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JUNE 1984 £1
BBC MICRO • ELECTRON • ATOM
Nine tests for
your monitor
Rotating designs::
BBC and Electron
How does your
micro work?
DESIGNED WITH
PROGRESS IN MINE
liability and outstanding
iVL Diskftive Family.
mith The BBC
your BBC model B
formatted on the BBC Drives.
• Operates either from the BBC DOS th
pl»VL Double "Density DQjM^or fronf
optional Z 80 and cr/M.
• Supplied complete with all necessary
connecring. leads* iMbLdisk and full
operating manual.
• Available from all Lvfl^£!ig& I "
iwerei
ed version also available
Scientific House, Bridge Street, Sandiacre, Nottinghar
NG10 5BA Tel: 0602 394000
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LORDS OF TIME
Joins our range of acclaimed pure-text puzzle adventures, at £9.90, for:
BBC 32K COMMODORE 64 SPECTRUM 48K LYNX 48K NASCOM 32k ORIC 48K ATARI 32K
ADVENTURE
REVIEWS
“Adventures which have a fast
response time, are
spectacular in the amount of
detail and number of locations,
and are available to cassette
owners . . Simply smashing!"
-Soft, Sept 83
‘ Colossal Adventure is
included in Practical
Computing’s top ten games
choice for 1 983: “Poetic,
moving and tough as hell.”
- PC, Dec 83
“Colossal Adventure For
once here's a program that
lives up to its name . . a
masterful feat. Thoroughly
recommended”
- Computer Choice, Dec 83
“Colossal Adventure is one of
the best in its class. I would
recommend it to any
adventurer.”
- Acorn User, Feb 84
“Adventure Quest This has
always been one of the best
adventures for me as it seems
to contain the lot. In all it took
me about eight months to
solve.”
- PCW, 18th Jan 84
To sum up, Adventure Quest
is a wonderful program, fast,
exciting and challenging. If you
like adventures then this one
is for you" _ NILUG issue 1.3
“Colossal Adventure is simply
superb . . For those who want
to move onto another
adventure of similar high
quality, Dungeon Adventure is
recommended. With more than
200 locations, 700 messages
and 1 00 objects it will tease
and delight!”
- Educational Computing, Nov 83
MIDDLE EARTH ADVENTURES
1: COLOSSAL ADVENTURE
A complete, full size version of the classic mainframe game
Adventure" with 70 bonus locations added
2: ADVENTURE QUEST
Centuries have passed since the time of Colossal Adventure
and evil armies have invaded The Land The way is long and
dangerous, but with cunning you can overcome all obstacles
on the way to the Black Tower, source of their demonic
power, and destroy it
3: DUNGEON ADVENTURE
The trilogy is completed by this superb adventure, set in the
Dungeons beneath the shattered Black Tower A sense of
humour is essential!
THE FIRST SILICON DREAM ADVENTURE
1: SNOWBALL
The first of Pete Austin's second trilogy The giant colony
starship, Snowball 9. has been sabotaged and is heading for
the sun in this massive game with 7000 locations
ADVENTURE
REVIEWS
“Colossal Adventure . .
undoubtedly the best
Adventure game around. Level
9 Computing have worked
wonders to cram all this into
32K . Finally Dungeon
Adventure, last but by no
means least. This is the best
of the lot - a truly massive
adventure - you’ll have to play
it yourselves to belive it.”
- CBM 64 Users Club Newsletter
“The puzzles are logical and
the program is enthralling.
Snowball is well worth the
money which, for a computer
program, is a high
recommendation.”
- Micro Adventurer, Dec 83
“Snowball . As in all Level 9’s
adventures, the real pleasure
comes not from scoring points
but in exploring the world in
which the game is set and
learning about its denziens . .
this program goes to prove
that the mental pictures
conjured up by a good textual
adventure can be far more
vivid than the graphics
available on home
computers.”
- Which Micro?, Feb 84
“Lords of Time. This program,
writen by newcomer Sue
Gazzard, joins my favourite
series and is an extremely
good addition to Level 9’s
consistently good catalogue . .
As we have come to expect
from Level 9, the program is
executed with wonderful style
- none of those boring “You
can't do that” messages!
Highly recommended.”
-PCW, 1st Feb 84
THE LORDS OF TIME SAGA
7: LORDS OF TIME
Our congratulations to Sue Gazzard for her super design
for this new time travel adventure through the ages of
world history. Chill to the Ice-age, go romin’ with Caesar’s
legions, shed light on the Dark Ages. etc.
Price: £9.90 each (inclusive)
Level 9 adventures are available from good computer shops,
or mail-order from us at no extra charge Please send order,
or SAE for catalogue, to
LEVEL 9 COMPUTING
Dept A , 229 Hughenden Road,
High Wycombe, Bucks HP1 3 5PG
Please describe your computer
ir
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
1
Front cover illustration by Will Hill
Editor
Tony Quinn
Production editor
Keith Parish
Editorial assistant
Kitty Milne
Art editor
Nigel Wingrove
Publishing director
Michael Potter
Editorial director
Christopher Ward
Published by Redwood Publishing, 68
Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH. Tel: 01 -
836 2441. Typesetting & Artwork
Vantage Group, Wardour St,. London
W1. Production Aquarius Print and
Design Ltd., Scala St., London W1.
Printed in Great Britain by Wat-
moughs Ltd, Bradford. Advertising
Agents Computer Marketplace Ltd, 20
Orange St, London WC2H 7ED. Tel: 01 -
930 1612. Distributors to the News
Trade Comag, Tavistock Rd, West
Drayton. Middlesex UB7 7QE. Tel:
(0895) 44405. Subscriptions Subs
Dept, Redwood Publishing, 68 Long
Acre, London WC2E 9JH.
Tel: 01 -836 2441.
©Redwood Publishing 1984
All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced without prior written per-
mission of the publisher. The publisher cannot
accept any responsibility for claims or errors in
articles, programs or advertisements published.
The opinions expressed on the pages of this
magazine are those of the authors and do not
necessarily represent those of the publisher,
Acorn Computers Ltd, or Acornsoft Ltd. Acorn,
Acornsoft, and the Acorn symbol are the
registered trademarks of Acorn Computers Ltd
and Acornsoft Ltd.
Annual subscription rates:
UK £15
Europe £18
Middle East £20
The Americas and Africa £22
Rest of the World £24
These prices are inclusive of post and
packing for 12 issues.
Acorn User June 1984 Issue No 23
Features
Z80 Second
Processor 26
We report on the Z80 business
bundle
Forth 51_
Paul Garfield stacks up some
reasons why this language could
make a useful extension to your
programming repertoire
On the Cards 6^
Alan Samuels picks a card game
to demonstrate how graphics can
brighten up the play
Soft Pottery 67
Malcolm Banthorpe conducts a
pottery lesson
Speed & Space 77
How to quicken your pace and
save memory space in Basic
programming, by Gary Smallridge
Tape Loader 81_
An accurate and rapid search
and load routine for Electron and
Beeb from John Bexon
How it Works I 89
In a new series, Paul Beverley
takes the lid off the Beeb and
Electron to investigate their inner
workings. In Part I he monitors a
program as it runs
Train Game 96
Martin Phillips puts you on the
right track
Business 102
Barry Pickles eases the forward-
thinking businessman gently into
office computerisation - Plus
reviews of business packages
from Acornsoft and Gemini
Education 111
Jonathan Read airs his views on
how the micro should be used in
adult literacy classes, and Martin
Wallis tests a mixed suite of
mathematics programs
Atom Lister 121
Manipulating and dumping Atom
programs on the BBC micro has
many advantages, says Vincent
Fojut
Atom Forum 124
Barry Pickles presents the new
6502 instruction set -Plus
AtomBasic bugs, random
numbers, sideways scrolling
Reviews
Screen Test 134
Chris Drage subjects four
monitors to the close scrutiny of
his gruelling test program
Games 139
Under review this month: Lunar
Rescue, JCB Digger, Ghouls and
Dodg’em
Printers 143
George Hill tries the Canon
PW1 080A NLQ and the Sanple
Daisy Step 2000 economy
daisywheel
New Books 153
Our verdict on three puzzle
compendiums, David Levy’s
Computer Gamesmanship and
BBC Basic for Beginners
Adventures 154
How does Stuart Menges make
out in Lost City and Colditz
Adventure?
EPROM programmer 159
Bruce Smith blows his own on
Softlife’s EPROM programmer
YELLOW
PAGES EXTRA
Hints & Tips
1
Beeb Forum
III
Card Graphics
IV
3D Graphics
V
Tape Loader
VI
Hardware
VII
Screen Test A
VIII
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
CONTENTS
Regulars
The News 7
Electron ROMs, Healthnet for
doctors, Micronet shake-up, IBM
compatibility for BBC
Top 20 software 13
'Serious' games ahead! Plus-
what’s new for the Elk?
Acorn Abuser’s
Diary 1£
Tig the pig, Yossa and skeletons in
this month’s scurrilous micro
cupboard
News Feature 18,
Simon Elsom on what copyright
means for micros
Hints & Tips 33
Roll up your sleeves for Martin
Phillips’ projects to build your own
computer tidy and carrycase
Techniques 47
Useful structures for disc-storea
databases are balanced binary
trees. Stan Froco explains these
‘B-trees’
Beeb Forum 55
Guest editor George Hill comes up
with a tape-to-disc transfer for all
types of programs
Software offers 75
Two good-value Acorn User
games - Plus all the listings in this
issue on cassette!
Competition 131
Win a Sidewise ROM board and
four ROMs (or other prizes) in
Simon Daily’s Riddle of the Ritz
Letters 161
Service from software houses,
piracy, 'sideways’ copying,
programs for the aged, testing
monitors, and disc standards
Readers’ free ads 17^
Small ads 175
IN THIS ISSUE . . .
Z80 bundle
Acorn's Z80 Second Pro-
cessor could put the
CP/M world at your feet.
We report on what you get
for your £300
Soft Pottery
Jugs and vases galore
created by rotating lines,
and then coloured in to
make weird and wonder-
ful shapes. Malcolm Ban-
thorpe is the master potter
Printers
Can a dot matrix hope to
give letter-quality print?
George Vtill compares the
NLQ Canon with a Sanple
daisywheel pictured right
NEXT MONTH . . .
Communications:
Portable micros, bulletin boards and
electronic mail
Colour printing:
State of the art colour from Canon's inkjet
printer-as shown here
IEEE reviewed:
Three competing interfaces for the more
serious Beeb user
First byte:
NEW! A regular feature to develop your
computer skills starting from the time you
open the box
CIRCLES
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Tl? fUMOM ATT P BBC Computer & Econet Referral Centre
1 r^L.rllMTJlVl/Vi 1C 01-4521500 01-450 9764 01-4506597 Telex 922800
PRINTERS
We have a range of
printers that will meet most
requirements.
EPSON-the high quality
dot-matrix printers that set
the standard in the industry-
versatile printers that provide
the optimum in performance
& reliability The RX80/FT
provides all standard printing
& graphic functions, (single
sheets & perforated paper), with the de-luxe FX80
giving in addition proportional printing, italics,
programmable characters etc. The FX100 also
allows the use of 15” wide paper.
The JUKI daisywheel provides a quality normally
found in printers costing far more. Printer cables,
interfaces, ribbons, paper etc. are all normally
available from stock.
TORCH Z80 DISC PACK
The proven upgrade for the BBC Micro. Comprising 2 x 400K disc
drive, Z80 processor with 64K of memory, and a CP/M compatible
operating system, it opens up the vast range of CP/M software,
including advanced languages, scientific and business applications.
The system is supplied complete with the PERFECT software range
including PERFECT WRITER, PERFECT SPELLER, PERFECT CALC,
and PERFECT FILE. Full TORCHNET software is also supplied
allowing sophisticated networking between other units. This will
allow access to information, and communication, between up to
254 upgraded BBCs.
NEW TORCH Z80 PACK PRICE £699.
SOFTWARE PACKAGE INCLUDES Z80 BASIC
Phone for details about the 20Mbyte Hard Disc Pack, and the
68000 Hard Disc Rack with UNIX Operating System.
NOW AVAILABLE - The TORCH Z80 SECOND PROCESSOR CARD
- for those who already have suitable disc drives. The card is
supplied with all the free software, as detailed above, presenting a
very attractive package. £299.
RH L1GHTPEN
The Acorn-approved superior design, with a programmable
‘push-tip’ switch, status indicator LED and an interface box.
Supplied complete with manual, full software and basic demo
programs. £39(c). Colour graph ics.Cassette £8.65(d) Disc £10(d).
MICROTEXT
Developed by the National Physical Laboratory, is a program-ming
system designed to simplify the production of a wide range of
man-computer dialogues. Using MICROTEXT, an expert in any field
can construct their own complete courses of computer-based
instructional material. Applications include interviewing systems,
teaching packages, training courses and interactive demonstrations
and simulation. Cassette £43.35(c) Disc £52(c).
GRAFPAD
A low cost graphic-tablet offering the performance and durability
required for the business, industrial and educational user. It is small,
accurate & reliable. Working area: 240 x 192mm + Menu area. £125
plus CAD program.
TELETEXT
Converts your BBC into a fully fledged Teletext Terminal. In addition
to normal reception of Teletext pages, it is able to ‘download’
software as well as saving standard pages on any of the four TV
channels. £196.
I
ACORN COMPUTER SYSTEMS
BBC Model B
£348 00a
BBC Model B+ Econet
£389.00a
BBC Model B+DFS
£429.00a
BBC Model B+DFS+ Econet
£470.00a
Acorn Electron
£175.00a
BBC Teletext Receiver
£195 00a
BBC Dust Cover
£4.00d
Pair of Joysticks
£1 1.70c
TORCH Z80 SYSTEM
TORCH Z80 Disk Pack
£730.00a
TORCH Z80 2nd Processor Card
£375.00a
UPGRADE KITS
A to B Upgrade Kit
£75.00d
Installation
£15.00
DFSKit
£95 OOd
Installation
£15.00
Econet Kit
£55 OOd
Installation
£25.00
Speech Kit
£47.00d
Installation
£10.00
ECONET ACCESSORIES
Printer Server Rom
£4 1.00c
File Server Level 1
£86 00c
File Server Level 2
£2 16.00b
Clock + 2 Terminators
£92.00b
Econet User Guide
£10.00d
BBC FIRMWARE
1.2 Operating System
£7.50d
Basic II Rom
£32.00d
View Word Processor Rom
£52.00c
Wordwise W/P Rom
£34.00c
Beebpen W/P Rom
£38.00c
BCPL ROM + Disc
£87.00b
Disc Doctor Utility Rom
£28 00c
Termi Emulator Rom
£28 00c
ULTRACALC Rom (BBC Publications). .
£65.00c
Gremlin debug Rom
£28 00c
Computer Concepts Graphics Rom
£28.00c
EXMON
£20.00d
TOOLKIT. .
£20 OOd
Printmaster Rom
£30.00c
Communicator Rom
£59.00c
BBC ANCILLARY HARDWARE
EPROM Programmer
£89. 00b
Smartmouth Speech Synthesiser
£37.00b
RH Light Pen
£39.50b
“Time-Warp” Real-Time
Clock/Calendar
£29 00b
ACORN IEEE Interface ANKOI
£282.00c
PRINTERS & PLOTTERS
EPSON FX-80 £350 C
EPSON RX-80 FT £250 C
EPSON FX- 100 £450 0
EPSON DX- 100 £460 0
Printer Sharer + Cable Set £88 C
SEIK0SHA GP100A £1600
JUKI 6 100 Daisy wheel £3500
MCP40 Col. Printer/Plotter £1200
Accessories:
Parallel Printer Lead £10.0
Serial Printer Lead £8 0
Epson Serial Interface 2K 8 1 48 £60 0
Epson Serial Interface 8 143 £500
NEC Serial Interface £42.0
Epson Paper Roll Holder £17.0
FX-80 Tractor Attachment £37 0
PAPER Fanfold 2000 sheets £13 E
Ribbon MX80/RX80/FX80 £6.E
Printer Sharer Parallel
3 computers - 1 printer £650
Gemini Delta 10 £350.0
Graf pad Graphics Tablet £ 1 25.0
COLOUR/GREEN MONITORS (leads incld)
Micrwitec 1431 14’ RGB Std Res £1950
Microvitec 1431PS 14 RGB/PAL + Sound £2250
Microvitec 1451 14" RGB Med Res £2991
Microvitec 1441 14" RGB Hi Res £420 (
Microvitec 2031 20" RGB Std Res £2871
KAGA Vision 1 12" RGB Med Res £230.0
KAGA Vision II Hi Res £2600
KAGA Vision III 12" RGB Super Hi Res £3581
KAGA 12” Green Hi Res £106 0
SANYO DM8112CX 12" Green Hi Res £99 J
KAGA RGB Lead £6.1
BNC Green Screen Monitor Lead £3.!
BBC COMPATIBLE 5.25" DISC DRIVES:
(All include cables, manual + format disc)
100K (40 Track) £140.1
100K (40 Track) with psu £1651
200K (40/80 Track) £1751
200K (80 Track) with psu £210 J
400K (80 Track DS) £1951
400K (80 TDS) with psu £2251
2x100K (40 Track) with psu £320 1
2x200K (40/80 Track) with psu £400 1
2x400K (80 Track DS) with psu £420 j
3" Hitachi 100K Drive £160
Accessories
40/80 Track Switching Module £30
ALL PRICES EXCLUDE VAT. Please add carriage 5
GRAPHICS PLOTTER/WORKSTATlOr
Equally at home in the artists studio, hobbyists workshop, sciem
laboratory, classroom, and production floor, this system has som
thing to offer everyone. The 3-colour graphics plotter provides be
precision and versatility. The carriage can be moved with an accura
of 0.025 cm. over an A4 area - the plotter being able to accept pap
and far thicker materials at sizes of up to A3. The basic colour plotl
carries three colour pens each of which is software selectable.
Various add-ons greatly increase the versatility of the unit, while s
retaining the unit’s accuracy. The servo controlled drill/router, anc
scriber enables drilling, cutting and scribing in various materials,
unique Opto Sensor (using a Hewlett Packard Device) turns the plotl
into a high resolution scanning digitiser to read and store whe
diagrams, for example, for use in map work. This unique versat
Workstation is supplied complete at £490. All items are availat
individually, with the basic plotter at £270.
Technomatic
Our in depth stocks allow us to offer immediate deliveries on most items and our aim is to provide th<
best available products at competitive prices. In addition to the items listed above we carry extensive
stocks of: connectors, connector assemblies, components including TT Ls, CMOS, RAMs, EPROM?
and CPUs. Spares for the BBC computers are normally available from stock. Orders from governmem
departments, public bodies, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities and recognised PLCs welcome
We specialise in world wide exports. No VAT on exports. Our specially negotiated freight charges t<
many countries ensure the customer considerable sav ings on charges.
4
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Everything you need for your BBC Computer
Plus friendly service and professional advice
le Disc Cable £6.00d
Die Disc Cable £8.50d
JS/Pkt of 10 WABASH 3M
SS/SD £14.00 £ 16.00c
DS/DD - £22 00c
SS/DD £24.00 £26.00c
DS/DD £26.00. £30.00c
Time Warranty on 3 M Discs
ouble Sided Disc Each £4.50c
PPICLENE Drive Head Cleaning Kit £ 1 4.50c
Library Case £2 50d
File Case 30/40 £8 00c
Lockable Case 30/40 £ 15.00c
Lockable Case 60/70 £27 00b
I0MS:
se phone for availability
TWARE'
RN MERLE BUSINESS SOFTWARE
icing. Stock Control, Accounts Payable,
)unts Receivable. Order Processing,
mg System Each£22.65d
IINI Leisure -Full Range
RNSOFT - Full Range
RN LANGUAGES including BCPL. LISP
TH with Manuals
SOFT - Full Range
GRAM POWER -Full Range
RNSOFT (Electron) - Full Range
BUGSOFT - Full Range
tfwise Spellcheck Disc £ 1 6.50d
gn £16.50d
irptot £16.50d
terfile i Database i £16 50d
text Pack (Mode 7 Graphics) £1650d
ISETTE RECORDERS:
[YODR101 Data Recorder £34.00b
x Slim Line £24 00c
Tape Recorder £28.50b
;ette Lead £3 OOd
BIT Floppy Tape £ 135.00b
BIT Zero Memory Option £25 OOd
puter Grade C- 1 2 cassette £0.50d
puter Grade Cassette 10 off £4.50c
ips Mini-data cassette £3 OOd
IKS (NO VAT) p&p Cl 50/book
Programs for the BBC £6.95
our Basic £5.95
ducational Progs £6.95
2 Applications £9.75
2 Assembly Lang Programming £12.95
6502 M/Code for Beginners £5.95
6809 Assembly Lang Programming £13.95
Advanced Prog Tech for BBC £7.95
Advanced 6502 £10.25
Advanced User Guide £ 1 2.95
Assembly Lang Pro on the BBC £7 95
Assembly Lang for the BBC £7.95
Assembly Lang Prog for Electron £7.95
Assembly Lang Programming £8.95
Basic Prog on the BBC £5.95
BBC Basic £5.95
BBC Basic for Beginners £6.95
BBC Micro for Beginners £6.95
BBC Micro Compendium £ 14.95
BBC Micro Disk Companion £6.95
BBC Micro Expert Guide £6.95
BBC Micro Graphics & Sound £6.95
BBC Micro in Education £6.50
BBC Micro Revealed £5.00
BCPL User Manual £15.00
£7.25
£6.95
£7 50
£6.95
£6 95
£7.50
£6 95
£6.95
£7.50
£10.95
£5.95
£5.00
£7.50
£5.95
£7.95
£3.95
£6.50
£9.95
£11.35
£10.95
£6.50
£9.95
£695
£6.50
£5.95
£7.95
£ 10.00
£9.00
£5.20
ACORN IEEE INTERFACE
Beyond Basic
• Creating Adventure Progs
Creative Graphics
OIY Robotics & Sensors
Discovering BBC M/Code
Forth
Friendly Computer Book
Graphics on the BBC Micro
Graphs & Charts
Interfacing the 6502
Intro BBC Micro
Let YR BBC Teach U 2 Prog
LISP
Making Music on the BBC Computer
Micro Basic Sound Graphics
MOS Memory Data Book
Prog the BBC Micro
Programming the 6502
Programming the 6809
Programming the 8086/8088
Programming the BBC
Programming the Z80
Start Prog with Electron
Structured Programming
The Computer Book
The Electron Book
TORCH Z80 Disc Pack Guide
TTL Data Book \tol- 1
TTL Data Book Wol-2
User Guide £15.00
Using BBC Basic . £10.00
Using Floppy Disks £6.95
Using the 6502 Assembly Lang £14 50
Z80 Applications Book £ 10.95
less indicated as follows: (a) £7 (b)£2.SO (c) £1.50 (d)£1.00
MONITORS:
ROVITEC-a range of British Made DTI/ACORN
*oved Std/Med/Hi-resolution RGB colour monitors
have a consistent, reliable performance. Also available "in RGB/
SOUND versions. The KAGA range provides a similar performance in 12”
en format. Our Japanese manufactured Hi-Res green screen SANYO is an
I solution for high clarity 80 column text display. The KAGA green screen,
its ‘chemically etched’ anti-glare screen for the discerning user. All
itors are supplied with suitable leads at no extra charge.
BUZZBOX
is a full specification, direct connect modem, with both Originate & Answer
les, allowing access to the many databases, bulletin boards, as well as
-computer communication. The modem conforms to the international
IT V21 300/300 Baud standard. (NOTE: Not suitable for PRESTEL). Having
BT Approval, it connects directly to the telephone line, for optimum
ormance. Being battery powered, it is totally portable (optional power
Dly available). £69. BBC Lead £3.50. External PSU £8.00
:ORNSOFT/MlRLE BUSINESS SOFTWARE
; long awaited range brings professional business software to the small
iness user at a budget price. Available on disc only, using genuine ‘random
ess, each package can, if required, be linked together to provide a totally
grated business system. Modules comprise Invoicing, Order Processing,
:k Control, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Purchasing, Mailing
tern. Each package £22.65(d).
MAIL ORDERS TO: 17 Bumlev Road, London NW10 1ED
(Tel: 01-452 1500, 01-450*6597 Telex 922800)
SHOPS AT: NW London: 15 Burnley Road, London NVV IO 1ED
( Dollis Hill ^ 2 mins walk, ample car parking space)
West London: 305 Edgware Road, London W2. Tel: 01-7230233
(Near Edgware Road -0 1 )
A full implementation of the IEEE-488 standard, providing
computer control of compatible scientific & technical
equipment, at a lower price than other systems. Typical applications
are in experimental work in academic and industrial laboratories.
The interface can support a network of up to 14 other compatible
devices, and would typically link several items of test equipment
allowing them to run with the optimum of efficiency. The IEEE Filing
System ROM is supplied. £282.
DISC DRIVES:
A full range of disc drives fitted with quality Japanese slimline
mechanisms, (such as TEAC, MITSUBISHI etc.) are supplied ready
to connect to your BBC, and come complete with necessary cables,
formatting disc, manual etc. TEAC & MITSUBISHI mechanisms can
operate in single and double density modes. The switchable disc
drives give the user flexibility, by allowing access to both 40 & 80
Track discs. The 40/80 Track switching module can be simply
attached to your standard 80 track drives thereby vastly increasing
their versatility. We have a full range of diskettes, variety of disc
storage cases, disc-dri ve cables. The Floppiclene head
cleaning kit, is the ideal
way to ensure optimum
performance of your
drives. The use of
disposable cleaning
discs eliminate the risk
of recontamination and
abrasion, and ensure
continuous data capture
and transmission.
KENDADMFS
A truly professional double density DMFS with several unique
features:- “requires no RAM i.e. PAGE=&EOO “uses standard CP/M
filenames & disc drive conventions “no limit to number of files
“single/double density automatically selected “runs most ‘protected’
software “enables 80 Track drives to read 40 Track discs.
SCOTCH 3M FLOPPY DISCS
We now stock the high performance yet economical 3M range. Due
to advanced production techniques, a higher standard has now
been reached, enabling Scotch to guarantee error free
performance for life.
3” HITACHI DISC DRIVES
The latest in minature data-storage technology. Totally hardware
& software compatable with 5V4 ” drives (can be used together!).
Supplied complete with format disc, manual, cables etc. £1 60(b).
ULTRACALC
With advanced features, such as: “Handling of labels as well as
numbers, as values, allowing the search of a list by a meaningful
name, instead of just a number. “Efficient memory usage allowing
large spreadsheets to be constructed. ‘Variable width columns.
Facilities include SUM, Replicate & most mathematical functions. It
helps you to create and manipulate “Budgets ‘Cash-Flow forecasts
“Price Lists “Balance Sheets “Time Sheets “Order Entry “Small
Databases “Scientific Calculations etc. £65.
Continued on page 6.
INSTITUTIONS & EDUCATIONAL
ESTABLISHMENTS
Our bulk purchasing power enables us to provide very competitive
quotations, as well as being able to supply in quantity, a very wide
range of equipment, accessories and spare parts from stock.
T ECHNOMATIC Lll).
All prices exclude carriage & VAT. Please add carriage as indicated and
add 15% VAT to the total order value. For fast delivery telephone your
order quoting VISA or Access card or official order number*
(Minimum telephone order £5).
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
5
Technomatic
BBC Computer & Econet Referral Centre
01-4521500 01-4509764 01-4506597 Telex 922800
EPROM PROGRAMMER:
A fully self-contained
mains-powered eprom
programmer housed in
an attractive finished
case. It is able to program
2716, 2732/32A, 2764 &
27128's in a single pass.
It is supplied with vastly
superior software when
compared to any currently
available similar pro-
grammer. In addition to
normal eprom pro-
gramming, you are now
able to load your favourite
basic programs onto
eprom.
The programmer comes complete with cables,
software & operating manual.
£89 + £2.50 carriage. Software on disc £2 extra.
Menu Driven Software provides user friendly
options for programming the eprom with:
a) Basic programs.
b) Ram resident programs.
c) Any other program.
Programmer can read, blank-check, program
& verify at any address/addresses on the
Eprom.
Personality selection is simplified by a single
rotary switch.
Programming voltage selector switch.
Full Editor with ASCII Disassembler, allowing
direct modification of memory data in HEX or
ASCII.
Continuous display of time left for completion
of programming.
Continuous display of current addresses as
they are being programmed.
EPROM ERASERS
SPECIAL
OFFER
EPSON FX 80
PRINTER
ONLY £32 5
including BBC printer lead
Twelve Months full warranty
Offer valid while
stocks last.
UV1T Eraser with built-in timer
and mains indicator. Built-in safety
interlock to avoid accidental
exposure to the harmful UV rays.
It can handle up to 5 eproms at a time
with an average erasing time of about
20 mins. £59 + £2 p&p.
UV1 as above but without the timer.
£47 + £2 p&p.
SMARTMOUTH:
The original ‘infinite speech’.
Still the best.
A ready built totally self contained speech synthesiser
unit, attractively packaged with built-in speaker, AUX
output socket etc.-no installation problems!
It allows the creation of any English word,
with both ease and simplicity, while, at
the same time being very economical in
memory usage. You can easily add
speech to most existing programs. Due
to its remarkable infinite vocabulary, its
uses spread throughout the whole
spectrum of computer applications-
these include industrial, commercial,
educational, scientific, recreational etc.
No specialist installation— no need to
open your computer, simply plugs into
the user port— and due to the simple software, no ROMS are needed.
SMARTMOUTH is supplied with demo and development programs on
cassette, and full software instructions. £37+ £2.50 carriage.
‘TIME-WARP’
RE AI/T1ME-CLOCK/C ALEN DAR
A low cost unit that opens up the total range of Real-Time
applications. With its full battery backup, possibilities
include an Electronic Diary, continuous display of
‘on-screen’ time and date information automatic
document dating, precise timing & control in scientific
applications, recreational
^use in games etc-its uses
^ are endless and are
simply limited by one’s
imagination. Simply plugs
into the user port— no
specialist installation
required-No ROMS.
Supplied with extensive
applications software.
Please phone for details.
£29.00 + £2.50 carriage.
ELECTRON ADDONS
NOW IN STOCK
PRINT PORT
*Suitable for most centronics printers
^Supplied complete with lead
& programming.
£39 4- £1.50 p&p
JOY PORT
^Controls over 80% of available
arcade games.
*Uses ATARI Style 9 pin joysticks
*Just plugs in-no soldering
*Does not overload Electron psu
£14.75 + £1.60 p&p
BEEBUGSOFT
A professional range of Firmware/
Software to suit both the advanced
programmer and the user. From the
well known ‘EXMON’ and ‘TOOLKIT’
to the WORDWISE SPELLCHECK.
MAILORDERS TO: 17 Burnlev Road, London \\\ 10 IL1)
(Tel: 01-452 1500, 01-450*6597 Telex 922800)
SHOPS AT : \YV London: 15 Burnley Road, London \\\ 10 I LI)
(l)ollis Hill^^ 2 mins walk, ample ear parking space)
West London: 305 Ldgware Road. London \\ 2. Tel: 01-723 0233
(Near Ldgware Road O I
T ECHNOMATIC LTD.
All prices exclude carriage & VAT. Please add carriage as indicated and
add 15"* VAT to the total order value. For fast delivery telephone your
order quoting V ISA or Access card or official order number.
(Minimum telephone order £5).
NEWS
Healthy link for Acorn
BRITISH Telecom is preparing to
launch a major networking system
for the health industry - based
around the Acorn Electron.
The Electron is at the heart of a
terminal box, called Merlin M2105,
that will be provided in the system
known as Healthnet. This will link
GPs, hospitals, district nurses and
health centres to a central com-
puter over the standard phone
lines.
Circulars from drug companies,
the Department of Health and
hospitals could then be sent
through the central computer to
some or all of the Healthnet
terminals.
BT refuses to give specific de-
tails of the system, because it will
not be launched until the autumn.
However, one of the terminals was
due to be shown at Communic-
ations^ in Birmingham.
The estimated cost for the
terminal is about £1000, for which
users will get an Electron (in BT
livery), a specially-developed add-
on box, printer, monitor and power
supply.
The add-on box is impressive:
48k ROM, 64k RAM (32k with
battery back-up so its contents are
not lost when the machine is
Acorn User
Olympia show
twice as big
THE 1984 Acorn User Exhibition
looks set to double the number of
stands over last year.
The venue is Olympia 2, where
the PCW Show will follow a month
later. More than 30,000 people are
expected to attend over the four
days to walk around the 150
stands - two thirds of which have
already been booked.
The big software houses such
as Micropower, Superior and
Computer Concepts are in, plus
Acorn and Torch, as well as the
smaller, more unusual companies
such as the Miniature Tool Com-
pany, British Micro and Parfitt
Electronics.
Olympia 2 is in Earls Court, West
London, and the exhibition starts
on August 16, running through to
Sunday, August 19.
Details from Tim Collins, Com-
puter Marketplace Exhibitions, 20
Orange St, London WC2H 7ED.
Tel: 01 -930 1612.
switched off), RS423 and Cen-
tronics interfaces, and the ‘Ken-
neth Kendall’ voice generator.
The voice chips are there to
provide an answering service if
any calls are received that are not
from a computer.
One of the major tasks for the
Merlin will be to relieve doctors and
other health professionals of
some of their paperwork. They will
be able to design and store their
own forms and documentation, or
download standard versions from
the central computer.
Networking to other terminals
on a site, such as a hospital, will be
possible through the standard
telephone switchboard within the
building. Users will be able to send
messages by just typing in a
phone number on the system. The
battery memory will store a record
of messages sent on Healthnet.
The hardware side of the pro-
ject was developed at Acorn with
some of the system software, while
BT wrote the modem and other
software. Field trials are underway
within Telecom and at one of the
London hospitals.
BT is unwilling to say whether
the system will be marketed for
other users, but one person close
Curry - and what the doctor ordered
to the project commented: ‘Medi-
cine is the first crack, they are
interested in other areas’.
Acorn will not be able to market
the add-on box itself because it
was developed under contract for
BT. However, the company is
obviously proud of what the sy-
stem can do. A spokesman at
Acorn explained: ‘You think of an
idea and Chain can be used for it’.
(Chain was the name given to the
system during development.)
Acorn undoubtedly has other
ideas for the Electon under way,
but the only comment was one
often heard nowadays in the
security-conscious company: ‘We
can’t talk about those yet’.
■■HHi
Acorn
acquires
Torch
ACORN has reached an initial
agreement to take over Torch
Computers. The deal was signed
early this month by Chris Curry,
Acorn’s managing director, and
BobGilkes of Torch.
Talks started last August and
came out of discussions with Chris
Curry over the suitability of T orch’s
Unix for the US market.
Acorn director Alex Reid said he
hoped Torch would market
Acorn’s ABM but that ‘there has
been no attempt to rationalise our
product ranges so far’.
Both companies stressed that
their ranges were compatible and
neither expected to shelve pro-
ducts. A Torch spokeman said,
Torch will become a subsidiary of
Acorn pic -effectively the business
arm!
The takeover is expected to be
complete by June.
Acorn’s Icon
ACORN has bought into Torus
Systems, which is launching a
graphics-controlled local network
called Icon, the first version of
which is for the IBM Personal
Computer.
Acorn MD Chris Curry sees the
link as complementing his
company’s expertise in networ-
king, and it will no doubt fuel
speculation on the direction
Econet is likely to take in the future.
Hobbit upgrade
IKON has launched an improved
version of its Hobbit floppy tape
drive. Called the Ultra-Drive, it
costs £80 and gives 200k per
cassette and is claimed to be ten
times as fast as normal cassettes.
By command . . .
ACORN and Microvitec have both
received Queen’s awards for tech-
nical innovation.
Microvitec's accolate coincides
with its entry onto the Unlisted
Securities Market after 1983 profits
of £2.5m on sales of £9.5m. The
monitor manufacturer has also
just presented the 20.000th moni-
tor under the government’s fund-
ing for schools schemes.
Telemod price
OEL has asked us to point out that
its modem, Telemod 2, costs
£84.95, and not £100 as stated last
month.
Beeb graduates to 16 -bit
THE Graduate gives the BBC
micro the ability to run software
and hardware produced for the
16-bit IBM Personal Computer -
and it costs under £700.
Data Technology, founded by
Torch founder Martin Vlieland-
Boddy, is the company behind the
product, which will be launched at
the Computerfair in June.
The Graduate provides 128k
RAM, and is built around an 8088
processor that will run the MS-
DOS operating system. Two ver-
sions, the G400 and the G800, will
cost about £690 and £1000 re-
spectively (the G800 has two 400k
disc drives, the G400 one).
Bundled with the G800 is the
latest Perfect software, which
gives colour displays, and is es-
timated to be worth £1200.
The Graduate plugs straight
into the 1MHz bus and no disc
interface or sideways ROM is
needed. A power supply is built in
as well as two hardware expan-
sion slots to take peripherals such
as a mouse or 3270 emulation
board.
The discs are IBM format’, says
Vlieland-Boddy, ‘so you can take
an IBM disc and run it on our
machine. It will run all the available
software for the IBM PC and it’s
hardware compatible so it can use
all the IBM peripherals being
produced.
The BBC-Graduate combin-
ation offers a saving of something
like £1500 over the PC, and would
have the advantage of the Beeb’s
display facilities.
Allan Wright, former Torch tech-
nical director, has joined Vlieland-
Boddy at Data Technology, which
was set up last December.
Vlieland-Boddy was very spec-
ific on delivery dates: ‘We are
taking orders and should deliver
250 machines by July. It uses the
8088 chip set, where there has
been a drought, but we’ve got
5000 sets’.
This is backed up by an order
placed with BASF for 5000 disc
drives to go into the Graduates -
an order worth about £Jm, ac-
cording to BASF.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
BBC MICRO IN MANCHESTER
PRICES...
All our prices are
constantly moving, so
please ring us to check
the latest price.
FREE DELIVERY TODAY
(Orders over £90)
If you are in Greater Manchester,
Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside,
West Yorkshire or South Yorkshire,
if you ring us now we can send
one of our highly trained staff to
install your computer equipment
Today.
WE WILL
INSTALL
IT
TEAC 55SRS2
£157.95 inc VAT
The latest 55 series from TEAC is
now available from us. These disk
drives are the new LSI low power
consumption high performance
version of the famous 55 series.
100K version
at £157.95 inc VAT - 55A2
400K version 40/80
at £227.95 inc VAT-55F2
Chinon 1 00K £1 34.95 inc VAT
Z80 PROCESSOR
£375
Torch computers bring you the
power of CP/M software on the
BBC Micro. The Z80 runs at 4MZ
and 64K RAM with 4K ROM. The
Z80 card fits internally and
requires a double-sided 80 track
disk drive plus a BBC Micro with
disk interface.
Also available is a full range of
Business and Programming
language software.
- includes FREE Perfect
Software Database, Word
Processing + Spreadsheet.
STAR 1 0X
£199 + VAT
The Star 1 0X is a Centronics, 9x7 Dot
Matrix head. It prints at 120 cps, is
bidirectional and logic seeking.
Buffer is -8K expandable to 8K.
Prints 1 7 to 5 characters per inch.
Prints 136 to 40 columns. Ten
character sets including down-loadable
and italics. Printer screen dumps up to
240x144 points.
Epson compatible. Colour screen
dumps available.
Incredible value for money I
LEASING AVAILABLE
For example:
Disk Drive and Interface £1.83 per week
BBC Model B £3.18 per week
(over 3 years)
Please ring for more details.
COMPUTERS
1 84 Market Street,
Hyde, Cheshire
SK14 1 EX
061-366 7794
061-366 8223
BBC MICRO HARDWARE (inc VAT)
BBC Model B £399 Disk Interface £89
BBC Model A £299
BBC Model A + 32K £339
Disk Interface with double
capacity option £89
Speech Synthesiser £55
MEMOREX DISKS
Double Sided - Double Density
£1.50 inc VAT
Box of Ten £14.50 inc VAT
MONITORS
COLOUR
Microvitec £219 + VAT
Sanyo Normal £209 + VAT
Fidelity TV/Monitor £199 + VAT
GREEN
Sanyo Normal £79 + VAT
Sanyo Hi-Res £109 + VAT
Philips Hi-Res £79 + VAT
PERIPHERALS
MODEMS
OEL200 £73 + VAT
Prestel Terminal
£17.39 + VAT
Teletext
£195.65 + VAT
Joysticks
£14.95 inc VAT
PRINTERS
DAISYWHEELS
Silver Reed EXP500 £299 + VAT
Brother HR 15 £399 + VAT
Brother Sheet Feeder £199 + VAT
DOT MATRIX
Star 10X £199 + VAT
Epson FX80 £399 + VAT
AS USUAL LOADS OF SOFTWARE AVAILABLE Tel: 061-366 8223
8
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
NEWS
New Epson runners: the £95 P-40 portable (left), the thermal transfer model P-80, the and HI-80, the company’s first colour plotter
New quartet
from Epson
Six-pack send-off
for Electron ROM box
PLUS 1, Acorn’s add-on box for
the Electron exclusively revealed in
last month’s Acorn User, will be
launched at the end of May at £59,
including VAT. And Acornsoft will
be releasing six examples from its
range in ROM format to coincide
with the launch.
Three of the half-dozen will be
arcade games: Hopper , Snapper
and Starship Command . Then
there will be the adventure Count-
down to Doom, the computer
language Lisp and finally the
home education program Tree of
Knowledge.
The ROM cartridges will cost
Control lists
free -from BBC
FANS of Computers in Control,
broadcast in March and April, can
now download (free) the software
demonstrated in the BBC TV series
- if their Beeb is fitted with a teletext
adapter.
The software has been desig-
ned by the BBC Telesoftware
Service to control external pieces
of equipment through the micro’s
I/O connections, and enthusiasts
will receive specifications for build-
ing their own equipment.
See page 700 of Ceefax for
details.
about £20 each, which sounds
expensive by cassette standards,
but is about par for the course.
Others are planned, with an-
other six ‘coming soon'. The titles
are still under wraps, but Acorn-
soft admits that a word processor
and spreadsheet are on the way.
Meanwhile, Pace is driving hard
to be first on the market with a
complete disc filing system for the
Electron. The system was demon-
strated in London last month, but
Pace has yet to announce a price
and date for release.
The unit will be a totally en-
closed 5}in disc drive and inter-
face which connects via a ribbon
cable to the expansion bus at the
rear of the micro.
The interface itself will use the
8271 disc controller chip, as used
on the Beeb, plus a revised version
of the Amcom disc filing system.
Pace says this system will allow the
Electron to load Beeb discs.
The Electron disc system will be
available in both 40-track and 80-
track formats and a special ‘take-
off connector will allow other
peripherals such as printer and
joystick ports to be attached with-
out interfering with the Pace
system.
TWO portable thermal printers are
among four new printers to be
launched by Epson this year.
These are the budget P-40,
retailing at £95 + VAT and due out
in August, and the P-80, Epson's
first thermal transfer printer (£160
+ VAT), available in October.
The P-40 is a compact dot-
matrix model (46 x 216 x 128mm)
which prints across 40 columns on
friction-fed thermal paper. It prints
at 45cps and 80 or 20 characters
per line are selectable with con-
densed or enlarged character
modes. It is driven by rechargeable
batteries.
The P-80 - with 80-column
capacity - runs at 45cps and
prints in both text and graphics
mode. It offers 63 international
characters, a 96 ASCII character
set and prints in both Pica and
Elite in regular, condensed and
enlarged modes.
Paper is friction-fed and sheets
of 5J x 8Jin can be used. It can run
with or without the thermal trans-
fer ribbon. The P-80 also has
rechargeable batteries.
In July Epson is launching a
colour printer, the JX-80, which it
believes to be the first to default to
monochrome. Retailing at £560 +
VAT, this is a 160cps dot-matrix
printer that will produce up to
seven colours. It has the same
command set as the FX-80.
The fourth member of the quar-
tet is Epson’s first printer/plotter,
the HI-80, which at £400 + VAT the
company is promoting as the
lowest-priced model in the UK.
NORTHERN Computers is hitching a buggy to its Micropulse Young
Trainer, an educational robotics device launched in March that
connects to the BBC and works under training software. The three-
wheeled Micropulse buggy, costing £29 + VAT, comes with two
light-dependant resistors that can be programmed so that it follows
a torchlight beam or stops on contact with it I
Prestel rationalises micro databases
PRESTEL has made major
changes to the way it handles
Micronet 800 and the other micro
databases. They will all now come
under one umbrella called Prestel
Microcomputing, and one stan-
dard subscription will be paid by
users.
Under the new system, Micronet
is treated in the same way as all the
other information providers. It
loses its exclusive start-up frame
and the sole right to charge
subscriptions. At the same time,
databases such as Viewfax 258
which were formerly free now
come under a subscription
charge of £8 a quarter.
The launch was originally set
for April 2 but was delayed until
May 11.
Prestel Microcomputing will
also be expanding, adding several
new databases this year. These
include Head Start for home users
and Executive Micronet for busi-
ness, both in June, to be run by
micronet;
XXX . BOO
M M
Change of status . . .
Micronet.
School Link, put together by
Prestel and Educational Comput-
ing magazine, will start In
September.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
NEWS
10
ITV launches
Sunday show
Changes in View
A WEEKLY series of five half-hour
television programmes called Me
and My Micro starts on ITV on
June 10.
The Sunday morning shows,
presented by actor, mathema-
tician and Playschool star Fred
Harris, is claimed by its makers
Yorkshire Television, to be the first
TV series to acknowledge that
programs are more fun than
computers, software is more inter
esting than hardware.
Fred Harris will use familiar
games to illustrate the funda-
mentals of Basic. The series aims
to provide the building blocks with
which the beginner can develop
programs.
A different micro-user will make
a guest appearance in each show
- including a Midlands vicar who
uses a Spectrum to teach confirm-
ation candidates and a Yorkshire
grandmother who generates knit-
ting patterns on her micro.
A booklet based on the show is
being published at £2.95, written
by Paul Shreeve and published by
the National Extension College.
ACORNSOFT has denied
rumours that its View word pro-
cessor chip has been withdrawn
and refused to say officially
whether an improved version is set
for release.
Dealers have reported a dearth
of the chips, while View 2.1 has
been seen in ROM with several
improvements over the first re-
lease (issue 1.4).
The fact that 2.1 is in ROM
suggests it is about to be released,
because software is expensive to
produce in this way unless
ordered in large numbers. Nor-
mally trial issues are put into
EPROMs that are short-run chips
and re-usable.
Acornsoft is quick to quash the
rumours. A spokesman said: ‘View
has proved very popular and we
intend to carry on selling it. Any
rumours that we have withdrawn it
are groundless.
There has been a shortage
because of demand, for which we
apologise to customers, but we will
solve this very quickly.’
On View 2.1 the company is very
tight-lipped: ‘We have a policy of
continual development and may
produce a new version in the
future.’
The issue of View sold as
standard on the American BBC
micros is different from the British
one, and this may have been used
as a model for 2.1. Among the
added facilities in the new chip is
the ability to print directly from the
screen without having to save a file
first.
One possible reason for the
short supply of View is the world-
wide famine of chips, which also
appears to be holding up the
release of Viewsheet, Acornsoft's
spreadsheet.
This is the next step in the
development of a View ‘family’ of
software, which will all link into the
word processor.
Viewsheet provides several so-
phisticated facilities, among them
the ability to put as many as 10
different windows from the same
spreadsheet on screen at the
same time.
Subsidiary disc files can be
created so that the information
they contain will be automatically
updated when changes are made
to the sheet that is being worked
on.
Sheets can be spooled to disc
and then read in to View for editing
or for, say, inclusion in a company
report. Also, sheets can be used in
any screen mode, so mode 7 will
give the ability to hold a very large
sheet in memory.
Acornsoft will not give a release
date for Viewsheet, apart from
saying that it will be sold ‘as soon
as possible’. The next issue in the
View family will be a much-needed
printer-driver generator. What
comes after that? ‘I don’t really
want to talk about that,’ said the
Acornsoft spokesman.
Don't be fooled, these really are BASIC commands,
and they can of course use any BASIC variable or
expression, be situated in multi-statement lines, be
used in line-entry mode, and in fact anywhere or
anytime that the standard BBC BASIC commands
can be used. No other sideways-ROM offers such
facilities, they use 'star commands' that cannot
match the ease of use of ADDCOMM's commands.
Graphics: SCALE, SMOVE, SDRAW, SPLOT. CIRCLE, ELLIPSE, CFILL,
FILL, ROTATE, TRANS, UNSCALE, Toolkit: CHAR, FIND, COMPACT
MEM, FKEYS, VERIFY, GOODPROG, KILLREM, GREPL, SREPL,
LVAR. Logo: ANGLE, LMOVE, PEN, TURN, ADVANCE, LCIRCLE,
LELLIPSE, LPOS. Utilities: POPFOR, POPGOS, POPREP, LGOTO, OPT,
LUST, SORT, ADDCOMM, WIN, SETWIN, and an extensive *H ELP
facility.
Compatible with: Acorn DFS, Amcom DFS, Watford DFS, Disc Doctor,
BASIC 1 and 2, Model B with OS 1.20.
COMMANDS
TO BBC BASIC
WITH
ADDCOMM
ADDCOMM is as unique as it sounds, and at £28.00 including V.A.T., post
and packing and a detailed manual, represents extremely good value for
money.
Send cheque/postal order, (or a stamp for detailed brochure) to:-
VINE MICROS, MARSHBOROUGH, SANDWICH, KENT.
CT13 0PG
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
^AVAILABLE FROM ALL GOOD RETAILERS INCLUDING SELECTED^
WRITTEN ANY PROGRAMS?! ®**Ij C *5 ?! ° F c B0 ^If
WE PAY 20% ROYALTIES! J0HN MENZ,ES
The following top mles are ' AND WH SM,TH "
available for both the BBC Micro and Electron - Killer Gonita £7.95/
Bandrts at 3 o Clock £6 95/Moonratder £7 95/ Croaker £7.96/
Felix in the Factory £7 95/ Felix and the Fruit Monsters £7.95/
Chess £7 95/Draw £9 96/ Escape from Moon base Alpha £7.95/
Cybertron Mission £7 95/Swoop £7 95/lnter0alactic Trader £8.96/
Positron £6 95/ Adventure £7.96
SHOWROOM: N0RTHW00D HOUSE. N ORTH STREET
LEEDS LS7 2AA Tel: (0532) 458800 WUH
MAIL ORDER: MICRO POWER LTD. 1 VtSA ^
8/8a REGENT STREET. LEEDS LS7 4PE. 1 1
Tel: (0532) 683186/696343 P 6 P 55p per order
^SPECIAL OFFER Dedifct £1 per cassette when ordenng two or more.
Imprisoned by the evil warlord Nogrob
the Terrible, Jack the intergalactic
hitchhiker must collect fuel pods from
the other side of the garage to refill the Q
waiting starships. With a fast diminish-
ing oxygen supply, an erratic Turbopak, fjl
o konH nf r»oo+w Qnano f^nnniioc to
and a band of nasty Space Googjies to
contend with. Jack certainly has
problems!
Only 5 (inc.VAT)
—
Au. i-w.
3 * *
VISA
Jh - 1
-
vs
P & P 55p per order
There’s much more to show.
So this summer we go to a
new home - to give us much
more room to show it all!
BBC MICRO
Alexandra Palace, London, Thursday to Sunday, July 19 to 22
You must see for yourself all the rapid
developments in the ever-expanding
world of the Electron
and BBC Micro!
School and
College Groups
Entry only £1 per student if bookings are made in
advance. Send your cheque (made payable to
Database Publications) and SAE to:
Electron & BBC Micro User Show
68 Chester Road. Hazel Grove
Stockport SK7 5NY Tel: 061456 8383
Valid fora minimum of 10 people
SEE the latest software - hundreds
of new games, educational and
business programs.
1
1
0
M
M
M
This voucher is worth £ 1 per person
off the normal admission price of
£3 ( adults ) and £2 ( children )
(Valid fora maximum of 4 people)
Electron & BBC Micro User Show
10am 6pm, Thursday. 19 July
10am - 6pm. Friday, 20 July
10am 6pm, Saturday. 21 July
10am • 4pm, Sunday. 22 July
m
i
(.)
w
(.)
v?
(.)
SEE all the latest add-ons - never
before have so many exciting new
peripherals been launched.
Alexandra Palace
Wood Green, London N22
w
SEE all the latest techniques - and
get free advice from our team of
experts, writers and programmers.
Make a note in your diary - NOW!
| TOP 20
SOFTWARE
CHART
re = re-entry B= BBC E = Electron Prices in brackets are for disc version
H
BUBBLING UNDER
-r
TITLE K
PUBLISHER b
J TAPE U
■ MICRO 1
i
(3)
Snooker
Visions
£8.95
B/E
2
(D
747 Flight Simulator
Dr Soft
£8.95
(£11.95)
B
3
(6)
White Knight II
BBC Soft
£10.00
B
4
(8)
Snapper
Acornsoft
£9.95
B/E
5
(4)
Hobbit
Melbourne
House
£14.95
B
6
(9)
Transistor’s Revenge
Softspot
£7.95
B
7
H
Rocket Raid
Acornsoft
£9.95
B
8
(11)
Killer Gorilla
Program
Power
£7.95
B/E
9
H
Gorf
Dr Soft
£8.95
B
10
(12)
Zalaga
Aardvark
£6.90
B
11
(2)
Twin Kingdom Valley
Bug-Byte
£9.50
B
12
H
The Mine
Program
Power
£7.95
B
13
H
Fortress
Amcom
£8.95
B
14
(re)
ChuckieEgg
A&F Software
£7.90
B/E
15
(7)
Space Shuttle
Microdeal
£8 (£10)
B/E
16
(14)
Hunchback
Superior
£7.95
(£11.95)
B/E
17
H
Dare Devil Dennis
Visions
£8.95
B
18
(10)
737 Flight Simulator
Salamander
£9.95
B/E
19
H
Hopper
Acornsoft
£9.95
B/E
20
H
Mined Out
Quicksilva
£6.95
B
Amaze in Space Opus
Penguin H Soft
Pedro Imagine
Compiled by RAM/Computer
Sphinx Adventure Acornsoft
Disc Doctor Computer Concepts
HAVE the zappers been zapped? we asked, when only
one arcade game figured in the top five last month. Not
quite. They're fighting back, with Rocket Raid and Gorf
leaping from nowhere to numbers 7 and 9 and other old
arcade favourites - Snapper, Killer Gorilla and
Transistor s Revenge - improving their positions.
Still, the more sedate stuff continues to dominate the
medal positions. Snooker no doubt benefits from TV’s
constant championship coverage and White Knight II
has proved that it’s the best chess software available -
Acornsoft’s Chess has dropped out of the list.
Expect Aviator to arrive next month if the tenacity of
the flight simulators (including Space Shuttle) is
anything to go by.
We fanfared the arrival of the utility packs last month -
and Psion’s Vu-File and the £40 Wordwise chip were
promptly ousted. We console ourselves with the £33.35
worth of ROM in the Disc Doctor ’s waiting room!
SOFT
OPTIONS
SOFTWARE for the Electron has
taken off with the release of
Salamander's 737 Flight Simu-
lator. Written by a professional
pilot, it includes a simulated en-
gine failure! And Micro Power has
now made most of its Beeb arcade
titles available for the Elk, includ-
ing old Beeb favourites such as
Killer Gorilla, Croaker and Escape
from Moonbase Alpha. The latest
releases are Danger UXB and
Galactic Commander and there’s
more on the way.
Constellation should make
Electron users starry-eyed. It’s just
one of 11 titles released by Su-
perior Software for this machine
and the armchair astronomer can
view a total of 455 stars from any
point on the globe. Earthbound
explorers can keep track of David
Attenborough's latest expedition
with World Geography, an educ-
ational program that covers 166
countries and makes use of the
Electron’s hi-resolution screen to
test your knowledge of capitals
and populations. Students of
gambling can turn to Fruit Ma-
chine, whose features include
spinning reels and HOLD, NUDGE
and GAMBLE. Arcade action is
provided by Centibug, Alien Drop-
out, Invaders and Percy Penguin.
Something to write home about
is the Kansas Word Processor for
the Electron. Numerous facilities
are offered, many of which can be
implemented with a single key-
stroke. Text is formatted using
embedded control codes and
each text file can be up to 4,200
words long. If you can’t type, try the
Kansas Microtype typing tutor.
Educational software for the
Electron is available from Ampal-
soft. Maths Level 1 and Easy
Reading are aimed at the over-
fours, while Maths 0 Level Revi-
sion Parts 1 and 2 help cramming
students along the way with cal-
culus, algebra and trigonometry.
All titles are twin packs offering two
cassettes containing four
programs. Ampalsoft can be con-
tacted on (0252) 876677.
Throw yourself in at the deep
end with Pool from Dynabyte
Software, or jockey for position
with Horserace, a family game for
up to six players. Other intriguing
programs include Corporate
Climber (can you make it to the
executive washroom in time) and
Lemming Syndrome.
Who said there was no software
around for the Electron?
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
SOFTWARE
CASTLE ASSAULT
A glittering reward awaits the intrepid atop the heavily
defended towering turrets of this forbidding fortress. On
your quest for gold you will be assailed by a menacing
menagerie of meanies, namely crabs, snakes, lobsters,
spiders, bugs and beetles. Watch out for those malicious
malades (the deadly Flying Ducks/ as you dodge falling
rocks, scale ladders and negotiate moving platforms.
Collect various different fruits for bonus points on your
way. Bonus man for every two bags of gold collected.
Hi-score table, increasing difficulty and fantastic animation
constitute this stunning game from MRM.
SCREWBALL
You are Screwball and you have 60 seconds to change
the colour of all the squares that surround you (by
simply jumping on them).
Menacing you all the time, however, are the 'BLACK
BUGS' ... and they sure are mean. They even cheat
by sometimes not even walking on the squares.
If they catch you then I am afraid you lose a life. Kill
the BUGS by digging holes for them to fall through. If
you really are in a fix then as a last resort you may
HYPERSPACE to the top of the grid ... but you won't
always survive the journey.
DARTS
Step up to the ocky and enjoy all the fun of
competition darts with this high resolution version by
MRM. A choice of 3 popular dart games. 501, Round
the Board and Cricket is available in this package.
HANGMAN/SOLITAIRE
This great value two game package consists of a multi
menu hi-resolution graphics version of Hangman
(including a special category for children) with a
colourful 3D version of Solitaire.
SOFTWARE
17 Cross Coates Road
GRIMSBY
South Humberside
Telephone: 0472 44304
ALSO AVAILABLE
Q Man
Q Man’s Brother
3D Munchy
Diamond Mine
Guy in the Hat
Banana Man
Secret Sam I
Secret Sam II
EACH GAME ONLY £5.70
FULLY INCLUSIVE
Most tapes available
from leading branches
of Boots
DIARY
4
9
VOSSft
TO REMOVE VOSSR FROM DOLE QUEUE-
PRESS <RETURM>
WHEN does black and white turn blue? When the BBC’s mode 0 is
used to produce naughty pictures. Modesty forbids us to disclose the
source of these, er, animated scenes, but they’re from a disc labelled
‘Sicsoft’ that found its way through our back door. The two pieces of
software illustrated are excellent examples of cartoon animation
featuring *Gis a job I can do that’ Yossa and a pair of performing
skeletons. The rest of the disc would make Mary Whitehouse throw a
wobbler.
ACORN
ABUSER'S
Country cousin Curry
Chris Curry
cultivates his
Acorn acres
THE secret is out, hard-hitting
Acorn MD Chris Curry, the man
who set Sir Clive on the road to
fame and fortune and then co-
founded Acorn, has decided to
return to the land.
Yes, the man whose contri-
bution to British industry was
so recently rewarded by the
Queen and with a visit to No 1 0,
has bought himself a farm.
We are sworn to secrecy as
to its whereabouts, but the
young millionaire will indulge
his love of tractors and animals
on its secluded acres.
We can, however, reveal
exclusively that our Chris until
recently kept a pet pig called
Tig. But Tig became too big, so
Chris had to give her up to a
good home.
■ DEBBIE Harry walked into
Microage and said: ‘All I want is a
ROM with a VIEW'. Not being very
technically minded the salesman
sold her a set of Microsoft
Windows.
Picture that!
■ OUR high-level programming
friend Beebalus claims to have
invented a brilliant two-player
game based on JCB Digger
(known as : Judder ) and Aviator.
His idea is to run Aviator in the
second 6502 processor and JCB
in the I/O (first) processor. One
player controls the JCB from the
keyboard while the other flies the
Spitfire with joysticks. The JCB has
to dig up the runway, demolish
Acornsville and shake down the
bridge before the aviator can take
off, buzz Silicon Valley and come
back to shoot up the JCB.
Beebalus expects to market the
game through his company
Deadwood Tax Avoidance (Jer-
sey) Ltd.
A spokesman for Deadwood
said: The game will be available
before the end of the year in which
it is released’.
■ FOLLOWING the picture in a
brochure of the QL manual written
in Latin, the news from the
SinQLair camp is that Psion is
producing a Latin-English trans-
lator to help you understand it.
■ BANANA control is the latest
task for the Beeb. Broadway
Electronics has won an order to
supply the Windward Islands in
the Caribbean with computers for
stock control.
We hope there’s no ship-up in
delivery.
■ ACORN’S new model C and-
roid has hit back at rumours that
Acorn has dropped plans to intro-
duce a new range of Tom
Huffn'puff marketing managers.
The android claimed that a set of
managers had arrived from
National Semiconductor in lieu of
chip-sets and should start market-
ing ‘later in the year.’
ONE of our senior computer
monthlies has come in for a
pasting from one of our
readers. L Whalley describes
the offending paragraph thus:
‘Pretentious, self-consciously
clever rubbish’. For those who
missed it first time round, hack
your way through this piece of
Jargon Jungle from the Feb-
ruary issue of Personal Com-
puter World:
' The Joy of Computers is
recognisably one of a new
generation of computer re-
lated publications. Pac-
Man and partworks have
■ NEWS from The Other User is
that Barry Wood applied for a job
to Acorn’s PR department in
Altrincham. He was turned down.
In retribution he is now extending
his Barry Wood’s Hairpiece
column to a full page and printing
the views of would-be Electron
owners.
stalled, but the facts of real
life - cars that are hand-
built by robots and then talk
back at the driver, trendy
vicars getting flower rotas
through the 6502 and
the collected works of
John Wesley onto Dysan -
remain real enigma
variations’.
Linnet Evans, who wrote the
book review, may collect a
small reward from our offices
(readers may like to suggest a
suitable one). L Whalley, our
first Jargon Jungle winner, gets
a crisp Wellington.
■ DESPITE contrary reports, the
Gluon could soon be un-
forgotten. Incredibly, it can be
glued-on not only to an Electron or
an Atom but also to a SinQIair
Plectrum, Commodore 64, Flan
Enterprise (also known as Elan,
Samurai, Fried Egg . . .); in fact it will
turn any home computer into a
Beeb. Sources claim that any
program written for the Beeb will
work perfectly on the Gluon!
Acorn will take orders for the
Gluon ‘very soon.’ The price is
expected to be just under £400
and you should quote the stock
codeANBOl with your order.
■ Finally, dear readers, a little
puzzle. What does the following
Basic II and Electron program do?
10 DIM BLOCK 9
207BLOCK = 31
30 BLOCK? 9= 13
40 A% = 10
50 X% = BLOCK
60 Y% = BLOCK DIV 256
70 CALL&FFF1
80 PRINT$(BLOCK -F 3)
Answers on a post-card to
Mr A Wilson, Acorn Computers,
Fulbourn Road, Cambridge. Over
and out!
Jargon Jungle
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
LOW PRICES MAINTAINED
El ECTR0 N
Z&Sg"*
Prices from
£120-£300
Dealer enquiries welcome
u, SEIKOSHA
▼ PRINTERS
A new range of printers
(Spectrum Compatible)
replacing
existing models
ORGANISATION AT YOUR FINGER TIPS!
Hardware and Software for the BBC Mcro. Just a few of
our Business, Domestic & Educational Programs
available on cassette or disc.
107 MEMO-CALC £12.95 + VAT B C/D
Tt must be among the least expensive pieces of useful software
you will ever buy" Revue by Practical Computing July 1983
This is a database /calcsheet program which is allows up to 255
columns The number of rows is automatically set from 5 to over
1000 depending on the columns declared Both numeric and
alphameric data can be stored in any cell and can be of any length
up to 255 characters
106 PAYROLL (W or M) £24.95 each + VAT B C/D
Two part programs to handle the wages on a weekly or separately
on a monthly basis for up to 100 employees in memory at the
same time Order as WEEKLY or MONTHLY Deduct £5 00 if both
weekly & monthly programs purchased at same time A PAYROLL
update service is offered at £6 00 per annum + VAT
304 STATPACK £9.95 + VAT B C/D
A statistic package written by Micro Aid that first appeared in the
Personal Computer World magazine between autumn of 1978 and
the Spring of 1979 as a series of articles
This fascinating suite of modules will appeal to Schools. Colleges
and businesses alike proving extremely valuable
102 CASHBOOK £11.95 + VAT B C/D
FIRST CHOICE, This is a double entry cashbook program showing
cash and bank credits and debits, i e 4 columns Any number of
individual accounts can be used and analysed or totalled
individually or cumulatively by associated group
LANGUAGE A UTILITY ROM’S from many sources from £18
SEND NOW FOR OUR FREE BROCHURE!
Most of our programs are on PRESTEL (Micronet)
* 60043703 and can be down loaded directly.
EilMfrBrtM
25 Fore Street, Praze, Camborne,
Cornwalt TR1 4 0JX UK Tel: (0209) 831 274
16
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
I -
ROM SOFTWARE
Wordwise
View
Printmaster
Disc Doctor
Termi (terminal emulator)
Graphics Extension
Acorn Speech System Upgrade
HCCS Forth
HCCS Logo Forth
HCCS Pascal
HCCS Excal
ROM Expansion Board (ATPL) The Best
BOOKS
BBC Micro Disc Companion
Creative Graphics
Graphs & Charts
Lisp Manual
Forth Manual
BCPL Manual
Discovering BBC Micro Machine Code
BBC Micro Disk Manual
Using Floppy Disks with the BBC Micro
PROGRAM POWER IN
Killer Gorilla
Cybertron Mission
Chess B
Danger UXB
Escape Moonbase Alpha
Felix in Factory
Felix & Fruit Monsters
Nemesis
Bumble Bee
Wizards Challenge
Jet Power Jack
Positron
Demon Decorator
Alien Swirl
Alien Destroyers
Ghouls
Moon Raider
The Mine
Hell Driver
Labyrinths of LaCoshe
Zarrr.
INC. VAT I
39 951
59 OOf
32 951
32 95 I
32 951
32 951
55 00 1
39 95 1
67 851
57 00 1
74 75 I
43 701
INC VATl
7 951
7 501
7 50|
7 501
7 501
15 001
6 951
1 95 1
9 951
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
6 85
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
SUPERIOR SOFTWARE INC. VAT
Road Runner
Hunchback
Overdrive
Battletank
Cosmic Kidnap
Star Battle
Moon Mission
Percy Penguin
Boris In The Underworld
Rocky
OPUS
Dogfight
BUG-BYTE
Twin Kingdom Valley
DYNABYTE
Pool
Horserace
Lemming Syndrome
Corporate Climber
BBC/ACORNSOFT
Algebraic Manipulation
Arcadians
Business Games
Castle of Riddles
Creative Graphics
Countdown to Doom
Forth
Graphs & Charts
Hopper
Lisp
BCPL (Rom + Disc)
Missile Base
Meteors
Monsters
Peeko Computer
Planetoid
Rocket Raid
Snooker
Sphinx Adventure
Starship Command
Tree of Knowledge
Snapper
Shirley Conran s Magic Garden
Personal Money Management
Draughts and Reversi
Wordhunt
White Knight II
Vutype
Tax Calc
Beyond Basic
Toolbox
Canyon
Record Keeper
Doctor Who
ACORNSOFT MIRLE NOW IN STOCK
SOFTWARE INVASION INC VA
Eagles Wing
Spooks and Spiders
3 D Bomb Alley
Gunsmoke
Vortex
Attack on Alpha Centaun
VISIONS
Snooker
Digger
Daredevil Dennis
PSION
Saloon Sally
VuCalc
VuFile
MELBOURNE HOUSE
The Hobbit
MICROBYTE
3D Space Ranger
SOFTWARE FOR ALL
Stock Control (C D)
Invoicing Statements (C D)
Sales Purchase (C D)
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
INC. VAT
8 95
INC. VAT
7 95
INC. VAT
7 95
7 95
7 95
INC. VAT
9 95
9 95
995
9 95
9 95
9 95
16 85
9 95
9 95
16 85
99 95
9 95
9 95
9 95
9 95]
9 95
9 95
9 95l
9 95|
9 95
9 95
9 95
9 95
9 95
9 95
11 90
11 50
16 10
17 25|
11
21
10 001
15 00
10 00 1
P 0 A
7 95'
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
7 95
INC VAT
7 95
795
7 95 1
INC VAT
6 95
14 95
14 95
INC VAT
14 95
INC VAT
7 95
INC. VAT
19 95 29 95
19 95 29 95
19 95 29 95
piSlIsSrl
j be high
W
+ 50p Carnage
EPSON FX80
A SUPERB PRINTER
_AT A SUPERB PRICE
This most popular of HIGH
PERFORMANCE dot matrix pr iters
has all the features you could ask
I for
I • 160 cps 11-9 matrix
proportional spacing
I • Normal Elite & italic Characters
TORCH Z8Q
DISC PACK
WITH OVER
£1,100 OF
SOFTWARE
FREE
RING FOR
LATEST
PRICES.
MANY
REDUCTIONS
EXPECTED
• Tractor & c nction Feed 10
Carriage
• Bi directional Logic Seeking
• Centronics Interface Standard
• Down loadable Character Set
User Defined
• Condensed & Double Width
Printing
• Super & Subscripts
• Dot Addressable Graphics
NOW AT THE AMAZING PRICE
° f
^ Inc VAT
I
QUICI
KSH0T II
ORDER TODAY - Get the Z80
version of BBC Basic FREE (Was
Cl 25) runs BBC Micro
programmes up to twice as fast,
ives 32K for graphics AND 48K lorl
lasic programme
NOW ONLY £799 INC VAT
Free carriage UK only
Software includes
• PERFECT WRITER • PERFECT
SPELLER • PERFECT CALC •
PERFECT FILER •TORCH NET
The TORCH Z80 DISC PACK is the
most powerful BBC Micro disc
upgrade available, it provides 80UK
of storage plus a Z80 Second ,
Processor running Torch s own
CP M compatible operating
system Clip this ad to your order to
receive free 40 80T converter
programme
• NEW TORCH ZEP10 PACK Add
Torch Power to any 80 track drives
Complete 2nd Processor AND Free
Perfect software worth E 1 000
ONLY
24 HOUR
DESPATCH
ON STOCK
ITEMS
me VAT
• Full sidewise Rom Expansion to
16 Roms
• 16K Battery backed CMOS Ram
option
• No soldering required to fit
sidewise
• Full buffering of address and
data busses - prevents data bus
loading problems associated
with unbuffered boards
MAIL ORDER No Stamp Required
Post your order today to
COMPUTERAMA
DEPT AU6 FREEPOST
STAFFORD ST16 2BR , - -
OR TELEPHONE OUR MAIL
ORDER HOT LINE With your l J l
ACCESS or VISA number we will endeavour
to despatch immediately - (0785) 41899
Call in today Home Computer
Centre for the BBC Micro enthusiast
Send large SAE lor further details of
any product
CARRIAGE
Micro s. Monitors. Disc Drives.
Printers £8 00. Books £1 00 each
Cassette Decks £2 00 Leads and
software 50p item
with
every order,
five pounds
worth of
moneysaving
vouchers
BBC MICRO
JOYSTICK
I Now with rapid fire Option and
I Solid State Interlace
I Optional Relocatable code feature -
| means that It WORKS with more
I games than any other similar
I interface This SELF-CENTERING ^
1 JOYSTICK, works even with Aj
I keyboard-only programmes A
| sensation at the Micro User Show
I More fun reaches the games other
I loysncks cannot Limited supplies
1 >1 th-s item A JO*
WE ACCEPT INSTITUTIONAL
EDUCATIONAL ORDERS
ATPL SIDEWISE
ROM
EXPANSION
BOARD
• Pin 1 of on-board sockets are
connected properly - No
spurious crashes due to this
known fault on BBC Micro
Existing sockets on BBC Micro
are usable All Eprom sockets
are accessible without removma
sidewise
{J&70
k £1 00 carriage
BBC
INC. V AT
ACORN ELECTRON
199 00
BBC Micro Model B
39900
BBC Micro Model B +
Double density DOS
489.00
BBC Micro Disc Upgrade
PO A
BBC Micro A- B Full Upgrade
95.00
BBC Micro Teletext Receiver
225.00
BBC Micro Z80 2nd Processor
T B A
BBC Micro 6502 2nd Processor T B A
Double Density DOS Upgrade
89.95
Pace DFS
3995
DISC DRIVES
INC. VAT
LVL Dual 100K
34000
Pace Single 100K
169 95
Pace Single 40 80T D Sided
282 90
Pace Dual 1 00K
338 00
Pace Dual 40 80T D Sided
573 95
Torch Dual 400K Z80 Disc Pack 799 00
Pace 200K 40T D. Sided
243.00
HOBBIT FLOPPY
INC. VAT
DRIVES
99 95
MONITORS
INC. VAT
Microvitec 14 ' Colour
22900
Sanyo 1 4 Colour
26900
Fidelity 14 ' Colour Monitor
199.00
Grundig 14 Colour TV Monitor 309 00
Sanyo 1 2 Green
89 00
Phoenix 12 Hi-Res Amber
129.85
PRINTERS
INC. VAT
Epson RX80
26900
Epson RX80FT
299 00
Epson FX80
389 00
Epson FX100
56900
Shinwa CP80
22900
Riteman
286 00
Juki 6100 Daisywheel
44900
MISCELLANEOUS
INC. VAT
Sanyo DR1 01 Data Recorder
39.95
Cassette leads - all types
2.80
Computerama Joystick interface 1 4 95
Quickshot Joystick
(FOR BBC MICRO)
19 95
Printer Cable (Parallel) 1 .2 m
995
BBC Micro Deluxe Cover
5 95
Light Pen
28.75
Data Cassettes 5 x C20/C1 5
1.95
The Plug Power Filter
14.95
ORDER A COMPLETE SYSTEM -
GET ALL LEADS FREE
STAFFORD
59 Foregate Street
Tel: (0785) 41899
STOKE-ON-TRENT
11 Market Square Arcade.
Hanley Tel: (0782) 268620
SHREWSBURY
13 Castle Gates
Tel (0743) 60528
CLARES
B Base
Replica II (Disc Only)
Graph Disc
The Key (Disc Only)
Shadow Inspector
State 40 80T for Discs
DR SOFT
747 Flight Simulator
Gorph
AMCOM
Fortress (C D)
Space Highway
GEMINI GAMES
Missile Control
Caterpillar
GEMINI
Business Combination Packs 1. 2.
Data Base
ADVENTURE
INTERNATIONAL
Adventureland
Voodoo Castle
Secret Mission
Pirate Adventure
SOFTSPOT
Transistors Revenge
Heist
H. SOFT (WATFORD)
Penguin
ALLIGATA
Blagger
HEWSON
Heathrow Air Traffic Control
CRL
Test Match
A&F
Chuckie Egg
Cylon Attack
AARDVARK
Zalaga
MIRRORSOFT
First Steps With The Mr Men
MICRODEAL
_ Air Traffic Control
j Space Shuttle (CD)
MRM SOFTWARE
Q Man
Q Man s Brother
Diamond Mine
Guy In The Hat
3D Munchy
INC. VAT
25 00
12 95
12 95
12 95
7 95
INC. VAT
8 95
7 95
INC VATl
7 95 1 1 95
7 95
INC. VAT
9 95
9 95
INC. VAT
3. 4 P O A
19 95
INC VAT
9 95
9 95
9 95
9 95
INC. VAT
6 95
6 95
INC. VAT
7 95
INC. VAT,
7 95
INC. VATl
795
INC VAT
795
INC. VAT
7 90
7 90
INC. VAT
6 90
INC. VAT
9 95
INC VAT
9 95
7 95 9 95
INC V AT
5 70|
5 70
5 701
5 70
5 70j
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
11
NEWS FEATURE
Patchwork of protection
for programs
As far as government legislation is concerned, software and
computer programs don’t yet exist. As various pressure groups
tackle the government on copyright reforms, Simon Elsom
examines the state of the law and the tenuous links by which
copyright provides protection for software writers.
S OFTWARE firms have trad-
itionally protected them-
selves by licensing their pro-
ducts, as opposed to selling them
outright to customers. Before the
recent boom in sales of micros,
this, together with certain inherent
features of software, usually pro-
vided effective protection.
Software was almost invariably
written for specialist markets, so
there was little incentive to copy.
Furthermore, the software firm
would soon spot any copies
because each user (authorised
and unauthorised) relied upon it
for regular after-sales support.
Flowever, the advent of cheap
micros, has vastly increased the
size of software markets - and the
problem of protecting programs.
Software houses increasingly use
distributors and dealers, so it is
comparatively easy for a dis-
honest dealer or user to copy and
distribute illicit copies of popular
software.
Often, though, it is a third party,
the romantically-named software
pirate, who is copying and dis-
tributing the software of others
without remitting the royalties
rightfully due to them. The pirate
cannot be sued for breach of
contract, as there isn’t one, so the
supplier’s main recourse in law
resides with his so-called ‘in-
tellectual property rights’, and par-
ticularly copyright.
Legal experts, in the UK and
overseas, mainly agree that
copyright provides the widest pro-
tection for software. Many coun-
tries have established that com-
puter programs are capable of
copyright protection.
For example, three years ago,
the US Congress passed an
amendment to its 1976 Copyright
Act. This contained a definition of
a computer program, and es-
tablished that programs were
‘works of authorship’ capable of
copyright protection.
Case law has gradually ex-
plored the scope of this amend-
ment, and it is now becoming
accepted in the US that applic-
ations and operating systems soft-
ware, expressed in any computer
languge and in either a human-
readable or machine-readable
medium, are capable of
protection.
The UK, however, is lagging
behind, for many software
copyright issues have yet to be
resolved here.
UK copyright is attractive
because the right exists as soon as
the work is created, and there are
no formalities to be adhered to.
Furthermore, since the UK has
ratified both the Berne Union and
Universal Copyright Convention,
copywright owners can readily
obtain protection in most coun-
tries overseas.
However, the Copyright Act
1956, on which current UK
copyright law is based, was
drafted when computing was in its
infancy. Nowhere is there men-
tioned ‘computer program 1 , let
alone ‘software’. Furthermore, no
case concerning copyright of
computer programs has yet been
fully argued in the Court of Appeal
or House of Lords.
However, the resulting uncer-
tainty should not be exaggerated.
A number of decisions have been
made generally indicating that
copyright does subsist in com-
puter programs. In addition, out-
of-court settlements have been
based upon the presumption of
protection in such works.
Nevertheless, given that a com-
puter program undergoes a
myriad transformation, both in its
development and execution in a
computer, there are unresolved
issues. Among these are: it is not
clear which embodiments of a
program are capable of protec-
tion; and for those that are pro-
tected, the scope of the program
copyright owner’s exclusive rights
is not clear.
In general, copyright does not
give the copyright owner the right
to reprod uce the work, as it may be
based upon earlier copyrighted
works. Hence copyright prevents
others from copying, and thus is
more accurately a negative rather
than positive right.
Works capable of protection
must be included in one or more
classes of work specified in the
Act: literary, dramatic, musical and
artistic. Conditions for the sub-
sistence of copyright together with
the copyright owner’s exclusive
rights are specified for each class.
The basis for the inclusion of
computer programs within the
Copyright Act 1956 lies in the
interpretation of the term ‘literary
work’. Programs expressed on
paper are probably already
covered in this class, but some
doubt lingers over machine-
readable forms of a program (eg,
software in ROM and RAM). A
literary work is defined in the
statute as including ‘any written
table or compilation’. The term
‘writing’ is also defined as includ-
ing ‘any form of notation whether
by hand or by printing, typewriting
or any similar process’. These
definitions can be interpreted to
exclude machine-readable forms
of a program, or they can equally
be interpreted broadly to include
such embodiments.
The uncertainty these inadequ-
ate definitions create has long
been recognised. The govern-
ment recommended in its Green
Paper on copyright law reform
(Cmnd 8302, July 1981) to make
‘explicit in new legislation that
programs attract protection under
the same conditions as literary
works’.
Furthermore, in the succeeding
paragraph the government pro-
posed that ‘copyright should
extend to works fixed in any form
from which they can be
reproduced’.
The implication is that
programs in a machine-readable
form should be protected by
copyright, if they are not already
page 22 ►
The Pressure Groups
T HE Copyright Reform Group
was set up this year to
persuade the government to
introduce a new copyright law.
Its first act was to write a letter to
the Prime Minister expressing its
concern at the ‘apparent lack of
progress towards a wholesale
revision of what is universally
acknowledged to be a seriously
outdated Copyright Act’.
Signatories included the Guild
of Software Houses, British
Copyright Council and the Pub-
lishers’ Association. There are 1 6
members of the group. Details
c/o Roxburghe House (fourth
floor), 273-287 Regent Street,
London W1R 8BN. To contact
GOSH tel: 01 -834 8341.
The Software Registry,
launched in April, is a private
organisation whose aim is to
establish and maintain the rights
of software authors and
copyright holders. This is to be
done by providing a date verifi-
cation for members and advice.
The registry is also hoping to
stamp out piracy, and is provid-
ing an assurance scheme for
members caught up in litigation.
Cost for the first five years of
registration is C 75.75 , which also
covers a year of basic insurance.
Details from: TSR, 57a Lincoln’s
Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LS,
tel: 01 -430 0798.
The Tape Manufacturers'
Group is fighting against the
threat of a levy on sales of blank
audio and video tapes. This is
one suggestion being put before
the European Parliament to at-
tempt to curb piracy of music,
video and computer tapes.
The Group was formed in
1981 by BASF, Agfa, 3M, Maxell,
Memorex, Sony and TDK. Its
main thrust is in the music and
video industries.
A booklet The Case Against a
Levy on Blank Recording Tape is
available from the group: Public
Relations Office, The Tape
Manufacturers’ Group, 39-41
New Broad Street, London
EC2M 1 NH, tel: 01 -638 1 698.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Electro magnet
to pull
motor spindle
onto tape.
Nine track
“byte-wide" head.
lape drive
spindle.
Precision ground rubber
pressure roller.
PHLOOPY 100k
cartridge, shown not yet
pushed fully home.
Twelve foot long loop of
tape freely packed into
cartridge.
“On-board"
microprocessor.
A 1 00k BBC-drive for £99 + VAT
We’ve done it! We’ve built a storage system for your
BBC Micro with the power and convenience of a
floppy disk drive, at a fraction of the price. Interface
to the BBC costs £26 + VAT and runs up to 8 drives.
PHLOOPY’s special secret
PHLOOPY does not record on a
disk, but on a loop of quarter-inch
tape contained in a rugged
interchangeable cartridge.
The heart of PHLOOPY is a
unique “byte-wide” magnetic head,
that gives it its speed by recording nine tracks
across the tape. Typically, you can access a file in
only 3 or 4 seconds.
If you’re used to waiting for a cassette tape to
trundle programs into your BBC, you’ll be amazed
at PHLOOPY’s performance - up to 100 times faster.
Talking to your PHLOOPY
PHLOOPY’s own software makes it
respond to standard BBC filing
system and Basic commands.
Programs written to run on
disk or cassette should
run on PHLOOPY
without problem.
And because vour
PHLOOPY drive
contains its own
microprocessor - a second computer which does
most of the hard work - it puts very little load on the
BBC. The on-board computer also checks and
automatically corrects any read errors^
Your PHLOOPY Library —
PHLOOPY cartridges
hold a full 100k of data. You
can buv blank cartridges for
£3.75 each plus VAT. Many BBC
programs will be available on PHLOOPY.
Phi Mag Systems Ltd. PO Box 2 1 ,
Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 3'1'D Tel: (0326) 76040
Order Form
• Please send me further details about the PHLOOPY 100k data
storage system for the BBC Model B.
• Please send me (qtv ) PHLOOPY starter pack(s) for my BBC
Model B microcomputer, including PHLOOPY drive, BBC
interface, leads, connections, operating system in firmware, manual,
and two PI I LOOPY 100k cartridges, at £ 147.75 each including VAT,
postage and packing . Amount £
•Please send me .( qtv) packs of 5 PHLOOPY cartridges at £19.75
including VAT, postage and packing. Amount £
I enclose a cheque/PO for £ OR Please debit my
Access card Number:
Your order will be acknowledged within 10 days, giving a delivery date.
Name
Address
Town: Post code
Send this coupon to: Phi Mag Systems Ltd. PO Box 2 1, Falmouth,
Cornwall TR11 3TD. Telephone: Falmouth (0326 ) 76040.
14 day money - back option. AU
Unicom. Five new (
e’s the fu]
TheZEPlOO
• Z80 Extension Processor
• 4MHz Z80A
• 64KRAM
• 24KROM
The new UNICORN range from TORCH Computers
gives the enthusiast and professional user a choice of
upgrades which takes the BBC Model B Micro to the
ultimate height of performance.
The result of TORCH’S total commitment to the BBC
Micro is the only complete range of high performance
hardware available. Offering every BBC Micro owner five
new upgrade channels, UNICORN will transform your
BBC into a fully communicating workstation, a CP/M®
compatible business machine or the ultimate in high
powered 32-bit data processing.
At the top of the range, THE UNICORN,
offers the power and sophistication of System
III UNIX® whilst other channels make available
the flexibility of languages such as FORTRAN,
PASCAL, BCPL and COBOL. All models,
with the exception of the HDP240, provide
BBCBASIC(ZSO) on the Z80 rather than the
Model B’s 6502.
Tune in to the Channel that most suits
your requirements. Whichever level you
choose you can be sure of a system with
infinitely expandable potential for a confident
future in the world of computing.
ranger
ovy.
The object of any upgrade kit
to improve processing ability and t<
increase data storage" capacity.
The UNICORN ZEP100 is
the first stage upgrade
which opens channels
into the world of
serious computing.
TheZEPlOO is the
proven 8 bit second processor for tl
BBC Model B micro. A Z80 extensic
processor which enables the use of
the well established CPN operating
system, giving access to the vast
of applications programs anc
[es available for all CP/M *
micros. When fitted to a BBC model
microcomputer with compatible hi
quality disc drives it provides a
complete business or scientific
computer which can run large appl
cations programs or use advanced
languages, with the ability to switch
back to standard BBC programs at
any time.
Any ZEP100 can be linked, vie
the Econet® option on the
— . BBC, to a network of othe
TORCH computers to
provide a worl<
station runninj
onTORCHNE
FullTORCHN
operating sys
terns softwar
is provided t<
allow access to
information anywhere
on the network, or to corr
with other
computers.
<=*«***
The64KZEP100 i<
supplied with full
software support
including word pro
cessing, spreadshec
database and
utilities. The ZEP10(
around &299
(ex. VAT).
TheZDP 240
MHz Z80A • 64K RAM
4KROM
win, double sided 400K
loppy discs
naependent integral
lower supply
1CORN
P240 (Torch Z80
cPack) is the proven
£rade for the BBC Model B micro-
nputer. Offering the use of more
verful and flexible languages such
ICPLand C
ortran, Pascal, BCPL and Cobol, it
ivides 800K of disc storage plus a
) second processor with 64K RAM
ining TORCH’s own CP/M® com-
ible operating system based in ROM.
This advanced design means
t almost all of the 64 K RAM pro-
ed by the Z80 board is available for
M : programming use-an
•antage no other SBC micro
*rade can offer.
If your BBC micro has the
)net ? option, there is a further
lefit the ZDP240 can offer.
RCHNETcan link together up to
1 upgraded Model B’s on a local
a network, so for enthusiasts,
bs and Schools it is a simple and
--cost way to achieve networking
ilities.
The discs can be used for
rage under the Acorn DFS system
or CP/M ® programs and data.
A comprehensive software pack-
1 is provided with the disc pack. It
ludes word and data processing
1 a spreadsheet program, along
h utility programs and manuafs.
The TORCH Z80 Disc pack is
ommended by the CCTA for
eminent use. The ZDP 240-
mnd S699 (ex. VAT).
The HDP 240
• 20Mbvte hard disc Winchester
• Double sided 400K floppy disc
• Integral power supply
For users who need much more
storage capacity than is available on
floppy discs and who require the
large speed gains that a Winchester
hard disc provides, the third new
channel is now available.
The UNICORN HDP240 combines a
400K floppy disc drive with a 20Mb
hard disc and its associated controller.
The pack connects directly to the disc
and 1MHz bus sockets on the BBC
Model B.
In conjunction with a ZEP100, it
provides a powerful business
computer for running CP/M®
programs with large "amounts of data.
The floppy disc can be used for
storage with the Acorn DFS system,
and both discs can be used by other
TORCH systems on theTORCHNET
local area network. The HDP240-
around & 1995 (ex. VAT).
The HDP68K
• 8MHz MC68000 • 6MHz Z80B
• 256K RAM (68000)
• 64K RAM (Z80)
• 20 Mbyte hard disc Winchester
• Double sided 400K floppy disc
• Integral power supply
The fourth channel in the
UNICORN range is for users who
need the extra processing power of a
68000 32 bit processor, as well as the
Z80 w lining standard software. The
UNICORN L1DP68K provides the
ultimate in performance, offering an
extra 256K RAM and a 68000 pro-
cessor running at 8 million cycles per
second. It also contains a Z80
processor to allow the mnning of
existing TORCH software.
The HDP68K - around
&2495(ex.VAT).
The Unicorn
Spec, as HDP68K PLUS UNIX ‘
operating system.
UNIX® System III is the
recognised operating system of the
’80’s. A very powerful and sophisti-
cated multi-tasking system, it includes
a vast library of utility programmes.
The fifth channel and top of the
range, THE UNICORN, puts UNIX i?
within reach of the individual user, at
a price unmatched by any other
UNIX b systems, by combining the
reliability of the BBC micro with
advanced technology from TORCH
Computers.
TORCH UNIX operates under
the network operating system. Using
UNICORN products, a low-cost
network of BBC Micros can be
configured to offer the most complete
range of educational computing
facilities available anywhere.
Other facilities available include
UCSDp-System, LISP, FORTH, PILOT
and PROLOG. The UNICORN -
around &2895 (ex.VAT).
O
n
Open channels for the BBC micro.
To: Torch Computers Ltd., Abberley House,
Great Shelford, Cambridge CB2 5LQ.
Telephone: Cambridge (0223) 841000.
Please send further information on the UNICORN
range plus your FREE 1984 Software Catalogue.
Name
Address
I MIX
1 M is a registered trademark of Digital Research Inc.
Lconet is a registered trademark of Acorn Computers Ltd.
is a registered trademark of Bell Telephone laboratories Inc
TORCH it'
COMPUTERS
UK version Model B necessary Text and Graphics provided by BBC Model B.
Disc interfaces are necessary for use with the Unicorn range. Keyboard provided by BBC Model B.
22
NEWS
NO, Acorn isn’t going into competition with Virgin
in the airlanes, this is just the company’s
equivalent to the Presidential plane. It’s a Cessna
337 ‘push me, pull you,’ so nick-named because it
has two engines, one behind the cockpit, the other
in front. The Cessna can carry six people, just the
thing for transporting high-flying millionaires
around.
ITV answer
to Ceefax
magazine
ORACLE, ITV’s viewdata service, is
to launch its own computer news
and magazine section in June.
The service will be called Data-
base and include news, viewers’
letters, events, a games chart and
software reviews. The reviews will
be done by a special Oracle panel
chosen from viewers.
Database will be found on page
558 of Channel 4 Oracle.
Database will be ITV’s answer to
REM, the magazine run by Ceefax,
the BBC's version of viewdata,
which has been operating for
more than 18 months.
However, there will not be an
equivalent to the BBC’s Telesoft-
ware Service to accompany the
magazine. ‘We have no plans to
broadcast telesoftware at the mo-
ment,’ said Oracle editor David
Klein.
Now Elk gets
Simon sprites
SIMONSOFT has released its
Sprites package, reviewed last
month, for the Electron. It gives
generator programs for user-
designed sprites, enlargement of
up to five times normal sprite size,
supersprites of up to 24 x 24
pixels, collision detection, preset
flight paths, instant animation and
a library of ready-designed
images.
The package is claimed to give
a 14-fold speed increase over
Basic and costs LI 2.95.
MICROGAME'S 'Dodg’em' pack-
age, reviewed on page 141, costs
£5.95.
Teletext mimic
for classroom
EDFAX is a teletext emulator for
the BBC micro which lets you
mimic a teletext database such as
Ceefax or Oracle.
Tecmedia, which produced the
Input and Microprimer packs for
the MEP, are aiming the program
at schools that might wish to set
up their own teletext system. How-
ever, it is also seen as having a role
to play for displays in shops or at
exhibitions.
Edfax allows users to set up and
edit a display, which can be stored
on disc and linked to other pic-
tures or text.
The program is provided on
disc and up to 80 ‘pages' can be
stored on one 40-track disc. An
extensive manual is provided with
the program, as well as a disc of
example images.
Tecmedia claims that 500
copies have already been ordered
by schools in the Midlands where
the software underwent trials.
The Edfax package costs
£34.68, but schools will be given a
discount on that which amounts
to about a third.
Details from Tecmedia at 5
Granby Street, Loughborough,
LE113DU. Tel: Loughborough
(0509) 230248.
Computerised garden
LIVERPOOL’S International Gar-
den Festival will be the testing
ground for a computer inform-
ation system featuring the BBC
micro.
The micro will be at the heart of
a network of 18 television sets
scattered around the 125-acre
site, giving visitors information
and a catalogue of each day’s
events.
Information about the Festival
will be input to the system on a
Rotavision Editing Station sited
in the main hall.
ITM, the company behind the
system, is hoping that its devel-
opment will see much wider
application in hotels, airports
and railway stations.
For details of the system,
contact ITM at E3 New Enterpr-
ises, SW Brunswick Dock, Liver-
pool L34AR. Tel: (051 ) 708 9066.
COPYRIGHT
◄ page 18
protected. However, these recom-
mendations have not been acted
on, so the situation is still
uncertain.
Although computer programs
have yet to be considered in the
High Court, they have cropped up,
albeit briefly, in Sega Enterprises
Ltd vs Richard (1983). This case
concerned an alleged infringe-
ment of copyright in a video game
program called Frogger, each
copy of which was embodied in an
EPROM (erasable programmable
ROM). The judge said:
‘On the evidence before me in this
case I am clearly of the opinion that
copyright under the provisions
relating to literary works in the
Copyright Act 1956 subsists in the
assembly code program of the
game ‘Frogger’. The machine
code derived from it ... is to be
regarded. I think, as either a
reproduction or an adaptation of
the assembly code program, and
... I find that copyright does subsist
in the program.'
Although the judge was unsure
which act applied, he was convin-
ced that a machine code form of a
copyrighted assembly code
program was included in the
scope of the restricted acts. This
wide interpretation was under-
lined in the aforementioned Green
Paper, for the Government stated
that, in its view, the various trans-
formations a program conven-
tionally underwent when run in a
computer were already covered.
The effectiveness of copyright
law is judged by whether it deters
would-be infringers. Clarification
of the statute would undoubtedly
enhance its effectiveness. How-
ever, deterrence also implies a
copyright law which is easy and
cheap to enforce, and where the
remedies granted are punitive in
nature. Although the courts have
granted what amounts almost to a
civil search warrant in software
copyright cases, the penalties for
infringement are woefully in-
adequate. In particular, the Act
specifies that the guilty defendant
should be liable to a fine not
exceeding 40 shillings for each
article to which the offence relates.
An increasing number of organis-
ations advocate a change in the
law to increase financial penalties
for copyright infringement of com-
puter programs. If enacted, this
may do much to deter the ever-
present threat of widespread soft-
ware piracy.
Dr Elsom, a software protection
consultant, is secretary of the
Copyright Committee, British Com-
puter Society.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
® ® Q ,y .
GET ON THE RIGHT
TRACK WITH
MICRO '‘iESjiifflTjrji
powERUKia
’m
Micro Power are an official service and information centre, and we are major suppliers to
Government and educational establishments. We stock the complete range of Acornsoft and
Micro Power software as well as a wide range of B.B.C. Micro and general computing books.
Our expert staff are always on hand to provide advice and assistance in the relaxed atmosphere
of our showroom.
COMPUTERS
B B C. Model A
. 325.00
B B C. Model B
399.00
B B C Model B plus DFS
469.00
B B C Model B plus Econet
446 00
B B C Model B plus DFS and Econet
516 00
Acorn Electron ( phone for availability). . .
199 00
FOUR FRCC MICRO POWIR
CASSCTTCS WITH CPCRYMODCl 0
MONITORS
Philips TP200
78.95
Kaga 12” Green Screen
123.05
Ferguson TX Monitor/TV
. . 335.95
Sanyo DM2112 12” Green Screen
80.95
Microvitec monitor (plastic)
. . 286.85
Microvitec monitor (metal)
. . 228 85
Plinth for above
5.75
DISK DRIVES
PRINTERS
Epson FX80
425.95
Epson RX80 F/T
323.28
Mannesmann printer: plus 1000
sheets of paper and cable
279.95
Smith Corona TP-I
270.20
MCP 40
129.95
Juki
446.95
ACCESSORIES
Pace 40 track 100K 1 71 .35
Pace 40 track double sided 200 K 243.80
Pace 40/80 track double sided 200/400 K 282.90
Pace 40 track double drive 200K 388.10
Pace 40 track double sided double drive 400 K
483.00
Mitsubishi 40/80 track double sided double drive
400/800 K 567 85
Torch Z80 Disk Pack 80 track double sided
double drive (including Perfect software) .... 839.50
AMS HFD30553" 100K(inc. extra ROM) 199 00
ALL PRICES INCLUSIVE OF V.A.T.
We provide free fitting for all firmware
Elftone Digicorder (including leads) 25.
Acorn BBC cassette recorders (inc. leads) . . . 33
Printer paper (2000 sheets) 18.
Scotch D/S D/D Disks (Box of 10) 32
Disk storage cases 21
Vinyl dust covers for computers, disk drives,
monitors and printers 4
Sureshot self centering arcade joystick 18
Sureshot self centering double joysticks .... 34
Acorn joysticks 13
System Sac 19
Printer cables (parallel or serial) 15.
Stack light pen 28
Speech synthesiser plus cartridge socket
(Free 1 .2 rf required) 55
Acorn Disk interface (Free 1 .2 ROM if req.) 97
Pace disk interface kit 95
1.2 ROM upgrade 11
Econet (Free 1.2 ROM if req.) 70
Teletext adaptor (Free 1.2 ROM if req.) .... 225
View wordprocessor(Free 1 .2 ROM if req.) .... 59
Wordwise wordprocessor 45
Auto Prommers Eprom Programmer 138
Tutor Mate shelves 10
3M unlabelled Disks (Ten) 15
Maxell 3" disk 4
First Byte Electron joystick interface
(inc. cassette) 24
95
90
40
50
50
ALL ROADS LEAD TO
MICRO POWER!
Q
0
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IQJ
IS]
Showroom:
Northwood House
North Street
Leeds LS7 2AA
Tel: (0532) 458800
Mail Order:
8/8a Regent Street
Leeds LS7 4PE
Tel: (0532) 683186/
696343
0
0
®@(D
Send an SAE for our complete listing
of hardware, software and books.
CARRIAGE FREE for BBC.
printers, monitors and disk drives.
Carriage £5 for Electron. Books
and software only 55p per order
djQQCSQO
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
23
COMPUTING
A GSL COMPUTING PUBLICATION
GSL’S MONTHLY PRICE REVIEW
MICROS
BBC Model B 32K £346.96
BBC Model B with D/Interface 32K. . ...£433.00
BBC Model B with Econet 32K . . . £389.14
BBC Model B with Disc & Econet 32K. . £480.00
MONITORS
Microvitec 14 Colour £215.00
Decca 14" Colour £190.00
Kaga Green screen 12" . . . . £107.00
Novex Green & Amber screen. . . . £105.00
PRINTERS
NEC PC-8023 BE- N dpi matrix . . . . £320.00
Epson FX80 dot matrix £405.00
Juki 6100 daisywheel printer . . . . £399.00
DISC DRIVES
100K Shugart disc drive £140 .00
200K Shugart disc drive £235 .00
400K Shugart disc drive £260.00
Hitach 3" 100K disc drive £180.00
Notice to Dealers
Hitachi 3" Disc Drive
TEC SW 100K Disc Drive
Please contact Rod Lewis or
Glenn Ward for Dealer Prices
UPGRADES
Acorn Disc upgrade Kit .... £115 00
Amcom Disc upgrade Kit £115 00
Econet interface Kit £ 60.82
Speech interface Kit £ 55.00
Wordwise wordprocessor package . . £ 39.00
Disc Doctor pack £ 35.00
BEERSCOPE
Enables the BBC to function as a two channel, large
screen, storage oscilloscope. For scientific, educational
or home use.
£350.00
GSL’s Monthly
Stock Otters
Oric Computer £1 10 84
Torch Z80 Disc Pack inc. £1000
free software £730 00
The above prices exclude carriage and V.A.T.
We are an authorised County Council Dealer
6 Service Centre
We are anflicnlfiAran Dealer adSenfceCatn
Tremendous opportunities tor those wishing to become GSL Appointed Dealers
For further details please Contact Rod Lewis on Andover (0264) 59633
0264 59633 Telex:47166
namal
products
{pr1984
Computers
BBC B’
£399.00
Acorn Electron
£199.00
ZX Spectrum 48K
£125.00
ZX Spectrum 1 6K t
£99.00
Oric 1
£139.95
Vic 20 Starter pack
£139.95
Commodore 64
£199.00
Delivery £ 10.00
Monitors
Sanyo 14" Green
£86.31
Phoenix 14" Green
£69.00
Phoenix 14" Amber
£72.50
Kaga 14" Amber
£123.45
Kaga 14" Green
£108.00
Kaga 12" Colour
£300.00
Delivery £10.00
TEAC Slimline
Disk Drives
100K (40TPI)
£155.00
200K (40/80TPI) Switchable
£175.00
400K (40/80TPI) Switchable
£240.00
All drives fully cased with cables and
format disk.
Disk with power supply extra
£30.00
Delivery £6.00 per item
Diskettes
3M
per 10
744 S/S D/D 48TPI
£20.68
745 D/S D/D 48TPI
£28.00
746 S/S D/D 96TPI
£32.00
747 D/S D/D 96TPI
£37.00
Dyson
S/S D/D 48TPI
£20.00
S/S D/D 96TPI
£29.50
Verbatim
S/S D/D 48TPI
£20.00
S/S D/D 96TPI
£29.50
Xidex
S/S D/D 48TPI
£27.50
S/S D/D 96TPI
£34.40
Delivery £1.00 per item
Cassette Recorders
Sanyo
£28.00
Benkson/Team
£19.00
Delivery £3.00 per item
Word -processing:
a complete range of
packages starting at
£899 — including VAT
READY TO USE!
Package comprises: BBC Model B
Microcomputer • Wordwise
• 100K Disk drive • 80 column
printer and free delivery in
the UK! • Optional disk drives
and printers.
Printers
Epson FX100 FT
£430.00
Epson FX80
£395.00
Epson RX80FT
£315.00
Epson RX80T
£275.00
Seikosha GP100A
£220.00
Shinwa CP80
£275.00
Juki 6100
£395.00
Riteman
£230.00
Mannesman Tally
£225.00
MCP40
£129.95
Delivery £10 00
Joysticks
Super Champ
£16.95
Mini Champ
£14.00
Quickshot 1
£9.95
Quickshot II
£11.95
BBC Joysticks
Emax Professional Joystick
£28.00
Micro Aids Joystick (pair)
Delivery £2.00 per item
£15.00
We stock a large range of software:
• Games • Educational
• Business
Call for software list and catalogue
Type and Talk
Speech Computer RS232
Interface.
Can convert text into speech
quickly. Easily programmed.
Only £171.35
Delivery £5 00
BBC ROMs
Wordwise
Disk Doctor
View
Graphics Rom
Delivery £1.00
£46.00
£33.35
£59.80
£32.90
Books
BBC
Advanced User Guide
£12.95
30-hour Basic
£5.95
Electron
Take off with the Electron
and BBC
£5.95
. . . and many other books on BBC,
Electron, Sinclair and Commodore.
COMING SOON!
ACORNSOFT
GAMES/LANGUAGES/
BUSINESS.
ALL PRICES
INCLUDE VAT
Credit terms available
for orders of £500 or over.
Access, Barclaycard, American
Express and Diners Club welcome.
Cambridge
/Microcomputer
Centre
The Peripheral Centre of East Anglia
153-4 East Road, Cambridge CB1 1DD
Telephone (0223) 355404 Telex 817445
Cambridge Microcomputer Centre is a wholly owned subsidiary ot Namal Associates Limited
Ordering is easy: Telephone Hotline (0223) 355404.
All items subject to availability
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
25
ZX80
BUSINESS
BUNDLE
What will the Z80 second processor
- and the free batch of software
that comes with it-doforthe
T HE BBC micro has long had the
potential to become a business
machine and now with the ap-
pearance (at last) of the Z80 second
processor it has the technology. The Z80
will run CP/M (control program for
micros), which has become the standard
operating system for running business
programs. Software houses all over the
world have written programs to run on
CP/M machines which, potentially, can
run in the 64k provided by the BBC micro
with a Z80 second processor.
Acorn has thoughtfully provided a
bundle of free software with the hardware.
Here the portability of CP/M can be seen,
as half of it has come from the US. The
programs cover a range of applications,
including word processing, filing, finan-
cial modelling and writing dedicated
software. Three programming languages
are included: BBC Basic; Mallard, a
Microsoft-type Basic; and CIS Cobol, a
business language.
But first let’s look at the hardware
provided for your £300. The second
processor itself comes in the same bland
box as the 6502 version reviewed last
month, and the Teletext Adaptor before
that. It matches the Beeb in colour and
finish, being the same depth and height,
but half the width. This links to the Tube,
Acorn’s patented high-speed interface,
underneath the Beeb by a short cable,
which dictates that the Z80 must sit on the
immediate right of the micro. The manual
suggests that a desk area of 5ft wide by 2ft
6in deep is needed for the hardware, plus
at least four power sockets.
When you open the box you’ll find a
DNFS ROM provided which is a combined
version of the disc and Econet filing
systems.
The issue of CP/M is 2.2 with BIOS 1.0
(this is the input/output part of the
operating system). Although CP/M is a
standard business operating system,
there are different implementations on
various machines. Acorn is using CP/M
under licence from its US owners, Digital
Research. CP/M has its own disc operat-
ing system, which will handle up to 128
directory entries per disc.
The software comes on seven discs in
CP/M format. A list of the major items is
given in figure 1, with the companies
behind the programs.
The manuals for the software and the
user guide (apart from the standard CP/M
manual) were produced by Baddeley
Associates of Cambridge, which has an
excellent reputation in this area. Its efforts
for this package certainly uphold its
reputation, most of them being far better
than the original guides written by the
software houses involved. The manuals
have gone through several stages of
rewriting and do a good ‘hand-holding’
job with detailed examples of the software
in use. The text examples are backed up
by data files on disc that again demons-
trate the time and thought that have gone
into this package.
Acorn believes that the package will
turn the BBC micro into a fully fledged
business machine. But how well does this
claim stand up? Figure 2 gives some cost
comparisons against the Torch Z80 pack
and an Apricot. An 800k disc drive is
needed to run the system (dual, double-
sided, 80-track) and, of course, a monitor.
All of that adds up to between £1300 and
£1700 (mainly depending on the disc
drives).
This is comparable to the Torch and the
Apricot, which boasts a much larger
Q/A SESSION
Acorn User probes Howard Fisher, head of the Z80 project, on the capabilities of
the system
AU How much CP/M software will the Z80 second processor actually run?
HF Virtually all the CP/M eight-bit software will ru n. We’ve tried out as much as we can
lay our hands on, including dBase II, Wordstar, DRGraph, and the Perfect and
Compact ranges. We are taking a lot of trouble to make sure this does work.
AU Can the Z80 be networked?
HF Yes it is possible, and we are working on it at Acorn. The system will also support
Acorn’s Winchesters when they become available.
AU Will BBC programs transfer onto the Z80?
HF Yes, you can transfer BBC programs to CP/M. If you have a BBC program (as
long as it contains no assembler) it will most likely run on the Z80, so you can take
advantage of the CP/M disc filing system, which is much better than the Acorn DFS
for random access filing. Data and program merges can give problems, but well-
written software will transfer.
AU How well tested is the software and documentation?
HF We have tried it out in small businesses for comments. While it’s not exactly
‘passed by morons’ it should be close to it.
We started off with the idea of modifying the original documentation, but ended up
rewriting a lot from scratch. We’ve put in about two man years of effort humanising
the manuals. The Accountant guide was written from scratch because Compact did
a lot of updating of the original software. The CP/M manual is a reproduction of
Digital Research’s. We didn’t think we could have done anything better. However, for
simple uses, the Z80 user guide can replace the Z80 manual.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
The second processor, shown with the family of business software, sits to the right of the host
micro
memory, betterdiscs, service back-up and
a wide repertoire of tried and tested
software. However, where the BBC stands
out is in the free software which, in the
words of Acorn boss Hermann Hauser,
the company 'scoured the world for'. All
three machines demonstrate the trend
towards giving away software to start
users off, but Acorn's estimate of £3000 to
buy its bundle takes some beating - and
it's good stuff (figure 1).
Acorn has kept the price of the Z80 a
close secret, and withdrew an original tag
Humble pie? Acorn User does its homework
on ‘Graph Plan’, output on an Epson FX80
printer
of £225 given out a year ago on official
price lists. This was no doubt a reaction to
the likes of Torch, whose success with
products based around Acorn’s own
boards must be galling. The arrival(?) of
Sinclair's QL and the plummeting cost of
machines like the Apricot no doubt
helped persuade Acorn to keep the price
down.
Another option for those who already
have a BBC micro is to invest in the 6502
second processor and wait for some
quality software to appear. The 6502 is
reckoned to be the second-fastest micro-
processor in the world and has 22k to play
around with in 80-column mode.
There wasn't time to do a full review of
the Z80 software, which will have to wait
for another issue, but we can run through
some initial impressions (PCW is running
a series of reviews based on early versions
of the programs).
First, let’s tackle Nucleus , the ‘system
generator 1 . The flexibility of this makes it
possible to develop packages at least as
good as most of the business programs
currently available for the standard BBC
micro. The great advantage is that the
packages will be customised to the
Figure 1 . Z80 software bundle
I ZX80
writer’s own use, down to the last field or
record. By following Acorn's documen-
tation, the first-time user can be produc-
ing worthwhile examples within an hour.
NUCLEUS
The idea behind Nucleus is to help users
without much programming experience
to write custom software. The package is
straightforward to use - but what it will not
do is the thinking behind how a database
should be structured. You must be
familiar with the concept of files, fields and
records and how they interact. If you
aren’t, then you're in for a hard time,
although working through the examples
will give some idea.
Where problems will crop up is in
linking files, especially as this topic won’t
have cropped up unless the programmer
has coped with file handling in some
depth.
Nucleus gives small firms and dealers
an opportunity to create programs and
sell them to others. A whole new industry
could spring up here, and this is, in fact,
exactly where Compact got the idea from
(see figure 1). At the moment however,
there are no firm plans for Acorn itself to
do this.
The ideas offered by Compact in its
own leaflets include records covering
personnel, schools, medical, stock and
invoicing. page3l ►
BBC Z80 system running CP/M 2.2
BBC micro with disc interface
£470
Dual 80-track disc drives (800k)
£450-£800
80-column monochrome monitor
£100
Z80 second processor
£300
Total cost
£1320-£1670
Estimated value of software inc.
£3000
Torch Z80 system running CP/M
Total cost
£1409
Estimated value of software inc.
£1000
Apricot running CP/M 86 and MS-DOS
16-bit processor, 256k RAM, twin
single-sided 3?in disc drives
(730k), separate keyboard, monitor
Total cost
£1890
Estimated software inc
£750
Figure 2. Three-way cost comparison of hardware/software combinations.
Product
Originator
Description
Accountant
Compact Accounting Services
(UK)
Nominal Ledger
Nucleus
Compact Accounting Services
(UK)
Database creation
Memo Plan
Chang Laboratories (US)
Word processor
Graph Plan
Chang Laboratories (US)
Spreadsheet with graphics
File Plan
Chang Laboratories (US)
Data filing system
CISCobol
Microfocus (UK)
COmmon Business Orientated
Animator
Microfocus (UK)
Language
Cobol debugging utility
Forms 2
Microfocus (UK)
Cobol screen layout utility
Z80 BBC Basic
Acorn/BBC
Disc version to run under CP/M
Mallard Professional
Basic
Microsoft-type Basic
CP/M 2.2 with GSX
graphics
Digital Research (US)
Z80 operating system
All the software comes contained on seven discs, with separate guides to each. The discs
also contain sample data for some of the programs.
27
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
IND£«W n0,NG \\ ;
UNDfRSTANDIN?
UN °»SrANOING
UNDEKSTANDINC
*
PHYSJCS^ HunianBody 9 nJ*
EQojnows
SYMIV
fractions
eiectronJBBC
Available by direct mail order, or from selected software dealers.
Prices include VAT and P&P (in UK).
We've been producing educational software for the BBC micro ever since it was launched,
and our programs are in use in schools and colleges ail over the country. Now, some of
these programs have been specially adapted for you to use at home.
JMi Angles
JM2 Directed Numbers
JM3 Fractions
JM4 Co-ordinates and Lines
JM5 Symmetry
JM6 Motion Geometry
JM7 Sets
JM8 Elementary Statistics
JM9 Ratio
Each cassette costs £7.00. Disc collections
also available umi-6, £30.00; JM7-9 £18.00)
‘Electron versions of programs JMi -9 and Dragon versions of JMi -6 also available
With our Understanding Science programs
you can get to grips with subjects in Biology,
Physics or Chemistry that you didn’t under-
stand, or supplement your practical work by
doing simulated experiments on the com-
puter These programs are suitable for age
13+ and are ideal if you are studying for
those all-important exams. The emphasis is
on understanding the subject and the
programs come with a detailed explanatory
booklet. The first programs are ready now —
with many more to follow.
Chemistry - Symbols, Formulae and valency
Chemistry - Chemical Equations
Chemistry — inorganic Analysis
and identification of Gases
Physics - The Oscilloscope and
waveform Analysis
The Human Body - Heart and Kidney
Each package costs £12.95 (cassette)
or £13.50 (disc).
Nine cassettes are available*
For younger pupils age 9+, our Learning
Maths programs use simple games and
animations to illustrate important principles
of elementary Maths. There are nine titles —
each containing three or more programs
covering a particular concept. The programs
are great fun to use - as well as providing
real educational value.
REGULAR, CONDENSED, OR
EXTENDED FACES.
CUT SHEET A4 OR ROL LER
PAPER.
BATTERY OR MAINS
OPERATED.
A maxim which eloquently describes the
Brother HR-5.
Less than a foot across, it’s nonetheless loaded
with features.
But there’s one thing the HR-5 won’t give you.
Earache.
For the annoying ‘clickety clack’ many printers
produce is merciftilly absent from the HR-5.
Quietly efficient, it delivers high definition dot
matrix text over 80 columns at 30 c.p.s.
The HR-5 also has something of an artistic bent
Being capable of producing uni-directional
graph and chart images together with bi-directional
text
most home computers and popular software.
Perfectly portable, the battery or mains operated
HR-5 weighs less than 4lbs, and has a starting price
of only£179.95(inc.VAT).
Which is really something to shout about
PLEASE SEND ME MORE DETAILS OF THE REMARKABLE BROTHER
HR-5 PRINTER. AU 6/84
I NAME I
I ADDRESS I
.TELNO.
It will also hone down characters into a
condensed face, or extend them foradded emphasis.
Incorporating either a Centronics parallel
or RS-232C interface, the HR-5 is compatible with
brother\\i
DEPT P, BROTHER OFFICE EQUIPMENT DIVISION, JONES + BROTHER, SHEPLEY STREET, GUIDE BRIDGE, AUDENSI LAW, MANCHESTER M34 5JD
TEL061 330 6531 (10 LINES) 061 3300111 (b LINES) Obl 330 3036 (4 LINES ).TELEX: 669092. BROTHER INDUSTRIES LTD., NAGOYA, JAPAN.
CHESHIRE CAT
EDUCATIONAL SERIES
from
AMPALSOFT
CHESHIRE CAT
The First name in Educational Software.
An exciting range of top quality programs
Available for BBC, Electron, Dragon 64, Dragon 32.
Available shortly for Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K.
RETAILER ENQUIRIES WELCOME
Ampal Computer Services Ltd.,
31 Woodbridge Road, Darby Green, Blackwater,
Camberley, Surrey.
Tel: (0252) 876677.
ZX80
COMPACT NUCLEUS
FILE DEFINITION
SYSTEM NUMBER
21
SCHOOL RECORDS
FILE NUMBER
1
STUDENT FILE
BASIC FILE NAME
SSFILE01
FILE TYPE
Master
RECORD LENGTH
220
NUMBER OF RANKS
1
NUMBER OF RECORD TYPES
1
FILE PROTECTION
None
NUMBER
DI6ITS DIBITS
ALLOW
NUMBER
FIELD
OF
BEFORE AFTER
NEGATIVE
MINIMUM
MAXIMUM OF
DELETE START
BASIC
NO. DESCRIPTION
FIELD TYPE
CHARACTERS
POINT POINT
VALUES
VALUE
VALUE LINES
PROTECT BYTE
LTH
NAME
I STUDENT CODE
Nuaenc
4 0
N
I
2
DAX
2 NAME
Alphanumeric
30
3
3
90
DAI
3 ADDRESS
Alphanumeric
30
4
93
120
DBI
4 FORM NUMBER
Numeric
3 0
N
213
2
DBX
5 DATE OF BIRTH
Date
215
4
FO!
6 ABSENCE TO DATE
Numeric
3 0
N
219
2
DCX
KEY KEY
NUMBER OF RANK
NO. DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERS NO.
1 STUDENT CODE 4 1
Example from the user manual of a database devised with Compact's 'Nucleus' package
◄ page 27
GRAPH PLAN
Probably the easiest and friendliest of the
whole bundle. It’s a spreadsheet with the
rare ability to give graphical represent-
ation of its rows and columns as pie-
charts, bar-charts and graphs, without
any heartache. It is set up for the Epson FX
range of printers (although it does
strange things with the Star Delta, which
has the same control codes). Other
printers will be supported.
This is the only piece of software in the
package that supports colour.
The maximum number of cells sup-
ported is 1000 as 50 rows by 20 columns,
the size of each being definable within this
limit. The figures in these cells can be
manipulated as in any other spreadsheet.
The split-screen facility of Visicalc is not
supplied.
MEMO PLAN
Memo Plan is a word processor. One of its
main features is that it automatically
saves text every few minutes, and the user
can carry on working as this happens.
Two documents can be displayed on the
screen at the same time, the display being
split horizontally, and another three can
be held in memory and called up to
replace one of the two on the screen.
The use of function keys is just as
comprehensive as View’s.
Memo Plan does not support cont-
inuous processing, so you have to stop
typing while the screen is being printed
out.
One of the big advantages of Memo
Plan over the likes of View and Wordwise
is that it is set up to cope with long
documents. At the start of a typing session
space can be reserved on disc for the
equivalent of, say, a 50-page document,
and the manual explains how to work out
the memory required.
The system is configured for the Epson
printers as a default, although another 20
are covered, any of which can be selected.
Docuplan is an addition to Memo Plan
that can cope with long indexes and can
format text. It will be available at about
El 50.
ACCOUNTANT
‘Simple but flexible’ is the description in the
manual for this program, which has three
main parts: sales daybook, purchase
daybook and cashbook. These can then
be built up into a nominal ledger. However,
Accountant is one of the heavyweights in
the bundle and has already earned itself a
good reputation on other micros. Com-
pact has substantially expanded the
software from the original version, improv-
ing its credit-handling side.
It is aimed at the small shopkeeper and
the system can be built up using other
packages available from Compact to
cover invoicing, sales ledger and bought
ledger.
VAT reports are generated from within
the daybooks, and up to 1 0 different rates
can be entered. Companies that prepare
budgets are also catered for.
Users who do not have accounting
skills will be pleased to find a glossary at
the back of the Accountant guide, but
even so, transferring a complete paper
system onto the package would be no
easy matter. Acorn is apparently arrang-
ing training courses for dealers, who may
set up similar help for customers.
FILE PLAN
This is what is known as a ‘viewsheet’, in
other words a database presented as a
number of record cards on the screen. It is
similar to a spreadsheet, but with words
instead of numbers filling the cells.
The whole thing is menu-drive, with
options for sorting and updating records.
Files created on File Plan can be printed
out, or used to produce labels by linking to
Mail Plan, a complementary part of the
package.
BASIC
Two versions of Basic are provided. One is
a version of BBC Basic which runs on
CP/M, the other is Mallard, a more
standard Microsoft-type Basic.
The BBC Basic on disc leaves about
40k, in any mode, for user programs. It is
close to the 6502 version, but there are
differences, which are outlined in the Z80
user guide. Commands can be passed to
the 6502 operating system, but these are
checked for as Z80 commands first.
Utilities are included to change BBC
discs to CP/M format.
CIS-COBOL
The Cobol is provided by Micro Focus,
and comes with Animator. Using this
debugger enables Cobol programs to be
stepped through line by line and checked
for errors. Cobol, a widely used language
for writing business programs, enables
input to be tightly defined, although this
does make it long-winded to use. Forms2
is a screen layout facility.
GSX is a graphics package that is not
actually used by any of the bundled
software. It is designed for use with the
Digital Research Graph package, which
can be bought from computer dealers.
To sum up, Acorn has put together an
excellent and versatile system that has
something for everyone. The level of the
packages varies, some demanding a high
standard of knowledge and expertise,
others being easy to get into. The value of
even one of the packages could justify its
cost to a buyer. Certainly it gives an
excellent introduction to the world of
CP/M and gives the would-be com-
puterised businessman a foundation on
which to build an excellent system.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE FOR THE BBC MICRO
EASIPLOT
SHARE ANALYSER
EASIPLOT is a sophisticated AND user friendly graph package for the
BBC Micro, placed 14 th in the top 20 Educational packages by the.
leading Educational Computing Magazine. EASIPLOT has also come to
be regarded as an 'outstanding business package' and 'excellent value
for money'.
Note:- EASIPLOT 3 comes complete with the number charting
program DATA PLOTTER with graph magnification, colour and
moving average facilities. SUPERB VALUE AT £22.95.
SHARE ANALYSER is a sophisticated portfolio reporting and share
analysis package designed for the small investor. The disk version has
a capacity of 20,000 SHARE PRICES and up to 320 buy/ sell deals
covering 20 share names. Share Analyser has facilities for profit
flexing and multiple merging of graphs and a variety of selectable
indicators. SHARE ANALYSER IS A MUST FOR THE INVESTOR
AT A BARGAIN PRICE.
PROFIT STATEMENT
!§ Dish washers
■ Hi-Fi
llll Cookers
Rr» itemised breakdown ot output
of Store B..
prepared by J Edwards Jan/83
EASIPLOT FACIUTES
DISK CASSETTE
Line, Bar and Pie Charts
YES
YES
Auto & Manual Scaling
YES
YES
Grid & Scatter Options
YES
YES
No of simultaneous graphs
5
3
Overwrite memory
YES
NO
Screensave facility
YES
YES
Screendump facility
YES
YES
Fixed description per graph (char's)
up to 200
100
Full plot and axis editing
YES
YES
Save, Load & *CAT facilities
YES
YES
Single file selection
YES
NO
Operating Manual (pages)
52
52
All our programs will produce hard copy on the following printers:-
EPSON (entire range), Shinwa CP80, Star DP 510, Seikosha (GP80 A &
GP100A). Share Analyser will produce reports on any BBC compatible
printer.
PLEASE NOTE:- Our programs CANNOT BE OBTAINED FROM YOUR
LOCAL DEALER so send for details NOW.
PROGRAM PRICE
Data Plotter (cassette) . . Model B & Electron £7.00
Data Plotter (disk) . . Model B £8.00
Easiplot 1 (cassette) . . Model B & Electron £15.95
Easiplot 2 (disk only) . . Model B £19.95
Easiplot 3 (including Data Plotter-disk only) £22.95
Share Analyser (cassette) . . Model B & Electron £14.95
Share Analyser (disk only) . . Model B £19.95
Disk orders. . please state 40 or 80 track (add £1 for 80 track and £1.50 for
overseas orders). We will upgrade Easiplot 1 to Easiplot 2 for £7 (£10 to
Easiplot 3).
Write for full specifications of all our programs or leave your name and
address with our Answerphone service (Luton 33858).
All programs are normally despatched within 24 hours.
Send cheque/P.O. etc to
NAME BRITISH PETROLEUM
DEALINGS
Bought
Av Price
Cost
600
338
2028
Sold
Av Price
Income
300
426
1278
Held
Curr Price
Mkt Vain
300
438
1314
Gross Profit
564
Income
257
Expenses
101
Net Profit
720
°fo Gain = 36 j
SHARE ANALYSER FACILITIES
DISK CASSETTE
No of prices stored
20,000
Appx 1700
Max no' of Holdings
20
20
Transactions per holding
16
16
Range, adjuster
YES
NO
File Manager
YES
NO
Printer Manager
YES
NO
REPORTS PRODUCED:-
Portfolio Valuation
YES
YES
Portfolio Profit Analysis
YES
YES
Share Profit Analysis
YES
YES
Share Movement Analysis
YES
YES
Transaction Record Report
YES
NO
File Status Report
YES
NO
GRAPHICS FACILITIES:-
Magnification option
YES
YES
Grid
YES
YES
Autoscale
YES
YES
Screenwrite
YES
YES
Screendump
YES
YES
SELECTABLE GRAPHICAL INDICATORS:-
Lagged Moving Average
YES
YES
Centred Moving Average
YES
YES
Rise and fall indicator
YES
YES
Weekly/ Daily Low indicator
YES
YES
Superimpose Facility
YES
YES
Synergy Software, 7 St Andrews Close, Slip End, Luton, LU 1 4DE.
32
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
HINTS & TIPS
Martin Phillips dons carpenter’s
^ overalls to produce a computer
tidy and carrycase for the Beeb
s . . . plus circles, strings, spikes
Your Beeb-
with everything
in its place
FOR something slightly different, here's a
simple project to build a simple computer
tidy and a portable box to contain a
complete BBC computer system.
The computer tidy will keep your
computer and cassette recorder or disc
drive looking tidy, provide a suitable
monitor support and avoid the need for
constantly disconnecting leads. It is con-
structed from two pieces of softwood and
two pieces of white-faced chipboard (the
sort sold for shelving), and can easily be
dismantled if required.
The sides are made from 6 x l in planed
softwood as shown in diagram 1. The
curved parts can be cut with a jigsaw or
coping saw. Once cut and sanded, they
look most attractive if varnished and
contrast well with white-faced chipboard.
The correct length for the chipboard will
depend on the width of the computer plus
the width of the cassette player or disc
drive. Remember to allow extra length for
the leads to come out of the cassette. For
the BBC cassette, allow an extra 2in at
each side for the mains lead and the
signal lead. The BBC computer is 16in
wide and the BBC data recorder is lOJin.
On this recorder the mains lead is at one
side and the signal lead at the other, so an
extra 4in needs to be allowed for the leads,
so the minimum width of the tidy is 30jin. A
reasonable width to cut the chipboard
would be 32 inches.
Most disc drives are 6-8in wide, and so
a tidy for a system witha disc drive should
be about 24in wide. Check measurements
carefully before cutting any parts, and
check that there’s enough height if using
double disc drives. Some might be too
high to fit into the computer tidy with the
measurements given.
The sides can be joined to the white-
faced chipboard by using ‘harpoon’
fixings. These can be obtained from good
hardware shops and are designed for
chipboard fixing. They are very strong,
consisting of a hexagonal socket screw
and a special nut that opens up inside the
hole in the chipboard like a harpoon.
Once fitted, the screw can easily be
removed and replaced without affecting
the strength of the joint. Harpoon fixings
are expensive but make assembly easy.
The ends of the white-faced chipboard do
not need finishing as they are covered by
the sides of the tidy. To prevent the
computer and cassette sliding about,
glue battens behind them. You can do this
with the computer and cassette in
position.
At the back of the lower shelf a mutli-
socket adaptor can be screwed to keep all
the wiring neat and tidy. Lastly, four self-
adhesive rubber feet need to be stuck
under the base. If constructed as de-
scribed above, the tidy is strong enough to
support a monitor or portable TV. It also
puts the monitor in an ideal position.
The computer box is similar in design
but enables the computer to be packed
away quickly and moved without having
to disconnect everything. It also provides
good protection for the computer. Rather
than using chipboard, the box is con-
structed of softwood and good-quality
9mm plywood. There is no need for the
harpoon fixings; the joints are glued with
woodworker's adhesive. This is stronger
than the wood, and saves any screwing or
nailing.
The box has a compartment at the
back with a miniature multi-socket mains
connector (the kind commonly used to
connect up stereo systems) and there is
room for all the leads to be stowed. The
box will also support the weight of a
monitor.
Side Panel
12 "
2 W
Parts List
2pieces of softwood 6' x Ta" x 21"
1 pieces of softwood FxV* 16"
1 pieces of softwood 1 " x 5 /a” x 8"
1 length of white faced chipboard 1 2" wide
1 length of white faced chipboard 21 ” wide
4 harpoon bolts
4 self-adhesive rubber feet
Diagram 1 . Simple computer tidy
IF YOU have a technical hitch or a programming problem let Martin Phillips give his diagnosis. We’ll
pay E5 it you raise a really interesting point. Please give full details of the system you're using and
include a listing where appropriate, making your question as specific as possible. WRITE TO. Hints &
Tips, Acorn User, Redwood Publishing, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Teletext
Datapen
BBC Lightpen Programs
Datapen
BRITAIN
The first in a series of educational Geography and
Geology programs. Britain comes complete with three
sets of tests, and these may be very easily changed by
adding DATA statements In the Basic program Full
instructions and grid map supplied
PRICE £6.95 Introductory Offer £5.95
The Datapen Lightpen Itself comes complete
with handbook, software on tape including two
drawing programs and a printed listing
showing useful routines.
PRICE £25.00
Two drawing programs. SKETCH and SHAPE-
CREATE are included with the lightpen and the
programs shown above may be ordered
additionally, or separately as required
All prices above include VAT, postage and
packing.
Please send your cheque P.O. to:-
Dept. 4, Datapen Microtechnology Ltd.,
Kingsclere Road, Overton,
Hants. RG25 3JB
BEEBPEN DRAWING PROGRAM
A comprehensive Mode 2 colour drawing program
allowing plot commands, painting, circles, text
character defining, saving and loading to tape or disc
all to be selected and used with the lightpen
PRICE £11.95 Introductory Offer £9.95
TELETEXT DISPLAY CREATOR EDITOR
Allows the busy programmer to quickly create Mode 7
colour graphics and test screens for combination into
his or her own programs. Movable on screen menu
allows use of complete screen for graphics Full
instructions and a discussion on teletext features are
provided price £9.95 Introductory Offer £7.95
SUPERIOR
PERFORMANCE
• Intensive to ambient
lighting
• Responds to different colours
• Program accessible LED
lamp readout
• Switch for program control
SUPERIOR PROGRAMS
• Tape storage of your work
• Good documentation
• User routines provided
on tape and
on printout
E-N-I-G-M-Acan you break the code?
CONTROL ACCEPT? REJECT?
ENIGMA is o new type of computer gome. In most
gomes you hove o set of rules. In these gomes it is
the other way round. The gome will be over when you
discover the rule by which it is being ployed. The
computer will accept or reject cords - your objective is to
discover the rules. There ore five rules in oil - but don't be
discouraged - the gomes con be solved - if you hove
enough imagination and perseverance.
rr<
ACCEPT? REJECT?
Available on cassette with full instructions for the DDC
D . Electron ond Spectrum machines, at £.9.95 including
VAT, post ond pocking. When you've solved oil the five
gomes return the cassette with 64 to us ond we ll send
you another.
Dealer Deals Ltd, 20 Orange Street,
London WC2H7ED
Access cord holders ring 01-289 2188 24 hours.
0 Dealer Deals Ltd. 20 Orange Street, London WC2H 7ED
Please state machine Pleose rush me on Enigma cassette.
1 enclose o cheque/P.O. for 69.95 payable to Dealer Deals Ltd or debit my
Access cord No _ Signature-
N° me Addre ss
au
in
Postcode.
c) Certain Advertising Ltd 01-930 1612
34
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
HINTS &TIPS
The front of the box lifts off to expose
the computer keyboard and cassette or
disc drive. The sockets at the back of the
computer are all accessible from the
compartment, and the ones most frequ-
ently used have been brought out at the
side of the box, which saves wear and tear
on the computer sockets. The new
sockets are wired to plugs, which then go
into the computer sockets, so the com-
puter does not need to be touched. In my
case I have brought out the RGB, cassette
and analogue port sockets. A printer lead
can remain attached to the computer and
be disconnected at the printer end and
stowed in the box for transportation.
As the box needs to be small enough to
be carried, it is not as deep as the
computer tidy. This is why plywood is used
ratherthan chipboard, which is too heavy.
Again, the exact width of the box will
depend on the dimensions of the disc
drive or cassette player. Thought must
also be given as to how the cassette or
disc is to be held in place when the lid is in
position. As my disc drives are almost the
exact internal height of the box I simply
glued a thick foam pad inside the lid to
hold them down when the lid is closed.
The catches need to be strong, and
they must be well fastened to the box to
stand up to the strain. If using a single disc
19'/2"
3 / 4 " 2W 1 W low 1 Vi”
3 / 4 "
Parts List
2 sides
softwood
6" x 3 A" x 1 8"
2 pairs lift-off hinges
1 front
softwood
6" x 3 A"
2 magnetic catches
1 back
softwood
6"X 3 /4"
8 rubber feet
2 battens
softwood
1 " x 5 /a" x 1 6"
2 suitcase catches
1 handle
1 partition
1 top panel
1 bottom panel
9mm plywood
9mm plywood
9mm plywood
5Vfe" high
18 deep
18" deep
1 piece thick foam rubber
Diagram 2. Portable box for Beeb system
drive or a cassette, it might be better to fit a
shelf to raise the disc or cassette up. The
space under the shelf could be used to
hold the User Guide.
There is an internal partition separating
the lead compartment from the computer.
The computer is held at the back by a
batten glued to this partition. The cutouts
in the partition allow access to the
computer sockets and the mains switch
and clear the ventilation slots at the back
of the computer. There is a cutout at the
back so that leads can be passed out of
the box, and a handle is screwed to the
back (this needs a metal reinforcing plate
inside the box).
The lid has a batten at the front to hold
the computer in place. This rests on the
front of the computer in front of the space
bar. Do not make the batten too large or it
could damage the space bar. Once the lid
has been removed, the computer is easy
to take out. The lid is fastened to the box
with removable hinges and stout suitcase
catches.
Once complete the box can be var-
nished or painted, and rubber feet stuck
onto the front of the lid and under the
base. The measurements are a guide only
and you must check that your system will
fit. My apologies to those readers who
prefer to work in metric, but most of the
wood sizes have not yet been metricated!
Worth buying
a disc drive?
MANY schools have now received their
half-priced DTI BBC computers complete
with disc interface and a somewhat
useless Econet interface. The question
frequently raised by teachers in such
schools is: ‘Is it worth buying a disc drive?’
As this is a problem also facing home
users, especially now that drives are
available over the counters of many high
street stores, it is well worth airing here.
Many users are frustrated by the
cassette recorder and think a disc drive is
the answer to all their problems. I have
listed some of the advantages of both
storage systems and highlighted some of
the problems associated with disc drives.
35
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
<&
Caretaker
£33.35 incl.
CARETAKER is a BASIC utility
ROM which provides many new
Y invaluable commands to help the BASIC
programmer. Because CARETAKER is in
ROM, it uses no BASIC program space and
its commands are always instantly available.
Some of the CARETAKER commands are
detailed below:
♦ EXCHANGE - provides a search and
replace facility, either global or selective.
‘Wildcard’ characters and BASIC keyword
tokens may be included.
♦EXPAND - Lists a program in an easy-to-
read form, also allowing ‘squashed’ programs
to be read.
♦ INSERT Enables BASIC routines on disc
or tape to be inserted into or added to the
program in memory.
♦ KEYLOAD and ♦KEYSAVE - Load and
save the function key definitions.
CateWKet
♦ LVAR Lists the values of all or some of the
variables.
♦ MERGE Will merge one or more BASIC
programs on file into the program in memory.
♦ MOVE Allows the current BASIC program
to be moved to a new page in memory.
♦ PARTSAVE Saves only a selected section
of a BASIC program ( useful for later merging).
♦ RENUMBER Renumbers parts of BASIC
programs and moves the renumbered section
as necessary.
♦ RETRIEVE Restores a corrupted program
to a form in which it can be listed and edited.
♦SINGLEKEY Enables BASIC keywords
to be entered quickly, as on the ELECTRON.
♦SQUASH - Reduces the size of a BASIC
program in order to save memory space. A
very efficient routine.
♦STATUS - Displays the values of PAGE,
HIMEM, program length, bytes free, etc.
♦TABSTOPS - Provides a tabulation facility.
Up to eight tapstops can be defined.
CARETAKER is supplied with a spiral bound
manual, special ‘single-key entry’ stickers for
the key fronts, and easy-to-follow fitting
instructions. A full specification is available
upon request.
CARETAKER 1.00
CURSOR (ON/OFF)
EXCHANGE <old> <new> G/S (< iength>)
EXPAND ( < start >) (< end > )
INSERT <fsp>(<line no>)
KEYLOAD (<fsp>)
KEYSAVE (<fsp>)
LVAR (F) (I) (S) (A) (P)
MOVE < address >
MERGE < fsp> ( < £sp> ) ...
NORMALKEY
NOTAB
PARTSAVE <fsp> (< start >) (<end>)
RENUMBER ( <1 st > < inc> < start > < end > )
RETRIEVE (< bytes >)
SINGLEKEY
SQUASH (S) (R) (M)
STATUS
TABSTOPS ( < columns «.>)
**&*«**
VvoKlwiSg
The Most Popular
Word Processing
WORDWISE is ideal as an introduction to word
processing for the beginner, but is a powerful enough
tool to be used seriously by professional authors (at
least two of the most popular BBC Micro magazines
are prepared entirely with WORDWISE). Being
entirely ROM based it occupies none of the memory
which is used to store text. It will operate fully on
cassette, disc or ECONET (level II). It is not specific
to any particular printer, nor does it require a special
printer-driver (an expensive extra on some word
processors). WORDWISE allows any codes to be
sent to any printer, at any point within the text, by
using a simple ‘embedded command’.
For the beginner, text can be typed straight into
WORDWISE and saved, loaded, previewed or
printed immediately. Once experience is gained,
commands may be added to control the final layout
on paper. Some of the layout or ‘formatting’
commands are described later. At any time whilst
the text is being entered or edited a word count is
displayed continuously on the top line. Labelled
function keys provide the user with simple controls
to mark any section of text and then delete, move or
copy it to any other position. Characters can be
quickly converted between upper and lower case;
changing case of entire paragraphs is equally simple.
UOROUISE
<C> Computer Concepts 1M2
1>
Save entire text
2)
Load new text
3>
Save narked text
4>
Load text to cursor
9>
•aarch and Replace
6>
Print text
?>
Preview text
e>
8pool text
ESC
Edit node
tnttr choic*_
Moving around the text is simple. Cursor keys alone
move one position in any direction; CTRL and
cursor keys together move in larger steps, a word
left/right, a page up/down; SHIFT and cursor keys
move as far as possible to the right/left of the line or
to the start/end of the entire text. These movements
are so easy to use that many other programs have
adopted exactly the same method.
(T^mputer
M .oncepts
ROM for the
BBC Mien £4 ?„S
Formatting commands include the ability to split the
document into pages of any length, with or without
headings or footings. Page numbers may be printed
automatically within the text, including within
headings and footings. Commands are provided to
set (at any point in the text) line length, left margin,
tabulation positions, line spacing etc. Text can be
centred on a line, indents and temporary indents can
be set and cancelled. Output can be made to
automatically pause at the end of a page, e g. for a
single-sheet feed. Right -justification of text can be
turned on and off at any points in the text.
User-defined keys may hold any required string as
normal and used within WORDWISE, including the
codes required to induce key-operations such as
cursor movement.
ARIES compatible WORDWISE
A new version of WORDWISE is available upon
request at the standard price which is fully
compatible with the ARIES B20 RAM board. When
fitted alongside the compatible WORDWISE, the
ARIES board allows text to be previewed in 80-
columns even with the normal RAM full of text. An
upgrade from the standard version of WORDWISE
is available. Please ask for details.
M .oncepts
16 Wayside, Chippcrfield, Hertfordshire. WD4 9JJ Telephone: Kings Langley (09277) 69727
36
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
No doubt readers who have recently
changed to discs will be able to enlarge
this list. It is not meat to put the reader off
disc drives, but I hope it will give a better
insight into the problems that will need to
be overcome.
Advantages of disc
1 . A program loads much quicker from
disc, almost instantaneously.
2. Many programs can be stored on
one disc.
3. It is easier to find what programs are
stored on disc.
4. It gives the advanced computer user
a useful extra range of facilities, and
opens up new techniques.
Advantages of cassette
1. A cassette recorder costs less than
£30 to buy and requires no special
interface. A disc drive costs from £170
upwards and requires a disc interface
to be fitted (another £100 4- ). A disc
interface is a collection of chips that
plug into some of the spare sockets on
a model B computer to enable a disc
drive to be connected. One of the chips
that deserves special mention is the
DFS (Disc Filing System). It is a clever
chip that performs all the ‘housekeep-
ing' tasks required on the disc. Several
different makes of DFS are available,
each with its advantages and
limitations.
2. A blank Cl 5 cassette costs about
50p, whereas a blank disc costs £2 -
although a disc will store far more
information. This price difference is
reflected in the cost of commercially
available software on disc or cassette.
3. Cassettes can be handled quite
roughly and still work, but discs need
careful handling if they are not to be
damaged.
4. A cassette player can be repaired
comparatively cheaply if it goes wrong,
whereas a disc is a piece of precision
equipment and is expensive to repair.
Only a few dealers will undertake
repairs to disc drives; most will need to
send them back to a service agent.
5. Broken leads are a common prob-
lem. It costs £2 for a new cassette lead,
but £12 for a new disc lead, and this
requires fitting by a dealer.
6. The cassette socket on the computer
is more robust than the disc connector.
The latter can be easily damaged by
careless handling.
‘Hidden’ problems of disc
1. A disc drive has an extra set of
commands, which give it versatility but
also add to the problems of under-
standing an already complicated
machine.
2. To operate, the disc drive uses some
of the BBC’s memory space. This
leaves less for the user, so some long
I HINTS & TIPS
programs designed for cassette will
not work on a disc machine, although
the problem can be solved with time
and a little knowledge.
3. Which disc system do you go for?
Forty-track or 80-track, single or
double-sided, single or twin drive, or
even one of the new 3in drives? Each
has its advantages and disadvan-
tages, but they are not interchange-
able. Do you rely on the BBC’s power
supply to drive it, or invest in a more
expensive drive with its own power
supply?
4. Many cassette programs are now
protected and cannot be transferred
to disc.
5. Discs can be corrupted so that you
are unable to retrieve the programs
from them. This can happen if the disc
drive is switched off at the mains while
the disc is still in the machine. The
information stored on the disc cannot
be retrieved without a great deal of
trouble and expertise if this happens.
Many of the newer types of disc drive
have virtually overcome this problem,
but some makes are worse than others
in this respect.
6. Discs need to be formatted before
use. This is done with a program,
usually supplied with the disc drive.
Going round
in circles
IT WOULD have been useful to have a
routine built into the computer to draw
circles and ellipses. T Poole of Glasgow
has written to ask how circles can be
programmed, and I’ve received several
other letters asking for ways to speed up
circle drawing.
There are several ways of drawing
circles. The first is called the iterative
method, and as it is not easy to see how
the method works, attempting to alter it
can produce odd results.
The second method uses the equation
of a circle. The equation of a circle about
the origin is X 2 + Y 2 = R 2 This would be
programmed as X*X -F Y*Y = R*R
where X is the horizontal co-ordinate, Y
the vertical co-ordinate and R the radius.
Rearranging this equation, we get Y =
SQR (R*R-X*X). Thus if we know the
radius and use set values for X, we can
find the value of Y.
Listing 1 (yellow page i) shows how this
can be done. Line 20 sets the time to 0.
Line 40 moves the graphics origin to the
centre of the screen. Line 50 sets the
radius of the circle to 400. Lines 60 to 130
need to be repeated twice, first to draw the
upper (positive Y) half of the circle, and
then to draw the lower (negative Y) half.
Line 100 makes Y negative if T= 1. The
step length for X is set in line 80 to a value
of 8. Line 90 calculates the value for Y, and
line 1 10 draws a line from the last point to
the new co-ordinates.
To draw an ellipse, all that is needed is
to multiply either the X value or the Y value
by a factor somewhere between 1 and 2.
The program can be speeded up by
using integer variables instead of real
variables (an integer is a whole number
and can be positive or negative, whereas
a real number can contain a fractional
part). Listing 2 shows how this can be
done, and also uses a neater method of
making Y negative. A small saving in time
can be made by doing any repeated
calculations only once.
Listing 3 moves the squaring of the
radius outside the loop to save a little time.
More time can be saved by entering the
equation to find the value of Y% directly
into the DRAW statement. And yet more
time-saving can be made by decreasing
the number of points plotted.
The circle retains its shape provided the
step size is not larger than 20 (listing 5).
The step size for any particular circle will
change depending on the screen mode
used and the size of the circle. It will be a
compromise between the quality of the
circle and the speed of drawing. Table 1
gives a comparison of speeds on both the
Electron and the BBC.
ELECTRON
BBC
Circle 1
12.06 sec
3.91 sec
Circle 2
10.32 sec
3.29 sec
Circle 3
9.97 sec
3. 17 sec
Circle 4
9.92 sec
3.08 sec
Circle 5
4.12 sec
1 .29 sec
Circle 6
10.48 sec
3.41 sec
Table 1 . Comparison of speeds
37
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
• BBC compatible # Metal case
• Dual drive # Switchable 40/80 track
• Complete with utilities disc - manual and cables
# The only 5 l A in. drive designed and manufactured in Britain
5 l A single sided dual unit 400K £279
5Vi double sided dual unit 800K £349
For box with power supply add £30
Carriage £8
Access & Barclaycard accepted
Prices exclude V.A.T
Data Track Technology
The U.K. source for 5 l A in. disc drives
m
Data Track Technology Limited,
7 Queensway, Stem Lane Industrial Estate.
New Milton, Hampshire. U.K., BH255NN
Tel: (0425) 619650 Telex: 47674
38
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Figure 1.
The third method of programming
circles uses polar co-ordinates. Listing 6
gives an example of a circle drawn using
polar co-ordinates. These are not as
difficult as might at first seem. Instead of
there being 360 degrees in a full circle,
there are 2* PI radians. The rest is
standard trigonometry (figure 1 ).
Strings in store
AN ARRAY is an arrangement of items of
data, each identified by a key or subscript.
Mr Thompson of London has sent in a
program that uses string arrays (that is,
arrays which store letters or words rather
than just numbers). The program works
for so long and then comes up with a 'No
room' error.
The problem is rather obscure and
concerns the BBC’s and Electron’s
method of storing string arrays. The way
Mr Thompson’s program has been desig-
ned it puts names into an array and
occasionally changes them. When the
names are changed for longer ones the
program will sooner or later run out of
room.
Unlike some computers - the Spec-
trum, for instance -the BBC and Electron
don't need the length of each string
variable in an array to be specified when
the array is dimensioned. This means that
when the string variables in an array are
stored in memory, only the exact amount
of room is allowed as it is stored. Then if
the string is redefined and the new string is
longer than the old one it has to be stored
elsewhere in memory. The old space is just
left unused.
If then there is little memory left at the
end of a program, and the strings are
subject to change in length, the computer
can run out of memory because of the
space wasted. This is demonstrated by
listing 7.
The program defines an array 100
variables long, and then stores a one-
character string in each variable. (Re-
member that the first string variable of the
array is A$(0).) Then the program stores a
two-character string in each variable -
and so on until it runs out of memory. On
the Electron or a disc-based BBC it runs
out of memory when T = 52, and on a
cassette-based BBC when T = 61 . The
difference is accounted for by the different
modes each computer works in and the
different amounts of memory then
remaining.
The cure is easy. Decide on the
maximum length of the longest string
variable in the array and then define
dummy strings to reserve that amount of
space. Listing 8 shows how this can be
done to save an array 1 00 variables long,
each string variable having a maximum
length of 20 characters. The dummy string
in this case is a series of asterisks, but you
could make them any character you like.
STEVE OSTLER of London was inspired
by George Hill’s series on printers to write
a four-colour screen dump for the Seiko-
sha GP-250X (listing 9). It takes 10-15
minutes to dump, but this could be
speeded up by using more integer vari-
ables (see the item on drawing circles).
Also the dump prints sideways and will not
print the bottom two lines of the screen.
Mains spikes
I HAVE received an interesting letter from
Chris Beesley of Cheadle, prompted by
February's article on cassette loading. He
has echoed many of my suggestions
made in this column in the March issue
and also suggests that the cassette be ru n
off batteries to avoid recording clicks
caused by mains spikes. These are
frequently caused by electrical equipment
switching on elsewhere. Appliances with
powerful motors such as washing ma-
chines and fridges (as well as strip lights)
are particularly prone to cause spikes -
ever noticed the TV picture jump when
one of these appliances is switched on? N
A Hird has similarly found that programs
can be corrupted by mains spikes.
There are two solutions other than
resorting to batteries. One way is to record
each program twice. Then if one block will
not load, wind the tape on to the second
copy and carry on loading from there. The
Beeb will allow you to wind and rewind in
the middle of a program and will carry on
loading from the point at which it was
interrupted. There is no need to load from
the start of the program again.
The other way is to buy a special device
called a mains transient suppressor.
Maplin Electronic Supplies of Rayleigh.
Essex, sells a small device for less than £1
that has a very high resistance at 240 volts,
but the moment a spike appears on the
supply line which exceeds the peak level
of the mains voltage the impedance of the
device drops immediately to a very low
level, dissipating the unwanted energy.
The device is so small that it can easily be
wired across the live and neutral terminals
of the cassette player mains plug.
It is wise to insulate each lead of the
suppressor with plastic sleeving. Make
sure the component is carefully fitted so
that there is no risk of it or its leads being
accessible from outside the plug or
shorting to any other terminal. Mains
voltages are dangerous and care is
always needed. The appliance must be
unplugged from the mains before
starting.
In and out of ROMs
I WAS interested to read Joe’s Jottings in
Acorn User (March) about sideways
ROMs (see also Beeb Forum). There can
be problems where one ROM interferes
with another. When two ROMs have
common commands you should disable
the offending ROM so that the command
can be used with the other ROM. A ROM
can be disabled by poking a particular
memory location for that ROM. To disable
a ROM in the sideways socket type
?&2A1 + (ROM socket number) = 0
where the ROM socket number is the
number of the socket where the ROM is
situated, and can take a value between 0
and 15. Zero is the left-hand ROM socket
looking from the front of the computer,
and 3 will be last.
To switch the ROM back in again type
?&2A1 + (ROM socket number) = 255
I expected to encounter a problem when I
bought the new Basic II chip to replace my
existing Basic I. I wanted to be able to
switch between either version of Basic to
test out programs on both. I was plea-
santly surprised to find that both can
reside in the sideways sockets without
interfering with each other! The BBC
treats them as different languages. I put
the Basic II chip in the socket before Basic I
so my machine will formally use the later
version. When I wish to use Basic 1 1 simply
type
*FX142, (ROM socket number)
Similarly I can reselect Basic II again.
39
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
nyyill. Watford Electronics
Dept. BBC, CARDIFF ROAD, WATFORD, HERTS. ENGLAND.
Tel: Watford (0923) 40588/37774 Telex: 8956095 WAELEC
BBC MICROCOMPUTER Epson FX80 Printer
Model A — £260; Model B-E346
Upgrade your Model A with our
Upgrade Kits and save yourself £ s s s
BBCl 16K Memory
(8 x 4816AP-3 lOOnS)
BBC2 Printer User I/O Port
BBC3 Disc Interface Kit
BBC4 Analogue I/O Kit
BBC6 Expansion Bus Kit
Complete Mod A to B Upgrade Kit
£24.00
£8.10
£95.00
£8.25
£7.75
ELECTRON
MICROCOMPUTER
£199(incl. VAT)
Dust Cover for BBC Micro
Protects your expensive Micro from foreiqn
bodies £3.50
INTERFACE CABLE
BBC to Seikosha Cable
£7
FRICTION FEED
Attachment for GP100A or 250X Printers
£28
1 00 CPS, 9x9 matrix, dot addressable
graphics, condensed and double width printing.
Normal. Italic and Elite Graphics. Tractor feed.
10" max width, bi-directional, logic seeking.
Centronics Interface standard.
ONLY £235 (£7 carr.)
EPSON RX80 F/T PRINTER
As above but has both Friction and Tractor
^ eec *' £259 (£7 carr. Securicor)
PRINTER INTERFACE BUFFER
Neatly packaged self contained box
supplied complete with all leads,
manual and detachable power supply.
Price: 1 6K Unit
Price: 48K Unit
£99
£135
160 CPS, 11x9 matrix, proportional spacing,
superscripts, subscripts, dot addressable graphics
Normal. Italic and Elite characters. Up to 256
user definable characters. Down loadable
character set Condensed and double width
printing Full proportional spacing. Four user
defined margin positions Tractor and Friction
feed 10" maximum width Bi-directional, logic
seeking Centronics interface standard
ONLY £324 (£7 carr.)
Epson FX100 Printer
Same as FX80 but has a 1 5" wide Carriage £495
Type
MX80FT
MX1 00/FX1 00
FX80
RX80
GP80
GP100
GP250
GP700
Ribbons
Dust Covers
£4.75
£4.50
£10.00
£5.25
£4.75
£4.95
£4.75
£4.50
£4.50
£4.95
£3.95
£5.95
£3.95
£18.50
-
SEIKOSHA GP100A
PRINTER
10" Tractor Feed, 80 columns, 50CPS,*
Normal & Double width Char, Dot res
graphics. Parallel Interface standard.
SPECIAL OFFER Only: £144
RX & FX PRINTER INTERFACES
RS232
IEEE 488
£35
£65
RS232 + 2K Buffer £59
2K Parallel £58
BROTHER HR-15
DAISY-WHEEL PRINTER
An exceptionally high quality daisy wheel printer
at the price of a dot matrix printer. 18CPS;
bi-directional, 3K of buffer; has clear buffer
facility, carriage skip movement, proportional
spacing; underlining; bold print and shadow print
Prints in two colours; super and subscript facility.
Impact control facility to vary pressure on paper
for making carbon copies. Has Centronics parallel
or RS-232 interface. Connects directly to BBC
Micro. A ribbon cassette plus a separate red
ribbon. Optional extras; single sheet feeder takes
up to 1 50 A4 sheets; a keyboard that transforms
HR 15 into a sophisticated electronics typewriter.
Attractively finished in beige.
ONLY £349
Single Sheet Feeder
Keyboard
Ribbon £3; Daisy Wheel £18
£199
£150
LISTING PAPER (Plain)
1 .000 Sheets 9^" Fanfold Paper
1 .000 Sheets 1 5" Fanfold Paper
Teleprinter Roll (Econo paper)
PRINTER LABELS
(continuous stationery)
1.000 90 x 36mm
1.000 90 x 49mm
1.000 102 x36mm
£5.50
£7.75
£6.25
Carriage on Printer Paper or Labels £1.50
PRINTER LEAD 36"
Ready made printer lead to interface BBC Micro
to EPSON. SEIKOSHA. NEC, STAR, JUKI,
BROTHER, SHINWA, etc.. Printers.
ONLY £7
Special Extra long 5 feet Cable £10
BBC Micro
WORD-PROCESSING
PACKAGE
A complete word processing package consis
of: BBC Model B. Zenith 12" Green or Amb
Monitor, Twin 200K highly reliable (1 year
warranty) Teac Disc Drives in matching beig
colour, the popular WORDWISE word proce
Watford's own highly sophisticated 62 File 1
interface fitted, the world renowned Brother
HR 15 Daisy Wheel Printer, Gemini’s Beebpl
Beebcalc Spreadsheet Analysis Software dis
10 blank diskettes, 500 sheets of fan-fold p
Manuals and all the leads. To enable you to
your Micro around, we shall pack it in our
Antique Brown leatherette Attache carrying
ONLY £1 ,275 (carr. i
(P S. We will alter the package to suit yoi
requirement. Call in for a demonstration).
KAGA KP810
This new JAPANESE printer has EPSON FX/RX
compatible commands. 140 CPS Dot matrix
Printer offers NEAR LETTER QUALITY
printing. 9x9 matrix. Friction feed. Adjustable
tractor feed. Single sheet feed and built-in Pa
Roll Holder Normal. Italic. Enlarged. Condens
Super and Subscript. Dot addressable graphic
(8, 9 and 16 pin modes). Proportional spacinc
(Optional extra: Down loadable character set 1
8K ROM or RAM). NEAR LETTER QUALITY
print, selectable at switch on. 10" maximum
width, bi-directional, logic seeking 3K Buffer
Half speed quiet mode. Convenient Paper-out
sensor switch Centronics Interface standard .
this plus our no quibble 12 months warranty
Special Introductory Offer: ONLY £2
KAGA KP910 PRINTER
Similar features as the above KP8 1 0 printer but
has extra wide carriage Will accept upto 17
maximum width paper 1 56 column normal ar
265 column condensed
ONLY: £3
AMS 3" DISC DRIVES
These popular mini disc drives, now available
from WATFORD. For details see AMS advert i
this magazine. Supplied complete with cables
manual and utilities disc.
Single 100K per side £1
Twin 200K per side £3
40
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
1C DRIVES CASED WITH
CABLES (less PSU)
(All Drives are NEW SUM-LINE Type)
NEW LOW PRICES
LS 100 Single. TEC Single sided 40 track
)0K, Disc Drive €129
LS400 Single, Mitsubishi Double sided 80
ick 400K. 5J" Disc Drive €188
LS400S Single. Mitsubishi Double sided
)'80 track Switchable. 400K, 54" Disc Drive
€215
LD200 TEC Single sided 40 track 200K.
/in 54" Drives £252
LD800 Mitsubishi Double sided 80 track
)0K. 54" TWIN Drives €365
LD800S Mitsubishi Double sided 40/80
ack switchable, 800K, Drives £399
UMANA) DRIVESCASED
WITH PSU & CABLES
5^" DISKETTES
(Lifetime warranty)
Why settle for less, Buy the best.
• 1 0 Verbatim or 3M Diskettes S/S D/D £17
• 1 0 Verbatim or 3M Diskettes D/S D/D £27
DISCALBUMS
Attractively finished in beige
leatherlook vinyl. Stores, protects and
displays 20 discs in double-sided
clear view pockets. ONLY £ 4.95
PLASTIC LIBRARY CASES
for Disc Storage 5±" (holds 1 0) £2
LOCKABLE STORAGE UNITS
EPROM PROGRAMMER
for BBC MICRO
At last 1 - the EPROM Programmer for BBC
Micro Computer from WATFORD ELECTRONICS
that will suit both your pocket and all your
requirements. Programs all popular types of
EPROMS from 2K bytes up to 16K bytes -
2716 — 2516 — 2532 — 2564 — 2764 —
27128
This extremely powerful system is designed for
your needs of TODAY 8, TOMORROW! - BBC
Basic programs can be copied into EPROM and
subsequently re loaded faster than from a disci
Suitable for both hobbyist and professional
users 1
Just look at these features
• COMPLETELY SELF CONTAINED -
Housed in its own sturdy case - Uses its own
power supply - connects directly to the 1MHz
Bus - Simple and Safe!
• FULL SOFTWARE SUPPORT - Comes
complete with simple to use fully machine
code ROM based software and easy to
understand manual. Facilities include
Verification, Reading, Virgin Testing. Writing.
Editing, Saving. Loading and more 1 NOTE!! -
This software does not simply comprise hastily
prepared routines to get you going, but is a
professional, purpose designed applications
package.
• ACORN BUS COMPATIBLE - Use of the
1MHz connection complies with all Acorn
addressing recommendations - That means you
can still add-on such things as the TELETEXT.
IEEE 488 TUBE and PRESTEL
• Allows more than one program to reside in
an EPROM using the ROM Filing System.
>100 TEC Single sided 40 track 100K 5}”
ngle Disc Drive £145
>200 TEC Single sided 80 track 200K 54"
ngle Disc Drive £210
>400 Mitsubishi Double sided 80 track
)0K 54" Single Drive £259
>400S Mitsubishi Double sided 40/80 track
)0K 54" Single Drive £340
3200 TEC Single sided 40 track 200K 54-*
VIN Disc Drives £275
3400 TEC Single sided 40 track 200K 54"
VIN Disc Drives £365
D800 Mitsubishi Double sided 80 track
)0K 54" TWIN Drives £425
3800S Mitsubishi Double sided 40/80 track
vitchable 800K TWIN Drives £465
5 ARE DRIVE CABLES, SINGLE £6; DUAL £9
: S Manual (comprehensive) £7.50 (No VAT)
iu do not require Formatting Discs when
I our DFS as the formatting program is in
I0M. nor do you require expensive 40/80
switchable drives as with our DFS you can
and write 40 and 80 track discs in an 80
drive (software switchable)
ITSUBISHI SLIMLINE DISC DRIVES that
upply are Double Sided, Double Density
1 Megabyte. (With BBC Micro 400K after
atting.) When used in conjunction with
ile Density board one obtains 800K (approx)
formatting. Track density 96 TPI. track to
access time 3mSec These drives are very
quiet and efficient We strongly recommend
use
Attractively finished, strong beige plastic base
fitted with dividers. Smoke acrylic top Supplied
with adhesive title strips for ease of filing.
• M-35 Holds upton 35 mini discs £16
• M-85 Holds upto 85 mini discs £20
FLOPPY HEAD CLEANERS
Unless your office/home is dust free, you should
clean heads at least once a week to avoid the
risk df cross contamination
Simply apply the cleaner to one of the specially
formulated cleaning discs, insert into the drive
and initialise. If your system has no initialisation
program then insert the disc and open and close
the door 5 times.
£16.00
READY-MADE LEADS
CASSETTE LEADS 7 pm DIN Plug
to 5 pm DIN Plug + 1 Jack Plug £2.00
to 3 pin DIN Plug * 1 Jack Plug £2.00
to 7 pin DIN Plug £2.50
to 3 Jack Plugs £2.00
6 pin DIN to 6 pin DIN Plug (RGB) £2 50
Monitor Lead BNC to PHONO £3.00
Disc Drive to BBC Micro Power Lead
Single £3.00 Dual £3.75
MISCELLANEOUS
CONNECTORS
RGB (6 PIN DIN)
Plugs Sockets
30p 45p
RS423 (5 pin Domino)
40 p
50p
Cassette (7 pin DIN)
25p
65p
ECONET (5 pin DIN)
20p
30p
Paddles )1 5 pin D )
110p
21 5p
BBC Power Plug 6 way
75p
—
Disc Drive Plug 4 way
70p
ONLY £79 incl. Manual (£3 carr)
MONITORS
MICROVITEC 1431
14" Colour Monitor, RGB
Input (as used in BBC
programmes) FREE Interface
Lead Special Offer £179
• MICROVITEC 1451 Hi res
14" Monitor incl. lead
• NEW MICROVITEC 14" Colour
Monitor/Composite Video
• KAGA RGB 12" Medium
Resolution Colour £195
• KAGA RGB 1 2" High Resolution Colour £259
• KAGA 12” Standard resolution colour
MONITOR/COMPOSITE VIDEO ONLY£195
• BNC Connecting Lead £3
• RGB Connecting Lead £5
• ZENITH 12" High resolution, jitter free
picture. Amber or Green £75
Carriage on Monitors £7 (Securicor)
SWIVEL MONITOR BASE
£295
£249
Attractively finished in beige, our swivel base
allows you to tilt/swivel your Monitor to any
required angle for comfortable viewing.
ONLY £1 8
Continued
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
41
NEW
Mk II 13 ROM SOCKET BOARD
Now all lines fully buffered - On board
battery back-up facility - will now accept
EPROMS 2716, 2732, 2764 & 27128 and
ROMs 6116 & 6264.
Simply plugs into one of the four ROM sockets
currently available in BBC Micro. There are only
5 solder connections to be made. Full
instructions are supplied. This board has been
ergonomically designed to enable the user, easy
further expansion inside the Micro, e g. Double
Density Board, Torch Board, etc. (At Watford, we
think ahead.)
Our 13 ROM SOCKETS BOARD enables the
User to increase the Sideways ROM capacity
the basic four sockets on the main board upto
the full SIXTEEN capable of being supported by
current operating systems. In addition the board
is designed with the facility to hold upto 16K
RAM, which when switched into operation is
automatically selected by any WRITE signal to
the Sideways ROM area. This gives the User the
ability to write a utility or language and upon
pressing break have the utility or language up
and running (new ROM software can be
developed and tested in situ.)
The Board gives the User, plenty of freedom to
explore the possibilities of the new paged ROMs
due in the coming months and offers them the
chance to develop their own.
All lines are fully buffered and the Board meets
or exceeds all timings for operation in the BBC
Microcomputer. When fully populated, the ROM
Board consumes less than half the recommended
maximum current limit.
Supplied ready-built and tested complete with
fitting instructions.
ONLY £32.50 (carr. £ 1 )
EPROMs & CMOS RAMs
for BBC MICRO
2764-250nS (8K ROM)
271 28-250nS ( 1 6K ROM)
61 16-1 50nS (2K RAM)
6264-1 50nS(8K RAM)
BEEB SPEECH
SYNTHESISER
VERSATILE SPEECH SYNTHESISER
UNIT FOR THE BBC
MICROCOMPUTER
Watford Electronic s very own Speech System.
Specially designed so that even a novice can
make his BBC talk:-
SIMPLY the best! — An unlimited speech
synthesis system. Complete with
easy-to-follow manual. Controlling software
is in ROM so no Cassette Loading
problems!
PHONEMES for word synthesis - That means
unlimited vocabulary! No extra speech
dictionary chips to buy!
BUILT-in Library of approximately 500 words to
get you started.
ENGLISH accent - Utilises inflexion techniques
to produce highly comprehensible speech.
EASY to use system - Just plug the software
ROM into a socket, the Speech unit into
the User Port, and away you go! No
specialised dealer upgrade' required!
COMPACT unit - The whole system is built into
a small case - easily tucked behind the
computer. Auxiliary output socket provided
for direct connection to an external
amplifier.
HOURS of fun I - Suitable for any application -
Games, Educational Programs, Specialised
Packages.
We know this all seems to good to be true but
DON'T BE LEFT SPEECHLESS! Order your
Versatile Speech Unit now!
Only £44
THE ULTIMATE DFS
FOR BBC MICRO
by
m
Watford Electronics
Highly acclaimed at The ACORN and BBC
MICRO USER Shows. What do the independent
press say?
Good value for money Beebug Aug. '83
A very worthwhile package - The Micro User
You’ll be buying a very powerful package -
Persona I Computer News
Superior DFS: Excellent disc sector editor -
Computer Answers
Without a doubt, the most sophisticated DFS
Software yet written for BBC Micro Computer
This powerful new DFS is fully compatible with
ACORN DFS yet has much increased power due
to additions, carefully designed to make life
easier in normal use. It consists of over 14K of
efficiently written machine code. It is entirely self
contained and so does not require a utilities disc
to function.
• The system can either use the ACORN
standard 31 files per disc side or DOUBLE THE
CAPACITY to 62 files. The size is selected at
formatting time. Copying between discs with
different catalogue sizes works perfectly
normally
• A FORMATTING PROGRAM is built in,
permitting formatting to 35. 40, 80 track formats
with either 31 or 62 files. Since the formatter is
built in to the DFS it can be used without
affecting whatever program you are using.
• A DISC VERIFIER is also built in. This checks
the internal checksums on each sector to identify
any corrupted data. This is extremely useful
when saving valuable data as it shows faulty
discs quickly and easily. Again it does not affect
the program you are using.
• A built in DISC SECTOR EDITOR gives a
screen window onto the disc enabling detailed
editing of any byte on the disc. This is very
useful for recovering accidently deleted files and
can save weeks of work.
• A double step mode allows the User of 80
TRACK DRIVES TO READ & WRITE BOTH 40
and 80 TRACK DISCS. This mode is software
selected for each drive individually, thus enabling
a 40 track disc to be copied on to an 80 track
very easily. THIS ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR
EXPENSIVE 40/80 TRACK SWITCHABLE
DRIVES.
• A WORKFILE function sets the name to be
used when the null filename is issued. This
allows a program to be edited and repeatedly
saved having only typed its name once.
• When using LOAD. CHAIN etc. it is possible
to specify an ambiguous filename. This will result
in the first file whose name matches the
specification being used. This saves typing the
end of a filename that you know is uniquely
identified by its first few characters.
• Two commands exist to simplify the transfer
of programs from TAPE TO DISC. These load the
file to &1 100, switch off the disc system and
then move the file to its correct load address,
thus saving a lot of complicated programming.
This command can be used to load files up to
27K75 long.
• An advanced COPY command is included
which will prompt the user, requesting whether
to copy each file
• RENAME has been extended to allow the use
of ambiguous filenames. This allows you to
change BERT 1 , BERT2, BERT3 to FRED1
FRED2, FRED3 with only one command.
• OPENOUT has been improved to give you
fewer annoying Can t extend' errors, as it
automatically picks the biggest space on the disc
in which to put a file. A SPACE command lets
you know how much space # COMPACT could
create before you waste time doing it.
BEEBFONT ROM
BEEBFONT is a remarkable new concept in
software, exclusively available from Watfc
Once fitted, the 16K ROM will enable yoi
produce attractive text displays in followir
different styles:
mummiM*
fsliuUmn
abctie
ABCDEFGH I JKLMNi
a bcde f gh i j k 1 m n ■
ABCDEFGH I JKLMM
ABCDEFGH I JKLHNi
abcdefShi j k 1 mn i
ABCDEFGH I JKLHNi
i? re
★ It works in modes 0, 1,2, 4, using 1
colour.
★ Simply use Ctrl-V to select the font an<
further screen output will be in a new style
★ Even the ordinary Beeb character set Cc
enhanced by doubling height or width and
emphasising to give bold print.
★ A comprehensive editor is included whi<
enables the user to design his own charact
★ A spooling program is provided, which
enables pre-formatted text files to be dispb
on an EPSON FX, RX, and NEC Printers, u
the full range of character styles. (Please s\
printer type when ordering). Can be used v
WORDWISE
★ This really must be one of the most ori<
and exciting products of the year.
★ A twenty page manual is provided and
demo/editor software comes on disc or cas
(please specify when ordering). q ^ ^ y
DFS continued:
• 2K of RAM can be reclaimed from the
by setting "PAGE'' to & 1100
Now with extra features:
• The powerful library system has been
extended so that libraries now work on all
accesses not only # RUN. This allows you
a utility directory with all your commonly
programs without muddling in your curren
workfiles Very useful for BCPL User
• Programs can now reside lower in mer
reclaiming some of the DFS workspaces
PAGE can be taken as low as Cl 100 und
circumstances.
• To make DFS easy to use. wild cards i
have been made vastly powerful e g *INI
gives information on all files in the curren
directory which have an A anywhere at
their filename.
• Comprehensive and clearly written Man
(available separately) gives the user a comi
package deal
• Fully compatible with BBC TELETEX an
TORCH Systems.
DFS ROM ONLY
Complete Disc Interface Kit including Dl
ROM and fitting instructions. P.
Comprehensive and clearly written DFS Manu<
£7.50 (No V
P S We will exchange your existing ACORN
or PACE (AMCOM) DFS for the highly
sophisticated Watford's DFS ROM for
ONLY
Watford s DFS is exclusively available from
Watford Electronics We DO NOT retail throi
any Dealers.
42
ACORN USER JUNE 198*
WATFORD'S
BEEB PRINTER ROM
you fed up with not being able to unravel your
ter manual and use all those features you paid
Need sensible paging for use in the creation of
klets? Then you certainly need our Beeb Printer
A.
achine code printer utility in ROM.
Single’ key operations replace control code
jences for underline, font and size selection,
sr movement, etc. Up to 30 come pre defined,
lout effecting normal fn key usage,
rhis rom allows easy control of your
iter from Within' WORDWISE text,
tead of long escape sequences, you just
a single number to Select, Underline,
it Styles, etc.
Automatic fanfold page margins. Puts gaps in
r igs PRINTed text etc to skip the folds. The gap
alternates to minimise paper wastage when
ig binders.
: orm feed and related commands, made
liable on ALL printers. Can also provide a left
gin.
Jser defined characters embedded within text
printed as on VDU.
Commands select option for GP100, STAR.
EC. MX/FX. LP VI I/DM P 1 00, DMP200.
crates with Parallel and Serial Printers
Fully functional with the popular WORDWISE
>rdprocessor.
pplied complete with a comprehensive 50 page
mual.
Price: £24
/Vhen ordering, please specify printer type)
SPECIAL OFFER
v BEEB PRINTER ROM and any one of the two
REEN DUMP ROMS for
ONLY: £33 (A saving of £7+)
TWO GRAPHICS
SCREEN DUMP ROMS
WATFORD JOINS THE
COMMUNICATION REVOLUTION
MODEM 84
Prestel
A British Telecom Service.
With the launch of Watford's MODEM 84
you can now hook into PRESTEL.
MICRONET. HOMELINK, TELECOM GOLD,
etc., for about the cost of a good tape
recorder. Prestel gives you access to an
incomparable database covering almost
every subject under the Sun. There is
Micronet with lots of free programs that
you can download and run. Details of Clubs
and User groups, a diary of meetings and
exhibitions, news and reviews, technical
information, etc. There is Homelink with
On-line banking. And there is armchair
shopping, travel information, Entertainment,
World News, Sports News, Business News,
Weather information. Electronic mail and
lots more. The basic Prestel subscription is
only £5 per quarter for domestic user and
at off-peak times there is no charge for
access time. Can you afford not to be part
of this revolution?
Now using the latest techniques and the
new generation of Modem chips. Watford
have developed a Modem that is newer,
better and yet cheaper than any on the
market.
Compare the Specifications:
MODEM
• Direct-connect Modem using BT approved
isolation components.
• Full Duplex V23 operation for Prestel and
TELECOM GOLD operation (1200/75 Baud).
NEW SUPER PRESTEL
INTERFACE ROM
Fully compatible with Watford's MODEM 84 as
well as with PRISM and most other Modems.
• Supports full Prestel Colour Alpha and
Graphic Characters including Double Height,
Flashing, Conceal/Reveal.
• Called by simple # PRESTEL command. Disc
and Tape configurations fully supported.
• Telesoftware downloader included.
• Comprehensive MAILBOX facilities including
offline editor.
• Auto Logon sequence, can be burnt into ROM
if desired.
• Unique TAG facility allows tagging and
recall of interesting pages - avoids the common
and annoying NOW WHERE WAS THAT PAGE'
problem.
• Page load and save to tape or disc. Pages are
automatically saved under Page Number
reference in a FRAME' directory.
• Print page options are ASCII only (i.e. with
supression of Graphics) - fast and works with
any printer - as well as a full graphics dump for
the popular Epson printer.
• USER function call built into interface with
specialist add-on routines (your own as well as
ours).
• All the above facilities available from Function
Keys. An overlay is provided giving simple yet
comprehensive guidance to the key functions.
• Comprehensive instruction manual supplied.
PRICES:
SOFTWARE in ROM incl. Comprehensive
MANUAL ONLY. £25
DUMP OUT 2
ersatile machine code hi-res Screen Dump
iM.
You can now have small or large 2 tone
■nps and multi-tone colour' pattern dumps
distinct mode 2 shades) on every printer.
•Commands initiate the required dump
’ional parameters may be included for colour
sking and selecting the part of the screen to
dumped.
Clever use of the processor stack means
it no workspace is required! (Multitone
rips also use 2 zero page locations.)
For GP80/1 00/250. STAR. NEC. EPSON
(. RX/FX LPVII, DM PI 00/1 20/200/400
Screen modes 0. 1, 2. 4 & 5
Instruction Manual
this for ONLY £15
EPSON DUMP ROM
specially designed Dump ROM for EPSON RX
and the new Kaga KP810 Printers. Will
:urately DUMP all Screen modes including
LETEXT GRAPHICS and DOUBLE HEIGHT.
JLTITONE DUMPS are also supported. Simple
gle command (*SCDUMP) operation
Only: £1 6
• User to-User half duplex 1200/1200 Baud
operation with AUTOMATIC SEND/RECEIVE
switch (BEWARE - most MODEMS switch
manually between send and receive, which
precludes the use of intelligent user-to-user
software)
• Simple single button operation and
comprehensive LED status display
• Attractive Beige case to match your Micro.
Sized to sit on the disc drive.
(P S. BT approval applied for).
MODEM 84, SOFTWARE in ROM &
Operating MANUAL ONLY: £75 (carr. £1 .50)
(Please allow upto 28 days for delivery!
Coming soon:
BEEB User-to-User ROM. For automatic user-to-
user communication including file/program
transfer (Requires Watford s MODEM 84 or
PRISM 2000).
Please write to Watford Electronics for full
details. Order and Application Forms.
FX80 PRINTER
DRIVER for VIEW
Do you want to use Italics or Enlarged
Characters with View? French or German
Characters? These and other FONTS from FX80
character sets can be accessed using our Printer
Driver with VIEW. The disc contains an example
as well shows how to use Available on 40 or 80
track Disc. ONLY: £7.50
VIEW
Acorn soft s Wordprocessor ROM £52
FORTH ROM for BBC
This superb (FIG FORTH) compiling language
now available in ROM. Simply plugs into one
of the ROM Sockets. Manual included. £33
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
43
WONDERFUL
WA TFORD
TWO NEW
DATABASE SOFTWARE for
BBC Micro
DISCDATA
★ STAR LAUNCH ★
BUFFER & BACKUP ROM
A very versatile firmware. An ideal ROM for
engineers, programmers, teachers, students, etc.
★ Converts your Sideways RAM to a 4K or 16K
BUFFER for a parallel printer. (Uses * FX5,3).
(You no longer require to purchase expensive
(£100+) Printer Buffers.)
★ Dumps selection of Disc files to Tape.
★ Makes backup copies of tapes onto Tape.
Disc and Hobbit.
★ Displays contents of a chosen paged ROM on
screen.
★ Menu display on shift-break using ROM
Filing System.
★ Comprehensive Manual
Simply a give away at £18
In keeping with our tradition of bringing you the
best in BBC Micro at prices you cannot refuse,
we are launching yet another of our ROM based
software.
GEMINI'S BUSINESS SOFTV*
Cashbook Accounts
Final Accounts
Invoices & Statements £1
Commercial Accounts £1
Mailing List £1
Database £1
Stock Control £ 1
Home Accounts £1
Beebcalc Spreadsheet Analysis £ 1
Beebplot £1
Payroll
N B All the above Gemini software is on
For Disc Based (40/80 track) please add
VERSATILE LIGHT PET
SOFTWARE
• Enjoy, Explore. Educate!
• Pixil, Line, Character Definition
• Free hand drawing
• All Colours - MANY Special Effects
• Fill, Refill and Stripes
• User defined Brushed Strokes plus
Character definer
• Grid, Scale, Perspective aids
• 2 TO 200 Points palletable in one Desig
with Circles and "RUBBER BANDING
• Move design/character to any screen pos
• Save and Load screens. User defined G r<
and line drawings for video titles, Own
programmes, etc.
• Many Educational uses
• Instruction booklet included
• Full software support for "CUSTOM USE
• Works with Watford, RH, Acorn User Dl
and many other LIGHT PENS
• Available on DISC or TAPE
Price: Tape £10; Disc £11
At last for BBC Micro Disc users. Watford
Electronics have produced "DISCDATA which
must be the most versatile general database at
the price on the market. The length of your files
is restricted only by the space on your disc. You
can have upto 20 fields with "page length
records of upto 254 characters. The program is
completely menu driven obviating reference to a
manual although written guidance is given with
the program. Add and delete records amend
title, field names and records, sort on any field
and search for any record or group of records in
any field. You do not need to abandon or rewrite
your files if you wish to add additional fields or
extend the length of any field, the program will
rewrite the files for you. Your files can be in any
drive. Output can be in 40, 80 or 132 character
width with Printer routines. Two forms of output
are provided for horizontal for label type output
and a tabulated output with title and headings.
What is more, the selected fields can be placed
in any order on the screen. In the horizontal
mode you can scan backwards or forwards with
wrap around effect. Output can be started or
stopped anywhere in the file. There is automatic
totalling on decimal fields and an automatic
count of the number of records output.
Now with extra 3 features: Allows string search;
Calculations can be done on numeric fields;
Create Sub-Files from the main File
On disc at Only £15
It has to be the best value.
FILE-PLUS
A 1 6K ROM containing the most flexible and
easy to use disk based Database system on the
market. A database may occupy your total
on-line storage capacity. You may design any
number of data entry forms using a "paint” on
screen technique. Forms may be upto 3 screens
in size. A form may be used to Add,/
Delete, Update, Print and Spool records from
your Database. Quick search facility on any text
field. A query language provides full maths
support (-, +, /. +-9999999999.9999) and
compare facilities (=, >, <>, <=, >=, &, I) when
used with the keywords - Assign, Compare.
Display, End, Goto, Iff, Ift, Print. Read, Search,
Spool and Update. Full printed output control via
embeded commands. Supplied with 70 page
manual and fitting instructions.
Only £43
Send SAE for Fact Sheet |
(ATerminal Emulator ROM for BBC Micro)
Use your BBC micro as a VDU terminal,
connected to any other computer with a V24 or
RS423/RS232 serial interface.
Transfer text files in either direction, using disc or
tape filing system.
Powerful function set allows emulation of
popular mainframe terminals, including full DEC
VT52. A tailoring program is included which
allows you to define your own terminal and save
the file on disc or tape.
The TERMEMU ROM is entered either using
# VDU, or directly when the BBC micro is
switched on.
Features include:
• Compatible with BT GOLD electronic mail
service
• Full BBC graphics available
• Split baud rate for receive/transmit
• User-defined function keys
• Visible control codes (for debugging protocols)
• Full cursor addressing
• User-definable addressing convention
• ALL OS commands available, even when
online
• SPOOL and EXEC, even at 75 baub
• Parity, start/stop and number of bits
• Change baud rates online
• Online/local operation
• Runs in any mode
• Comprehensive manual and fitting instructions
ALL THIS and MORE FOR ONLY £24
(Price includes tailoring software on disc or
cassette and manual)
Suitable cable for RS423 domino to V24
ONLY £5
PACKAGE OFFER
BBC model B, ZENITH 1 2" monitor, plus
TERMEMU and cables, a complete mainframe
terminal for:
ONLY £445
ACCESS HOT LINE
(0923) 50234
24 hours
DISC EXECUTOR
Disc Executor is a sophisticated disc utility,
designed for the BBC Micro, which allows yi
to transfer almost all of your tape software \
disc. It will handle "Locked" programs and
allows you to load full length adventure type
programs (i.e. up to &6E blocks) from disc ii
seconds rather than minutes. Available in 4C
80 track, please specify.
Price: £1
Now available from Watford
ADE
The complete program development package c
16K ROM. A must for all the Assembly
Language Programmers.
Introductory price: Only: £52
GAMES SOFTWARE
( PROGRAM POWERj
CHESS
£ 6 .
CROACKER
£ 6 .
Escape from MOONBASE ALPHA
£ 6 .
CHUCKIE EGG
£ 7 .
FELIX in the FACTORY
£ 6 .
GALACTIC COMMANDER
£ 6 .!
KILLER GORILLA
£ 6 .!
MUNCHYMAN
£ 5.1
MOONRAIDER
£ 6.1
PENGO (Watford)
£ 7 .
SWOOP
£ 6 .!
747 FLIGHT SIMULATOR
£7
LEVEL 9 ADVENTURE GAMES
COLOSSAL ADVENTURE. The classical
mainframe game " Adventure with all the
original puzzles plus 70 extra rooms.
£8
ADVENTURE QUEST. Through forest,
mountains, desert, caves, water, fire, moorla
and swamp on an epic quest vs tyranny
£8
DUNGEON ADVENTURE Over 100 puzzles
the Demon Lord’s dungeons.
£8
SNOWBALL Save a 7000 location colony
starship in 2302 AD
£8
44
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
WATFORD'S
BEEB PRINTER ROM
e you fed up with not being able to unravel your
inter manual and use all those features you paid
r? Need sensible paging for use in the creation of
>okiets? Then you certainly need our Beeb Printer
DM.
machine code printer utility in ROM.
Single' key operations replace control code
quences for underline, font and size selection,
iper movement, etc. Up to 30 come pre defined,
ithout effecting normal fn key usage.
This rom allows easy control of your
inter from Within WORDWISE text,
stead of long escape sequences, you just
1C' a single number to Select, Underline,
rint Styles, etc.
1 Automatic fanfold page margins. Puts gaps in
>tmgs PRINTed text etc to skip the folds. The gap
ze alternates to minimise paper wastage when
sing binders.
1 Form feed and related commands, made
/ailable on ALL printers. Can also provide a left
largin.
> User defined characters embedded within text
e printed as on VDU.
> ★Commands select option for GP100. STAR.
slEC. MX/FX, LP VI I/DM P 100. DMP200.
Dperates with Parallel and Serial Printers.
> Fully functional with the popular WORDWISE
vordprocessor.
Supplied complete with a comprehensive 50 page
nanual.
Price: £24
(When ordering, please specify printer type)
WATFORD JOINS THE
COMMUNICATION REVOLUTION
A British Telecom Service.
With the launch of Watford's MODEM 84
you can now hook into PRESTEL.
MICRONET. HOMELINK. TELECOM GOLD,
etc., for about the cost of a good tape
recorder. Prestel gives you access to an
incomparable database covering almost
every subject under the Sun. There is
Micronet with lots of free programs that
you can download and run. Details of Clubs
and User groups, a diary of meetings and
exhibitions, news and reviews, technical
information, etc. There is Homelink with
On-line banking. And there is armchair
shopping, travel information, Entertainment.
World News. Sports News, Business News.
Weather information, Electronic mail and
lots more. The basic Prestel subscription is
only £5 per quarter for domestic user and
at off-peak times there is no charge for
access time. Can you afford not to be part
of this revolution?
Now using the latest techniques and the
new generation of Modem chips. Watford
have developed a Modem that is newer,
better and yet cheaper than any on the
market.
NEW SUPER PRESTEL
INTERFACE ROM
Fully compatible with Watford's MODEM 84 as
well as with PRISM and most other Modems.
• Supports full Prestel Colour Alpha and
Graphic Characters including Double Height,
Flashing, Conceal/Reveal.
• Called by simple # PRESTEL command. Disc
and Tape configurations fully supported.
• Telesoftware downloader included.
• Comprehensive MAILBOX facilities including
offline editor.
• Auto Logon sequence, can be burnt into ROM
if desired.
• Unique "TAG" facility allows tagging and
recall of interesting pages - avoids the common
and annoying NOW WHERE WAS THAT PAGE"
problem.
• Page load and save to tape or disc. Pages are
automatically saved under Page Number
reference in a FRAME" directory.
• Print page options are ASCII only (i.e. with
supression of Graphics) - fast and works with
any printer - as well as a full graphics dump for
the popular Epson printer.
SPECIAL OFFER
luy BEEB PRINTER ROM and any one of the two
ICREEN DUMP ROMS for
ONLY: £33 (A saving of £7 + )
TWO GRAPHICS
SCREEN DUMP ROMS
Compare the Specifications:
MODEM
• Direct-connect Modem using BT approved
isolation components.
• Full Duplex V23 operation for Prestel and
TELECOM GOLD operation (1200/75 Baud)
• "USER" function call built into interface with
specialist add-on routines (your own as well as
ours).
• All the above facilities available from Function
Keys. An overlay is provided giving simple yet
comprehensive guidance to the key functions.
• Comprehensive instruction manual supplied
PRICES:
SOFTWARE in ROM incl. Comprehensive
MANUAL ONLY : £25
DUMP OUT 2
\ versatile machine code hi-res Screen Dump
I0M.
> You can now have small or large 2 tone
lumps and multi-tone "colour" pattern dumps
8 distinct mode 2 shades) on every printer.
I ‘Commands initiate the required dump
iptional parameters may be included for colour
nasking and selecting the part of the screen to
ie dumped.
i Clever use of the processor stack means
hat no workspace is required' (Multitone
lumps also use 2 zero page locations.)
> For GP80/1 00/250. STAR, NEC. EPSON
ZIX/RX/FX. LPVII. DMP1 00/1 20/200/400
l Screen modes 0, 1,2 4 & 5.
> Instruction Manual
Ml this for ONLY £15
EPSON DUMP ROM
• User-to-User half duplex 1200/1200 Baud
operation with AUTOMATIC SEND/RECEIVE
switch (BEWARE - most MODEMS switch
manually between send and receive, which
precludes the use of intelligent user-to-user
software).
• Simple single button operation and
comprehensive LED status display.
• Attractive Beige case to match your Micro.
Sized to sit on the disc drive.
(P.S. BT approval applied for).
FX80 PRINTER
DRIVER for VIEW
Do you want to use Italics or Enlarged
Characters with View? French or German
Characters? These and other FONTS from FX80
character sets can be accessed using our Printer
Driver with VIEW The disc contains an example
as well shows how to use. Available on 40 or 80
track Disc. ONLY: £7.50
k specially designed Dump ROM for EPSON RX.
X and the new Kaga KP810 Printers Will
ccurately DUMP all Screen modes including
ELETEXT GRAPHICS and DOUBLE HEIGHT.
/IULTITONE DUMPS are also supported. Simple
ingle command (*SCDUMP) operation.
Only: £1 6
MODEM 84, SOFTWARE in ROM 8.
Operating MANUAL ONLY: £75 (carr. £1 .50)
(Please allow upto 28 days for delivery)
Coming soon:
BEEB User-to-User ROM For automatic user-to-
user communication including file/program
transfer. (Requires Watford’s MODEM 84 or
PRISM 2000).
Please write to Watford Electronics for full
details. Order and Application Forms.
VIEW
Acorn soft s Wordprocessor ROM
£52
FORTH ROM for BBC
This superb (FIG FORTH) compiling language
now available in ROM Simply plugs into one
of the ROM Sockets. Manual included. £33
WATFORD
ELECTRONICS
Continued — —
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
45
BOOKS (No VAT on Books)
30 Programs- BBC Micro £3.25
30 Hour BASIC (BBC Micro) £6.95
35 Education Programsfor BBC £6.95
36 Challenging Games for BBC £5.95
40 Educational Programs for BBC £5.95
100 Programsfor BBC Micro £6.95
Cassette version of above £10.00
6502 Application Book £1 1 .95
6502 Assembly Language Program .. £1 3.95
6502 Assembly Language
Subroutines £14.25
6502 Machine Code for Beginners £5.95
6502 Software Design £10.50
A young persons guide to BBC Basic ... £4.50
Advanced Machine Code Technique
for BBC £7.95
Advanced User Guide for
BBC Micro £12.50
Advanced 6502 Interfacing £10.95
Advanced 6502 Programming £12.45
Assembly Language Programming on
BBC Micro £7.95
Advanced Programming Techniques
for the BBC Micro £7.95
BBC Basic £7.95
Assembly Lang. Prog, on BBC £7.40
BBC BASIC £5.95
BBC Basic for Beginners £6.95
BBC Forth £7.50
BBC Lisp £7.50
BBC Micro An Expert Guide £6.95
BBC Micro Book BASIC Sound &
Graphics £7.95
BBC Micro Graphics and Sound £6.95
BBC Micro Programs in Basic £5.95
BBC Micro ROM PAGING System
Explained £2.95
BBC Micro Revealed £6.95
BBC Micro Assembly Lang. Prog. £7.95
BBC Micro Disc Companion £7.95
BBC Micro in Education £6.50
Basic Programming on BBC Micro £5.95
Creating Adventure Programs on
BBC Micros £6.95
Creative Graphics Cassette (Acornsoft).
Has 36 graphics programs £8.95
Creative graphics on BBC Micro £7.50
Complete Programmer for BBC £5.95
DISC FILING SYSTEM Manual
for BBC (comprehensive) £7.50
Discover BBC Machine Code £6.95
Discover FORTH £13.95
DIY Robotics & Sensors with BBC £6.95
Easy Programming for BBC Micro £5.95
Further Prog, for BBC Micro £5.95
FORTH Programming £14.40
Functional Forth for the BBC Micro £5.95
Gameson your BBC Micro £2.95
Games BBC Computer Can Play £6.95
Graphs & Charts on BBC Micro £7.50
Graphic Art for BBC Computer £5.95
Graphs and Charts (Cassette) £7.50
Graphics on BBC Micro £6.95
Hobbit (Book and Cassette) £14.95
Introducing the BBC Micro £5.95
Introduction to FORTH £9.30
Intro to Micro Beginners Book
(3 Ed.) £9.90
Let your BBC teach u to program £6.45
LISP £9.25
Logo Programming £8.95
Mastering VISICALC £12.45
Mastering CP/M £13.65
Micros in the Classroom £4.90
Programming the 6502 £11.95
Programming & Interfacing 6502 .... £16.00
Programming the BBC Micro £6.95
PASCAL £9.25
Programming for Education on BBC ... £5.95
Structured Prog, with BBC BASIC £6.50
The Complete FORTH £6.95
The BBC Micro Book, BASIC, SOUND
& GRAPHICS £7.40
Using Floppy Discs with BBC Micro .... £5.95
Using BBC Basic £6.95
STOP PRESS
DOUBLE DENSITY BOARD
FOR BBC
We are proud to announce the launch of our
Double Density Board for the BBC Micro The
DDFS software that we supply is a version of
our highly acclaimed standard 16K DFS for the
BBC Micro. It will automatically tell whether a
single or double density disc is being accessed,
as well as allowing the option of reading 40
track disc on an 80 track drive. Now on your 80
track Double Sided Drive you will have 720K
storage instead of the usual 400K and with
higher speed than ever before (of course this is a
BONUS at NO EXTRA COST).
Complete Double Density Upgrade Unit will cost
same as single density Kit.
DATA RECORDER &
ACCESSORIES
Top quality Slimline, portable Data Recorder for
computer use. Mains/Battery, operated with
counter £24 00
DATA RECORDER CABLE
For our Data Recorder to BBC Micro £2.50
DATA CASSETTES Top grade C12 Data
Cassettes in library cases. 36p
ATTACHE CARRYING
CASE for BBC Micro
These Attache Carrying cases are attractively
finished in mottled antique brown leatherette. An
ideal and very safe way to carry your BBC
Microcomputer. Price: £1 2 (£2 carr.)
ADVANCE USER GUIDE
for BBC MICRO
Only: £12.50 (no VAT)
VOLTMACE'S DELTA 14
Hand-set
Price: Delta 14‘ Hand set
ADAPTOR MODULE
TRANSFER PROGRAM
£12.50
£12.55
Tape £5.10
Disc £7.95
JOYSTICKS for BEEB
Two versions available.
SINGLE: Player type
TWO Players type
£7.00 each
£12.00 per pair
PLINTH FOR PRINTERS
Keeps your desk tidy Place the printer on the
plinth and the paper underneath Finished in
BBC colour
€10 (carr. £1 50)
PLINTH FOR BBC MICRO
Protect your micro from the weight of the heavy
TV/Monitor This sturdy plinth is attractively
finished in BBC colour. Air vent slots have been
provided to allow maximum air circulation. It can
be used to support a monitor or a printer. The
micro slides underneath comfortably. A must for
every BBC Micro owner, specially for those who
have to move/open their computer frequently.
Single Decker £1 1 (carr. £ 1 .50)
Double Decker £20 (carr. £2 00)
4 WAY MAINS
DISTRIBUTION SOCKET
A highly versatile space saving solution when
multi-power outlets are required. Can be wall or
floor mounted. Ideal for Micro Computer and
peripherals application. Prevents you getting a
dangerous tangle of plugs and adapters.
Only: £9.50
TEX EPROM ERASERS
EPROMs need careful treatment to survive their
expected lifetime. Rushing it could burn their
brains out. So cop-out of this helter-skelter
world; take it easy the TEX way and give your
chips a well earned break. Cool, gentle and
affordable. EPROMPT does it properly.
Two versions available:
• EPROMPT EB - The standard version.
Erases up to 16 chips. £30.00
• EPROMPT GT — Erases up to 28 chips. Has
an incorporated safety switch which
automatically switches off the UV lamp when the
Eraser is opened. £33.00
Prices subject to change without notice.
MAIL ORDER AND RETAIL SHOP. TRADE AND EXPORT INQUIRIES WELCOME
GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS OFFICIAL ORDERS ACCEPTED.
CARRIAGE: Unless stated otherwise, please add 75p to all cash orders.
VAT: UK customers please add 15% VAT to the total cost incl. Carnage
SHOP HOURS: 9.00am to 6.00pm. Monday to Saturday. (Ample Free Car Parking Spaces)
-ACCESS ORDERS: Simply phone: Watford (0923) 50234. (24 Hours)
Watford Electronics
Dept. BBC, Cardiff Road, Watford, Herts, England.
Telephone: 0923 40588/37774. Telex: 8956095
46
ACORN 'USER < JUNE 1984
TECHNIQUES
Stan Froco returns to the theme
of binary trees*. Their balanced
structure makes ‘B-trees’ valuable
for data bases stored on disc
See August 1983 issue
F IRST a quick reminder of what a
‘tree’ is. Figure 1 shows a simple
binary tree of numbers. At the top is
the ‘root’ of the tree. The tree comprises
‘nodes’, each holding a value and two
‘pointers’. At the bottom of the tree are its
‘leaves’, which are like nodes, but have no
pointers. In the example the root is labelled
A, the nodes B and the leaves C. Notice
that the root is just another node.
The pointers are the arrows joining the
parts of the tree. We say a node has two
pointers to its 'children' (which may be
other nodes, or leaves), and correspond-
ingly the children have the node as their
‘parent’. The root is unique in that it has no
parent.
Trees are useful for looking up infor-
mation and as such form the heart of
many database systems. The pieces of
information held in the nodes and leaves
of the tree are referred to as 'keys’. We talk
of looking up a key in a database. Figure 2
shows an example application, a data-
base of jacket sizes stocked by a tailor. If
he has a jacket of the correct size it
appears in the tree. The method or
algorithm for looking up an item in the tree
is fairly straightforward:
1. Take the root as the first node to
examine.
2. If the item matches the key for this node
STOP - we have found the item in the
database.
3. If the node has no pointers, ie, it is a leaf
STOP -the item is not in the database.
4. If the item is less than the key for this
node, take the node or leaf pointed to by
the left pointer, ELSE take the node or leaf
pointed to by the right pointer.
5. GOTO 2
In other words we walk down the tree
looking for the relevant key. Typically, we
would store additional information with
the key - for instance, the number of
jackets in stock in this example. The key is
crucial, however, since it is the thing we
are comparing against.
For database applications a simple
binary tree is not flexible enough. You will
see that while looking up an item the
number of steps taken is up to the number
of steps taken to get to a leaf from the root.
In Figure 1 you will see that the distance
from root to leaf varies depending on the
leaf. Figure 2 is, on the other hand, a
‘balanced binary tree’. Every leaf is the
same distance from the root (this distance
is called the depth of the tree, in this case
three). If a tree is balanced we know the
worst-case performance (ie, the number
of steps it takes to find a particular key) is
as small as possible.
This is not that important when the tree
is small and in memory, since following a
pointer to another place in memory is not
that slow an operation. However, for a
large database the tree will be held on disc
or some other backing medium. Follow-
ing a pointer now means getting another
block from disc, and is very slow. For this
reason we want trees as near balanced as
possible to minimise disc access. Binary
trees are tricky to balance, and so we need
to look at some more sophisticated types
of tree.
One way of extending binary trees is to
have more than two children for each
node (possibly a variable number). This
means that it spreads out faster and for a
given number of nodes is not so deep,
requiring fewer steps to look up a key. ‘En-
trees’ are a popular example of such trees.
A ‘B-tree of order m’ has five properties:-
1 . Every node has m or fewer children.
2. Every node that is not a leaf or the root
has m /2 children or more.
3. The root has at least 2 children (unless it
is a leaf).
4. All leaves are at the same depth and
contain no information.
5. A non-leaf node with k children has k-1
keys.
Figure 3 shows a B-tree of order 5. The
general form of each node is
Po
k 1
Pi
k 2
P2
k 3
P3
k 4
P4
We can see that each key is less than any
key in the tree pointed to by the corres-
ponding pointer, ie:
k 4 < = any key pointed to by P 4
kg < = any key pointed to by pg
kg < = any key pointed to by pg
k-| < = any key pointed to by p-j
Finally pg points to all the keys less than
k i-
To be of any use in a database we need
to provide the three operations
1 . Look up a key in the database.
2. Insert a key in the database.
3. Delete a key from the database.
Program 1 uses a B-tree of order 7 and
provides lookup (PROCretrieve) and in-
sertion (PROCaddtotree). For concise-
ness I have left out deletion, since this is
essentially the technique for insertion in
reverse. Given one, you should be able to
deduce how to do the other. page49 ►
Figure 3. A B-tree of order 5
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Take Advantage of us!
50 s/s d/d disks + box-£50 plus VAT + p&p
50 d/s d/d disks + box - £75pius vat + p&p
Discotek sells disks and accessories, we’ll sell them to practically anyone, anywhere. So when we got
a telephone order for a lot of storage boxes and disks we didn’t waste any time and stocked up. Then
the order was cancelled. So we’re having to let them go at cost, in fact, less than cost.
For just £50 we can supply a rigid, high impact plastic storage box, with four dividers packed with 50
single-sided, double-density disks. The same storage box filled with 50 double-sided, double density
disks will cost just £75. And all carrying our five year guarantee - if a disk is faulty send it back for two
free replacements.
To order just clip the coupon below.
To Disco-Technology Ltd,
20 Orange Street,
London WC2H7ED 01-930 1612 (24 hours)
Please rush me qty storage boxes filled with 50 single-sided □
50 double-sided Q disks at £59.50 or £87.25 respectively.
(£2 already added for p&p and insurance) I enclose a cheque for £
or debit my Access card No.
Name Signature
Address
To Disco-Technology Ltd,
20 Orange Street,
London WC2H 7ED
l)ISCO«7£K
COMPUTER PRODUCTS
Postcode
Telephone
48
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
© Certain Advertising Ltd
Program 1 . Demonstration of B-trees, using a B-tree of order 7
20 REM
30 REM Demonstrate operations on B-trees
40 REM
GO
70 MODE 7
80
90 PEM Useful values
100
110 hmstore* - 1000
120 infinity* - 1000000
130 leaf* - -1 :REM pointer to a leaf
140 next free* " 0 :REM where to start dishing out store from
150
160 REM Set up some arrays
170
180 DIM tree*(limstore*)
190 DIM temp*<14> : REM workspace
200 root* - FNgetnode :REIM the root of the tree
210
220 PRINT "Enter some sample data, ending with O'
230
240 REPEAT
INPUT data*
IF data* - 0 ThEN UNTIL TRUE : GOTO 310
PROCaddtotree(data*>
UNTIL FALSE
t* ” next free*
next free* - next free*
♦ 13
250
260
270
280
281
290 REM Try retrieving
300
310 PRINT "Try some lookups"
320
330 REPEAT
340 INPUT data*
350 PR0Cretrieve<data* ,root*>
360 UNTIL FALSE
370 END
380
390 ran**** Return a new node for the tree
400
410 DEF FNgetnode
420 LOCAL t*
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
500
510
520
530
540
550
560
570
580 REM*****
590
600 DEF PROCaddtotree(key*)
610 LOCAL newroot*
620
630
640
650
660
670
680
690
700
710
720
730
740
750 REM****
760
770 DEF FNinser t (key *, node*)
780
IF nextfree* > limstore* ThEN PRINT "Store used up" : STOP
FCR 1* - 1 TO 11 STEP 2
tree*Ct* + J*> - Infinity*
tree*(t* + 1* + 1) - leaf*
NEXT 1*
tree*<t*> - leaf*
“t* : REM the new node
Add a new data element
IF FNinser t<key*, root*) THEN ENDPROC : REM successful Insertion
REM Create new root
newroot* - FNgetnode
tree*(newroot*) - root*
tree*(newroot* ♦ 1) - reskey*
tree*(newroot* ♦ 2) - resptr*
root* ■ newroot*
ENDPROC
Insert new element in a subtree - TRUE •> inserted
1020
1030
1040
1050
1060
1070
1080
1090
1100
1110
1120
1130
1140
1150
1160
1170
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1200
1210
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1650
1660
1670
1680
1690
1700
1710
1720
1730
1740
1750
1760
1770
REM No room in current node so split
PROCsplittree<key* ,keyptr* ,node*) : -FALSE
PEM**** Insert in current node
DEF PROCinsertitCkey* ,keyptr* ,node*)
LOCAL i*
1780
1790
IF tree*(node*) • leaf* THEN -FNdoinsert(key*,leaf*,node*)
:REM at bottom
790 IF FNinsert(key*,tree*(node*+FNfindplace(key*,node*)))
THEN -TRUE
800
810
820
830
840
850 REM****
860
870 DEF FNf indplaceCkey* ,node*)
880 LOCAL 1*
890
900
910
920
930
940 IF key* >- tree*(node* ♦ i*) ThEN -i* + 1
950
960
970
980 REM****
9913
1000 DEF FNdoinsert(key* , keyptr* , node*)
0* 1010 IF tree*(nade* + 11) - infinity* THEN PPOCinsertit<key* ,keyptr* ,node*)
1 * - 12
REPEAT
IF key* >- tree*<node* ♦ 1* - 3) T>EN tree*(node* ♦ 1* - 1) -
key* : tree*<node* ♦ i*> - keyptr* t UNTIL TRUE : EINDPROC
tree*(node* + I* - D - tree*(node* ♦ 1* - 3) :RE31 copy down
tree*(node* ♦ I*) - tree*<node* + I* - 2)
I* - i* - 2
UNTIL i* < 4
tree*(node* ♦ 1) - key* :RE31 insert at the end
tree*(node* ♦ 2) - keyptr*
ENDPROC
REM**** Split the tree
DEF PROCsplittreeCkey* , keyptr *, node*)
LOCAL i*
REM Copy to temporary node
FOR i* - 0 TO 12
temp*(l*) - tree*(node* ♦ I*)
NEXT i*
REM insert key
1* - 14
REPEAT
IF key* >- temp*<i* - 3) ThEN temp*(i* - 1) - key* :
temp*<l*) - keyptr* : UNTIL TRUE : GOTO 1530
temp*(i* - 1) - temp*(i* - 3)
temp*(i*> - temp*(i* - 2)
i* - i* - 2
UNTIL i* < 4
REM Now split it
resptr* - FNgetnode :RE31 the new tree
reskey* - temp *(7) :REM the data to pass back
FOR i* - 0 TO 6
tree*(resptr* + i*) - temp*<i* ♦ 8)
tree*(node* + i*> - terrp*(i*>
NEXT I*
FOR i* - 7 TO 11 STEP 2 :REM Clear the unused bit
tree*(node* ♦ i*) - infinity*
tree*(node* ♦ i* + D - leaf*
NEXT t*
ENDPROC
REM**** The retrieval routine
DEF PROCretrieve(key* ,node*)
IF node* - leaf* ThEN PRINT "Key not found" : ENDPROC
place* - FNf indplace(key* , node*) :REM find where the
key is
IF place* - 0 ThEN GOTO 1770 : REM avoid trouble
IF tr ee*(node* + place* - 1) - key* ThEN
PRINT "Key found" : ENDPROC
PROCr etr ieve(key* , tr ee*(node* + place*)) :REM recurse
down
REM Must have to split
-FNdomser t<reskey* , resptr*, node*)
Find where to insert in node
IF” key* < tree*(node* + 1) ThEN -O :REM at beginning
l* " 11 sREM linear search through (from highest)
IF key* >- tree*(node* ♦ i*) ThEN
i* - I* - 2
GOTO 940
Insert a key
I represent nodes as 13 element sub-
divisions of a large array tree%. Thus we
have nodes consisting of elements 0-12,
1 3-25, 26-38 and so on. Every time I need a
new node I use FNgetnode to tell which
element in tree% to start with. Pointers to
nodes are represented as the element of
tree% with which that node starts. Thus a
pointer to the node starting at element 26
is represented by the value 26.
Within each node we have alternating
pointers and keys. For the node starting
with element 13 of tree%, p 0 would be
tree% (13), k-| would be tree% (14), p^
would be tree% (1 5) and so on up to pg at
page 53 ►
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
More than fun and games!
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50
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
FORTH
FORTH^^^^
IZ I DIMENSION
Paul Garfield
talks the lingo
F ORTH is a language developed in
the early 1970s as a control lan-
guage for machines. It is a compiled
language and therefore it is fast, its speed
being close to that of machine code,
although its vocabulary can be quickly
learned. It deals in integer maths only, and
does not handle strings as Basic does, but
where commands do not exist it is
possible to create new command words
with your own definitions-something that
is not possible in other languages.
Its interactive compiler allows very fast
development work on complex projects
(examples of which are given later). Its
only drawback is perhaps its use of
Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) in arith-
metical representation and a ‘stack’
system for mathematical work. The pro-
grammer has to put the maths into RPN
before the computer can work on it, so
that computer processing time is not
wasted in calculations.
The conventional infix notation yields
an expression of the following type:
3 + 4 =
In Forth this would be dealt with as follows:
34 +
which would be processed as follows:
Place 3 on the computer's arithmetic
stack, place 4 on top of that (it is best to
think of the stack as a pile of plates that
you can add to), perform an ADD
operation and place the result back on
the top of the stack. The 3 and 4 will have
gone, and a 7 will be found there if the
computer is told to print out the value on
the top of the stack.
A word could be developed that might
be used in a calculator-style application
with the word ADD. This is done with a
colon (:) definition:
: ADD + . ;
This would take two numbers from the
stack, add them and then print the result.
That is the effect of the full stop (.). The
semi-colon (;) must end all colon defi-
nitions. The user would now just type:
7 8 ADD < RETURN >
and the machine replies ‘15 ok’.
Now that we have seen an application
that can be used, let’s look more closely
into the language.
First, Forth can be implemented in
several ways. I have tried tape, disc and
ROM. The first two are available from
Acornsoft and Level 9 Computing, the
ROM version from HCCS. As with any
language that you load into RAM, you
loose some of the mode calls - typically
you cannot go below mode 4. The ROM
gives you all the space and very fast
graphics as well.
The programs in the article have been
run on all the systems, this having been
made possible by the uniformity imposed
by the Forth Interest Group (Fig). There
are two main types of Forth in use, Fig-
Forth and Forth-79. The differences are
small, as all the main words are clearly
defined. I have even written in Acorn Forth
and sent the ASCII source code to another
computer for compiling and running,
having tested it on a BBC. Try doing that
with some other languages!
The general differences in the dialects
appear to derive from the way different
systems use their editor. Extra words are
available, of course, to use functions such
as VDU commands, but these are not
really necessary, for it is not difficult to add
your own words when, say, you want a
graphics application. This saves filling
memory with unwanted cojmmands.
Let’s look at some of the most import-
ant words. There are a number of stack
operations, all of which can be tried out as
soon as the language is loaded. Remem-
ber that a comment like 7 is used to
represent a common word (you don’t
need the quotes).
Typing 2 3 will put those numbers onto
the stack. ‘DU P’ then '. . .’ will give 3 3 2. You
made a copy of 3. Now the stack is empty,
try another print. Notice the order. It is a
LIFO stack, meaning ‘last in, first out’
To make a copy of the second item on
the stack:
3 4 ‘OVER’
This is useful when doing the following:
a*(a + b). Conventionally Forth pro-
grammers write a ‘stack picture’ if they
want to sort out what is going on, so we
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52
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
I FORTH
can work out the procedure as follows:
a bon the stack
OVER aba
+ ab + a
* a*(b + a)
This can be tested in direct mode. Now
write a new word - any name up to 31
letters. Always begin with a colon and end
with a semi-colon:
: formula OVER + * . ;
To use it just put the values on the stack
using the 3 4 formula and out pops the
answer.
The Forth application from Level 9
includes a good version of Logo and
good editor facilities. The Acornsoft and
HCCS editors are line editors. If you are
going to write a number of words to make
up an application it is nice to keep the
source code, which is done by means of
the editor. A ‘screen’ is built up at a time
consisting of just 1 024 bytes ( 1 6 lines of 64
characters). Each new word can be tested
before the next is written, thus greatly
reducing debugging time. Then the word
is entered into the current screen, saved
and called back and compiled. Com-
ments can be included in each screen
by means of brackets, as can be seen in
the example below. Several screens can
be linked together, and machine code
routines can be built in if needed.
Listing 1 is a less trivial application that
shows the power of Forth. It examines the
memory, starting at a point in memory,
looks at the next n location and prints out
the ASCII code alongside - a memory
dump, in fact. The screen lines are
numbered and the comments are in
brackets. Note the ease with which you
can change base.
With two numbers on the stack, first the
starting address then the number of bytes,
use the program as follows:
8000 50 DUMP < RETURN >
lists 50 hexadecimal bytes from 8000 HEX
onwards.
The stack moves like this:—
ADDRNDUMP
NADDROVER
N ADDR ADDR DUP (DUPlicate)
ADDR ADDR N ROT (ROTate 3rd item
to top of STACK)
ADDR ADDR + N +
ADDR + N ADDR SWAP (This gives our
limits for the count like a FOR ... NEXT
' loop)
This looks a lot with all the comments, but
in fact is only 12 lines altogether. Loaded
and compiled into memory, it takes only a
small number of bytes. Notice that the job
is easy to break down into simple sub-
jobs, each of which can be coded
individually. Once LETOUT has been
defined, it can be tested.
Line 4 is needed only on the HCCS
version as there is no J loop counter, but
that is not a real problem. Most books on
Forth say that if you are nesting more than
twice you should be doing it another way!
FURTHER
READING
'Starting Forth’ by Leo Brodie
(Prentice-Hall)
‘Forth on the BBC Micro’ by R de
Grandis-Harrison (Acornsoft)
‘Welcome Forth' by J W Brown
(HCCS)
The Complete Forth' by Alan Win-
field (Sigma Technical Press)
Forth Programming' by Leo Scanlon
(Blacksburg)
Listing 1 . A memory dump in Forth
1 HEX ( select HEXadecimal )
2 3000 CONSTANT NO 8 NO C ! (a memory location called NO with 8 stored in
it )
3 3001 CONSTANT buff ( a memory location called buff where 8 bytes will be
stored )
4 : J RP@ 7 + @ • ( define a second loop counter J )
5 : LETOUT buff NO £ TYPE ;
( The main VERB is DUMP )
6 : DUMP CR OVER DUP ROT + SWAP DO
( Inner LOOP I 8 BYTES adding I and J gives real ADDRess C@ FETCHES the
value, make a DUPlicate PRINT it in 3 columns justified from the Right )
7 8 0 DO I J + C@ DUP 3 .R
( DUPlicate it again AND test for the limit 20 HEX to 7A HEX )
8 DUP DUP 20 > SWAP 7A < AND IF
( IF it is store it in our buffER Index by I ELSE forget it DROP and put a
DOT 2E instead )
9 I buff + C! ELSE DROP 2E
10 I buff + C! THEN LOOP
( DO all 8 times then goto LETOUT to TYPE the 8 ASCII characters )
11 2 SPACES LETOUT
( Carriage Return on a new line and jump 8 in the J LOOP )
12 CR 8 +LOOP DROP ;
B-TREES
◄ page 49
tree% (25). Since leaves hold no infor-
mation they can be represented by a
special pointer value, not used elsewhere,
leaf%. FNgetnode initialises the new
node with leaf% in all its pointers, and a
number larger than any possible key,
infinity% for all its keys.
The algorithm for lookup is similar to
that for a binary tree. To find an item x:
1 . Take the root as the first node.
2. Starting with the largest key, and
working down, find the first key so that
key < = x.
3. If there is no such key take the node
pointed to by pn. If this is a leaf ST OP - key
not found, ELSE GOTO 2
4. If the key = x then STOP - key found,
ELSE take the node pointed to by the
corresponding pointer (eg, if the key is k-j
take p-j ).
5. If this is a leaf STOP - key not found
ELSE GOTO 2
The function LNfindplace is used to do
stage 2.
Insertion is rather more complex. We
use a similar lookup method to find where
in the bottom level of the tree to put the
new item (FNinsert and FNdoinsert). If
there is room in this node we use
PROCinsertit to add the new item and
return TRUE to indicate successful inser-
tion. Otherwise, we call PROCsplitit to split
the node in two. We get a new node.
In the old node we leave pg and the
three smallest keys and their associated
pointers. In the new node we put the three
largest keys and their pointers as the
bottom three keys and pointers. This
leaves a key and a pointer. The pointer
becomes pq of the new node. The new
node is put in resptr% and the remaining
key in reskey%. These then must be
inserted into the parent node as a new key
pointer pair on return. FNdoinsert duly
returns FALSE to indicate that this must
be done to FNinsert. The whole process
then repeats recursively.
B-trees are particularly valuable for
databases stored on disc. In this case the
nodes become blocks on the disc and
pointers are the position of the block on
the disc. Nodes can be much larger to
take advantage of the size of a block (256
bytes on the Beeb DFS), and since they
are always guaranteed to be at least half
full they make efficient use of the space.
Finally since the tree is always balanced,
we know that the worst-case time for
lookup is minimised.
If you wish to implement a database
using B-trees you'll need additional in-
formation. Implementation details are well
covered in Data Structures and Al-
gorithms by Aho, Flopcroft and Ullman
(Addison-Wesley, 1983). The use of B-
trees for databases is explained clearly in
An Introduction to Database Systems by
C J Date, third edition (Addison-Wesley).
53
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Software News
INNOVAUVL
BBC SOFTWARE
from the professionals
ROM UTILITIES FOR THE BBC !
MOLI-TOOL
Moli-Tool is an essential programming aid/utility for the BBC Basic Programmer. As it is supplied on an EPROM
it simply pops into the socket in the BBC and is constantly available for use.
★ CHANGE — Used to alter one variable name to
another, or one string to another string within the
program.
★ CHARS — A quick reference chart which displays
normal ASCII characters and user defined characters,
with a cross reference to the character number.
★ FIND — Finds virtually anything, that the user
specifies, in the program. PROC, names, single letters,
or whatever, FIND will give you the line number.
★ FNKEY — Displays the definitions or functions
allocated to the function keys.
★ MEND — If you have a bad load, MEND will rescue
whatever part of the program was loaded in.
★ MEND+ — Mends programs which have been in
memory but have since become corrupted.
★ MOVE — Moves a Basic program up or down
in memory.
★ STRIP — Takes out all unnecessary spaces or REM
statements.
★ PAD — Puts spaces back in.
★ VAL — Extremely useful. Supplies you with a list of
the values of any current variables.
★ VLIST — Lists all referenced variable names in
the program.
£28.00 + £1.00p&p + V.A.T.
MICROMON
A powerful de-bugging tool and monitor, available on EPROM or tape. Micromon contains 23 commands which
are as follows and are self-explanatory.
1. Modify memory in ASCII.
2. Modify memory in hexadecimal.
3. Set a breakpoint.
4. List all breakpoints.
5. Remove a breakpoint.
6. Display memory.
7. Execute a CALL.
8. Find a stipulated string.
9. Find a stipulated byte.
10. Execute a jump to a specified address.
1 1 . Disassemble a stipulated section of memory.
12. Disassemble memory to the printer.
13. Change the contents of a register.
EPROM £28.00
TAPE £14.00
14. Change the contents of the program counter.
15. Trace the execution of a program by single
stepping.
16. Skip the next instruction in single stepping.
17. Single step the next instruction.
18. Dumpastipulated section of memory to the printer.
1 9. Dump the screen to printer.
20. Plug memory, that is to say, load a stipulated byte
into a block of memory.
21 . Move a block of memory from one part of memory
to another.
22. Move the memory display down by 64 bytes.
23. Move the memory display up by 64 bytes.
+ £1.00p & p + V.A.T.
+ £1.00p & p + V.A.T.
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
BEEB FORUM
Transfer to disc
IN THE December Beeb Forum Ian
Birnbaum suggested someone should
adapt his one-line tape-to-disc transfer
routine to cope with all sorts of programs.
The process isn’t simple, and the only
way to get all types of program loaded
and saved is to use a * LOAD command
at a fixed address, followed by a + SAVE
from the same fixed address. The *SAVE
command requires the program length.
The result of this + SAVE will be to
deposit the correct information on to the
disc in the program but will leave the file
information (read by +INFO) in a useless
state. It will contain the same fixed address
for all files, and the file-length, but no
record of load and execution addresses.
Users of machine code may have met
similar trouble already. Suppose you have
written an assembly language program
which assemblesthe code correctly and is
position-independent, but occupies the
space in which you need to assemble the
code. What I have done in the past is to
save the assembler program, alter PAGE,
re-load the program out of the way,
reassemble, and save the code.
OSFILE can help avoid all this. OSFILE
is an operating system routine, called via
&FFDD, which carries out tape and disc
housekeeping activities. A short article in
the October 1983 issue (page 66) showed
how OSFILE can load and merge
programs and tell if a file exists. It can also
be used to change the file information for
an existing file on a disc, including the
modification of the name and the various
addresses without touching the file cont-
ents. * RENAME uses the routine.
The transfer programs work as follows.
Program 3 is a loader program (see
yellow page iii) which contains at line 0 the
‘auto-run' routine by A Oliver (Forum,
October, page 52). It then shifts PAGE
down to the minimum value under which
the disc filing system will operate (thanks
to Joe Telford for this). It then chains the
main program which carries out the
transfer.
Program 4 is the business program and
uses mode 7 to give access to as much
memory as possible. As the program is
now located at &1 10Q, HIMEM can be set
to &1900, restricting the working area of
the loading and saving program and
freeing the whole memory from &1900 to
George Hill, your host this
month, takes up the tape-to-disc
challenge -plus random numbers,
error reporting, Assembler quirks
&7BFF as a ‘buffer’ for programs, files and
so on. OSFILE is defined, and space for
the program name and the required
control-block for OSFILE to work in are
reserved by the DIMs. The first two bytes of
the control-block are now made to ‘point
to’ the name. X% and Y% are similarly
made to point to the control-block, in
preparation for the CALL to OSFILE.
Now TAPE is selected, and the options
set to give full messages (+OPT1.2) and
to abort if a read error occurs ( * OPT2,2).
This latter may not be what you want, in
which case omit it. The screen is now
cleared and set up so that the Birnbaum
screen reading method can be used. This
finds the program’s name, its length, its
load address and execution address.
These are extracted from the screen
memory in PROCsave_fi!e. The next file on
the tape is loaded in at address &1 900.
The filing system is switched to disc,
and the values of A$, B$, C$ and D$ are
made equal to the strings on the screen at
the end of the + LOAD operation with
* OPT1 ,2 on. These are, for example:
M KEENTEST -''1 to t to c . F F F F toto F F F F 8to 1 1
rtame lit load
i ■
for the Basic program Screentest. The
information appears on line 5 of the
screen, which starts at memory address
&7CC8 (HIMEM + 100).
The name presents a problem as some
tapes (eg, the Forth language tape)
contain four or five programs with the
same name. The transfer program as it
stands will simply overwrite each
identically-named program with the suc-
ceeding one. This can be got round by
fiddling the names. One other suggestion
would be to have a ‘rolling’ directory letter
added to each program as it loads, so the
first is A.FORTH, the second B.FORTH,
etc. The transfer program reads only the
first nine letters of the name (1% = 0 to 8 at
line 300): and cuts out the last two, unless
there is a full stop (indicating a directory
letter) at position 2 (line 320).
Whatever you do, you must ensure that
the final name is either:
< one letter > < seven letters >
or
< seven letters >
otherwise there will be a fatal error. The
space reserved for the name is now poked
($name = ...)withthename,followedbya
carriage return (CHRS13).
The control-block is now emptied and
re-set so bytes 10 to 13 contain the start
address for the * SAVE, and bytes 1 4 to 1 7
the end address. The end address is the
start address (&1 900) plus the value of B$
in hex, calculated using EVAL ("&" + B$).
A% and byte 6 of control-block are both
set to 0 for a +SAVE command, and
OSFILE is called.
To adjust the addresses, a further call
to OSFILE is required. A% is set to 1 , and
the load and execution addresses and the
length are plinged (!) into the required
places in the control block (bytes 2 to 5, 6
to 9, and 10 to 13, respectively). Byte 14 is
set to 0, giving ‘open access’ files. If you
want to produce locked’ files line 540
would be
540 control-block !&E = 2
See the article ‘Protection racket’ in
February’s issue for a simple routine to
deal with locked files.
The following ideas could be used to
develop the routine. First, note that the OS
keeps a copy of the current filename and
file information when loading from tape.
This is located in page 3 at addresses as
follows:
&3B2 to &3BD - Filename (terminated
byO)
&3BE to &3C1 - Load address
&3C2 to &3C5 - Execution address
&3C8 to &3C9 - Length of file (note only
two bytes).
These can be used as an alternative
method of obtaining the file information,
replacing the Birnbaum screen read.
Next the method of causing the chang-
ing of PAGE to &1 100 for the running of
the program has been superseded by
STARRUN in the March issue.
Third the whole process can be accom-
plished via OSCLI using the fourth
(undocumented) parameter, which is the
RELOAD address for a file.
The disc copies produced will be exact
copies of the files on the tape. They will not
Beeb Forum is a platform for ideas, tips and applications relating to the BBC micro and the Electron,
intended for experienced programmers to share their thoughts. For every reader's tip published we
pay C5 - or more for something special. Contributions should be typed or printed, with substantial
listings on cassette. WRITE TO Beeb Forum, Acorn User, Redwood Publishing, London WC2E 9JH.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Previously you would need a ROM for these sort of
features... so compare with anything on the market
today— at over twice the price— and you will buy the
KANSAS WORD PROCESS
ECC-Embedded Control Characters-the method the professionals use
FACILITIES
Tape or disk
Holds 4.200 words in file
Selective search
Global search
Replace words selectively
Format to video or printer
Continuous printing
Separate sheet printing
Dr aft copy option
Select single or double spacing
Adjustable page length
Optional page numbering
Adjust left margin (4 options)
Adjust line length (4 options)
Centre text
Right justify
Print enlarged text
Print condensed text
Print emphasised text
Print normal text
Underscore on/off
Gives text area used
Gives text area available
Estimates memory location
Display pages
Insert text/ECCs to file
Delete text/ECCs from file
Move up to 255 characters
Duplicate up to 255 characters
Edit whilst adding text
Edit complete text file
Safeguard to Basic
Save file to tape/disk
Load file from tape/disk
ECC means that you are able to type away regardlessly of line ends, margins,
new lines or new paragraphs, as ECC does it al I— automatical ly.
All it requires is the pressing of the TAB key and a single letter, and hey
presto! you have a new paragraph, with of course a line space and indention,
exactly where you want. Other ECCs will adjust line lengths, varying
indentions or even change the printing characters.
Though originally designed for the professional, it is by far the best method
for the two finger typist, as there is no need for the amateur to take his or her
eyes off the 'copy' to see when the end of a line is reached. The Kansas Word
Processor sorts out all the split words during the Format stage, at the same
time as adjusting the length of line to suit either the video or the printer.
Though most so-called Word Processors for the BBC are nothing more than
letter writers, with the user having to set out paragraphs, indentions, etc.,
the Kansas Word Processor is exactly as the title states, a word processor. It
is thus suitable for any purpose requiring printed words, reports, articles, lists,
minutes and of course letters.
The ability to produce as many original copies as required makes it ideal for
when more copies are needed as can be done with a typewriter and carbons yet
where copying facilities are not readily available. And of course, not only can
•hard* copy be produced on paper, but copies can be saved to either disk or
tape, for future reference, use or editing.
As a single file will hold well over 4,000 words, articles, stones and the like
can be easily accomplished, saving each file separately, for subsequent editing
then printing as a whole.
In fact the possibilities for the uses of the Kansas Word Processor are
endless, owing to its sheer versatility. It really is a must for anyone with a
printer...
For sheer ease of use all the following controls are single keystroke toggling on
the function keys:
Add, Edit. Search, Replace. Save Text, Load Text, Inform, Exit Processor, Enter
Processor, Clear Text Area* First Page, Next Page, Previous Page, Last Page.
Insert Text. Delete Text, Insert Buffer, Clear Buffer. Format. Print.
ADD Allows the imputting of text and the embedded control
characters, continuously, with no need to adjust words to fit
line ends.
EDIT The full scope of the BBCs editing facilities apply
both during the adding of text and when completed.
SEARCH Search for any group of characters. Will show the
position of each occurrence.
REPLACE Used in conjuction with the Search facility,
you can replace existing characters with new characters.
This can either be global or selective. If global is selected,
every occurrence of the characters will be replaced. If you
select selective, the program will display every occurrence
arid you will have the option to replace or not.
FORMAT This allows the formatting of the assembled text
file, giving various options as to page length, numbering,
spacing, video or printer, etc.
PRINT Gives the options of draft or emphasised; continuous
or single sheets; double or single spacing; page number and
first number; lines per page; number of copies required.
SAVE TEXT Allows the saving of the current text file to
tape, with an option to save to disk.
LOAD TEXT This loads a text file from tape (with the
option of disk). Numerous text files can be loaded as the
one loaded does not destroy the text file already in the
program.
INFORM This gives the information of the file in memory and
the space still available.
EXIT PROCESSOR This will return the computer to Basic,
which is useful for # CAT text files, etc. and to position
tapes for loading or saving text files. You will not destroy
either the resident text file or the program.
ENTER PROCESSOR Used to enter the program after using the
previous command.
CLEAR TEXT AREA Resets all text pointers, clearing text.
FIRST PAGE NEXT PAGE PREVIOUS PAGE LAST PAGE The
commands display the text page as asked.
INSERT TEXT Use of cursor keys to insert text or ECCs into
existing text file.
DELETE TEXT Use of cursor keys to delete text.
INSERT BUFFER A buffer holding up to 255 characters can
be used to either move or duplicate text anywhere in the
file, even from page to page.
‘Kansas
* Pifw Ci
Complete package includes extensive instruction manual and fuction keys strip
Supplied on cassette with disk conversion instructions
£22.50 All inclusive
Recognised Brand Leader in microcomputer software
56
Kansas City Systems, Unit 3, Sutton Spings Wood, Chesterfield, S44 5XF. Tel: 0246 850357
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
BEEB FORUM
necessarily run in the form in which they
appear, though you will be able to LOAD,
*LOAD or *EXEC them. Details of the
pitfalls and tricks of tape-to-disc adapt-
ation would occupy another article.
‘Perfectly random’
IN DECEMBER'S issue, John O'Brien
asked for a way to obtain a 'perfect'
sequence of random numbers where no
number duplicates itself. Philip Blythe of
Aylesbury has provided just such a
routine for the Electron and BBC micro,
which is given as program 5.
Program 5. ‘Perfect’ random number
routine by Philip Blythe
• 10
MODE 7 #
20
DIM X(10)
# 30
A=1 *
• 40
REPEAT • '
• 50
T =RND (10) : Q= 1 #
60
IF X (Q) =T THEN
w
50 * 1
• 70
Q=Q+1 •
• 80
IF Q< 10 THEN 6<4 |
90
X ( A) =T : A=A+1 |
100
UNTIL AMO * i
• no
PR I NT " Per feet • 1
•
random numbers 11 7 m
120
FOR P=1 TO 10
*130
PRINT X(P) *
• 1 40
NEXT •
Wrong messages
A PROCEDURE from Andrew Woods of
Fruitgum Software(l) allows a user to
create error conditions in a program so
the error message (errorsS) will be printed
by REPORT and the error code (error%)
by PRINT ERR.
The routine (program 6) may be placed
anywhere in RAM, except zero cage, by
altering the value of e% inline 1010 Line
1060 may be omitted and placed any-
where in the program so that once the
procedure has been run once, it may be
called from any part of the program.
Similarly, other messages may be placed
in RAM and called as needed.
For example:
Program 7. Function key definitions prevent sideways ROMs
interacting. By Mark Clegg
10 JKEYOCLS: I . "Di sab* e Rom-" 17: J%=17+
&2A 1 : ? ( &70+ 1 V . ) =? J 7. : ?J7.=0 ! M
20*KEY1CLS: I. "Enable Rem-" 17.: J7.= I7.+S<2
A1 : ?J7.=?(&70+I7.) ! M
30*KEY2CLS:@7.=3:P. "Rom types-"' ' :F. 17.
=&2A1T0&2B0: P. "ROM", I7-&2A1, "IS TYPE" I
7.:N. :P. ’ ’ !M
10 IF A% < 0 PROCerror (100, "You
entered a negative number”)
will produce:
You entered a negative number
100 IF ERR = 100 GOTO...
ROM in command
commands which were duplicated in
other ROMs may now be used (OS 1 .2).
Key fl: Disable a particular ROM by its
number.
Key f2: Re-enables a disabled ROM,
again by number.
Key f3: Gives a list of the current ROM
types.
When using fl and f2 the system asks for
the ROM to be dis/enabled. This should
be entered as a number in the range 0 to
15 where the number is the actual device
number of the ROM to be acted upon. In
the Beeb, the four paged ROM sockets are
numbered 12 to 15 reading from west to
east with the keyboard facing towards
you.
If any ROM expansion boards are fitted,
the manufacturer's data should be con-
Program 6. Procedure to alter error handling by Andrew Woods
1 000
DEFPROCerror (
0 r r o r X ,j e r r o r
1 0 1 0
e/> ; &2F00
1 020
?e"/«~0 :: REM 0
i s BEK in rn
1 030
e X ? 1 — e r r o r % s
REM value
1 040
e % $ 2 - e r r o r $ r.
REM message
1 050
e7*?LEN(eX*2>«
0
1 060
CALL eX
1 070
END P ROC
(chine code
>r ERR
■for REPORT
suited for the ROM numbers.
Mark Clegg from Rossendale provided
this tip.
Assembler quirks
MRSHILLfrom London has pointed out a
difference in the way Basic and the
Assembler in the BBC micro and Electron
handle expressions containing illegal hex
values. When confronted with:
PRINT &20E (that’s O not zero)
Basic returns the error message 'no such
variable'. The O and all the following
characters are ignored.
However, the Assembler acts differ-
ently. The expressions:
LDA #&20E or LDA &20E
are assembled as
LDA #&02 or LDA &02
repectively, but no error message is
generated, even if OPT 3 has been
selected!
The reason for this lies in the routine the
Assembler uses to evaluate the hexi-
decimal number, which is so written that it
exits when it meets the first non-hex
character. Therefore, the ASCII hex to
binary conversion routine within exits on
meeting the O - after the 2 has been
correctly evaluated and is subsequently
assembled as the operand.
Another quirk of the way this conver-
sion routine works is that if more than two
bytes are expressed as an operand
address it is the last top bytes that are
assembled, any preceding bytes are
dropped. Thus the line
LDA &CAFE9
would be assembled as:
AD E9AF LDA &CAFE9
the address assembled as the operand
being &AFE9.
The subject of Os and 0s throws up an
interesting challenge. It would be useful if
the Beeb could be made to interpret O asO
if it was obviously being used to form a
number, be it hex or decimal. Can anyone
provide a routine that will allow this? CIO
awaits the best solution which is transpa-
rent to the user.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Everything's remotely possible
with Telemod 1 At around £84.
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58
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
GRAPHICS
LEADER OF
THE RACK
T HE most alluring aspect of any game
is usually the graphics. Even the
most uninteresting program can be
enhanced by putting pictures on the
screen. Take a card game, for instance -
Pontoon, Whist, Patience - where the
images are an essential ingredient. The
first step is to produce a blank card that
may be printed in any colour at any
position on the screen.
There are two ways of doing this. First
the card may be produced by means of
filling in two adjacent triangles with the
PLOT 85 command as follows (see also
full program, listing 1 , yellow page iv):
Parti
T o produce the card, type:
MODE 1 then PROC_draw_card(A,B,C)
where A is the horizontal position across
the screen on which the bottom right
hand corner of the card should be
situated and B its vertical position up the
screen (figure 1 ). C is the colour that it is to
be printed in (figure 2). For example:
PROC_draw_card(540,360,3)
card (you may use either method 1 or 2)
the next stage is to produce the card
through a program. The x_coord and
y_coord numbers can be stored in data
lines and called as in part 3, for example.
Part 3
Now to producing an emblem for the
back of the cards. As this is written for the
BBC computer (there is no reason why it
should not work on an Electron) I decided
to use the BBC owl logo.
To do this you use the user-definable
characters of the BBC. The first step to
produce a character is to draw it as a
series of dots on an 8 x 8 matrix. As the owl
takes up more than one 8x8 matrix you
will use a series of characters placed
together (figure 4).
Every computer character -eg A, 1,z, ?
- has a unique code. The code for A is 65,
so to produce this letter you could type
PRINT CHR$(65). The codes from 224 to
255 are left blank and by using the VDU
command you can define them to be any
shape or character you like on an 8 x 8
matrix.
Alan Samuels
deals a useful
hand of routines
for brighter play
Figure 4. The owl is made up of a group of
defined characters
0 + 2 + 8 + 32 + 128 = 170
Now we have to allot these numbers to a
character code which may be any num-
ber from 224 to 255. Taking 224 as an
example, the command would be:
VDU 23,224, 1 70,65, 1 36,20, 1 36,65, 1 60,80
will print a card in the centre of the screen
in white.
This is done by moving the graphics
cursor, first to point 1 in figure 3, then to
point 2. Issuing a PLOT 85 command
moves it to point 3 and colours in triangle
A. The cursor is moved to point 4 and
another PLOT 85 command issued, and it
then moves to point 5- the starting point -
and produces the adjacent triangle B.
Line 1 01 0 defines the colour to be first.
Part 2
Another way to produce a rectangle is to
define a graphics window and colour it in
as follows: line 1 040 is added to ‘break’ the
graphics window once it is no longer
needed. It is always good practice to do
this as a graphics window accidentally left
prevents the display of graphics on any
other part of the screen.
As in the other method, the card is
produced with the line
PROC_draw_card(540,360,3)
Now you have a method of drawing a
Figure 1 . Position the card on the screen
To convert the shape into something
the computer will understand, add up the
dots as follows (figure 5): start with the 0. If
the first square on the right of the first
horizontal line is shaded, add 1. If the
second is shaded add 2 and so on,
doubling the number to be added each
time. Follow this process for each horiz-
ontal line. For example, with the first line of
the first character of the owl the second,
fourth, sixth and eighth squares are
shaded so add:
Figure 3. Drawing the card by cursor control
Black 0 Yellow 2
Red 1 White 3
Figure 2. Colour table for mode 1
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
62
GRAPHICS
The numbers 23 and 224 tell the computer
that you are defining character 224. The
other numbers are the sum of the shaded
squares of each horizontal line. PRINT
CHR$(224) will print this shape.
To produce the whole owl repeat this
process for each 8x8 matrix, not
forgetting to store the numbers in different
characters (the third and sixth shapes are
the same so have to be defined only
once).
‘The emblem may
be drawn anywhere
on the screen’
Part 4
Line 2090 causes the variable designs to
be all the characters of the owl added
together, so the command PRINT designs
will print the owl. (The CHRS8 command
causes the cursor to move back one
space and the CHRS1 0 command causes
it to move down one line.) Now add in line
1 5 PROC_design so that the computer will
know what the defined shapes are.
The next stage is to print the design on
the back of the cards. To do this we define
a procedure which will be called when the
blank card has been drawn.
Par15
To call this procedure you have to add a
line to the procedure called PROC_draw
_card. If you copied out method 1 add:
1 065 PROC _ print _ design (x _ coord
+ 70,y_coord + 170.1)
128 Figure 5. Convert-
64 ing the pattern
32 into numbers
Figure 6. The design is positioned on the card
If you used method 2 add:
1045 PROC _ print _ design (x _ coord
+ 70,y_coord + 170,1)
The reason for the added numbers can
be seen in figure 6.
The top right of the owl emblem is 70
dots further along the horizontal line and
170 dots higher up than the bottom right
■ ■
■ ■
Figure 7. Shapes to suit - clubs, diamonds,
hearts, spades
of the card. Line 3010 joins the text and
graphics cursors so that the emblem may
be drawn in an exact position anywhere
on the screen instead of just any one of 40
positions on 32 lines.
In PROC_print_design lines 3050 to
31 00 just add a few lines to the back of the
card.
Now that you have the card design all
you need is to define shapes for hearts,
clubs, diamonds and spades. This is done
in the same way as the owl^figure 7).
Part 6
Add line 16 PROC_characters to inform
the computer of the defined characters.
So to print a specific suit you merely call
PROC_characters and type PRINT club$
or hearts, etc.
You should now have the full program
(listing 1).
Parti
iOOO DEF PROC draw card <k courd,y coord,
col our )
1010 GCOL O, co lour
1020 MOVE x _ coord , y_ coord
1030 MOVE x _coord+200,y_coord
1040 PLOT 85 , x coor d+200 , y coor d +290
1050 MOVE x coord , y_coord+290
1 060 PLOT 85 , m c oor d , y c oor d
1070 ENDPROC
Part 2
1000 DEF^ PROC dr aw„car d (x ^coor d , y„coord , col our )
1 0 1 0 VDU 24 , x .coord ; y _coord; x _c oor d+200; y .coord
+290;
1020 GCOL 0, 128+col our
1030 CLG
1040 VDU 26
1050 ENDPROC
Part 3
10 MODE 1
20 FOR card positions ® 1 TO 100
30 READ x coord,y_coord
40 PROC dr aw car d <x_coord , y_coord , 7)
50 NEXT card_posi tions
60 END
500 DA FA 560 , 55 , 620 , 55 , 880 , 55 , 360 , 375, 620 , 375 ,
880,375
Part 4
2000 DEF PROC_design
2010 VDU 23,224,170,65,136,20,136,65,160,80
2020 VDU 23,225,170,65,136,20,8,65,130,4
2030 VDU 23 , 226 , 1 70 ,85,1 70 ,85,42,21,10,5
2040 VDU 23,227,168,0,128,0,128,64,160,80
2050 VDU 23,228,2,1,2,85,0,0,0,0
2060 VDU 23,229,160,84,34,81,0,0,0,0
2070 VDU 23,230,128,0,128,0,128,0,128,0
2080 VDU 23,231,128,0,128,0,128,0,0,0
2090 design* = CHR*224 + CHRS225 + CHR*230 +
CHR*8 + CHR*B + CHR$8 + GHR*10 + C
HR*226 + CHR*227 + C HR* 230 + CHR*8 + CHR*8 +
CHRSB + CHR*10 + CHR*228 + CHR*229
+ CHRS231
2100 ENDPROC
Parts
3000 DEF PROC_pr i nt design coord, y^coord , colour)
3010 VDU 5
3020 BCOL 0, col our
3030 MOVE x ..coord , y coord
3040 PRINT design*
3050 MOVE >5 coord-10, y coord+80
3060 DRAW x .coord-30, y coord+80
3070 DRAW x _c oor d -30 , yuc oor d +60
3080 MOVE x_coor d+80 , y _c:oor d- 1 40
3090 DRAW x jc oor d+ 100, y .coord- 140
3100 DRAW x .coor d+ 100, y coord- 120
3110 ENDPROC
Part 6
6000 DEF PROC characters
60 1 0 VDU 23 , 232 ,8,28, 28 , 1 07 ,127,107,8,28
6020 VDU 23,233,8,28,62, 127,62,28, B,0
6030 VDU 23,234,54,127,127,127,62,28.8,0
6040 VDU 23,235,8,28,62, 127, 127, 127, 2B , 62
6050 club*=CHR*232: di amond*=CHR*233s
hear t*=CHR*234 : spade*=CHR*235
6060 ENDPROC
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
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63
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
“THE BEST AND FASTEST SERVICE
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CONFUSED by the growing choice of BBC programs? We can help. We've played hundreds to choose the best (like the ones on this page.) Details
in our catalogue - free with your order. It’s the only catalogue to give details of the best, omit the rest and quote all the reviews. All programs work
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P I Jk Fj p Brond-new 20 SCREEN fully animated graphic gome. (It s
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I L I II IV !■ ft <3 I IV I graphic + text adventure
Each chapter loads separately and you must finish eoch to reach the next! Con you unravel
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Frolics (realtime text adventure: collect information, not obiects) ond in European Trek
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O fjj For children of all ages, the bargom of the year! Four arcade games
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FORTRESS
Too new for reviews, this ‘ZAXXON’ type game works
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you It is a classic computer game, in a smashing 3D graphic form. All the features you would
expect, plus a Hall of Fame Fast and furious. STIX OK (Poce) £8.95
O I A very realistic simulation in this game for two players. (With very good
■ Vw Vw k Scott Joplin music, too!) You can play solo to perfect your technique.
Excellent and smooth hi res colour grophics make the full-screen table a pleasure to play on.
You control the cue angle and strength of shot and can get it down to a fine art Choose the
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LORDS OF TIME
Some of the most intriguing puzzles I've
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CompWkly] Executed with wonderful style highly recommended (PopCompWkly)
In this text-puzzle adventure you must collect 9 obiects, each marked with an hourglass, from
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HI k| F> I I D ^k C As professional a piece of software
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One exomple is included, but the fun is designing, ploying and saving your own You can add
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NO STIX (Kon»o») £9.90
BIRDIE BARRAGE
Very little to fault well-presented,
and as accurate as you re going to
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TWIN KINGDOM VALLEY ZZ.
classic an involved and difficult adventure the excellent grophics add to the enjoyment
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65
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66
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
1 3D GRAPHICS
SOFT POTTERY
Malcolm Banthorpe, who brought graphics to life in
earlier issues, now sets them spinning about an axis
T HE graphics featured in my previous
articles on ‘Life’ and ‘Adding a new
dimension to Life' (January and
March 1984 issues) were largely confined
to plotting cubes, each cube being
displayed as the three surfaces assumed
by the program to be facing the viewpoint.
This assumption, coupled with the order
in which the cubes were plotted, made it
possible to implement a simple form of
hidden surface removal without getting
involved in mathematical calculation. I
also showed how cubes can be used as
building blocks for more elaborate 3D
structures by using them as components
of three-dimensional lettering.
At the heart of the programs was a
procedure called PROCpIot, which took
four arguments and performed the pers-
pective projection of 3D co-ordinates. The
procedure, with one important difference,
is central to the two programs in this
article. To recapitulate on its use, a call to
the procedure takes the form:
PROCpIot (K.X.Y.Z)
where K is similar to the first argument of a
Basic PLOT command and determines
whether the action will be a move, a solid
or dotted line or a filled triangle. The
remaining three arguments correspond
to X, Y and Z co-ordinates. The procedure
as given previously also contained limited
provision to rotate a point around the
origin of the X and Y axes.
The difference in the new version is that
its action is limited to perspective projec-
tion and three new procedures are
A sphere . . .
Acone...
defined to give independent rotation
around the X, Y and Z axes. This offers
more flexibility in the way that shapes can
be manipulated.
Armed with the general-purpose
PROCpIot, it is possible to draw a wire-
frame representation of just about any
shape, provided you are able to specify
the co-ordinates of all the vertices in the
form of data statements. Therein lies a
possible snag. Anyone who has tried
compiling such a set of co-ordinates
would probably testify that it can be
tedious to work out in advance all the
vertices of anything but the simplest of
three dimensional shapes.
The shapes featured here neatly side-
step the hard work by having their co-
ordinates entirely defined as well as
plotted by the computer. All the shapes
are the result of rotating a two-
dimensional profile around a vertical axis.
As it is possible to rotate the shapes
themselves, the axis of rotation does not
have to appear vertical on the display.
Some of the results can have the ap-
pearance of vases and other 'thrown'
pottery - hence the title. Both programs
are software versions of a potter's wheel -
and you don’t get your hands dirty.
By rotating a single vertical line around
a vertical axis we can get some sugges-
tion of the outline of a cylinder (figures 1
and 2). Figure 2 consists of the ten images
of the line that results from rotating it
through one complete revolution in 36
degree steps. So far it doesn't look very
promising as there is not enough depth
information to make it clear that these ten
lines represent a cylinder.
A considerable improvement is gained
by linking the lines with a series of
horizontal rings (figure 3). The surface of
the cylinder is now broken down into a
series of facets and begins to look more
like a normal wire-frame representation.
As with all such images there is some
ambiguity and there is nothing like a real
curve, only straight-line approximations.
This version succeeds to some extent
because the perspective effect of making
the nearer facets appear larger than
those on the rear surface helps interpre-
tation of the two-dimensional image as
having depth.
The program of listing 1 (yellow page v)
draws this cylinder and other wire-frame
solids which can be described by rotating
a profile. PROCrotateX, PROCrotateY
and PROCrotateZ allow the rotation of
any co-ordinates around the X, Y and Z
axes respectively. A procedure call takes
the form:
PROCrotateX (X,Y,Z, A)
which will rotate the point X, Y, Z by A
degrees around the X axis. The rotated
co-ordinates are returned in the variables
x%, y% and z%. The other two pro-
cedures operate similarly and also return
the co-ordinates in x%, y% and z%.
While PROCrotateY is used to generate
the shape s outline, PROCrotateX and
PROCrotateY can be used to rotate the
whole shape.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
3D GRAPHICS
The program starts by asking for a
function describing the profile to be typed
in. To draw a cylinder, simply enter any
number corresponding to its radius.
Something in the order of 400 or 500 is a
suitable value. Next, the program asks for
rotation (in degrees) around the X and Z
axes. To save processing —
PROC rotate X
and PROC
rotate Z are \
not called if 1
rotation 1
angles of zero 1
have been en- 1 Muffo
tered.Toplotan I
un-rotated 1 x'w/*
shape simply \ J
press RETURN \ >vVr*.
when these I
V ,T cP'
angles are I
requested. Figure 4 I ^
shows six views of
the cylinder obtained
by entering various combinations of
angles.
To change the overall shape we need
to modulate the rotated line. The simplest
variation is probably to make the line
slope towards the axis of rotation. This
can be achieved by entering the
functions:
you enter should not exceed 600, other-
wise part of the plotting will be off the
screen.
If you can't think of any different
functions, try changing the numbers in
the examples sgiven so far, or even
substituting RND functions.
- I In general, sine and
1 cosine functions lend
r I themselves well to curves
^ 1 of this kind but just
1 about anything you can
1 think of is worth a try -
1 but make sure the
I syntax of the function
1 you enter is valid,
I otherwise,
* I although
‘•J*'*’ I initially accepted
! | h» the program,
range of rotations of the shapes but it is
much simpler than other methods of
hidden surface removal.
The exact degree of rotation possible
will be different for each function plotted
as it depends to some extent on the nature
of the shape. A certain amount of
experiment will be needed to give you
some idea of what is possible. It is always
safe to start with an upright shape (X and
Z rotations of zero).
Listing 2 again starts by asking for the
function to be plotted. As mentioned,
plotting takes considerably longer, even
to reach a stage which gives a reasonable
idea of the final shape. To save wasting
time on plotting unpromising shapes, the
program next draws the profile as a single
line and asks whether you want to
continue. The vertical axis of rotation is
also shown as a dotted line. The plot may
t herefore be abandoned at this stage
^ ^ and another function entered.
50*(10-V%)
(V% is the variable used by the program
to hold the vertical step number. There are
ten vertical and ten rotational steps.)
The result is the cone of figure 5. Both
angles of rotation are zero in this
illustration but the cone can be moved
around, as the cylinder was, to give the
effect of a changing viewpoint.
The profile to be rotated is initially
stored by the program in the array called
Profile%
If the function to be plotted is now
entered as:
SQR (500 2- (500- V%* 100) 2)
a crude version of a sphere is drawn
(figure 6). This is not particularly satis-
factory as a representation because the
facets are too large to allow more than a
rough approximation of a curved surface.
Other variations in the shape are
possible by substituting functions for
more complex profiles (figures 7 and 8).
The function used here was:
300 + 220*SIN(1+V%/2)
In figure 8 it has been tipped forwards by
entering an X rotation of -60 degrees.
The possibilities for generating new
rotated shapes are limited only by your
patience to enter expressions and wait to
see what appears on the screen. Bearing
in mind that V% varies in value from 0 at
the base to 1 0 at the top of the shape, the
maximum absolute value of any function
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
'Syntax error in line 120' or 'No such
variable in line 120' message will be
generated when it comes to evaluating
the expression.
A couple more suggestions to try in this
program are:
100*(5-V%)
and
300*COS(1.5*V%*PI/10)
There are two main ways in which the
appearance of these shapes can be
improved, both incorporated in listing 2.
First, to improve the smoothness of the
curves, the number of facets is increased
by quadrupling the number of vertical
steps and increasing the number of
rotational steps from 10 to 72. This
increases the number of facets from 100
to 2880 and inevitably the time required to
plot them all. Second, to remove much of
the ambiguity in the image, a simple form
of hidden surface removal is employed.
Each facet is drawn as a filled quadri-
lateral rather than just an outline.
The idea behind this is similar to that
used on the cubes in the previous article.
Facets are drawn starting with those that
are assumed to be furthest from the
viewpoint so that they will subsequently be
erased by any facets plotted later, which
theoretically lie between them and the
viewpoint. This will work for only a limited
A suitable function to try first would be:
300 + 220*SIN (1 + V%/8)
If each of the facets was simply plotted
as a uniformly filled quadrilateral then
they would all merge together visually, for
the edges of the facets would not be
visible. The result would be a flat shape
with the 3D effect lost. One solution
would be to plot the edges in a different
colour to give a surface grid effect not I
unlike the wire frames of the first pro- J
gram. An alternative,
incorporated in this program, is to plot
adjacent facets in different colours and
thus give the shape a surface pattern.
The colour can be determined by a
second function of the vertical and/or
rotational steps. The function chosen
should return a range of values from 1 to 3
as plotting is done in mode 1 and there are
three logical foreground colours avail-
able. The background is logical colour 0.
black unless otherwise defined. The
program therefore next asks for a func-
tion to determine the surface pattern. A
suitable function to try is:
1 +V%MOD3
1 3D GRAPHICS
‘The exact degree
of rotation
possible will be
different for each
function plotted
as it depends on
the nature of the
shape. Some
experimentation
will be needed’
rotat ion
rotated
Figure 1. A vertical line
rotated round a vertical axis
Figure 3. The ten lines are linked with hoops
Figure 2. The cylinder emerges
which will give a series of horizontal
stripes. The variable V% again holds the
vertical step number from 0 to 40. while
H% holds the rotational position and is
incremented in steps of five from 0 to 180.
The shape is drawn in two halves and a
variable S%, which has the value of either
- 1 or 1 depending on whether the right
or left half of the shape is being plotted,
may also be included in the pattern
function. The colours displayed can,
of course, be varied by means of the
VDU19. . . . statement in line 270.
In most other respects the second
program behaves like the first, and most
of the same shape functions can be used
if they are modified to take account of the
increased number of vertical steps. The
cone function becomes:
12* (40 -V%)
and the sphere function becomes:
SQR (500 2- (500 - 25* V%) 2).
Again, the variety of shapes that can be
plotted is limited only by your willingness
to try out different functions. The hidden-
surface effect will not work if the profile
crosses the axis of rotation, though the
.result may still be interesting. In other
words, the preliminary profile drawn by
the program should not cross the dotted
line and should remain to the right of it if
... These are the possibilities of an outline
rotating round an X axis. Above and left is a
single shape at two different angles of
rotation in which the hidden surface effect is
maintained. A regular grid has been added
as a base.
you want a realistic-looking display. You
may find it interesting to try writing a
procedure using PROCpIot and the
rotation procedures to draw a grid for
your vessel to stand on. The lower edge of
all the shapes is centred at co-ordinates
0,-500,0.
Here are some more functions to try:
Profiles
300 + 220* COS
(V%/5* .5) - 100* SIN (V%* .375)
300 + 250*COS ((40 — V%)/8.8) -25
*SIN((40-V%)*.375)
Patterns
1 +(((H%*S% + 180+ (S% = 1))DIV
20 + V%DIV4)) MOD3
2+ (H%DIV5— (S% = 1)) MOD2
1 + ((H% * S% + 180) DIV5 + V% +
(S% = 1))MOD3
PROCpIot, PROCrotateX, PROCrotateY
and PROCrotateZ constitute a suitable
starting point for a wide variety of 3D
plotting tasks. I hope these and the
illustrations on these pages give readers
otherwise deterred by the mathematical
treatment of the subject in many text-
books the tools and the inspiration to
develop their own ideas.
See page 71 for the remainder of the
wireframe figures developed in the text of
this article.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
CENT18UG £7.95
- v The centibug descends from the top of the
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|| features Include: spiders, snails, flies, 6 skill
/ levels. hi-score, rankings, and increasing
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AUENDAOPOUT £7.95 INVADERS
A novel and unusual program. Arcade-action 48 marching invaders drop bombs that slowly
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The objective of the game is to shoot the aliens spaceship (normal and double speed) fly over
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exploding as they hit the ground. The game rankings, superbgraptyc^ifKJsound.
features include: 6 skill levels, rankings, hk • , <' * f jbf, i
score, increasing difficulty. Q ^ ‘ V-/
ULIOAID G€OGAAPHV £7.95
This program covers 166 countries which are
divided into 8 categories of difficulty. Each
country is pinpointed on on accurate hi-
resolution screen map of the world, and the
user is asked the capital and/or population. At
the end of the test, the percentage of correct
answers is given, so that the student can easily
monitor his Increasing geographical
knowledge.
FRUIT MACHINE £7.95
Probably the best fruit machine
implementation on the market This program
has it all . . . HOLD, NUDGE. GAMBLE, spinning
reels, realistic fruits and sound effects, multiple
winning lines. This isTHE fruit machine program
to buy.
CONSTELLATION £7.95
This fascinating program enables the user to
"view the stars" from any point on the Earth's
surface, on any date and at any time. A total of
455 stars in 50 constellations may be viewed,
and the "telescope" may be moved up. down,
left or right, zoomed in or zoomed out. The stars
con be displayed by magnitude or
constellation.
DISASSEMBLER £7.95
A relocatable disassembler which, unlike some
similar programs, allows the disassembled
source code to be output to memory. It may
then be modified and re-assembled. Other
features: page-mode option, output to printer
if required, output of ASCII symbols if required.
pr
•>
mi
•>
1 ****
•
Ul€ PAY UP TO 20% ROYALTIES FOR HIGH OIIAUIY ARC MICRO AND ELECTRON PROGRAMS
| 3D GRAPHICS
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
We’ve just won an award for blowin;
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You know the story, the Micro you
thought would give endless hours of fun soon
becomes a five minute wonder. You get bored
and dump it on the shelf to gather dust.
With the introduction of Micronet
800 you now have access to a vast mouth-
watering menu of facts, figures and fun.
If we said it was a major breakthrough
in microcomputer technolog)' we wouldn’t
be going over the top.
Just recently at the Which
Computer Show we picked up
the prestigious RITA award tor
Systems Innovation of the Year.
RITA is the ‘Oscar’ of the
computer industry. Judged and
sponsored by the major forces in
related institutes, associations
and publications.
1 Incredibly all it costs is just a
pound a week to take up a subscription to
the Micronet system. Plus, for most of you,
a local telephone call whenever you want
to connect up.
Then you’ve got 30,000 pages at your
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Interact with our daily news update.
You can even take over the world; competing
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system, in our ‘Stamet’ game.
If we haven’t won you over with that
then try downloading our wide selection of
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Naturally, you can run household
accounts, manage businesses, talk to other
subscribers nationwide using the system.
The list is endless and so is the fun.
The only addition you need to connect
with Micronet 800 is a modem unit.
Apart from that all you’ll want is a pen
to fill in the coupon tor more information.
Then we’ll have you linked up in no time.
Before the dust settles,
in fact.
Please send me the lull (acts about 1
Micronet 800.
Name
Make Model ol Micro
Address _
Telephone
MICRONF.T 800, Scriptor Court, 155 Farringdon Road, l ondon EC1R3AD
Telephone 01-278 3143. . . , . • Circle No. 1 29
MICRON K I 800. Scriptor Court, 155 Farringdon Road, London EC1R1AD. Telephone 01-278 5143.
~Pristci ami the Prestel symbol are trademarks ot Hnmh Telecommunications.
WHAT RESOLUTION
FOR ONIY£23r
Our RGB high resolution colour monitors
(580 x 470 pixels) sell for <£229 95 (excluding VAT)-a
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That’s a bargain we guarantee you won’t see from
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We’ve managed to acquire the sole distribution
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And just because you’re saving on price doesn’t
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For those who only require medium
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<£17995 (excluding VAT) which is equally excellent value
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Both units have a 14" screen and are suitable for
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MODEL REFERENCE
1302 2 High Resolution
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RESOLUTION
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CRT
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SUPPLY
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6MHz
DISPLAY
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INPUT VIDEO
R G B Analogue/
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SYNC
Separate Sync on R.G.B
Positive or Negative
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EXTERNAL CONTROLS
On/off switch and
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Electron and most other leading micros.
And naturally there’s a years full guarantee.
Another one of our commitments is to make
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You can order by filling in the coupon below and
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Please send me:
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
ACORN USER
SOFTWARE
FOR THE BBC MICRO AND ELECTRON
PI | |Q
rbwo
ARTICLE LISTINGS
ON CASSETTE
Yes, at last, the tape you've been
crying out for! Save the wear on your
fingers by sending for one of our
cassettes giving all the major listings
in this issue.
Each cassette costs £3.75 (inclusive)
for the Electron and BBC micro. This
includes a menu and disc transfer
routine to help you find your way
around - and use on your own
ON DISC AND CASSETTE
Two quality, full colour games to test your skill,
nerve and cunning.
Each £7.95 per cassette or £1 0.95 per disc (40/80 track).
Price includes VAT and postage.
Both games need OS1 .0, or later, and 32k.
SWORD MASTER is one of the few
two-player games around, and is
designed for joystick or keyboard.
Sword Master by Ken Worrall is
based on the fencing rules written in
1190 by Herman von Salza for the
Deutscritter Order of Teutonic
Knights. It features full-colour ma-
chine code animation of a sword
duel between the players shown on
screen as knights.
Full instructions, music, sound
effects, player rankings (from Green-
horn to Swordmaster) and a roll of
honour (which can be saved) are all
included. The game also closely
reflects the rules, style and dress of
the Deutscritter Order.
TMs is ths strort rang* scan <S.R S >
It shows on* arsa and givss r*l*v*n<
datalls about tho stats o# tbs
starship . Your ship is tbs gsllou ♦
Trek was the first game to take
advantage of voice synthesis on the
BBC micro - and uses joystick or
keyboard.
Trek puts you in charge of a
Starship with the task of wiping out
an alien fleet. It’s an excellent adap-
tation of the classic game with 7
screen displays, 3 on-board com-
puters and 2 weapon systems.
Versions have been written for
BBC micro and Electron to use both
machines to their full. The BBC tape
uses voice synthesis (if the chips are
fitted).
The game has been extensively
developed from Tim Heaton’s
famous Trek III. It barely fits into 32k.
DISC UPGRADE SERVICE
Return your cassette of Trek or Swordmaster, and we will exchange it
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The tapes come with BBC programs
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, mmmm
2732
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in Acorn User
listings
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£7 95 CASSETTE £11 95 DISK
:il> ItOMII ALLEY
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3D ACTION. SOUND EFFECTS. BEAUTIFUL GRAPHICS BBC MODEL B £7 95 CASSETTE £11 95 DISK
ATTACK Ofl
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Spooks D Spiders
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SOUND EFFECTS, EXCELLENT GRAPHICS, BBC MOCflPl B.
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VORTEX
VORTEX
(Acorn. Electron )
AHACirgr
ALPHACENTOURI
30-BOMB ALLEY
Gunsmoke
EAGLES WING
SPOOKS &
SPIDERS
| PROGRAMMING
BASIC
INCREASE
IN
SPEED
&
SPACE
Time yourself as
your technique
improves, says
GarySmallridge
T HE BBC Basic interpreter is fast in
execution, but some Basic
programs need to run really fast-for
arcade games, sorting and searching, for
example. An experienced programmer
would probably use machine code for
time-critical operations but the less adept
programmer has to make do with the
Basic interpreter.
The following guide is intended to help
novice users of BBC Basic (and also
Electron users) with writing programs. It is
a collection of useful tips and experience
gained in writing programs for the BBC
machineand a Basic interpreterfor a DEC
VAX.
Improving program speed
1. With expressions, remove common
denominators. For example, consider the
following Basic line:
A = B/100 + C/100
Removing the division by 1 00 and placing
outside the expression will improve speed,
ie:
A = (B + C)/100
Try typing in program 1 and running it.
Note the time taken and then type in this
modification to line 60:
60 A = (B + C)/D
Notice that the running time taken this
time is 31 per cent less than the previous
time!
2. Multiplication is generally more efficient
than using division. This can be demon-
strated by typing in the following modifi-
cations to the program and running it:
30 D = 0.01
60A=(B + C)*D
The gain in speed isn’t much this time -
only 4% - but if points 1 and 2 were both
adopted in the same program, the overall
improvement would be as much as 33 per
cent.
3. Avoid GOTOs wherever possible, other-
wise the interpreter has to search through
the whole program to find the destination
line number. In contrast, with REPEAT ...
UNTIL or FOR . . . NEXT constructs, the
interpreter ‘remembers’ where the start of
the loop is.
4. FOR ... NEXT loops are faster than
REPEAT . . . UNTIL loops and REPEAT . . .
UNTIL loops are faster than IF . . . THEN
GOTO loops (see User Guide, page 194).
5. Using GOSUBs is faster than using
PROCedures. Although this greatly re-
duces the readability of the program, it will
speed it up. This is contrary to what the
User Guide says on page 195 can
acorn user jdrteim
10 REM Program 1
# 20 B=2:C=3
• 30 D=100
# 40 T=TIME
50 FOR 1=1 TO 1000
# 60 A = B/D + C/D
• 70 NEXT
>RUN
A=5E-2 T i me=574
>60 A = (B+C)/D
>RUN
A= 5E-2 Time=396
>30 D=0. 01
>60 A = (B+C> *D
" >RUN
A=5E— 2 Time=379
# 80 F'R I NT " A= " ; A , " T i me=
; TIME-T
Program 1 .
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| PROGRAMMING
•
•
10
REM Program 2
1010 RETURN
•
•
A
20
T=T I ME
1020
•
w
a
30
FOR 1=1 TO 1000
2000 DEF PROCS
•
W
a
40
PROCS
2010 A=A+1
•
•
50
NEXT
2020 ENDPROC
•
•
•
60
F'R I NT "A="; A, " T i me= " ;
TIME-T
>RUN
A= 1 000 Time=249
•
A
•
70
END
>40 GOSUB 1000
•
•
80
>RUN
•
•
1000
A=A+1
A=1000 Time=229
•
Program 2.
easily be proved by typing in program 2
and running it, and then adding the
following modification and running it:
40GOSUB1000
The gain in speed is about 8 per cent.
6. When used as a subscript to index an
array (for example, BOARD (l%) = 0) an
integer is faster, because the interpreter
does not have to decode the integer
number, unlike real numbers.
7. Long variable names are slow to
interpret, short variable names are
quicker - this includes integer, real and
string variables and also procedure
names. Although this again reduces
readability, it improves running time. Also,
don’t start variables or procedure names
with the same letter. Spreading them from
A through to Z will make a difference. An
ideal situation would be to develop the
program using long variable names and
then to use a utility to change globally the
long names to unambiguous short ones,
ensuring, of course, that they don’t start
with Basic keywords.
8. Putting lines of code on one line using
the colon delimeter speeds run-time
execution. This is because the interpreter
does not have the additional overhead of
decoding the line number. Try putting the
whole of program 1 on one line and re-
running it.
9. Spaces, blank lines, REMarks, etc,
although aiding readability, are an ad-
ditional overhead at run-time. Another
useful utility for the serious programmer
would be a program to remove redundant
spaces, blank lines and REM statements
from the source, producing a compacted,
fast-running program. There are a num-
ber of ways this can be achieved. One is
Toolkit, available from Beebug. A useful
ROM as all that is needed is a single
command (*PACK) and the utility re-
moves all spaces, REMarks and blank
lines and informs you just how much
space you have saved. There have also
been a few machine code programs that
do the same thing, but these have to be
loaded into an area of memory not
occupied by the program.
10. Put the most likely false condition first
in IF statements when conditions are
separated by the AND Boolean operator,
and to the right of this the descending
likelihood of being false. For example:
IF A = B and C = D and E = F THEN . . .
If the condition ‘E = F is the most likely to
be false, ‘C = D’ next likely, then rearrange
thus:
IF E = F AND C = DANDA = B THEN . . .
The reason for doing this is that the
interpreter will stop comparing when the
first condition it meets fails the test. Of
course, this will be done only after the
interpreter has arranged the conditions
into its internal form for most efficient
evaluation.
11. Use Boolean algebra to evaluate
conditional expressions so that they
contain as few operators as possible, for
example:
IF A = B AND C = D OR E = F AND
C = DORG = H AND C = D THEN ...
should be arranged as follows:
IF (A = B OR E = F OR G = H) AND
C = D THEN...
With Boolean algebra the operators,
AND, OR and NOT can be considered
similar to the arithmetic operators *, +
and - , respectively. The same arithmetic
rules can then be applied to remove
common subexpressions.
12. POKEing memory is faster than using
byte arrays, but this method doesn’t work
across the Tube, for example:
10?&B00= 1
20I = ?(&B00 + 1)
Line 10 puts the value 1 in location &B00
and line 20 stores in T the* contents of
location 1 offset by &B00 - ie location
&B01. This is similar to the byte array
description given in the section on redu-
cing program size (see below).
1 3. The THEN keyword in an IF ... THEN
statement is optional and may be omitted
to improve speed, for example:
IF A% > 8 A% = A% + 1 ELSE
A% = 3
14. An expression can contain an in-line
implicit IF statement, remembering that
TRUE has the value - 1 and FALSE the
value 0, for example:
Z% = A% > 0
will set Z% to - 1 if A% > 0 or to 0 if not.
Also, they can be more complex, for
example:
A% = - (A% > 8) - 3*(A% < 9)
The above line might look a bit off-putting
at first, but this is what happens:
a) if A% > 8 and A%<9 implies
A% = — ( — 1 ) -3*(-1) which is 4
b) if A% > 8 and A%>=9 implies
A%= -(-1) - 3* (0) which is 1
c) if A% < = 8 and A%<9 implies
A% = — (0) — 3* ( — 1) which is3
d) if A%< =8 and A%> =9 implies
A% = - (0) - 3* (0) which is 0
Also, expressions using implicit IF state-
ments are fast in execution, but they take
up more space. Space can be saved as
this format allows multiple conditional
statements in a single line, which is not
normally possible.
Reducing program size
The size of a program can be reduced by
using short variable names, but its
readability is reduced.
Bear in mind that arrays start from
subscript 0, not 1 as in most Basics. This
will gain a few bytes in the interpreter work
area if you use the subscript 0 and
dimension the array by one less.
page 84 ►
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
DISC DRIVES
T tik
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40 track mode
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Power on
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UNIQUE FACULTY: Only CHASE DATA utilise
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80
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
TAPE LOADER
RAPID! ft.
RE TRIEVA L TAPED
Storage made easy, by John Bexon
T HE program called Loader (listing 1 ,
yellow page vi) makes possible rapid
retrieval of any selected program
previously stored, but you will need a tape
recorder with both motor control and a
tape counter. The program will work with
any model BBC and Electron.
In its fullest version it requires about 4k
of memory in addition to that occupied by
any program on which it is to operate. But
since the program runs in mode 7 (mode 6
on the Electron) this should not impose
much restriction on memory use, and
removal of all REMs and spaces can
reduce memory requirement. If the pre-
sence of Loader prevents a program from
running in, say, mode 0 you can overwrite
it when loading.
First, Loader has to be typed in. If you
have an early version BBC with OSO.1
then you should add the lines in listing 2 to
the main listing. The program should be
saved at the beginning of a blank tape.
Start recording just beyond the tape
leader.
Follow the instructions in table 1 when
saving programs. When the routine is
finished your program will have been
saved and a new version of Loader will
have been recorded at the beginning of
the tape that includes data on the
program saved.
Having a number of programs saved
on the tape with Loader at the beginning,
loading a selected program is carried out
using the procedure in table 2. It will soon
become evident, especially with short
programs, that having to load the loader
as well as your selected program is time-
consuming, but random searching, using
*CAT to find your program and false
1. Type in or load from another tape
the program to be saved
2 . Type PAGE = TOP + 256
3. CHAIN the loader program and
leave the cassette in the recorder
4 . From the menu presented choose
option 2 (SAVE)
5 . Follow the program’s instructions
and answer the questions that
appear on the screen (a single key-
press - Y for yes - is mostly al I that
is needed apart from operating the
LOADs will all be eliminated. Instead an
accurate and rapid search and load
routine is available.
Furthermore, when you have enough
programs on the tape large sections of
the loader program can be deleted. For
example, all the SAVE and associated
routines will no longer be required. Thus
the length of the program can be reduced
to little more than Ik.
Loading time, however, is the critical
factor rather than memory requirement
since your selected program may eventu-
ally overwrite the loader. Short programs
will load in less than 30 seconds.
The program uses many of the special
features of the BBC micro, such as user-
defined function keys, procedures, func-
tions, automatic tape motor control and
byte and string indirection.
The February 1983 issue of Acorn User
introduced a technique whereby
programs may directly alter sections of
themselves. This technique is used in
Loader to insert a new data statement
into the program each time a new
program is saved. In this way fast-forward
wind-on times of the tape are recorded for
subsequent use when you are loading
programs.
When first loaded, or typed in, the
loader program contains only one data
statement at line number 1001, ie, DATA
Loader, 11 00.1. This consists of the name
of the program, the fast-forward wind-on
time for the start of the next program and
the number of the program. The fast-
forward wind-on time of 1 1 seconds (1100
centi-seconds) is necessary to leave room
on the tape to record a longer loader
program each time the program extends
cassette recorder). When the com-
puter prompts ‘RECORD then
RETURN’ the tape recorder should
be set to RECORD and after no
more than one or two seconds the
RETURN key should be pressed
(this sequence occurs twice during
the SAVE routine)
6 . Repeat this procedure for each
program to be recorded on the
tape
itself by a one-line data statement for each
new program saved.
Since there is only one data statement
at this stage, and the program attempts at
Line 630 to restore data at line 1002, any
attempt now to load another program
using Loader will result in a ‘No such line’
error. No attempt has been made to trap
this error.
The first thing to do therefore is to
record one or more programs using the
procedure given in table 1. If step 2 is
omitted the program will ask you to start
again because it is essential to have the
program to be saved in the lower part of
user memory, ie, starting at PAGE = &E00.
The position of PAGE is then changed by
step 3 so that the loader can be held in
memory simultaneously with the program
to be saved. (The positions are reversed
when loading.)
It is not sufficient to set PAGE = TOP
since PAGE is always set by the computer
to the next lower page boundary; for
example, ifTOP = &19F1 PAGE would be
set to &1900 and the end of your program
would be overwritten by the loader.
Consequently, PAGE is set to TOP + 256
to make sure that the new value, when
rounded down, is clear of the first
program.
The User Guide (page 317) warns of a
danger here but does not explain the
problem or give a solution.
Loading Loader starting at the new
value of PAGE now allows the loader
program to operate on the program to be
saved. As Loader extends itself it is liable
to overwrite its own variables which are
normally stored in memory immediately
above the Basic program area. To avoid
this, overwriting LOMEM is raised by half a
block in line 50.
Line 60 sets aside a memory block to be
used by the command line procedure,
PROCcli(cl$), to pass SAVE commands to
the computer's command line interpreter
so that saving can be carried out from
within the program.
Next, in line 80 the break key is set to
allow a jump back to the lower program
after the SAVE routine.
If you have a BBC OS version 0.1 the
next section of the program, including a
new line 80 and up to line 230 from listing
2, is a slightly modified version of the
patch, as published in the September
1 982 issue of Acorn User (page 61 ) to cure
bugs in the cassette filing system. It is
convenient to load this patch here so that
Table 1 . Saving programs using ‘Loader’
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
TAPE LOADER
there will be no difficulties with saving and
loading after using the loader (Electron
and BBC users of OS > 1 .0 must omit this
section of the program).
Next (lines 250 to 270) the initial menu is
presented. The byte indirection in line 260
ensures the use of upper case characters
when you choose from the menu. Other-
wise the program will hang up at line 270,
which accepts only characters 1 or 2 as
valid input. (7216 = 48 can be used to
obtain lower case letters - ie this byte
indirection sets the CAPS LOCK.)
If the save option is chosen you will be
asked to input the name of your program
before starting the procedure PROCsave
at line 310. First, this procedure used the
function FNC(TP%) to look back from the
end of the program to find the number in
the last data statement of the last program
recorded. Then from this number the line
number of the last data statement can be
calculated simply by adding 1000. It is
important therefore that the loader
program should always have data state-
ments numbered from 1001 onwards -so
beware if renumbering. The ability to
RESTORE a particular data line is then
used to read data for the last program
recorded so that the fast-forward wind-on
time to the end of the recording can be
used to position the tape ready to save the
next program.
The tape is rewound to the beginning,
as this position provided a constant
reference point for all wind-on times. The
procedure PROCrew does the rewinding.
PROCff simply checks that you are ready
for the fast-forward wind-on. Lines 370 to
380 carry out the winding on for the time
S% which was read from the last data
statement. When the tape stops and you
have pressed the stop key as instructed
you are ready to make your new record-
ing. This is done simply by setting the
recorder to RECORD and pressing return.
As indicated in table 1, a short pause
before pressing RETURN is all that is
needed. Any more than 1 or 2 seconds will
mean a longer wait when subsequently
loading the program.
Having saved the program, it remains
to record the new fast-forward wind-on
time. The program now takes you to
PROCdata, where you rewind to the
beginning of the tape again and the
computer measures the fast-forward time
to the end of the program. You have to
help by watching the tape counter and
pressing any key when the end of the
latest recording has been reached.
Overshoot somewhat when doing this to
leave a gap on the tape before the next
program to be recorded. Stopping the
tape short of the appropriate point is,
however, potentially disastrous as the
next recording could overwrite the end of
the present one.
The computer now has all the inform-
ation to create a new data line which it
does by generating the text of the line as a
string. N$, in line 500. This string consists
of a space, the name of the program
number, all concatenated into N$. Con-
trary to the description of the line structure
in BBC Basic given by Joe Telford in Acorn
User, February 1983 (page 22) it is actually
as shown in figure 1. (Try programming
Line number-2 bytes
Line length -1 byte
Basic keyword token - 1 byte (&DC for
“DATA”)
Line contents -of variable length in
ASCII form
Line feed (End of line marker) - 1 byte
(&0D)
End of Basic program market - 1 byte
(&FF)
Figure 1 . Line structure at end of program
key f9 as follows and use this key to
examine how the end of the program is
stored in memory from TOP downwards:
* KEY 9 FOR N% = TOP TO
(TOP -21) STEP
- 1:PRINT;N%,?N%;SPC(3);:IF
?N% < 32 PRINT:NEXT:ELSE PRINT
chr$(?n%):next;n;l;m)
The text, N$, of the line must therefore be
preceded by four bytes - line number, line
length and Basic keyword - and followed
by one byte: line feed, ie, five bytes. The two
bytes for the line number are calculated in
line 510 from (1000 + program number)
and the line length in line 520 from the
length of N$ plus the five extra bytes. All
this information, together with the end of
program marker, is then concatenated
into P$ and string indirection used to
POKE it where the previous end of
program was situated.
Finally the new loader has to be
recorded at the start of the tape, so a final
rewind is necessary, followed by a short
fast-forward to jump over the tape leader.
After the stop key on the tape recorder has
1. Wind to the beginning of the tape
and CHAIN the loader
2. From the menu presented choose
option 1 (LOAD)
3. Select the program of your choice
from the list presented or press the
space bar (if you inadvertently
reach the end of the list press Y
when asked if you wish to try
again). When you see the name of
the program you wish to load
select the number indicated
4. Follow the program’s instructions
and answer the questions that
appear on the screen. The com-
puter will then control a fast wind-
on to the start of the program and
Table 2. Loading a program
been pressed the loader is saved by
setting the recorder to RECORD and
pressing RETURN in quick succession.
If you wish to return to your original
program, pressing BREAK will reset PAGE
and run the program. If, however, you
wish to use Loader to load another
program first press BREAK and then
ESCAPE and follow the instructions in
table 2.
Clearly, when you have many short
programs or several long ones recorded
on one tape the fast-forward wind-on
times for the later programs will become
tediously long. Short tapes, say Cl 5,
should be used - certainly none longer
than C30.
When you have recorded on one tape
as many programs as you feel are
convenient it is possible to reduce loading
times by deleting sections of the loader
program that are no longer required.
Before doing so, make a copy of Loader
on a new tape, unless you have a back-up
copy. Pruning is best done before finally
saving Loader after recording the last
program on the tape. Thus, during the
final save routine, after pressing stop on
the tape recorder press ESCAPE and type
DELETE 250,590 followed by RETURN.
This erases the initial menu (since you will
want to load only from this tape in future)
and all parts of the program associated
with saving. In addition you may also
remove all REMs and blank lines, reduc-
ing loading time for the loader to a
minimum. However, resist the temptation
to renumber the program after pruning -
remember that the data statements must
begin at line 1001 . When starting to use
yourcopy of the full version of Loader on a
new tape remember to delete all lines
above, but not including 1 001 .
When pruned, Loader shows its true
worth. Any program on the tape can now
be accessed with a minimum of bother,
having been easily selected from a clearly
presented index which itself gives a quick
listing of the contents of the tape.
you will be asked about memory
requirement of the program
5. If in doubt about the amount of
memory needed, respond by pres-
sing any key except Y. The
program will now CHAIN the
program, unless a ‘No room' error
occurs
6. If a ‘No room’ error occurs press
BREAK and try again, but choose
the maximum memory option this
time
7. You may return to Loader at any
time by pressing BREAK except
when Loader has been overwrit-
ten after choosing the maximum
memory option
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
THIS IS
THE BIG ONE!
The 2nd
Official
Acorn User
Exhibifion
Everything for the
BBC Micro and Electron user
OLYMPIA 16-19 AUGUST 1984
Organised by Computer Marketplace (Exhibitions) Ltd
20 Orange Street. London WC2H 7ED
BIG VALUE
The success story of Acorn Computers, the BBC Micro and Electron is mirrored by suppliers who have produced
more and more hardware, software, supplies and services. And they'll all be at the exhibition - disk drives, plotters,
printers, monitors, joysticks, robots, books and magazines, all kinds of software - everything for the Acorn owner.
And of course Acorn will be there in force with all their latest developments and software.
There'll be special offers, competitions, advice centres and special events as well.
And all this for only £3.00 at the door, under sixteens £2.00. (Use the coupon to beat the queues and save £1 .00).
BIG VENUE
Olympia 2 is the brand new exhibition centre next to the old Olympia. It's got everything, wide gangways, lots of
space to sit down and rest, plenty of catering areas.
Getting there is easy too, its got its own tube station, bus routes 9, 27, 28, 33, 49, 73 and 91 go right pass the door,
and there's car parking too!
BIG SUPPORT
Remember this is the Official Acorn User Show, it's the most informative prestigious and influential user show in the
country. Whether you're a businessman, serious user or games enthusiast there's something for you.
For details of exhibition stands and advance ticket sales contact the organisers.
Computer Marketplace (Exhibitions) Ltd. A Rushworth Dales Group Company, 20 Orange Street, London.
WC2H7ED Tel: 01 -930 161 2
BEAT THE QUEUES! SAVE MONEY! ORDER YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE.
Buy your ticket now and save queing. There will be special entrances for advance ticket holders.
Please send me (qty) tickets at £2.00 and (qty) under sixteen tickets at £1.00. 1 enclose my cheque/PO
to the value of £ or debit my Access card. No
NAME SIGNED
ADDRESS
POSTCODE
GROUPS - Order 15 or more tickets and you qualify for a further 20% discount.
To: Computer Marketplace (Exhibitions) Ltd. A Rushworth Dales Company, 20 Orange Street, London WC2H 7ED.
Certain Advertisina Ltd 01-930 1612
programming!
84
◄ page 79
When using FOR loops that have integers as their indexes
and increment values, try to use the same variable (except for
nested loops) -for example, 1%, J%, K%. Creating unnecessary
variables will consume stack space, the free area between TOP
(end of program) and HIMEM (bottom of display area). The
interpreter allocates an area in this region (starting at the value
of LOMEM) for the variable names, variable type (real, integer,
string or array of either type) and the address of its value.
The resident integer variables (A% to Z%) are already
allocated by the interpreter, so if these are used the interpreter
doesn't spend time creating the space for them (page 66 of the
User Guide).
With BBC Basic a real number will use five bytes of memory
whereas integers (eg, 1%, FRED%) use only four bytes (a fact I
keep forgetting as I use a variety of computers in my job).
Using multiple line statements saves five bytes for each line
number (pages 54 and 98. User Guide).
Pre-declaring strings causes the interpreter to allocate the
string space once only.
Declare strings to the maximum length that they will become
in the course of the program, for example:
A$ = STRING$(25, “ ") or
A$ = STRING$(255, “ ")
The interpreter doesn’t do any garbage collection; when a string
is first declared, for example A$ = “FRED", it allocates the space
needed to store the string - in this case five bytes (one byte for
the count), but if any subsequent declaration causes the string
to be lengthened, the original space is lost (de-allocated) and
new space reserved (allocated) for the longer string.
If, when using arrays, the values stored in the array are all
integer and are in the range 0 to 255, byte arrays can be used to
remove the three redundant bytes per array element, for
example:
DIM BOARD 128
The byte array BOARD is then accessed by:
BOARD?I% = 0
and
X = BOARD?1
FURTHER READING
The following books will interest
programmers who want rpore de-
tailed information on fio#. an
interpreter/compiler works and
those wishing to write their own
interpreter/compiler (the first isn’t
too technical as it doesn’t delve into
the realms of compiler theory and
high-level optimisation techniques):
Writing Interactive Compilers and
Interpreters’ by PJ Brown QA/iley)
‘A Dynamic Incremental Compilerfor
an Interpretive Language’ by E J Van
Dyke (Hewlett-Packard Journal).
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
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J. S. Simnett Computers (South London) 01-390 6161, Ferranti & Craig
(Basingstoke) 0256-69966, Gwent Computers (Wales) 0633-859582, National
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MACRO SAVINGS FOR MICRO
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UCL 100C £135.95
0 icc
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
| HARDWARE
EAVESDROPPING
MEMORY
T HE idea of this article is to provide a
means by which the inner workings
of the Electron and BBC micro's
random access memory can be made
visible on the screen. The technique used
is simple, as it is just a matter of re-
programming one of the registers of a
chip. This is the 6845 CRT controller chip
whose job it is to look at the contents of the
video RAM and generate, in conjunction
with the video processor chip, the signals
used to produce pictures on a television
or monitor screen (see April's issue).
All we have to do is tell the 6845 that
video RAM starts at page zero and not
where the operating system says. To get
the required effect, type in:
MODE 6
VDU 1 9, 0,4, 0,0,0 (or VDU 1 9;4;0;)
to select graphics mode 6 and change the
background colour to blue. Then type
VDU 23,0,12,0,0,0,0.0,0,0 (or VDU
23;12;0;0;0;)
to do the necessary re-programming of
the 6845.
The effect produced is quite startling
when first seen. But before trying to
explain what it all means, we need to look
at how the screen is displayed in mode 6.
Each character on the screen is made
up from the information contained in
eight consecutive bytes of the screen
memory. The next character is then made
up from the next eight bytes and so on.
Type in run program 1 (see yellow page
vii), then each time you press the space
bar one more byte will be added to the
screen. Eight key presses will give a
complete character. Continually pressing
the space bar will produce more charac-
ters, eight bytes at a time.
The bytes the program is using to poke
into the screen RAM are taken from the
operating system ROM chip. Stored in
memory locations &C000 to &C2FF are
bytes defining each of the characters
used in modes 0 to 6. (Mode 7 on the BBC
has its own character generator in the
teletext chip - hence the different charac-
ter set.) If you want to see the characters
much more clearly, run program 2 which
displays them in large block form.
See a program actually working
I
In the first of a series on the Beet
)
and Electron, Paul Beverley opens
the lid on the inner workings
of these very complex machines
Now let's get back to that impressive
display we first looked at. To show it more
easily and play around, I have included it
in program 3. However, before it is loaded
in, the user's program space must be
moved out of reach of our newly-defined
screen which is to occupy memory
locations &0000 to &1 F3F. (No, that's not
a typing error, it should be &1 F3F, since 40
x 25 x 8 = 8,000 = &1F40. The reason
mode 6 uses &2000 bytes is that as the
screen is scrolled, it sometimes makes use
of locations from &6000 right up to
&7FFF.)
Moving the user program space up can
be done by typing:
PAGE = &3000
NEW
CHAIN “BEEBWRK"
This assumes you have already typed
program 3 in and saved it on tape or disc.
(Disc users can make life easier by
making the above three commands into a
IBOOT file by using the * BUILD com-
mand, and entering *OPT 4,3 to set up
the disc for an auto-boot. To run the
program, just hold the shift key down and
press break.)
Having got the flickering bit pattern on
the screen, what does it all mean, and how
do we interpret it? First of all it shows, if you
ever doubted it, that although the micro
might appear to be 'doing nothing’ it is in
fact working all the time.
To refer to different parts of the screen,
each line can be thought of as divided up
into five sections, each equivalent to eight
characters, ie 8 x 8 = 64 bytes. Thus the
first four sections of the first line (4 x
64 = 256) are locations 0 to &FF - what we
call ‘zero page’. One page is 256 bytes. If
we refer to these 64-byte sections by their
line numbers and section numbers then
section 1,5 for example is the right hand
end of the first line and is locations & 1 00 to
&1 3F. To check this type in:
?&100=0
?&13F = 0
to see where that is in section 1 ,5.
If you look at section 3,1 on the screen
you will see a lot of activity. At the centre of
that section is the regular 'ticking' of the
micro's centisecond clock which is used
for the TIME functions. To check this, try
typing:
TIME =-1000
This should make two blocks of white
appear. After 10 seconds (1000 cen-
tiseconds) these blocks disappear. What
is happening is that the value of TIME is
negative and is represented in binary as
lots of ones - hence all the white. There
are two complete blocks because the
operating system uses two copies of the
TIME value to avoid the danger of
someone reading the value of TIME just as
it is being changed under interrupt. Basic
could have just got hold of the first byte
when the centisecond interrupt came
along. Basic would then pick up the other
three bytes after the interrupt had been
serviced and, if the TIME bytes had been
changed, would give an erroneous value
of TIME. Therefore the operating system
uses the two sets of values alternately, and
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
HARDWARE
only updates one while the other is being
used for reading. Then it switches back
and updates the other. The third set of
numbers ticking away in step with the
TIME bytes is the interval timer which can
only be read and written to using
OSWORDs 3 and 4. There is no Basic
equivalent.
Immediately to the right of the time
function is another area of activity, which
is the buffer used by the operating system
to store the current values from the
analogue to digital converter. If you have
joysticks, then changing their positions
should alter the numbers also. (The best
way to demonstrate this, if you can do a bit
of soldering, is to make up a single
potentiometer connected between Vref
and analogue ground with its wiper
connected to all four analogue inputs.)
Another way is to use *FX16,0 which
switches off the four ADC channels, so all
movement in that area ceases. Using
*FX16,4 restores the movement as the
four channels are re-enabled. With
*FX 190,8 you should be able to see the
effect of changing to eight-bit conversion.
However, it is difficult to tell the difference
without a high-quality monitor, but
program 4 makes the effect more visible.
Try ^FX 190,8 and *FX190,12 before
each run of the program and, in either
mode, ADVAL returns the bottom four bits
as zeros. In the 1 2-bit mode, the top 1 2 bits
change with the positions of the joysticks,
but with the eight-bit mode, the 11th and
1 2th bits are permanently at logic 1 , while
the other 10 bits change as the joysticks
are moved. Therefore if you really only
want eight bits you will have to switch over
with *FX190,8 but then use, for example,
ADVAL(I ) DIV 256 to remove the top eight
bits. The improvement in speed by going
to eight bits is something less than 2.5
times. (In theory it should be 4ms com-
pared with 1 0ms per conversion in the 1 2-
bitmode.)
Before changing the contents of RAM
too much it is worth getting some idea of
what has happened to the RAM since the
micro was switched on. When a reset
occurs, the operating system detects
whether it is a power-up reset, as opposed
to the break key having been pressed, by
checking whether any interrupts have
been enabled on the system 6522 VIA
chip. If no interrupts are enabled, it must
have been a power-up reset and so the
operating system clears all the RAM from
&400 to &7FFF (&3FFF on a model A) to
zeros, with the exception of the first byte of
each page, ie &400, &500, &600 etc. Some
of these can still be seen as white lines
(&FF), eg the beginnings of sections 7,3;
8,2; 9,1 etc.
To see this actually happen, make sure
there’s nothing in the computer you want
to keep, switch to mode 0, and get a bit
map with:
VDU 19;4;0;
VDU23;12;0;0;0;
Fill up memory by:
FOR N% = &D00 TO &5000:
?N%= — 1: NEXT
and then type:
?&FE4E = &7F
This will disable all the interrupts on the
internal VIA chip and so the system will
stop completely. When you press break,
the operating system checks the VIA, sees
no interrupts are enabled, and clears
memory. Watch carefully as you hit the
break key to see the memory being swept
clean, except the first byte of each page.
The other point of interest here is that by
looking at sections 1 ,3; 1 ,5; 2,2; 3,2 and 3,5
you can tell what make of RAM you have
in your computer! The different makes of
RAM tend to power-up with different
values, so those locations that have not
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
HARDWARE
been over-written by the operating system
or Basic will still show the pattern. Hitachi
RAM tends to power-up with sets of 64
bytes equal to zero and 255 (&FF)
alternately. Thus section 1,1 was all ones
at power up, as was 1 ,3 and 1 ,5 etc. Other
makes of RAM such as Mostek come up
with alternate bytes equal to 0 and 255, so
these appear as horizontal stripes.
There is always plenty of activity in
section 2,3. This is the area of RAM called
‘the stack’ which the 6502 uses to
remember numbers temporarily - for
example, its return address when going
off into a subroutine or to service an
interrupt. It is this latter use that accounts
for most of the activity when the system is
sitting waiting for an input from the
keyboard.
As soon as anything is typed in on the
keyboard you will be aware of the
characters going into two different areas
of memory. The temporary buffer which
the operating system uses is in section 4,1
and the line input buffer that Basic uses
starts at section 6,4 and goes on up to and
including section 7,3. Keys that show
clearly what is going into the buffer are the
space bar (ASCII 32 = 00100000 in binary)
and the — tilde (ASCI1 1 26 = 01 1 1 1 1 1 0).
If you type:
FOR S% = 0 TO 50000 : NEXT
and hold the space bar down, the buffer in
4,1 will fill up, and when Basic has finished
executing the FOR ... NEXT loop, the
space characters will be transferred to
section 6,4 and printed out on the screen.
If you now try the same thing, but use the
tilde character, you will be able to see it
happening even more clearly.
While the FOR . . . NEXT loop was being
executed you may have noticed extra
activity in section 1,1 - the bottom part of
zero page. This is a ‘scratch pad’ area
being used by Basic, but in the middle of
section 4,3 there was a number ticking
away. This was the integer variable, S%,
which you were using. Try again with say
A% or Z%, or try entering Z%=— 1.
(Integer variables are represented by four
bytes, as explained earlier, -1 in binary is
all ones, so that gives a four-byte white
block which should be clearly visible.)
To see why TRUE and FALSE take on
the values they do, if you have just tried
Z%= -1 try:
Z% = FALSE
and then
Z% = TRUE
TRUE is represented by minus one since
that is all ones in binary, and FALSE is zero
since that is all zero.
If you try any of your favourite SOUND
and ENVELOPE commands, it will soon
be clear where that all happens, and even
doing a simple control-G shows that the
operating system is counting something
■
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I i ! IN I ! I I
■■■ | 68 3C
■■ I 182 66
■■ I 182 66
■■■■ I 126 7E
■■ I 182 66
■■ I 182 66
■■ i 182 66
I 8 8
■■■ I 124 7 C
■■ I 182 66
■■ I 182 66
■■■ I 124 7C
■■ I 182 66
■■ I 182 66
■■■ I 124 7C
— ■ P - 8 8
■■■ I 68 3C
■■ I 182 66
Top: Part of the BBC micro’s bit map. Below:
Enlarged letters displayed from the micro's
ROM.
until the beep stops. To make this clear,
use * FX 21 4,50 to lengthen the beep.
Ardent users of the COPY key may
already have noticed that as you copy
various characters off the screen, the
operating system puts a copy of what it
picked off the screen into section 3,3 for
comparison with the characters stored in
the operating system ROM at &C000
onwards.
Let’s reprogram one of the characters:
VDU 23,65,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16
This changes the ‘A’ character to a single
vertical line, and it will be seen that all the
characters from @ to Z, plus five punctu-
ation marks, appear on the screen from
section 1 0,4 to 1 1 ,2 (&C00 to &CFF). If you
type in a command such as PRINT
ABS( - 1 ), the ‘A’ appears as a vertical line,
but is acted on correctly. Using the COPY
key to re-enter the same line will show that
it is still interpreted correctly by the
operating system as an ‘A’.
If you now re-program a different
character in another part of the character
generator, such as the lower case letter ‘a’
using:
VDU 23, 97, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2
then that character and its associated
characters will replace the upper case
letters, and things then become really
confused as Basic will appear to be
working entirely in lower case characters,
and trying to use the COPY key on any
upper-case characters left on the screen
will result in a bleep since the operating
system does not recognise them any
more.
Programming any of the function keys
shows up in sections 9,5 on to 10,3 (&B00
to &BFF) which is initially filled with space
characters. Typing in statements such as:
*KEY1
and
*KEY2
intHtmmntmnniMtnitm
will give a clear indication on the screen of
what happens as the keys are pro-
grammed.
Entering some lines of a dummy
program lets you watch Basic doing the
editing. Try those lines in the order given:
100
10 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
20JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
1 ////////////////////////////////////////////////
and watch the program building up. Then
try deleting some of the lines, starting from
line 1, and see how Basic shunts the
remaining lines up. Then you can try
entering NEW and OLD alternately, and
perhaps enter a program consisting of a
few short lines, and then RENUMBER it.
If you enter a simple FOR . . . NEXT loop
using a real variable you will be able to see
the area above the program being used to
store the real variables.
There are lots of other different ideas
you can try that demonstrate how the
operating system works. If you want, for
example, to show how dependent the
system is on interrupts, change the
interrupt vector IRQ1 V using:
!&204 = RND
and see what happens! Almost certainly
the ‘stack’ will suddenly fill up as the
system gets tied up in knots.
With a program that uses events, you
can illustrate that it forms part of the
operating system, and that if corrupted it
causes the system to crash. You could use
the automatic ADC averaging routines
from Acorn User, March 1984. If the event
is enabled, and you type in:
!&C20 = RND
you will see the effect on the system. What
will probably happen is that the stack
simply goes round and round in circles.
A routine that has a similar effect is:
10P% = &C00
20 [PHA:PHA:PHA
30JSR&C00
40]
50 CALL &C00
There are many more things that could be
demonstrated by this method, and it can
be used as a diagnostic aid in machine
code programs -you can actually ‘see’ a
program working. It is therefore an
extremely useful teaching aid for showing
just a little bit of how the Electron and BBC
micros work.
Next month: We all know how fast the BBC
micro works, but how does it look in slow
motion.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Learn a foreign L
in twelvenoi
It’s as easy as I
Your BBC Micro can now teach
you a foreign language in just 12
hours, via Linkword from Acornsoft
Li nkword is a software series of
four language courses -French,
Italian, German and Spanish and is
ideal for those who want to pick up
an elementary knowledge before
going on holiday, or for business
people who need to acquire the
basics in a hurry.
Each 12 hour program is
based on a revolutionary new
format, making learning en-
joyable rather than laborious.
Forinstance,theSpanish
word for bread is pan, so you
are asked to imagine a pan
full of bread and hold that
image in your head for
10 seconds.
This method will
rapidly enable you to
<t) d) lit ili di ili ib (1)
>Bonjour.
I am your
oersonal
•uton
AC0RNS4FT HOME STUDY
AC0RNS9FT HOME STUDY
iguage
•s.
3C.
uild up a vocabulary of around
00 words covering a wide range of
iselul topics.
Once again, it’s another exciting
imension to fulfilling your BBC
licros potential.
You can order by Idling in the
oupon opposite. Credit card
lolders can order by calling 0933
9300 during office hours.
Alternatively, you’ll find all
four Linkword programs at your
local Acornsoft dealer. (To find
out where that is, simply call
01-200 0200.)
[ They come in cassette
1 form, complete with an audio
ft cassette demonstrating the
ft correct pronounciation.
ft And at j ust £14.95 each
it shouldn't be hard to
talk yourself into buying
' one.
To: Acornsoft, c/o Vector Marketing, Denington Estate,
Wellingborough, Northants NN8 2RL.
Please send me the following language software
packages at £14.95 each. ( Code
1 ~ Acornsoft
PROGRAM QI w rm
French
TOTAL use only.)
S BX13
Italian
SBX14
German
SBX15
Spanish
SBX16
TOTAL
1 enclose PO/eheqne payable to Acornsoft Ltd.
Or charge my credit card.
Card Number
Amex/I )i ners/ Visa/Access ( I telete)
Please send me details of the BBC
Microcomputer System □
Please send me the latest Acornsoft Catalogue □
Name.
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P.SP5 Skigle Sided 40780 Trai;k 200k
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RDD2 ‘tJeOble Sided 40 Ttadt " 400k
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Available from your local deafer or direct from
921NIEW CROSS STREET,
BRADFORD BD5 BBS:
Tel. C027*) 729306 ' • * '
Telex 51564 S-:
When ordering Dual Dnves, please
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■ 5 =DCT 5 =n(£H
TEAC 55 Slimline Drives
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£450.00 £391.30
£105.00 £91.30
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£225.00 £195.65 Integral Power Supply £30.00 £26.09
• These dnves are fully compatible with other computers
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• Orders welcomed from Educational Establishments
and Government Departments
TEC DRIVES (As used by
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40 TRACK 100K
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Incl. Excl.
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£209.00 £181.74
For Dual TEC drives the price is double
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Unit 7 Trumpers Way
Hanwell W7 2QA
Tel: (01) 843 9903
How to order
By post: To purchase any of the items simply fill
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and insurance on all items ^
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Barclaycard only) can purchase ~
by telephone. Please give Card
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
95
GAMES
TRAIN OF
THOUGHT
Martin Phillips puts readers on
the right track for Train Game
Q uite a tew letters have been
passed on to me concerning the
Train Game published in the
January Acorn User. The game and the
problems associated with it reflect many
of the difficulties of all long games
listings, brought about by mistakes in
typing, lack of experience in debugging
and - unfortunately - problems with the
program as printed.
First, let’s look at the problems con-
nected with the listing itself.
Most of the trouble occurred in the
second part of the program, although
there were three faults in part one. Two of
the faults were corrected on page 8 of the
February issue. The first one concerns
disc users only. It is the routine to load the
second program from disc and then
move it down in memory. Unfortunately
the version included in February’s Acorn
User does not work and results in the
‘Bad program’ error. Use the routine
below if this is your problem. (This will
also cater for Page differences caused
by having Econet or Teletext fitted.)
630 *KEYO"LOAD" "TRAI
NS2 H M i li*T • |MF-I7.=0 TO
TOP-PAGE S. 4s IX ! &EOO=I
7.! PAGE: N. |h?S<13=?kl3- (
P AGE— &E00 ) D I V 256 | MR AG
E=&EOO ] MRUN |M M
631 *FX 138,0, 128
632 END
The second correction is included here
again and concerns lines 1280 to 1290.
This will need to be changed irrespective
of whether your machine is tape or disc.
1250 DEF PROCSWOP
1 260 REM Swop the char set with the
1 270 REM user routine space.
1280 FOR l = OTO &FF
1 290 J = l?&COO:l?&COO = I7&900:
l?&900 = J
1300 NEXT
1310ENDPROC
The third fault is a minor one. There
should be a semi-colon at the end of line
220. It affects only the layout of the
screen, not the running of the program.
There are a couple of faults in the
second listing. The correct lines are:
1 00 VDU23;8202;0;0;0;
This line deletes the cursor. The semi-
colon was missing off the end 0 (as it is in
most versions of the handbook). This
would not stop the program working as a
1 2 was included after this last 0 and only
this command would have been cor-
rupted. VDU12 clears the screen, but this
is not necessary as the previous line was
a mode change which automatically
clears the screen.
Some of the single quote (’) signs in the
listing should be £ signs, lines 220 and
440 being affected here.
220 VDU31 , 15,0, 17,3:
PRINT"FARES: £ ,, ;P7.; n C
OALs £ ,, ;C7.;" "
440 PR I NTT AB (O , 18) "F
ARES : £" ; P7 . ' "COAL :£"
;C7.'"LOST s £" ; TC ' ' "PRO
FIT: £" ; X
On my monitor I found the lettering at the
top of the screen difficult to read in white,
so I changed the colour to blue. This
required changes to lines 220 and 1170
where the 3 following the 17 in the VDU
statement was changed to a 2.
Line 251 Oreads
FOR l = 8TO &FF
I suspect it should read
FOR l = OTO &FF
However, it seems to work either way.
Some lines have been missed out of
the listing yet are referred to in GOTOs
and GOSUBs. The simple answer here is
to check through the program and make
a note of any line numbers that appear to
be missing. Then check through the
listing to confirm that they actually do not
exist (I found several lines I’d missed
using this method). Rather than altering
several GOTOs and GOSUBs it is easier
to put each of these lines in. Simply type
the missing line number in, and follow it
with a colon. For example:
140:
340:
480:
Now when you list the program, every line
should be present.
The next difficulty seems to occur
during the scene-drawing when the ‘No
room’ error appears. The program has
run out of space to do its calculations or
store new variables. The cure is to
shorten the program. If you get the ‘No
room’ error first test the length of the
second program by typing:
PRINT TOP -PAGE
You will almost certainly find that the
length of this program is more than 6000
bytes. I found the program does not give
the error message if the program is under
6000 bytes long. So how do you set about
reducing it? The simplest way is to take
out as many spaces as possible. This,
however, is fraught with problems for the
beginner. If you delete only those spaces
indicated below you should make the
program short enough.
1 . Delete the spaces after the line number.
They are not necessary.
2. Delete the spaces after a colon, except
where the colon appears inside speech
marks, as in line 220 above.
3. Delete the spaces between the VDU
statement and any number that follows it.
4. Delete the spaces between any GOTO
and a number that follows it.
5. Delete the spaces between any
GOSUB and a number that follows it.
6. Delete the spaces between the IF
statement and whatever follows it.
If you are in any doubt about whether to
delete a space or not, leave it in. There is
another place where spaces could be
deleted. If you have copied several lines,
say to correct errors, then it is easy to
copy spaces at the end of the line. These
cannot be seen but take up memory
space. They can be made visible by
changing to mode 6, and redefining the
space to be a visible character. The
space can be changed into a shaded
block using the following:
VDU23.32, 1 70,85, 1 70,85, 1 70,85, 1 70,85
This should be typed in directly, not
included as part of the program, and
then the program listed. All the extra
spaces become visible and can be edited
out. By now it should be under 6000
bytes, and it won’t run out of memory.
Having done all this, make one more
careful check to see that the program
has been typed in correctly. Do this by
listing sections of about 10 lines at once
(LIST10.100 etc) and don’t check it all at
once. Some mistakes are difficult to spot
and a break helps the concentration.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
HINTS & TIPS
• •
Listing 1.
• •
_ Listing 4. _
^ 10 REM Listing 1 ^
# 10 REM Listing 4 #
20 TIME = 0
20 TIME = 0
• 30 MODE 1 •
• 30 MODE1 #
• 40 VDU29 , 640 ; 5 1 2 ; •
• 40 VDU29,640; 512; •
^ 50 rad i us=400 ^
# 50 R7.=400 #
60 FOR T=0 TO 1
a A
55 S7.=R7.*R7.
9 70 MOVE -radiu.5,0 9
• 60 FOR T7.=-l TO 1 STEP 2 *
• 80 FOR X=-radius TO radius •
• 70 MOVE -R7. , 0 •
# STEP 8 #
# 80 FOR X7.=-R7. TO R7. STEP 8 #
90 Y=SQR(radius*radius-X*X)
100 DRAW X7.,T7.* (SQR <S7.-X7.*X7.) >
• 100 IF T=1 THEN Y=— Y •
• 110 NEXT X7. •
• 1 10 DRAW X , Y •
• 120 NEXT T7. •
# 120 NEXT X #
# 130 PRINT TIME/100; "sec" 4
130 NEXT T
• 140 PRINTTIME/100; "Bee" •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• #
^ Listing 2. ^
• •
• •
Listing 5.
• 10 REM Listing 2 •
0 10 REM Listing 5 0
20 TIME =0
20 TIME = 0
• 30 MODE 1 •
• 30 MODE1 •
• 40 VDU29,640; 512; •
• 40 VDU29,640; 512; •
9 50 R7.=400 #
# 50 R7.=400 0
60 FOR T7.=-l TO 1 STEP 2
55 S7.=R7.*R7.
* 70 MOVE -R7.,0 *
• 60 FOR T7.=-l TO 1 STEP 2 #
• 80 FOR X7.=-R7. TO R7. STEP 8 •
• 70 M VE -R7.,0 •
90 Y7.=T7.*(SQR<R7.*R7.— X7.*X7.) )
80 FOR X7.=-R7. TO R7. STEP 20
• 100 DRAW X7.,Y7. •
• 100 DRAW X7.,T7.*(SQR<S7.-X7.*X7.) ) #
• 110 NEXT X7. •
• 110 NEXT X7. •
• 120 NEXT T7. •
0 120 NEXT TV. 0
130 PRINTTIME/100; "sec"
• •
130 PRINT TIME/100; "sec"
• •
• •
Listing 3.
f £
• •
Listing 6.
A a
10 REM Listing 3 _
10 REM listing 6
• 20 TIME =0 *
• 15 TIME =0 •
• 30 MODE 1 •
• 20 MODE1 •
• 40 VDU29 , 640; 512; •
0 30 VDU29 , 640 ; 5 1 2 ; #
m 50 R7.=400 #
40 S7.=400
a a
* 55 S7.=R7.*R7.
• 50 MOVE S7.,0 •
• 60 FOR T7.=-l TO 1 STEP 2 •
• 60 FOR A=0 TO 2*F'I STEP F’I/30 •
• 70 MOVE -R7 . , 0 •
0 70 DRAW S7.*C0S(A> ,S7.*SIN(A> #
_ 80 FOR X7.=-R7. ,TO R7. STEP 8 #
80 NEXT A
90 Y7.=T%*<SQR(S7.-X7.*X7.) )
• 90 PRINT TIME/100; "sec" •
• 100 DRAWX7.,Y7. •
• •
• 110 NEXT X7. •
• •
# 120 NEXT T7. ^
A A
130 PRINTTIME/100; "sec"
• •
V W
• •
• •
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
HINTS & TIPS
Listing 7. As strings are changed, memory runs out
10 REM listing 7
20 CLS
30 DIM A$(99)
40 B$="A“
50 FOR T=1 TO 100
60 FOR N=0 TO 99
70 A*(N)=B$
00 NEXT N
90 PRINTTAB( 10, 10) "WORKING
T=" ; T
100 B$=B*+"A"
110 NEXT T
Listing 8. The cure
10 REM listing 8
20 DIM A-f (99)
30 FOR T=0 TO 99
40 A$(T)=STRING*(20, "*")
50 NEXT T
•
•
•
Listing 9. Steve Ostler’s four-colour dump for the Seikosha GP- 250X
•
•
•
•
32000
REM Listing 9
•
A
•
32010
DEFPROCtonedump
9
•
32020
REM Seikosha GP— 250X 4— tone dump
9
A
32030
REM -for modes 1,4 and 5
•
V
32040
A
•
32050
DIM pattern 3
•
•
32060
! pattern=&0F090800
•
A
32070
bottom=82: top=bot tom+959
•
V
32080
VDU2
a
•
32090
9
•
32100
REM set line -feed to 1/3"
•
A
32110
VDU1 ,27, 1 ,76, 1,02
a
w
32120
V
•
32130
FOR X7.=0 TO 1279 STEP 32
•
•
32140
FOR split7.=0 TO 1
•
A
32150
A
w
32160
REM select graphics mode.
w
9
32170
REM &E0 bytes of data
9
•
32180
VDUl ,27,1,71,1,01,1 , S<E0
9
32190
1 ef t=16*spl i tX: r i ght=l ef t+15
m
32200
FOR Y7.=bottom TO top STEP 4
w
•
32210
byte 1 =0 : byte2=0
•
•
32220
FOR x'/.=ri ght TO left STEP-4
•
32230
colour=PQINT (X%+x5£,YX)
^F
32240
IF colour<0 THEN colour =0
w
•
32250
bytel=bytel*4: by te2=by te2*4
•
#
32260
bytel=bytei+pattern?col our MDD4
•
•
32270
byte2=byte2+pattern?col our DIV4
ft
32280
NEXT
#
32290
VDU1 ,bytel , 1 ,byte2
•
•
32300
NEXT
•
•
32310
NEXT
a
32320
VDU3
w
•
•
•
32330
ENDPROC
•
•
•
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
I
BEEB FORUM
m Program 1. Enter as shown
0
•
REM***************************
******** #
• 10
FOR
I7.=0 TO 3 STEP 3 *
1 20
py.«&1906
• 30
COPT 17. •
• 40
LDA,
#138 a
50
LDX
#0
• 60
LDY
#82 •
* ^O
JSR
&FFF4 0
80
LDY
#85
• 90
JSR
&FFF4 •
* 100
LDY
#78 m
110
JSR
&FFF4
• 120
LDY
#14 •
m 1 30
DEY
9 140
JSR
&FFF4
• 150
RTS:
3 •
m 160
NEXT
9 170
:
w
• 180
REM
Auto Run by A Oliver •
190
REM
Beeb Forum October 1983
9 200
REM
Run this program then type^
# 210
REM
DEL. 10,230 #
220
REM
now add lines 10 and 20 of
• 230
•
REM
listing 2 •
•
HOW TO PROCEED
Enter program 1 as shown. Ensure that line 0 contains at eas
30 Run the prog ram. An assembler listing will be produced The
machine code produced by this listing will now have been
assembled within line 0. overwriting most °' ^ nS c k 0 S ntains
If you list the program you II see that line 0 contains
'garbage . We need to keep this line, so delete lines 10 to 230
inclusive by typing
DELETE 10.230
Now type in the contents of program 2 The ^
look like program 3. To be able to run this we need to * SAVE
it, and to do this we must know the value of TOP so ente .
PRINT ~TOP
Add 1 to this value and make a note of it.
*SAVE- e TAPEDIS" 1900 xxxx 1906
whpre 1900 is the value of PAGE, xxxx is value of TOP +
1 and &1906 is the assembled address of the machine
code as specified by P% in program 1
Enter listing 4 and save it with:
SAVE “TD"
To auto-run the tape to disc copier you can simply enter
STAPEDIS
Of course, you could also use CH. TD .
Program 3. Do not type in. This listing merely shows what the result of
listings 1 and 2 should be
O REM*LENTAB (EXTEVALR REMOSCL I EVALU
REMOSCL I EVALN REMOSCL I EVAL3TEP' REMOSCL
I ' -X- -X X- -X- *X -X- -X* "X-
10 PAGE---?.: 1 1 OO
20 CHAIN "TD"
Program 2. Enter after
altering program 1
10 PAGE~?< 1 100
20 CHAIN "TD"
•
a
Program 4. Enter and save as “TD”
320 REM Get name and addresses
•
•
10
REM TD
330 REM. A$ is name
•
20
REM OSFILE to transfer from tape
to disc
332 REM B$ is length
•
30
REM (c) Acorn User June 1984
334 REM C$ is load address
•
35
REM by George Hill
336 REM D$ is exec address
•
40
M0DE7
340 A$= H "
•
50
HIMEM=MB00
350 FOR I7.®0 TO 8: AT=*A$+CHR$ ( I7.7&7CC8) : NEXT
w
9
60
ON ERROR REPORT : PR I NT " at line
! ERL : GOTO 250
360 REM Retain directory if present
a
70
osf i 1 e=$<FFDD
370 IF MID*<A*,2,1> THEN A$*=LEFT$ ( A* , 7>
•
a
80
DIM name 9
380 *name=A$+CHR*13
V
90
DIM control _bl ock 17
390 B*=""
•
100
contr ol _bl ock' 1 0=name MOD 256
400. FOR 1 7.= 1 4 TO 18: B*=B*+CHR* < I7.">S<7CC8> : NEXT
•
110
control_block?l=name DIV 256
410 C$="”
•
120
X7.=control_block MOD 256
420 FOR 1 7.=22 TO 30: C$=C*+CHR$ ( I7.^7CC8) : NEXT
•
130
Y7.*control block DIV 256
430 D*=""
#
140
REPEAT
440 FOR 1 7.-3 1 TO 38: Df =D$+CHR$ ( I7.?k7CC8> ; NEXT
•
150
REM Load the file from tape
450 REM Load A register for file saving
A
160
♦TAPE
460 A7.=0
V
m
170
♦OPT 1,2
470 REM adjust block tor saving
A
w
180
♦0PT2 , 2
480 FOR I7.=2 TO 17: control _bl ock?I7.=0: NEXT
•
A
190
CLS : PRINT "LOADING FROM TAPE"
490 control block ! StA^M BOO
w
200
♦LOAD"" 1 BOO
500 control ock! &E=&lB00+eVAL<"V'+B$>
•
210
♦DISC
510 CALLosfile
•
220
PROCsave_f lie
520 ENDPROC
•
230
PROCwr i te_addr esses
530 :
•
240
UNTIL FALSE
540 DEFF’ROCwr i te_addr esses
•
250
♦ TAPE
550 A7.= l
•
260
♦OPT 1 , 1
560 control _bl ock ! 2=EVAL < "8<"-fC$>
a
270
♦OPT 2, 1
570 control _bl ock ! 6=EVAL ( "S<" *-D$ )
•
a
280
♦DISC
580 control _bl ock ! ?<A=*EVAL ( )
w
290
END
590 control _bl ock ' ?<E=0
•
A
300
600 CALLosfile
•
•
310
DEFPROCsave_ file
610 ENDPROC
•
•
BH
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
GRAPHICS
See ‘Leader of the Pack page 61
Listing 1 . How parts 1 to 6 fit together
10 M0DE1
15 PRQC_design
16 PROC_characters
20 FOR card_positions = 1 TO 6
30 READ x_coord , y_coord
40 F'ROC_draw_card (x_coord , y_coord ,7)
50 NEXT card_positions
60 END
500 DAT A 360 , 55 , 620 , 55 , 880 , 55 , 360 , 375 , 620 , 375 , 880 , 375
600:
900 REM
910 REM
920 REM
930 REM
940 REM
950 REM
960 REM
970 REM
980 REM
990:
1000 DEF
1010 VDU
1020 GCOL
1030 CLG
*****************•*-*■**-**■*■*■***
** You can use method 1 **
** of PROC_pri nt_desi gn **
** instead of method 2, **
** but remember to add **
** line 1065 (which is **
** the same as line 1045 **
** for method 2 ) **
*******•********■**■#•*■*■*•***#•-*■**
PR0C_dr aw_card (x_coord , y_coord , col our >
24 ,K_coord; y_coord ; x__coord+200; y_coor d+290;
0,128+colour
1040 VDU 26
1045 PR0C_pr i nt_design (x_coord+70, y_coor d+ 1 70 , 1 >
1050 ENDPROC
1100 :
2000 DEF PRGC_desi gn
2010 VDU 23,224,170,65,136,20,136,65,160,80
2020 VDU 23,225,170,65,136,20,8,65,130,4
2030 VDU 23,226,170,85,170,85,42,21,10,5
2040 VDU 23,227,168,0,128,0,128,64,160,80
2050 VDU 23,228,2,1,2,85,0,0,0,0
2060 VDU 23,229,168,84,34,81,0,0,0,0
2070 VDU 23,230,128,0,128,0,128,0,128,0
2080 VDU 23,231,128,0,128,0,128,0,0,0
2090 design* = CHR*224 + CHR*225 + CHRS230 + CHR*8 + CHR*8
HR*226 + CHR*227 + CHR*230 + CHR*8 + CHR*8 + CHR*8 + CHR*10
+ C HR* 231
2100 ENDPROC
2200 :
3000 DEF PR0C_pr i nt_desi gn (x_coord , y_coor d , col our )
3010 VDU 5
+ CHR*8 + CHR* 1 0 + C
+ CHR*228 + CHR*229
3020 GCOL 0, col our
3030 MOVE x_coord,y_coord
3040 PRINT design*
3050 MOVE x_coord-10 , y_coord-*-80
3060 DRAW x__coord-30,y_coord+80
3070 DRAW x_coord~30,y_coord+60
3080 MOVE x_coord+80, y_coord-140
3090 DRAW x_coord+100 , y__caard~140
3100 DRAW x_coord+100,y_coord-120
3110 ENDPROC
4000:
5900 REM ***********************--*****
5910 REM ** The next procedure is **
5920 REM ** not used in this **
5930 REM ** program but is still **
5940 REM ** included to be added **
5950 REM ** to any program the **
5960 REM ** reader decides to **
5970 REM ** write **
5980 REM **********************-***-** *
5990 :
6000 DEF PROCchar acter s
6010 VDU 23,232,8,28,28,107,127,107,8,28
6020 VDU 23,233,8,28,62,127,62,28,8,0
6030 VDU 23,234,54, 127, 127, 127,62,28,8,0
6040 VDU 23,235,8,28,62,127,127,127,28,62
6050 cl ub*=CHR*232: di amond*=CHR*233: h ear t*=CHR*234: spade*~CHR*235
6060 ENDPROC
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
1 3D GRAPHICS
See ‘Soft Pottery', page 67
^ Listing 1
•
a
•
•
a
•
10
M0DE1
390
W
•
L X7. ( 07. ) =x 7. : L Y7. ( 07. ) =y7. : L Z 7. ( V7 ) =z 7.
• 20
M7.=2200: VZ7=-3000: VY7=850
400
PROCp 1 ot ( 4 , x 7. , y 7. , z 7. ) •
30
DIM Prof i le7.<40) ,LX7(40> ,LY7.(40) ,LZ7.<40>
410
NEXT
• 40
REPEAT
420
NEXT •
50
CLS
430
NEXT -
• 60
REPEAT
440
END •
70
INPUT TAB (3,6) "function ",F*
450
• 80
UNTIL FSO""
460
DEFPROCp 1 ot (K7.,X7.,Y7.,Z7.) 9
YU
CLS
470
M=M7./ (Z7.-VZ7) f
• 100
M0VE640 , 0: PL0T21 ,640, 1023
480
PLOTK7.,X7*M, (Y7.-VY7)*M
- 1 10
FOR V7=o’ TO 40
490
ENDPROC a
• 120
Prof i 1 e7. ( V7.) =EVAL (F$ )
500
W
0 130
IF V7.=0 K7.=4 ELSE K7.=5
510
DEF PROCfacet •
W 140
PLQTK7 , 640+EVAL ( F$ ) , 100+V7*20
520
GCOLO , E VAL ( P$ )
f 150
NEXT
530
PROCplot (85,TX7.,TY7.,TZ7.) •
W 160
PRINT TAB<3, 8 ) "continue ? "5
540
PROCplot (85, LX7.(V7.) ,LY7.(V7.) ,LZ7.(V7.) )
0 170
A$=GET$
550
ENDPROC •
180
UNTIL A$=" Y" OR A$= H y"
560
:
0 190
CLS
570
DEF PROCr otateY ( X7 , Y7 , Z7. , A ) •
200
REPEAT
580
S=S I NRADA : C=C0SRADA
0210
INPUT TAB(3, 4) "pattern ",P$
590
x7=X7*C-Z7*S •
220
UNTIL P$<>" "
600
z7.=Z7.*C+X7*S
#230
INPUT TAB (3,6) *'X angle '*,AX
610
y7.=Y7. •
240
INPUT TAB (3,8) " Z angle " ,AZ
620
ENDPROC _
#250
CLS
630
•
260
a
VDU29 , 640; 1200;
640
DEF PROCr otateX (X7., Y7.,Z7.,A) 0
• 270
VDU19, 1 ,4; 0; 19 , 2 , 6; 0; 19 , 3 , 7; 0;
650
S=S I NRADA : C=C0SRAD A
280
FOR S7.=-l TO 1 STEP2
660
y7.=Y7.*C-Z7*S 0
• 290
FOR H7.=0 TO 180 STEP 5
670
z7=Z7.*C+Y7*S
- 300
AY=90+S7*H7
680
x7.=X7. •
•310
FOR 07=0 TO 40
690
ENDPROC
A 320
PROCr ot a t e Y ( Pr of i 1 e7. ( 07. ) , 25*07-500 , 0 , A Y )
700
W 330
IF AZOO PR0CrotateZ(x7.,y7.,z7.,AZ>
710
DEF PROCrotateZ ( X7-, Y7-, Z7. , A)
0 340
IF AXOO PR0CrotateX(x7.,y7.,z7,AX)
720
S=S I NRADA : C=C0SRADA •
350
PROCplot (4,x7.,y7.,z7.)
730
x7.=X7*C-Y7*S
• 360
IF 07. >0 AND H7.>0 PROCfacet
740
y7.=Y7*C+X7*S •
370
IF 07=40 GCOLO,0: PROCplot (5 , x7. , y7 , z7.)
750
z7.= Z7.
• 380
TX7.=LX7.(07.) :TY7.=LY7.(07.) :TZ7.=LZ7.(07.)
760
ENDPROC •
•
A
^ Listing 2
W
•
• 10
MODE 4
280
•
0 20
9DU29 , 640; 1200;
290
DEFPROCp 1 ot ( K7. , X7 , Y7 , Z 7 )
a
30
M7.=2200: VZ7.=-3000: VY7.=850
300
M=M7/(Z7— VZ7)
•
0 40
DIMProf ile7.(40) ,LX7.(40) ,LY7.(40) ,LZ7.(40)
310
PL0TK7 , X7*M , (Y7.-0Y7.) *M
a
50
REPEAT CLS
320
ENDPROC
•
• 60
INPUT TAB ( 1 ,4) "Function " ,F*
330
;
A
70
UNTIL F*<>""
340
DEF PRQCrotateY ( X7 , Y7 , Z7 , A)
W
• 80
INPUT TAB ( 1 , 6 ) " X rotation " ,AX
350
S=S I NRADA : C=C0SRADA
0
90
INPUT TAB ( 1 , 8 ) " Z rotation " ,AZ
360
x7=X7*C-Z7*S
w
• 100
CLS
370
z7.= Z7.*C+X7*S
•
- no
FOR V7.=0 TO 10
380
y7.=Y 7
• 120
Pr of i 1 e% ( 07. ) =E0AL ( F* )
390
ENDPROC
•
m 130
NEXT
400
;
W 140
FOR H7.=0 TO 10
410
DEF PROCrotateX (X7,Y7,Z7, A)
•
0 150
AY=H7.*36
420
S=S I NRADA : C=C0SRADA
W 160
FOR 07=0 TO 10
430
y7=Y7*C— Z7*S
•
0 170
PROCr ot a t e Y ( Pr of i 1 e7. ( V7. ) , 1 00*07.-500 , 0 , A Y )
440
z7=Z7*C+Y7*S
180
IF AZOO PROCrotateZ (x7.,y7.,z7.,AZ)
450
x7=X7
•
0 190
IF AXOO PROCrotateX (x7.,y7.,z7.,AX)
460
ENDPROC
200
IF 07=0 K7=4 ELSE K7.=5
470
-
•
# 210
PROCp 1 ot ( K7. , x 7. , y 7. , z 7. )
480
DEF PROCrotateZ (X7.,Y7,Z7, A)
220
IF H7>0 PROCp 1 ot (5, LX 7 (07) ,LY7 (07) ,LZ7 (07) )
490
S=S I NRADA : C=C0SRADA
•
^ 230
L X 7 ( 07 ) =x 7 : LY7 ( 07 ) =y 7 : L Z 7 ( 07. ) =z 7.
500
x7=X7*C— Y7*S
W 240
PROCplot (4,x7,y7,z7)
510
y 7= Y7*C+ X 7*S
w
0 250
NEXT
520
z7=Z7
0
W 260
NEXT
530
ENDPROC
w
0 270
END
•
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
TAPE LOADER
See ‘Rapid Retrieval Taped ' , page 81
Listing 1. 'Loader, 1 an accurate and rapid search and load routine
for tapes
10 REM ** Initialisation ♦♦ ®
20 A
30 ♦TV 255 9
40 M0DE7 a
50 L0MEM=f0P-H$<80
60 DIM C0M“/. 30: cl i %=&FFF7 #
70
80 *KEY10 old:mrun:m •
250 PRINT" 9 ' " 1. LOAD" ' 9 "or 2. •
SAVE"
260 ?216=32: PRINT ' ' "Choose a number (1 •
or 2)"
270 ON INSTR ( " 12" , GET* ) G0T0600,280 EL •
SE 270 f
280 IF PA8&-&E00 THEN PRINTCHR*12; ' ' "T W
he program to be SAVED must be entered b £
efore this LOADER program. "Please st
art again if you wish to SAVE.": END •
290 CLS: INPUT’ ' "What is the name of th
e program?" ' PROGRAM*: PROCSAVE (PROGRAMS) : •
PROCDAT A ( PROGRAM* ) : END ^
300 9
310 DEF PROCSAVE ( PROGRAM* ): CLS £
320 TP7.= (TOP-1 ) :R7.=FNC(TP7.)
330 RESTORE < 1000+R7.) : READ A*,S7.,R7. •
340 PROCREW
350 PRINT' ' "Check that the tape counte ®
r is zeroed. "' ' "Ready?" : PROCYES ^
360 PROCFF •
370 CLS: PRINT' ' "Winding on .... Please £
wai t. ":TIME=0: ♦MOTOR 1
380 REPEAT: UNTIL T IME>S7.: *M0T0R 0 #
390 CLS: PRINT CHR* 7 s * ’ "Press STOP" " " Is
it ready?": PROCYES •
400 CLS : PROCc 1 i ( " SAVE " " " +PR0GR AM* + " " " "
+ " E00 "+STR*~ (PAGE-1) ) : ENDPROC •
410 ^
420 REM ♦♦Procedure to record fast-
forward times ♦♦ £
430
440 DEF PROCDAT A (PROGRAM*) •
450 CLS: PRINT" "Car eful 1 y note the tap
e counter reading. "' ' "Ready?" : PROCYES ®
460 PROCREW: PROCFF m
470 PRINT" "When the tape counter show 9
s the end of"' "the program has been reac f
hed press"’ "ANY KEY to stop."
480 R7.=FNC(TP7.) %
490 R7.=R7.+ 1: T I ME=0: ♦MO TOR 1
500 G*=GET*:T7.=TIME:N*=" "+PR0GRAM*+ " , 9
"+STR* ( T 7C > + " , "+STR* (R7) : ♦MOTOR 0 f
510 N1=(1000+R7.)DIV 256:N2=(1000+R7.)M0
D 256 0
520D=LEN (N*) +5: P*=CHR*N1+CHR*N2+CHR*D+
CHR*220+N*+CHR*13+CHR*255: * ( TP7. ) =P* : PROC •
REW: PROOFS
530 CLS: PRINT" "Wi nding on .... Please®
wait. "
540 TIME=0:*M0T0R 1 •
550 REPEAT .-UNTIL TIME >50: *M0T0R 0
560 CLS: PRINT CHR*7 " "Press ST0P"""Is®
it ready?": PROCYES ^
570CLS: Loader *=" Loader ": PROCc 1 i ("SAVE" W
" "+Loader*+" " " "+STR*' > ' (PAGE) +" "+STR*' v (T0 £
P+LEN (P*) -1 ) )
580 ENDPROC #
590
600 PROCLOADsEND •
610 -
620 DEF PROCLOAD 9
630 RESTORE 1002: CT7.=-1 : CLS: PRINT' 7 "Pr
ograms on this tape are: ' ’ : TP7.=51 10: RE
PEAT: TP7.=TP7.+ 1 : UNTIL?TP7.=255: L7.=FNC (TP7.)
640 CT7.=CT7.+ 1
650 F0RN7.= 1 TO 5: READ A*,S7.,R7.
660 PRINTN7.;" ";A*':IF R7.=L7. THEN N7.=
6: PRINT' 'TAB (25) ".. .That's all. "
670 NEXT:PRINT" "Type the number of yo
ur choice"" "or press the SPACE BAR."
680 G*=GET*: IF G*=" " THEN G0T0790 ELS
E G7.=VAL(G*)+5*CT7.
690 IF VAL (G*) >5 OR VAL(G*)=0 OR G7.>L7.
-1 THEN PRINTTAB (0, 23) CHR*1365 "Choose on
e of the numbers pi ease 1 " : G0T0680
700 RESTORE ( 1 000+G7. ) : READ A* , S7. , R7.
7 1 0 PROCREW : PROCFF : CLS : PR I NT " " Wi nd i ng
on .... Please wai t . " : T IME=0: *M0T0R 1
720 REPEAT: UNTIL T IME>S7.: *M0T0R 0
730 CLS: PRINT CHR*7" "Does this progra
m need the max i mum" ' "memory available?"
740 IF GET*=" Y" CLS ELSE 760
750PRINT' ' CHR*136"THIS WILL WIPE OUT L
oader " ' ' " Do wish to continue?" : IF GET**
"Y" G0T0770 ELSE CLS: PRINT " "Press KEY f
0 to try agai n . " : G7.=GET
760 PAGE=T0P+&100
770 CLS: PRINT" "Press PLAY."" "Is it r
eady?" ’ : IF GET*< >" Y" THEN 770
780 CLS: CHAIN"": ENDPROC
790 CLS: IF R7.<L7. THEN G0T0640 ELSE PR I
NT" "There are no more on this tape."""
Do you want to try again?": IF GET*="Y" T
HEN G0T0630
800 CLS: PRINT" "Try another tape.": END
PROC
810
820 DEF PROCREW: REM ♦♦ Rewind ♦ ♦
830 CLS: PRINT" "Press the rewind key."
""Is it ready?": PROCYES
840 ♦MOTOR 1
850 CLS: PRINT" "Is it fully rewound?":
PROCYES: *M0T0R 0
860 ENDPROC
870 DEF PROCFF: REM ♦♦ Fast Forward ♦ *
880 CLS:PRINT" "Press the FAST FORWARD
key. """Is it ready?" : PROCYES
890 ENDPROC
900
910 DEFPROCYES
920 IF INSTR ("Yy", GET*) >=1 ENDPROC ELS
E 920
930
940 DEFFNC(TP7.)
950 L*=* ( TP7.-3 ) : I F VAL (LEFT* (L* , 1 )) =0
THEN =VAL (RIGHT* (L*, 1) > ELSE =VAL(L*>
960
970 DEFPROCcli (cl*)
980 *C0M7.=cl*: X7.=COM7.: Y7.=C0M7. DIV 256
990 CALL cl i 7.: ENDPROC
1000
1001 DATA LOADER, 1100, 1
Listing 2. Patch to cure bugs in the OS 0.1 CFS
80
♦KEY 10 ?&2 1 8=&D0 : ?&2 1 9=&D : ?4c20A=& ^
D6 : ?&20B=&D ! MOLD ! MRUN 1 M •
90
a
100
REM ♦♦ O.S. version 0.1 Patch ♦*
110
FOR 1 7=0 TO l:P7.=StDD0 f
120
COPT 1 7.^2
130
.FI XI PHA: JSR &F521 : PLA: RTS •
140
n
.FIX2 CMP#&9 1 : BNE GO: CPX*fO: BNE G
u
150
TSX: LDA&102, X: CMP#&F7: BEQ TRAP
160
LDX#0:.TX LDA#&9 1 : ST A&FE09 : RTS 9
170
-GO JMP (&DB60) #
180
.TRAP PLA: PLA
190
JSR&F9D8: JSR&FB7B %
200
JSR TX : JMP&F7FB
210
1NEXT •
220
?&2 1 8=F I X 1 : ?&2 1 9=F I X 1 DIV 256
230
?&20A=F I X2: ?&20B=F I X2 DIV 256 •
•
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
I HARDWARE
•
Listing 1 . Shows how the characters are formed on the screen
•
•
10
M0DE6
•
•
20
VDU19; 4 ; 0;
Background colour blue
•
30
M7.=&6DC0
Somewhere in middle of screen
•
40
N7.=&C080
Character generator in rom
•
•
50
REPEAT
60
A=GET
Wait for a key to be pressed
•
70
?M7.=?N7.
Poke another byte into screen ram
•
ft
B0
M7.=M7.+ 1
ft
w
90
N7.=N7.+ 1
w
•
100
UNTIL A= 13
Escape if return key pressed
•
Listing 2. Displays the character generator in large block
•
form
•
10
M0DE6
ft
20
PROCinit
30
FORM7.=&C000 TO ?<C2FF
•
40
F’ROCbyte (M7.)
A
50
NEXT
w
60
END
9
70
B0
DEFF'ROCbyte (IT/.)
•
90
LOCAL T7.,H7.
•
100
@7.=6
1 10
T7.= 128
•
120
PR I NT~M7. , CHR$253 ;
•
130
FOR H7.=0 TO 7
140
IF (?M7. AND T7.)>0 THEN
•
•
150
T7.=T7./2
•
•
160
NEXT
170
@7.=3
•
180
PR I NTCHR$254 , ?M7. , ,V ?M7.
ft
190
ENDPROC
w
200
•
210
DEFPROCi nit
A
220
LOCAL N
W
230
VDU 19; 4; 0; 23; 10,32,0; 0;0;
9
240
N=1
250
VDU23 , 253 ,N,N,N,N,N,N,N,N
•
260
N=128
•
270
VDU23 , 254 ,N,N,N,N,N,N,N,N
280
N=126
•
290
VDU23 , 255 ,0,N,N,N,N,N,0,0
ft
300
ENDPROC
•
•
Listing 4. Displays a bit representation
•
a
10
BITS7.= 16
•
20
*FX 16,4
W
•
30
M0DE6
•
40
PROCinit
A
•
50
REPEAT
9
60
VDU30
9
70
FOR N7.= 1T04
•
80
REPEAT
9
•
90
UNTIL ADVAL (0) DIV256=N7.
9
w
100
PROCd l sp I ay ( AD V AL ( N7. ) )
•
1 10
NEXT
9
A
120
PRINT'* 1234567B91 111111"
ft
•
130
PRINT" 0123456"
9
140
UNTIL 0
•
150
END
a
•
160
9
•
170
DEFPROCd l sp 1 ay ( M7. )
9
180
T7.=2<8000
•
190
PRINTCHR*253;
9
•
200
FOR H7.= l TO BITS7.
9
210
IF (M’/i AND T7.) VDU255 ELSE
VDU32
•
220
T7.=T7./2
•
a
230
NEXT
V
240
PR INTCHR$254
•
250
ENDPROC
•
260
A
•
270
DEFPROCi nit
9
•
280
LOCAL N
9
290
VDU 19; 4; 0; 23; 10,32,0; 0;0;
a
•
300
N= 1
9
•
310
VDU23 , 253 , N , N , N , N , N , N , N , N
9
320
N= 1 28
•
330
VDU23 , 254 , N , N , N , N , N , N , N , N
9
ft
340
N=126
9
w
350
VDU23 , 255 , 0 , N , N , N , N , N , 0 , 0
360
ENDPROC
9
•
Listing 3. Displays the bit map and produces a text window on the screen
a
•
•
10
20
MODE 6
VDU 1 9; 4 ; 0;
Blue background
9
•
30
VDU23; 12; 0; 0; 0;
Make video ram start at page zero
•
•
40
?&34E=0
Tell O.S. to use pages zero onwards
a
50
VDU 12
Clear screen
•
9
•
60
70
VDU 28,0,24,39,14,12
? &E00= 1 3 : 7&E0 1 =255
Define a text window to avoid scrolling
Prepare to enter a program at ?<E00
•
80
FOR I7.=&E02 TO &1000
Clear the space
•
•
•
90
100
?I7.=0
NEXT
•
•
1 10
F'AGE=?/.E00
Change PAGE
•
ezhi
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
MONITORS
See 'Screen Test', page 134
# Test match: this program puts a monitor through various #
• •
trials detailed in the main text. See panel for a star rating
® of each monitor under review for tests A to 1 9
a a
• •
A #
0 10 REM VARIOUS MONITOR TESTS f
W w
a 570 REM * Screen border * f
20 REM ******* MENU ********
580 MODE 0
£ 30 MODE 7 #
# 590 M0VE2 , 2 : DRAW 1 277 , 2 : DRAW 1 277 , 1 02 1 : D #
40 *FXU,0
RAW2 , 1021 : DRAW2 , 2
# 50 *FX 15 , 0 #
# 600 REPEAT UNTIL GET=32 #
60 FORV= 1 T02 : PR I NTT AB ( 5 , V > CHR* 1 4 1 CHR
610 G0T030
# * 1 32CHR* 1 57SPC ( 3 ) CHR* 1 34CHR* 1 57CHR* 1 32 " M #
# 620 REM * Solid circle * #
onitor Tests "CHR*157SPC (4) CHR* 156: NEXT
630 MODE 0
• 70 F0RW=4 TO 5: PR I NTT AB (6 , W> CHR* 134; •
# 640 MOVE 740,512 •
CHR* 1 57 ; CHR* 141; CHR* 1 32 , " MENU " ; SPC 1 1 ; C
650 FOR C=0 TO PI+PI STEP0.01
0 HR* 156: NEXT •
• 660 DR AW640+ 1 00*C0S (0,512+1 00*S I N ( C > •
80 PRINT ' 'TAB (5) "A. . . Random lower ca
670 DRAW640+500*C0S ( C > ,51 2+500*S I N ( C )
• se 1 etters" : PR I NTT AB (5) "B. . . Inverse M's •
• 680 NEXT C •
_ and W ' s. " : PR I NTT AB (5) "C. . . Flashing B/W ^
690 REPEAT UNT ILGET=32 ^
• . •• •
• 700 GOT 030 •
m 90 PRINTTAB (5) "D. . . Alternating bars. m
^ 710 REM * Horizontal bands o-f colour A
9 ":PRINTTAB(5) "E. . . Border 1 i ne. " : PRINTTA 9
^ * ^
^B(5)"F... Circles." ^
m 720 MODE 2 f
9 100 PRINTTAB(5> "G. . . Horizontal colou W
9 730 FOR 1 7.=0 TO 1023 STEP4
a r stripes. " : PRINTTAB <5> "H. . . Flashing te f
f 740 GC0L0,(I7./4 M0D8) f
W xt. " :PRINTTAB<5> " I. . . Colour test."
750 MOVE 0,17.
m 110 PRINTTAB (5) " Z . . . " ; CHR* 131 ; "END PR #
# 760 DRAW 1279, 17. #
OGRAM" : PRINT TAB ( 10> "ENTER your choic
770 NEXT 17.
#©•"; #
# 780 REPEAT UNTIL GET=32 #
120 ON I NSTR ( " ABCDEFGH I Z " , GET * ) GOTO 170
790 GOT 030
#,260,370,470,580,630,710,810,920,130 ELS #
# 800 REM * Persistence test * #
E VDU7: GOTO 120
810 MODE 1
# 130 MODE 7 •
# 820 *FX9 , 60 •
140 END
830 *FX 10 , 70
• 150 REM ***** THE TESTS ****** •
• 840 VDU 1 9 , 3 , 1 5 ; 0 ; •
160 REM * Random lower case letters *
850 FOR X7.= l TO 10
• 170 MODE 0 •
• 860 PRINT "A TEST FOR PERSISTENCE." •
180 CLS
870 PRINT : PRINT
# 190 FOR N7.= l TO 2560 #
# 880 NEXT X7. #
200 C=RND (26)
890 REPEAT UNTIL GET=32
# 210 VDU C+96; #
# 900 GOTO 30 #
220 NEXT N7.
910 REM * Colour test *
• 230 REPEAT UNTIL GET=32 •
• 920 M0DE7 •
240 G0T030
930 H7.=5
® 250 REM * Alternating inverse M's and 9
• 940 FOR Y7.=2 TO 20 •
W's *
950 FOR I7.= l TO 7 -
• 260 VDU23, 240, 156, 156, 148, 148, 128, 136, •
9 960 B*=STR I NG* ( 3 , CHR* ( &90+ 1 V . ) +STR I NG* •
m 156,255 ^
^ ( 4 , CHR* ( 255 ) ) +CHR* (10) +STR I NG* ( 5 , CHR* ( 8 > ^
9 270 VDU23, 241 ,255, 156, 136, 128, 148, 148, 9
9 ) > 9
m 156,156 m
m 970 PRINTTAB ( H7.*I 7.-3, Y7.)B* a
9 280 CLS 9
9 980 NEXT 17. W
m 290 MODE 0 £
f 990 NEXTY7. £
W 300 FOR Z7.= l TO 16
1000 PR I NTT AB (0,1);" RED GRN YEL
f 310 FOR Y7.= l TO 40: VDU240 , 241 ; : NEXT Y7. f
# BLU MAG CYN WHT" #
320 FOR X7.= l TO 40: VDU87 , 77; : NEXT X7.
1010 REPEAT UNTIL GET=32
# 330 NEXT Z7. #
# 1020 G0T030 #
340 REPEATUNTIL GET=32
# 350 G0T030 #
• •
360 REM * Flashing B/W screen *
# 370 CLS #
• •
380 MODE 0
# 390 FOR T7.= l TO 15 •
• •
400 VDU 1 9 , 2 , 0 ; 0 ;
• 410 FORdel ay=l TO 1000: NEXT •
• •
420 VDU19 , 2 , 7 ; 0;
• 430 FORdel ay=l TO 1000: NEXT •
• •
440 NEXT T7. ^
a a
• 450 GOTO 30 •
w w
^ 460 REM * White bars test * ^
A A
9 470 MODE 0 9
V w
m 480 VDU23, 240, 255, 255, 255, 255, 255, 255, £
# #
W 255 , 255
f 490 FOR Z7.= l TO 16 £
# #
500 FOR C7.= l TO 40
# 510 VDU240 #
# •
520 NEXTC7.
# 530 PRINT: PRINT #
• •
540 NEXTZ7.
# 550 REPEAT UNTIL GET=32 •
• •
560 G0T030
• •
• •
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
S pecial Offer
from Viglen
Complete disc system for the
BBC Model B
Package assumes you own a BBC Model B
with switched- mode power supply plus
1.2 Operating System
i\ jStbs*
Lv
m 1tm
m*
Offer includes:
• 100K full height Olivetti Disc Drive
(as used by Acorn),
including case and all leads
• Disc Interface (call at factory
for a FREE fitting whilst
you wait)
• User Guide
• Formatting Disc
• All necessary leads
Vi/derv
COMPUTER ^SUPPLIES
Unit 7 Trumpers Way
Hanwell W7 2QA
Telephone: (01) 843 9903
Disc Drive
and Interface
*199%,
/V •aSr -
,.*A*
^pV
oO <£>
PVa* rt-
-V? .e\
• <f<r
c? v'P
c,~ ,\° V®* A°'
<N C <®" A™ ,
\ e V? cf #
Due to a misunderstanding entirely unconnected with Viglen and circumstances beyond Viglen's control incorrect details appeared in the previous issue
Viglen sincerely hope that this time the information in this advert is correct and looking forward to receiving your orders.
i CORN USER JUNE 1984
97
INCREDIBLE ANIMATION BROUGHT TO YOUR BASIC PROGRAMS
SIMONSOFT SPRITES VERSION TWO
@£12.95 £15.95 on 40
for the BBC 32K or 80 track disc
NOW AVAILABLE @ £12.95 FOR THE ELECTRON
An 18 FOLD INCREASE IN SPEED (BBC) of your own characier
designs makes this the EASIEST EVER screen movement seen in
Basic programs. Amazing animation effects are available at a command,
yet no knowledge of machine code is required. This incredible extension to your machine's
facilities is RAM based and your whole program can be SAVED/LOADED at the same time as
the control routine need take as little as 600 (1.5K) from the memory of your machine!
LOOK AT THESE FEATURES:
1. SPRITE GENERATOR PROGRAMS to create your own sprite designs. All 16 colours may be
used in each design, with characters as small as one pixel or as large as the 24 x 24 pixel
SUPERSPRITE. As you design the sprites they are automatically stored in the machine code
control routine so that you can delete the generator program before writing your own Basic.
2. UP TO 48 SPRITES ON SCREEN with 12 separate designs, each with 3 independently
controlled clones.
3. INSTANT ANIMATION with two images in each spnte design. These are switched
automatically as the sprite crosses the screen, allowing effects such as hopping frogs, running
men, etc.
4. COLLISION DETECTOR with a hit flag that is set to the numbers of any sprite
overlapping with the spnte just moved. When the sprites move apart, there is no
disruption of the sprite character designs.
0 5. ENLARGEMENT FACILITY of x2. x3, x4. x5 magnification of the normal size!
Let your invaders loom out of the screen in 3-D effects - or use enlarged sprites
throughout your program!
6- FOUR PRESET FLIGHT PATHS designed from the generator programs. Each
path has 8 definable directions, with up to 255 steps allowed in each direction. Once
sprites have been allocated to a path, they will move automatically as your program runs.
7. Both EOR and TRANSFER plotting of sprites to the screen are
available.
8. A SPRITE LIBRARY of sprite designs ready for use in your programs with
'books' such as 'GHOSTS' and 'MEN.'
9. SPRITE POSITION COORDINATE VARIABLES which are reset automatically by the control
coding. As you move your designs, the old' images left behind are deleted automatically
This amazing package includes control routines containing different combinations of the above
features - choose the routine best suited to the program you want to write. A comprehensive
colour manual, an introduction program and two arcade style demonstration games are also
included in the package. Compatability with other machines make our animation routines ideal
for serious programmers - and we won't claim royalties on programs you market using sprites!
N.B. Disc version may be bought on cassette for transferral to disc.
SUPERFRUIT @ £5.95 for the BBC 32K
£8.95 on 40 or 80 track disc
Simply the best. Full colour high resolution graphics.
Spinning reels with ’bounce! Incredible gamble effects,
hold, 3 types of gamble, swap reels, two-way nudge,
nudge gambles, coin pile that shrinks/grows, great
sound effects. Separate instruction program. This
implementation is in a class of its own.
'You would be fully justified in claiming that it
is better than the real thing" - M. Field, Oxford.
Actual screen photograph
CASTAWAY @ £8.95 for the BBC 23K
The Three Island Adventure
A beautifully designed adventure with a wealth of
puzzles of logic and imagination and wit. Tackle
beanstalks, irate gardeners and prigish chemistry
teachers! Brilliant use has been made of sound and
mode 7 graphics with full screen pictures. Set in vaned
terrain, from sand dunes to mansions, the adventure
provides an exciting range of locations through which
the castaway must pass in search of priceless treasure
and cryptic clues. Actual screen photograph ►
ORDERS TO:
SIMONSOFT, 25 TATHAM ROAD,
ABINGDON, OXON 0X14 1QB
TEL: 0235 24140
PROGRAMMERS - WE PAY 30% ROYALTIES FOR EXCELLENT PROGRAMS
spellwiseI
IS YORE SPELING REELY ATROSHUS?*
Or is it just a littel bit off kei?
In either case you need
SPELLWISE.
SPELLWISE diligently checks every word in your
text against the SPELLWISE dictionary. When it has
finished you will be left with a list of words which are
incorrectly spelt or not in the base vocabulary.
The program can be interrupted at any stage
for inspection of the remaining word list and for the
insertion of personal or specialist vocabularies. For
this purpose software is included to enable you to
create your own data files.
SPELLWISE comprises a set of one disc (or two
tapes) plus a complete user manual. The tape version
is limited to cassette recorders with motor control.
SPELLWISE costs £12 on tape, £18 on disc and can
be obtained from:—
DATAWARE FREEPOST SWINDON SN3 4BR
- Hi i
CABLE TIES ■ PVC INS TAPE ■ BBC CASS LEAD
BZYV88 Series
CV5V1-C9V1
0A90/91
1N4002
1N4004
1N4148
1N4150
7p.
7p-
4p.
4.5p.
2.5p.
7p.
NAT S./LOCKS'G
L. 3.6” W.1" 3p.
P. CLIPS WH.NYL
3/16" Dia. 3p.
1/4" Dia. 3p.
1/2" Dia. 4p.
3/4" Dia. 5p.
20M.x12mm wide
All Cols. 39p.
3 j Plugs
1.75
PVC EQUIP. WIRE
TRANSISTORS ■ LACING CORD
BC184B
BC184L
BF259
BD131
2N2646
2N3053
2N3773
TIP1 10
T05 PADS
BlkNy I.
9p.
9p-
30p.
50p.
85p.
55p.
1.95
59p.
1.2p.
50V CAPACITORS
DISC CERAMICS
0.01 mfd 6p.
0.1 mfd 9p.
FLAT WAXED NAT
1.2mm x 18mm TK
per reel 71 p
UNINSULATED
.5-1. 5mm wire
EYELETS
2. 4, 6BA 1.2p.
BUTTS 2p
LOCKING SPADE
.3-1 .4mm wire
4BA 6p.
1. 5-2.5 wire
4BA 5p.
RESISTORS ■ TIN CPR WIRE
CARBON FILM
200gm. Reels
.25W.5°/oH.S.
16. 18swg
10R-10M
2p.
20. 22swg
1W.40C5%H.S.
24swg
10R-1M
6p.
M'CORLSU
RAINBOW per M.
10 WAY 75p.
20 WAY 1.45
500gms Reel
22g 60/40
1.56
1.61
1.75
7.40
4-Way Blk.
5.79
4- Way White
6.24
FUSES
20mm Anti-Surge
.5, 1 . 2A
lOp.
MAINS 1"
2.3.5.13A
lOp.
DIN PLUGS
5pin 180
25p.
7pin
25p.
JACKPLUGS
2.5mm Mono
20p.
3.5mm Mono
25p.
3.5mm Stereo
30p.
PVC SCR CABLE I
4Core4Scrns
perM.
50p.
JACK SOCKETS
Chasis Mtg.
2.5, 3.5mm
20p.
DIN SOCKET 180
5pin Chas.
25p.
5pm Line
30p.
ALL Plain Cols.
7/0.2 p/M
16/0.2 p/M
24/0.2 p/M
CLEANING FLUID
T/Heads, PCB's,
Contacts Etc.,
A'sol Can
1.75
X Style Brush 65p.
Padded 2M Lead
20-1 8KHz 5.76
TOP/TV AERIAL
7 Element X 2M Lead
X Coax Plug 6.95
Cut Any Material
L. 140mm 3.70
L. 190mm 4.00
3.5gmTwinPk.
EPOXY RESIN 25p.
2gm Super Glue 95p.
MAINS PLUG ■ EPSON RIBBON
13amp
49p. MX/RX/FX80 4.50
324
555
710
741
747
7400
7474
74121
74LS123
74LS393
60p
43p
61 p.
1.00
72p
31 p
42p
52p
97p.
1.20
D N DISTRIBUTION
72 WOOD LANE, CHIPPENHAM, WILTS. SN15 3DT. TEL: 0249 650207
All Producis. FIRST GRADE: FULL RANGE Price List on Request. All in stock Items
Despatched the SAME day. Official Orders welcomed from Govt. Depts.. Schools, etc.
CASH with Order; Please ADD 60p pBp. then ADD 15% VAI
Cheques payable to D N ELECTRONICS.
98
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
VIGLEN
branches out
to offer the best value
in monitors & printers
Uumlllb-iiool
PRINTERS
Daisy Wheel- JUKI 6100
Daisywheel printer 18 cps: bi-
220 characters per line.
2K Buffer, incl. cables £389.00 inc. VAT
J
N
Pi
El
~nn
v\
If
U
'FFER
J^ MICRO VITE C
O Microvitec 1431
O 14" Std-Res £199:
98 inc.
COMPLETE
WORD PROCESSING PACKAGE
BBC Model B fitted with
DFS 6? View, Green
Monitor, Daisy wheel
printer, disc drive,
manual & Formatting
disc, and all necessary
leads. £1200.00 inc. VAT -
f * ’
DOTMATRIX
Epson FX80 F/T. Now Prints at a speed of 160
characters per second! Remarkable range of
facilities. Italics, proportional spacing, user
down-loadable characters and a lot more.
Beautiful graphics. Friction feed as well
as tractor feed. £379.00 inc. VAT /
Epson RX80 F/T. A most reliable / G
printer at a realistic price. Offers /
100 characters per second. ■
Friction feed as well as tractor /
feed. £289.00 ✓ '
inc. VAT
1 QB
/'>
///«f
/ATS"
f <? & <8> & ce> 4
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
99
electro n Users:
THE ONLY ADD-ON YOU NEED EVER BUY
THE SIR PRINTER/ADC INTERFACE
★ NOT JUST ANOTHER JOYSTICK PORT- FULL ANALOGUE- TO -DIGITAL CONVERTER provides fully
proportional control, essential for use with graphics packages, digitizers, etc: ideal for scientific & educational
applications: usable with a wide variety of BBC Micro-compatible analogue and switched Joysticks/Paddles;
complete compatability with ALL currently-available software.
★ CENTRONICS PRINTER INTERFACE -allows use of a wide variety of parallel printers including entire Epson
range/ complete firmware support included .
★ HIGH-QUALITY MOULDED CASE -attractively styled plastic unit bolts securely to the back of the computer.
★ EASY TO FIT- no soldering, simply plugs straight into computer’s rear edge-connector and is held in place by twin
bolts: edge-connector on back of unit provides for further modular expansion if necessary.
★ THE SIR ELECTRON PRINTER/ADC INTERFACE £65.95
Q^ ^THE SIR ELECTRON RO M/RAM EXP ANSION BO ARD
★ Provides 1 2 extra sockets which support a variety
of ROM and RAM configurations up to a max of
192Kfor ROM and 16Kfor RAM.
★ ROM and RAM is normally paged in 1 6K blocks
but is easily switchable to 2K, 4K or 8K blocks.
★ Price £59.95
★ Easy to install -just plugs in.
★ Professional styled casing bolts to rear of
computer.
★ Fully buffered design.
★ Permits use of most BBC ROM -based software
including utility ROMs, word -processors &
languages.
THE SIR ROM/RAM EXPANSION BOARD
1 2 extra ROM sockets complement those already
provided by the micro to allow up to 256K ROM
space.
Four of these sockets can support either ROM or
Static RAM ( up to 16K maximum RAM).
The Model 2 board allows switching between
multiples of 2K.4K.8K or 16K ROM/RAM.
Fully compatible with all ROMs, including LDOS.
Aries B20. and TORCH Z80 2nd processor card.
★ NO soldering, plug-in design.
★ Fits easily inside BBC case.
★ Plugs into CPU socket via short flexible connector.
★ Improved plug design allows the Model 2 board to
connect securely to any type of BBC CPU socket
with no harm to micro on board.
★ Board is held in place by sturdysupports..
★ Full instructions provided.
SIR BBC MICRO ROM/RAM EXPANSION BOARD (Model 2): PRICE £40.00 + VAT
All our prices are inclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise.
Postage and Packaging:
POST FREE (small items: ROM Boards, etc.):
£10 P8iP (large items: Printers. Monitors, etc.).
Access/Bardaycard Telephone orders welcome.
SIR COMPUTERS Ltd.
91 WHITCHURCH ROAD. CARDIFF CF4 3JP.
Telephone: CARDIFF (0222)62181 3
&
100
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
INTRODUCING THE TEAC 3" DISC DRIVE
Single 100K £159incVAT + £8 carriage
Cased, and price includes cables, utilities disc and manual.
required type with or
without an integral power
supply unit.
The
Vi/jlerv
Special Service
To order, complete and send form, or ring
VERONICA, CAROLINE OR CATHY Now on 01-843 9903
r
n
Post to: VIGLEN COMPUTER SUPPLIES, UNIT 7, TRUMPERS WAY, HANWELL, LONDON W7 2QA.
Please send me (qty) TEAC 3" Disc Drive at £159 each + £8 carriage. I enclose Cheque/P.O. for £
made out to VIGLEN COMPUTER SUPPLIES or debit my ACC ESS/ BARCLAYCARD No
Name ■■■■Signature
Address
THE TOTAL COMPUTER CONSOL !
TEC from VIGLEN
O
As used by Cumana
BBC Compatible Disc Drive systems at
HALF HEIGHT
TEC Single sided 40 track 100K SV*
Disc Drive £129 inc VAT
TEC Double Sided 80 track 400K
5 VC Disc Drive £189 inc VAT
All disc drives come complete with /d
Professional Case • Ribbon cable
to connect to BBC Micro • Power
cable to connect to BBC Micro^^s^ ^
• Comprehensive Manual •
Formatting and utilities
disc. oP v
A
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
101
Should you computerise?
Barry Pickles talks you through the early decisions
S O YOU’RE thinking of using a
computer for your business? Before
you commit yourself, you need to
answer five basic questions:
1. Do I really need a computer?
2. What will it/they be used for?
3. How will it affect current working
practices?
4. Which software packages most readily
fit my needs?
5. Which computer should I use?
In the normal scheme of things, the choice
of computer is the last thing that needs to
be considered, because your choice will
be determined by those machines cap-
able of running your chosen software.
However, as you are reading this article, I
can safely assume that you are already
thinking in terms of the BBC micro;
perhaps you have one at home and are
looking for suitable ways in which it can
help your business. But let’s not get ahead
of ourselves. The first thing you need to
decide is whether a computer can help
you at all.
The answer is almost invariably ‘Yes’.
Microcomputers are useful to a business-
man in many ways. Two obvious applic-
ations are word processing and financial
planning/modelling and, if you look
through our back issues, you will find
reviews of various such packages avail-
able. I would also recommend that you
read the articles ‘Busi-Beeb’ and ‘Down to
Work’ in Acorn User, September 1982.*
Whether you can use a computer in
more complex ways depends upon your
particular situation. Just because you use
a computer, it doesn’t mean that your
work will be done more efficiently or cost-
effectively. With the advent of the Z80
second processor, much more business
applications software should become
available through the use of the C/PM
operating system - however, as with
Basic, there is no such thing as a standard
implementation.
Unless you are a sole trader - and
particularly if you have little experience of
computers - you must consider the effect
that a computer may have on your current
working system and on your employees.
Everyone has his own way of approach-
ing a task and the introduction of a
computer system, especially one using
off-the-shelf packages, can come as a
severe shock. Ideally, the software should,
as nearly as possible, approach the task
in the manner you use at present. If it
doesn’t, you may be faced with expensive
re-training bills or even the possibility that
a loyal member of staff will leave you
because of his or her inability to work with
*Back numbers of Acorn User are available from the
Subscriptions Dept, Redwood Publishing. 68 Long Acre,
London WC2E 9JH, price Cl .25 inclusive,
f Currently the only professional body for computer people
in the UK is the British Computer Society. While membership
is no guarantee, it does imply a certain standard. The BCS
will put you in touch with a local consultant member. The
address is 13 Mansfield Street. London W1M OBP (01-637
0471 ). The National Computing Centre has a network of
regional centres, where you can seek advice. These centres
have workshops in which you may try out various packages.
Initial contact is free of charge. The NCC is at: Oxford Road,
Manchester 1 (tel: Freephone 361 5).
the system. At best, some retraining will be
involved. Also, you will have to enter your
existing files into the system, which in itself
can be a severe headache.
The choice of software will be limited by
what is available for your system and what
best suits your working arrangements.
The choice of computer is already as-
sumed. As it happens, the BBC micro can
be of considerable help, thanks to its
sheer versatility and expandability. The
minimal system you will need will comprise
a monitor (TVs are not good enough for
business use), a printer and at least one
disc drive, though two would be prefer-
able. (Unless you are preparing docu-
ments purely for internal consumption,
the printer will have to be of letter quality.)
Having got thus far, you are ready to
begin final planning. It is at this stage that
you should seek professional advice,
either from a consultant or from one of the
regional offices of the National Computer
Centret. They will talk the whole thing
through with you and should have some
appropriate packages for you to look at
and try. Your local dealer may also let you
try out packages, but the time he is
prepared to allow you will depend, in
many cases, on how much business he
anticipates getting from you. If some of
your staff will be working with the final
implementation, it is a good idea to involve
them at this stage. Their views are likely to
be less euphoric than yours and they will
feel much happier about the whole
scheme if they have been involved in its
conception.
You may benefit from taking a short
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
BUSINESS
course in business computing. A number
are usually advertised in the computer
press, but you may well find that your local
adult education authority runs courses
locally. You will learn some of the things to
avoid and gain hands-on experience.
Before rushing out with your cheque-
book, plan the conversion process care-
fully. Write down all the stages that you will
have to go through and set yourself rough
targets. It is unlikely that you will be able to
meet them, but it gives you something to
measure your progress by.
When you come to purchase the
equipment, don’t forget maintenance.
Computers, and especially their peri-
pherals, can go wrong, so consider the
effect of this on your workflow. Mainframe
installations usually have engineers on
call 24 hours a day but you are unlikely to
find this level of service on a micro and, if
you do, it will not come cheap; sort this out
with your dealer at the time of purchase.
Implement the system in stages, the
simpler applications first, and thoroughly
test each application before you commit
yourself irrevocably. If possible run the
manual system in tandem for a while. A
good starting point is to set up a word
processing system to help you get used to
handling discs, controlling a printer and
generally organising a ‘work station'.
Finally, here are two golden rules,
lessons learned from almost 20 years’
experience in using computers in
business!
• COMPUTERS BREAK DOWN. Usu-
ally, at the most inconvenient time. Try
not to put yourself in a situation where
you are totally dependent upon the
machine to carry out your business
activities.
• PERIPHERALS DO GO WRONG.
Make it a rule that every day you will
make back-up copies of all the files
used that day. That way, you will have
only lost one day’s work if something
goes wrong. Back-ups should be
stored elsewhere from your normal
place of work, in case of fire.
• PEOPLE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
And they don’t like their normal rout-
ines being mucked about with!
Considering the versatility of com-
puters, I am amazed by the number of
systems which require staff drastically
to revise their working methods to fit in
with The Computer. Involve staff and
try to keep changes to a minimum.
OK, so that’s three rules, but then things
never turn out quite as you expected.
Computerising a business is a serious
matter, requiring careful thought.
VIRTUES OF
SIMPLICITY
Barry Pickles compares the
invoicing and mailing list
packages published by
Acornsoft and Gemini
Invoicing* and ‘Mailing List’, Acornsoft,
£24.95 each.
Invoicing & Statements’ and Mailing List’,
Gemini, £23.85 each.
T HE two pairs of packages reviewed
here from Acornsoft and Gemini are
each part of a whole suite of
packages produced by these houses,
designed to cover the ‘paperwork’ tasks
that most small businessmen find oner-
ous. The Acornsoft packs form an
integrated package; that is, data created
by one can be used by others. The Gemini
packs are not integrated.
Turning first to the Acornsoft pack for
Invoicing, this comes in a smart case with
manual, the first half of which deals with
the handling procedures for data files and
is common to all the other manuals. The
second half covers the package in use
and gives adequate information, but it is
not the most comprehensive documen-
tation I have encountered. All packs are
on 40-track, single-sided disc only
(although it doesn't say this anywhere in
the packaging) and if you use 80-track
you need to write to Acornsoft to find out
how to adapt the pack (Acornsoft says it
wasn’t possible to do the 40/80-readable
discs because of lack of space on the
disc). Each pack also requires its own
data disc (or two, if you are sensible and
back-up everything).
The disc auto-boots and you then have
to set up system parameters. This means
telling the system whether you are using
single or twin drives and what other
packages you have from the same series.
If this is the first use of the system you
create a data disc, following the prompts.
Here is the first hurdle, for the disc is first
referred to as the Data disc but is
subsequently called by a different name
(which depends upon which packyou are
using). This leads you to suppose, incor-
rectly, that it refers to a different disc and, if
you are using a twin drive system, you will
not have even removed the Data disc!
Now you move on to creating the
various files your system will need. The
files are created with a fixed record length,
and space is reserved on the disc by
creating a dummy file, which is sub-
sequently overwritten by real data. This
requires you to guess how many records
you'll need and you are advised to err on
the low side, since a large file cannot be
made smaller, but a small file can be made
bigger (more of this anon).
You are presented with the record
screen for you to input the required data.
Most fields are mandatory and some will
accept only numeric data. There is full
error-checking, so you can’t get it wrong.
The first thing you notice is that the
address field is limited to three lines. The
second thing is that, if you make a typing
mistake and you have already pressed
Return, you are given the option at the end
of each screen to proceed or not. Taking
the latter course, the entire record is wiped
out and you must do the whole thing
again. This is particularly disconcerting at
the end of the second screen, since both
screens are erased!
You may encounter another quirk with
the optional field for the (customer’s)
JCORNSiFT,
fcrtheMa
/iCORNSftFT/*'
<SSSSSSSS
purchase order number. If you ignore it
and just press Return, all is well; but if you
input some data, pressing Return returns
you to the menu screen and - yes, you've
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
More than just a joystick
- a system
Complete control
at your fingertips
A
A
A
A
A
Nylon encased — Steel shafted joystick
with ball and socket joint.
Fast sprung return to centre.
Graphite wiper linear potentiometers.
12 Months Guarantee.
7 day Money back Guarantee (on Hardware).
DELTA 14b HANDSET £14.95
DELTA 14b/1 A/D/USER PORT INTERFACE £14.85
DELTA DRIVER CASSETTE £5.95 or DISC £9.95
Prices include VAT and P&P. SAE for more detailed information
VOLTMACE LTD
PARK DRIVE
BALDOCK
HERTS
SG76EZ
Tel: (0462) 894410
Numerous stockists
nationwide or direct
from us.
Callers welcome at the
factory — Monday to Friday.
A superb joystick and a keypad for the price
of either one. Plus the software to integrate
it into the computer’s system.
One handset will work on it’s own in the A/D port as a
joystick and two fire buttons. Joystick is immediately
compatible with ACORNSOFT and similar software.
The interface joins together the analogue and the user ports
to use the full keypads giving a total of 24 user definable keys.
The interface can also be used as a splitter for the A/D port to
take two items at the same time. e.g. joystick and lightpen.
DELTA DRIVER on cassette or disc: Two programs on each cassette or disc. One converts
machine code programs from the keyboard to the joystick or keypad, with adjustable
sensitivity on the joystick and will run on any O.S. The second program (needs O.S. TO or
later and an interface) duplicates any keyboard keys on the keypads, in the operating
system, so that it can become a numeric keypad or will take on the function keys
HITACHI SPIDER HITACHI SPIDER HITACHI SPIDER HITACHI SPIDER HITACHI SPIDER HITACHI SPIDER HITACHI SPIDER HITACHI SPIDER HITACHI
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SPIDER SYSTEMS and HITACHI
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□ Double Disc Drive Double Sided Pack (a £491 .50.
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□ Pack of 1 0 3" Discs (a £41 .00. VAT. post and packing.
Generous Dealer Terms Available.
Name _
Address
SPIDER SYSTEMS Web House. 29 Elmfield Road. Stockport SK8 8SE. Telephone: 061-483 7692.
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104
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Jj BUSINESS
guessed it - the entire record is wiped out!
One way round this is to save the file with
any mistakes, load it back in and then use
the AMEND function provided, which
gives line-by-line editing. But why not do
this as the data is inserted?
From here, you next set up your VAT
classifications, five in all. This is straight-
forward, but I would have liked to have an
E (for exempt) class, rather than purely
numeric fields.
Now you are ready to produce an
invoice. You have the option to preview
any invoice in 80-column mode, without
printing. However, you find that to do this
you need to copy a file from the program
disc to the data disc. To be fair, the
manual tells you this, but why it wasn’t
automatically copied at the system set-up
stage I do not understand. If you've
forgotten to do it, you must quit the
program, copy the file, then re-enter and
work your way down through the various
levels.
The program is modular and there are
various levels - pressing Escape returns
you to the menu or the next highest level.
Print out your invoice(s) - and here is
your next shock. The invoice layout is fixed
and the print type is that of the default
setting of your printer. A sample invoice is
shown in figure 1 and you will see from this
that, as well as being restricted to A4
format, any pre-printed stationery you
have cannot be used. Even worse, the
company name header is not even
properly centred.
Having accepted the foregoing, you will
sooner or later want to make your files
larger. To do this, you select the EXTEND
option and follow the prompts. Again, the
error-checking is first-rate and you can-
not inadvertently insert the wrong disc.
However, when we tested it, it required no
fewer than 24 disc changes to accom-
plish. This was using only two of the
possible seven packs and on a twin-drive
system. How often you will have to do this
depends on your business, but it takes
ages and a lot of clicking and clunking on
the disc drives.
Most of what I've said so far also applies
to the Mailing List program (and, presum-
ably, the rest of the series). It is simpler to
use, with options to have a selective
mailing, based on four classification
types. Again, however, there is no print-
style option and no formatting. Neither
can you use labels set across the page,
since it prints them only vertically. You are
permitted only one copy of each label
(unless you return to the menu each time)
and they are automatically printed in
supplier number order - and will continue
printing until you get to the end of the file
or press Escape. It is a simple pack, the
kind of program that could be written by
any competent ten-year-old and does not
justify its price, apart from its ability to
interact with other packs.
By the way, none of these packs works
with the Watford DFS.
After all this, turning to the Gemini
packs came as something of a relief! The
packs come in a less flashy package,
again with a manual. They are compatible
with the Watford DFS and can be supplied
in 40 or 80-track format.
The manuals are clear but are hardly
needed since there are prompts galore. In
fact, the first time I used it, I didn’t refer to
the manual yet managed to produce a
document within five minutes.
Because these packs are not inte-
grated you'll need to recreate data for
each one that you use. However, they are
written at a much simpler level, and
perhaps because of this, do their job
much more satisfactorily. There are vari-
ous options. The Invoices & Statements
pack allows: Print or Report; Statements
or Invoices (you need a separate pack to
produce statements with the Acornsoft
system); Inspect files; Save; Add footer
message(s). This last option puts mes-
sages (rude or otherwise) at the foot of the
invoice. Again, the invoice format is fixed,
but you have print options.
The Mailing List pack options are: Add
record; Alter record (no bugs here!); Sort;
Browse (exactly that, backwards or for-
wards); Find; Delete; Save; Print. Again,
there are some print options allowing use
of multi-header labels and you specify
how many of each you want to print and
where printing is to start and stop. There is
no limit to the number of lines you may
have. Again, screen prompts abound and
it’s simple enough for a child to use.
The integration technique provided by
Acornsoft is potentially very useful, but I
dislike the way it has been done. There is
no doubt that the Acornsoft p&pks are
very clever, but they appear to have been
written by a programmer who knows little
about business, rather than by a busi-
nessman who knows something about
programming. In trying to be all things to
all people, they have become too complex
and would be unworkable in my business.
The Gemini system, on the other hand,
doesn’t try to be too clever. It just does the
job -simply and competently. It works in a
manner that any book-keeper would be
able to master in no time at all and, if you
are prepared to accept the restrictions of
a standard-layout invoice, it will be quite at
home in a small business environment.
Figure 2. Labels output from Gemini’s
mailing list software
KEYREF J FIL/SE ARCHKEYS******
xxxxxxx**xxxN ane************
xxxxxxxxxx*Title************
xxxxxxx*xxComp any* **********
xxxxxxx*Addr ess (1 )*********
xxx*xx**Addr ess (2)***#*****
xx*x xx* **Town/Ci ty* *********
x xxx xxx xxxxCounty** *********
xxxxxxxxxF’ost Code**********
KEITH TARSONS
DIRECTOR
NOLENE CARPETING
12 MAGDALEN ROAD
HEAVITREE
EXETER
DEVON
EX7 4 HR
I
N V 0 I C E
ADC TRADING
CO LTD
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
BANK ROAD
BURY.
LANCS
BB7 7XY
VA1 REG. NO.
AD1234
Date 15/4/84
Order Date 10/4/84
Ed. lied ToJ
Sent ToJ
Johnsons Super Stores Ltd
Johnsons Super Stores Ltd
25 Riverside Lane
25 Riverside Lone
GLOUCESTER
GLOUCESTER
GL2 7YZ
GL2 7YZ
Order No: 1
Page 1
F' . 0 . No: C 1
Invoice NoJ 2
F’roduct Description
U.P.
Qty.
Disc. Ex. Price
VAT
1 BLANK DISCS . . *
2.50
10
5.00 23.75
3.56
4 PLUGS
0.70
20
0.00 14.00
2.10
2 CASSETTES
0.25
50
0.00 12.50
1.88
7 DISC DRIVES (100K)..
145.00
2
5.00 275.50
41.32
Net
VAT
VAT Rate Awount
Anount
Net Total:
325.75
0 0.00 0.00
0.00
1 15.00 325.75
48.86
2 25.00 0.00
0.00
vat:
48.86
3 12.50 0.00
0.00
4 0.00 0.00
0.00
Total 5
48.86
total:
374.61
TERMS 10 days
Figure 1 . Sample invoice from Acornsoft’s invoicing pack
105
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
OLKIT ROM
Basic Programmer’s Aid for the BBC Micro from
BEEBUGSOFT
it is possible to program in Basic
without TOOLKIT but it's not very smart
“TOOLKIT is an essential utility for all Basic
programmers using the BBC Micro. . . . The range is
enormous — An indispensable aid packed full of powerful
utilities:’
Educational Computing A/larch 1984
. . Should speed up the process of
programming considerably TOOLKIT is highly
recommended:’
PCN, March 17, 1984
TOOLKIT is an indispensibleaid to Basic programming on the BBC Micro. It gives instant access to
a set of powerful utilities held in ROM.
These will get you out of trouble like the ^RECOVER, or just make life much easier, like automatic
listing of error lines, search and replace, list variables, procedures . . . etc.
TOOLKIT features an extremely powerful editor, allowing the use of cursor keys to list a program
line-by-line in either direction and move to any part of a program to overtype or insert new code and
corrections.
TOOLKIT also contains a powerful facility to trap an error in a Basic program as it runs. It will then
automatically enter the Screen Editor, display the line in error and position the cursor at the statement
at fault.
1
COMMANDS
♦CHECK
Verify a program or data in memory
with disc/cassette.
♦CLEAR
Clear all variables including integers.
♦EDIT
Enter full screen editor.
♦FREE
Display free memory and pseudo
variables.
♦HELPINFO
Displays various useful system
information.
♦MEMORY
Display memory contents.
♦MERGE
Merge two programs.
♦MOVE
Move program to run at specified
address.
♦NEW
As New, but can be issued from within a
program.
♦OFF
Cancel enhanced error handling.
♦OLD
As Old, but can be issued from within a
program.
♦ON
Auto error handling -enters editor at
line in error.
♦PACK
Efficient program compactor.
♦RECOVER
Intelligently recover bad programs.
♦RENUMBER
Allow partial renumbering.
♦REPORT
Extended error reporting facility.
♦SCREEN
Screen dump to cassette or disc.
• Just Plug it in, no loading necessary
• 27 new commands to make life easier
• Saves hours in program development and
debugging
• Supports both cassette and disc systems
• No command name conflict with other Roms
• Ideal for expert and novice alike
• Fitting instructions and a 32 page manual
supplied
• You’ll wonder how you ever managed
without it
Available from your dealer and
selected branches
ofWH SMITH
*UTIL I
■"UTIL 2
♦UTIL 3
♦UTIL 4
*UTIL5
*UTIL6
♦UTIL 7
♦UTIL 8
*UTIL9
String Search
String Search and Replace.
Move Basic program lines.
List Procedures and Functions.
List values of A% to Z%.
List Numeric Variables.
List String Variables.
List Names of Arrays.
Set up range for Utilities I and 2.
£ 27.00
Including
VAT & pp
BEEBUGSOFT is the Software house of BEEBUG Publications Ltd.
-p J & &
106
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
ACORN ELECTRON -£199 BBC MODEL ff - £299
BBC MODEL *B’ - £399
Disk Drives by: TEAC,
MITSUBISHI. AMS. CUMANA,
KORMANDI. TORCH and
others from £ 1 69.00
Monitors by: NOVEX, PHILIPS,
MICROVITEC, FIDELITY from
£79.95
Printers from EPSON, STAR. BIT.
SHINWAH. BROTHER, JUKI,
UCHIDA etc. etc from £89.95
Accessories: Lightpens, Dust
, Covers, Joysticks. Monitor Stands,
Cases, Leads, Floppy Discs and
much much more
SOFTWARE: GAMES. BUSINESS
& EDUCATIONAL plus
PROGRAMMING AIDS on
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UPGRADES, ROM FITTING,
REPAIRS. TESTING etc, etc
Special Word Processing, Business
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ottered to meet your requirements
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WE WILL BETTER ANY GENUINE OFFER IF THE PRICE IS LOWER THAN OURS
SCREENS MICROCOMPUTERS
(A Division of Mayfair Computer Services Limited)
6 MAIN AVENUE, MOOR PARK, NORTHWOOD, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND.
Tel: NORTHWOOD (09274) 20664
★ Open 6 days per week. Easy Parking.
★ Worldwide fast, reliable mail order.
★ Official Orders/Enquiries welcome.
Visa . Access . Amex . Diners Club . Instant Credit
^P^CORN
COM
PUTER
BBC/ELECTRON PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE
Our educational software is used in thousands of schools and homes
throughout Great Britain.
KON-TIKI by J Amos BBC Tape £12.95 Disc £1 4.95
Simulation program based on Thor Heyerdahl's KON-TIKI expedition. Enjoy a journey on the Kon-Tiki recording
on a map the raft’s position and entering notes in the logbook on creatures found, unusual events etc. Inclusive
of booklet, background information, maps and fully supportive illustrated data sheets
EDUCATIONAL 1 BBC/ELECTRON Tape £ 8.00 Disc £10.00
Hours of fun and teaming for children aged five to nine years. Animated graphics will encourage children to
enjoy counting, maths, spelling, and telling the time. The tape includes six programs MATH1 . MATH2.
CUBECOUNT. SHAPES. SPELL and CLOCK
'An excellent mixture of games ... Personal Software A utumn 1 983.
EDUCATIONAL 2 BBCIELECTRON Tape £8.00 Disc £10.00
Although similar to Educational 1 this tape is more advanced and aimed at seven to 1 2 year olds The tape
includes MATH1. MATH 2. AREA. MEMORY. CUBECOUNT and SPELL.
FUN WITH NUMBERS BBC I EL ECTRON Tape €8. 00 Disc £10.00
These programs will teach and test basic counting, addition and subtraction to four to seven year olds. The
tape includes COUNTING. ADDING and an arcade type game to exercise addition and subtraction With sound
and visual effects.
FUN WITH WORDS BBC/ELECTRON Tape £8.00 Disc £10.00
Start your fun with alphabet puzzle, continue your play with VOWELS, learn the difference between THERE and
THEIR, have games with SUFFIXES and reward yourself with a game of HANGMAN.
. . . Very good indeed’ . . A&B Computing Jan/ Feb 1984.
JIGSAW AND
SLIDING PUZZLES BBCIELECTRON Tape C7 95 Disc E9 95
There are two jigsaw and four sliding puzzles on a 3 x 3 and 4 x 4 grid Each program starts off at an easy level
to ensure initial success but gradually becomes harder. It helps children to develop spatial imagination and in
solving problems. The tape includes: OBLONG. JIGSAW. HOUSE. NUMBERS. CLOWN and LETTERS!
GAMES & UTILITIES
GAMESOF LOGIC BBC Tape £4. 95 Disc £6. 95
For children and adults alike The tape includes AUCTION. FLIP. REVERSE. TELEPATHY and HEXA 15
This package is good value ' . Acorn User Nov 1 983.
SU PER LI FE BBCIELECTRON Tape £4.95 Disc £6.95
Fast (machine code) version of a popular GAME OF LIFE' in a large universe
KATAKOMBS BBC Tape £5 95 Disc £7. 95
The ultimate adventure game.
UTI LITI ES BBCIELECTRON Tape £5.95 Disc £7.95
An assortment of useful procedures and functions which can save you hours/days of programming effort: date
conversion, input and validation routine, graphic routines, sort, search and many more.
it it SPECIAL OFFER**
Buy three titles and deduct £4 00
Add 50pp&p per order Please state BBC or Electron Cheque/ PO
Golem Ltd. Dept A. 77 Qualitas. Bracknell. Berks RG124QG. Tel: 034450720.
confused
frustrated
fed up !!
your computer
recorder has failed
yet again . . .
. . . then try our
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Please send me further information
name
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tel no.
Coomber
COOMBER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT LIMITED
CROFT WALK (Nr Pitchcroft) WORCESTER WRI 3NZ
TELEPHONE WORCESTER (0905) 25168 9 TELEX 339490
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
107
BUSINESS
STOCK'
ANSWERS ■
Purchasing’ and Stock Control’, Acornsoft,
BBC B, £24.95 each
T HESE two programs, part of a suite
of seven programs produced by
Acornsoft, are an excellent idea well
put together, and if there are minor
irritations in using them that should not
detract from the merits of the plan.
The business manager considering
solving all his paperwork problems for the
hardware cost along with seven
programs for under £1 75 would do well to
see a full demonstration before settling on
this system. Not that it doesn’t work, but
the investment is likely to be greater and
the learning experience more painful. If
our manager is already knowledgeable
about the BBC micro then there is no
great problem, but if not, read on. . .
The guides are identical except for the
section that deals with the specialist
function of the program concerned (see
Barry Pickles’ review of Invoicing and
Mailing List), and they are written well and
clearly in simple terms, presented in a
folder which is very attractive, and con-
vincing in its professional approach. I
could have wished that the folder and the
disc had made clear that a 40-track
system was in use.
With the Purchasing and Stock Control
programs working it was at last possible
to see what they could do, and it was quite
impressive. They had a common basic
content which is described by the menu
and appears as follows:
SYSTEM SETUP MENU
1 Name and Address
2 System Details
3 Modules in Use
4 Update Parms (parameters) File
5 Create Data Files
6 Extend Data Files
7 Exit
These need little explanation, for the
menu-driven arrangement is remarkably
easy to follow and produces the expected
results as the options offered speak for
themselves. The instruction to exit is rather
important, as otherwise valuable data files
may be corrupted. This menu is common
to all programs in the suite and a model
for such links, although some simple use
of graphics could have been made to
encourage the workers.
Taking first the Stock Control set of
programs, there is again a menu which
makes a convenient starting point for the
description, and which appears as
follows:
STOCK CONTROL MENU
1 Product Update
2 Stock Movements
3 Stock Level Report
4 Stock Analysis
5 Exit
For the first four options the immediate
response is to request the data disc, which
can then be updated with additional
information - which in turn becomes
available for all the other programs.
Again, these options speak for themselves
but I am satisfied they cover all the likely
combinations of circumstances that most
businesses will face. The list of products is
almost unlimited in theory, and there is
scope for predicting forward patterns and
fixing warning levels for stock needs. So
the range of stock can be easily changed
and movements monitored with ever-
ready reports of stock level, reconciliation
for stock-taking purposes, and the as-
sociatecf valuation, with easy instructions
to print out the reports in convenient forms
on almost any printer.
The ways in which the Purchasing
program links with Stock Control are
obvious and they work as expected, so
again it seems best to start with the menu:
PURCHASING MENU
1 Supplier Update
2 Item Update
3 Purchase Order Update
4 Order Progress
5 Order Analysis
6 Invoice Validation
7 Exit
These options are obvious to anyone
likely to have a use for the program and,
as the manual says, the purpose of the
Purchasing module is to enable you to
maintain supplier and item records; enter
and maintain purchase order details; and
record deliveries and analysis commit-
ments made. It does all these and could
maintain immaculate records for the
business: perhaps it could even save a
little money at the same time.
All very straightforward, but I wonder to
what extent these programs would help a
small business, as the advertising sug-
gests. If the manager is a BBC micro
enthusiast who wants to mix business
with pleasure and turn his hobby to profit,
then I have no reservations: buy it, it works!
If on the other hand he is already very busy
Roger Cams re ports
on Acornsoft’s
‘Purchasing’ and
‘Stock Control’
packages
with customers and will have to delegate
the keeping of records to staff with limited
ability or interest, then there will be serious
problems and these will hardly be solved
by employing expensive staff: for a small
business this would be uneconomic, and
for a large one the BBC micro would be
the wrong hardware. I suspect that to be
cost effective the programs would have to
be used with a relatively small number of
products and suppliers, which in turn
suggests high-cost items and a small
turnover in terms of transactions.
There is, however, a use for these
programs that is not mentioned in the
advertising or in the manuals and that is in
the training of students on business
courses. Those concerned with the
courses of the Business and Technician
Education Council would find these
programs invaluable for training students
following the General, National and even
Higher Certificate in Business Studies and
it would be relatively simple to set up
complex business simulation exercises
using one group of students to input the
data and a second to manipulate it in
various ways. Acorn should give more
thought to the true nature of its market.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
A
Emmanuel St.
Our new Personal
Computer Centre
specializing in
the BBC Micro
with complete support
we know computers
Cambridge Computer Store
I&4 Emmanuel Street, Cambridge
WHAT A SAUCE I
Universities and Colleges have been
buying
WHAT'S TO EAT?
The Practical Home Menu Planner which
is fun and easy to use
for their catering students and finding it
useful. But they really need the mouth-
watering and purpose designed
MENU MASTER Suite
Recipes and ingredient quantities from
"Practical Cookeryf"; scaling to 96 cvts;
printing menus, prices, kitchen and order
lists; creating/amending recipes, etc. . .
WHAT'S TO EAT
Home Pack
Cassette £10.45 40T disc £13.45
Teaching Pack 40T disc £17.95
Prices inclusive of VAT and post/packing
(Overseas Disc £14; Cassette £11,
excludes VAT, includes airmail)
MENU MASTER College Pack
Send A4 SAE for details
t By Ceserani & Kinton (fifth edition) published
by Edward Arnold
SHUMWARI ASSOCIATES
(Dept. B)
12 Marlin Court, Marlow SL7 2AJ
keep
it all
together
with one
of our
tidy
boxes
Please send me further information
name
address
er
COOMBER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT LIMITED
\
model
3034
tel no.
CROFT WALK (Nr Pitchcroft) WORCESTER WR1 3NZ
TELEPHONE WORCESTER (0905) 25168/9 TELEX 339490
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
109
DOT MATRIX PRINTERS
ALL PRINTERS HAVE CENTRONIC PARALLEL INTERFACE UNLESS
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ADDRESSABLE GRAPHIC MODE PLEASE SEND SAE FOR
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8143 RS 23 Interlace lor FX and RX printer a
8148 RS232 Interface with 2K butler xon xotf
Ribbon Cartridge tor RX80 I X80 A MX80
Ribbon Cartridge tor FX100 & MXtOO
STAR
Gemini 10X 120 CPS Iff wide Inc AtraUleed
Gemini 15X 120 CPS 15" wide tnct & tract
Della 10 160 CPS 10" wide Irict & tract lend
Delta 15 160 CPS 15" wide Incl & tract teed
Radix 10 200 CPS Nl O 16K Bullet Par A
serial interlace downloadable characters
incredible value at
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GP550A 50 CPS iff wide Iricbon A tract
correspondence quality
GP100AS Serial interlace ideal tor Spectrum
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Spare ribbon cartridge for CP80
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BBC IS the best microcomputer currently on the market 32K RAM.
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In short it Is a personal computer < apabie ot expanding mto a small
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BBC Mu n computer Model B
BBC Mod B • disk interface
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Fating charge for A To B upgrad*
'6K memiiiy upgrade kit
Games paddles
12 Monochrome monitor me I r,
14 Colour monitor incl cable
User quide
Econet interface dree fitlmgi
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For only £347 + VAT
Torch 2nd Processor ZBO is supplied with perfect writer (a powerful Word
Ptix essot i perfect speller i spelling checking program I should have used
one for making (his advert') Per feet Filer (A Database Program) Perfect
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There are some very uselul utilities included on formatmq disc e q
DISASSEMBLER This is 6502 machine code disassembler
' DUP To copy and rename a file on disc
FORMAT Formating program for 40 4 80 tracks
' FREE This utility provides a disk usage analysis
MPyMP Enables you to display and modity any part ot BBC memory
MERGE Merge a number ot text hies into one file
‘ RELOCATE Downloads a basic program to 4E00
SDUMP Screen dump for EPSON m a 1 ' graphic modes
‘ VERIFY Verifies every sector on a disk
MENU A flexible menu program
Smqie drive TOOK 40 trks single Sided
Dual drive 200K 40 Irks single sided
Single drive 200K 40 trks double sided
Dual drive 400K 40 trks double sided
Single dnve 400K 80 trks double sided
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Apricot with Single Drive and Motitor £1690 ♦ VAT
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SYSTEM 1BBC Micro mode' B Wordwise Phoernx monitor. Smith Corona
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SYSTEM 2 BBC Micro model B • Disk Interface Phoenn Monitor 100K
Single Disk Drive Wordwise Smith Corona Daisywheel Punter
* ail the necessary cables and documentation
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SYSTEM 6. r yc 16 Bit IMd |X Compatible Mu • 128K RAM. Single Lie.-
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e £1445 +• VAT -£1661.75
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110
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
EDUCATION
READ/WRITE
PROGRAM
Introducing the micro to adult
literacy classes, by Jonathan Read
M ORE THAN two million adults in
Britain are estimated to have
difficulty reading or writing. This is
not a new problem and evening classes in
Basic Literacy have been going for many
years, and the Adult Literacy Resource
Agency was set up in 1975. In the same
year the BBC started a three-year adult
literacy project, which included a series of
programmes called On The Move that
encouraged people who wanted to be
better at reading or writing to come
forward.
Several years later, people of all ages
are still coming to evening classes in Adult
Literacy or are being taught at home. The
students know they have tried very hard in
the past and not succeeded, and so the
tutor needs to find work for the students
that they can successfully carry out to
prove to themselves they really can learn.
They need plenty of reading and writing
practice but the books available tend to
be too difficult or too trivial, and students
don't like to do writing because they think
that makes them look stupid.
These factors prevent the students
from becoming really involved in their
work and they waste a lot of time trying to
hide their ignorance from their tutor, and
from themselves. Some students can put
up a better front than others, but they all
try to get the tutor to give them work that
they already know so that they are bound
to get it right. This is no help to the
students.
The tutor has to find activities connec-
ted with reading and writing that the
students have not done before but which
they are prepared to try. Tutors use
activities such as educational games or
work-sheets for this purpose, and com-
puters can be used as well. I am not saying
a computer is bound to work better than
other methods; its success will depend on
how much the students like using it, and
how well it fits in with their other work.
The computer should complement the
tutor's qualities. It has more patience and
more flexibility. The students do not seem
to be afraid of using the computer, which
may be partly due to its novelty, but if it
does not enable real learning, students
quickly lose interest.
To benefit fully from the patience of the
computer, students need to work at their
own pace without being made to carry on
if they are not ready. It helps neither
students nor tutor if the students are left in
front of the computer, for the tutor loses
the chance to learn from the students’
mistakes and if the students get stuck the
computer is too inflexible to do anything
about it.
I have summarised the type of program
that suits this approach best in a check-
list (see panel), each point of which I will
discuss in turn.
Surprisingly, point 1 is not always met -
for example, programs often tell the
student how long he has taken, or they
ask a fixed number of questions. The
student cannot therefore stop in the
middle of the program without feeling he
has failed to achieve what is required.
Point 2 is easy to violate accidentally.
For example, a program that asks a
question and says ‘Well done!’ when given
the expected answer, or ‘Are you sure?’
when the student answers incorrectly and
lets him have another go would not be
satisfactory, because the students would
soon learn to change their answer next
time round and appear to know more
than they actually do.
Programs written by teachers should
not suffer from this fault.
Point 3 would not be satisfied by a
program that asks a series of questions, at
the end of which it says how many the
students got right without saying which
questions were answered correctly.
Point 4 needs stating because of the
inflexibility of the computer, and should
avoid the students being put off using it
simply because they hit a wrong key.
Point 5 is probably the most con-
troversial. Since the students have come
to the lesson of their own accord they
must want to learn and so they do not
need marks to motivate them. The tutor
should be present and so he gets a much
better idea of how the student is doing
than he could get from a mark given by
the computer. Also, because the program
is supposed to be teaching as opposed to
testing the students it is not fair to count
their mistakes.
The listing (page 1 13) is a program that
I think satisfies the check-list.
The program flashes a word on the
screen and the student has to read it. It
was originally intended to help students
who confuse words that look very similar,
but it could also be used for revision
before a spelling test, or if some of the
words were spelt incorrectly the students
could be asked to recognise which ones
were right.
In use, the tutor presses the space bar
down and the screen goes blank. It stays
blank for as long as the tutor keeps the
space bar down and so if the students
need to pause to collect their thoughts the
page 117^
CHECK-LIST FOR ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS
1. The computer works at the pace of the student, and it is always possible to
stop when the student wants to.
2. The student cannot get everything right by using an incorrect idea of his own,
so he needs to learn and understand what is being taught.
3. Feedback should be given as soon as possible, but not so quickly that it
interrupts the students’ train of thought.
4. The student should be allowed to change his answer before the computer
checks it, unless the program is teaching speed or accuracy.
5. The computer does not maintain any record of the student’s marks.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
BBC MICRO
COMES OF ACE
3-BASE: £25.00
JJ-BASE is a very powerful and very flexible database program. Because
J3-BASE is designed specifically for disks there are none of the limitations
found in most database programs, which are usually upgraded cassette
programs. J3-BASE is not limited by memory and even the disk limit can be
overcome easily to provide an unlimited file size. Take a look at the features
listed below and compare it with so called professional programs at up to
£400, we think that you will be amazed. Why limit yourself to a 1 6K eprom
- B-base contains approx. 30K of tightly compacted code.
Maximum File Size (40 track) - 99k & (80 track) - 199k.
Maximum Record Size - 2k: Maximum Number of Fields - 200:
Maximum Field Length - 254 chrs.
Options Include:
1) WRITE - for adding records.
2) WORK - for displaying records, editing and deleting.
3) CALC - allows you to cope easily with fluctuating prices and VAT rates,
(works with whole file or search lists). Uses EVAL function allowing
complex calculations to be performed, and the results to be displayed on
screen or placed in a nominated field.
4) SEARCH - multiple function search on up to 5 fields.
5) OPTIONS: a) sort records found in search on 3 fields in
ascending/descending order
(max records sorted is 500).
b) work search list, with edit and delete.
c) save records found in search to disc.
d) load previously saved search list.
e) make a search list.
6) PRINTER - copes with parallel and serial printers and allows you to set
up the printout + all printer codes allowed + allows you to join fields
together and allows you to set them into columns etc. A label print
routine allows single or double labels to be printed.
7) REDEFINE - allows you to transfer all records from old file to new file
plus add or amend field or record size. No more re-entering all your data
if you wish to add a field.
8) TRANSFER - allows you to transfer selected records between files.
9) NEW - allows you to define new file.
+ real time clock + many more features.
If you want a professional database for the BBC micro the £-BASE is your
only option.
Not compatible with Amcom DFS.
REPLICA II: £12.00
This is the one that everybody has been waiting for. The original REPLICA
set a very high standard and many said that it could not be improved. The
specification that we set our chief programmer included some supposedly
impossible' features. In fact ACORN state that some of the things that we
have done are impossible, it just took us a little longer that's all. REPLICA II
will transfer most of your cassette based programs to disk, even more than
REPLICA did. Now when you buy disk drives you do not have to throw
away your expensive cassette based programs. REPLICA II will transfer
LOCKED' programs, programs loading as files, programs that load below
&E00, those with up to 6 sections and those up to &6E in length eg
adventure programs. No more waiting for 6 minutes whilst your adventure
programs load. REPLICA II is very easy to use and the user just enters a
name, how many sections and whether CHAIN, # RUN or # L0AD is used to
load the first section. Press play and let the program do the rest, even a
menu. You cannot afford not to have a REPLICA II, think how much it will
cost you to buy just 1 disk version of your favourite program - it is probably
more than REPLICA II which will hold up to 16 programs, limited only by
the disk capacity.
BEEBSYNTH: disk £1 1.00 cassette £8.00
A very powerful yet easy to use sound generating program that can be used
by expert and novice alike. Up to 16 envelopes can be defined and saved.
The envelope definer is very easy to use. control is through the cursor keys,
and the effects of your changes can be heard immediately. When you have
defined your envelopes press K for Keyboard and the keyboard is
transformed into a musical instrument, but you control which instrument.
Lets you play chords, not just single notes, change pitch and duration etc
etc. A superb program that you can use immediately. Unlimited sounds at
your disposal. Recommended by MICRO USER, PCN, HCW etc.
THE KEY: £12.95
A disk utility program that provides the user with the tools to explore the
disk environment and use it to its best advantage. The programs are:
1)
FORM40
2)
FORM80
3)
BACKUP
4)
EDITOR
5)
RETRIEVE
- Formats and verifies 40 track disks.
- Formats and verifies 80 track disks.
- Allows backup copies of your valuable disks to be
made.
- Enables the user to read the disk sector by sector and
to alter programs on the disk, even most protected and
unlistable ones. More fun than any adventure game.
- Allows the user to recover data or programs that have
been accidentally erased or damager
Every disk owner should have one.
you will wonder how you ever managed
without it. Recommended by available
WHICH MICRO.
EDUCATIONAL COMPUTING etc.
a head crash
many but bettered by none.
JOYSTICK UTILITY:
£6.00
Converts non joystick programs to work with joysticks. Works with any
program using INKEY (-) in Basic or machine code, to detect movement,
which applies to most programs. The routine is relocatable. and sensitivity of
the joystick can be varied. Compatible with
most games, including Acornsoft. Very easy
to use. just press the keys you want to
transfer. The machine code can be saved
as a block of just 100 bytes. Supplied on
cassette but can be transferred to disk.
SHADOW: £8.00
SHADOW is a tape cloning program that will enable you to make security
copies of your own valuable cassette software. SHADOW works with 99%
of all known programs including those with sections at 300 BAUD and
those that load as files. SHADOW will handle programs with any number of
sections and it will work with any of the current operating systems including
0.1. 1.0, & 1.2. SHADOW is the definitive tape backup system and as a
bonus you aiso get INSPECTOR' on the same tape. This allows you to view
all areas of memory, search and alter bytes, etc. Colour coding helps to
simplify memory usage. All this for just £8.00. I don t know how we do it
'It is a condition of sale that this program is not used for piracy .
State 40 or 80 track when ordering discs.
NOTE: All prices are inclusive of VAT and postage - NO EXTRAS!
Clares
MICRO SUPPLIES
Dept. AU6, 98 Middlewich Road,
Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7DS.
Tel: 0606 48511 Open 9.5pm. Monday-Friday
All prices inclusive of VAT + Carriage - No Extras^
112
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
I EDUCATION
•
•
10
RE* 1 <C) J. M. Read
•
•
•
30
•
40
b ,r 1 u P C OnSTAnIS
. .. ___ __ •
w
50
0
•
60
MODE? s ! KF 600= & 1 0200 m s REw Cursor Off
•
70
DH£IGHT*=CHR* 141
•
60
- rro r=- A lSE
•
90
0ut0fData=42
w
•
i Go
Soace= —99
•
110
a
•
1 20
L i ne= 12 s Co 1 = 1 5 :REI*i Sets oosition of words on screen.
w
0
130
9
.1 40
•
150
REN COUNT WORDS
9
A
160
•
w
170
ON tRROR GOTO 250
a
•
:: 60
NoOrWo rcs=o
9
A
190
9
w
200
REPEAT
•
210
READ W*
9
220
NoOf Wo rds«NoOf Wo rds+1
9
•
230
UNTIL Error
•
240
9
250
IF ERR=DutUf Data SOTO 340
9
•
260
•
270
PRINTTA6 (0 > 20) REPORT SPRINT “ at line M ;ERL
9
26o
• m- tOO=& 1 07 20 A : REM Cu rso r un
0
•
290
END
w
•
u U U
310
W
a
•
320
REM MAIN LOOP
9
330
•
•
340
Lwo rcno=0 : LWo rano2=0
0
350
•
360
W%=hM Next word
•
370
REPEAT UNTIL NOT INKEY (Space) : REN Wait for Space Bar to Pe
Released. •
A
360
PHI N’t 1 Mb (Co l,_i ne ) DMfcibHI* w*
•
V
390
PR I NTT AB < Co 1 , Li net i ) DHEISHT* W*
•
400
REPEAT UNTIL INKEY (Space) ’ REIN Wait for Space Bar to be
Pressed. •
A
410
ClS
•
W
420
bU ! U 3bO
•
430
9
440
•
•
450
REN CHOOSE NEXT WORD
•
460
9
470
DEF FN__NextWord
9
•
4 bo
wo rdno^RND (NourWo rcis)
•
490
IF Wo rano=LWo rano AND LWo rcno=L_Wo rdno2 THEN
9
REPEAT Wo rcno=RND (NoOrWo ras) : UNTIL wo rcno <> LWo rdr.o
•
500
LWo rdno2=LWo rono s Lwo rdno=Wo rdno
w
310
RESTORES FOR .i = l TO WoranoJKtRU W'fcSNEx'f i
•
w
520=
=W*
a
•
530
9
a
540
V
550
REM W 0 R D S USED ... .
•
560
9
a
1 000
DhYA There
9
9
1010
DATA Their
•
1 020
DATA T hen
9
a
1 030
DATA TheiYi
9
•
•
1040
DATA They
9
page 117*
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Electronequip
(Authorised BBC Dealer, and service centre)
NEW EXTENDED
TELORDER SERVICE
6 Sales lines manned to 10pm
Monday to Friday
EPSON
*
RX-80 F/T £245.52 + VAT
FX-80 £365.09 +•' VAT
Printer price includes cable for BBC and screen
dump rom.
Vo/tmaceDe/ta 74B
* 10%off
*listed prices
JSVOLT14 Voltmace Delta 14B Joysticks 13.00 14.95
JSVOLTADVoltmace 14B/1 Adaptor Box 12.91 14.85
TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME
Access & Barclaycard Accepted
Large Stocks -24 Hour Despatch
Carriage 50p
2 FREE ACORNSOFT
GAMES WITH EVERY
BBC SOLD*
v /
Electronequip is an authorised Acorn service centre and has
been an Acorn dealer since the introduction of the Atom.
Our demonstration facilities include 20 station Econet and
Torchnet systems.
Ref. BBC Micros Ex VAT
ANB01 BBC Model B Micro Computer 348.26
ANB02 BBC Model B with Econet Interface 389.14
ANB03 BBC Model B with Disc Interface 426.59
ANB04 BBC Model B with Disc & Econet Interface 467.45
Inc VAT
399.00
446.00
489.00
536.00
3" Micro Disc £129.95
(inc. VAT)
Disc Interface & Drive
£198.95 (inc. VAT)
Micro Disc Drive for the BBC Micro
The Micro disc drive offers a method of low cost quick access to
programs. The drive is essentially a small version of a 5J" disc
drive and offers similar features to the larger drive.
The data is stored on a 3" disc, this is enclosed in a protective
hard plastic cassette which features a write protect switch.
The micro drive requires the standard Acorn disc interface, but a
new disc filing system rom. Acorn DFS may be exchanged for the
micro DFS for £12.00. The new micro disc filing system allows 60
files per disc surface and it can read and write to Acorn DFS discs.
Thus if a 5i inch and a micro floppy were connected on the same
cable files could be transfered between them.
Capacity: 80.64 K bytes Transfer Rate: 125kbit/s
BRANCHES
FAREHAM
59 WEST STREET
(0329)230670
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17 TENNYSON AVENUE
(0553)3782
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i BBC
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114
ACORN USER \ JUNE 1984
I EDUCATION
WANGLES
Martin Wallis examines a
mixed suite of programs for use
in classroom question-and-answer
sessions or discovery exercises
115
T HE Association of Teachers in Math-
ematics has collected together a
package of 11 programs for the BBC
model B under the title Some Lessons in
Mathematics with a Microcomputer. The
programs are written by different teachers
who have used them extensively in the
classroom. As a result they are all well-
tested and easy to use, either with the
whole class or as an activity for a smaller
group of pupils.
For each program, the colour-coded
100-page booklet supplied contains a
brief description showing how to start
using it, a reference guide and some
suggestions about planning lessons
using the program as an aid. But as the
introduction says, There are very few firm
rules about the way it (the microcom-
puter) should be used in a lesson’, and the
computer cannot be switched on at the
beginning of a lesson, leaving the teacher,
feet on desk, watching the class mesme-
rised by the screen. There are a variety of
ways to use the programs to pose open-
ended questions and to provide the
opportunity for pupils to discover the
answers for themselves.
To illustrate, Build allows the user to
create three-dimensional structures in
perspective using cubes on the screen, by
keying in directions Up, Down, Left, Right,
In and Out.
Build could be used to help pupils
develop concise language to describe 3D
structures. The class is divided into pairs
X
s
/
i
Figure 1. Three-dimensional structures are
possible with ‘Build’.
with a small cardboard barrier between
them. The pupils take turns to build a
model with small plastic interlocking
cubes and describe it to their opposite
number across the barrier, who tries to
reproduce it using only these verbal
instructions. First attempts to describe the
diagram of figure 1 , such as ‘a bridge four
cubes wide and two tall, with an extra
cube in front of the bottom of both legs’
Figure 2. Dump from the function graph
plotter program
can be improved as they move on to use
the computer to draw their structures and
discover how the code I U R R R D 0 is
easier to use and less open to
misinterpretation.
Further developments could include
drawing rotations and reflections, invest-
igating different ways of producing the
same shape and discovering the effects of
inverse instructions.
What this program has in common with
the others is that it is best used in a
situation where pupils discuss their ideas
Figure 3. Recursive pattern produced in
‘Track’, a Logo-based picture-drawing
language.
with each other and with their teacher,
who can provide help on what, to
investigate and encourage pupils to
predict what will appear on the screen.
Two of the programs draw loci that
would otherwise be difficult to produce.
Circles gives the locus of a moving circle
which passes through a fixed point and
touches a fixed circle, and Arms displays
two rotating arms and plots the path of a
point on an imaginary piece of elastic
stretched between their ends. In each
case, groups of pupils can predict the
effect of varying the position and size of
the arms or the fixed point and circle and
quickly discover how accurate they were.
Two number games are included. In
Subgame, five digits are displayed one
after another and the user has to fit them
into the pattern of a subtraction:
a b c
- d e
The computer does the same and you
have to get an answer larger than the
computer's. I would like to see an
extension that allows larger numbers to
be used, with the possibility of negative
THE PACKAGE
Disc and book cost £15 (including VAT
and p&p) from ATM, Kings Chambers,
Queen Street, Derby DEI 3DA. The book
on its own costs £3, inclusive.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
HARRIS McCUTCHEON SYSTEMS
HMS HOME ACCOUNTS f £28 75
HMS VAT TRADER'S LEDGER £21 50
HMS BASIC ENVIRONMENT £14.50
r*f 9 H r ^ r *^w ter via^ , i^ With configuration of 1 x 40 track single sided disc and an8" 132 column (condensed mode) printer, to a maximum configuration
0,2 x “0 lrac * doublesided discanria 15 printer. The programs allow user allocation of each file between ‘DRIVEO, 1 ,2or3.thusmakingfulluseofthediscspaceavailable.
HMS HOME ACCOUNTS allows all financial transactions within a defined environment to be recorded, printed and analysed. Accounts may be reconciled with statements
or passbooks, uncleared entries being highlighted Depending on the analysis structure you choose, the system can keep track of anything from answering "how much is
in the piggybank ? to independent tracking of multiple bank accounts, credit cards, building society accounts and cash in hand . The only reason for keeping home accounts
in any form is to have your current financial state apparent on demand and reconcile statements received in order to find out where the money goes. This proqram is desiqned
HOMEACCOU^TS ^ aHow«This S Y ° U WOuldn 1 keep them if theseareab were of no concern, and being of concern you want to keep them thoroughly and effectively HMS
HMSVATTRADERS LEDGER, on the other hand, fulfillsa different requirement. Instead of emphasizing analysis, the VAT trader wants to record all his invoices and bills
in the least time possible consistent with making out the quarterly VAT return and getting a well presented ledger listing on demand Varying and multiple VAT rates are of
a c|!;^n rn u in, . a .'? per ; 0d,0,als0nuSe,<lH,inedbaseso,he,tha " VATc ' uar1ers,suchasweek| V m o' 1 ' t ' l vandlotheendoleachtr a dingaccount).
and HMS VAT TRADER S LEDGER should be a boon to you as a sole trader through to the low transaction company.
Both systems allow for 1 000 to 1 0000 records per file depending on configuration and use. and initialise on shift BREAK without user OS intervention . Fully documented
source listings and optional user modifiable VIEW text operating documentation are included on the master disc, and hard copy manuals are provided
HMS BASIC ENVIRONMENT is specifically an aid to BASIC program development designed to encourage the creation of well structured readable code in circumstances
wherememorybecomesaconstraint. Procedurestohandlescreenl O, cursor switching, CLI invocation, andkeyboardvalidationareprovided. withalinkmqBASICsource
file compressor which incudes variable name compression to two bytes. Theability to link asmany BASIC source rnodulesasdesired intoa single condensed runninq version
resolves the coder s conflict between space and intelligibility; 60% compression is effected on our sources for the above accounts packages
The disc, manual and information contained are sold under license sub|ect to the condition that they are for single user single site application by or on behalf of the purchaser
are not for resale in whole or in part either as originals or copies, and may not be supplied to a third party as part of a package or used as part of a package supplied by a third
party to the purch iser, without the written consent of the copyright holders. Damages will be claimed where this occurs, with revocation of license Purchase indicates
acceptance of license terms.
I enclose C for the following products (tick and delete where appropriate
HMS HOME ACCOUNTS (£28,75)...
HMS VAT TRADER'S LEDGER (£21 .50).
HMS BASIC ENVIRONMENT (£14 50)
Please supply on 40 80 track disc. I have VIEW WORDWISE. OS 1.0/1. 2; BASIC I II
Name
Address
VAT. disc, manual, post
and packing inclusive.
The credit card companies
4% take precludes our
offering their service.
Postcode
Telephone Date
Please send with cheque or postal order to Harris McCutcheon Systems. 40 Huntingdon Street, London N1 1 HM (01 609 3207)
DISC DRIVE OWNERS!
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Learn to handle
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AN
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MISSING -PRESUMED LOST...
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But WAIT!
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THE COMPUTER ROOM
206 MAIN STREET
NEWTHORPE, NOTTS.
Now, the adventure game
that’s so advanced,
it can be played on
two micros.
Push your Beeb to its limits with Magic’s new GALAXY’S EDGE
adventure pack. On the first side there’s THE DISCOVERY, a classic text-
only quest. Piloting the starship Orion, your vital mission is to explore
alien civilizations to discover priceless technological artifacts from the
long-destroyed First Empire of Earth.
Now flip the tape over, invite a Beeb-ownmg friend around, and
experience ESCAPE FROM SOLARIS, the first adventure program that
can be played on TWO BBC micros. Link them up with a normal
RS 423 lead, load the programs and you're both roaming the universe
in a dangerous, exciting quest - do you cooperate or compete, follow
him or fight him? Can he be trusted??? To appreciate ESCAPE FROM
SOLARIS fully you need two BBC micros, series 1 operating system,
model B (or model A with 32K and RS 423 upgrade) and an RS 423
lead. However the program can be played by 2 people on one micro,
and you can even enjoy ESCAPE FROM SOLARIS on your own, as there
is a one player/one micro option too.
Incredibly there’s more! Included free on this
f/jjZ/ q action-crammed tape are a suite of RS 423 utilities to
a ^ 'J? help you get the most out of your RS 423 ,ead -
Maglc ’ s com P ,ete “GALAXY’S EDGE” Adventure
pack tape costs £7.45 including free instruction
, sheet, 2 function key strips, and p. & p. A 1.5 metre
RS 423 lead can be supplied for £2.50 inc. p. & p.
Send cheque with order to:
WiTwPwS Magic Software Ltd., Dept. A2,
Elmswell, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP30 9HG.
116
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
EDUCATION
‘Build' in action. The cursor control positions
squares of a fixed size around the screen
answers, but the use of the program in
reinforcing the skill of subtraction and the
importance of place value are clear. Ergo
displays a 5x5grid with two numbers filled
in, and you have to discover the rule which
connects the 25 numbers.
The function graph plotter (FGP is
versatile and efficient. Illustrated here are
the graphs of yx n for varying values of n
(figure 2).
Dicecoin, as the name suggests, simu-
lates repeated dice rolling or coin tossing
and displays the data in a variety of ways.
It is no substitute for pupils performing
their own experiments and would be more
useful if it catered for the tossing of more
than two coins together as then it could
reproduce experiments which are im-
practical in most classrooms.
Solve turns the computer into a cal-
READ/WRITE
PROGRAM
◄ page in
tutor can let them do so. When the tutor
releases the space bar the computer
chooses a word at random from the ones
in its DATA statement (lines 1000-1040)
and shows it on the screen. The students
have to read it and the tutor tells them if
they were right. The students will soon get
faster and then the tutor needs to say
anything only when they have made a
mistake. When the tutor has had enough
of pressing the bar the students can have
a go. This point 1 of the check-list is
satisfied, which it would not be if the
computer flashed up words at fixed
intervals. Points 2 and 3 are satisfied by
default, since the tutor does the marking,
not the computer. Point 4 does not apply
and point 5 is clearly satisfied.
There is one point about how the
program works that is worth making. The
computer selects the words by generating
a random number and then displaying
the corresponding word. (For example, if it
came up with the number 2 it would
culator for linear equations of the form ax
+ b = cx + d, and shows clearly the
effects of adding 7 to both sides of the
equation, say, or dividing by 2.
Moves demonstrates the effects of
linear transformations and includes the
possibility of defining your own matrix.
Takehalf is a fascinating program which
runs like a film for about ten minutes
showing a square which is shaded in
constantly changing ways so that half the
square is black and half is white.
Finally, Track is a picture-drawing
language, based on Papert’s Logo. A
brief example will show the power of the
program. The following six instructions
define a pentagon, and whenever the
instruction PENTA is typed, the shape is
drawn on the screen:
Freeze-frame from ‘Takehalf, a ‘film’ in
which the shading within a square changes
display the word in the second DATA
statement.) It is possible for the computer
to generate the same number several
times in a row, which would mean that the
same word would keep coming up and
the students would get bored. So I
included line 490, which makes the
computer generate a new random num-
ber if it generates the same one three
times in a row, and so the same word
never appears on the screen more than
twice in succession.
This is an example of the kind of
unexpected problem that can arise when
writing computer programs. These pro-
blems are not always spotted by the
‘More programs need to
be written for adult
literacy lessons. The
important thing is to put
yourself in the students’
place and not to make
them use a program you
wouldn’t use yourself’
Dicecoin’ simulates dice-throwing and coin-
tossing, displaying the results graphically
DEFINE PENTA
REPEAT 5
FORWARD 30
LEFT 72 (degrees)
NEXT
END (of definition)
The pattern of figure 3 is produced by:
REPEAT 8
PENTA
LEFT 45
NEXT
ATM’s set of programs are extremely
robust, are easily used by pupils and
teachers - even if they have not touched a
micro before -and have applications not
only in the secondary school but also in
primary schools and at home, not to
mention the staffroom.
programmer and so a program should
not be assumed to be satisfactory until it
has been successfully used a few times.
Other programs that could be tried
include versionsof Hangman and various
word-finding games. A type of program
that has potential is the word processor. It
allows you to type in your text like a
typewriter, except that it automatically
starts a new line when the right hand
margin is reached. If you need to correct
your text you can insert any number of
words anywhere in the text, and the rest of
the word are automatically moved to
make room.
The advantage to the students in doing
their work this way is that it is always neat
and tidy, and the tutor can correct it
without the corrections showing. Note
that the word processor also satisfies the
points in the check-list, provided the tutor
is present to satisfy the feedback require-
ment of point 3.
I have described how a computer can
be used as an aid in adult literacy lessons
without it taking control. More programs
need to be written and my five-point
check-list gives an idea of what is
required. The most important thing is to
put yourself in the students’ place and not
to make the students use a program you
wouldn't use yourself.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
THE NEWCOMFUTER
GAMES MAGAZINE THAT
BREAKS ALL THE RULES
Attention all you pixel-packers,
midnight hackers and binary -bustin’ bozos! Gorf s gift
to gamesville has just hit the streets.Big K’s the name and Big K’s the game -
it’s a new magazine that’s going to be music to your micros. Whatever Big K
gets in its sights - technical, tactical or just plain old topical, don’t expect
anything typical. Big K plays it different and says it different. We’re not
afraid to shoot from the hip - and we’re always hip when we shoot! We’ve a
no-holds-barred approach to arcade strategy and adventure that’ll have your
CRT’s tingling. Key in to Big K now for a magazine that puts news, reviews,
programs and hardware under your fingertips. After your first byte of
Big K. . .the game will never be the same.
THIS ISSUE : Modem Living -
access the world through your
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makes the right connections.
•Win a full-sized BATTLEZONE
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•What’s all the fuss about?
Big K examines the 68000
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•Atari 800XL review.
• 7 games programs for
Commodore 64, Vic 20, BBC,
Spectrum, ZX8 1 , Oric, Atari.
•Atari graphics -
read Big K’s special feature
Plus —Arcade Alley,
dozens of games reviews,
expert technical
features, lots of fun
and lashings of colour.
Third amazing issue
on sale 17th May
Ask your newsagent for a copy— 85p
118
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
RING FOR SAMPLE PRINTOUT, FULL SPECIFICATIONS & LATEST PRICES
BEST PRICES ON STAR AND JUKI PRINTERS
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JUKI6100 £365.22+£54.78 VAT=£420.00
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SERIAL PRINTER CABLES
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OFFICIAL ACORN DEALER
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Large range of Accessories including Disc Drived, Printers,
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BBC to 36 Way Centronics Type Connector £15.00
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Microcomputers W°SUSSEX BIM1 1 2tN
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
119
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VIGLEN COMPUTER SUPPLIES or debit my ACCESS/ BARCLAYCARD No
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120
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
| ATOM
ATOMIC LISTS
ON THE BEEB
How the BBC takes on board
Atom programs, by Vincent Fojut
MANY readers with
access to both the
Beeb and Atom will
have been experi-
menting with the
intercommunications
programs in the December ’83 Acorn
User . Although there are many potential
uses for the routines, their main purpose
was to allow Atom files to be stored on disc
via a BBC micro. This in itself presents no
difficulties. A file is transferred to a given
address on the Beeb, then stored to disc
with the *SAVE command.
However, once an Atom file is loaded
into the Beeb it is often useful to be able to
list the program on the BBC’s screen to
verify that the transfer has executed
successfully. Or perhaps you might want
to print on a device permanently connec-
ted to the Beeb - for example, a serial
printer, which cannot be used directly with
the Atom. The problem is that it is not
possible to use the BBC’s LIST command
to list an Atom file directly, since the two
dialects are stored in different formats.
Tables 1 and 2 compare how a simple
Basic program is stored on the BBC micro
and Atom respectively. The dialects have
one or two features in common. First, all
lines start with a value of &D; following
immediately, line numbers are stored as
16-bit binary values (high-byte first, con-
trary to 6502 convention); and the end of
the program is marked in both cases with
a byte of &D immediately followed by a
negative-value byte (usually, but not
necessarily, &FF). This also accounts for
the maximum line number limit of 32767 -
anything larger creates a negative high
byte, which would be misinterpreted as
the end of program text.
However, that is more or less where
similarities end. Line numbers in BBC
Basic precede a single byte giving the
length of the current line, including &D,
line number and length byte itself (which
speeds up those processes that need to
scan through a Basic program, such as
RENUMBER). Also, Basic commands
such as “PRINT” and “END” in the
example, are stored as single-byte tokens.
While this ensures BBC Basic is relatively
compact (and fast), it complicates the
requirements of the Beeb;s LIST com-
mand, since it needs to convert the tokens
into an intelligible, ASCII string form.
Regardless of whether the command is
entered on the Beeb in complete or
abbreviated form, it will always be conver-
ted into a single-byte token and is always
reconverted into its ‘fuller’ format when
listed.
By contrast, commands are held on the
Atom (along with the rest of the line)
exactly as entered, i.e. “P” will take up two
bytes, while “PRINT” takes up five.
Although this generally consumes more
memory than a similar
BBC Basic construct, it
greatly simplifies the
operation of the
Atom's List.
Now since a string
in Basic refers to a series of ASCII
characters terminated by a carriage
return (&D), it follows that Atom Basic files
may also be looked at as a sequence of
strings, separated by 16-bit binary line
numbers. Once an Atom file is perceived
in this way, it becomes surprisingly easy to
write a suitable program for listing them
on the Beeb, as shown in program 1 . The
program assumes that an Atom Basic file
has been transferred to a given location in
the Beeb’s memory using, for example,
December’s communications programs.
The main program loop is from lines
220 to 280. Each line number is converted
and printed, then the following line of text
is accessed and printed as if it were any
other Basic string, using the string indirec-
tion operator, $. This process is repeated
until the negative byte, marking the end of
program text, is detected (line 280). Line
250 prints a space after each line number,
if this option has been selected at the start
of the program. (For more extensive Atom
program formatting, see March's Acorn
User.) The output may also be directed to
an appropriate printer channel.
Apart from its obvious uses in listing
Atom files on BBC-dedicated printers, the
routine can also serve as a useful first step
in the conversion of Atom programs to
page 127 ►
Program 1 . Lists Atom Basic files on the Beeb
IQ REM Atom Basic lister for BBC micro
20 REM <C) V. FOJUT, 1984.
30
4G REM save Print format
50 REM new Print format
60
70 REPEAT
80 INPUT” ADDRESS OF ATOM PROGRAM” , start*
90 P o i nter =EV MLC start* >
100 IF ?P o i inter <>&D PRINT "BAD ADDRESS”
1 1 0 UNT I L TP o i fit er»&D
120
138 PRINT "SPACE AFTER LINE NQ.<Y/N)? H
140 PROC-y esno
150 IF yes sPace=TRUE ELSE space* FALSE
169
170 PR I NT” OUTPUT TO PRINTER <WN>? ,!
180 PROCyesfio
190 IF yes THEN VDU2
200
'210 P o i nter =r* o i inter + 1
220 REPEAT
230 1 i neno=< ?p o i inter ):t: 256+P o i nter? 1
240 PRINT lineno;
250 IF space PRINT”
260 PR I NT $< P o i nter+2 )
270 P o i inter*? o i nter+3+LEN< *< P o 1 inter +2 > >
280 UNTIL ?Poi inter >&7F
290 VDU3 REM disable Printer
390 S^=T"i : REM restore Print format
310 END
320
330 DEFPROCaesfiO
340 yes*FALSE
350 REPEAT
360 rePly*- GET*
370 UNT I L I NSTR< ” YNy n ” , reP 1 y $ >
380 IF reply**”?' OR rePly$=’V yes*TRUE
390 ENDPRQC
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
What the competition
hasn't been waiting foe
Latest version of Forth for the BBC
(Is not rehashed Forth 79 Code).
Unique Stack Display Utility
16k Epromtype27128
Multi-tasking operating system
for Real-Time use.
Here's the Forth Eprom for the BBC Micro that makes all others
out of date.
It's Multi-Forth 83 from David Husband who has built his
reputation for Quality Forth products with his ZX8 1 -Forth ROM,
Spectrum Forth-I/O Cartridge and now New Multi-Forth 83 for the BBC
Micro. This is not rehashed Forth 79 Code, but a completely new
version of the Forth 83 Standard. It's unique in that it Multi-tasks, and
therefore the user can have a number of Forth programs executing
simultaneously and transparently of each other.
Multi-Forth 83 sits in the sideways ROM area of the BBC along
with any other ROMs in use. It is compatible with the MOS, and
specially vectored to enable a system to be reconfigured. It contains a
Standard 6502 Assembler, a Standard Screen Editor, and a Unique
Stack Display Utility.
With this Forth, David Husband has provided the BBC Micro with
capabilities never before realised. And being 1 6K rather than 8K is
twice the size of other versions. Multi-Forth 83 is supplied with an
extensive Manual (1 70 pages plus) and at £40+ VAT it is superb value
Order it using the coupon adding £2.30 p&p (£5 for Europe, £ 1 0
outside) or if you want more information, tick that box instead. Either
way, it will put you one step ahead of the competition.
Please send me Multi-Forth 83 for BBC Micro £40 + VAT De-luxe System me Disc£80+VAT
I Cheques to Skywave Software Readers' A/C (or enter Visa No )
11
Name_
I
Address.
Please send me more information
□ Multi-Forth83
□ ZX81 -Forth ROM
□ Spectrum Forth-I/O Cartridge
_ Post code.
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY FOR 1.00 S ONWARDS
Send to Skywave Software, 73 Curzon Road, Bournemouth,
BH14PW. Dorset, England Tel (0202)302385
I
SOFTWARE
MULTI - FORTH 83 FOR THE BBC MICRO
Sequential Software
PRESENTS
Kernel One
- an exciting new development for the BBC (32K) micro
KERNEL ONE PROVIDES
- cassette containing fully documented
assembler source code for an interrupt
driven multi-process scheduler
- working three process example program
- comprehensive user guide including
principles of professional multi-process
systems
- clear illustration of the full power of the
BBC’s built-in assembler
- high educational and practical value
Written by a professional software engineer, KERNEL ONE
enables you to learn about MULTI-TASKING systems by
building your own multi-process assembler programs in a
simple structured way on the BBC microcomputer.
Send Cheque/PO for £12.95 (inc. p&p) to:
SEQUENTIAL SOFTWARE
(Dept. A), PO Box 141, Cheltenham, Glos. GL50 4TQ.
122
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
17 Norfolk Road, Brighton BN1 3AA
Other titles available for the BBC Model B
EDG Graphics Package BBC Utilities Package:
A sophisticated technical Sound Shaper, EDG Epson
drawing package. Screen Dump, Teletext Screen
Tape Version £19.95 Editor. Disassembler.
Disc Version £24.95 £9.95
All products compatible with all operating systems.
French Tutor:
Tests Vocab, speech idioms
and irregular verbs: 1000 word
vocabulary: full accenting
capability: create your own files:
progress assessment and
revision list available at any time
£9.95
III
<0
Written by a
professional 737 pilot, this
comprehensive simulator was originally
designed as an aid to practice in instrument flying.
Performing to the specifications of a modem high performance jet airliner,
Simulator was written specifically for the BBC Micro, and affords the following features:
* Accurate and detailed flight deck layout with both
analogue and digital readouts.
* Colour Hi-res graphics and sound.
* Three-dimensional take-off and landing sequences.
* Radar plot of aircraft in mid-flight.
* Option of resetting stall speed, for beginners.
* Instrument Landing System {ILS) and Ground
Proximity Warning System {GPWS).
Instruments include: • Compass • Artificial Horizon
* Simulated Engine Failure.
*Use of preset runway layout, or design your own.
*Set up your own atmospheric conditions
(e.g. crosswinds).
* Accurate limitations and variations according to
height and atmospheric conditions.
* Three radio navigation beacons.
* Flight Manual, including diagrams and a flying lesson.
> Altimeter • Vertical Speed Indicator
• Air Speed Indicator • GWPS • Radio Beacon Indicators •ILS •Engine Power Indicator •Fuel Gauge
• Stopwatch • Flap Indicator
Price £9.95
Please add 50p p&p to all orders. Send A5 SAE for full catalogue.
Cheques or postal orders payable to:
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
123
ATOM FORUM
124
Barry Pickles lists the new 6502
instructions -plus the quest
for the random number, sideways
scrolling techniques, Basic bugs
The new
6502 op-codes
AS PROMISED last month, here are
details (opposite) of the newly discovered
instructions for the 6502 processor. They
are laid out in the usual format, but you
should note that these codes are un-
documented by Mostek and, if you want
to use them, you will have to ‘hand-
assemble’ them, since no mnemonic
assembler/disassembler will recognise
them.
However, they do work and, as well as
providing some new operations and
addressing modes, save both memory
and time.
The saving, in each of the dual-
operators, relates to the second operator.
That is to say, the number of bytes saved is
exactly the number that would have been
required by the second operand, and the
processing time used is that of the first
operand plus one cycle. Table 1 gives the
memory and timing figures for all the dual-
operator instructions.
You will need to take care if your
program tests the state of the flags, since,
although the flags affected are shown, the
same flag may be affected by each ‘half
of the operator, depending upon what
you are doing. The rule is that the flags will
be affected in the same manner as if you
Addressing
mode
Bytes
used
Cycle
time
Zero page
2
6
Zero page, X
2
7
(Indirect, X)
2
10
(Indirect, Y)
2
10
Absolute
3
7
Absolute, X
3
8
Absolute, Y
3
8
Immediate
2
2
Table 1
Invented a routine or discovered a hardware
modification for the Atom? Here’s a chance
to show your originality and win some cash.
Send your idea to: Atom Forum, Acorn User,
Redwood Publishing, 68 Long Acre, London
WC2E9JH.
had used separate operators. The HALT
instructions are included only for com-
pleteness - 1 can see no practical use for
them, as only a hard reset (ie, pressing
BREAK) has any effect after this
instruction.
Out of a possible 255 instructions, we
now have only eight unused. These are
64/83/93/9B/9E/AB/BD/D4. Some of them
appear to do something, but the effects
seem unpredictable. Finally, note that all
numbers are in hex.
NOW WE ARE ONE!
WITH this issue ‘Atom Forum’ is one
year old, so I would like to thank all
those who have contributed to this
column during that time. However,
I’ve noticed a decrease in the number
of submissions recently. Surely we
haven’t said everything there is to
say about the Atom? Remember, this
is your column, so keep ’em coming!
Basic bugs
M CONSTANTINE of East Grinstead
writes with a note of two bugs in
AtomBasic.
If you wish to transfer data between
programs then the array in which it is
stored can be positioned in memory so
that when the second program is loaded it
doesn’t overwrite the data. This is done by
POKEing the free space pointer #23 and
#24 with the starting address of the array.
If the identical address is used in both
programs and an identical array dimen-
sioned in each the data will remain intact.
The problem arises when two or more
arrays are needed. In these cases element
0 of the second and subsequent arrays
will be corrupted. This is because the
interpreter checks that it has not run out of
space by writing and reading to the first
memory byte past the end of the array
beirTg dimensioned.
There are two solutions. The first is not
to use element 0 and the second involves
repositioning the free space pointer after
dimensioning each array, either by leav-
ing a lot of space between the two arrays
or by adding 1 to the pointer after
dimensioning each array to skip over the
corrupted byte, thus:
10 ? #23 = 0; ? #24 = #S2
20 DIM AA(N)
30 ? #23 = ? # 23 + 1 ;
IF ?# 23 = 0; ? #24*
?#24+l
40 DIM BB (N)
50 REM REST OF YOUR PROGRAM
The second bug concerns the use of
spaces in basic programs. Try this one:
10 °/oA = b. 55
20 7 C 3 = -%A; REM NO SPACES
30 7oC * - 7c A; REM NOTE THE
SPACE
40 7c D = 10-%A; RIM NOTE NO
SPACES
50 %E * 10 - %A; REM NOTE
THF SPACE
60 FP . %A 1 7,B * O/ 0 C 1 °4D 1 %E
70 END
When run, %C will have the wrong value,
but the rest are correct.
This tip earns Mr Constantine £5.
Practically
random
A SOLUTION to the problem of ‘genuine’
random numbers on the Atom is offered
by Dirk Wriedt of Kappeln, West Germany,
who wins £5.
The random numbers produced by the
Atom’s random number generator are not
really random. If you are dissatisfied with
that and have a VIA fitted, this is the
solution: use timer/counter 2 (#B808). The
timer continuously decrements at IMhz,
as long as bit 5 of the auxiliary control
register (#B80B) is set to 0.
When the counter reaches zero, it
recommences at its maximum count,
65535. You might stop it by setting bit 5 of
the ACR to 1 (then the counter decre-
ments on each low-going pulse on PB6.
and if there are no pulses, the counter
does not count).
If you now need ‘real’ random numbers,
you can feed the generator with the
page 127 ►
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
| ATOM FORUM
NEW OP-CODES
A.SL ora shift left memory one bit then OK Acc with result
Operation: C 7 6 5 A J 2 1 0 0; A -A v M NZCIDV
%%%
ROL AND rotate left memory one bit. then AND Acr with result
Operation: C 76543210 C; A A X M NZCIDV
LSR EOR shift right memory one bit then FX OR Ace with result
Operation: 0 -7654 3 210 > C *. A A : M NZCIDV
%%*-
ROR ADC Rotate light memory one bit then add result to Acr
Operation: cV 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 C; A- A ♦ M NZl IDV
%
LOX LDA Load both X register and Acc with memory
Operation: X A M NZCIDV
%%
DEC CMP decrement memorv by one then compare result with Acc
operation: M» Ml; A M NZCIDV
**%- - -
INC SBC Increment memory then subtract result from acc
Operation: M M*i; a a m NZCIDV
%%% -%
ROL ora rotate left memory one bit the OR Arc with result
Operation: C 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 < C; A= A v M NZCIDV
*%% -
AND LSR A AND Arc with data then shift right one bit
operation: A» A X M; A- 0 76543210 C NZCIDV
0%%
TXA AND transfer X teg. to acc then AND Acc with data
Operation: X A; A A X M NZCIDV
%*
STZ store zero in memory; a.X and Y unaffected
Operation: M=> 0 NZCIDV
-%
•SAX AND Acc with X reg. then store result in memory
Operation: A - A x X ; a > M NZCIDV
%*-
SBX AND ACC with X reg then subtract (WITHOUT CARRY) data
Operation: A - ASX; A A M NZCIDV
%
NOP xx wait 2 cycles; ignore byte following
NOP xxxx wait 3 cycles; ignore troth bytes following
HALT disable processor until reset (see text)
The following codes are duplicates of existing op codes and ate
included here only for completeness:
Addressing
Zero (07>
Abs ( OF »
Zero.x <17>
Abs.x <1F>
1 nd . X ( 03 )
Abs.Y < IB)
1 nd . Y
< 13 )
Zero < 27 >
Abs < 2F >
Zero.x (37)
Abs.X <3F>
Ind.x < 23 )
I nd . Y
(33)
Zero ( 4 7 >
Abs < 4 F >
Zero.x < 57 >
Abs.X <5F)
Ind.X (43)
Abs.Y (5B>
Ind. Y
( 53)
Zero (67)
Abs < 6F >
Zero.x (77)
Abs.x < 7F )
Ind.x < 63 >
Abs.Y <7B>
1 nd . Y
(73)
Zero (A7)
Abs < AF >
Zero.x ( B7 >
AbS.Y < BF >
Ind.X (A3)
1 nd . Y
( B 3 >
Zero ( C7 )
Abs < CF )
Zero.x <D7>
Abs .X < DF )
Ind.x < C3 )
Abs.Y (DB>
1 nd . V
<D3)
Zero <F7>
Abs ( EF >
Zero.x ( F7 >
Abs.x < FF )
Ind.X <E3>
Abs . Y < FB )
1 nd . Y
(F3>
Abs . Y only
< 3B)
1 mm on 1 y
(4B)
1 mm only
<8B>
Abs . only
(90
Zero <87>
N.B: This
Abs <8F>
instruction takes
Abs.X ( 9F >
3 extra cycles
Zero . Y (97)
1 mm . on 1 y
< CB )
takes 5 cycles
Any of the
By t es : 2
following codes:
04/14/34/44/54/ 74 / 80 / 89 / F4
Cycles: 2
Any of the
By t es : 3
foil ow i ng codes :
0C7 1C/3C/5C/7C/DC/FC
Cycles: 3
Any code ( except A2 > whose
LSB is 2
AND ( i mm »
SBC ( i mm > :
NOP
OB nr 2B
F.B
1 A/3A/5A'7A, DA/FA
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
StarBASE...
a new database
StarBASE... fortheBBC
StarBASE is a fast random-access disc-based machine
code database resident in a 16K ROM. Written by a highly
qualified school-teacher to meet a defined need it is capable
of handling 4096 records in any one file.
It is absolutely ideal for use in schools, clubs and small
businesses. Normally, the only limitation tends to be the
capacity of the disc drives employed (an 80 track double-sided
disc drive gives a file length of approximately 400K).
• Up to 69 fields in a record
• Up to 255 characters in a field (subject to a maximum
of 920 characters in a record).
• Fields can be placed anywhere using the BBC’s
editing keys
• A super fast Shell-Metzner sort routine is employed
(numeric or alphanumeric);
• Searches possible on any field up to a depth of
5 characters anywhere within the field
• Searches on combinations of fields
• Conditional searches possible using logical operators
(=, <>,>,<, or wildcards).
• Display can be arranged to automatically justify
• Security system prevents unauthorised access to
data files
• Printout can be generated for such things as
label formats
The need for a system that fulfils these criteria has
been around for some time: StarBASE is the answer.
Price 7 Only £69.00 inc VAT (plus £1.50 p & p).
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Prices correct at time of going to press
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Telephone: Cambridge (0223) 835330/834641
Telex: 81594 SAWCOM
126
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
| ATOM FORUM
•
•
5REM :
Si de-Scro 1 1
•
•
6REM :
I . S . Jones
180
STA
BB2 + 1
•
7REM :
ACORN USER 6:84
190
STA
BB3 + 1
•
•
8REM :
200
JMP
BB1
•
10DIM
BB6 ; F . f= 1T02
210:
BB5
LDA @00
•
20DIMP
-1 ; P . $21 ; (
220
STA
BB2+ 1
•
•
30 :
: BBO
LDA @#80
230
STA
BB3 ♦ 1
•
40
STA
BB2 + 2
240
LDA
BB2 + 2
•
50
STA
BB3 ♦ 2
250
CMP
@#98; BEQ BB6
•
•
60
LDA
@00; STA BB2+ 1
260
INC
BB2+2
#
70
STA
BB3+ 1
270
I NC
BB3 + 2
•
80 :
: BB1
LDX @31
280
JMP
BB1
•
•
90:
: BB2
LDA #8000, X
290:
BB6
RTS
#
100
ROR
A ; LDX@0
300 )
: P . $6 ; N .
•
110:
BB3
ROR #8000, X
310REM**
DEMO * *
•
•
120
I NX
; PHP ; CPX@32
320CLEAR4 ; F . X = 0T0256
#
130
BEQ
BB4
330%
Y = X*PI /32
•
140
PLP
; JMP BB3
340%Z= ( SI N( %Y ) *50 ) + 100
•
•
150:
BB4
LDA BB2+ 1
350Y
= %Z ;
MOVE X , Y
•
160
PLP
; CLC ; ADC@32
360DRAW
X , Y ; N .
•
•
170
CMP
@00; BEQ BB5
370D0 LI
. BBO ; U . 0
•
•
Listing 1 . High-resolution mode 4 screen scrolled sideways
◄ page 124
contents of !#B808 at the beginning of
your program, which are practically ran-
dom, because it is nearly impossible for
you to run your program twice at a
specified count of !#B808. Setting is made
by!8=!#B808.
Another solution is to use #B808 itself
as the random number generator. Instead
of using ABSRND%8, for example, take
!#B808%8.
Before accessing the counter, make
sure bit 5 of #B80B is set to 0, eg, by
?#B80B = 0.
Chip famine
YOU will, no doubt, have seen the reports
of a world-wide chip ‘famine’. This is now
beginning to affect the Atom, with sup-
plies of the 8271 disc controller and, more
seriously, 2114L RAM chips becoming
hard to get. Any individual or supplier who
knows of a reliable source, please get in
touch with me care of the magazine so we
can pass on the information.
Sideways scroll
I S JONES of Llanystumdwy, Criccieth,
sent in a Sideways Scroll program (listing
1)thatwinshim£10.
This routine allows the high-resolution
mode 4 screen (black and white) to be
revolved sideways. The graphic screen is
shifted right one pixel each time, while the
pixels that disappear on the right of the
screen re-appear on the left. Each call to
the routine shifts the screen once.
The routine works by RORing (Rotate
Right) each memory location in turn and
could be easily adapted to revolve only
part of the screen (change lines 30 and
250). A demo is enclosed at the end of the
program which revolves 0 sine curve
continuously.
The routine is called using LINK BBO.
◄ page 121
ATOM
LISTS ON
THE BEEB
BBC Basic. The reason is simple. Now that
you can list Atom programs on the Beeb,
you can also generate pure ASCII files
(using the *SPOOL command). These
can then be fed into a Beeb-based word
processor and many conversions perfor-
med automatically. Virtually all word
processors have a facility to find, and
optionally change, all occurrences of one
string to another. This is just what you
need to alter all DOs to REPEAT s, all semi-
colon separators to colons, and so on.
The resultant file can then be *EXECed
into the Beeb and will automatically be
converted into tokenised format, suitable
for running directly.
If your BBC micro is not fitted with a
word processor, don’t despair. Use
* SPOOL to generate an ASCII file from
the Atom source, then *EXEC it straight
back into the Beeb. This at least tokenises
all commands that the BBC micro recog-
nises. Any remaining modifications can
then be done using normal editing
procedures. Although the latter option
may sound tedious, it should be a good
deal less time-consuming than writing the
program from scratch!
Highlighting the similarities and dif-
ferences between Atom and BBC Basic
can only benefit both parties of users,
since each can learn from the functioning
of the other machine, as well as their own.
If you're lucky enough to use both
machines, such information is particularly
relevant. Perhaps the program and tech-
niques outlined above will help more
users to get the most out of the powerful
combination.
T able 1 . How a BBC Basic program is stored
A DDR.
VALUE
MEANING
\9m
8D
START OF LINE
1901
00 OR
LINE NO. <10 >
1903
0C
LENGTH OF LINE
1904
FI
TOKEN FOR "F." < -PRINT >
1905
30 41 3A 20
ASCII* " A : "
1909
FI
"'9KEN FOR "PRINT"
190R
20 42
ASCII : " B"
190C
0D
START OF LINE
1909
00 14
LINE NO. < 20 >
190F
05
LENGTH OF LINE
1910
E0
TOKEN FOR "END"
1911
0D FF
END OF PROGRAM.
Table 2. How an AtomBasic program is stored
ft DDR.
VALUE
MEANING
290O
0D
START OF LINE
2901
00 Oft
LINE NO. <10 >
REST OF LINE IN ASCII :
2903
50 2E 20
41
3B
20
"P. A; "
2909
50 52 49
4E
54
20
42 "PRINT B"
2910
0D
START OF LINE
2911
00 14
LINE NO. (20)
REST OF LINE IN ASCII-
2913
45 4E 44
"END"
2916
0D FF
END OF PROGRAM.
127
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
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1900 A200
1902 9D0E19
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128
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
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Please answer these questions to hejp us im prove
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ACORN 'USER \ JUNE 1984
129
Ic oft
O mith
AIDS II
UTILITY ROM
for the BBC MICRO
An essential tool for all BBC Micro programmers - saves time and
tedium in program management. 1 2 fully featured new functions:
List Peruser * Lists program step back and forth by page or line.
Part Renumber * Smart Renumber specifying new start & step values.
Line Move * Smart Move of program lines to anywhere else in program.
Line Merge • Copy Lines from one program to another, or duplicate lines
within program.
BASIC pointers * Displays values of PAGE. TOP. LOmem Hlmem, Program Size .
Variabte-TOP and Free Space.
Disassembler * full listing format with Hex & ASCII representations of data;
* direct disassembly of any sideways ROMs
* output can be saved to a file & ’EXEC'd back for editing, reloca-
tion & re-assembly
Memory Editor * display memory in Hex & ASCII, including sideways ROMs.
* shift back & forth by block or byte;
* Search for byte string - define in Hex or ASCII.
* Overwrite any section - Hex or ASCII mode.
Search/Replace string * search current BASIC program (anywhere in RAM);
* search string can include BASIC keyword tokens & wild cards';
* each occurrence highlighted within whole program line.
* direct connection to List Peruser;
* Replace option allows longer or shorter strings;
Program repair * makes any Bad Program' available for editing
Variable Dump * lists the names & contents of all non-array program variables.
List Formatter * lists program in easy-to-read format automatic indents, breaks
up multi-statement lines, highlights keywords etc.
Beeper * invokes automatic beep on all subsequent key depressions.
All main programs allow output to Printer using simple 'toggle'.
Suitable for A & B models, but must be MOS 1.2.
Details on request (S.A.E). Dealer enquiries welcome.
Price, including p&p. 24-page manual with fitting instr. . £25.00
Send cheque or P.O. to:
SoftSmith, 9 Back Green, HERSHAM, Surrey KT12 4HY
r Disc Drive Multiplexer
★ NO SWITCHES
★ NO SOFTWARE
★ NO EXTRA CABLES OR CONNECTORS
This is the simple low cost alternative to buying disc
drives for every BBC. This unit allows the connection
of up to 4 BBC Computers to the same disc drives.
The operation is total automatic because it uses one of
the disc interface outputs to electronically switch
between computers. The computer will simply wait for
access to the drives if they are in use. All the DFs
commands are used as normal. It is ideal for use in
schools and offices and saves having to purchase 1 , 2
or 3 dual drive for about £500 each. The unit is
complete with its own power supply.
Prices: £ 75.00 + VAT for dual unit
£135.00 + VAT for quad unit,
BBC Interface Design Service
We now offer a complete design service for interfacing
the BBC Computer to external equipment, e.g.
analogue and digital multiplexing, motor control, and
even complete experiments.
We will be pleased to quote for the complete hardware
and software design and manufacture for your system.
For further details contact:
Benwick Electronics
9 Doddington Road, Benwick, Nr. March, Cambs.
PE15 0UX.
I Tel: Benwick (035477) 471
BITS & BYTES
B&B disc drives include utilities, disc,
manual and cables all cased in Plastisol
steel by BSC which is tough, abrasion
resistant, designed to withstand rough
handling and is easily wiped clean.
Colour near to BBC
Single Disc Drives
40T
100k
jHeight
51"
£145.00+ vat
40T
100/200k
^Height
51"
£150.00+ vat
40T
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JHeight
3"
£150.00+ vat
40T
100k
JHeight
31"
£164.35+ vat
40T
100/200/400k jHeight
51"
£173.04+ vat
The new double sided 1 & high, super quiet, linear stepper
motor with Epson reliability.
Excet EMU3
SOFTWARE SUPPORTED MONITORING INSTRUMENT— BBC MICRO
Enables the BBC (B) to measure and display accurately:
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE-VOLTS ★ AMPS ★ WATTS
★OHMS ★ TEMP ★ LIGHT ★ TIME
FEATURES
RANGES
Temp -lOtollOdegC
Resistance 0 to 1 E6 ohms
DC volts 40vpd
DC current 0 to 2000m
Amps
Power 0 to 80 watts
Light 0 to 100 (uncalibrated)
Time 0 to 1 E6 secs (hrs mins
secs)
Accuracy: error generally <1
per cent
Includes instrument, temperature probe, light sensor, electri-
cal probes (three sets), leads, connections, software on
cassette, full instructions, application, notes, P&P. Free VHS
video demonstration film available on request.
BITS & BYTES 20/21 SOUTH ST
(COMPUTERS) S. MOLTON, DEVON
LTD TEL. 07695 4141
Up to 6 simultaneous
readings
Graphical or digital display
Auto scaling and labelling
Plots any two variables
Menu driven options
Full software support
Unlimited choice of scales
Event analysis facility
Teaching display mode
£99.00 inc. VAT
130
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
COMPETITION
Putting on the Ritz, Simon Dally
eavesdrops on some business talk.
Can you sort out the sales claims
of two boastful, boozy tyffions?
DIVIDING THE SPOILS
T wc
pul
ent
'0 millionaires in the home com-
puter business were chatting rec-
ently over a drink at the Ritz.
‘You know,’ said SCS to CG{like all true
tycoons these grand people wem known
only by their initials), ‘I cah’f possibly
disclose my sales figures to you. But I don’t
mind telling you. old boy. feat in the last six
moriths the number of machines sold by
3 toiling serfs wasex$ctfj(llivisible by 13.
reover, if you divide the number by 2
you get a remainder of 1 jBvide it by 3 you
get a remainder bf Z divide it by 4 and the
remainder is 3- ns soon until you divide
by 1 2 and the remainder is 1 1 .
‘By the way,' he adddd^let me know if
you need a back-dooraentrance to
Mensa. Just because you’r^a bit short in
the old IQ doesn’t mean you can’t join.’
CC sipped ruminatively dq another
Harvey Wallbanger. ‘Was the nttmber of
units you sold the lowest possible'nunber*
with those particular characteristics?' he
ventured.
‘It was indeed,’ beamed SCS.
CC took another sip. ‘In that ($se, oCS,
I’m sorry to inform you thalJpy sales
figures also obey the characteristics
described by you. I’m sure you don’t want
to hear this, but I can assure you that my
serfs sold a lot more computers than
yours - nearly three times as many, in fact.
As for Mensa, I wouldn’t join any club that
would accept me for a member. Pip pip!’
How many computers did the tycoons
sell respectively? Answers on a postcard,
please, to arrive not later than 6 July 1984.
Address your entries to June Competition,
Acorn User, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E
9JH.
See panel for the super ROM prizes
worth more than £600!
▼ FIRST PRIZE!
SIDEWISE ROM BOARD, plus 4
ROMs: Wordwise, Disc Doctor,
Graphics and Caretaker (Basic
utility).
• TWO SECOND PRIZES!
Three ROMs: Graphics, Disc Doc-
tor and Caretaker.
FIVE THIRD PRIZES!
Choose one of these ROMs:
Wordwise, Graphics, Disc Doctor,
Caretaker, Printmaster (Epson-
compatible), Gremlin or Termi.
c
° R
n S
PRIZES
SUPPLIED BY:
©
.COMPUTER
ONCEPTS
FEBRUARY [
! COMPETITION !
De-
all
ect
The February ‘Magic Squares’ corri[
tition produced roughly 50 entries,
but three of them correct. The corn
answer was:
17
171
126
54
230
100
93
264
145
124
66
290
85
57
168
162
23
225
216
115
75
279
198
29
170
76
42
261
186
33
210
68
38
200
135
69
50
270
92
87
248
165
21
153
114
105
51
152
150
27
207
116
62
030
138
25
243
132
58
310
95
63
136
190
84
34
184
125
81
297
174
31
99
232
155
19
189
102
46
250
108
The winners were A P Selby of London
and R Nagorwat of Stafford. Deepest
sympathies go to Stephen Cree of
Merseyside, who spent 112 hours
programming his computer before
coming up with the answer - he
pointed out that in that time Paul
McCartney had earned £282,240,
whereas all he was aiming at was £20
worth of software - and to the
Reverend Seed of Fort Augustus who
toiled for ‘many hours and days’ in
vain. Sometimes even the deity fails to
assist RAM-wise.
Crush the boulders and squash
the mutant Krackats as they
scavenge for food amongst the
rotting ruins. Only the fittest can
survive in the desolate
post-nuclear wasteland.
£7.95 inc. V.A.T.
Skid round hairpin
bends, cutting up the
competition and rebounding off
the barriers to make a dash
for the finishing line. A one or
7 ">two player game featuring
I \ 6 different circuits, oil
pdtches, selectable number
WoKlaps, variable skid, and
Keyboard or joystick control.
\ £7.95 inc. V.A.T.
Bounce Harvey Rabbit from rock
to rock on the Giant's Causeway.
Avoid Reynard the cunning ^
fox, the mischievous squirrels,
cascading balls, and an jfr\
irate albatross who are Jr
out to dash your hopes.#
£7.95 inc. V.A.T. Jf
AVAILABLE FROM ALL GOOD DEALERS INCLUDING
BOOTS JOHN MENZIES AND WH SMITH ( #91 MM
The following top titles from our range are available for both the ^
BBC Micro and the Electron: Killer Gorilla £7.95/
Bandits at 3 o Clock £6 95/Moonraider £7 95/Croaker £7 95/Felix in the Factory £7 95/
Felix and the Fruit Monsters £7 95/Chess £7 95/Draw £9 95/Escape from Moonbase Alpha £7 95/
Cybertron Mission £7 95/Swoop £7 95/ Galactic Commander £7 95/lntergalactic Trader £8.95/
Danger UXB £7 95/Positron £6 95/ Adventure £7.95
I — — — "“I P & P: 55p per order ^ ~
Wntten any programs 9 We pay 20% royalties 1 | pBBB! (CjiS'Tt)
Mail Order:
MICRO POWER LTD .
8/8a Regent Street,
Leeds LS7 4PE
Tel: (0532) 683186/696343
Showroom:
MICRO POWER LTD
Northwood House,
North Street.
Leeds LS7 2AA
Tel: (0532) 458800
SPECIAL OFFER
Deduct £1 per cassette
when ordering two or more
Deadly sub-atomic particles
have escaped from the high
security research lab. Trap
the darting Leptons as they
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Chasers are forever on your
trail.
£7.95 inc. V.A.T.
QlQQQQQ
MONITORS
SCREEN TEST
Chris Drage sees how two
colour and two mono-
chrome monitors cope with
his nine-part test program
C hoosing the right visual display unit
(VDU) for your micro can be just as
big a headache as choosing the
right micro itself. The unsteady, fuzzy
display on the family television soon
begins to pall - as do the demands to turn
back to Top of the Pops!
Anyone aware of the potential of his
computer's graphics facility quickly real-
ises that a monitor is essential if those
lovely multi-coloured images are to be
appreciated, and to read the Beeb’s 80-
column text on anything other than a
medium to high resolution monitor for any
length of time could damage your eyes.
But which monitor? The range of
choice has grown extensively in recent
months. It's a choice not only of brand but
of the facilities on offer. I've selected four
monitors for comparison that I feel
represent the spectrum of choice.
To establish an objective means of
comparing them I've borrowed a variety of
VDU tests from a number of sources, one
or two of which readers may be familiar
with. The program on yellow page viii will
be of use in evaluating your own VDU or
any you may consider buying. It is menu-
driven, allowing you to perform each of
the tests at the touch of a key (press the
spacebar to return to the menu).
Before we look at the monitors let's see
what we are testing them for.
Test A This fills the screen with random
lower case characters in mode 0. Each
character should be distinct and easily
read.
Test B Alternating inverse Ms and Ws.
Monitors find these letters difficult to
resolve. Check particularly at the screen
edges.
Test C This causes the screen to flash
alternately between black and white,
testing whether the monitor's power
supply can cope with rapid changes. The
effect of the screen collapsing inwards is
normal. The build-up of the white screen
should happen instantly, however.
Test D There are 15 horizontal white bars
printed across half a mode 0 screen. The
spaces between each should be uni-
formly black, as should the right hand side
of the screen. Uneven shades of black
indicate the low frequency of the monitor.
Test E The border drawn round the
screen should be straight and fit on the
screen evenly on all sides.
Test F The solid circle drawn in mode 0
should be central and show no tendency
to be oval.
Test G This is a severe test of a monitor’s
ability to resolve colours and keep a
steady screen. Each band should be
distinguishable.
Test H A monitor should be able to display
text/graphics instantly and remove them
instantly. No image should remain on the
screen after the text is removed.
Test I The colour test is included to enable
a comparison of the clarity, richness and
depth of the colours (or shades).
How each review monitor coped with
these tests can be seen in the test
summary chart on page 136.
My first impression of the Novex colour
monitor was of a tall and ‘boxy’ ap-
pearance, but the metal casing is strong
and well styled. As with all the monitors
reviewed here its colour matches the BBC
system very well. I particularly liked the
strong carrier handles on each side -
ideal for school use where monitors may
have to be carried up and down stairs. Its
height means that in use it can be
positioned comfortably behind the BBC
micro, as the bottom edge of the display is
at least 100mm (4in) above the working
surface. The depth of working surface
needed to accommodate both is a hefty
750mm (30in), however. As it’s a standard
resolution monitor the manufacturers
have been able to include useful
additional facilities.
The Novex 14-inch is designed to work
with micros with either separate RGB and
synchronising signals at TTL level or a
composite video signal. Both inputs are
on the rear of the cabinet, the former an
eight-pin DIN socket and the latter a
phono connector.
The video input allows you to share the
Novex with the home video recorder - a
real bonus. The full tone colour pictures
from a video recorder were very satis-
factory. An audio input is supplied,
designed specifically for amplifying the
sound channels of micros. Its sound
The solid circle in mode 0 should be central
and properly round
In this test of colour resoution each colour
band should be distinguishable
The spaces separating the horizontal white
bands should be evenly black
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
MONITORS
quality is quite adequate for this purpose.
The controls are all sensibly at the front
of the monitor. The on/off button (volume
control) is surface-mounted, but all other
controls are in a covered panel below the
screen, easily accessible yet well
protected.
Perhaps the most novel feature of the
Novex monitor is its facility to switch off the
red and blue guns, thus allowing the
screen to display green text only. Whether
this is useful is debatable. It works
perfectly well with 40-column text but is not
suitable for 80-column work because the
slot-mask becomes more apparent when
only one gun is functioning. It is not clear
whether the overall colour balance would
be affected after prolonged use of the
green display.
The picture geometry is good without
any noticeable distortion. Picture bright-
ness and contrast are good and colours
reproduced satisfactorily. The overall
resolution is acceptable but would not be
suitable for long-term viewing of 80-
column text.
With its bonus feature of video and
sound input and a satisfactory overall
performance the Novex 1414 is good
value for money and can be
recommended.
The difference in size between the
Kaga Vision 3 and the Novex couldn’t be
more striking. The Kaga is a compact little
monitor and this is due entirely to the fact
that this is a 1 2-inch monitor. Although it is
available in three models (medium, high
and super-high resolution), I chose the
last to review as this is described as ‘a
perfect match for the BBC micro’s graphic
capabilities'.
It’s a good-looking monitor with match-
ing plastic cabinet and sloping screen.
The angled screen is an advantage when
using the monitor on a plinth. The cabinet
seems a bit thin and I wonder how the
monitor would stand up to the rigours of
an educational environment. The most
serious oversight is the lack of a carrying
handle. The screen is mounted in a light-
brown, non-reflective surround which has
four clips to accommodate a detachable,
anti-glare hood. I should hardly think a
Kaga owner would need one, however,
because the monitor has a non-glare
screen.
One of the features that sets it apart
from others is its ‘matt black’ tube. Its
colour reproduction must be seen to be
believed. It performs equally well in bright
lighting as it does in a shady corner. The
non-reflecting screen is a boon to writers
using it for word processing; unwanted
reflections are kept at bay with no
apparent loss of character definition.
Only two controls are visible - on/off
switch and brightness control. A whole
range of picture adjustments are avail-
able at the rear. Kaga includes an
adjusting tool and a comprehensive
manual to enable the user to get the best
out of the display. I was pleased from the
teacher’s point of view to see that these
controls are snuggly recessed out of the
reach of little fingers. The same is also true
of the ventilation grill at the top rear of the
cabinet.
‘If you can afford it and
you want to get the best
out of your Beeb
the Kaga Vision 3 is in
a class of its own’
As it is not possible to include a
PAL/video facility on high-resolution
monitors like the Vision 3, Kaga has opted
to include this and an audio output facility
in its Vision 1 standard-resolution model.
Vision 3 has an interface which allows
both linear and TTL inputs. Two sockets
are provided: an eight-pin linear RGB
connector and an eight-pin DIN for the
two possible TTL inputs. A three-way
selector switch on the rear panel thus
ensures that the Kaga can be used by any
computer with a true RGB output - most
useful if you want to use the monitor with a
variety of computers.
As a colour monitor Vision 3 excels. The
reproduction of mode 0 graphics is
excellent. The results from the test
program speak for themselves. What
impressed me was the fact that I was able
to use the monitor to write this review in 80
The Kaga Vision 3 monitor's colour repro-
duction ‘must be seen to be believed'
columns with the View word processor. All
characters are clearly reproduced and
using it for hours on end caused no
discomfort. The clarity almost matches
that of a monochrome monitor. My only
criticism concerns the geometry of the
display. The top portion tends to splay out
slightly, distorting any rectangles or
squares that happen to be in that region.
Despite this small niggle I find now that I
compare all the monitors I see with the
Kaga Vision 3.
Not everyone can afford the outlay for
even a standard-resolution colour moni-
tor. For those who would be content with a
simple, affordable alternative to the family
TV the answer may be a monochrome
monitor. Prices for these sets usually
hover between £70 and £120 and there’s
plenty of choice. The two reviewed below
are just a sample of what is available.
The Sanyo DM81 12CX data display
monitor is not to be confused with a
similar product marketed by Sanyo of
Taiwan. The Sanyo under review is made
in Japan and is distinctly recognisable by
its non-glare panel.
This monitor is cased in a plastic
cabinet and like the Kaga has no carrying
handle, but this is not such an inconve-
nience as monochrome monitors are
generally much lighter than their colour
counterparts. The colour matches the
BBC micro's case accurately and the
overall effect is pleasing. The design of the
cabinet makes it particularly suited to
being stood on a plinth above the micro.
Video input is via a phono socket
mounted on the back panel. On the front
are just two controls: the on/off switch and
brightness control. There’s contrast con-
trol at the rear. I found this to be
inconvenient - I would have preferred
them both to be at the front.
The Sanyo has a green phosphor tube
and all colours are reproduced in shades
of green. The display is rather small and
cannot be adjusted. However, the picture
geometry is very good. High-resolution
graphics are accurately reproduced and
mode 0 proved no problem at all. For a
green screen monitor the degree of
persistence (afterglow) is very good in-
deed. My only criticism concerns the anti-
The robust Novex colour monitor (right) is ideal for school use. The Novex green screen
monitor (left) has many of its larger relative's good features
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
136
MONITORS
glare panel on the front. It may stop glare
from the tube but it picks up numerous
reflections from a bright room. The
reproduction of 80-column text is excell-
ent, making this monitor a good choice
for business users.
The Novex 12/500MG green screen
monitor may be familiar to some readers
in its other guise: the BBC (official)
monitor. Looking very much like a smaller
version of the Novex 1414, it has many of
the good features of its larger relative. The
design enables the monitor to be posi-
tioned either on a plinth or on the working
surface behind the computer.
It is cased in a strong metal cabinet with
a single carrying handle on the top, set
flush. As in the 1414 model, the colours
match the BBC system perfectly. The
screen has a good non-glare matt finish
and is easy to use even when light is
shining on it directly from a window.
Two phono sockets are provided on
the back for video in/out. The video out
facility enables bridging of monitors,
which must be useful in some appli-
cations. A 40/80 column switch is also to
be found at the rear, enabling the user to
select a semi-permanent setting of screen
mode width. I liked the illuminated on/off
rocker switch on the front - a good touch,
this. Other user controls are accessed via
a small recessed panel, and a superb
range of adjustments are available, a
design I found most convenient.
The Novex displays text clearly in 80
columns, ideal for use with any mono-
chrome word processor package (View,
BeebPen etc). The geometry is excellent
and screen borders perfectly straight.
High resolution mode 0 graphics are
accurately reproduced. My main criticism
of the Novex 12/500MG is the degree to
which it suffers from persistence. Even so,
it’s not as bad as some green screen
monitors on the market and many users
will find it quite acceptable. If this is a vital
factor then choose the amber screen
version (12/500A), which displays no
afterglow at all.
Overall the Novex 12/500MG is a
delightful little monitor to use. Its all-round
performance is ideal for most appli-
cations. This, coupled with its reasonable
retail price, prompts me to recommend it
highly.
Which one should you buy? There are
too many factors involved to give specific
answers. If a budget-priced general-
purpose colour monitor is required then
the Novex 1414 should be high on your
list. If you are a business user or writer
either of the two monochrome monitors
mentioned will do the job. If you can afford
it and really wantto get the best out of your
Beeb the Kaga Vision 3 is in a class of its
own.
My thanks to Retail Control Systems and
Technomatic for technical assistance in
helping to prepare this review. CD
DATASHEET
Product: Novex Min colour monitor
Product: Novex 12/500MG green
(NC-1414-CL-UK)
phosphor 12 in monitor
Manufacturer: Novex Electronics,
Manufacturer: Novex Electronics,
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Purpose: Standard RGB/PAL video
Purpose: High-resolution
monitor
monochrome monitor
Dimensions: 385 x 370 x 355mm
Dimensions: 300 x 300 x 275mm
(W x D x H)
Weight: 8.4kg
Weight: 14.7kg
Resolution: 1000 x 800 lines
Resolution: 452 x 585 lines
Band width: 20MHz
Band width: 7MHz
User Controls: Contrast, brightness,
User Controls: PAL: colour, contrast
V-hold, H-hold, H-width, V-size, hi-low
and brightness. RGB: V-hold,
input level, graphic/text switch, power
brightness. Picture selection switch,
on/off
power on/off
Price: £75.62 T VAT or £ 86 . 12 + VAT
Price: £199.95 + VAT + carriage
(non-glare screen)
Review copy from: Retail Control
Review copy from: Retail Control
Systems, Enterprise House, Central
Systems, Enterprise House, Central
Way, North Feltham Trading Estate,
Way, North Feltham Trading Estate,
Feltham, Middlesex.
Feltham, Middlesex
Product: Kaga Vision 3 12in colour
Product: Sanyo 12in green screen
monitor
monitor DM81 12CX
Manufacturer: Kaga Electronics,
Manufacturer: Sanyo Marubeni,
Japan
Japan
Purpose: High-resolution RGB anti-
Purpose: High-performance data
glare monitor
display monitor
Dimensions: 320 x 393 x 303mm
Dimensions: 320 x 324 x 272mm
Weight: 1 2.5kg
Weight: 8 kg
Resolution: 640 x 51 2 lines
Resolution: 850 x 750 lines
Band width: More than 18MHz
Bandwidth: More than 18MHz
User Controls: Brightness, V-hold, H-
User Controls: Contrast, brightness,
hold, V-size, H-size, V-position, H-
V-hold, H-hold, V-linearity, height,
position, power on/off
power on/off
Price: £370 + VAT
Price: £99 + VAT
Review copy from: Technomatic, 15
Review copy from: Technomatic, 15
Burnley Road, London NW1 0 1 ED.
Burnley Road, London NW 1 0 1 ED.
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
MONITOR NOVEX KAGA
SANYO NOVEX
TEST 1414 VISION 3
DM81 12CX 12/500MG
A ^ ^Itf. -skik.sk:*. ^
r\ -T- •T' ■ ‘T*
^
B ** *****
***** *****
f* ik ik ik ^
^ >T» / T V
-jjf- 9j(.
D *** *****
***** *****
E **** **
^ ^
F ***** ****
^ ^
G ** *****
^
l—l ik jk. _k_ .ak
*** **
1 **** *****
*** ***
KEY
EXCELLENT *****
GOOD
****
SATISFACTORY ***
POOR
**
VERY BAD
*
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
ARIESB20
Add20K
to your BBC micro
in five minutes
Features
★ Adds 20K of useable RAM to
your BBC Micro
★ Run programs up to 28K long in
ANY SCREEN MODE
★ Extra memory can be used
directly from BASIC I and II,
VIEW 1 .4, FORTH, LISP, and
many other existing programs
★ ARIES-B20 is compatible with
all correctly wntten BBC Micro
software, on cassette, disc,
sideways ROM or cartndge
★ Don't be deceived: this product
is unique - no other expansion
unit has these capabilities
★ Complete compatibility -ARIES-
B20 uses only documented
MOS facilities
★ Fitted in 5 minutes using only a
screwdnver
★ Simply plugs in inside the case
★ No soldenng or cutting
★ (Unlike some add-on products)
will cause no damage to your
BBC Micro - can be
removed at any time
★ Incredibly simple to
use
★ Patent applied for
★ Designed in Cambndge by
BBC Micro experts
★ Top quality manufacture
★ Unquestionably the most
important add-on ever
produced for the BBC Micro
★ Top software houses are racing
to produce the "super-
programs" made possible by
the extra capacity
★ 1 year guarantee.
★ Available mail-order only
★ Official purchase orders
accepted from bona-fide
educational establishments, all
other trade cash- with- order
★ Price £99.95 including post,
packing and VAT
★ If not completely satisfied with
your purchase, we will refund
your money in full providing you
return the ARIES- B20 in good
condition in its original
packaging within 14 days
Machine requirements:
★ BBC Micro model B
★ MOS 1 .2 or later
★ Plugs into CPU socket and 1
sideways ROM socket
Also available IEEE-488 interface.
Coming soon: Compatible ROM
expansion board.
How to Order
Send cheque or postal order
made payable to: Cambridge
Computer Consultants Ltd and
forward to:
Cambridge Computer
Consultants Ltd, Science Park,
Milton Road Cambridge CB4
4BH Telephone: Cambridge
0223 862614
Please send me (Qty) ARIES- B20(s) at £99.95 (incl. p. p. & VAT).
I enclose a cheque/ postal order made payable to
Cambridge Computer Consultants Ltd for £
■ Signed
Name (block letters)
Address
| Post Code
I “ Cambridge Computer Consultants Ltd, Science Park, Milton Road Cambridge CB4 4BH
j = Telephone Cambridge 0223 862614
Draw with the BBC micro
and show the true potential of your machine
Fill shapes in one of 23 colours (Mode I)
Draw points, lines, rectangles ellipses and circles
Smooth curves
Wire frame diagrams
Hidden line removal
Draw in perspective
Measure scaled distances
Ekta sketch lines, Half tone facility
Mirror images
Repeat images, SS, enlarged, reduced, stretched
Actual colour displayed
Store up to 10 ellipses or circles in memory
Redraw any one of these at cursor position
Change any actual colour for one of 8 others
Clear screen, load screen, save screen
Print characters or numbers at any pixel point
Error messages for incorrect input
Fully comprehensive manual
35 $ 496 •
□ **3
This programme has been purpose designed by professional Graphic Designers
for simplicity and ease of use, and is undoubtedly the most versatile drawing
H programme on the market at this time. There is no need to input any numerical
data, as all judgements are made visually. The BBC Micro is the finest drawing
designs machine in its price range. Find out what it can do.
The A B Designs drawing programme costs only £35 for over 70 functions (Model B). New AB2 Program, available on disc (price £60 '
and cassette (price £50.50). When ordering send Cheque/PO and include 50p for P&P Please include phone no. with all
For further information send SAE and phone no. to A.B. Designs, 81 Sutton Common Road. Sutton Surrey 01-644 66
Thursday).
correspondence.
43 (closed all day
Diary & RAM Filing
/ofn m for the BBC
uyoiul 1 1 Microcomputer
“The RTC+ RAM provides a fast and efficient Diary and RAM
filing system that is particularly simple to use. ”
Acorn User, April 1984.
The Diary is sophisticated, yet simple to use appointments’
storage and retrieval system with unique features:
• Available and accessible at any time - no need to load disc
or tape. • Audible alarms at preset times with associated
screen messages. • Automatic reinsertion of repeating
reminders. • Search of appointments by particular words or
numbers • Easy entry and display of messages • Easy
access to real time and date from other programs.
RAM filing system provides convenient storage for most
frequently used programs and documents.
gTC+RAM system comprises Diary and RFS software in a
HOM, e ectromcs in a separate housing (4Kbyte or 30Kbyte
storage) and instruction manual.
4Kbyte RTC+RAM £128.00p + VAT+p/p (£149.00p inc.)
30Kbyte RTC + RAM £300.00p inc. (4Kbyte to 30Kbyte upqrade
is available) *
Further information from Acacia Computers Limited,
Tel ^2^312124* FrenCh S Road ’ Cambrid 9© CB4 3LB.
THE BBC MICRO SOUND SYSTEM
MICROVOC
As supplied to Schools & Colleges
SYSTEM INCLUDES:
Speakers, Volume control, jack sockets
and all connections (assembled) plus
Buzzgo to eliminate the infernal B.B.C.
buzz.
Easily fitted with no drilling, soldering or
cabinet modifications £23 00 inc VAT and
p&p
MICROVOC WITHOUT SPEAKERS
£15 inclusive
Now in stock — T hn Synth. This program
allows the mixing and saving of all four
channels, including Channel 0 for cymbals and
drums. Complex melodies can now be entered
in minutes by even a complete novice.
MICROVOC IS IDEAL FOR SPEECH
SYNTHESIS OR COMPUTER PRODUCED
MUSIC
MICRO-ADVENT
Ashlyn House, 113 Writtle Road, Chelmsford, Essex.
Tel: 0245 59708
138
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
REVIEWS
MANY A SLIP
TWIXT MOON AND
MOTHERSHIP
‘Lunar Rescue’, Alligata Software, BBC B
and Electron £7.95
I WONDERED at first whether I had the
right game - the cassette cover said
Lunar Rescue , but all references within
the game were to Space Rescue.
Whatever its name, the game at first
appears like many others in concept, but
as you play it you begin to appreciate the
differences that add to its appeal.
You start off in the mother ship at the
top of the screen, and the object is to
rescue six men stranded on the planet
below. You release from the mother ship,
manoeuvreyourwaydownandtrytoland
on one of three pads. Sounds easy until
you realise there are four rows of asteroids
moving across the screen in different
directions, and you must avoid them at all
cost.
If you land on a pad without crashing
into it or any of the asteroids you get
bonus points according to the rating of
the pad. That level on the pad is then
removed, so it becomes smaller and more
difficult to land on at your next attempt -
and the bonus points higher. Once you’re
down one of the men runs across the
screen and into your ship - a very
pleasing effect. Your ship takes off
automatically but to your horror the
asteroids change into rows of alien ships
which immediately start dropping nasty
things on you. You can fire back at them
but you have to concentrate on dodging
them to reach the mother ship.
Your troubles are not over if you do get
through. When you break through, the
mother snip stops and opens its door and
you have to manoeuvre inside. If you
haven't reached a suitable position you
will crash into the ship and lose a life or hit
the top of the screen, at which point your
little man plummets to the surface, never
to be seen again.
You repeat the process for each of the
six men and are rewarded with bonus
points if you rescue them all. If you reach
3000 points you get an extra rescue ship.
You continue until you run out of fuel or
you lose your three lives, which isn’t
difficult.
Your controls are Z and X for left and
right, and a nice additional feature is the
multi-use of the return key. It releases you
from the mother ship and also slows down
your descent (which unfortunately uses
up fuel). You use it to fire at the aliens as
you go up, and your ascent speeds up if
you keep your finger on the button. A pity
that a game as good as this doesn’t
provide for joysticks.
Resolution and speed of graphics is
good and the sounds are appropriate.
The game requires great concentration
and dexterity. It is good value for money
and if you like action sufficiently different
to make it worth buying.
Ian Rowlings
PUSHING AND
shovewncT
‘JCB Digger’, Acornsoft, BBC B, £9.95 (disc
£11.50)
ANY game that promises a mixture of
Monsters and Snapper, with the origi-
nality of driving a JCB earth-moving
digger around an island, and written by
Acornsoft, sounds like a real winner.
The screen display of JCB Digger is a
window on part of the island’s landscape
and the JCB is in view at all times. The
vehicle can be moved in the standard four
directions - up/down, left/right. Viewed
from the side, the JCB has two main
moving parts, a shovel/hopper at the front
that fills in holes and clears earth and
other obstructions, and a mechanical
digger arm at the rear. These movements
can be controlled by two further keys or by
joystick.
The aim of the game is to drive the JCB
around the landscape, clearing it of
various obstructions such as earth and
trees (not a game for conservationists).
There’s one little problem, however. The
meanies! These are circular floating
monsters who, if they catch up with you,
will push you out of the driving cab and
drive the digger away. So, your task is to
clear the landscape and kill the meanies.
They can be killed by digging holes
(though you are limited by the number
you can dig) and hoping a monster falls in
and then filling in the hole (surely this idea
has been used before?). Or you can catch
a monster on the front of the digger when
the shovel is down and push it into the sea
and drown it. You have three lives and
with succeeding screens the monsters
change colour and the difficulty level
increases.
JCB Digger is supplied on cassette or
disc and there are the usual options of a
pause facility and turning the sound off -
something you’ll probably want to do
quite quickly as the sound effects, though
well-executed, become annoying especi-
ally as clearing a screen takes a long time.
I found JCBdisappointing for a number
of reasons. First and foremost, the ’shud-
der’ on the screen is irritating. Hardware
screen scrolling is used in all directions, as
there is a lot of landscape to get round,
and when you move vertically the top and
bottom lines of the screen flash and jump.
If a monster catches you, the driver jumps
out and the monster drives the digger off-
screen. The problem is, an after-image of
the driver stays in the cab.
The idea behind JCB is novel, but in the
final analysis lacks the punch of previous
offerings from Acornsoft. The idea is not
done justice by the screen display. Too
much has been sacrificed to achieve a
landscape scroll in all directions and the
final product is not of the quality we f lave
come to expect from Acornsoft and
Jonathan Griffiths, who also wrote
Snapper.
JCB held little interest for me, though
there might be some who will like it purely
for its new approach to chase-the-
monster and eat-the-dots. Dee Vince
GHOULS AND
JEWELS
‘Ghouls’, Micro Power, BBC B, £7.95
GHOULS is a delightful game set in a
mansion on top of a creepy hill. There are
said to be ‘power jewels’ inside, but all
those who have gone in search of thorn
have fallen victim to the mansion’s deadly
inhabitants.
The mansion has four sections. First
you must traverse Spectre’s lair, on
through Horrid Hall, into the Spider’s
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
Joining our already extensive range comes PRINTMASTER a sophisticated printer
handling utility ROM. PRINTMASTER will be released in several versions catering for
each of the most popular printers on the market. This first PRINTMASTER ROM
supports a range of EPSON printers: MX80. RX80, FX80 and other compatible
printers.
All commands in the ROM must be preceded by an asterisk and can be used
like all normal operating system commands from within BASIC programs etc. It is
also possible to use them from WORDWISE and other language ROMs.
ENLARGED PART OF SCREEM
PRINTMASTER supports three types of screen dumps. The most flexible (★GDUMP)
allows any graphics on the screen to be dumped onto the printer. This will
operate in any mode, the colours being displayed as shades. Any part of the
screen may be printed at any position on the paper in any one of four
orientations. It is also possible to magnify the screen dump by any factor x2 x3
x4 etc.
0X234567898X234567890X23436789
A special feature allows true Mode 7 screen dumps with TELETEXT text and
graphics, colours (as shades), double height etc.
iMlthi <-n>\ '
★ TDUMP allows any text mode to be dumped and ★ FDUMP will automatically
print the contents of a file on disc to the printer WHILE the BBC machine is doing
other things, running other programs etc.
★ DEFINE allows the redefinition of any user definable character In the simplest
possible manner. See screen photo opposite ★ USAVE and ★ ULOAD can be used to
save or load all user definable characters.
★WINDOW allows the user to interactively define a graphics window, this controls
the part of the screen printed in ★GDUMP this is a very much easier method of
defining graphics windows than the normal VDU statement.
*3. Vl, 18 , 18 ? , 57
★ DEFINE IN ACTION
The above list is only a fraction of the commands In the PRINTMASTER ROM
Others include ★CENTRE. ★UNDERLINE, ★ITALIC. ★MARGIN etc. etc. which provide
total control over the printer. Order as PRINTMASTER (Epson).
£33.35 incl. VAT and p*p.
*iS>ssS^
iOMPUTER
.ONCEPTS
7 #
16 Wayside, Chipperfleld, Hertfordshire WD4 9JJ. Telephone Kings Langley (09277) 69727
REVIEWS
parlour and finally to Death Tower. Each
one must be finished before your time
runs out.
Each section has defences, however -
poison-tipped spikes that you must jump
over and a ghost that follows you. The
spider, which guards her parlour,
bounces up and down and you have to
dodge beneath her. Worse still are the
moving platforms and disappearing
floorboards. On some levels, you use
powerful springs to bounce from floor to
floor. You are not without defences,
though. If you can eat a stray power jewel,
the ghosts will disappear for about 15
seconds.
The graphic quality of Ghouls is
impressive, despite being fairly straight-
forward. I liked the sideways scrolling after
each level (as described in April's Acorn
User) and the way the screens are
displayed, but some of the movement is
jerky. The funniest aspect of the game is
the way your character moves, complete
with the pitter-patter of tiny feet, though I
was concentrating more on that spider.
Sound can make or break a game, and
the sound in Ghouls is superb. Some of
the noises are creepy, and would be well-
placed in a horror film! You can even have
music playing while the tape loads.
The program includes a top ten scores
table, and you can pause while you brew
your tea. Controlling your men (you start
with four) is simple, using Z, X to move and
'Return' to jump. The game itself is not so
easy!
Ghouls is a great game with superb
sound, fair graphics and enough pro-
blems to keep the player trying.
Stuart Menges
DOTS & CRASHES
‘Dodg’em’, Microgame Simulations, BBC B,
£00 (disc £00)
MY FIRST reaction to Dodg’em was ‘I've
seen this somewhere before'. Sure
enough, it is a faithful reproduction of an
arcade game popular a couple of years
ago.
It’s simple in concept if not easy to win.
The aim is to move your car arou nd a four-
lane track covering as many red dots as
possible and jumping from lane to lane to
do so. The computer car is also swapping
lanes and trying to crash into you.
Fortunately, when you jump you cover
two lanes whereas the computer car
jumps only one. You can also accelerate
out of danger - or into it.
You have three lives before the final
collision, and your score reflects the
number of dots covered. Remove all the
dots on one screen and you progress to
the next. There are 15 screens, all
presumably of the same format, except
that as you progress you are confronted
by up to three computer cars at once.
The game is compulsive for the mas-
ochistic, but the choice of keys seems a
little strange - A/Z for up and down and
K/L for left and right - still, I expect you get
used to it.
The animation is not very fast but then if
it were you'd never get past the first
screen. Altogether, it’s quite a nice game
of its type.
Ian Rowlings
A Full One Year Warranty offered on all the products we sell.
Full Pre/Post Sales Support.
mm
EPSON RX80
• 100 CPS 9x9 matrix
• True descenders
• Bit image graphics
• 11 character sets
• 3 character styles
• 6 printing sizes
• Very reliable
£ 219.95
£239.95
• FREE Screen dump (Cassette).
RX8Q T
RX80F/T
EPSON FX80
• 160 CPS 9x9 matrix
• Proportional spacing
• Downloadable characters
• 3K Ram buffer
• Extra forms handling
• User defined margins
• 3 character styles
• 6 printing sizes
£329.95
£434.00
FX80
FX100
• FREE Hi- Res. Cassette
STAR GEMINI 10X
• 120 CPS 9x9 matrix
• User defined characters
• Friction/Tractor and roll holder
• Macro Instructions
• 3 character styles
• 6 printing sizes
• Value for money
10X
15X
£218.95
£315.00
• FREE Hi Res. Cassette
COPY ALL DISK
• Copies ALL protected disks
inc. tape to disk utilities
• So good it even copies itself
• Simple to use
• Includes sector editor
• Reads individual sectors
• Re-writes sectors
• Verify & mend
COPY ALL
£10.50
DAISYWHEEL PRINTERS
BROTHER HR15
• 18 CPS • 3K buffer
• Proportional spacing
• 2 colour print
HR15
£369.00
DAISY STEP 2000
• 20 CPS • 10. 12. 15, CPI
• Proportional spacing
• Japanese reliability
DS200C
£267.00
MONITORS FIDELITY
CM14"
• RGB • RGBY
• Composite video
• Works with all micros & VCR's
CM14
£169.95
PHIL I PS 12" Green Screen
• 80 column & graphics
• Fully BBC compatible
TP200
£74.95
BARCLAYCARD *
VISA
Itm il with Vcess
WORDWISE
‘The” Word Processor
£3Z00
£10.99
Printer Cable
BASF SS S/D Disks
(B ox 10) £13.95
Paper (2,000 shts.) £12.00
+ £3.00 carriage
ORDERING
INFORMATION^
• Orders received before 3pm -
despatched same day
• Government, Educational
orders welcome
• Credit Cards -just ring your
order through
CARRIAGE printers/monitors
(24 hour delivery) £7.00
Qther-50p (1st Post)
Please add 15% VAT
UNIT 27, ESTATE BUILDINGS, 2 RAILWAY STREET, HUDDERSFIELD HD1 1JP TEL. HUDDERSFIELD (0484) 514105
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
The complete AMS disc drive package, tailored to your
BBC micro, is compatible with all disc interfaces and
includes cables, a comprehensive manual and utilities
on either disc or EPROM. Housed in a steel case,
matching the BBC micro, these reliable and robust
Hitachi 3" disc drives are the ultimate for home, office
and classroom.
The 3" disc is totally enclosed in rigid plastic and a
unique automatic steel shutter protects the delicate
disc surface from dust and finger marks. For the first
time discs can be used in industrial, educational and
commercial environments without the worry of
corrupting precious programs and data.
The disc is "flippable" like a cassette tape and has a
storage capacity of 100K on each side in single density
mode (twice as much when used with a double density
interface). A neat plastic switch can be flicked back
and forth to write-protect valuable discs.
The AMS disc drives are completely hardware and
software compatible with 5'/«" drives which can be
used in parallel so allowing easy transfer of software.
Consequently the 3" drives will operate with all the
standard floppy disc interfaces. They take their power
from the outlet provided by the BBC micro-there s no
onboard power supply to corrupt data.
The AMS package includes utilities on either disc or
EPROM for formatting and verifying discs. The
EPROM, which is easily fitted, offers a simple to use
and permanent alternative to using the utilities disc.
The impressively engineered Hitachi 3" drives feature
an eject button allowing single handed operation, a
multi-colour LED indicating the disc side in use, and a
brushless direct-drive motor for reliable operation.
The super fast track-to-track access time of 3ms is at
the forefront of disc drive technology. The longest of
programs are loaded in a flash.
Advance with AMS
3" Disc Drives -The Ultimate Choice
Recommended Retail Price
Single 200K-E199
(100K per side)
Double 400K-E385
(20QK per disc)
includes VAT and delivery
HBH
Direct Delivery
If not available from
one of our 2001-
dealers fill in the
coupon and we will
deliver your order
promptly
Advanced Memory
Systems Ltd., Green
Lane, Appleton
WA4 5NG
25) 62907 OR
Tel No
Date
Post Code
Signature
TO Advanced Memory Systems Ltd Woodside
Technology Centre Green Lane Appleton,
Warrington Cheshire WA4 5NG
Please send me
I Qty AMS 3 (S) single disc drive all
inclusive package at C1S9 each
Qty AMS 3 (T) twin disc drives all
inclusive package at C385 each
Prices include utility disc, cables manual
VAT and delivery
Pl ease se nd me by post, if not with drives
fOty I double sided (100K x 2| discs at
I £4 95 each
packs of five at £22 50 per pack
Formatting and Verification
Utility EPROM £17 25
I enclose a cheque for £
or debit my credit card
Name
Address
REVIEW
DOTTY ^ PR0ACH
DAISYWHEEL
George Hill on the Canon PW1080A
NQL and Sanple Daisy Step 2000
W HAT, you may ask is an NLQ
printer? Here is another piece of
jargon being foisted on the com-
puter public!
NLQ stands for Near Letter Quality.
How near is near? Well I reckon is is very
near. The Canon PW1080A has very fine
dot wires, and produces a somewhat
'dotty’ style of print in normal print mode,
but the gaps between dots are filled in in
NLQ mode, producing a typeface almost
indistinguishable from daisywheel print
except under a magnifying glass. Only the
descenders (tails of the p, g, y etc) betray it.
They are limited to two dots' depth but the
style is attractive and a considerable
improvement on anything I have seen
before at the price (£31 9 + VAT).
At £258.75 the Sanple Daisy Step 2000 may
be the cheapest daisywheel available (re-
view model supplied by Kyeaki Ltd)
For me, the beauty of this printer is that
its printing control characters and escape
sequences are, praise be, identical to the
Epson FX80 set, and hence all programs
written for the MX or FX80 work perfectly
on the Canon. I will not bore you with a
repeat of the FX80 review, printed in the
October 1983 issue. The more important
features shared by the Canon are:
• Full graphics capability, including
single, double and quadruple density
graphics, CRT graphics (640 dots per line
- enough for two dots per pixel in mode 1 ),
‘plotter graphics' (precisely round circles
for design work) and nine-pin graphics.
• Extensive 'download character' capa-
bility, with full freedom to switch character
sets.
• Variety of print styles, including italics,
pica and elite, and proportional spacing.
• High speed - 160 characters per
second.
How does the Canon differ from the
Epson (and its Star competitors)? Let's
look at its design features and printing
capability.
First, it’s smaller and neater than the
Epson, and infinitely more convenient to
load with paper. The paper feed mechan-
ism has the 'tractor' (the wheels with pins
which locate in the fanfold paper to drive
it) mounted before the roller (figure 1).
This mechanism is the same as the
Shinwa C80 printer, on sale in WHSmith’s.
The arrangement allows reverse paper
feed without the danger of jamming the
Figure 1 . Tractor feed arrangements
ESC ♦ b : 5.76 dpi plotter
Figure 2. How round is a circle? Here are
some ESC * graphics options
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
CROYDON COMPUTER CENTRE n
OFFICIAL ACORN SERVICE CENTRE sffiL
29 Brigslock Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey.
01-689 1280
MODEL A £299.00
MODEL B £399.00
ACORN ELECTRON £199.00
+ Full range ol spares always in stock.
TORCH
Z80 DISK PACK
£830.00
Includes C 1,000 free software.
MICROVITEK COLOUR MONITOR £244.00
ZENITH 12" GREEN OR AMBER £99.00
CUMANA SLIMLINE DRIVES from £216 00
EPSON RX80 £333.00
JUKI DAISYWHEEL £458 85
Full range of books, software, paper and spares for every
popular micro and printer. Our four years in the micro
business and investment in trained engineers and test
equipment is your guarantee of peace of mind.
EXPORT ENQUIRIES WELCOME
Happy customers in twelve countries
ALL PRICES
INCLUDE VAT
01-689 1280
FOR SPARES AND REPAIRS
SPEECH RECOGNITION
Speak to your BBC, with the U-PHONE SPEECH RECOGNITION AND
SOUND ANALYSER system.
* Real time interactive system, runs in background, as if part of the operating
system.
* Recognises speech as if typed from the keyboard. Thus most keyboard
interactive software may be adapted to accept speech input.
* Multi-level vocabulary- allows words to be placed in their context. Thus
sentences may be constructed and recognised.
* Learn mode builds vocabulary and displays dictionary.
Applications include voice operated control systems, keyboard/joystick/light-
pen supplement, voice operated games, disco sound-to-light. deaf persons
speaking aid. general linguistic aid. etc.
Price of system. £44.50 (4- VAT). Send for further details and an order form
to:—
RPG MICROSYSTEMS
P-O. Box 39, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7HU
Educational/Trade enquiries welcome.
SLOGGER SOFTWARE
MACHINE CODE GAMES FOR BBC 'B', ELECTRON, SPECTRUM
A MAZE IN SPACE
DOGFIGHT
Use Joysticks or Keyboard to navigate
Still undoubtedly the most exciting
your Starship to the planet surface and
2-player game available. The objective
then into the maze below. Having been
is to fire sufficient shots into your
told in which section of the maze your
enemy aircraft to force it to explode.
target is hidden, your objective is to
Eight levels of difficulty. Sun, moving
seek out and destroy it to complete
cloud, lightning, ground all provide real
a mission. Beware of the numerous
combat environment.
alien defence systems. Two levels of
difficulty! Horizontal and diagonal
scrolling!
How many missions can you complete?
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144
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
REVIEW
FX80 at my college and in the Acorn User
office.
Second, it has dear plastic at the critical
point where you want to look at the paper.
You can see the print-head without
having to remove the cover or raise the lid.
These two simple features make it very
easy to use.
Third, it has a switch, located behind
the tractor feed, which switches off the
'paper-end detector’ if you want to
change from fan-fold to cut-sheet paper.
This saves sending complex escape
sequences and resetting internal DIP
switches.
Now the extra goodies in terms of
printing capabilities. NLQ printing is
produced by printing the patterns for a
line of letters, then performing a 'half-dot'
paper feed, returning the carriage, and
printing a second pattern which neatly fills
inordinate number of reverse paper
movements.
I detected a serious bug in the hori-
zontal tab function. After sending ESC "D','
followed by a list of the column numbers,
terminated by 0, the tab-stops are set at
the column positions specified by the
parameters. If, however, the column num-
bers are ‘printing characters' - eg, 50, 60,
70 in my program - they get printed. This
accounts for the spurious appearance of
2 (CHRS50), < (CHR$60) and F (CHR$70)
in the tab line on the test routine.
The manual is a beautifully produced
model of clarity. It is laid out along the
same lines as the Epson FX80 manual.
The only significant lack seems to be an
alphabetical index.
The daisywheel competitor costs under
£300, and is a full-size printer that, like the
Juki, will take A4 paper sideways. It uses a
CRHON
prints
FRBFRCE
Figure 3. Face printed by E pa tali' - the
all-mode Epson dump
Qume-style ribbon cartridge and Qume-
compatible wheels which are expensive
but freely available.
The printing capabilities of the Sanple
Daisy Step 2000 are limited, but I doubt if
most users would require the more
advanced features. The most notable
omission from the repertoire is propor-
tional spacing. There’s bold, shadow and
underline printing for highlighting and the
usual margin settings and tabbing
arrangements.
Daisywheel printers seem unable to
recognise paper widths, so you really
have to set the margins every time you use
the printer, by escape sequences (no DIP
switch control), or use the WIDTH com-
mand from computer or word processor.
At least, though, the margin setting is not
at ‘current carriage position’ as in the Juki.
Close control of paper movement
makes graphics printing possible, though
the method differs from that suggested for
the Juki. I suspect the dump routine
(program 1) is more likely to prove
generally applicable to daisywheels than
Normal character set.
• 1 < >#♦,-. /01 23456789* i <•>?<«! ABC DEFGH I JKLMNOPORSTUVWX YZ [\] abcdetghi j klmnop
qrstuvw>:yz{ J }~
Italic character set.
()*+,- ,/01 22*0 567 : ; <*>?&ABC&EF 6H1 JKLf1NOPORS7ll[/UXY2[ \ ] ~ o.hcdefgh't jk Ira nop
qrstuvwxyzC \ )~
NLQ character set.
( )*♦ . -./01 23U 56789: ; <«>?PABCDEFGHI J KLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ [\] * abcdef ghl d klmnop
qrst uvwxyz( ! ) *
This Is In NLQ style.
and this is NLQ with proportional spacing.
This iLe IM Ci enlarged with
and without proportional spac Ins .
Jfaltcs and standard an elate style
Italics and standard in proportional spacing
Now for the editors benefit the e 1 1 oneohz er o test.
Ill-OOo Ill-0<&o
Thas illustrates the TAB function and its bug.
0123fc567890123a 567890123U567890123fc567890123li56789O1234567S90123*i567890123tl56789
(2<F*POS0 “ POS20 "POS50
Any word or littff aay b* under 1 ined in any style
All types of print and graphics AAAAAAAAAAAAAUAAUA can be mi xed on lim
Subscripts , super scripts and download characters
2NaOH ♦ HaSO» -» Na a SO„ ♦ 2H a 0
N» ♦ 3H a 2NHa
(a ♦ b>* = a* ♦ 2ab ♦ b a
Figure 4. Example text printed on a Canon PW1080A printer
in the gaps. Printing by this method is, of
course, much slower than normal - the
160 cps is reduced to 27 cps, pretty slow
but still much faster than competitively
priced daisywheels.
There is a graphics capability to match
the NLQ printing mode, and an NLQ
download character set, giving you a
massive 16x23 matrix of dots to define for
each character.
I regret that I never had the patience to
test this facility!
There is a ‘character at a time’ printing
capability, which allows the Canon to be
used like a typewriter, though my brief
experiments seemed to generate an
! "#$%&* ( )*+,-./01 23456789: ; < = > ?@ABCDEFGH IJ KLMNOP QRST
UVWXYZ [® ] ©_° abode fghi jklmnopqrs tuvwxy z§ IT t ™
Can you tell one from lower-case ell and oh from zero ?
Capital I
Small 1
Number 1
Capital O
Small o
Zero 0
111 - 00 o 101010101010
Figure 5. Sanple character set and the ’ello ’ello ’ello test
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
REVIEW
the Juki dump printed in the January
issue. It uses ESC HS(31) to control
horizontal paper movement and ESC
US(30) to control vertical movement, and
prints a full stop for a dot, and a space for
no dot.
I found annoying the fact that the
printer was off line when switched on, and
needed a touch on the switch panel
before it would operate. There's a ‘set
page’ button on the front panel to set ‘top
of form’ at the current paper position.
The Qume Courier 10 print-wheel
supplied has some curious features; there
are, for example, strange characters in
some of the ASCII punctuation positions, I
and 1 are indistinguishable, and numbers
are bigger than letters. Friction feed is the
only option at present, though tractor and
cut-sheet feeder attachments, also at
reasonable prices, are on their way.
The manual is a tatty multi-language
document, of which only 20 pages are in
English, and several of those are about
esoteric details of interfacing. If all the
translations are as bad as the English,
there will be some confused users around
the world. No programs, and not much
help.
By any standards 18 cps is slow, but if
you must have a daisywheel printer for
business use, this is the cheapest I have
yet seen, and is perfectly adequate.
10 MODE2
20 PROCCENTRE ( "SANPLE daisy step" /6)
30 FOR 1=1 TO 7
40 PROCCIRCLE (80+80*1 / 150+50*1 ,60*1 , I )
50 NEXT
60 FOR 1=6 TO 1 STEP -1
70 PROCCIRCLE (640+80* (7-1 ) ,500+50* (7-1 ) ,60*1 , I )
80 NEXT
90 PROCDUMP
100 END
110
120 DEF PROCCIRCLE ( X , Y , R , C )
130 GCOLO , C
140 MOVE X+R , Y
150 FOR th=0 TO 360 STEP 8
160 Xl=X+R*COS (th*PI/180)
170 Yl=Y+R*SIN( th*PI/180)
180 DRAW XI, Y1
190 NEXT
200 ENDPROC
210
220 DEF PROCCENTRE ( T$ , C )
230 COLOURC
240 PRINTTAB(10-INT(0.5*LENT$ ) ,1 )T$
250 COLOUR 3
260 ENDPROC
270
1000 REM SANDUMP
1010 REM G. B .Hill (C) 1983
1020 REM dump for the SANPLE daisy step 2000
1030 DEFPROCDUMP
1040 REM Enable printer
1050 VDU2,1 ,13,1 ,13,1 ,13
1060 REM ESC US 3 to set horizontal spacing
1070 VDU1 ,27,1 ,31,1 ,3
1080 REM ESC RS 1 to set linefeed
1090 VDU1,27,1,30,1,2
1100 FOR Y% =1023 TO 0 STEP -4
1110 FOR X%=0 TO 1279 STEP 4
1120 IF POINT(X% , Y% ) >0 THEN VDUl,46 ELSE VDUl,32
1130 NEXT
1140 REM Linefeed
1150 VDUl , 1 3
1160 NEXT
1170 REM Reset printer, disable and beep
1180 VDUl, 27, 1,30, 1,9, 1,27, 1,3 1,1, 13, 3, 7
1190 ENDPROC
Program 1 . A graphics routine and dump for the Sanple and other daisywheels
page 151 ►
W E get a number of queries about
the possibility of printing the # and
£ signs in the same piece of text. This can
be accomplised in a number of different
ways. The normal arrangement for dot
matrix printers is to have the printer
supplied with the £ sign printing as
character 35. The first thing I do when
taking delivery of a printer is to change
the DIP switches from the English
character set to the USA set. This gives
me # and $ signs as on the keyboard.
However I have not yet found a printer
that gives me the £ sign as character 96
(the value given by the £ key on the
Beeb).
What to do? There are a number of
possibilities.
1. If you have download characters,
then re-define character 96 to be the £
sign, and all will be well. The codes to do
this on the FX80 and Canon are in
program 2. Run program 2 as a start-up
option whenever word processing is to
be undertaken.
2. You can, within a word processing
environment, normally send escape
sequences. The series of codes to cause
a switch from # to £ is as follows:
ESC “R” 3 (switch to UK)
35 (# character code)
ESC “R” 0 (switch back to USA)
If you have decided to leave the UK
character set active, then the sequence
to obtain the # would be:
ESC “R” 035 ESC “R” 3
3. On some printers (the Seikosha,
FX80 and Canon, for example) the extra
characters can be printed by codes
greater than 128. On the FX80 and
Canon the code is 134, after the full
character set has been copied into RAM.
4. Method 2 may be applied on some
daisywheels, depending on the wheel.
The Juki wheel allows international
character-set switching. The Sanple
and Qume wheels generally do not,
though the ESA wheel does have both
symbols, but you loose many others,
including < >.
A knotty problem, and you have to
work out which solution suits you best.
At worst, you can always print a space,
and write in the missing symbol.
RUN
PR I NTCHR*35 ; CHR*96 ;
#£#£#£#£
*#£#£#£"
w 10 REM Enable printer
2<i» VDU2
0 30 REM Copy ROM characters into RAM
40 VDUl ,27, l , ASC" : " , 1 ,0, 1 ,0, 1 ,0
f 50 REM Select RAM characters
fc.0 VDUl ,27, 1 ,ASC"fc" ,1,1, 1,0
a 70 REM Redefine character 96
W S0 VDUl ,27,1 ,ASC"&" ,1,0,1,96,1 ,96
^ 9® REM Send codes for pound sign
W 100 VDUl , 138,1 , 18, 1,0,1, 126,1 , 128,1 ,18,1, 128, 1 , 18, 1 ,128, 1,66,1,0, 1 ,0
110 REM Disable printer-
# 120 VDU3
Program 2 and RUN. Sets up the £ key to print the £ sign on the FX80 or
Canon PW1 080A printer
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A superb machine code monitor and
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Alligata Software Ltd. 178 West Street,
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I enclose cheque/PO* for £
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Address
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‘allow 75p for post and packaging
acorn
14” Colour Monitor
Silver Reed EX550
Parallel
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Epson RX80
Epson FX80
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Epson MX100 (B2 Col)
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MODEL B with DOS .... £46£
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Map References ....
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£ 1 6 85 Algebraic Manipulation
£16.85 vy or d Sequencing . . .
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. £9.95 Number Balance
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GRAFPAD
...for as many uses
as YOU
can imagine!
BBC MODEL 2 • SPECTRUM
COMMODORE 64
With Grafpad you can now add a new dimension to your
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The Grafpad comes complete with a cassette comprising
two programmes.
THE FIRST PROGRAMME
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□ COMMODORE 64
(Size: 25mm height x 55mm width x 260mm depth)
Weight: 1.2 kg (Gross)
displays the co-ordinates of your screen area. The
co-ordinates are based on the screen with a grid size of
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size of 320 x 256 pixels!
THE SECOND PROGRAMME
provides you with the utilities for circles,
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REVIEW
Q-XON PRINTERS
M anufacturers are invariably
over-optimistic about the speed at
which their printers will operate. When you
buy a printer with a quoted speed of, say,
160 characters per second (cps) what
does this mean? Normally it is based on
the maximum speed that the printer is
capable of, with no linefeeds and, in the
case of daisywheel printers, no letter
changes. These conditions are simply
unreal. I am interested in compiling a
league table of printer performance.
Program 3 is a short test routine which
prints 25 lines of 80 characters. I have
chosen two characters (*x) with ASCII
codes fairly widely separated to give more
realistic results with daisywheel printers,
where character switching is mechanical
and therefore slow.
The procedure is analogous to the
PCW Benchmark programs for testing
computer performance. You need a
stopwatch to time the printer. I tried a
program using the TIME function on the
BBC, but the results are grossly distorted
HELP US COMPILE A LEAGUE TABLE
by the different buffer sizes of the printers.
A large buffer results in almost instant
transfer of information to the printer and
so gives a big advantage, making the
micro available for other purposes. Here,
however, we are interested in how rapidly
the printer actually prints! The method is
as follows:
1. Run the program, starting the stop-
watch on the first beep from the printer, or
the printing of the first *.
2. Stop the stopwatch when the second
beep is heard from the printer, or when the
final x is printed.
3. Record the time taken.
4. Calculate the speed by the formula
‘speed = 2000/time’.
Results for the Star Delta 10 (reviewed in
the April issue), Canon PW1 080A and the
Sanple Daisy Step 2000 are shown in the
panel.
Readers are asked to send results for
other printers. Address them to ‘Bench-
mark’, Acorn User , 68 Long Acre, London
WC2. All we need to know is:
1. Name and address.
2. The maker’s name and the model
number of the printer.
3. The manufacturer's quoted speed
from the manual or the advertising.
4. The printout produced by running the
Benchmark program (program 3).
5. The time taken, and your calculated
value of the speed in cps.
Please don’t send in your results in the
form of a long letter'
10 REM Printer Benchmark
20 REM Time taken to print
25 rows of 80 characters
30 VDU2, 1. 7, 1, 13
U0 FOR 1=1 TO 25
50 FOR J=1 TO 40
60 VDU1 « il2,l, 120
70 NEXT
80 VDU1.13
90 NEXT
100 VDU1 . 7. 1. 13. 3
Program 3. Benchmark test routine
for printers
PRINTERS’ REALTIME
MAKER
MODEL
MODE
advertised
speed
(cps)
time
(BM)
cps
(BM)
Canon
PW1080A
normal
160
20.00
100.0
NLQ
27
77.75
25.7
Sanple
D/S 2000
normal
18
190.95
10.5
Star
Delta 10
normal
160
20.69
96.7
99
• •
Do you ever wonder what you spend on clothing?
Do you need to know how much money will be
in your bank account at the end of the month?
Do you have a part time business?
Do you run the books for a club or society
Do you make VAT returns?
THEN YOU NEED THE
HOME ACCOUNTANT
for only £19.95 (including VAT)
Cassette or Disk versions for the BBC Model ‘B’
(or Model 1 A’ with 32k RAM)
This package - complete with 41 manual
- keeps a 24 column analysed account
of payments and receipts*
- calculates the VAT owed/owing
- produces printed accounts
- handles regular payments automatically
* Each column in turn could be analysed further by creating new accounts
Send cash/ cheque to the Acorn distributor for the
North West and Wales
System Support Services
Brook House, 513 Crewe Road,
Wheelock, Sandbach,
Cheshire CW11 OQX
Telephone (09367) 3842 & 61249
EXPANDABLE CONSOLE FOR BBC MICRO
As supplied to Universities, Colleges, Schools,
business 8- home users
A professional console to house
disc drives/2nd processor/Torch
dual drives/teletext, etc. All untidy
wiring out of sight in the strong
aluminium console in a matching
textured colour. AVAILABLE NOW
a bolt on extra module for extra
expansions.
Also available a matching printer
stand, yes stack your paper under
the printer.
ALSO VDU STANDS AVAILABLE
ELECTRON CONSOLES
The console houses the electron
and will safely support the expan-
sion interfaces which plug into the
rear of the micro, supports the
VDU and tidies up all wiring, allows
expansion to disc at a later date.
PRICES
Special Torch Version £46.99 + £4 p/p
BBC Console £44.99 + £4 p/p
Bolt on expansion £14.99 + £2 p/p
VDU/Printer Stand £14.99 + £2 p/p
Electron Console £34.99 + £4 p/p
Please add VAT @ 15%to all prices
For further information enclose sae or send cheque to,
Mail Order
Only
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Please allow 28 days for delivery
Pilot written
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Comphrensive, well documented package
This is undoubtedly the most advanced ,
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For model B.
TOP
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68 00
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KEYBOARD
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EPSON RX80T
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MAYFAIR MICROS
362 YORK ROAD, LONDON SW18 ISP
01-870 3255
152
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
KEEP YOUR
MICRO GUESSING
‘Micropuzzles’ by J J Clessa (Pan, £2.95),
Brainteasers for the BBC and Electron
Computers' by G Ludinski (Phoenix, £5.95)
and ‘101 Puzzles to Solve on your Home
Computer' by Andrew Hilton (Harrap, £4.95)
THESE three books provide a good cross-
section, both in state-of-the-art puzzle
books and in computer book publishing.
In no case does the price of the book
generally provide any accurate guide to
the quality of the contents. I shall begin
with the least expensive and work
upwards.
Micropuzzles is part of the Pan PCN
Library - a series launched fairly disas-
trously last autumn. Since then two titles
have had to be pulped because of the
extraordinary number of errors and no-
one is very happy with what’s left.
Micropuzzles is probably the best of a bad
bunch. It consists of a straight reprint of
the puzzles set by J J Clessa over the years
in the ‘Leisure Lines’ feature of Personal
Computer World.
You get 144 pages for your money. The
first part of the book consists of 70
quickies’ - so named because you are
expected to solve them in your head or
employ a little lateral thinking. Most of
them are rather well known - eg, ‘What
weighs more, a pound of feathers or a
pound of gold?’, a puzzle I recall reading
in Reader’s Digest when I was about six -
and who knows where they got it from? I
cannot see the point of including this sort
of thing in a ‘computer library’, unless, that
is, you need to pad out the book.
For the record, there are 60 puzzles that
are soluble by computer, though in
several cases the author says that doing it
logically with pen and paper is more
efficient! One hopes that Pan, arguably
the most impressive and professional of
UK paperback houses in most areas, will
take rapid steps towards improvement.
101 Puzzles to Solve On Your Micro-
computer is the best-produced of this trio.
It has the largest format of the three - A4
size -and each question is accompanied
by a cartoon. A nice touch is the spiral
binding, which enables the reader to
| REVIEWS
leave the book lying open while construct-
ing a program to solve the problem. If I
have a criticism it is that the author has
found it difficult to make all his puzzles
original: he ingeniously sidesteps this
point by dedicating the book to Lloyd and
Dudeney, the most creative people ever to
construct puzzles. And, it must be ad-
mitted, coming up with 101 new ideas
would stretch the ingenuity of most
people.
It’s no coincidence that the famous
problem about the five castaways, the
monkey and the coconuts - an ideal
problem for a computer- appears both in
Clessa’s book and in this one. Still, they’re
in good company. Last summer, The
Sunday Times Brainteaser, normally
rather an original source of intellectual
stimulation, used it.
Andrew Hilton has done a good job in
sorting his puzzles into number-
crunchers, problems involving the use of
nine or ten different digits once only,
exercises in probability and codes and
ciphers. His book probably represents the
best value for money of all three.
Brainteasers at £5.95 is the most
expensive; it’s author claims to specialise
in marketing educational software. In-
stead of a series of puzzles with answers
at the back, this book consists of a series
of games that you type in from a listing of a
Basic program. The publishers have
sensibly printed the listings directly rather
than entrust them to a typesetter, but they
used a cheap printer, so the result is
messy and difficult to read.
The games are the kind that interests
people new to the excitement of com-
puters, but most of us grow tired of this
sort of thing within a couple of months. In
fact, most Acorn User readers would be
likely to spend more time fathoming out
the listings and typing them in than in
actually using the software. Still, the
enthusiast can save the trouble by
sending another £6.95 to the publishers
and getting a cassette of the programs. At
twice the price of the Pan book, and the
same number of pages, this book is really
a bit expensive. Simon Dally
TEACHING YOUR
MICRO TO PLAY
Computer Gamesmanship by David Levy,
PCW/Century, 272pp, £7.95.
THIS book is actually a collection of
articles written in 1980/81 for PCW maga-
zine, presented in 18 chapters. It is fairly
comprehensive, the first seven chapters
covering the fundamental programming
techniques involved in games and vari-
ous enhancements. The final chapters
cover specific games (draughts, chess,
backgammon, stud poker, draw poker,
Othello, go-moku, bridge, shogi and
dominoes).
The style of writing is active and
interesting but there are a few places
where time and care should have been
used in explanations.
Anyone wishing to write an ‘intelligent’
game program could use this book.
Obviously, every game cannot be covered
as thoroughly as in other specific texts,
but here in one paperback is all the basic
theory, and some of the more advanced
techniques. Levy also gives many ref-
erences to other specific texts, in case you
wish to develop your program further. The
book may also serve to help beginners
decide which sort of game to attempt first,
by stating the relative difficulties of each.
Initial chapters tackle minimax tree
searching for game trees, including the
many enhancements such as alpha-beta
pruning, move-ordering, the killer heur-
istic and windowing. The book then
continues to explain how to design simple
or complex evaluation functions and how
to quantify and weight the various rele-
vant factors. It also goes into some
algorithms which allow your program to
learn, and thus, hopefully, improve its
play.
Card game basics are covered, inclu-
ding the relevant probability theory, de-
ducing information from bidding and
actual play, expected value trees, psy-
chology and bluffing.
The chapter on Samuels’ draughts
program is rather bare, considering it was
the first to play at a world class standard.
Also the awkward data structures in
draughts are not mentioned in any way.
Chess has the largest coverage, with
some interesting game annotations I
page 154 ►
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
154
REVIEWS
PRISONER OF
ZANDOR
‘Lost City’, Superior Software, BBC B (32k),
£7.95
LOST CITY is an almost text-only adven-
ture, in which you have to find the Lost
Diamond of Zandor.
Many years ago, Ikan Findem (ged-
dit?), a well-known explorer, set off on an
epic quest to find the legendary diamond.
For many years he searched, until, one
day, he was found in a hot, desolate valley.
His dying words were: ‘I have found the
Lost City’. Anyone who tried to find it was
welcome to his equipment.
You are parachuted into the valley and
this is where your search begins.
Playing the game is enjoyable, but I
found it frustrating as I couldn’t get out of
the valley - can anyone help?
The function keys have been set up
with commands such as North, Lake,
Look, List and Help. This last command
can be useful in certain locations, but
normally lists the key definitions.
Colour has been well used. In mode 7
there are one or two pictures, and the text
is colour-coded according to message
type. The messages are put across in a
helpful way, too. I felt at ease during my
short games - it’s just that I’m totally stuck,
and you get unexpected messages now
and then.
There appears to be no ‘save-game’
facility in Lost City. This would have been
useful, particularly in my predicament!
That aside, though, the adventure is
good, with a fair number of locations (I
looked at the listing!). I have to say,
however, that at £7.95 Lost City is
overpriced compared to masterpieces
like the original Colossal Caves.
Stuart Menges
COLDITZ DODDLE
‘Colditz Adventure’, Superior Software, BBC
B (32k), £7.95
THIS is one of the simplest adventure
games I have ever experienced. It took me
just over one hour, including mapping
time, to complete it.
The idea of Colditz Adventure is to
escape from the castle with certain
◄ page 153
hadn’t seen elsewhere. All the major
stages in computer chess development
are mentioned. The backgammon chap-
ter is now rather outdated as Berliner’s
program BKG 9.0 won the world cham-
pionship after the articles were written.
(This program has been the subject of an
article in Scientific American which is
better than Levy’s chapter.)
Stud and draw poker are covered in an
interesting way, although once again,
Levy mentions some problems with the
‘bluff’ aspect, but fails to suggest any real
solutions. However, I'm sure these two
chapters would help many people write
good poker programs. Othello is given a
good airing, and many people who have
not written any strategy games programs
before may find this an ideal start. The go-
moku suggestions are reasonable but not
really adequate. The game is easy to
program for legal play, but very difficult for
strong play. The two bridge chapters (one
on bidding, one on play) seem very
inconcise. This is probably because the
game is, as stated, very difficult to
program well.
Shogi is covered in the best way -
referral to other more detailed texts! This
game of Japanese chess is probably
totally alien to most British people and so it
would be very difficult to say the best way
to program it. I imagine anybody who
seriously attempted writing a shogi
program would soon become one of the
experts in the western world, with more
being learnt from experience than from
Levy’s chapter.
Finally, dominoes is given a thorough
computer strategy, fairly easy to program,
which as Levy states, if used ‘would
probably produce a program of world
championship calibre!'
A lot of development work has been
done over the past three years in the field
of artificial intelligence in games pro-
grams and so the book is certainly
lagging behind in several aspects. I would
have preferred to see some changes to
the original articles to reflect the latest
major developments.
Still, the book is quite good value for
£7.95. Martin Bryant
BASIC ABC
BBC Basic for Beginners’ by David Smith,
Melbourne House, 315 pages, £6.95
BEARING in mind the complexity of the
BBC micro and its wide appeal, the BBC
User Guide cannot meet the needs and
abilities of all potential buyers. And this is
objects vital for survival. You can escape
without them but you die by getting lost or
starving or meeting some other fate.
The 'problems’ I encountered were no
problem and required little or no thought
to solve. The messages give you such
heavy hints that it would be difficult to miss
the point. You may have to run through
the plot twice to finish, but if, like me, you
are cautious you’ll be all right.
The screen layout is fairly good. You
are told where you can go (in the nicest
way) and each direction is in a different
colour. Directions may be entered as
single letters, although you don't seem to
be able to abbreviate nouns. Another
niggle is that words were chopped up
when a line was full - even IS was split on
one occasion.
The screen is quickly cleared and
updated after every move, a nice touch
which keeps everything neat.
There's a ‘save game’ facility but I don’t
think it will be needed. The routine to save
is very quick; there are only about 35
things to read or write.
Apart from one or two spelling mistakes
the program is well-written in Basic and
response is fairly quick. A bit of thought
could have reduced the size of the
program a little. However, for the Basic
adventure writer there are a few good
routines here.
To sum up: good for beginners or
programmers, but a little too simple, and it
should be more user-friendly.
Stuart Menges
where David Smith's book comes in, for it
is clearly aimed at those who find the User
Gu/c/e difficult and daunting, particularly
those who are new to computing.
BBC Basic for Beginners is divided into
three sections. Section A covers the bare
essentials of BBC Basic needed to write
elementary programs; section B deals
with more advanced facilities and pro-
gramming constructs (eg, sound, proce-
dures and arrays etc), and the final
section tackles weighty areas such as the
teletext mode, user-defined characters,
error-handling and data-files.
Each chapter is interspersed with
exercises or more lengthy projects to
consolidate the topics covered, with
model answers at the end of the book.
On the whole, this is a well-paced
introduction, with a clear and thorough
style. The later chapters cover topics
which even supposedly advanced vol-
umes tend to omit (for example, random
access file handling), and should provide
a useful source of development material
once the basics have been absorbed.
So, if you're still struggling with the User
Guide that you got with your Christmas
Beeb, the gentler introduction of BBC
Basic for Beginners is just the sort of book
you need.
Vincent Fojut
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
M 1C ROVITEC WIN
The
Q
u
E
EN'S
A
w
A
R 1
D
FOR TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENT
T U F R A M n F (IF C D 1 D II R MONITORS MAN II FACT II R F D
B Y M^UWVTjE C ENABLES THEM T_0 BE U_S_E_D W_IT_H
MOST POPULAR MICRO COMPUTERS
cub
COLOUR DISPLAYS
Microvitec PLC., Futures Way. Bolling Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD4 7TU. England.
Tel: 102741 39001 1 Telex: 517717
TH€ B€ST BBC
★ PRODUCCD BY BN INDCPCNDCNT SOnUIBRC HOUSC
ft novel arcade-style gome in which you take the
port of Boris, who has hod his home raided by the
underworld creatures. They hove stolen most of
your possessions ond your task is to venture into
the underworld to retrieve your valuables by
fighting off the underworld creatures. The walls of
the underworld close in ond you will be vapourised
If they touch you. Con you retrieve oil of Boris's
possessions from the underworld?
• ••N€UUR6L6flS€*ee
fl highly-addictlve multi-stoge 30 race gome. Vou
steer your cor left ond right, occelerate and
decelerate os the opposing cars weave obout the
rood. There ore five different stoges induding
night, snow, desert, ond riverside scenes.
Incredible graphics give the impression that you
really ore taking port in the race. Highly
recommended, ond destined to become onother
top-seller for Superior Software.
• ••NCWR6LCASC***
fin excellent gome, mode possible on the
computer only by the unique use of a duol-sc
display ond specially written plotting rout
Vou ore o took gunner looking out onto o mour
ploteou. Vou see the distant mountains one
pyramid obstacles - ond also the enemy
Position the tank in the rectangular viewfinc*
fine adjustments of your controls... then fire I
(KCVBORRD or JOVSTICKS) .
• ••N€UUR€L€RS€ee*
R new concept in arcade-style gomes. Vour task is
to save yourself from patrols of mutant robots by
dropping rocks on them. €och of the robots has o
single large eye which emits a yellow beam of
light. Being caught in this beam reduces your
strength ond. if you ore not corrying o rock, couses
the robot to metamorphose. It moy change into
either a spectre or o cruncher.
(KCVBOARD or JOVSTICKS)
• ••N€WR€L€AS€**#
Moon Mission is o fast-oction machine-code gome
featuring superb graphics, sound effects, hi -score,
ond rankings. Vour mission is to rescue the six
astronouts stranded on the moon by steering your
spaceship through the meteors ond space-mines.
The gome storts relatively slowly, but from sheet to
sheet not only does the speed increase, but also
the number of meteors, space-mines, enemy
spaceships, ond fireballs.
• ••N€WR€L€AS6*«*
fl space docking simulotor using 3D graph!
model the motions ond responses of the Ofll
spacecraft. Vour mission is to pilot the shuttk
"soft dock” with the space station. PITCH.
ROLL, FORWARD. LRTCRAL and VCRTICAL em
are provided together with orbit monoeuv
booster engines. 6 skill levels provide fo
completely inexperienced pilot as well as the
fledged commander.
SPITAR6 COMMAND £7.95
MISSIL6 STRIKC £7.95
CCNTIBUG £7.95
FROGGV £7.95
AII6N DROPOUT £7.95
GAIAXV BIRDS £7.95
INVADCRS £7.95
SPACC AGHTCR £7.95
PIANCTARIUM £]
FAIRGROUND &
FRUIT MACHINC &
STRAND6D (Adventure) £1
UIC PRY UP TO 20% ROYALTICS FOR HIGH QUALITY BBC MICRO,
SUPERIOR SOFTUJ ARC UMITCD,
Dept. AU5, Regent House,
Skinner Lone, Leeds LS7 1 AX
Telephone: 0532 459453
OUR GUARAHTCC
(1 ) All our software is available before we advertise.
(2) All our software is despatched within 48 hours by first-class
post.
(3) In the unlikely event that any of our software fails to load,
return your cassette to us and we will immediately send a
replacement.
MICRO SOFTUIRRC
k TOP QUniTIV MRCHINC-CODC PROGRAMS ★
J
mjm^$
v\\ NS
the best version avoiloble for the BBC micro. Percy
s trapped in on ice maze whi ch is populated by the
Jeodly Snobees His only hope of survival is to
squash them by hurling ice cubes at them.
Jnfortunotely. whenever it seems that he has won,
> deodlier breed appears. Hi -score, rankings,
sxcellent graphics and sound.
KCYBOARD or JOVSTICKS)
►••N€UJfi€l€AS€e**
1 I 1 f {
I
iU , t M | !
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j.
J
IS i-
j
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siptii
JUMP AAA
fin excellent version of the arcade game where
Quasimodo ottempts to rescue Csmeraldo.
Beautifully detailed animation as Quosimodo
leops over the ramparts. Twelve different screens
of octionl This program is sold under licence from
Ocean; we have exclusive rights to its sole for use
on the BBC micro.
(KCVBOARD or JOYSTICKS) .
"...an extremely good version of the arcode
gome.thoroughly recommended "
. B€€8UGMAGAZIN€
The best version available for the BBC computer. In
Cosmic Kidnap, you take the role of the Autoguard
in charge of your side's three most important alien
coptlves. Suddenly, you hear explosions ... your joil
is under attack by a fierce swarm of ohens. The
gome becomes increasingly difficult from screen to
screen, ond bonus points ore scored for hitting the
mother ships. A fast-oction arcade-style game,
• ••N€WR€l€AS€e»*
he only full-feature version avoiloble for the BBC
Dicro. On the first screen, you take the part of a
Donkey being chased by African tribesmen. The
>onus screen features the monkey trying to reach
tis bunch of bananas. After thot, you take control of
i paint-roller and each square pointed-in odds to
our score.
KCYBOARD or JOYSTICKS) .
Great sound and graphics, smooth and accurate
mimation, responsive and simple controls..."
OM€ COMPUTING W€€KIY
The only full feoture machine-code version
ovoiloble for the BBC micro, features include;
scrolling screen, rodor display. 3 pursuing cors,
checkpoint flogs, fuel gouge, smoke screens, 6 skill
levels, rankings, increasing difficulty, and sound
effects.
(K6YBOARD or JOVSTICKS) .
"The gome becomes very hard ond has very
smooth graphics, excellent.' .86C8UG MAGAZINC
This is a 2 -player deep-spoce dogfight You eoch
have a limited amount of shield energy to protect
you from the other player's loser shots. You con
increase your shield energy by collecting the fuel
pods dropped by the flying saucer, but your
shields will be weakened if you collide with the
saucer or the wall snake.
• ••N€LU ACLCASCggg
£7.95
GNRSHCR
£6.95
R6V6RSI
£6.95
£7.95
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CRIB BRG€
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£7.95
LRDD€R AAR26
£6.95
PONTOON
£695
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DRRUGHTS
£6.95
CICCTROH, COMMODORC-64, AND OAIC PROGRAMS.
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Our software is now avoiloble atoll good dealers including:
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Our software is also available through all the major distributors, and directly from us by mail-order.
j
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Fortress sets the pat
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Put your skills to the ultimate test anc
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make your mark . . . The fortress awaits you.
wsieue £8.95 inc. VAT. Disc version available, usable on both
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Available direct from Pace or from your nearest Micro Dealer.
PACE, 92 New Cross Street, Bradford, BD5 8BS.
Access/ Barclaycard orders. Tel: (0274)729306
| REVIEW
BLOW YOUR OWN
Bruce Smith takes out an option on Softlife’s EPROM programmer
Softlife EPROM programmer, Softlife, 87
Silvertown Way, London El 6 4AH, BBC,
£76.90 (inc VAT and p&p)
O N REMOVING the review model
from its packaging my first thought
was ‘well, where’s the rest of it?’ A
quick forage uncovered only the manual
and an illustration proving that the item
held in my hand was indeed the lot!
The programmer takes the form of a
white plastic box measuring just 1 1 0 x 65
x 30mm, a bit bigger than a music
cassette box. Protruding through the top
is the all-important ZIF (Zero Insertion
Force) socket into which the EPROM to be
programmed (blown) is placed. A single
length of ribbon cable passing through
the side of the box is the only connection
between computer and programmer.
As the Softlife programmer has been
designed specifically for use with the Beeb
it can accommodate both 8k 2764 and
16k 271 28 EPROMs.
Connecting the programmer seemed
simple enough, a matter of plugging the
ribbon cable into the user port. However,
my first efforts at blowing an EPROM
proved fruitless and it was only after some
head-scratching and then re-reading the
connection instructions in the manual
carefully that my mistake was revealed.
The usual convention for cable connec-
tions is that the red coloured side of the
ribbon cable is identified as the side
adjacent to the triangle silk-screened
onto the underside facia. In this instance,
though, the reverse was true. It would
have been better if the conventional
method had been adhered to. Luckily no
harm was done.
The software to run the programmer is
supplied on an EPROM, which is loaded
into memory by running a short five-line
Basic program. Once there it can be
saved to disc or tape if so required.
Running the program displayed a menu
of options as follows:
Program EPROM from a file)
W(rite EPROM to file)
V(erify EPROM against a file)
T(est EPROM is blank)
C(hecksum EPROM)
S(elect EPROM type)
R(OM format)
MfOS call)
Before an EPROM can be programmed
its contents have to be saved onto disc or
tape. Pressing P sets the ball rolling and
you are invited to enter the filename of the
file to be placed in the EPROM, which is
then loaded in. You are requested to
insert an EPROM, which is first tested to
ensure it is blank. If it is, programming
commences.
Blowing an 8k device takes five minutes
and a running count of the time left is
given. On completion the EPROM is
verified and a checksum value reported
for future reference. A 16k chip was
programmed in a similar manner without
problems, although I found I had to set
Page to a more normal disc level of & 1 900
from its usual value of &1B00 on my
system, to enable the software to load and
verify the file correctly without an ‘out of
room’ error occurring. The software also
allows you to program, say, a 9k file into a
couple of 8k EPROMs.
When you’ve blown the first EPROM
you are prompted to insert the second for
programming.
The more technically minded might
wonder where the programmer sources
the 21 volts required to do the programm-
ing. This is drawn from the 5v lines of the
user port using an oscillator. Internally the
programmer consists of a double-sided
printed circuit board containing only a
handful of components. Much of the hard
work is actually performed by the user
port’s 6522 VIA chip.
I found the ROM format option the most
intriguing. This allows the user to blow
programs into EPROM using the ROM
filing system format. Once present in a
sideways ROM socket, the program(s)
can be loaded simply by entering
*ROM
LOAD “Filename”
Any number of files in this format may be
blown into a single EPROM, the only
restriction being that imposed by the
memory available in the EPROM itself.
On selecting this option the user is
prompted for file names. These are
loaded in turn and the appropriate
headers added by the software. The
EPROM is then programmed.
The ROM format facility offers a cheap
alternative to discs, although the amount
of memory available for program storage
is reduced drastically, and of course you
need an EPROM eraser to delete
programs from the EPROMs.
The remaining menu options are self-
explanatory. The W(rite) option saves the
contents of an EPROM in the programmer
to tape or disc while V(erify) compares the
contents of an EPROM with that of a
named file.
T(est EPROM is blank) allows you to
ensure that the EPROM you’ve chosen is
empty, but on closer inspection the option
is shown to cheat. It checks only the first
location in the chip. If this is equal to &FF it
assumes the EPROM is empty. This would
normally be the case, as a Basic program
will always start with &0D (RETURN) and
&FF is not a valid opcode in machine
code.
Finally, S(elect EPROM type) permits
you to choose between 8k and 16k
EPROMs, and Checksum EPROM) dis-
plays the cyclic redundancy checksum of
the chip currently situated in the
programmer’s ZIF socket.
The Softlife EPROM programmer per-
formed exceptionally well. I have now
programmed about a dozen EPROMs
with it and every one has worked first time.
At 276.90 including VAT and p&p it is
certainly the cheapest EPROM program-
mer I’ve encountered. Its simplicity and
compactness make it a highly desirable
package for those interested in develop-
ing sideways ROM software, and its ROM
formatting capability will give it wide
appeal. Yes, I’d buy one.
159
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
J
ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORRIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT ORBIT
r-| n I I p FORTHE
CLDUU ACORN
ELECTRON
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8 .
SPACE CITY. Defeat the invading Aliens with your laser, and save
the city
3D NOUGHTS AND CROSSES Pit your wits against the
ELECTRON on a 4x4x4 board
RACER. Guide your racing car to victory, avoiding other cars and
obstacles on the track
3D MAZE. In this challenging game, you must escape from the
maze - The screen displays a 3D view from inside the maze
PATCHWORK. A multicoloured display of continuously changing
patterns
KEY SET ROUTINE. A program to set up the user function keys
MEMORY DISPLAY. An efficiently written utility to display the con-
tents of memory (ROM and RAM)
CHARACTER DEFINER. Define individual graphics characters with
this useful utility for use in your own programs.
mm u
SPACE
CITY
RACER
3D MAZE
HOW TO JOIN
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Editorial Address: ORBIT, PO BOX 50, St Albans, Herts.
:.n-?
Service for the
legitimate user
Sir, With reference to the letter from
Mr Pretorious (April issue, page
169) I would like to present the
case from a supplier's point of
view. In our case we have expe-
rience of both sides of the fence.
The best-selling program in
Clares Micro Supplies’ catalogue
is Replica II, which allows the
transfer of cassette-based soft-
ware onto disc. This could obvi-
ously have posed great problems
due to piracy but from the start we
were concerned with protecting
other software houses while still
providing a good service to the
legitimate user. To this end it was
decided that the transferred
programs would be stored on the
program disc and this disc would
be protected to prevent copying.
This ensures that copies of the
transferred programs cannot be
passed around. The programs on
the disc are useless without the
Replica programs and these can-
not be copied. We have talked to
software houses that have been
happy with the situation because
they have no intention of supply-
ing disc-based software and this is
one way of keeping their cus-
tomers happy. In fact, we now
have a scheme that will allow
software houses to recover some
of the lost revenue on pirated
copies of their programs. If any
companies are interested in this
idea they should contact me on
060648511.
Now to the question of cor-
rupted tapes and discs. I think you
are being unfair in stating that
there are no software houses that
provide a prompt exchange of
corrupted discs or tapes at a
minimal charge. My experience as
a purchaser is that most reputable
companies will do just that. How-
ever, do not expect refunds
because it is commercially un-
sound to let a user have the use of
a tape, which he may or may not
copy, and then to give a refund. It
would be like providing a hire
service for the cost of a stamp.
Before printing such derogatory
statements why not conduct a
telephone survey to find out the
real situation instead of making
guesses. I am sure that one of
your very efficient telephonists
could provide a quite accurate
picture within an hour. Surely,
being correct is the essence of
good journalism even if it is not as
sensational.
Our own company will provide
exchanges of corrupted software,
often without charge. Even when
the fault lies elsewhere we are
always prepared to assist for a
minimal charge. Replica II is a
good example because, due to the
fact that programs are stored on
the disc, it can become corrupted
by various external means. Things
such as bugs in DFS chips,
incorrect usage or unscrupulous
companies that insert routines in
their cassette programs which will
destroy a disc if the disc filing
system is active. The legality of this
last action is questionable. While
none of the above would have any
effect if users followed our instruc-
tions correctly we do not aban-
dom them. We will always recopy a
disc for a charge of just £1 to cover
copying and postage. Even if a
user destroys a disc by spilling a
cup of coffee on it we will charge
only for a replacement blank disc.
The same applies to all our disc
software, although corruption is
very rare in these cases.
I would also point out that
responsible companies do pro-
vide corrected versions of soft-
ware found to contain a signifi-
cant bug and this is a service that
we provided recently with our
database program, although this
was an enhancement and not a
bug. Another company with an
exemplary record in this area is
Pace, which has always provided
free upgrades of its DFS. You will
notice that I used the term ‘up-
grade’ as this is very different from
correcting a bug. An upgrade is
an enhancement for which there
may be a charge.
The other question that is
always raised is that of upgrading
from cassette to disc. People who
have no idea of how the business
operates find it difficult to under-
stand the problems associated
with such a service. First, many
disc versions of programs are
actually enhanced versions of the
cassette-based one and as such
are essentially different programs.
The programs returned for up-
grade would present a logistical
problem because of the sheer
volume. Royalties have to be paid
on programs, but how does one
calculate the royalty payable on
what is probably a loss-making
service? As most companies
supply by mail and through dis-
tributors and dealers it would be
impossible to decide which price
structure applied to which
program. Because of the various
discount levels given to distri-
butors and retailers the software
house could be faced with a
situation where it has made a very
small margin on bulk sales and is
then expected to upgrade that
program to disc with the nett result
being a loss. Who will you buy your
software off when we are all out of
business?
Yet another problem is caused
by the useless tapes. They cannot
be re-used and they have to be
irrevocably destroyed, which
again costs money. To incinerate
a box of cassettes costs £50 in
rural areas and probably more in
cities.
If we can get together with
software houses there will be no
need for such a service because
Replica II can provide the answer
at a reasonable cost to the user
and also provide a return to the
software house.
D Clare
Clares Micro Supplies
Northwich, Cheshire
Do we need to phone around to
get a clear picture when we have
had hundreds of complaints from
readers? Why, if everything is so
rosy, don’t software houses even
mention in their advertisements
the back-up services they give?
Do dealers give the same
service?
Surely the provision of en-
hancements’ has been used to
prevent people getting free
copies of debugged software.
Why doesn’t anybody offer a
straight debugged version to
send free to people who would
be happy with that?
Piracy . . .
sideways
Sir, With the daily increase in the
sophistication of computer tech-
nology, it is inevitable that what-
ever is produced by one manu-
facturer will ultimately aid the
piracy of another manufacturer's
product. This ‘legal piracy’ can be
highlighted in many ways, but
perhaps the most recent is the
introduction of sideways RAM.
The acclaim for its versatility is
well founded. Its ability to allow
extra program workspace, as well
as hold several disc-based ROMs
at a time, gives it a definite
advantage over sideways ROM
boards, which are prone to such
niggling problems as overheating
and excessive power drain. How-
ever, it must be seen by ROM
manufacturers as a threat, partic-
ularly as one version comes
complete with a ROM copying
cartridge to enable the user to
transfer his ROMs to disc. What
then happens to the redundant
ROMs? Most likely they are sold, at
a reduced price of course, and the
ROM manufacturer has lost yet
another sale. The manual? - ever
heard of photocopying?
With the availability of many
ROM-to-disc copying utilities, the
sideways RAM owner can copy
any ROM he can lay his hands on.
be it from a friend, neighbour or
fellow club member. He doesn’t
even need to remove the ROM
from its parent computer, or for
that matter, buy or borrow an
EPROM programmer. He is totally
unaffected by the inflated EPROM
prices and doesn’t have the
capital outlay of a sideways ROM
board and up to 1 6 ROMs at £30 +
each. This letter is not aimed at
encouraging piracy by promoting
sideways RAM, but its advantages
cannot be ignored.
Perhaps the only answer is a
‘self-destruct’ ROM that erases
itself when copying is attempted.
The loss of a £30+ ROM would
coincide with the loss of a friend
and a corresponding reduction in
piracy. With the advent of
EEPROMs (electrically eraseable
PROMs), produced already by at
least 11 firms, this is now quite
feasible, particularly as one manu-
facturer derives the erasing vol-
tage from an ‘on chip voltage
generator' operating from the
normal 5v supply. This precludes
the possibility of interrupting the
erasing voltage.
While this is not the only answer,
it must be worthy of further inves-
tigation - so come on all you ROM
manufacturers, the ball’s in your
court. What's your next move to
combat this ‘legal piracy’?
G A Dubber
Hants
Several suppliers of software in
ROM or EPROM form have al-
ready looked into chip protec-
tion. Available techniques are
too expensive, but Gemini, for
instance, has made things dif-
ficult by using two EPROMs
mounted on a board, with other
simple chips.
ASK a silly question, pass a fair comment, stage an angry protest - we
don’t mind what you write to us about (or about us!). Keep ’em short, keep
’em sweet, but keep ’em coming! The address is: Letters, Acorn User,
Redwood Publishing, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
BASIC
COMPILER
Turns your Basic programs into
really fast machine code. The compiler is
very easy to use, and comes complete with
full instructions.
For the BBC model B, or model A
with 32K.
CASSETTE £17.95
DISK £19.95
(40 OR 80 TRACK)
CHEOUE/PO. OR SAE FOR DETAILS TO:
ACK DATA
21 SALCOMBE DRIVE, REDHILL,
NOTTINGHAM NG58JF
Tel: (0602) 262498
MEMEDIT
This is a very powerful memory
viewing and editing utility. A must for all
programmers, it can display the contents of
memory on the screen (in Hex. and ASCII),
search for strings of characters or Hex.
bytes, allow editing of memory simply by
typing over the contents currently
displayed, move blocks of memory
(eg. relocate Basic or M/C programs), and
much, much more.
For the BBC model B, or model A
with 32K.
CASSETTE £12.95
DISK £14.95
(40 OR 80 TRACK)
ASK ABOUT OUR SOFTWARE AT YOUR
LOCAL COMPUTER STORE, OR ORDER
DIRECT FROM US.
.cam -tec COMPUTER CENTRE LTD
DEALER
AND
SERVICE
CENTRE
DEALER
23 Sheffield Rd
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
Tel: 0226 46972
BBC Model B 399.00
BBC Model B + Disk 469.00
Electron (now in stock) 1 99.00
Disk Interface Kit 1 01 .00
PRINTERS
SeikoshaGP50A 138.00
SeikoshaGP50S 138.00
SeikoshaGP500A 228.85
Seikosha G P550A 299.00
SeikoshaGP700A 458.00
Seikosha GP250X 264.00
Friction Feed G PI 00/250 28.00
Epson RX80 310.00
Epson RX80FT 356.00
Epson FX80FT 431 .00
Star Gemini 1 0 x 280.00
Star Gemini 1 5 x 400.00
4 Colour Plotter + B BC lead 1 29.95
RIBBONS
BNC Green Screen
113.85
Mitrovitec 1 4" Cub
245.00
Phoenix Green Screen
130.00
BBC Monitor
99.00
Amber Screen
135.00
SD Single Drive DO Dual Drive
SS Single Sided DS Double Sided
SD SS40tk 100k 207.00
SD SS 30tk 200k 253.00
SD DS 40tk 200k 228.00
SD DS 80tk 400k 287.00
DD DS 40tk 400k 431.00
DD DS 80tk 800k 511.00
SDDS 40/80 310.00
DD DS 40/80 534.00
All drives include leads, manual and
utility disk
Seikosha 4.99
Epson £5.74
Torch Disk Pack
839.00
. Educational Orders Welcome
Discounts Available on Bulk
Orders
DISCS
ROMS
(Scotch 3m)
Wordwise
45.00
744 SS40 19.32
Disc Doctor
33.00
745 DS40 27.95
Graphics Ext
33.00
746SS96 34.50
Print Master
33.00
747 DS96 46.25
Caretaker
33.00
7440 Clean kit 19.50
ADE
60.00
Spy 2
30 00
SOFTWARE
Felix in Factory 7.95
Swoop
7.95
Martian Attack 7.95
Carm
7.95
Cybertron Miss 7.95
Chess
7.95
Hell Driver 7.95
Physics
6.95
Moon Raider 7.95
Where
6.95
Alien Swirl 7.95
World Geog
6.95
Laser Cmnd 6.95
Adventure
7.95
Danger UXB 7.95
Caveman Ad
6.95
Escape Mnbs 7.95
Fairground
7.95
Galactic Cmnd 7.95
Crazy Painter
7.95
Labryn Lacush 7.95
Lost City
7.95
Dambusters 7.95
Monaco
7.95
Lunar Rescue 7.95
Flexibase
9.95
Gideons
Alligatacalc
9.95
Gamble 7.95
Order 1: deduct £1.00
Order 2: deduct £3.00
Order 3: deduct £6.00
Order more than 3. deduct £2.00 per game.
CARRIAGE FREE ON ALL ITEMS
Access and Barclaycards accepted
Tel: 0229 46972
162
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
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Greetings from Watford
Grave message
Sir, I recently started taking your
magazine and have followed with
interest the exchanges of letters to,
from and about Watford
Electronics.
Today I was playing with my
latest toy and found that Watford's
ROM contained considerably
more than a screen dump routine.
The attached printout (above) is
self-explanatory.
You will not find it surprising, I
am sure, that I resent paying
El 9.09 to have a message like this
installed in my purchase when I
am, like most, a bona fide, paying,
customer.
R M Pothecary
Surrey
Pirates’ club
The following letter was forwarded
by Microdeal, whose correspond-
ent, writing from Eire, gave his full
name and address but asked to
remain anonymous.
Sir, Until recently I had no feelings
either way towards software
piracy, but copying a tape for a
friend did not seem too bad
considering that the average cost
of a Dragon game was about £8.
However, I am now appalled at
mass software piracy and this is
why I am writing to you.
A Dragon 32 users group has
recently been set up in Belfast. It
charges no entrance fee and does
not call itself a club. But, you ask, if
it doesn’t charge an entrance fee,
how can it cover its cost and turn a
profit? The answer is simple: soft-
ware piracy.
The group is open to anyone
and is a mail order type one. Each
member receives a list of available
software and their prices. Software
comes from your company [ie,
Microdeal], Salamander, Dragon,
DACC and others. The last list that
I saw showed that all your software
was available. Your £8 programs
were available for £1 and Tele-
Writer was available for £10.
The duplictating was a very
professional job as far as I could
see. Tape was spliced to the
correct length and all the tape
cassettes were of the same make.
The instructions were either hand-
written or computer printed. In the
case of DACC’s Flight Simulator,
which has long and complicated
instructions, they were photo-
copied.
I sincerely hope you will stop this
operation and inform the other
companies involved. I got the
information from the documents
sent to members (a friend of mine
is one) and, believe it or not, from a
computer magazine. I don’t know
the UK’s copyright laws very well
but I assume they are sufficient to
frighten such groups into closing.
Bugbeaters
Sir, I feel drawn to comment on
Rod Borland’s letter (February
issue). I exist only to serve his
second type of user - those who
use a microcomputer as a reliable
tool. I debug programs which
refuse to work, and help users
plan their own. I also deal with
magazine or book listings, which
have a high rate of inaccuracy,
and which can cause confusion
with the use of graphic characters,
as on the Spectrum.
I have advised on package
facilities because documentation
has been inadequate, and even
solved a problem by suggesting
that the Record button needs
pressing on a tape recorder when
saving a program!
So if any of your readers are in a
similar position to Mr Borland,
please try me first. Incidentally, we
must be on the same wavelength,
as I have called my advice service
the very word you used in descri-
bing Mr Borland’s letter -
Bugbear!
Frances Daniel
42 Brookside Avenue,
Kenilworth, Warks
Northern lights
Sir, We would like to inform you of
the existence of our Swedish BBC
users group, BUG. The group was
formed in October 1983 and we
publish a monthly newsletter. An-
other service for the members is
our own database devoted en-
tirely to the BBC, although it is
possible to make connection with
other computers.
The transmission speed is 300
baud.
We very much want British BBC
users with modems to call us. The
telephone number is (0) 8-4635 28.
With the database it is possible
to send electronic mail, down/
upload software, play games and
lots more.
Anders Wickman
Folkungagatan58
116 22 Stockholm
Help the aged
Sir, I am an occupational therapist
currently working with elderly pa-
tients. We have recently acquired a
BBC B micro, but we are faced with
the problem of finding ‘suitable’
software for these patients. We
need programs that are:
• Appropriate to the elderly
age group (no childish
graphics, nursery rhymes, etc)
• Educational
• Large print
• Not too much information
on the screen at one time
• Colourful
• Not requiring the use of too
many keys on the keyboard
• Any using Concept key-
board if possible
Should anyone reading this be
able to help us with programs,
information, advice, contacts, etc,
we would be most grateful.
Karin Treial
Hackney Hospital
Homerton High Street
London, E9
Tel: 01 -985 5555, Ext 46 or 14
Testing VDUs
in the field
Sir, With reference to George Hill’s
monitor reviews in the April Acorn
User. I found the programs useful
as I was about to buy a monitor. I
joined the two programs together
with an A$=GET$ line between
them so that one would run after
the other, and took a copy with me
to a show.
There are three levels of slot
pitch of a tube, a colour TV being
the basic. The SR of each monitor
is marked, as manufacturers do
not use a common basis.
I tried the program out on every
monitor I could, including the two
models of JVC (medium and high
resolution) on the Opus stand,
both the medium and high reso-
lution Hantarex monitors, the low,
medium and high resolution
Microvitec monitors, and a Philips
monitor/TV. (I used ten different
Microvitec sets.)
Using the stripes program, I
found the resolution and clarity of
the Hantarex medium was OK,
and the high excellent, but both
were spoilt by very poor alignment,
the picture was out of square, went
off the screen at both the top and
bottom, the sides of the picture
were slightly curved and the
colour guns were set wrong,
giving colour fringes to everything.
The JVC medium was poor, the
JVC high-resolution set was about
the same as the Hantarex
medium, but the colour guns were
again set wrong, though not as
bad as the Hantarex, and the
picture curved very badly on all
four sides. The Microvitec low was
the same as most TV/monitors, the
medium and high resolutions
were both excellent in every way,
with the right amount of gap at the
top, bottom and sides of the
screen, straight on all sides, no
colour fringing, and a good white.
The Philips monitor/TV was found
to be better than both the Micro-
vitec low resolution, and the JVC
medium resolution. These
opinions were shared by others
who watched the tests.
I was all set after reading the test
by Mr Hill to buy a JVC high
resolution monitor but after the
tests I conducted, of which the
stripe program was an important
one, I purchased a Microvitec Cub
medium resolution model 1451/
MS4, which has the advantage of
a screen which absorbs some light
rather than reflect it all. I have used
this monitor for periods of up to ten
hours and found all eyestrain has
gone and I feel much fresher when
I have finished.
I would suggest to Mr Hill that
163
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
A J SOFTWARE
for BBC
'The Record Changer'
32K £19.95 Cass. £24.95 Disc.
for indexing, membership lists, directories, inventories,
budgeting, etc, etc.
don't buy a database in the dark —
check the spec!
The Wordsmith' 32K for Centronics 737/739
AND NOW FOR EPSON FX80:
£19.95 Cass. £24.95 Disc.
Options Timetable 32K
£14.95 Cass. £19.95 Disc.
Simple Word Processor 32K
£9.95 Cass. £14.95 Disc.
Picture Maths
£9.95 Cass. £12.95 Disc.
An arithmetic practice program for primary schools.
Character Definer £9.95 Cass.
Enlarge, reduce, etc, etc.
Tape Catalogue £5.95 Cass.
Catalogue all your tapes using this program and never lose
one again
Copy Disc £9.95
Copy disc to tape, tape to disc, M/C, Data or Basic.
ROM Read
£8.95 Cass. £11.95 Disc.
A machine code program to read the contents of any ROM
socket and copy to RAM, tape or disc. Not to be used for
illegal copying.
Machine code Disassembler
£5.95 Cass. £7.95 Disc.
Open Evening Timetable 32K
£14.95 Cass. £19.95 Disc.
Utility Eprom £19.95
for basic programmers
Mitsubishi Disc Drives
Dual 80 Track 800K £380 4- VAT
Single Track Drives
Dual Sided 200K £199 + VAT
Double Density Disc Interface £80 + VAT
The best there is.
Epson Printers
FX80 £370 + VAT
RX80 £270 + VAT
£8.00 Carr
BBC Epson Cable £15 + VAT
Normende
Not only the cheapest, but the best
Switchable 14" RGB Monitor/ColourTV£250 inc. VAT and
cable, £8.00 carr.
Royalties for quality software
All prices VAT inclusive except where shown
AJ Vision Service Ltd, 61 Jeddo Road
London W12 9ED
NEWARK VIDEO CENTRE
PRESENTS
SUPER CLEAR COMPUTER
DISPLAY- AND A TV!!
AN RGB MONITOR - WITH TV RECEPTION
1 4” C2402/RGB £275.00 - 20" C6100/RGB £365 00
1 6" C31 04/RGB £299.00 - 22" C7100/RGB £399 00
16" C3040/RGB with Remote Control (Teletext Extra) £355.00
26" C8400/RGB with Remote Control (Teletext Extra) £465.00
All prices include VAT, a 12 month
guarantee, a 6 Pin Din lead, a mains plug and
carriage to your door. All are Grundig TV’s supplied
with Grundigs consent.
Educational and quantity discounts are available.
What ‘What Micro’ said:
‘The colours are iust unreal like ‘A very reasonable comparison
the simulated’ pictures in TV could be made with colour
advertisements The best of all monitors costing several
images came from this set * hundreds of pounds *
For details of the full range contact:
NEWARK VIDEO
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Open 9 am • 6 pm Monday - Saturday
Access and Visa cards accepted
COMSOFT
QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE
PLAYBOX
BBC MICRO B/ACORN ELECTRON
A series of three programs that will provide hours of fun for all
the family.
MEMORY is a game for two players, where the computer
displays a series of pictures which must be paired off.
HANGMAN has a vocabulary of 280 words and a facility to
define your own words. Categories include countries, animals,
birds, world capitals and others, for age seven upwards.
BRICKSMASH traps you behind a red brick wall. Answer the
general knowledge questions correctly to break down the wall
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All programs are very user-friendly with full colour graphics
and high quality sound. All three programs are available on one
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AVAILABLE BY MAIL ORDER OR FROM GOOD COMPUTER
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164
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
I
before concluding a test he
checks the specification of the sets
and compare like with like, as from
what I can find out most school
monitors are the low-resolution
type. R C Luxton
Gwent
A valid point, and thanks for your
comments. We hope the detail in
this issue’s monitor reviews
(page 134) is more to your liking.
We re glad to see readers going
out and using the programs like
this - it’s exactly what we print
them for.
Adjustable
Electrohome
Sir, In George Hill’s review of
monitors he claimed that his high-
resolution Electrohome was not
adjustable except for brightness.
My medium-resolution version of
this monitor has several adjust-
ments which can be made with a
small screwdriver through a grid at
the rear, as instructed by the
manufacturers. One of these is a
vertical height adjustment. By
slightly compressing the screen
on the monitor, losing only about
0.5cm at the bottom, the top line on
my Electron becomes completely
visible.
Since the Electron does not
respond to the Beeb's *TV255,1
this may be a great boon to
Electron owners. Possibly other
monitors have the same facility?
R Harper
Dunstable, Beds
Mystery of PL4
Sir, I wonder if you could explain
what purpose PL4 serves on the
Atom. I presume it will provide
sufficient information to drive a
colour monitor, but I have never
been able to have this confirmed. If
this is not so, who now provides
colour encoder cards for UHF
output? I am having difficulty
finding stockists. Nigel Harper
North Humberside
Barry Pickles writes: PL4 pro-
vides the necessary signals
(from the 6847 VDG) to interface
to an NTSC modulator. To use
this on British TVs/monitors ad-
ditional circuitry is required.
Acorn User (October 82) de-
scribed the construction of an
RGB monitor interface but a
colour encoder is needed if you
wish to use a TV set. As you say,
these are hard to come by, but I
can recommend the one from
Ampersand Computers-thiswill
be reviewed shortly. It is supplied
in various forms, but you may buy
a ready-built one for £21.50.
Ampersand’s address is: 86 Neal
Road, West Kingsdown,
Sevenoaks TNI 5 6DQ.
Disc standard
Sir, The majority of advertisements
in Acorn User for disc drives refer
to the 5}in size, the 3in models
being only recently introduced
and as yet not as popular. Drives
of 8in size do not appear to be
available on the personal com-
puter market and seem to be
utilised mainly by industrial users.
The magazine Electronic En-
gineering of October 1 983 referred
to the setting up of the Microfloppy
Industry Committee in May 1982
with the objective of uniting manu-
facturers to a single standard
system. The system being sup-
ported is a 3?in microfloppy, the
Shugart SA300 being such a
model referred to.
With so many manufacturers
marketing so many sizes could
you confirm whether any standard
is being introduced for disc drives?
I am contemplating purchasing a
drive for the BBC computer, and
do not wish to purchase a system
that may be obsolete in a few
years' time. G Cooke
Merseyside
The committee you refer to was
set up in the US, with just four
members, and little has been
heard since. The standard was
suggested by Shugart itself.
The electronics and comput-
ing fields are renowned for trying
to produce - or even actually
passing -standards.
Video is the most obvious
example, but interfacing is a
classic in computing with Cen-
tronics, RS423, RS232C, IEEE all
enjoying the 'standard’ label.
The problem is that everyone
goes off and ‘interprets’ the
standard in different ways, or
implements just part of it. Then
you get some of the big com-
panies producing their own inter-
faces to make it difficult for others
to produce compatibles’.
There seems little chance of
any microfloppy standard
because, just like the video in-
dustry, the industry is split - and
companies such as Sony and
Hitachi aren’t going to settle on
Shugart’s system.
Even if a standard is set, only in
industries where international
protocols really matter - such as
communications - will it be kept.
One old hand in computing
was once asked which would
become the standard, 3in or 3Jin.
His answer was: ‘Oh, definitely
3in. Why was he so sure?
‘Because it fits in my shirt
pocket'.
Dating game
Sir, What a clever innovation by
your new publishers! The idea of
leaving blank pages (April issue,
pages 107-108) for readers to
insert their own programs is an
10M0DE7
20PRINTTAB < 1 1,3); CHR* < 141 ) ; '’DATE OF
EASTER"
30PR I NTTAB (11,4); CHRS ( 141 ) ; "DATE OF
EASTER"
40 PRINT "Using an algorithm due to
T. H. O'Efeirne - see Puzzles and Par ad
axes' , Oxford University Press, 1965, c
hap ter 10, pp 168-1 04, 'Ten divisions 1 e
ad to Easter . ' "
50PR1NT ' " Year (Gregorian calender)?"
60 INPUT X7.
70PRINT '"Date of Easter Sunday is:"
110A7.-X7. MOD 19
1 20B7.=X7. DIV 100:C7.= X7. MOD ICO
130D7.=B7. DIV 4:E7.=B7. MOD 4
140 6%=<8*B7.H~13> DIV 25
150H7.= ( 19*A7.+B7.-D7.— G7.+ 15) MOD 30
1 60M7.~ ( A7.+ 1 1 *H7. ) DIV 319
1 70 1 7,=C7. DIV 4 s K7.-C7. MOD 4
180L7.- (2*E7.+2*I7.-K7.“H7.+M7.+32) MOD 7
190N7.- (H7.“MX+L7,+90) DIV 25
200P7.= ( H7.--M7.+L7.+N7.+ 1 9 ) MOD 32
21 OIF N7.--3 THEN PRINT ' TAB (5) ; "March
"; ELSE PRINT TAB (5) ? "Apr i 1
2 2 OPR I NT P7.
230PRIN1 "Another year?"
240 IF GET*-" Y" THEN RUN
250END
G J Suggett’s alternative to Paul Caswell’s date-finder, published last
month.
excellent one!
Enclosed is my own Date of
Easter program which uses a neat
algorithm due to T H O’Beirne.
G J Suggett
Chichester
Smoother ADC
Sir, I would like to compliment Paul
Beverley on his excellent article
about the BBC’s analogue-to-
digital converter chip (March
issue). We are using a BBC micro
as a ‘data station’ between scien-
tific instruments and an intelligent
plotter and were always a little
disappointed at the ‘shakiness’ of
the plotter printout. Needless to
say, Paul Beverley's article held the
answer.
However, perhaps because we
have the Watford DFS we were
unable to load Paul Beverley's
program at his start address
&C00. In any case, we have user
defined characters in our
programs which would have been
overwritten by the averaging rout-
ine. I realise it is of no consolation
to cassette users, but we are able
to load this routine at &900,
changing line 20 of the averaging
routine program accordingly. Our
plots on the screen and on the
plotter are now a lot smoother -
thank you. Dr Alex F Drake
King’s College, London
Raid cheat
Sir, with reference to high scores.
The highest scores achieved at my
school to date are:
Snapper- 11 6,320
Snapper (joystick) - 1 43,420
Dare Devil Dennis-6520
Meteors- 21,250
Monsters- 38,680
Zalaga- 132,260
Rocket Raid -700,000 +
Arcadians- 28,760
Defender- 356,775
Planetoid- 236,100
Starship Command- 1 376
Moon Raiders- 285,580
Killer Gorilla- 496,200
One interesting score is the
Rocket Raid one - this is achieved
by ‘cheating’ thus:
1 . PAGE = &E00:*TAPE
2. CHAIN”” (load Rocket Raid)
3. When the game has loaded
press BREAK
4. Type CALL&EOO and press
Return
5. Destroy all 3 ships - the screen
will go haywire
6. Wait approximately 3 minutes
7. Playgame
8. You now have about 70 men
before step 6 repeats.
N.B. The score is reset on pressing
ESCAPE. B Nesbit
Northants
165
3 DISC DRIVE AT A
SINGULAR PRICE.
THE OPUS
SUPER 3 MICRODRIVE.
£ 229-95
FOR USE WITH YOUR BBC MICRO.
For only <£229.95 ( and that includes VAT
and all the necessary leads) you can have an
OPl JS 5()()k double-sided disc drive. And
remember 3” disc drives are fast becoming
the standard for home and business use.
This is an even bigger bargain than it
sounds. For \\ >u re getting a double sided
drive at the price that other company’s sell
single sided drives for. It reads and writes to
the disc cartridge from both sides, giving you
twice the on-line capability ( >f other 3" drives.
And there’s no need to flip the disc over!
STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY FEATURING:
• Easy i< i connect' unite* BB< Micro • I fcnible sided
• i i mipatible with me >st oilier makes • < )ne u inch cartridge l< >ad
• ( 1< miprehen.stu* manual • 3 ms access time
• Iree disc cartridge • Portable compact and reliable
• Format. \enfy and other uiilines • < )nc*\ ears lull guarantee
provuied * finally compatible with 3* / drives
• I )ireti I )rive
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE.
Single 1 )ensit\
1 )t nihle Density
Capacity
2s()k Bytes
siMiK Bytes
Recording density
i.9ls BP 1
9.830 BP 1
Track density
If Hi TIM
UK) TIM
lnt.il numlxT oi l racks
tD (each side)
it) (each side)
Recording method
FM
MPM
Rotational speed
3(H) RP\1
3<K> RPM
Trans ter rate
I2sK Bits See
2s()K Bits See
Access time track to track
3 ms
3 ms
Access time settling
in ms
2() ms
Vlt »tor start time
U S set
Os, see
TIk* Opus Siijxt 3 Microdrive is now available* from
\V II Smith sand leading specialist shops.
I )ual disc elri\e*s are* also available* torX*4(i().
OPUS SUPPLIES LTD.
1SH Camberwell Road. London SF.SOEH
Opening hours: 9.(K)-().(K)Monela\ Frielay. 01 ■“’01 '8668
9(H)* 1. .SOp.m. Saturday. A-A 01-fH (Mss
To Opus Supplies Ltd.. I SS Camberwell Hoad. I.ondon Sh'sOEE. Please
rush me the I. .IK iw in g (,VLL PRICES INCLUDE VAT & ( CARRIAGE. )
Quantity
Descripiit m
Price
Single tlri\ e< s ) at A 229.9s ea
1 >iial drivel s ) .it A-is9 9s ea
TOT/M.
I enclose achet|uelor.V
Or please debit nn credit card account w ith
the aim luntol .L
\ly Access/Barclay card ( please tick ) No. is_
AU17
Name __
Address.
L!
lelephone
Opus.
Opus Supplies Ltd.
,Oj
166
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
• Case to hold one drive
> Ribbon cable to connect one drive to BBC Micro
> Power cable to power one drive from BBC Micro
• Switch on rear of case to select 40 or 80 TPI operation when
using FD55E or FD55F.
fa
DELIVERY Up to 28 days
WARRANTY 'JO days
TERMS Strictly cheque with order
Send to P 0 Box 1 1 . Stroud. Glos UK GL5 1JN
or phone through your
Access or Barclay Card number
TO ORDER: ADD CARRIAGE/PACKING/INSURANCE AT £10 (COVERS
NEXT DAY SECURICOR DELIVERY) THEN VAT AT 1 5% TO TOTAL
THE ABOVE PRICES ARE VALID UNTIL END OF APRIL 1 984
DIGITAL PERIPHERALS LTD.
BBC COMPATIBLE
FLOPPY DISC SYSTEMS
AND DRIVES
• CASE to hold two drives (complete with
blanking panel for use should only one drive
be installed).
• Ribbon cable to connect two drives to
B B C. Micro.
• Integral power supply for two drives.
• Switch on rear of case to select 40 or 80 TPI
operation when using FD55E or FD55F.
THIS CASE CONTAINS ALL HARDWARE NECESSARY FOR TWO DRIVES.
JUST SELECT ONE OR TWO DRIVES FROM THOSE SHOWN BELOW.
IF YOU SELECT JUST ONE NOW, THE SECOND CAN JUST PLUG IN LATER.
CASES ONLY SOLD WITH DRIVES.
PRINTER AND
PLOTTER — MCP 40
• 4 colours
• Selectable 40 or 80 characters per line
• Easy to use— simple software commands
• Standard Centronics interface— cables available
for most micros
• Uses 4 W' plain paper F ALL
> High resolution— over 100 steps/inch \^~ s T0CK 4
Rodney House. Church Street. Stroud. Glos U K GL5 1JN
Tel (04536)7138 7 Telex 43551
Gri/tie.
Company
BOX CLEVER
All available for BBC and Electron Greens, Rumbelows and all gc
Price £6.95 each. computer shops or mail order
Cases Computer Simulations Ltd., 14 Langton Way, London SE3 7TL
^ Strategy Games. They're no pushover.
CORN
CROPPER
m&i &
88C »*©«*«* » and
Avorn Ctocsrt m
MANAGE
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ACORN USER JUNE 1984
167
~The
6 CHATTERTON ROAD
BROMLEY
KENT
for the BBC MICRO
OFFICIAL ACORN DEALERS
WIDE SELECTION OF SOFTWARE
AND PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT
INCLUDING
EPSON, NEC, SEIKOSHA
PRINTERS
ZENITH, CABEL
MONITORS
CUMANA
DISC-DRIVES
BOOKS AND CABLES AVAILABLE
plus our personal advice service
MACHINES DELIVERED & SET UP
IN YOUR HOME
PHONE 01 460 8991 (9.30 - 5.30)
ORPINGTON 26698 (Evenings)
(CLOSED WEDNESDAY)
PAYROLL
FOR THE BBC B
For up to 150 employees .
Designed for dual 40 track disc
using Randosi Access Operation.
CAI/TULATES Host tax codes.
Up to 18 H.I. rates.
Tax return information,
24 fixed or percentage deductions,
employer's and employee's pensions.
rai>fr S Payslips, cheques, bank list.
Coin and note analysis.
Departmental accounts,
Bsployee's file.
INCLUDES Pass word, user changeable.
Master file, user changeable.
This holds all the tax rates.
Limits N.I. rates, etc.
Technical backup and notification of
any changes in Payroll procedures.
And many other features.
Price is £49.95 inc VAT, plus 50p p ft p from
us or from selective computer shops.
Send orders tot**
C.Y.B. Design Services Ltd.,
8, Briar Avenue,
Nor bury, London,
S.W.16 3AA.
Tel 01-764-5994
Also available BBC B disc Mailing List £19.95.
Trade enquiries welcome.
BBC MICRO REPAIRS
by MICROFIX
ACORN AUTHORISED SERVICE CENTRE
We will repair your faulty BBC micro,
disc drive or monitor quickly and at
a reasonable charge. Most repairs
cost between £10 and £20.
We can also offer extended warranties
on all your equipment.
Send S.A. E. for full price list.
Phone 01 -968 921 4
or call in at
191 Freston Road,
(Latimer Road Tube)
London W10
and ask for Mark Duffill or Derek Mullings.
1 1 K
Glasgow
Authorised
acorn A dealer
B.B.C. B & acorn
electron
Disk Drives, Printers, Joysticks,
Acornsoft, Data Recorders, Monitors,
Adds ons by Pace, Torch etc.
Group Dealer
Acomti Vho, Aimi, Olmn
340 Argyle Street
Between Central Station and Andenton Bus Station
Glasgow G2
Tel: 041-221 8958
168
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
DISC DOCTOR 1.09
DIS << «t* >M < > } ( < ofat>)
DISCT APE < af«p > (< *f *p > ) ...
DOWNLOAD < fsp> (< adr >)
DSEARCH < *tr ;» « trk :» {< trk > - set > <drv>)
DZAP ( < txk > ) {< txk • < set > < drv > )
EDIT (- key no. *)
FIND str -
FORM < drv > <no. trks> (< *tt>) {• S ■)
JOIN • tsp> - afsp> { ' afsp •) ...
MENU (< drv ;»)
MOVE ( < da*t page >) ( < we page - )
MSEARCH < str > {* adr >)
MZAP (<adt >)
PARTLOAD • fsp > <ots • ext > <«dr>
RECOVER - trk-"' set > <*ct > adr » drv »
RESTORE ■ trk> - set > < set » adr> drv-
SH1FT < sre > <de«t> < ext >
SWAP (<drv;>)
TAPEDISC { < Up >) ...
VERIFY ( < drv>) « no. trks >} (< «tt >)
for the BBC Micro
Di/c
f Doctor
DISC DOCTOR is a general purpose utility ROM which adds 20 new commands to the BBC Micro.
Most of these are concerned with disc operation although some of the commands are general
purpose.
The extensive range of disc commands include a disc search routine and a very easy to use sector
editor which allows any sector to be examined and changed if necessary. The built in formatting
command has a special option allowing dual catalogues on each side of the disc, so that up to 60 files
per side may be used almost twice the normal limit.
♦ RECOVER and *RESTORE commands are provided to help in the restoration of deleted or partially corrupted files. Any area of the
disc may be transferred to memory, altered and *SAVEd or ♦ RESTOREd back onto the disc. These commands prove invaluable
when hours or even days of work are accidentally lost.
Many disc users often encounter the frustration of programs originally designed for use on cassette and require relocating to operate
on disc. Disc Doctor provides commands to help with the transfer. * TAPEDISC and *DISCTAPE provide a simple means for
automatically transferring non protected files between tape and disc. Once programs are on disc, there are several relocation
functions available. ♦ MOVE will move a program from one page in memory to any other. * DOWNLOAD will load the program from
disc and automatically move it to a specified position. *MENU is more comprehensive still, offering a menu of programs available
and allowing single key press selection of any one. The chosen program is then loaded, re located if necessary and automatic
executed, whether BASIC or machine code.
General purpose commands include: *DIS which will disassemble an area of memory, following or skipping jumps,
adding an offset, disassembling an instruction at a time or disassembling continuously.
♦ MSEARCH to quickly locate any string of bytes in memory, specified either as a character string,
numeric values of a mixture of both.
♦MZAP a very easy to use memory editor, allowing the user to scroll quickly up/ down memory. It can be called from other
programs to examine memory, then return to the program.
♦ EDIT • will list any or all of the function key definitions, so that the user may edit and copy them.
The DISC DOCTOR ROM contains a full help menu listing all the commands and their syntax for quick reference A spiral bound
manual gives general information about discs and describes each of the commands in detail, with examples. Easy to-follow fitting
instructions are supplied, allowing the ROM to be easily fitted by even the inexperienced user.
£33.35 incl.
The GRAPHICS EXTENSION ROM brings 30
new powerful graphics commands to the BBC
machine. The commands may be typed
immediately or included within programs written
in BASIC, BCPL, FORTH, etc. The commands
act quickly (being machine code) and are always
available without taking large amounts of
program memory. The commands can be split
into three catagories:
1. Sprite Graphics
A sprite is similar to a user-defined character,
except that sprites may be multi-coloured,
several times larger (8x8 to 24x24 pixels in size),
they are easily defined and altered with in built
commands and may be saved and later loaded.
Sprites may be displayed and quickly moved
around. Up to 32 different sprites may exist at the
same time. ‘Films’ may also be created, in which
any sprite is treated as a single ‘frame’. Each time
the ‘film’ is used the next ‘frame’ in sequence is
automatically displayed, allowing simple
animation of sprites. Any number of the possible
32 sprite numbers can be defined instead as a
‘film’ which may include a list of up to 47 ‘frames’
in any order.
2. LOGO ‘Turtle’ Graphics
By using simple FORWARD, BACKWARD,
LEFT and RIGHT commands a ‘turtle’ can be
moved very quickly around the screen, producing
intricate patterns by the most user-friendly
means. The commands may be included in
structured BBC BASIC programs providing a
system faster and more powerful than many of
the packages currently used to demonstrate
LOGO turtle graphics.
3. General purpose commands
★ FILL will fill an intricate shape.
* CIRCLE provides fast and easy circle drawing.’
★ ARC fast easy arc drawing.
* PLOT provides 3D graphics drawing by plotting
with X, Y, and Z co ordinates.
* SCALE allows a scaling factor to be applied to
everything subsequently plotted.
★ ROTATE applies a rotation upon all
subsequent standard PLOT, DRAW and
MOVE commands so that they are rotated
around any origin.
A built-in help menu showing the syntax of all
commands is provided for quick reference.
Included in the package is a comprehensive
spiral-bound manual and step by-step fitting
instructions, suitable even for the inexperienced.
Further details available upon request.
£33.35 incl.
[ A)mput er
T±) c
,oncepts
16 Wayside, Chipperfield, Hertfordshire. WD4 9JJ Telephone: Kings Langley (09277) 69727
DO YOU WANT A WORD PROCESSOR FOR YOUR BBC
OR A WORD PROCESSOR FOR YOUR BBC ?
Yes there is a difference between word processors and we can offer the best because it's the
FIRST PROFESSIONAL DISC BASED WORD PROCESSOR FOR THE BBC COMPUTER.
The MERLIN SCRIBE uses the disc on your computer the same way that professional systems costing
many hundreds of pounds do.
Until now any document you wished to create has been limited to the few pages which could be squeezed
into your computer memory. This means the computer is really using the disc as if it were a cassette!
The SCRIBE can create documents far greater in size than the computer memory, and really uses the disc
as it was intended to be used. SCRIBE automatically loads and offloads pages between disc and memory
without you even knowing it's happening!
Amongst the many super features available are:
* Optional 40 & 80 column screen format selection.
* On screen formatting - you see it as it's printed INCLUDING UNDERLINING.
* Right justify, word wrap, insert, delete, move copy & centre.
* Document merge (will merge two documents into one from disc).
* Addresses all four drive units allowed by your BBC disc system.
Plus many more professional features.
SCRIBE comes in ROM with five minute fitting instructions, printer utilities on disc and a comprehensive
manual.
PRICE £59.95 (incl. VAT + post and packaging 60p)
fTlGrlin Computer Products (Bucon Limited)
35/36 Singleton Street. Swansea, Sfll 3QD Tel (0792) 467960 (3 lines)
FILE-PLUS —
an exciting database package for the B.B.C. micro computer equipped with Acorn compatible D.F.S.
• General Features
• Easy to use - Full colour - Help information
always on screen on bottom 5 lines
• Design any number of data entry forms using a
“paint” on screen technique -any of these forms
may be used to add, delete, update, print or
spool records from your data base.
• Forms may be 3 screens in size - each screen
occupies 20 rows by 40 columns.
• Forms may contain any number of text and
numeric fields, together with background text.
• Full printed and spooled output formating via
embedded commands !S, ! P, !F, !C, ! L, !W,
!X, !R, !l
• Database may occupy the total online storage
capacity of a system - typically up to 800K
• Query Language provides full arithmetic and
selection facilities for records plus quick search
on text.
• Query Language Features:
• Operators allowed - Unary minus, +, /, *, =, <,
>. <=. >=. <>. &, Ir-
• Precision — — 9999999999.9999
• Keywords — Assign, Compare, Display, End,
Goto, Iff, Ift, Print, Read, Search, Spool, Update
• Full screen program entry
★ Applications include — Budgets, Labels prints,
Mail shots, Club memberships, Collectors records,
Household accounts, etc.
Supplied on a 16K ROM together with a 70
page manual and full fitting instructions for
£49.95 inc. or enclose S.A.E. for fact sheet.
88 Willowhayne Drive, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT1 2 2NR J
MO
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
ATOM programs for sale: Life pack-
age. Starburst, Adventure 1. Atom-
Man (Hopesoft), Atomstore. Invaders
(Aardvark). maybe more. All £4 except
for invaders - £3. Ring Andrew (0474)
812704 (Meopham), evenings and
weekends.
BBC B 1.2 OS + cassette recorder,
joysticks, monitor stand, magazines
including Beebug subscription, piles of
software, bargain £375 ono. Contact
C. B. Morgan, The Lodge, Qeqm, Furze
Lane, Southsea, Portsmouth, P04
8LW.
* HELP. Information or manual
wanted on General Electric Terminet
30 type ITT 3330 dot matrix printer. Nick
Ellis, ‘Open View’, New Road Hill,
Midgham, Reading, Berks. Tel 712428.
CENTRONICS 739 printer with lead for
Atom £160; Atom colour board (un-
used) £15; Acorn PROM programmer
(EPROM and bipolar) £50; offers con-
sidered. Faulkner, Tel: 01-387 9621 ext
68. or 01 -549 1559.
DISC drives. Microware ZL242 dual,
double sided 40 track (400k). Cased
with own power supply and long cable,
£295. Tel 01 -445 3000.
COLOSSAL Cave adventure from
Level 9. This is a top quality adventure
game with enormous text. Very fast -
kept me busy for months. Complete
with original instructions. £6. Kidling-
ton (08675) 78776 (near Oxford).
22" colour monitor RGB for BBC
computer. In excellent order, little used,
is large, heavy and not easily portable,
but suit school or similar. Only £120.
Phone Haverhill 70231 1 .
BBC model B with disc interface just 6
weeks old, unwanted gift, £375. Tel 01-
9530527.
60 magazine back issues for sale. 16
PCW, 1 1 Your Computer, 9 Micro User
T Popular Computing Weekly,
C + VG, etc. £15 ono. Phone 021-554
1 869. Buyer collects from Birmingham.
DISC drives. Microware slimline dual
d/s 1 00k £350. View ROM with manuals
and drivers, cost £70, accept £50. Killer,
Croaker, Swoop, Filer, Polaris, Mart-
ians, Geography £5 each, Early Learn-
ing £7. 01 -660 8360.
PRISM acoustic modem still in original
packing £55 ono. Also 110 programs
to sell or swop, all originals, all half
price. Tel Grimsby 74584 and ask for
Martin.
BBC software model B originals for
sale. Canyon, Air Traffic Control, Star-
ship Command, Sphinx Adventure,
and Arcade Action. Worth £49, Sell all
for £17. Interested? Tel Derek on 01-
571 131 7 after 6pm.
WANTED Atom. Old, broken, in bits or
not working, price negotiable depend-
ing on state. Tel 0206 868464.
BBC model B for sale. 32k 1 .20S. £320.
Tel Brookwood 4732.
ATOM, FPROM, Werom utility, VIA,
buffers, 12k RAM, 5v regulated supply,
books and manuals. Sell for £80.
Phone 051 -546 9599 after 6pm.
SOFTWARE for sale. Acornsoft’s
Planetoid, Snapper, Rocket Raid.
Meteors, Monsters. Also Computer
Concepts’ Chess and Clares’ Replica
disk. All originals, boxed and with
documentation. £5 each. Phone Peter
01-9588021 (Edgware. Middx.).
BBC general knowledge quiz, me Je 7,
colour, model A or B. Over 100
questions. £2.50. W.F. Kitching, 1
Greenacres, Ketley Bank, Telford,
Salop TF20DU. Phone 0952 61 3824.
ACORN AP100A printer (Seikosha
GP100A). Interface cable. Dust cover.
Paper Excellent condition, £150.
Exeter 68065.
SWAP Electron software. Phone Har-
penden (05827) 5232 after 5pm. Ask for
Ian.
WANTED. BBC Teletext Adaptor in
exchange for Atari VCS and twenty
cartridges. (Everything in perfect wor-
king order.) Tel: 041 -946 91 1 0 any time
after 6pm. 14" colour monitor also
considered.
BCPL ROM disc manual £50. Acorn-
soft Forth cassette £8, Desk Diary,
Magic Garden, Philosophers’ Quest
£5. Wordwise ROM £18. BBC Vu-Type
typing tutor £8. Snow-Ball adventure
£5. In original packaging. 01 -9000884.
BBC B computer with loads of games
(most Acornsoft games and many
others). 1.2 OS, 14 months old, with
books, leads, languages and disas-
sembler £360 ono. Ring Bristol (0272)
739803 between 5 & 6pm.
FOR sale. Advanced User Guide £8
and all Acornsoft titles in original
packages £6 each. Forth £8 plus all
best sellers including Twin Kingdom
Valley £5 each. Contact Nigel after
6pm. 021 -422 31 51.
SWAP many titles including Zalaga,
Cylon Attack, Twin Kingdom Valley,
Killer Gorilla, Planes, Frogger, Painter,
Moonraider, Felix, Snapper, Monsters
and many more. Disc or Tape. Phone
05255 2056, Dave, evenings.
GREEN screen monitor, 12" Sanyo for
sale. Excellent condition £60. Monte,
Runcorn 69506 (evenings), Runcorn
71 1330 (office hours).
TANDY CGP115 four colour graphic
printer + approx £30 worth pens and
paper, hardly used, £135 ono. Also
1 .20S ROM, unused, £5. Phone Nottm
292055 after 6pm please.
MCP40 printer/plotter as new only
three months old £90 ono. Phone
08444 3301 (evenings) and ask for
Alan.
WANTED: old 1.0 operating system
supplied as 2 EPROMs on c/board, will
pay £5.50. Phone 01-202 6410 (Mr.
Vekaria) after 7pm.
SEIKOSHA GP100A 15 months old,
complete. New ribbon, screen dump
for BBC original manual and packing.
£165. Tel Romford (0708) 44718.
FLOPPY discs, 8", soft sector, unused
- 1 box of 1 0, 1 box of 1 3; £1 5 per box or
offers. Audio tapes, 1 box of 10, 3" reel,
unused; £5 ono. Tel; Aldershot 31 6649.
WANTED Ouickshot II joystick in good
condition. Pay good price. Phone
Reigate 42162 or write to Alex Daly, 2
Brokes Road, Reigate, Surrey.
SOLAR Soft Zany Kong original 40
track disk £8, as new. Guy Davey, tel
0273 832555 after 5pm.
BYTE, Kilobaud, Microcomputing and
other American magazines for sale.
Sae list. Smith, 84 Edenfield Gardens.
Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 7DY.
COMPUTER Concepts ROMs: Termi,
Disc Doctor £10 each. Beebcalc,
Wordwise £15 each. Graphics ROM
£15. Watford Beebfont £15. Printer
monitor £10, Acornsoft View £25, BBC
Buggy £95, Grafpad digitiser £80.
(0344)886178.
ATOM 14k + 12k, FP & Watford
ROMs, VIA, heavy duty psu, amateur
radio RTTY software and interface. All
sorts of books, software etc. £125. Tel
Kevin (G6JUI), Reading (0734) 507137
evenings.
We have been alerted to the
fact that some readers are
abusing our free ads service.
Acorn User will support
any attempts to prevent indiv-
iduals copying tapes and sell-
ing them through the pages of
this magazine.
Please do not abuse this
service, and report any sus-
picious offers to Acorn User.
Parents should also check
that their children are not
copying and selling software
in this way. It is illegal.
WANTED. Good database manage-
ment system program for disk-drives.
Will exchange for good business
software. Contact Mark, 01-805 7046,
evenings only.
WANTED: Atom 100k disc unit and
manual. Tel: (0246)811239.
BBC computer model B, Acorn DFS-
moderate condition - ex-educational
use - only £295. Also 12" colour
monitor - £50. Three Acornsoft
chemistry programs on disks for £15.
Phone Lymington (0590) 23565 - ask
for Geoff Procter.
ADVENTURE BBC B. Castle of Fan-
tasy. Reclaim the three kings of author-
ity from the Castle. £4. Grafixpac
character designer and drawing
programs £3. Frazer Bennett, 52 High
Street, Haslingfield, Cambridge CB3
7JP.
ACORN AP-100A printer. Unused pre-
sent. Price includes full box 5000
sheets A4 paper, and all necessary
leads. £150. Telephone Torphins (033
982) 437 after 7pm.
WANTED for BBC - EPROM progrmr;
printer; light pen; ROM board - will
swap Sharp PC 1500; Casio PB100;
Minolta camera; Panasonic personal
hi-fi; green monitor; airgun; several
calculators (expensive ones). Ring
Squid 01 -624 7460.
FREE PERSONAL AD SERVICE
Sell your old hardware or software for cash. Fill in the form below to a maximum of 32
words (one in each box) and send it to Acorn User Free Ads, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E
9JH. Use capital letters, and remember your name, address or telephone number. This is a
free service to readers - no companies please. One entry per form only, and we cannot
guarantee any issue.
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
171
HITACHI i
MAKE THE MOST
OF YOUR
COMPUTER.
SPIDER SYSTEMS
Acclaimed books from the
experts . . .
MTERFdCE
□ Dynamic Games for your Electron
Neal Cavalier-Smith. £4.95
□ 36 Challenging Games for the BBC Micro
Chris Callender and Tim Rogers. £5.95
□ Let Your BBC Micro Teach You to Program
Tim Hartnell. £6.45
□ Putting Your BBC Micro to Work (includes a full
word-processing program, plus 14 others)
Chris Callender. £4.95
□ Creating Adventure Programs on your Computer
Andrew Nelson. £4.95
□ The Easy Way to Program Your New Computer
Tim Hartnell. £3.95
□ Practical Applications for the Microcomputer
in the Home.
David Hole. £4.95
□ The Art of Structured Programming
Peter Juliff. £5.95
These books are available from most book and computer
stores. In case of difficulty, order directly from us.
Interface Publications, Dept. QAU,
9-11 Kensington High Street, London W8 5NP.
Please send me the indicated books. I enclose £
Name .
Address
MTERRKE
PUBLICATIONS
We’re the Experts.
(TRADE ONLY Interface Publications are distributed exclusively in the UK and
£ Eire by W H S Distributors. Export trade handled by Interface Publications.) j
At the
leading edge
of technology
* 500K on one 3" rigidly cased
disc.
* Compatible with all filing systems
for the BBC MICRO.
* Software and hardware
compatible with SW' disc drives. May
be run in tandem.
* Very low power consumption,
uses BBC's own power supply.
* Track to track access time 3 ms.
* Data transfer rate 1 25 K/b sec.
* Steel case matches BBC Micro
finish.
* Ultra-reliable - fully guaranteed
for twelve months.
* Pack includes all leads, manual,
utilities and disc.
* Superb value for money.
Please send me:
Q Single Disc Drive Double Sided Pack (a £252.00.
Q Double Disc Drive Double Sided Pack (a £491 .50.
Q Single Disc Drive Single Sided Pack (a £195.85.
□ Double Disc Drive Single Sided Pack (a £360.60.
□ Pack of 5 3" Discs (a E22.50 AH prices include
1 VAT. post and
□ Pack of 1 0 3" Discs (g £4 1 .00 packing.
Name
Address
Generous Dealer Terms Available
T
Run it with Vccw
SPIDER SYSTEMS
Web House. 29 Elmfleld Road. Stockport SK3 8SE
Telephone: 061 -483 7692 —
■ ■■ ■ ■ ■■ h h mm mm wm mm J
172
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
I
BACK issues Byte. Kilobaud, etc. Sae
list. Smith. 84 Edenfield Gardens, Wor-
cester Park. Surrey KT4 7DY.
SINCLAIR software. Over a hundred
games. For list send sae to Andre
Desilva, Pilgrims School. Firle Road,
Seaford. Sussex.
PRINTER for BBC. Microline 80, used
once. Cost £250. With paper, spare
ribbons, cable £165. Tel: 01-467 6533
(day), Farnborough (Kent) 51055
(evenings).
ACORN Atom 12k RAM. fp ROM, VIA,
and Program Power Toolbox. Psu,
some books and tapes: £50. 9 Sartfield
Road, Forest Town, Notts. Tel Mans-
field 64981 5 after 6pm.
AMDEK DXY100 plotter, ideal for BBC.
Complete with 3D software, sample
BBC plots if required. Cost £699,
accept £299. Perfect condition. Write
Taylor, 24 Sutton Mead, Chelmsford or
ring Chelmsford 469207.
CUM ANA ( iisc drive 1 00k c/w leads, on
board power supply, manual plus 10
diskettes. £200 the lot. Call John,
Brentwood (0277) 210603 any time.
John Mertl, 20 La Plata Grove, Brent-
wood, Essex.
ATOM 12k + 12k + Tool Box ROM,
Wordprocessor ROM. All books,
almost new. Offers around £100. Con-
tact Maidstone (0622) 50404.
ACORN Atom, fully expanded +
manual. Mint condition. Also two
EPROMs included. Psu + leads. Also
included: bus extension interface and
printer port. It's packed full! Any offer
considered. Telephone Newcastle
(0632)757654
COMPUTING magazines for sale. Per-
sonal Computing, Practical Comput-
ing, Computing Today. All 1980 to
1982. Practical Electronics, 1980 to
1984. Offers? Faller 01-449 1808 after
6pm.
DISK drive Toshiba double sided
200k, 40 track. One month old. cased
with cables, and games/utilities disk
£115. Tel Cambridge (0223) 354167.
BBC disc upgrade kit with Acorn
release 0.90 DFS EPROM. Fitting in-
structions provided. £50. Tel 0734
692647.
BBC software including Shuttle, Road
Runner, 3D Bomb Alley, Cybertron
Mission, Killer Gorilla, Eldorado Gold,
Countdown to Doom, Gorf, 737 and
Moonbase Alpha. For sale only. Ring
Steyning815411.
SEIKOSHA GP100A printer. Adju-
stable tractor feeds. Complete with
dust cover, manual, interface cable,
and screen dump software for BBC
micro. Original packing. Excellent con-
dition. £165 ono. Kidderminster 60242.
WANTED. Software for Acorn Atom,
especially educational. Will also buy
games. Games wanted: 747, Cyclon
Attack or any adventure games.. .Tel
061-4991598.
SWAP BBC software with me. All types
of programs in an extremely large
selection. Ring Leicester (0533) 710889
and ask for David or write with your list
to: 45 Glenway, Oadby. Leicester LE2
5YF. Preferably ring me after 4pm.
SWAP educational programs, utilities
and games. Write enclosing list to L.
Ratna, 22 Elmcroft Avenue. NW1 1 0RR.
PRISM acoustic modem for BBC
computer with all cables and ROM
chip software. £40 ono. Horsham
(0403) 56678 (evenings).
CASHBOOKS + Final Accounts,
Gemini. Ideal small business. Half price
(BBC B). Phone Lewis, 021 -373 1 163.
SWAP your BBC software? I have large
selection of software. Contact John
after 5pm on 0744 817787 or write with
list to 121 Stirling Crescent, St. Helens.
Merseyside WA9 3TY.
BBC software to sell/swap. Over 300
titles. All the latest stuff going about.
Phone on 0702 521903 or write to
Simon, 42 York Road. Rayleigh Essex.
Discs/Tape.
CBM 3032 computer, two C2N cass-
ette decks, 3022 printer, all leads and
manuals. Excellent condition - hobby
use only. Delivery 100 miles Newcastle
£325. Tel Calder on 0670 352716 (9-6)
weekdays.
WANTED T eletext adaptor for BBC, in
exchange for Atari VCS and 20 cartrid-
ges. Also wanted: Prism acoustic
modem with full documentation and
leads in exchange for Casio-Organ
and bar-code reader. Tel 041-946
9110.
CUMANA CS100 disc drive (100k).
Integral power supply, with leads
formatting disc and instruction book.
Purchased Xmas 1983. £170 for quick
sale. (BEEBUG price £225). Tel Stirling
61501 (upgrading to double drives).
PRINTER - Tandy 4 colour graphic
printer, CGP115 £100 ono. Sgt. C.
Boyd, Sgts Mess, RAF Gatow, BFP045.
ACORN Atom 12k RAM, 12k ROM plus
games packs 1 , 4, 7 and 8 plus 5 tapes
plus manual £80 ono. Phone 061-962
6754. G. Armitage. 18 Urban Road,
Sale. Cheshire M33 1 TX.
ATOM 12k + 12k, fp, psu. £50. Tel:
Southend 715708, Mr. Lorriman.
WANTED official Acorn DFS manual.
Any reasonable price paid. Phone
David (0324)558692.
WANTED Gaelsett ECFG graphics
utility: new version preferred. Top price
paid. Tel: (0786) 3491 evenings.
SOFTWARE for sale. Rocket Raid,
Sphinx adventure, Meteors, Starship
Command, Super Invaders £5.50 each.
Planetoid, Roadrunner, Daredevil
Dennis £4.50 each. All originals, will
consider * swapping for other
programs. Phone 025960529.
BBC model B, Advanced User Guide.
50 magazines, lots of business and
games software. Large range of
books. Worth over £650. Offers? Write
to Q. Solt, Blackdown Farm, Learning-
ton Spa, Warwickshire CV32 6QS.
Recorder also available.
WANTED BBC micro disc interface
and/or disc drive. Phone Canterbury
(0227)58529.
SWAP/sell BBC software. Over 100 of
the best games ready to swap for other
BBC software or sell at very agreeable
prices. Contact Nigel (0494) 785178
after 6pm.
SWAP/sell BBC software. Over 100
programs on disc and tape. Contact
Gavin, Chesham (0494) 782993 after
5pm.
TANDY CGP1 15 printer, excellentcon-
dition. Comes with paper, pens and
manual. £85. G. Digby, 44 Lucy Hall
Drive, Baildon, Shipley, W. Yorks, BD1 7
5BH.
CENTRONICS /30 matrix printer with
parallel interface. Produces good qu-
ality text. As new. Complete with lead
for BBC, £135. Superior Software’s
Sharpshooter package £12. Acorn
DFS chip £20. Phone Sheffield (0742)
745027.
DISC drives. Student and computer
freak wants disc drive and/or interface.
Ring 08513361 and ask for Sandy.
ELECTRON + software + assembly
language book + Elbugs -l- £50 for a
BBCB 1 .20S. Please phone Aberdeen
(0224) 54436 after 6pm and ask for
Philip.
SWAP disc and tape programs. I have
a large (over 500) amount .of software.
Please write with list to Steve, 21
Laurelhurst Ave, Pensby. Wirral L61
9NY.
BBC and 100k disc drive + DFS,
Exmon ROM, Quickshot joystick, Basic
II, OS1 .2, hi-fi output, software (vast) on
disc and tape. Joykey program. £550.
Telephone Hornchurch (04024) 71789
(after 5pm).
CUMANA 1 00k CS100 disc drive, with
leads, instruction book and formatting
disc. Integral power supply - 3 months
old, £170 for quick sale (RRP £245).
Telephone Stirling 61501. (I am up-
grading to double drives.)
ATOM software: I will buy, swap, sell
large collection. All the best makes.
A + F, Program Power etc. Send details
to B. Nesbit, 601 Plessey Road, News-
ham, Blyth, Northumberland NE24
4BZ. List appreciated.
BBC model B required. Pay up to £250.
Phone 01 -570 5201 after 5pm.
CANON bare 40trk s/s - £95. Cables -
£5. Watford Eprommer - £50. 12-ROM
board - £25. Software: Android Attack,
Muproc, Lisp, Graphs and Charts, J.R.,
Castle of Riddles, Games of Strategy.
Offers? Tel: (0225) 859401 (Guy).
SWAP Uncased RGB colour monitor
for double sided disk drive, anything
considered. Mike Wing, Hull 0482
791337.
C.U.C. DFS (chip only) for sale: only
£15! Phone Simon Ward 01-398 2523
evenings.
WANTED Acorn Eurocards. Pay £10
each for 6809, Teletext, 80 x 25 VDU,
also 5A Atom power supply wanted.
Pay £5-10. Will haggle. Write: 128
Hoadswood Road, Hastings, E. Sussex
TN34 2BA. Telephone 0424 432649.
ACORN Electron, 3 months old, little
used, some software £180 ono. Re-
ason for sale: buying BBC. Telephone
01-6695960.
BBC tapes. Toolbox £12, White Knight
£8. Games of Strategy £4, Pinball
Arcade £8, Fighter Pilot £4, Monaco £6.
ROMs: Wordwise £20. Graphics Exten-
sion £23. Peter Davies 01-549 2347
(Kingston).
WANTED circuit details to convert
colour TV (Thorn 3500 chassis or
similar) to RGB TTL input. Also, daisy
wheel typewriter with interface for
Atom. Tel: 0952 89454
ACORNSOFT Games Pack 4 for Atom.
Startrek, Four Row, Space Attack.
Unopened pack. £7 + 50p for p/p. Tel:
095289454.
ACORN Atom wanted. Will give up to
£50 for fully expanded Atom with VIA
and printer output. Write to Richard
Hutt, Lingmell, Abbey Road, St. Bees,
Cumbria CA27 0ED.
TANDY model 1 16k cassette recorder,
monitor and 4 manuals. Offer me £250
Irish currency. Software includes; Inva-
sion Force, Blackjack, Dancing
Demon, Backgammon, Flying
Saucers, Pyramid and Chess. Excell-
ent condition. R. Whyte, Prospect
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Ireland.
ELECTRON jsers. We have an exten-
sive collection of software games -
Bugbyte, Program Power, Acornsoft, A
& F, Visions etc. We want to swap. Send
your list for ours. Andrew McColl, 209
Allison St., Glasgow.
TORCH Z80 disc pack plus Perfect
software, manuals and discs to be
sold. Invoice and original packing-up
available. Ring: 01 -789 7261 .
COMPUTER Concepts Beebcalc
ROM for sale - only £25 ono. Genuine
reason for sale. Phone Justin on 01-
440 7053 between 4-7pm. Includes
manual and full fitting instructions.
First come, first served.
ICL Termiprinter for sale, BBC compat-
ible uses serial port £45 ono. Phone
Sevenoaks (0732)451984.
BBC B, compatible cassette deck,
manuals, leads, games, hardly used
since new, £350. Contact D Norris, 1 1
Lansdowne Avenue, Slough (Slough
822961 evenings).
ATOM 12k + 12k, colour. 4- software.
Bugbyte, Database, Diary, Adventure,
Magic Book. Getting Acquainted with
Atom, all for £65. No offers. R. Patel, Tel:
London 01 -452 4076 after 6pm. Caller
collects.
ATARI VCS: £44.95 including 4 joy-
sticks, 2 paddles, Pacman, Combat,
Space Invaders, all leads needed etc.
Also C90s 40p, C60s 30p (while they
last). Write to Asa Winder, 186
Overdale, Ashtead, Surrey.
BIG EARS speech recognition system
for BBC. As new £30 ono. Acornsoft
software nine titles in original packing
£40 ono. Including Rocket Raid, Snap-
per, Monsters. Meteors, Planetoid.
Phone Adam Morriss, Dane End 31 1 .
173
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
PEDRO COMPUTER SERVICES LTD
BBC CARD INDEX v
★ DISK BASED HUNG SYSTEM
★ USER DEHNED SCREEN
★ RECALL BY ANY HELD
★ PRINTER OUTPUT
★ SORT ON ANY HELD
★ NUMERIC OPERATION ON HELDS
★ UP TO 1000 RECORDS PER FILE
★ 20 USER HELDS
★ 250 CHARACTERS PER HELD
★ SUITABLE FOR SINGLE DRIVE
s >
£36.50 inc VAT & P/P
We are able to supply
most BOOKS, SOFTWARE and ACCESSORY
FOR THE BBC, ZX SPECTRUM AND CBM 64.
We specialize in home computer control
PEDRO COMPUTER SERVICES LTD
245/247 CLERKENWELL ROAD
LONDON EC1M 5RS
ACCESS/VISA
EXPORT
BBC DISCDRIVES
SINGLE DUAL
£239 C £429
400K ' l ' 800K
• 40/80 Track switchable
• All cables included
User disc system guide • Ready togo
• Utilities disc - 6502 disassembler
- Merge - Relocate - Screen dumj)
PRINTERS
SMITH CORONA TP1
IAISY WHEEL £235
(If you order enclosing this ad.)
DOT MATRIX
GEMIN1 1 0X (80 col.1 20 cps)
GEMIN1 1 5X (1 32 col. cps)
DELTA 1 0 (80 col. 1 60 cps)
EPSON FX80 (80 col. 1 60 cps)
# We sell cables, dust covers, paper etc.
£239
£339
£375
£410
CALL
FOR FREE
DATA
ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT
AND DELIVERY
Call Eileen on Crewe (0270) 582301
® diamond/of t
A better way of computing
HOME ACCOUNTS
BBC 32K £13.95 (INC)
Complete home finance system packed with sensible facilities to
help you maintain up to date records of your BANK. CREDIT
CARD. LOAN and SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. Keep track of
CHEQUES. RECEIPTS. AUTOMATIC BANKERS ORDERS.
BILLS WAITING PAYMENT and much more.
An essential asset for home or club.
BUSINESS ACCOUNTS
BBC 32K El 7.95 (INC)
Easy to use with small businesses in mind. Facilities include -
PURCHASES, SALES. CASH. LEDGER and DAY BOOK
LISTINGS. VAT ANALYSIS. CONTROL TOTALS and BANK
RECONCILIATION. A simple but effective aid to efficiency.
FLEXIFILE
BBC 32K £13.95 (INC)
A powerful, general purpose, file handling system
Quickly create, maintain, sort, select, save and print your own
data. Develop complex systems with ease. Invaluable for Home.
Club. Schools or Business Records Offers the use of advanced
software techniques to beginner and expert alike.
V
Cheques or P.O. to Diamondsoft Ltd.. FREEPOST.
Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, SK8 5YB. Tel: 061-485 8705
J
A
programming
^Mathematical PROBLEMS WITH METRIC OR SI UNITS?
Q
W cientif ic UNIVERSAL UNITS CONVERTOR
The METRICATOR suite of programs for the BBC-B and ELECTRON
may be your answer. Can convert ANY unit into ANY other
compatible unit eg. KM/LITRE into MILES/GAL or BTU/HOUR/FT2
into JOULES/SEC/M2 . "SI" may be specified and the correct SI
equivalent automatically calculated. You do not need to know
it. Saves hours of work.
15 UNIQUE routines designed for EASY insertion into YOUR
program give instant access to many thousands of
combinations of units.
Multiples and sub-multiples (mega, micro, nano etc) all
handled automatically. Your own units may be added.
Tape and disc versions available. Both contain a library of
units, a program to give immediate conversions and a
demonstration program to produce conversion tables. Disc
version uses a random access file to reduce RAM requirements
and BINARY CHOPPING for VERY fast access.
All techniques including data packing fully explained in
detail. The routines are written to a VERY high standared.
We are so confident that we GUARANTEE to include ANY
conversion you specify when ordering.
NEED ANYTHING? . Contact us for any mathematical or
scientific methods. We either have it or will find it.
JOIN US ! Buying METRICATOR entitles you to send your own
high standard scientific and mathematical programs for
possible inclusion in our library and turn your invention
into cash.
METRICATOR Prices (Inc pfcp)
Tape version £6.95.
Disc version (Acorn standard 40 track) £9.95
including supplementary disc file and
maintenance programs-BBC only.
Instruction manual and program listing only £3.75
(refundable against subsequent program purchace).
Remittance to:-
"EMS Programming"
134 Buckswood Drive
Crawley
Sussex, RH11 8JG.
Please state BBC or ELECTRON.
V J
174
ACORN USERJUNE1984
I SMALL ADS
COMPUTER Concepts Beebcalc
ROM for sale - only £25 ono. Phone
Justin on 01 440 7053 between 4-7pm.
Includes manual and full fitting
instructions.
MICROSTYLE Quickshot joystick for
BBC B. Brand new (unwanted gift),
£15. Also, sell or swap BBC software.
Moonraider, Liberator, Sphinx, Galaxy
Wars, Painter, etc. Phone Donhead
344 -ask for Richard.
WANTED 2764 or 27128 new or used
EPROMs for BBC micro. To be used for
A-level physics research project. Offer
£3 and £10 each. Phone Andrew on
(02756)5279.
AMBER printer including cables, inter-
face for BBC and Atari, spare paper
rolls and ribbon, £70. Also lots of BBC
software on disc to swap. 06845 64607.
SOFTWARE to swop? Over 250 titles
available. Ring 0908 74497 or 0908
565077 for details and/or printed list.
After 5pm and before 9pm. All the latest
titles: JCB, Mine, Bumble Bee, etc.
BBC software to swap. Arcade, adven-
tures and educational. All on disc. Tel:
09853 365 after 6pm (Wilts).
ATOM wordpack ROM wanted ur-
gently. Tel J. Herbert, Billingshurst 3647
or write to 8 Gorselands, RH 1 4 9TT.
USER group. Anyone interested in
starting one in Birmingham? Please
write enclosing sae, or phone. Allen,
3/177 College Road, Moseley Birming-
ham B1 3 9U. Tel: 021 -778 5297.
SOFTWARE for sale. BBC and Acorn-
soft games £5 each. Other software
houses £4 each. (Others include Micro
Power, Virgin, Superior). Good as new.
For details, ring Canon Pyon 21 7.
BBC B 2 months old £335. Cumana
single disc drive £140. Printer Seikosha
GP100A £140. All as new. Phone 0703
559027.
REPLICA II copy all discs £9. Hunch-
back, 3D Bomb Alley, Gunsmoke,
Dogfight; cassettes £4 each. Space-
hawks, Zany Kong, Zors Revenge;
Cassettes £3.50 each. Tel: Lea Valley
719 159 after 4pm.
■ Experienced Basic and machine-
code programmer offers specialised
programming service. I will write your
program specifically to suit your exact
requirements. Phone Mat Biggs on 01 -
693 8434 anytime.
■ Disk drives. Dual cased units d/s-
d/d 80 track for BBC. Group purchase
of 5}" Tracker 2.0 drives from Data
Track Technology. £310 including
VAT, postage, cables and formatter
disc. Details: Ring Baldock 895405.
■ Utilities galore: copier, tape to
tape/disk, handles Basic, m/c, files
300/1200 bd, locks; function key
editor/data cruncher; character editor;
memory display; set of keys. Cassette
£5 inc. A Slinger, 17 Olney Road,
Emberton. Bucks MK465BX.
■ Fantastic definition, colour detail
and 80 columns clearly displayed on
new range of video monitors. Com-
posite version gives brighter and shar-
per pictures on your VCR. Tel 0689
461 16 for details.
■ Skeletal programming with the
BBC micro. Revolutionary new method
of learning to program used in schools
and universities. Disc-based. Eighteen
program package £25 from Nicholas
Fisher, Humford Mill, Bedlington,
Northumberland NE22 5RT.
■ Personalised share portfolio
program BBC B, professionally written,
menu driven. Individual and total
summaries, capital gains calculation,
graphic presentation. Takes guess-
work from investing. £6. M A Smith, 2
Solway Rise, Dronfield Woodhouse,
Sheffield SI 8 5ZR.
■ Fourteen original family games for
the Beeb. Test your skill and con-
centration with these exciting games. A
bargain at £4.95. Brian Taylor, 16
Letchworth Cres, Chilwell, Nottingham
NG95LL.
■ Why not let us produce your
program on disc. We have both 51"
and 3". Disc Image, Unit 5, Stockey
End, Peachcrofth, Abingdon. Oxon
OX14 2NF.
■ Teletext screen editor, ideal for title
pages, graphics displays, teaching
packages. Simplifies block graphics
and teletext codes. Save screens and
reload for amendment. Full instruc-
tions. Model A/B, OSI.O/1.2. £5.75. M
Wilkins, 12 Fairmead, Rayleigh, Essex.
■ Rolanddg DXY100 plotters, brand
new, guaranteed \ price. Cost £699 -
special offer £399 inc VAT and free
demo 3D software. Write or call for
demo, brochures and demonstration
plots. 10 Baddow Rd, Chelmsford,
Essex. 0245-356218.
■ Archive those costly disks to cheap
tapes. One C90 tape can hold 4 100k
discs. Restore program written to each
backup tape. Only £4. T. Jones, 27
Gloucester Gardens, Cockfosters,
Barnet, Herts EN4 0QN.
■ Joysticks top quality at amazing
low price. Only £9.95 a pair. Easier to
handle and faster than others costing
twice as much. Cheque/PO to Peritron.
21 Woodhouse Road, London N12
9EN.
■ BBC Buggy as new, £95. Grafpad
digitiser £80. Four colour printer £80.
Aries B20 RAM Expansion £50. View
wordprocessor £25. Computer Con-
cepts’ Graphics ROM £15. Disc Doctor
£10. Termi ROM £10. (0344) 8861 78.
■ Disc cataloguer, 32k. Reads titles,
filenames, types into index. Machine
code edit, sort, etc. The Who’s Who of
your discs - at your fingertips. £5.95.
Toto Software, 26 Bridgeway Road,
Kirkintilloch. G663JB.
■ Europe. Use your BBC micro to
search databases all over Europe.
Software listing £2, disc £5. Booklet
describing hosts, networks, costs, ad-
dresses etc £5. D. Holmes, 14 Sand-
ringham Road, Dersingham, Kings
Lynn, Norfolk.
■ Chuckie-cheat for BBC micro
Chuckie Egg. Choose the Chuckie
Egg start level and its number of lives.
For the listing send cheque/PO for 70p
to N W Deeley, 46 Everest Avenue.
LLanishen, Cardiff CF4 5AS.
■ Discat disc program database
reads and stores programs directly
from disc. Holds over 2000 programs:
search, printout, amend etc. Acorn
DFS £8. State 40/80. Sae details:
Royston Mount Pleasant, Simpson,
Milton Keynes.
■ Make written lecture slides by
photographing your television screen.
‘Slidetext’ displays teletext (single or
double height) in eight colours. Saves
files of 20 pages. Disc compatible tape.
£17-25. D. Robinson, 41 Trafalgar
Road, Birkdale, Southport.
■ View printer drivers for Oki 92/93,
Juki, Epson FX80. Use full printer
features. Cassette £5 each, all £7.50,
extra £1 for disk. Industrial and Com-
mercial Computers Ltd, 9 The Tynings,
Clevedon. Avon.
■ Bulldog Programs. For a full list of
our educational software for the BBC
micro send sae to Bulldog Programs,
93 Main Street, North Anston, Sheffield
S31 7BE.
■ View with FX80? Set drivers gives
access to elite, proportional, bold,
italic, condensed, enlarged, subscript,
superscript, £. ° Cassette £6 with
documentation. Transfers to disc.
Abington Micro-Consultants, 34 The
Crescent, Northampton NN1 4SB.
■ Wordwise. Excellent word proces-
sor for the BBC only £37 (inc). Disks 51"
d/s d/d 10 for only £22 (inc). Private
Tutor Europe, 29 Holloway Lane,
Chesham Bois. Amersham, Bucks.
(02403)21702.
■ Bugbear for microcomputer
program advice. Program won't work?
Software manual confusing? Program
planning? Any micro - no problem too
small. Ring professional programmer
Frances Daniel (0926) 55376 for initial
chat (after 4pm weekdays).
■ Unbelievable but true! Clemoes
Software put up to 3 absolutely top
quality games on 1 cassette for £7.95!*
Arcade games, games of deduction,
plus other cassettes. ‘Available at W H
Smith for only £6.95
■ BBC amplifier 2-watt output, battery
operated (PP3). DC I/P jack with audio
pick/off module, fitting instructions
£23. Mains adaptor £6. BBC dc/lead
£2.50. Plus-4 Electronics Ltd, 163a
Boston Road, Hanwell, London W7
3QJ. 01 -579 9691.
■ AC Linear Circuit Analysis Program
for BBC B. Analyses Circuits with up to
16 nodes and 60 components. Cass-
ette £35. Disc £45. Telephone Number
One Systems. St Ives (0480) 61778.
Access welcome.
■ BBC B CFS file handling program
to store current account records. Keep
your balance in credit! Nice features,
includes 80 column display. £5 cas-
sette. Sae for details. 37 Ravenswood
Drive, Woodingdean, Brighton,
Sussex.
£1 0 SMALL AD SERVICE
Please include your cheque for CIO made payable to Redwood Publishing. This is the
standard fee. Don’t forget your name, address or phone number. Send cheque plus form
to Acorn User Small Ads, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JH.
175
ACORN USER JUNE 1984
miCRQ
PULSE*
THE
3INCH 100K
DISKDRIVE+MIRROR
■ntrcwcf
PULSED
V* Assembled in Britain Robust metal case, BBC beige colour
"0" Complete with BBC cable -0- Fully compatible with Acorn
/BBC DFS Can be linked in tandem with S 1 /*” disc drive for
easy transfer of software ^ RecUGreen LED indicates
which side of the disc is in use Includes 38 page disc
operating system manual Includes 40/80 track formatter
utility disc -Q* Uses standard Hitachi hard-cased 3” discs
(automatic steel shutter protects exposed part of disc surface)
4 ^ Additional double -sided 3” discs available ex-stock
DUAL 3 INCH (2 x 100K) DISC DRIVeJB3^X
■O' MIRROR 3" CASSETTE-to-DISC utilityprogHifl
Up-loads approx 20 cassette-based programs ...
( 10 on each side of the disc) ...
Trade enquiries welcome
+ VAT
please contact: Gareth Littler
Mark Howard or
Judith Allen at
' Micro Pulse
Division
northern
*aVjt 4- V A 7
Churchfield Road,
FRODSHAM
Cheshire WA6 '
Tel: 0928 QRI
THE
| PULSEfj
EXTERNAL ROM
BOARDS
For the BBC Computer and the
■fr BRITISH MANUFACTURE ALLOWS 8 ROMS ON LINE
HARDWARE-BASED ROM SELECTION AVOIDS SOFTWARE
INTERACTION BETWEEN UTILITY ROMS
SWITCH TO REQUIRED ROM USING MANUAL SWITCH
OUTSIDE THE UNIT
<► RED LIGHTS INDICATE THE SELECTED ROM
4- HIT “BREAK” TO ACCESS ROM, NO NEED TO USE
SOFTWARE COMMAND
■0- INCLUDES ZIF SOCKET, FOR INSTANT CHANGING OF A
SELECTED ROM
■fr INCLUDES BBC CABLE AND ROM SOCKET CONNECTOR
-0- INCLUDES SIMPLE FITTING INSTRUCTIONS,
JUST PLUG IN AND GO!
please contact: Gareth Littler
SUIT 1
northern
computers;
Churchfield Road,
FRODSHAM
Cheshire WA66RD
Tel: 0928 35 HQ
ACORN USER ADVERTISEMENT PAGES- JUNE ISSUE
3D Computers
88
Datatrack
38
3SL
152
Dataware
98
A J Vision
164
Diamondsoft
128
Diamondsoft
174
AB Designs
AMS
138
142
Digital Peripherals Ltd
Discotek
167
48
Acacia Compute
Ack Data
138
162
Display Distribution
78
Acorn User Show
83
ECCE
128
Acorn
92
EMS
174
Acorn
93
Elbug
160
Ad Index
176
Electronequip
114
Advent
138
Enigma
34
Akhter
Ampalsoft
110
30
Flightdeck
152
Applied Real Time Systems
90
GCC (Camb) Ltd
GSL
Garland
126
24
28
BBC Micro-User Show
12
Beebug
129
Golem
107
Beebugsoft
106
116
Big K
118
Harris-McCutcheon
Bits & Bytes
130
Inmac
33
British Micro
150
Inmac
64
Brother Industries
74
Interface
172
C-Tech
8
Kansas (Kansas Word Processor)
56
CJE
119
LVL
IFC
CYB Design
168
Camb. Computer Store
109
Level 9
1
Cambridge Computer Consultants
137
MRM
" 14
Cambridge Micro-Centre
25
Magic Software
116
Cases Computer Simulations
167
Mayfair Micros
152
Chase Data
80
Merlin
170
Cheetah Marketing
66
Micro-Fix
168
Clares
112
Micro-Net
72
Corn-soft
164
Micro-Power (Ghouls)
BC
Commotion
88
Micro-Vitec
155
Computer Concepts
140
Microaid
16
Computer Concepts
169
Microfast
16
Computer Concepts
36
Micronet
73
Computer Room
116
Micropower (Jet-Power Jack)
11
Computer Town
148
Micropower DPS
132
Computer Town
149
Micropower
133
Computerama
17
Micropower
23
Computraphile
98
Midwich
59
Compware
174
Mirrorsoft
50
Comtec
162
Molimerx
54
Coomber Electronics
107
National Micro Centre
63
Coomber Electronics
109
Croydon Computer Centre
Cumana
144
84
Newark Video
Northern Computers
164
176
Cumana
85
OE Ltd
58
DN Electronics
Datapen
98
34
Opus
Opus
Opus
74
166
26
Datastore
168
Datatap^
170
PACE
94
PHIMAG
19
Pace
158
Pedro
174
Printerland
141
Proxima Software
87
RPG Micro-Systems
144
Ricksoft
128
SCI Ltd
60
Salamander
124
Schumwari
109
Screens
107
Sequential Software
122
Silent
152
Simonsoft
98
Sir computers
100
Skywave
122
Slogger Software
144
Softsmith
130
Software Invasion
76
Software Supermarket
65
Spider Systems
104
Spider Systems
172
Superior Software DPS
156
Superior Software
v 157
Superior Software
70
Superior Software
IBC
Superior Systems
147
Synergy
32
Technomatic
4
Technomatic
5
Technomatic
6
Torch
20
Torch
21
U.C.C.
86
Victor-Morris
168
Vida-rebus
128
Viglen
101
Viglen
120
Viglen
95
Viglen
97
Viglen
99
Vine
10
Voltmace
104
Watford
40
Watford
41
Watford
42
Watford
43
Watford
44
Watford
45
Watford
46
Zygon
87
ACORN USER JUNE 1<
TWO SENSATIONAL N€UI AELEASES A A(
FAOM SUPEAIOA SOFIUIAAE MICAO
OVCRDRIV6 (32K) £7.95
R highly-addictive multi-stage 3D race gome. Vou steer
your cor left ond right, accelerate ond decelerate os the
opposing cars weave about the rood. There ore five
different stages including night, snow, desert, ond
riverside scenes. To qualify for the next stage, you must
finish in the top twelve. Incredible graphics give the
impression that you really ore taking port in the race.
Highly recommended, ond destined to become another
top-seller for Superior Software.
•••/vaL/flae9se##A
OUR WO^^ir*«n.ftOU<«K>UTTH€ UK RND OVOSCRS.
6RTTL€TRNK (32K) £7.95
Rn excellent gome, mode possible on the BBC computer only by the unique use of
o dual-screen display and specially written plotting routines. Vou ore a tank
gunner looking out onto a mountain plateau. Vou see the distant mountains ond
the pyramid obstacles - and also the enemy tank. Vour task is to shoot it before it
shoots you. R scanner is displayed in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
This displays the position of the enemy tank relative to you. Vou con then turn to
get the tank in view. The next stage is to position the tank in the rectangular
viewfinder by fine adjustments of your controls.
(KCVBORRD or JOVSTICKS)
• ••N€UJR€L€RSf*
UIC MV UP TO 20% ROVAMCS FOR HIGH QUAU1Y BBC MICRO
SUPCRIOR SOFTUIRRC LTD.
Dept. RU5, Regent House,
Skinner Lane, Leeds 7
Tel: 0532 459453
CUCIRON MOGRRMS
OOR GOAAAtfTM
(1 ) All our software is available before we advertise.
(2) fill our software is despatched within 48 hours by first-class post.
(3) In the unlikely event that any of our software foils to load, return your
cassette to us and we will immediately send a replacement.
'AVAILABLE FROM ALL GOOO RETAILERS INCLUDING SELECTED^
WRITTEN ANY PROGRAMS?! BRANCHES OF BOOTS.
WE PAY 20% ROYALTIES! J0HN MENZ,ES A I
AND WH SMITH
The following top titles are
available for both the BBC Micro and Electron Killer Gorilla £7.95/
Bandits at 3 o Clock €6 95/Moonraider £7 96/ Croaker £7.95/
Felix in the Factory £7 95/ Felix and the Fruit Monsters £7 96/
Chess £7 95/ Draw £9 95/ Escape from Moonbase Alpha £7 96/
Cybertron Mission £7 95/ Swoop £7 95/lnteryaiactic Trader £8.95/
Positron £6 95/ Adventure £7 96
SHOWROOM: N0RTHW00D HOUSE. NORTH STREET.
LEEDS LS7 2AA Tel: (0532) 458800 ■■■■ ■■■
MAIL ORDER MICRO POWER LTD. I WS4
8/8a REGENT STREET. LEEDS LS7 4 PE. >
Tel: (0532) 683186/696343 P Er P 55p per order
^SPECIAL OFFER: Deduct £1 per cassette when ordenng two or more
Run through the
creepy mansion
to rescue the
power jewels dodging ghosts and
bouncing spiders. Leap over
poison-smeared spikes,
scamper along moving plat-
forms and contracting
floorboards, and use powerful
springs to propel you onto
overhanging ledges.
Superb animation and sound
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11