panasonic

Panasonic has split itself into two companies: an industrial division aimed at business and high-end computer monitor use and a consumer division that makes televisions for the home (including computer, VCR, and cable use).

The newest product from the industrial division is the DT-H103 monitor, which became available in April at a suggested price of $750. The 10-inch (diagonal) display is meant to be a desktop monitor for IBM, Apple III, NEC, or Panasonic's own "Sr. Partner"

computers.

The DT-H103 uses a high-resolution screen and can be used with either composite or RGB input. The monitor also has a reverse-video switch that allows black-on-white word processing and a centering lever to adjust the picture.

Picture quality is exceptional, and the monitor is appropriate for any massmarket computer now available. The 80character, 2 5-line screen has a resolution of 760 by 570 pixels. An etched screen virtually eliminates reflected glare.

Some people will probably find the 10-inch screen too small for comfort. The company plans to release a 14-inch version this summer, but it will not have quite as good resolution. Panasonic officials say that increasing picture quality is expensive and that, since the demand is still not that high, the cost of an equivalent 14-inch unit would be prohibitive.

For someone with an inexpensive home computer, Panasonic offers a more modest monitor for about $400. Though this unit has only a 40 by 2 5 character display, one feature will be welcomed by anyone who has tried to use a word-processing program on the Commodore 64—a color-kill switch that makes for a sharp black-and-white display for easier text reading.

For a complete home TV/VCR/computer system package, Panasonic's consumer division offers the Omni series. These sets are intended to compete with Sony's Profeel product line. The most interesting unit in the series is the CTF-1465R, which will retail for about $680. It has a built-in TV tuner as well as VCR, cable, computer and even IBM interface connections. You can choose between composite and RGB signals. It also has remote control, an on-screen clock, and even a timer to turn off the late show after you nod off.

Meant as a multiuse receiver monitor, it has a very good picture with a 0.42 mm dot pitch and more than 350 lines of horizontal resolution in the composite mode.

You might prefer to wait until the 1495 monitor is released this summer. Although that unit is essentially the same as the CTF-1465R without a tuner, it also has the ability to display teletext and videotex.

Sony

Any discussion of top-of-the-line monitors for the home market must include the Sony Profeel series. Over the years, Sony has built a reputation of trustworthiness that results in many people buying its products without even considering anything else. Sony products have been among the best since the company's Trinitron series popularized a single-gun approach to composite video.

The latest models in the KX monitor series take advantage of the Trinitron technology and add both analog and digital RGB capability. In addition, the company has released an interface accessory so that the monitors can be used with an IBM PC.

The monitors, called "component TVs," are designed to provide access to computers, videodisc players, VCRs, cable TVs, and future stereo broadcasts.

Without tuner, interface, or stereo speakers, the 19-inch model costs about $850 and the 25-inch set costs about $1500.

The 19-inch monitor has an excellent picture with more than 3 50 lines of horizontal resolution on its composite input and more than 450 lines on the RGB input. The monitor will accept digital and analog RGB signals, which makes it capable of accepting teletext or videotex signals.

The unit has a built-in stereo amplifier with 5 watts per channel stereo output for external speakers. Picture contrast adjusts automatically to compensate for changes in the video signal.

The monitor is a good all-purpose unit for someone who might want it to display a spreadsheet program one day and the latest VCR program the next. If your taste is more to the VCR and videogames, though, you might prefer the 25-inch monitor. A larger screen, however, can be hard on the eyes if you plan to do a lot of programming or word processing.

Teknika

One Japanese monitor manufacturer preparing to increase its impact on the American market is Teknika. The company presold all of its initial stock of the MJ-22, which is a 13-inch RGB/composite monitor.

{continued)

174 BYTE" JULY 1984

STOP STRUGGLING WITH SPREADSHEETS!

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If you don't have days, or even hours, to do projections with a spreadsheet, consider this:

There is now a highly specialized software tool expressly for the business person who needs the answers more than the workout.

TIME-CONSUMING WORK ALREADY DONE FOR YOU

If you want to do forecasts and budgets, return on equity, discounted cashflows, net present values, capital expenditure analysis, interest calculations, depreciation comparisons or taxation scheduling without setting up the mathematical calculations or laying out a spreadsheet, you need Prof in.

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• interest schedules • returns on equity

• capita] expenditures • discounted cashflows

• and balance sheets. You can then make any changes to any of the information already entered and look at revised reports.

And you can automatically load your Profin reports onto a Multiplan, VisiCalc, SuperCalc or Lotus 1-2-3 screen (or any other spreadsheet that reads D.I.F. files) to carry out further manipulations.

SPECIALIZED HELP FOR BUSY PEOPLE

Think of it this way: spreadsheets are great for the hobbyist who gains satisfaction from hours in front of the screen. But if you're a business person with little computer experience and even less spare time, you need the specialized tool: Profin.

Available under $300 for CP/M-80, MS-DOS, and IBM PC-DOS from your local retailer.

Also available: PLANFIN. For sales, marketing and other executives who just want simple forecasts and budgets, Planfin gives you operating income statements plus net income and discounted cashflow reports in less than 15 minutes. Under $200.

□□□□□□□□™

□ Please send me more information about how Profin and Planfin beat the spreadsheets for budgets and forecasts.

Name

Address.

City/State/Zip_

Computer Brand Owned or Planned to Buy

Mail to: Business Software, Inc. 12021 Wilshire Blvd., #194 Los Angeles, CA 90025

BT7

Circle 44 (or Dealer inquiries Circle 45 for End-User inquiries

TELEVISION

The first of a series of monitors that Teknika plans to release, the MJ-22 is priced at $539. It has a 0.50 mm dot pitch and 320 lines of resolution in the composite mode. The Teknika monitor is compatible with IBM and Apple RGB boards and with virtually all home computers in the composite mode. For its price, the Teknika is an excellent monitor and probably more than adequate for most home computer users.

By the end of this year, the company will release a high-end monitor with greater resolution and a 0.31 mm dot pitch. That unit, the MJ-40. will have a suggested retail price of $650.

Although other companies deny it, Teknika officials predict that monitor prices will come down as consumer interest in the product grows and production increases. The other factor, of course, is pressure from competitors to lower prices or improve quality. Happily for anyone who may be in the market for a monitor, Teknika may be starting to apply that pressure.

NEC

Anyone who has already considered purchasing a high-quality monitor is familiar with NEC. Recently, the company brought out two new monitors in what it calls its "91" series.

The CM-1991Aand CM-2591A are, respectively, a 19-inch RGB monitor that sells for $8 50 and a 2 5-inch RGB monitor for $1100.

These monitors can be used with either analog or digital RGB signals. They have a dot pitch of 0.70 mm with 370 lines of horizontal resolution and are designed to be compatible with a number of computers, including the IBM PC. A built-in intensity control allows the monitors to take advantage of the color potential of the IBM PC.

In addition, the circuitry will let users combine a video source with characters or graphics created by their PCs. This could be used, for example, to create titles and superimpose them onto a VCR recording.

NEC also has a 13-inch receiver with RGB capabilities. It carries a suggested list price of $599 and has a dot pitch of 0.50 mm with 330 lines of horizontal resolution. The CT-1305A offers the same control functions as the more expensive units and wireless remote control.

176 BYTE' JULY 1984

Proton

Proton's 600M, a composite monitor, proves that a high-quality color monitor doesn't have to be RGB.

The 19-inch color unit boasts better quality than conventional component TV. According to company specs, the 600M has large filter capacitors and a stable power supply that reduces fluctuations in the DC voltage. The result is a truer black that produces better color. The Proton also claims to have less overscan, about 5 percent compared to 20 percent on other models.

Of interest to computer users is the Proton's linearity and convergence. The 600M has more windings than is usual on the wire coil deflection yoke. That means stronger, more precise magnetic control can be used to deflect the electron beams for straighter lines near the perimeters of the picture tube. The same yoke design helps convergence, and the company says color fringing is eliminated.

The 600M has a horizontal resolution of 370 lines. Company officials are quick to point out that it also has a video frequency response of about 4.7 MHz. Broadcast video generally drops off at about 4.2 MHz.

The 600M retails for about $650, and, although it has no special controls or connections for computer use, it would fit well to a component system containing a computer. Proton also makes a tuner and a monitor/receiver.

For those who simply must have RGB, Proton recently released the 602 M for $1050. It is identical in performance to the 600M but is a 2 5-inch color monitor. In addition to an RGB input, the 602M has a more powerful stereo amplifier, separate video/audio inputs, and a video output.

And More

Presently, 20 or so manufacturers make color monitors for computer use, and even more will soon enter the market. A monitor is one of the fastest selling computer peripherals, and increased competition may mean lower prices and new technological developments.

Some other representative manufacturers of RGB and composite color monitors include Amdek, Conrac, Electrohome, Sakata, Sanyo, Taxan, US!, and Zenith. ■

Where to buy Toshiba's P1351 and P1340 printers:

EASTERN

CYBER/SOURCE

Soulhlield, Ml

Columbus. OH

Pittsburgh. PA DIGITAL ENTRY SYSTEMS

Waltham. MA GENERAL BUSINESS COMPUTERS, INC.

Cherry Hill, NJ MICROAMERICA

Framingham. MA MONROE DISTRIBUTING COMPANY

Cleveland, OH R & D/CAMELOT ASSOCIATES. INC.

Northampton. MA ROBEC DISTRIBUTORS

Montgomeryville, PA

CENTRAL/SOUTHERN

B & W DISTRIBUTORS

St. Louis. MO COMPU SHOP

Rchardson. TX CRYSTAL COMPUTERS. INC

Lenexa, KS

St. Louis. MO CYBER/SOURCE

Atlanta. GA

Chicago, IL

Indianapolis. IN

Nashville, TN EASTERN COMPUTERS

Virginia Beach. VA KALTRONICS DISTRIBUTORS. INC

Northbrook, IL MICROAMERICA

Schaumburg. IL

Tampa, FL

Norcross. GA

Rockville, MD

MICROUNITED. INC. Forest Park. IL

(313) 353-8660 (614)451-9559

(412) 323-6265

(617)699-6111

(609) 424-6500 (800)343-4411 In MA (617)877-8500

(216)781-4600

(413) 253-7378 (215)368-9300

(314)569-2450

(214)783-1252 (800)541-3030 (913)541-1711 (314) 434-2667

(404) 422-2029 (312) 789-3366 (317) 845-3461 (615)255-4030

(804) 340-2496

(312)291-1220

(800) 323-6827 In IL (800) 942-4690

(813) 623-6526 In FL (800) 282-3385

(800)241-8566 In GA (404) 441-0515

(800) 638-6621 In MD (800) 492-2949

(312)771-1550

ONE STOP MICROPRODUCTS

South Bend. IN

(219) 277-4972

PRICE ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Glenview, IL

(312)998-6400

SYCOiM DISTRIBUTING COMPANY

(404) 441-3451

Norcross, GA

(800)241-8579

SYSPRINT, INC.

Sarasola, FL

(813)924-8278

TEK-AIDS INDUSTRIES, INC.

(312)870 7400

Arlington Heights, IL

or (800)323-4138

ZAMOISKI COMPANY

Baltimore, MD

(301)644-2900

WESTERN

BYTE INDUSTRIES. INC.

(415) 783 8272

Hayward. CA

or (800) FOR BYTE

COMPUTER RESOURCES

Inglewood. CO

(303)771-8930

CYBER/SOURCE

Denver, CO

(303) 744-2461

Houston, TX

(713)956-1423

CYPRESS DISTRIBUTING COMPANY. INC

San Jose. CA

(408) 297-9800

GRIFFIN COMPUTER SALES, INC.

Carrollton, TX

(214) 446-6701

MICROAMERICA

(800)421-1485

Carson, CA

InCA (800) 262-4212

Richardson, TX

(800) 527-3261

In TX (800) 442-5847

MICROWARE DISTRIBUTORS. INC.

Aloha. OR

(503) 642-7679

Bellevue, WA

(206)451-8586

P.G.I. CORPORATION

(602)967-1421

Tempe, AZ

or (800) 528-1415

PREMIER SOURCE DISTRIBUTING

Irvine, CA

(714)261-2011

SMC INTECH SYSTEMS CORP

Carrollton. TX

(214) 446-9055

SYSPRINT. INC.

Richardson. TX

(214)669-3666

CANADA

IRWIN ELECTRONICS Etobicoke. Ontario

(416)533-2777 In Ontario/Quebec (800) 268-1701 Outside Ontario/Quebec (800) 268-1732

OR THESE TOSHIBA AMERICA, INC. REGIONAL OFFICES:

EASTERN

CENTRAL/SOUTHERN WESTERN

(201)326-9777 (314) 991-0751 (714) 250-0151

TOSHIBA

Circle 3I2 on inquiry card.

Two ways to

show off your IBM PC.

There's no better way to show off your IBM PC - or any other micro - than with the new line of Toshiba printers.They offer stateof-the-art features, high reliability and low price.

P1351

The new Toshiba P1351 printer has a unique high-density 24-pin dot-matrix print head. It lets you print crisp, clean letter copy at 100 cps, draft copy at 192 cps. And with the software-selectable downloading fonts, you get to pick from a variety of type styles.

The P1351 has more stuff to show. Like 180 x 180 dots-per

inch high-resolution graphics, 132-columnwidth platen (great for spreadsheets and Lotus™ 1-2-3™ data processing and graphics), Qume SPRINT 5™ emulation, and a choice of either a forms tractor or automatic sheet feeder. P1340

For considerably less, the new P1340 gives you just a little less. But it still has the same highdensity 24-pin dot-matrix print head, the 180 x 180 dots-per-inch graphics resolution, and the Qume SPRINT 5 emulation. In addition to true proportional spacing and a

In Touch with Tomorrow

TOSHIBA

Information Systems Division.TOSHIBA AMERICA, INC.

built-in forms tractor. Whichever printer you choose, nationwide service within 24 hours by Western Union technicians is available.

So the choice is yours. But when you choose Toshiba, you know you're putting on the best show possible.

For more information, call one of the distributors listed on the adjacent page.

IBM PC to P1340 and P1351 graphics utilizes PaperScreen and the IBM PC with color graphics adapter. IBM PC is a trademark of International Business Machines. Lotus and 1-2-3 are trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation. SPRINT 5 is a trademark of Qume Corporation.

© 1984 Toshiba America. Inc.

Circle 313 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 177

THE PRINTER TO PICK WHEN THE PACE QUICKENS.

It's happening all over the PC and micro worlds.

You're getting liit with a ton of increased throughput requirements. Your applications are generating a deluge of paper. You need more printer speed. A lot more.

You're also looking for more professional-looking presentations so you need better print quality. A lot better.

Who's got the best of both worlds for you?

Okidata's Pacemark 2350 and 2410 dot matrix printers.

They'll not only help you keep pace with your world, they'll help you set new and exciting ones. In print speed. In print quality. And in vastly increased compatibility and capability.

Take throughput. The 2350 and 2410 can quickly get you out of the waiting game to where you're really cranking it out. And with flexibility, too: up to 5 pages per minute.

But wait. Cranking ivhatout, you may ask? A single, restrictive printing mode? No way. The 2410 can give you DP, draft,

and a correspondence quality that truly rivals die daisywheel.

And the 2350 and 2410 can both print at up to 350 cps. While producing 120 to 420 lines a minute for you. With bidirectional printing and short line seeking logic. And both high speed horizontal and vertical slew.

PC COMPATIBILITY. SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY.

The 2350 and 2410 use industry standard interfaces making them hardware compatible with most mini and microsystems on die market today. In addition, diey are supported on the menus of most of the important software being offered to microsystem users like Visicalc, Lotus 1,2,3, DBASE 2, Peachtree 500 and General Ledger, Multi-Mate WP, Wordstar, etcetera, etcetera.

But wait, there's more. Like an outstanding all points addressable graphics capability with 144 x 144 dots per inch resolution.

Two color printing for highlighting. Down line loadable font sets for flexibility.

Subscripts and superscripts so your scientific and technical usage won't bog down. Six-part forms handling. The capability to print 132 columns on eight-inch paper using 17.1 characters per inch to save paper costs and make output easier to handle.

And—so diat you can depend on getting all that good stuff, all the time—a mean time between failure of 2200 hours. A mean time to repair of only 30 minutes. An average printhead life of 200,000,000 characters. And an industry low warranty claim rate of less than 2%.

No doubt about it, the quicker the pace at your place, the more you need Pacemark from our place. For more information, call toll free 1-800-OKIDATA. In New Jersey, 609-235-2600. Or write OKIDATA, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054.

> > >

OKIDATA

an OKI AMERICA company

Circle 238 on inquiry card.

We're keeping pace with your business.

THEME

COMPUTER CONTROL OF A VIDEO RECORDER

BY CY TYMONY

Extend the capabilities of a VCR with any sound-generating computer

SHORTLY AFTER I acquired a VCR (videocassette recorder), a Realistic Model 10 with one-event programmability, I became frustrated playing the morning "programming game." Should I record this show or that show? I felt somewhat limited having only one programming option, especially when I compared the capabilities of more expensive systems that can be programmed for multiple events on different channels. I decided I would control my VCR with my TRS-80 Color Computer.

This project is designed for VCRs that have varactor tuners. You can recognize this type of recorder by the way you change its channels. If you turn a dial to select a channel, then your VCR has a dial (or turret) tuner. If you use softtouch control switches, a keyboard control, or an up/down-counter control, then your VCR has a varactor tuner. For our purpose of controlling a VCR's functioning via a computer, the varactortuned unit is required because it uses an electrical signal instead of physically moving switches to select channels. (For more information on VCR tuning techniques, see references 1 and 2.)

Interface Hardware

By connecting external switches in parallel to the VCR's record, stop, and channel-selection switches (as shown in figure 1), you can control the VCR's functions with LM567 tone decoder ICs (integrated circuits). If your VCR has a remote control, then you can wire the switches to the remote control's switch contacts. The circuit shown in figure 2 uses the sound output from a TRS-80 Color Computer to activate the tone decoders, which turn on reed relays wired in parallel to the VCR's control switches. (Table 1 contains a list of parts you'll need to build the circuit.) The tone decoders and the reed relays provide total electrical isolation between the computer and the VCR. The tone decoders can be set to respond to any frequency from 0.01 Hz to 500 kHz. (For more information on 567 tone decoders, see

Cy lymony (POB 2387, Beverly Hills, CA 90213) attended the University of Wisconsin and works as a technical writer. His latest book, 99 Fun-to-Make Electronic Projects, was published by Tab Books. He is currently developing projects for low-cost computer-controlled video editing and special effects.

reference 3.)

Inside the 567 tone decoder IC, a current-controlled oscillator operates at a frequency set by the values of the potentiometer connected between pins 5 and 6 and the value of the capacitor connected to pin 6 and ground. The input signal (in this case the computer's sound output) and the internal oscillator are fed to two phase detectors. When the internal oscillator frequency is within about 14 percent of the input signal, the output pin 8 sinks up to 100 milliamps to ground.

To tune the 567s, write a short program to make your computer produce a tone, and tune one of the tone decoders to this signal. Check the leads of all the other tone decoders used in the circuit to make sure they do not turn on to this tone. Repeat this procedure until every tone decoder in the circuit will turn on only to its own individual sound from the computer. For very low frequency tones under 800 Hz, the tone decoder may take a full second to lock on to a signal. Be sure that the duration of the sound command in your program is long enough for the tone decoder to

{continued)

JULY 1984 • BYTE 179

VCR INTERFACE

lock on the signal and actuate the reed relay.

The tone decoder is fine-tuned by adjusting the potentiometer connected between pins 5 and 6. For high-frequency operation, you may substitute another value for the capacitor connected to pin 6 and ground; also, see the data sheet that comes with the 567 tone decoder IC for more information.

The reed relay uses a small reed switch that is surrounded by a coil of wire. When current is applied to the coil, the contacts in the reed switch close, which completes the circuit. Because there is no direct connection between the coil and the contact switch, complete electrical isolation is obtained. A power supply for this project is shown in figure 3. Table 2 lists the parts you'll need.

If your computer has an external sound output, then send the signal to the tone decoders with a 10-/*F (microfarad) bypass capacitor. If the computer's sound output is not externally available, you can tap the signal just before it enters the computer's RF (radio-frequency) modulator, if it has one. If the power level of the sound output is too low, you can increase it by using an LM386 amplifier IC to build it up to a usable level (see figure 4).

The Control Program

The control program, shown in listing 1, keeps track of time. When the "start" time matches the "present" time, the computer produces a tone that selects the programmed channel and also produces another tone that momentarily closes the record switch contacts to start the VCR recording the event. When the "end" time matches the present time, the computer closes the stop switch contacts with another tone. When in counting mode, most personal computers are between 1 and 5 percent accurate within a 24-hour period. This is good enough if you set the start and end times a few minutes before and after the scheduled times of the programs you want to record.

Lines 5 to 75 request input data about the event to be recorded (channel, start time, end time). Line 80 requests present time to start the computer clock. Line 90 produces a one-second delay for the clock. (This is based on the TRS-80 Color Computer's internal clock

STILL PAUSE

REW REV

FF CUE

STOP

REED RELAYS

RECORD

Figure 1: An example of external switch connection.

SOUND > )l ' '

OUTPUT ,„ . FROM COMPUTER

JT

TO MORE TONE DECODER ICS. REPEAT CIRCUIT ABOVE FOR AS MANY CHANNEL CONTROL SWITCHES AS WILL BE NEEDED

TO VCR | RECORD | CONTROL SWITCH

TO VCR | STOP | CONTROL SWITCH

TO VCR CHANNEL 2

CONTROL SWITCH

Figure 2: The computeWCR interface circuit.

180 BYTE • JULY 1984

VCR INTERFACE

liable 1: The parts needed to build the computer-VCR interface. The number of parts

required depends on the number of channels you need to select.

Part

Radio Shack Catalog Number

567 tone decoder IC (as many as

needed)

276-1721

2 5k-ohm potentiometer

271-335

l-F capacitor

272-996

2.2-F capacitor

272-135

10-F capacitor

272-1013

16-pin DIP jumper ribbon cable

276-1976

Reed relays

275-232

Perfboard

276-1394

IC sockets

276-1995

AC LINE

_ _S PRIMARY

PRIMARY SECONDARY

lOOOfiF (3) 35V

7805

RECTIFIER

FULL WAVE 1AMP TO 4 AMP BRIDGE RECTIFIER

+ 5V J

; o.i^f

Figure 3: The regulated power-supply circuit.

Table 2: Power-supply parts list.

Part

Radio Shack Catalog Number

3-amp transformer

273-1511

Full-wave bridge rectifier

276-1171

7805 5-volt regulator

276-1770

IOOO-/xF capacitor

272-1018

Fuse holder

270-739

Fuse

(capacity depends on number of components)

Perfboard

276-1394

Cabinet

270-224

AC cord

278-1255

Note: A ready-made power supply is available from Radio Shack (22-127). You will still have to

use the 7805 5-volt regulator to drop the power down to a constant 5 volts.

LM386 AMPLIFIER IC

+5V

Rl 10 K

SIGNAL INPUT

Rl CONTROLS INPUT SIGNAL LEVEL

220/nF

rh

AMPLIFIED

SIGNAL

OUTPUT

Figure 4: The sound-amplifier circuit.

speed. Other computers would use a different delay sequence, which you can find through experimentation.) Line 100 compares the start time of event one with the present time; if they match, the computer selects a channel by adding the channel number to 100 and producing a tone. It also produces a different tone to actuate the record switch on the VCR. Line 110 compares the end time of event one with the present time; if they match, it produces a tone to actuate the stop switch on the VCR. Lines 130 to 180 are reserved for more event data. Lines 181 to 300 reset the clock.

Counter-Tuner VCR Procedure

With this method, a reed relay is wired in parallel to the channel "up" switch on the VCR. A tone decoder IC is connected to the reed relay that can be turned on by a unique tone from the computer's sound output.

The computer selects the first event's channel by producing the number of tones needed to reach the desired channel. For example, if the VCR is set on channel 2 when it is first turned on, and the first event to be recorded is on channel 5, then the computer produces three tones with pauses of one-half second between the tones. For the next event, the computer sounds the number of tones equal to the difference between the present channel and the desired channel.

The program for selection of channel 5 could be:

IF AB=H AND AC=M THEN SOUND 100,1 : FOR 1=1 TO 190: NEXT I: SOUND 100,1 :FOR E=l TO 190: NEXT E : SOUND 100,1 : SOUND 150,1

Keyboard-Tuner VCR

PROCEDURE

With this method, every number on the keyboard has a reed relay wired in parallel to it. A tone decoder IC is connected to each reed relay that can be turned on by a unique tone from the computer's sound output.

The computer produces two different tones (one-half second apart) that represent a channel selection. To program channel 4, the computer sounds a tone for tone decoder 0, pauses for one-half

(continued)

JULY 1984 • BYTE 181

MEGABYTES FOR MICROBUCKS

EXPANDABILITY PLUS MIND-BOGGLING PRICING

In a field where so-called "breakthroughs" are proclaimed nearly every day, SORD's new M68 is the genuine article. Incredible memory, processing speed and software flexibility at simply unbelievable prices. Ideal for your business, scientific and engineering applications.

DUAL PROCESSOR ARCHITECTURE

Not just any two processors, either. The state-of-the-art MC68000™ 16-bit main CPU runs at a blinding 10 MHz. A Z80A™ CPU runs thousands of 8-bit applications, and the AMP9511 Arithmetic Processing Unit can make them faster than ever before.

A MAINFRAME'S WORTH OF MEMORY

The base M68 model starts with 256K of parity-checked RAM and is expandable up to 3,2 megabytes. The M68-1M starts with a megabyte and can be expanded to an incredible four megabytes with available plugin boards. Even large mainframes don't enjoy such power. Think of the number-crunching you can do with four megabytes on your desk.

ADVANCED GRAPHICS

High resolution graphics are standard on all M68's. 640 x 400 pixels in either monochrome or up to 16 colors, with a detailed 8x16 character grid for easy readability hour after hour, even in color. Special LSI circuitry and the super fast CPU make high speed drawing a reality.

M68's are now available with high-capacity 51/Hnch disks; 8-inch floppy disk and hard disk drives available this fall. Two serial ports, a Centronics-compatible printer port, a light pen port and a GPIB/IEEE-488 port are standard.

SOFTWARE VERSATILITY

The M68 can run more software than any machine in its class. Operating system choices include CP/M-68K,™ RDOS, UCSD P-system,™ CP/M-80,™ KDOS and the PIPS software system that has revolutionized Japanese management and is now used by Citibank and other major corporations in over 45 countries. Choose from C, FORTRAN, Pascal, COBOL, BASIC and more. Supports mainframe communications links, graphics, and a wealth of applications software.

If this kind of power sounds expensive, guess again. M68 systems start at less than $5,000, and even four megabyte systems start at approximately $13,000! Each 1MB plug-in board is $2395, available separately as required.

FIND OUT MORE NOW

SORD may Pe the new guy in the U.S. market, but they're big news around the world. SORD, Japan's fastest growing company, and one of Japan's largest manufacturers of business microcomputers, is an international leader in both hardware and software.

GET STARTED NOW

Find out how you can benefit from the most powerful desktop systems available,

1-800-223-1796

IN NEW YORK: (212) 206-4045

THE NEXT GENERATI0N...N0W

SORD COMPUTER OF AMERICA, 723 West 7 Street, Los Angeles. CA 90017 645 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022

CPM-Reg'd trademark of Digital Research UCSD Pascal; Reg'd trademark-Unlv of Calif, at San Diego MC68OO0-Reg'd trademark. Motorola Corp. Z80A-Reg'd trademark. Zllog, Inc. 182 BYTE" IULY 1984 Circle 286 on inquiry card.

VCR INTERFACE

Listing I: The VCR control program.

5 PRINT "CHANNEL";: INPUT AA

10 PRINT "START TIME H.M.S";: INPUT AB.AC.AD

I 5 PRINT "END TIME H.M.S":: INPUT AE.AF.AG

20 REM LINES 25 TO 75 ARE RESERVED FOR MORE EVENT DATA

80 PRINT "PRESENT TIME H.M.S":: INPUT H.M.S

90 PRINT H.M.S: FOR T= I TO 800: NEXT T : S= S+ I

100 IF AB = H AND AC = M AND AD = S THEN SOUND (AA+ 100).]: SOUND 150.1

110 IF AE = H AND AF = M AND AG = S THEN SOUND 200.1

130 REM LINES 130 TO 180 ARE RESERVED FOR MORE EVENT DATA

181 IF S> 59 THEN GOSUB 200

182 IF M> 59 THEN GOSUB 2 50

183 IF H> 23 THEN GOSUB 300

184 GOTO 90

200 S = 0 : M = M+ I : RETURN 250 M = 0 : H = H+ 1 : RETURN 300 H = 0 : RETURN

second, and then sounds a tone for tone decoder 4 (04).

The program for channel selection would be as follows:

if ab= h and ac = m then sound 80.1 : for z= 1 to 390 : next z : sound 90,1 : sound 150,1

Other Interfacing Methods

Sound output is just one of the many possible interfacing techniques that can be used to control a VCR with a micro

computer. You can use a parallel port, a serial port, or a cassette output port to relay data to an interface device. Since the computer's only function is to count the time and momentarily send an output signal, even a portable or a pocket computer can be used to control a VCR with a phototransistor placed near its liquid-crystal display to sense screen changes.

You'll probably want to obtain an inexpensive personal computer for this purpose; many are available, including

the Timex/Sinclair 1000, the Texas Instruments 99/4A, the TRS-80 MC-IO, and the Commodore VIC-20. (For more information on interfacing microcomputers to control external devices, see references 6 and 7.) After using the interface for a few days, the biggest problem you will be confronted with will probably be obtaining enough videotape to satisfy your programming needs. ■

REFERENCES

1. Spillane, John. TV Field and Bench Servicer's Handbook. Blue Ridge Summit. PA: Tab Books. 1979.

2. Goodman, Robert. Maintaining and Repairing Videocassette Recorders. Blue Ridge Summit. PA: Tab Books. 1983.

3. Mims. Forrest. 103 Projects for Electronics Experimenters. Blue Ridge Summit. PA: Tab Books. 1981.

4. Radio Shack Semiconductor Reference Guide. Fort Worth, TX: Tandy Corporation. 1983.

5. Barden, William. TRS-80 Models 1, 111, and Color Computer Interfacing Projects. Indianapolis, IN: Howard W. Sams and Co.. 1982.

6. Carr, loseph. Microcomputer interfacing Handbook: AID and D/A. Blue Ridge Summit. PA: Tab Books, 1980.

7. Wolfe. Gordon. Computer Peripherals That You Can Build. Blue Ridge Summit. PA: Tab Books. 1982.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author wishes to extend special thanks to Mario Gonzales for his contribution to this project.

D T i \%z n

HIGH PERFORMANCE L

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GANG MULTIPROGRAMMERt

• Programs over 400 devices

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CALL NOW or WRITE FOR BROCHURES ON OTHER SYSTEMS UNDER $600

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,TM

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• Built-in safety switch

• Removable anti-static UNITRAY

• 1 Hour Timer (opt.)

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$67

BUV-3C

Circle 46 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 183

At long last, there is

the business mind with

the business system, effortlessly.

Software so totally different and uniquely

intelligent that it can create and carry through complex projects by itself. Extraordinary software with the capacity to adapt to a range of users' abilities, and grow in sophistication as their needs expand.

Introducing Smart Software from Innovative Software!" There's never been a software system like it before. Nor is there anything else like it today.

That's because no other software has the capability to complete and repeat complex projects—from start to finish—on its own. Not by memorizing keystrokes (like a macro), but by adjusting to your project changes; and open-endedly performing dedicated applications.

Entire projects—spreadsheet to data base to graphics to word processing—can be completed without supervision; freeing your time for running your business, rather than running your business software.

In addition, Smart Software puts to rest, once and for all, the ease-of-use versus power dilemma, because this unprecedented software is as workable for beginners, as it is powerful for experts.

Smart Software was created to work for you, relentlessly. Structured to integrate with its smart mates, automatically. And designed to communicate with

For more information on the fully-integrated Smart Software System, —,^4. ,-, n ., „_ _ „j nA.ft.njo*>o r»*-»4-lT7 call 800-GET-SMART or visit your local computer dealer for a demonstration. nOl-SO-SmalX SOIlWdre, Dnllldniiy.

The one-of-a-kind Smart Software System. Undoubtedly the most productive tool ever conceived for the business mind.

The Smart Software System is currently available for the IBM PC/XT and compatibles. In Kansas, call 913-383-1089. © 1984 Innovative Software, Inc.

Circle 157 on inquiry card.

software that links

inking of buying a modem? You owe it

to yourself to check out the Qubie' 212A modems.

Outside

Just a few years ago, computers needed big air-conditioned rooms to operate in, balefuls of money to buy, and a team of wizards to keep them running. The constant march of technological progress has given more and more powerful machines which cost less and less. Desktop computers more powerful than the early mainframe computers are the result of the evolution. The Qubie' modems represent the latest extension of this progress. Because up until now, a 212A compatible modem cost at least $500. Through the use of four low-cost, state of the art microprocessors, we can now offer two versions of our full featured 212A modem at prices the competition sells 300 baud modems for.

In The Beginning

In September of 1983 we introduced the first 212A modem card for the IBM PC available for under $300. The PC212A/1200 is a complete communications package including PC-TALK III software, modular phone cable, card edge guide, and instruction manual. The modem is an auto-dial, auto-answer type, which uses all the Hayes software commands so it can be used with any of the popular software packages including Crosstalk™ and Smartcom1." We picked the best software package we could find based on it's ease of use and features, PCTALK III. Our modem includes features the old industry standard missed out on. Like being able to fit in one slot in a Portable PC or PC/XT.

Or an optional connector to use the modem's serial port when not using the modem. Of course the topper is the $299 price, hundreds less than the competition.

Now Available Outside

Our standalone modem, the 212E/1200 can be used with any computer or terminal with a RS-232C serial port. You can use any Hayes compatible communications software on anything from an Apple to a Zenith. Many owners of IBM PC's are using it because they lack available expansion slots, or have more than one computer they want to use their modem with.

It's attractive gold anodized case houses seven status lights (who says low prices means a shortage of features). It fits comfortably under a standard telephone. It is also a 212A compatible auto-dial, autoanswer modem which supports all Hayes software commands. Even the switch settings are the same, so any software giving recommended switch settings for a Hayes modem can be used, without knowing what the switches do. There is a volume control knob for easy adjustment of the speaker's output. Included in the package is modular phone cable, a cable to hook it to your computer or terminal, and instruction manual. Choose the communications package right for your needs, and you're ready to go!

Four Hearts

The heart of the Qubie' modems are four digital signal microprocessors. Two handle sending, and two do the receiving. Rather than attempt to filter all but the relevant tones used for modem communications, the

FC212A/1200 Includes: Modem Card, PC-TALK III software, card • edge guide, modular phone cable, I quick relerence card, and instruc- ^ tion manual. $299 Optional external serial port con- . neclor S20.

212E/1200 Includes: Standalone J modem with cable (specify male or| iemale), modular phone cable, and, instruction manual. S329. ■

microprocessors measure the tone digitally. This allows them to over come line noise and static better than analog filter based modems

Why Buy From Qubie'

Because you will get a product as good or better than any available, pay less for it, and get factory direct help if you need it. If at any time during the one year warranty period your modem should require service, we will fix it or replace it within 48 hours. Notice also there are no hidden charges in our prices. No extra foi freight, insurance, credit cards, COD fees. In a hurry? UPS 2nd day air service is just $5 extra. If you are like many who say, "Nah, it's too good to be true" just apply the acid test and find out. Then you will be asking yourself, "Why should I pa what these modems used to cost?"

The Acid Test

Qubie' gives you a 30 day satisfaction guarantee on your modem. If you are not completely satisfied we will refund the entire amount of your purchase including the postage to return it. If you can, get anyone selling another modem to give you the same guarantee. Buy both, and return the one you don't like. We know which one you will keep.

IBM is a trademark ol International Business Machines Corporation

Crosstalk is a registered trademark ol Microslui Inc.

PC-Talk III is a registered trademark ol The Headlands Press Inc

II

QUBIE'

212A/1200E

HS AA CD OH RD SD TR MR

Order Today, Shipped Tomorrow!

All prices include UPS surface freight and insurance. Add $5 for two day air service. For fastest delivery send certified check or credit card. Personal checks take 18 days to clear. Calif, residents add 6% sales tax. Corporations and Institutions call for purchase order details.

(800) 821-4479

Toll Free Outside California

(805) 987-9741

Inside California

QUBIE =

I. 4809 Calle Alto

I Camarillo, Ca. 93010

K'P Tempo House, 15 Falcon Road,

| London SW11 2PH, United Kingdom

, Copynghi

Circle 260 on Inquiry card.

THEME

VIDEODISCS AND COMPUTERS

by Stan Jarvis

Hardware, formats, and interfacing

THE EMERGENCE OF the home videodisc player as a storage medium for images has focused the attention of businesspeople and programmers alike on the advantages of linking realistic video with computer graphics and programs.

The videodisc itself is not new; its history begins in the early 1880s when Paul Gipkow received the first videodisc patents in Germany. About this time, Alexander Graham Bell produced optically recorded 12-inch audiodiscs using a solar-powered ink-jet modulating device in Washington, DC. Bell licensed his audio-recording patents to Thomas Edison, who introduced waxcylinder audio players. They were soon replaced in the marketplace by 12-inch audiodiscs developed by Deutsche Grammophone. Edison later founded Westrex to develop talking movies, matching the running length of a reel of movie film to a 12-inch audiodisc spun at 3314 revolutions per minute (rpm).

England's )ohn Logie Baird created a mechanical scanned video system in the late 1920s. The Baird television used 12-inch pressed-wax audiodiscs containing video test signals to assist in its daily adjustment. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) provided an even greater advance a few years later with the introduction of an electronic scanning television system, replacing Baird's technology.

By 1940, German radio stations were using innovative magnetic audiorecording technology. In the United States, Ampex Corporation used parts carried into the country after World War II to develop its first magnetic-tape audio recorders. Later, Ampex turned its attention to developing the first successful videotape recorders, and Westrex developed the first stereo records.

The modern videodisc is a hybrid, the result of crossing a number of technologies. Special recognition is due 3M Corporation, which funded the first working videodisc players in the early 1960s. The company used silver-halide media read optically with a lightbulb illuminating source. Initially, the company's signal-pickup system decoded considerable "noise" (or interference) from adjacent video tracks. However, because there is little difference between consecutive movie frames (except for the movement of people or objects), 3M reasoned that image noise would seem reduced by spinning a videodisc at an even number of frames per revolution, or 1800 rpm. The company's patent on this concept in the

Stan larvis (POB 151044, Salt UtkeCity, UT 84115) is president of ISW Inc. He holds a bachelor's degree in product development and an M.B.A., and he uses an Otrona.

early 1960s immediately prompted industry leaders to view the videodisc as a potential video-image storage peripheral for a computer system.

The forces behind the development of video are distinct from influences that led to modern personal computers. Characteristics such as scan rates, interlace, and data formats were all established long before the emergence of popular cathode-ray-tube computer systems. Video data can be sourced from broadcast transmissions, videotape, videodiscs, or from digital frame buffers. One need only consider the amount of RAM (random-access read/ write memory) allocated to a typical screen control function in a personal computer to appreciate the difference between video requirements (in excess of 300K bytes for a single frame buffer) and computer display requirements. Developers of video systems usually avoid the need for massive amounts of screen memory by refreshing the cathode-ray tube directly from the video source's incoming data stream. Practical relationships between videodisc players and computers have been driven by two forces, broadcast applications and nonbroadcast interactive-video uses.

Broadcast television applications are annually introduced to eager buyers at the SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture

[continued)

JULY 1984 -BYTE 187

VIDEODISCS

By The ^ObTUCXj ^(yYht System

Letter Quality

Say goodbye to correspondence quality and hello to 5woy tyeynt's high-resolution, proportionally spaced, letter quality. ^anuf 3<(yrd provides fonts in sizes from 8 to 40 points; styles include Roman, Bold, Italic, Script, Old English, and more. All this on low-cost Epson (MX, RX, FX) and Gemini 10X printers SWtcw is an easy-to-use software package for CP/M and IBM PC compatible systems, no special hardware or installation is required.

Create Your Own Characters

You can use over 30 font sets in the ^anoy 9<<yni package and furthermore, can create any new characters or logos you like, up to 1 inch by 1 inch. A database of over 1500 characters is included that makes it possible to print foreign languages and mathematical notations.

Font Style Samples

:i in ill medium Bold Italic

Sans Serif tfvrifU ©1ft Englislj

Numerous Applications

3>omcy 3<wd customers, numbering in the thousands, are constantly discovering new applications Business and personal letters Custom forms, invoices, labels, signs Foreign Languages Mathematical Notation, Greek Super- and Sub-scripts View Graphs Custom Letterheads Resumes

Articles for publication Newsletters, brochures Complete manuals Advertisements Invitations, place cards

(This ad was printed on an Epson MX-80 printer. Call for an actual sample.

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and Television Engineers) and NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) shows. These are the video equivalents of the annual National Computer Convention. An excellent recent example of state-of-the-art commercial equipment is the VSP (Video Sequence Processor) from Picture Element Ltd. PELs new offering can accept video signals from any of the international standard video formats and process signals recorded in 52 5-line and 62 5-line interlaced rasters, or even proposed 1125-line formats. It outputs finished video signals in the selected formats. Further, it can process computer-developed images such as 512-by 512-pixel, or 1024-by 1024-pixel resolutions and output them to standard video. It can also record and play up to 8 minutes of video in real time, slow motion, or one frame at a time.

Another broadcast device of potential interest is the Cox CVP100 Computer Video Processor. This $13,000 device accepts a wide range of computer video formats, different scanning rates and logic pulses and outputs standard NTSC (National Television System Committee) video. Shintron has a similar product to interface home computers to NTSC video outputs.

In nonbroadcast applications, computer/video developments have been driven by the interactive requirements of video recorders and players used as a video signal source. A few years ago, small computer/video systems tended to be home built or one of a kind. Today, many companies market excellent products that feature integrated computer/video capabilities.

Interactive Training and Educational Systems

Instruction and training is a widely accepted application and a strong impetus for integrating computers and video equipment. Many early CA1 (computeraided instruction) projects failed to reach their expected potential because they lacked audio and realistic video images. Some educators and developers concluded that the addition of videodisc peripherals to CAi programs could improve the success rates of users. This has proven to be the case.

Training systems incorporating videodiscs are usually categorized in levels. Level 1 systems are the simplest, con

[continued]

188 BYTE • |ULY 1984

MicroAge franchisees Garrett and Gary Voogt shown with an IBM Portable Personal Computer. Circle 210 on inquiry card.

VIDEODISCS

sisting of a video player and a monitor. The player may just as easily be a videocassette player, if the material is to proceed linearly with user intervention. Home videodisc players have internal microprocessors to handle drive housekeeping functions. All except the leastexpensive players have sufficient power to accept commands for search, auto

stop, chapter stop, and still-image display through either the player's keypad or via a CAT (computer-aided testing) plug. CAT is used to test machines under computer control at the end of the manufacturing process.

Table 1 lists four videodisc formats available today ranked in order of popularity. The majority of all videodisc

Table 1: Videodisc formats available today.

Speed

Capacity In

NTSC Speed

Capacity In

PAL

Technology

TVpe RPM

minutes

Images RPM

minutes

Images

pickup disc

CED 450

60

27,000 375

75

27,000

Capacitive Grooved

LV 1,800

30

54.000 1.500

30

45,000

Optical Reflective

VHD 900

60

54,000 750

60

45,000

Capacitive Grooveless

OMDR 1,800

13

22,000

Optical Recordable

Table 2: A list of

manufacturers and contact numbers for many of the products

mentioned.

Platter Pressers

Laser Video

(714) 630-6700

Anaheim, CA

Pioneer

(20l| 573-1122

New York. NY

Sony

(201) 930-6432

Park Ridge. N|

Technidisc

(313) 352-5353

Troy. Ml

3M

(612) 733-3906

St. Paul, MN

Players

Hitachi

(3121 981-8989

Chicago. IL

Panasonic

(201) 348-7000

Secaucus, N|

Philips

(212) 697-3600

New York, NY

Pioneer

(201) 573-1122

Montvale. NJ

Sony

(201) 930-6432

Park Ridge, N|

VHD

(714) 660-9294

Irvine, CA

Videodisc Recorders

Dover Instruments

(6171 366-1456

Westborough, MA

Optical Disc Corp.

(714) 522-2370

Cerritos, CA

Panasonic

(2011 348-7000

Secaucus, NJ

Hardware and Systems

Bell & Howell

(312) 328-5175

Chicago, IL

Compuvlslon

(212) 532-9113

Santa Cruz, CA

Digital Controls

(404) 441-3332

Norcross. GA

DEC

(617) 276-4111

Bedford. MA

Digital Techniques

(617) 273-3495

Burlington, MA

Hazeltine

(7031 827-2300

McLean, VA

IEV

(8011 531-0757

Salt Lake City, UT

Micro Ed

(800| 642-7633

Eden Prairie, MN

NCR

(305) 323-9250

Lake Mary, FL

New Media Graphics

(617) 272-8844

Burlington, MA

Sony

(201) 930-6432

Park Ridge, NJ

Terak

(602) 998-4800

Scottsdale, AZ

Video Vision

(2011 377-0302

Madison, N|

Visage

(617) 655-1503

Natlck, MA

Information Sources and Conferences

Nebraska Videodisc Symposium, August

27-30, Lincoln, NE (4021 472-3611

Optical Memory News, POB 14817, San Francisco, CA 94114, (4151 621-6220

SALT 6th Annual Interactive Videodisc Conference, August 22-24. Washington. DC.

(703) 347-0055

Videodisc Monitor, POB 26, Falls Church, VA 22046, (7031 241-1799

drives are of the CED format (capacitance electronic disc), but only top-ofthe-line players have ports and capabilities needed for computer connection. Currently, the LV (laser video) format is the easiest to work with because of the number of player brands and videodiscpressing sources now available.

The VHD (video high-density) format is a technically neat compromise, able to play NTSC or PAL (Phase Alternate Line) from the same disc, but currently it is not available in the U.S. Panasonic's OMDR (optical memory disc recorder) allows you to record your own videodiscs. Blanks run several hundred dollars each. The not-yet-available (and unlisted) McDonnell-Douglas format will have a player, recorder, and duplicator, using a photographic film medium. Readily available Level 1 players include Pioneer-manufactured machines sold under the Pioneer, Sony, Magnavox, and Sylvania brand names.

Level 2 systems consist of a videodisc player and a controller, either internal or external. Control data can be decoded from a videodisc with a limited command set to handle most of the requirements. Level 2 systems are best limited to simple, dedicated applications, although this is a constantly changing area. For example, printers have been driven by Pioneer industrial players. The Sony player can drive a stillframe audio adapter.

Level 3 systems consist of a computer, videodisc player, video monitor, and any number of related peripherals. At a minimum, the computer controls the sequence of image strings from the videodisc player based on input from the user and control data stored on the videodisc, floppy disk, or other magnetic storage device.

Applications increasingly require computer-generated graphics to overlay a videodisc image. The earliest Level 3 systems, Apple or TRS-80-driven units using home-brew interfaces, demonstrated how difficult good-quality video overlay could be (see the text box "The Difficulty of Computer-Graphic/Video Overlay" on page 192).

Since that time, a number of video computer systems have shown significant improvement.

Terak is a specialized manufacturer whose equipment is often found in uni

(contlnued)

190 BYTE' JULY 1984

LIFEBOAT

Associates

1651 Third Avenue New York, NY 10028 212-860-0300

Please send me free information on: Name

□ Lattice and development tools

□ How to get your software published

□ Corporate purchase program

□ Dealer program

□ OEM agreements

□ Send me the complete LIFEBOAT software catalog. $3.00 enclosed for postage and handling.

LATTICE, C-FOOD SMORGASBORD and LATTICE WINDOWJM ,J Lattice, Inc.

Circle 182 on inquiry card.

Company

Address

City

State

Telephone

LIFEBOAT,TM Lifeboat Associates HALOJM Media Cybernetas PANEL,TM Roundhill Computer, Ltd PMATE and PLINKJM Phoenix Software

Zip

FLOAT87.TM Microfloot

lBMandPC,®TM International Business Machines MS.TM Microsoft CP/M86.TM Digital Research

VIDEODISCS

versities and in industry. (Table 2 lists the phone numbers and addresses of companies mentioned in this article.) Terak offers a PDP 11-23-based processor. 512K bytes of RAM, and a 10-megabyte Winchester hard disk integrated with a videodisc player. The graphic system provides 256 simultaneous colors, 640by 480-pixel resolution, and full video overlay. The Terak color computer costs less than $20,000.

The DEC IVIS (Interactive Video Information System) was announced last spring, based on Digital's top-of-the-line PRO-3 50 personal workstation. The IVIS includes most of the PRO-3 50 features

such as a PDP 11-23 processor, up to 512K bytes of RAM, a 10-megabyte Winchester hard disk, and a VR241 RGB (red-green-blue) color monitor. The IVIS module attaches to the back of a PRO-3 50 chassis and accepts analog video signals from a Sony disc player. These signals are converted to RGB for display, with overlays capable of 960-pixel by 240-line resolution with up to eight simultaneous colors. Options include a mouse, joysticks, and a graphics pad. An IVIS system costs $18,600 with a membrane touch panel on the RGB monitor, and $16,600 without the panel. Converting NTSC signals directly to

RGB works well in the IVIS. The display is jitter-free and impressive. The RGB display approach is preferred by other manufacturers including Terak because overall resolution can be more easily optimized, eliminating the need to reconvert to NTSC. This is a case of adapting video to conform to the computer rather than adapting the computer to video. Early systems, such as TICCIT (Timesharing Interactive Computer Controlled Instructional Television—sponsored by the National Science Foundation) used standard analog television monitors, conforming the computer to the requirements of NTSC.

NCR (National Cash Register) introduced its first video/computer at the semiannual SALT (Society for Applied Learning Technology) conference on interactive systems. NCR has replaced the standard monochrome tube for an RGB color monitor in one of its personal office computers. Unlike the IVIS, the videodisc interface controller and RGB graphics-overlay boards are contained internally in the slots for expansion cards. The first model shown uses a Pioneer player and will retail for about $8000. A lower-priced IBM PC-compatible model, scheduled for a summer introduction, will receive the same video treatment. That model's price is targeted at $6500. This may indicate the start of a trend among office-computer manufacturers, where the video-enhanced models may be sold to a corporation as trainers for all the users of regular machines. Other companies are believed to be completing similar modifications, including Zenith. Some expect the forthcoming IBM "Vision Machine" to be a similar device.

Next year Sony should introduce its own videodisc recorder and a single box system with digital data decoding from the videodisc. Sony's VIPS (Visual Information Processing System) is based on the SMC-70 video-support microcomputer which controls its videodisc player(s), U-Matic, or Beta-format VCRs (videocassette recorders). The SMC-70 uses a 4-MHz Z80 with an optional 8086 Supercharger. Factory options include two types of graphicimage superimposers, still-frame audio, control of multiple players, touchscreen monitors, and a range of analog/RGB monitors. The VIPS has several graphic

(continued)

The Difficulty of Computer-Graphic/ Video Overlay

To combine two NTSC signals to form a composite, both must be phase locked in the vertical, horizontal, and chroma, lest the image roll, flicker, or change color with time. Video sourced from videodiscs is usually more stable and accurate than that which comes from videotape, yet the signals still leave a great deal to be desired. There may be dropouts in the horizontal sync, vertical sync, or during the video. Some players turn off the video when they jump to relock on the start of the spiral at the end of each still frame.

Either the player can be locked to the overlay system or the system can be locked to the player. Sync locking often employs analog-phase looped systems to generate internal horizontal and vertical sync pulses. Locking the player and system to the vertical and horizontal syncs is relatively straightforward compared to locking to the chroma for two reasons.

First, as the size of single pixels on an overlay may be close to the same size as the chroma subcarrier, it is essential that a pixel clock not drift in relation to chroma lest its position or color change. For example, a single video line may contain about 256 color pixels. Out of some 50 usable microseconds per video line, each pixel's width would be about 200

nanoseconds, or a pixel frequency near 5 MHz. The 3.579545-MHz chroma subcarrier frequency has a period of 279 nanoseconds, close to the pixel frequency.

Second, NTSC specifies that the phase of the chroma signal will rotate 180 degrees every line and every black-andwhite field (horizontal scanning frequency is 2/455th burst frequency or 227.5 cycles/line). With an odd number of lines (525) in every frame, the chroma will be out of phase 180 degrees with the chroma at the rising edge of the subsequent video frame. Because in every frame the phase rotates as well, it takes four fields for the chroma pulse to come back to zero-phase relationship. This presents little trouble when overlaying video-motion segments, or, for that matter, still-frame images from VHD or CED capacitance discs. (They record still-frame images as four and eight fields, respectively.) However, it is a problem when overlaying still frames from 1800 rpm videodiscs where a single two-field image is repeated continuously, so that chroma is out of phase 180 degrees every other frame. This problem can be resolved under master-computer control so that the overlay knows whether the disc is doing a still-frame or video-motion segment.

192 BYTE • IULY 1984

for

tine office.

iHeux&i

Helix Laboratories, inc., 8123 Remmet Ave., Canoga Park, ca 91304

(818) 710-0300—outside California, 800-468-0004

Dealer Inquiries Welcome © 1984, Helix Laboratories, Inc.

Circle 334 for Dealer Inquiries. Circle 335 for End-User Inquiries.

Prentice-Hall speaks an IBM language other publishers have forgotten.

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS WITH THE IBM PCjr by David W. Carroll. How to use the new IBM PCjr as a home communications terminal for gaining access to data-bases, sending and receiving electronic mail, and communicating with other computers all over the world. $15.95

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For more information about our computer hooks and software, write to us at the address below. Dealer inquiries welcome. Prentice-Hall, General Publishing Division, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 07632 * We guarantee thai all our guides are easy to read and simple to apply wilhoul the aid ol a reference library, a computer salesperson, or a niece who just graduated (rom M.l.T

194 BYTE- JULY 1984

Circle 251 on inquiry card.

VIDEODISCS

modes including a 400- by 240-pixel, eight-color overlay onto video. Costs for single systems run $4000 to $8000, depending on options.

)apan Victor, the leading developer of the VHS (Video Home System) VCR format and the VHD videodisc format, sells an integrated system aimed at the home user. The system consists of a video microcomputer, an RGB graphicoverlay interface, a VHD videodisc player, and an analog/RGB monitor. (Analog/RGB monitors are being offered for home and business by most Japanese TV manufacturers.) The company's HC-6 personal computer runs MSX Microsoft BASIC with a Z80 processor and 32K bytes of RAM. Program data is sourced from either audiocassettes or ROM (read-only memory) cartridges. Options include a printer, modem, joysticks, and other peripherals. The HC-6 provides a 16-color text and graphic overlay at a resolution of 256 by 192 pixels, with up to 32 sprite

planes. The visual performance is impressive, especially considering its retail price is well under $2000.

Similar MSX systems are offered by other VHD-format manufacturers in )apan, and by Sony for use with Beta VCRs. I especially like Sharp's inclusion of television channel and audio controls in the keyboard unit of its X-7 model. Even though the manufacturers project dramatic price reductions for these integrated home-video computers next year, it's unlikely that MSX systems will be introduced in the U.S. because none of the companies that manufacture them have strong home computer marketing channels.

Components and Interfaces

In addition to integrated solutions offered by major manufacturers, boards are available that allow you to hook up videodisc players to almost any computer. These boards enable you to overlay computer signals over video as

well. Over a dozen companies sell boards to connect Pioneer home videodisc players to Apple lis. A similar number offer IBM boards. Here's a representative sample.

Starting again at the high end, New Media Graphics' $9850 GraphOver 9500 features a 768- by 480- by 4-bit display window, control, and switching for two video players, and both RGB and NTSC output. Software routines provide pan, step zoom, and split screens. A 6809 display processor is used, together with an NEC 7220 graphics generator. This device connects to any computer with an RS-232C interface.

Visage is releasing its first product for the IBM PC-the VDC-1000 videodisc controller card. The $1150 card features 15-color still and animated graphics with up to 32 sprites at a time. Four planes of overlays provide resolution of 190 by 2 56 pixels. The board also reads data

(continued)

UTAH

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Diskette &

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39

Requires 128K RAM IBM-compatible 8088 or 8086 system. You get 5V4" IBM-PC diskette and 134-page manual.

Advanced Features:

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• TRACE style debugging.

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• Dynamic module auto-loading.

Ellis Computing, Inc. 3917Noriege Street San Francisco, CA 94122

We Welcome C.O.D.'s

VISA

(415) 753-0186

MS-DOS Is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. IBM is a registered trademark of International Businoss Machines Corp. Utah Pascal is a trademark of Ellis Computing, Inc.

The only Project Planning System that gives you this flexibility:

Project Title Sample Project Data

Main Menu

1

— > INPUT

2

—) EDIT

3

RANK / PROCESS

4

—) DISPLAYS

—) REPORTS

6

— > VERSION

0

--> TO EXIT

enter select n

Quick«Plan

The Executive Project Planning System

• Quick ■ Plan runs on MS DOS lor:

IBM PC, DEC RAINBOW • . WANG PC. HP 150. Data General DT

• Requires: 384K of core, graphics option- 132 wide printer

/^vv^v For more information call or write:

^J^Mitchell Management Systems Inc.

FORMERLY STRUCTURAL PROGRAMMING INC.

WosirjofQugn Otitce Pam 2000 Wosi Pam Dove Wesitwougn Mass 01581 USA Teloonone (6l 7} 366-0800 TWX 710-347 1054

Circle 289 on inquiry card.

JULY 1984 - BYTE !95

LIFETIME WARRANTY!

3M BULK DISKETTES' AT TREMENDOUS SAVINGS!

These are genuine 3M diskettes with a lifetime warranty. But they are bulk packed in cartons of 50 with separate white Tyvec envelopes. No identification labels, write protect tabs or cartons are provided! A great buy for volume users.

$160- $902

5W SSDD-96TPI $2.20 5W DSDD-96TPI $2.75

All have reinforced hub. SOFT SECTOR ONLY! (for IBM, APPLE, KAYPRO, DEC and about 99% of all computers.) Must be ordered in multiples of 50!

BOXED 3M DISKETTES WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS!

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$185 ^~ ssdd $03S

| Qty. 20 5WDSDD—^ Qty'20

5W SSDD-96TPI $2.60 8" SSSD $2.05

5WDSDD-96TPI $3.25 8" SSDD $2.50

8 DSDD $3.10

Minimum order of 20 diskettes. Additional diskettes in multiples of 10.

3M HEADCLEANING KITS

Stop swearing and start cleaning. This non-abrasive cleaning kit has everything you need for thirty applications.

$23.00 + $1.50Shpng.

SAVE MONEY WITH A CLEAN COMPUTER! INTRODUCING MINI-VAC

Most computer ma/functions are caused by dust. MINIVAC is ideal for cleaning keyboards, screens, drives and printers. (Great for photo equipment, too!) Equipped with an easy-empty bag, two directional wands and two fine-brush nozzles. Don't compute without it. (Requires 9-volt battery which is not included.)

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AT LAST: A DISK DRIVE DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM THAT WORKS!

The Dymek Recording Interchange Diagnostic (RID) is a professional, but easy to use, drive diagnostic disk. It tests drive speed, radial position, hysteresis, write function, erase crosstalk, signal-to-noise and clamping. In short, it's a professional's system that will help you keep your machine in prime condition...and avoid the evils of data loss. J—

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Every once in a while, someone takes the simple...and makes it elegant. This unit holds 50 5W diskettes, has grooves for easy stacking, nipples to keep diskettes from slipping in the case and several other features. We like it.

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DISKETTE 70 STORAGE: STILL A GREAT BUY

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An excellent value.

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Shipping: 514- DISKETTES—Add $3.00 per 100 or fewer diskettes. 8' DISKETTES—Add $4.00 per 100 or fewer diskettes. OTHER ITEMS: Add shipping charges as shown in addition to diskette shipping charges. Payment: VISA and Mastercard accepted. COD orders only, add $3.00 handling charges. Taxee: Illinois residents, please add 8% sales tax.

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VIDEODISCS

that has been encoded on the videodisc. Visage is a well-financed start-up company with good field support.

lEV is another recent start-up, founded by engineering managers from a broadcast television charactergenerator company. lEV introduced a series of video boards for the IBM PC including a $400 video-overlay board. The board accepts NTSC composite video from tape or disc sources and RGB from one of two companion bitmapped graphics boards. The baseboard provides a 16-color 640- by 400-pixel overlay for $750.

For some time, the lowest-price videodisc interface solution consisted of a year's subscription to BYTE and parts to duplicate Steve Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar interface, all for around $100. No commercially available interface is under the three-digit figure in the U.S., but some are coming close.

Micro-Ed has an interface connecting a Commodore 64 to Pioneer-manufactured consumer laser video players for $199. Video Vision Associates offers its VAI-135 interface to connect the same videodisc players to Apple 11 and lie computers for $12 5. Neither offers video overlays. Coleco is rumored to have a videodisc interface for Adam in the works for home disc games

Level 4 systems are at the esoteric end of interactive video. They are characterized by complexity, additional image post-processing, multichannel (up to 32) audio, windowing, digital-screen assembly, etc. Few are driven by single microcomputers. The cost of the videodisc hardware is rather insignificant to the overall price of Level 4 systems. Power and capabilities constantly change, so many features of developing Level 4 systems may be found in smaller systems in the near future.

Commercial and point-of-purchase systems

Whereas most of the training video/ computer applications tend to be used in companies or organizations, commercial uses are finding a broader audience. One emerging application is the pointof-purchase (POP) information presentation in retail stores.

POP computers and peripherals are similar to Level 2 and 3 training systems. A menu is presented on screen or on

{continued)

DISK WORLD!, Inc.

SUITE 4806 Authorized Distributor OAJI

30 EAST HURON STREET Information Processing Products OIV1

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611

196 BYTE- |ULY 1984

Circle 107 on inquiry card.

Powerful CP/M Software.

For Apple, Osborne, Kaypro, Rainbow, NEC, Epson, Heath, Xerox and others.

SOQ95

Now only wv each!

NEVADA

COBOL

NEVADA

PASCAL

When we introduced Nevada COBOL in 1979, it was loaded with innovations. Today's, Edition 2.1 is even better!

□ Extremely Compact. You can compile and execute up to 2500 statements in 32K RAM, 4000 statements in 48K, etc.

□ It's based upon the ANSI-74 standards with level 2 features such as compound conditionals and full CALL CANCEL.

□ You get a diskette, 165-page manual with lots of examples and 16 complete COBOL source code programs.

Also available: COBOL Application Packages, Book 1 $9.95

This newest addition to the 8-bit Nevada product line has many advanced features:

□ 14-digit precision, BCD Math, no round-off errors with decimal arithmetic for business and floating point +63 -64 for scientific. U A very nice TRACE style debugging.

□ Arrays up to 8 dimensions and 64K strings.

□ External procedures and functions with dynamic auto-loading.

□ One-step compile, no assembly or link required.

□ No limits on size of procedure, nesting levels, recursion.

□ Requires 60K RAM and one disk drive with at least 90K storage. U You get a 184-page manual and diskette rev. 4.1.

NEVADA

FORTRAN

NEVADA

BASIC

□ FORTRAN IV based upon ANSI-66 standards with some 1977 level features.

□ IF . . THEN . . ELSE constructs.

□ A very nice TRACE style debugging.

□ 150 English language error messages.

□ You get a diskette, including an 8080 assembler and Nevada FORTRAN rev 3.2, 214-page manual and five sample programs. Requires 48K RAM.

□ This interpreter has a built-in full-screen editor.

□ Single- and Multi-line functions.

□ BCD Math—no round-off errors.

□ Full Matrix operations.

□ Requires 48K RAM.

□ You get 220-page manual and diskette rev. 2.5.

NEVADA EDIT

□ A full-screen video display text editor rev. 3.1 designed specifically to create COBOL, PASCAL and FORTRAN programs.

□ See the review in May 1983 Microcomputing.

NEVADA PILOT

□ See review in January 1983 MICROCOMPUTING.

□ You get a diskette rev. 6.1,131-page manual and ten useful sample programs.

o

This is a limited time offer, so order yours today!

ELLIS COMPUTING, INC.

3917 Noriega Street since 1977 San Francisco, CA 94122 Phone (415) 753-0186

The CP/M Operating System, an 8080,8085 or Z-80 microprocessor, and 32K RAM are required, unless stated otherwise above. Diskette format:

□ 8" SSSD (Standard CP/M IBM 3740) 5W' Diskette for:

□ Apple CP/M

□ DEC VT180

□ DEC Rainbow

□ Epson QX-10

□ Heath Hard Sector (Z-89)

□ Heath Soft Sector (Z-90, Z-100)

□ IBM-PC (Requires Z-80, CP/M-80 card)

□ Kaypro Double Density (NCR) U Micropolis Mod II

□ NEC PC 8001

□ North Star Double Density

□ North Star Single Density

□ Osborne Single Density

□ Sanyo 1000,1050

□ Superbrain DD DOS 3.X (512 byte sec)

□ Televideo

□ TRS-80 Model I Base 0 mapper

□ Xerox 820 Single Density

Satisfaction is guaranteed—or your money back. If for any reason you're not completely satisfied, just return the package—in good condition with the sealed diskette unopened—within 30 days and we'll refund your money.

Please send me: Software Packages

□ COBOL □ FORTRAN □ EDIT □ PASCAL □ BASIC Send my order for packages @ $39.95 each Total.

COBOL Applications Package @ $9.95 each Total. California deliveries add 6% or 6.5% sales tax Outside North America, add $6.00 per package for shipping. (Postage paid within North America.) Checks must be in U.S. Dollars and drawn on a U.S. Bank.

□ Check enclosed □ COD if COD add $4.00

I PILOT

U MasterCard Card #

□ VISA

TOTAL.

. Exp.

Signature

Ship to: Name. Street

City/St/Zip

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark ot Microsolt Corp. TRS-80 is a registered trademark of Tandy Corp. Apple II is a trademark of Apple Computer. Inc Osborne is a registered trademark of Osborne Computer Corp. Xerox 820 is a trademark of Xerox Corp Kaypro is a trademark of Non-linear Sys. Heath/Zenith is a trademark of Heath Corp. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Corp. Nevada BASIC, Nevada COBOL. Nevada FORTRAN, Nevada PILOT, Nevada EDIT, Nevada PASCAL, and Ellis Computing are trademarks of Ellis Computing, Inc. © 1984 Ellis Computing. Inc.

Circle 128 on inquiry card.

JULY 1984 • BYTE 197

VIDEODISCS

Sony should introduce its own videodisc recorder next year, and a single-box system with digital-data decoding from the videodisc.

a printed graphic panel. Viewers punch in the required digit(s) causing the videodisc drive to branch to a motion segment. At its conclusion, either another menu is presented for your selection or the program defaults to the starting menu.

Such systems are satisfactory, but more interesting things are possible when you add computer control. By Video, a Nolan Bushnell start-up, is sampling a kiosk with a videodisc player, touchscreen monitor, keyboard, and credit-card reader. The objective is to use interactive-video catalogs for shopping that is not assisted by human operators. Digital Techniques has introduced its similar Touchcom II intelligent POP/information terminal with options including a videodisc player and credit-card reader. A number of others are about to emerge as well.

Another market niche that rapidly is being filled with offerings is POP in computer stores. Compuvision introduced a POP system at the last COMDEX trade show using an RCA interactive player driven by a Commodore 64 hidden within a stand-up cabinet. Compuvision charges advertisers, whose product information the video player holds, for customers' viewing time in computer stores where the Compuvision machines are located. With expected usage fees, the machines are essentially free to the retailer. The computer keeps track of how often each "commercial" is selected by a customer and periodically transmits this information via modem to substantiate advertiser charges. Being a subsidiary of Softsel, a major software distributor, is a big plus for Compuvision.

Digital Controls has another approach. This company, a manufacturer

of countertop video-arcade games, has been producing integrated training systems with its own Apple interface cards for several years. Digital Controls essentially swapped out the coin mechanism from its 6809-based game machine, added a keypad, and is marketing it as the Learning Center. It creates videodisc training courses for popular software packages, as well as monthly POP demonstration videodiscs for a wide variety of products. Retailers can easily program out products not offered in their stores. Digital Controls claims retailers can pay for the Learning Center in under three months by selling time to train customers to use new software products.

Local Video Recording for Computer Systems

One appeal of the integrated video/ computer system is the practicality of creating custom video material. This is simple with videocassette integrations, because videocassette recording equipment is widely available. Discs present more of a problem. One can make custom laser videodiscs at Sony, 3M, Pioneer, Technidisc, Laser Video, Hitachi, or Sonopress. Expect to pay a $2000 to $3000 master cost plus a perdisc price of $20 or more in low volume. In higher quantities you may pay less than $10 apiece. Most factories require all video material to be submitted on 1-inch videotape.

If you need more confidentiality or security in making discs, or if you need only one disc, there are a number of alternatives. The Panasonic OMDR format uses recordable, Preformatted, 20-centimeter diameter, optical discs. Two disc formats are available: 15,000 tracks for the lower-end recorder/ players, and 22,000 tracks for the newest machine that also records in motion with stereo audio. The 15,000-track machines record one frame at a time and have variable playback speeds up to 30 frames per second, but they offer no audio. Panasonic's new $3000 player is being introduced to accompany the recorder/players priced from $20,000 to $30,000.

Other Japanese companies are developing videodisc recorders that are compatible with existing laser videodisc players, but none will introduce products in the U.S. before 1985.

Optical Disc Corporation (ODC) has announced a recorder using its own proprietary, unformatted recordable media. Recorded discs can be played on existing laser videodisc players. The ODC recorder has a base price of about $160,000. ODC is a start-up founded by former associates of DiscoVision.

Dover Instruments sells its Mastermaker for roughly the same price. It can be configured for any format including compact discs. Dover has supplied similar equipment or air-bearing turntables to most of the optical-disc manufacturers in the world.

Note that all the above are for making single masters only. (You can make copies on the OMDR using a recorder and a player for direct transfers.) If you expect to buy a recorder and go into business making any kind of discs, be aware that there are no real sources to sell you duplication equipment. Technically, making masters is easy when compared to the complexity and cost of making copies.

Vertically recorded magnetic videodiscs may be offered at affordable prices before optical-videodisc recorders. One of my Japanese associates showed me a paper comparing the vertical-recording head design and performance of Sony, Matsushita, Sharp, and other videodisc recorders. All the manufacturers reported current data densities four times greater than current optical videodisc densities and claimed to be interested in standardization of recording format. Whether that means a useful floppy videodisc is imminent is speculative.

interactive video Computer Software

Video-enhanced computer systems need good software to take advantage of the user interaction and possible visual capabilities. As with hardware, there has been a noticeable improvement in educational, training, and exhibition software.

Authoring systems deal with the mechanical requirements of running courseware on computers. Author software deals with display creation, response acceptance, analysis of constructed response, and conditional branching. More sophisticated authoring systems deal with broader areas of

{continued)

198 BYTE • JULY 1984

Announcing the Only 97 Function Key Detached Keyboard for Your Apple III Apple II Plus

(1ft J 1.11J1J1J11 "_J 11L1' @ L Z I© HI

Enhance and Upgrade Your Apple ll/Apple II Plus

The new detached keyboard from DATA SPEC™ offers you a convenient, cost-effective upgrade for your Apple ll/Apple II Plus. Experience more versatility than ever before with 97 effortless pre-programmed functions. Functions include basic keywords, operating system commands, CP/M commands and much more. O 20 of the most used functions are conveniently located on a separate keypad for handy access. And all four mathematical functions © sit next to a 10-key numeric pad © for added ease-of-use. Eliminate the need to enter commands manually. Find your programming time cut by 50% or more.

State-of-the-Art Design Keeps You in the Forefront

The new, sleek low-profile design on the DATA SPEC detached keyboard includes a convenient 3-position tilt adjustment © to correspond to your ergonomic needs. Familiar "posi-touch", quality typewriter style keys give you "room to

work". Separate LED power-on © and "cap" lock © indicators add to your visual comfort. In addition, a handy 10 foot coiled cable © lets you move your keyboard without the burden

of relocating your computer. And, durability is never compromised in this scientifically formatted design.

You Can Depend On DATA SPEC

The APL-KB-825 detached extension keyboard is brought to you by DATA SPEC, from Alliance Research Corporation where quality, service and reliability have been our primary concerns. See the 97 Function Keyboard at a DATA SPEC dealer in your area, or contact us today for a retailer near you.

■ Suggested List Price: $299.95

■ Warranty-One Year, Parts/Labor

■ Watch for our Apple lie and IBM PC Detached Keyboards Available Soon.

■ Dealer and Distributor Inquiries Welcome.

Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research IBM is a trademark of

International Business Machines Corporation

The Family of High Integrity Computer Support Products

18215 Parthenia Street • Northridge, CA 91325 (818) 993-1202

Circle 341 for Dealer inquiries. Circle 342 for End-User inquiries.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 199

VIDEODISCS

critical concepts and variables, curriculum design, production, and revision. Authoring software can be categorized in levels on the basis of power and sophistication.

Authoring Level 0 includes software that simply controls the operation of the delivery hardware. Usually written in machine language or general-pur

pose language like BASIC or Pascal, this level is useful for single, unique applications where speed of delivery or size of produced code are the overriding factors.

Authoring Level 1 languages have commands and facilities expressly designed to support interactive video, but they require that you understand design

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philosophy and programming languages. Examples of Level 1 authoring systems include the powerful Tutor language used in Plato. Originally designed in the early 1970s for Control Data Corporation's CDC 6000-series mainframes, succeeding versions have been developed for a number of other computers. The Simpler system running on Modcomp equipment and DEC'S recently announced DAL language for use on its VAX are direct descendants of the original Tutor language. Other examples include Coursewriter, used on the early IBM 1500 and now adapted for microcomputers and variations of the Pilot language that are used on home computers.

Authoring Level 2 provides a selection of elements or templates from which nonprogrammer authors can create lesson content. Some Level 2 authoring systems such as SMS support the structure of the courseware as well as the content. The earliest example of a Level 2 system was TICCIT. which merged video segments into instructional presentations. Other examples of the template approach are the Bell and Howell Pass system (for Apple II). Hazeltine's MicroTlCCIT, and many others.

Authoring Level 3 is the most sophisticated type. Its metalanguage defines generic instructional elements that are grouped into sets of tools. It augments the instructional support available at Level 2 for nontechnical authors, where a specialist can design general instructional environments that are compatible with the hardware on which the produced courseware is to execute.

Most known authoring systems restrict users to a specific set of instructional components, yet it is not certain that these will be acceptable to the client or author who must use them. Level 3 systems provide a completely general facility so users can create their own instructional elements, if desired, to augment those supplied by the manufacturer.

An example of a Level 3 system is CDS (Courseware Design System). CDS, originally designed by Dr. lames Schuyler in 1973-1975, provides a basic Level 1 language similar in many ways to Tutor, but additionally allows a lesson written in CDS to create or spawn another lesson. Electronic Information

[continued)

-—Circle 185 on inquiry card

GliOO

AVAILABLE SOFTWARE DRIVERS L IBM PC 2. APPLE II 3. Intel MDS 4 CPM

5. TEXTRONTX8CQ2 6 COMMODORE64 7 TP.S-8Q COLOR 8 FLEX

LOGICAL DEVICES, INC.

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more Performance tor the Price.

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Finally, there is a full line of quality printers available to meet a variety of needs. And all from a single manufacturer... "J. From dependable dot matrix printing to advanced thermal printing, you can't buy more performance for the price. Quality That's Built In: Fujitsu quality is built into every printer manufactured. That quality translates into high reliability (MTBF), versatile print capability, low maintenance, low noise, 'and high speeds. And Fujitsu printers are serviced by TRW, a nationwide service organization. A Complete Printer Line: Fujitsu's dot matrix printer, with its 24 wire head, offers letter quality printing at 80 CPS. With its ability to also produce draft quality, correspondence quality and high resolution graphics, the Fujitsu DPL24 leads dot matrix technology. ,

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DISTRIBUTORS: Algoram Computer Products (435) 969-4533, (714)535-3630, (206)453-1136, (916) 481-3466; Allen Zdviards Associates,, Inc. (213) 328-9770, (714) 552-7850, (619) 273-4771, (805) 498-5413: Four Comers Technology (602) 998-4440, (505) 821-5185: Cenln/ Associates, Inc. (305) 859-7450, (305) 7918405, (813) 886-0720, (404) 998-2828. (504) 367-3975. (205) 534-9771, (9191227-3636, (803) 772-6786, (901) 683-8072, (615) 584-0281; Hopkins Associates, Inc. (215) 828-7191, (201) 273-2774; Inland Associates, Inc. (913)764-7977, (612)3433123, (314)391-6901; Logon, Inc. (201) 646-9222; Lownj Computer Products, Inc. (313) 229-7200, (216) 398-9200, (614) 451-7494, (513) 435-7684, (616) 363-9839, (412) 922-5110, (502) 561-5629; MESA Technology Corp. (301) 948-4350; NACO Electronics Corp. (315) 699-2651, (518) 899-6246, (716) 233-4490; Peak Distributors, Inc., (An affiliate of Dytec/Central) (312) 394-3380, (414) 784-9686. (317) 247-1316, (319) 363-9377; K- Distributing, Inc. (801) 298-2631, (303) 455-5360; S&S Electronics, (617) 458-4100, (802) 658-0000, 1203) 878-6800, (800) 243-2776; USDATA (214) 680-9700, (512) 454-3579, (713) 681-0200, (918) 622-8740.

Peripheral Products Division

Quality Lives

Circle 136 on inquiry card.

o

■

m

0 ooo "Thoughtware,

How Can I Become A More Effective Leader?"

o

Thoughtware is new, easy-to-use software

that will help you see and understand how to become a better manager. IVs a unique series of personal,

computer-based management diagnostic and training programs.

® Thoughtware is a registered trademark of the Institute for Management Improvement.

How can you become a more effective leader? Thoughtware Program 2.1, "Leading Effectively," will tell you. This four part program has been designed to help managers improve their effectiveness as leaders. It gives you an opportunity to assess your own management style and to compare your results to the self-assessments of other managers.

Unit 1 defines leadership and discusses its three key elements—style, situation and strategy. It stresses the importance of matching the leadership style to the situation and of getting and giving feedback.

Unit 2 is designed to improve your leadership style

and increase your ability to perform more effectively. You will see the difference between the kinds of power you exert and the importance of using your influence to affect the behavior of others. You'll also learn about three factors affecting your leadership style: the assumptions you make about people, the degree to which you are task- or peopleoriented, and the attitudes you have about the competence of those you supervise.

Unit 3 asks you to analyze a leadership situation you currently face in order to determine what style

Expanding The Universe Of Learning.

of leadership is appropriate for your particular situation.

Unit 4 offers guidance on how to use eight effective leadership conditions.

To take advantage of the incredible new technology that is Thoughtware, see the adjacent column.

Thoughtware Programs run on the following: IBM* PC and compatibles with color graphics card. Apple® II Plus and He.

VIDEODISCS

Table 3: Videodisc players available in the U.S. that include computer interface capability.

Brand

Unit

Worst case

Computer

and model

price

access time

port type

special features

Hitachi

8500

SI 200

6

RS-232C

9500

SI 600

3

RS-232C

external sync and subcarrier

Magnavox

8010

S800

17

CAT plug

home model

Philips

VP 832

SI 400

5

RS-232C

250-frame instant jump

Pioneer

LD 1100

S800

17

CAT plug

home, top loader

LD 700

S800

12

serial 8-pin DIN

home; front loader

LD VI000

$1200

3

parallel 24-pin

100-frame instant jump

LD V4000

$900

12

serial 8-pin DIN

industrial, front load

PR 8210

$950

17

CAT miniplug

low end industrial

LD V6000

SI 600

3

RS-232C

built-in microcomputer

Sony

LDP I000A

$2500

3

RS-232C

ext. sync and subcarrier

Lasermax

$800

12

serial

home front loader

Sylvania

VP 7200

$800

17

CAT plug

home model

Panasonic

TO 2020

$18,900

0.5

RS-232C

still video recorder

TO 2021

$18,900

0.5

RS-232C

high-resolution black and white

recorder

TO 2022

$24,900

0.5

RS-232C

videodisc recorder

TO 2023

534,900

0.5

RS-232C

records motion and stereo

TO 2024

$2985

0.5

RS-232C

player only

Thoughtware Is The Future.

It's a new way to learn, a logical and innovative approach to management training. It will revolutionize management training now, and in the future. Thoughtware utilizes the latest research in management development from leaders in the field, and has been tested nationally.

For individuals and their organizations, the educational, economic and operational benefits of Thoughtware's computerbased learning programs are enormous. But Thoughtware isn't just the future.

Thoughtware Is The Present.

Some of the corporations and organizations who have purchased Thoughtware's Assessing Personal Management Skills Program include:

American Express Ingersoll-Rand

American Mgt. Assoc. IRS

Apple Computer Johns Hopkins Univ.

AT&T Levi Strauss

Avon Marriott

Bankers Life Marsh & McLennan

Blue Cross & Mass. Mutual

Blue Shield McGraw-Hill

Bank of Boston MCI

Bureau of the Census U.S. Navy

Chevron USA NCR

Ciba-Geigy NYU

Citibank Owens-Illinois

City of Dallas Owens-Corning Crown Zellerbach Fiberglas

Dow Jones Royal Cup Coffee

Dun & Bradstrcct Sentry Insurance

Du Pont Singapore Embassy

Ernst & Whinney Stone & Webster

Exxon St. Regis Paper

Federal Reserve Bank Tampax

Fireman's Fund The Nestle Co.

General Electric The Rouse Co.

General Foods 3M Corporation

Georgia-Pacific TRW

Gov't of Canada Univ. of Illinois

Gulf Oil Corporation United Parcel Service

Hewlett Packard United Way

Horn & Hardart Univ. of Mass.

Hughes Aircraft Co. Westmoreland Coal

Husky Oil Westinghouse Corp.

IBM Xerox

And hundreds more. What they've learned, you can now discover.

You can reap the benefits of Thoughtware by visiting your local IBM Product Center, computer dealer, or call toll-free 1-800-THT-WARE for the dealer nearest you. Or write:

Thoughtware Inc. Suite S, 2699 So. Bayshore Dr. Coconut Grove, Florida 33133.

Though/ware Programs include: 1.1 Assessing Personal Management

Skills ($350) 2.3 Defining Coals And Objectives ($450) 2.6 Managing Time Effectively ($450)

Systems Inc. currently develops microcomputer versions of CDS. CDS is unique in that courseware written on one manufacturer's hardware may also be delivered on other equipment as well. Sony recently announced CDS for its VIPS. IBM, Zenith, Terak, and Macintosh versions are expected soon.

Conclusion

The interface between computer and video systems has come a long way over the last few years. There is a positive trend toward greater product commitment from traditional corporations, and better-quality products from well-financed new companies. (Table 3 lists videodisc players available in the U.S. that have computer-interface capability.) In this article I've tried to present a sample range of the developments in this area.

Upcoming developments will include improved performance or less-expensive versions of currently available products. This indicates an expanding market in the future. Further ahead are new areas of technological developments such as vertical-magnetic recording. Some labs are working on solid

state, nonrotating videodiscs (not that farfetched when you consider that the marks on current videodiscs are about the size of the smallest elements in current silicon chips).

Another hotbed of development is multilayer optics used to bend and reflect X rays. Because X rays have shorter wavelengths than visible light, some envision vastly more compact memory devices, including videodiscs. Yet if any of these technological developments reach fruition by the end of the decade, their impact probably will be invisible to the user. The one near-term area of development that could be appreciated by users is the advent of high-resolution video hardware such as 112 5-line HDTV (high-definition television). Users who have wanted more RAM in their computers can relate to those who want more resolution in their video.

There has yet to emerge a product that might have the same dynamic effect on the videodisc market that VisiCalc had on the microcomputer market. Yet it is fair to conclude that the quality and range of today's video/computer offerings can satisfy most of today's applications. ■

Circle 308 on inquiry card.

JULY 1984 -BYTE 203

MICROPROCESSOR COMPONENTS

Digitalker

SN7400N SN740IN SN7402N SN74D3N SN7404N SN7405N SrJ7406N SN7407N SN740BN SN74Q9N SN7410N 5N7411N SN7412N SN7413tJ 5N7414N SN7416N SN7417N SU742QN SN7421N SN7422N 5N7423N SN7425fJ SN7426N SN7427H SN742BN SN7430N SN7432N SN7437N SN743BN SN7439N SN7440N SN7441N SN744ZN SN7443N 5N7444N SN7445N SN7446N SN7447N SN744BN SN745DM SN745IN SN74&3N SN7454N SN7459N SN7460N SN7470N

SN7472N

SN7473N SN74 74N SN7475N SN747GN SN7479N SN748QN SN7482N SN74B3N SN7485N SN7486N SfJ7489fV SN7490N SN749IN SN7492N 5N7493N SN7494N SfJ7495N SN7496N SN7497N SN 74 ICON SN74I04N SN74I05N SN741DTN SN74109N SN7411GN SN7412IN SN74122N SN74123N SN74125N SN74126N SN74132N SN7413BN SN74141N SN74142N SN74143N SH74144N SN74I45N SN74147N SN74I48N SN74150N SW74151N SN74152N SN74153N SN74I54N 3N74155N

SN74156N SH74157N SN74160N SPJ74161N SN74I62N SN74163N SN74164N SN7H65N SN74I66N SN74167N SN74170N SIJ741 72N SN74173N SN74I74N SN74175N SN74176N SN74177N SN74179N SN74180N SN74tg?W SN74182N SN74184N SN741B5N SN7419QN SN74I91N SN74192N SN74193N SN74194N SN74195N SN74I96N SN74197N SN7419BN SN74199N SN74J21N SN74251N SN74276N SN74279N SN742B3fJ SN742B4N SN742B5N SN74365N SN743B6N SN74367N SN74368N SN74390N SN74393N

CA3010H 1 35

CA3039H 1 35

CA3046N 14 1 3S

CA3059fJ 14 2 95

CA3060N 1G 2 95

CA3D65E 14 1.49

CA30BQE B .89

CA3D81N 1G

CA3D82N 16

CA3083N 16

CA30BGN 14

CA3089N 16

CA3096N 16

CA3130E CA3140E CA3I60K CA3161E CA3162E CA3189E CA34Q1N

CDJU16 CD40I7 CD4018 CD4019 CD4O20 CD4Q21 CD4022 CD4Q23 CD4024 CD4025 CD4026 CD4027 C04D28 CQ4029 CU4030 CQ4034 CU4035 k (Mate

CD4098 CU4506 CD4507 CD450B CD4510 CD4511 CD4512 CD4514 CD4515 CD4516 CD45I8 CD4519

-59

CDJ520 CD4526 CD452B CD4529 CD4543 CD4562 14 6 95 CD4566 16 t 39 CD4583 1G 2 49 CD4584 14 69 CD4723 1G 1 19 CD4724 16 I 19 MC14409 16 13.95 MC14410 16 13 95 MC14411 24 11.95

12

13.95 7.95

MCI 4433 24 MC14538 16 MCI 4541 14

-MICROPROCESSOR CHIPS

"Puis Function

CDP1802

S2 95

2650

4D

MPU (2MHzl ...

9.95

MCS6502

40

MPUw/Cloc*

. . 5.95

MCMi'.ll.'B

10

Ul'li w/cicck ni3MHz

9 95

111

CPU—6-bhl (Internal Clock) 1MHz

14.95

40

CPU—8-M [External Clock! IMHz. .

. 14.95

INS8035N-B

40

MPU-a-bi! (6MHz) . ..

5.95

INSP03PN

41)

CPU-Sgl,CWp8*tiil(128blS Ram]

5.95

INS8Q40N-6

to

CPU(256ljy1esRAM) . .

9.95

INSB070N

40

CPU (64 byte MM)

29.95

INSB073N

40

CPU w/Basic Micro Interpreier

29.95

P8085A

4Q

CPU .

. .4.95

B086

41)

CPU 16-bH 5MHz

24 95

40

CPUB/16-bil

29.95

B155

40

HMOS RAM I/O Port-Timer

. 695

B748

■s.

■i'.'(j-E-a.3MMPU

24.95

Z80. Z80A. Z80B. ZRHOU SERIES

780

10

0?J;MK3680Ni:78X)2Mmi

S3 95

Z60CTC

76

CCLnler Timer CiTCU 1

3.95

ZttHMRT

40

OjaiAsyflcMonotsRec /'"rans

10 95

783 OVA

40

Dnd vervy Access D*cni

995

780-F10

43

Pa-ai:e' i/O hMrtn Coni-tf er

395

760 Si0/0

10

Se'ia /O(TxCBar3°j03Bc-<!e[J''

12.95

780 S10/*

40

Se-a' .'OiUcksOrRB;

7B0S10/2

40

S«ra i/OlLacKsSYN-CB)

7B0S10/9

■1U

Seta. I/O

760A

.10

CPU (MK38BCN 4}:76C0 1) 4MHz

7B0A-CrC

IS

COixle- * rrs' C rcji".

i'so.-, i:.v-t

10

Dial AsvrcnTinaus P« /T'ais C''ec: Merro-y Access C r:u!

9^5

2b:a.cma

40

12.95

783AP10

40

Pa-aiei 'Z rrerta:e Ccura 'e?

.3.95

783A S'O 'C

40

SeU /OI'iOBanoRxCBxnCK\

Z8QA-SW1

40

Se-rf /ClucksOTaBl

13 90

76:aS,0'2

40

Se-ia! /OiucksSVNC8)

12.95

733A'S-0.'9

13

Sena1 /O

12 95

78CB

40

rjpJ:M<38dCN6)5MKz

9 95

78CBCIC

Can?' "ine-c-icui

12 95

7cC5 DART

40

Dull Asyr.Ch RfCflivB'/T.'3r-s.ni"?e'

19.95

Z3CBP10

40

Parallel I/O ntertice ZuktltK

12 95

78001

48

Z'J SegTs^ec

44 95

76002

40

C'J SavSegireniec

34 95

78030

40

Sb'ui Co™* ConnM'

44 95

78036

40

Ca-net/Titiet & Pa.-aliei i/O Unh

29 95

6500

MC6502A 4D

MC0520 4D

MC6B0O 4D

MC6B02CP 4D

MCGB09E 4D

MC6B21 40

MC6828 24

MC6B30L8 24

MC6850 24

MC6B52 24

MC6BB0 74

MC68000L8 84

MC6848BP 40

M068652P2 40

MC68661PB 78

MCMG8761 24

SY6522 40

/6800/68000 SERIES —

MPU witti clock anfl RAM (2MHz) Peripheral Inter. Ariapler .

MPU

MPU wild clock and RAM . CPU 11MHz) Exiarnal (Locking! Peripheral Inler Adapt (MC6820) Priorily inlorrupl Conlroller 1024x8-1)11 R0M(MC68A30-0I Asynchronojs Comm. Adapler Synchronous Serial Data Adapter . i'i-f<C[)!ip;-. Miqilfll MODEM MPU 1B-BH (8MHI1 General Purpose Ini Adapter MjIII Protocol Comm. Conlroller Enhanced Prog. Comm Int fi-iK EPHOM (450ns) Penprieral Inier Adapter

-8080A SERIES

TMS5501

40

Synchronous Dala Interlace ISIRCI

. 14 95

INSSO80A

40

CPU

2 95

lfJS8154

40

128 Byte RAM 16-Bill/O

13 95

8156

40

RAM wilh I/O Port and Timer

6 95

lrJS82C06

20

Octal D Rip Flop Tn-Slale (74C374)

2.49

DP8212

24

8-M Inpul/Outpul (?4S4

2.25

DP8214

24

Priority interrupt Control .

295

DP8216

16

Bi-DireciionaJ Bus Driver

1.95

DP8224

10

Clock Genera lor/Driver , , .

. 2.25

DPB226

10

BjsDrtver,

. 2.25

DP822B

28

System Com./Bus Driver (74S428).

3.49

DP8238

20

System Conlroller (74S43BI I/O Expander (or IB Series

. 4,49

IN5B243

24

3 95

INSB245

10

16-Key Keyboard Encoder (74C922)

4.49

INS824G

20

20-Key Keyboard Encoder (74C923]

4.95

INS8247

28

Display Controller (74C911]

8 95

INSB24B

28

Display Conlroller (74C912)

8 95

40

Asyn Comm Element

10.95

DP8251

28

Prog Comm. I/O IUSART)

4 49

OP6253

24

Prog Interval Timer

6 95

DP8255

40

Prog Peripheral I/O (PPI|

. .4.49

DP8257

40

Prog. DMA Control

595

DPB259

28

Prog. Interrupt Control

6.95

DP8275

40

Prog CRT Controller

29 95

DP8279

40

Prog Keyooard/Display interface

B95

DPB303

20

8-Bit Tn-Slale Bi-Directional Trans

3 95

DP8304

20

B-bitBi-Directional Receiver

2.95

OP8307

20

8-bitBi-Directtonal Receiver

2 95

DPB308

2D

8-bil Bi-Directional Receiver

2 95

0P83I0

20

Ocial Latched Peripheral Driver ..

4.95

8741

in

8-1)11 Univ. Peripheral Interlace

2995

B755

40

1GKEPROM with I/O

24.95

INS1771-1

FD1791

FD1793

FD1795

FD1797

— DISK CONTROLLERS —

40 Single Density . 40 Single/Dual Density (Inv.) . 40 SiriijVDfliiltli: Density (True) 40 Dual D(:ri;i:ly.'Sit!ii Select (ir,v i 40 Dual Density/Side Select True

— SPECIAL FUNCTION —

16.95 29.95 29 95

OSO025CN

8

Dual MOS Clock driver (5MZ)

749

DS0026CN

B

Dual MOS Clock Driver (5MZ)

1.95

INS2651

28

Commumealion Chip .

8 95

MC3470P

18

Floppy Disk Read Amp System

4,95

'.!l.tf:!H6/A:;

24

Microprocessor Real Time Clock

B95

MM5;il74AN

16

Micro Compatihie Time Clock

7 95

COP402U

40

Microconl roller w/64-digit RAM and Bred LED Drive

5.95

C0P402MN

40

M :.'o;ir[.!«■;<u:r .v/M-digil RAM . 1^. Isii'U LEI! Dnve w.'H Buss Int.

. .5.95

COPI70N

70

J/ ::■■() VAC Fluoi Orvr (20-pm pkg 1

.3.25

■MM'j 'rri/i/i.!.

a

f'H-r, ;i,ulNlli>;l}.'.vJ.'l (GOHzJ. . . .

1 79

MM53GGEST

8

Prog Dscill,'H[ir/Divider(100HzJ

..1.95

LOW PROFILE

(TIN) SOCKETS

1-9

10-99

100.up

8 pin LP

.16

.14

.13

14 pin LP

.17

.15

.14

1G pin LP

.19

.17

.16

IB pin LP

.26

.24

.23

2D pin LP

.30

.27

25

22 pin LP

.31

28

.26

24 pin LP

.33

.30

.28

2a pin LP

40

.37

.35

3G pin LP

.40

.42

.39

40 pin LP

.40

.46

A3

SOLDERTAIL {GOLD)

STANDARD

1-9

10-99

tOO-up

8 pin SG

.30

.27

.25

14 pin SG

.43

.39

.37

16 pin SG

.47

.43

.41

10 pin SG

53

.49

.47

24 pin SG

69

.65

.61

2G pin SG

.ai

.76

72

36 pin SG

1.09

1.03

.97

40 pin SG

1.21

1.14

1.08

Pin No.

Pint

DYNAMIC RAMS

Price

1024<1

(300ns)

4027

16

4096x1

1250ns)

7 49

16.384*

(150ns) 1.89

4116N-3

16,384x1 (ZOOM . 169

iG.J8.1x

(250ns) 149

4164N-15Q

IB

G5.53Gx1 (150ns) G 95

'!/■;((

■iiij.tr: AH)

65.536x1 (200ns| . . 5.95

\:■]■!

MM52G1

10

1024x1

1300ns) 49

8/1 95

MM5262

22

2048x1

(365ns)

.. .10

MM5270

IB

4096<!

(250ns) MK4096

4.95

MM 5 280

22

109Gxl

(200ns)2107

3.95

MM D2'JCI-;'

IB

lG.38.1x

(150ns) 1.89

8/14,95

MM '.'.i !)(]■ 3

IB

16.384x

(200ns) 1 69

6/12 95

MM5290-4

16

i6,3B4x

(250ns) 1.49

(1/K> 05

MM5298-3

10

8192x1

(200ns)

1.69

— STATIC RAMS

1101

16

256x1

(650ns)

1.49

2101

22

25Gx4

(450ns) 8101

2 49

2102

16

(350ns)

B9

21L02

16

1024x1

(450ns)L P

1.49

2111

18

(450ns)B111 . ..

2,95

2112

16

256x4

i450nsi MOS

.1.95

2114

18

1024x4

(450ns) 1 49

8/9.95

2114L

10

1024x4

|450ns|L.P 1 95

B/13 95

2114-2

1024x4

(200ns) . .1.75

1024x4

(200ns) L P 2 25

2147

4096x1

(70ns)

1024x4

70ns).,.,

TMS4015

1024x4

(450ns)

TMS40L47-45

1024x4

(450ns)

5101

22

256x4

(4M)■!!=.) CMOS . ...

MM5257

18

409Gx1

f4!u-)nsi 4044 . .

HMfinGP'S

24

204G*B

(150ns) CMOS

5 95

IIMfil IGP-'l

2048x8

i7'.;nn!,j cmos

HM011SLP-4

2048x8

(200ns) L.P CMOS

HM02B4P-1S

28

B192x8

150ns CMOS

39 95

27LS00

16

256x1

(BOns)L.P ....

9 95

7489

16

16x4

[50nsl3i01

2 25

74C920

22

256x4

(250ns} . . .

3 95

256x4

(250ns) CMOS . ..

74C929

16

1024x1

1250-151 CMOS (6501)

3 95

74C930

18

1024x1

(250ns) CMOS (651B)

3 95

16

1G>4

(35ns| 93405

1.95

74S20O

16

256x1

(BOns)93410

3 95

74S206

10

256x1

(60ns| 9341!

3.95

74S2B9

18

16x4

(35ns)3101

2 25

82510

IB

1024x1

(S0ns)0 C (93415).

3.95

82525

IB

16x4

(5Dns)O.C.I74S289l

.. .2.25

PROMS/EPROMS

I702A

24

256x8

(Us)

2708

24

1024x8

(450ns) ,

270B'5

1024x8

(550ns) SM00246

TM52516

24

204Bx8

il-jOnsi 2716 ....

1MS253?

24

4096x8

(450ns) fJMC2532

TMS2564

28

8192x8

(450ns) ,

TMS2716

204BxB

(■;50ns|3vollaqo

2048xB

(450ns)

204BxB

(350ns)

204Bx6

(550ns)

2732

4096x6

\*m*\

•1035x8

(300ns)

4096-8

(450ns) 21V

■1096x6

(550ns)

275BQ-A

102Sx8

(450ns)

2764-4

2B

8192x6

(450ns) . .

2764-3

28

B192x8

(30Ons)

MM 52040

24

512*8(

MCM6B7G1

24

6I92«8

(450ns);!'

24^95

2712B

26

IG.3B.lx

(450ns) 128KEPR0M

59 95

74 SI 88

16

32x8

PROMOC (6330-1).

1.49

7452B7

16

256x4

PROM T.S (6301-1)

. ..1.95

74S2B8

1B

32x8

PROM T S (6331-1)

. ,1,95

74S3B7

ii>

256x4

PROM OX. (6300-1)

... 1.95

74S471

20

256x8

PROMT.S (6309-1).

. 5.95

74S472

20

512x8

PROM T S (6349-1) .

.4,95

74S473

20

512x8

PRDM 0 C (6348) .

4.95

74S474

24

512x8

PROM T.S (OMB7S296N) 4.95

74S475

24

512x8

PROMO C (6340)

. 4.95

74S476

IB

1024x4

PROMT S

. 6.95

74S47B

24

1024x6

PROM T .S

8.95

74S570

512x4

PROM O.C (6305)

2 95

74S571

16

512x4

PRDM T S (6306)

2.95

74S572

IB

1024x4

PROM D C (6352)

4.95

74S573

IB

1024x4

PROMT S (8251371

4.95

82S23

16

32x8

PROMOC (27S18)

2 95

B2S115

24

512x8

PROMT S (27S15)

9.95

82S123

16

32x8

PROMT S (27S19)

2.95

62S126

18

256x4

PROM 0 C (27S20)

2.95

82S129

IB

256x4

PROM T.S. (27S21)

2 95

62S120

16

512x4

PROM 0 C (27S12)

3 95

82S1B5

18

2046x4

PROMT S (TBi'?.:!iBH

9.95

82S190

24

20.18-B

(BOns)

..14.95

825)91

24

2048x8

iaons)

14.95

1024x8 PROM O.C (82S1BOI 1024x8 PROM T.S (B2SIB1) ■ PROM O.C. (82S184)

DM87S180N 24

DM87S181N 24

DM87S184N IB 2048x4

DM87S185N ia 2046x4 PROM T.S (82S1B5)

[)MH/sni!N 24 2046x4 PROM 0 C (B2S190)

DM87S19IN 24 2048x8 PROM T S (82S19"

DATA ACQUISITION —

DC10 MosieK DC/DC Convert

9V .

. 2.95

MC3470P 18 Floppy Disk Read AMP Systf MC1408L7 16 7-bll D/A Convener (DAC0807LCN) MC1408L8 IB 8-tJil O/A Convener (DAC080BLMI ADCOB03LCN 20 8-Ui| A/D Convener (± 1/2LSB) 2D 8-bil A/D Converter (1LSB) 168-bil D/A Convener (0.787= Lin.) 2B B-hi! A/D Converter (8-Cn Mulll ) 40 8-Pil A/0 Convener (16-Ch Multi ) 2410-DHD/AConv Micro Comp. (0 05: 20 10-BilD/AConv Micro. Comp (0 20Vc| 6 9! 16 lO'bil 0/AConv 10 Qb'A Lin ). . 16 IO-bit D/AConv (0.20% Lin ) 18 12-bit D/AConv. (0 20% Lin.) Constant Currenl Source Temperature Transducer ramp Comp. Prec Ret (.5ppm/C°)

[lACOMlil:

m:uw> A0COB17

[lACHKili ii.\LHi!JI)

!i.M:in:\) [!acid;';> (jaci

LM134/

avs.iw/

I.M'i!l!iH

AV-5-1013A 10 30KBaudU3rt|TR1602)

ST

m

WW

$10.00 Minimum Order — U.S. Funds Only California Residents Add 6'/:% Sales Tax Shipping — Add 5% plus 31.50 Insurance Send S.A.S.E. for Monthly Sales Flyer!

Spec Sheets — 30c each Send $1.00 Postage for your FREE 1984 JAMECO CATALOG Prices Subject to Change

Mall Order ElecKonlcs -Worldwide

ameco

ELECTRONICS

ViSA*

SOLDERTAIL

STANDARD (TIN)

1-9

10-99

DO-up

14 pin ST

.29

.27

.25

!6 pin ST

.34

.32

.30

18 pin ST

.38

.36

34

20 pin ST

.45

.43

.41

24 pin ST

.49

.45

.43

2B pin ST

69

.67

.63

40 pin ST

.93

.95

.89

WIRE WRAP SOCKETS

(GOLD) LEVEL #3

1-9

10-99 100-up

a pin WW

.49

.45

.42

10 pin WW

.65

.62

.59

14 pin WW

.65

.62

.59

IG pin WW

.69

.65

.61

10 pin WW

.89

.65

.79

2D pin WW

1.09

1.05

.99

22 pin WW

1.25

1.19

1.15

24 pin WW

1.20

1.23

1.18

28 pin WW

1.59

1.50

1.45

36 pin WW

1.85

1.75

1.69

40 pin WW

1.99

1.89

1.79

1355 SHOREWAY ROAD, BELMONT, CA 94002 7/84 PHONE ORDERS WELCOME — (415) 592 8097 Telex: 176043

m

DT1050 — Applications: Teaching aids, appliances, clocks, automotive, telecommunications, language translations, etc.

The DT1050is a standard DIGITALKER kit encoded with 137 separate and useful words, 2 tones, and 5 dlflerent silence durations. The words and tones have been assigned discrete addresses, making it possible lo output single words or words concatenated into phrases or even sentences. The "voice" output ol the DT105O is a highly intelligible male voice. Female and children's voices can be synthesized. The vocabulary Is chosen so that It Is applicable to many products and markets.

The DT1050 consists ol a Speech Processor Chip, MMS4104 (40-pin) and two (2) Speech ROMs MM52164SSR1 and MM52164SSR2(24-pln) along with a Master Word list and a recommended schematic diagram on the application sheet.

DT1050 Digitalker™ $34.95 ea.

MM54104 Processor Chip $14.95 ea.

DT1057- Expands the DTI050 vocabulary from 137 to over 260

words. Includes 2 ROMs and specs.

Part No. DT1057 . $24.95 ea.

*e™iuaifafl l| [\l|l|H3l^=tf| II flWffr

Pad No. "Pins Function Prica

7045IPI 28 CMOS Precision Timer 14,95

7D45EV/Kil* 28 Stopwatcn Chip. XTL 1995

710SCPL 40 3V; Digit A/O | LCD Drive) 9.95

FE0203D 3V; Digil LCD Display lor 7196 & 7116 19 95

710GEV/KH' 40 iC.Circjil Hoard. Display 34 95

71Q7CPL 40 3Vi Digit A/D (LED Oim) 11 95

71D7EV/KH* 40 IC, Circuit Boarfl, Display 29.95

7116CPL 40 3Vj Digit A/D LCD Dis. HLD. 16 95

72D1IUS Low Battery Vol! indicator 2 25

7205IPG 24 CMOS LED Stopwatcn/Timer 12 95

7205EV/KH" 24 SlopwaiCh Chip, XTL 14 95

7206CJPE 16 Tone Generator 4 95

7205CEV/KH" 16 Tone Generator Chip. XTL 7 95

7207AIPD 14 Oscillator Conlroller 5 95

7207AEV/KIP 14 Froq. Counter Chip, XTL 7 95

7215IPG 24 4 Func CMOS Slopw.ilcn CKT 13.95

7215EV7KIP 24 4 Func. Slopwalcti Cfiip, XTL 14.95

7216AIJI 2B 8 Digit Univ. Counter C. A. 29.95

7216DIPI 28 8 Digit Froq Counter C.C 19 95

7217UI 28 4 Digil LED Up/Down Counter CA. 10.95

7217AIPI 28 4 Clgil LED Up/Down Counter C.C 1195

7224IPL 40 LCD 4V, Digil Up Counter DHI 10.95

7226AEV/Ki|- 40 5 Function Counter Chip. XTL 74.95

130009 1983 INTERSIL Data Book<i356o i . . $9.95 I

Sen 74HC High Speed CMOS .

74HCO0 74HCO0 74HC02 74HC03 74HC04 74HCU0J 74HC08 74HC10 74HC11 74HC14 74HC20 74HC27 74HC30 74HC32 74HC42 74HC51 74HC58 74HC73 74HC74 74HC75 74HC75 74HCB5 74HC36 74HC107 7JHCT09 74HC112 74HCI13 74HC132 74HC137 74HC138

74COO 74C02 74C04 74COB 74C10 74CI4 74C20 74C30 74C32 74C42 74C48 74C73 74C74 74CB5 74CB6 74C89 74C90 74C93

74HC139 IB

74HC147 IE

74HC151 It

7JHC153 IE

74HC154 H

74HC157 IE

74HC153 16

74HC160 II

74HC16I 16

74HC162 If

74HC163 16

74HC164 Id

74HC165 IE

74HC173 11

74HC174 II

74HC175 If

74HC192 !f

74HC193 H

74HCI94 1!

74HC195 If IE

74HC240 ZC

74HC241 It

74HC242 H

74HC233 N

74HC244 2[

74HC245 ft

74HC251 IE

74HC253 IE 74HCU04 l.

74C95 74C107 74C151 74C154 74C157 74C1B0 74C161 74C162 74C163 74C16J 74C173 74C174 74C175 74C192 74C193 74C195

74HC257 74HC259 74HC256 74HC273 74HC280 74HC299 74HC366 7JHC367 7JHC373 74HC374 MHC390 74HC393 74HC533 74HC534 74HC595 7-lKCSHfi 74HC4M2 7-1HC4017 74HC4020 74HC4024 74HC4Q40 74HC40B0 74HCJ075 74HC4078 74HC4511 74HC451J 74HC4538 74HC45J3

mitiultcrc-il Ail others are EultereO

1L071CP

IL072CP

TLQ74CN

TL081CP

TL0B2CP

1L0H4CN

LM301CW

LM302H

LM304K

LM305H

LM307CN

LM308CN

LM3D9K

LM309H

LM310CN

LM311CN

LM312H

LM317T

LM317K

LM3I8CN

LM.119N

LM320K-5

LM320K-12

LM320K-I5

LM320K-?.!

LM320T-5

LM320T-I2

LM320T-15

LM320T-24

LM322N

LM323K

LM324N

LM329DZ

LM331N

LM334Z

LM335Z

LM335Z

LM337MP

LM337T

LM338K

LM339N

LM34UK-5

LM340K-12

LM31QK-15

LM340K-24

LM340T-5

LM340T-12

LM340T-15

LM34DT-24

LM341P-5

LM341P-12

LINEAR

LM341P-I5

LM342P-5

LM342P-12

LM342P-I5

LF347N

LM348N

LM350K

LF351N

LF3S3N

LF355N

LF356N

LM358M

LM359N

LM37DN

LM373N

LM377N

LM380CN

LM3B0N

LM3B1N

LM382N

LM384N

LM386N-3

LM387N

LM389N

LM391N-8U

LM392N

LM398N

LM399H

TL494CN

TL496CP

NE531V

NE544N

NE550A

NE555V

XRL555

LMS56N

NE561N

LM565N

LM566CN

LM567U

NE570N

NE571N

LM703CN

LM709N

LM710N

LM711N

LM723N

LM733N

74C221 74C240 74C244 74C373 74C374 74C901 74C903 740906 74C911 74C912 74C915 74C917 74C922 74C923 74C925 74C926 80C95 80C97

LM739N 14 1.

LM741CN 8

LM747N 14

LM74BN a

LMI310N 14 I

MC1330AI Et 1.

MCI349 B 1.

MC1350 8 t.

MC1358 14 1.'

LM145GV 8 1.

LM1458CN 8

LM148BN 14

LM14B9N 14

LM1495N 14 I.

LHI605CX 9

LM1B00N 16 2

LMI871N 18 2

LM1672N IB 3

LM1877N-9 14 2.

LUI839N 11 2.

LU1896N 14 2

LM20021 H

ULN2003A IB

XR2206 16 3.

XH2207 14 2.

XR220B 1G 2

XR2211 14 3.'

LMZ877P lit

LM287BP 2.!

LM2901IV 14

LH2902N 14

LM2907N 14 2.

LM3189N 16 1

LM3900N 14

LM3905CN 8 1.

LM3909N I

LM3914IJ IB 2.

LM3915N IB 2

LM3916N IB 2

HC4136N 14 I

RC4151NB B 1

RC4194TK 4.

LM4250CN B I;

LM4500A 16 t.

NE5532 8 2.

NE5534 S 1.

ICL8038B 14 3.

LM130B0N B 1

LM13500N 16 1

76477 ZS 3. MORE AVAILABLE

30003 1982 Nat. LinaarOata Book [ifl52cgs ■ $11.95

204 BYT

E • |ULY I984

Circle !66 on inquiry card.

HOME COMPUTER ACCESSORIES

RS232 ADAPTER FOR VIC-20 AND COMMODORE 64

The JE232CM allows connection of standard RS232 printers, modems, etc. to your VIC-20 and C-64. A 4-pole switch allows the inversion of the 4 control lines. Complete installation and operation instructions included.

• Plugs into User Port • Provides Standard RS232 signal levels ■ Uses 6 signals (Transmit, Receive, Clear to Send, Request to Send, Data Terminal Ready. Data Set Ready).

JE232CM $39.95

VOICE SYNTHESIZER FOR APPLE AND COMMODORE

JE520AP

JE520CM

• Dvsr 250 word vocabulary-affixes allow the formation of more than 5DQ words • Built-in amplifier, speaker, volume control, and audio |ack • Recreates a clear, natural male voice * Plug-In user ready with documentation and sample software • Caso size: 7'/*"L x 3'/."W x 1-3/B"H

APPLICATIONS: • Security Warning • Telecommunication

• Teaching ■ Handicap Aid

• Instrumentation • Games

The JE520 VOICE SYNTHESIZER will plug ngnt into your computer and allow you to enhance almost any application. Utilizing National Semiconductor's DIGITALKER/1' Speech Processor IC (with four custom memory chips), the JE520 compresses natural speech into digital memory, including the original inflections and emphases. The result is an extremely clear, natural vocalization. Part Nt^ Description Price

JE520CM For Commodore 64 & VIC-20 $114.95 JE520AP For Apple II, II+, and He $149,95

HI-TEK 14-KEY NUMERIC KEYPAD

- Great keypad for many home and business computer applications

■ SPST switching ■ Mounted on PC. board • Size 5" L x 3" W x 1V H

■ Color Grey ■ Weight: 1 lb ■ Spec available

K-14 $9.95

13VLx4'VWx VH

New!

16-9/16"L X 63a Wx 1WH

Nationally Known Manufacturer!

21Y'Lx9.8" Wx3'e H

New!

14V'Lx5lVWx1VH

MICRO SWITCH

ASCII Encoded Keyboards

• Large selection of keyboards ■ Hall effect

switching ■ Some have parallel interfaces ■ Some

have serial interfaces ■ All have status LEDs and a

minimum of 68 keys ■ Some with numeric keypad

capabilities, cursor controls, or both ■ Styles may

vary ■ Weight; 2 lbs. ■ No specs available

KB-MISC $9.95

Mitsumi 54-Key Unencoded Matrix All-Purpose Keyboard

• SPST keyswitches ■ 20 pin ribbon cable connection • Low profile keys ■ Features: cursor controls, control, caps (lock), lunclion, enter and shift keys ■ Color (keycaps): grey ■ Wt.: 1 lb. ■ Plnout included

KB54 $14.95

76-Key Serial ASCII Keyboard

■ Simple serial Interface • SPST mechanical switching ■ Operates In upper and lower case ■ Five user function keys: F1-F5 ■ Six finger edge card connection ■ Color (keys): tan ■ Weight: 2 lbs. ■ Data incl.

KB76 $29.95

106-KEY 8-BIT SERIAL ASCII KEYBOARD

■ The terminals were designed to be daisy chained around a central host computer and used as individual work stations ■ Hall effect switching ■ numeric and cursor keypad • 10 user definable keys • 50" interlace cable with 9-pin sub-miniature connector

• 7 LEO function displays * Security lock ■ N-key rollover ■ Automatic key repeat function ■ Color' (case): white w/black panel—[key caps): grey and blue

• Weight: 6'6 lbs. ■ Data Included.

KB139 $59.95

68-Key Keyboard with Numeric Keypad for Apple II and II+

• Plugs directly into Apple II or ll-f motherboard with 16-pin ribbon cable connector ■ 26 special functions ■ Color (keys): white/grev ■ Weight: 2 lbs.

KB-A68 $99.95

POWER SUPPLIES

TRANSACTION TECHNOLOGY, INC. 5VDC @ 1 AMP Regulated Power Supply

■ Output: -5VDC @ 1.0 amp (also +30VDC regulated) ■ Input: 115VAC, 60 Hz

■ Two-tone (black/beige) self-enclosed case ■ 6 foot, 3-conductor black power cord • Size- 6V L x 7" W x 2V H • Weight: 3 lbs.

PS51194 $14.95

JE664 EPROM PROGRAMMER 8K to 64K EPROMS - 24 & 28 Pin Packages

Completely Self-Contained - Requires No Additional Systems lor Operation

■ Programs and validates EPROMs ■ Checks to; piooetly erased EPROMs

■ Emulates PROMs or EPROMs • RS232C Computer Interface lor editing and program loading ■ Loads data into RAM by keyboard • Changes data In RAM by keyboard • Loads RAM from an EPROM ■ Compares EPROMs for content differences ■ Copies EPROMs - Power Input: 115VAC.60H;, less than 10W power consumption - Enclosure Color-coordinated light tan panels with molded end pieces in mocha brown - Size 15VL x B'i'O x 3'5'H ■ Weight, 5*i lbs

ft« JEGG'l EPROM Programmer emulates anr! programs varitys B-Dil Word EPROMs Irom 8K to B4K«8fl memory capacity Data can tie cnteied into tticJESQ-Vs internal 8K x 8-Bii RAM If IMree ways |1| horn a ROM or EPROM: (2) [torn an external computer via 'tie upncnal JEfiGS RS233C BUS. [3) IfWl lis panel key-toa-d The JE56'J!'C RAM; may be aewsiee1 for emulation purposes [rem the pjnel's test socket to an external mincprccessor In programming anrj emulation, the IE6M aliavs toi cumulation, change ana validation u! program content, the JcKM's HAMs cm U'programmed quickly to all" 1 "S lor any valuel. allnwim ..nuj^a jjiiri^its n Hie EPROM to be ptoc/ammed later without necessity ol "W erasing The IE6W displays DATA ana ADDRESS in convenient hexadecimal (alphanumeric) tcm.it A DISPLAY EPSOM DATA" Cutton changes the DATA readout from RAM werQ to EPROM MM mt) is displayed tn both NviaOccma: ana binary race The Ircnt panel features d ccnve.-ui'nt ioeratinq gui'Je The JE6W Programmii irtdudes one JM16A Jumper Module las listed below

JE664-A EPROM Programmer $995.00

Assembled S Tested (Includes JM16A Module)

JE665 - HS232C INTERFACE OPTION - rtieRSeaze interlace Opuor, rmpiemems ccmputei access to the JEEW's RAM Tti.s allocs lhc enrnputer lc maiiipulali!. slore and lrnii.'.Nii 1FW1M rJ.iU li'iiiiil l.'iirn |hv JeGM A 'Jtun[::ij pioiiram (islilii) i-, siiiidIkJ in MRASIC lor ('.CM ciiin.Hilt'rs llijc.inienlaiion is provided to adapt the 5oilwa:e :rj other computers with ai< RS23? port 9600 Baud, fl-bil word odd panty and 2 stop bits

FOR A LIMITED TIME A SAMPLE OF SOFTWARE WRITTEN IN BASIC FOR THE TRS-BO' MODEL I, LEVEL II COMPUTER WILL ALSO SE PROVIDED

JE664-ARS EPROM Prog. W/JE665 Option $1195.00

Assembled & Tested (Includes JM16A Module)

EPROM JUMPER MODULES - The JE664's JUM^R MODULE [P.!'' ■jiuhlv MiiJultr) :i .1 pi hi I 111 Mcrtu''' I rial iii.11';!' :he JE654 Inr (he proper programming i>u!v-.-. I" ih" LnVam)

conltaures Nil- FPfiOM socket connections lor that particular EPROM

Afto IrVM 'rifTtaiiln

.'nw H« >i EPOCH I.n^i tew* NMUfUTINM PRICE

jmou p» ;sy ami> Nfewb rto.nw.li _!,H5

«'« ?Hf TUS?5lflTI| !SV ntn '■■.!.>, M: Hit II.

imt^ Fwdipi oki

•/■-K (MS J MM

New!

Power/Mate Corp. REGULATED POWER SUPPLY

•Input: 105-125/210-250 VAC at 47-63 Hz-Line regulation: ±0.05%' Three mounting surlaceb ■ Overvoltage protection ■ UL recognized ■ CSA certified Port No. Output Size Weight Price

EMA5/6B 5V@3A/6V@2.5A 4VL x 4"W x 2VH 2 lbs. $29.95 EMA5/6C 5V§6A/6V@5A 5VL x 4VW x 2VH 4 lbs. $39.95

ASTEC SWITCHING REGULATED POWER SUPPLY

• Apple III Rower Supply • Multiple outputs for bench top uses and other applications ■ Input: 115VAC. 50-60 Hz ® 3.0 amps - Output: +5VDC @ 1 0 amp, 112VDC 6 1.0 amp. -12VDC @ 1,0 amp, t24VDC @ 2.5 amp, -24VDC @ 2,5 amp ■ Siie: 15" L x 3*. W x 2V H ■ Weight: 21* lbs.

AS1155 $39.95

POWER SUPPLY +5VDC @ 7.6 AMP, 12VDC @ 1.5 AMP SWITCHING

■ Input I 15VAC. 50-6riHz S 3 amp/230VAC, 50Hz ® 1 6 amp - Fan volt /power supply select swilcbus 11 15/230VAC1 ■ O^tout 5VDC S 7 6 ami) 12VVC @ 1 5 amp ' 0 tool tilack PUM.M cord ■ Size 11*1 x 1 S'.'W x 3'-"H - Weight 6 lbs.

PS94VOS $39.95

KEPCO/TDK 4-OUTPUT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY

• Ideal for disk drive needs of CRT terminals, microcomputers and videogames - Input: 115/230VAC,50/60Hz- Output: +5V@5Amp, +12V@ 1.8 Amp, + 12V @ 2 Amp, -1ZV @ 0.5 Amp ■ UL recognized ■ CSA certified

• Size: 7%"L x 6-3/1S"W x 1sa"H ■ Weight: 2 lbs

MRM 174KF $59.95

4-CHANNEL SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY

- Microprocessor, mini-computer, terminal, medical equipment and process control applications ■ Input: 90-130VAC, 47-440HZ ■ Output. +5VDC @ 5A, -5VDC@ 1 A: ri2VDC@ 1A, -12VDC@ 1A ■ Line regulations: • 0.2% ■ Ripple, 30mV p-p • Load regulation: -1% ■ Overcurrent protection • Adj: 5V main output ■ 10% • Size: 6VL x 1VW x 4-15/16-H - Weight: 11? lbs.

FCS-604A $69.95 each

Switching Power Supply for APPLE II, 11+ & //e'M

- Can drive (our floppy disk drives and up to eight expansion cards • Short circuit and overload protection ■ Fits inside Apple computer

■ Fully regulated +5V @ 5A, +12V @ 1.5A, -5V @ ,5A. -12V @ .5A

- Direct plug-in power cord included • Size: 9VL x 3'/2"W x 2VH

■ Weight: 2 lbs.

KHP4007 $79.95

$10.00 Minimum Order — U.S. Funds Only California Residents Add 6Va% Sales Tax Shipping — Add 5% plus $1.50 Insurance Send S.A.S.E. for Monthly Sales Flyer!

Spec Sheets — 30c each Send $1.00 Postage for your FREE 1984 JAMECO CATALOG Prices Subject to Change

Mail Order Electronics-Worldwide

ameco

ELECTRONICS

V7S4S

1355 SHOREWAY ROAD, 7/84 PHONE ORDERS WELCOME —

BELMONT, CA 94002

(415) 592-8097 Telex: 176043

4-Digit Fluorescent Alarm Clock Kit

8:88. m

NEW!

AM/PM indicator Automatic display dimmer • Bright 4-digll 0.5" high display • 10 minute snooze alarm

The JE750 Clock Kit is a versatile 12-hour digital clock with 24-hour alarm. The clock has a bright 0.5" high blue-green fluorescent display. The display will automatically dim with changing light conditions. The 24-hour alarm allows the user to disable the alarm and immediately re-enable the alarm to activate 24 hours later. The kit includes all documentation, components, case and wall transformer. Size: 6VL x 3VW x WD.

JE750 Alarm Clock Kit $29.95

DISK DRIVES AND SUPPLIES

5V APPLE™ Direct Plug-In Compatible Disk Drive

• UlBt Shugart SA390 machinlcs • 143K lormatlBd norsgg • 35 tuckt — compalibla with Apple councillor • Compiata with connects md cable — just plug Into your disk controller card • Size: 6"L x 3'/i"W *

b-9/16"0 • Wiight: 4V.

ADD-514..

Ibi.

$195.95

+5VDC @ 6 Amps Microcomputer +12VDC @ 4 Amps Power Inc. -12VDC® 0.5 Amps Reguiated

Power Supply

• Perfect for computer or disk drive systems ■ Supply has AMP connectors for direct connection to two 5!V disk drives ■ Cooling fan ■ Input: 100/115/ 200/230VAC, 47-63HZ - Output 13VL x 6t»"W x 5"H (above) • Weight: 9 lbs.

CP167 $59.95

iJv^sjjues Protect Yourself... DATASHIELD

l^B^H^ft - Eliminates voltage spikes and EMI-RFi noise

\ fA^^^^ before il can damage your equipment or cause data loss ■ 6 month warranty ■ Power dissipa

% * M „ lion H00 microseconds): 1,000,000 warts ■ 6

1 <• sockets ■ 6 foot power cord ■ Normal line volt

1 *«" -fjj|' age indicator lignt • Brown out/black out reset

\ switch ■ Weight: 2 lbs.

Model 100 $69.95

Protect DATASHIELD"

Yourself... Back-Up

r ^ Power Source

- Provides up to 30 minutes of continuous 120

^ : ! VAC 60Hz power to your computer system

"\ : jjfl (load dependent) when you have a black out

\fe or voltage sag ■ Outpul rating: 200 watts ■ Six

^ month warranty ■ Weight: 24 lbs.

Model 200 (PC200) $349.95

Surge Protector

IBM MEMORY EXPANSION KIT COMPAQ COMPATIBILITY

SAVE HUNDREDS OF $$$ BY UPGRADING MEMORY BOARDS YOURSELF!

Most ol lha popular memory boards allow you to sdd an additional 64K. 128K, 192K, or Z56K. Trie IBM64K KM will populate these boards in 64K byte increments. The kit Is simple to install — just Insert (he nine 64K RAM chips In Ihe provided sockets and set the two groups ol switches. Directions are Included.

IBM64K (Nine 200ns 64K RAMs) $49.95

TRS-80 MEMORY EXPANSION KIT

TRS-80 to 16K, 32K, or 48K "Modal 1 = From 4K to 16K Requires (1) Ono Kit Model 3 = From 4K to 48K Requires (3) Three Kits Color = From 4K to 16K Requires (1) One Kit

"Model 1 equipped wilh Eipenilon Beeid up to 4BK Two Kit: Required — One Kil Roouiied lor each IEK ol Eipaoslon

TRS-16K3 *200ns lor Color & Model Ml S12.95

TH.S-16K4 *250ns for Model I S10.95

TRS-BO Color 32K or 64K Conversion Kit

Easy to install kits comes complete with 8 ea. 4164-2 (200ns) 64< dynamic RAMs and conversion documentation. Converts TRS-80 color computers with D, E, ET, F and NC circuit boards to 32K, Also converts TRS-80 color computer II to 64K. Flex DOS or OS-9 required lo utilize tull 64K RAM on all computers TRS-64K2 $44.95

UV-EPROM Eraser

8 Chips — 51 Minutes~| *■* ^*

1 Chip — 37 Minutes

Erases 2708. 2716, 2732, 2764, 2516. 2532, 2564, Erases up to 8 chips within 51 minutes (1 chip In 37 minutes). Maintains constant exposure distance of one Inch. Special conducive foam liner eliminates static buildup. Built-in salely lock lo prevent UV exposure. Compact — only 9.00" x 3,70" x 2.60". Complete with holding tray for 8 chips.

DE-4 UV-EPROM Eraser . S79.95 . UVS-11EL Replacement Bulb $16.95/

Circle 166 on inquiry card.

IULY I984 -BYTE 205

COHERENT™ IS SUPERIOR TO UNIX* AND IT'S AVAILABLE TODAY ON THE IBM PC.

Mark Williams Company hasn't just taken a mini-computer operating system, like UNIX, and ported it to the PC. We wrote COHERENT ourselves. We were able to bring UNIX capability to the PC with the PC in mind, making it the most efficient personal computer work station available at an unbelievable price.

For the first time you get a multi-user, multitasking operating system on your IBM PC. Because COHERENT is UNIXcompatible, UNIX software will run on the PC under COHERENT.

The software system includes a C-compiler and over 100 utilities, all for $500. Similar environments cost thousands more.

COHERENT on the IBM PC requires a hard disk and 256K memory. It's available on the IBM XT, and Tecmar, Davong and Corvus hard disks.

Available now. For additional information, call or write,

Mark Williams Company

1430 West Wrightwood, Chicago, Illinois 60614

312/472-6659

il

Mark

Williams

Company

COHERENT is a trademark of Mark Williams Company. •UNIX is as trademark of Bell Laboratories.

Circle 327 on Inquiry card.

THEME

CONTROLLING VIDEODISCS WITH

MICROS

by Rod Daynes and Steve Holder

A programming example in BASIC for the Song SMG70

SUPPOSE YOU WANT to control a laser videodisc player with a personal computer, perhaps to create a game. And suppose you happen to have a constant angular velocity (CAV) version of an adventure movie (there are some good candidates available in this category). [Editor's Note: In any instance in which you use a copyrighted videodisc you may have to obtain a license from the copyright owner.] This article will give you a few pointers on what to look for and how to get started. In addition, a sample listing is included to demonstrate a few strategies for actually coding your creation.

Listing 1 is written for Sony's SMC-70 (system monitor controller) system, which includes Sony's Z80A-based computer with two 3.5-inch microfloppy disk drives, CP/M (R) operating system, an overlay (SMI-7073 RGB |red-green-blue] Superimposer), and an RGB/NTSC (National Television System Committee) monitor (PVM 1270Q), serially interfaced to the Sony LDP-1000A videodisc player. You can also use the LDP-1000. version 1.7 and newer versions.

The listing was written in Sony's Disk BASIC, which links a videodisc utility called "VX.PAC" (video extension package). VX.PAC includes all of the video

disc control commands designed specifically for the LDP-1000A disc player (an updated version of the utility just released also includes controls for Sony's still-frame audio unit and touchscreen). Sony also has a cache disk (disk emulator), which we did not have with our system.

VX.PAC has all of the commands you would expect for controlling a disc player. They include: LDP1N1T, call videodisc initialize: LDPOUT, call videodisc commands out: LDPDSEG, call videodisc define segment (a segment can be one frame long): LDPXSEG, call videodisc execute segment: LDPSSEG, call videodisc start playing segment; LDPSRCH, call videodisc search: LDPFRM, call videodisc frame:

Rod Daynes is vice president and principal of Interactive Technologies Corporation of San Diego, California. He is interested in videodiscbased games and simulations and is author of "The Videodisc Interfacing Primer'.' )une 1982 BYTE, page 48.

Steve Holder is a programmer and author of two books. Elements of BASIC and Elements of COBOL.

Both authors may be contacted through 1TC at 1131 G Street, San Diego. CA 92101.

LDPSTART, call videodisc start; LDPWAIT, call videodisc wait; LDPEND, call videodisc end; LDPSTAT, call videodisc status; and LDPD1SCID, call videodisc identification.

Commands for controlling the superimposer (overlay) include: INTSET, call interlace mode set; ASW, call audio switch; and VSW, call video switch.

You control the graphics display (which supports Sony's graphics package in the superimpose mode) by invoking: GLOAD, call graphic load: SLFONT call select font; and TEXT, call text.

Particularly useful commands resident in the VX.PAC utility are: LDPEND, which holds the execution of a program until a particular video sequence has been completed; LDPFRM, a frame status request that can be used for timed waits; LDPSTAT, which reads all kinds of status from the LDP-1000 (or LDP-1000A) videodisc player; and LDPWAIT, which holds execution of the BASIC program until the disc frame number comes up.

A nice feature of the SMC-70 is that it is totally integrated with the LDP-1000A player, which is entirely capable of dealing with commands. You can

(continued)

IULY 1984 - BYTE 207

VIDEODISC CONTROL

tell the player to do something, e.g., play to the end of a sequence, and go on about your business. You do not have to keep your eye on it all the time.

Before You Begin

First of all, a CAV laser disc is required. Superior to constant linear velocity (CLV) laser discs for interactive video, CAV discs are frame addressable. Thus, they can use all the inherent functions of a laser disc, including fast frame accurate access, freeze frame, variable motion control, and frame step. In addition, they can handle data dumps from the second audio track, from the vertical interval, and from horizontally nested data. CLV discs, on the other hand, are not frame addressable, which eliminates the possibility for any meaningful external control.

However, CAV movie discs are harder to come by and more expensive. This is because CAV discs can only store about 30 minutes of linear footage per side. CLV discs can store roughly 60 minutes per side.

With CLV discs, less raw material is needed and movies can be pressed in less time, thus they are considered more economical by mastering facilities and distributors.

Until recently, CLV movie discs were a source of frustration for computer hobbyists and film buffs. Fortunately, several significant new releases are now available in both CLV and CAV formats, with more on the way.

Creating an interactive program from an existing movie can be almost impossible because some of the desired sequences are not on the disc. One de

150 o

e

170 CHAIN MERGE

O O

190 (MAIN PROGRAM)

1 GO TO 190 ° (SUBROUTINES)

190 (MAIN PROGRAM)

TYPICAL PROGRAM. WHEN ENTERED

PROGRAM AFTER SUBROUTINE SET IS MERGED

Figure 1: Merging the subroutine set.

from — previous

PROGRAM

170 MERGE

SUBSET

170 MERGE

SUBSET

170 MERGE SUBSET

CHAIN 170

•TO NEXT PROGRAM

Figure 2: Chaining the demonstration modules.

velopment strategy is to let the program (game) grow naturally from the movie itself. After you decide on an objective (to "get the waiter to notice you," for example), take some time to separately catalog the desired edits, both the "ins" and the "outs". Next, determine which of these edits can be reassembled into entirely new scenes. Flowchart these segments so you can visualize all the various outcomes. After that you can write your program.

Be aware that the pacing and style of your program is just as important in an interactive mode as it is in a linear mode. Do not become a slave to the logic of your flowcharts. Long search times and short choppy sequences can be deadly. So become a film editor and try several alternatives before you commit yourself to a particular strategy. The operative word here is "orchestrate."

The Demonstration Program

There are nine modules in the demonstration program (eight programs and one subset). This is due to restricted memory space. When one program has been completed successfully, the computer calls the next program via the CHAIN statement, passing variable values, such as the score. We structured the programs so that any one of them could be run separately. For example, you can begin the program in the middle if you implement the command RUN "TURN2." Or you can skip the title sequence and use RUN "FIRSTSEQ."

Since we divided the demonstration into separate programs, we faced the problem of writing the same set of subroutines in every program, with the exception of the TITLE program, which did not use any of the subroutines. To solve this redundancy/overhead problem, we wrote the subroutines as a separate file. This file is called "SUBSET." Each program merges the SUBSET file as needed. (Note: In order to be merged, SUBSET must be saved in ASCII format.) In other words, once you go through the title sequence the first time, lines 1-145 of the TITLE program are filed away and play no further part in the game. After the first run, if your hero meets with a grim demise, one of your choices is to pop into the SUBSET file that does all of the preliminary setup to take you through the first

[continued)

208 BYTE • IULY 1984

cal-2

PROVING GROUNDS

Pascal-2 Performs In Medical Neurosclence Lab at Scrlpps Clinic and Research Foundation. Division of Preclinical Neurosclence and Endocrinology.

ascal-2 is the language of our computerized imaging system. We hope to increase scientific objectivity, reduce labor costs during neuroanatomical analysis, and increase the quality of scientific research. Pascal-2 is the language ofchoice.99

Dr. Warren G. Young

Biosystems Analyst Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation La Jolla, California

r. Young and his colleagues are investigating clinical disorders in the neural system. Pascal-2 is instrumental in maintaining a data base for the geometric attributes of neural cells.

Why is Pascal-2 Dr. Young's choice in software? "Structured programming, excellent records and file constructs, efficient coding, fast program execution, good documentation and customer support are some of the reasons why we chose Pascal-2'!

To see how Pascal-2 meets your application needs call 1-800-874-8501.

I

Circle 239 on Inquiry card.

Oregon Software

2340 S. W. Canyon Road Portland, Oregon 97201 (503) 226-7760

The Pascal-2 system is available on Digital's PDP, VAX and Professional Computer systems running on the RSTS, RT-11, RSX and Unix Operating Systems.

Digital, PDP, VAX, RSTS, RT-11 and RSX are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. Unix Is a trademark of Bell Laboratories. Pascal-2 Is a trademark of Oregon Software.

VIDEODISC CONTROL

PROGRAM ENTRY POINT.

1

IF "RUN" (INITIALIZING)

150

INITIALIZE

155

START DISC

Q 0

PLAYER

CHAIN ENTRY POINT »■

170

MERGE

(NO INITIALIZING NEEDED)

e o

SUBSET

TYPICAL PROGRAM

Figure 3: TWo program entry points.

RESTART

DISC

PLAYER

^ BEGIN ^

YES

YES

NO

PLAY BAD ENDING

ADD SCORE AND

CONTINUE

f NEXT \ PROGRAM J

A TYPICAL GAME SEQUENCE

Q END J

Figure 4: A typical game sequence, the third program entry point.

"play" sequence again.

The CHAIN/V/M statement (chain, variables, merge) merges the SUBSET file, preserving the value of all variables, then starts executing at the beginning of the newly merged program. The CHAIN/V/M statement is line 170 in every program other than TITLE. Since the same SUBSET file is merged into seven different programs, they had to be somewhat standardized. The lines in the SUBSET file are numbered 1-145, and every program is numbered from

line 150 upward. In this way, no linenumber conflict occurs when the two files are merged. The main body of every program begins at line 190, and the first instruction in the SUBSET file is GOTO 190, effectively continuing the program after the merge (see figure 1). Each program enters the next one at line 170, where the SUBSET file is merged with the newly called program (see figure 2).

Since each action sequence was written as a separate program, we had to

allow for the possibility that one of them might be inadvertently run without the benefit of the original initialization. Therefore, the first lines of each program (lines 150-165) initialize arrays, screen, and disc player before the subset is merged. If the program is RUN instead of being merged, it will not crash (see figure 3).

Using scenes played from the videodisc, each program presents a problem (or two) that you must solve or overcome. If correct, you are rewarded with points and the game continues. If incorrect, play is interrupted with an appropriate "bad ending" scene played from the disc (whenever possible). You are then given the choice of quitting or trying again.

To preserve your score to this point, if you choose to try again, we chain the program back to itself. This presents the third entry point at line 155, reinitializing the disc player to repeat the scene (see figure 4).

To take advantage of the sound track (audio is defeated in the still and variable motion modes) and to maintain the feel of the original film, we let the motion run continuously wherever possible. This has the effect of luring you into the adventure. But you have to stay on your toes. Quick decisions, which can take you by surprise, are demanded at various points. You may be watching a sequence and suddenly there is a closeup of a waiter approaching and the chair being pulled back. You must make a choice: (1) drop your spoon, (2) use your fork, or (3) duck. The correct choice is to use your fork, which is acknowledged by a flashing score in the upper right corner as the disc continues to play. If you: (1) do not respond in time, or (2) choose the wrong option, the computer turns the NTSC video off and searches the disc for a short sequence with the sound of a sniff. Simultaneously, in the RGB mode, IGNORED is printed. After a short pause, the text is erased and another graphic appears while the disc searches for an appropriate reaction shot. The RGB is turned off, the NTSC is turned on, the motion sequence of the reaction shot is played, and at the completion of the motion sequence, an overlay is turned on that asks you if you would care to play again (see figure 5).

[continued)

210 BYTE • |ULY 1984

Think of what you could do with this capability right now... mix live or recorded instruction with program code; computer graphics with camera video; provide a moving cursor over a live image for all types of medical and industrial uses; even tape the results on any home or professional type video recorder... the applications are only limited by your imagination.

FULL WINDOW CONTROL

The C-77™ Video Combiner features full window control, allowing you to place any size window anywhere you wish on the screen. It also allows a choice of combined or super'ed images inside the window...allowing the movingcursor-over-camera-image and other useful, exciting effects.

APPLICATIONS IN EDUCATION, MEDICINE, INDUSTRY, ETC.

Almost any video training session can be greatly enhanced with the C-77™ You can use it to scroll computer text alongside a live or taped presentation of the function, procedure or lesson being taught. Or you can prepare programming lessons in which the teacher appears right on the students' monitors, next to the code lines, giving instruction. As the lesson progresses the window may be enlarged to full screen for blackboard chalk-talks or other demonstrations, and then reduced to nothing to allow the students to use what they've just learned "on their own'.'

Medical CAT-scans and other video-displayed medical imaging can now have computeraccurate grids super'ed over them for precise, repeatable location of lesions and other areas of interest. The moving cursor offers substantial benefits here too, especially for training sessions, as does the valuable text-scroll ability mentioned above.

Industrial imaging can also be enhanced via grids, cursors and text scroll, with substantial benefits accruing to training, research & development and CAD/CAM applications. Plus, the excitement and vitality that the C-77™ can lend to sales presentations will pay for the unit many times over in the form of increased sales!

RAPID SOLUTIONS... FROM RAPITECH

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The C-77™ Video Combiner lets you display camera video together with computer output, on your computer's composite monitor or television receiver.

VIDEO CAMERA

COMPUTER

C-77 VIDEO COMBINER

TV RECEIVER OR VCR

Other applications in video, art, HamTV, trade show displays and commercial communications are being discovered daily. You can be one of the discoverers, if you take advantage of our no risk, ten day free trial. The price? Well, up to now, this kind of video mixing capability normally required a table full of gear costing thousands of dollars...but thanks to Rapitech's advances in LSI technology and miniaturization, the C-77™ comes in a mini-box chassis (only 6" x 61/2"x 2")with a mini price tag. Complete with all necessary cables and software allowing use as a character generator, it lists for only $375.00 for the C-77™ standard model; $399.00 for the C-77RF modulated RF video model which works with any TV receiver. And these prices include

IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corp, APPLE is a registered trademark ot Apple Corp. ATARI is a registered trademark ot Atari Corp.

Dealer inquiries invited.

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Utility software on diskette for IBM PC, Apple or Atari is included, as well as printed listing upon request if you have another computer. Both units require camera with external sync, capability, (cameras with lens available - order tt SGM1348 @$385.00 plus tax for NY residents). IBM owners please note: requires IBM, TECMAR or comparable graphics board.

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VIDEODISC CONTROL

Listing l: The following action sequences, with appropriately chosen sound effects, dialogue, and screen prompts, show the personal computer's great range as a videodisc game creator and controller. Program l, the "subset" file, is automatically invoked whenever your hero meets with a bad end. It returns you to the main program, gives you your score, and asks you whether or not you want to continue.

Program I:

l INTSET (l,0): GOTO 190: ' Enter main program after merging

5 '

10 ' "SUBSET" 15 ' Standard Routines Merged to Each Module

20 EVAL INKEYS

LDPFRM (F#): AS= INKEYS

IF AS= " " THEN IF F# < LIMIT GOTO 25 RETURN

25 30

35 40 '

45 CCOLOR 4.2: LOCATEI19.0): PRINT "YOUR SCORE: 50 CCOLOR 4.2,2: LOCATED 1.0): PRINT SCORE: 55 CCOLOR 6,0,0: RETURN 60 '

65 GCLEAR 8: SCORE = SCORE + POINTS 70 GOSUB 45: FLASHSCORE

75 FOR K% = 1 TO 4: BEEP: PAUSE 2: NEXT K%: PAUSE 30 80 CCOLOR 4.2: LOCATE(31,0|: PRINT SCORE 85 CCOLOR 6,0,0: RETURN 90 '

95 LOCATE (20 - LEN(MSGSI/2. 20) 100 CCOLOR 6: PRINT MSGS 105 LOCATE (12,22): PRINT "PLAY AGAIN? (Y/NI" 110 GOSUB 45: EVAL INKEYS 115 AS = INKEYS: IF AS = " " THEN 115

120 CCLEAR: IF AS= "Y" OR AS= "y" THEN CHAIN /V PRGMS.155 125 _VSW(0): CONSOLE 80: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR ,. 8: CCLEAR 130 DELETE 1-145: END

135 ■

140 _VSW(0|: CONSOLE 80: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR 8: CCLEAR 145 PRINT "ERROR "; ERR: " ON LINE "; ERL: GOTO 130

Program 2:

TIMED WAIT Subroutine (Uses LIMIT)

FLASHSCORE 'Subroutine (Uses SCORE)

SCORE Subroutine (Uses POINTS)

BAD END

Routine :(Uses MSGS, ' PRGMS)

Restart module, or reset screen. Deleting enables main module to be rerun.

ERROR Routine

1 '

5 J Written in SONY SMC-70 Disk BASIC using VX.PAC utility commands.

Screen red. Set raster interlace Start disc Load overlay font. Set up screen. Wait for title. First in black, then overlay white for drop shadow.

Wait, erase, wait

10 CONSOLE 40: CURSOR OFF : GCOLOR „4: GCLEAR 4 15 CCLEAR: _LDPINIT: _INTSET( 1,0)

20 _LDPOUT (&H5I): LDPSTART (1000.1001)

25 DIM FONT%II600): _SLFONT(FONT%(0). "ROM70") 30 _VSWI2| : GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR 8.8.8: CCOLOR 0.1.0 35 _LDPWAIT (1002) 40 __TEXT|]29.56."THE".FONT%IO|.0,0,II 45 _TEXT(I28.55,"THE".FONT%(0|.7.7.1) 50 _TEXT(I23,146."GAME",FONT%(0),0,O.I) 5 5 _TEXT(I22.I45."GAME",FONT%(0).7,7.I) 60 _LDPWAIT(I003): GCLEAR: _LDPWAIT(I004) 70 LOCATEI4.I6) :PRINT SPACESI32) :LOCATE(4,17) :PR1NT SPACESI32) 75 LOCATEI4.I8) :PRINT " DEVELOPED BY

80 LOCATE(4,19) :PRINT SPACESI32) Mask and overlay.

85 LOCATEI4.20) :PRINT " ROD DAYNES

90 LOCATE(4,2l) :PRINT SPACESI32) :LOCATE(4,22) :PRINT SPACESI32) 95 _TEXT(58,80."NIGHT OF THE',FONT%(0),0.6.1.1| 'Superimposed. 100 _TEXT(76.I00. "BIG DINNER".FONT%(0),0.6.I.I)

105 _LDPWAIT(I005) Wait original timing.

110 LOCATEI4.16] :PRINT SPACESI32) :LOCATEI4.17) :PRINT SPACESI32I

115 LOCATEI4.18) :PRINT " PROGRAMMING BY

120 LOCATEI4.I9) :PRINT SPACESI32)

125 LOCATE(4,20) :PRINT " STEVE HOLDER

130 LOCATE(4.21) PRINT SPACESI32) :LOCATE(4,22) :PRINT SPACESI32]

{continued)

212 BYTE- 1ULY 1984

THE FORTH SOURCE

MVP-FORTH

Stable - iransportable - Public Domain - Tools You need two primary features in a software development package a stable operating system and the ability to move programs easily and quickly to a variety of computers. MVP-FORTH gives you both these features and many extras. This public domain product Includes an editor, FORTH assembler, tools, utilities and the vocabulary for the best selling book "Starting FORTH". The Programmer's Kit provides a complete FORTH for a number of computers. Other MVP-FORTH products will simpJjfV the development of your applications.

MVP Books - A Series

□ Volume 1, All about FORTH by Haydon. MVP-FORTH glossary with cross references to fig-FORTH, Starting FORTH and FORTH-79 Standard. 2nd Ed. $25

□ Volume 2, MVP-FORTH Assembly Source Code. Includes CP/M® , IBM-PC® , and APPLE® listing for kernel $20

□ Volume 3, Floating Point Glossary by Springer $10

□ Volume 4, Expert System with source code by Park $25

□ Volume 5, File Management System with interrupt security by Moreton $25

MVP-FORTH Software - A Transportable FORTH

□ MVP-FORTH Programmer's Kit including disk, documentation, Volumes 1 & 2 of MVP-FORTH Series (All About FORTH, 2nd Ed. & Assembly Source Code), and Starting FORTH. Specify □ CP/M, □ CP/M 86, □ CP/M + , □ APPLE,

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^ □ Compupro. □ Cromenco, □ DEC Rainbow, □ NEC 8201,

□ TRS-80/100 $150

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□ MVP-FORTH Fast Floating Point Includes 9511 math chip on board with disks, documentation and enhanced virtual MVPFORTH for Apple II, II +, and lie. $450

□ MVP-FORTH Programming Aids for CP/M, IBM or APPLE Programmer's Kit. Extremely useful tool for decompiling, callfinding, and translating. $200

□ MVP-FORTH PADS (Professional Application Development System) for IBM PC, XT or PCjr or Apple II, II + or He. An integrated system for customizing your FORTH programs and applications. The editor includes a bi-directional string search and is a word processor specially designed for fast development. PADS has almost triple the compile speed of most FORTH's and provides fast debugging techniques. Minimum size target systems are easy with or without heads. Virtual overlays can be compiled in object code. PADS is a true professional development system. Specify

Computer. $500

jejt □ MVP-FORTH Floating Point & Matrix Math for IBM or

* Apple $85

^ □ MVP-FORTH Graphics Extension for IBM or Apple $65

□ MVP-FORTH MS-DOS file interface for IBM PC PADS $80

□ MVP-FORTH Expert System for development ol knowledge

based programs for Apple. IBM, or CP/M.

$100

FORTH CROSS COMPILERS Allow extending, modifying and compiling for speed and memory savings, can also produce ROMable code. Specify CP/M, 8086, 68000, IBM, Z80, or Apple II, II + $300

FORTH COMPUTER

□ Jupiter Ace $150

Ordering Information: Check, Money Order (payable lo MOUNTAIN VIEW PRESS. INC.). VISA, MasterCard. American Express. COD'S $5 extra. Minimum order $15. No billing or unpaid PO's. California residents add sales tax. Shipping costs in US included in price. Foreign orders, pay in US funds on US bank, include for handling and shipping by Air: $5 for each item under $25, $10 for each item between $25 and $99 and $20 for each item over $100. All prices and products subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Single system and/or single user license agreemenl required on some products.

FORTH DISKS

FORTH with editor, assembler, and manual.

□ APPLE by MM, 83 $100 p 280 by LM, 83

□ APPLE by Kuntze

□ ATARI® valFORTH

CP/M® by MM, 83

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□ HP-75 by Cassady ,£*>□ IBM-PC® by LM, 83

□ TRS-80/I or I

F, X, & 79

by MMS

$90 □ 8086/88 by LM, 83^ $100 $60 □ 68000 by LM, 83 ^ $250 $100 a V!C FORTH by HES, VIC20

$90 cartridge $50 $150 □ C64 by HES Commodore 64 $100 cartridge $60

□ NOVA by CCI 8" DS/DD$175 □ Tlmex by HW $25 Enhanced FORTH with: F-Floating Point, G-Graphics, T-Tutorial, S-Stand Alone, M-Math Chip Support, MT-Multi-Tasking, X-Other Extras, 79-FORTH-79, 83-FORTH-83.

4 □ APPLE by MM D C64 by ParSec. MVP, F, 79 .

F, G. & 83 $1 80 ^ G & X $96

□ ATARI by PNS, F,Q, & X. $90 D F00s ,or A,ari FORTH's $40 jfe* □ CP/M by MM, F & 83 $1 40 D Extensions for LM Specify

IBM, Z80, or 8086

□ Apple, QraFORTH by I $75 Q Software Floating

□ Multi-Tasking FORTH by SL, Point $100 CP/M, X & 79 $395 □ 8087 Support

(IBM-PC or 8086) $100 □ 9511 Support *130 (Z80 or 8086) $100

□ Tlmex by FD, tape G,X, □ Color Graphics

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□ Victor 9000 by DE.G.X $150 Management $200

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FORTH MANUALS, GUIDES & DOCUMENTS

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Proc. $25

□ 1982 Rochester FORTH Proc. $25

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□ A Bibliography of FORTH References, 1 st. Ed. $15 The Journal of FORTH Application & Research

□ Vol. 1,-No. 1 $20

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$13

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Circle 228 on inquiry card.

IULY I984 -BYTE 213

Circle 51 on inquiry card.

• Implements the entire IEEE-488 standard — transfer commands and data, perform serial and parallel polling.

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accepts any ASCII string or code including Tektronix Standard Codes and Formats and IEEE-488 command mnemonics. Interpreter routines support BASIC, PASCAL, C and other languages.

• Supports the PrtSc (print screen) key, and all BASIC print statements for IEEE-488 printers and devices.

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VIDEODISC CONTROL

135

_LDPWA1T( 10061

Wait next credit.

140

L0CATE(3,I5I :PR1NT SPACESI34) :L0CATE(3.I6) :PRINT SPACESI34)

145

LOCATE13.I7) :PRINT SPACESI34I

Larger mask need here.

150

LOCATE13.I81 :PRINT " PRODUCED BY

155

L0CATE(3,I9) :PRINT SPACE$(34)

160

LOCATE(3.20) :PRINT " INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

165

LOCATE13.2I1 :PRINT SPACES(34| :LOCATE(3,22) :PRINT SPACESI34)

170

LOCATEI3.23) :PRINT SPACE$(34| :LOCATE[3.24) :PRINT SPACES134I:

175

CCOLOR 7.0.0: _LDPWAIT(I007

Get ready to clear.

180

CCLEAR: CCLEAR: CCOLOR 4.1

Go.

185

FOR K%= 15 TO 22:LOCATE(3.K%| :PR1NT SPACESI34) :NEXT

Mask, then print

190

LOCATE16.I7I: PRINT THE OB|ECT

first line.

195

_LDPWAIT(I008)

Wait for sound.

200

LOCATEI15.I9) :PRINT "GET THE WAITER TO NOTICE YOU''

Second line.

205

_LDPWAIT( 10091

Wait for scene change.

210

FOR K% = 16 TO 22:LOCATEI4.K%| :PRINT SPACESI32I: NEXT

Smaller mask.

215

LOCATEI6.17I :PRINT "YOU ONLY HAVE ONE SHOT AT IT."

220

_LDPWAIT|10I0)

Wait tor music.

225

LOCATEII2.I9) :PRINT "A WRONG DECISION . ."

Second line.

230

_LDPWAIT[I0II)

Wait for music.

235

LOCATEI5.2I) :PRINT "AND IT'S ALL OVER FOR YOU, PAL!"

240

_LDPWAIT(I0I2)

•

Wait scene change.

245

FOR K% = 16 TO 22:LOCATE(3,K%) :PRINT SPACE$|34|:NEXT

Remask.

250

LOCATEI5.17I :PRINT "YOU CAN EARN MUCH NEEDED POINTS

255

_LDPWA1TII013)

Wait scene change.

260

LOCATEI5.I9) :PRINT "WITH YOUR POWERS OF OBSERVATION"

265

_LDPWAIT(I014): LOCATE(10,2I|

Wait tor sound.

270

PRINT "AND QUICK REACTIONS."

275

_LDPWAIT(1015)

Wait for next credit.

280

_VSW(31: CCOLOR 6,0,0: CCLEAR

We re done.

285

CHAIN /V "FIRSTSEQ', 170

warm eniry. rir^i

Sequence.

Program 3:

150

DIM FONT%( 16001: CONSOLE 40: CURSOR OFF

Cold start lif RIINI

155

GCOLOR ,.8: GCLEAR 8: CCOLOR 6,0,0: CCLEAR

'Rf^ctart pntrv r^nint

I\C9Lh 1 L C 1 1 L1 y ^JUI1 11

160

_LDP1NIT: _LDPOUT (&H5II: _INTSET(l,0|

'Icao lin«3 1 T O

|3CC III1C 1 <U,

"CI IDCCT"!

165.

_LDPSTART 11016. 10171

170

CHAIN /V/M "SUBSET"

Warm start entry point

175

After chain/merge,

180

"FIRSTSEQ"

execution begins at

185

first instruction,

190

_VSW(3): ON ERROR GOTO 140

'(line 1. "SUBSET"): a

195

_SLFONT(FONT%(0)."SSER70"I

jump to line 190.

200

_TEXT(0.I35.'QUICK1". FONT%(0),6,6,1)

ThiQ nrintx nff

1 1 IId pi IIIL£> \Jll

205

_TEXT(5,150,"1 = DROP SPOON ". FONT%(0|,6,6,I)

'crrppn W!& wait

D^ICCII. WC Wall

210

_TEXTI5.I65,"2 = USE FORK", FONT%(0),6.6.1I

for the right

215

_TEXT(5.I80.'3 = BELCH". FONT%(0l.6.6,l)

moment, then

220

_LDPWAIT|10I81 :BEEP:_VSW|2|

raise the curtain.

225

LIMIT = (10191: GOSUB 20: TIMED WAIT

Answer quick!

230

IF AS = "2" THEN 285

Right answer?

235

GCOLOR „l: GCLEAR 1

Screen blue (maskedl.

240

_LDPSTARTII020,I021|

Let's hear gunshot

245

_TEXT[105.80."CLATTER", FONT%(OI,4,5,10.4:

timed with graphic.

250

PAUSE 5:GCLEAR 1

Notes: screen is

255

TEXT(70,I20,"AARRRGGHH", FONT%(0),4,5.3,3)

masked when gcolor.

260

_LDPSTART(1022,1023)

gclear not = 8.

265

PAUSE 1: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR ..8

Pause for disc access.

270

MSGS = "TOO BAD. YOU LOSE."

He falls down.

275

PRGMS = "FIRSTSEQ": GOTO 95

BAD END

280

285

POINTS = 375: GOSUB 65

'Yes. You score.

290

CHAIN /V "TURNI", 170

Warm entry, next

module

Program 4:

150

DIM FONT%(I600): CONSOLE 40: CURSOR OFF

Cold start.

155

GCOLOR „8: GCLEAR 8: CCOLOR 6.0,0: CCLEAR

Restart entry point.

160

_LDPINIT: __LDPOUT (&H5I): _INTSET(l,0|

Out byte turns off

165

LDPSTART (1024, 10251

disc index display.

[continued)

214 BYTE • JULY 1984

ARE YOU TIRED OF FLOPPY EXCUSES?

"EXCUSE ME, I REALLY HATE TO BOTHER YOU AT A TIME LIKE THIS BUT THIS DISK IS COMPLETELY FULL!'

QuadDisk has all the answers

Quadram presents QuadDisk, the Winchester hard disk system that lets you leave all those floppy disks—and their excuses—behind. QuadDisk does everything that floppies do, only better. And faster.

A lot of storage in a little space

For starters, QuadDisk will take care of your storage problems— in more ways than one. QuadDisk comes in 5,10,16,22 and 65 megabyte capacities for all the on-line storage space you need. That's anywhere from about 20 to 225 floppies worth of information. Or up to 36,000 pages of material—and then some.

What's even more amazing is that this powerful hard disk drive simply slips into your second 51/4" floppy drive space to become an integral part of your system.

Ready when you are

It takes just minutes to install and QuadDisk is there to stay. QuadDisk is always there when

you ^Bfl

And it works k^? fast. QuadDisk accesses i nformation faster than a floppy. And can perform up to 9 tasks at once.

It comes complete with its own software. And a file utility that guides you when you want to run and manipulate files and programs. There's nothing hard about using this hard disk system. Just follow the simple commands on the screen.

Quality. It's the mark of dependability and performance from the leader in microcomputer enhancements.

Visit your local computer retailer today and ask to see QuadDisk in

action. When ,;! ,NDfW1 QuajJTY you compare ;;;_^H^^^^^ it to the floppies, there's no excuse not to buy QuadDisk.

QuadDisk by Quadram:

Safety first

QuadDisk protects your ■ ■v'*> work like no floppy can. And for added data security, there's QuadDisk with removable cartridges for up to 5MB on-line mass storage and virtually unlimited off-line storage capacity. Just pop one in when you're ready. Pop it out when you're done.

Quadram Quality

You'll find that QuadDisk is backed by reliable Quadram

QUADRAM

An Intelligent Systems Company

4355 International Blvd. Norcross. GA 30093 (404) 923-6666/TWX 810-766-4915 (QUADRAM NCRS)

'"Copyright 1984 Quadram Corporation. All rights reserved.

Circle 258 on Inquiry card.

JULY I984 -BYTE 215

How HP business graphics

Enhance your reputation for being more professional, persuasive, credible and effective than your competition with the new HP 7475A Business Professional's Plotter.

Make a first impression that lasts

The vital importance of graphics to today's business professional cannot be overstated. In survey after survey, statistics prove graphics can help you spot trends and relationships quickly, analyze data accurately, and communicate your ideas with more

clarity and power than in any other way.

Even more important, graphics can actually increase personal and company productivity. And create a first impression of quality and professionalism that lasts and lasts.

Graphics: the end to meetings that go nowhere

In a fascinating research project conducted by The University of Pennsylvania, 123 MBA candidates were involved in a study designed to test the effectiveness of business graphics in meeting situations. The results were startling. In the group where visual aids were used:

• Meetings were shorter: The study showed a 28% reduction in meeting length when transparencies were used.

• Group consensus was faster: Agreement was reached by 79% of the group using transparencies, compared with only 8% among the control group using no visual aids.

• The decision process was accelerated: 64% of study participants said they made their business decisions immediately after the visual presentation. When overheads were not used, the control group said they delayed decision-making until some time after the group

discussion following the presentation.

• Presenters with visual aids were perceived as being more professional, persuasive, credible and effective than those not using visual aids.

Now, with the new HP 7475A Business Professional's Plotter, your meetings can have immediate and productive results like these.

How the quality look of HP graphics can help

The way you present your information can be equally as important as the actual information you're presenting. And that's where the new HP 7475A Business Professional's Plotter lets your professionalism shine through.

Standards unsurpassed in the plotter business

The technical standards of the HP 7475A have no equal for producing quality graphics. With a resolution of one-thousandth-of-aninch, curved lines are smooth, not jagged, and straight lines are consistently straight. Its exceptional repeatability (the ability of a pen to return precisely to a given point) assures that intersecting lines and circular shapes will meet exactly. The result is high-quality charts and graphs you'll be proud to present.

Why 6 pens when experts say 4 will do?

Graphics industry experts maintain that good graphics contain four colors per chart. But Hewlett-Packard goes the experts two better by providing a six-pen carousel, so you can store and use pens of different widths —thick pens for bold headings and thin pens for details. And with six pens, you won't have to waste valuable time changing them. That's important when "the boss wants to see your presentation in twenty minutes!"

With the HP 7475A, you also get automatic pen capping to prevent pens from drying out between uses, and special "pen damping" (gently lowering the pen to the paper or transparency) to increase pen life and ensure better line quality... use after use after use. You also get a rainbow of 10 colors to choose from, in two line widths.

Your choice: 2 paper sizes and today's most popular graphics software packages

While most professional business applications will be satisfied with standard 8!/2 x 11" paper or transparencies, the HP 7475A adds the

216 BYTE ■ |ULY 1984

can be the key to your success,

capability of plotting on larger 11 x 17" media, too. The larger plots are especially well-suited for time lines, PERT charts, schematics and engineering drawings.

Best of all, you don't have to be a programmer to produce quality graphics on the HP 7475A. It's supported by a variety of professional graphics software packages for both HP and non-HP desktop and personal computers.

Naturally, speaking of software compatibility leads us to hardware compatibility....

Compatible with almost any personal computer in the marketplace today

With two interfaces available, the HP 7475A quickly "makes friends" with most models of today's most popular personal computers, including IBM® Apple,™ Compaq™ Osborne* and Commodore™ — as well as a host of HP computers.

The cost? Surprisingly affordable

The new HP 7475A Business Professional's Plotter is an amazingly affordable $1895. When you consider that a typical fee for a single five-color transparency from a graphics service is $50—and that the same transparency can be prepared for about $1 in materials on the HP 7475A — the return on your investment is almost immediate.

Another choice: HP's low-cost, high performance Personal Computer Plotter

For the "business on a budget^' you may also want a look at our 2-pen Personal Computer Plotter, the 7470A. Its low cost (only $1095) is as remarkable as the quality of its plots. With many of the same features as the new HP 7475A, the HP 7470A plots on a single paper size (8!4 x 11"). It stores and caps two pens,

and you can easily change the pens yourself for multi-color plotting. Best of all, the HP 7470A 2-pen plotter lets you turn your personal computer into a personal graphics workstation for only $1095.

Send for your FREE "Better Presentations Package" today!

For a FREE sample plot, overhead transparency, and more details, mail the coupon below today. We'll also enclose a list of software packages you can use with the HP 7475A or HP 7470A.

For the name of your nearest Hewlett-Packard dealer call An toll-free 800-547-3400. "

HEWLETT PACKARD

I 1

YES! I'm ready to gain a reputation for being more professional, persuasive, credible and effective than my competition. Please send me your FREE "Better Presentations Package," so I can learn more about the new HP 7475A Business Professional's Plotter and the HP 7470A Personal Computer Plotter. I understand I will receive this valuable package without cost or obligation.

Name Title

Company

Address

City/State & Zip

Phone Number (_ My computer is

-)

Send to: Hewlett-Packard

16399 W. Bernardo Drive, San Diego, CA 92127 Attn: Marketing Communications 11303 BT7

Circle 151 on inquiry card.

ULY 1984 "BYTE 217

DeSmet C

The fastest 8088 C Compiler available

VIDEODISC CONTROL

FULL DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE

■ C Compiler

• Assembler

■ Linker and Librarian

■ Full-Screen Editor

■ Newsletter for bugs/updates

SYMBOLIC DEBUGGER

" Monitor and change variables by name using C expressions

■ Multi-Screen support for debugging PC graphics and interactive systems

• Optionally display C source during execution

■ Breakpoint by Function and Line #

COMPLETE IMPLEMENTATION

■ Both 1.0 and 2.0 DOS support

■ Everything in K&R (incl. STDIO)

■ Intel assembler mnemonics

■ Both 8087 and Software Floating Point

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

Sieve Benchmark COMPILE 4 Sec. RAM — 22 Sec FDISK LINK 6 Sec. RAM —

34 Sec. FDISK RUN 12 Sec.

SIZE 8192 bytes

To Order Specify: Machine

OS □ MS-DOS □ CP/M-86 Disk □ 8" □ 5'/4 SS □ 51/4 DS

C

WAR E

CORPORATION

P.O. BOX 710097

San Jose, CA 95171-0097

(408) 736-6905

California residents add sales tax. Shipping: U S no charge, Canada add $5, elsewhere add $15. Checks must be on a US Bank and In US Dollars.

170 CHAIN MM 175 1 180 1 185 ' 190 195 200 205

SUBSET"

"TURNI"

VSW(3): ON ERROR GOTO 140 SLFONT(FONT%(0),"SSER70") .TEXT(IOO,20,"I = GO STRAIGHT", FONT%(0),6,6,1) ,TEXT(5.180,"2 = TURN RIGHT ",FONT%(0),6,6,1) 210 CCLEAR: _LDPWA1T(1026): _VSW(2): BEEP 215 LIMIT = 1027: GOSUB 20: TIMED WAIT 220 IF A$= "2" THEN 265 225 GCOLOR „4:GCLEAR 4

230 LDPSTART (1028, 10291

235 GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8: _LDPWA1T(I030) 240 LOCATE(2,19)

245 PRINT "YOUR WAITER REFUSES TO SEAT YOU." 250 PAUSE 20: PRGMS = "TURNI"

255 MSGS= "NOW YOU MUST PAY A BRIBE": GOTO 95 260 1

265 GCLEAR 8: POINTS = 490: GOSUB 65 270 CHAIN /V "TURN2', 170

Program 5:

150 DIM FONT%(1600): CONSOLE 40: CURSOR OFF 155 GCOLOR „8: GCLEAR 8: CCOLOR 6.0,0: CCLEAR 160 _LDPINIT _LDPOUT (6H51): _INTSET|l,0)

165 LDPSTART (1037, 1032)

170 CHAIN MM "SUBSET" 175 •

180 ' "TURN2" 185 ' 190 195 200 205

_VSW(3|: ON ERROR GOTO 140 _SLFONT(FONT%(0),"'SSER70") _TEXT(I0.10,"1 = GO STRAIGHT",FONT%(0),6,6,1) _TEXT(I0,I80,"2 = TURN RIGHT", FONT%(0),6,6,I) 210 CCLEAR: _LPDWAIT(1033): _VSW(2): BEEP 215 LIMIT = 1034: GOSUB 20: TIMED WAIT 220 IF A$= "1" THEN 255

225 GCOLOR „6: GCLEAR 6: __LDPSTART(1035,1036)

230 _TEXT(40,IOO."DONT STEP IN THE . . .".FONT%(0),4,4,I)

235 PAUSE II: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8

240 _TEXT(I20,100," . GRAVY",FONT%(0).6,6,1)

245 MSG$= "DIDN'T MAKE IT!": PRGMS = "TURN2"

250 GOTO 95

255 POINTS = 615: GOSUB 65: PAUSE 10: CCLEAR

260 1 STICKY BUNS

265 _VSW(3): _TEXT(0,I20,"HURRY!" FONT%(0),6,6,1)

270 _TEXT(0,I35."PICK ONE!", FONT%(0),6,6,1)

275 LOCATE(0,I9): PRINT "I = NAPKIN"

280 PRINT "2 = SHIRT": PRINT "3 = FINGER BOWL'

285 PRINT "4 = PANTS": PRINT "5 = HAIR"

290 _LDPWAIT(1037): _VSW(2): LIMIT = 1038: GOSUB 20

295 GCLEAR 8: CCLEAR: IF A$ = "3" THEN 3 50

300 _LDPWAIT(I039): _LDPOUT(&H4F): BEEP

305 LOCATE!10,18): PRINT "OH NO! STICKY BUNS!!"

310 PAUSE 30: PRINT : BEEP: BEEP

315 PRINT "WHEW! HE SURVIVES BUT HE DRAWS FLIES"

320 LOCATE|10,2I|: PRINT "YOU LOSE 290 POINTS."

325 PAUSE 30: POINTS = (-290): GOSUB 65

330 PAUSE 20: CCLEAR: GCOLOR „1: GCLEAR 1

335 _LDPSTART(1040,I04I)

340 GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8: GOTO 375

345 '

350 LOCATE (2.22): CCOLOR 6: _LDPWAIT(I042)

355 PRINT "THE NAPKIN MAKES STICKY BUNS HARMLESS."

360 POINTS = 960: GOSUB 65: PAUSE 20: CCLEAR

365 _LDPWAIT(I043]

370 Simon says

375 LOCATE(I4,20): PRINT "PRESS ANY KEY"

Warm start entry point.

' is abbrev. for 'call'.

'VideoSWitch(3) = disc video only. Print off screen and wait. Overlay on. Choose fast. Choice correct? Screen red. 'No. You lose. 'Wait for effect.

'He's arrogant. 'Pass this program's name

'so it can be restarted.

'Yes. You score! Warm entry, next module

'Cold start. Restart entry point.

Warm start entry point. 'SelectFONT reads file 'of graphic data into 1600 element array.

Off screen.

'Overlay on. Answer quick! Right way? 'Oops. Wrong way.

Pause for timing.

BAD END You score!

'Next test.

List of tools.

TIMED WAIT 'Right one? Freeze. No. Ouch!

'Lose points but game 'continues.

Right tool.

'Wait next sequence. ' Instructions.

(continued)

218 BYTE- IULY 1984

for Performance, Quality and Reliability

Anyone can sell you a box full of hardware. But is it too much computer? Too little? Will it run the appropriate software? What about service? If you need the right answers both before and after the sale, call your nearest Full Service CompuPro System Center. For product information, see pgs. 264-5.

ALABAMA

Birmingham

CPC Computers (205) 879-5976

ARIZONA Scottsdale

S-100

(602) 991-7870

CALIFORNIA

Bakersfield

Creative Computing (805) 835-1118 Berkeley

American Computers & Engineers (415) 849-0177 Track Computer Center (415) 845-6366 Burlingame Mentzer Computer Systems (415) 340-9363 Canyon Country Creative Computing (805) 251-9877 Chatsworth

Priority One Electronics

(818) 709-6789

Hayward

Best Computers

(415) 886-4732

Irvine

Priority One Electronics (714) 660-1411 Los Angeles American Computers & Engineers (213) 477-6751 Gifford Computer Systems (213) 477-3921 Mountain View ACC

(415) 969-4969 Oakland

Track Computer Center (415) 444-8725 Pacific Palisades System Interface Consultants (213) 454-2100 Pasadena Omni Unlimited (818) 795-6664 Petaluma

Advanced Information Management (707) 763-7283 Pleasanton Best Computers (415) 463-2233

Sacramento

Logic Systems (916) 922-3377 San Leandro Gifford Computer Systems (415) 895-0798 San Rafael Computer House (415) 453-0865 Santa Barbara Data Bank (805) 962-8489 Santa Cruz Cochlin Computer Systems (408) 429-6728 Santa Maria Data Bank (805) 922-1333

Santa Rosa

Matrix Computers (707) 542-0571

Simi Valley

Micro Power Unlimited (805) 584-6789

Sunnyvale

Pragmatic Designs Inc. (408) 736-8670

COLORADO

Lakewood

Rocky Mountain Microsystems (303) 232-4545

FLORIDA

Gainesville

Online Computing (904) 372-1712 Orlando Data/Office (305) 629-6776 Satellite Beach Binary Magic, Inc. (305) 777-7080 Tampa

Micro-Computer Technology (813) 985-0919 West Palm Beach

Steve's Computer Works, Inc. (305) 683-5900

HAWAII

Kahului Maui

Capacity Plus Computers (808) 871-7984

ILLINOIS

Athens

Computers Plus (217) 636-8491 La Grange Park Small Business Systems, Inc. (312) 579-3311 Skokie

Lillipute Computer Mart, Inc. (312) 674-1383

INDIANA

Terre Haute

General Software, Inc. (812) 234-9421

KANSAS

Ellinwood

Genesys Systems, Inc. (316) 564-3636

MARYLAND Bethesda

JR Systems (301) 657-3598

MASSACHUSETTS Boston

New England Electronic Exch. (617) 491-3000 Chestnut Hill

Key Micro Systems (617) 738-7306

MISSISSIPPI

Pascagoula

Automated Accountants (601) 769-2937

MISSOURI

Kansas City

BBRL

(816) 753-5900

NEW YORK

Amherst

Gifford Computer Systems (716) 833-4758

Deer Park

Datapro Systems, Inc. (516) 595-1311 New York

Park Plaza Computer Center, Inc. (212) 759-5820 Park Plaza Computer Center, Inc. (212) 505-8200 Park Plaza Computer Center, Inc. (212) 344-5151 Park Plaza Computer Center, Inc. (212) 595-5353 Staten Island John D. Owens Assoc. (212) 448-6283

NORTH CAROLINA

Greensboro

General Semantics Computers (918) 378-1500

OREGON

Portland

Microwest Computer

Products

(503) 238-6274

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia

Forefront Technology (215) 386-1500 Reading Fraser Business Eguipment (215) 378-0101

RHODE ISLAND

Coventry

Key Micro Systems (401) 828-7270

TEXAS

Austin

CPA Systems, Inc. (512) 458-9281 Informa, Inc. (512) 459-4216 Omegax Systems (512)476-6069 Dallas

Dator Systems (214) 521-0915

CompuPro

A GODBOUTCOMPANY

3506 Breakwater Court, Hayward, CA 94545

Ft. Worth

Dataworth Computer Systems (817) 877-4041 Houston

Gifford Computer Systems (713) 680-1944 Informa, Inc. (713) 861-7612 San Antonio RFCanon, Inc. (512) 657-0444 Seguin

CPA Systems, Inc. (512) 379-0660

VIRGINIA

Woodbridge

Office Networks Corp. (703) 690-3312

WASHINGTON

Bellevue

North Ridge Computer Systems (206) 453-0596 Seattle

American Computers & Engineers (206) 583-0130

WISCONSIN

Madison

Beam International (608) 233-2326 Milwaukee

Byte Shop of Milwaukee (414) 281-7004

AUSTRALIA

Bankstown

Automation Statham Pty., Ltd. (02) 709-4144

CANADA

Coquitlam, B.C.

CSC System Center, Ltd. (604) 941-0622 Vancouver, B.C.

Dynacomp BusinessComputers, Ltd. (604) 872-7737

THE PHILIPPINES

Quezon City

Corona International, 78-34-71

UNITED KINGDOM

Swansea

Comcen Technology. Ltd. (0792) 796000

©1984CorfipuPro

Circle 2 on inquiry card.

SHIPPING

WEST OF MISSISSIPPI EAST - % UPS CHARGES

CALL FREE 1-800-841-2748

COMPUTERS

ALTOS 580-20 $3645

ALTOS 586-20 $5565

ALTOS 986-40 $CALL

APPLE LOOK-A-LIKE $CALL

SANYO 550-555 $CALL

TELEVIDEO

803 $1769 1603 $2019

PORTABLE SCALL

NORTHSTAR

ADVANTAGE $2135

PRINTERS

ABATI $389

BROTHER HR15P $479

DAISYWRIRER 48K $975

DATASOUTH DS220 $1575

GEMINI $275

JUKI 6100 $459

OKIDATA (LOW PRICES) .... $CALL

QUME 1140+ $1275

QUME 1155+ $1475

CITOH

8510 $339 1550 $539

F10-40CPS .$970 F1055 . . . .$1299 DIABLO

620 $799 630 $1689

NEC

3550 . . . .$1535 3510 $1235

7710 . . . .$1655 2030 $659

TERMINALS - MONITORS

ALTOS II $875

QUME 102G $529

TELEVIDEO 914 $540

TELEVIDEO 924 $689

TELEVIDEO 950 $905

TELEVIDEO 970 $965

AMDEK 300G $129

AMDEK 300A $145

AMDEK COLOR l+ $275

AMDEK COLOR II+ $429

B.M.C. GREEN $89

B.M.C. COLOR $235

PRINSTON HX12 $489

DISK DRIVES - MODEMS

INDUS APPLE $259

MICRO SCI A2 $229

ATARI 1050 $365

INDUS ATARI $345

RANA 1000 $310

PROMODEM $359

HAYS SMART MODEM $199

SMARTMODEM 1200 $475

SMARTMODEM 1200B $415

MICROMODEM HE $235

RIXON 212A $449

U.S. ROBOTICS PASSWORD. . . . J$325

1st PLACE

COMPUTER SYSTEMS 13422 N. CAVECREEK RD.

PHOENIX, AZ. 85022

OTHER INFORMATION: 602-867-9897

J Free shipping is on UPS ground only LS55SH Send cashier's check or money order .... all other checks wi delay shipping two weeks. Price* & availability Minimi to change'without notice.

VIDEODISC CONTROL

380 LOCATE(9,2I): PRINT "WHEN NAME SAYS STOP'." 385 LIMIT = 1044: GOSUB 20: _LDPOUT(&H4F): CCLEAR 390 IF F# > 1045 THEN 445: 395 IF F# < 1046 THEN 455: 400 SPD = INT((F# - 10471/31 405 ON SPD GOTO 415, 420, 425, 430 410 A$ = "EXCELLENT": POINTS = 2440: GOTO 435 415 A$ = "GREAT": POINTS = 2170: GOTO 435 420 A$ = "VERY GOOD": POINTS = 1950: GOTO 435 425 A$ = "GOOD": POINTS = 1640: GOTO 435 430 AS = "O.K.": POINTS = 100

435 LOCATE(2,20): PRINT A$: "REACTION. SCORE ": POINTS: " POINTS. 440 GOTO 465

445 LOCATEI6.22I: PRINT "TOO SLOW!" YOU LOSE 200 POINTS." 450 POINTS = (-2001: GOTO 465

455 LOCATE(6,22): PRINT "YOU OVER-REACTED. LOSE 200 POINTS!" 460 POINTS = (-5001

465 GOSUB 65: PAUSE 20: _LDPOUT(&H3A): CCLEAR 470 _LDPWAIT(I048): _LDPOUT(&H4A): LOCATE(4,20) 475 PRINT "POOR GUY. HE DIDN'T GET DESSERT!" 480 PAUSE 25: LOCATE!11,21): PRINT "YOU MAY NOT, EITHER!' 485 PAUSE 25: GCOLOR „l: GCLEAR 1 490 CHAIN /V "GRAVY". 170

'TIMED WAIT 'Too slow. 'Too fast.

Reaction speed = ? Select score. '(F# = frame #. 'from LDPFRM command in TIMED WAIT subroutine.)

'Play forward. Wait, then freeze.

Program 6:

150 DIM FONT%(I600): CONSOLE 40: CURSOR OFF 155 GCOLOR ,.l: GCLEAR I: CCOLOR 6.0,0: CCLEAR 160 _LDP1NIT: _LDPOUT (&H51): _INTSET(1,0) 165 " 170 175 180 185 190 195

_LDPSRCH(1049) :CHAIN MM "SUBSET"

"GRAVY"

_VSW(2): ON ERROR GOTO 140: CCLEAR _SLFONT(FONT%(0),"SSER70") 200 PAUSE 5: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8: LOCATE(3,22) 205 PRINT "YOU'LL HAVE TO AVOID THIS GRAVY STAIN." 210 PAUSE 50: CCLEAR: GCOLOR „I: GCLEAR 1 215 _LPDSRCH(1050): PAUSE 5 220 GCLEAR 8: CGOLOR „8: LOCATE(7,18) 225 PRINT "A LADLE STICKS OUT OF THE GRAVY." 230 PAUSE 25: LOCATE(I2,I9): PRINT "CAN YOU AVOID IT?" 235 PAUSE 35: IF SCORE > 2100 THEN 295 240 ' Low score, little chance.

245 LOCATE(ll,2l): PRINT "YOU HAVE NO CHOICE."

250 LOCATE(2,22): PRINT "PRESS ANY KEY AND TAKE YOUR CHANCES."

'Warm entry, next module.

Cold start. Restart entry point.

Warm start entry point.

VideoSWitch(2) = super'imposer + computer 'screen overlayed on videodisc.

Over still frame.

Next still frame.

Minimum score to qualify.

255 CH = INT(SCORE/49 + .5): LOCATE(3,23) 260 PRINT "(YOU HAVE A OUT OF 100 CHANCE)"; 265 LOCATE(15,23): PRINT CH; 270 EVAL IN KEYS

275 AS = 1NKEYS: IF AS = " " THEN 275 280 RANDOMIZE: K = RND(Q): CCLEAR 285 IF K ( SCORE/4900 THEN 565 ELSE 485 290 ' Trivia, anyone?

295 CCLEAR: LOCATE(0,16)

300 PRINT " YOU'VE SCORED WELL SO FAR."

305 PRINT "THE MAITRE D SMILES ON YOU AND WILL'

310 PRINT "GUARANTEE YOUR PASSAGE AROUND THE GRAVY, IF"

315 PRINT "YOU AGREE TO ANSWER A RANDOM QUESTION."

320 PRINT "IF NOT, YOU TAKE YOUR CHANCES."

325 PRINT "IF YOU AGREE AND ANSWER WRONG. . ."

330 PRINT "IT'S DEATH! YOU WANT THE QUESTION? (Y/N)"

335 EVAL INKEYS

340 AS = INKEYS: IF AS = " " THEN 340 345 IF AS = "N" OR AS = "n" THEN CCLEAR: GOTO 250 350 IF AS <> "Y" AND AS <> "y" THEN 340 355 RANDOMIZE: Q = IRND(7) 360 ON Q GOTO 375, 385, 395, 405. 415. 425. 435 365 OS = "NAME THE WAITER WHO SEATED YOU IN THE KITCHEN."

Chance = % of 4900 pts.

Wait until ready. Pick random #. High score, good odds.

Trust the odds? 'Yes or No only. Pick random question. Go get Q & A.

'Save memory; load only (continued)

220 BYTE • JULY 1984

COMPUTERS

ALTOS

586-20 (8086, 512K, 5 Users. XENIX/RT, 20 MB

Hard Disk & I Floppy) SCall

988-40 (9 Users, 42 MB) SCall

COLUMBIA

1600-1 (128K, 2 Drives) SCall

1600-4 (10 MB Hard Disk) SCall

1600-VP (Portable) SCall

COMPUPflO All Models SCall

CORONA Desktop & Portable PC's SCall

EAGLE

PC-Plus 2/PC-Plus XL SCall

Spirit-2 (Portable, 128K, 2 Drives) S2295

Spirit-XL (128K, 10 MB Hard Disk) S3649

FRANKLIN

CX Series (NEW!) Apple DOS, MS-DDS, CP/M SCall

ACE PRO PLUS System SCall

ACE 1200 OMS (6502/Z80B, 2 Drives, WordStar,

MailMerge.ACE Calc) SCall

INTERTEC

HeadStart VPU 512 (280A/B086, 512K) , . . SCall HeadStartVPU 1000 (1 MB RAM) SCall

NEC

PC-B201A (w/M RAM) S479

PC-8801A (Z80A, 64K, 2 Drives. 12" Monitor, WordStar, MailMerge, Multiplan, NBASIC) $1199 PC-8801-16 (Optional 8086 w/MS-DOS) ., SCall

PC-8881 (Optional Dual 8" Drives) SCall

SANVO

MBC 550 (8088, 128K, 1 SSDD Drive (160K), WordStar, CalcStar, EasyWriter) SCall

MBC 555 (550 Plus 1 Add, Drive, EasyWriter II, EasyMailer U, EasyFiler, EasyPlanner) . . SCall

Double-Sided Drive Systems Available Now!

SEEOUA Chameleon (IBM Compatible) . . SCall SWP Micro Computer Products Co-Power-88 Board (8088 w7 256K)

For KAYPRO 2,4 8,10 SCall

For MORROW DESIGNS Micro Decision. SCall

TAVA IBM Look-Alike (128K, 2 Drives) . , . $1945 TELEVIDEO

1605 (80B8.128K. 2 Drives, DOS 2,0) , . . SCall

TPC-II (Portable Version ot Above) SCall

TITAN TECHNOLOGIES

QX-PC (8088 w/ 192K) For EPSON QX-10. . SCall

VISUAL Commuter (IBM Compatible Portable) SCall

FOR IBM-PC

AST RESEARCH INC.

MEGA PLUS II (64K, Ser & Clk) $269

MEGAPAK 256K Module $289

SIX PACK PLUS (64K, Ser/Par, Clk) $279

COMBO PLUS (64K, Ser/Par, Clk) $279

I/O PLUS II (Serial Port. Clock/Cal) $125

** OPTIONS**

Each 64K Increment Is S60.

Serial/Parallel/Game Port S45

OUADRAM

EXPANDED OUADBOARD (S, P, Clock, Game)

64K $279 3B4K $529

OUAD 512+ (Serial Port, Maximum 512K)

64K $239 512K $599

QUADCOLOR I (Video Board) S209

OUADLINK (6502 w/ 64K) $489

MICROFAZER

Parallel/Parallel

16K. $139 64K . . $185 128K . . $239

Serial/Serial, Serial/Parl. Parl/Serial

8K . . $145 16K . . $155 64K . . $209

AMDEK MAI Board (128K (640 x 400)) . . . $409

CCS Supervision (132 Column) $499

HERCULES Graphics Board (720 x 348). . . S349

GenTech

INTEL 8087 Math Co-Processor $249

KEYTRONIC IBM Keyboard (5150) $189

MA SYSTEMS PC Peacock (RGB & Composite,

Parallel Port) $279

MICROLOG Baby Blue II (ZBOB. 64K, Parallel &

Serial Ports, Clock/Calendar) $539

PERSYST Color Graphics Board $219

PLANTRONICS ColorPlus SCall

RANA 5 MB Disk Drive <nl Controller. . . . SCall

STB SYSTEMS Graphix Plus $349

TANDON TM 100-2 (DSDD Disk Drive) . . . $209

TEAC FD-55B (DSDD Thinline Drive) .... $185

TECMAR Graphics Master (640 x 400 RGB) $519

The Captain (w/ OK) $259

1st Mate (w/ OK) $229

FOR APPLE ll/lle, Franklin ACE

ALS CP/M Card

Smarterm II (80 Column Card) . . . DIGITAL RESEARCH CP/M Gold Card FOURTH DIMENSION 16K RAM Card

80 Column Card w/ 64K (lie Only) .

Super Drive (143K)

INTERACT. STRU. PKASO Universal

Shuffle Buffer (32K)

KOALA TECH. Koala Pad

MICROSOFT Premium Softcard (lie) .

Softcard (Apple/Franklin)

MICROTEK Dumpling-IB

RV-611C (Parallel Interface) ORANGE MICRO Grappler +

Buffered Grappler + (16K)

PROMETHEUS Graphitti

RANA Elite I

Elite ll/Elite III

$289 $135 $349

$49 $159 $219 $125 $225

$85 $289 $229 $149

$59 $119 $169

$89 $235 SCall

HARD DISK

CORVUS

6 MB $1649 External Mirror

12 MB SCall Disk Server . .

18 MB SCall Printer Server.

Transporter . . $399 The Bank . . .

Omnidrive (New!)

DAVONG (Universal External)

0 MB $1925 15 MB

21 MB $2645 32 MB

$639 $789 $789 $1749 SCall

GREAT LAKES

10 MB Internal For IBM $1059

10 MB External (w/ Controller) $1219

23 MB External (w/ Controller) $1799

ocs

1D MB w/ 5 MB Cartridge Back-Up. . . . $2995

20 MB w/ 5 MB Cartridge Back-Up. . . . $3495 TALLGRASS

12 MB External w/ Tape Back-Up $2799

20 MB External w/Tape Back-Up S3199

TANDON TM 5112 (10 MB External).... $1595

TECMAR

Remov. Cartridge Winchester in PC (5 MB) $1479

10 MB w/ 5 MB Cartridge in Chassis . . . $2999

UNIVATION11MBw/192KForDEC. . . . $1995 XCOMP 16 MB External (For IBM. Apple, Kaypro &

Morrow Designs) $1749

ANADEX

DP 9625B (60 CPS NLQ) $1199

DP 6500 (500 CPS. 15" Carriage) $2375

C-ITOH Prowriter I 8510 AP $329

DATASOUTH DS-180/DS-220 SCall

EPSON

LQ-1500 . . . $1195 RX-100 S519

RX-BO S279 RX-80 F/T . . . S339

FX-80 $469 FX-100 $699

DOT MATRIX PRINTERS

FLORIDA DATA (600 CPS, 4 Fonts) .... $2995

INFO RUNNER Riteman Plus $299

MANNESMANN TALLY

MT160L .... S599 MT 180L $799

Spirit-80 . . . S299 1602 SCall

NEC

$649 SB79

P2 Pinwriter (180 CPS, 10" Carriage) . P3 Pinwriter (1B0 CPS, 15" Carriage) . OKIDATA

ML 92 SCall ML 93 ...

ML84(P) . . . SCall Pacemark SCall

PANASONIC KX-P1090 $299

SMITH CORONA 0-200 $459

STAR MICRONICS

S289 Gemini 15X .

Delta 15 $549

$699

SCall

$389

Gemini tOX. . . Delta 10 ... .

Radix 10 ... . S589 Radix 15 . TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

850 RO S489 855 RO . .

TOSHIBA

P134D $789 P1350/1351

TRANSTAR T315 Color Printer $459

$759 SCall

LETTER QUALITY PRINTERS

BROTHER/DYNAX

DX-15 (13 CPS, Diablo Compat.) $449

HR-25 (23 CPS, 3K Buffer) $749

COMREX ComRiter II (5K Buffer) $459

DAISYWRITER

2000 EXP (25 CPS, 48K Buffer) $985

DIABLO

620 R-105... SCall 630 ECS/IBM. . S1995

630 ECS/API E-109 $2195

JUKI 6100 (17 CPS, Diablo Compat.) .... SCall NEC

2010 $699 2015 S699

2030 S699 2D50 $823

3510 S1295 3515 $1295

3530 $1295 3550 $1615

7710 $1749 7730 $1749

OLYMPIA

Compact RO . . $459 Compact 2 .... $429

OUME Sprint 1140/1155 $1299/81479

LetterPro 20P SCall

SILVER-REED

EXP 500(P) . . S419 EXP 500 (S) . . . $449

EXP 550(P) . . S519 EXP 770(P). . . . $899

STAR MICRONICS PowerType SCall

TRANSTAR T12O/T130 $419/8579

PLOTTERS

AMDEK

DXY-100 .... $609 Amplot II . .

ENTER COMPUTERS

Sweet-P .... SCall Six Shooter.

HOUSTON INSTRUMENTS

DMP-40 .... S779 DMP-29 . .

DMP-41 . . . $2399 DMP-42 . .

MANNESMANN TALLY Pixy-3 ...

ROLAND

DXY-101 .... S559 DXY-800 . . STROBE

Model 200. . . $529 Model 260 .

MONITORS

AMDEK

Video 300/300A/310A $135/1457165

Color I + .... SCall Color 11+ $419

Color 111+ . . . $379 Color IV $719

GENTECH 9712" Green $85/$95

PRINCETON GRAPHICS HX-12 $489

SR-12 (690x480) S639

Max-12 (12" Amber, TTL) $189

OUADRAM Quadscreen (17," 968 x 512). . . S1595 ROLAND

MB-122G $169 MB-122A S175

CB-141 S289 CC-141 $579

SAKATA SC-10D/SC-300 $265/$Call

TAXAN

KG-12N ... S119 KG-12N/UY. . . . $129

210(380 x 262) $269 420 (640 x 262) . $459

USI Pi-2/Pi-3 SCall

TERMINALS

ESPRIT

Esprit I SCall Esprit II SCall

Esprit III ... . SCall ESP-6310 $589

LIBERTY Freedom 110/200 SCall

S899

SCall

$1849 $2399 $599

$739

$689

OUME 102/102A S549/S559

103/108 $859/5649

TELEVIDEO 914/924 SCall

950/970 SCall

Personal Terminal $429

w/300 Baud Modem $538

VISUAL 50/55 S559/S689

WYSE

S539 WY-75 $625

$659 WY-300 $995

WY-50 . WY-100. ZENITH

Z-29 . .

$659 ZTX-10 $329

ZTX-11 (w/ 300 Baud Modem) $399

MODEMS

ANCHOR

Mark VI (IBM). . $189 Mark XII $265

HAYES

Micromodem lie (w/ SmartCom I) . . . . $235

Smartmodem 300/1200 SCall

Smartmodem 1200B (IBM) $439

NOVATION

Access 1-2-3 $419

J-Cat (Auto Orig/Answer, 300 Baud). . . $105

Apple Cat II (300 Baud) $225

212 Apple Cat II (1200 Baud) $409

103 Smart Cat (300 Baud) $169

103/212 Smart Cat (1200 Baud) $399

TRANSEND (Formerly SSM)

Modemcardw/ Source (For Apple) . . . $239

PC Modem Card 300 (For IBM) $279

U.S. ROBOTICS

Password (1200 Baud) S319

Auto Dial 212A $459

SOFTWARE

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Jack 2

LOTUS 1-2-3

MBSI, STAR Accounting Software . . MICROPRO WordStar Pro Pack (IBM)

MICRORIM R:Base 4000

PSWordPlus-PCw/BOSS

SATELLITE SOFTWARE WordPerfect . SOFTWORD SYSTEMS Multimate. . . SORCIM SuperCalc 3

S349 $329 SCall $399 S319 $349 $289 $319 $239

MISCELLANEOUS

SINGLE-SIDED DISKETTES

3M $25 Dysan

Maxell $29 Verbatim. . . .

DOUBLE-SIDED DISKETTES

-3M S31 Dysan

Maxell $38 Verbatim. . . .

CARD CO Card?+ G

HOUSTON INSTRUMENTS

DT-11 Digitizer (1-Button Cursor)

DT-114 Digitizer (4-Button Cursor)

ORANGE MICRO Grappler CD (For C-64). OUADRAM Quadjet (Ink Jet Printer) . . . RANA 1000 Disk Drive w/ DOS (Fnr Atari)

$29 $26

$38 $33 $69

S699 $779 $105 S789 $309

CUSTOMER SERVICE

401-273-2420

ORDERS ONLY

800-843-4302

150 Broadway, Suite 2212, N.Y., NY 10038

Money Order. Cashier's Ck. Personal Ck (3 Weeks To Clear). Add 3% MC/VISA, 5% AMEX Charge. Add 2% On COD Orders APO Orders Add 6%. Add 3% For Net Terms. All Returned Non-Detective Merchandise Are Subject To 20% Restocking Charge.

GenTech Reserves the Right to Change Advertised Prices.

Circle 137 on inquiry card.

VIDEODISC CONTROL

370 AS = "CARBUNCLE": GOTO 445 Q & A needed.

375 Q$ = "NAME THE WAITER WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT."

380 A$ = "1NGEMAR": GOTO 445

385 QS = "WHO GOT TO THE TABLE FIRST?"

390 AS = "MOOKY": GOTO 445

395 QS = "NAME THE KITCHEN DWELLERS."

400 AS = "FRED": GOTO 445

405 QS = "STAND-UP COMIC?"

410 AS = "RASPUTIN": GOTO 445

415 QS = "WHAT IS THE SOUND OF ONE HAND CLAPPING?"

420 AS = "YES": GOTO 445

425 QS = "WHAT GOES WITH CORNED BEEF?"

430 AS = "CABBAGE": GOTO 445

435 QS = "CAN YOU KISS THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR ELBOW?" 440 AS = "NOT DURING DINNER": GOTO 445

445 CCLEAR: LOCATEI0.1): PRINT QS 'Print question.

450 PRINT "(UPPER CASE ONLY, PLEASE.)"

455 INPUT IL, RESPS: CCLEAR: QS = " " (Release memory.)

460 _TEXT(40.80, "YOUR ANSWER IS. . .".FONT%(0),6,0,3.I): PAUSE 10

465 FOR K% = 1 TO LEN(RESPS) - LEN(AS) + I 470 IF MIDS(RESP$.K%.LEN(AS))= AS THEN AS = "RIGHT' 475 NEXT K%: AS = "WRONG" 480 ' Doesn't quite get around

485 GCLEAR 8: LDPSTARTU05I.I052)

490 _LDPWA1T(I053): _LDPOUT(&H3C): D = I 495 FOR K% = 5 TO I STEP - 1: PAUSE K% • 6 500 _LDPOUT(&H44 + D • &H8) 505 D = D • (-1): NEXT K% 510 PAUSE 3: GCOLOR ..4: GCLEAR 4: CCOLOR 6 515 MSGS = "AAAI1IYYYEEEEE": C% = 19 + IRND(2) 520 FOR L% = 1 TO 14

525 LOCATE(C%,L% + 5): PRINT MID$(MSGS.L%.I) 530 C% = C% - I + IRND(2): PAUSE 1: NEXT L% 535 _LDPSTART(I054,1055.1056) 540 PAUSE 3: CCLEAR: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR ..8 545 IF AS = "WRONG ' THEN _TEXT|ll0.!40.'WRONC!".FONT%l0),4,4.l) 550 PAUSE 20: MSGS = "THAT'S IT FOR YOU. PAL!"

555 PRGMS = "GRAVY": GCLEAR 8: GOTO 95 BAD END

560 " Gets by

565 _LDPSTART(I057,I058)

570 GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR ,.8: _LDPWAIT(I059) Wait until he's around.

575 IF AS = "RIGHT" THEN _TEXT(90,I50,"CORRECT!",FONT%(0).4,4,1) 580 PAUSE 20: POINTS = SCORE: GOSUB 65 Double the score.

585 PAUSE 10: CHAIN /V "TURN3", 170 'Next challenge.

Program 7:

Search resp for right ans. GOTO 565

'Didn't find it.

Start him across. 'Slow motion. Decaying loop. 'Fwd or reverse 'depending on D's sign. 'Screen turns red.

Print msg in random pattern down screen. Slow motion of silverware falling.

150 155 160 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 240 245 250 255 260 265 270

DIM FONT%(I600): CONSOLE 40: CURSOR OFF GCOLOR „8: GCLEAR 8: CCOLOR 6.0.0: CCLEAR _LDPIN1T _LDPOUT (&H5I): _1NTSET(1,0) _LDPSTART(I060,I06I) CHAIN /V/M "SUBSET"

TURN3"

VSWI3): ON ERROR GOTO 140

_INTSET(l,0): _SLKONT(FONT%(0),"SSER70") _TEXT(55,0."1 = TURN".FONT%(0),6,6.1| _TEXT(I80.0,"2 = TURN",FONT%(0),6.6,I) _TEXTI80.15,"RIGHT".FONT%(0).6,6,1) _TEXT(2IO,I5,"LEFT".FONT%(0),6,6.I) _TEXT(60,180."3 = GO STRAIGHT".FONT%(0l.6.6,ll CCLEAR: _LDPWAIT(I062): _VSW(2): BEEP LIMIT = 1063: GOSUB 20 IF AS = "I" THEN 350

GCOLOR „4: GCLEAR 4: IF AS = "3" THEN 300 IF AS = "2" THEN 265 _TEXT(I20.100,"? ? ?".FONT%(0),6,0.5.I) GOTO 270

_TEXT(75,I00,"TURN LEFT??".FONT%|0),6,0.3,1) _LDPSTART(1064,I065) :PAUSE 3

Cold start. 'Restart entry point.

'Warm start entry point.

Print off screen. Three choices.

'Show choices. Don't wait long.

Not right: screen red. What's your choice. No selection.

Scene of Heimlich

222 BYTE • IULY 1984

Enter CompuServe's Electronic Mall and shop at your convenience in these exciting departments.

The Micro Mart The General Store The Travel Agent The Book Bazaar The Record Emporium The Photo Booth The Software Shop The Financial Market The Magazine Kiosk The Gardening Shed The Newsstand

A sample of the companies participating in CompuServe's Electronic Mall includes:

Amdek

American Airlines American Express AST Research Bank of America Bantam

Big T Automotive Buick

CBS Publishing CDEX

Colonial Penn Commodore Computer World Digital Equipment dilithium Press 800 Software 47th Street photo Grolier

Harvard Business Review Heath

Heinold Commodities Hertz

E.F. Hutton Inmac

Innovative Software Knapp Press Magazine Entree Magazine Supply House Manufacturer's Hanover Trust Max Ule McGraw-Hill Metropolitan Life Microsoft

Miracle Computing Misco Newsnet Novation

Official Airline Guide Pan American Electronics Peachtree Software Practical Peripherals Program Store Professional Color Labs RCA Record Clubs Record World Sears

Select Information Exchange

Sim Computer Products

Simon and Schuster

Small Computer Book Club

Software Advisor

Stark Brothers

Supersoft

Vanguard

VisiCorp

Waldenbooks

Woman's Day Books

Ziff-Davis

Merchants and manufacturers who want to participate in the Electronic Mall'" may contact: Stephen A. Swanson, L.M. Berry & Co., P.O. Box 6000, Dayton, OH 45401, (513) 296-2015.

I By The year 2000,The world l May Catch Up With The Way CompuServe s New Electronic Mall lets you Shop Today.

Introducing the first computer shopping service that brings you convenience, savings and enjoyment

Here's your chance to expand the practical uses of your personal computer.

Sign up for CompuServe and shop in our new Electronic Mall. It's easy to use. It tells you more about the products you're buying. It lets you order faster. And it's totally unique.

CompuServe's new Electronic Mall" offers you all these shopping innovations.

- If s enormous! So it gives you in-depth information on thousands of goods and services, and lets you buy even hard-to-find merchandise - Its unique "Feedback" service lets you ask the merchants themselves specific questions. - It's incredibly efficient in ordering the products and services you want

tunities make it economical, purchase after purchase - And its name-brand merchants assure you of top-quality merchandise

Make the CompuServe Electronic Mall 15-Mlnute Comparison Test

What you can do in /5 minutes shopping the Electronic Mall way.

• Call up on your computer screen full descriptions of the latest in computer printers, for instance.

• Pick one and enter the order command.

• Check complete descriptions of places to stay on your next vacation.

• Pick several and request travel brochures.

• Access a department store catalog and pick out a wine rack tools, toys... any thing!

• Place your order.

What you can do in 15 minutes shopping the old way.

• Round up the family and get in the car.

The Electronic Mall, a valuable addition to the vast world of CompuServe.

CompuServe's Consumer Information Service brings you shopping information entertainment, personal communications and more.

You can access CompuServe with almost any computer and modem, terminal or communicating word processor.

To receive your illustrated guide to CompuServe and learn how to subscribe, call or contact...

CompuServe

Consumer Information Service P.O. Box 20212 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220

800-848-8199

The Electronic Mall" is a cooperative venture between CompuServe Inc., and L.M. Berry & Company.

In Ohio call 614-457-0802

An H a R Block Company

Circle 65 on Inquiry card.

■■HHBMHi

Circle 209 on inquiry card.

Multi-function RS-232 Transfer Switches

MFJ-1240

*7995

Choice of 8 models

Multi-function RS-232 transfer switches lelyou switch your computer among printers, modems, terminals, any RS-232 peripherals; monitor data/ line failure, protect data lines from surges, and use as null modem for less cost than a switch alone.

Switches 10 lines (2,3,4,5,6,8,11,15,17,20). LED data/line indicators monitor lines 2,3,4,5,6, 8,20. Metal oxide varistors protect data lines 2, 3 from voltage spikes and surges. Push button reverses transmit-receive lines (2,3). PC board eliminates wiring, crosstalk, line interference. Connects any one input to any one output.

Model Price

MFJ-1240 $79.95 MFJ-1241 $99.95 MFJ-1242 J119.95 MFJ-1243 $119.95

In Out

1 2

2 2 2 3 1 4

Model Price In Out

MFJ-1244 $139.95 3 3 MFJ-1245 $169.95 3 5 MFJ-1246 $199.95 5 5 1MFJ-1247 $99.95 1 21

[switches 20 lines |

AC Power Centers

MFJ-1108 MFJ-1108, $99.95. Add conven$ QQ 95 ience, prevent data loss, head bounce, equipment damage. Relay latches power off during power transients. Multi-filters isolate equipment, eliminate interaction, noise, hash. MOVs suppress spikes, surges. 3 isolated, switched socketpairs. One unswitched for clock, etc. Lighted power, reset switch. Pop-out fuse. 3 wire, 6 ft. cord. 15A, 125V, 1875 watts. Aluminum case. Black. 18x2%x2 in. MFJ-1107, $79.95. Like 1108 less relay. 8 sockets, 2 unswitched. MFJ-1109, $129.95. Like 1107 but intelligent. Switch on device plugged into control socket and everything else turns on. Others available.

Acoustic/Direct Coupled Modem

Use with any $ JfSjffL phone anywhere I £&

MFJ-1233 Acoustic/Direct Coupled 300 baud modem. Versatile. Use with virtually any phone, anywhere. Use battery or 110 VAC. Direct connect mode: Plug between handset and base. Use with single or multi-line phones. Acoustic coupled mode: Use with phones without modular plugs. Quality muffs give good acoustic coupling, isolates external noise for reliable data transfer. Originate/answer. Self test. Carrier detect, ON LEDs. RS-232, TTL compatible. Reliable single chip modem. Crystal controlled. Aluminum cabinet. 9x11/2x4 in. Other models available.

Order from MFJ and try it. If not delighted, return within 30 days for refund (less shipping). One year unconditional guarantee. Order yours today. Call toll free 800-647-1800.

Charge VISA, MC. Or mail check, money order. Add $4.00 each for shipping and handling.

CALL TOLL FREE . . . 800-647-1800

Call 601-323-5869 in MS, outside continental USA.

ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED

921 Louisville Road, Starkvllle, MS 39759 ,

VIDEODISC CONTROL

275 GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8: _LDPWAIT|l066| 280 _TEXT(65.l20."CRUNCH!",FONT%(0|,4.0.lO,3l 285 MSGS = "SORRY, NAME. WRONG WAY!" 290 PRGMS = "TURN3": GOTO 95

295 '

300 _TEXT(60.IOO."GO STRAIGHT?? ",FONT%(0),6,0,3,1]

305 __LDPSTART(I067. I068I: PAUSE 2

3I0 GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8: _LDPWAIT(1069)

3I5 GCOLOR ..4: GCLEAR 4

320 _LDPSTART|I070.I07I|

325 _TEXT|45.I00,"RUN, NAME. RUN!",FONT%(0).6.0.3,I) 330 PAUSE 14: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8

335 _LDPWAIT(I072|: MSGS = "THIS IS THE CHECK, NAME!" 340 PRGMS = "TURN3": GOTO 95 345 '

350 GCLEAR 8: POINTS = 3490: GOSUB 65: CCLEAR 355 _LDPWAIT(I073|

360 LOCATE(15,20): CCOLOR 4,2,2: PRINT " WARNING "

365 LOCATE(6,2l|: CCOLOR 4.2,0

370 PRINT "TAKE POSITIVE ACTION OR DIE!"

375 LOCATE(9,22|: PRINT "TYPE YOUR RESPONSE NOW:"

380 CCOLOR 4.0,0: C% = 15: L% = 23

385 RESPS = " ": EVAL INKEYS: CURSOR ON

390 LDPFRM(F#): IF F# > 1074 THEN 450

395 LOCATE(C%.L%): AS = INKEYS: IF AS = " " THEN 390 400 IF AS = CHRSII3) THEN 450

405 IF AS <> CHRSII50) OR LENIRESPSI = 0 THEN 425

4I0 RESPS = LEFTSIRESPS, LENIRESPSI - U: C% - C% - I

4I5 IF C% < 0 THEN C% = 39: L% = L% - I

420 LOCATE|C%. L%): PRINT " ";: GOTO 390

425 IF AS < CHRSI32I OR AS > CHRS(I22| THEN 390

430 IF LENIRESPSI > 60 THEN 390

435 RESPS = RESPS + AS: LOCATE(C%. L%|: PRINT AS

440 C% = C% + I: IF C% > 39 THEN C% = 0: L% = L% + I

445 GOTO 390

450 CURSOR OFF : CCLEAR

455 FOR K% = I TO LENIRESPSI - 4

460 IF MIDS|RESPS.K%,5) = "FLOOR" THEN 510

462 IF MIDS|RESPS.K%,5) = "floor" THEN 510

465 NEXT K%: _LDPWAIT(I075I

470 GCOLOR „4: GCLEAR 4: _LDPSTART|1075,I076)

475 PAUSE I: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8

480 PAUSE 5: GCOLOR „4: GCLEAR 4: _LDPSRCH(I0781

485 PAUSE 5: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8

490 _TEXT|I00.120."LOST HAT CHECK STUB!'.FONT%(0|,4.0,5,2) 495 MSGS = "TOO BAD. NAME": PRGMS = TURN3" 500 SCORE = SCORE - 3490: GOTO 95 505 1

510 _LDPWAIT(1079)

515 _TEXT(II5,I70."WISE!".FONT%(0),4,0.3,I) 520 PAUSE 30: CCLEAR: GCLEAR 8 525 CHAIN /V "WYSTEP". 170

Program 8:

150 155 160 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 225

DIM FONT%|1600): CONSOLE 40: CURSOR OFF GCOLOR „8: GCLEAR 8: CCOLOR 6.0,0: CCLEAR _LDP1N1T _LDPOUT (&H5I): _INTSET(1,0) _LDPSTART(I080,I08I| CHAIN /V/M "SUBSET"

"WYSTEP"

_VSW(3): ON ERROR GOTO 140 _SLFONT(FONT%(0), "SSER70")

—TEXT(20,180,"l = WATCH YOUR STEP',FONT%(0),6,6,I)

_LDPWAIT(1082): _VSWI2|: BEEP

_LDPWAIT(I083): LIMIT = 1084: GOSUB 20

IF AS = "I" THEN 230 ELSE _LDPWA1T(I085|

MSGS = "YOU DID'NT WATCH YOUR STEP": GOTO 280

Maneuver

BAD END

Run between tables.

lump the gravy. 'Music behind graphic. BAD END

Print flashing.

'MINI-EDITOR: Set col 6 line. Initialize. ' Is time up? Key pressed? Return key? Left arrow key? ' then back up. ' update cursor. ' erase character. Valid character? '60 character limit? 'Add character typed. ' update cursor. Check the time. Times up. Search response for right answer, lower case. too. Must be wrong. New threat!

Looks grim.

It's all over.

Can't keep points if restarting this module.

'What's next?

Cold start.

Restart entry point.

Warm start entry point.

Only one choice. Question is 'when". Pressed at right time?

[continued)

224 BYTE- IULY 1984

Two more great reasons to buy the Canon AS-100 Microcomputer.

1. Incredibly low price.

2. Free software.

Now there's even more incentive to buy Canon's AS-100 Microcomputer

Because not only will you get one of the most advanced, small business microcomputers you can buy, but with a price that's now dramatically reduced, you'll also get value that's just as far ahead of its time. Plus free business management programs.

That's an unprecedented saving on this elegantly compact, yet powerful microcomputer

It has a high-speed, 16-bit microprocessor with standard 128K- bytes RAM expandable to 512K bytes.

A high-resolution, color display system for easy-to-read figures, charts and graphs (monochrome green display if you prefer).

The convenience and versatility of a lightweight keyboard that's adjustable for maximum comfort. Plus external storage capacity that includes 5 Winch mini or 8-inch floppy disks, with hard disk drive

also available.

And if all this isn't reason enough, the AS-100 now comes fully equipped with a choice of popular business software packages. Software such as WordStar* for word processing, CalcStar* and SuperCalc 2*** for spreadsheet analysis and dBase n**, InfoStar* and Friday!** for data base management. There's also a choice of Canon's exclusive software— Canowriterf and Canobrain IF.

Terrific savings and a choice of software packages.

Two more great reasons to buy the only microcomputer that comes with the assurance, reliability and technological quality of Canon. The Canon AS-100.

For more information:

Call 1800 323 1717. Ext. 302.

(In Illinois call 1-800 942 8881. Ext. 302.)

Or Write Canon U.S.A., Inc.,

Systems Division, P.O. Box CN 11250

Trenton, N.J. 08638.

*lnfoStar, CalcStar and WordStar are trademarks of MicroPro. **Friday! is a trademark and dBase D is a registered trademark of Ashton-Tate. ***SuperCalc 2 is a trademark of Sorcim. 'Canowriter and Canobrain II are trademarks of Canon, Inc.

Available through Canon authorized dealers. Offer good through October 31,1984. © 1984 Canon US A., Inc.

Canon Systems Division

Circle 48 on inquiry card.

ERG/68000

MINI-SYSTEMS

□ Full IEEE 696/S100 Compatibility HARDWARE OPTIONS

□ 8MHz, 10 MHz, or 12 MHz 68000/68010 CPU

Q 68451 Memory Management

D Hardware Floating Point

□ Multiple Port Intelligent I/O

□ 64K/128K Static RAM (70 nsec)

□ 256K/512K 1MB Dynamic RAM (150 nsec)

D Graphics-Digital Graphics CAT-1600

□ DMA Disk Interface

□ SMD Disk Interface

□ 1/4" or y2" Tape Backup

D 5 V or 8" Floppy Disk Drives

□ 5MB-474MB Hard Disk Drives

□ 7/10/20 Slot Back Plane D 20 or 30A Power Supply

D Desk Top or Rack Mount End.

SOFTWARE OPTIONS

□ 68KFORTH1 Systems Language

□ CP/M-68KsO/S with C, 68K-BASIC, 68KFORTH1, FORTRAN 77, EM80 Emulator, Whitesmiths' C, PASCAL

□ IDRIS3 O/S with C, PASCAL, FORTRAN 77, 68K-BASIC, CIS COBOL', INFORMIX5 Relational DBMS

□ UNIX6 SYS V O/S with C, PASCAL, FORTRAN 77, BASIC, RM COBOL7, ADA', INFORMIX5, Relational DBMS

□ VED 68K Screen Editor

□ Motorola's MACSBUG and FFP Package

Trademark 'ERG, 'Digital Research,

•Whitesmiths. ♦Micro Focus, 5RDS, Inc., "Bell Labs, 'Ryan McFartand. ■U.S. DoD

30 Day Delivery - OEM Discounts

since 1974

Empirical Research Group, Inc. P.O. Box 1176 Milton, WA 98354 (206) 872-7665

VIDEODISC CONTROL

230 SCORE = SCORE + I2380: GOSUB 45

235 LIMIT = I086: GOSUB 20: GCLEAR 8

240 IF AS = "I" THEN 260

245 MSGS = "TOUGH LUCK, NAME."

250 SCORE = SCORE - 12380: GOTO 280

255 '

260 LOCATEI9.20): PRINT "YOU'RE NOW IN A POSITION"

265 LOCATE(l2,2l|: PRINT "TO WIN THIS GAME. . ."

270 CHAIN /V "WEIGHT", 170

275 ' STREET SCENE

280 GCOLOR „4: GCLEAR 4: CCLEAR

285 _LDPSTART(l087, I088)

288 PAUSE I: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8

290 PAUSE 2: GCOLOR „4: GCLEAR 4: PAUSE I

295 _LDPSRCH(l089): PAUSE 2: GCLEAR 8: GCOLOR „8

300 _TEXT(105,I30,"TAXI!",FONT%(0),4,0,5,2)

305 PRGMS = "WYSTEP": GOTO 95

Program 9:

150 DIM FONT%(I600): CONSOLE 40: CURSOR OFF 155 GCOLOR „8: GCLEAR 8: CCOLOR 6,0,0: CCLEAR 160 _LDPlNIT _LDPOUT (&H51): _INTSET(l,0) I65 _LDPSTART(1090,1091) 170 CHAIN /V/M "SUBSET" 175 1

180 ' "FARE" 185 '

190 _VSW|2): ON ERROR GOTO 140

195 _1NTSET(1,0): _SLFONT(FONT%(0),"SSER70")

200 CCLEAR: LOCATE (6,20?

202 PRINT "|UST ANSWER THIS ONE QUESTION . ." 205 _LDPWAIT(I092): CCLEAR: _LDPTWAIT(14077) 210 LOCATEU.20)

212 PRINT "WHAT IS THE FARE FOR THE FIRST '/l6 MILE?" 215 LOCATE(0,22)

217 PRINT "YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS TO TYPE YOUR ANSWER." 220 C% = 18: T = 15: EVAL INKEYS: CURSOR ON

225 LDPFRM(F#): IF F# > 1093 THEN 290

230 NT = (1094 - F#| \ 32

232 IF T = NT THEN 245 ELSE T = NT

235 CURSOR OFF : CCOLOR 4, 2

240 LOCATE(9.22): PRINT SPACES(-(T< 10))X

242 CCOLOR 6,0: CURSOR ON

245 LOCATE(C%,23): AS = INKEYS: IF AS = " " THEN 225

250 IF AS = CHRS113) THEN 290

255 IF AS <> CHRSII50) OR LEN(WS)= 0 THEN 270

260 WS = LEFTS(WS) - 1): C% = C% - 1

265 LOCATE(C%,23): PRINT " ";: GOTO 225

270 IF AS < CHRSI32) OR AS > CHRS1122) THEN 225

275 IF LEN(WS) > 20 THEN 225

280 WS = WS + AS: LOCATE(C%,23): PRINT AS;

285 C% = C% + I; GOTO 225

290 CCLEAR: CURSOR OFF : _LDPWAIT(1095)

295 FOR K% = 30 TO 70 STEP 20: PAUSE 10

300 _TEXT(165 + K%/2, K%,"WRONG!",FONT%(0),4,0,5,2)

305 NEXT K%: _LDPWAIT(1096): GCLEAR 8

310 LOCATE(5,24): PRINT "P = PLAY AGAIN E = END";

315 LDPFRM(F#): IF F# > 1097 THEN 325

320 AS = INKEYS: IF AS = " " THEN 315

325 GCOLOR „1: GCLEAR I: CCLEAR: _VSW(0)

330 IF AS <> " " THEN _LDPSTART(1098,I099)

335 _TEXT(50,40,"BETTER LUCK",FONT%(0),6,0,5,I)

340 _TEXT(65,60,"NEXT TIME.",FONT%(0),6,0,5.i)

345 _TEXT(30,100,"TO PLAY AGAIN",FONT%(0),6,0,5,1)

350 _TEXT(70,120,"TYPE",FONT%(0),6,0,5,1)

355 _TEXT(I50,I20,"BIG DINNER.",FONT%(0),4,6,5,1)

3 58 GOSUB 4 5

360 CCOLOR 4: LOCATE(18,22): INPUT /L, RESPS

365 IF RESPS = "BIG DINNER" OR RESPS = "big dinner" THEN

370 GOTO 125

Don't hold key down. It's a trap. Can't keep points if restarting this module.

'One more test.

Wait for disc access. Show, then mask picture, but play the sound. Grim scene. BAD END

Cold start. 'Restart entry point.

Warm start entry point.

MINI-EDITOR. 'Time up?

New time remaining. Different from last time? Then print new time, flashing.

'Key press? Return key? Backing up? Take character away and erase it. Valid character? '20 character limit? Add character typed, update cursor, check time.

'Time's up.

'No right answer.

Pothole gaping ahead.

You can watch til end 'of segment or take shortcut out (P or E). Music behind graphic. (Actually, any key leads to this final frame.)

'Show final score

RUN "FIRSTSEG" Reset screen and end.

226 BYTE • IULY 1984

Now you don't have to sacrifice print quality for speed.

The Canon Impact Matrix Series Printers.

High speed and high quality in one functional, compact unit. That's what Canon's Impact Matrix Printers offer you.

They print hard copy at a rapid 160 characters per second. While in the double pass mode you get an impressive, high-density 23 X18 dot matrix that gives near letter quality printing suitable for word processing.

Canon's unique technology has also dramatically reduced bothersome clatter down to a muted noise level of less than 60dB.

Even at high speed.

And that, unlike many other impact matrix printers, makes them a pleasure to work with.

Plus there's limitless flexibility with the optional down-loading function that lets you print

© 1984 Canon USA, Inc.

whatever character fonts your host computer can create. As well as a choice of four different character styles (all printable on the same line) that you can enlarge or condense.

The Impact Matrix Series Printers give you a convenient choice of special paper widths-the PW-1080A for 80-character column printout and the PW-1156A for 156-character column.

Exceptional quality and high speed.

The Canon® Impact Matrix Series Printers give you the best of both worlds.

For more information:

Call 1-800-323 1717, Ext. 300.

(In Illinois call 1-800 942-8881, Ext. 300.)

Or Write Canon U.S.A., Inc.,

Printer Division, P.O. Box CN 11250,

Irenton, N.J. 08638.

Canon Printer Division

VIDEODISC CONTROL

Figure 5: A sample flowchart for the "FIRSTSEQ" program, one of eight programs in the listing.

(begin \ "FIRSTSEQ" )

INITIALIZE

190

TURN OVERLAY

SCREEN

OFF

195

/load

/ SUPER IMPOSE /

/FONT DATA /

/INTO ARRAY /

200-215

/ PRINT

/ SUPERIMPOSE /

/ TEXT

220

/wait for \

VfRAME #75*0^

2 20

BEEP AND TURN ON SUPERI MPOSE OVERLAY

2 25

WAIT FOR KEYPRESS OR FRAME # 7630

YES

250

/ PAUSE

1/2 /

/ SECOND, THEN /

/ ERASE TEXT /

255

PRINT

SUPERIMPOSE TEXT

260 |

/ CALL NEXT / / SCENE / / FROM DISC /

265

PAUSE 0.1 sec ' FOR DISC I ACCESS, THEN) 'REMOVE MASK ,

285

ADD POINT

(CHAIN "\ " TURN 111 J

The combination of the overlay and RGB graphics makes it possible to add new elements to an existing program.

All of this happens very quickly, and without a "glitch." That is, the combination of the overlay and RGB graphics makes it possible to add new elements to an existing program, weaving them into the action so everything seems normal.

In writing these programs, we discovered that timing was critical. In some instances, we changed the sequence of the disc player and screen commands so that videodisc scenes, graphics, and screen-clearing functions coincided.

We found that the best way to lock in the timing was to use LDPWAIT. The LDPWAIT command suspends program execution until the computer spots the specified videodisc frame. In some cases, we detected as much as onetenth of a second lag between the appearance of the desired frame and the execution of the command following LDPWAIT. So we "fudged" (prerolled) the frame numbers as needed to improve the timing.

We had to use the Sony Disk BASIC PAUSE statement several times as a fudge factor. PAUSE 10 is approximately one second.

We might add that in the GRAVY program, we developed a random-question generation sequence with our own (slightly ridiculous) questions and answers from lines 365-440. If you do not like ours you can add your own as long as you do not exceed 40 characters per line.

There are several other examples of how to use a personal computer to reformat an existing disc. Without going into further detail here, we suggest you refer to the listing for additional examples.

Conceptually, there is nothing new about using an existing disc to create a game. The exciting part is that two years ago integrated systems and soft

ware support for them were generally unavailable. Today, systems like the SMC-70 are widely available. More importantly, with the kind of software that is also available, you do not need to be an expert to write a program like this. Everything you need is likely to be found in the manual that accompanies the videodisc interface.

For those of you with IBM PCs, Visage (12 Michigan Drive, Natick, MA 01760) has just released a universal videodisc controller card, the VDC-1000, which can run with either the consumer or industrial players. At the time of this writing the card was not yet available, thus

we had no chance to use it for this game. But we are impressed with the purported features. Some of them include: graphics overlay on any NTSC signal; 15 available colors (including "transparent"); full-sprite animation; data dump from disc to PC memory; frame status; and a keyed-to-frame (TM) feature that links graphics and animation to the video.

For those of you with Apple lis and lies. Video Associates Labs (3933 Steck Ave., Suite B109, Austin, TX 78759) has a similar overlay system that has been well received, particularly by the broadcast and industrial video businesses. ■

228 BYTE* JULY 1984

What's more incredible about Canon's color ink-jet printer?

The quality... or the price?

Take a look at the beautiful clarity of theCanon®PJ-1080A's color ink-jet printing. Then discover that Canon's color printer actually costs well under a thousand dollars. You'll be hard-pressed to decide which is more amazing.

What makes the quality so incredible? Features like: ■The advanced drop-on-demand printing system. Canon's patented ink-jet technology gives a sharp 640 dot-per-line scan mode, for dazzling high-resolution color and exceptionally clean, crisp printouts.

■ Whisper-quiet operation of less than 50dB and an impressive speed of 37 c.p.s.

■ A choice of seven bold colors for bright, imaginative graphics.

■ A special dual-ink cartridge system that gives cleaner

© 1984 Canon U.S.A.. Inc.

resolution on blacks and saves you money, because when black is used up only the black cartridge need be replaced.

■ The ability to print high-fidelity characters and images on transparencies for overhead projection.

■ Compatibility with most computers you can buy.

And how much does all this cost?

Far less than a thousand dollars.

So what's more incredible about the PJ-1080A color ink-jet printer? There's only one way you'll really be able to find out.

And that's to buy one and decide for yourself.

For more information:

Call 1800 323 1717. Ext. 300.

(In Illinois call 1-800 942-8881, Ext. 300.)

Or Write Canon U.S.A., Inc.,

Printer Division, P.O. Box CN 11250,

Trenton, N.J. 08638.

Canon Printer Division

Circle 50 on inquiry card.

HOW TO RUN

THE WORLD

HE M

g

Without software you're nowhere.

That's why the Corona PC runs virtually everything. Word Star.1 dBASE II.2 Lotus 1-2-3 3f Thousands of packages in all. But we didn't stop there.

We give you 60% better graphics than IBM® (640x325 pixels). So your pie charts look tastier. We doubled the memory: 128K memory expandable to 512K on the main board. For power that won't quit. And we bundle software. For instant productivity right out of the box. All at a price about 20% less than IBM's.

The Corona PC. Once you can run the world, running your business looks easy. In North America, call 1-800-621-6746 for the Authorized Corona Dealer near you. In Holland, call 020-03240-18111. There are over 1600 dealers worldwide. And their job is to help. Service by Xerox.

THE CORONA PC

corona

data systems, inc.

©Corona Data Systems 1984.1. TM Micropro Corp. 2. TM Ashton-Tate 3. TM Lotus Development Girp. *HTS driver needed for graphics only.

Circle 86 on inquiry card.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 23

BITE

Reviews

The Sage II and Sage IV Computers

by Allen Munro 235

The Compaq Plus

by Mark Dahmke 247

XENIX FOR the IBM PC XT

by Steven H. Barry and 'Randall jacobson. .255

Turbo Pascal

by Tbm Wad/oic 267

LISP for the IBM Personal Computer

by lordan Bortz and ]ohn Diamant 281

The Smith-Corona L I 000 Printer

by Richard S. Shuford 293

Review Feedback 301

Reviewer's Notebook

Business Solutions Inc., a software house located on Long Island, has been sponsoring contests for integrated software packages running on the IBM PC. Guess whose product usually wins? Business Solutions' Jack2, a descendant of its Apple II product called The Incredible Jack, has been the subject of some impressive claims.

For the most part, the claims about this $495 program seem to stand up to scrutiny. Iack2 is a database-management program that can handle spreadsheet calculations, word processing, and graphics. All of these functions can be integrated fairly easily. For example, a letter, or database report, can include several different "blocks." One block could be a single record from a database; another block might be a small spreadsheet; a third, a bar graph. When one item of information changes, the spreadsheet and bar graph can change automatically. AH this power is fairly easy to set up, too.

Iack2 has two problems, though. If you take any one of its four capabilities—database management, spreadsheet, word processing, or graphics—and look at it by itself, none is close to being as good as single-function programs such as pfs:Write or Multiplan. And second, the program runs on the p-System, not on PC-DOS. This means that you're going to have trouble transferring information from your spreadsheets, word processors, and databases running on MS-DOS. Business Solutions has announced the availability of a utility program that can transfer data from and to PC-DOS files, but we have not received it yet. A review of Jack2 will appear here soon.

Someday we'll have supersophisticated debugging programs that will allow us to customize our software exactly the way we want it. That day may not come too soon, but for now we are fortunate to have keyboard modification programs such as ProKey. The latest version of ProKey (version 3.0) for the IBM PC sells for $130 and allows you to substitute any combination of keystrokes for almost any key on the IBM keyboard. For example, in WordStar, you can change the Delete and Backspace keys into real Delete and Backspace keys. Or one keystroke can be used to insert your return address into a letter. And in spreadsheet programs, ProKey's "macro" key sequences are easier to use than those of Lotus's 1-2-3.

And that's not all. Another program in the ProKey package called Layout lets you easily change the layout of the IBM keyboard. For example, you can change the dreaded Backslash key into a Shift key, just like it's supposed to be, or you can set up a Dvorak keyboard. One problem, though, is that while most of the ProKey programs run on most of the IBM compatible systems, the Layout program is one of the few programs I've found that seems to run only on the IBM.

This month Allen Munro looks at the Sage II and IV, a 68000-based family of machines that has received some good notices elsewhere in this magazine.

Mark Dahmke looks at the Compaq Plus, the hard-disk version of the successful portable IBM clone.

Speaking of the IBM PC we ran an article last year about a 68000 board for the PC produced by a company called Sritek ("Modular Architecture," by Sudha Kavuru, June 1983, page 194). Since this board comes with the XENIX operating system, we had Steven H. Barry and Randall Jacobson, our UNIX experts, report on it.

One product that has received tremendous raves all over the industry is Turbo Pascal, a powerful, easy-to-use version of Pascal for the IBM PC and CP/M-based machines. Tom Wadlow checks out whether the praise is deserved.

While we're on the subject of languages, we have Jordan Bortz and John Diamant reviewing two LISP systems: muLISP and IQLISP. Messrs. Bortz and Diamant examine how much intelligence—artificial or otherwise—went into these products.

And Richard Shuford takes a look at the Smith-Corona L-1000, a descendant of the TP-1, the first really affordable daisy-wheel printer. Richard reports on whether things have gotten better at Smith-Corona since the TP-I came on the market.

—Rich Malloy, Product-Review Editor

IULY 1984 -BYTE

233

*675 GETS YOU THE WORKS.

For about half the price of anything like it, now there's a complete plotting system with all you need for creative and professional graphics.

Everything's included: The Pixy microplotter, its dedicated Pixygraph software, paper, mylar film for overheads, two 8-color pen sets and a concise, easy-to-follow manual.

Even if you've never used a plotter before, it's never been easier to turn numerical data into pie charts, bar comparisons and area graphs. Or use your imagination to create unique designs.

Just connect Pixy to your IBMe-PC, Apple* or IBM compatible computer and you'll be turning out colorful graphics in no time.

Everything shown is specially offered at the one low suggested retail price for a limited time only. So if you've ever wanted to make your point with graphics, the right time is right now.

See your Mannesmann Tally dealer today or call toll-free for more in- MANNESMANN formation: 800-447-4700. TALLY

In Illinois, 800-322-4400

Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc IBM Is 11 registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc.

234 BYTE' IULY 1984

Circle 197 on inquiry card.

SYSTEM REVIEW

The Sage II and Sage IV Computers

The Sage computers display the power of the p-System

by Allen Munro

Some personal computer users like to claim that they have no need for greater computing power. They say that a Z80-based system with 64 K bytes of RAM (random-access read/write memory) can handle all the tasks that most people would ever want to do on a computer. With all due respect, such users are letting their current systems set the limits of their imaginations.

Those who adopt a personal computer that uses the powerful 3 2-/16-bit Motorola MC68000 chip (32-bit internal data bus, 16-bit external data bus), such as the Sage II or Sage IV, are likely to discover new computing potential that they will soon decide they would rather not live without.

Does it make sense to put more than one user on a microcomputer? Probably so, if you are paying for the system but won't actually be using it. Probably not, if you want to use it yourself.

The Sage II and Sage IV let you go either way. The 68000 was originally designed as a minicomputer chip and can support multipleor single-user systems. The standard operating system on the Sage is the UCSD p-System, a single-user computer system. Sage lets you optionally install a multiuser version of the operating system, in which multiple users have access to copies of the p-System, each in his or her own memory partition.

Hardware

The two Sage computer models are virtually identical machines from the viewpoint of the applications software and operating system. Sage Computer Technology offers a finely graded series of systems solutions ranging from a single floppy-disk Sage II with 2 56K bytes of RAM through a variety of dual floppydisk Sage II systems, to a Sage IV system with one floppy disk, a 40-megabyte Winchester hard disk, and 1 megabyte of RAM.

The crucial difference between a Sage II and a Sage IV system is that a Sage II can be expanded up to 5I2K bytes of RAM and has only floppy-disk drives, while a Sage IV can have up to 1 megabyte of RAM and has at least one hard-disk drive. A Sage II has two serial ports, one for the terminal and another

for a modem or serial printer, and one parallel port. A Sage IV has these peripheral interfaces plus an IEEE 488 instrumentation bus and four serial interfaces for the connection of terminals in a multiple-user mode.

Both the Sage II and the Sage IV can be used as single-user or multiuser machines. The Sage II can support two users (with the modem port configured for a second terminal) and the Sage IV can support up to six users. As many as 15 tasks can be run, which means you can run some extra programs that don't require a terminal, such as printing. Running either machine in a multiuser mode requires the installation of the Sage multiuser environment, a task likely to daunt anyone unfamiliar with the p-System or microcomputer systems in general.

When the Sage II first arrived, I was impressed that the computer arrived in a packaging box not much larger than the one used for an Apple lie. I was even more impressed when I opened the box and found that almost all the space was taken up by foam padding and documentation. The Sage II itself is smaller than an Apple He. Here is a computer with 5I2K bytes of memory installed, two dual-sided 5!4-inch 80-track disk drives, each with a 640K-byte capacity, and the whole thing weighs only 16 pounds. (The Sage IV weighs 20 pounds.)

The Sage has no bit-mapped graphics capaability built in. It communicates to the user through a separate terminal, connected through an RS-232C serial port. If your applications require graphics, you can purchase a terminal with graphics capability. Sage's approach to graphics has the advantage that only those users who require the capability must pay for it. It also makes it possible for users to select exactly the graphics resolution and color they require and can afford. It has the disadvantage that there will be few applications available off the shelf for any particu

(oonlinued)

Alien Munro is assistant director of the Behavioral Technology laboratories at the University of Southern California, 1845 South Elena Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

JULY 1984 'BYTE 235

REVIEW: SAGE

lar combination of Sage plus graphics terminal. In fact, Sage's approach to graphics is probably reasonable only for those who are prepared to program their application themselves.

The Sage printer port supports Centronics-type parallel-printer interfaces. I had no trouble using my Epson MX-80 to print from the Sage, either by using the file-manipulation utility (the Filer) to transfer text to the printer, or from my own programs. To use any printer with the available applications, find out whether the printer is supported by the software vendor, and, if so, how the correct printer parameters can be installed for that software.

I had some trouble when I decided to hook up the Sage II to an NEC Spinwriter Model 5525 with a serial interface. Thanks to many previous experiences trying to get RS-232C devices to communicate, and to the use of a Carroll breakout box (the RS-232 Line Tester, available from Carroll Touch Technology, 1212 Hagan St., Champaign, IL 61820), a friend and I were able to drive the printer from the Sage's modem port after about two hours of work.

The fact that it took time to complete this hookup is not a criticism of Sage in particular. There simply are not enough constraints on how manufacturers can implement the RS-232C standard to assure compatibility.

Neither of the Sage computers is particularly noisy. Both have fans that seem to do a good job getting the warm air out of the beige-and-black cabinets that house the computers, and they aren't loud enough to interfere with normal conversation. You just notice the sound if you happen to think of it. The harddisk-equipped Sage IV made a highpitched whine for the first 20 hours of operation, but it's been quiet since then.

Both Sages seem to be reliable. When

Sage !1/!V

Pascal Sieve 74.8

Modula Sieve 66.7

Pascal Floating Point 73.6 Pascal Disk Transfer

Floppy disk 42.9

Hard disk 7.9

RAM disk 0.6

the Sage IV first arrived, it had a dead hard-disk drive. The carton looked as though it had been handled pretty roughly, and Winchester drives just aren't built to be abused. A call to the Sage service department was promptly answered by someone who suggested some simple tests. Sure enough, there was something wrong with the drive. The Sage service department sent me the replacement unit at the same time I sent the defective unit to them.

The new Sage IV arrived in fine working order. The Winchester disk comes formatted and had been set up with all the necessary volumes (virtual disks) and floppy disks for p-System use. The system is set up to boot from the hard disk, but a simple back-panel switch setting change makes it possible to boot from a floppy disk, if you'd rather.

Performance

The only really reliable way to compare the performance of two computer systems is to actually use them. Benchmark programs are too narrowly focused to fully reflect system performance in the real world.

That caveat stated, four benchmarks are reported in table 1. Although any single benchmark should be taken with a grain of salt, a group of benchmarks may reveal a consistent trend. For comparison, the benchmark results for the IBM PC XT and the Apple He are presented here as well.

Virtually the same operating systems were used for all of the tests. Three of the benchmarks—the Pascal version of the Sieve of Eratosthenes, the floatingpoint benchmark, and the disk-transfer rate test—were performed using versions of the UCSD p-System. Both the Sage and the IBM PC XT ran under version IV. 1 of the p-System. The Sage's p-System was produced by SofTech Microsystems; the IBM's came from Net

IBM PC XT Apple lie

184.6 512.1

246.0 444.6

139.4 506.8

44.6 53.5

8.7 75.6 2.1

work Consulting Inc. (NCI). The Apple He ran under Apple Pascal version 1.1, an implementation of UCSD Pascal version 11.0. (A version IV p-System is available from SofTech Microsystems for the Apple, but it is not widely used because it costs more and runs significantly more slowly.)

The Modula Sieve test for all three machines was done with the Modula operating system from Volition Systems of Del Mar, California. Volition uses a modified version of the UCSD Pascal Operating System, version II, as the basis for its operating system in support of Modula-2.

The first benchmark presented in table 1 is the Sieve, written in Pascal, as presented by Jim Gilbreath and Gary Gilbreath in "Eratosthenes Revisited: Once More through the Sieve" (January 1983 BYTE, page 283). This classic benchmark tests a computer system's speed at performing loops. As the results show, the IBM PC XT takes almost 2.5 times as long as the Sage machines, and the Apple He takes over 6.8 times as long.

The Modula version of the Sieve is also taken from the Gilbreaths' article. Here, running under a slightly different operating sytem, the Sage performs more than 3.5 times as fast as the IBM PC XT, and almost 6.7 times as fast as the Apple. This particular benchmark may actually be the fairest comparison of the speeds of the three machines because all were performed using the same operating system, based on UCSD Pascal version II.

This operating system may be a bit faster than SofTech's version IV. 1. The Modula operating system includes a Pascal compiler as well as the Modula-2 compiler. When the Pascal version of the Sieve benchmark was compiled on the Sage in this operating system, it ran in 69.3 seconds, a little faster than it did under version IV. 1.

The third set of benchmark figures in table 1 is the result of a Pascal floatingpoint benchmark adapted from a similar program written in C. The original program appeared in "Comparing C Compilers for CP/M-86" by Jerry Houston, Jim Brodrick, and Les Kent (August 1983 BYTE, page 82). The Pascal version used for this comparison appears in listing 1. Here the IBM PC XT took about 1.9

{continued)

Table 1: Speed [in seconds) for four benchmarks, using UCSD Pascal.

236 BYTE- IULY 1984

AT A GLANCE

Name

Sage II

Manufacturer

Sage Computer Technology 4905 Corporate Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (702) 322-6868

Components

Size:

4 by 12.5 by 17 inches Processor: MC68000, 8-MHz Memory:

2 56K bytes standard 512K bytes max Mass Storage: half-height floppy disk,

double-sided 40-track (IBM PC

compatible)

80-track (640K bytes each) Interfaces:

parallel, serial, modem

Software

Operating system: UCSD p-System Included software: Word/7 Text Processing System Teletalker Communications

Optional Hardware

Sage Terminal (Qume 102). other terminals RAM expansion units to above maximums

Optional Software

Pascal compiler. Timberline spreadsheet, 68000 assembly language, and over 200 commercial application packages from a variety of software vendors.

Operating Systems

10 available, including CP/M-68K. IDRIS. Modula

Prices

I floppy-disk drive. 256K bytes RAM

$3200

Options

additional floppy-disk drive $700

additional 256K bytes RAM (to 1 megabyte on Sage IV) $500

Sage terminal (Qume) $590

MEMORY SIZE DISK STORAGE

0 200 400 600 800 1000K 0 200 400 600 800 1000K

256 1000

64 | | 12!

640

L

BUNDLED SOFTWARE PACKAGE PRICE

0 2 4 6 8 10 $0 $2000 $4000 $6000 $8000 $10,000

SAGE 11/W

APPLE HE

The memory graph shows the standard and optional memory available for the computers under comparison. The graph of disk-storage capacity shows the highest capacity of a single floppy-disk drive for each system. The bundled software packages graph shows the number of software packages included with each system. The price graph

shows the list price of a system with two highcapacity floppy disk drives, a monochrome monitor, graphics and color-display capability, a printer port and a serial port, 256K bytes of memory (64K bytes for 8-bit systems), the standard operating system for each system, and the standard BASIC interpreter for each system.

JULY 1984 'BYTE 237

The rear panel of the Sage II/IV.

Top view of the Sage II/IV with the cover removed.

DISK ACCESS IN BASIC 250

200

150

BASIC PERFORMANCE

250

200

150

WRITE

100

READ

SIEVE

CALCULATIONS

SYSTEM UTILITIES

SPREADSHEET (MULTIPLAN)

FORMAT/ DISKCOPY

FILE COPY

LOAD

RECALCULATE

SAGE H

The graphs for disk access in BASIC show how long it takes to write a 64K-byte sequential text file to a blank floppy disk and how long it takes to read this file (See the June BYTE, page 334.) The Sieve graph shows how long it takes to run one iteration of the Sieve of Eratosthenes prime-number benchmark. The calculation graph shows how long it takes to do 10.000 multiplication and division operations using single-precision numbers. The system utilities graphs show how long it takes to format and copy a disk (adjusted time for 40K bytes of disk data) and to transfer a 40K-byte file using the system utilities. The spreadsheet graph shows how long the computers take to load and recalculate a 2 5- by 2 5-cell spreadsheet where each cell equals 1.001 times the cell to its left.

All Sage benchmarks were executed on a Sage IV computer with an 8-MHz 68000 microprocessor, 512K bytes of memory, and two 514-inch disk drives containing 640K bytes each. The operating system was the UCSD p-System version IV.13.

•Note that a BASIC interpreter is not available for the Sage II/IV. The BASIC tests were executed using the Softech p-System BASIC Compiler, version IV b5-4. The compiled code was then interpreted by the p-System. The BASIC calculation test was run using 64-bit real arithmetic.

The format/disk-copy operation on the Sage involves three separate operations: format, zero directory, mirror-image copy. The Timberline spreadsheet, version 1.0, was used for the Sage spreadsheet tests.

238 BYTE- IULY 1984

REVIEW: SAGE

Listing 1: A simple floating-point benchmark.

program fpbench: const constl = 3.141597; const2 = 1783.9032; count = 10000: var a. b, c: real;

I: integer: begin a := constl: b := const2: for i : = 1 to count do begin

c := a • b; c := c / a; c := a • b; c := c / a; c := a • b; c := c / a: c := a • b; c := c / a; c := a • b; c := c / a; c := a • b: c : = c / a; c := a • b; c := c / a; end;

wrlteln ( Done ', count) end.

Listing 2: A disk-transfer speed benchmark.

program testdisk; var fromblocks. toblocks. numblocks, i: integer; infile. outfile: file;

anarray: packed array |0..255991 of char; (• 50 blocks worth *)

begin wrlteln ( test disk ) from blocks := 0; toblocks := 0; reset (infile, 'test.text'): rewrite (outfile, test.data'): for i := 1 to 10 do begin

numblocks := blockread (infileanarray,50,0); fromblocks := fromblocks + numblocks; numblocks : = blockwrite (outfilejnarray.50,0); toblocks := toblocks + numblocks end;

close (outfile, lock);

writeln (fromblocks,' blocks read: '.toblocks,' blocks written.') end.

times longer than the Sage and the Apple He took about 6.9 times longer.

Finally, I wrote a simple program, shown in listing 2, to test the disktransfer rates of the three machines. The program opens a file for reading and another file for writing and then repeatedly reads 25K bytes (50 blocks in the p-System) and writes 2 5K bytes to the same device. The time it took all three computers to perform this action of a floppy disk was remarkably similar. The Sage was only slightly faster than the IBM PC XT, and only 1.25 times as fast as the Apple. Hard-disk speeds were also similar for the Sage and the IBM, but the Apple's Corvus 11-megabyte hard disk was much slower—even slower than the Apple's floppy disks. This result was puzzling. 1 knew that the Corvus made working with disk-intensive programs a lot faster on the Apple. Why did the benchmark show exactly the opposite result? The answer, of course, is that disk-transfer speed is not an important part of disk performance for most personal computer applications. Disk-access time usually is much more important.

The last line of data for the disk-transfer benchmark compares the Sage and the IBM when a RAM disk (virtual disk in semiconductor memory) is used. Here the Sage again enjoys a 3 to 1 speed advantage. This result probably reflects the superiority of the MC68000's memory-addressing method over the 8086 family's.

Software

The Sage II and IV, with the operating system and available applications software, are very much p-System machines. The UCSD p-System is provided with both computers. Also available are Pascal and FORTRAN compilers and a 68000 assembly language that produces linkable assembly code. This means that computation-intensive portions of programs can be written in assembly for speed, while the bulk of the programs are written in Pascal for readability and compactness.

A number of typical p-System utilities are included, such as a cross-reference program and a teletalk utility for transferring files over the RS-232C interface to another p-System computer. The most important utility is a BIOS (basic input/output system) manipulation util

ity called SAGE4UTIL. This program is the one that lets you change features such as bps (bits per second) rate and number of stop bits for the RS-232C interface or treat one of the floppy-disk drives as an IBM PC-format drive.

Also included is Word7, a word-processing program. Word7 creates and accesses p-System files of type text. The files are not given the 'TEXT" suffix that other p-System text editors assign to the names of files they access and create.

Instead, Word7 appends a "ID" to the name of the document. It is simple to use the Filer utility to change the names of files between the "ID" and "TEXT" versions, making it possible to work on the same files.

Unlike other p-System editors, such as the standard editor and Volition's Advanced System Editor, Word7 provides filing and printing functions from within the program, Word7 is not as mode

(wntinued)

JULY 1984 -BYTE 239

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REVIEW: SAGE

Table 2: A comparison of Word! on the Sage IV with WordStar 3.3 on the IBM PC. The tests measure (l) how long it takes to load a 4000-word document from a floppy disk, (2) how long it takes to save the document to a floppy disk, (3) how long it takes to find the last word in the document, and (4) how long it takes to scroll through the document to the end.

Test Sage IV IBM PC

Software

1. Document load

2. Document save

3. Search

4. Scroll forward

oriented as other p-System editors, although it does have two basic modes, one for insertion and the other for exchanging or overstriking text, much like word-processing programs such as WordStar. Rather than presenting a oneline menu of available options, as the standard editors do, Word7 requires that the user know which keyboard function keys to use to accomplish tasks like deletion or centering of text.

Both the modeless and mode-type editors have adherents. There may be some advantage to a system such as Sage's that allows users to share the same text files even though they use different editors.

Table 2 shows a comparison of Word7 running on a Sage IV with WordStar running on an IBM PC. As you can see, Word7 is somewhat faster at loading a document and searching, quite a bit faster at saving a document, and somewhat slower at scrolling forward. It should be noted that the Sage IV was equipped with a 640K-byte floppy-disk drive, while the IBM PC had two 320Kbyte floppy-disk drives, 512K bytes of RAM, a monochrome monitor and adapter, and DOS 2.0.

Configuration

The Sage is an excellent p-System development machine because it is faster than any other widely available pSystem computer. Furthermore, its floppy-disk drives can be configured to read a large number of disk formats in addition to its own 1280-block (640Kbyte) 80-track format. Other formats the Sage can read include IBM PC disks in several formats (double- and singlesided, standard 8-sector, or Network Consulting Inc.'s 10-sector) and the Soflech Microcomputing "universal"

Word7 WordStar 3.3 7.7 9.9 13.1 24.2 7.2 10.5 58.5 41.2

medium-280-block disks in IBM PC format. Although Sage does not recommend that its 80-track drives be used for writing to 40-track disks, I found I could ignore the warning messages and safely transfer data from Sage disks to disks that had been formatted on an IBM PC in the standard 640-block (320Kbyte) format. To do this, I simply chose the option in the Sage configuration utility program called SAGE4UTIL that let me make on-line changes to the system's BIOS.

The Sage can directly write to the disks of most p-System computer systems that use 5lA~inch floppy disks.

The Sage computers can directly write to the disks of most p-System computer systems that use 5!4-inch floppy disks. For those systems with disks that a Sage computer cannot write to directly, a standard utility program is provided for transfer of files over RS-232C lines.

Not every novice computer user would find it easy to configure a Sage system after unpacking it. In the best of all possible worlds, your friendly and competent computer dealer would be right there beside you, configuring the computer and giving you detailed training on its use. But in the real world, the computer dealer is all too likely to hand over the boxes and wish you luck. When a computer uses a built-in bit-mapped graphics display, it doesn't have to be

[continued)

1ULY 1984 -BYTE 241

REVIEW: SAGE

Postscript

Shortly after this review was prepared. Sage released a new set of documentation for the Sage II and IV and unbundled (or rebundled) its software. The new manuals and packaging go a long way toward eliminating my concern for novice users who might buy a Sage, and make the Sage a good choice for computer users who need extra power or want an inexpensive multiuser system.

Currently, both Sage computers are shipped with the UCSD p-System, communications software, utilities, Word7 word-processing software, two manuals, and a book about using the UCSD pSystem.

The new documentation is more attractively packaged than before. Each of the 6- by 8!4-inch binders is separately boxed, in the same manner that IBM PC manuals are. The layout of text in the manuals is attractive, with examples from the screen shown against a light green background. Line drawings are used sparingly and with good effect.

The star among the included manuals is Getting Started, which is going to save new Sage owners a lot of time and aggravation. Getting Started helps you set up the computer and terminal. It tells you how to power up, boot, and back up the system disks, as well as how to execute a demonstration program. The manual also contains primers on the p-System and its disk-file management program, the Filer.

Chapter topics in Getting Started include: electronic information services, including Sage's own SageMail; configuring the sys

tem for use on nonstandard terminals; setting up the system for use with a variety of printers; using the configuration control program; and setting up the system for multiple users. There is no question that novice Sage users are much better off with this new manual.

The same binder that contains Getting Started holds the manual for Word 7. Another binder contains the p-System manual, which describes the Filer program and the standard p-System editor. In addition, it describes utility programs for printing files created with the standard editor, reducing a program's start-up time, maintaining the p-System code library, setting up the system for new terminals, and recovering lost files.

Also included is the 500-page Sage Technical Manual which contains everything anyone might want to know about the Sage hardware and low-level operating system features.

Among the new, optional binders are The p-System Program Development Manual and manuals for the 68000 assembly language and the Sage debugging tool.

Software that is now available separately for the Sage II and IV includes Pascal and FORTRAN compilers and several spreadsheet programs.

Finally, the standard document set includes a copy of Personal Computing with the UCSD p-System. by Mark Overgaard and Stan Stringfellow (Prentice-Hall). Overgaard has been one of the principal forces behind the UCSD p-System since its inception, so this book is likely to contain a great deal of worthwhile information.

set up for use with a separate terminal. The Sage, however, does use an external terminal (or up to five of them if the multiuser system is employed), and it has to be configured to treat the terminals of different manufacturers correctly.

Configuring the terminal involves several steps. First, the terminal and the computer must be set to the same communication parameters, such as bps rate. The terminals 1 received from Sage for use with the machines were set for 9600 bps, while the terminal ports on the Sage were configured for 19,200 bps. To make the serial communications

ports compatible, I had to look up tables in two different documents to find the correct switch settings. Compatibility is not a matter of bps rate alone; it concerns the number of stop bits, parity, and length of characters as well. To find out how the terminal's switches should be set, I had to find the information in the documentation of the terminal and also in the Sage manual.

The second part of configuring the system concerns making the necessary software modifications to customize the operating system for your terminal. This requires transferring some files and changing file names to get the appro

priate set of terminal parameters to load when the system boots. If you are using a terminal other than one of those for which Sage provides preconfigured files, you will have to first write a new cursor-positioning procedure (GCTOXY) and bind it into the operating system. Then you will have to run a program that lets you customize the terminal parameters. This program sets up a system file that records, for example, which ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) character moves the cursor up a line.

The novice user is going to find it takes time and patience to make an unusual terminal work properly with the Sage. Fortunately, Sage does provide the required files for the terminals it sells with the system, as well as many other common terminals. When the Sage II arrived, it came with a terminal labeled Sage. A search of the preconfigured terminal parameter files did not reveal any Sage terminal information. Turning over the keyboard, I found a Liberty Electronics label that identified the terminal as a renamed Freedom 100. The set of terminal-parameter files included one called F100, and that proved to be the one I needed.

Even if the correct files are on your disk, there is no clearly labeled set of instructions describing how to perform the setup. When I began this review. Sage was waiting delivery of new documentation that is said to solve all of the novice user's configuration problems (see the text box "Postscript" on this page for a description of the new documentation), but I would suggest that prospective Sage purchasers who are not familiar with the p-System make sure that they have access to someone who is.

The Verdict

The Sage II and Sage IV computers are wonderful systems for p-System developers and serious p-System users. Sage is trying to appeal to a wider user base by making important types of businesssoftware packages available and through improved user documentation.

If you are committed to the p-System, get one of these machines. If you aren't, but you're in the market for a system that has demonstrated powerful performance, you should check out the Sage II or IV. ■

242 BYTE • |ULY 1984

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* Handler Pak (Word, List & Spell) $ 130 Software PuUbhlng, PFS: File $ 125 (specify + ore) PFS: Report $125

PFS: Graph $125 PFS: Write (lie) $125

Stoneware, 0B Master Version 4,0 $350 DB Utility I or II $129

VktiCorp, Visicalc 13 (ll+> $ 250

VWCorp. visicalc Enhanced (lie) Visicalc Advanced (lie) Mafia or VisiDex. each

$250 $179 $295 $210 $250 $179

i, Apple Mechanic or Diskquik, ea. $ 30

Double-Take or GPLE. each Typefaces (Req. Ap. Mechanic) DOSS Boss or Utility City, each Tip Disk #1 Pronto DOSS Alpha Rot Central Point, Filer. DOS 3 3 S Util.

* Copy II Plus (bit copier) Erotain, Compiler —Applesoft BASIC Epeon, Graphics Dump $ 15 $ Hayee, Terminal FrogfSM or MMea) $ 100 $

* Inaofl, GraFORTH II by Paul Lutus $ 90 $ Microsoft, ALD.S $125 $

Fortran 80 $195 $1

COMPLETE MICROSOFT UNE IN STOCK

* Omega, Locksmith (bit copier) $ 100 $ Penguin, Complete Graphics System II $ 70 $

Graphics Magician $ 60 $

Phoenix, Zoom Grain $ 40 $

Quality, Bag of Tricks $ 40 $

Terrapin, Logo $ 150 $

HOME & EDUCATIONAL

Atari, Centipede, PacMan or Donkey K.,ea. $ 35

Beagle Bros., Beagle Bag $ 30

Bluechlp, Millionaire $ 60

Brrxleitjund, Choplrfler or Lode Runner.ea $ 35

Arcade Machine $ 60

Apple Panic $ 30

BudeeCo., Pintail Constr. Set $ 40

* Continental, Home Accountant $ 75

Datatoft, Aztec or Zaxxon. each $ 40 Edu-Ware, (Large Inventory)

Hayden, Sargon II (Chess) $ 35

Sargon III (Chess) $ 50

i, Zork 1,11,111, or Starcross, each $ 40 3 Game Pak, Zarg/

Spider Raid /Grapple $ 82 Koala, Full line in stock, CALL Learning Co., (Large Inventory)

Micro Lab, Miner 2049er $ 40

Microsoft, Typing Tutor $ 25

Monogram, Dollars and $ense $ 100

Origin, Ultima III $ 60

Scarborough/Lightning, Mastertype $ 40

Sierra/On-Une, Ultima II $ 60

Sir-Tech, Wizardry $ 50

Spinnaker, Kindercomp pthers in stock) $ 30

Sub Logic. Flight Simulator II $ 50

PRINTER COMBO SALE

ONE TIME, QUANTITY LIMITED * OKIDATA MICROUNE 80

80cps, Pin/tridion feed, 80 col., 132 col. compressed 96ASCII, Graphics, Parallel List Price $299, Call for our low price

COMBO A lor Apple or IBM—$549 rave $450

ML80 + dBase II

COMBO B for Apple or IBM- $494 save $500

ML80 + WordStar + Mail Merge + SpellStar+ Star Index

COMBO C for Apple II+/e - $474 rave $520

ML80 + Appfcard CP/M + 13 Features) + WordStar or IrtbStai

COMBO D for IBM-PC- $397 save $550

ML80 + 50 Generik" DS/DD diskettes + Bank Street Writer Home Accountant Plus + 3 Insoff Trix educational games.

COMBO E for Apple II +/e-$291 em $420

ML80 + 50 Generik™ SS/SD diskettes + Bank Street Writer Insoff 3 game pak + Home Accountant

★ MEANS A BEST BUY

DISKETTES

AMDEK3"[*skettes,Pac-10 CDC, lOOea SS/DD, 40T lOeaSS/DO, 40T lOOea DS/DD, ~

IBM) IBM) H/P)

UST PRICE

$ 60 $550 $ 55 $750

aDS/DO,40T|IBM.H/1>)

DVSAN, lOea DO/SO (Apple, etc] $ 41

lOeo OS/DO 48T(IBM,H/P,etc) $ 69

MAXELL, 10 each, MD1, SS/DD $ 55

10each, M02, DS/DD $ 75

VERBATIM, lOeach MD525-01. SS/DD $ 49

10 each MD34, DS/DD $ 84 $ 35

GENERIK'" DISKETTES -AS LOW AS $1

W/Jackets, no labels, top quality. 90 day limited warranty by us

out

PHICE 49 239 26 295 35 29 43 29 39 25

lOeaSS/SO, 35 Track (Apple, Atan) $ 42

lOOea SS/SD, 35Track (Apple, Atari) $ 415

1000 ea SS/SD, 35 Track (AppleAlari) $4150

lOea DS/DD, 48TPI (IBM, H/P! $ 63

lOOea DS/DD, 48TPI (IBM, H/P] $626

1000ea DS/DD, 48TPt (IBM, H/P) $6260

$ 17 $ 130 $ 995 $ 25 $ 170 $1400

GENERIK™ DISKETTES

Each at lOOOquantity.

SS/SD $1.00 Each DS/DD $1.40 Each

@1983 by ComX Corp

A

fortheATARI

RANA 1000 Drive, 32* $ 449 $ 369 KOALA Pad w/Micro lllus. $ 100 $ 75

MODEMS **

ACCESSORIES

OUR

pact

75

ANCHOR, Signalman MKI (RS232) $ 99

Signalman Mark XII $399

HAYES, IBM-PC Smartmodcm 1200B $599 $419

IBM-PC Smartcom II Software $149 $109

Micromodem He w/Smartcom $ 329

Micromodem 100(S-100bus) $399 $275

Stack Chronograph (RS-232) $249 $189

StackSrrartrr^ 300(RS232) $289 $225

Smartjriodem 1200 (RS-232) IBM-PC to Modem Cable NOVATION, ACCESS 1-2-3

(PC1200B (Crosstalk XVI] Apple Cat II 300 BAUD 212 Apple Cat, 1200 BAUD Cat Kit

212 Auto Cat 103/212 Smart Cat TRAN8END/SSM,

Transend 1 tor Apple II ModemCard for the Apple II ' 11200

39

$535 29

$595 $399

$389 $249

$725 $559

$189 $139

$149 $104

$695 $579

$595 $415

$ 89 $ 69

$299 $259

$695 $559 SOflWARE-SfE APPLE OR IBM UTIUTY SOFTWARE SECTIONS

MONITORS ACCESSORIES

* AMDEK, 12" Green, #3003 $ 200

* 12" Amber, K300A $210

* 12" Amber. #310A for IBM-PC $230

* 13'Coforl+, Composite $379

* 13"Cokxll,RGaHiRes,|IBM/Apple) $529 13-, Color IV, RGB, 720Hx400V(IBM] $ 795 DVM III, Color llor III to Apple II l/F $199

* PRINCETON, RGB Hi Res, HX-12 $ 795

* RGB Hi Res, SR-12 $799

* Amrjer,MAX-12(MonoBrd.) $249 *QLWDRAM,*adchronwl2-rtG8Color $695

* Quadscreen 17" 968x512 $1995 ZENITH, ir Green, MdlZVM 123 $200

PLOTTERS

AMDEK. Amptot II, 6pen, 10xl4Bed $1099 $ I

PRINTERS Sect

DOT MATRIX:

EPSON, RX80,100 cps FX80, 160 cps FX 100.160 cps

MX1O0F/T, 80cps,w/t!raflrax+ Apple II Graphics Dump MANNESMANN 160. 80 col 160cps TALLY, 180U32cot 160cps

* Spirit SOcol 80cps OKIDATA, 82A 80 col., 120 cps, para.

83A, 132 coL, 120 cps, para.

92,80 col., 160 cps, para.

93 136C0L, 160 cps, para.

2350P,Pacem3rk,350cps,para

2410P,Pacemark, 350cps,para. ORANGE MICRO.Grappler* tor Apple PRACTICAL, Haobufl In-line 64K,Para Mnobuft Inline 64K,Ser. QUADRAM, Quadjel Jet Color Printer

* STAR MIC, Gemini 10'X.120cps,2.3K

Gemini 15T12fcpra3K

LETTER QUALITY:

AMDEK,504 a40cps,Para.&Ser.

* TTX. 1014,13cps, Para.&Ser„ Pin&Fric.

iTflLl

CaH

$ 649 $ 399

$ 60 $ 35 $ 95 $ 59

PRINTER INTERFACES and BUFFERS:

IBM-PC to Epson or Star Micro. Cable Apple l/F 8 Cable for Epson or Gemini QUADRAM,

Microlarer. w/Copy, PP, 8K,«MP8w/PS $ 189 Microfaier, w/Copy, PP, 64K, »MP64w/PS $ 319 Microlazer, w/Copy, PP, 128K. w/PS $ 465 Microfazer, Snap-on, 8K, PP, Epson w/PS $ 179 Microfazer, Snapen, 64k, PP, Epson w/PS $ 319 Al Microrazers are expandable tw/copy to 512K) (Snap-on to 64K) SUPPLIES: Tractor Feed Paper, Ribbons. Daisy Wheels.

41CX Calculator NEW! $ 325 41C Calculator $ 195

41CV.Calculatorw/22K $ 275

275 149 219

HYPERION , Portable Computer $3690

nnnrmur lucnnUiTiAu Aun-rrnuc 12060SWG»c*i Piac.. Portland. OR 97223-lndufi.ttJwhorrt wmtmand doubt.chockyourf ifurtifor SilH)

UKUcKINu INrUKMAMUn ANU ItKMo. All items usually in stock. Cashiers Checks. Money Orders. Fortune 1 TO Checks ind Government Checks, we immediately- honor. Personil or other Company Checks allow 20 days Id Clear. No C O D Prices feflect a 3% cash discount so ADD 3% to above prices lor VIS* tx MC. For U.S. Mainland, add 3% 135 minimum| lor shipping, insurance and handling (SI&H) by UPS UPS pound rs standard so add 3% (HOminimum) more for UPS Blue lor SI&H Add 12% total ($15 minimum) lor SI&H lor US Postal. APO or FPO. For Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. UPS is in some areas only, all others are Postal so call, write, or specify Postal. Foreign orders eicepl Canada lot SI&H add 18% [(25 minimum) (or SI&H except for monitors add 30% {(50 minimum) lor SJ&H All prices, availability and specifications subject to errors or change without notice so call lo verity. All goods art: new. include warranty and are guaranteed to work. Due to our low prices and our assurance that you will get new unused products. ALL SALES ARE FINAL Call belore returning goods lor repair or replacement. Orders received with insufficient SI&H charges will be refunded. ORDER DESK HOURS 6AM to 6P.M. PST. Monday tnrou(h Friday and lOto 4 Sjtuiday. 6AM here is 9A.M. in New York

OUR REFERENCES: We have been in computers and electronics since 195ft a computer dealer since 1976 and in computer mail order since 1930 Banks: 1st Interstate Bank. (5031 643-4678 We belong to the Chamber ot Commerce (503) 228-9411, ««i Direct Marketing Association, or call Dunn and Sradstreet II you are a subscriber. EconoRAM-. Fastrak", and Onenk-are trademarks of ComX Corporation.

CASH & CARRY OUTLETS:

Over-the-counter sales only. Open Monday through Friday. 10:00 until 6:00. Saturday, IftOO unHSOO

PORTLAND. OREfiOH—NEW LOCATION! At Park 217, Tigard at intersection of 217 and 99W. Coming tram Portland on 99W, take immediate left after 217 overpass and Texaco Station Call 620-559S SEATTLE. WASH.—3540 128th Ave. SE. Bellevue, WA 98006 Tel: 641-4736, in loehmann's Plata near factoria Square, SE ol Hwy 405 S 90 and at SE 38th i Richards.

244 BYTE" IULY 1984

Formerly Computer Exchange

LOW PRICES TO PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW WHA T THEY WANT AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT!

SUPPLY CENTER for IIM-PC or XT

256KHM-PCorXT

320/360K Disk Drives by CDC 90 Day Limited Warranty By Us Call for Details

'DEALERS^

WE BUY

EXCESS i INVENTORIES i

© 1984 by Conroy-LaPointe, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

Coming soon products for the PC Jr.

®\984, Service Mark of Conroy-LaPointe. Inc.

lor the

IBM-PC or XT

DRIVES

AND

ACCESSORIES

€§>

CONTRPL DATA

landon

320K/360K DS/DD DISK DRIVES

With Detailed Installation Instructions 30 Day l imited Warranty by Factory Authorized Distributor

Same as now * 1 AA PULL HEIGHT installed by IBM f 19? $209 For One.

CDC HALF $189 HEIGHT ZlMDEK

AmdskV, Si height, internal. 320/36OX $ 329 $249 Cable, Arndisk III to IBM-PC interface CaH

CDC, »Hi Dual Drive Install Kit S 30 » 16

ComX

T Disk Drive ftiwerCable s 8 J 6

* Internal lOmeg Hard Disk &I/F $1395 $895

(same as PC to XT by Maynard tetow)

MAYNARD

Floppy Drive Control Brd—

up to 4dmcs with Parallel Port J 300 $ 239

PC to XT 10 meg CONVERSION KIT from MAYNARD

Internal 10 meg Hard Disk&I/F Card $1395 *1150 Quality engineered to work with DOS 2.0/2.1. Completely IBM XT compatible. All you need is your DOS Manual. Easy to install. Includes 10 Megabyte Hard Disk, Sandstar WS1 Multifunction Card and Hard Disk (Meier Module Card will accept up to three Sandstar Modules. Other configurations available.

TAVA-PC

IBM COMPATIBLE

TAVA-PC, 256K, 2 Half Height CDC 360K Drives, Disk Controller, Color Graphics Card and:

• with no Monitor $2345 $1995

• with Amdek Amber Monitor 310A $2575 $2139

• with Amdek Green Monitor 30OG $2545 $2139

• with Amdek Color 1+ Monitor $2724 $2279

• with 1 floppy, 10 MB Hard Disk

IBM-XT Compatible by ComX $3995 $2795 We lind the TAVA-PC to be as compatible with the IBM-PC as the Compaq, Eagle and Columbia. PC World (April 1984] says, "The TAVA-PC strongly resembles the IBM-PC in looks and operation."

AMDFK MAI 4-in-l Multiple Board, Color rtiviuL.l\ Qfapnj^ ifcn,, 12a< $ 599 $ 519

Large AST Inventory. CALL

ComboPlus, 64K, S/P/C ComboPlus, 256K. S/P/C MegaPlus II, 64K, 2S/P/C MegaPlus II, 256K, 2S/P/E 256K MegaPlus II Expander SucPakPlus,64K, S/P/C+S/W $395 SxPakPlus.256K,S/P/C*S/W $695 SixPakPlus, 384K.S/P/C-r-S/W $895 ForSixPakw/GamePortadd " l/0Plusll,S/P/CC l/OPIusll. S/P/CC/G l/OPIusll. S/P/CC/G

MorwGraphPlusTard (for Lotus) Cji PCNet, Starter Kit, PC002 $1095 PCNet, Circuit Board, PC001 $495 Supervision, 132 col., mono, board $ 799 $ 599 Chalkboard, Power Pad, Req. Kit $ 100 $ 73 *ComX riconoRAM'"256X RAM Card w/Fastrak'"RAM disk emulator and spooler software. $ 495 $ 325 rilRTTC UNI-I. Monitor Sits swivel base wn"g 3to9foot keyboard cable vertical CPU 'System Stand" Monochrome Ext Cable Pair

$395 $265 $695 $495 $795 $395

$ 50

$215 $150

$265 $185

$315 $215

CCS

$ 50

$ 40

$ 25

$ 50

$ 39 $ 30 $ 19 $ 35

HERCULES Graphics Card, Mono $ 499 $349

KpV TmniC KaSlSO, Std. keyboard $ 209 $ 159 J KB5151, Std. keyboard NEW $ 255 $189

KB5151 jr. keyboard NEW $ 255 $189 Koala Pad'-w/PC Design $150 $109 llUdld Programmer's Guide $ 15 UAVWABnMuBfunctjOTlQCard.MFC $ 89 /I Memory Card no RAM $230 SANDSTAR Memory Card 256K $499 Hardttsk l/F Module (HDM) $ 495

$ 12 $ 79 $169

SERIES

HardDisk Cable $ 30 $ 27

Para Port Module (PPM) $ 59 $ 49

Serial Port Moduli |SPM) $ 95 $ 79

dock CaL Module (CCM| $ 55 $ 48

Game Adapter Module (GPM) $ 49 $ 43

Memory Module "0"K (MMO) $122 $102

Memory Module 256K(MM256)$ 422 $357

XTlOmegHardOiskSl/F $1395 $1150

MICROSOFT SystemCard 256K $ 625 $ 469 SystemCard 64K $ 395 $ 295 Mouse $ 195 $ 145

MOUSE SYSTEMS, PC Mouse w^oftware $ 295 $ 195

PLANTRONICS

Color Board SColormagic, 16cokx,w/P3ra $ 559 $ 395 Color Boards Draftsman, 16ctxor,w/Para $ 559 $ 395

QUADRAM

wQuadlink NEWEST VERSION

Quadboard, no RAM, expand to 384K Quadboard 64K, expand to 384K Quadboard 256K, expand to 384K

* Quadboard, 384K Quadboard II, no RAM, expand to 256K Quadboard II, 64K, expand to 256K,2S/CC Quadboard II, 256K. 2S/CC Quad 512 x 64K plus serial port Quad 512 x 256K plus serial port Quad 512 x 512K plus serial port Quadcoior I, board, 16 colors

* Quadcoior II, board, use with Quadcoior Quadvue, board, Mono/S/P/CC

* Quadchrome, 12" RGB Monitor Quadscreen, 17" 968 x 512 Monitor

Tormar Graphics Master $ 695 ICV-IIIdl a MATE, 64K, S/P/CC $389

1st MATE, 256K. S/P/CC $ 589

Captain, 64K.S/P/CC $ 424

Captain,384K,S/P/a: $ 795

Wave, 256K]short brd.) $ 499

Bosun, S/P/fc(short brd.) $ 195

Accelerator PC (8086+ 128K) $ 995 $ 750

Titan

TG PRODUCTS, **** $ 60 $ 40

WICO, IBM-PC Mouse $ 100 $ 69

Prices and availability subject to change. Call.

$55

* 9 Each, 64K, 200 ns, MEMORY CHIP KIT 90 Day Warranty by us

$325 $295 Two or mow. ★ ComX EconoRAM™ 256K BOARD

FuHy Compatible 1 Year Urnited Warranty by ComX Wth Fastrak RAM Disk Emulator and Spooler Software Works on DOS 1.1,2.0or2.1

★ MEANS A BEST BUY

SOFTWARE for

BUSINESS & TRAINING

ALPHA, Database Manager II $295 $185 ASHTONTATE

Framework avail. July /Aug NEW $695 Call

* dBase II, (req. PC-DOS S 128K) $700 $375 dBase II User's Guide (Book) $ 30 $ 20 Everyman's DB Primer (Book) $ 15 $ 12 The Financial Planner $700 1395 Friday $295 $199

APPLIED SOFT. TECH., Versatorm $389 $265

ASK MICRO, GLAR.APJNV or PR, each $ 595 $295

ATl.Traiiiing Programs—Wide Brie in stock Call

* BRODERBUND. Bank Street Writer $ 80 $ 56 BPI,(Sen'IAcctg,ARAPorPR,each $595 $395 CDEX. Training for.. (Large inventory) $ 70 $ 47 CHANG LABS, Micro Plan $495 $335

* CONTINENTAL Home Accountant $150 $ 89

Tax Advantage $ 70 $ 45

FCM (Filing, Cataloging, Mailing) $125 $ 89

Property Management $495 $329

DOW JONES, Market Analyzer $350 $279

Market Manager $300 $239

Market Microscope $700 $525 FOX &GELLER.

Quickcode, dGraph, Grafox or Oz, each $295 $195

rMI(MSDOSorCP/M86,each) $ 99 $ 59

HAYDEN, IBM Pie Writer $200 $135

Pie Speller or Sargon lll.each $ 50 $ 34 HOWARDSOFT,

Tax Preparer, 1984-for 1983 year $295 $220

HUMAN EDGE Management or Sacs, ee, J 250 $169 $350 $100 $1495 $595 $250

IDS, EasyWhter EasySpeller II

Business System: Gl*AR+AP GLAR,AP,0E or INV, each

* INSOFT, Data Design(easy to use DBMS)

GraFORTH (animated 3D graphics) $ 125 UFETREE, Votkswhter $ 285

* LOTUS, 1-2-3 $ 495

SUE. Using 1-2-3 (Book) $ 15

►CRO LAB. lax Manager for 1983 $250 MICROPRO. WordStar* SPECIAL $ 495 MailMerge" SPECIAL $ 250

CorrectStar" NEW SPECIAL $ 195

* WordStar Professional, 4 Pak SPECIAL $ 695 Options Pak. SS/MM/SI SPECIAL $ 295 Starlndex™ SPECIAL $ 195 IntoStar- SPECIAL $ 495

* MICRORIM. R base. Series 4000 $495 MICROSOFT, Mulhplan $ 195

Word $375 Word with Mouse $475 Financial Statement $ 100 Budget $ 150

BUSINESS & TRAINING

OUB PfttCE $110 $295 $429

MONOGRAM, Dollars & Sense $

MULTIMATE Multimate $

OPENSYS,GLA.W.PRINVorPO,each $ > OSBORNE/COMX. (Book S Business.' S Math Programs on DS/DD Disks)

Some Common Basic Programs(70ea) $ 100

Practical Basic Programs (40each) $ 100

P6L Personal Investor LI $ 145

PEACHTREE. Peach Pak (GLAR&AP) $ 395

Peach Text 5000 $ 395 PEARLSOFT. Personal Peart

(DBMS S MIS) $295

r PERFECT, Perfect Writer™ $349

Writers Speller. 2 Pak $399

Perfect Filer'"or Perfect Calc, each $249

Perfect Writer, Speller, Filer, Calc |4) $699

SATELLITE, Word Perfect $495

SOFTWARE ARTS, TK! Solver $399

SOFTWARE PUBLISHING,FfSfile $ 140

PFS:Report $ 125

Pf S:Write $ 140

PFSfiraph $ 140

SORCIM,SuperCalc2 $295

SuperCalc3 $395

SSI/SATEUITEWordPerfect $495

Personal WordPerfect $195

STC/SOFTEC. The Creator $ 300

STONEWARE. Advanced D B. Master $ 595

SYNAPSE, File Manager $ 100

SYNERGISTIC, Data Reporter $ 250

T/MAKER, T/Maker III $275

VISICORP, VisiCalc IV $ 250

Symphony, aval July/Aug NEW $ 695

Visit ile or teiScbedule $ 300

Desktop Plan I $ 300

UsiWbrd wrth VnsiSpell (128K) $375

UTILITY & SYSTEM

1983 CL SOFTWARE AWARD:

"Copy II PC by Central Point Software is still one of the best software buys ol available It wiH copy more copy protected software and faster than any other backup system. Unlike other copiers it makes an exact duplicate of your original and it does lOWvenficationofcopy. tocumeritetion is excellent"

* CENTRAL POINT. Copy H PC Backup $ 40 $ 30

* COMX, Fastrak*". RAM/Disk emulator and printer spooler program Works on any

PC/DOS version or RAMCard. Menu Driven $ 100 $ 59

rXl

~~ir

$225

cm

40 135

1399 1499 1269 $339 $135 $525

i

$ 89 95 129 199 399 199 329 269 $250 $469 | 65 $ 89

Concurrent CP/M-B6™ $ 350 Concurrent CP/M-B6™*/windows

CP/M-86™ $ 60

CBASIC 86™ $200

C8A3C Compiler P>/W86« MSOOS.ee) $600

Pascal/Ml * (CP/M-86) $400

Pascal/Ml- (MSDOS) $ 600

Pl/IIMSOOS or CP/M-86, each) $750

Access Mngr.fMSDOS or CP/M-86,each| $400

Display MngrlMSOOS or CP/M-86,each| $ 500

Speed Prog Pkg (CP/M 86) $200

CIS COBOL 86 $850

DR L0G0-86 $ 100

HAYES, Smartcom II (Data Com.) $119

INSOFT, GraFORTH (animated 3D graph) $ 125

MICROSTUF, Crosstalk XVI (Data Com.) $ 195

MICROSOFT, muMath/muSimp $ 300

Business BASIC Comp. $600

Pascal Compiler $ 300

C Compiler $ 500

BASIC Compiler $395

FORTRAN Compiler $350

COBOL Compiler $700

NORTON, Utilities 2.0,14 programs $ 80

ROSESOFT. Prokev $ 130

HOME & EDUCATIONAL

ATARI Centipede. PacMan or Donkey.each $ 35 $

EPYX/Auto. Sim. Temple of Apshai $ 40 $ 29

* ARMONK, Executive Suite $ 40 $ 27 BLUE CHIP. Millionaire or Tycoon.each $ 60 $ 39 BPI SYSTEMS. Personal Accounting $195 $139

* BRODERBUND, Apple Panic (Color) $ 30 | 19

Lode Runner or Serpentine, each $ 35 S 24

COMPREHEN,PCTutor(l lor2.CUa) $ 60 $ 40

CONTINENTAL Home Accountant Plus $ 150 $ 89

DAVIDSON. The Speed Reader II $ 75 $ 49

INFOCOM, Deadline or Suspended, each $ 50 S 33

Zork I or Zork II or Zrxk III. each $ 40 $ 27

« INSOFT, Mystnx.Wordtrix or Quotm.each $ 35 $ 29

MICRO LAB, Miner 2049 $ 40 $ 26

MICROSOFT. Flight Simulator $ 50 $ 33

MONOGRAM, Dollars & Sense $165 $110

ORIGIN, Ultima III $ 60 $ 40

PBL CORP., Personal Investor $145 $99

SCARBOROUGH/LIGHTNING.

MasterType $ 50 $ 34

SOFTWORD SYSTEMS Multimate $495 $295

SPINNAKER. Snooper Troops (1 or 2) $ 45 $ 35

Story Machine or Face Maker $ 35 S 24

STRATEGIC. The Warp Factor $ 40 $ 30

SUBLOGIC. Night Mission Pinball $ 40 $ 27

MEMBER

NO SALES TAX

ORDER DESK TOLL FREE

(800) 547-1289

Order Desk Hours: 6AM to 6PM PST

Ongon TOLL FREE (100)451-5151 Portland: 620-9H77

Hot Line For Information On Your Order (503) 620-9178

FREE GIFT

MAIL TO: 12060 SW Garden Place, Portland, OR 97223

, Use of our order forms qualifies you for a free I gift with your order. Get on our mailing list I now for order forms, and our new newsletter and sales specials announcement Our customers are already on our list

I «6D COUPON

Circle 79 for IBM Peripherals. Circle 80 for Apple. Circle 81 for all others.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 245

Add Diskette Storage When You Need It With The DiskBank System.

No matter how large or small your diskette filing and storage requirements may be, the DiskBank System by Amaray is the most revolutionary, versatile and cost-effective approach available today.

Its unique modular interlocking design allows you to add new modules as your storage needs expand. Each impact-resistant module conveniently

Circle 18 on inquiry card.

organizes up to 10 diskettes in a safe, dust-free environment. When you need a diskette, simply open the DiskBank drawer and slide it out. Diskettes automatically come forward allowing you to select the one you need.

In addition, the System is portable. DiskBank modules are designed to go with you anywhere. Simply slide out the modules you need, put them in your briefcase, and go.

Available in three media format sizes, System 3for3K"-3y2" diskettes, System 5for5J4"diskettes, and System 8 for 8" diskettes, DiskBank System may be purchased individually or in money-saving volume packs.

Why settle for less? Give your valuable diskettes the protection they deserve. Buy a Bank. Buy a DiskBank. The DiskBank System.

DiskBank

AMARAY

AMARAY CORPORATION

2251 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA 94022 [415)968-2840 Telex171627Amaray-l_tos

SYSTEM REVIEW

The Compaq Plus

transportable computer with fixed

disk

by Mark Dahmke

The original Compaq portable computer met its designer's goals of portability and IBM compatibility. The Compaq improved on the original IBM Personal Computer (PC) design by incorporating both the monochrome- and color-monitor adapters into one circuit card, and by designing a 120-watt power supply that would meet the needs of any future additions, such as a fixed disk. See my review of the Compaq (January 1983 BYTE, page 30) for more details.

At the time of my visit to Compaq in October 1982, one of the principals of the corporation explained that features like the heavy-duty power supply were added to make it easier to upgrade the unit to fixed-disk operation, but that other problems such as mechanical shock might make it impossible to put a fixed disk in a portable computer.

I am pleased to report on the company's new product, the Compaq Plus, which comes with a shock-mounted 10-megabyte fixed disk.

The Compaq Plus is identical to the original Compaq in every respect, except for the addition of the fixed disk in the right-hand disk drive location. It has a 9-inch green-phosphor display and a Key Tronic keyboard with the same key layout as the IBM PC. And like the original Compaq, the Plus can display true grays and high-quality text, features that are lacking on most graphics adapter cards for the IBM PC. MS-DOS (version 2.02) and Microsoft BASIC are included just as on the Compaq. The fixed-disk controller card occupies one adapter slot, leaving only two for user-installed hardware, such as memory or serial port addons. The Compaq Plus also comes with both the monochrome- and color-display adapters and a parallel printer port as standard features.

Software

The MS-DOS 2.02 operating system is the same that is supplied with the IBM PC, so in theory, all DOS (disk operating system) functions should be identical. The only difference in the system software is the BIOS (basic input/output system) ROM (read-only memory) that was written by Compaq to duplicate the functions of the IBM PCs BIOS code. The

Compaq company seems to have accomplished the goal of maintaining functional compatibility without copying any of IBM's proprietary software. Over the past year I have done extensive assembly-language programming on both the IBM PC and the Compaq and can personally attest to the fact that the BIOS of the Compaq is written in an entirely different manner, yet performs all of the functions of the IBM BIOS.

Adding the fixed disk to the existing Compaq hardware required three steps: designing shock mountings that can be used to protect the fixed disk in a portable (and sometimes hostile) environment; designing a diskcontroller card that emulates the functions of the IBM design in such a way that software functionality is maintained; and writing the software device drivers that allow the DOS to record and retrieve information from the fixed disk hardware.

At least two of these three steps are performed by any company that decides to build an add-on fixed disk to the IBM PC or any other computer. The important item to note is that below the operating-system level (the BIOS or other device-driver software), compatibility with application software should not be an issue. The purpose of an operating system is to isolate the user and the application program from the hardware.

In the case of floppy disks, the designers must pay close attention to the software and the hardware design to insure disk compatibility with other computers. However, a fixed disk (as the name implies) cannot be removed from its chassis and does not need to be compatible with any other hardware, at least at the circuit board level. This means that it doesn't matter how the information is stored on the surface of the fixed disk itself because only the hardware that wrote the information will ever read it back.

The exception to this rule occurs when you

{continued)

Mark Dahmke (POB 80266, Lincoln, NE 68501) owns and operates a computer consulting business that specializes in computer graphics, operating systems, and videodisc hardware and software.

JULY 1984 • BYTE 247

Circle 287 on inquiry card.

My Programs Always Compile the FirsTime™

Yours can too!

FirsTime is an intelligent editor that knows the rules of the language being programmed. It checks your statements as you enter them, an<! if it spots a mistake, it identifies it. FirsTime then positions the cursor over the error so you can correct it easily. FirsTime will identify all syntax errors, undefined variables, and even statements with mismatched variable types. In fact, any program developed with the FirsTime editor will compile on the first try.

Unprecedented

FirsTime has many unique features found in no other editor. These powerful capabilities include a zoom command that allows you to examine the structure of your program, automatic program formatting, and block transforms.

If you wish, you can work even faster by automatically generating program structures with a single key-stroke. This feature is especially useful to those learning a new language, or to those who often switch between different languages.

Other Features: Full screen editing, horizontal scrolling, function keys labeled on screen, help screens, inserts, deletes, appends, searches, and global replacing.

Programmers enjoy using FirsTime, because its powerful features allow them to concentrate on the program logic without having to worry about coding details. Debugging is reduced dramatically, and deadlines are more easily met.

The Spruce FirsTime editor is immediately available for PASCAL ($245) and C ($295) on the IBM Personal Computer and its compatibles. A demonstration disk is available for $25. (N.J. residents please add 6% sales tax.)

For programs that compile the FirsTime.

To order, or for more information, contact:

Spruce

Technology Corporation

110 Whispering Pines Drive Lincroft, N.J. 07738 (201) 741-8188 or (201) 663-0063

Dealer enquiries welcome. Custom versions for computer manufacturers and language developers are available.

FirstTime is a trademark of Spruce Technology Corporation.

REVIEW: COMPAQ

Compaq's new manuals are bound in book form so it is not possible to add inserts or revisions as was the case with 3-ring binders.

intend to run several different operating systems on the same fixed disk. The FDISK utility on the DOS disk enables you to partition or allocate the fixed disk to several different operating systems such as CP/M-86, Concurrent CP/M-86, or UCSD Pascal. The first sector of the fixed disk may contain the "boot record," which holds the machine code to load the selected operating system into memory. At the end of the boot record is a partition table that contains the starting and ending "cylinder" address of each of up to four partitions. The implementation of the boot record is the same for the Compaq as for the IBM PC.

As a test of the compatibility of the Compaq Plus, I installed and executed several programs that I have developed for the IBM PC that are written in FORTRAN 77 with extensive assembly-language support for special DOS functions that could not be performed from within FORTRAN. The DOS functions included disk file access, directory access, and direct BIOS calls to read and write characters on the monochrome and color adapter card. All of the code performed as anticipated. After thorough investigation, I can find no DOS- or BIOS-level functions that could create compatibility problems when used with a fixed disk.

Most IBM PC software should run on the Compaq Plus, and Compaq Computer Corporation supplies a list of commercially available software that has been tested on its computer. Regardless of what computer you buy, it is always wise to test the software you intend to use with the computer before writing a check.

Documentation

The Compaq Plus (as well as the standard Compaq) comes with three

manuals: Operations Guide. BASIC 2.0 Reference Guide, and the MS-DOS 2.0 Reference Guide. They are very similar to what IBM supplies with the PC. I am pleased that Compaq is now supplying information on how to open the cabinet, install add-on cards, and set the memory-size switches. The new manual even shows how to remove the processor card to install additional memory (to upgrade the processor board from 128K bytes to 256K bytes). Instructions on adding the 8087 coprocessor are also included.

As someone who is interested in operating systems, I am somewhat concerned that both Compaq and IBM have decided to move the DOS programmer's sections to a separate manual that doesn't come with the computer. While I can understand that the list of DOS function calls and other technical programmer-level information is becoming voluminous with the latest release of MS-DOS/PC-DOS, they could at least include the other manual with the system so programmers don't have to pay extra for information that previously came with the machine.

The descriptions of the individual DOS commands (i.e., ERASE, RENAME, TYPE, CHKDSK) are adequate but not exceptional. It appears that Compaq attempted to write more helpful manuals, but sometimes the wording and imagery are clumsy or difficult to follow.

The new manuals are bound in book form so it is not possible to add inserts or revisions as was the case with threering binders. Compaq has also done away with the IBM-style slipcovers. The advantage of the new manuals is that they are slightly easier to handle than the comparable IBM manuals.

Quick-reference cards are included with all three manuals. The Operations Guide card includes the following topics: system reset, key-click volume adjust, print-screen procedure, installation of fixed-disk partitions, changing the logged disk drive, keyboard layout, and use of special function keys. The MSDOS card includes batch commands, configuration commands, all utility commands and options, display options, and graphics commands. The BASIC quick-reference guide includes all BASIC commands and options.

Compaq's reference cards are much more informative than the IBM DOS

{continued)

248 BYTE- |ULY 1984

AT A GLANCE

Name

The Compaq Plus Manufacturer

Compaq Computer Corporation 20333 FM 149 Houston. TX 7*070 (713) 370-7040

Components

Size: width 20 inches, depth 15.3 inches, height 8.5 inches Weight: 28 pounds Processor: Intel 8088 16-/8-bit microprocessor and socket for addition of the 8087 math coprocessor

Memory

128K bytes of RAM, expandable to 256K bytes on the processor board, expandable to 640K bytes with an add-on card

Display

9- inch high-resolution video display: 2 5 lines by 80 characters; IBM PC-compatible high-resolution graphics with RGB color monitor connection: adjustable viewing angle; composite video connector; optional RF modulator

Keyboard

detachable 83-key IBM PCcompatible layout on a 6foot coiled cord, adjustable typing angle

Storage

360K-byte double-sided 514-inch floppy-disk drive;

10- megabyte fixed disk

Expansion

Two IBM PC-compatible expansion slots; parallel printer interface included

Software

MS-DOS 2.02 and Microsoft BASIC 2.0 included; FDISK fixed-disk management utility and diagnostics; MS-LINK linker program; runs most IBM PC-compatible programs

Price

$4995 for the basic system with 128K bytes of RAM, one floppy disk, and the 10-megabyte fixed disk

Warranty

90-day limited

T M M M t TTTT

// 1 I I I I I I I I H-7 / ! I I ! ! 1 1 I 1 I m)f[ 1 1 1 I I 1 III 'pf * 7.. ..... „ dMiMittta I '

MEMORY SIZE DISK STORAGE

0 200 400 600 800 1000K 0 200 400 600 800 1000K

:

640

BUNDLED SOFTWARE PACKAGE PRICE

0 2 4 6 8 10 $0 $2000 $4000 $6000 $8000 $10.000

COMPAQ PLUS

IBM PC

APPLE HE

The Memory graph shows the standard and optional memory available for the computers under comparison. The graph of disk storage capacity shows the highest capacity of a single floppy-disk drive for each system. For the Compaq Plus, the 10-megabyte fixed-disk storage capacity also is shown. The bundled software packages graph shows the number of software packages included with each system. The price graph shows the Compaq Plus list

price compared to systems with two highcapacity floppy-disk drives, a monochrome monitor, graphics and color-display capability, a printer port and a serial port, 2 56K bytes of memory (64K bytes for 8-bit systems), the standard operating system for each system, and the standard BASIC interpreter for each system. For details of the Compaq Plus specifications, see the configuration details in the At a Glance listing.

JULY 1984 'BYTE 249

II II II II II IIII II II II

Sliding panel on right side covers serial port, video connectors, and three blank expansion slots.

Tbp view reveals fixed disk (upper left), with floppy disk to its right. Power supply is at right, expansion slots at bottom.

DISK ACCESS IN BASIC 250

200

BASIC PERFORMANCE 250

200

150

100

WRITE

READ

SIEVE

CALCULATIONS

SYSTEM UTILITIES 50

SPREADSHEET (MULTIPLAN)

25

FORMAT/DISKCOPY

FILE COPY

LOAD

RECALCULATE

□

FIXED DISK

FLOPPY DISK

IBM PC

APPLE HE

The graphs for disk access in BASIC show how long it takes to write a 64K-byte sequential text file to a blank floppy disk and how long it takes to read this file (For the program listings see 'The Chameleon Plus," by Rich Krajewski, June BYTE, page 327) The Sieve graph shows how long it takes to run one iteration of the Sieve of Eratosthenes prime-number benchmark. The calculation graph shows how long it takes to do 10.000 multiplication and division operations using single-precision numbers. The system utilities graphs show how long it took to format and copy a disk (adjusted time for 40K bytes of

disk data) and to transfer a 40K-byte file using the system utilities. The spreadsheet graph shows how long the computers took to load and recalculate a 2 5- by 2 5-cell spreadsheet where each cell equals 1.001 times the cell to its left. The spreadsheet program used was Microsoft's MultiPlan.

These performance graphs include both floppy- and fixed-disk results where applicable A format/disk-copy test was not performed on the Compaq Plus's single floppy-disk drive because the test is designed for a two-drive system.

250 BYTE- IULY 1984

REVIEW: COMPAQ

The company claims that the Compaq Plus can be dropped off a tabletop and ^4wfS will not be harmed.

reference card that simply lists the DOS commands and options without explaining what the options are for. The only misleading material I could find was in the Operations Guide card where the MS-DOS keyboard was listed as allowing the use of the PgUp, PgDn, Up, Down, Home, and other keys that MSDOS does not respond to. These keys can only be used in BASIC or other programs, but the MS-DOS command mode does not make use of them. EDLIN, the MS-DOS line-oriented text editor, does use some of these keys, but the quick-reference guide doesn't make this clear and a first-time user easily could be confused.

TRANSPORTABILITY

Can a fixed disk stand up to the punishment of transportability? Compaq has gone to great lengths to make certain that the fixed disk will not receive any severe shocks while being moved from place to place. The company claims that the computer can be dropped off a tabletop and will not be harmed. While I didn't perform this drastic test of its claims, I did format the fixed disk and carry the unit around with me, giving it what I thought would be average treatment in daily life. Because a friend of mine owns a standard Compaq and I have borrowed it from time to time to work on software for him, I had a pretty good idea of what the Compaq Plus fixed disk should be able to withstand in normal use. Every test of the fixed disk (using the included diagnostic program) has shown no damaged sectors or lost information. Unless you plan to use the Compaq Plus while on an African safari, it should live up to its manufacturer's claims.

In Conclusion

The Compaq Plus is an excellent transportable computer and its fixed disk operates reliably under normal conditions in daily life. ■

IBM*

IBM PC & XT Computers-Call ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■a

SOFTWARE FOR IBM PC

dBASE II $369

Lotui 1-2-3 SCALL

Horn* Accountant Plus S99

Poach Pak Series 4 IA/R, A/P. G/D.S239

Ptach Text 5000 .$237

PFS:Fil« $89

PFS:Rapon $79

PFS: Graph S96

PFS: Writ*. . $89

SuptrCalc II ... 4185

SuperOlc III 4259

TKISolvtf . 4219

Versatorm 4249

Wordnar Professional $385

Word with Mouse $299

Microsoft Word.with Moum $286

Havw Sm.ncom II $79

Multiplan. . :„ 4185

JCOMPAQ

Compaq 12BK, 7~o7i~ve $CALL

Compaq 256K, 2 drives SCALL

CompaqPlus. 128K. 1 drive. 10MB hard

dilk $CALL

CompaqPlu*. 256K. 1 drive. 10 MB hard disk SCALL

/isr

Multi-Function

Cards for IBM PC and XT

(Etch card now comn w/ SupnrDnve & Sup«rSpoo[t

SixPakPliis Cards

Memory installed.bh-earcl ;> none

n>m MrwBtttHS n?t«4 cipck Saj7

Bb0v«;pjai 0»™ port r — 'S2»2

eiK I2SK, IS2K 2SSK 320K 3B4K Sa67 $317:$367 S417 $467 $517 $302 $352 $402 $452 $502 $552

MegaPlus II Cards

Mpbnrofmatft&rviintiallatrbn boil* Aftwi* B4K 128K 192K 2S6K

'tiMrtoWf-No/.f.* clock'—--- $228 $286 $316 $366 $416

■■w/fjither parallel or serial port No. 2 $274 $314 $364 $414 $464

■w/beth parallel 8t serial port No. 2 $309 $349 $399 $449 $499

■'(^•oaPak - expands a fullv populated MegaPlus card(256K) to 512K $299 :p^tlpnal Game Port. . add $50

I/O Plus II Cards

[ Standard card w/one serial port (51) and clock/calendar $129

~ Additional Parallel IP), Game (G), or Serial 2 (S2) port add $36 •■.

r of memory installed — OK

QUADRAM

QUADMASTER II - 9-Function memory expansion card for IBM PC

• Up to 384K • Qswap directs out

• Game port put to LPT-1,2or3

• Chronograph • QuadRAM drive

• Parallel port • Master spool

• Serial port • I/O bracket

64K 12BK 192K 256K 320K 384K

ferial, gome ports.clock $235 $275 $325 $375 S425 $475 $535

Add Multi-Tasking to your IBM-PC and XT nq\_

TASC MASTER

| software with AddRam Elite or AddRam Plus Ultimate Multi-Function Boards AddRam Elftt (parallel & serial ports! AddRam Plus (Two serial pons) Memory installed-— 64K 128K 192K 256K 320K 384K 448K 512K $399 $469 $519 $579 $639 $699 $759 $819

aaaasaBBBk Rio PLUS Multi-function memory expansion card for

^mjm\^Si IBM-PC/XT. 64K-384K parity checked memory. Com= plete with parallel port. RS-232C serial port, game port,

am mamW clock/calendar, print buffer/disk emulator software.

memory installed 64K 128K 192K 256K 320K 384K

$289 $339 $389 $439 $489 $539

COLUMBIA COMPUTERS

Model 1600-1. Two drive system . Call Model 1600-4, One drive & one 12MB

hard disk system Cell

Model 1600-VP Portable unit with two

drives. 9- monitor Call

MONITOR SALE

FREE interface cable included!

Special Purpose Cards'

HERCULES GRAPHICS CARDS - Creates hi-resolution graphics on the IBM monochrome. . . . $349 Amdak MAI Board — for both monochrome & color monitor plus 96K user memory expansion ,$459 Paradise Multi-Function Card - - for both color and

monochrome displays, w/ parallel port $399

VistB Disk Master - Disk controller card for both 5'/i"

& B" drives. IBM-PC/XT compatible siG9

PLANTRONIC ColorPlui Offers more colors in hi resolution plus parallel port S379 TECMAR GRAPHIC MASTER - Multi-function graphics board for both RGB color

or monochrome displays and can do graphics on both $499

STB Color Graphics Board — The newest entry from STB. Operates RGB color or monochrome monitor. It can also do graphics on the monochrome display . S389 OUAOLIIMK - An Apple emulator card enables the IBM PC to run Apple (I software

No diskette reformatting necessary $479

MULTIGRAPH Monochrome 8r Color Display Adaptor - 720x350 line monochrome graphics. Lotus 1 -2-3 compatible. Capable of running software designed for color graphics on monochrome display. 32-bit internal architecture, 32K on board memory S499 Parallel Port option .... $75

fflHayes

Smart Modem 300 $199

DYNAMIC RAM CHIPS

4154 I64K)150 n

, S6.95 ea. 9/S60

Princeton HX-12, 12" RGB Color, high reiolutron 690-dot. 16 colors, similar cabinet as IBM monitor. . $469

Amdak RGB Color II Plus, 640-dot hi retolupon, 16 colors $459

ELKA GrMn Monitor. 12". 1,000-dot high resolution, 20 MHz . . . .$119 Dynix GM-120. 12" green, high resolution BOO-dot, 20 MHz. . / . .$129

Roland DG MB-122G, 12" green, 18 MHz., hi-resolution 720x350 dots, fully compatible with IBM monochrome display card $Call

USI PI-2, 12" green. 1000-dot high resolution. 20 MHz $129

Taxan KG-12N. 12" green. 800<Jot hi resolution S149

•:-????T^^^^^^^^^ 1.

resolution, 20MHz $139

Texan KA12N. 12" amber, BOO-dot hi resolution $125

USI PI-3. 12" amber. 1000-dot hi resolution. 20MHz $145

Amdak 310A. 12" amber. 900-dot h. resolution, designed to run on IBM monochrome display card . . $165

Princeton MAX-12, 12" amber, 720 x 350 dot. runs off IBM monochrome display adapter $169

.... r»f?;»,||||

DAVONG

HARD DISKS

INTERNAL EXTERNAL SIZE mm without with controller controller controller 10MB. . $1,675 , .$1,795. . $1,895 15MB. . S2.155 . .$2,135. . 52.235 21MB. . S2.475 . .52,535. . $2,635 32MB. . 52,955 . .53,095. . $3,195 18MB Tape Backup for DaVong harddisk (w/o host controller) . $1,435 18MB Tape Backup w/controllerSI ,595 Networking Kit to hook up a total of IBM PC's. Comes w/softwareSl.899

Sysgen

TAPE BACKUP

An economical way to back up 10MB in 4 minutes on a single cassette . ■ $CALL ■■■■■■■■■■■1

Tandon TM-100-1, full ht. SSDD . 5159 Tendon TM-100-2, full ht. DSDD. .$195 Tandon TM-100-4, full ht, DSQD, .$335 Control Data 9409, full ht, DSDD .5225 Control Data 942B, half hi, DSDD .$199 Teac 55B, half ht, DSDD. . . Salel $169 National, half ht, DSDD . . . Salel $165 Qume 142, half ht„ DSDD $239

UgJSPINWRITER

3550 - 33 CPS. 203 col., proportional space, bi-directional, parallel, $1,575 2050 -Similar to 3550 but 19 cps .$939 7730 - 55 CPS, 203 col. parallel ,51,795 Above prices include thimble & ribbon

40 CPS daisy wheel (parallel) $995 55 CPS daisywheel (parallel I SI ,349 Tractor for F-10 $225

ABATI LQ-20

IScps Daisywheel printer, Qume compatible, 10, 12, 15-pitch, proportional spacing, uni-directional incremental/bidirectional logic seeking by software.

13" paper width, parallel S435

Optional Tractor S99

FX-80,160 CPS, 80 Col,, friction &

tractor feed, parallel Call

FX-100,160 CPS, 132 Col., friction

& tractor feed, parallel Call

MX-80F/T, BO cps, 80 col., tractor and

friction feed, parallel CALL

MX-100F/T, 100 cps, 136 col , tractor/

friction feed, parallel CALL

RX-80, 120 cps, 60 col., tracto- feed

only, parallel CALL

RX-80F/T, same as RX-80 but includes friction feed .' .CALL

STAR GEMINI

Gamini-10X, 120 CPS, 80 Col., friction & tractor feed, (parallel) ,$Call Gamini-15X,above w/15" platen.Call Delta-10, 160 cps, B0cot., parallel . Call Delta-15, above but 15" carriage . , Call PowerType, 18 cps daisywheel ..CALL Radex-10, 200 cps. 80 col, parallelCALL Radex-15, 200 cps, 132 col, parallel Call

B610AP Prowriter, 120 cps, 80 col,,

graphics, parallel 5335

B510-SP, above but 1B0 cps . . SCALL B510-SCP, above but w/3 color ribbon (red, yellow, blue), also capable of doing orange, green, purple, blk Call 1550 Prowriter-ll, 120 cps, 136 col..

2K buffer, graphics, parallel. $525 1550 SP. above but 1B0 cps . . SCALL 1550-SCP, similar to 8510-SCP tut w/ 15" carriage SCALL

IDS Prism 80, 200 cps. 80 col, graphic, tractor/friction feed.parallel SI-,159

IDS Prism 80C. above + 4-color $1,299

IDS Prism 132, similar to Prism 80 but 132 columes, parallel. . . . 51,395

IDS Prism 132C,above + 4-color$1,495

The POWER DIRECTORS

P2 — A unique control center and surge protector w/5 lighted and a master rocker switches for your computer & accessories. It also filters out EMI & RFI interferences $125

P12 - Similar to P2 but w/6 switches, a master switch 81 digital clock...S1B9

Super dot-matrix printer w/24-pin hi-resolution head. 192 CPS draft, 100 CPS letter-quality P1351 - 132 column (parallel) . 51,499 P1340 -Similar to 1351 but smallerCall

MANNESMAN TALLY

160L - 160 CPS, 80 column, 8 fonts, friction & tractor feed, parallel and serial interface $5as

180L -Like 160L but 136 col. S799

ML-82A, 120 CPS, 30 col, pin & friction feed, serial & parallel . $319 ML-83A, 120 CPS, 136 col., tractor & friction feed, parallel/serial $595 ML-84P, 200 CPS, 136 col., friction 8. tractor feed, (parallel) . . . $955 ML-84S, above but serial. . $1,059 ML-92P, 160 CPS, 80 col., friction & tractor feed, (parallel) . . .SCALL ML-92S, above but serial. . . .5599 ML-93P, 160 CPS, 136 col,, tractor & friction feed, (parallel). . , $739 ML-93S, above but serial. . . S799 2410P, 350 CPS, 136 col., friction & tractor, 2-color, (parallel) . S2,295

BROTHER HR-25

Newl 23 CPS daisywheel printer w/ 2 color printing, 3K buffer, proportional spacing, etc. Parallel. CALL

Tractor for HR-25 $119

Cut Sheet Feeder for HR-25. . . ,5199

BROTHER HR-35

Newl 35 CPS daisywheel printer .CALL

DYNAX DX 15

VI Til

>na1, proportional spacing & bold printing, super/sub script, 13 CPS, 3K buffer.

Parallel interface SCALL

Cut sheet feeder $199

Tractor $119

Keyboard $179

18 CPS daisywheel, 13" platen, 2K buffer,3-pitch, (parallel). . . . $435 Tractor for6100 $120

ranteed. All prli

sih dis<

,t by c

rFPO/APO.Shi

EASTERN ENTERPRI

b'/.^W (ORDERS ONLY] (800)392-7081

2937 S, VAIL AVE., LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 90040 C^wJI (Hourti Monday Fritlflv 8 30,,m 1 30pm Prictlle Tinral L . J

Calif., Alaska, Hawaii R< nil info (.',///

(213)725-3080

Circle 122 on Inquiry card.

JULY 1984 -BYTE 251

"Excuse Me,

Make Way For Hayes'Please.

An advanced, easy-to-use data management system for the IBM® PC and compatibles.

Want to get your paperwork out of a clumsy file cabinet and onto your PC's screen, where you can manage it better? Frustrated with data base software that's either too limited or too difficult to use? Hayes offers you a simple word of kindness.

Please™ A powerful, yet easy-to-use, system for organizing and managing your information. Please is flexible enough to store any data you enter, and it'll return data to you in exacdy the form you need. Please does more. It does it all faster. And it's sure to please!

"The menu, Please?"

Menus list all your options and tell you exactly which keys to press for every Please feature.

That's to be expected. As the telecomputing leader, Hayes built its reputation on quality design, relia

bility and customer support. Now these same standards have been applied to a new data management system that is going to instantly change the way you do business!

Say you're looking for an efficient way to maintain sales data. Please leads you every step of the way in creating a sales database that might include names, addresses, dates and figures. These categories are called "fields" in database lingo, and they're the very heart of your database structure.

Want fast month's total in a particular region? Press a few keys and it's yours! A few more keystrokes and you'll know who's moving product, and what's your biggest seller.

Please will supply you with labels for a mailing to selected customers. It can send customer information to your word processor for a promotional letter. And it can receive data from

"Make it snappy, Please!"

Need a report fast? You and Please can put together a Quick List in a matter of seconds.

your spreadsheet program. Please will even look up a name and company for you, your Hayes Smartmodem* will dial the phone number, and you're ready to talk!

Taking this same sales database, you might also want to define special fields for a custom Output Plan. With a defined field for "COMMISSIONS DUE!' Please can automatically compute each salesman's commissions, and print them out in a report of your own design. All this and more, just for saying "Please"

And if you ever change your mind and want to change the structure of your database, please feel free. Stepby-step instructions show you how.

You nave the same flexibility with any database you and Please design. You can store up to 16 million records and 200 custom Output Plans for each database! More than you're likely ever to require. But isn't it nice

Please is a trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products. Inc. * Smartmodem S00. Smartmodem 1200 and Smartmodem 1200B are trademarks of Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.

"Put it here, Please'.' knowing

Design a special screen ^ th3* format to position data storage in a particular place. power

1 is there?

Just in case you ever need it?

Now you might think that a data management system that does all this must be difficult to use. Right? Rest assured. Please works hard so you don't have to. An easy-to-follow sample disk shows you everything you need to know to create your first database. Three Please menus show you which keys to press to access every feature. And whenever you need it, Please provides on-screen HELP messages, tailored to a specific task. So you needn't waste time reading through a list of unrelated instructions on your screen. Or stop what you're doing to consult a manual. In no time at all, and with no assistance at all, you'll be a Please database pro!

"Merge these, Please!"

Combine data from one database into another, without changing your original.

Everything about Please is designed to save you time and effort. So what could make data management even easier? Please Application Templates, that's what!

To help you get up-and-runriing immediately, we've developed a series of practical, pre-designed templates. You'll appreciate their well-thought-out structure, and "fillin-the-blank" ease. Choose severall For business and personal use.

Including Mailing List, for storing names and addresses and producing mailing lists. Contacts, for managing facts and figures about your sales contacts. Applicants, for following applicants throughout the interviewing process. Appointments, for mamtairiing your calendar and tracking all of your business expenses. Household Records, a complete home management system. And more! Your dealer has details!

Buy Please nowl Get a FREE Mailing List template from your dealer.

Second FREE template of your choice, direct from Hayes!

Help yourself. Pleasel And take advantage of these two valuable offers. See your dealer right awayl

Mayes

Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. 5923 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross, Georgia 30092.404/441-1617. Circle 147 on Inquiry card.

IBM Is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. ©1984 Hayes Microcomputer Products. Inc.

J

$895.

00

IS00 • 10 Mega-Byte Winchester • Hard Disk Controller

UPGRADES FOR YOUR IBM PC /PC COMPATIBLES

1501 • 10 Mega-byte Winchester

• Modular hard disk controller

$1095.00

1502 • 10 Mega-byte Winchester

• Floppy/Hard disk controller $1295.00

1516 • Half-high tape drive

• XT-Power Supply $ 995.00

1517 • Half-high tape drive

• Half-high floppy drive

• XT-Power Supply $1265.00

1518 • Half-high tape drive

• Half-high 10 Mega-byte Winchester

• Hard disk controller

• XT-Power Supply $2095.00

1520 • 20 Mega-byte Winchester

• Hard disk controller $1595.00

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HARDWARE REVIEW

Sritek's

6800Obased XENIX system

by Steven H. Barry and

Randall Jacobson

XENIX

for the IBM PC XT

Is Sritek hardware in an IBM chassis really a supersystem? The Sritek Company is a small firm from Cleveland, Ohio, that manufacturers an add-in memory/microprocessor card for the IBM PC. Its advertisements claim that this add-in card provides the ultimate in performance for the price.

In this review we will look at Sritek's 68000based multiuser XENIX system for the IBM PC XT. This consists of Sritek's VersaCard (256K bytes of memory) equipped with an extra 256K bytes of memory and Sritek's 68000 MicroCard. As for software, we will look at Microsoft's complete XENIX system, including the Software Development package, the Text Processing package, and the Multi-User package. The complete system we tested costs $2995. A basic single-user system with only 2 56K bytes of memory is available for $1995.

We will discuss how an early sample of this system worked, compare it with the Radio Shack and Fortune versions of UNIX that we have reviewed, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the three-way 1BMSritek-Microsoft marriage on an IBM PC XT. First, let's point out that the add-ins being tested here are really used best in an IBM PC XT hard-disk system, not in the standard PC. The manuals get very conservative about using XENIX on a floppy-only configuration. The system is a fantastic performer, but, in the XENIX software version 2.3A, released in )uly 1983, it is definitely not one for UNIX novices.

Sritek's implementation of XENIX, and the 68000 coprocessor to run it, is based on a software-partitioned hard disk. This partition allows PC-DOS (the IBM operating system) and XENIX to coexist on the same device. Limited data-file interchange is available now, but more is promised in the future—along with an MS-DOS (the generic version of PC-DOS) emulator for XENIX. When this becomes available, the user's investment in IBM-style software will be compatible with the XENIX/ 68000 purchase. Now. however, there is no such compatibility.

Hardware Installation

The Sritek hardware is based on a Motorola 68000 processor running at 8 MHz. The pro

cessor card, or MicroCard, is mounted on a Sritek VersaCard that has 2 56K bytes of dualported memory, a connector for an additional piggyback 256K-byte memory board, and a connector for the proprietary SRIBUS. The SRI BUS connector is used to interface one of the several Sritek MicroCard processor boards (e.g„ National 16032, Zilog Z80, Intel 80286, Intel 8086).

Sritek assumes you have 128K bytes. 192K bytes, or a full 256K bytes of memory mounted on the IBM PC XT motherboard. In the current version of the IBM motherboard, any memory over 2 56K bytes must be located on expansion boards in the IBM chassis. All of this expansion-board memory must be disabled to use the Sritek memory. This is a disadvantage for owners who have multifunction boards that also supply inexpensive memory. On the other hand, Sritek's memory is available for use by PC-DOS if you set the IBM motherboard switches to reflect the total amount of memory in the system (IBM plus Sritek). We did not test this aspect of the Sritek hardware. Another disadvantage, according to Sritek, is that the IBM power-up memory diagnostics will take a long time to run through the extra memory. The hardware we tested was a complete 68000 system that implemented 512K bytes of Sritek memory (in a 128K-byte IBM chassis). The 68000 processor uses Sritek memory when it is installed and in control of the system (running XENIX or one of the other operating systems offered by Sritek). Sritek says it may be used by the IBM PC XT's 8088 processor as an expansion memory for PC-DOS when the 68000 is not in control of the system. In the dual-processor mode, the 68000 runs its operating system (e.g., Microsoft's XENIX, the University of

(continued)

Steven H. Barry is a senior scientist with Systems Research Laboratories Inc., (Eastern Division, 7320-C Parkway Dr.. Hanover, MD 21076). He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester and an M.A. from California State University, Los Angeles.

Randall jacobson is a software manager for Systems Research Laboratories. He was educated at the University of Maryland.

|ULY 1984 • BYTE 255

REVIEW: XENIX

AT A GLANCE

Name

Sritek VersaCard/MicroCard

Manufacturer

Sritek

10230 Brecksville Rd. Cleveland, OH 44141 (216) 526-9433

Price

Single user, $1995 Multiuser, $2995

Processor

Motorola 68000

Memory

2 56K bytes expandable to 512K

Hardware Needed

IBM PC XT

Software Supplied

Microsoft XENIX

Audience

Knowledgeable end users

California at San Diego's pseudocode p-System, Digital Research's CP/M-68K, and Ryan-McFarland's RM/COS while the XT's 8088 processor is used as an I/O (input/output) processor and the IBM memory is used as an I/O buffer.

The Sritek memory is based on 64 Kbyte chips and is ported to allow access by either the 8088 or the 68000 processor under control of the XENIX operating system by means of an arbitration scheme. The 68000 has a paged memory-management hardware system that allows access to 2 megabytes (MB) of physical memory and supports program relocation. Relocation is essential to a multiuser, multitask operating system such as XENIX. It allows programs and data to be mapped into the available chunks of physical memory.

The alternative (placing programs at predetermined contiguous places) would cause excessive program-execution delays. A program that had to be loaded at location x and was 8400 bytes long, for example, would have to wait until location x and the next 8399 bytes were vacated. Even if the first program were transferred to disk periodically, the heavy disk I/O would cause unacceptably low performance during "simultaneous" program runs.

All of this is avoided with a memorymanagement capability. The Sritek memory-management hardware allo

cates memory in lK-byte chunks and allows processes (i.e., programs) to be as big as 512K bytes.

Because Sritek's XENIX operating system (OS) and PC-DOS coexist in separate disk partitions, both are available to the user. A future XENIX release will reportedly allow you to execute a PC-DOS program on the IBM 8088 processor under XENIX. Sritek XENIX software also allows the console terminal to be used as a three-way split-screen terminal.

Based on their performance and our visual inspection, the Sritek boards we tested were all well designed and executed. However, they were early releases and did not include the usual metal mounting bracket found on IBMcompatible hardware, nor was a cardguide included. Thus, the heavy, twoboard-thick assembled unit was held in the IBM bus by the mechanical properties of the bus connector alone—a "bad show." We called Sritek to confirm that current shipments include these necessary accessories. Due to the double thickness of the complete Sritek assembly, you need two empty adjacent card slots to install it. The XT has more space than the PC, so this requirement is not as bad as it might have been, even though card slots are very scarce commodities in the IBM chassis. You hate to lose one whole slot due to bulky cards. The hardware installation was

Photo 1: Sritek's 68000-based multiuser XENIX system for the IBM PC XT with VersaCard. extra memory, and MicroCard. and system software for development, text processing, and multiuser support.

256 BYTE • IULY 1984

REVIEW: XENIX

Complacency or curiosity?

easy and the documentation was fairly complete, although it was plagued by idiosyncratic writing and devoid of formatting features that could ease the installer's job.

The hardware installation was the easiest part of the Sritek test. The card was preassembled and the switches were preset at the factory. We rearranged the cards already on the IBM bus to make room for the slot wasted by the double-thick Sritek module. We then cannibalized another IBM PC for a double-sided floppy drive. The one supplied by IBM was only a single-sided drive and Sritek supplies the software on 20 double-sided disks. Still, things went well and the machine booted quite serenely after the major surgery.

Cold Start

The first steps after the actual installation of the hardware are to verify that the hardware is not interfering with the IBM PC XT and that the Sritek board actually works. The first of these is done by booting the IBM in PC-DOS (version 2.0) in the usual manner. That is, a PCDOS floppy disk is inserted in the drive, or the floppy-disk drive door is left open so that the ROM (read-only memory) defaults to the 10-MB hard disk (if it has been formatted and PC-DOS installed). The monitor (an IBM color unit in this case) is turned ON and then the main power of the XT is turned ON. The usual lengthy wait ensues while the boot ROMs lead the machine through the memory check and hardware diagnostic routines. Finally, the OS comes up.

On this "loaner" system, the color/ graphics adapter was being handled as a 40-column device due, probably, to the presence of IBM's medium-resolution color monitor. Sritek's XENIX handles the screen as an 80-column device, and PC-DOS must preset this mode before XENIX is started. Thus, after power-up in PC-DOS and the usual date and time entries, the proper thing to do is type "mode 80 < return >". This causes the system to handle the videodisplay terminal as an 80-column device (pretty uncomfortable on this type of color video-display terminal). The 80column mode also can be set as a power-up default setting. Sritek explicitly recommends the 80-column switch setting on the IBM motherboard for in

(conlinued)

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JULY 1984 -BYTE 257

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REVIEW: XENIX

It is visually interesting, like modern art, but not much like anything you've seen before.

stallations with the color graphics card, but it is easy to miss this recommendation in the current manuals.

After a successful PC-DOS boot, the Sritek "BRINGUP" floppy is exchanged for the PC-DOS disk and the SRITEST diagnostic is run. Everything ran fine in our case, and the manual said to skip the sections on installation for other manufacturers' hard-disk configurations.

The OS Configuration Procedures section of the technical manual occupies about 13 pages out of 130 (less appendixes). The following ominous note appears at the end of the first page: ". . .You should be willing to follow the directions carefully. Note: Follow the stepby-step procedure given in the next several pages to avoid mistakes. Do not skip any steps as it will result in an improper XENIX configuration'.' The whole process (hardware, software, and disk surgery) took about three hours. The procedure looked simple: insert a couple of disk partitions, follow a detailed example, and then let the Sritek batch file (really a "shell script") do the rest. First, a copy is made of the Sritek BRINGUP disk. Then the PC-DOS partition is removed from the hard disk if it had been installed previously (a backup is made of the current hard disk contents before the partition is removed). You are asked to decide on the amount of space on the hard disk to be allocated for XENIX (at least 7 MB) and whether you want a DOS partition. We chose 8 MB for XENIX and 2 MB for PC-DOS.

When you think about it, a 10-MB disk is pretty small—at least for a UNIX system. UNIX is large. The "kernel" is usually between 60K bytes and 128K bytes, and the utilities, on-line manuals, games, useful programs, required system files, and commands take several megabytes of disk space. Its size is the result of it being a very powerful operating system and also the consequence of having about 200 very useful utility programs in a completely developed system.

Other operating systems are smaller, but the consequences become obvious when a common UNIX-style facility is needed and not available. Thus, we have doubts about using a 10-MB disk for even one OS, let alone two, when one of them is UNIX.

Anticipate

The SRIFDISK utility on the BRINGUP disk was used to install the two disk partitions we chose. This was where I should have noted the instruction to jot down the number of sectors for XENIX. Because the instruction appears as part of the example, or perhaps because we were having an off night and didn't read the screen message completely, we didn't record the number. This wasn't a disaster—just a little uncomfortable until we decided what to do to recover. Otherwise, partitioning the disk was not difficult.

At step 5 of the instructions, things begin to get interesting. The "BOOTABLE" program is run from the BRINGUP disk. This installs a bootstrap loader in the Sritek memory for use by the 68000. Then BRINGUP is typed. Here was where the number of sectors (blocks) was needed. The instruction manual does not warn you that you will be asked for this information at this point. After calculating the theoretically correct answer and entering edit, a long series of commands was executed in a batch-type environment. The result is that the XENIX kernel, bootstrap, swapper, and a portion of the "root" file system were installed within the 8-MB XENIX partition on the hard disk. Following this step, you are instructed to insert each of nine disks that contain the rest of the files to be installed in the "root" (i.e., the XENIX system's) file system.

UNIX allows disk media to be divided into several named sections, called file systems. Sritek's implementation of XENIX uses two of these—the system's information is put in the root file system, while the user's information is put into a user-file system. An unexpected question is displayed at this point: "/dev/usr contains data. Overwrite? (y/n)'—the documentation has no guidance for you (the question is not even mentioned in the documentation). We guessed "y" on the grounds that we were doing a new thing on top of the PC-DOS data. We got

lucky—the system picked up on the prepared script shown in the manual. After the nine "root" TAR (tape archive) disks are fed in, you are asked to feed the 10 user-file TAR disks to the system. Loading disks takes about 55 minutes (think about the implications of this for making backups of the hard disk). After this is done, you are finally ready to log into XENIX.

Bringing Up, Backing Up, and Backing Out

The backup copy of the BRINGUP disk is inserted in the floppy-disk drive, the IBM software Reset key-sequence is pressed (Ctrl-Alt-Del) and then the XT uses the AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the disk to execute the sequence of commands that invokes XENIX. All goes well— unless you have expanded on the Sritek instructions as we had. We decided not to set the hardware switches to indicate 80-column mode for the color monitor. Reading 80-column text is uncomfortable for us on a medium-resolution color monitor. We were given no modal choice by the XENIX OS since it only provides an 80-column terminal handler that thinks it is talking to a Televideo 92 5 terminal. Nevertheless, we wanted 40column displays in PC-DOS (40-column displays have other disadvantages). Thus, when we executed the IBM software Reset key-sequence, the display was automatically reset to 40-column mode as indicated by the hardware switches. The software, however, was expecting 80-column mode. So, while the XENIX bootstrap procedure went along just as planned, we found ourselves looking at an unreadable display. We were victims of our own attempt to preserve our display options. Forty-column hardware and a Televideo handler program yield an interesting pattern of unreadable dots repeated, more or less, in each of the four quadrants on the screen. It is visually interesting, like modern art, but not much like anything you've seen before. The solution was to return to PC-DOS and reset the 80-column mode.

However, we first had to get into XENIX to shut it down in an orderly way. UNIX users learn quickly that one does not just turn off a UNIX machine. The result, often, is a corrupted file system.

(continued)

JULY 1984 -BYTE 259

REVIEW: XENIX

No UNIX novice should attempt to learn the XENIX system while logged in as the superuser.

Now, this was not likely since the system was, according to the Sritek manual, at a log-in message. However, this was a new system and was installed with a manual already shown to have a few quirks. We were not happy about possibly losing several hours' work. Some people would think of this as a potential adventure. We just thought of it as a lot of potential messing around. There are no instructions of any worth in the installation manual on how to log into XENIX. You are told to do so, period.

A careful reading of three separate portions of the Microsoft XENIX manuals may tip you off, but maybe not if you're a XENIX novice. So the problem was, "How do we log into XENIX and provide for an orderly shutdown when we can't see what the system's doing?" Well, we "lucked out" again. Reasoning that XENIX should be standard across machines, we used the same startup and shutdown sequences as in the Radio Shack TRS-80 model 16B XENIX review we wrote last summer. Voila! We were back in control without major consequences. However, we don't recommend this as a general practice. For one thing, randomly pressing keys in a UNIX system is a lot like looking into a strange tank of fluid with a match for light. In some cases nothing happens. In others, the results are quite explosive. In this case, however, all we had to do was type Ctrl-D (to allow the system to start up in "normal" mode— really multiuser mode), enter the date and time in YYMMDDHHMM format, and type "root" (the system managers' account) in response to the invisible "login:" invitation. Then, after the system invisibly gave us the "superuser" command prompt (a "#"), we typed "haltsys" to run the program that brought things to an orderly stop. This is another area where Sritek should have provided an explicit set of instructions. Even a careful reading of the Sritek and Microsoft XENIX manuals

does not yield a clear, concise explanation, in one place, of how to start the system from "cold," how to log in for the first time, and how to establish less dangerous accounts than "root." The system is, as it comes from Sritek, easiest to log in on as "root." Root is, of course, the superuser (manager), who can read and write any file, can use any available command, and is responsible for system maintenance. No UNIX novice should attempt to learn the system while logged in as the superuser. In extreme cases, whole file systems can be lost irretrievably or critical system files or utilities can be damaged beyond use. In less drastic cases, files can be made inaccessible to regular system users.

Again, the problem is that the manuals are not very clear about getting into XENIX. In fact, the manuals don't even explain that typing < RETURN > at the first log-in prompt activates XENIX in single-user mode. Having made it into multiuser XENIX through information gleaned from another manufacturer's product, our next step was to shut it down so we could decide what to do about the display. We typed "haltsys" and halted the system.

Having extricated ourself from the 40column syndrome, we created a small AUTOEXEC.BAT file to set mode 80 and boot into XENIX. Our AUTOEXEC.BAT does this by using the XENIX.EXE utility provided on the BRINGUP disk. This strategy avoids the Ctrl-Alt-Del sequence that, in PC-DOS, resets the screen to 40-column mode and began all the trouble we just described. The procedure works well and the normal XENIX start-up screens are seen during the boot process. From there on, it is fairly normal XENIX. A lot of commands and programs that are extra with other companies' XENIX systems (e.g.. Radio Shack) are included with Sritek's implementation at a cost of $495 for the software. These include the C language, a host of development utilities, and the usual multiuser capabilities (although you supply your own hardware I/O ports). The software is all there to support a heavy development environment. It's just that the documentation is not up to the job.

Sritek reports that a number of flaws reported in this review have been corrected since we received our unit last summer.

First, the IBM can have more than 2 56K bytes of RAM (random-access read/write memory). But Sritek recommends that when you first bring up the XENIX system, you remove all but the first 256K bytes of memory. When the XENIX system is running correctly, you supposedly can replace your expansion memory boards up to 512K bytes of memory. A 64K-byte "widow" starting at 9000 hexadecimal must be left open to allow the 8088 to access the memory on the 68000 board.

DOCUMENTATION

Technical manuals have been the neglected stepchildren of the microcomputer industry. Sritek's manuals (including Microsoft's manuals) are actually examples of high quality, compared with most put out by the industry. In particular, the manuals are full of such advice as: "Ground yourself thoroughly before you touch any component on the board. (CAUTION: The MOS IC |metal-oxide semiconductor integrated circuits] components on the board are sensitive to static discharge. Static can damage MOS ICs.)" However, better organization is needed. The caution should have appeared before the instruction to unpack the boards. Complete instructions on ways to ground yourself safely should have followed. Then, and only then, should the user be instructed to unpack the boards. All of these should have been set off from installation instructions by clear document formatting conventions.

Warnings (possibility of injury), cautions (possibility of equipment damage), and notes (things to watch out for to assure proper installation) should each be formatted in a distinctive style. Doing so would draw the user's eye before attempting an improper action. The Sritek technical reference manual constantly refers to the IBM DOS manual for required details of procedures (e.g., making backup files before installing the XENIX software). Such actions, even if they are PC-DOS actions, should be explicitly described in the Sritek manual in each of the places where the material is relevant. Similarly, the manuals should not refer to earlier sections for instructions. Sritek illustrations are placed near their text references, but the quality of reproduction and the use of photos instead of drawings make them nearly

260 BYTE • IULY 1984

REVIEW: XENIX

useless. In the sections on software installation, the manual fails to adequately distinguish between what is placed on the screen by the computer and what is required of the installer.

Cautions and notes (not labeled as such) routinely come after the text describing the action they are meant to modify. A few cautionary messages appear on the screen buried in text, rather than in the manuals. Screen formatting of information and instructions that belong in cautionary messages is lacking. For example, at one place in the installation instructions you are asked (in a long message on the screen) to record the number of disk blocks available to XENIX. This number is used later. The message is easy to miss. We missed it and it cost us several minutes of reading and calculation to reconstruct the number that we should have recorded.

Finally, the installation manual fails to follow an actual live installation sequence. There are several places where unexpected questions appear, where the sequence of events is not quite as stated in the manual, or where a full explanation of the range of possible user actions is missing. There are other places where known bugs in the IBM PC-DOS software should have been explained and the way to fix them presented. These comments on the Sritek manual cover only some of the issues that make a manual easy or hard, helpful or not. The point is that, while it is certainly possible to use much of the available documentation, a lot can be done to make it easier and faster (without necessarily shortchanging the user on valuable technical detail). The benefit to the user is less chance of dangerous, costly, or annoying foul-ups. We can all do with fewer of those.

The XENIX manuals are similar to the standard AT&T documents supplied by Western Electric in their version 7 release of UNIX, with some additional material to cover enhancements. A few changes, mostly cosmetic, have been made. The documents are fine for an experienced UNIX user but terrible for a newcomer. Commands and programs are documented in a peculiarly terse and unnecessarily technical style guaranteed to confuse even experienced users of other systems. UNIX hackers who begrudge every extra character in a document love this stuff. In

fairness, Sritek told us that the system is intended for use by system houses and by knowledgeable end users, and that the manuals were not the best and most current because, just as it was about to spend a bundle to typeset the real stuff, AT&T announced that the new System V manuals, which were to be available soon, would be great. We find it hard to have much patience with this when a bunch of users are getting some pretty raw stuff until "soon" rolls around.

Sritek has indicated that it has also upgraded the documentation since our review. It has added several addenda on such topics as how to log on to XENIX, how to access printers, and so forth. Information on the major device number has also been added to the manual.

Legacy

UNIX is a great operating system, but it is hard to learn on your own without some good tutorial manuals. UNIX development began at a time (in the 1960s) when the only inexpensive and reliable terminal around was the Teletype model 33. This device was slow (10 characters per second) and the keys required several pounds of pressure to actuate. Thus, the user-system interaction is extremely terse. Users wanted to type as few characters as possible and were just as happy to have the result of a command be blissful silence. We are left with that legacy in the standard user interface for UNIX, the one Microsoft

uses in this version of the OS (Sritek says that the Microsoft "visual shell' is not far off). We think a company should compensate by including one of the three good commercially available introductions to UNIX in its $500 software package when its own introductory material is unsatisfactory.

A more serious omission, however, was that the copy of XENIX we reviewed was undeveloped. Even Microsoft's (nontutorial) manuals were inaccurate in several critical details. Several important files for UNIX are placed in atypical (for UNIX) parts of the file system, while the manual calmly quotes AT&T chapter and verse on where they should be. The line-printer (serial or parallel) driver is not configured, and the usual UNIX-style procedures won't work. This, in turn, is due to insufficient information in the Sritek technical manual (the major device number is missing) about the oddly named or misplaced files. These are all indications that Microsoft rushed XENIX out the door. We hope that the long-awaited XENIX version 3.0 will arrive from Microsoft and most of these criticisms will be answered. Note that the Radio Shack version of XENIX we tested several months ago was much cleaner, much better documented, and much easier (still not easy) for a new UNIX user to grasp. All without waiting for AT&T's System V manuals. Also, this Microsoft XENIX was missing many

[continued)

Table I: The machine tested had a 5\2K-byte memory and an 8-MHz 68000 chip. Each test was run twice, with the lowest time recorded. Entries in the Real column represent total elapsed time: entries in the User column represent time in the user process: and entries in the System column represent kernel time. Times are given in seconds.

Function

Command

Real

User

Sys

compile sieve

cc -0 sieve.c -o sieve

27.0

3.3

5.4

execute sieve

sieve

1.0

0.5

0.1

simultaneous sieves

sieve&sieve&sieve&time sieve

1.0

0.5

0.1

compile terminal

cc -O terminate -o terminal

29.0

3.9

5.4

one terminal

terminal 1

19.0

0.4

5.0

two terminals

terminal 2

three terminals

terminal 3

compile disk

cc -O disk.c -o disk

30.0

4.0

5.6

one file

disk 1

2.0

1.2

0.3

two files

disk 2

5.0

2.3

0.6

four files

disk 4

12.0

4.9

1.1

eight files

disk 8

18.0

II.1

2.3

simultaneous sorts

sort fl >f!s&sort f2>f2s&sort

f3>f3s&time sort f4>f4s

41.0

4.7

1.7

multifile sort

sort fi f2 f3 f4 > sorted, file

67.0

24.5

9.1

JULY 1984 -BYTE 261

REVIEW: XENIX

Truly knowledgeable end users will have a fine time with the add-in memory and processor cards.

mature XENIX niceties. Installing a new user is a matter of editing several files as "root" instead of running a simple utility and typing the new user's name and password. Several other utilities that make life easier were also missing.

Performance

Whatever Sritek lacks in glossy presentation, good manuals, and mature XENIX implementation, it is certainly not lacking in system performance. This system is clearly the fastest numbercrunching UNIX-style microcomputer implementation we have ever tested. The MC68000 chip was only running at 8 MHz (10 MHz is a planned option) on our board, yet the benchmark times we found were outstanding. Other UNIX or XENIX systems using 6-MHz 68000s (e.g„ Radio Shack TRS-80 model 16B and the Fortune 32:16 System 20-not an XP mode!) were several hundred percent slower on the sieve.c computebound benchmark reviewed in the Gilbreath and Gilbreath article and the Barry and lacobson article (see references). These other systems are not particularly slow (they're right about where you would expect them to be, given their clock speed)—the Sritek is just very quick. The benchmark is shown in table 1. This is the same benchmark we used for the Radio Shack test. The compile time is longer for the Radio Shack (33 seconds) than for the Sritek (27 seconds), while the Fortune compiled sieve.c fastest of all (20 seconds). These long compile times occur because the process is primarily disk-bound. All three systems have relatively slow stepper-motor-type Winchester disks (average access time about 90 milliseconds or so). Note, however, that the Sritek and the Radio Shack both have separate I/O processors with their buffer memory (a Z80 and 64 K bytes in Radio Shack's), but both require more compile time than the Fortune. On ex

ecution time for the benchmark program called Sieve of Eratosthenes, a compute-bound algorithm for finding 1899 prime numbers (see references), the Sritek used only one-tenth the time needed by the Radio Shack and did nearly as well against the Fortune. When four simultaneous sieves were executed, the execution time for the last one was the same as for a single sieve. The Radio Shack performance was nearly proportional (380 percent longer). The results are so good that we wonder if the XENIX time utility was really working (although the other times—compile, terminal I/O, disk, and sort—were also quick, but reasonable). In fact, two other sieve benchmarks we've seen, from other sources using Sritek hardware and XENIX software, have very different (and longer) execution times. According to our figures, the Sritek evidently uses the 8088 and its memory to good advantage in I/O-intensive situations but really shines in compute-bound tasks. This conclusion is valid for all of the diverse times that have been reported for the sieve benchmark on this product.

Conclusions

The Sritek add-in board provides a highperformance boost for the IBM PC XT in XENIX. The documentation is relatively poor, even in the realm of relatively poor UNIX documentation. Sritek does not have a national distribution or dealer network—all repair work is on a return-to-factory basis, and the installed base is not large. The full 512K-byte Sritek system will cost $2,995 over what's already invested in the IBM PC XT system. All that money (about $9,000 total) for a nearly raw system and the disadvantages of a multivendor maintenance situation is a little too much. For that kind of money, there are several good vendors out there with fine systems that are fully supported by both dealers and a national service organization. True, these systems are much slower at compute-bound tasks, but they often match, or exceed, Sritek's abilities on typical I/O-intensive business tasks.

We were not able to test any of the application program library mentioned in the technical reference manual. It is worth noting, however, that some good UNIX application software is on the

market (usually bundled with or available on a major manufacturer's hardware package) and that more will be out soon. Sritek mentions the usual business standards—a spreadsheet, a word processor, a database manager, a full accounting system, etc.—in its technical reference manual's specifications list. These packages seem to be drawn from those available in the general UNIX/ XENIX market. It is not clear what level of support a business user would have from Sritek on such third-party software. Our guess is that if a bug cropped up you would go to the software vendor and hope that it was not due to some subtle interaction between the IBM hardware, the Sritek hardware, the Microsoft OS, and your application package. Sritek's intended marketadvanced users and systems housesshould be able to handle these problems, but not quickly nor easily.

In summary, we can recommend the Sritek add-in memory and MC68000 processor cards as outstanding technical products. Truly knowledgeable end users will have a fine time with this hardware. The XENIX software and documentation can be expected to improve substantially in the near future; in fact, since our review Sritek has started offering Pascal and C compilers and the Unify database-manager program. Once some other hurdles are jumped (with little help from the current documentation), the operating environment is comfortably UNIX, version 7, with the Microsoft enhancements described in our Radio Shack article (see references). The product may gain broader appeal with better documentation, more mature OS software, easily available applications software with integrated support on the Sritek system, a strong dealer network, and national support. Sritek reports that the System V version of UNIX will be available this summer, along with a board based on the 68010 chip with enhanced memory-management capabilities. ■

REFERENCES

Barry, Steven H. "The Fortune 32:16 Business Computer." BYTE. May 1983, page 82. Barry, Steven H. and Randall lacobson. "The TRS-80 Model 16B with XENIX." BYTE, lanuary 1984, page 288.

Gilbreath. Jim and Gary Gilbreath. "Eratosthenes Revisted: Once More through the Sieve." BYTE, January 1983, page 283.

262 BYTE* JULY 1984

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SOFTWARE REVIEW

Turbo Pascal

A high

performance,

by Tom Wadlow

'HPJl orland International's Turbo Pascal is ■*4La new language compiler that claims MmBto combine the benefits of structured programming in Pascal, the interactive conIOW"COSt venience of an interpreted language like

-= BASIC, and the speed of a compiled language.

Compiler All this is included in a package that retails for an amazingly low $49.95.

Since Pascal is a compiled language, using it on a personal computer usually means you spend a lot of time cycling between compiler and editor, often shuffling disks in the process. What Borland International has done, however, is provide a souped-up compiler and a programming environment to use it in. The result is a high-level language that can be used for some kinds of serious program development but is easy and fast enough to be used for writing small applications as well. In other words, you shouldn't throw away that BASIC disk, but it will probably gather a lot of dust between uses.

In this review, I'll examine both versions of Turbo Pascal (CP/M and PC-DOS), describe its major features, and compare it to other "professional" compilers. (See also the text boxes "Turbo Pascal on CP/M" on page 268 and "Turbo Pascal on the IBM PC" on page 270.)

The Environment

When you begin to run Turbo Pascal, the Turbo Main Menu comes up. From the menu you can select the files you will work with and the fashion in which they will be handled, and you can view some information about the resources at your disposal. Entering a single letter will execute one of the menu commands, but each menu item is displayed as a word or phrase, with the key letter highlighted on the screen.

From this menu you can edit or compile a program, change working drives, view a directory of the disk (or a subset of that directory), or change the parameters of compilation.

The Editor

Turbo comes equipped with a built-in screen editor that is helpful when making small changes in a program. As supplied by Borland, the Turbo editor commands resemble a

subset of the WordStar word processor's command set. However, the editor can be configured during installation to look like, more or less, a wide variety of popular editors. I successfully configured the Turbo editor to accept a Mince-like set of commands, but it took several tries to get everything to behave properly.

This editor is very convenient. Errors occurring during program compilation automatically will put you back into the editing mode, with the cursor positioned on the line of code that caused the error. When you are executing a program that has been compiled into memory, some run-time errors such as a divideby-0 will also drop you into the editor. This makes changing and recompiling fairly effortless compared to the traditional way of developing code on small systems.

The Turbo editor is not suitable for massive amounts of editing. There are several activities where the editor's inefficiencies will outweigh its convenience, and you will probably need to use another utility program. One example is the FIND and REPLACE functions, used for string substitution. A number of options are available to restrict or extend the type of searching and replacement that is done. However, for each iteration of the search, the program appears to start from the beginning of the file. This means that the replacement of each occurrence of a common string will take a long time.

Another strange feature of this editor is the definition of tabs. Most text editors have fixed or definable tab stops across a line. Many people are accustomed to formatting source code by indenting lines with the Tab key. The tabs in Turbo are a bit of a surprise, though. Tabs are set anew on each new line. This is done by automatically placing a tab stop at the start of each and every word on the previous line. Thus, a tab just after a carriage return will align the next line with the start of the previous line. There is some sense to this method, but I

(continued)

Tom Wadlow is an engineer and freelance writer living in the San Francisco Bay area. He can be reached at POB 2755, Uvermore. CA 94550.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 267

REVIEW: TURBO

Turbo Pascal on CP/M

by Al Pierce ♦

f I 1 urbo Pascal allows in-line machine code and supports the full range

± of CP/M BDOS and BIOS functions as well as allowing user-written I/O drivers. Interrupts may be used but the programmer is responsible for preserving any registers used by the interrupt routines. Care must be taken because the standard I/O operations used by Turbo routines are not reentrant. This means that they will not work properly when called from within an interrupt handler. Likewise, the BDOS functions and most BIOS calls cannot be used. Interrupt enable and disable may be handled by the use of in-line statements.

In addition to the information on these features, the manual also contains system memory-management information. This includes memory maps of the system during the various compile and execute phases as well as the HEAP and STACKS. The operating-system specifics are covered in a thorough and concise manner with the programmer in mind. Ex

amples pertaining to the use of each feature are given, many of which are short procedures that may be used as learning tools. I wouldn't have minded a bit more detail in some areas, such as the EXECUTE function, but on the whole I found it to be a good piece of documentation.

I found Turbo Pascal for CP/M to be an excellent product. The user interface is well done and the inclusion of terminal control functions is a nice touch. The ability to invoke other COM files from the main menu removes the tedium of switching back and forth to the operating system to copy files or check the directory, I only wish the Control-P printer toggle had been left intact but one can't have everything. Borland International deserves praise for this high-value product.

Al Pierce (POB 275 5, Uvermore. CA 94550) is an electronics technologist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.

found that the tabs did not do what I wanted more often than they did. There is, unfortunately, no way to perform traditional tab alignment.

The editor has several other features that may be a help or a hindrance to you, such as the software toggle for auto-indent and insert/overwrite, but the use of these is more a matter of personal choice than anything else. The fact that there is a convenient editor outweighs the small errors or design oversights that it may contain.

The Compiler

The compiler can be directed to compile directly into memory, where the program can then be executed, or you may compile onto the disk. The memory option is fast and useful for development. Compiling onto disk can be done in one of two ways. An executable file (i.e., a COM file under MS-DOS) can be created, which can then be run directly from the operating system. You

can also create special chain files (CHN), which are used only by Turbo programs and will be explained later.

The Turbo compiler is fast, but slightly peculiar. Turbo is not exactly the Jensen and Wirth definition of Pascal. If you are a Pascal purist, you may be irritated by the differences, especially if you bought it to run "standard" Pascal. But permit me a brief editorial comment: There is no such thing as standard Pascal. Yes, lots of people advertise that they sell it. I know about the lensen and Wirth book that supposedly defines it. But standard Pascal doesn't really exist, because real Jensen and Wirth Pascal is not worth much as a programming language. It was never intended to be a development language, just a teaching tool. The real measure of Pascal compatibility is the similarity of dialects. For example, almost every Pascal worth using has defined a default clause for the CASE statement. This is not in the standard. When you compare

You can compile directly into memory, where the program can then be executed, or you can compile onto the disk.

Turbo Pascal to other versions of the language, you should examine Borland's extensions to the language and see if they are similar to your favorite version of Pascal.

I would describe Turbo as a Pascal-like language. The basic structure of Pascal is present, but in those places where changes are usually made, namely the CASE default clause, strings, I/O (input/ output), structured constants, etc., the variations on a theme are often striking. Turbo is not really Pascal. But it's very useful.

Data Structure

Turbo has all the standard types: integer, real, Boolean, and char. An integer is a 16-bit signed number. There are no long integer or unsigned integer types. There are also several new basic types:

• byte—essentially an 8-bit, unsigned integer

• strings—yet another implementation of strings in Pascal. These are

' done pretty well, though. A string is declared with its maximum length. Thus a string|80| can be less than or equal to 80 characters in length. A string|l] is essentially equivalent to type char.

There are also a whole slew of builtin routines to deal with strings such as:

DELETE—delete a substring INSERT-insert a substring STR—convert integer to string VAL—convert string to integer or real COPY—return a substring CONCAT—concatenate two strings LENGTH—determine string length POS—search for a substring

In addition, adding strings can be done with the plus (+), which is the same as CONCAT.

Turbo also allows enumerated types, as in other Pascals. The difference in

268 BYTE- IULY 1984

REVIEW: TURBO

Turbo comes with predefined data structures that enable you to perform the equivalent of BASIC'S PEEK and POKE.

them lies with their I/O. In J&W Pascal, the code:

program test(output); var

foo: (alpha, beta, gamma); begin foo:=beta; writeln(output.foo); end.

should cause the text "BETA" to be written through output. In Turbo, this causes a compile error.

A new twist in Pascal data structures is the Turbo typed constant. This is a means of creating constants of any previously defined type, including arrays, strings, and records, even variant records. This capability is often found in more advanced programming languages than Pascal, and it is often useful. A typed constant might look like the one in listing 1. In this fashion, specialCommands becomes a read-only variable of type commandTable. Because you can do this for essentially any type, there are many possibilities for saving time and code-space initializing data structures.

Turbo comes with predefined data structures that map onto memory and I/O ports, so that you can perform the equivalent of BASIC'S PEEK and POKE if you are so inclined. This is sometimes described as "being able to feel the bits between your toes."

File I/O

Borland has overhauled file I/O for Turbo Pascal. The way a file is referenced is by means of a file variable. The first operation on any file variable must be an ASSIGN, which binds the DOS name for a file to that file variable. Other operations that are only performed on file variables are:

(continued)

A Second Opinion

Comments on Turbo Pascal

by Mark Bridger ♦

Since purchasing Turbo Pascal several weeks ago I have put it through its paces intensively: writing new programs and transferring old ones developed using Microsoft Pascal. I am teaching Pascal at Northeastern University this quarter and I write frequent illustrative programs to hand out to my students. It is truly a pleasure to create them using the Turbo editor and compile them to check for errors. What used to take several minutes of whirring disk drives now takes a few seconds: executable code files of 20K to 30K bytes are now reduced to 10K to 12K bytes. With this kind of performance, the difference in convenience between a compiled and an interpreted language is virtually nil.

In addition to schoolwork, 1 have developed several long scientific graphics programs. One of these, a surface drawing package, is about 2000 lines of source code. Making even minor changes in this program has hitherto been a time-consuming activity—even with 300K bytes of RAM disk. Thus, I was particularly anxious to see if it could be adapted to Turbo easily.

The first change was the graphics procedures: these were originally written in Pascal and assembly language and linked to the main body of the program. I first tried to use Turbo's "external" directive to call the machine-language routines. Unfortunately, this didn't work. The documentation of external procedure calls in the manual is confusing and contains several obvious errors. I tried many different rewrites of my assembly code to access the variables and return to Pascal: all to no avail. I could, it seems, call the routine, but 1 couldn't get back.

Finally I gave up and called Boriand International for help. 1 eventually spoke to Mr. Phillippe Kahn, the president of the company. He discouraged me from trying this link-up and suggested that I either use the INLINE method of accessing machine code or, better yet, do the graphics

interrupts directly by using the INTR procedure. This procedure turned out to be ideal. You simply create a record REGISTERS (whose fields are the names of the 8088 registers), assign values to the appropriate fields, and then call INTfnum, REGISTERS) where num is the number interrupt desired. It works like a charm, completely eliminating the entire machine-language linking.

Turbo does have a few quirks that require getting used to. For one, the input is not buffered the way that I'm used to in other Pascals. You can't look ahead by accessing INPUT". EOLN works a bit differently; you can't use IF NOT EOLN READLN(x) ELSE READLN to skip over a read with a return. However, you can get around this quite elegantly by reading input into a string and using the powerful string-handling routines. One of these, VAL, converts a string of digits into a real or integer—handy for bullet-proofing I/O. Also, strings are limited to 2 56 characters; it would be nice to have a full 64K bytes to use the string handling for large-scale byte manipulation.

Turbo has some truly wonderful memory-accessing tools such as the MEM array (all of memory becomes an array of bytes), the SEG and OFS functions, and the PTR function that allows you to create a pointer to any (absolute) memory address. If Turbo became the standard we might not have to program in C to play games.

Turbo is, without doubt, the best software value I have ever purchased. And, for the whipped cream on top, the latest version of Turbo contains access to all of the IBM PC's graphics modes, a linedrawing algorithm, multiple windowing, sound, and, for a small amount extra, 8087 support.

Mark Bridger (21 Champa St., Newton Upper Fails. MA 22164) is an associate professor of mathematics at Northeastern University in Boston. Massachusetts.

IULY 1984 'BYTE 269

REVIEW: TURBO

REWRITE—open a file for writing RESET—open a file for reading READ—read a component of the file WRITE-write a component to the file

SEEK—move to a location in file FLUSH-update the file CLOSE—stop using a file ERASE—erase a file from disk RENAME—give the file a different name

EOF—detect end of file FILEPOS—return position in file FILESIZE-return size of file

In addition, there are the usual variations for text files, such as READLN, WRITELN, and EOLN.

Conspicuously absent are the Pascal GET and PUT functions. Borland has eliminated them from Turbo, and for good reason, as I know of no other concept (with the possible exception of pointers) in Pascal that has caused as much classroom confusion as GET and PUT. The Turbo READ and WRITE routines are sufficient to deal with the problems that GET and PUT were intended to solve.

Language Operations

The first thing 1 look for in a new implementation of Pascal is the CASE statement. As I have said before, the default clause (i.e., the statement that is executed when the selector of the CASE

does not match any of the explicitly defined clauses) is a useful thing to have in a language. But there seem to be as many ways of implementing a default clause as there are designers of versions of Pascal. Borland has created yet another way—one that I don't care for much. An example of the Turbo CASE statement from the Turbo manual is shown in listing 2.

Notice that there is no BEGIN-END block surrounding the statements after the ELSE. Also notice that a semicolon precedes the ELSE. These irregularities are without precedent in the rest of the Pascal grammar. I think that Borland tried to make a CASE-ELSE that resembled the IF-THEN-ELSE statement. Unfortunately, what the company has done is create a statement that does not follow the grammatical conventions of the rest of Pascal.

This is not to complain that the ELSE is bad because it is nonstandard. My complaint is that the grammar of CASEELSE has a different flavor from anything else in Pascal. Turbo's typed constants are not standard, but they follow from the way types, variables, and constants are defined. This is a violation of standards but not a violation of spirit. The way the ELSE is defined for the CASE is a violation of both.

Procedures and Functions

Pascal is known as a strongly typed lan

Listing 1: Am example of a typed constant.

type

commandTable = array |1..5| of string|8| const

specialCommands: commandTable = ('RUN', 'STOP', LIST', COMPILE', QUIT ):

Listing 2: Am example of the TUrbo CASE statement from the Turbo manual.

case Year of Min.,1939: begin

Time := PreWorldWar2: writel'The world at peace..'): end:

1946..Max: begin

Time := PostWorldWar2: writel'Building a new world.'): end:

else

Time := WorldWar2: writel'We are at war'); end;

guage, which means that the compiler tries hard to assure that the user declares exactly what kind of object each variable and parameter is and then enforces those decisions all the way through the program. Thus, if you declare a variable to be of type REAL, you cannot assign to it an INTEGER value.

Sometimes it is necessary to convert between types, however, and the standard Pascal solution has been to "wirein" several conversion functions to the compiler and hope that they cover all possible cases. Examples of these converters might be FLOAT, which converts INTEGER to REAL, and TRUNC, which converts REAL to INTEGER.

In standard Pascal, it is not possible, save by exploiting holes in the language definition, to write your own FLOAT or TRUNC. They are "magic" routines provided by the author of the compiler. In Turbo, however, you can write conversion routines. Borland has provided a set of extensions to Pascal that allow you to relax type checking in a structured way. This permits you to do, in a consistent fashion, many of those things that Pascal programmers have been doing for years, by "cheating."

For example, imagine writing a routine to concatenate two strings. Ideally, it

Turbo Pascal on the IBM PC

With one small exception, the differences between Turbo on the IBM PC and Turbo on CP/M are all improvements. Most of the problems encountered with the CP/M version of Turbo have been corrected on the IBM PC version. There does not seem to be any difference between the execution of a program that has been compiled into memory and a program compiled into a COM file. There are a few restrictions, however. For example, it is not possible to use the CHAIN and EXECUTE routines from a memory-compiled program. These restrictions are well documented.

The editor on the IBM PC version of Turbo comes preinstalled, so little configuration is necessary. You must choose the display mode that the program will run (monochrome or one of the color display modes). If you wish, the installation program can be used to reconfigure the editor commands to taste.

The one missing feature in IBM Turbo is the EXECUTE command. The Turbo Main Menu lists a command that is advertised to execute a COM file directly. Unfortunately, this option has not yet been implemented for PC-DOS. as a message tells you when you try it.

270 BYTE • IULY 1984

AT A GLANCE

Name

Hirbo Pascal Use

Pascal compiler and development environment for MS-DOS and CP/M-80

Manufacturer

Borland International 4807 Scotts Valley Dr. Scotts Valley. CA 95066

Size

Compiler and editor take approximately 35K bytes on MS-DOS

Features

Built-in screen editor and fast compilation to memory or disk; many language additions and special routines for performing systems programming

Documentation

A soft-bound 2 54-page manual, giving many examples and detailed explanations, is included

Price

$49.95

Comments

A good development environment for small applications; similar to, but better than BASIC for many programs; not very compatible with other Pascal compilers

LIST

350

300 250 200 150 100 50 0

SIEVE PUZZLE QSORT SIEVE PUZZLE QSORT

PRICE

TIMING COMPARISON (SECONDS) 450

SIEVE PUZZLE QSORT SIEVE PUZZLE OSORT

TURBO PASCAL COM FILE IBM PASCAL EXE FILE

A comparison of Turbo Pascal and IBM Pascal running under PC-DOS on the IBM PC. Three programs, the Sieve. Puzzle, and Qsort {listings 3-51, are compared in terms of program size {top) and execution time {bottom). Sec the text box entitled "A Word About benchmarks' for further details.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 271

REVIEW: TURBO

A Word About Benchmarks

The comparison of any two compilers is a tricky thing. There are many variables and no one benchmarking program can cover all the bases. In addition, there are some intangibles, such as the convenience of use or the presence or absence of certain features, that may make one compiler "better" than another, even though the benchmarks may say otherwise.

Some notes on methodology: When making the measurements whose results are shown here, Al Pierce and I tried to measure what was important and discount what was not. For example, the measurements of compile speed were made from the issuing of the COMPILE command until the command prompt was displayed again. Thus, when compiling to COM files, the speed of the disk drives was an important factor. However, when executing a COM file, we measured from an initial message, discounting the time it took the operating system to load and start the program. The reasoning behind this was that the interesting part of the execution was the algorithm being tested and not the operating-system load routine. In addition, all measurements were done at least three times and the listed results are the average of those three (or more) runs. All times greater than 2 seconds are rounded to the nearest half-second. The results are shown in tables 1 and 2.

Compile times for IBM Pascal are not shown because the method of compilation was so drastically different (involving two separate programs and a linking phase to produce an executable program) that it would have been meaningless to try and compute a time for this process. Suffice to say that, in all cases, the process ran to several minutes for any of the three programs. In addition, it should be noted that IBM Pascal produces EXE files, a format that is slower to load and considerably larger, but more flexible, for large address space programs.

Two of the programs, Sieve (see listing 3) and Puzzle (see listing 4), are fairly well known as benchmarks for compilers. The third, Qsort (see listing 5). performs a Quick Sort on a worst-case array of 100 real numbers. This set of benchmarks is certainly not intended to fully measure the difference in performance for all features, but rather to give an indication of overall performance.

Also, the anomaly of the Puzzle benchmark, whose compile to a COM file is shorter (even with disk I/O) than a compile to memory, is not a mistake but actual measured performance. We did it eight times just to be sure.

Finally, just for the sake of a genera! comparison, a version of the Sieve benchmark was run under IBM BASICA. It took 33 minutes to complete.

Table 1: Benchmark results for Turbo Pascal running under PC-DOS 2.0. The benchmark programs were compiled on an IBM PC with 320K bytes of memory and two double-sided double-density disk drives. Compilation and execute times are shown in seconds: file sizes are to the nearest 1K byte.

Time for: Sieve Puzzle Qsort

Turbo Pascal

Compile to memory

0.8

5.7

3.4

Compile to COMFILE

2.0

3.6

4.0

Execute in memory

15.0

69.0

1.3

Execute COM file

15.0

69.0

1.1

File Sizes:

Turbo COM file 9.000 13.000 11.000

IBM EXE file 33.000 35.000 24.000

Table 2: Turbo Pascal benchmark results for CP/M 2.2. The computer system used had a Z80A processor running at 4 Mfiz with no wait states, and two double-density 8-inch disk drives with a 3 millisecond step rate.

Time for:

Sieve

Puzzle

Qsort

Compile to memory

0.5

3.0

2.0

Compile to COM FILE

5.0

12.0

9.0

Execute in memory

23.0

77.0

1.0

Execute COM file

25.0

77.0

1.0

IBM Pascal Execute EXE file

76.0

416.0

1.2

File sizes: COM

8,000

12,000

10.000

should work just as well for two strings of type string] 5] as for two of type string[80|. In standard Pascal you would need to write a separate routine for each size of string used. In Turbo, you could easily write one routine to handle all of them.

There are dangers in doing this, though. There is no way of limiting type independence to a certain set of types. Thus, some unpredictable things could happen if you pass the wrong things to a type-independent routine. Relaxation

of type checking is not the default case in Turbo, so casual errors will probably be detected.

Incidentally, it is not only possible to write conversion routines in Turbo, but in the case of FLOAT, it is mandatory. Turbo comes equipped with a TRUNC, but not a FLOAT. Thus, there is no builtin way of converting integers to reals.

External Routines

One important feature that Turbo lacks is the ability to create libraries of exter

nal routines. This facility of separate compilation allows you to build a storehouse of procedures and functions whose code can be shared by many programs. In addition, the ability to compile and test portions of a program separately helps to speed up the development cycle of new applications.

Because Turbo compiles directly into executable files and no external linking is done, it is not possible to separately compile modules from a single applica

{contmued)

272 BYTE • |ULY 1984

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Listing 3: The Sieve of Eratosthenes prime-number program. It

function place (i : pieceType; j ; position) : position;

unyinuuy appeurea in iLiuiusinznzs ixcvtMteM. \jrii*t iviurc

label 1;

through the Sieve," by Jim Gilbreath and Gary Gilbreath.

var

k: position; begin

for k ;= 0 to pieceMax[iJ do

}anuary 1983 BYTE, page 283.

const

if p[i,k] then puzzle j j -t- kj ;= true;

size = 8190;

pieceCount(class|i|] : = pieceCount|class|i||— 1;

var

for k ; = j to size do

flags : array [0..slze| of boolean:

if nnt mi77lplkl thpn hpuin

11 J IvJL \J U LL. 1 tT | f\ | LI ICI 1 UC^II \

i.prime.k.count.iter : integer;

nlarp ■ — k

begin

goto I;

writelnflO iterations.');

end;

for Iter:= 1 to 10 do

writelnf Puzzle filled.');

begin

place := 0;

count := 0;

for i := 0 to size do

end

flags|i| : = true;

nrnrpdiirp rpmnvp (i 1 niprpTvnp' i '■ nncifinnl

for i : = 0 to size do

vztr k ' nn^ition'

vol fx . yjyj^ii li ^)i i.

If flagslii then

begin

begin

for k := 0 to pieceMax|i| do

prime := i + i + 3;

if p|i.k) then puzzle[j + k| ;= false;

(• writeln(prime); 'I

rilprpPfiiintlrlacrQlili ■— niprpCriiintlrlaQQUII -4

\J 1 LLCl^Ulll 1 L|l*ICISS| 1 j ] . — UlC%fW V*L^LU ■ i|i*iass|i | | 1

;

k := i + prime;

end;

while k < = size do

function trial (j : position) : boolean;

begin

label I;

flags|k| := false;

var

k := k + prime;

i : pieceType;

end;

k ; position;

count := count + 1;

begin

end;

for I := 0 to typeMax do

end:

if pieceCount|c!ass|i|| < > 0 then

writelnlcount, ' primes.');

if fit (i i) then besin

end.

k := place (1. j):

if trial(k) or (k = 0) then begin

Listing 4: The Puzzle program, written by Forest Baskett,

writeln ('Piece ',1+1, 'at ', k+l):

trial := true;

solves a simple vuzzle

goto I;

end else remove li, i): end;

program puzzle;

trial := false:

(* A compute-bound program from Forest Baskett *)

1: kount := kount + I;

(" This program solves a simple puzzle, and has been run on a very

end;

wide variety of machines *}

begin

writelni'Beginning PUZZLE');

const

for m := 0 to size do puzzlelml := true;

size = 511;

for i : = 1 to 5 do for | ; = I to 5 do for k : =

1 to 5 do

classMax = 3;

puzzleli + d'O+d'k)! := false;

typeMax = 12;

for i := 0 to typeMax do for m := 0 to size do p|i, m| := false;

d =8;

for 1 := 0 to 3 do for | := 0 to 1 do for k : =

0 to 0 do

tvDe

p|0,i + d*(i + d«k)| := true;

pieceClass = 0..classMax;

class|0| := 0;

pieceType = 0..typeMax;

pleceMax|0| := 3 + d»l+d«d>0;

nniifinn — 0 cl7ft*

for I := 0 to 1 do for i := 0 to 0 do for k : =

0 to 3 do

p|l,i + d«(i + d'k)i := true:

pitLcL.uuriL . array ipict,cv.iass| ui u..i ?,

class! 1| := 0;

class . array ipiccciypej 01 piccev,iass,

pieceMax|l | := l+d" + d'd«3:

pieceMax ; array [pieceTypel of position;

for 1 := 0 to 0 do for i := 0 to 3 do for k : =

0 to 1 do

puzzle ; array [position] of boolean;

p|2,i + d'(l + d'k)| := true:

p : array IpieceType, positionl of boolean;

class|2| := 0;

m,n : position;

pieceMax|2| := O+d'3 + d'dM:

i.j.k ; 0..13;

for i := 0 to 1 do for j := 0 to 3 do for k : =

0 to 0 do

kount : integer;

p|3,i + d'(i + d'k)| := true:

function fit (i : pieceType; j : position) : boolean;

class|3| := 0;

label 1;

pieceMax|3| := 1+d'3+d«d*0:

var

for i := 0 to 3 do for j := 0 to 0 do for k : =

0 to 1 do

k: position;

p|4,i + d'(i + d«k)| := true;

begin fit := false; for k := 0 to pieceMax|i| do

dass|4| := 0:

if p[i,k| then if puzzle|j + kl then goto 1;

pieceMax|4| := 3 + d»0+d«d«l:

fit : = true; 1:

for i := 0 to 0 do for j : = 0 to I do for k : = p|5.i+d'(i+d-k|| := true:

0 to 3 do

end;

class|5| := 0;

274 BYTE- IULY 1984

REVIEW: TURBO

pieceMax|5] : = 0+d« 1 + d«d-3;

last: integer;

for i := 0 to 2 do for i := 0 to 0 do for k := 0 to 0 do

procedure swaplvar a, b : real);

p|6,i + d'(j+d-k)| := true;

1* Exchange the values of A and B •)

class|6| := 1;

var

pieceMax|6| := 2+d*0+d"d*0;

t : real: (* Temporary variable •)

for i := 0 to 0 do for i := 0 to 2 do for k := 0 to 0 do

begin

p|7.i + d>(j + d'k)| : = true;

t := a;

class|7| := I;

a := b:

pieceMax|71 := 0+d'2 + d«d-0;

b := t:

for i : = 0 to 0 do for j : = 0 to 0 do for k : = 0 to 2 do

end;

p|8,i+d'(i+d'kl| := true;

procedure printArrayltop : integer);

class|8| := 1:

I' Display the current contents of the array •)

pieceMax|8| := 0+d'0+d«d«2:

1* Since this isn't the interesting part of the benchmark, this quick

for i : = 0 to 1 do for j : = 0 to 1 do for k : = 0 to 0 do

and dirty print routine take advantage of the 80 column screen

p|9,i + d>(j + d»k)| := true;

with wraparound. Here is where you would put the more

class|9| := 2;

sophisticated output routine in a usable sort routine. •)

pieceMax|9| := l+d'I+d<d-0;

var

for i : = 0 to 1 do for j : = 0 to 0 do for k : = 0 to 1 do

i : integer;

p|I0,i+d'(i + d'k)| := true;

begin

dass|10] := 2;

{for i := 0 to top (* Commented out during benchmarks •)

pieceMax|IO| := l+d«0+d«d*l:

do

for i : = 0 to 0 do for j : = 0 to 1 do for k : = 0 to 1 do

write|numbers|i|:8:2);

p|l l,i + d«(i+d«k)| := true:

writeln;

class! 111 ;= 2:

writeln:}

pieceMaxll 11 := 0+d* 1 +d'd> 1;

writelnl'-MARK-'); (* Used during benchmarks •)

for i := 0 to 1 do for j := 0 to 1 do for k := 0 to 1 do

end:

p|12,i + d>(i + d'kll := true;

procedure getArraylvar top: integerl:

classl 12] := 3:

T Fill array from input *)

pieceMaxll 21 := 1+d'l+d-d'l:

(* In a real sort program, this would get the array to be sorted from

pieceCount|0| := 13;

the standard input or a file or whatever. For the purposes of this

pieceCountl 11 := 3:

benchmark, we will initialize the array with a predeclared array

pieceCount|2| := J;

that is the worst case of a sort: an array in reverse order. Note

pieceCount[3| := 1;

the use of TURBO typed constants. *)

m := l+d'(l+d'l);

const

kount := 0;

worstCase: standardArray =

if fit(0. m) then n := place(0, ml else writelnl'Error.'):

1100.0, 99.0, 98.0. 97.0, 96.0, 95.0, 94.0, 93.0. 92.0, 91.0,

if trial(n) then writelnl'Success in ', kount. ' trials.'!

90.0, 89.0. 88.0. 87.0. 86.0. 85.0. 84.0. 83.0, 82.0. 81.0.

else writelnl'Failure.'):

80.0. 79.0. 78.0. 77.0, 76.0, 75.0, 74.0, 73.0, 72.0, 71.0,

end.

70.0, 69.0, 68.0. 67.0, 66.0, 65.0, 64.0, 63.0. 62.0, 61.0, 60.0. 59.0, 58.0, 57.0, 56.0, 55.0, 54.0, 53.0, 52.0, 51.0, 50.0. 49.0. 48.0, 47.0, 46.0. 45.0. 44.0. 43.0, 42.0, 41.0,

Listing 5: The Quicksort program sorts a numeric array.

40.0. 39.0, 38.0, 37.0, 36.0. 35.0. 34.0, 33.0, 32.0, 31.0,

30.0, 29.0. 28.0. 27.0, 26.0. 25.0. 24.0, 23.0, 22.0, 21.0, 20.0, 19.0, 18.0, 17.0, 16.0, 15.0. 14.0, 13.0, 12.0, 11.0,

program QuickSortlinput,output);

10.0, 9.0, 8.0, 7.0, 6.0, 5.0. 4.0, 3.0, 2.0. 1.0,

(* Sort a numeric array using a quicksort algorithm.

0.0);

Adapted from volume 3, Art of Computer Programming' by D.Knuth "I

begin (* getArray •)

(* Several things have been done to this Quicksort to use it as

top : = 100;

a benchmark.

numbers := worstCase;

- The numbers to be sorted are REALS, which are a harder case than

printArrayltop);

16-bit INTEGERS.

end: (" getArray •)

- The input array is hard-wired in. In TURBO this is done by using a

procedure bubbleSortlstart.top: integer; var subArray: standardArray);

typed constant. In the version used to benchmark IBM Pascal, the

T Bubblesort procedure, sorts array from start to top inclusive *)

array is initialized at run-time. Since TURBO does not have an

var

INTEGER to REAL conversion routine as IBM Pascal does, the two

index: integer;

could not be coded identically. However, the benchmark clocking is

switched: boolean: begin (* bubbleSort *) repeat

done between the two -MARK-s, and initialization occurs before the

begin

firct mark cr» fhp Hiffprpnrp Hup tn initiali7atinn mpthnHs ^hnnlH Hp

lllsL IIIClIIV 3U UlC UII1CI CIILC UUC LU 11 II UCIII/.cl IIUI I IIICUIUU3 3IIUUIU UC

cu/itrhpH ■ — falcp' bwiii„iic.u .— idlsC

minimal Thp inrmt arrav ic trip wnrct racp rpvprQp nrHpr minimal- iiic nipui diidy is me wuim uisc icvci sc uiuci.

fnr inHpv '— ctart tn tnrv i IUI IIIUCA .— 3lal I VJ LUJJ^ 1

- For the actual bench-mark, the body of printArray is commented out

do

and replaced by a single writeln('-MARK-');. The reason for this is to

begin

permit more accurate measurements of the code speed rather than

if subArraylindex] > subArray|index+1|

confuse the eye of the benchmarker. Benchmarks are taken between

then

the MARKS, so as to exclude program loading times. •)

begin

I" global identifiers •)

swap(subArray|index|,subArray|index+ l|);

const

switched := true;

max =100; I" maximum array size •)

end:

type

end;

standardArray = array |0..max| of real;

end

var

until switched = false;

numbers: standardArray: (* array containing the numbers to be

end:

sorted *)

(continued)

IULY 1984 -BYTE 275

REVIEW: TURBO

procedure findMedian(start,top: integer; var subArray: standardArray):

do

(* Find a good median value in array and place it at beginnning of

begin

section to be sorted *)

if swapUp = true

var

then

(* scan downward from partition top '1

middle: integer;

begin

(* and exchange if smaller than median •)

sorted: standardArray;

while (numbers|e] > =

numbers|m|) and (e > m)

begin (* findMedian *)

do

middle := (start+topldiv 2;

e := e- 1;

sortedm := subArraylstartl;

if e > m

sorted|2| := subArray|top|;

then

sorted|31 := subArraylmiddle];

begin

bubbleSort0.3.sorted);

swap(numbers|e|,numbers|ml);

if sorted|21 = subArraylmiddle]

m := e;

then

end;

swap(subArray|start|,subArray[middle|)

swapUp := false;

else

end

if sorted|2| = subArray|top|

else

(* scan upward from partition start •)

then

begin

(• and exchange if larger than median *)

swap(subArray[start],subArray|topl);

while (numbers|s| < =

numbers[m|) and (s<m)

end: (• findMedian •)

do

procedure sortSection(start,top: integer);

s := s+ 1:

(• Sort a section of the main array, and then divide it into two

if s < m

partitions to be sorted *)

then

var

begin

swapUp: boolean;

swap(numbers|s|,numbers|m]);

s.e.m: integer;

m := s

begin (' sortSection *)

end;

if top-start < 6

swapUp := true;

then (* sort small sections with bubbleSort *)

end:

bubbleSort(start,top,numbers)

end;

else

sortSectionlstart.m- 1);

(* sort lower half of partition ")

begin

sortSection(m+ l.top);

(* sort upper half of partition ')

findMedian(start,top,numbers);

end:

swapUp := true;

end; (* sortSection *|

(* start scanning from array top *)

begin

(• Quicksort main program *)

s := start; (• lower comparision limit *)

getArray(last):

e := top; (* upper comparision limit ')

sortSection(CUast);

m := start; (* location of comparison value ")

printArray(last)

while e > s

end.

(* Quicksort main program •)

tion. Borland has sacrificed separate compilation for speed of development, a trade that large applications developers won't care for, but I suspect that many casual users won't mind much.

There is a simple, fairly crude way of calling external routines, provided you know their address in memory, but it does not answer the problems raised above. Turbo provides two routines, EXECUTE and CHAIN, which can be used to run other programs.

EXECUTE will pass control to any program that you could run from the operating-system prompt. When that program terminates, control returns to the operating system, not the program that performed the EXECUTE.

CHAIN passes control to a specially compiled Turbo program. A normally compiled Turbo program contains the built-in Turbo library of standard routines. When you compile a chain program, this library is not included, making the code on disk a lot smaller. When

276 BYTE- JULY 1984

lurbo has a means of directly calling the operating-system service routines.

a program is run through CHAIN, the library, which is already resident in memory, is kept but the application program is replaced by the chain program. When that program terminates, control returns to the operating system.

It is also possible to include external source files during compilation. By doing this, two programs could share the same source code, though not the same compiled code.

Other Turbo Features

Turbo contains a primitive facility for writing in-line machine code. The IN

LINE statement accepts a series of numbers and places them directly into the code being compiled. Using this feature it is possible to write interrupt handlers or optimize specific routines for speed. Again, this is a nonstandard but useful feature.

Turbo also comes equipped with a means of directly calling the operatingsystem service routines. This lets you write applications that can manipulate the environment provided by your operating system. A good example of this might be a directory listing program.

DOCUMENTATION

Included in the Turbo package is a 2 54page, softcover manual that is the documentation for Turbo Pascal. Almost everything that you might need to know about Turbo is in the manual, and 1 found it useful to run Turbo, compiling into memory, and then read the manual. Going through the book page by page,

{continued}

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REVIEW: TURBO

it is easy to try out the examples while running Turbo or to write small test programs to see what a particular function does.

The manual is well written, as computer documentation goes. The first few pages have a flowchart of the manual structure and an explanation of the

Tkrbo is well written, fun to use at times, and fast enough to make up for its few shortcomings.

typography used. As far as I read, these standards were adhered to all the way through the book.

Typography is important in documentation and Borland has made good use of it in its manual. Normal text is printed in a sans serif font that is easy to read. Programming examples are all indented and shown in a typewriterstyle font. Reserved words are shown in boldface, while identifiers are emphasized in the text by italics. These conventions make it simple to scan a page of the manual and pick out the points of interest.

Conclusions

Turbo Pascal will be compared to JRT Pascal and "professional" Pascal compilers. Both comparisons are somewhat unfair. Turbo most certainly is not a toy compiler, to be used until the real thing comes along. It is also not a good compiler for developing massive applications. (See the text box "A Second Opinion: Comments on Turbo Pascal" on page 269 for another author's estimation.) The real comparison that should be made is Turbo versus BASIC. There is very little need for a BASIC when you have Turbo Pascal. It is well written, fun to use at times, and fast enough to make up for its few shortcomings. (See the "At a Glance" page and the text box 'A Word About Benchmarks" on page 272 for more information on Turbo Pascal.) It is easily worth its price, even if you use it to develop code that will be compiled on a "professional" compiler. But even by itself it is a bargain that shouldn't be passed up. ■

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IULY 1984 -BYTE 279

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SOFTWARE REVIEW

LISP for the

IBM Personal Computer

IQLISP and muLISP—two versions of a list-based

by Jordan Bortz and John Diamant

People who own an IBM Personal Computer (PC) are probably glad that many of the greatest programming languages ever written are available for that machine. Now LISP (a list processing language) has joined that group, and LISP is to artificial intelligence as C is to systems pro

z gramming. Many important applications, in

ldn£IUa§e eluding theorem proving, natural language processing, symbolic mathematics, and knowledge-based expert systems, can be done most easily using a list-based language such as LISP.

Some of the better-known LISP programs include MACSYMA, a symbolic calculus program from MIT; Eliza, a simulation of a psychiatrist; and MYCIN, which diagnoses diseases.

LISP has traditionally required large amounts of memory and a fast processor. Most microcomputers are unable to run it. Further, most microcomputer owners are unaware of LISP'S power. In this article, we will review two LISP systems for the IBM PC; muLISP from The Soft Warehouse and IQLISP from Integral Quality. To help readers who are unfamiliar with LISP, this article will be divided into two parts: an introduction to LISP and a comparison of these two products.

A Brief History

LISP was developed by John McCarthy from a powerful but hard-to-use language called IPL. McCarthy's LISP language quickly became popular, and people began modifying it for their own purposes. As a result, LISP is anything but a standardized language. At present, three major LISP dialects have emerged as de facto standards: MacLISP, InterLISP, and UCILISP. There is now a project at Carnegie-Mellon University to standardize a new version of LISP, known as Common LISP. Common LISP will be discussed more fully in the section on scoping rules.

An Overview

As its name implies, LISP is centered around the notion of a list. A list is a sequence of atoms, other lists, or both. An atom has a single value and can hold a number, character string, or list. Atoms and lists make up symbolic expressions, also known as S-expressions or SEXPRs. As a

result, there is no distinction between programs and data as far as LISP is concerned. This means that LISP can write programs for itself to execute. This also means that you will be typing lots of parentheses, since they act as list delimiters. An example can show how all of these elements combine.

First, we assign to the atom % the list (THIS IS A LIST):

(SETQ L '(THIS IS A LIST))

SETQ binds the list (THIS IS A LIST) to the atom L. The single close quote (alternatively, the word QUOTE) is very important. It tells the LISP expression evaluator not to go to work on anything that follows. This is crucial; without it, LISP would think that THIS is a function and IS A LIST are its arguments. (The double quote is not interchangeable. It is used as a way of enclosing atom names so that they include technically illegal spaces.)

The two biggest list-manipulation commands are CAR and CDR (pronounced could-er). CAR returns the first SEXPR in a list, and CDR returns a list of everything but the first SEXPR. Unfortunately, the names CAR and CDR are horribly non-mnemonic. They originally stood for Contents of Address Register and Contents of Data Register, respectively, on the IBM 7040. The only reason for preserving these names instead of calling them FIRST and BUTF1RST is that you can get a composite called the CADR of X, which is the CAR of the CDR of X. This provides a valuable shorthand; it's easier to say (CADDR X) instead of (CAR(CDR

[continued)

)ordan Bortz is a recent graduate of Sycamore High School. He is currently designing relational database systems for Envisioneering Ltd. Bortz is interested in artificial intelligence and turtle graphics. He can be contacted at Envisioneering Ltd.. 555 Metro Place North. Suite 300, Dublin. OH 43017.

]ohn Diamant is currently majoring in computer engineering at Case Western Reserve University. He is interested in artificial intelligence and program verification. Diamant may be contacted at 6608 Michael Dr.. Cincinnati. OH 45243 or at Michelson 330, 11896 Carlton Rd.. Cleveland Heights, OH 44106.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 281

REVIEW: LISPS

Listing 1: Am example of some simple LISP commands.

-> (SETQ L '(JOHN (AND JORDAN) HACK LISP)) (|OHN (AND JORDAN) HACK LISP) ;setq returns the list it's

;assigning

:to L as its function ;return value.

-> (CAR L) IOHN

-> (CDR L)

((AND JORDAN) HACK LISP)

-> (CARICDR L)) (AND JORDAN)

-> (CAADR L) AND

-> (SETQ L '(A)) (A)

-> L

(A)

-> 'L L

-> (CDR L) NIL

; pronounced halfway ; between kidder : and could-her

; same as (CAR (CAR (CDR L)))

(CDR X))). Listing 1 contains some more examples. User input is on the lines that begin with the prompt - >. The LISP interpreter's responses are on the line below it. Figure 1 describes listing 1 in graphic form.

Listing 1 also shows an important atom in LISP: NIL. We tried to take the CDR of a list with only one value, so LISP returned NIL, the "empty list." NIL can also be represented as (). The other special atom is T. T and NIL are the LISP counterparts of true and false.

LISP assumes (unless told otherwise by the quoting mechanism) that the first atom in a list is a function to be evaluated and the rest of the list contains the arguments to the function. Once again, examples are clearer than rigorous definitions.

-> (PLUS 3 5) 8

-> (PLUS 3 (PLUS 4 2)) 9

A predicate is a function that returns T or NIL depending on whether its argument is true or not. The predicate called ZEROP (pronounced zero-pea) asks if its argument is equal to 0. Another predicate is EQUAL, and it tests equality.

- > (ZEROP 0)

T

-> (ZEROP 69) NIL

-> (EQUAL 5 (PLUS 2 3)) T

In addition to providing functions for taking lists apart (CAR and CDR), LISP also contains functions for putting them together, notably CONS (list CONStructor), APPEND, and LIST.

-> (CONS THIS '(IS A LIST)) (THIS IS A LIST)

-> (CONS '(THIS IS) '(A LIST)) (THIS IS) A LIST)

> (APPEND '(THIS IS) '(A LIST)) (THIS IS A LIST)

-> (LIST '(THIS IS) '(A LIST)) ((THIS IS) (A LIST))

Earlier in this article, we mentioned the fact that with LISP there is no distinction between data and programs. The following example demonstrates this and hints at how LISP can be used to simplify algebraic expressions. EVAL is the LISP expression evaluator; it is the opposite of the QUOTE function. EVAL can be called just like any other function. As a matter of fact, the driver loop for LISP (similar to a UNIX shell) in its simplest form is:

(PRINT(EVAL(READ)J)

-> (SETQ FOO '(1 2)) tl 2)

~> (SETQ BAR (CONS 'PLUS FOO)) (PLUS 1 2)

-> (EVAL BAR) 3

LISP and Recursion

Before we discuss defining functions in LISP. let's first delve into recursion. Recursion uses the definition in the definition. For example, we could define a factorial of n as n times the factorial of n— 1. Of course, since this recursion could go on forever, we have to define a termination condition—something that ends the recursion. For the factorial, we define the factorial of 0 to be 1. Mathematically, we could express this definition as follows:

{ x = 0 : 1

m =:

{ x > 0 : x x f(x - 1)

Let's pictorially trace through this function:

0) = 3 x /(2) /(2) = 2 x /(l) /(I) = 1 x /(0)

/(0) = 1 /(I) =1x1

m = 2 x i

0) = 3 x 2 = 6

This example may seem artificial. Simplifying algebraic expressions offers a better use. An expression may contain many subexpressions that need to be simplified. To accomplish this, we can write a function called SIMP, which operates on all the subexpressions in the expression it is given and assigns a simpler coded designation to each subexpression. The expressions can be stored as a list of lists, and we can use CAR and CDR to traverse them. This all sounds good, but before we can write something like that, we have to write something easy like the factorial function. Here it is:

(DEFUN FACT (X) (COND ((ZEROP X ) 1)

(T (TIMES X (FACT (SUB1 X))))))

COND is the general-purpose IF... THEN...ELSE statement of LISP. Its general form is:

282 BYTE- JULY 1984

REVIEW: LISPS

AT A GLANCE

Name

muLISP-83 4.05

Name

IQLISP

TVpe

Programming language

Manufacturer

The Soft Warehouse POB 11174 Honolulu. HI 96828 (808) 734-5801

Microsoft Inc. 10700 Northrup Way Bellevue. WA 98004 (206) 838-8080

Price

$2 50

Format

5K4-inch floppy disk, single- or double-sided

Operating System

MS-DOS 1.2 5 or 2.0 PC-DOS LI or 2.0

Computer System

Any MS-DOS-based computer with 128K memory

Documentation

150 pages

Audience

People interested in artificial intelligence or symbolic mathematics

Type

Programming language

Manufacturer

Integral Quality POB 31970 Seattle. WA 98103 (206) 52 5-2985

Price

$175

Format

5!4-inch floppy disk, single- or double-sided

Operating System

PGDOS 1.1 or 2.0

Computer System

IBM PC or compatible unit with at least 128K bytes of memory (256K for PC-DOS 2.0)

Documentation

300 pages

Audience

People interested in artificial intelligence or symbolic mathematics

(COND

(< test 1 > ... < result 1 > ) (< test 2> ... < result 2> )

(< test n> ... < result n> ))

If < condition i> is true, COND evaluates < result i > and returns it. Otherwise, it attempts <test i+1 >. Since T is always true, the expression following it is evaluated "if all else fails."

A function returns the value of the expression following the parameter list; in

this case, the value returned by COND is returned to the function's caller. A simple function that subtracts 1 from any number is provided below:

(DEFUN SUB1 (X) (DIFFERENCE X 1))

Earlier, we said that every atom can have a value, a function, and a property list associated with (bound to) it. The following examples show the use of a property list.

-> (GET 'JORDAN 'LAST-NAME) NIL

-> (PUT 'JORDAN 'LAST-NAME

'BORTZ)

BORTZ

> (GET 'JORDAN 'LAST-NAME) BORTZ

LISP has several predefined data types: infinite-length integers, floatingpoint math, character strings, lists, and arrays. As we will discuss later, the two LISPs we are studying do not implement all of the above data types.

IQLISP VERSUS MULISP

The two LISP systems we are comparing are muLISP-83, from The Soft Warehouse, and IQLISP, from Integral Quality. muLISP-83, derived from earlier muLISPs that ran under CP/M-80, runs under any generic MS-DOS computer. It has terminal definition files to select which type of terminal is attached to the computer, enabling running of the muSTAR editor regardless of hardware. If there is no definition for your terminal, you can write your own. IQLISP, on the other hand, runs only on the IBM PC and comparable machines. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut winner between the two LISPs.

Since LISP is interactive in nature, you spend most of your time under the LISP system. This is unlike a compiler-based environment where you edit the program with your favorite editor and compile it. You can effectively do this with these LISP systems also, but it is more efficient to make changes as you go along, i.e., changing your functions with the built-in LISP editors and testing and debugging them with test data. For that reason, the better the function trace facilities, editor, and debugger, the better for you.

As in any programming language, much of your time is spent editing. In this regard, muLISP wins out. It provides a WordStar-like editor that is screen oriented, and that also helps in matching parentheses by automatically indenting your current line. If the line is indented incorrectly, you know that you have mismatched the parentheses.

IQLISP's editor, on the other hand, is a LISP structure editor; all commands are in relation to an SEXPR's location in the list structure—not its location on the screen. Some people prefer structure editors, but we have found screen

(conlinued)

IULY 1984 -BYTE 283

REVIEW: LISPS

LISP is relatively east) to debug because it's interpreted. Both mwLISP and IQLISP have good

oriented editors to be more useful.

Error Checking

Since programming is very prone to errors, much of the time not spent editing is spent debugging your programs. LISP is relatively easy to debug because of its interpreted nature, but some systems facilitate debugging better than others.

Thanks to a new package for muLISP, both LISPs now have good debugging systems. They both give you roughly the same features, with the exception that IQLlSP's debugging system is more oriented toward windows and cursor/ control keys. At an error condition, you can ignore the error, escape back to the main read-eval-print loop, or substitute a new value for the expression that LISP was trying to evaluate.

Both LISPs provide good BREAK, TRACE, and BACKTRACE facilities. TRACE enables you to watch the arguments passed to, and the value returned from, whatever function you desire. BREAK causes the system to pause when it invokes the function you have chosen. A BACKTRACE has the system keep track of a TRACE for you and lets you step backward through it.

To facilitate faster execution, muLISP does not do much error checking on its built-in functions. For instance, atoms not bound to anything return themselves— they should cause an error, and they do in IQLISP. This means that if you accidentally misspell a variable in muLISP, you might get strange and undesirable results that are hard to trace. IQLISP, however, complains about the atom being unbound. Similarly, muLISP lets you take the CAR and CDR of atoms, which IQLISP forbids.

IQLISP provides function-key support and windows. Function-key support means you can program the function keys to do whatever you wish. IQLlSP's

windows are not "true windows": if you put window A over window B and then remove A, B's contents will not reappear.

Data Types

IQLISP also wins out in this category. Integral Quality's system provides all the data types previously mentioned, plus another data type, the short integer. The interpreter automatically stores integers between -32768 and 32767 in shortinteger format, thereby saving space. IQLISP also provides floating-point math in two fashions. One is loaded in the software floating-point package and the other is provided through the 8087. Since we don't own an 8087 chip, we could not test this. IQLISP provides a good repertoire of trigonometric functions. muLISP, on the other hand, does not support arrays or floating-point math. Floating-point math will be provided in the next version of muLISP, but that may not be until November.

Speed and Space

While IQLISP needs at least 2 56K bytes of memory, muLISP runs comfortably in 128K bytes. The reason is twofold. IQLISP stores its programs in ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) code, whereas muLISP stores them in a token-type format known as distilled code (D-Code). Distilled code is three times denser than ASCII code, and program execution is 20 percent faster.

As can be seen from the benchmarks (see the text box on page 288), muLISP is considerably faster than IQLISP. Also, IQLISP ran out of space faster when running the factorial program. This resulted in a garbage collection (GC). LISP produces a GC when it exhausts all of its free memory and attempts to reclaim wasted portions of it. One of the reasons IQLISP requires so much memory is that it uses 4-byte pointers while muLISP uses 3-byte pointers. This enables IQLISP to address more memory; however, unless you have more than 500K bytes, you will have less to work with because of the high 4-byte-pointer overhead. Furthermore, IQLISP pushes more information onto the stack, thereby limiting recursion. If you are going to use LISP for a real-time application, speed can be crucial. For this reason, and because of a greater availability of compatibility packages, we prefer muLISP to IQLISP.

Extra Functions and Examples

With both IQLISP and muLISP, the user is provided with the commented source code to all LISP functions that are nonintrinsically defined. This includes the editor. With muLISP, however, the user is provided with much more. muLISP comes with a tutorial package that leads the user through many of the muLISP functions and demonstrates graphics and methods of implementing features not included with muLISP. In addition, muLISP includes the Doctor program, an implementation of Eliza; Hanoi, a Tower of Hanoi puzzle solver; Animal, in which the computer tries to guess the animal you are thinking of; and Metamind, in which you and the computer play the game of Master Mind. In addition, muLISP provides an InterLISP and a MacLISP compatibility package.

COMPATIBILITY

By virtue of its nature, almost any feature that exists in one kind of LISP can be simulated in another. The price you pay, however, is speed. MacLISP and InterLISP are two of the three major LISPs for mainframe computers. To help convert from mainframe to PC, muLISP provides two compatibility packages that simulate many features of MacLISP and InterLISP.

One of the muLISP compatibility packages attempts to simulate macros. (IQLlSP's macros are real.) It is beyond the scope of this article to describe the differences between "real" and "simulated" macros, but the distinction is important for transportability. The fact that the compatibility packages are included with muLISP is a definite plus. Unfortunately, the functions implemented in the two mainframe LISPs are not documented in the muLISP manual, but they are heavily documented in the source code. Although you can print out the source code to make your own

(continued)

Table I: LISP load times.

Time

Version

(seconds)

IQLISP

5.0

IQLISP with development system

37.5

muLISP

2.5

muLISP with muStar

9.0

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REVIEW: LISPS

Both packages let you write your own assembly-language interfaces. IQLISP has an interface to the DOS DEBUG facility.

manual, the functions are not in alphabetical order and are therefore hard to find. It would be better if The Soft Warehouse added a section to its muLISP manual summarizing function usage. IQLISP provides a function package called HELP.LSP that interactively gives you a synopsis of a function's syntax. This is a nice feature, but it takes a long time to load and consumes valuable memory.

Scoping

For those of you who will be transporting software from other machines, we will explain binding (or scoping). The two major types of binding are dynamic and lexical Lexical binding is the type seen most often in other languages, such as Pascal and C. It binds a variable according to its location in the program (lexical location). Dynamic binding, on the other hand, binds according to when the function is invoked.

(DEFUN PLUGH (FROBOZZ) (XYZZY FROBOZZ))

(DEFUN XYZZY (KRUFT) (PRINT FROBOZZ))

If the scoping is lexical, FROBOZZ is undefined in XYZZY because it is local to PLUGH (just as in C). In dynamic scoping, FROBOZZ is still defined because FROBOZZ was bound by the invocation of the function PLUGH, and PLUGH invoked XYZZY. Instead of having just local and global variables, it is possible to have an infinite number of levels of variable declarations depending on what was invoked first.

On the one hand, dynamic scoping is a more powerful facility because some things simply cannot be simulated with lexical scoping. On the other hand, functions that act differently depending on where they are invoked violate the principles of lambda calculus (the theory

upon which LISP is based). In fact, under dynamic scoping, if the name of a formal parameter of a function is the same as one already defined by a function invoking it, the result could be wrong. Most of the major LISP interpreters use dynamic scoping (FranzLISP, MacLISP, UCI-LISP, and InterLISP). Be aware, however, that this is not necessarily true of LISP compilers. For instance, Liszt, the FranzLISP compiler, assumes lexical scoping unless told explicitly otherwise. Common LISP attempts to implement both dynamic and lexical scoping. What this boils down to is that programs that run under one scoping will not necessarily run under a LISP with a different type of scoping. Both IQLISP and muLISP are dynamically scoped, but the type of scoping is an important consideration when looking at other LISP systems.

Documentation

The documentation that comes with IQLISP is very complete and goes to great lengths to explain the internals of the interpreter. Unfortunately, its indexes are hard to find, which makes it difficult, at best, to use as a reference. The muLISP manual, on the other hand, has a good index and is a handy reference. However, it does not explain the internals of the interpreter as completely as the IQLISP manual. It also neglects to document the compatibility packages.

I/O and MS-DOS Interfaces

Both IQLISP and muLISP support cursor positioning and simple graphics, such as plotting points and drawing lines. muLISP supports random-access file I/O

(input/output); IQLISP supports only sequential access. Both muLISP and IQLISP support the MKDIR, CHDIR, and RMDIR commands in MS-DOS version 2.0, although they both will run under DOS 1.1.

Only muLISP supports the EXEC call. With EXEC, you can spawn a new shell (command.com), run DOS (disk operating system) as a subprocess of LISP and then return to LISP with your workspace intact. This lets you go into an editor, modify your code, and then read it back in. It also lets you just go to DOS to print a file. This is a very powerful feature that more applications should take advantage of. Although IQLISP doesn't support the EXEC call, it provides functions to create directories, delete files, and the like.

Other Features

Both IQLISP and muLISP let you write your own assembly-language interfaces. IQLISP has an interface to the DOS DEBUG facility, which should aid in debugging assembly-language functions. (We did not test this.) It may be important if you must write many assembly-language functions. However, since IQLISP is so slow, you may have to code in assembly language more often in IQLISP than in muLISP.

Both versions enable you to create SYS files. A SYS file is a snapshot of the computer's LISP workspace. You can stop wherever you are and continue later. More important, a SYS file can be used as a storage area for all of your most commonly used functions. Loading a SYS file is several orders of magnitude faster than reloading the source code

[continued)

HACK

JOHN

AND

JORDAN

C

AND LISP

Figure 1: A list can be visualized as a tree: the terminal nodes are atoms, the nonterminal nodes are lists. The tree shown represents listing 1.

286 BYTE' IULY 1984

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REVIEW: LISPS

Benchmarking IQLISP and muLISP

One of our main benchmark procedures is a factorial program, both iterative and recursive (see listings 2 and 3 and tables 2 and 3). The recursive algorithm does about as much calculating as function invoking and is thus a good measure of overall performance. IQLISP was consistently slower by about 40 percent. We tried the iterative solution on IQLISP to see if the function invocation was slowing it down significantly (as the iterative solution avoids the overhead of reinvoking the function). In fact, it turned out that the recursive solution was faster, indicating that either the iterative constructs are inefficient or IQLISP has been optimized for recursion. We also learned that IQLISP has a very slow garbage collector, as was apparent from the wild time fluctuations for different runs of the same tests. When memory runs out (after a couple tests of the functions), the garbage collector is invoked and slows down the function that is running. In addition, we ran up against the limit of IQLISP's stack. IQLISP pushes more information onto the stack with each recursion, which reduces the stack's effective size.

The next test we attempted was a program to compute up to the seventeenth term in the Fibonacci series recursively (see table 5). The series is defined as follows:

F(x) =1 for x < 2

F(x) - F(x-l) + F(x-2) for x >- 2

This recursive algorithm is highly inefficient and takes considerable time even for low numbers in a series. Nevertheless, it is a good test of how much overhead function calling takes, because the function does very little computing or list manipulating. The time tests indicate that IQLISP again is slower, this time by a whopping 200 percent, leading us to believe that muLISP is much more efficient than IQLISP at function calling. The third test we performed was based on the Sieve of Era

tosthenes (see table 3 and listings 4 through 8). We attempted an iterative and a recursive solution in both LISPs. Since muLISP does not have arrays, they were simulated with lists—i.e., (1 2 3) represents the array having three elements; the first element is 1, and so forth. Due to the extensive amount of list manipulation, the Sieve benchmark shows which LISP handles list processing more efficiently. The tests were performed with an array size of 500, which yielded reasonable times for muLISP (on the order of 1 minute), but wouldn't even execute on IQLISP (memory ran out after about 3 minutes and the command prompt was redisplayed without the function running to completion). Each prime was calculated at about a rate of one every 5 seconds, indicating that if the program would have finished, it would have taken about 5 x 167 seconds, or 835 seconds. Apparently IQLISP is much slower than muLISP (by an order of magnitude) in list processing. However, IQLISP beats muLISP in the iterative Sieve because IQLISP provides arrays.

It is important to realize that even the faster LISP is considerably slower than an efficient compiled language like C, or even a notso-efficient interpreted language like BASIC. The Sieve benchmark took one-twenty-fifth of the time in C (Computer Innovations' C-86) and one-eighth of the time in BASIC (of course, this was with simulated arrays). Comparable performance was shown when we compared the Fibonacci benchmark in C with the LISP versions. This type of performance is not surprising considering all the overhead necessary to support a LISP environment (garbage collection and pointer manipulation).

Overall, it seems that muLISP is quite a bit faster than IQLISP. However, IQLISP has 8087 support, which helps a great deal. Since we did not have an 8087 available, we could not test its performance; however, for most applications, muLISP would still probably be faster than IQLISP with an 8087.

Listing 2: A listing of the benchmark in table 2. Note that two slightly different programs had to be used for each LISP system.

For IQLISP:

(DEFUN FACT (LAMBDA (XI (COND (ILT X 2) I)

(T (• X (FACT (SUBI X)))))))

For muLISP: (DEFUN FACT(X) (COND ((LESSP X 21 II

(T (TIMES X (FACT (SUBI X))))))

Listing 3: The listing for the benchmark summarized in table 3. The program ran on both systems unmodified. Note that REV is a slow version of the function called REVERSE and that APP is a slow version of APPEND. They provide a good test of the speed of recursion of the two LISPs.

(DEFUN REV (LAMBDA (X) (COND ((NULL X) NIL) .

(T (APP (REV (CDR X)) (LIST (CAR X)))) ) ))

(DEFUN APP (LAMBDA (X Y) (COND ((NULL X) Y)

(T (APP (REV (CDR (REV X)|) (CONS (CAR (REV XI) Y))) )

(APP '(A B C D E F C ) '(A B C D E F G)

288 BYTE • IULY 1984

REVIEW: LISPS

Listing 4: A recursive version of the Sieve of Eratosthenes written in muLISP.

(PUTD DEFUN (NLAMBDA INAMS EXPSI (PUTD NAMS EXPS) NAMS)]

(DEFUN PRIMES (LAMBDA (MAX "%" Local War: "%" NUMBERS COUNT) (SETO NUMBERS (REVERSE (USTNUMS MAX))) (SETQ COUNT 0| (PRIME-AUX NUMBERS) COUNT ))

(DEFUN PRIME-AUX (LAMBDA (NUMBERS Local Var: "%" PRIME) (COND

((NULL NUMBERS) NIL) ((NULL (CAR NUMBERS))

(PRIME-AUX (CDR NUMBERS)) ) (T (SETQ PRIME (PLUS 3 (CAR NUMBERS) (CAR NUMBERS)))

(SETO COUNT (ADDI COUNT))

(ELIMINATE PRIME NUMBERS PRIME)

IPR1ME-AUXICDR NUMBERS))) ) ))

IDEFUN ELIMINATE (LAMBDA INUM NUMBERS FLAG) (COND ((NULL NUMBERS) NIL) KZEROP FLAG) (RPLACA NUMBERS NIL)

(ELIMINATE NUM (CDR NUMBERS) (SUBI NUM)I ) (T (ELIMINATE NUM (CDR NUMBERS) (SUBI FLAG))) ) I)

(DEFUN LISTNUMS (LAMBDA (NUM) (COND ((NOT (ZEROP NUM))

(CONS NUM (LISTNUMS (SUBI NUM))] I (T (LIST NUM)) I ))

Listing 5: An iterative version of the Sieve of Eratosthenes written in muUSP.

(PUTD DEFUN '(NLAMBDA (NAMS EXPS) (PUTD NAMS EXPS) NAMS))

(DEFUN PRIMES2 (LAMBDA (MAX "%" Local Var: "%" NUMBERS | K

PRIME

COUNT)

(SETQ | MAX)

(SETQ NUMBERS NIL)

(SETQ COUNT 0)

(LOOP

((EQUAL I -1)1

(SETQ NUMBERS (CONS J NUMBERS))

(SETQ ) (SUBI ))] ) (SETQ I NUMBERS) (LOOP

((NULL )))

(SETQ K I)

(SETQ PRIME (PLUS 3 (CAR |) (CAR J)|) (SETQ COUNT (ADDI COUNT)) (LOOP

((NULL K))

(SETQ K (CDR K))

(SETQ PRIME (SUBI PRIME))

(COND

((ZEROP PRIME) (RPLACA K NIL)

(SETQ PRIME (PLUS 3 (CAR )) (CAR )))) ) ) I (SETQ I (CDR ))) (LOOP ((OR

(NULL ||

(NOT (NULL (CAR )))) )) (SETQ ] (CDR ))) I ) COUNT ))

Listing 6: A recursive version of the Sieve of Eratosthenes written in 1QLISP.

(DEFUN PRIMES (LAMBDA (MAX) (LET

(NUMBERS (REVERSE (LISTNUMS MAX))

COUNT 0) (PRIME-AUX NUMBERS] COUNT )))

(DEFUN PRIME-AUX (LAMBDA (NUMBERS] (LET (PRIME NIL) (COND

((NULL NUMBERS) NIL) ((NULL (CAR NUMBERS))

(PRIME-AUX (CDR NUMBERS)) ) (T (SETQ PRIME |+ 3 (+ (CAR NUMBERS) (CAR NUMBERS)))) (SETQ COUNT (ADDI COUNT)) (ELIMINATE PRIME NUMBERS PRIME) (PRIME-AUXICDR NUMBERS))) I )))

(DEFUN ELIMINATE (LAMBDA (NUN NUMBERS FLAG) (COND

((NULL NUMBERS) NIL) ((ZEROP FLAG)

(RPLACA NUMBERS NIL)

(ELIMINATE NUM (CDR NUMBERS] (SUBI NUM)) ) IT (ELIMINATE NUM (CDR NUMBERS) (SUBI FLAG))) ) ))

(DEFUN LISTNUMS (LAMBDA (NUM) (COND

((NOT (ZEROP NUM))

(CONS NUM (LISTNUMS (SUBI NUM))) ) (T (LIST NUM)) I ))

Listing 7: An iterative version of the Sieve of Eratosthenes written in 1QLISP.

(DEFUN PRIMES2 (LAMBDA (MAX) (LET II MAX K NIL PRIME NIL COUNT 0)

(SETQ NUMBERS (ARRAY I |+ I MAX) ) ) (FOR | FROM 0 TO MAX

(STORE (NUMBERS |) 1)) (FOR | FROM 0 TO MAX (COND ((EQUAL (NUMBERS )) I)

ISETQ PRIME (+ 3 (+ ) )))) (SETQ COUNT (ADDI COUNT)) (FOR K FROM (+ ) PRIME) TO MAX BY PRIME STORE (NUMBERS K) 0)))))

COUNT]))

Listing 8: The iterative Sieve program in BASIC.

10 SIZE = 500

20 DIM FLAG[SIZE + 11

30 FOR I = 0 TO SIZE

40 FLAG|)|=I

50 NEXT )

60 COUNT = 0

70 FOR |= 0 TO SIZE

80 IF FLAGIII = I THEN PRIME = I + I + 3:COUNT = COUNT +

l:FOR K = | + PRIME TO SIZE STEP PRIME:FLAG|K| = 0:NEXT K 90 NEXT |

100 PRINT COUNT" PRIMES"

{continued)

IULY 1984 -BYTE 289

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REVIEW: LISPS

Listing 9: The Fibonacci benchmark program written in C. "fable 3: The results of running benchmark 2 shown in listing 3.

include <studio.h>

mainlargc. argv h calculates fibonacci of parameters •/

int argc; char •* argv; {

printf("%d".fib(atoi(argv|l|)|); }

fib(x) /< fibonacci •/

{

if (x < 2)

return 1; else

return (flb(x - I) + fib(x - 2)1:

)

Version IQLISP muLISP

Time (seconds) 240.0 30.6

Table 4: The times it took to run the Sieve of Eratosthenes benchmark with an array size of 500.

Listing 10: The Fibonacci program in muLISP.

IDEFUN FIB (XI (COND

((LESSP X 2) 1|

(T (PLUS (FIB (SUBI X)| (FIB (DIFFERENCE X 2)11) I |

Listing II: The Fibonacci program in IQLISP.

Program CI C-86

BASIC

muLISP

IQLISP

Time (seconds) Iterative Algorithm 4 (more than 2 of which are spent loading the program from disk) 12.0 80.0 30.0

Recursive Algorithm

95

would be about 835 seconds if it didn't run out of space

(DEFUN FIB (X) (COND

((LT X 2) I)

(T (+ (FIB (SUBI XI) (FIB (- X 2)1)) ) )

Table 2: The results of running benchmark 1 as shown in listing 2.

The asterisk indicates that the test could not be run because of a lack of Table 5: The times it took to run the Fibonacci series up to the floating-point math or because it would take too long to execute. seventeenth term recursively.

Version IQLISP

IQLISP with floating-point muLISP

Time Time

(seconds) Program (seconds)

(FACT 30) (FACT 30.3333) (FACT 500) a G86 4.0 (more than 2.0 of which are spent

.25 * 19.0 loading the program from disk)

1.35 13.0 • muLISP 8.5

.25 * 14.5 IQLISP 23.0

each time. muLISP goes one step further and lets you create a new LISP .com file instead of just the SYS file.

muLISP has the advantage that the programs you create with it are transportable to 8-bit machines. However, to retain this advantage, your code must not exceed a 64K-byte workspace.

Conclusions

Each of the LISP systems has its own advantages. muLISP is faster, has a better editor, and comes with tutorials and two compatibility packages. IQLISP has better debugging, floating-point math, and more error-checking capabilities. IQLISP

also has a friendlier environment and a lower price, but it lacks compatibility packages and is quite a bit slower than muLISP. Overall, we prefer muLISP because of its speed and because of its MacLISP compatibility package.

It may be easier for new LISP users to learn under muLISP because of its tutorial system and the MacLISP compatibility mode. One of the best LISP books on the market, LISP, by Patrick H. Winston and Berthold K. Horn (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1981), assumes a MacLISP environment.

We recommend that you carefully weigh the things you consider most im

portant before choosing a system. Both versions we've discussed are adequate for learning LISP, but muLISP's speed gives it the edge for doing some types of useful work. ■

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank Al Rich from The Soft Warehouse and Robert Rorschach from Integral Quality for providing review copies of their LISP systems. We thank Mr. Rich for adding some more "safety valves" to his LISP system so we couldn't accidentally lose our work. Ralph Hyre and Jon Christenson commented on early versions of the article. We are grateful to Mr. Christenson for the use of his computer when the electricity went out.

IULY 1984 - BYTE 291

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292 BYTE • |ULY 1984

Circle 224 on inquiry card.

HARDWARE REVIEW

The Smith-Corona L-1000 Printer

listings

A d3iSV"W^^^^ ^e Smith-Corona division of SCM

* Corporation, long known as a manu

Uflit for lifiht" facturer of typewriters, created quite

— a stir when it announced its TP-1 daisy-wheel

QJjtV WOrCl computer printer in early 1982. Previously, no

; formed-character impact printers had been

prOCeSSing Or available at a list price of less than SI 500; the

t—;—j- y. TP-I retailed for $895 (see "The Microproces

nign^QUallty sor's Tenth Birthday" by Chris Morgan, March

1982 BYTE, page 6). Since then, many other

program manufacturers, most sporting addresses on the western side of the Pacific Ocean, have jumped into the formed-character printer market. The competition inspired product improvements. Smith-Corona first responded with an upgraded machine called the TP-ll. A RICHARD S. ShuFORD further improvement on the same basic design was marketed for a short time as the TPll Plus; it featured bidirectional printing and three character pitches. In its latest incarnation, the TP-ll Plus has been given a redesigned case and has been renamed the L-1000.

The L-1000 is fairly small as daisy-wheel printers go, taking up less room on a desktop than an average electric typewriter. At 21 pounds (9.4 kg), the L-1000 weighs about half again as much as a typical dot-matrix printer. It does not exactly have a multitude of fancy features: it lacks proportional spacing, singlepass double-striking, and the ability to print super- and subscript characters and graphics. But, in addition to the previously mentioned bidirectional printing and selectable pitch, it does have single-pass underlining and uses a standard print wheel with a character set suitable for computer-program printing as well as word processing.

The L-1000 prints slowly. Smith-Corona rates its speed at 12 cps (characters per second), but the measured speed in a representative Shannon-text benchmark test was slightly less: 11.2 cps. The L-1000 can skip relatively quickly across blank spaces, so sparse documents would show slightly better results.

The L-1000 is also noisy; you wouldn't want to hold a telephone conversation nearby during printing. But most other daisy-wheel printers are also loud enough to be an annoyance.

External Controls

The front panel of the printer contains a power-on light and three rocker switches. One switch selects the printing pitch of 10, 12, or 15 characters per inch (cpi); the second selects the paper-handling mode (top-of-form or "normal"); and the third actuates formfeeds (or linefeeds) or selects the self-test mode. On the back of the case are the rocker power switch, the power connection, a 36-pin female Centronics-type parallel input/output (I/O) connector, and a female DB-25S serial RS-232C I/O connector. Behind a removable louver in the back are two sets of DIP (dual-inline pin) switches for selecting some printer control parameters that are infrequently changed; these parameters include the serial data rate, polarity of the serial handshaking signal, the response to carriage-return and linefeed characters, the use of different print-wheel character sets, and the length of the paper (either the North American 11 inches or the Deutsche Industrie Norm 29.7 centimeters).

Using the printing-pitch switch is simple enough—just set it to match the currently installed print wheel. The switch controlling the paper-handling mode requires explanation. The top-of-form mode is of use chiefly with continuous fanfolded paper, enabling the printer to automatically provide four-line top and bottom margins on 11-inch sheets (or fiveline on 29.7-centimeter sheets). The other choice is called "normal" mode, in which vertical movement of the paper occurs only in increments of one line; a formfeed character causes the same behavior you'd expect from a linefeed character.

The normal mode is intended for use when you are feeding single sheets by hand. But even with continuous-form paper I had to use normal mode most of the time because the word-processing programs I use (The FinalWord and SuperWriter) keep track of the print position and do not expect the printer to skip lines by itself. (Few word-processing programs

[continued)

Richard S. Shuford is BYTE's special projects editor. He can be contacted at POB 372, Hancock, NH 03449 or through Source account TCG847.

1ULY 1984 • BYTE 293

REVIEW: L-1000

Table 1: Command codes used to invoke functions of the L-1000.

Command Code Function

ESC US FF set printing pitch at 10 cpi

ESC US LF set pitch at 12 cpi

ESC US BS set pitch at 15 cpi

ESC C set top and bottom margins to edges of sheet

ESC E begin underscoring all characters

ESC FF n set page length at n lines

ESC L set bottom margin

ESC R stop underscoring

ESC S set page length and margins at DiP-switch default

ESC T set top margin

ESC Z begin underscoring alphabetic characters

ESC 9 set left margin

ESC I set tab stop at current location

ESC 8 clear tab stop at current location

ESC 2 clear all tab stops

ESC / begin bidirectional printing (default)

ESC \ stop bidirectional printing

HT move right to next tab stop

CAN margin release for printing current line

Abbreviations

ESC—Escape character US—unit-separator character FF—formfeed character LF—linefeed character BS—backspace character HT—horizontal tab character CAN—cancel character

Table 2: A comparison of printing speeds of three daisy-wheel printers. Printing was done bidirectionally: all times are in seconds.

Test Smith-Corona Diablo Juki

L-1000 630 6100

80-column 51.0 15.2 33.9 Shannon text

60-column 51.4 15.3 33.7 Shannon text

First-order 87.3 27.8 58.8 English

Fourth-order 71.7 22.4 48.8 Shakespeare

First-order 84.0 22.3 58.1 UNIX manual

Spreadsheet 95.8 28.6 68.6 simulation

expect to receive much help from the printer in page formatting. You must be able to turn off the printer's formatting features to prevent strange results from two kinds of formatting being applied at once.)

The labeling on the mode switch is confusing. To get the normal mode you flip the switch to the position marked "CLEAR" and "-" (minus sign). The switch position for top-of-form mode is marked "SET" and " + " (plus sign). Neither label is self-explanatory, sign). Neither label is self-explanatory.

The third front-panel switch, marked "Form Feed/Self Test," is a momentarycontact type. Its function is changed by the paper-handling mode. In top-of-form mode, pressing the switch causes the paper to advance to the top of the next form; in normal mode, the paper is fed by only one line. This function does not automatically repeat; when using the normal mode with continuous paper, 1 sometimes had to press the third rocker switch 50 times or so to get the page out.

Programmable Controls

The LlOOO's special print functions, as with most computer printers, are invoked mostly by means of programmed control sequences it receives along with the printable characters. The functions include changing pitch, setting the left, top, and bottom margins, setting up to 16 tab stops, and underscoring. All the special commands except one begin with the ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) Escape character; the functions and their control sequences are shown in table 1. The exception to using the Escape character is the marginrelease function, which disables for just one line the left margin set on the printer. A bare CAN (cancel) control character invokes the margin release.

The printer responds to a few other nonprinting ASCII control characters: the backspace (BS) character causes the print mechanism to back up, the horizontal-tab (HT) character causes the printer to quickly skip to the next tab stop, and the formfeed (FF) character causes a formfeed (but not in normal mode). The L1000 contains no bell or buzzer, so BEL does nothing. When the printer is controlling receipt of characters from the computer via software

handshaking, it sends the DC1 (X/ON) and DC3 (X/OFF) control characters to start and stop the flow of data.

The printer can be instructed via DIPswitch settings to recognize the linefeed character as a "newline" character and perform both a carriage return and a linefeed operation upon its receipt. Or the DIP switches can tell the printer to perform a linefeed automatically after every carriage return. The L-1000 comes from the factory set up to require ex

plicit return and linefeed characters.

The L-lOOOs relative lack of special features can be considered an advantage in one way. Users of some printers capable of many functions commonly become frustrated trying to find commercially available software that can use all the cute tricks. For example, an owner of a Diablo 630 discovers that WordStar cannot issue commands for true proportional spacing, which the

[continued)

294 BYTE- IULY 1984

AT A GLANCE

SMITH-CORONA Mi®©®

Name

Smith-Corona L-1000 Type

Daisy-wheel printer

Manufacturer

Smith-Corona

65 Locust Ave.

New Canaan. CT 06840

(203) 972-1471

Price

$545

Optional Equipment

Tractor feed. $149 Extra print wheels

Documentation

28-page booklet

Advertised Print Speed

12 cps

Warranty

90 days

Audience

People who want a low-cost formed-character printer for light-duty work

10 20 30 40

CHARACTERS PER SECOND

■ L-1000

50 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 DOLLARS

JUKI

DIABLO

This

i s

the

L-1000 (Tempo 10]. This

is the L

This

is

the

L-1000 (Pica 10). This

is the L

This

is

the

Juki 6100. This is the

Juki 6100

This

is

the

Diablo 630. This is the

Diablo 6

The Smith-Corona L-1000 printer is compared with the Juki 6100 printer (using a Courier 10 daisy wheel) and the Diablo 630 (using a Courier Legal 10 daisy wheel). The L-1000 is using the ASCII Tempo 10/12 and the Pica 10 print wheels. The pitch for all printers is 10 characters per inch. The

prices shown do not include tractor-feed mechanisms. The print speeds were determined by timing how long it took the printers to run the 60-column Shannon test (573 characters; see "The Art of Benchmarking Printers" by Sergio MelloGrand, page 193 in the February BYTE).

IULY 1984 -BYTE 295

REVIEW: L-1000

630 is certainly capable of. People who buy the L-1000 will at least not have that particular difficulty.

The L-1000 is new enough that few prewritten programs explicitly support it. Software written to use the SmithCorona TP-1 will probably work with the new model if the L-1000's default mode of bidirectional printing does not get in the way. The only means of turning this feature off is by sending the ESC\ (Escape-backslash) command, the ease of which depends on the application.

Routine Use

The printing and paper-handling mechanisms reflect their typewriter heritage. If you've used a typewriter, you should have no trouble loading single sheets of paper into this printer. It has the familiar paper bail, guide, release, and platen knobs. The carriage accepts sheets 13 inches wide. It is difficult to print on the first inch of sheet-fed paper because the top edge must be tucked

under the paper bail for proper feeding. (This limitation is shared by many other printers and typewriters.) But small Rolodex cards can be inserted and printed on with little trouble.

The line-space selector can set the paper-feed linkage to print 6 lines per inch (Ipi), 4'/2 lpi, or 3 lpi. This seems to be an heirloom from typewriter technology; 1 suspect that the 6-lpi setting will be appropriate in nearly all computer applications.

The optional tractor-feed attachment was not available for this review, but I tried printing on continuous fanfolded paper loaded into the unassisted friction-feed platen. It worked surprisingly well as long as I straightened the paper every 20 pages or so. However, SmithCorona does not recommend operating the printer in this manner.

The L-1000 uses a ribbon contained in a rectangular cassette, which I found quite easy to remove and replace. A multistrike Mylar-film ribbon is standard

equipment, but fabric and single-strike film ribbons are available. An impression control can vary the force with which the print hammer strikes the print wheel.

Smith-Corona provides an adequate selection of optional print wheels for printing text in English and several other European languages; the L-1000's wheels have 93 character positions and are identified by a red ring. Because the handling knobs on the print wheels have sharp edges and removing the print wheel requires a fair amount of force, the process is slightly painful. The ribbon must be removed to change the print wheel. The front of the printer's case flips up on a hinge for access to the ribbon and print mechanism.

ANNOYANCES

A few things about the L-1000 annoy me. Often when first turned on, it fails to print the very first character sent to it. And the initialization routine it goes

SMORGA:

1

CPU 8/16

Dual processors: 4MHz NSC800 (executes full Z80 instruction set) and 8MHz Intel 8088. Onboard floppy controller with 24-bit DMA. Runs up to four 5% " or 8" floppies in any combination at the same time. 8K PROM monitor. 2 serial ports

(software selectable up to 19.2K Baud.) Interrupt controller with 8 vectored interrupts. Real time clock interrupt. '$895 (Manual only: $25)

2256K STATIC RAM/ TIME OF DAY

■ Employs fully static CMOS memory chips.

• Accepts either 8-bit or 16-bit bus requests.

• Includes battery-backed-up time-of-day clock and calendar.

■ IEEE-696/S-100 compatible. •$1850 (Manual only: $25)

ffifff k -mi ii.. J'

3256K/512K/1MB/2MB DYNAMIC RAM

• Configurable as either dynamic RAM or as disk drive emulator.

• Accepts either 8-bit or 16-bit bus requests.

• Uses 256K chips for1MBor2MB configurations.

• 150ns. RAM chips.

• IEEE-696/S-100 compatible.

• Low as $850 (Manual only: $25)

4 SBC-300

• Single board computer able to perform as permanent bus master or slave processor.

•Z80*CPU:4or6MHz.

• 64K of dual-ported RAM with parity. •2to16Kbytes of PROM.

• System memory addressing to 16MB.

• Serial, parallel and counter/timer I/O.

• SASI port.

• Dual programmable serial full-duplex channels.

• Supports CP/M* Plus, MP/M* and TURBODOS* •$740 (Manual only: $25)

296 BYTE • |ULY 1984

REVIEW: L-1000

through at power-up always performs a linefeed, throwing the paper registration off by one line. I observed some strange behavior in the bidirectional-printing logic, which sometimes brought the print mechanism back to the left margin only to tab it back to where it just came from.

I don't care for the type font of the standard print wheel, ASCII Tempo 10/12, although it certainly does contain almost all the special characters you need for printing computer programs. (Oddly, it lacks the accent grave.) The ASCII Tempo characters are rather square, as though they are meant to imitate the output of a dot-matrix printer, and the slashed zero seems out of place in formal correspondence. SmithCorona suggests that the print wheel can be used at either 10 or 12 cpi (thus the "10/12"), but I think ASCII Tempo text looks sparse at 10 cpi.

Like many printers, the L-1000's RS-232C serial interface is set up in the

DTE (data-terminal equipment) configuration, receiving data on pin 3 and transmitting on pin 2. This is fine if you want to connect the printer to a modem, but it's not so fine if you want to connect it directly to a computer: most computers also receive on pin 3 and transmit on pin 2. You have to make or buy a special cable that crosses the connections between pins 2 and 3. The L-1000 uses both pin 4 (ready to send) and pin 20 (data terminal ready) of the RS-232C line to transmit its printer-busy status to the host computer. The printer comes from the factory set at 1200 bps (bits per second), with 8-bit data characters, even parity, and 1 stop bit; 7-bit data characters are more common.

Conclusions

The current list price of the L-1000 is $545, with the tractor-feed option an extra $149, but considerable discounts are available. (Some dealers would rather include the discount as part of

a complete system deal.)

Should you buy the L-1000? Maybe, if its limitations don't bother you, and if you can buy it at a good discount. But at $545 its price/performance ratio is somewhat below that of other printers now on the market.

If you decide to buy the L-1000, make sure that you can obtain a properly wired serial cable. And check the dealer's supply of print wheels for fonts other than ASCII Tempo 10/12, unless you like square characters.

The Smith-Corona L-1000 is not packed with fancy features, but it performs the basic printing functions most people require. The tractor-feed option and the computer-type standard character set is satisfactory for printing program listings and for other technical uses. The L-1000 is most at home in light-duty applications, printing individually prepared letters and other short documents on single sheets of paper fed by hand. ■

BOARDS

5 VFW-III

• Offers simultaneous control of up to three 5y4" Winchester drives (up to 16 heads) and four 5%" and 8" floppy drives.

• Floppy drives may be single- or doublesided, single- or double-density.

• Data transfers under DMA or programmed I/O control.

• Phase lock loop data separator.

• 20-bit single and 4-bit double burst detection span on 256 byte sectors.

•$895 (Manual only: $25)

6 HARD DISK SUBSYSTEM

• 2 serial, 1 parallel port (IBM-PC* compatible).

• Supports up to four 5% " Winchester drives.

• ECC/CRC plus PLL data separator.

• Full sector buffering. • Incl. CP/M 80* and CP/M 86* BIOS.

•Optional 20 MB disk w/pwr. supply & fan.

• Supports Octagon, Compupro, Northstar etc.

• $2295 (Contr. board only: $595. Manual $25)

ETC ♦ These are just some of the boards Syntech Data Systems has to offer. All IEEE-696/S-100 compatible. From the most powerful multi-processing CPU board you can buy to the most sophisticated hard disk subsystem available. Of course, all our CPU boards support Concurrent 3.1 * UNIX* PC-DOS/MS-DOS and CP/M 86* In our complete menu of S-100 products you'll find everything it takes to make a winner. We've combined two companies, Octagon and S/D Systems, so you can put together unbeatable systems from the single most knowledgeable source in the industry. Call us at 214/340-0303. Telex us at 6829016. Or write to the address below for complete information on even more products. We have everything you've hungered for.

*Manufactu re rs'trademarks

Circle 336 on inquiry card.

SYNTECH DATA SYSTEMS

Something New In S-100

10111 Miller Road, Dallas, Texas 75238

1ULY 1984 'BYTE 297

SuperS ft

Language Library

For PC DOS: MS DOS, CP/M-86: and others

A programmer's most important software tool is the language compiler or interpreter he uses. He has to depend on it to work and work well.

At SuperSoft, we believe it. That's why we offer three fine compilers: SuperSoft FORTRAN, SuperSoft BASIC, and SuperSoft C, that answer the programmer's need for rock solid, dependable performance on 16 bit systems.

BASIC

COMPILER

Compatible with Microsoft BASIC

The SuperSoft BASIC compiler, available under CP/M-86 and MS DOS, is compatible with Microsoft* BASIC and follows the ANSI standard.

Greater accuracy with BCD math routines

If you have used other languages without BCD math, you know how disconcerting decimal round off errors can be. For example:

With IBM PC* BASIC

10 A=.99 20 PRINT A 30 END

Output: .9899999

With SuperSoft BASIC with BCD math

10 A=.99 20 PRINT A 30 END Output: .99

As you can see, SuperSoft BASIC with BCD provides greater assurance in applications where accuracy is critical.

SuperSoft's BASIC is a true native code compiler, not an intermediate code interpreter. It is a superset of standard BASIC, supporting numerous extensions to the language. Important features include:

■ Four variable types: Integer, String, and Single and Double Precision Floating Point (13 digit)

■ Full PRINT USING for formatted output

■ Long variable names

■ Error trapping

■ Matrices with up to 32 dimensions

■ Boolean operators OR, AND, NOT, XOR, EQV, IMP

■ Supports random and sequential disk files with a complete set of file manipulation statements

■ IEEE floating point available soon as an option

■ No run time license fee

Requires: 128K memory

BASIC compiler: $300.00

For CP/M-86: MS DOS, and PC DOS

*SuperSoft BASIC is compatible with Microsoft BASIC interpreter and IBM PC BASIC. Due to version differences and inherent differences in compilers and interpreters some minor variations may be found. Machine dependent commands may not be supported. The vast majority of programs will run with no changes.

FORTRAN

SuperSoft FORTRAN is the answer to the growing need for a high quality FORTRAN compiler running under CP/M-86 and IBM PC DOS. It has major advantages over other FORTRAN compilers for the 8086. For example, consider the benchmark program used to test the IBM FORTRAN in InfoWorld, p. 44, Oct. 25, 1982. (While the differential listed will not be the same for all benchmark programs, we feei it is a good indication of the quality of our compiler.) Results are as follows:

IBM FORTRAN: 38.0 Seconds

SuperSoft FORTRAN 2.8 Seconds

In its first release SuperSoft FORTRAN offers the following outstanding features:

1. Full ANSI 66 standard FORTRAN with important extensions

2. Standard data types, double precision, varying string length, complex numbers

3. Free format input and free format string output

4. Compact object code and run time support

5. Special functions include string functions, dynamic allocation, time/date, and video access

6. Debug support: subscript checking, good runtime messages

7. Full IEEE floating point

8. Full 8087 support available as option ($50.00).

9. Ratfor preprocessor available as option ($100.00).

Program developers:

SuperSoft s family of FORTRAN compilers means you can write your programs once and they will run under CP/M-80, CP/M-86, and MS DOS. This lets you get your applications running fast no matter what the environment.

SuperSoft FORTRAN: available NOW and working great!

Requires: 128K with CP/M-86 or MS DOS,

32K with CP/M-80 FORTRAN: $425.00 (in each environment) 8087 Support: $ 50.00 Ratfor: $100.00

For CP/M-86; MS DOS, IBM PC DOS, and CP/M-80

In conjunction with SuperSoft, SuperSoft FORTRAN was developed by Small Systems Services. Urbana, IL, a leader in FORTRAN development.

Japanese Distributor:

ASR Corporation International. T8L. Building. 7th Floor. 1-19-9 Toranomon, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105, Japan Tel 1031-5025550, Telex 222-5650 ASRTYO J European Distributor: SuperSoft International Ltd . 51 The Pantiles. Tunbridge Wells. Kent. England TN2 5TE Tel 0892-15433 Telex 95441 Micro-G

C Compiler

In 1982 SuperSoft helped C programmers around the world move their applications from 8 to 16 bit operating systems with the first C compiler under CP/M-86* PC DOS, and MS DOS.

Today there are several C compilers on the market, and you can look at them all. But if you want a C that's fully portable, syntactically compatible with UNIX version 7 C, rigorously tested, fast in both compilation and execution, packed with more library functions than any other, and produces a very highly optimized assembly code. ..then you'll find only one. The SuperSoft C compiler.

Professional Quality

SuperSoft started working on C over three years ago, and the work has never stopped. While others were struggling to put in features, SuperSoft was refining and polishing...adding the quality professionals depend on.

Thoroughly Tested

SuperSoft C has been tested with hundred of commercial application programs. And all this testing has paid off...with a compiler that's highly reliable in every phase of operation.

Portable

SuperSoft C is now available in most operating systems environments. Since we don't sell operating systems, we can support them all. And as new operating systems become popular, SuperSoft C will be there.

Packed with Library Functions

SuperSoft now has the most complete set of library functions available. All provided with source code.

Thorough User Manual

The new user manual is extensive—jammed with thorough explanations to help you every step of the way. And our technical hotline can help answer any additional questions.

SuperSoft C: $350.00

SuperS ft

FIRST IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY

P.O.Box 1628 Champaign, IL61820 (217) 359-2112 Telex 270365

Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation

IBM PC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation CP/M and CP/M-86 are registered trademarks of Digital Research UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories

Circle 292 on inquiry card

Advancing the technology of data security

Introducing Data Sentry.®

Computer security so advanced, even Mata Hari couldn't hack it.

Your most confidential files may be easy prey for the advances of an artful hacker.

That's why Lockheed used its years of experience with high-technology systems to create Data Sentry.

Protection for sensitive data

Its own internal computer gives you the telecommunications features of an intelligent modem. But unlike other modems, Data Sentry is smart enough to keep your secrets from the most persistent computer intruders.

Data Sentry puts an electronic wall around both large and small computers. And because its protection is external to your CPU, it can eliminate the expense of internal security software. It blocks the inquiries of wouldbe Mata Haris with a sophisticated security sequence.

Security for every situation

First, Data Sentry requests the phone number of a caller desiring access to your computer. Then it hangs up the phone and searches its list of authorized phone numbers. If the caller's number is authorized, Data Sentry dials the caller back and requests entry of a password. If the correct password isn't supplied within three tries, Data

Sentry disconnects and will not return further calls from that phone number.

Data Sentry also lets users select other lower levels of security if desired, including callback to any number with entry of password. And an option, Remote-ONf lets you turn your computer's power on and off from a remote terminal after security has been cleared.

Versatile and confidential

Data Sentry logs all attempted contacts for audit trails and analysis of users. Its security set-up is locally controlled by a master password that is accessible only to authorized personnel. And its design includes high-reliability components, the latest LSI circuitry, plus Autodial 300/1200 baud full-duplex communications, with auto ranging for incoming data.

Data Sentry will deal with your toughest security problems.

And it'll never fall for just a pretty face. For a list of your nearest Data Sentry distributors, call toll-free 1-800-443-0100, Ext. 471. Or write: Lockheed GETEX, Suite 945,1100 Circle 75 Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339.

ockheed-GETEX

Leadership in Technology

Circle 184 on inquiry card.

REVIEW FEEDBACK

Statistics Refigured

"Statistical Software for Microcomputers" by lames Carpenter, Dennis Deloria. and David Morganstein (April, page 234) was excellent. Thoughtful, competitive reviews like this are one of the main reasons I subscribe to BYTE. The authors should be commended.

Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D. 4340 Roland Springs Dr. Baltimore, MD 21210

Thank you for including three of Dynacomp's packages in your recent survey. "Statistical Software for Microcomputers." We congratulate the authors on their time-consuming analysis.

On the whole we found what was said about Dynacomp's products to be fair and technically objective. However, Dynacomp has received several calls from owners of these and other products who think that the review was unfair. In each case their objections related to what was not said in the review. I will briefly relay the comments we have heard.

1. The review states that the Dynacomp documentation is brief (only about 14 pages), whereas the competitive products have manuals of 100 pages or more. Out of context this apparently reads (it didn't to us) as a negative comment. However, the authors stated that they had no problems at all running the Dynacomp programs, whereas they did with some of the other products tested. The connection perhaps should have been made that the Dynacomp manuals served their purpose well and led to flawless program performance.

2. The review accurately states that the three Dynacomp products examined are limited in capability. There is absolutely no error here. Dynacomp feels that if you want to do nonlinear regression you should not be forced into buying a more comprehensive package costing ten times as much in order to use the one feature you want. The customers who called us pointed out that this was one of the strong features of the Dynacomp product selection.

3. Another complaint we heard was that none of the other 13 packages carried by Dynacomp were mentioned. Collectively, these cover almost all the features of the competitive products mentioned in the review and offer additional capabilities (e.g.. sample planning, principal components, and others). They range in price from SI9.95 to S249.95. The three Dynacomp packages reviewed were in the $20 to $30 range.

I realize it would be unfair to include all

of Dynacomp's statistics packages in a comparative review because Dynacomp would then dominate the list. Having been in the position of a reviewer in the past, I appreciate the difficulty (sometimes impossibility) in presenting a balanced evaluation given the limitations of available magazine space. BYTE has high standards in this respect, and its reviews are generally very professionally done. All I offer in this note is a condensation of some customer responses.

Dr. F. R. Ruckdeschel Dynacomp Inc. 1427 Monroe Ave. Rochester. NY 14618

The article "Statistical Software for Microcomputers" in your April issue provides a much needed service to the large community of professional data analysts.

Although we appreciate the reviewers' determination that our product. Statpro, is "far and away the most comprehensive package," we would like to respond to several inaccuracies concerning both Statpro and our company.

The Statpro IBM-PC version is available for sale at this time while our PC XT version will be released in August 1984. We also have both an Apple II and Apple III version of Statpro available, the latter of which operates in either a floppy- or hard-disk environment.

Lastly, our correct company name is Wadsworth Professional Software Inc. Interested readers can contact us at (800) 322-2208 for further product information including a Statpro demonstration package.

Richard J. Dunfey Wadsworth Professional Software Inc.

20 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116

More Than Micro-logic

We were interested by Rich Krajewski's objective review of Micro-Logic in April. It especially interested us because we sent a similar product to BYTE approximately two and a half years ago, and it only received coverage on page 441 in the Software Received section of the March 1982 issue.

Speaking from a biased point of view, we feel that we have a better product at a better price, the CDS Circuit Design System. Here is a partial list of the convenient features of CDS:

• Boolean minimization of up to seven variables

• User-oriented documentation with index, bibliography, and transparent overlays

• User-defined devices and graphics

• Complete on-screen circuit documentation

• On-screen circuit simulation

• Fast and easy interdevice connections

• Circuit cascading with virtual (disk drive) memory

• A price of only $149

We feel that in order to do justice to your readers you should review other similar simulation/design packages.

Todd K. Moors Smart Software POB 1292 Orem. UT 84057

1 read with great interest Rich Krajewski's software review, "Micro-Logic," in the April issue of BYTE (page 224). We have a somewhat similar product called Hard that differs from Micro-Logic mainly in the following aspects.

Hard costs $45 rather than $475. It is extremely easy to learn and use; in fact, it has been designed for education. It runs on any CP/Mbased system and does not require graphics since its input is via a simple hardware description language. This does not preclude output comparable to that of Micro-Logic. And though it is, overall, slightly less sophisticated than Micro-Logic, it has a few extra features, such as simulation of random noise.

Dr. Ivan Tomek Modular Systems POB 1456 WolMlle. Nova Scotia BOP 1X0. Canada

Over the Rainbow-Again

David Suits's review of the Rainbow 100 is probably the most comprehensive description of this machine that I have read to date.

1 can only reinforce his comments concerning the difficulty and expense of obtaining technical documentation, such as the BIOS listings, from DEC. However, a number of users groups are now springing up, and many provide basic technical libraries to their members.

Contrary to what is suggested in the review, the 96-track-per-inch format of the Rainbow disk drives gives the Rainbow hardware the ability to read virtually any single-sided, soft-sectored format. In fact,'an inexpensive program called Media Master from MDG & Associates of Moorpark, California, allows the Rainbow to both read and write in over twenty different formats in both CP/M and MS-DOS.

More problematic is the VT-100/VT-102 screen

(continued)

JULY 1984 -BYTE 301

REVIEW FEEDBACK

handling. While Mark Siegel's article, "Toward Standard Video Terminals: ANSI X3.64 Device Control" (April, page 365), praises the ANSI standard, much CP/M software continues to be written for the Lear Siegler ADM-3 (or other proprietary screen formats) and hence is not easily transportable. As ANSI X3.64 gains its rightful acceptance, the virtue of the DEC Rainbow's VT-100 implementation will be truly appreciated.

For more of a flavor of the level of technical involvement of many Rainbow users, BYTE readers are encouraged to drop in on the Rainbow subarea of the VAXsig (special interest group) on CompuServe.

William Lee Roberts Fort Street Investment Corp.

Suite 2000 425 California St. San Francisco. CA 94104

I am surprised. In spite of recent controversies over reviews versus previews, BYTE has always maintained a reputation of technical accuracy and objectivity. The benchmark report in "The Rainbow 100" (April, page 170) contains several errors and at least one missing piece of information.

The major error is one that I am sure many others caught—the comparison of execution time for the prime-number program using integer variables on the Rainbow versus use of floating-point (real) variables on the Victor 9000 and IBM PC. David Suits reports that he changed to use of integer variables because "using real variables, MBASIC-86 gave ... an OUT OF MEMORY error when |he| tried to dimension the 7001 element array" in the program. How much memory was in his test system? Was it the same as in the Victor and IBM systems previously tested? Though Professor Suits notes that he "use|d| integer variables to conserve memory." why even proceed in this direction? Without considering the differentia] overhead in arithmetic operations for integer and real numbers, the fact that integers take up less memory indicates that a system has to do less work when dealing with them.

Professor Suits does not profess to be a com

puter professional. To the contrary, his review is from the point of view of the average intelligent user of the system. But where was the review editor? I support the idea of using external reviewers, especially those who can contribute reactions from the user viewpoint. However, if this tact is taken, your editorial staff should take extra care in checking the information provided and the results of comparative tests. Here is a case of not only comparing performance using two different data types, but also comparing across operating systems (CP/M-80/86 versus MS-DOS) and versions of BASIC (MBASIC versus IBM-BASIC). I am glad that Professor Suits sensibly made only the general conclusion that the systems "seem fairly evenly matched."

By the way, the time for the prime-number program on a Rainbow 100 using floating-point variables is about 205 seconds, about 10 percent higher than the 183.5 seconds recorded when using integers.

One further point: it is the Delete key that acts like an old-style rub-out key in BASIC: the Backspace key performs as might be expected from other microcomputers. The catch is that, keeping with DEC standards, the Delete key is the normal correction key at the operating system level and in many other applications. It is easy to agree with David Suits that this is disappointing and confusing.

In closing, I simply request that the usual high standards observed in articles by your technical staff also be enforced for contributed reviews. If comparisons are going to be made between systems, make sure that the tests are equivalent and that any other information important to interpretation is provided.

Lawrence Jones 211 Northview Road Ithaca, NY 14850

The purpose of our system review benchmark tests is not to compare operating systems or microprocessors, but to compare complete systems. We wanted to compare the DEC Rainbow as we received it (that is, with 64K bytes of RAM. its standard operating system jCP/M-86j, and its BASIC interpreter) with the IBM PC and

Victor 9000 as we received them (that is, with 64K and I28K bytes of RAM, respectively, and their standard operating systems (MS-DOS] and BASIC interpreters). We used a group of simple tests. Our reviewer found that one. the Sieve of Eratosthenes prime-number program, would not run on the Rainbow. The reviewer modified the program to allow it to run on the Rainbow. He accurately reported his procedure and his results—Rich Malloy

Finally, I've found a review of the DEC Rainbow. My father bought one of these machines several months ago, and ever since, I have been trying to do some serious programming with it. Since the documentation that came with the machine lacked any information concerning the BIOS or any aspects of architecture, the possibility of my doing any sort of "fancy" programming was limited.

After finding out that the DEC technical package had a price of $275 on it, I decided to wait for the BYTE review hoping that some useful information might appear in that. As it turns out, Dr. Suits ran into the same problem I did. Refusing to believe that DEC would try to prevent programmers from obtaining information by pricing it out of the market, I decided to make a few phone calls.

The magic number turned out to be the DEC Part Number Information Line. They were able to give me the following part numbers: AAX35 5A-TV, The MS-DOS Programmers Reference Guide, and AA-X432A-TV, The Rainbow BIOS Listing. A quick call directly to DEC and I found out the prices: $21.00 for the reference manual and $14.00 for the BIOS listing.

I just ordered them today, so I don't know what exactly is in the reference guide, but according to the description in the MS-DOS Advanced Users Guide, the programmer's guide has information on architecture, device drivers, system calls, and interrupts. So the information crisis is apparently not as bad as it seems, and once again I am the proud user of a DEC Rainbow.

Mark D. Esswein 1730 Court Petit McLean. VA 22101 M

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302 BYTE- IULY 1984

Kernel

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::t: ::(:

THIS MONTH the Kernel welcomes the first installments of BYTE lapan, written in Tokyo by Contributing Editor William Raike. and Mathematical Recreations, by Contributing Editor Michael W. Ecker. William Raike reports on his experiences with the Seiko wrist computer and tells us that 2 56K-bit RAM chips are now available in single-unit quantities in Akihabara. Michael W. Ecker closes the section with some insights into the phenomenon of invariance.

Jerry Pournelle opens the July Kernel with a far-ranging discussion that dwells on AT&T's 3B2 and Apple's Macintosh. In BYTE West Coast. John Markoff describes some recent trends in telecommunications.

The August issue will introduce a new column, BYTE U.K., by Contributing Editor Dick Pountain. He is the former managing editor of Personal Computer World and editor in chief of Soft, two of England's top personal computer magazines. Dick will write for us regularly from London.

Computing at Chaos Manor: The AT&T Computers

by )erry Pournelle 305

Chaos Manor Mail

conducted by jerry Pournelle 328

BYTE West Coast: Trends in Telecommunications

by )ohn Markoff 341

BYTE Japan: Start-Up

by William Ra/fe 361

Mathematical Recreations: Invariance

by Michael W. Ecker 365

Self-dFENSE forEDP

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©Ashton-Tate 1W4

304 BYTE- IULY 1984

Circle 30 on inquiry card.

COMPUTING

AT CHAOS MANOR

The AT&T Computers

3B2/300 Computer AT&T/IBM PC Link Sage Computers Macintosh The Creator PBASIC Eureka! Z-100 RAM Disk Z80/iAPX286 Board CompuPro 8/16 Printer Optimizer Quickon Disk Maker I Calendar/1 Infocom Games

by Jerry Pournelle

I've just come back from COMDEX Winter in the Los Angeles Exposition Center, where I got to play with the new AT&T computers. Like, Wow!

When AT&T announced a computer line, there was a bit of panic on Wall Street; after the prices were announced, the excitement died away. Too expensive. Who's worried about a computer line whose lowest-cost item is a $9950 desktop? How can that affect the micro world? That's what many Wall Street analysts said, anyway.

Dream on.

1 don't own any computer stock—the conflict of interest is obvious—but if I did, I'd give that analysis a lot of thought. People, that AT&T desktop computer is one hell of a machine.

True: just now, as I saw it, with little application software, it's not much of a threat to anyone; but give it time, and there'll be a different story. The AT&T 3B2/300 desktop provides an awful lot of bang for the buck. If I seriously wanted into the software business, I'd buy a 3B2 development system and get to work polishing up my skills in the C programming language; and I'd expect to get rich from it.

AT&T quotes a four-week delivery time on the 3B2/300. With half a megabyte of memory (plus 32K bytes of ROM [read-only memoryl for bootstrapping and housekeeping), it costs $9950 "with standard industry discounts available." What you get is the basic machine built around the WE 32000 microprocessor chip, one 5!4-inch floppy disk, a Quantum 10-megabyte hard disk, two RS-232C ports, the UNIX System V operating system extended with a number of popular UNIX utilities such as YALOE and YACC (Yet Another Line-Oriented Editor and Yet Another Compiler-Compiler), and the Vi editor from Berkeley UNIX.

The WE 32000 chip is a true 32-bit microprocessor; it corresponds somewhat to the National Semiconductor 32032 or the Motorola 68020. It's also capable of 8- and 16-bit operations. Moreover, AT&T is committed to heavy-duty silicon support of the system: at the moment, the WE 32000 system

has an external memory-management unit (MMU) and other external support chips. The whole system is designed to interface with UNIX. AT&T plans in the future to combine the microprocessor, MMU, and other support into a single chip, thus increasing both speed and reliability; AT&T's people say the new chips will be upward compatible with the present 32000 systems.

As 1 write this, memory for the 3B2 is $2400 per megabyte. AT&T makes 2 56K-bit memory chips and bundles them in clusters to make 1-megabyte boards no larger than a paperback book. Alas, I didn't think to photograph one of the boards next to one of my paperbacks to illustrate the point, but a megabyte contains about 166,000 English words: the AT&T memory board could hold all the words in one of my novels and have room to spare.

You'd undoubtedly want a full megabyte of memory for a development system, and indeed, to handle full UNIX you'll probably need two: so the base price for a real-world development system is more like $14,500. We'd also want to upgrade the disk to at least 40 megabytes: that's $2000 more. Finally, AT&T will sell you a wonderful terminal with a bit-mapped screen and its own WE 32000 processor to run it; that's an additional $5000, so our development system costs $22,000; hardly cheap.

However: we now have all we need. For an additional $500 per user (less if we want to use less expensive terminals), we can add up to 15 more users. The system is full multitasking, multiuser UNIX: we can let each of our terminals run more than one job. I saw 20 simultaneous jobs running on the 3B2/300, and that didn't seem to slow it down much.

The Death Star Connection

One of the strangest sights I ever saw was the AT&T "Death Star" logo on an IBM PC; but there it was. You can use the PC as a terminal for the 3B2/300. AT&T, in conjunction with

[continued)

\erry Pournelle holds a doctorate in psychology and is a science-fiction writer who also earns a comfortable living writing about computers present and future.

IULY 1984 • BYTE 305

RB Robot Corporation in seeking designers and developers of peripherals and software programs for the RB5X Intelligent Robot. Please send resume and receive full information on royalties and fees to:

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CHAOS MANOR

Locus, a small but highly competent Santa Monica software house, has worked out the hardware and software to network the 3B2 with the PC. What we saw running at COMDEX used a 3-Com Ethernet board in the PC and the regular 3B2 Ethernet board; but the software will work just as well with Omninet or (at lower speed, of course) with a straight RS-232C connection. That means we could connect up a Corvus Concept or any other machine that supports Omninet; or, if we want to write the interface driver, any machine with an RS-232C interface.

This gives the 3B2 a lot of flexibility. Even with all terminals and the networking and throwing in a good printer, we're under $30,000 for a 10-user system with full UNIX.

There's more, though.

Opening Windows

What I saw running on that 3B2 wasn't any ordinary UNIX: this UNIX had windows and a mouse, and while it didn't yet have icons, it had nearly all the capabilities you expect from Apple's Lisa, only this was loaded down with multiple users and was still fast. Yet more: using that marvelous bit-mapped screen you can run programs under the debugger and see the program output in one window, the debugger in another, and the source code in a third—while having one or two other application programs running along in still more windows. The debugger lets you insert breakpoints, step the program along line by line through the source code, and get the contents of the registers; i.e., it offers all the features you'd expect from a good debugging utility. I'm told it's an outgrowth of the BLIT windowing UNIX prototype, but it has a lot more capability.

The debugging system takes advantage of the speed and power of the WE 32000 in the terminal. Windowing is managed about the way you'd expect, with pull-down menus and the ability to change window size and shape and shuffle the windows to put the one you like on top; all this is done with the mouse in much the same way that Wirth's Modula-2 operating system works. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, since most of these concepts have previously appeared at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC); the

whole micro community owes Xerox a vote of thanks for acting as the software R&D center for the industry. I can't imagine why Xerox doesn't market some of the goodies that have been developed, instead of exporting them to competitors, but these discoveries sure helped us all.

In any event, if there's something more powerful than the 3B2/300 for software development at anything like the cost, I haven't seen it.

The 3B2/300 weighs about 30 pounds and is roughly the same size and shape as an IBM PC XT. Its innards are certainly no more complex than an XT's. If the introductory quantity one price is $9950, what will the quantity one hundred price be a year from now? Ditto with memory: that $2400/megabyte is quantity one today; I expect it to fall by half within two years.

Do They Know

THE TERRITORY?

Every publication from computer magazines to the Wall Street \ournal has speculated that AT&T knows a lot about computers but not a lot about marketing. How could The Phone Company learn that? This is, after all, the hated Ma Bell . . .

So, naturally, when I got a chance to interview John Scanlon, AT&T's vicepresident of the Technology Division, even though it wasn't very original of me, I figured I'd get that one out of the way. "Great R&D," said I, "but can AT&T handle marketing?"

"We seem to have done a good job of creating a demand for UNIX," he said.

Which is true enough. Moreover, I notice that even IBM is supporting UNIX, both directly and through Intel, which is developing UNIX for the Intel iAPX286 chip.

"We already have UNIX for our machines. Just turn on the switch: it comes up in UNIX, with most of the features and utilities that programmers want. Who else can offer that at our prices?"

Maybe some others, particularly if you count UNIX clones such as UNOS from Charles River Data Systems, thought l, but I didn't want to argue with him.

"And we're not through. Right now a full UNIX system really needs 2 megabytes, but we're getting it smaller. We're 90 percent to getting UNIX tamed. After

{continued)

306 BYTE • JULY 1984

THE FILE CONNECTION

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CHAOS MANOR

all, we've used UNIX inside Bell for years to provide turnkey systems for our internal use. We do accounting, telephone control, and billing, and we can develop new UNIX shells for each application."

There's a lot to that. If some outside company had been supplying Ma Bell with office computers for accounting, billing, word processing, and all the mundane tasks one uses computers for, we'd think it a highly experienced company. AT&T has in fact been using a lot of its own equipment for years; it just didn't show elsewhere. The company's got more user-service experience than has usually been realized.

"But," 1 asked, "have you really tamed UNIX? It takes a UNIX wizard to keep the system going—at least it does everywhere I know."

"We have to get the size down," ScanIon told me. "At $4800 for 2 megabytes—and you need that now—UNIX is too expensive for the mass market. But we'll get it there, and when we do. we'll get it matched to silicon. Maybe in a few years we'll have UNIX on a chip."

Ridiculous, thought I.

Then I remembered where I was.

I was sitting in a carpeted office that looked much like an expensive executive suite. I'd reached it by going through expensively furnished lounge and reception areas. Of course; AT&T can afford lavish offices—except this wasn't any lavish office. This was in a bay of the Los Angeles Exposition Center. AT&T not only had the largest exhibit area I've ever seen at any computer show: the company had taken an even larger area, closed it to the public, and lavishly furnished it for the convenience of dealers, executives, and the press.

Out in the exhibit area were about 100—and I do not say this for exaggeration—young men and women in dark suits, the most neatly uniformed and well-groomed corps of show people in my memory. Many were extremely polite, with plenty of social skills, but they knew nothing whatever about computers.

If throwing money—or people—at a problem will solve it, AT&T will never have any difficulties. Of course, that doesn't often workBut then it began to sink in. Along

{continued)

308 BYTE- IULY 1984

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IULY 1984 -BYTE 309

CHAOS MANOR

The Unshippable Sage

In my judgment, Sage computers have about the same place in the world of the Motorola 68000 and follow-ons that CompuPro's boat anchor has in the Intel 8086 and beyond world: they're very probably the best systems you can get for software development; they certainly have a lot of bang for the buck..

The Sage is also useful as a generalpurpose computer: there's getting to be a lot of good software, including engineering applications stuff, for 68000 systems. Sage uses a number of Sage computers internally for everything from accounting to new systems design: and therein hangs a tale.

When I visited Sage at the Reno headquarters I was shown through the whole plant, including the inner offices where new research is done. Sage's people use quite a lot of modern equipment, including some fascinating stuff for computer-assisted drafting and for chip

design. I also saw the oddest computer I've ever seen in my life. I mean, I've seen plenty of desktop computers, but I never saw one bolted to the side of a desk before; yet there was a perfectly good Sage II in that situation (see photo 2). It was running, too. None of the Sage crew seemed to think that was odd at all. They were used to it. Finally, 1 had to ask.

It turns out that in the early days of Sage, when they first began to ship machines, they got more orders than they could fill; so that whenever Bob Needham, one of the cofounders (with Rod Coleman), would get a machine to help him with advanced system design, someone would see it and ship it off to a paying customer. Eventually Bob decided that enough was enough and bolted a new Sage II, sans case and fan, onto the side of his desk. The disk drives and power supply were in a drawer.

No one has shipped that one ...

with all the well-scrubbed young women in stockings and heels and pinstripe suits and little neckties, and the young men in similar plumage—in among those were mixed real working software engineers and even a sprinkling of true wizards from Bell Labs. As a matter of

fact, it was easy to spot the real hackers: the programmers all read BYTE and knew exactly who 1 was, while the pressrelations people had never heard of me but tried to pretend that they had.

I don't have to ask if Bell Labs understands transistors. For reasons too com

plicated to explain, 1 have framed on my wall a dollar bill signed by Dr. William Shockley: it's a tiny part of the Nobel prize he received for inventing the transistor while he was at Bell Labs.

The Phone Company never did lack for scientists and engineers. AT&T won't have problems in that department. This is one of the few companies that plan for decades ahead.

If That's Not Enough

AT&T also has some brilliant management, beginning with Jack Scanlon, who understands this business pretty darned well. We sat in a lavish office suite surrounded by the trappings of corporate power: but Scanlon talks like any true hacker. He reminded me of a lot of the sharper micro people 1 know: there was that same breadth of knowledge about the field, familiarity with every intimate detail of his own product, obvious pride in the company's achievements.

He gets particularly excited about what can be done with silicon and the next generation of chips. "Every year we can double the number of transistors we can put on a chip. The guys who design those chips have to do something with all those transistors. We're seeing a whole new renaissance of silicon architecture. The difference between hardware and software is vanishing . . ."

And more. On software and computer languages: "Language is the wrong way to look at it. Move back a few steps. Watch that guy at his desk. What does he want the machine to do? He knows he can do more than one thing at a time. He has to worry about a lot of things at once. What I want is fundamental building blocks he can throw together fast. This guy wants spelling and maybe a spreadsheet, another fellow needs a database. Once we know the concepts, we don't have to worry about languages. We can even put them in silicon.

"Obviously, we're going to support the popular languages, C, and Pascal, and Ada, and Modula-2, but the real goal is to see what people want the machines to do for them."

That sounds a lot like marketing smarts to me.

Sure: AT&T will make marketing mistakes. The people there are used to figuring out what they think people

[continued)

310 BYTE- |ULY 1984

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CHAOS MANOR

need and providing it whether it's wanted or not. It will take considerable effort to modify that attitude.

Consider: here AT&T spent more than I've ever seen any company spend at any computer show: this to bring products to a dinky little COMDEX that I wouldn't have bothered to go across town to see if AT&T hadn't been there. The press corps was the smallest for any show I've been to since the 70s. Having brought the 3B2 to the tiniest pond available, AT&T still didn't have a good mechanism for getting people to a press conference. The COMDEX staff were even telling people it had been canceled; if I didn't have a nasty, suspicious nature so that 1 checked with AT&T myself, I'd have missed it.

Just before COMDEX, I received three phone calls, two letters, and a telegram reminding me that I could have an interview with John Scanlon. When I discovered I was missing the press conference—it was in the Bonaventure Hotel, a mile from the show—an AT&T expediting officer put me in a cab to get me there. AT&T sure paid attention to press relations: but with what result? Apple spent far less to get Macintosh on the cover of every magazine in the country. I've yet to see real coverage of the AT&T market entry.

On the other hand, AT&T can afford to make mistakes. When I said that at AT&T's lavish press luncheon, some of the computer press people said, "Yeah, and they got started early."

Maybe: but that 3B2 is one heck of a machine. It's state of the art, and it's available now. Of course, it's not a retail system. AT&T intends just now to sell to system developers and value adders who'll package it into full systems that will inevitably cost quite a lot. Retailers needn't worry just yet.

However: where else can you get a UNIX development system that you can also use for your general-purpose computing at that price? And certainly The Phone Company knows how to build rugged, reliable equipment. I wonder what the 3B2/300 will cost next year?

Of course, we haven't heard the last from the micro world either. AT&T's machines are still positioned for maximum effect in the minicomputer world, and if AT&T has a year of development time to impact micros, so do first-class microcomputer outfits like Sage and

CompuPro. The race isn't anywhere near decided.

Whatever happens, the micro industry had better think hard about AT&T's impact, which will be as big as IBM's. AT&T is big, is here to stay—and has got some damned impressive machinery.

Update: AT&T has also got some real marketing problems. It took me two days to find out the licensing fees for UNIX System V on 68000 systems, and when I finally did, I found the fee structure is set for minicomputers: the company doesn't know how to handle thousands of sales.

In fact, I found myself conducting a telephone seminar on the micro market. Maybe the people there learned something. More next time.

Big Mac

I've been sitting here bringing up MacWrite, and while swapping disks back and forth on my Macintosh, I thought about the contrast with the AT&T system and UNIX. It takes a couple of minutes to get the Macintosh ready to run a simple text editor; for me that's far too big a waste of time, especially when the only editor available is MacWrite.

In other words: I'm nowhere near as impressed with the Macintosh as everyone else seems to be.

I know I'm in trouble for saying that. I've already experienced what happens when one is less than enthusiastic about Macintosh: the Mactribesmen descend in force with fire and sword. You must overlook all the Mac's faults, for after all, they're only temporary. Everything will be fixed . . .

If IBM or AT&T had come out with a machine that had a single disk drive, no Control or Escape keys, nonstandard interface between keyboard and system, proprietary operating system, limited memory, closed architecture with no possible access to the machine's innards, disk formats totally incompatible with anything else in the micro community, no languages except Microsoft BASIC (and plenty of bugs in that), and absolutely no application software, the micro community would have screamed bloody murder. Apple has done precisely that, and everyone applauds.

I'm sorry, but 1 don't. As I write this, the Macintosh is a wonderful toy; but it's not very much more.

{continued)

312 BYTE • |ULY 1984

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CHAOS MANOR

Now, it certainly is fascinating. I know no one who has a Mac who wants to sell it. When it was my turn with the Mac that Dr. Hyson and 1 own between us, he parted with it reluctantly, and 1 can certainly see why. The machine is fun.

It just isn't very useful because there's no application software. Indeed, there's less than we thought, because Microsoft's Multiplan, which we bought with the Mac, is no longer being delivered; the dealers have just been told to take it off the shelf. We have not yet been told why or what Microsoft will do about our copy (which we paid full retail for, as we did with the Mac itself).

The Creator

In fact, the only application software for Mac that's actually on the market is Bruce Tonkin's The Creator database. The Creator is a kind of personal filing system, and there are versions for nearly every microcomputer I know of. The data files created by it can be transferred among all these systemsexcept, of course, for the Macintosh, which sits in lonely isolation.

For the price—$35 postpaid, 30-day money-back guarantee—The Creator is one of the best values in micro land. 1 recommend it for nearly any machine; but especially for the Macintosh, since it lets you do something useful with the machine.

The Macintosh version of The Creator is written in Microsoft BASIC. It doesn't use the Macmouse, because MacMicrosoftBASlC is too full of bugs to allow that. Instead, Bruce takes all input from the keyboard and formats it himself; of necessity, he has to treat the Mac as a glass Teletype, ignoring all its splendid Macfeatures such as Quickdraw, because there's no way to get at them.

Tonkin writes many of his programs in his PBASIC, which is a preprocessor for Microsoft BASIC that works somewhat as the RATFOR precompiler works for standard FORTRAN. PBASIC lets you do structured code and handles most of the housekeeping for you. I've reviewed it before, and I still recommend it; Bruce has written some impressive software in PBASIC. The output of the PBASIC "compiler" is legal Microsoft BASIC; you can then truly compile that with Microsoft's BASCOM to get tight, fast code that's very portable.

[continued]

314 BYTE • |ULY 1984

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CHAOS MANOR

Alas, though, it won't work on the Macintosh, because MacWrite won't let you build large enough source-code files to make it worth porting PBAS1C over to the Mac.

For the Rest of Us?

I've lived in Hollywood for some years, and I've grown familiar with the typical Tinseltown deal. A producer goes to a star and says: "I've got a great script and your favorite director. Sure would like to have you in the picture." Then he goes to the director. "I've got a star and a script, and the star sure wants you— Then to the writer; and finally to the money people. When it's all finished, everything he's said is retroactively true.

Similarly: Macintosh is going to sell like hotcakes because of all that wonderful application software. Now you can't do much with software on the Mac, because there's too little memory, and it takes anywhere from 5 to as many as 40 disk swaps to copy a Macdisk; but it's all right, because there will be a second disk drive, and a hard disk, and other excellent hardware after-market add-ons to fit on the Mac's "virtual slot"; and after that the software will be easy to write. Software houses are going to work very hard to write application software for the Mac because there's such a huge market, since Apple's selling an awful lot of Macs. Hardware houses will do Macadd-ons because there's so much software. Etc.

It can certainly be made into retroactive truth. By the time this comes out, 1 expect it will be. Some of those Hollywood deals fall flat, though: it all depends on how quickly they can be put together before everyone in the industry catches on. Meanwhile, right now the Mac is mostly useful for people with special requirements, such as advertising layouts with text or producing memos with graphics.

It sure is fun, though.

Cataloging

For some years now I've used Ward Christensen's public-domain diskcatalog program. Lately, though, I've been importuned to try a new one called Eureka! from Mendocino Software. Eureka! has a number of advantages, including the capability to include lots of comments in your disk catalog,

[continued]

316 BYTE- 1ULY 1984

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318 BYTE* JULY 1984

Circle 115 on inquiry card.

CHAOS MANOR

so that you can figure out that "NASTYLET.TXT" was sent to your mother-in-law rather than your lawyer, or whatever. It also lets you date things.

Until recently, though, I couldn't get Eureka! to work with my big CompuPro System 8/16, nor would it catalog the system's hard disk. The Mendocino people kept trying, though, and eventually sent their stuff to Tony Pietsch: and as of an hour ago Noor Singh delivered a copy with the note that this time it works.

It's about time I changed over, and the ability to add comments and dates makes Eureka! nearly irresistible. Full discussion next month, or Real Soon Now if too much flows into Chaos Manor in the next few weeks; meanwhile, Mendocino Software deserves some applause for plugging away until their people could make Eureka! work on my system. Thanks.

RAM Disk for the Z-lOO

Some weeks ago 1 got a letter from David James at the University of Kansas. Zenith offered the faculty and students at UK one of those deals you can't refuse, a Z-100 at a really good price, and Mr. lames bought one with a lot of memory. When he went looking for a RAM-disk program, though, he couldn't find one.

1 had my assistants send copies of his letter to half a dozen places known for their RAM disks. We got only two answers.

Zenith recommends Standard Data of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I've not used this company's boards, which come in 256K-byte sizes, but 1 suppose the hardware and software must work or Zenith's people wouldn't have sent me Standard's address in reply to my inquiry.

I'd suppose that CompuPro's M-Drive/ H boards could be made to work, since they're 1EEE-696 (S-100) standard; but I've never heard of an installation program that would get M-Drive/H running under Z-DOS. Someone would have to hack up a BIOS (basic input/output system) for that, and 1 don't know of anyone who's done it.

One other source I know of is Macrotech out in the San Fernando Valley, which has a full 1-megabyte board for the Z-100. It's been going for six months now with RAM-disk software.

[continued]

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CHAOS MANOR

Late addition: we have one. It works fine. More next month.

Eat Your Heart Out

Macrotech had an impressive board running at COMDEX Winter: an 8-bit Z80 coupled with an Intel iAPX286 chip for I6-/32-bit processing.

It was installed in a CompuPro boatanchor box much like mine. I admitted that I was impressed. To make sure there were no misunderstandings, Macrotech's people opened the box to show me that the board was wire-wrapped; a production model will be available sometime this summer or fall.

The rest of the boards in the box were CompuPro. They claim that sometime before next fall's COMDEX they'll come over here, open my Dual Processor, remove the CompuPro 8085/8088 board, and insert a Macrotech board; after which my system will continue to operate on CP/M-8/16 as before, except that it will be faster, will be able to run Z80 as well as 8080 software, and will accept iAPX286 commands. We'll see; my CP/M-8/16 isn't the common variety, since Tony Pietsch did some work with the command processor, and enabled interrupts, and generally did a spit-andpolish job. On the other hand, I never throw anything away: I can certainly boot up the old standard CP/M-8/16 if I have to

Printer Optimizer

Last month I mentioned Applied Creative Technology's Printer Optimizer, which is a box full of memory that sits between the Golem (CompuPro 8/16) and the NEC 7710 Spinwriter. Shortly after that. ACT recalled the machine in order to add even more memory to it.

And I discovered that I was hooked. No sooner was the little jewel gone than I missed it terribly. It's amazing how you can get used to the idea that printing is something that happens nearly instantaneously (well, at 9600 bps, which is the speed at which the computer ships data into the Optimizer). Waiting for the machine to print at normal speed (1200 bps) was just no fun at all.

Ten days later it came back. The first time it showed up I'd had Alex install it, but he wouldn't be back from UCSD for a couple of days, and I wanted the Optimizer now: so I tackled the installation myself.

I am no hardware genius. Like most Americans of my generation, I learned to solder and install electrical switches and such, but when I was in school electronics meant vacuum tubes and hookup wire; not only didn't we have transistors, but printed-circuit boards were pretty rare. Thus, while I'm not afraid of the innards of my computers. I do tend to think of hardware jobs with a distinct sense of unease, not to say dismay. There was nothing for it, though; if I wanted my Optimizer—and I sure did—I was going to have to do it myself.

It turned out to be simple. Not as simple as it would have been had I wanted to connect it to a Centronics parallel port instead of through an RS-232C serial port, but simple enough. The ACT instructions are quite clear, with plenty of diagrams and examples and a good explanation of the theory of what's going on. It took me considerably less than an hour to hook things up, and mirabile dictu, everything worked first time.

Now, with 256K bytes of memory in the Optimizer, I can pack a great part of an entire novel into it. I can do that as one long file, or as a series of linked files, or even one file at a time if I want to fiddle with the last part while the beginning is printing out.

The Optimizer even has a way to program it so that the files aren't necessarily printed in the order you put them in: there's a way to shunt stuff off, as on a railway siding, so that something else can be printed first. It's not a feature I use very often, but it can be convenient, as for example when you don't have the fanfold tractor on because you want to print single sheets, but there's a convenient opportunity to load in a file that will need fanfold.

If you don't have a printer buffer, you don't know what you're missing. They come in a variety of styles with various features, and I haven't much experience with any of them except the ACT Optimizer. 1 sure love this one, and it's hard to imagine one easier to use. Given the wide variety of protocols and stop bits and other such stuff (the RS-232C, meaning Revised Standard-232C is anything but standard; there are a bewildering complexity of ways to hook serial ports to computers), it would be difficult to write better hookup instructions.

Recommended.

Speeding Up Your PC

Another gadget I'd just got installed last month was the Quickon from Security Micro Systems. This little gizmo installs rather simply in your IBM PC; when it's all aboard, all you'll see is a small switch on the back.

Throw the switch one way, and the PC behaves normally. Throw it the other way, and the memory tests are disabled: the PC comes on nearly instantly. Now, 1 don't think you ought permanently to disable the memory tests; but I sure don't much care to wait for all that every time I have to turn the PC off to escape from some hang-up—and with no true hardware reset on the machine, that happens more often than 1 like.

We've had the Quickon working for five weeks now, with zero trouble; and Jim Baen reports that he's had his almost a year. If you like waiting for the PC, you won't need this, but if you're as impatient as I am you'll find it nearly indispensable.

Disk Maker

New Generation Systems is a public benefactor.

Our Kaypro 4 will, courtesy of a program called Uniform—itself a lifesaver— read a number of 5^4-inch disk formats, but there are machines it has never heard of. However, when we get a disk that the Kaypro can't read, we no longer despair; we take it to the Disk Maker [.

I first heard about the Disk Maker at CP/M East when 1 stopped to talk with Leor Zolman. Leor was, naturally, demonstrating BDS C, the blindingly fast 8-bit C compiler he wrote while he was still an undergraduate at MIT but he'd been so impressed by the Disk Maker that, although he owned no part of the company that makes it, he had one to show off at his BDS booth.

That was a pretty good recommendation by itself. I have considerable confidence in Leor's judgment. He introduced me to the box's inventor, and we arranged to get one shipped to Chaos Manor The result has been as advertised. Disk Maker can read almost any conceivable 5 !4-inch disk format.

The machine consists of one or two disk drives—mine has two, one 48 tracks per inch (tpi) like the IBM PC, the other 96 tpi like the Eagle 1600 series—and an S-100-bus disk-controller card. You

[continued]

JULY 1984 -BYTE 323

CHAOS MANOR

ITEMS DISCUSSED

AT&T/IBM PC Interface.

Locus

3330 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 (213) 452-2435

Calendar/1

Clear Systems 607 Ashland Ave.. Suite A Santa Monica. CA 90401 (213) 394-7740 '

.NA

S50

NA

CompuPro 8/16 System $5995

CompuPro

3506 Breakwater Court Hay ward. CA 94545 (415) 786-0909

Disk Maker I $1500

96 tpi option $385

New Generation Systems Inc. 1800 Michael Faraday Dr., Suite 206 Reston, VA 22090 (703) 471-5598

Enchanter $49.95

Sorcerer $49.95

Infocom Inc. 55 Wheeler St. Cambridge. MA 02138 (617) 492-1031

$2495

$39.95 ...$35

Eureka!

Mendocino Software POB 1564 Willits, CA 95490 (707) 459-9130

Macintosh

Apple Computer 20525 Mariani Ave. Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 996-1010

PBAS1C

The Creator

TNT Software 34069 Hainesville Rd. Round Lake, IL 60073 (312) 223-0832

Printer Optimizer $499

Applied Creative Technology Inc. 2156 West Northwest Hwy, Suite 303 Dallas, TX 75220 (214) 556-2916

Quickon $69.95

Security Microsystems Consultants

16 Flagg Place

Staten Island, NY 10304

(212) 667-1019

.$995

$2250

$1395

RAM Disk for Z-I00

Standard Data Corp. 1500 NW 62nd St., Suite 508 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (800) 327-5567

RAM Disk for Z-100. .#896Z Z80/286 Processor

Board MI 286

Macrotech International Corp. 9551 Irondale Ave. Chatsworth. CA 91311 (818) 700-1501

Sage II

Sage IV

Sage Computers 4905 Energy Way Reno, NV 89502 (702) 322-6868

3B2/300 Computer $9950

AT&T

222 Broadway New York, NY 10038 (212) 669-2584

.$3900 .$7300

can install the Disk Maker card in your S-100 system and forget it's there until you need it; then, when you get a disk with a strange format, fire up the Disk Maker. Chances are very good that it will be able to read it, and you can use PIP to move files to and from your normal system's disks.

We have the Disk Maker installed in Zorro, the Zenith Z-100, who also runs 8-inch disks in addition to his normal 514-inch disks; thus, we can move files from any 514-inch format to 8-inch IBM standard, after which they can be brought in for Zeke and the Golem.

The Disk Maker will format disks, too; about 50 formats are supported. It's thus nearly ideal for a small software house that tries to support a wide spectrum of customers.

It's easy to install, easy to use, and darned near unique. If you need one, you need it bad.

Raving About Calendar/i

Peter Flynn, our new assistant, sees a lot of software; alas, more than I do, since so much flows through Chaos

Manor that 1 have to let Peter and Alex screen it unless it's something I'm particularly interested in. Thus, he doesn't give many rave reviews.

Here's one item he liked a lot.

"Calendar/1 puts date-related information into a calendar format. It is easy to use. The manual is good and organized in a straightforward manner. The preface states that the manual assumes you know how to use the various CP/M functions such as PIP and COPY and that you have and can use a text editor that can produce plain text files 'with no embedded control characters.'

"The text editor is used to create one or more files that are the sources for the date-related information. This is the best approach I have ever seen for a calendar program; it is easy to input large numbers of notices, and it's very easy to update and modify into different calendars. This is by far the most useful and versatile program of its type I have ever seen. It is much better than the scheduler in Valdocs.

"Calendars are composed of notices that are stored in calendar files. Each

calendar file is composed of dates followed by notices pertaining to that date. The calendar files, which you create on a word processor, look like this:

%This is a comment. @ 8/10/84

Meeting with Fred at 7:15 AM 7/29

First Moon Landing, 1969 8/10

Sally's Birthday

"The order of the dates does not matter, and you can enter the same date more than once. They can be organized under headings such as birthdays, meetings, notices, and social events. Under each date is a notice or group of notices. They will be printed in the box for the corresponding date on the calendar. Lines beginning with % are comments and are ignored by the Calendar/ 1 program.

"A new calendar file can be for a month, a year, or many years. If a date

(continued)

324 BYTE- IULY 1984

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267.00* 415.00' 600.00'

CALL

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Hayes Smartmodem 300 180.00* Hayes Smartmodem 1200Bwith 366.90'

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software

Rixon P212A Stand Alone 1200BPS U.S. Robotics Password (Compact 1200BPS Extended)

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Comrex/Brother Cut Sheet Feeder

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JULY 1984 -BYTE 325

C SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

MSDOS

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CHAOS MANOR

ends in a year, such as 5/16/84, then it will be printed only in that year; if only a month and day are given, it prints the notice for every year. (Years can range between 1583 and 9999; if only two digits are given, the twentieth century is presumed.)

"Calendar files can be separated or combined: you can have a file of birthdays and another of meetings, print a calendar for each, and combine those with others to make one master calendar. Calendar/1 comes with a number of prewritten calendar files, including holidays and historical dates of interest.

"Calendars can be printed on screen or the printer. You specify the length and width. If a notice won't fit, what will fit is printed, an asterisk is added, and the balance is printed as a note on an overflow page. The layout's good considering the space you have to work with.

"There are a number of other control features, all well documented.

"Calendar/1 is useful for scheduling work; many people can be given identical copies for job control: it is also useful for travel scheduling."

We expect to make a lot of use of Calendar/1 here at Chaos Manor. It's a wellconceived and useful program.

Out of Space Again ...

There's a ton of stuff on my list, and I'm out of space. At least let me mention the Infocom games, such as Sorcerer and Enchanter and the like. Not only do we at Chaos Manor love them, but I notice that my partner Larry Niven is hooked. For those few who don't know, Infocom games are script driven: there's no fancy graphics, no arcade action; only text adventures.

This kind of game grew out of the original Crowther and Woods Adventure of the Colossal Cave. The original infocom implementers worked on Zork while at MIT they later developed other software for role-playing games. Some of the work they've done parsing and interpreting English is remarkable.

Enough. My taxes are due, after which I'm on the road for two weeks; meanwhile, 1 just opened a letter from JudyLynne Del Rey, my long-suffering editor at Ballantine Books; she's expecting Larry and me to turn in Footfall Right Away: the letter said only, "Nag! Nag! Nag!"

1 think that was a hint. ■

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CHAOS MANOR MAIL

Licensing Agreements

Dear Jerry,

Because you occasionally address software licenses and their idiosyncrasies in your column, I thought you might be interested in my company's experience with one software manufacturer-Sunburst Software.

In August 1983 we ordered an accounting package as ported to a Charles River Data Systems Universe computer. The software had a myriad of problems, not the least of which was inaccurate addition of account balances. After many frustrating months we requested a refund of our purchase price. Sunburst declined our refund on the grounds that its license did not guarantee "suitability." I would like to see the accounting environment in which 2 plus 2 equaling 5 was suitable.

Incidentally, we think the CRDS Universe is a lot of lightning in a little box. We were running multitasking benchmarks and wanted to keep the processor working hard in the background while we tested throughput in the foreground, lb exercise the processor, we were using the C version of BYTE's Sieve of Eratosthenes prime-number program, but we discovered that finding the primes between 1 and 10.000 ten times required so little time as to be insignificant. Instead, we had the CRDS pick out the primes up to 200,000 ten times, which it does in less than 100 seconds real time. Not bad.

Ralph Tilney Austin, TX

Firms that give refunds on software report they don't have very many requests for same; possibly because such outfits take a bit more care?

My son Alex is a real fan of the Charles River Data Systems machines. They're a little out of the normal BYTE reader's price range, though.

I don't think the "BYTE Benchmark" is of much use any longer, though; aren't most compilers designed to optimize the Sieve of Eratosthenes? That's one reason I like "my" matrix benchmark; it's processor intensive and does "normal" arithmetic operations in tight loops.—ierry

Electrostatic Printers

Dear Ierry,

I enjoyed your comments on the nonavailability of low-cost laser printers for the microcomputer industry (March, page 354). Having just completed a search for low-cost, high-speed

printers, I can add some information, i am only a consultant, however, so I do not underwrite any of these products.

As regards the Canon LPB-PC, although it is true that this device can sell for about $4000 to an end user, the fact is that Canon has elected to sell the device through dealers and systems integrators who have to add the proper interface. The companies that market it have decided that the biggest market is for complex graphics printing where special typefaces and pictures are being drawn. By the time the user pays for the interface, it is a $10,000 printer. When I spoke to lmagen, it wasn't interested in developing an interface to emulate a daisy-wheel printer (or similar interface).

My client wanted to replace 60 dot-matrix printers with these Canon units, but no one seems to think that the plain printer market is very big. Why can't the printer manufacturers understand that most of the printing being done is straight alphanumerics with serial interfaces? Our reason for wanting the Canon system was that since the entire printing mechanism is in the cartridge, we could have an operator replace it instead of calling an engineer. If replacing the cartridge cures the problem, we save a $150 service call. The cartridge is presently $40, with projections to drop to $20 with competition.

You should refer to this market as electrostatic printers because they do not always use lasers. The Philips Elpho-20 uses a cathode-ray tube to transfer a blue image to the drum through a lens. This printer does 20 pages per minute and sells for $10,000 to the end user. Philips claims that the red lasers used in other printers are the hardest colors to sensitize the drum. The drum is most sensitive in blue, so it uses a CRT beamed through a lens. This technique increases the life of the drum and eliminates the moving mirror used to scan the laser across the drum.

I enjoy reading your column each month. Please keep up the good work.

Bob Noakes San Francisco, CA

Eventually someone will become wise, if not with the Canon then with a Xerox or other brand; there are just too many computer users who've tired of having a machine gun in the same room with them. The laser—or electrostatic—printer is obviously part of the wave of the future, and one day we'll be able to replace both the office copier and the printer with one device.

Until then I'll have to limp along with my Spinwriter for submission copy and the Printmate for fast dot-matrix copy. Thanks for the kind words.— Ierry

Illegal Copying

Dear Jerry,

We at H & H Scientific have recently introduced our Stock Option Analysis Program (SOAP) for the IBM PC and are using a new method to deter illegal copying that might interest your readers.

Whereas the Apple version of SOAP had been copy protected, the IBM version of SOAP is issued in an unprotected format and can be copied subject to the terms of our standard licensing agreement. However, in order to use the Dow (ones News/Retrieval Service and thus take full advantage of all the features of SOAP, the original program disk must be returned to us to have the purchaser's Dow lones password encrypted onto the disk. This becomes a permanent part of the program disk and any copies will carry the password.

We think that few purchasers will be willing to give a copy of a program containing their password to a friend and thus risk incurring even modest usage charges by their friends. In effect, the user's password is held hostage (by the user) to guarantee the security of the personal program.

We think this will prove to be an effective deterrent to the problem of illegal copying and at the same time will give the legitimate user the maximum flexibility in selecting the optimum hardware environment, i.e.. using SOAP with a hard disk, electronic disk, or combination thereof.

Hersch Pilloff Fort Washington, MD

You have a novel approach to the piracy problem. I can see one difficulty: many users are likely to be wary of giving anyone, including software vendors, their passwords-Jerry

Turbo Caution

Dear Ierry,

I am sure that the nitpickers will find problems with Turbo Pascal, but the program compiled your matrix program from the October 1982 BYTE with no complaints. The execution time was about 20 seconds. The compilation time was about 6 seconds. These times look very respectable to me.

I caution anyone installing this language to carefully check the definitions for the available terminals. The definitions supplied for the Osborne 1 were incorrect in two places. How

(contimed)

328 BYTE" IULY 1984

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CHAOS MANOR MAIL

ever, the Installation Appendix clearly states what is required to install a terminal. Thirty terminals are listed.

The two required changes were in the cursor positioning code: Borland International had the X and Y positioning order reversed, and the Erase to End Of Line code was actually Insert Character code. With these two changes, all test programs compiled and ran correctly. The spreadsheet demonstration program operated correctly and provided some useful examples of procedures that can be applied to other programs.

For the price. I believe that this is an adequate implementation of Pascal for the beginning user. I hope that Borland continues to provide a quality product.

Leo F. Hood West Lawn, PA

I have many good reports about Turbo Pascal, and those are certainly respectable times for an Osborne I. I'm all for Borland: I hope other software companies decide to lower their prices, too.

Borland has an updated version of Thrbo: you can get it by sending the original disk and $29.95 (or buying a new copy, of course). It's worth the trade: the update has overlays and is very fast. There's source code for some nice utilities, too.—Jerry

Can the Eagle Fly?

Dear Jerry.

I write for two reasons. A couple of months ago you mentioned Turbo Pascal, and I thought I would let you know what I think of it. What do 1 think? It's all right. However, floating point is slow. Slower than IBM Pascal by a factor of 8 to 10 is what my tests have shown. Integer arithmetic in Turbo is also slower than IBM Pascal's but only by about one-and-one-half times.

On the other hand. Turbo's screen I/O seems to be faster. Turbo also has some nifty screenmanipulation commands, but any shot at source-code portability is then lost. I see Turbo

as a nice development compiler because it compiles so quickly. As long as you are sure to write in plain Pascal, Turbo can be used for development and debugging. The source can then be compiled with the IBM compiler for the final product.

My other reason for writing is this: I actually own an Eagle PC-2, not an IBM PC. The PC-2. unlike the 1600 series, strives to emulate the IBM as much as it can. It does an acceptable job in my opinion, but things could be better. As you have observed, the documentation stinks. Trying to find out anything from the dealer is difficult, especially since he stopped carrying Eagle products. Calling Eagle in Los Gatos can be a frustrating experience. "Call your dealer," is what you get. Sigh. Do you know of a users group for the Eagle PC? I would appreciate any tidbit of information you might have.

Peter Kline Providence, RI

Dear jerry.

You often refer to your Eagle 1600-series system with a great deal of enthusiasm, and I have visited the local dealer for a first look. However, Tom Wadlow ("The Eagle PC," March, page 236) is rather lukewarm in his praise. 1 can only assume that he must base his judgment on a rather short exposure to the Eagle, whereas you have had yours for some time. Do you have any comments?

I would buy a 5- or 10-megabyte hard disk with backup tape but might prefer Microsoft's Word or Rocky Mountain's NewWord/MergePrint to the Eaglewriter, possibly with SoftCraft's Fancy Font system. The latter looks fantastic, and I have called for the promised "actual example." I only wish that I could get my system with the Corvus monitor that I have seen and like a lot.

Arne R. Lindgren Culver City, CA

Sigh. I have mixed emotions about recommending Eagle computers. It's a good machine, but it sure has lousy documents.

Eagle's new documentation specialist keeps calling me to ask what I'd like to see in the up

dates: I keep hoping the company will get them done and ship retrofits. I love that Eagle, but I have to warn people: if you don't know a good bit about computers, be sure the updated documents are out before buying one of the 1600-series machines. I've had no complaints about the Eagle from experienced computer people, but there have been wails from beginners, all with problems that would have been trivial had there been better technical documentation.

In the middle of the rush to new documents. Eagle was hit by an IBM lawsuit requiring it to stop selling machines until it changed the ROM chips: as I write this. Eagle has announced that's done and it's shipping machines again, but its stock has fallen to a critically low value.

That's what delayed the update to DOS 2.0 as well. I received a test version of the 2.0 update, but then I was warned not to use it: I should wait for a later version. It's been a couple of months, and the upgrade hasn't come. Without DOS 2.0 with its tree structure, a lot of the value of the hard disk is lost. Eagle promises the new one Real Soon Now.

It's a real pity: Eagle has some of the best PC hardware around, and the 1600 compiles Turbo Pascal like nothing you have ever, ever seen. (It's fairly speedy with MT+, too. compared to the IBM PC.) By the time you read this. Eagle swears it will have better documents, updated software, and will have survived its cash flow crunch. I sure hope so. I like the machines, but I have to be a bit less than wholehearted in recommending them until Eagle gets its act together.

As of April, Eagle seems to be making real progress: but check with your dealer before buying— lerry

Nevada COBOL

Dear Jerry.

John DaMassa asked about the $29.95 Nevada compilers and utilities in your March "User to User" column. 1 teach programming courses and use my Z80-equipped Apple 11 +

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CHAOS MANOR MAIL

for demonstrations and examples. I bought the Nevada COBOL compiler about a year ago and have since added Nevada EDIT, FORTRAN, and PILOT to my program library. 1 also have JRT Pascal for comparison. I feel that 1 got my money's worth, but that's only one measure. For my purposes, I was also concerned about shortcomings of these packages and how they compared with standard language specifications and other implementations.

The COBOL compiler is a subset of the 1974 ANSI standard. It doesn't include some highlevel modules described in the standard, such as the Table Handling and Sort features; some minicomputer COBOL compilers also don't have these. The language nucleus is complete, and subroutines in COBOL as well as assembly language are allowed. Documentation consists of a reference manual that adequately describes the language and how to get started. The user who doesn't know the language should buy a good textbook, such as Tyler Welburn's Structured COBOL. The negatives are minor: nonstandard 4-digit line numbers and minimal implementations of some I/O statements. For arithmetic. I'd much prefer the COMPUTE statement to the ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, and DIVIDE verbs that are included.

The FORTRAN compiler would be the greatest bargain in microcomputer software if it were

based on the 1977 FORTRAN standard. It is a very good FORTRAN IV implementation and does include the IF. . .THEN. . . ELSE statement from the 1977 standard. A good selection of built-in functions are included, plus a number of subroutines that interface with CP/M. The compiler doesn't include character class data, which is another desirable 1977 feature. The 8-bit implementation can cause surprises: single-precision and double-precision variables have exactly the same number of significant digits. The manual is a complete and wellwritten reference. If you're not familiar with the language, you'll also need a good textbook.

Nevada EDIT may not be the best program editor around, but it's probably the best fullscreen editor in the low-priced field. It's compatible with any editable CP/M file type. 1 use it with JRT Pascal files as well as Nevada COBOL and FORTRAN. Since it's a full-screen editor, the user can edit lines in place and move anywhere on the screen. On the negative side, the control codes are rather clumsy. A number of editing commands require two steps: Control-V followed by another command code. I haven't been able to get a couple of the control codes to work. Some control codes must be changed to suit specific hardware environments (such as the Apple with CP/M) by using a configuration routine that comes with the editor.

You'll note that I haven't said anything about benchmark results. As a computer science teacher, I'm more interested in completeness of features than in object-code efficiency. Besides: have you ever tried to write the Sieve of Eratosthenes in COBOL?

Jim Archibald Ceneseo. NY

Dear Jerry,

I have tried Nevada COBOL, and the experience was dismal. I would not recommend the product to anyone. It is a pseudocompiler, creating p-code that is then interpreted by the Nevada run-time program. I bought it because I am a COBOL programmer on IBM mainframes and wanted to see how this microcomputer compiler stacked up. I performed a number of tests and was severely disappointed.

The Sieve of Eratosthenes benchmark took 7 minutes to run (one iteration) as opposed to 4 minutes in Microsoft BASIC and 3.6 seconds in Pascal MT + . Since one reason you put up with the tedium of compiling is to get faster code, Nevada COBOL seemed a dismal failure in this department.

I wrote a simple file-to-file transfer and discovered that it transferred all but the last line of the file. A bug is revealed in the way it detects

[continued)

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an "at end" condition.

I wrote a program to test the way it handled arithmetic with the various COBOL numeric data types and discovered a bug in handling IF-tests. The code in question follows:

IF AMT-4 IS GREATER THAN AMT-5 DIVIDE AMT-5 INTO AMT-4 GIVING AMT-6 ROUNDED ELSE

DIVIDE AMT-4 INTO AMT-5 GIVING AMT-6 ROUNDED

When AMT-4 was 5 and AMT-5 was 25. the result returned in AMT-6 was 5, which is correct. When AMT-4 was 25 and AMT-5 was 5. however, the result returned in AMT-6 was 0.20. No matter what values I assigned to AMT-4 and AMT-5. it was always the instruction after the ELSE that executed.

I called these bugs to the attention of Ellis Computing and sent source code and all, but Ellis never responded. May I respectfully suggest that you amend your remarks, at least regarding the COBOL package?

William Meacham Austin, TX

Thanks for the reports. My problem is that I'm not about to evaluate Nevada COBOL: it's not a language I do anything with, and I'm not

about to learn it. I can only report what I'm told.

Of course, I don't recommend COBOL in the first place. Edsger Dijkstra, the Netherlands computer philosopher, once said that teaching COBOL ought to be regarded as a criminal offense. I don't necessarily agree, but I know people who do. As to writing the Sieve of Eratosthenes in COBOL, I'd rather have an appendectomy if it's all the same with you.— lerry

Copy Protection

Dear lerry,

I fully support your stand against copy protection in software. It is bad for a number of reasons, and you have done a great deal for users in putting them forward. Some additional reasons need exposition.

One of the most significant things that copy protection does to software is that it alters the nature of the product. If 1 buy a piece of software, it is mine to keep as long as I own my system—provided it is not protected. If it is protected, then I have bought an entirely different product, a perishable one.

Copy protection also makes little sense economically to the manufacturer because the

shelf-life expectancy of most software is too short for there to be much to protect. The company making the software may go out of business before piracy eats into its profits.

1 am trying to buy several copies of my favorite word-processing program because it is being taken off the market, and I don't want to learn a new system or transcribe files. I am going to get four separate copies and hope.

Edward Swaim Austin. TX

I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right: copy protection makes a perishable good out of a durable good. I do have some sympathy for publishers, but I think the only real solution to software piracy is for the customer base to become sufficiently large. Then publishers can make a profit selling at such low prices that it isn't worth pirating the software.

Of course, high price plus piracy is the equivalent of a low average price, except that the publisher has fewer legitimate customers to support--lerry

Dear Jerry,

I've been reading with considerable interest your views on copy protection oi software. Until

(continued)

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CHAOS MANOR MAIL

recently, however, it was of only passing interest to me, having purchased an Osborne Executive, which has no such silly schemes. The Executive was then sold, a Macintosh bought, and along with it a copy of Multiplan.

Multiplan has a ridiculous copy-protection scheme. Microsoft supplies one master disk that it says the user can copy to save wear and tear on the master. However, in order to be able to use the copy, the user first has to insert the master disk, which apparently has a code that tells the copy it's okay to start working. Then you eject the master, put in the copy, and you're free to continue. As long as you don't turn off the power after inserting the master, the copy can still be used, no matter how many other applications you use in between.

This is my first exposure to copy protection, and I'm angry. Now I have to worry about two application disks instead of one. and if the one master disk is damaged. I'm out of luck until I can get a replacement. What really strips my threads is that a friend just bought a Model 4P from Tandy, also with Multiplan. and there's no copy protection at all on his version of the program!

So what gives? Does Microsoft feel that Macintosh owners are more prone to a little unauthorized profit than Tandy owners? Is this what I have to look forward to from Microsoft? It could at least provide two masters, a la Lotus 1-2-3. Anyway, I wrote Microsoft, asking for a second master, but I haven't gotten an answer yet. If this is common to the rest of its Macintosh programs, I think I'll hold off buying Word and make do with short letters using MacWrite. I'll let you know what happens; maybe Microsoft will listen to you.

Richard B. Thomas Tacoma, WA

I have terribly mixed Macfeelings about the Macintosh. At the moment there's so little soft

ware for it. and because there's only one drive, it's so hard to copy a disk (about 40 disk swaps for a complete copy, and Cod help you if you get confused in the middle of doing it) that I can't think the machine more than a pretty expensive toy; certainly it's not much use in business.

Of course, that could change when a second drive becomes available (I wonder at what price?) and all this software is actually published. Alas, if the Microsoft copy protection becomes standard for all business software. Macintosh will remain Macuseless for business: I sure wouldn't bet my career that one of those small disks was eternal— lerry

Problems with Otrona

Dear Jerry,

I bought an Otrona Attache last year, partly because of your enthusiastic comments. Indeed, it is a fine 8-bit machine, probably the best CP/M machine available. Several months ago, I had the machine upgraded to become "IBM compatible."

Otrona claims that the machine will run nearly all IBM programs, but many programs will not run. It seems to be impossible to tell whether a program will work or not. as Otrona apparently hasn't tested many of them. For example. I have tried to find a good word processor. Microsoft Word will not run; PC-Write will not run; Multimate appears to run, but parts are exceedingly slow; WordStar will run but again very slow, much slower than the CP/M version.

BASIC is the most common language used with IBM computers, and it comes with PC-DOS and most versions of MS-DOS. No BASIC comes with the Otrona MS-DOS, and IBM and Compaq versions will not run. Furthermore, compiled BASIC programs will not run on the Otrona. Otrona says that it will have a BASIC

interpreter "soon": I haven't been able to find out what it will cost.

The Otrona 8:16 is not very IBM compatible. As an upgrade for existing Attache owners, the MS-DOS system has marginal value, although frustration should be considered part of the price.

Getting any answers out of Otrona is difficult. The company answers few letters, and 1 no longer can get hold of anyone there by phone.

Another quick point. The Turbo Pascal compiler is fantastic. The IBM version does run on the Otrona, and it is fast and easy to use. And the price is reasonable.

Harvey Motulsky La jolla. CA

Adeline, our Otrona. recently returned from the "upgrade"; I wish I hadn't sent her in. Something was done to the screen intensity and contrast, so that the software brightness controls will no longer eliminate flash lines and such. In addition, as you say, many IBM PC programs will not run. and some are slower than the corresponding programs on the Z80.

1 do not recommend the 8086 conversion for the Otrona. On the other hand, it remains the BMW of the 8-bit small machines. We have the large amber screen, which we like a lot. and the hard disk. With those additions, the Otrona is an excellent base station; leave them behind and you have a true portable. There is. after all. a lot of Z80 software (including my favorite editor. WRITE). The Otrona Attache is still the machine I carry on all my trips.—lerry

Again, Otrona

Dear Jerry,

Your continuing fondness for your Otrona Attache, along with my positive first impressions

[continued]

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336 BYTE • JULY 1984

A printer should complement your computer,

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CHAOS MANOR MAIL

of the machine at a show when it was first introduced some years back, made it an easy choice when it was time to replace my S-100 system with something more portable (I write everywhere), 16-bit (and the 8:16 meant 1 could cling to the 8-bit software I love while making a transition to the 16-bit world), and at least as reliable.

I was disappointed and returned the machine. Here's why.

The Attache keyboard has a nasty characteristic that makes it impossible for the machine to register any keypress while another key is still down or partially depressed.

At first glance this may not seem a problem, and certainly it hasn't affected your affinity for the machine. But I'm a fast typist, and though I learned on manual equipment. I've been using electric or electronic keyboards since 1961. Electronic keyboards with n-key rollover allow you to go into really high gear when typing familiar combinations such as "tion" and "ing." In the fastest execution of "tion." it's likely that the left-hand "t" will still be down while the right hand hits the "i." And because "io" can be typed with a rolling motion of the right hand, it's likely the "i" will still be down while the "o" is struck.

Furthermore, the machine's every-key-autorepeat feature interacts with this one-key-at-atime characteristic. If when typing "tion," you leave the "t" down, it will start to repeat even though another key has been struck.

For me. the effect is that the machine forced me to type as though it were a manual typewriter. It defeats the library of macros my hands have learned over years of typing. No other nonmanual keyboard I've used has these problems. Unfortunately, not every writer looking for a machine with the Attache's specifications will buy one on terms allowing its return, and even those who do may not discover until too late that the typos they're experiencing are happening because the keyboard wants to retrain them to type as though on a manual. It's a design flaw that potential buyers should know about before they buy. If. knowing of it, they try the machine and find they're unbothered, the machine is otherwise quite marvelous.

Dick Lutz Ocala. FL

You know. I thought you'd been sold a lemon when I got your letter: I simply didn't believe that Adeline had that flaw until I took her out of the case and fired her up.

You're right. You must release each key before pressing the next.

The funny part is that I'd probably have condemned the machine out of hand if I'd known that before I started to use it; but the fact is that I've done tens of thousands of words on my Attache, and I never noticed the "problem" until you called attention to it. For that matter, my colleague Norman Spinrad had no trouble with the Otrona. and neither does Larry Niven; and we're all touch-typists.

It's obviously software, and I expect a real Otrona wizard could rewrite the BIOS to change this feature: I wonder why Otrona doesn't offer some options? Alas, it has promised me the

source code to the BIOS for months, but I still don't have it. Maybe I'll get it Real Soon Now. and I can look for a way to change the keyboard response. Thanks.--jerry

Will I Wait Forever?

Dear Jerry,

As a regular reader of your column. I have come to appreciate the point of view you advocate-on the side of the user of computer hardware and software. I fully agree with your stand on software protection, on the quality (or lack thereof) of most microcomputer documentation, and on the general chaos in the industry. But I do have a complaint.

Primarily on your recommendation. I sent a check to Workman Associates asking for a copy of WRITE for my Otrona. I've been using WordStar for some time but wanted something a little more free-form when writing something longer than a memo. WRITE seemed just the thing. I sent the order in early December 1983 and have yet to receive a voluntary response.

In the middle of lanuary 1 called Workman to inquire about my order. A pleasant woman assured me that it had the order. She said that Tony Pietsch was finishing up the latest bugs, the documentation was being updated, and shipments for the Otrona would resume in 10 days.

That sounded reasonable. I looked forward to having WRITE with me when 1 took my Otrona on a three-week trip to Dallas. When it didn't arrive, 1 decided that 1 would look forward to spending some time with it when I returned. Now I'm just hoping 1 get the package before you get around to reading this letter.

This reminds me of your cases about the extremely long delays in shipments of 1RT Pascal. True enough. Workman has not yet cashed my check; |RT cashed it immediately. But I ordered Vedit at the same time that I ordered WRITE. 1 received Vedit in less than a week. Incidentally. 1 am delighted with it, both the CP/M version and the MS-DOS version, both of which run on the Otrona.

I wonder if perhaps this is not another case of promoting a product before its time. I assume the people at Workman are your friends (why else would they write an editor just for you?). And I am sure they're very good at what they do. I'm in the software industry myself, and I know the pressure to get the product out before it's ready. You might, however, consider applying your own published standards to products in which you have a specific interest.

By the way. I'm writing this letter using the VM/CMS XEDIT editor, formatted using Waterloo Script. I was going to use my Otrona with a different editor, but ...

Ted Brewster New Market. MD

What should I say? At the time I wrote the review. I had a version of WRITE on my Otrona. It worked fine, but there was indeed a later version in the works, and Barry didn't want to ship

the old one when the new one was coming Real Soon.

Then when it was finished, it took Noor Singh some time to do the Otrona installation; Workman has WRITE going on about 100 different machines now. but alas, the only Otrona available was mine, and I had it with me on a trip.

WRITE 1.78 is done now and works fine; I use that version on all my machines. It has a wonderful update: even if you reset the machine, you can recover your text.

Indeed, the Workman family are friends, and my son works there as well, so I am not unbiased; but I do think they live up to fairly high standards. Workman's policy is not to cash checks until he can ship the product; that way, anyone can cancel an order without having tied up any money. He isn't making venture capitalists out of his customers. Alas, this time it took considerably longer than anyone expected.

I checked: your copy has been shipped. I hope you'll like it. I certainly do.

Glad you liked Vedit, too. I've never tried the MS-DOS version on the Otrona. Thanks for letting me know it works— lerry

CompuPro Doings

Dear lerry,

You should razz Bill Godbout about CompuPro's new easy-as-pie manuals.

As Ian Wilson, our local computer genius, puts it. "This stuff defines a new standard for the term 'computer unfriendly.'"

You'll be sick when you add the hard disk. The 8-inch Fujitsu we are running (Pragmatic) has a transfer rate of roughly a million bytes/sec and is so fast we might as well not even have bought our three M-Drive/H boards.

Is there a CompuPro users group?

William F. Burke Baton Rouge. LA

Let me repeat Pournelle's First Law: If You Don't Know What You're Doing. Deal With Someone Who Does. CompuPro equipment bought through a Systems Center will always be thoroughly integrated and do everything you expect. In your case, there being no nearby Systems Center, you may need a local wizard: fortunately, you seem to have found one.

I do razz Bill Godbout about manuals all the time. Think of the improvement: before I started on him. the folks at CompuPro used to put out a single sheet with each board, and their idea of support was to read the spec sheet over the phone! Fortunately, that has all ceased. 1 do agree the systems integration manuals for the boat anchor (S-100 box) could be improved.

I agree about the hard disk: I seldom use my M-Drive/H any more, except for big jobs like posting my books from journals. Last time, it took over an hour with the hard disk versus 10 minutes with the M-Drive/H. so there's still some reason to keep the memory-drive boards.

The address of the CompuPro users group is CPRO Users Group. POB 1474. Woodbridge. VA 22193.-lerry ■

338 BYTE • IULY 1984

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Trends in

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Now that the personal computer (PC) has won the battle for office desktop space, software developers are turning their attention toward programs that combine the storage capacity of mainframe computers with the local processing power of PCs. Although mainframes offer PC users access to huge on-line databases of specialized information, how to get to the information and bring it to the PC in a usable form is another question entirely.

In recent months, a new class of PC software has emerged that facilitates the redistribution of tasks between mainframes and PCs. It is called "on-line search" or "database-access" software, and these programs give us a glimpse of how radically PCs will alter the traditional mainframe database-access model based on one central processor and hundreds of remote dumb terminals.

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During the past decade there has been an explosion of new sources of electronic information. Several mainframe electronic-information providers such as The Source, CompuServe, and Newsnet have designed their systems specifically for novice users, but most on-line database services require special training to be used effectively. These include databases such as Dialog Information Retrieval Service. Nexis and Lexis, and Data Resources Incorporated.

The high cost of on-line information is also a deterrent to new users. Some databases on Dialog cost more than $100 an hour. This has meant that users generally must undergo extensive training to learn how to develop search strategies to minimize connect time.

Reducing Costs

PC-based on-line search software will be beneficial to database users because it will simplify complex user interfaces now found on many mainframe databases and it will permit extensive off-line preprocessing of searches, there

by reducing the cost of information retrieval.

On-line search software introduced to date can be placed in two distinct categories. The first category is composed of programs that are "loosely coupled" to a specific mainframe database. These programs are extensions of intelligent communications software programs and generally permit automatic log-on, query, and downloading from a host mainframe computer.

The second category includes software that has been "tightly coupled" to one or more particular databases. By tailoring programs for interaction with a host computer, software designers are able to create user interfaces that require little knowledge on the part of the user of either micro-to-mainframe communications or the formal database query process.

The emergence of new communication network standards and standards in the on-line information industry will tighten this coupling to the point where the relationship between the mainframe database system and PC software will approximate the current relationship between operating systems and application programs.

Dialog, a subsidiary of the Lockheed Corporation, is the largest collection of public online databases. It has more than 75 million records of information including articles from over 60,000 journals. These records are contained in more than 200 separate databases ranging form biographic databases such as American Men & Women of Science to statistical databases such as US. Exports.

Most Dialog reference records are currently available as abstracts that require you to go to a library to obtain the entire article or source (articles can be ordered on line for an extra fee). However, there is a trend toward making the full text of documents available on line. One Dialog database provider, Information Access Corporation, recently introduced two such databases, called Magazine ASAP and Trade & industry ASAP, that will cover

[continued)

]ohn Markoff is a BYTE senior technical editor. He can be contacted at 1000 Elwell Court. Palo Alto. CA 94303.

IULY 1984 "BYTE 341

BYTE WEST COAST

Connect Statu*

Result

ok

ok

de 11

ok

ok

FILES 518,2% a 245 ARE MOT

WORKING

'••«• »»H tar connect to finish or press FS, tke phone key, to itaeMMet, Frets 4-J to advance to the next Mtwork.

Government: MftNAGHIEHT CONTENTS

0I-7S

Government: FEDERAL REGISTER ABSTRACTS

Dt-136

Government: FEDERAL INDEX

DI-2B

Government:' CIS

abstracts

Provides access to publications produced by the coaaittees and subcomiittees of the U.S. Congress. Includes hearings, reports, prints, House and Senate docuuents. Corresponds to Congressional Information Service's Index to Publications of the United States Congress. 1978- : Monthly updates. 173,888 records.

$9B/hour, $.2SA>ffline print

ibase by moving the cards up and down yith the ess 4-J to select the highlighted database.

Phone s Off line

Photo 1: After installing the proper ] password and Telenet. Tymnet, or Uninet network phone numbers, \n-Search will automatically connect to Dialog and execute a search in a selected database. Dialing and automatic log-on are done by pressing the F5 function key on the IBM PC. During the dialing and log-on sequence, \n-Search opens a window on the display to show current conned status information. If one network dial-up is busy, \n-Search will automatically try other network numbers if they have been installed.

\f a search has been prepared in the query editor, In-Searcn will automatically execute the search after it is connected to Dialog.

Photo 2: This is the initial In-Search display shown when you first enter the program. The category and subject windows on the left side of the screen aid in focusing a search. The file-card windows in the center of the screen give a brief overview of each of the more than 200 databases available in Dialog. When the designed database is highlighted, you can search it by entering the query editor and preparing a search request while either on line or off line. More detailed on-line information is available on any database. The window at the bottom of the screen serves as a context-sensitive command menu.

120 different popular magazines and publications ranging from Scientific American to Playboy.

In-Search

In-Search is an example of an on-line search program that has been tightly coupled with the Dialog databases.

In-Search. initially designed to be used on the IBM PC or PC XT, was introduced recently by the Menlo Corporation of Santa Clara, California. This

program costs $399. It differs from other database-communication programs both in its scope (the program and its assorted reference files occupy more than one megabyte of disk space) and in the sophistication of its user interface, which offers a window-based display environment and "unhooks" the control of the database query process from the Dialog mainframe computer. "Unhooking" means that you're able to prepare your query in a screen-oriented

editor while either on or off line. The process takes place with little interaction with the Dialog mainframe computer.

If the query has been prepared off line, you can log on to Dialog and have the query sent automatically. When Dialog responds with abstracts, they appear specially formatted in an overlapping window display.

Here, again, the user interaction is not

[continued]

342 BYTE • |ULY 1984

Condor's

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Would you buy a file manager that can't add two numbers? Of course you wouldn't. PFS FILE™ contains no arithmetic capability and can't even balance a checkbook!

Condor jr. offers all the benefits of PFS FILE™ plus the ability to easily balance your checkbook, total your purchase orders, average grades and even monitor your tax deductible expenses. This is in addition to your normal mailing list and other file management tasks. Unlike PFS FILE ™, Condor jr. also offers report writing at no additional cost.

Condor jr. allows you to upgrade to Condor3 and save money as your needs grow. You can move to a fully relational database without redoing your system. A $195 discount off Condor3 also makes it easier.

Since Condor has years of data management experience — we have a proven growth path for you. Condor jr. has been especially designed for the first time user. Not surprisingly, it is designed directly from Condor 3 —a fully relational database that is being used in over 100,000 businesses today. To find out more about Condor jr. and the demonstrationpack software, see your personal computer dealer, or call 1-800-221-8479 (in Michigan call 0-313- 789-3992 collect) for the dealer nearest you.

IBM is the registered trademark ol International Business Machines Corp. PFS File is the registered trademark ol Software Publishing Corp.

M Circle 78 on inquiry card.

{Sftcondor

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APPLE and APPLE Logo are registered trademarks of APPLE Computers, Inc.

n the APPLE!

not a regular edition of BYTE. The BYTE GUIDE to the Apple Personal Computers is your opportunity for exposure to the most select micro audience.

,11

Apple owners and users read BYTE more than any other micro publication. They rely on BYTE for objective reporting and state-of-the-art analysis of the entire family of Apple micros and compatibles.

438,000 paid BYTE readers influence purchasing decisions for hundreds of millions of dollars in micro products. And they are buying Apple:

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• 28% of our subscribers who plan to buy personal computers plan to buy Apple for business and personal use.

Every month BYTE draws over 500,000 inquiries to advertised products. The only way to reach this responsive, influential and well-salaried audience is to showcase your product in the BYTE GUIDE to the Apple Personal Computers.

To reserve your advertising space, call your local BYTE advertising salesperson or Pete Huestis, Adv. Sales Mgr., at (603) 924-9281.

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BYTE GUIDES.

The One Source.

Research References: 1983 Talmis Study

1984 BYTE Brand Preference Study

Si8

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346 BYTE* JULY 1984

BYTE WEST COAST

Reference Text for! CIS

JOURNAL ANNOUNCEMENT; 8185

Hearings kefore the Su,

4KB 571), the National I The National Security Ac

Est mated Cost

er H.R. 6S88 (text, p. ■nidus hill, to amend I igence Agency Act of

1949, and the Foreign In The estimated DIALOG cost f 1978, to establish a tUUtarq charter for since last connect is: vities. Includes the

!i following provisions to:

► a Define and deli $8.56 y organization and

i im.itions, including sep IA, FBI, and MSA.

j h. Provide standards Frost Etc to continue: | activities directed at

U $, citizens. I

c. Establish procedures for congressional oversight and prior notification of covert intelligence and counterintelligence operations.

<t Criminalize unauthorized disclosure of information identifying IKtelIt««l>c« agents and informants.

y organization and IA, FBI, and MSA | activities directed at

oversight and prior

onl

ne session.

dependent on the control of a remote mainframe computer. If you wish to interrupt the flow of information from the Dialog mainframe, you can do so simply by paging backward or forward through the information in much the ' same way that you can scroll through a text document in word-processing software. Because information from Dialog can be captured in a buffer (InSearch tailors the size of the buffer to the available memory level of an indi

vidual computer) on your PC. it's possible to selectively mark records for later printing. You also can store retrievals to disk as ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) text that can be edited by a word processor or called up for viewing by In-Search.

In designing the In-Search user interface, Menlo Corporation has attempted to take concepts from other popular types of PC software. For example,

Photo 3: At any time during a search session, \n-Search will extract information on the cost of the current search from Dialog. When you first log on to Dialog, you are automatically placed in the Educational Resources \nformation Center (ERIC) database. This database is priced at $25 an hour, less expensive than many other databases in Dialog, which occasionally are priced in excess of $100 an hour. Dialog automatically places you in a more expensive database only during the time actually spent searching and downloading information from that database. Currently. \n-Search does not supply you with information on the total cost at the conclusion of each session.

Photo 4: Ah example of a Dialog database search. The current database is the Congressional Information Service (CIS) that provides access to abstracts of publications produced by the committees and subcommittees of the U.S. Congress. This display screen is the query editor. You can enter keywords or phrases on each line. Lines S6 through S8 are examples of how In-Search will direct a particular search to locate references that contain several words or phrases. After determining how many references exist, In-Searcfi will retrieve them from Dialog and format them for display or output to a printer. When they are displayed on the screen, an overlapping window appears over the query editor for text display.

when working in the query editor, you can edit and change lines of text exactly as though you were working with a document text editor. In-Search has even supplied users with the option of the familiar WordStar command-key sequences for cursor control and word and character deletions (the cursorcontrol keypad is functional as well). The basic In-Search display also contains a menu of command options that are ar

(continued)

IULY 1984 • BYTE 347

KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS INC.

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ORDERING TERMS

Prepaid: Money Orders. Cashier's Checks, Certified Checks. Bank Wire Transfers. Master Card. Visa. AM EX (add 3% for AM EX) and Personal Checks (allow 15 banking days for all personal checks). Please include Valid Driver's License # and Major Credit Card for Identification.

IULY 1984 -BYTE 349

BYTE WEST COAST

ranged similarly to those provided by electronic spreadsheet programs. By pressing a function key, you can enter a command mode and select a command that will cause In-Search either to send a particular command to the Dialog system or to retrieve information from its own local database.

Although it is possible to first prepare a particular search strategy off line and then retrieve references quickly to minimize connect-time charges, In-Search is based on a different, more interactive philosophy of on-line database use.

Menlo's president, Lloyd Kreuzer, argues that In-Search is designed to function in a highly interactive manner. This sets it apart from other PC frontend software packages that assume you know what you want before going on line.

In contrast, Kreuzer believes that the most effective way to use a database like Dialog is to be able to alter a search strategy depending on the nature of the

data revealed on a search. "Interactive searching is less precise and therefore more likely to turn up things," he says. "The keyboard is never dead and (in fact] it is uncoupled from the Dialog process."

When using In-Search on a fixed disk, the program provides local on-line detailed information on each individual database. This information, traditionally provided as printed textual documentation by Dialog (on forms called "blue sheets"), allows you to obtain information on the scope of an individual database as well as information on specific database indexes that aid in refining searches.

In-Search also supplies you with local context-sensitive on-line help both for using Dialog and In-Search. If you have an IBM PC without a fixed disk, you must insert one of four separate floppy disks that represent major database categories: arts, education, and social sciences; biology and medicine; busi

ness, government, and news; and engineering, mathematics, and physical science. On a fixed-disk PC, these files are directly accessible by the program and in the future it may be possible for the Menlo Corporation to use Dialog to download updates both to the on-line reference sheets and to the In-Search program itself.

The search process begins with selection of a database to search in. The first In-Search display shows three windows. Two small windows on the left side of the screen allow you to select one of the four major categories and to select further specific subject areas within each category. After you select category and subject you can select a specific database. At this point you are placed in the query editor (In-Search calls this the Search Keywords and Phrases screen) to formalize a search.

After In-Search sends the query to Dialog, the references yielded by each

(continued)

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jULY 1984 -BYTE 351

BYTE WEST COAST

search are displayed in a separate window referred to as a reference text display. Any search words that you entered in the query editor appear as highlighted text as they are scrolled on the reference text screen.

At the same time, information on modem status is given in a small window in the lower-right corner of the display. When Dialog is sending records, the window indicates Phone-Working. The status changes to Phone-Online after the records have been retrieved or when you interrupt the retrieval process.

For a simple search to answer the question 'Are there any books currently available that describe bicycle tours of the California wine-growing region?" You would first select the Books in Print database and then enter the words "bicycle," "wine," and "California" in the query editor. You enter each of these words on a separate line. The first three lines of the editor are labeled SI, S2, and S3. On line S4, you enter the phrase "SI AND S2 AND S3" to insure that any reference in Books in Print that contains the first three words in its abstract will be located. (Running this query with InSearch located one book: Grape Expeditions: Bicycle Tours of the California Wine Country.)

In-Search documents the AND, OR, and NOT logical operators, which are subsets of Dialog's complete range. However, expert users can implement all the other search operators that Dialog permits.

Effective searching of the Dialog database, even with In-Search, is frequently complicated. Since Dialog is generally a collection of document abstracts, it is

heavily indexed, and it is important to understand the structure of the indexes to conduct a complete search.

A Dialog database is broken into records that are composed of fields. A typical record might include fields such as title, author, journal, abstract, descriptors, and identifiers. (Descriptors and identifiers are standard and nonstandard terms used by the database publisher to identify the subject matter of a record.) Each field is indexed either as a word index or as a phrase index.

In-Search gives you on-line access to specific indexes for each database. You can select an index for any term or phrase entered on the query editor screen. You also can send the Dialog database an "Expand" command that shows a listing of indexed words around the particular search word for a particular field in the database. This often will aid in narrowing down the focus of a search. (It is possible to search only one Dialog database at a time, however, some preselection is possible by searching the subject index first with a special command.)

The importance of indexed searching was exemplified when I searched for my last name in The Computer Database. No references were found; however, when the author index was specified. Dialog located 106 references.

Possibly the most intriguing aspect of this new class of software is the change that it portends in the realm of microcomputer-to-mainframe communications. The analogy that casts the mainframe database in the role of an operating system, linked simultaneously to many remote application programs,

brings many possibilities into view. In this model, interaction between microcomputers and mainframe computers would be similar to program calls to an operating system.

Menlo's Kreuzer has called upon online database providers to develop an open-architecture, machine-to-machine interface standard that would permit third-party software developers to create a new generation of applications programs.

"(What is needed is) a universal set of calls to create an open standard for the on-line community that will let us, or anyone, write applications programs," he says. "The information industry literally will explode once we have a machine interface to all the data."

Such an architecture would move in a philosophically different direction than the one currently being followed by some on-line information providers who have been setting up systems based on hierarchical "user-friendly" menus for novice users.

Instead, Kreuzer is aiming at fundamentally changing the division of labor between mainframes and PCs. While it is logical that the data searching and sorting algorithms will remain on the mainframe computer, the PC can be expected to handle the user interface, on-line help, and preprocessing of the search request more efficiently.

Further Benefits

Tighter coupling of the communications process between mainframe host and remote PC potentially can yield other dividends as well. Higher data-commu

{continued)

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352 BYTE' IULY 1984

THE LIBRARY OF

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Take any 3 books for only $1.00 each (values to $89.85)

You simply agree to buy 3 more books—at handsome discounts—within the next 12 months.

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37377. CDP REVIEW MANUAL: A Data Processing Handbook. Third Edilion. Kennislon W. Lord, Jr. Indepth coverage of equipment, management, mathematics and statistics, and more, Softbound. $29.95 37970. C1CS/VSCOMMAND LEVEL WITH ANS COBOL EXAMPLES. Pacifico A. Lim. An excellent guide to on-line (teleprocessing) concepts. $29.95

41618-2. DATABASE DESIGN. Second Edilion. Gio

Wiederltold. Completely revised edition of the comprehensive and authoritative work. Counts as 2 choices.

$32.00

42013. THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF COMPILERS. Robin Hunter. Lexical analysis, storage allocation, code generation, syntax analysis, symbol table handling, and more. $27.50 42036. THE DESIGN OF COMPLEX INFORMATION SYSTEMS. Grayce M. Booth. Hard-won design techniques and methods. $29.95 49428-2.FUN DA MENTALS OF INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS. Foley and Van Dam. The representation of 3D shapes, shading models, intensity and color, creating realistic synthetic images, and more. Counts as 2 choices. $36.95 49476. FUNDAMENTALS OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES. Ellis Horowitz. What they are, how they perform, and how superior language designs will arise in the future. $23.95 62614. MICROBOOK: Database Management for the Apple II. Ted Lewis. Fully-worked out programs written in Pascal, with sample screens. Softbound. $19.95 64728. 1984 PROGRAMMER'S MARKET. Edited by Brad McGehee. More than 500 listings of software publishers who use freejMnce material. Softbound. $16.95 70723.THE PROGRAMMER'SCP/M HANDBOOK. Andy Johnson-Laird. A technically-oriented guide for the small computer user. $27.95 42000-2. DESIGN AND STRATEGY FOR DISTRIBUTED DATA PROCESSING. James Martin. The basics, potentials and impact of DDP decisions. Counts as 2 choices. $37.50

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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. Second Edition. Ralston and Reilty. Eds. Thoroughly revised, updated and reorganized. 550 articles. Over 1,670 pages on virtually every aspect of the computer sciences. More than 750 illustrations. Counts as 3 choices. $87.50

40430. CONTROLLING SOFTWARE PROJECTS: Management, Measurement & Estimation. Htm DeMarco. $28.50 40072-2. COMPUTER VISION. Ballard and Brown. From image scanning to frame theory. Includes: optical flow, templates and image geometry, and more. Counts as 2 choices. $39.95

70748. PROGRAMMING A PERSONAL COMPUTER. P. Hansen. The fundamentals of the Edison System. Softbound. $18.95 73625. REAL-TIME SOFTWARE. Robert L. Glass A compendium of outstanding articles on real-time design. $24.95 88012-2. WRITINGS OF THE REVOLUTION: Selected Readings on Software Engineering. Edited by Edward Yourdon. A collection of 25 hard-to-find articles. Softbound. Counts as 2 choices. $33.00 32152. ADA FOR PROGRAMMERS. Olsen and Whitehill. A practical workingguidc. $18.95 43965. 8086/8088 16-BIT MICROPROCESSOR PRIMER. Morgan and Waiie, Featuring Intel's 8088 as used in the IBM Personal Computer. Softbound. $18.95 51923. A GUIDE FOR SOFTWARE ENTREPRENEURS./!. L. Frank. $29.00 52 00. HIGH LEVEL COBOL PROGRAMMING. Weinberget al. The classic handbook. Softbound edition.

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L The Finest Books. Of the hundreds and hundreds of books submitted to us each year, only the very finest are selected and offered. Moreover, our books are always of equal quality to publishers' editions never economy editions.

2. Big Savings. In addition to getting either the Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Engineering for $3.00 or 3 books for only $1.00 each when you join, you keep saving substantially—up to 30% and occasionally even more. (For example, your total savings as a trial member—including the introductory offer—can easily be over 50%. That's like gettingeveryotherbook free!)

3. Bonus Books. Also, you will immediately become eligible to participate in our Bonus Book Plan, with savings up to 70%offthe publishers' prices.

4. Convenient Service. At 3-4 week intervals (16 times per year) you will receive the Book Club News, describing the Main Selection and Alternate Selections, together with a dated reply card. If you want the Main Selection, do nothing and it will be sent to you automatically. If you prefer another selection, or no book at all. simply indicate your choice on the card, and return it by the date specified. You will have at least 10 days to decide. If, because of late mail delivery of the News, you should receive a book you do not want, weguarantee return postage.

55845. INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS.

Wolfgang K. Giloi. Comprehensive, practical guide for generating effectivegraphic displays, picture representation and transformation, and more. $28.95 58104. LEGAL CARE FOR YOUR SOFTWARE: A Step-by-Step Guide for Computer Software Writers. Darnel Renter. Copyrights, trademarks, and more. Softbound. $19.95 58811. LOGICAL CONSTRUCTION OF SYSTEMS. Jean-Dominique Wamier. Every aspect of system design.

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59937-2. MANAGEMENT OFCOMPUTER OPERATIONS. IsraelBorovits. Howtodevelop, implement,and monitor data processing policies. Counts as 2 choices.

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60326-2. MANAGING THE DATA-BASE ENVIRONMENT. James Martin. "The computer industry's most widely read author, best attended lecturer and foremost authority on the social and commercial impact of computers."— Computer World. Counts as 2 choices. $35.00 82558. TECHNIQUES OF PROGRAM AND SYSTEM MAINTENANCE. G. Parikh. How to keep our systems running. $24.95 86596. OFFICE AUTOMATION & WORD PROCESSING GUIDE. Tony Webster. An overview of the "electronic office." Softbound. $19.95 49353. FUNDAMENTALS OF DATA STRUCTURES IN PASCAL. Horowitz and Salmi. Evaluation of algorithm and data structure development. $26.95

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62638. MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEMS. M. Aumiaux. How to make reliable evaluations, define overall structure, evaluate characteristics, and more. $26.00 67042. PASCAL FOR PROGRAMMERS. Lecarme andNebttt. Packed with examples, d iagrams. and sample codes. $22.95 69923. PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF DATA COMMUNICATIONS. Paul Kreager. Practical information culled from on-the-job situations. $29.95 70206. PRINCIPLES OF DATABASE SYSTEMS. Second Edition. Jeffrey D. Ullman. $24.95 70684. PROGRAM DESIGN CONCEPTS WITH APPLICATIONS IN COBOL. Philippakis and Kazmier. Packed with sample programs, and basic techniques.

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70747. PROGRAMMING IN MODULA-2. Second Edition. Niklaus Wirth. "A worthy successor to Pascal."-flyrE. $16.95 77651. SELECTED WRITINGS ON COMPUTING. Edsger W Dijkstra. Articles and papers by a founding fatherof modern programming. $28.00 80823. STRUCTURED COMPUTER ORGANIZATION. Second Edition. Andrew S. Tanenbaum. Computer architecture and its design. $28.95 80820-2. A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO SYSTEMS TESTING. William E. Perry. How to deliver accurate, reliable.and user-satisfactory software. Counts as 2 choices. $34.50

If the reply card has been removed, please write to: The Library of Computer and Information Sciences Dept. 7-CD6, Riverside, N.J. 08075

to obtain membership information and an application. Byte 7/84

IULY 1984 -BYTE 353

BYTE WEST COAST

In-Search uses a significant amount of data compression on the large on-line reference files that are stored on the PC to reduce their size by almost 40 percent.

nications speeds is one obvious possibility. In-Search already uses a significant amount of data compression on the large on-line reference files that are stored on the PC to reduce their size by almost 40 percent. There are a series of simple strategies for increasing the data-communications bandwidth as well. If the applications program can be coupled more tightly to the host computer, it is possible to employ a variety of data-compression strategies to go beyond the current 1200-bps (bit-persecond) limitation over phone lines.

Post-processing is another significant area. While In-Search currently formats only downloaded information and stores it to disk or outputs it to a printer, several other on-line search programs permit later manipulation of information as well. ScjMate, from the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) in Philadelphia, is an on-line search program that is priced at $880 and designed for IBM PC, Apple II, and CP/M computers. It provides for automatic logon and query of four different database

systems and includes a local database manager that makes it possible to store downloaded information. The database component of SciMate is called Personal Data Manager. It will take advantage of the record and field structure of information from a host computer or permit you to create your own structure for a local database. Although there are limitations on field and record size. Personal Data Manager permits you to link records to store longer textual documents. You also can move files to wordprocessing programs or merge locally created notes or documents into the database.

In a smaller fashion, Informatics General Corporation and VisiCorp have developed two complementary programs, Answer/DB and VisiAnswer, that permit the transfer of quantitative data from a corporate mainframe computer to an IBM PC where it can then be loaded into a VisiCalc spreadsheet program for local analysis.

Faster Modems for PCs

Today there are a series of barriers confronting high-speed PC data communications. Most of these barriers fall within the realm of the voice-grade telecommunication network and into existing modem technologies designed to send data over this network.

Yet, while digital technologies are promising dramatically higher communication speeds, a series of new modem designs is being introduced that will bring PC-to-PC data rates up to 9600 bps and, with additional data compres

sion, may push speeds higher.

The new technology wasn't originally developed for personal computer users, but rather for digital-facsimile transmission systems. Now that the technology has been moved to PCs, it raises a number of possibilities, including using facsimile machines as remote inputoutput devices for PCs.

Gamma Technology, a Palo Alto, California, data-communications corporation, recently introduced the FAXT-96, a half-duplex 9600-bps synchronous modem board for the IBM PC and PC XT

Priced initially at $1995 and designed to be used with a synchronous adapter card, the FAXT-96 plugs directly into a card slot in an IBM PC or PC compatible and permits 9600-bps communication over ordinary dial-up telephone lines. The modem includes auto-dial, autoanswer, and multiple-speed features. It connects directly to a phone line and to a synchronous adapter.

The use of dial-up 9600-bps communications is new. It has been made possible because of improvements in modem technology and improvements in the method of encoding digital data on bandwidth-limited voice-grade lines. Control of the FAXT-96 is handled in software from a "master control panel" screen on the IBM PC.

Previous high-speed synchronous modems have been stand-alone units that have been intended for either remote-terminal or micro-to-mainframe communication. The Gamma Technology modem differs in that, although it can be used as a high-speed micro

{conlinued)

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staff, and senior; ment with a strategy and direction on how to change manage the dramatically changing environment of info tion systems and data processing.

An Information Systems MANIFESTO

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The first part of this book describes action which must be taken to improve the use of computers, for example, by placing the end user in the driver's seat and by automating the process of automation.

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Professional Software for the Software

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DMA products operate on the full range of Z80, 8086, 8088 processors, including the IBM-PC

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Application Creation

FORMULA II™

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The first and only Application Creator—a do-it-yourself concept for office automation. FORMULA II lets you define your files, forms, menus, and reports—FORMULA II then creates your program. FORMULA II includes a Database manager with an English Query language and a Form/Report Creator with word processing features.

Communications

ASCOM™

ASCOM™ is the most versatile asynchronous communication package for microcomputers on the market. It features interactive, menu-driven, and batch operations; supports auto-answer and auto-dial modems; includes most popular protocols; provides network simulation; and many other options.Xerox Corporation, NCR, Monroe Systems for Business, and the big 8 accounting firms use ASCOM™.

—A bisynchronous communication package that will be configurable for a variety of systems and includes a flexible interface to the operating system. 2780/3780/3270 protocols available on microcomputers with appropriate hardware.

TERMCOM™—A configurable terminal emulator allowing any personal computer to emulate most conversational and selected block mode terminals with asynchronous communications Available December 1983.

Utilities

EM80/86™

This software emulator lets you use eight bit software on sixteen bit microcomputers without hardware modifications.

The 8086 O.S. Converter™

CP to MS—Permits execution of Digital Research's CP/M-86 programs under Microsoft's MSDOS (or PC DOS).

MS to CP—Permits execution of MSDOS programs under CP/M-86. UT-86™

This package of user-friendly utilities for the IBM Personal Computer and similar systems includes copying, directory sorting, patching, and a general purpose file print utility.

Coming Soon

DMA."C"™—A "C" language compiler which will generate either Z80 or 8086 assembly language code. Due to a unique optimization routine which is based upon a functional "P-code" model, the efficiency of DMA."C" will far exceed that of existing compilers.

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IULY 1984 • BYTE 355

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to-mainframe communications link, a software package also is being offered that permits error-checked PC-to-PC file transmission at 9600 bps.

The shift from asynchronous to synchronous transmission protocols at higher data rates frees the communication process from the start-stop bit overhead, a difference that automatically yields about a 20 percent increase in transmission efficiency.

The significance of higher data communications rates has grown with the deregulation of the communications industry because communication costs are expected to rise. Gamma Technology is claiming that an eightfold increase in data rate (from 1200 bps to 9600 bps) will save several thousand dollars a year if 160K bytes of information are transmitted daily across the United States. Savings would be even greater if data were transmitted overseas.

The FAXT-96 can be programmed to

meet several international modem standards set by the CCITT (International Consultant Committee for Telegraph and Telephone). The standards include CCITT V.29 at 9600, 7200, and 4800 bps and CCITT V.27 at 4800 and 2400 bps. Until now, U.S. modem signaling standards have been dominated by AT&Tdeveloped standards. That's changing, both because of the global need for communications and because AT&T has less influence in an area of deregulation.

There are some limitations. Because sending data at 9600 bps is pressing to the limit what currently is possible with voice-grade lines, poor line quality can make it impossible to send data at that speed. To cope with line-quality problems, the Gamma Technology modem automatically tests line quality during an initial handshaking phase and then sets transmission speed at the highest data rate the line will support, ranging from 9600 bps down to 2400 bps. The line test is done by having one system send

a known signal to the receiving system. The receiving system knows what it is supposed to get and can make adjustments to make the closest fit.

A recent study by Xerox of facsimilesystem performance showed that the same modem technology that Gamma is using would support 9600-bps data transmission worldwide approximately 75 percent of the time over voice-grade lines. Over domestic long-distance lines the 7200-bps rate had to be selected only 27 percent of the time.

In addition to cutting communications costs, higher-speed data communications opens up new applications. Facsimile-to-PC connections would make the transmission of the textual information possible for bit-mapped display on the IBM PC. At 9600 bps the facsimiletransmission time for an 8'/2- by 11-inch piece of paper is 30 seconds. Another possibility is for the transmission of specialized database information that includes diagrams or other images. ■

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Before Johann Sebastian Bach developed a new method of tuning, you had to change instruments practically every time you wanted to change keys.Very difficult.

Before Avocet introduced its family of cross-assemblers, developing micro-processor software was much the same. You needed a separate development system for practically every type of processor. Very difficult and very expensive.

But with Avocet's cross-assemblers, a single computer can develop software for virtually any microprocessor! Does that put us in a league with Bach? You decide.

The Well-Tempered Cross-Assembler

Development Tools That Work

Avocet cross-assemblers are fast, reliable and user-proven in over 3 years of actual use. Ask NASA, IBM, XEROX or the hundreds of other organizations that use them. Every time you see a new microprocessorbased product, there's a good chance it was developed with Avocet crossassemblers.

Avocet cross-assemblers are easy to use. They run on any computer with CP/M* and process assembly language for the most popular microprocessor families.

5'A" disk formats available at no extra cost include Osborne, Xerox, H-P, IBM PC, Kaypro, North Star, Zenith, Televideo, Otrona, DEC.

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Of course, there's more. Avocet has the tools you need from start to finish to enter, assemble and test your software and finally cast it in EPROM:

Text Editor VEDIT -- full-screen text editor by CompuView. Makes source code entry a snap. Full-screen text editing, plus TECO-like macro facility for repetitive tasks. Pre-configured for over 40 terminals and personal computers as well as in userconfigurable form.

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EPROM Programmer Model 7128 EPROM Programmer by GTek programs most EPROMS without the need for personality modules. Self-contained power supply ... accepts ASCII commands and data from any computer through RS 232 serial interface. Cross-assembler hex object files can be down-loaded directly. Commands include verify and read, as well as partial programming.

PROM types supported: 2508, 2758, 2516, 2716, 2532, 2732, 2732A, 27C32, MCM8766, 2564, 2764, 27C64, 27128, 8748, 8741, 8749, 8742, 8751, 8755, plus Seeq and Xicor EEPROMS.

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The Micromint Collection

Micromint. Supporting the varied projects that appear in Steve Ciarcia's monthly article in BYTE Magazine, "Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar." Offering a wide range of computers and peripherals designed to meet the exacting demands of the hobbyist as well as worldwide corporate clients.

TERM-MITE ST

Z8 BASIC SYSTEM

SMART TERMINAL BOARD

CONTROLLER NEW!!!

As featured in Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar BYTE Magazine, January & February 1984

All you need to build a Smart Video Terminal equivalent to the types advertised for $1,000.00 or more is a Term-Mite ST circuit board, scanned or parallel keyboard, video monitor and power supply.

• Uses brand new Nat'l Semi NS455A Terminal Processor.

• 24 lines by 80 characters. 25th reverse-video status.

• Upper & lowercase. Line (block) graphics.

• Selectable data rate, parity S display options.

• Reverse video, hall intensity, double height & width, underlined, blinking and/or blank character.

• Separate sync or composite video output. Self Test Term-Mite ST Video Display Terminal Board

BCC22 Assembled A Tested $284.

BCC23 Complete Kit 244.

As featured on Ihe cover olBYTE Magazine. Also featured in Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar November, December 19821 January 1983

The Computer With A Split Personality.

—Use it as an IBM PC look alike that directly boots PC DOS 1.1 and accepts all expansion boards designed lor Ihe IBM PC.

—Use it as a powerful 8088 single board computer lor all your OEM applications. Just add serial terminal, disk drive and power supply. Directly boots CP/M-86.

Buy the MPX-16 in Ihe form that best meets your needs or budget. As a bare board, as a wave soldered board that contains all components less ICs, as an assembled and tested circuit board or as a complete system.

• Directly boots PC DOS 1.1 and CP/M-86.

• Most IBM PC software executes with no modifications.

• IBM PC bus compatible + 9 expansion slots.

• Intel 808816-bit microprocessor.

• Oplional Intel 8087 math coprocessor.

• 256K bytes on board memory.

• Up to one megabyte of system memory.

• Up to 64K bytes of system ROM/EPROM.

• 2 RS-232C Serial 8, 3 Parallel I/O ports.

• Disk controller for 5V4" or 8" drives.

• Sixteen levels of vectored interrupts. MPX-16 Circuit Board Assembled

W/64K RAM $1,200.

OEM 100 quantity price 900.

MPX-16 Circuit Board Asembled

W/256K RAM 1,400.

MPX-16 Semi-Kit (wave soldered circuit

board w/all components) Less ICs 695.

Complete Kit ol ICs W/256K RAM 595.

MPX-16 Unpopulated (bare) PC Board.... 300. CP/M-86 Operating System + Manuals... 80.

MPX-16 Switching Power Supply 300.

MPX-16 Technical Reference Manual 50.

MPX-16 Melal Enclosure with Fan 300.

Tandon TM100-2 Double Sided/Density

Drive 300.

IBM PC Keyboard Interlace Adapter 100.

Shipping 4 handling additional on all

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IBM PC is a Irademaik ol International Business Machines Inc. CP-M-86 is a Irademaik of Digital Research Inc. Z8 Is a trademark otZlog Inc.

Circle 2I8 on inquiry card.

As featured in Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar. BYTE Magazine, July & August 1981

The Z8 Basic System Controller is an updated version of our popular BCC01. The price has been reduced and features added. The entire computer is 4" by <\W and includes a tiny BASIC interpreter, up to 6K bytes of RAM and EPROM, one RS-232C serial port with switchable baud rales and two parallel ports. BASIC or machine language programming is accomplished simply by connecting a CRT terminal. Programs can be transferred to 2732 EPROMs with an optional EPROM programmer lor auto start applications. Additional Z8 peripheral boards include memory expansion, serial and parallel I/O. real time clock, an A/D Converter and an EPROM programmer.

• Uses Zilog Z8 single chip microprocessor.

• Data and address buses available lor 124K memory.

• Can be battery operated.

• Cross assemblers for various computers.

BCCtl Assembled & Tested S149.

New Low Price

Z8 MEMORY. I/O EXPANSION. CASSETTE INTERFACE

• 8K bytes of additional RAM or EPROM.

• Three additional 8 bit parallel ports

• Cassette interface—300 baud K.C. Standard.

• Software real time clock.

BCC03 W/4K RAM Assembled & Tested $150.

BCC04 W/8K RAM Assembled & Tested 180.

Z8 EPROM PROGRAMMER

• Transfer BASIC or Assembly Language application programs from RAM to 2716 or 2732 EPROM.

• Comes with programming & utility routines on EPROM.

• Requires BCC03 Z8 Expansion Board for operation. 8CC07 Assembled & Tested $145.

Z8 ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER

• Uses Analog Devices 7581 IC. 8-channel 8-bit.

• Adds process control capability to the Z8 system

• Over 1,000 conversions per channel per second.

• Monitors 8 analog signals in one of two 10v ranges. BCC13 Assembled & Tested $140.

Z8 SERIAL EXPANSION BOARD

• Adds additional RS-232C and opto-isolated 20 ma. current loop serial port to the Z8 System.

• Runs at 75 to 19,200 baud in all protocols

• Comes with listings of sample serial I/O routines. BCC08 Assembled & Tested $160

Z816K MEMORY EXPANSION BOARD

• Add up to 16K of additional memory, RAM or EPROM, to your Z8 System Controller in any multiple.

• Accepts 2016, 6116, 2716, or 2732 memory types

• Four 16K cards may be installed on Ihe Z8 System bringing the total memory to 64K.

BCC14 Assembled & Tested w/8K RAM $120.

BCC16 Assembled & Tested W/16K RAM 155.

COMING SOON!

FORTH LANGUAGE VERSION

OF THE Z8

With the new ZB with on board 4K FORTH you can program high speed control functions in a few simple high level language commands. Perfect for data reduction, process control and high speed control applications.

BCC20 Z8F FORTH Microprocessor chip .... $150. BCC21Z8F FORTH System Controller

(This board is a BCC11 with a BCC20

installed)

Assembled & Tested 280.

Z8 CROSS ASSEMBLERS

From Micro Resources

IBM PC, APPLE, 6502 Systems 5V4",

CP M 2.2 8 $ 75.

From Allen Ashley

TRS-80 Model I, III, Northstar 5Vt" 75.

CP M 2.2 8 150.

Z8 FIVE SLOT MOTHER BOARD

• Expand your Z8 BASIC System with minimum effort

• Contains five slots complete w44 pin connectors. MB02 Assembled & Tested $69.

TRIPLE VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLIES

+5V @ 300 ma. + / - 12V @ 25 ma.

UPS01 Assembled & Tested $35.

UPS02 Complete Kit 27.

+5V@1Amp. + 12V@.5Amp. -12V @ 50 ma.

UPS03 Assembled & Tested 60.

UPS04 Complete Kit 50.

SPEECH SYNTHESIZERS

MICROVOX TEXT-TO-SPEECH SYNTHESIZER

As featured in Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar BYTE Magazine September, October 1982.

Microvox is a second generation prolessional voice quality lext-lo-speech synthesizer that is easily interfaced to any computer, modern. RS-232C serial or parallel output device and provides speech ol unbelievable clarity.

• Unlimited vocabulary.

• 64 programmable inflection levels.

• 6K text-to-speech algorithm.

• Full ASCII character set recognition and echo.

• RS232C and parallel outpul.

• 1000 character buffer, 3000 optional.

• Adiustable baud rates (75-9600)

• Spelling output mode.

• 7 octave music and sound effects.

• On board audio amplifier & power supply.

• X-On-X-Otf handshaking.

MV01 Assembled with IK buffer S299.

MV02 Complete Kit with 1K buffer 219.

Add $15.00 lor 3K buffer option.

VOTRAX SC-01A PHONETIC SPEECH SYNTHESIZER IC

The SC-01A Speech Synthesizer is a completely selfcontained solid state device that phonetically synthesizes continuous speech of unlimited vocabulary Used in our Microvox and Sweet-Talker. SCQ1A Quantity 1-99 $44. ea.

100+ 32. ea.

1000 i 24. ea.

MICRO D-CAM DIGITAL TV CAMERA

As featured in Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar BYTE Magazine. Septembers October 1983

GIVE YOUR COMPUTER THE DIMENSION OF SIGHT

• Interprets, enhances and stores images.

• 256 x 128 digital image sensor.

• Plug-in boards for Ihe IBM-PC. APPLE IN or e

• Soltware includes utilities for auto exposure, multi-level greyscale. screen dump and image enhancement

• Includes interface card, 4 foot extension cable, camera assembly, manual, and software on diskette

DCOI IBM PC Assembled & Tested $299.

DC02 IBM PC Complete Kit 264.

DC03 APPLE II Assembled & Tested 299.

DC04 APPLE II Complete Kit 264.

300 BAUD ANSWER/ ORIGINATE MODEM KIT

As featured in Ciarcia i Circuit Cellar BYTE Magazine, March 1983

Micromint's latest 300 Baud Modem Kit is crystal controlled, uses the Tl TMS99532 IC, contains just 25 parts and requires no calibration or adiustments Use with acoustic coupler or in direct connect mode

MD04 Complete Kit as shown $60.

MD05 Transformer lor Direct Connect Mode .. 9. AC01 Acoustic Coupler Kit 20.

E-Z COLOR GRAPHIC INTERFACE WITH SPRITES

APPLE II E-Z Color plug-in board with Graphics Editor on 3 .3 disk

EZ01 Assembled & Tested $150.

EZ02 Complete Kit 125.

APPLE It E-Z Color Plus

• Allows the use ol a single monitor or TV set

EZ11 Assembled & Tested w Graphics Editor . $200. WELL LOGO lor E-Z Color and E-Z Color Plus Supports Sprite Graphics

EZ21 Krell LOGO wlull documentation $89.

Animation Software lor E-Z Color Plus

• Draw wilh Sprites using Joystick or Koala Pad

• Animate Sprites from your own BASIC program EZ21 Animation Software $49.

S100 E-Z Color Graphics Board

• With sound generator & joystick interlace.

• MBASIC Graphics Editor on 8" diskette.

EZ04 Assembled & Tested $289.

MICROMINT INC. 561 Willow Avenue. Cedarhurst, NY 11516 To Order: Call Toll Free 1-800-645-3479 For Information Call: 1-516-374-6793 Call: Monday-Friday, 9-5 PM

BYTE JAPAN

Start-Up

Wrist computer Akihabara RAM chips

Counting words

by William Raike

t:

I his is my first column as BYTE's Tokyo correspondent. In the coming months be bringing you news about developments in personal computers in Japan, an idea of what kinds of hardware and software are on the market here (and, for you software entrepreneurs, what isn't), and periodic stories about what people use their computers for. When computer shows happen, you'll read about them; when there is interesting hardware progress to be reported on, you'll hear about that, too. And living here in Japan, 10,000 miles or so from Peterborough, offers a unique perspective on the computer explosion in the United States; you'll read my fearless observations and predictions about that as well. If you would like to contact me, 1 can be reached at BYTE, POB 372, Hancock, NH 03449.

Seiko's Wrist Computer

For this month's new product preview, I discovered the wrist computer system from Seiko. 1 couldn't resist it; 1 went right out and bought one. Not really a "wristwatch computer," this item is actually a system of components. The watch itself, or more properly, the "wrist unit," besides being a normal-size digital watch with alarm and stopwatch features, contains storage space for 2000 characters organized into two pages, or "memos," of 1000 characters each. The watch also has a liquid-crystal display (LCD) with four lines of 10 characters each. Each character is 5 by 7 dots. Buttons (it has only four) at the bottom of the dark-brown bezel allow you to select either Memo A or Memo B and scroll upward or downward, in addition to using the conventional watch, alarm, and stopwatch functions. You can begin scrolling at either the beginning or end of a memo and proceed either one line at a time or, by holding a scrolling button down, four lines at a time.

The legibility of the display is quite good. The characters are typewriter-size (about 12 per inch), except the time-display digits, which are one-and-a-half characters high for better readability. It has no light; after all, the case has to hold five CMOS (complementary metaloxide semiconductor) LSI (large-scale integra

tion) chips and one bipolar 1C (integrated circuit) in addition to the display and a battery. The display has no shadows and the viewing angle is sufficiently wide. Display contrast, remarkably, is adjustable via a separate keyboard unit.

Data entry is accomplished with the separate keyboard unit, which is about the size of a Hershey bar and weighs a little over 2 ounces. The left side contains a square indentation into which you press the watch either to store data in it or to use the watch as a display for the calculator function. It has a QWERTY-style keyboard with 50 keys, plus a Return key and space bar, 4 cursor keys, 4 mode-selection keys, and 2 Shift keys. In the units sold here in Japan, the second Shift key enables each character key to enter a katakana character (one of the two sets of Japanese phonetic characters—the other is himgana) in addition to upper- and lowercase alphanumeric entry. One feature I found slightly annoying was that the normal mode is uppercase instead of lowercase, with no shift-lock function. Other than that, the watch and keyboard units work like a charm and are easy to learn and operate.

In order to store data in the watch, you snap the watch into the keyboard unit and press the Transmit button on the watch; then select a memo page by pressing either the Memo A or Memo B key on the keyboard. You enter data (or do editing) simply by positioning the cursor and typing the desired text. When you press the Transmit button again, the process ends. The watch becomes a display for the calculator function by pressing CAL instead of Memo A or Memo B and then using the numeric keys and arithmetic operation keys on

[continued]

William Raike, who holds a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Northwestern University, has taught operations research and computer science in Austin. Texas, and Monterey. California. He holds a patent on a voice scrambler and was formerly an officer of Cryptext Corporation in the United States. In 1980, he went to']apan looking for 64K-bit RAMs. He has been there ever since as a technical translator and a software developer.

1ULY 1984 • BYTE 361

BYTE JAPAN

they keyboard; using the CAL function has no effect on the data stored in the watch.

You may wonder how data is transferred between the watch and the keyboard, particularly because they have absolutely no connectors. The answer: a combination of electromagnetic coupling and serial transmission at 2048 bits per second.

In addition to the wristwatch and keyboard units, other devices are available: a "controller." which is the size of a small desk calculator and contains a small printer, and an interface adapter for interfacing between the watch and a personal computer.

The controller, according to the instruction manual, is programmable in Microsoft BASIC (using the wristwatch as its display), in addition to duplicating the data entry and calculator functions of the small keyboard unit. ROM (readonly memory) packs for games are also available. Unfortunately, the controller that was demonstrated to me was not working properly, so it was impossible to correctly evaluate it.

One of the (apanese computer magazines has reported briefly on the interface adapter, but dealers will only say that it will be available "Any Day Now." [Editor's Note: "Any Day Now" is the lapanese equivalent of \erry Pournelle's "Real Soon Now." |

Being the first on your block to own one of these is sure to elicit oohs and aahs from your friends; no doubt there are multifarious uses for the thing. The amazing thing to me is not the technology; it's that the combined price for the watch and keyboard unit is less than $100.

AKIHABARA

A whole city district in Tokyo, called Akihabara, is the center of the consumer-electronics explosion. In future columns, I'll report on the goingson there in the personal computer field and on new products. Upcoming topics will include the latest on two 16-bit machines from Sharp and Fujitsu, and some features of the upcoming Japanese-language personal word processors now appearing on the market.

Technology Frontier

The personal computer market in the next few years will be deeply affected

not only by the new generation of 32-bit microprocessors, whose development is being pioneered in the United States, but also by advances in memory technology, such as the 256K-bit RAM (random-access read/write memory) chips now available in sample quantities from lapanese suppliers. And prototypes of 1-megabit RAM chips exist. Over the longer term, Tokyo-area university research groups are already pressing for development of a 100megabit RAM by the 1990s.

In the immediate future, and of direct relevance to large computer systems, are extremely high-speed memory packages. Hitachi has just announced a bipolar memory module that, although low-capacity, has an access time of 4.5 nanoseconds. Hitachi claims that the density of circuit integration in the new module is the highest in the world.

Six bipolar LSI chips are bonded to a multilayer silicon substrate in a total area of one square centimeter to provide 6K bits of memory. The 108-pin quad package has a hefty heat sink because power consumption is approximately 6 watts. But Hitachi says the basic technology can be used to develop modules for other 1C families, including CMOS.

C Across the Sea

Computers have been a part of my life for more than 20 years now. While more computing power is on my desk now than used to be available in the whole room it took to hold the IBM 704 that first grabbed my interest, I still have a sense of wonder about these quiet beasts. And I still get enthusiastic about developing a new piece of software that helps me or another user, sophisticated or not, get some job done more easily, quickly, or conveniently. So this column will contain descriptions and listings of programs that do that, along with programming hints that may help you write better programs.

Besides being a columnist, I do technical translation and free-lance software development, and sometimes consulting. That means I get to use my computer as a word processor nearly every day for between 20 and 60 pages of text. With that kind of motivation, I have good reasons for developing programs that help me get more out of my word processor. 1 use WordStar; while it may

not be everything the heart could desire, it does just about everything a word processor should do, and simple postprocessor programs can do a lot to make it (or any word processor) more useful.

One example is something as elementary as word counting. Translations (and other documents) are often paid for on a per-word basis. Believe it or not, many translation agencies in Tokyo employ people to count words, manually, in each document they handle. (But you lose a sense of amazement at such things in Tokyo, where every major department store hires "greeters" to cheerfully and respectfully meet everyone coming into the store with a bow and a smile.)

Word counting is simple, even though WordStar imposes certain additional tasks, like ignoring "dot commands" (lines that begin with a period, used for document formatting) and coping with bytes that have the high-order bit set and therefore don't look like the characters they're supposed to be. (On your system, if you use CP/M to TYPE a WordStar document file, you'll probably see all kinds of graphics characters where the last letter in a word should be; on mine, I get katakana characters.) Written in C, the program shown in listing 1 is a straightforward software tool that does the job and also provides a foundation for more ambitious programs for processing WordStar files.

If you haven't yet gotten up the energy (or courage, or whatever) to start using the C language, you really should. It's an easy language to learn if you have some experience with at least one other programming language (even BASIC, to which it is not very similar).

C has replaced assembly language for perhaps 90 percent of my programming work. Programs get written faster and debugged faster, and they're portable (mostly). Most important, they're readable and maintainable.

Lots of C compilers are available these days (see the August 1983 BYTE), but I have only good things to say about C/80 from The Software Toolworks. The compiler-plus-assembler package sells for less than $50; the optional Mathpak, which implements the float and long data types, is about $30 extra and nice to have. The compiler can also generate code suitable for a relocating assem

362 BYTE • IULY 1984

BYTE JAPAN

Listing I: A program in C to count words in WordStar files.

#define EOF - I #define MAXLEN 4000

include tprintf.c

main () /• Count words in input. */

/• For use with WordStar. Ignores hi bits set. •/

/• Ignores lines beginning with periods. IDot commands.1 </ { char "wptr;

char line|MAXLEN|;

int wl. nw;

nw = 0;

while (getlinelline, MAXLEN) != 01 {

if (dotcmd(line)) continue; for Iwptr = line; (wl = getwordl&wptrll != -1;) if (wl) nw+ + ;

}

printf("%d/n". nw);

}

dotcmd(ptr) /• Returns I if char at ptr is 0 otherwise. •/ char 'ptr;

{ return [-ptr == 7 ? 1 : 0 ):

}

getwordlptradd) /• Searches for a word starting at -ptradd •/

/• This function returns - 1 if no word is found •/

/■ (e.g., end of line), 0 if word is to be ignored, •/

/• and a positive integer which is the length of •/

/• the word otherwise */

char •ptraddll:

{ char -ptr; int len;

ptr = -ptradd: /• 'ptradd is a pointer (ptr); *ptr is a char •/

len = 0

while (isspacef-ptr)) ptr+ + : •ptradd = ptr: if ('ptr == '/0' return - 1; while (HsspaceCptr) && *ptr != '/O'l ptr+ + ; len = ptr - -ptradd; if (len == 1)

{if (!isalpha(..ptradd) && !isdigit|..ptradd]) len = 0: }

•ptradd = ptr; return len;

}

getline(s,lim) /• Gets a string (including newlinel from std. input. •/ /• 0 terminated. Returns the length of the string. •/ /• Zaps hi bits to 0 in all bytes •/

char >s; int lim;

{ char «t;

t = s;

while I — lim > 0 && (Ct = getchar(l) != /n) && 't != EOF)

•t++ &= 7177': /-zap hi bit*/ if Ct == 7n) t+ + : •t = 70': return t - s;

}

isspace(c) /• Checks only for blanks and newlines, not tabs •/ char c;

/. if (c == '') return I; if (c == 'In') return I; return 0; •/ {

#asm

LXI H.2 DAD SP MOV A.M LXI H.I

CPI RZ

CPI OAH RZ

DCR L

#endasm }

include stdlib.c

bier, if you wish, and comes closer than other more expensive C compilers to the full C standard. And the dealer is extremely helpful and responsive to inquiries, which means a lot when you're as far away as 1 am.

The word-counting program in listing 1 was compiled using The Software Toolworks C/80 compiler. In C, #include is a preprocessor directive that tells the compiler to insert a particular file from the disk into the source file at that point. This particular compiler requires the file TPRINTF.C or a similar file to be included when formatted output (e.g., a printf() statement) is used, such as for displaying the result (the word count) on the console. The #include STDL1B.C function at the end of the program includes the standard library routines, such as isalpha() and isdigit(). within the source file prior to compilation. (The library routines are preceded by #ifneed compiler directives, so that only the library routines that are actually required are compiled; this feature is useful when using the absolute assembler supplied with C/80 instead of a relocating assembler and linker.)

The structure of the main routine is as simple as it is short; successive text lines are read into a character array called line|), using the getlineO function. If the line begins with a period (i.e., is a WordStar dot command), it is ignored and another line is read. The line is then scanned for individual words with the getword() function.

The getwordO function does what its name implies; starting at the position in line|| that is pointed to by the pointer wptr, it scans subsequent characters in the line, advances wptr to point to the blank or newline character following the first word, and returns the length of the word as its value. (A "word" here is simply any contiguous sequence of characters terminated by a blank or newline character.) The function returns a value of -1 if no word is found, meaning that the end of theline has been encountered. A value of 0 is returned if the word is to be ignored; in this version, getwordO ignores any word only one character long that is not a letter or a digit (i.e., any isolated punctuation).

The getlinef) function uses getcharO to read a line of characters from the

[continued]

1ULY 1984 • BYTE 363

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"standard input" into the array called line []. It differs from the usual C function with the same name (and probably ought to have been called something different, like getWSln) in that an AND operation is performed with each character and a mask (octal 177 or hexadecimal 7F) whose high-order bit is 0, in order to set the high bit in the character to 0. This task is accomplished in C with the statement *t++ &= \l77', which is a compact way to write both *t = *t&\\7T and f = f + 1. The local variable t is a pointer to the current character, so that *t is the current character itself. Reading stops when either the end of the line (a newline character) or the end of file is encountered, and the line is terminated with a zero byte, as is normal in C. (In C, strings are simply arrays of characters that are explicitly terminated with a zero byte.) The function returns the length of the line, or a value of 0 if no characters were read, in which case the end of file is indicated.

The isspace() function, normally present in the standard C library, is coded here in assembly language both to illustrate how easy it is to include in-line assembly language in a C/80 program and for efficiency reasons.

Reflecting the origin of the C language, all programs written in C/80 accomplish I/O (input/output) redirection. This capability means that a C program such as this one, which reads its input from the "standard input" and outputs to the "standard output" (normally the console), can obtain its input from a file instead, simply by indicating the filename in the command line when the program is run. Thus, if the program shown in listing 1 is compiled and assembled to produce a program called WCOUNT.COM (to be run under CP/M), for example, it can be used to count words in a WordStar file called TEXT by typing WCOUNT <TEXT followed by a carriage return.

Coming Up

In future issues, look for a C program that allows you to implement "pipes," UNIX-style, and multiple-command lines under CP/M; dealing with the file directory yourself instead of using the operating system's DIR command; yet another sort program; more postprocessors for WordStar; and more. ■

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MATHEMATICAL RECREATIONS

Invariance

A computer card trick and a look at number narcissism

by Michael W. Ecker

JY elcome to the world of mathematical recreation. The theme wK wm this month is invariance. In point of fact, there are several tricks in mathematics based on some kind of invariance. Some tricks, such as casting out nines, may be more familiar to you than others. Let's look at some of the lesser known ones.

A Computer Card Trick

One of my personal favorites is one that you may have seen commercially available with special card decks. One player mentally picks a positive integer, say, from 0 to 63. The other player—the "guesser — then shows six cards, each containing some of these 64 numbers, and asks whether the chosen number appears on each card. The first player indicates "yes" or "no." At the conclusion, the guesser is able to tell which of the 64 numbers was selected.

You might enjoy trying this game with your computer instead, letting it ask you the questions and give you the feedback. While I could have written the program (see listing 1) without the data statements, 1 would have given away all too quickly how this trick works. Figure 1 shows how the "cards" are presented. Because I work with a TRS-80 Model 111 and also a Sanyo MBC-555 (an IBM PC compatible), those of you with other compatible machines can probably run the programs I provide as is. If you have another machine, you will need to make some modifications to clear the screen, display a printout, and so on. In this case, CLS clears the screen, and the PRINT statements use commas afterward to keep the numbers in columns, the leftmost edges of which are 16 characters apart. You may replace the commas with tab statements to accommodate smaller or larger screens, or use semicolons and then print blanks.

Why does the trick work, mathematically speaking? If you analyze the program, you'll see that this program presents the cards, or screens, and adds a power of two if and only if the player replies "yes" (Y). Essentially, you are exploiting the following mathematical principle: Every positive integer can be represented in one and only one way as a sum of powers of two in which each power of two

is used at most once. This concept may be considered the underpinning for base two, which in itself is interesting and certainly related to computers.

To illustrate, let's take the number 25. It can be represented as such a sum (with the restriction stated—each power of two used at most once) as 1+8+16, and in no other way, apart from the order of specifying 1, 8, and 16. Let's call this breakdown into a sum of powers of two the base-two decomposition. Now look at the cards again (see figure 1). Note that all the numbers on the first screen (a), which corresponds to card 1, require a 1 in their base-two decomposition. Note that 24, for instance, doesn't appear on the first screen precisely because its decomposition, 8+16, doesn't require or allow a 1 in it. For 25, you answer "yes," and the program adds 1 (2 to the power 0). It does not do this for 24.

This process repeats with the second card of choices (b). All the integers on it require a 2 in their representation. Because 25 does not require or allow a 2, the number 2 5 does not appear. You would answer "no" (N) for this screen if you chose 25. In a similar vein, all numbers in the third screen (c) contain a 4 in their base-two representation. Those in the fourth (d) contain 8, the ones in the fifth (e) have 16, and in the sixth (f), 32.

If you determine which screens contain 25, you will note that it is precisely the ones corresponding to 1, 8, and 16. The program adds them together to reform the original 25. Furthermore, this pattern is easy to read, as the appropriate powers of two are precisely the first numbers (in the upper left) of each card.

An alternate way of viewing the screens is to treat each "yes" response as a 1 and each "no" as a 0. Now look at the yes/no sequence as zeros and ones, but in reverse order. For 25, corresponding to 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, and 1, we have 011001. Because we generally omit leading zeros, this truncates to 11001, which is the base-two representation of 25.

Dr. Michael W. Ecker is a mathematics professor at Pennsylvania State University. VJorthington Scranton Campus.

IULY 1984 'BYTE 365

MATHEMATICAL RECREATIONS

(la) 13 5 7

9 II 13 15

17 19 21 23

25 27 29 31

33 35 37 39

41 43 45 47

49 51 53 55

57 59 61 63

DUbb YUUK NUMbt-K ArrLAK <JIN at_Kc.hIN (Y Or INK

(lb) 2 3 6 7

10 II 14 15

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nriFc: vnup nmmrpr appfar on <;rRFFN] rv nr NY?

(lC) 4 5 6 7

12 13 14 15

20 21 22 23

28 29 30 31

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nnPQ VOI1R MIIMRPD APPFAI? OM CfPFFW /V nr MP

(Id) 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15

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40 41 42 43

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56 57 58 59

AH Al AO AO

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nnpc; vniiR wiimrfr apppap nw QrprFN /v nr Kiio

(le) 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

48 49 50 51

52 53 54 55

56 57 58 59

60 61 62 63

DOES YOUR NUMBER APPEAR ON SCREEN (Y or N)?

(If) 32 33 34 35

30 3/50 37

40 41 42 43

44 45 46 47

48 49 50 51

52 53 54 55

56 57 58 59

60 61 62 63

DOES YOUR NUMBER APPEAR ON SCREEN (Y or Nl?

Figure 1: (a through f] Sequence of screen displays genet

ated using the program in

Ming 1.

Number Narcissism

Numerical curiosities can be fascinating. For instance, if you write the fraction '%4 and incorrectly cancel the sixes—most assuredly nonsensical—you get %. which just happens to be correct. Another example would be '%5 with the nines going out.

1/ you write the fraction % and incorrectly cancel the sixes, you get )4 which just happens to be correct.

I want to focus on a different question though. Suppose you take a positive integer—greater than 1 to avoid trivialities—and cube each digit. Take, for instance, the number 123. The cubes of the digits are 1, 8, and 27, respectively, for a sum of 36. Hmm . . . nothing exciting there. Now try it with 153. The digit cubes are 1, 12 5, and 27, for a sum of . . . 153, the original number! Now that's interesting. Mathematicians call such numbers narcissistic (of order 3. or power 3). Some books also call them Armstrong numbers. Two books that describe this phenomenon and are worth taking a look at are by Donald D. Spencer, Sixty Challenging Problems with BASIC Solutions (Hasbrouck Heights, Nj: Hayden Book Co., 1979) and Computers in Number Theory (Rockville, MD: Computer Science Press, 1982).

The program in listing 2 grinds out narcissistic numbers. Note the iterated multiplication used instead of exponentiation. In this way, you accommodate the vagaries of computer and calculator arithmetic and avoid the consequent errors that sometimes appear. Another solution might be to declare integer variables, which might also speed things up compared to using floating-point real numbers. Also note the use of string functions. You may have to adapt this program to suit your machine. For in

366 BYTE • IULY 1984

MATHEMATICAL RECREATIONS

Listing 1: BASIC program for a computer card trick.

I CLEAR 1000 5 DIM A(6,32) 20 CLS

30 PRINT " PLEASE THINK OF A WHOLE NUMBER FROM 0 to 63"

40 PRINT: FOR Z= I TO I000:NEXT Z.'REM TIME STALLER 45 PRINTPR1NTPRINT

50 PRINT " PRESS < ENTER > WHEN YOU ARE READY TO CONTINUE"

60 PRINTINPUT X$ 70 CLS

80 FOR J= I TO 6 90 FOR K= 1 TO 32 100 READ A(|.K)

105 IF A(J,K)< 10 THEN PRINT " ";

110 PRINT A(I.K).

120 NEXT K

125 PRINTPRINTPRINT

130 INPUT "DOES YOUR NUMBER APPEAR ON SCREEN (Y or N)";N$

140 IF N$ = "Y" THEN S = S + 2|||-1):REM "I" IS EXPONENTIATION

150 IF N$< >"N" AND NS< >"Y" THEN 130

153 N$ = " "

155 CLS

160 NEXT I

170 CLS

173 ForZ=l to 300:NEXTZ

175 PRINT " OKAY. CONCENTRATE VERY HARD NOW. . ."

180 PRINT " I AM READING YOUR MIND. . ."

183 FOR Z=l TO 700:NEXT

185 PRINTPRINT

186 FOR K=l TO 2

188 PRINT" ":STRING$(57." = ")

189 PRINT

190 NEXT K

193 FOR Z= I TO 300:NEXT Z'

194 PRINT" AHA! YOU PICKED THE NUMBER";:PRINT S 196 FOR Z=l TO 2500:NEXT

198 PRINTPRINT

200 DATA 1,3.5.7.9.11,13,15.17.19.21,23,25,27,29,31.33.35

210 DATA 37.39.41.43.45.47.49.51,53.55.57.59.61.63

230 DATA 2.3.6.7.10.11.14,15.18.19,22,23.26,27,30.31.34.35

240 DATA 38.39.42,43,46,47,50,51.54,55,58.59,62.63

260 DATA 4.5.6,7,12,13,14.15,20.21,22,23.28,29,30,31.36,37

290 DATA 8.9.10.11.12,13,14,15,24.25,26,27,28,29,30,31.40,41

300 DATA 42,43,44,45,46,47,56.57,58.59,60,61.62,63

320 DATA 16.17.18.19,20.21,22,23.24,25.26.27.28.29,30,31.48.49

330 DATA 50,51,52,53,54,55,56.57,58.59.60,61.62.63

350 DATA 32,33,34,35,36,37.38,39,40,41.42,43,44,45,46.47.48,49

360 DATA 50,51.52.53.54,55.56,57.58,59.60,61,62,63

stance, Texas Instruments computers use SEG$ in place of MID$. You can circumvent this translation if you are willing to settle for only looking up to a prespecified level, such as 1000, as shown in listing 3, or by judicious and clever use of the INT function. You also can investigate higher-order narcissism using powers greater than 3.

By the way, 153 has another interesting property. Start with any number that is a multiple of 3. say, the 123 we used earlier. Take the sum of the cubes of the digits; in this case, 1+8 + 27 = 36. Now

iterate the procedure with 36 to get the sum of the cubes of its digits: 2 7 + 216= 243. Repeating with 243 gives 99, which in turn gives 1458, then 702, then 3 51. then 153. Once you hit 153, because it is narcissistic of order 3, you keep getting 153. Hence, no matter with which multiple of 3 you initialize the algorithm, you keep getting pulled inexorably to 153. Try this with other multiples of 3 to see this "black-hole" effect using the program in listing 4. To gain a glimmer of insight into why

{continued)

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Listing 2: Narcissistic-number-generating program using iterated multiplication.

10 CLS

12 INPUT "HOW LOW DO YOU WISH TO TEST FROM":MIN

15 INPUT "HOW HIGH DO YOU WISH TO TEST UP TO";MAX

20 FOR N = MIN TO MAX

30 N$ = STR$IN|

40 FOR L = 2 TO LEN(N$):REM START AT 2 DUE TO UNDERSTOOD +

50 D(L) = VAL(MID$(N$,L.I))

60 C(L) = D(L)*D(L)'D|L)

70 SUM = SUM + C|L)

80 NEXT

90 IF SUM = N THEN PRINT "A NARCISSISTIC NUMBER 1S";N 100 SUM = 0 110 NEXT

Listing 3: Simplified narcissistic-number-generating program for numbers to 1000.

10 CLS

20 FORH = 0TO9

30 FORT=0TO9

40 FORU = 0TO9

50 N=100*H+I0'T + U

60 IF N = H'H,H + T,T*T + U,U*U THEN PRINT N; "IS NARCISSISTIC"

70 NEXT U

80 NEXT T

90 NEXT H

Listing 4: Regardless of which multiple-of-three number you select, this algorithm always produces the number 153, as explained in the text.

200 DIM A(l 5)

210 CLS

220 PRINT "IN THIS TRICK, I WILL ASK YOU TO GIVE ME A WHOLE NUMBER"

230 PRINT "WHICH IS A MULTIPLE OF 3. THE COMPUTER WILL THEN TAKE EACH"

240 PRINT "OF THE DIGITS AND CALCULATE THE CUBE OF EACH DIGIT."

250 PRINTPRINT "THEN THE SUM OF THESE WILL BE DISPLAYED. THE PROCESS WILL'

260 PRINT "THEN BE REPEATED WITH THAT NUMBER, AS NEEDED, UNTIL'

270 PRINT "WE START GETTING THE SAME NUMBER. AMAZINGLY. THIS"

280 PRINT "MUST ALWAYS HAPPEN, AND ONE ALWAYS GETS THE SAME ANSWER!"

290 PRINTINPUT "PRESS <ENTER> TO CONTINUE";XX

300 CLS:INPUT "GIVE ME A WHOLE NUMBER WHICH IS A MULTIPLE OF 3";N

310 PRINT

320 N$ = STR$(N):L = LEN(N$)

330 IF ABSIN-INT(N))>.00001 THEN PRINT "A WHOLE NUMBER PLEASE!":FOR Z= 1 TO 700:NEXTGOTO 300

340 IF ABS(N/3-INT(N/3)l>.0l THEN PRINT A MULTIPLE OF 3 PLEASE!":FOR Z= 1 TO

700:NEXT:GOTO 300

350 S = 0

360 FOR 1= 1 TO L

370 A(I)=(VAL(MID${N$1I.I))):A(I)=A(I)*A(B*A(I)

380 S=S+A(I|

390 NEXT I

400 PRINT "THE SUM OF THE CUBES OF THE DIGITS OF LAST NUMBER IS":S

410 IF S=N THEN PRINTPRINT "PROCESS IS COMPLETE."

415 IF S = N THEN PRINT "TO START AGAIN. HIT < ENTER>":INPUT XS:GOTO 300

420 IF S ON THEN N = S:S = 0:GOTO 320

we get this interesting property, note that a number of four digits or more will have the sum of the cubes of its digits being smaller than itself. Hence, iteration continually "pulls down" large numbers into a small range of numbers, namely those with at most four digits. Then, for numbers from 1 to 9999, consider the number obtained by taking the sum of the cubes of the digits, repeated

It just so happens that if you start with a multiple of 3, the first number you hit that begins a cycle is 153.

as needed. You eventually hit all or some of the numbers and so must get a cycle. For instance, starting with 55, you get 250, then 133, then 55 again, at which point you will keep getting the 55-250-133-55 . . . cycle. If you hit one of the narcissistic numbers, the cycle is of length one and keeps looping you back to that same narcissistic number the very next step, in either case, every number may be perceived as leading eventually to the beginning of exactly one such cycle. It just so happens that if you start with a multiple of 3, the first number you hit that is the beginning of some cycle is the number 153. Said in another way, all the multiples of 3 feed into the one cycle . . . 153-1 53 ... I am not aware, offhand, of a more profound explanation for this phenomenon. (An uncanny coincidence was that this article's original manuscript was 153 lines long.)

We plan more installments of "Mathematical Recreations" on a rotating basis with other Kernel articles. Your comments, questions, suggestions, improvements, superior programs, and the like, as well as your indications of interest in this feature, will be most appreciated. Please write to BYTE or me, Dr. Michael W. Ecker, c/o BYTE, 70 Main St., Peterborough, NH 03458. Tell us what you think. ■

368 BYTE- IULY 1984

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SYMPHONY

{continued \xom page 123)

Are you ready for string arithmetic? Symphony includes some long-awaited string functions (see listing 1).

A valuable indexing function has been added enabling use of subscripted variables. The @INDEX(RANGE,COL,ROW) returns the value in RANGE at the COL and ROW specified. With this command, you can set up a matrix of values and easily access one particular value by specifying two variables (for example, age and salary). A RANGETRANSPOSE command is included that serves to switch rows and columns as it copies.

All the other features of Lotus 1-2-3 are alive and well in Symphony. All models developed with Lotus 1-2-3 are compatible with Symphony.

THE DATABASE ENVIRONMENT

Symphony provides you with a formsoriented database with rows as records and columns as fields. A data-entry form, including error checks, can be created in the process of defining the database. You can create a custom data

base from scratch or use single command and default values. The latter and easier way is to specify the field headings down a column. One command and several keystrokes later you have a form ready for data entry. Symphony prepares a Setting sheet describing the database, which you can later edit. The database environment is fully integrated with the other four Symphony work environments.

A database form can be attached to a window using the FORM environment for easy data entry. For error checking, you can require that each entry be a number, label, date, or time of day. You might have each entry pass a test before Symphony stores it.

All the database features of Lotus 1-2-3 are present. Records can be sorted ascending or descending quickly using three keys. Numerical or string calculations can be performed using individual records or the entire database. You can even add new records to the database by receiving them from a remote computer over the telephone.

As with Lotus 1-2-3, you still need to

specify criteria and output ranges for record selection. Statistical analyses can be performed on entire databases or on groups of records found in a search. The functions include average, count, max, min, standard deviation, sum, and variance of items in a range.

Graphs can be created using raw data in the database or using the results of statistical analysis. A variety of printouts can be made from databases including standard reports, invoices, mailing labels, and form letters—yes, you can get the database and word processor working together.

The Graphics Environment

If pictures are worth a thousand words, Symphony is not ignoring the fact. An impressive variety of printers and plotters are supported and a strong configuration program lets you make good use of them. However, as with Lotus 1-2-3, you still need to dump pictures to disk and exit to a separate utility to plot them.

All the graphics capability of Lotus 1-2-3 is present. Seven color graphs can be defined in Setting sheets, which, like the other environments, can be freely viewed, edited, and stored in a Setting catalog for later use. You can even browse through the catalog of defined graphs. Both spreadsheet and database numbers can be graphed.

The graphs can be attached to GRAPH environment windows where they become automatically updated during data editing at your option. You can then manipulate the size and position of the graph windows on the screen. They can be freely paged through and stored away at your discretion—there's great potential here for a slide show that uses macro files. Any active graph window can be expanded to full screen at any time using the Zoom command.

The Word-Processing Environment

In Symphony you can write, edit, format, and print a document without leaving the word-processing environment. You can create a document window, then blow it up to full-screen size by pressing the Zoom key. The top border of the screen will be marked by margin and tab indicators—and behold, you have a word processor.

Listing 1: String functions included in Symphony.

©ASCII (STRING)

Returns ASCII lAmerican National Standard Code for In

formation Interchange) code for the first character in

STRING

@CHR(X)

Returns ASCII character represented by number x

@FIND(STRI .STR2, x)

Returns start of STR1 in STR2 starting at character x

©LEFT(STRING.x)

Returns x leftmost characters in STRING

@LENGTH(STRING|

Returns length of STRING

©LOWER(STRING)

Changes STRING to lowercase

@MID(STRING,x,s)

Creates string from x to y characters of STRING

©PROPER(STRING)

Changes STRING to initial caps

@REPEAT(STRlNG,x)

Adds STRING to itself x times

©REPLACEISTRI OFFSET.X.STR2)

Deletes x characters from OFFSET in STRI: replaces with

STR2

@RIGHT(STRING,x|

Returns x rightmost characters in STRING

©STRlNGIx.!/)

Converts number x to string in fixed format with y

decimal places

©TRIMfSTRINC)

Removes leading/trailing blanks from STRING

©UPPER(STRING)

Changes STRING to uppercase

@VALUE(NUM STRING)

Converts NUM STRING to numeric value

©DATEVALUEIDATESTRING)

Serial number of DATESTRING

©TIMEVALUE(TIMESTRING)

Serial number of TIMESTRING

©ISSTRING(TEST)

TRUE if TEST is a string

NOTES: 1) x.y. and OFFSET are single-cell numeric

values

(cell address/range name of single cell, or a

number)

2) STRING, STRI, STR2 are single-cell strings

(cell address/range name of single cell, or string

enclosed in double quotes)

3) NUM STRING is a single-cell numeric label

(i.e., number being used as a label)

372 BYTE • JULY 1984

SYMPHONY

Figure 1: The Symphony function-key template.

Standard word-processing commands are available. Word-wrap is the default, but optional. Paragraphs only or the entire text can be justified right, left, or centered. You can move by character, word, line, paragraph, page, or markers inserted in the text. Ranges can be specified for Move, Erase, and Copy commands much like the spreadsheet. This is a very powerful feature.

Search and replace of word and phrases is supported with lowercase ignored and multiple replace and skip. Page breaks can be inserted in a document with a single keystroke. Individual lines or whole sections of the text can be independently formatted and the format definitions saved for later use.

The word processor appears adequate for generating reports. It is available to any window. Calculated spreadsheet cells can even be mixed in with text created with the word-processing environment.

The Communications Environment

The communications (COMM) environment lets you transfer files to and from

another computer via hardwire connection or modem. You can even capture data during a communications session and send it to disk as an ASCII print file or send it to the worksheet to be edited in the document environment. Data can also be downloaded and inserted into spreadsheet models. The communications features available rival those of specialized communications software, especially considering the macro capability of Symphony to fully automate communications and integrate with other environments in the same program.

As with the other environments. Setting sheets can be created to configure Symphony for each computer system you want to call, and any setting can be loaded automatically with a model. A variety of configuration options are available.

For each Setting sheet you can specify the bits-per-second rate, parity, word length, and stop bits. The phone you use can be pulse or rotary dial with the called phone number specified for autodialing. Auto-log-in sequences can be defined in a log-in Setting sheet.

You can set the screen width for receiving data, set duplex, and even control character-set translation during a terminal session. To aid in talking to temperamental systems, the software gives you control over end-of-line characters to send, characters to handshake on, and delays after each line is transmitted. These features come in handy when trying to communicate with a variety of systems.

You can set the break-key duration and allow or disallow suspension of output for inbound and/or outbound transmissions. In the Install program, I noticed the default error-checking protocol used was XMODEM. This is a popular protocol. Error checking is imperative for the integrity of data transfer. After all. you want to be confident that all those numbers and formulas got through error-free. A missing 0 or character in a formula can be devastating.

THE Programming Language

Strong features of Symphony are its macros, command language, and Learn facility. You can teach Symphony to perform tasks automatically. Macros (sometimes called script files or command

files) consist of a column of label entries and/or string-valued formulas. The range of cells holding the macro can then be given an English name. Pressing one key and entering the English name executes all the commands in the macro.

The Learn feature of Symphony lets you switch ON a Learn key that remembers subsequent keystrokes and stores them automatically in a user-specified range within a column. Toggling the Learn feature OFF ends the macro, which can then be invoked to execute the same sequence of keystrokes. These macros can remember simple labels or headings to a complex sequence of events you would normally enter from the keyboard.

In addition to remembering and executing your keystrokes, a command language is available to extend the macro capability. You can declare argument types, create macro subroutines, pass arguments to subroutines, pause for operator entry, create menus, conditionally branch, iterate, and use GOTO. In short, you can program seriously with Symphony.

Summary and Conclusion

Lotus has taken the time to research and develop a good user interface to a very complex and powerful program. Although there is a bit of a learning curve using Symphony, the Help files respond precisely to the task you are performing and are designed better than ever. An on-line tutorial is also provided. The Symphony manuals include a glossary of terms.

Use of windows, the focused menu structure and Setting sheets all help to minimize confusion. Creative use of macro files and the command language can serve to further minimize user confusion. The ability to password-lock the worksheet ties everything up in a nice secure knot and prevents unpleasant overwrites and tampering with valuable formulas.

The potential Symphony provides for turnkey model building is profound—I must admit, now I'm less of a skeptic toward integrated software. 1 don't think much power was lost through integration. The program will vastly improve the quality of modeling on microcomputers. Now, excuse me while I don my tuxedo and slip away to spend a few weeks with Symphony. ■

IULY 1984 -BYTE 373

lb communicate voice the ordinary modem

and data simultaneously leaves a lot to be desired.

Introducing the Tel-A-Modem.

Now you and your personal computer can talk on the same phone at the same time.

Let's say, for example, certain data you were transmitting via your personal computer to a remote computer user needed some verbal explanation to go along with it. With the ordinary modem it couldn't be done. Not simultaneously.

You'd have to first call the user to inform them that data was coming. Hang up. Redial in order to connect modems. Transmit the data. Hang up. And then call back with your explanation. If you had additional input to transmit and discuss, you'd have to begin the whole process again. Talk about frustration.

Code-A-Phone's solution to this problem is the Tel-A-Modem. An innovative two line desk telephone integrated with an intelligent modem capable of transmitting voice and data simultaneously.

Of course, the genius of Tel-AModem doesn't end with its unique communication capabilities and state-of-the-art convenience.

Specially designed for use with RS-232C compatible computers and terminals, it offers a full spectrum of both telephone and modem cost effective features, including: single button selector for voice or data on either line; fullduplex mode; automatic answer/origi

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nate modes; 300 and 1200 baud data transmission rates; automatic selection of baud rates; switch dialing for tone-dial or pulse-dial systems; memory autodial; and modem status LEDs.

So much for words.

For more information and the name of your nearest Tel-A-Modem dealer, call 1-800-5474683. That is, just as soon as your computer gets off the phone.

r In Oregon, Alaska and Haimii, tall 1-503-655-8940.

Code-A-Phone

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WEST COAST FAIRE

{continued \xom page 137)

crowds. Borland's president, Phillippe Kahn, was there to demonstrate his product and to talk with anyone who'd listen. He's planning a whole line of products, all to be sold at under $70. Unlike most software publishers, Kahn tries to see how much he can include in his packages. For example, the PC version of Turbo Pascal comes with a nifty spreadsheet program—complete with source code. The source contains a number of screen-handling procedures I'd have been willing to pay separately for.

I'm pleased to say Turbo was selling like mad. In case anyone has any lingering doubts, let me repeat: Turbo Pascal is as good a Pascal compiler as can be found on the micro market regardless of price. The new Turbo 2.0 for the PC has overlays, allowing you to write big programs. The integrated editor is a feature found only in really expensive compiler systems. Turbo Pascal is, as I write this, the only Pascal compiler that will work with the IBM PCjr. Not even IBM Pascal will do that! Besides, Turbo is much better than the Pascal IBM sells.

Incidentally, Phillippe Kahn tells me that he tried to get IBM to market Turbo, but IBM wouldn't do it unless he raised the price to at least $200. For reasons he doesn't understand, he hasn't been able to find anyone at Apple who'll talk to him at all about getting it out on the Macintosh. (Borland doesn't yet have a Macintosh Turbo. Pity.)

Turbo Pascal is an example of where I see this industry heading: an excellent product, well documented and well supported, sold at a fair price.

Blaise

One reason many of us like Pascal as a programming language is that you can build up a whole raft of utilities—a box of software tools, if you like—and make use of them in many different programs.

Blaise Computing—I suppose the name is derived from Blaise Pascal?— offers a set of functions and procedures for writing programs in either Microsoft or IBM Pascal. They include both string handling and screen handling. There's a distinct possibility that using these could save a lot of time: it would depend on just how well done the tools are.

They don't support Turbo, alas, but

376 BYTE • IULY 1984

source code comes with the tools, so it shouldn't be that hard to adapt. I haven't actually looked at what they offer, so I can't tell how much they go beyond the routines given in Peter Norton's book.

Friends and Books

One reason I like the West Coast Faire is that I meet a lot of old friends and make new ones. This year I met Doug Clapp, who has been, uh, kind enough to mention me in his columns. Clapp's book Macintosh*. Complete was, I think, the first one on the Macintosh to be published; alas, it reads as if it were rushed into print, and most of what's in it is either elementary or full of goshwow! breathless awe of the machine. It wouldn't be a bad beginning book, except for the price, which is pretty steep for what's actually covered.

A better Macintosh book is Cary Lu's The Apple Macintosh Book, which goes into heavy technical detail but also covers a lot of elementary essentials. Like Clapp's book, it assumes there's going to be a lot of software for the Mac and that many of its problems will be solved. If you have to get your book out the same month that the computer appears, you'll always have this problem, of course. Eventually there will be books written by people who have used the mature system; until then, Lu's is certainly the best reference I've seen, and I recommend it to anyone who either has a Mac or is thinking of getting one. Alas, Clapp has a really bad case of Macworship; you won't get an objective assessment from his book.

Robert Tinney, the genius who does the BYTE covers, was at the BYTE booth with Susan, his wife. He was selling posters made from his old covers, and doing a pretty good business. He also took some photographs of me; he'll be doing the cover to my collection of columns and reminiscences that comes out this October from Jim Baen Associates.

While I was talking with Robert and Susan, I met Peter Norton, whose Inside the IBM PC is just plain excellent. The book gives lots of examples, in BASIC, Pascal, and even assembly language, but it's written in a clear and intelligent style that neither talks down to the reader nor leaves out important information. Highly recommended for anyone with a PC or close PC clone.

\nfoworld. as usual, held a big blowout party; this year it was in City Hall. I ran into John Dvorak there and couldn't resist asking him to rate the party, but he wouldn't do it. Adam Osborne was also there. He'd just announced his new software development and publishing venture. He seemed happy enough. Alas, I couldn't stay long; the party featured a rock band and was held under the City Hall dome. Great acoustics if you want to be deafened. . .

Dimension

One of the most interesting hardware items was Micro Craft's Dimension 68000 "Professional Personal Computer." At CP/M East in Boston these folks had only one copy of the machine in their booth; now there were half a dozen, and they were selling them right there at the show; I noticed a couple of software companies buying, and Chris Rutkowski's Rising Star, which is overhauling the Epson QX-10 software, seemed decidedly interested.

The Dimension is supposed to run software written for nearly any 8-bit or 16-bit machine, including Apple, IBM PC, Kaypro, TRS-80, UNIX, and Osborne. The idea is that Dimension owners won't have to worry about software compatibility; one machine runs everything.

I've had no chance to examine the machine, so I merely report the company's claims. Micro Craft had one set up with transparent cover, and it looked well constructed, but that kind of inspection isn't worth much. It's certainly an intriguing concept.

The Big Mac

The most spectacular display at the Faire was Apple's giant-size model of a Macintosh. This big Mac is large enough to walk into! The screen is a projection image of a nearby normal size Macintosh, so that crowds of people can watch Macdemonstrations, and it certainly drew the crowd.

There were also several dozen Macintosh computers upstairs; those interested could make an appointment to go play with one for half an hour. Many people took Apple up on the offer, and they all seemed to come away with smiles. There's no doubting it: the Macintosh is fun. I haven't seen so much excitement since the very earliest days.

WEST COAST FAIRE

In spite of all the Macexcitement, there was essentially zero applications software for the Mac. No one had any hardware to hang on the Mac's I/O port (called a "virtual slot" in Macsales literature). There was a MacForth to be available Real Soon Now, and the FORTH people had a second disk drive—without a case—attached to the Mac. They'd apparently cobbled that up themselves; Apple wasn't supplying second drives. Or perhaps they were blessed.

Macintosh comes with Macwrite, a limited text editor, and Macpaint graphics-support packages. Apple expects outsiders to develop software for the machine. So far there isn't much. Except for Microsoft's Multiplan—which is copy protected on the Macintosh although the IBM PC version is not; presumably Macintosh users are less honest than IBM customers?—I saw only one other applications program for the Mac.

That was at the Workman and Associates booth: Bruce Tonkin, software author, shared Barry's booth. Bruce writes really complex programs in Microsoft BASIC (MBASIC). Actually, he writes in P-BASIC, which is a structured BASIC precompiler that compiles to, of all things, legal MBASIC. The P-BASIC compiler is written in Microsoft BASIC, so it wasn't very difficult for Bruce to get it onto the Mac.

He used it to write a highly complex database program called the Creator for the Macintosh. Guy Kawasaki, Apple's Macproject head, was quite impressed when he saw it running. It's a good program, not up to dBASE II, but good enough for a lot of serious business work, and it's fast (even in interpretive Microsoft BASIC).

That was all we found for the Mac. The machine has some limits, especially for serious business users. Lack of applications software is one major difficulty. A full discussion of this machine and what

it means to the micro world will take more space than 1 have here and appears in this month's column.

More Networks

Bill Godbout's CompuPro company was proudly showing off the four-user Shirley; you'll recall CompuPro had a mock-up of it at the last Faire. Shirley puts four computers in a single box and internally networks them; each user has a central processor and memory banks.

The CompuPro folks announced that they'll be using Datapoint's Arcnet system to tie their multiuser machines together. This includes not only the Shirley machine (officially known as the "10") but also the new machine based on the iAPX20286 chip. The 286s are pretty expensive just now, but they are available to software developers.

CompuPro also had Concurrent CP/M 3.0 running on an 8/16 8085/8088 Dual Processor system much like mine. With

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four users and eight tasks, it worked, all right, but it was pretty slow. I'm much looking forward to getting Concurrent CP/M with windows running here, but 11] never put multiusers on a single microprocessor. One user, at least one central processor; that's the rule (mine, anyway).

Over the Rainbow

Digital Equipment Corporation had a large booth just next to Apple, but the people there seemed to have trouble generating any excitement.

DEC is a company that has learned fast. When the people at DEC first brought out their Rainbow PC, they seemed determined to isolate their users from the rest of the micro world. The Rainbow wouldn't even format its own disks! You had to buy them Preformatted.

No more. Rainbow now reads lots of disk formats and runs all manner of outside software; DEC never tires of bragging about just how much. Like the Fujitsu, the DEC Rainbow has both 8-bit Z80 and 16-bit 8088 microprocessors and can run CP/M-80, CP/M-86, and MSDOS software. It's a pretty machine, with a good display—and very nearly the same wretched keyboard as the IBM PC. Since the IBM designers have said in interviews that they just sort of "made up" the IBM PC keyboard, I wonder why DEC'S salespeople insist theirs is some kind of European standard?

The Rainbow deserves more attention than it got; being next to the overcrowded Big Mac display must have been pretty grim for the DEC booth people.

CORVUS

As I've reported in previous columns, we have a Corvus Concept computer. It implements Corvus's Omninet system, which lets us link up an Apple, IBM PC, Zenith Z-100. TI PC, and CompuPro S-100 bus system so that they can all share the Concept's large hard disk.

The only person I "know" at Corvus is a software engineer named David Ramsey, and I've never actually met him: we've corresponded and talked many times on the phone. When I spotted the Corvus booth at the Faire, I headed right for it. A rather pretty young lady with blue eyes was the only person visible.

"Is David Ramsey here?" I asked.

She didn't hesitate a second. "Oh, no. We don't let him come to the Faire. We keep him chained to his desk."

Alex was later told the same thing. This makes me more anxious than ever to meet him.

Corvus has made some changes in its system. For example, our Concept's hard-disk unit is very large, about 1!4 times as wide as an 8-inch disk drive and a little taller. This size is a hangover from the days when they shipped 8-inch hard-disk drives some years ago, since the drive inside is a 40-megabyte 5 '/4-inch drive. Corvus showed off a new hard-disk drive at the Faire. It's only a little larger than the 5'A-inch hard disk it contains.

The new model has the Omninet interface built in—ours has a separate unit, about 1 Vi times as high as a halfheight 5!4-inch disk drive, to connect it to the Omninet. Believe me, the amount of space taken by these drives is large, so I was happy to see these improvements. Mr. Ramsey swears he's coming down to Chaos Manor to oversee installation of the new and improved system, run twisted pairs of Omninet wires around, and in general improve on communications here. I'm much impressed by the Corvus; I keep hoping the company will mate that big bit-mapped screen to the Modula operating system, but Corvus says it has something even better, or at least as good, which Ramsey will show us when he comes. I'm prepared to be impressed.

I just hope they take the chains off before they let him come.

PC-Write

PC-Write is a full-screen text editor that makes use of many special features of the IBM PC. I haven't tested PC-Write, but I've seen enough of it to know it's a pretty good editor—especially for the price. You can get it for $10, or even for free.

PC-Write is distributed as "Shareware." What this means is that you can buy a copy from the publisher for $10, but that's not the principal means of distribution. Anyone who has a copy is encouraged to give copies to all his friends. The program and its documents are all on disk, so this is quite feasible.

People who get the program and like it are requested to send $75 to Quick

soft, the program's publisher. When you send in the money, you get a printed copy of the document—a marginal improvement over what's on the disk—and an "official registration number." Put the registration number into your copy. Now, when you give copies away, if anyone you've given it to sends in the $75, you'll get a $25 sales commission.

Quicksort's Bob Wallace says the company's not doing too badly. A number of people have liked the program enough to register it. He's meanwhile writing new programs to distribute this way.

I don't know whether the "shareware" concept will catch on. I encourage the trend.

TUTSIM

One program I'm likely to use often has the odd name of Tutsim and comes with a picture of an Egyptian pharaoh. I presume he's King Tut. I have a copy, and when I get a chance I'll wring it out; meanwhile, I saw it work at the Faire, and it was impressive.

Tutsim solves differential equations. It does this by turning your computer into a kind of analog device: that is, you can simulate the various kinds of operational amplifiers some of us older types remember from days long ago. Once you have the analog model set up, Tutsim solves the equations and produces the graphical results.

This probably makes little sense to some readers. Don't worry about it. I'll have a lot more in upcoming columns. Tutsim looks to be a very practical engineer's toolbox, and anyone who has to work with, or teach, differential equations should write Applied i for more information. It might be exactly what you're looking for; certainly it was one of the most unusual items I saw at the Faire.

Rana Systems

I don't recall Rana Systems being at the Faire before, but I may simply have missed it. Since the last show, I've met Fran Mulvania, Rana's director of communications, and we have installed Rana systems, so I tend to notice the company more.

Anyway, the Rana folks were out in force this year with a variety of products. Their flagship item remains the 2.5-megabyte floppy disk that so im

378 BYTE' IULY 1984

WEST COAST FAIRE

pressed me last year at NCC. They also make a full line of disk drives for Atari and Apple computers. I've used them, and they're faster and more reliable than the ones Apple and Atari supply.

Rana's monster floppy-disk controller goes into a standard IBM PC slot. It can control standard floppy disks as well as 2.5-megabyte drives (good for an overcrowded PC). I've been using 1.1-megabyte 8-inch floppy disks for some time now and every time I have to work with smaller disks I miss the big storage capacity. It would be a weird experience to have 514-inch disks with a greater capacity than my 8-inch disks!

Rana will shortly have the 2.5-megabyte disks for Apple He systems as well. We expect to get one pretty soon. Full report then.

Osborne

Suddenly a lot of people were wearing buttons that said "Osborne is back!" However, if you read the fine print it wasn't so certain.

The people at Osborne had a booth, not as large as the ones they had in the salad days, but large enough and complete with balloons. (Interestingly enough, Kaypro, which is the entry-level system I most often recommend, was in the booth Osborne occupied last year.) The Osborne people had videotapes of Adam Osborne himself telling how wonderful the Osborne computer is. They even had a bunch of computers that looked like the old Executive, until you got close to them.

What they didn't have was order books. No computers were for sale, and no price for the new Osborne PC has been established. This Osborne is different enough from the ill-starred Executive to warrant calling it a new machine. They say it is definitely PC compatible: I saw it run Flight Simulator, which is the program people often use to test PC compatibility. Otherwise, the machine looked a lot like the older Executive.

There are a lot of differences, though. There's an RGB (red-green-blue) color board adapter, an expansion chassis, and a socket for the 8087 math chip.

At last year's Faire, Osborne had patches with the big "barred O" symbol and the words "Osborne—teaching others to be humble." There weren't any of those patches this year.

Zenith's Friends

As usual, Zenith took one of the largest booth areas of the Faire. It doesn't look all that big, because the folks at Zenith always invite certain people to share it with them. For example, Jim Hudson, whose 8087 math board greatly increases 8086 machine capabilities, was there. Jim was showing off his 8087 boards for the Z-100 and the CompuPro. The Z-100 board is especially ingenious: it's an S-100 board with 256K bytes of RAM (random-access read/write memory) and the 8087 both aboard. The 8088 goes on his board, and a header plugs into the motherboard where the 8088 went: the memory connects to the S-100 connector and gets all the decoding and so on there. The Hudson board has a lot of bang for the buck.

Walt Bilofsky's Software Toolworks also shared quarters with Zenith. The Toolworks has changed a bit. Instead of Insta-press flyers, Walt has a big color catalog printed on slick paper. The logo of the blacksmith forging a floppy disk on an anvil is gone, too. For nostalgia buffs, he still distributes software in Ziploc sandwich bags though.

The Software Toolworks used to specialize in Heath/Zenith software, and the company still has a lot for those machines, but most of what I got from Walt this trip is for the IBM PC. I'll report in a later column: meanwhile, those who don't know about the Toolworks ought to get a catalog. Bilofsky sells good stuff at remarkably low prices.

The MPI printer people were also in the Zenith area. Zenith now sells MPI printers. So does Heath in its catalog. The printers say "Zenith" on the outside, but the catalog lists them as MPIs. Pretty honest. I've written about the line before: we have four MPI printers, and were happy with them all.

Heath/Zenith's New Z-150

The Zenith Z-l 50 ZPC is its entry into the IBM-compatible arena, and it's an impressive one, so much so that my first thought is that this is probably the PC clone to buy if you want one. We'll be getting one shortly—full report then. It sure has a lot of nice features.

The Z-150 is a desktop, smaller than the IBM. It seems to run everything that the IBM will, right out of the box. We watched Bruce Tonkin put his MyWord

word-processing program in the Zenith and run every feature. Rachel Klau, a programmer for Heath, said that people came by through the entire show and ran all their favorite IBM programs without fuss, muss, or bother. While she was saying this, a group of people came over and ran their newfangled 2-D structural modeling program on it. They all applauded when it ran and went away saying that it worked better than on the IBM PC. After Rachel had relaxed (they were still batting 1.000 on IBM compatibility), she told me that the Z-150 was designed from the start to run Microsoft's Flight Simulator, which is in some ways the very best test of IBM compatibility.

It's certainly the only IBM compatible that you can build yourself. If you're skillful with tools and soldering iron, you could save yourself a lot of money. The folks at Zenith showed a prototype of their "portable" (33 pounds!). Alex says it's one of the funkiest machines ever built. It's portable in about the same sense that a 19-inch TV with a handle is portable—with great care you can get it from room to room. To be fair, the Compaq weighs 32 pounds and the IBM portable 30.

Both the table model and the "portable" have eight IBM-type slots and an 8087 socket, and both run at the same speed as the IBM PC. Given the company's quest for absolute compatibility, that's no surprise, but there is no speedup switch or anything to let the Z-l 50 cut loose on its own, and that's a bit sad. Still, the machines seem to run absolutely everything that people tried, including MS-BASCOM (Bruce wrote MyWord in BASCOM). The Z-150 uses two half-height 5!4-inch drives.

You can get it with a hard disk, which takes the place of one of the floppy disks. Since it's a full-height hard-disk drive, it sticks down into the cabinet below where the lower half-height drive would normally go. Very slick. The detached keyboard doesn't have quite as nice a touch as the Z-100's keyboard, but it's better than most. The keyboard has moved all the "wrong" position keys on the IBM PC to more reasonable places. It has lighted LEDs (lightemitting diodes) for Caps-Lock, NumLock, and Shift-Lock keys.

This is definitely a "Heath/Zenith"

(continued)

JULY 1984 - BYTE 379

WEST COAST FAIRE

machine, in that order. It was developed in St. Joseph. Michigan (Heath's headquarters) by Heath employees. The Zenith Z-100 was developed by Zenith, though of course Heath is famous for its kit versions of computers—including the Z-l 50 ZPCs. Kit versions usually bear the Heath name and fully assembled ones the Zenith name.

The Z-l 50's main claim to fame is its color board. It seems 100 percent compatible with IBM color programs and is by far the best PC clone color board I've ever seen. If the folks at Zenith want to sell this board to IBM owners, they'll make a mint. Unlike the IBM, which blinks horribly every time a line is scrolled. Zenith's has (settable!) smooth scrolling that looks good with both graphics and text. In addition, I heard rumors of high-resolution color boards in development. Don't be surprised if the first one looks a great deal like the Z-100's color palette.

One other twist: there's a built-in debugging tracer in ROM that you can access at any time, it shows you what

code is being run, what's on the stack, and what's in the registers. You can get to it as long as the machine is listening for interrupts; if not, you'll have to turn it off and on. The lack of a real reset switch, one that always works, is the major blemish on an otherwise nearly perfect machine.

Incidentally, don't expect Zenith to suddenly phase out the Z-100 in favor of the Z-l 50. This is the same Heath that will sell you a knob for a 2 5-year-old kit tuner out of its warehouse stock. If the company's reputation won't convince you, the sales of the Z-100 should: GSA, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and UPI have all bought more than 5000 each of these machines. It's likely to be the machine at the Air Force Academy. The Z-l 50 is to get Zenith an entry into the market of PC clones, not because Zenith wants to dump the Z-100. A small company looking for a machine to develop PC software on could do a lot worse than buy the H-150 kit.

Speaking of the Navy, I talked to two sailors, one from the Enterprise, the other

in an LHA helicopter carrier (or Large Hotel, Afloat). Both had Z-lOOs onboard—there are 23 on the Enterprise. Both complained that the power supplies tended to burn out on the Z-lOOs because of the spikes in shipboard power. Otherwise, they are extremely happy with their Z-lOOs. Considering that most big shipboard navigation and fire-control computers have just been upgraded to 64K-byte core (!) memory. I can see why! It isn't generally known, but the BB New jersey still uses big mechanical analog integrators for fire control. A Z-l00 with a good power filter would be a lot more machine. . . .

Bottom Lines

There was a great deal more to see, including a Japanese import color system using a light pen to do in 265 shades of color what Macpaint does in black and white. The FORTH people handed me a thick stack of books and program disks that are supposed to produce the brand of FORTH described in Leo

{continued)

IBM's "Channel Arrangement"

I'm not much impressed with the IBM PCjr, so I would have ignored the IBM booth, but the folks there had big signs proclaiming their new "network." This looked interesting, and I sent my son Alex off to investigate. Here's his report:

"IBM showed off a new product to tie the PC, PC XT. PCjr, and Portable PC together. It's not a network. It's a 'channel arrangement' I'm not sure what that is. I can tell you what it is not: a real network. With a raw communication speed of 375K bits per second (bps) and only 64 users maximum, it's not going to compete with Ethernet, Omninet. or Arcnet. lb compare, Arcnet and Omninet run at about I million bps and Ethernet at about 10 million bps. Those are raw speeds, not equal to the amount of data that can really be sent. Nonetheless. I think the low speed alone means it won't do well, even with the IBM name on it.

"Data is carried on a 75-ohm coaxial (TV) cable. You put a Tee in for every station; that 7ee cable can be about 16 feet (5 meters) long. The distance between the

farthest stations can be only 1000 meters at most, so IBM's 'channel arrangement is good only for pretty local communications to start with.

"There are some other problems. IBM doesn't even support all of its own machines; 1 specifically asked, and no. the company doesn't support the PC XT/3 70 on this net. Nope, no way to hook up to its own mainframes or non-PCs. Only 10 megabytes can be shared on line: the folks at IBM don't even support multiple hard disks! They said you cannot put a second XT hard drive on the channel.

"There's no true file sharing or record locking (goodbye, shared databases). No DMA (direct memory access), which means that each byte must go through a register (rather than being transferred directly into the receiving machine's memory). This omission is ostensibly because the PCjr doesn't support DMA. (I think that last point is a nail in the coffin of both the jr and the channel arrangement.)

"The IBM employees I talked with stressed how you could run the PCjr with

no disk drives by doing an 'IPL '—an old IBM mainframe term meaning Initial Program Load—from the net. making the PCjr a diskless workstation. Perhaps they are attempting to crack the school market with this? This might work if it didn't require a hard disk, but in fact the 'channel arrangement' does require one. / could see a bunch of PCjrs being fed by a single PC XT, but I see no cost savings over PCjrs with a disk. First, you must buy IBM's board and software ($400 in quantity), then you must buy a central PC XT ($5000 and up). A PCjr's extra memory and disk drive are only $600; that's an awful lot of PCjrs to buy to get a cost savings—and there's very little school software for the PCjr right now.

"But: IBM knows all these things. Rumors have it that this isn't IBM's network, but merely an aberration (er. stopgap) to fill in at the moment. All those deficiencies lead me to believe that the folks at IBM are using their customers as paying test sites to de-kink their ideas of what a network should be."

—Alex Pournelle

380 BYTE' JULY 1984

What business does a handsome dog like me have with a top cat like you?

My name's McGruff,Tand it's my "business to help prevent crime. I think it should be your business, too—to teach your employees how to protect themselves. Just send for my business kit —it 11 help you develop a program that teaches your employees how to make their homes burglarproof, make their neighborhoods safer, even how not to get mugged. And, while you're at it, get in touch with the cops—they can help you out. So now you're probably wondering (like a top cat businessman should), what's in it for you. That's easy. When your company works harder for your people, your people work harder for your company.

So take the time, and...

TAKE A BITE OUT OF

^1

McGruff, Crime Prevention Coalition, 20 Banta Place, Hackensack, NJ 07601 Please send, me lots of information on Crime Prevention.

.State:.

_Zip:.

«_ A message from the Crime Prevention Coalition, f^\j I this publication and The Ad Council.

Goincil © 1980 The Advertising CouncU, Inc.

WEST COAST FA I RE

PRODUCTS REVIEWED

Apple Computer

2052 5 Mariani Ave. Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 996-1010

... Macintosh Computer

Applied i Tutsim

200 California Ave.. Suite 214 Palo Alto. CA 94306 (415) 325-4800

Blaise Company

1609 Acton St. Berkeley, CA 94702 (415) 524-6603

Borland International. . 4807 Scotts Valley Dr. Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (800) 227-2400

. Blaise Pascal utilities

.Turbo Pascal

CompuPro

3506 Breakwater Court Hayward. CA 94545 (415) 786-0909

. CompuPro 10 multiuser computers

. Concept and Omninet network

.Rainbow Computer

Corvus Systems

2029 O'Toole Ave. San lose. CA 95131 (408) 946-7700

Digital Equipment Corp. 146 Main St. Maynard, MA 01754 (617) 897-5111

Hudson and Associates 8087 Math Board

Box 2957

Santa Clara, CA 95055-2957 (408) 554-1316

IBM

1615 South Congress Del Rey Beach, FL 33432 (305) 998-2000

Channel Arrangement

Micro Craft Corp. 9995 Monroe Dr. Dallas, TX 75220 (214) 3 50-6008

Modula Computers

950 North University Ave. Provo, UT 84604 (801) 377-3598

. Dimension 68000 Computer

.American Lilith Computers

Modula Research Institute. 950 North University Ave. Provo. UT 84604 (801) 377-3598

Osborne Computers. 26538 Danti Court Hayward, CA 94545 (800) 227-1617

.Public-domain Modula compiler

. Computers

Quicksort

219 First North #224 Seattle. WA 98109 (206) 282-0452

Rana Systems

21300 Superior St. Chatsworth, CA 91403 (213) 709-5484

Software Toolworks

15233 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1118

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (818) 986-4885

Tinney, Robert

1864 N. Pamela Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70815 (504) 272-7266

Workman and Associates. 112 Marion Ave. Pasadena, CA 91106 (818) 796-4401 .

Zenith Data Systems. 1000 Milwaukee Ave. Glenview, 1L 60025 (312) 391-8865

. PC-Write

. Disk drives

. Many IBM PC and Zenith Z-100 programs

. BYTE cover posters

.WRITE

.Zenith Computers

BOOKS REVIEWED

Clapp, Douglas. Macintosh*. Complete

North Hollywood, CA: Softalk Books, 1984. $19.95

Lu. Cary. The Apple Macintosh Book

Bellevue, WA: Microsoft Books, 1984. $18.95

Norton. Peter. Inside the IBM PC Bowie. MD: Brady, 1983. $19.95

Brodie's excellent introduction. Starting FORTH. MicroPro has a new 16-bit spelling-correction system called CorrectStar. It has more features than The Word Plus, which I use at present, and I liked it quite a lot; I'll go into more

detail on that in my next column.

There were a lot of good speeches and seminars, all well organized. Despite a few glitches, the new Faire management team kept things running far more smoothly than 1 would have

believed they could. Final attendance was a bit over 40.000, down from the 48,000 of last year, but good enough, especially since so many people bought merchandise. It's still my favorite computer show. ■

382 BYTE • JULY 1984

If they can make it here, they'll make it anywhere.

When's the last time you saw "digging a well" or "installing bio-gas digesters "on someone's resume? Working in the Peace Corps is not your average everyday job. But it sure has trained volunteers to cope with the unexpected—including any company's everyday problems, once the volunteers have come home.

Whatever it takes to be Peace Corps volunteers, it's a way of working that develops a resourcefulness and a degree of self-reliance that volunteers use long after they've come home. Anyplace they work. On any job they're given. And they all have a unique understanding of different cultures in developing countries.

Hire a former Peace Corps volunteer, and put that experience to work on your "toughest job." Call Peace Corps toll-free, 800-424-8580 (ext. 76) to tell them about job possibilities for returned volunteers. Or if you know of those who might like to volunteer, use the same phone number (ext. 93) to put their experience to work where it can do a world of good.

Peace Corps

The toughest job youll ever love.

A Public Service of This Publication

IULY 1984 'BYTE 383

Byte Book Club™

DATABASE DESIGN. By C.

Wiederhold. 2nd Ed.. 704 pp. The expanded second edition of this widely acclaimed book presents the methods, the criteria for choices between alternatives, and the principles and concepts that are relevant to the practice of database design.

701/326B S33.00 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

MICROCOMPUTER GRAPHICS AND PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES. By H. Katzan. Jr. 240 pp., 700 illus. and tables. Here's a stimulating introduction to computer graphics for small computers. It covers all the advances to date in color coding and computer graphics technology and—best of all—it's written for information professionals who can't draw! Includes actual graphics programs worth hundreds of dollars! 582576-7 $22.50

COMPUTER PERIPHERALS FOR MINICOMPUTERS, MICROPROCESSORS, AND PERSONAL COMPUTERS By C. L.

Hohenstein

294/518B $29.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES: DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION. By T. W.

Pratt, 2nd Ed., 624 pp.. 93 illus. This book identifies and discusses the key concepts in programming languages . . . explains their hands-on implementation . . . and covers semantic structures, run-time representations, and the effect of syntax on language structures. 582879-0B $29.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

PROGRAMMING WITH ADA: An Introduction By Means of Graduated Examples By P. Wegner

789/24XB $25.00 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

OPERATING SYSTEMS By H.

Lorin & H. M. Dietel

582354-3B $25.95

(Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

CP/M BIBLE: THE AUTHORITATIVE REFERENCE GUIDE TO CP/M®. By M. Waite and J. Angermeyer. 429 pp., illus. This all-inclusive, easy-to-use reference offers a complete description of all the built-in commands, transient commands, and operating procedures you need to make your particular version of CP/M work harder—and more efficiently—for you.

582917-7B $29.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

ASSEMBLERS, COMPILERS, AND PROGRAM TRANSLATION By P. Calingaert 582110-9B $25.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

DATA STRUCTURES AND PROGRAM DESIGN By R. L.

Kruse

583036-1B $28.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

TROUBLESHOOTING & REPAIRING PERSONAL COMPUTERS By A. Margolis 582890-1 $19.95

AN INTRODUCTION TO VISICALC MATRIXING FOR APPLE® AND IBM®. By H. Anbarlian. 252 pp.. illus., softcover. Enables you to use VisiCalc matrixes—also known as templates and models—to put your Apple or IBM personal computer to productive use almost immediately. It describes the actual process of developing matrixes for such applications as expense vouchers, price/ earnings ratios, payrolls, stock portfolios, and more. 016/054 $22.95

THE BUSINESS GUIDE TO SMALL COMPUTERS By L Calmus

096/627 $21.95

INTERFACE PROJECTS FOR THE TRS-80 By R. C. Hallgren 582466-3 $18.95

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each*

Values up to $79.50

APPLE PASCAL GAMES By D

Herget & J. T. Kalash

582521-X $19.95

MATHEMATICS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF ALGORITHMS. By D. H. Greene and D. E. Knuth. 707 pp. Gives you a clear picture of both the structure and the power of algorithms—and their intimate relationship to the world of the computer programmer. 582707-7 $10.00

THE BOWKER BANTAN 1984 COMPLETE SOURCEBOOK OF PERSONAL COMPUTING. By

R. R. BowkerCo. 700pp., illus. This dynamic reference provides seven product directories that cover hardware (with full specs and prices), peripheral hardware, software, books, magazines, computer association publications (many of them free!), and consumer databases.

582915-0 $24.95

REAL-TIME COMPUTING With Applications to Data Acquisition and Control. Edited by D. A. Mellichamp. 552 pp.. 260 illus. This comprehensive guide helps you specify the type of realtime computing system you need, start it up, and keep it running smoothly and productively. 582844-8B $39.50 (Counts as 2 or your 3 books)

GUIDE TO THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER: Features DOS 2.0 and BASIC 2.0 for

the IBM PC and XT. By W. Si

konowiz. 352 pp., illus. Going far beyond the manufacturer's manuals, this guide gives you the invaluable hands-on experience necessary to make the most of your machine.

574/847 $19.95

LEARNING WITH LOGO By D.

H. Watt

685/703 $14.95

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING FOR GRAPHICAL DISPLAYS. By D. L. Ryan. 337 pp., 148 illus., outsized 11 x 8V2 format, softbound. Let this easy-to-follow guide show you how to produce displays with a variety of applications—from animation to engineering drawings and documents. It describes and illustrates how to produce program . . . how to select and use such devices as pen plotters, joysticks, and light pens. . . and how to use simple graphic entities. 582931-2B $26.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

INTRODUCTION TO THE UCSD p-SYSTEM . By C. W.

Grant and J. Butah. 330 pp.. illus. This book takes you through the whole process of implementing the UCSD p-System—and gives you hands-on programming experience in Pascal.

582767-0 $24.95

MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCOMPUTER DATA DIGEST. By W. H. Buchsbaum and G. Weissenberg. 336 pp.. 199 diagrams. Containing all the detailed technical data for every microprocessor integrated circuit that is currently listed as a "standard," off-the-shelf item, this book presents the critical pin configurations, voltages, operating parameters, descriptions of each 1C. 582835-9B $29.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

BASIC: Getting Started. By W.

S. Davis. 752 pp.. illus.. softbound. Step by step, this manual guides you through your first programs until you're "over the hump" and feel comfortable with the computer. It takes you from defining the problem through branching and looping right up to arrays and data statements.

582355-1 $6.95

384 BYTE • JULY I984

ANNOUNCING: The Most Important Computer Handbook

Ever Published!

The McGRAW-HILL COMPUTER HANDBOOK, 992 pp., 475 illus., edited by Harry L. Helms, with over 24 world-reknown contributors, is by far the most useful and comprehensive reference yet designed for today's computer user. Crammed with easy to get at information, ranging from design concepts to programming techniques, from data bases to interfacing, networking, speech synthesis and recognition to mention just a few of hundreds of entries, this one volume reference does it all—in language and presentation everyone can understand. Invaluable for home, office, and school use, The Computer Handbook "can be helpful to users in solving many mysteries, while opening new doors for exploration and serving as a continuing reference," writes Thomas C. Bartee of Harvard University.

279/721A $79.50 (Counts as 3 of your 3 books)

* 3 books for only $1.00 each ... if you join now for a trial period and agree to purchase three more books—at handsome discounts—during your first year of membership. (Publishers' prices shown)

SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING FOR SMALL COMPUTERS. By

D. H. Marcellus. 432 pp., 154 illus. From designing a user-interface dialogue to give instructions right up to parsing TINY BASIC, the author shows you how to make your machine more responsive to your needs. Coverage ranges from ROM monitors, assembler languages, and text editors to some larger microcomputer systems with hard disks and multi-tasking capabilities. 582937-1B $26.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

THE SMALL COMPUTER CONNECTION: Networks for the Home and Office. By N. L.

Shapiro. 256 pp. Shows you how to use existing hardware and software to link your small computer to other computers—large and small— and to a vast universe of databases. 564/124 $15.95

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS' HANDBOOK, 2/e By D. G. Fink & D. Christiansen

209/812A $79.90 (Counts as 3 of your 3 books)

Z80 USERS MANUAL. By J.

Carr. 326 pp.. with diagrams, charts, and tables. Takes you through every opportunity the ZAP can offer! It covers Z80 pin definitions. CPU control signals, support chips, interfacing peripherals, and much more.

582336-5 $21.95

INTRODUCING THE UNIX

SYSTEM. By H. McGilton & R. Morgan. 256 pp., 50 illus. soft. This book helps you over the initial hurdles of learning this new and powerful computertool—even if you have never used the Unix system or penetrated any of its literature. 450/013 $18.95

HANDS-ON BASIC For the IBM " Personal Computer By

H. Peckham. 308 pp.. spiralbound, softcover. Learn BASIC programming right at the computer! Step by step, this manual gives you hands-on experience with BASIC through a series of guided activities. Each of the 12 chapters requires at least one hour at the computer and at least one hour studying the text. 491/78X $19.95

HANDS-ON BASIC FOR THE Atari 4O0/80O/12XL By H.

Peckham

491/941 $22.00

THE C PRIMER. By L. Hancock & M. Kreider. 256 pp.. 25 illus.. softbound. This is the only book on the market that describes the C language clearly and simply from the novice's point of view. 259/81X $16.95

ELECTRONICS DICTIONARY,

4/e By J. Markus

404/313B $32.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

APPLE PASCAL: A Hands-On Approach. By A. Luehrmann and H. Peckham, 426 pp., spiralbound. Finally—a how-to-use-PASCAL book for Apple computer users that makes a complete language as easy as (forgive us!) applesauce. Takes you from "total ignorance" all the way up to a very impressive competence in the use of that rather complex language, PASCAL. 491/712 $20.00

PRINCIPLES OF INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS. By W. M. Newman and R. Sproull. 2nd Ed., 544 pp., ///us.Now in a revised, updated Second Edition, this volume has long been THE standard source of information for designers! Now, as before, it is utterly comprehensive and up to the minute in its coverage. 463/387B $36.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

r— Consider these Byte Books as well!—]

MICROCOMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEMS By M.

Dahmke

150/710 $16.95

TRS-80 GRAPHICS FOR THE MODEL I AND MODEL 111 By D. Kater & S. Thomas

333/033 $14.95

THREADED INTERPRETIVE LANGUAGES By R. G.

Loeliger

383/60X $22.95

THE BRAINS OF MEN AND MACHINES By E. W.

Kent

341/230 $20.95

BASIC SCIENTIFIC SUBROUTINES, Vol. II By Dr.

F. R. Ruckdeschel

542/023B $26.95

(Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

CIARCIA'S CIRCUIT CELLAR, Vol. 2 By S. Ciarcia 109/63X $18.95

BYTE BOOK OF PASCAL

By B. W. Liffick

789/673B $27.50 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books)

BASIC SCIENTIFIC SUBROUTINES, Vol. I By Dr. F.

R. Ruckdeschel

542/015B $27.95 (Counts as 2 of your 3 books) CIARCIA'S CIRCUIT CELLAR, Vol. Ill By S. Ciarcia 109/656 $15.95 MICROCOMPUTER DISK TECHNIQUES By P. Swanson

625/824 $15.95

BUILD YOUR OWN Z-80 COMPUTER By S. Ciarcia 109/621 $18.95

Why YOU should join the Byte Book Club™ now!

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• Big savingsl Build your library and save money too! Savings range up to 30% or more off publishers' list prices—usually 20% to 25%.

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• Convenience! 14-16 times a year (about once every 3-4 weeks) you receive the Club Bulletin FREE. It fully describes the Main Selection

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and alternate selections. A dated Reply Card is included. If you want the Main Selection, you simply do nothing—it will be shipped automatically. If you want an alternate selection—or no book at all—you simply indicate it on the Reply Card and return it by the date specified. You will have at least 10 days to decide. If. because of late delivery of the Bulletin you receive a Main Selection you do not want, you may return it for credit at the Club's expense.

As a Club member you agree only to the purchase of three additional books during your first year of membership. Membership may be discontinued by either you or the Club at any time after you have purchased the three additional books.

Fill out the card and mail today! If the card is missing, write to:

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JULY 1984 -BYTE 385

ADA PRIMER

{continued from page 141)

Ada Compilers for Microcomputers

One of the partial Ada compilers, called Janus Ada. is sold by R&R Software for Z80- and 8088based machines. I have the 8088 version that operates under MS-DOS. Although the developers of (anus Ada have not developed a full Ada compiler to date, they plan to do so with this compiler. As it stands, the compiler is a powerful tool that can be used to learn some of the features of Ada. but remember that it is not a true implementation of Ada.

Tb see how a partial compiler differs from a full compiler, I submitted the examples from parts 1 and 2 of this primer to the Janus Ada compiler. In order for these examples to run, I had to make some modifications. In most cases the changes were cosmetic, but in one major aspect the changes were significant because Janus Ada does not support subprograms that can be separately compiled. Each subprogram must be placed in a package and compiled as a package. In Janus Ada, the concept of the main program is more like that of a main package; that is, what Ada's designers considered to be the initialization part of a package becomes the main program. This is not such a bad way to start; it would have been far worse if Janus Ada had only a single procedure as the main program. As it is, Janus Ada supports separate compilation of package specifications and package bodies. A package can also contain several subprograms; all the examples that follow contain only one subprogram per package, however. The smallest Janus Ada program is

-tiny.pkg

-package name must be same -as file name in Janus -smallest Janus Ada program package body tiny is -main program begin

-do nothing in main program

null; end tiny;

To invoke the compiler, the source program was placed on disk B and the compiler on disk A. The command was given on disk A as A>janus b:tiny.

Only a compiler writer could understand the information presented, but the mes

sage provides a warm feeling that something is going on. Finally this message is displayed:

Thank You For Using JANUS/Ada A>

After this, the linker disk is put in disk A. and you type the command A>jlink b:tiny. which causes the program to be linked and stored on disk B as tiny.com. To execute the program, give the command A>B:tiny.

I strongly recommend that the compiler (or at least its scratch files) be put on an electronic disk to speed up the process. If the linker can be left in disk A, it's convenient to create a batch file to make a command sequence that compiles, links, and executes.

The other significant difference is that the name of a package has to match the name of the file where the package is stored. Under MS-DOS, this limits package names to eight characters.

The smallest Janus Ada program with a subprogram is

- example, lib

- Smallest Ada program with

- a subprogram in a package

-Specification in Janus Ada -is in .lib file package example is

-subprogram specification

procedure do nothing;

end example;

- example.pkg

- Smallest Ada program with

- a subprogram in a package package body example is

-subprogram implementation

procedure do nothing is

begin null;

end do nothing;

end example;

- small.pkg

- Main program with example;

-main program uses subprograms in package package body small is -main program

-use must be in declaration part

use example;

-executable part of main program begin

do_nothing; end small;

This program is split across three files: example.lib for the package specification of the subprogram, example.pkg for the package body of the subprogram, and small.pkg for the main program.

Altogether, the packages do not appear very different from standard Ada. Requiring that separate units be in separate files is probably not a bad idea for small computers. It isolates changes to small units of code and keeps compilation times shorter.

Both of the programs to display a message look very much like standard Ada and both display the correct message. Note that Janus Ada does not use the texLJo package. Instead, various forms of get and put are built into the compiler.

- hellolpkg

- Greet the world

- Introduce output in Ada package body hellol is begin

put ("Helio, world!"); new__line; end hellol;

This version of the program also displays Hello, world!

- hello2.pkg

- Greet the world

- In another version package body hello2 Is begin

put ("Hello"); put (","); put (»»); put ("world"); put ("I"); new_line; end he!lo2;

Janus Ada requires that all variables be declared and have predefined types. The main difference between the following program and the standard Ada example is that the input and output routines do not require instantiation.

386 BYTE • JULY 1984

ADA PRIMER

the Ada compiler"); the Ada syntax checker"); the Ada library manager");

put (" a

new_line;

put (" s

new_line;

put (" I

new_line;

put (" Your request? ")!

new_Jine; end greet; -receive response

-filtering out tabs, blanks, and carriage returns procedure get_response (c : out character) is begin

c := ";

while c = " or c = ascii.ht loop

get (c); end loop; exception when end_error = > c := ascii.eot; end get_response;

procedure help (help atopic : help topic type) is

case help atopic is

when ada_help = >

put (" The ADA command compiles and executes the program."); new_line; when syntax_help = >

put (" The ADAP command parses an Ada

program.");

new_line;

when library help = >

put (" The /LIBFILE=[file] option uses a library."); new_line;

when error help = >

put (" Did not understand that. Please rerun the program."); new_line; end case; end help; end help_package;

with help_package; use help_package procedure main is

c : character; begin

greet;

get_respon.se (c); case c is

when ascii.eot = > null;

when 'a'I'A' = > help (ada_help)

when 's'l'S' = > help (syntax_help);

when T|'L' = > help (library help);

when others = > help (error_help); end case; end main;

First, we establish a package that contains three procedures:

[continued]

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JULY 1984 • BYTE 387

ADA PRIMER

-varl.pkg

-Introduce variables package body varl is

-declaration for integer variable age: integer;

begin

age := 40;

put ("This year Sam is "); put (age,2); put(" years old."); new_line;

end varl;

Janus Ada also has subtypes so that the second version of the program appears as

-var2.pkg

-Introduce variables and subtypes package body var2 is

subtype age_type is integer range 0..99; -declaration for age_type variable age: age_type;

begin

age := 40;

put ("This year Sam is "); put (age,2); put(" years old."); new_line;

end var2;

The control structures for Janus Ada are faithful to standard Ada. The following examples required only minor changes. Since each was a separate program, it was merely a matter of making each into a package body and eliminating the texLio setups.

The first program demonstrates the while loop construct.

-whilel .ada

-The while construct

package body whilel is

subtype counLJype is integer range 1.5; count: counLJype;

begin

count := 1;

while count < = 4 loop put (count • 10, 2); new_line;

count := count + 1; end loop;

end whilel;

The second program is another version of the while loop construct using the succ operation to perform incrementing of the control variable.

-while2.pkg

-The while construct

package body while2 is

subtype counLJype is integer range 1.5; count: counLJype;

begin

count := 1;

while count < = 4 loop

put (count * 10, 2);

new_line;

count := counLJype'succ(count); end loop;

end while2;

The following program demonstrates the for loop construct.

-fortpkg

-The for construct package body fori is

begin

for count in 1..4 loop

put (count * 10, 2);

new_line; end loop;

end fori;

In Janus Ada. get and put do differ in the semantics for how input and output are performed, get reads the end-of-line character, which makes the copy program easier to understand. The strange construction end_of_file(standard_input()) is left over from a version of Ada before it became standardized. I was not able to use Control-Z as an end-of-file, but Control-C stopped the program. Janus Ada does not have exceptions, so the other version of the program is not possible.

-copyl .ada

-Copy input to output

with io,util;

package body copyl is use io.util;

c: character;

begin

while not end of file(standard input())

loop

get(c); put(c);

end loop;

end copyl;

The io and util packages brought into this program have the end_of_file and

end of line functions. Other useful input

and output functions and procedures in these two packages are provided with the Janus Ada compiler.

The if statement is no different from standard Ada, as can be seen in the following examples.

- iftpkg

- Illustrate the if

- and else statements

package body ifl is

answer: character; begin

put (" Do you like Ada so far? "); new_line;

put (" Type y for yes, or n for no:"); new_line;

get (answer);

if answer = 'y' or answer = T then

put (" Glad to hear it!"); else

put (" Hope it changes."); end if; end ifl;

The only major difference in the next example is the fact that the program was in three files because of the separate package for greet.

-greeting.lib

-greeting for elsif example

package greeting is procedure greet; end greeting; -greeting.pkg

- greeting for elsif example package body greeting is

procedure greet is begin

put (" Do you like Ada so far?"); new_line;

put (" Type y for yes, or n for no:");

(continued)

388 BYTE- |ULY 1984

Circle 60 on inquiry card.

ADA PRIMER

greet, get_response, and help. The procedure greet presents information on the display as to what the program does in response to user inputs. This is always a good practice, even for more complex programs.

The procedure get_response contains some additional code to make it more user-friendly. Some users of interactive programs type a space (or even an enter or carriagereturn symbol) before entering a response, just as someone about to give a talk may blow into the microphone before speaking. Ada refers to the tab character as ascii.ht (ht stands for horizontal tab). Since the carriage-return symbol is not returned by get, there is no test for the carriage return. The exception is used to denote the end of a transmission (ascii.eot).

After returning from get_response, the value of the character c is tested in a case statement. If it is an end of file,

the program exits from the case statement doing nothing, and then it exits the program at the bottom of the procedure. This is the usual way of terminating an Ada program. The other calls result in the display of some of Ada's on-line help features or display a message to the user. Although you could use a put at the point of the call to the help procedure, the example illustrates the use of the case statement calling another program.

The case statement evaluates the expression following the keyword case. The expression must evaluate to one of the enumerated types, such as character. After evaluation, the statement transfers to the when clause that matches the case value, resuming execution with the statement following the symbol =>. For example, if c contains an a or an A, it matches the first case, and the call will be to display the help information for the Ada compiler. The bar symbol (|) can be read as an or between values such as a or A. If none of the when clauses that contain character values match the value in c, then the others clause is taken.

Ada requires that a when clause be listed for each possible value of the expression in the case statement or that a when others clause be used. This is to help prevent a common programming mistake called missing logic.

Pointers

Pointers, often a source of difficult bugs in programs, are sometimes considered mysterious or tricky. Ada eliminates many of the problems associated with pointers by providing protection against some of the common bugs arising from the misuse of pointers. Ada does not even call its pointers by the name pointers. Instead it calls them access types. Nevertheless, variables of an access type contain addresses as their value just as integer type variables contain integers as legal values. The following example is a version of the Hello, world! program (from part I) rewritten to introduce access types.

-access.ada

-To introduce access types

with text io; use text_io;

procedure main is type message_access is access string; -A message: message_access; -B

k8^'n [continued]

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IULY 1984 • BYTE 389

Circle 285 on inquiry card.

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ADA PRIMER

message := new string'(" put (message.all); end main;

Hello, world!");

-C -D

The declaration in line A states that message_access is an access type that can point to strings. Then in line B, a declaration is made that message is an access variable; hence, message can point to a string. In line C, the message pointer is assigned to the string created by the new string' (" Hello, world!"). To picture this operation, consider it as represented in figure l. Line D then displays the message with messageall, which indicates that everything pointed to by message is to be used.

~message.ada

-Copy from access string to string

with text io; use text io;

procedure main is

type message_access is access string;

small : constant := 20;

original: message_access;

copy : string (1..small);

procedure string copy

(from string : message_access;

to string : out string) is

begin

to_string := (1..to string'length = > "); -A

for i in from string.all'range loop -B

to string(i) := from string.all(i); -C

end loop;

end string copy;

begin

original := new string'(" This will repeat."); string copy (original, copy);

put (original .all); -D put (copy); -E end main;

The string copy procedure shows that strings can be operated on by pointers and can be stored in arrays. In fact, the string type is predefined in Ada to be type string is array (positive range <>) of character;.

In line A, the procedure sets to string to all blanks with

an aggregate expression. It specifies that as many blanks as

designated in the aggregate are to be assigned to to string.

In line B, a for loop is set to address every element in the string by the use of the 'range attribute. The loop parameter i picks out the individual characters in line C, transferring them from the string pointed to by original into the string copy.

In the body of the main program, original is set to point to a string. Then the procedure string_copy is called. Finally, in lines D and E, the original and the copy are displayed.

The following example performs the same operations without a loop. In Ada, assignment statements between strings of the same length are possible.

-message2.ada

-Copy from access string to string with text io; use text io;

390 BYTE* JULY 1984

Circle 73 on inquiry card.

Circle 331 on inquiry card.

ADA PRIMER

procedure main is type message_access is access string; small: constant := 20; original: message_access; copy : string (1..small); procedure string copy

(from_string : message_access;

to string : out string) is

length : integer; begin

length := to string'length: -A

to_string := (1..length = > "); ~B

length := from string.all'length; --C

to string (1..length) := from string.all; -D

end string copy;

begin

original := new string'f This will repeat. ");

string copy (original, copy);

put (original.all); put (copy); end main;

The assignments in lines A and B blank out the copy string. The length of the destination string is determined in line C. The assignment in line D copies the entire string in a single assignment statement to the copy string. Of course, Ada will detect an error if the original string is longer than the space set aside for the copy. We can test the lengths of the two strings to prevent an error.

Let us now look at the program weekday, in which a function returns a character string given an integer. In line A, day_type is declared to be an array that is 8 long, having the index values 0 to 7. Note that indices can start with 0, 1, or any other enumeration value. Each element in the array saves a string. It could also save a pointer to a string but, in this example, it is better to work directly with the strings.

-weekday.ada

-return name of weekday

with text_io; use text io;

procedure main is type day_type is array (integer range 0..7)

of string (1..9); -A day : day_type := --B ("Oppsday ", "Monday ", "Tuesday ", "Wednesday", "Thursday ",

(continued)

I

—► HELLO WORLD!

I

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JULY 1984 -BYTE 391

ADA PRIMER

new_line;

-Illustrate the if and exit statements

tion that defines the subprogram, and

end greet;

with io, util, greets;

copies.pkg for the main program that calls

end greeting;

package body exitl is

the subprogram copy.

use io, util, greets;

The subprogram copy_in_out actually

-elsifl.pkg

c: character;

makes more sense than in the full Ada ex

- Illustrate use of elsif

begin

ample, which needs special handling to

with greeting;

greet; -display a greeting to the user

store the carriage return and seems to re

package body elsifl is

while not end_of_file(Standard_input())

quire an exception to handle the end-of

- Illustrate use of if

loop

file. A simple while loop continues until an

- and elsif and else

get(c);

end-of-file condition is reached.

use greeting;

if c = 'e' then

put("~-You guessed it! Congratula

-copy.lib

answer: character;

tions! ");

-Copy input to output

new_line;

package copy is

begin

exit;

procedure copy_in_out;

-greet the user greet;

end if; end loop;

end copy;

get (answer);

end exitl;

-copy.pkg

if answer = y or answer = T then

-Copy input to output

with io, util;

put (" Glad to hear it!");

The other version of the exit example

package body copy is

new_line;

program uses the same packages as

procedure copy_in_out is

elsif answer = 'n' or answer = 'NT then put

before.

use io, util;

(" Sorry to hear that. Hope it changes.");

c: character;

new_line;

-exit2.pkg

begin

else

-Show how to eliminate

while not end of filefstandard input())

put(" 1 don't understand ");

-an exit statement

loop

put (answer); put(".");

get(c);

with greets, io, util;

putfc);

new_line;

package body exit2 is

end loop;

end if;

use greets, io, util;

end copy_jn_out;

-initialize c to blank

end copy;

end elsifl;

c: character := ";

The exit statement is also the same as in

begin

--copies.pkg

-display a greeting to the user

_main program to call copy in ^out

standard Ada. The version that follows

greet;

with copy;

makes use of the end_of_file construct to

while c /= 'e' and not end_of_file

package body copies is

exit the program. 1 am not sure if Control

(standard input()) loop

use copy;

C is the right end-of-file command, but it

get(c);

begin

gets you out of the program.

if c = 'e' then

copy_in_out;

put(""-You guessed it! Congratula

end copies;

-greets.lib

tions! ");

-greeting specification

new_line;

The following set of packages reads in

package greets is

end if;

a line until it reads either an end-of-file

procedure greet;

end loop;

marker or a carriaee return The line read

end greets;

end exit2;

in is then displayed. The main program is in lines.Dka the subDrof?rams arp aflt mv

-greets.pkg

This version of Janus Ada does not sup

line and put_my_line. packaged in myline..

-greeting implementation

port exceptions or aggregates and requires

package body greets is

the use of packages for the main program

-•myline.lib

procedure greet is

and for any subprograms. This is an ap

--read a line and display a line

begin

propriate structure for subprograms that

put(" If you type a certain letter");

in most cases should be placed in pack

package myline is

now lina*

1 K.Vtf III IC |

ages.

put(" I'll congratulate you for guessing it.");

The following program copies characters

limit: constant := 80;

until an end-of-file marker is reached.

new_line;

end_of_file is defined in a package named

type string_type is array (L.timlt)

put(" If you get bored, type control-c

io; the input and output functions get and

of character;

instead.");

put are built into the compiler. The

subtype index_type is integer range 0..limit;

new_line;

Standard input function is in the package

end greet;

util. The program is in three files: copy.lib

procedure get_my_Jine (line : out

end greets;

for the package specification that names

string type;

-exiH.pkg

the subprogram in a procedure specifica

length : out index_type);

tion, copy.pkg for the package implementa

392 BYTE" JULY 1984

Circle 357 on inquiry card.

ADA PRIMER

"Friday

"Saturday ",

"Sunday "); function weekday (number: integer)

return string is ~C d : string (1..9); begin

if number < 1 or number > 7 then

d := day (0); else

d := day (number); end if; return d; end weekday; begin

put (" I was born on a " & weekday(4)); end main;

In line B, the variable day is declared to be of type day type; all eight elements of the array are set by an aggregate. Day (0) is "Oppsday " and day (7) is "Sunday ".

The function weekday inputs an integer number and returns a string. If the value of the parameter falls between 1 and 7, the returned value is the string that names the appropriate day. If the number falls outside the bounds, the value for "Oppsday " is returned.

The main program causes the program to display I was born on a Thursday. The & in the put statement is an operator that joins the two strings together.

If you don't mind giving up lowercase letters in your output, Ada has a way of displaying strings directly from integers.

-weekday2.ada

-display weekday value using image attribute

with text_io; use text io;

procedure main is type day_type is (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday); -A week_day: day_type; -B begin

week_day := day_type'val(3); -C put (" I was born on a " &

day_type'image(week_day)); ~D end main;

Line A defines day_type to have a set of 7 values, Monday through Sunday. Line B defines week_day to be of the type day_type. This enables week_day to take on any of the seven names of the days of the week.

In line C, week_day is set to an attribute of the type day_type. This attribute, 'val, returns the name of the value in the specified position. In this case, the value of 3 yields Thursday. Line D displays the result that combines the message string with another useful attribute of day_type. This attribute, 'image, returns a string representing the name of week_day so it can be displayed. The output from this program is I was born on a THURSDAY.

Note that image provides only an uppercase representa

[continued)

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1ULY 1984 "BYTE 393

ADA PRIMER

procedure put my line (line : in

string_type;

length: in index_type);

end myline;

~myline.pkg with io, util;

package body myline is use io, util;

procedure get_my_line (line : out

string type;

length : out index_type) is c: character; begin for i in 1..limit loop get (c); line (i) ;= c; length := i;

exit when end of line (standard_

inputO);

exit when end_of_file (standard—

input());

end loop; end get_my_line; procedure put_my_Jine (line : in string_type;

length : in index_type) is

begin for i in 1..length loop

put (line(i)); end loop; new_Jine; end put_my_line; end myline;

-lines.pkg -line functions test with myline; package body lines is use myline;

my_line: string_type; my_length : index_type;

begin

get_my_line ( my_line, my_length ); put my_line ( my_line, my_length );

end lines;

In compiling this program, the compiler was invoked as A>janus b:myline.lib to first compile the package specification for the myline package. Then the compiler was invoked a second time with A>janus b:myline.pkg to compile the package body for the myline package. The third invocation of the compiler, A>janus b:lines.pkg, compiled the main program. After the message Thank You For Using JANUS/Ada, the command A>jlink b: lines caused the program to be linked and stored on disk B as

lines.com. The program was executed with the command sequence

A>time A>b:lines

This is some normal data. A>time

to give some indication of the time taken to load and execute the program (including the time taken to type the sentence). It took less than 20 seconds, most of which was spent loading the program and typing the message. The program appeared to operate instantaneously, as it should for such a simple program.

The example that shows the case statement was also rewritten in Janus Ada. It could filter out blanks only. When I tried to establish a loop with end_of_line, I had to type the character I wanted twice. It appeared that the end of line function

swallowed a character. Otherwise, the program is not much different than the full Ada version.

-help.lib

-Demonstrate case statement with io, util; package help is

-send instructions to display

use io, util;

-make up for missing ascii character package

eof: constant character :=

character'val(26); procedure greet; -receive response -filtering out tabs, blanks, and -carriage returns

procedure get_response (c : out character);

-show help messages

type help topic ^type is (ada_help,

syntax_help, library help, error help);

procedure get help (help atopic :

help topic ^type);

end help;

with io, util; package body help is use io, util;

-send instructions to display procedure greet is begin

put (" On line help for Ada programmers"); new_line; new_line; put (" Type For help about' new_line; put ("

the Ada syntax checker"); the Ada library manager");

new_line;

put (" s

new_line;

put (" 1

new_line;

put (" Your request? ");

new_line; end greet; -receive response -filtering out blanks

procedure get_response (c : out character) is

'' loop

_of file (standard_input())

help_

new_line; put (" a

c := "; while c = get(c); if end. then c := eof; exit; end if; end loop; end get_response;

procedure get help (help atopic

topic_type) is begin

case help atopic is

when ada_help = > put (" The ADA command compiles and executes the program."); new_line; when syntax__help = > put (" The ADAP command parses an Ada program."); new_line;

when library help = >

put (" The /LIBFILE=[file] option uses a library."); new_line;

when error help = >

put (" Did not understand that. Please rerun the program."); new_line; end case;

end get help;

end help; -main.pkg with help;

package body main is

use help;

c: character; begin

greet;

get_response (c); case c is

= > null;

= > get_help (ada_help); = > get_help (syntax_ help);

= > get_help (library

help);

= > geLhelp (error_help);

when eof when 'a'I'A' when 's'I'S'

when 'I'll'

the Ada compiler");

when others end case; end main;

394 BYTE • JULY 1984

ADA PRIMER

Janus Ada also has access types, as demonstrated in the following program. The main difference between this program and the full Ada version is the Janus compiler won't allow allocation of an object at the same time as setting the object. This restriction is very common in partial compilers. As a result, it requires two statements, whereas one is sufficient in full Ada. Another difference not obvious in this program is that strings in Janus Ada are not fixed-length strings but variable-length strings. In the previous examples, I declared a type called ada_string, which is more like a true string. But 1 could not use the type in this example and set it to a string literal, so I used Janus strings.

-point.pkg

-To introduce access types package body point is

type message_access is access string;

message : message_access; begin

message := new string; message.all := " Hello, world!"; put (message.all); end point;

It's possible to gain access to individual characters in a string pointed to by an access type variable through such notation

as from string.all(i). However, with Janus's

dynamic strings, it is not possible to refer to an element of the string until it is there. Hence, 1 did just the second version of the program, which eliminates the for loop.

Since the string copy subprogram is just

one statement, it does not seem very worthwhile as a subprogram.

-Copy from access string to string with strlib;

package body message is use strlib;

type message_access is access string; original: message_access; copy : string(20); procedure string copy

(from string : in message_access;

to string : out string) is

begin

to string := from string.all;

end string copy;

begin

original := new string; original.all := " This will repeat.";

string copy (original, copy);

put (original.all); put (copy); end message;

The original version of the weekday program uses aggregates to initialize the array day. These were changed to assignment statements that assigned the elements of the array individually. The second version of the full Ada program uses the image attribute, and the third version uses an exception handler. Equivalent versions could not be written in Janus Ada because these features are not part of Janus Ada.

-week.pkg

-return name of weekday package body week is type day_Jype is array (integer range 0..7) of string (9); day: day_type;

function weekday (number: integer) return string is

d : string(9);

if number < 1 or number > 7 then

d := day (0); else

d := day (number); end if; return d; end weekday; egin

day(0) day(1) day(2) day(3) day(4) day(5) day(6) day(7)

= "Oppsday ";

= "Monday ";

= "Tuesday ";

= "Wednesday";

= "Thursday ";

= "Friday ";

= "Saturday ";

= "Sunday %

put (" I was born on a " & weekday(4)); end week;

The output from the program is I was born on a Thursday.

Janus Ada provides for records, as shown in the following program. It makes you appreciate the use of aggregates in full Ada.

The missing 'range attribute requires that the loop be changed if the number of items in the list is increased. The output from the program is the same with the full Ada program.

-list.pkg

-Show an array of records package body list is

type list-type is record name : string (12); number: string (12); end record; type phone_list_type is array (1.3) of list_type; phones: phone_list_type; begin

phones(1).name := "Sabina Saib "; phonesflj.number := "805-964-7724";

phones(2).name := "Weather "; phones(2).number := "805-962-6878";

phones(3).name := "Time "; phones(3).number := "805-966-0611 ";

for i in 1..3 loop

put (phones(i).name);

put (phones(i).number);

new_line; end loop; end list;

These simple examples show that Janus Ada. while not a full Ada, bears a close resemblance to Ada. I leave you to judge how close the resemblance is. We can hope that future versions will come closer to Ada.

What these examples do not show are the nice error messages and diagnostics that Janus Ada provides. At one point in testing the examples, I omitted a semicolon and the compiler asked me if 1 wanted it to insert one and continue. I let it continue; it compiled and executed correctly. In another instance, I was in violation of a constraint and the run-time system told me which line in which subprogram caused the error. It also told me which parent program called the subprogram and at which line the call was made. These features make me hope that this compiler will become a full Ada compiler.

tion of the name. If you use a value outside the range 0 to 6, Ada causes an error, called an exception, to occur. You can refine this example by handling the exception.

~weekday3.ada

-display weekday value using image attribute

-contains exception handler

with text io; use text io;

procedure main is type day_type is (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,

(continued)

IULY 1984 - BYTE 395

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ADA PRIMER

Sunday); week_day: day_type; begin

week_day := day_type'val(3); put (" I was born on a " &

day_type'image(week_day)); exception -A when others = >

put (" Opps, something was wrong! "); end main;

The program, down to the exception in line A, is the same as before. If something goes wrong, the statement following the = > causes the message Opps, something was wrong! to be displayed.

Records

Ada records are very much like Pascal records. In the example that follows, line A defines list_type to be a record with two fields: name and number. Each record is a string. Both name and number are 12 characters long.

Line B defines a type that is an array of three records. Line C defines an object that can be used to store up to three names and numbers. The object is initialized with an aggregate giving the three names and numbers.

The main program simply lists the information stored in the record. The for loop in line D uses a valuable attribute of arrays 'range. If the array was changed to 2 5 or 100 instead of 3, the loop would not need to be changed.

The put statements in lines E and F show how individual elements in the array, and then individual fields in the record, are referred to with a dot notation.

-Show an array of records

with text io; use text io;

procedure main is

type list type is

record -A name : string (1..12); number: string (1..12); end record;

type phone list ^type is

array (1..3) of list_type; -B

phones : phone list type := -C

(("Sabina Saib ", "805-964-7724"), ("Weather ", "805-962-6878"), ("Time ", "805-966-0611"));

begin

for i in phones'range loop -D put (phones(i).name); -E put (phones(i).number); -F new_line; end loop; end main;

When run, the preceding program displays:

Begin Ada execution Sabina Saib 805-964-7724

396 BYTE' IULY 1984

Circle 215 on inquiry card.

ADA PRIMER

Weather 805-962-6878 Time 805-966-0611

Execution complete Execution time: 12 seconds l-code statements executed: 44

Going Further in Ada

Although you have seen some complete Ada examples and should be able to write your own Ada programs, you can learn much more about the language from the numerous textbooks on the language. Some of these texts are listed in the bibliography.

You will also need access to an Ada compiler. The most comprehensive compilers are on large machines, such as the NYU Ada/Ed on VAX 11/780 computers. There are also some promising microcomputer compilers, such as Janus Ada from RS-R Software (see the text box beginning on page 386). Whatever compiler you use, try some of the simple examples from this article and then add your own applications with help from a textbook.

Eventually you will want to have your own Ada language Reference Manual, available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, as well as from several commercial publishers. Be sure to get the 1983 ANSI standard version of the manual instead of a preliminary version. ■

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barnes. John. Programming in Ada. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. 1983. Booch. Grady. Software Engineering with Ada. Reading. MA: Addison-Wesley, 1983.

Buhr. R. 1. A. System Design with Ada. Englewood Cliffs, N|: Prentice-Hall. 1984.

Cherry. George. Parallel Programming ANSI Standard Ada. Englewood Cliffs. NJ: Prentice-Hall. 1984.

Downes, V. A. Programming Embedded Systems with Ada. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984.

Gehani, Narain. Ada: An Advanced Introduction. Englewood Cliffs, N|: PrenticeHall, 1984.

Gehani. Narain. Ada: Concurrent Programming. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: PrenticeHall. 1984.

Habermann, A. Nico, and Dewayne Perry. Ada for Experienced Programmers. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1984.

Hibbard, P. Studies in Ada Style. New York, Springer-Veriag, 1983. Leathrum, J. Ada Software Designer's Primer. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: PrenticeHall. 1984.

Lewis, William. Problem-Solving Designer's Primer. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984.

McDermid. John A., and Knut Ripken. Life Cycle Support in the Ada Environment. New Rochelle. NY: Cambridge University Press, 1984. McGettrick, A. D. Program Verification Using Ada. New Rochelle, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1982.

Olsen, Eric. Ada for Programmers. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984. Pyle. Ian. Ada Programming language. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1982.

Saib, Sabina. and Robert Fritz. The Ada Programming Language: A Tutorial. Los Alamitos, CA: IEEE Computer Society Press. 1983. Saxon, lames, and Robert Fritz. Beginning Programming with Ada. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1983.

Stratford-Collins, M. J. Ada: Programmer's Conversion Course. New York: Wiley. 1982.

Wiener, Richard, and Richard Sincovec. Programming in Ada. New York: Wiley, 1982.

Young. S. J. Am introduction to Ada. New York: Wiley. 1982.

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KERMIT

[continued from page 145)

tively acknowledge the expected command. The potential problem occurs in either the Receive Init state or when a Kermit server is waiting for a command. In either case, Kermit won't know whether communication has begun if the other side's initial packet was lost. Kermit can't assume the other side will time out and retransmit, so it must check periodically by sending a NAK for packet zero. If Kermit gets no response, it assumes nothing has happened yet and goes back to sleep for a while.

But sending periodic NAKs opens the door to the buffering problem. Some systems buffer input for a device; when a program isn't looking for input, some or all the input is saved by the computer for future requests. This can cause problems when talking to a Kermit server or sending a file to a Kermit in receive wait. If some time has elapsed since activating the remote Kermit sending the file and escaping back and starting up the local Kermit, a number of NAKs may have accumulated in the local Kermit's input buffer, so clear the input buffer at the beginning of a transfer.

If the input buffer is not cleared, the local Kermit will think the remote side is having trouble receiving the first packet. In an effort to get the packet through, it will be sent again; this repeats for every NAK waiting in the input buffer. By the time the first ACK is finally encountered in the buffer, a number of duplicates of the first packet will

have been sent out. If this number exceeds the NAK threshold, the connection will be broken. If not, however, the second packet will be retransmitted once for each of the extra ACKs the remote Kermit correctly sent for the duplicate first packets. This can continue throughout the file transfer, causing each packet to be sent many times. So, clear the input buffer after reading each packet. Any computer that buffers its input should clear its input buffer before the transfer and after each packet that arrives successfully. But since not all systems provide a clear-buffer function, we may add our last rule: discard redundant ACKs.

In the situation just described, the first packet would be sent out multiple times, once for each buffered NAK. Upon receipt of the first ACK, the second packet would go out, but the next response would be another ACK for the first packet; by the last rule, Kermit would simply take in the redundant ACK, ignore it, and look for the next ACK, until it got the desired one, in violation of the spirit of the first rule.

If we allowed ourselves to violate the first rule, we could add another rule, an ACK for packet n also acknowledges all previous packets, as is done in some network protocols, allowing data packets to be sent in a continuous stream. Kermit cannot use this rule for many reasons: sequence-number wraparound, buffer overflows, and locking out half-duplex systems (how can you negatively acknowledge a bad packet if you can't get

control of the line?). Thus, if we violate the first rule, it must be only in a very minor way.

An Example

A sequence of packets from a real file transfer is shown in listing 1. Each packet starts with Control-A, shown as "A. In the first packet, we see following the Control-A the packet length ")" (41 less 32, or 9) followed by the packet type, S (Send Init), and then by the appropriate parameter declarations: maximum packet length is H (72 - 32 = 40), time-out is "(" (40 - 32 =8), number of padding characters is 0 (space = 32 32 = 0), the padding character is 0. endof-line is "-" (45 - 32 = 13, the ASCII value of a carriage return), the controlquote character is "#", and the remaining fields are omitted, defaulting to appropriate values. The final character (""") is the single-character checksum, computed as follows (all numbers and computations are in octal, and "sp" represents a space):

) sp S H ( sp

51+ 40 + 123 + 110 + 50 + 40 +

@ - #

100 + 55 + 43 = 674

674 + (674/300) = 676

676 AND 77 = 76;

char(76) = 76 + 40 = 136 = """

The receiver acknowledges with its own parameters, which are the same. Then comes the file header, the file, EOF. and EOT. One data packet was corrupted by a burst of "%" characters, negatively acknowledged, and retransmitted.

Performance

For text files (documents or program source), assuming an average line length of 40 characters with lines separated by a carriage return/linefeed pair, the only control characters normally found in the text file, we see about 5 percent overhead for prefixing of control characters. Assuming no line terminators for packets (although one or both sides may require them), no retransmissions or time-outs, and no time wasted for the line to turn around between packet and response, for an average packet length p. using a singlecharacter checksum, the Kermit protocol overhead consists of five controlfield characters in the data packet, five characters in the acknowledgment

Listing 1: A sequence of packets from an actual file transfer. Comments are on the

right side or in parentheses.

"A) SH( 9-t"

Send Init

"A) YH( ©-#%

ACK for Send Init

"A+1FMOON.DOC2

File header

"A#!Y?

ACK for file header

"AE"D No celestial body has required )

First data packet

"A#"Y®

ACK for first data packet

" AE#Das m%%%uch labor for the study of its#

Second data packet, bad

"A##N8

NAK for second data packet

"AE#Das much labor for the study of its*

Second data packet again

"A##YA

ACK for second data packet

"AESD#M#lmotion as the moon. Since ClaA

etc...

"A#$YB

(many packets omitted here)

"AD' Dout 300 terms are sufficient.#M#|U

Last data packet

"A#"Y@

ACK for last data packet

"A##ZB

EOF

"A##YA

ACK for EOF

"A#$B +

EOT

"A#$YB

ACK for EOT

400 BYTE' IULY 1984

KERMIT

packet, and 0.05p for control-character quoting.

This gives 10/p + 0.05 overhead. A packet length of 40 gives 30 percent overhead. If p is 96 (the maximum), there is about 15 percent. These figures will vary with the average line length and the frequency of other control characters (like tabs and formfeeds) in the file and will go up with immediate retransmissions—and way up with delayed retransmissions. For binary files, the quoting overhead will be higher. But transmission overhead can also go down dramatically if prefix encoding is used for repeated characters, depending on the nature of the data (binary data containing many zeros, highly indented or columnar data, or program text will tend to benefit). Each file transfer also gets a fixed overhead for the preliminary (Send Init, File Header) and terminating (EOF, EOT) packets.

If the mainframe end of a connection is heavily loaded, it may take considerable time to digest and process incoming characters before replying. On halfduplex mainframes, a pause may occur between sending and receiving, even if the load is light; this might be used to advantage by preparing the next packet in advance while waiting for the current ACK. Another problem may occur on heavily loaded mainframes—undesirable time-outs. Time-outs are intended to detect lost packets. A heavily loaded system may take longer than the timeout interval to send a packet. For this reason, mainframe Kermits should take the requested time-out interval only as a minimum and should adjust it for each packet based on the current system load, up to a reasonable maximum.

A noisy line has a greater likelihood of corrupted packets and therefore of retransmission overhead. Performance can be improved by reducing the packet length (and thus the corruption probability of any particular packet) and the amount of time required to retransmit it. A Kermit program can unilaterally adjust the packet length according to the number of retransmissions that are occurring. Short packets cut down on retransmission overhead; long packets cut down on character overhead.

The User Interface

Kermit was designed from a mainframe perspective. Like many mainframe pro

grams, Kermit issues a prompt, the user types a command, Kermit executes the command and issues another prompt, and so on until the user exits from the program. Much care is devoted to the command parser, even on microcomputer versions. The goal is to provide English-like commands composed of sequences of keywords or operands, with abbreviations possible for any keyword in any field down to the minimum unique length and with "?" help available at any point in a command. Not all implementations need follow this model, but most do.

The basic commands are SEND and RECEIVE. These allow most Kermits to exchange files. Operands can be the name of a single file or a file-group designator (e.g., with wildcards) to transmit multiple files in a single operation. Although some systems may not provide wildcard file processing, the Kermit protocol allows it.

The CONNECT command provides the mechanism for logging in and typing commands at the remote host, which is necessary in order to start the Kermit on that side. The CONNECT facility provides character-at-a-time transmission, parity selection, remote or local echoing, and the ability to send any character, including the escape character that must be used to get back to the local Kermit. However, no error detection or correction occurs during CONNECT, just as none normally occurs between an ordinary terminal and a host.

When two systems are dissimilar, a SET command is provided to allow them to accommodate each other's peculiarities, for instance, SET PARITY ODD to add odd parity to all outbound characters or SET LOCAL-ECHO to do local echoing when connected as a terminal to a half-duplex system. The SET command must sometimes be used to supply information to the target system on how to store an incoming file with respect to block size, byte size, record format, and record length.

Most Kermit implementations take special care to reassure the user during file transfer. The names of the files being transferred are shown, and a dynamic display is made of the packet traffic, showing successful transmission of packets as well as time-outs and re

[continued]

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KERMIT

transmissions. Messages are issued when the user connects to the remote system or escapes back from it, and Kermit prompts identify the implementation. Helpful error messages are displayed when necessary; these may emanate from either the local or the remote system. The final disposition of the transfer is clearly stated: complete or failed.

The actions required of the Kermit user depend upon the degree to which the Kermit programs involved have implemented the specification. Minimal implementations require that the user connect to the remote host, start Kermit there, issue a SEND (or RECEIVE) command, escape back to the local machine, and issue the complementary RECEIVE (or SEND) command. All this must be done for each transfer. More advanced implementations allow the remote side to run as a server and to take all its instructions in special command packets from the local Kermit; all the user

has to do on the remote end is make the initial connection to start the server. The server will even log itself out upon command from the local Kermit. A minimal server can process commands to send files, receive files, and shut down.

See listing 2 for an example of a session in which the user of an IBM PC transfers files from a DECSYSTEM-20. The actions shown are required for minimal Kermit implementations.

The session is somewhat simpler when the remote Kermit is being run as a server. The user must still use CONNECT, log in, and start Kermit on the remote end but need never again use CONNECT to issue subsequent SEND, RECEIVE, EXIT, or LOGOUT commands, even though many transactions may take place. All actions can be initiated from the PC.

Advanced Features

An optional feature of the Kermit protocol is a special packet designed to ex

press the attributes of a file in a compact and generic manner. The receiver may either attempt to use the attributes to store the incoming file, or archive them for later use. Attributes include not only file characteristics but also the intended disposition—store, print, submit for batch processing, send as mail, etc. Other optional features include mechanisms for gracefully interrupting, delaying, or suspending operations in progress; alternate forms of packet-data encoding; filename conversion; local file management; raw-data transmission and capture; command-macro definition; etc.

Although Kermit was never intended to fulfill the role of a general-purpose network server, its design has made it simple to add new functions. A Kermit server can accept commands in packets from a remote Kermit. The basic commands are for sending or fetching files and for shutting down the server. Other commands may require the display of text at the user's terminal, which is controlled by the local Kermit. For example, a directory listing could be requested; the resulting text is sent back to the local Kermit exactly as if a file were being transferred, except the destination is the user's screen rather than a disk file. With this ability in place, it is possible to implement all sorts of commands, for instance, to delete a file, show who's logged in, inquire about disk space, verify access to a directory, submit batch jobs, send messages, and so forth.

The ability of the Kermit server to perform host functions can be added very simply under certain operating systems. For instance, under UNIX, Kermit can "fork" a shell with commands to perform any function possible under UNIX, redirecting the standard output through a process (Kermit itself) that encapsulates it into Kermit packets and sends it along.

A server with these capabilities could provide convenient access to a timesharing system by users at personal workstations, without requiring the users to be directly involved with the host. If, for instance, workstations had dedicated connections to a host, and the host had dedicated Kermit servers for each such line, users could get access to and manage their host files completely by commands typed at the workstation. Taking this idea one step further.

Listing 2: A sample session that transfers a file between an IBM Personal Computer and a DEC mainframe. The parts the user types are in italic and comments appear on the right or in parentheses. Everything else is system typeout.

A> kermit ! Run Kermit on the PC.

Kermit VI.20

Kermit-86> ! This is the Kermit prompt for the PC.

Kermit-86 >a>nneci ! Connect to the DEC-20.

IConnecting to host. Type CTRL-jC to return to PC.|

! You are now connected to the DEC-20. Columbia University CU20B ! The system prints its herald. ©terminal vt52 ! Set your terminal type (optional).

@login my-id password ! Login using the normal login method.

(The DEC-20 prints various messages.)

©fermit ! Run Kermit on the DEC-20.

Kermit-20> ! This is Kermit-20's prompt.

Kermit-20>send '.for ! Send all FORTRAN files.

" |c ! Type the escape sequence to return to the PC.

I Back at PC. I

Kermit-86 > receive ! Tell the PC that files are coming.

(The progress of the transfer is shown continuously on the screen.) Transfer Complete.

Kermit-86>conned ! Get back to the DEC-20.

IConnecting to host. Type CTRL-IC to return to PCI Kermit-20 >exit I Get out of Kermit-20.

@logout ! Logout from the DEC-20.

Logged out lob 55, User MY-ID, Account MY-ACCOUNT, TTY 146, at 24-Apr-84 15:18:56, Used 0:00:17 in 01:21:55

" |c ! Now, escape back to the PC

I Back at PC. I

Kermit-86 >«if ! and exit from the PC's Kermit.

402 BYTE • JULY 1984

KERMIT

Table 1: The computers and operating systems that the Kermit protocol is available on and the computer language the program is written in.

Machine

DECsystem-10 DECSYSTEM-20 IBM 370 Series VAX-11

VAX. SUN. PDP-11, etc. PDP-II

8080, 8085. or Z80 8086. 8088 Apple II 6502

Operating System

TOPS-IO

TOPS-20

VM/CMS

VMS

UNIX

RT-ll. RSX. RSTS CP/M-80

MS-DOS. CP/M-86 Apple DOS

Language

MACRO-10

MACRO-20

IBM Assembler

Bliss-32

C

MACRO-ll 8080 ASM MASM, ASM86 DEC-I0/20 CROSS

the workstation system software could be modified to make the whole process transparent by incorporating the Kermit protocol in its file access logic—fetching and updating host files as necessary behind the user's back. Since the demands placed on a host by Kermit are relatively modest, many simultaneous users could probably be serviced in this way. This approach could be a relatively painless entry into the distributed, networked environment of tomorrow; when local-area-network protocols become mature and the hardware economical and widespread, Kermit can be replaced by the real thing. But for the ordinary computer user for whom dedicated connections are impractical, doit-yourself Kermit, or some similar facility, will be a valuable tool for years.

Conclusions

The need for a cheap, convenient filetransfer capability among diverse systems is pressing, and many efforts similar to ours are under way at many places. We hope that this article may contribute to those efforts; we don't claim to have the last word on any of the issues raised here and expect that this article may uncover some other approaches. We have billed Kermit as a simple protocol; anyone who has read this far will appreciate what must go into the more complicated protocols used in real networks or when integration of microcomputer and mainframe is a major goal—demand paging of remote files, remote database queries, distributed editing, and computation.

Meanwhile, the Kermit protocol has proven successful and continues to grow in popularity. As of this writing, implementations exist for over 50 computer systems; the major ones are listed in table 1. Some have been contributed or enhanced by the institutions listed in the acknowledgments. No single implementation necessarily includes all features mentioned in this article, but all are able to communicate at least at base level. Additional implementations are in preparation, and present ones are being enhanced.

Columbia University is willing to provide all Kermit programs, sources, manuals, and other documentation to computing centers, academic or corporate, in return for a modest fee to cover costs for media, printing, postage, labor,

and computing resources. Only magnetic tape and listings can be shipped. We cannot produce floppy disks; instructions are included for bootstrapping the microcomputer implementations from the mainframe computers. Details will be provided on request. Write to

Kermit Distribution

Columbia University Center for

Computing Activities

7th Floor, Watson Laboratory

612 West 115th St.

New York, NY 10025

The protocol specification supplemented by examples of existing Kermit implementations allows new implementations to be created with relative ease. In the past, Kermit implementers have shared their work with other Kermit users by contributing it to the Columbia Kermit library. We hope that this practice will continue until Kermit has spread throughout the known world. ■

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In designing the initial Kermit protocol, we studied several models, primarily the ANSI recommendation. Others included the Stanford University D1ALNET project, the University of Utah "Small FTP" project, and the Stanford University Medical Center TTYFTP project. And we examined some real networks, such as ARPANET and DECnet.

Acknowledgments are also due to the many sites that have contributed new Kermit implementations or enhanced old ones: Stevens Institute of Technology, Digital Equipment Corporation, the National Institutes of Health, Cornell University, the University of Toronto, the University of Tennessee, University of Toledo, Pima Community College, Cerritos College, and others. Thanks to Dr. Howard Eskin for help with this article and to Henson and Associates for permission to use Kermit.

REFERENCES

1. ANSI X3.15-1976, Bit Sequencing of ASCII in Serial-By-Bif Data Transmission. New York: American National Standards Institute. 1976.

2. ANSI 3.16-1976. Character Structure and Character Parity Sense for Serial-By-Bit Data Communication in ASCII. New York: American National Standards Institute. 1976.

3. ANSI X3.28-1976. Procedures for the Use of Control Characters of ASCII in Specified Data Communications Link. New York: American National Standards Institute, 1976.

4. ANSI X3.4-1977, Code for Information Merchange. New York: American National Standards Institute, 1977.

5. DNA Data Access Protocol (DAP) Functional Specification. AA-K177A-TK. Marlborough. MA: Digital Equipment Corporation. 1980.

6. DNA Digital Data Communications Message Protocol (DDCMP) Functional Specification. AA-K175A-TK. Marlborough. MA: Digital Equipment Corporation, 1980.

7. EIA Standard RS-232C. Washington. DC: Electronic Industries Association. 1969. 1981.

8. Hamming, R. W. "Error Detecting and Error Correcting Codes." Bell System Technical \ournal. April 1950. page 147.

9. ISO Reference Model for Open Systems interconnection (OSI). Draft Proposal 7498. International Organization for Standardization. 1982.

10. Knuth, D. E. The Art of Computer Programming. Volume I: Fundamental Algorithms. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. 1973.

11. Mackenzie. C. E. Coded-Character Sets: History and Development. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. 1980.

12. McNamara. I. E. Technical Aspects of Data Communication. Bedford. MA: Digital Press. 1982.

13. Martin, lames. Teleprocessing Network Organization. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1970.

14. Neigus, N.). File Transfer Protocol for the ARPA Network. RFC 542, NIC 17759. Cambridge, MA: Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., 1973. (Available in -the ARPANET Protocol Handbook. NT1S AD/A-052 594.)

15. Perez, Aram. "Byte-wise CRC Calculations." IEEE MICRO. June 1983. page 40.

16. Pierce. J. R., and E. C. Posner. Applications of Communications Theory: introduction to Communication Science and Systems. New York: Plenum Press. 1980.

17. Thomas. R., and [. Yates. A User Guide to the UNIX System. Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGrawHill. 1982.

IULY 1984 • BYTE 403

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CE...your best source for diskettes

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(COMMUNICATIONS I ELECTRONICS" Computer Products Division

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IULY 1984 'BYTE 405

BO O KS RECE I VED

The ABC'S of the IBM PC. loan Lasselle and Carol Ramsay. Berkeley, CA: Sybex, 1984; 160 pages, 17.5 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-89588-102-0, S12.95.

Advanced Pascal Programming Techniques. Paul A. Sand. Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGrawHill, 1984: 380 pages, 18.5 by 23.3 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-88134-105-3. S19.95.

All About Hand-Held and Briefcase-Portable Computers, C. Louis Hohenstein. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984: 380 pages, 15 by 22.8 cm. softcover. ISBN 0-07-029452-6. S9.95.

APL: An Interactive Approach, 3rd ed. Leonard Gilman and Allen I. Rose. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1984; 380 pages, 21.3 by 27.8 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-471-093041, $22.95.

An Apple Business Users Guide: Business Decision Making for Higher Profits, William R. Osgood and lames F. Molloy Jr. Somerville, MA: Curtin & London, 1983; 160 pages, 21.5 by 27.8 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-930764-66-8, $15.50.

Applestat, Peter Rob. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: PrenticeHall, 1984; 84 pages, 20 by 24.8 cm, hardcover. ISBN 0-13038951-X. $49.95. Includes floppy disk.

The Apple II BASIC Handbook, Douglas Hergert. Berkeley, CA: Sybex, 1983; 270 pages. 15 by 22.8 cm. softcover. ISBN 0-89588-115-2, $13.95.

Applied Concepts in Microcomputer Graphics, Bruce A. Artwick. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 1984; 384 pages, 18.5 by 24.3 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-13-039322-3, $27.95.

Assembler for the IBM PC and PC-XT. Peter Abel. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Co., 1984; 432 pages, 17.5 by 23.3 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-8359-0153-X, $16.95.

Atari BASIC Tutorial, Robert

A. Peck. Indianapolis, IN: Howard W. Sams & Co., 1983; 224 pages, 13.8 by 21.5 cm, spiral-bound, ISBN 0-67222066-0, $12.95.

Atari Player-Missile Graphics in BASIC, Philip C. Seyer. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing, 1984; 188 pages, 14.8 by 22.8 cm. spiral-bound, ISBN 0-83590112-2. $14.95.

BASIC Programming, Donald D. Spencer. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1984; 224 pages, 15.3 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-684-18039-1, $9.95.

CAAP '83, G. Ausiello and M. Protasi. eds. Lecture Notes in Computer Science #159, New York: Springer-Verlag, 1983; 423 pages, 13 by 19 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-387-12727-5, $18.

COBOL for Microcomputers. Ruth Ashley and Judi N. Fernandez. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1983: 336 pages. 17 by 2 5.3 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-47187241-5, $15.95.

Commodore 64, John A. Heil and Jack Martin. Wayne, PA: Banbury Books, 1983: 208 pages, 18 by 23.5 cm, spiralbound, ISBN 0-88693-067-7, $14.95.

Commodore 64 Exposed, Bruce Bayley. Nashville, TN: Melbourne House Software Inc.. 1983; 206 pages. 14 by 20.8 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-86759144-7, $14.95.

Commodore 64 Fun and Games, Ron Jeffries, Glen Fisher, and Brian Sawyer. Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-Hill. 1984; 192 pages, 21.3 by 27.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-88134-116-9. $11.95.

Commodore 64 VIC 20 BASIC, Richard Haskell and Thomas

Windeknecht. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1983; 192 pages, 21.5 by 27.8 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-13-152281-7, $13.95.

The Commodore 64/VIC-20 BASIC Handbook, Douglas Hergert. Berkeley, CA: Sybex, 1983; 208 pages, 15.3 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-89588116-0, $14.95.

The Compleat Kaypro, Steven Frankel. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Co., Inc., 1984; 240 pages, 17.5 by 23.3 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-8359-O8O2-X, $16.95.

Computer Basics for Student Programmers, Dominick Sodano, Harry Klaff, and Susan White. Freeport, NY: Educational Activities Inc., 1983; 128 pages, 15 by 23 cm, spiralbound, ISBN 0-9611246, $6.95.

Computer Buyer s Protection Guide, L. J. Kutten. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984; 160 pages. 15.3 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-13-164187-5, $12.95.

Computer Science with Structured BASIC, lames Poirot, David Groves, and Charles Hammons. Austin, TX: Sterling Swift Publishing. 1983; 348 pages, 19.5 by 2 5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-88408-279-2. $18.95.

Computers in Chess. English ed. M. M. Botnvinnik. New York: Springer-Verlag. 1984; 176 pages, 16 by 24.3 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-387-90869-2, $22.

Computers and Your Child, Ray Hammond. New York: Ticknor & Fields, 1984: 286 pages, 14.5 by 22 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-89919210-6, $15.95.

The CompuThink Guide to Word Processing, lesse Berst. Indianapolis, IN: Howard W. Sams

& Co., 1983; 192 pages, 20 by 23.5 cm. ISBN 0-672-22069-5, $12.95.

Creative Design with Microcomputers, Steven K. Roberts. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: PrenticeHall, 1984; 400 pages, 17.5 by 23.3 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-13189317-3. $14.95.

Database Manager in Microsoft BASIC, Greg Greene. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books, 1983; 176 pages. 19.5 by 23.5 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-83060567-3, $12.50.

Database, a Primer. C. I. Date. Reading. MA: Addison-Wesley. 1983: 288 pages, 18.3 by 23.3 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-20111358-9, $12.95.

Digital Control System Analysis and Design, Charles L. Phillips and H. Troy Nagle Jr. Englewood Cliffs. NJ: PrenticeHall, 1984; 576 pages, 18.3 by 24.3 cm. hardcover, ISBN 0-13212043-7. $36.95.

The Easy Guide to Your Commodore 64, Joseph Kascer. Berkeley, CA: Sybex, 1983: 144 pages, 15.3 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-89588-126-8, $7.95.

8-Bit & 16-Bit Microprocessor Cookbook, Joseph J. Carr. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books. 1983; 302 pages, 13.5 by 21.5 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-83060643-2. $19.95.

Elements of Computer Process Control, Pradeep B. Deshpande and Raymond H. Ash. Englewood Cliffs. N|: Prentice-Hall, 1983; 400 pages. 16 by 24 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-13-264093-7, $47.95.

The Evolution of Programs, Nachum Dershowitz. Cambridge. MA: Birkhauser Boston Inc., 1983; 366 pages, 14.5 by 22.8 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-81763171-2. $16.95.

The Fifth Generation, Edward A. Fiegenbaum and Pamela McCorduck. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1983; 288

THIS IS A LIST of books recently received at BYTE Publications. Ihe list is not meant to be exhaustive, its purpose is to acquaint BYTE readers with recently published titles in computer science and related fields. We regret that we cannot review or comment on all the books we receive: instead, this list is meant to be a monthly acknowledgment of these books and the publishers who sent them.

406 BYTE • lULY 1984

pages, 16.5 by 24 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-201-11519-0, S15.55.

First Course in Data Processing with BASIC, 2nd ed. J, Daniel Couger and Fred R. McFadden. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1984; 620 pages, 21.3 by 27.8 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-471

86945- 7, S25.95.

First Course in Data Processing WITH BASIC. COBOL, FORTRAN, and RPG, 3rd ed. 1. Daniel Couger and Fred R. McFadden, New York; John Wiley & Sons, 1984; 702 pages, 21.3 by 27.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-471

86946- 5. $26.95.

Fundamentals of Programming Languages, 2nd ed. Ellis Horowitz. Rockville, MD: Computer Science Press, 1984; 464 pages. 15.5 by 23.5 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-88175-004-2, $26.95.

Games Computers Play. Keith S. Reid-Green. Bedford, MA; Digital Press, 1984: 256 pages. 21.5 by 25.5 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-932376-29-0, $16.

Getting the Most from WordStar and MailMerge. M. David Stone. Englewood Cliffs, N(: 1984; 256 pages, 17.5 by 23.5 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-13354382-X, $14.95.

Getting the Most from Your VIC 20, Hank Librach. Englewood Cliffs. NJ: Prentice-Hall. 1983; 144 pages. 15 by 22.8 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-13-3543 57-9, $9.95.

A Guide to the Best Business Software for the IBM PC. Richard C. Dorf. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1983; 224 pages, 18.5 by 23.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-201-102 56-0. $12.95.

How to Buy Software. Alfred Glossbrenner. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1984; 672 pages. 15.5 by 23.5 cm. softcover. ISBN 0-312-39551-5. $14.95.

How to Create Your Own Computer Bulletin Board, Lary L.

Myers. Blue Ridge Summit. PA: Tab Books. 1983; 224 pages, 19.5 by 23.5 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-8306-1633-0, $12.50.

How to Get Intimate with Your Computer, Fred DTgnazio. New York; McGraw-Hill, 1984; 168 pages, 13.5 by 20.3 cm. softcover. ISBN 0-07-016901-2. $6.95.

How to Program Your Commodore 64, Carl Shipman. Tucson, AZ: HP Books, 1983; 336 pages. 21.5 by 27.5 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-89586-310-3. $9.95.

The IBM/PC & Business Software, James E. Kelley Jr. Wayne, PA: Banbury Books, 1983; 2 54 pages, 17.8 by 23.5 cm. spiralbound, ISBN 0-88693-000-6. $39.95. Includes two floppy disks.

IBM PC Expansion & Software Guide. 3rd ed. Staff of Que Corp. Indianapolis. IN: Que Corp.. 1983; 672 pages, 20.5 by 27.5 cm. softcover. ISBN 088022-057-0, $19.95.

The IBM PC Users Guide. Michael Bane with Mark Andrews. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1983: 128 pages. 13.5 by 20.8 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-02-008710-1. $5.95.

Interactive Programming Environments, David R. Barstow, Howard E. Shrobe, and Erik Sandewall. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1984: 224 pages. 15.8 by 23.5 cm. hardcover. ISBN 0-07-003885-6, $34.95.

Interfacing Test Circuits with Single-Board Computers. Robert H. Luetzow. Blue Ridge Summit. PA: Tab Books, 1983: 256 pages. 19.5 by 23.5 cm. softcover. ISBN 0-8306-0583-5. $13.50.

Integrated-Circuit Operational Amplifiers, 2nd ed. George B. Rutkowski. Englewood Cliffs. NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984; 334 pages. 15.5 by 23.8 cm, hardcover. ISBN 0-13-469007-9. $26.95.

[continued)

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• Uiei new 2K x 8 (TMM 2016 or HM 6116) RAM*.

• Fully supports IEEE 696 24 BIT Extended Addressing.

• 64K draws only approximately 500 MA.

• 200 NS RAMs are standard. (TOSHIBA makes TMM 2016s as last as 100 NS. FOR YOUR HIGH SPEED APPLICATIONS.)

• SUPPORTS PHANTOM (BOTH LOWER 32K AND ENTIRE BOARD).

• 2716 EPROMs may be Installed In any of top 48K

• Any ol the top SK (E000 H AND ABOVE) may be disabled to provide windows to eliminate any possible conflicts with your system monitor, disk controller, etc.

• Perfect for small systems since BOTH RAM and EPROM may co-exist on the same board.

• BOARD may be partially populated as 56K.

256K S-100 SOLID STATE DISK SIMULATOR!

WE CALL THIS BOARD THE "LIGHT-SPEED-WO " BECAUSE IT OFFERS AN ASTOUNDING INCREASE IN YOUR COMPUTER S PERFORMANCE WHEN COMPARED TO A MECHANICAL FLOPPY DISK DRIVE.

FEATURES:

* 256K on board, using + 5V 64K DRAMS.

Uses new Intel 8203-1 LSI Memory Controller.

Requires only 4 Dip Switch Selectable I/O Ports. Runs on 8080 or Z80 S100 machines. Up to 8 LS-100 boards can be run together (or 2 Meg. ol On Line Solid State Disk Storage. Provisions for Battery back-up. Software Io mate the LS-100 to your CP/M* 2.2 DOS is supplied. The LS-100 provides an increase in speed of up to 7 to 10 times on Disk Intensive Software. Compare our price! You could pay up io 3 times as much lor similar boards.

BLANK PCB (WITH CP/M* 2.2 PATCHES AND INSTALL PROGRAM ON DISKETTE)

$69

95

$34900

#LS-100 (FULL 256K KIT)

THE NEW ZRT-80

CRT TERMINAL BOARD!

A LOW COST Z-80 BASED SINGLE BOARD THAT ONLY NEEDS AN ASCII KEYBOARD, POWER SUPPLY, AND VIDEO MONITOR TO MAKE A COMPLETE CRT TERMINAL USE AS A COMPUTER CONSOLE, OR WITH A MODEM FOR USE WITH ANY OF THE PHONE-LINE COMPUTER SERVICES.

FEATURES:

* Uses a Z80A and 6845 CRT Controller for powerful video capabilities.

* RS232 at 16 BAUD Rates from 75 to 19,200.

* 24 x 80 standard format (60 Hz).

* Optional formats from 24 x 80 (50 Hz) to 64 lines x 96 characters (60 Hz).

* Higher density formats require up to 3 additional 2K x 8 6116 RAMS.

* Uses N.S. INS 8250 BAUD Rate Gen. and USART combo IC.

* 3 Terminal Emulation Modes which are Dip Switch selectable. These include the LSI-ADM3A, the Heath H-19. and the Beehive.

* Composite or Split Video.

* Any polarity of video or sync.

* Inverse Video Capability.

* Small Size: 6.5 x 9 inches.

* Upper & lower case with descenders.

* 7 x 9 Character Matrix.

* Requires Par. ASCII keyboard.

BLANK PCB WITH 2716 CHAR. ROM, 2732 MON. ROM

$59

95

SOURCE DISKETTE - ADD $10

SET OF 2 CRYSTALS - ADD $7.50

WITH 8 IN. SOURCE DISKI (CP/M COMPATIBLE)

$10095

I £~.ij ZRT-80

(COMPLETE KIT, 2K VIDEO RAM)

Digital Research Computers

P. O. B0X461565 . GARLAND, TEXAS75046 • (214)271-3538

TERMS: Add $3.00 postage. We pay balance. Orders under $15 add 75<t handling. No C.O.D. We accept Visa and MasterCard. Texas Res. add 5% Tax. Foreign orders (except Canada) add 20% P & H. Orders over $50 add 85$ for insurance.

JULY I984 -BYTE 407

Circle 101 on inquiry card.

BEFORE YOU BUY CABLE ASSEMBLIES,

Heavy guage underhood shield

P.D.T. underhood

22 AWG twisted conductors

Gold plated pins

22 AWG twisted conductors

Strain reliever

2mm PVC cover

Aluminex* Shield

CHECK UNDER THE HOOD!

DATA SPECtm cable assemblies are the very best. Each cable is fully shielded to exceed FCC EMI/RFI emission requirements. Furthermore, the unique P.D.T. technique is employed beneath the hood shield for maximum integrity under the most adverse conditions. DATA SPEC1"1 was the first to use the P.D.T. process, and cable assemblies constructed with P.D.T. carry a lifetime warranty. DATA SPECtm has interface cables for all your requirements: Modems, Monitors, Disk Drives, and much more. Insist on DATA SPEC"" cables in the bright orange package. Available at better computer dealers everywhere. For more information, call or write:

A Division of Alliance Rejeareh Corporation

18215 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA 91325 (818) 701-5853

Imte^talker

TEXT-TO-SPEECH SYNTHESIZER

16K Vocabulary Module Now Available.

A NEW STANDARD

IN PROFESSIONAL VOICE QUALITY

The new INTEX-TALKER features unlimited vocabulary, automatic inflection control and has an unmatched pronounciation accuracy. An optional, new 16K vocabulary module and the built-in text-to-phoneme algorithm enable the INTEX-TALKER to pronounce the 5000 most commonly used words with approx. 100 percent accuracy. INTEXTALKER can speak or spell any ASCII text-including punctuation. Other available options are an 8 K byte user programmable memory and a 2.7 K character buffer for text storage or down loading user programs. Additional features include:

• 64 inflection levels (automatic or manual control)

• RS232C and Parallel connectors

• Spelling and phoneme access modes . Adjustable baud rates (75-9600)

• 5 octaves of music

BOOKS RECEIVED

• 6502 Microprocessor

• Completely self-contained (requires no overhead)

• Built-in speaker option

• Available at board level (Standard or CMOS version)

For More Information

Write or call us at (313) 540-7601 to order, request our product brochure or to discuss your requirements. Prices start at S295. (plus shipping)

Intex Micro Systems Corporation

725 S. Adams Rd. - Suite L-8 Birmingham, Michigan 48011

INTRODUCING THE IBM PQR,

Andrew M. Seybold. Indianapolis, IN: Howard W. Sams & Co., 1983; 160 pages, 20 by 23.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-67222317-1, $12.95.

Introduction to Business Programming & Systems Analysis, Keith Lohmuller. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books, 1983; 240 pages, 13 by 21 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-8306-1437-0, S13.50.

The IOTA Programming System, R. Nakajima and T Yuasa, eds. Lecture Notes in Computer Science #160, New York: Springer-Verlag, 1982: 228 pages, 16.5 by 24 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-387-12693-7, $11.50.

The |oy of Computers, Peter Laurie. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company, 1983: 193 pages, 21.5 by 28.5 cm, hardcover. ISBN 0-316-51636-8. $19.95.

A Kid's Manual for Programming the Sinclair/Timex Computers, Ed Hoomaert. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books, 1983: 168 pages, 13 by 21 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-8306-0608-4, $7.25.

Learning LISP, Gnosis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984; 208 pages, 17.3 by 23.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-13527839-2, $29.95.

The MBASIC Handbook, Walter A. Ettlin and Gregory Solberg. Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGrawHill, 1983; 478 pages. 16.3 by 23.3 cm, softcover, ISBN 088134-102-9, $17.95.

Microchip Technology, Charles Kerridge. New York: lohn Wiley & Sons, 1983; 192 pages, 15.3 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-471-90240-3, $16.95.

Microcomputer Programming with Microsoft BASIC, Robert G. Crawford and David T. Barnard. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Co., 1984; 432 pages, 17.5 by 23.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-8359-43 56-9. $15.95.

Microcomputer Systems: The 8086/8088 FAMILY, Yu-cheng Liu and Glenn A. Gibson. Englewood Cliffs, N): Prentice-Hall, 1984; 560 pages, 18.5 by 24 cm, ISBN 0-13-580944-4, $32.95.

Microcomputing in Agriculture, lames Legacy, Tom Stitt, and Fred Reneau. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Co., 1984:

272 pages. 18 by 24 cm. hardcover, ISBN 0-83 59-4353-4. $19.95.

Minicomputers in Industrial Control, Thomas J. Harrison, ed. Englewood Cliffs, N|: Prentice-Hall, 1983; 384 pages, 18.5 by 26.3 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-13-584235-2, $39.95.

Notes on Introductory Combinatorics. George Polya. Robert E. Tarjan, and Donald R. Woods. Boston, MA: Birkhauser Boston Inc., 1983; 208 pages, 14.5 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-8176-3170-4, $9.95.

The Osborne/McGraw-Hill Guide to Your Apple III, Stanley M. Miastkowski. Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1983; 288 pages, 16.3 by 23.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-88134-101-0, $17.95.

The Osborne/McGraw-Hill Home Computer Software Guide, Steve Ditlea. Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1984; 206 pages, 15.8 by 23.3 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-88134-107-X, $11.95.

Problem Solving with BASIC, Donald D. Spencer. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1984; 160 pages, 13.8 by 20.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-684-18036-7, $7.95.

Programming in C, Robert). Traister. Englewood Cliffs, N): Prentice-Hall, 1984; 206 pages, 15.3 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-13-729641-X, $16.95.

Programs for Your Timex/ Sinclair 1000, Melbourne House. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1983; 112 pages, 14 by 20.3 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-13-729780-7,' $5.95.

Proper BASIC, Brian C. Walsh. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1983; 416 pages, 15.3 by 23.5 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-47190081-8, $27.95.

Real Managers Use Personal Computers!, Dick Heiser. Indianapolis, IN: Que Corp., 1983; 224 pages, 18.5 by 23.5 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-88022-031-7, $14.95.

Reinventing Man. The Robot Becomes Reality, Igor Aleksander and Piers Burnett. New York: Holt. Rinehart and Winston, 1984; 304 pages. 15.5 by 23.5 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-03-063857-7, $17.95.

408 BYTE • IULY 1984

Circle 162 on inquiry card.

BOOKS RECEIVED

Security. IFIP/SEC '83, V. A. Fak. ed. Amsterdam and New York: North-Holland Publishing Co., 1983; 366 pages, 15.5 by 23 cm, hardcover. ISBN 0-44486669-8, S39.

Software Solutions for the IBM PC, Thomas H. Willmott. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: PrenticeHail. 1983; 240 pages. 17.5 by 24.3 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-13822387-4, S14.95.

Sprite Graphics for the Commodore 64. Sally Greenwood Larsen. Englewood Cliffs, N|: Micro Text/Prentice-Hall, 1983; 192 pages. 15 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-13-838136-4, S15.95.

Telecommunications in the Information Age. Loy A. Singleton. Cambridge, MA: Ballinger Publishing Co., 1984; 2 56 pages, 15.5 by 23.5 cm, hardcover, ISBN 0-88410-428-1, $19.95.

Through the MicroMaze,

Wayne Creekmore. Culver City, CA: Ashton-Tate, 1984; 64 pages, 21.5 by 25.3 cm, softcover, ISBN 912677-02-3, $9.95.

The Tl 99/4A USER'S Guide, Bill Brewer with Mark Andrews. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.. 1983; 128 pages. 13.5 by 20.8 cm. softcover, ISBN 0-02008720-9, $5.95.

Timex Sinclair 1000/ZX81 Users Handbook. Trevor J. Terrell and Robert I. Simpson. Indianapolis. IN: Howard W. Sams & Co., 1983; 160 pages, 13.5 by 21.5 cm, spiral-bound, ISBN 0672-22012-1, $5.95.

UNDERSTANDING THE APPLE II.

lames Fielding Sather. Chatsworth, CA: Quality Software. 1983; 356 pages, 21.5 by 27.5 cm, softcover. ISBN 0912985-01-1. $22.95.

Understanding Computers, Donald D. Spencer. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1984: 400 pages, 15.3 by 22.8 cm,

softcover, ISBN 0-684-18038-3, $13.95.

Understanding UNIX, fames R. Groff and Paul N. Weinberg. Indianapolis. IN: Que Corp., 1983; 256 pages, 18.3 by 23.3 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-88022-064-3, $17.95.

Unleash Your Pocket Computer, David P. Sumner. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Co., 1984; 176 pages, 15.3 by 22.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-8359-8072-3, $14.95.

Using dBASE II, Carl Townsend. Berkeley, CA: Osborne/McGrawHill, 1984; 240 pages, 18.5 by 23.3 cm. softcover, ISBN 088134-108-8, $18.95.

Using & Programming the ZX81/TS1000. Albert N. Sickler. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books, 1983; 176 pages, 13 by 21 cm, softcover. ISBN 0-83060617-3, $8.25.

VIC 20 Exposed. John Vander Reyden. Nashville, TN: Mel

bourne House Software Inc.. 1983; 174 pages. 14 by 20.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 0-86759-123-4, $14.95.

VisiCalc for Apple II, II+. He, |ohn S. Craver. Tucson, AZ: HP Books, 1983: 224 pages, 21.5 by 28 cm. 3-ring binder. ISBN 089586-274-3, $14.95.

What Computers Can Do. 2nd ed. Donald D. Spencer. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1984; 368 pages. 15.3 by 22.8 cm. softcover. ISBN 0-68418037-5, $12.95.

Your First VIC 20 Program, Rodnay Zaks. Berkeley, CA: Sybex, 1983; 208 pages. 17.3 by 27.8 cm, softcover, ISBN 089588-129-2, $9.95.

Your Personal Computer Can Make You Rich in Stocks and Commodities. Curtis M. Arnold. West Palm Beach, FL: Weiss Research Inc., 1984; 320 pages, 17.5 by 24 cm. hardcover. ISBN 09613048-0-4, $34.95. ■

Modula-2. Simply Better. ^

More and more software developers are finding a new language simply better than C or Pascal. They're finding Modula-2, by Niklaus Wirth, the creator of Pascal. For professional programmers, it's simply a better language.

Modula-2. Simple like Pascal (if you know Pascal, you can be writing Modula programs in hours) but with much more power and flexibility. Power to handle any professional application, so there's no need for extensions.

Modula-2. Better than C because it gives you strong typing and superior separate compilation facilities. That means you write cleaner programs, faster.

Only LOGITECH'S Modula-2/86 system translates directly into high-speed native code for PC-DOS"", MS-DOS'" and CP/M-86'".

No other system speeds your Modula programs along faster than our native code compiler. And our

-level, symbolic debugger ensures your programs arrive in flawless running condition.

Multi-level overlays, 8087 support, ROMable code, and a full library of standard modules make Modula-2/86 the perfect system for every professional application.

We also offer the only VAX/VMS " resident and cross compiler for the 8086.

For VAX mainframes to PCs, look to LOGITECH'S Modula-2 software development systems. For professional programmers, it's simply a better choice.

ffl LOGITECH

805 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City, CA 94063 415-365-9852

LOGITECH SA (in Eorope), CH-1143 Apples, Switzerland LOGITECH Sri., Corso Nigra 60, 10015 IVREA TO, Italy

PC-DOS is l TM ol IBM, MS-DOS is l TM ol Mierosolt. CP/M-86 is a TM ol Digital Research. VAX/VMS is a TM ol Digilal Equipment Corp.

Circle 188 on Inquiry card.

I LILY 1984 "BYTE 409

WHAT'S NEW

Portable 360K-byte Disk Drive for Briefcase Computers

You no longer have to connect your briefcase computer to a desktop micro whenever you want to dump your files to disk because you can do it with the Percom Portable Disk Drive. A 360K-byte floppy-disk drive, the Portable Disk Drive features hardware by Percom Data Company and software by the Portable Computer Support Group.

This mass-storage device is powered by a 12-volt rechargeable battery pack, and it connects to a briefcase computer's RS-232C printer port with a cable. It weighs 3 pounds and measures 2 by 4'A by 8'A inches.

The Percom Interface operating system comes with the drive and resides in an 8K-byte ROM within the drive.

Also provided is Portable DOS, which allows the com

puter to talk with the drive and provides access to a RAM directory, called RAM Files. From RAM Files you can save any RAM file to disk, delete RAM files, ascertain the size (in bytes) of any RAM file, save files presently in RAM under a single disk filename, and save single files to a previously saved subdirectory.

The Portable Disk Drive sells for $799, including all software, a connecting cable, an AC adapter/battery charger, and manual. An accessory cable is available for applications requiring simultaneous use of a peripheral through the RS-232C port. For further information, contact Portable Computer Support Group, 11035 Harry Hines Blvd. #207. Dallas. TX 75229. (214) 351-0564. Circle 513 on inquiry card.

Full-Duplex Modem Priced at Less than $1000

Universal Data Systems

ID* lit IM tot «:> I0> 10) i»

• • •

DCO tt 0» IJI W Wl r*

The Model 224 full-duplex 2400-bps modem from Universal Data Systems has a suggested retail price of less than $1000. This modem uses the intelligence of a microprocessor to provide you with automatic telephone answering, adaptive equalization, and complete diagnostic capabilities. It operates asynchronously or synchronously over the Public Switched Telephone Network. In its 1200-bps fallback mode, it communicates with any other product that's compatible with AT&T 212 standards.

This modem complies with the international CCITT recom

mendation for a V.22 bis data modem at 2400 bps. When on the receiving end, the Model 224 automatically detects if the calling modem is compatible with AT&T 212 and adapts its speed and modulation scheme accordingly. Miscellaneous features include front-panel LED indicators and switches.

Universal Data Systems, a unit of the Information Systems Group of Motorola Corporation, has set the price of the Model 224 modem at $995. Contact Universal Data Systems, 5000 Bradford Dr.. Huntsville, AL 35805, (205) 837-8100. Circle 511 on inquiry card.

Commodore 64 Memory Expansion

Leader Electronic Technology Company has announced the availability of an adapter that lets you use Leader's 64K-byte memory expander with the Commodore 64. When used with the Commodore 64, the Model 64KV memory expander and the Model 64KVA adapter combine to partition hexadecimal addresses 8000 through 9FFF into eight separate blocks of 8K-byte locations. Each block is selected by a single POKE instruction. The RAM module plugs directly into the Commodore 64's expansion port.

The Model 64KVA adapter has a suggested list price of $29.95. The Model 64KV memory module, which can work with the VIC-20, sells for $109.95. A complete package for the Commodore 64 is available for $139.95. Full documentation is provided. A memory expander that will provide the Commodore 64 with up to 256K bytes of memory is in development. At press time, the manufacturer anticipates pricing to be in the range of $140 per 64K-byte module. For details, contact Leader Electronic Technology Co., 7310 Wells Rd„ Plain City, OH 43064, (614) 873-4410.

Circle 516 on inquiry card.

Low-Cost Dot-Matrix Printer

The $259 Fastext-80 dot-matrix impact printer from SmithCorona runs at 80 cps and produces an 80-character line at 10 cpi (characters per inch). It features emphasized or elongated impressions, bitmapped graphics, and true descenders. It has a full-line buffer and a 96-character ASCII set. The Fastext-80 has six pitches: pica-sized at 10 cpi. elite-sized at 12 cpi. condensed at 16.7 cpi, and enlarged print at 5. 6, or 8.3 cpi. Standard and elongated character matrices are 9 by 8 and 10 by 8 dots, respectively. Horizontal resolution is 60 or 72 dots per inch; vertical is 72 dots per inch.

Fastext-80 uses drop-in ribbon cassettes, which are said to yield 1 million characters before replacement. Among its diverse features are bidirectional printing, Centronics parallel-interface compatibility, friction feed, and a self-test switch.

Available accessories include a removable tractor feed that accepts forms ranging from 3 to 10!^ inches wide, a user-installable RS-232C serial interface, and a roll-paper holder. Contact Smith-Corona, 65 Locust Ave, New Canaan, CT 06840, (203) 972-1471.

Circle 512 on inquiry card.

Remote On/Off for PC XT

Tel-A-Switch lets you switch on or off an IBM PC XT over telephone lines. This solid-state, self-contained unit uses the signal generated by Hayes Microcomputer Products' Smartmodem to perform this service. Tel-A-Switch can provide up to 1200 watts of electricity, which is equivalent to the power consumed by three IBM PC XTs.

A lock-on feature is provided. Once the computer is powered up and operating, this mode prevents power loss due to interruptions that can occur on telephone lines. Tel-A-Switch can

be used without a telephone connection to automatically turn off the PC XT after a task has been executed in the batch mode.

A remote software package is available for Tel-A-Switch that supports up to 20 different terminals. The remote software requires a minimum of 64K bytes, one disk drive, and PC-DOS.

Tel-A-Switch alone is priced at $175. With the remote software package, the suggested price is $287.50. Contact Texas Technology Co., POB 740694. Dallas. TX 75374, (214) 783-9218. Circle 515 on inquiry card.

410 BYTE • JULY 1984

WHAT'S NEW

Three Single-Board Computers Use iAPX 86/186

Three recently introduced single-board computers from Intel use the company's iAPX 186 or iAPX 86 microprocessors. The computers, the iSBC 186/03. iSBC 186/78, and iSBC 86/35, measure 63/i by 12 inches and provide a central processor, operating-system functions, peripheral and device interfaces, memory, and industry-standard software. They are based on Intel's 16-bit 8086 and 80186 microprocessors and operate under the iRMX 86 operating system. The iSBC 186/03 costs $1650, and the iSBC 86/35 is S3495. Engineering samples of the iSBC 186/78 are $3000.

The iSBC 186/03 comes with the 6-MHz 80186. eight 28-pin universal memory sites (expandable to twelve), the 80130 iRMX 86 nucleus operating-system component, two iSBX I/O expansion connectors, an iLBX interface for high-speed memory expansion, two serial I/O channels, and a parallel port.

The iSBC 186/78 is a graphics subsystem built on the 80186. In addition to the memory sites and iSBX connectors, it includes Intel's 82720 bit-mapped graphics controller, a dedicated 512by 512- by 4-byte RAM display buffer, and a color lookup table that allows 16 simultaneous colors to be displayed from a palette of 4096. In addition, graphics-software interpreters supporting the NAPLPS standard or the proposed ANSI virtual device interface are offered.

Built around the 8086 microprocessor with a 5- or 8-MHz clock rate, the iSBC 86/3 5 contains 512K bytes of dual-ported RAM (expandable to 1 megabyte), four 28-pin |EDEC sockets for increased memory, and an optional iAPX 8087 numeric coprocessor.

Contact Intel Corp., Literature Dept. C-21. 3065 Bowers Ave., Santa Clara. CA 95051. Circle 520 on inquiry card.

16-Bit IBM-Compatible Computer Kit

The 16-bit HS-151 Desktop Personal Computer from Heathkit is software- and hardwarecompatible with the IBM PC. Offered in kit or preassembled versions, the HS-151 comes with 128K bytes of RAM, two RS-232C serial ports, a Centronics-type parallel interface, RGB color output, eightlevel gray-scale monochrome output, four IBM PC-compatible expansion slots, and a detached keyboard. Mass storage is provided by one or two 514-inch IBM-format floppy-disk drives, each with a 360K-byte capacity.

The HS-151 uses Intel's 8088 microprocessor and MS-DOS. Its expansion bus is electrically and physically compatible with most off-the-shelf accessory boards for the IBM. The HS-151's keyboard is a redesigned IBM-compatible device.

The MPF-II1 microcomputer from Multitech International is distributed in North America by Cyber Videocom of Vancouver, Canada. Designed to be software-compatible with the Apple He, the MPF-III can run such programs as Apple Pascal, Logo, WordStar, dBASE II, and Multiplan. It employs the 6502 microprocessor and offers you 64K bytes of RAM and 24K bytes of ROM.

QSA. a San Diego-based computer manufacturer, offers its Q/Net multiuser, multiprocessor microcomputer as a low-cost alternative to office networking. The company claims that a fiveuser network system would cost $11,220 including terminals.

Q/Net nodes and resources can be connected in any configuration ranging from I to 2 54 users with I to 8 file servers on

offering an enlarged L-shaped Return key and a double-wide Shift key. Three testing procedures help you check out the HS-151's operating condition.

A preassembled version of the HS-151 with a built-in 10.6-megabyte Winchester harddisk drive will be available

Standard are 80-column text displays, uppercase and lowercase characters, high-resolution graphics with 6 colors, and lowresolution graphics with 16 colors. Monitor and NTSC television connectors and a sound generator are supplied. The MPF-III has interfaces for joysticks, data cassettes, floppy-disk drives, and a printer with Epson and C. Itoh drivers.

The MPF-III has a 90-key

the network. System expansion is merely a matter of adding another node to the network. Additional hard disks can be added to multiple file servers, and other peripherals can be supported through Q/Net's SASI interface.

The network operating system is TurboDOS, a CP/M-compatible DOS that provides a pathway for CP/M-86 and MS-DOS. Other

soon. The single-drive kit is $1899. while the dual-drive kit is $2199. Contact Heath Co., Dept. 349-175, Benton Harbor, Ml 49022. In Canada, contact Heath Co.. Dept. 3100, 1020 Islington Ave. Toronto. Ontario M8Z 5Z3.

Circle 518 on inquiry card.

detached keyboard with numeric pad and function keys, including one-key BASIC- and DOS-command entry. For fullscreen editing, dedicated keys for character delete, insert, replace, and copy are provided.

The base price is $995. Contact Cyber Videocom Inc., POB 35401, Station E, Vancouver. British Columbia V6M 4G5, Canada, (604) 875-1517. Circle 519 on inquiry card.

software features include interprocessing communications, interfaces to IBM communications protocols (including 3270 and X.2 5), print spooling, and shared databases.

For details on possible configuration schemes, contact QSA, 7170 Convoy Court, San Diego, CA 92111, (619) 292-1891. Circle 521 on inquiry card.

{continued)

MPF-IH Compatible with He Software

Computer Offers Low-Cost Office Networking

IULY 1984 -BYTE 411

WHAT'S NEW

Bus Interface for PC

The National Instruments GPIBPC interface card uses the NEC 7210 GP1B controller chip and a programmable-array logic to provide a complete set of GPIB functions with a minimum of circuit elements and only eight I/O (input/output) addresses. Transfer of large data files between the GPIB and the IBM PCs memory is accomplished by a DMA controller at speeds of 300 bytes per second. Subroutines are callable from applications programs in BASIC. 8088 assembly language. Pascal, FORTRAN. SuperSoft FORTRAN, and C. GP1B-PC conforms in height, width, and I/O channel slot dimensions for use with the IBM PC or PC XT. It will work with standard GPIB cables.

A handler, high-level and primitive functions, a configuration program, diagnostic programs, and an interactive control program make up the GPIBPCs software. The handler program controls the GPIB-PC hardware interface and is designed as a loadable device handler

rather than as a driver. The operating system manages the GPIB as one of its system resources. The handler can control more than one GPIB-PC simultaneously, which lets you place a variety of devices on separate GPIB's to meet special needs.

The GPIB-PC interface card is

S385. The software handler is S75. Optional programming languages are S50. and connecting cables range from $60 to $70. depending on length. Contact National Instruments. 12109 Technology Blvd., Austin. TX 78727. (800) 531-5066: in Texas, (512| 250-9119. Circle 527 on inquiry card.

Modem Card for PC Uses CMOS Chips

The POPCOM Model CI00 from Prentice Corporation is a 1200-bps auto-dial modem card for the IBM PC. PC XT, PC Portable, and IBM-slot-compatible computers. The CI00 uses a pair of CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductors) ICs to achieve full-duplex AT&T 212-compatible operation, tone sensing, and voice/data control. This 12.4- by 4.2- by 0.575-inch card uses only one

IBM PC expansion slot and lists for a suggested price of $44 5.

Among its technical specifications are full call-progress tone sensing of dial and busy tones, remote ring, and voice. This is implemented by a 20-pole filter, which has a patent-pending switching technique. The card is said to be the first one to be able to sense when the local telephone handset is lifted. With this capability, the C100 can

switch between voice and data operations, even during the same telephone call. This function eliminates the need for dedicated telephone lines for data.

Production deliveries of the POPCOM CI00 began last month. Contact Prentice Corp., 266 Caspian Dr., POB 3 544, Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3 544. (408) 734-9810. Circle 522 on inquiry card.

Multifunction GPIB for IBM Controls Instruments

Ziatech's ZT 1444 IEEE-488 GPIB (General-Purpose Interface Bus) Controller lets engineers and scientists control measurement, instrumentation, and test equipment with their IBM PCs. The ZT 1444 is a short-slot card offering fast data throughput and software drivers callable from assembly language. BASIC. C. Compiled BASIC. FORTRAN, and Pascal. All the drivers feature a time-out ability, which ensures that the system does not hang up if a device fails to respond. The BASIC package includes an interactive verification program that allows you to exercise the GPIB without having to write code.

The ZT 1444 uses Texas Instruments' TMS9914A GPIB controller chip. It transfers data to or from devices at rates approaching 450K bytes per second using direct memory access. Pass control, which permits more than one computer to control the same devices without recabling. is supported.

Its cable-connector backplate is a plated-steel bracket that effectively controls electromagnetic interference emissions from the IBM. It incorporates a machined GPIB connector housing capable of accepting standard stacking GPIB connectors with no loss of seating reliability.

The ZT 1444 costs $375. The software drivers range from $45 to $55. Contact Ziatech Corp., 3433 Roberto Court, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, (805) 541-0488.

Circle 523 on inquiry card.

Hard-Disk Bootloader for IBM PC

A plug-in chip offering hard-disk boot capability for third-party hard-disk drives for the IBM PC. FiXT is manufactured by Golden Bow Systems. FiXT creates a complete BIOS interface between the IBM PC and the hard disk similar to that provided by

the IBM PC XT. It allows the operating system to be bootloaded directly from the fixed disk and permits fixed-disk operations to be performed directly by the operating system. FiXT plugs into the unused

ROM socket of the IBM Personal Computer. It's a complete replacement for installable device drivers. This chip allows standard PC-DOS disk partitioning and formatting facilities for multiple operating systems. FiXT is currently available for

Datamac. Davong. Pegasus by Great Lakes. Percom. and Zobex hard-disk drives. The suggested retail price is $70. Contact Golden Bow Systems. POB 3039, San Diego, CA 92103, (619) 298-9349. Circle 525 on inquiry card.

412 BYTE • IULY 1984

WHAT'S NEW

Mini-Database for Apples

Facts Files 2 is a low-cost minidatabase program for the Apple II family from D.Ness Software Company. This $24.95 program gives you an unlimited number of files, password protection, on-disk instructions, and the ability to design your own record forms. It has an edit feature that lets you quickly update records, and with its sort feature you can organize your records by any field.

Facts Files 2 accommodates up to 400 records in any file and up to 10 different files per floppy disk. Each file's record outline can contain from 2 to 13 fields of data.

Minimum system requirements are 64K bytes of memory and one disk drive. When ordering from the manufacturer, add $1 for shipping and handling. Contact D:Ness Software Co.. POB 5671, Fort Smith, AR 72913. Circle 535 on inquiry card.

DB Master 4 Plus Is Designed for Apples

Double-Res Package ProDOS-Compatible

ALF Products'- HGR6 Double-Res Graphics Package for the Apple lie is compatible with ProDOS. This program adds a variety of new functions directly to Applesoft; e.g.. statements HGR3 through HGR6 work like the familiar HGR and HGR2 statements, but with 16 high-resolution colors and a 560- by 192-dot resolution.

HGR6 gives you the ability to modify existing Applesoft programs so that they can use the additional colors and higher resolution. You can save your double-resolution images to both DOS 3.3 and ProDOS disks.

HGR6 is provided with both a DOS 3.3 disk and a ProDOS disk. It requires an extended 80-column card. Owners of the older version of this program can return it to ALF Products for a free replacement. The list price is $49.95. Contact ALF Products Inc., 1315-F Nelson St., Denver, CO 80215. (303) 234-0871.

Circle 532 on inquiry card.

Data Manager Uses Mac's Features

The Main Street Filer information-management program takes advantage of the Macintosh's technology by using pulldown menus, dialogue boxes, and mouse commands. All file designs, record retrievals, and reporting functions can be handled with the Mac's mouse.

Main Street Filer's filing system and report generator can handle up to 65,000 records in each user-designed file, with up to 36 fields of 40 characters in each record.

This program uses a B+ Tree index system, which eliminates time-consuming sorting operations. Four indexes for each file can be maintained. Supplied print programs let you prepare customized reports, mail-list reports and labels, envelopes, and Rolodex cards.

The suggested retail price for Main Street Filer is $249.95. Contact Main Street Software, Suite 304, One Harbor Dr., Sausalito, CA 94965. (800) 824-8757; in California, (415) 332-1274.

Circle 537 on inquiry card.

CAD Program for Civil Engineering

PC CAD. a computer-aided design program for civil engineering and oil and gas mapping, operates on the Macintosh and requires a Hewlett-Packard plotter. It draws subdivision, contour, plan and profile, and surveying maps.

A complete set of coordinate geometry routines for threedimensional computation is supplied with PC CAD. Among the point routines are resection, merge and plot, decimal formats, and assign/reassign. Its intersection routines give you such functions as offset, rightangle, and right-of-way.

The plotting package for HP 7400/7500 series plotters creates automatic tables, contouring, and sheet sizing. Userdefinable and user-selectable options are supplied.

PC CAD is also available for the IBM PC. The suggested list price is $14 50. Contact Houseman & Associates. Allied Cypress Bank Building. POB 474, Cypress, TX 77429. (713) 890-5160.

Circle 541 on inquiry card.

CllckArt for MacPaint and MacWrite

Stoneware's DB Master 4 Plus information-management system for Apple II series computers has a global editor and a special label printer. Other programming options let you combine data from two or more files with the same format, change the file format without retyping information, recover data from damaged disks, and transfer data between DB Master files and DIF text files.

DM Master 4 Plus comes with a file-converter program that can convert VisiFile and pfs: files to DB Master files. A user's guide, which contains a tutorial and a reference guide, is supplied.

DM Master 4 Plus requires 64K bytes of RAM. The retail price is $350. Contact Stoneware Inc.. 50 Belvedere St.. San Rafael, CA 94901, (415) 454-6500.

Circle 536 on inquiry card.

Word Processor Features Typing Tutor

The Write Choice for the Apple II computers, including the lie. combines a full-feature word processor with a typing tutorial. The typing lessons come with a high-resolution game and a keyboard tutorial. Twenty-three lessons are dedicated to teaching the Dvorak keyboard, and 24 lessons cover the QWERTY keyboard.

The Write Choice comes with documentation that shows you how to correct grammar and properly format written documents. It also covers punctuation rules and offers tips on composition. The retail price is $44.95. Contact Roger Wagner Publishing Inc.. Suite E. 10761 Woodside Ave.. Santee. CA 92071. (619) 562-3221. Circle 533 on inquiry card.

ClickArt gives you more than 100 professionally drawn images that can be used with MacPaint or MacWrite to create invitations, charts, and slides, or for adding a snappy punch to a report. Images include arrows, stars, borders, wine glasses and bottles, city skylines, cartoons, and full-page pictures of classic cars, Albert Einstein, and Boy George.

ClickArt illustrations can be modified in any way you choose or surrounded with text. The program is priced at $49.95. Contact T/Maker Co.. 2115 Landings Dr.. Mountain View. CA 94043. (415) 962-0195. Circle 538 on inquiry card.

Figure I: Michelangelds David at the beach.

(continued)

IULY 1984 -BYTE 413

WHAT'S NEW

InfoStar+, Powerful DBMS

Word III Suitable for Complex Tasks

MicroPro has announced the availability of version 1.6 of lnfoStar+. a databasemanagement system. lnfoStar + has a built-in model for transaction processing, a datadictionary utility, and the ability to automatically restructure an existing database.

The transaction-processing model prompts you into identifying the files to be updated and the data within each file to be used. You can access 16 files simultaneously. After receiving your responses, InfoStar-i- automatically records current transactions and updates the master file while letting you access additional information derived from the process. Reports can be produced.

The data-dictionary utility lists all fields in the database and their characteristics. A database restructure feature lets you add, delete, and change the order of fields in an existing database without reentering data.

lnfoStar+ has the ability to customize data-entry requirements down to the character level, and its sorting routine is said to be high speed. It allows up to 2 55 fields per record. 64,000 records per file, and 2 55 characters per field, sorting on 32 files, and 9 control breaks.

Additional features include cursor-drawn data-entry forms, a

fiIl-in-the-blank data-entry procedure, a 60-second quickreport feature, and a built-in tutorial. For comprehensive tasks, lnfoStar+ supplies menus that guide you through its full custom-report option.

StarBurst, MicroPro's systems integrator, is included in the lnfoStar+ package. StarBurst lets you create customized, menudriven systems that make automating routine tasks a matter of a single keystroke. Its interface lets you unite MicroPro and non-MicroPro packages, such as WordStar or Lotus 1-2-3, into lnfoStar + .

A minimum of 96K bytes of processor memory is required. lnfoStar+ will operate with two 320K-byte floppy-disk drives, but a hard-disk drive is recommended. Available in PC-DOS format, it lists for $595, with documentation. Updates to early versions can be obtained through MicroPro's Customer Update department. Update prices are $100 for InfoStar-t1.0 to 1.6; $150 for InfoStar 1.0 to 1.6; and $300 for StarBurst to lnfoStar+ 1.6. MS-DOS formats for the Tandy 2000, Tl Professional, and other computers will be offered later this summer. Contact MicroPro International Corp., 33 San Pablo Ave.. San Rafael, CA 94903. (415) 499-1200.

Circle 542 on inquiry card.

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The Samna Word III word processor is suitable for complex word-processing tasks, such as lengthy proposals and contracts. It provides automatic indexing, section numbering, glossaries, a column mode, and five-function mathematics. It's currently available for the IBM PC. PC XT. and such IBM PC compatibles as the Compaq. Columbia. Colby, and Corona. The list price is $650.

Word Ill's automatic indexing feature eliminates the need to manually locate words to be indexed. You merely enter a list of words to be indexed and Word III will locate each occurrence. In the column mode, you can move, copy, insert, and delete columns. The glossary mode enables you to store or retrieve paragraphs and other materials with a single keystroke during document assembly. The five-function mathematics feature eliminates the need to call in a separate program or

module to perform simple calculations.

Other capabilities include user-defined function keys, spelling-error detection and correction, and file support for tree-structured directories and subdirectories under MS-DOS 2.0. Tables of contents with section titles and descriptive information can be easily created.

Word III also provides line drawing, hyphenation, justification, pagination, mail-merge, and multilevel Help messages. Alternate keyboard support, including French. German, Spanish, Canadian bilingual, and Greek/mathematics, facilitates special-purpose applications.

Current users of Samna Word II can upgrade to Word III for $250, For further details, contact Samna Corp., Suite C-1200. 2700 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30345. (404) 321-5006.

Circle 543 on inquiry card.

NAPLPS Videotex Creation Software

A NAPLPS videotex-creation system that runs on the IBM PC and selected compatibles is available from ESC Information Services Ltd. PCS-UVIC lets you wield 16 colors simultaneously. Colors are selected from a palette of 4096. Using its three standard or four user-defined texture masks, you can create additional color effects. You can also adjust the color bar and backdrop to produce basic screen animation.

PCS-UVIC has keyboard, tablet, and mouse interfaces. Transfers among these user in

terfaces are unrestricted.

An attributed text mode lets you choose fonts, rotate letters, change line direction, define character size, letter-space words, and set line spacing. You can delete anything you've typed by backspacing. Another feature is a user-definable keyboard, which provides singlekeystroke commands.

PCS-UVIC is $500. Contact ESC Information Services Ltd.. 381 Irving Rd.. Victoria. British Columbia V8S 4A3. Canada. (604) 598-0395. Circle 546 on inquiry card.

Programming Editor Emulates IBM ISPF

A high-speed programmer's editor by Phaser Systems, SPF/ editor emulates the IBM mainframe ISPF editor. It offers full-screen panels that help speed applications editing and full DOS 2.0 path support, which allows you to edit files in any directory as well as execute from any path directory.

Both EBCDIC and ASCII hexadecimal commands are provided with SPF/editor.

The introductory price for SPF/editor is $100. For more information, contact Phaser Systems Inc., 24 California St.. San Francisco, CA 94111. (415) 434-3990.

Circle 547 on inquiry card.

414 BYTE • IULY 1984

WHAT'S NEW

Color-Coded Commands Ease Word Processing

Accounting Application Uses One Drive

PCWare gives a small business complete accounting and invoicing functions for processing as many as 2 50 customers yielding 300 invoices a month, yet it requires only one IBM PCjr disk drive. This package contains full accounts-receivable, accountspayable, general-ledger, and invoicing applications.

PCWare will handle 150 suppliers generating up to 400 checks a month and up to 200 general-ledger accounts with as many as 500 monthly postings. In addition, its detailed invoice function accommodates all current taxation rules.

PCWare costs $795. Contact Private Label Software Ltd.. 93 Queen St. S, Mississauga. Ontario L5M IK7. Canada. (416) 826-5510; in Canada, (800) 387-8202.

Circle 548 on inquiry card.

Practical Pascal is available for the IBM PCjr. This complete programming kit consists of the p-System operating system, a UCSD Pascal compiler, a fullscreen editor, a file handler, turtle graphics, extended memory capability. RAM disk, and a print utility for formatting letters and labels.

Its documentation is geared toward individuals new to Pascal and includes an implementation guide and the book UCSD

Jr Can Paint Color Graphics

Graph Power |r from Monument Computer Service lets you draw and paint business-quality graphics on your 128K-byte IBM PCjr. Figures can be drawn and painted with any of IBM's standard palette colors: palettes are modifiable under user control. You can draw images and use various graphics-screen pages for animation. A number of predrawn shapes are included.

You can dump Graph Power )r images to an IBM Graphics Printer and other dot-matrix or daisy-wheel printers. This package will also work on the IBM PC and PC XT. A single floppy-disk drive and a color monitor are required. The list price is S90. Contact Monument Computer Service, Village Data Center, POB 603. loshua Tree. CA 92252, (619) 365-6668. Circle 549 on inquiry card.

Pascal: A Considerate Approach, by David Price.

A variety of optional software to expand the capabilities of the system can be obtained. Practical Pascal is priced at $295. Contact Network Consulting Inc., Suite 110, Discovery Park, 3700 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 4M1. Canada. (604) 430-3466 (sales) or (604) 430-6448 (administration/technical). Circle 552 on inquiry card.

WordPlus-lr from Professional Software uses a color-coded command system that helps make word processing on the IBM PCjr a breeze. More than 100 features are contained in this program, including onscreen display of the final output, text and column moves, built-in mail-merge facility, horizontal scrolling, three-line headers and footers, automatic pagination, a numeric mode, global search and replace, freefloating cursor movement, and six levels of on-screen help.

WordPlus-lr will create lists of variable information, print personalized letters, and merge data into a document using user-defined templates for

preprinted forms. It can read print files generated by many popular spreadsheet programs as well as records from most mailing-list and database programs. Simultaneous foreground and background operations with full disk access are also supported.

A complete end-user tutorial and reference/learning guide are supplied with WordPlus-lr. Customer support is available by means of a toll-free telephone number. The suggested retail price for WordPlus-lr is $149.95. Contact Professional Software Inc.. 51 Fremont St.. Needham. MA 02194. (617) 444-5224.

Circle 550 on inquiry card.

Practical Pascal Runs on PCjr

Statistical Package and Data Manager

STATS, a statistical package and data-management system for the Radio Shack TRS-80. runs under DOSPIus. It supplies you with a data-management system with general transformation and subset selection, high-quality graphic outputs, step-wise regression analysis, normality and outlier tests, and an ASCII text editor for data entry. All of

STATS's routines are in machine language, but to handle large data sets, it stores data on disk in binary code.

The ASCII text editor is fully compatible with Microsoft's FORTRAN and BASIC compilers. You can incorporate your own FORTRAN or BASIC module into STATS. With the supplied FORTRAN interface, you can

tailor the software to your needs.

The graphics-output print driver keeps your Epson or Gemini printer operating continuously; the software selects the appropriate format for data listings, plot scales, and analysis. All intermediate results are saved in ASCII files. The final output can be polished either

with a program or with a text editor.

STATS is priced at $99.95. When ordering, specify the model numbers of your computer and printer. Contact Summers Statistical Software. 121 South 1225 E, Bountiful. UT 84010.

Circle 554 on inquiry card.

{continued)

IULY 1984 'BYTE 415

WHAT'S NEW

Directory Lists Interface Cables

SPAG. Standard Products Applications Guide, is a comprehensive directory of interface cables for more than 4600 current computer applications. This hard-bound, three-ring book offered by Milford Null Modem lists all major microcomputers alphabetically by manufacturer and model number, sublists potential peripheral applications, and indicates the specific cable required for the interface.

Subscribers to SPAG receive updates all year. A hot-line for technical assistance is supported. Subscriptions are S50. Contact Milford Null Modem, Phoenixville Pike and Charlestown Rd„ Malvern. PA 19355, (215) 296-8467. Circle 555 on inquiry card.

Health Software Described in Catalog

A catalog describing physical and mental health programs is available from CTRL Health Software. The catalog contains diet/nutrition, exercise/aerobics, self-improvement, health education, psychology, and game packages for Apple, Atari, Commodore, IBM PC, and Radio Shack TRS-80 computers. The price for each program is listed, and all the programs are available by mail order. Contact CTRL Health Software. 18653 Ventura Blvd. #348, Tarzana, CA 91356, (818) 788-0888. Circle 558 on inquiry card.

Computer-Science Publications Brochure

New Publications in Computer Science. Technology and Applications 1983 from North-Holland has details on 59 books and 2 new journals covering computer science, technology, and applications. Titles cover a wide range of subjects, including software technology, data communications, graphics, system

design, automated manufacturing, robotics, and electronics.

This 128-page brochure is free of charge. Contact NorthHolland, Elsevier Science Publishing Co. Inc., POB 1663, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163. In Europe, contact North-Holland, POB 1991, 1000 BZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Attn: Mr. 1. Dirkmaat.

Circle 559 on inquiry card.

Tbol and Instrument Catalog

Contact East's free 1984 Electronic Tbol and Test Instrument Catalog features more than 5000 technical products for assembling, testing, and repairing electronic equipment. Products covered include precision hand tools, test instruments, tool kits, soldering supplies, and staticcontrol products. Photographs, detailed descriptions, and pricing information support each product. Write or call Contact East Inc., 7 Cypress Dr., POB 160, Burlington, MA 01803, (617) 272-5051. Circle 561 on inquiry card.

Directory Lists RCA Replacements for Industry Devices

A Cross-Reference Directory from RCA Solid State outlines RCA replacements for more than 5500 integrated circuits and power devices. Parts are arranged alphabetically, which provides a quick reference to industry types that correspond to RCA devices. Types of devices included are linear integrated circuits, CMOS logic integrated circuits, CMOS microprocessors, power transistors, CMOS memories, power MOSFETs. CMOS peripherals, SCRs, triacs, and ultra-fast recovery rectifiers.

This 36-page publication is free. Request catalog CRG-100B. Contact RCA Solid State Division, Route 202. Somerville. N| 08876, (800) 526-2177.

Solid-State Processing and Production Guide

The '84 Solid State Processing & Production Worldwide Buyer's Guide & Directory is a sourcebook of materials, equipment, and industry services used by manufacturers of solid-state-related products, devices, and circuits. This 460-page softcover book lists more than 2000 companies and 20.000 products. More than 2200 product/services categories and over 3 500 crossreferences are included. The guide is divided into 60 major categories.

The '84 Solid State Processing & Production Buyer's Guide is $50. Contact Technical Publishing. 875 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. (212) 605-9400. Circle 556 on inquiry card.

International Videoand Optical-Disk Journal

Memoires Optiques is an Englishlanguage, European-based journal devoted to the videodisc and digital optical disk industry. Translated from French each month, Memoires Optiques covers international news, developments, and current applications relating to videodisc and digital optical disk technologies. Each issue is illustrated with drawings and photographs.

Single issues of Memoires Optiques cost 150 French francs. Air-mail delivery subscriptions are 1500 francs. For more information, contact Memoires Optiques, ARCA Editions. 97.

rue Mme Mole, 5600 Vannes, France.

Circle 560 on inquiry card.

Data Sheet Details Compliant Pin

A data sheet describing Interconics Compliant Pin is available. The Compliant Pin is designed for use in printed wiring backplanes and other printed-circuit boards requiring replaceable pins with provisions for wire wrap and adaptability to a two-piece daughter-card connector. It's suitable for applications using sophisticated multilayer backplanes that cannot tolerate damage to the plated through holes. The data sheet describes the pin, its applications, performance, and availability. Photographs and diagrams of the pin in use are provided. Contact Interconics. 610 Bremer Tower. Saint Paul, MN 55101. (612) 228-6590. Circle 562 on inquiry card.

DEC-Compatible Products Listed

Monosson's DEC-Compatible Product Directory lists products and services for the DEC market. It includes hardware, software, third-party maintenance, and publications. Lists of equipmentleasing concerns and vendors are supplied. This directory is published quarterly. Single copies are $2 5. Contact Monosson's DEC'-Compatible Product Directory. POB 71, Kenmore Station. Boston, MA 02215.

Circle 557 on inquiry card.

| WHERE DO NEW PRODUCT ITEMS COME FROM? j ; The new products listed in this section of BYTE are culled from the ; '. thousands of press releases, letters, and telephone calls we receive : each month from manufacturers and distributors. The basic criteria |

• for selection for publication are a) does a product match our readers' ; ; interests, and b) is it new or simply a "reintroduction" of an old item. : '. If you want your product to be considered for publication (at no t ' charge), send full information about it, including its price and an ad- j ; dress and telephone number where a reader can get more informa- •

• tion. Send this to the New Products Editor, BYTE, POB 372, Han- ; : cock, NH 03449. :

416 BYTE • IULY 1984

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WILDCAT STARTER SYSTEM 1329.95 APPLE II COMPATABLE SYSTEM 64K, DETACHABLE KEYBOARD, 2 APPLE COMPATABLE DISK DRIVES, HI-RES 12" AMBER MONITOR, RBG & COMPOSITE COLOR OUTPUT, 2 CPU'S (Z-80 A & 6502), 80-COLUMN CARD £ JOYSTICK

TAVA PC -IBM COMRATIBLE 1999.95

128K-RAM, 2 SERIAL PORTS, 1 PARALLEL PORT, 2 DS/DD DRIVES, COLOR GRAPHICS CARD, S MORE.

WALNUT PC - IBM PC COMPATIBLE

SPECIAL $1799.95 128K RAM, 2 DS/DD DRIVES,SERIAL, PARALLEL, COLOR CARD S, SOFTWARE.

IQ TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

SMART CABLES

INSTANT RS-232 CONNECTIONS

#817 (WORKHORSE) 79.95 #821 DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES 164.95

* ONE CABLE FITS ALL *

APPLE HARDWARE 6 SOFTWARE

4TH DIMENSION DRIVE-ONLY 199.95

4TH DIMENSION DRIVE+CTRL 299.95

ALS CP/M CARD 299.95

APPLE-CAT II MODEM 284.95

BANK STREET WRITER 49.95

BUFFERED GRAPPLER+ 199.95

d-BASE II (REQ Z-80) 499.95

HAYES MICROMODEM He 234.95

MACH II JOYSTICK He 34.95

MACH III JOYSTICK He 41.95

MASTERTYPE 29.95

MICROBUFFER 11+ 16K (P) 199.95

PFS:FILE 89.95

PKASO/U PRINTER I/F 139.95

PREMIUM SOFTCARD He 384.95

QUAD RAM 64K80COL CRD He 124.95

VIDEX VIDEOTERM W/SFTSW 239.95

VIDEX ULTRATERM 294.95

IBM

HERCULES GRAPHICS CARD 389.95

KOALA PAD TOUCH TABLET 119.95

KRAFT JOYSTICK 49.95

MICROPRO PRO PACK 419.95

MICROSOFT SYSTEMCRD 256K 479.95

MICROSOFT MOUSE 139.95

MOUSE SYSTEMS PC MOUSE 219.95

QUADCHROME MONITOR 589.95

QUADLINK APPLE EMULATOR 519.95

QUAD RAM QUADBOARD I 64K 299.95

QUAD RAM QUADCOLOR I 229.95

RANA DS/DD DISK DRIVE 274.95

STB SUPER I/O MULTIFUNCT 184.95

TG JOYSTICK W/TOGGLE 44.95

TRANSEND P.C. MODEM 1200 439.95

VERSAWRITER GRAPH TABLET 249.95

WIZARD SPOOLER P/S 16K 249.95

COMMODORE 64

CARDBOARD/5 5 SLOT EXPAN. 64.95

CARD? GRAPHICS INTERFACE 69.95

DATA20 Z-80 VIDEOPAK 229.95 DELPHI'S ORACLE DATA BASE 89.95

DISKEY 34.95

DONKEY KONG 34.95

EASY SCRIPT64 34.95

EASY SPELL 64 34.95

FLIGHT SIMULATOR II 39.95

HOME ACCOUNTANT 54.95

HOMEWORD WORD PROCESSOR 49.95

JOUST 35.95

KOALA PAD TOUCH TABLET 79.95

MERLIN 64 ASSEMBLER 35.95

MSD-SD1 DISK DRIVE 399.95

MULTIPLAN 74.95

OMNI-CALC 34.95

PAPER CLIP W/P 64.95

PAC-MAN 37.95

POPEYE 39.95

ROBOTRON 37.95

S.A.M. 44.95

SARGON II 27.95

VOICE BOX 84.95

We will try to meet or beat any advertised price! ...WE CAN HELP 1-800-222-2602

For technical assistance, order stptus and California calls (619) 765-0239 Apple Country, Ltd., P.O. Box 1099,2602 Washington St., Julian, Calif. 92036

We accept AmEx. Prices reflect 2% discount for VISA/MC cash & check (2 weeks to clear). S&H in continental US 5%($ 5 min) Monitors $10 min. APO/FPO & others call. Calif add 6% tax. P.O. must include check. No COD. All orders prepaid. All items are new with Mfgr's warranty. Prices, products & terms subject to change without notice. All sales final. Returns require RMA#. No returns on software. Volume discounts available.

Apple Country, Ltd. is a DISCOUNT MAIL ORDER HOUSE for the micro computer industry and is a California corporation not affiliated with Apple Computer Inc. Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc.

Circle 26 on Inquiry card.

JULY I984 • BYTE 417

Circle 346 for Dealer inquiries. Circle 347 for End-User Inquiries.

- nsS DO IT YOURSELF!

SaM*°9 An IBM® pc/XT Comp

to start, you need a high-quality Switching Power Supply and a heavy duty Mainframe to cabinet your Cpu Board, Power Supply, Cards, Drives, etc.

#HSC 1 30-40 $179.00/ea. 130 WATT.

Switching Power Supply

• + 5V/15A, + 12V/4.2A, -12V/0.25A, -5V/0.3A •Built-in Fan •Power Switch

•Cables w/Connectors for Cpu Board and 4 Disk Drives •2 Switched AC Outlets for Printer & Monitor •One Full Year Warranty

Cabinet only

$99,00/ea.

•Heavy duty welded steel •2 Full or 4 Half Height Disk Drives allowed •IBM® Look-alike

Model #FC-630

DEALER & OEM's INQUIRY INVITED

FORTRON CORP.

4447 ENTERPRISE ST. FREMONT, CA 9453S

Dealer S. OEM 415-490-8403 415-490-8171 TLX 176632

800-821-9771

64K D-RAM 150ns-200ns $49.00/9 pes.

765AC 8272A 8275 8237A-5 8284A

TMS 9980 $19.00/ea

Terms: Shipping immediately from stock usually, or within 4 weeks if run out of inventory. Minimum $5.00 shipping + handling. Personal check requires 2 weeks clearance before shipping. 6.5% sales TAX required for CA. residents.

Our specialty: 68000, DEC, graphic, database, communication, export

Come visit us in our New York City Showroom "Hablamos Espanol

PRINTERS

MICR0PRISM110 cps, 84x84, graphic. .379 DATA

PRODUCT 8000 series CALL

EPSON FX-80, FX-100, RX-80, RX-100CALL

BANANA 50 cps. .... 196

OKIDATA Full Line CALL

PRISM 132 200 cps, 132 col 1,100

TOSHIBA 192 cps 24-wire 1,450

DEC LA50 599

GEMINI Delta 15 669

DIABLO P11 100 cps, 80 col 488

P38 400 cps, 132 col. . .1,795

M.T. Spirit 80 cps 345

•Letter Quality* NEC 2050 20 cps for IBM 840

3550 35 cps for IBM. . . .1,610

7710 55 cps for serial. . . 1,750 DYNAX HR25 23 cps parallel 735

DX15 13 cps parallel 445

COMREX Comwriter III 740

C.ITOH F-10 40 cps Excellent 999

A-10 18 cps 530

DIABLO 630 API w/interface 1.736

QUME 11 + 40 cps 1,300

50 cps 1,500

JUKI 6100 parallel 459

STAR Power Type 18 cps 379

TRANSTAR 315 graphic 479

MODEMS

HAYES Smartmodem 300/1200 bps 499 Micromodem II w/software . . 270 NOVATION Smartmodem 300/1200 bps 415

PC Cat 300/1200 bps 450

USR Password 300/1200 339

Anchor Automation, Anderson Jacobson Lexicon, Multi-Tech, Racal Vadic, Ventel ZENITH ZT-1, ZT-11 with modem Call

COMPUTER—Whichever's right for you!

Columbia, Corona, Cromemco, DEC Rainbow, Eagle, Leading Edge, NEC APC, Sanyo, Televideo •ZENITH*

EPSON QX-10 (for local and corporate customer) Altos, Northstar, OSM, TAVA

PORTABLE ON-THE-GO Columbia, Corona, Eagle, Epson, NEC PC 8021, Televideo, Zenith

AST, PERSYST, PLANTRONIC TECMAR, QUADRAM, HERCULES

POWERFUL 68000 CPU Cromemco 68000/Z80 CPU option Fast Floating Point Processor DUAL 68000 CPU, 80MB SMD hard

disk, intelligent I/O, UNIX,

Database

WICAT 1 to 12 users, 68000 CPU,

256K to 4.5MB RAM, 10MB to 474MB hard disk, graphic

DEC VT-100 Compatible Terminals

DEC VT100AA 1.600

VT220A 1,050

QUME 103 780

Visual 102 14" 890

(option) graphic 695

WYSE 75 675

ZENITH Z-49 CALL

PLOTTERS/DIGITIZERS

HOUSTON INSTRUMENT DMP 29 1,795

DMP 40. 795

DMP 41, DMP 42 CALL

HIPAD digitizer 725

AMDEK XY plotter 1 pen 620

6 pens 895

M.T. PIXY-3 3 pens 650

HEWLETT PACKARD Plotters

7470A 2 pens 940

7475A 6 pens 1,640

SWEET-P 100 w/support pack 625

GTCO digitizer CALL

TERMINALS/MONITORS ZENITH Z-29 smart terminal BEST PRICE ZVM 135 RGB color/green monitor. . .475

ZVM 123 green monitor 87

ZVM 124 22 MHZ, for IBM 169

Amber Monitor: Comrex, Panasonic, Zenith PRINCETON Graphic Monitor

HX-12 490

SR-12 630

HAZELTINE Esprit II 540

Esprit III 625

Esprit 6310 599

WYSE 50 14" 80/132 559

VISUAL 55 12" 725

QUME 102 548

Prices subject to change American Express, ViBB/MastercBrd odd 3%. F.O.B. point of shipment. 20% restocking fee for returned merchandise Personal chscks teke 3 weeks to deer. COD on certified check only. N.Y. reaidenta add aeleB tax. Manufacturer' warranty only. Intflrnatlonal customers, pleaae confirm price before order. Accept P.O. from Fortune 500, achoola and gov't.

Computer Channel TELEX: 21-55 44th Road 429418 Long Island City, NY 11101 CSTNY For Information CALL (212) 937-6363 To order CALL 1-800-331-3343

418 BYTE" 1ULY 1984

S-?00

'W*-*™-\S/^^ ESTABLISHED 1977

CompuPro

SALES 800 - 528-3138

TECHNICAL 602-991-7870 MODEM ORDERS 602-948-1387 TELEX: 16 5026 FTCC SEC PHX.

SYSTEM 816/A A&T SYSTEM 816/B A&T SYSTEM 816/C A&T SYSTEM 816/D* A&T (8086) SYSTEM 816/E' A&T (68000)

®

94,299 84,999 $6,399 •9.299 »7.099

100 HOUR SYSTEM "BURN IN"

•XEROX ON-SITE SERVICE WHERE AVAILABLE

CPU Z 6MHz A&T $229

CPU 8086/88 A&T $349

CPU 8086 10MHz A&T «569

CPU 68K 10MHz CSC $600

RAM 17 64K STATIC A&T $349

RAM 16 64K STATIC 8&16 A&T $389 RAM 22 266K STATIC 8*16 A&T 81.229

M-DRIVE/H B12K RAM-DISK $896

INTERFACER 3-8 SERIAL A&T $489

INTERFACER 4-3 SERIAL/2 PARALLEL $319

SYSTEM SUPPORT 1 A&T $319

DISK 1 A&T $349

DISK 2 A&T 8" H.D. CNTRL $569 DISK 3 6V." H.D. CNTRL W/CP/M80 & 86 $569

MORROW

DJ/DMA 614" & 8" S-100 FLPY CNTRL $556 MD2 SYSTEM W/MDT60 TERMINAL

AND TALLY "SPIRIT" PRINTER $1,699

MD3 AS EQUIP. ABOVE W- PEARL DBMS $1.999 MD-3E AS EQUIP. ABOVE WITH ONLY

CPM 2.2. NEW WORD CO-PILOT $1,499 MD3 MDCP88 266 AS EQUIP. ABOVE W/

8088 CO-PROC. & 256K RAM UPGRD. $2,498 MDP-3 PORT. SAME AS MD3 EXCEPT 5X7"

SCRN. & INCLD. TALLY "SPIRIT" $1,899 MD11 SYSTEM W/11 Mb H.D.. CP/M 3.0.

128 RAM. MDT60 TERMINAL. EPSON

RX80FT PRT. $2,995

MD 16 SAME AS MDII W 16.44Mb $3,496

MD 34 SAME AS MDII W/34Mb $4,996

MICRO

SISIIIS CNPN0IM

CPZ 48006 6MHz MASTER 266KMB MEMORY BOARD CPS MX 64K RAM SLAVE 6MHz CPS-BMX 128K RAM SLAVE 6MHz

$739 $709 $389 $529

SUPER SIX/128-6 MHz SUPER SLAVE/128-6 MHz CP/M 3.0

TURBODOS MULTI-USER W/SPOOLER DMA MIC ROM AG NUM 5Mb WINCHESTER

FIXED & 6Mb RMOV. CARTG. HDC-1001 DMA W/DRIVERS SUPERSTAR W/SUPERSIX 128K.HDC

1001-5. MICROMAGNUM 5Mb/5Mb

CART. WINCH.. TURBODOS 1.3,

2 SUPER SLAVES 128K-6MHZ $4,995

$575 $519 $350 $696

$1,596 $429

Litton

ffl

JEFFERSON ELECTRIC

TRUE SINE WAVE. 100% BATTERY OPER. W/NO SWITCH-OVER. BYPASS STATIC SWITCH 750 WATTS @ 16 MIN. #370-811-100 $1,675

1 HR. W AUXILIARY BATTERY $149

®

IBM-PC W/FLPY CTRL.. STB GRAPHICS + CRT CTRL. 266K RAM. PC DOS 2.10, 2 DSDO DVRS.. 12" AMBER MON.

$2,995

TEGVMR

FOR IBM-PC

1«t MATE 266K. SERIAL. PARA. CLOCK $412

CAPTAIN SAME AS 1st MATE W 384K $557

GRAPHICS MASTER HI-RES RGB $521

IEEE 488 BOARD W/SOFTWARE $367

6Mb H.D. CARTRIDGE INSTALLS IN P C. $1,496 33Mb FIXED H.D. W. 5Mb REMOVABLE

CART. IN AN EXPANSION CHASSIS $4,121

EXPANSION CHASSIS W 8 SLOTS $725 BASE BOARD - DO-IT YOURSELF

MULTIFUNCTION $269

BOSUN XT MULTIFUNCTION BD. $149

jrCAPT. 128K W/TREASURE CHEST $319

jrWAVE 266K $399 jrCADET 384K PIGGY-BACK BD.

ADD-ON FOR jrCAPT. & jrWAVE $479

SUPER "RIO" 256K W/PARA.. 2 SERIAL

& GAME PORTS. CLOCK-CAL./BATT.

PARA. & SERIAL CABLES $448 PIGGYBACK 512K FOR SUPER "RIO" 266 $571 RIO PLUS W/384K SAME AS SUPER "RIO"

EXCEPT ONLY 1 SERIAL AND NO

PIGGYBACK BD. $549 SUPER I/O LIKE RIO+ W/O RAM/XT $149 1-384 MEMORY EXPANSION BD. 384K $484 GRAPHICS PLUS IX RGB & MONO.

PRINTER & LT PEN PORTS $325

lEIectralOQicsJ

QUASI DISK 512K RAM-DISK W/ON-BD. DRV. STATUS LED'S. WRITE PROTECT. DMA E-Z INSTALL W/SAMPLE CP/M BIOS $895 512K PIGGY-BACK EXPANSION $696 BATTERY BACK-UP W/PWR. SUPPLY $169

S4K CMOS RAM OR ROM LOADS OF FEATURES

MFIO ALL-IN-ONE I/O BD.

8 ASYNCH. SERIAL. 2 PARALLEL BAUD RATE GENERATOR. CLOCK-CAL W/BATT.. PROG. PRIOR INTERRUPT SERIAL OPTION BD. FOR MFIO CENTRONICS PARALLEL BD. FOR MFIO STD. PARALLEL OPTION BD. FOR MFIO

PERSONAL SPEECH SYSTEM

$409

$469 $25 $39 $25

$285

U.S. ROBOTICS

FREE TELPAC SOFTWARE INCLD.

S-100 BD. MODEM 300/1200 $369 PASSWORD 1200 AUTO AIMS. DIAL $369 AUTO DIAL 212A (HAYES COMPAT.) $469

PRINTFRS

BROTHER HR-16 SERIAL

$426

DR. LOGO/IBM-PC

BROTHER HR-26 SERIAL

$726

CBASIC COMPILER 80

DAISYWRITER 2000 W/48K

$998

PL/1-86

EPSON MX. RX & FX IN STOCK

CALL

DR ASSEMBLER PLUS TOOLS

OKIDATA 92

$439

PASCAL MT+

OKIDATA 93

$729

DISPLAY MANAGER-80

TALLY MT160L

$579

ACCESS MANAGER-80

TALLY MT180L

$795

PC ACCOUNTING PACK/IBM-PC

TALLY 'SPIRIT' N.L.Q. @ 80 C.P.S.

$299

SELECT (WORD PROC.) MSOOS

i terminals! :& monitors:

COMREX CR6600-Y, HI-RES. P-39 $126

FREEDOM 100 TERMINAL CALL

FREEDOM 110 TERMINAL AMBER CALL

FREEDOM 200 TERMINAL AMBER CALL

(EMULTELEVIDEO 960 & ADM 31) CALL

PRINCETON GRAPHICS HX12 HI-RES RGB $496

QUME QVT102A $646

QUME QVT102G $629

TAXAN RGB 420 (IBM LOOK-ALIKE) $496

USI AMBER 12" HI-RES MONITOR (20MHz) $109 WYSE-60 14". 132 COL., EMUL. TVI 910.

920. 926. ADDS-VP & HAZELTINE 1500 $619

[DISK drives:

DMA 5Mb REMOV. CART. W/ 5Mb FIXED WINCH. BARE DRIVE

S-100S SUBSYS. - DUAL DSDD 8" FLOPPY. QUANTUM 40 Mb H.D., DISK 1 & 3. CP/M80 & 86

S-100's 5%" 40Mb QUANTUM H.D. SUBSYSTEM W/DISK 3 & CP/M80 & 86

MAXTOR XT 1065 6V4" 66Mb H.D.

MAXTOR XT-1106 6V4" 106Mb H.D.

MAXTOR XT-1140 6V4" 140Mb H.D.

QUANTUM Q540 5V«" 40Mb H.D.

SEAGATE ST419 E'/4" 20Mb H.D.

SEAGATE ST212 5'/4" V2HI 12Mb

ZOBEX 6V4" H.D. CNTRL FOR IBM-PC SUPPORTS ST506 INTERFACE DRIVES

ASK ABOUT SUBSYSTEMS FOR IBM or S-100 BUS

landon 100-2 sv«"dsdd .205

$1,600

$3,999

$2,896 $2,249 $2,996 $3,749 $1,896 $1,196 $679

Qume

270 DAY WARRANTY

142 DSDD 6'/4"-'/2 HI $189

242 DSDD 8"-'/2 HI $396

842 DSDD 8"-STD HI $466 NATIONAL (SA466L COMPAT.)

6'/4 DSDD V2HI FLPY. DRV. $169

^INDUSTRIAL QUALITYZ HARINFT.q

DUAL VzHI HORIZ. 6'/4" FLPY. $76

SINGLE STD HI HORIZ. BW FLPY $69

DUAL V4 HI VERT. 8" FLPY $196

SINGLE STD. HI VERT. 8" FLPY $196

[SOFTWARE!

ACCOUNTING PEARL FOR IBM-PC $636

ASHTON TATE dBASE-2 CP/M-86 8 INCH $449

BDS "C" COMPILER $99

COMP. INNOVAT. "C" COMPILER $299

COMPUVIEW VEDIT-86/MS-DOS $186

FOX & GELLER dUTIL $69

FOX & GELLER QUICKCODE $206

KNOWLEDGEMAN 8086 DATA BASE MGR. $346

MICROPRO'S PRO PAK $436

MICROSOFT'S BASIC COMPILER $292

PERSONAL PEARL DATA BASE MGR. $216

SORCIM SUPERCALC-3/ IBM-PC $245

m DIGITAL RESEARCH

MP/M-86

"C" COMPILER/IBM-PC

$419 $219 $62 $310 $465 $124 $217 $249 $186 $697 $307

S-100 DIV./696 CORP. FULL DEALER SUPPORT

14425 North 79th Street VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 Hrs 8 30AM 5 00PM M F

Circle 270 lor Dealer inquiries. Circle 27\ for End-User inquiries

Subject to Available Quantities Prices Quoted Include Cash Discounts Shipping & Insurance Extra

IULY I984 • BYTE 4I9

Circle 58 on inquiry card.

mEDfVBVTES FDR FTIICRD-BLIOGETS

BHpand your system... shrink your cost.

Why pay more for top quality products when our prices are consistently among the lowest anywhere? We invite you to compare prices, then call us.

MISC. PERIPHERALS

SALE PRICE

HAYES SMARTMODEM 1200B (IBM-PC)

$399.50

HAYES SMARTMODEM 1200 (RS-232)

489.50

HAYES CHRONOGRAPH

189.50

ROLAND DG XY800 6 PEN PLOTTER

799.50

BAUSCH&LOMB DMP-29 PLOTTER

1885.00

PENCEPT PENPAD 320

EPSON PRINTERS

SALE PRICE

MX-100

FX-80

FX-100

RX-80

RX-80 m

COMPUTERS AT LOW PRICES

CALL FOR CONFIGURATIONS AND OPTIONS

MEMOTECH MTX-512 SHARP PC-5000 PORTABLE LEADING EDGE PC IBM PC-XT

PRINCETON GRAPHICS SYSTEMS

HX-12 Limit - One to a Customer Cash Price $459.00

DYSAN DISKETTES (Boxes of 10 each) SALE PRICE

104/1 5W' SINGLE SIDE, SINGLE DENSITY $31.20

104/1D 5W' SINGLE SIDE, DOUBLE DENSITY 32.98

104/2D BWT DOUBLE SIDE, DOUBLE DENSITY 38.99

3740/1 8" SINGLE SIDE, SINGLE DENSITY 32.39

3740/1D 8" SINGLE SIDE, DOUBLE DENSITY 40.19

3740/2 8" DOUBLE SIDE, SINGLE DENSITY 40.19

3740/2D 8" DOUBLE SIDE, DOUBLE DENSITY 46.89

GREAT LAKES (PEGASUS) HARD DISK SYSTEMS SALE PRICE

10 MEGABYTE INTERNAL. $1149.00

10 MEGABYTE EXTERNAL 1295.00

23 MEGABYTE EXTERNAL 1895.00

40 MEGABYTE EXTERNAL 2449.00

65 MEGABYTE EXTERNAL 3249.00

140 MEGABYTE EXTERNAL 4995.00

TAPE DRIVE 23 MEGABYTE INTERNAL 950.00

TAPE DRIVE 23 MEGABYTE STAND ALONE 7249.00

ORDERS ONL Y 8004584810 IN CALIF. 800-821-6662

COMMERCIAL BUSINESS SYSTEMS

2858 S. ROBERTSON BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90034

' m^isl^r charge

INFORMA TION (213) 559-0596

Phone orders accepted on Visa and Mastercard only. California residents add 6.5% sales tax. No C.O.D. Actual shipping and handling charge added to all orders. Prepaid orders as follows: Money orders or cashier's check-merchandise shipped upon receipt. Personal checks must clear before shipping. 20% restocking fee.

Prices and availability subject to change. $100 minimum order.

MOTHER BOARD:

• 8088 CPU with socket for co-processor 8087

• 8088 is supported by 8259A interrupt controller and 8237 DMA controller

• 2 (two) 28 pin sockets for ROM

• 8 (eight) expansion slots

• No RAM on board (RAM is on multifunction board)

Bare Board 69.00

Ready Board 199.00

(with IC sockets, resistors, capacitors, connectors, crystals, transistors soldered)

Tested Board (w/o ROM) 399.00

IC kit ! 199.00

Build Your IBM ™PC Compatible at Competitive Prices

MULTIFUNCTION BOARD

• 2 serial ports, 1 parallel port real time clock, 64k RAM up to 256k RAM 299.00

• Floppy disk drive controller board 179.00

• Hard disk controller board 299.00

• Color graphic board 239.00

• Monochrome + color + graphic board Call

• Panasonics disk drive, 320k, half height 179.00

• Hard disk drive 10 MB 699.00

• 100W power supply with fan 179.00

• Case 149.00

• Manual 25.00

• Keyboard 149.00

• High resolution color RGB monitor 499.00

• High resolution green monitor 129.00

• Monitor stand 39.00

• Hayes 1200B modem 449.00

• Hayes 1200 modem 475.00

IBM is the trademark of International Business Machines. Prices subject to change without notice.

1ZS Hondwcllcorp

4962 El Camino Real • Los Altos, CA 94022 (415) 962-9265 1-(800) 821-3628

TLX: 171947 HANDWELL LTOS

420 BYTE* JULY 1984

Circle 143 on inquiry card.

NEC

NEC Advanced Pebsonal Computes - The APC

Standard Hardware Package dvcludes:

• 8086 16BIT CPU • 128K RAM, expandable to 512K

• 640 x 475 pixel CRT • 8" floppies with 1 Mbyte each

• Great keyboard • 48 definable function keys Standard Software Package includes:

• MS-DOS 2.0

• dBaseII

NEC APC-1 Drive, Green #H01 $2095

NEC APC- 2 Drive, Green #H02 $2550

NEC APC- 2 Drive, Color #H03 $3150

NEC APC-1 Drive, Color #H04 $2575

NEC 10MByte Winchester #H26 $2175

Limited Time Graphics Specials:

Allgraphics packages includeadditional 128KUSER RAM.AND

HIGH PERFORMANCE GRAPHICS VIDEO INTERFACE, WHICH CREATES

1000 x 1000 graphics. The dot matrlx printer, where included, IS THE #H16, AKA PC-8023.

GPKG #1 Graphplan, CP/M-86, Printer

GPKG #3 Videograph, Graphwriter, Screenshooter

GPKG #2 Context MBA, Printer

GPKG #4 AutoCAD, CP/M-86

NEC GPKG-xx-MONO $685

NEC GPKG-xx-COLOR $775

IBM PC SYSTems The Expert says you need 256K RAM. And the price is low. #1 SYSTEM: 2-360K Drives 256K RAM, Graphics Video

Card ^ {k^tt^ $2566

#2 SYSTEM: 2-360K Drives, 266K RAM, Monochrome Video Card, Amber CRT

#1 SYSTEM: Standard unit - List $4995 $4300

#2 SYSTEM: 256K Graphics Video, Amber CRT .... $4846 #3 SYSTEM: 256K, Monochrome Video, Amber CRT. $4990

TAVA PC Systems

All TAVA's inlcude 2 serial pors, 1 parallel port, 2 dsdd

T1IINLINE DRIVES, A VIDEO INTERFACE (EITHER GRAPHICS OR

monochrome), 256K RAM, and a 12" monochrome CRT. Free Software: Word processor, Data base, Spelling, Electronic Mail

TAVA #1: Graphics Video $1895

TAVA #2: Monochrome Video $1945

TAVA PC-XT #1:10 MByte Hard, Graphics Video ... $2895 TAVA PC-XT #2:10 MByte Hard, Monochrome Video $2945

©SANYO

SANYO MBC550 Systems

Now with factory installed double sided drive and DOS 2.1.

MBC550-2 w/3 softwares $985

MBC555-2 w/6 softwares $1316

Recommended Options:

128K Extra RAM (256K Total) $ 100

Serial Port $ 80

Amber CRT $ 140

Color RGB CRT $536

Tseng Laboratordss Ultra-Pak

132 X 44 column video interface with graphics for the IBM Monochrome CRT. Includes parallel port, serial port, clock. Optional floppy disk controller or 64K-384K Pack.

Ultra-PAK List»680. ..$495

Disk-PAK List $220... $185

Ram-FAK (64K expandable to 384K)., *. List $246... $205

Multigraph (80 x 40 .Video w/(

Printer Port

MultiGraph Option Board (132 columns

16 colors) ... .

Multi-User Sobsystem: For 4 users,

software

The EVEREX systems are complete with cables, interfaces, and software necessary to install and use

10MByte Internal, Hard Disk System $ 945

20MByte Internal Tape Backup System $ 975

KEYTRONIC

KB5151 $ 215

I

...$987 ....$ 1325

Modems

Anchor Automation "Signalman"

Mark II (Atari) $ 89

Mark III (TI) $ 110

Mark IV (Commodore Pet-CBM) $ 120

Mark V (Osborne) $ 100

Mark XII (1200 Baud Smartmodem) $ 345

The Networker for Apple w/Software $ 159

The Nbtworker—no Software $ 110

Hayes Smartmodem 300 $ 215

Hayes Smartmodem 1200 $ 505

Hayes Micromodem II-e $ 295

Novation Access 1-2-3 $ 445

"We're experts so you don't have to be!"

Circle 131 on Inquiry card.

FRANKLIN

Franklin 1200-OMS w/CRT $1435

Franklin 1000-PRO Pack w/CRT $ 976

Letter Quality Printers

C. ITOH/TEC: These daisywheel printers use Diablo wheels,

INK CARTRIDGES, AND SOFTWARE CODES.

F-10-18 18cps $ 495

F-10-40 40cps $ 950

F-10-55 55CPS $1275

ABATILQ-20P 20cps, 132 column $ 395

DYNAX-Brother HR-15 $ 410

HR-15 Tractor $ 105

HR-16 Cut Sheet Feeder $ 185

DYNAX_Brother HR-25 $ 675

HR-25 Tractor $ 120

HR-25 Cut Sheet Feeder $ 210

Brother HR-35 $896

JUKI 6100 20cps $ 185

NEC Spinwriters #2050 $ 965

NEC #3560 $1785

NEC #7730 $2100

Silver-ReedEXP500P. $ 476

Silver-Reed EXP550P $ 555

DOT MATRIX PRINTERS

BMC CP-80 w/carbon Ink $ 265

C Itoh/tec 180CPS $ 495

180CPS-WIDE $ 695

180CPS-COLOR $ 575

1 80CPS-Color-Wide $ 795

Epson FX-80 $ 499

Epson FX-100 $ 730

Gemini 10-X $ 269

Gemini 15-X $ 415

Mannesmann-Tally MT160L $ 595

MT180L $ 795

IDS Prism 132 w/Color $1485

Okidata 92 $ 435

Okidata 93 $ 700

Prowriter I20cps, std $ 345

PROWRITER 2 120CPS, WIDE $ 576

Sakata Monitors

SC-100 Color Composite 13" $275

SC-200 Color RGB for IBM 13" $460

SC-300 Color RGB for IBM 13" $695

SC-1000 Green 12" $125

SC-1000 Amber 12" $135

NEC PC8201 Lap Computer $575

comma

Compaq 2 Drive, 256K $2465

MICROSOFT

Microsoft "WORD" w/Mouse $295

Qubie Modem 1200B Internal $295

EXPERT Computers

21804 Roscoe Blvd., Suite 18 Canoga Park, CA 91304

(213) 344-6063 (800) 528-9537

ADD 4% FOR AMERICAN EXPRESS. ADD 2% FOR VISA/MASTERCARD. 20% PREPAID DEPOSIT REQUIRED ON COD ORDERS. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ADD SALES TAX. PRICES MAY CHANGE CALL TO VERIFY PRICES AND DELIVERY.

Circle 69 on Inquiry card.

4>M

DISPLAY MONITORS

usi '

PI2(12"Green) $ 125

P13(12" Amber) 129

GORILLA

Hl-Res. 12"Green $ 85

Hl-Res. 12" Amber 95

AMDEK

V300G,12"Green $ 135

V300A, 12" Amber 149

V310AforlBMPC 165

Colorl,13"ColorComposlte 289

Color II, RGB 399

BMC

12 UW(12" Green) $ 89

9191 Plus 249

NEC

JB1201M,80col $ 149

JB1205M(A)w/audlo :.. 155

JC1216 RGB Hl-Res IBM comp 399

TAXAN

12N(12"Green) $ 109

12NUY(12" Amber) 119

PRINCETON GRAPHICS

HX12, RGB for IBM $ 479

^ SAVE $$$$ ON OUR OLYMPIC MARATHON SALE

★ ★ GOLD MEDAL SPECIALS ★ ★

****** IBM ****** **** TANDON * * * *

IBM PC.64K. 1 Drive S1850 I M inn :'Ini IBM l'<. % IH<)

iBMPC.64K,2Drives 2059 fMBfi2 . t'CMltighl 320K 189

***** TEAC ***** * * * * * SANYO *****

5SB l/2Heiahl 32()K % lli't MBI.Ii'rO w/t dhl/ilbl Drive K

SollWttrfi $ 945

* 64 K MEM. UPGRADE * MBC555V wQ dbl/dbl Drives * 64K.9chlps; 1 yr wai S 48 Mow.Software VM'.>

FREE 2 Piece. Anti Static Dust Cover with Purchase of IBM PC or XT

PRINTER ACCESS.

ORANGE MICRO

Grappler + S 119

Buffered Grappler +, 16K exp. 64K . 169 FOURTH DIMENSION

Par. Card & Cable for Apple $ 49

TRACTORS

Okldatafor82A&92 $ 49

Juki Bl-Directlonal 129

PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS

Mlc/Buf IIP, 16K $ 145

Mlo/Buf IIS.16K 149

CABLES

Any Computer to Parallel Printer... $ 29

IBM/APPLE ACCESS.

AST RESEARCH

Six Pak Plus $269

Mega Plus II 279

MICROMAX

Vlewmax 80E, 128K 80 col. card

forApplellE $ 129

for Apple II & II + 139

PC PEACOCK

ColorGraphicsCardw/PrinterPort .$ 269 PLANTRONICS

Color + Board $ 379

PERSONAL SYSTEMS

APPLE

ApplellEStarterSystem $1249

FRANKLIN

Ace1OO0w/color $ 799

Ace1200w/drive 1399

TAVA

1 Par. & 2 Ser. Ports, 128K, 2 • 320K Drives, ColorCard $1745

DISK DRIVES

SIEMENS

FD10O8 $ 145

Drives For Apple & Franklin MICRO-SCI

A2 $ 199

QUENTIN RESEARCH

Apple Mate $ 199

RANA SYSTEMS

Elite I $ 229

EliteII 349

Elite III 429

PANASONIC

1/2Helght360K $ 165

JMR100%AppleComp.Drive 179

ControllerCard 55

PRINTERS

OKIDATA

ML82A, 10" carriage $ 298

ML83A, 15"carriage 539

ML92P,160cps 419

ML93P,160cps 699

C. ITOH

GorillaBanana,50cps $ 169

Prowrlter8510AP, 120cps 329

Prowrlterll1550AP,15"120cps ... 545

StarwrlterF10-40PU,40cps 969

PrlntmasterF10-5SPU,55cps 1299

EPSON

RXB0FT,120cps $ 369

FX80,10"160cps 485

FX100,15"160cps 699

JUKI

6100 LO 15", 18 ops w/propor. spac.. $ 439 TOSHIBA

P1350(1) Dot Matrix, L.Q., graphics .$1495

MANNESMANN TALLY

160L,160cps $ 575

180L,180cps 795

PANASONIC

1091 w/Tractor, 120cps $ 369

IF YOU SEE IT ADVERTISED FOR LESS, CALL US FIRST FOR LOWEST QUOTE I MAIL ORDER:

12B41 S. Hawthorne Blvd., No. 585

Hawthorne, California 90250 ^f pRDER DESK:^ vrSA, [213] 514-9019 Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wi accept VISA, MutarCinl, COD fwM.po.lt], CrtiN.dCh.ck. or Wlr. Tr.n.l.r.. Shipping minimum S4.00. Soma CA R... add 8%% T».

HERE COMES THE SUN ~: 1 800"4^Iim9

IBM Compatible Products Apple Compatible Products General Products- cont. S-100 Products

QUADRAM-2 (2) Ser. Ports W/64K. $355.00 QUADBOARD 11 ealPar/Ser. W/64K. .355.00

QUAD 512+ W/64K 305.00

QUAD 612+ W/512K 665.00

CLOCK/CALENDAR BOARD 105.00

MODEM Signalman Mark 5 215.00

ADD-ON Hard Disk Drive System

6Mb w/Power Supply & Cabinet .1799.00

Controller for above Hard Drive... 279.00

ASTSIXPACK(64K) 271.00

MSI DUAL I/O (2 ea) Ser ./Par. & Clk . 175.00

MSI 256K RAM Board with 64K 199.00

MSI 256K w/Parallel or Sarlal Port

256K w/Parallel Port and 64K 259.00

256K w/Serial Port and 64K 259.00

VISTA DISKMASTER DMA

Diskmaster interface Sub 4", 5V4", 8" &

VI200 6Mb Hard Disk 225.00

IBM TEAC Dlak Drlva DSDD,

40 Track Slimline 215.00

APPARAT IBM PROM Blaster 129.00

CABLE Parallel for IBM, Eagle &

Columbia 29.95/ea 25.00/2

CABLE Sarlal tor IBM, Eagla &

Columbia 19.95/ea 17.00/2

Micro Log. Baby Blue II

280B Co. Pros.

Multifunction Board Call

IBM Prototype Board-SUN-208 Double Sided

Glass with Gold Plated Terminals ... 19.50 MULTIFUNCTION BOARD

64K. Serial, Parallel. Clock 295.00

IBM UP-QRADE KIT (4164-200 ns)

49.00/PerKit

AFDC-1 Floppy Disk Drive $CC95

Controller 33

Runs DOS 3.3 with any standard Shugart compatible 5%" disk drive. (2 drives each cardl.

Does not read Vi track.

Apparat PROM Blaster 119.00

"ALS" 80 Column Card 159.00

"ALS" Z-CARD (Z80 CPU) 149.00

API Apple Parallel Printer Interface card.

Centronics Compatible $39.00

Apple Compatible Disk Drive

Slimline, Quite 195.00

SUN-Z-80 CARD ISoftcard

Compatible) 55.00

SUN-80 COLUMN CARD 97.00

POWER SUPPLY (5 amp) 59.95

COOLING FAN 42.00

WORD PROS (Benchmark) 299.00

TELECOM (Benchmark) 89.00

WORD STAR Call

LOTUS Call

VISICALC Call

DISCOVER BASIC 69.95

PEARSONAL PEARL 199.00

TYPE ATTACK 39.95

SPANISH 49.95

Formate Indued CP/M, Apple, IBM, TRS-80

General Products

Software

COMPARE OUR HIGH RESOLUTION THEN CHECK OUR PRICEI

5%" Diskettes

SS/DD (100% certified! DS/DD (100% certified)

10 up 100 up

1.75 1.55 2.50 2.30

MODEM Novation 103 Smart-Cat. .$210.00 MODEM Signalman Mark 7 (RS232). 115.00

SUPER SALE!!

Features :

^Anti-glare Screen with Attractive Case ^Standard Composite Video Input ^Output for Second Monitor ^22 MHz Video Bandwidth ^High Resolution • 1000 Lines or

132 Characters Across ^ Input Impedance - High or 75 Ohm ^Passes FCC Test for Computer Equipment **UL Approved

Compatibility : IBM PC. IBM PCjr. Apple II, Apple He, Comodore, Columbia MPC. Eagle, Radio Shack, Sinclair/Timex, And More

A2MBlgEEN0R... $99.oo

MX COMPATIBLE PRINTER

CT-80 dot Matrix Printer (80 cps) 249.00 RAM & ROM IN STOCK .... Call Mother Boards & Card Cages

SLOTS B.roBd KIT AST w/CAGE

6 $19.00 $44.00 $59.00 $84.00

8 24.00 56.00 81.00 116.00

12 29.00 75.00 110.00 150.00

10MHz, No termination. I wiring for muffin fan. Use

udes power indicator 1 lor for solderl

OK

SICCOO

64KSM A&T without RAM ... I 99

64KSM A&T w 64k RAM [32-6116'si 339.00 S-100 Board Uses 6MHz 6116's. V: Amp max. power. Bank Select plus Extended Addressing allows for multi-memory board set-up. 4 independant 16K Blocks make easy use with multi-user systems. Any 2K RAM may be replaced by a2716EPROM.

SBC-880 Z80A CPU, A81T $149.00

SBC-880 Z80A CPU, Kit 129.00

4MH2 Z80A CPU boards with RAM, ROM & Serial/Parallel Ports.

UFDC-1 Floppy Controller, A&T 245.00

UFDC-1 Floppy Controller, Kit 225.00

The UFDC-1 Floppy Controller uses the WD1795 chip which runs either and/or 8"/5V." Disk Drives.

CLOCK CALENDAR A81T 115.00

CLOCK CALENDAR Kit 95.00

This S-100 Clock Calendar Board has 4 interrupts. Time, Day of Week

and Battery Backup. Call lor S-100 Quantity Discounts

Special Sale Items

SUN-721 S-100 Prototype Board 9.95

SUN-722 Apple Prototype Board 5.95

IBM Prototype Board-SUN-208 Double Sided Glass with Gold Plated Terminals 19.95

SUNTROMCS C0.f inc.

12621 Crenshaw Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250

STORE HOURS: MON.-FRI. 9:00;.m to 6:00pm er—Mm. Order $10. Visii or MaslcrC.ird (please include exp Hinds plus .00 for each additional pound to your order. C.

SATURDAY 10:00am to 5:00pm xpiralion date). Add $2.00 (shipping and handling) fot . CA residents add Calif, siiies lax.

422 BYTE' JULY 1984

Circle 290 on Inquiry card.

If you still believe in me, save me.

For nearly a hundred years, the Statue of Liberty has been America's most powerful symbol of freedom and hope. Today the corrosive action of almost a century of weather and salt air has eaten away at the iron framework; etched holes in the copper exterior.

On Ellis Island, where the ancestors of nearly half of all Americans first stepped onto American soil, the Immigration Center is now a hollow ruin.

Inspiring plans have been developed to restore the Statue and to create on Ellis Island a permanent museum celebrating the ethnic diversity of this country of immigrants. But unless restoration is begun now, these two landmarks in our nation's heritage could be closed at the very time America is celebrating their hundredth anniversaries. The 230 million dollars needed to carry out the work is needed now.

All of the money must come from private donations; the federal government is not raising the funds. This is consistent with the Statue's origins. The French people paid for its creation themselves. And America's businesses spearheaded the public contributions that were needed for its construction and for the pedestal.

The torch of liberty is everyone's to cherish. Could we hold up our heads as Americans if we allowed the time to come when she can no longer hold up hers?

Opportunities for Your Company. gioNsqR You are invited to learn more about the advantages hSRQ of corporate sponsorship during the nationwide pro3fy*|j motions surrounding the restoration project.Write [%? U on your letterhead to: The Statue of Liberty-Ellis mm Island Foundation, Inc., MParkAve, N.Y., N.Y. 10178.

Save these monuments. Send your personal tax deductible donation to: R 0. Box 1986, New York. N.Y. 10018.The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, InC.l

IULY 1984 "BYTE 423

Cancer is often curable. The fear of cancer is often fatal.

& American Cancer Society

8®

THIS SPACE CONTRIBUTED BY THE PUBLISHER AS A PUBLIC SERVICE

^■■COMPUTER DISCOUNT PRODUCTS

HUGE Inventories • APPLE-IBM Specialists 1* ASK ABOUT OUR FAIR PRICE POLICY -ITS GUARANTEED!*

CDP SPECIALS

16K UPGRADE 4116 200 NS 9.99

64K UPGRADE 4164 200 NS (Set/9) 79.99

APPLE FAN w/Surge. 2 Outlets 39.99

PAR PRINTER CARD & CABLE 39.99

16K RAM CARD 39.99

POWER STRIP w/Surge 17.99

3-RING BINDER DISK SHEET (10) 7.99

Continental

APPLE GRAPHICS BOOK 14.99

CPA (GL, AP, AH. PAV](AP) ea149.99

FCM/FL 1st CLASS MAIL (AP) 59.99

FCM/FL 1st CLASS MAIL (IBM) 71.99

HOME ACCOUNTANT (AP) 44.99

HOME ACCOUNTANT+(IBM) 84.99

PROPERTY MGMT. (AP, IBM) 295.99

TAX ADVANTAGE (Ap) 39.99

TAX ADVANTAGE (IBM) 49.99

ULTRAFILE (IBM) 155.99

fljffil KENSINGTON

Ik^microwark

BPI (GL, AP, AR, PAY. INV)

ea289.99

BRODERBUND Arcade Machine

39.99

Bank Street Writer

44.99

Drol. LorJerunner

ea24.99

CENTRAL POINT Copy II +

25.99

DIM Alien Addition

27.99

Alligator Mix

27.99

Demolition Division

27.99

Dragon Mix

27.99

Meteor Multiplication

27.99

Minus Mission

27.99

Verb Viper/Word Invasion

ea37.99

Word Radar/Spelling Wiz

8337.99

EDUWARE Counting Bee

23.99

Decimals/Fractions 3,0

ea39.99

Hands on Basic

61.99

PSAT Word Attack

39.99

SAT Word Attack

39.99

JACK REPORT

74.99

KENSINGTON Format II

119.99

KOALA Spider Eater New!

23.9S

LEARNING CO Bumble Games

26.99

Bumble Plot/Magic Spelt

ca26.99

Gertrudes Puzzle/Secre!

(H129.99

Moptown Parade/Hotel

ea26.99

Rocky's Boots

34.99

MICROLAB Miner 20-49er

27.99

MICROSOFT Mutiplan

165.99

ODESTA Ctiess

45.99

Odin

37.99

PFS Report

89.99

File

99.99

Graph

99.99

Write

99.99

SENSIBLE SPELLER

87.99

SUBLOGIC Night Mis. Pinball

32.99

ULTIMA III

39.99

DOLLARS & SENSE (lle/C)

79.99

SYSTEM SAVER

• Surge Suppression

• Fits Apple Stand

• Dual Outlet £jt

• U.L. Listed $ DO

riFocom

FOR APPLE i IBM

DEADLINE, ENCHANTER ea32.99

PLANETFALL 32.99

SUSPENDED 32.99

WITNESS 32.99

ZCRK l-lll/STARCROSS ea24.99

SORCERER NEW! 37.99

DISKETTES

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS THIS SUMMER!

ALGEBRA l-IILAp 31.99

ALGEBRA I, IBM 34.99

FLIGHTSIMII. Ap 37.99

FLIGHT SIM, IBM 34.99

FRACTION FEVER, Ap/IBM 21.99

MASTERTYPE, Ap 29.99

MASTERTYPE, IBM 34.99

ACCESSORIES

1 FLIP'N FILE (original)

17.99

1 FLIP'N FILE w/Locklray (25)

17.99

I FLIP'N FILE w/Locktray (50)

27.99

HAYES 300 Baud Smartmodem

199.99

1200 Baud Smartmodem

474.99

LIBRARY CASE

1.99

1 KENSINGTON PC Saver

29.99

PRINTERS C-iTOH

379.99 1

1 Epson FX80

549.99

Epson RX80

349.99

Okidata 82-93

SCALL

PRINTER STAND Sm. (plxgls)

24.99

PRINTER STAND Lg. (plxgls)

29.99

RIBBONS-Brother

SCall

MX & FX 80

4.99

MX & FX 100

7.99

OKI 82. 83, 92, 93 & Gemini

2.99 1

FINGERPRINT: Epsc

n Upgrade 1

| RX, FX, MX

44.99

sSs APPLE

= HARDWARE

1 ALSCP/M3.0

259.99 1

AUTO REPEAT KEY

19.99 1

1 BASIS 108

SCALL 1

DAN PAYMAR Lower Case 1 (rev 1-6)

25.99 1

1 Lower Case 2 (rev 7)

19.99 1

DARK STAR Snapshot II

65.99 1

1 EASTSIDE Wildcard

79.99 1

1 Wildcard II

111.99 1

1 FOURTH DIMENSION Drive

219.99 1

I HAYES Micromodem He

235.99 1

KOALA PAD

85.99 1

KRAFT Joystick

44.99 1

Paddles

31.99 1

LEGEND I28K Ram

359.99 1

MICRO-SCI A-2 Drive

209.99 1

MOUNTAIN Ramplus t 32K

159.99 1

ORANGE MICRO Grappler +

114.99 1

1 Bufferboard

119.99 1

1 Buttered Grappler * PADDLE AOAPPLE

179.99 1

24.99 1

TITAN TECH I28K Ram

379.99 1

1 Accelerator II

444.99 1

1 Neptune 64K

199.99 1

1 TG Joystick

34.99 1

I Paddles

25.99 |

Sicvta.

OX LIVE IXC

FROGGER (Ap) GENERAL MANAGER HOME WORD SCREENWRITER II ULTIMA II

BC QUEST FOR TIRES OILS WELL

1 Height DS/DD Drive

239.99 1

1 ALPHA Typefaces

79.99 1

1 ASHTON TATE dBase II

399.99 1

1 Friday

184.99 1

■ Encyclopedia

59.99

1 AST Mega Plus

299.99

I Six Pack Plus

279.99

1 BRODERBUND Serpentine

26.99 1

1 Lode Runner

24.99 1

1 CAI Masters

ea31.99 1

1 Subjects

oa16.99 1

1 CENTRAL POINT Copy II PC

25.99

1 CROSSTALK

139.99

1 HAYDEN Piewriter

129.99 1

1 HAYES 1200B Modem

439.99 1

1 KRAFT Joystick

44.99

LIFETREE Vdkswriter

119.99 1

LOTUS 1-2-3

SCALL

1 MICROLAB Miner 20-49er

27.99 1

MICROSOFT Mouse

129.99 1

| Multiptan

165.99 1

I MONOGRAM Dollars S Sense

129.99 |

NORTON Utilities

55.99 1

PC CRAYON

49.99 1

1 Tutor

47.99 1

PFS Write

99.99 1

File

99.99 1

1 Report

89.99 1

1 Graph

99.99 1

POOL 1.5

27.99 I

SIERRA ON-LINE Frogger

26.99 1

SIR-TECH Wizardry

44.99 1

SUBLOGIC Night Mis. Pinball

32.99 1

1 TG Joystick

44.99 1

TITAN 64K BOARD

499.99 1

VISICORP. Visicalc

164.99 1

1 Schedule.

08199.99 I

1 PLANTRONICS ColorPlus 375.99 |

ALPHA PLOT

24.99

APPLE MECH., FLEX TEXT

9119.99

BEAGLE BASIC, DOUBLE TAKE

0324.99

DOS BOSS

15.99

FRAME-UP

16.99

GPLE

32.99

PRONTO DOS

19.99

TIP DISK #1

14.99

TYPEFACES

14.99

UTILITY CITY

19.99

I ,1, "J"'l"l« 111 '1(1111

QUADRAM

APIC (APPLE /// PARALLEL) 129.99

eRAM 80 column 64K HE SCALL

MICROFAZER 8K Parallel 139.99

MICROFAZER 8K Serial 159.99

QUADBOARD I or II (64K) 269.99

QUADCOLORI 219.99 QUADCOLOR II (Board For Above) 209.99

QUAD512+(64K) 219.99

479.99

ridex

ENHANCER II ' FUNCTION STRIP HARDSWITCH MICROMODEM CHIP PSIO

PRE-BOOTS Apple Writer Apple Writer tor Ultraterm Visicalc

Vistcalc/Memory Expansion Visicalc lor Ultraterm

SOFTSWITCH

ULTRAPLAN

ULTRATERM

VIDEOTERM w/SS t INV

99.99 34.99 16.99 24.99 169.99 14.99 23.99 39.99 71.99 54.99 25.99 SCALL 249.99 219.99

CDP Is Your

AUTHORIZED I I MicroPro DEALER! This month We'll Match Any Published Price Same Terms - At Time Of Order This Issue Only SCALL

-SINCE 1977 RETAIL SHOWROOMS IN CALIFORNIA:

San Jose 1(408) 241-2300 San Mateo •(415) 571-1658 San Francisco •(415) 626-2244

MONITORS

PRINCETON RGB HX-12 TAXAN 420 RG8 USI Pi 1 9 " Green 20 mb USI Pi 2 12-Green 20 mh USI Pi 3 12' Amber 20 mh USI Pi 4 9" Amber 20 mh USI I400C Color Composile

485.99 499.99 99.99 119.99 129.99 109.99 279.99

Novation

103 Smart Cal 103/212 Aulo Cat J Cat

Access 123 (IBM) Appleca! II

Applecat Upgrade 1200 Baud Cal Modem Expansion Module

169.99 399.99

249.99 309.00 135.99 29.99

■R' i I lif lilllll IfflBiWIIIIitfillfl'hlWIr'ItllilWyWIil'ilWi' il h I '¥1^

COMPUTER DISCOUNT PRODUCTS

860 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, California 95128

MAIL, PHONE, WILL-CALL SERVICE FROM FROM 6AM (PST)

- CALL (408) 985-0400

No Charge For Credit Cards Prices Subject To Change Software Sales Are Final International Orders Welcome Min. UPS Chg. $4 + Ins. Min. US Postal Chg. $10 P.O's Welcome - Call First

■■■H American) i BE&fir.ss L^T^J)

pjeo Aj|nbui uo n\ apjQ

24-HOUR WATTS

"WE TURN AROUND FOR YOU'

800*528-8960 lncludin9 Alaska and Hawaii

CUSTOMER SERVICE (602) 482-0400 • 2017 E. CACTUS • PHOENIX, AZ 85022

All prices are (or cash, cashiers check or money order. Allow 3 weeks bank clearance for personal checks. C.O.D.'s, Visa/MC, and P.O.'s accepted at additional charge. Prices subiect to change.

Returns must have authorization number (call 602-861-1141), and are subject to a restocking charge.

TERMINALS

Adds

A-1 Green

A-2 Green

Viewpoint 60

Hazeltine

Espirit I

Espirit II

Qume

QVT 102 Green .

QVT 102 Amber

QVT 103 Green .

QVT 103 Amber Televideo

910 +

925

950

970

Wyse

Wyse 100

Wyse 300

Expirit III

Visual

Visual 50 Green .

Visual 55 Green . Zenith

Z-29

$485

... 490 ... 619

485 540

535 550 840 850

549 699 899 975

.. 680 1020

.. 735

599 720

629

COMPUTERS

Altos

580-20

586-20

586-40

986-40

Columbia

Eagle

Franklin

Quasar

NEC Portable

Northstar

Advantage

Advantage w/5MB

Advantage W/15MB ... Televideo Systems

802H

803

1605 IBM Compatible

806/20

800 A (user station) ...

Teleport

Zenith

3629 5549 . Call . Call . Call Call . Call . Call . Call

2160 3345 4315

4210 1815 . Call 4775 .. 999 . Call . Call

MONITORS

Amdek

Video 300 GREEN Video 300 AMBER

Color 1 Plus

Color II Plus

Comrex

9" Green

9" Amber

NEC

JB 1201

JB 1260

Taxan

12" Amber

Zenith

12" Green Screen .

12" Amber Screen

129 145 225 425

.. 69

155 115

125

... 95 120

FOR IBM PC

IBM PC Call Save $

AST Research

Six Pak Plus—from $279

Combo Plus II—from 279

Mega Plus—from 309

I/O Plus—from 139

Quadram

Quadlink 489

Quadboard 289

Quad 512 Plus 249

Quadcolor 229

SOFTWARE

Lotus

1-2-3 $319

Mlcropro

WordStar/MailMerge 349

InfoStar 299

SpellStar 159

CalcStar 99

Microstuf Crosstalk 105

Microsoft Multiplan 159

Ashton Tate

dBASE II 389

Friday! 185

Ram Memory 4164-150 59/9 per set

J99*r

*6300

Transient Protection With A Solid Reputation'"

General

Sr Semiconductor .^"s5B^ Industries, Inc. <^%, *^

MODEMS

Anchor

Mark I (RS-232)

Mark II (Atari)

Mark III (TI-99)

Mark IV (CBM/PET)

Mark V (Osborne)

Mark VI (IBM-PC)

Mark VII (Auto Ans./Auto Dial) ....

Mark XII (1200 Baud)

TRS-80 Color Computer

9 Volt Power Supply

Hayes

.$ 79

79

... 109 ... 125 95

. 119 .299

Smartmodem 300

219

Smartmodem 1200

479

Smartmodem 1200B

459

265

299

269

Minromodem 100

299

Smart Com II 89

199

Novation

J-Cat

SmartCat 103

SmartCat 103/212

AutoCat

212 AutoCat

Apple Cat II

212 Apple Cat

Apple Cat 212 Upgrade .

Cat

D-Cat

PC-Cat

U.S. Robotics

212A Auto Dial

Password

. 179 . 399 .219 . 549 . 249 . 569 . 309 . 139 . 149

. 469 .375

ACCESSORIES

3M

51/4" SS/DD 19/Box

5'/4" DS/DD (96TPI) 45/Box

Memorex

5V<" SS/DD 19/Box

51/4" DS/DD 24/Box

Elephant

5V4" SS/SD 16/Box

51/4" SS/DD 22/Box

51/4" DS/DD 28/Box

Head

51/4" Disk Head Cleaner (2 Disk) 14

51/4" Disk Head Cleaner (1 Disk) 9

Koala Pad

Commodore 64 69

Apple 79

IBM 89

Kraft

Joystick 41

Apple Paddles 34

IBM Paddles 34

IBM Joystick 46

Print Wheels & Ribbons All Types Call

DISK DRIVES

CDC

51/4" 9409-DS/DD 379

Tandon

51/4"TM 100-1 -SS/DD 160K 150

51/4- TM 100-2A DS/DD 320K 225

TM101-4(96 TPI Quad Den) 339

8" TM848-2(DS/DD) 1.2 MG 400

Indus

GT—Apple 239

GT—Atari 349

Mlcro-Sd

A-2.(35TR) 189

A-20 (35TR) 169

A-40 (40TR) 269

Rana

Elite I 249

Elite II 399

Elite III 509

1000 ..- 319

ii

I"

STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND ON'

LOCKING FILE CASE

Can Stack, Hang on Wall, and Has Carrying Handle. SPECIAL

s1890

PRINTERS

$459

Comrex

ComWriter II Letter Quality ...

C. Itoh

Pro-writer I

(851 OA) Par 319

Pro-writer

(851 OA) Serial 419

1550 Parallel 499

1550 BCD SERIAL 549

F-10 40CPS (Letter Qual.) .. 899 F-10 55CPS (Letter Qual.) .1179 A-10 20CPS (Letter Qual.) . 449

Daisywriter

Daisywriter 2000 999

Daisywriter Cable 40

Datasouth

DS120 595

DS180 1155

DS220 1590

Diablo

620 (25CPS/Serial) 875

630 (40CPS/Multi-F) ... 1710

IDS Save $

Juki

6100-18

Mannesman-Tally

160L

180L

.... 589 .... 829

NEC

3550 (For IBM PC) 1499

3510 1219

7710 1649

Qume

1140 W/IBM Interface . 1359 1155 W/IBM Interface . 1489

Riteman

Portable 279

Star Micronics

Gemini 10X Call

Gemini 15X Call

Silver Reed

EXP 550P

575

Transtar

120 P 499

315 Color Printer 499

Sheet Feeders & Tractors Call

SPECIAL PRICES

Okidata Save $

Epson Save $

Toshiba (1351) Save $

FLOPPY fDISK RVICES

J

FLOPPY DISK SERVICES, INC. 39 Everett Dr., Bldg D Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

LEADERS IN INNOVATIVE DISK DRIVE

The FD-PC8™ is a new 8" double-sided disk drive sub-system

The FD-PC8 looks like your other IBM PC components. Same styling. Same color. Same dimensions, tt stacks neatly under, on top of, or next to your IBM PC, and better still, is only one-half the height of standard 8" drives. Matches Z100 &

2DriveSystem-$1 NEW! FD-PC5™

This versatile new disk drive enclosure comes completely tested and assembled with a 4" cooling fan, and is designed to offer a variety of mounting options, with the power supply rated for any of the following:

• full-size floppy disk drive

• full-size hard disk

• one or two half-height floppy disk drives

• one or two half-height hard disks

• one or two 3.5" drives

Full 1 year warranty—cable choice optional

♦ Full one year warranty or. materials and workmanship,

»IBM PC styled and r ;- ' i . I . , i, i. (■■..!' » IBM 3740 format compatible. • No-mar rubber feet.

" i

• Requires Maynard controller for use on PC

Um^Mu,:...... r

Standard controller . .$195.00

Controller w/par port 275.00

Controller w/ser port 285.00

Hard disk module 495.00

Modular board 110.00

Multldlsplay (mono & color board) 575.00

PGS, HX-12 RGB color monitor 525.00

Magnolia controller for the H-89 375.00

Data connectors of all types CALL

Power connectors for all drives CALL

We offer a wide assortment of enclosure sizes, styles and systems, Including both 5%" and 8;' IBM look-alikes, and more. All are well constructed, attractive and Immediately available at competitive prices. Call for details and prices.

DISK DRIVES and other Goodies!

Shugart (1 year war.)

sa-860 ds/dd half hgt 8" $505.00 2 @ 495 ea

sa-455 ds 48tpl Va hgt 5.25" 245.00 2 @ 230 ea

sa-465 ds 96tpl Vs hgt 5.25" 295.00 2 @ 275 ea

sa-300 ss 96tpi 3.5 Inch 265.00 2 ® 250 ea

sa-851 ds 8" full size 495.00 2 @ 480 ea

W.S.T. (formerly SIEMENS)

FDD-100-5B4 flippy 5.25" 235.00

FDD-211-5DS48tplforPC 265.00

FDD-221-5DS96tpl full size 335.00

FDD-100-5C3 (sa-400 compatible) 175.00

Heath H-89TWOETkit...

put 2 half height floppies Infernal to the H-89 with our exclusive mounting kit, call for details! Maynard Electronics for the IBM-PC

Memory module (bare) 210.00

64K 305.00

128K 410.00

192K 510.00

256K 615.00

With serial port add 100.00

With 2 serial ports 160.00

Controller w/mod ports 265.00

FDC8 8" controller 245.00

IMPORTANT NEWS!

We are moving, please take note of our address. Our new and expanded facilities will permit us to offer a higher level of service than ever before. Our growth is the result of your patronage; we thank you for it sincerely.

TERMS: MC. VISA, PREPAID. NO COD'S. PERSONAL CHECKS HELD FOR 10 DAYS. WE ALSO ACCEPT P.O.'S FROM MAJOR BUSINESSES & UNIVERSITIES, CALL FIRST.

V

223-0306 Ask for

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Circle 90 on inquiry card.

PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS

Now Stock

YOU SAVE $2182 °"

, 68000/Z80,CPtIBoag[^Memory . 768 Kbytes dEn« MaSei

omemco

BETTER THAN HAYES! BETTER THAN PASSWORD!

Prometheus ProModem™1200

1200baud Auto Answer/Originate Hayes Compatible Dial Up Modem

<0»

INCLUDES-'

Dig. Price; $149

IBM PC™ Compatible 15 Mbyte Hard Disk With Controller

Compatible With:

★ IBM-PC" and PC/XT"

★ Zenith Z150 ★ Tava

★ Compaq * Corona

PLUG N RUN, READY TO GO RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX!!

EXTERNAL WITH * 4 aa fCABINET AND

DATA CABLE OH"18111"11""5 (Stl Wl ,6lbsl

ADD-ON DRIVE FOR IBM PC™

5'A"48tpl FLOPPY,DOUBLE SIDED/DENSITY

TANDON EPSON

Full Height Half Height

iBfiMTNDTMIOOZ Reg.Price S340.00 B0EPN521 Reg. Price $269.00 Sh.Wt. 4lbs. Sh,Wt. 3lbs.

$219 $169

151A Floppy Cabinet for 2 Half Height or 1 Full Height with Power Supply BGJMR2SV5

(Sh.Wt 7lbs.) 6£A Reg. Pnce:S89 00 yv9

INTERNAL

(1050

BGIIIHDPCI15 (Sh Wl 11 lbs)

PROTECT YOUR DATA!! DATAGARD

NOISE and SUPRESSOR 6 Outlet 6'Cord /

B6M1RDB11SS (Sh. WL 3 lbs) List Price: $49.95

5V4" Double Density, Soft Sector, 40 Track

Ul( with IBM, Sanyo, Apple and Most Personal Computers

B6ULT514B1 i'°J^' SINGLE SIBED $19.00 BGULT51402 «aq f\f\ DOUBLE SIBED Vm&m W

Minimum 2 box

10 +boxes

$f 7.00

$26.00

purchase

i Programmable Intellegent Dialing

i Redial if busy

• Wait for tone before redialing(for SprintMCI)

' Help Commands Menu for quick reference

> Built in speaker for monitoring line operation

i Complete internal diagnostics

i Hayes command set compatible PLUS an additional extended command set

B8 PRMPM1200

List Price: $495.00

OUR PRICE

SKWt 2lbs.

SW PRACTICAL PRINTER m PERIPHERALS DUFFERS MICP.ODUFFF.FV-Stond alone Duffer

Put Numter

DlltHltlM

Ult Prtci Our Price

BSPRPMB1S84 BBPHPMB1PI4 BBPRPMEM64

64 K Serial 2lbs. 64K Parallel 2lbs. 64K Expansion Module

$349.00 8280.00 $349.00 $248.00 $179.00 $145.00

MICRODUFFER 11+ For Apple ll/lle ™ 16K, Expandable to 64K, Extensive Graphics Features, Serial or Parallel Ports.

BGPRPMB2PLUS1SS w/Senal cable 11b. $259.00 $189.00

BBPRPMB2PLUS10P w/Parallel Cable 11b $259.00 $110.00

8GPHPBRAPHICARD Graphics Only Printer Card $ 99.00 $ B5.00

BB PRPPRIHTERFACE Centronics Parallel 1/0 Card $ 75.00 S 50.00

DUFFERS for EPSON MX,FX,RX,ond I DM

B6PHPMBS8 B8PRPMBP1B

Serial 8K Butler Parallel 16K Buffer

$159.00 $129.00 S159.00 $129.00

BUY DRIVE AND CABINET TOGETHER AND SAVE $2101

DUAL SIEMENS FDD1008's with JMR2C8 Cabinet,Power Supply and Power Cobles

SIEMENS

$499

BBPBBJMRSIE (Drives shipped separate from cabinet: Package shipped in 3 containers)

Cabinet Only

BB-JMR2CB Dual 8" Cabinet Reg Price: 5339.00 (StlWt 35lbs.)

Sale Price $325.00

FDD1008 8" Drive Single Sided Double Density

PRIORITY

nna

EACH

(Sh.Wt16lbs.) Reg. Price:$185.00 B6SIEFD01008M Manual $10.00

Circle 253 on inquiry card.

ELECTRONICS

atsworth CA 91311:^887

ORDER TOLL FREE (800) 420-5922 - CA, AK, HI CALL (818) 709-5111

Terms U.S. VISA.MC, BAC, Check. Money Order, U.S. FundsONLY. CA residents add6'A% Sales Tax MINIMUM PREPAID ORDER$15.00. Include MINIMUM SHIPPING & HANDLING of $3.00 lor the first 3lbs, plus 40* for each additional pound {20* if within California). Orders over 70lbs sent freight collect Just in case; include your phone number. Prices subject to change without notica We will do our best to maintain prices though July, 1984. Credit card orders will be charrjed appropriate freioht. We are not responsible for typographical errors. Sale prices for prepaid order only.

ORDER TOLL FREE (600) 420-5922 - CA, AK, HI CALL (818) 709-5111

APPLE COMPATIBLE PERIPHERALS

• Z80 CARD

for 11 + - & lie" (Microsoft comp")

• 80 COLUMN CARD with Inverse & cable (Videx comp.™)

• GRAPHICS PRINTER CARD

with cable (Grappler + comp.)

• FAN lighted power switch, 2 switched outlets, surge protected.

• NASHUA DISKS soft sectored SSSD 10 to a box DSDD

• 128 RAM CARD (Titan, Saturn comp.™)

• DISK CONTROLLER CARD (Apple comp") $45

All cards are highest quality and fully socketed. • 6 MONTH WARRANTY • Call or write tor complete price list and data sheets

LANTON COMPUTER SYSTEMS

37 Juneau Boulevard • Woodbury, NY 11797 (NYS) 800-632-4441 • (outside NYS) 800-645-4441 Allow up to 3 weeks for personal checks to clear. Money orders, certified checks and C.O.D. orders shipped Immediately. Please include phone number. Prices and availabitty subject to change without notice. Shipping & handling charges $5 00 per order. NYS residents add sales tax.

$60

$90

$90

$40

$18 $25

$180

Our UNIFORTH Systems are used on computers from the VIC-20* to the VAX* , and now are available specifically customized for your DEC* mini- and microcomputer. All of these features are standard with UNIFORTH: enhanced FORTH-79 (strings, arrays, etc.); a full macro assembler; video editor (string functions, line stack); complete DOS interface (uses standard files for I/O): primitive disk utility (R/W any sector); IEEE-compatible floating point with all trig functions; single-step tracing; decompiler; text file support; vectored I/O; and an excellent 200-page User's

Manual. Prices:

Integer Version

Floailng Polnl Version'

Rainbow 100 (MSDOS* or

CP/M86* )

S IX

S ISO

ProlHsional 325 or 350 (P/OS)

300

400

LSI/PDP-11 (RT-11)

1M

220

LSI/PDP-11 (F.SX-11)

300

400

VAX-11 (VMS-11)

600

800

' specify B087. KEV-11 (FIS). FP

11 Of software floaiing poini.

North American postage is included; loreign c

wders add

$10. Maryland customers add 5% tax.

Unified Software Systems

P.O. Bo* 2644, New Carrollton. MD 20784, 301/552-9590

DEC. VAX.rTJP.R.T-U.RSX-11 (TM) Oigiinl Equlpmopl Corp: CP(M (TM) DkjM nmilffi: MSDOS (TM) Microsolt; VIC-20 (TM) Commodore.

Circle 180 on Inquiry card.

Circle 315 on Inquiry card.

SPECIAL DISKETTE OFFER

Verbatim Datalife Disks have 6 datashielding improvements for greater disk durability and longer data life. PLUS! If you call, write, or utilize reader service in response to this ad—we'll send you our full-range catalog of computer supplies with special Offers good for further savings on verbatim diskettes and many other quality products.

Call or write for our discount catalog.

LYBEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS

1250-e Rankin Dr., Troy, Ml 48083

Phone: (513) 589-3440

DATALIFE • THE NAME IS THE PROMISE THE WARRANTY IS THE PROOF

Circle I9I on Inquiry card.

SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER

ZINGER ONE

INS 8073 CPU WITH TINY BASIC INCL. 2K RAM EXPANDABLE TO 12K ON BOARD

RAM/ROM INTERCHANGEABLE EXPANDABLE TO 56K RAM/ROM OFF BOARD EEPROM PROGRAMMER ON BOARD 24 LINE 3 PORT PARALLEL I/O (8255) REQUIRES +5V @ 300 MA ONLY ON BOARD SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY EIA - RS 232 I/O PORT IDEAL FOR CONTROL OR ROBOTICS **** $119.95 ASMBLD & TESTED *"*

ZINGER INTERFACE BOARD

MAY BE PURCHASED WITH ANY OR ALL COMB. 276 WORD SPEECH SYNTHESIZER 8 CHANNEL A/D CONVERTER REAL TIME CLOCK WITH BATT. BACKUP 24 LINE 3 PORT PARALLEL I/O (8255)

64 KEY KEYBOARD INTERFACE 8 CHAR ALPHA/NUMERIC DISPLAY INTERRUPT REGISTER ON ALL DEVICES COMMODORE VIC 20 ADAPTER AVAILABLE

SCHULZ ENTERPRISES INC

1285 LAS TUNAS DR. SAN GABRIEL, CA 91776 (818) 287-5067

wabash

Flexible Diskettes

6 Year Warranty- 100% Certified

TREE 1 DELIVERY

51/4" $135

SINGLE SIDE T ■ „„_u 3INOIE DENSITY ■ SaCrl 411 TP1 W/HUB flIHQ OTYI0

i;,-..,< to pii son itck

BULK *« in

SSSD V| ■*

waj&|»., ■ each

W/HUB RTNO

5W' $155

UnqlI density ' each

MTPIWHUBRIW QTY2-0 (••„-*«< 10 wr 3 on/'ac*

W/HUB nma

51A" $189

DOUBLE S10£ * ■ „„ , DOUBLE DENSITY eaCh 4S TP) W/HUB RING QTYM

p»ct«j row Sen ^«ci

24 Hour Order Desk

ipl 1-800-634-2248

Visa, MasterCard, Cert, chk., M/O, CCD. cash. Get immediate shipment. Schools S govt, on P.O. #. Personal or company checks held 14.days. APO. FPO. Can. and other non-UPS delivered, add $5.

•Free delivery on minimum orders ol tSO or move Offiors add 12 lorSi H

Software Services'

1326 25lhSt. a, Suile H, Fargo. ND 581031-7O1-28O-O121

IC

PROMPT DELIVERY!!!

S SAME DAY SHIPPING (USUALLY)

DYNAMIC RAM

256K

150 ns

$48.99

64K

200 ns

5.44

64K

150 ns

5.37

64K

120 ns

6.80

16K

200 ns

1.21

EPROM

27256

250 ns

Call

27128

250 ns

$26.40

2764

200 ns

10.65

2732

450 ns

5.40

2716

450 ns

3.60

STATIC RAM

5565P-15

150 ns

$39.97

6264LP-15

150 ns

39.97

6116P-3

150 ns

6.36

MasterCard VISA or UPS CASH COO

Factory New, Prime Parts Jiroo

MICROPROCESSORS UNLIMITED 24,000 South Peoria Ave /a,B. oc-7 >tfXC4 BEGGS. OK. 74421 ls'°J «W"W01

Pi.flse call loc cu'roni 4 »ni„me pr<as P,eaa 5uD,ocl to cnaoga PWase a.pat, laoha.

Circle 275 on inquiry card.

Circle 281 on inquiry card,

Circle 221 on inquiry card.

Better

Business Basic

BB/M™The original Business Basic Programming Language from MAI/Basic Four.® It's fast: Lets you stop, make corrections and then continue the run. It's convenient: Built-in data file system. It's flexible: Powerful string handling. It's compatible: Runs under MS-DOS.

Call 800-321-9916 or write MAI* 601 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87108.

MM

Basic Four Business Products®

MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. MAI & Basic Four are registered trademarks of Management Assistance Inc.

PC'S LIMITED

IBM PC, 64K, 1 Drive and 10 meg

. . 12395

COMPAQ256K, I/360KDrive,

Tava PC 128 K, 1 Drive, 10 meg Internal. .

. .12390

. .1895

64K RAM for PC and XT

...149

Prices Subject m change without notice

SHIPPING FREE WITHIN I SA

EXTRA FOR NEXT DAY AIR

ALL EOITPMENTCARRIES FACTORY WARRANTY

IBM is a trademark of IBM Corp.

Credit Cards add J*

Quantitv Pricing Available

PC's LIMITED

(512)478-5838

404 East 32nd Street Suite #307

Austin, Texas 78705

5-100 COLOR GRAPHICS!

• Field-proven board meets IEEE-696 standard; lully socketed with solder masks, silkscreen and gold contact fingers.

• Prioritized display with backdrop and pattern planes plus 32 sprite planes; each pixel in a plane can be colored or transparent.

• Three graphics and one tent display mode; maximum graphics resolution is 256H x 192V in 16 colors.

• Composite video output.

■ On board 16K RAM Is separate Irom system memory.

• Vertical retrace intenupt lor real time clock capability.

• 0-4 wall states tot use with last MPUs.

■ All board options are DIP switch selectable.

»Prolessional quality documentation with BASIC demonstration programs and Tl's TMS9918A manual

• Exclusive Graphics Editor available on 8" SSSD

CP M-compati^e diskette 1199.95

(A & T)

HlcroPunamlci

Suite 245

Corporation

1355 Lynntield Road • Memphis. TN 38119 (90D-682-4054

Price includes MICROSFfllTE with documentation. Graphics Editor diskette—S995. UPS ground-S2.00. UPS air—S4.00. COD—S1.65. loreign add $15.00. VISA «, MC welcome.

Circle 219 on Inquiry card.

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3.95

74LS162

1.25

74LS640

3.95

74LS163

1.25

74LS668

2.75

74LS164

1.65

74LS645

4.95

74LS165

1 25

74LS670

2.50

74LS690

2.50

74S00

74S00

74S02

74S03

74S04

74S05

74S0B

74S09

74S10

74S11

74S15

74S20

74S22

74S30

74S32

74S38

74S40

74S51

74S64

74S65

74S74

74S86

74S112

74S113

74S114

74S124

74S133

74S134

74S135

74S136

74S138

74S139

74S140

74S151

74S153

74S157

74S158

74S160

74S161

74S163

74S174

74S175

74S188

74S194

74S195

74S196

74S225

74S240

74S241

74S242

74S243

74S251

74S253

74S257

74S258

74S260

74S280

74S283

74S287

74S288

74S289

74S373

74S374

74S387

74S471

74S472

74S473

74S474

74S475

75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 1.95 .95 .95 .95 .95 1.50 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 3.65 .95 1.25 1.65 2.25 1.95 1.95 1.25 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 2.95 3.95 3.95 2.25 2.25 3.55 2.55 2.55 2.55 7.75 2.95 2.95 3.95 3.95 2.25 2.25 1.95 1 95 1.25 2.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 4.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 7.95 7.95 7.95 9.95 9.95

7400 SERIES CALL FOR PRICE

1984 IC Master Manual

S79.9S plus $5.00 shipping

MISC

MOS

STATIC

EPROM

RAM

2708

5.95

2101

2.95

2716-450

3.95

5101

4.95

2732-450

5.95

2114-450

1.95

2732-250

6.95

2114-200

2.15

2764-450

7.95

2147

4.95

2764-250

9.95

6116-4

5.75

2764-300

9.95

6116-3

6.75

27128-250

25.95

6116-2

7.95

TMS2516

4.95

6116LP-4

6.75

TMS2716

7.95

6116LP-3

6.95

TMS2532

5.95

6116LP-2

8.95

DYN. RAM

4116-200 4116-150 4116-120 4164-200 4164-150

1.95 2.25 2.95 6.75 6.95

6502

4.95

68000

49.95

8748

24.95

8255-5

5.95

82S123

2.55

82S129

2.99

82S131

3.99

93422

8.95

93L422

9.95

93425

3.95

93427

8.95

D2125AL-2

3.95

D2104

1.95

AY5-3600

12.95

6810

3.95

8304

3.95

o o

SOUND CHIPS

76477

2.95

76489

8.95

AY3-8910

9.95

AY3-8912

12.95

CRYSTALS

32 758khz

1.75

1 Omhz

3.95

1 8432

3.95

2.0

2.95

2.097152

2.95

24576

2.95

3 2768

2.95

3.579535

95

40

2.95

50

2.95

50688

2.95

5 185

2.95

5.7143

2.95

6.0

2.95

6 144

2.95

6 5536

2.95

80

2.95

100

2.95

10 738635

2.95

12.00

2.95

14 31818

2.95

15 0

2.95

16 0

2.95

17 430

2.95

18 0

2.95

18 432

2.95

20 0

2.95

22 1184

2.95

32 0

2.95

GENERAL PURPOSE BOARDS

BLANK BOARD - HOLES ON 100'' GRID, No ETCHED CIRCUIT EXCEPT CONTACT FINGER

No Contacts

Size

Contact Centers

Price

P 441-1

22/44

4.5'

x 6"

156 '

9.95

P 442-1

22/44

4.5

x 9"

156"

10.95

P 721-1

36/72

4.5'

x 6"

.100"

9.95

P 722-1

36/72

4.51

x 9"

.100"

10.95

D

- SUBMINIATURE CONNECTORS

nesnrinllnn

Solder Cup

Right Angle PC Mounting |

Hood

Pin

Socket

Pin

Socket

Grey

Black

Pari No

DXXP

DXXS

RDXXP

RDXXS

DXXCGY

DXXC

Contacts

9

2 05

2 65

3.90

3.20

1.55

15

2.05

3.60

3.70

5.40

1.55

25

2.50

3 25

4.50

4.80

1.55

1.25

37

4 75

7.10

9.40

10.95

2.95

50

600

9.25

3.50

MODEMS

MARK I MARK VI

ADAPTER

RS 232C. 300 BAUD. DIR CONN IBM COMPATIBLE 300 BAUD DIR CONN., AUTO ANS/DIAL RS 232C. 300 BAUD, DIR CONN AUTO ANS/DIAL RS 232C, 300/1200 BAUD DIR CONN . AUTO ANS/DIAL 115VAC lo 9V DC

IBM PC SMARTMODEM 1200B. Plug-in SMARTCOM II COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE SMARTMODEM 300. AUTO ANS/DIAL. 300 BAUD. RS232 SMARTMODEM 1200. AUTO ANS/DIAL. 1200 BAUD. RS232 SMARTMODEL lie. 300 BAUD. AUTO ANS/DIAL, Plug-in SMARTCOM I COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE

89 00 199 00

9.00

449.00 99.00 199 00 47500 279.00 7900

BARE BOARDS

P 25 x 45 P 45 x 65 P 45 x 85 P 45 X 170 P 85 x 1 70

2.5" .4.5" 4 5" 4 5" 8.5"

X 4.5" X 6.5" x 8 5" x 170" x 170"

2.50 4.95 6.50 11.95 19.95

S - 100 BOARD (5 3" x 10"| HOLES ON 100" GRID

P 100-1 P 100-2 P 100-3

Blank Board Horizontal Busses Vertical Busses

15 95 22.95 2295

EDGE CARD CONNECTORS

PIN PIN PIN PIN

WW ST WW ST

4.95 2.95 5.95 6.95

WIRE WRAP WIRE

WIRE KIT »1 $9.95

200/3". 250/3.5". 100/4". 4.5". 5". 6" WIRE KIT «2 $24.95 250/2.5". 4.5". 5". 500/3". 3 5". 4" 100/5 5". 6". 6.5". 7"

SPOOLS AVAILABLE IN RED. BLUE. YELLOW AND BLACK

50'

3.29

100'

4.30

250

7 25

500'

13.25

1000'

21.95

IC SOCKETS

WW = WIRE WRAP

1 - 99

100

8 PIN WW

55

45

14 PIN WW

65

55

16 PIN WW

65

.55

18 PIN WW

89

.79

20 PIN WW

1 00

90

22 PIN WW

1 15

1 05

24 PIN WW

1 19

1 09

28 PIN WW

1 45

1 35

40 PIN WW

1 69

LP =

LOW PROFILE

6 PIN LP

.10

.09

8 PIN LP

.12

.10

14 PIN LP

.14

.12

16 PIN LP

16

14

18 PIN LP

18

16

20 PIN LP

.28

26

22 PIN LP

28

24

24 PIN LP

30

26

28 PIN LP

40

32

40 PIN LP

48

38

64 PIN LP

4 10

Tel: 1-(800)-821-3628

D- SUBMINIATURE CONNECTOR JUMPERS

25DP36

36"

Single Male

12.00

25DS36

36"

Single Female

12.80

25DP36DP

36"

Male to Male

18.95

25DP60DP

60"

Male to Male

19.95

25DS36DS

36"

Female to Female

18.95

25DS60DS

60"

Female to Female

19.95

25DP36DS

36"

Mate to Female

18.95

25DP60DS

60"

Male to Female

19.95

FLOPPY DISK DRIVES

FOR IBM PC Shugart Panasonics Toshiba Tandon

SA455L 5'V

TM100-2A FOR APPLE II AND lie

320 KB 320KB 320KB 320KB

Handwell Handwell

Taxan Tax an Taxan Taxan

HD-40 HSD-80

12 in 12 in.

5V 5'/."

V: High 'h High '« High Full High

Full High '/.High

green amber

color monitor color monitor

Vision 420 Vision III

209.00 179.00 209.00 209.00

175.00 185.00

130.00 135.00 550.00 500.00

RESISTORS

V. WATT 5% CARBON FILM FROM 1 OHM TO 10M OHM

50 pes 100 pes 1000 pes 5000 pes

/iWATT

50 pes 100 pes 1000 pes 5000 pes

99

I. 89 9.50

42.50

5% CARBON FILM

1.25 2.35

II. 50 52.50

.02 ea .019 ea .010 ea .009 ea

025 ea 024 ea 012 ea 011 ea

JOYSTICK FOR APPLE II

$32!

00

RIBBON CABLE

GREY

COLOR CODED

Contacts

3

10"

3

10"

10

145

4 50

1 95

5 95

14

1 95

4 70

2 40

7 25

16

» 75

490

2 50

7 50

20

2 10

5 50

3 10

9 25

24

t70

6 50

2 95

9 50

25

1 75

6 50

3 05

10 05

40

3 95

1 50

3 75

1B30

50

4 15

200

7 50

22 75

60

5 50

9 00

27 30

ENTRONIC F

HINT

ER CABLE 12 95

FOR APPLE II & lie

16K RAM CARD

Compatible with DOS 3 3 CP/M Visicalc. PASCAL 1 YR WARRANTY

S39.!

Apple ll/lle Compatible Disk Drive

$175.00

CONTROLLER CARD $49.9!

Speedy EPROM Programmer lor Apple II $149.00

Programming 2716. 2732. 2732A, 2764. 27128, 2516, 2532, 2564 in 30 seconds, software control programming, no additional hardware required.

U/V EPROM ERASER General Industries $37.50

SUPER COOLING FANS For APPLE WITH SURG

$39.

CENTRONICS

RIBBON CONNECTORS!

CEN 36 M 8.75 [ CEN 36 F 9.75 CAPACITORS |

* Ceramic Disc

* Electrolytic

* Tantalum

* Mylar

* Monolithic

FOR IBM P/C

MULTIFUNCTION BOARD WITH

128K. 2 Serial Port. 1 Parallel Port. Real Time Clock

' $399.00

Color Graphic Display Card

$270.00

64K MEMORY EXPANSION KIT for IBM/PC

$52.9S

Joy Stick for IBM P/C

$35.°°

8087

MATHEMATICS CO-PROCESSOR

$199.00

TERMS For shipping include S2 00 for UPS Ground or S3 00 for UPS Blue Label Air Hems over 4 lbs require additional shipping charges $10.00 minimum order.

IBM is a trade mark of International Business Machines Corporation Apple is a trade mark ol Apple Computer

Price is subject to change without notice

Circle 144 on inquiry card.

rrice is suoject io cnang*

US Handwell

| 4962 EL CAMINO REAL • LOS ALTOS. CA 94022 • (4151 962-9265

TXL 171947 HANDWELL LTOSl

JULY 1984 -BYTE

1-(800) 821-3628

corp

431

d BASE II

$265.00

d BASE III

(ibm pc) $365.00 Friday! - $179.00 FRAMEWORK - Call

VISA/MC WELCOME

Cabrillo Software

a division of Cabrillo Computer Service

484 Mobil Ave., Suite 42 Camarillo, CA 93010

(805) 484-5353 (800) 421-7354in caiif (800) 321-5753 usa

COBOL CROSS REFERENCE $95

Required:

IBM-PC, DOS-2.0, 128K memory, S one disk drive. Limits:

1,400 data names & 11,000 references.

Prints cross reference and/or source code. Accepts most versions of COBOL as input. This is a stand alone program which will flag duplicate data names and invalid references. Your name will appear in the report heading. Please print your name and address distinctly.

Street Address

City. Stale, Zip

Send a check or money order ($95.00) to:

META SYSTEMS INC. ALASKA 200 W. 24th Ave., Suite 115 Anchorage, AK 99503

wabasH

When it conies to Flexible Disks, nobody does it better than Wabash.

MasterCard. Visa Accepted. Call Free: (800)235-4137

PACIFIC EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd San Luis Obispo. CA 93401 (In Cal call (805) 543-1037)

Circle 57 on Inquiry card.

Circle 206 on inquiry card.

Circle 243 on Inquiry card.

-» All LOMAS DATA PRODUCTS' <18-Btl. S-100 Bus: Systems & Boards

DISCOUNTS ' * «

25% off List Price (UPS extra) for Cashier's Check or Money Order

+ + +

you save MONEY = We save TIME + + +

See -> LOMAS <- ad In BYTE or request complete specifications

\ UQHTNIHQ SPEED /

80286-CPU & 80287-NDP: $1458. 75

/ / WUNPerflW PERFORMANCE I I

80186 & I/O & 2S6K-DRAM & 5. 25V8" disk controller s CCP/M-86: *(/98.25

Configured for SanTec-S700 printer: ToloVldoo-GA9 70C VDT: $1121.75 Spellblndar-6.30 W/P: $371.25

HIERATIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS BOX 133; MEDFORO, MA 02155 (817) 391-8659

/ WILL BEAT ANY PRICE IN i.S.A.

XEBEC (Datamac)-Sunol Systems Winchester Disk Drives Outstanding Quality Products, Latest Technology Satisfaction Guaranteed 7 Days Trial, The Best Hard Drive Subsystem in the World Complete and Ready to Run, Full Year Warranty

10 MB 5'/i" * 1,195.00

16 MB 5Vt" * 1,895.00

25 MB 5'/4" -* (\rrf ... $ 2,150.00

30 mb svt" I \ ryn- - * 2,195.00

40 MB 5V4" *.V r.V.. . ■ $ 3,495.00

65 MB 5V." .. .y-^. -m-m-m-,. ■ $ 3,995.00

92 mb sw ...I I lr lr.. $ 4,895.00

184 MB 5Vi" . . .\JM. A . . . S 8.995.00

368 MB 5'/4" $17,895.00

MX-4 Multiple User Kits $ 400.00

PTR Server Automatic Despools. * 1,295.00 Compatible with the following systems: Access Matrix (Actrixl/IBM & IBM Compatibles/Apple II, II+ , He, III, III + ,/Altos/ Atari 800/DEC EPSON QX-10/NEC P.C.-8000/ North Star/Osborne/S-100/Texas Instrument TRS-80 Model I, II, Ill/Zenith Z89, 90, 100/ Kaypro/Xerox 820/Televideo 802 & 802H/ Sanyo 550 & 555/Commodore 64 {Next day delivery available!

MANDINGO COMPUTERS & CAMERAS

900 CASCADE DRIVE FORT WASHINGTON, MARYLAND 20744 13011292-5632 13011292 6732

'IBM PC Compatible

E-PROMS — CALL! Lowest Prices Anywhere

M164-150P $530

•4164-200/250 515/469

.6116-P3 599

*IBM Ex/Color Boards.... CALL IBM PC, XTs ... Below Market/ CALL Disk Drives: (f.o.b. Tampa)

•TM-100-2 21924

•Half-Heights-2 21924

*10mbWin 1,38547

IMS/DOS 2 07IBM plug in & go)

Add $2.95 shipping to all orders • Prices subiect to change • P.O.'s on approval • CO D. OK • All new, no surplus, no seconds 4920 Cypress St., Tampa, FL 33607 In FL and for info, call 813-875-0299 FOR ORDERS ONLY, 800-237-8910

B 9fi 8AM-8PMEDT

Circle 152 on Inquiry card.

Circle 196 on inquiry card.

Circle 244 on Inquiry card.

PRINTER CABLES $30.00

SHIPPING INCLUDED

INTERFACE CABLES

INTERFACE CABLES

Parallel Printer

RS232 Serial

Interface Cable

Interface Cable

Apple

TELEVIDEO

Centronics

Columbia

DB 25

Epson

Male/Female

Eagle

IBM PC

Cable Length

Kaypro

up to 10 feet

NEC

WANG

Zenith

SPECIAL PRICING AVAILABLE TO DEALERS CUSTOM CABLES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

FABRICATION

CONCEPTS,

INC.

8230 Mlralanl Drive • San Diego, CA 92126 (619) 271-4522

6800/6809

Micro Modules

OEM 6800/6809 MICROCOMPUTER MODULES for dedicated control and monitoring. Interfaces tor sensors, transducers, analog signals, solenoids, relays, lamps, pumps, motors, keyboards, displays, IEEE-488, serial I/O, floppy disks.

Uf I«'I' *} mr 1801 south snoot lilW ■ li 1^ Lalayelte, IN 47904 1 317.742.8428

le 328 on inquiry card.

DATA ACQUISITION

and control for ANY computer

The Model 8232 communicates via FtS-232, and has 8 analog inputs (0-5 VDC; 8 bits), 8 digital inputs and outputs, and a 2000 point buffer. Suitable for field data logging or lab use, the 8232 costs only $540. Direct bus-connect unit for TRS80/111 & 4 is $295. Detailed manual, $6. Phone our applications engineer or write:

+ l STARBUCK + +

K K DATA COMPANY K ^

PO Box 24. Newton, MA 02162 (617) 237-7695

Circle 288 on inquiry card.

THE PC SYSTEM SPECIALIST

PRICES AND AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT-NOTICE

SPECIAL OF THE MONTH

"LAVA PC

A Superior quality IBM PC Compatible Personal Computer. Runs DOS 1.1, 2.0, 2.1, CP/M86®. UCSD p-System®, Runs Lotus 1-2-3®. Multi-plan®, WordStar®, PFS®, dBASEII®, and many more! Hardware includes 128K CPU, Floppy Controller, Two DS/DD Disk Drives, Video Monitor, Video Adapter, Parallel & Serial Ports.

CALL FOR LOW PRICE

Suggested Ust $2395.00

FREE Lotus 123 or Gemini 10X with TAVA purchase.

PERSONAL COMPUTER

Special of the Month!

IBM PC COMPLETE LINE

COMPLETE SYSTEM VERY SPECIAL PRICE

64K, TWo Disk Drives, Floppy Disk Controller, Video Card and High Res Monitor $2399

256K RAM, 360KB Disk Drive, FDC, Video Monitor & Adaptor WMBHard Disk Sub-System $3990

PRINTERS

OKIDATA 82 OKIDATA 92 OKIDATA 93 OKIDATA 84 EPSON FX 80

120 cps CALL

160 cps CALL

160 cps CALL

200 cps CALL

160 cps $499

EPSON FX 100-160 cps CALL

NEC 3550 $1899

DYNAXDX-15 13 cps $450

BROTHER HR-1 16cps $599

BROTHER HR-25 23 cps $749

GEMINI 10 X 120 cps CALL

GEMINI 15 X 120 cps CALL

DISK DRIVES

SLIMLINE QUMETRAC142 $199

TOSHIBA $205

PANASONIC $199

FULL SIZE TANDOM TM100-2 $199

PERIPHERAL CARDS

GAME/SERIAL/PAR $39

64K MEMORY $50

MONOGRAPHIC CALL

HERCULES GRAPHICS CARD $369

PLANTRONICS COLOR PLUS $439

QUADRAM COLOR I/II CALL

PARADISE MULTI-DISPLAY $489

MONITORS

AMDEK 300 G $149

300A $159

310 A $169

PRINCETON HX-12 $490

SR-12 CALL

MAX-12A CALL

ROLAND MB-122 G $139

MB-122 A $149

PERIPHERAL CARDS

AST SIXPACKPLUS 64K $299

MEGA PLUS 64K $299

I/OPLUS-ls, lpc $190

MODEMS

HAYES 1200B CALL

1200 CALL

300 CALL

631 E. first St., Tustin, Cfl 92680

(714) 838-9100

'IBM PC is a registered trademark of IBM Corp

•dBASE II is a registered trademark of ASHTON-TATE. Inc

LOTUS 1-2-3 is a registered trademark of Lotus Development

v\fordstar. Spellstar. Mailmerge are registered trademarks ol Micropro International

Visicalc is a registered trademark of Visicorp

Multiplan :s a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp PFS is a registered trademark of Software Publishing Co CP/M86 is a registered trademark of Digital Research. Inc MS-DOS is a registered trademark ol Microsoft Corp UCSDp is a registered trademark ol Softech Microsystems

Circle 220 on inquiry card.

JULY 1984 -BYTE 433

LE DISCS

WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!! Call Free (800)235-4137

for prices and information. Dealer inquiries invited and CCD's accepted.

PACIFIC EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. In Cal. call (800)592-5935 or (805)543-1037

PRINTER RIBBONS

PRICE PER PER

RIBBON DOZEN

ANADEX 9500 10.50 109.80

APPLE DMP 5.25 52.20

C. IT0H PROWRITER 5.25 52.20

EPSON MX-FX 70/80 5.00 48.00

EPSON MX-FX 100 6.75 69.00

GEMINI 10-10X-15-15X 2.50 23.40

IBM HARMONICA W 6.75 78.00

IBM HARMONICA %" 7.95 92.40

IBM 4-C0L0R 15.75 180.00

IDS MICROPRISM-480 5.75 58.80

IDS PAPER TIGER 460/560 6.75 78.00

IDS PRISM 7.95 92.40

IDS 4-C0L0R 15.75 180.00

NEC- 3500 M/S Non Flip 6.25 69.00

NEC - 3500 NYLON 9.00 96.00

NEC PC-8023A 5.25 52.20

OKI DATA 80/82/83/92 2.50 23.40

OKIDATA- 84 5.00 57.00

RADIO SHACK DMP-2100 7.50 87.00

RADIO SHACK LP VI & VIII ... 5.75 58.80

SILVER REED EX 550 S/S 5.00 57.00

SILVER REED EX 550 NYLON .... 9.00 105.00

TOSHIBA- 1350 7.50 87.00

XEROX 610/620 M/S 5.95 66.00

Add $3.00 Ship. & Hand. - To Order Call Toll Free 1-800-742-1122

In Ml (313) 569-3218 or Write for our Catalog

□WIGHT COMPANY, INC.

15565 Northland Drive - West Tower Southfield, Michigan 48075-6496

THE OFFICIAL NUMBER TO CALL TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE UNOFFICIAL APPLE LOGO: 617-492-8816

Terrapin"1

The Logo People

Terrapin, Inc., 380 Green Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, (617) 492-8816

Circle 243 on Inquiry card.

Circle 116 on inquiry card.

Circle 305 on inquiry card.

DISK DRIVES

(For PC, Mod I, III & IV)

Qume 1 42A S209

Teac FD55B $179

Tandon TM100-2 S209

Tandon TM101-4 $295

CDC 9409 $219

Case and PS $ 45

PC EXPANSIONS

Maynard Disk Controller S162

Sandslar Series Scall

InternallOMB HDsyslems:WS4 . $959

WS1 $990

Quadboard (64K) $269

Quadcolor I $199

AST SixpackPlus (64 K) $269

MegaPlus (64 K) $269

I/O Plus $114

2nd SP. PP or Game $ 35

HERCULES graphics board $349

HAYES Modems: 300 $209

Smartmodem 1200 $489

Smartmodem 1200B $435

Set of 9 chips (64 K) $ 55

VLM Computer Electronics

10 Park Place • Momstown. NJ 07960 (2011267-3268 Visa, MC, Check or COD

CPM IBM-PC TRS-DOS XENIX

Multiple

Stepwise

Ridge

All Subsets

Backward Elimination Time Series Analysis Descriptive Statistics Transformations

* Survey Research

* Nonparametrics ' X-Y Plots

' ANOVA

" Random Samples " Data Base " Search & sort " Hypothesis tests

Please call TOLL FREE 1-800-334-0854 (Ext. 814)

a

for more information or write: Quant Systems Box 628 Charleston, SC 29402 VISA-M/C Accepted

GILTRONIX SWITCHES ARE THE REST CHOICE.

.. and here are 10 good reasons why:

IBM PC APPLE

1. Serial (RS232) or Parallel (Cenlronlcs)

2. Prompt Deliveries

3. Nationally Advertised Products

4. Broad Product Una

5. Over 30.000 Units Sold to Dale

6. Sales end Technical Support

7. F.C.C. Approved Units

8. Manual and Automatic Unite

9. Highest Quality PC Board Swltcti Technology

10. Buy Direct From Qiltronix, or From Any Authorized Distributor

Manual Units—2 to 6 Ports Automatic Units—3 to 15 Ports

Circle 259 on Inquiry card.

<X?(.iUroiiiY r

Circle 140 on Inquiry card.

a

PAL, EPR0M

& UV ERASERS

from $49.95

LOGICAL DEVICES INC.

Guitome^ £npp&it U, ojf utmoit 9 wtfi&donce>

SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 200

QQQOQCDQ

ORDER TOLL FREE

1-800-EE1-PROM

(1-800-331 -7766)

Circle 186 on inquli

3DGE-PC: An Affordable

IBM PC-Compatible System for $1495.

• PC-BB CPU card $399

• Color/Graphic card $189 ■ 5-1/4" diskette adapter card $145

• Multifunction card (64k) $220

• Keyboard $153

• System Enclosure $129

• 6SW Power Supply with fan box $135

3DGE MICRO SYSTEMS, INC. 2350 WALSH AVE., SANTA CLARA, CA 95051 (408) 980-9866 TLX 3719075 EDGE UB

Circle 124 on Inquiry card.

T & A SYSTEMS

MODEMS ust

U.S. Robotics Pesswork 300/1200 Autodot/AutoAnswer. $449 Riiou R212AI (300/1200 10 no Autodial/Auto Lo| on] $499

Pinril (300/1 ZOO) J525

Hayes 1200 Smirl Modem $699

ItK 124(2400/1200/300 Selectable. 18 monib warranty] $1195

General Data Ccmm 4100 '.800 works multipoint $1575

Unmnal Dili Systems 9600 IB 19600 Dili -up') S2650

CRTS

Liberty Electronics Findom 100 (20 functii relates 1000 (1110 Mains. Status Line] Visual 50 (Gieen Pnosphur screen) Telsyideo 9S0 Leal Ziiiler ADM 11

Kimlron (New Product Fully DEC Compatible)

PRINTERS

Panasonic 1091 (120 CPS Dot Matrix. 3 Print Tellies 1014120 CPS Daisy wheel Senal 6 Parallel Parts Siemens PTSB (Silent 150 CPS Ink Jet) TalrridM 740 (45 CPS Daisy Wheel)

SWITCHES

Glllldnis (24 Wire A/B Switch) jr.59 KeA/0 Switch 24 Pin $J30

HARD DISK

Mountain DO MEG loi Apple Franklin IBM) $2495

MONITOR

Panasonic TFt 120 (High Resolution-! 100 Lines) $220

P.O. 801 692 Wheeling. tL 60090

800-323-2666

II Editing) $495 $599 $695 $1195 $695 $796

Modes) $599 Sid I $649 $900 $1595

COST $350 $399 $399 $510 $890 $1395 CALL!

CALL S $496 $595 CALL $ CALL $ C»LL$

CALL $ $457 CALL $ CALL $

CALL $ CALL $

CALL $ $150

Circle 160 on Inquiry card.

Lyco Computer Marketing & Consultants

T0°R°ER toll free 800-233-8760

CALL US

In PA 1 717-327-1824

MANNESMANN TALLY

SPIRIT 80 $299.00

MTL-160L $559.00

MTL-180L $775.00

NEC

NEC8023 $369.00

NEC8025 $699.00

PRINTER INTERFACING

AVAILABLE FOR COMMODORE VIC, APPLE, ATARI, IBM-PC, TRS-80, Tl, AND OTHERS

STAR

SAVE "PRINTERS

MICRONTICS GEMINI 10X .$259.00

GEMINI 15X $379.00

DELTA 10 $449.00

DELTA 15 S525.00

RADIX 10 S575.00

RADIX 15 $675.00

POWERTYPE $CALL

SWEETP(ModellOO) ...$549.00 STX80 $149.00

SMITH CORONA TP2 ...$449.00

CITOH

GORILLA GX-100 $169.00

GORILLA SERIAL $199.00

PROWRITER 8510 $335.00

PROWRITERII $575.00

8600 S899.00

STARWRITER $999.00

PRINTMASTER $1299.00

SHEET FEEDER $425.00

620 $929.00

630 $1699.00

8510 SP $499.00

8510 SCP $559.00

A10 LETTER OUAL $499.00

EPSON

RX-80 $CALL

RX-80 FT $FOR

FX-80 $CURRENT

FX-100 $PRICES

OKI DATA

80 $SAVE

82A $0N THESE

83A $IN-STOCK

84 SPRINTERS

92 SCALL4

93 $SAVE$

PRINTING PAPER

3000 SHEETS

FAN FOLD $42.75

1000 SHEETS

FAN FOLD S19.75

1000 SHEETS LETTER... $21.95

200 SHEETS LETTER $8.99

150 RAG STATIONERY. ..$10.99 MAILING LABELS (1 In) ...$9.75 14x11 1000 FANFOLD ... $24.75

WICO

COMMODORE & ATARI

JOYSTICK $16.75

RED BALL $18.75

BOSS JOYSTICK $12.75

TRACK BALL $32.75

12 FT EXT CORD $6.95

Tl ADAPTER $9.95

APPLE ANALOG $34.75

IBM-PC ANALOG $34.75

MODEMS

ANCHOR MARK I $45.75

ANCHOR MARK II $79.75

HAYES SMART $239.00

HAYES MICRO II $309,00

MICROBIT 1000C $129.00

CAT $144.00

D-CAT $155.00

J-CAT $115.00

APPLE CAT II $279.00

21 2 APPLE CAT $589.00

DISKETTES

ELEPHANT

SINGLE SIDE SO (10) ....$17.75 S0(100) $16.75/10

SINGLE SIDE DD (10) .... $21.75 DD(100) $20.75/10

DOUBLE SIDE DO (10) ...$26.75 DD(100) $24.75/10

MAXELL

MD1 (10) $27.75

MD2(10) $37.75

CERTRON CASSETTES

CC-10(12) $15.99

CC-20(12) $17.99

DUST COVERS

800 $3.99

400 $3.99

1200 $3.99

410 $3.99

810 $3.99

600 XL $5.99

800XL $5.99

1050 $5.99

1010 $5.99

PROWRITER $5.99

GEMINI 10X $5.99

PERCOM $5.99

EPSON $5.99

RANA $5.99

VIC 64/20 $5.99

VIC 1541 $5.99

COMPUTER CARE BIB

DISK DRIVE CLEANER. COMPUTER CARE KIT .

$12.75 .$19.75

NORTRONICS

DISK DRIVE CLEANER

WITH SOFTWARE FOR

IBM-PC. ATARI. VIC.

APPLE. & Tl $29.75

DISK CLEANER REFILLS.. .$14.75

CASS DRIVE CLEANER $9.95

MEDIA BULK ERASER ...$46.75

MONITORS

SAKATA COLOR $249.00

TAXAN GREEN $119.00

TAXAN AMBER $129.00

TAXAN RGB

COMPOSITE $289.00

ZENITH AMBER $105.00

ZENITH GREEN $95.00

GORILLA GREEN $88.00

GORILLA AMBER $95.00

NEC JB1260 $99.00

NEC JB1205 $145.00

NEC JB1 215 COLOR . . $269.00

AMDEK GREEN $145.00

AMDEK AMBER $149.00

AMDEK COLOR 1- $289.00

CONTINENTAL 64

HOME ACCOUNT D $44.75

TAX ADVANTAGE $35.75

F.C.M $35.75

64 USERS OF ENCYC ...$12.75

20 ENCYCLOPEDIA $12.75

KOALA 64

KOALA TABLET 569.75

PROGRAMMERS GUIDE. ..$12.75 GEOMETRIC DESIGNS . . . $22.75

LOGO DESIGN S27.75

SPIDER EATER S22.75

HES 64

HES MODEM S49.95

M. MULTIPLAN $65.75

TURTLE TUTOR $22.75

TURTLE TRAINER $22.75

TURTLE GRAPHICS $37.75

SOUND BOX .$9.95

64 FORTH $39.95

HESMON $22.75

Qz. commodore

CARDCO

ATARI

Computers for people. O

800XL"....."...$ CALL 1050 DISK DRIVE SCALL

G PRINTER

INTERFACE $64.75

B PRINTER

INTERFACE $39.75

KEY PAD 64 $29.75

LIGHT PEN $29.75

3 SLOT EXPANSION $24.75

5 SLOT EXPANSION $54.75

6 SLOT EXPANSION $79.75

PRINTER UTILITY $19.75

CASSETTE INTERFACE...$29.75

WRITE NOW 20 $29.75

WRITE NOW 64 $39.75

MAIL NOW $29.75

DM-1 PRINTER $109.75

LQ-1 PRINTER $499.75

BRODERBUND 64

BANK STREET D $44.75

CHOPLIFTER R $29.95

DAVID'D MAGIC $24.95

DROL D/R $24.95

LODE RUN D/R $24.95

SEAFOX R $29.95

TRAK DISK DRIVES

AT-D1 S379.00

AT-D2 $399.00

AT-D2 TURBO PAK $22.95

PRINTER CABLE S22.95

CONCORD DISK DRIVES

APPLE 163K DRIVE $199.00

APPLE 326K DRIVE $229.00

APPLE CONTROLLER CARD $69.00

COMMODORE VIC 174K... $289.00 COMMODORE VIC348K...$359.00

ATARI 176K MASTER ... $289.00 ATARI 348K MASTER ... $369.00 ATARI ADD-ON DRIVES... SCALL

PERCOM niCK' AT88S1 . LNbK

..$249.00 DRIVES

ATARI AT88-PD $329.00

AT-88 DOUBLER $129.00

ADD-ON DRIVES $ CALL |

HARD FOR 5 MEG

OISK APPLE 10 MEG

DRIVES IBM-PC 15 MEG

AVAILABLE 20 MEG

INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS

DISK STORAGE (10) $4.95

DISK STORAGE (15) $9.95

DISK STORAGE (25) $19.95

DISK STORAGE (50) $26.75

ROM STORAGE (10) $24.75

TO ORDER

CALL TOLL FREE or send order to

800-233-8760 ^TZT

ustomer Service 1-717-327-1825 Jersey Shore PA 1774C

Circle 192 on Inquiry card. POLICY

In-stock items shipped within 24 hours ol order. Personal checks require (our weeks clearance before shipping. No deposit on CO. D. orders Free shipping on prepaid cash orders within the continental U S PA residents add sales tax. All products subject to availability and price change Advertised prices show 4°^ discount offered for cash, add 4U< for Master Card or Visa DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED.

Ire-Wrap® Multiwire Software

Whip your designs Into shape with WIREMASTER

Never do another design by hand! Your computer and Wlremaster will quickly and accurately convert your schematic into wire lists, net maps, parts lists, checklists, and plots (optional) to give you total control. Handles ECL and twisted pair wiring. Versions available for NC machines. Runs on IBM-PC, VAX, CP/M, MSDOS and Unix Computers.

No-risk demo disk available. Call or write for details.

Circle 14 on Inquiry card.

BHH33BSE3H3

SHUGART: SA 455

Double Sided, 40 TRK/Side

CDC: 9428

Double Sided, 40 TRK/Side

PANASONIC: 551-2

Double Sided, 40 TRK/Side

• 120 Day Warranty

• Free Shipping

• No Charge For Credit Cards

• Order Toll Free

8189 8195 »179

i

1-800-531-5475 (Outside 01 Texas)

(512)250-1489 (In Texas) Texas Residents Add 5% Sslas Tax.

Compufidd

Corp

13010 Research Blvd., Suite 101 Austin, Texas 78750

Circle 61 on inquiry card.

m§H Software, Inc.

Software tools for Architects and Consulting Engineers

Structural Analysis

finite element w/plates, frames, & out of core solver

Concrete Steel Design

columns, beams, & slabs

Project Scheduling (PERT Method)

w/ cost analysis

2-D Drafting System (high performance)

Coded Pressure Vessel Design

Commercial Air Conditioning

Piping Design

HMM Software, Inc.

2B9I LIVONIA CENTER ROAD LIMA, NEW YORK I44B5 (7 1 6) 3-46-2022

SL-MICRO

STATISTICAL LANGUAGE for MICROCOMPUTERS

features VALUE and VAR LABELS DATA TRANSFORMATION FREQUENCIES CROSSTABS PEARSON CORR REGRESSION CONDESCRIPTIVE

Only $250. Manual $15 Available for IBM PC, CP/M or MS-DOS. Many Formats.

QSC BOX 23056 LANSING. Ml 48909 PHONE (517) 641-4428

Circle 261 on Inquiry card.

O

«. piotsTwo-wav $ 59.95

"3 PI-035 Three-way S 89.95

«ff PI-05S Five-way S109 95

■w _ PI-08S ElaM-woy S209.95

O PARALLEL TWO WAY ... S 94 95

i/i £ TRANSFER SWITCH FEATURES

§ • PI-SWITCH lots you SAFELY SHARE III o multiple SERIAL (RS-232) devices.

S • Great lor printers, modems, elc.

M 8 * Handsome black and beige

<n cose temale DBC-25 connectors

j£ • Switches pins 1-7 & 20 or set any

OS way you need before shipping.

O • Male connectors available.

Q ONE (1) YEAR WARRANTY

m „ 1 i

™ ° TERMS: MO. Check. Mastercard.

° VIsa.COD.

*fl UPS ground S2/ each. 2nd air

ZS4/eoch COD add S2 per order. PImm call tor your CUSTOM

!5J switch neadtwj j_

_ SAIrklNfTlnc.

_J 7301 N.W. 41 Street. Miami, FL 33166 f305) 592-6092

^™ Dislar lnqulrl«t wilcw**!

Circle 272 on Inquiry card.

rifl

GREAT DISKETTES

Super low prices SYNC0M

20

he lowprtced.High quality diskette with a LIFETIME WARRANTY Packed in polybags of 10 with Tyvek envelopes, labels and reinforced hubs One of the best buys we've seen.

$-139 <ea5 SSDD $-|85

I qty20 5V4" DSDDea. ► | 5^

Br^^^Hsy() ki-'dlsdtlas^auitTrlB^BY

W.OOShpng.

DISK CADDIES—FIid up slyle holds 10 5V diskettes S1.J5 ea ■

Shpng hi i i

For the lowest priced, highesi quality diskettes, storage cases, printer ribbons and paper products, send for our catalog. FREE with your order 51.00 otherwise BONUS! Every catalog includes $15.00 worth of bonus coupons.

Shipping: 5V DISKETTES—Add $3.00 per 100 or fraction thereof OTHER ITEMS: Shipping charges as shown m addition to diskette shipping charges. Payment: VISA or MC. COO orders, add $3.00. Tains: Illinois customers, please add 8%.

Nationwide: 1-800-621-6827 In Illinois: 1-312-944-2788

Minimum Order: $35.00 WE WILL BEAT ANY NATIONALLY ADVERTISED PRICE! DISK WORLDI

4806 • 30 East Huron Street • Chicago, Illinois 60611

SYNCOM

Circle 110 on Inquiry card.

COMPUTER PRODUCTS-GUARANTEED SAVE UP TO 50%

Zenith ZI00 (2 Drives 640K) Columbia, IBM PC, TAVA, NEC Port 'PRINTERS

able and more

$2799.00 Car,

Brolter Hfl-15 (Letter Quality Brother HR-25 (Letter Quality •MONITOR

MU.00 (785.00

Taxan Green Taxan Amber

Zenith ZVM122A-Non-Glare Screen, Amber Zenith ZvM123A-Non-Glare Screen, Green Zer :n ZVM135 RGB Hi Res Color ■ACCESSORIES.

1125.00 S129.00 S119.00 1119.00 S499.00

Primer Siand 5ft x 2114 x 13 130.00,5ft x 15 x 13 125.00 Roll-Top Diskettes File (holds 100) $34.95 Multi-Color Quality Diskettes. SSDD $22.00, DSDD $29.00 L.F. High Quality Diskettes, SSDD S1.75, DSDD S2.2S •SOFTWARE

Upgrade lo dBase III

Peachlree Accounting-GL. AR, AP, Inventory Control, Payroll, Job Costing ■TRAINING COURSE AND HANDBOOK.

$499.00 SI 69.00

$399.0O/ea.

Lolus 1-2-3, dBASE II, Wordstar, Accounting and others K5.0Mii. Everyman's Database Primer (Book) $14.95 and many more

MANY OTHERS, AT LOWEST PRICE, PHONE OR WRITE mmm Mail or Phone Your Order; afafJt

aK LF COMPUTER PRODUCTS UNN 8660-D Mlramar Rd Suite 265, San Diego, CA 92126

(619) 566-6823 — Phone order lull rebate Masnrcard/VISA add 3%, Shipping 1 Handling S3 95, Calif Res. add 6% Sales Tax. All Product! Manufacturer QuartntMd.

Circle 177 on inquiry card.

Electronic

Circuit

Analysis

• AC and DC analysis

• Very fast, optimized machine language

• Worst case, sensitivity analysis

• Sweep component values

• 64 Nodes

• Compare circuits

• Log or linear sweep

• Full file handling

• Full editing, error trapping

• Frequency response, magnitude and phase

• Complete manual with examples

• Transmission lines

• Complex y parameters

• Available for CP/M, MSDOS, TRSDOS

• Price - J150.00

Tatum Labs

P.O. Box 698

Sandy Hook, CT 06482

(203) 426-2184

Circle 298 on Inquiry card.

®TDK

flexible disks

Call Free (800)235-4137

for prices and information. Dealer inquiries invited. C.O.D. and charge cards accepted. ^i^m

VISA

PACIFIC EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd San Luis Obispo. CA 93401 (InCal. call (805) 543-1037)

Circle 243 on Inquiry card.

SPECIALS on INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

6502 9 4.90 6520 9 4.00 6522 @ 5.00 4116 @ 1.85 2532 9 5.90 2716 @ 4.45 6116 9 6.45 4164 0 6.90

Anchor Automation Signalman MODEMS

FREE SOURCE MEMBERSHIP WITH SIGNALMAN

All Signalman Modems are Direct Connect, and provide the best price-performance values Dealer and OEM Inquiries Invited

Volksmodem with computer cable 68

Mark VII Auto Dial/Auto Answer 99 Mark XII Smart Modem 1200/300 279

OCWETSnia^modVm219

DC Hayes Smartmodem 1200/300 519

130 call 95 29

119 20

64 56 72 22 32 44

85 365

50

75 179

79 6

24

PROM QUEEN for C64 or VIC Apple Emulator for Commodore 64 STAT Statistics Package lor C64 Solid Oak 2 Level Stand tor C64 or VIC

C64/VIC Switch (networking) BACKUP V1.0 tape copier for C64 or VIC CARDBOARD/6 Motherboard - VIC CARDBOARD/5 Motherboard - C64 CARD PRINT G Printer Int. with Graphics CARDB0ARD/3S Motherboard - VIC CARDCO C64/VIC Calculator Keypad CARDRAM/16 RAM Expansion - VIC Complete CARDCO Line in stock CIE and VIE IEEE Interfaces in stock MSD Super Drive for C64 or IEEE MAE Assembler for C64 Koala Pad Touch Tablet—C64 or VIC CBC 4/12 Analog to Digital 4 chan/12 bit MULTIPLAN lor C64 Dust Cover for C64 or VIC Grand Master Chess for C64 Musicalc Software for C64 in stock SM Software lor C64 in stock BusCard II from Batteries Included 149 ULTRA BASIC - 64 with Turtle Graphics 37 Super Disk Utility - C64 - includes backup 19

Trackball (Electra Concepts) C64 29 MicroChess - C64 - 8 levels of play 17

HES MODEM with software for C64 45 Commodore 64 Programmers Reference Guide 16

WordPro 3+/64 with Spellright 85 VIController (also C64) - BSR Controller 50 COM VOICE Synthesizer for C64 or VIC 139

VIC products in stock - call for extra discounts. Victory Software for VIC and C64 in stock.

A PP LE—FKA N K LI N ITE Ml S

FRANKLIN—complete line in stock

QUENTIN Drives for Apple/Franklin 189

Swapper Stopper 26

automatic switch between paddles and joystick

KRAFT Apple Joystick 32

Kraft Apple Paddle Pair 32

Koala Pad Touch Tablet-Apple/Franklin 90 SPINNAKER Software in stock Broderbund Software in stock

16K RAM Card for Apple 59

Muttiplart—Microsoft 185

Solid Oak 2 Level Stand for Apple 29

Serial Card for Apple 89

MPC RAM/80 column card for lie (AP/TXT) 139

Z80 Softcard and CP/M (Microsoft) 235

RANA Elite I with Controller 389

Parallel Printer Interface/Cable 69 Microtek and MPC Interfaces In stock

Grappler + Interface 135

DC Hayes Micromodem II, lie with Smartcom 245

PFS: File or PFS: Report or PFS: Graph 95

Videx 80 Column Card 209

Apple Blue Book 19

252 Bethlehem Pike Colmar, PA 18915

Q commodore

See us for Personal, Business, and Educational requirements. Educational Discounts available.

PETSCANT $245 base price

Allows you to connect up to 30 CBM/PET Computers to shared disk drives and printers. Completely transparent to the user. Perfect tor schools or multiple word processing configurations. Base configuration supports 2 computers. Additional computer hookups $100 each.

COMPACK/STCP

$115

intelligent Terminal Package for PET, CBM, C64

Includes ACIA Hardware / STCP Software

SCREENMAKER 80 Column Adapter for C64 139

Provide big screen capability for business applications.

Copy-Writer Word Processor for C64 49

Full-featured package with 800 lines of text in memory. Includes double column printing, graphic capability, full printer support.

Special Screenmaker/Copy-Writer Combo 179

PAPER CLIP Ward ProcesVor - CBM/C64 60 ORACLE (Consultant) Data Base by Batteries Included 89 SPINNAKER Software C64, Apple, IBM, Atari VICTORY Software for C64 in stock Compute! Books in Stock

POWER ROM Utilities for PET/CBM 78 WordPro 4+ - 8032. disk, printer 285 VISICALC for PET, ATARI, or Apple 189

SM-KIT enhanced PET/CBM ROM Utilities 40 PET Spacemaker II ROM Switch 36 Dust Cover for PET, CBM, 4040, or 8050 8 CmC Interfaces (ADA) 800, ADA1450. SADI in stock) HES Software and Hardware in stock UMI Products in slock

FlexFile for PET/CBM/C64

$59

DataBase. Report Writer with calculations, Mailing Lists. Easy to use, and can be modified.

FORTH "lor PET/C64 full FIG model - Cargile/Riley 50 includes all FORTH 79 Standard extensions, structured 6502 assembler with nested decision macros, standard 16x64 screens, ability to read/write BASIC sequential files, sample programs, introductory + reference manual. Metacompiler lor FORTH (or independent object code 30 Floating Point for FORTH 20

BRIDGE 2.2 far C64$28

Excellent Bridge program. Computer bids and plays against you. Hands are computer generated, but you may set up hands and modify contract. Allows you to claim balance of tricks, replay hand, and review previous trick. KMMM PASCAL IV for PET/CBM/C6499 Virtually full Jensen-Wirth implementation is now suitable for advanced placement courses.

EARL for PET/CBM/C64 Disk-based ASSEMBLER 65 DISK I.C.U.(lBlHitvi Caii UbH|$40 COMPLETE DISK RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR 4040/1541

Edit disk blocks; duplicate disks, skipping over bad blocks; unscratch scratched files; check and correct scrambled files; recover improperly closed files. Includes complete diagnostic facilities, extensive treatment of relative files, optional output to printer, and comprehesive user manual (an excellent tutorial on disk operation and theory). Furnished on copy-protected disk. Backup available $10.

Smart terminal Software for C64/VIC 10 CBM Public Domain SoMware—C64/PET27 disks 75

DITTO DISK 6436

Disk copy utility for C64. Make your own disk copies, even if the original is copy protected.

STAT for ref/CB¥/CM aid Apple 95 Comprehensive Statistical Analysis Routines

Includes complete file handling capabilities, summary statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, exponential mean tests, multiple and power series regression, analysis of variance, histograms, and non-parametric tests. PageMate 60 Command Word Processor 20 Full-featured package for all Commodore computers. Full screen editing, and supports disk, tape, and all printers.

DISK

SPECIALS

Scotch (3M) 5" ss/dd Scotch (3M) 5" ds/dd Scotch (3M) 8" ss/sd Scotch (3M) 8" ss/dd

10/2.10 50/ 1.90 100/ 1.86 10/ 2.65 50/2.45 100/2.40 10/ 2.20 50/2.00 100/ 1.98 10/2.80 50/2.50 100/2.47

We stock VERBATIM DISKS

Write for Dealer and OEM prices.

Sentinal 5" ss/dd Sentinal 5" ds/dd

10/ 1.80 50/ 1.75 100/ 1.65 10/2.40 50/2.35 100/ 2.25

We stock Dysan disks

Wabash 5" ss/sd Wabash 5" ss/dd Wabash 5" ds/dd

10/ 1.45 50/ 1.40 100/ 1.35 10/ 1.60 50/ 1.55 100/ 1.50 10/ 1.95 50/ 1.90 100/ 1.80

We stock MAXELL DISKS

Write for dealer and OEM prices.

Disk Storage Pages 10 for $4 Hub Rings 50 for $6 Disk Library Cases 8"—3.00 5"—2.25 Head Disk Cleaning Kits 12 AMARAY Disk Storage Systems in stock. Innovative Concepts FLIP 'N' FILES in stock.

CASSETTE TAPES—AGFA PE-611 PREMIUM

C-10 10/.61 50/ 58 100/.50

C-30 10/.85 50/.82 100/.70

T£M£TH

data systems

ZVM-122A 99 ZVM-123G 89

ZVM-131 300 ZVM-135 490

Zl 00 16-bit/a-bit System CALL

Z29 Terminal (DEC and ADM compatible) 680

Z-150 IBM PC COMPATIBLE CALL

Z-l60 PORTABLE PC CALL

We stock entire Zenith line.

USI Video Monitors - Green or AMBER 20 MHz hi-res Dealer and DEM inquiries Invited

WRITE FOR IBM PC COMPATIBLE PRICES

MultiPlan—IBM or Apple 179 Quadboard for IBM available KOALA PAD Touch Tablets—Apple, Atari, IBM, CBM

Peachtext 5000 Software Package 199 PFS Software lor IBM and Apple in stock SPINNAKER Software C64/VIC. Apple, IBM, Atari

VOTRAX Personal Speech System 269

BMC 9191+ Color Monitor (plus model) 245

BMC 12A 12" Green Monitor 79

Dynax (Brother) OX-15 Daisy Wheel Printer 459

Brother HR-25 Daisy Wheel Printer (25 cps) 749

Itoh Prowriter Parallel Printer 379 Panasonic 1090 Printer with Correspondence Mode 279

Gemini 10X 289 EPSON, Okidata, Star Mlcronlcs printers in stock

USI CompuMOD 4 R F Modulator 29 We Stock AMDEK Monitors

A P Products 15% OFF COMPUTER COVERUPS IN STOCK

BROOKS 6 Outlet Surge Suppressor/Noise Filler 54

Surge Suppressor-6 outlet 29

Electrohome 1302-2 13" Hi-res RGB Monitor 335

Panasonic 12" Monitor (20 MHz) with audio 137

Synertek SYM-1 Microcomputer 189

Hewlett Packard

Write or call for prices.

m

iomputers

DATASHIELD 6ACKUP POWER SOURCE $265

Battery back up Uninterruptible Power Supply with surge and noise filtering. The answer to your power problems.

ATARI-WE STOCK ENTIRE LINE

SPIN NAKE R and Broderbund Software in stock.

WRITE FOR CATALOG. Add $1.50 per order for United Parcel. We pay balance of UPS surface shipping charges on all prepaid orders (add extra for mail, APO/FPO. air). Prices include cash discount. Regular prices slightly higher. Prices subject to change.

Circle 5 on Inquiry card.

IULY 1984 'BYTE 437

Apple 11/lie®

Industrial Control Plug-In Boards

(SOFTWARE INCLUDED)

Opto-lsolated A32 I/O Board

• Individually Configurable

• Compatible with SSR Modules JKjfT

• Opto-lsolated Interrupt Inputs * V

2 Axis Stepper Motor Interface

• Positioning Control Aapa

• Pulse Counting/Timing »n^3LJ

• Frequency Measurements %|rfc w

ROGERS LABS (714)751-0442

2710 S. Croddy Way, Santa Ana. CA 92704

Circle 266 on Inquiry card.

SAVE ON

DISKETTES

$-180 $035

I Q,y 2° dsdd Cm Q* 2°

514" SSDD-96TP1 $2.49 ea 5'/4" DSDD-96TPI S3.25 ea Boxed in 10 s with Tyvec sleeves, reinlorced hubs and labels.

DISKETTES FOR MACINTOSH & HP-150 AT TERRIFIC SAVINGSI

3Vi" Memorex $3.99 ea.

Sea our big id In this issue tor other groat values! Shipping: 514" or 3W OISKETTES—Add $3.00 per 100 or fewer diskettes. Payment: VISA and Mastercard accepted. COD orders only, add $3.00 handling charge. Taxes: Illinois residents, please add 8% sales tax.

WE WILL BEAT ANY NATIONALLY ADVERTISED PRICE ON THE SAME PRODUCTS AND QUANTITIES!

Nationwide: 1-800-621-6827 Illinois: 1-312-944-2788 Hon r«: 9AM - 5PM Central Time Minimum Order $35.00 DISK WORLD!, Inc.

Suite 4606 • 30 East Huron Street • Chicago. Illinois 60611

Circle 111 on inquiry card.

12 Bit A/D Convenor

FOR YOUR APPLE "

AD16B 16 CHANNEL S29995

* IRQ OR NMI INTERRUPT

* EXTERNAL START CONVERT

* HIGH SPEED - 25,000 CONV./SEC

* 7 VOLTAGE RANGES

* PRECISION SAMPLE & HOLD

Bolt On Signal Conditioning

FrrS INSIDE APPLE "

A16G

* 16 OP AMPS- EACH WITH SEPARATE GAIN & FILTERING

S7995

from $14995

A8D

* TRUE DIFFERENTIAL INPUTS

* 2 to 8 CHANNELS

. SEPARATE GAIN EACH CHANNEL

Hollywood Hardware 1818)989-1204

6842 Valjean Ave. -APPLE Is a registered

Van Nuys. CA 9H06

trademark of APPLE Computers, Inc.

Circle 154 on inquiry card.

NEW!

_S.#SfcmL

KEYBOARD PROTECTOR

Remains in place during keyboard use. Prevents damage from liquid spills, dust, ashes, etc. Fits like a second skin, excellent feel. Homerow and numeric locators. Available for: IBM-PC, Apple He. Send $29.95, check or M.O., Visa & MC include exp. date and signature. Specify computer type. Dealer Inquiries Invited. Free brochure available.

MERRITT Computer Products, Inc. 2925 LBJ, *180 / Dallas, Texas 75234 (214)942-1142

eaGLe pc-2

•IBM COMPATIBLE

• IBM Compatible

• 128Kb RAM expandable to 512Kb

• (2) 320Kb Floppy Disks

• Monochrome Monitor

• Eagle Writer, Eaglecalc MS-DOS, CP/M-B6

• One. Year Warranty

E.X5EEL.*

OFFICE EQUIPMENT BROKERS

ust

•WHILE THEY LAST:

(716) 325-5530

VISA t

AFFORDABLE ^M6800J

parallel" port! 3 tlrrte'rrcouift'ers expansion bus.

Bare board » 99.95

Complete Kit *6

MD512K 128-S12K static RAM.tlop controller S hard disk im

Bare, board »

Complete Kit (128K)... »725.00 Enclosure with power supply, fail, filtar,.4';s"lot'card cage

$249,00

M68KASM M68000 Macro Cross Assembler for CP/MBO, IBM PC, TRS-80 and Apple II computers

~..»149.00

cTDohr&fdhandUna I S:SS

Foreign orders add 820.00 California residents add 6.5 % tax

icatlonal

133

P.'drBox 16115 • Irvine, CA 92713

Circle 35! on Inquiry card.

Circle 352 on Inquiry card.

Circle I25 on Inquiry card.

MEMOREX

FLEXIBLE DISCS

WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD]! Call Free (800)235-4137

for prices and information. Dealer inquiries invited and C.O.D.'s accepted

PACIFIC EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd. San Luis Obispo. CA 93401. In CaL call (800)592-5935 or 1805)543-1037

6

times faster

Super Fast Z80 Assembly Language Development Package

ZSOASM

Over 6000 line/minute

Generates COM, HEX, or REL files

Cross-Reference

Zilog mnemonics

Time and Dale in listing

Long labels

SLRNK

One or two pass operation Cross-reference COM or HEX output Flexible address control

Mom lormals available lor Z8D CP/M. COOS, and TURBODOS

*199.95

S~ L R Systems

For more Information or to order, call: 1 -800-833-3061 In Pa., (412) 2B2-0864 1622 North Main Sired, Butler, PA 16001 VISA or Maslercard

CP/M CROSS SOFTWARE for the NS16000

INCLUDES:

* Cross Assembler * * Cross Linker *

* Debugger *

* N.S. ISE Support *

* Librarian *

* Pascal Cross Compiler *

U.S. Prices start at $500 (or Assembler only

SOLUTIONWARE

1283 Mt. View-Alviso Rd. Suite B Sunnyvale, CA 94089 408/745-7818 • TLX 4994264

Circle 243 on inquiry card. Circle 279 on inquiry card.

Circle 284 on inquiry card.

SUPER PRICES ON PRINTERS!

NEW! EPSON LQ-1500

Letter Quality'1

High performance 200 CPS. 24 pin printhead that also doubles as a letter quality printer

CALL FOR OUR BEST PRICE!

SAVE $200

00

EPSON

CALL US FOR OUR BEST PRICE!

EPSON RX-80 100 CPS w/tractor. graphics

CALL FOR OUR BEST PRICE

EPSON RX-80FT 100 CPS w/FREE! graphics

Friction & tractor feed SAVE $150.00

EPSON MX-80FT 80 CPS w/FREE graphics

Friction & tractor feed SAVE $150.00

EPSON FX-80 160 CPS w/FREE graphics

Friction & tractor feed SAVE $50.00

EPSON FX-100 160 CPS 15" platten

Friction & tractor feed SAVE $150.00

OKIDATA

PRICES SLASHED!!!

760 CPS, Correspondence Quality

$599 $424.95 $995 $679.95 $720 $99.95 _ $59 $49.95 . $59 $59.95

$19 $9.95

_ $89 $54.95

OKI 92 Parallel

OKI 93 Parallel

2K Serial Board

IBM PC ROMS For 92

IBM PC ROMS For 93

Extra 82/92 83/93 Ribbons (2) 82/92 Tractor

120 CPS & 200 CPS OKIDATAS

OKI 82 120 CPS

OKI 83 120 CPS

OKI 84 Parallel 200 CPS . OKI 84 Serial 200 CPS _ 2K Serial Board

IBM PC ROMS For 82/83 IBM PC ROMS For 84 _

. $499 _ $775 $1395 $1495 _ $150 — $49

.$99

$329.95 $569.95 $899.95 $999.95 $119.95 $39.95 $89.95

350 CPS, Near Letter Quality, High-Resolution Graphics

OKI 2350 Parallel $2695 $1899.95

OKI 2350 Serial $2775 $1999.95

OKI 2410 Parallel $2995 $2199.95

OKI 2410 Serial $3075 $2299.95

MANNESMAN-TALLY

Spirit 80 CPS 10 inch 160L 160 CPS 10 inch 180L 160 CPS 15 inch

- $399 $329.95 _ $798 $579.95 5)098 $799.95

OPEN SATURDAYS 10:OOam—4:00pm PST

High Performance, New Lower Price! DTC-380Z

True letter quality Daisywheel printer up to 32 CPS. with a built-in 48K buffer. The 380Z comes with RS232 serial, parallel Centronics, and IEEE-488 interfaces built-in Full one-year factory warranty! lisi Your Price

DTC-3802 57495 $999.95

Sheet feeder $895 $579.95

Forms Tractor $795 $129.95

Bi-directional tractor 5300 $249.95

Cable (specify) $85 $49.95

LETTER QUALITY PRINTERS ON SALE!

Diablo 630 40 CPS

Tractor For 630

Starwriter F-10 40 CPS Starwriter F-10 55 CPS Tractor For F-10

Comrex CR-II 5K parallel Comrex CR-II 5K serial _

Tractor For CR-II

Keyboard For CR-II

Sheet Feeder For CR-II

Silver Reed 500 14 CPS _

Tractor For 500

Silver Reed 550 78 CPS _

Tractor For 500

Juki 6100 78 CPS

Tractor For 6100

NEC 3550 33 CPS

Tractor For 3550

52340 _ 5250

S7895

$1995 _ 5250 _ 5599 _ $644 _ 5720 _ 5799 - 5259 _ S599 _ $749 _ $699 _ 5759 _ 5599 _ 5749

52250 _ S265

Your Price

$1699.95 $219.95 $999.95

$1299.95 $219.95 $489.95 $589.95 $99.95 $179.95 $199.95 $499.95 $124.95 $599.95 $129.95 $499.95 $124.95

$1699.95 $229.95

CLOSE OUT PRICES!

ON ALL STAR-MICRONICS PRINTERS!

Gemini 10X and 15X Delta 10 and 15

Radix 10 and 15 Power Type LQ

CALL US FOR ICHEAP PRICES!

(Only Manufacturer's warranty applies)

A-B PRINTER SWITCH

Allows your computer to run either of two printers. Standard parallel switch box

Printer Switch 5749 $99.95

Extra Cable 540 $29.95

PRINTER STANDS WITH PAPER CATCH

Universal 80 Column Stand

Paper Tray For Above

Universal 132 Col Stand

Paper Tray For Above

Okidata 82/92 Stand

Paper Tray For Above

Okidata 83/84/92 Stand

Paper Tray For Above

Universal Floor Stand

List _ 530 _ 530 _ 535 _ 535 _ 525 _ 535 . $35 _ 540 5725

Youl Price

$24.95 $24.95 $29.95 $29.95 $19.95 $29.95 $29.95 $34.95 $79.95

SPECIAL SALE PRICE!

EPSON MX-100FT FREE Graftrax-Plus

With FREE! GRAFTRAX-PLUS 100 CPS, friction and tractor feed. 15 inch platten. one year warranty List Price $749,00 .

SALE PRICED AT

*489

95

MICROFAZER— Quadram

The Microfazer stand-alone printer buffers are available in any configuration of serial or parallel input, with serial output. All are expandable up to 64K of memory (about 30 pages of 8V2 x 11 text). The parallel-to-parallel version is expandable to 512K copy and pause feature included

Parallel/Parallel List Your Price

8K 5769 $139.95

32K $225 $164.95

128K $445 $269.95

Serial/Parallel

8K

32K

Parallel/Serial

8K

32K

Serial/Serial

8K

32K

5799 $169.95

$260 $199.95

$799 $169.95

$260 $199.95

5799 $169.95

5260 $199.95

MICROBUFFER

Practical Peripherals

Stand-alone Microbulfers

Parallel, 32K .

Parallel, 64K

Serial, 32K

Serial, 64K

64K add-on board

List Yoill Price

5299 $229.95

5349 $269.95

5299 $229.95

5349 $269.95

5779 S149.00

Microbulters tor Apple II

Parallel, 16K

Parallel, 32K

Serial, 16K

Serial, 32K

_ $259 S189.95

_ 5299 $229.95

_ 5259 $189.95

— $299 $229.95

Microbulfers (or Epson Printers

Parallel, 16K 5759 S129.95

Serial, 8K 5759 $129.95

Computer Products

4901 West Rosecrans Ave. Hawthorne, California 90250

Circle I64 on inquiry card.

JULY 1984 -BYTE 439

LINE-POWERED AUTO-ANSWER DIRECT-CONNECT MODEM $89.95

300 Baud, full duplex, analog loopback for self test, carrier detect, receive data, and transmit data. LED indicators List Price $129.95 $89.95

SMARTMODEM

Hayes

Sophisticated direct-connect auto-answer/auto dial modem, touch tone or pulse dialing, RS232C interface programmable

Smartmodem 1200 $699 $475.00

1200B lor IBM PC $599 $399.95

Smartmodem 300 $289 $199.00

Hayes Cronograph $249 $199.95

Micromodem 100 $399 $299.95

Micromodem lie $299 $239.95

PLEASE Software $395 $299.95

Smartcom II $149 $99.95

J-CAT MODEM

1/5 the size of ordinary modems. Bell 103, manual or, auto-answer. Automatic answer/ originate, direct connect, built-in self-test, two LEDs and audio beeps provide status information

Novation J-Cat

$149 $114.95

ULTRA-VIOLET EPROM ERASERS

Inexpensive erasers for industry or home

Spectronics w/o timer Spectronics with timer Logical Devices

. $99 $69.95 $139 $94.95 . $89 $49.95

ISOBAR

The ISOBAR looks like a standard multi outlet power strip but contains surge suppression circuitry and built-in noise filters, plus 15amp circuit breaker Lisl Y&urPrice

4 receptacle $89 $59.95

8 receptacle $99 $69.95

Complete Computer $400.00!

THE

LITTLE BOARD with FREE! CP/M 2.2

Minature single board CP/M computerdesigned to mount directly on top of a 5%" floppy disk drive (7.75" x 5.75"). ContainsZ 80A CPU. 64K RAM. Boot Eprom. terminal port, modem port, parallel printer port, floppy disk controller, and CP/M 2.2 included FREE!

Little Board with CP/M $400 $348.95

Support package $50 $48.95

Serial Cable $13 $11.95

Diskless Monitor Eprom $30 $24.55

GUARANTEED

OR YOUR MONEY "BACK

SAVE $500. $^Wlfcff

* MODEM

TTT-r'f

*Ca/cstar rDatastar

serv/ce team e'd

Bo*dwel. S n'9^mPact , Port, b/(

■ «*m£t:;ze$139s<>°

— Lf' aPProva/)

APPLE ACCESSORIES ON SALE!

BUvwo>w&

\ AHV P^NTER

\ ^ in s\OCk<

Full Height Disk Drive Half-Height Disk Drive Controller

8 inch 2 Meg. system

CP/M 3.0 Card

Z-Card with CP/M

16K RAM Card

Best 80 Column Card

64K lie 80 Column

Fan w/surge protect _ Koala Pad

Grappler Plus

Buffered Grappler/16K_ Buffered Grappler/ 64K

_ $299 _ $249

$100

$2495 _ $399 _ $169

I $99

_ $219

— $199

$99

S725

$175 _ $245

— $345

$179.95 $184.95

$59.95 $1395.00 $259.95 5139.95

$39.95 $139.95 $129.95

$59.95

$89.95 $119.95 $175.95 $239.95

SUPER DISKETTE SPECIAL!

We bought out a major manufacturer's overstock and we are passing the savings on to you! Single-sided, double-density package of ten with FREE! plastic case Box of 10 w/FREE! case $34 $18.95

ComputerProducts^

440 BYTE • JULY 1984

Circle 165 on inquiry card

U.S. MANUFACTURER ONE YEAR WARRANTY!

10 MEGABYTE HARD

DISK FOR IBM PC!

$99500

10 MEGABYTE HARD DISK FOR IBM PC

Plug-n-Run. ready to go • complete with controller card, data cable, and mounting hardware • totally PC/XT compatible • faster than XT • handles 4 different operating systems • streamer tape back-up available

10 mbyte Internal 10 mbyte external 15 mbyte Internal 15 mbyte external 26 mbyte internal 26 mbyte external

List . $1795 . S2095 S1995 S2295 $2495 S2795

Your Price

S995.00 $1195.00 S1395.00 S1595.00 S1995.00 S2249.00

Tape Back-up option CALL FOR BEST PRICE

HI-RES MONITORS

AMDEK 310A

AMDEK 300G

AMDEK 300A

AMDEK COLOR I . AMDEK COLOR II AMDEK COLOR IV

PGS MAX-12

PGS HX-12

PGS SR-12

QUADCHROME . COMREX CR6800

S230 S179 $199 $379 S559 S995 S269 $699 S799 $795 S649

$169.95 S119.95 $149.95 $259.95 $419.95 $499.95 $199.95 $469.95 $649.95 $499.95 $499.95

KEYTRONICS KEYBOARDS

KEYTRONICS KEYBOARD .

$209 $149.95

HIGH SPEED 8087 APU

List Price $295

SALE PRICE $199.95

STB BOARDS FOR IBM PC

RIO PLUS 64K _ GRAPHICS PLUS RIO PLUS 128K _ RIO PLUS 256K RIO PLUS 384K _ SUPER RIO 64K . SUPER RIO 128K SUPER RIO 256K . SUPER IO

List

$395 S495 S495 S595 $795 $419 S519 S619 $229

Your Price

$329.95 $379.95 $349.95 $449.95 S549.95 $329.95 $379.95 5479.95 $179.95

SOFTWARE FOR IBM PC

MICROSOFT WORD _ LOTUS FRAMEWORK

LOTUS 1 2 3

SYMPHONY

dBASE II

D-BASE III

R:BASE 4000

SMART KEY

MOVE-IT

MULTIPLAN

ACCOUNTING PARTNER

CROSSTALK

PROKEY

MULTIMATE . SUPERCALC III TRANSEND PC

List

$395 $695 $495 $695 $700 $695 $495

$89 $125 $250 $395 $195

$75 S495 S395 S189

Your PriCO

$249.95 $439.95 $329.95 $549.95 $429.95 $449.95 $319.95 $69.95 S89.95 5169.95 $249.95 5129.95 $54.95 S299.95 5249.95 $139.95

MICROSOFT FOR IBM PC

MOUSE w/WORD MOUSE

SYSTEM CARD 64K . SYSTEM CARD 256K

List Your Price

$495 S339.95

$199 $129.95

$395 S279.95

$625 $429.95

32QK DISK DRIVES

DOUBLE-SIDED, DOUBLE-DENSITY FOR IBM PC

CHOICE OF

$ -| QQ95 Tandon

LOCAL AREA NETWORKS For IBM PC

QUADNET II

QUADNET VI

QUADNET IV

AST-PCnet II

ORCHID TECHNOLOGY

_ $995 $879.95 $1995 $1689.95 $2295 $1989.95 _ $495 $399.95 _ $595 $499.95

DISKETTES For IBM PC

High quality double-sided, double-density diskettes, certified to be absolutely error free. Box of ten. warranteed for one year Box of 10 w/FREE plastic case . $39 $19.95

PLACE ORDERS TOLL FREE

AST FOR IBM PC

SIX PAK PLUS 64K . SIX PAK PLUS 256K SIX PAK PLUS 384K

MEGA PLUS 64K _ MEGA PLUS 256K MEGA PLUS 512K

I/O PLUS

MP 64K _ MP 128K MP 192K MP 256K

. $395 $269.95

_ $695 $489.95

_ $945 $569.95

_ $395 $269.95

. S665 $429.95

$1095 S799.95

. $165 S119.95

_ $295 5199.95

_ $395 $249.95

- S495 S299.95

_ $595 $349.95

IBM VIDEO BOARDS

HERCULES COLOR

HERCULES GRAPHIC

PLANTRONICS COLOR

STB GRAPHICS.

QUADCOLORI

AMDEK MAI

AST MONOGRAPH

S245 S499 S549 S495 S295 $649 $595

5198.95 $339.95 $379.95 $379.95 S209.95 $349.95 5449.95

64K RAM UPGRADE FOR IBM PC

High speed RAM upgrade kit with FREE! parity (error detection) and one year warranty

Lisl Your Price

64K KIT For IBM PC 128K KIT For IBM PC 192K KIT For IBM PC . 256K KIT For IBM PC 384K KIT For IBM PC

S90 $180 $270 S360 $540

S49.95 595.95 5143.95 S199.95 $289.95

QUADRAM FOR IBM PC

QUADBOARD Wo RAM

QUADBOARD 64K

QUADBOARD 128K

QUADBOARD 256K _

QUADBOARD 384K

QUADLINK i

QUAD 512 PLUS 64K _ QUAD 512 PLUS 256K QUAD 512 PLUS 512K

QUAD COLOR I

QUAD COLOR II

AST MONOGRAPH t _ QUAD VIEW

$295 $395 $495 $595 S795 S6B0 S325 S550 $895 $295 S275 $595 $345

Youi Price

$234.95 $275.95 $339.95 S399.95 5595.95 $449.95 5219.95 S389.95 $549.95 S209.95 S199.95 $449.95 5259.95

Continental USA Inside California Los Angeles Area

(800) 421-5500 (800) 262-1710 (213) 973-7707

We accept cash, checks, credit cards, or purchase orders from qualified firms and institutions. Minimum prepaid order $15.00 California residents add 6V2% tax. Export customers outside the US or Canada please add 10% to all prices. Prices and availibility subject to change without notice. Shipping and handling charges via UPS Ground 50C/lb. UPS Air $1.007lb. minimum charge $3.00 Prices quoted are for pre-paid orders only

Circle 165 on inquiry card.

CaIifoRNiA Die,

Post Office Box 3097 B • Torrance, California 90503

FREE

Plastic library case supplied with all diskettes purchased from California Digital.

DISKETTES * '16.50

FIVE INCH SINGLE SIDED DOUBLE DENSITY

Sotl Sector Ten Sector Sixteen

CAL DIGITALSSCOTCH VERBATIM MEMOREX MAXELL DYSAN

FIVE INCH DOUBLE SIDED DOUBLE DENSITY

"CAL-516 MMM.744/0 MMM-744M0 , MMM-744/16 '

una.525/oi

UXL-MH1/18 0YS-104/1D

Each box

10 Boxes

100 Boxes

19.95

18.50

16.50

26.50

24.50

21.75

26.50

25.25

23.50

26.50

22.25

18.75

26.50

24.50

23.25

35.00

33.00

30.50

24.95

MMM-743/0 _ _ HMM-745MO 39.95 MMM-74SI16 VHB 550/01 _ _ VRB-950M0 3Q QC VRB-550.16 •^•«S»

MRX-3491

MHX-3493 AA MRX-3495 MXL-MD2 MXL-HD2/ MXL-MD2/16 MXLMD2/OG

MAXELL / 96 S£ 45.00

OVS-104/2D

DYSAN

SCOTCH VERBATIM MEMOREX MAXELL

DYSAN / 96

DYS-105/2D ' DYS-204/2D

SK 49.95

22.75

20.50

37.95

31.25

37.95

32.75

31.25

26.25

37.95

34.75

43.00

41.25

40.50

35.50

47.95

45.75

EIGHT INCH SINGLE SIDED SINGLE DENSITY

SCOTCH mmm-740/o 29.50 MEMOREX mrx-3062 27.75 VERBATIM vrb 34/9000 31.50 DYSAN dys-3740/1 35.75

27.50 26.60 29.50 32.75

23.80 22.25 25.60 29.75

EIGHT INCH SINGLE SIDED DOUBLE DENSITY

SCOTCH mmm74i/o 37.75 MEMOREX mrx-3090 35.50 VERBATIM vrb 34/sooo 35.25 DYSAN DVS-3740/1D 40.75 MAXELL mxl-fdi 45.50

35.15 33.50 33.25 38.75 39.75

29.15 27.15 28.75 32.25 35.15

EIGHT INCH DOUBLE SIDED DOUBLE DENSITY

SCOTCH MMM-743/0 47.50

MEMOREX mrx-3102 39.25 VERBATIM vrb 34/4001 41.75

DYSAN DYS-3740/20 54.65

MAXELL mxl-fd2 52.50

44.25 36.75 37.50 49.75 48.75

37.50 31.50 32.25 40.50 40.45

Signalman Mark 12.1200 baud. Hayes compatible. Signalman Mark 1. direct connect with terminal cable. CTS212AH 1200 baud, auto dial. Hayes compatible. Hayes Smart Modem 1200 baud, auto answer, auio dial Hayes 1200B (or use with the IBM/PC. 1200 baud. Hayes Smartmodem. 300 baud only, auto answer, aulo dial Hayes MicromorJem II, 103 Apple direct conned Hayes Micromodem 100, S-100 auto answer, autodial. ■ Hayes Chronograph, time S dale U.S. Robotics 212A300/1200 baud, autodial/answer U.S. Robotics Password 300/1200 baud Penril 300/1200 auto dial.autolog Universal Data 103LP. line power, answer & originate Universal Data 103LPJ, Autoanswer Universal Data 202.1200 baud, halt duplex only Universal Data 212LP. full 1200 baud duplex, line power lion J' Cat. direct connect, auto answer

SGL-MK12

SGL-MK1

CTS-212AH

HYS-212AD

HVS-1200B

HYS-103AD

HVS-MM2

HYS-100

HYS-CHR232

USB-212A

USR-PW212

PEN-12AD

UDS-103LP

UDS-103LPJ

UDS-202LP

UDS-212LP

NOV-JCAT

259.00 75.00 319.00 479.00 429.00 229 00 279 00 319.00 199 00 439.00 389.00 695 00 169.00 219 00 219 00 359.00 115 00 159.00

I

MITSUBISHI 96TPU4853

California Digital has purchased over one thousand factory new Mitsubishi M48S3 SVi" disk drives from the Eagle Computer Company. The drives are hall height double sided 96 track per inch. The M4853 interfaces the same as the Shugart SA465. We are currently offering these drives at only $179.00. This is far below distributor cost. Offer is subject to remaining inventory on hand at time of order. M1T-4853

MEMORY

16K DYNAMIC

2.95

4116 150ns.

2764 EPROM

6.95

350ns.

2732 EPROM;, ^

4.95

450ns.

16K STATIC

4.95

6116 200ns.

BLOWOUT

SALE b

4164 MWoWl50ns

'5.95

DYNAMIC MEMORY

1027 4Kd 4116 150n.. 1GK 41162Mni.16K 4164150ns. 64K128 refresh 41256 150ns. 256K DP8409 dynamic controller

2706 450m. IK It 2716 450ns. 2K x 8 2716TM5 450ns. Trl-voltage 2732 450ns. 4K * 8 2732 3S0ns. 4K K 6 2532 4S0ns. 4K • U 2764 350ns. 8K * 6 27128 350(18. 16Kx 8

ICM-4116150 ICU-4U620O ICM-4164150 ICM-41256150 ICT-8409

EPROMS

1CE-2708

ICE-2716

ICE-2T16TMS

ICE-2732

ICE-2732350

ICE-2S32

ICE-2764

ICE-27128

1.65 1.65 5.85

39.00 35.00

7.95 4.50 8.50

10.50 6.95

18.95

4.7S 4.25 7.65 3.75

4.5S 3.97

7.25

3.55 7.60

21L02 200ns. IK sialic 21L02 450ns.1Kslalic 2112450ns.2K static 2114 300ns. IK x 4 4044TMS 450ns. 4K x 1 5257 300ns. 4K x 1 6116P4 200ns. 2Kx 8 6116P3 150ns.2Ki8 6167/2167 1!

STATIC MEMORY

ICM-21L02200 ICM-I1LQ2450 ICM-2112450 1CM-2114300 ICM-4044450 ICM-S25730O ICM-6116200 ICM-8116150

i.16Kx1|Z0pln) ICM-61671M

CONNECTORS

DB25P

jattui S-100 Gold "ife

'^rri-Ti'i'i'fi'Mi'^

GOLD S-100 EDGE CARD CONNECTORS catalog each 10-99 100*

lmsais/1 250 CNE.IMS 2 95 2 50 2 19 SulWM Hl/Rel CNE-H100 4 19 385 347 S-100 Wire W CNE-WlO 3 95 3 50 3 19 Allan HO s/1 CNE-1O0A 495 4 50 4 19 .156' CENTER EDGE CARD CONNECTORS 22/44Eyelat CNE-44E 250 2 15 1 95 43/72MotO s/i CNE-72S 660 6 15 5 75 30/72 D/Gs'l CNE-72S 5 95 5 50 5 19 Olher connectors nviiilable upon i oquest

RIBBON CONNECTORS

OB25Pmaie CNO-r25P 5 65 5 25 4.15

DB25SlemnlL. CND-r25S 5 95 5 59 4 50

■ ;<(!.:it)0rti,i.,; cue f3gp 795 1575 590

[...'■■H>:i(i{j[r,i;,ii.CNC-i36S 7 95 6 75 5.90

2D pin edge CNI-DE20 4 35 3 30 2 50

20ptnsockel CNI-DS20 2 75 1 B5 160

26ptnedge CNI-DE26 4 95 3 50 270

26pinsockt'i CNI-DS26 350 2 40 2 15

34 pin edge CNI DE34 4 95 4 50 3.50

"D"TYPf Mtalog eicn 10-99 1D0+

DE9Pm;ifo CMD-9P 1 60 1 40 1 30

DE9SI6male CND-9S 2 25 2 00 130

DEhood CND-9H 150 1 35 1 20

DA15P nvilo CND-15P 2 35 2 10 1 90

DAl5Siem,ilo CND-I5S 3 25 3 10 2 90

DAl5hood CNDI5H 160 135 1 30

D825Pmalc CND-25P 195 175 135

DB253lRffialB CND-2SS 2 9 5 2 55 1 65

DB25hood CND2SH 1 35 115 77

DC37PmalB CND-37P 4 20 3 95 3 65

I)C37S!..iii.,:.j CNO-37S 5 95 5.75 5 50

DC37hood CND-37H 2 25 195 165

DDSOPmalc CND-50P 5 50 5 10 4 75

DDSOhood CND-50H 2 60 2 40 2 10

Hardware 2/sel CND-2HS 89 69 42

AMPHENOL J CENTRONICS TYPE

57-3036036/P CNC-36P 7 95 6 35 3 97

IEEE488 CdorCND-24P 7 95 6 35 5 35

DISK DRIVE POWER CONNECTORS

8 6pmDC. CNP-60C 195 129 89

0 SACSgiVS CNP-3SS 1 69 109 60

ing: First five pounds $3.00, each additional pound S.50. rders: 10% shipping, excess will be refunded, residents add 6V2% sales tax. • COD's discouraged, nts extended to state supported educational institutes with a strong "Dun & Bradstreet" rating. 7700 Figueroa Street, Carson CA. 90248.

California Digital has recently participated in-J ihe purchase ol several ihousand Siemens! .

FDD 100-8 lloppy disk drives. These units are elect ronicallyand physically similiar to that ol Ihe Shugart B01R. All units are new and shipped m laclory sealed boxes. Manual ana power connectors supplied Iree upon request. Your choice 115 Volt. 60 Hz. or 230 Voll. 50Hz.

NOTE! European customers, we tiavg a la Frankfort Germany Arrangements can bo rr in Franklorl reducing import duly and Iroiglil

REMEX

DOUBLE SIDED

Calilornia Digital has iusi purchased a large quantity of flemen RFD-4000 Eight inch double sided disk drives. Remex is Ihe only double sided disk drive that has an double gimbal mounted head assembly thai guarannes tower head tracking. This drive is mechanically solid Remex has always been known tor producing premiere products lor the lloppy disk markel The Remex company is a subsidiary ol Ihe Ex-cell-o Corporalion. a Fortune 500 Company

Eight Inch Single Sided Drives

One Two Ten

SHUGART 801R 385 375 365

SIEMENS FDD 100-8 129 125 119

TAND0N848E-1 Hall Height 369 359 349

Eight Inch Double Sided Drives

SHUGART SA851R QUME 842 "QUME TRACK 8" TAND0N848E-2 Half Height REMEX RFD-4000 MITSUBISHI M2894-63 MITSUBISHI M2896-63 Half Ht.

495 485 475

459 459 449

459 447 435

219 219 209

447 439 433

459 449 409

Five Inch Single Sided Drives

TEAC FD-55A half height 159 149 139

SHUGART SA400L 199 189 185

SHUGART SA200 % Height 159 149 139

TAND0NTM100-1 189 179 175

Five Inch Double Sided Drives TEAC FD55B half height CONTROL DATA 9409 IBM/PC SHUGART SA450 SHUGART SA455 Half Height PANASONIC JA551/2N (SA455) SHUGART SA465 Half Ht. 96TPI TANDON TM50-2 Half Height TANDON TM55-4 half Ht. 96TPI TANDON 100-2

TANDON 101-4 96TPI 80 Track MITSUBISHI 4851 Half Height MITSUBISHI 4853 Vi Ht. 96TPI MITSUBISHI 4854 Vi Ht., 8" elec QUME 142 Half Height

Three Inch Disk Drives SHUGART SA300 with diskette 229 219 209

Five Inch Winchester Hard Disk Drives FUJITSU M2235AS 27 M/Bytes 999 959 889 RODINE RO-208 53 M/Byte 1589 1493 1427 SHUGART 712 13 M'Byte. Vi Ht 795 765 725 TANDON 503 19 M/Byte 735 775 755

Upon request, all drives are supplied with power connectors and manual

ENCLOSURES

California Digital manufactures an asortmenl ol slock and custom disk drive enclosures. II the volume is justified we will custom design an enclosure lor your application The following stock disk drive enclosures are available. All include power suoplies Ihe 8" enclosures are supplied wiih exhaust fans

179

169

165

229

219

215

319

309

299

259

249

239

169

159

155

289

279

269

215

209

199

329

319

309

279

269

259

369

355

350

259

249

245

179

175

169

465

449

439

239

229

219

Horizontal mount two

lull

Horizontal mount one full height or two half height 8 disk drives S239.00

TOLL FREE ORDER LINE

(800) 421-5041

TECHNICAL & CALIFORNIA

■■I

CaLiFornia DiqiTAl

Post Office Box 3097 B • Torrance, California 90503

The Sanyo MBC-550 Microcomputer includes 128K byte of memory, a 5Vt" disk drive along with a parallel printer port. The computer outputs both RGB color and monochrome composite video. Extensive software such as Sanyo Basic, Wordstar, Calcstar and Easy Writer I is included with the MBC-550. Along with all this California Digital offers FREE" your choice of either a second disk drive, or a high resolution green or amber screen monitor. All at the super low price of only S895.

Double sided 320K/byte disks drives are available at only S99 per drive additional.

FREE

Your Choice

JSecond Drive or Monitor

ANYO

IBM COMPATIBLE

'89$

System I includes 64Kbyte — of memory one 320K byte double sided disk drive, and'; keyboard. Monitor and monitor interface available. System II includes 256K byte of memory two 320K byte disk drives, Sakata color monitor, Peacock color card with printer port all for only $2899.

PRINTERS

TERMINALS

The RICOH RP1300 is a 35 cps word processing daisy wheel printer ruggedly constructed assuring you of a long trouble free life Besides lis speed, it also features 16' platen, bi-directional printing, proportional spacing, bold print, shadow pnnl. automatic underscore, forward and reverse linefeed, plus other user programmable features. Making the RPl300a Best Buy among OEM system integrators, The prinler is supplied with pnnlwheel. ribbon, and paper guide. Supplies are available from any Radio Shack Computer Cenler as well as many local stationary stores

This printer is an OEM type originally manufactured for the Dictaphone Corporation. It is available wilh an RS-232 serial interface only. Interfacing documentation along with special Wordslar software driver suitable for the IBM/PC and IBM look-a-likes is included RIC-1300 S595.

MATRIX PRINTERS

Star Gemini-10X 120 char/sec SlarGommMSX. lOOchar./sec. 15' paper SiarGammt Delia 10.160 Char/sec Slar Coex 80FT fnclon & tractor Toshiba P1350.192 cftar/»c. Ofcidata B2A wnal 4 parallel 9Vj~ paper Okidaia 92A par oltol inlrariac*. 160char7soc Ohidai.i B3A1 parallel 15' paper Okidaia S4A & parallel 15" paper OVidaia 2350 (new) 350 char/sec Epson HX-6010 120 Char/sec Epson FX80.10" 160 Char/sec with graph Ira* Epson FX 100 15 160 Char /sec with graph Ira > Epson MXIOOwUhgraphnax. 15'paper NEC8023A parallel 9''/ paper, graphics Anadui 9501B htqh spend with graphics Anado. 9620B 200 char/sec. par i A serial Quan1e» 7030 corespondence qualily 180 char/sec. Prowrlter B510 parallel 9M' paper Prowriw II. parallel 15" paper, graphics Dataproducts B-600-3, band printer 600 LPM PriiHronn P300 htgh speed printer 300 tries pe> minute Pnnironu P600 ultra high speed 600 lines per minute

STH-GiOX STR-G15X STR-D10 VST-CBOFT TOS-1350 OKI-B2A OKI-92A OKI-93A OKI-B4A OKI2350 EPS-HX80 EPS-FXBO EPS-FX10O EPS-MX10O

ADX-9501B AOX-9620B QTX-7030 PRO-8510P PRO-2P DPS-B600 PTX-P300 PTX-P6O0

WORD PROCESSING PRINTERS

NEC-7710 NEC-7730 NEC-3550 NEC-2050 SH0-EXP500 SHD-EXPS50

NEC7710 55char/second,senalmierlace NEC7730 55char/sec, par i inierlace. NEC3550 pcpular primer designed lor Ihe IBM/PC NEC2050 designed 'or IBM/PC 20 char/sec. par I Silver Reed EXP500. 14 char/sec par I interlace Silver Reed EXP550 17 Char/sec par I interlace Diablo 630 40 char/sec serial Di.-icio 620. proportional Spacing, horz 4 vert lab 20cps DSL-620

Juki610O. IBchar/sec graphicmode JUK-6100

Brolher HR1A daisy wheel, parallel interlace BTH-HR1P

Brother HR1A serial interface BTH-HR IS

SlarwnierFlOserial. 40char/sec PRO-F10S

SlarwnlerFlOparallet. 40char/sac. PRO-F10P

ComrenCRt word processing primer, serial inlr CRX-CRlS

Ccmro«CR2.5k buHot. proportional spacing, pari CRX-CR2P

279 00 389.00 399.00 19500 1495.00 347.00 427 00 567 00 997.00 199500 317.00 529 00 719 00 56900 369 00 1029.00 1129 00 1539.00 359 00 689.00 6985 00 4250 00 5795 00

1979.00 1979 00 1799.00 995 00 459.00 659 00 1765 00 B79 00 495.00 695 00 695 00 1125 00 1125.00 72900 495.00

MONITORS

BMC 12 high resolution 20F Amflek300Gi2 gteenphos

_ik300A _ AmQek310AtJor.ign<j(! lor IBM/PC amber Zemin 2VM122 Amber Phosphor" 12 40/80 column switch ZennnZVM123gro«ri phosphor i2 40/80column switch NEC JB1201 green phosphor tBMHi compost I video

NEC JBII USIA

la 23 opei Motorola 12 open Irame require: Conrac 9 open Irame requites h<

horz sync ana power rzsync 4 12v supply COLOR

BMC AU9191U Color compoSit video wilh sound BMC 9I9IM RGB ocsigneo lor use with tne IBM computer NEC JCI203DM RGBcolor monitor N6CJC1201 wlorcomposit l Zenith ZVM135 RGB & composite suitable lor IBM PC . AmdekColorl '3 compos:! video \ Amdoh Color U 13 RGBh.'resolution

BMC-I2A

BMC-12EN

AMK-300G

AM K 300A

AMK.3I0A

ZTH122

ZTH-Z123

NECJB1201

NEC JB1260

USI-12A

MOT-8W23

MOT-BW12

CON-BW9

BMC-9191

BMC-9191M

NEC-1203

NECJC1201

ZTH-2135

AMK-100

AM K-200

59 00

238 95 379 00 699.00 339 00 475 00 299 00 J19 95

California Digital has recently purchased an OEM liquidation, of new Hazeltine 1420 video terminals. These units feature direct cursor addressing, full 62 key keyboard with numeric cluster. RS-232C with baud rates selectable to 9600. Self diagnostics and escape sequences func tion mode make this terminal an excel lent value at only $299.00. HZL-1420

Visual 50 Green screen Ampei Dialogue 125 green screen. Ampex Dialouge 175 amber screen iwopage lunc keys WyseoO. 14 green phosphor

vvysu 3U. ii yiueri priiftirrior Wyso 100. hon S vert split screen, metal enclosure Wyse 300. Eighi color display. tpUl screen Tclevideo9i0 Plus, block mode Televioeo 925 cWatcharjlc keyboard. 22 function keys

Televideo 950. graphic char spin screen 22 tunc Tele video 970.14 gree- — Zenith 29 termmal VT5;

Advanced Logic Systems

I CP/M 3.0 CARD

I Includes Digital Research C/PM Plus

Apple ll/e, 64K computer only APL-2E $989

Apple ll/e starter kit. monitor, disk. 80 col card APL-2ESK 1365

Advanced Busness Tech. 13 Key Pad ABT-I3B 109

Calif Computer 77lOAAsync. Serial Inlerface CCS-7710 125

Calif. Compuler 7710B same bul lor modem CCS-7710B 125

Calif. Compuler 7114A 12K PROM module CCS-7114 99

Calil Computer 7720A parallel interface CCS-7720 99

Calif Computer 772-lA Calandar/clock modual CCS-7724 99

Calif. Computer 7729A Centronics interface CCS-7729 99

Calif Computer 7740A programmable limer CCS-7740 99

California Digital l6Kcard for standard Apple II CAL-A16 39

Hayes Micromcdem II for Apple II HYS-MM2 279

Kensington Micro, Syslem saver fan KEN-SF1 75

Microsoft Soltcard with CP/M. Z-80 MSF-SFTCD 239

Mountain Computer The Clock MTN-TCLK 225

Mountain Computer AD/DA 16 input. 8bil MTIM-ADOA 269

Mountain Computer ROM Plus with keybd filter MTN-RMF 169

Mountain Computer ROM writer/socket socket MTN-ROMW 139

Orange Micro GRAPPLER ' parallel interface OMS-G2 135

Sorrento Valley 8 controllerdoubleside D/D SVA223 395

TEAC5'j disk drive for Apple II TEA-A2 269

Vista Vision 60; 80 column card lor sid Apple II VSA-VIS80 289

Visia 8" disk controller double side D/D VSA-A800 389

ASCII KEYBOARD

Calilornia Digital has purchased ovei 3000 ol ihese Microswiich

keyboards Irom iho Goncr.il Dynamics Co'porflliijn 'J3 ASCII encoded Hall oltect switches includes 6 (unction keys and i -1 key nurnorif; duster make ihis keyboard an e.cellect value at only S49 M1C-93GD 5 lbs

We also have available a maicfwig General Dynamics steel mm panel S10

I... i

ft ii

1 19m.

I'ii1

• ... i i.. i

is"

•»*.._.•

i? i.

'

Calilornia Digital has jusl purchased Irom Digital Research over eight hundred ol Ihe Advanced Logic Systems I CP/M 3.0 cards. i'his unique product oilers performance I uplo 300% laste' than existing Apple CP/M cards. Featuring a 6 MHz. Z80B micro-processor. 64K/Byte ol on board memory, with CP/M 3.0 along with GSX 80 graphics and CBasic The ALS card supports larger programs with enhanced CP/M editing features. Manufacturers suggested price on the CP/M board is S399. while supplies last California Digital is offering this card at only S179. ALS-Z80

S-100 BOARDS

16 BIT MICROPROCESSORS

Otl.ujoriiJij.il CPttafJKa ZHO StoriHullti OCTU8ZB0 79i till

Qodboui nam aosr imcmroiiip u; un r.m-saa: m oo Go0tjouldu.ilprotL-«nrMrlb8D8fl a tb GBI-BSSS WOO

SINGLE BOARD COMPUTERS

Inborn £0-1 1?8K J sen. I nulS-luO INS-E04 593 OU ArJv.irtci.-ti Oigiljl lluppy & 61K AM0 780 750 00

ItfleICk f DC-1 siiit]lc Do.irrl nqmtmwv U.L FDC1 G7f. 0f>

8 BIT MICROPROCESSORS

GoilDrjul ISO 24 D>! clmiced ,idcj GDI IBO 00

Cililoriiu Computer Z80 nucrrjptoctM.nr CCS ^BIO 00 r^rbell OO win t.M. RS2J2 purls I AH ZOO J3D 00

FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLERS

CurJDool Disk 1 ooublc dcrsity GB1 DSKl 395 00

CJlilmnt,! Cumpuiei with CPM CCS-2422 339 DO

Monow Disk Jockey II williCPM 2 ? MUS-UJ? 350 DO

MontiAlkik.lrjtkeyl'.r.iititPM mjI D^ii M[)S UJt 225.0D

Ltrlirll I IcrJriinrcsiKiiililf! tlnrlsily IAI1 [)I)C J19 00

LiUn-N (l(:iiii(riu;r-'.if.iiH-(kiisi[y I AM SOC 279 UO

Fulcrum DMAOmniDck I 0 lo ratfl disk fCM-OD1 J89 00

CPM OPERATING SYSTEM

DqiUtlReseatcnCP M3 0 fi igl den UHC CpM30 349 00

GffiHMMUt CPM 11 kH Qisl I CBT-CdM?2 159 00

GuUnout CPM86 lor SOBS .ind 80BB Gfll -CpMeS 2(0, 00

T-trbell ElecttomcsCPM ? 2 TAR-CpM^ 159 00

HARD DISK CONTROLLERS

Oclagon hard disk conlrnlle- aiIIi [ r; QC1 Ht) 1 -175 00

Godbom Disk 2 f) sit haiodtsk GBi-DSK? sea oo

GorJOoul Disk 3 lot 5'j WuicNcsIkis GDI-DSK3

Morrow Designs COtitiOllei Irji 5'i Win MOS WSOu -195 00

Western Digital new WD- 10J1 inot S-IOOi WOi 1001 195 00

EPROM BOARDS

STATIC MEMORY BOARDS

Go0BOullt.ui in oik lAMAiatnns riBi niG \si

GodbouiK,it «n>i?iDikoo-i^ liBt-Ri; ji<

GorjDOulknr. M l?BKb)l.-B II,t,.,nsl.-i Cflt B2I *>!

FulcrimiJiirrRjn." 16 li.nrit.-r n..nk I CM fii'n i"1

U#m*CU>4X*Ui\iC. "Oiiojiiy CCS-2116 I'

DYNAMIC MEMORY BOARDS

INTERFACE BOARDS

SPECIAL FUNCTION BOARDS

KH -,

bUlOO

ICCC100

GouDOulS^lrr»suW»jrti>..,r(i 4K(PH0UU81 SVSI GoCbouiSyitcnsupportt>nr0 9511munGrtl Sli'i Uu..' S^-' n- JtMnnri IJCftD Atonv HbC-/UMli

M^fM12M(Mkj*m «|Ji *f> OSt A'Mi.'

MAINFRAMES & MOTHER BOARDS

Eclipseftita siHinles:, ZtMt IW-UXi il'JbOO

Goutnjul£ncloiU(c2 20i.uts CHI MI2D t.._S00

Ciitlutriu Conipuiet ?200 12 slui CCS 2200 I ffj 00

CMtiM Dnjit.il iSslotmainci Diuitl CM Wit ■■■ Jb 00 Giuipriut\2 vimmuitin Dirjid ,iw.-itinii'rt I.HI MB 1. 11'.imj

I B M BOARDS

Quattrani 51^ ■ OflK mcmo'y & scn.tl |)l Qua0ram5t2 ■ 512K memory RS232 Ckiddboard 6JK Four Function Quad boa td 256K Four Function AST MegjPlus64K RS232 clociCcat AST I/O Plus

AST ComQoPlus frJK. ctk/cjl. ser & par I AST Advanced Communicaiiorts card

OUD-4/64 0UD-4;256 ASI-MEGp

STB I/O 6JK. serial. 1 par I rums port STB-RI 64

STBSupe-fll064K2§ SASI clkxai STB-RII164

STB Super RIO 25£K STB-RI256

SIB Supe- RIO Pigrjytjack64K STBPB64

235 DO 495 DO 495 00 750 00 299 00 755 00 429 DO 495 00

Shipping: First five pounds S3.00, each additional pound S.50. Foreign orders: 10% shipping, excess will be refunded. California residents add 6'/2% sales tax. • COD'S discouraged. Open accounts extended to state supported educational institutions and companies with a strong "Dun & Bradstreet" rating. Retail location: 17700 Figueroa Street, Carson CA. 90248.

TOLL FREE ORDER LINE

(800) 421-5041

TECHNICAL & CALIFORNIA

(213) 217-0500

1

SPECIAL PRICES

For the 4th of July Shopper

we will Beat All Competitor's Prices!

M^BVHMHIHMHI

★ 1200 OMS ★ 2 Drives, AppleCompatible ★ CPM Compatible

★ Hi-Res Green Monitor

★ Ace Calc, Ace Writer,

C Basic

k Drive

List $2295

$149

pie comp

★ 4853, 96TPI ★ Slimline/SA 465 Comp.

$169

I L-j 11 r*11 bj '1 r

Drive

★ FDD100-8

★ Sgl. Side/Dbl. Density

List $399 $119

FDD200-8 Dbl/Dbl $

Tandon

★ TM100-2

★ Dbl./Dbl. 360K

List $399 $195

MP

icroc

★ 1200 Baud

★ Stand alone mber Monitor

HI

■NMi

★ All Prime Parts ★ 90 Day warranty

4164-150NS — $5.75 ea. 4164-200NS — $5AO ea. 4164-250l\IS-$5.20 ea.

-?Mill«1.1iW^«Mili»M^l^

J J11111

★ ML92A

★ 160 CPS dence Quality

with these Specials!

Apple compatible Drives

QUANTITY

1 2 10

Micro Sci

A-2,35Track S200 S190 $180

Controller 80 70 65

Quentin Research

Apple Mate S195 5185 S175

Controller 65 55 45

Rana Systems

Elite I $240 S235 S225

Elitell, DDI. Head 35 345 335

Elite ill, Quad Density 455 445 435

controller Controls 4 Drives ..... 90 80 75

Half Height

FD525AFullyApplecom S150 S140 $130

5%" Disk Drives

QUANTITY

1 2 10

Teac

FD55A.160K S160 S150 S140

FD55B.360K 180 170 160

FD55F, Quad Density 200 190 180

All Teac's are Half Heights

Tandon

TM100-1,160K S200 S190 S180

TM100-2.360K 195 190 185

TM101-4, Quad Density 280 270 260

TM55-2,360KV2 Height 220 210 200

MPI

B-52,360KPCCompatible S200 S190 S180

Shugart

SA400.160K $200 $190 $180

SA455,360K1/; Height 220 210 200

SA465. Quad Den. V4 Height .... 230 220 210

Mitsubishi

4851,V2Height $220 $210 $200

4853, Quad Den. Vi Height 169 169 169

Control Data Corp.

CDC 9409,360K S230 $220 S210

CDC 9409T, Quad Density 300 250 200

Matsushita

JA-155 $160 $150 $140

Chinon

FD55A(sameasTeaoi60K S140 $130 $120

8" Disk Drives

OUANTITY

1 2 10

Siemens

FDD-100-8 $119 $115 $110

FDD-200-8 180 170 160

Shugart

801R,Sgl./DDI S360 $350 $340

851R,Dbl./DDI 470 460 450

Tandon

TM848-1,Sgl./Dbl.1/!Ht $350 $340 $330

TM848-2,Dbl./Dbl.1/2Ht 400 390 380

Mitsubishi

M2894-63,DbUDt)l $410 S400 S390

M2896-63, Dbl./Dbl. ViHt 410 400 390

Qume

DT8,Datatrak8 $450 S440 $430

5%" & 8" Power Supply & Cabinets

QUANTITY

1 2 10 PC Products 51/i"

SingleCabinetw/pwr S 70 S 60 $ 50

Dual Thinline Cab w/pwr 80 70 60

Dual Cabinets Power 80 70 60

All have 6 month warranty

PC Products 8"

Sgl. cabinet w/pwr & fan $220 S210 $200

Dualw/pwrfor2thinlines 220 210 200

Dual w/pwr & fan 270 260 250

FOR YOUR LARGEST SINGLE COMPUTER OUTLET

and the lowest prices in this Magazine

CALL 800-847-1718

THIS MONTH ONLY

FREE Shipping

for all Prepaid Orders

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Apple

CPU Only S 799

Mcintosh 2195

Portable 1150

Compaq

Portable (PC compatible) S1995

Franklin

ACelOOO. 64K S 700

Ace1200OMS 1450

Kaypro

Kayproll S1149

Kaypro4 + 1695

Kaypro 10 2495

IBM

PC64K, 2-Drives S2150

XT Hard Disk Drive, 128K 4495

PC Portable Call

SANYO

MBC-550PCCompatible S 699

MBC-5552-Drlves, more software .. 1099

APPLE ADD ON'S

ALS

ZCard S 119

CPM3.0Card 269

Astar

RF Modulator S 15

Fanw/Surge 29

Kensington

System Saver S 69

Koala

GraphicsTablet S 89

Kraft

Joystick S 49

Micro Max

viewmax80,80col.card S 139

viewmax80E(FforiiB64K 129

Micro Soft

l6KCard S 69

PremiumSoftCardllE 369

Multiplan 189

Soft card OBCII....- 239

Micro Tek

Bam 16,16k Memory S 59

Serial interface 89

TC

Joystick S 44

Select-A-Port 31

Paddles 34

IBM ADD ON'S

Ast Research

Six Pack + S 274

Mega+ 274

IBM

Monochrome Adapter S 319

color Card 245

Plantronics

PC+ w/Software S 389

Quadram

Quad Color Card S 219

Quad Link 479

omputer

Circle 59 on inquii

Components Unlimited

A California Corporation

64K upgrade

64K of Memory S 48

USI Research

Paradise Systems multi-display card S 389

Anchor

Mark VII300 Baud S 139

Mark XII, 1200 Baud 279

Haves Micro computer

Smart Modem 300 Baud S 199

SmartModeml200Baud 489

Smart Modem 1200B for PC 399

Micro Modem HE 239

Novation

J-cat S 119

Apple cat ll 259

PRINTERS

Dynax

DX15, Letter Quality S 449

DX25 729

Epson

RX-80I120CPS) S 319

RX-80FT (120 cps) Frictions Tractor . 419

FX-80I160CPS) 519

fx-100(160cps) 15"Carriage 729

Okidata

82Ad20cps)Par&serinter S 299

83A (15" Carriage) 569

84P(200cps)Friction& Tractor 999

New series Okidata

92P(160cps) S 429

93P (15" carriage) 699

Star Micronics

Gemini 10X(120cps) S 279

Geminil5X(l20cps)l5"Carriage... 399

Power type (18 cps) Ltr.qual 479

PRINTER INTERFACES

Cables

IBM to Printer S 29

Kaypro to Printer 29

RS232 Cables 29

Fourth Dimension

Cards cable S 49

Microtek DumplingCX(CrapplerCompatible) S 89

Dumpling CXexpto64K 149

DumplingCXi6Kw/i6Kexpto64K . 169

for each additional 16K 15

Okidata Options

Tractorfor82&92 S 59

Serial Interface 99

Orange Micro

Crappler + S 114

Crappler + W/16K 179

Star or Epson

Epson Serial interface S 119

StarSerial interface 59

wesper Micro

Wizard Full Graphics interface S 89

I

RETAIL STORE:

11976 Aviation Blvd.

Circfe on inqu.rs card InglewoOfJ, CA 90304

■ MAIL ORDER:

r\ tT\TC* P.O. Box 1936

(71 HO Hawthorne, CA90250

Mon.—Fri. 7 a.m. to 6 p. Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.

Supersedes All Oth harge for Credit Ca

■

MONITORS

Amdek

Colon + Composite Video S 289

colorii + RGBVideo 419

300G, 12" Green 139

300A, 12" Amber 149

310A, Monochrome Amber 179

BMC

9191 Color New Version s 239

IBM

Monochrome Hi Res Green S 319

Princton Graphics

PGSHX12, IBM Copy S 469

PGSSR-12,Hi-ResColor 649

PGSMAX-12,12" Monochrome 199

USI

P11,9" Green, Hi Res, 20MHz S 100

PI 2,12" Green, HI Res, 20MHz 100

PI 3,12" Amber, Hi Res, 20MHz 100

PI 4,9" Amber, HI Rex, 20MHz 100

zenith

ZVMl22,Hi-ResGreen S 109

ZVMl23,Hi-ResAmber 109

5W Cabinets

Singlecab.w/powersupply S 70

DualCab.w/powersupply 80

DualThinlineCab.w/pwr.sup 80

8" cabinets

Singlecab.w/fan&powersupply. .S 220

Dual cab. w/fan & powersupply . .. 270

5Va" DISKETTES

ecu

Sgl/Dbl reinforced hub. .S17 I00forl50

Dbl/Dbl reinforced hub . 22 I00for200 Not Bulk Packed Dysan

Sgl/Dbl S33 100 for 300

DDI/DPI 39 100 for 370

Maxell

MD1 Sgl/Dbl S25 100fOr235

MD2 Dbl/Dbl 38 100 for 360

verbatim

Sgl/Dbl S26 100 for 240

Dbl/Dbl 36 100for340

Dysan

Sgl/Sgl S34 100 for 320

Dbl/Dbl 53 100fOr480

Maxell

Sgl/Dbl S44 100 for 380

Dbl/Dbl 50 100for469

verbatim

sgl/Sgl S30 I00for280

Dbl/Dbl 40 100for360

8 DISKETTES

DISK ACCESSORIES

verbatim

8" or 5%" Head Cleaning Kit ..

Flip Tub

5W Holds 50 disks, plexiglass. 5W' Holds 70 disks, plexiglass.

17

inside California

ervice & Technical

(213) 643-5191

lercnandise new. we accept mc, visa, wire sfer, COD call. Cerrified check. PO.s from fiect firms, APO accepted. Shipping Minimum first S pounds. Tax. California Res only add

PRICES REDUCED DRASTICALLY

CALL TOLL-FREE (800) 545-2633

L

1

1 1

DISK DRIVES

PRINTERS

APPLE FRANKLIN

SHUGART

SW SA400 (35 TR) 160K 149.00

5W SA400L (40 TR) 190K 175.00

5V«" SA455L (40 TR) 320K <A HGT 195.00

8" SA801R(SS/DD) 600K 355.00

OUME

5V«" 142 (40 TR) 320K V, HGT 200.00

8" DT8 (842) 490.00

MITSUBISHI

8" M-2896-63 Thinline 8" DS/DD 1.2 MG 419.00 8" M-2894-63(110V) Standard 8"

DS/DD 1.2 MG 419.00

5V4" M4853 Quad Density 199.00

CDC

5'A" 9409-DS/DD 225.00

TANDON

5V." TM100-1 SS/DD 160K 139 00

5V«" TM100-2A DS/DD (320K)

FOR IBM-PC 199.00

TM101-4 (96 TPI Quad Den) 299.00

MPI

5'/." B-51 40TR SS/DD 180K 150.00

5V." B-52 40TR DS/DD 320K

(FOR IBM PC) 195.00

DRIVE CABINETS

8 CABINETS

8" DDC88V28 w/PS vertical lor

2-8" drives 269.00

81' DDC88T-1 w/PS vertical-tor 2 or 4-8"

thinline drives 269.00

8" DDC88T-2 w/PS vertical lor 2-8"

thinline drives 155.00

8" DDC8V w/PS vertical lor 1 -8" drive .. 249.00 8" DDC88H w/PS horizontal lor

2-8" drives 269.00

SW CABINETS 5''." DDC5H w/PS horizontal-tor

1-5''," drive 55.00

5V DDC5V w/PS vertical-lor 1 ea 5V drive

50.00

5V DDC55V w/PS vertical-lor 2-5'«" drives (NEW)

85.00

NEW "SLIMLINE" DRIVE CABINET 5v." DDC55HV, w/PS horizontal lor 2 ea.

5v," drive - Specily DRIVE 75.00

All Cabinets Available with Extender Conneclor Add >10.00 ea.

DATA CABLES

8" DSC 88-2SKT-lor 2-8" drvs w/ skt conn. 20.00 5V«" DSC55-2SKT-lor 1-5V." drvs

w/skt. conn 20.00

RS232MM-5' (male to male) 19.00

IBM to PAR or COLUMBIA to PAR .... 24.00

Osborne to PAR 26.00

Kaypro to PAR 26.00

Many Other* Available

Lemon (6AC outlets-3 prong) 44.00

Lime (5 -3 prong pwr cord w/on-off switch) 69.00

Orange-AC surge ♦ EMI filter (6 outlets) .. 95.00

Peach (3 outlets) AC surge/EMI filter 69.00

DAISYWRITER

Daisywriter 2000-48K Bulfer/20TO40CPS

Letter Quality Par or Serial 999.00

DIABLO

620 (25CPS/Serial) 920.00

630 (40CPS/Multi-IF) 1,799.00

630 ECS/IBM 2,100.00

DYNAX

Dynax-15 Par-13CPS Daisywheel

2 color PTG-3K buff 449.00

Dynax 15 Serial-13CPS Daisywheel 525.00

EPSON

FX80 (160 CPS-Par 10") 485.00

FX100 (160 CPS-Par 15") 719.00

JUKI

6100-18CPS/Diablo Compatible

Par/Daisywheel 438.00

MANNESMAN-TALLY

Spirit 80CPS Par 10" 289 00

160L (160CPS-40CPS Letter Quality 10") 589 00

180L (160CPS-40CPS Letter Quality 15") 799.00

OKI-DATA

Microline 82A (SER & PAR-120CPS 10") 2gg 0o Microline 83A (SER & PAR-120CPS 15") 569 00 Microline 92 (PAR-160CPS-LTR-10") ... 41900 Microline 93 (PAR-I60CPS-LTR-15") . .. 700 00 Microline 84P (PAR-200CPS-LTR-15") . 1 00000 Microline 84S (SER-200CPS-LTR-15") . 1,100.00

STAR MICRONICS Gemini 10X NEW VERSION

(PAR-120CPS-10") 268.00

Gemini 15X (PAR-120CPS-15") 395.00

TOSHIBA

P1340 - Smaller version ol 1350 / 10" Carriage / 112 CPS Draft Mode / 54 CPS Ltr Quality 895 0o (List Price $1395)

P-1350 - 192 CPS Draft Mode / 120 CPS

Ltr Quality / Specily Par or Serial 1,699.00

Hayes 300 219.00

Hayes 1200

OUR BEST BUY

ANCHOR MARK XII

300/1200 Band Auto Answer/Auto Dial Direct Connect Intelligent Modem w/RS 232 Cable Included 2 Telephone Jacks. Low Power (60 MA) Dial Tone Detect 269.00

DISKETTES

15% Discount for Qty 100

FOR APPLE, ETC.

5%" Sort Sector SS/DD 15 00

For IBM PC & PARTNERS

5V<" Soft Sector DS/DD 20.00

• Lifetime Warranty

• All have Hub Rings and PLASTIC CASE

ACCESSORIES ALS

CPM 3 0 Card 269.00

Z-Caid II 119.00

Smarterm 2 — 80 Col Video for 2+ 139.00

COOL TIME

Fan. Surge Protection. Real Time Clock 2 Outlets lor Pnntei & Monitor 85.00

GENERIC

16K RAM Add-on 45.00

HAYES JOYSTICKS

Mach II (For II & HE) 33.95

Mach III (with tiring button) 42.95

HAYES MODEM

Micro-Model HE w/terminal package ... 239.00

MICRO-MAX

View Max 80 (80 Col for II ») 149.00

View Max 80E (80 Col w/64K Memory

Expands to t28KI 139.00

ORANGE MICRO

Parallel Interface (No Graphics) 61.00

Grappler * (Graphics Interlace) 119.00

Grappler * 16K (Buffer and 5 to 64K) .... 175.00

Butler Board 135.00

TG PRODUCTS

Joy Stick—For Apple II * 38.00

Paddles 29.00

Selecta Port 38.00

VIDEX

Ultraterm 279.00

Videterm with Softswitch 219.00

APPLE DISK DRIVES

STANDARD SIZE

Micro Sci A-2 (35TR) 189.00

Vt SIZE

Super 5" "Green" Thmime t63K 40TR

Belt Drive 179.00

Super 5 "Blue" Thinline 163K 40TR

Direct Drive 189.00

Super 5 "Red" Thmime 163K 40TR

Teac Drive 200.00

RANA

RANA 1 239.00

RANA 2 Dbl Sided 339.00

RANA 3 Quad Density 429.00

ALL DRIVES 1 YR. WARRANTY

APPLE DISK CONTROLLERS

Micro-Sci (35TR) 60.00

Generic (35TR) 50.00

Micro-Sci (40TR) '. 89.00

RANA 85.00

OKI-DATA 92 Printer

160CPS- Par Port Ltr Quality

Only $419.00

DAISY-WRITER 2000

With Tractor - 20/40 CPS Daisy wheel - Ltr Quality

Only $999.00

SANYO PRODUCT

• Teac FD55B - DS/DD With Software Only

$229.00

• Serial Interface With Cable,

Software $69.00

PRO-MODEM 1200

• 300/1200 BAUD

• Hayes Compatible

• Auto Answer/Originate

• Clock/Calendar

• Auto Dial

Only $368.00

Open account to state supported universities & companies with high Dun & Bradstreet rating.

Visa, MC, Check or Money Order U.S. funds only. Minimum order $15.00

1-801-972-2717

TOLL FREE ^

1-800-545-2633 CONTINENTAL U.S.

Minimum Shipping S3.00 in the Continental U.S.A.

WE WILL BEAT ANY ADVERTISED PRICE!

IBM SYSTEMS

IBM ACCESSORIES

AST PRODUCTS

Combo Plus (Serial/Par/CLK 64 lo 256K) 259.00

OUR BEST BUY

Six Pak Plus (Serial/Par/CLK/64K

Expands lo 384K| 269.00

Six Pak Plus (Senal/Par/CLK;384K) .... 569.00

269.00

270.00

Meg-A-Plus (Serial/CLK/64K

Expands 10 256K)

Meg-A-Pak (Expands Meg-A-Plus

I0 512K)

D.C. HAVES

Smartmodem 1200B-Smartcom 2

w/software 399.00

KEYTRONICS

5150 Keyboard 199.00

5151 Keyboard 229.00

MAYNARD

Floppy Conlroller

Floppy Controller (Serial)

Floppy Conlroller |PAR)

Sandslar MOD-FDC

MODULAR (lor 5'. or 8 drives!

ADD-ONS FOR Parallel MOD

SANDSTAR Serial-MOD

MOD-FDC Clock Calendar MOD Game Adapler MOD Sandslar Mufti-Function Bd (Holds up lo

6 modular add-ons

NEW 10 MG Hard Disk (Inlernall w/ Control!?!

160.00 230.00 210.00

205.00 60.00 79.00 69.00 49.00

82.00

995.00

IBM COLOR CARDS

P.C. PRODUCTS CORP

Rainbow Color Card 529.00

• 4 Times Better Than IBM Color

• Expands lo 128K RAM • PAR Port

• Serial Porl • Game Adapter • Light Pen Intl

• Mono Output • Composite Output

Hercules 339.00

PC Peacock 299.00

PRINCETON GRAPHICS

HX-12-Hi-Res Color 479.00

SR-12-Super Hi-Res Color 649.00

OUADRAM

Quadlink 449.00

Quadcolor 1 199.00

Quadcolor2 199.00

Quadboard 1 (No memory) 199.00

Quadboard 1 .... (64K) 259.00

Expands to 256K Serial. Parallel, Clock. Software

Quadboard 2 (No memory) 199.00

Quadboard 2 .... (64K) 259.00

Expands to 256K 2 Serial Port. Clock and software Quadboard 384

With 64K (Expands to 384K). Serial, Parallel, Clock, Game Port and software 249.00

MAIL ORDER TOLL FREE 1-800-545-2633

' ^fc------- - - . ■ - ■ .g-j.jfc.j*.

EMLMtCTi W t r t I T r I TIT WTI Tf I

IBM PC-1—Includes 64K RAM, 1 ea. 320K Disk

Drive 1,875.00

IBM PC-2—Includes 64 RAM, 2 ea. 320K Disk

Drive 2,195.00

IBM PC-3—Includes 256K RAM. 2 ea. 320K Disk Drive, Mono Adapter. Mono

Display 2,399.00

IBM PC-4-lncludes 256K RAM, 2 ea, 320K Disk Drive, Peacock Color Card, Princeton HX 12 Display 3,395.00

IBM-XT

• 128K RAM • 1 ea 320K F.D. • 1 ea.

10MG Hard Disk 14,195.00

8087 CPU 179.00

OUR BEST BUY

IBM UP-GRADE KIT

INCLUDES 9 EA 4164-200NS FOR EXPANSION ON ALL IBM PRODUCTS WITH PARITY

IBM DISK DRIVES

CDC

CDC 5V." 9409 DS/DD320K Quietest Drive . 225.00

PANASONIC - BEST BUY IN V, HGT

5 V JA-155 (40 TR) 320K's HGT Direct Dirve

w/Brackets 169.00

2 lor 310.00

TEAC

5V F-55B (40TR) 320K HGT Direct Drive

(For Sanyo & IBM) w/Brackets 169.00

2 lor 320.00

SHUGART DISK DRIVES

SA455L-1 12 HGT 320K DS/DD

w BRACKETS 195.00

2 tor 370.00

TANDON DISK DRIVES

TM 100-2A 320K DS/DD 199.00

IBM COMPATIBLE SYSTEMS

IBS SYSTEM

IBM "LOOK-A-LIKE"

PC-2000 — Basic Mainframe 929.00

FEATURES • 5 Slot Mother Bd W/64K (Expands to 256K)

• Power Supply w/Fan

• Lo-Profile Keybd - 96 Key

• 2 ea Serial • 1 ea PAR

• Space for 4 ea. V4 HGT Drives or 2 Full Size.

• Will run PC/DOS or MS/DOS

• Will run all MS/DOS Compatible Software

'PC-2001 — Includes 64K RAM, 1 ea.

320K F.D 1,350.00

PC-2002 - Includes 64K RAM. 2 ea.

320K F.D 1,595.00

PC-2003 — Includes 256K RAM, 2 ea. 320K F.D..

Video CD, 12" 300A Mono Display 1,895.00

PC-2004 — Includes 256K RAM, 2 ea. 320K F.D., Color Cd, Princeton Color Monitor 2,395.00

COMPAQ

Compaq with 256K and 2 ea.

F.D. (360K), Par Port 2,359.00

COLUMBIA

1600-1, 2-Drives (360K) 2,569.00

1600-4,12MB Hard Disk 3,695.00

MPC-XP Portable 2,289.00

SANYO

MBC550, 1-Drive, software 789.00

MBC555, 2-Drives. more software 1,099.00

MBC550-2 949.00

MBC555-2 1,295.00

Optional Serial Port 69.00

GREEN

BMC 12AU (15MH2) 80 Col/12" 79.00

USI PI-1 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/9" 100.00

USI PI-2 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/12" 100.00

AMBER

USI PI-4 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/80-Col/9" ... 100.00 USI PI-3 (20 MHZ) Hi-Res/80 Col/12" .. 100.00 COLOR

Amdek 1-12" Composite (For Apple) 259.00

Amdek 11 Composite w/audio 275.00

Amdek ll-12"-RGB (For IBM-PC) w/audio 419.00

DISPLAY MONITORS

OUR BEST BUY

OUR BEST BUY FOR APPLE SAKATA SC-100 Best Composite Video for Apple According to Creative Computing Analysis 259.00 OUR BEST BUY FOR IBM

Princeton HX-12-RGB

479.00

SHUGART12MG HARD DISK

FOR IBM

With Maynard Controller and Software

Only $989.00

Back up for Hard Disk 6.38 MG Removable Hard Disk

Only $969.00 Extra Disk $99.00

TEAC FD55B DS/DD 360K

TEAC FD55F Quad Density

$169.00 $219.00

QUADBOARD 384K

With 64K (Expands to 384K) Serial, Par, Clock, Game Port and Software

Only $249.00

Circle I4I on inquiry card.

Retail Sales 123 East 200 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Mail Orders '

1780 West 2300 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84119

Prices subject to change without notice.

Serial 4 11 Parallel

Convert What You Have To What You Want!

* RS232 Serial

* 6 Baud Ratea

* Latched Outputs

' Centronics Parallel ■ Handshake Signals * Compact Z% x 4% x 114

No longer will your peripheral choices be limited by the type ot port you have available! Our new High Performance 700 Series Converters provide the missing link. Baaod on the latest In CMOS technology these units feature lull baud rate selection to 19.2K, with handshake signals to maximize transfer efficiency. Detailed documentation allows simplified Installation. Order the Model 770 (Ser/Par) or Model 775 (Par/Ser) Today!

Buffer Products Coming Soonl

Tiatnri

IW1-B Plm Sired Poit Office Boa 1333 Oxniid. California 93030

only»89.'5

Connector Option J10.00 CA RUIMntiM i»x UPS Shipping 13.00

CALL (805) 487-1665 or 487-1666 I For FAST Delivery !

—

300 BAUD

1200 BAUD

MODEMS

SIGNALMAN Free 'SOURCE'

300 BAUD direct connect $ 69

300 BAUD AUTO D1AL/ANS $ 99

300/1200 AUTO DIAL/ANS $299 US ROBOTICS. . . 300/1200 AUTO

Hayes Compatible' "Password' with cables, spkr $339 Auto 212' dlxe $399

DOT MATRIX

LETTER QUALITY

PRINTERS

GEMINI lOx 120 cps graphics $289

PROWRITER120 cps hi density $359

JUKI daisy wheel 18 cps $565

DAISYWRITER 40 cps $999

COMPUTERS ibm

$CALL Columbia P.C.

HARD DISKS Corona P.C. PORTABLES Eagle P.C.

IMAGE COMPUTERS

P.O. Box 1164, Cardiff, CA 92007

CALL TO ORDER:

(619) 436-7669 «A ■■■■ VISA/MC (619) 942-7373 "Ng ADD3%

CPM

Eagle

Kaypro

Televldeo

CONVERSE KB COMPUTER

AT LAST! A FULL IMPLEMENTATION ol the original ELIZA program is now available lo run on your microcomputer!

Created at MIT in 1966. ELIZA has become Ihe world's most celebrated artificial intelligence demonslralion program ELIZA is a non-di recti ve psychotherapist who analyzes each siatemem as you type it in and Ihen responds wilh her own commenl or Question—and her remarks arc often amazingly appropriate'

Dasigned to run on a large mainframe. ELIZA has never belore been available to personal computer users except in greatly stripped down versions lacking the sophistication which made Ihe original program so lascinating.

Now. our new microcomputer version possessing the FULL power and range ol expression of Ihe original is being offered al Ihe introductory price o! only S25 And if you want to lind out how she does it (or leach her to do more), we will include Ihe complete SOURCE PROGRAM for only 120 additional.

Order your copy of ELIZA today and you II never again wonder how to respond when you hear someone say. "Okay, lei s see what this computer of yours can actually do1

ELIZA IS AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING FORMATS:

1 BX Inch disk for the 48K Apple II. II Plus, lie or III

125 for Prolected Version-$45 for Applesoft Source version

2 5J4 Inch disk lor the 64K IBM Personal Computer

125 for Protected Version-J45 (or IBM Disk BASIC Source Version

3 i]i inch disk or tape cassette tor the Commodore 64 fspecily which) 125 for Protected Version-J<5 lor C-64 BASIC Source Version

Please add S2 00 shipping and handling to all orders (California residents please add 6% sales lax)

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH GROUP

92; North La Jolla Avenue. Dept B \^vt^i\ Los Angeles. CA 90046

^^j" (213)656-7368 {213)654-2214

MC. VISA and checks accepted

Circle 130 on inquiry card.

Circle 156 on inquiry card.

Circle 28 on inquiry card.

IBM*

XT COMPATIBLE OEM COMPONENT SALE

Computer Case $150.00

Key Board $199.00

Power Supply $225.00

Mother Board-Bare $ 95.00

Mother Board without ICs. . . $225.00

Mother Board with ICs $525.00

Dealers/OEM Buyers Quantity Discounts Available.

All items are 100% XT Compatible as replacement kits. Case with interchangable rear panel for PC Users. Bare board comes with complete instruction with part list. 1 year manufactures warranty on most items.

VISA and MasterCard welcome Price change without notice IBM is a trademark of International Business Machine

aT^*l*ina^fcBa

"•tjirfSTtTTjnn

HiTech Interna

4966 i i Cimino Los Alms, ( A VTLX 171*54 IB(

SPECTACULAR

531 LOWEST PRICES BM 3M DISKETTES

LIFETIME WARRANTY

$180ea s™ $930ea

5 W' SS/QD/96TPI . .. $2.55 514" DS/QD/96TPI ... $3.20

8" SS/SD $2.00

8" SS/DD $2.45

8" DS/DD $2.95

1-800-328-3472

Dealer inquiries invited. COD's and charge cards accepted. All orders shipped from stock within 24 hrs.

North Hills Corporation

3564 Rolling View Dr. White Bear Lake, MN 55110 MN Call Collect 1-612-770-0485

Disks 'n Things

|* Dealer Inquiries Weld

n

CALL 818-706-8602

i Credit For Direct Dial Call With $30 Qatar p We Pay Shipping-MC/VISA-COD Costs . • 2% Discount For Cash Applicable to USA Customers Only

Disks 'n Things

5505 Softwind Way Agoura Hills. CA 91301

Price List Available

Circle 153 on Inquiry card.

Circle 236 on Inquiry card.

Circle 106 on Inquiry card.

MEMORY MODULES

8Kx8 CMOS RAM

Radio Shack Model 100 SEC PC-8201

* Suggested List $120.00,

Purple price *09,95

* Low power CMOS design. ■a^raraaaaaaaaa

* Simple Installation

* 30 day satisfaction guarantee or your money back. ' 1 Year warranty.

* Next day shipment via UPS Included In price.

* Optional Memory Test progrem $15. (Cassette) No frills direct connect Modem Cable - $9.95

Shipping: From stock. Free UPS surface Cont. USA-Add $4.00 lor UPS 2 day Air-Add $7.00 for Canada-Payment: VISA or M/C. Checks held 14 lays. -Tan: 6% (Calil. only).

PURPLE COMPUTING

CALL NOW

2068 Ventura Blvd. ™ Camarillo, Ca. 93010 LA (805) 987-47B8

BASF FLEXYDISKS® WHOLESALE 100% ERROR FREE LIFETIME WARRANTY

3V4" SOFT SECTORED 54112 SS/SD «346

5 V SOFT SECTORED 54974 SS/SD 1.71

54980 DS/DD 2.36

54986 DS/QD 2.84

8" SOFT SECTORED 54998 SS/SD 2.14

54021 SS/DD 271

54039 DS/DD 333

VISA, MC, AMERICAN EXPRESS, COD

DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED TOLL FREE 1-800-323-5357

IN ILLINOIS 1-312-982-1030 ASK FOR PAUL

CREST COMPUTER SUPPLY, INC.

7855 N. GROSS POINT ROAD SKOKIE, IL. 60077

Price

. $99

INTERFACE FOR TYPEWRITER, CENTRONICS AND WORDSTAR COMPATIBLE

Model •

Tl Olivetti Praxis 30. 35. 40

T2 Olivetti Praxis 41 T3 Silver Reed Ex 42. 43. 44 » Penman T4 Adler Satellite 11 and Alpha Royal 2001 T5 Olympia Compact and Swintec 1146 CM

INFRARED INTERFACE FOR REMOTE OPERATION WITHOUT CABLES

IRR Board, Receiver station

lor use wilh one or all:

IRN Numerical Pad VisiCal compatible $49

IRK full keyboard with lower case $129

IRC Four direction cursor control $29

TO ORDER CALL (40B) 734-4631 or write

$99

70

INTERFACE

Advanced Transducer Devices. Inc.

1287 Lawrence Sla fit/..

Additional J2. Calif, res

iOper

t/enii

Sunnyvale. CA 94089 ler lor shipprne

!55 oi

Circle 92 on Inquiry card.

Circle 13 on inquiry card.

MEGA-BOARD

Ideal for

• COMPUTERISTS

• OEM MANUFACTURERS

• DEVELOPMENT LABS

• UNIVERSITIES

• INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

THE ULTIMATE OEM/PC COMPATIBLE SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER

FULL IBM - PC* COMPATIBILITY!

DEALERS AND OEM MANUFACTURERS QUANTITY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

Standard Keyboard Interface

(Full PC compatible)

Eight Compatible I/O Interface Connectors

(Full PC compatible) (compatible with all IBM-PC* plug-in cards)

Special J1 Interface

(Allows horizontal mounting of compatible expansion cards for easy bus expansion and custom configuring) (Board has 62 pin gold plated compatible connector)

Extended ROM Capability

(Runs all compatible PC ROMS) (Jumper programmable to accommodate all popular 8K, 16K, 32K and 64K ROM chips and NEW EE ROMS! VPP power pin available for EP ROM burning!) (External VPP voltage required)

Board Size

10.5 inch X 13.5 inch

Full Mega-Byte Ram Capacity! On board!

(With parity)

□ 256K Bytes using 64K chips

□ 1 Mega Bytes using 256K chips

Hardware Reset

(Overcomes reset flaw in PC)

Power Connector

(Full IBM* pinout compatible)

8088 Processor

(Same as PC)

8087 Numeric Processor

(Same as PC)

Peripheral Support Circuits

(Same as PC)

Configuration Switches

(Same as PC)

Speaker/Audio Port

(Same as PC)

Wire Wrap Area

To facilitate special custom applications!

ORDER NOW!!!

Evaluation Board Kit!

(Blank board with full assembly instructions and parts list.)

Includes highest quality PC board with gold plating, silk screen, solder mask

□ MEGA-BOARD™ with full assembly instructions $99.95|

□ USERS MANUAL with theory of operation,

schematics, block diagram, application notes $19.95

□ MEGA-BIOS™ fully compatible MS-DOS/PC-DOS BIOS $29.95|

ORDER NOW!!!

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! 10-day money back guarantee if not completely satisfied

FT1 TlTil TELECOMMUNICATIONS /~~V \V V^^CORPORATION

4100 SPRING VALLEY ROAD SUITE 400 DALLAS, TX 75234 (214) 991-1644

TERMS: Shipment made 2 to 5 weeks from receipt of order. VISA, MC, money order, company check accepted. COD'S require $25 deposit. Balance UPS COD. Please add $2.00 shipping and handling per order.

*IBM and IBM PC are trademarks of International Business Machines Circle II2 on inquiry card.

©1983 Display Telecommunications Corporation

IULY I984 -BYTE 449

x~/lADM\NCED|

COMPUTER PRODUCTS!

Set of 9 S50.00

IBM PC MULTICARD™

MULTICARO" multifunction card for the IBM PC & XT expandable to 256K. Thousands of this popular card have already been shipped by AGP

• 64-256K • Disk Emulator Software

• Parallel Port • Printer Spooler Software

• Serial Port • Clock/Calendar 1 Year Warranty • Clock Software

>229» w/64K$229M

S-100 64K ok RAMCARD

Unbelievable Price!

$2ggo

Assembled and Tested

100

• ACP has sold over 1000 of these IEEE compatible low-priced, high-reliability 64K Static RAM Cards

• Single 5-Volt operation.

SIEMEN'S SALE

8 Disk Drives

'169°°

You can now purchase Shugart compatible 8" Disk Drives below your

existing factory direct pricing) These Prices are the lowest ever published. 'Stamen's SS0D FDD100-8.. $169.00

Also, with purchase of Disk Drives you can buy the Vista V-1000 Dual Case

with Power Supply and Cable tor only $375.00 — Regular Price $495.00

Ofler Limited! Factory Warranty 90 Daysl Shipped Immediately from Stock! 'OEM Quantities

DOT MATRIX PRINTER

C0EX 80-FT

* 9x7 Dot Matrix,80 CPS. Bi-Directional

Printing i-* 2K Buttered Memory if 80, 96.132 Columns, Graphics and

Block Printing v Selectable Char Pitch. Line Spacing

and Feed

COEX Interface Card to Apple $49.95

ACP HAS DISK DRIVES

APPLE II ™ COMPATIBLE

Thin APPLE COMPATIBLE

lii 111 DISK DRIVES

I I n Q VISTA Soto 5W Std $199.00

LI I lU CUMANA SW Std 219.00

RANA Elile 1 249.00

UriVB e,',e3 4»m

1 w Bite Controller 82.00

SUPER 5 Alps A40 Thineline 199.00

£tfi AAQfl TEAC T40 Thineline .239.00

* I %ilsl*,u TEAC TBO Doublesided 329.00

I WW Controller 50.do

^k TANDON100-2

x| PC Compatible • Double Sided *°V9 TM100-1 $179.00

TOSHIBA Hall-High

PC Compatible • Double Sided

s17goo

OTHER DRIVES WE STOCK

64K RAMS

Apple Compatible Software

BUSINESS

ACP PRICE

APPLIED SOFTWARE Versatorm S299.00

Versalorm Hard Disk 399.00

ARTSCI Magic Window II 95.00

Magic Combo 149.00

ASHTON-TATE dBASE II (CP/M) 385.00

Friday (CP/M) 198.00

SPI (GL. AR, AP, Pay. Inv) oh. 299.00

BHODERBUND Bank Street Writer 49.00

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS The Irtcred Jack 149.00 CONTINENTAL (GL, Afl. AP. Pay) 189.00

Home Accountant 49.00

DATAMOST Real Estate Inv 99.00

DOW JONES Market Manager 249.00

Market Analyzer 289.00

Market Microscope 549.00

EAGLE Money Decisions 149.00

FOX & GELLER Qickcode 199.00

d Utility 69.00

d Graph 199.00

HAVDEN Pie Writer 99.00

Compiler Plus 79.00

Basic Compiler 45.95

HOWARDSOFT Tax Preparer 149.00

Real Estate Analyzer 139.00

KENSINGTON Format II 99.00

LIGHTNING Mastertype 35.00

LIVING VIDEOTEXT Think Tank 135.00

MICROPRO Wordstar 249.00

Mailmerge or Spellstar 139.00

Wordstar Prof. 4 Pak 449.00

Info Pak or InfoStar Call

MICROSOFT Multiplan 179.00

Mullilool Financial 79.00

Mullllool Budget 119.00

MEGAHAUS Megawrtter 49.00

PEACHTREE Series 40 (GL. AR. AP) 379.00

Series 9 (Text, Spell. Mail) 399.00

PERFECT SOFTWARE Call

QUARK Word Juggler (lie) 199.00

Lextoheck (lie) 99.00

Call tor Apple III SIERRA ON-LINE

Screenwriter II 99.00

Screenwriter Professional 149.00

General Manager II 189.00

Dictionary 79.00

SOFTWARE PUBUSHING PFS/File 89.00

PFS/Graph or PFS/Report 89.00

STATE OF THE ART Call

STONEWARE DB Master 4.0 249.00

BB Utility 1 or 2 79.00

SYSTEMS PLUS Acct Plus (GL, AP, AR) .Set 599.00

VISICORP Visicalc 3.3 179.00

Visicalc Enhanced 199.00

Vlsilile or Vlsidex 179.00

HOME & EDUCATION

BRODERBUND Chopltfler $28.00

Dfoi or Loderunner 28.00

Arcade Machine 44.00

Apple Panic 24.00

BUDGECO Raster Blaster 24.00

Pinball Construction Set 29.00

COUNTERPOINT SOFTWARE

Easy Games for Young Children 26.00

DATAMOST Aztec 29.00

Pig Pen or Shark Attack 23.00

DATASOFT Zaxxon 31.00

EDU-WARE Compumath 37.00

Algebra I, II or III 30.00

Compuread or Corrtpuspell 23.00

EINSTEIN Memory Trainer 73.00

ELECT. ARTS Music Construction Call

HARCOURT Computer SAT Call

HAYDEN Sargon II 29.00

INFOCOM Zork 1. II or III 29.00

Deadline 38.00

KOALA Modules (8 available) Call

LEARNING COMPANY

Juggles Rainbow 36.00

Bumble Games 48.00

Gertrude's Secrets 59.00

L4S Crossword Magic 41.00

MICROFUN Miner 2049er Call

MICROLAB Call

MICROSOFT Decathlon 25.00

Typing Tutor II . . .19.00

MONOGRAM Dollars & Sense 74.95

ORIGIN Exodus: Ultima III 41.95

PENGUIN The Quest 16.00

SENSIBLE Sensible Speller 99.00

SIERRA/ON-LINE Froggor 28.00

SIRTECH Legacy ol Uylgamya 29.00

Knighl ol Diamonds 29.00

SOUTHEASTERN Data Capture 4.0 54.95

SPINNAKER Alphabet Zoo 20.00

Delta Drawing 35.00

Fraction Fever 23.00

Kindercomp 21.00

Facemaker 28.00

SUBLOGIC Flight Simulator or Pinball 26.00

SUNDEX-No. 1 Rated Home Finance

CPA Personal Accountant 74.95

CPA Personal Investor 74.95

Personal Payables 42.95

TERRAPIN Logo $99.00

TRANSEND Transend I 75.00

VIRTUAL Micro Cookbook 29.00

UTIUTIES'SYSTEM

BEAGLE Apple Mechanic $23.00

Apple Plot or Pronto DOS 26.00

Beagle Basic 26.00

DOS Boss 17.00

Doublo Take or Utility City 26.00

CENTRAL POINT Filer 16.00

Copy II Plus 31.00

LOCKSMITH 79.00

MICROSOFT A.LD.S 85.00

Cobol80 575.00

Fortran 80 155.00

PENQUIN CGS System 79.00

PHOENIX Zoom Graphix 31.00

SOUTHWEST Merlin 49.95

Send for Complete Catalog of Soli ware

APPLE™ COMPATIBLE DISK CONTROLLER

Only

$4095

Apple Compatible

Printer Interface $ AQ95

w/Apple to Epson Cable ™§3J

Apple lie Compatible

80 Column $0095 Card W/64K JJ

APPLE COOLING FAN

with Surge .Suppression

$4995

VISTA "SOLO"

Apple ll/lle Compatible Disk Drive

Totally compatible to Apple Drives.

Controller $49.95

Just plug in and run.

Apple II16K RAM CARD

Compatible with Z80 Softcard" . PASCAL CP/M "

Full 1 year Warranty. Top Quality by COEX

new low SAQ95

ACP PRICE H*l Also from COEX, NEW EPSON Parallel Interface for Apple. With cable $49.95

VISTA A800

8" Disk Controller

$2gg95

for Apple

VISTA "DISKMASTER"

IBM Compatible

*16995

3". 5", 8" and VI200 Compatible

800-854-8230

IWX

910-595-1565

Complete Apple Support Facility Complete Apple Service Center m We service most £^ Floppy Disk Drives JF' ACP

PRICE

Apple He W/128K. BO columns $1195.00

Apple lie Starter System 1395.00

Includes: Apple lie W/64K. 80 Column Card. Monitor II & Disk II w/Conlrollor

Disk II w/Controller 399.00

Disk II 329.00

Monitor II Green tilt 179.00

Super Serial Card 189.00

80 Column Text Card w«4K 169.00

Imagewnter Dot Matrix Printer 549.00

"Apple Products Available In-store Only"

Apple Compatible Hardware

MONITORS

*TAXAl\l

MODEL ACP PRICE

210 RGB Composite. Sound (Apple) $329.00

400 RGB Vision I Med. res. (Apple, IBM. etc.) 329.00

410 RGB Med. res. (Avail. Mar.) 429.00

415 RGB Vision III Mr Res. (Apple w.i il. IBM) .559.00 420 RGB III Hi Res. (IBM Cabinet) 559.00

121 TTL Green 12" (IBM Cabinet) 179.00

122 TTL Amber 12" (IBM Cabinet) 189.00

tOO'105 Green/Amber 139.00/149.00

CLEARANCE SALE

(Quantises Limited)

QTY UST ACP

120 Apple III Switching Power Supplies $59.95

13 Zenith ZB9X Computer 2199 1149.00

26 Zenith Z90-0 Computer 2499 1299.00

22 Zenith Z37 Disk Drive 1699 999.00

12 Zenith Z87 Disk Drive 999 549.00

1 Zenith Z67 Hard Disk 5995 3199.00 •Ail Zenith New In original boxes with 90 day Factory Warranty from nearest dealer.

2 Tl B40R0 W/friCtton 995 579.00

4 Tl 840R0 w/tractor 1045 599.00

2 Tl 840RO Package Opl/lriclion 1265 699.00

5 Tl B4OR0 Package Opl/traclor 1315 749.00 7 Tl 850 Serial Printer 449.00 7 Tl Professional Multiplan 350 179.00

20 Tl Prof 64K exp to 192K Ramcard 149.00

1 Fortune Syslem 10 7995 2995.00

1 Fortune System 20 10990 3995.00

3 Fortune 256K Ramcard 1095 599.00 35 Olivetti M20 Computer 2495 995.00

200 General Terminals CTC RS232 269.00

40 Zentec 8003/9003 Terminals 249.00

Mail Order: P.O. Box 17329 Irvine, CA 92713 Retail: 1310B E. Etlinger, Santa Ana. CA 92705 (714) 558-8813 542 W. Trimble. San Jose. CA 95131 1408) 945-7010

UST

ALS CP/M 3.0 Plus Card $399.00 COMPUTER ACCESSORIES

Power Control Center P12

COEX 16K Ram Card 99.00 Parallel Printercard w/Cable 99.00

Apple II Prototype Card 29.00

Apple I Extender Card 29.00

64K Extended 80 Column 199.00 CORVUS Hard Disk Omninet EASTSIDE Wildcard (H-i w/64) Wildcard 2 (lie) Wildcard Plus (64Kin10sec) FINGERPRINT Epson Enhancer GIBSON Light Pen

IS PKASO Interface (ll/lle) 199.00

PKASO Inlerface (III) 199.00

KENSINGTON System Savei 89.95

PC Saver 49 95

KEYTRON1CS KB200 II * Keybd 290.00

KOALA Graphics Pad 125.00

KRAFT Joystick 65.00

Game Paddles 50.00

MCT Speed Demon 295.00

MPC 12BK Bubble Memory 875.00

MAR Sup'r Mod II RF Modulator 69.00

Sup'r Fan 50.00

MICROPRO 6MHz Applicard + Word

MICROSOFT Z-80 Softcard 395.00

Z-80 Softcard Plus 645.00

Softcard Premium Pak (II +) 695.00

Softcard Premium Pak (lie) 495.00

MOUNTAIN COMPUTER

CPS Multifunction 239.00

Music System 395.00

A/D Plus D/A 350.00

MICROTEK Dumpling Buf. W/64K 349.00

ORANGE MICRO

Grappler Plus 175.00

16K Bufferboard 175.00

Grappler Buffered W/16K 245.00

PCPI Applicard W/128K. 6MHz 595.00

8088 Coprocessor 595.00

Applicard W/12BK, 4MHz 495 00

PERISOFT (All w/1 Year Warranty)

Printertink Intoll. Printer I/O 99.00

Messenger Univ. Serial I/O 135.00

Timelink Realtime Clock 110.00

Graflink Graphics l/o 175.00

BuffOflink w/16K Buffer 169.00

PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS Microbuffer 16K (Epson Parallel) 159.00 Microbuffer 32K (Epson Parallel) 199.00

Microbuffer 16K (Epson Serial) 179.00

Microbuffer 32K (Epson Serial) 219.00 Microbuffer In-line 64K (Parallel) 349.00

Microbuffer In-line 64K (Serial) 349.00

PROMETHEUS Versacard 4 in 1 199.00

QUADRAM Ouadlink 880.00

Microliter 16K (Parallel) 189.00

Microfazor 16K (Serial) 220.00

Microfazer 32K (Parallel) 225.00

SATURN.TITAN

32K Ramcard 219.00

64K Ramcard 349.00

128K Ramcard 499.00

Accelerator II Card 599.00 Neptune 64K + 80 Neptune 128K + 80 Neptune 192K + 80

STREET Echo II (Apple) 149.00

Echo II Serial (in-line) 249.00

SVNETIX Sprite I 149.00

Spnte II 249.00

Superspnte 395.00

Flashcard 144K 449.00

Flashcard 288K 629.00

TG PRODUCTS

Joystick 59.95

Select-a-port 59.95

Trackball 64.95

Joystick w/Toggle lie 64 95

VIDEX Videoterm (60) 345.00

Ullraterm (132) 379.00

Enhancer II 149.00

VISTA COMPUTER

A800 B" Disk Controller 379.00

A500 5VV Disk Controller 99.00

V1200 Amlyn 6.2Mb 1549.00

VOTRAK Type NTalk 259.00

Persona! System 395.00

ACP $299.00

99.00 49.95 49.95 20.00 20.00 99.95 Call 89.00 119.00 149.00 49.00 249.00 139.00 159.00 69.95 39.95 225.00 95.00 46.00 39.00 249.00 699.00 49.00 38.00 Cell 249.00 479.00 499.00 395.00

169.00 335.00 299.00 265.00

129.00 129.00 199.00 499.00 499.00 429.00

79.00 109.00

89.00 139.00 159.00

Call Cell Cell Call 279.00 279.00

189.00 289.00 399.00 449.00 199.00 299.00 389.00 99.00 199.00 129.00 224.00 359.00

49.95 49.95 54.95 54.95 199.00 279.00

49.95 1099.00 199.00 329.00

ANDROBOT

UST

ACP

Topo w/Speech

$1595.00

Call

Androwagon

95.00

Call

Toposoft (II, lie)

100.00

Call

Topolaach (II, lie)

159.00

Call

Topologo

Call

F.R.E.D. (Educational Robot)

349.00

Call

F.R.E.D. Soft (II, lie)

79.00

CAII

RB5X

RB5X Robot w/8K

1795.00

Call

16K Memory Add-in

125.00

Cell

Robot Arm Option

B95 00

Call

Voice Option

195.00

Call

Power Pack

94.00

Call

Robot Control Language (II. lie) 395.00

Cell

ZENITH HERO 1

2495.00

Call

Apple" Apple Trademark of Apple Computer IBM" IBM Trademark of International Business Machines

TERMS: We accept VISA. MC. MO. Cashiers and Parson* ctwxAs. School and Company PO's. We do not charge your card until we ship. Personal chocks require drivers license and credii card * No Surcharge Added on VISA o> MC. r^'soverJ5ajieo^remdeposn with order Add 3% sNpp.no and funding tor UPS We ofler SlmetUy shipment Puces suOject to change without notice. We reserve the noht to substitute manufacturer We are not resportsiDle to* typographical errors Retail Silo Prices ttiy Wiry

450 BYTE' IULY 1984

Circle 10 on inquiry card.