I 'k 1 Powerful . DPU card with error-correcting memory and controller cards 68000-Powered Once again you get a big stride forward with Cromemco. This time it's our new DPU Dual Processor Unit. It gives enormous power to Cromemco computer systems such as our System One shown here. Compares with mainframes With the new DPU you get the almost unbelievably powerful 68000 processor and its 32-bit data-handling capabilities combined with its 16 Megabyte address space. In other words with the System One/DPU combination you get a small machine that's the equal of superminis and mainframes in some areas. 8-Bit and 68000 software The dual part of the DPU refers to its on-board Z-80A processor. With this you have access to existing CP/M* software. for tomorrow But besides being compatible with this wealth of existing 8-bit software, the System One/DPU has available a whole family of new 68000 system software. This includes a wide range of high-level software such as our 68000 Assembler, FORTRAN 77, Pascal, BASIC, COBOL, and C. Beyond all this there's a version for the 68000 of our widely admired CROMIXt Operating System. It's like UNIXt but has even more features and gives multi-tasking and multi-user capability. In fact, one or more users can run on the Z-80A processor while others are running on the 68000. Switching between the Z-80A and 68000 is auto- matically controlled. The System One itself is a bus-oriented machine that has options for color graphics, for 390K or 780K of floppy storage, a 5 MB hard disk option, communications capabil- ity, and multi -processor capability using our I/O processor card. Powerful new micro. Powerful software. System One CS-1 H 3102 Terminal Highly expandable With the System One/DPU combination, you get tremendous expandability. Right now you can have up to 2 MB of RAM storage. You get this with our new Memory Storage cards and our Memory Controller. The Controller fully supports the 16 MB storage space of the 68000, allow- ing you vast future expansion capability. Further, the memory has built-in error detection and correction, a feature normally found only in much more costly systems. Present customers can field-upgrade their Cromemco systems to use the DPU and still be able to run their present software using the Z-80A on the DPU. It's one more instance of Cromemco's policy of providing obsolescence insurance for Cromemco users. Low priced With all this performance you might not be ready for the low price we're talking about. With 256K of RAM and 780K of floppy storage, the price of the System One/DPU is only $5495. That's hard to beat. So contact your rep now. He'll fill you in on the many more features that this outstanding and powerful machine offers. *CP/M Is a trademark of Digital Research tCROMIX is a trademark of Cromemco. Inc. tUNIX is a trademark of Bell Telephone Laboratories ra Cromemco i a t [^^^^H 280 BERNARDO AVE., MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040 • (415)964-7400 Tomorrow's computers today Circle 156 on inquiry card. MUUI-PROCESSING/INTELUGENT I/O I/O INTERFACES COLOR GRAPHICS n m "5, \ 11 -MBYTE HARD DISK DRIVE EXTENSIVE SOFTWARE SUPPORT PWhat Cromemco computer card capability can do lor you The above diagram shows in a func- tional way one of the most complete lines of computer cards in the industry. Look it over carefully. It could be well worth your while. These are all cards that plug into our S-100 bus microcomputers. You can also assemble them into a custom system in convenient Cromemco card cages. MULTI-PROCESSING AND INTELLIGENT I/O The range of capabilities and versatility you can draw upon is enormous. In processors, for example, you have a choice of CPU's including our extremely useful new I/O Processor. This can be used as a satellite processor to do off-line processing, multi-processing, and to form intelligent I/O. It opens the door to a whole new group of applications and tasks. Ask us about it. HIGH RESOLUTION COLOR GRAPHICS Again, you can have beautiful high- resolution color graphics with our color graphics interface. You can select from over 4000 colors and have a picture with a resolution at least equal to quality broadcast-TV pictures. Q You have an unprecedented selection of memory including our unusual 48K and 16K two-port RAMs which allow high-speed color graphics. LOTS OF STORAGE These days you often want lots of disk storage. So you can select from our disk controller card which will operate our 5" and 8" floppy disk drives (up to 1.2 megabytes). Or select our WDI interface to operate our 11 -megabyte hard disk drives. POWERFUL SOFTWARE AND PERIPHERAL SUPPORT There's much more yet you can do with our cards. And, of course, there's an easy way to put them to work in our 8-, 12-, and 21-slot card cages. Our PS8 power supply makes it simple to get the system into operation. Finally, Cromemco offers you the strongest software support in the industry Cromemco ™ incorporated 280 BERNARDO AVE., MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040 Tomorrow's computers today Circle 157 on inquiry card. with languages like FORTRAN, C, COBOL, ASSEMBLER, LISP, BASIC and others. There is also a wide choice from independent vendors. To top it all off, you can draw from a substantial array of peripherals: ter- minals, printers, color monitors and disk drives. There is even more capability than we're able to describe here. NOW AT HALL-MARK AND KIERULFF For your convenience Cromemco products are now available at Hall-Mark Electronics and Kierulff Electronics. Con- tact these national distributors for im- mediate product delivery. CROMEMCO COMPUTER CARDS • PROCESSORS — 4 MHz Z-80 A CPU, single card computer, I/O processor • MEMORY — up to 64K including special 4BK and 1 6K two-port RAMS and our very well known BYTESAVERS® with PROM programming capability • HIGH RESOLUTION COLOR GRAPHICS — our SDI offers up to 754 x 482 pixel resolution. • GENERAL PURPOSE IN- TERFACES— QUADART four-channel serial com- munications, TU-ART two-channel parallel and two-channel serial, 8PJO 8-port parallel, 4PIO 4-port isolated parallel, D+7A7-channel D/Aand A/D converter, printer interface, floppy disk con- troller with RS-232 interface and system diagnostics, wire-wrap and extender cards for your development work. (415)964-7400 In The Queue BOTE Volume 7, Number 12 December 1 982 Features 42 Build the Circuit Cellar MPX-16 Computer System, Part 2 by Steve Ciarcia / A continued description of an 8088-based system that shares its principles of operation with the IBM Personal Computer. 83 Game Plan 1982 / A section devoted entirely to games and gaming begins here. 84 The Colnless Arcade— Rediscovered by Pamela Clark and Gregg Williams / With so many games available for microcomputers and cartridge systems, you can play forever. 92 The Vectrex Arcade System by Pamela Clark / A vector-display game system brings true arcade adventures into the home— all for less than S200. 94 Board to Death / Can you tell an Apple from a TRS-80 when they're stripped of their outer trappings? Find out by taking this quiz that tests your skill in recognizing printed-circuit boards. 96 Design Techniques and Ideals for Computer Games by Chris Crawford / Atari's prized and prolific creator of games discusses some of the special techniques he uses. 112 Chargel by C. Anthony Ray / A trajectory game that shoots electrons through stationary ions. It's the second-place winner in the BYTE Game Contest. 1 24 Cosmic Conquest by Alan Sartori-Angus / The first-place winner in the BYTE Game Contest is a real- time space strategy game. 142, 150, 160, 162 BYTE Game Grid: Ricochet by Gregg Williams; Action Games for the VIC-20 by Russell Kavanagh; Deadline by Chris Morgan; Penetrator by Stan Wszola 1 67 Character Editor for the Atari by Tim Kilby / Explore the Atari's ANTIC 4 and 5 modes. 222 User's Column: A Slew of Languages, a Slap at Documentation, and a Curse at Keyboards by Jerry Pournelle / Unaccustomed as he is to voicing his opinions, Jerry drops just a few hints. 260 The Soundchaser Computer Music Systems by Robert A. Moog / Two new synthesizers make headway in the evolutionary process toward the ultimate computer music system. 278 A Brief Introduction to Electronic Music Synthesizers by Robert A. Moog / Modern-day synthesizers are direct descendants of analog computers. 288 The 8051 One-Chip Microcomputer: A Most Powerful Microcontroller by Howard Boyet and Ron Katz / Hardware-intensive applications can show off the power of hardware. 314 Problem Oriented Language, Part 1 : A New Method of Input by Mark Finger / Data entry can be shortened and simplified by using Problem Oriented Language. 372 Practical Dynamic-Memory System Design by Rob Belies / A straightforward look at design with dynamic devices. 414 Test Your Memory Using the Barber-Pole Algorithm by H. R. Pinnick Jr. / Useful diagnostic information is not hard to obtain, as an example coded for the 8080 processor shows. 486 A Versatile Low-Cost Microprocessor Controller Module by David L. Craig / Add intelligence to your latest project at minimal expense. Reviews 206 Microshell and Unica: Unix-Style Enhancements for CP/M by Christopher Kern 250 Autocontrol's AC-85: A CP/M System on One Board by JoAnne Benedict 392 Multidos: A New TRS-80 Disk Operating System by Rowland Archer 404 Condor Series 20 DBMS by Jack L. Abbott Nucleus 6 14 38, 182, 202, 389, 398, 500 505 506 508 512 514 518 532 589 590 591 Editorial: The Play's the Thing Letters 202, BYTE's Bits 390 Product Description: Lotus Development Corporation's 1-2-3; The Lobo Max-80 389 Book Reviews: PET/CBM BASIC; 8080/Z80 Assembly Language: Techniques for Improved Programming 403 BYTE's Bugs 448 System Notes: GRPRINT: An Apple Utility Program for Dot-Matrix Printers; A Little Apple SOS with Your Pascal BYTELINES Clubs and Newsletters Ask BYTE Software Received Books Received Event Queue Cumulative Index Update What's New? Unclassified Ads BOMB, BOMB Results Reader Service ■ r & Page 84 Page 92 Page 96 Page 150 Editor in Chief Christopher P. Morgan Managing Editor Mark Haas Technical Editors Gregg Williams. Senior Editor. Richard S. Shuford. Curtis P. Feigel. George Stewart, Arthur Little. Stanley Wszola, Pamela Clark. Richard Malloy; Phillip Lemmons, West Coast Editor; Steve Garcia. Mark Dahmke. Consulting Editors; Jon Swanson, Drafting Editor Copy Editors Beverly Cronin. Chief; Faith Hanson. Warren Williamson. Anthony J. Lockwood. Hilary Selby Polk. Elizabeth Kepner, Nancy Hayes. Cathryn Baskin, Tom McMillan; Margaret Cook. Junior Copy Editor Assistants Faith Kluntz, Beverly Jackson. Lisa Jo Stemer Production David R. Anderson. Assoc. Director; Patrice Scribner. Jan Muller. Virginia Reardon; Sherry McCarthy. Chief Typographer; Debi Fredericks, Donna Sweeney. Valerie Horn Advertising Thomas Harvey. Director; Marion Carlson. Rob Hannings, Deborah Porter. Vicki Reynolds, Cathy A. R. Drew. Lisa Wozmak; Jacqueline Earnshaw. Reader Service Coordinator; Wai Chiu Li. Advertising/ Production Coordinator; Linda J. Sweeney Circulation Gregory Spitzfaden, Manager; Andrew Jackson, Asst. Manager; Agnes E. Perry, Barbara Varnum, Louise Menegus, Jennifer Price, Sheila A. Bamford; James Bingham, Dealer Sales; Deborah J, Cadwell. Asst; Linda Ryan Marketing Communications Horace T. Howland. Director; Wilbur S. Watson. Coordinator; Timothy W. Taussig, Graphic Arts Manager; Michele P. Verville. Research Manager Controllers Office Daniel Rodngues. Controller. Mary E. Fluhr. Acct, & D/P Mgr,; Karen Burgess, Jeanne Cilley, Linda Fluhr. Vicki Bennett, L. Bradley Browne, Vein Rockwell Traffic N. Scott Gagnon. Manager. Scott Jackson, Kathleen Reckart Receptionist Jeanann Waters Publishers Virginia Londoner. Gordon R. Williamson; John E. Hayes, Associate Publisher; Cheryl A. Hurd, Publisher's Assistant Officers of McGraw-Hill Publications Com- pany; Paul F, McPherson, President; Executive Vice President; Gene W. Simpson; Senior Vice President-Editorial: Ralph R. Schulz; Vice Presidents: R. Bernard Alexander; Kemp Ander- son. Business Systems Development; Shel F. Asen. Manufacturing; Harry L. Brown, Special Markets; Robert B. Doll, Circulation; James E. Hackett. Controller. Eric B. Herr. Planning and Development: H. John Sweger, Jr., Marketing. Officers of the Corporation: Harold W. McGraw Jr.. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Joseph L. Dionne. President and Chief Operating Officer. Robert N. Landes. Senior Vice President and Secretary: Ralph J. Webb, Treasurer. In This Issue Video games are taking the country by storm. They provide thousands of youngsters and adults alike with hours of exciting play. Their attraction forms a complex web of challenge, high-speed action, and intrigue. Video games offer a temporary alternative to workaday problems and worries. And, as Robert Tinney's cover suggests, they transport you into another world. Swiftly moving out of the arcades and into the homes, video games for microcomputers have grown into a booming industry of their own. In keeping with this national game wave and the playful spirit of the holiday season, we have put together a section devoted exclusively to games |see page 83). Game Plan 1982 includes "The Coinless Arcade— Rediscovered" by Pamela Clark and Gregg Williams; reviews of four games in BYTE's new Game Grid; the first- and second-place Game Contest Winners, "Cosmic Conquest" by Alan Sartori-Angus and "Chargel" by C. Anthony Ray, respectively; an article by Chris Crawford of Atari on "Design Techniques and Ideals for Computer Games," a quiz called "Board to Death" that will test your skill in recognizing printed-circuit boards; and more. We have our first annual update of the BYTE Cumulative Index. We present the second part of Steve Ciarcia's three-part ar- ticle "Build the Circuit Cellar MPX-16 Computer System." Gregg Williams describes "Lotus Development Corporation's 1-2-3." And we have Jerry Pournelle's User's Column plus our regular features and reviews. BYTE is published monthly by BYTE Publications Inc. 70 Main St. Peterborough NH 03458. phone (603) 924-928 1 . a wholly-owned subsidiary of McGraw-Hill. Inc. Office hours: Mon -Thur 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Friday 8:30 AM - Noon. Eastern Time. Address subscriptions, change of address. USPS Form 3579, and fulfillment ques- tions to BYTE Subscriptions, POB 590, Martinsville NJ 08836. Second class postage paid at Peterborough, N.H. 03458 and additional mailing offices. USPS Publication No. 528890 (ISSN 0360-5280). Canadian second class registration number 932 1 . Subscriptions are S 1 9 for one year, $34 for two years, and S49 for three years in the USA and its possessions. In Canada and Mexico, S2I for one year, S 38 for two years, 555 for three years. $43 for one year air delivery to Europe. S35 surface delivery elsewhere. Air delivery to selected areas at additional rates upon request. Single copy price is S2.95 in the USA and its possessions, S3. 50 in Canada and Mexico, S4.50 in Europe, and S5.00 elsewhere. Foreign subscriptions and sales should be remitted in United States funds drawn on a US bank. Printed in United States of America. Address all editorial correspondence to the editor at BYTE. POB 372. Hancock NH 03449. Unacceptable manuscripts will be returned if accompanied by sufficient first class postage. Not responsible for lost manuscripts or photos. Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of BYTE. Entire contents copyright © 1982 by BYTE Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Where necessary, permission is granted by the copyright owner for libraries and others registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) to photocopy any article herein for the base fee of S 1 .00 per copy of the article or item plus 25 cents per page. Payment should be sent directly to the CCC, 2 1 Congress St, Salem MA 1 970. Copying done for other than personal or internal reference use without the permission of McGraw-Hill is prohibited. Requests for special permission or bulk orders should be addressed to the publisher. BYTE 1 -' is available in microform from University Microfilms International. 300 N Zeeb Rd. Dept PR, Ann Arbor Ml 48106 USA or 18 Bedford Row, Dept PR, London WCIR 4EJ England. Subscription questions or problems should be addressed to: BYTE Subscriber Service P.O. Box 328 Hancock, NH 03449 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Lie UEATt^R ,150 HILTS .£©0 UIHDS FORECAST Fvn, »•* «T ta - Climbyourown mountains with the ATHENA I™ Computer . Small (3W x 11Vb" x 14Vz") • Battery Powered • Truly Portable (15 pounds) • Typewriter Style Keyboard • Four Line by 80 Character Liquid Crystal Display • CP/M Operating System • Network Capability (up to 15 units) • Room for Future Expansion • Dual Processors (2.5 Mhz NSO800) • 68K Bytes High Speed RAM • 6K Bytes ROM • 51 2K Bytes Solid State Mass Storage (emulates floppy disk drive, expandable to one megabyte) • Two RS-232 Ports (for printers, screen terminals & communication devices) • Base Unit Consisting of 5 1 A inch Floppy Disk Drive & Recharger • 1 2 Volt Power Cable (for operation from car cigarette lighter receptacle) • $3,950.00 Complete Additional accessories are available ATHENA I's features speak for themselves. You decide. For further information (including a list of dealers in your area) write or call: HEINA i Computer & Electronic Systems 31952 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (714) 661-2276 CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research NEVADA FORTRAN $29.95 DISKETTE AND MANUAL I Just a beautiful compiler that's a pleasure to use! Perfect for Teaching Fortran. Perfect for Learning Fortran. Perfect for Scientists and Engineers. Advanced features include IF.. THEN.. ELSE., constructs, COPY statement, a very nice TRACE style debugging, and 150 verbal error messages. What's more, you can intermix in-line Fortran and Assembly Language statements for those special Micro needs! Get yours, today! NEVADA > PILOT $29.95 Why has Nevada PILOT become so popular? It's definitely easier to learn than Basic. The documentation I DISKETTE AND MANUAL (146 pages) by Professor Starkweather is exceptional! And, it meets all the PILOT— 73 standards with many new features. You can quickly write user-interactive programs much easier than with Basic. Order yours now! Diskette and manual comes with 10 FREE programs. NEVADA • :<• i $29.95 DISKETTE AND MANUAL Nevada COBOL is based upon the ANSI— 74 standards with many advanced features. It's field-proven with thousands of users world-wide in Business, Government and Education. The excellent documentation (153 pages) is used as a classroom text at a number of colleges. Because of Nevada COBOL's superior design, it requires about half the memory of competitive COBOL compilers. This major advantage is just one reason many business programmers are switching to Nevada COBOL And, lots of students are using Nevada COBOL because It's the affordable, easy to use COBOL! Order yours now! Also available: COBOL Application Packages Book 1 Nevada EDIT...$29.95 ..$9.95 All our software requires the CP/M operating system, 32K RAM, one disk drive, CRT or video display and keyboard. Available on 8" standard single density or 5%" diskettes for Apple II, Osborne I, North Star, Micropolis Mod II, Superbraln, TRS — 80, IBM— PC and many other microcomputers. Dealer, Distributor, O.E.M inquires invited. COD'S WELCOME o ELLIS COMPUTING 600 41st Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121 W!U g$ (415) 751-1522 Editorial of events: if Player A fires the laser pistol and hits the alien, the score will increase by 1000 and the sky will fill with swarms of attacking spaceships. (Quick: how many of you have already translated this into the appropriate code?) Programming a computer to keep a record of events and generate consequences is clearly easier than creating a complex integration that incorporates roles and settings. If you experience deja vu while playing a video game, it's because, underneath the colors and sounds, most computer games are just the same old for- mulas. Creating games with a balance of roles, setting, and plot may require the skills of designers who discovered games before computers. Brave New Games One way to balance the elements of game design is to approach the microcomputer as part of an overall system, incorporating videodiscs and holography to create your own game. You might, for example, become the hero of a life-size battlefield projected on the walls of your playroom. All you'd have to do is select the video- disc with the appropriate scenery and push the holo- graphy function key. When you tired of battling in one location, you could choose another: capture the Eiffel Tower in Paris, run with the Cossacks on a vast Tibetan plain, or engage in a warp-drive duel in another galaxy. Similarly, if you find a game design you really enjoy, you can personalize it; descending aliens could become gypsy moths, next-door neighbors, ring-around-the- collar, or whatever nemesis you want to blast away at. In fact, if you use the microcomputer as a game-generating machine, you can create your very own game world. First determine the size of your visual display, from one screen to six — which would fill the room with pulsating scenery. Route the sound through strategically located speakers and select your setting — 30,000 bc, a couple of light-years down the road, or anywhere in between. Decide whether your player image will be a projection of yourself or a symbolic playing token you create. If you like, the game machine can compute your handicap based on an algorithm of your previous experience and your present mental and physical condition. After a few moments you'd have a game to call your own. The computer's ability to communicate means that you can even share your game with a worldwide contingent of players. As we communicate through play, microcom- puter gaming could become the Esperanto of the future. The possibilities are endless if we strive to make the microcomputer a game machine instead of just making more games for the microcomputer. Where does that leave us? This hasn't been a banner year for innovation, but during 1982 lots of us finally went public playing games. That event alone may have more influence on the look of future games than any technological breakthrough, marketing strategy, or designer's revelation. ■ 10 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 195 on inquiry card. NOW: A COMPLETE CP/M PASCAL FOR ONLY HERE'S THE PASCAL YOU'VE BEEN READING ABOUT. AND, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, THE REVIEWS CALL JRT PASCAL A SUPER PRODUCT FOR AN AMAZING PRICE! InfoYVorld Software Report Card JRT Pascal Version c s 2.0 Poor Fair Good Excell Performance □ □ □ Documentation □ d n HaHe of Use □ □ □ Error Handling □ □ □ From INFOWORLD magazine, August 16, 1982 SAME SYSTEM WE SOLD FOR $295! So how can we make this offer? — why the unbe- lievable deal? Very simply, we think all software is overpriced. We want to build volume with the booming CP/M market, and our overhead is low, so we're passing the savings on to you. AND AT NO RISK! When you receive JRT Pascal, look it over, check it out. We invite you to compare it with other systems costing ten times as much. If you're not completely satisfied, return the system — with the sealed diskette unopened — within 30 days and your money will be refunded in full! THAT'S RIGHT- COMPLETE SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK! In addition, if you want to copy the diskette or manual — so long as it's not for resale — it's o.k. with us. Pass it on to your friends! BUT ACT TODAY— DON'T DELAY ENJOYING PASCAL'S ADVANTAGES— AT $29.95, THERE'S NO REASON TO WAIT! Interfaca JTfTOOC Random files to 8 megabytes with variable length records 64K dynamic strings Activity analyzer prints program use histogram Extended CASE statement Graphing procedures 14 digit BCD FLOATING POINT Statistic procedures arithmetic New 125-page user manual and 5'/." or 8" diskette Fast one-step compiler; no link needed Efficient compiler needs only 85K diskette space Maximum program size more than 200,000 lines More than 200 verbal error messages Separate compilation of auto-loading external procedures No limits on procedure size, nesting, or recursion I need the 5 1 /4" diskette for DNorthstar □ Osborne □ Apple-CP/M □ Heath, Hard Sector D Heath, Soft Sector □ Superbrain. I need the □ 8" SSSD diskette. Send to JRT SYSTEMS 1891— 23rd Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122 Phone 415/566-5100 Name_ .Address- City_ State- Zip- O.K. You've sold me. Send me JRT Pascal; I understand that if I'm not completely satisfied, I can return it within 30 days — with the sealed diskette unopened — for a full refund. (Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.) D Check □ C.O.D. □ MasterCard D VISA {CA residents add sales tax. Add $6 for shipping outside North America.) Card #. . Exp.. Signature 'CP/M is a Digital Reserach TM. A 56K CP/M system is required. Circle 258 on inquiry card. BYTE December 1982 11 This is what the pros have said it Perfect Writer:" • if 'Perfect Writer lives up to its name ... It would be my choice for a word processor in my home!' John Ford, Infoworld "The company is stamping a giant footprint in the market with an aagressive advertising campaign— and with a program that delivers what the ads promise . . . Perfect Writer will likely be the tool I use to construct future documents!' Dona Z. Meilach, Interface Age "It does things I've seen nowhere else!' James Fallows, A tlantic Monthly "Capabilities like those in Wangwriter and other sophisticated systems!' Softalk Pt W 5ti fri Fe te cl sr" ■ I < 3p rf tel e< lie :t sr" i Fi er le fe r" cl t P C rf< Ic sc M * The revolutionary word processing program with split-screen editing. The spelling checker program designed to work with Perfect Writer. The most powerful and easy-to-use file man- agement and report- generator program fully integrated with Perfect Writer. The most powerful spreadsheet program you can buy — up to seven spreadsheets in memory at one time. Fully integrated with Perfect Writer. This is how many orders for Perfect Calc were received before it was even released: 4OF00CT 25,000* Perfect Software" The revolution in software. The Perfect Software team is available for: Apple with CPM, HP-125 and HP-87, Heath/Zenith, IBM PC, North Star, Osborne, Sharp, Superbrain.Televideo, TRS Model 2 and 16, Vector, Xerox 820 and most 5% and 8" CPM and MSDOS. MICROHOUSE HAS JUST BECOME A MAJOR PERFECT DEALER/DISTRIBUTOR. *As of September 30, 1982. Scheduled release November, 1982. For the dealer nearest you call 800-227-5488 (in California 415-644-3001) 1400 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94709 DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED Perfect Writer, Perfect Speller. Perfect Filer, Perfect Calc and Perfect Software are trademarks of Perfect Software, Inc. CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research. MS is a trademark of MicroSoft Corp. Letters Logo Draws Enthusiastic Responses Congratulations on the August 1982 BYTE theme issue describing Logo, a most interesting language and computer-based learning environment. Daniel Watt's excellent article, "Logo in the Schools" (page 116), as well as others in that issue, states that the Logo environ- ment improves a student's learning abili- ty. But from the research presented in BYTE, it is not clear that Logo, per se, is really the panacea its enthusiastic spon- sors claim it to be. Many factors influence a student's abili- ty to learn and a teacher's ability to evaluate student performance. Increased training of the teachers, increased time spent individually with students, greater availability of modern equipment, spe- cial-interest group meetings after school and on weekends, and the special recogni- tion that a child gets for being part of the study may have had a greater impact than that of Logo. That the student knows that he or she is participating in a study can skew the test results tremendously. This problem was demonstrated long ago in psychological research and is known as the "Hawthorne effect." The Edinburgh study (page 117) showed that the quantitative improvement in mathematical skills was small, while the teachers perceived the students to have better reasoning abilities. In this case, it appears that the outcome of the test was influenced by what the teachers expected to find. If teachers think that Logo-based educa- tion is good for the students, then they will tend to find mostly positive results. Nicknamed the "Rosenthal effect," this problem has also been called a self-ful- filling prophecy. The notion of a self-fulfilling prophecy applies to students as well. Children branded as "below average" often per- form at a low level because they lack the confidence to succeed. When they are spe- cially selected for a research study, they are labeled as someone unique. That label, in turn, becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, giving them the impetus to suc- ceed because someone expects them to. The solution is to conduct a double- blind experiment. The person who evalu- ates student ability should have no knowl- edge whatsoever of the experimental con- ditions applied to the student groups. Education is a system with many sub- parts; Logo is only one part of that system and is merely the catalyst for all the other factors. Logo solves the problems associ- ated with the computer (e.g., Logo is highly interactive and more user-friendly than previous systems). But Logo research projects seem to ignore all other influen- tial forces. When Logo systems go into the field, will classes be small enough for individual instruction? How many teachers will be given additional instruction and training in the use of Logo? Will funding be pro- vided for teachers to supervise after-hours special-interest groups? Will schools really have enough machines to make Logo use meaningful? (Even if Apple donates a computer to every school, one computer per school doesn't provide much machine time for each student.) Like the researchers, I also believe that the use of Logo systems will have a posi- tive effect on learning ability. But more thorough research than that reviewed in BYTE must be done before we Logo-ize all of our schools. Edward Mitchell, Software Development Engineer 720-A Independence Ave. Mountain View, CA 94040 I read with interest the Logo articles in the August BYTE. I would, however, like to make two observations. First, the claim that modern program-language designers advocate the use of data typing in order to (1) discourage the use of a single variable for various purposes (see page 174 of Brian Harvey's "Why Logo?") and (2) to simplify the work of a compiler (see page 88 of "Harold Abelson's "A Beginner's Guide to Logo") are not quite accurate. It is true that these goals can be attained by typing variables and declaring all vari- ables used; however, the major gain is that the information required for a precise understanding of a program from its text is made available. A data type is a set of values and a group of operations; a vari- able is a named object declared to be of some type. A variable can have as value any element of the set of values of its declared type, and the operations of that type are the only ones that may be applied to the variable. Thus, the declaration var i: integer in Pascal supplies the following informa- tion: the program will be using a variable named "i," the values it may take on are in the range — maxint to +maxint, and the only operations that may be applied to "i" are the arithmetic, comparison, and eval- uation operations defined for integers in the Pascal-language definition. The gain is less in automatic compiler checking than in the increase of human understand- ability of a program. This brings up my second point about Logo: it appears to be an excellent tool for the sorts of exploratory learning for which it was intended. In my opinion, however, it is totally inadequate as a medium for the development of certifiable product software which efficiently uses the re- sources of a machine to perform a com- putational task. In particular, the system does not lend itself to the development of large software systems by a group of soft- ware engineers; note that this is precisely the situation in which complete accurate information about the structure of the software and its functional and perfor- mance properties must be available to per- sonnel other than the original developer. I suspect that Logo vendors would not want to develop, modify, and maintain the Logo processor software (interpreter, editor, I/O routines, etc.) in Logo. The development and maintenance of soft- ware products should be an engineering rather than an experimental enterprise; Logo was designed for experimental rather than engineering use. Bill Wood St. Louis Park, MN 55426 I would like to make a few comments on Daniel Watt's article "Logo in the Schools." It only reinforces my belief that schools are not the best place to educate children. Several points brought forth in Watt's discussion of the Brookline Logo project (page 120) deserve special emphasis. "The surprising success of students with learn- ing disabilities. . ." seems a contradiction. One wonders if "learning disability" is not an educator's term to describe a teaching inability. Information presented in a way acceptable to each individual child will virtually eliminate this national epidemic — learning disability. 14 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc /WfArr/rari: ^^wm-mw Good osir a heft news for microsystem and csmputef user;! MP I qffe-s loLjr wid rinters with excellence ir p F npancel. Thejtwjo I 50 featureja factory installed f ont panel keypad, with a 4,K buffer on PrintMate™ I 50 model A on rnojdel A2. 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The PrintMate™ I 50's expanded bufferj allows application [extensions for high speed interleaved printing and spooling.' greatly improving the host computer's per- formance in applications that are print Ibound DOWNLINE LOADABLE FQNTS--The powerful microprocessor based comman set of the PrintMate™ I 5:0 allows aicustam character set to be developed Inlthi; hos: compute r and downloaded to arjy I'rir t- Mat C b P >iliti iri able rescl PrintMate Tjrr imp RAPHIGS-pThe standarc graphics capta of all Pr nt)Ma|tej xl I 50 niocjels al ntin& c f Lp io 6, l|20| indiyid(jal|y Address dots per square irjchjgiying exceptional utiort for graphics and special characters j APPLICATIONS PjfVCjKAGES- -kfeylgrapfjics arid tiisiplay fonts car) be emented With an extensive line of MPI supported and maintained AP-PAC 1 ']' app i catipng packages providirg specialized fo its graphs!, tables, and pic ure graphics Spe eas carnag bjlities a> perf: prices the ir ft Mat; message dovml spe^d Pr'nt nc ISO model th a 4l( or larger buffer izid chiracte r _rs such as logos may be def ned Anc edited for print|ng directly frorri youi compuer CONS DER THE FEATURES I 50 ojferls sb many ways ito get ypu across: graphics: clisplay fonts: ne lojidAble character jsets; high print acnvancpdilogiq sepl^ng!; 1[5 inch wid Only Print ;; a variety! of; forms afid paper capa and: friejncily ''SbftSw|itcfi™" inter- The Priijit/\|late T j Ij50lisithe respoqsiVe arme- that|pejrfettly mates With your rnicrosystjem or persbnal computer. yVith beginning M ate 1 and at ^995 1 50 i: tt price. t lis evident that i? trie superior performer The Printer People nction a *Ainpi ^420 Silt Phone SJoiiti Lake 1 Circe 3 erir Micro Peripherals, Inc. Cerjtury Drive ity, UT84107 $00-82|l-8848 TM 31 on inqu II ry card. Letters The Brookline project rejected stan- dardized tests to measure the stated goal "to observe and document what [the children] actually learned." To me, this means that tests may be designed to evalu- ate the system (e.g., an educator's pre- planned objectives) and not to determine a child's knowledge. One should think about this very carefully. Watt said that a "limitation of the proj- ect was that it required an extremely sen- sitive and knowledgeable teacher, with a great deal of time to consider the needs of each student." To me, this is the ultimate limitation of all schools. A final comment directed at Watt's con- clusion. He said that "teachers need to understand the value of exploratory learn- ing and student interaction." It seems to me that professional educators have been promoting just the opposite because, with student/teacher ratios of 30 and more, rigid discipline is mandatory. Watt should have said that "teachers need to unlearn their own training to limit individuality and interstudent communications." Para- phrasing the Computer in the Schools project coordinator, maybe practicing this will "turn kids on" and provide further "striking changes in kids' relationships to schools and learning." Please continue the efforts to present a wide variety of information in BYTE so that those of us who choose to educate our children at home may learn. I found the August issue particularly supportive of my endeavor. James O. Mayor 26824 Howard Chapel Dr. Damascus, MD 20872 7 agree with Mr. Mayor that many of the points raised in my article, "Logo in the Schools," could be taken as criticism of prevailing classroom practices. I am delighted that he found the August issue helpful in supporting his decision to educate his children at home. On the other hand, millions of children who are in schools are also entitled to experience the kinds of benefits that a Logo learning experience can offer. I believe that Logo can help schools broaden and deepen the kinds of learning experiences that they of- fer and that our schools will be more like- ly to do so if the issues highlighted by Mr. Mayor are clearly faced and understood by educators who choose to use Logo in their classrooms. . . . D. W. What a pleasure it was to devour the August 1982 BYTE from cover to cover! Logo is becoming a significant part of our "computer culture," and BYTE's outstand- ing treatment of its many aspects and levels of subtlety certainly affirms that fact. I especially appreciated the articles by Daniel Watt ("Logo in the Schools," page 116) and Cynthia Solomon ("In- troducing Logo to Children," page 196). From these articles, the average reader can get an excellent overview of the tremen- dous practical potential for Logo in our classrooms. The National Logo Exchange, a news- letter for Logo teachers, is dedicated to facilitating the exchange of successful Logo teaching tips, techniques, and strategies among teachers using Logo in their classrooms. As editor, I applaud BYTE's efforts to educate the general public to Logo, and I look forward to the effects of the August issue being felt in many school board meetings across the country. Again, thank you for the efforts on behalf of Logo. The children of today will benefit from the August BYTE for many years. Tom Lough, Editor The National Logo Exchange POB 5341 Charlottesville, VA 22905 Excellent edition — August 1982. The ar- ticles on Logo were very good. As an edu- cator who has been using Logo for several months with children of a variety of ages (2nd to 10th grades) and with a variety of results, I thoroughly enjoyed the issue (I wanted to write to compliment BYTE even before I finished the last article). I would also like to comment on Chris Morgan's editorial "Keeping Our Tech- nological Edge." While I echo Mr. Morgan's thoughts about providing a greater chance for children to learn com- puting skills by making hardware avail- able through tax breaks, I would like to point out what many consider a more serious problem: the dramatic shortage of qualified teachers of math and science. The reason for this shortage is clear: salary. A beginning programmer earns more than one and a half times the salary of a beginning teacher. Further, there is little job security in teaching. The Na- tional Science Teachers Association found that 50.2% of the teachers assigned to math and science classes last year had in- adequate backgrounds. And the problem is getting worse. A recent article in the New York Times pointed out that during the last decade production of secondary school teachers has declined 78% in math and 64% in science. Although numerous solutions have been proposed, including getting industry involved on various levels, the main thrust will have to come from a commit- ment to education on a national basis. We are dangerously close to falling behind Japan, West Germany, and the Soviet Union in technological fields, and we will certainly fall behind if we continue to follow this path of cutting back for today and sacrificing our future. Again, I applaud BYTE on the August issue and for its awareness of the prob- lems that are evolving. John Reynolds, Computer Coordinator Lenox School 170 East 70th St. New York, NY 10021 More on Logo I have just returned from buying two additional copies of the special Logo issue of BYTE. These will remain our refer- ences, as have some other issues of BYTE. BYTE's consulting editor, Phil Lem- mons, concluded his "Logo Update" by citing the lack of hardware to teach Logo (page 334). In the YPLA (Young People's Logo Association) we have faced that problem by devising methods of teaching turtle geometry off the computer. Most certainly we don't ignore the computer. Rather, we take the geometric concepts carried out on the screen and place them into real-life situations with which young people can very easily relate. Thus, when they get their turn at the keyboard, they can use that precious time to better advan- tage. Our program is quite simple. We use body geometry, arts and crafts projects, graph paper, cut-outs made from screen- dumped programs, worksheets, activities with Big Trak, and other devices to help provide a visual reference to the educa- tional concepts presented by the turtle. Also, Gregg Williams in his compara- tive article on the implementations of Logo overlooked what I have found to be 16 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 58 on inquiry card. 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These fea- tures are not available from any other sources. • Hard disk support for Corvus, Tall Grass Technology, Davong and others • 25% more floppy storage, without adding or modifying hardware, re- taining compatibility with standard IBM diskettes • 8087 Numeric Processing Unit in- creases speed of Floating Point Operations 20-40 times. • Up to 800K on each mini-diskette • RAM disk support (a pseudo-floppy volume that uses up to 512k RAM) • 8086/87/88 macro assembler • Extended memory support • Adaptable system support avail- able for adding custom I/O drivers • 8087 Native Code Generator allows full use of 8087. • A library of program modules • Disk write verification Standard p-System features include: • Standard I/O redirection (including command files) • Dynamic program overlays • Support for asynchronous processes and concurrency primitives in Pascal • Fast Pascal p-code compiler • Fast FORTRAN and Basic p-Code compilers also available • A powerful screen oriented editor • A filer for handling both files and volumes • A Native Code Generator that pro- cesses your Pascal, Fortran and Basic programs to convert parts of them to native machine code • Dynamic runtime binding of separately compiled programs and units • Turtlegraphics for easy graphics displays • Print spooler for background printing • Symbolic debugger USCD p-SYSTEM from Network Consulting The only serious choice for business TM The Regents of the University of California VISA A Network Consulting Inc. A106- 1093 W. Broadway Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6H 1E2 (604) 738-3500 Letters ■ a very important undocumented TI Logo command. (See "Logo for the Apple II, the TI-99/4A, and the TRS-80 Color Computer," page 230.) To the best of my knowledge, Turtle News is the only publication to fully describe the JOY1 and JOY2 commands. These are extremely useful for inputting numerical code to the computer. I have enjoyed working with cerebral- palsied patients using adapted joysticks as the input devices. And the ease with which Logo can be learned, coupled with its efficiency as a general-purpose lan- guage, make it very well suited for teaching these people what can be done with the computer. Given the confidence quickly gained through Logo, these people can, will, and do gain the confidence to go on and learn what they need to do to become produc- tive citizens. All they need is someone to show them that they can indeed do it. Again, thanks for a marvelous issue. It will become a most permanent and useful part of our library. lames H. Muller, President Young Peoples' Logo Association 1208 Hillside Dr. Richardson, TX 75081 Congratulations on the August issue devoted to Logo. I can hardly imagine a better job of covering both the language and the culture. I have one complaint, however, concerning Gregg Williams's otherwise top-notch article comparing four different versions of Logo. (See "Logo for the Apple II, the TI-99/4A, and the TRS-80 Color Computer," page 230.) His contrast between the relatively black box, user-proof character of Apple Logo and the relatively greater user access to the Terrapin/Krell version is right on the mark. But does it follow that "Apple Logo is better for situations involving nontechnical users and. . .Terrapin Logo is oriented more toward the sophisticated programmer"? I suppose that depends on one's image of the typical new user of Logo. For the past few months, I have been giving workshops for educators interested in learning about Logo. As a group, these are overwhelmingly nontechnical users. Nevertheless, given a choice between Apple Logo and Terrapin Logo, they con- sistently express a preference for the Ter- rapin version (after overcoming some in- itial bias in favor of the Apple name). The single difference that most accounts for this preference is one factor that wasn't even mentioned explicitly in the ar- ticle: what the user can do with pictures in the two systems. Although it is possible to get a printer copy of the graphics screen in Apple Logo, one must "crash" Logo to do so. In Terrapin/Krell Logo, the user may save and read pictures from files that are accessible not only from within Logo but also within Apple DOS. As a result, for example, one can create and save pictures using public-domain Applesoft-based utilities and then use them freely from in- side Logo programs. To a teacher just getting started with a new language, this kind of compatibility across systems has a powerful appeal. So does a tutorial manual (from Terrapin) that is both "geared for the novice" and "does a very good job of introducing some advanced Logo concepts." Teachers also appreciate the tutorial demonstration pro- grams and the shape-editing utility from MIT and the text-editing utilities from Terrapin. By contrast, as Mr. Williams states, "Apple Logo's greatest strength is its advanced programming commands." The applications for these commands are, of course, over the heads of the teachers in my introductory workshops. Except for that, I could find nothing in the whole issue that didn't make sense to me. Thanks for a superb job. David Greene 3144 David Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94303 Thanks for pointing out a difference between the two systems that is obviously important to a large body of users. When I made those comments on Apple and Ter- rapin Logo, I was thinking of Apple Logo's BURY and STARTUP-file features (for the benefit of nontechnical users, Ter- rapin Logo doesn't have these) and Ter- rapin's tracing and assembler features (to be used by the advanced user; Apple Logo doesn't have these). But your evaluation is equally valid — and I certainly won't argue with experience gained in the field. Thanks for writing. . . . G. W. The August 1982 BYTE devoted to the Logo language was very interesting, but all the writers missed the existence of the hidden (and dare I say subversive) mes- sage "RESIST THE DRAFT," which is to be found on sector 8, track 8, of Apple Logo. With this product going into so 18 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 225 on inquiry card. ■ competition. '- » V.IM6* ill ^^ss^ ___! IBC MIDDI CADET Maximum Users 9 Disk Storage 20 MB Memory 256 KB * * CPU Speed 6 MHz Benchmark (Elapsed time) 1:44 Minutes* List Price $7495.00 ALTOS™ ACS 8000-10 Maximum Users Disk Storage Memory CPU Speed Benchmark (Elapsed time) List Price 10 MB 208 KB 4 MHz 5:03 Minutes" $7995.00 The IBC MIDDI Cadet is better, faster and less expensive than the ALTOS ACS-8000-10 and others. That's why we call it the heavyweight performer. Because the MIDDI is completely software compatible with ALTOS, ONYX' M , Dynabyte IM and others using CP/M™ 2.2, MP/M™ II or OASIS ,M , you can transport your applications software to the MIDDI without modification. So why not take the benchmark test yourself. If you are an OEM, system integrator, multiple end user, or dealer for any of our competitors, send a copy of your application program to IBC. We will run your software on the MIDDI without modification and give you the elapsed time in minutes. You be the judge. If it really is faster than your current hardware and it is , then you owe it to yourself and your customers to switch to IBC. So remember! When you want a heavyweight performer at a low price, contact: OUTSIDE THE USA WITHIN THE USA 10C/DIST 21592 Manila Street 4185 Harrison Blvd., Suite 301 Chatsworth, CA 91311 Ogden. UTAH 84403 (213)882-9007 TELEX NO. 215349 (801)621-2294 "Four users under OASIS Upgradeable lo 512 K Bytes ALTOS is a trademark ot ALIOS Computor Sylems: ONYX is a trademark ol Onyx Systems. Inc , DYNABYTE is a Irademarl Computers. CP/M & MP/M are trademarks of Digital Research, and OASIS is a trademdrk of Phase One Systems. of Dynabyle Business Letters many of our schools, it seems that Apple Computer is making an early start on 1984. Dr. John S. Kallend Oil Life Sciences Building Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL 60616 Everyone Can Know the Real Chips As Steve Ciarcia pointed out in his arti- cle "Everyone Can Know the Real Time," National Semiconductor's MM58167A real-time clock chip greatly simplifies the implementation of a time-of-day clock. (See the May 1982 BYTE, page 34.) How- ever, the chip is manufactured using an extremely slow CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) process that can cause designers some unforeseen problems. Most notably, chip access can take up to 1 microsecond, necessitating the use, in some systems, of the ready line (RDY/pin 4) to force the processor into extra wait states until data is valid. On the positive side, while the manu- facturer seems to indicate that interrupts faster than 10 Hz are not possible, in fact interrupts at speeds over 500 Hz can be implemented. This involves using the alarm-clock function and incrementing the setting by values as small as 2 micro- seconds after each interrupt in software. Again, the slow CMOS process keeps the user from programming faster interrupts due to the long propagation delays in the 48-bit comparator. Within a year, Nation- al plans to release a new version of the chip using a higher-speed CMOS process that should eliminate the access problem and allow interrupts at rates up to 1 kHz. The MM58167A (and other chips by Mo- torola and Oki) will certainly increase the use of time-of-day clocks in small systems. Bob Rumer Beckman Instruments Inc. 200 South Kraemer W-172 Brea, CA 92621 A Reasonable Request Can we please quit squabbling over which operating system is the best, or at least set up some ground rules for com- parisons? I am very tired of the water- melon versus kumquat comparisons of Unix and CP/M that have been raging in BYTE this year. (See "Unix Feedback," August 1982 BYTE, page 20.) To begin with, there are many different types of operating systems, including: • single-user systems such as CP/M and RT-11 • real-time systems such as RSX-llM • timesharing systems such as Unix, VMS, RSTS, and MP/M It is a waste of time to fight over mem- bers of different groups. The only thing that really matters is if you are using an operating system that is suited to the task at hand. This can be illustrated quite well with Digital Equipment Corporation's PDP series of computers. At least four choices of operating systems are available Circle 252 on inquiry card. The Most Promising Duet For An Orchestra. Our duet is perfect for a single user system, duet performs even better in a multi-user orchestra. 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The software checks to make sure that no errors occur during transmission. Alpha Products for the IBM Personal Computer All Alpha products come with s poken instructions . Alpha Software— professional, innovative, and easy to use. Data Base Manager Type Faces Question Mailing List Call us for participating Computerlands and other dealers at (617) 229-2924. REQUIREMENTS Apple II— 1 Disk, 64K Memory. DC. Hayes Micro- modem II or Mountain Hardware CPS Card. IBM RC.-1 Disk, 96K (Compiled Version) or 64K (BASIC Version). Any RS-232 Card. AVAILABLE TODAY! alpha ■ software CORP Circle 26 on inquiry card. 12 NEW ENGLAND EXECUTIVE PARK BURLINGTON, MASS. 01803 Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer Company. IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corp. VisiCalc is a trademark ot VisiCorp. Wordstar is a trademark of MicroPro Corp. $195.00 Circle 102 on inquiry card. INTELLIGENT PRINTER INTERFACE Free Your Computer from the Mundane Task of Printing Imagine being able to use your computer seconds after beginning an extensive printout. Visualize your printout with page breaks, page numbering and titles, margins of your choice, indented carryover lines, on any size paper! Appreciate the time and money you will save by not waiting for your printer. SooperSpooler, a buffered printer interface, maintains control over your printer while you go on using your computer for more productive activities. Eliminate waiting while your printer pecks through a long document. SooperSpooler accepts information from your computer at up to 3000 characters per second and feeds it to your printer as fast as it can handle it — without using any of your computer's memory or time! SooperSpooler features include: • 16K. Memory (62K. optional) • Buffer Status Readout • Space Compression • Pagination • Single Sheets • Headers and Page Numbering • Indentation on Carryover Lines • Self Test Routine • Features also Software Controllable • Plugs into Most Computer Systems • I6K Parallel I/O Unit— $349.00! • Serial I/O Option— $95.00 • 46K Memory Option— $159.00 TM SooperSpooler by Compulink— The missing link that gives your microcomputer mainframe printing. COMPULINK CORPORATION 1840 Industrial Circle Longmont, CO 80501 (303) 651-2014 Send for brochure Dealer inquiries welcome Call for information: 800-525-6705 Letters for it: RT-11, RSX-llM, RSTS, and Unix. For various tasks and under different con- ditions, any one may be the better choice. On a single machine, I have, at various times, used RT-11 to run diagnostics, RSX-llM to run a statistical package that required it, and Unix for all in-house daily processing. If I ever encountered a pack- age that ran under RSTS, I would be glad to try to accommodate that system too. As a matter of interest, my machine can handle one user under RT-11, about four under RSX-llM, and about ten under Unix. Because CP/M is a near double of RT-11 for 8-bit machines, the folly of direct comparisons is obvious. If you let them, operating systems can become religions instead of tools to get your job done. More than enough reli- gious fanatics are battling in the world to- day; we don't need a holy war over Unix and CP/M. If you are happy with your operating system, that is fine. But don't blind yourself to the fact that some tasks (perhaps even yours) might be much easier to perform in another environment. It is one thing to be locked into a system because of a large investment in time and money and quite another to use the fact that you are locked in to promote anti- quated and low-powered systems onto new machines. Tom Slezak, Computer Scientist Bio-Medical Sciences Division Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory POB 808 L-452 Livermore, CA 94550 Bug In FORTRAN-80 Goes Uncorrected I have been putting Microsoft FORTRAN-80 to quite heavy use for more than four years and have been very satisfied with its general performance. Because Microsoft is regarded as a leader in microcomputer software, one might ex- pect it to have a reasonable approach to handling bug reports. It does not, as the following example illustrates. About three years ago, a bug appeared in FORTRAN-80 in which it failed to cor- rectly repeat group format specifications. (For those interested in the specifics, FORTRAN-80 will not correctly perform the READ on page 153 of Harry Katzan Jr.'s FORTRAN 77 [New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1978]. The structure is common to both '66 and '77 FOR- TRAN.) I reported the bug at that time, and Microsoft acknowledged its presence. When I bought the next update, the bug had not been fixed. I reported it again, this time being assured that no one had reported it before (I had reported it previously, myself!). Again, when I bought the next update, the bug was still there. After three years and several more repeats of the above, I sent a certified let- ter to the president of Microsoft that out- lined my experience to him and asked him for a clear statement of Microsoft's inten- tions. What I got was an endorsement of the following: "Microsoft has no intention of fixing the bug in FORTRAN-80 regard- ing FORMAT re-use." Having been in the business for many years, I can understand a certain degree of aloofness when dealing with the user, but Microsoft advertises FORTRAN-80 to be in compliance with the "full ANSI Stan- dard FORTRAN X3. 9-1966 except the COMPLEX data type." It is not, and Microsoft has known for some three years now that it is not. David Dunthorn CF Systems 908 West Outer Dr. Oak Ridge, TN 37830 IBM FORTRAN'S Quality Questioned Caveat emptor: IBM Personal Com- puter FORTRAN "... is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind ... in- cluding . . . implied warranties of mer- chantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the program is with you." The quotation is from the IBM Pro- gram License Agreement. Why worry? The compiler was devel- oped by Microsoft and is supported by IBM. With names like that behind the product, it must be pretty good . . . right? Wrong. During my evaluation, I en- countered one problem after another, ranging from disappointing omissions to outright bugs. In my opinion, this product is fundamentally unusable. I didn't expect it to be perfect. 1 have worked with at least 15 different FOR- TRAN compilers during my career, and none of them has ever been perfect. But consider what I found. 22 December 1982 © BYTE Publications lnc •1 Strobe brings professional computer graphics down to earth Picture an Apple II Computer, an Apple Graphics Tablet or Symtec Light Pen, a Strobe 100 Plotter, and Stoneware Graphics Processing Software. With this new low-cost system, you can now create professional level graphics in an extraordinary variety of formats. Applications from CAD to pie charts This powerful but easy-to-use system produces isometric drawings for architectural renderings with the same high precision as it does engi- neering drawings and personal artwork. The resulting multicolor, high- resolution graphics have truly unlim- ited applications for architects, engi- neers, scientists, interior designers, art directors, teachers and all business applications. Images can be accurately drawn to scale, altered in proportion both verti- cally and horizontally, and automatically enlarged or reduced to scale. Portions of the image may be modified or erased without starting over from scratch and any portion may be enlarged 4 or 16 times for greater detail and resolution. Images may be rotated to any new posi tion up to a full 360 degrees. The system easily handles text for captions and titles and produces large, decorative characters for special emphasis and clarity. The Strobe 100 Plotter brings all this to your next meeting, your next presentation, or your next class — direcdy on your choice of transparency film or paper. Strobe, Inc. — Your Single Source Call or visit Strobe today to learn more about the capabilities of this remarkable new system. In minutes you will see how professional- level computer graphics have been brought down to earth at a very affordable price. Apple H and Apple Graphics Tablet are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Stoneware Professional Graphics Processing System and Symtec Light Pen are trademarks of Stoneware Corporation and Symtec, Inc., respectively. vSTROBF Circle 440 on inquiry card. The Strobe Graphics System Seeing is believing Strobe Inc. 897-5A Independence Avenue Mountain View, CA 94043 Telephone 415/969-5130 BYTE December 1982 23 ARE YOU STILL HOUT A MKROBUFFER? CLEAR COPY I PAUSE WHY? USING YOUR COMPUTER TO DRIVE YOUR PRINTER IS A WASTE OF TIME. While your printer is running, your computer is tied up . All you can do is twiddle your thumbs until the program is finished. CROBUFFER ALLOWS YOU TO PRINT AND PROCESS SIMULTANEOUSLY. You just dump your printing data directly to Microbuffer, whoosh!, and continue processing. Microbuffer accepts data as fast as your computer can send it. It first stores the data in its own memory buffer, then takes control of your printer. It's that easy. THERE IS A MICROBUFFER FOR ANY COMPUTER/PRINTER COMBINATION. Microbuffers are available in Centronics-compatible parallel or RS-232C serial versions. FOR APPLE II COMPUTERS, Microbuffer II features on-board firmware for text formatting and advanced graphics dump routines. Both serial and parallel versions have very low power consumption. Special functions include Basic listing formatter, self-test, buffer zap, and transparent and maintain modes. The 16K model is priced at $259 and the 32K, at $299. FOR EPSON PRINTERS, Microbuffer is $159 in either an 8K serial or a 16K parallel version. The serial buffer supports both hardware handshaking and XON-XOFF software handshaking at baud rates up to 19,200. Both inter- faces are compatible with Epson commands including Graftrax-80 and Graftrax-80 +. ALL OTHER COMPUTER/PRINTER COMBINATIONS are served by the in-line, stand-alone Microbuffers. (Pictured here, twice actual size.) Both serial and parallel ver- sions are expandable up to 256K. The serial stand-alone will sup- port different input and output baud rates and handshake pro- tocol. The 32K model starts at $299, $349 for 64K, and 64K add- ons (for up to a total of 256K) are just $179. SIMPLE TO INSTALL Microbuffer II is slot-independent. It will fit directly inside the Apple II in any slot except zero. Microbuffer for your Epson mounts easily in the existing auxiliary slot directly inside the Epson printer. The stand-alone Microbuffer is installed in-line between virtually any printer and any computer. MICROBUFFER FROM PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS. When you think of how much time Microbuffer will save, can you afford to not have one? PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS, INC.™ 31245 LA BAYA DRIVE WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 (213) 991-8200 Circle 378 on Inquiry card. POWER What if you're having to clean floppy drive heads too often ? Letters Ask for SYNCOM diskettes, with burnished Ectype® coating and dust-absorbing jacket liners. As your floppy drive writes or reads, a Syncom diskette is working four ways to keep loose particles and dust from causing soft errors, dropouts. Cleaning agents on the burnished surface of the Ectype®coating actually remove build-up from the head, while lubricating it at the same time. A carbon additive drains away static electricity before it can attract dust or lint. Strong binders hold the signal- carrying oxides tightly within the coating. And the non-woven jacket liner, more than just wiping the sur- face, provides thousands of tiny pockets to keep what it collects. » Liner collects and "pockets" loose particles ' Tightly bonded milled ferrous oxides Head-cleaning and anti-static agents To see which Syncom diskette will replace the ones you're using now, send for our free "Flexi-Finder" selection guide and the name of the supplier nearest you. Syncom, Box 130, Mitchell, SD 57301. 800-843-9862; 605-996-8200. SYNCOM Manufacturer of a full line of flexible media Suppose you declare a character vari- able CHARACTER *64 LINE and then READ into LINE with a simple "A" for- mat. If you do not supply 64 characters of input, the program terminates with fatal error number 1252: "Not enough input to satisfy IOlist. . ." This means you have to type the trailing blanks when entering in- put from the keyboard. It also means that you can't write a program to read a text file one line at a time. The I/O package does not provide the trailing blanks that conventional compilers do. Now suppose, to compensate for this problem, you add error detection and re- covery logic to your program using a READ statement of the form READ(*,10,ERR = 50) LINE. The first time you enter a line which is too short, the program transfers to the specified er- ror statement (50). However, the system can't seem to forget that it detected an er- ror, so every subsequent attempt to READ results in an immediate transfer back to the error statement without reading a thing! Well, instead of using a formatted READ, how about using a "list directed" (sometimes called "free format") READ? Sorry to say, that feature is not provided. The IBM Personal Computer FORTRAN conforms only to the Subset FORTRAN 77 standard, and the subset does not in- clude list-directed I/O. Never mind the fact that this is a personal computer lan- guage that will most often be used interac- tively . . . you still have to count your spacesl The ANSI (American National Stan- dards Institute) standard for FORTRAN notes that the subset language is intended to make a minimum demand on storage requirements, particularly during execu- tion. Implementing only the subset sure didn't minimize the size of this version. You have to have 128K bytes to run the compiler. Even at that, it requires two floppy disks to hold the compiler and a third one to hold the linker and library. Memory used during execution is just as bad. A 12-line program with no arrays that does nothing more than READ from the keyboard and WRITE to the display requires 32,655 bytes of memory. (For comparison, I ran the same program on a Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-11/70 under RSTS/E and ¥77— a full implementation of the language — and it required only 18,048 bytes.) Add to this the 12K bytes of DOS and you find that it takes more than 44K of memory to run a trivial program. The executable file on Circle 449 on Inquiry card. THE BEST PRICED 256K RAM CARD OnLY HAS 64K. BUT YOU CAN GET ANOTHER 192K ATiY TIME. Apparat's RAM card, priced at $149, is the most economical way to add memory to your IBM PC today. And have the ability to add-on tomorrow. The RAM card, with sockets for up to 256K bytes of RAM, and parity, gives you an additional 64K of RAM for your IBM for a total of 128K. As the price of RAM chips comes down further or your needs go up, you can add to it easily. Additional RAM is available today at $79 per 64K increments if you need it now. If not, wait and buy it in the future. Either way, your RAM card is fully warranted for 1 year. Add Apparat's COMBO card to the RAM card and get three additional functions; parallel printer, RS232 async communications and clock calendar for only $199. Apparat's 64K RAM card gives you memory and economy. To order yours, write Apparat, Inc., 4401 S. Tamarac Parkway, Denver, Colorado 80237, 303/741-1778. Or to speed up your order, call us toll free at 800/525-7674 IBM PC is a trademark of IBM Circle 35 on inquiry card. Apparat, Inc. Letters- disk (which you must create) is 35,200 bytes long — more than 20 percent of the capacity of a single-sided disk. The memory usage is due to a large (ap- parently monolithic) run-time library. So what do you get with the library? It's hard to tell: the library's contents are not documented. It appears that you get stan- dard FORTRAN intrinsic functions and I/O support and nothing else. No mention is made of the library routines to get the date or time, or to control cursor position and video attributes such as color and in- tensity; you have to write your own in as- sembly language. And no tools are pro- vided for library maintenance. For exam- ple, there is no way to build a single library consisting of both FORTRAN and assembly-language subroutines. What about speed? This is a compiler that produces machine language that is optimized for the 8088 processor. If you avoid the use of library subroutines, you can achieve speeds up to 4 times faster than a similar program using interpreted BASIC. But the mathematical library is terribly slow. A program that sums the square roots of the numbers from 1 to 1000 takes 38 seconds using this FOR- TRAN; the same process using interpreted BASIC takes only 11 seconds! Incredible ... the people who wrote the FORTRAN math library apparently didn't take ad- vantage of the much faster routines already in read-only memory for BASIC. The list goes on, but you should see the light by now. My advice to anyone con- sidering the purchase of a FORTRAN compiler for the IBM Personal Computer is simple: don't buy version 1.00 of this product. T. M. Putnam 157 Ivy Hill Dr. West Lafayette, IN 47906 User's Column Fan Like Karim Alim, we too have enjoyed Jerry Pournelle's User's Column. (See "What's the Story, Jerry?", August 1982 BYTE, page 30.) Perhaps because we also read Dr. Pournelle's science fiction, we BYT e>N*» T€B DAISY WHEEL PRINTER $795 us shipping FEATURES • Typewriter operation with nothing to disconnect • 10, 12 or 15 characters per inch switch selectable • Portable with carrying case • Entire interface mounted internally in the Olivetti Praxis 30 typewriter • Underlining • Cables available for most computers • Service from Olivetti dealers • Centronics compatible parallel input • Built in self test • Cartridge ribbon • 2nd keyboard switch selectable. CBYTEWR ITER 125 NORTHV1EW RD., ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 (607) 272-1 132 are not surprised to learn that he is on speaking terms with Arthur C. Clarke, Larry Niven, and Isaac Asimov. In any field, top professionals tend to know each other. Jerry Pournelle uses his equipment pro- fessionally. Therefore, he can justify own- ing more of it than I can. Because of this, and because he knows people in the field, he can risk trying it out sooner than I can. Good. When I am ready to buy more equipment, I will review his experiences. And if in the meantime, he's told Bill Godbout his troubles, what I get may be all the better. As a result of Jerry's reviews, we have picked up Ashton-Tate's dBase II and Oasis Systems' The Word and have been very pleased with them. If Jerry has writ- ten software that scratches an itch we share with him, we are willing to pay him for it. We also had a systems engineer guide us in our selection of components for our system. The result is an S-100 system that has run for nearly two years with a minimum of problems. The engineer has been working with Compupro equipment for some time now. He says that the God- bout people have been most responsive to his questions and complaints. In fact, he would love to upgrade our system with all Godbout boards. Maybe very few people can duplicate all of what Jerry Pournelle is doing with computers, but there are a lot of us who aspire to some of it. Laura H. Wise 611 Fourth Place SW Washington, DC 20024 Seeing Double The August 1982 BYTE illustrated the latest application for publishers: the "Ar- ticle Generator." What a delightful sense of irony BYTE has, using it to generate identical articles on the subject of pro- gram generators in both BYTE (see George Stewart's "Program Generator," page 38) and the September issue of Popular Computing (see page 112). Charles H. Porter 14226 95th Ave. NE Bothell, WA 98011 Several readers, Mr. Porter included, wrote to complain about our simultan- eous publication of George Stewart's arti- 28 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 76 on inquiry card. o CompuStar's 255-User Controller shown with a 96MB Disk Storage System. The Best Made Better When we unveiled our CompuStar™ multi-user terminal system just over a year ago, we thought we had created the most powerful, lowest-priced multi-user computer we would ever manufacture. We were wrong. Today, we've made our best even better! Our newly redesigned CompuStar™ boasts the same performance statistics that made its predecessor such an over- night success, plus a host of exciting new features. CompuStar users now get the added benefits of dual character set ca- pability, an expanded library of visual attributes including reverse video, un- derlining and below-the-line descenders, an enhanced disk operating system and Microsoft' BASIC — all at no extra cost! And single-user systems now start at as little as $2995. There are four types of CompuStar™ workstations (called Video Processing Units or VPU's) that can be connected into a variety of central disk systems with 10 to 96 megabytes of multi-user storage. Up to 255 VPU's can be tied together to form a massive multi-user network. Or, you can start with only a single VPU and easily expand your system as your processing needs become more sophis- ticated. But whether you start with one or one-hundred VPU's, you'll probably never outgrow your CompuStar. Un- like other systems, you configure the CompuStar the way you want it . . . connecting any combination of VPU's in a "daisy chain" fashion into the central disk system. And since each VPU has its own twin Z80 processors, its own CP/M* operating system and a full 64K of internal memory, (not to mention disk capacities of up to Wz million bytes), overall system response time remains unbelievably fast! And that's a claim most of the other multi-user vendors just can't make. Inside our new CompuStar you'll find a level of design sophistication that's destined to establish a new standard for the industry. A series of easy-to- service modular components has been engineered to yield the most impressive reliability figures we've ever seen. But CompuStar users are not only thrilled with our system's performance (and the miserly few dollars they spent to get it), they also have the peace of mind of knowing that Intertec's comprehensive customer protection and field service programs will insure their total after-the- sale satisfaction. For more information on what just may be the last multi-user microcompu- ter you'll ever ( have to ) buy, ask your dealer today about our all new CompuStar™ system. Or, contact us at the number and address below. We'll gladly explain how we've made our best . . . even better! , NTE3TEC Cdata = SYSTEMS. radetnark of Microsoft Corporation. *Registered trademark of Distal Research. 2300 Broad River Rd. Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 798-91 00 TWX: 81 0-666-21 1 5 Circle 246 on inquiry card. Rana's disk drive was twice as good as Apple's with one head. ■ ■ i w ■ ■' .. _ SP^Mi fe bJ* f - Now we have two. r\P -q --tnJ O 1 We added another head so you won't have to buy another disk. That's the beauty of a double sided head. A floppy disk which allows you to read and write on both sides. For more storage, for more information, for keeping larger records, and for improved perfor- mance of your system. That's what our new Elite Two and Elite Three offers. It's the first double headed Apple® compatible disk drive in the industry. And of course, the technology is from Rana. We're the com- pany who gave you 163K bytes of storage with our Elite One, a 14% increase over Apple's. And now with our high tech double sided heads, our Elite Two and Three offers you two to four times more storage than Apple's. That's really taking a byte out of the competition. We put our heads together to give you a superior disk drive. We designed the Elite Three to give you near hard disk capacity, with all the advantages of a minifloppy system. The double sided head oper- ates on 80 tracks per side, giving you a capacity of 652K bytes. It would take 4 1 /2 Apples to give you that. And cost you three times our Elite Three's reasonable $849 pricetag. Rana's double sided heads give Apple II superior disk performance power than second generation personal com- puters such as IBM's. It takes 4''? Apples to equal Ihe capacity of our superior Elite Three. The Elite Two offers an impressive 326K bytes and 40 tracks on each side. This drive is making a real hit with users who need extra storage, but don't require top-of-the-line capacity. Costwise, it takes 2 1 /2 Apple drives to equal the performance of our Elite Two. And twice as many diskettes. Leave it to Rana to produce the most cost efficient disk drive in the world. We've always had the guts to be a leader. Our double sided head may be an industry first for Apple computers, but nobody was surprised. (§ Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. They've come to expect it from us. Because Rana has always been a leader. We were the first with a write protect feature, increased capacity, Your word processor stores 5 times as many pages of text on an Elite Three diskette as the cost ineffective Apple. and accurate head positioning. A first with attrac- tive styling, faster access time, and the conve- nience of storing a lot more pages on far fewer diskettes. We were first to bring high technology to a higher level of quality. So ask for an Elite One, Two, or Three. Because when it comes to disk drives, nobody uses their head like Rana. RanaSystems 20620 Soultl Leapwood Avenue, Carson, CA 90746 213-538-2353. For dealer information call loll free: 1-800-421-2207. In California only call: 1-800-262-1221. Source Number: TCT-654 Circle 401 on inquiry card. Available at all participating Computerland stores and other fine computer dealers. See us at the Comdex Show, Booth 685, If you use a Word Processor, you need QRAMMATiK Beyond Spelling Checking Grammatik can find over 15 different kinds of common errors missed by simple spelling checkers alone, including punctuation and capitalization errors, overworked and wordy phrases, and many others. Use Grammatik with Aspen Software's spelling checker Proofreader, featuring the Random House Dictionary®, or with your current spelling checker for a complete document proofreading system. Read what the experts say: "The perfect complement to a spelling checker." Alan Miller. Interface Age. 5/82 "A surprisingly fast and easy tool for analyzing writing style and punctuation." Bob Louden, InfoWorld. 12/81 "Anyone involved with word processing in any way is encouraged to get this excellent program." A. A. Wicks. Computronics, 6/82 "A dynamic tool for comprehensive editing beyond spelling corrections." Dona Z. Meilach, Interface Age, 5/82 "A worthy and useful addition to your word processing software." Stephen Kimmel, Creative Computing, 6/82 Works with CP/M®, IBM-PC®, TRS-80® Grammatik $75.00 Proofreader $50.00 Order directly from Aspen Software, or see your local dealer. Specify your computer system configuration when ordering! Visa, Mastercard accepted. Random House is a registered trademark of Random House. Inc. Other registered trademarks: CP/M: Digital Research -- TRS-80: Tandy Corp. -- IBM: IBM - Proofreader. Grammatik: Aspen Software Co. Aspen Software Co. P.O. Box 339-B Tijeras. NM 87059 (505) 281-1634 Letters — — — — ■— — -f^— - cle, "Program Generators" in BYTE and Popular Computing. It was done inten- tionally. We reprinted the article in Popular Computing because George had done such an excellent job of reporting on program generators that we wanted to get the word out to Popular Computing's readers, too. ...CM. The Power of Print Strikes Again The July 1982 BYTE contained an ex- cellent review of Joseph Weizenbaum's book Computer Power and Human Reason (page 402). More than three years ago, I saw this book in a store and passed it by after looking at a few pages. But Nancy Robert- son's review prompted me to buy it and read it from cover to cover. I learned a lot. Mr. Weizenbaum has put wisdom and knowledge together in a field where hype and pseudoscience dominate. If the editors of BYTE could do an entire issue on this book, it would be a great public service. John B. Palmer POB23 Boonville, CA 95415 Setting the Record Straight We were dismayed by the inaccuracies contained in an advertisement that ap- peared in the August 1982 BYTE and by the false impressions it may have left among readers. The advertised product was I-Protect, a shield which purports to protect VDT (video-display terminal) operators from "the equivalent of a chest X-ray every 12 days." To support the er- roneous claim that VDT operators are ex- posed to significant X-ray emissions, and thus need such protection, the advertise- ment misinterprets VDT radiation studies that were performed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safe- ty and Health). For the sake of readers who may have been misled by the advertisement, let us set the record straight. Measurements performed under normal VDT operating conditions by the FDA and NIOSH have never shown X-ray emissions significantly above the natural background radiation to which we are all exposed. In order for our laboratories to produce any higher levels of X-radiation, they had to resort to extreme conditions, including maximum misadjustments of both user and service controls, excessive line voltages, and intentionally induced component failure — conditions which in some cases led to illegible video displays and permanent damage to the units. Based on our measurements of ionizing and nonionizing radiation, we do not be- lieve that VDTs should pose a radiation risk to those who operate them. We are concerned that people who read the I-Protect advertisement may have been led to believe otherwise. John C. Villforth, Director Bureau of Radiological Health Department of Health & Human Services Food and Drug Administration Rockville, MD 20857 Pournelle Taken to Task In Jerry Pournelle's July 1982 BYTE User's Column, he discusses what he terms overpriced documentation. (See "Ada, MINCE, CP/M Utilities, Over- priced Documentation, and Analiza II," page 290.) It is common knowledge that most of the hardware and software docu- mentation allied to currently available microcomputer products is of a depress- ingly low standard. Few suppliers seem to appreciate that the majority of end-users have nowhere near enough knowledge to make immediate and confident use of their hard-copy guides and manuals. It is unfortunate that documentation con- tinues to be viewed by many machine and program producers as an evil necessity, and one can only hope that an increasing- ly competitive marketplace will result in higher overall standards. However, I must take Jerry Pournelle to task over his comments on the cost of documentation. Actual printing costs comprise a very small proportion of the total cost of writing, editing, typesetting, reproducing, packaging, and distributing hard-copy publications. Assuming that the cost of employing qualified staff to write technical copy together with the ap- propriate overheads is included in the price of the software (and this is not always the case), the following considera- tions pertain: 1. Processing an order. This includes postage, packing, subsequent dispatch, 32 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc fTJDBE BYTES PEBDULLBB* It's true! The AVT-2 personal computer- fully Apple™ compatible - gives you more bytes per dollar than the market leader. Check the Specs • Basic 64 K byte RAM memory upward expandable in 256 K byte cards to a maximum of four cards giving 1 M byte potential. • 6502 Central microprocessor. • 16 K byte ROM memory. • EPROM-resident software. • Composite B/W video output. • Optional board generator for PAL. NTSC or RGB color signal, • 40 col. x 24 line character display in B/W or color system. • B/W graphic display 280 x 192 or 280 x 160 with 4 text lines. • 16 Color graphic display 40 x 48 or 40 x 40 with 4 text lines. • 6 Color graphic display 280 x 192 or 280 x 160 with 4 text lines. • Full-feature detached keyboard with 65 keys and cursor steering. • Seven Apple™ compatible slots for plug-in peripherals. • Additional slot for color generation card, or programmable CTR control card or light pen interface card or 80 char, x 24 line generation card. • Double 5Va inch floppy disk drives, optional. • Cassette and utility strobe output. • 4 Annunciator outputs. * The AVT-2 has a basic 64 K memory compared to 48 K of standard Apple II™. To find out how much cheaper the AVT-2 is, write or telex for a personal quote: AVT Trading A.G., Chamerstrasse 50, CH 6300 Zug, Switzerland. Telex 865267 GSAG. Apple and Apple II are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Circle 52 on inquiry card. cxDmp 2 ERG/68000 MINI-SYSTEMS □ Full IEEE 696/S100 compatibility HARDWARE OPTIONS □ 8MHz or 10 MHz 68000 CPU D Memory Management D Multiple Port Intelligent I/O □ 64K STATIC RAM (70 nsec) LJ 256K Dynamic RAM, with full parity (150 nsec) D 8" D/D, D/S floppy disk drives D 5MB-32MB hard disk drives □ Full DMA host adaptor D 20MB tape streamer D 10 to 20 slot backplane D 30 amp power supply SOFTWARE OPTIONS □ 68KFORTH 1 systems language with MACRO assembler and META compiler C.l Fast Floating Point package D Motorola's MACSBUG □ IDRIS 2 operating system with C, PASCAL, FORTRAN 77, 68K-BASIC 1 compilers □ CP/M— 68K 3 O/S with C, Assembler, 68K-BASIC Trademark 'ERG, Inc. Whitesmiths Digital Research 30 day delivery with valid Purchase Order OEM prices available For CPU, Integrated Card Sets or Systems. Empirical Research Group, Inc. P.O. Box 1176 Milton, WA 98354 206-631-4855 Letters — — ■■*— — ■ — and, possibly, the preparation of an in- voice, for which a realistic commercial charge would be between $5 and $20. 2. Stocking and storing. To avoid delays in servicing an order, a busy organiza- tion will have to print a substantial number of documents and store them at some cost. 3. Revision and amendment. The nature of products related to computing im- plies frequent changes due to im- provements, modifications, and cor- rections. Thus, stocks of documenta- tion will have to be scrapped periodi- cally. Typesetting is not often used for reasons of speed; it is far quicker to modify hard copy using a word-pro- cessor that can look very professional when litho-printed. Let us hope that the technology in which we are so interested and which causes us to read BYTE will overcome, through the advent of inexpensive digital typesetters, laser and ink-jet printing, FAX, and high-speed communications, some of these practical difficulties. Let us hope that the suppliers improve their communications! C. J. Clifton, Head, Computer Products Design Engineering Software Centre Engineering Sciences Data Unit Ltd. 251-259 Regent St. London, W1R 7AD, England Something Went Wrong Jerry Pournelle's July 1982 BYTE User's Column contained two errors with regard to Digital Research products that I would like to correct. ("See Ada, MINCE, CP/M Utilities, Overpriced Documentation, and Analiza II," page 290.) The article listed two different prices for Digital Research's symbolic instruction debugger SID: $195 and $295. Mr. Pournelle later commented that although it was an excellent product, the price was a bit high. The actual price of SID is only $75. The article also listed CP/M at $180, when the actual price is $150. Also, our Japanese representatives, Microsoftware Associates, have notified us that BYTE listed its old address, telephone, and Telex numbers in a recent article. The new location, telephone, and Telex number are: Microsoftware Associates 6th Floor A. Y. Building 3-2-2, Kitaayama, Minato-Ku Tokyo 107, Japan tel: 03-497-0381 Telex: 2427080 Patricia Lucas, Public Relations Manager Digital Research POB 579 Pacific Grove, CA 93950 A Satisfied Customer About a year and a half ago, I first entered a personal computer store. I was ignorant of and mystified by the very word computer. I was intimidated by the seemingly nebulous array of the various brands of microcomputers, peripherals, and software. But for previously having acquired shrewdness in the marketplace the hard way, I would have been easy prey for less scrupulous dealers and sales personnel. But I knew that I did not know enough to even begin to make intelligent choices about what, for me, is a major purchase — one with which 1 must live for a long, long time. I approached the marketplace eager to learn everything I could about microcom- puters. I avidly read various literature and BYTE magazine. I availed myself of the University of Minnesota's public service Microcomputer Helpline (call (612) DR MICRO). And I sought considerable clari- fication from numerous dealers. In the marketplace, however, I ex- perienced a number of possibly manipula- tive ploys: I was misled with incomplete information, I was intentionally misad- vised, and (because I did not present the instant sale), perhaps the most irksome to me, I frequently experienced the cold shoulder from impatient or greedy sales personnel. The manager and staff of only one com- puter store showed me the consistent pa- tience and constant willingness to take the time to help educate me. They never mis- advised me, nor have I ever felt manipu- lated by them. They have been customer- friendly even if this meant foregoing the sale of any item if a competitor's product was in my best interest. These days, that kind of ethics means more to me than money. Perhaps, as was at issue in BYTE maga- zine several months ago, Computerland does ask somewhat more for products than some, especially mail-order competi- tion. But if my very rewarding association 34 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc A Complete Graphics Department For Just $ 1 995 Realize day-in and day-out solid performance from a quiet and capable desktop plotter. It's true. For only $1995' the Houston Instrument HIPL0T™ DMP-29 will provide you with world-class multi-color hard copy graphics, and deliver a level of quality and perfor- mance that you would expect in a plotter costing three times as much. It's a hard worker. The DMP-29 goes about its job with amazing speed and precision, Unbeatable resolu- tion and repeatability are yours in both 8V2" x 11" and 11" x 17" formats, and 8-pen capability assures you of fast attention-free flexibility when multi-color output is required. High pen speed combined with an ad- dressable resolution of O.OOl" assures fast, accurate and stepless traces, It's friendly. You can call 21 different functions directly from the front-panel membrane keyboard, It's tolerant too. The DMP-29 will modestly protect itself from user errors, as when attempting to place a pen in an already occupied stall. And it's smart. An extensive set of firmware routines makes life easier for the user. A small sampling of the built-in talent inherent in the DMP-29 includes character generation, circle, arc and elipse synthesis, line type variations, viewport/windowing, clipping and scaling. For more information on the hard working, friendly and smart DMP-29 plotter, contact Houston Instrument, RO. Box 15720, Austin, Texas 78761. (512) 835-0900. For rush literature requests, outside Texas call toll free 1-800-531-5205. In Europe, contact Houston Instrument, Rochesterlaan 6, 8240 Gistel, Belgium. Telephone 059/27-74-45. BAUSCH & LOMB (J) Circle 60 for literature. Circle 61 to have representative call. U.S. Domestic price only ™ Trademark of Houston Instrumenl 4P005 PRICE BREAKTHRU BUll I IT'S A MIRACLE!! TRS-80 Mod I and III hardware 16K RAM upgrade $13.50 External Disk Drives Inc. p.s. & enclosure" 40tk 1 side $215.00 40tk 2 sides $295.00 80tk 2 sides $425.00 Signal extender cable for ext. drive $12.50 2 drive expansion cable (Mod I or III) $20.00 4 drive expansion cable (Mod I) $25.00 Bare Drives — 40tk 1 side $180.00 40tk 2 sides $245.00 Drive Service Manuals $25.00 Single drive p.s. & enclosure $49.95 Hard Disk (Winchester) for Mod I, LNW— Includes DOSPLUS 4.0 6.3 meg $1649.00 9.6 meg $1849.00 19 meg $2449.00 2 x 6.3 meg $2449.00 2 x 9.6 meg $2849.00 2x19 meg $3949.00 Hard Disk 6.3 + 40tk floppy combination $1995.00 Percom Doubler— $149.00 Data Separator— $27.00 LNW products TRS-80 Mod III 16K L III Basic $899.00 16K upgrade $13.50 48K— 1 disk $1349.00 48K— 2 disk $1549.00 2 sided disk upgrade $70.00 ea VR RS232C— upgrade $70.00 Direct Connect 300 baud modem upgrade $275.00 Hard Disk for Mod III— IBM-PC 6.3 meg $1599.00 9 6 meg $1799.00 19.0 meg $2399.00 2 x 6.3 $2399.00 2 x 9.6 $2799.00 2 x 19.0 $3899.00 Coming Soon — Internal Hard Disk for Mod III Floppy Disk III kits for Mod III include p.s. controller & cables 40tk — 1 side $440 00 40tk — 2 side $510.00 2nd — 40tk 1 side $190.00 2nd — 40tk 2 side $250.00 ' 'We use VR Data hardware upgrades exclusively They are the best around 1 Printers — C Itoh F-10 40CPS letter quality $1399.00 C.ltoh F-10 55CPS letter quality $1699.00 C.ltoh tractor for F10-40 $20000 F10-55 $225.00 Ribbons for above printers $4.50 ea Sheet feeder $1300.00 C.ltoh Pro-writer parallel $475.00 serial $575.00 Okidata 80 $375.00 82A $479.00 83A $749.00 Okigraph $65.00 NEC-7710 RS232 55 CPS $2495 00 NEC — 7730 parallel $2495 00 NEC — 7720 KSR $2895.00 Vertical Tractors $229.00 BiDirectional Tractors $325.00 Sheet Feeder $1175.00 Twin Feeder $1595.00 Smith Corona — TP1 pitch 10/12 pitch — Serial/ parallel interface Super Deal $595.00 Standard Cable $25.00 Tabletop Printer stand — 12" (holds up to 50 lbs.) $17.95 Tabletop Printer stand — 16" (holds up to 50 lbs.) $24.95 Diskettes— 10 per box Verbatim- s'." SSDD $23.95 5'." DSDD $39.95 Maxell— 5"«" $34.95 Elephant by Leading Edge $22 95 Disk head cleaners — VR Data (5'.") $14.95 Verbatim 5'«" or 8" $29.95 5' «" plastic library case 8" plastic library case Paper & Labels 9'j x 11 Fanfold — 2700 ct $27.50 14'/, x 11 Fanfold — 2700 ct. $35.00 3'z x % labels — 5M $15.00 Modems Hayes Smartmodem $229.00 Micromcdem II $278.00 Micromodem 100 $305.00 Novation Auto cat $229.00 D Cat $16500 Cat $155.00 4202B — 1200 baud half duplex $475.00 Apple Cat II $339 00 Lexicon Lex-ll $124.00 Monitors — BMC 12" Mean Green $89.00 BMC 13" Composite Color $325.00 Mod Kill software* DOSPLUS 3.4 Mod I $87.50 DOSPLUS 3.4 Mod III $87.50 LDOS 5.1 Mod I, III $117.50 Micro Term (Best yet) $75.00 Super utility (Best yel)$45.00 Micro Soft — Adventure $25.00 Fortran-80 $80.00 A.L.D.S. $80.00 Basic Compiler $159.00 TRS-80 Mumath $69.00 Hayden Software — Sargon II $32.00 Blackjack master $27 00 Finplan $69.00 Big Five Software Super Nova $17.00 Attach Force $17 00 Cosmic Fighter $17.00 Meteor Mission II $17.00 Defense Command $17.00 Galaxy Invasion $17.00 Robot Attack $17.00 Stellar Escort $17.00 Broderbund — Galactic Trilogy $35.00 Inc — Galactic Empire. Trader. Revolution- available separately $17.00 ea Acorn Software- Gammon Challenger $18.00 Pigskin $17.00 Tenpins $18.00 Invaders $18.00 Quad $18.00 Basketball $18.00 Duel-N-Droids $18.00 Astroball $17.00 Spacerocks $17.00 Everest Explorer $17.00 Elec. Handicapper Basketball $80.00 •All soltware listed is on disk — Cassetles may be available please inquire Books — TRS80 Disk & other mysteries $1595 Microsoft Basic Decoded $20.00 The Custom TRS-80 $20 00 Microsoft Basic faster & better $20.00 The Custom Apple $17,00 Terms— COD or Prepaid Only FOB. Shipping Point (215) 461-5437 Prices Subject to Change Without Notice. TRS-80 Trademark of Tandy Corp. DISK SUPPLY CO. Suite 439 111 S. Olive St. Media, PA 19063 Letters of the past is any measure, the staff at Computerland of Downtown Minneapolis is well worth the investment. Larry E. Johnson Building 9, Room 225 Minnesota Veterans Home Minnehaha Ave. and East 51st St. Minneapolis, MN 55417 Bug Fix I use Wordstar with an IDS (Integral Data Systems) Prism 80 printer. Until recently, I could not print subscripts or superscripts. After many long-distance phone calls and letters to IDS, Micropro, and everyone else I could think of, I found the solution to be a simple matter of changing 8 bytes in Wordstar. Specifically, to get superscript capabili- ty, you must change ROLUP: through ROLUP:+3 to 3, IB, 19, and 19 (hexa- decimal), respectively. To get subscript capability, you must change ROLDOW: through ROLDOW: + 3 to 3, IB, 14, and 14 (hexadecimal), respectively. I hope this information saves some readers the time and money I invested. Leo J. Scanlon 7708 East Allen Dr. Inverness, FL 32650 Shedding Light on Battery-Powered Displays I read with interest Chris Morgan's editorial "The Briefcase Computer Market Heats Up" (July 1982 BYTE, page 6). On page 7, he states that "electroluminescent (EL) displays consume a lot of power — so much that they cannot be battery oper- ated as can LCDs [liquid-crystal displays]." EL-display technology is the most power-efficient of all the emitting tech- nologies, except for CRTs (cathode-ray tubes). We at Aerojet have developed an EL display for a battery-operated portable terminal. This work has been under the sponsorship of the Army (ERADCOM). The display is being installed in the Digital Message Device terminal manufactured by Magnavox. The terminal will be evalu- ated in the U. S. Army's TACFIRE system. LCDs are inherently the lowest power- consuming display technology ever con- ceived by man. However, they are not matrix-addressable in large panels of 320 36 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Check The Chart Before You Choose Your New 16-Bit Computer System. Columbia Data Products New Multi-Personal* Computer, Featuring IBM-PC* Compatibility, Excels In Professional, Business And Industrial Applications. Check it out. Columbia Data Products' MULTI-PERSONAL* COMPUTER ise software and hardware originally intended for the IBM* Personal Computer . . . while enjoying the flexibility and expandability of all Columbia Data's com- puter systems. Available operating system software includes single-^ user MS-DOS' orCP/M 86" or multi-user, multi-tasking MP/M 86 s or OASIS-16", with XENIX" available soon, providing users with a host of compatible software pack- ages for personal and professional business and indus- nplications. A large selection of higher level languages are also available, including BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL, PASCAL and MACRO Assembler. Our standard 1 6-Bit 8088 hardware configuration pro- vides 128K RAM with parity, two RS-232 serial ports, Centronics parallel printer port, interrupt and DMA con- trollers, dual floppy disks with 640K storage, Winchester disk and keyboard interfaces, and eight IBM-PC compat- ible expansion slots . . . and lists for only $2995. Winches- ter hard disk configurations, featuring cache buffer controllers for enhanced disk access performance are also available, starting at $4995. So, when you need to grow, why gamble and hassle with independent third party hardware and operating system vendors which may or may not be compatible . . . not to mention the hidden expense and frustration of implementing peripheral drivers in the different operat- ing systems and upgrades? Who needs the finger-pointing when things don't work out? After you review our chart, you will agree . . . for overall 16-Bit microprocessor superiority, expandability, flexi- bility, compatibility and real economy, Columbia Data is your total source. Our Multi-Personal Computer ... the 16-Bit system born to grow! Get yours now. Circle 94 on Inquiry card. MAIN FEATURES CDP-MPC IBM-PC" OTHERS Microprocessor IB-Bit 8088 8-Bil 2-80 (Opt) 16-Bit 8088 7 USER Memory PC Compatible Expansions Slots Beyond il i;onliqurationi 128K-1 Mbytes 8 Slots 16K-25B Kbytes ? 7 .';•/ Disk Storage Dual 320K (stc) Dual I60K (Opt) Dual 320K tOplI 7 Resident Cache Buffer Haul Disk Storage 5M/10M 7 OPTIONAL OPERATING SYSTEMS (Supported by Company) ' MS-DOS iPC-DOS) Yes Yes 7 .'' 86 Yes Yes Yes _ 7 - ? Soon - i OPTIONAL HARDWARE EXPAN i i.munlcatlons Yes Yes ■) olor Display Yes Yes •) .jinofy Yes Yes 1 ■Li Board Yes - 7 LJiSk Yes - 7 ! aiendar Board Yes - ? Yes _ ? (stem Yes - i .1 Disk System Up to 40 Mbytes - ? irtrirjgj System Yes - 7 'For comparison purposes, typical professional configurations con- sist ot 16-Bil 8088 Processor, 128K RAM with Parity, Dual 320K 5-inch DMA ant! Interrupt Controller, Dual RS-232 Serial Porta, nica Parallel Port and Dumb Computer Terminal or Equivalent la Products also supports CP/M 80" with an optionally available Z-80 CP/M Expansion Board. •rtlsod In BYTE Magazine. August 1982 COLUMBIA DATA PRODUCTS, INC. Home Olllce: 8080 Route 108 Columbia, MD 21045 Telephone 301-992-3400 TWX 710-862-1891 West Coast: 3901 MacArlhur Blvd I 211 Newport Beach, CA 92663 Telephone 714-752-5245 Telex 277778 Europe. PO. Box 1118 450 Moenchengladbach 1 West Germany Telephone 02161-33169 Telex 852452 MP/M are trademarks ot Digital Research. OASIS Is the trademark ol Phase One. MS-DOS and XENIX are Letters . columns by 192 rows or more. Additional power must be consumed to make them matrix-addressable, such as thermal ad- dressing. When provided with thermal ad- dressing, LCDs consume more power than EL displays. Larry E. Tannas Jr., Engineering Manager Thin Film Device Laboratory Aerojet Electro Systems 1100 West Hollyvale St. POB 296 Azusa, CA 91702 Actually, just about any electrical or electronic device can be run by batteries. The question is, would the batteries be too bulky for use with a portable computer? I've heard from a number of companies who are working on that very problem. Many thanks to Mr. Tannas and the other readers who noted that electroluminescent displays can indeed be run by batteries. ...CM. Sorry, Wrong Number A pin number is incorrect in "MPI Disk Drives Meet IBM" in the September 1982 BYTE Letters (page 20). When following the procedure to use MPI B51 drives in the IBM Personal Computer, reference to pin 34 should be to pin 32, Side Select. Also, pins 7 and 8 (head load connecting to motor) can be jumper-connected on the shunt socket of the MPI drives instead of pins 1 and 14 (head load connecting to drive select). Either way will work. Kim B. Lignell 649 South Harvard Ave. Addison, 1L 60101 Adventures Paid Off In response to Hans Strasburger's re- quest in the August 1982 BYTE (page 32) for "real" adventures like the original, we, too, were starved for adventure after get- ting 350 points. So we wrote our own and now offer three additional adventure-type programs. A Remarkable Experience is a cave-exploration game with passwords to unravel, unique locations to investigate, new treasures to find, and unusual actions to take. A Galactic Experience is a space- THE MULTI-USER FRIENDLY MEMORY BOARD WITH □256 Kilobytes □6 MHZ with no wait states — most processors □ Designed to operate in any S-100 System IEEE or Non- IEEE □ 16-bit addressing option: Powerful Macrotech Mem- ory Mapping (M 3 ) bank se- lect architecture allows each 4K block of the 16 bit (64K) logical addresses to be dynamically translated toany4Kblockofthe256K on board physical memory. □ 24-bit direct addressing option □ "Educated" cycle control module generates all tim- ing on board asyn- chronously for maximum access speed and uniform operation □ Comprehensive technical manual with complete in- stallation guide and source listings for MP/M II™* and "Virtual Disk" solid state disk applications. □ DMA operation fully sup- ported in strict accordance with IEEE 696 standard. □ 8/16 data transfer protocol □ Parity error detection □ Multilayer board and bus signal filtering for noise- free operation. □ Full one year warranty If you wish, send a check or money order lor $1 ,379 (in California add 6% sales tax where applicable). Manual available at $25.00 each refundable with order. "Registered Trademark ol Digital Research Corp. OEM & Dealer Inquiries invited MACROTECH International Corp., 22133 Cohasset St., Canoga Park, California 91303 (213)887-5737 In the U.K. call "0621" 828-763 exploration adventure with a murder mystery to analyze and a planet to save (by far our largest and most complex adventure). A Physical Experience is another space adventure where the user, Captain Player, must reverse the ex- periments of a group of scientists, prevent a supernova, and save the universe. These are assembly-language programs with playing styles similar to the original Adventure; the computer recognizes and responds to one- or two-word sentences of four or five letters each. They are avail- able in HDOS for Heath/Zenith com- puters and for standard 8-inch CP/M ver- sion 2.2 or higher. Further information can be obtained by writing to the address below. Janet C. Hoyle, Business Manager Hoyle and Hoyle Software 716 South Elam Ave. Greensboro, NC 27403 ■ BYTE's Bits Intel and Microsoft Ink Xenix Pact Intel Corporation and Microsoft have signed an agreement making the Xenix op- erating system available for Intel's iAPX 86 microprocessor family. Under the terms of the agreement, Xenix for the iAPX family will be marketed by Intel. In- tel began shipping the first iAPXs running Xenix in July. The company also an- nounced plans to have the iAPX 286 out- fitted with the operating system by the first half of 1983, which will make Unix- derived software available for 8086 sys- tem users. Xenix is Microsoft's fully licensed 16-bit microprocessor adaptation of Bell Labora- tories' Unix version 7 operating system. Quarterly Calls for Papers The editors of The Journal of Computers Reading & Language Arts have issued a call for papers dealing with the interdiscip- linary theme of computers and their rela- tionship to the reading and language arts. Papers or requests for information should be sent to George H. Block, Journal, of Computers Reading & Language Arts, POB 13039, Oakland, CA 94661. ■ 38 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 280 on inquiry card. GREAT IDEAS... Down to Earth Products (AVAILABLE SOON) w. SDS-S100 CHASSIS 6 Slot Motherboard Complete power supply . Utilize regular or Thlnllne drive SDS-MULTIPLEXER/DISPLAY Three RS232C 1 to 2 Switches Two Seven Segment Status Display (Can be used as a line monitor lor data communications link) (route RS232 to one ol two devices) NEC-FLOPPY DISK DRIVE Double Sided Single Density/Double Density Up to 2.4 Megabyte SPECIAL PRICING SDS-SLAVE SDS-HARD DISK INTERFACE Micropolis 1220 Series Interlace Adapter m 'W .TP^/^lmrnrTrl , SDS-ZSIO SDS-SINGLE BOARD COMPUTERS Z80A CPU 64K Bank Switch Memory 2 RS232 Channels 4 Timers IEEE 696 Buss Interface 4 Parallel ports NEC 76S FDC with PLL to all Shugarl compatable drives (SDS-Master only) SDS-MASTER SIERRA DATA SCIENCES Clrcle 419 on ' m ^ card - Fresno CA / Marketing Division, 21 162 Lorain Ave., Falrvlew Park, Ohio 441 26 (216) 331-8500 Telex. 980131 WDMR SEE US AT COMDEX BOOTH 986. WANG t Mcippkz 1 Look Who Picked the Peach. Did¥)u? They did. And perhaps you did too. If you own an IBM Personal Computer,™ an Apple HI™ a Zenith Z-89™ or a Hewlett-Packard HP-87,™ you've had the chance to pick Peachware.'" All these companies chose Peach tree Software '" to get the most out of their machines for you. And with good reason. Peachtree Software is the recognized leader in business software for microcomputers, with a reputation for comprehensive, well-designed packages, easy-to-use documentation and Peachcare™ —our own array of support services un- matched in the industry. With integrated systems like the Peachpak"' 8 Accounting Series — General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Sales Invoicing, Inventory Control and PeachPay™ Payroll — Peachtree offers the manager unprecedented control over his critical accounting activities. And the Peach- pak 9 Office Productivity Series, based on the PeachText™* word processor and including the Peach- Calc™ Electronic Spreadsheet, Spell- ing Proofreader, Mailing List Manager and Telecommunications, expands the power of Peachtree Software to all areas of the office. Those qualities made our software the natural choice of these big manu- facturers. But they're not the only ones who've picked a peach. So have tens of thousands of individual users of the better CP/M"* —compatible microcomputers. If you haven't picked the Peach, isn't it about time you did? Circle 372 on inquiry card. *We improved Magic Wand,™ and it's so good we put our name on it. Please send me information on Peachware™ by Peachtree Software. Name: Company:. Address:_ City: _State: .Zip: I am a: □ prospective dealer □ user of software Peachtree Software Incorporated an MSA company 3445 Peachtree Road, N.E. /8th Floor / Atlanta, Georgia 30326/(404) 266-0673 IBM is a trademark oflnternational Business Machines Corp. Apple III is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc. Z-89 is a trademark of Zenith Corporation. HP-87 is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research Inc. Peachware, Peachtree Software, Peachcare, Peachpak, PeachPay, PeachText and PeachCalc are trademarks of Peachtree Software Incorporated, an MSA Company. Copyright © 1982 Peachtree Software Incorporated, an MSA Company. B1282 Peachtree Software Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar Build the Circuit Cellar MPX-16 Computer System Part 2 A continued description of an 8088-based system that shares its principles of operation with the IBM Personal Computer. This article is the second of three describing the design and operation of my most ambitious construction project to date: the Circuit Cellar MPX-16 computer system. I've writ- ten these articles with the intent of giving you a grasp of the basic func- tional parts of a complicated piece of electronic equipment and how these parts work together. Because the MPX-16 is somewhat more complex than the projects I nor- mally write about, I've had to simplify the presentation of many details to fit them into the magazine, but if you're interested in building an MPX-16, you can get all the details you need from the MPX-16 Technical Reference and User's Manual, which comes with the printed-circuit board available from The Micromint (see the text box on page 78). This book includes timing diagrams and listings Copyright © 1982 by Steven A. Garcia. All rights reserved. IBM and IBM Personal Computer are trade- marks of International Business Machines Cor- poration. CP/M-86 is a trademark of Digital Research Inc. Steve Ciarcia POB 582 Glastonbury, CT 06033 of the MPX-16's special software. Last month I presented an over- view of the system and a discussion of the coprocessors and bus structures. This month, I'd like to continue by explaining memory, interrupts, the expansion bus, and I/O (input/out- put) decoding. But first, here's a recap of the MPX-16's features. System Features The Circuit Cellar MPX-16 com- puter system fundamentally consists of a single 9- by 12-inch five-layer printed-circuit board (containing 120 integrated-circuit packages), to which various peripheral devices are at- tached. It has nine expansion slots and is completely compatible with the I/O-expansion bus of the IBM Per- sonal Computer. The MPX-16 uses the Intel 8088 microprocessor and the optional 8087 numeric coprocessor; the main circuit board has room for 256K bytes of user memory and contains two serial and three parallel I/O ports, a floppy-disk controller, and EPROMs (erasable programmable read-only memories) containing the BIOS (basic I/O system) module of Digital Re- search's CP/M-86 16-bit disk operat- ing system. The MPX-16 can be readily expanded to provide a full 1 megabyte of user memory and several megabytes of hard-disk mass storage. A more detailed list of characteristics appears in table 1. The MPX-16 was initially designed to run CP/M-86, but eventually Microsoft's MS-DOS operating sys- tem will be available for it, making it possible to run most software written for the IBM Personal Computer on the MPX-16, except software that uses unique features of the IBM PC. The principal difference is this: with the present BIOS, the MPX-16 com- municates with the user through a serially interfaced display terminal in- stead of a memory-mapped video display. (You could theoretically in- stall an IBM Color Graphics Display Adapter and a serial IBM-type key- board for exact hardware emulation.) The MPX-16 is well suited for use as a low-cost 8088-based computer for integration into a complete hard- ware/software package, chiefly because it combines so many func- tions on a single printed-circuit board. Putting together the hardware of a complete system, you need only add a power supply, a serial video- display or printing terminal, and one floppy-disk drive (either 5Vi- or 42 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc IS THIS LEVEL OF RELIABILITY REALLY NECESSARY? ACCUTRACK hH )\5KS ■ Ml tff- ^ ISK! KS ^O «p ^ r^ Sc MMMMSH If you've ever lost data due to a faulty disk, you know how impor- tant reliability can be. That's why Accutrack disks are critically certified at 2-3 times the error threshold of your system. Why they're precision fabricated for higher signal quality, longer life and less head wear. And why we take such extra steps as testing single- density mini disks at double-density levels. So you don't have to worry about the reliability of your media. Accutrack disks. OEMs have specified them for years. You can trust them for your data. Call toll- free (800 225-8715) for your nearest dealer. ACCUTRACK Dennison KYBE Corporation 82 Calvary Street, Waltham, Mass. 02254 Tel. (617) 899-0012; Telex 94-0179 Outside Mass. call toll free (800) 225-8715 Offices & representatives worldwide Circle 175 on inquiry card. K V fi e Dealers: Give your customers a choice— Accutrack' s OEM perform- ance as well as your heavily adver- tised brand. We have the industry's only complete line of disks, cas- settes and mag cards, including virtually all special formats. If you want a quality line, small miii i mums, the ability to mix and match, private labeling, fast delivery and great price, call today. Find out how responsive a media supplier can be. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. designed to use a 5-MHz Intel 8088 microprocessor, which combines a 16-bit archi- tecture with an 8-bit bus interface and has 20-bit addressing capability for up to 1 megabyte of system memory, operating in maximum mode to support multiprocessing optional Intel 8087 math coprocessor onboard space for four 64K-byte banks of dynamic RAM for a total of up to 256K bytes, with parity generation and error detection sockets for up to 64K bytes of JEDEC 24- or 28-pin standard ROM or EPROM devices two RS-232C serial I/O ports two 8-bit general-purpose parallel I/O ports with handshaking control lines one Centronics-compatible parallel printer port four programmable timers (one for a real-time clock, two for data rates, one for memory-refresh requests) four independent DMA (direct memory access) channels sixteen levels of vectored, prioritized interrupt control single- or double-density floppy-disk controller for controlling up to four 5Vi-inch or 8-inch single- or double-sided drives five 62-pin l/O-expansion-channel connectors (hardware compatible with the IBM Per- sonal Computer) with space for four more five-layer 9- by 12-inch printed-circuit board BIOS for CP/M-86 in EPROM Table 1: Major characteristics of the MPX-16 computer system. Start Address Decimal Hexadecimal Bank Function 00000 64K to 256K bytes of R/W 64K 10000 1 memory on system 128K 20000 2 board 192K 30000 3 256K 40000 4 320K 50000 5 up to 704K bytes of 384K 60000 6 expansion memory in 448K 70000 7 I/O channel 512K 80000 8 576K 90000 9 640K A0000 10 704K B0O0O 11 768K coooo 12 832K D0000 13 896 K E0O0O 14 960K F0000 R 64K bytes of system ROM/EPROM Figure 1: Map of memory-address-space allocation in the MPX-16, in 64K-byte increments. 8-inch). Turn on the power, insert a CP/M-86 disk, and go. And by the time you read this, an enclosure for the circuit board should be available. Many applications need nothing more. System Memory The stars of the show in November's article were the Intel 8088 microprocessor and the 8087 numeric processor extension (NPX), with supporting roles played by the Intel 8284 clock generator/driver, the 8288 bus controller, and the 8237A-5 DMA (direct memory access) con- troller. This month we look at some less glamorous but equally necessary components, starting with a type of component so prosaic as to be called a commodity by the semiconductor industry: the memory. The MPX-16 system circuit board contains both read-only and read/write memory. In addition to the possible 64K bytes of ROM, the MPX-16 circuit board contains sockets for up to 256K 9-bit words (an 8-bit byte plus a parity bit) of dynamic RAM (random-access read/ write memory). Furthermore, to aug- ment the onboard memory, as much as 704K bytes of expansion RAM or ROM can be added in the I/O- expansion slots using readily available memory-expansion boards such as the Quadram Quadboard or the Seattle Computer RAM-Plus card. A memory map of the 8088's 1-megabyte (1,048,576-byte) address space in 64K-byte increments is shown in figure 1. Two of the five sections of the schematic diagram are included in this article; section 2 ap- pears as figure 2 on pages 48, 49, and 50; section 3 as figure 3 on pages 52, 53, and 54. A table of integrated cir- cuits, giving their type, location, and power connections, appears on pages 56 and 60 as table 2. ROM Configuration Four integrated-circuit sockets, designated IC82 through IC85 in sec- tion 3 of the schematic diagram, are provided for holding ROM (read- only memory) chips, which most often are EPROM devices. These four JEDEC- (Joint Electron Device Engi- neering Council) standard 28-pin sockets can contain several sizes of EPROMs, any of the various "byte- wide" (8-bit word size) devices such as the 2716 (16K bits or 2K bytes), the 2732 (4K bytes), the 2764 (8K bytes) or the 27128 (16K bytes). EPROMs with 24-pin packages, such as the 2716s and 2732s, are plugged into the lower 24 pins of the sockets, with cer- tain jumper connections set accord- ingly. For proper operation, the MPX-16 circuit board must contain a ROM or EPROM device in the highest address space (socket IC85) and a bank of RAM in the lowest address space because the 8088 processor fetches its first instruction after a power-up reset from location hexadecimal FFFF0 (usually a jump instruction branching to an initialization routine) and uses interrupt vectors in the range hexa- decimal 00000 to 003FF. 44 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 4 on inquiry card. The Add-On Serial #1 t9n«**«*mt*mt«f ■ »ji i \wpi.; » Ji£i\v»iiii ivicyctr-ars. upuun • ouperurive included (disk emulator prog.) • SuperSpool included (print spooler prog.) • Split memory addressing • Patent Pending. Ml -—rv- ' • . — - naaow i«i«.wa.i Other pr 2) Bisnyc, SDLC, HDLC); 4) Expansion Parity Memory (64K-256 5) Disk++ (memory, Async & disk host adaptor); 6) Original Mi Communication Card (1 or 2 ports); 8) Wire Wrap Card (13.1" x 4"); 9) Extender Card; 10) Emulation. R€S€flRCH INC. 2691 Richter Ave., Suite 104 Irvine, California 92714 Telephone: (714) 540-1333 Dealer inquiries welcome. IBM is the registered trademark of International Business Machines. Nov. 29- Dec. 2, 1982 Kvb Las Vegas Convention Center \ Las Vegas, Nevada See Us At Booth Numbers 584-586 ■■IB Photo 1: The Circuit Cellar MPX-16 single-board computer system, which uses the latest technology to provide lots of low-cost com- puting power. The five-layer printed- circuit hoard contains 120 integrated circuits including most common peripheral-device inter- faces; furthermore, any peripheral-device card intended for use with the IBM Personal Computer can be plugged into one of the I/O- expansion slots. There are nine slot positions, but only five sockets are installed initially. The capacity of the ROMs (or EPROMs) used on the system board must be compatible with the con- figuration of onboard jumpers JPl through JP6 and with the program stored in the 32-word by 8-bit address-decoding PROM (program- mable ROM) device IC45, an HM7603. The PROM program and jumper arrangements supplied with the system board are intended for type-2732 EPROMs. A different decoding PROM is needed for other memory-device types so that the four ROM sockets may be decoded into a contiguous address space in each case. (A PROM-programming table is included in the MPX-16 documenta- tion.) The ROM-decoding logic and memory organization are respectively shown in sections 2 and 3 of the schematic diagrams. The ROM-address-space-decoding logic for the system board is enabled whenever all three high-order system address bits, SYSA17 through SYSA19, are high, causing the output of a NAND gate (IC30) to go low. If five PROM-address bits SYSA11 Memory chips are less glamorous than microprocessors, but just as necessary. through SYSA15 or SYSA12 through SYSA16 (depending on the jumper configuration) address one of the programmed locations, the selected ROM-chip-enable line (one of PROMSELO through PROMSEL3) is also driven low, selecting that memory device. The ROMSEL signal at IC28 pin 5 (a two-input OR gate in section 2) also enables a wait- state-generation circuit if jumper JP7 is connected. After one of the PROMSEL* lines has been driven active-low, a SYSMEMRD (system memory read, active-low) signal from the system bus master will initiate the memory-read cycle and generate a single wait state if JP7 is connected. Valid data from the ROMs is avail- able on the data bus after SYSMEMRD goes low. Normally, the MPX-16 requires ROM or EPROM devices with an ac- cess time of 350 ns (nanoseconds) or faster. The optional wait-state feature afforded through JP7 allows use of slower ROM devices with 450-ns ac- cess times. If faster devices are used, then JP7 should not be installed and the MPX-16 can operate with no wait states. The EPROMs on the standard MPX-16 system board contain a power-on self-test routine and I/O drivers, including the CP/M-86 BIOS 46 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc the PERSONAL LANGUAGE ™ system that mirrors your commands using your own words! SAWY is a miraculous new information handling system. SAWY is an automatic database management system. SAWY is a new level of machine intelligence. SAWY, part hardware, part software, is the beginning of truly "Personal Computing". SAWY comes with: General Ledger, ^ Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Mailing List, Document Writer and . Inventory Control. Trademark: SAWY, Robot Programmer: Excallbur Technologies Corporation. Personal Language: SAVVY Marketing International. Through SAWY, you and your computer talk to each other in your own natural, conversational English (or Spanish, or , French, etc.). It learns from you what you want done in your own personal language. Once SAWY learns your language it can create any file you wish. Input, output, additions, ^ changes and deletions are arranged for you. V*^SAWY's "Robot : { Programmer" / has been trained to write 100% of the programs needed to manage your database information. SAWY runs CP/M™ and Apple DOS. You'll discover that SAWY recognizes your personal words, even if misspelled, or even if you use a phrase never used before! SAWY continues to grow through use to become better and better at understanding your commands. Eventually, you will see SAWY as a mirror to your own way of thinking and working. It is a re-definition of "user-friendly". SAWY, It's the first system that truly means "personal computing ". SAWY is like no other system on earth. SAWY cost $950. Seeing is believing. SAWY is on display at selected computer retail locations. Call for the name of your nearest dealer. CP/M Is a trademark of Digital Research Corp. ■ Apple Is a Trademark of Apple Computer Inc. Circle 415 on inquiry card. 100 South Ellsworth Street, 9th Floor, San Mateo, CA 94401 |415) 340-0335 SAVVY INTERNATIONA SYSTATa SYSPAT? syspat6 SYS0AT7 Figure 2: Section 2 of the schematic diagram of the MPX-16 computer's main circuit board. (Section 1 was printed in last month's ar- ticle; section 3 appears here in figure 3; sections 4 and 5 will appear in next month's article.) The notation *(n) indicates that a given signal line connects to a component or another line shown in schematic section n. A table of all the MPX-16's integrated circuits appears as table 2 on pages 56 and 60, giving each device's number, type, sec- 48 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc SYSALE - SrSMCMRD - SV SMEMWfl - SVSIORD - SYSIOWR - SYSCLK1 - SVSCLK2 - SYSRDv - SYSRES - SYSCLKO - LOCK - so - SJ - S2 - BRESET - BSYCLKO - BSYCLK1 - BDMACKO - SYSA19 - SYSA16 - SYSA1* - SYSM6 - 5YSA16 - SVSA14 - SYSA13 - SYSA12 - SYSA11 - SYSAIO - S>SA9 - 5YSA6 - SYSa: - SYSAE - SYSA5 - SYSAO - 5VSAJ - SYSA2 - SYSAi - SYSAO - SYSTEM CONTROL BUS SYSCLKI SYSCLK2 SYSRES - SYSCLKO SYSTEM ADDRESS BUS I/OCHNLRDY/WAIT ■ SYSA19 • SYSAI8 ■ SYSA17 - SYSA16 • SYSA15 ■ SYSA14 ■ SYSA13 SYSA12 SYSA11 SYSAIO SYSA9 ■ SYSAB - SYSA7 ■ SYSA6 - SYSA5 - SYSA4 - SYSA3 • SYSA2 - SYSAI ■ SYSAO rh v cc -5V ■m4.7K f !>• ■i"L> -3^ y>^cz ho r~ RE U I 4 IC28 74LS32 ^>Q 2 1 O r>o >CK CLR . »U) -flip» IC53 IC29 74LS08 n> IC24 74LS14 IC28 74LS32 ^E> -O* 1 " IC33 74LS175 I IC30 74LS10 -Q>*m DMAHOLDACK -Q>„ SYSDAT3 - SYSDAT4 - SYSDAT6 - SYSDAT7 - - SYSOATO ■ SYSDAT1 ■ SYSDAT6 ■ SYSDAT7 W(3) 50 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 426 on inquiry card, i TO ORDER CALL: 1-800-451-2502 617-641-1241 Technical Support 617-641-1235 *s SoftwareBanc /■ 661 Massac** usettsAve, Arlington, Meu02l7fc ■zr TT R Everyone Wants To Sell You dBASE II™ Only We Teach You How To Use It! dBASE IP User's Guide FREE with BASEir $29 1 40 pages of original material, perfect for beginning and advanced dBASE II™ users. Written by SoftwareBanc dBASE II Classes Taught by SoftwareBanc Seminars Los Angeles Miami Jan. 7, 8, 9 Dec. 28, 29 $1 00 per day Washington D.C. Jan. 21,22, 23 dBASE IP ABSTAT dUTIL QUICKCODE with FREE dBASE II™ User's Guide and 60 day money back guarantee! $495 Statistics for dBASE II™ files $379 dBASE II™ programmer's utility $ 69 dBASE II™ program generator $229 Software includes FREE SoftwareBanc technical support. Only SoftwareBanc can offer this level of dBASE II™ expertise. Is it any wonder that crowds are forming? n % "UK •<2K 1 v C c *(2lO! *(2)Q>i ♦<2)E>J ■ RN2 • 4.7K ; RN2 • 4.7K A10 All A12 A13 SYSMEMWR SYSMEMRD IC57 74LS08 E> 'i»t> IC64 74LS32 o ' RN2 • 4.7K NOTE: 24-PIN DEVICES ARE "LOWER " JUSTIFIED IN THE PROM SOCKETS • RN2 > 4.7K ■ SYSMEMWR He. SYSMEMWR IC66 74LS14 OH R25 33^ V CC PGM 12 SYS0AT1 13 SYSDAT2 15 SYSDAT3 16 SYSDAT4 17 SYSDAT5 18 SYSDAT6 19 SYSDAT7 ^7 IC81 74LS08 REFRESHRAS r~i — \i 2 a j- IC63 74LS14 £T\><>- •(«0 -0*(2 ~l IC67 74LS2 SYSDATO - SYSDAT1 - SYSDAT2 - SYS0AT3 - SYSDAT4 - SYS0AT5 - SYSDAT6 - SYSDAT7 - IC53 74LS245 RN9 33il — vw- SYSMEMRD • SYSMEMWR Figure 3: Section 3 of the schematic diagram of the MPX-16 computer's main circuit board. The notation *(n) indicates that a given signal line connects to a component or another line shown in schematic section n. Connections shown on the edges of the dynamic-memory array on page 54 are of course made to each individual chip. Bypass 52 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc SYSMEMWR - -SYSMEMWR SYSCLK2- SYSRDV - SYSCLKO - LOCK ■ - SYSCLK2 - SYSRDY -SYSCLKO -LOCK BSYCLKO - BSYCLK1 - BSYCLKO BSYCLK1 SYSA19 SYSA18 SYSA16 SYSA15 SYSA14 SYSA13 SYSA12 SYSA11 SYSAIO SYSA9 SYSA8 SYSA7 SYSA6 SYSA5 SYSA4 SYSA3 SYSA2 SYSAI SYSAO Li ^>oi_Ll2 ^>>^-^i >>c>>4-^ ">>> * (SECTION*) DENOTES CONNECTION TO INDICATED PIN OR SIGNAL ON OTHER NUMBERED CIRCUIT SECTIONS. L. 'DELAY GENERATION LOGIC" - RAMDO - RAMD1 -RAMD2 - RAMD3 - RAMD4 - RAMD5 - RAMD6 - RAMD7 capacitors, not shown, should be installed adjacent to most integrated circuits between +5 V and ground. A table of all the MPX-16's integrated circuits appears as table 2 on pages 56 and 60, giving each device's number, type, section/ figure location, and poi nections. (The diagram is continued on page 54.) ~>wer con- December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc 53 Figure 3: Continued from page 53. 54 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc ? Bored Waiting? Here's The Board You've Been Waiting For. A hard disk and cartridge tape controller together on one board? Magic? Not really. It's Teletek's HD/CTC. The hard disk and cartridge tape drive controller provide the support necessary to interface both a rigid-disk drive and a cartridge tape deck to the S-100 bus. A colorful addition to Teletek's already impressive line of S-100 boards, the HD/CTC's specifica- tions include: A Z-80A CPU providing intelligent control of the rigid-disk and cartridge tape drives. Teletek's HD/CTC Support of 5V4" rigid-disk drives with transfer rates of 5 megabits per second. Minor changes in on-board components allow the support of other drive types/sizes and transfer rates up to 15 megabits per second. (Interface to disk drive is defined by software/firmware on board.) Controller communications with the host processor via 2K FIFO at any speed desirable up to the limit of 2 megabytes per second for a data block transfer. Thus the controller does not constrain the host proces- sor in any manner. Two 28-pin sockets allowing the use of up to 1 6k bytes of on-board EPROM and up to 8k bytes of on-board RAM. Individual software reset capability. Conforms to the proposed IEEE-6% S-100 standard. Controller can accommodate two rigid-disk drives and one cartridge tape drive. Expansion is made possible with an external card. Teletek's HD/CTC Offers A Hard Disc Controller, Plus Cartridge Tape Controller, All In One Board. FELETEK 9767F Business Park Drive Sacramento, CA 95827 (916)361-1777 Telex #4991834. Answer back-Teletek ©Teletek 1982 Circle 458 on inquiry card. Circle 396 on inquiry card. INCOME TAX ACCOUNTING ® "Quick jax has the finest software I've ever seen for the Accounting and Tax Professional. The programs are so well designed and supported, we had no start-up problems."— Ronald Braun, C.P.A. 1040 TAX PROGRAM «995 • ALL MAJOR FORMS & SCHEDS. • PRINTS ON IRS FORMS. MULTI- PART FORMS, OR OVERLAYS. • INDIVIDUAL OR BATCH PROCESSING. • AUTOMATIC CARRY-FORWARD OF PRIOR YEAR DATA. • DIAGNOSTIC REPORTS. • LETTER OF INSTRUCTION. • AUTOMATIC CLIENT BILLING. • MAILING LISTS/LABELS & ENVELOPES. • UNLIMITED SUPPORTING SCHEDULES. Simple and easy to use! PLUS: P ROFORMA/TAX ORGANIZER STATE MODULES AVAILABLE TAX PLANNING DEPRECIATION SCHEDULE ALSO AVAILABLE^: GENERAL LEDGER CLIENT WRITE-UP AFTER THE FACT PAYROLL AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE TIME AND BILLING ALL QUICK TAX PROGRAMS COME WITH ONE YEAR WARRANTY & SUPPORT. See your nearest computer dealer. Or, call or write for more information. Quick-Tax Software is available for Xerox 820, IBM, PC, Radio Shack, DEC, Vector Graphic, Northstar, and other CP/M based computers. CP/M it j registered trademark of Digital Research. Inc. DEALER DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE. 319 Clawson St.Dept. bm S.I., N.Y.C., N.Y. 10306 (212) 351-6143 Q #, IC Schematic Number Type Section + 5V GND +12V -12V VR1 LM7905 5(3-2) (voltage rec ulator) 3 IC1 74LS367 1 (1 -3b), 2 (2-2) 16 8 IC2 74LS123 5(3-2) 16 8 IC3 74LS157 5(3-2) 16 8 IC4 74LS124 5(3-2) 16 8 IC5 74LS175 5(3-2) 16 8 IC6 74LS173 5(3-2) 16 8 IC7 74LS393 5(3-2) 14 7 IC8 74LS10 5(3-2) 14 7 IC9 74LS74 5(3-2) 14 7 IC10 M1116-8M 5(3-2) 14 7 IC11 74LS153 5(3-2) 16 8 IC12 74LS14 5(3-2) 14 7 IC13 74LS74 5(3-2) 14 7 IC14 74LS74 5(3-2) 14 7 IC15 74LS74 5(3-2) 14 7 IC16 74LS74 5(3-2) 14 7 IC17 74LS175 5(3-2) 16 8 IC18 7406 5(3-2) 14 7 IC19 spare socket IC20 74LS04 1 (1-3ab),5(3-2) 14 7 IC21 8272 5(3-2) 40 20 IC22 74LS240 5(3-2) 20 10 IC23 7407 5(3-2) 14 7 IC24 74LS14 2(2-2) 14 7 IC25 74LS74 2(2-2) 14 7 IC26 74LS139 5 (3-2) 16 8 IC27 7407 5(3-2) 14 7 IC28 74LS32 2 (2-2), 4 (3-1) 14 7 IC29 74LS08 2(2-2) 14 7 IC30 74LS10 1(1 -3a), 2 (2-2) 14 7 IC31 74LS30 2(2-2) 14 7 IC32 74LS74 2(2-2) 14 7 IC33 74LS175 2(2-2) 16 8 IC34 8284A 1 (1-3a) 18 9 IC35 8259A 1 (1-3a) 28 14 IC36 8088 1 (1-3a) 40 1,20 IC37 8087 (option) 1 (1-3a) 40 1,20 IC38 74LS373 1 (1-3a) 20 10 IC39 74LS373 1 (1-3b) 20 10 IC40 74LS173 1 (1-3b) 16 8 IC41 74LS173 1(1 -3b) 16 8 IC42 74LS173 1(1-3b) 16 8 IC43 74LS245 1(1 -3a) 20 10 IC44 74LS373 1 (1-3a) 20 10 IC45 HM7603-5 2(2-2) 16 8 IC46 74LS245 1 (1-3a) 20 10 IC47 8155H-2 4(3-1) 40 20 Table 2: Integrated circuits in the MPX-16. Here are sh own each device's number, type, section /figure location and power connections. The location of each chip in the five-part schematic diagram is listed by schematic section; the c haracters in parentheses show in which article the section appeared and which figure the device appears in. Some integrated circuits containing multiple gates appear in more than one schematic section. (The table is continued on page 60.) 56 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Your Own University Library Online At Homel If you're free between the hours of six and midnight, make a date with one of the world's fastest, most powerful online, information services — at a fraction of what it would cost during the business day. All you pay is a $50 registration fee to receive your classified user's password. Then, any evening, you can summon up a wealth of information for as little as $6 per hour. Technical and scientific abstracts. Medical journals. Government studies. Business indexes. 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Have a merry computer and a happy software. 16KRAM KITS 13.95 Set cjl 8 NEC 4116 200 ns Guaranteed one year DISKETTES ALPHA DISKS 21.95 Single sided, certified Double Density <*0 Tracks. with Hub-ring Box ot 10 Guaranteed one yea' SCOTCH 3M SS D.DEN 40 TRK 23.50 D S D.DEN 40 TRK . 36 50 VERBATIM DATALIFE NID 525-01. 10. 16 26.50 MD 550-01. 10, 16 44.50 MD 557-01. 10. 16 45.60 MD 577-01. 10. 16 34.80 F0 32 or 34-9000 .36.00 FD 32 or 34-8000. 45 60 FD 34-4001 48 60 DISKETTE STORAGE y/t" PLASTIC LIBRARY CASE 2 50 8 PLASTIC LIBRARY CASE 3 50 PLASTIC STORAGE BINDER w/ Inserts. ..9.95 PROTECTOR 5'/<" (50 Disk Capacity) 21 95 PROTECTOR 8" (50 Disk Capacity) . 24.95 DISK BANK 5%" 5 95 DISK BANK 8" 6.95 NEC PERSONAL COMPUTERS Call Alpha Byte lor our low NEC prices ALTOS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Call Alpha Byte for our low Aitos prices ATARI COMPUTERS SIGNALMAN MODEM 85 00 ATARI 800 ... 659 00 ATARI 400 (16K) . . SCALL ATARI 810 DISK DRIVE 445 00 ATARI 850 INTERFACE 169 00 ATARI 410 PROGRAM RECORDER 75.00 EPSON CABLE 35 00 MEMORY MODULE (16K) 89 95 JOYSTICK CONTROLLER 10 00 PADDLE CONTROLLERS 17 50 STAR RAIDERS 35 00 MISSILE COMMAND 35.00 ASTERIODS 35 00 PACMAN 35 00 CENTIPEDE 35 00 INTEC PERIPHERALS RAM MODULES 48K FOR ATARI 400 199.00 32K FOR ATARI 800 85 00 PRINTERS ANADEX 9501A 1390 00 RIBBONS FOR MX-80 8 95 RIBBONS FOR MX-100 24,00 C-ITOH F-10 40 CPS PARALLEL 1390.00 58 BYTE December 1982 C-ITOH F-10 40 CPS SERIAL .1390 00 MICROBUFFER lit 32K W/GRAPHICS .299 00 STATIC MEMORY SYSTEMS C-ITOH PROWRITER PARALLEL . 480 00 SUPERFAN II .62.00 "LAST MEMORY" BOARD 64K. , 500 00 C-ITOH PROWRITER SERIAL 590 00 RANA CONTROLLER .104 00 "LASTING MEMORY" PROM PROG 299 00 EPSON MX-80 W/GRAFTRAX PLUS ICALL RANA DRIVES 33500 EPSON MX-80 F/T W/GRAFTRAX PLUSSCALL SNAPSHOT 119.00 ADVANCED MICRODIGIT, EPSON MX-100 W/GRAPHTRAX PLUS SCALL GRAPPLER + 146 00 SINGLE S-100 BOARD EPSON GRAFTRAX PLUS 60 00 7710A ASYNCHRON SER INTERFACE 149 00 COMPUTER C0MREX CR-t PARALLEL 839 00 7712A SYNCHRON SER INTERFACE 159.00 SUPERQUAD-8 SUPER0UAD-5 820 00 820 00 C0MREX CR-1 SERIAL 859 00 7742A CALENDAR CLOCK .99 00 COMREX TRACTOR FEED 109.00 7728A CENTRONICS INTERFACE 105.00 IDS PRISM 80 859 00 APPLE VISION 80-80 COL CARD 329 00 IDS PRISM 80 W/ COLOR/OPTIONS 1599 00 APPLE 8' DISK DRIVE CONTROLLER 549 00 MODEMS IDS MICROPRISM 460 SCALL NEC 8023A . 485 00 MONITORS NOVATION CAT ACOUSTICS MODEM 135 00 NEC SPINWRITER 3530 P RO 1995 00 NOVATION D-CAT DIRECT CONNECT 156 00 NEC SPINWRITER 7710 S RO 2545 00 U SI AMBER 12" 179.00 NOVATION AUTO-CAT AUTO ANS. 219 00 NEC SPINWRITER 7730 P RO 2545 00 NEC 12" GREEN MONITOR 174,00 NOVATION APPLE-CAT (300 Baud) 310 00 NEC SPINWRITER 7700 D SELLUM 2795.00 NEC 12' COLOR MONITOR 399 00 NOVATION APPLE-CAT 11200 Baudl 605 00 NEC SPINWRITER 3500 SELLUM 2295 00 SANYO 12" MONITOR (B & W) 198 00 UDS 212 LP (1200 Baud) 429 00 OKIDATA MICROLINE 80 389 00 SANYO 13" COLOR MONITOR 402 00 UDS 103 JLP AUTO ANS 209 00 OKIDATA MICROLINE 82A 460 00 BMC GREEN MONITOR .... 89 00 HAYES MICROMODEM 289 00 OKIDATA MICROLINE 83A 700 00 AMDEK COLOR I 365 00 HAYES 100 MODEM (S-100) 325 00 OKIDATA MICROLINE 84 1170 00 AMDEK RGB COLOR II 774 00 HAYES SMART MODEM (300 BAUD) 227 00 OKIGRAPH 82 4995 AMDEK RGB INTERFACE . 169 00 HAYES SMART MODEM (1200 BAUD) 540.00 OKIGRAPH 83 49 95 COMREX 12 GREEN MONITOR 11500 HAYES CHRONOGRAPH 199 00 MICROBUFFER IN-LINE 32K 299 00 LEXICON LEX- 11 MODEM 119 00 MICROBUFFER INLINE 64K 349 00 SIGNALMAN MODEM W /RS-232C 85 00 MICROBUFFER 64K EXPANSION MOD 179 00 MOUNTAIN CORVUS HARDWARE TERMINALS CPS MULTIFUNCTION BOARD 154 00 TELEVIDEO 920C 830 00 FOR S-100, APPLE OR TRS ROMPLUS W/ KEYBOARD FILTER 165.00 TELEVIDEO 950C 995 00 MOD I, III ROMPLUS W/O KEYBOARD FILTER 125 00 ADDS-VIEWPOINT 599 00 Controller. Case/P S .Operating System. A & T KEYBOARD FILTER ROM 49 00 HAZELTINE ESPRIT 510 00 5 MEGABYTES 2755 00 COPYROM 49 00 VISUAL-50 GREEN 690 00 10 MEGABYTES 3699 00 MUSIC SYSTEM, .369 00 20 MEGABYTES MIRROR BACK-UP 4299 00 700 00 ROMWRITER A/D + D/A 149.00 29900 TRS-80 MOD 1 EXPANSION CHASSIS 580 00 HARDWARE BOOKS RAMPLUS 32K .160 00 PERCOM DATA SEPARATOR 27 00 THE CUSTOM APPLE 24 95 BASIC BETTER S FASTER DEMO DISK 18 00 S-100 HARDWARE PERCOM DOUBLER II W /DOS 3 4 TANDON 80 TRK DISK DRIVE W/P S 159 00 345 00 THE CUSTOM TRS-80 24 95 Alpha Byle is your new S-100 head- TANDON 40 TRK DISK DRIVE W/PS 289 00 MICROSOFT BASIC FASTER & BETTER 24 95 quarters' We've expanded our line ol LNW DOUBLER W/DOSPLUS 3 3 138 00 CUSTOM I/O MACHINE LANGUAGE TRS-80 DISK 4 MYSTERIES 24 95 16.95 S-1 00-compatible hardware. Here' lew of the lines we carry s just a LNW 5/8 DOUBLER W/DOSPLUS 3 4 MOD III DRIVE KIT W /DRIVES 171 00 875 00 MICROSOFT BASIC & DECODED . 24 95 CALIFORNIA IBM HARDWARE APPLE HARDWARE COMPUTER SYSTEMS SEATTLE 64K RAM + 370 00 APPLEMATE DRIVE SUPER CLOCK II 275 00 129 00 2200A MAINFRAME 2065C 64K DYNAMIC RAM. . 2422 DISK CONT & CP/M' 459 00 539 00 359 00 QUADBOARD 64K 64K MEMORY UPGRADE 464 00 80 00 VERSA WRITER DIGITIZER 259 00 2710 4 SERIAL I/O 279 00 ALPHA BYTE IBM MEMOF ABT APPLE KEYPAD 119 00 2718 2 SERIAL / 2 PARALLEL I/O . 269 00 EXPANSION BOARDS SOFTCARO PREMIUM SYSTEM 575 00 2720 4 PARLLEL I/O 199 00 256K W /RS-232C 349 00 MICROSOFT 2-80 SOFTCARD 249 00 2810 Z-BO CPU 259 00 MICROSOFT RAMCARD 125 00 256K W /RS-232C S SUPERCALC 529 00 VIDEX 80x24 VIDEO CARD 260 00 QT COMPUTER PRODUCT 512K W /RS-232C . 599 00 VIDEX KEYBOARD ENHANCER II 129 00 18 SLOT M/F W/PS 430 00 512K W /RS-232C 8. SUPERCALC 749 00 VIDEX ENHANCER REV 0-6 99 00 12 SLOT M/F W/CUTOUTS FOR 2-5'/. "500 00 VIDEX FUNCTION STRIP 74 00 12 SLOT M/F W/CUTOUTS FOR 2-8 600 00 BARE DRIVES M & R SUPERTERM 80x24 VIDEO BD 315 00 8 SLOT M/F W/CUTOUTS FOR 2-8" 550 00 M & R COOLING FAN . 44 95 TANDON 5'/4 INCH T/G JOYSTICK . 44 95 COMREX 100-1 SINGLE HEAD 40 TRK 195 00 T/G PADDLE. 29 95 THE TIMEPIECE S-100 CLOCK 125 00 100-2 DUAL HEAD 40 TRK 269 00 T/G SELECT-A-PORT 54 95 SIERRA 100-3 SINGLE HEAD 80 TRK 250 00 VERSA E-Z PORT 2195 100-4 DUAL HEAD 80 TRK 369 00 THE MILL-PASCAL SPEED UP 270 00 COMPUTER PRODUCTS PROMETHEUS VERSACARD 180 00 S-100 PROM PROGRAMMER A/T 240 00 TANDON THINLINE 8 INC LAZAR LOWER CASE + 59 00 S 100 PROM PROGRAMMER KIT 195 00 848-1 SINGLE SIDE 379 00 MICROBUFFER lit 16K W/GRAPHICS 259 00 S-100 PROTOTYPE MODULE SEMI KIT 90 00 848-2 DUAL SIDE 490 00 CP/M is a reg uaaemark ol Digital Research 'Requires Z-60 So'lc.irc ifeq trademafk at fv'iro P'O I irrational Cora : r 'afle"iark o' P-acuca Pen: ■ IBM DISK DRIVES Alpha Byte's add-on drive kits lor the IBM-PC — each kit includes installation instructions I Tandon TM100-1 Single head 40 trk 195.00 1 Tandon TM100-2 Double head 40 trk269 00 HARD DISK DRIVE SPECIAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTORS 5V4" Winchester, cabinet. P.S. controller assembled and tested Attaches to your Z-80 CPU system in minutes Runs on Northstar. Heath/ Zenith. TRS-80 Mod II. Apple w/ CP/M' . CCS and others Hardware must be Z-80/CPM' system The included selt-installing soltware at- taches to your CP/M- system 6-month warran- ty No effect on your present floppy disk system Includes all cables and installation instructions 10 MEGABYTES . 2370 00 20 MEGABYTES 3180 00 ISOLATORS ISO-1 3-SOCKET 53.95 ISO-2 6-SOCKET 53 95 MICRO PRO APPLE CP/M® WORDSTARS SUPERSORT - ! MAILMERGE"! DATASTAR't SPELLSTAH't .. . . CALCSTAR't CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE MICROSOFT APPLE FORTRAN - .. .. BASIC COMPILER' COBOL- Z-80 SOFTCARD. .. . RAMCARD TYPING TUTOR OLYMPIC DECATHLON TASC APPLESOFT COMPILER ALDS 199 00 109 00 60.00 162 00 109 00 109 00 150.00 296 00 550 00 249 00 125 00 17.95 . .24 95 130 00 95 00 IBM SOFTWARE PEACHTREE SERIES 4 269 00 VOLKSWRITER 145.00 WRITE ON ...... 9000 EASYWRITER II.. 247 00 HOME ACCOUNTANT+ 105.00 VISICALC / 256K .... 189 00 SUPERCALC 189.00 WORDSTAR . 235 00 MAILMERGE 79.00 DATASTAR 220.00 SPELLSTAR 150.00 SUPERSORT 160 00 d BASE II 42900 SPELLGUARD 230 00 Call tor additional IBM soltware prices APPLE SOFTWARE MAGIC WINDOW . 79 00 MAGIC SPELL 59 00 MAGIC MAILER . 59.00 DB MASTER 169.00 DB MASTER UTILITY PACK 69 00 DATA CAPTURE 4 0/80 59 95 PFS GRAPH .89 95 PFS (NEW) PERSONAL FILING SYSTEM 85 30 PFS REPORT 79.00 Z-TERM- 89 95 Z-TERM PRO- 129 95 ASCII EXPRESS 63 95 EASY WRITER-PRO 199 00 EASY MAILER-PRO 79 00 EXPEDITER II APPLESOFT COMPILER 73 95 A-STAT COMP STATISTICS PKG 129 00 BEAGLE BROTHERS UTILITY CITY 23 00 APPLE MECHANIC 23 00 TIP DESK#1 15 95 SUPER TEXT II 129 00 LISA 2 5 59 95 TRANSCEND II 115 00 PEACHTREE SERIES 4/40 269 00 SCREENWRITER II 99 00 DICTIONARY 79 00 G/L A/R A/P PAYROLL PROPERTY MGMT 165 00 165 00 165 00 165 00 399 00 MACRO 80 mu MATH/mu SIMP mu LISP/mu STAR TRS-80 GAMES INVADERS FROM SPACE 185 00 200 00 165 00 Save 33% FRANKLIN ACE 1 000 1 595.00 RANA DISK DRIVE 449.00 RANA DRIVE CONT. CARD 1 35.00 C.ITOH 8510 PRINTER 795.00 MICROBUFFER 32K 299.00 NEC 12" GREEN MONITOR 200.00 VERBATIM DISKS 45.00 LIBRARY CASE 5.00 J3523- Now $2352 THE HOME ACCOUNTANT FIRST CLASS MAIL VISICORP DESKTOP PLAN II VISIPLOT VISITREND/VISIPLOT VISIDEX. VISITERM VISICALC VISIFILES 59 95 55 00 189 00 158 00 229 00 189 00 79 00 189 00 189 00 CP/M® SOFTWARE We carry CP/M* soltware in all popular disk formats Call for availability and price Most solt- ware also available on IBM SUPERFILES 170 00 THE WORD PLUS 117 00 d BASE II 429 00 QUICKCODE . 230 00 DUTIL ... 91 00 SUPERCALC 189 00 SPELLGUARD 230 00 P&TCP/M' MOD 2 & 16 TRS-80 175 00 COMMX TERMINAL PROG 82 50 PASCAL Z.... ...... .... 349 00 PASCAL MT + 439 00 PASCAL/M 295.00 SOFTWARE DIMENSIONS- G/L.A/R.A/P.P/R 1799 00 CONDOR I 579 00 CONDOR It 849 00 BADLIM 62 00 DIGITAL RESEARCH MAC 89 00 SID 69 00 ZSID 97 00 PL/ 1-80 439 00 C BASIC 2 96 00 SUPERSOFT DIAGNOSTIC I 69 00 DIAGNOSTIC II 89 00 C COMPILER 179 00 UTILITIES I 59 00 UTILITIES II 59 00 RATFOR 89 00 FORTRAN 239 00 OISK DOCTOR 78 00 MICROPRO WORDSTAR 265 00 SUPERSORT 160 00 MAILMERGE 95 00 DATASTAR 220 00 SPELLSTAR 150 00 CALCSTAR 195 00 WORDPAK 455 00 MICROSOFT BASIC 80 249 00 BASIC COMPILER 299 00 FORTRAN 80 359 00 COBOL 80 419 00 PIKBALL MISSIIE ATTACK STAR FIGHTER SCARFMAN 17 95 18 95 24 95 .17 95 TRS-80 SOFTWARE NEWDOS/80 2 MOD I. Ill 139 00 LAZY WRITER MOD I. II 165 00 PROSOFT NEWSCRIPT MOD I, III w/labels109 00 SPECIAL DELIVERY MOO I. Ill 119.00 X-TRA SPECIAL DELIVERY MOD 1 III 199 00 TRACKCESS MOD I 24 95 OMNITERM SMART TERM MOD I. Ill 89 95 MICROSOFT BASIC COMP FOR MOD I 165 00 LDOS 5 1 MOD I. Ill 119 00 APPLE & ATARI GAMES BRODERBUND PANIC 23 61 APPLE MIDNIGHT MAGIC CHOPLIFTER . 27 26 27 20 AUTOMATED SIMULATIONS INVASION ORION ... 20 95 STAR WARRIOR. 31 35 CRUSH, CRUMBLE AND CHOMP .. 24.95 TEMPLE OF APSHAI 31 35 HELLFIRE WARRIOR 31 3b RESCUE AT RIGEL 23 36 ON-LINE SYSTEMS WIZARD AND PRINCESS 27 26 SOFT PORN ADVENTURE 23 36 THRESHOLD 31 16 JAW BREAKER 23 36 CROSSFIRE 24 95 UL'SSES & GOLDEN FLEECE 25 95 EDU-WARE COMPU-READ 24 95 COMPU-MATH FRACTIONS 34 95 COMPU-MATH DECIMALS . 34.95 MORE GREAT APPLE GAMES GALAXY WAR 20 95 ALIEN TYPHOON 20 95 ARCADE MACHINE 32 95 TUES MORNING OUARTERBACK 25 95 THE DRAGONS EYE 20 95 COMPUTER OUARTERBACK 31 16 SEA FOX 24 00 THE SHATTERED ALLIANCE 49 95 POOL 1 5 27 26 ULTIMA 31 16 RASTER BLASTER 23 36 FLIGHT SIMULATOR 26 61 INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX 25 95 SAPGON II 28 95 SHUFFLE BOARD 29 95 SPACE KADETT 28 00 SNACK ATTACK 23 36 THIEF 24 95 MARS CARS 23 00 KAMIKAZI 27 26 THE WARP FACTOR 31 16 COSMO MISSION 23.36 WIZARDRY 37 95 ZORK I 28.00 ZORK II 28 00 DEADLINE 35 00 SIRIUS SOFTWARE SPACE EGGS 23 36 GORGON 31 16 SNEAKERS 23 36 PHANTOMS FIVE 22 00 BANDITS 25 00 EDU-WARE PERCEPTION PKG 19 95 COMPU-MATH ARITHMETIC 39.95 COMPU-SPELL (RED DATA DISK) 24 95 COMPU-SPELL DATA DISKS 4-8. ea 17 95 RENDEZVOUS . , 28,50 ON-LINE SYSTEMS ULTIMA II 42.00 MISSILE DEFENSE 27 26 SABOTAGE 20 95 TIME ZONE 77 96 CRANSTON MANOR 25 95 CANNON BALL BLITZ 25 95 MUSE SOFTWARE ROBOT WARS 32.95 THREE MILE ISLAND 3T 61 ABM 19 46 CALL OUR MODEM LINE FOR DAILY CHRISTMAS SPECIALS IN DECEMBER. To order or for information call In New\brk.- (212)509-1923 InLosAngetes: (213)706-0333 In Dallas: (214)744-4251 By Modem: (213)883-8976 IPUTER PRODUCTS Circle 23 on inquiry card. 31245 LA BAYA DRIVE WESTLAKE VILLAGE. CA 91362 We guarantee everything we sen for 30 oays — no 'elurns after 30 cays Defective software will be replaced free dui ail other software returns are subject to 15% restoring fee and must Pf; accompanied oy RMA slip. No •elurns on game software, unless defective We accept VISA and MasterCard on ail orders COD orders, up lo S300 Shipping charges S3 lor all prepaid orders, actual shipping charges lor non prepaids S3 tor COD orders under 2510s |S6 lor aver] plus a S4 surcharge aod 15% lor foreign FPO and APO orders Ca'il ado 6% suits lax in 1 A Counly ado 6V,% Prices ouoted are lor slock on hand and are subjecl lo change without notice Circle 322 on inquiry card. DEC. SPECIAL SALE ON PREPAID ORDERS (CHARGE CARDS. CO D OR PC'S NOT AVAILABLE) MUST MENTION AD FOR SPECIAL PRICES XMAS SPECIAL SALE. 5% OFF ON SSM KITS. WAMECO RARE ROARDS. WAMECO DARE ROARDS WITH MIKOS PARTS, EXTEK KITS. •1 CALIFORNIA COMPUTER SYSTEMS SIOO 2032 32K STATIC RAM A & T 200 NSEC $468.00 2065 64 K DYNAMIC RAM A & T $351.00 2200 S-100 MAIN FRAM AST $500.00 2422A FLOPPY DISC WITH CP/M 22" $372.50 2II0AZ8O CPU A& T $281.25 27I0A4 SERIAL 1/0 A & T. $291 95 2501 A 1 2 SLOT MOTHER BOARD $180.00 2720A4 PARALLEL AS T $214 95 PROTO BOARDS WW $39.95 APPLE PRODUCTS 7II4A 12K ROM/PROM $99.95 7424A CALENDAR/CLOCK S106 95 7440A PROGRAMMABLE TIMER $106.95 7470AATO D CONVERTER S105 95 7490A GPIB (IE 488) INTERFACE $182.00 77I0A ASYNC SERIAL S12595 77I2A SYNC SERIAL $148.50 7720A PARALLEL STANDARD $105.00 7720B PARALLEL CENTRONICS $105.00 781 IB ARITHMETIC PROCESSOR W/DISC $325.00 7811 C ARITHMETIC PROCESSOR W'ROM $325.00 7520A EXTENDER $23.50 7300A APPLE CLIP SfiOO 2?~tfJ MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCTS SIOO PRODUCTS CB-2 280 PROCESSOR BOARD KIT S19895. A& T S269 95 VBIC64 x 16 VIDEO. PCBO S 36.95 KIT S15395, AS T S199 95 VB3 80 CHARACTER VIDEO 4MHZ KIT S345 95. A& T S425 95 I04 2 PARALLEL. 2 SERIAL PCBD $ 36.95 KIT $160.95. A& T $199.95 PB-1 2708. 2716 PROGRAMMER BOARD KIT $140.95. A& T $189.95 APPLE PROOUCTS AID - II SERIAL/PARALLEL INTERFACE. A&T $178.00 ASIO SERIAL I/O A&T $115.95 APIO PARALLEL 10 W/0 CABLES A&T. $87.95 /lN77tCJj nc WAMECO INC. BOARDS WITH MIKOS PARTS MEM-3 32K STATIC RAM. PCBD $3695 KIT LESS RAM S95 95 A& T $135 95 CPU-2 Z80 PROCESSOR. PCBD $32 95 KIT LESS ROM S109 95 A & T S14995 CRT-1 36 OR 24 x 80 VIDEO BOARD, PCBD ...$38.95 KIT $249.95, A&T $299.95 FPB-I FRONT PANEL, PCBD $48 50 KIT S144 95. AS 1 S184 95 MEM-4 65K RAM/ROM BOARD, PCBD $38.95 KIT LESS MEMORY. . $99.95, A&T LESS MEMORY $129.95 M MONDAY-FRIDAY. 8:00 TO 12:00. 1.00 TO 5.30 THURSDAYS. 8:00 TO 9:00 P.M. (415) 728-9121 P.O. BOX 955 • EL GRANADA, CA 9401 8 PLEASE SEND FOR IC XISTOR AND COMPUTER PARTS LIST VISA or MASTERCHARGE. Send account number, interbank number, expiration date and sign your order. Approx. postage will be added. Orders with check or money order will be sent post paid in U.S. It you are not a regular customer, please use charge, cashier's check or postal money order. Otherwise there will be a two- week delay tor checks to clear. Calit. residents add 6.5% tax. Money back 30-day guarantee. We cannot accept returned IC's that have been soldered to. Prices subject to change without nolice.SZO.OO minimum order. SZ.OO service charge on orders less thin $20.00. IC Schematic Number Type Section + 5V GND + 12V -12V IC48 8237A-5 1 (1-3b) 31 20 IC49 74LS245 1 (1-3a) 20 10 IC50 74LS373 1 (1-3a) 20 10 IC51 8288 1 (1-3a) 20 10 IC52 74LS154 2(2-2) 24 12 IC53 74LS245 3(2-3) 20 10 IC54 74LS243 1 ( 1 -3b) 14 7 IC55 74LS08 1 (1-3ab),5(3-2) 14 7 IC56 74LS32 1 (1-3a) 14 7 IC57 74LS08 3(2-3) 14 7 IC58 74LS74 3(2-3),4(3-1) 14 7 IC59 74LS280 3(2-3) 14 7 IC60 8255A-5 4(3-1) 26 7 IC61 8253-5 4(3-1) 24 12 IC62 8259A 1(1 3a) 28 14 IC63 74LS14 1(1 3a), 3 (2-3) 14 7 IC64 74LS32 2(2 2), 3 (2-3) 14 7 IC65 74LS158 3(2 3) 16 8 IC66 74LS14 3(2 3) 14 7 IC67 74LS32 3(2 3) 14 7 IC68 74LS158 3(2 3) 16 8 IC69 74LS393 4(3 D 14 7 IC70 8251 A 4(3 D 26 4 IC71 8251A 4(3 D 26 4 IC72 1489 4(3 D 14 7 IC73 1489 4(3 1) 14 7 IC74 74LS139 3(2 3) 16 8 IC75 74LS00 1(1 3b) 14 7 IC76 74LS14 4(3 D 14 7 IC77 7407 4(3 D 14 7 IC78 7407 4(3 1) 14 7 IC79 1488 4(3 1) 7 14 1 IC80 1488 4(3 D 7 14 1 IC81 74LS08 3(2 3) 14 7 IC82 EPROM 3(2 3) 28,1* 14 IC83 EPROM 3(2 3) 28,1* 14 IC84 EPROM 3(2 3) 28,1* 14 IC85 EPROM 3(2 3) 28,1* 14 IC86 4164 3(2 3) 8 16 1 1 J 1 1 IC121 4164 3(2-3) 8 16 * depends on type of EPROM i sed Table 2: Continued fron page 56. and a floppy-disk bootstrap-loader routine. RAM Configuration The onboard user-programmable memory of the MPX-16 consists of one to four 64K-byte banks of nine type-4164 64K-bit dynamic RAM devices. Within the 8088 processor's 1-megabyte address space, the 60 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc MPX-16 must have at least the lowest 64K-byte bank of RAM (bank 0) in- stalled from hexadecimal addresses 00000 to OFFFF so that interrupt-rou- tine pointers can reside in the loca- tions from hexadecimal 00000 to 003FF. The RAM chips are required to have an access time of no more than 200 ns and a cycle time of 335 ns. Single-bit parity generation and Circle 455 on inquiry card. > SHARED WINCHESTER DISK! Now, Up to FOUR IBM Personal Computers Can Share the Same PC-MATE Winchester Disk System. Give each Personal Computer a complete logical device The WINCHESTER/^" is $2995 and WINCHESTER/ 10™ for total READ/WRITE freedom, or they can all share a is only $3995. Each additional PC to share the disk needs device for READ Only applications. only a PC-SHARE™ adapter at just $495. All PC-MATE WINCHESTER/5™ and WINCHESTER/ 1 0™ disk systems now feature the new ultra fast GT DMA disk controller. This new controller not only provides superior performance, it can serve as the base unit for the Shared Disk Facility. An Expansion Chassis, Five or Ten Megabyte Winchester Disk, Superior performance and Disk Sharing are just a few reasons why the PC-MATE™ Winchester Disk System should be your next step. All ONP™ EXPANSION FOR THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER. ALL IN V-/1 lC Memory, Serial, Parallel, Clock/Calendar with Battery and more!!! PC-Mate™ by TECMAR, the first and only complete line of expansion options for the IBM Personal Computer, now brings you the ultimate expansion product, the ALLinONE*" Board. m &mr ALLirnONE gives you memory, 64, 128, 192 or 256K bytes, a Serial Port, and a Parallel Port, Clock/Calendar with battery backup and circuitry for an optional Programmable Array Logic chip. Ready to use, ALLiinONE'" comes complete with the DB25 connectors on Serial and Parallel Ports, Software to set system Time and Date, and the popular RAMSPOOLER™ utility to allow printing as a back- ground task. Put all of these features together with these prices, and you really have it ALLinONE™ $565. - 64K Bytes $735. - 128K Bytes $875. ■ 192K Bytes $975. - 256K Bytes Tecmar is currently shipping over thirty different expansion products including Memory, Winchester Disks, Communications Interfaces, Laboratory/Scientific/- Industrial products and more! For IBM Personal Computer Expansion, The ISext Step TECMAR. Call or write for product specifications and the name of your nearest participating Computerland and other fine PC-Mate Retailer internationally. Tecmar Inc. PERSONAL COMPUTER PRODUCTS DIVISION 23600 Mercantile Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44122 Telephone: (216) 464-7410 Telex: 241735 SYSMEM RD • SYSMEMWR \ / RASEN "A- r RAS X )L \ _r~ ROW/CC / A ROW ADDRESS w COLUMN ADDRESS m \ CASEN \ r i CAS7 © \ r RAMWE RAMD X ® X WRITE DATA VALID X"" RAMDx NOTES: (T) WRITE © READ HIGH IMPEDANCE- CYCLE ONLY CYCLE ONLY — ( READ DATA VALID ~> — Figure 4: Timing diagram for the memory operation of the MPX-16. error detection are provided for all of the 256K-byte onboard memory. The RAM address-decoding logic is shown in section 2 of the schematic diagram (figure 2), and the read/ write control logic, address multi- plexers, RAM array organization, and parity-generation/error- detection logic are shown in section 3 (figure 3). The onboard RAM address space is selected when two conditions are met: the two high-order address bits SYSA18 and SYSA19 are both low and a memory-refresh cycle is not in progress (shown by DMACKO, the DMA-channel-O-acknowledge signal, being low). Because of this decoding scheme and the fact that the MPX-16 power-on self-test routine automatically clears memory and determines its size, the full 256K bytes of onboard RAM should be installed before you put in additional RAM in the I/O-expansion slots. Dynamic Memory Refresh Because dynamic RAM devices are used for the MPX-16's programmable memory, a memory-refresh circuit is necessary to prevent data stored in them from being lost. The 64K-bit dynamic RAMs require that all 256 rows be addressed every 4 ms (milli- seconds) to maintain the integrity of the data (the columns need not be in- dividually addressed); one row must be addressed for refreshing approxi- mately every 15 fis (microseconds). To eliminate having a separate bus- arbitration circuit for this purpose, memory refresh is carried out by exe- cuting a DMA (direct memory access) read cycle in a "RAS-only" manner — that is, using only the row-address- strobe inputs of the memory chips. Because refresh is controlled by the DMA circuit, there can never be a conflict between the refresh operation and the processor's memory refer- ences. The DMACKO signal goes active- low to indicate to the rest of the system that a refresh cycle is in pro- gress. This signal disables the RAM- decoding circuitry, prevents the gen- eration of a CAS (column-address strobe) signal, and enables the REFRESHRAS input at IC64 pin 2 (in section 3, figure 3). When the sys- tem bus master, the 8237A DMA con- troller (IC48 in section 1, printed last month), drive s the SYSMEMRD or SYSMEMWR (system memory write) line low, the output at IC 64 pin 3 also goes low. This causes the outputs of the four two-input gates (sections of IC81: positive AND gates used as negative ORs), whose other input comes from IC74, to go low. These outputs form the RAS inputs for each of the four RAM banks. (The 33-ohm series resistors in the RAS control lines are there to reduce ringing on the lines, which might latch a new row address during the middle of the memory cycle.) The DMA controller is set up by the system-initialization software to automatically increment the address counter after each refresh- memory cycle. Memory Operation A diagram of typical timing cycles for normal memory-read and write operations is shown in figure 4. For either type of memory cycle, the read/write-control logic is enabled when the DRAMSEL signal is low, indicating that two conditions have both been fulfilled: a valid address (lower than hexadecimal C0000) has been latched on the system bus and the DMACKO signal (from IC63, pin 6) is low (indicating that a refresh cycle is not in progress). A memory cycle is initiated when the output of an AND gate (IC57 pin 3 in section 3) goes low, indicating t hat either the SYSMEMRD or the SYSMEMWR control signal has been driven low by the system bus master. The RASEN (RAS enable) signal at IC67 pin 11, produced from the output of IC57 ORed with DRAMSEL, enables the l-of-4 (2- to 4-line) decoder IC74 to select one of th e four lines RASO, RASl, RAS2, or RAS3 (row-address-input enable for each of the four banks — which one is selected depends on the logic levels of the SYSA16 and SYSA17 ad- dress lines) and sets up the row ad- dress on the multiplexed memory- address lines RAMAO through RAMA7. A chain of Schmitt-trigger inverter sections, IC63 and IC66, delays the active-low output from IC57 pin 3 by five gate-delay periods, holding the row-address condition until the type-4164 memory chips have had sufficient time to latch the address bits. When the ROW/COL signal goes high (column addressing active), the 62 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMER The PGRWCT SPECTRUM 6 MULTI-FUNCTION BOARD Whether it's getting the most out of a down hill run or getting the most out of your IBM® PC, performance counts...and PGRWCT\ SPECTRUM is the champion performer. Up to 256 KBytes RAM, two Async Serial ports and a Parallel printer port. .all on one IBM PC-compatible board. And, all four options are upgradable with low-cost field expansion kits. SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER!!! $100 worth of Software FREE Buy a SPECTRUM board between Nov. 26 and Dec 31 and get P€RWtf\ INSTA-DRIVE® memory resident disk simulator and WATT-LESS PRINTER® software print spooler programs FREE! (Retail value is $100.) Take advantage of this special Holiday offer. Simply present the coupon to your local participating computer dealer. He'll do the rest PO&V9T PERSONAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY, INC. 15801 Rockfield, Ste. A, Irvine, CA 92714 714-859-8871 "*^jt Circle 375 on inquiry card. IBM it i trademark of International Buainaaa Machine Corp. Iraafc multiplexers change the contents of RAMAO through RAMA7 to the col- umn address derived from the system-address-bus lines SYSA8 through SYSA15. The CASEN signal enables the B outputs of the l-of-4 decoder IC74, which drives the CAS-control line for one of the mem- ory banks. The data-input and data-output lines of each RAM chip are tied together onto a common bidirectional memory-data line. The entire RAM array is isolated from the system data bus by bus transceiver IC53, which is enabled by the DRAMSEL signal during nonrefresh memory cycles, allowing data to pass between the RAM array and the system data bus. The direction of data flow is con- trolled by the output of IC67 pin 6, a logical O R of DRAMSEL and SYSMEMRD. During memory-read cycles, this signal is low, causing the data on the memory data bus to be transferred to the system data bus. During memory-write cycles, the direction signal is high and the data flow is from the system data bus to the memory data bus. Parity Checking Until the introduction of the IBM Personal Computer, memory with parity checking was rare in personal computers but had been used for years in larger computers. IBM did well to copy this feature of larger machines, since the constant de- creases in memory prices have made it more and more cost-effective. The MPX-16 also incorporates parity memory for increased system reliabil- ity and user confidence. Parity generation and checking in the MPX-16 are provided by a 74LS280 parity generator (IC59) and a type-D flip-flop (IC58), shown in figure 3 on page 54. During a memory-write cycle, the PARITYOUT signal presented to pin 8 of IC59 is low, because the output of IC57 (an AND gate) is disabled by the low state of the active-high SYSMEMRD signal. The parity bit computed by IC59 from the eight RAM data lines is written into the parity-bit memory chip (the ninth one of each bank) for the bank being ad- dressed. When a memory-read cycle occurs, the output of IC57 is enabled, and the parity bit that was previously written for each byte is routed to IC59 and used to check for an error in the pari- ty value. When the risin g edge of the sign al from IC67 pin 6 (DRAMSEL OR SYSMEMRD) is detected by the flip-flop IC58, it latches parity value. When no parity error is present, the odd-parity output (H O) of the 74LS280 will be a logic high state. When an error does occur, the odd- parity output will be low. The PARERR signal from IC58 is sent to the NMI (nonmaskable interrupt) logic and will remain set until the next memory-read cycle for which no pari- ty error occurs, or until the flip-flop is preset by a low state on the CLRPAR (clear parity) line, IC58 Circle 386 on inquiry card. Porta Sys™ - A Z8 Microprocessor System by Developement Sytem, General Purpose Controller, OEM Dedicated Controller • Zilog Z8 with built in tiny basic interpreter, low power • 24 programmable I/O lines • RS 232 - compatible with most terminals • 1 10 - 9600 band switch selectable . Memory selectable tor 4K by 8 RAM, 2716 EPROM (5V) or 2732 EPROM • Memory capacity up to 36K on board - 480K expandable • All expansion lines buffered for system Buss operations • 72 pin double row (36 pin per side) .100 in. spacing gold plate over nickel . Mainframe - 3 card capacity, +5 VDC, ±12 VDC . AC input 1 20V 60Hz; 220V 60Hz available > Z8 CPU Card w/4K RAM (4.5 in. x 6.75 in.) PR-1 000 $1 95.00 Memory Expansion ICs for the CPU Card(Per 4K) EX-61 32 35.00 Mainframe. ES"]SS1 H&9& EpromZapper , , PR-1002 79.00 Optional Zero Insertion Socket .......: i ; 8.00 9 Slots Motherboard (5 in. x 1 2 in.) with *,««. ,,.« 18 slots expansion capability E5"l25? 11S - 29 Ram-Eprom Expansion Board with 1 6K Ram PR-1 004 249.00 1 6K Cmos Ram Expandable to 32K with battery Backup ..........: § PS^?? 5 . 1 2 60 ° Expansion of Cmos Raiuboard to 32K Si" 6 !! 6 . . ?§22 AD/DA Converter-Ampliffer with I/O Board PR-1 006 1 49.00 Switching Power Supply with (SIZE: 1 in. H x 2.5 in. W x 3.5 in. D) . +5v@ 5amps, +12v @ lamp, -12v @ lamp PR-1 010 99.00 Linear Power Supply with 5 ogtputs (Size: 4.5 in. W x 4.5 in. H x 1 in. D) +5v@ 3A, -5v@3A, +12v@ 1A, -12v @ 1A, +12v@ 1A PR-1 01 5 99.00 Availability-Stock to 2 weeks.California Residents- ,,„-„, , ,. , ~ onn please add 6.5% Sales Tax.Shipping and Handling Charges: UPS - S5.00 UPS Blue Label - $8.00 C.O.D. - Add $5.00 in addition to above P.O. Box 23698 . San Jose, CA 95123 . Tel: (408) 226-2131 GREAT INNOVATORS . In Italy In the 15th century Leonardo Da Vinci was a multi- talented genuis. Leonardo's ideas and designs were endless. He was always creating new devices to solve the world's problems. Pictured here are many studies for military arms and armor and battlements. Today Vista is developing many high technology computer peripherals for use with IBM™ and Apple Computers. The final evolutionary stage in Apple disk storage, Quartet of- fers you the capacity of 4 Apple Disk Drives in the volume of one. Quartet's low profile styling has been developed to blend in with the profile and style of your Apple II Computer. Quartet uses 2 Double Sided Thinline disk drives to give you over 640K of storage. With the included Quartet Controller & Software, your Computer can handle much larger tasks than before. When using protected software, the Quartet operates just like 2 Apple Disk Drives, and will operate with ALL Apple compatible software. The Quartet system is the COMPLETE, one-stop solution to your storage requirements on the Apple or Apple Compati- ble Computer. Mo other two-drive package offers as much value at any price. And the Quartet offers all this with a price comparable to single drive, single sided systems. Features: • Thinline Drives for low profile • 2 Double Sided Drives for 640K Storage • Quartet Controller for Single /Dou- ble Sided Operation • Emulates Apple Disk II under a single sided mode • Boots St Runs All Apple Software • Double Sided, 40 track Patch software for DOS, CP/M*, fit Pascal • Full Vista 120 Day Warranty Contact Your Local Vista Dealer or Call our Vista Hotlines. Vista COMPUTER COMPANY, INC. *CP/M Is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc. ™IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines. 1317 East Edinger / Santa Ana, CA 92705 (714) 953-0523 / (800) 854-8017 DISTRIBUTORS / REPRESENTATIVES Western - Qroup 3 Wholesale northeast - Computers « Peripherals Inc. (2 1 3) 973-7844 (408) 732- 1 307 (3 1 5) 476-6664 South Central - M.P. Systems Florida • Audio Marketing (REP) (2 1 4) 385-8885 (305) 322-8327 UK - I kii Computers Ltd. Central - Wyatt 6r Associates (0252) 517175 / TWX: 858404 (317) 773-4791 Circle 485 on Inquiry card. -booed Jhe-bus- INDUSTRIAL QUALITY BOARDS FOR THE IEEE-696/S-100 BUS r\ I'BSSfiBifetJBt mniW i ^'- CPU GROUP CPU 68000 CPU 68000M • MC68000 processor • MC68451 MMU • 8 MHz operation • 16-Mbyte addressing • Single-user • Segmented memory management • Multi-user h * MEMORY GROUP EPROM • 32/64K ROM • 16-bit data paths • 24-bit addressing CMEM • 8K/16K/32KCMOS • 6 MHz for 8/1 6-bit • Non-voiatilewith .Li battery HL DMEM • 256K dynamic RAM • 24-bit addressing • 230 ns access I/O GROUP CLK-24C SI04 • Real time clock • 4-port serial I/O • LSI CMOS chip • 256 bytes of FIFO • Li battery backup • DMA transfers • 24-bit memory addr. IEEE 696/ S-100 BUS jr Tl VIC 4-20 • 4 channels • 20 mA outputs • 1 2-bit performance • Accepts AOM-1 2 inputs ■ T 3 ANALOG GROUP AOM-12 (D-to-A) • 12-bit ±%LS.B. • 0-10V, ±5V, ±10V jumper select outputs AIM-12 (A-to-D) • 32 S.E. channels • 25 u-sec conversion • 12-bit resolution Sales representatives in most metrfcpolitan areas. ^ OEM and Dealer pricing is available. system reliability/system integrity 2530 San Pablo Avenue • Berkeley • CA 94702 . (415)549-3854 . 1 72029 SPX pin 4. Software called through the in- terrupt vector then notifies the user of a memory error. Interrupt Advantages The versatility of any computer system is enhanced if its processing can be interrupted by outside events so that it doesn't have to continually keep track of what is going on in the outside world. The MPX-16 supports an interrupt system with 16 levels of interrupt priority, for a high degree of versatility in dealing with the external environment. Perhaps the major advantage to us- ing interrupts is the increase in throughput resulting from their use in handling the system I/O functions. Instead of the processor's spending a great deal of time checking to see if I/O devices are ready to transfer data or waiting for them to be ready, in an interrupt-driven system the processor can continue executing its application program, only suspending execution to attend to an I/O device when the device signals that it is actually ready for data transfer. Although it can be tougher to debug, interrupt-driven software is generally more compact and efficient than that which must explicitly check I/O devices by polling or waiting. But we don't have space here to discuss the software aspects at length. MPX-16 Interrupt Logic The interrupt structure of an 8088-based system revolves around an interrupt-vector lookup table located low in system memory from location hexadecimal 00000 through 003FF. Each interrupt vector in the table consists of 4 bytes that point to the address of an interrupt-service routine. Up to 256 interrupt vectors, numbered from decimal to 255, can be used to specify starting addresses of interrupt routines anywhere in the 8088's 1-megabyte address space. Each of the interrupt vectors is as- signed an interrupt-type number that points to its location in the lookup table. The type number multiplied by 4 equals the offset of the vector from location 00000. The highest priority interrupt is the 66 December 1982 © BYTE Publications lnc Circle 182 on inquiry card. Now for Concurrent CP/M-86 VEDIT-The Clear Choice for Programmers Plus Features for Fast & Efficient Word Processing Increasing your productivity is what a good text editor is all about. VEDIT excels by giving you a unique combin- ation of extensive and easy to use editing features, customizability and complete hardware support. So compare VEDIT. You'll find everything you expect in a good editor plus a variety of time saving features which only VEDIT offers. VEDIT is fully user oriented. You can use the function keys on any keyboard, or a layout you are already familiar with - simplifying your usage and easing your learning. m While most editors lose text if you run out of disk space, VEDIT lets you delete files or change disks. VEDIT is the result of continuous en- hancement and feedback from our nearly four thousand licensed users. For program development it surpasses any other editor - with more extensive file handling, important command macro capability and special features for Pascal, PL/1, 'C, Cobol, Assembler and others. With VEDIT you will reduce your program editing time by 30% as compared to the best word processor. For word processing, VEDIT has word wrap, adjustable margins, reformatting of paragraphs, word and paragraph functions and simple printing with imbedded printer control characters. Command macros let you perform editing tasks you might otherwise not even attempt. Time consuming tasks for other editors (such as translations or extensive search/replace on many files), can be done by VEDIT without your intervention, even overnight if you choose. VEDIT supports all of the new CRT terminals, video boards and 8080, Z80 and 8086 computers. We have been consistently first to support new computers - first for CP/M-86, first for MSDOS. And we will support you with any technical assistance you may need. For the full story, purchase VEDIT risk free. Evaluate the 125 page manual and if you are not satisfied, return the package (disk unopened) for a courteous refund. CP/M and MP/M are registered trademarks of Digital Research inc. WordStar and Word Master are registered trademarks ot MicroPro International Corporation Apple II is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. Inc MS-DOS and Softcard are trademarks ol Microsoft TRS-80 is a trademark of Tandy Corporation IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Circle 130 on inquiry card. COMPARE VEDIT Feature 10* ***"**** | True Full Screen Editing Yes Yes Yes Edit files one disk in length Yes Yes Yes Compact and fast Yes Yes No Display of line and column # Yes No Yes Set/Goto text markers Yes No Yes 'Undo' key to restore line Yes No No Automatic Indent/Undent Yes No No Adjustable tab positions Yes No Yes Repeat function key Yes Yes No Text move and copy Yes . Yes Yes Scratchpad buffers 10 Only 1 No Load/Save buffers on disk Yes No No Flexible command mode Yes Yes No Multiple command macros Yes No No Directory display Yes No Yes Edit additional (small) files simultaneously Yes No No Insert another disk file Yes Yes Yes Unlimited file handling Yes No No Automatic disk buffering Yes Yes Yes Recovery from 'Full Disk' Yes No Some Change disks while editing Yes No No Startup command file Yes No No Program CRT function keys Yes No No Word Wrap and reformatting Yes No Yes Printing Simple No Extensive Print formatting No No Yes Menu driven installation Yes No Yes Support newest CRT terminals Yes No No Support smart CRT functions Yes No Some Customizable keyboard layout Yes No No Available for CP/M-86 Since 1981 9 ? Available for MSDOS Since 1981 9 Yes Please specify your microcomputer, video board or the CRT terminal version, 8080, Z80, or 8086 code, operating system and disk format. VISA & MasterCard VEDIT - Disk and Manual For8080, Z80 or IBM PC $150 For CP/M-86 or MSDOS $195 Manual only $18 Zenith Z100 and Z89 • DEC VT180 • Televideo 802 TRS-80 I, II and 16 • Xerox 820 • Apple II Softcard SuperBrain • NorthStar • Cromemco • Altos • Vector MP/M • CP/M-86 • MP/M-86 • MSDOS • PCDOS IBM Personal Computer and IBM Displaywriter CompuView PRODUCTS, INC. 1955 Pauline Blvd., Suite 200 • Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 • (313) 996-1299 IN AUSTRALIA DISTRIBUTED BY SOFTWARE SOURCE PTY. LTD. 89 OXFORD ST., BONDI JUNCTION, SYDNEY - (02) 389-6388 nonmaskable-interrupt (NMI) input at pin 17 of the 8088 microprocessor, IC36. This signal is an internally syn- chronized edge-triggered input which causes a predefined "type-2" interrupt that "vectors" (passes control) to the location identified by the eighth posi- tion in the table. Although the 8088's NMI input is not directly maskable by software, the MPX-16 contains extra hardware that can mask the in- terrupt signal before it gets to the 8088, given proper setup by the soft- ware. The NMI input is used to report system memory-parity errors and errors from the I/O-channel expan- sion slots. The next 15 levels of interrupts are implemented by two Intel 8259A pro- grammable interrupt controllers (PICs), IC35 and IC62 in section 1 of the schematic diagram, which was printed in last month's article. One of the programmable interrupt con- trollers, IC35, serves as the master and resides on the multiplexed local Tunc up your LA36 The DS120 Terminal Controller makes your LA36 perform like a DECwriter® III. The Datasouth DS120 gives your DECwriter® II the high speed printing and versatile performance features of the DECwriter® III at only a frac- tion of the cost. The DS120 is a plug compatible replacement for your LA36 logic board which can be installed in minutes. Standard features include: • 165 cps bidirectional printing • Horizontal & Vertical Tabs • Page Length Selection • 110-4800 baud operation • 1000 character print buffer • X-on, X-off protocol • Self Test • RS232 interface • 20 mA Current Loop interface • Top of Form • Adjustable Margins • Double wide characters • Parity selection • Optional APL character set Over 5,000 DS120 units are now being used by customers ranging from the Fortune 500 to personal computing enthusiasts. In numerous instal- lations, entire networks of terminals have been upgraded to take advan- tage of today's higher speed data communications services. LSI microprocessor electronics and strict quality control en- sure dependable performance for years to come. When ser- vice is required, we will respond promptly and effec- tively. Best of all, we can de- liver immediately through our nationwide network of distributors. Just give us a call for all the details. data computer corporation 4216 Stuart Andrew Blvd. • Charlotte, North Carolina 28210* 704/523-8SOO bus shared with the processors. The other, IC62, is a slave device to IC35 and resides on the system bus. The master/ slave configuration is set up during the initialization process by software. All of the peripheral devices resid- ing on the system board, such as the serial and parallel I/O-port con- trollers, are supported by interrupt- request lines on the 8259A PICs. In- terrupt requests from the PICs drive the INTR input of the 8088 (pin 18). This signal is a level-triggered input that can be internally masked by a software instruction. Interrupts re- quested by the INTR input do not have predefined vector types as does the nonmaskable interrupt. In the case of the 8259A PIC, a consecutive block of eight interrupt types, one for each of the eight interrupt-request in- put pins, is programmed into the device by the system software as part of the initialization process when the power is turned on. Handling Interrupts When an interrupt signal is re- ceived on the 8088's INTR pin, the processor enters an interrupt-ac- knowledge cycle that is used to deter- mine the interrupt type. First the pro- cessor preserves what it was doing when interrupted: the state of the machine is saved by pushing the con- tents of the flag register, code- segment register, and instruction pointer onto the stack. In addition, the interrupt flag is cleared, disabling further interrupts from occurring un- til the processor is ready for them. (If nested interrupts are desired, the interrupt-service routine must re- enable the processor to receive inter- rupts, while ensuring that the most crucial tasks are not delayed until too late. The programming is not easy.) In the next step, the 8288 bus con- troller (IC51) issues two interrupt- acknowledge pulses on the INTA line. The first pulse signals the 8259 A PICs that the interrupt request is be- ing granted. When the second INTA pulse is issued, the 8-bit code for the interrupt type is placed onto the data bus. The value of the interrupt type is multiplied by 4 (simply by being shifted left 2 places) to determine the 68 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 171 on inquiry card. Memory Loss is Now Just a Memory M« U »"»»! - /! tgiPHERALS CORP. BUBBLE MEMORY BOARD L ._J133JS3iI3J±-- 6IZ8 H, 11 1 1 t 1 '4 hmsh R11: 23^~k^jgj R13*— 128K NONVOLATILE MEMORY • NOT AFFECTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS • 3 TIMES FASTER THAN FLOPPY DISK • 1000 TIMES MORE RELIABLE THAN DISK • BOOTS DIRECTLY FROM BUBDISK™ • REPLACES THE DISK DRIVE • TWO YEAR "NO HASSLE" WARRANTY The BUBDISK™ executes DOS commands three times faster than a standard floppy disk drive and uses less power. It operates quietly, efficiently and error free in any hostile environment. The rugged, solid state bubble is totally non-volatile and unlike disk, there are no moving parts to wear. Error correction circuitry plus automatic power down in the event of brown-out or outright power failure ensures absolute data storage reliability. MPC Peripherals Corp. 9424 Chesapeake Drive San Diego, CA 92123 619-278-0630 TWX 910-335-1177 Circle 330 on inquiry card. tttfof*« at * BUBDISK is a trademark of MPC Peripherals, (Jlrc/e 183 on inquiry card. THE ULTIMATE IEEE/S-100 MEMORY WOULD... □ BE NONVOLATILE, holding data for up to eight years with the power off. □ RUN AT 6MHZ without wait states. □ HAVE EXTENDED 24-BIT ADDRESSING and bank select. □ HAVE DYNAMICALLY MOVABLE WRITE PROTECT AREAS to prevent accidental erasure of programs and critical data. □ GENERATE POWER-FAIL interrupts for orderly system shutdown & power failure recovery. CMEM AVAILABLE NOW FROM DUAL SYSTEMS, the CMEM memory boards combine high-speed CMOS memories with a new 5-8 year lithium battery. The CMEM offers the nonvolatility of an EPROM board while retain- ing the instant writability of a high-speed read/write RAM. These industrial grade boards are subjected to a 168-hour burn-in and a 1000-cycle power interruption test to insure data retention and the highest degree of reliability possible. CMEM-32K, 32K Bytes $695 CMEM-16K, 16K Bytes $595 CMEM- 8K, 8K Bytes $495 system reliability/system integrity DUAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION 2530 San Pablo Avenue • Berkeley CA 94702 • (415)549-3854 • 172029 SPX Description memory-parity or l/O-channel errors real-time clock serial-channel-A receive ready serial-channel-B receive ready serial-channel-A transmit ready serial-channel-B transmit ready printer-port ready floppy-disk-controller interrupt numeric-processor-extension (8087) interrupt parallel-l/O-port interrupt l/O-channel interrupt l/O-channel interrupt l/O-channel interrupt l/O-channel interrupt l/O-channel interrupt l/O-channel interrupt Table 3: Interrupt signals in the MPX-16, listed in order of priority. Priority-0 errors go through the 8088's NMI input, while the rest go through either the master or the slave 8259A interrupt controller. Priority Source Signal Name Level NMI PARERR or IOCHNLERR 1 master TIMEINTR 2 slave SIO0RXRDY 3 slave SI01RXRDY 4 slave SIO0TXRDY 5 slave SI01TXRDY 6 slave PRINTRDY 7 slave FDCINT 8 slave NPXINT 9 slave PIOINT 10 master IRQST2 11 master IRQST3 12 master IRQST4 13 master IRQST5 14 master IRQST6 15 master IRQST7 address of the interrupt vector. Pro- gram control is then transferred to the address contained in the 4 bytes of the interrupt vector. Note that the first 2 bytes are used as the new instruction pointer (lower 16 bits of the address) and the second 2 bytes are used to form the new code-segment register (upper 16 bits). When the interrupt- service routine has completed execu- tion, control is returned to the main program via an IRET instruction, which pops the original flag and ad- dress information off the stack into the active registers. The main pro- gram then resumes execution where it left off, with the interrupts reenabled. Interrupt Priorities The organization of the system- board interrupt-priority scheme is shown in table 3. The highest priority hardware interrupt, as we've seen, is the NMI, which is caused by mem- ory-parity or l/O-channel errors. The highest priority maskable interrupt is from the IR0 input of the master 8259A PIC, which is generated by the real-time clock. The next eight inter- rupts in priority come from periph- eral devices attached to the slave 8259A PIC, which is in turn attached to the IRl input of the master 8259A. The last six interrupts come from the I/O-expansion-channel connectors. These interrupts drive the IR2 through IR7 inputs of the master 8259 A. Two other points concerning the 8259A PICs should be noted. Al- though a priority has been assigned to each interrupt-request input of the 8259A PICs, these can be changed by the system software. In addition, the 8259A PICs can even be used to im- plement a polled I/O system. (These devices provide considerable flexibili- ty for handling I/O servicing at a re- latively low hardware cost.) And finally, all of the interrupt-service routines in the MPX-16 system can be be invoked via a software-interrupt instruction that specifies the interrupt type. This can be useful in starting an I/O device and in debugging the in- terrupt routines. I/O-Expansion Channels The MPX-16 system board sup- ports an I/O-expansion channel that represents an extension of the system bus. Peripheral devices are connected through several 62-pin card-edge con- nectors like those used by peripherals designed for the IBM Personal Com- puter. The MPX-16 computer system 70 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Performance Breakthrough . . . the CYBERDRIVE for the IBM Personal Computer 13.5 or 27 million bytes of disk capacity in a single cabinet with an integrated mini-cartridge tape for secure data backup. Setting an exciting new microcomputer standard, the CYBERDRIVE 1 combines a full package of features. It offers new, higher performance levels, with an inte- grated business-oriented backup device. As the CYBERDRIVE is made available for other systems, media transfer is assured regardless of the host hardware or Operating System. The CYBERDRIVE slashes the seek time dramatic- ally— e.g. the usual 5 Megabyte stepper-motor Winchester disk offers average seek time typically in the range of 100 to 200 millisecondslincl. head settling). With the CYBERDRIVE, the average seek time across more than five times as much data is only 33 milliseconds (incl. head settling). This basic speed, coupled with disk cache buffering and a peak transfer rate of 1 million bytes per second, make the CYBERDRIVE a performance champ! The integrated mini-cartridge tapes used for backup of data allow dumping of (for example) 10 million bytes of data in about 10 minutes . . . much faster than other tape or floppy disk backup techniques. Hardware read-after-write error checking is incorporated in the tape device. Copyright 19S2 by Cybernetics Inc. All right r Prices and specifications subject to change without notice. M IS tt 15 15- ...And don't fail to ask about our superb lineup of serious business software (also offered in CYBERDRIVE format) including: RM/COBOL 2 compiler-the micro industry standard. MBSI 3 RM/COBOL general business applications (derived from MCBA 4 minicomputer packages). . . thousands in use . . . money back guarantee . . . source program license. CRT! 1 from Cybernetics (COBOL Reprogramming Tool!)- Program generator for RM/COBOL to ease pro- gram development and maintenance ... an alternative to a Data Base System. CBASIC2 5 & CBASIC86 9 compilers ... for aficionados of a useful BASIC. The software is available on a variety of industry-standard Operating Systems including CP/M 6 -MP/M 5 (both -80 & -86), OASIS 6 , PCDOS, and UNIX 7 . Inquire for specific details and prices. Trademarks of: 1 Cybernetics. Inc 2 RyarvMcFarlano Corp 3 Micro Business Sorrware. inc 4 Minicomputer Business Applications. Inc f, r>g,iai ftasoafcr, Hy. 6 Phase One Syslems Inc ' Bell Laooralones 8041 NEWMAN AVE., SUITE 208 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647 714/848-1922 e^isn.ii.is^ 15 is How to mai work like a First, neatly cut out the "370" label. Now, when nobody's looking, non- chalantly tape it to your terminal, just under the "IBM" as if it really belonged there. Then wait for your chance and quickly slip a dBASE II™ disk into your main drive. That's it. Your IBM Personal Computer is now ready to run a relational database system, the kind that IBM put on their mainframes last year. And you're ready with more data han- dling power than you would have dreamed possible before dBASE II. You'll wonder how you managed without it. You'll find that dBASE II, because it's a relational database management system (DBMS), starts where file handling programs leave off. dBASE II handles multiple databases and simplifies everything from accounting to department staffing to monitoring rainfall on the Upper Volta. With a word or two, you CREATE data- bases, APPEND new data instantly, UPDATE, MODIFY and REPLACE fields, records and entire databases. Organize months worth of data in minutes with the built-in REPORT. Do sub- field and multi-field searches, then DISPLAY some or all of the data for any condition you want to apply. And you've just begun to tap the power of dBASE II. Easy to look at, easy to use. Input screens and output forms couldn't be easier— just "paint" your format on the CRT and what you see is what you'll get. You can do automatic calculations on fields, records and databases, accurate to 10 digits. And you can use dBASE II interactively for answers right now. Or save your instruc- tions, then repeat everythin g with two words: DO Manhours, DO ProjectX, DO whatever has to be done. Use dBASE II to help make your choice: If you've got a 96k IBM PC, send us $700 and we'll send you a copy of dBASE II to use free for 30 days. 5 your micro mainframe. Instead of just poring over a manual, run it and make sure that it does what you need done. Then if you find it isn't right for you, send it back and we'll return your money no questions asked. But if you do that, you'll have to remove that label. Because nothing short of a mainframe works like dBASE II. Call (213) 204-5570 today or drop by your local computer store for the rest of the story. AshtonTate, 9929 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230. Ashton-Tate ©1982 Ashton-Tate CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research Circle 45 on inquiry card. BYTE December 1982 73 Pin Signal Name Pin Signal Name A01 l/OCHNLERR B01 GND A02 SYSDAT7 -\ B02 BRESET A03 SYSDAT6 | B03 Vcc A04 SYSDAT5 \ B04 IRQST2 A05 SYSDAT4 \ B05 -5 V DC A06 SYSDAT3 system B06 DMARQST2 A07 SYSDAT2 data B07 -12 V DC A08 SYS DAT 1 bus B08 IOCHLDRQST A09 SYSDATO - / B09 + 12 VDC A10 IOCHNLRDY/WAIT B10 GND A11 SYSAEN B11 SYSMEMWR > A12 SYSA19 ^ B12 SYSMEMRD I i system-status A13 SYSA18 B13 SYSIOWR / control A14 SYSA17 B14 SYSIORD A15 SYSA16 B15 DMACK3 J A16 SYSA15 B16 DMARQST3 N A17 SYSA14 B17 DMACK1 I DMA control A18 SYSA13 B18 DMARQST1 > A19 SYSA12 system B19 BDMACKO A20 SYSA1 1 address B20 BSYSCLKO S A21 SYSA10 ) bus B21 IRQST7 A22 SYSA9 B22 IRQST6 A23 SYSA8 B23 IRQST5 A24 SYSA7 B24 IRQST4 A25 SYSA6 B25 IRQST3 A26 SYSA5 B26 DMACK2 A27 SYSA4 B27 TCNT A28 SYSA3 B28 SYSALE A29 SYSA2 B29 V rr A30 SYSA1 B30 BSYSCLK1 A31 SYSAO * B31 GND Table 4: Pin/signal relationships in the I 'O-expansion connectors. These assignments are compatible with those i n the e: cpansion slots of the IBM Personal Computer. Many of the syst em control s gnals ai ■e buffered before being fed to these connectors. can potentially contain 1 megabyte of memory and still have spare expan- sion slots for special-purpose I/O modules, which might include video- tex decoders, process-control or data- acquisition interfaces, or local- network interfaces. The standard MPX-16 system board has five expansion connectors installed in alternating positions, ef- fectively located on 1-inch center-to- center spacings. An additional four connectors can be installed between them, if needed; the resulting nine connectors will be on half-inch center- to-center spacing. Spacing on 1-inch centers is usually required for disk controllers and I/O boards. Memory boards, on the other hand, will generally fit in half-inch spacing. The I/O-expansion channel has been designed to be pin-for-pin hardware-compatible with the IBM Personal Computer (model 5150). The IBM PC bus was chosen, as I ex- plained last month, to take advantage of the expected proliferation of IBM- PC-compatible peripheral-adapter modules and expansion memories. However, because the MPX-16 system board already supports most of the peripheral I/O functions that would ordinarily be added to the IBM computer, the I/O-expansion slots are available for new uses. Table 4 lists the signal connections to the pins of the I/O-expansion con- nectors. All signal lines in the I/O channel are compatible with LS-TTL (low-power Schottky-diode-clamped transistor-transistor logic) signals. Brief descriptions of each group of lines follow. Oscillator Clock (BSYSCLK1): This is a buffered version of the main system timing clock. It runs at a fre- quency of either 14.31818 MHz or 15.0 MHz, depending on which crys- tal is installed. It has a 50 percent duty cycle. System Clock (BSYSCLKO): This is a buffered version of the system pro- cessor clock. It runs at a frequency that is one-third that of SYSCLK1. It has a 33 percent duty cycle (high for one-third of the cycle, low for two- thirds). System Reset (BRESET): This is a buffered version of SYSRES, which is active on power-up. It is synchro- nized to the falling edge of the SYSCLKO waveform and is used for initialization of all system hardware components. Address Latch Enable (SYSALE): This signal is used to indicate the presence of a valid address on the sys- tem bus. The falling edge of SYSALE is normally used to latch the address. This signal is generated by the 8288 bus controller during bus cycles in- itiated by one of the local-bus masters. The system-address enable signal, SYSAEN, should be used to enable this signal in the I/O channel. System Address Enable (SYSAEN): This line, when active-low, indicates that one of the system coprocessors (either the 8088 or the 8087) has con- trol of the system bus. When SYSAEN is high, the 8237A-5 DMA controller has control of the system bus and drives the system address, system memory, and I/O-read/write lines. I/O C hannel Ready (IOCHNLRDY/ WAIT): This line is normally high. When a slow I/O device or expansion memory board decodes a valid ad- dress, this line should be driven low, causing the flip-flops IC25 and IC33 to insert wait states into the bus cycle until the slow device has completed its cycle. (To avoid conflict with memory refresh, this line should never be held low for more than 1 or 2 /ts.) System Memory Read (SYSMEMRD): This control line is used to gate the memory-device data buffers onto the system data bus dur- ing memory-read cycles initiated by either the processor or DMA con- troller. 74 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 27 on inquiry card. Alspa ANNOUNCING THE HIGH SPEED, LOW COST NETWORK The ZERO is designed to bring high performance LOCAL AREA NETWORKING to users at budget prices. The ZERO and ZERO-NET are unique. Any ZERO station can be a Network Master or Network Remote, permitting, for the first time, a low cost non stop network. The ZERO-NET features a High Level Data Link Controller (message synchronous) at 400K bps carried over a simple twisted pair cable. To achieve maximum speed and reliability we use col- lision detection/avoidance circuitry and automatic CRC error detection/ retransmission . Each ZERO computer in the net can have Floppy Disk and/or Winchester Drives. The ZERO itself is a Z80 based Micro- computer with 64K Ram, 2K to 16K of EPROM, 2 Serial ports, 2 parallel ports, floppy disk controller, Z80CTC counter-timer and Z80DMA direct memory access. The ZERO hardware design was optimized for TURBODOS*, (CP/M**, MP/M** compatible) including such enhancements as console type-ahead (buffering), 1.416 Mbytes per 8 inch double-sided floppy, multi-processing (background processing) such as print spooling, etc. KEY PARAMETERS • Local Area Networks up to 256 nodes per NET, with any mix of Master and Remote stations. Each station may support up to 16 logical drives, local or remote. • Local Area Networks may be linked through gateways. • Per Node — to 2 floppies and to 4 hard disks with appro- priate Driver Modules. • Per Node — parallel and/or serial printer. • Each user can control print routing and/or spooling. • Each node may reference a file system and /or printer on any other node. • Each node may have an Autostart Log-on with security access protection. • Each node may have a FIFO type Electronic Mailbox. "TURBODOS is a trademark of Software 2000, Inc. **CP/M and MP/M are trademarks of Digital Research, Inc. • Each node may operate with MP/M compatible file/ record interlocks, or with special TURBODOS relaxation rules. • Maximum recommended buss length of 4,000 L.Ft. •Full CP/M and MP/M com- patibility. • The TURBODOS operating system can support up to one GIGA Byte (1,000 Mega Bytes) per logical drive. The ZERO-NET product family — the ZERO, the ZERO/FD, the Z-DRIVE and the ZNT terminal — all the components required to configure an entire system are available for immedi- ate delivery. The ZERO provides a microcomputer network that OUTPERFORMS many multi-user minicomputer systems at substantially lower cost. While the competition is still studying it, ALSPA has done it! Al\ Alspa Computer, Inc. 300 Harvey West Boulevard, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (408) 429-6000 Telex 176279 BOOTH 3009/3011 Nov, 29-Dec. 2, 1982 Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada System Board Peripheral Device Base Address (hexadecimal) 8237A-5 DMA controller 000 8272 floppy-disk controller 020 DMA page registers and 1 040 DMA page register 2 060 DMA page register 3 080 floppy-disk-drive motor-on register 0A0 parity-error flip-flop clear OCO spare (reserved) 0E0 spare (reserved) 100 8259A interrupt controller — slave 120 8259A interrupt controller — master 140 console serial I/O port 160 auxiliary serial I/O port 180 8255A-5 parallel I/O 1A0 8155H-2 parallel I/O and timer 1C0 8253-5 counter-timers 1E0 Table 5: Base addresses of the I/O-device -control registers. System Memory Write (SYSMEMWR): This control is used to store the data present on the system data bus into the selected memory location during memory- write cycles initiated by either the processor or DMA controller. System I/O Read (SYSIORD): This control line is used to gate the selected I/O device to accept the data present on the system data bus during I/O- read cycles initiated by either the pro- cessor or the DMA controller. System I/O Write (SYSIOWR): This control line tells the selected I/O device to accept the data present on the system data bus. It is active in I/O-write cycles initiated by either the processor or DMA controller. I/O-Channel (Parity) Error (I/OCHNLERR): This signal, when enabled by the system software, will cause an interrupt via the NMI input of the 8088 processor. It is normally used to alert the processor to a parity error in memory devices residing in the I/O channel. System Address Bus (SYSAO through SYSA19): These lines form a 20-bit system address bus, which can address up to 1 megabyte of memory. SYSAO represents the least significant address bit (LSB), and SYSA19 repre- sents the most significant address bit (MSB). These lines can be driven either from the processor or from the DMA controller and are considered to be active-high. The MPX-16 computer system can potentially contain 1 megabyte of memory and still have spare expansion slots. System Data Bus (SYSDAT0 through SYSDAT7): These lines form the 8-bit system data bus and can be driven by the processor, memory devices, or I/O devices. They are bi- directional and are considered to be active-high. SYSDAT0 is the LSB, SYSDAT7 the MSB. I/O Channel Interrupt Requests (IRQST2 through IRQST7): These lines are prioritized interrupt-request lines, with IRQST2 having the highest priority and IRQST7 the lowest priority. The lines are edge- triggered and active-high; however, the request signal must be maintained in the high state until the interrupt re- quest has been acknowledged. The interrupt-service routine written for each particular device in use must usually do this. DMA Requests (DMARQST1 through DMARQST3): These lines are prioritized DMA-request lines, with DMARQST1 having the highest priority and DMARQST3 the lowest priority. The lines are active-high and must be held high until the corre- sponding DMACKx line goes active- low. DMARQST2 is used by the sys-- tem-board floppy-disk controller and is included in the I/O channel only for compatibility with the IBM Per- sonal Computer. These lines are typically used by peripheral devices such as disk controllers to request DMA service. DMA Acknowledge Lines (DMACK1 through DMACK3): These lines are used to acknowledge DMA requests generated by the DMARQSTx lines. DMA Acknowl edge (BDM ACKO): This is a buffered DMACK0 line and signifies that a DMA-controlled dynamic-memory-refresh cycle is in progress. DMA Terminal Count (TCNT): This signal is active-high when any of the four DMA channels reaches a ter- minal count. The corresponding DMA-acknowledge line should be used in conjunction with the TCNT signal. Peripheral Power: +5 volts (V) DC ±5%, logic ground, +12 V DC ±5%, -12 VDC ±10%, and -5 V DC ±10% power connections are all provided in each expansion con- nector. I/O-Decoder Logic The MPX-16 computer system con- tains a variety of onboard, high- performance peripheral devices: direct support for all of the major I/O functions needed to form a complete microcomputer system, as listed in table 1 on page 44. All of the system-board I/O pe- ripherals are addressed or selected by the 4-to-16 decoder IC52 (shown in 76 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc ©3itaM] The Universal Operating System*. Finally, once and for all. The UCSD p-System* from SofTech Microsystems isn't like any other operating system you've ever used. Why? Because the p-System is the only truly portable, universal operating system ever developed, that's why. It's equally at home with all popular personal computers. Such as an IBM PC or Displaywriter, an Apple, a DEC, an HP, an Osborne, a Philips, a Sage, a Tandy, a TI, you name it. It lets you develop applications that are portable to 8-bit as well as 16-bit micros. And we don't mean portable just at the source code level, either. We mean you can develop your program on virtually any micro, compile to object code, and it's totally trans- portable. So you can design programs once, and you've designed for the entire market. The p-System then actually broadens your __^ . ^ ^ potential customer base. With no significant In ■» •*% RMA X B BBrmation Management System JPprofessionally engineered ... from its inception ... to operate in the Multi-user, Multi-tasking, Multi-processing environment. INFORMAX is not just another DBMS. It is a practical necessity for the business initiating computerization. As needs expand, systems invariably expand, so why be forced to reinvent the wheel just because of future growth? Any expansion you plan will need INFORMA X. Remember, a single-user today will be a multi- user tomorrow. Almost invariably, a business begins computerization on a single applica- tion, single-user system which im- mediately requires expansion. Multi- user, multi-tasking and multi-process- ing systems become necessary. Un- fortunately, software designed for the single-user system can not satisfy the needs of the multi-user environment. In fact, single-user software is in- herently dangerous to precious rec- ords in the multi-user situation. Multi- processing and multi-tasking require professionally engineered software solutions for mutual exclusion rec- ord lockout, deadly embrace con- ditions, asynchronous event con- ditions, and run away lockout con- ditions, as well as other frightening technical problems. The concepts necessary to solve these problems must be designed into the system from its inception . . . not as an addi- tion or afterthought. INFORMAX is ® RIGlSIERtO niaC* MARK the first micro DBMS professionally engineered for multi-user, multi-task- ing and multi-processing. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT INFORMA X is an Information Man- agement System which provides the structure for information (data) organ- ization and filing to allow for quick, efficient storage and retrieval of that data. In effect, it provides the most sophisticated framework for an ele- gant computer filing system. Tradi- tionally, database management sys- tems are structures designed to assist system programmers in their program- ming tasks. But the achievement of INFORMA X is to provide a program- mer-less environment that allows even first-time users to achieve professional results in creating pro- grams that store information, retrieve that information, and report on that information in the formats the user personally desires. INFORMA X uses neither "cryptic statements" nor "English type" statements and re- quires no "computereze", or other computer languages. No "Computereze" like: B:XPNW= MAIL No "English type commands" like: Find record 5 on drive D: in database mail No "Cryptic Commands" like: pip d:=c:*.??v INFORMA X IS FOR THE USER! That's why ABACUS DATA will only deliver systems fully customized to the equipment. Full keyboard func- tions, cursor control, etc. Since the Security System requires a User Name, the system provides individ- ualization of function keys, screen displays, and keyboard actions for each operator. MORE THAN USER-FRIENDLY Through the use of menu driven, screen oriented, tutorial response techniques the first-time computer user can create, modify or customize programs. Through the innovative template (screen) system, user ac- ceptance is immediate. Each of the system's five components: TH E DATA- \ VSR BEYOND DBMS BASE, THE REPORTER, THE APPLI- CATION WRITER, THE SECURITY SYSTEM, and THE MENU MAKER has been designed to minimize oper- ator inputs. Single keystroke com- mand structure has been used throughout. The INFORMA X is an Information System. Beyond a database management system it has lightning fast storage and retrieval. To be useful for busi- ness it must be fast. Beyond a reporter, it converts data into the information necessary to make business decisions. Beyond an application writer, it will create, modify, expand, any applica- tion ... up to 42 math calculations permitted for each record. Beyond an automatic programming system, it is almost totally transparent to the user, requires no programming skill, yet achieves professional results. Beyond a security system, (a neces- sity for business) it separately secures The System, The Applications, The Records, The Items and The Commands. Beyond a menu maker, the user de- signs his own help pages for the INFORMA X programs and others. Beyond an accounting system, it al- lows your total processing to be AUTOMATED, ORGANIZED, INDI- VIDUALIZED, and MODIFIABLE. All and much more! I N FORMA X is the only database soft- ware you will ever need. Without INFORMA X all applications and programs are disjointed bits and pieces. INFORMA X will organize your automation. INFORMA X is currently delivered with an Accounting Package which includes: PAYROLL SYSTEM ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE INVENTORY SYSTEM GENERAL LEDGER Not just examples but operational programs and more! PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT INFORMA X is not merely a data- base management system but it is a method of automating information, storage, retrieval, and transmittal that should mean a new way of business life. We at ABACUS DATA INC. are committed to supplying soft- ware that will enhance your business today and tomorrow. We encourage your questions and comments and for that reason we maintain toll free numbers to service you. 1-800-874-8555. In Florida 904-398-8547. Dealer and distributor inquiries welcomed. SJ abacus data, inc. 1 920 San Marco Boulevard Jacksonville, Florida 32207 CURRENT EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS Z80, 8085, 8080A Minimum Memory 52K CP/M® Operating System Current delivery customized for all TeleVideo®, Osborne®, and Action® Computer Systems (Call for others) Circle 6 on inquiry card. Left get seriouslolks After all this time, we're going to showyou the real us. We know that you think we're the serious, buttoned- down distributor that can ship you more different kinds of CP/M businessand utility softwarethan anybody else. That we have software for the newest computers, like the IBM PC, almost before they're announced. That we deliver more different formats, everything from Apple to Zenith, so that you don't have to turn down a sale. And that we give you the healthy discounts and rapid delivery you need to make a decent profit. But behind all that we've got ourfun-lovingside, too, you know. 82 BYTE December 1982 And we're just as strong in computer games. We know that games are serious business, and that if you don't have them, you can't sell them. So we've filled our shelves with games for Apple, Atari, the TRS-80 and more. Games from Avalon Hill, Broderbund, Gebelli, Microsoft, On Line, Sirius, whoever— just name it and it's yours. All with the same deep discounts, the same great delivery and the the same friendly ser- vice as we're giving you on your CP/M software. So if you're ready for fun and games with a distributor, give us a call. Software Distribu- tors, 10023 Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230. We're not just clowning around. SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTORS 213-204-6620 • 800-252-4025 (CA) Telex 182362 ATT: Soft USA Culv 800-421-0814 CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research Circle 428 on inquiry card. , i >; The Coinless Arcade — Rediscovered A faceless stranger gave you directions the first time you came to The Coinless Arcade. After a glorious night of gaming, you came away retaining a pocket full of quarters and not a few new friends. Everyone met together the next night, ready for more gaming, but you could not find the arcade — anywhere! Night dampness chilled your bones as the search continued, and, for a while, you combed the town every night: still, no arcade. You kept in touch with your new friends, if only to prove that you hadn't imagined it all. A year has passed. You walk out the alley exit of a theater and, surprised, hear faint arcade noises. You follow them through the alleyways, only distantly aware that you never cross a main street. And there it is: the neon facade declaring "The Coinless Ar- cade" with festive colors, the air alive with elec- tronic sounds. Once inside, you see a familiar face, Pamela Clark. Technical Editor and Gregg Williams, Senior Editor then another. Soon everyone has arrived. Laughing, you run to the nearest empty machine, reach for some quarters — and realize there's no need. You wish your friends good luck and press the flashing red button labeled START. The fun begins again. Another computer gaming year has passed. Game designers continue to squeeze more than we've ever seen before from a given machine, and we applaud their efforts. In fact, some of the most exciting pro- gramming this year has been done for the cartridge game systems. That's why we're including two pages of games for the Atari (or Sears) Video Computer System and the Mattel Intellivision Game System. Luckily for you players, The Coinless Arcade ex- ists in your imagination and in your microcomputer. We've brought you these games from our Coinless Arcade. Put them in your microcomputer (or car- tridge game system) and they're yours forever. 4 ■■ - ■ '•■..', ' ' ■■ '1 ■■ n -I 1 ,::„.! , .£ JU* i - ■ ,;" J" :■" <■"' ■" ' ■ m, 1 . u . . i ,f ' '' 1 i y :■'■■ i ' i Playing Cannonball Blitz can provide entertainment for you and chuckling enjoyment ior a crowd of onlookers. The object of the game is to get the rebel soldier up Nut- cracker Hill and destroy the castle. The poor soldier, however, must contend with a barrage of cannonballs and constant trips and obstacles. It becomes hard not to laugh as you try to outrun or jump over cannonballs, or just plain get out of the way. Cannonball Blitz by Olaf Lubeck for the Apple II or II Plus, $34.95 (disk), from Sierra On-line Inc., 36575 Mudge Ranch Rd., Coarsegold, CA 93614. Want a challenge with a bizarre twist? First, you take a job with the ASPCA and are put in charge of controlling the lemming population. All you have to do is lock them in a room so they won't breed. Sounds easy until you try it. There are lemmings running everywhere, breeding faster and faster and getting run over by trucks. If you're not real careful, a mass suicide occurs as they march to the sea. This is one of the strangest topics for an arcade game that we have seen. Lemmings by ferry Jewell, Terry Bradley, and Dan Thompson for the Apple II or II Plus, $29.95 (disk), from Sirius Software Inc., 10364 Rockingham Dr., Sacramento, CA 95827. [■ SCORER UUUUUU II H BQQHEl QQDSQO 1 1 PEOPIE lEFTi PLE AT BABE: OD | FUEL: * ■ ■ ^B } ■ •< '■ ■ ■ft _ ■ *"■ * ■ " * ' ■ ■"'IS ■ ■•••■ ■ ••• >■ |i <■>■■ ■ >■>•■ l)Ml| ■ "**■ IIHll M' -W |n >"■■ IUBBMKA ii ;n ii m in ; r m f I ■ ' - . . . ^1 >* ■ . I Mi Ml 4» . . . 1 1 ■ BBSS ■ i - 1 " FUEL : z i :- 1 >DO£O0 Endless waves of aliens (what else?) fill the skies. They are programmed to destroy you. You shoot at them, but if you shoot too quickly, your guns overheat and it's dooms- day once again. The graphics are stunning, with each wave bringing a new variety of alien invader. Threshold by Warren Schwader and Ken Williams for the Apple II or II Plus, $39.95 (disk), from Sierra On-line Inc., 36575 Mudge Ranch Rd., Coarsegold, CA 93614. (Also available for the Atari 400/800.) You're in control of the strategic defense satellites of the United States and, looking through your viewfinder, you can see nuclear rockets being launched from the Soviet Union. Quickly, you must intercept the rockets and destroy all of the Soviet missile sites as well. But the missiles keep coming, and now even your satellites are under attack. A graphic arcade experience awaits. Laser Defense by Simon Smith for the TRS-80 Models I and III, $18.95 (disk), from Med Systems Software, POB 2674, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. COINLESS ARCADE SPECIAL EFFECTS As the game loads, a voice announces the title, Space Spartans. This is the first cartridge designed for use with the In- tellivoice Voice Synthesis Module. Four voices are generated, but only two are used with regularity: the ship's computer and your central computer. The game is designed to be a reenactment of the Bat- tle of Thermopylae in space. Because the voices provide vital information, the game isn't playable without the synthesis module. Space Spartans for In tell i- vision, $45 (cartridge; Voice Module, $80), from Mattel Electronics, 5150 Rosecrans Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250. Phasor Patrol is included when you purchase a Supercharger for your Atari VCS. (The Supercharger plugs into the cartridge slot on your machine and adds enough memory to give games increased action and more graphic detail. The games, available on cassette, load rapidly from any cassette player.) Phasor Patrol lets you use a sector map to warp hop from one section of the galaxy to another. The hyperdrive simulation is very impressive. Using the second screen, you locate enemy forces and use the torpedo sight to lock-in on your target. Scor- ing well in this game is a combination of skill and strategy. Phasor Patrol for the Atari VCS (video computer system), $69.95 (cassette; includes the Supercharger), from Starpath Corp., 324 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050. OLD FAVORITES A graphics version of an old computer game, Utopia lets you rule your own island state. One or two players can compete by scoring points that reflect the overall well- being of the people you rule. By controlling agriculture, housing, education, the military, industry, and hospitals, you alone are responsible for the people. Just remember to keep an eye out for the rebels and pirate ships. Utopia for Intellivision, $40 (cartridge), from Mattel Electronics, 5150 Rosecrans Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250. Although not a new entry, Tennis is a favorite here at BYTE. Not only is this game engaging, the winning feature is that the ball carries a shadow underneath it. Try it when you can't get outdoors for your exercise at the net. Tennis by Alan Miller for the Atari VCS, $22.95 (cartridge), from Activision, Drawer 7286, Mountain View, CA 94042. o _ 1 . * m m »» »* RE-CREATIONS An implementation of one of the most successful arcade games, Defender is now available for you to play at home. You are the commander of a spaceship trying to blast the aliens from the skies and rescue the kidnapped humanoids before they are transformed into flying mutants. An excellent adaptation of the original. Defender for the Atari VCS, $37.95 (cartridge), from Atari Inc., POB 427, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Another favorite of the commercial ar- cades is ready to challenge you at home. In Berzerk, you are trapped in an elec- tronic maze, hounded by robots and the Evil Otto. Use the joystick to move through the maze and hit the button to fire your laser at the robots. Several playing options let you choose between armed and unarmed robots, characteris- tics lor Otto, and the number of bonus lives available. Berzerk for the Atari VCS, $31.95 (cartridge), from Atari Inc., POB 427, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. One of the favorites for all ages, Frog- ger is a faithful implementation of the coin-operated video game with an extra bonus: an easy option that lets the frog stay on the moving log when it wraps around to the other side of the screen. Trying to get the poor frog to hop across the busy highway can be quite a trick. Frogger by Ed English for the Atari VCS, $30 (cartridge), from Parker Brothers, POB 1012, Beverly, MA 01915. NEW! Pitfall Harry has three chances and 20 minutes to find gold and silver bars, money bags, and diamond rings. But on his way to discover all of these treasures, he must avoid crocodile-infested swamps, vicious cobras, disappearing tarpits, and deadly scorpions in the underground passage. One of the trickiest moves you have to learn is how to make Harry jump up and catch the swinging vine. Pitfall by David Crane for the Atari VCS, $31.95 (cartridge), from Activision, Drawer 7286, Mountain View, CA 94042. The Imperial Walkers are on the march, and you must use your fleet of Snowspeeders to destroy them before they reach the power generator on the ice planet Hoth. Using a joystick to manuever your craft, you fly over, around, and under the lumbering army of Walkers. Your battlefield is eight television-screens-wide, and the enemy will ap- proach you in single file from left to right. When the lead Walker reaches the right end of your radar band, the power generator is a lost cause. A surprisingly strong entry for a first attempt in the video-game market. The Empire Strikes Back by Rex Bradford for the Atari VCS, $30 (car- tridge), from Parker Brothers, POB 1012, Beverly, MA 01915. FIRST LOOK The Vectrex Arcade System A VECTOR-DISPLAY GAME SYSTEM FOR $200 BRINGS TRUE ARCADE ADVENTURES INTO THE HOME. Pamela Clark Technical Editor Here is one of the greatest game machines we have seen this year. With superb vector graphics, excellent sound, cartridges for some of the best coin-operated arcade games, and a suggested retail price of $200, the Vectrex Arcade System is a good bet to score big with the con- sumer. Developed and distributed by General Consumer Electronics (GCE), a subsidiary of the Milton Bradley Company, the Vectrex comes closer to duplicating a real arcade game than any other game system on the market. Because the Vectrex is a stand-alone system, you won't have to fight other people for use of the television set. Just take your Vectrex and plug it in wherever you have an electrical outlet. The system uses a Motorola 68A09 microprocessor chip in order to offer more speed and power than is available in most video games. You have a detachable control panel with a self-centering joystick and four buttons to play the games. You can plug in an additional optional control panel if you want to play 92 December 1982 © BYTE Publications lnc Games Available GCE has obtained licensing rights and produced ver- sions of the following coin-op arcade games: from Cinematronics Inc., Armor Attack, Space Wars, Star Hawk, Rip Off, and Solar Quest; from Konami Industry, Scramble; and from Stern Electronics Inc., Berzerk. Several games have been developed in-house by GCE, including the Star Trek game, modeled after the movie; Mine Storm, the resident space game; Blitz, an action football game; Cosmic Chasm, a space action game; Clean Sweep, an action maze game; and Hyper Chase, an auto race adventure. In Clean Sweep, you try to clean up your bank after a burglary. The bank robbers, in trying to blow open the vault, have scattered money through the bank corridors. Use the joystick to move your vacuum cleaner through the maze, sucking up all of the loose money. But be careful, the robbers want the money too and will be trying to destroy you at every turn. If you dream of being a formula-one race driver, then Hyper Chase is your game. The vector graphics are superb, as you use the controls to drive a grueling grand prix. All of these cartridges will retail for about $30. with a friend (or foe). The realistic sound, produced by a General Instrument AY38912 chip, includes music, ex- plosions, and crowd cheers. And the display — well it almost has to be seen to be believed; imagine playing games at home (or in the office) using vector graphics with three-dimensional rotation and zoom. Not only does this machine look and sound like its coin-operated counterparts, but it already has cartridges for seven of the more popular arcade games (see box). One game, Mine Storm, was created by GCE and is resi- dent in the 64K-byte ROM (read-only memory). GCE has also developed additional game cartridges, each with a screen overlay to provide color and detail to the 9-inch black-and-white display, and a complete player's reference manual. It is unusual and refreshing to see a product appearing on the market with its software ready to run. But enough of these words, just look at what it can do.H CLAYER TWO / - ^ -STAR, TRQ^ BsM mi.-".. *"!■■! December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc 93 MOTHERBOARD Board to Death Photo 5: Five-star idea. Photo 6: Born in a garage. 94 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Test your hardware savvy. Presented here are 12 microcomputer system boards (sometimes referred to as mother- boards). See how many you can recognize using just the photos (if you are really good), or read the clues under each photo for help. You may turn to page 590 for the answers only out of desperation. Don't feel too bad if you can't guess them all. Steve Ciarcia got only 8 out of 12. . . . J. N. S. Photo 11: Control your car? Photo 12: A little blue. December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc 95 Design Techniques and Ideals for Computer Games Why are some computer games better than others? Game manufac- turers and authors constantly try to answer this million-dollar question. Many factors contribute to the appeal of a computer game, including techni- cal quality, graphics, sound, pace, game play, and action. Yet we cannot merely list the properties of a given game and expect the length of the list to tell us whether that game will be a success. Game design is an art form, and like any art form the individual components are less important than the manner in which they are put together, the overall technique. All artists develop their own special techniques and ideals for the execution of their art. The painter worries about brushstrokes, mixing of paint, and texture; the musical com- poser learns procedures of orchestra- tion, timing, and counterpoint. The game designer also acquires a variety of specialized skills, techniques, and ideals for the execution of the craft. In this article I will describe some of the techniques I use in my games. I don't understand my own art well enough to present my techniques in a hierar- About the Author Chris Crawford leads the Games Research Croup at Atari. He has designed several microcomputer games and has written articles and books about computers and programming. Chris Crawford Atari Inc. 1265 Borregas Ave. POB 427 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 chical or logical sequence; instead, I'll simply offer a potpourri of interesting ideas grouped under the concepts of balance, relationships, monotonicity (having a positive monotonic learn- ing curve), and winnability. Balancing Solitaire Games A solitaire game pits the human player against the computer. The computer and the human are very dif- ferent creatures; where human thought processes are diffuse, asso- ciative, and integrated, the machine's thought processes are direct, linear, and arithmetic. This difference causes a problem. A designer creates a computer game for the benefit of the human, and therefore the game is played in the intellectual territory of the human, rather than in the intellec- tual territory of the computer. The computer is thus at a natural disad- vantage. Although the computer could easily whip the human in games involving computation, sorting, or similar functions, such games would be of little interest to the human player in most cases. The computer must play on the human's home turf, which it does with great difficulty. How, then, do we design a game to enable the computer to compete with and challenge the human? Four tech- niques are available: vast resources, artificial reckoning, limited informa- tion, and pace. Vast Resources In what is by far the most heavily used technique for balancing a game, the designer provides the computer with immense resources that it uses stupidly. These resources may consist of large numbers of opponents that operate with only the most rudimen- tary intelligence. Many games use this ploy: Space Invaders, Missile Command, Asteroids, Centipede, and Tempest, for example. It is also possible to equip the computer with a small number of opponents more powerful than the human player's units, such as the super-tanks in Battlezone. The effect in both cases is the same: the human player's advan- tage in intelligence is offset by the computer's material advantages. The vast-resources technique has a number of benefits. First, the conflict between the human and the computer assumes a David-versus-Goliath air. Most people would rather win as an apparent underdog than as an equal. Second, this technique is the easiest to implement. Providing intelligence for the computer's players can be dif- ficult, but making hordes of com- puter players repeat a single process takes little more than a simple loop. Of course, the ease of implementation carries a disadvantage: everybody can do it. We are knee-deep in such games. Laziness and lack of deter- mination have far more to do with 96 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc the prevalence of this technique than game-design considerations. Artificial Reckoning The obvious alternative to giving the computer player an advantage of sheer numbers is to provide it with in- telligence adequate to meet the human player on equal terms. Unfor- tunately, artificial intelligence tech- niques are not understood well enough to be useful in this context. The development of tree-searching techniques allows us to produce passable chess, checkers, and Othello computer players. Any other game that can be expressed in direct tree- searching terms can also be handled with these techniques. Very few games, however, are appropriate for this treatment. An alternative is to develop ad hoc artificial intelligence routines for each game — the method I have used in Tanktics, Legionnaire, and Eastern Front 1941 with varying degrees of success. Although this strategy demands great effort from the game designer, the routines are so primitive that referring to them as artificial in- telligence is misleading and almost ar- rogant. Instead, I use the less am- bitious term artificial reckoning. The first aim of any artificial reck- oning system is to produce reasonable behavior. The computer should not drive its tanks over cliffs, crash space- ships into each other, or pause to rest directly in front of the human's guns. In other words, the artificial reckon- ing system must not allow obviously stupid moves. This requirement tempts us to list all possible stupid moves and write code that tests for each such stupid move and precludes it. This is the wrong way to handle the problem because the computer can demonstrate unanticipated cre- ativity in the stupidity of its mistakes. A better (but more difficult) method is to create a more general algorithm that obviates the most absurd moves. A second requirement of an arti- ficial reckoning routine is unpredict- ability. The human player should never be able to second-guess the behavior of the computer, for this would shatter the illusion of in- telligence and make victory much easier. This second condition seems to contradict my first requirement of reasonable behavior because reason- able behavior follows patterns that should be predictable. We can resolve this apparent contradiction through a deeper understanding of the nature of interaction in a game. To arrive at such an understanding, we must com- bine three premises. First, a reaction to an opponent is in some ways a re- flection of that opponent. A reason- able player tries to anticipate an op- ponent's moves by assessing the op- ponent's personality. Second, interac- tiveness is a mutual reaction — both players attempt to anticipate each other's moves. Third, the level of in- teractiveness is a measure of the quality of the game. We can combine these three premises in an analogy. Think of a game in terms of two mir- rors facing each other, with each player looking out from one mirror. A weakly interactive game is analo- gous to two mirrors almost aligned toward each other; each player can see and interact at one or two levels of reflection. An ideal, perfectly in- teractive game is analogous to two highly reflective mirrors aligned precisely toward each other; each of the two players recursively exchanges Photo 1: Chris Crawford, computer-game artist, uses a variety of design techniques to create new, stimulating games for the microcomputer. _, , , , ,. . . Photo by Franklin L. Avery. December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc 97 CHRIS CRAWFORD ON DESIGN places in an endless tunnel of reflected anticipations. No matter how reason- able the behavior, the infinitely com- plex pattern of anticipation and counter-anticipation defies predic- tion. The pattern is reasonable yet unpredictable, and thus satisfies the requirements of artificial reckoning. Experience has shown me that game algorithms are most predictable when they are particular, emphasiz- ing a single element of the overall game gestalt. For example, in war games, algorithms such as "determine the closest enemy unit and fire at it" are particular and yield predictable behavior. I find that the best algorithms for reasonable and unpredictable behav- ior consider a greater amount of in- formation in a broader context. That is, they will factor into their decision making a large number of considera- tions rather than focus on a small number of key elements. Compared to the example above, a better algo- rithm might be "determine the enemy unit posing the greatest combination of threat and vulnerability (based on range, activity, facing, range to other computer tanks, cover, and sighting); fire on unit if probability of killing ex- ceeds probability of being killed." How does one implement such principles into specific, program- mable algorithms? I doubt that an all- purpose system can ever be found. The best general solution I have found so far uses a combination of point systems, field analysis, and changes in the game structure. First, I establish a point system for quantifying the merit of each possible move. This is a time-honored tech- nique for many artificial intelligence systems. A great deal of thought must go into the point system. An initial complication is one of dynamic range: the designer must ensure that the probability that two accessible moves will each accumulate a point value equal to the maximum value allowed by the word size (8 bits) ap- proaches zero. In other words, we can't have two moves each getting a score of 255 points or we have no way of knowing which is truly the better move. Another problem with the point system is the balancing of factors against each other. Suppose we have a tank game in which we know that climbing on top of a hill is good, but we also know that moving onto a road is good. Which is better? If a hilltop position is worth fifteen points, what should a road position be worth? Ten points? Twenty? You really need a deep familiarity with the play of the game to answer these questions. Unfortunately, such The best game algorithms consider a great amount of information in a broad context. familiarity is impossible to attain with a game not yet completed. In- stead you have to rely on broad ex- perience, a thorough understanding of the situation being represented, painstaking analysis, and lots of ex- perimenting. Another artificial reckoning tech- nique, field analysis, applies only to games involving spatial relationships. In such games the human relies on pattern recognition to analyze posi- tions and plan moves. The microcom- puter is incapable of true pattern recognition on the same level as humans; however, field analysis allows the computer to attain some- thing approaching pattern recogni- tion. The key effort for the designer is the creation of a calculable field quantity that correctly expresses the critical information needed by the computer to make a reasonable move. For example, in several of my war games I've used safety and danger fields to tell a unit the level of risk in a given situation. Danger is calculated by dividing each enemy unit's strength by its range and sum- ming the quotients of the different units; thus large or close units are very dangerous, and small or distant units are only slightly dangerous. A similar calculation with friendly units yields a safety factor. A unit decides whether to exhibit bold or timid be- havior by comparing the danger and safety values at its position. Once this decision is made, the unit looks around and measures the net danger minus safety in each position it could move to. If the unit is feeling bold, it moves toward the danger; if it is feel- ing timid, it moves away. In this par- ticular case, I find a vector field to be more informative than a scalar field; in some cases the scalar field is ade- quate. The vector field tells the mag- nitude and direction of danger; the scalar field tells only the magnitude. If the algorithm is intelligent enough to use the direction information, the vector field is more useful. Coordinating the moves of the many units under computer control is a special dilemma. How is the com- puter to assure that the different units move in a coordinated way and that traffic jams don't develop? Usually the game designer's response is to use a sequential planning system coupled with a simple test to determine the position of other units. Thus, unit #1 moves first, then §2, followed by #3, with each one avoiding collisions. I can assure you from my own ex- perience that this system serves only to replace collisions with the most frustrating traffic jams. A better method uses a virtual-move system in which each unit plans a virtual (hypothetical) move based on the vir- tual positions of all other units. Here's how it works: we begin with an array of real positions of all com- puter units. We create an array of vir- tual positions and initialize all virtual values to the. real values. Then each unit plans its move, avoiding colli- 98 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Explore the Frontiers of Intelligence S A^A l m * I H 1 iiS ±1 ± i fl mm mm 00 9B & a X n ;•' n WHIT DEMO ■ DR mm s sill s ft ■ PUT SELECT H6-D2 BLIND FLIP CHANGE LEUEL B UISIBLE LIST INWARD OUTWARD ADVICE LOOK UALUE <-BOARD BACK ENACT MANUAL SWITCH AUTO RERUN RESUME RESTART QUIT <— DISK" 4 Variations of blind-told play— camouflaged or invisible pieces ■4 Invert board to play black on bottom 4 Change pieces on board during game, or set up position ■4 Change between 15 levels of play, plus postal and mate-finder modes ■4 Show move that Chess is thinking about ■4 List played moves for each side ■4 Lines of force in: attacks and defenses on a square 4 Lines of force out: squares attacked and defended ■4 Chess suggests a move ■4 Show moves Chess thinks you will make, and its responses ■4 Evaluation of a position ■4 Return to board or switch to command menu 4 Take back a move (repeatable) 4 Play move suggested by look-ahead search ■4 Chess plays neither side ■4 Switch sides ■4 Chess plays against itself— one level against another ■4 Replay through most advanced position ■4 Skip to most advanced position 4 Start new game 4 Leave program < Save, get, and delete games to and from disk All features self-documented; all choices cursor-controlled Screen shows "outward" and "look" features being used THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAMS: Larry Atkin & David Slate: Authors of the Northwestern University Chess 4.7 program- World Computer Chess Champion, 1977-1 980 Peter Frey: Northwestern University professor Editor: Chess Skill in Man and Machine One of U.S. Othello Assoc.'s top-ranked players A - ADUICE B - SETUP A POSITION C - SET COLOR TO MOUE NEXT D - DErtO PROGRAM E - EUALUATION OF C G - NEW GAME < OR START POSITION) H - HELP CLIST OF FEATURES) I - GIUE-AWAY - SWITCH TO OR FRO.. K - SET ALTERNATE LEUEL FOR WHITE L - CHANGE SKILL LEUEL M - PROGR :.;■■ iiU'JL T - TAKE BACK U - IHUERT BO U - SET RANDOM NUMBER H - PROGRAM PLAVS AGAINST ITSELF Kl r> TB • • • •i # ' • • »#• • • • • • n ii i j . • ■ TV j . • . 5 : i . Jlm ♦ _ m BDft V%mm jflPm mm MB Checkers' features Black to move and win (From Checkers documentation) "Scores" feature in Odin A clue to the secret of Odin: Black is destined to lose. /// 930 Pitner Evanston, IL 60202 (U.S.A.) Chess: $69.95 Checkers: $49.95 Odin: $49.95 See your local software dealer, or order (Mastercard or Visa): 800-323-5423 (in Illinois, call 312-328-7101) For Apple II, Apple II Plus 48K disk systems, and Atari 48K disk systems. Odin is also available for TRS-80 Model 1 & 3 32K disk systems. Circle 551 on inquiry card. ©1982 ODESTA CHRIS CRAWFORD ON DESIGN Photo 2: Legionnaire, a recently released war game about Caesar and the barbarian hordes, is a good example of a refined attack algorithm. Chris tried several strategies before the single advance-to-attack algorithm emerged. sions with the virtual positions. After the unit plans its move, the planned final position is put into the virtual array. Other units then plan their moves. After all units plan one vir- tual move, the process repeats, with each unit planning its move on the basis of the interim virtual-move array. This huge outer loop should be convergent; after a sufficient number of iterations the routine terminates and the virtual positions form the basis of the moves made by the com- puter's units. This technique is useful for coordinating the moves of many units and preventing traffic jams. Another technique for achieving reasonable and unpredictable algo- rithms is so simple that it seems like cheating: change the game. If a crucial element of the game is not tractable with artificial reckoning, remove it. If you can't find a good way to use a feature, you really have no choice but to delete it. For exam- ple, while designing Tanktics, I en- countered a problem with certain lakes. If the computer approached a U-shaped lake from the wrong direc- tion, it would drive its tanks to the end of the peninsula formed by the lake, see the water blocking its for- ward progress, back up, change di- rection slightly, and drive back into the peninsula, only to be blocked again by the lake. The U-shaped lake created a trap for my artificial reck- oning algorithm. I expended a great deal of time working on a smarter ar- tificial reckoning routine that would not be trapped by such lakes and yet would retain desirable economies of motion. After much wasted effort I discovered a better solution: delete U-shaped lakes from the map. Ideal- ly, the experienced game designer has enough intuitive feel for algorithms to sense game factors that are intrac- table and avoid them during the design stages of the game. However, most of us must discover these things the hard way and retrace our steps to modify the design. No matter how good an algorithm is, its applicability is limited. The odds are that a specific algorithm will work best under a narrow range of conditions. To be truly interesting, a good game design must offer a broad range of conditions. Thus with many games the designer must create a number of algorithms and switch from one to another as conditions change. The transition from one algo- rithm to another is fraught with peril; if you don't maintain continuity across the transition, the computer units may exhibit highly unreason- able behavior patterns. I well remem- ber a frustrating algorithm transition in Legionnaire. The computer barbar- ians were controlled by three algo- rithms that caused them to either run for safety, approach to contact, or at- tack. Under certain conditions a bar- barian operating under the approach- to-contact algorithm would decide on bold behavior, dash forward to make contact with the human, and make the transition to the attack algorithm, which would declare an attack un- safe. The barbarian would thus balk at the attack and convert to the run- for-safety algorithm, which would direct it to turn tail and run. The human player was treated to a spec- tacle of ferociously charging and frantically retreating barbarians, none of whom ever bothered to ac- tually fight. I eventually gave up and redesigned the algorithms, merging all three into a single advance-to- attack algorithm with no transitions. The artificial reckoning techniques I have described so far are designed for use in games involving spatial re- lationships. Many games are non- spatial and require other reckoning techniques. A common type of non- spatial game is a complex system simulation, often involving coupled differential equations. Lunar Lander, Hammurabi, Energy Czar, and Scram are examples of this type of game. In such games the primary problem fac- ing the designer is not so much to defeat the human as to accurately model system behavior. I advise the game designer to be particularly 100 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Pascal Basic Cobol Forth Pilot Fortran Spread Sheet Inventory Logo KEDIN Data Base Management Word Processor Communication Utility Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Engineering Utility General Ledger Mailing List Macro Assembler Education TRSDOS CP/M Open your doors to a world of SOFTWARE with LNW computers. You'll get MORE PERFORMANCE 1 than with the IBM PC? the Apple II? TRS80 MODEL II or TRS80 MODEL III 4 along with software support of TRSDOS or CP/M, the TWO MOST WIDELY USED OPERATING SYSTEMS. This means you, the user, can select from the largest base of business or personal software. Standard Features: A serial RS232 communication port, parallel printer port, Hi-Resolution (480x192) B/W and COLOR graphics, an 80 character- per- line screen display along with Quad-density interface for 5" or 8" floppy disk storage offering immediate access to 3.5 million characters, or optional Hard disk interface to 5 or 10 million characters. Standard Software: LNWBASIC and DOS PLUS operat- ing system packages, commanding all the above features, are included. The LNW computer will be the key to your success with the starting price at $1695.00, along with a full 6 month warranty. Dealers: You too can open the door to a successful product. Call for our special dealer programs: (714) 544-5745. LNW Computers 2620 Walnut Avenue Tustin, California 92680 (714) 544-5744 "TRSDOS is a trademark of Tandy Corp Circle 269 on inquiry card. **CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research Corp. 1 Performance is based on bench mark test in the JAN 1982 issue of BYTE magazine, pg. 54, with LNW80 II as the comparison. 2 IBM PC is a trademark of IBM CORP 3 APPLE II is a trademark of APPLE COMPUTERS 4. TRS80 is a trademark of Tandy Corp. International orders please inquire for pricing/shipping cost. CHRIS CRAWFORD ON DESIGN Photo 3: Scram is a nuclear-power-plant simulation that uses coupled differential equa- tions to model complex behavior. Photo by Franklin L. Avery. careful with games involving large systems of coupled differential equa- tions. Hammurabi uses three coupled first-order differential equations, and most programmers find that number easy to manage. But the complexity of the problem rises very steeply with the number of differential equations used. Energy Czar used the fantastic sum of 48 differential equations, a feat made believable only by the fact that many constraints were imposed on them. In general, be wary of more than four coupled differential equa- tions. If you must use numerous dif- ferential equations, try to use parallel equations in which the same fun- damental equation is applied to each element of an array of values. Each differential equation should have a damping factor that must be empirically adjusted: new value = old value + driving factor damping factor A small damping factor produces lively simulated systems that bounce around wildly. A large damping fac- tor yields sluggish systems that change slowly. Unfortunately, recourse to simple damping factors can backfire when a relationship of negative feedback exists between the new value and the driving force. In this case, a large damping factor in- hibits the negative feedback, and one of the variables changes erratically. The behavior of systems of differen- tial equations is complex; I suggest that designers interested in these problems familiarize themselves with the mathematics of overdamped, underdamped, and critically damped oscillatory systems. For more general information on solving systems of differential equations, any good text- book on numerical analysis will serve as a useful guide. The application of all these methods may well produce a game with some intelligence, but your ex- pectations should not be too high. Even great effort is not enough to produce truly intelligent play. To date, none of my three attempts play with adequate intelligence to tackle a human player on equal terms. In- deed, they still need force ratios of at least 2 to 1 to stand up to the human player. Limited Information Another way to make up for the computer's lack of intelligence is to limit the amount of information available to the human player. If the human does not have the information to process, he cannot apply his superior processing power to the problem. Applying this technique to excess can reduce the game to one of chance. Used with discretion, how- ever, limited information can equalize the odds between the player and the computer. If the information is withheld in a reasonable context (e.g., the player must send out scouts), the restrictions on informa- tion not only seem natural, but they add to the realism and excitement of the game. Game designers often overlook or misunderstand the value of limited in- formation. Limited information can tickle the imagination of the player by suggesting details without actually confirming them. You must artfully choose the limitations on the infor- mation, however. Randomly as- signed gaps are confusing and frustrating rather than tantalizing. Pace Controlling the pace of the game provides another way to even the balance between human and com- puter. The human may be smart, but the computer is much faster at per- forming simple computations. If the pace is fast enough, human players will not have enough time to apply their superior processing skills and will be befuddled. This is a very easy technique to apply, so it comes as no surprise that many designers of skill and action games use it heavily. These four techniques — vast re- sources, artificial reckoning, limited information, and pace — are never used in isolation; every game uses some combination of the four. Most games rely primarily on pace and vast resources for balance, with very little artificial reckoning or limited infor- mation. The reason for this emphasis is simple: pace and vast resources are easy to implement, while artificial reckoning and limited information are more difficult. Economy of effort 102 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 218 on inquiry card. Four times faster than any 300 bps modem, to be precise. 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For the name of your near- est dealer write: Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc., 5835 Peachtree Corners East, Norcross, Georgia 30092; or call (404) 449-8791. Smartmodem 1200. Gets you moving fast! (J)Haye s w m r inillHIIIIIIIIiiiii 'miiiiiiiiiillllllllllli, '" Trademark of Have; Microcomputer Products, Inc. (6)1982 Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. Sold only In the U.S.A. TRS-80 is a registered trademark i il Tandy Corporal Ion. Apple Is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. Inc. #. '/ Touch-Tone is a registered trademark of American Telephone and Telegraph. The Source is a service mark of Source Telecomputing Corporation, a subsidiary The Reader's Digest Association. Inc. CHRIS CRAWFORD ON DESIGN is no longer justifiable in the lucrative market for games. There's no reason why a game could not incorporate all four techniques; indeed, this should make the game all the more success- ful, for by using small amounts of each method, the game need not strain the limitations of any one method. The designer must decide the appropriate balance of each for the goals of the particular game. Relationships Between Opponents The concepts I've discussed so far apply primarily to computer games. Now let's consider some general game theory. Every game establishes a rela- tionship between opponents that each player strives to exploit to maximum advantage. The fundamental archi- tecture of this relationship, sym- metric or asymmetric, plays a central role in the game. The simplest archi- tecture establishes a symmetric rela- tionship between the two players Both possess the same properties, the same strengths and weaknesses. Sym- metric games have an obviously de- sirable feature: they are auto- matically balanced. Because the same processes are applied to each player, symmetric computer games tend to be easier to program. Finally, these games are easier to learn and under- stand. Examples of symmetric games include Combat for the Atari 2600, Basketball, and Dog Daze. Symmetric games suffer from a variety of weaknesses, the greatest of which is their relative simplicity. Any strategy that promises to be truly ef- fective can and will be used by both sides simultaneously. In such a case, success derives not from planning but from execution. Alternatively, suc- cess in the game turns on very fine details. Chess provides an example: an advantage of but a single pawn can be parlayed into a victory. Because ot the weaknesses of sym- metric games, many game designers attempt to establish an asymmetric relationship between the opponents. Each player has a unique combina- tion of advantages and disadvan- tages. The game designer must some- how balance the advantages so that both sides have the same likelihood of victory, given equal levels of skill. The simplest way of doing this is with plastic asymmetry. Games incorpo- rating this relationship are formally symmetric, but the players select in- itial traits according to some set of restrictions. For example, in the board game Wizard's Quest the players have the same number of ter- ritories at the beginning of the game, but they choose their territories in se- quence. Thus, what was initially a symmetric relationship (each player is entitled to n territories) becomes an asymmetric one (player A has one Symmetric games suffer from their relative simplicity. combination of n territories while player B has a different combination). The asymmetry is provided through the choices of the players themselves at the outset of the game, so if the results are imbalanced, the players are responsible. Other games have a more explicitly asymmetric relationship. Almost all solitaire computer games establish an asymmetric relationship between the computer player and the human player because the computer cannot hope to compete with the human in matters of intelligence. Thus, the designer gives resources to the human player allowing the use of his or her superior planning power, while the computer gets resources that compen- sate for its lack of intelligence. The advantage of asymmetric games lies in the ability to build non- transitive or triangular relationships into the game. Nontransivity is a well- defined mathematical property. In this context, it is best illustrated with the rock-scissors-paper game. Two players play this game; each secretly selects one of the three pieces; they simultaneously announce and com- pare their choices. If both make the same choice the result is a draw and the game is repeated. If they make different choices, then rock breaks scissors, scissors cut paper, and paper enfolds rock. This relationship, in which each component can defeat one other and can be defeated by one other, is a nontransitive relationship; the fact that rock beats scissors and scissors beat paper does not mean that rock beats paper. This particular nontransitive relationship only pro- duces clean results with three com- ponents so that each component relates to only two other com- ponents; it beats one and loses to the other. A rock-scissors-paper game with binary outcomes (win or lose) cannot be made with more than three components. You could make a game with multiple components if several levels of victory (using a point sys- tem, perhaps) were included. Nontransitivity is an interesting mathematical property but it does not yield rich games if we hew to the strict mathematical meaning of the term. Its value to game design lies in the generalization of the principle in- to less well-defined areas. I use the term "triangular" to describe such asymmetric relationships that extend the concepts of nontransitivity beyond its formal definition. A simple example of a triangular relationship appears in the game Battlezone. When a saucer appears, the player can pursue the saucer in- stead of an enemy tank. In such a case, there are three components: player, saucer, and enemy tank. The player pursues the saucer (side one of the triangle) and is pursued by the enemy tank (side two). The third side of the triangle (saucer to enemy tank) is not directly meaningful to the human — the computer maneuvers the saucer to entice the human into a poor position. This example is easy to understand because the triangularity assumes a spatial form as well as a structural one. 104 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc GP-100A: US$389 COMMAND PERFORMANCE. 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When the text exceeds the maximum line length, there is no loss of data due to overflow. •Self-test printing is a standard feature. • Centronics type parallel interface. • Paper width is adjustable up to 10 inches. • Optional lnterface:RS23 2C,lEEE 488,applell,etc. Graphic Printer ft**! Series Available at COMPUTERLAND and other fine stores in your area Distributed by AXIOM CORPORATION 1014 Griswold Avenue San Fernando, Calif. 91340 Phone (213) 365-9521 TWX (910) 496-1746 Manufactured by SEIKOSHA SYSTEM EQUIPMENT DIV. 4-1-1 Taihei Sumida-ku Tokyo Japan. Phone: 03-623-8111 Telex: 262-2620 Circle 418 on Inquiry card. CHRIS CRAWFORD ON DESIGN Photo 4: Eastern Front 1941 is a World War II game whose design incorporates one major trick. Once you learn the trick, mastery of the game becomes possible. Triangularity is most often imple- mented with mixed offensive-defen- sive relationships. In any conflict game, players must make offensive and defensive actions. Some games concentrate the bulk of a certain ac- tivity on one side, making one player the attacker and the other player the defender. This game design is risky, for some people do not enjoy playing a single role, especially that of defender, throughout an entire game. After all, the defender can only lose status and never gain any. Much more entertaining are games that mix offensive and defensive strategies for each player. This way, each player gets to attack and to defend. What is more important, players can trade off defensive needs against offensive op- portunities. Triangular relationships automatically spring from such situa- tions. The essential value of triangularity lies in its indirection. A binary rela- tionship makes direct conflict unavoidable; the antagonists must approach and attack each other through direct means. These direct approaches are obvious and expected and such games often degenerate into tedious exercises following a narrow script. A triangular relationship allows each player indirect methods of approach. The indirect approach always creates a far richer and subtler interaction. Positive Monotonic Curve An important trait of any game is a positive monotonic curve of results as a function of effort. Although my lumbering expression of the idea sounds imposing, its meaning is far simpler: as players work with a game, their scores should reflect steady im- provement. Beginners should be able to make some progress, intermediate people should get intermediate scores, and experienced players should get high scores. If I were to make a graph of a typical player's score as a function of time spent with the game, that graph should show a curve sloping smoothly and steadily upward. I describe such a game as having a positive monotonic curve. A variety of learning curves can arise. A game that has a relatively flat curve is hard to learn. If the curve is steep, the game is easy to learn. If the curve has a sharp jump in it, ap- parently there is just one trick to the game, mastery of which guarantees mastery of the game. (Eastern Front 1941 is a good example of such a game.) If the game has many sharp jumps, we say that there are many tricks. In all cases, the most desirable trait is a positive monotonic learning curve. The designer works a positive monotonic curve into a game by pro- viding a smooth progression from the beginner's level to an expert level. To do this, the game designer must create not one game but a series of related games. Each game must be intrinsical- ly interesting and challenging to the level of player for which it is targeted. Ideally, the progression is automatic; players start at the beginner's level and the advanced features are brought in as the computer recognizes proficient play. More commonly, players must declare the level at which they desire to play. Games without a positive mono- tonic curve frustrate players by fail- ing to provide them with reasonable opportunities for bettering their scores. Players feel that the game is either too hard or too easy. Positive monotonic games challenge players at all levels and encourage continued play by offering the prospect of new discoveries. Tempest is an excellent example of such a game. The Illusion of Winnability An important trait of any game is the illusion of winnability. If a game is to provide a continuing challenge to players, it must also provide a con- tinuing motivation to play. The game must appear to be winnable to all players, beginners and experts, but it must never be truly winnable or it will lose its appeal. This illusion is very difficult to maintain. Some games maintain it for the expert but never achieve it for the beginner; these games intimidate all but the most determined players. The most successful game in this respect is Pac- 106 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Iff you have an I.B.M. computer from their largest 3081 to their smallest Personal Computer, we have the right workstation for you. The Compucart is the first economically designed, fully lockable, mobile computer/terminal workstation. The Compucart's ERGONOMIC design means that not only is the keyboard at the correct height for comfortable interactive entry, but it is adjustable both horizontally (back and forth) and vertically to accommodate both the user and the hardware. The design further means that the keyboard, the work and the screen are all in your comfortable LINE OF SIGHT. The Compucart is engineered to minimize fatigue and to improve the user-computer interface. ONLY the Compucart offers SECURITY by returning the computer to the closed position when not in use or running unattended, the double walled tambor door is closed and the whole workstation is secured with one lock. For a terminal user it means that you can comfortably step away from your desk while you are logged on and access to your terminal is restricted. The Compucart is mobile to allow multiple users to take full advantage of the multifunction features of modern computers and NETWORKS. Mobility also means BACKUP for a terminal or workstation that is down. The Compucart, even with all its features, requires minimum floor space (about 4 sq. ft.) and is the engineered workstation that suits both you and the hardware to conserve the human resource and keep your HARDWARE and SOFTWARE...SECURELY TOGETHER FOR YOU! mmt mflm #■ imam 201 North Rome Ave. P.O. Box 2095 Tampa, FL 33601-2095 ( uQlM PUJ=OMO" Ph. (813) 251-2431 (in Florida) Call Toll Free 1-800/237-9024 See us at Comdex booth #1972 Circle 550 on inquiry card. CHRIS CRAWFORD ON DESIGN Man, which appears winnable to most players, yet is never quite win- nable. Tempest, on the other hand, intimidates many beginners because it appears to be unwinnable. The simplicity or cleanliness of the game is the most important factor in creating the illusion of winnability. A dirty game intimidates its beginners with an excess of details. Many begin- ners never overcome the inhibiting suspicion that somewhere in the game lurks a "gotcha," some complicating detail or hidden factor that they haven't yet discovered. By contrast, a clean game encourages all players to experiment with the game as it ap- pears. Another key factor in maintaining the illusion of winnability arises from a careful analysis of the source of player failure. In every game the players are expected to fail often. What trips up the players? If they believe their failure is caused by some flaw in the game or its controls, players become frustrated and angry with what they rightly judge to be an unfair and unwinnable situation. If players perceive their failure to be a result of their own limitations and decide that winning the game requires superhuman performance, they reject the game as unfair and unwinnable. But if players perceive failures to be attributable to correctable errors on their own part, then they believe the game to be winnable and play on in an effort to master the game. Summary In this article I have described a number of design factors and ideas that I have used in developing several games. These should not be used in grab-bag fashion, for taken together they constitute the elusive element we call technique. Technique is part of an artist's signature, as important as theme. When we listen to Beethoven's majestic Fifth Symphony, the rap- turous Sixth, or the ecstatic Ninth, we recognize in all the identifying stamp of Beethoven's masterful technique. If you would be a computer game designer, you must establish and develop your own technique. ■ Asteroids, Basketball, Battlezone, Centi- pede, Combat, Energy Czar, Missile Command, Scram, and Tempest are trademarks of Atari Inc. Dog Daze is a trademark of Cray Chang. Eastern Front 1941 is copyrighted by Chris Crawford. Legionnaire, Tanktics. and Wizard's Quest are trademarks of The Avalon-Hill Game Company. Pac-Man is a trademark of Namco. Space Invaders is a trademark of Taito America. EITE "back issues for sale 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 Jan. $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 Feb. $2.75 $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 $3.70 March S2.75 $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 $3.70 April S2.75 $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 $3.70 May S2.00 S2.75 $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 S3. 70 June S2.00 S2.75 $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 $3.70 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 July $2.00 $2.00 $2.75 $2.75 S3 25 $3.25 S3. 70 Aug. $2.00 $2.75 $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 S3. 70 Sept. $2.75 $2.75 $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 $3.70 Oct. $2.75 $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 Nov. $2.75 $3.25 $3.25 S3. 25 $3.70 Dec. $2.75 $2.75 $3.25 S3. 25 $3.25 $3.70 Circle and send requests with payment to: BYTE Back Issues P.O. Box 328 Hancock, NH 03449 Please allow 4 weeks for domestic delivery and 8 weeks for foreign delivery. name address city state zip The above prices include postage in the US. Please add $.50 per copy for Canada and Mexico; and $2.00 per copy to foreign coun- tries. □ Check enclosed Payments from foreign countries must be made in US funds payable at a US bank. □ VISA Card # _ □ MasterCard _Exp. Signature 108 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc At last... a better way to find that article on computing! An indexing service to locate source material in specific subject areas. LAMP is a bi-monthly index to approximately 100 computer publi- cations. An outstanding feature is the Subject index , cross-referenced to provide the most comprehensive listing and ease of retrieval. All articles are read for subject content and then listed with as many cross references as required to retrieve the article. An Author Index lists individual names as well as each contributor in jointly written articles. Another section is the Review Index which covers book reviews, hardware, software and educational courseware. 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To order by mail, send your check for $69.95 to Soft images, 200 Route 17 Mahwah, N.J. 07430. i Literature Analysis of Microcomputer Publications I Soft images I ■ DIVISION OF DECISION SYSTEMS INC.^^BMM^ Circle 423 on Inquiry card. ftj ChcAra,-nf Computer Exchange — The Supply Center for the IBM-PC SOFTWARE sast BUSINESS ASH10K-TATE. dBase II, CP/M-86 0ENV{l SOFTWARE. Easy (Executive Accounting System) HOWAIOSOn. Reel Estate Anilyzet MFOMMHM UHLIMITED. Easywriter II la HUPS) ,,_ Easyspeller (68K Words) I US Easyliler (a DBMS) Easy Planner IMOVAIM SOFTtMM. 1 1 M III {a DBMS! * IMOFT. Data Design |a powerful easy to use DBMS) NEW! IMOVATIVE. Spell Guam ISA, Spell Guard IS*. MatheMagic LHISOFT. Spellbinder (a versatile WPS in CP/M-86) MICRO LAI. The Tai Manager *t)ICAOPK>. WordStar* plus tree WordStar Training Manual t 495 LIST PRICE J 700 J 725 $ 250 S 350 » 175 S 400 $ 250 » 495 S 225 i 295 S 295 S 90 » 495 1 250 MailMeige'" (250 Sinister 1 » t 250 Special! All Three Above. WordPac S 895 WordStar Training Manual — KMTH AMERICAN BUS. SYSTEM. The Answer S 250 PEACNTREE. Inventory Series 40 S 600 Peach Pah 40 |GL. AR S API s 595 REREECT SOFTWARE. Perlect Writer ' » J 389 Perlect Speller' " ! 189 Perfect Filer ' « _ $ 289 SEIECT INFO.. Select la WPS) J 595 SORCIM. SuperCalc » 295 SuperWriler. call on availability S 395 Spell Guard, call on availability SUPEISOFT. Disk Doctor (CP/M-86) S 100 Diagnostics II (CP/M-86) 5 125 Scratch Pad (CP/M-86 and MS-DOS) 5 295 VISICORP. VisiCalc*/256K ! 250 VisiDe. J 250 VisiTrend/Plot S 300 Visilile t 300 Desktop Plan S 300 OUR PRICE 5459 SMS sin S2S9 S129 S299 S189 S369 S169 S220 S195 S (9 H4J S189 $365 S18S S185 SE95 » 25 S169 $399 S395 S2J9 8119 8179 S375 S199 S269 Call 8 75 8 95 8225 8179 8199 8219 8239 8239 UTILITY «AC» SYSTEM. Copy/ PC Backup Copier and Utilities WMEU DATA. ' " System Backup. Bit Copiei RORTOR. Norton Utilities. 14 powerful programs. 3 disks J 35 8 50 S 80 HOME & EDUCATIONAL ACMR. Lost Colony 8 30 AUTOMATED SIMULATIONS. Temple ol Apshai 8 40 Upper Reaches Apshai $ 20 Jabbertalky $ 30 Curse oi Ra 8 20 AVAIOR HILL. Galaxy $ 25 Midway Campaign $ 21 Computer Stocks and Bonds i 25 Voyager 8 25 Draw Poker $ 21 IRODERBURD. Apple Panic 8 30 CONTINENTAL, The Home Accountant Plus 8 150 DATAMOST. Write-On 8 130 Pig Pen . 8 30 Space Strike 8 30 CONTINENTAL The Home Accountant Plus S ISO DAVIDSON. The Speed Reader S " IRFOCOM. Deadline 8 Zork I S 2ork II 8 ON-LINE SYSTEMS. Froggei 8 Ulysses & The Golden Fleece $ PBl CORP. Personal Invester 8 145 SENTIENT. Cyborg. (Call on availability) S StatUS. Conuucst S Call to Arms 8 SPIRNAKER. Snooker Troops. II or *2 S Story Machine S Face Maker $ STRATEOIC. The Warp Factor S VERSA COMPUTING. Graphics Hardcopy System 8 f E commodore VIC 20 Home Computer Dalasetle VIC 1530 Disk Drive VIC 1540 Super Eipandei VID 121 1A 3K with lots of extras 8K Memory Expander Cartridge 16K Memory Expander Cartridge. Microtek 8 29 S 39 8 65 S 24 8 29 8 15 8 22 8 15 8 20 8 17 8 20 8 20 J 17 8 22 8112 8110 8 22 8 22 8112 8 55 8 39 8 29 8 29 8 26 8 25 8 99 8 23 8 23 8 35 8 25 8 25 S 30 8 19 $300 $199 S 75 S 600 $ 70 8 60 8 159 8 59 S3E9 8 56 S 48 8115 Wide VIC 20 Software and Peripheral line in stock. Call HARDWARES LIST OUR PRICE PRICE AST RESEARCH. Combo Plus. 64k with one option NEW 1 8 495 $379 Combo Plus. 256K with one option NEW! (1095 8729 Options Async Comm Port,, Para. Printer Port , Clock/Calender Add $50 (or second option and $35 for third. Parity Memory Card. 64 K 256K Note: All of above cards are memory upgradeable. BYAD INC.. DS1. 280B lor CP/M 80 DS2. above with serial port, CORVUS. Hard Disk System. See Corvus Section This Page CURTIS. PC Pedestal.'" lor Display on PC 3 Tool Cable for IBM Mono Display DAVONG. DS1 501 Haid Disk. 5 Meg ♦ MICROSOFT 64K RAM Card w/Panty. RAM Drive 4 Utility 128K RAM Card w/Partty. RAM Drive t Utility 256K RAM Caid w/Panty. RAM Drive g Utility 64K RAM Chips'" QUAI)1^\MCO R PO R AT,ON# Quadboard. 64K, expandable to 256K, 4 function board Quadboard. 128K, expandable to 256K, 4 function board Quadboard, 192K. expandable to 256K, 4 function board if- Quadboard. 2S6K, four function board Memory Board. 512K, with Serial Port #6512 Memory Upgrade Kit, 64K (9 chips), #B260 Microfazer. Snap-on, 8K. Par/Par, Epson, flM£8 Microlazer. Snap-on, 64K, Par/Par, Epson, WME64 Microfazer. same as i¥ME8 except with copy. WMP8 Microfazer, same as #MP8 except I28K Power Supply tor Microfazer, (9V, .25A) HPS1 TG PRODUCTS. Joystick ^ mmmm ^^^^^^ Disk Drives anC an TMlOO-l Single Sided 160K S 280 1229 TM100-2 Double Sided 320K J 350 $279 VISTA COMPUTER. b?6K Ma.ord $1395 II 195 8 395 8279 8 995 8659 8 660 $570 8 760 8660 8 80 $ 65 8 50 8 39 81995 81595 8 350 8259 8 525 8395 8 875 8659 S 175 8129 S 595 8445 8 775 8575 8 895 $645 8 995 $685 $1295 $995 $ 150 $ 95 8 159 8129 8 299 8219 8 169 8139 S 445 $345 S 20 8 15 S 65 $49 XEDEX 64K plus CP/M-80 operation 8 600 8495 8" CP/M-80 ■SSS. SSeV SYSTEM ARE LIST out PRICE PRICE ADVENTURE. Adventure's HI to «12 inclusive. S 8 129 8 95 ASHION TATE. dBase II, K 8 700 S459 COMSHARE TARGET. Targel PlannerCalc 8 50 $ 39 Master planner $ 325 S225 PlannerCalc Applications Pkg S 50 8 40 PlannerCalc Combo Pkg 8 90 8 65 INFOCOM.Deadlme. li 8 60 8 45 Zork 1. 8" 8 50 S 39 Zork II, 8" 8 50 $ 39 INNOVATIVE. Spellguard. 8" S 295 8199 ISM. MatheMagic S 100 8 75 MICROCRAFT. Legal Billing & Time Keeping — Verdict $ 750 8395 Prol Billing & Time Keeping — Billkeepei $ 750 8395 ♦MICROPRO. WordStar* plus Iree WordSlar Training Manual 8 495 8365 MailMerge' M 8 250 S185 SpellStar'" $ 250 S185 Special! All Three Above. WordPac 8 895 8695 WordStar Training Manual — S 25 DalaStar' " 8 295 8199 SuperSort' M $ 250 8175 CalcStat' " $ 145 % 99 Special' All Thiee Above. DalaPac 8 695 S449 MICROSOFT. Multiplan $ 275 8199 Foilran-80, 8" $ 500 8325 BASIC Compiler, 8" $ 395 8295 C0BOL-80, 8" 8 750 8545 BASIC 80. 8" 8 350 8275 muLisp/muStai-80 $ 200 8145 MSort 80 8 195 8145 Edit-80 8 120 8 80 Macro-80 8 200 8145 OASIS. The Word Plus la WPSI 8 150 Call PEACHTREE. GL. AR S AP, Series 40. all three J 595 8395 Inventory. Series 40 8 600 8399 Peach Texl. Spell S Mail, all three 8 595 8395 Call on Series 8. each 8 750 84 99 PERFECT SOFTWARE. Perfect Writer ' ■' 8 389 8239 Perlect Speller' * 8 189 8119 Perlect Spellei 1 w 8 289 8179 QUALITY. GBS with 3 geneiators, (a DBMS1 $ 700 8525 SELECT INFO.. Select (a WPSI 8 595 8375 SORCIM. SuperCalc i 295 8199 Super Writer, call on availability S 395 8269 Spell Guard, call on availability 8 295 Call SUPERSOFI. Disk Docloi (CP/M-80) 8 100 8 75 Diagnostics II (CP/M-80) 8 125 8 95 Scratch Pad (CP/M-80) $ 295 8225 PRINTERS, Impact EPSON. See Epson sertion below IDS. Prism 132. Color w/Graphics Prism 80. Color, w/Graphics jf. Pager Tiger 440, w/Graplncs & 2K Microprtsm 480. near letter quality NEC. 8023 Printer F/T OKIDATA. Microlme 82A. 120 Cps 80 Col Para & Serial PAPER. Tractor Feed. Variety in slock, call lor price 81995 81549 81795 8145C Limited Special $1295 8495 $ 799 8699 $ 695 8525 ra & Serial 8 649 8495 ** CORVUS SYSTEMS * 6 Met Hard Disk 11 Meg Haid Disk 20 Meg Haid Disk IBM PC Interlace (IBM DOS) Manual S Cable 5' Mnroi buil! in loi easy backup Apple Interlace. Manual & Cable 5 8 300 Other Interfaces. Omni Net Constellation. Mirror All in Stock LIST PRICE 82995 84795 85795 8 300 8 790 OUR PRICE 82495 83995 84795 8239 8649 8239 Wl]M HEWLETT mL/iM PACKARD LIST OUR PRICE PRICE H/P 7470A Graphics Plotter 81550 $1195 H/P 41C Calculator 8 250 $210 H/P 41CV Calculator with 2.2K Memory 8 325 $275 H/P 41 Card Reader 8 215 $179 H/P 41 Optical Wand 8 125 $105 Wide variety ol software and accessories available. Call ODnCDIlUr lUrnDUATiniU AWn TPDMQ All mail to P.O. Box 1380. Jacksonwilfe. OR 97530 UKUtrtlflU inrUKmHIlUn HWU I Cn mo. All items usually in stock. We ship immediately on Cashiers Checks. Money Orders. Fortune 1000 Checks and Government Checks. Personal, Certified or Company Checks allow 20 days to clear. No C.O.D. Add 3% for VISA or MO Include telephone number. Add 3% for shipping, insurance and handling (S. I&H) with $5 minimum. UPS ground is standard so add 3°^ more for UPS BLue with J 10 minimum. Add \2% total for S.I&H for US Postal. APO or FPO with J 15 minimum For Hawaii. Alaska and Canada. UPS is in some areas only, all others are Postal so call, write, or specify PO. Foreign orders except Canada for S. I&H add 18% or $25 minimum except for moniters add 30% or $50 minimum. Prices subject to change and typo errors, so call to verify. All goods are new, include factory warranty and are guaranteed to work. Due to our low prices, all sales are final. Call before returning goods for repair or replacement. Orders received with msufficent S, l&H charges will be returned. ORDER DESK HOURS 8 to 6 PST, M-F and 10 to 4 Sat. 1 PM here is 4 PM in NY A 1 1 D DCtrDCUrrC We h3ve heen a corn P uter d ea l er Slfice 1978 and in mail order since 1980. Banks: First Interstate Bank, (503) 776-5620 and Jefferson UUK KtrtKtNUto. State Bank, (503) 773-5333. We belong to the Chamber of Commerce, (503) 772-6293, or call Dun & Bradstreet if you are a subscriber. Computer Exchange is a division of 0'Tech Group. Inc. MONITORS LIST PRICE OUR PRICE NEC. 12" Green S 249 1159 12" Color, Composite S 450 S349 SANYO. 9" B8W J 190 $149 + 9" Gieen Special truckload sale S 200 1119 12" BSW J 250 S199 12" Green S 260 S199 13" Color. Composite % 470 S3«9 13" Color RGB S 995 S79S ZENITH. 12" Green S 150 XI 19 AMDEK. 12" Green »300 S 200 $159 13" Color 1, Composite S 449 S359 13" Color IIA. RGB. Hi Res. |Ap II. Ill S IBM-PC) $ 999 S799 13" Color III. RGB. Commercial. (Ap II, III) S 569 1469 liVM, Color II or III lo Apple II Interlace S 199 J175 Note: Color II and III come with cable for IBM-PC DISKETTES ♦ Control Data Corporation 12 for 10 Special Limited Time! CDC, 120 each, 5 1 . with ring, SS. SO (Apple, IBM, etc] S 450 S195 12 each. 5Vt with ring. SS. SD (Apple. IBM. etc) S 40 S 22 12 each. 5« with ring SS. DD (H/P. IBM 320K. etc) $ 51 S 28 12 each 8". SS. SD S 51 J 28 10 each, 5 ; . with ring. DS. OD (IBM) S 50 S 39 IBM. 10 each. 5",. SS. SD (Apple. IBM. etc) S 60 J 45 10 each 5U, SS. DD (H/P. IBM 320R. etc) S 65 S 49 VERBATIM. 10 each 5'.. with ring. SS. SD or SS. DD J 50 S 28 MAXELL. 10 each 5'.. SS. SD S 55 J 35 DYSAN. 10 each Si*. SS, SD S 55 S 39 10 each 5. DS, DD S 65 S 49 EPSON PRINTERS & ACCESSORIES MX80 F/T III. with Graftra<» $ 745 J525 MX100 F/T III. with Graltra«» S 995 J695 IBM-PC to Epson Cable ! 60 S 45 Apple Interface and Cable lor MX80 ra MX100 S 120 t 95 Grappler* by Orange Micro, specify your computer S 165 S119 Apple Graphics Dump » 15 J 9 Atan lo Epson Cable $ 40 1 30 TRS-80 to Epson Cable S 40 S 30 Other cables, interlaces, ribbons, heads and paper in stock Call NATIONAL ORDER DESK tOLL r-Ktt (800) 547-1289 OTHER ORDERS: 772 3256 Hot Line For Information On Your Order (503) 772-3803 Portland, OR. Cash > Carry Outlet. 1 1507 D SW Pacific Hnry.. Terrace Shop- pi n| Canter. Ti|ard. OR. Over-the-counter sales only. On 99* between Rte. 2 17 and Interstate 5. Call 245-1020. Exclusively for Bdi & Howdi by ffccippkz computer Wma The B&H LIST PRICE OUR PRICE SAVE B&H Apple 11+ 64K (48K +ALS16K) DISK II w/3.3 Cont. DISK II Only OR M725 M195 $ 645 '520 $ 525 s 450 SAVE OVER *350 on a pair of drives Buy a pair of Micro-Sci A2 Drives. See opposite page. cippkzii/ii supply center HARDWARE for Apple II/II + LIST PRICE OUR PRICE RAM CARDS: Microsoft. 16K RAM Card $ 195 If ALS. I6K ADDRam J 149 * DCP. 16K RAM Card SUPER SPECIAL Saturn Systems. 32K 64 K 1Z8K Axlon. 320K RAM Disk syslem SO COLUMN VIDEO CARDS: ALS. Smarterm Videx. Videoterm See more ALS and Videx below Vista, Vision 80 M8R. Sup R term MISCELLANEOUS: ALS, Smarterm 80 Col Card Special $ 345 Z Card 12-80] W/CPM Special $ 269 If 16K ADDRam Special $ 149 )f Synergizer Pack Special $ 749 Synergizer Pack includes above 3, + CP/M Note: Above is a limited time offer Apple Computer, Silentype II Prmler Graphics Table! loystick II Came Paddle Numeric Keypad Axlon, 320K RAM Disk System CCS. Serial Interface 7710A Other CCS Cards in stock Dan Paymar. Lower Case Chips Hayes, Micromodem II Smartmodem Kensington, System Saver if Keyboard Company. Joystick II Game Paddle Numeric Keypad MSR. RF Modulator Sup R fan If Microsoft. Z80 Soltcard 16K RAM Card Softcard Premium Pack$ 775 Mountain. CPS Multifunction Card $ 239 If Clock/Calendar $ 280 Novation, Applecat Modem $ 389 Orange Micro, Grappler $ 165 If Practical Peripherals. MBS 8K Serial [Epsonl $ 159 MAP 16K Para (Epson) $ 159 )f Microbulfer II 16K,|specifyl J 259 Microbuffer II 32K, (speedy) J 299 RH Electronics. Super Fan II $ 75 SSM.AIO-II.Senal/Para Interlaces 225 SL49 t 59 $ 179 S 249 $ 425 $ 599 S1395 S 345 $ 345 S 395 $ 375 S 395 $ 795 S 50 $ 30 S 150 S1395 $ 150 Call J 50 $ 379 $ 279 J 90 SOFTWARE on disk for Apple 11/11 + OUR BEST SELLERS - CALL ON OTHERS $ 50 $ 30 $ 150 $ 30 $ 50 $ 399 $ 195 TG Products: Game Paddles Joystick Select-A-Port If Videx, Videoterm 80 col Solt Video Switch Enhancer II Enhancei (Rev 6) Function Strip Applewnler II prebool disk Visicalc to 64K prebool disk Visicalc to 176K prebool disk J 90 Full Videx Line Call, up lo 35' $ 40 $ 60 J 60 S 345 $ 35 $ 149 $ 129 $ 79 S 20 $ 50 off 1249 J249 $249 S319 SI99 S199 S 59 $450 book. $335 $675 $ 39 $ 19 $119 $995 $129 Call S 39 $275 S229 $ 69 $ 39 S 23 $119 $ 25 $ 39 S269 $149 $579 $209 $245 $299 $119 $129 $129 $209 $229 $ 59 $169 S 29 S 45 $ 45 $249 $ 25 $ 99 $ 99 $ 59 S 15 $ 39 $ 69 Apple Computer. Inc. The Controller (Accounting) Apple Writer II Apple Pascal Apple Fortran DOS Tool Kit DOS 3.3 Upgrade Kit Apple Pilot DJ Portfolio Evaluator How lo! Microcouner Micro Telegram Time Manager Apple Logo Applied Soft Tech.. Versa Form Artsci. Magic Window II Ashion-tate, dBase II [CP/M] $ 625 $ 150 $ 250 S 200 $ 75 $ 75 $ 150 $ 50 $ 50 $ 250 $ 250 $ 150 $ 175 $ 389 $ 100 $ 700 $ 195 $ 195 $ 150 S 150 $ 295 $ 495 Continental. GL. AR. AP or PR, ea S 250 1st Class Mail $ 75 Home Accountant $ 75 Hayden, Pie Writer (Specify brd.l $ 170 High Tech.. Job Control Sys $ 750 * Info Master S 189 Howard Soft. Creative Financing Real Estate Analyzer II Tax Preparer Info. Unlim.. Easywnler (PRO) jf Innovative. Spellguard (CP/M) Lexisoft. Spellbinder (a WPS] )f Micro Craft. (CP/M] Professional Billkeeper $ 750 Legal Billing & Timekeeping $ 750 Micro Lab.lnvoice Factory $200 Tax Manager $ 150 Micro Pro. (all CP/M] )f WordStar^ + Training Manual $495 MailMerge T " $ 250 SpellStar'" $ 250 SPECIAL! All 3 above $ 895 Data Star 1 " $ 295 CalcSlar*" $ 145 SuperSortJ" $ 250 SPECIAL! All 3 above $ 690 Muse. Super Texl II $ 150 Super Text 40/80 $ 175 Super Text 40/56/70 New! $ 125 Form Letter $ 100 On-Line, Screenwriter II $ 130 General Manager $ 150 Oasis System. The Word $ 150 Osborne/C.P. Soft.. (Disk and Book] If Some Common Basic Programs 75 Business, Statistics and Malh programs lor the Apple II $ 100 Practical Basic Programs. if 40 more very valuable programs beyond "Some Com Basic Prag"$ 100 OUR PRICE $499 $119 S199 $159 S 59 $ 59 $119 $ 45 $ 39 $199 $199 $119 $139 $265 $ 69 $439 $169 S 49 $ 49 $ 99 $350 $119 $129 S129 S 99 $ 99 $150 $269 $395 S395 $129 $ 99 S365 S185 $185 $695 $199 S 99 $175 $449 $113 $129 $ 95 $ 75 $ 89 $115 $119 S 49 $ 49 B&H Apple II* differs from th Apple Apple 11+ only in that it is in black hammertone color and its warranty is longer Warranty: Factory warranty is by Bell and Howell |nol by Apple) and is one year parts plus 90 day labor Warranty service available at Bell and Howell service centers or return to Computer Exchange Peachtree. (CP/M), specify Videoterm or 40 column 3 Pak 40, (GL. AR 8 AR] Inventory, Series 40 Peachpay, Series 40 3 Pak 9. (Texl, Spell & Mail) Perfect, Perfect Writer Perlecl Speller Perfect Filer $ 595 $ 400 $ 400 $ 595 $ 389 $ 189 J 289 Duality. GBS w/3 gen (a DBMS) $ 650 Sensible, Sensible Speller $ 125 Sileon Valley. Word Handler S 250 Sof/Sys, Executive Secretary $ 250 Executive Speller $ 75 Solldus/Softech If Stockfile $ 600 Stockseller $ 700 Software Publishing. PFS II $ 125 Report $ 95 Graph $ 125 Sorcim. SuperCalc, (CP/M) $ 295 Southeastern. Data Capture 4 0. specify brd. $ 90 Stoneware. DB Master $ 229 DB Utility I or II $ 99 Systems Plus. Acctg. Plus, General Ledger $ 425 Acctg. Plus, GL. AP and A/R $ 995 Acclg Plus, above* Inventory $1395 VisiCorp/Personal Software. Visicalc 3.3 VisiDex VisiFile Desktop Plan II Desktop Plan III Visiplot VisiSchedule Special! VisiTrend i VisiTerm VisiPlot Special! $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 300 S 200 $ 300 $ 300 $ 100 $395 $275 S275 $395 $239 $119 $179 $475 $ 85 $139 $169 $ 55 $350 $450 $ 85 $ 65 $ 85 $219 $ 69 S155 $ 69 $295 $595 $775 $179 $175 $179 $179 $219 $149 $219 $179 $ 79 UTILITY & DEVELOPMENT Beagle. Utility City DOS Boss Central Point Software: Filer. DOS Utility Copy II Plus {bit copier) Comp. Appl., Nibbles Away If Epson. Graphics Dump Insoft. GraFORTH by Paul Lulus ALD System II by Paul Lutus TransFORTH II by Paul Lutus Microsoft. AIDS BASIC Compiler Cobol 80 Fortran 80 Olympic Decathlon TASC Compiler Omega. Locksmith (bit copier) On-Line. Expediter II, Compiler LISA 2 5 Penguin, Comp GraphicsSys New' Phoenix. Zoom Grahx Quality. Bag ol Tricks New! Southwestern. ASCH Express Sensible. BackllUp, (bit coper) S $ $ 125 $ 125 $ 395 S 750 $ 195 $ 30 $ 175 100 100 80 70 40 40 80 60 $ 22 $ 18 S 18 S 35 $ 59 S 9 $ 59 $ 59 $ 99 $ 75 $299 $559 $149 S 24 $159 $ 75 $ 69 $ 60 $ 53 S 29 $ 29 S 59 $ 49 B&H APPLE II* ^*1 m r~ 64K STARTER SYSTEM $1,795 SAVES • 48K BSH Apple II* • US 16K MM Card • Disk II with 3.3 DOS 8 Controller • Sanyo 9" Green Monitor ffAJJI FOR THE APPLE 11/11*. Ill WiMBiSM nlRFrTSIIKJSTITIITFS MICRO-SCI for APPIE DRIVES Micro-Sci A2 drives and/or controllers are direct plug compatible substitutes for Apple drives and controllers. LIST OUR • For Apple II PRICE PIKE A2, 5'*-, 143K Disk Dnye J 479 $369 Controller Card for A2 Owe ( 100 »79 A40, 5w", 160K Disk Drive $ 449 MS9 A70, iV. 286K Disk Drive $ 599 Wi Controller for A40 or A70 S 100 tn Filer, Desk Utility Software J 20 S 15 REM 9 For Apple 111 A3. 5M, 143K Drive $ 449 S359 A73. 5*. 286K Drive $ 649 1529 A143. 5(4, 572K Drive S 799 xm OVERSTOCK SPECIALS FOR APPLE II/H+ ALS 16K AddRAM Card $ 149 $ 59 AtS ZCard, 780 CP/M Card $ 269 S199 ALS Smarterm 80 Col. Card S 345 $H> MS Synergizer Pack, 3 above J 749 S450 AtS Synergizer ♦ Supercaic $ 749 S490 ALS Synergizer * Condor Jr. S 749 S490 ALS Synerg. * Supercalac + Condor $ 749 1560 DCP 16K RAM Card Special S 179 S59 Saturn Systems, 32K SAM Card % 249 J169 Videx. Videoterm, 80 column card t 345 1249 HOME & EDUCATION Broderbund. Apple Panic $ 30 S 21 Arcade Machine (call first) $ 45 $ 40 Choplifter New! $ 35 $ 26 Many others Call Budgeco, Raster Blaster $ 29 $ 22 Continental, Home Accountant $ 75 $ 49 Edu-Ware. Several in stock Call Call Hayden, Sargon II (Chess) $ 35 $ 29 Infocom, Deadline $ 50 $38 Insoft. Electric Due! by Lutus $ 30 $ 25 Zargs New! $ 35 $ 27 Spider Raid New! $ 30 $ 24 Lightning, Mastertype $ 40 $ 29 Microsoft, Olympic Decathlon $ 30 $24 Typing Tutor II $ 25 $ 19 Muse. Robot War $ 40 $ 29 Castle Wollenstein $ 30 $ 23 On-Line. Ultima II $ 55 $ 40 Threshold $ 40 $ 30 Softporn (X Rated) $ 30 $ 22 Cannonball Blitz. New! $ 35 $ 26 Quality, Bag of Tricks $ 40 S 30 Sirius, Gorgon $ 40 $29 Sir-Tec, Wizardry $ 50 $ 39 Knight of Diamonds. New! $ 35 $26 Sub Logic. Flight Simulator $ 34 $ 25 Pinball $ 30 $ 23 Strategic. Southern Command $ 60 $ 30 OTHER BRANDS IN STOCK. CALL 800 Computer 16K $ 899 $665 _ 800 Computer 48K $1099 $777 Mi 810 Disk Drive $600 $499 • IN, 850 Interface S 220 $169 ataoi 110 Recorder $ 100 AIAKI 32K RAM, Microtek J 100 »79 S 85 32K RAM $ 200 $109 Call tor other software and accesories. LIMITED SPECIAL 8001 32K Computer s 995 $699 MFC 286K To| al, Dual Drive PCS03L % 995 ^^^ 32K addon and I/O Unit PC8012 S 649 1699 »4»5 Call for other software and accesories. THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER MAIL ORDER FIRM Computer Exchange ~le 1 1? for IRM Perinherals *■■ 11 A ■■ . M *% n -a nn#t 1 ■ ;n_ ^. r-» n-wr-n « Circle 112 for IBM Peripherals Circle 113 for Apple Circle 114 for all others WAREHOUSE AND OFFICES. BY APPOINTMENT AT 6791 UPPER APPLEGATE ROAD. ALL MAIL: P.O. Box 1380, Jacksonville, OR 97530 AD #945 A Division of • Means a BEST buy. BYTE GAME CONTEST SECOND-PLACE WINNER Charge! C. Anthony Ray 39 Carriage Place Urbana. IL 61801 One long, cold winter evening when I was in need of some amusement I decided to write a computer program to simulate the trajectory of a free electron through a sparse lattice of stationary ions. I placed symbols for positive and negative ions on the screen and assigned an initial speed and direction to an electron originating in the upper left corner of the field. As the electrons began to fly across the screen, my family clamored for a chance to play what looked like a game to them. I did some additional work on the program and Charge! came into being. Object of the Game The object of Charge! is to give a direction to an elec- tron launched from the upper left corner of the playing field that will cause it to travel to the lower right corner of the field. You specify the direction by entering an x,y coordinate pair that corresponds to the point you would like to hit. But there's a catch. For each round of the game, a random-number generator places ions on the screen that, depending on their charge (positive or nega- tive), exert a push or pull on the electron. (See figure 1.) The influence of these ions alters the trajectory in ways that become more predictable as your experience with the game increases. When the electron impacts the border of the field, your score is the product of the x and y coor- dinates of that point. The closer your electron comes to the lower right corner, the higher your score. (I have kept the Applesoft screen-coordinate system, where the coor- dinates for the upper left corner are 0,0 and those for the lower right corner are 279,159.) Although solitary play is possible, the game is more in- teresting as a competition for two to four players. Five different playing fields are displayed and each player is given a turn on each. To keep any one player from gain- ing an advantage, the computer varies the order of a) • + _ -r- - i ' + i i i i i i i i i - -1- — • + + II c) - + - + -o > < ■+■ i i i i i i i i i - MONICA 043413 LORI ANDREA 067139 FRANK 026537 048766 MONICA 043413 LORI ANDREA 067139 FRANK 026537 048766 MONICA 043413 LORI ANDREA 067139 FRANK 026537 048766 FRANK'S TURN, DIRECTION ? 13,4 FRANK'S TURN, DIRECTION IX, Y) ? 13,4 • ELECTRON — NEGATIVE ION + POSITIVE ION -O POINT OF IMPACT FRANK'S TURN, DIRECTION (X,Y) ? 13,4 Figure 1: The electron is launched and proceeds according to the direction specified by the player. Its path is influenced by the pull and push of the ions, and the final point of impact is marked with an arrow. 112 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 16 on inquiry card. indigo; data systems, inc. PC MultiBoard Up to 256K bytes of reliable parity checked system memory plus an IBM compatible RS-232 serial communications port and a real time clock/calendar. Three of the most fre- quently desired functions are integrated on a single board to keep your budget in line and your expansion slots free. And the PC Multi- Board™ is the perfect mate for Spool-It™ and Drive-It . One year warranty. 64K-S495, 128K-S640, 192K-S775, 256K-S895. Spool-It™ Utilize up to 64K of extra memory as a printer buffer and eliminate valuable time spent waiting on the printer. Works with Visi- Calc® , Super-Calc™ WordStar™, Easy- Writer™, Peachtree, BPI, BASIC, and most other PC DOS software. $44.95 Drive-It™ Eliminate time spent waiting on disk drives by converting 32K to 320K of extra memory into an ultra-fast drive. Supports all standard DOS functions. $59.95 Print-it ru (IBM/Epson printers) The graphics screen print capabilities that IBM omitted are provided by this unique screen print utility which dumps either monochrome or color screen images (text and graphics) to IBM/Epson printers (with graphics installed). Other features include full IBM special character set support, shading, and print abort. Expanded, rotated, and inverse modes are available. $44.95 Color-It™ (Prism/IDS printers) Color printing has never been easier. Color-It™ provides the same screen print capabilities as Print-It™ , but for the IDS Prism color printer. Up to 8 colors will be reproduced as displayed on the screen. Also supports the non-color IDS 460/560 and Microprism print- ers. $49.95 Software by M.A.P. Systems Inc. The It series of software can be used in- dividually or in combination to get the most out of your application software. Indigo Data Systems, Inc. is dedicated to making USEFUL and USEABLE products for the IBM PC. Each product is designed with performance, compatibility, value, and quality in mind. We insist on it - So should you. Indigo Data Systems, Inc. 100 E. NASA Rd. 1 Suite 107 Webster, Tx. 77598 (713) 488-8186. HOLIDAY SPECIAL J 256K PC M£TIPAK„ FORTHEPRICEOF192K ? 8 e | 5 $ 775 #good thru Jan. 31, 1983 utti theP *,, «he^xpansioh't>o.en,i a l o. your^m^PC to *ork*_ you today with . , pfodlts ^^^nS2K~5p. 2W95 (pay be 64K Memory Expansion Kit-Si 5U | included ( * PC M ^mK COMMUNICATIONS PW ^piVsKOBiV^MU^pOPTWABB A $6^)0 VAL r E ONLY "I data. uciici,_sys terns, inc. "Indigo products may be 'found at ComputerLand and -s^ other fine corTtputscstores. Dealer And Customer Inquiries call TOLL FREE 1-800-231-9480 In Texas Call Collect (713) 488-8186 "~ — f — > ) I BYTE GAME CONTEST players' turns with each new playing field. The scores are cumulative and the person with the highest score at the end of five rounds is the winner. Law of Motion In life, the force or magnitude of the push or pull exerted upon an electron by an ion is inversely propor- tional to the square of the distance from the electron to the ion. For Charge!, however, I adapted this law of physics and used an inverse-distance (as opposed to an inverse-distance-squared) force algorithm. This change gives distant ions more influence over the electron and provides more dynamic action. The Program The primary features of Charge! are in straightforward BASIC and could be converted easily for use with other computers, including those with only low-resolution graphics (see listing 1). Some embellishments incor- porated in the program take advantage of the Apple's unique characteristics, but these features could be deleted without significantly altering the game. For example, lines 8000 through 8180 contain a subroutine that causes the scores to be clicked up in pinball-machine fashion, complete with sound effects. A simple print statement could replace the entire routine. Another embellishment appears in the title display (lines 6030 through 6190). When the program starts, a flashing marquee appears on the screen, followed by a musical fanfare (generated by the subroutine in lines 9000 through 9290), and finally the title and the copyright notice are displayed. The fanfare is also played at the end of each game. (See listing 2 for an assembly-language version of the fanfare routine.) Fur- ther enhancements that could be left out include the sound effects sprinkled throughout the program. These can be recognized easily in the listing because they con- tain the variable SS. Listing 1: The BASIC program for Charge! 10 REM ********************** 2(3 REM * * 30 REM * CHARGE! * 40 REM * 50 REM * COPYRIGHT (C) 1982 * 60 REM * BY C. ANTHONY RAY * 70 REM * * 80 REM ********************** 90 REM 100 GOSUB 6010: DIM SG(5,2): GOTO 7010 The rest of the program is regular BASIC. Lines 7000 through 7170 keep track of the skill level, the number of players, and the players' names. Lines 4000 through 4140 register the score for each player, the number of electrons fired, and the number of people who have played in the current round. This information is used to determine which player goes next. The routine that draws the field and the scale markings and places the ions on the field ap- pears in lines 2000 through 2170 and uses the shape table information in listing 3. This section also assigns a positive or negative value to each ion. Movement of the electron is handled in lines 1000 through 1090. Using the directional input provided by the player, the program translates the pair of coordinates into a velocity vector of magnitude SO. A new velocity vector is then computed based on the position and charge of each of the ions. Lines 3000 through 3050 contain the impact sequence. If the electron has gone outside the field, its position vector is set to the nearest field position, and an arrow is drawn indicating the point of impact. This position determines the player's score. The ending sequence for the game is provided in lines 5000 through 5150. The primary func- tion of this sequence is to determine if another game is re- quested and, depending on that determination, either exit or set the parameters for the new game. Charge! is a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. My engineering friends find it to be a challenge to their professional vanity and yet the game is simple enough that my 4-year-old daughter is an enthusiastic player. ■ The author has offered to make copies of his program available to BYTE readers for $8. Send a blank disk and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: C. Anthony Ray 39 Carriage Place Urbana, 11 61801 1000 REM * CHARGE MOVE ROUTINE * 1010 HP = SQR(X0 * XO + YO * YO) : IF HP = THEN HP = 1 1020 XO = XO * S0 / HP:Y0 = YO * S0 / HP 1030 FOR I = OE TO FV: IM = PEEK (SS):IM = PEEK (SS): NEXT 1040 DRAW TR AT XP.YP 1050 XN = XO:YN = YO 1060 FOR I = ZE TO SL:X = SG(I,ZE) - XP:Y = SG(I,0E) - YP:HP = Listing 1 continued on page 116 114 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc NEC's new letter-quality printer gets personal with IBM. The Spinwriter 3550 lets the IBM PC get down to business. NEC's new Spinwriter letter-quality printer is the only one plug-compatible with the IBM Personal Computer. So you get the business applications you've been wishing for. Letter-quality output for word and data processing. Multi-language, scientific, and technical printing. Simple forms handling. Quiet operation. And the reliability of the industry's most popular printer line. NEC designed the new Spinwriter espe- cially for the IBM PC. It comes complete with documentation and training materials to fit your PC user's handbook. Just plug the Spinwriter in and your PC instantly becomes more versatile and flexible. More than 8 forms handlers and 50 print thimbles boost PC versatility. NEC designed the Spinwriter 's 8 modular forms handlers to accommodate a wide range of paper and document sizes and types. The easily mounted handlers let your computer print out the forms you need for data processing, word processing, graphics, accounting or other business applications. The Spinwriter's 50 print thimbles can more than triple your PC's usefulness. They come in both constant pitch and proportional-spaced fonts, plus in foreign language, technical and scientific versions. They snap in and out in seconds, and let you print up to 203 columns on 16-inch paper. They each last for more than 30 million impressions. This printer's special features make everything look better on paper. The Spinwriter's software-invoked features include automatic proportional spacing; bidirectional, bold and shadow printing; justification; centering; under- scoring; and sub/super scripting, all at speeds up to 350 words per minute. That big extra, Spinwriter reliability. Spinwriters have the industry's best mean-time-between-failure rating, in ex- cess of3,000 hours. In terms of average personal computer usage, that's more than five years. The Spinwriter 3550 is available at ComputerLand stores, Sears Business Systems Centers and IBM Product Centers nationwide. - NEC Information Systems, Inc. BE1Z82 5 Militia Drive, Lexington, MA 02173 Send me more information on the Spinwriter 3550. Name Title Telephone Company Address City Zip SEC NEC Information Systems, Inc. Spinwriter is a trademark oi Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. Circle 339 on inquiry card. We're Made for Each Other spiiiinriler + BYTE GAME CONTEST Listing 1 continued: TO 50;IM = PEEK (SS) ■■ PEEK X ft x + Y * Y:XN = XN - CG * (SS): NEXT SG(I,TW) * X / HP:YN = YN - 4000 REM * SCOREKEEPING & WHOSE CG * SG(I,TW) * Y / HP: NEXT TURN * 1070 XDRAW TR AT XP,YP:XP = XP + 4010 FOR I = OE TO HM XN:YP = YP + YN 4020 IF I = MC THEIN S(I) = S(I) + 1080 IF XP < ZE OR XP > TN OR YP < ZE OR YP > 09 THEN GOTO 3010 4030 INT(XP * YP) NEXT 4040 IF INT(XP * YP) : : 1090 XDRAW TR AT XP,YP: GOTO 1060 PRINT : GOTO 40 2000 REM * DRAWS IONS * 4050 GOSUB 8010 2010 HGR : SCALE = OE : ROT = ZE 4060 HOME 2020 HPLOT ZE,ZE TO 279, ZE TO 279, 4070 C = C + 1 159 TO ZE,159 TO ZE , ZE 4080 IF C = FV * HM GOTO 5010 2030 FOR I = OE TO 13: HPLOT 20 * 4090 IF M = HM THEI> 1 IF H = HM THEN 1,157 TO 20 * 1,159: NEXT H = OE: M = OE : MC = OE: GOSUB 2040 FOR I = OE TO 7: HPLOT 277, 2010:GOTO 715C 20 * I TO 279,20 * I: NEXT 4100 IF H = HM THEIn I M = M + OE: MC 2050 HC = FV:SP = TW = M: H = OE: GOSUB 2010: GOTO 2060 PO = - OE:PI = OE 7150 2070 FOR I = OE TO SL 4110 MC = MC + 1 2080 SG(I,ZE) = 2 * INT (125 * RND 4120 H = H + 1 (D) + 15 4130 IF MC > HM THEN MC = : 1 2090 SG(I,OE) = 2 * INT (65 * RND 4140 GOTO 7150 CD) + 14 5000 REM * ENDING SEQUENCE - 2100 SG(I,TW) = - PI 5010 POKE 34,0 2110 PI = PI * PO 5020 HTAB 1: VTAB 24: GOSUB 9060: 2120 HC = HC - PI:SP = SP + PI PRINT "ANOTHER k GAME? (Y/N)"; 2130 HCOLOR = HC 5030 GET Y$: IF Y$ < > "Y" THEN 2140 DRAW SP AT SG(I,ZE),SG(I,OE) GOTO 5150 2150 NEXT 5040 H = 1: M = 1: MC = 1 : C = 2160 HCOLOR = 7 5050 FOR I = OE TO HM:S(I) = ZE: 2170 RETURN NEXT 3000 REM * IMPACT SEQUENCE * 5060 VTAB 21: HTAB 1: PRINT SPC( 3010 IF XP > 279 THEN XP = 279: ROT = 80) 48 5070 HOME 3020 IF YP > 159 THEN YP = 159; ROT = 5080 VTAB 24: HTAB 1: PRINT "SAME SKILL LEVEL? (Y/N) ";: GET 3030 IF XP < THEN XP = 0: ROT = Y$ 16 5090 IF Y$ < > "Y" THEN HOME: 3040 IF YP < THEN YP = 0; ROT = VTAB 24: HTAB 1: INPUT "SKILL 32 LEVEL (1-5) ? ";SL 3050 DRAW FR AT XP,YP: FOR I = OE Listing 1 continued on page 118 116 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 103 on inquiry card. FASTER THAN A FLYING HEAD ! The flying head of a hard disk is fast. M-Drive tm is faster. And now, the originators of the M-Drive concept introduce M-Drive/H tm , the most cost- effective solid state disk drive available. M-Drive/H is a 512K memory board (cascadable up to 4 Megabytes for even more storage) which emulates disk drive operation and runs under CP/M® or A MP/M tm . You have to see the increase in operating speed and power to believe it; as Byte magazine said, "M-Drive makes a microcomputer . . . run like a big minicomputer. Highly recommended." When time is of the essence, M-Drive/H is essential. For operation that's faster than a flying head, look into M-Drive/H— another leap forward from the leader in high performance systems and components. $1895 suggested list. >0Mhi''" m ^ » ' Ott/'-ammt' '■■' I M if ny.af)' 1 ' ' ■ ■ ir -*—W¥ \™V M-DRIVE IH SUPPORT TEAM: OPERATING SYSTEMS M-Drive/H is supported by popular operating systems such as CP/M 2.2, CP/M-86, MP/M-816, MP/M-86, and CP/M-68K. M-DRIVE/H SUPPORT TEAM: CPUs CompuPro makes a complete line of high-speed CPU boards recommended for use with the above operating systems and M-Drive/H. CPU Z is a Z80 workhorse which operates under CP/M 2.2. $295, $395 CSC. CPU 8085/88 executes both 8 and 16 bit software, and is compatible with CP/M 2.2, CP/M-86, MP/M-816, and MP/M-86. $425, $525 CSC. CPU 86/87 is a 16 bit CPU (with 8087 math processor option) that works under CP/M-86, MP/M-816. and MP/M-86. $695 (8 MHz), $850 CSC (10 MHz). Factory installed 8087, add $300 (clock speeds limited to 5 MHz with 8087). CPU 68K (compatible with CP/M-68K) is the most advanced 68000 based board available. Includes sockets for Memory Management Unit and up to 8K X 16 (16 Kbytes) of EPROM. $695 (8 MHz),$850 CSC (10MHz). CP/M and MP/M are trademarks of Digital Research. M-Drive and M-Drive/H are trademarks of CompuPro. See M-Drive/H, and its support team of operating systems and CPUs, at your Authorized CompuPro Systems Center or Sales Center. CompuPro d GmpuPro Godbout Electronics, Box 2355, Oakland Airport. CA 94614 BYTE GAME CONTEST Listing 1 continued: 5100 IF SL < OE OR SL > FV GOTO C. ANTHONY RAY"; 5090 6180 FOR I = 1 TO 1500: NEXT I 5110 HOME 6190 RETURN 5120 VTAB 24: HTAB 1: PRINT "SAME 7000 REM - START INFO * PLAYERS? (Y/N) ";: GET Y$ 7010 HOME : HGR 5130 IF Y$ = "Y" THEN C = 0: GOSUB 7020 VTAB 22: INPUT "SKILL LEVEL 2010: GOTO 7140 (1-5) > "; SL 5140 GOTO 7040 7030 IF SL < 1 OR SL > 5 THEN 7010 5150 HOME: TEXT: END 7040 GOSUB 2010 6000 REM * HEADING * 7050 HOME : VTAB 22: INPUT "HOW 6010 PRINT CHR$(4)"BLOAD CHARGE MANY PLAYERS? ";HM SHAPES": POKE 232,0: POKE 7060 H = 1 : M = 1 : MC = 1 233,96 7070 IF HM < 1 OR HM > 4 THEN GOTO 6020 ZE = 0: OE = 1: TW = 2: C = 0: 7050 TR = 3: FR = 4: FV = 5 : S0 + 10: 7080 FOR I = 1 TO HM CG = 25: SS = -16336: TN = 279: 7090 HOME : VTAB 22: INPUT "WHAT'S 09 = 159 YOUR NAME? "; NAME$(I) 6030 TEXT 7100 PRINT "HI, ";NAME$(I) 6040 FLASH 7110 FOR J = 1 TO 500: NEXT J 6050 PRINT ***w***^**^********>f**^^* 7120 7130 HOME NEXT I /» rt /V ^ W /* '* •* /> /* /» *» /* 6060 FOR I = OE TO 21: PRINT "*" 7140 VTAB 21: HTAB 1: PRINT NAME ;: HTAB 39: PRINT "» " : NEXT $(1): IF HM > 1 THEN VTAB 21: 6070 PRINT K^«^xx«?f^vxw«x)f«^w«fVwffW HTAB 20: -PRINT NAME$(2); IF i ] v * -- rs mT t i"* XT x jm a tt r\ f*i ti m a t~i i HM > 2 THEN VTAB 22: HTAB 1: 6080 NORMAL PRINT NAME$(3): IF HM > 3 THEN 6090 GOSUB 9010 VTAB 22: HTAB 20: PRINT NAME$ 6100 VTAB 3: HTAB 14: PRINT " (4) IT . 7150 XP = 7: YP = 7: POKE 34,23 > 6110 FOR I = OE TO TR: VTAB TR + I : 7160 VTAB 24: HTAB 1: PRINT NAME HTAB 14: PRINT "! $(MC);'"S TURN. DIRECTION (X !"; : NEXT ,Y) "; 6120 VTAB 7: HTAB 14: PRINT " 11 , 7170 8000 INPUT XO,YO: GOTO 1010 REM * TICKS UP SCORE * i 6130 VTAB 5; HTAB 17: PRINT "CHARGE!"; 8010 IF MC = 1 THEN HT = 12:VT = 6140 VTAB 10: HTAB 12: PRINT "A 21 GAME FOR UP TO"; 8020 IF MC = 2 THEN HT = 32:VT = 6150 VTAB 12: HTAB 14: PRINT "FOUR 21 PLAYERS"; 8030 IF MC = 3 THEN HT = 12:VT = 6160 VTAB 16: HTAB 11: PRINT "CO 22 PYRIGHT (C) 1982"; 8040 IF MC = 4 THEN HT = 32:VT = 6170 VTAB 18: HTAB 11: PRINT "BY 22 Listing 1 continued on page 120 118 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc How I con get the inf or motion I need. From onywhere. Immediately. To do business, I need information from a lot of places. Sales figures from Cincinnati. Production costs from Philadelphia. Personnel levels from our ad- ministrative offices three blocks away. And — sometimes — I need up to the minute market prices from The Source . Whatever I need, I get it. Immediately. That means that I don't waste time waiting. And I don't hove to make decisions based on old information. Even if it's just a day old. Information from anywhere. Immediately. With uku >\mala Crosstalk allows your CP/M or MS- DOS based computer system to ac- cess almost any dial-up computer, capture and store the data, and transfer files between any two Crosstalk systems with complete error checking. Even when disk for- mats ore incompatible. To get your information, Crosstalk can automatically dial any dial-up system, capture on-line data for analysis off-line. Crosstalk saves you and your computers time. It saves you money. And, best of all, it gets you the information that you need, when you need it. Ask your local dealer about it. Now available for IBM PC Microstufjnc. 1 845 The Exchange Suite 205 Atlanta, GA 30339 (404)952-0267 DEALER INQUIRES WELCOME CROSSTALK is o trademork of Microstuf , Inc. CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research Inc. The Source is a servicemark of Source Telecomputing, Corp. o subsidiary of The Readers Digest Association, Inc. MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Circle 319 on inquiry card. BYTE GAME CONTEST Listing 1 continued: 8050 AM = S(MC) 9180 FOR I = 1 TO 3: NEXT I 8060 D%(1) = AM/100000:AM = AM - 9190 POKE 1,130 D%(1) * 100000 9200 POKE 0,66 8070 D%(2) = AM/10000:AM = AM - 9210 CALL S D%(2) * 10000 9220 FOR I + 1 TO 30: NEXT I 8080 D%(3) = AM/1000:AM = AM - 9230 POKE 1,50 D%(3) * 1000 9240 POKE 0,75 8090 D%(4) = AM/100:AM = AM - 9250 CALL S D%(4) * 100 9260 POKE 1,255 8100 D%(5) = AM/10:AM = AM - D% 9270 POKE 0,66 (5) * 10 9280 CALL S 8110 D%(6) = AM 9290 RETURN 8120 FOR J = 6 TO OE STEP -1 8130 FOR I = ZE TO D%(J) 8140 HTAB HT + J: VTAB VT: PRINT I; Listing 2: The fanfare assembly-language routine. This informa- 8150 IM = PEEK(SS) - PEEK(SS) + PEEK(SS) - PEEK(SS) + Hon is placed in memory by the POKE statement through 9050 of the main program. ; in lines 9010 PEEK(SS) - PEEK(SS) 0300: 1 ORG $300 8160 NEXT I 0300: AD 30 C0 2 START LDA SC030 8170 NEXT J 0303:88 3 Bl DEY 8180 RETURN 0304 :D0 04 4 BNE B2 9000 REM * FANFARE * 0306:C6 01 5 DEC $1 9010 FOR I = TO 18 0308 :F0 08 6 BEQ B3 9020 READ X 030A:CA 7 B2 DEX 9030 POKE 768 + I,X 030B:D0 F6 8 BNE Bl 9040 NEXT 030D:A6 00 9 LDX $0 9050 DATA 173,48,192,136,208, 030F:4C 00 03 10 JMP START 4 , 1 98 , 1 , 240 , 8 , 202 , 208 , 246 , 0312:60 11 B3 RTS 166,0,76,0,3,96 9060 S = 768 9070 9080 POKE 1,50 POKE 0,91 Listing 3: The game shape table, including the negative ion, electron, and arrow (in that order) positive ion, 9090 CALL S 9100 FOR I = 1 TO 3: NEXT I 6000- 04 00 OA 00 ID 00 27 00 9110 POKE 1,33 6008- 2A 00 24 24 37 36 36 36 9120 POKE 0,82 6010- 25 24 2D 2D 3C 3F 3F 3F 9130 CALL S 6018- 3F 2E 2D 05 00 3F 3F 2E 9140 FOR I = 1 TO 3: NEXT I 6020- 2D 2D 2D 25 3F 3F 00 2C 9150 POKE 1,33 6028- 3E 00 08 20 24 24 24 95 9160 POKE 0,75 6030- 92 62 OC OC DC DB DB 13 9170 CALL S 6038- OE OE OE OE 06 00 120 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Hntm ■•*& w IV ■ f <• m MORE THAN EVER, ATARI HOME COMPUTERS ARE SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE. With more program languages than ever to choose from, you now have more opportunities than ever to utilize the amazing capabilities of the ATARI 800™ Home Computer. Whether you're a beginning programmer, or at the fore- front of the art, you'll find an ATARI programming language that can make your task quicker and simpler than ever before. Just look at what ATARI has to offer: ATARI Microsoft BASIC -Now we offer the industry standard, the most powerful Microsoft BASIC yet. With simple commands, it allows you to take advantage of unique ATARI hardware features such as our well-known player/ missile graphics. For ease of programming, it includes n-dimensional arrays for numerics and string handling. And importantly, conversion procedures are simple. ATARI Macro Assembler— Faster and more powerful than any ATARI language before, the ATARI Macro Assembler also allows you to access more memory space. And it's excel- lent for I/O interface and manipulation of such features as: player/missile graphics, sound registers and peripherals. In addition, the macro processor and "include" file library features speed-up program development considerably. Fig-FORTH— For specialized programming needs, such as educational or game applications, ATARI Fig-FORTH is uniquely effective. Fig-FORTH combines power and sim- plicity in an efficient 10K size, with characteristics of an interpreter and the speed of machine language code. ATARI BASIC- An affordable and easy to use BASIC that requires only 8K of memory. It allows you to take advantage of the spectacular ATARI graphics and sound capabilities. And its immediate mode error messages greatly simplify ' debugging. ATARI Assembler Editor —An excellent tool to assist the assembler-programmer in creating, editing and debugging assembly programs. PILOT— ATARI PILOT is an exceptional learning language, with built-in "turtle" graphics to let you create spectacular designs and pictures with very short programs. Simple one or two-letter commands allow you to create a dialogue with the computer. And a single "match" command can perform complex text evaluation and pattern-matching instantly. ATARI Pascal— An excellent high-level language for teaching structured programming, and for developing and maintaining programs. In addition to offering all the features of the ISO Pascal standard, ATARI Pascal offers unique extensions that allow you to take advantage of ATARI graphics and sound capabilities. ATARI is constantly developing new ways to help you get more out of your ATARI 800 Home Computer. So watch for more innovative and exciting programming languages from ATARI in the future. For more information, write to ATARI, Inc., Dept.ClZ.PO. Box 16525, Denver, CO 80216. ATARI" <0!W2 ATARI, Inc All Rights Reserved .*,...,.,....- -...© * Available from the ATARI Program Exchange ATARI HOME COMPUTERS We ve Brought The Computer Age Home™ Circle 46 on inquiry card. A The Panasonic portable computer We've improved the way L 1AK „ Panasonic. It will improve the way you solve problems. And the solutions come from the portable computing power you have at your fingertips. You can take it with you on planes, cars, boats, anywhere, because it fits into a suitcase. You can be more cost effective in the field, because you'll have access to more information for making on-the-spot decisions. You'll have the incredible advantage of being able to telecommunicate from anywhere you are. It gives you a whole new world of computing. Portable computing. Software Solutions -Now there's an exciting new software system for the 6502 microprocessor that gives you more solutions to your problems. The popular language software for the portable computer includes Extended Basic Compiler/Interpreter, SnapFORTH and Microsoft Basic.® The Panasonic portable computer also has a wide range of specific software programs for your specific problems, such as: The Scientific Calculator — An incredibly powerful tool that solves mathematical problems for the scientist, engineer, and professional wherever they go. Portabudget — It's your portable personal financial manager. It gives you up-to-the-minute personal control. It allows you to be your own record keeper, savings advisor, accountant, bill manager, credit and charge account guide, investment counselor, portfolio keeper, and tax assistant. Overall, it helps plan your personal financial life, portably. Portacalc — Gives you the portability and the flexibility to automatically analyze numerical problems wherever and whenever they arise. You can assess "what if" alternative business problems, comprehend key variables in business, and dynamically analyze problems on engineering projects. Portawriter — It allows you to write, edit, and format information. And, you can telecommunicate the information from wherever you are. Whether you're in the boardroom, hotel room, or even on a golf course, Portawriter gives you full editing and formatting capability for notes, reports, letters, news copy, tables, lists, forms, orders, you name it. Portalo q — It is an easy, precise tool for time-billing professionals without a minute to lose. Whether you're on the road or in the office, you can log time, compile bills, generate billing reports, and track the work of your highly paid employees. Portalog gives you improved timekeeping productivity. Telecomputin g 2™ — It lets you telecommunicate with your data base. You can establish communications between headquarters and field forces. Exchange files and programs between remote stations. Access timesharing services and store data in a large computer's mass storage. You can also upload and download program data. with a wide range of new software, you solve problems. Portaflex — A master program that allows you to create solutions for applications, such as: a Inventory Control —Analysis and control of inventory while you're on the job. n Order Entry —A customized system for any sales order entry It offers you productivity, and the advantage of faster order entry. p Field Service — Retrieve, diagnose, and analyze your field service data wherever you are in the field. a Auditing and Accounting —Custom auditing and accounting, anywhere you are in the field. □ Estimating -Versatility for flexible bidding and estimating at your job site. Software Development Tools for the Customizer — Create your own custom programs and bum them into your EPROM so your program is recorded in nonvolatile form. Simply take a desk top microcomputer* insert the software development discs, create your own program, de-bug that program, compile the program, then "burn-in" your problem-solving EPROM. ♦Presently offered for Apple II Plus. Hardware Specifications - The Panasonic portable computer offers 6502 microprocessor (1 MHz) technology. a It offers 4K or 8k internal nonvolatile RAM □ 48k internal ROM □ Built-in Ni-Cad rechargeable battery pack □ External AC adapter/recharger □ 26-character liquid crystal display a 65-key completely redefinable keyboard Introducing Peripherals for Additional Solutions — Modular peripherals let you customize your system. □ Multiple RS-232C serial interfaces □ Asynchronous modem with cassette interface (110 or 300 baud) □ 40-character microprinter (thermal dot matrix printing) □ 8k or 16k RAM memory expansion packs o X-Y four-color plotter (up to 80 characters per line) □ TV adapter (32 characters X 16 lines with color and graphics) The Panasonic portable computer. It's improved the way you solve problems. Because we believe its portable modules and multiple software applications can vastly improve your productivity. And that can be an important solution to your profit problems. The portable computer from Panasonic. We've improved the way you solve problems. LlAK Panasonic. It's changing the way the world uses computers. Please send me more information. Panasonic Company, Hand-Held Computers One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094 Name (PLEASE PRINT). Title & Company Dealer Inquiries Invited « Type of Business, ^k Add ress .State. .Zip. Phone Number ( Panasonic. just slightly ahead of our time. Circle 368 on inquiry card. BYTE GAME CONTEST FIRST-PLACE WINNER Cosmic Conquest Alan Sartori-Angus Professor of Computer Science University of Natal Durban, South Africa As you move your battle fleets through the galaxy, you try to strengthen your planet empire at the expense of your opponent, an Apple microcomputer. Planets are at- tacked and occupied, battle fleets fight to the death, high taxes spawn revolutions, and black holes swallow entire fleets. Welcome to Cosmic Conquest, where you must ex- pand your empire, stave off insurrection, and destroy the enemy or lose the game. The action takes place in a 30- by 30-unit galaxy that may be thought of as the surface of a sphere. While your view of the galaxy appears limited by the confines of the screen display, there are no boundaries: if you move off the top of the galaxy, you will reappear at the bottom; leaving from one side will cause you to reenter on the other. The size of your galaxy may be changed by alter- ing the SIZE constant in the program. The Cosmic Arena The primary graphics display is the battle-fleet scan, the part of the galaxy immediately surrounding your cur- rent fleet (see figure 1). The battle-fleet symbol is in the center of the display, surrounded by the stars, the planets, the colonies, and the enemy battle fleets. The scan remains centered on the battle fleet currently under your control, and when you make a move the planets, stars, etc., appear to move past your fleet. The x and y values displayed below the scan are coordinates that identify the present position of your battle fleet in the galaxy. The number of fighting ships available in your current fleet is also listed below the scan display, as well as the number of troop legions on board the fleet. Other information displayed includes the number of credits you have available and your score so far. + ■ * M-H ■ * * D ■ h-M * * * + D * * * * * + X = 16 Y = 12 NO. OF SHIPS = 58 LEGIONS =85 SCORE = 570 CREDITS 348 About the Author Alan Sartori-Angus is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Natal. Durban, South Africa. He has been involved with computing since 1976 and specializes in data communications and operating systems, especially as applied to microcomputers. His interests include both standard and computer chess, war-gaming, and sports. He is presently involved in the design and construction of a FORTH engine using bit-slice components. LEGEND A STAR A PLANET THAT IS NOT A COLONY OF YOURS A COLONY OF YOUR EMPIRE ONE OF YOUR BATTLE FLEETS ONE OF THE ENEMY BATTLE FLEETS Figure 1: An example of the screen display during the game. Use the legend to identify the game symbols. 124 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc The IMS Family IMS Computer products not only fulfill the requirements of stand alone applications, they are designed to be cost effective, intelligent nodes in a total network environ- ment! Each product fulfills a particular requirement of the network with a conservative functional overlap of the system above and below in the Family Tree. Jhe IMS family is growing rapidly— keeping pace with technology and the ever increasing needs of industry. ■ m ■ ■■ 1 ... 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Includes Micro Processor, (>4K of memory and four serial ports— two of which are to be used to connect into high speed network communication. © Portable cartridge tape back up. Stores 17.5 MBytes of data. Operates in start stop or streamer modes. For complete information and specifications plus the location of your nearby IMS International dealer, call or write today! (714) 978-6966 or (702) 883-7611 2800 Lockheed Way Carson City, NV 89701 Telex: 910-395-6051 INTERNATIONAL We Build Computers As If Your Business Depended On Them. n w Nov. 29- Dec. 2,1982 • Booth 1144 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV Circle 228 on inquiry card. BYTE GAME CONTEST You begin the game with 250 credits, which can be used to purchase more ships or enlist additional legions. Although you don't have control of any colonies at this point, you have two fleets, each consisting of 20 ships and 50 legions. In addition, you have no idea what the galaxy looks like and no clues to what the enemy (the computer) is up to. Using one of the several commands available (see the text box on page 128), you can begin to create a powerful empire. Your score indicates the strength of your empire, which you can increase by adding to the number of planets you control and the number of legions and ships you have. However, the strength of your empire is re- duced by the strength of the computer's empire. You therefore have two methods of gaining strength: first, colonize as many planets as possible, and keep your troop numbers high; second, reduce the enemy's strength by taking over its colonies and destroying its battle fleets. In determining your strategy, you will be faced with several difficult decisions. Do you place large garrisons on your planets to make them secure from the enemy and from internal revolt, or do you use those legions to col- onize more planets? Do you spend your credits on ships that can help you destroy enemy battle fleets, or do you pay to enlist more legions? It's highly unlikely that you'll find a clear winning combination of strategy and tactics. In fact, you may be well on the way to a high score when your fleet disappears from the screen upon being swallowed by a black hole. Design Decisions Cosmic Conquest is designed to be a single-player game of real-time action and strategic decision making. I wanted the game to be played in real time but to be more than just a game to test quick reactions in the manner of Space Invaders. I also decided that each play of the game should be different and that the game would use the precept of offering incomplete information to create a game for which there is no consistent winning strategy. These design decisions are important to the play of Cosmic Conquest. The use of real time adds to your sense of tension as you play. Having to make split-second deci- sions all the time, some of which may cost you the game, is what I wanted Cosmic Conquest to be about. If you have all day to make decisions, it becomes too easy to win. The program further challenges you by never pro- ducing the same game twice. Not only is the galaxy dif- ferent each time, but the winning tactics also change. 5Bryou type on the keyboard, your computer can say. It's as simple as that. Our text-to-speech system gives your computer an unlimited vocabulary while using a minimum of memory. With nearly 400 grammatical rules contained in the ECHO, your computer can properly pronounce most any word, phrase, or sentence. Simple commands allow you to select from: • Entire words pronounced or spelled letter by letter • 63 different pitch levels • Words spoken monotonically or with intonation • Fast or slow speech output • Spoken punctuation if desired • Different volumes Applications are unlimited, ranging from phone answering, educational and training programs, to games and aiding the sight and speech impaired. The ECHO is a complete stand alone unit which is compatible with most any computer; it sells for $299.95. The ECHO ][, which plugs into the Apple ][, is priced at $149.95. STREET ELECTRONICS CORPORATION 1140 Mark Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 (805) 684-4593 ¥1 126 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 439 on inquiry card. Two of mankind's greatest treasures IHhHHRIi WnM IP : '^ : ;$' I i,fc V^*te^^lfis^*?^£Y -tf '£'" ' £ '•■- .-■ v* X?'*-- * i ^ » *-. ia^^j .rov r.udc* ivC'.- ■ ', ■ I Reflected in two outstanding peripherals for your APPLE II TheMBI™ APPLETIME ™ Card Fully Mountain Software compatible Disk included with all software Includes Datebook'" - a complete desk calendar Time of day Calendar date Day of week Program timer International time-keeping ability Recharging battery backup Complete software formatting Offset time/date/day readout The MBI ™ VIP Card VIP' M Card - "Versatile Interface Peripheral" (Available for EPSON, NEC, C-ITOH, IDS PRISM, OKIDATA and other graphic printers soon) y+> ~f * *~v VIP" Card -The Ultimate Graphics Card 4) I ^TJ A Centronics Parallel Interface with a Serial Port and Cables featuring: • Text and graphics screen dump routine Graphics with inverse & emphasized modes Enlarged picture mode • Variable line length with left & right margins • Block graphics • 90° picture rotation • Chart Recorder Mode • A serial port with full RS232 capability • Software baud rate control from 110 to 9600 baud "Suggested List Price ICRQCOMRUTER USINES! TOUS-TRl ;:^ DMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: 1019 8TH STREET, GOLDEN, COLORADO 80401 (U.S.A.) ELEPHONE: (303) 279-8438 Circle 310 on Inquiry card. — '-tiniL', VIP, and Datebook arc trademark TWX: 910-934-0191 BYTE GAME CONTEST Cosmic Commands The following commands are available to you during the course of a game: Move: The current battle fleet (the one shown in the center of the scan) can be moved up, down, left, and right merely by pressing the W, Z, A, and S keys, respectively. Other Fleet: To make your other battle fleet your current fleet, press the key. The display will change to show the area around your new current fleet. You can move, fight, colonize, etc. only with your current fleet. Information: Additional information about the current state of the game can be obtained at any time by hitting the I key. This information includes the number of planets in your empire and the number of both planets and battle fleets in the computer's empire. Fire: You can attack an enemy battle fleet in an adjoining square to your current battle fleet by pressing the F key. Casualties are inflicted on both fleets in proportion to the strength of the enemy fleet. (A rough guide is that a fleet will inflict a casualty rate of 40 percent of its strength upon the enemy fleet.) Battles may continue as long as you wish or until either one of the fleets is destroyed. Tax: You may tax all the planets in your empire at any time by pressing the T key. The amount of tax provided by a planet is in proportion to the class of the planet. A larger- class planet will generally provide more taxes. However, because planets do not like being taxed it's possible that one or more will revolt. The likelihood that this will occur in- creases each time the planets are taxed. When a revolution occurs, you are told which planet revolted and whether or not the revolt was successful. Land: You can attempt to 'land on any planet adjacent to your current battle fleet. The display prompts for the direc- tion of the planet relative to the fleet and you indicate your choice by using the MOVE keys. When you land on the planet, you are faced with one of three situations: the planet is already a member of your empire, the planet is un- colonized, or the planet is garrisoned by enemy forces. If the planet is already a member of your empire, you are Additionally, at any moment in time you can see only the portion of the galaxy that immediately surrounds the battle fleets. You have to cope with incomplete informa- tion, not knowing where the computer's fleets are nor which planets the computer has under control. Programming the Action I wrote the game program in FORTH for several reasons. The real-time aspect required that the speed of the display be as fast as possible, and the intended com- plexity of the game seemed to require a high-level language. FORTH satisfied both of these criteria. Another factor was the continued growth and develop- ment of the game program. Because the game has been told the class of the planet and the size of the local garrison and are given a choice from five options: (1) leave legions on the planet, (2) gather legions from the planet, (3) buy ships, (4) enlist troops, and (5) leave. Option 1 lets you transfer legions from the fleet to the planet to strengthen local garrison. This garrison puts down revolts when they occur and wards off attacks by the enemy. With option 2, you can reduce the strength of the local gar- rison in order to increase the number of legions with the fleet. The fleet legions are needed when you attack the enemy and capture other planets. By choosing option 3, you can pur- chase additional ships for your fleet. The planet will tell you the cost per ship, and you can buy as many ships as your credits will cover. If you choose option 4, you can raise new legions from the inhabitants of the planet. However, the planet is only capable of producing a limited number of legions and the cost of enlistment is an important factor. The planet will inform you as to the number of legions available and what they cost. The larger the class of a planet, the more legions it will be able to produce and the higher the cost will be for raising them. With both options 3 and 4, a built-in safeguard prevents you from repeating your request to buy in an effort to overcome the limitations on the numbers available. To leave the planet, you must choose option 5. If the planet is uncolonized, you ivill be told the class of the planet and asked whether you wish to attack. A rough estimate of the strength of the planet can be made from the class; a planet is capable of having legions numbering the same as its class. If you decide to attack, the computer calculates the result of the battle and tells you either that your forces are now in control or that your forces have retreated. Whatever the outcome of the battle, you will also receive a report of losses. When the enemy controls the planet, you are told the class of the planet and the size of the garrison. You are asked if you wish to attack, and if you respond affirmatively the computer calculates the result of the battle and displays it along with the number of losses. growing and changing since its conception, it was impor- tant for me to use a language that would allow fun- damental changes to the program with a minimum of time and effort. The information for the game is stored mainly in the three 30 by 30 arrays called GALAXY, INFOl, and INF02 (see listing 1). The GALAXY array registers the contents (planets, battle fleets, etc.) of each square unit of the galaxy. For each of these squares that contains a planet, the corresponding array, INFOl, has two pieces of information about the planet. The least significant three bits contain the alliance factor for the planet, which is randomly set at the beginning of the game and decremented each time the planet is taxed. When the fac- 128 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc THE $595* SMART TERMINAL The Heath 19 Smart Video Terminal gives you all the important professional features you want in a ter- minal, all for under $600* You get the flexibility you need for high-speed data entry, editing, inquiry and transaction processing. It's designed to be the back- bone of your system with heavy-duty features that withstand the rigors of daily use. Standard RS-232C interfacing makes the 19 com- patible with DEC VT-52 and most computer systems. And with the 1 9, you get the friendly advice and expert service that makes Heath/Zenith a strong partner for you. Sold through Heathkit Electronic Centerst nationwide (see your white pages for locations). Stop in today for a demonstration of the Heath 1 9 Smart Video Termi- nal. If you can't get to a store, send for the latest Heathkit® Catalog. Write Heath Co., Dept. 334-964, Benton Harbor, Ml 49022. HEATH/ZENITH Your strong partner Completely ad- dressable blinking cursor lets you edit anywhere on screen. Reverse video by character lets you emphasize words, phrases or paragraphs. High resolution CRT gives you sharp, easy- to-read image, reduces eye-strain. Complete ASCII character set includ ing upper case, lower case with descenders, and special graphic symbols. 80 character by 24 line format, plus 25th line for operator mes- sages and prompts. Professional quality keyboard, standard type- writer layout, 72 keys, including 12 special function keys. Z-80 microprocessor- control makes the 19 capable of multitude of high-speed functions. It's the only terminal with ROM source code readily available. Insert and delete character or line plus erase to end of line and end of screen make the 19 ideal for sophisticated editors like WORD- STAR. Cursor and special functions are accessible by keyboard or computer, using either DEC VT-52 or ANSI Standard protocols. Keypad in calculator format permits fast, easy entry of numeric data. 'In kit form, F.O.B. Benton Harbor, Ml. Also available the completely assembled Zenith Z-19 at $895. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Circle 220 on inquiry card. tHeath Company and Veritechnology Electronics Corporation are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Zenith Radio Corporation. The Heathkit Electronic Centers are operated by Veritechnology Electronics Corporation. CP-202C BYTE GAME CONTEST tor reaches zero, the planet revolts. The most significant five bits hold the class of the planet. The array INF02 has various pieces of data. If the corresponding entry in the GALAXY array is a planet, then INF02 holds the size of the local garrison. If the corresponding GALAXY entry shows an enemy fleet, then INF02 gives the number of ships in that fleet. The primary game loop is contained in the FORTH word RESTART. The program loops here and while waiting for you to press a key determines if the computer should be taking any action. The game program is writ- ten so that the computer will continue to play even if you do nothing. When you do press a key, that command is decoded by the FORTH word OBEY-COMMAND and is subsequently executed. Another point of interest is the method by which the program handles the screen display. The graphics sym- bols are defined in shape tables, but in my initial use of them I discovered that the processor updated the main Listing 1: The FORTH program for Cosmic Conquest. COSMIC CONQUEST! THE LISTING < constants) 39 CONSTANT SIZE ( the size of the galactic array) SIZE 2 * CONSTANT NO-OF-STARS < no. of stars in galaxy) SIZE 3*2/ CONSTANT NO-OF-PLANETS ( planets in galaxy) 4 CONSTANT NO-OF-B-HOLES ( no. of black holes) 290 CONSTANT Wl C weight value assigned to planets in score) 5 CONSTANT U2 (weight assigned to ships and troops) 10 CONSTANT W3 < weight assigned to computers troops) 20000 CONSTANT SPEED < how quickly computer moues) < var i abl es) VARIABLE TEMPI < a temporary storage variable) VARIABLE VTAX < tax collected) 8 VARIABLE C-LEGIONS < no. of computer legions for attacks) VARIABLE CLASS-TOTALS < computers planets classes totals) 9 VARIABLE C-FLEETS < no. of computer fleets) VARIABLE LEN ( no. of moves remaining in game) VARIABLE TROOPS < no. of computers troops in game) VARIABLE RAND1 C first random number seed) second random number seed) temporary storage for X position) temporary storage for Y position) count to stop player buying e^jery move) the no. of legions available to buy) how often new fleet created) VARIABLE COMP-START < how quickly computer plays) VARIABLE COMPUTER < how quickly computer plays) VARIABLE OIFF ( difficulty of game 1-4) VARIABLE C-PLANETS < no. of computer planets) VARIABLE PLANETS < no. of players planets) VARIABLE FLEET-FLAG ( no. of players current fleet) 50 VARIABLE CREDIT ( players credit In taxes) VARIABLE START ( starting score in the game) def i n i rig words) ARRAY < 2D array) (BUILDS DUP C, * ALLOT DOES) ROT 1 - OVER C3 * + + : VARIABLE RAND2 VARIABLE X VARIABLE Y VARIABLE BUY-V VARIABLE LEG VARIABLE NEW < arrays) SIZE SIZE ARRAY GALAXY SIZE SIZE ARRAY INF01 SIZE SIZE ARRAY INF02 11 11 ARRAY SCREEN 2 6 ARRAY FLEETS < the case statement) ; CASE ?COMP CSP 3 ! CSP 4 : < the galactic array) < planetary array) < strength array) < the screen array) < players fleets info. IMMEDIATE 4 2PAIRS COMPILE OVER COMPILE = COMPILE DROP S ; IMMEDIATE ENDOF 5 7PAIRS COMPILE BRANCH HERE ENDIF 4 i IMMEDIATE COMPILE 0BRANCH HERE SUAP 2 <> display too slowly. To make the display update faster, I defined a small array, SCREEN, which at any moment during the game contains the description of the contents of the main graphics display on the screen. When the dis- play is updated, the program first checks in SCREEN to see what is already there. If the display is already show- ing the symbol in question, no update takes place. The only time the screen is updated is when a different symbol has to be placed at a position on the screen. Although this method involves more calculation, it increases the speed of the display considerably because fewer symbols are written to the Apple high-resolution area on each update. So with a limited amount of time, you must capture and keep as many planets as possible, avoid black holes, stamp out revolutions, and hold the enemy at bay by destroying opposing fleets. With over 2500 possible scenarios, Cosmic Conquest should keep you occupied for some time.B : ENDCASE 4 7PAIRS COMPILE DROP BEGIN SP3 CSP 3=9= WHILE 2 <> ENDIF REPEAT CSP ! j IMMEDIATE ( general utility words) : DELAY C delay a fixed amount of time) 5000 DO LOOP : CLEAR-MSGE 18 10 DO I VHTAB 35 SPACES LOOP ; XY3 x a Y 3 i C clear message area on text screen) : CLEAR-SCREEN HI HCLR j ( clear hires screen 1> i CLEAR-DISP < fill screen array with FF's) 1 1 SCREEN 121 255 FILL ; : CLEAR-GALAXY < fills galactic array with NULLS 1 1 GALAXY SIZE SIZE * 9 FILL ; : CLEAR-INFO ( fills info arrays with NULLs) 1 1 INF01 SIZE SIZE » FILL 1 1 INF02 SIZE SIZE * FILL ; : RANDOMl < ran ) < random number in range I— SIZE) RAND1 3 37 « < check i f char . i s digi t) IF DROP 1 ELSE DUP 43 < IF DROP 1 ELSE 48 - SWAP 10 * ♦ ENDIF ENDIF ENDIF UNTIL i : F ( nl addl ) < indexes current fleet array) FLEET-FLAG 3 SWAP FLEETS ; Listing 1 continued on page 132 130 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 446 on inquiry card. Which Spreadsheet lets you: ■ Use every cell (never see "out of memory") ■ Consolidate multiple spreadsheets ■ Split the screen as often as you want VisiCalc NO SuperCalc NO CalcStar NO Scratchpad . . . YES The Ultimate Spreadsheet SCratChPaCl ■ Built in math functions features include: ■ Variable formats ■ Automatic and selective recalc ■ Virtual Memory (never see "out of memory") m |nterface t stats . Graph graphic package Every cell on the spreadsheet can be used. ■ , Don't be misled, other spreadsheets tell you B More how "big" the matrix is, but you can only use For virtually all CP/M, CP/M-86, and MS a very small portion. With Scratchpad's virtual DOS compatible systems, including memory feature you can use EVERY CELL! the IBM PC. ■ Consolidation (not just merging but also Available from fine dealers everywhere, or combining spread-sheets) This makes directly from buperboft. Scratchpad almost three dimensional. Requires: 44k ■ Unlimited Screen Splitting &ratchFfed: f 2 ?™ ,.„ Manual Only: $ 15.00 ■ If/Then . ... . Japanese Distribution: ■ Merge ASR Corporation International _ , , ,. ., , _... . , . 3-23-8, Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-Ku, ■ Unlimited Title Locking Tokyo 105, Japan ■ Long Strings Supported KiS^MrS ■ Help file CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research. VisiCalc ■ \/ariahlo onh imn iA/iHth is a registered trademark of Visi-Corp. SuperCalc is a registered ■ VdMdUieuuiumil wium trademark of Sorcim. CalcStar is a registered trademark ■ Built in financial functions of M| cropro. ^_J ^ i FIRST IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY P.O.Box 1628 Champaign, IL 61820 (217)359-2112 Telex 270365 BYTE GAME CONTEST Listing 1 continued: : TEXT 8 -16383 C! ; END-MSGE TEXT 12 8 UHTAB ( selects text screen ) ( end of game message) END OF GAME COMMANDER" ; ( graphics shapes and utilities) 8 VARIABLE SPACEFIG 88 ALLOT ( shape tables) Ct OYER C! 1+ C loads 8-bit value into table) < loads 16-bit value into table) OVER 2 + SPACEFIG ( load shape tables) 12 * 31 * 41 t 47 * 63 * 74 * HEX ( space shape) 24 Ct 3F Ct 37 Ct 36 Ct 2E Ct 24 Ct 2C Ct 36 C* 2E Ct 2C Ct 2E Ct 25 Ct 24 Ct 3C Ct 37 Ct 2E Ct 34 Ct 36 Ct 88 Ct C colony shape) 12 Ct 2D Ct 24 Ct 24 Ct 3F Ct 3F Ct 36 Ct 36 Ct 2D Ct 88 Ct < p 1 ane t shape ) 2C Ct 36 Ct 3F Ct 24 Ct 85 Ct 88 Ct C star shape) 3C Ct 36 Ct 2D Ct 24 Ct 1C Ct IF Ct 16 Ct 16 Ct 8D Ct BD Ct 1C Ct 2C Ct 1C Ct BC Ct 84 Ct 88 Ct < players -fleet shape) 3C Ct IB Ct 36 Ct 26 Ct 88 Ct 2D Ct 2D Ct 25 Ct 36 Ct 36 Ct 88 Ct C computers -fleet shape) 36 Ct 87 Ct 28 Ct 2? Ct 32 Ct 88 Ct DECIMAL DROP FORGET Ct Ate don't need Ct and t any more) SKETCH ( n ) ( sketch shape n at current position) 2*8 SWAP SPACEFIG t 3 SPACEFIG t DRAW ; into the main game words) SET-UP-GALAXY NO-OF-STARS 8 DO 2 RANDOM 1 RAND0M2 GALAXY C! LOOP ( set up stars in galaxy) NO-OF-PLANETS 8 DO RANDOM 1 RAND0M2 2DUP 4 ROT ROT GALAXY C! < set up planets) RAND0M1 4 » 8 ♦ ROT ROT INF01 C! C set up class of planet) LOOP NO-OF-B-HOLES 8 DO 8 RANDOM 1 RAND0M2 GALAXY C! < set up black holes) LOOP j INITIALISE < initialise all variables and arrays) CR CR BEGIN ." WHAT LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY (1-4) " INPUT DUP 5 < IF < correct response) 1 ELSE < incorrect response) DROP CR 8 END IF UNTIL DIFF ! ( store di-ff icul ty) HOME CR CR ." DO YOU WANT" CR . " 1. SHORT" CR . " 2. MEDIUM" CR ." 3. LONG" CR ." GAME" KEY 127 AND < pick up reply) CASE 4? < 1 > OF 358 LEN ! ( 358 moves) ENDOF 58 < 2) OF 788 LEN ! < 788 moves) ENDOF 1588 LEN ! < 1588 moves otherwise) ENDCASE HOME ." INITIALISING" CLEAR-GALAXY CLEAR-DISP CLEAR-INFO SET-UP-GALAXY 1 FLEET-FLAG ! ( make -fleet 1 current -fleet) 258 CREDIT ! ( players credit) 8 PLANETS ! ( no planets) 8 C-PLANETS ! < none -for computer either) 28 1 3 FLEETS ! 28 2 3 FLEETS ! < fleets start uii th 28 ships) 58 1 5 FLEETS '. 58 2 5 FLEETS ! < fleets have 58 legions each) DIFF 3 4 * DO < position computers fleets) RANDOM 1 RAND0M2 2DUP 17 ROT ROT GALAXY C! 15 ROT ROT INF02 C! LOOP 16 22 18 GALAXY C! 16 18 22 GALAXY C! < position fleets) 22 1 1 FLEETS C! 18 1 2 FLEETS C! 18 2 1 FLEETS C! 22 2 2 FLEETS C! 29 3 DIFF 3 * - NEW ! C how often computer creates -fleets) 15 DIFF 3 4** TROOPS ! C initial no. of computer troops) 28 DIFF 3 * C-LEGIONS ! C no. of spare computer legions) DIFF 3 4 * C-FLEETS ! ( no. of computer fleets) SPEED DUP COMPUTER ! COMP-START I < how often computer moves) I BUY-V ! i DRAW-BORDERS < draw borders o-f display and headings) CLEAR-SCREEN 7 HCOLOUR < colour white) 17 5 HPOSN 238 5 HLINE 238 126 HLINE 17 126 HLINE 17 5 HLINE 57 27 HPOSN 198 27 HLINE 198 184 HLINE 57 184 HLINE 57 27 HLINE 6 HOME ." PLAYER" 2 8 VHTAB 4 8 UHTAB 6 8 UHTAB 21 UHTAB 28 8 UHTAB 28 7 UHTAB 21 8 UHTAB 22 8 UHTAB 28 25 UHTAB 22 21 UHTAB PLANETS =" EMP I RE " FLEETS" PLANETS" X=" Y=" NO. OF SHIPS =* LEGIONS =" SCORE =" CREDITS" : FIND-DIRECTION ( X Y ) < find out which square player means) 23 8 UHTAB ." WHICH DIRECTION?" 2 SPACES KEY 127 AND c 1 ear message ) CASE 87 < up) OF -1 8 ENDOF 90 < down ) OF 1 e ENDOF 83 < r i gh t ) OF 8 l ENDOF 65 < left) OF 8 a -l 8 ENDOF ENDCASE 23 8 UHTAB 35 SPACES < 2 F C3 t EDGE-CHECK SWAP 1 F Ca ♦ EDGE-CHECK SWAP PRINT-IT ( c ) < shape determined by < posi t i on In X,Y) DUP X 3 1 t Y 3 1 t SCREEN C3 = printed on screen at) IF i display is already showing this shape so don't bother) DROP ELSE DUP X 3 1+ Y 3 It SCREEN C < remember what screen has) 8 HCOLOUR t CO] OL r black) X 3 28 * 27 t Y 3 1 + 1 1 * HPOSN 8 SKETCH ( blank ou t char . there ) 7 HCOLOUR < col our wh i te) X3 28*27tY31tll* HPOSN CASE C draw shape ) 2 I a star) OF 3 SKETCH < draw star) ENDOF 4 (. empty planet) OF 2 SKETCH ( a planet) ENDOF 5 '. enemy planet) OF 2 SKETCH ( a pi anet) ENDOF 132 < players planet) OF 1 SKETCH ( a colony) ENDOF 16 ( players fleet) OF 4 SKETCH ( players -fleet) ENDOF 1 7 < enemy fleet) OF 5 SKETCH < enemy fleet) ENDOF ENDCASE END IF ; DRAW-SCAN < draw the screen display) 1FC3 5-2FC3 5- 1 1 8 DO 1 I 8 DO OUER EDGE-CHECK OUER EDGE- :heck J Y ! I X ! GALAXY C3 PRINT-IT It LOOP 1 1 - SWAP 1* SWAP LOOP DROP DROP i i DRAW-FIGURES ( draw the totals 2 18 UHTAB PLANETS 3 5 .R 28 33 UHTAB PLANETS 3 C-PLANETS 3 - Ul * 1 3 FLEETS 3 2 3 FLEETS 3 t W2 1 5 FLEETS 3 2 5 FLEETS 3 t W2 the d i sp 1 ay) 6 8 6 29 28 2 20 9 TROOPS 3 W3 * UHTAB C-FLEETS 3 5 UHTAB C-PLANETS 3 5 .R UHTAB 2 F C3 2 .R UHTAB 1 F C3 2 .R 21 15 UHTAB 3 F 3 4 .R 22 10 UHTAB 5 F 3 6 .R 22 31 UHTAB CREDIT 3 6 .R ; DRAW-DISPLAY 1 SCALE HI DRAW-SCAN DRAW-FIGURES ; NEW-FLEET < fleet destroyed for some reason) 8 1 F C3 2 F C3 GALAXY C! ( remove fleet symbol) 3 F ! ( no ships left) 8 5 F ! j < no legions left) : MOUE-FLEET < X Y ) 2DUP 1 F C3 2 F C3 GALAXY C! 16 ROT ROT GALAXY C! 2 F C! 1 F C! ; : CHECK-POSITION C remove old symbol) C pos i t i on fleet) < update fleet array) X Y ) ( check if move to position X Y is possib < and take apropriate action) EDGE-CHECK SWAP EDGE-CHECK SWAP 2DUP GALAXY C3 CASE ( space) OF MOUE-FLEET ENDOF 8 < black hole) OF 23 UHTAB ." FLEET IN BLACK HOLE- MOVE-FLEET DELAY NEW-FLEET 23 8 UHTAB 35 SPACES ENDOF Listing 1 continued on page 134 132 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 447 on inquiry card. . Keep Your Computer Healthy... with the Industry Standard in System Maintenance Programs. Diagnostics 1 1 Diagnostics II is the finest set of system maintenance routines available for microcomputers. It thoroughly checks all five areas of your computer system, pinpointing hardware problems to help keep your computer in perfect working order The areas of your computer which are tested include: Memory, Printer, Terminal, Disk, and CPU Dfc octor In addition to being extremely thorough, every test in Diagnostics II is also "submit"-able. The output of the tests can be logged to disk for later review. (Requires 32k CP/M) Diagnostics II: $125 Manual only: $ 15 Disk Doctor automatically recovers otherwise unrecoverable information from "crashed" diskettes. It also un-erases files. Maybe it was a lightning storm, static from the rug, or just too late at night to be working. Whatever the cause, when the diskette "crashes" or a file is accidentally erased, valuable data or programs can be permanently lost. Disk Doctor was designed to recover this "lost" information. It consists of five wards, each performing a specific recovery operation. Ward A: Verifies diskettes and locks out bad sectors. Ward B: Places copyable information from a "crashed" file In a good file. Ward C: Copies diskettes without stopping for bad sectors. WardD: Un-erases files. Ward E: Displays a directory of recoverable erased files. Disk Doctor was not designed for use with double sided or hard disks. (Requires: 48k CP/M, two drives for complete operation) Disk Doctor: $100 Manual only: $ 15 Available from fine dealers everywhere, or directly from SuperSoft. Japanese Distribution: ASR Corporation International 3-23-8, Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-Ku Tokyo 105, Japan Tel. (03) 437-5371, Telex 0242-2723 Diagnostics 1 1 available for virtually all CP/M, CP/M-86, and MS DOS compatible systems. Disk Doctor available for virtually all CP/M, and CP/M-86 compatible systems. CP/M and CP/M-86 are registered trademarks of Digital Research. w % FIRST IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY P.O.Box1628 Champaign, IL61820 (217)359-2112 Telex 270365 BYTE GAME CONTEST Listing 1 continued: DROP DROP ENDCASE DRAW-DISPLAY ; OTHER-FLEET < make other fleet curent -fleet) FLEET-FLAG 3 I = IF 2 FLEET-FLAG ! ELSE 1 FLEET-FLAG ! END IF DRAU-DISPLAY ; : MOVE-LEFT I F C3 2 F CS 1 - CHECK-POSITION i : MOVE-RIGHT I F C3 2 F C3 !♦ CHECK-POSITION ; : MOVE-DOWN I F C! It 2 F C) CHECK-POSITION | : MOVE-UP I F Ci 1 - 2 F CI CHECK-POSITION j : ENLIST ( enlisting legions on a planet) BUY-V 3 8= IF < i t's ok to buy) .5 BUY-V ! < can't buy For 5 more moves) < calculate cost of legions) RANOOM1 8 / XY3 INFOI C2 7 / t DUP TEMPI ! 10 8 VHTAB ." COST PER LEGION =" 3 .R C calculate no. of legions available) XYS INFOI CS 6 / DUP LEG ! 12 8 VHTAB ." NO OF LEGIONS AVAILABLE = " 3 .R < take the order) 14 8 VHTAB ." HOW MANY DO YOU REQUIRE?" INPUT LEG 3 MIN DUP TEMPI 3 ♦ CREDIT 3 > IF ( not enough money) 16 8 VHTAB ." NOT ENOUGH CREDIT" ELSE 5 F 3 OVER + 5 F ! ( update legions) TEMPI 3 » CREDIT 3 SWAP - CREDIT ! < update credit) END IF ELSE 18 8 VHTAB ." NO TROOPS AVAILABLE" END I F ; ! BUY ( purchasing of ships at planet) BUY-V 3 8= IF ( i t's ok to buy) 5 BUY-V ! ( stop continous buying) RANDOM1 5 / XY3 INFOI C3 1 8 / * 1 + DUP TEMPI ! 18 8 VHTAB ." COST PER SHIP = " 2 .R 12 8 VHTAB ." HOW MANY DO YOU WANT?" INPUT CREDIT 3 TEMPI 3 / MIN < no more than he can afford) DUP 3 F a + 3 F ! < update ships in fleet) TEMPI 3 * CREDIT 3 SWAP - CREDIT ! < update credit) 14 1 F C3 2 F C3 GALAXY C! ( make sure fleet symbol there) ELSE 18 8 VHTAB ." NO SHIPS AVAILABLE" END1F i I GATHER C pick up legions from garrison onto fleet) 18 8 VHTAB ." HOW MANY DO YOU WISH TO TAKE?" INPUT XYS INF02 C3 MIN TEMPI ! < no more than are there) 5 F 3 TEMPI 3 * 5 F ! ( update legions on fleet) XYS INF02 C3 TEMPI 3 - XY3 INF02 C( ; < update on planet) : LEAVE < leave legions from fleet on planet as garrison) 18 8 VHTAB ." HOW MANY DO YOU WISH TO LEAVE?" INPUT 5 F 3 MIN TEMPI ! < no more than you have) 5 F 3 TEMPI 3 - S F ! ( update legions on fleet) XY3 INF02 CS TEMPI 3 + 255 MIN ( no more than 255) XY2 INF02 C! j < update on planet) : FRIENDLY-PLANET < options upon landing at colony) BEGIN 18 8 VHTAB ." CLASS " XYS INFOI CS B / 2 .R ." PLANET" 16 SPACES CR ( give class of planet) ." LOCAL GARRISON IS " XYS INF02 CS 3 .R ." LEGIONS" < give size of local garrison) 12 8 VHTAB ." DO YOU WISH TO:" 12 SPACES < give options) CR ." 1. LEAVE LEGIONS ON PLANET" CR ." 2. GATHER LEGIONS FROM PLANET" CR ." 3. BUY SHIPS" CR ." 4. ENLIST TROOPS" CR ." 5. LEAVE" CR KEY 127 AND C get reply) CLEAR-MSGE CASE 49 ( 1 ) OF LEAVE 8 < leave legions) ENDOF 58 < 2) OF GATHER 8 < gather legions) ENDOF 51 < 3) OF BUY 8 < buy ships) ENDOF 52 ( 4) OF ENLIST 8 ( enlist troops) ENDOF 1 < the default: leave planet) ENDCASE DELAY UNTIL HI CLEAR-MSGE DRAU-DISPLAY ; COLONISE ( attack an uncolonised planet) CLEAR-MSGE XYS INFOI CS 8 / RANDOM1 1 -5/7**18/ DUP TEMPI < calaculate relative strength of planet) 5 F 3 > IF < planet drives off your forces) IB 8 VHTAB ." YOUR FORCES RETREAT" 12 8 VHTAB ." YOUR LOSSES = " 5 F 3 2 / DUP 3 .R 5 F 3 SWAP - 5 F ! DELAY DELAY ELSE < you capture planet) 18 8 VHTAB ." PLANET CAPTURED" 12 B VHTAB ." YOUR LOSSES = " TEMPI a 3 .R 5 F 3 TEMPI 3 - 5 F ! < update legions in fleet) 1 PLANETS ♦! < increment no. of planets) 132 XY3 GALAXY CI < colony symbol in galaxy) DELAY DELAY FRIENDLY-PLANET ENDIF ; C in orbit round uncolonised planet) UNCOLONISED CLASS " XY3 INFOI CS B / 2 .R DO YOU WISH TO ATTACK?" KEY 127 AND 8? = EMPTY-PLANET CLEAR-MSGE 18 8 VHTAB ." PLANET" 12 8 VHTAB IF COLONISE ENDIF HI CLEAR-MSGE J NOT-PLANET ( there isn't a planet where he's trying to land 18 8 VHTAB ." NO PLANET THERE" DELAY HI CLEAR-MSGE ; ATTACK < attack a planet controlled by the computer) CLEAR-MSGE XY3 INF02 C3 RAND0M1 1 -5/7**18/ DUP TEMPI ! C calaculate enemy garrisons effective strength) 5 F 3 > IF ( enemy garrison wins) 18 8 VHTAB ." YOUR FORCES RETREAT" 12 8 VHTAB ." YOUR LOSSES = " XYS INF02 CS 5 F 3 ♦ TEMPI 3 / 2 / XY3 INF02 CS SWAP - XYS INF02 C! 5 F 3 2 / DUP 3 .R 5 F a SWAP - 5 F ! ELSE XY3 INF02 C! < reduce legions on planet to 8) 18 8 VHTAB ." PLANET CAPTURED" 12 8 VHTAB ." YOUR LOSSES = " TEMPI 3 3 .R 5 F S TEMPI 3 - 5 F ! ( update legions with fleet) 132 XYa GALAXY C! < put colony in galaxy) 1 PLANETS +! ( increment planets) -1 C-PLANETS +! < decrement computer planets) XY3 INFOI CS 8 / MINUS CLASS-TOTALS +! DELAY < reduce classes of comp. pints) FRIENDLY-PLANET ENDIF DELAY HI CLEAR-MSGE ; ENEMY-PLANET ( player orbits enemy planet) XYa infoi ca s / 18 8 VHTAB ." CLASS " 2 .R ." PLANET" CR CR ." ENEMY GARRISON OF STRENGTH " XY3 INF02 C3 3 .R CR CR . " DO YOU WISH TO ATTACK?" KEY 127 AND 8? = IF ATTACK ENDIF HI CLEAR-MSGE ; LAND < land on adjacent planet) FIND-DIRECTION 2DUP Y ! X ! TEXT GALAXY C3 CASE 4 ( uncolonised planet) OF EMPTY-PLANET ENDOF 5 < computers planet) OF ENEMY-PLANET ENDOF 132 < players colony) OF FRIENDLY-PLANET ENDOF NOT-PLANET ( otherwise it's not a planet) ENDCASE ; REVOLT? ( planet at X,Y revolts) 1 2 8 VHTAB . " PLANET AT " Y 3 . X 3 XYS INFOI C3 B / XY3 1NF02 CS 2DUP > IF C revolt succeeds) DROP 4 XYS GALAXY C! 8*7+ XY3 INFOI C! 8 XYS INF02 C! -1 PLANETS ♦ ! 7 EMIT 14 8 VHTAB ." SUCCEEDS" ELSE C revol t fai Is) SWAP 2 / - XYS INF02 C! XYS INFOI CS 7 OR XYS INFOI C 14 8 VHTAB ." FAILS- END IF DELAY 12 8 VHTAB 38 SPACES 14 8 VHTAB 12 SPACES j ( clear messao,es> REVOLTS" DELAY < place planet symbol) < set revolt factor 7) < set 1 egi ons to 8 ) < reduce no. of planets) ( r i ng bel 1 ) < reduce legions) ( set revolt factor 7) Listing 1 continued on page 136 134 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 448 on inquiry card. FORTRAN IV SuperSoft makes full WATFIV FORTRAN IV available for microcomputers. SuperSoft/SSS FORTRAN meets and exceeds the ANSI 1966 standard. The compiler supports many advanced features including variable length character strings and recursive subroutines with static variables and complex variable types. Fully compatible RATFOR is also available. Features: Code generation « types: Operations: onstants: Statements: ".COM" FILES. External routines may be called. Relocatable format. Byte, integer, real, double precision, complex, logical, character and varying length strings. All standard operations plus string comparisons, assignments, and .XOR. Hexadecimal, decimal, and character literals with features to imbed control characters. ANSI 1966 standard with multiple statement lines. Map, List, and Symbol table output options. Read, Write, Append, Rewind, Close, Delete, Rename, Search, Sequential and Random I/O on disk files. Supports all CP/M devices. For virtually all CP/M (Z-80 only), CP/M-86, and MS DOS compatible systems. This includes the IBM PC. Available from fine dealers everywhere or directly from SuperSoft. FORTRAN (Z80): $375.00 FORTRAN (8086): $425.00 RATFOR: $100.00 FORTRAN Manual Only: $ 25.00 CORRECTOR The Spelling Corrector That's Three Ways Better Than The Rest! Corrector is the best spelling correction system available. ■ It is the most powerful ■ It has the most complete dictionaries ■ It is the easiest to use Most Powerful Corrector doesn't just proofread text— it analyzes misspelled words, suggests correct spellings, produces correct spellings directly in the text, and automatically corrects misspellings each time they appear. Also, Corrector allows full dictionary manipulation: creating, renaming, merging, transfering to other disks, printing out entries, deleting words, or eliminating a dictionary. Most Complete Dictionaries Corrector comes complete with its own 20,000 word dictionary. You can create dictionaries or expand current ones. Corrector allows up to nine separate dictionaries. The entries in Corrector's dictionaries are compacted to give you the greatest number of entries and to increase the speed of operation. Corrector is VERY FAST. Easiest To Use Corrector takes less than ten minutes to learn. All commands are listed in rows. To invoke a command you simply type an "X." A complete HELP file is included which explains all commands. Corrector works with virtually all CP/M editors and word processors using ASCII files. This includes Star-Edit, Word-Star, Magic Wand, Ed, and most others. Requirements: Z-80 only, CP/M, 48k (more recommended) Corrector: S250.00 Manual Only: S 15.00 Japanese Distribution: ASR Corporation International 3-23-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105, Japan Tel. (03)437-5371 Telex 0242-2723. CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research. SSS FORTRAN is the copyright of Small Systems Services. u • FIRST IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY P.O.Box1628 Champaign, IL61820 (217)359-2112 Telex 270365 BYTE GAME CONTEST Listing 1 continued: TAX < collect taxes on players planets) 8 VTAX ! < set tax to 8) TEXT < select text page) IB 6 VHTAB ." TAX COLLECTED =" 18 17 VHTAB 8 . SIZE It 1 DO SIZE It 1 DO I J GALAXY C3 1 32 » IF < i t ' s a col ony) I J INF01 C3 3 * 5 / ( tax -from planet) VTAX 3 t DUP VTAX ! C update tax) 10 17 VHTAB 5 .R I J INF01 C3 7 AND -DUP I F < doesn' t reuol t ) I J INF01 DUP C3 1 - SWAP C! ELSE ( reuol t) I X ! J Y ! REVOLT? ENDIF END IF LOOP LOOP CREDIT 3 VTAX 3 t CREDIT ! ( update credit) HI CLEAR-MSOE DRAW-DISPLAY ! < computers turn to do something) ( decrement NEW) COMPUTER-TURN -1 NEW t! NEW a 8= IF ( computer creates new fleet) 7 EMIT < ring bell > 1 C-FLEETS t! ( update comp. fleets) 29 4 DIFF 3 * - NEW ! ( reset NEW) CLASS-TOTALS 3 8/ DUP C-LESIONS t! DUP TROOPS t ! BEGIN , RANDOM1 RANDOM2 2DUP GALAXY C3 8= IF ( empty space in galaxy) 2DUP 17 ROT ROT GALAXY C! INF02 C! 1 ELSE DROP DROP DROP 8 ENDIF UNTIL ENDIF DIFF 3 8 DO < see if computer colonises planet) ( place fleet symbol) < plus 1 egi ons) RANDOM 1 RAND0M2 2DUP GALAXY C3 CASE 4 OF ( empty planet) 2DUP 2DUP 5 ROT ROT GALAXY C! < place colony) C-LEGIONS 3 2/ DUP C-LEGIONS ! ROT ROT INF02 C! 1 C-PLANETS t ! INF01 C3 8 / CLASS-TOTALS t! ENDOF 132 OF < players planet) 2DUP Y ! X '. INF02 C3 C-LEGIONS 3 2 / < IF < captures planet) C-LEGIONS 3 3/ C-LEGIONS ! 5 XY3 GALAXY C! XY3 INF01 Ca 8 / CLASS-TOTALS t! 1 C-PLANETS t! -1 PLANETS t ! 5 8 DO 7 EMIT LOOP ENDIF ENDOF DROP DROP ENDCASE LOOP DRAW-FIGURES j : FIRE < players fleet attacks computer fleet) 8 X ! TEXT 2 F Ca 2 t DUP 3 - DO 1 F C3 2 t DUP 3 - DO I EDGE-CHECK J EDGE-CHECK GALAXY C3 17 = IF ( there's a fleet in range) I EDGE-CHECK X ! J EDGE-CHECK Y ! ENDIF LOOP LOOP X 3 8= IF 18 8 VHTAB ." NO ENEMY FLEET IN RANGE" ELSE 3 F a XY3 INF02 C3 OVER 4 » 18 / OVER 4 » 18 / DUP 18 8 VHTA8 ." FLEET HIT BY " 5 .R ." UNITS" ROT ROT - 8 MAX DUP 8= IF ( computers fleet destroyed) DROP TROOPS a XYa INF02 C3 - TROOPS ! ( reduce computers troops) Listing 1 continued on page 138 "The Perfect Pair S-" •-**" A DYNAMITE PAIR: ARBA and Accounting Plus' Topnotch twins for real time inventory control. The great ARBA Register and the dynamic ARBA Point of Sale software in tandem with Accounting Plus" Inventory Control Software. ARBA Register. The affordable, dependable RS232 cash register. Designed to interface with virtually ANY computer on the market. The ARBA Point of Sale module. Interfaces I Accounting Plus' Inventory Control with up t 65.000 items. Does real time price look up. up- dates Accounting Plus" inventory transaction files. allows 99 departments. Generates dally reports, processes goods received, prints price labels Accounting Plus' Inventory Control Integrates with G/L. Payables. Receivables. Payroll, Purchase Order Entry. Under CP/M" or MP/M" •fM Software Dimensions, Inc. "TM Digital Research. Inc ARBA Register and Accounting Plus* . ARBA Register-S1295.00-Suggested Retail ARBA ARBA Fine Business Computing Corporation 890 E. Roosevelt Road Lombard. Illinois 60148 (312) 620-8566 Circle 40 on inquiry card. Dealer inquiries welcome TEK 2200 MULTI-PURPOSE OSCILLOSCOPES THE PERFORMANCE/ PRICE STANDARD Now! A 60 MHz Tektronix scope built for your bench. In 30 years of Tektronix oscil- loscope leadership, no other scopes have recorded the immediate popular appeal of the Tek 2200 Series. The Tek 2213 and 221 5 are unapproachable for the performance and reliability they offer at a surprisingly affordable price. There's no compromise with Tektronix quality: The low cost is the result of a new design concept that cut mechanical parts by 65%. Cut cabling by 90%. Virtually eliminated board electrical connectors. And obviated the usual cooling fan. Yet performance is written all over the front panels. There's the band- width for digital and analog circuits. The sensitivity for low signal mea- surements. The sweep speeds for fast logic families. And delayed sweep for fast, accurate timing measurements. The cost: $1200* for the 2213. $1450* for the dual time base 2215. You can order, or obtain more information, through the Tektronix National Marketing Center, where technical personnel can answer your questions and expedite delivery. Your direct order includes probes, operating manuals, 15- day return policy and full Tektronix warranty. For quantity purchases, please contact your local Tektronix sales representative. ORDER TOLL FREE 1-800-426-2200 Extension 04 in Oregon call collect: (503) 627-9000 'Price F.O.B. Beaverton. OR. Price subject to change. Tfektronix COMMOTED TO EXCELLENCE Copyright ©1982 Tektronix. Inc. All rights reserved. 135-1 BYTE GAME CONTEST Listing 3 continued < destroy fleet symbol) ( reduce comps -fleets) 8 XY3 GALAXY C! -1 C-FLEETS <■! ELSE XY3 INF02 C3 OYER - TROOPS 3 SWAP - TROOPS ! < reduce spare troops) XY3 INF02 Ci ( reduce legions in -fleet) END IF - 8 MAX DUP 8= IF ( players fleet destroyed) DROP NEW-FLEET ELSE 3 F ! ENDIF END IF DELAY DELAY DRAUJ-DI SPLAY HI CLEAR-MSGE ; : INFORMATION < display the text screen information) TEXT KEY HI ; OBEY-COMMAND BUY-V 3 -DUP IF 1 - BUY-V ! ENDIF ceei ca CASE ( A) 41 OF MOVE-LEFT ENDOF ( S) S3 OF MOVE-RIGHT ENDOF ( W> 57 OF MOVE-UP ENDOF < Z) 5A OF MOVE-DOWN ENDOF ( 0) 4F OF OTHER-FLEET ENDOF < I) 49 OF INFORMATION ENDOF < L) 4C OF LAND ENDOF < T> 54 OF TAX ENDOF ( F) 46 OF FIRE ENDOF ENDCASE SP' : ( pick up keyboard character) s it the computers turn or not) DUP 8= : COMPUTER' COMPUTER a 1 IF COMP-START 3 COMPUTER ! DROP 1 ELSE COMPUTER ! 8 ENDIF ; GAME-END? LEN 3 8= < game end i f LEN i s zero) < restarts the stopped game) : RESTART CLEAR-DISP HOME DRAW-BORDERS DRAW-DISPLAY BEGIN ?TERMINAL IF C player has pressed a key) OBEY-COMMAND -1 LEN + ! COMPUTER-TURN ENDIF COMPUTER? IF COMUTER-TURN ENDIF GAME-END? UNTIL END-MSGE ; : CONQUEST ( the main game word) HOME ." HIT ANY KEY" KEY RAND1 ! CR ( random number seed) ." AND AGAIN " KEY RAND2 ! C random number seed) HOME CR CR CR ." WELCOME TO COSMIC CONQUEST" CR CR ." DEVISED AND WRITTEN BY" CR CR ." ALAN SARTOR I -ANGUS" INITIALISE RESTART : Bell 212 compatible— 1200 Baud Full duplex 120 CPS over any standard phone line Microprocessor design has invaded the modem world. Our new 1200 baud modems pack Bell 212 compatibility into 10 integrated circuits by far the lowest parts count of any 212 modem available. The extremely low parts count translates directly into long life, outstanding reliability and low production costs savings passed on to you in a lower price. The Micro Link 1200 features originate and answer capability. The Auto Link 1200 includes these features plus auto-answer. Both units are FCC certified for direct connection to the phone lines via a standard RJ11C phone jack and include RS232, Self-Test, and a one year limited warranty. Take advantage of higher technology at lower cost. Call for full product specifications and pricing today. Micro Link 1 200 $449* Auto Link 1 200 $499* •Suggested list price, quantity one M U.S. ROBOTICS INC. Circle 475 on Inquiry card. 135 WEST LAKE STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS BOBD7 There is a word that describes your choices in flexible disks today. That word is "ordinary." The woods seem to be full of offerings of middling quality, neither good nor bad, not necessarily cheap but not overly expensive for the most part, products that are just so-so, just average, just . . . well, just ordinary. But now there's a new word in flexible disks. Ultra Magnetics. A word that redefines the state-of-the-art in flexible disk price perfor- mance rather than reinforcing the current state- of-the-marketplace. By itself, Ultra means "extra ordinary" And by itself is where you'll place die Ultra Magnetics product when you have a chance to compare it to others. . The superb engineering and meticulous manufactur- ing of each Ultra Magnetics disk clearly shows. A propri- etary jacket provides more consistent jacket dimensions and lower torque that result in better auto-loading and longer life. A special lubri- cant built into each disk surface enhances both disk and head durabilitv. And MINI FLEXIBLE DISKS uiam MAGNETICS 100% surface testing of each and every Ultra Magnetics disk ensures the highest data reliability. Our Ultra Magnetics product line currently includes single- and double-sided 5.25-inch disks. Soon, it will feature 8-inch disks as well. For a fact, they are more expensive than some of the garden variety alternatives. But considering the performance and the reliability, Ultra Magnetics is a surprisingly attractive value. Here Is the bottom line. You no longer have to put up with what you may have sadly come to expect from flexible disks. Aid we encourage you to take the next logical step from die usual to die remarkable— from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Call your local supplies distributor and ask for Ultra Magnetics. ULTRA. MAGNETICS ^jiology, Inc. 7 Hangar Wav Watsonvillc, CA 95076 (408) 728-7777 ORDINARY ItoFbUtllkn ] ,— ~— _ ^. ^H . J 1 T^\cv4qv^ t #V>\ ..-, ^— tCl rna HHBHNHHHHHHHMHMMI /m Circle 478 on inquiry card. WJSI 1 • Sento* Analyst Just when the business world is up to its white collars in visiclones, calcalikes and other spreadsheet packages, Apple's* come out with something entirely different. Introducing Senior Analyst. Like other financial modeling packages, it allows managers and professionals to ask all those proverbial "What If?"questions. Unlike the others, this powerful financial planning tool was designed to be used in a corporate environment, by lots of people. So you get lots of advantages. For example, you can transfer data (across diskettes) from one financial model to another. Or consolidate many models into one. So sales, manufacturing, administration and any number of other depart- ments (even in other cities) can easily share information. Giving each the power to create comprehensive and Senior Analyst lets different departments share and consolidate data. That way the company doesn't make more pitchforks than it can sell. Analyst, you can do it. And even print out a formatted report that includes only the information you need. A report that anyone can understand. Because the headings are in English, not in code. With Senior Analyst, you can now cultivate forecasts by merging reports from distant divisions. flexible financial projections, budgets, cash flow statements and the like. Want to combine selected data (such as important subtotals) from six different divisions? With Senior Easy to follow commands allow employees to create models without learning a second language. You can also document and print out all those assumptions used to create your model, to give others a concrete understanding of how you reached your conclusion. (The program even allows you to continue working while a model is being printed.) To complement all these accommodating features, you'll also find built-in functions for depreciation, linear regression forecasting, and other powerful virtues not found in most financial software packages. All of which we'd like you to experience in person, at any of our 1300 authorized full-support dealers (they also offer a vast library of other quality software distributed by Apple for Apples). And don't ask for just any spreadsheet package.Tell them you need to see an analyst. apple The most personal software. Call (800) 538-9696 for the location of the authorized Apple dealer nearest you, or for information regarding corporate purchases through our National Account Program. In California (800) 662-9238. Or write Apple Computer Inc., Advertising and Promotion Dept., 20525 Mariani Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014. © 1982 Apple Computer Inc. Circle 36 on inquiry card. BYTE GAME GRID Ricochet Gregg Williams Senior Editor Given the unique resources of microcomputers, you'd think someone would come up with an entirely new ap- proach to game playing. Unfortunately, design innova- tions in video games are all too rare; we see new maze games, new shoot-'em-up games, and new adventure games, but seldom anything that stretches the imagina- tion. There's a reason for this: adapting an existing, com- mercially proven idea and then programming for six months is much easier than agonizing over a new con- cept, programming for six months, and hoping for the best. Fortunately, a few brave souls thrive on the challenge of charting new territory. Thanks to two of them, we have a game called Ricochet. I cannot find enough good things to say about Ricochet. It's easily the most original game I've seen this year, it's fun to play, and on top of that it's very modestly priced (under $20, often discounted to about $16). Avail- able for three of the most popular microcomputers — the Apple II, the Atari 400/800, and Radio Shack TRS-80 Models I and III — the game has graphics, sound, and (on the Apple and Atari versions) color. You can choose from five game variations and play against a human or one of four computer opponents. And one of Ricochet's most interesting features is that it dynamically handicaps the more skillful of the two players to keep the game chal- lenging even with players of widely varying skills. What more could you possibly want? Before you rush out to buy Ricochet, you should know that it's not likely to be the favorite of the arcade set. Although it has arcade-like elements in it, Ricochet is primarily a game of strategy. Let's take a look at it. Playing Ricochet The Atari game board for Ricochet is shown in photo 1; the Apple and TRS-80 versions look somewhat dif- ferent but play almost the same. The two players, Left and Right, start the game with two bumpers (the hour- glass-shaped pieces at the left and right edges of the screen) and two launchers each (one in each corner of the screen). The launcher can fire a launch (ball) that ricochets off the pieces (straight bars) and both players' bumpers; a launch is complete when it veers off the screen or hits any launcher. Pieces deflect the launch by 90 degrees, then immediately turn 90 degrees themselves. A move consists of firing a launcher or moving one or more pieces in the same direction (up, down, right, or left). You gain points for hitting any pieces or your oppo- nent's launchers or bumpers; you lose points for hitting your own launchers or bumpers. Although there are a few more rules I'll explain later, the paragraph above covers the behavior of most of the game. But no amount of rules can possibly convey how Photo 1: Ricochet in progress. Photos la through lc show the state of the board before, during, and after activation of the launcher in the lower left-hand corner. See the article for further details. la 142 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc much fun Ricochet is to play. The word that best de- scribes my reaction to it is "delight." Rarely have I played a game that pleased me as much as Ricochet. No matter how good you are at visualizing what certain launches will do, some of them may remain in play much longer than you expect or hit an unexpected target. But even when the surprise costs you points, it's so much fun that you don't really mind. Photos la through lc show a simple example of a Ricochet launch in action. At the beginning of the move, the board is as shown in photo la. Left shoots his lower launcher; the launch bounces off pieces C and E (increas- ing Left's score by two points), hits the top wall of the game field, and ricochets into Right's top bumper. Photo No matter how good you are at visualizing what certain launches will do, some of them may remain in play much longer than you expect. lb shows the game board just as the launch hits the top right bumper; notice that pieces C and E have rotated 90 degrees. Left then scores 10 points for hitting the bumper, and the launch hits pieces H and J (which rotate and contribute two more points) before exiting off the right edge of the screen. Photo lc shows the final result. And that's a simple shot in Ricochet. I've seen shots that ricochet 25 or even 50 times before ending and have launched shots that accumulate 20 points only to hit my own bumpers and disable the original launcher. lb Ricochet in the Long Run The sequence of Ricochet described above is a match; it ends when one player can no longer shoot or if both launchers are either temporarily disabled or empty. The player with more points wins the match, and in the basic version of the game, play continues until one player wins two matches. Now comes the fun part: Ricochet has a self-handicap- ping feature that enables players of different skill levels to compete as equals. The player who loses a match has a bumper removed in the next one; because the winning player has half as many bumpers to score from (one in- stead of two), winning the next game is harder for him. And if the winning player wins by a substantial margin, the value of his bumpers and launchers increases to a number above 10, which makes it easier for the losing player to win the next game. Ricochet also uses a "smart clock" that penalizes a player for playing more slowly than his opponent. These handicaps are all fine-tuned to make the players an equal match for each other even if they start at different skill levels. The more matches they play together, the more players become evenly matched. To carry the handicapping into future games, the com- puter issues a handicap rating to each player at the end of a game. If these values are typed in at the beginning of the next game, the players start the game more evenly matched. Ricochet has a total of five variants, all of which are sufficiently different to warrant different strategies. You can play opposite a human opponent — in which case the program acts as a scorekeeper and referee — or against one of four computer "opponents," each of which has a distinct playing style. I found the computer players very difficult to beat, so you don't have to have a human op- lc December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc 143 I on inquiry card. CADES OF SERVICE ashington Computer Services BYl'L GAME GRID y/o (J ,ingSt.,NewYork,NY10012 TOORDER: Call our toll-free number: (800)221-5416. In NY. State and for technical information: (212) 226-2121. Hours: 9 AM-5:30 PM (EST) Monday-Friday TELEX: 12-5606 CABLE: WASHCOMP NYK NEC APC i hi 8086. 16 bit processor; Two 8" DSDD disk drives: 128K RAM (to 256K): 12" screen, green or color; 1024x1024 graphics; CP/M-86. MS-DOS: BENCHMARK word proa: DBASE II data base: CHANG LABS microplan; IBM emula- tions; ACCOUNTING PLUS. This new state-of-the-art work station out-performs AS7"iEfl/Hewlett-Packard combination pays for itself in just a few months. And, because CHART-MASTER also offers convenience, speed, user control and versatility, you will find that you will increase your use of business graphics at no marginal cost. CHART-MASTER is available through your local computer dealer for $375. '\ A complete graphics plotting package, consisting of CHART-MASTER, H-P A7470A plotter and interface for your Apple or IBM personal computer, costs as little as $2000. For further information and the name of your nearest dealer, call or write: DedSiOn ReSOUrCeS Professional software tools PO Box 309, Westport CT 06880, 203/222-1974 Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Visicalc is a trademark of Personal Software, Inc. Circle 174 on Inquiry card. ■m mm BYTE GAME GRID it plays more slowly than the Apple version and, para- doxically, penalizes you more quickly for not moving. (These differences are probably due to the idiosyncrasies of the different versions of BASIC in each machine; Ricochet is written in BASIC.) The TRS-80 version has the coarsest graphics and no color, but it makes some sound available through the cassette port (the sound is available even though the TRS-80 documentation doesn't mention it). Incidentally, the limitations of TRS-80 graphics make the pieces appear shorter when they are vertical than when they are horizontal, which, until you get used to it, may lead you to believe a path is blocked by pieces when it really isn't. The Philosophy of Ricochet I can tell from my own experience with game develop- ment that Ricochet was well designed and then polished for maximum playability. Such attention to detail is rare; most people release a game as soon as the program is free of programming errors — of course, that accounts for the countless mediocre games that are being sold today. As a result, you enjoy playing Ricochet even if you lose; you leave the game feeling satisfied instead of embittered. That Ricochet is a game player's delight is really no sur- prise, because it was designed by Bernie De Koven and Jeff Connelley, both experienced game designers. De Koven's wonderful book, The Well-Played Game (Anchor Press, 1978), expresses many of the ideals that are implemented in Ricochet. It's a must for prospective game designers. Conclusions Ricochet is not only a fantastic strategy game but a rea- sonably priced one as well. (Arcade-game enthusiasts, take note: it is neither visually stunning nor the conven- tional arcade variety.) Automated Simulations should be commended for creating a totally new kind of game that takes advantage of the computer's unique strengths and for selling it at a lower price than it could command. Ricochet has five variations, four different computer opponents, and a human-versus-human option. It can be played as a casual or a serious game, and in either case it is delightful. Interactive handicapping makes the game a challenge regardless of your relative skill level. If Ricochet is indicative of Automated Simulations' offer- ings, I eagerly await the company's next release. ■ Imte^talker The Professional Voice Quality Text-to-Speech Synthesizer Unlimited Vocabulary 64 Programmable levels of inflection Built-in 6K text-to-speech algorithm INTEX -TALKER brings a new dimension to interactive computer communications with a new high level of speech intelligibility and voice quality. Available as a stand alone peripheral or at the board level. Custom versions for OEM accounts. At Only $295.00 INTEX-TALKER Offers These Features: • Phoneme based speech synthesizer chip • 64 crystal controlled inflection levels - digitally programmable • 6K text-to-phoneme algorithm • 750 character buffer (3,000 character optional) • Complete ASCII character set recognition and echo . Adjustable Baud Rate (75-9600) • RS232C and Parallel connectors • X-on/X-off handshaking • Phoneme access modes • User expandable memory • Music and sound effects capability (programming language for notes included) • Onboard amplifier and power supply ±12V; +5V • Spelling output mode Order Now Call the number below to order or request additional information. Master Charge or Visa accepted. Charge to your credit card or send a check for $295.00 plus $4.00 delivery. Add 4% sales tax in Michigan. Dealer inquiries invited 1nte% Intex Micro Systems Corporation 755 West Big Beaver Road - Suite 1717 Troy, Michigan 48084 Telephone: 313/362-4280 146 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 248 on inquiry card. -"■^sl Introducing 2,295 Megabytes c ^n.^ Simply plugs into your I.B.M. -i Talk about user friendly, Comprehensive system utilities package. ™ Allows eight-character names to be assigned to virtual volumes. " User Can back-up to any Genie REMOVABLE Cartridge ) Drive, or to diskettes. Mix & Match different system file types on the same disk. System status screen messages. Up to 16 volumes on- line at a time. ,25" Removable GENIE Winchester Cartridge Drive " APPLE II PLUS • RADIO SHACK he Qenie X5 is a REVOLUTIONARY new 5 Megabyte REMOV- BLE WINCHESTER CARTRIDGE DRIVE. The cartgridge Drive ■ystern simply plugs into your computer, and includes all lecessary software and hardware. Genie drives are compatible vith most popular software, and each cartridge replaces over 30 louble-density floppy disks. lemovable Cartridge. Imagine, 5 Megabytes in the palm of your land. These small Winchester cartridges are only .75 inch thick md 5.50 inches square. The disk itself is completely sealed from he outside and all its hazards by a sliding door that opens only >nce the cartridge is firmly seated inside the drive. Long term vailability of this cartridge is assured by its adoption by several 'ell known manufacturers including Dysan and Memorex the rarld leaders in computer mass storage media. 2,695 APPLE II PLUS AVAIL. SOON Supports IBM- DOS, CP/M-86, PASCAL, P. SYSTEM, CON- CURRENT CP/M-86 Ultra High Speed DMA data transfers Only uses one slot in your IBM-PC Allows you to run with up to four floppy disk drives Supports DOS 3.3, CP/M, and PASCAL Boot from Hard Disk Can assign Hard Disk volume to any slot or drive number in the system RADIO SHACK S-100 APPLE III FEATURES • 5 Megabytes of on-line storage. • File sizes to 5 Megabytes. • Power-on self-test. • No preventative mainte- nance required. • Average access time 50 ms. Model X5A • Easy back-ups in minutes. $ £%QJ% ( « System expandable to eight drives. *■> J ^^ ^^ ^^ "i Built-in error detection and correction. • Comes complete with all necessary software and hardware. > MTBF 11,000 hours. j Built-in fan. • Operates 110/220 VAC 50-60 Hz. • One year warranty. Available at your local computer dealer Manufacturer's suggested retail price. Includes all required components. Concurrent CP/M-86 is a registered trade mark of Digital Research. IBM Personal Computer is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. Apple Is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Radio Shack is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation. Dysan is a registered trademark of Dysan Corp. GEffiE COMPUTER CORPORATION 31125 Via Colinas #908 • Westlake Village, CA 91362 • (213)991-6210 GEIliE TM Megabyte 5.25" GENIE Winchester Drives I.B.M. • APPLE II PLUS • RADIO SHACK 5 MEGABYTES 2295 00 ~~~ 10 MEGABYTES s 2595 15 MEGABYTES 2895 20 MEGABYTES 3195 FEATUR • Precision Manganese-zinc hea • Average access time 77 ms. • File sizes 5-20 megabytes • Power-on self test • Built-in error detection and correc- tion • System expandable to eight drives • Comes complete with all necessary software and hardware • No preventative maintenance required • Built-in fan • Operates 110/220 VAC 50-60 Hz • One year warranty 'Manufacturer's suggested retail price. Includes all required components. IBM DOS Personal Computer Is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Radio Shack Is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation. CP/M and CP/M-86 are registered trademarks of Digital Research. Talk about user friendly. . . Comprehensive system utilities package. Allows eight-character names to be assigned to virtual volumes. User can back-up to either our 5 + 5™ removable Car- tridge Drive or to diskettes. Mix & match different system file types on the same disk. System status screen messages. Up to 16 volumes on-line at a time. lime ice in Engineerir rives were built Excellence in Engineering Genie Drives were built with the user in mind. A design backed by many years of experience, the Genie Drive is everything a user ever wanted in a hard disk. We offer the ultimate in hard disk mass storage systems that money can buy. IBM APPLE II PLUS RADIO SHACK • Supports IBM- DOS, CP/M-86, PASCAL • Ultra High Speed DMA data transfers • Only uses one slot in your IBM-PC • Allows you to run with up to four floppy disk drives • Supports DOS 3.3, CP/M, and PASCAL • Boot from Hard Disk • Can assign Hard Disk vol- ume to any slot or drive number in the system available soon S-100 available soon Available at your local computer dealer GEIliE COMPUTER CORPORATION 31125 Via Col inas #908 • Westlake Village, CA 91362 • (213)991-621 Circle 210 on inquiry card. 1 m 1 TM E 5.25" Removable GENIE Winchester Cartridge Drive IBM • APPLE II PLUS • RADIO SHACK • S-100 The Genie Cartridge Drive is a revolutionary new 10 Megabyte Hard Disk Drive that includes a 5 Megabyte removable Winchester catridge. The cartridge Drive system simply plugs into your computer, and includes all necessary software and hardware. Genie Drives are compat- ible with most popular software, and each cartridge replaces over 30 double-density floppy disks. FEAT • 10 Megabytes of on-line storage. File sizes to 5 Megabytes. • Power-on self-test. • Easy back-ups in minutes. • System expandable to eight drives. Built-in error detection and correction. • No preventative maintenance required. • Comes complete with all necessary software and hardware. • MTBF 8000 Hours. • Built-in fan. • Operates 110/220 VAC 50-60 Hz. • One year limited warranty. Only $399500* Imagine, 5 Megabytes in the ;e small Winchester cartridges are only .75 inches thick and 5.50 inches square. The disk itself iscompletely sealed from theoutsideand all its hazards by a sliding door that opens only once the cartridge is firmly seated inside the drive. Long term availability of this cartridge is assured by its adoption by several well known manufacturers including Dysan and Memorex, the world leaders in computer mass storage media. Talk about user friendly • • • Comprehensive system utilities package. Allows eight-character names to be assigned to virtual volumes. User Can back-up to any Genie REMOVABLE Cartridge Drive, or to diskettes. Mix & Match different system file types on the same disk. System status screen messages. Up to 16 volumes on- line at a time. Available at your local computer dealer Manufacturer's suggested retail price. Includes all required components. Concurrent CP/M-86 Is a registered trade mark of Digital Research. IBM Personal Computer Is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. Apple Is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Radio Shack Is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation. Dysan Is a registered trademark of Dysan Corp. Circle 210 on Inquiry card. COMPUTER CORPORATION s#908 • Westlake Village, CA 91362 • (213)991-6210 mzemi BYTE GAME GRID Action Games for the VIC-20 Russell Kavanagh 16921 Lakefront Circle. #47 Huntington Beach, CA 92647 The Commodore VIC-20 computer has been available in the United States for more than a year now, but until fairly recently very little software was available for it. Creative Software, however, is one firm that provided software early on. Eager to do something with my new VIC-20, I mail-ordered a copy of the company's "Action Games" package, which includes VIC Trap, Seawolf, and Bounce Out. I received the games in surprisingly short order and rushed to the VIC to try them out. To my chagrin, I ex- perienced a few minutes of frustration because I had dif- ficulty loading the programs. Fortunately, past ex- perience with the VIC cassette interface had taught me that it's a bit flaky, but nothing that a little reorientation of the cassette drive and cabling can't fix. Sure enough, that did it, and I was able to load the first program. I haven't had any trouble loading any of the games since then, and I suspect the problem I had was the VIC's fault. Inspection of the cassette cable indicates that it could use some attention to grounding and shielding . . . but that's another article. On to the matter at hand: play- ing games. VIC Trap Like the other two games in this package, VIC Trap makes good use of the VIC's color and sound capabilities and can be played using either a joystick or the keyboard. Of the three games, it is the only one written in BASIC. To play, you guide a character around the screen, leaving a trail behind it. At the same time, the VIC does the same thing with its own character. The object is to try to trap the VIC by surrounding its character with your trail and/or the screen borders. The first player to collide with either the trail or the border loses. A point goes to the vic- tor, and the process starts over again. I didn't find VIC Trap very challenging, so I soon grew tried of it. The game is very slow moving and does not re- quire you to develop a real strategy. The younger set might enjoy it, but I think even they would soon want to move on to the other games in this package. Still, VIC Trap is an interesting demonstration of the VIC color graphics and sound, and as such it might serve as a simple introduction of your computer to friends. Seawolf The second game in the package is written in machine language and is run through the use of a BASIC statement that jumps to the machine-language program. In this game you are the skipper of a "swift and dangerous sub- marine" that is positioned along the bottom of the screen. Scenes from the Action Games package for the Commodore VIC-20 microcomputer. Left to right: VIC Trap, Seawolf, Bounce Out. 150 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc TMP software The computer's mind. > Regardless of what brand of microcomputer you own, the key to its productivity is the software you use. And more and more companies and individuals are relying on TMP Software to get out more work, faster Software so advanced it's simple. With TMP, Total Management Planning Systems, you and your computer communicate in English. Simply follow instructions displayed on the screen to quickly and efficiently enter save and retrieve information. And unique "Help" screens allow you to ask questions and get answers, in process, without turning to instruction manuals or erasing information you're working on. Combine packages, maximize results. Perhaps more importantly once you learn the operation of one TMP Software Package, you've learned the basics of our entire sophisticated system: TMP/FreeForm ™ (electronic index cards); TMP/CalCTM (electronic spread sheets and more); TMP/Manager ™ (structured data base management); TMP/Writenv. Total Management Planning Systems Circle 506 on inquiry card. TMP. TMP/FreeForm, TMP/Calc. TMP/Manager, TMP/Wnter, and TMP/Front-End are trademarks of The United Software Company (word processing/document retrieval); TMP/Front-End tm (combines packages). Each package can stand alone, or they can be integrated to form a complete, powerful system — increasing productivity and minimizing the opportunity for error On-going support and innovation. TMP Software is available for most popular- desk-top computers and supermicros. And new software packages are being added monthly Videotape training programs are available on VHS, Beta and U-Matic formats. Contact your nearest TMP Software dealer or order direct. Either way get on line with TMP, and improve your computer's mind. Dealer inguiries invited. The United Software Company 2431 East Douglas, Wichita, Kansas, 67211, (316) 684-5281. MasterCard, Visa and American Express. The computer's mind. When one terminal is not enough BYTE GAME GRID Adda MuSYS Slave! Expand your Z80A/S-100 based micros with MuSYS slaves and TurboDOS*. Our NET/82 slave board has everything you need for another station: Z80A CPU, up to 128K bytes of RAM, two serial ports, a priority interrupt controller, memory parity checking, and many other fea- tures. There isn't a more cost-effective way to add complete, hardware-isolated network slaves to your system. And TurboDOS makes it even better. It's faster than CP/M®* for systems func- tions, supports larger files (134 MB) and disks (1048 MB), and unlike CP/NET* it's compatible with nearly all 2.2 applications software. Many features which are optional, extra-cost, or not available at all in CP/M® are standard with TurboDOS. Call today for all the details. Generous dealer/OEM discounts available. •TurboDOS is a trademark of Software 2000. Inc.; CP/M and CP/NET are trademarks o( Digital Research. Inc.: NET/82 is a trademark ot MuSYS Corp. Speciarists in Multi-user Microsystems CORP 1752 B Langley Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 662-7387 TWX: 910-595-1967 CABLE: MUSYSIRIN At a Glance Name Format Action Games; includes VIC Cassette tape Trap, Seawolf, and Bounce Out Language BASIC and machine Type language Game Computer Manufacturer Commodore VIC-20 with 5K Creative Software bytes of memory 201 San Antonio Circle, No. 270 Documentation Mountain View, CA 94040 Six-page pamphlet (415) 948-9595 Audience Price Game players $24.95 plus $1.50 shipping and handling You can control motions to the left and right and fire torpedoes up through the water. Above you are three levels of enemy ships, which you try to sink with your torpedoes. The ships move at dif- ferent speeds; the one closest to you is the slowest and largest — easiest to hit and worth the least number of points. Ships enter the screen randomly from either side. Mines float between you and the ships above, and although they do you no damage, they will block your torpedo — in effect, running interference for the ships. The play lasts for 60 seconds, during which you try to score as many points as possible. If you score enough points, you get a bonus of 30 seconds' more playing time. When your time is up, your new score is displayed along with your previous high score. Two levels of play enable you to change the speed and point values of the passing ships. Seawolf has an arcade look to it; the graphics are fast and colorful, and the sound effects are good. There is no noticeable delay in controlling the submarine, although the instructions do warn you that your crew requires some time to "reload" a torpedo after a shot. I found the game reasonably entertaining, although the instructions overestimate the skill required to score that extra 30 seconds of play. I earned some of my highest scores by merely parking the sub and holding down the Fire but- ton. That strategy works because you have an unlimited supply of torpedoes. I think Seawolf could be improved by limiting the torpedo supply and providing more rewards after the first bonus of 30 seconds. Maybe there are more rewards, but I never found them. None- theless, this game should be a popular one, especially for newcomers to the computer-game domain. Bounce Out The third and final game is a colorful and challenging version of the well-known video game Break Out. You 152 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 333 on inquiry card. Circle 393 on Inquiry card. QDP-300 ie peace of mind computer. Introducing our third generation computer . . . the all-new QDP-300. Now, you can rest assured you've found the most advanced microcomputer on the market today. The QDP-300 is a user- friendly system - its on-line "Help" system gives even untrained operators access to its full power. It uses CP/M* and MP/M* operating systems that assure the user of an abundance of compatible software. The QDP-300 even has a dual voltage system that allows worldwide operation (115 or 220 volts) at the flick of a switch. For word process- ing, financial forecasting, engineering design and manufacturing, inventory, payroll, bookkeeping and more, the QDP-300 will work hard for you for years and years to come. It's also comforting to know that the QDP-300 is fully expandable and readily upgradeable as your computer needs grow. There's even more. It might make you sleep better to know that the QDP-300 is backed by one year, on- site warranty with service provided by General Electric Apparatus and Engineering Services, with more than 50 service locations nationwide. If these features and all of the others we've built into the QDP-300 don't bring you peace of mind, then the low price tag will. ■ More Flexibility - Easily upgradeable to 16 bit capability which gives the user 8 or 16 bit operation. IEEE 696/S-100 Bus. ■More Speed - Unique "cache memory" disk operation makes the QDP-300 one of the fastest operational 8 bit systems on the market. ■ More Power - Advanced single board design utilizing Z80B** CPU operating at 6 MHz. ' More Storage - Dual 8" floppy disk drives ' 3f2.< provide a total of2.4 MB of formatted storage (10 MB and 15 MB internal hard disk system optiona 30 MB external hard disk system also available.) Call or write for complete specifications and literature. % computers: computer systems ^^^^^H OFF FLOPPY DISK QUASAR DATA PRODUCTS 1 -T1 # i computer systems 10330 Brecksville Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44141 (216) 5260838, Telex: 241596 Specifications subject to change *CP/M and MP/M are trademarks of Digital Research Corp. ' ' Z80B is a trademark of Zilog Corp. Circle 385 on inquiry card. PROGRAMMERS FLIGHT SIMULATOR Apple 11 Plus DOS 3.3 48K This total IFR System disk features gobs of menu selectable flight programs each with breath taking realistic picture graphics, moving scenery, airport approaches, holding patterns and much much more. $50.00 At your Computer Store or direct from Visa Mastercard Programmers Software 2110 N. 2nd Street Cabot, Arkansas 72023 (501) 843-2988 Powerful Lab Graphics For Your Apple II + ® Computer SCIENTIFIC PLOTTER tfjffi ffifc CURVE FITTER "I hi! \ij X3 o) sms ag ■£ Language ■S}U3)U03 S}1 pUV Jl 3UIIUVXJ ■SUOS03A Interlogic Machine Language (an Infocom language) ju.iaaas uof luocu juofjoduti Rpv\noxuvd d si fiuvuqq dqj_ -f Documentation ■s)3alqo A computer reference card, an inspector's casebook, and a pUD 3\d03d Of SUO\%JV3X SUj )3f} ■U3)3VUOq0 ftdy V SI dSj03Q ■£ dossier that includes transcripts of interviews with witnesses, lab ■saauuv ji udijcn jsdodsmsu 3ij) reports, letters, memos, an 8 by 10 glossy of the scene of the /o uoi;duDS3p saiutiS aij) ui Siupuom fiyaui uoj )no i{3)vfi/[ ••£ crime, and a small bag of pills "found near the body" ■3Ui\pv3Q jnoijSncuii} Audience sv \\3(ti sv 3X3\\ }uauoduii si suoijsdnb mofi. 3SDAifd Game players noK Rocn ai/j; ■udUdpuuS aijf 8uuaij;oq sjvifcn )no pwj -j c compilers HOST 6809 TARGET PDP-11 "/LSI 11* TARGET 8080/(Z80) TARGET 8088/8086 TARGET FLEX7UNIFLEX* OS-9* $200.00 ",','"'."" $350.00 ":::; 500.00 500.00 500.00 RT-11VRSX 11* PDP-11* 500.00 350.00 ,"',':', 500.00 500.00 CP/M* 8080/IZ80) 500.00 500.00 200.00 ";"';',' 350.00 ",','1', 500.00 PCDOSVMSDOS* 8088/8086 500.00 500.00 500.00 200.00 ";;;;'.'! ' 350.00 "SSI •PCDOS is a trademark of IBM CORP. MSDOS is a trademark of MICROSOFT. UNIX is a trademark of BELL LABS. RT-11/RSX11/PDP11 is a trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation. FLEX/UNIFLEX is a trademark of Technical Systems consultants, CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research. OS-9 is a trademark of Microware & Motorola • FULL C • UNIX* Ver. 7 COMPATABILITY • NO ROYALTIES ON GENERATED CODE • GENERATED CODE IS REENTRANT • C AND ASSEMBLY SOURCE MAY BE INTERMIXED • UPGRADES & SUPPORT FOR 1 YEAR 408-275-1659 TELECON SYSTEMS 1155 Meridian Avenue, Suite 218 San Jose, California 95125 Circle 457 on inquiry card. December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc 161 BYTE GAME GRID Penetrator Stan Wszola Technical Editor Let's face it: graphics on the TRS-80 Models I and III have never been exciting. And playing games on a screen that has fat little pixels leaves a lot to be desired. That's why I got excited when I first saw Penetrator. Phillip Mitchell's game uses TRS-80 graphics in an imaginative and effective manner. Playing Penetrator on my Model III is like changing a carrot peeler into a Cuisinart. The game begins with this scenario: you are the sole survivor of your squadron, and it is your job to invade the enemy's territory, penetrate the four defensive rings, destroy the cache of neutron bombs, and return to your base. The enemy defenses consist of radar stations, ground-based missiles, and alien parachutists who use themselves as ammunition. You are allotted five fighters per game. In the game, you pilot an advanced fighter that is con- trolled by the four arrow keys on the keyboard or by an Alpha joystick. You press the appropriate keys or maneuver the stick to go up or down or to create right or left thrust. You can brake your fighter by pressing the ar- row key opposite from the direction you're flying. But you can't stop your fighter for any length of time because you must maintain forward momentum. Your fighter's armaments include bombs launched by pressing the space bar or fire button and missiles fired by rapidly pressing the right arrow key or jiggling the joy- stick to the right. You use your weapons to destroy the missiles, parachutists, and radar stations in your path. The object of the game is to score points by destroying the maximum number of missiles, radar bases, and aliens. Points are scored as follows: Grounded missiles = 10 Flying missiles = 50 Radar bases = 100 Parachutists = 200 Neutron bombs = First = 1000 Second = 2000 Your score will be displayed in the upper right-hand cor- ner of the screen. Stage 1: Your fighter has just entered enemy territory. You can see two missiles rising to destroy you. All player information is displayed on the top line. Stage 2: You must pilot your fighter through a cavern. This stage of the game gives new meaning to the term "low ceiling. " 162 December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc At a Glance Format Name Cassette or 5 V* -inch floppy disk. The game package includes Penetrator both Model I and Model III versions. Type Language One- or two-player arcade-style game Z80 machine language Manufacturer Computer Melbourne House TRS-80 Model I or Model III with 48K bytes of memory and one 6917 Valjean Ave. disk drive. You will need a speaker amplifier to hear the sound Van Nuys, CA 91406 effects, and the program is compatible with the Alpha (Atari- (213) 272-8456 type) joystick. Price Documentation $24.95 16-page booklet Author Audience Phillip Mitchell Game players Four Defensive Rings The game is divided into four stages that increase in difficulty, so progressing through them requires constant concentration. Each stage demands a different strategy. In stage 1 you merely shoot enemy missiles and destroy every radar station in your path (see photo). The radar stations must be destroyed because they pass along infor- mation about your course and tactics; unless you destroy them, they increase the level of danger for your ship and make successive stages more difficult. Stage 2 increases your chances of crashing by forcing you to fly in a cavern (see photo). The low ceilings, ground obstructions, and flying missiles greatly limit your maneuverability. Of course, you still must fire your missiles and drop bombs to score points. Stage 3 tests your reflexes because it requires a coor- dinated use of the thrust and braking controls (see photo) to maneuver through narrow vertical and horizontal cor- ridors. Missiles are located at the bottom of silos. Destroying a missile requires braking over the target, dropping a bomb, and quickly maneuvering away in case you missed. Stage 4 is the toughest of all. Not only does it incor- porate features from all the previous stages, it adds alien parachutists (see photo). The aliens have a limited ability to maneuver themselves, so you can outmaneuver them even if you can't shoot them with your missiles. If you manage to survive all four levels, you can destroy the neutron bombs at the center of the alien defensive rings and then try to fly back home through the four stages once more. Game Features If that were all there was to Penetrator, it would be a good game. But Mitchell gives us more: a training- simulation option and the ability to customize the game. The training simulation lets you start at the beginning of any of the four stages with an unlimited number of ships at your disposal. The game will automatically Stage 3: The enemy missiles are located in concrete silos, which makes them very difficult targets for your bombs. Stage 4: Alien parachutists fall from the ceiling of the cavern. Beyond this stage is the neutron bomb cache. December 1982 © BYTE Publications Inc 163 BYTE GAME GRID repeat any stage until you successfully complete it, and only then can you move on to the next higher stage. This is a nice feature if you want to practice mastering one particular stage. The ability to tailor the game to suit your tastes is one of Penetrator's most attractive features. You can alter the shape of the landscape and change the number and posi- tion of the missiles and radar bases. The changes in the game may be saved to disk or cassette, and the game will prompt you at the start to load a previously saved land- scape. This ensures that the game will always be fresh even to an experienced player. The feature also enables you to simplify the game for very young children or make it more challenging for battle-hardened players. Conclusion My only complaint with Penetrator concerns the methods you must use to control the fighter. When you control the game from the keyboard, using the arrow keys is awkward. The Alpha joystick is a better alter- native because it offers greater control; unfortunately, it makes controlling missile fire tricky. If you jiggle the stick to the right too slowly, you get thrust instead of missile fire. Penetrator is a perfect example of how "less is more." The game shows what an inspired programmer can do with the limited graphics of TRS-80 Models I and III. Because it is eminently playable and it can be customized, Penetrator will be on my game shelf for a long time.B 68000 DISASSEMBLER An easy to use program to cre- ate source files from Motorola S-format files The DISASSEMBLER runs on: EXORmacs under VERSAdos and IDRIS VAX under VMS and UNIX NORD under SINTRAN 8" SD diskette $ 200 Pascal source on request NorSoft Consultants Veungsdalsveien 1 3600 Kongsberg Norway Got a computer? \\\\\\\\\\w- NV - SN S-JvSINNN^****^ Get a Giltronix Selector Switch. Eliminate implying and re-pln^ing your CPU's, peripherals, and modems. 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